Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

President Takagi Calls for Unity at the "National Rally to Halt the Hasty Resumption of U.S. Beef Imports"

President Takagi expressing RENGO’s opinion at the National Rally

On June 13th, four of the opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Japan jointly hosted the "National Rally to Halt the Hasty Resumption of U.S. Beef Imports" in Tokyo. President Takagi was on hand to express his opinions on behalf of RENGO. Approximately one thousand people, including many RENGO members, participated in the rally.
 President Ozawa of the DPJ and other leaders, representatives, and Secretaries General from the four opposition parties called for further assurances of security against any move to resume the import of U.S. beef under the current inadequate inspection system.
 RENGO President Takagi said that he is against resuming imports until safety can be guaranteed and sought measures that would strengthen the inspection system from the viewpoint of those working in the food industry.
 Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa emphasized a sense of emergency and that Japan’s "food security" is in jeopardy over a single political decision: "When Prime Minister Koizumi visits the United States at the end of this month, he plans to announce the resumption of (beef) imports as his souvenir." Ozawa urged the audience to unite and said that "the Japanese people should be angrier.”