Louis Carlet

Carlet is from the United States and moved to Japan in the early 1990s, originally working as a translator for a Japanese newspaper, called Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and subsequently leaving that position to become a full-time paid trade union organizer, the first foreigner to hold such a position ever in Japan.

Zentoitsu's Ippei Torii had begun "foreigner spring labor offensive" in the mid-1990s, which included demonstrations and marches.

[4] The new branding helped raise the profile of the protest march, which became known for music, performances, enormous "mushiro-bata" tatami mat signs, and a festive parade atmosphere.

[12][13] During the years of the dispute, Berlitz fired several union officials, including Canadian activist Catherine Campbell.

[15][16] Berlitz Japan appealed to Tokyo High Court, and Carlet led negotiations toward a settlement, which was reached in December 2012.

[17] He later spearheaded a drive to force Berlitz Japan to pay teachers for work done during the five-minute break between classes, involving Begunto President Paul Kennedy.