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The Prime Minister Meets with Leaders of G8 Labor Unions Tuesday, May 13, 2008 JAPANESE

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda received a visit by a group of representatives of labor unions from the G8 countries at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, and received a statement of labor unions' requests for the Chair of the G8 Summit. The international labor unions meeting, or the labor summit, a sideline event of the G8 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting 2008 that was held in Niigata City from May 11 to 13, was convened with the purpose of ensuring that results of discussions by labor union leaders from major countries on issues that they deem important are reflected in the agenda and results of the G8 Summit, through a request in the form of recommendations to the Chair of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. In his address, Prime Minister Fukuda said, "I have just received recommendations toward the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, and I am truly grateful for the efforts made. As the Chair of this year's G8 Summit, I deem the recommendations to be of great significance. It goes without saying that intergovernmental cooperation is vital for addressing issues, and, as such, we leaders of nations will discuss major issues on the agenda at the G8 Summit. At the same time, it is also essential that we have cooperation from industrial and labor circles of each county in order for us to address the issues. In this, I ask for the understanding and cooperation of labor union leaders of respective countries." Related link: G8 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)