Category Archives: Cooperatives

Japan’s JA-ZENCHU Chairman Nakaya reflects on one year

TOKYO, Aug. 8 ― One year ago, when he was selected as Japan’s most powerful farm group chairman, Toru Nakaya promised to commit the group’s self-reform during his term. Nakaya, chairman of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA-ZENCHU), now tells The Japan Agricultural News that his group is “very much focused on continuing to reform.” “The JA group self-reform will never end,” Nakaya said. He also stressed that his group needs to make the public to understand the importance of achieving the country’s food security, given its low rate of food self-sufficiency. The calorie-based rate of self-sufficiency remained flat at 37.78 percent in 2017, according to the agriculture ministry. … Continue reading

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Japan’s farm group sets up a base in Taiwan to expand exports

TOKYO, Aug. 2 ― Japan’s largest farmers’ group has opened its marketing base in Taiwan to boost Japanese farm and food exports. This is the fifth overseas base for the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Association (JA ZEN-NOH). The marketing arm of JA group has export hubs in the U.S., the U.K., Singapore and Hong Kong. Taiwan is No. 3 destination for Japanese agricultural exports, after Hong Kong and the U.S. Shipments of Japanese farm exports to Taiwan totaled 65.4 billion yen in 2017, accounting for 13 percent of the total food exports. Taiwan is the biggest buyer of Japanese apples, but it also emerged as the top destination for … Continue reading

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Japan’s Norinchukin invests to woo more Chinese tourists

TOKYO, July 24 ― The Norinchukin Bank, the cooperative financial arm of Japan’s largest farmers’ group, has invested in a startup to help attract more Chinese tourists in Japan. The Norinchukin Bank said on July 23 that it invested an undisclosed sum in Japan Foodie, also known as Nihon-bishoku, which offers a mobile app for Chinese tourists in Japan. Japan Foodie offers app services to Chinese tourists to browse restaurants, make reservations, and order in advance and pay all in their native language. The move comes as the weak yen boosted the country’s travel boom and overseas tourists’ spending on foods in Japan surged to a record high in 2017. … Continue reading

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Japan Co-op Alliance to study cooperation effort among co-ops

TOKYO, July 1 — The Japan Co-operative Alliance (JCA) has launched a study group to enhance cooperation among co-operatives, aiming to help the public better understand what a co-operative is. The JCA, which was set up in April, will release its first report on the issue on the day that coincides with the International Day of Cooperatives in July next year. The day, celebrated annually to raise awareness of cooperatives, is held on the first Saturday of July. This year it falls on July 7. In the report, the JCA is expected to put together examples of how to practice cooperation among co-operatives and the power of the co-operative movement. … Continue reading

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Gifu pref. slaughterhouse approved for beef export to Australia

TAKAYAMA, June 18 — A slaughterhouse in Gifu prefecture, home to Hida beef, was approved for beef exports to Australia by the ministry of health, labor and welfare. The move comes as Australia has lifted a 17-year ban on beef imports from Japan in May, which could boost Japanese exports to the lucrative meat market. Shipments of eligible Japanese beef have been allowed to enter Australia without any age limit conditions, according to the agriculture ministry. The slaughterhouse in Takayama city aims to start shipments as early as late July. The facility is also approved for exports to the EU and the U.S. Australia’s lifting the import ban is a … Continue reading

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