Since 1991, JCCU has been organizing training program for managers of consumer co-operatives in Asia to learn about the businesses and activities of Japanese co-ops.

This summer, five co-op managers from four Asian countries were invited to Japan to take part in the 2019 training program which lasted for 14 days from July 15 to July 28, 2019. The program mainly focused on store business operation at Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union and Miyagi Co-op.

The participants were Mr. Santosh SHINDE and Mr. Ganesh Popatrao PAWAR from Sahakari Bhandar - The Colaba Central Co-op Consumers Wholesale & Retail Stores Ltd., Ms. Yoo Kyung KIM from DURE Consumers Cooperative Federation, Mr. Bulgantamir LKHAGVASUREN from OD-KR Co-op, and Mr. Rowena LAZARTE from VICTO NATIONAL.

The trainees are co-op managers who are actively working in various divisions such as store and education. Through lectures, store training, and the tour of co-op facilities, the trainees learned extensively about staff training, the productivity improvement of store business, store policies and product development with a focus on competition, how members voice are incorporated in co-op business, and “Sanchoku” business that connects producers with consumers, co-op’s contribution to the community, society, and the world through businesses and activities.

At Co-opdeli Head Office, the group received a lecture on the outline of Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union and Co-op Mirai. After that, they inspected one of their elderly housing with supportive services, as well as visiting a co-op store.

At Miyagi Co-op, along with visiting a co-op store, participants received lectures in the areas of store operation, home delivery, “Sanchoku” business, distribution system, personnel education and co-op members' activities. They also visited Miyagi Co-op’s reference library for the Great East Japan Earthquake to learn the support provided by Miyagi Co-op and Co-ops nationwide after the disaster and the situation of the recovery exercise.

At the end of the training, a debriefing was held at Miyagi Co-op Head Office and participants reported on what they learned during the training period and their future action plan to improve their business environment upon returning home.

Trainees inspecting Co-op Mirai (a member co-op of Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union) store

Trainees receiving explanation about supportive services offered at the elderly housing of Co-opdeli

Visit to Sanchoku producers in Miyagi

Trainees receiving explanation at FamilyMart+Co-op Tsurugaya store

Trainees receiving explanation at Miyagi Co-op Recycle Center

Trainees (holding certificate of completion) and Miyagi Co-op staff pose for a group picture after the final briefing session