the concept and there are people who say, “Why doesn’t the government do it?” or “Isn’t it for the purpose of making money?” But in places with populations around one hundred thousand, such as Higashiomi and Saijo, people say, “Let’s do it together, and let’s get the government and financial institutions involved as well.” 31 They have had cases where money is raised successfully, but there are also cases where resident support doesn’t happen. It depends on the project and varies by community. The important learning is to not take a one-size-fits-all approach and assume community support will look the same everywhere. It takes work and collaboration and possibly even time. It’s incredibly important to discern what real impact is for each local community. Fukao illustrates his understanding of impact through an example of a hairdresser and explains, “If a hairdresser opens a business in a remote area with a large elderly population, the person who cuts their hair is now seen as a care worker. But in terms of occupation, they are the same as a hairdresser cutting hair in any big city. But, even when it comes to a service like cutting hair, the way that impact is manifested is completely different.” 32 According to Fukao, “measuring impact in life is probably like that.” It varies completely depending on the region’s situation, environment, and domain, so it’s important to capture and express the unique aspects of every community. If you can’t express the full role a person plays and creates in their community, it is lost. The hairdresser is not just a hairdresser, but someone their unique community relies on, which can be expressed as impact. This is difficult but profoundly important for true impact measurement. From Hairdressers to Zebras Zebra Companies Another one of SIIF’s early investees, Zebras and Companies (Z&C), co-founded by Yoshitaka Tabuchi, Yuji Suyama, and Yohei Azakami, created another model for engaging community in impact. 33 The concept of “Zebras” originated with American female entrepreneurs who founded Zebras Unite. 34 Unlike “unicorn companies,” Zebra companies focus on addressing social issues while pursuing long-term economic growth. Tabuchi, currently co-CEO, constantly grapples with how to expand the ecosystem of Zebra companies, taking a multifaceted approach—not only through investments but also by raising awareness via media and fostering public and private partnerships. 35 However, he recognizes a major challenge: the issues Zebras aim to address are deeply rooted in Japanese society.
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Ten Years in the Making
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