| Present Situation and Issues of
the Trade Union Movement in Japan |
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| Together with descriptions of the current economic and political
conditions in Japan and other topics, this lecture introduces the present situation,
status, and activities of the trade union movement in Japan in a comprehensive
manner. In addition, proposals are offered concerning the problems faced by Japanese
society today, how trade unions are tackling those problems, and issues and prospects
for the trade movement itself. Instructors base their talks on their actual experiences
in the trade union movement. Through this lecture, it is hoped that participants,
in light of their own situation, can gain enlightenment as to what to learn from
the Japanese experience and what to use as reference. |
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| Labor-Related Legislation and
the Social Security System in Japan |
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A lecture is held on the history and special characteristics
of current labor-related legislation in Japan and on the social security system
for workers and working women, two factors that are essential to understanding
the trade union movement in Japan. Original text materials summarizing the main
benefits under employment insurance and social insurance, legislation relating
to childbirth, childcare, and nursing care, and so on are used, as well as related
labor statistics.
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| History of the Labor Movement
in Japan |
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This lecture explains the course taken by the trade union movement
in Japan through many waves from the end of World War II to the present. It also
touches on the Japanese economy and society and, in the sense of mutual respect,
Japanese culture. Held at the opening of the program, this lecture aims to give
participants some basic information about Japan and enable them to deepen their
degree of understanding and exchange in the second-half lectures and visits.
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| Trade Unions and Industrial Relations
in Japan |
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| This lecture provides a specific explanation of the characteristics
of the organizational structure of the Japanese labor movement and the content
of its activities. It explains the functions, roles, and mutual relations of RENGO
(Japanese Trade Union Confederation), industrial federations, and company-based
unions, giving concrete examples of the spring labor offensive, policy system
demands, and so on. Regarding industrial relations, it gives a broad explanation
ranging from basic principles to actual methods, describing the mechanism of the
spring labor offensive and specific examples of labor-management relations at
the company level, centered on collective bargaining and the labor-management
consultation system. Participants ask many questions, and the speakers give replies
based on their long experiences as leaders of the trade union movement. |
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The Invitation Program has been one of our main projects ever since JILAF’s founding. We originally began by inviting individuals from developing countries, but starting in FY2003 have also invited people from developed countries. 
The
main content of the program consists of (1) labor-related lectures,
(2) visits to labor-related organizations, and (3)
exchange with Japanese trade union leaders. In addition, almost all teams
are given the opportunity to visit Hiroshima to see the Peace Memorial Museum
and A-Bomb Dome. Furthermore, invited team members are asked to report to Japanese
on the labor situation in their own countries. 
