An estimated 1.7 million people took part in May Day rallies at some 1,070 locations nationwide Monday, calling on the government to alleviate the worsening employment situation and protect workers' rights, but the labor minister was conspicuously absent from the festivities.

Japan's jobless rate, which stood at a record-high 4.9 percent for the second straight month in March, and bills aimed at stimulating corporate restructuring formed the backdrop to this year's gatherings, the 71st May Day observations in Japan.

Labor Minister Takamori Makino did not attend the rally in Tokyo organized by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), the nation's largest umbrella labor group, due to a recent standoff between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Rengo over an LDP proposal to ban labor unions from automatically deducting dues from union members' wages.

It was the first time since 1984 that a labor minister was absent from May Day rallies in Tokyo, and Makino's no-show prompted the rally organizers to intensify their anti-LDP and antigovernment postures.

Makino himself has explained that he needed to go back to his hometown constituency during Golden Week to campaign for re-election in the upcoming general election, which is widely expected in late June.

At its rallies, Rengo and its affiliates called on the government to create an environment in which citizens can live in economic and employment security, and opposed the LDP proposal over labor union fees.

In Rengo's main gathering in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, the labor group also criticized the bills aimed at making it easier for companies to restructure themselves.

The bills, an amendment to the Commercial Code and a bill stipulating working conditions in the case of corporate restructuring, are expected to be passed during the current Diet session, which ends in mid-June, and enforced in the fall.

Rengo and the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) said the bills, intended to make it easier for companies to get rid of unprofitable operations by spinning them off as different companies, favor employers and lack measures to protect workers.

Rengo and Zenroren are seeking a review of the amendment to the Commercial Code and enactment of a new law banning dismissals related to the splitting up of companies.

Across Tokyo at Kameido Park, the Zenroren-led rally demanded a stop to the "misgovernment" by the ruling coalition of the LDP, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party and called for a change in politics with the upcoming general election.

"The government is supporting restructuring, and the employment situation is becoming increasingly serious," Zenroren Chairman Yoji Kobayashi told the gathering. "Let's join hands to ensure the victories of labor-backed parties in the general election and improve our lives and job situation."

Labor groups not affiliated with Rengo or Zenroren assembled at Hibiya Park, also in Tokyo, for a rally led by the General Workers Union of Japan (Zenrokyo).

Rengo officials said they plan to hold their May Day rally next year on April 28 instead of the traditional May 1. , indicating that Rengo and Zenroren rallies will not only take place at different venues but also on different days.

Longer holidays urged

Department managers and other senior officials at Japanese companies should take at least three weeks off every year or face a drop in their efficiency ratings used for promotion, a report compiled by a Labor Ministry panel said Monday.

The report, compiled by a panel on longer holidays and the outside lives of company employees, comes amid rising societal interest in enabling company workers to take longer vacations, ministry sources said.

The theme is one of the likely policy targets of the ruling coalition -- the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- in the coming House of Representatives election, which is likely to be held in late June, sources close to the parties said.

Mandatory three-week holidays for top company officials -- a policy adopted by some industrialized countries -- is necessary so that subordinates can also feel comfortable about taking long holidays, the report said.

The report suggests that as in other countries, management should compensate workers if their holidays are rescheduled due to business.

According to the report, Japanese workers tend not to take long holidays because they think holidays are not inherent rights but privileges.

Citing the situation in other advanced countries, the report recommends Japanese companies see to it that their workers take long holidays without feeling guilty.