Participants at May Day rallies call for wiping out poverty, economic disparities

Thursday 01st May, 01:11 PM JST

TOKYO —

Japan’s second-largest labor center, Zenroren, held May Day rallies nationwide Thursday calling for eliminating poverty and economic disparities in Japan. Zenroren President Mitsuo Bannai, speaking at the group’s main rally in Tokyo, said, ‘‘Economic disparities and poverty cannot be wiped out without an improvement in workers’ employment conditions and wages.’’

The 911,000-strong Zenroren, formally called the National Confederation of Trade Unions, said about 44,000 people attended the Tokyo rally held at Yoyogi Park. Japan’s third-largest labor group, Zenrokyo, the 150,000-member National Trade Unions Council, also staged its May Day rally Thursday at Hibiya Park in Tokyo. Japan’s largest labor organization, Rengo, the 6.75-million-strong Japanese Trade Union Confederation, held its May Day rallies nationwide Saturday.

6 Comments

telecasterplayer at 01:34 PM JST - 1st May

Economic disparities and poverty cannot be wiped out without an improvement in workers’ employment conditions and wages.

Yep, you can wipe out much of that suicide problem, too. Improve people's lots and defuse at least SOME of that hopelessness that drives them to despair.
some14some at 02:19 PM JST - 1st May

May God fulfill their demands or let dreams be dreams.
jambon at 02:26 PM JST - 1st May

wiping out poverty, economic disparities

Pure socialism. It is impossible to have both liberty and equality.
redacted at 02:42 PM JST - 1st May

Any adult who believes in May Day needs a widdle bunny even more than children do at Easter.
Alphaape at 05:26 PM JST - 1st May

‘‘Economic disparities and poverty cannot be wiped out without an improvement in workers’ employment conditions and wages.’’

I believe in paying or being paid for a fair wage for a fair days work, and that we shouldn't exploit people in the work environment, but I am not sure that I buy this "equality for everyone" bit. Even back in the old USSR, there were rich party officials (if you don't think so, why did they have a factory that produced the Zil series of limos if everyone is supposed to be equal) and party leaders that were well above that of the majority of the "workers."

I will go with treating each individual with equal respect and dignity. If they work and prove themself at being superior at what they do, then they should be paid accordingly. I don't need as much as the next guy, all I want to do is make sure that I have the same opportunity. Not that we need to start out even, but that if I want to pursue a job and I am qualified, then I should have the same chance to prove myself and work.

There are some basics that I think we all deserve, a fair chance for a decent education, medical care (or at least access to it and not have it too expensive for anyone), but equal pay for everyone, no way. There will all ways be someone who will covet and want more, and if we were all equal, then what is the use of doing anything. I would just be able to lay back, and let the "state" take care of me, and not contribute.
jambon at 12:01 AM JST - 2nd May

lay back, and let the "state" take care of me

They call this "interred." See USSR, China...