Current location:World Wave news portal > world
VOX POPULI: History of ‘shunto’ spring labor offensive seems timely
World Wave news portal2024-05-21 21:14:29【world】1People have gathered around
IntroductionWhen I was a cub reporter, reporting on trade unions was a real struggle because I had to learn a sl
When I was a cub reporter, reporting on trade unions was a real struggle because I had to learn a slew of industry terms and phrases I’d never heard before.
For instance, “tansan” (industrial union) denotes a coalition of labor unions representing a single industry. But I was once laughed at by a union executive for mistaking that word for “tansan denchi,” which is Japanese for AA battery.
I picked up the lingo, one word at a time. I learned that “bea,” short for the Japanglish “base-up,” means raise in the base-pay scale, and that “teisho,” also an abbreviation of “teiki shokyu,” denotes an annual regular wage hike.
The word “shunto,” meaning spring labor offensive, has a special ring to it. Each spring, labor-management negotiations are held to determine wages and bonuses for the coming fiscal year.
Since their inception nearly 70 years ago, these negotiations have always taken place simultaneously across all industries, the purpose being to demonstrate labor solidarity and exert pressure on management.
The man who established this formula was Kaoru Ota (1912-1998), a trade union leader affectionately called “Ota Rappa” (Ota trumpet) for his good cheer and boundless energy.
From 1958 to 1966, Ota served as chairman of the General Council of Trade Unions of Japan (Sohyo), which led Japan’s labor movement back then.
His book, “Shunto no Shuen” (The demise of shunto), depicts his all-out commitment to organizing walkouts. Ota went on the offensive, indeed, in spring.
But economic recessions and changes in employment practices have caused the unifying power of unions to decline, exposing them to accusations of becoming too cozy with management and losing their identity.
And the term “kansei shunto” (literally, government-led spring labor offensive) was coined when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pursuing his economic policies dubbed “Abenomics,” called on the business community to raise wages.
This year, major corporations agreed to higher-than-usual wage increases, and the Bank of Japan cited shunto’s achievements among the reasons for ending its negative interest rate policy.
But now that the estimated percentage of union members among employees has hit a record low of 16.3 percent, rising wages don’t really mean anything unless they apply also to employees of small and mid-sized companies and part-time workers.
Shunto today is among “kigo” seasonal keywords in haiku poetry. But the times are still rough for organizers of shunto.
A haiku by Takeo Nakajima (1908-1988) goes to the effect, “Blowing my breath into a trumpet/ At the conclusion of shunto negotiations.”
Is the breath being blown into this year’s trumpet a sigh of resignation, or is it a sigh of relief?
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 30
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Address of this article:http://ukraine.downmusic.org/news-74a399922.html
Very good!(36216)
Related articles
- Defending champion South Carolina to open season in Las Vegas against Michigan
- Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after finding Eras Tour tickets less costly there
- Kendall Jenner puts on a VERY cheeky display in a semi
- US paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion
- Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
- Zendaya pulls out all the stops in THREE edgy ensembles
- Ashley Graham reveals her custom Swarovski crystal
- Met Gala 2024: Iris Law commands attention in a racy sheer black Versace dress and wet
- Verona confirms Serie A status for another year after beating Salernitana
- Former Chinese bank official stands trial for bribery
Popular articles
Recommended
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
Ukrainians grapple with grit and grief as war with Russia enters new phase
Rudy Gobert wins record
Draft to tighten anti
IF starring Ryan Reynolds lands at the top of a lackluster box office with less
Zendaya pulls out all the stops in THREE edgy ensembles
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
Matt Damon and wife Luciana Barroso glam it up for the 2024 Met Gala
Links
- Event to promote love of reading to be held in Kunming
- Iranian FM opens new consulate in Damascus following Israeli strike
- AU officials laud China's support to promote health in Africa
- China's tiger and leopard park sees over 35 cubs born in past year
- Iranian FM, EU foreign policy chief discuss Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel
- 86 individuals awarded for helping shield national security
- Mainland ready to aid disaster relief after Taiwan earthquake: spokesperson
- Zendaya sports a white towel mini dress as she debuts another tennis
- Andrew Scott speaks out on his 'wonderful' friendship with All Of Us Strangers co
- Chinese courts highlight child protection during divorce trials