September 11, 2015
Workers’ voices against the controversial security-related bills are increasing even at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. whose predecessor company built the Imperial Japanese Navy battleship “Musashi” during WWII.
Mitsubishi is now increasing weapons production at its shipyards and factories, including Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, in tandem with the Abe administration’s attempt to turn Japan into a war-capable nation.
Pointing out that Nagasaki was targeted for the U.S. atomic bombing precisely because Mitsubishi factories were concentrated around the city, antiwar workers are demanding that the company should follow the advice the then company president gave in October 1991 that a strategy based on peaceful pursuits is where the future lies for growth in the industry.
They are also criticizing the cozy ties between Mitsubishi and the Abe government which is intent to completely lifting restrictions on arms production and export.
Workers in other large arms manufacturers also began standing up against the bills for violating the war-renouncing Japanese Constitution.
At Japan’s major steel producer JFE Steel Corporation, more than 100 workers used their union’s bulletin to express their opposition to the war bills. In a questionnaire survey that the Japanese Communist Party local organization conducted in front of the company’s main gate, 72% of respondents said “No” to the bills.
At IHI Corporation, formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, whose history is deeply connected with Japan’s past wars, more and more workers are joining in antiwar rallies with the determination to keep their products away from being used to wage wars. In the August 30 massive citizens’ protest, more than 40 IHI workers took part.
One IHI worker said he has been calling on more than 1,000 co-workers and former workers to join in protest actions.
Voices of objection to the war bills are spreading among unions in large corporations which are affiliated with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo).
The Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers’ Unions consisting of unions in metal, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery industries expressed its determination to prevent the war bills from being enacted in the current Diet session. The All Japan Federation of Transport Workers’ Unions criticized the war bills for destorying Japan’s pacifist reputation which the nation has built up since the war’s end and resolved to block the bills. The All Japan Seamen’s Union also expressed its strong objection to the bills.
Past related articles:
> Diet surrounded by 120,000 people seeking to kill war bills [August 31, 2015]
> Japan’s shipbuilding giants heading toward rapid militarization [November 7 & 11, 2014]
Mitsubishi is now increasing weapons production at its shipyards and factories, including Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, in tandem with the Abe administration’s attempt to turn Japan into a war-capable nation.
Pointing out that Nagasaki was targeted for the U.S. atomic bombing precisely because Mitsubishi factories were concentrated around the city, antiwar workers are demanding that the company should follow the advice the then company president gave in October 1991 that a strategy based on peaceful pursuits is where the future lies for growth in the industry.
They are also criticizing the cozy ties between Mitsubishi and the Abe government which is intent to completely lifting restrictions on arms production and export.
Workers in other large arms manufacturers also began standing up against the bills for violating the war-renouncing Japanese Constitution.
At Japan’s major steel producer JFE Steel Corporation, more than 100 workers used their union’s bulletin to express their opposition to the war bills. In a questionnaire survey that the Japanese Communist Party local organization conducted in front of the company’s main gate, 72% of respondents said “No” to the bills.
At IHI Corporation, formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, whose history is deeply connected with Japan’s past wars, more and more workers are joining in antiwar rallies with the determination to keep their products away from being used to wage wars. In the August 30 massive citizens’ protest, more than 40 IHI workers took part.
One IHI worker said he has been calling on more than 1,000 co-workers and former workers to join in protest actions.
Voices of objection to the war bills are spreading among unions in large corporations which are affiliated with the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo).
The Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers’ Unions consisting of unions in metal, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery industries expressed its determination to prevent the war bills from being enacted in the current Diet session. The All Japan Federation of Transport Workers’ Unions criticized the war bills for destorying Japan’s pacifist reputation which the nation has built up since the war’s end and resolved to block the bills. The All Japan Seamen’s Union also expressed its strong objection to the bills.
Past related articles:
> Diet surrounded by 120,000 people seeking to kill war bills [August 31, 2015]
> Japan’s shipbuilding giants heading toward rapid militarization [November 7 & 11, 2014]
