(Selected information on social & labour developments in Japan)
March 2002
Statistics
| January 2002 | February 2002 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.3% |
| Job opening ratio | 0.51 | 0.50 |
| Number of the unemployed | 3.44 million | 3.56 million |
| Number of the employed | 62.67 million | 62.48 million |
| Total monthly hours worked (annual % change) |
138.4 hours (-2.5%) |
151.5 hours (-0.1%) |
| Total average monthly cash earnings (annual % change) |
296,948 yen (-4.0%) |
282,498 yen (-0.6%) |
| Quarterly real GDP growth rate (% change from the previous term) |
- | -1.2 |
Governmental liaison meeting to adopt measures to cope with illegal foreign workers
A joint meeting between the National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was convened on 6 March 2002 in which it adopted measures to cope with illegal foreign workers. These measures include the promotion of information exchange, strengthening of administrative guidance to employers and its organizations, stricter control on illegal residents and workers.
The merger of Nikkeiren and Keidanren
The new executives of the Japan Business Federation (JBF), to be launched on 28 May by the merger of Nikkeiren and Keidanren were announced in early March. Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation and the serving Chairman of Nikkeiren will head JBF, and 15 Vice Chairmen will be appointed, nine from incumbent Keidanren vice chairmen and four from Nikkeiren.
Results of Shunto Offensive
On 13 March, the employers of four major sectors (automobile, shipbuilding, electric/electronic, steel) presented their replies on negotiations to their counterpart trade unions, which are affiliated to IMF-JC. It is said that the quotations of IMF-JC affiliated trade unions will have a far-reaching influence on the outcome of negotiations in other sectors. Most employers gave no basic pay raise. In electric and steel sectors, the trade unions did not ask for pay raise, but instead agreed with the management to exchange confirmation notes on employment security.
Government sees economy bottoming out
The Monthly Economic Report, published on 14 March 2002 indicates that while the economy stays in a difficult situation, signs of bottoming out can be seen in some areas, such as exports and industrial production. This is the first time the government upgraded its view on the economy since June 2000. The Report expresses the firm determination of the government to obstruct deflation, with the cooperation from the Bank of Japan.
Projection by Denki Rengo
The think tank of Denki Rengo (Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Unions) projects that in the year 2010, irregular workers such as part-timers, temporary workers and dispatched workers will dominate one out of three employees. The institute estimates that their share in all employees will reach 34.8%, going up by 9.3 points.
White Paper on the National Lifestyle Fiscal Year 2001
The Cabinet Office on 26 March 2002 released its annual report on the life of people, which is subtitled "Family life and structural reform." It states that while the Japanese are making diverse lifestyle choices as their values change, social conventions related to the family are becoming increasingly incompatible with such change. For example, although the ratio of full-time housewives is declining, women's work choices are limited. The paper proposes measures to tackle the issues of work style, child rearing and education, and care for the elderly.
Work sharing meeting reaches agreement
The tripartite panel consisting of the government, Nikkeiren and Rengo has reached an agreement on 29 March 2002 concerning their five-point basic idea about work sharing. The group agreed to classify work sharing into two types: (a) work sharing to allow diverse working styles; and (b) work sharing to cope with the difficult employment situation (so-called "emergency work sharing"). The three parties agreed to actively engage in creating environment conducive to the development of diverse types of work sharing, including developing equitable treatment, wages and personnel systems for workers who chose to work shorter hours. For "emergency work sharing," it was recommended that employers should make efforts to maintain employment, while the workers should take flexible attitudes about the reduction of hours of work and the reduction of income that go with it. The agreement takes into scope the reform of the social security systems to extend their coverage to workers who work shorter hours. The government will deliberate whether to extend financial support to the introduction of emergency work sharing schemes.
| ILO EVENTS IN JAPAN |
International Women's Day Event in Tokyo
In Tokyo, International Women's Day was celebrated with a public forum, jointly organized by ILO Tokyo Branch Office and six other UN bodies housed in the United Nations University. The Forum opened with the read message from Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General. The Forum was entitled "Women Today: Realities and Opportunities - Women in Afghanistan." A keynote speech was given by Ms. Makiko Arima, former representative of Japan on the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and a panel discussion continued to explore women's role in the reconstruction of societies with particular focus on the situation in Afghanistan. An "information marketplace" was held after the Forum, where the UN agencies set up booths to share information about their gender-related activities.
World Friendly Cup on 24 March 2002
A charity futsal tournament was organized on 24 March 2002, supported by ILO Tokyo Branch Office. This futsal tournament was part of Global March World Cup Campaign, and was co-organized by RENGO and NGOs including World Vision Japan. Thirty two teams participated. ILO brochures on child labour issues were distributed, and during the breaks child labour quizes were posed to the participants. In May and June, the Tokyo Branch Office plans to co-organize a forum and photo exhibition on child labour in conjunction with FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.
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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.)