The annual Japan-Korea Student Exchange Seminar was successfully held from June 29 to July 2, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea. Organized through the collaboration of the National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA) of Japan and the Korea Federation of University Cooperatives (KFUC), this year’s seminar brought together over 20 participants, including students and staff from both countries.

The seminar aimed to deepen mutual understanding of cooperative movements and to foster meaningful dialogue between youth from Japan and Korea. It provided a platform for students to learn not only about co-operatives in each country but also about each other’s cultures, perspectives, and values.

The four-day program featured a rich variety of activities, including co-op visits, university cooperative introduction sessions, group discussions, and cultural exchanges. One major highlight was the inclusion of multiple university co-ops in the itinerary, offering participants a chance to observe diverse practices within the Korean cooperative movement firsthand.

Among the visits were four university co-ops: Korea National Open University, Soongsil University, Kyung Hee University, and Incheon National University, where students explored each co-op’s unique features, store operations, and services.

In addition to university visits, the delegation visited Dure Consumers’ Coop, a community-based cooperative known for its commitment to sustainable living. There, students took part in a hands-on Korean cooking experience: making bibimbap, tteokbokki, and kimchi pancakes, before continuing with cultural activities such as a Seoul city tour, where students were divided into small groups and given the freedom to choose their own destinations and carry out self-designed missions, fostering creativity, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication that further deepened the exchange.

For transportation in some parts of the program, the group travelled together using the Coop Bus, a symbolic reminder of the cooperative spirit that connected each part of the journey.

This year’s event was notable for the high level of student initiative, particularly in planning and moderating parts of the program. Both Japanese and Korean students led their own presentations and facilitated discussions, fostering confidence and leadership.

The collaborative efforts in preparation and execution showcased the strong partnership between the co-operative associations of both countries. Feedback collected at the end of

the program indicated that many students were inspired to remain involved in co-operative and international exchange activities.

The 2025 seminar was hosted by KFUC, which extended warm hospitality and ensured smooth coordination. The next seminar is expected to be held in Japan in 2026, continuing this important tradition of cross-cultural learning and youth cooperation.