Pal System Cooperative Association's 43rd Regular General Meeting
On June 23, 2024, the Pal System Cooperative Association, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, convened its 43rd regular general meeting at Hotel Metropolitan in Toshima, Tokyo. The assembly saw the unanimous approval of the nomination of officers for the 20th term, culminating in the selection of new leaders. Atsushi Shibusawa was appointed as the new Chairman, while Masakazu Tsuji took on the role of Executive Director, alongside a newly structured executive team.
2024 Supply Goals Set to Exceed Previous Year
During the meeting, all four proposals, including the approval of the 2024 business report, financial statement, and surplus disposal plan, received unanimous consent. Detailed voting results were shared separately, highlighting the strong support for the proposed strategies.
For the fiscal year 2024, as part of the ‘Beyond’ sustainable action initiative, the Pal System is set to implement several campaigns aimed at supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable seafood consumption. Notable programs include ‘Rice for Sustainability’ and ‘Let's Eat More Fish.’ Additionally, they are launching the Tsukuba Mirai Center, the second logistics facility at a frozen temperature range, and deploying staff to support regions affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, showcasing their commitment to building a sustainable society.
As a result of these initiatives, the total supply for the year reached 181.1 billion yen, a remarkable increase of 2.8% compared to the previous year, and 1.8% above the budget predictions. In terms of member cooperatives, the supply stood at 236.6 billion yen, also up by 2.8%. Notably, the ordinary surplus reported was 1.1 billion yen, reflecting a decrease in comparison to last year but surpassing budget expectations significantly.
Strategic Year Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
The fiscal year 2025 will mark international cooperative year as designated by the United Nations, alongside significant historical anniversaries: 80 years since the end of the war and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. This year is additionally positioned as a crucial juncture for assessing the overall strength of the Pal System Group's collaborative efforts under the second year of their 20th medium-term plan (2024-2026). The projected budget for 2025 anticipates a supply increase to 183.9 billion yen, representing a 1.5% rise from the previous year, and an ordinary surplus of 4 billion yen, reflecting a substantial growth of 35.7%.
During this meeting, the assembly also selected 25 new directors and four auditors for the 20th term. Subsequent to the meeting, the board convened, confirming Shibusawa as the Chairman and Tsuji as the Executive Director, alongside the new executive team.
Profiles of New Leaders
Atsushi Shibusawa (Chairman)
Born in March 1965, Shibusawa has had an extensive career in cooperative governance. He began his leadership journey in 2000 as a director of Seikatsu Kyōdō Kumiai L (now Pal System Chiba) and later served as a managing director at Pal System Federation from 2018 until his current position.
Masakazu Tsuji (Executive Director)
Born in July 1966, Tsuji joined the Tokyo Maikoop Cooperative in 2008 as an operating officer. His roles escalated rapidly, culminating in his current leadership position after serving in various capacities, including as Executive Director and Managing Director at Pal System Federation.
Important Details of the 43rd General Meeting
- - Date: June 23, 2025, 14:00 - 16:04
- - Location: 3rd Floor, Fuji Room, Hotel Metropolitan
- - Attendees: 55 delegates (53 in-person, 2 by proxy)
Resolutions and Voting Results:
1.
2024 Business Report & Financial Statement Approval: - Unanimous Approval (53 votes)
2.
Business Planning & Budget for 2025: - Unanimous Approval (53 votes)
3.
Election of 20th Term Officers: - Unanimous Approval (53 votes)
4.
Retirement Allowance for Officers: - Unanimous Approval (53 votes)
About Pal System Cooperative Association
Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Pal System Cooperative Association, led by Chairman Atsushi Shibusawa, has a total business volume of 260.4 billion yen as of March 2025, serving 1.762 million members through numerous cooperatives across various regions including Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gunma, Fukushima, Shizuoka, Niigata, and more.
For more information, please visit
Pal System's Website.