A Guide to the Top 5 Leading DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) in China

What Is a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)?

A DAO, or Decentralized Autonomous Organization, is a type of decentralized organization that enables projects and businesses to operate without a designated owner or manager. Governance and decision-making are handled by self-executing smart contracts, creating a Web3.0-style organizational community.

Unlike conventional corporate structures, DAOs are built on blockchain technology. This foundation enables rules to be established and executed automatically through participant consensus, eliminating the need for centralized control. As a result, DAOs are often called "the corporation of the Web3.0 era."

Because DAOs exist on the blockchain, anyone around the world can participate without geographic limitations. This allows people with diverse backgrounds and skills to collaborate globally and anonymously, creating new value. For example, a developer in Japan, a designer in the United States, and a marketer in Europe can all join the same DAO and contribute to a shared project.

Three Defining Features of DAOs

DAOs stand out from traditional organizations through three key features, positioning them as a leading organizational model for a new era.

Feature ①: Decentralization

DAOs may have core developers or founding members, but these individuals do not monopolize decision-making authority. Instead, governance is conducted democratically by participants holding tokens—the DAO’s native cryptocurrency.

DAO tokens serve a role similar to corporate shares, with voting power and influence determined by the number of tokens held. This system allows all members to affect the organization’s direction and prevents any single person or group from exercising unilateral control. For this reason, DAOs are often described as "the corporation of the Web3.0 era."

For example, major decisions such as launching new projects or allocating budgets are decided by token-holder voting. This process ensures both transparency and fairness.

Feature ②: Autonomy

DAO rules and policies are automatically executed by blockchain-based smart contracts. These contracts process transactions according to predetermined conditions, eliminating the need for human intervention.

This autonomy means DAOs can operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, smart contracts are open source, allowing anyone to review the code and ensuring a high level of transparency.

For example, rewards can be distributed automatically when certain conditions are met, or projects can be launched based on voting results—eliminating human error and fraud for a fair operating environment. This self-governance is a critical factor in building trust in DAOs.

Feature ③: Participation

DAOs prioritize member autonomy and diversity, allowing participants to take on various roles based on their interests and expertise. This creates a highly participatory environment.

Members can leave a DAO at any time, and since most activities are conducted online, there are no barriers related to nationality, gender, age, or profession. This enables people from different backgrounds to collaborate and leverage their specialized knowledge and experience.

For example, developers can contribute code, designers can work on visuals, and marketers can support promotions—each utilizing their strengths. This flexible structure enables DAOs to gather diverse talent and drive innovation.

Five Leading DAOs in Japan

The establishment and activity of DAOs are expanding rapidly in Japan across various fields. Below, we highlight five domestic DAOs with notable features and activities.

Leading Domestic DAO ①: Ninja DAO

Ninja DAO is a community of holders and fans of the CryptoNinja NFT project, founded in December 2021 by web marketer Ikehaya.

Ninja DAO members can freely use the character "CryptoNinja," inspired by traditional Japanese ninja, for commercial purposes. The character appears in NFTs, manga, games, anime, merchandise, music, and stage productions, forming an ecosystem that blends Japanese tradition with Web3.0 technology.

Significantly, production of the world’s first NFT character TV anime series, "Shinobanai! CryptoNinja Sakuya," is underway, demonstrating new possibilities for NFTs in entertainment. Ninja DAO has gained attention as a pioneering example of combining Japanese pop culture with blockchain technology.

Leading Domestic DAO ②: Kunimitsu DAO

Kunimitsu DAO was founded by Hiroshi Kunimitsu, CEO of the Crowdfunding 2.0 platform "FiNANCiE," in May 2022. The DAO aims to foster startups representing Japan in the Web3.0 era.

Key activities include providing funding, talent, and expertise to support the creation of startups, investing in promising projects, offering mentoring, and facilitating networking.

The mission of Kunimitsu DAO includes:

• Exploring new forms of Web3.0-era communities and promoting them globally
• Returning profits from successful projects to Kunimitsu DAO participants (token holders)

This DAO plays a central role in developing Japan’s Web3.0 ecosystem and nurturing next-generation entrepreneurs.

Leading Domestic DAO ③: Wagumi DAO

Wagumi DAO aims to share Japanese culture and tradition globally and operates the NFT project "WAGMI." Founded in December 2022, the DAO serves as a platform for people worldwide who are interested in Japanese culture to collaborate and create new value.

Participants engage in activities such as selling and exchanging NFTs and producing art to promote Japanese culture. This includes creating modern NFT art inspired by traditional Japanese designs and developing hybrid products that combine traditional crafts with NFTs.

The DAO features a community space for members to interact and share information, functioning as a networking hub for Japanese culture enthusiasts. Wagumi DAO contributes to the preservation, development, and global dissemination of Japanese traditions.

Leading Domestic DAO ④: SUPER SAPIENSS

SUPER SAPIENSS is Japan’s first entertainment-focused DAO project, founded by acclaimed filmmakers Yukihiko Tsutsumi, Katsuyuki Motohiro, and Yuichi Sato.

The DAO collaborates with supporters to produce original works themed around human evolution, utilizing NFTs and blockchain technology. Unlike traditional film production, it introduces a participatory entertainment model where fans are part of the creative process.

Supporters who purchase NFTs gain benefits such as:

• Access to exclusive articles and videos
• Participation in film production and distribution decisions
• Invitations to behind-the-scenes and filming events
• Priority access to tickets and merchandise
• Dividends from film and NFT sales

"SUPER SAPIENSS" film NFTs represent the movie’s characters and world, and are issued in limited quantities. This project exemplifies the innovative potential of DAOs in entertainment.

Leading Domestic DAO ⑤: MZ DAO

MZ DAO was founded by entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa with the ambitious goal of fostering "one million entrepreneurs" to revitalize Japan’s economy and society.

The DAO stands out for its affordable monthly participation fee of 500 yen, allowing wide accessibility. Members can read exclusive articles and gain the right to participate in business activities, making it easy for those interested in entrepreneurship to join.

Business ideas and policies are decided by token voting within the DAO. Members can propose ideas or vote on others’ proposals, actively participating in the launch of real business projects.

MZ DAO aims to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit and provide real business opportunities, contributing to Japan’s economic revitalization. Led by a prominent entrepreneur, this large-scale DAO is drawing significant attention.

The Future of DAOs

DAOs are expected to become a new paradigm for organizational management across many sectors. The following are three key perspectives on the future of DAOs.

Future Perspective ①: Efficient and Transparent Organizations

Without centralized management, DAOs can make decisions and share information quickly and easily, leading to more efficient and transparent operations than traditional organizations.

Traditional organizations often require approval across multiple management layers, resulting in delays. Information can become distorted in transmission, and important details may be limited to a select few.

In DAOs, everyone can participate autonomously in decision-making, creating a transparent structure. All transactions and decisions are recorded on the blockchain and can be verified by anyone, building organizational trust and preventing fraud or corruption.

For example, information like budget allocations and voting outcomes is shared openly, allowing participants to accurately understand the organization and make informed decisions.

Future Perspective ②: Equal Rights for All Members

DAOs give all members the right to participate in management, enabling equal organizational rights—a major departure from hierarchical structures.

Traditional organizations concentrate power at the top, limiting opportunities for ordinary employees to engage in management. Decisions are often made by a small group of executives, making it hard for grassroots perspectives to be reflected.

In DAOs, all token holders have the right to participate in management, bringing diverse perspectives and opinions into decision-making for more democratic and fair governance.

Even new members with tokens can exercise voting rights alongside veterans, influencing the organization’s direction. This flat structure promotes innovation and enables diverse talents to thrive.

Future Perspective ③: Management and Utilization of Digital Assets

DAOs use blockchain technology for efficient digital asset management and operations, offering a new model that is difficult to achieve in traditional organizations.

Conventional organizations require complex procedures and intermediaries for asset management, resulting in higher costs and delays, limited transparency, and risks of fraud or embezzlement.

DAOs leverage smart contracts for smooth and transparent asset sharing, distribution, and investment. For example, rewards can be automatically distributed when projects succeed, and investment decisions are made democratically, enabling efficient and fair asset management.

These features allow DAOs to pioneer new investment and fundraising models. As democratic, transparent alternatives to crowdfunding and venture capital, DAOs are attracting attention. New business models using NFTs and tokens are also anticipated.

Summary: DAO Activity Accelerates in Japan

This article examined five major DAOs in Japan. DAOs are a new organizational form leveraging blockchain technology, offering transparency, fairness, and autonomy, with potential for new business and social models.

In Japan, DAOs are increasingly active in entertainment, art, startup support, and cultural promotion. Ninja DAO, Kunimitsu DAO, Wagumi DAO, SUPER SAPIENSS, and MZ DAO each have distinct missions and characteristics, contributing to the growth of Japan’s Web3.0 ecosystem.

Recent changes are prompting a fundamental reassessment of work styles and organizational structures. As remote work and globalization advance, flexible, location-independent organizations are in high demand. DAOs are emerging as a promising model for this era.

DAOs as Web3.0 organizations have the potential to revitalize Japan’s economy and society and foster innovation. They enable transparent, democratic decision-making and global talent utilization, overcoming barriers of traditional centralized structures.

DAOs are still developing and face challenges such as legal frameworks and technical issues. However, their innovative potential continues to attract attention. By monitoring DAO trends in Japan and worldwide, those interested are encouraged to participate. Direct involvement allows for firsthand experience of new organizational models in the Web3.0 era.

FAQ

What Is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)? How Is It Different From Traditional Companies?

A DAO is an organization governed by smart contracts on a blockchain, which automatically execute management rules. Unlike traditional companies, DAOs have no centralized administrators; decisions are made through member voting, resulting in high transparency, flat structures, and profit allocation based on contributions.

Which Are the Five Most Active Major DAOs in Japan? What Are Their Key Features?

Japan’s major DAOs include MakerDAO (stablecoin issuance), Aave (lending), Uniswap (DEX liquidity), Compound (decentralized finance), and Curve (stablecoin swaps). Each is characterized by autonomous, community-driven management through voting.

How Does a DAO Operate? How Do Members Participate in Decision-Making and Governance?

DAOs are managed via blockchain-based smart contracts, and members participate in governance by voting according to their token holdings. Decisions can be made on-chain or off-chain, with all processes remaining transparent and decentralized.

How Can Ordinary Individuals Participate in Japanese DAOs? What Are the Requirements?

Joining a Japanese DAO is relatively simple—create a wallet and acquire the necessary tokens. Some DAOs set financial thresholds (e.g., 50 ETH), but most have low barriers to entry, allowing anyone to participate and contribute easily.

What Are the Risks of Participating in a DAO? What Should You Be Cautious About?

Risks include losses from smart contract vulnerabilities or technical flaws, uncertainty in governance voting, asset lock-up due to liquidity constraints, and regulatory uncertainty. Participants should have solid technical knowledge and closely monitor their involvement.

What Is the Future Outlook for DAOs in Japan? What Regulatory Challenges Exist?

DAOs in Japan have significant growth potential but face regulatory uncertainty. The government may increase oversight of decentralized financial tools, making clarification of legal frameworks urgent. With proper regulation, DAOs may become integrated into Japan’s financial system.