I n April, Japan will introduce an "industrial tribunal system" to settle individual labor disputes, such as those involving dismissals, working conditions and reassignments. The purpose of this system is to settle disputes expeditiously by limiting the number of trial sessions to no more than three.
Each session will be conducted by a three-member "industrial tribunal commission," comprising one "labor relations referee" from management, one from labor, plus a district court judge. This participatory-type procedure is designed to work out specific solutions to labor disputes.
The referee representing management will be well-acquainted with corporate management and labor relations. Similarly, the referee representing labor -- such as a full-time union official -- will be well-versed in day-to-day workplace conditions. These members are expected to make use of their knowledge and experience to put the new system on the right track.