Jean-Louis Bancel, the chairman of International Co-operative Banking Association and a member of the board of the International Co-operative Alliance, expressed concern on Tuesday, Sept. 2, over Japan’s agricultural co-operative reform, saying it could adversely affect the co-operative principles of democracy, autonomy and contribution to the local community.
Bancel (second from right), a member of the board of International Co-operative Alliance, receives explanation from JA Sawaisesaki head Hideyuki Kojima (left) at a farmer’s store in Isesaki, Gunma Prefecture, on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Bancel, who is visiting Japan to learn about businesses of Japanese agricultural co-operatives, said he does not think there is any merit in breaking up the organization and limiting its scope of business, adding that the move goes against the global trend of co-operatives offering more comprehensive services and contributing to local communities.
During his visit to JA Sawaisesaki, an agricultural co-operative in Gunma Prefecture, he received explanation from co-operative officials on JA’s comprehensive services ranging from farming management support, financing, mutual aid to social welfare, traveling and real estate.
He exchanged opinions with Hideyuki Kojima, head of JA Sawaisesaki, and Goshi Morimura, vice head of the organization, on the issue of JA reform.
Bancel also toured through facilities operated by JA such as a country grain elevator, a farmer’s store and a funeral home. At the country grain elevator, he spoke with Hiromi Arai, 67-year-old farmer, and eagerly asked such questions as the amount of rice yields compared with wheat yields and how farmers find buyers. He was also interested in learning JA’s marketing and sales system and the difference between farmer members and non-farmer members in using its services or the amount of investments they need to make to become a member.
(Sept. 3, 2014)