April 16, 2015

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) on April 15 in support of a worldwide fast-food labor movement, known as the “Fight for $15” campaign, took to the streets in 36 cities across Japan to build strong public support for a drastic increase in the minimum wage which would provide living wages to fast food workers.

In Tokyo, 100 union activists from Zenroren and the Tokyo Metropolitan Youth Union paraded through Shibuya’s main shopping street holding placards that read, “Pay at least 1,500 yen an hour to fast food workers!” and wearing Ronald McDonald costumes. After the parade, in front of Shibuya Station, they distributed to passersby leaflets stressing the need for a higher minimum wage.

A 23-year-old female member of the Tokyo youth union said, “I’m working as a non-regular worker because I couldn’t find a full-time job. I receive an hourly wage of 890 yen, two yen above Tokyo’s minimum wage. I have to scrape by on 80,000 yen a month.”

The “Fight for $15” campaign was initiated by unions in the United States with the aim of winning at least a $15 hourly wage for fast food workers.

Past related article:
> Japan’s workers join international action seeking higher minimum wages [May 16, 2014]