May Day celebrated in Tokyo, Los Angeles as Trump's shadow looms large

From thousands of common people on the streets of Tokyo, to workers in Los Angeles and the President of Indonesia in Jakarta, the apprehension over the global economic situation in the wake of tariff decisions of US President Donald Trump has brought people on the same page across the globe on May Day on Thursday (May 1). They demand workers’ right, job security and higher wages.

The slogans of “banzai!” or “live long,” raised by thousands of people marching through the streets of Tokyo on Thursday echoed through the air along with the beats of traditional drums as Japan kicked off celebrations to mark May Day with enthusiasm and gusto.

Also knows as International Workers' Day or Labour Day is observed to mark the struggles and achievements of workers and the labour movement around the world.

“For our children to be able to live with hope, the rights of workers must be recognised,” said Junko Kuramochi, a member of a mothers' group who marched in Japan's capital as quoted by the Associated Press (AP).

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Trump’s shadow looms large

However, amid the enthusiasm the shadow of US President Donald Trump and apprehensions over his now paused trade wars on allies and adversaries loom large.

While in US, the organizers of the May Day celebrations said that this year their message is focused on fighting back against President Donald Trump's policies targeting immigrants, federal workers and diversity initiatives.

Similar concerns were echoed in Japan where a large section of the working class population are worried about the potential for rising prices of imported raw materials in the months ahead.

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Wage concern in Japan

“Everybody is fighting over work and so the contracts tend to go where the wages are cheapest,” said Tadashi Ito, a union construction worker. “We think peace comes first. And we hope Trump will eradicate conflict and inequalities,” Ito added.

In Japan, crowds gathered from the northernmost main island of Hokkaido to the tropical island of Amami, and in major cities like Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Their demands were wide-ranging and included higher wages, gender equality, health care, reduced military spending and disaster relief for earthquake victims. They also demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“Workers unite! Workers of the world! May Day!” they shouted, punctuating each exclamation with the word “banzai!”

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Los Angeles gears up for celebration

In US, Los Angeles is expected to host one of the world's largest May Day events this year, and a banner there summarised the day's theme: “One Struggle, One Fight – Workers Unite!” “We're bringing the fight to the billionaires and politicians who are trying to divide us with fear and lies. We know the truth — an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers,” April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 2 million workers, said in a statement.

Indonesia's President hits the street

However, it’s not just the common people who hit the streets on May Day. In Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto took to the streets of the capital, Jakarta, to greet thousands of workers who cheered him amid tight police and military security in National Monument Park.

“The government that I lead will work as hard as possible to eliminate poverty from Indonesia,” Subianto told the crowd.

About 2,00,000 Indonesian workers were expected to take part in May Day marches across Southeast Asia's largest economy, according to Said Iqbal, president of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions.

They are demanding an end to outsourcing rules, wage raises, and protection for domestic workers and migrant workers abroad, Iqbal said.

(With inputs from agencies)