Growing rift between Rengo and its political ally DPJ

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), Japan's largest national trade union center, has been the most important political ally of and major fund raiser for the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Rengo's political action has centered around the DPJ.

However, there is a growing call within the DPJ for the party's dependence on trade unions to be reviewed.

Addressing the Rengo Central Committee meeting on October 3, Sasamori Kiyoshi, Rengo president, angrily said, "We can't overlook the recent remarks by DPJ officials concerning the trade unions. If Rengo and the DPJ no longer need each other, Rengo will have to change its relationship with the DPJ." His comments criticizing the DPJ lasted 14 minutes.

In the DPJ, some young Dietmembers began to call into question the party's dependence on Rengo. This was because union votes had a strong influence on the recent DPJ presidential election. This gave rise to a disharmony between Rengo and the DPJ.

At the Rengo Central Committee meeting, a member from Shizuoka stated, "I don't want to recommend DPJ candidates." A member from the Japan Federation of Service and Distributive Workers Union insisted, "The trade union must not be mixed up with a political party."

A leadership member of a Rengo-affiliated industrial union angrily said, "The DPJ should be dissolved and then start again from scratch. The DPJ doesn't keep its promise; it's no longer a political body. We are fed up with it."

Rengo has "worked hard" in support of the DPJ in hopes that the DPJ can lead the effort to assemble political forces that will have the ability to take over government. In local constituencies, Rengo has contributed campaigners, money and even candidates for the DPJ. And now, the trade union organization is seen by the DPJ as evil. (end)