HOOK 2026/27: Hands Off Our Koma
Every year, universities decide next year’s koma (コマ, teaching slots/classes) long before teachers hear a word about it. HOOK—Hands Off…
When Retirement Comes with a Hitch
When will a university teacher be asked to retire? At one university, the answer depends on the type of contract…
Member Voices: A Successful Conversion
I was very interested in an unlimited term contract (UTC) because I’ve been learning about it from General Union for…
Why Is Unlimited-Term Conversion Different at Universities?
For most fixed-term workers in Japan, the right to request an unlimited-term contract (UTC) begins after five years of continuous…
Member Voices: Unreasonable Deadlines – Denied!
My latest interaction with a university I have worked part-time at for approximately 20 years involves the survey they send…
Universities Are Downsizing. Workers Shouldn’t Be Paying the Price
Japan’s universities are entering a difficult period. As the birthrate falls, so does the number of university-aged students. In the…
The General Union’s Fight Against Illegal Exclusion from Social Insurance
Progress in 2025 and the Struggle Ahead in 2026 In 2025, one of the struggles the General Union fought hardest was…
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…
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…
Fighting Back Against Class Cuts: Why Universities Can’t Keep Dumping Their Problems on Workers
Universities are cutting part-time teachers’ classes and expecting workers to absorb 100% of the financial impact. The General Union says:…
Universities Must Cough Up: The Real Costs of Insurance Exclusion
The General Union has scored major victories at three universities, forcing them to finally enrol part-time teachers with 10+ koma…
Teaching at a University? Stop Being Treated Like You’re Disposable
The union’s HOOK (Hands Off Our Koma) is fighting back. The Problem is Clear Universities see part-time teachers as gap-fillers—brought…
Think Your University Can Cancel Classes Without Paying? Think Again
When universities cancel classes due to low enrollment, many teachers assume they have no recourse. This commonly happens in two…
Contract Clout: How Unlimited Term Contracts Strengthens Union Bargaining
A recent victory at a Kansai-based university of foreign studies shows the power of unlimited term contracts in protecting members’…
General Union and Supporting Workers in Transition
The Japanese EFL landscape offers opportunities as varied as the teachers it attracts. Some seek cultural immersion, while others bring…