Ishiba, labor leader Yoshino vow cooperation over wage hikes

Tokyo (Jiji Press) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation, or Rengo, have agreed to work together to ensure that wage increases spread from large companies to smaller firms.

Yoshino expressed worries over US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, saying: “We are concerned this may put a damper on momentum for wage hikes. We ask the government to do its best.”

Ishiba responded that he will “utilize all available policies,” adding that he will make sure that “small businesses do not bear the brunt of the tariff issue.”

It was the first policy discussion between the prime minister and the chief of Rengo, the umbrella organization for Japanese labor unions, in 16 years.

The meeting, held on Monday, came after Yoshino called in January for policy discussions with Ishiba.

The Rengo leader aims to realize the labor group’s policies, including raising wages, by communicating closely with the government. Rengo supports the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the opposition Democratic Party for the People.

Ishiba invited Yoshino to his ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s convention last month, making her the first Rengo chief to attend the event in 20 years.

The prime minister hopes to gain the labor group’s cooperation by signaling that they are moving in step with each other, at a time when his minority government struggles to pass policies.

“It’s meaningful that the heads of the government and the labor world can discuss mainly the treatment of workers,” Yoshino told reporters, adding that Ishiba said he hopes to hold such talks again.