My name is Shuichi Uchikoshi, and I was elected as the Chairperson at the Board of Directors Meeting held on June 17.
　I would like to extend my greetings to you all upon assuming the position of Chairperson of JCIA.
　I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all our member organizations for their continued support and cooperation in the management of our activities.

　This year, 2025, is the second "International Year of Cooperatives," as designated by the United Nations, following on from 2012. It is rare for the same theme for an international year to be chosen twice in such a short period.
　This indicates that the United Nations once again highly values and holds high expectations for cooperatives' initiatives that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across various areas, including sustainable production and consumption, food security, climate change mitigation, healthcare and welfare for local communities, the creation of decent and meaningful jobs, and the development of an inclusive society in which everyone can participate.
　JCIA views this International Year of Cooperatives as an ideal opportunity to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the fundamental value and social role of Kyosai (cooperative insurance) provided by cooperatives.
　For this reason, JCIA is undertaking a range of initiatives to promote understanding and advance the theoretical foundations of Kyosai, as well as to raise public awareness. These efforts include organizing JCIA seminars focused on the theme of the International Year of Cooperatives, conducting research and publishing reports through the Research Committee on Cooperative Insurance Theory, and setting up a special page on JCIA's website on the International Year of Cooperatives.

　In addition, in response to the dramatic evolution of the information and communications environment and the growing emphasis on resource conservation, "Cooperative and Commercial Insurance," a comprehensive research journal on Kyosai, insurance, and cooperatives that has been published for over 65 years, transitioned from a print format to an online version in April and was relaunched as "Web Kyosai and Insurance"
　Anyone can view it free of charge on JCIA's website, so please take a look.

　We hope to continue our efforts to further strengthen cooperation among our member organizations and to develop cooperatives and the Kyosai business in partnership with them, so we respectfully ask for your continued support and cooperation.