Photo: SG Sasamori (left) exchanges handshakes with GS Maung Maung (right) (17th, Tokyo)

The Japan Office to "Encourage the Democratization of Burma" was established in Chiyoda, Tokyo on April 17. RENGO and seven other organizations have joined this office.
In order to support and develop Burmese democratization and democratic labor movements, the Japan office has a goal of being the base of activities to raise Japanese public awareness. To achieve that goal, the Japan Office will conduct activities to make requests of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, political parties, and economic organizations, as well as conducting campaigns and other activities in cooperation with RENGO and other labor organizations.
On this day, approximately 40 people attended the office's opening ceremony. First, RENGO Secretary General Sasamori said in his opening remarks, "Let us push through our will until we succeed in the democratization of Burma" and exchanged a vigorous handshake with Federation of Trade Unions-Burma General Secretary Maung Maung. Continuing, GS Maung addressed the speech, then Mitsuko Horiuchi ILO Tokyo Branch Office Director gave a speech, finally the office celebrated by having a toast.