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New Measurement of Community Value

On January 24, 2026, Sophia University hosted a groundbreaking forum titled "Innovating Community Evaluation: New Metrics for Connection". The event brought together around 50 participants to discuss ways to visualize and convey the value of communities and social connections through the integration of research and practice, with insights shared by experts, including Shunsuke Mitsui, the chairman of the certified NPO SET.

The forum was organized by the Community Connection Research Institute, which aims to address the challenges of making the intrinsic value of community activities tangible and measurable. While many recognize the importance of community engagement, the difficulty in quantifying these values has impeded broader understanding and communication of their significance.

Challenges in Communicating Community Value

The notion that community relationships foster significant social value is widely accepted; however, articulating these benefits in measurable terms has been a persistent challenge. The Community Connection Research Institute was founded to explore new ways to evaluate these values by bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical application. The forum's discussions highlighted various collaborative examples and posed essential questions about future social impacts.

Measuring Changes in the Community

In the second session of the forum, Mitsui presented SET’s initiatives, originating in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, that support youth challenges in the coastal city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.
SET has engaged over 18,000 young people through a variety of programs including:
- Hosting middle and high school students for school trip homestays,
- Implementing community development practicums for university students and young professionals,
- Providing career support for middle and high school students.

These initiatives have effectively built a foundation with over 3,000 local residents participating annually. Recently, SET has focused on examining the links between these impactful experiences and metrics such as young people's self-efficacy, career development, and community stewardship.

Understanding the Disappearance of Connections

Throughout the forum, a recurring question was posed: "Why do we understand connections are essential, yet they seem to be fading away from our society?" This sparked a meaningful discussion that led to a hypothesis suggesting that the current invisibility of relationships and community value may be contributing to their decline. Just as health awareness is driven by medical metrics, intangible values tend to be neglected when not visible or measurable.

The Importance of Measurement Intentions

A thought-provoking inquiry made by Yu Ishida during his presentation was: "What do we hope to achieve through measurement?" The dialogue acknowledged that any attempt to implement measurement inevitably introduces subjectivity, leading data to deviate from neutral accuracy. However, the danger of allowing significant values to remain unmeasured poses another risk. Throughout the forum, participants engaged in conversations that balanced the potential of visualization as a form of rectitude against the peril of evaluation.

The Value in the Discussion Process

As the forum approached its conclusion, attendees acknowledged that while measuring essential aspects can be complicated, the very process of discussing "what we want to measure" holds intrinsic value. The ability to articulate cherished values can foster a gradual alignment of team beliefs. The alignment between SET's efforts and the goals of the Community Connection Research Institute was clear: continuing to produce dialogue through visualization.

Event Overview

• - Title: Innovating Community Evaluation: New Metrics for Connection
• - Date: January 24, 2026, 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
• - Venue: Sophia University
• - Organizer: Community Connection Research Institute
• - Key Speakers: Yu Ishida (Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University), Taeko Tanaka (and Public), Chinatsu Ishihama (Futayasumi), Masami Otsuki (Polaris non-profit), Yurie Ishitobi (Osaka University Graduate School).

About SET

The certified NPO SET was established with the mission of transforming individual aspirations into capable actions, facilitating positive change in Japan's future. Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, SET has worked primarily in Iwate Prefecture, practically fostering collaborative learning environments for youth and residents. Through programs aimed at school homestays, community development, and beyond, it anticipates involving over 5,000 participants annually by 2024, supporting sustainable cycles of growth and local vitality.

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