Zenkyoren (JA Kyosai) is part of the JA Group, a group of agricultural cooperatives who have supported the livelihoods of rural communities in a comprehensive way for more than 70 years. The Japanese insurer also provides life, building and automobile insurance. In recent years they are returning to their roots, focusing on the sustainability of agriculture which is the foundation of their business.
The three crises Zenkyoren is currently facing are:
- Rapid changes in social structure due to low birth rate and an ageing population;
- weakening of the foundation of agricultural production due to a decrease in the number of farmers;
- and frequent occurrences of natural disasters due to global environment change and numerous earthquakes
To counter this, Zenkyoren is committed to the sustainability of local communities and agriculture through insurance and social activities. Keeping members at the heart of their activities, their purpose is not only to provide insurance protection; but to also educate about risk, implement preventative measures, and to promote kyosai (cooperative) insurance for risks that cannot be avoided.
Zenkoyren have four initiatives related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Contribution to healthy and productive lifestyles.
- Realisation of safe and secure local communities.
- Contribution to sustainable agriculture.
- Contribution to global environment.
Some notable examples of how they achieve these initiatives include: promoting health, educating children and the elderly on traffic safety, and social reintegration assistance for those who have been injured in a traffic accident. Their work goes beyond paying claims and their post-disaster response includes sending relief goods, distributing free disaster kits, and interest free loans to assist in life rebuilding.
Aiming to prevent agricultural accidents, they have developed a virtual reality (VR) tool and provide nationwide education programmes. They have developed agricultural risk diagnosis which can be used on smart phones, computers or on paper. They offer comprehensive cover to individuals who identify risk through these activities. Working with their non-life subsidiary, Kyoei Fire & Marine, they provide various responses to abnormal weather conditions.
Zenkyoren contributes to solving global environmental problems such as climate change, global warming and environmental conservation. They are doing this through promoting local production and consumption through education; assisting agricultural innovation; and expanding its ESG investments (which also support the SDGs). The company established a revitalisation fund six years ago to support local communities. In total 12 million people have taken part in various events supported by this fund.
Looking towards the future, Zenkyoren’s ultimate goal is to let people live with peace of mind in their own communities.
