Japanese labor leader Tomoko Yoshino said Friday that she aims to secure wage hikes in the 5% range for a third consecutive year in spring labor talks.
The president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, expressed a wish to ¡°build momentum around the idea that wages rise,¡± reaffirming the largest Japanese labor group¡¯s target of at least 5% in pay increases.
At a meeting hosted by the Research Institute of Japan, a Jiji Press affiliate, Yoshino emphasized the importance of reflecting higher labor costs in prices to realize pay hikes at smaller companies, saying that Rengo would press management on the issue.
Turning to politics, Yoshino said Rengo will seek the election of all candidates it recommends in the Lower House election scheduled for Feb. 8.
She reiterated that it would be unacceptable for the Democratic Party for the People, which Rengo supports, to join the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party.
Yoshino also criticized the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, saying that her expectations that women¡¯s rights would be protected and that more women would be appointed as ministers ¡°have not been met.¡±
Women still account for fewer than 30% of lawmakers, Yoshino also said, describing the figure as ¡°not enough¡± and calling for further gains.
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