Activities(FY2003)
|
Ⅰ. Surveys/Studies |
1. Major Surveys and Studies (Study Committees)
i) Economic Society Study Committee (Standing)
(Chairman: Tsutomu Tanaka, Professor Chuo University)
This committee presents economic and social policy proposals, based on economic and social situations analyses and macroeconomic simulations, while looking into, in depth, various conditions necessary to be met in order to realize an economic social system full of vitality and anxiety-free, from the perspective of "building a welfare economic society."
The committee publishes "Annual Economic Situation Report" in October every year.
ii) Survey Study Committee on Fixed-Point Observations about the Quality of Workers' Lives(Standing)
(Chairman: Kenichi Yoshida, Senior Researcher, RENGO-RIALS)
This survey study is designed to measure the quality of workers' lives on continuous basis by ascertaining workers' awareness of their work and lives, follow the trends of business conditions, employment, income, and consumption, and clarify the nature of challenges recognized at different times. The overriding purpose of this study thus is to obtain basic data and reference material needed for policy formulation.
Since the first questionnaire survey in April, 2001, the study survey has been held twice a year in April and October. Its results are made public after completion of each study in a report, titled, "Questionnaire Survey Report on Work and Life of Workers."
iii) Study Committee on Industrial Structure Change and Regional Economy
(October 2002 ~ September 2004)
(Chairman: Takeo Kikkawa, Professor, University of Tokyo)
Japanese industries are in the midst of fundamental structural change, as internationalization of the economy and technological innovation led by information technology advances proceeds relentlessly. This committee attempts to verify the kinds of impact such structural changes are bringing to bear on regional economies, and clarify specific policy challenges that need to be adequately addressed in order to achieve the goal of vitalization of regional economies and job creation. The committee plans to conduct an independent survey of regional conditions in 2004 and complete a final report on the basis of analyses of the survey results and discussions at committee meetings.
iv) "Restructuring of a Modern Welfare Nation (Study series II)"
Study Committee on Medical Care Reform for Patients and Citizens
(October 2003 ~ September 2004)
(Chairman: Yasuhiko Yamasaki, Professor, Kanagawa University of Human Services)
In order to clearly ascertain medium- to long-term policy goals for building a "viable anxiety-free society" in the future, this study committee will analyze current policies and institutional system on social security and welfare from the perspective of restructuring a modern welfare nation, identify major points for policy discussions, and offer proposals on logical policy direction. This study represents a series format, in which individual study themes related to "restructuring of a modern welfare nation" are first identified, followed by separate studies conducted on these themes. The format is designed so that key study areas would be fully covered through accumulated studies on different aspects. Part I of the study was done in 2003, focused on "Developments and Issues in Pension System Reform in Advanced Industrialized Nations."
The study will continue in 2004 on the theme of "Medical Care Reform from the Perspective of Patients and Citizens," in which Japan's medical care system would be reexamined from the standpoint of users, and key policy issues in medical care reform would be discussed, beginning with such issues as establishment of patients' rights, improvement of quality and efficiency in medical care service deliveries, and so on.
v) Study Committee on Contemporary Issues Facing Labor Unions
(October 2002 ~ September 2004)
(Chairman: Keisuke Nakamura, Professor, University of Tokyo)
This study committee clearly describes the role played by the labor union movement in modern industrial society, from the standpoint of finding the way to revitalization of Japanese labor unions presently at a crossroads. At the same time, it examines campaign- and organization-related issues that need to be resolved in order to achieve its role and meet the expectations. Along with its own independent study to verify factual situations, the committee actively utilizes other domestic and foreign study results about recent labor union developments. The committee studies how Japanese unions have responded to changes in economic and social environment structurally and functionally, considers new campaign challenges, and attempts to show clearly practical challenges that lie ahead on the way to revitalization of union organizations.
In 2004, the committee plans to put together its final report, based upon the interim report, made public in November, 2003, on the results of an opinion survey about labor unions, carried out earlier in 2003, and results of other recent studies on unions.
vi) Study Committee on the Current State of Japan's Wage System and Its Future Outlook
(October 2003 ~ September 2005)
(Chairman: Mitsuo Ishida, Professor, Doshisha University)
The wage and compensation system in Japan is facing a period of substantial changes, as personnel and labor management has become increasingly individualized and linked to performance, and employment formula and conditions have diversified. Such fundamental changes are forcing the unions to reexamine and adapt their basic philosophy and theory on wages. Consequently, this committee is undertaking to review and reconfigure the wage theory from a fresh standpoint of workers; it plans to analyze and theoretically review current wage-related issues to identify practical challenges the unions need to adequately address as they press their wage demands and engage in campaigns.
vii) Study Committee on Strengthening of Matching Function in the Labor Market
(October 2003 ~ September 2005)
(Chairman: Isao Ohashi, Professor, Hitotsubashi University)
While Japan continues to struggle to crawl out of the protracted economic malaise past the "lost decade," the employment situation has fallen into an unprecedented level of severe difficulty. A particularly pressing need is to come up with an early and adequate solution to the accumulated number of the long-term unemployed. Those who have been unemployed longer than a year now account for more than 30% of the total unemployed population. How best to improve and strengthen the matching function of the labor market to pair off the job seekers with available openings is indeed one of the biggest challenges facing the country.
This study committee will carry out a comprehensive review of various systems currently operating in the nation's labor market, paying specific attention to such factors as job training, job referral, and their inter-connection, and cooperative linking of the government and private systems. There is a belief that the matching function of the labor market may be strengthened if we can successfully link together organically the government and private sector systems and various corporate measures which may be instituted internally. The committee will surely look into such a proposition and examine various policy measures which may enable smooth transition of workers from the non-work, unemployed status to employment.
viii) Macroeconometric Model Development Study Committee
(October 2002 ~ September 2004)
(Chairman: Susumu Suzuki, Senior Researcher, RENGO-RIALS)
The new RENGO-RIALS Macroeconometric Model was developed in 2003, and the committee will explore possibilities to utilize it as a highly useful, general-purpose analytical tool to measure policy effect. It will also study improvements that may become necessary for such application.
2. Contract Surveys/Studies
(April 2003 ~ March 2004)
|
Study Themes |
Clients |
|
Study Committee on Job Selection and Career Development for Young Workers |
Employment and Human Resources Development Organization of Japan |
|
Case study of corporations that have instituted progressive employment
systems for older people |
the Association of Employment Development for Senior Citizens |
|
Study Committee on Current Condition and Related Issues of Voluntary Welfare Activities among Workers |
Central Council on Worker Welfare, |
|
Current state and issues related to foreign Worker employment in Taiwan |
Foreign Workers' Affairs Division, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare |
|
Ⅱ. Education & Public Affairs |
1. Holding Symposiums and Other Events
"RENGO-SOKEN Forum" is held in November every year, where the Annual Economic Situation Report is made public. In addition, other symposiums on a variety of themes are held.
In addition, RENGO co-hosts, with Institute of Labor Education and Culture, the "RENGO Leaders Seminar" for leaders of RENGO's member organizations, where expert researchers in various fields are invited to speak.
2. Publication of Study Reports
- "Income Distribution and Disparity in Japan," authored by Professor Hiroshi Miyajima of University of Tokyo; edited by RENGO-RIALS, and published by Toyo Keizai, October, 2002
- FY2002-FY2003 Economic Situation Report, "Prolonging Recession; Worsening Destruction of Employment-No Recovery Without Conquering Deflation," ed. by RENGO-RIALS and published by Daiichi Shorin, November, 2002
- "The Fourth Questionnaire Survey Report on Work and Life of Workers," published by RENGO-RIALS, December, 2002
- "Opened Social Dialogue in Asia," authored by Professor Hiromasa Suzuki of Waseda University; ed. by RENGO-RIALS, and published by Nippon Hyoronsha, December, 2002
- "The Fifth Questionnaire Survey Report on Work and Life of Workers," published by RENGO-RIALS, May, 2003
- "Impact of Information Technology on Work and Workplace Organization," by RENGO-RIALS, May, 2003
- "Study Report on Changes in Corporate Organization and Workplace," by RENGO-RIALS, July, 2003
- "Restructuring of a Modern Welfare Nation-Series I: Present State and Challenges of Pension System Reform in Six Western Countries," by RENGO-RIALS, September, 2003
- FY2003-FY2004 Economic Situation Report, "To Secure Self-Sustaining Economic Recovery," ed. by RENGO-RIALS and published by Daiichi Shorin, November, 2003
RENGO-RIALS issues the house organ, "DIO," on the first of every month to communicate the institute's study results and policy proposals to union organizations, mass media, and various other research organizations.
RENGO-RIALS will issue an English annual report in February, 2004.
*DIO stands for "Data Information Opinion."
4. Opening of its Home Page to the public
The institute's Website Home Page was revised in November, 2000. Accesses from the public since have numbered over 80,000.
|
Ⅲ. Exchanges with Other Organizations |
There are 11 other similar research institutes, affiliated with RENGO's member industrial organizations. Together with them, RENGO-RIALS holds and participates in the "Exchange Forum for Labor-Related Think Tanks," in order to facilitate mutual exchange and strengthen cooperative relationships through sharing of study results and exchange of views.
RENGO-RIALS also continues its efforts to promote international contacts and exchanges with foreign research organizations and researchers. In 2000, for example, RENGO-RIALS hosted a special symposium during the IIRA (International Industrial Relations Association) World Conference in Tokyo.
