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Top photo: From left to right; Climbers Eri Sasaki of NWJ, Tadashi Nakano of Joho-Roren, Mai Sasaki of JPGU, Sawako Sakai of NWJ, Toshifumi Igarashi of JPGU and Yuji Kiyosawa of NWJ at the top of Mt. Fuji





A group of Japanese trade unionists from UNI affiliates have conquered Mt. Fuji, in a climb to show their commitment to organising, growing unions and global solidarity.



The group, representing young workers and women workers, climbed the 3,776 meter tall Mt. Fuji waving the UNI flag.



“This ascent is yet another example of the commitment of our Japanese unions to organising and building union power,” UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings said. “Our affiliates are climbing to higher and higher heights with major membership and political wins.”



Japanese UNI affiliates will hit a major milestone this year as they organise new members. They are on track to bring UNI's Japanese membership to 1 million in time for the Congress in November.



The climb was yet another show of Japanese unions’ commitment to building the union movement.



In a recent visit to Japan, Jennings met with young union members and challenged them to make the climb to the top of Mt. Fuji. The young members were inspired by the challenge and decided to form a group to take it on.



Nine climbers made the trek with six reaching the top of Japan’s highest mountain where they proudly displayed a UNI banner sporting signatures and messages from more than 100 friends and affiliates.



Jennings congratulated the climbers and the unions for their show of unity. He said they exemplify the spirit of “Breaking Through,” UNI’s new strategic plan to focus on organising and union rights.



“This is a great accomplishment for our young members and shows their deep commitment to workers’ rights and the global union movement,” Jennings said.



UNI Global Union will hold its World Congress in Nagasaki from November 9 to 12.

Photo at station 5: Clockwise from back left; Eri Sasaki, Kiyosawa, Nakano, Igarashi, Mai Sasaki, Yoko Morikawa and Yoko Ogawa of UNI Tokyo, Sawako Sakai and Ogawa’s husband.



Click here for more photos of the climb.