Spring Struggle: 400,000 take part in concerted action

About 400,000 people took part in rallies and demonstrations at about 1,900 locations throughout Japan on February 20 as part of the Japanese workers' annual Spring Struggle, focusing on opposition to a war on Iraq, a freeze on the planned increase in workers' burden of medical costs, and a pay raise.

The national concerted action was organized by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) and the Spring Struggle Joint Struggle Council. Participants made representations to more than 9,000 local governments, business establishments, and unions (which are not part of the Spring Struggle), calling on them to do all they can to safeguard working people's living conditions and jobs.

In Saitama City, a noon hour demonstration was held in the center of the city. In the evening, workers with paper lanterns or pen lights in hand attended demonstrations at 77 locations.

In Kochi in western Japan, the local Medical Association and Dental Association for the first time sent a message to a rally organized by the Kochi Federation of Trade Unions-Zenroren, in solidarity with its struggle against the planned adverse change in the medical insurance system. (end)