Meet Your General Union Representatives
Acting Chair
EIJI KAWAGUCHI
I began my union activities in 1980 when I started working for a consumer cooperative (co-op). I continue to serve as the Executive Chairperson of the co-op’s labor union.
On July 1, 1999, I founded the Fukuoka General Union, an individual-membership union, to provide a voice for workers throughout the region. Over the years, I have handled more than 100 labor consultations and disputes.
On January 1, 2022, the Fukuoka General Union was dissolved, and together with 30 fellow members, I joined the General Union. Since then, I have served as an officer of the General Union, a position I continue to hold today.
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General Secretary & Acting Treasurer
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.
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Vice Chair
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
Leslie Takinami
I started working full-time in Japan in 2008 as a teacher at GEOS before moving into an ALT position a year later. I didn’t have much faith in my new company, so I joined the union to ensure that my rights to paid maternity and childcare leave would be protected. As it turned out, the union had to intervene, giving me my first real experience of the importance of union support. Since then, I have remained active in the union to varying degrees, and in 2021 I became a branch chair/coordinator. This role gave me a deeper understanding of how the union works, and I now hope to use that experience to educate and support members in securing better working conditions.
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Assistant General Secretary
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.
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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.
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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.
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Executive Officer
Boleyn Vowles-Webb
I joined the General Union when I moved to Japan in 2023 because of my commitment to labour rights and collective action. Since then, I have become active through the union’s Activistship program, supporting members, handling consultations, and participating in collective bargaining. My background is in refugee advocacy and community organising, supporting marginalised communities, helping people navigate complex systems, and challenging injustice.
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Executive Officer
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
Masaya Kanekiyo