Japan Press Weekly

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2015 April 29 - May 12 [LABOR]

May Day rallies call for increasing struggles against Abe’s war legislation and labor deregulation

On May 1, in May Day rallies held at 311 locations across Japan, workers resolved to block the Abe administration’s move to develop war legislation as well as the move to remove regulations protecting workers.

In Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park, the 86th Central May Day rally took place with about 28,000 people, mainly union workers, participating.

National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) President Odagawa Yoshikazu on behalf of the organizing committee delivered a speech criticizing the Abe government for submitting to the Diet bills to revise the law on the use of temps and weakening the Labor Standards Act. Stating that the two bills will undermine the principles of direct employment and eight hours of work a day, Odagawa emphasized the need for an united struggle reflecting the aspirations and demands of the labor movement.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo in his solidarity speech clarified how the Abe administration’s war legislation tramples on Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution by pointing out that the legislation will allow the Self-Defense Forces to support U.S. wars worldwide, enable the SDF to use arms in peacekeeping activities in areas facing combat conditions even if a cease-fire exists in the areas, and open the way for Japan’s exercise of the collective self-defense right and use of military power abroad.

Shii called on the participants to launch grassroots movements throughout the country to block the war legislation.

From the anti-base protests continuing in Okinawa, Ashitomi Hiroshi, co-leader of the anti-U.S. heliport council, delivered a solidarity speech. He said, “Although Prime Minister Abe while in the United States agreed with President Obama that the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko is the only solution, we, Okinawans, are firmly determined to block the construction.”

After the rally, the participants marched in demonstration through Tokyo’s three major downtown areas, appealing to the public displaying various creative placards and signs such as “Knock out Article 9 destroyer, Abe government!”

A 27-year-old nursing-care worker who attended a May Day rally for the first time said, “The Abe administration arrogantly created the secrecy law and is trying to develop war legislation in defiance of public opposition. I want to join in protest actions with my colleagues.”