Shikata was introduced to the cooperative movement when he joined the Nara Prefectural University Coop as a student. He became interested in coops, the role they play and is convinced that the coop movement has and will continue to influence and contribute not only to the members but also to the civil society and local communities. Currently, an employee of Yoshida Store, a Kyoto University Coop, he is learning more about consumer coops and aims to improve the society through cooperative values and principles.

Read his story here.

The ICA is featuring 25 members of the cooperative movement who are under the age of 25, to tell the world what the cooperative identity means to them – in the form of a short video story, photos and other digital media. The stories will use real-life examples to inspire and vividly show the cooperative difference. Read more about the campaign here.