May 14, 2026

Voices of dissent by union workers opposing the Takaichi government’s move to increase the number of job categories subject to the discretionary work system, which imposes unpaid overtime on workers, resonated on May 13 in the streets near the Labor Ministry office building.

This action was called for by a liaison organization consisting of various labor unions, such as those affiliated with the National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren), on the occasion of a meeting of the trilateral Labor Ministry’s Labor Policy Council.

The focus of the discussion at the tripartite panel composed of representatives of labor, management, and so-called labor experts is whether to expand the scope of work covered by the discretionary labor system which allows employers to pay only for the prearranged hours of work and not for the actual hours of work, and whether to ease overtime regulations. Prime Minister Takaichi intends to go ahead with the expansion of the controversial work scheme and the relaxation of overtime rules by claiming that these policies will help increase workers’ earnings.

National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo) President Watanabe Hiroshi pointed out that even labor experts have questioned the necessity of increasing job categories for the discretionary labor system. He appealed for the need to strengthen movements opposing the Takaichi government policies that are likely to impose even longer working hours on workers.

Zenroren Vice President Kugo Kenji pointed out that in surveys conducted by Zenroren and the government, about 10% of respondents answered that they wish to “work more than now” in order to “earn more”. He said that what the government should do is to ensure that workers can earn decent wages without having to work longer hours and secure their own free time.