What JA Ochiimabari does

JA Ochiimabari (JAおちいまばり / 越智今治農業協同組合) is a private agricultural cooperative founded in 1986, headquartered in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan, serving Imabari City and Kamijima Town (Oshima Islands). It is a multi-vertical cooperative organization providing agricultural production support, direct-to-consumer retail, banking, insurance, welfare, energy, automotive, and funeral services to farmer-members, associate (non-farmer) members numbering over 26,000, contracted farmers (~1,200), and the broader local community across a geographically dispersed island-and-mainland service area.

Its core operations span nine integrated business lines. The agricultural product sales business aggregates produce from ~1,200 contracted farmers and distributes through wholesale channels and direct farm-sales shops branded Saisai Kiteya (425 tsubo / ~1,405 sqm flagship), SAI&Co. (AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshin), and Saisai Asakura, plus A-Coop supermarkets and JA Green stores. Financial services operate under JA Bank, with the cooperative registered as a financial institution (四国財務局長(登金)第40号) offering deposits, loans, JA net banking, and the JA Bank App. Insurance is offered through JA Kyosai mutual aid and as a licensed agency for Kyoei Kasai Kaijo. The cooperative also operates welfare/home care (small-scale multi-functional home care), LP gas distribution and Autopal automobile sales/service through subsidiary JA Ehime Energy, funeral services (Lumiere Ochi-Imabari), and the branded 'Shimanami Sai Yasai' (しまなみ彩野菜) regional vegetable brand with production-history traceability launched in 2020.

Revenue is generated via diversified streams including transaction-fee agricultural sales, recurring financial and insurance fees, retail/grocery sales (hardware-style), and professional services such as funeral and welfare. Underlying technology consists of standard JA Group digital banking infrastructure (JA-net banking, AnserDATAPORT data transmission, Pay-easy, JA Bank App), production-history traceability for the produce brand, and digital loyalty integration with docomo 'ecobuy' points. Recent strategic actions include a July 2024 store consolidation and partial business transfer, the March 2024 publication of a third-party compliance investigation report, and a 2025–2027 self-reform initiative, alongside offensive moves such as the AEON Mall channel partnership, integrated financial-retail store format, and nationwide e-commerce via JA Town.

Name

JA Ochiimabari

Legal name

越智今治農業協同組合 (Ochi-Imabari Agricultural Cooperative)

Website

https://ja-ochiima.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

JA Ochiimabari is a private Japanese agricultural cooperative serving Imabari City and Oshima Islands with multi-vertical services including farm-direct retail, JA Bank financial services, insurance, welfare, energy, auto, and funeral services for ~1,200 contracted farmers and 26,000+ associate members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Cooperative Services

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic Produce & Specialty Vegetables Wholesale (AFAIAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farm Hardware, Parts & Consumables Retail (Tools, PPE, Repair) (AFABAJAM)

Keywords

• Agricultural cooperative services
• Direct farm produce sales
• Cooperative banking services
• Mutual insurance products
• Community welfare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Imabari

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Agricultural Product Sales (営農販売事業): The cooperative collects, markets, and sells agricultural products from member farmers through both wholesale channels and direct farm sales shops. Major products include citrus fruits (mandarins), strawberries, satoimo (taro), broccoli, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The 'Shimanami Sai Yasai' brand encompasses safe and secure vegetables from the JA jurisdiction.
2. Financial Services (JAバンク): Deposit-taking, lending, and financial services through JA bank branches. Includes savings accounts (貯金), time deposits (定期貯金), loans (融資), JA net banking, credit cards, and insurance products. The cooperative is registered as a financial institution under 四国財務局長(登金)第40号.
3. Insurance Services (JA共済): Cooperative insurance (共済) and property/casualty insurance agency services through Kyoei Kasai Kaisha (共栄火災海上保険株式会社). Covers life insurance, medical insurance, automobile insurance, and agricultural-related coverage.
4. Retail Store Operations (購買・生活事業): Operation of A-Coop supermarkets, JA Green ( agricultural supply and daily goods stores), and gas stations. Sale of agricultural inputs (fertilizers, machinery), daily necessities, and fuel products.
5. Welfare and Senior Care Services (JA福祉): Small-scale multi-functional home care services (小規模多機能型居宅介護事業所) and other welfare services for community members.
6. LP Gas Distribution (LPガス): LP gas sales and service through JA Ehime Energy Co., Ltd. (JAえひめエネルギー株式会社), with offices in Imabari and Omishima.
7. Automobile Sales and Service (オートパル): Automobile sales, repair, and inspection services (Autopal) through JA Ehime Energy Co., Ltd., with locations in Minami, Kikuma, and Omishima.
8. Funeral Services (葬祭事業): Funeral facility operation (ルミエール越智今治 / 総合葬祭式場 ジェイエイ越智今治) providing end-of-life services to community members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

JA Ochiimabari is a multi-service agricultural cooperative that provides agricultural production guidance and direct sales of member produce through its own retail network (Saisai Kiteya, SAI&Co., Saisai Asakura, A-Coop, JA Green), as well as JA Bank deposits and loans, JA Kyosai mutual aid and property/casualty insurance, small-scale multi-functional home care, LP gas distribution, Autopal automobile sales/service, and Lumiere funeral services to members and residents across Imabari City and Kamijima Town. It markets the 'Shimanami Irodori Vegetables' (しまなみ彩野菜) brand with documented production history traceability.

Product overview

JA Ochiimabari (越智今治農業協同組合) operates as a comprehensive agricultural cooperative providing multi-business services to its members and the local community. The core business centers on agricultural production support and direct sales operations through multiple retail formats: さいさいきて屋 (SAISAICAFE) serves as the flagship large-scale direct sales store featuring an integrated cafe (SAISAICAFE) and restaurant (彩菜食堂), while SAI&Co. operates as a new-format direct sales location within the Aeon Mall Shimanto Binanari complex. The cooperative also manages 彩咲あさくら, an innovative integrated store combining financial services and retail, as well as A-Coop supermarket locations and JA Green agricultural supply stores throughout the jurisdiction. Beyond retail, JA Ochiimabari offers JA Bank financial services (banking, loans, credit cards, online banking), JA Kyosai insurance and mutual aid services, welfare and nursing care services, LP gas and automotive services, and funeral services. The cooperative has developed the 'Shimanami Irodori Vegetables' (しまなみ彩野菜) regional brand for safe, secure local produce, with approximately 1,200 contract farmers supplying products to the direct sales network. The JA Town e-commerce platform extends sales to online channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• さいさいきて屋: JA Ochiimabari's flagship direct sales store featuring local agricultural products, with attached cafe and restaurant facilities.
• SAI&Co. (彩菜サイコー)
• 彩咲あさくら
• SAISAICAFE
• 彩菜食堂
• しまなみ彩野菜

Products and services

• Saisai Kiteya (さいさいきて屋) Direct Sales Shop Large-scale direct farm sales shop in Imabari City (approximately 425 tsubo/~1,405 sqm) selling agricultural produce, flowers, meat, and seafood from ~1,200 contracted local farmers, open 9:00-18:00. Reached 15 million cumulative visitors as of January 2024.
• SAI&Co. (彩さいコー) Direct Sales Shop New-format farm-direct shop inside AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshin regional shopping center functioning as a 'Local Food Department Store' that combines JA brand promotion with high-traffic retail location. Hours: 10:00-20:00.
• Saisai Asakura (彩咲あさくら) Integrated Store First-of-its-kind JA store combining a financial branch, supermarket, and cafe (SAKURA CAFÉ) on a single floor in the Asakura area. Serves the aging Asakura district community with limited prior supermarket access. Open 9:00-17:30, closed Jan 1-3.
• A-Coop (Aコープ) Supermarkets Supermarket and daily goods retail stores operating as part of the JA retail network (including A-Coop Kikai, A-Coop Yukabi, A-Coop Shikoku-Kita), selling groceries, daily necessities, and local products.
• JA Green Agricultural Supply Stores Agricultural supply stores providing farm inputs, machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural materials for JA members, with additional daily goods and fuel station operations.
• JA Agricultural Guidance (営農事業) Agricultural management guidance, technical support, farm machinery services, and agricultural input supply for JA members and local farmers, including approximately 15 specialized vegetable production divisions.
• JA Bank Financial Services Comprehensive banking services including savings accounts, time deposits, loans, credit cards, debit cards, JA net banking, investment trusts, and insurance through the JA Bank network. Registered financial institution under Shikoku Finance Bureau No. 40.
• JA Kyosai Mutual Aid and Insurance Mutual aid and insurance services provided through the JA Kyosai system, including life insurance, medical insurance, automobile insurance, and agricultural-related coverage.
• Damage Insurance Agency Services (Kyoei Kasai) Damage insurance agency services offered in partnership with Kyoei Kasai Kaijo Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., providing comprehensive property and casualty insurance products to members.
• JA Welfare Services (JA福祉) Welfare and care services including small-scale multi-functional home care (小規模多機能型居宅介護), nursing care facilities, child welfare programs (JA Kodomo Club), and senior citizen services for community members.
• LP Gas Distribution Services LP gas supply and related services provided through JA Ehime Energy Co., offering new contracts, inspections, and maintenance for residential and agricultural use, with branches in Imabari and Omishima.
• Autopal Automobile Sales and Services Automobile sales, repairs, inspections, and maintenance services through Autopal Minami, Autopal Kikuma, and Autopal Omishima, operated by JA Ehime Energy Co.
• Lumiere Ochi-Imabari Funeral Services Comprehensive funeral and memorial services through Lumiere Ochi-Imabari (ルミエール越智今治), offering ceremony planning and execution facilities, open 365 days/24h.
• JA Town Online Shop
• Shimanami Irodori Vegetables (しまなみ彩野菜) Brand Regional brand of safe, secure vegetables grown within JA Ochiimabari's service area (Imabari City and Kamijima Town), supported by production history traceability and used in local schools and restaurants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saisai Kiteya reached 15 million cumulative visitors (1,500万人) as of January 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• JA Ehime Chuo-kai (JA愛媛中央会)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ehime Chuo-kai is the prefectural-level JA central organization for Ehime Prefecture. JA Ochiimabari is affiliated with this organization as part of the JA Group Ehime structure. JA Chuo-kai provides guidance, coordination, and represents JAs at the prefectural level.
• JA Zennoh Ehime (JA全農えひめ / 全国農業協同組合連合会)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Zennoh Ehime is the Ehime prefectural office of the National Agricultural Cooperative Association (JA Zennoh). It handles agricultural supply, marketing, and distribution. JA Ochiimabari collaborates with JA Zennoh Ehime on agricultural machinery exhibitions, production guidance, and market access.
• JA Ehime Kosei-ren (JA愛媛厚生連)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ehime Kosei-ren is the JA Ehime Health and Welfare Federation. JA Ochiimabari partners with this organization for health seminars, welfare programs, and AED/first aid training for staff and community members.
• Kyoei Kasai Kaijo Insurance Co., Ltd. (共栄火災海上保険株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ochiimabari operates as a licensed insurance agency for Kyoei Kasai Kaijo Insurance. The cooperative sells property and casualty insurance products underwritten by Kyoei Kasai. JA Ochiimabari's insurance solicitation guidelines explicitly state that underwriting and claims payment are handled by Kyoei Kasai.
• JA Ehime Energy Co., Ltd. (JAえひめエネルギー株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ehime Energy is a subsidiary that operates JA's automobile sales/repair (Autopal) and LP gas distribution services. JA Ochiimabari refers customers to this company for fuel, automobile, and gas services. It has branches in Imabari (TEL: 0898-32-1270) and Omishima (TEL: 0897-82-0416).
• JA Bank (JAバンク)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJA Bank is the nationwide JA banking network that includes JA, JA Shinnren, and Norinchukin Bank. JA Ochiimabari participates in the JA Bank system, offering deposit, loan, and card services under the JA Bank brand. JA Bank provides the JA bank app, JA net banking infrastructure, and shared security/fraud prevention systems.
• All Japan JA Mutual Relief Association / JA Kyosai (JA共済)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJA Kyosai is the JA Group's mutual aid (共済) system. JA Ochiimabari offers JA Kyosai insurance products including life, medical, and agricultural insurance to its members.
• AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshin (イオンモール今治新都市)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ochiimabari operates the SAI&Co. farm-direct shop as a tenant within the AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshin. This partnership enables JA produce to reach AEON's high-traffic customer base. The location is within the 'NIGIWAI PLAZA' (にぎわい広場) area of the mall.
• Ehime Agricultural Credit Guarantee Association (愛媛県農業信用基金協会)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ehime Agricultural Credit Guarantee Association provides credit guarantees for agricultural loans. JA Ochiimabari works with this association to facilitate lending to farmers. The association is part of a national network including the Norinchukin Bank-affiliated Agricultural and Forestry Fishery Credit Foundation (独立行政法人農林漁業信用基金).
• JA Minami Shinshu (JAみなみ信州), JA Sendai (JA仙台), and other sister JAsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ochiimabari has established sister JA (姉妹JA) relationships with several other JAs across Japan including JA Minami Shinshu, JA Sendai, JA Kaga, and JA Akita Obako. These relationships facilitate knowledge exchange, best practice sharing, and mutual visits between cooperatives.
• Imabari City and Kamijima Town (local municipalities)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJA Ochiimabari operates in coordination with Imabari City and Kamijima Town governments for regional development, agricultural policy, school meal programs, disaster response, and community events.
• FC Imabari (FC今治)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFC Imabari is the local professional soccer (J3 League) club. JA Ochiimabari supports the club through match-day promotional events, including product giveaways and agricultural product raffles at home games. The partnership promotes local agricultural products to a sports audience.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Lawson, Inc. Major Japanese convenience store chain with a growing fresh-produce and ready-meal offering, increasingly overlapping with farm-direct retail and rural commerce. Comparable as a high-frequency consumer retail operator; useful for benchmarking store traffic, transaction efficiency, and rural market penetration.
• Norinchukin Bank (Norin Chukin Bank): Central banking and financial institution for Japan's agricultural, forestry, and fishery cooperatives. JA Ochiimabari is a downstream participant in the JA Bank system with Norinchukin as its ultimate banker; comparable as a financial infrastructure provider serving the same cooperative ecosystem.
• JA Kyosai (National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives): The national JA Group mutual aid and insurance system under which JA Ochiimabari offers life, medical, automobile, and agricultural insurance products. Comparable as the parent insurance platform serving the same cooperative member base.
• Roadside Station (Michi-no-Eki) Network: Japan's nationwide government-supported network of farm-direct retail stations that combine local produce sales with tourism and community functions. Highly comparable to JA Ochiimabari's Saisai Kiteya and SAI&Co. concept as competing and complementary farm-to-consumer retail formats.

Broad incumbents

• AEON Co., Ltd. Japan's largest retail conglomerate and JA Ochiimabari's strategic partner for the SAI&Co. farm-direct shop inside AEON Mall Imabari Shintoshin. Comparable in food retail, supermarket operations, and consumer reach; AEON's broader scale makes it both a partner and a competitive benchmark for retail efficiency.
• Seven & i Holdings: Parent of 7-Eleven Japan and Ito-Yokado, with major grocery and food retail operations across Japan. Comparable as a multi-format food retail and supermarket operator with national reach; provides a benchmark for what scaled retail execution looks like versus JA Ochiimabari's localized retail model.
• Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives: Hokkaido's equivalent agricultural cooperative federation, operating comprehensive produce marketing, processing, retail, and supply functions for member JAs. Closely mirrors JA Ochiimabari's integrated cooperative model but at a much larger regional scale.
• JA Zennoh (National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations): The national marketing, supply, and distribution arm of the JA Group. JA Ochiimabari is a member cooperative that channels its produce and agricultural inputs through JA Zennoh Ehime, making it the upstream peer for produce marketing, input supply, and nationwide distribution scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/jaochiimabari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JA Ochiimabari