November 26, 2009

Workers at the Toyota-affiliated companies of Toyota Auto Body, Aisin Seiki, and Toyota Industries on November 22 established their association in Aichi Prefecture, often referred to as Toyota’s castle town, in order to participate in the movement for a united front with the Association for a Peaceful, Democratic and Progressive Japan (Kakushinkon).

Despite the claim that it has been in the red, the Toyota Group pays a huge amount of dividends, and according to shifts in the business trend, it has repeatedly dismissed and rehired a large number of factory workers as a type of adjustment valve. As a result of its outrageous profit-first principle while imposing heavy workloads and long working hours on its factory workers, sometimes resulting in deaths from overwork (Karoshi), Toyota has become the world’s largest automaker.

Founded in 1981, the Kakushinkon now has a membership of 4.5 million nationwide who wish for a democratic change in politics beyond the boundaries of present political affiliations.

The association has been established at Toyota as well. Members are determined to inform each other of the realities of each group company, listen to other workers’ problems, and make efforts to invite as many workers as possible to join the association.
- Akahata, November 26, 2009