The first batch of the 2017 training program for managers of consumer co-operatives organized by ICA-AP in collaboration with Japanese Consumer Co-operative Union (JCCU) was held from July 17 to July 30, with Miyagi Co-op and Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union providing the training grounds, the facilities and resource persons.

The participants were Ms. Maylene Quiroz MALAPITAN, Cebu Mitsumi Multi-purpose Cooperative, Mr. Sandip Pandurang POWAR, Shree Warna Vibhag Sahakari Grahak Mandal Ltd. Mr. Hanafi Bin BASIRAN, Koperasi Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia Berhad, Mr. PARK Seong Cheol, Dure Consumers Co-operative Federation and Mr. Bilguun BOLDSUKH, Mongolian Neighbour Cooperative.

In this program, through lectures, store training and facility tours, participants were able to learn and understand consumer co-op business in Japan and how the business and activities contribute to the improvement of the community and the society as a whole. In terms of management issues, participants also learned the productivity improvement of store business, store policies and product development taking into consideration competition, mechanisms to reflect the voice of co-op members in business and activities, staff education and networking with producers.

At Co-opdeli, as part of the facility tour, participants visited housing for elderly with homecare services provided to learn about welfare business of consumer co-ops. In Miyagi Co-op, participants took tour of stores and learned about the actual store management practices, staff education, the organization structure of member activities, the home delivery business/logistics mechanism etc.

They also took a tour of the Miyagi Co-op Data Archives of the Great East Japan Earthquake to learn about the efforts of the Co-op during the disaster and the situation of the recovery exercise. On the final day of the training, participants gave reports and future action plans, and what they intend implementing upon return to their home countries.