100th Session of the ILC
Address by Yoko Komiyama, Senior Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, on behalf of the Government of Japan

　First of all, I would like to express my heart-felt gratitude to all of the constituents, international organizations including the ILO, and countless numbers of people who have expressed their support and condolences for Japan since the tragic earthquake and tsunami on March 11th, 2011.
　Three months on from the disaster, thanks to your generous support, the area has entered into the stage of recovery such as through the construction of temporary housing, and is headed toward revival. Japan, including the majority that was unaffected by the disaster and the damaged areas, is united to promote its recovery and revival.

　Recovery in employment is one of the key factors to reviving the affected area. As the leader in charge of employment assistance and job creation for those affected by the disaster, I have immediately arranged and have been implementing a variety of measures such as the creation of employment opportunities through reconstruction projects, provision of subsidies for businesses employing those affected or maintaining employment in the disaster areas, and reconstruction assistance for small and medium enterprises. In promoting these measures, ensuring that people are well matched to jobs is especially important. In this regard, I would like to stress that the nationwide network of Japan's Public Employment Services is playing an effective role.

　Mr. Chair,
　After the very serious incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Government of Japan has been making with all possible efforts to ensure that the situation is resolved as soon as possible. While doing so, we also recognize that we cannot neglect the health of the employees who are devoted to work at the critical sites. The government has been conducting extensive health checks and controls of radiation doses, strengthening measures against heatstroke in summertime working conditions, and implementing measures to ensure the mental health of workers who are exposed to long-term cumulative mental and physical stress. Furthermore, we are developing a database to facilitate the long-term health management of workers involved in the recovery efforts, extending beyond the completion of those works. We are determined to take all possible measures to protect workers through these measures.

　Mr. Chair,
　The situation in the area devastated by the earthquakes and tsunami has reminded us once again of the principles of social security. We have seen survivors of the disaster helping one another and volunteers from all over the country offering their support. I believe that this “mutual aid” is the original form of social security.
　Japan is currently considering the joint reform of the social security and tax systems. I am confident that strengthening the social security system and supporting children and child rearing are “investing in our future”. I think this view is shared by the ILO’s concept of Social Protection which emphasizes “investment in people” such as vocational training and education, and social protection.

　One of the features of ongoing social security reform is the adoption of “employment promotion” in parallel with social security for the elderly and children. This is aimed at making our society a place in which all people can participate through employment. Through this effort, a vital society can be realized in which people can live without anxiety for their future, overcoming the expected reduction of the labour force.
　The key elements for creating such a society are women, young people, and vocational training.
　As there are many women who discontinue working during the period of childbirth, a phenomenon referred to by the term “M-shaped curve” still remains in Japan. Therefore, we promote both work-life balance to control long working hours and support for child rearing such as preschool assistance.
　For young people, we give a high priority to enhancing career education and vocational education in schools, and to the improvement of the system which helps non-regular young workers to develop their careers.
　With regard to vocational training, a law was recently enacted which provides for the establishment of a system which help jobseekers by providing free vocational training and financial assistance for their livelihoods while in training. Through this system, we will strengthen the employment safety net.

　Mr. Chair,
　At the International Labour Conference last year, we mentioned the consideration of the recovery of basic labour rights of public service employees. This April, the Government of Japan compiled a reform plan of the national civil service system, including granting the right to conclude collective agreements to national public service employees in the non-operational sector, and this month submitted the relevant bills to the Diet. With regard to the Right to Organize of Fire Defense Personnel, the Committee, established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, filed its report in December 2010. We are moving towards the granting of these rights and will continue our examination of it as necessary.

　Finally, the impact of the disaster which hit Japan this year is tremendous, but we can also see this hardship as an opportunity to create an even better and more vital country towards the future. Even though the ILO Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting scheduled in Kyoto this April was postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami, we think that this is an opportunity for us, Japan, the ILO and the countries of the Asia Pacific, to take up the challenge of realizing “Decent Work” in the region. Therefore, we will continue to make contributions to the best of our ability as a host country. I hope that the hosting of the meeting in Japan will provide a strong impetus towards recovery.
　I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my wish to see you in Kyoto in December.