【Booklet】Beginning of Cooperatives <Masayo Oba Opened Kyozon hospital (co-existence hospital)> (September 26, 2015)

On July 22, 1931 (Showa 6), in Nichiharacho (now Tsuwano-cho) of Kanoashigun (Kanoashi county) of Shimane Prefecture, Kyozon hospital (co-existence hospital) of Sekisei riyokumiai (Sekisei utilization cooperatives) limited liability cooperatives was opened, servicing only medical business.10 persons including Masayo Oba were appointed to board members and 3 persons were appointed to auditors.  The hospital’s name of “kyozon (co-existence)” was adopted from the words “kyozon kyoei (co-existence and co-prosperity)”, the philosophy of the modern cooperatives. The hospital had 2 buildings of 2 stories (Total floor area 937 square meters). Medical subjects were internal, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology. 3 doctors worked. Pharmacy and X-ray laboratory were equipped. 16 nurses worked. The doctor … Continue reading

Posted in Booklet, Cooperatives | Comments Off on 【Booklet】Beginning of Cooperatives <Masayo Oba Opened Kyozon hospital (co-existence hospital)> (September 26, 2015)

Japanese farmers to export their rice in China through Alibaba

TOKYO, Jan. 13 — Japan’s largest farmers’ group has tied up with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group to sell Japanese-grown rice in China, aiming to capitalize on China’s burgeoning online shopping market. The National Federation of Agriculture Cooperative Associations (ZEN-NOH), the marketing arm of JA group, said on Jan. 12 that Koshihikari rice, harvested in Ishikawa and Mie prefectures, is now available through Alibaba’s online stores. It is sold at 3,000 yen for a 2kg of rice bag, which is eight times more expensive than local Chinese-grown rice. ZEN-NOH said there is growing demand for high-quality Japanese rice in China, thanks to the rising number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan. … Continue reading

Posted in Cooperatives, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Japanese farmers to export their rice in China through Alibaba

Japanese minister urges transformed farming in NY message

TOKYO, Jan. 6 — Japan’s Agriculture Minister Ken Saito has pledged to implement policies that will bring on-the-ground delivery of an agricultural transformation as his country faces a declining population. During the ministry’s New Year gathering on Jan. 5, Saito cited government’s estimates that the overall population decline in 2017 exceeded more than 400,000 for the first time since records began. “The pace of decline will accelerate and that means domestic food demand will shrink further,” Saito said. “The farming sector is at a crossroads: develop policies to bring transformation or be at the mercy of forces beyond our control.” Saito also noted that the government officials are lacking a … Continue reading

Posted in Farm Policy, Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Japanese minister urges transformed farming in NY message

Miso exports reach record high as Japanese food outlets rise

TOKYO, Jan. 8 — Miso exports increased last year to a new record level, as Japanese restaurants have continued to gain traction across the globe, data from the finance ministry in Tokyo has shown. Miso is a paste made from a mixture of soybeans, rice, barley or other grains fermented with salt and a fungus. It’s typically served as Japanese miso soup, but can be used in marinades and glazes. Japanese miso exports jumped 7.9% to 14,298 metric tons in January-November 2017, compared to the previous year’s record in the same period. It is now expected to reach an annual record of 15,000 tons in 2017 for the first time. … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Agriculture | Comments Off on Miso exports reach record high as Japanese food outlets rise

JA-ZENCHU chairman reaffirms commitment to self-reform

TOKYO, Jan. 5 — Toru Nakaya, the chairman of Japan’s largest farmers’ group, has expressed determination to complete the group’s self-reform this year in New Year’s message. Nakaya, the head of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, known as JA-ZENCHU, made a speech during the administrative body’s New Year gathering in Tokyo on Jan. 4. Nakaya said three crises afflict the JA group and they center around: rural communities; JA businesses; and cooperatives. Referring to an official deadline to complete the group’s reform in May 2019, Nakaya said: “We will step up efforts to complete our self-reform by the end of this year.” ZENCHU has been a prime target of … Continue reading

Posted in Cooperatives, Farm Policy | Comments Off on JA-ZENCHU chairman reaffirms commitment to self-reform