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Article

12 Dec 2025

Author:
Tokyo Shimbun

Japan: JR East union member sues supervisor and company over coercion to leave union; more than 40 suspected unfair labour practices reported

Allegations

"JR東労組への「不当労働行為」で提訴した組合員支援集会 「会社側の団結権の侵害は明らか」と担当弁護士," 12 December 2025

[Unofficial description by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

A member of the East Japan Railway Workers' Union has filed a lawsuit seeking damages against a supervisor and the company, arguing that pressure from a superior to leave the union constitutes an “unfair labour practice” prohibited under the Labour Union Act. The union member has also filed a petition for relief with the Saitama Labor Bureau. In response, the Union held an emergency rally in Tokyo to support the member.

According to the union, JR East has repeatedly engaged in conduct such as coercing members to withdraw from the union and obstructing union activities over a period of approximately seven years, with more than 40 such incidents reported. The union’s legal counsel stated that “the company’s unfair conduct and violations of the right to organise are clear.”