Sprout in northern limit area of rice cultivation In the end of 1945 after the end of the war, Kitami branch of prefectural nogyokai (agricultural institution) of Hokkaido (Hokuno) had been studying on “measures for funds to rescue poverty”. This region was the northern limit area of rice cultivation and had been plagued by cold weather. But if the climate became stable, it was one of the largest agricultural areas in Hokkaido island. Buying food trippers from the city was flooded in the post-war food shortages. Its sales money was sleeping in the chest of drawers of the farmers and was not put into nogyokai (agricultural institution) as deposit. Due … Continue reading →

Crisis by interrupt of the Ministry of Finance On 13 June 1948, at the second annex hall of prefectural nogyokai (agricultural institution) of Hokkaido in Sapporo, the founders meeting of Kyosairen Hokkaido (Prefectural Mutual Insurance Federation of Hokkaido of Agricultural Cooperatives) was held. On 28th, the Establishment General Assembly was held in central auditorium of Hokkaido University, gathering 65 nokyo (agricultural cooperatives). Kyosairen Hokkaido was officially established. In the Establishment General Assembly, director election had difficulties. At the time, there were people to regard kyosai (mutual insurance) as dubious thing. People hesitated becoming director of the federation. Shigeyoshi Okuno of prefectural nogyokai (agricultural institution) of Hokkaido ran around the Hokkaido … Continue reading →

One after another, “Learn from Hokkaido” After the war, private insurance companies focused on rural areas which were relatively little damaged by the war. Since spring of 1948, Nippon Life Insurance Company had been lobbying the alliance to nokyo (agricultural cooperatives). At 1st representatives meeting of nokyo held in 1949, nokyo side unanimously resolved “To seek a revision of the Insurance Business Law so as to be able to run life insurance business in nokyo.” On the other hand, there was realistic voice as follows; “It is good idea to make partnering with Nippon Life Insurance Company via liaison of National Welfare Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenkouren).” As a result, … Continue reading →

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry hesitated the authorization President refused limitation of business On 27 November 1950, Establishment General Assembly for National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenkyoren) was held at the hall of House of Councilors. Gathered representatives of 41 prefectures decided articles of incorporation and business plans. Bunshiro Okamura (1890 – 1968), president of Prefectural Credit Federation of Hokkaido of Agricultural Cooperatives (Shinren Hokkaido), was appointed the first president. Ryozo Nakamura, president of Kyosairen Hokkaido (Prefectural Mutual Insurance Federation of Hokkaido of Agricultural Cooperatives), was appointed senior managing director. Shigeyoshi Okuno, associate director of Kyosairen Hokkaido, was appointed associate director. Main post was relied on staff of … Continue reading →

“Life” and “buildings” as two wheels Even after establishment, National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenkyoren) went groping in the dark. It was life kyosai (mutual insurance) which secured Zenkyoren’s progressing walk in this situation. The original purpose of nokyo-kyosai (agricultural cooperatives mutual insurance) was to prevent the outflow of funds from the rural areas and to promote internal accumulation of rural funds. After the war, Kyosairen Hokkaido had started “life kyosai (mutual insurance) (long-term)” along with “buildings kyosai (mutual insurance) (short-term)” from the beginning of business start. In October 1951, in Hokkaido, where life kyosai (mutual insurance) was practiced, directors of Zenkyoren visited and studied the actual situation. … Continue reading →