The Role of a Social Think Tank in Connecting Efforts to Change Society

Masato Oda (Founder): Compared with a while ago, the phrase “solving social issues” is now used quite frequently in corporate business plans.

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Toshiki Sumitani (Representative): That’s true. In the past, there weren’t many companies that tried to address these kinds of issues through their core business, but the landscape has changed significantly. We can see this especially in the growing number of entrepreneurs who are launching businesses with the aim of solving environmental and social problems.

Oda: I agree. For example, people within companies who genuinely wanted to tackle environmental issues used to feel somewhat marginalized. But especially since the Suga administration’s declaration on decarbonization, I feel that they have gained more influence within business divisions.

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Sumitani: It’s a sign that people who believe society can be changed are beginning to play active roles in many different places. My book *Starting Social Entrepreneurship from Zero*, published in 2010, has been out for some time now, but I can sense that more people are picking it up. We are clearly entering an era in which people who act on the belief that they themselves can change society are beginning to make a real impact.

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Oda: At the same time, precisely because more people are working on social issues, it has become important to think about how individual efforts can be connected and turned into collective wisdom for society as a whole. I believe the role of a “social think tank” — one that connects voices from the field, corporate initiatives, and government policymaking — will become increasingly necessary.

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Sumitani: Exactly. What is needed is not only the desire to change society, but also the ability to identify what the real issues are, where institutional barriers exist, and who we need to collaborate with in order to move forward. I think that having a place like a social think tank helps ensure that the efforts of individuals and companies do not remain isolated, but instead grow into a broader social movement.

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Oda: Companies, too, are moving beyond the stage of simply doing something as a form of social contribution. They are entering a phase where they must reconsider their core business itself in light of changes in society. In doing so, it is essential to accurately understand social issues and to anticipate future shifts in rules and values.

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Sumitani: Yes. Going forward, it will be important for people who want to make society better to share their knowledge and experience while continuing to act from their respective positions. As those connections expand, I believe new leaders of society will emerge — not only social entrepreneurs, but also people in business, academia, and government.