Coalmine Museum in Yubari City:1

by Kazu

These are the photos of coalmine workers in Yubari City. The photo are exhibited in Coalmine Museum in Yubari City. It is a good place to visit to learn the realty of hard workers who supported Japan developing to become the members of group of 8 that has Summit Conference every year.

 On top of that, considering the situation of coalmine workers in those days may be a good occasion to think of our choice of energy we depend on.

Each public bath was run by the coalmine company and the workers could use the bath for free.

 Three or more bathtubs were in each public bath and the order to soak was decided because it was tough call  to wipe off the dust of coal from their body at once, on top of their hard work under the ground.

 The first bathtub they soak in was completely black, the second one is  coloured gray and the third is transparent.
Their apartments didn't have the bath in order to unite the workers and build up the solidarity by make them use the same public bath and talk together.   

Of course, that tactic had the downside for the company. The labour union had so strong power to negotiate with the company. But that was naturally required to workers and their families.

The welfare system of coalmine workers and their family was not been established at that time so they built up the special relationship to support each other. It was like the Japanese clandestine organization and share the alcoholic drink, Japanese sake with the same cup as a ritual 

 The galleries of the coalmine were supported by the wooden frames .

To raise the trees for these frames, the area where New Chitose International Airport is located was used in those days.

to be continued