Basic　Policies of JAs for the 21st Century
<2> Roles of JAs in Today’s Society

Domestically, in the wake of the worsening employment situation taking place under the stagnant economy and deeper deflation, and the fiscal crisis of both the national and local governments, Japan is facing a major challenge of having to carry out administrative and fiscal reforms. Furthermore, advancement towards having fewer children and the aging of population predictably cast a wide variety of influence on its economy and society, including the questions of how the social security programs such as pension and aged people’s care shall be adjusted.

Internationally, activities of trans-national firms are getting more prevalent, and the liberalization of trade and investment under the WTO regime as well as the introducing of global standards (globalization or harmonization of standards) are strongly pushed ahead against the backdrop of rapid advancement of IT technology and deregulation. Under such circumstances, the global environmental problems are getting more serious as witnessed by global warming, destruction of tropical forests and advancement of desertification.

At a time when the economy and society are coming to a major turning point as above, the problems facing food, agriculture and rural areas are also getting more serious. JA Group, by identifying its inherent social roles and directions to pursue as co-operatives, is engaging itself in performing the following five “Roles of JAs in Today’s Society”:

1) To make stable supply of domestic agricultural products which are safe to eat with peace of mind:
2) To play the function of a pilot house for area agriculture;
3) To develop such cooperative activities as could be endorsed and supported by the local community;
4) To provide the value of agriculture through exchanges between urban and rural areas etc.;
5) To play a role for the national economy.

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