http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/1021/p01s04-woap.html The rabu is the most recent and ambitious of 130 community currencies that are springing up in regions across Japan to boost local economies and encourage closer ties between residents.
There are similar programs in about 50 North American towns and cities. But Japan ? for reasons of culture and circumstance ? is emerging as a global leader in the concept. <snip>