(Selected information on social & labour developments in Japan)
February 2002
Basic employment figures
| Unemployment rate (%) | Job opening ratio |
Number of the unemployed |
Number of the employed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| male | female | ||||
| Jan. 2002 | 5.3 | 0.51 | 3.44 million | 62.67 million | |
| 5.4 | 5.1 | ||||
| Dec. 2001 | 5.6 | 0.51 | 3.37 million | 63.62 million | |
| 5.8 | 5.1 | ||||
Work sharing
Work sharing is a much-discussed topic in Japan. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi mentioned in his policy speech on 4 February 2002 that the government would consider the introduction of work sharing schemes. Reaction in the business community is not straightforward, as a survey by the Federation of Business Organizations (Keidanren) published on 1 February 2002 revealed that 85% of its member companies have not yet introduced work sharing schemes nor have any plans to do so. The report by the Industrial Bank of Japan issued on 6 February 2002 says there is a risk that work sharing might give a negative impact on the Japanese economy in the long term, because it would reduce the hours of work of competent workers by securing employment of less productive workers. Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) agreed at an officers' meeting held on 5 February 2002 that reducing the wages in proportion to the time reduced is acceptable, only when the work sharing scheme is introduced as temporary emergency measure to tackle unemployment.
Interim report on part-time work
A study group on part-time labour of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued an interim report on 5 February. The report is based on the view that a more diverse and flexible work pattern would be sought after by both the workers and the management and that the society will change into one where men and women will adjust their work in accordance with their situation in life. The number of part-timers increased by 2 million in the years from 1997 to 2001 whereas regular employees decreased by 1.7 million against the background that a rapid substitution of regular employees by part-timers has been taking place. Although part-timers are assigned with more responsibilities than before and their work is regarded as integral part of the company operation, their treatment does not rightly compensate them for their responsibilities. The report proposes that a comprehensive review of the pattern of work and remuneration of both part-timers and regular employees should be undertaken, with a view to formulate agreement between management and workers towards "treatment in accordance to the work accomplished" regardless of status. It also proposes the establishment of "balanced treatment rules" and systems to enable workers to switch from one status to the other and vice versa, as well as expanded coverage of social insurance schemes.
Council for Assistance to Afghan Women
The Government decided on 26 February 2002 to set up a council to discuss assistance to Afghan women kept under oppression during the Taliban regime. Professor Hiroko Hara of the University of the Air, who is also a member of the Council for Joint Participation by Men and Women, will head the group. The council forms a part of measures to assist the reconstruction of Afghanistan by the Japanese Government.
Anti-deflationary measures
The Japanese economy is said to be on the verge of entering a deflationary spiral, as mentioned in the Government's mid-term outlook on structural reform and the economy and fiscal policy adopted by the Cabinet on 25 January 2002. The Government announced on 27 February 2002 a set of anti-deflationary measures to counter the ailing economic situation. The measures are based on the existing measures such as to accelerate disposal of non-performing loans, stabilization of the monetary system, etc.
Complaint against the Government of Japan
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC-RENGO) and its Public Sector Liaison Council (RENGO-PSLC) filed a complaint against the Government of Japan for alleged violations of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention (No. 87) and the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98). RENGO claims that the public service system in Japan does not conform to the provisions of these Conventions and that no improvement has been made even after the Government received several recommendations from the ILO. RENGO further states the Government did not fully consult the RENGO in the process of drawing up the General Principle of Administrative Reform adopted in December 2001, and that this Principle would further aggravate the problem in Japan. RENGO seeks deliberation at the November Governing Body in the Committee of Freedom of Association. It is the first time that RENGO filed a complaint to the ILO.
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(Purpose of the news flash is to provide readers with rough idea of social and labour developments in Japan. It is not an official document of the ILO. The designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the ILO concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the ILO, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval.)