DANGUMI / AI-DANA — English overview
Hire in steps. Decide at the end of each one.
Dangumi (段組, “arranging in steps”) is a Japanese marketplace where companies, shops and condominium associations hire outside specialists one step at a time. The first step is free or small; from the second step on, each step has a fixed deliverable and price, and the client decides at the end of each step whether to continue. Every step leaves a record: what was agreed, what was delivered, what was approved, what was paid.
The platform runs in Japanese. This page explains how it works for English-speaking specialists and clients who can work with Japanese counterparts.
How it works
- A client registers (free) and places a case on the “company shelf”, or invites a specialist they already work with (“bring-in”, private).
- A specialist requests access, the client approves, and nominates the specialist for step 1.
- Step 1 is free (or a small paid “concept document”). The specialist delivers; the client approves or returns.
- From step 2, each step has a fixed deliverable and price. Contracts are generated from the step data and signed electronically.
- At the end of each step the client chooses: continue, or stop. Stopping creates no obligation for later steps.
- Ideas in steps that were not paid for remain the specialist’s property. A withdrawal confirmation is recorded on return.
Ten fields
| Field | Typical first step |
|---|---|
| AI agent development (featured) | Split the agent’s permissions into three levels: read only / draft and record / send and order |
| AI consulting | Look at the workflow, list three things that could work |
| AI video | A 15-second trial |
| AI music | A 30-second demo; confirm use and rights |
| Influencers | Visit and propose one post; PR disclosure is required |
| Media appearance / material supply | State which topics you can and cannot comment on |
| Shop systems | Look at the shop, propose three possible forms |
| Shop interior / design | Site visit; three things that could be done |
| Training / instructors | Propose a format; then a trial session before the full program |
| Professionals (tax, labor, condominium managers, designers, developers) | Read the documents, point out three issues |
What the platform provides
- Two shelves: cases placed by clients, and step templates placed by specialists (optionally exclusive to one client per area)
- Contract templates (basic, per-step, consumer, NDA), published in full (Japanese)
- Records per step: contract, delivery, acceptance, payment — exportable as a one-page document pack, usable for subsidy reporting
- “Recurring steps”: a monthly step is re-created on each approval, for maintenance and retainers
- “Comparison step 1”: a client may nominate up to three specialists for the same first step and choose one; the others’ ideas remain theirs
- A record when a counterparty stops a step unilaterally (reason visible only to the operator; counts visible to members)
- No commission. The operator does not hold funds and is not a party to contracts. Premium monthly plans for specialists are planned after the beta.
For specialists outside Japan
You can register as a specialist if you do business with Japanese clients. The interface, contracts and notifications are in Japanese; your Japanese counterpart will read them. Deliverables can be attached (up to 50 MB, protected storage) or shared by external link with a SHA-256 hash recorded. Payment is between you and the client, by bank transfer after approval, under the per-step contract.
For clients outside Japan
Companies and individuals can register. Individuals (consumers) may only use the private bring-in route and will see the specialist’s legally required disclosure before ordering a paid step. Contracts are governed by Japanese law.
Legal note
The Terms of Service, contracts and this platform are in Japanese, and the Japanese text governs. This English page is a summary for orientation only. An English reference translation of the Terms is available.
Contact
Dangumi is operated by Shinpei Nagatori (Aidana Project, within Unitek Co., Ltd., Tokyo). Use the contact form (Japanese form; English messages are fine).