The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-20
JapanGSG Trade
Unions Showing
New MiIitanCy

TOXIC (Dy NALL Not so long
ago The trade unions Of Japan were
comparatively indifferent to irterna-
tie.nal questions, especially to the
question If the unity of the intelna-
tonal trcGe-union movement. Chang
ing conditions. however are iucrcas-
ingly pushing these questions to the
fore.
It is true, relations to the Z. I.
l.. U. and to Amsterdam as well as
solidarity with workers in other coun-
tries were often discussed at previ-
Gus conferences also. But these ques-
tions were always broached by a
small group OF left-wing leaders.
The question of setting-up contact
with Chinese trade unions was often
raised among the class-conscious Sec
tion of the workers. This question
was also raised at Sodomai confer
ences, but all the proposals of the
left wing were totally rejected, with
out discussion.
Oppose Solidarity.
The Central Committee of Sodo-
mai uses every means in it's power
to avoid questions Of international
solidarity especially when the matter
concerns unity with revolutionary
workers of other countries. The fact
that in 1924 telegram of greetings
signed by comrade Iosovsly and sent
TO the Sodomai conference was COM
pletely ignored by the central COM
mittee is extremely characteristic.
The Sodomai leaders, however, had
nothing against international refor-
nation. Sudzuki and Nissio, the best
known Sodomai leaders, for instance,
attended the international Conference
of Labor in Geneva. They made a
complete study of Amsterdam ideol-
ogy and returning to Japan COM
menced energetic propaganda of re-
fornist ideas.
International United Front.
The campaign of the Sodomai lead
ers to get Amsterdam principles re-
cognized was in complete contradic-
ton with the demands of internatio-
nal working-class solidarity resolute-
iy defended by the left wing of the
Japanese trade union movement. This
struggle drew the attention of all
trade unionists to the questions of the
international united front.
On the initiative Of the Geneva La
Dor Bureau and with the support of
the japanese government, Sudzuki,
Nissio and others very soon orga-
nized an international Association
of Labor" -rodokiokai) in
in Toxic, the members of which be-
came the leaders of the right wing
in various trade unions. This asso-
citation began its activities as the
japanese Section of the Amsterdam
international, publishing the Inter
national Labour," witch is still COM
ing out regularly.
Child of Ruling Class.
This association is supported by
only a very small section of the
Japanese workers. At the outset even
the Hiogikai, the revolutionary trade
union center, set up contact with it.
The Hiol1ikai, however, soon left the
association, having become convinced
that this international Association
of Labor" was simply foster-child
of the ruling clique in the reformist
Sodomai, which cared nothing for the
connections set up with Hiogikai.
After the split in the Sodomai in
1925 and with the formation of an
independent left-wing Trade Union
Federation-the Hiogikai, the ir-
reconcilable position of the right and
left wings in international questions
were made abundantly clear.
Can Expect No Aid.
Thus, on the Chinese question the
positions occupied by the Sodomai
and the Hiogikai differed completely.
Whereas the Hiogikai sent their rep
resentatives to China and protested
against the Japanese governments
support of Chinese rcactionaries, the
Sodomai, supporting the government.
declared that "insurgent Chinese
workers can expect no help from u.s."
The same attitude was observed on
the question of international and ma
tional unity of the trade-union move
ment. While the Sodomai leaders
support policy of disruption, the
left-wing movement in the Japanese
trade unions organized "Unity
League" to stop further disruption Of
proletarian forces inside the country.
To Discuss Tactics.
In February last the "Unity
League" convened a national confer
ence of trade union delegates to dis
cuss tactics for the movement against
the Geneva Labor Bureau. This con-
ference was attended by representa-
tives Of trade-unions affiliated with
the league, representatives of Left
trade-union organizations and also
by delegates from left-wing minor
tiles in reformist unions. All organi-
zations and groups of the left wing
within the trade-unions were repre-
sented at this conference. The only