For 21st century to be the era for smaller businesses

At the 45th regular general assembly of the National Federation of Traders and Producer Organizations (Zenshoren) on May 27, Chairman Hishi Kenzo passed the torch to Ichikawa Kiichi.

Zenshoren (320,000 membership) is a national center for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), consisting of over 600 Democratic Commerce and Industry Organizations (Minsho) with 47 Zenshoren prefectural branches. Zenshoren strives to defend the livelihood and industries of smaller business owners who prop up Japan's economy from the bottom.

Akahata of June 11 carried an interview with the newly appointed chairman of Zenshoren about his aspiration and resolution.

Q: The theme of the general assembly was "To make the 21st century to be the era for small- and medium-sized businesses," wasn't it?

Ichikawa: The prolonged economic recession and a structural reform pursued by Koizumi's administration are discouraging the smaller businesses and their management bases. Facing difficulties in running their businesses, small business owners are desperately struggling to survive. At the general assembly, we gave serious consideration to our course of activity to overcome the present difficulties and to make the 21st century the era for SMBs. We also reported on local activities to protect SMBs from going bankrupt due to a collapse of cooperative banks and credit associations. Along with activities to secure the local economy, we put emphasis on how to get out of difficulties in management and confirmed to promote various activities such as "exchange meetings of traders and manufacturers" and "industrial trade fairs."

It is important for local Minshos to root themselves in the community to play an active role there. For SMBs, a local Minsho is a place to protect their livelihoods. Minsho members gather, discuss, share ideas, and encourage each other to solve management problems. I want to place more and more importance on these activities.

Expand cooperation

Q: In the general meeting, discussion was focused on how to cooperate with young business people and other organizations.

Ichikawa: Yes, young people do not have the money or the trust from society necessary to start a new business, but they have a strong pioneer spirit. We want to develop Minsho with young people who have started new business as well as those who took over businesses from their parents.

Also, it has become really important for us to cooperate with other business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in order to develop local economies.

A liquor traders' union chair recently joined Minsho, saying, "I want to break through this recession working with Minsho." There is a great possibility of expanding cooperation among other organizations.

There are about 4,500,000 self-employed merchants and industrialists in Japan. In order for Minsho to be able to meet their immediate needs, it should include at least 450,000 or 10 percent of them.

Q: You are also self-employed, running a rice shop.

Ichikawa: We have run the business through three generations. After taking over the business when in my 30s, I established the group of young business people, organized sports festivals and study meetings, and collected signatures demanding government responsibility to ensure the profit of rice shop owners. Through those activities, I became acquainted with Minsho and decided to be a member.

Minsho is a great help to business owners. When the rice crop failed and sales decreased rapidly in 1993, we got through the crisis by expanding the market.

I have committed myself to Minsho for 40 years and been the chair of the Tokyo Federation of Merchant and Industrialist's Organizations for 10 years. Through the experience, I learned the importance of listening to each business owner's needs and motivating them to create struggles in their own way. That's something I can apply to my own job.

Peace is essential for business

Q: Minsho also calls for opposition to the wartime legislation and the adverse revision of the medical insurance system, as well as an increase in the consumption tax rate.

Ichikawa: We need peace for our businesses to thrive, so every Minsho member is working to collect signatures against the legislation. I hope our struggle will corner the Koizumi Cabinet, which is responsible for the misgovernment and threatens our businesses. (end)