Retired/Employed Workers Together for Movements
5000 Attend National Senior Rally
(15 September 2002)
On September 15, the 2002 National Senior Rally was held at the Tokyo International Forum hosted by the Japanese Federation of Senior and Retired Organizations (Taishokusha-Rengo) and co-hosted by RENGO with 5,000 people attending from all over Japan. The rally endorsed the motion to promote movements with retired and currently employed workers, working hand in hand to establish a safe and reliable social security system.
Other events scheduled around the rally included a symposium with the theme of "Fortify and Expand the Japanese Federation of Senior and Retired Organizations" as well as commemorative remarks made by Sawayaka Welfare Foundation Public Relations Representative Wakui. Attendees also enjoyed an utagoe-kissa, or choir, hosted by professional storyteller Takarai Kinsei.


JFSRO President Nishida
Photo: JFSRO President Nishida leads the rally with a cheer (Sept. 15, Tokyo.)
Representing the organizers, JFSRO President Nishida gave a speech in which he stated his resolution. He said, "with regard to pension, medical care, and nursing care issues, we will advance our movement to establish a secure and reliable social security system in the future not only for the good of seniors but also young people."
He further emphasized that "organizational expansion is necessary to enhance the movement. It is necessary to develop the movement, hand in hand with seniors around the nation, retired and employed working in one united body."

Following Nishida, RENGO General Secretary Kusano followed Nishida reported on RENGO's activities regarding such issues as organizational expansion and policies/systems. Kusano said, "We see a series of issues including pension and tax reform for the upcoming extraordinary Diet session and an ordinary Diet session in the first of the year. We want to concentrate our focus and work with all our might in order to realize a welfare society."

Also attending the rally were Democratic Party of Japan House of Councilors member Takashima, who serves as the party's Labor Department Director and Social Democratic Party Secretary General and House of Councilors member Fukushima. Takashima touched on the negative revision of medical system, blaming the Koizumi Cabinet for "gross neglect of the weak." Fukushima called for change of administration citing that "Prime Minister Koizumi cannot be allowed to submit emergency defense legislation which would violate the Japanese Constitution."

JFSRO General Secretary Sudoh delivered the keynote address, and an appeal to "Seek the Realization of a Society where People Truly Share the Joy of Longevity" was adopted by the body. The rally ended with a cheer for solidarity by the participants.
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