In June 2024, the RENGO Research Institute for Advancement of Living Standards (RENGO-RIALS), the think tank of Japan’s labour organization RENGO, released a comprehensive report on labour union reforms. To prepare this report, RENGO-RIALS established research groups in 2022, in collaboration with RENGO, consisting of academic experts, labour union leaders, and institute researchers. The resulting report is the largest-scale study conducted by the Institute concerning labour union organization and activities.

The content of this report covers 16 areas of labour union activities in a comprehensive manner, which RENGO-RIALS has organized into five key proposals. The first proposal emphasizes the need for labour unions to improve both their internal and external communication methods and to utilize these effectively. The second proposal calls for expanding union activities beyond the enterprise level, strengthening involvement in local community activities.

The third proposal focuses on enhancing diversity and inclusion within labour union activities. Although efforts have previously been made in this area within Japan’s labour movement, the report advocates for further advancement. The fourth proposal recommends reviewing relevant laws, policies, and systems, in connection with labour union reform. Finally, the fifth proposal suggests setting new goals and guidelines for labour union reform.

A distinctive feature of this report is its focus on enterprise-based labour unions as the primary target for reform. Unlike the two-tiered structure of industrial organizations and national centers seen in Western countries, Japan’s labour union structure typically consists of a three-tier system, with enterprise-based unions at the base, followed by industrial organizations and national centers. The significance of this report lies mainly in its ideas and specific directions for revitalizing enterprise-based unions.

In response to this report, RENGO plans to host a symposium in Tokyo on September 13th, with the aim of incorporating the report’s findings into future activities. The symposium will feature a speech by RENGO Secretary-General Hideyuki Shimizu as the host, followed by a presentation of the report’s contents and a panel discussion.

RENGO-RIALS was established in December 1987 by the predecessor organization of today’s RENGO. Its mission is to contribute significantly to improving the living standards of workers and their families, ensuring the sound development of Japan’s economy, and stabilizing employment. To this end, the Institute conducts a wide range of research and surveys on economic, social, industrial, and labour issues both domestically and internationally, and collaborates with government ministries such as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and others.

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