"In depopulated areas across Japan, the withdrawal of supermarkets and other businesses has put essential services at risk, vital to the daily lives of residents."

"To address this issue, some local governments are turning to resident-led nonprofit organizations, known as "worker cooperatives," as new providers of local services."

"In these cooperatives, residents themselves plan, develop, and manage the services their communities need, with support from local government subsidies to cover initial and operating expenses. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is also working to create a framework that makes it easier for these organizations to obtain financial assistance and other forms of support."