Workers at a major Tokyo department store went on strike on Thursday after talks with management over the planned sale of their company broke down, marking the first major walk-out the country has seen in decades.

Some 900 workers at the flagship Seibu store in the bustling district of Ikebukuro are protesting the sale of Sogo & Seibu, a unit of Japanese retail giant Seven & i (3382.T), to U.S. fund Fortress Investment Group.

They are seeking job and business continuity guarantees, unhappy with reported plans for discount electronics retailer Yodobashi Holdings to take over roughly half of the store.

  • marrenia@astraea.pink
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    1 year ago

    I wonder what the common business leader in Japan is thinking right now with these workers actually standing up for their rights - personally I’m picturing blubbering rage lol

    • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      ·
      1 year ago

      I’m not sure, I think more Japanese businessmen and C-suites are worried about takeovers from US, Europe and China-based multinational companies. They only care a little bit about workers advocating for their rights.