The Great East Japan Earthquake which brought about unprecedented massive multiple disasters caused by earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear power plant accidents occurred at 2:46 in the afternoon of March 11, 2011 when RENGO was holding its Executive Committee meeting. Today, just prior to the 1st year from that date, RENGO Executive Committee is holding its meeting.
Once again, we would like to heartily pray for the souls of those who have fallen victims to the Great East Japan Earthquake. We would also like to sincerely express our sympathy to the sufferers of the disasters, especially to those who are still forced to live evacuation lives.
In the disaster-stricken areas, strenuous efforts are indeed being made to recover, reconstruct and revive, but the road is so long and steep. That is exactly why it is needed to make long-lasting efforts while bringing together wisdoms and potential power as All Japan, so that the people in the stricken areas can recover their secure and hopeful lives as soon as possible.
In order to reconstruct and revive the stricken areas, it is necessary, first of all, for the government and administrations to take budgetary measures and execute them steadily, and to implement policies. It is requested to them to overcome bureaucratic sectionalism and empiricism and to take actions to reach the expectation of the sufferers.
In addition, it is essential for enterprises, trade union organizations, NPOs and other organizations to display their roles from their own stand- points. RENGO, as the national trade union center, will encourage a wide range of sectors to take common actions in cooperation with each other. Furthermore, RENGO will strive for displaying its social role as the trade union movement while succeeding to the “feelings or emotions” shown by the members of RENGO toward the stricken areas which we have nurtured through providing relief supplies, collecting donations and participating in the volunteer activities.
For that purpose, recognizing the “present state” of the disaster-stricken areas after one year from the occurrence of the disasters and standing close to the stricken areas and the sufferers, RENGO will make efforts for broadening the circle of “sympathy” to workplaces, families and regions,.
The significance of “mutual ties (kizuna)” and “mutual supports (sasae-ai)” which we have come to newly recognize lies in sharing the pains of the stricken areas and the sufferers, and in bearing the burdens needed for reconstruction and revival by the whole nation. Furthermore, it is important for each of us to consider “what we can do” and to take actions. Standing in the forefront of the actions, RENGO will continue to support all the stricken areas and all the sufferers with all its might so that we can strive for reconstructing the foundations of their livelihood and their communities while overcoming their grief and agony.
“Let’s tie up with each other, Japan!”
RENGO resolves, herewith, to continue to walk forward together with the disaster-stricken areas.