The Japanese Consumers’ Cooperative Union (JCCU), in cooperation with Co-opdeli Consumers’ Co-operative Union and Miyagi Co-op organized the ICA-AP Training Program for Managers of Consumer Co-ops for five co-operative managers from three Asian countries. The program lasted for 14 days, from July 16 to 29, 2018, mainly focusing on store business. The participants were Ms. Juanillo Jennifer Dela Rosa, Mr. Kong Tuck Seng, and Mr. Joseph Fong Yee Sze from NTUC FairPrice, Mr. Desawale Manoj Govindrao from Shree Warana Vibhag Sahakari Grahak Mandal Ltd., and Mr. Kim Youngsun from Dure Consumer Co-operative Federation.

In this training program, through lectures, store training and tour of co-op facilities, the trainees learned extensively about the productivity improvement of co-op store businesses, staff training, how members’ voices are incorporated in co-op businesses and the “Sanchoku” business that connects producers with consumers and contributes to the economic development of the community and the society as a whole.

At Co-opdeli, the group received explanation about co-op welfare businesses, inspected one of their elderly housing with supportive services, and visited a co-op store.

Trainees receiving explanation at the Co-op Mirai store

At Miyagi Co-op, along with visiting a co-op store, participants received lectures in the areas of store operation, home delivery, personnel education and co-op members' activities. They also visited Miyagi Co-op’s reference library for the Great East Japan Earthquake to learn the support provided by Miyagi Co-op and Co-ops nationwide after the disaster and the situation of the recovery exercise.

At the end of the training, a debriefing was held at Miyagi Co-op Head Office and participants reported on what they learned during the training period and their future action plan to improve their business environment upon returning home.