Tubogi: Struggle for Employment in Japan and Korea
A screening of the documentary film 'Tubogi', which depicts a corporate liquidation and dismissal incident at a group company of a Japanese enterprise, as well as the struggle of union members and the events before and after it, was held on October 12, 2026, at Nagoya City Hall. The day before, on the 11th, a Community Union National Exchange Meeting was also held at the same venue. Many attendees of the exchange meeting participated in the screening as an optional event, and there were also participants who traveled from outside the prefecture to attend the film screening, not just from the local area. With over 100 attendees, the venue was buzzing with excitement.
The film begins before the struggle. There was already unity even before the formation of the union. I believe that for everyone involved in the movement, the difficulty and greatness of maintaining that unity will surely resonate. In the struggle against dismissals, a struggle that began with 209 people was brought to its conclusion by those same 209 people. Why no one left might be somewhat understandable after watching this film. Anyway, there were smiles and dancing within the struggle.
In South Korea, the movement developed into one that involved society as a whole and even the National Assembly. There was a sense of unity not only among union members but also with the local community. After exhausting all means to protect the factory, including hunger strikes and expeditions to Japan, an agreement was reached with the company through contributions to a social employment fund.
The film does not end with the conclusion of the struggle. Using the social employment fund gained through the struggle, the Tubogi Foundation was established, and activities such as re-employment for union members and support for vulnerable workers in the local community were launched. However, since many of the constituent members of the Korea Wiper Branch are middle-aged and older women, not everyone can easily find new employment in reality. The film also touches upon these real-world difficulties.
After the film screening, I asked several questions to the film directors, Kim Sumok and Che Yunmi. If anyone is taking notes, please feel free to write additional comments. What impressed me was that while the relationship between the filmmaker and the subjects was initially like that of a photographer and a subject, it has now become one of comrades who have struggled together. The director felt more like a member of the branch rather than just a film director or cameraperson during the expedition struggle to Japan. The relationships born within the struggle are wonderful.
This time, not only Kim Sumok and Che Yunmi but also many branch members who participated in the expedition struggle came. When everyone spoke briefly, it reminded me of when I suddenly pointed a microphone at them at a press conference or publicity action three years ago. However, everyone responded with smiles. This time was no different; each person made warm and powerful statements.
In the end, we danced Yultun, which we had danced every day at the time, and the screening concluded.
Lunch was provided by Tubogi for the film screening, and everyone enjoyed a lunch screening together. The lunch was prepared by Workshop Suzuran, who is well-known in Nagoya for 'wappan'. It was very popular. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Goh Haksul from JILPT, Mr. Kato the interpreter, and Mr. Yasuda who worked on subtitle corrections until the last moment for this film screening.
There are many lessons to be learned from the labor movement in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, where the story takes place. Future screenings across Japan are expected. The event is organized by the "Nagoya Tobogi Organizing Committee" with the cooperation of Labor Now.
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