Condemn strongly frame-up and raid by the police

9 Dec 2005

On 8 December 2005 the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MDP) raided JRU and JREU offices and three welfare business companies related members welfare. They also raided houses of nine union officers and retirees. 80 policemen raided JRU office and 30 JREU wearing showy “POLICE“ vests. Media reported as if JRU and JREU committed a crime.

 The reason of this search was that one of officers, who had retired five years ago, embezzled union fund conspiring with other staffs when he worked. However, it is not true.

 As well as the arrest of false charged JRU7 case, Incident of Urawa Electric-train Depot in 2001 and Tokyo Station Incident in 2002, the police framed up to destroy JRU and JREU organizations. Police had searched JREU office from 11 a.m. to 11p.m. on 8. They started to search JRU office from 10 a.m. but still have continued on 9 working an all-night over 30 hours.

 The police disturbed all our union activities occupying the occices. Moreover, they confiscated important union documents on accountant and every things, whatever they related to the suspicion or not, for examples, union activity reports, union rules and even one of the computers owned by union. The total of items they confiscated will be over 1200.

 JRU has fought against union oppression with supporters of JRU’7 and overseas unions. As a result of that, International Labour Office (ILO) adopted the recommendation to the Japanese Government last year and follow-up report this November of JRU case No. 2304 in 2005. This action of the police is obviously violation of union rights, disturbing union activities and freedom of association.

 JRU and JREU strongly protest against these raids and confiscations by police and fight together with brothers and sisters all over the world to protect workers rights, peace and democracy.

Yuji Oda
President Japan Confederation of Railway Unions (JRU)