Deductions – Part 1
In Japan, your employer is legally required to deduct certain items from your salary such as income tax, company insurance…
May Day 2026: Why Your Participation Matters
May first is not just a date on the calendar. It’s May Day, a global day of action rooted in…
Stand Together April 26: Solidarity Demo Against Division
On April 26, the Kinki Demonstration Committee is organizing a March for Rights and Peace in Osaka. The General Union’s…
Video: Power Harassment and Your Workplace Rights
Power harassment, often called “pawahara,” refers to behavior where someone in the workplace uses their power in ways that are…
Start 2026 Ready to Organise: January & February Training Dates Now Live
The new year’s here, and so are fresh opportunities to build power at your workplace. We’ve just released January and…
Is Your Residency Status at Risk? Presentation From Public Meeting Now Available
The Japanese government has announced plans and proposals for major immigration system changes. These reforms could affect a wide range…
Watch the Full Seminar: Beyond Term Limits – The 5-Year Rule and You!
If you weren’t able to join our recent seminar on Japan’s unlimited term contract conversion rights, the full recording is…
Is Your Residency Status at Risk?
Public Meeting – Sunday, 7 December 2025 at 14:00 via ZOOM Open to all. Bring your friends, colleagues, and anyone concerned about these…
Health Care, Sick Days, and Paid Leave: November Workshops
Did you take the day off the last time you were sick? Do you even know if you’re “allowed”? Understanding…
We’re Fighting for a Minimum Wage of ¥1,500/Hour and ¥260,000/Month for Every GU Member
We Demand Minimum Wage Councils Implement ¥1,500/Hour Across All Prefectures Now The minimum wage supposedly reached ¥1,121 nationwide this year.…
End the Year Strong: Individual Organising Training for November & December
The year’s almost done. You’ve been thinking about organising your workplace but haven’t made the move yet. Now’s the time.…
Typhoon Day? Cancelled Classes? No Pay? Keep Reading
When a typhoon warning goes up or an employer decides to close for “safety reasons,” many workers assume they’ve just lost a…
Beyond Term Limits: the 5-Year Rule and You
SEMINAR – Sunday, 30 November at 19:00 to 21:00 via ZOOM RSVP your attendance → https://uni.genu.cc/UTC The General Union invites you to an important…
Understanding Your Payslip: What Every Employee Should See
Every worker deserves transparency when it comes to their pay. Your 給与明細書 (kyūyo meisaisho), or payslip, is an important document…
Can Freelancers Join a Union? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No.
First, let’s clear one thing up. Many so-called freelancers in Japan are actually misclassified by employers, often on purpose. They…