Executive Committee – General Union

Meet Your General Union Representatives

Chair

Toshiaki Asari

I was asked to join the General Union by the late Mr. Katsuji Yamahara while I was dealing with the issues of foreign workers in Takatsuki City in 2015. Since then, I have been spending my days doing new and rewarding work.

Let’s work together to make the General Union bigger, stronger, and more useful as a “tool” to protect and expand the rights of our members and fellow workers, and to improve their lives and workplaces.

Vice Chair At-Large

EIJI KAWAGUCHI

I formed Fukuoka General Union in July 1999, and since joining the General Union in January 2022, I have been serving as vice-chairman, drawing on my previous experience. My current motto is “If labor unions do not organize workers, society will collapse”

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Vice Chair At-Large

Kris Numata

I joined the union as insurance in 2018, when a corporate buyout and large internal changes at my company made me a little uneasy. I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t had many (personal) complaints or grievances, and have instead worked toward helping others resolve theirs. Over the last few years, I’ve focused on member engagement and outreach, and going forward strive to use what I’ve learned in my leadership positions to raise knowledge of our rights under the law and the benefits of unionizing to people all across Japan.

General Secretary

Dennis Tesolat

I came to Japan in 1994 and joined the union in 1995 while I was working at GEOS. Long story short, I was dismissed after organising the union and after a long dispute and court case which we won, I was able to move on. I have a passion for workplace organising as the foundation of our union.

I have worked at the union as either a full timer or part timer since 1996 and I love the work that I do. Building a strong union is something that I believe in and hope that you will join with me and others to protect workers rights and build a better future for everyone.

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Assistant General Secretary

J.W.

Thanks to union action I was able to improve my working conditions alongside my fellow union members. Now, I want to give more of my time to the General Union in return for all of the support they offer me. I’m excited to use my talents to support the union and my fellow workers in Japan.

Executive Officer

Terao

Like many labor union members, when I encountered some employment problems, I joined a small union in Tokyo and resolved my problems there. Since then, as a member in the beginning, later as a staff and board member I have gained experience in labor consultation and collective bargaining with various labor unions, as well as occasionally in court and labor commission, and now work at GU as a staff and executive officer.

Executive Officer

Simon Cole

I’m a founder member of the union and have been an Executive Committee member since its foundation. I’m presently teaching part-time at Kindai University and a member of the Kindai branch. I’ve also been responsible for the last few years of running GU new member orientations and also working on the union’s Solidarity Committee. I look forward to playing an active role on the GUEC and GU activities in the next year.

Executive Officer

Charles Magne

I joined the GU in 2012.Today, unions are more important to working people than ever. During the crisis, the GU has been able to secure enhanced safety measures, additional premium pay, paid sick time, and work-share arrangements to save jobs. By joining together with our coworkers, we gain bargaining power to negotiate for a better life and a voice on the job.

Executive Officer

Go Kishima

As a graduate of the organizer training course, I was wondering what I should do next—then I reconnected with the General Union. Through street labor consultation sessions and the labor consultation volunteer training course, I hope to become a bridge between the public and labor consultations.