Category Archives: Cooperatives

【News】 Japanese agricultural co-op extends partnership with U.S. producer of non-GM corn (Oct. 7, 2014)

  The National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (JA Zen-Noh) has decided to extend its five-year contract with Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. based in the United States, which will expire in 2015, by five years to stabilize supplies of non-genetically modified feed corn. Under the contract, JA Zen-Noh has been offering demand forecasts to Hi-Bred International so that the company can develop non-GMO corn seeds annually and supply the seeds to farmers in the U.S. which export corn to JA Zen-Noh. JA Zen-Noh and Hi-Bred International are expected to sign the new partnership agreement on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the U.S. The agreement will enable JA Zen-Noh to secure stable … Continue reading

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【News】 Agricultural co-op report focuses on conflicts between US and Europe over food safety rules (Sept. 30, 2014)

  Ongoing negotiations between the United States and the European Union on food safety rules under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership should be monitored closely, as the outcome of the talks could become the global standard in the future, the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu) said in its newsletter published this month. In the September issue of the International Agriculture and Food Letter, JA-Zenchu reports on the TTIP negotiations, in which the U.S. and the EU are at odds over such issues as labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods, distribution of beef farmed with the use of growth hormones and geographical indications (GI). As the Doha round of … Continue reading

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【News】 Natural flowers forbidden in more hospitals, causing repercussions in the flower market (Sept. 26, 2014)

  Shunji Kato As more hospitals began to forbid bringing fresh flowers into their facilities in order to prevent epidemics, it was found that recovering of flower demand is called for by taking measures against infections disease, according to the survey conducted by the Japanese Flower Auction Association. Some flower shops were forced to withdraw from the hospitals. As flowers are said to have an effect to heal minds, the Japanese Flower Auction Association took this situations seriously, and began investigating the current state of flower shops and planning improvement measures. The survey concerning bringing natural flowers to hospitals was conducted this spring to the 124 markets nationwide. The replies … Continue reading

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【News】 Easy swallowing food for aging society (Sept. 21, 2014)

Kotaro Yamada Recipes for dysphagia are drawing attentions in the fast-aging society of Japan. Hospitals and aged care facilities all over the country are doing their best to “recreate” traditional food such as Japanese hot pod dishes for people having difficulties chewing and swallowing. They do so by using mashed-up ingredients and gelatin and shaping them into certain shapes. On September 19, 2014, a contest for easy swallowing traditional food recipes was held in Koto-ku, Tokyo, jointly by Health care Central Kitchen Association of Japan and Engeshoku.com. In the venue were 163 traditional dishes looking and tasting almost exactly the same as their original models but prepared to be soft … Continue reading

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【Interviews】 International Co-operative Alliance head stresses significance of co-ops as business model (Sept. 18, 2014)

  Following is an interview with International Co-operative Alliance President Pauline Green regarding global trends surrounding co-operatives and the focus of the organization’s report on Japan’s deregulation expected to be compiled next month. She is a member of an inquiry commission established by the ICA to look into Japan’s deregulation. Q. Co-operatives are generally more vulnerable to risks such as financial crisis compared with private enterprises. In spite of that, governments in many areas are said to be interfering in co-operative activities. A. This is because co-operatives’ presence is getting bigger. Co-operatives have become bigger in size and stronger, thus attracting more attention. We now receive more attention as a … Continue reading

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