Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

20 September 2012

Mr. Yoshihiko Noda
Prime Minister of Japan

Dear Prime Minister Noda,

Request to secure safety of our union members and their families in China

There have been widespread and increasingly violent demonstrations across China against our country, following the decision by the Japanese government to buy the Senkaku islands from their private owner.

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO) is deeply concerned about the grave situation where the Japanese Embassy and Consulates as well as Japanese firms across China have been pelted with stones, destroyed and looted.

Given the fact that many of those residing in China to work for Japanese companies there and being affected by these violent actions are JTUC-RENGO members, our affiliates have expressed concerns over the safety of the members and their families and are calling for the earliest possible resolution of the situation. If this situation continues, the jobs and safety of the Chinese workers working for Japanese companies could be threatened as well.

Against this backdrop, JTUC-RENGO urges the Japanese government to:

1. Have a dialogue with the Chinese government to encourage them to take appropriate measures to calm the situation, and devote every diplomatic effort to the peaceful resolution;
2. Take all possible measures to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people residing in China; and
3. Provide a proper response to the issue of compensation for the damages caused.