In an important step of solidarity, the rail workers of Japanese DORO-CHIBA(The National Railway Motive Power Union of Chiba) have reported that they have struck 600 train runs to protest the war on Iraq, privatization and repression.

The union which is part of a national labor coalition fighting for union democracy has played a lead in fighting to defend the workers fired by JR duing the privatization of the railroads by the Nakasone administration. Growing anger against the LDP Koizumi administration for it's support for the US/UK war is building throughout Japan and this anger combined with the anger over the economic attacks Japanese workers face will bring growing militancy within the trade union movement.