Workers in Japan rebuild their unions

From the 1950’s up to the 1970’s, workers in Japan were well organised and had strong, militant unions. Following years of economic restructuring, anti union laws and co-option of sections of the leadership, unions in Japan are facing a tough climate in which to grow again. This weakness of the left has also had negative implications for anti nuclear activists who are now being targeted by the police.

From the 1950’s up to the 1970’s, workers in Japan were well organised and had strong, militant unions. Following years of economic restructuring, anti union laws and co-option of sections of the leadership, unions in Japan are facing a tough climate in which to grow again. This weakness of the left has also had negative implications for anti nuclear activists who are now being targeted by the police.