On June 22, a delegation of 15 board members from the member co-ops of iCOOP Korea paid a short visit to Co-op Shimane in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan to learn about community development and community contribution activities of the co-op as part of a training program for the directors.

Twelve officials from Co-op Shimane including the vicepresident Ms. ISHIHARA Junko, and the Managing Director Mr. OKI Takayuki, greeted the South Korean delegates with a warm reception.

The delegates received explanation of Co-op Shimane’s "Otagaisama" initiatives, a system that serves as consultation center for people in the community who need help and coordinates activities between “users” and “support person”. The delegates exchanged views with the host regarding the operation of the system and management of the facility.

The delegates expressed concern that the South Korean population is rapidly aging in which there is an increasing demand of a network to ensure safety and security of the region and that the “Otagaisama” system could be replicated.