October 18, 2026

Akahata on October 18 published an interview with the president of the National Confederation Trade Unions (Zenroren), Kurosawa Koichi, who was elected to this post in July at the 33rd Zenroren Convention. The following are excerpts from the Akahata interview:

In a capitalist society, it is labor unions that can enhance labor rights. The Japanese Constitution guarantees workers’ right to organize and encourages the exercise of this right. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has announced that she aims to set a deadline for initiating constitutional amendments within a year. The Constitution is facing the greatest challenge ever.

In prewar and wartime Japan, labor unions were subject to harsh repression and were effectively dismantled. This history proves that without peace, economic struggle is impossible. Zenroren will increase its efforts to block constitutional revision.

The Takaichi government is stepping up its move toward labor deregulation. It, for example, has shifted its policy away from uniformly instructing companies to reduce overtime to 45 hours or less per month to providing instructions depending on the actual situation in specific workplaces. The government’s move aligns with the business circle’s desire to force workers to work longer with low wages.

The Labour Standards Act sets minimum standards for working conditions to prevent unjust exploitation by employers. Our greatest asset is “free time”. Long working hours deprive workers not only of their time for rest, but also of their time for cultural activities and hobbies as well as for social movements such as union activities. Zenroren will work hard to win a substantial wage hike and shorter working hours in order to realize a society where people can live a decent life.

Zenroren seeks to connect workers with each other through its efforts focusing on “dialogue and mutual learning” and organize them into a labor union in which they wage a fight to realize their demands by such means as going on strike. I believe this is the only way to liberate workers from the tight grip of capital. I’ll strive hard to ensure that workers facing difficulties can have access to labor unions.

Past related article:
> Zenroren calls for strikes to block constitutional revision [July 26-28, 2026]