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Announcement Regarding the Tohoku Earthquake
■IMF-JC holds Special Strategic Committee Meeting■


Special Strategic Committee Points for Confirmation
March 14, 2011
IMF-JC

　We offer our deepest condolences and prayers for all who were lost in the massive earthquake in the Tohoku region. We also extend our heartfelt sympathies to all who were affected by this tragedy. Due to the unprecedented destruction brought by the earthquake, the IMF-JC held a Special Strategic Committee meeting today, March 14. There we confirmed the following items regarding our response to the disaster.
  1. The IMF-JC's current plan is as follows.
    • The IMF-JC and each affiliated industrial federation will make confirmation of the safety of its members and their families and the establishment of a relief system for the Tohoku earthquake its top priority.
    • Each industrial federation will receive its Shunto responses from March 16, the date originally set for the Unified Response Day. If responses cannot be received on the 16th on account of earthquake damage or other reasons, each federation will be left to make its own judgment as to how to proceed.
    • Each industrial federation will report to the IMF-JC on its response schedule and how it plans to handle the situation by 17:30 today (March 14).
    • Each industrial federation will report to the IMF-JC on the safety of its members and the status of production and other matters as needed.


  2. Our plan for March 16 is as follows.
    • Each industrial federation will maintain its usual reporting system.
    • The Strategic Committee will meet from 12:00.
    • The Central Spring Offensive Committee will meet from 15:30.
    • Aggregating will take place at 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00.
    • No press conference or white board entries will be given.
    • The Strategic Committee will determine whether or not opinions on the responses will be issued.

Confirming the "IMF-JC Internal Response to Movements Opposing the TPP in Local Governments"
At its 7th Executive Committee Meeting on February 23, 2011, the IMF-JC confirmed its "Internal Response to Movements Opposing the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) in Local Governments."

The IMF-JC has taken a variety of proactive measures on this front, including the release of its "Views of the IMF-JC Demanding Declaration of Early Participation in TPP" last November. This matter is absolutely essential for Japan as a manufacturing and processing trade nation in order to maintain and strengthen the global free trade system, especially in the Asia-Pacific Region, and the TPP forms the heart of this. Not only the IMF-JC but also RENGO has called for "a declaration of early participation" in the TPP.

Recently, some local governments have adopted resolutions opposing the TPP and conducted petition drives to promote these resolutions. In light of this, the IMF-JC confirmed the following three points: (1) We will thoroughly express the need for participation in the TPP throughout our organization; (2) We will basically refrain from participating in petition drives opposing the TPP or expressing negative views on the TPP; and (3) We will convey our organization's views on the TPP to local diet representatives with whom we are involved.

Our Participation in the IMF Mexico Campaign
■The IMF-JC Implements Solidarity Activities■
On February 17, during the IMF Mexico Global Days of Action campaign week (February 14-19, 2011), a delegation from the IMF-JC along with representatives from the RENGO International Affairs Bureau and the Japan affiliated federations for the ICEM (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions), ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation), and the UNI Global Union visited the Embassy of Mexico in Japan and held a meeting with Armando Arriaga, Deputy Chief of Mission, and others. We presented a letter to the Mexican ambassador signed by IMF-JC President Nishihara and representatives from GUF member federations in Japan calling for four demands, including union rights for Mexican workers and accountability for the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster.

Training 41 Elite Labor Leaders for the New Era Graduates of All 42 Courses Total 1,423
■The 42nd Labor Leadership Course is completed■
A long-standing tradition continued as the 42nd Labor Leadership Course was held at the Kansai Seminar House in Kyoto beginning on January 12, 2011. A group of 41 next-generation union leaders came from as far north as Tochigi and as far south as Kumamoto to take the course. With a main theme of "Roles of Labor Unions in These Times," the boarding-style course was divided into lectures based on four core principles and five seminars in which students brainstormed on the challenges for unions in manufacturing workplaces. The course was completed on Saturday, January 29, when course director Hirano presented certificates to all 41 participants. This year's course brings the total number of graduates for all 42 courses to 1,423.

Expanding the Signing of Intra-company Minimum Wage Agreements and Leading to the Realization of Industry-based Minimum Wages
■2011 Nationwide IMF-JC Minimum Wage Center Meeting■
On January 26, 2011, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at the Shin Yokohama Kokusai Hotel in Kanagawa Prefecture, the IMF-JC held its 2011 Minimum Wage Center Meeting, a gathering of 270 central and regional representatives on minimum wage issues from its five affiliated industrial federations. At this meeting, participants recapped efforts for 2010 and reported on the "2011 Policy on Industry-based Minimum Wage Initiatives," confirmed at the January 24 Executive Committee meeting. To begin, Vice President and Labor Policy Committee Chairman Shoji Arino spoke on the current status and issues, and Michiyo Suwa, Head of the General Policy Bureau, reported on the progress of the 2010 initiatives. We then heard a talk from Takashi Suda, Executive Director of the RENGO Department of Working Conditions, on trends and issues involving minimum wages. Next, IMF-JC General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu reported on the 2011 Policy on Industry-based Minimum Wage Initiatives. Finally, the official discussions began, with each region's representatives on minimum wage issues offering a variety of opinions and requests. Minimum Wage Center governing board members Fumitaka Hagiwara and Tohru Kishino and General Secretary Wakamatsu offered their responses, after which the meeting was adjourned.

"Securing the Regular Pay Raise Portion is a Must" Banding Together for the Spring Offensive
■2011 Spring Offensive Meeting is Held■
The IMF-JC held its 2011 Spring Offensive Meeting on January 20, 2011 in Tokyo. Nearly 160 representatives on wage issues from affiliated industrial federations and corporate and individual unions attended.

The meeting began with greetings from President Nishihara, who told the group, "Securing the regular pay raise portion is the top priority for the IMF-JC in order to stem the progress of deflation, and it is a goal that we must achieve. So that we may ensure a solid foundation of business in Japan in the future, we will call for investment in 'people' in the true sense of the word. And we will call for fairer and more open distributions of wealth throughout the supply chain, the 'foundation' of Japan."

Then IMF-JC General Policy Bureau Secretary Shigetoshi Asai gave the official report titled "Opinions of the IMF-JC Facing the 2011 Spring Offensive," which included the IMF-JC's views on the "Report of the Committee on Management and Labor Policy" of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) along with reference materials for negotiations in the 2011 Spring Offensive.　Next, a panel discussion titled "Industrial Federation Initiatives for the 2011 Spring Offensive" was held. Coordinated by General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu, the panel was comprised of the presidents and general secretaries of the five industrial federations.

The panelists explained the circumstances in their industries and the details of their demands, then stated their determinations for the next Spring Offensive. General Secretary Wakamatsu stated, "We in the manufacturing industry will undoubtedly support the foundation of Japan's social system. Preserving the foundation of domestic manufacturing is the most urgent challenge we face. In order to overcome the major changes in production structures that will likely come in the near future, we need to bring in more people with an attractive benefits system and tirelessly continue to train new workers. We at the IMF-JC, as the leader of the Spring Offensive, must fulfill our important roles and responsibilities. I hope we will band together and carry on this struggle."

A Year of Challenges in a Wide Range of Action Areas
■Remarks at the Start of 2011■
details>>

IMF-JC Joint Struggle Unified Response Day Set for Wednesday, March 16
■2011 Spring Offensive 1st Strategic Committee Meeting held ■
The IMF-JC held its 1st Strategic Committee Meeting for the 2011 Spring Offensive on December 15, 2010 from 3:30 p.m. Several matters were confirmed at the meeting, including its support for various programs and its primary schedule, along with setting the IMF-JC Joint Offensive Unified Response Day for Wednesday, March 16, 2011. details>>

Learning from Labor-Management Disputes and Trends in Labor Laws in China
■The 7th Seminar for Preventing Overseas Labor-Management Disputes■
The IMF-JC held its 7th Seminar for Preventing Overseas Labor-Management Disputes on December 10, 2010 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the U-Life Center Meeting Room in Tokyo. A total of 185 people attended, including 131 from the union side of IMF-JC-affiliated industry-based and individual unions and 55 from the company side. This 7th seminar focused on China, and following greetings from President Nishihara attendants heard two presentations, one on recent examples of labor-management disputes in China and unions' responses (from Visiting Professor Li of Hosei University) and the second on changing labor laws in China (from a Kurume University lecturer). Then Assistant General Secretary Masahiro Nogi explained the main points of the recently completed collection of case studies on overseas labor-management disputes and dispute resolutions. General Secretary Wakamatsu offered a summary to close the meeting.

IMF-JC Announces its Views on Global Warming Countermeasures
The IMF-JC released the “IMF-JC Views on Global Warming Countermeasures and Current Circumstances” on December 8, 2010. The COP16 climate talks are currently being held in Cancun, Mexico, and with discussions on a framework for global warming countermeasures reaching their final stage, the Japanese government has taken the following position: “Building a new framework in which the U.S., China and other major polluting nations can take part is in itself essential to reducing global climate change gases; and based on this idea, we have come to the conclusion that extension of the Kyoto Protocol cannot be allowed.” The IMF-JC fully approves of this stance and emphasized that such a stance should be firmly and strictly maintained until the objectives are achieved. However, today, as discussions are under way within Japan on the means of government policy for global warming countermeasures, especially the “fixed price purchase system for renewable energy,” we believe that the designs of the systems under consideration would incur tremendous cost, and there is great possibility that they will devastate Japanese industry and the livelihoods of the Japanese people. Therefore, we call for the government to “responsibly take measures to maintain the competitiveness of industries that use large amounts of electric power,” among other demands.
The IMF-JC takes pride in its belief that the world-leading technologies held by the Japanese metal industry are in and of themselves the greatest deciding factors for combating global warming, and we will promote these views far and wide and ask the government to take appropriate actions.

2011 Spring Offensive Policy Determined Special Report on the 3 GUF Unification Issue
■53rd IMF-JC Central Committee meeting held■
The IMF-JC held its 53rd Discussion Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo in Shinbashi, Tokyo. A total of 186 people attended, including 133 Central Committee members, 23 officers, and 30 observers. At this meeting, the “2011 Spring Offensive Drive,” the policy for the Spring Offensive, was deliberated and adopted in its original draft form. In addition, a special report was given on the unification of the 3 manufacturing GUFs (global union federations). The Discussion Committee included RENGO General Secretary Hiroyuki Nagumo from Japan and IMF Assistant General Secretary Hiroshi Kamada from abroad, both of whom addressed the meeting. Mr. Kamada, who will be retiring from the IMF Head Office at the end of December, thanked the IMF-JC for its 35 years of support to the IMF. After his address, IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara presented Mr. Kamada with a certificate of appreciation. details>>

IMF-JC Calls for Early Participation in TPP
■Informal meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ohata■
The IMF-JC visited Minister Akihiro Ohata of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), a Diet member backed by IMF-JC affiliated organizations, on December 6, 2010. They exchanged opinions on the current economy and issues facing industry. From the IMF-JC, General Secretary Wakamatsu and Assistant General Secretaries Nogi, Namekawa and Inoue attended.
The IMF-JC offered an explanation of the November 5 “Views of the IMF-JC Demanding Declaration of Early Participation in TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership),” to which Minister Ohata offered his full understanding. Regarding the enhancement of Japan’s agricultural structure, he said that discussions have begun within METI, and he explained that a proactive declaration from the IMF-JC was required for a policy to enhance agriculture within Japan, among other indications and explanations.

Global On-the-job Training Held in Vietnam
■4th International Labor Training Program ■
The 4th IMF-JC International Labor Training Program overseas on-the-job training was held in Vietnam from November 21 to 27, 2010. Twenty-two individuals from IMF-JC-affiliated industry-based and individual unions took part in the training (including some officials from the IMF-JC Secretariat). In Hanoi, participants heard presentations from Deputy Director General Kitamura from the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, who gave an informal talk on the general state of labor affairs in Vietnam, and from the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, which gave an informal talk on the issues in Vietnam faced by Japanese companies operating in the country. Afterward, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City interactions were held with Vietnamese metalworkers' unions and a venue for a vibrant exchange of opinions was offered. Participants also visited Toyota Motors Vietnam in the suburbs of Hanoi and were given a factory tour and informal talk. Experiencing an actual workplace first-hand helped enrich their views.

IMF-JC Views Demanding Early Participation in TPP Announced
On November 5, the IMF-JC announced its views demanding a clear statement of Japan's early participation in the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership).

Finding the Right Direction for the Manufacturing Industry
■2011 Policy Seminar Held■
The IMF-JC held its 2011 Policy Seminar on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the U-Life Center Meeting Room in Minato Ward, Tokyo. At this seminar, with the theme of “The Right Direction for the Japanese Production Base in the Manufacturing Industry,” 140 participants from affiliated industry-based and individual unions heard the IMF-JC’s report “Building a Nation Centered on Manufacturing,” and furthered their understanding through two presentations, the first on the state of procurement of goods from China and the right direction for domestic suppliers (Makoto Iwaki, China procurement manager), and the second on crisis management and the right direction for the domestic manufacturing production base (Ryozo Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Japan Korea IT Management Association).

Three Ministers and Two Vice Ministers Named from IMF-JC Political Advisors
■Changes in Political Advisory Group Confirmed at the 2nd Executive Committee Meeting ■
At its 49th National Convention on September 7, 2010, the IMF-JC appointed 13 Diet members supported by its affiliated organizations (6 from the Lower House and 7 from the Upper House) as IMF-JC Political Advisors. Afterward, with the reshuffling of Prime Minister Kan's cabinet on September 17, three new ministers and two new vice ministers were appointed from among the IMF-JC's advisory group. In response, the IMF-JC at its 2nd Executive Committee meeting on September 28 stated its expectations for future action from these five ministers and vice ministers and confirmed changes to its political advisory appointments, consisting of eight Diet members excluding the five members appointed to public offices as Ministers and Vice Ministers.

Specifics of Unification Discussed
■First IMF-ICEM-ITGLWF Task Force Meeting■
The first meeting of the joint IMF-ICEM-ITGLWF task force was held in Bad M?nder, Germany, on September 21, 2010.
The IMF, ICEM (International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions) and ITGLWF (International Textile, Garment, and Leather Workers' Federation) have moved forward with talks aiming to form a stronger industrial union federation through the unification of their organizations. At this meeting, task force members from each organization discussed the specifics of the unification. From the IMF-JC, President Koichiro Nishihara and Assistant General Secretary and Director of International Affairs Bureau Masahiro Nogi also took part.
At the meeting, the delegates discussed setting up decision-making bodies, the secretariat, establishment of regional-level organizations and offices, finances, and other matters, based on the draft report compiled by the general secretaries of the three federations. Regarding the finances, each federation's financial auditors will verify their respective organization's financial status, then the three general secretaries will draft a proposal of rules for the new federation, which is scheduled to be discussed at the next task force meeting (to be held in December 2010 in Geneva).
The IMF-JC will continue its involvement in this matter in the hopes of realizing a unification that benefits IMF-JC affiliated organizations and IMF affiliates in the Asia Pacific Region.

New Officers and Action Policy Decided; Japan's 46th Local Metalworkers Coordinating Council Formed
■General Meeting on the Formation of the Rengo Miyazaki Coordinating Council for Metalworkers Unions■
The Rengo Miyazaki Coordinating Council for Metalworkers Unions, which is comprised of three industry-based unions affiliated with the IMF-JC (the Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions Miyazaki Regional Council, the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union Miyazaki Regional Council, and the Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers' Unions Miyazaki Prefecture Center), held its general meeting on the evening of Thursday, September 16, 2010. A total of 31 delegates took part in the meeting held at the Hotel Merieges in Miyazaki. This Miyazaki council is the 46th local Rengo Coordinating Council for Metalworkers Unions to be established in Japan, marking the establishment of such councils in all prefectures and administrative regions in Japan except Okinawa.


2011-12 Action Program is Determined
■The 49th IMF-JC National Convention■
The IMF-JC held its 49th National Convention on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hotel Lungwood in Nippori, Tokyo.
details>>



Victories by All Four IMF-JC-backed Candidates in the 22nd House of Councillors Election!
In the 22nd House of Councillors election held on July 11, 2010, all four candidates supported by the IMF-JC won their races. We sincerely thank everyone whose support made their victory possible.
Name Party Status/times elected Constituency Recommending Union
Masayuki Naoshima DPJ Incumbent - 4 Proportional representation JAW
Toshiyuki Kato DPJ Incumbent - 2 Proportional representation JEIU
Yataro Tsuda DPJ Incumbent - 2 Proportional representation JAM
Minoru Yanagida DPJ Incumbent - 3 Hiroshima JBU



First Labor-Management Workshop Aims to Build Sound Labor-Management Relationships
■Held by the IMF-JC in Bekasi, Indonesia■
The IMF-JC's Labor-Management Workshop for Building Sound Labor-Management Relationships was held on June 19, 2010 at the conference hall in the MM2100 industrial Town in Cikarang Barat, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. With the theme of "building sound labor-management relationships in Japanese companies," this inaugural overseas pilot workshop was attended by approximately 100 individuals, including managers of Japanese firms in Indonesia, Indonesian personnel and administration managers, and labor union leaders including officers of Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia (FSPMI), Indonesia's top metal industry union association. As a result of a frank exchange of opinions between labor and management of Japanese firms in Indonesia, all parties agreed on the necessity for building relationships of mutual trust, including setting up venues for regular labor-management discussions, and will aim to build sound labor-management relationships. Considering the results of this pilot workshop, the IMF-JC plans to hold a series of workshops in Southeast Asian countries.

Lessons from Brazil and a Course on ISO26000
■The 6th Seminar for Preventing Overseas Labor-Management Disputes ■
The IMF-JC held its 6th Seminar for Preventing Overseas Labor-Management Disputes on June 11, 2010 at the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union (JEIU) conference room in Hitotsubashi, Tokyo. Over 120 people from labor and management in IMF-JC-affiliated individual unions and companies took part in this seminar. Presentations were offered on the "state of and responses to labor difficulties and labor-management disputes in Brazil" and "trends in ISO26000 and responses from labor and management." In addition, IMF-JC General Policy Bureau Assistant Director Kan Matsuzaki offered an overview of "a collection of case studies on overseas labor-management disputes and dispute resolution" that had been raised at the previous five seminars.

Discussions on Union Networks and the Three-Federation Merger
■IMF Executive Committee Meeting Held in Frankfurt■
The IMF Executive Committee Meeting was held from June 10-11, 2010 at the IG Metall headquarters conference room in Frankfurt, Germany. From Japan, IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara attended the meeting as an executive committee member, while International Affairs Bureau Assistant General Secretary Masahiro Nogi attended as an observer. At the meeting, discussions were held on topics such as "labor union networks in multinationals," "labor union rights and campaigns: swift response and priority countries (Mexico, Philippines, etc.)," "follow-up on the statement on IMF-ICEM-ITGLWF," "Council of Global Unions (CGU) third-year follow-up," "financial issues (2009 financial report, unions exempted from paying 2010 membership dues, etc.)," and "operational challenges (membership applications, suspensions, executive committee and deputy executive committee members)."
details>>

2010 Spring Offensive Agencies to be Dissolved
■Will Be Confirmed at the 6th Central Spring Offensive Committee Meeting ■
The IMF-JC held its 10th Strategic Committee Meeting on June 8, 2010, at which it summarized the responses that had been received thus far. It also agreed that the various agencies for the 2010 Spring Offensive would be dissolved and that debate on the "evaluation and challenges of the 2010 Spring Offensive" (midterm summary) would be held at the 6th Central Spring Offensive Committee meeting held on June 14. The final summary on the "evaluation and challenges" will be confirmed at the 24th Executive Board Meeting on July 22 and reported at the 49th Regular Conference on September 7.
10th Strategic Committee Meeting Agenda　details>>

Discussions on Labor Union Networks, Solidarity and Organization
■3rd Asian Metalworkers' Liaison Conference held in Hanoi, Vietnam■
The 3rd Asian Metalworkers' Liaison Conference, sponsored by the IMF-JC, was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 31 and June 1, 2010. This conference, held with joint support from the Vietnam Union of Workers in Industry and Trade (VUIT) which became an IMF affiliate at the IMF World Congress in May 2009, was attended by 13 individuals from the IMF-JC, including President Nishihara and other industry-based union leaders, and around 50 individuals from IMF affiliated organizations in the Asia Pacific region. From the IMF headquarters, General Secretary Jyrki Raina and Assistant General Secretary Hiroshi Kamada attended. During the conference, participants heard a presentation from the IMF General Secretary on priority items for 2010 activities in the IMF Action Program, along with each country's reports and discussions on crisis response, precarious work, and climate change. After a report on each country's efforts toward "labor union network building, solidarity and organization," a panel discussion was held, with information and experiences exchanged and problem awareness shared on the efforts and challenges for metal industry unions in the Asia Pacific region.
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130 Join First "Manufacturing Workshop for Parents and Children"
■IMF-JC Kyushu Block offers class in Kokura, Kitakyushu ■
During the afternoon of May 30, 2010, the first-ever Manufacturing Workshop for Parents and Children was held in the "Konomi Club" employee facility located in a corner of the Sumitomo Metals Kokura offices in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The event was organized by the IMF-JC Kyushu Block with support from Kitakyushu City. The workshop was held in two parts, an experiment demonstration and a manufacturing class, with support from the IMF-JC head office and cooperation from the Gakken Institute of Research and Innovation. This workshop also served as a promotional event for workshops held in other prefectures in the Kyushu Block. The Manufacturing Workshop for Parents and Children welcomed the enthusiastic participation of 130 parents and children (56 children) from industry-based unions in the Rengo Fukuoka Coordinating Council for Metalworkers Unions.

For Greater Consistency in Training Future Manufacturing Personnel
■The First "Waku-Waku" Science and Engineering Festival for electric industry labor and management ■
The First "Waku-Waku" Science and Construction Festival was held on the 7th floor of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, Tokyo on April 24, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The festival was organized by the Electric Industry Manufacturing Personnel Education Committee, which is comprised of labor and management in the electric industry and has an office in the Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Union. The festival was comprised of two science demonstrations with audience participation and five workshops on engineering for parents and children. More than 300 parents and children attended the festival, participating in the programs and experiencing the thrill and enjoyment of manufacturing.

Masayuki Naoshima Toshiyuki Kato
Yataro Tsuda Minoru Yanagida
Four IMF-JC-backed Candidates for 22nd House of Councillors Election Confirmed

In its 21st Executive Board Meeting on April 23, 2010, the IMF-JC confirmed its backing for four candidates in the 22nd House of Councillors election scheduled for July 2010. These decisions were based on the IMF-JC "Guidelines for Support and Treatment of Government Advisors" and shaped through requests from industry-based unions. The names, parties and other information for the four supported candidates are listed below.
Name Party Status/times elected Constituency Recommending Union
Masayuki Naoshima DPJ Incumbent - 3 Proportional representation JAW
Toshiyuki Kato DPJ Incumbent - 1 Proportional representation JEIU
Yataro Tsuda DPJ Incumbent - 1 Proportional representation JAM
Minoru Yanagida DPJ Incumbent - 2 Hiroshima JBU


Group Work Yields Vigorous Exchange of Ideas on "Helping Women Continue to Work Vibrantly in the Metal Industry"
■April 19: First IMF-JC Women's Conference■
The IMF-JC held its first Women's Conference at Workpia Yokohama in the morning of April 19, 2010. Approximately 50 female union officials from affiliated industry-based, corporate and individual unions took part. Participants in this conference were divided into seven groups to engage in lively group work projects on the theme of "Helping Women Continue to Work Vibrantly in the Metal Industry," from a woman's perspective and from the viewpoints of the private sector, manufacturing and metal industries.

In Singapore 61 union members from 12 affiliated organizations in 10 countries discuss 2010 IMF priority movement issues
■IMF East and Southeast Asia-Pacific Sub-Regional Committee Meeting■

IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina and other IMF head office officials attended the meeting.

Jyrki Raina Cyrille Tan
IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina
 		IMF-Singapore Council President Cyrille Tan
IMF East and Southeast Asia-Pacific Sub-Regional Committee Meeting held at NTUC-backed Orchid Country Club in Singapore from April 16-17, 2010.
A total of 61 union members took part in the meeting, including 55 from twelve affiliated organizations in ten countries and regions and five members of the IMF head and regional offices, including IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina. Thirteen members attended from Japan, including IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara.
This was the first meeting since the consolidation of the East Asia Sub-Region and the Southeast Asia-Pacific Sub-Region at the IMF Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in 2008. It was also the first discussion held in this region under the IMF Action Program adopted at the 32nd IMF World Congress in 2009.
At this meeting, lively discussions were held on the 2010 IMF priority action areas of networks in transnational companies, union building, sustainable development, and regional activities. The issue of GUF integration was raised by the IMF head office for the first time in the Asian region, and opinions were exchanged. It was also acknowledged that the gender issue would be included on the agenda and discussed as an IMF priority issue at each of the future meetings.
Discussions were also held on the selection of successors to two executive committee members representing the Asia region who retired or resigned their posts. Australian Workers Union National Secretary Paul Howes was chosen to succeed Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union president Julius Roe, and Federasi Serikat Pekerja Metal Indonesia (FSPMI) secretary Wati Anwar was selected to succeed FSMPI vice president Aghni Damayanti as head of the Indonesian women's executive committee.
Regarding the future of the sub-region, the IMF head office proposed that the Asia region, which is currently divided into two sections including South Asia, be combined into a single region. Opinions were exchanged, but due to the GUF integration issue it was decided that more time would be given to the discussions.

Regional Policy and System Issues for 2010 Outlined

In the 18th meeting of its three top party officials held on April 4, the IMF-JC outlined its Regional Policy and System Issues for 2010. Based on the IMF-JC 2009-10 Action Program and 2010-11 Policy and System Issues (Draft), matters were selected that are closely related to local areas and that should be developed as being central to these regions. The summary will serve as a reference in discussions on policy and system issues within the regional unions and in other venues. The IMF-JC 2010-11 Policy and System Issues (Draft) will be discussed at the IMF-JC 2010 Policy and System Central Discussion Meeting to be held at Workpia Yokohama from Monday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. until noon on Tuesday, April 20.

Many Unions Face Critical Stage in Negotiations, Aiming for Resolutions within April
REMAINING PERSISTENT IN NEGOTIATIONS TO GET SATISFACOTRY RESPONSES
Of the 2667 unions throughout the IMF-JC that submitted demands, 1121 unions receive responses
■April 4: 7th Strategic Committee Meeting ■
The IMF-JC held its 7th Strategic Committee Meeting in the IMF-JC offices on Sunday, April 4 from 11:00 a.m. In this meeting, the IMF-JC gathered the responses received thus far in the 2010 Spring Offensive and confirmed the way forward for the JC Joint Struggle.
details>>

March 25 Small and Medium-Sized Registered Unions
Press Conference on Status of Responses
Responses Received by 111 out of 155 Small and Medium-Sized Unions
■March 25 Press Conference at IMF-JC Head Office■

On March 17 of last week, arriving at the IMF-JC Unified Response Day for major unions, small and medium-sized unions throughout Japan began fierce negotiations. As of this writing on March 25, 111 out of the 155 small and medium-sized unions in the IMF-JC had received responses.
To support the small and medium-sized unions' negotiations, the IMF-JC held a press conference at its head office in Nihonbashi, Tokyo on March 25 from 4:00 p.m. at which it presented the status of demands and responses for the 155 registered unions which influence their regions and industries. To begin the press conference, General Secretary Wakamatsu offered greetings and commented on the status of the 2010 Spring Offensive, stating: "On the IMF-JC Unified Response Day on March 17 of last week, all 55 of the aggregating unions were ensured their regular pay raise amounts. Bonuses also increased by 0.2 months' pay over last year. Eighteen unions succeeded in raising intra-company minimum wages. Up to this day, 111 of the 155 small and medium-sized unions, more than 70%, received responses, and leveraging the responses to large unions' demands as further incentive for rigorous and persistent negotiations, most maintained their regular pay raise amounts and seven unions received higher wages. I hope that the status of demands and responses for IMF-JC small and medium-sized unions as posted by region will support wage improvements at the companies in the respective regions."
Later, Assistant General Secretary Kenji Yonai offered a detailed report on the status of the Spring Offensive for the IMF-JC designated unions for aggregating responses and IMF-JC small and medium-sized unions as of March 25.
A question-and-answer session for reporters was then held.



IMF-JC has prioritized “Investment in people”in its 2010 Spring Offensive in Japan
 ■March 17: IMF-JC Unified Response Day■





On March 17, 2010, among economic conditions that are as grave as ever, the IMF-JC Unified Response Day arrived. Press corps from the mass media gathered from morning at the IMF-JC head office in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, near the Coredo Building.
The first responses began to come in just after 10:00 a.m., and camera flashes lit the room each time the officers wrote on the white board.
Afternoon Press Conference IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara
At its 6th Strategic Committee Meeting, which began at 11:00 a.m., the IMF-JC confirmed the responses it had received thus far and the way forward for the JC Joint Struggle in small and medium-sized unions. After hearing these remarks, the three top-ranking officials of the IMF-JC held a press conference from noon. The press conference opened with General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu's presentation of the Points for Confirmation on the 6th Strategic Committee Meeting. Then IMF-JC President Koichiro Nishihara offered his overall comments. Next, the presidents and chairmen of the five industry-based unions gave comments in reaction to today's responses, and then a question-and-answer session was held. details>>
Breaking Free from Deflation and Eliminating Uncertainty over Employment and Livelihoods Japan's Leading Unions Band Together in the Joint Struggle
■2010 Spring Offensive Executive Meeting■
The IMF-JC held its 2010 Spring Offensive Executive Meeting in Shin-yokohama on January 26 and 27, 2010. In attendance were nearly 150 officers in charge of wage issues from affiliated industry-based, corporate, and individual unions. To begin, President Koichiro Nishihara delivered greetings, stating, "Escaping from deflation and solving employment-related issues are urgent needs, and the duties of labor and management are to protect jobs and livelihoods and to determine how to spread a message that eliminates uncertainty about the future. The role of the IMF-JC, which has the power to influence the form the wage negotiations take, is becoming more and more important." After Kazuo Ishikawa, Chief Research Fellow at the Tokyo Foundation, gave a talk on mid-term labor policy and the roles of labor unions, IMF-JC Assistant General Secretary Kenji Yonai gave the official report titled "Opinions of the IMF-JC Facing the 2010 Spring Offensive," which included the IMF-JC's views on the "Report of the Committee on Management and Labor Policy" of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).　In the morning of the 27th, a panel discussion titled "Industry-based Union Initiatives for the 2010 Spring Offensive" was held. Coordinated by General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu, the panel was comprised of the presidents and general secretaries of five industry-based unions. The panelists explained the circumstances in their industries and the details of their demands, then stated their determinations for the March 17 IMF-JC Unified Response Day. General Secretary Wakamatsu stated, "This Offensive is a struggle for all workers of Japan, including non-regular workers. I would like for the IMF-JC to devote all of its energy to safeguarding wage levels, and toward the 'Manufacturing Revolution' to determine how to keep manufacturing jobs in Japan. As Japan's leading labor unions, let's band together in the JC Joint Struggle for the 2010 Spring Offensive."

Promoting Raises in Industry-based Minimum Wages and Intra-company Minimum Wage Agreements, and Boosting Wages for Workers in the Metal Industry
■2010 Policy is set at the nationwide IMF-JC Minimum Wage Center Meeting■
On January 27, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., the IMF-JC held a meeting of 250 central and regional minimum wage representatives from its affiliated industry-based unions to recap its efforts for 2009 and to discuss and confirm its policy for industry-based minimum wage initiatives for 2010. To begin, IMF-JC Minimum Wage Center President and IMF-JC General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu thanked the central and regional minimum wage representatives from each industry for their constant and enthusiastic efforts toward industry-based minimum wages and spoke about the current situation and challenges. Then Michiyo Suwa, Head of the Labor Policy Bureau of the IMF-JC, reported on the progress of the 2009 initiatives. Specially invited guest speaker Takashi Muramoto, Executive Director of the RENGO Working Conditions Department, gave a talk on the latest circumstances and issues involving minimum wages. Then, after Minimum Wage Center President Wakamatsu proposed the 2010 Policy on Industry-based Minimum Wage Initiatives, the official discussions began, with each region's representatives on minimum wage issues offering a variety of opinions and requests. Minimum Wage Center governing board members Hagiwara and Kishino offered their responses, and the policy was confirmed to close the meeting.

Invest in People and Distribute Wealth to Households to Protect and Create Jobs!
■The IMF-JC gives its views on Nippon Keidanren's "Report of the Committee on Management and Labor Policy"■
The IMF-JC held its 1st Central Spring Offensive Committee meeting on the afternoon of January 20, 2010. There it confirmed and announced its views on Nippon Keidanren's "Report of the Committee on Management and Labor Policy," which was issued on January 19, with the theme of "Invest in People and Distribute Wealth to Households to Families to Protect and Create Jobs!"

Confirming the Way Forward for the 2010 Spring Offensive
■2nd Strategic Committee Meeting■
The IMF-JC held its 2nd Strategic Committee Meeting in the morning of January 20, 2010. The way forward for the 2010 Spring Offensive was confirmed, including initiatives for halting the deflationary spiral, maintaining and creating jobs and fully ensuring the periodic pay raise amount. details>>　


39 Elites Prepare to Lead the New Era
■The 41th Labor Leadership Course opens■
From January 7 to 23, 2010, 39 next-generation union leaders gathered at the Kansai Seminar House in Kyoto. They came from as far north as Fukushima and as far south as Kumamoto for the 41st Labor Leadership Course. With a theme of "Roles of Labor Unions in These Times," the two and one-half weeks of the course were divided into lectures based on four core principles and five seminars. Students brainstormed on the challenges for unions in manufacturing workplaces throughout this boarding-style course.
2010 Unified Response Day Set for March 17
■IMF-JC 1st Strategic Committee Meeting is held■
The IMF-JC held its 2010 Spring Offensive 1st Strategic Committee Meeting on December 24, 2009, in Tokyo. At this meeting, the IMF-JC discussed and confirmed its initiatives toward its strategy for demands in order to "ensure safety and stability in daily lives by maintaining jobs and stopping the decline in wages and household incomes." It also confirmed its general schedule for the 2010 Spring Offensive, including setting the IMF-JC Unified Response Day for March 17 in consideration of the RENGO peak negotiation periods, which have been set for March 17-18. details>>　
Exchanging Opinions for Building a Nation Centered on Manufacturing
■Metal Industry Labor-Management Discussion Meeting is held■
The IMF-JC held its Metal Industry Labor-Management Discussion Meeting at the Hotel Grand Palace in Tokyo on December 24, 2009. To begin, President Nishihara offered greetings and raised the issues for discussion. Then General Secretary Wakamatsu explained the IMF-JC's views on the policy developments by Prime Minister Hatoyama's administration and the direction for the IMF World Congress. Explanations were offered for the IMF-JC's ideas for the campaign to promote national expansion of manufacturing workshops and for initiatives for preventing labor-management disputes in Japanese companies' overseas operations, and requests for cooperation were made. Frank opinions were also exchanged on matters including labor-management cooperation for building the nation centered on manufacturing.
The three top-ranking officials from the IMF-JC were present at the discussion meeting, and the management side was represented by executives in charge of labor and working-level senior employees from the companies from which the industry-based union leaders came.
Exchange of Opinions on Challenges for Maintaining and Creating Jobs and Economic Growth and Other Issues
■Discussion Meeting with Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)■
The three top-ranking officials of the IMF-JC conducted a discussion meeting with Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) on the morning of December 14, 2009, at the Keidanren Kaikan in Tokyo. The two sides reported on their ideas focused on two themes: Challenges for maintaining and creating jobs and economic growth, and roles of labor and management in the expansion of overseas operations. The two sides exchanged frank opinions and furthered their mutual understanding.
From the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), Vice Chairman Yoji Ohashi took part, along with Yoshikazu Sashida, Co-Chairman of the Committee on Personnel and Labor Management; Director General Yoshio Nakamura; Senior Managing Director Masakazu Kubota; and Managing Directors Satoshi Mukuta, Nobuko Sanui and Hiroyasu Kawamoto. The IMF-JC contingent included the three top-ranking officials, including President Koichiro Nishihara, Vice Presidents Masatake Nakamura, Junro Naito, and Masaaki Maeda, and General Secretary Hideyuki Wakamatsu.
Calling for Cooperation in the IMF-JC's Policy Initiatives
■IMF-JC Policy Research Conference is held■
The IMF-JC held its Policy Research Conference in the morning of Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo Hotel in Akasaka, Tokyo. A total of 22 persons, including the IMF-JC's three top-ranking officers as well as Diet members backed by IMF-JC affiliated unions and their secretaries took part. To begin, President Nishihara expressed his hopes for the Democratic Party of Japan administration brought into power in the recent regime change, and called for the Diet members' cooperation in IMF-JC policy initiatives for the private sector, manufacturing, and metal industries. He also said he would give his full support for the victory of IMF-JC-backed Diet members in next year's House of Councilors (Upper House) election to stabilize and strengthen the administration's base. General Secretary Wakamatsu explained the IMF-JC's ideas for the policy development of the Hatoyama administration (proposals), then specially invited political advisor and Diet member Tsuyoshi Takagi reported on the latest government news. At the discussion meeting, opinions were exchanged on policy initiatives taking into account future economic, social and political conditions, and then the meeting was adjourned.
New Relations between Japanese and Vietnamese Metalworkers Unions
■Exchange held with the Vietnam Union of Workers in Industry and Trade■
The IMF-JC welcomed a delegation from the Vietnam Union of Workers in Industry and Trade (VUIT), an IMF member union from Vietnam, from November 15-21, 2009. The group was led by Vice Chairman Ngo Phi Tuan and comprised of six members (including one woman), including delegates from steelworkers' and electrical workers' unions. The VUIT was universally welcomed as a "new partner" when it joined the IMF at the World Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden in May 2009. The VUIT group visited the IMF-JC headquarters as well as the offices of the IMF-JC's affiliated industry-based unions, including the Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Union (JAW), the Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Union (JEUI), the Japanese Association of Metal, Machinery and Manufacturing Workers (JAM), and the Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers' Unions (JBU), and met with each union's presidents and general secretaries. The group also toured the Toshiba Science Museum and Honda Saitama Factory and furthered its understanding of Japan's industrial union activities, labor-management relations at workplaces, manufacturing technology, and more. During the exchange, Vice Chairman Tuan expressed his wish to continue such interactions between the VUIT and the IMF-JC in the future.