This study aims to find out current status of cooperation between “grass-root autonomy” and existing cooperative association, JA. Main results are: 1)“grass-root” autonomy takes over some “unprofitable” business and activities to cultivate human resource from JA. 2)For cultivation of “Small” cooperative, “grass-root” autonomy cultivate human resource, then JA support it to develop their business or activities. 3)Through JA’s support for “Small” cooperative, relationship among members and cooperative are changing and we could find re-organization of JA member’s community.

View full abstract

Forest owners' association is one of the few cooperatives located in the mountainous areas, and plays an important role in environmental preservation and job creation. From the perspective of "small cooperative", this study examines the role of the Forest owners' association, which plays in sustainable community development. The examined examples are non-merger association to keep the "small cooperative" and merger association to maintain the mechanism of "small cooperative" through the "Adecentralization of management". Forest owners' association, as the bearers of community empowerment, expand the cooperative practice to commit actively to regional development is expected.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

This article provides some insight on the relationship between emerging Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and traditional consumer and worker co-operatives in Japan. We identify two types of WISEs—the supportive type and the solidaristic type—based on the laws defining and regulating their structure. We then examine the relationship between each type of WISE and co- operative. Through our analysis, we show that the formation of relationships between these entities could contribute to local job assistance systems but at the same time create conflicts in terms of the different management styles of co-operatives and WISEs.

View full abstract

Recently China has witnessed a rapid development in land circulation, especially in the fast developing coastal areas, big cities and some grain production areas. Meanwhile, the ratio of the land circulation to farmer cooperation increased gradually. Based on these trends, the paper focused on the land transfer in Jiangsu Province, especially on the finacial aid policy adopted aiming to enhance land circulation and analyzed the cases of fastly increased land stock-cooperatives in recent years based on the above study. The paper finally reached the conclusion that the founding of land stock-cooperatives fastened land circulation whereas the cooperative as an organization, its significance needs further analysis and discussion.

View full abstract

Jardin Group utilizing the Japanese Technical Intern Training Program accepts technical intern trainees from China. The aim of acceptance is to employ technical intern trainees as key employees of Jardin farm in China. Demand of vegetables and flower seedlings produced by case group in China is growing. Therefore, it is necessary to employ Chinese technical intern trainees in the future. This effort is consistent with the philosophy of the Japanese Technical Intern Training Program.

View full abstract