Category Archives: Cooperatives

Inaugurated Zenchu (Central Union of Nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives)), guidance institution Founders meeting of Zenkokushidonogyokumiairengokai (Zenshiren) (National Guidance Federation of Nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives)), predecessor of Zenkokunogyokyodokumiaichuokai (Zenchu) (Central Union of Nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives)), was about to be opened. Just before, in Hakone of Kanagawa prefecture, noseikyogikai (Agricultural Policy Council) based on former nokai (chamber of agriculture) gathered the people who agreed with the establishment of organization centered to production guidance. In this meeting, the secretary general of Zenkokunokyorenrakukyogikai (National Nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives) Council) based on the old sangyokumiai (cooperatives) was also invited and in attendance. The course of the discussion was unknown, but in this meeting, they agreed “to establish Zenshiren … Continue reading →

Mutual aid illuminating feet As economic globalization progresses, mutual assistance based on the spirit of cooperation is indispensable for maintaining and developing vulnerable communities.  From the Edo period when the cooperative’s sprouts were visible to the present age, when society was in turmoil, cooperatives became “resilience” and demonstrated their power.  We light the footsteps of pioneers of Japanese cooperatives. In Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture, there is a museum of Yugaku Ohara who launched the “Senzokabukumiai (ancestral share association)”, which can be said to be the prototype of nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives).  In Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, there is a museum of Sontoku Ninomiya who created the “Hotoku thought” by adding “Sincerity” … Continue reading →

Humanity guidance based on “Seigaku (Chinese Natural Science)” At the end of Edo period of 1830s (Tempo year), Yugaku Ohara (1797-1858) , who worked hard as rural leaders for the reconstruction of the village exhausted by famine and others, started its activities in Nagabe village, Shimofusa country (Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture). Born in the house of samurai of the Owari country (Aichi Prefecture), since being　insulated from his father at the age of 18, he arrived at Boso area after wandering Kyoto, Osaka, Shinshu, and Edo.  Meanwhile, he studied Confucianism, Divination lore, Buddhism, and Agricultural techniques. At that time the domestic economy was facing a crisis.  The Shogunate　& clan system began … Continue reading →

Protect villagers’ lives by joining of the all households Senzokabukumiai, which was credit cooperatives, began new business which was revolutionary during feudal age.  All the villagers of Nagabe village (Asahi-shi, Chiba prefecture) joined to create a consumer association, and it began a joint purchase business. Purchased goods included items necessary for agriculture such as agricultural tools, fertilizers and seeds, and daily necessities such as foods, sardines, udon(noodle), tea, clothes such as cotton, cloths, dishes, tables, tea bowls, combs, ornament hairpin. Not only to buy good things cheaply.  There was a philosophy policy of “not using luxuries”.  It can also be viewed as a prototype of modern comprehensive nogyokyodokumiai (agricultural cooperatives) … Continue reading →