Photo:President Washio gives a speech. (June 28, Miyazaki)

RENGO held its 32nd Central Committee at Seagaia Convention Complex in Miyazaki city on June 28 and 29, right after the general election. 550 people attended the committee including interested listeners and media representatives in addition to RENGO officials and Central Committee members. There was a report on the "42nd House of Representatives Election Results" as well as an endorsement of the "Spring Struggle Summary 2000," "2000-2001 Fiscal Year Demands and Proposals for Policies/Systems," and so forth.

In his speech, President Washio began by stating his views about the general election results, "While not meeting our expectations 100%, [the election] still opened the way for a two-party political system in the twenty first century." At the same time he exhorted the audience to immediately prepare for the House of Councilors Election (or depending on the situation, a simultaneous election for the House of Representatives and Councilors), and pointed out that "there is still room to improve the Democratic Party's policies, organization, and administration."

Touching on the Demands and Proposals for Policies/Systems, President Washio emphasized that RENGO would "seek to establish clear rules and safety-nets in the market." Further, he called current discord between RENGO and the government/the LDP regrettable and expressed his resolve to "tirelessly continue to push activities to implement RENGO's demands to the government using every channel available."
On the topic of the "Spring Struggle Summary," Washio suggested that "the Spring Struggle itself should be maintained as a social system," but at the same time he called for a "radical study that makes no bones about our past."

Following his remarks, the meeting's main proceedings began. After RENGO Hokkaido and RENGO Hyogo raised issues on election strategies and the demands to the Democratic Party of Japan regarding the report "the outcome of the House of Representative election," the report was approved.
The Spring Struggle Summary 2000 was endorsed in its original form after hearing opinions on the correct way to reform and views on the activities for the struggle from DENKI RENGO (Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union), JAM (Japanese Association of Metal, Machinery and Manufacturing Workers) and JR SOREN (Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions).
"The Demands and Proposals for Policies/Systems" was endorsed according to its original plan with remarks from NIKKYOSO (Japan Teachers' Union), Leisure Service RENGO (Japan Federation of Leisure, Service Industries Workers' Unions), JR SOREN (Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions) and others attached.