WPLL newsletter “Umitsubame” No.1504
August 10, 2025 English version
💁This is the international edition of “Umitsubame” (The Petrel)
— the political newsletter of the Workers Party for the Liberation of
Labor (Japan). We aim to present a workers’ perspective on global
affairs and call for international class solidarity.
✊Overthrow the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito administration, which promotes debt-dependent fiscal expansion and increased military spending!
✊Oppose all forms of discrimination, especially gender discrimination, ethnic discrimination, and wage discrimination!
✊Let's advance our struggle under the banner of “abolishing exploitation” and “liberating labor”!
💠Summary
🟩Will the Trump Tariff Dispute Be Resolved Through a Deal?
— Japan Pledges Massive Investment
This article discusses the trade negotiations hastily agreed upon between the Ishiba administration and the Trump administration in the United States. The agreement was rushed to avoid the imposition of a 25% tariff on Japanese automobiles. According to the terms, the automobile tariff will be reduced from 27.5% to 15%, in exchange for Japan pledging $550 billion (80 trillion yen) in investment in the United States.
The article points out that this is merely a verbal agreement without any official documentation, and that differences in interpretation between Japan and the United States are already beginning to surface. Trump, whose domestic approval ratings are in decline and who faces public dissatisfaction with his economic policies, hurried to finalize this agreement to shift attention away from these problems.
Furthermore, Japanese automobile manufacturers have been lowering their export prices in order to absorb the cost of the tariffs, resulting in losses. Toyota, for instance, has already seen a decline in profits of 180 billion yen. The Prime Minister Ishiba is calling on the nation to "stand together for the sake of national interest" and to confront the tyrant Trump—but workers have no reason to cooperate in conflicts between capitalist nations.
🟩The Anti-Global Capitalism of the Sanseito Party
— Constructing a Fictional Enemy in “International Financial Capital”
This article examines the Sanseito party’s critique of global capitalism. The party claims that a dark force—“international financial capital”—controls the world economy and has reduced Japan to an “economic plantation.” It criticizes speeches by the party’s leader, Kamiya, as demagogic, alleging that global corporations are lowering workers’ wages and introducing foreign labor.
However, the article rebuts these claims by stating that the decline in wages and the acceptance of foreign workers are not the result of a conspiracy by global corporations but the inevitable outcomes of capitalism’s pursuit of profit. It further argues that Kamiya’s rhetoric resembles that of Hitler, who incited nationalism by scapegoating Jewish financial capital.
Sanseito paints “international financial capital” and “multinational corporations” as fictional enemies, advocating for a nationalist vision of rebuilding Japan by and for the Japanese. While this may appear anti-capitalist on the surface, the article asserts that Sanseito does not address the essential contradictions of capitalism. Instead, it obscures the true enemy and redirects workers’ anger toward foreigners and foreign capital.
The article emphasizes the dangers of such exclusionary populism and calls for a fundamental confrontation with the capitalist system through international solidarity among workers.
🟩Japan Moves Toward Becoming a War-Making State
(From Hiroshima)
This article sounds the alarm over the resurgence of imperialism and nationalism. Citing examples such as recent attacks on nuclear facilities in Russia and the United States, it argues that today’s imperialist powers no longer hesitate to consider the use of nuclear weapons.
Japan’s postwar Constitution, particularly Article 9, functioned as a symbolic “signboard” to facilitate the reconstruction of Japanese capitalism. However, with the introduction of the “Three Security Documents,” the Japanese government has effectively abandoned its policy of exclusive self-defense. It has officially embraced “counterstrike capabilities” (including preemptive strikes on enemy bases), thus taking a decisive turn toward becoming a war-waging state. This shift has been accelerating under the Kishida administration, and even from his own constituency in Hiroshima, voices of doubt and criticism are rising.
The article explains that the reason for Japan’s rapid military expansion under the Abe, Kishida, and Ishiba governments lies in the need to protect Japanese capitalist interests overseas. It argues that the growing tensions between the U.S., Japan, and China in the East and South China Seas are part of a power struggle among imperialist states, and that workers should not support either side.
Finally, drawing on the historical significance of Hiroshima as a city devastated by nuclear war, the article strongly condemns the government’s path toward militarization. It concludes by asserting that opposing the imperialism of all national governments and building solidarity among workers around the world is the only path to securing lasting peace.
🟩Support Palestinian National Independence under Pressure!
— Condemn the Imperialist Barbarism of Israel and the United States!
This article denounces the occupation of Palestine and the assault on Gaza by Israel, noting the near-total silence from the Japanese government and media. The ceasefire between the Israeli military and Hamas has collapsed, and Israel has resumed large-scale attacks. The article claims that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is prolonging the war to delay his own corruption trial and that Israel is weaponizing hunger by blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It criticizes Israel's aid efforts as insufficient and describes the shooting of residents seeking aid as "genocide." Netanyahu is said to be pursuing a vision of "Israel without Palestinians," with plans to forcefully relocate Gaza’s population. The article asserts that the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the creation of an independent state must be unconditionally supported.
Finally, it calls on the Palestinian people to not only fight for liberation from Israeli rule but also to unite with workers around the world in the broader struggle against capitalist domination.
💠Full Article
🟧Is the Trump Tariff Deal a Resolution?
— Japan Promises Massive Investment
Ishiba announced on the 23rd of last month that an agreement had been reached in the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations.
The Japanese government and business community, fearing the imminent imposition of a 25% tariff starting on the 1st of this month due to stalled negotiations, were momentarily relieved by the agreement. However, it has since been revealed that the deal is merely a “verbal promise” without any official document. How should we evaluate this Japan-U.S. agreement?
◇ Trump and Ishiba Hastily Seeking Results
The Ishiba administration had made it a top priority in negotiations to eliminate the 27.5% tariff imposed on the automotive industry — Japan’s core industry, employing 5.5 million workers and accounting for just over 10% of GDP. On the eighth visit to the U.S. by negotiator Akazawa, Trump made an offer that prompted sudden negotiations, and it was announced that they agreed on a 15% tariff (a flat 10% raised to 15%, and automotive reduced from 27.5% to 15%) and $550 billion (80 trillion yen) in investment into the U.S. There was no mention of auto tariffs in the presidential decree issued on the 1st.
Regarding the $550 billion investment, Trump rapidly made announcements as if he had the authority to make the decisions himself, stating: “I will designate where the $550 billion goes,” “The profit distribution will be 90 for the U.S. and 10 for Japan,” “We will buy 100 Boeing planes, immediately increase rice procurement by 75%, and purchase billions of dollars’ worth of weapons annually,” “U.S. cars will be allowed for import under U.S. domestic certification,” and so on. Moreover, he unilaterally declared that quarterly reviews would be conducted, and if Japan doesn’t comply with the promises, the tariff would revert to 25%.
At a Diet session on the 4th, when Constitutional Democratic Party member Noda asked, “Why didn’t you make a document?” Ishiba irresponsibly replied, “We decided not to create a written agreement.” Discrepancies in interpretation between Japan and the U.S. have already begun to emerge.
On the U.S. side, Commerce Secretary Ratnick commented that “Japan has become a banker,” while Treasury Secretary Bessent called Japan’s investment “an innovative funding tool.” From Trump’s perspective, conceding on tariffs (reducing from 25% to 15%) was worth it if it could draw out an investment of $550 billion. This is reflected in Trump’s high-handed belief that “I will designate the investment destinations.” In order to bring other countries into his “deal” — demanding investments in nine fields in exchange for tariff cuts — Trump needed to announce a deal with Japan.
Trump rushed the agreement with Japan due to domestic political reasons as well. In a July public opinion poll, his net approval rating (approval minus disapproval) remained at a record low of -14%. His policies were viewed as having a “negative” impact on citizens’ lives by 49%, compared to only 27% saying “positive.” His tariff policy was seen as “damaging the economy” by 57%, surpassing those saying it “stimulates” it. His tax reform bill passed in July had 55% disapproval versus only 35% support. According to a JETRO report in July, slightly more respondents said they would vote for Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
In an effort to turn around this negative outlook, Trump wanted to announce that Japan had accepted his “deal.” On social media, Trump boasted, “For the first time in history, Japan has opened its markets to the U.S. thanks to tariff power.” Following Japan’s deal — described by Ratnick as “buying off tariffs through investment” — agreements were also announced with the EU and South Korea, with the latter promising 15% tariffs and $400 billion in investment.
◇ Mounting Pressure — Can Calm Days Continue?
According to the July 11 announcement, the U.S. federal budget balance for June showed a surplus of $27 billion, attributed to a record high $27.2 billion in tariff revenue. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June rose 2.7% (up from 2.4% the previous month). The core CPI, excluding energy and food, accelerated to 2.9% (from 2.8%). According to JETRO’s July 16 report, “this survey confirms that the impact of higher tariffs is now apparent.” However, Trump forcefully insisted, “Inflation is nearly nonexistent. The figures are good and within tolerance,” and a White House spokesperson commented, “The view that tariffs raise prices remains mistaken.”
Japan’s Ministry of Finance reported that “the unit export price of Japanese cars to the U.S. dropped 20% year-on-year in May.” To maintain U.S. market prices, Japanese automakers have absorbed the cost of tariffs. Toyota, for example, saw a profit reduction of 180 billion yen over just two months (April–May) due to the tariffs. Across all Japanese exports to the U.S., shipment volume remained stable between April and June, while export prices dropped about 10%, indicating that exporters are absorbing the tariff burden. If tariffs are formally applied (automobiles are expected to decrease, but others may increase by 5%), Japanese automakers have announced plans to raise U.S. retail prices. The degree of price transfer will vary depending on inventory levels and financial resilience, but the inflationary impact will begin to appear from now on. Negotiations with China — the U.S.’s largest trading partner — have yet to truly begin.
◇ Workers Will Not Cooperate with Ishiba
Japan’s ambiguous response, exemplified by the tariff agreement without a formal document, arises from its dependent relationship with the U.S. Japan’s exports to the U.S. — second only to China — amount to $140 billion (18.7%), with autos (including parts) accounting for 7.2 trillion yen, or 30% of total exports.
Ishiba’s tariff negotiation, with Japan’s auto industry held hostage by Trump, led to a vague promise of $550 billion in investment (which Ishiba repeatedly insists is “a credit line, not investment”). Trump, furious about worsening U.S. employment figures, is a despotic ruler who fires statistics officials and, as Ishiba says, “is not a normal person.”
What Ishiba is really saying is: “For the sake of the national interest, let’s all unite and fight against the tyrant Trump.”
But workers firmly reject this.
The struggle of the working class is a fight to abolish exploitation itself.
🟧The Anti-Global Capitalism of the Sanseito Party
— Constructing a Fictional Enemy in “International Financial Capital”
◇ The “Dark Force” of International Financial Capital
Sanseito’s critique of global capitalism does not stem from an analysis of capitalism’s fundamental nature. Rather, its central claim is that a shadowy force — “international financial capital” — is manipulating the world’s capitalist economy solely for its own gain.
Furthermore, Sanseito insists that Japan has been oppressed by this financial capital for centuries and has now been reduced to an “economic plantation.”
In other words, the party portrays Japan as economically subjugated by this dark force.
Sanseito’s anti-globalism is clearly expressed in its publications, such as the Sanseito Q&A Book: Basic Edition and the revised Sanseito Drill. In the original version, the shadowy force was described as “a general term for multiple organizations centered on Jewish international financial capital,” but the revised version removed the explicit mention of “Jewish.”
Moreover, during the last House of Councillors election, Sanseito’s street speeches avoided the term “international financial capital” and instead emphasized the greed of global corporations. Their rhetoric subtly led the audience to believe that “Japan First” politics are needed to protect the country from that greed. This strategy is apparent in the characteristic speeches of party leader Sohei Kamiya, one of which is quoted below.
◇ Kamiya’s Populist Agitation
“Globalist corporations care only about increasing their profits. To that end, they relentlessly compress workers’ wages. And when squeezing labor costs isn’t enough, they push for the introduction of even cheaper labor by bringing in foreign workers. As a result, only a handful of asset-holders get richer, while the middle class collapses, and the poor become even poorer. These corporations lobby governments around the world to loosen borders through deregulation, making it easier for them to expand globally — which in turn widens the global wealth gap.
The origin of globalization lies in the global invasions led by Spain and Portugal. They enslaved the local populations and deepened economic domination. That is the true history of the world — and the same thing is still happening today, just in a different form.”
(Modern Business, July 29, 2025)
It is true that any capitalist enterprise — not just global corporations — can increase profits by reducing wages, because wages and profits are inherently in conflict.
It is also true that, due to labor shortages, foreign workers have been brought into Japan under a “technical intern” system, where they have been managed and paid meager wages — often on par with Japanese part-time or non-regular workers.
However, it was primarily small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors like construction, agriculture, and retail — where labor shortages are most severe — that hired foreign workers at low wages. And it was the Japanese government that supported this system. Foreign workers were not “stealing jobs from Japanese,” but rather doing work that Japanese workers tend to avoid.
Yet, Kamiya implants the notion that foreign workers are being sent to Japan as part of a conspiracy by global corporations.
He then argues that Japanese workers’ low wages are a consequence of corporate-driven border deregulation — and thus concludes that foreign workers must be restricted.
Finally, he links globalization to the history of world conquest led by Spain and Portugal, claiming that it continues today in a new form. Here, he implicitly reintroduces the specter of “international financial capital” and pivots to emphasize the need for Japanese nationalism.
While appearing to critique capitalism, Sanseito’s rhetoric and Kamiya’s agitation ultimately shift the blame outward — suggesting that external forces are responsible for Japan’s problems.
This is reminiscent of how Hitler once blamed “Jewish financial capital” for Germany’s woes and called for national unity under ethnic nationalism.
The fight to expose Sanseito’s reactionary nature has only just begun.
🟧Japan Moves Toward a War-Making State
— Nationalism Must Not Be Used in the Fight Against Imperialism!
Distributed at the 2025 Hiroshima Anti-Nuclear Peace Conference by the Workers Party for the Liberation of Labor (Japan)
◇ Imperialists Have No Hesitation in Using Nuclear Weapons
Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian nuclear power plants have been followed this June by the United States' bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. Attacks on nuclear power plants or facilities are essentially no different from the use of nuclear weapons — yet NATO went so far as to praise these barbaric actions. It has also been revealed that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, in their desk-based military exercises, requested the U.S. military to simulate “nuclear threats.”
Imperialist powers relentlessly seek the cruel force of nuclear weapons to subjugate other nations, and they do not hesitate to use them.
◇ Article 9 of the Constitution: A Convenient Cover for Imperialist Revival
Why are such barbaric imperialists rampant in today’s world?
Because political power across the globe is controlled by capital.
Capitalist rule means, in essence, the exploitation and domination of others’ labor — and inevitably leads to imperialism in every country.
What, then, of Japan, which has long proclaimed the pacifism of Article 9 of its Constitution?
Behind superficial debates over the constitutionality of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF), Japan has steadily expanded its military capacity. Today, the SDF ranks among the world’s most powerful militaries, capable of being dispatched openly to conflict zones.
There are clear reasons behind this military buildup, especially under the Abe, Kishida, and Ishiba administrations.
Since the 1990s, Japanese capitalism has aggressively expanded overseas in search of profits. Today, Japan earns 29 trillion yen annually from foreign labor — a level that marks it as a full-fledged imperialist power. To protect these overseas interests, the capitalist government insists that a "rules-based international order" must be preserved — in other words, it seeks to maintain a global system of labor exploitation by military means.
The so-called “Peace Constitution” served, for a time after World War II, as a convenient banner to obscure Japan’s prewar oppression while rebuilding capital by selling goods worldwide. But now, Japan’s rulers no longer need that façade. They openly proclaim their return as an imperialist state — and see no further use for the mask of pacifism.
◇ Workers Must Side with Neither U.S.-Japan Nor Chinese Imperialism
China, undergoing rapid economic development, has not ruled out the “armed unification” of Taiwan and is actively increasing its military strength.
To protect its imperialist interests, China has built bases in the South China Sea, provoked the Philippines repeatedly, and confronted Japan and the U.S. through military actions in the East China Sea.
These confrontations in the South and East China Seas are nothing more than a hegemonic struggle among imperialist states.
Workers must not support either side in this rivalry.
Japan’s vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” promoted by Abe, was intended to check China’s push to dominate the South China Sea. This policy aligns with the United States’ goal of containing China.
Such imperialist games of brinkmanship always carry the risk of spiraling into full-scale war.
The true standpoint for workers lies in international solidarity with others who are also exploited and dominated. That solidarity becomes real through struggles against one’s own government.
We must never invoke nationalism, which only serves to help the imperialists.
◇ Overthrow the Rule of Capital and Achieve Lasting Peace!
The imperialist powers, competing for global hegemony, are bringing humanity to the brink of catastrophe through their pursuit of nuclear arms and world war.
But there is also hope: the global emergence of the working class has created the conditions for true and lasting peace.
Let us break the political rule of capital through international solidarity among working people!
Let us eradicate the exploitation and domination of others' labor from this earth!
Let us cast imperialism and war into the dustbin of history, and take a new step forward in the history of humankind!
🟧Support Palestinian National Liberation Under Oppression!
— Condemn the Imperialist Atrocities of Israel and the United States!
◇ Ongoing Massacres of the Palestinian People and Worsening Famine in Gaza
The brutal slaughter of the Palestinian people by Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu continues unabated. The United States, under Trump, supports and militarily backs these atrocities. While countries such as France, the UK, and Canada are beginning to lean toward recognizing the Palestinian state, it is ultimately through the independent struggle of the Palestinian people — especially the workers and masses — that true national liberation will be won.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19, initiating the first phase of hostage releases. Movement restrictions on civilians were temporarily lifted, allowing over 300,000 residents — previously displaced by Israeli attacks — to return to northern Gaza amid uncertainty. However, the first phase ended on March 1, and progress toward the second phase, which would have included a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, collapsed.
On March 18, the Israeli military launched a renewed large-scale assault, forcing civilians to flee once again.
The original ceasefire agreement, brokered by the Trump administration, had envisioned even a third phase involving the beginning of reconstruction. But Netanyahu — who had declared his intent to “annihilate Hamas” — had no intention of proceeding to any second phase. He needed to continue the war to deflect responsibility for the Hamas attacks and delay his own trial on corruption charges.
To pressure Hamas, Netanyahu suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza for two and a half months starting March 2. The famine in Gaza deepened, claiming the lives of many children and elderly. Amid rising international condemnation, Israel resumed limited aid deliveries on May 19.
In fact, Israel had already passed legislation last year to ban the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which took effect this January — crippling humanitarian support.
Israel is actively creating famine and using it as a weapon.
Attempting to dodge criticism, Netanyahu established the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)” in coordination with the U.S., which began distributing aid on May 26. But this distribution is woefully inadequate: from 400 previous distribution centers, only 4 remain. Palestinians who gather at these sites are being shot by Israeli forces.
This is collective genocide — forcing residents to choose between starving to death or being gunned down. Even children fetching water are killed. These are the unforgivable crimes of imperialist Netanyahu.
◇ The Plot to Control Gaza
Over 60,000 people have already been killed by Israeli military attacks in Gaza, and civilian life has been completely destroyed.
Netanyahu continues to declare, “We will eradicate Hamas” (July 2), but in reality, Hamas has already been largely destroyed and Gaza reduced to rubble.
Netanyahu has openly stated that he will not halt Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories and will not recognize a Palestinian state. He is systematically carrying out mass killings to create an “Israel without Palestinians.”
He blames Hamas for the devastation — but the facts remain: famine, bombings, and shootings are being inflicted upon the Palestinian people. Even Trump has admitted Gaza is in a state of famine, while Netanyahu shamelessly denies this, insisting, “There is no famine.”
Despite this, many Jewish citizens in Israel still support Netanyahu without confronting these truths. However, even within Israel, some Jewish religious leaders have stated that “famine is being used as a weapon of war,” and domestic human rights organizations have condemned the situation as “genocide” (July 28).
Public protests are spreading as the truth is exposed.
In January, Trump called on Jordan and Egypt to accept Palestinian refugees. Now Israel has proposed isolating Gaza residents in a “humanitarian city” in Rafah or relocating them to countries like Ethiopia, Indonesia, or Libya.
These are imperialist schemes to deny the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.
◇ Defend the National Liberation of the Oppressed Palestinian People!
Today, a global tide of denunciation and protest is rising against Israel’s ongoing massacres — from workers and the broader public both within countries and around the world.
Pushed by this wave of public opinion, even countries like France, the UK, and Canada — previously aligned with the U.S. in supporting Israel — are now moving toward recognition of a Palestinian state.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will recognize Palestine as a state if Israel fails to take steps to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza (July 29).
But the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state under Israeli oppression must be unconditionally upheld.
The prospects for the Palestinian workers and people to win liberation from Israeli domination lie in their own independent struggle.
That struggle must be waged not only against Israel, but in unity with the global fight of workers against the rule of capital.
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