The Freeters Union

Today I joined members of the Freeters' Union (a freeter is a part-time, foreign or casual worker) in paying a visit to the Touei Academy offices in Shibuya. It would seem that said academy neglected to pay one of their workers several months worth of salary and we went to remind the company that the money is due. I arrived in Shibuya in the afternoon amidst large crowds of people and met Saburou at Shibuya station. After getting lost trying to find the building (Japan's address system is notoriously complicated) we eventually located it and a number of comrades who were already there. It turned out to be very lucky. Some of the members had spotted the boss arriving at the building offices and going inside, apparently he usually remains elusive. Apparently the company offices too, tend to move around a bit.

Once inside the small company office the boss-guy came out of the office and spoke with us. It was very different from union stuff I have done in Australia. No rude words or shouting, just very polite, very insistent badgering. A number of people spoke and although I didn't understand it I certainly caught what I thought was very funny: we are coming to give you our greetings! I am sure that the boss probably would have preferred not to receive such greetings!

After the short action I chatted with some of the people out the front before adjourning with a few union members to a local coffee shops for a chin way. I learned a bit about the political situation in Japan and tried my best to explain my own background. A major issue that has cropped up in Shibuya is the proposed privatisation of Miyashita Park and its transformation into Nike Park. Apparently this is the first time that this has happened in Japan. I am looking forward to making a trip to Osaka in October for a rally in opposition to the death penalty. It seems like quite a few Tokyoites will be making the trip. We are very lucky in Australia to have already abolished the death penalty but it remains in use in Japan. The state must not have the power to give and take life.

After leaving the coffee shop we headed off to the station to make our separate ways home. We happened to pass the Japanese Self Defence Forces new recruiting office in Shibuya, apparently the first such office in Japan. It was a very modern, chic and attractive looking little shop in the heart of the major youth district in Tokyo, those military recruiters know what they are about. It seems like Japan's constitutional commitment
not to maintain a military or make preparations for war is in serious jeopardy.

After all these heady deeds and conversations I took off on a short, but relatively pricey spree around Shibuya, got some photos printed and bought stationery. Shibuya is a major shopping and fashion district. I only wish my feet could fit into some of the amazing technicolour shoes that are available here. Although it is probably a good thing that I have one less thing to spend my money on. I am now ready to face the next few months of intense Japanese study in preparation for the JLPT which I will sit in December and for which I probably need to get some sleep and so goodnight!

Freeters' Union: http://freeter-union.org/union/
Miyashita Park: http://minnanokouenn.blogspot.com/