April 18, 2019

Workers' unions affiliated to the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), a major labor national center in Japan, held an event at the busiest train station plaza in Shibuya in Tokyo, calling for an immediate across-the-board minimum wage of 1,000 yen nationwide followed by an additional increase of 500 yen in the near future.

Zenroren-affiliated unions, still in the middle of this year's spring labor offensive (shunto), organized this event as an internationally-coordinated action with the U.S.-based Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Wearing the same T-shirt simply stating, "Boost minimum wages," union workers handed out flyers to passersby and shoppers. U.S. movements for wage hikes were being showcased on a large outdoor ad vision, attracting much attention.

Many young people while passing by said, "It'll be great if our hourly wage becomes 1,500 yen." Some were even taking photos of this event with their smartphones.

Nomura Yukihiro, Zenroren secretary general, said, "Only with a substantial increase in wages can Japan recover from its stagnant economy."

Past related articles:
> Zenroren calls for creating nationwide uniform minimum wage system by 2020 [July 27&29, 2018]
> Zenroren holds symposium on international solidarity among labor movements around the world [ November 14-16, 2015]