Use Upper House election to build an economy governed by rules
May 31, 2016
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2016 May 25 - 31 [LABOR]
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American film director Michel Moore who is famous for being critical of those in power recently released a new documentary entitled, “Where to invade next”. The film starts from a sequence full of black humor. Ordered by the Pentagon, Moore departed for overseas as an “invader” to “seize” things essential to the U.S.
His first target was Italy. Moore found that the country has eight work weeks of paid vacation and said, “America has no paid holiday!” Slovenia impressed the film director with its free-education program which applies to both domestic and foreign students. In Germany, he was astonished by the 36-hour work week and in France, amazed by four-course meals provided for lunch at elementary schools.
The film reports that the average German worker leaves work at 2 p.m. and enjoys his/her time after work. This will bring to the audience an awareness that shorter working hours will contribute to the free and full development of individual workers. When looking at Japan, even the eight-hour day and 40-hour workweek appear to be unattainable. The percentage of workers who work more than 60 hours a week accounts for nearly 40% of workers in Japan.
The film also describes labor movement’s success in the fight against longer working hours. In addition, it introduced the fact that the American-born concept has been embodied in Moore’s “loot” such as the free-education program.
In a telephone interview that the Sunday Akahata ran on May 29, Moore said that a society treating people with dignity will produce happiness. He also expressed his hope that Japanese audiences will realize the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life, and learn from the European countries’ excellent policies.
In Japan, the voices calling for an economy governed by rules are spreading nationwide. This summer’s Upper House election will be a good opportunity to put an end to corporations’ abusive labor practices.
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