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 winter, five co-op managers from three Asian countries were invited to Japan to take part in the 2019 training program which lasted for 14 days from November 18 to December 1, 2019. The program mainly focused on store business operation at Co-opdeli Consumers' Co-operative Union and Co-op Kobe. The participants are Mr. Anas Fitri Bin ZAINOL from Koperasi Qariah Masjid Taman Bertam Indar Kepala Batas Berhad, Mr. Leow Yock CHONG and Mr. Cheng Keng Yeow from NTUC Fairprice Coopeartive Ltd., Mr. PHAM Hoang An and Ms. PHAM Thithu Hien from Saigon Union of Trading Co-operatives. The trainees are co-op managers who are actively working in various divisions such as store and investment.

At JCCU headquarters the trainees received lectures on the outline of Japanese co-ops and quality control of CO・OP Brand Products. In addition, they visited the JCCU Laboratory, observed the examination such as pesticide residue and microorganisms, and received explanations on the method of analysis.

At Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union, the trainees received lectures on the businesses and activities of the union and its member co-ops and subsequently visited a store of Co-op Mirai, one of the member co-ops of Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union.

In addition, the group visited the Kagawa Archives & Resource Center and learned about the history of the Japanese co-operative movement.

At Co-op Kobe, they visited a variety of stores, including supermarkets, mini-supermarkets, online supermarkets, and mobile stores. They also visited various facilities such as food factories, delivery centers for home delivery businesses, and Eco Farm, which is operated by Co-op Kobe as part of environmental conservation activities, and received lectures on businesses and activities related to each facility. In addition, they received lectures on a wide range of topics, including the history of Co-op Kobe, the personnel system, and explanation and experience of smartphone apps for members.

(Left) Delivery center for home delivery / (Right) Food factory

On the last day, the trainees shared the current situation of their respective co-ops, what they learned during the training, and how they could use the training experience to improve their work upon returning to their home countries.