Activities of the National Council of Agricultural Cooperative Women’s Associations and women’s active roles in Japan’s agricultural communities September 2nd, 2010 Chieko Fujiki National Council of Agricultural Cooperative Women’s Associations

Historical expansion of Japan Agricultural Cooperative Women’s Associations Year Number of prefectural organization members (all prefecturals)

Number of organizational units and individual members No. of organizationsNo. of members No. of organizations No. of members （ people ）

Mission Statement of JA Women’s Organizations 1. We are committed to use our united power to protect women’s rights and enhance the social and economical status of women. 2. We strive to promote women’s participation and involvement in order to reflect their voices in the JA Co-operative Movement, and take action related to the movement. 3. We devote ourselves, through co-operative activities by women, to establishing comfortable local communities where people can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle with better communications and mutual assistance.

Percentage of female agricultural operators FY Members of farm households 9,4008,3707,9317,6407,2956,979 (Women) 4,8004,2554,0373,8873,7093,542 Percentage of women Agricultural operators 3,6223,3523,2053,1192,9862,895 (Women) 2,0001,7881,7181,6681,5971,546 Percentage of women (unit: thousand, %)

Promotion of women’s involvement in organizational operations at the JA Group Numerical targets of the JA Group: Resolutions at the 25th JA National Convention in 2009 ・ Female regular members (total): 25% ・ Female regular members of large JA units: 10% ・ Female executives of each JA unit: 2 or more

Women’s representation of JA membership Total JA members (people) Proportion of women (%) No. of members No. of women % of women

Women executives at JA No. of executives (nationwide) Proportion of women (%) No. of executives (nationwide) No. of women executives % of women

JA Saga Female Member’s Convention

Promoting “local production for local consumption” Photos: Ie-No-Hikari Association

Educational programs on food and agriculture Cooking class Agricultural experience Handmade miso (bean paste) Adult daytime service