Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU), Japan CO-OP Insurance (Kyosai) Consumers' Co-operative Federation (CO・OP Kyosai), and the Japanese Health and Welfare Co-operative Federation (HeW CO-OP JAPAN) co-organized a new year reception on January 11, 2023, in Tokyo, for the first time in three years of the pandemic.  

 

Over 700 people, including co-op stakeholders, co-operative organizations, and leaders from various institutions including cabinet members, political parties, and local government attended.

Following the opening address by TSUCHIYA Toshio, President of JCCU, Mr. KATO Katsunobu, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) took turns and expressed his gratitude for the co-op's activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and his hope that the co-op would play an active role toward the "realization of a symbiotic society," which the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is promoting.

 

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In addition, Mr. NAKAYA Toru, President of the Japan Co-operative Alliance (JCA) in his address mentioned that "I would like to call on the world to discuss the co-operative identity in order to realize a better society."

 

Mr. FURUICHI Kenichi, Vice Chairperson, Japan National Council of Social Welfare said "I am convinced that if the consumer co-ops and the councils of social welfare pool their strengths and work together, they will be the force behind the realization of a symbiotic society.''

 

As a countermeasure against infection, Kagamibiraki ceremony was performed with empty barrels, and the toast was made with soft drinks. Mr. FUJIE Taro, Chairperson of the association of business partners of JCCU went on the stage with representatives from various political parties, friendship groups, business partners, and co-operatives and gave a greeting to declare the opening of the New Year.