Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 600 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
News from the Scene in Seoul: Full-hearted Apology toward Harumoni (Nannies) Now! - Wednesday Demonstration Takes Place in Front of the Japanese Embas
On October 15 (Wednesday) In front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, a regular Wednesday action took place for demanding the Japanese government to settle the issue of the sexual slavery facilitated by the Japanese Imperial Army. This rally is held on every Wednesday with latest one being the 835th. About 70 participants were not only from South Korea but also from overseas (the USA and Japan). The Japanese government has not reversed its stance that it will never make formal reparation as a state for victims of the sexual slavery. In recent years, the government has shown its very retrogressive attitude in that it has eliminated descriptions of so-called "military comfort women" from textbooks for public schools. Yun Mi Hyang, a joint representative of the he Council for the Solution of the Issue of the Volunteers Corps, emphasized, "Full-hearted apology toward harumoni is what I like to request to the Japanese government, the most." (Reporting: Masanori, Animation: UnionTube)
ソウル現地取材 : ハルモニに誠意ある謝罪を!日本大使館前水曜デモ
10月15日(水)、韓国ソウルの日本大使館前で日本軍による軍隊「慰安婦」問題の解決を日本政府に要求する定期水曜デモが行なわれた。この集会は、毎週欠かさず水曜日に行なわれ、今回で835回を数える。集会には韓国内はもとより海外(アメリカ、日本など)からの参加者約70名が参加した。日本政府は、現在も軍隊慰安婦に対する国家としての正式な賠償は行なわないという態度をくずしていない。近年では、公立学校の教科書から軍隊「慰安婦」の記述を削除するという極めて後退した態度をとっている。韓国挺身隊問題対策協議会のユン・ミヒャン共同代表は、「日本政府に対して最も求めたいことは、ハルモ二に対する誠意ある謝罪だ」と強調した。(湯本雅典) 動画(UnionTube)
Block Extension of Fuel Supply Activity by SDF! -Article Nine Revision Blocking Association's Sit-in Goes on in Front of the Diet Building
"Let's stop the SDF's fuel supply activity in the Indian Ocean." On October 14, the Article Nine Revision Blocking Association formed by the Zengakuren/Zenkyoto generation resumed sit-in protest in front of the Diet building (see photo). Forty members participate every day with appeals, "Put an end to the Aso administration that aims to make preemptive revision of Article 9" and "Democratic Party of Japan, don't use the bill for extending the new fuel supply law as a bargaining tool for Diet dissolution." In the House of Representatives, a session started for deliberation on the New Anti-terrorism Special Measures Law (New Law for MSDF Refuelin Activities in the Indian Ocean) on October 10, making the political situation tense as the law is to be sent to the House of Councilors after its adoption in a plenary session in the House of Representatives on 21st at the earliest. On 20th, citizen groups and labor unions will stage an emergency action in front of the Diet building. See homepages of the organizations involved.
自衛隊の給油活動延長を許すな!~改憲阻止の会が国会前座りこみ
「自衛隊のインド洋給油活動をやめさせよう」と、全学連・全共闘世代の「9条改憲阻止の会」が、10月14日からふたたび国会前で座りこみを開始した(写真)。連日40名が参加し「9条改憲の先取りを狙う麻生内閣にとどめを刺そう」「民主党は“解散”の取引に給油新法延長法案を使うな」と訴えている。衆院では10日から新テロ対策特別措置法(インド洋派兵給油新法)の審議に入っており、21日にも衆院本会議採決で参院へ、という緊迫した状況になっている。20日には、市民団体・労働組合による国会前緊急行動が行われる。 当該HP
Meeting of Citizens and Diet Members for Radical Revision of the Temporary Staffing Services Law - Smashing Is the Only Solution for Proposition of th
Concerning the revision of the Temporary Staffing Services Law, the seedbed of the working poor, the Labor Policy Council made a proposition on September 24 to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In opposition to the proposition, citizens and some Diet members had a meeting on October 9 in an Upper House conference room. The room was more than full of 150 participants from labor unions and the media. In relay talks, Satoshi Kamata, Takao Saito, Makoto Yuasa and Karin Amamiya emphasized before anything else the need for a move to change the basic framework of the gap-widening society while revealing that the Labor Policy Council's proposition could never remedy the situation in any sense. In this meeting, there was also an appeal from a member of the newborn union of detached cabin attendants for Turkish Airlines concerning the actual state of the disguised contracting practices involved. In concluding remarks, Asami Nakano from the Dispatched Workers' Network said with anger, "Today's talks have made me convinced that the Labor Policy Council's proposition must be smashed, not protested."
派遣法の抜本改正求め院内集会~労政審建議はフンサイしかない!
ワーキングプアの温床である労働者派遣法の改正をめぐって、9月24日労働政策審議会(労政審)は厚生労働省に建議を行ったが、これに反対する院内集会が10月9日、参院会議室で開かれた。労組関係者・メディアなど150名が集まり超満員だった。鎌田慧・斎藤貴男・湯浅誠・雨宮処凛の各氏のリレートークでは、労政審建議では何の改善にもならず、何より格差社会の基本的枠組みを変えていく必要性が強調された。また、最近組合をつくったトルコ航空派遣添乗員が偽装派遣の実状を訴えた。まとめの発言で、派遣労働ネットの中野麻美さんは「きょうの話を通して、労政審建議は異議ありどころかフンサイしかないことを確信した」と怒りをこめて語った。
A DVD entitled "Iraq Veterans Uprising" Completed - Appeal from Patricia
A DVD entitled "Iraq Veterans Uprising" has now been completed. Patricia McCann of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) actively staging anti-war actions around the US visited Japan this summer by invitation of Zenko (National Assembly for Peace and Democracy" She gave talks to young people describing her Iraq War experiences as well as specifically introducing energetic activities of IVAW across the inside and outside the military. Patricia gave insight into the reality behind the fact that actually 72% of US troops are against the occupation. She also talked about their diversified activities criticizing the military recruiting operations targeting poor families. Her visit was a valuable one as the first opportunity to introduce IVAW and their activities to the Japanese. Please make good use of this DVD "Iraq Veterans Uprising" containing Patricia's words in her own voice. Footage: 25 minutes. Priced at \3000. Contact: MABUI CINE COOP (e-mail address: mabui1011@nifty.com)
DVD「立ち上がるイラク帰還兵」が完成~パトリシアさんの訴え
DVD「立ち上がるイラク帰還兵」が完成しました。全米各地で活発な反戦行動を繰り広げている「戦争に反対するイラク帰還兵の会(IVAW)」のパトリシア・マッカーンさんがこの夏、全交の招きで来日。IVAWの軍内外をむすぶ精力的な活動を具体的に紹介すると共に、彼女のイラク戦争体験を若者たちに語りました。パトリシアさんは、米軍兵士の実に72%が占領に反対している実態を明らかにし、また貧困家庭を狙いうちにした軍のリクルート活動を批判する様々な取り組みをしていることを、伝えてくれました。IVAWとは何か、どんな活動をしているのかを初めて紹介する貴重な訪日でした。パトリシアさんの肉声を収録したDVD「立ち上がるイラク帰還兵」をぜひご活用下さい。25分・3000円。(マブイ・シネコープ) 問合せ先(メール mabui1011@nifty.com )
4600 Attend National Youth Grand Rally - Giving Momentum to the Youth-based Anti-Poverty Campaign
On October 5, National Youth Grand Rally 2008 for Job for Decent and Humane Life was held in response to the call from the Metropolitan Youth Union and Zenroren (National Confederation of Trade Unions) Youth Chapter among other organizations in Meiji Park, Tokyo, making a great success by attracting 4600 participants. Young workers gave talks from the podium, representing those struggling against disguised contracting by Panasonic Plasma Display Co., Ltd. (renamed from Matsushita Plasma), Nichia Corporation and Canon. The rally received solidarity speeches from Kazuyoshi Ikeda from Gaten-kei Rentai (Japan Construction and Transport Industry Workers Solidarity Union), Chie Matsumoto fighting against the disguised contracting by Herald Asahi, Makoto Yuasa from the Anti-Poverty Network, Karin Amamiya, an author, among others. A youth rally of this size is epoch making and the first one focused on the youth employment issue. The rally promised further surges of anti-poverty campaign driven by young people. Reporting: Makoto Kawazoe. See Metropolitan Youth Union HP and Animation (Kyoto Minpo).
全国青年大集会に4600人~若者中心の「反貧困労働運動」にはずみ
首都圏青年ユニオンや全労連青年部などがよびかけた「まともに生活できる仕事を!人間らしく働きたい!全国青年大集会2008」が10月5日、東京・明治公園で開かれ、4600名の参加で大成功だった。松下プラズマ・日亜化学・キヤノンの偽装請負とたたかう若者たちが壇上から発言した。集会では、ガテン系連帯の池田一慶さん、ヘラルド朝日の偽装請負とたたかう松元千枝さん、反貧困ネットワークの湯浅誠さん、作家の雨宮処凛さんらが連帯の挨拶を行なった。これだけの規模の若者の集会というのは画期的であり、若者の雇用問題に限った集会としては初めてである。若者中心の「反貧困労働運動」がこれからさらに盛り上がることを確信した集会だった。(河添誠)
・首都圏青年ユニオンHP ・動画(京都民報)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tour Conductors Protest at Tokyo Big Sight ~ Video Uploaded on Union Tube
On Sept. 21, National Union of General Workers Tokyo Tobu's Hankyu Travel Support Branch protested at the World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair held at Tokyo Big Sight (See photos).The video is uploaded on Union Tube. Despite the rain, more than 50 tour guides, members of other Tobu union branches and supporters joined the protest. They raised large banners reading, "We demand better working conditions for tour conductors!" in front of the main gate at the venue, as they shouted, "JATA doesn't understand tour conductors' feelings!" Tour guides on buses passing by cheered on and sent out encouragements. Video (Union Tube)
東京ビッグサイトで添乗員アピール行動~ユニオンチューブに動画アップ
全国一般東京東部労組・阪急トラベルサポート支部は9月21日、東京ビッグサイトで開催されている「世界旅行博」へのアピール行動(写真)を行なったが、その時の動画がユニオンチューブにアップされた。当日はあいにくの雨だったが、添乗員・東部労組各支部・支援の仲間など総勢50名を超える参加があった。ビッグサイト正門前では「添乗員の待遇改善を!」と書いた大型プラカードを掲げ、「添乗員の気持ちがわかってないのは・JATAだ!」のシュプレヒコールが響いた。バスガイドさんたちから「がんばってください!」「応援しています!」の激励の言葉もあった。動画(UnionTube)
'We Must Protect Freedom of Expression' ~ Principal Dohi Openly Criticizes Tokyo Board of Education
Tokyo Mitaka High School Principal Nobuo Dohi (See photo) is demanding that Metropolitan Board of Education hold open discussion on its prohibition of voting on resolutions by hand-raising. Since the education board refuses to respond, Dohi expressed his true opinions at a gathering titled, "In demand for freedom of expression at schools," which was held in Tokyo on Sept. 27. As public interests in this issue are widespread, a few hundred attendees poured outside the venue with a capacity of 350 before the event opened. Dohi talked for more than an hour about how much the education board had suppressed expression at educational institutions. "School principals are treated like convenience store managers, and we are made to act like robots that obey orders from the top. This is making things worse for teachers and students: They are the victims. We must protect freedom of expression, which is the most important principle at schools, otherwise, you can no longer call them places of learning. That's why I stood up," he said. Applaud filled the hall. Following Dohi's speech, a panel discussion was held among Atsuchi Okamoto, Hidenori Fujimoto, Naoki Ogi, Tetsu Ishizaka and Hirofumi Nishihara. (By T. Yokoyama) See video (Union Tube) Related video clips (MX-TV)
「言論の自由なくなったら終わり」~土肥校長が堂々と都教委を批判
都立三鷹高校の土肥信雄校長(写真)は、職員会議の挙手・採決禁止を通知した都教委に反旗を翻して、公開討論を求めている。都教委がこれに応じないため、9月27日東京で開かれた「学校に言論の自由を求めて」の集会で、思いのたけを語った。この問題への関心は高く、350人の会場は開会前にあふれ、数百人が入場できなかった。土肥さんは約1時間にわたって、都教委が教育現場で言論を圧殺してきたことを生々しく語った。「校長はコンビニ店長扱いで、上意下達のロボットにされている。これで被害を受けるのは教員であり生徒だ。学校で一番大事な言論の自由がなくなったら終わり、だから立ち上がった」と訴えると、割れんばかりの拍手が起きた。また、岡本厚・藤田英典(ひでのり)・尾木直樹・石坂啓・西原博史(ひろふみ)の各氏によるパネルトークもあった。 (T・横山)・動画(UnionTube)
・関連映像(MX-TV)
U.S. Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier George Washington Harbours at Yokosuka Port amid Protest
At 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 25, U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington made a port call at U.S. Navy's Yokosuka port. From 10:30 a.m., a welcoming reception is being held at the deck of the U.S. Seventh Fleet Blue Ridge parked next to George Washington with attendees from the United States and Japan. We do not welcome or absolutely can't allow the nuclear-powered vessel, which is to stay permanently at Yokosuka port. Workers and concerned citizens from a nationwide network to stop nuclear-powered aircraft carrier from porting at Yokosuka, an office at the demonstration front, peace forum, Kanagawa Peace Movement Center, Miura Peninsula district labor union have shouted angry slogans. Reported live from the demonstration front, see photo (Boat protesting against the aircraft carrier)
抗議の声の中 原子力空母ジョージ・ワシントンが横須賀に入港
以下、現地闘争本部の速報。「原子力空母ジョージ・ワシントンは、9月25日午前9時30分、米海軍横須賀基地に入港しました。10時30分からは、ジョージ・ワシントンに横付けした第7艦隊旗艦・ブルーリッジの甲板で、日米の関係者を招いての歓迎レセプションが開催されています。私たちは米海軍による原子力空母の横須賀母港化を歓迎することはできないし、断じて許すことができません。原子力空母横須賀母港化を許さない全国連絡会・現地闘争本部・平和フォーラム・神奈川平和運動センター・三浦半島地区労などに結集する労働者や民主団体は、午前7時に横須賀市のうみかぜ公園に集まり、入港しようとするジョージ・ワシントンに対して、怒りのシュプレヒコールを叩きつけました」 現闘ニュース・写真(空母に抗議するボート)
Labor Film Festa 2008 Touches Heart of 200 Viewers
On Sept. 20, Labor Net Japan held Labor Film Festa 2008 at Zensuido Kaikan Hall in Tokyo. Some 150 people came to see the first film of the day and currently popular "Kanikosen (Crab-canning boat)." About 100 people came to see each of the afternoon screenings of an Argentinean film, "Proxima Salida," "Be More Human -- Kokuro's 15-year Struggle," short film selections, "We Are Not Defeated." Audiences were especially impressed with the South Korean documentary of Dong-il texitile factory workers union "We Are Not Defeated," which depicts struggles and lives of women workers at the factory. The film showed the history of South Korea's democracy movement. "I was crying through the entire film," one attendee said after the film, "but the tears were not for sorrow but for the women who gave me courage." The total number of visitors exceeded that of last year at about 200.
感動を呼んだレイバー映画祭2008~トータルで200人が参加
9月20日、レイバーネット日本が主催する「レイバー映画祭2008」が東京・全水道会館で開催された。話題の映画「蟹工船」(午前)では会場一杯の150人が参加した。午後の「今夜、列車は走る」「人らしく生きよう」「短編セレクション」「私たちは風の中に立つ」も毎回100人前後が鑑賞し、終日にぎわった。とくに、韓国・トンイル紡織労組のドキュメンタリー「私たちは風の中に立つ」に描かれた女性たちのたたかいと生き方は、参加者を魅了し圧倒した。それは、韓国民衆の民主化闘争の歴史そのものを映し出すものだった。ある参加者は「ずっと泣いて観ていた。でもその涙は単なる悲しみではなく、勇気をもらう涙だった」と二次会の感想で語った。トータルの参加者は約200人で昨年を上回った。
Tokyo's Education That Continues Destroying Education ~ Gathering to Stop 'Kimigayo' Dismissal
On Sept. 19, a group to protect Junko Kawarai and Kimiko Nezu from being fired hosted a gathering in Tokyo's Nakano district to win their lawsuit. The meeting ended in a great success with about 80 people showing up, which was more than expected (See photo). A DVD, "Gakko wo yamemasu (I quit school)," which was produced by former elementary school teacher, Masanori Yumoto, was screened at the outset of the event. The movie showed how bad Tokyo's educational institutions have become. After the movie, Mr. K of Machida Teachers Union reported on Tokyo Education Board's dismissal guidelines and current situation at schools. The teacher said that nearly 100 newly-employed teachers left their jobs within a year and at least one newly-hired teacher has committed suicide every year in the past four years as teachers are overworked with no breathing space. Rather than being revived, education is being destroyed fast in Tokyo. (By Hidekiyo Watanabe)
教育破壊が進行する東京の教育~「君が代」解雇をさせない会が集会
9月19日、河原井さん根津さんらの「君が代」解雇をさせない会が主催する「裁判の勝利をめざす」集会が、東京・中野で開かれ、予想を上回る約80人が参加、熱気ある内容の濃い集いとなった(写真)。最初に、元小学校教師・湯本雅典さん制作のDVD「学校を辞めます」が上映されたが、いかに東京の教育現場が病んでいるかが分かるものだった。次に都教委が7月15日に出した「分限対応指針」(首切りガイドライン)について、町田教組のKさんが職場の実態と結びつけて報告した。教育現場は多忙化とゆとりのなさが蔓延し、この4年間で毎年新採用者が1人づつ自死しており、1年の試用期間で100人近い新採者がやめている、という。東京では「教育再生」どころか、とんでもない「教育破壊」が進行していた。(渡部秀清)
Friday, October 17, 2008
60 TMPCWA Members Protest in Front of Toyota HQ
A “Rally for Sending the Negotiating Team to Toyota” started at 9 AM of September 15, 2008 in front of its headquarters. President Ed Cubelo and Vice President Wenecito Urgel of the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA), the leaders of the groups to support the struggle in Aichi and Kanagawa Prefectures, and Mr. Wakatsuki Tadao of the All Toyota Labor Union protested Toyota and delivered messages of solidarity with workers. Seven delegates including Secretary General Hayakawa of the All Japan Shipbuilding and Engineering Union (SEU) negotiated with the persons in charge on the Toyota side. How were our demands treated during the negotiation? Mr. Cubelo criticized Toyota’s collusive relationship with the Arroyo administration of the Philippines and appealed that his “life was threatened” by the Philippine Army. Other participants in the rally insisted that Toyota was responsible for anything that would possibly happen to members of the union and demanded the Toyota staffs inform the appeal to their superior while setting rules for confirming that their demands have been passed accordingly. However, the Toyota staffs did not show any sincerity, saying, “We will inform your demands to our boss. Local matters are supposed to be solved locally”.
フィリピントヨタ労組が60人で直接トヨタ本社に抗議
15日午前9時から、トヨタ自動車本社前での「交渉団送り出し・本社前集会」が始まり、愛知の会、支援する会(神奈川)各代表、TMPCWAのエド、ウェニー両氏、若月全トヨタ労組委員長らがトヨタへの抗議、労働者連帯の挨拶を行なった。全造船関東地協・早川事務局長を含む7人の交渉団が本社の担当者と会談した。この間、私たちの申し入れをどのように検討したか。エド委員長からは、トヨタのアロヨ政権癒着、陸軍部隊による“身の危険”が訴えられ、他の参加者からも、トヨタは責任ある立場だ、万が一にも事が起これば、トヨタその責任を負わねばならない。このことを上司にしっかり伝えよ、その確認のルールを決めたい、などを申し入れた。しかし、トヨタ側は「伝える。現地のことは現地で解決」と全く誠意のない態度に終始した。
Dispute at Citizen Seimitsu Korea Solved ? Delegates Leave a Message
On September 12, 2008, an agreement was reached and concluded between the Korea Metal Workers’ Union affiliated to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which is the superior body of the Citizen Seimitsu Korea Union, and JT Precision established by Koryo TTR that acquired all the shares of Citizen Seimitsu Korea. According to the agreement, JT Precision will resume operations, drop any charges against the union, reinstate the fourteen dismissed workers, hire union members and take over lengths of service specified in the collective agreement, as well as preparing the settlement package, securing the volume of orders to be received from Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., the previous parent company, for two years for employment stabilization, and maintaining the 2008 collective agreement on the wage. Upon the agreement, all of the South Korean delegates to Japan that continued their struggle in front of the Citizen Headquarters returned to their country on September 13. They released their “Message upon Return to South Korea” (see photo) in Union Tube.
韓国シチズン精密労組の争議が終結~遠征団が帰国の辞
9月12日、韓国シチズン精密労組の上部団体である民主労総金属労組と韓国シチズン精密の全株を買い取った高麗TTRが設立したJT精密とが合意に達し、協定が結ばれた。合意書では、9月18日から操業を再開、会社側は労組に対する一切の告訴告発と14名の解雇撤回、組合員の雇用および労組の団体協約勤続年数の継承を認めたほか、解決和解金などの支払い、雇用安定のために従来の親会社であった日本のシチズン時計に対して2年間の受注物量を確保する、2008年賃金団体協約を維持するなどだ。これにより、6月に来日しシチズン本社前で闘争を続けていた日本遠征団も13日に全員が帰国した。またユニオンチューブに「帰国の辞」(写真)を発表した。 (UnionTube)
Appeal to Public Opinion - Nakano Hayato’s “Hikyaku” Caravan Crosses the Finish Line
In the afternoon of September 12, 2008, “Nakano Hayato’s Tokaido Hikyaku Caravan”, which campaigned for the resolution of the firing of 1,047 former national railways workers, arrived at Nihombashi in central Tokyo, the final destination. Mr. Nakano (photo) had continued running for 500 kilometers from Kyoto since September 3 in a traditional “hikyaku” postal deliverer costume. He was very fine and enthusiastically welcomed by about 70 supporters. The following persons also ran together with Mr. Nakano: Mr. Mizumoto, member of the Kokuro (National Railworkers’ Union) Kitami Struggle Group; supporters from Miyoshi City Workers’ Union in Shikoku Island; and Mr. Takaku, retired Kokuro member. Mr. Nakano said with a suntanned smiley face, “It is impossible to carry out the caravan alone. It was possible thanks to the support of many people. I am happy if I can appeal to public sentiment even a little”. On that day, a reporter of Hokkaido Shimbun, local newspaper in Hokkaido, interviewed with him. During the campaign, many news media reported the caravan and the issue of the mass firing of the former national railway workers. (See Union Tube and relevant websites)
世論にアピール~中野勇人の飛脚キャラバンがゴール
1047名国鉄労働者の解雇問題の解決を求める「中野勇人の東海道飛脚キャラバン」が9月12日午後、東京・日本橋にゴールした。9/3京都から9/12まで500キロを飛脚スタイルで駆け抜けた中野さん(写真=ガッツポーズ)だが、とても元気で、約70名の人々の熱烈な歓迎を受けた。また国労北見闘争団の水本さん、四国・三好市職労の仲間、国労OBの高久さんも併走した。中野さんは「キャラバンは自分一人ではできない。多くの人の支えがあって実現できた。少しでも世論にアピールできればうれしい」と真っ黒に日焼けした笑顔で語った。この日は「北海道新聞」が取材に来たが、道中、多くのメディアがキャラバンと国鉄問題を報道した。
動画(UnionTube) ・当該サイト
Learn How to Communicate! - MediR Classes Start in October in Full Scale
MediR, citizens’ media center, provisionally started in Takadanobaba, central Tokyo in June 2008 as a “new place to learn and transmit”. There have been five classes, such as a “You can also produce a short video” one, for three months since last June. MediR will start in full scale after October with the considerably larger number of classes. Those of the second half of financial year 2008 include a “class to think about society through films” hosted by Kinoshita Masaaki, film critic, and a “caricature workshop“. On September 27, the opening event was held with the slogan “Learn How to Communicate”. Images of the candle-lit demonstration joined by a million people were shown and a memorial symposium joined by Kim Myeong-jun, president of the Media Center in South Korea, was held during the event. All the classes are now available. MediR WEB site
伝える力 つかもう!~メディアールが10月より本格開校
「新しい学びと発信の場」として市民メディアセンターMediR(メディアール)が、08年6月に東京・高田馬場で産声をあげた。6~9月には「あなたも作れる短編ビデオ講座」(写真)など5つの講座が行われてきたが、この10月からは、講座数を大幅に拡充させて本格開校する。08年後期は、木下昌明さんの「映画を通して社会を考える講座」や「風刺漫画ワークショップ」などもある。また9月27日には、本格開校記念イベント「伝える力、つかもう」が開催される。100万人キャンドルデモの映像上映や韓国メディアセンター所長のキム・ミョンジュンさんを交えてシンポジウムが行われる。現在、受講生を大募集中だ。
Recognize Former Nuclear Power Plant Worker Kiyuna Tadashi as Industrial Accident Victim Now! - Signatures Filed to MHLW
On September 11, 2008, the second action for the recognition of Mr. Kiyuna Tadashi, who worked at nuclear power plants and died of malignant lymphoma, as work-related accident victim was carried out from 1 PM at the Office Building of the House of Councilors (Upper House). About 50 persons joined the action. Kiyuna Sueko, Tadashi’s wife, came here from Okinawa to present 61,346 (154,715 in accumulated total) signatures collected from all over Japan to the person in charge of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Sueko appealed, “I think that the ministry officials understand exposure to radiation is bad for our health. I want them to imagine how much we are suffering. We grudge the national government. We want my husband to be recognized as industrial accident victim urgently”. (Reported by Sasaki Yumi)
原発労働者・喜友名正さんの労災認定を!~厚労省に署名提出
9月11日、「原発で働き、悪性リンパ腫で死亡した喜友名(きゆな)正さんの労災認定を求めて 第二回中央行動」が参議院議員会館で午後1時から行われた。市民を中心に約50名が参加した。故喜友名正さんの妻末子さんが沖縄から上京し、全国から届けられた6万1346筆(累計15万4715筆)の署名を厚生労働省担当官に手渡した。末子さんは、「人間が放射線を浴びること自体、身体に悪いことは厚労省もわかっていると思う。家族がどんな苦しい思いをしているか、考えてほしい。私たち家族は、国が憎い。一日でも早く労災認定をしてほしい」と訴えた。(佐々木有美)