VETA x Waseda University Start Joint Research with Shizuoka City
VETA, Waseda University, and Shizuoka City have partnered to implement the 'Value Elicitation' method in citizen surveys to advance evidence-based policy making (EBPM).
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (17h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 03:32 (493h 53m after Collected)
VETA Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kento Hara; hereinafter 'VETA') announces its participation in a joint research project with Waseda University (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Aiji Tanaka) and Shizuoka City to evolve the city's citizen consciousness surveys into more accurate instruments. This initiative marks the first full-scale, empirical introduction of VETA's 'Value Elicitation' (VE) method to a local government. The agreement for this joint research was signed by Shizuoka City and Waseda University on March 26, 2026, and announced at a press conference.
Through this joint research, the new VE method provided by VETA will be introduced into Shizuoka City's citizen surveys with the aim of deeply understanding citizens' latent values and reflecting them more accurately in municipal administration.
(From left: President Tanaka of Waseda Univ. / Mayor Namba of Shizuoka City / Professor Hino of Waseda Univ. / CEO Hara of VETA)
## Background and Purpose of the Joint Research
Currently, many local governments, including Shizuoka City, conduct questionnaire surveys for their citizens. Shizuoka City, in particular, surveys citizen satisfaction and municipal matters to reference for city management. However, traditional survey methods struggle to adequately capture the values behind the answers (e.g., what specific policy areas are highly expected), making it difficult to formulate concrete policies based solely on survey results.
To address these issues, this joint research introduces a new survey analysis method using the VE method. The VE method quantitatively grasps which factors individuals emphasize when making decisions by comparing various elements. Compared to traditional surveys where respondents answer individual questions, academic studies show that the VE method can estimate the causal effect of each factor on a person's decision-making and is more likely to reveal respondents' true intentions, as they are less concerned about social appearances.
The VE method is a patented technology (patent pending) adopted in vote-matching systems for the House of Councillors and House of Representatives elections. It provides not only matching scores with political parties but also scores indicating which policies the user values. Furthermore, its application to EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making) in the public sector is progressing. This marks its first full-scale introduction to a local government.
## Future Initiatives
Shizuoka City plans to conduct a citizen survey using the VE method in June 2026, and VETA will collaborate with Waseda University to support its design, implementation, and analysis. By combining the expertise of VETA and Waseda University, they will research methods to accurately grasp the latent values and priorities of each citizen towards policies—something traditional surveys could not fully capture—and accurately reflect those voices in city administration.
Additionally, based on the knowledge and results generated from this joint research, VETA aims to package the use of the VE method for resident surveys and EBPM promotion support in local governments, aiming to expand its introduction and support track record to more municipalities.
## Glossary
*1 Value Elicitation method
Through this joint research, the new VE method provided by VETA will be introduced into Shizuoka City's citizen surveys with the aim of deeply understanding citizens' latent values and reflecting them more accurately in municipal administration.
(From left: President Tanaka of Waseda Univ. / Mayor Namba of Shizuoka City / Professor Hino of Waseda Univ. / CEO Hara of VETA)
## Background and Purpose of the Joint Research
Currently, many local governments, including Shizuoka City, conduct questionnaire surveys for their citizens. Shizuoka City, in particular, surveys citizen satisfaction and municipal matters to reference for city management. However, traditional survey methods struggle to adequately capture the values behind the answers (e.g., what specific policy areas are highly expected), making it difficult to formulate concrete policies based solely on survey results.
To address these issues, this joint research introduces a new survey analysis method using the VE method. The VE method quantitatively grasps which factors individuals emphasize when making decisions by comparing various elements. Compared to traditional surveys where respondents answer individual questions, academic studies show that the VE method can estimate the causal effect of each factor on a person's decision-making and is more likely to reveal respondents' true intentions, as they are less concerned about social appearances.
The VE method is a patented technology (patent pending) adopted in vote-matching systems for the House of Councillors and House of Representatives elections. It provides not only matching scores with political parties but also scores indicating which policies the user values. Furthermore, its application to EBPM (Evidence-Based Policy Making) in the public sector is progressing. This marks its first full-scale introduction to a local government.
## Future Initiatives
Shizuoka City plans to conduct a citizen survey using the VE method in June 2026, and VETA will collaborate with Waseda University to support its design, implementation, and analysis. By combining the expertise of VETA and Waseda University, they will research methods to accurately grasp the latent values and priorities of each citizen towards policies—something traditional surveys could not fully capture—and accurately reflect those voices in city administration.
Additionally, based on the knowledge and results generated from this joint research, VETA aims to package the use of the VE method for resident surveys and EBPM promotion support in local governments, aiming to expand its introduction and support track record to more municipalities.
## Glossary
*1 Value Elicitation method