Abstract
This paper aims to discuss the common idea advocated by the two Japanese activists, Toyohiko Kagawa, a leader of the labor movement in the Kansai area and Sakae Osugi, a representative of the Japanese anarchists and the most radical leader. Although both activists seem to be in opposition to each other in the 1920s, their ideas were rooted in the same thought that the labor movement should aim to improve not only working conditions but also restoring humanity. They insisted that an employee should live humanly. This idea still has a significance in the modern society. It seems to come from their common backgrounds. Firstly, both were influenced by Proudhon, a French anarchist. Kagawa in particular was deeply inspired by Proudhon's insistence that the reform of the 'Exchange System' in capitalism should be the key to a solution of the social problems. Secondly, both had a common view of life, i.e. every value comes from life. The struggle against suppression of an individual life was their spirit of the labor movement. Today we still face the problems of humanity and alienation in a workplace, which they pointed out about 80 years ago. It is urgent to solve these issues for Japan now.
