Japanese trade unions and their future: Opportunities and challenges in an era of globalization

 -Trade Union-

Challenges to Japanese trade unions

In spite of significant changes in the economic environment, labour/management relations in Japan have not changed to any significant extent from the previous two decades. The basic characteristics of the company-based union, the seniority-based wage profile, the spring labour offensive that features annual wage talks early in the year, long-term employment and workforce adjustments organized primarily within the internal labour market all continue to this day. Any increase in labour disputes typical of a low-growth economy has not yet been observed. It can be said the Japanese trade union movement has made few changes in its traditional style and practice. One reason could be the fact that divisions in the post-war labour movement which persisted for years have at last been overcome and most unions have been consolidated into the 8-million strong Rengo. For the first time, trade unions have shaped themselves into a stable social force.

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