RENGO held its Summer Top Seminar at a hotel in Zao-city, Miyagi prefecture from August first to the third. This was a first time effort for RENGO and its goal was to focus on exchanging in frank opinions on basic issues regarding Japanese politics, social economics, and labor/management relationships. Approximately 250 people, mainly leaders of affiliated organizations and local RENGO, participated in active discussions on the 21st century labor movements and other matters.

Photo: Attendees learn about 21st century Japan
and the role of Labor/Management. (Aug. 1)

RENGO President Washio's opening day speech touched on the purpose of the seminar. He said "RENGO is making efforts to coordinate each issue regarding movement-related problems through democratic procedures, gathering a broad range of opinions from places like upper division meetings (including the President, Deputy President, Vice Presidents, Secretary General, and Assistant General Secretaries) and central executive meetings. But I feel that we are always being overcome with reality and maybe falling into applying mere makeshift measures." He explained that RENGO planned this seminar to be a forum for leaders from each organization to exchange honest opinions about the basic problems surrounding labor unions.

Washio's speech kicked off the seminar, which included a panel discussion on the theme of "21st century Japan and the Role of Labor/Management" on the first day's agenda. The Japan Federation of Employers' Association (NIKKEIREN) Vice Chairman Keizo Yamaji, Mitsui Global Strategic Institute President Jitsuro Terashima, and RENGO President Etsuya Washio were panelists with Shinshu University professor emeritus Akira Takanashi acting as facilitator. Following the panel discussion, University of Tokyo Faculty of Law Professor Ikuo Kabashima presented a lecture on "Japan's course for the 21st century and Politics," and there was a panel discussion on 21st century trade unions and women's participation.

On the second day, representatives from seven political parties gave separate one-hour lectures on the topic "How Japanese Politics Should Be." Representatives included from ruling camp, Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Taku Yamasaki, New Komeito Party Secretary General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, and Conservative Party Policy Affairs Council Chairman Kiichi Inoue. Representing the opposition parties were Democratic Party President Yukio Hatoyama, Social Democratic Party Executive Secretary Mizuho Fukushima, Liberal Party Secretary General Hirohisa Fujii, and Japanese Communist Party Executive Committee Chairperson Kazuo Shii.

On August 3rd, the last day, eleven people mainly the members of the "RENGO Committee on Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century" gave a relay talk on the RENGO Movement in the 21st century. Responding to this, Secretary General Sasamori summarized it at the end pointed out the future issues including a shift from demanding organizations to self-supporting organizations, to nurture successors of the labor movement, to fortify function of industrial federations. Also he asked that affiliated organizations examine the actions of union members during the recent House of Councilor's election.

Details of this Summer's Top Seminar will appear in the September issue of RENGO Monthly (published on August 25.)