Some companies in Japan are using a digital virtual space known as "the metaverse" to improve their operations.

Dairy-product maker Meiji has employed the technology to bring together large numbers of clients. It adopted the metaverse for the first time last month.

The aim was to introduce its products and hold business talks. About 130 client firms and their avatars took part in virtual gatherings.

In the past, Meiji invited customers to a physical venue in Tokyo. The company says the metaverse meetups can cut travel and venue-rental costs to less than one-fifth of a brick-and-mortar event.

One Meiji official said that talking while walking with a client cannot be done in an online meeting.

He added that the company is considering ways of using the technology to interact with consumers.

Some tech companies are working on integrating the metaverse into a wider variety of business operations.

One startup, whose head office functions are conducted in virtual space, says it has come up with a system that prevents data breaches.

Its metaverse spaces feature areas separated by invisible walls. Users need to have passwords to enter.

The president of Hacosco says he is looking forward to the time when the metaverse becomes a day to day reality for companies.

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