Soneium, developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs, has partnered with IRC APP, formerly known as YOAKE SPACE, to bring Japan’s largest idol and fashion festival, the IDOL RUNWAY COLLECTION (IRC), to a global audience. IRC APP was created by YOAKE entertainment, a company backed by Japan’s leading IP entertainment firms, including TWIN PLANET, ASOBISYSTEM, W TOKYO, Y&N Brothers, and Sony Group. The platform allows fans to record, measure, and be rewarded for their contributions to idol culture in a way that is transparent and sustainable.
YOAKE entertainment operates IRC, which attracts over a million people annually through live shows, broadcast viewership, and media coverage. The IRC APP, powered by Record ($REC) and Soneium infrastructure, aims to bridge physical and digital fandom by tracking fan activity and translating it into on-chain engagement. This system allows everyday interactions and social activity to have a tangible impact on festival participation.
IRC 2026 Builds on Japan’s Cultural and Fashion Platforms
IRC 2026, the third annual edition of the festival, will be hosted at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium First Gymnasium on March 15, 2026. The event continues to collaborate with TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION (TGC), Japan’s largest fashion event, which has hosted over 40 large-scale shows and reached more than five million attendees nationwide. This partnership provides IRC with a well-established cultural and production framework, merging the energy of idol culture with high-fashion performance.
IRC 2025 set a milestone by bringing 11,800 attendees together and featuring 107 idols on a single stage, creating a hybrid of idol performances and runway showcases. IRC 2026 builds on this success, featuring notable groups such as Nogizaka46, =LOVE, FRUITS ZIPPER, CUTIE STREET, and TAKANE NO NADESHIKO. The festival continues to expand its cultural reach while integrating technology to enable fan engagement on a global scale.
How IRC APP Redefines on-chain Fandom
The IRC APP addresses the challenge of quantifying fandom, a previously unmeasured component of entertainment culture. By starting with J-Pop - the world’s second-largest music market according to IFPI 2025 - the app demonstrates how IPFi infrastructure can convert fan engagement into measurable, verifiable value.
Using Account Abstraction (AA) technology, the app allows fans to participate without prior blockchain experience. Users can log in through LINE, Google, or Apple accounts and link X (formerly Twitter) accounts to activate AI SNS Trends. This AI system evaluates public social posts for positivity, consistency, and contribution to community activity. Fans earn IRC Score for their engagement, which is automatically claimed to their on-chain wallets without gas fees. IRC Score determines membership rank, offering benefits such as early ticket access and additional voting power through the app’s Fan Vote feature, allowing fans to influence festival programming.
Performing Artists and AI Integration
The first lineup for IRC 2026 integrates all participating idol groups into the IRC APP. Nogizaka46, known for their polished performances and cultural influence, =LOVE, a group that blends cuteness with strong expression, FRUITS ZIPPER, representing Harajuku culture, CUTIE STREET, which delivers unique “KAWAII” performances, and TAKANE NO NADESHIKO, a group embodying traditional Japanese beauty, are among the confirmed acts.
Through AI SNS Trends, fans’ social activity supporting these artists is tracked and converted into IRC Scores, allowing everyday interactions to have a direct effect on festival outcomes. This seamless integration enables a measurable connection between digital engagement and physical event participation.
Special Fan Vote Campaign for IRC 2026
IRC APP will host the Opening Act Audition campaign, giving fans the opportunity to nominate idols for the opening performance at IRC 2026. During the submission period from November 28 to December 13, 2025, fans can nominate their preferred idols through an official form. Nominated idols appear in AI SNS Trends, where their fandom activity generates IRC Scores. Based on accumulated scores and membership rank, fans receive voting tickets to decide the opening act. This campaign demonstrates the app’s ability to integrate mainstream audiences into on-chain voting without requiring technical knowledge.
Connecting Technology, Music, and Fandom
The collaboration between IRC APP and Soneium represents one of the largest real-world integrations of fandom with blockchain technology. The app turns everyday social interactions into measurable influence while supporting the creativity and cultural impact of Japanese idol groups. By combining fashion, music, and technology, IRC APP offers a framework where fandom is recognized and rewarded, setting a model for future applications in music, anime, and broader creative industries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is IRC APP?
IRC APP is a mobile platform developed by YOAKE entertainment that allows fans of Japanese idol culture to track, measure, and be rewarded for their engagement with artists and festivals.
How does IRC APP work with Soneium?
IRC APP uses Soneium’s blockchain infrastructure to link social activity with on-chain rewards. Fans earn IRC Scores through AI-powered analysis of social posts, which are automatically claimed to their wallets without requiring gas fees.
Which idol groups are performing at IRC 2026?
Confirmed groups include Nogizaka46, =LOVE, FRUITS ZIPPER, CUTIE STREET, and TAKANE NO NADESHIKO. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.
How can fans participate in IRC 2026?
Fans can join IRC APP, link their social accounts, and engage through AI SNS Trends to earn IRC Scores. These scores determine membership rank and voting power for features like the Opening Act Audition.
Do users need blockchain knowledge to use IRC APP?
No, IRC APP is designed for mainstream users with streamlined onboarding. Fans can participate without prior blockchain or wallet experience.
When and where is IRC 2026 taking place?
IRC 2026 is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium First Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
What makes IRC APP different from traditional fan platforms?
IRC APP integrates AI analysis, social activity tracking, and on-chain rewards to quantify fandom contributions, providing tangible benefits and influence over real-world festival events.
