RENGO

RENGO
Japanese Trade Union Confederation
日本労働組合総連合会
Nihon Rōdōkumiai Sōrengōkai
Founded1989
HeadquartersKanda-Surugudai, Tokyo, Japan
Location
Members
6.83 million (2009)
Key people
Tomoko Yoshino, president, Hideyuki Shimizu, general secretary
AffiliationsITUC, TUAC
Websitewww.jtuc-rengo.org

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) (日本労働組合総連合会, Nihon Rōdōkumiai Sōrengōkai), commonly known as RENGO (連合, Rengō), is the largest national trade union center in Japan, with over six million members as of 2011.[1] It was founded in 1989 as a result of the merger of the Japan Confederation of Labor (Dōmei), the Federation of Independent Unions (Chūritsu Rōren) and the National Federation Of Industrial Organisations (Shinsanbetsu). In 1990, the General Council of Trade Unions of Japan (Sohyo) also joined RENGO.

As of July 2012, RENGO has 54 affiliate unions and 47 local organizations.[2]

Party affiliation

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RENGO was historically affiliated with the Democratic Party of Japan, but on June 28, 2012, president Nobuaki Koga made a speech at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters stating that the confederation may reconsider its future.[3][4] In 2014, it endorsed LDP-supported candidate Yoichi Masuzoe for the Tokyo gubernatorial election.[5]

Affiliated organizations

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Current affiliates

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Rengo HQ in Kanda-Surugadai

Many unions are affiliated with RENGO:[6][1]

Abbreviation Union Founded Membership (2009)[7] Membership (2020)[8]
UA ZENSEN Japanese Federation of Textile, Chemical, Commerce, Food and General Services Workers' Unions 2012 1,780,000[9] 1,767,000
JICHIRO All-Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union 1954 887,174 785,445
JIDOSHA SOREN Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions 1972 741,747 784,777
DENKI RENGO Japanese Electrical, Electronic and Information Union 1953 616,571 569,285
JAM Japanese Association of Metal, Machinery and Manufacturing Workers 1999 370,256 341,681
KIKAN ROREN Japan Federation of Basic Industry Workers' Unions 2003 248,781 265,130
JPGU Japan Postal Group Union 2007 216,186 243,754
SEIHO ROREN National Federation of Life Insurance Workers' Unions 1969 241,967 233,614
NIKKYOSO Japan Teachers Union 1947 290,857 230,475
DENRYOKU SOREN The Federation of Electric Power Related Industry Workers' Unions of Japan 1981 214,019 208,996
ICTJ The Federation of Information and Communication Technology Service Workers of Japan 1991 220,730 199,135
UNYU ROREN All Japan Federation of Transport Workers' Unions 1968 128,407 128,095
SHITETSU SOREN General Federation of Private Railway and Bus Workers' Unions of Japan 1947 111,944 113,253
JFU Federation of All Japan Foods and Tobacco Workers' Unions 2000 97,762 105,909
JEC RENGO Japan Federation of Energy and Chemistry Workers' Unions 2002 158,958 104,038
SONPO ROREN Federation of Non-Life Insurance Workers' Unions of Japan 1967 68,027 94,696
KOKKO RENGO Japan Public Sector Union 2001 110,766 79,621
JR RENGO Japan Railway Trade Unions Confederation 1992 63,000 74,602
SERVICE RENGO Japan Federation of Service & Tourism Industries Workers' Unions 2001 44,029 47,454
KOTSU-ROREN Japan Federation of Transport Workers' Unions 1964 53,835 45,579
KAIIN KUMIAI All-Japan Seamen's Union 1945 45,000 45,000
KOKU RENGO Japan Federation of Aviation Industry Unions 1999 36,183 41,419
GOMU RENGO Japanese Rubber Workers' Union Confederation 1992 43,481 41,023
KAMIPA RENGO Japanese Federation of Pulp and Paper Workers' Unions 1988 30,713 25,453
ZEN DENSEN Japan Federation of Electric Wire Workers' Unions 1946 28,205 24,757
ZENKOKU GAS The Federation of Gas Workers' Unions of Japan 1946 25,676 23,248
JR SOREN Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions 1987 55,046 22,561
INSATSU ROREN Federation of Printing Information Media Workers' Unions 1989 20,667 20,730
CERAMICS RENGO All Japan Federation of Ceramics Industry Workers 1995 18,900 19,610
ZEN SUIDO All Japan Water Supply Workers' Union 1951 25,998 16,281
ZENGIN RENGO All Japan Federative Council of Bank Labours' Unions 1967 15,590 15,008
ZENKOKU-NODANRO National Federation of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Corporations' Workers' Unions 1989 15,446 13,725
MEDIA ROREN Japan Federation of Media, Advertising, Motion Picture, and Theater Labor Unions 2017 N/A 9,577
ZENJIKO ROREN National Federation of Automobile Transport Workers' Unions 1947 35,285 9,515
ZEN ROKIN Federation of Labour Bank Workers' Unions of Japan 1956 6,397 8,871
HEALTH CARE ROKYO Japanese Health Care Workers' Union 2002 7,777 8,500
SINRIN ROREN Japanese Federation of Forest and Wood Workers' Union 1989 8,295 5,362
ROSAI ROREN Federation of ZENROSAI Trade Unions 3,378 4,296
ROKYO ROREN Confederation of Labour Supply Trade Unions 3,860 4,228
ZEN INSATSU All Printing Bureau Labour Union 1947 4,568 4,060
JICHI ROREN National Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Unions 1970 3,302 2,970
ZENKOKU UNION Japan Community Workers Union Federation 2002 3,350 2,800
ZENKOKU KEIBA RENGO National Federation of Horse-racing Workers 3,032 2,599
JA RENGO All Japan Agriculture Cooperative Staff Members' Union 1,296 1,354
KOUN-DOMEI Japanese Confederation of Port and Transport Workers' Unions 1987 1,200 1,200
ZEN ZOHEI All Mint Labour Union 995 766

Observer affiliate:

  • DOKIRO Hokkaido Seasonal Workers' Union (2,660 members as of 2009)

Friendly affiliate:

  • NIKKENKYO Council of Japan Construction Industry Employee's Unions (35,624 members as of 2009)

Former affiliates

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Abbreviation Union Founded Left Reason not affiliated Membership (1996)[10]
ZENSEN Japanese Federation of Textile, Garment, Chemical, Mercantile, Food and Allied Industries Workers' Unions 1946 2002 Merged into UI ZENSEN 577,362
ZENKIN RENGO Japanese Metal Industrial Workers' Union 1958 1999 Merged into JAM 314,693
CSG RENGO Japanese Federation of Chemical, Service and General Trade Unions 1995 2002 Merged into UI ZENSEN 237,474
KINZOKU RENGO National Metal and Machinery Workers' Union 1989 1999 Merged into JAM 200,000
TEKKO ROREN Japanese Federation of Iron and Steel Workers' Unions 1951 2003 Merged into JBU 193,472
ZENTEI Japan Postal Workers' Union 1946 2007 Merged into JPGU 158,691
ZOSENJUKI ROREN Japan Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Workers' Unions 1972 2003 Merged into JBU 133,407
SHOGYO ROREN Japan Federation of Commercial Workers' Unions 1970 2001 Merged into JSD 129,043
SHOKUHIN RENGO Japan Federation of Foods and Tobacco Workers' Unions 1995 2000 Merged into JFU 116,747
GOKA ROREN Japanese Federation of Synthetic Chemistry Workers' Unions 1950 1998 Merged into KAGAKU LEAGUE 91,242
ZEN YUSAI All Japan Postal Labour Union 1965 2007 Merged into JPGU 77,718
KAGAKU SOREN Japanese Federation of Chemical Workers' Unions 1978 2016 Disaffiliated 67,629
ZENKOKU IPPAN National Union of General Workers 1955 2006 Merged into JICHIRO 60,096
LEISURE SERVICE RENGO Japan Federation of Leisure-Service Industries Workers' Unions 1970 2001 Merged into SERVICE RENGO 46,900
TOSHIKO All Japan Municipal Transport Workers' Union 1947 2013 Merged into JICHIRO 43,767
KOKKO SOREN Japan Central Federation of National Public Service Employees' Unions 1989 2001 Merged into KOKKO RENGO 43,697
CHAIN RENGO Chain Store Labor Unions Council 1970 2001 Merged into JSD 40,944
KOKUZEI ROSO Japanese Confederation of National Tax Unions 1958 2001 Merged into KOKKO RENGO 40,128
SEIROREN Labor Federation of Government Related Organizations 1960 2001 Merged into KOKKO RENGO 33,392
SEKIYU ROREN Japan Confederation of Petroleum Industry Workers' Unions 1947 2002 Merged into JEC 29,505
HITETSU RENGO Japanese Metal Mine Workers' Union 1964 2003 Merged into JBU 23,500
SHOKUHIN ROKYO Food Industry Workers' Unions Council 1989 2000 Merged into JFU 21,826
KOKU DOMEI Japanese Confederation of Aviation Labour 1974 1999 Merged into KOKO RENGO 15,178
ZENCHURO All Japan Garrison Forces Labor Union 1946 2001 Merged into KOKKO RENGO 14,314
KENSETSU RENGO Japan Construction Trade Union Confederation 1990 2014 Merged into JBU 13,413
NHK ROREN Federation of All-NHK Labour Unions 1988 2017 Merged into MEDIA ROREN 11,584
ZENKOKU KAGAKU All Japan Chemistry Workers' Union 1987 1998 Merged into KAGAKU LEAGUE 10,540
SHINKAGAKU National Organization of All Chemical Workers 1958 2002 Merged into JEC 8,313
ZENROKIN Federation of Labor Bank Workers' Unions of Japan 7,617
ZENKOKU SEMENTO National Federation of Cement Workers' Unions of Japan 1947 2002 Merged into JEC 7,263
ZEIKAN ROREN Federation of Japanese Customs Personnel Labour Unions 1965 2001 Merged into KOKKO RENGO 5,524
SEN-I SEIKATSU ROREN Japan Federation of Textile and Clothing Workers' Unions 1948 2002 Merged into UI ZENSEN 5,127
SHIN UNTEN FIO-Drivers' Craft Union 1959 4,435
ZENZOSEN-KIKAI All Japan Shipbuilding and Engineering Union 1946 2016 Dissolved 3,226
ZENKAIREN All Japan Shipping Labor Union 1947 2,750
JIUNRO Japan Automobile Drivers' Union 1958 2,109
NICHIRINRO National Forestry Workers' Union of Japan 1965 2006 Merged into SINRIN ROREN 2,020
ZENTANKO National Union of Coal Mine Workers 1952 1,750
TANRO Japan Coal Miners' Union 1950 2004 Dissolved 1,460
ZEN-EIEN National Cinema and Theater Workers' Union 1947 2017 Merged into MEDIA ROREN 473
TOKEI ROSO Statistics Labor Union-management and Coordination Agency 1962 2005 Dissolved 200
ZENSHIN ROREN All Japan Community Bank Labour Union Association 1961 2018 Disaffiliated N/A
SHOKUHIN ROREN All Japan Federation of Food Industries Workers' Unions 1965 1995 Merged into SHOKUHIN RENGO N/A
HITETSU KINZOKU ROREN All Japan Federation of Non-Ferrous Metal Workers' Unions 1982 Merged into HITETSU ROREN N/A
KENSETSU DOMEI Japanese Federation of Construction Industry Workers 1978 1990 Merged into KENSETSU RENGO N/A
JSD Japan Federation of Service and Distributive Workers' Unions 2001 2012 Merged into UA ZENSEN N/A
UI ZENSEN Japanese Federation of Textile, Chemical, Food, Commercial, Service and General Workers' Unions 2002 2012 Merged into UA ZENSEN N/A
ZENKA DOMEI Japanese Federation of Chemical and General Workers' Unions 1951 1995 Merged into CSG RENGO N/A
KAGAKU LEAGUE Japanese Federation of Chemistry Workers' Unions 1998 2002 Merged into JEC N/A
ZENTABAKO Japan Tobacco and Allied Workers' Union 1985 1995 Merged into SHOKUHIN RENGO N/A
ZENDENRYOKU National Council of Japanese Electric Powers Workers 1965 1996 Merged into DENRYOKU SOREN N/A
ZENYOREN National Federation of Ceramic Industry Workers' Unions 1949 1995 Merged into CERAMICS RENGO N/A
ZEN SHOKUHIN DOMEI National Federation of Food Industry Workers' Unions 1947 1995 Merged into SHOKUHIN RENGO N/A
IPPAN DOMEI National Federation of General Workers' Unions 1966 1995 Merged into CSG RENGO N/A
GOMU ROREN National Federation of Rubber Industry Workers' Unions 1965 1992 Merged into GOMU RENGO N/A

Local organizations

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RENGO also has local organizations for each of Japan's 47 prefectures.[2]

Leadership

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General secretaries

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  • Seigo Yamada (1989–1993)
  • Etsuya Washio (1993–1997)
  • Kiyoshi Sasamori (1997–2001)
  • Hiroyuki Nagumo (2001–2013)
  • Rikio Kozu (2013–2015)
  • Naoto Omi (2015–2017)
  • Yasunobu Aihara (2017–2021)
  • Hideyuki Shimizu (2021—present)

Presidents

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  • Akira Yamagishi (1989–1995)
  • Jinnosuke Ashida (1995–1997)
  • Etsuya Washio (1997–2001)
  • Kiyoshi Sasamori (2001–2005)
  • Tsuyoshi Takagi (2005–2009)
  • Nobuaki Koga (2009–2015)
  • Rikio Kozu (2015–2021)
  • Tomoko Yoshino (2021—present)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Rengo website Rengo brochure 2010-2011 Archived 2012-02-06 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on July 6, 2012
  2. ^ a b Rengo website Role and Function Retrieved on July 6, 2012
  3. ^ The Daily Yomiuri Rengo may rethink support for DPJ Retrieved on July 4, 2012
  4. ^ The Japan Times Labor leader hints at cooler DPJ ties Retrieved on July 4, 2012
  5. ^ "舛添氏と連合東京が協定 都知事選、細川氏は小泉氏側と詰め". 日本経済新聞. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  6. ^ Rengo website Affiliates Retrieved on July 6, 2012
  7. ^ "RENGO 2010 2011". ILO. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  8. ^ "RENGO 2020-2021" (PDF). RENGO. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  9. ^ Combined membership of predecessor unions as of 2009
  10. ^ "List of RENGO affiliated union members" (PDF). Cross Currents. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
Sources
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