Donating a Total of 10 Million Yen to 3 Projects Supporting Children, Students, and Disaster Areas: 'Co-op Kyosai Future Illumination Project'

Co-op Kyosai Federation (Japan Co-op Kyosai Consumers' Co-operative Federation, Representative Director and President: Hiroko Sasakawa) implemented a donation project through the Kyosai My Page*1 called the 'Co-op Kyosai Future Illumination Project,' donating a total of 10 million yen to three initiatives supporting children, students, and disaster-stricken areas.

This project is a participant-driven social contribution initiative made possible by the engagement of many policyholders.

Co-op Kyosai Future Illumination Project

*1: An exclusive service for CO-OP Kyosai policyholders that allows them to check contract details and perform various procedures online.

■ Donation Recipients and Amounts

- 'Mutual Aid Scholarship System' / National Federation of University Co-operative Associations Scholarship Foundation: 5.1 million yen
- 'Support Grant for Child Poverty Relief Activities' / Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union: 2.9 million yen
- 'Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union Fundraising Account: "Bringing Smiles to Noto! Support Fund"': 2.0 million yen

*Support for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Oku-Noto Heavy Rain disasters has been newly added to the donation recipients this year.

■ What is the 'Co-op Kyosai Future Illumination Project'?

Co-op Kyosai is an insurance system that materializes the 'spirit of mutual aid'—the idea that 'when someone is in trouble, someone else will support them.' As an initiative to spread this sentiment throughout society, this project is conducted with the aim of supporting the futures of children, students, and people in disaster-stricken areas.

During the period from September 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, Co-op Kyosai Federation contributed 20 yen*2 for each registration and use of the 'Kyosai My Page,' donating to activities that address child poverty, support academic continuation, and aid disaster-stricken areas.

*2: Users are not required to bear the cost of the donation. After the implementation period ends, Co-op Kyosai Federation donates an amount corresponding to the number of people and uses.

■ Introduction of Donation Recipients

▼ National Federation of University Co-operative Associations Scholarship Foundation (Abbreviation: University Co-op Scholarship Foundation) 'Mutual Aid Scholarship System'

This is a grant-type scholarship system funded by donations from university co-ops nationwide and many supporters. It is operated so that students in difficult situations who have lost their guardians can maintain their desire to 'continue their studies' and 'learn at university to fulfill their dreams.'

At the donation presentation ceremony on April 6, 2026, Co-op Kyosai Federation President Sasakawa presented the donation catalog, and in return, President Takekawa of the University Co-op Scholarship Foundation handed over a 'Certificate of Appreciation.'

In the subsequent exchange of opinions, discussions were held on issues regarding the expansion of support for students who have lost guardians, how students perceive this scholarship system, and practical examples of public relations activities.

'Mutual Aid Scholarship System' Website: https://www.univcoop.or.jp/syogakuzaidan/

Scenes from the 'Mutual Aid Scholarship System' Donation Presentation Ceremony

From left: Hiroko Sasakawa, Representative Director and President of Co-op Kyosai Federation; Shogo Takekawa, Representative Director of the University Co-op Scholarship Foundation

▼ Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (Abbreviation: JCCU) 'Support Grant for Child Poverty Relief Activities'

This grant is an initiative carried out in collaboration between the 'Children's Future Action'*3 promoted by JCCU and JCCU's mail-order business 'Kurashi to Seikyo'.

Activities that support children suffering from various difficulties in the community—not only economic problems but also family issues like abuse and isolation, as well as poverty of relationships and opportunities—are eligible for the grant.

'Support Grant for Child Poverty Relief Activities' Website: https://miraiaction.org/2025年度「子どもの貧困」支援活動への応援助成%e3%80%80/

*3: 'Children's Future Action' is a movement to expand the circle of empathy by learning about and thinking about children's issues, including poverty. JCCU has been engaging in this movement since April 2018 in cooperation with various endorsing organizations.

Scenes from the 2025 'Child Poverty' Support Activity Grant Presentation Ceremony

▼ JCCU Fundraising Account 'Bringing Smiles to Noto! Support Fund - Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Oku-Noto Heavy Rain Disaster Relief Activities'

This is a fundraising effort undertaken together with co-ops nationwide to support the disaster-stricken areas of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Oku-Noto Heavy Rain, which are still in the process of recovery. Under the slogan 'Stay close longer and more carefully than anyone else,' co-ops are continuing to support the affected areas in fiscal 2026.

The collected funds are utilized for disaster relief, including support for activities to rebuild the lives and communities of victims such as soup kitchens and salon activities; support to bring back the smiles of victims through cultural activities and experiential events; expenses for public relations, exchange meetings, and site visits to ensure the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and Oku-Noto Heavy Rain are not forgotten; and donations to organizations operating in the affected areas.

■ About Co-op Kyosai Federation

The Japan Co-op Kyosai Consumers' Co-operative Federation (Abbreviation: Co-op Kyosai Federation) was jointly established by regional consumer co-ops—mainly operating home delivery and store businesses—that handle Co-op Kyosai, and the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union (Abbreviation: JCCU).