Japan Press Weekly

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2011 January 5 - 11 [LABOR]

Unions hold nationwide actions calling for economic recovery through wage increases

In preparation for the 2011 spring wage struggle, union activists on January 7 took to the streets at various locations throughout the country. The action was organized by the 2011 People’s Spring Struggle Joint Committee that includes the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren).

In front of JR Tokyo Station, 40 union members handed out leaflets that read “For economic recovery, large corporations must use their internal reserve funds to increase wages and create more job opportunities.”

Using a microphone, Joint Committee Chair and Zenroren President Daikoku Sakuji said that changing the Japanese economy into one led by domestic demand is essential in order to establish a sustainable economic society.

Daikoku went on to say that the Japanese economy will not be revitalized until a portion of large companies’ reserve funds are fairly redistributed. He emphasized the need to increase workers’ wages and subcontract unit prices as well as impose an appropriate tax on large enterprises.

A representative of the film and stage industry workers’ union appealed to passersby to support their demand for a wage hike and more job opportunities in the 2011 Spring Struggle by saying, “Although the Democratic Party of Japan replaced the Liberal Democratic Party government, workers have seen no improvement in their living conditions. Rather, the poverty rate and economic inequality are increasing.”