#Japan #Pal System #Takasaki #Ohira Makiko #Gunma Coop

New Era Begins: Makiko Ohira Takes Office as Chairperson of Pal System Gunma

On June 11, 2023, the Pal System Gunma cooperative, based in Takasaki City, held its 19th General Assembly at Amazing Grace Maebashi. Under the leadership of newly appointed Chairperson Makiko Ohira, the assembly welcomed attendance from 128 out of 148 delegates, resulting in unanimous approval of five proposed motions.

Key Decisions of the Assembly

The approved proposals included the following:
1. Approval of the 2024 Business Activity Report, Financial Statement, and Surplus Allocation (Audit Report)
2. Setting of the Business Activity Policy and Budget for 2025
3. Election of Officers for the 10th Term
4. Approval for Payment of Retirement Benefits to Officers
5. Amendment of the Upper Limit on Executive Compensation

The 2024 fiscal year will mark the second year of the 6th Medium-Term Plan (2023-2025) with three core policies: Connecting to the Next Era, Empathetic Pal System Products, and Robust Promotion of SDGs under the motto "SDGs in Pal System Gunma." As a result of its diverse initiatives, the cooperative reported a total business revenue of 6.16 billion yen, maintaining a slight increase from the previous year.

Objectives for 2025 and Beyond

Looking ahead to 2025, the final year of the current medium-term plan, Pal System Gunma aims to reinforce its cooperation and empathy-focused activities, particularly emphasizing sustainability amid Japan's declining population and aging society. The assembly acknowledged the ongoing economic uncertainties and rising living costs that impact cooperative management, committing itself to maintain a stable project continuation.

Following the assembly, new board members were elected, including 16 directors and 3 auditors. Makiko Ohira has succeeded Yukiyo Sabamichi after a decade of leadership. Nishihide Takahashi continues as Executive Officer.

In her first speech as Chairperson, Ohira expressed gratitude to the cooperative's members, stating, "We will cherish the relationships built with our members and work together towards further development."

The restructured board members include:

• - Chairperson: Makiko Ohira (new)
• - Executive Director: Nishihide Takahashi (re-elected)
• - Business Executives: Maki Kijima (re-elected), Hiroki Nakamura (new)
• - Permanent Directors: Yoko Tojo (re-elected), Yukari Yanai (re-elected), Akiko Itagaki (new)
• - Special Auditor: Yuji Kameyama (new)

Makiko Ohira's Journey to Leadership

Background:
Makiko Ohira joined Pal System Gunma in September 2007 and became a director in June 2013. She was appointed as a permanent director in June 2019 and has now taken on the role of Chairperson as of June 2025.

Pal System Gunma, under its new leadership, is committed to realizing its vision of creating a rich and vibrant community through cooperative efforts.