International Activities
Visit of ICA-AP Youth Committee and ANGKASA to Tokyo Metropolitan University Co-op
On Thursday, 20 February 2025, members of the ICA-AP Youth Committee and directors of ANGKASA visited the Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU) and TMU Co-op at the Minami Osawa Campus as part of their study program in Japan. This visit was held in conjunction with the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 Kick-Off for the Asia-Pacific Region and Japan.
The visit began with a warm welcome and a presentation by Mr. Takayuki Shimura, who introduced the activities and roles of the National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA). This was followed by an informative session by Mr. Masakazu Kamidai, who provided an overview of the TMU Co-op’s operations, including the services offered to students and the co-op’s governance structure. He also highlighted the important roles played by the Student Committee in the management and activities of the co-op.
The participants showed great interest during the Q&A session, where a lively discussion took place. Questions ranged from how students are involved in the management of the co-op, the structure and role of the board of directors, to the daily operations of the university co-op. It was a meaningful exchange of ideas that highlighted the shared values of cooperation and youth engagement.
A token of appreciation from ANGKASA presented to Mr. Kamidai after the session
After the presentations, the delegation enjoyed a casual lunch at the TMU Co-op Cafeteria. This provided them a chance to experience a typical university meal and get a glimpse of student life at TMU.
The visit continued with a tour of the TMU Co-op bookstore. The delegation learned about the benefits provided to co-op members, such as discounts on books and stationery. Many visitors also enjoyed browsing through university merchandise and local snacks, taking a piece of TMU back home with them.
Exploring the TMU Co-op bookstore — from textbooks to university merchandise
Group photo in front of the TMU Co-op Cafeteria and bookstore — a memorable visit!
At the end of the day, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by JCCU, where more members of the Student Committee of NFUCA joined. The Chairperson of NFUCA, Prof. Takegawa Shogo, also took part in the dinner. The gathering provided a warm and friendly setting for further discussions on the involvement of youth in co-ops. Conversations were lively, and participants exchanged insights on how young people can actively shape the co-operative movement.
During the dinner: Prof. Shogo Takegawa with NFUCA Student Committee members and ICA-AP Youth Committee representatives
The visit was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and foster mutual understanding between youth co-operative leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. Held in the spirit of IYC 2025, we hope this experience will further inspire the next generation of co-operative leaders to continue promoting the co-operative movement around the world.