We strongly condemn the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army.

On 24 February 2022, the Russian army started to invade Ukraine.

The Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU) condemns this invasion and demands the immediate cessation of the armed action.

This invasion is a serious violation of the United Nations Charter which prohibits the use of force and a serious violation of the right to life and security of Ukrainian civilians. We express our strong indignation that people's lives are still threatened and endangered.

As citizens of Japan, the only nation hit by atomic bombs, we cannot condone the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested the use of nuclear weapons in this series of events. We express our strong concern as the Japanese consumer co-operative that has been working for world peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons, which is the common wish of the people of the A-bombed country. 

In its "Founding Declaration", JCCU states "For peace and better life". We reaffirm the preciousness and importance of our daily life and hope that the citizens of Ukraine and also the people of Russia who do not necessarily support this military invasion will get back their daily life as soon as possible. To this end, we call on the international community to do its utmost through dialogue and diplomacy.

March 1, 2022

Hiroyuki Shimada

CEO & Managing Director of the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union