Japan Press Weekly

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2021 July 7 - 13 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Zenroren calls on JCP to work with other opposition parties to realize a government supportive of workers’ demands

National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) President Obata Masako on July 6 held talks with Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira, requesting that the JCP team up with other opposition parties in the upcoming general election in order to realize a government which will meet workers’ demands.

Obata said, “A drastic change in government is necessary to satisfy workers’ demands. It is important for opposition parties and concerned citizens to unite to achieve this.” She added that in this regard, Zenroren will dedicate its efforts to promoting opposition parties/citizens joint struggles nationwide. She also explained eight items on Zenroren’s action agenda, including opposing the revision of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution; urging the government to take measures that safeguard people’s lives, jobs, and livelihoods during the pandemic; introducing a nationwide uniform minimum wage system of 1,500 yen; and realizing a gender-equal society.

In response, Koike said that Zenroren’s action agenda corresponds with the JCP’s, and expressed his determination to work hard to form a consensus between the JCP and other opposition parties.

Koike also pointed out, “In the latest Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, a JCP candidate in Bunkyo Ward, where Zenroren is headquartered, was elected as a joint opposition candidate with the largest number of votes. This clearly shows that opposition parties’ electoral cooperation is effective.” He said, “Amid rising public anger and complaints directed at the Suga government, if opposition parties succeed in presenting a vision of a new government, this will make it possible to cause a drastic change in Japan’s politics.”

Zenroren held similar meetings with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People.