# Section 8. Trends in Violent Ultra-Leftist Groups and Police Countermeasures

## (1) Trends in Ultra-Leftist Groups

Ultra-Leftist Groups, who are aiming for the realization of a communist society through a revolution by force, continued to work towards maintaining and expanding the organization in 2008, by engaging in popular movements and labor movements, while hiding their violent nature so as not to alarm their surroundings.

## 1 ) The Revolutionary Marxist Faction

The Revolutionary Marxist Faction $ ^{1} $ publishes the paper “KAIHOH (Liberation)” (slogan: “Don’t let it happen! Today’s continuing impoverishment”) in which it publishes articles about precarious work. The organization participates in labor actions which include the distribution of leaflets at the regular meetings of major labor unions and has also carried out mob actions including protest actions against the Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The organization has infiltrated every level of the ranks of each labor union of major industries.

In particular, it is believed that the group has infiltrated the JR Soren $ ^{2} $ and the JR Higashi Ro-kumi $ ^{3,4} $ .

The police raided four hideouts of the group in Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture and Kanagawa Prefecture. $ ^{5} $ These raids clarified the status of the group’s continued research into individuals and organizations it is in conflict with.

## 2 ) Japan Revolutionary Communist League

The Japan Revolutionary Communist League (Chukakuha) $ ^{6} $ is proceeding with efforts to use labor unions to expand, placing importance on “progressive labor union alignment.” With the goal of promoting this as well as an international solidarity levy, in November 2008 the group opened a “Nation-wide Workers’ Rally” which drew approximately 2,550 people to Tokyo.

In November 2007, the group’s Kansai committee broke off from the main faction and published a paper calling for the downfall of the Japan Revolutionary Communist League. The group called a nation-wide congress to reform the Japan Revolutionary Communist League at this time. In July 2007, the group called together an independent political meeting in which it plotted to create an organizational base to unite Japan’s labor unions while cooperating with other ultra-leftist violent groups.

Note 1: The official name of the Revolutionary Marxist Faction is Japan Revolutionary Communist League Revolutionary Marxist Faction.

2: The official name of JR Soren is Japan Confederation of Railway Workers' Unions.

3: The official name of JR Higashi Ro-kumi is East Japan Railway Workers' Union.

4: Between January 21 2001 and June 20 2001, seven people who are suspected of being members of JR Higashi Ro-kumi at East Japan Railway Company's (Hereafter JR-East) Urawa Electric Train Depot in Omiya threatened another union member, telling him not to associate with the members of other unions. Furthermore, the seven forced the union member to resign from JR East. It is thought that the seven suspects were part of The Revolutionary Marxist Faction.

5: In February 2008 the Kanagawa Prefectural Police and NPA investigated a member of the Revolutionary Marxist Faction (age 42) for forging private documents.

6: The official name of The Japan Revolutionary Communist League is The Japan Revolutionary Communist League (Chukakuha).

## 3 ) Kakurokyo

Kakurokyo Shuryu-ha $ ^{1} $ has protested the northern lengthening of a temporary runway at Narita International Airport and in March 2008. Kakurokyohan Shuryu-ha $ ^{2} $ began a conflict regarding the realignment of US forces in Japan. In September of that same year, the group went to Yokosuka Naval Base and carried out terrorist/guerilla activities, firing projectiles at the base.

Both groups mobilize people for demonstrations and meetings by offering consultations on day-work issues and carrying out food programs.

Note 1: The official name of Kakurokyo Shuryu-ha is Kakumeiteki Rodosha Kyokai (Shakaito Shaseido Kaiho-ha).

2: The official name of Kakurokyohan Shuryu-ha is Kakumeiteki Rodosha Kyokai (Kaiho-ha).

## (2) Trends in Countermeasures regarding Ultra-Leftist Groups

The police are moving forward with a variety of initiatives regarding ultra-leftist groups. In addition to a door-to-door campaign to uncover evidence related to incidents and the secret hideouts of ultra-leftist groups within apartment complexes and other