In October 1945, Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, demanded five major reforms for Japan’s demilitarization and democratization. Included in the reforms was “promoting the formation of labor unions” and in December, the Labor Union Law was enacted.
In March 1946, the Yokkaichi Plant Employees Union was formed and the workers at Futajima Plant were unionized shortly after. In November, both unions formed the Nippon Sheet Glass Labor Union Association and in December, the first collective bargaining was held and the labor agreement concluded.