The Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) merged with Kansai Employers' Association (Kansaikeikyo) on May 25, 2009. The objective of this merger is to expand the fields of Kankeiren's activities by integrating its existing activities concerning economic and fiscal policies, with activities concerning the labor policies of Kansaikeikyo, thereby contributing to the sound development of the Japanese economy as a comprehensive economic organization. The Labor Policy Department that was recently established in the secretariat of Kankeiren has suceeded Kansaikeikyo's activities and will promote these projects, responding to the changing circumstances surrounding labor-management relations and the needs of our members.