On March 8th at Kudan Kaikan Hall in Tokyo, RENGO opened the International Women's Day Central Rally with the slogan "Change the Child Care and Nursing Care Leave Law to 'the Work/Family Life Balance Support Law'!" The symposium invited members from both the ruling and opposition parties as panelists and listened to each party's stance on the revision bill for the Child Care and Nursing Care Leave Law in the current Diet session.

Photo: Appealing for "a new society worthy of the 21st century"

RENGO Secretary General Sasamori took the podium calling for the "development of activities that change Japan in national and local workplaces in order to realize a society where both women and men can work in peace." He called on affiliated organizations to cooperate with the May Day activities and the upcoming House of Councilors election.
The panel discussion, "Ask Each Party about the Work/Family Life Balance Support Law," was attended by Diet member Yukiko Kawahashi of the Democratic Party of Japan, Masako Owaki from the Social Democratic Party, Yuriko Takeyama from the Liberal Party and Fumi Aoyama from the New Komeito Party, each introduced their party's policies. Attendees requested enrichment of care leave, policies promoting a male child care leave law, making a shorter working hour system compulsory, and increasing the number of daycare workers.
Finally, the rally closed by adopting the appeal "Let's Create a Safe and Secure Life / Work / Society--worthy of the 21st century" amidst colorful placards covered with the conference slogans and others on the podium.