About The Norinchukin Bank
The Norinchukin Bank (the “Bank”) is a private financial institution with Japan Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), Japan Fishery Cooperatives (JF), Japan Forest Owners’ Cooperatives (JForest), and other cooperatives of farmers, fishermen, and foresters as its members. We aim to facilitate the smooth functioning of financial services for these cooperatives, to contribute to the development of the agriculture, fishery, and forestry (“AFF”) industries, and to thereby contribute to the development of the national economy, as per Article 1 of the Norinchukin Bank Act.
About The Cooperative System
Cooperatives are organizations established under the slogan "one for all and all for one" that are based in communities and play a role in stabilizing people's lives by encouraging mutual aid between people and revitalizing communities. Their functions are performed in a wide range of fields that are concerned with people's livelihoods.
In addition to the cooperative banking business, which involves accepting deposits and making loans, we, the members of agricultural, fishery and forestry cooperatives, engage in a number of other business activities. Among these are providing "guidance" for business and day-to-day matters for farmers, fishermen, and foresters; "economic support" through sale of agricultural, fishery and forestry products as well as procurement of production materials; and "mutual insurance" services for providing mutual aid.
Cooperative members comprise JA, JF, and JForest at the municipal level that perform wide range of activities as described above, and their respective federations and unions at the prefectural level, as well as those at the national level, including the Bank.
This nationwide structure from the municipal level to the national level is generally known as “The Cooperative System”.
The Structure of the Cooperative System
The framework and functions of the banking businesses of JA and JF at the municipal level, JA Shinnoren (Prefectural Banking Federations of Agricultural Cooperatives) and JF Shingyoren (Prefectural Banking Federations of Fishery Cooperatives) at the prefectural level, and the Bank at the national level are referred to collectively as “The Cooperative Banking Business”, which has evolved as “JA Bank” and “JF Marine Bank” essentially as one financial institution.
We also cooperate in close alliance with JForest Group, which does not conduct banking business, providing support/ subsidies for its activities, human resource development, and etc.
The Function of The Norinchukin Bank
The Bank’s funds are derived from member deposits (majority of them are made from savings held by individual members of JA and JF) and raised in the market. These financial resources are then lent to farmers, fishermen, and foresters, as well as companies related to these industries. In addition to such activities, the Bank efficiently manages its funds through investments in securities and other financial instruments. The Bank strives to stably return profits on investment and lending activities to its members and provides various other financial services.
