Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

RENGO 2024 New Year’s Reception Held

- Toward the realization of a society where no one left behind -

RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino

On 5 January, RENGO held the “2024 New Year’s Reception” at a hotel in Tokyo. About 600 guests attended the event, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, representatives of political parties, government officials, economic organizations, and the labour community.

At the beginning of the event, RENGO President Tomoko Yoshino, on behalf of the host, expressed her condolences and sympathy to the victims of the 1 January 2024 Noto Earthquake and announced RENGO’s future response, including the establishment of a task force, support activities such as relief fund-raising, and requests to the government, political parties, and economic organizations.

She also expressed her condolences to the Japan Coast Guard personnel for the plane crash at Haneda Airport on 2 January, expressed her sympathy to those who were involved in the accident, and paid respects to the Japan Airlines crew who bravely guided the passengers of the flight to evacuate without loss of a single passenger or crew member.

In her speech, she pointed to last year’s wage increase at the highest level in 30 years and the current situation in which real wages are negative due to high prices. The “2024 Spring Labour Offensive” (SHUNTO: Spring labour-management negotiations on wages and working conditions) will focus on the following three points: (1) realization of price shifting, including labour costs; (2) appropriate price negotiations based on the Japan Fair Trade Commission’s guidelines; and (3) development of an environment to achieve these goals.

In addition, referring to gender equality, diversity, and the international situation, she concluded by saying, “In response to the rapid changes in the world in recent years, we will continue our efforts to realize a secure society for workers and people living in Japan, and to ensure that no one left behind.”

Following the President’s speech, the guests of honor, Prime Minister Kishida and Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Keizo Takemi, and Vice Chair Akiyoshi Koji, representing Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), delivered their remarks.

The event concluded by General Secretary Hideyuki Shimizu appealed for RENGO affiliated organizations and local RENGOs to stand together and support those affected by the disaster, along with the determination for the 2024 SHUNTO.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Keizo Takemi

Vice Chair of Keidanren Akiyoshi Koji

RENGO General Secretary Hideyuki Shimizu