Latest news with #Rengo
Japan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Three Upper House candidates are creating headaches for DPP
The Democratic Party for the People (DPP) heads into the upcoming Upper House election, expected in late July, with hopes of building on its success in October's Lower House race, where it quadrupled its seats from seven to 28. As winning individual district seats could prove difficult, DPP head Yuichiro Tamaki is hoping to pick up a large number of proportional representation seats, for which ballots are cast for political parties who then decide who fills the seats that are won. 'The goal is to win 21 seats, which would allow the DPP to independently submit budget bills in the chamber,' Tamaki said during a March 4 news conference. The DPP controls 12 seats (including those who caucus with it) in the 248-member Upper House. Five, including three proportional and two district seats, are up for election this time, but the party's goal is to nearly double its total seats. Three DPP proportional seat candidates in particular, though, are creating headaches for party leaders. Yasushi Adachi, 59, is a former Nippon Ishin no Kai Lower House member who was suspended by that party last year for criticizing it. He was forced to run as an independent in the October election, which he lost. Adachi also has a record of criticizing other politicians, including Tamaki, and has expressed disapproval of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo. The DPP receives a lot of support from some of Rengo's largest labor unions, including those representing the auto industry, the electronics industry and the major electric utility companies. A second DPP candidate, Shiori Yamao — 50 and a former Lower House lawmaker with the former opposition Democratic Party, before it merged with Kibo no To to form the DPP — was forced to resign in 2017 due to an extramarital affair. A third, former Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Upper House member Genki Sudo, 47, left that party in 2020 over disagreements on lowering the consumption tax and economic issues. He had also been against nuclear power, which the DPP supports, and had made remarks about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines that made him appear to be anti-vaccine, which he denied on his X account. He also now says he has changed his stance on nuclear power. To deal with concerns about DPP candidates going off-message, Tamaki announced on May 13 that proportional representation candidates for the Upper House would be required to sign an agreement confirming they will follow DPP policy on a number of specific issues. These include agreeing to support constitutional revisions that include added provisions for a national emergency, such as a natural disaster , the use of nuclear power and a commitment to policy decisions that are based on scientific evidence. Political commentator Tetsuo Suzuki says the DPP is choosing to back the candidates despite their past controversies because they have the political experience the party needs, and they're looking to return to parliament with what they see as a rising party. 'Those hoping to make a political comeback are hoping to ride the wave of current popularity the DPP enjoys, even though the party's policies are fragmented and their national vision is still unclear," Suzuki says. Proportional representatives seeking DPP backing also had to agree to follow party polices or forfeit their seats, even if elected. One topic where members still have differences is over the question of allowing married couples to have separate surnames, which the DPP is still debating. Tamaki said that, in the end, all members will have to follow the party line on this and other issues. 'Diversity is important moving forward, so it is acceptable for there to be differing opinions on a single topic. However, it's important as part of the party's culture to adhere to decisions that have been made,' Tamaki said on May 13. Or, as DPP Secretary-General Kazuya Shimba said during a May 16 press conference, proportional representation — whereby voters select a political party with diverse individuals, some of which they may not like but all of whom are part of one party — is akin to a bento box. 'People know a bento has all kinds of different ingredients. But because there are so many different things, it becomes a single bento,' Shimba said. It is unclear whether the bento box approach to proportional candidates will translate into success in the Upper House poll, Suzuki says. However, he adds, there's another contest — the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on June 22 — in which the DPP, currently without any presence in the 127-seat assembly, wants to secure at least 11 seats, which will likely indicate how the party is to perform in the national election. 'The number of seats the DPP wins in the Tokyo election will be a good indicator of how well it performs in the Upper House election, due to the large number of independent Tokyo voters of the kind who supported the LDP last October,' he says, referring to the Liberal Democratic Party.
Yomiuri Shimbun
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba Pledges to Seek U.S. Review of Tariff Policies; Emphasizes Wage Hikes at May Day Event
Jiji Press Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the May Day event in Tokyo on Saturday. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a May Day event on Saturday the government will strongly call on the United States to review U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy to avoid hampering the momentum of wage hikes. Ishiba made the statement at the May Day central convention hosted by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo. It was the third year in a row for a prime minister to present at Rengo's May Day event. The prime minister noted the wage hike levels of small and midsize firms agreed during this spring's shunto wage negotiations exceeded those of last year. 'The economic policy's top priority is the wage hike. We'll realize wage hikes that won't succumb to rising prices,' he said. Ishiba met with Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino on April 14 for the first labor policy discussion between the head of the government and a Rengo chief in 16 years. Additionally, Yoshino became the first Rengo chief in 20 years to attend a convention of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in March. Yoshino welcomed Ishiba's attendance at the May Day event. 'We feel honored. It will help build momentum [for wage hikes],' she said. But Rengo decided to skip addresses by representatives of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People, the opposition parties it backs, to avoid adding political tones to the event.
Japan Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba vows wage hikes that keep up with inflation at May Day Event
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday vowed to realize wage hikes that keep up with the soaring cost of living, at his first May Day event since taking office last autumn. "We'll definitely realize wage hikes that would not succumb to rising prices," Ishiba said at the May Day central convention in Tokyo hosted by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo. It was the third year in a row for a Japanese prime minister to attend Rengo's May Day event. In 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida became the first Japanese leader to attend the event in nine years. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is headed by Ishiba, has become closer to Rengo recently. The first policy discussion between the prime minister and the chief of Rengo, the umbrella organization for Japanese labor unions, in 16 years was held earlier this month, while Tomoko Yoshino became the first Rengo president in 20 years to attend an LDP convention last month. Noting that the wage hike levels agreed upon during this spring's labor-management negotiations appear to be exceeding those of last year, Ishiba said, "We hope to spread this momentum (of higher wages) to smaller companies, regional areas and nonregular employment." Ishiba also said that U.S. tariffs on Japanese products "could have a major impact on the domestic industry." "We'll be strong in our negotiations with the U.S. government to protect Japanese workers," he said. Meanwhile, Yoshino said, "As salaries are a mirror of the value of workers' labor, wage hikes hold a meaning of paying respect to the value and dignity of workers." According to the organizer, about 29,200 people attended Saturday's event, including Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike and labor minister Takamaro Fukuoka. A declaration was adopted featuring a goal of spreading the moves of wage hikes to smaller firms and businesses without labor unions through building a society in which each individual is respected, diversity is recognized and no one is left behind. As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, participants also adopted a special resolution emphasizing the need to pass on the lessons of war and the importance of peace to future generations.
26-04-2025
- Business
Ishiba Vows Wage Hikes Keeping Up with Inflation at May Day Event
Tokyo, April 26 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday vowed to realize wage hikes that keep up with the soaring cost of living, at his first May Day event attended since taking office last autumn. "We'll definitely realize wage hikes that would not succumb to rising prices," Ishiba said at the May Day central convention in Tokyo hosted by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo. It was the third year in a row for a Japanese prime minister to be present at Rengo's May Day event, after then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida became the first Japanese leader to attend such an event in nine years in 2023. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which is headed by Ishiba, has become closer to Rengo recently. The first policy discussion between the prime minister and the chief of Rengo, the umbrella organization for Japanese labor unions, in 16 years was held earlier this month, while Tomoko Yoshino became the first Rengo president in 20 years to attend an LDP convention last month. Noting that the wage hike levels agreed during this spring's "shunto" labor-management negotiations appear to be exceeding those of last year, Ishiba at the May Day event said, "We hope to spread this momentum (of higher wages) to smaller companies, regional areas and nonregular employment." [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Japan Times
07-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan's nominal wages rise in bright spot as outlook darkens
Japan's nominal wages rose more than expected in a positive sign for the domestic economy just as external headwinds related to trade begin to cloud the outlook. Nominal cash earnings for workers climbed 3.1% in February from a year earlier, with the pace accelerating from a revised 1.8% in January, the labor ministry said Monday. The reading beat economists' estimate of 3%. A more stable gauge that generally irons out sampling inconsistencies showed base pay for full-time workers increased by 1.9%, slowing below 2% for the first time in 18 months. Some components of the gauge were reshuffled this time. In a reflection of persistent price pressure, real wages declined for a second straight month, falling 1.2% from a year earlier. Data due next week is expected to show that consumer prices excluding fresh food have now grown at a pace at or above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for a full three years through March. "When looking at nominal wages, the pay trend appears to be steady. However, base salaries, including the 'same-sample' dataset the BOJ is closely watching, have shown significant slowdowns, and that's concerning,' said Takayuki Toji, senior economist at Japan Post Insurance. "Since there's also the impact of sample changes this time, it's difficult to evaluate based on just a single month, but it's worrisome.' Until recently, solid wage gains were among the positive factors keeping the BOJ on the path toward more gradual rate hikes as authorities sought to normalize policy settings. That narrative was abruptly upended last week by U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of "reciprocal tariffs," which will impose a 24% across-the-board duty on Japanese goods. It's a steeper tax than many had anticipated. Economists have trimmed their growth projections for Japan and pushed back their rate hike expectations. Until last week, most saw a hike by June or July, with the outside chance of a move when authorities next set policy on May 1. Markets indicate that traders now see a rate increase in September at the earliest. Toji said July would be the earliest possible month for a hike. "Base salaries for full-time workers — a measure that smooths out distortions from survey sample changes — rose 1.9% year on year, down from a 2.9% rise in January," said Taro Kimura, economist at Bloomberg Economics. "Gov. Kazuo Ueda once said a rise of around 3% would be consistent with the 2% inflation target.' Speaking after Trump's announcement, Ueda stressed the need to monitor developments closely, while reaffirming the bank's commitment to raise rates if inflation and economic growth hold firm. Wages are expected to keep rising through at least the rest of the year, supported by strong outcomes in the latest round of annual labor talks. Japan's largest labor union federation Rengo reported last week that its members secured an average 5.42% pay hike, the biggest in over three decades, topping economists' earlier estimates of around 5%. Rengo also noted that small firms achieved a 5% increase, the highest since 1992. That points to broad-based wage momentum, as the bulk of the nation's company employees work at small firms. These increases will gradually show up in payrolls from April through the summer, according to a BOJ analysis. A tight labor market is driving the upward pressure, as employers compete to attract and retain workers. Japan's jobless rate dipped to 2.4% in February, remaining one of the lowest among developed nations. Last year a record 342 firms went bankrupt due to a manpower crunch, according to Teikoku Databank. In its January outlook report, the BOJ anticipated continued nominal wage growth, citing deepening labor constraints. Meanwhile, rising consumer prices are fueling workers' demands for better pay. In April, over 4,000 food products faced price hikes, the highest count since October 2023, according to another Teikoku Databank survey. Sticky inflation continues to weigh on real incomes, complicating policymakers' efforts to create a virtuous cycle driven by resilient domestic demand. Japan's households cut back on spending for the first time in three months in February. With a key election approaching this summer, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faces mounting pressure to address both economic and diplomatic concerns. In response to U.S. tariffs, he pledged to protect domestic industries and jobs, while continuing to press Washington for an exemption. Ishiba said he wants to put together a wide-ranging deal as the basis for negotiations with Trump. "When we negotiate with the U.S. we want to present a package. That will take some time, but we will make it a success,' Ishiba told reporters over the weekend. To support the domestic economy, Ishiba's government has introduced a raft of measures aimed at lifting incomes and easing cost pressures. The initial budget, which Ishiba's minority government managed to pass last week just a day before the start of the new fiscal year, includes a suite of price relief measures, such as extended gasoline subsidies and income tax cuts. Ishiba also vowed to outline steps to raise the minimum wage by May. He has previously set a target of increasing Japan's minimum hourly wage to ¥1,500 ($10) within five years, requiring an annual increase of over 7% from the current ¥1,055.
