How-tos | LIFELINES Aug 23, 2015
I've been unfairly dismissed — what can I do?
by Seiji Yamaura
A reader asks: "I want to make the company withdraw my dismissal or get compensation from them. What options do I have?"
Issues | LABOR PAINS Jun 28, 2015
Has striking in Japan become extinct?
by Hifumi Okunuki
"Strike." Dear reader, what do you think when you hear this word? What impression do you get? Do you see the blood, sweat and tears? Do you see an angry, vicious mob disturbing our civil society? I bet a majority of Japanese people under ...
Business / Corporate Mar 18, 2015
Major companies agree to hike pay scales; attention shifts to smaller firms
In a boost to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policies, major domestic firms say they will raise pay scales to conclude this year’s spring wage talks.
Business / Economy Feb 18, 2015
Large firms kicked off their annual wage talks Wednesday, with labor unions demanding a pay-scale hike amid Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's repeated calls for an increase in salaries that would help boost consumption and shore up the economy. Workers at major automakers including Toyota Motor ...
Business / Economy Jan 29, 2015
The nation's largest business lobby and labor union held rare direct talks Thursday, seeking common ground ahead of their annual wage talks that could affect the Abe administration's efforts to revitalize the economy. "This year's spring labor offensive has drawn high expectations from the public. ...
Business / Economy Dec 16, 2014
Abe, business heads, labor unions agree on efforts for wage growth
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration crafted a joint statement Tuesday with leaders of business organizations and labor unions, aiming to bolster the economy through wage growth. At a trilateral meeting, Abe also urged large manufacturers, which have benefited from the yen's slide, to trade with ...
National Dec 9, 2014
Labor experts at the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) will offer two days of telephone counseling starting Wednesday to help workers struggling under heavy workloads. The chances of a worker falling victim to "karoshi," or death from overwork, and having the fatality so recognized increase ...
Business Dec 3, 2014
The labor unions of Toyota Motor Corp. will consider demanding a raise of at least ¥6,000 in monthly pay in annual wage talks starting early next year, sources said Wednesday. That would be higher than the demand made earlier this year and could trigger similar ...
Business / Economy Apr 26, 2014
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged Saturday to do his utmost toward continued economic growth and to spread the benefits among the wider population. Addressing a May Day gathering of some 40,000 participants in central Tokyo, Abe said he is aiming for a sustained recovery that ...
Business / Economy Mar 12, 2014
Many major firms notified their labor unions Wednesday that they will raise pay scales to conclude this year's spring wage negotiations, responding to strong calls from the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to help end long-standing deflation. Toyota Motor Corp., which has huge influence ...
Business / Economy Feb 3, 2014
Workers stumble while 'Abenomics' soars
by Jason Clenfield
Japanese stocks and profits are soaring under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push to revive the economy. Even shop prices are up, a key step after years of deflation kept pocketbooks shut tight. None of that matters to Shuzo Matsui.