A128 Unions that feel a sense of crisis are trying to encourage part-time employees to become members. This is particularly urgent within the retail and distribution industry. Aeon Co., Ltd., which is expanding its chain of stores using the JUSCO name, has allowed part-time staff who work more than a specified number of hours to join a union. This has helped boost union membership, and unions at other distribution and service companies are trying to follow suit. However, to complicate matters, the wages of part-time workers and full-time regular workers are dealt with differently, which has led to conflicting interests. Consequently, people are concerned that, should unions take in large numbers of part-time employees, the pace of activities will change and disorder will result.

To The role of Japan's business organizations

Fujio Mitarai, chairman of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) is the second chairman since the amalgamation, in 2002, of Keidanren (Japan Federation of Economic Organizations) and Nikkeiren (Japan Federation of Employers' Associations).