Our Features

Constant Mission over about 100 years:
Transforming Itself to Meet the Needs of the Times

Since its establishment in 1923, The Norinchukin Bank has been managed under special legislation, initially, as the central bank for Japan’s industrial cooperatives, “Sangyo Kumiai,” and subsequently via the Norinchukin Bank Act.
It is a cooperative private financial institution with a clear mission to “contribute to the development of the nation’s economy by supporting the advancement of Japan’s agriculture, fishery and forestry industries by providing financial services for the members of the agricultural, fishery and forestry cooperative system.”
Since its establishment, we have continued to provide support for everyone engaged in the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries for about 100 years while constantly transforming in line with changes in the environment surrounding the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries.

1923～

Meeting the demand for funding in the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries before and after World War IILaunched as the central bank for Japan’s industrial cooperatives

Supporting producers with financial services, including loans, through cooperative organizations with the spirit of helping one another

Producers involved in the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries faced a shortage of funds before and after World War II until Japan’s era of high economic growth. Aiming to solve such a situation, The Norinchukin Bank was established in 1923. As the central body for agricultural, fishery and forestry cooperative organizations, The Norinchukin Bank has supplied funds to agricultural, fishery and forestry cooperatives throughout Japan to provide loans to producers and met the demand for large-scale funding beyond the capacity of individual cooperatives. The basis of these actions stems from our spirit of helping one another— “one for all, all for one.”

1970～

In light of the increase in JA Savings due to economic growth

Extending loans and investments into wider financial markets in addition to the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries in response to the needs of the times

Since the 1970s, when savings deposited by individual members and local users increased considerably, we have been meeting Japan’s strong demand for funds through loans and investments for companies related to the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries, the supply of funds to Japan’s short-term capital markets, and investment in Japanese government bonds. Moreover, from the latter half of the 1990s, we quickly moved into top gear on globally diversified investments in global financial markets. We have returned stable earnings to members as JA, JF and JForest even in a low interest rate environment.

2016～

A bridge between the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries and the business community

Food and Agriculture Business, that supports and connects consumers’and business communities’needs, and realizes supply of agriculture, fishery and forestry products that meet the needs

Amid the ongoing significant changes in the nation’s needs for the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries, we believe that the delivery of safe and secure domestic produce, which consumers, restaurants and food processing companies want, will pave the way to turning the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries into growth industries. Leveraging our deep ties with producers in the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries and longstanding business relationships with companies related to the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries, we intend to “build” bridges between primary industry and secondary and tertiary industries. In 2016, we had a full-scale launch of such an initiative. Our Food and Agriculture Business offers diverse solutions to both producers and consumers.

2019～

Medium-Term Management Plan(FY2019-FY2023)

Catch the Winds of Change to Create New Value

The agriculture, fishery and forestry industries are not the only ones having to adapt to radical changes. The financial industry also faces rapid changes in the investment environment and technologies. To address such non-continuous changes, the Bank has formulated a new Medium-Term Management Plan, covering five years from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2023, and set out to realize the plan. Viewing changes in each of the three business areas—food and agriculture, retail, and investment—as opportunities, the Bank aims to achieve further growth together with the agriculture, fishery and forestry industries in Japan.

What is The Norinchukin Bank?

• What kind of organization is a cooperative?
• What is The Norinchukin Bank's role in the cooperative system?