Matsuoka Komakichi

Labor activist and politician. Born in Tottori Prefecture on April 8, 1888. Graduated from high school. After working at the Maizuru Naval Arsenal, he joined the Japan Steel Works in Muroran in 1910 (Meiji 43). In 1914 (Taisho 3), he joined the Yuaikai, and in 1917, his practical skills were recognized and he joined the headquarters, where he became a manager the following year in 1918. After that, during the first split of the Japanese General Federation of Labor, he worked to establish "sound labor unionism" and a line of labor-management cooperation as a central figure in the right wing, such as promoting the expulsion of the left wing, and occupied top leadership positions in the labor movement, such as becoming chairman of the General Federation of Labor in 1932 (Showa 7) and chairman of the Japanese Trade Union Congress in 1935. After the start of the Sino-Japanese War, he advocated cooperation behind the lines of home fronts, but resisted the Industrial Patriotic Movement. Immediately after World War II, he set about rebuilding the unions, and in 1946 (Showa 21), he became chairman of the General Federation of Labor and the All Japan Fiber Federation. He also served as chairman at the founding convention of the Japan Socialist Party, was elected six times since the 1946 general election (Tokyo 2nd district), and became the first Speaker of the House of Representatives under the new constitution (1947-1949). He served as an advisor to the right-wing Socialist Party, among other positions, and passed away on August 14, 1958.

[Shoji Arakawa]

"The Life of Matsuoka Komakichi" by Nakamura Kikuo (1963, Keizai Oraisha)" ▽ "The General Alliance 50-Year History Publication Committee (ed.) 'The General Alliance 50-Year History', 3 volumes (1964-1968)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

労働運動家、政治家。明治21年4月8日鳥取県生まれ。高等小学校卒業。舞鶴(まいづる)海軍工廠(こうしょう)を経て1910年（明治43）室蘭(むろらん)の日本製鋼所に入職。1914年（大正3）友愛会に入会し、1917年実務的手腕を評価され本部入りして翌1918年主事に就任。以後、日本労働総同盟第一次分裂では左派除名を推進するなど右派の中心人物として「健実なる労働組合主義」、労資協調路線の確立に努め、1932年（昭和7）総同盟会長、1935年日本労働組合会議議長など労働運動界のトップ・リーダーの位置に座った。日中戦争開始後は銃後協力を掲げるが、産業報国運動には抵抗した。第二次世界大戦後ただちに組合再建に乗り出し、1946年（昭和21）総同盟および全繊同盟会長となる。また日本社会党結成大会で議長を務め、1946年総選挙以来当選6回（東京2区）、新憲法下の初代衆議院議長に就任した（1947～1949）。右派社会党顧問などを歴任し、昭和33年8月14日没。

［荒川章二］

『中村菊男著『松岡駒吉伝』（1963・経済往来社）』▽『総同盟五十年史刊行委員会編・刊『総同盟五十年史』全3巻（1964～1968）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例