Member University Cooperatives Achieve Operating Profit for the First Time in Seven Years: The Future Vision of University Co-ops

The National Union of University Cooperatives has released a top-level interview featuring President Director Masago Takeshi (Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo) and Managing Director Tatsuya Nakashima. In fiscal 2025, member cooperatives collectively achieved an operating profit for the first time in seven years. However, the discussion did not center solely on this financial achievement. The dialogue revealed deeper themes: student development, university communities, and the renewed potential of cooperatives. Building on improved management, the conversation focused on how university cooperatives can deliver greater value to students, universities, and society. The purpose and vision of university cooperatives toward 2030 were candidly discussed.

Read the full dialogue here

The Origin of University Cooperatives: 'A Cooperative Led by Students'

President Masago outlined five core roles of university cooperatives: (1) a cooperative where students and faculty are the main actors, (2) an organization supporting student self-governance, (3) a space for equal discussion between students and faculty, (4) a practical field for students to learn management, and (5) a place of belonging for students.

'University cooperatives are cooperatives, but student committee members play an especially significant role.

In typical cooperatives, members serve as both users and operators. In university cooperatives, students and faculty—key stakeholders of the university—become members and run various operations such as purchasing, while also being the primary users. This is a defining characteristic. The fact that about 10,000 student committee members are active nationwide is also a crucial element.'

National Union of University Cooperatives President Director Masago Masago (Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo) National Union of University Cooperatives Managing Director Tatsuya Nakashima

Profit After Seven Years—What Comes Next

Managing Director Nakashima acknowledged the significance of returning to profit after seven years but noted that many cooperatives still face difficult operating conditions. Profitability is not the end goal; the next challenge is enhancing value for members.

'Supply volume is a measure of satisfaction, but usage is a measure of support.'

'What matters is not the supply amount itself, but how many members are using the services—user numbers, frequency of use, and market share on campus. Ultimately, the key metric for contribution is how much added value we can deliver to members.'

In fiscal 2025, member cooperatives collectively achieved an operating profit for the first time in seven years. However, polarization among cooperatives remains a challenge. The Managing Director emphasized three essential capabilities: 'Understanding universities and members,' 'Business management skills,' and 'Cooperative leadership.' Balancing financial improvement with member value creation is critical.

'As cooperatives operating within universities, “understanding universities and members” is essential. Second is “business management skills”—accurately grasping numbers, interpreting the current situation, and driving reforms to improve performance. Third is “cooperative leadership”—knowing the university and members, mastering management principles, and guiding operations effectively. The synergy of these three capabilities is key to successful university cooperative management.'

Meijo University Co-op Tenpaku Campus Bakery Shop 'HoCotto' Ritsumeikan University Co-op Biwakokusatsu Campus Dining Hall 'UNION PLUS'

Rakuno Gakuen University Co-op General Store and Service Shop Tokyo University of Science Co-op Katsushika Store

New Stores and Dining Halls

We introduce newly opened or renovated university cooperative stores and dining halls. By maintaining stable operations, university cooperatives continue to support the welfare of current and future students and faculty.

Passing Cooperatives on to the Future

The dialogue expanded to the future vision of university cooperatives—how to communicate the cooperative model to students, how to collaborate with universities and local communities, and how to develop bookstore and student support initiatives.

President Masago, speaking from the perspective of a university faculty member, commented on the cooperative's publishing initiatives:

'Since university faculty are also members, in a sense, the cooperative has a large number of potential authors (laughs). I believe university cooperatives hold a strong position in initiatives like 'Study Essentials' and other publishing projects. We should leverage this to expand Japan's publishing and reading culture. Longstanding programs like reading marathons and book reprints have received high praise from readers and publishers alike, and I hope such initiatives continue in the future.'

What Will University Cooperatives Propose to Society?

At the end of the dialogue, a clear vision emerged: university cooperatives aim to be more than just welfare providers. They aspire to remain collaborative platforms connecting students, universities, and local communities. [Reference: University Co-op 2030 Goals—What We Want to Achieve by 2030]

President Masago emphasized that the value of university cooperatives is rising precisely because of the declining birthrate, expressing his hope:

'National and public universities are undergoing mergers and closures, and private universities are entering a survival competition. Some universities have already stopped admissions, and this trend is irreversible. Conversely, when considering which universities will survive, I hope it will be said that 'universities with cooperatives are the ones that endure.'