TOKYO - Hundreds of unionized workers rallied in Tokyo on Tuesday to protest massive job cuts, accusing the country's biggest companies of sacrificing jobs to protect profits.

The global financial crisis has forced some of Japan's corporate giants to take drastic measures including job cuts, suspending production, postponing projects and closing factories. Sony Corp, Toyota Motor Corp and Nissan Motor Co are among the major employers to trim thousands of workers from their payrolls.

About 200 protesters waved banners and shouted slogans through loudspeakers outside the headquarters of the Nippon Keidanren - Japan's largest business lobby group - in Tokyo's main business district.

'Toyota, stop cutting seasonal workers! We workers are not disposable!' they chanted. 'Sony, stop massive firing!'

Most of the job cuts have targeted temporary contract workers, but lately they have included full-time salaried workers.

Speakers at the protest said some newly unemployed contract workers also lost their company-owned housing, leaving them jobless and homeless.

'We do not accept job cuts in the name of the economic crisis,' said Kazuko Furuta, a representative of New Japan Women's Association, a women's rights group that organised the rally with dozens of labour unions.

'Shame on the Japanese companies that dump their workers like objects.' Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai told reporters on Tuesday that the government was doing its 'utmost to support small businesses and ensure job security.'

Japanese exporters have been hit hard by slowing consumer demand from abroad and the yen's appreciation, which erodes their overseas earnings.

Sony announced plans to slash 8,000 jobs around the world - about 5 per cent of its work force - and lowered its full-year earnings projection 59 per cent from the previous year.

Major automakers including Toyota and Nissan have terminated contracts with thousands of seasonal workers at their factories and parts makers.

Citing their own tally, union members say more than 18,800 people, mostly contract workers, have lost their jobs in recent months.

The government last week announced a 23 trillion yen (S$378 billion) stimulus package to shore up the economy, including measures to encourage employment. -- AP