[APWSLMembers 851] Obituary: Umatani Norichika (1947-2011)

[kitahata]

Sad news from APWSL Japan.

Mr. Umatani Norichika died of lymphadenoma on August 23.  The wake and the 
funeral were held on 24th and 25th respectively.

Mr. Umatani had been an activist and a leader of General Affairs Branch of 
Osaka Prefectural Employees' Union for nearly 40 years.

His branch was one of the founding members of APWSL Japan, which was founded 
in 1990.

He was one of the national coordinatiors of APWSL Japan for more than ten 
years.

His branch has been committed to international solidarity of trade unions 
and workers and he was also active in some of the NGO groups.

He visited a group in Korea in early 1990s, which led to the establishment 
of our fraternal relations with APWSL Korea.

He attended an AAWL annual meeting in Melbourne with two other members of 
APWSL Japan in 1993.

He played a central role in organizing international workers' forum against 
APEC meeting in Osaka in 1995.

He was always taking care so that everyone feel encouraged and comfotable in 
participating the movement.

He endeared himself to everyone around him.

The news of his death shocked all of us.  He attended a meeting on TPP 
organized by APWSL and other groups in late June.  At that time no one 
noticed any symptom.  Even he didn't seem to know about it.  According to 
his close friends, he was hospitalized early this month for close 
examination.  At that time lymphadenoma had spread to other organs and no 
remedy was possible.

Although we have to say farewell, we believe that he will always be with us.

Y. Kitahata