The General Union’s General Secretary Dennis Tesolat recently sat down with the hosts of “Unpacking Japan” podcast to discuss the role of labour unions in Japan and share insights from his extensive experience in the Japanese labour movement. In this wide-ranging interview, Tesolat explains how unions operate in Japan compared to other countries and addresses the specific workplace challenges workers face in today’s Japan. With the growing number of immigrant workers in Japan, Tesolat details how the union fights for workers’ rights and provides crucial support in enforcing Japan’s labour laws. Drawing from three decades of union work in Japan, he provides practical advice for workers seeking union support while highlighting significant cases that have strengthened workers’ rights and discusses key issues like access for people with disabilities and medical support processes in Japan.