VETA and Waseda University Launch Joint Research with Shizuoka City
VETA Inc. and Waseda University begin joint research with Shizuoka City to enhance municipal management using the Value Elicitation (VE) method.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 20:00
VETA Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kento Hara; hereinafter "VETA") is partnering with Waseda University (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Aiji Tanaka) to participate in joint research aimed at evolving the citizen awareness surveys conducted by Shizuoka City. This initiative marks the first full-scale introduction of the "Value Elicitation method" (hereinafter "VE method") provided by VETA 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.
In this joint research, the VE method will be introduced into Shizuoka City's citizen awareness surveys to deeply understand the latent values of citizens and reflect them more accurately in municipal administration.
■ Background and Purpose of the Joint Research
Currently, many local governments, including Shizuoka City, conduct surveys of their citizens. Shizuoka City, in particular, surveys citizen satisfaction and municipal issues to use as a reference for administration. However, conventional survey methods have faced challenges, such as the inability to fully grasp the values behind the responses (e.g., which policy areas are more expected) and the difficulty in forming concrete policies based on the results.
To address these issues, this joint research introduces a new survey analysis method using the VE method. The VE method is a technique that quantitatively grasps which factors individuals prioritize when making decisions while comparing various elements. Compared to conventional surveys where individuals answer separate questions, the VE method is academically shown to be effective in estimating the causal effects of each element on individual decision-making and is less prone to social desirability bias, allowing respondents' true intentions to emerge.
The VE method is a patented technology (patent pending) that has also been used in "vote matching" for House of Councillors and House of Representatives elections. It is implemented as a system that presents not only the degree of matching with political parties but also scores indicating which policies the user prioritizes. It is also being applied to Evidence-Based Policy Making (EBPM) in the public sector. This is the first time it is being introduced on a full scale to a local government.
■ Future Initiatives
Shizuoka City plans to conduct a survey of citizens using the VE method in June 2026, and VETA will support the design, implementation, and analysis in collaboration with Waseda University. By combining the expertise of VETA and Waseda University, the research aims to grasp the latent values and priorities of each citizen regarding policies with higher precision than conventional surveys and to find ways to reflect those voices more accurately in municipal administration.
In addition, based on the knowledge and results created in this joint research, VETA aims to package the use of the VE method for resident surveys and support for the promotion of EBPM in local governments, aiming to expand its introduction and support track record to more municipalities.
In this joint research, the VE method will be introduced into Shizuoka City's citizen awareness surveys to deeply understand the latent values of citizens and reflect them more accurately in municipal administration.
■ Background and Purpose of the Joint Research
Currently, many local governments, including Shizuoka City, conduct surveys of their citizens. Shizuoka City, in particular, surveys citizen satisfaction and municipal issues to use as a reference for administration. However, conventional survey methods have faced challenges, such as the inability to fully grasp the values behind the responses (e.g., which policy areas are more expected) and the difficulty in forming concrete policies based on the results.
To address these issues, this joint research introduces a new survey analysis method using the VE method. The VE method is a technique that quantitatively grasps which factors individuals prioritize when making decisions while comparing various elements. Compared to conventional surveys where individuals answer separate questions, the VE method is academically shown to be effective in estimating the causal effects of each element on individual decision-making and is less prone to social desirability bias, allowing respondents' true intentions to emerge.
The VE method is a patented technology (patent pending) that has also been used in "vote matching" for House of Councillors and House of Representatives elections. It is implemented as a system that presents not only the degree of matching with political parties but also scores indicating which policies the user prioritizes. It is also being applied to Evidence-Based Policy Making (EBPM) in the public sector. This is the first time it is being introduced on a full scale to a local government.
■ Future Initiatives
Shizuoka City plans to conduct a survey of citizens using the VE method in June 2026, and VETA will support the design, implementation, and analysis in collaboration with Waseda University. By combining the expertise of VETA and Waseda University, the research aims to grasp the latent values and priorities of each citizen regarding policies with higher precision than conventional surveys and to find ways to reflect those voices more accurately in municipal administration.
In addition, based on the knowledge and results created in this joint research, VETA aims to package the use of the VE method for resident surveys and support for the promotion of EBPM in local governments, aiming to expand its introduction and support track record to more municipalities.
FAQ
What is the VE method?
An advanced version of conjoint analysis that quantitatively identifies the factors prioritized in complex decision-making.
Why is it being implemented in Shizuoka City?
It was selected as a pilot site to improve the accuracy of citizen surveys and enable more precise policy formation.
What are the future plans?
A survey will be conducted in June 2026, with the goal of expanding implementation to municipalities nationwide based on the results.