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Re: The Players' Association Posted: Dec 12, 2002 10:25 AM

Posted by: CFiJ
The JPBPA is probably weak when compared to American sports unions, particlarly the mighty MLBPA. However, it's important to note the improvements they have made under the leadership of Atsuya Furuta. They have gained free agency, they have the right to negotiate with agents, and they are forcing discussion of more and more issues, which is much better than the situation just 10 years ago.

Also, you have to realize there is a huge difference between the ways Japanese unions operate and American unions. American unions set strike dates (and indeed strike) in order to force a deal. This would really be unthinkable in Japan, and much more emphasis is placed on management and union working together, negotiating without scare tactics. Japanese unions in general don't strike as much as American unions. There's a newsworthy strike or sick-out every year in America. I can't remember one single strike the whole time I was in Japan from 98-01.

The JPBPA is making great strides, and I feel it has a much better reputation in the press and among the fans, thanks in no small part, I think, to the clean-cut responsible image of Furuta. He's a warm, humorous, good-looking man, who embodies the Japanese ethic of work and obligation to society. Women like him, men respect him, and he's the kind of guy parents would have loved to have their daughters bring home. He ably communicates the positions of the JPBPA to the public. He has the JPBPA, and thus Japanese Baseball, headed in the right direction.