Photo: Visiting all 47 prefectures.

“Action Route 47” an action where President Sasamori himself visits every prefecture has begun. This action seeks a dialogue with local administrators, employers associations, union members, and non-union members under the slogan of “Stop Unemployment.” For the first leg of the tour, Sasamori stopped off in Hokkaido, then on to Okinawa, and Osaka where the “employment situation is especially harsh.”

President Sasamori visited the Hokkaido Employers Association on November 14 along with RENGO Hokkaido President Kasai. Sasamori addressed attendees saying, “Hokkaido is suffering some of the most severe job conditions in the nation. I want to become more fully aware of the real local employment situation and convey that in demands to the government.” Responding to the speech, Hokkaido Employers Association Chairman Takei said, “the jobless rate will worsen if Koizumi Reform reduces public works projects anymore. We want the government to be more concerned about local conditions.” During the exchange of opinions both sides showed consentient accord with each other on issues including the importance of employment insurance and the necessity of management taking a long-term perspective.

Following that, President Sasamori met with Hokkaido Governor Hori. Responding to Sasamori’s appeal, the Governor said that “(Hokkaido) formed an job creation plan with the employers association, which created 50,000 jobs in FY 2000 and 2001. We will formulate the <Post 50,000 Jobs Plan (100,000 Job Creation)> for FY 2002. We hope to work for a future shared common sense of crisis with labor unions.”

President Sasamori also attended the “Rally for Part-time Workers, Temporary Staff, and Dispatched Workers” held at Hokkaido Kose Nenkin Kaikan Hall. He stated that, “if the jobless rate exceeds 6% next February or March, we will mobilize a general action.” Continuing, he said, “in order to secure social security and employment, unions should play their roles.”

The Sasamori entourage visited Okinawa on November 20 and Osaka from the 21st. He plans to visit Gifu, Shizuoka and other prefectures in December.