DOMESTIC STRATEGY

The objectives of the domestic strategy are to:

1)   market SA 8000 to the Japanese business community;
2)      make SA 8000 a part of the GOJ’s trade and development assistance programs; and
3)      put international labor standards on the GOJ’s trade and development policy agenda.

The United Kingdom’s Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) provides a suitable model for introducing SA 8000 into Japan. ETI was established in 1998 to verify ethical procurement management in some of the United Kingdom’s larger corporations, including the Body Shop International, Levi Strauss & Co, and J. Sainsbury. Each company adopted a basic code that was developed and agreed to by the participants. Each company also agreed to undergo reviews of its procurement management system and to correct any unethical trading practices uncovered by the review. All the reviews and updates on companies’ progress are published by ETI.

ETI has non-profit status and its own administrative staff. However ETI received funding from the government for its first three-year program. The government also participates in ETI’s board meetings, as does the U.K. chapter of the Council on Economic Priorities.

ETI provides a good model for how CEPAA might introduce SA 8000 in Japan because:

1)   The United Kingdom is a developed country, as is Japan.
2)      U.K. corporations are major foreign investors, just as Japanese companies are.
3)      ETI encompasses all business sectors, unlike the United States’ Apparel Industry 
      Partnership.

To accommodate Japan’s unique economic, political, and social circumstances, CEPAA’s strategy in Japan will need to be somewhat different from the ETI strategy. Japanese consumers, for example, are not yet as concerned with social responsibility as the United Kingdom’s consumers. In the United Kingdom, it was consumers’ demands that convinced the government and business community to initiate ETI. In Japan, consumers’ lack of concern might become an obstacle.

The domestic strategy has three components:

·        Research Strategy

·        Political and Legislative Strategy

·        Media Strategy

It is designed to be implemented over one year, following which an international strategy will be implemented (see next section). To facilitate the strategies, an Asian CEPAA office should be established in Tokyo.


I.     Research Strategy

The objective of the research strategy is build a base of information to support and implement the political, legislative and media strategies. Research will be conducted on:

1)     The relationship between labor standards and public policy (trade and development); 
        and
2)      The relationship between corporate governance and public awareness of social 
       responsibility.

Given that international labor standards are not well studied in Japan, this research will need to be carried out by well-respected scholars if it is to provide a credible basis for launching a national dialogue on the subject.

The following research institutions are all recommended. (Exhibit 7 lists the advantages of each of these institutions, as well as their contact information.)

Research on the Labor Standards and Public Policy in Asia

·        International Development Center of Japan (IDCJ)

IDCJ was established in 1971 as Japan’s first think tank. It specializes in the field of development and cooperation. Although six governmental agencies (MOFA, MITI, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Construction, the Economic Planning Agency, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) finance IDCJ, the Center is an independent research institute. In fact, one of IDCJ’s principles is that it remain “neutral from any interest, government or private.”[24]

IDCJ conducts research on interdisciplinary and integrated topics, which means it is well suited to study of the relationship between labor standards and public policies (trade and development). IDCJ also conducts international symposia. One of its recent symposia was “International Conference on Asian Transitional Economies: Challenges and Prospects for Reform and Transformation.”[25]

·        Institute of Development Economics (IDE)

The Institute of Development Economics (IDE) is one of the largest social science research institutes in the Asian region. IDE is an affiliate of the Japan External Trading Organization (JETRO), so it has strong ties to MITI, and it is well funded. IDE is recognized for producing quality macroeconomic analysis, regional studies, and sector-based studies. It is one of the designated economic research centers of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and it engages in international exchanges among foreign think tanks.

·        Sanwa Research Institute Corporation (SRIC)

SRIC is an affiliate of Sanwa Bank, which is one of Japan’s largest financial institutions. Despite the fact that Sanwa Bank finances 50 percent of SRIC’s budget, SRIC is relatively independent from the bank. SRIC is well known for its superior economic forecasting capabilities. It recently began participating in feasibility studies for Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs.

SRIC studies trade, international organizations, industrial policy, infrastructure, labor relations, education, environment, international economic policy, intellectual property, and official development assistance. Like IDCJ and IDE, SRIC has participated in development research. For example, SRIC recently worked with the Central Bank of Mongolia on research concerning policy formulation to promote Mongolia’s economic development.[26]

·        Pacific-Asia Resource Center (PARC)

A non-profit organization, PARC has become involved in investigations of labor conditions in overseas factories managed by Japanese businesses. PARC’s resources are not as large as those of the research institutes listed above. As a result, however, PARC is somewhat more independent and neutral. Moreover, as a NGO, PARC has more flexibility in developing its own research agenda.

Research on Corporate Governance and Public Awareness in Japan

·        Asahi Cultural Foundation (ACF)

ACF is a partner of the Council on Economic Priorities (CEP)—CEPAA’s parent body. Each year, ACF reviews Japanese corporations’ conduct using CEP’s social responsibility scoring system. ACF is an affiliate of the Asahi Shimbun, one of the largest newspaper publishers in Japan. Ms. Mitsuko Shimomura, a former Asahi Journal editor, currently chairs ACF. (The journal was dissolved in 1993, but during its existence it often published articles on social causes.)

·        Asahi Shimbun

Asahi Shimbun conducts research for feature articles. The paper is well known for its left-of-center political position, and its editorials are often critical of government policies. The paper also supports labor union causes.

·        Nikkei Shimbun

Nikkei Shimbun is the largest economic newspaper in Japan. Its broad coverage of social and economic events is highly respected. Nikkei often conducts polls concerning the public’s support for the government.


II.    Political Strategy

The objective of the political and legislative strategies is to build support within Japan for using international labor standards generally and SA 8000 specifically in establishing a Japanese version of the United Kingdom’s ETI. The strategies include the following components:

 1)      Coalition building
 2)      Education
 3)      Fund raising
 4)      Workshops
 5)      Legislative action

Coalition Building

Building a coalition that represents a broad array of interests will help in getting international labor standards on the GOJ’s trade and development policy agenda. After labor issues are on the government’s agenda, SA 8000 can be put forth as the most favorable solution to the problem of reconciling free trade with labor measures.

The following stakeholders should be involved in the coalition:

 1)      Political Parties
 2)      Government Agencies
 3)      Labor Unions
 4)      Universities
 5)      Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
 6)      Business Associations

(See Exhibit 12 for a more detailed list.)

·        Political Parties

Both majority and opposition parties should be mobilized. At present, coalition groups including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Komei Party (KP), and the Liberal Party (LP) control the Diet. Each of the parties has different characteristics that can be useful for promoting the concept of labor standards and SA 8000.

·        The LDP is backed by major economic organizations, such as the Keidanren, and it 
      currently controls the administration. Accordingly, the party is very powerful; it will be 
      important to gain LDP support for SA 8000. The LDP’s association with the 
      Keidanren provides a means of introducing SA 8000 to the LDP.

·        The KP is supported by the Soka Gakkai (Value-Creation Society), one of the
       largest newly developed religious groups in Japan. The Soka Gakkai finances a   
       variety of programs in Japan and overseas.

·        The LP grew out of the New Frontier Party. Its party leader, Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, is 
      committed to deregulating social and economic structures in Japan. In his recently 
      published book, he notes that Japan could benefit from allowing freer trade.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is influential even though it is not part of the coalition that controls the Diet. Mr. Yukio Hatoyama was elected as president of the DPJ in 1999. His family has long been involved in politics, but Hatoyama himself was a professor at Sensyu University prior to throwing his hat into the political arena. He holds a Ph.D. degree from Stanford University. Given that the DPJ is committed to improving civil rights, it is likely to be open to the idea of international labor standards and the SA 8000 system.

·        Government Agencies

Government agency participation in the coalition will help persuade the business community to become involved in establishing an ETI-like program in Japan. MOFA, MITI and JICA will be particularly important, but MOL and JBIC should also be invited to join. Government participation will also be important because the government could provide financing for developing an ETI-like program.

·        Labor Unions

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC or “Rengo”) has regained strength through its efforts to protect workers rights during Japan’s economic recession. JTUC is a member of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

·        Universities

Japanese universities’ research on business ethics lags behind such research at U.S. and European universities. Nevertheless, a few colleges could be helpful in promoting the concept of labor standards in Japan.

·        Reitaku University is well known for its Institute for the Study of Morals, which 
      conducts research on human morals in economic activities. Institute researchers often 
      contribute articles to the Journal of Business Ethics.  

·        Sophia University is known for its study of international affairs generally, and it is 
      home to the Institute of  Social Justice, which works to promote social justice and 
      humanitarian goals on the international level. Ms. Sadako Ogata, the United Nations 
      High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was once a professor at Sophia, and 
      she maintains a relationship with the school.

Mobilizing Japanese students on labor issues is one means of quickly raising the general public’s awareness of these issues. Reitaku and Sophia Universities should be targeted first. Universities can also promote labor standards issues by holding forums or lectures on the topic. CEPAA might explore the possibility of giving a university lecture or organizing a series of lectures in cooperation with faculty members.

Other than the Reitaku and Sophia, the following universities and colleges should be targeted:

Tokyo Area:

University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Keio University, Hitotsubashi University, Tsuda College, Ochanomizu Women’s College, Tokyo Christian Women’s College, Nihon Women’s College, Gakusyuin University, Aoyoma Gakuin University, and International Christian University (ICU).

Kyoto/Osaka Area:

Kyoto University, Doshisha University, Ritsumeikan University, Ryukoku University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Osaka University, and Kobe University.

·        Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Japanese consumer groups have some power to affect political decisions. It was pressure from consumer groups, for example, that convinced the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) to require labeling for genetically modified foods. Accordingly, consumer groups should be included in CEPAA’s coalition in Japan.

Although Japanese NGOs, are not very influential, some are involved in overseas development assistance programs. The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and the Japan International Volunteer Center (JIVC) frequently participate in ODA’s programs. Their know-how in developing countries should be fully utilized to the coalition’s advantage.

The coalition may also want to seek out the assistance of international NGOs, such as Oxfam and Care International. Their capacity to manage projects in developing countries is stronger than those of the Japanese NGOs.

·        Business Associations

The Keidanren has expressed its interested in SA 8000 and should also be asked to endorse it and perhaps sponsor some of CEPAA’s promotional activities. In December 1999, Keidanren representatives visited CEPAA to learn about SA 8000.[27]

The Japan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) represents small and medium size companies. The JCC assisted in organizing CEPAA’s 1999 meeting in New York for Japanese businessmen.

Education

Educational activities will need to be organized to help the Japanese public, as well as Japanese policymakers, learn about international labor standards. Toward this end, seminars should be held at universities, with most concentrated in Tokyo where the largest number of stakeholders live.

Fund Raising

In order to establish an ongoing labor standards efforts, a neutral administrative body will be needed (this body can be modeled after ETI’s). The coalition should ask the GOJ to finance this body for some initial start up period—just the United Kingdom’s government funded ETI for its first three years.

Religious groups and foundations in Japan might also be a source of funding. The Nippon Foundation (the former Sasakawa Peace Foundation), the Soka Gakkai Society and the Toyota Foundation are possible financial sources. (See Exhibit 9 for a list of foundations.) Corporations should also be asked to contribute.

Workshops

The coalition should ask representatives of government agencies to make presentations at CEPAA’s four-day workshops that introduce SA 8000 to specific companies. According to CEPAA Executive Director Eileen Kaufman, it is possible that CEPAA will hold an SA 8000 introductory training course in Tokyo in July 2000.[28]

Legislative Actions

In 1998, the Japanese Diet passed a law prohibiting child pornography and prostitutes. This case should be used as a precedent for looking at labor standards issues. Although the Japanese labor law protects worker’s rights in Japan, it does not require Japanese companies to be responsible for labor standards in their overseas factories. Legally obligating Japanese businesses to be responsible for labor standards in all their factories will make Japanese businesses eager to learn about auditing systems such as SA 8000.


III.             Media Strategy

The objectives of the media strategy are to educate the public on the importance of labor standards, to persuade the GOJ to put labor standards issues on its policy agenda, and to introduce SA 8000 as a solution to the conflict between trade and labor.

Public Relations Consulting Firms

Public relations firms can be expensive, but they provide an efficient means of reaching target audiences. Recommended PR agencies are listed below. (See Exhibit 6 for contact information).

·        Fleishman-Hillard Japan, Inc.

Fleishman-Hillard is one of the largest PR consulting firms in the United States and the fourth largest agency worldwide. FH Japan was established in 1997; its president once worked for Honda Motors’ government relations office in Washington, DC. (The author worked at FH during the summer of 1999.)

·        Cosmo Public Relations Corporation

Cosmo is a leading PR agency in Japan. The president of the corporation graduated from a U.S. college and worked for McKenzie & Company, a major U.S. management consulting firm, prior to assuming her current position. Cosmo previously developed a PR strategy for improving public awareness on health issues.

·        Burson-Marsteller Tokyo, Inc.

Burson-Marsterller (BM) is the oldest PR agency in the United States. The company’s Japanese branch has been open for 25 years.

·        Dentsu Public Relations Co., Ltd.

With some 200 employees, Dentsu is the largest PR agency in Japan. The company is an affiliate of Dentsu, Inc., the largest advertisement agency in Japan.

Setting up a Public Forum

As a first step, a public forum on international labor standards should be organized. Academic figures, representatives from business, and governmental officials should all be invited. The Keidanren, Japanese labor unions, international organizations (ADB, WB, ILO, OECD), and mass media companies (Asahi, Japan Times, Nikkei) should be asked to sponsor the forum. (See Exhibit 13 for a draft plan of the forum).

Mass Media

Newspaper, television, and magazine contacts should be cultivated.

·        Newspapers

1)     The Asahi Shimbun (The Asahi Newspaper, Inc.)
2)     The Mainichi Shimbun (The Mainichi Newspaper, Inc.)
3)     The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (The Japan Economic Newspaper, Inc.)
4)     The Yomiuri Shimbun (The Yomiuri Newspaper, Inc.)
5)     The Sankei Shimbun (The Industrial Economic News, Inc.)
6)     The Japan Times, Inc.
7)     The Financial Times, Inc.
8)     The New York Times, Inc.

Asahi, Mainichi , Yomiuri, Sankei, and Nihon Keizai are national newspapers, and each has its own English newspaper. The Japan Times is the oldest English newspaper in Japan. The Financial Times and the New York Times will cover the Japanese economic and social events to report to European countries and the United States.

·        Television

Television is the most important element of the media strategy because video footage of laborers working in poor conditions is the most effective means of conveying to the pubic the importance of labor standards.

Japan has five large television stations. 

·        The Nippon Hoso Kyokai, (NHK) is a public broadcasting service. Ms. Yumiko  
      Nakajima, a social documentary producer at NHK, should be approached about the 
      possibility of developing programming on the issue of trade and labor standards. 
      Given her interest in social justice issues, she is likely to be willing to at least explore 
      the idea.

·        The Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) is affiliated with Mainichi Shimbun and is 
      well known for its documentary programming. TBS’s “Hodo Tokusyu” (Special 
      Reports) covers a wide range of issues. The relationship between trade and labor 
      standards is an appropriate topic for the program.

·        TV Asahi (TVA) is affiliated with Asahi Shimbun. TVA’s daily news program 
      “News Station” covers a variety of social issues and gets high ratings.

·        The Nippon Hoso-mou (Nippon Television Network) (NTN), an affiliate of Yomiuri 
      Shimbun, and Fuji Television (a part of Sankei Shimbun), are also influential in the 
      Japanese television media.

See Exhibit 14 for more information about news programs that might cover trade and labor issues.

·        Magazines

·        Sekai (The World). This monthly magazine covers social, economic and political 
      issues. It targets people with higher education who have an interest in social causes. 
      Sekai’s circulation is fairly small, but the magazine would put a story on SA 8000 in 
      the hands of the right readers.

·        AERA. Asahi Shimbun publishes the AERA weekly, a large circulation magazine with 
      lots of pictures. Although it targets general readers, AERA’s coverage is oriented 
      toward social and economic issues.

·        The Weekly Economist. This magazine is published by Mainichi Shimbun. It is 
      different from the English language Economist that is published in the United 
      Kingdom. Its target audience is general readers with higher education. Compared to 
      Sekai, this publication covers more business and industry-related stories. It is an 
      appropriate place to introduce SA 8000 to the business community.

·        Shukan Asahi (The Weekly Asahi). This weekly magazine is also an Asahi Shimbun  
      publication. The magazine covers general news including cultural and social stories, 
      but it is not good at dealing with social issues. Nevertheless, a story should be pitched 
      to this magazine because its circulation is large.

·        The Sunday Mainichi. This publication is one of the few Japanese publications that 
      has already done a story on SA 8000. (The story ran in 1996.) The magazine is 
      similar to Shukan Asahi. It is a Mainich Shimbun publication

·        Nikkei Business. Nikkei Business is one of the most popular business magazines in 
      Japan. Although it began as a monthly, it is now published weekly. The magazine 
      covers a variety of business issues, and it prints opinion pieces from some of Japan’s 
      top executives.

·        Books

CEPAA consultant Maki Saito will soon publish a book on corporate responsibility in Japan. The marketing campaign for her book should be used to heighten awareness of labor standards issues. Towards A Fair Global Labour Market: Avoiding a new slave trade,[29] a new book by Canadian scholars, might also help in promoting a public dialogue on the relationship between trade and labor standards. Its publishers should be contacted to see if it might be possible to translate the book into Japanese.

·        Celebrities

Celebrities can help attract attention to labor standards issues. Their presence on television programs, in Tokyo forums, and at universities lectures will help draw public and media attention to labor standards issues.

Three possible people are listed below:

1)      Ms. Misako Konno

Konno is an actress and the current Global Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development programme (UNDP). She frequently visits developing countries to draw public attention to development issues. Her connection with the UNDP could help promote recognition of SA 8000 within the organization.

2)      Mr. Takehito Nakata

Nakata is an honorable Ambassador of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV). His son, Atsuhito Nakata, was shot to death in Cambodia in 1994 when he was working as a UN volunteer assisting with the administration of the country’s elections. Since his son’s death, Nakata has worked to promote the principles of the United Nations and assist people who get involved in development programs.

3)      Ms. Ayako Sono

Sono is chair of the Nippon Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Japan. She is a Christian, a graduated of Sacred Heart Women’s University in Tokyo, and a well-known writer.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY

The objective of the international strategy is to put international pressure on the GOJ to address labor standards and promote SA 8000 to Japanese businesses. The strategy also aims to gain widespread recognition of SA 8000 within the international community because such recognition will make the standard more appealing to businesses in Japan and around the world.

The strategy targets foreign government officials and major international organizations. Some activities may be carried out in specific Asian countries, however most activities will be conducted in Japan because all the relevant international organizations have offices in Japan.

The international strategy will parallel the plan for the UNDP’s Asia-Africa Network for Artisan Development campaign,[30] which is aimed at developing awareness of artisan products in Asian and African countries and promoting trade in these products worldwide.[31] Specifically, the international strategy will include both a political strategy and a media strategy.

I.                   Political Strategies

The objective of the political strategy is to advance the domestic strategy by creating a force for change in the international political arena. Possible actions include:

1)      Coalition building
2)      Cooperation with international organizations

Coalition Building

The following international organizations have already addressed the issue of labor standards and should be included in the coalition. (See Exhibit 8 for these organizations’ contact information.)

·        The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The Japanese office of the OECD provides information on current OECD activities and OECD economic and political data. It is located in Akasaka and maintains a library that is open to the public.

·        The International Labour Organization (ILO)

The Tokyo office of the ILO is housed in the United Nations University (UNU) building. While the ILO’s main office in the Asia-Pacific region is based in Bangkok, Thailand, the current head of that office is Japanese. The close relationship between the ILO’s Tokyo and Bangkok offices will help in gaining ILO assistance for promoting SA 8000 in Japan.

·        The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The UNDP’s Tokyo office is also located in the UNU building.

·        The Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The ADB has close links with the GOJ. Although the ADB’s Tokyo office was established only in 1997, ADB presidents over the past 10 years have all been Japanese. CEPAA participated in the November 1999 ADB meeting in Manila.

·        The World Bank (WB)

The World Bank’s interests are similar to those of the ADB. By building contacts with the Japanese office of the WB, CEPAA may be able to influence future projects coordinated by the WB in Asia. Japan is the largest donor to the WB.

·        Labor Unions and NGOs in the Asian Region

CEPAA has already held workshops in Asia to teach labor unions and NGOs about SA 8000. These unions and NGOs can play an important role in pushing the GOJ to address labor issues.

·        Representatives of the Asian country government

Enhancing support for the Japanese initiative among Asian governments will help push the GOJ to address labor issues.

Cooperating with International Organizations

The UNDP, ILO, and ADB are already implementing several social policy programs aimed at enhancing labor standards. The project team should be careful to recognize and learn from these programs’ achievements.

II.                Media Strategy

The international media strategy is designed to complement the domestic media strategy and will focus on developing informational media pieces. If possible, all of these pieces should be developed in cooperation with international organizations because such co-sponsorship will help legitimize and draw attention to the pieces. Similarly, media events supported by the international organizations will draw more attention than events sponsored by Japanese interest groups alone.

Specific informational pieces that should be developed include:

·        Leaflets, booklets, newsletters, and brochures

These informational materials concerning labor standards and SA 8000 can be broadly circulated in business communities worldwide. Such documents should be published in multiple languages.

·        Video

As part of its Asia-Africa Network for Artisan Development campaign, the UNDP has created a 20-minute film on artisans, their way of life and the ecologically friendly products they produce. The film will be broadcast via international media, such as BBC Television, CNN, and the Discovery Channel. CEPAA should consider making its own short film about labor standards and SA 8000. The film could be used in broadcasts, as well as at workshops and lectures. Collaboration with international organizations that already have film making expertise could help defray costs, as well as build stronger ties between such organizations and CEPAA.

NEGOTIATION STRATEGY

The objectives of the negotiation strategy are to:

1)      persuade Japanese businesses to use SA 8000 in their commercial transactions,

2)      get agreement that labor standards issues should be put on the Japanese trade and 
      development policy agenda, and

3)      promote the use of SA 8000 by Japanese businesses and their suppliers in Asia.

A CEPAA office should be established in Tokyo to supervise the negotiations (among other things). CEPAA should first negotiate with Japanese companies. Then, the Keidanren should be asked both to begin promoting SA 8000 and to join with CEPAA in negotiating with the GOJ. Finally, CEPAA should support negotiations between the Japanese corporations and their suppliers.

The negotiation strategy is designed to address the interests, possible actions, and objective criteria of each party (see Exhibits 11 and 12 ).

Short-term Preferred Outcomes

CEPAA’s short-term goal is to publicize the concept of labor standard issues and market SA 8000 to Japanese companies. Building a coalition of supporters will facilitate progress toward this goal.

Long-term Preferred Outcomes

CEPAA’s long-run goal is to influence the GOJ to push Japanese companies to meet labor standards requirements. Increased public awareness of labor standards issues will push the government toward such action. The formation of an ETI-like partnership between the government, businesses, and civil society would be an ideal result.

Domestic Negotiation

In order to convince domestic government authorities and business representatives to promote and/or adopt SA 8000, the following steps should be taken:

1.      Gain strong support from the Keidanren. With Keidanren support for SA 8000, 
      Japanese corporations will be encouraged to adopt the standard for their commercial 
      transactions.

2.      Build a coalition that includes the Keidanren, academics, research institutes, labor 
      unions, and NGOs.

3.      Expand the coalition to include the media and GOJ agencies such as MOFA, MITI 
      and JICA.

4.      Support negotiations between Japanese corporations and their suppliers in Asia.

5.      Educate the Diet members.

6.      Educate the general public through various media.

International Negotiation

International efforts should be planned to support CEPAA’s domestic actions. International organizations should be kept informed of CEPAA’s efforts in Japan and should be encouraged to develop cooperative programs with Japanese government and corporate entities. Specific actions should be to:

1.      Keep international organizations informed of initiatives in Japan and Japanese 
       initiatives to improve labor standards overseas.

2.      Encourage Japanese cooperation with international organization programs.

3.      Introduce the Japanese initiative to labor unions and NGOs in Asia and solicit their 
      ideas and support for collaborative projects.

(See exhibit 16 for sample questions and answers concerning the negotiation.)

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