Rengo President speaks forthe first time atthe convention of the Liberal Democratic Party convention

With the top priority of their activities being placed on creating no more jobless people,halting the increase in unemployment, Rengo decided to attend theconvention of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) convention for the first timeever since the confederation was organized 14 years ago. The president spoke tothe LDP members on January 16 and sought their cooperation to protectin protecting jobs and employment.

Prior to this, at the annual New Year Exchange Meeting held on January 6, President Sasamori announced his decision to attend the LDP’s convention after receiving a formal invitation from the party. He explained that his attendance should not be was not intended to snuggleinterpreted as snuggling up to the ruling party, but showed his determination to set ideals and principles aside to protect jobs, to talk with anybody, anywhere, regardless of whether they are the ruling or the opposition parties, and to do everything he possibly could.

Rengo gave the following reasons for President Sasamori's participation: (1) To tellinform the ruling party about workers' views on the severe employment situation as well as the opinions of the local people whichlocal people, that Rengo had directly obtained during the exchange of opinionexchange-of-opinion meetings held last year throughout Japan,in order to adequatelyfully convey Rengo's demands and views to resolve the situation, and to reflectinclude them in LDP's policies;policy; and (2) to demand that the LDP promote effective policies following the agreement reached at the Government-Labor-Management Employment Promotion Council.

Rengo felt that, as long as Japanese opposition parties wereremained perennial outsiders and not anywhere close tocut off from the administration, it must collaborate directly with the ruling party to haveensure that the views and assertions of labor are reflected in actual policies. Therefore, it hasso far worked so far to boost its system and policy demands.

In November, Rengo and LDP resumed policy discussions that had been discontinued over the past three years. Since then, they have met four times.

Against the backdrop toof Rengo's move was a dilemma: the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) which it supports, is still failsfailing to form an opposition force powerful enough to sufficiently countercounterbalance the LDP. The DPJ has recently been showing signs of wanting to transform itself from a political party traditionally relying on the organizational powerstrengths of labor unions into a party backed by an even wider range of supporters. As a result, itis sometimes becomingbecomes apparent that its relationship with Rengo is no longer as smoothcordial as it used to be.