IDLE SHIPS AT YOKOHAMA, 20 MILES (32KMS) SOUTH-WEST OF TOKYO; WORK CONTINUING ON FOREIGN VESSELS, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED; AND SCENES AT KOBE, 400 MILES (640KMS) WEST OF TOKYO, JAPAN'S SECOND BIGGEST PORT AFTER OSAKA, WHERE A FOREIGN VESSEL IS LOADED.




Initials JT/V/MR/SA



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Background: JAPAN - ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SHIPPING NATIONS - HAS BEEN CRIPPLED BY A NATION-WIDE SEAMEN'S STRIKE. MORE THAN 1,200 SHIPS HAVE BEEN HIT IN A PROTEST FOR MORE PAY.

THE STRIKE, RESUMING AFTER A MONTH-LONG TRUCE FOR THE NEW YEAR, IS AIMED AT 153 OWNERS OF COASTAL SHIPPING VESSELS. THE SEAMEN'S UNION WANT A PAY INCREASE AVERAGING 10,000 YEN (ABOUT GBP10 STERLING) MONTHLY FOR ITS 134,000 MEMBERS.

A LAST-MINUTE BID TO REACH AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES FAILED AND THE STRIKE RESUMED AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY. MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED IN TO TRY TO GET THE SEAMEN BACK TO WORK.