Message from the President
We aim to contribute to the development of free and democratic labor movements and socio-economic development in developing countries.
More than 30 years have passed since the establishment of JILAF. During this time, although the economies of developing countries have been developing under the expansion of the global economy, distribution has not sufficiently reached citizens and workers, and division due to widening economic disparity and polarization has become a major issue for the international community. Under such circumstances, the role of the international labor movement and the various international exchange projects we undertake are becoming increasingly important. Our international cooperation and social development projects in the labor field not only contribute to the construction of sound industrial relations and industrial development in developing countries, but also greatly contribute to the stability of our own employment and produce many pro-Japanese leaders, playing a part in Japanese diplomacy.
We are determined to continue promoting our projects with tireless efforts, and we sincerely ask for your continued exceptional support and cooperation.
Yasunobu Aihara
President, Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF)
Philosophy of JILAF (Prospectus of Establishment)
As interdependence and cooperative relationships in the international community deepen, expectations for Japan's role in the international community are rising. On the other hand, it has long been pointed out that Japan needs to actively fulfill this role in order to coexist cooperatively with other countries. Japan has been expanding international cooperation in various ways, but emphasis has been placed on quantitative aspects, and there is also bias in terms of fields. Therefore, in order to enhance the results of cooperation, it is necessary to correct the quality and fields of cooperation.
Particularly in developing countries, there is a demand to broadly support the creation of social systems so that Japan's economic cooperation can contribute to the improvement of the lives of the people in the partner countries for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to deepen international cooperation in the labor field, with labor unions, which are influential social forces, as the window. In doing so, an important perspective is to actively utilize NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) that have international networks and awareness of issues different from the government base.
However, looking at the current situation, Japan is not only significantly behind advanced countries in the utilization of NGOs, but existing organizations are implementing activities separately. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of an international cooperation promotion infrastructure with consistency from the perspective of the entire labor field. From this viewpoint, we have decided to establish a new foundation centered on the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) with the participation and cooperation of all RENGO affiliated organizations, and to make it the promotion body for private-level exchange and various assistance in the labor field. We are convinced that it is our responsibility to deepen mutual understanding through various support for labor-related organizations and personnel in each country, cooperate in the social development of partner countries, and ultimately cooperate in improving the lives of the people.
Fortunately, we are collectively affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)*, and also have deep relationships with ITSs (International Trade Secretariats)*. We will make maximum use of this international network. In addition, the relationships with overseas organizations that affiliated industrial federations have built up so far are also a great asset. We hereby establish the "Japan International Labour Foundation" with the purpose of providing assistance such as inviting labor-related personnel from various countries to Japan, holding local seminars, providing daily materials, and further enhancing scholarship systems for human resource development and local educational facilities, and supporting labor movements in foreign countries so that they can contribute to the development of the lives of the people as part of the NGOs of that country.
*Note: The ICFTU merged with the WCL in 2006 to form the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation). ITSs are now referred to as GUFs (Global Union Federations).