Workplace Harassment on the Rise?
We’re seeing a significant increase in workplace harassment grievances coming to the General Union’s online consultation portal (www.generalunion.org/consult). This raises…
Language Schools
Everything You Need to Know About Work Contracts in Japan – Video!
The General Union has a lot of experience with contracts, the good and the bad. Now we’ve created this video…
Power Harassment Part 3 – Excessive demands
Ben worked at an English school with several locations in Kansai. He fell into a depressive state after being harassed…
Power Harassment Part 2 – Psychological Aggression through Micromanagement
In a business office, Sam is given guidance on his work. He is told that the reports need more data…
Power Harassment Part 1 – Physical Aggression
As mentioned in this month’s introduction summary of workplace harassment, there are six types of harassment recognized under the umbrella…
Our Strategy for Harassment
There are many members who have felt harassed at work one time or another. However, more often than not, harassment…
Let’s Expand the Fight to Win Back Our Pension Rights!
Following the courageous legal action taken by General Union member Fred Ramos, two former Interac employees who are also union…
Stop Wage Theft: Why We’re Doing This Together
You stayed late again. You worked through your break again. You answered emails at home, marked papers after hours, showed…
The Heat is ON! – Power Harassment in the Workplace
The Japanese government revised its Power Harassment Prevention Law in 2022, for the first time legally defining harassment and mandating…
General Union Member Sues Interac! You May Be Able to Recover Yours, Too
On June 25, the first hearing was held at the Tokyo District Court in a lawsuit against Interac over its…
When Things Go Wrong – Part 2
Small Overpayments = Big Headache A group of teachers were union members working at a university. Over a series of…
When Things Go Wrong – Part 1
Over the past few weeks, we have posted several articles about the importance of reading your payslip to make sure…
Workers Deserve Their Pensions: Interac Lawsuit Begins June 25
One of our members has filed a lawsuit against Interac Kanto South Co., Ltd. at the Tokyo District Court. The…
Extra Payments – Part 3
Records for Reimbursements Ethan* worked at an English conversation school. From time to time, he would buy materials for the…
Extra Payments – Part 2
Is the fare fair? Lisa* regularly took the train to work and was given a transportation allowance in advance to…
Toshiaki Asari Memorial Fund
Toshiaki Asari, former Chair of the General Union, passed away suddenly in May 2026. Toshi gave many years of service…
Extra Payments – Part 1
Everyone likes it when there is extra money showing up on their payslip. But what happens when it doesn’t appear…