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UNI Graphical President Michel Muller and Head of Department Steve Walsh attended the UNI LCJ Graphical Seminar held in Tokyo on Feb 10.

The seminar was attended by 35 delegates from the graphical unions in Japan.

The seminar was opened by Bro Takei, the Vice President of UNI Apro Graphical and the General Secretary of the All Printing Bureau.

In his address Bro Takei referred to the difficult times the printing industry is facing as a result of digitalization and globalization. He said that many companies are moving their operations to countries where operating costs are lower.

He said the Government had commissioned reports into the many public institutions within Japan. He said we must all unite to ensure the National Printing Bureau which prints Japan’s currency and passports continues as a state owned enterprise.

The HOD presented on the Graphical sectors strategic plan and the importance of organizing and campaigning in particular around multi national companies.

He referred to the Toppan Company and following discussions with Insatsu Roren he had committed to undertaking some initial research on this company.

Bro Michel Muller addressed the seminar on the changes in the French graphical sector particularly around the digital and press areas. He spoke about the oversupply of capacity in the offset area and the initiatives being undertaken to address this issue. He said his Union, Filpac CGT had presented options to the government and that it was essential that the government take the iniative to develop a plan

Bro. Takura the General Secretary of Insatsu Roren spoke about the impact that digital printing is having on the industry in Japan. He said customers are more demanding now than ever before. He said as a result of these customer expectations it had been necessary for his union to adapt and agree to the implementation of different patterns of work. He said it was vital that unions continue to organize the workers.

Bro Sakurado as the Chair of the LCJ in closing the seminar thanked everyone for their contributions and for attending. He said it was significant for Japan and the Graphical unions that we are hosting the World Congress in Nagasaki.

He said Nagasaki was the cradle of printing in Japan as it is the birthplace of printing here. He said that a Dutchman brought the first press to Nagasaki well over 100 years ago

He said we must also never forget that Japan is the only country to have been atomic bombed and we must commit ourselves to a world of peace.

We must join forces to fight differences and let the world know that the Japanese are a resilient race.

This was the 3rd LCJ Seminar held in the Graphical Sector

Contact steve.walsh@uniglobalunion.org