DATE=04/11/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288573

TITLE=JAPAN / LABOR PROTEST (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=AMY BICKERS

DATELINE=TOKYO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Thousands of Japanese workers have taken part in a two-day rally in Tokyo organized by the country's largest labor group. As V-O-A's Amy Bickers reports, they protested against what they view as a lack of government initiatives to create jobs in Japan's moribund economy.

TEXT:

///WORKERS' SHOUTING SOUND///

More than thirteen-thousand labor unionists from across Japan demonstrated Wednesday night and Thursday against government policies that, they say, have led to a high jobless rate, now hovering near a record five-point-five percent.

They marched through the glitzy commercial district of Ginza Wednesday evening, in what they called a parade of anger.

About one thousand workers staged a sit-in in front of parliament Thursday. The union members, many of whom have lost jobs, blame government policies for creating the worst unemployment situation in the country's post-war history.

/// WORKERS' CHANT ///

The workers, all members of Japan's largest labor group, known here as Rengo, called for greater job security. They also complained that many employers had refused to raise salaries during this year's annual wage talks with management, held every spring in Japan.

///TAKAHASHI ACT IN JAPANESE, FADE///

Yoshio Takahashi, a Rengo official, urges the government to save workers from Japan's stagnant economy, now in its third recession in a decade. He adds that creating more jobs should be the top priority for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

///PROTESTER ACT IN JAPANESE, FADE///

One protestor says he wants to tell lawmakers to stop companies from laying off more workers. He adds that he hopes the demonstration will give courage to others who are also concerned about their jobs.

Another large labor group plans to stage a nationwide rally Friday, in which thousands more workers are expected to protest against Japan's high unemployment. Some workers are expected to hold a limited strike of their own. (SIGNED)