[Labor Media 2001] Special Interview with Yasuda Yukihiro
BASE21 staff reporter PatchA met Yasuda Yukihiro (Vice-president of LaborNet Nippon). Last February 10, the inaugural meeting of Japanese Labor Net (LaborNet Nippon) was held at Hosei University in Tokyo. We will hear about the situation of LaborNet Nippon and its attempts to make international solidarity with other progressive groups. And also he says the hope from this Labor Media conference.
Source : BASE21
Q: How was LaborNet Nippon launched?
A: Japanese labor movement is very weak. For a long time, we tried to make it stronger. But we could not make networks with labor groups. Through meetings with labor net groups from other countries, in particular, Chris Baily (from England) last year, we set to work in earnest. After three meeting, we finally launched LaborNet Nippon on February 10, 2001. I think the meeting with international activists made it possible.
Q: What's the main structure of LaborNet Nippon?
A: LaborNet Nippon is not an organization. About 100 activists including labor and media have registered as members. We usually research the information and share it with other labor groups or unions and try to provide ICTs for them.
Q: I know the Japanese economic situation is very bad. What is your feeling on this?
A: Yes. The unemployment rate is now 5%. It is very deadly. Thousand of people have tried to commit suicide this year. The recent crisis is seen as a crisis of Japanese society.
Q: I think the labor movement is very active under this dangerous situation.
A: The Japanese labor movement is very poor. Most people don't try to struggle against this situation. Usually, common people give up their lives or have adapt themselves to the demands of the government. Also, we do not have enough experience fighting against Neo-liberalism and capitalism, which makes our situation weaker.
And the infra-structure of the internet is not so good for workers to use it is very different from Korea. There are few linux users. We do our best to surmount these barriers. Workers need to know how to use the internet and how to make websites. We are providing information on those areas and the affairs of internal and international solidarity movements.
Q: What do you hope to happen in this conference?
A: The main goals of LaborNet Nippon are to introduce international labor movements to Japanese activists and to show our struggle to the world. That is to say, we want and need international solidarity. And we should build a strong network of Japanese unions and labor groups.
In this conference, we hope to find ways for workers to participate in ICTs and to use them voluntarily. In the future, we will make an english web-site for international solidarity as soon as possible.
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