| 1971-1985: Job creation for, of, by the unemployed, middle-aged and elderly |
| 1971 |
The forerunner of JWCU, the "Jigyodan (business group)" was first
established in Nishinomiya City (in the western part of Japan) to create
jobs for the unemployed, middle aged and elderly mainly through projects
comissioned by municipal governments. Throughout the 1970s, local Jigyodans
flourished. |
| 1979 |
Local Jigyodans formed the National Council. |
| 1982 |
Upon termination of the public day-worker aid, the National Council launched
"direct-control businesses" in hospital maintenance. These businesses
developed nationwide rapidly. |
| 1983 |
The National Council members visited Italy to learn about Italian worker
cooperatives, which have over 100 years of history, and started discussions
on reorganization. |
| 1986-1991: Starting a journey as "Worker Cooperatives" |
| 1986 |
Jigyodans decided to transform themselves into organizations managed by
worker-members (i.e., worker cooperatives), in parallel with developing
the National Council into the National Federation. |
| 1987 |
"CENTER Jigyodan" was set up as a model case of worker cooperatives. |
| 1991 |
Japan Institute of Cooperative Research (JICR) was established. |
| 1992-1998: Development of worker cooperatives and establishment of older
persons' cooperatives |
| 1992 |
The National Federation's membership to ICA was approved at the ICA Tokyo
General Assembly, and the National Federation adopted its own seven principles. |
| 1993 |
The National Federation was renamed Japan Workers' Co-operative Union (JWCU). |
| 1995 |
JWCU established the first older persons' cooperative: a cooperative of,
by and for senior citizens and beyond. This movement has spread throughout
the country since then. |
| 1998 |
JWCU established a head office to lobby for the law on associated workers'
co-operatives. |
| 1999-2006: Creation of community welfare centers and a new welfare society |
| 1999 |
Preceding a launch od the Long-term Care Insurance System (April 2000),
JWCU membes started to provide training courses for care workers to obtain
the home-helper certificates throughout the country. |
| 2000 |
Worker Cooperative Legislation Civic Council was founded. |
| 2001 |
Japan Older Persons' Cooperative Union (JOCU) was set up to unite the efforts
among older persons' cooperatives. |
| 2002 |
JWCU adopted new principles of an "Associated Worker Cooperative." |
| 2004 |
JWCU celebrated its 25th anniversary and held an international symposium
at United Nations University in Tokyo, with ILO's special cooperation.
|
| 2006 |
Cuban ambassador and Mongolia's First Lady visited JWCU and its members.
|
| 2007-present: Realizing the Law on Associated Workers' Co-operatives and
overcoming disasters |
| 2007- |
More than 10,000 groups and organizations throughout the nation signed
the letters to support the Law on Associated Workers' Co-operatives. As
of July 2013, over 800 municipality assemblies (out of nearly 1,800 nationwide)
have also sent the Diet letters recommending the immediate approval of
the law. |
| 2008- |
A non-partisan, all-party parliamentary group was founded to promote the
legislation. As of July 2013, the group has over 100 members. |
| 2011 |
In the wake of Great East Japan Earthquake, JWCU established Tohoku Reconstruction
Head Office in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. |
| 2012 |
JWCU co-hosted National Gathering of Cooperation, which brought nearly
3,000 people together and invited distinguished international guests to
discuss the significant roles of cooperatives in our society.
The concept of Associated Work was promoted through movie, TV program and
book.
JWCU actively participated in the national inter-cooperative initiatives
to promote the International Year of Cooperatives. |
| 2013 |
JWCU General Assembly was held in Senday City (the disaster-hit area) with
focuses on disaster reconstruction and rebuilding communities. |
