On July 4, 2022, the 100th International Day of Co-operatives Forum in Japan was held by the Japan Co-operative Alliance (JCA) in a hybrid format with both physical (in-person) attendance and online streaming. 179 co-operative officials and members, academicians, and media representatives attended in-person, while 273 people participated online. 

This year's theme was "Learning and Utilizing Co-operative Identity". Participants deepened their understanding of co-operative identity (definition, values, and principles). After watching video learning materials, three co-operative officials presented case studies, followed by a panel discussion.

In the case study reports, firstly, Mr. WATANABE Hirotada, President and Representative Director of JA Ochiimabari, gave a report titled " JA Ochiimabari: The History of Cooperation - Our Role as a Co-operative" on recent efforts, including the appointment of women associate members to the management committee and the joint holding of a festival with the fishery co-operative, in accordance with individual co-operative principles and definitions. 

Taken turns, Ms. NAKAGAWA Hisako, Executive Director of Co-op Kobe, gave a report on efforts to support co-op members who have difficulties in shopping and the mutual help activities among co-op members in response to the increase in single-person households, under the theme "Living in cooperation in a town with a co-op." 

　

Ms. SETO Rion, Director of Keyakinomori, Sendai Local Welfare Center of Central Workers' Cooperative, gave a report under the title "Co-operative identity - confirming our origin and seeking its realization." She reported on how "Minna no BASE (Our Base)," a project to provide a place for children started, its current status, and the importance of supporting the growth of co-op members working there as a workers' co-operative. 

　

In the subsequent panel discussion, each case report was discussed in more detail, and the session concluded with an exchange of opinions among the participants, both at the venue and online.