No.1495/ Mar./ 23 / 2025
　The judiciary defends the positions of TEPCO and the government.
---　We denounce the not guilty verdict in the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident!

　The Fukushima nuclear power plant operated by TEPCO experienced an accident due to the massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
　Two former executives of TEPCO were compelled to stand trial for criminal negligence resulting in death and injury.
　However, the Second Petty Bench of the Supreme Court decided to support the not guilty verdicts from the first and second trials, and the acquittal was finalized on March 11.
　The judiciary does not acknowledge the responsibility of TEPCO and the government about the accident and supports the return to nuclear power.

　Wages are not a share of profits.
---　Labor union leaders are fleeing from the wage struggle.

　The EU is becoming “independent” from the United States and confronts Russia with a “rearmament declaration.”

　Putin's "delay operation," aimed at Ukraine's surrender.

　Readers' Voices
---　Regarding the final sentence of the front page article of issue 1494 of “UMITSUBAME”.

No.1494/ Mar./ 9 / 2025
　What is the real cause of the soaring rice prices?
---　The answer lies in the preservation of small-scale agriculture and the continuation of the policy of reducing rice acreage.

　The rise in prices shows no signs of stopping.
　At its center, rice, the staple food, emerged.
　In January of this year, rice prices rose by 70% compared to the previous year, and in February, they surged by 78% (Consumer Price Index, Tokyo metropolitan area).
　The rate of increase in rice prices has "updated the past maximum for five consecutive months.
　"The government initially thought that since rice production was increasing ," would drop when the new rice comes out in autumn ," but their expectations were off the mark, and criticism poured in.

　The Japan Innovation Party supports the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.
---　The three parties have agreed on free tuition for high school.

　China will work with the Global South to counter the Trump administration!

　Trump's imperialist diplomacy broke down in resource development negotiations with Ukraine.

No.1493/ Feb./ 23 / 2025　
　Break the decline trend in real wages!
---　The wage increase struggle is not for the "economic recovery."

　Major corporate labor unions have simultaneously issued wage increase demands, marking the full-scale onset of the 2025 spring labor offensive.
　The union's wage increase targets are as follows: the overall wage increase rate, including base raises and regular raises, is over 5%, and over 6% for small and medium-sized enterprises.
　On the other hand, the wage increase target set by the National Spring Struggle Coalition, which includes the National Confederation or Trade Union and others, is over 10%.
　Will this really protect the lives of workers?

　The Japanese government requested to exclude contributions to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
---　 The government also protested the criticism of the Imperial Household Law recommended by the United Nations.

　Elections for the German parliament will be held on February 23
---　Germany shaken by immigration and the economy.

　The leaders of the United States and Russia have agreed to negotiate a "ceasefire" without Ukraine

No.1492/ Feb./ 9 / 2025　
　Dictatorial Trump completely denied Biden
---　A tumultuous ten days of exercising strong authority　

　Ten days have passed since the birth of Trump's second power.
　Trump boasted that “he would become a dictator on his first day in office" (January 20), suggesting that he would take strong executive actions from the very first day of his re-election as president.
　During this time, Trump issued a series of executive orders.
　Signing a presidential order to nullify all 78 executive orders issued by Biden was Trump's first job. （Noted on February 4）

　Abolish corporate donations and party subsidies.
---　It is natural for labor unions to decide on a supporting political party and call on workers for support and donations.

　The establishment of the regional party "Path of Revival" is a deception of Ishimaru's populist party.

　Takuro Morinaga advocated "perpetual government bonds" due to the extravagant fiscal spending.

No.1491/ jan./ 26 / 2025　
　The world's divisions and disparities are deepening
---　The second Trump administration has started.

　On January 20, the Republican Trump administration replaced the Biden administration of the Democratic Party.
　Under the slogan "Make America Great Again," the Trump administration has adopted an "America First" policy. Its birth is bound to further deepen the divisions and friction within the international community with differing interests, intensify class contradictions, and increase the sacrifices of the working people.

　A review of the Bank of Japan that has fallen into its own defense
--- It justifies monetary policy that works on people's psychology and expectations.

　Is Nippon Steel Corporation’s acquisition of U.S. Steel impossible?
---　Trump, who has been inaugurated as president, is crying out for patriotism and national interests.