Category Archives: Cooperatives

  An agricultural co-operative in the village of Umaji, Kochi Prefecture (JA Umajimura), has started marketing a moisturizing UV-guard cream which contains extracts of Yuzu citrons, the local specialty. Umaji UV Cream Fusegu (meaning “guard” in Japanese), which is developed, manufactured and marketed in the village, contains natural oil and extracts of Yuzu seeds which are said to have high moisturizing effects. It can be used as a makeup base, as it blends well with a foundation. JA Umajimura started selling skin care products containing fragrance of Yuzu fruit and extracts from Yuzu seeds in 2011. Fusegu is the 12th product and the first sun protection item in the series. … Continue reading →

  The government revised its 10-year plan to revitalize the agricultural industry and regions on Tuesday, June 24, newly including abolishment of the agricultural hierarchy headed by the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu). Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the same day the current top-down structure of JA-Zenchu having legal authority to supervise management of primary agricultural co-operatives will be scrapped. The issue is likely to become a major focus of debate to be held in autumn through the year-end, as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers who are close to the agricultural industry strongly oppose to the government’s plan. The 10-year plan, which was compiled last year, was revised … Continue reading →

  The Council for Regulatory Reform came up with its second proposal on Friday, June 13, calling for a drastic overhaul of the agricultural co-operative system in the coming five years. The recommendations, submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, asked that related bills be submitted to the ordinary Diet session next year, but conclusions for many of the proposals, such as the controversial issue of how to reform the functions and powers of the Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives (JA-Zenchu), are left for future discussions. The council proposed around 230 measures, up from some 140 submitted last June, concerning five sectors – health and medical services, employment, ventures and information … Continue reading →

  Tomokatsu Sowa Rice farmers of Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, who had refrained from rice production after the nuclear meltdown in Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant, were allowed to resume rice farming this year in areas excluding the evacuation zone for the first time in four years. However, many of them decided not to do so due to delay in the city’s decontamination works. The city’s projects to decontaminate farmlands and irrigation channels have not been implemented because of contractors’ labor shortage, and farmers fear they would not be able to resume rice planting next year as well. There are increasing calls for the central government to … Continue reading →