We made an AI-based model consisting of about 150 social elements such as population, GDP, aging interacting with each other. And we conducted 20,000 simulations regarding the future states of Japan towards 2050 and assessed them from the perspective of various dimensions of sustainability and various social conditions including employment, inequality, health and well-being. As a result, AI-based simulations and analysis showed the following things. 1) A fundamental divergence between “Localization” model and “Centralization” model is likely to occur in 8 to 10 years from now. 2) the “Localization” model based on local community and local economic circulations will be more desirable from the perspectives of demographic and local sustainability, health, equality and well-being of people. 3) AI-based simulations also showed that, in order to realize the “Localization” model, various policy measures are necessary and effective, such as developments of local renewable energy, strengthening of local public transportations, culture and ethics supporting local community, social policy for the formation of local assets etc.

The first purpose of this paper is to present the background and reasons why researchers and farm managers have “co-action” in the NoshoNavi Projects to develop the Smart Paddy Farming Model. The second purpose is to describe the method of visualizing “Takumi no Waza” and to consider the possibility of transmission of the relevant skills by showing examples. Section 2 describes the background and purpose of the project (2014–2018) and outlines the smart paddy farming model aimed at construction. Next, based on the results of the project (2010–2014), Section 3 focuses on the visualiza­tion and digitization of tacit knowledge and support for the transmission of technology, know-how, and skill. Finally, Section 4 summarizes the paper and describes future issues in next-generation agricultural innovation.

In this report, I will 1) summarize the “role of social science,” 2) discuss the approaches of “qualitative research” and “quantitative research” based on my experience, and 3) discuss the future prospects using my collaborative research as a case study. The role of social science is to conduct medical treatment for social issues. The stages can be categorized as follows: basic research to clarify the nature of the issues in the social structure and construct hypotheses, clinical research to examine the universality of the constructed hypotheses in the field and to formulate countermeasures, and epidemiological research to prove the effectiveness of the formulated countermeasures in a time series or in a large population. In addition, qualitative and quantitative research have different areas of expertise. Qualitative research is good at constructing new hypotheses, while quantitative research is good at demonstrating the universality of hypotheses based on numerical values. I was able to have a very meaningful experience by collaborating with researchers who have different research methods on a common problem. The importance and necessity of inter­disciplinary research is increasing. It is important to provide opportunities to tackle common problems with different research methods.