Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

JTUC Research Institute for Advancement of Living Standards

RENGO-RIALS is the first-ever labor-oriented think tank established by RENGO. It was inaugurated by Private-sector RENGO, a predecessor of the current RENGO, in December 1987, and was converted into a foundation under the joint jurisdiction of three government ministries and one agency – Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Labor (currently merged as Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), Ministry of International Trade and Industry (currently Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and the Economic Planning Agency (currently the Cabinet Office). Management officials are those from academia, RENGO HQs and RENGO affiliates. Knowledgeable and experienced personnel from RENGO HQs, RENGO affiliates and ministries compose the research staff at RIALS.

RENGO-RIALS is an institution aimed at contributing to an improved lives of workers and their families, to sound development of the economy and to stability of employment. To these objectives, the Institute has been conducting a wide range of researches and surveys focused on economy, society, industry and labor issues, which have a profound impact on workers' lives, providing theories and data/materials underpinning the trade union movement in Japan.

Its three main pillars of activities are research and surveys, education and publicity, and interactions with other institutions both in Japan and overseas. RIALS is being actively involved in fora/seminars organized by international organizations including ICFTU and ILO.