Japan Federation of Trade Unions

(Nihon Rodo Kumiai Sodomei, also known as Sodomei), a Japanese trade union organization. The Japan Federation of Trade Unions was founded in August 1946 by leaders of the prewar reformist trade unions. In 1948–49 leftists took over its leadership. In March 1951 the Japan Federation of Trade Unions passed a resolution calling for its own dissolution and for its member unions to adhere to the General Council of Trade Unions of Japan (Sohyo). However, some unions opposed dissolution and, in June 1951, resolved to revive the federation. After the rightist All-Japan Congress of Trade Unions (Zenro Kaigi) was founded in 1954 (since 1962 it has been known as the All-Japan Confederation of Trade Unions, or Domei Kaigi), it was joined by the Japan Federation of Trade Unions on the basis of organizational autonomy. In 1964, when the All-Japan Confederation of Labor (Domei) was founded, the Japan Federation of Trade Unions was dissolved, and its member unions joined the All-Japan Confederation of Labor.