At the 20th Central Executive Committee Meeting held on the 8th, RENGO endorsed its analysis of the Present Diet Conditions and Future Activities Plan, that RENGO will "reinforce mass actions during March and April." And the activities after the Spring Struggle peak will be "linked to victory in the House of Councilors Election, forming a real election system."

1. Diet Circumstances and RENGO's Activities

1. The most pressing matter, the 2001 fiscal year budget plan, was passed in the House of Representatives by all opposition parties and sent to the House of Councilors on March 2nd, when it became definite that the government's budget plan would go into effect this fiscal year. The KSD scandal, which the opposition parties pursued with all their might, was not sufficiently brought to light despite the fact that witnesses were summoned before the Council on Political Ethics and the Upper House. It is now clear to the public that the scandals are deeply intertwined with the very nature of Liberal Democratic Party politics. Since the arrest of former General Assembly Chairman of the LDP Members in the House of Councilors and ex-Labor Minister Murakami, the investigation of the incident has been moving from the Diet to the judiciary system.
   During this time, approval rates for the Mori cabinet have dropped into the single digits. Behind the scenes at the LDP the process to select Prime Minister Mori's successor is in full-motion and it is expected that his eventual resignation is unavoidable. The ruling party is trying to avoid popular criticism of its politics through Mori's resignation.
   The regular Diet session will shift its focus to budget-related bills and an investigation of the government slush fund scandal. The biggest issues will be the opposition's pursuit of corrupt LDP politics and their showdown with the LDP coalition government, while keeping an eye on the summer House of Councilors election.
   
2. RENGO has been conducting mass actions since the sit-in before the Diet on opening day of the 151st Ordinary Diet session this January 31. Demanding a thorough pursuit of political scandals and enforcement of employment measures through rewriting the budget, RENGO also held "2.22 RENGO Demands Realization Central Rally and demonstration to the Diet," "3.2 Central Pep Rally for the 2001 Spring Struggle" and others. Further, RENGO has repeatedly held regular consultations with the Democratic Party of Japan, held meetings in the Diet building, observed meetings of the Lower House Budget Committee, and taken advantage of President Washio's attendance at the Budget Committee's public hearing. Since the 2.22 Rally, RENGO has shown a clear commitment to strengthen political battles and raised demands for the resignation of the Mori Cabinet.
   
3. While political confusion ensues, the Japanese economy has demonstrated a deflationary trend in, among other things, falling stock prices. Employment circumstances are also worsening with the total unemployment rate in January hitting 4.9%, and fears that it will climb to 5%. Actions combining politics, labor, and management are needed in these critical circumstances.
   
4. RENGO will continue its all-out struggle for vital issues like job measure enforcement, job creation, revisions of the individual labor disputes settlement (utilization of Labour Relations Commissions) bill, establishment of the Work and Family Life Compatibility Support Law, drastic medical system reform, and a thorough investigation of political corruption. Further, as complete realization of our demands will be difficult under the present circumstances, we support a five-month battle until the Upper House Elections from the strategic point of seeking a change of administration to realize our goals.
   

2. Future Activities

Regarding the Spring Struggle, RENGO will reinforce those mass activities already scheduled for March and April as follows.

Continue "Secure Life, Stabile Employment-General Action Month" through March
Both RENGO headquarters and local RENGO will develop imaginative activities to realize RENGO demands. Demands include; pay increases, shorter working hours, stabilization and creation of jobs, establishing work-rules, an individual dispute settlement system that utilizes labor relations commissions, the creation of a basic infrastructure for safe and reliable social security pensions, medical and nursing care, the Work and Family Life Compatibility Support Law, etc. RENGO will also undertake a national signature gathering drive, urgent job creation planning, and activities to realize our demands for improving the employment situation.

Enforcement of 3.30 Spring Struggle Settlement Promotion Rally
This rally is scheduled for March 30 and in addition to promoting pay hikes for unsettled unions, it will include activities to request RENGO demands to government ministries, political parties and law makers, as well as conduct street demonstrations in order to strongly appeal to the people.

The 72nd May Day Central Rally (April 28)
Think of the 72nd annual May Day as "Social Reform May Day" to start the 21st century. This rally will collect workers demands and their anger displaying the power of solidarity. Specifically, we will uphold our slogan of political change. Guests will be examined in adherence with the spirit of the rally and we will conduct street demonstrations.

3. May to June Activities—Every Effort for Victory in the Upper House Election

After the Spring Struggle peak in April, RENGO will form a real election system. All activities after that will relate to victory in the House of Councilors Election.
Especially at the end of May before the election, we will establish a simultaneous action day nationwide to gain RENGO demands and victory at the House of Councilors Election. On that day RENGO will organize rallies and promotional activities at 500 places nationwide on the local council level. At the same time, at headquarters, RENGO will consider holding a national rally that will include every class in our nation under the theme "Let's Change Politics."