Inspired by the International Year of Co-operatives, Japanese co-operators have established a new national alliance representing over 60 million people.
Co-operatives Japan, which launched in May 2013, comprises 24 national level co-operative federations and associations, covering a wide range of sectors from fisheries and forestry to health and welfare.
Takuo Ichiya is its Vice Secretary General, as well as Manager of the International Co-operation Division of JA Zenchu, Japan's Central Union of Agricultural Co-operatives. He says: "In 2012, Japanese co-operatives leveraged the opportunities of the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives. The Japan National Planning Committee for the international year was formed and it organised a number of activities and events to raise awareness of and promote co-operative movements throughout the year.
"However, they thought the international year was just a starting point for co-operative development, and in order to succeed the legacy and the spirits of 2012, they agreed to establish the new national co-operative alliance."
Mr Ichiya said Co-operatives Japan will continue to pursue the goals set by the Japan National Planning Committee, which it replaces, by working to increase awareness and promote the growth of co-operatives.
It is already busy organising workshops and events, lobbying the Japanese authorities, promoting education about co-operatives and providing information via its website and newsletters.
In July it teamed up with the Japan Joint Committee of Co-operatives to mark the 2013 International Day of Co-operatives with a forum in Tokyo on 'Co-operatives’ Efforts toward Recovery from Disasters'. The aim was to strengthen co-operation among Japanese co-operatives during reconstruction following disasters.
A keynote speech by Ryota Koyama, Associate Professor at Fukushima University, was followed by a panel discussion on reconstruction efforts by Japanese co-operatives, lessons learned, future challenges and how the roles and values of co-operatives in might change in the light of recent disasters in Japan.
In the pipeline for Co-operatives Japan are potential co-operative-to-co-operative businesses and some exciting joint activities, said Mr Ichiya. The alliance plans an event to celebrate the 92nd International Co-operative Day in July 2014 and is translating The Rochdale Pioneers, a British film about the birth of the co-operative movement, into Japanese.
The Chair of Co-operatives Japan is Akira Banzai, President of JA Zenchu, and Vice Chair is Katsumi Asada, President of the Japanese Consumers’ Co-operative Union. Sectors represented in the alliance include consumer societies, agriculture, banking, mutual insurance, small businesses, labour unions and workers co-operatives.
Picture: The 91st National Assembly for the International Day of Co-operatives in Tokyo
