May Day's common slogan will be "End LDP-Komei Government"

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the People's Spring Struggle Joint Committee will hold the 72nd May Day Central Rally at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on May 1st. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) will hold its rally on April 28.

"End the LDP-Komei coalition government" will be the common slogan of this year's May Day celebrations, the first one of the 21st century.

This reflects the fact that Japanese workers are more and more aware that the unholy coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komei Party is to blame for corporate restructuring causing increasing unemployment and bankruptcies.

Rengo
It is interesting to note that Rengo, which has decided to change its slogan to "Call for change in anger," will not ask the prime minister or the Komei Party, a ruling partner, to attend their May Day rally, a major change. Rengo Secretary General Sasamori Kiyoshi has revealed that the relationship between Rengo and Komei is very precarious following a heated discussion in the Rengo Central Committee meeting.

Rengo's main May Day slogan for this year includes, "Overcome the crisis of employment and livelihood. Workers will join together to create new politics by changing government." Elimination of unemployment by creating 1.4 million jobs is another slogan. Festive events in past years will be replaced by parades in demonstration through Tokyo.

Zenroren
Main slogans of the Yoyogi Park rally will include the demands for a wage increase for all workers, correction of the wage gap between men and women, a shorter workweek, an end to unpaid overtime work, and the removal of the LDP-led coalition government.

"Stop the consumption tax rate increase and cut it back to 3 percent" is among slogans calling for personal spending to be increased as the way for ending the economic recession. (end)