Japan Press Weekly

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2026 October 7 - 13 [LABOR]

Unionized part-timers at yakiniku restaurant win victory in their fight against unfair dismissals

A union of part-timers at a yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) restaurant in Mie’s Tsu City on October 6 at a press conference in the prefectural government office building announced that they won a victory in their fight against the company’s unfair dismissal.

The union had been formed by part-time workers, mainly college students, working at the restaurant, Yakiniku Kingu, operated by the restaurant chain company, the Monogatari Corporation, to fight against the company’s unfair request using the planned renovation of the restaurant as the reason: transfer to another location or resign effective June 30.

At the first round of collective bargaining negotiations held in August, the company rejected the union’s proposal for settling the dispute. However, at the second-round of negotiations on September 16, it changed its attitude and expressed its decision to accept the union’s proposal, including rehiring employees who chose to resign after the renovated store reopens and reinstating those transferred to another location if they so wish. Furthermore, the company admitted that its handling of the matter was flawed and offered an apology.

The union’s head said, “By forming our union, we were able to negotiate with the company and resolve the issue. I’m glad we formed a union.”

Past related article:
> Part-timers at yakiniku restaurant in Mie form union to fight against their unfair dismissals [August 9, 2026]