Don't Run Away! Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education - 1,000 Supporters Gather at Rally for Principal Doi of Mitaka High School -

　On Jan. 31, about 1,000 people participated in a rally held at Suginami Public Hall in Tokyo to support Mitaka High School Principal Nobuo Doi, who objected to Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education's decision to ban vote by hand-raising. The event organizer introduced results of a survey subjected to high school teachers, which revealed totally the opposite voices to the board's research. While the board found teachers see "no problem" with the decision, the organizer's survey conveyed voices saying,"The number of teachers who raise voices (since the decision) at meetings has declined," "It has become more difficult to speak up" and "Negative impacts are seen inthe freedom of speech." "The board of education has been avoiding confrontation," Principal Doi said. "If there is anything that I did wrong, I will apologize. The board should come out to the public place and openly discuss the issue." (By Masanori Yumoto) See Video on Union Tube.




　逃げるな！都教委～三鷹・土肥校長を支える集会に1000名
　1月31日、東京都教育委員会が出した職員会議での「挙手・採決禁止」通知へ異議を唱えた土肥信雄さん（都立三鷹高校校長・写真）を支える集会が、東京・杉並公会堂で開催された。集会には1000名が参加し、大きな盛り上がりをみせた。集会では、主催者が独自に実施した高校教員アンケートが紹介されたが、「職員会議の教員の発言数は減った」「発言しにくくなった」「言論の自由への悪影響があった」などの声が圧倒的で、都教委調査の「問題ない」とまったく逆の実態が明らかにされた。土肥校長は、「都教委はこれまで逃げてばかりいる。私に間違っている点があれば私は謝る。都教委は、公の場に出てきて討論すべきだ」と強く訴えた。（湯本雅典） ・動画（UnionTube）

Isuzu Motors Ltd. Should Take Responsibility for Employees! 300 People Protest at Headquarters

　About 300 supporters and workers from Zenzosen (All Japan Shipbuilding and Engineering Union) Isuzu Motors Branch/Shonan Union fiercely protested at Isuzu’s main headquarters in Tokyo's Omori area on Jan. 27. In cold wind, the unionists distributed fliers to employees reporting to the company and Union President Furohashi,through a microphone, accused of management of slashing employees without any second thoughts. After joining the union, 33 members are struggling in solidarity to take their jobs back. On Dec. 26, the company withdrew dismissal of seasonal workers amid escalating labor movement and heightened public criticis. But the automaker has not taken any measures for employment and housing for the temp workers except for extending rental contract of its dormitory. After the protest on this day, they held the 6th collective bargaining with the management in Fujisawa. (See Video on Union Tube)




　いすゞ自動車はすべての雇用責任を取れ！300名が本社に抗議
　11月に期間工と派遣労働者1400人の首を切ったいすゞ自動車に対して、全造船関東地協いすゞ自動車分会・同湘南ユニオンは神奈川・東京の支援労働者ら合計約300名が1月27日午前、東京大森のいすゞ自動車本社に激しい怒りの抗議行動を行った。寒風の中、出勤するいすゞ本社労働者に対してビラまきを行い、風呂橋委員長がハンドマイクで無責任な首切りをした経営者を厳しく糾弾した。期間工や派遣で首きりあった33名の労働者が組合に結集し闘っている。労働者の闘いと社会の批判の前に会社は12月26日、期間工の解雇を撤回したが、派遣労働者に対しては寮の滞在を延長しただけで何の雇用・生活保障をしていない。この日本社抗議の後、藤沢で第6回団体交渉を行った。・動画（UnionTube）

Violent Execution of Forced Eviction at Keihin Hotel - Protesters at Picket Line Resist in Protection of Rightsto Life -

　In the morning of Jan. 25, police forced eviction of workers who took over the management of Keihin Hotel after the business went bankrupt. Having sensed the danger, the workers and a support union organized the defensive action overnight. Nearly 300 workers resisted by saying, "Don't deprive the rights to life of the employees of Keihin Hotel." Shortly after 9 a.m., the authorities ordered the riot police to attack the workers at the picket line (See photo). As the workers blocked the entry, the battle continued for 25 minutes. The raid police pulled the unionists one by one, and by 9:30 a.m. it forced entry to the hotel. "Is this the Japanese law? The police who is supposed to protect citizens should never be forgiven for taking such an action against them. We will not yield. We will spring back," said the union representative Kanamoto(photo), who fell to the ground in angry tears. (By M. See video clips on UnionTube and YouTube filmed by nikepolitics.)




　京品ホテルに暴力的強制執行～「生存権奪うな」ピケ隊が必死の抵抗
　1月25日早朝、ついに倒産解雇で自主営業を続けていた京品ホテルに明け渡しの強制執行が行われた。危険を察知した当該と支援労組は、前日から徹夜で防衛態勢をとり、300人近い労働者が「京品ホテル従業員の生存権を奪うな」と訴えた。午前9時すぎ、執行官は機動隊を引き連れ、ホテル前のピケ隊に襲いかかった（写真）。ピケ隊は体を張って抵抗し、25分間も壮絶な押し合いが続いた。機動隊は一人ずつ「ゴボウ抜き」を繰り返し、ついに9時30分ホテルに突入した。当該支部の金本委員長（写真）は「これが日本の法律か。人を守るための警察がこんなことをして許されるか。このまま負けない。必ず戻ってきます」と語ると、怒りで泣き崩れた。（M） 動画2本 UnionTube・YouTube版・nikepoliticsさんの動画

Toru Hasuike Talks about Abduction Issue - Negotiation As the Only Way Out

　On Jan. 24, Asia Press Club held a lecture by Toru Hasuike(former deputy director of abductees’ families network/ photo). About 250 people packed the venue at Bunkyo Kumin Center. They listened attentively as if trying not to miss a word of the stories behind the scenes of negotiations on the abductees. Hasuike severely criticized former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi for settling the negotiation with returns of the five abductees and the deaths of eight others upon visiting North Korea on Sept. 17, 2002. Attempts to resolve through political channel have failed three times there after. “The current government and mass media have completely failed to think. We can’t resolve this issue just by blaming the North for being evil. I was considered a hardliner, but I didn’t have enough time to think about it, but now I believe negotiations are the only way out,” Hasuike said. The lecture has made audience think about the abduction issue. Photo by Asia Press Club homepage



　蓮池透さんが拉致事件を語る -「話し合いしか活路はない」
　1月24日、アジア記者クラブ主催の蓮池透さん（拉致被害者家族連絡会元副代表・写真）の講演会があった。会場の東京・文京区民センターには250人が集まり超満員。弟の拉致事件の発端から交渉の舞台裏に至る生々しい話に、観客は一言も漏らすまいと耳を傾けた。蓮池さんは、02年9月17日小泉訪朝時の「5人生存・8人死亡」という政治決着は「日本政府と北朝鮮による謀略」と厳しく批判した。その後3回にわたる政治決着はすべて失敗。「現在の政府とマスコミは思考停止になっている。北が悪いと言っているだけでは解決しない。私は強硬派といわれていたが、当時はじっくり考える余裕がなかった。今は北と話し合って活路を見いだすしかないと思っている」と語った。拉致問題に一石を投じる蓮池講演だった。 全体写真・アジア記者クラブHP　

Say No to Israel’s Occupation, Blockade - Mari Oka Lectures

　In the afternoon of Jan. 18, more than 260 people gathered at Tokyo’s Rapasu Hall for the rally to protest attack on the Gaza Strip. The movie “Rainbow” was shown and Mari Oka (photo) lectured on what we can do to help. Oka talked about persecution of Palestinians after the establishment of Israel as a nation 60 years ago and how Palestinians became refugees, as well as Israel’s occupation of the west bank of River Jordan and the Gaza Strip. She then talked about the history of blockade of the Gaza Strip three years ago, and she also said that we have allowed the genocide by overlooking tragedy of Palestinians as other peoples’matter. “The root of the problem is Israel’soccupation and blockade,” she said. “Silence means you approve. While we are at cease-fire, we should raise our voices to stop occupation and blockage.” (By Yumi Sasaki)

　今こそイスラエルの占領と封鎖にノーを～岡真理さんが講演
　1月18日午後東京・ラパスホールで、「ガザ攻撃に抗議する集会」が開かれ、定員を大幅に超える260名以上が集まり熱気に包まれた。集会ではパレスチナ映画「レインボー」の上映と岡真理さん（写真）の講演「私たちに何ができるか」が行われた。岡さんは、60年前のイスラエル国家創設によるパレスチナ人の追放と難民化、40年前のイスラエルによるヨルダン川西岸とガザ地区の占領、そして3年前のガザ封鎖の歴史を述べ、この間ずっとパレスチナ人の悲劇を他人事として黙認してきた私たちが、今回の大量殺戮を許してしまったと語った。そして「問題の根源はイスラエルの占領と封鎖にある。沈黙は容認だ。停戦の今こそ占領と封鎖をやめろと声を上げよう」と訴えた。（佐々木有美）

Tent City for Jobless (movie with English title)

Tent City for Jobless over the New Years Period was opened at Hibiya Park in Tokyo. Many temp workers who were laid off gathered. Produced by Video Press. Subtitled by Internationl division of Labor Net Japan.

年越し派遣村（動画：英語字幕版）

東京・日比谷公園で行なわれた「年越し派遣村」の記録です。この英語字幕版は、2月4 日の外国特派員協会記者会見で上映された。制作＝ビデオプレス、字幕翻訳＝レイバーネ ット日本国際部。

“Firing temp workers is a crime by companies” ? It is time for trade unions to be at the forefront of finger-pointing”

On January 15, 2009, a “Fundamentally Revise the Worker Dispatch Law Now!” meeting was held at the Japan Education Center in central Tokyo and the venue was packed with 400 participants. The place was filled with excitement, following the success of the “Haken (dispatched workers) Village”. Many participants were moved by a story of a “villager”, who said, “I was saved by the Haken Village as I knew it on the day when I was prepared for suicide”. Yuasa Makoto, leader of the village, made the following proposal in the symposium, “The situation will be even worse. What we need to do is to pressure local governments nationwide into building shelters and opening consultation services. Koyano Takeshi, Takeshi Koyano, secretary general of Japan Construction and Trasport Industry Workers Solidarity Union, appealed, “Firing temporary workers before the termination of their contracts is the most serious crime committed by companies in postwar Japan. We, as a trade union, pursue the responsibility of big businesses as our role”. The epoch-making meeting was gathered by Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation), Zenroren (National Confederation of Trade Unions) and Zenrokyo trade union confederation across their policy boundaries.


「派遣切りは企業による犯罪」～労働組合は責任追及の先頭に立とう


　1月15日、「やっぱり必要！派遣法抜本改正」集会が日本教育会館で開かれ、会場あふれる400人が集まった。派遣村の成功を受けて会場は終始、熱気と感動に包まれた。「自殺を覚悟した日に偶然派遣村を知り救われた」という「村民」の話では、涙をぬぐう人が多かった。メインのシンポジウムで（写真）、湯浅誠村長は「これから事態はもっと深刻になる。いまやることは全国の自治体に働きかけてシェルターと相談窓口を作らせることだ」と提起した。また小谷野全日建書記長は「派遣切りは戦後最大の企業による犯罪。大企業の責任を追及するのがわれわれ労働組合の仕事だ」と訴えた。集会には連合・全労連・全労協が垣根をこえて集まり、画期的集いとなった。

Israel, stop occupation and invasion to Gaza! Series of demos gathered by 1,500 and 250 in Tokyo

About 1,500 people gathered at a rally held by the “Light to Gaza! Jan 10 Peace Rally Executive Committee” (hosted by 12 groups, such as the Japan International Volunteer Center, or JVC, and Peace Boat) at Shiba Park in central Tokyo. The demonstrators, including many Palestinians and people from outside Japan, marched to the Roppongi district, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in the winter cold. On January 11, a “Speak-out and Demonstration: Israel, Stop Occupation and Invasion to Gaza!” meeting was held in Yotsuya, Tokyo. About 250 people joined the event. Abe Hiromi, expert on international human rights law; Ukai Satoshi, member of Teach-in Okinawa and professor of Hitotsubashi University; and Ogura Toshimaru, member of the People’s Plan Study Group delivered speeches there. Then, the participants walked in the Shinjuku district in the evening, chanting, “Free! Free! Palestine”, “No More Genocide”and“No More Occupation”.


イスラエルは占領とガザ侵攻をやめろ！東京で1500人、250人の連日デモ



　東京・芝公園に「1・10ガザに光を！　ピースパレード実行委員会」（日本国際ボランティアセンター(JVC)、ピ－スボートなど12団体呼び掛け）の主催で約1500人が集まり、デモを行った。多くのパレスチナ人や外国人も参加し、寒空の下でイスラエルの即時停戦を叫びながら六本木まで行進した。また、11日、東京・四谷で「スピークアウト＆デモ：イスラエルは占領とガザ侵攻をやめろ！」集会が開かれ、約250人が集まった。阿部浩己さん（国際人権法）・鵜飼哲さん（ティーチイン沖縄）・小倉利丸さん（ピープルズプラン研究所）らが集会で発言した。参加者はその後、「フリーフリー パレスチナ」「ジェノサイド ノーモア」「オキュペイション ノーモア」とシュプレヒコールをあげながら、夜の新宿をデモ行進した。

Why silent, Mitarai-san -- Open letter at Keidanren’s new-year party

Eight trade unions, leading ex-dispatched workers who were dismissed before their contracts would terminate, tried to present an “open letter” to Mitarai Fujio, president of Kendanren (Japan Federation of Economic Organizations) in the afternoon of January 6, 2009. The question was, “Why are you silent despite an increase in social instability as a result of the harsh dismissal of temporary and dispatched workers by Keidanren member companies, such as Canon and Toyota, while people and local governments are working hard to tackle the problem?” The demonstrators visited Hotel New Otani, where the federation’s new-year party was held. The lobby of the hotel was filled with more than a hundred persons including news reporters, making the hotel upset. The confusion continued as Keidanren refused to receive the letter, but it was finally settled down when the hotel decided to keep it. Mr. Mitarai hopefully felt the anger of the dismissed closely.
* Photo: Approaching the venue with the open letter in hand (Front: Hotel staffs stopping the demonstrators from entering)


何もしないの？御手洗さん～経団連・新年賀詞交歓会に公開質問状


　1月6日午後、派遣切りされた人を先頭に8つのユニオンが経団連御手洗会長に「公開質問状」を提出する行動が取り組まれた。質問内容は、「キヤノン・トヨタなど経団連の会員企業の乱暴な非正規職解雇の結果、社会不安が増大した。市民や自治体が奔走しているのに、あなたたちは何もしないのですか?」というもの。メンバーらは、交歓会が開かれているホテルニューオータニに乗り込んだ。受付ロビーはマスコミを含めた100人以上で埋まり、ホテル側は大あわて。経団連が受け取りを拒否したため混乱がつづいたが、ホテル側が質問状を預かることで決着をみた。御手洗会長も派遣切りされた人の怒りを身近に感じたにちがいない。（M） ＊写真＝公開質問状を手に会場に向かう（手前は妨害するホテル側）

We can change society! ? “Haken Village” members march to the Parliament

On January 5, 2009, the “Year-Crossing Haken (dispatched workers) Village” set in Hibiya Park, central Tokyo, totally withdrew and more than 340 “villagers” moved to new facilities. The total number of “villagers” was about 500, and they were supported by about 1,700 volunteers. Donations sent to the village amounted to 23,150,000 yen. At a meeting before marching to the Parliament, Abe Makoto, Secretary General of Japan Community Union Federation, passionately said, “The Haken Village started small but achieved big. We acted together and reached hope for changing society. Let’s continue our action and struggle for achieving work without fear”. A long line of demonstrators to the Parliament was exactly a “march of the poor in anger”. Eventually, a meeting was held in the Diet building about the issue and many lawmakers joined it.

世の中は変えられる！～「派遣村」が国会へデモ


　1月5日、日比谷公園の「年越し派遣村」は撤収を終え、340人を超える人々が新たな施設に移動した。この間、入村者は約500名で、ボランティアは約1700名に達した。全国から寄せられたカンパは2315万円だった。国会に向けたデモ出発集会で全国ユニオンの安部誠さんは「派遣村は、ささやかだが大きな成果を生んだ。我々と皆さんの活動によって、世の中は変えられるんだ、という希望を持つことができた。みんなが安心して働ける世の中をつくるために、これからも一緒にたたかっていこう」と熱く呼びかけた。国会に向かう長蛇のデモは、まさに「怒りの貧者の行進」そのものだった。その後、院内集会がもたれ多数の国会議員が集まった。