Happy New Year!

The year 2025 marks the second International Year of Cooperatives, following the first one in 2012. Let us celebrate this milestone together with cooperative colleagues around the world and make it a new starting point for the further growth of the global cooperative movement.

Japanese consumer co-ops will continue contributing to the realization of sustainable local communities and a fair society while enhancing their value as organizations through mutual learning among co-op members, officials, and staff.

In Japan, a year has passed since the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The affected regions experienced additional heavy rains last September, leading to secondary disasters. Many people are still forced to live in evacuation shelters. Japanese consumer co-ops have been actively conducting fundraising and support activities to aid long-term recovery and reconstruction. These activities not only support victims and local recovery centers but also allow co-op members and staff nationwide to experience the "power of cooperation". We pledge to continue this support with care and dedication longer as any other for as long as needed to help the affected communities.

In 2024, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (NIHON HIDANKYO) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its tireless dedication to inherit the memory of the A-bomb experience. In 2025, we will mark 80 years since the atomic bombings and the end of World War II. Under the slogan "For Peace and Better Life", Japanese consumer co-ops have been conducting diverse peace activities aiming for a world free of war and nuclear weapons. We will continue to expand our peace efforts and work towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Domestically, rising prices have made life increasingly difficult for consumers, and these challenges are expected to persist in 2025. Fuel price hikes, rising production costs, and labor shortages have also made it harder for producers and manufacturers to maintain operations. To address these issues, consumer co-ops will strengthen the bond between consumers and producers, work to ensure stable food production and supply within Japan, and expand efforts toward sustainable food supply.

In addition, to contribute to achieving the SDGs, we will actively promote the "Co-op 2030 Environmental Sustainability Policy" and implement various initiatives, such as reducing food loss and promoting ethical consumption, all grounded in respect for human rights, in collaboration with consumer co-ops nationwide.

As we begin this new year, I wish you all a year filled with growth and fulfillment.

January 2025

Toshio TSUCHIYA

President

Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (JCCU)