Shibusawa of Pal System Receives the Agricultural Cooperatives Culture Award
On July 14, 2020, Atsuyuki Shibusawa, the President of the Pal System Consumer Cooperative Union, received a special award at the 47th Agricultural Cooperatives Culture Award ceremony held in Tokyo. The award recognizes his exemplary work connecting producers to consumers through direct production and the development of local communities.
In attendance at the ceremony were 17 recipients across 8 different categories, alongside representatives from various agricultural cooperatives. Shibusawa's efforts to create hubs for community development in collaboration with agricultural, forestry, and fishery producers were highlighted as a key reason for his recognition.
Professor Nobukazu Taniguchi from the University of Tokyo, who was the chair of the selection committee, praised Shibusawa's approach, stating that, "The interaction and mutual recognition between producers and consumers rooted in the local community reflects the true essence of cooperatives."
During his acceptance speech, Shibusawa emphasized the importance of uncovering and utilizing the hidden local resources that people may overlook. He described the role of direct production in linking these resources to contribute to the development of local areas. He stated, "There are remarkable local resources hidden in various places that may not be recognized by locals. Our role in direct production is to connect these and assist in the development of our regions. Going forward, we aim to work together with various stakeholders, including agricultural cooperatives, to build a supportive society."
The Agricultural Cooperatives Culture Award was established in 1977 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Agricultural Cooperatives Law, with the aim of honoring individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the agricultural cooperative movement. In the past, the Pal System Union has been recognized as well; in 2008, Shinji Yamamoto, who was an executive officer at that time and later became the president, received the award in the General Culture category.
Pal System Consumer Cooperative Union
Address: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Rakuasu Higashi-Shinjuku
President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
Total business revenue: 268.96 billion yen
Total members: 1.77 million (as of March 31, 2026)
Member cooperatives include: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, and Pal System Kyosai Federation, as well as Ai Coop Miyagi.
Website: Pal System
In attendance at the ceremony were 17 recipients across 8 different categories, alongside representatives from various agricultural cooperatives. Shibusawa's efforts to create hubs for community development in collaboration with agricultural, forestry, and fishery producers were highlighted as a key reason for his recognition.
Professor Nobukazu Taniguchi from the University of Tokyo, who was the chair of the selection committee, praised Shibusawa's approach, stating that, "The interaction and mutual recognition between producers and consumers rooted in the local community reflects the true essence of cooperatives."
During his acceptance speech, Shibusawa emphasized the importance of uncovering and utilizing the hidden local resources that people may overlook. He described the role of direct production in linking these resources to contribute to the development of local areas. He stated, "There are remarkable local resources hidden in various places that may not be recognized by locals. Our role in direct production is to connect these and assist in the development of our regions. Going forward, we aim to work together with various stakeholders, including agricultural cooperatives, to build a supportive society."
The Agricultural Cooperatives Culture Award was established in 1977 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Agricultural Cooperatives Law, with the aim of honoring individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the agricultural cooperative movement. In the past, the Pal System Union has been recognized as well; in 2008, Shinji Yamamoto, who was an executive officer at that time and later became the president, received the award in the General Culture category.
Pal System Consumer Cooperative Union
Address: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Rakuasu Higashi-Shinjuku
President: Atsuyuki Shibusawa
Total business revenue: 268.96 billion yen
Total members: 1.77 million (as of March 31, 2026)
Member cooperatives include: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, and Pal System Kyosai Federation, as well as Ai Coop Miyagi.
Website: Pal System
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