R&D ProjectsPractical Feedback for the Measurement of Various Aspects of Happiness in Local Areas and the Sustainability of Intergenerational Societies

General Description of the Research Project

In modern Japanese society where functions of local communities have been deteriorating, not only depopulation and aging but also poor relationships with others and breakdown in communication between generations are leading to decreased happiness. In order to achieve community-wide well-being, we need to create a new concept of happiness, which is more than the individualistic approach centered on individual happiness.

In this project, we will develop indicators for community happiness by measuring happiness in communities from various aspects. In addition, this project will clarify the relation between community happiness, and social capital as well as shared reality (accumulated/shared value and experience) among generations and at intra/inter community level. Based on this, we will verify the effectiveness of intergenerational co-creation to sustainable local societies and work on development of practical programs, which are tailored to local needs, for intergenerational co-creation, in collaboration with industry and government.