On October 24, Yamagata Consumers’ Co-operative Union held the 2016 “Co-op School” at the Yamagata International Hotel. Mr. SUGAI Michinari Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Union gave an opening greetings followed by a keynote lecture by Professor KITAGAWA Taichi of Fukui Prefectural University entitled "History, Philosophy and Social Mission of Co-operatives ". It was participated by 44 cooperators including Co-op members, executives and staff from the co-ops in the Yamagata prefecture.

Professor Kitagawa in his lecture made reference to the importance of the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) by explaining that co-operatives are expected to play a major role in solving global problems such as food security and hunger being suffered by more than 900 million worldwide.

In addition, Professor Kitagawa referred to the Rochdale Pioneers movement, established under the social and economic background of Britain in the second half of the 18th century. He mentioned that although the movement underlines "common interest" particularly protecting the lives of the members, some of the principles were "to improve the community in which the members live, through their business and activities”. He stated that this characteristic of co-operatives is not found in general corporations. He also said that in business even if a co-operative wins alone, the community will not get better therefore, emphasized that participating and improving community will develop co-operatives.

However, he stressed that "co-operatives work for the sustainable development of the community through policy approved by the members ".

He finally raised five issues as expectations from co-operatives, namely; "visualization" of cooperatives that protects local resources (including tradition and culture) and making connections in local communities, nurturing agriculture and forestry and food culture for the next generation, learning activities and exchanges among members, fostering business partnerships such as logistics systems and product development and reaching out to people other than cooperatives.

Finally, Mr. ABE Yoshiharu Executive Director made a closing remarks to close the event.