JR West Group's 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u' Hosts Major Talk Event with Over 1,500 Participants!

V Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kota Fujiwara; hereinafter 'V'), which plans, develops, and operates infrastructure services supporting the economy, culture, and communities in next-generation social worlds, supported the planning and operational management of the opening event 'Connect! Expand! Virtual Talk Relay' held on June 6 (Sat) and 7 (Sun), 2026, within 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u,' a virtual space launched by the JR West Group on VRChat.

The event was conducted over two days through the VRChat venue and YouTube livestreaming, attracting over 1,500 cumulative attendees. A total of 74 groups participated as speakers, with over 20 hours of total broadcasting time, making it a notable case of community activation within a corporate-operated virtual space.

About 'Connect! Expand! Virtual Talk Relay'

'Connect! Expand! Virtual Talk Relay' was a talk event held to coincide with the relaunch of 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u'.

Creators, event organizers, world builders, and artists active in VRChat took the stage in a relay format, introducing their activities and communities.

The event adopted a relay format where each speaker introduced the next participant, aiming to create connections among creators across different genres. This format encouraged attendees to discover new activities and communities, while also fostering communication among speakers and paving the way for future collaborations.

Event Name: Connect! Expand! Virtual Talk Relay

Dates: June 6 (Sat) – 7 (Sun), 2026

Venue: VRChat 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u'

Number of Speakers: 74 groups

Total Attendance: Over 1,500

Total Broadcast Duration: Over 20 hours

Main Content: Talk sessions by VRChat creators, event organizers, world builders, and artists

Archive Videos:

DAY1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onOXkcIfmdg

DAY2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7fjNbUz_5k

A Case Study in Community Activation within Corporate Virtual Spaces

For corporations, local governments, commercial facilities, and IP holders utilizing the metaverse, it is crucial not only to create virtual worlds but also to attract users, foster interaction, and ensure sustained engagement after launch.

'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u' is designed not merely as a virtual space, but as a 'co-creation platform' that supports users' diverse activities such as creative expression, exchange, exhibitions, and events.

This event leveraged the space's unique characteristics, bringing together a wide range of creators and communities from VRChat to share their work and interact. By focusing on human connections rather than just showcasing the space, it became a model for sustained vibrancy in corporate virtual environments. Additionally, by engaging with creators and communities active in VRChat, the event helped bridge corporate virtual spaces with user-generated content (UGC) culture.

V supported the event comprehensively—from planning and speaker coordination to on-site facilitation and livestream operations—leveraging its deep understanding of the VRChat community. Furthermore, through ongoing community management support on X (formerly Twitter) and Discord for 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u,' V applied its expertise to create an environment conducive to interaction among creators and attendees.

High Satisfaction Recorded in Speaker Survey

A post-event survey of speakers showed that all respondents rated the event as either 'very enjoyable' or 'enjoyable,' with approximately 90% expressing interest in participating in future events.

Open-ended responses included comments such as 'I was able to talk with creators I don’t usually interact with' and 'I was exposed to the perspectives of creators from different fields.' Additionally, feedback like 'I made new friends' and 'It sparked ideas for future collaborative projects' indicated that interactions among speakers extended beyond the event, leading to new actions and interests.

Moreover, cross-domain project ideas emerged, including friend exchanges, guest appearances, and collaborative initiatives in music, fashion, and world creation. These responses suggest that the event went beyond a one-time talk session, serving as a catalyst for new connections among VRChat creators and communities.

About 'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u'

※This illustration is conceptual. The north-south free passage area is scheduled for future release.

'Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u' is a virtual space launched by the JR West Group on VRChat.

Positioned as a co-creation space where users take center stage, it enables broader dissemination of self-expression and creative activities, while also supporting collaborations with companies and organizations and potential real-world applications.

Future events aimed at promoting user interaction and creative activities are planned.

V will continue to support sustained vibrancy in virtual spaces by leveraging its expertise in community management and event planning and operations.

About V Inc.

V Inc. is a leading company in Japan’s next-generation social world domain, operating one of the largest community services centered on VRChat.

Through capital and business alliances with Sony Group, Square Enix, Itochu Corporation, and others, V is advancing projects with major Japanese IPs, corporations, and local governments, while building infrastructure that supports the culture and economy of VRChat users worldwide.

Company Overview

Company Name: V Inc.

Address: 8F, Meguro Center Building, 3-2-1 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021

Representative: CEO Kota Fujiwara

URL: https://v-inc.jp