DOMEI

abbreviation of Zen Nihon Rodo Sodomei, English Japanese Confederation of Labour Japan's second largest labour union federation until it disbanded in 1987. Domei was formed in 1964 by a merger of three politically moderate federations that opposed the leftist stance of the larger and more militant union Sohyo. Unlike most Sohyo members, who were public employees, most Domei members worked for private employers. Domei was a supporter of the Democratic Socialist Party and was affiliated with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. Domei disbanded in 1987 when many of its member unions joined with other private-sector unions to form a new confederation called Rengo.