February 12, 2026

Union workers on February 11 at many locations in Aichi Prefecture, Toyota’s home base, held rallies and demonstrations aimed at winning substantial wage hikes with the redistribution of internal reserves hoarded by large corporations such as Toyota.

This action was hosted by the organizing committee consisting of the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), the Aichi Prefectural Confederation of Trade Unions (Ai-roren), and various other local labor organizations.

At a rally held in Nagoya City, Ai-roren President Nishio Misako pointed out that while workers real wages have been declining, the amount of large corporations’ internal reserves is expected to increase to 581 trillion yen. She continued to point out that when looking at Toyota, it is estimated that that car giant’s internal reserves alone will exceed 40 trillion yen. She said, “Our goal of winning substantial wage hikes can be achieved by forcing large corporations to redistribute their internal reserves. Let’s work to impose stricter taxation on big businesses and the rich in order to create a more equitable society!”

Zenroren President Akiyama Masaomi stated that both the government and the business circles do not deny the need for pay hikes, adding that a more than 10% wage increase is vital to improve people’s livelihoods amid rising prices and a weak yen. He said, “In order to achieve this in this year’s ‘shunto’ spring wage negotiations, we need to attract more workers and push employers with the use of strike threats.”

After the rally, participants marched in demonstration through downtown Nagoya and appealed to citizens to support their demands for a substantial wage hike for all workers in combination with financial support for small- and mid-sized businesses.