Japan's Labor Movement Faces Challenges Despite Wage Hikes
While Japan's labor movement has achieved significant wage hikes this spring, the highest in decades, it continues to grapple with declining membership and low awareness among younger workers. This has prompted unions to adopt various strategies to attract new members and strengthen their bargaining power.
Rengo, the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, held a rally in April where Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed the crowd for the second consecutive year. The rally, attended by over 28,000 union members, highlighted the success of the "shunto" spring labor offensive, which resulted in an average wage hike of 5.2 percent, the highest in 33 years.
However, union membership in Japan has reached a record low of 16.3 percent in 2023, a stark contrast to the 55.8 percent membership rate in 1949. A survey conducted by Rengo revealed that a significant portion of younger workers are unaware of their union membership status, with 57 percent of teenagers and 40 percent of those in their 20s unsure of their affiliation.
To address these challenges, unions are implementing various initiatives. The union at NGK Insulators Ltd. has begun holding seminars with unions from other industries to foster networking and increase member engagement. Startup company Stmn Inc. has developed an app that provides information and updates to union members, while Aeon Financial Service Co. uses an app to communicate with members about negotiations and leisure activities.
Furthermore, Rengo has established a website to support freelance workers and the Uber Eats delivery workers' union has opened an account on X to offer consultations and hold online meetings. These efforts aim to address the growing segment of the workforce that operates outside traditional employment structures.
By adopting these innovative approaches, Japan's labor movement seeks to overcome its challenges, increase membership, and remain a relevant force in advocating for workers' rights and improving working conditions.