Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a May Day event in Tokyo on Wednesday to advance her wage hike push. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, hosted the annual convention. This marks the fourth consecutive year for a prime minister to attend the main May Day event.
Takaichi has chillier relations with Rengo than her predecessors Shigeru Ishiba or Fumio Kishida. Therefore, her attendance appears aimed at repairing the administration’s ties with Rengo. She also seeks better relations with the Democratic Party for the People, which Rengo backs.
“I would like to ask for your cooperation in raising wages continuously,” Takaichi said in her address. She wants wages to beat surging prices across the economy. She also indicated she is considering speeding up discussions on refundable tax credits. “I will help relieve the burden on people with low or moderate incomes,” she added.
This wage hike push faces resistance from Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino. Yoshino criticized a review of the discretionary work system during the event. Under that system, employers pay workers for work regardless of hours logged. The prime minister keenly supports this review. Yoshino argued that the system will just end up in longer working hours. “There is no need for expanding” the system, she said.
Yoshino also disagrees with Takaichi on allowing married couples to have different surnames. Takaichi is moving forward with legislation on maiden name use. The Liberal Democratic Party did not invite Yoshino to a recent party convention.
Takaichi’s relationship with DPFP leader Yuichiro Tamaki is also faring poorly. However, the ruling coalition does not hold a majority in the House of Councillors. A senior LDP official said there is a deep seated view inside the party. Cooperation with Rengo and the DPFP is essential for smoothly steering the government.
After the event, Yoshino spoke to reporters and appreciated Takaichi joining the convention. “I would like to keep working together with the government to realize our policies,” Yoshino said. Future negotiations will determine whether concrete agreements emerge from this olive branch.
