Japan’s ANA Airline Embraces the Metaverse with NFT Marketplace Launch

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched an NFT platform called ANA GranWhale NFT MarketPlace to trade art and photograph collectibles. The platform is operated by ANA’s metaverse subsidiary, ANA NEO.

The first NFT products on the platform feature works by aviation photographer Luke Ozawa. More collections, including those featuring Boeing 787 aircraft, will be available starting June 7.

Artists and creators will be able to sell their works as NFTs on the marketplace. Certain NFTs will also be up for trading.

“Through this initiative, we aim to unlock the potential of NFTs in the aviation industry, bringing together the digital and physical realms to create unique and memorable experiences,” said Mitsuo Tomita, president of ANA NEO.

ANA NEO is also working on a metaverse platform called ANA GranWhale. The platform will allow users to explore virtual recreations of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island.

The Japanese government has become increasingly supportive of emerging metaverse technology. A government-affiliated white paper released in April detailed plans the country has for adopting Web3 technologies.