First strike in six decades closes famous Japanese department store

First strike in six decades closes famous Japanese department store

Few physical stores that are still remain from bubble periods.

Japan's department stores have struggled in recent years to adapt to 21st-century consumers' shopping habits.

Less and less people that can afford to buy, with population decline who they expect to buy those items? Retiree?

However, the 83-year-old building in Ikebukuro needs renovation and because the chain has not made a profit for five years, Seven & i wants to sell it to U.S. investment group Fortress.

Unions, fearing job cuts, called a one-day stoppage for Thursday -- the first by Japanese department store workers since 1962.

So? Workers expect what? Job cuts are a necessary part of a business that is loosing money and wants to stay open. Would they rather it shuts down, and they all are forced out of work?

Japan's department stores have struggled in recent years to adapt to 21st-century consumers' shopping habits.

Really? Then pray tell why Aeon is making money hand over foot? I'll give you a hint, they diversified and have adapted, and continue to adapt to their customers wants and needs!

As a citizen, I cannot accept the sale," said a 74-year-old holding a poster in support of the strike but who did not want to give his name.

"Japanese should protest more like the French," he told AFP.

The French would have proudly given their names!

A strike is something that I have only seen in textbooks," one young passerby told broadcaster NHK.

They should watch more international news more. Strikes are common everywhere else in the world.

Ever wonder why Japan has the most expensive highways in the world, or the most expensive train tickets, most expensive mobile fares charges, or most expensive ??

Here people are just saying "shoganai", and accept like drones all this garbage, instead of striking for better job conditions, better pensions, no expressway tax, etc, etc.

The most complacent nation in the world

And also the lowest public pension and unemployment benefits in the G7 despite being in the middle in term of tax and social insurance premium paid. Where does the money goes ???

Not surprisingly, the Japanese media is rarely identifying the so called US fund that is purchasing Seibu/Sogo. It's Fortress Investment Group which, wait for it, is owned by Softbank, a Japanese company. The media is trying to spin this as evil American private equity vultures exploiting Japanese workers -- the fact is that Seibu/Sogo brought it upon themselves and Ito Yokado just does not view Seibu/Sogo as a core business.

When will the Japanese workforce grow a backbone and start really organising, negotiating and fighting for more pay? Probably for the same reason they don't take their paid holidays and keep masks on even though they know they're useless.

Softbank owns the investment firm buying the company and laying off workers. The Japanese are hurting other Japanese not Americans.

Tell everyone on social media!

That department store is the worst. The only convenient way to enter is by the elevators and, I kid you not, I once waited ten minutes for an elevator because they are so crowded. It’s like once you get to the top you are trapped unless you can actually find the escalators which are not clearly marked. If a fire were to break out there would be mass casualties as there is no way out. Tobu on the other side of the station is much much better.

 Would they rather it shuts down, and they all are forced out of work?

Department stores are so anachronistic, that's bound to happen anyway.

@NotThe One

“Softbank owns the investment firm buying the company and laying off workers”

Softbank sold their interest in Fortress earlier this year.

All Japanese who work in companies who complain about their wages and benefits should look at this as a lesson learn by being together and proactive. If you want better wages you just can't go home an listen to your wife complain about their is not enough money coworkers have to engage and form unions and strike. Business don't make money if employees don't go to work and employees can't pay bills if they don't work. These companies are in business to make money they will lose more than the average salaries if the employees strike therefore they will negotiate. The days in Japan where you had a job with one employer is over. The reasons why wages are stuck is because that is still the mind set of all of these old dug in owners who refuse to think that way because their job is forever. It's either full time, part time or no time at all. If the people of Japan want better wages and working conditions they will not only have to change the narrative of being married to the job and having that loyalty because the companies don't have any loyalty they are only interested in profits and numbers, not your job security because they know you can easily be replaced.

Sitting atop one of the world's busiest railway stations, it is the jewel in the crown in the Sogo and Seibu chain of 10 department stores owned by Seven & i Holdings around Japan.

And like their other rentier "holdings", they are most probably stealing their wages.

As they have confessed to and been unpunished natch.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/4934d1eda322-seven-eleven-failed-to-pay-wage-portions-to-store-workers-for-years.html?phrase=persimmon&words=

How can a union be compelled to negotiate with such confessed thieves in good faith?

The supposed free market wage labor system is a sham.

I prefer Takashimaya. There’s a great one at Namba. Went for lunch on 8th floor on Wednesday and had a delicious lamb biryani. It was lovely, I really enjoyed it.

“Softbank owns the investment firm buying the company and laying off workers”

Softbank sold their interest in Fortress earlier this year.

True; they sold it to an Abu Dhabi-based firm, Mubadala Capital.

Fortress Management and Mubadala to Acquire Fortress Investment Group | Fortress

Japanese unions are useless, collude with the companies and pretend to move, as always TATEMAE!

Softbank is not closing on the deal to sell 90% of Fortress to Mubadala (an Abu Dhabi fund) until 1Q 2024. The decision to sell and the agreement to sell was signed under Softbank's watch. The decision to sell was made at a time when Softbank controlled the Fortress Board.

Softbank owns the investment firm buying the company and laying off workers. The Japanese are hurting other Japanese not Americans.

Tell everyone on social media!

Softbank is not closing on the deal to sell 90% of Fortress to Mubadala (an Abu Dhabi fund) until 1Q 2024. The decision to sell and the agreement to sell was signed under Softbank's watch. The decision to sell was made at a time when Softbank controlled the Fortress Board.

The truth is out there!