During 13th to 19th March, 2008, seven members of KTX (Korean Express Train) Crew and a delegate of ICLS visited Japan from Seoul, Korea. They participated in rallies held by the Council of Youth Organization in JRU. On March 14th, the rally was held in Tokyo with 600 participants, on 16th in Sapporo ( north part of Japan) with 250, and on 17th in Sendai (north-east part) with 300. Not only youth members of JRU but also members of affiliates to “Rengo” (Japan’s national labor center) joined the rallies, total number of the participants was around 1200.

The common title of the rallies was “The 2008 Spring Offensive Facing Low Wage, Wide Gap, and Deteriorating Working Conditions Caused by Neo-liberalism” All the members confirmed that neo-liberalism has been forcing more workers to become non-regular status, widening income gap,　and deteriorating working environments, with resulting in threat of right to exist.

After a keynote speech, a DVD film about KTX struggle was on air, which greatly affected participants. Then the seven KTX members made a speech regarding their grievances and sentiments that they felt through protracted struggle. “Although the situation surrounding KTX are becoming difficult ever than before, we are encouraged thanks to support from JRU workers. To change the world, we will continue to fight”.

At the Tokyo rally, the Executive Director of Department of  Non-regular Employment in RENGO, Mr. Tatsui, made a solidarity speech.

At the end of the rallies, all the participants vowed to fight in order to create future of workers and children, facing against neo-liberal policies.