The JIL Labor Flash Vol.1
Email Journal 01.08.2001
Introduction
Message from JIL Chairman
Statistical Reports
Main Labour Economic Indicators / TANKAN
Current Topics
2001 White Paper on Labor...etc
Public Policy
Two Laws Associated with Corporate Pensions Passed...etc
News Clippings
Can "Woman Power" Ride the Prevailing Forces of Reform?...etc
Special Issue
How Much in Living Expenses Do Salaried Workers Need in One Year?
Introduction
This is the first issue of a free English-language e-mail newsletter
("The JIL Labor Flash-E-mail Journal") that we offer to people who are
interested in Japanese labor issues. We also hope this newsletter will
be of interest to people at foreign firms already operating in Japan,
firms seeking entry to Japan and all those concerned.
We will keep the newsletter compact, yet filled with information that
shows in vivid outline the "big picture" of what is happening on the
Japanese labor relations front.
We ask for your requests and views to help us continue working to make
this newsletter relevant and useful.
Message from JIL Chairman
Dear Readers,
As many of you know well the JIL has been publishing Japan Labor
Bulletin for 40 years, providing vital information on Japanese labor
in English to readers all over the World. It is regarded as a most
reliable and comprehensive source on Japanese labor and industrial
relations.
In my capacity as Chairman of the Institute I am very pleased and
proud that we are now able to provide information of the same quality
in a more timely way in this new media and hope that you will enjoy
the JIL Labor Flash.
Message from Chairman, Prof. Dr. Tadashi Hanami
Statistical Reports
-Main Labour Economic Indicators-
Features
General Economy, Population, Employment and Unemployment, Working
Hours...etc
http://www.jil.go.jp/estatis/econtents.html#1
-TANKAN-
Short-term Economic Survey of Enterprises in Japan
-Monday July 2, released by the Bank of Japan
http://www.boj.or.jp/en/siryo/stat/tk0106.htm
Current Topics
-2001 White Paper on Labor-
The Ministry of Health, Labouur and Welfare (MHLW) released its
White Paper on Labor on July 6. The White Paper addressed issues
associated with information technology and its effect on labor
practices. The White Paper first questioned whether the spread of
information technology would both create new economic opportunities
and increase unemployment, and then explored ways to solve problems
that may arise with the more widespread use of information technology.
Continued on
http://www.jil.go.jp/english/archives/emm/2001-2003/2001/vol.1/whitepaper.html
-Court Rules that Sumitomo Life Insurance Practiced Labor Discrimination-
The Osaka District Court ruled on June 27 that the Sumitomo Life
Insurance Company had paid lower wages and provided fewer promotion
opportunities to married women than to unmarried women. The court
ordered the company to pay a total of 90.9 million yen to the 12
women who brought their suit against the company.
Continued on
http://www.jil.go.jp/english/archives/emm/2001-2003/2001/vol.1/sumitomo.html
[Public Policy]
-Two Laws Associated with Corporate Pensions Passed-
In June, the government passed the Defined Contribution (DC) Pension
Law and the Defined Benefits (DB) Corporate Pension Law. Under the DC
Pension Law, benefits paid will depend on the performance of the pension
management fund selected by the contributor. This pension plan is based
on the American 401(k) pension plan and is thus ordinarily referred to
as the Japanese 401(k).
Continued on
http://www.jil.go.jp/english/archives/emm/2001-2003/2001/vol.1/401k.html
-Individual Labor Dispute Law Passed-
On June 29, the Upper House passed an amended version of the law on
the promotion of solutions associated with labor disputes between
individuals and businesses ("Individual Labor Dispute Law"). Through
its Labor Policy Council, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
(MHLW) will hammer the law into shape in time for the its planned
coming into force on October 1.
Continued on
http://www.jil.go.jp/english/archives/emm/2001-2003/2001/vol.1/disputelaw.html
News Clippings
The Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it has entered
into a partnership with Perkin-Elmer Life Sciences,a major manufacturer
of medical analysis instruments based in Massachusetts, USA. Through
this partnership, Yokogawa seeks to enter the genome business and
provide solutions-based businesses in the pharmaceutical development
instruments field. (Nihon Keizai Shimbun, July 11, 2001)
One hundred and thirty-seven women have declared candidacies for
the Upper House elections scheduled for July 29. A total of 496
candidates will vie for 121 seats in the first national elections
held under the Koizumi government. In the June Tokyo Metropolitan
Government elections, 19 women were elected to the assembly, the
highest figure ever. It remains to be seen whether "woman power" can
ride the prevailing forces of reform.
(Yomiuri Shimbun, July 12, 2001)
According to a survey by Sanno College (The Sanno Institute of
Management) of the 526 new employees who participated in its training
programs held this spring, three-fourths of respondents said that
they do not feel their jobs would be made any more difficult if their
top executives or a coworkers were non-Japanese, but 51% said that
they would find it more difficult to do their work if their immediate
superior was non-Japanese. (Shukan Rodo News, July 16, 2001)
As part of the company's restructuring plans, Isuzu Motors called
for upward of 700 employees to apply for voluntary retirement on July
16. In just two hours, 740 employees took the company up on its offer.
Isuzu will check the applicants to ensure that they meet Isuzu's
requirements.The selected employees can be expected to retire at the
end of August. (Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun, July 18, 2001)
Special Issue
-How Much in Living Expenses Do Salaried Workers Need in One Year?-
Standard annual living expenses for a 35-year-old male came to
7,560,000yen
The Denki Rengo (Japanese Electrical Electronic and Information Unions)
(membership: 150,000) has recalculated its standard annual living expense
figures. It last calculated the figures five years ago. Standard annual
living expense refer to the amount of money needed for a male worker to
pay for household necessities in 10 categories including food,
accommodation, clothing, medicine, and education...etc.
The model used by the Denki Rengo adopted the following assumptions:
Age 25: Single and living in a 1DK rented apartment
Age 27: Married and living in a 2DK rented apartment
Age 30: First child (boy) born
Age 35: Second child (girl) born and 3DK apartment purchased
Age 40: Both children attending public elementary school
Age 45: Children attending public high school and junior high school
Age 50: Children attending private liberal arts university
Age 55: Children have left home
Continued on
http://www.jil.go.jp/english/archives/emm/2001-2003/2001/vol.1/livingexpense.html
