Following a protracted economic slowdown, the labor movement in Japan is in the doldrums. The unionization rate has fallen to about 20 percent due to stepped-up corporate restructuring and widespread worker distrust of unions. The nation's top labor federation, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, has lost 1 million members since its founding 14 years ago.
At its regular convention early this month, Rengo adopted an action policy incorporating recommendations made by an "evaluation committee" of outside experts, headed by Kohei Nakabo, to reinvigorate the organization. However, the federation is likely to face serious difficulties in implementing the policy.
The committee said in a report that organized labor faces a host of problems -- among them unraveling ties between union leaders and rank-and-file members as well as ethical problems exposed at some unions, such as the scandal-tainted All-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union.