Category Archives: Cooperatives

【News】 JA Group introduces Japanese food culture in EXPO Milano, calling for respect for food variety (Aug. 8, 2014)

  The groups to participate in the Japan Pavilion for the international exposition in Milano (EXPO Milano) to be held in Italy, 2015, were officially announced on August 7.  33 local governments and 12 organizations including the Japan Agricultural Co-operatives (JA) group will attend as a team “All Japan” and introduce various cultures of food and farming.  The number of local governments participating in this EXPO is the highest ever. EXPO Milano will be held for 184 days from May 1 to October 31 next year with a theme of “food.”  In an event space of the Japan Pavilion, there’ll be events such as workshops or performances related to Japanese … Continue reading

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【News】 Co-operatives on the increase in Seoul (July 31, 2014)

  Zhezhu Jin The number of co-operative associations is rapidly increasing in Seoul, totaling 1,350 as of July 30, up 60 percent in two years. The rise is attributable to efforts by the Seoul municipal government to encourage establishment of co-operatives under the vision of “Seoul, the City of Co-operative” declared in July 2012. The vision was set up to cope with social issues that emerged with the rapid economic growth, including widening disparity of wealth, increase in unemployment and social unrest caused by dismantling of communities. The city said co-operatives can play a role in solving such problems, as citizens are increasingly concerned that the government’s neoliberalistic economic policies, … Continue reading

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【News】 Exploring value-added agriculture: Umaji, Kochi Prefecture (July 29, 2014)

The village of Umaji, Kochi Prefecture, located on the eastern prefectural border about a two-hour drive away from the city of Kochi, boasts annual sales of JPY3.4 billion with products using Yuzu citrons grown in the area. JA Umajimura, an agricultural co-operative in the village, employs 86 villagers, roughly 10 percent of the total population of 942 as of June 30. Businesses centered on direct sales of Yuzu products have become the center of the village’s economy, and JA has worked on developing new products to continue fascinating consumers nationwide. Establishment of a stable and sustainable market has also encouraged farmers to increase Yuzu production. As much as 96 percent … Continue reading

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【Booklet】 Learning from European roots – The 110th anniversary of enactment of “Sangyo Kumiai Law”

  PREFACE Two years have passed since financial crisis has threatened the world. Through the experience, people saw the negative side of market fundamentalism and have started to explore the way to switch to new social and economic system based on “co-existence”, from the former style that stands on “the law of the jungle”. In this context, the advantages of cooperative associations built on the spirit of mutual aid are now being re-acknowledged. It was symbolic that the United Nations appointed 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives. However, less is known about the roots of Japanese cooperatives such as Japan Agricultural Cooperative (JA), Japan Fisheries Cooperative, and Consumers’ Cooperatives. … Continue reading

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【News】 Former WFO President Nominated as IYFF International Ambassador (July 20, 2014)

  The United Nations appointed Robert Carlson (67), former president of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), as the International Ambassador who would promote the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).  Carlson said, “I will do my best to represent family farmers and ranchers throughout the world. I think it’s very important for people to recognize the significant contributions that agriculture makes on our global economy.” Carlson was appointed during a video conference.  Participants in the ceremony included José Graziano da Silva, Director General of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); the FAO official in charge of policy suggestion; the officer of IYFF’s educational team; and David Lane, U.S. Ambassador to the … Continue reading

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