may_day2

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

May Day rallies held at 371 venues in Japan

At a time when national movements against the increasing poverty, widening the gap between rich and poor, and constitutional revision are gathering strength, the 77th May Day rallies took place at 371 venues throughout Japan.

In Tokyo, about 44,000 people participated in the central May Day event at Yoyogi Park and marched in demonstration under the auspices of an organizing committee led by the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

Zenroren President Kumagai Kanemichi, speaking on behalf of organizers, pointed out that calls for the "structural reform" policies to be reviewed are increasing as the Koizumi Cabinet's domestic and diplomatic policies are facing deepening predicament. He said, "Doing whatever the U.S. tells it to do and imposing the law of the jungle on our society, Koizumi politics has no future. Let us struggle together in order to drastically change the political current and pave the way for a new Japan with bright hopes."

Second-generation Korean residing in Japan and essayist Pak Kyongnam said, "I call for replacing a society of disparity that treats the weak coldly and fails to reward their efforts with a society where human beings are valued. This is exactly the spirit of the Constitution."

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo spoke in solidarity.

A Telecommunication Workers' Union member, working for an NTT Group company that has introduced a performance-based wage system, said that his union is urging the company to review the system. "Cooperation is crucial for our workplace, and the performance-based wage system destroys teamwork. Young workers are critical of the system too because they feel like they are taking others' salaries," he said.

A group of former nursery school teachers was holding a flag that read, "Bring us back to the workplace as soon as possible." Two years ago, Nakano Ward in Tokyo outsourced the management of some of its nursery schools and fired all 28 part-time staff. Four of them have filed a lawsuit against the Ward demanding reversal of the dismissal decision.

A mother of a three-year-old child, who works at a hospital, was pushing a baby carriage with a banner on its side that read, "Let us defend Article 9!" She said, "The Iraq war started when I was pregnant. I was shocked at seeing a bombed hospital in Iraq on a TV program. We must block the path toward war."
- Akahata, May 2, 2006