Abstract
Japanese government based on the New Liberalism has encouraged privatisation of non-profit business and initiated attack on agricultural co-operatives in recent years. This paper discusses the relationship between co-operative movement and government historically and theoretically. Agricultural co-ops had been under the strong support by government in 20th century whereas Consumer co-ops under the hard pressure by the authorities. In 21st century a big hug of government has changed to a kiss of death for JA group. We will propose the sustainable development of community by establishing multi-stakeholder co-operatives among consumers and farmers as the alternative for state-led or commercial agriculture.
