A Message From Our Union Brothers and Sisters in Japan
‘Zenroren,’ the National Confederation of Trade Unions, is the second largest labor federation in Japan.
Dear Sisters and Brothers around the world,
On behalf of 1.2 million Japanese working people, Zenroren wishes to express our sincere appreciation for unions and individuals around the world for help dealing with the devastating “Tohoku Pacific Earthquake” which struck northeastern pacific region of Japan at 14:46 (JST) on March 11th, Friday. We also thank many international rescue teams working hard to save victimized people, which came from many countries like Korea, China, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, the US, UK, Germany or France and many others.
The earthquake struck Tohoku and Kanto region (northeast pacific side) was magnitude 9 scale and was the biggest one in Japanese recorded history. As you see media reports, you can see overwhelmingly shocking scene particularly in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. Nearly 2000 deaths have been confirmed (March 14th), and it will certainly be larger unfortunately in the near future. Very sadly, some of our members and their loved ones lost their life, colleagues, workplaces, their houses and home towns. Zenroren expresses the deepest sympathy and support for members and people in the damaged area.
Zenroren immediately set up the Disaster Response Committee for organizing relief and support activities by Zenroren and friendly unions, headed by President Daikoku on March 12th, and had a meeting on Monday 14th with representatives from industrial federations. We decided that right now the focus has to be on the loss of life and the injured as well as the rescue efforts and meeting the necessities of like, particularly for those evacuated. Since the damaged area is so huge across mainly 5 prefectures and several hundred local municipalities, there is still uncertainty for organizing possible relief and support activities by trade unions, however, our medical, transport or municipal workers unions have been already working very hard in every possible way to provide support for their members and people in the area.
As you also know, the accidents and leakage of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plants made the situation more complicated, and shortage of electricity will be a heavy burden for economic activity in Japan. Zenroren recognizes we all need to work in solidarity as a nation and with working people around the world at this unprecedentedly difficult and challenging time.
With that, we call on our friends all over the world to send your solidarity messages and financial contributions to Zenroren. Your message will be introduced in Japanese on the Zenroren web page, and financial assistance will be used for our relief activities in the damaged area. We thank you in advance for your support and are trying our best to update our webpage and e-mail information to you so far.
In solidarity,
Zenroren Disaster Response Committee for Tohoku Pacific Earthquake
For donation to Zenroren relief activity, the following bank account is available.
Japan Post Bank
In U.S. dollars
Intermediary Bank: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas NY
Intermediary Bank Swift Code: BKTRUS33
Beneficiary Bank: Japan Post Bank
Branch: Head Office
Beneficiary Bank Address: 3-2, Kasumigaseki-1chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8798
Beneficiary Bank Swift Code: JPPSJPJ1
Beneficiary Bank Chips UID: 427593
Account Name: ZENKOKU ROUDOUKUMIAI SOURENGOU
Payee Account Number: 00170-3-426272
Payee Address: 4F, 2-4-4, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8462, Japan
Payee Telephone: +81-3-5842-5611
Payee Contact: Keisuke FUSE, Director, International Bureau, k-fuse@zenroren.gr.jp
Please indicate “Earthquake Relief FUND” in communication space.