The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 30, 2010)
Take tough steps to restore sumo's honor
名古屋場所開催 勧告踏まえて抜本的改革を（6月29日付・読売社説）
The Japan Sumo Association has decided to open the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 11 as scheduled, despite an abnormal situation in which it will suspend many wrestlers, including seven in the top makuuchi division, from the tournament and put the JSA chairman on probation over the ongoing gambling scandal.
幕内だけでも７人の力士を休場させ、理事長までもが謹慎という異常事態の中、日本相撲協会は７月１１日からの名古屋場所の開催を決めた。
The JSA has forfeited the public's trust through the scandal over illegal betting on professional baseball games, and there are many who question its decision to hold the Nagoya tournament. Since it is going ahead with the tournament under such adverse circumstances, the JSA must quickly present cleanup measures rigorous enough to satisfy fans of the national sport.
野球賭博問題で相撲協会の信用は失墜した。場所開催を疑問視する声も少なくない。そうした中で場所を開くからには、協会は、ファンが納得する浄化策を早急に示さねばならない。
===
Panel urged harsh penalties
The association's board of directors decided to accept recommendations made by a special investigation panel comprising 10 outside experts regarding conditions for holding the Nagoya tournament.
相撲協会の理事会は、外部の１０人で構成する特別調査委員会から「名古屋場所開催の条件」として提示された勧告を受け入れることを決定した。
The panel recommended the JSA should dismiss or mete out heavier penalties against stablemaster Otake (former sekiwake Takatoriki), who is alleged to have habitually bet huge amounts of money, and ozeki Kotomitsuki, who was blackmailed by a former wrestler over his gambling.
勧告は、常習的に多額の金を賭けていた大嶽親方（元関脇貴闘力）と、恐喝事件に巻き込まれた大関琴光喜について、「解雇以上」とするよう求めた。
In addition, the panel urged the JSA to put the other wrestlers involved in the illegal gambling and their stablemasters on probation. In line with the recommendations, the association decided to suspend a total of 14 wrestlers, including Kotomitsuki, from the Nagoya tournament. The stablemasters to be put on probation include JSA Chairman Musashigawa.
さらに、野球賭博にかかわった力士と、所属する部屋の親方の謹慎も求め、これを受けて協会は、琴光喜ら１４人の力士の休場を決定した。謹慎する親方には、武蔵川理事長も含まれている。
Otake and Kotomitsuki's punishment will be officially decided at the association board meeting scheduled for Sunday, but they are likely to receive tough penalties as recommended by the panel. Many sumo fans must feel sorry to see the misconduct of Kotomitsuki, the highest-ranked Japanese wrestler, and Otake, who took over the stable established by legendary yokozuna Taiho.
大嶽親方、琴光喜については、７月４日の理事会で改めて処分を決めるが、勧告通り、厳罰は避けられないだろう。大鵬部屋を継承した大嶽親方、日本人力士最高位の琴光喜の不祥事を残念に思うファンも多いはずだ。
===
Lax management must end
The association initially intended to just give warnings to those who voluntarily confessed their involvement in illegal gambling. However, the general public would certainly regard such a penalty as too mild. The panel's recommendations apparently are a red card against the JSA's lenient attitude.
協会は当初、賭博への関与を自己申告した者には、厳重注意でとどめようとした。しかし、一般社会では、とても通用しない甘い対応だ。勧告内容は、そうした協会の認識に対するレッドカードだったといえる。
Whenever scandals occurred in the past, the JSA was often criticized for its lax crisis management. The closed-off nature of the association, which is run totally by former wrestlers, is likely responsible for its inability to cleanse itself.
不祥事の度に、相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが指摘されてきた。大相撲出身者が協会の運営を取り仕切る閉鎖体質が、自浄能力の欠如につながっているのだろう。
The latest gambling scandal, which involves even stablemasters, makes it clear that the discipline of the professional sumo society cannot be maintained if this continues.
親方までも関与していた野球賭博問題を通し、今のままでは角界の規律の維持は困難であることが明白になったといえる。
Two of JSA's 12 current directors now come from outside sumo, a change that stemmed from the deadly assault that occurred in the Tokitsukaze stable. The association's leadership has to be reformed through such drastic measures as further increasing the number of board directors from outside the sumo world.
時津風部屋の暴行死事件の教訓から、相撲協会の１２人の理事のうち、２人が外部のメンバーとなっている。この外部理事の数を大幅に増やすなど、執行体制の抜本改革が必要だ。
While Musashigawa is on probation, Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former head of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office who was invited to be a JSA board director, will likely be appointed acting chairman.
理事長代行には、外部理事の村山弘義・元東京高検検事長が就く見通しだ。
Even if the Nagoya tournament is held as scheduled, some sumo fans may complain that they do not want to cheer for the wrestlers in the ring. Certain sponsors have decided not to provide prize money for the tournament.
名古屋場所が開催されても、土俵に声援を送る気になれないというファンもいるだろう。懸賞金の提供中止を決めた企業もある。
Concrete measures to reform the association and reeducate wrestlers must be devised urgently to make the Nagoya tournament a chance to restore the honor of professional sumo.
名古屋場所を大相撲再生のきっかけとするためには、協会の再建や力士教育の具体策作りを急がなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 29, 2010)
（2010年6月29日01時40分 読売新聞）
2010/06/30
2010/06/29
子ども手当 半額支給維持も容易ではない
discern ディサーム（発音注意） 感覚や理性で理解する
実際の発音は電子辞書で確認してください。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 29, 2010)
No cash to spare for child allowances
子ども手当 半額支給維持も容易ではない（6月28日付・読売社説）
Child-rearing support measures require a balanced policy perspective and--more than anything else--fiscal resources to implement them.
子育て支援は政策のバランスと、何より財源の裏付けが必要だ。
The Democratic Party of Japan has dropped its ballyhooed policy of paying in full a 26,000 yen monthly child allowance starting in fiscal 2011 from its campaign platform for the forthcoming House of Councillors election.
民主党は参院選公約で子ども手当について、来年度から月２万６０００円を支給するという「満額実施」の看板を取り下げた。
The DPJ started the allowance system by paying 13,000 yen a month, half the originally set figure. Now the party claims it will "provide an additional allowance while securing fiscal resources." The additional allowance, however, will "take the form of building more nurseries and providing free school lunches to replace cash handouts."
半額でスタートした現行の月１万３０００円に「財源を確保しつつ、上積みする」との表現にとどめている。上積み分も「保育所の拡充や給食の無料化など、現物サービスの充実策にも代えられるようにする」とした。
The DPJ will no longer pay the additional child allowance unless fiscal resources can be secured, and it will reexamine the priority it placed on cash handouts.
財源がなければ上積みはせず、現金支給至上主義も見直す、ということだろう。
===
DPJ right to change tack
This country is in dire fiscal straits, as exemplified by the issuance of government bonds worth more than tax revenue. Under these conditions, the provision of the 26,000 yen child allowance, which would require 5.4 trillion yen a year, is out of the question. The DPJ was right to change tack.
国債発行額が税収を上回る非常事態の財政下で、年５・４兆円を要する子ども手当の満額支給は論外だ。路線変更は当然である。
Social security budgets will increase by 1 trillion yen a year as our society ages. From next fiscal year, 2.5 trillion yen will be needed to pay for the portion of basic pension payments to be covered by the state. Given the serious fiscal conditions, it will not be easy to fund additional child allowances nor to maintain the current provision of half the promised amount.
社会保障関連予算は、高齢化の進行により、毎年約１兆円ずつ膨らむ。来年度からは基礎年金の国庫負担引き上げに２・５兆円が必要になる。子ども手当は上積みどころか、半額支給の維持も容易でないのが財政の現状だ。
In its vision on children and child-rearing, the government set a goal of increasing the capacity of nurseries by 50,000 children a year over five years.
政府は「子ども・子育てビジョン」で、保育所定員を年に５万人ペースで増やす、といった今後５年間の数値目標を掲げている。
It will cost 1.6 trillion yen to achieve this goal. Such an amount cannot be scrounged together simply by recasting the budget and cutting wasteful spending.
今後は、ビジョンの実現に軸足を移すということだろう。しかしこれにも、１・６兆円の財源が必要だ。予算の組み替えや無駄の削減で捻出(ねんしゅつ)できる金額ではない。
===
Tax hike unavoidable
Unless the consumption tax rate is raised, it will be difficult to boost measures to help parents raise their children. The DPJ needs to recognize this fact. Then the party should redesign its child-rearing policy comprehensively by studying what level of child allowance would be appropriate, and how it could be provided. This should be done in tandem with discussions on the advisability of raising the consumption tax.
消費税率を引き上げない限り、子育て支援を充実させることは難しい。民主党はその点をまず明確に認め、消費税の議論とセットで子ども手当の金額や支給方法、そして子育て施策全体の設計をやり直すべきだ。
Opposition parties also need to take such an approach. In its campaign platform for the July 11 election, the Liberal Democratic Party says it will "abolish nursery and kindergarten tuition fees." However, this would require at least 800 billion yen.
この姿勢は、野党にも求められよう。自民党は昨年の総選挙に引き続き、「幼児の保育料と幼稚園費の無料化」を公約に掲げるが、少なくとも８０００億円は必要な施策である。
The LDP campaign pledges include "increasing the consumption tax rate to 10 percent," and details how necessary fiscal resources could be found. But the LDP should unequivocally tell voters that a hike in the consumption tax is the main premise for implementing measures that will greatly improve the social security system.
自民党は「消費税率１０％」を公約に明記し、必要財源を担保してはいる。だが、社会保障の思い切った充実策を実行するには、まず消費税率の引き上げ実現が大前提であることをもっと強く、国民に訴えるべきだろう。
The British administration of Prime Minister David Cameron has put forth a policy of raising the value-added tax rate to 20 percent and freezing child-allowance payments for three years as it seeks to put Britain's fiscal house back in order.
英キャメロン政権は財政再建のために、付加価値税率を２０％に引き上げ、子ども手当を３年間凍結する方針を打ち出した。
Japan's fiscal conditions are tighter than Britain's. It is impossible to maintain the social security system without asking the public to shoulder an additional burden.
日本の財政状況は英国以上に厳しい。負担増なしに社会保障制度を維持することは不可能だ。
Voters need to discern which party will discuss and tackle this matter squarely and seriously in the upper house election.
それを真正面から有権者に語る政党はどこか、有権者は参院選で見極める必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 28, 2010)
（2010年6月28日01時56分 読売新聞）
実際の発音は電子辞書で確認してください。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 29, 2010)
No cash to spare for child allowances
子ども手当 半額支給維持も容易ではない（6月28日付・読売社説）
Child-rearing support measures require a balanced policy perspective and--more than anything else--fiscal resources to implement them.
子育て支援は政策のバランスと、何より財源の裏付けが必要だ。
The Democratic Party of Japan has dropped its ballyhooed policy of paying in full a 26,000 yen monthly child allowance starting in fiscal 2011 from its campaign platform for the forthcoming House of Councillors election.
民主党は参院選公約で子ども手当について、来年度から月２万６０００円を支給するという「満額実施」の看板を取り下げた。
The DPJ started the allowance system by paying 13,000 yen a month, half the originally set figure. Now the party claims it will "provide an additional allowance while securing fiscal resources." The additional allowance, however, will "take the form of building more nurseries and providing free school lunches to replace cash handouts."
半額でスタートした現行の月１万３０００円に「財源を確保しつつ、上積みする」との表現にとどめている。上積み分も「保育所の拡充や給食の無料化など、現物サービスの充実策にも代えられるようにする」とした。
The DPJ will no longer pay the additional child allowance unless fiscal resources can be secured, and it will reexamine the priority it placed on cash handouts.
財源がなければ上積みはせず、現金支給至上主義も見直す、ということだろう。
===
DPJ right to change tack
This country is in dire fiscal straits, as exemplified by the issuance of government bonds worth more than tax revenue. Under these conditions, the provision of the 26,000 yen child allowance, which would require 5.4 trillion yen a year, is out of the question. The DPJ was right to change tack.
国債発行額が税収を上回る非常事態の財政下で、年５・４兆円を要する子ども手当の満額支給は論外だ。路線変更は当然である。
Social security budgets will increase by 1 trillion yen a year as our society ages. From next fiscal year, 2.5 trillion yen will be needed to pay for the portion of basic pension payments to be covered by the state. Given the serious fiscal conditions, it will not be easy to fund additional child allowances nor to maintain the current provision of half the promised amount.
社会保障関連予算は、高齢化の進行により、毎年約１兆円ずつ膨らむ。来年度からは基礎年金の国庫負担引き上げに２・５兆円が必要になる。子ども手当は上積みどころか、半額支給の維持も容易でないのが財政の現状だ。
In its vision on children and child-rearing, the government set a goal of increasing the capacity of nurseries by 50,000 children a year over five years.
政府は「子ども・子育てビジョン」で、保育所定員を年に５万人ペースで増やす、といった今後５年間の数値目標を掲げている。
It will cost 1.6 trillion yen to achieve this goal. Such an amount cannot be scrounged together simply by recasting the budget and cutting wasteful spending.
今後は、ビジョンの実現に軸足を移すということだろう。しかしこれにも、１・６兆円の財源が必要だ。予算の組み替えや無駄の削減で捻出(ねんしゅつ)できる金額ではない。
===
Tax hike unavoidable
Unless the consumption tax rate is raised, it will be difficult to boost measures to help parents raise their children. The DPJ needs to recognize this fact. Then the party should redesign its child-rearing policy comprehensively by studying what level of child allowance would be appropriate, and how it could be provided. This should be done in tandem with discussions on the advisability of raising the consumption tax.
消費税率を引き上げない限り、子育て支援を充実させることは難しい。民主党はその点をまず明確に認め、消費税の議論とセットで子ども手当の金額や支給方法、そして子育て施策全体の設計をやり直すべきだ。
Opposition parties also need to take such an approach. In its campaign platform for the July 11 election, the Liberal Democratic Party says it will "abolish nursery and kindergarten tuition fees." However, this would require at least 800 billion yen.
この姿勢は、野党にも求められよう。自民党は昨年の総選挙に引き続き、「幼児の保育料と幼稚園費の無料化」を公約に掲げるが、少なくとも８０００億円は必要な施策である。
The LDP campaign pledges include "increasing the consumption tax rate to 10 percent," and details how necessary fiscal resources could be found. But the LDP should unequivocally tell voters that a hike in the consumption tax is the main premise for implementing measures that will greatly improve the social security system.
自民党は「消費税率１０％」を公約に明記し、必要財源を担保してはいる。だが、社会保障の思い切った充実策を実行するには、まず消費税率の引き上げ実現が大前提であることをもっと強く、国民に訴えるべきだろう。
The British administration of Prime Minister David Cameron has put forth a policy of raising the value-added tax rate to 20 percent and freezing child-allowance payments for three years as it seeks to put Britain's fiscal house back in order.
英キャメロン政権は財政再建のために、付加価値税率を２０％に引き上げ、子ども手当を３年間凍結する方針を打ち出した。
Japan's fiscal conditions are tighter than Britain's. It is impossible to maintain the social security system without asking the public to shoulder an additional burden.
日本の財政状況は英国以上に厳しい。負担増なしに社会保障制度を維持することは不可能だ。
Voters need to discern which party will discuss and tackle this matter squarely and seriously in the upper house election.
それを真正面から有権者に語る政党はどこか、有権者は参院選で見極める必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 28, 2010)
（2010年6月28日01時56分 読売新聞）
2010/06/28
Ｇ８サミット 日本の存在感低下に歯止めを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 28, 2010)
Japan must halt decline of diplomatic clout
Ｇ８サミット 日本の存在感低下に歯止めを（6月27日付・読売社説）
The summit meetings of the Group of Eight major powers and the Group of 20 major industrialized and emerging countries are taking place in Canada.
カナダを舞台に、主要８か国（Ｇ８）と世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）による首脳会議（サミット）が開かれている。
While it is noted that Japan's clout in the international community has been on the decline for several years, Prime Minister Naoto Kan's diplomatic competence is already being put to the test in his first trip abroad as prime minister.
ここ数年、国際社会における日本の存在感の低下が指摘される中、菅首相は、初外遊で早くも外交手腕が試される。
Addressing the global economy, which is being rocked by Greece's debt crisis, leaders of the G-8 major powers affirmed during their meeting the importance of tackling fiscal reconstruction while securing growth.
Ｇ８では、ギリシャ危機で揺れる世界経済について、成長を確保しながら、財政再建に取り組む重要性を確認した。
Kan explained and sought understanding for Japan's policy of increasing expenditures in the nursing and medical fields while pursuing economic growth and fiscal soundness.
菅首相は、介護や医療分野への支出を手厚くし、成長と財政健全化の両立を目指す方針を説明し、理解を求めた。
After returning to Japan, Kan certainly will be pressed to give concrete form to measures, including the consumption tax rate hike, to reconstruct the country's economy and state finances.
帰国後は、消費税率引き上げを含め、経済と財政の立て直し策の具体化に迫られよう。
The G-8 leaders also agreed Friday to pledge 5 billion dollars over the next five years to aid maternal and child health care in developing countries. Kan announced Japan would offer 500 million dollars in this sector.
このほかＧ８首脳は、母子保健分野で、５年間に５０億ドルの途上国支援を行うことで合意した。菅首相も５億ドルの拠出を表明した。
Japan possesses various types of know-how in providing medical assistance. The government should conduct finely tuned strategic aid diplomacy.
日本は、医療援助では様々なノウハウを持つ。メリハリある戦略的な援助外交を展開すべきだ。
===
Stability vital to natl interests
In the political arena, the March sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship was another focus of attention at the G-8.
政治分野では、韓国哨戒艦の沈没事件が焦点となっている。
Maintaining peace and stability in areas surrounding Japan is directly linked to its national interests. To secure its say at the G-8 summit meetings and shepherd its assertions to reality, it is indispensable that Japan fulfill its role as a major power in the political and economic arenas.
日本周辺の平和と安定の維持はわが国の国益に直結する。日本がＧ８で発言権を確保し、自らの主張を実現するためには、政治、経済両面で主要国としての役割を果たすことが欠かせない。
However, Japan's position in G-8 diplomacy has been extremely tenuous in recent years. Different prime ministers attended past G-8 summit meetings, with Shinzo Abe participating in 2007, Yasuo Fukuda in 2008 and Taro Aso last year.
ところが、Ｇ８外交において、日本の立場は近年、極めて不安定だ。２００７年のサミットには安倍、０８年は福田、０９年は麻生と、出席する首相が毎回異なった。
Every time the prime minister changes, the new premier has to rebuild relationships from scratch with his counterparts from each country. While summit diplomacy is becoming increasingly important, there is no way we can expect, under such circumstances, the prime minister to exercise leadership in diplomatic negotiations, such as with Russia over the northern territories dispute.
首相が交代するたびに、各国首脳との関係を一から築き直さなければならない。首脳外交の重みが増す中、これでは、ロシアとの北方領土問題などの外交交渉で指導力を発揮することは望めない。
===
Kan must avoid Hatoyama rut
Kan's diplomatic competence is unknown, although as finance minister, he attended the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven major industrialized nations in February.
菅首相は、財務相として先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）などに出席したものの、外交面の力量は未知数である。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama drove Japan-U.S. relations astray with his go-it-alone judgment and immature approach.
鳩山前首相は、独りよがりの判断と未熟な手法で、日米関係を迷走させてしまった。
Kan said he would try to promote diplomacy based on pragmatism, but he needs to humbly give ear to the advice of his specialists to avoid following the same rut as his predecessor.
菅首相は、「現実主義を基調とした外交」を心がけるというが、前任者の轍(てつ)を踏まぬように、専門スタッフの助言にも謙虚に耳を傾けることが必要だろう。
A problem besetting Japan's diplomacy is its declining budget for official development assistance, which has been an important card for years.
日本外交で問題なのは、長年の重要なカードである政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）予算の減少だ。
The ODA this fiscal year dropped to nearly half the level of its peak in fiscal 1997. From its position at the top of world rankings for total assistance in 2000, Japan has remained in fifth place since 2007. Japan must stop its position from declining by boosting the assistance.
今年度は、ピークの１９９７年度の半分近くに落ち込んだ。援助実績（支出純額）も、００年の世界１位から下落し、０７年以降は５位にとどまっている。援助額を反転させ、日本の地位の低下に歯止めをかけなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 27, 2010)
（2010年6月27日01時24分 読売新聞）
Japan must halt decline of diplomatic clout
Ｇ８サミット 日本の存在感低下に歯止めを（6月27日付・読売社説）
The summit meetings of the Group of Eight major powers and the Group of 20 major industrialized and emerging countries are taking place in Canada.
カナダを舞台に、主要８か国（Ｇ８）と世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）による首脳会議（サミット）が開かれている。
While it is noted that Japan's clout in the international community has been on the decline for several years, Prime Minister Naoto Kan's diplomatic competence is already being put to the test in his first trip abroad as prime minister.
ここ数年、国際社会における日本の存在感の低下が指摘される中、菅首相は、初外遊で早くも外交手腕が試される。
Addressing the global economy, which is being rocked by Greece's debt crisis, leaders of the G-8 major powers affirmed during their meeting the importance of tackling fiscal reconstruction while securing growth.
Ｇ８では、ギリシャ危機で揺れる世界経済について、成長を確保しながら、財政再建に取り組む重要性を確認した。
Kan explained and sought understanding for Japan's policy of increasing expenditures in the nursing and medical fields while pursuing economic growth and fiscal soundness.
菅首相は、介護や医療分野への支出を手厚くし、成長と財政健全化の両立を目指す方針を説明し、理解を求めた。
After returning to Japan, Kan certainly will be pressed to give concrete form to measures, including the consumption tax rate hike, to reconstruct the country's economy and state finances.
帰国後は、消費税率引き上げを含め、経済と財政の立て直し策の具体化に迫られよう。
The G-8 leaders also agreed Friday to pledge 5 billion dollars over the next five years to aid maternal and child health care in developing countries. Kan announced Japan would offer 500 million dollars in this sector.
このほかＧ８首脳は、母子保健分野で、５年間に５０億ドルの途上国支援を行うことで合意した。菅首相も５億ドルの拠出を表明した。
Japan possesses various types of know-how in providing medical assistance. The government should conduct finely tuned strategic aid diplomacy.
日本は、医療援助では様々なノウハウを持つ。メリハリある戦略的な援助外交を展開すべきだ。
===
Stability vital to natl interests
In the political arena, the March sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship was another focus of attention at the G-8.
政治分野では、韓国哨戒艦の沈没事件が焦点となっている。
Maintaining peace and stability in areas surrounding Japan is directly linked to its national interests. To secure its say at the G-8 summit meetings and shepherd its assertions to reality, it is indispensable that Japan fulfill its role as a major power in the political and economic arenas.
日本周辺の平和と安定の維持はわが国の国益に直結する。日本がＧ８で発言権を確保し、自らの主張を実現するためには、政治、経済両面で主要国としての役割を果たすことが欠かせない。
However, Japan's position in G-8 diplomacy has been extremely tenuous in recent years. Different prime ministers attended past G-8 summit meetings, with Shinzo Abe participating in 2007, Yasuo Fukuda in 2008 and Taro Aso last year.
ところが、Ｇ８外交において、日本の立場は近年、極めて不安定だ。２００７年のサミットには安倍、０８年は福田、０９年は麻生と、出席する首相が毎回異なった。
Every time the prime minister changes, the new premier has to rebuild relationships from scratch with his counterparts from each country. While summit diplomacy is becoming increasingly important, there is no way we can expect, under such circumstances, the prime minister to exercise leadership in diplomatic negotiations, such as with Russia over the northern territories dispute.
首相が交代するたびに、各国首脳との関係を一から築き直さなければならない。首脳外交の重みが増す中、これでは、ロシアとの北方領土問題などの外交交渉で指導力を発揮することは望めない。
===
Kan must avoid Hatoyama rut
Kan's diplomatic competence is unknown, although as finance minister, he attended the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven major industrialized nations in February.
菅首相は、財務相として先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）などに出席したものの、外交面の力量は未知数である。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama drove Japan-U.S. relations astray with his go-it-alone judgment and immature approach.
鳩山前首相は、独りよがりの判断と未熟な手法で、日米関係を迷走させてしまった。
Kan said he would try to promote diplomacy based on pragmatism, but he needs to humbly give ear to the advice of his specialists to avoid following the same rut as his predecessor.
菅首相は、「現実主義を基調とした外交」を心がけるというが、前任者の轍(てつ)を踏まぬように、専門スタッフの助言にも謙虚に耳を傾けることが必要だろう。
A problem besetting Japan's diplomacy is its declining budget for official development assistance, which has been an important card for years.
日本外交で問題なのは、長年の重要なカードである政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）予算の減少だ。
The ODA this fiscal year dropped to nearly half the level of its peak in fiscal 1997. From its position at the top of world rankings for total assistance in 2000, Japan has remained in fifth place since 2007. Japan must stop its position from declining by boosting the assistance.
今年度は、ピークの１９９７年度の半分近くに落ち込んだ。援助実績（支出純額）も、００年の世界１位から下落し、０７年以降は５位にとどまっている。援助額を反転させ、日本の地位の低下に歯止めをかけなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 27, 2010)
（2010年6月27日01時24分 読売新聞）
2010/06/27
Ｗ杯ベスト１６ 組織力生かしさらに上位を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 27, 2010)
Teamwork is Japan's World Cup weapon
Ｗ杯ベスト１６ 組織力生かしさらに上位を（6月26日付・読売社説）
Japan's national soccer team has qualified for the knockout phase of the greatest international event in its sport. We applaud the excellent performance of the team.
世界最高峰の舞台で、ベスト１６に駒を進めた。日本代表チームの奮闘に拍手を送りたい。
Defeating Denmark 3-1 in the first round of the soccer World Cup finals in South Africa, Japan has advanced to the top 16. This is our country's second time to qualify for the second round, following the 2002 World Cup finals jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.
サッカーのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）南アフリカ大会で、日本はデンマークを３―１で下し、決勝トーナメントに進出した。２００２年の日韓大会以来、２度目のベスト１６である。
In the first half of the game with Denmark, Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo each scored with superb free kicks. Shinji Okazaki also netted a decisive goal in the second half.
前半に本田圭佑選手、遠藤保仁選手が見事なフリーキックを決めた。後半には、岡崎慎司選手のゴールで突き放した。
===
Players made us proud
Seeing the Japanese players throw everything into defending against the Danes' fierce attacks, we were impressed with the national team's display of never-say-die spirit. As coach Takeshi Okada said, "I'm proud of these wonderful players."
デンマークの猛攻を体を張って防ぐ日本の選手たちからは、「ここで敗退するわけにはいかない」という気迫が伝わってきた。岡田武史監督は、「素晴らしい選手たちを誇りに思う」と語った。
The Danes' imposing physical stature and abilities seemed to put the Japanese at a disadvantage, but each player on the team fulfilled his particular role. Japan's victorious accession to the top 16 therefore should be attributed to its teamwork.
体格、パワーでは劣っても、選手一人一人が、自らの役割を確実に果たした。組織力でつかみ取ったベスト１６といえる。
Japan's next game is with Paraguay on Tuesday. It surely will be a tough match, but we hope the team will exert all its strength to achieve a place in the top eight for the first time in history.
次戦は２９日、相手は南米のパラグアイだ。厳しい戦いとなるだろうが、日本の持ち味を存分に発揮し、初めてのベスト８入りを達成してもらいたい。
Expectations for the Japan team were not so high before the current World Cup finals kicked off, but after it beat Cameroon in its first game, public interest suddenly soared.
大会前、日本代表への期待は、さほど高くはなかった。だが、初戦でカメルーンに勝つと、関心が一気に高まった感がある。
The average rating for the live broadcast of the Denmark game from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday was 30.5 percent of households with televisions in the Kanto region, with the highest rating reaching 41.3 percent. These are surprising figures given the early-morning time slot.
デンマーク戦が中継された２５日午前３～５時の関東地区の平均視聴率は３０・５％、瞬間最高視聴率は４１・３％に達した。時間帯を考えれば、驚くべき数値である。
The second round is a knockout phase--losing just one game will eliminate a team. The voltage of excitement among fans is therefore certain to be crackling at an even higher level.
決勝トーナメントは、負ければ終わりという一発勝負だ。それだけに、応援のボルテージも一層、上がるに違いない。
===
Asian teams ascendant
South Korea also has qualified to play in the top-16 second round. Unless teams from Asia perform well, the number of spots for the region may be reduced in the next World Cup finals. In this sense, too, it is good news that both Japan and South Korea have advanced to the second round.
韓国もベスト１６に勝ち上がった。アジア勢が振るわなければ、次回大会のアジアの出場枠が減らされる懸念がある。その意味でも、日韓両国の決勝トーナメント進出は朗報といえるだろう。
Two unexpected developments were the exits of Italy and France, the champion and the runner-up, respectively, in the previous World Cup finals in 2006. Other leading European teams also have had tough games.
意外だったのは、前回大会優勝のイタリア、準優勝のフランスがともに敗退したことだ。それ以外の欧州の強豪国も、苦戦を強いられている。
Many players on South American, African and Asian teams have played in the European leagues. These players improved their skills in Europe and now are threatening European teams in the World Cup.
今大会に出場している南米やアフリカ、アジアの選手の多くが、普段は欧州のリーグでプレーしている。欧州で技を磨いた選手たちが、国別対抗のＷ杯では、欧州各国の難敵として立ちはだかっているというわけだ。
South American teams, such as Brazil and Argentina, have so far performed well. Having seen the excellent individual skills of players on these teams, which the Japan players lack, we are impressed with the differences in playing styles.
ブラジルやアルゼンチンなど南米勢は好調だ。日本のサッカーにはない見事な個人技を見ると、サッカーのスタイルの違いを実感させられる。
With half of the 32 original teams eliminated, the best part of the World Cup finals now begins. We are even more excited to watch the fierce battles that will be fought to reach the world's top place.
大会は折り返し点から佳境に入る。世界の頂点を目指すぶつかり合いが、ますます楽しみだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 26, 2010)
（2010年6月26日01時08分 読売新聞）
Teamwork is Japan's World Cup weapon
Ｗ杯ベスト１６ 組織力生かしさらに上位を（6月26日付・読売社説）
Japan's national soccer team has qualified for the knockout phase of the greatest international event in its sport. We applaud the excellent performance of the team.
世界最高峰の舞台で、ベスト１６に駒を進めた。日本代表チームの奮闘に拍手を送りたい。
Defeating Denmark 3-1 in the first round of the soccer World Cup finals in South Africa, Japan has advanced to the top 16. This is our country's second time to qualify for the second round, following the 2002 World Cup finals jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea.
サッカーのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）南アフリカ大会で、日本はデンマークを３―１で下し、決勝トーナメントに進出した。２００２年の日韓大会以来、２度目のベスト１６である。
In the first half of the game with Denmark, Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo each scored with superb free kicks. Shinji Okazaki also netted a decisive goal in the second half.
前半に本田圭佑選手、遠藤保仁選手が見事なフリーキックを決めた。後半には、岡崎慎司選手のゴールで突き放した。
===
Players made us proud
Seeing the Japanese players throw everything into defending against the Danes' fierce attacks, we were impressed with the national team's display of never-say-die spirit. As coach Takeshi Okada said, "I'm proud of these wonderful players."
デンマークの猛攻を体を張って防ぐ日本の選手たちからは、「ここで敗退するわけにはいかない」という気迫が伝わってきた。岡田武史監督は、「素晴らしい選手たちを誇りに思う」と語った。
The Danes' imposing physical stature and abilities seemed to put the Japanese at a disadvantage, but each player on the team fulfilled his particular role. Japan's victorious accession to the top 16 therefore should be attributed to its teamwork.
体格、パワーでは劣っても、選手一人一人が、自らの役割を確実に果たした。組織力でつかみ取ったベスト１６といえる。
Japan's next game is with Paraguay on Tuesday. It surely will be a tough match, but we hope the team will exert all its strength to achieve a place in the top eight for the first time in history.
次戦は２９日、相手は南米のパラグアイだ。厳しい戦いとなるだろうが、日本の持ち味を存分に発揮し、初めてのベスト８入りを達成してもらいたい。
Expectations for the Japan team were not so high before the current World Cup finals kicked off, but after it beat Cameroon in its first game, public interest suddenly soared.
大会前、日本代表への期待は、さほど高くはなかった。だが、初戦でカメルーンに勝つと、関心が一気に高まった感がある。
The average rating for the live broadcast of the Denmark game from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday was 30.5 percent of households with televisions in the Kanto region, with the highest rating reaching 41.3 percent. These are surprising figures given the early-morning time slot.
デンマーク戦が中継された２５日午前３～５時の関東地区の平均視聴率は３０・５％、瞬間最高視聴率は４１・３％に達した。時間帯を考えれば、驚くべき数値である。
The second round is a knockout phase--losing just one game will eliminate a team. The voltage of excitement among fans is therefore certain to be crackling at an even higher level.
決勝トーナメントは、負ければ終わりという一発勝負だ。それだけに、応援のボルテージも一層、上がるに違いない。
===
Asian teams ascendant
South Korea also has qualified to play in the top-16 second round. Unless teams from Asia perform well, the number of spots for the region may be reduced in the next World Cup finals. In this sense, too, it is good news that both Japan and South Korea have advanced to the second round.
韓国もベスト１６に勝ち上がった。アジア勢が振るわなければ、次回大会のアジアの出場枠が減らされる懸念がある。その意味でも、日韓両国の決勝トーナメント進出は朗報といえるだろう。
Two unexpected developments were the exits of Italy and France, the champion and the runner-up, respectively, in the previous World Cup finals in 2006. Other leading European teams also have had tough games.
意外だったのは、前回大会優勝のイタリア、準優勝のフランスがともに敗退したことだ。それ以外の欧州の強豪国も、苦戦を強いられている。
Many players on South American, African and Asian teams have played in the European leagues. These players improved their skills in Europe and now are threatening European teams in the World Cup.
今大会に出場している南米やアフリカ、アジアの選手の多くが、普段は欧州のリーグでプレーしている。欧州で技を磨いた選手たちが、国別対抗のＷ杯では、欧州各国の難敵として立ちはだかっているというわけだ。
South American teams, such as Brazil and Argentina, have so far performed well. Having seen the excellent individual skills of players on these teams, which the Japan players lack, we are impressed with the differences in playing styles.
ブラジルやアルゼンチンなど南米勢は好調だ。日本のサッカーにはない見事な個人技を見ると、サッカーのスタイルの違いを実感させられる。
With half of the 32 original teams eliminated, the best part of the World Cup finals now begins. We are even more excited to watch the fierce battles that will be fought to reach the world's top place.
大会は折り返し点から佳境に入る。世界の頂点を目指すぶつかり合いが、ますます楽しみだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 26, 2010)
（2010年6月26日01時08分 読売新聞）
2010/06/26
参院選公示 政治と経済立て直しの契機に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 26, 2010)
Election chance to put politics, economy in order
参院選公示 政治と経済立て直しの契機に（6月25日付・読売社説）
Many people must feel that this country's backbone is in danger of splintering.
国の屋台骨が傾きかけている。そう感じる人は少なくないだろう。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government, which replaced the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito last autumn, has brought major confusion to the political arena, rather than ushering in a new era of politics.
昨秋、政権交代を果たした民主党政権は、政治を変えるどころか大混乱を招いてきた。
The economy has been mired in deflation; glimmers of hope are few and far between.
日本経済もデフレに足をとられ、なかなか明るい展望を見いだすことができない。
Official campaigning for the House of Councillors election kicked off after it was officially announced Thursday. ２４日、参院選が公示された。
We hope each political party will present practical "prescriptions" that can cure the ills afflicting this nation, including policies that can get the economy back on its feet and diplomatic and security policies for restructuring the Japan-U.S. alliance.
各政党は有権者の不安を払拭するためにも、景気を着実に回復させる経済政策や、日米同盟再構築に向けた外交・安保政策で明確な処方箋を示してもらいたい。
===
Weighing pledges
◆公約の真贋を見極めて◆
Nine political parties have selected candidates in the election. The July 11 poll has become a real scramble for votes. Voters should carefully examine each party's campaign pledges to determine whether they are realistic, and its candidates to see if they are trustworthy.
選挙は、９政党が名乗りを上げ、混戦模様だ。有権者は、各党が掲げた公約や擁立した候補者が本物なのか、その真贋を、しっかり見極めてほしい。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama lost the confidence of the public after being tarred by a money and politics scandal. He also severely strained this country's relations with the United States over the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. As a result, he was forced to step down just over eight months after he assumed the premiership. He was replaced by Naoto Kan.
鳩山前首相は、「政治とカネ」の問題で国民の信頼を失い、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では対米関係を大きく傷つけた。その結果、首相に就任してから８か月余りで退陣に追い込まれ、代わって菅首相が登場した。
The candidates should first discuss what the two DPJ-led cabinets achieved and how they handled the responsibility of being in government.
今回の選挙でまず俎上にのせるべきは、民主党内閣の実績や政権運営のあり方だろう。
The DPJ has been forced to revise the child-allowance program that headlined its manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election. Payments only started this month, but the lack of a revenue source has made the allowance untenable. Despite this, the DPJ has made no attempt to review and reflect on this and its other dole-out measures.
昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）でうたわれた子ども手当などは、財源不足から、早速見直しを迫られている。とはいえ、これらバラマキ政策については、何の総括もなされていない。
===
What's the difference?
The money scandals that tainted Hatoyama and former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa remain far from resolved.
鳩山前首相と民主党の小沢前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題も、解明には程遠い状態だ。
We wonder how--and whether--the Kan administration differs from the previous administration.
菅政権は一体、前政権と何がどう違うのか。
The Hatoyama administration was characterized by populist policies, such as an array of dole-out measures and the manner in which budget screening was conducted; bureaucrat-bashing under the name of giving politicians a greater role in running the government; money-oriented politics fueled by huge sums of cash; undemocratic tactics to ensure there was no vocal objections to Ozawa's dictatorship in the party; pro-China leanings and keeping the United States at arm's length; and strong-arm Diet management by using the party's sheer weight of numbers.
バラマキ政策や事業仕分けの手法にみられるポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）、政治主導という名の官僚たたき、巨額の資金が動く金権政治、「小沢独裁」に沈黙した非民主的な党の体質、「親中国・米国離れ」志向、「数の力」を背景にした強引な国会運営――。
Kan was deputy prime minister and finance minister in the Hatoyama Cabinet. Can he truly break free from the nature of the former administration?
菅首相は前内閣の副総理・財務相だった。前政権を特徴づけるこうした問題と決別したのか。
The DPJ should have sought a mandate from the people by dissolving the lower house for a general election. But because the DPJ avoided this option, it needs to fully explain these issues, otherwise voters will not be armed with enough facts to make an informed judgment on election day.
本来なら民主党は、衆院解散・総選挙で信を問うべきだった。それを避けた以上、これらについて説明を尽くさなければ、有権者は判断のしようがあるまい。
The issue of raising the consumption tax rate will be a crucial test of the Kan administration's ability to deliver.
消費税率引き上げ問題は、菅新政権の実行力の試金石だ。
Kan called for creation of a suprapartisan panel to discuss drastic tax reform--including the consumption tax--and hinted at raising the tax rate to 10 percent.
菅首相は、消費税を含む税制の抜本改革に関する超党派の協議を呼びかけ、消費税率の「１０％」への引き上げに言及した。
===
Debate sales tax
◆消費税論議を深めよ◆
Raising the consumption tax rate is an obvious step if one considers the nation's critical fiscal situation and ever-expanding social security costs. The LDP made the first move on raising the tax rate to 10 percent, the DPJ has followed. We applaud both parties for being responsible enough and having the stomach to squarely face this issue.
国家財政の逼迫、社会保障予算の膨張を考えれば、引き上げは当然のことである。自民党が「１０％」で先手をとり民主党が追いかけた形だが、引き上げを正面から論じようとする姿勢は、責任政党としていずれも評価できる。
Yet, the DPJ's policy flip-flop has been derided by some as an attempt to deflect attention from the previous administration's shortcomings.
ただ、手のひらを返したような民主党の方針転換については、前政権の失政を隠すための「目眩まし」などと評されている。
Kan should carefully explain the reasons why raising the consumption tax rate is necessary and how the revenue will be used. He also should unveil a detailed plan for reforming the entire tax system.
菅首相は、消費税率引き上げの理由と使途などを丁寧に説明し、合わせて税制全般の改革像を早急に提示しなければならない。
Political parties that have come out against raising the consumption tax rate need to show realistic alternatives for the sake of deepening tax system debate.
消費税率上げに反対を表明している政党は、税制論議を深める上でも、現実的な「対案」を示す必要がある。
The framework of the DPJ-People's New Party coalition government may need to be redesigned depending on how the parties fare in the election. This could be a golden chance for political realignment.
今回の参院選の勝敗は、民主、国民新両党の連立政権の枠組みに変更をもたらし、政界再編の契機になる可能性もある。
A handful of new parties that proclaim themselves to be a "third force" behind the DPJ and LDP have fielded many candidates. Their campaigns could affect the election success of the two major parties.
民主、自民の２大政党の間で「第３極」を掲げる新党は、多数の候補者を擁立した。その戦いぶりは２大政党の戦績に影響を与えずにはおかないだろう。
The question on many observers' lips is whether the DPJ can snatch a majority in the upper house, which, when combined with its absolute majority in the lower house, would bring about a single party government.
民主党は、衆院に加えて参院でも、非改選を含めて過半数を制し、単独政権を手中にできるか。
If the DPJ falls short of this goal, the next focus will be on whether it can secure a majority in a coalition with the PNP. If the two parties lack the seats for a majority, the DPJ might have to hop into bed with some of the "third force" parties.
それが果たせない場合は、連立与党で過半数を確保できるかどうかが焦点だ。仮に、過半数割れになれば、「第３極」政党の一部などとの連携もありえよう。
The LDP has made no secret of its target of preventing the ruling parties from gaining a majority in the upper house. It apparently intends to put a brake on DPJ-led politics by bringing about a "divided Diet" in which both chambers are controlled by different political forces.
自民党は、与党の過半数阻止を目標にあげている。衆参両院で多数派が異なる「ねじれ国会」として、民主党主導の政治にブレーキをかける狙いがあるのだろう。
What kind of administration does this nation need? Each voter should cast their ballot with this question firmly in mind.
どんな「政権のかたち」が望ましいのか。有権者は、そうしたことも念頭に置いて、１票を行使することが求められる。
===
Ideal upper house functions
◆参院のあり方も課題だ◆
The upper house, once dubbed the "chamber of wisdom," has long been ridiculed as the "chamber of political maneuvers."
参院が「良識の府」でなく「政局の府」と言われて久しい。
The DPJ wanted to go into the election while the Kan Cabinet rides high in public support polls and closed the Diet session without extending it. An upper house plenary session to vote on an opposition-sponsored motion to censure the prime minister was not held. Such actions besmirch the upper chamber's once lofty image of being a home to "wisdom."
民主党は、菅内閣の支持率が高いうちの参院選を望み、早々に国会を閉じた。参院では野党提出の首相問責決議案の採決をしなかった。これでは「良識」が泣く。
The DPJ, which became the largest party in the upper chamber following the previous upper house election, shot down bills and personnel assignment plans submitted by the then LDP-New Komeito coalition government to rattle the administration and threw the political situation into chaos.
前回参院選で第１党になった民主党は、参院で政府提出法案や人事案を否決して、当時の自民、公明連立政権を揺さぶり、政治を混乱に陥れたこともある。
Some observers believe the authority of the House of Councillors, which has become too powerful, should be reined in. We urge each party to debate how an ideal upper house should function.
参院が政局の行方を左右するようなことがないよう、第二院としては強すぎる権限を見直した方がいいとの意見もある。各政党は参院の在り方も論じ合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2010)
（2010年6月25日01時22分 読売新聞）
Election chance to put politics, economy in order
参院選公示 政治と経済立て直しの契機に（6月25日付・読売社説）
Many people must feel that this country's backbone is in danger of splintering.
国の屋台骨が傾きかけている。そう感じる人は少なくないだろう。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government, which replaced the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito last autumn, has brought major confusion to the political arena, rather than ushering in a new era of politics.
昨秋、政権交代を果たした民主党政権は、政治を変えるどころか大混乱を招いてきた。
The economy has been mired in deflation; glimmers of hope are few and far between.
日本経済もデフレに足をとられ、なかなか明るい展望を見いだすことができない。
Official campaigning for the House of Councillors election kicked off after it was officially announced Thursday. ２４日、参院選が公示された。
We hope each political party will present practical "prescriptions" that can cure the ills afflicting this nation, including policies that can get the economy back on its feet and diplomatic and security policies for restructuring the Japan-U.S. alliance.
各政党は有権者の不安を払拭するためにも、景気を着実に回復させる経済政策や、日米同盟再構築に向けた外交・安保政策で明確な処方箋を示してもらいたい。
===
Weighing pledges
◆公約の真贋を見極めて◆
Nine political parties have selected candidates in the election. The July 11 poll has become a real scramble for votes. Voters should carefully examine each party's campaign pledges to determine whether they are realistic, and its candidates to see if they are trustworthy.
選挙は、９政党が名乗りを上げ、混戦模様だ。有権者は、各党が掲げた公約や擁立した候補者が本物なのか、その真贋を、しっかり見極めてほしい。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama lost the confidence of the public after being tarred by a money and politics scandal. He also severely strained this country's relations with the United States over the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. As a result, he was forced to step down just over eight months after he assumed the premiership. He was replaced by Naoto Kan.
鳩山前首相は、「政治とカネ」の問題で国民の信頼を失い、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では対米関係を大きく傷つけた。その結果、首相に就任してから８か月余りで退陣に追い込まれ、代わって菅首相が登場した。
The candidates should first discuss what the two DPJ-led cabinets achieved and how they handled the responsibility of being in government.
今回の選挙でまず俎上にのせるべきは、民主党内閣の実績や政権運営のあり方だろう。
The DPJ has been forced to revise the child-allowance program that headlined its manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election. Payments only started this month, but the lack of a revenue source has made the allowance untenable. Despite this, the DPJ has made no attempt to review and reflect on this and its other dole-out measures.
昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）でうたわれた子ども手当などは、財源不足から、早速見直しを迫られている。とはいえ、これらバラマキ政策については、何の総括もなされていない。
===
What's the difference?
The money scandals that tainted Hatoyama and former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa remain far from resolved.
鳩山前首相と民主党の小沢前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題も、解明には程遠い状態だ。
We wonder how--and whether--the Kan administration differs from the previous administration.
菅政権は一体、前政権と何がどう違うのか。
The Hatoyama administration was characterized by populist policies, such as an array of dole-out measures and the manner in which budget screening was conducted; bureaucrat-bashing under the name of giving politicians a greater role in running the government; money-oriented politics fueled by huge sums of cash; undemocratic tactics to ensure there was no vocal objections to Ozawa's dictatorship in the party; pro-China leanings and keeping the United States at arm's length; and strong-arm Diet management by using the party's sheer weight of numbers.
バラマキ政策や事業仕分けの手法にみられるポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）、政治主導という名の官僚たたき、巨額の資金が動く金権政治、「小沢独裁」に沈黙した非民主的な党の体質、「親中国・米国離れ」志向、「数の力」を背景にした強引な国会運営――。
Kan was deputy prime minister and finance minister in the Hatoyama Cabinet. Can he truly break free from the nature of the former administration?
菅首相は前内閣の副総理・財務相だった。前政権を特徴づけるこうした問題と決別したのか。
The DPJ should have sought a mandate from the people by dissolving the lower house for a general election. But because the DPJ avoided this option, it needs to fully explain these issues, otherwise voters will not be armed with enough facts to make an informed judgment on election day.
本来なら民主党は、衆院解散・総選挙で信を問うべきだった。それを避けた以上、これらについて説明を尽くさなければ、有権者は判断のしようがあるまい。
The issue of raising the consumption tax rate will be a crucial test of the Kan administration's ability to deliver.
消費税率引き上げ問題は、菅新政権の実行力の試金石だ。
Kan called for creation of a suprapartisan panel to discuss drastic tax reform--including the consumption tax--and hinted at raising the tax rate to 10 percent.
菅首相は、消費税を含む税制の抜本改革に関する超党派の協議を呼びかけ、消費税率の「１０％」への引き上げに言及した。
===
Debate sales tax
◆消費税論議を深めよ◆
Raising the consumption tax rate is an obvious step if one considers the nation's critical fiscal situation and ever-expanding social security costs. The LDP made the first move on raising the tax rate to 10 percent, the DPJ has followed. We applaud both parties for being responsible enough and having the stomach to squarely face this issue.
国家財政の逼迫、社会保障予算の膨張を考えれば、引き上げは当然のことである。自民党が「１０％」で先手をとり民主党が追いかけた形だが、引き上げを正面から論じようとする姿勢は、責任政党としていずれも評価できる。
Yet, the DPJ's policy flip-flop has been derided by some as an attempt to deflect attention from the previous administration's shortcomings.
ただ、手のひらを返したような民主党の方針転換については、前政権の失政を隠すための「目眩まし」などと評されている。
Kan should carefully explain the reasons why raising the consumption tax rate is necessary and how the revenue will be used. He also should unveil a detailed plan for reforming the entire tax system.
菅首相は、消費税率引き上げの理由と使途などを丁寧に説明し、合わせて税制全般の改革像を早急に提示しなければならない。
Political parties that have come out against raising the consumption tax rate need to show realistic alternatives for the sake of deepening tax system debate.
消費税率上げに反対を表明している政党は、税制論議を深める上でも、現実的な「対案」を示す必要がある。
The framework of the DPJ-People's New Party coalition government may need to be redesigned depending on how the parties fare in the election. This could be a golden chance for political realignment.
今回の参院選の勝敗は、民主、国民新両党の連立政権の枠組みに変更をもたらし、政界再編の契機になる可能性もある。
A handful of new parties that proclaim themselves to be a "third force" behind the DPJ and LDP have fielded many candidates. Their campaigns could affect the election success of the two major parties.
民主、自民の２大政党の間で「第３極」を掲げる新党は、多数の候補者を擁立した。その戦いぶりは２大政党の戦績に影響を与えずにはおかないだろう。
The question on many observers' lips is whether the DPJ can snatch a majority in the upper house, which, when combined with its absolute majority in the lower house, would bring about a single party government.
民主党は、衆院に加えて参院でも、非改選を含めて過半数を制し、単独政権を手中にできるか。
If the DPJ falls short of this goal, the next focus will be on whether it can secure a majority in a coalition with the PNP. If the two parties lack the seats for a majority, the DPJ might have to hop into bed with some of the "third force" parties.
それが果たせない場合は、連立与党で過半数を確保できるかどうかが焦点だ。仮に、過半数割れになれば、「第３極」政党の一部などとの連携もありえよう。
The LDP has made no secret of its target of preventing the ruling parties from gaining a majority in the upper house. It apparently intends to put a brake on DPJ-led politics by bringing about a "divided Diet" in which both chambers are controlled by different political forces.
自民党は、与党の過半数阻止を目標にあげている。衆参両院で多数派が異なる「ねじれ国会」として、民主党主導の政治にブレーキをかける狙いがあるのだろう。
What kind of administration does this nation need? Each voter should cast their ballot with this question firmly in mind.
どんな「政権のかたち」が望ましいのか。有権者は、そうしたことも念頭に置いて、１票を行使することが求められる。
===
Ideal upper house functions
◆参院のあり方も課題だ◆
The upper house, once dubbed the "chamber of wisdom," has long been ridiculed as the "chamber of political maneuvers."
参院が「良識の府」でなく「政局の府」と言われて久しい。
The DPJ wanted to go into the election while the Kan Cabinet rides high in public support polls and closed the Diet session without extending it. An upper house plenary session to vote on an opposition-sponsored motion to censure the prime minister was not held. Such actions besmirch the upper chamber's once lofty image of being a home to "wisdom."
民主党は、菅内閣の支持率が高いうちの参院選を望み、早々に国会を閉じた。参院では野党提出の首相問責決議案の採決をしなかった。これでは「良識」が泣く。
The DPJ, which became the largest party in the upper chamber following the previous upper house election, shot down bills and personnel assignment plans submitted by the then LDP-New Komeito coalition government to rattle the administration and threw the political situation into chaos.
前回参院選で第１党になった民主党は、参院で政府提出法案や人事案を否決して、当時の自民、公明連立政権を揺さぶり、政治を混乱に陥れたこともある。
Some observers believe the authority of the House of Councillors, which has become too powerful, should be reined in. We urge each party to debate how an ideal upper house should function.
参院が政局の行方を左右するようなことがないよう、第二院としては強すぎる権限を見直した方がいいとの意見もある。各政党は参院の在り方も論じ合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2010)
（2010年6月25日01時22分 読売新聞）
2010/06/25
所得税論議 最高税率引き上げは問題多い
昔からこの構図は変りません。
年収１０００万円以上の所得者による納税額の全体の納税額に対する割合（金額ベース）は極めて高かったのです。
早期退職を決断したひとつの原因でもあります。
国が危機的な状態にある現在、累進課税の強化、課税最低限度額の引き下げ、両面から進めなければこの危機を脱出することはできないでしょう。
新聞社は高額所得者の利権を守るための教宣をやめて欲しい。
利害がからむ複雑な問題です。
当事者にならないと痛みは理解できないでしょう。
srachai from khonkaen, thailand
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 25, 2010)
Don't be hasty to raise top income tax rate
所得税論議 最高税率引き上げは問題多い（6月24日付・読売社説）
An expert panel of the government's Tax Commission has drawn up a list of points of contention on tax system reform in an interim report it submitted to the commission.
政府税制調査会の専門家委員会が論点整理の形で、税制改革の方向性を打ち出した。
With the nation's perilous fiscal situation in mind, the panel spelled out the importance of harnessing consumption tax as a stable revenue source to cover rising social security costs.
危機的な財政事情を念頭に、社会保障の安定財源として消費税の重要性を強調している。
We think this is a reasonable suggestion.
極めて妥当な指摘だ。
However, we take issue with the panel's emphasis on reinforcing the progressive structure as part of this country's income tax system reform. Under the structure, an increase in individuals' income will catapult them into higher tax brackets.
反面、所得税改革に関し、所得が増えるほど税率が高くなる累進構造の強化に力点を置いているのは問題だ。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has spoken publicly about the need to hike the consumption tax rate in the future. Kan seems to be trying to convince the public of the worthiness of taxing high-income earners more since a consumption tax hike would increase the financial burden shouldered by Joe Blow.
菅首相が言及する将来の消費税率引き上げでは、一般国民の負担が増すため、高所得層への所得課税強化で、一定の理解を得ようとする狙いが読み取れる。
===
Missing the point
Indeed, some observers have pointed out that the consumption tax is regressive, which means the burden is relatively higher for low-income earners.
確かに消費税には、低所得層ほど税負担が相対的に高まる「逆進性」が指摘されている。
But that does not mean progressive tax rates for income tax should be raised. The panel is completely missing the point.
だからと言って、累進税率の強化につなげて考えるのは筋違いだ。
Consumption tax should be made less regressive by, for instance, reducing the tax rate on daily necessities.
消費税の逆進性の解消は、生活必需品への軽減税率導入などで対応すべき問題である。
Income tax revenue for fiscal 2009 is expected to dip below 13 trillion yen for the first time in 27 years, about half of the peak figure.
所得税は、２００９年度の税収が２７年ぶりに１３兆円を割り込み、ピーク時のほぼ半分になる。
Currently, the burden rate of income taxation for individuals in Japan against national income is about 7 percent. The rate is 10 percent or higher in the United States and major European countries. It is a fact that income tax's role as the nation's core taxation has been eroded.
国民所得と対比した日本の個人所得課税の負担率は７％にとどまる。１０％以上の欧米を下回り、基幹税としての役割が低下しているのは事実である。
However, even if the progressive tax structure is fortified, the number of high-income earners who will pay the higher tax rates will not change. Therefore, any increase in income tax revenue growth will be marginal as a proportion of the nation's entire tax revenue.
しかし、累進構造を強めたとしても、負担する高所得層の数は限られるため、国の税収全体から見て、増収分はわずかなものだ。
The maximum tax rate imposed on individual income--through a combination of income tax and resident tax--was 88 percent in the 1980s.
所得税と住民税を合わせた個人所得課税の最高税率は、１９８０年代には８８％に達していた。
Many people complained they lost their motivation to work because of this high rate. In response, the government cut the maximum rate to keep pace with tax system reform implemented in the United States and Britain.
「こんなに税金が高いと働く意欲がなくなる」。そんな声に押されて、米国や英国の税制改革に歩調を合わせるように日本でも最高税率が引き下げられた。
The highest tax rate for income tax, with national and regional taxes combined, is now 50 percent. However, it still tops the 47.6 percent for New York City and 48 percent in France.
現在は５０％だが、それでも米ニューヨーク市の４７・６％、フランスの４８％などを上回っている。
===
Lower taxable income level
We think the government should instead be cutting the lowest taxable income threshold for individuals.
むしろ、今考えるべきは、課税最低限の引き下げだ。
Japan's lowest taxable annual income is about 3.25 million yen for a standard household consisting of a married couple with two children. This is quite high by international standards. Many people end up not having to pay tax.
日本の課税最低限は標準世帯で年収約３２５万円である。国際水準に比べてかなり高く、それだけ多くの人が税金を納めていないことになる。
If tax deductions are cut back, the lowest taxable income can also be reduced. Consequently, more income earners will be asked to pay more tax. This is inevitable if we consider a basic tenet of taxation--a wide proportion of the nation's people should bear the burden thinly.
各種の控除を縮小すれば最低限が下がり、より幅広い層に税負担を求めることになるが、国民が広く薄く負担するという税の原点からみてやむを得まい。
The expert panel said fortifying the progressive structure of income taxation was important because the tax system's income redistribution function has been crippled, generating widening disparities among the people.
専門家委員会は、累進構造を強化する理由として、税の所得再分配機能が衰え格差の拡大を招いたこともあげている。
However, going too far in progressive taxation would be nothing but a prime example of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's populist agenda. Before thinking about income redistribution, improving social security measures such as pension, medical care and nursing care programs should come first.
だが、行き過ぎた累進強化は大衆迎合路線そのものだ。所得再分配を考えるなら、年金や医療、介護といった社会保障政策の充実が先決である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 24, 2010)
（2010年6月24日01時07分 読売新聞）
年収１０００万円以上の所得者による納税額の全体の納税額に対する割合（金額ベース）は極めて高かったのです。
早期退職を決断したひとつの原因でもあります。
国が危機的な状態にある現在、累進課税の強化、課税最低限度額の引き下げ、両面から進めなければこの危機を脱出することはできないでしょう。
新聞社は高額所得者の利権を守るための教宣をやめて欲しい。
利害がからむ複雑な問題です。
当事者にならないと痛みは理解できないでしょう。
srachai from khonkaen, thailand
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 25, 2010)
Don't be hasty to raise top income tax rate
所得税論議 最高税率引き上げは問題多い（6月24日付・読売社説）
An expert panel of the government's Tax Commission has drawn up a list of points of contention on tax system reform in an interim report it submitted to the commission.
政府税制調査会の専門家委員会が論点整理の形で、税制改革の方向性を打ち出した。
With the nation's perilous fiscal situation in mind, the panel spelled out the importance of harnessing consumption tax as a stable revenue source to cover rising social security costs.
危機的な財政事情を念頭に、社会保障の安定財源として消費税の重要性を強調している。
We think this is a reasonable suggestion.
極めて妥当な指摘だ。
However, we take issue with the panel's emphasis on reinforcing the progressive structure as part of this country's income tax system reform. Under the structure, an increase in individuals' income will catapult them into higher tax brackets.
反面、所得税改革に関し、所得が増えるほど税率が高くなる累進構造の強化に力点を置いているのは問題だ。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan has spoken publicly about the need to hike the consumption tax rate in the future. Kan seems to be trying to convince the public of the worthiness of taxing high-income earners more since a consumption tax hike would increase the financial burden shouldered by Joe Blow.
菅首相が言及する将来の消費税率引き上げでは、一般国民の負担が増すため、高所得層への所得課税強化で、一定の理解を得ようとする狙いが読み取れる。
===
Missing the point
Indeed, some observers have pointed out that the consumption tax is regressive, which means the burden is relatively higher for low-income earners.
確かに消費税には、低所得層ほど税負担が相対的に高まる「逆進性」が指摘されている。
But that does not mean progressive tax rates for income tax should be raised. The panel is completely missing the point.
だからと言って、累進税率の強化につなげて考えるのは筋違いだ。
Consumption tax should be made less regressive by, for instance, reducing the tax rate on daily necessities.
消費税の逆進性の解消は、生活必需品への軽減税率導入などで対応すべき問題である。
Income tax revenue for fiscal 2009 is expected to dip below 13 trillion yen for the first time in 27 years, about half of the peak figure.
所得税は、２００９年度の税収が２７年ぶりに１３兆円を割り込み、ピーク時のほぼ半分になる。
Currently, the burden rate of income taxation for individuals in Japan against national income is about 7 percent. The rate is 10 percent or higher in the United States and major European countries. It is a fact that income tax's role as the nation's core taxation has been eroded.
国民所得と対比した日本の個人所得課税の負担率は７％にとどまる。１０％以上の欧米を下回り、基幹税としての役割が低下しているのは事実である。
However, even if the progressive tax structure is fortified, the number of high-income earners who will pay the higher tax rates will not change. Therefore, any increase in income tax revenue growth will be marginal as a proportion of the nation's entire tax revenue.
しかし、累進構造を強めたとしても、負担する高所得層の数は限られるため、国の税収全体から見て、増収分はわずかなものだ。
The maximum tax rate imposed on individual income--through a combination of income tax and resident tax--was 88 percent in the 1980s.
所得税と住民税を合わせた個人所得課税の最高税率は、１９８０年代には８８％に達していた。
Many people complained they lost their motivation to work because of this high rate. In response, the government cut the maximum rate to keep pace with tax system reform implemented in the United States and Britain.
「こんなに税金が高いと働く意欲がなくなる」。そんな声に押されて、米国や英国の税制改革に歩調を合わせるように日本でも最高税率が引き下げられた。
The highest tax rate for income tax, with national and regional taxes combined, is now 50 percent. However, it still tops the 47.6 percent for New York City and 48 percent in France.
現在は５０％だが、それでも米ニューヨーク市の４７・６％、フランスの４８％などを上回っている。
===
Lower taxable income level
We think the government should instead be cutting the lowest taxable income threshold for individuals.
むしろ、今考えるべきは、課税最低限の引き下げだ。
Japan's lowest taxable annual income is about 3.25 million yen for a standard household consisting of a married couple with two children. This is quite high by international standards. Many people end up not having to pay tax.
日本の課税最低限は標準世帯で年収約３２５万円である。国際水準に比べてかなり高く、それだけ多くの人が税金を納めていないことになる。
If tax deductions are cut back, the lowest taxable income can also be reduced. Consequently, more income earners will be asked to pay more tax. This is inevitable if we consider a basic tenet of taxation--a wide proportion of the nation's people should bear the burden thinly.
各種の控除を縮小すれば最低限が下がり、より幅広い層に税負担を求めることになるが、国民が広く薄く負担するという税の原点からみてやむを得まい。
The expert panel said fortifying the progressive structure of income taxation was important because the tax system's income redistribution function has been crippled, generating widening disparities among the people.
専門家委員会は、累進構造を強化する理由として、税の所得再分配機能が衰え格差の拡大を招いたこともあげている。
However, going too far in progressive taxation would be nothing but a prime example of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's populist agenda. Before thinking about income redistribution, improving social security measures such as pension, medical care and nursing care programs should come first.
だが、行き過ぎた累進強化は大衆迎合路線そのものだ。所得再分配を考えるなら、年金や医療、介護といった社会保障政策の充実が先決である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 24, 2010)
（2010年6月24日01時07分 読売新聞）
2010/06/24
風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男
(Mainichi Japan) June 23, 2010
Taking a deeper look at Kan's realism
風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's naming of his new Cabinet as the "Kihei-tai Cabinet" (Irregular Militia Cabinet) still doesn't sit right.
「奇兵隊内閣」という命名、いまだ釈然としない。
The Kiheitai was a militia formed in the Choshu domain (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, standing in opposition to the shogunate.
奇兵隊は幕末史に登場する長州（山口県）の討幕ゲリラだが、知らない人の方が多いだろう。
Many people have probably never heard of this militia, and the meaning of "Kihei-tai" in reference to Kan's Cabinet doesn't come across clearly -- to the man on the street, its significance is lost.
意味が伝わらない。民衆に届かない。半端なキャッチフレーズに菅直人首相の準備不足と迷いが表れている。
The adoption of such an odd name is a reflection of the prime minister's lack of preparation and direction. By referring to his Cabinet as a "Kihei-tai," does Kan plan to keep up with the idea of destroying the system?
奇兵隊を名乗るからには、これからも体制の破壊を続けるつもりなのか？－－。
In a question directed at Kan on June 15, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Yoshimasa Hayashi, who is from Yamaguchi Prefecture, asked, "Are you a destroyer or a creator?" to which Kan replied, "Both."
菅を問い詰めたのは山口県選出の自民党参院議員、林芳正である。１５日の代表質問で「あなたは破壊者か、創造者か」と攻め、菅は「両方だ」と答えた。
During the question session, Hayashi made reference to the historical work "Yoshida Shoin," by the great pre-war journalist Soho Tokutomi, explaining, "For a revolution, three types of people are needed: thinkers, destroyers and creators."
林は質問のなかで、戦前の大ジャーナリスト・徳富蘇峰の史論「吉田松陰」を引き、「革命には思想家、破壊者、創造者という３種類の人間が必要だ」と解説してみせた。
Looking at Soho's original work, we see that the "creator" is a "constructive revolutionary." In giving an example, the journalist listed Cromwell, Napoleon, and Toshimichi Okubo, and noted that the reason they were successful in the final phase of their revolutions was that they were people who looked beyond ideals to the actual situation.
蘇峰の原著を見ると、「創造者」は「建設的革命家」となっている。例として蘇峰はクロムウェル、ナポレオン、大久保利通らを挙げ、彼らが革命の最終局面で活躍するのは、「理想の外に実際を見」る人々だからだと言っている。
Looking beyond ideals to the actual situation probably means being a realist with a well-balanced feel for the situation.
理想の外に実際を見る、とはバランス感覚に富むリアリストということだろう。
Kan is a realist, which both the prime minister himself and others acknowledge. Amid the upheaval brought about by political realignment, he has chosen, as a party leader, to place priority on survival. His dry yet flexible approach that is not necessarily bound by ideals, duty or obligations comprises the basis of others' assessments of Kan's character.
菅は自他ともに認めるリアリストである。政界再編の激動のなかで、政党の指導者としてサバイバルを優先してきた。必ずしも理念や義理人情に縛られないドライな柔軟さが人物評の根拠になっている。
This approach is evident in his relationship with labor unions. Kan comes from a background of citizen campaigning, and during his time in the Socialist Democratic Federation and New Party Sakigake, he was consistently critical of politics that relied on labor unions. However, that changed when he formed the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and teamed up with lawmakers from the former Social Democratic Party and Democratic Socialist Party. He placed priority on solidifying his base of support and started making an effort to cooperate with labor unions.
早い話が労働組合との関係だ。菅は市民運動出身であり、社民連、さきがけ時代を通じて労組依存の政治に批判的だった。それが、民主党を結成し、旧社会党系、旧民社党系の議員と合流して変わった。支持基盤の維持を優先し、労組との協調に努めるようになった。
Kan's approach when it comes to former DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa is even drier. The two didn't get on well to begin with, and Kan didn't hesitate to criticize Ozawa. But in the autumn of 2003, as leader of the DPJ, Kan decided to merge his party with the Liberal Party led by Ozawa. After that, he was cautious not to quickly join in criticism of Ozawa that was smoldering within the DPJ, and solidified his chances of succeeding former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
小沢一郎前幹事長との関係はさらにドライだ。もともと肌が合わず、小沢批判をためらわなかった。ところが０３年秋、民主党代表として小沢自由党との合併を決断。以後、党内にくすぶった小沢批判にも簡単には乗らぬ慎重さで「ポスト鳩山」の地位を固めた。
Kan's realism has also been displayed in his policies. In the book "90 Nendai no Shogen/Kan Naoto" (Testimonies of the 1990s -- Naoto Kan), published by Asahi Shimbun Publications in 2008, reference is made to Seiji Maehara, a particularly hawkish figure in the field of diplomacy within the DPJ. Kan is asked, "You're not as much of a realist as Maehara in diplomacy are you?" to which he responds, "Well actually, from my point of view, Maehara is more fundamentalist than pragmatic. I'm much more of a realist."
菅の現実主義は政策面にも表れている。前原誠司（国土交通相）といえば民主党きっての外交タカ派だが、菅は「外交では前原さんほど現実主義的ではないでしょう」と聞かれ、こう答えたことがある。
「いや、私に言わせれば前原君は現実的というより原理主義的です。私なんかの方がよっぽど現実主義的なんです」（「９０年代の証言／菅直人」０８年朝日新聞出版）
In his policy speech at the Diet and during a party leaders' question session, Kan stressed that he would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the policy of an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance" promoted by Hatoyama's administration vanished.
国会の所信表明演説と代表質問を通じて菅は「日米同盟の深化」を訴え、鳩山政権の「対等な日米同盟」は消えた。
Kan also suggested raising the consumption tax to 10 percent, "using an LDP proposal as a reference" -- in other words a policy no different from that of the LDP.
消費税は「自民党案を参考に」１０％にするという。要するに自民党と変わらない。
I would like to laud this as the behavior of a realist, but when we've come this far the question arises: What exactly is realism?
さすがはリアリストだと言いたいが、ここまでくると、現実主義とは何かという疑問がせり上がってくる。
The "Kojien" dictionary's definition of "realism" (genjitsu-shugi) translates as follows: "the attitude of handling affairs based on reality without adhering to a doctrine or ideals. There are times when the attitude of yielding to an established fact before one's eyes or opportunism has the same meaning."
広辞苑で「現実主義」を引くと、こう書いてある。「主義や理想にこだわらず現実に即して事を処理する態度。目前の既成事実に屈服する態度や日和見主義と同じ意味になる場合がある」。なるほど。
So what is Kan's realism? Is it realism on the same scale as that used during the early years of the Meiji Period by Toshimichi Okubo, who observed the U.S. and Europe and decided to focus on internal affairs? Or is it the realism of the art of survival by the Kihei-tai of Japan's political center of Nagatacho -- suppressing Ozawa's group within the party for the time being and beating the LDP? That's the issue at stake. (By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
菅の現実主義とは何か。明治初年、大久保利通が米欧を見て内治優先を決断したというようなスケールでの現実主義なのか。当面、小沢グループを抑え込み、自民党をやっつけようという永田町奇兵隊のサバイバル戦術としての現実主義なのか。そこが問題だ。（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）
毎日新聞 2010年6月21日 東京朝刊
Taking a deeper look at Kan's realism
風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's naming of his new Cabinet as the "Kihei-tai Cabinet" (Irregular Militia Cabinet) still doesn't sit right.
「奇兵隊内閣」という命名、いまだ釈然としない。
The Kiheitai was a militia formed in the Choshu domain (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, standing in opposition to the shogunate.
奇兵隊は幕末史に登場する長州（山口県）の討幕ゲリラだが、知らない人の方が多いだろう。
Many people have probably never heard of this militia, and the meaning of "Kihei-tai" in reference to Kan's Cabinet doesn't come across clearly -- to the man on the street, its significance is lost.
意味が伝わらない。民衆に届かない。半端なキャッチフレーズに菅直人首相の準備不足と迷いが表れている。
The adoption of such an odd name is a reflection of the prime minister's lack of preparation and direction. By referring to his Cabinet as a "Kihei-tai," does Kan plan to keep up with the idea of destroying the system?
奇兵隊を名乗るからには、これからも体制の破壊を続けるつもりなのか？－－。
In a question directed at Kan on June 15, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Yoshimasa Hayashi, who is from Yamaguchi Prefecture, asked, "Are you a destroyer or a creator?" to which Kan replied, "Both."
菅を問い詰めたのは山口県選出の自民党参院議員、林芳正である。１５日の代表質問で「あなたは破壊者か、創造者か」と攻め、菅は「両方だ」と答えた。
During the question session, Hayashi made reference to the historical work "Yoshida Shoin," by the great pre-war journalist Soho Tokutomi, explaining, "For a revolution, three types of people are needed: thinkers, destroyers and creators."
林は質問のなかで、戦前の大ジャーナリスト・徳富蘇峰の史論「吉田松陰」を引き、「革命には思想家、破壊者、創造者という３種類の人間が必要だ」と解説してみせた。
Looking at Soho's original work, we see that the "creator" is a "constructive revolutionary." In giving an example, the journalist listed Cromwell, Napoleon, and Toshimichi Okubo, and noted that the reason they were successful in the final phase of their revolutions was that they were people who looked beyond ideals to the actual situation.
蘇峰の原著を見ると、「創造者」は「建設的革命家」となっている。例として蘇峰はクロムウェル、ナポレオン、大久保利通らを挙げ、彼らが革命の最終局面で活躍するのは、「理想の外に実際を見」る人々だからだと言っている。
Looking beyond ideals to the actual situation probably means being a realist with a well-balanced feel for the situation.
理想の外に実際を見る、とはバランス感覚に富むリアリストということだろう。
Kan is a realist, which both the prime minister himself and others acknowledge. Amid the upheaval brought about by political realignment, he has chosen, as a party leader, to place priority on survival. His dry yet flexible approach that is not necessarily bound by ideals, duty or obligations comprises the basis of others' assessments of Kan's character.
菅は自他ともに認めるリアリストである。政界再編の激動のなかで、政党の指導者としてサバイバルを優先してきた。必ずしも理念や義理人情に縛られないドライな柔軟さが人物評の根拠になっている。
This approach is evident in his relationship with labor unions. Kan comes from a background of citizen campaigning, and during his time in the Socialist Democratic Federation and New Party Sakigake, he was consistently critical of politics that relied on labor unions. However, that changed when he formed the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and teamed up with lawmakers from the former Social Democratic Party and Democratic Socialist Party. He placed priority on solidifying his base of support and started making an effort to cooperate with labor unions.
早い話が労働組合との関係だ。菅は市民運動出身であり、社民連、さきがけ時代を通じて労組依存の政治に批判的だった。それが、民主党を結成し、旧社会党系、旧民社党系の議員と合流して変わった。支持基盤の維持を優先し、労組との協調に努めるようになった。
Kan's approach when it comes to former DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa is even drier. The two didn't get on well to begin with, and Kan didn't hesitate to criticize Ozawa. But in the autumn of 2003, as leader of the DPJ, Kan decided to merge his party with the Liberal Party led by Ozawa. After that, he was cautious not to quickly join in criticism of Ozawa that was smoldering within the DPJ, and solidified his chances of succeeding former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
小沢一郎前幹事長との関係はさらにドライだ。もともと肌が合わず、小沢批判をためらわなかった。ところが０３年秋、民主党代表として小沢自由党との合併を決断。以後、党内にくすぶった小沢批判にも簡単には乗らぬ慎重さで「ポスト鳩山」の地位を固めた。
Kan's realism has also been displayed in his policies. In the book "90 Nendai no Shogen/Kan Naoto" (Testimonies of the 1990s -- Naoto Kan), published by Asahi Shimbun Publications in 2008, reference is made to Seiji Maehara, a particularly hawkish figure in the field of diplomacy within the DPJ. Kan is asked, "You're not as much of a realist as Maehara in diplomacy are you?" to which he responds, "Well actually, from my point of view, Maehara is more fundamentalist than pragmatic. I'm much more of a realist."
菅の現実主義は政策面にも表れている。前原誠司（国土交通相）といえば民主党きっての外交タカ派だが、菅は「外交では前原さんほど現実主義的ではないでしょう」と聞かれ、こう答えたことがある。
「いや、私に言わせれば前原君は現実的というより原理主義的です。私なんかの方がよっぽど現実主義的なんです」（「９０年代の証言／菅直人」０８年朝日新聞出版）
In his policy speech at the Diet and during a party leaders' question session, Kan stressed that he would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the policy of an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance" promoted by Hatoyama's administration vanished.
国会の所信表明演説と代表質問を通じて菅は「日米同盟の深化」を訴え、鳩山政権の「対等な日米同盟」は消えた。
Kan also suggested raising the consumption tax to 10 percent, "using an LDP proposal as a reference" -- in other words a policy no different from that of the LDP.
消費税は「自民党案を参考に」１０％にするという。要するに自民党と変わらない。
I would like to laud this as the behavior of a realist, but when we've come this far the question arises: What exactly is realism?
さすがはリアリストだと言いたいが、ここまでくると、現実主義とは何かという疑問がせり上がってくる。
The "Kojien" dictionary's definition of "realism" (genjitsu-shugi) translates as follows: "the attitude of handling affairs based on reality without adhering to a doctrine or ideals. There are times when the attitude of yielding to an established fact before one's eyes or opportunism has the same meaning."
広辞苑で「現実主義」を引くと、こう書いてある。「主義や理想にこだわらず現実に即して事を処理する態度。目前の既成事実に屈服する態度や日和見主義と同じ意味になる場合がある」。なるほど。
So what is Kan's realism? Is it realism on the same scale as that used during the early years of the Meiji Period by Toshimichi Okubo, who observed the U.S. and Europe and decided to focus on internal affairs? Or is it the realism of the art of survival by the Kihei-tai of Japan's political center of Nagatacho -- suppressing Ozawa's group within the party for the time being and beating the LDP? That's the issue at stake. (By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
菅の現実主義とは何か。明治初年、大久保利通が米欧を見て内治優先を決断したというようなスケールでの現実主義なのか。当面、小沢グループを抑え込み、自民党をやっつけようという永田町奇兵隊のサバイバル戦術としての現実主義なのか。そこが問題だ。（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）
毎日新聞 2010年6月21日 東京朝刊
2010/06/23
イルカ漁映画 問題あっても妨害は許されぬ
Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of BBS postings by an administrator, through deleting some postings cannot be allowed.
言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。BBS管理者による投稿の削除などでBBSの閲覧を妨害することは許されない。
Whatever the content of the postings, the free expression that is a BBS should be respected as much as possible, as long as a postings are not offensive to public order and morality.
ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限りBBSでの投稿という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。
タイのバンコク週報への投稿や個人が運営しているBBSへの投稿で苦い経験をさせられています。
(スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 23, 2010)
Don't block a movie for being problematic
イルカ漁映画 問題あっても妨害は許されぬ（6月22日付・読売社説）
Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of the screening of a movie, through intimidating protests or other means, cannot be allowed.
言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。威圧的な抗議活動などで映画の上映を妨害することは許されない。
Some showings in this country of "The Cove," a critical portrayal of the dolphin fishing of Taijicho, Wakayama Prefecture, have been canceled. Three theaters in Tokyo and Osaka that had been scheduled to show the film announced in early June they would not.
和歌山県太地町のイルカ漁を批判的に描いた米国のドキュメンタリー映画「ザ・コーヴ」の国内上映が、一部で中止に追い込まれた問題である。
They did so because an organization that believes the movie is anti-Japan warned the theaters it would take such actions as holding street protests using loudspeakers.
上映を予定していた東京、大阪の３館が今月初めに、相次いで断念を発表した。
The organization did make repeated protests in front of the home of the president of the movie's domestic distributor, and in front of the distributor's office, provoking turmoil.
映画の内容が反日的だと批判する団体が、映画館に街宣活動を行うなどと予告したためだ。映画の配給元の社長宅や事務所に対しては、実際に抗議活動が繰り返され、混乱を引き起こしていた。
The operators of the theaters apparently feared that showing the film would cause trouble for audiences and people living nearby.
映画館は、観客や近隣に迷惑がかかることを懸念したようだ。
===
Don't give in to intimidation
In contrast, 22 other movie theaters throughout the country have decided to show "The Cove," some starting July 3. The distributor and these movie theaters have demonstrated their resolve not to yield to foul intimidation.
一方で、３館と別の全国２２の映画館で、来月３日からこの映画が順次、上映されることが決まった。卑劣な威嚇には屈しないという、配給元や映画館の強い姿勢を示したと言えよう。
The people of this nation can help protect the right to free and varied speech by supporting this brave action. We hope the police will do everything they can to ensure security, to prevent any trouble caused by efforts at obstruction.
こうした勇気を国民が支持することによって、自由で多様な言論は守られる。妨害による不測の事態が起きないよう、警察も警備に万全を期してほしい。
Made by members of a radical U.S. environmental protection group that visited Taijicho, "The Cove" won best documentary feature at this year's Academy Awards.
However, the filmmakers shot some footage by trespassing into an off-limits area without the permission of the town's fisheries organization.
この映画は、米国の過激な環境保護団体のメンバーが、太地町を訪ねて製作した。今年の米アカデミー賞の長編ドキュメンタリー賞を受賞したが、太地町の漁業関係者の許可を得ないまま、禁止区域に入っての撮影も行われた。
The movie includes a scene in which dolphins driven by fishermen into the town's cove are killed, and the sea becomes red with the dolphins' blood. At another point, fishermen and the movie's crew argue about the filming.
入り江に追い込まれたイルカが殺され、海が血で真っ赤に染まるシーンや、漁業関係者と映画のスタッフが、撮影を巡って押し問答する場面などが描かれている。
The town's government and fisheries organization asked the distributor to cancel the movie's release because it may infringe on the image rights of the fishermen filmed. They also say it presents incorrect information regarding the concentration of mercury reportedly found in dolphin meat.
町や漁業関係者は、肖像権侵害の恐れがあり、イルカ肉から検出されたという水銀値などについての説明にも誤認があるとして、配給会社に上映中止を求めた。
===
Freedom of expression key
In response, the Japanese distributor agreed to make some modifications, such as obscuring the faces of people in the dolphin fishing industry. However, there is no way to conceal the surreptitious filming. It may be true that some of the filmmakers' methods were problematic.
これに対し配給会社は、映った漁業関係者の顔にぼかしを入れるなど、修整には応じたが、盗撮は隠しようもなく、手法に問題があったのは事実だろう。
But whatever the content of the documentary, the free expression that is a movie should be respected as much as possible, as long as a film is not offensive to public order and morality.
ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限り映画という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。
If the content of the movie is problematic, people should first see it at a theater and then criticize it.
内容に問題があるというなら、上映された作品を見て、それから批判すべきであろう。
Two years ago, the domestic release of a Japanese-Chinese documentary made by a Chinese director about Yasukuni Shrine was canceled due to various problems, including street loudspeaker campaigns conducted by rightest organizations.
２年前には、靖国神社をテーマにした中国人監督による日中合作のドキュメンタリー映画が、右翼団体による街宣活動などで、上映中止になったケースがある。
It is quite regrettable that similar incidents are happening again.
こうしたことが繰り返されるのは、極めて残念だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 22, 2010)
（2010年6月22日01時23分 読売新聞）
言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。BBS管理者による投稿の削除などでBBSの閲覧を妨害することは許されない。
Whatever the content of the postings, the free expression that is a BBS should be respected as much as possible, as long as a postings are not offensive to public order and morality.
ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限りBBSでの投稿という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。
タイのバンコク週報への投稿や個人が運営しているBBSへの投稿で苦い経験をさせられています。
(スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 23, 2010)
Don't block a movie for being problematic
イルカ漁映画 問題あっても妨害は許されぬ（6月22日付・読売社説）
Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of the screening of a movie, through intimidating protests or other means, cannot be allowed.
言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。威圧的な抗議活動などで映画の上映を妨害することは許されない。
Some showings in this country of "The Cove," a critical portrayal of the dolphin fishing of Taijicho, Wakayama Prefecture, have been canceled. Three theaters in Tokyo and Osaka that had been scheduled to show the film announced in early June they would not.
和歌山県太地町のイルカ漁を批判的に描いた米国のドキュメンタリー映画「ザ・コーヴ」の国内上映が、一部で中止に追い込まれた問題である。
They did so because an organization that believes the movie is anti-Japan warned the theaters it would take such actions as holding street protests using loudspeakers.
上映を予定していた東京、大阪の３館が今月初めに、相次いで断念を発表した。
The organization did make repeated protests in front of the home of the president of the movie's domestic distributor, and in front of the distributor's office, provoking turmoil.
映画の内容が反日的だと批判する団体が、映画館に街宣活動を行うなどと予告したためだ。映画の配給元の社長宅や事務所に対しては、実際に抗議活動が繰り返され、混乱を引き起こしていた。
The operators of the theaters apparently feared that showing the film would cause trouble for audiences and people living nearby.
映画館は、観客や近隣に迷惑がかかることを懸念したようだ。
===
Don't give in to intimidation
In contrast, 22 other movie theaters throughout the country have decided to show "The Cove," some starting July 3. The distributor and these movie theaters have demonstrated their resolve not to yield to foul intimidation.
一方で、３館と別の全国２２の映画館で、来月３日からこの映画が順次、上映されることが決まった。卑劣な威嚇には屈しないという、配給元や映画館の強い姿勢を示したと言えよう。
The people of this nation can help protect the right to free and varied speech by supporting this brave action. We hope the police will do everything they can to ensure security, to prevent any trouble caused by efforts at obstruction.
こうした勇気を国民が支持することによって、自由で多様な言論は守られる。妨害による不測の事態が起きないよう、警察も警備に万全を期してほしい。
Made by members of a radical U.S. environmental protection group that visited Taijicho, "The Cove" won best documentary feature at this year's Academy Awards.
However, the filmmakers shot some footage by trespassing into an off-limits area without the permission of the town's fisheries organization.
この映画は、米国の過激な環境保護団体のメンバーが、太地町を訪ねて製作した。今年の米アカデミー賞の長編ドキュメンタリー賞を受賞したが、太地町の漁業関係者の許可を得ないまま、禁止区域に入っての撮影も行われた。
The movie includes a scene in which dolphins driven by fishermen into the town's cove are killed, and the sea becomes red with the dolphins' blood. At another point, fishermen and the movie's crew argue about the filming.
入り江に追い込まれたイルカが殺され、海が血で真っ赤に染まるシーンや、漁業関係者と映画のスタッフが、撮影を巡って押し問答する場面などが描かれている。
The town's government and fisheries organization asked the distributor to cancel the movie's release because it may infringe on the image rights of the fishermen filmed. They also say it presents incorrect information regarding the concentration of mercury reportedly found in dolphin meat.
町や漁業関係者は、肖像権侵害の恐れがあり、イルカ肉から検出されたという水銀値などについての説明にも誤認があるとして、配給会社に上映中止を求めた。
===
Freedom of expression key
In response, the Japanese distributor agreed to make some modifications, such as obscuring the faces of people in the dolphin fishing industry. However, there is no way to conceal the surreptitious filming. It may be true that some of the filmmakers' methods were problematic.
これに対し配給会社は、映った漁業関係者の顔にぼかしを入れるなど、修整には応じたが、盗撮は隠しようもなく、手法に問題があったのは事実だろう。
But whatever the content of the documentary, the free expression that is a movie should be respected as much as possible, as long as a film is not offensive to public order and morality.
ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限り映画という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。
If the content of the movie is problematic, people should first see it at a theater and then criticize it.
内容に問題があるというなら、上映された作品を見て、それから批判すべきであろう。
Two years ago, the domestic release of a Japanese-Chinese documentary made by a Chinese director about Yasukuni Shrine was canceled due to various problems, including street loudspeaker campaigns conducted by rightest organizations.
２年前には、靖国神社をテーマにした中国人監督による日中合作のドキュメンタリー映画が、右翼団体による街宣活動などで、上映中止になったケースがある。
It is quite regrettable that similar incidents are happening again.
こうしたことが繰り返されるのは、極めて残念だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 22, 2010)
（2010年6月22日01時23分 読売新聞）
2010/06/22
成長戦略決定 「絵空事」に終わらせるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 22, 2010)
Growth strategy needs more substance
成長戦略決定 「絵空事」に終わらせるな（6月21日付・読売社説）
The government has drawn up its new growth strategy. However, uncertainties remain over whether this strategy can achieve the anticipated economic growth by effectively tapping the vigor of private businesses.
民間企業の活力をうまく引き出して、期待通りの経済成長を実現できるかどうか、未知数の部分も多い。
The strategy is aimed at galvanizing seven fields, such as environment/energy and health, while accelerating moves to help the economy break free from deflation. It contains 21 measures for promoting what have been touted as national strategy projects to establish a strong economy.
政府が決定した新成長戦略は、デフレからの脱却を急ぎつつ、環境・エネルギーや健康など戦略７分野をテコ入れする。国家戦略プロジェクトと銘打った２１の施策を進めて、「強い経済」の実現を図るという。
Implementing these measures, the government calculates, will create more than 120 trillion yen in new demand and about 5 million jobs. This would generate average yearly economic growth of more than 2 percent in real terms and more than 3 percent in nominal terms in the decade to come.
その結果、１２０兆円を超える新規需要と、約５００万人の雇用が生まれ、今後１０年の経済成長率は、実質で平均２％超、名目では３％超になると見込んでいる。
The strategy contains some measures likely to be effective. But there is a question over whether it can bring about the sort of drastic impact the government is banking on. The government should prioritize the measures and enhance their efficacy.
有効と思われる内容もあるが、果たしてこれほど劇的な効果が上がるかどうかは疑問だ。施策の重点化など、さらに実効性を高める工夫が求められよう。
Many of the measures are intended to back up corporate activity and boost the vigor of the private sector.
成長戦略には、企業活動を後押しして、民間活力を高める施策が多く盛り込まれた。
===
Boost corporate activity
One pillar of the strategy is to lower the effective corporate tax rate gradually from the current 40 percent or so to 30 percent or about 25 percent--the same level as in many other industrialized nations. This will reinforce the international competitiveness of Japanese firms.
約４０％の法人税実効税率を、３０％から２０％台半ばにあたる「主要国並み」まで、段階的に引き下げるとした。日本企業の競争力強化に役立つだろう。
The strategy calls for establishing a special committee representing both the private and public sectors to promote sales of social infrastructure projects in Asia, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet train networks. If successful, the plan will bring in orders for huge infrastructure projects in the region.
アジアへ原子力発電所や新幹線など社会基盤（インフラ）を積極的に売り込むため、官民共同で専門委員会を設ける構想もある。うまくいけば、巨額のインフラ投資の受注が期待できる。
However, the strategy is not without shortcomings. The practicality of some measures is debatable, such as the project to build an environmentally friendly futuristic city. Since the strategy is making plans for 10 years from now, it contains many rough and vague plans. These plans must be fleshed out in the years to come.
一方で、環境未来都市の整備など、実現できるかどうか疑問符のつくメニューも並んだ。１０年先を目指した戦略だけに、内容が大ざっぱで、雲をつかむような構想もある。今後、肉付けが必要だ。
There are concerns about whether measures to revive forests and forestry will include simple handouts. We want the government to reexamine whether these measures are suitable for inclusion in its growth strategy.
「森林・林業再生プラン」などは、ばらまき的な施策が紛れ込まないか心配だ。成長戦略として適切かどうか再点検してほしい。
===
Devil's in the (lack of) details
An overall problem is that the strategy lacked precise figures for the fiscal spending and costs that will be needed to carry out the measures, although it projected concrete figures--such as the demand that will be created--for the fruit of the measures.
全体の問題として、需要創出など効果の数字は出したのに、必要な財政支出などコストを示していない点を指摘しておきたい。
Unless details are spelled out about how to fund these projects at a time when the state finances are in dire straits, none of the plans will get off the ground. A close eye will need to be kept on whether each measure has an effect commensurate with its cost.
厳しい財政の中、費用をどう工面するのか詰めないと、せっかくのプランも絵空事になる。コストの割に成果が乏しくないかなど、監視の継続も重要である。
Another matter of concern is the lack of clarity on how the measures will be carried out. Previous strategies were beset by failures due to conflicts of authority between government ministries involved in the projects. It is necessary to speed up efforts to establish a system that can promote several measures comprehensively and simultaneously.
実施体制のあいまいさも気がかりだ。過去の成長戦略は、府省の権限争いなどで失敗続きだった。複数の政策を総合的に推進する体制の整備を急がねばならない。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government calls for banning in principle the dispatch of temporary workers to the manufacturing industry and reducing greenhouse gases by 25 percent--measures that could adversely affect corporate activity. These steps do not wash with its new growth strategy designed to help businesses.
成長戦略の一方で、民主党政権が製造業派遣の原則禁止や、温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動にマイナスになる政策を続けるのは整合性を欠いている。
The government should drop its adherence to its campaign pledges for last year's general election and instead devote itself to reviving the economy before all else.
マニフェスト（政権公約）へのこだわりを捨て、経済優先の姿勢に徹するべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2010)
（2010年6月21日01時41分 読売新聞）
Growth strategy needs more substance
成長戦略決定 「絵空事」に終わらせるな（6月21日付・読売社説）
The government has drawn up its new growth strategy. However, uncertainties remain over whether this strategy can achieve the anticipated economic growth by effectively tapping the vigor of private businesses.
民間企業の活力をうまく引き出して、期待通りの経済成長を実現できるかどうか、未知数の部分も多い。
The strategy is aimed at galvanizing seven fields, such as environment/energy and health, while accelerating moves to help the economy break free from deflation. It contains 21 measures for promoting what have been touted as national strategy projects to establish a strong economy.
政府が決定した新成長戦略は、デフレからの脱却を急ぎつつ、環境・エネルギーや健康など戦略７分野をテコ入れする。国家戦略プロジェクトと銘打った２１の施策を進めて、「強い経済」の実現を図るという。
Implementing these measures, the government calculates, will create more than 120 trillion yen in new demand and about 5 million jobs. This would generate average yearly economic growth of more than 2 percent in real terms and more than 3 percent in nominal terms in the decade to come.
その結果、１２０兆円を超える新規需要と、約５００万人の雇用が生まれ、今後１０年の経済成長率は、実質で平均２％超、名目では３％超になると見込んでいる。
The strategy contains some measures likely to be effective. But there is a question over whether it can bring about the sort of drastic impact the government is banking on. The government should prioritize the measures and enhance their efficacy.
有効と思われる内容もあるが、果たしてこれほど劇的な効果が上がるかどうかは疑問だ。施策の重点化など、さらに実効性を高める工夫が求められよう。
Many of the measures are intended to back up corporate activity and boost the vigor of the private sector.
成長戦略には、企業活動を後押しして、民間活力を高める施策が多く盛り込まれた。
===
Boost corporate activity
One pillar of the strategy is to lower the effective corporate tax rate gradually from the current 40 percent or so to 30 percent or about 25 percent--the same level as in many other industrialized nations. This will reinforce the international competitiveness of Japanese firms.
約４０％の法人税実効税率を、３０％から２０％台半ばにあたる「主要国並み」まで、段階的に引き下げるとした。日本企業の競争力強化に役立つだろう。
The strategy calls for establishing a special committee representing both the private and public sectors to promote sales of social infrastructure projects in Asia, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet train networks. If successful, the plan will bring in orders for huge infrastructure projects in the region.
アジアへ原子力発電所や新幹線など社会基盤（インフラ）を積極的に売り込むため、官民共同で専門委員会を設ける構想もある。うまくいけば、巨額のインフラ投資の受注が期待できる。
However, the strategy is not without shortcomings. The practicality of some measures is debatable, such as the project to build an environmentally friendly futuristic city. Since the strategy is making plans for 10 years from now, it contains many rough and vague plans. These plans must be fleshed out in the years to come.
一方で、環境未来都市の整備など、実現できるかどうか疑問符のつくメニューも並んだ。１０年先を目指した戦略だけに、内容が大ざっぱで、雲をつかむような構想もある。今後、肉付けが必要だ。
There are concerns about whether measures to revive forests and forestry will include simple handouts. We want the government to reexamine whether these measures are suitable for inclusion in its growth strategy.
「森林・林業再生プラン」などは、ばらまき的な施策が紛れ込まないか心配だ。成長戦略として適切かどうか再点検してほしい。
===
Devil's in the (lack of) details
An overall problem is that the strategy lacked precise figures for the fiscal spending and costs that will be needed to carry out the measures, although it projected concrete figures--such as the demand that will be created--for the fruit of the measures.
全体の問題として、需要創出など効果の数字は出したのに、必要な財政支出などコストを示していない点を指摘しておきたい。
Unless details are spelled out about how to fund these projects at a time when the state finances are in dire straits, none of the plans will get off the ground. A close eye will need to be kept on whether each measure has an effect commensurate with its cost.
厳しい財政の中、費用をどう工面するのか詰めないと、せっかくのプランも絵空事になる。コストの割に成果が乏しくないかなど、監視の継続も重要である。
Another matter of concern is the lack of clarity on how the measures will be carried out. Previous strategies were beset by failures due to conflicts of authority between government ministries involved in the projects. It is necessary to speed up efforts to establish a system that can promote several measures comprehensively and simultaneously.
実施体制のあいまいさも気がかりだ。過去の成長戦略は、府省の権限争いなどで失敗続きだった。複数の政策を総合的に推進する体制の整備を急がねばならない。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government calls for banning in principle the dispatch of temporary workers to the manufacturing industry and reducing greenhouse gases by 25 percent--measures that could adversely affect corporate activity. These steps do not wash with its new growth strategy designed to help businesses.
成長戦略の一方で、民主党政権が製造業派遣の原則禁止や、温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動にマイナスになる政策を続けるのは整合性を欠いている。
The government should drop its adherence to its campaign pledges for last year's general election and instead devote itself to reviving the economy before all else.
マニフェスト（政権公約）へのこだわりを捨て、経済優先の姿勢に徹するべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2010)
（2010年6月21日01時41分 読売新聞）
2010/06/21
消費税公約 引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 21, 2010)
Parties must stress need for consumption tax hike
消費税公約 引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ（6月20日付・読売社説）
Ahead of the official announcement of the House of Councillors election on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party recently hammered out drastic tax reform proposals, including raising the consumption tax rate.
今月２４日公示の参院選に向け、民主、自民両党が消費税率の引き上げを含む税制の抜本改革を打ち出した。
It is the wish of many people to rehabilitate this country's state finances, the worst among leading industrialized nations, and make the social security system sustainable. To this end, a consumption tax hike is obviously unavoidable.
先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直し、社会保障制度を持続可能なものにすることが、多くの国民の願いだろう。それには、消費税率引き上げが避けて通れないことは明らかだ。
It is the responsibility of politicians to try to convince the public of the need for a tax increase, even if it is painful. We hope to see the matter actively debated during the upcoming upper house election campaign.
国民に痛みを伴う増税であっても、必要性を堂々と訴えることが政治の責任である。選挙戦での活発な論争を期待したい。
◆選挙戦術では困る◆
At a press conference during which Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the DPJ's campaign pledges, he referred to the consumption tax and said he would try to come up with an appropriate tax rate and tax reform proposals within the current fiscal year.
菅首相は参院選公約を発表した記者会見で、消費税について「２０１０年度内にあるべき税率や改革案の取りまとめを目指したい」と語った。
As for the consumption tax rate, Kan also said that he would use as reference the main opposition LDP's proposal of raising it to 10 percent from the current 5 percent. Kan's comment is a significant change from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy of making the issue of a consumption tax hike a no-go area.
税率は、自民党が提案している１０％への引き上げを参考にする考えを表明した。消費税の増税を封印してきた鳩山前首相の方針を、大きく転換するものだ。
The consumption tax rate, which was introduced in 1989 at 3 percent, was raised to 5 percent in 1997. Since then, past administrations have not squarely addressed the consumption tax issue. Kan should be praised for announcing a policy of raising the consumption tax rate this time.
１９８９年に３％で導入された消費税は、９７年に５％に引き上げられた。以来、歴代政権は消費税問題に正面から取り組んでこなかった。今回、菅首相が税率引き上げの方針を示したことは、評価してよい。
At the press conference, Kan also expressed his intention to seek the people's mandate on the issue in the House of Representatives election before implementing a tax increase. However, an ideal opportunity could be lost if Kan takes things slowly.
ただ、首相は記者会見で、増税前に衆院選で信を問う意向も示した。こんな悠長な構えでは、せっかくの機運が失われかねない。
===
DPJ talk political posturing
Some DPJ members have said that if the DPJ proposes raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent as the LDP has done, the issue would not be a point of contention in the upper house election. This is, however, nothing but conventional election posturing.
民主党には、「税率を自民党の主張と同じ１０％にすれば参院選の争点にはならない」との思惑もあるという。これでは、従来型の選挙戦術と同じだ。
Kan's policy was met by a backlash within the DPJ. He should speed up intraparty discussions and establish his party's basic policy on the issue.
首相の方針に対しては党内から反発も出ている。首相は党内論議を急ぎ、党としての基本的な考え方を固めるべきだ。
◆財政再建は待ったなし◆
The nation's debt-laden finances are in a critical situation due to the Hatoyama administration's dole-out policies that stuck to the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election last summer, in addition to lavish economic stimulus measures after the bursting of the economic bubble.
バブル崩壊後の景気対策の大盤振る舞いに、鳩山政権の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）にこだわったバラマキ政策が加わり、わが国の財政は「借金漬け」の危機的な状況に陥っている。
It is estimated that cumulative long-term debts at the central and local governments will rise to 860 trillion yen as of the end of the current fiscal year--1.8 times the country's gross domestic product.
国と地方の長期債務残高は、今年度末に８６０兆円と国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍に膨らむ見込みだ。
The fiscal 2010 budget is abnormal, with tax revenues falling to about 37 trillion yen, lower than the new government bond issuance, which has swollen to 44 trillion yen.
１０年度予算は、税収が３７兆円余りに落ち込み、４４兆円に膨らんだ新規国債発行額を下回る異常な事態である。
Due to the country's graying population, social security costs, which currently total more than 20 trillion yen a year, will increase by 1 trillion yen every year.
高齢化の進展で年間２０兆円超の社会保障費は、毎年１兆円ずつ自然に増える。
In fiscal 2009, the government's share of contributions to the basic pension payments was raised to 50 percent from one-third. However, increased contributions are provisionally funded by surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," and a permanent revenue source of 2.5 trillion yen will be necessary in fiscal 2011 and thereafter.
０９年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げたが、これは、いわゆる埋蔵金で暫定的に賄っており、１１年度以降、新たに２・５兆円という恒久財源も必要となる。
"Integrated economic, fiscal and social security reforms," as touted by the Kan Cabinet, can only be achieved with stable revenue sources.
菅内閣が掲げる「経済・財政・社会保障の一体改革」を成し遂げるには、安定した財源があってこそである。
However, the income and corporate taxes that have been an important source of government revenues have substantially decreased due to the prolonged recession and a series of tax breaks. Therefore, the last resort is raising the consumption tax, a revenue source that does not fluctuate significantly due to changes in economic conditions and that spreads the burden widely among the public.
だが、国の税収を支えてきた所得税や法人税は、長期不況や度重なる減税措置で大幅に減少している。頼みの綱は、景気による変動が少なく、国民が広く負担を分け合える消費税しかない。
The country's 5 percent consumption tax is exceptionally low compared with 25 percent in Nordic countries, 16 percent to 20 percent in Spain, Britain and Italy, and 10 percent in South Korea.
世界的に見ても、２５％の北欧諸国を筆頭に１６～２０％のスペイン、英国、イタリア、１０％の韓国などと比べ、日本の消費税率５％は例外的に低い水準だ。
Sixty-six percent of the respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey conducted earlier this month said it is necessary to raise the consumption tax rate, greatly surpassing the 29 percent who said it is unnecessary. Many people lean toward the opinion that a consumption tax hike is unavoidable.
読売新聞が６月に実施した世論調査では、消費税率の引き上げが必要と答えたのは６６％で、必要ないとした２９％を大きく上回った。国民の多くは、消費税の増税やむなしとの考えに傾いている。
===
Where to spend revenue
◆低所得者対策が必要だ◆
Bones of contention regarding the consumption tax are not confined to such issues as the rate and timing of its introduction. Therefore, wide-ranging discussions will be needed.
消費税を巡る論点は、単なる税率や時期にとどまらない。幅広い議論が必要である。
The first point is where to spend the increased revenues from the tax hike. A 1 percentage point hike in the consumption tax rate would translate into a tax revenue increase of 2.4 trillion yen. If the tax rate is raised to 10 percent, tax revenues will increase by about 12 trillion yen.
一つは、増収分の使い道だ。消費税率を１％引き上げると税収は２・４兆円増える。税率を１０％にすれば税収増は１２兆円ほどだ。
Currently, revenues from the consumption tax are distributed among three fields: the basic pension program, health care for the elderly and nursing care. But Kan has expressed his intention to aggressively invest increased revenues in growth fields such as medical care and nursing industries in order to increase employment.
現在は基礎年金、老人医療、介護の３分野に配分されているが、首相は医療や介護などの成長分野への積極投資で雇用を増やす考えを表明している。
Using the increased tax revenues to expand government spending without careful consideration may simply repeat earlier mistakes. We believe the consumption tax will have to be spent exclusively for social security services.
増収分を安易に歳出拡大に回せば、いつか来た道である。消費税は、社会保障に限定する目的税化すべきである。
Under the current system, 1 percentage point worth of revenue from the 5 percent consumption tax is allocated to local governments. In addition, a certain portion of the revenue is also provided to local governments as local tax grants. Consequently, the central government can spend only about 7 trillion yen out of the total consumption tax revenues.
５％の消費税率の１％分は、地方に回すことが決められている。さらに、地方交付税に配分される分もある。その結果、国が使える消費税は７兆円程度しかないのが現実だ。
Even if the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent, therefore, the central government is unlikely to have enough revenue from this source. The government may have to consider setting the rate at 15 percent or higher in the future, just as European countries do.
これでは１０％に引き上げても十分とは言えないだろう。将来的には、欧州並みの１５％以上への引き上げも考えるべきではないか。
===
Help low-income earners
Another issue will be how to reduce the financial burden on low-income earners.
低所得者の負担をどう軽減するかという問題もある。
Because the consumption tax is imposed equally on everyone, those in low-income brackets tend to feel more of a burden than high-income earners.
消費税は誰でも同じ税率がかかるため、所得の多い人より少ない人に相対的に負担感が増す。
To alleviate this problem, some countries have introduced a system under which consumption tax rates are set lower for food and other daily necessities. Such a system is worth considering in this country as well.
海外では、食料品など生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率を導入している。わが国でも検討すべきだろう。
Another option may be to pay tax refunds to low-income earners to cover the cost of the consumption tax they pay for daily necessities. Before implementing such a system, however, it will be an urgent task for the government to consider introducing an identification number system for tax and social security in order to know which households will be eligible for the system.
生活必需品の消費税額相当分を低所得者に還元する手法もある。対象となる世帯の所得を把握するには、税と社会保障の共通番号制度の検討を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 20, 2010)
（2010年6月20日01時19分 読売新聞）
Parties must stress need for consumption tax hike
消費税公約 引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ（6月20日付・読売社説）
Ahead of the official announcement of the House of Councillors election on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party recently hammered out drastic tax reform proposals, including raising the consumption tax rate.
今月２４日公示の参院選に向け、民主、自民両党が消費税率の引き上げを含む税制の抜本改革を打ち出した。
It is the wish of many people to rehabilitate this country's state finances, the worst among leading industrialized nations, and make the social security system sustainable. To this end, a consumption tax hike is obviously unavoidable.
先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直し、社会保障制度を持続可能なものにすることが、多くの国民の願いだろう。それには、消費税率引き上げが避けて通れないことは明らかだ。
It is the responsibility of politicians to try to convince the public of the need for a tax increase, even if it is painful. We hope to see the matter actively debated during the upcoming upper house election campaign.
国民に痛みを伴う増税であっても、必要性を堂々と訴えることが政治の責任である。選挙戦での活発な論争を期待したい。
◆選挙戦術では困る◆
At a press conference during which Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the DPJ's campaign pledges, he referred to the consumption tax and said he would try to come up with an appropriate tax rate and tax reform proposals within the current fiscal year.
菅首相は参院選公約を発表した記者会見で、消費税について「２０１０年度内にあるべき税率や改革案の取りまとめを目指したい」と語った。
As for the consumption tax rate, Kan also said that he would use as reference the main opposition LDP's proposal of raising it to 10 percent from the current 5 percent. Kan's comment is a significant change from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy of making the issue of a consumption tax hike a no-go area.
税率は、自民党が提案している１０％への引き上げを参考にする考えを表明した。消費税の増税を封印してきた鳩山前首相の方針を、大きく転換するものだ。
The consumption tax rate, which was introduced in 1989 at 3 percent, was raised to 5 percent in 1997. Since then, past administrations have not squarely addressed the consumption tax issue. Kan should be praised for announcing a policy of raising the consumption tax rate this time.
１９８９年に３％で導入された消費税は、９７年に５％に引き上げられた。以来、歴代政権は消費税問題に正面から取り組んでこなかった。今回、菅首相が税率引き上げの方針を示したことは、評価してよい。
At the press conference, Kan also expressed his intention to seek the people's mandate on the issue in the House of Representatives election before implementing a tax increase. However, an ideal opportunity could be lost if Kan takes things slowly.
ただ、首相は記者会見で、増税前に衆院選で信を問う意向も示した。こんな悠長な構えでは、せっかくの機運が失われかねない。
===
DPJ talk political posturing
Some DPJ members have said that if the DPJ proposes raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent as the LDP has done, the issue would not be a point of contention in the upper house election. This is, however, nothing but conventional election posturing.
民主党には、「税率を自民党の主張と同じ１０％にすれば参院選の争点にはならない」との思惑もあるという。これでは、従来型の選挙戦術と同じだ。
Kan's policy was met by a backlash within the DPJ. He should speed up intraparty discussions and establish his party's basic policy on the issue.
首相の方針に対しては党内から反発も出ている。首相は党内論議を急ぎ、党としての基本的な考え方を固めるべきだ。
◆財政再建は待ったなし◆
The nation's debt-laden finances are in a critical situation due to the Hatoyama administration's dole-out policies that stuck to the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election last summer, in addition to lavish economic stimulus measures after the bursting of the economic bubble.
バブル崩壊後の景気対策の大盤振る舞いに、鳩山政権の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）にこだわったバラマキ政策が加わり、わが国の財政は「借金漬け」の危機的な状況に陥っている。
It is estimated that cumulative long-term debts at the central and local governments will rise to 860 trillion yen as of the end of the current fiscal year--1.8 times the country's gross domestic product.
国と地方の長期債務残高は、今年度末に８６０兆円と国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍に膨らむ見込みだ。
The fiscal 2010 budget is abnormal, with tax revenues falling to about 37 trillion yen, lower than the new government bond issuance, which has swollen to 44 trillion yen.
１０年度予算は、税収が３７兆円余りに落ち込み、４４兆円に膨らんだ新規国債発行額を下回る異常な事態である。
Due to the country's graying population, social security costs, which currently total more than 20 trillion yen a year, will increase by 1 trillion yen every year.
高齢化の進展で年間２０兆円超の社会保障費は、毎年１兆円ずつ自然に増える。
In fiscal 2009, the government's share of contributions to the basic pension payments was raised to 50 percent from one-third. However, increased contributions are provisionally funded by surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," and a permanent revenue source of 2.5 trillion yen will be necessary in fiscal 2011 and thereafter.
０９年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げたが、これは、いわゆる埋蔵金で暫定的に賄っており、１１年度以降、新たに２・５兆円という恒久財源も必要となる。
"Integrated economic, fiscal and social security reforms," as touted by the Kan Cabinet, can only be achieved with stable revenue sources.
菅内閣が掲げる「経済・財政・社会保障の一体改革」を成し遂げるには、安定した財源があってこそである。
However, the income and corporate taxes that have been an important source of government revenues have substantially decreased due to the prolonged recession and a series of tax breaks. Therefore, the last resort is raising the consumption tax, a revenue source that does not fluctuate significantly due to changes in economic conditions and that spreads the burden widely among the public.
だが、国の税収を支えてきた所得税や法人税は、長期不況や度重なる減税措置で大幅に減少している。頼みの綱は、景気による変動が少なく、国民が広く負担を分け合える消費税しかない。
The country's 5 percent consumption tax is exceptionally low compared with 25 percent in Nordic countries, 16 percent to 20 percent in Spain, Britain and Italy, and 10 percent in South Korea.
世界的に見ても、２５％の北欧諸国を筆頭に１６～２０％のスペイン、英国、イタリア、１０％の韓国などと比べ、日本の消費税率５％は例外的に低い水準だ。
Sixty-six percent of the respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey conducted earlier this month said it is necessary to raise the consumption tax rate, greatly surpassing the 29 percent who said it is unnecessary. Many people lean toward the opinion that a consumption tax hike is unavoidable.
読売新聞が６月に実施した世論調査では、消費税率の引き上げが必要と答えたのは６６％で、必要ないとした２９％を大きく上回った。国民の多くは、消費税の増税やむなしとの考えに傾いている。
===
Where to spend revenue
◆低所得者対策が必要だ◆
Bones of contention regarding the consumption tax are not confined to such issues as the rate and timing of its introduction. Therefore, wide-ranging discussions will be needed.
消費税を巡る論点は、単なる税率や時期にとどまらない。幅広い議論が必要である。
The first point is where to spend the increased revenues from the tax hike. A 1 percentage point hike in the consumption tax rate would translate into a tax revenue increase of 2.4 trillion yen. If the tax rate is raised to 10 percent, tax revenues will increase by about 12 trillion yen.
一つは、増収分の使い道だ。消費税率を１％引き上げると税収は２・４兆円増える。税率を１０％にすれば税収増は１２兆円ほどだ。
Currently, revenues from the consumption tax are distributed among three fields: the basic pension program, health care for the elderly and nursing care. But Kan has expressed his intention to aggressively invest increased revenues in growth fields such as medical care and nursing industries in order to increase employment.
現在は基礎年金、老人医療、介護の３分野に配分されているが、首相は医療や介護などの成長分野への積極投資で雇用を増やす考えを表明している。
Using the increased tax revenues to expand government spending without careful consideration may simply repeat earlier mistakes. We believe the consumption tax will have to be spent exclusively for social security services.
増収分を安易に歳出拡大に回せば、いつか来た道である。消費税は、社会保障に限定する目的税化すべきである。
Under the current system, 1 percentage point worth of revenue from the 5 percent consumption tax is allocated to local governments. In addition, a certain portion of the revenue is also provided to local governments as local tax grants. Consequently, the central government can spend only about 7 trillion yen out of the total consumption tax revenues.
５％の消費税率の１％分は、地方に回すことが決められている。さらに、地方交付税に配分される分もある。その結果、国が使える消費税は７兆円程度しかないのが現実だ。
Even if the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent, therefore, the central government is unlikely to have enough revenue from this source. The government may have to consider setting the rate at 15 percent or higher in the future, just as European countries do.
これでは１０％に引き上げても十分とは言えないだろう。将来的には、欧州並みの１５％以上への引き上げも考えるべきではないか。
===
Help low-income earners
Another issue will be how to reduce the financial burden on low-income earners.
低所得者の負担をどう軽減するかという問題もある。
Because the consumption tax is imposed equally on everyone, those in low-income brackets tend to feel more of a burden than high-income earners.
消費税は誰でも同じ税率がかかるため、所得の多い人より少ない人に相対的に負担感が増す。
To alleviate this problem, some countries have introduced a system under which consumption tax rates are set lower for food and other daily necessities. Such a system is worth considering in this country as well.
海外では、食料品など生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率を導入している。わが国でも検討すべきだろう。
Another option may be to pay tax refunds to low-income earners to cover the cost of the consumption tax they pay for daily necessities. Before implementing such a system, however, it will be an urgent task for the government to consider introducing an identification number system for tax and social security in order to know which households will be eligible for the system.
生活必需品の消費税額相当分を低所得者に還元する手法もある。対象となる世帯の所得を把握するには、税と社会保障の共通番号制度の検討を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 20, 2010)
（2010年6月20日01時19分 読売新聞）
2010/06/20
安保改定５０年 日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 20, 2010)
Talks needed to boost Japan-U.S. alliance
安保改定５０年 日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を（6月19日付・読売社説）
Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the automatic ratification of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty--without the approval of the House of Councillors--amid demonstrators surrounding the Diet building.
デモ隊が国会議事堂を取り囲む混乱の中、新しい日米安全保障条約が自然承認されてから、１９日で５０年を迎えた。
There is no question that the Japan-U.S. alliance has played an important role in ensuring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Japan and the rest of Asia during the past half century.
この間、日本とアジアが平和と安定を確保し、経済的な繁栄を享受してきたことに、日米同盟が重要な役割を果たしてきたことは論をまたない。
Setting aside the way the revised treaty was approved by the Diet, the political decision of the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi to revise the treaty and maintain the bilateral alliance was correct.
安保条約の国会承認の手法はともかく、安保条約を改定し、日米同盟を堅持するという当時の岸内閣の政治的判断は誤っていなかったと言えよう。
「６０年安保」は、国際的には東西冷戦、国内では保革対決の時代だった。戦後復興から高度成長期に入る直前で、多くの国民には悲惨な戦争体験の記憶が残る中、国論は大きく割れた。
The conflicts surrounding the 1960 security treaty mirrored the Cold War between the East and West abroad and a showdown between conservatives and reformists at home. At that time, this country was completing its postwar reconstruction and entering a period of high economic growth. Public opinion was split over the revised security treaty, with memories of tragic war experiences still fresh in many people's minds.
===
Govt appeals to public
◆条約改定は正しかった◆
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which were promoting revision of the security treaty, appealed to the public by promising to correct inequalities of the original security treaty signed in 1951 and clarify the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. A group opposing revision, including the Japan Socialist Party, insisted the pact be abolished, saying it would make it easier for Japan to become embroiled in a war.
政府・自民党など条約改定推進派は、１９５１年の旧安保条約の不平等性を是正し、米国の日本防衛義務を明確化すると訴えた。社会党など反対派は、「日本が戦争に巻きこまれやすくなる」などと条約破棄を主張していた。
Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, spent a huge amount of political energy on the issue. After the LDP steamrolled a bill to ratify the revised security treaty through the House of Representatives on May 19-20, 1960, large-scale demonstrations against the security treaty took place.
与野党の国会議員から一般国民まで多大な政治的エネルギーが費やされた。５月１９～２０日の自民党の強行採決による条約批准案の衆院通過を受けて、抗議デモ・集会が大規模化していく。
In mid-June of the year, Michiko Kanba, a 22-year-old University of Tokyo student, was crushed to death during a clash between demonstrators and riot police, and a planned visit to Japan by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was canceled. The Yomiuri Shimbun and six other Tokyo-based newspaper companies issued a joint appeal to the demonstrators that said, "Abandon violence and protect parliamentarism."
６月中旬には、東大生・樺美智子さんが圧死し、アイゼンハワー大統領の来日が中止となった。読売新聞など在京新聞７社が「暴力を排し議会主義を守れ」と題する異例の共同宣言を発表した。
Kishi announced his resignation right after the security treaty went into effect on June 23, 1960.
岸首相は、６月２３日の条約発効の直後に退陣を表明した。
The Japan-U.S. alliance, which was born after many difficulties were overcome, effectively staved off the military threat posed by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
多くの困難を経て生まれた日米同盟は冷戦中、旧ソ連の軍事的脅威への有効な歯止めとなった。
In the post-Cold War period, the bilateral alliance functioned as a deterrent to new threats from regional conflicts, including that on the Korean Peninsula, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. By redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan and the United States came to regard their alliance as a kind of public asset to bolster the stability of Asia-Pacific region.
冷戦後も、朝鮮半島などの地域対立や大量破壊兵器、テロなど新たな脅威の抑止力として機能した。「安保再定義」により、日米同盟はアジア・太平洋の安定を支える「公共財」と位置づけられた。
The Japanese and U.S. governments later reviewed the Guideline for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, increasing the effectiveness of the bilateral alliance.
日米防衛協力指針も見直され、同盟の実効性が高まった。
===
Reconsidering relationship
South Korea and Southeast Asian nations were now seriously concerned about the deterioration in the Japan-U.S. relationship caused by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's poor diplomacy--evidence that other Asian nations also perceive the Japan-U.S. alliance as a public asset.
鳩山前首相のお粗末な外交による日米関係の悪化を、韓国や東南アジア各国が本気で懸念していたのは、日米同盟を「公共財」とみなしている証左でもある。
Ironically, Hatoyama's words and deeds, which could have been interpreted as distancing Japan from the United States gave many people a good opportunity to reconsider the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is vital for us to think about how to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance based on history and past developments in the relationship between the two countries.
前首相の「離米」ともとれる言動は皮肉にも、多くの国民が日米関係を再考する機会となった。過去の歴史と経緯を踏まえ、この先、同盟をどう深化、発展させるかを考えることが肝要だろう。
◆「普天間」を前進させよ◆
The issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station is the first thing that needs to be worked on.
最初に取り組むべきは、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題だ。
In doing so, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan needs to realize not only that the relocation plan returned to the original plan--building alternative facilities near the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture--but also that the situation has become much worse, as many Okinawans have turned against the plan.
その前提として、菅政権は、現状は、沖縄県名護市辺野古周辺に代替施設を建設する現行計画に戻っただけではなく、地元が反対に回った分、現行計画よりも格段に悪い状況に陥ったことを自覚する必要がある。
First of all, the government should properly implement the Japan-U.S. agreement reached late last month, which says the location of the alternative facilities and the method for building runways will be decided by the end of August. It also is important to patch up strained relationships with Okinawa Prefecture and the Nago city government, and make tenacious efforts to seek acceptance of the plan.
まず、８月までに代替施設の位置や建設工法を決定するとの５月末の日米合意をきちんと履行することが求められる。沖縄県や名護市との関係を修復し、粘り強く理解を求める努力も大切だ。
In November 2003, when he was president of the Democratic Party of Japan, Kan said it was possible to maintain the security of the Far East without U.S. Marine Corps bases and troops being stationed in Okinawa Prefecture.
菅首相は、民主党代表だった２００３年１１月、「米海兵隊基地と兵員が沖縄にいなくても極東の安全は維持できる」などと発言したことがある。
Kan has clarified he will adhere to the Japan-U.S. agreement on the base relocation plan, but this should not be just ad hoc realism. To build a relationship of mutual trust with the United States, it is necessary for him to break away from his past position on the issue.
現在は、日米合意を順守すると明言しているが、その場しのぎの「現実主義」であってはならない。米側と信頼関係を築くには、過去の立場との決別が必要だ。
===
Making ties even stronger
Japan and the United States should continually hold strategic dialogues.
日米両国が戦略的な対話を重ねることも重要である。
How can the two nations realize stability on the Korean Peninsula and persuade China to act responsibly as a major power politically and economically? How should Japan and the United States cooperate with each other and other nations to tackle such issues as global warming, the war on terrorism and disarmament?
いかに朝鮮半島を安定させ、中国に政治、経済両面で大国としての責任ある対応を求めるのか。地球温暖化、テロとの戦い、軍縮などの課題に、日米がどう協力し、関係国とも連携するのか。
By deepening discussions on such issues and by Japan playing more active roles in the international community, the nation could build an even stronger alliance with the United States.
こうした議論を深めつつ、日本が国際的な役割を一層果たしていくことが、より強固な同盟関係の構築につながろう。
Security is the core of the bilateral alliance. North Korea has been developing nuclear missiles and sank a South Korean patrol vessel in March. China has rapidly been building up and modernizing its military. The Chinese Navy is expanding its operations to wider areas, causing friction with neighboring nations. Japan cannot be so optimistic about its security environment.
同盟の中核は安全保障にある。北朝鮮は核ミサイルの開発を進め、韓国軍哨戒艦を攻撃した。中国は急速に軍備を増強・近代化し、海軍の活動範囲を広げ、周辺国との摩擦を起こしている。日本の安保環境は楽観できない。
◆防衛協力強化が重要だ◆
Fully preparing for emergencies through close cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces in peacetime will ultimately serve as a deterrence against such emergencies.
自衛隊と米軍が平時から緊密に連携し、緊急事態に対処できる態勢を整えておくことが、結果的にそうした事態の抑止力になる。
The alliance sometimes is compared to riding a bicycle: The inertia of a bicycle will carry it forward, but unless we pedal, the bike will eventually slow down and fall.
同盟関係は時に、自転車の運転に喩(たと)えられる。
慣性力が働いている間は自転車は前に進むが、きちんとペダルをこぎ続けなければ、いずれ失速し、最後は倒れてしまう。
To maintain the alliance, it is vital for the two nations to set common goals and work hard together to achieve them. It is also indispensable to make ceaseless efforts to settle pending issues one by one.
同盟を維持するには、両国共通の目標を設定し、その実現に向けた共同作業に汗を流すとともに、両国間の懸案を一つ一つ処理していく不断の努力が欠かせない。
It is not enough to merely chant, "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the foundation of Japan's diplomacy."
「日米同盟が日本外交の基軸」といった言葉を単に唱えるだけでは済まされない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 19, 2010)
（2010年6月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
Talks needed to boost Japan-U.S. alliance
安保改定５０年 日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を（6月19日付・読売社説）
Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the automatic ratification of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty--without the approval of the House of Councillors--amid demonstrators surrounding the Diet building.
デモ隊が国会議事堂を取り囲む混乱の中、新しい日米安全保障条約が自然承認されてから、１９日で５０年を迎えた。
There is no question that the Japan-U.S. alliance has played an important role in ensuring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Japan and the rest of Asia during the past half century.
この間、日本とアジアが平和と安定を確保し、経済的な繁栄を享受してきたことに、日米同盟が重要な役割を果たしてきたことは論をまたない。
Setting aside the way the revised treaty was approved by the Diet, the political decision of the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi to revise the treaty and maintain the bilateral alliance was correct.
安保条約の国会承認の手法はともかく、安保条約を改定し、日米同盟を堅持するという当時の岸内閣の政治的判断は誤っていなかったと言えよう。
「６０年安保」は、国際的には東西冷戦、国内では保革対決の時代だった。戦後復興から高度成長期に入る直前で、多くの国民には悲惨な戦争体験の記憶が残る中、国論は大きく割れた。
The conflicts surrounding the 1960 security treaty mirrored the Cold War between the East and West abroad and a showdown between conservatives and reformists at home. At that time, this country was completing its postwar reconstruction and entering a period of high economic growth. Public opinion was split over the revised security treaty, with memories of tragic war experiences still fresh in many people's minds.
===
Govt appeals to public
◆条約改定は正しかった◆
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which were promoting revision of the security treaty, appealed to the public by promising to correct inequalities of the original security treaty signed in 1951 and clarify the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. A group opposing revision, including the Japan Socialist Party, insisted the pact be abolished, saying it would make it easier for Japan to become embroiled in a war.
政府・自民党など条約改定推進派は、１９５１年の旧安保条約の不平等性を是正し、米国の日本防衛義務を明確化すると訴えた。社会党など反対派は、「日本が戦争に巻きこまれやすくなる」などと条約破棄を主張していた。
Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, spent a huge amount of political energy on the issue. After the LDP steamrolled a bill to ratify the revised security treaty through the House of Representatives on May 19-20, 1960, large-scale demonstrations against the security treaty took place.
与野党の国会議員から一般国民まで多大な政治的エネルギーが費やされた。５月１９～２０日の自民党の強行採決による条約批准案の衆院通過を受けて、抗議デモ・集会が大規模化していく。
In mid-June of the year, Michiko Kanba, a 22-year-old University of Tokyo student, was crushed to death during a clash between demonstrators and riot police, and a planned visit to Japan by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was canceled. The Yomiuri Shimbun and six other Tokyo-based newspaper companies issued a joint appeal to the demonstrators that said, "Abandon violence and protect parliamentarism."
６月中旬には、東大生・樺美智子さんが圧死し、アイゼンハワー大統領の来日が中止となった。読売新聞など在京新聞７社が「暴力を排し議会主義を守れ」と題する異例の共同宣言を発表した。
Kishi announced his resignation right after the security treaty went into effect on June 23, 1960.
岸首相は、６月２３日の条約発効の直後に退陣を表明した。
The Japan-U.S. alliance, which was born after many difficulties were overcome, effectively staved off the military threat posed by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
多くの困難を経て生まれた日米同盟は冷戦中、旧ソ連の軍事的脅威への有効な歯止めとなった。
In the post-Cold War period, the bilateral alliance functioned as a deterrent to new threats from regional conflicts, including that on the Korean Peninsula, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. By redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan and the United States came to regard their alliance as a kind of public asset to bolster the stability of Asia-Pacific region.
冷戦後も、朝鮮半島などの地域対立や大量破壊兵器、テロなど新たな脅威の抑止力として機能した。「安保再定義」により、日米同盟はアジア・太平洋の安定を支える「公共財」と位置づけられた。
The Japanese and U.S. governments later reviewed the Guideline for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, increasing the effectiveness of the bilateral alliance.
日米防衛協力指針も見直され、同盟の実効性が高まった。
===
Reconsidering relationship
South Korea and Southeast Asian nations were now seriously concerned about the deterioration in the Japan-U.S. relationship caused by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's poor diplomacy--evidence that other Asian nations also perceive the Japan-U.S. alliance as a public asset.
鳩山前首相のお粗末な外交による日米関係の悪化を、韓国や東南アジア各国が本気で懸念していたのは、日米同盟を「公共財」とみなしている証左でもある。
Ironically, Hatoyama's words and deeds, which could have been interpreted as distancing Japan from the United States gave many people a good opportunity to reconsider the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is vital for us to think about how to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance based on history and past developments in the relationship between the two countries.
前首相の「離米」ともとれる言動は皮肉にも、多くの国民が日米関係を再考する機会となった。過去の歴史と経緯を踏まえ、この先、同盟をどう深化、発展させるかを考えることが肝要だろう。
◆「普天間」を前進させよ◆
The issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station is the first thing that needs to be worked on.
最初に取り組むべきは、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題だ。
In doing so, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan needs to realize not only that the relocation plan returned to the original plan--building alternative facilities near the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture--but also that the situation has become much worse, as many Okinawans have turned against the plan.
その前提として、菅政権は、現状は、沖縄県名護市辺野古周辺に代替施設を建設する現行計画に戻っただけではなく、地元が反対に回った分、現行計画よりも格段に悪い状況に陥ったことを自覚する必要がある。
First of all, the government should properly implement the Japan-U.S. agreement reached late last month, which says the location of the alternative facilities and the method for building runways will be decided by the end of August. It also is important to patch up strained relationships with Okinawa Prefecture and the Nago city government, and make tenacious efforts to seek acceptance of the plan.
まず、８月までに代替施設の位置や建設工法を決定するとの５月末の日米合意をきちんと履行することが求められる。沖縄県や名護市との関係を修復し、粘り強く理解を求める努力も大切だ。
In November 2003, when he was president of the Democratic Party of Japan, Kan said it was possible to maintain the security of the Far East without U.S. Marine Corps bases and troops being stationed in Okinawa Prefecture.
菅首相は、民主党代表だった２００３年１１月、「米海兵隊基地と兵員が沖縄にいなくても極東の安全は維持できる」などと発言したことがある。
Kan has clarified he will adhere to the Japan-U.S. agreement on the base relocation plan, but this should not be just ad hoc realism. To build a relationship of mutual trust with the United States, it is necessary for him to break away from his past position on the issue.
現在は、日米合意を順守すると明言しているが、その場しのぎの「現実主義」であってはならない。米側と信頼関係を築くには、過去の立場との決別が必要だ。
===
Making ties even stronger
Japan and the United States should continually hold strategic dialogues.
日米両国が戦略的な対話を重ねることも重要である。
How can the two nations realize stability on the Korean Peninsula and persuade China to act responsibly as a major power politically and economically? How should Japan and the United States cooperate with each other and other nations to tackle such issues as global warming, the war on terrorism and disarmament?
いかに朝鮮半島を安定させ、中国に政治、経済両面で大国としての責任ある対応を求めるのか。地球温暖化、テロとの戦い、軍縮などの課題に、日米がどう協力し、関係国とも連携するのか。
By deepening discussions on such issues and by Japan playing more active roles in the international community, the nation could build an even stronger alliance with the United States.
こうした議論を深めつつ、日本が国際的な役割を一層果たしていくことが、より強固な同盟関係の構築につながろう。
Security is the core of the bilateral alliance. North Korea has been developing nuclear missiles and sank a South Korean patrol vessel in March. China has rapidly been building up and modernizing its military. The Chinese Navy is expanding its operations to wider areas, causing friction with neighboring nations. Japan cannot be so optimistic about its security environment.
同盟の中核は安全保障にある。北朝鮮は核ミサイルの開発を進め、韓国軍哨戒艦を攻撃した。中国は急速に軍備を増強・近代化し、海軍の活動範囲を広げ、周辺国との摩擦を起こしている。日本の安保環境は楽観できない。
◆防衛協力強化が重要だ◆
Fully preparing for emergencies through close cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces in peacetime will ultimately serve as a deterrence against such emergencies.
自衛隊と米軍が平時から緊密に連携し、緊急事態に対処できる態勢を整えておくことが、結果的にそうした事態の抑止力になる。
The alliance sometimes is compared to riding a bicycle: The inertia of a bicycle will carry it forward, but unless we pedal, the bike will eventually slow down and fall.
同盟関係は時に、自転車の運転に喩(たと)えられる。
慣性力が働いている間は自転車は前に進むが、きちんとペダルをこぎ続けなければ、いずれ失速し、最後は倒れてしまう。
To maintain the alliance, it is vital for the two nations to set common goals and work hard together to achieve them. It is also indispensable to make ceaseless efforts to settle pending issues one by one.
同盟を維持するには、両国共通の目標を設定し、その実現に向けた共同作業に汗を流すとともに、両国間の懸案を一つ一つ処理していく不断の努力が欠かせない。
It is not enough to merely chant, "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the foundation of Japan's diplomacy."
「日米同盟が日本外交の基軸」といった言葉を単に唱えるだけでは済まされない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 19, 2010)
（2010年6月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
2010/06/19
参院選公約 民主党の現実路線は本物か
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 19, 2010)
Has DPJ really taken realistic turn?
参院選公約 民主党の現実路線は本物か（6月18日付・読売社説）
The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties have announced their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11.
民主、自民など各政党が、７月１１日投開票の参院選の公約を相次いで発表した。
A number of issues require deep discussion before the election--not least whether the consumption tax rate should be raised. We hope every party will discuss their policies with gusto.
消費税論議をはじめ、掘り下げるべき論点は数多い。各党とも、活発な政策論議を展開してほしい。
The DPJ manifesto for the upper house poll has a healthier dose of realism than the pledges it made for last year's House of Representatives election.
民主党の公約は、昨年の衆院選の政権公約に比べ、現実路線に大きく舵(かじ)を切った。
However, doubts linger over whether the new DPJ manifesto is merely a political gesture intended to draw votes, or if it is a genuine change of direction based firmly on realistic calculations.
単なる選挙向けのポーズでなく、地に足のついたものかどうかが問われよう。
On restoring fiscal health, the DPJ has a goal of achieving a primary balance surplus in the budget 10 years from now. To achieve this objective, the manifesto stipulates the party will start a suprapartisan debate on drastic tax reform--including consumption tax.
財政健全化については、１０年後に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標を掲げ、そのために「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革」の超党派協議を開始すると明記した。
===
Clarify tax reform picture
The LDP manifesto says the consumption tax rate should be raised to 10 percent for the time being. The main opposition party came up with this figure based on the costs needed to finance social security.
自民党は公約で、社会保障分野で要する費用を根拠として示したうえで、消費税率の「当面１０％」引き上げを掲げた。
At a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "We'll use the 10 percent proposal contained in the LDP pledges as one reference." As long as the DPJ is calling for suprapartisan debate on tax reform, the party should clarify the whole picture of this reform and what this would entail.
菅首相は記者会見で、「自民党公約の１０％を参考にしたい」と述べた。超党派協議を呼び掛ける以上、民主党としての税制改革の全体像を明確にすべきである。
In its latest manifesto, the DPJ erased the "monthly amount of 26 yen,000" for the child allowance it pledged in last year's manifesto. Instead, the 2010 manifesto says the party will provide "something additional" to the 13,000 yen currently handed out each month. The DPJ has given up trying to provide the promised amount because there is not enough money to fund it--although last year the party insisted the cash would be found.
民主党は、衆院選公約で示した子ども手当の「月額２万６０００円」支給を削除し、現支給額の月額１万３０００円に「上乗せする」と改めた。財源のめどが立たず、満額支給を断念したものだ。
However, the party has retained dole-out measures such as income support for farming households and a plan to abolish expressway tolls. We think the DPJ should review these measures, too.
しかし、高速道路無料化や農家への戸別所得補償制度など、バラマキ型の施策は、依然として残されている。これらについても、さらなる見直しが必要だろう。
In diplomatic and security fields, the party dropped the expression "move in the direction of reexamining" the role of U.S. military bases in Japan. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the party vows to "do its utmost to lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burden based on the Japan-U.S. agreement."
外交・安全保障分野でも、在日米軍基地について「見直しの方向で臨む」との表現を削除し、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、「日米合意に基づいて、沖縄の負担軽減に全力を尽くす」とした。
Last year, the DPJ did not mention China's steady military expansion. This time, however, the manifesto calls for China to be more transparent in its national defense policy.
衆院選の公約では触れなかった中国の軍拡への懸念にも、「透明性を求める」と言及した。
===
Omitting inconveniences
It is only natural that the ruling party has shifted its stance after taking into consideration the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan's security environment.
日米同盟の重要性や、わが国の置かれた安全保障環境を踏まえての路線転換は、政権政党として当然のことである。
Notable in the latest DPJ manifesto is the omission of a time schedule for each policy measure in each fiscal year. Last year's manifesto included such information. Similarly, the party did not provide a booklet of policy details; until last year, the party printed such a booklet to go with its pledges for each national election.
今回の民主党の公約で特徴的なのは、衆院選公約で示した年度ごとの政策工程表が省かれている点だ。公約に合わせて必ず発表してきた「政策集」もない。
We assume the DPJ left these items out because it does not want voters to later go back and check which policies the party abandoned or revised.
どの政策を断念し、どう修正したかを過去にさかのぼって検証されることを嫌ったのだろう。
In its "Index 2009," the policy booklet for last year's election, the DPJ included controversial issues including its plan to swiftly introduce local suffrage to permanent foreign residents. The booklet's absence will leave voters unsure if the DPJ still considers these issues as planks of its agenda.
衆院選の政策集には、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与の早期実現など、問題の多い内容が含まれている。今回、政策集の発表を見合わせた結果、これらの政策が今も生きているのかどうかが、まったくわからない。
The DPJ should immediately explain where it stands on these matters.
民主党は、こうした疑問点について、速やかに説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 18, 2010)
（2010年6月18日01時05分 読売新聞）
Has DPJ really taken realistic turn?
参院選公約 民主党の現実路線は本物か（6月18日付・読売社説）
The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties have announced their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11.
民主、自民など各政党が、７月１１日投開票の参院選の公約を相次いで発表した。
A number of issues require deep discussion before the election--not least whether the consumption tax rate should be raised. We hope every party will discuss their policies with gusto.
消費税論議をはじめ、掘り下げるべき論点は数多い。各党とも、活発な政策論議を展開してほしい。
The DPJ manifesto for the upper house poll has a healthier dose of realism than the pledges it made for last year's House of Representatives election.
民主党の公約は、昨年の衆院選の政権公約に比べ、現実路線に大きく舵(かじ)を切った。
However, doubts linger over whether the new DPJ manifesto is merely a political gesture intended to draw votes, or if it is a genuine change of direction based firmly on realistic calculations.
単なる選挙向けのポーズでなく、地に足のついたものかどうかが問われよう。
On restoring fiscal health, the DPJ has a goal of achieving a primary balance surplus in the budget 10 years from now. To achieve this objective, the manifesto stipulates the party will start a suprapartisan debate on drastic tax reform--including consumption tax.
財政健全化については、１０年後に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標を掲げ、そのために「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革」の超党派協議を開始すると明記した。
===
Clarify tax reform picture
The LDP manifesto says the consumption tax rate should be raised to 10 percent for the time being. The main opposition party came up with this figure based on the costs needed to finance social security.
自民党は公約で、社会保障分野で要する費用を根拠として示したうえで、消費税率の「当面１０％」引き上げを掲げた。
At a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "We'll use the 10 percent proposal contained in the LDP pledges as one reference." As long as the DPJ is calling for suprapartisan debate on tax reform, the party should clarify the whole picture of this reform and what this would entail.
菅首相は記者会見で、「自民党公約の１０％を参考にしたい」と述べた。超党派協議を呼び掛ける以上、民主党としての税制改革の全体像を明確にすべきである。
In its latest manifesto, the DPJ erased the "monthly amount of 26 yen,000" for the child allowance it pledged in last year's manifesto. Instead, the 2010 manifesto says the party will provide "something additional" to the 13,000 yen currently handed out each month. The DPJ has given up trying to provide the promised amount because there is not enough money to fund it--although last year the party insisted the cash would be found.
民主党は、衆院選公約で示した子ども手当の「月額２万６０００円」支給を削除し、現支給額の月額１万３０００円に「上乗せする」と改めた。財源のめどが立たず、満額支給を断念したものだ。
However, the party has retained dole-out measures such as income support for farming households and a plan to abolish expressway tolls. We think the DPJ should review these measures, too.
しかし、高速道路無料化や農家への戸別所得補償制度など、バラマキ型の施策は、依然として残されている。これらについても、さらなる見直しが必要だろう。
In diplomatic and security fields, the party dropped the expression "move in the direction of reexamining" the role of U.S. military bases in Japan. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the party vows to "do its utmost to lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burden based on the Japan-U.S. agreement."
外交・安全保障分野でも、在日米軍基地について「見直しの方向で臨む」との表現を削除し、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、「日米合意に基づいて、沖縄の負担軽減に全力を尽くす」とした。
Last year, the DPJ did not mention China's steady military expansion. This time, however, the manifesto calls for China to be more transparent in its national defense policy.
衆院選の公約では触れなかった中国の軍拡への懸念にも、「透明性を求める」と言及した。
===
Omitting inconveniences
It is only natural that the ruling party has shifted its stance after taking into consideration the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan's security environment.
日米同盟の重要性や、わが国の置かれた安全保障環境を踏まえての路線転換は、政権政党として当然のことである。
Notable in the latest DPJ manifesto is the omission of a time schedule for each policy measure in each fiscal year. Last year's manifesto included such information. Similarly, the party did not provide a booklet of policy details; until last year, the party printed such a booklet to go with its pledges for each national election.
今回の民主党の公約で特徴的なのは、衆院選公約で示した年度ごとの政策工程表が省かれている点だ。公約に合わせて必ず発表してきた「政策集」もない。
We assume the DPJ left these items out because it does not want voters to later go back and check which policies the party abandoned or revised.
どの政策を断念し、どう修正したかを過去にさかのぼって検証されることを嫌ったのだろう。
In its "Index 2009," the policy booklet for last year's election, the DPJ included controversial issues including its plan to swiftly introduce local suffrage to permanent foreign residents. The booklet's absence will leave voters unsure if the DPJ still considers these issues as planks of its agenda.
衆院選の政策集には、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与の早期実現など、問題の多い内容が含まれている。今回、政策集の発表を見合わせた結果、これらの政策が今も生きているのかどうかが、まったくわからない。
The DPJ should immediately explain where it stands on these matters.
民主党は、こうした疑問点について、速やかに説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 18, 2010)
（2010年6月18日01時05分 読売新聞）
2010/06/18
通常国会閉幕 「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 18, 2010)
DPJ must stop 'cop-out tactics'
通常国会閉幕 「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党（6月17日付・読売社説）
Public expectations that the latest Diet session would usher in an era of "new politics" following last year's change of government have faded. Instead, the session showed all too clearly the deteriorating state of politics in this country.
政権交代による「新たな政治」への期待はしぼみ、政治の劣化を見せつけられた国会だった。
The ordinary Diet session ended Wednesday. Political parties have now started preparing for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11.
通常国会が閉幕し、各政党は来月１１日投開票の参院選に向けて走り出した。
The Democratic Party of Japan recently withdrew a proposal to hold a budget committee meeting and decided against extending the Diet session. These actions can only be criticized as "cop-outs" and neglecting the party's duty.
民主党が、予算委員会開催の提案を撤回し、国会会期も延長しなかったのは、「逃げの一手」「責任放棄」との批判を免れない。
The two-day session of interpellations by party representatives regarding new Prime Minister Naoto Kan's policy speech was too short. More intensive discussions should have been made at the budget committees of both Diet chambers.
首相が交代した以上、菅首相の所信表明演説に対する２日間の代表質問だけでは不十分だ。予算委で審議を尽くすべきだった。
It also remains unclear how the Kan administration differs from the previous one of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which ended up disappointing many people.
菅内閣が、多くの国民を失望させた鳩山前内閣とどう違うのかはよく分からない。
Although Kan made no secret of the fact that his selection of cabinet ministers and top DPJ leaders were intended to rid the party of the influence of former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, the shape and direction of his policies--a key point for the new administration--remain opaque.
閣僚人事などでは小沢前幹事長の影響力を排除する姿勢をアピールしたが、肝心の政策の具体像は見えてこない。
How will the new administration put the fiscal house in order and reform the tax system? How will it soothe strained bilateral ties with the United States?
財政健全化と税制の抜本改革にどう取り組むのか。日米関係をいかに立て直すか。
===
Don't put party 1st
In an ideal political world, the administration would face the upper house election only after clarifying--through Diet deliberations--the course for policies the Kan administration hopes to accomplish.
菅内閣の目指す政策の方向性を国会審議の中で明確にしたうえ、参院選に臨むのが政治のあるべき姿だろう。
The DPJ avoided budget committee deliberations apparently because it felt the party would have the upper hand in the upcoming election while public approval ratings for the DPJ-led administration, which rose with the new cabinet, remain high.
民主党が予算委審議を避けたのは、回復した内閣支持率が高いうちに参院選を戦った方が得だ、と判断したためだ。
These are tactics that put party interests before all else. Giving the ultimate priority to winning the election speaks volumes of the party's complete disregard for Diet affairs.
「選挙至上主義」とも言うべき党利党略の戦術であり、国会軽視も甚だしい。
The DPJ-led coalition government did not hold a meeting of the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, which Ozawa had indicated he would attend to clarify his involvement in a political funds scandal. The government's decision has prevented it from fulfilling its accountability.
「政治とカネ」をめぐり、小沢氏が出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会を開かず、説明責任を果たさない。
When a scandal over questionable office expenses made by a political organization of Satoshi Arai, state minister in charge of national policy and consumer affairs, surfaced, the DPJ-led administration tried to sweep the issue under the carpet.
荒井国家戦略相の事務所費問題が浮上しても、臭いものにフタをし、幕引きを図る。
The DPJ must realize that its attempts to conceal swirling suspicions only amplify public distrust of politics.
こうした「疑惑隠し」の姿勢が国民の政治不信を増幅していることを、民主党は自覚すべきだ。
Several bills the government and ruling coalition had considered important did not get passed into law during the Diet session. These bills included one on postal service reforms, measures to combat global warming and one that would establish a decision-making system at the initiative of politicians.
政府・与党が重要法案としていた郵政改革、地球温暖化対策、政治主導確立などの法案は成立しなかった。
===
LDP has lost its bite
The DPJ-led administration used its superior weight of numbers to manage Diet affairs even more high-handedly than Liberal Democratic Party-led administrations did. However, it appears disarray within the government and the ruling coalition parties over key policies and the simultaneous resignations of Hatoyama and Ozawa affected the fate of these bills.
自民党政権以上に「数の力」に頼った強引な国会運営をしながら、政府・連立与党の足並みの乱れや鳩山前首相と小沢氏のダブル辞任が影響したと言えよう。
Just 54.7 percent of government-proposed bills passed the Diet during the session--a postwar low. We do not think the DPJ has fulfilled its responsibility as the party in power.
政府提出法案の成立率が戦後最低の５４・７％では、政権党の責任を果たしたと言えない。
On the other hand, the LDP failed to make its presence felt as the largest opposition party. The LDP failed to put the government on the defensive and present better counterproposals. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki's kid-glove questions during Diet debates between the prime minister and opposition party leaders, and the party's tired old tactics of boycotting the Diet session also triggered grumbling within party ranks.
一方で、自民党も、野党第１党としての存在感を示せなかった。政府を的確に批判し、より良い対案を示すどころか、党首討論での谷垣総裁の追及の甘さや、旧態依然の審議拒否戦術には、党内から非難の声が出るほどだった。
A string of new parties have appeared on the scene, such as the Sunrise Party of Japan, New Renaissance Party and the Spirit of Japan Party. Their emergence reflects discontent at the fecklessness of the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP.
たちあがれ日本、新党改革、日本創新党など新党結成が相次いだのは、民主、自民の２大政党のふがいなさの裏返しでもある。
The election is just around the corner. Political parties must try to restore people's trust in politics by discussing responsible and basic policies, rather than competing with one another with claptrap election pledges.
各政党は、参院選に向けて、人気取りの公約を競うのでなく、責任ある骨太の政策論議を通じて政治の信頼回復を図るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2010)
（2010年6月17日01時43分 読売新聞）
DPJ must stop 'cop-out tactics'
通常国会閉幕 「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党（6月17日付・読売社説）
Public expectations that the latest Diet session would usher in an era of "new politics" following last year's change of government have faded. Instead, the session showed all too clearly the deteriorating state of politics in this country.
政権交代による「新たな政治」への期待はしぼみ、政治の劣化を見せつけられた国会だった。
The ordinary Diet session ended Wednesday. Political parties have now started preparing for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11.
通常国会が閉幕し、各政党は来月１１日投開票の参院選に向けて走り出した。
The Democratic Party of Japan recently withdrew a proposal to hold a budget committee meeting and decided against extending the Diet session. These actions can only be criticized as "cop-outs" and neglecting the party's duty.
民主党が、予算委員会開催の提案を撤回し、国会会期も延長しなかったのは、「逃げの一手」「責任放棄」との批判を免れない。
The two-day session of interpellations by party representatives regarding new Prime Minister Naoto Kan's policy speech was too short. More intensive discussions should have been made at the budget committees of both Diet chambers.
首相が交代した以上、菅首相の所信表明演説に対する２日間の代表質問だけでは不十分だ。予算委で審議を尽くすべきだった。
It also remains unclear how the Kan administration differs from the previous one of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which ended up disappointing many people.
菅内閣が、多くの国民を失望させた鳩山前内閣とどう違うのかはよく分からない。
Although Kan made no secret of the fact that his selection of cabinet ministers and top DPJ leaders were intended to rid the party of the influence of former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, the shape and direction of his policies--a key point for the new administration--remain opaque.
閣僚人事などでは小沢前幹事長の影響力を排除する姿勢をアピールしたが、肝心の政策の具体像は見えてこない。
How will the new administration put the fiscal house in order and reform the tax system? How will it soothe strained bilateral ties with the United States?
財政健全化と税制の抜本改革にどう取り組むのか。日米関係をいかに立て直すか。
===
Don't put party 1st
In an ideal political world, the administration would face the upper house election only after clarifying--through Diet deliberations--the course for policies the Kan administration hopes to accomplish.
菅内閣の目指す政策の方向性を国会審議の中で明確にしたうえ、参院選に臨むのが政治のあるべき姿だろう。
The DPJ avoided budget committee deliberations apparently because it felt the party would have the upper hand in the upcoming election while public approval ratings for the DPJ-led administration, which rose with the new cabinet, remain high.
民主党が予算委審議を避けたのは、回復した内閣支持率が高いうちに参院選を戦った方が得だ、と判断したためだ。
These are tactics that put party interests before all else. Giving the ultimate priority to winning the election speaks volumes of the party's complete disregard for Diet affairs.
「選挙至上主義」とも言うべき党利党略の戦術であり、国会軽視も甚だしい。
The DPJ-led coalition government did not hold a meeting of the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, which Ozawa had indicated he would attend to clarify his involvement in a political funds scandal. The government's decision has prevented it from fulfilling its accountability.
「政治とカネ」をめぐり、小沢氏が出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会を開かず、説明責任を果たさない。
When a scandal over questionable office expenses made by a political organization of Satoshi Arai, state minister in charge of national policy and consumer affairs, surfaced, the DPJ-led administration tried to sweep the issue under the carpet.
荒井国家戦略相の事務所費問題が浮上しても、臭いものにフタをし、幕引きを図る。
The DPJ must realize that its attempts to conceal swirling suspicions only amplify public distrust of politics.
こうした「疑惑隠し」の姿勢が国民の政治不信を増幅していることを、民主党は自覚すべきだ。
Several bills the government and ruling coalition had considered important did not get passed into law during the Diet session. These bills included one on postal service reforms, measures to combat global warming and one that would establish a decision-making system at the initiative of politicians.
政府・与党が重要法案としていた郵政改革、地球温暖化対策、政治主導確立などの法案は成立しなかった。
===
LDP has lost its bite
The DPJ-led administration used its superior weight of numbers to manage Diet affairs even more high-handedly than Liberal Democratic Party-led administrations did. However, it appears disarray within the government and the ruling coalition parties over key policies and the simultaneous resignations of Hatoyama and Ozawa affected the fate of these bills.
自民党政権以上に「数の力」に頼った強引な国会運営をしながら、政府・連立与党の足並みの乱れや鳩山前首相と小沢氏のダブル辞任が影響したと言えよう。
Just 54.7 percent of government-proposed bills passed the Diet during the session--a postwar low. We do not think the DPJ has fulfilled its responsibility as the party in power.
政府提出法案の成立率が戦後最低の５４・７％では、政権党の責任を果たしたと言えない。
On the other hand, the LDP failed to make its presence felt as the largest opposition party. The LDP failed to put the government on the defensive and present better counterproposals. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki's kid-glove questions during Diet debates between the prime minister and opposition party leaders, and the party's tired old tactics of boycotting the Diet session also triggered grumbling within party ranks.
一方で、自民党も、野党第１党としての存在感を示せなかった。政府を的確に批判し、より良い対案を示すどころか、党首討論での谷垣総裁の追及の甘さや、旧態依然の審議拒否戦術には、党内から非難の声が出るほどだった。
A string of new parties have appeared on the scene, such as the Sunrise Party of Japan, New Renaissance Party and the Spirit of Japan Party. Their emergence reflects discontent at the fecklessness of the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP.
たちあがれ日本、新党改革、日本創新党など新党結成が相次いだのは、民主、自民の２大政党のふがいなさの裏返しでもある。
The election is just around the corner. Political parties must try to restore people's trust in politics by discussing responsible and basic policies, rather than competing with one another with claptrap election pledges.
各政党は、参院選に向けて、人気取りの公約を競うのでなく、責任ある骨太の政策論議を通じて政治の信頼回復を図るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2010)
（2010年6月17日01時43分 読売新聞）
2010/06/17
野球賭博汚染 暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 17, 2010)
Sumo world must sever mobster ties
野球賭博汚染 暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ（6月16日付・読売社説）
Illegal gambling is rampant among sumo wrestlers. Popular sumo wrestler ozeki Kotomitsuki has admitted to the Japan Sumo Association that he gambled on professional baseball games--a criminal act. Following his admission, he will sit out the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
大相撲の力士に賭博が蔓延(まんえん)していることが分かった。看板力士の大関琴光喜も、犯罪行為である野球賭博に手を染めていたことを認め、名古屋場所を休場することになった。
Sumo recently has been rocked by a string of scandals. Yokozuna Asashoryu was forced to retire earlier this year following allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo club after a drinking session. The gambling blight even managed to taint an ozeki, sumo's second-highest rank. These extraordinary developments will shake the foundation of the association.
暴行騒動で横綱朝青龍が引退に追い込まれたばかりの相撲界で、今度は大関の不祥事である。日本相撲協会の屋台骨を揺るがす異常事態といえよう。
The JSA recently asked sumo wrestlers, stablemasters and other association members to voluntarily report whether they had been involved in gambling activities. Kotomitsuki and 28 others admitted they had gambled on professional baseball games. Thirty-six others confessed to betting on golf, hanafuda playing cards and mah-jongg.
相撲協会が、力士、親方らに自己申告させたところ、野球賭博には琴光喜を含む２９人が関与したことを認めた。仲間内での賭けゴルフや花札、マージャンなどには３６人がかかわっていた。
The association said it would report its findings to the Metropolitan Police Department and decide what further action to take after the police have completed their investigation.
相撲協会は、調査結果を警視庁に報告し、捜査の結果を待って対応を決めるという。
===
JSA let guard down
Association officials initially planned to put the scandal to bed after reprimanding those who voluntarily reported their wrongdoing. However, the association was forced to reverse the policy after the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees the association, stepped in. The ministry warned the association it would be premature to extenuate the misconduct before making a report to the police.
当初は、申告した者については厳重注意にとどめて幕引きを図る方針だった。しかし、所管の文部科学省から、「警察にも言わない段階で情状酌量は早すぎる」と注意され、方針転換せざるを得なくなったというわけだ。
As such, the latest developments have exposed the association's lax way of dealing with serious matters.
相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが露呈したといえる。
Organized crime syndicates are often behind gambling on professional baseball. Money wagered by sumo wrestlers must not be allowed to end up as funds for gang activities. We think the wrestlers involved should be severely punished.
野球賭博には、暴力団がかかわっているケースが多い。力士の賭け金が暴力団の資金源となるようなことが、あってはならない。関係した力士への厳しい処分は避けられまい。
The latest scandal came to light in a report by a weekly magazine that Kotomitsuki had gambled on professional baseball and that gangsters had intimidated him into paying hush money.
発端となったのは、琴光喜が野球賭博にかかわり、暴力団関係者から口止め料を払うよう脅されたという週刊誌の報道だ。
Although Kotomitsuki initially denied any involvement in gambling, he finally seemed to run out of excuses because other sumo wrestlers came forward to admit their misconduct to the sumo association. Regrettably, Kotomitsuki completely lacked the good sense expected of an ozeki, a rank expected to portray sumo values.
琴光喜は賭博への関与を否定していたが、他の力士たちが申告するに及んで、言い逃れができなくなったということだろう。大相撲を担う大関としての自覚を全く欠いている。
===
Money talks
Wealthy sumo supporters called tanimachi traditionally have provided financial assistance to wrestlers and stablemasters. Wrestlers and association members are said to sometimes come in contact with gangsters as they socialize with their tanimachi.
相撲界には、「タニマチ」と呼ばれる後援者が力士や親方を援助する慣習がある。その付き合いの中で、力士らは暴力団関係者と接する機会もあるとされる。
There have been reports that criminal organizations have been involved in sumo events, such as tournaments held in local regions.
地方巡業などの興行面でも、暴力団の介在が指摘されてきた。
It recently came to light that a number of gangsters had watched sumo from special ringside seats essentially set aside for the sumo association's financial supporters. A stablemaster who arranged seats for the mobsters has since had his stable disbanded by the association. The stablemaster eventually admitted he had socialized with gangsters.
土俵近くの特別席で多数の暴力団員が観戦していたことも、問題になったばかりだ。席の確保にかかわっていた親方の部屋は閉鎖処分となり、この親方は、暴力団との交際があったことを認めた。
This series of unseemly incidents suggest there are deep-rooted links between sumo and organized crime.
角界と暴力団との根深い癒着がうかがえる。
The JSA is a public-interest corporation, which receives preferential tax treatment, meaning sumo wrestlers and stablemasters belong to an organization supposed to contribute to society. In this respect, it is only natural that they immediately sever all ties with "antisocial forces."
相撲協会は、税制面で優遇措置を受けている公益法人だ。社会に貢献すべき団体に属する力士や親方が、反社会勢力との関係を断つのは、当然のことである。
Freeing itself from unbecoming traditions is the only way the association will be able to survive.
悪(あ)しき体質の一掃が、相撲協会が存続していく唯一の道だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2010)
（2010年6月16日02時00分 読売新聞）
Sumo world must sever mobster ties
野球賭博汚染 暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ（6月16日付・読売社説）
Illegal gambling is rampant among sumo wrestlers. Popular sumo wrestler ozeki Kotomitsuki has admitted to the Japan Sumo Association that he gambled on professional baseball games--a criminal act. Following his admission, he will sit out the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
大相撲の力士に賭博が蔓延(まんえん)していることが分かった。看板力士の大関琴光喜も、犯罪行為である野球賭博に手を染めていたことを認め、名古屋場所を休場することになった。
Sumo recently has been rocked by a string of scandals. Yokozuna Asashoryu was forced to retire earlier this year following allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo club after a drinking session. The gambling blight even managed to taint an ozeki, sumo's second-highest rank. These extraordinary developments will shake the foundation of the association.
暴行騒動で横綱朝青龍が引退に追い込まれたばかりの相撲界で、今度は大関の不祥事である。日本相撲協会の屋台骨を揺るがす異常事態といえよう。
The JSA recently asked sumo wrestlers, stablemasters and other association members to voluntarily report whether they had been involved in gambling activities. Kotomitsuki and 28 others admitted they had gambled on professional baseball games. Thirty-six others confessed to betting on golf, hanafuda playing cards and mah-jongg.
相撲協会が、力士、親方らに自己申告させたところ、野球賭博には琴光喜を含む２９人が関与したことを認めた。仲間内での賭けゴルフや花札、マージャンなどには３６人がかかわっていた。
The association said it would report its findings to the Metropolitan Police Department and decide what further action to take after the police have completed their investigation.
相撲協会は、調査結果を警視庁に報告し、捜査の結果を待って対応を決めるという。
===
JSA let guard down
Association officials initially planned to put the scandal to bed after reprimanding those who voluntarily reported their wrongdoing. However, the association was forced to reverse the policy after the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees the association, stepped in. The ministry warned the association it would be premature to extenuate the misconduct before making a report to the police.
当初は、申告した者については厳重注意にとどめて幕引きを図る方針だった。しかし、所管の文部科学省から、「警察にも言わない段階で情状酌量は早すぎる」と注意され、方針転換せざるを得なくなったというわけだ。
As such, the latest developments have exposed the association's lax way of dealing with serious matters.
相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが露呈したといえる。
Organized crime syndicates are often behind gambling on professional baseball. Money wagered by sumo wrestlers must not be allowed to end up as funds for gang activities. We think the wrestlers involved should be severely punished.
野球賭博には、暴力団がかかわっているケースが多い。力士の賭け金が暴力団の資金源となるようなことが、あってはならない。関係した力士への厳しい処分は避けられまい。
The latest scandal came to light in a report by a weekly magazine that Kotomitsuki had gambled on professional baseball and that gangsters had intimidated him into paying hush money.
発端となったのは、琴光喜が野球賭博にかかわり、暴力団関係者から口止め料を払うよう脅されたという週刊誌の報道だ。
Although Kotomitsuki initially denied any involvement in gambling, he finally seemed to run out of excuses because other sumo wrestlers came forward to admit their misconduct to the sumo association. Regrettably, Kotomitsuki completely lacked the good sense expected of an ozeki, a rank expected to portray sumo values.
琴光喜は賭博への関与を否定していたが、他の力士たちが申告するに及んで、言い逃れができなくなったということだろう。大相撲を担う大関としての自覚を全く欠いている。
===
Money talks
Wealthy sumo supporters called tanimachi traditionally have provided financial assistance to wrestlers and stablemasters. Wrestlers and association members are said to sometimes come in contact with gangsters as they socialize with their tanimachi.
相撲界には、「タニマチ」と呼ばれる後援者が力士や親方を援助する慣習がある。その付き合いの中で、力士らは暴力団関係者と接する機会もあるとされる。
There have been reports that criminal organizations have been involved in sumo events, such as tournaments held in local regions.
地方巡業などの興行面でも、暴力団の介在が指摘されてきた。
It recently came to light that a number of gangsters had watched sumo from special ringside seats essentially set aside for the sumo association's financial supporters. A stablemaster who arranged seats for the mobsters has since had his stable disbanded by the association. The stablemaster eventually admitted he had socialized with gangsters.
土俵近くの特別席で多数の暴力団員が観戦していたことも、問題になったばかりだ。席の確保にかかわっていた親方の部屋は閉鎖処分となり、この親方は、暴力団との交際があったことを認めた。
This series of unseemly incidents suggest there are deep-rooted links between sumo and organized crime.
角界と暴力団との根深い癒着がうかがえる。
The JSA is a public-interest corporation, which receives preferential tax treatment, meaning sumo wrestlers and stablemasters belong to an organization supposed to contribute to society. In this respect, it is only natural that they immediately sever all ties with "antisocial forces."
相撲協会は、税制面で優遇措置を受けている公益法人だ。社会に貢献すべき団体に属する力士や親方が、反社会勢力との関係を断つのは、当然のことである。
Freeing itself from unbecoming traditions is the only way the association will be able to survive.
悪(あ)しき体質の一掃が、相撲協会が存続していく唯一の道だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2010)
（2010年6月16日02時00分 読売新聞）
2010/06/16
はやぶさ帰還 歴史的快挙を次に生かそう
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 16, 2010)
Hayabusa's achievements should be built on
はやぶさ帰還 歴史的快挙を次に生かそう（6月15日付・読売社説）
Hayabusa, a space probe of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has finally returned to Earth. This is a great accomplishment in the history of space exploration.
宇宙航空研究開発機構の探査機「はやぶさ」が帰ってきた。宇宙開発史に残る快挙と言える。
Hayabusa, which means peregrine falcon, left Earth in May 2003. It landed on Itokawa, an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth, in November 2005 and attempted to take samples of sand and other surface materials there. The probe's entire space voyage lasted seven years, ending with its homecoming on Sunday.
２００３年５月に地球を出発した。０５年１１月に３億キロ・メートル離れた小惑星イトカワに着陸し、砂などのサンプル採取を試みた。帰還まで、宇宙の旅は７年の長きに及んだ。
Hayabusa is the first space probe to return to Earth after landing on a celestial body other than the moon.
初めて月以外の天体に探査機が着陸して帰還したことになる。
The probe's main body burned up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, but before that it released a capsule, which landed safely in the desert in Australia, that may contain samples from Itokawa. JAXA will bring the capsule back to this country and confirm whether it contains sand or other materials from the asteroid.
はやぶさ本体は大気圏突入で燃え尽きた。採取したサンプルを収めるカプセルは突入前に分離、豪州の砂漠に着地した。日本に運び内部を確認する。
Unlike sand and stones on Earth, which have become oxidized and changed over many years, geologic material on asteroids is believed to have remained as it was in the early stages of the solar system. Such material would give important clues to understanding the history of the solar system.
小惑星の砂や石は、酸化などが進んだ地球の石と違い、太陽系の初期の状態に近い。太陽系の歴史を探るヒントになるだろう。
Unfortunately, however, it is not certain whether the probe actually was able to take samples of surface material, since Hayabusa's gathering device did not work as expected. But JAXA said that sand stirred up when the probe landed on the asteroid may have entered the capsule.
残念ながら、装置の不調で確実にサンプルが採取できたかどうか分からない。だが、着陸時に舞い上がった砂がカプセル内に入った可能性はある。
===
Miraculous engines
Needless to say, the return of Hayabusa itself is a miracle. The probe experienced technical and mechanical malfunctions throughout its systems as it traveled a total distance of 6 billion kilometers, 40 times the distance between the sun and Earth.
そもそも帰還自体が奇跡だ。地球―太陽間の４０倍にあたる約６０億キロ・メートルの飛行で、機体は各所が故障し、満身創痍(そうい)だった。
First, fuel leaked from one of Hayabusa's chemical engines after it left the asteroid to return home, which caused JAXA to lose control and later communications. Although the agency fortunately was able to restore communications and put Hayabusa back on its homeward journey in 2006, JAXA had to constantly walk a tightrope for the remainder of the probe's long space flight.
まずイトカワ離陸後に燃料が漏れた。制御不能になり、通信も途絶した。０６年、幸運にも復旧し帰路についたが、長期の飛行で、ぎりぎりの運用が続いてきた。
Almost all the probe's devices malfunctioned, but a new type of engine manufactured by a Japanese company did outstanding work.
活躍したのは、搭載された日本独自の新型エンジンだ。
Called ion engines, these new thrusters have much weaker propulsion than chemical engines, which expel jets of high-pressure gas. The power of an ion engine's thrust could only keep a 1 yen coin aloft on Earth, but it can work for long hours on far less fuel than a chemical engine needs. The ion engines were used for a total of 40,000 hours to control the probe's attitude.
イオンエンジンと呼ばれる。高圧ガスを噴く化学エンジンなどと比べて推進力は小さい。地上で１円玉を動かす程度の力だが、少ない燃料で長期間動く。これが、のべ４万時間、機体を制御した。
This, along with the automatic control technology that made it possible for the probe to land on the asteroid, demonstrates to the world how advanced Japan's technology in space exploration is. We can expect Japanese-made ion engines to be sold to other countries for use in their space probes and satellites.
小惑星着陸を成功させた自動制御技術とともに、技術の高さを世界に示した。海外の探査機や衛星への売り込みも期待される。
===
Don't block progress
However, we are concerned with the next project. Development is currently stalled on Hayabusa 2, which is intended to conduct higher-level exploration of another asteroid. Learning from the lessons of Hayabusa's development, which cost 13 billion yen, the new project's budget is set at almost the same amount.
心配なのは、次の計画だ。開発に約１３０億円をかけた「はやぶさ」の教訓を生かし、ほぼ同じ規模の予算で、別の小惑星の高度な探査を目指す「はやぶさ２」の開発が滞っている。
Nonetheless, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's budget for space exploration was cut drastically, a victim of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's plan to make high school education free, which costs nearly 400 billion yen.
民主党が進める高校無償化に４０００億円近くかかり、そのしわ寄せで、文部科学省の宇宙予算が大幅に削られたためだ。
Funding this fiscal year for Hayabusa 2 was cut to just 30 million yen, compared with the 1.7 billion yen made in its budgetary request before the DPJ took office from the Liberal Democratic Party.
はやぶさ２の今年度予算は、政権交代前の概算要求額１７億円が、３０００万円まで圧縮された。
The government should spend money on a meaningful project, rather than on handout measures.
ばらまき予算よりも、意義のある計画に予算を投じるべきだ。
There could be a blank period of more than 10 years until the next space probe project, given the positional relationship between Earth and asteroids. Memories of the successful space mission could fade during this downtime.
地球と小惑星の位置関係を考えると、次の探査機までに１０年以上の空白期が生じかねない。経験が風化してしまう。
There must be no retreat in efforts to pass important technology in space exploration to the next generation of scientists and engineers, so they can improve it further.
貴重な技術を次世代につなぎ、発展させる取り組みを後退させてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2010)
（2010年6月15日02時04分 読売新聞）
Hayabusa's achievements should be built on
はやぶさ帰還 歴史的快挙を次に生かそう（6月15日付・読売社説）
Hayabusa, a space probe of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has finally returned to Earth. This is a great accomplishment in the history of space exploration.
宇宙航空研究開発機構の探査機「はやぶさ」が帰ってきた。宇宙開発史に残る快挙と言える。
Hayabusa, which means peregrine falcon, left Earth in May 2003. It landed on Itokawa, an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth, in November 2005 and attempted to take samples of sand and other surface materials there. The probe's entire space voyage lasted seven years, ending with its homecoming on Sunday.
２００３年５月に地球を出発した。０５年１１月に３億キロ・メートル離れた小惑星イトカワに着陸し、砂などのサンプル採取を試みた。帰還まで、宇宙の旅は７年の長きに及んだ。
Hayabusa is the first space probe to return to Earth after landing on a celestial body other than the moon.
初めて月以外の天体に探査機が着陸して帰還したことになる。
The probe's main body burned up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, but before that it released a capsule, which landed safely in the desert in Australia, that may contain samples from Itokawa. JAXA will bring the capsule back to this country and confirm whether it contains sand or other materials from the asteroid.
はやぶさ本体は大気圏突入で燃え尽きた。採取したサンプルを収めるカプセルは突入前に分離、豪州の砂漠に着地した。日本に運び内部を確認する。
Unlike sand and stones on Earth, which have become oxidized and changed over many years, geologic material on asteroids is believed to have remained as it was in the early stages of the solar system. Such material would give important clues to understanding the history of the solar system.
小惑星の砂や石は、酸化などが進んだ地球の石と違い、太陽系の初期の状態に近い。太陽系の歴史を探るヒントになるだろう。
Unfortunately, however, it is not certain whether the probe actually was able to take samples of surface material, since Hayabusa's gathering device did not work as expected. But JAXA said that sand stirred up when the probe landed on the asteroid may have entered the capsule.
残念ながら、装置の不調で確実にサンプルが採取できたかどうか分からない。だが、着陸時に舞い上がった砂がカプセル内に入った可能性はある。
===
Miraculous engines
Needless to say, the return of Hayabusa itself is a miracle. The probe experienced technical and mechanical malfunctions throughout its systems as it traveled a total distance of 6 billion kilometers, 40 times the distance between the sun and Earth.
そもそも帰還自体が奇跡だ。地球―太陽間の４０倍にあたる約６０億キロ・メートルの飛行で、機体は各所が故障し、満身創痍(そうい)だった。
First, fuel leaked from one of Hayabusa's chemical engines after it left the asteroid to return home, which caused JAXA to lose control and later communications. Although the agency fortunately was able to restore communications and put Hayabusa back on its homeward journey in 2006, JAXA had to constantly walk a tightrope for the remainder of the probe's long space flight.
まずイトカワ離陸後に燃料が漏れた。制御不能になり、通信も途絶した。０６年、幸運にも復旧し帰路についたが、長期の飛行で、ぎりぎりの運用が続いてきた。
Almost all the probe's devices malfunctioned, but a new type of engine manufactured by a Japanese company did outstanding work.
活躍したのは、搭載された日本独自の新型エンジンだ。
Called ion engines, these new thrusters have much weaker propulsion than chemical engines, which expel jets of high-pressure gas. The power of an ion engine's thrust could only keep a 1 yen coin aloft on Earth, but it can work for long hours on far less fuel than a chemical engine needs. The ion engines were used for a total of 40,000 hours to control the probe's attitude.
イオンエンジンと呼ばれる。高圧ガスを噴く化学エンジンなどと比べて推進力は小さい。地上で１円玉を動かす程度の力だが、少ない燃料で長期間動く。これが、のべ４万時間、機体を制御した。
This, along with the automatic control technology that made it possible for the probe to land on the asteroid, demonstrates to the world how advanced Japan's technology in space exploration is. We can expect Japanese-made ion engines to be sold to other countries for use in their space probes and satellites.
小惑星着陸を成功させた自動制御技術とともに、技術の高さを世界に示した。海外の探査機や衛星への売り込みも期待される。
===
Don't block progress
However, we are concerned with the next project. Development is currently stalled on Hayabusa 2, which is intended to conduct higher-level exploration of another asteroid. Learning from the lessons of Hayabusa's development, which cost 13 billion yen, the new project's budget is set at almost the same amount.
心配なのは、次の計画だ。開発に約１３０億円をかけた「はやぶさ」の教訓を生かし、ほぼ同じ規模の予算で、別の小惑星の高度な探査を目指す「はやぶさ２」の開発が滞っている。
Nonetheless, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's budget for space exploration was cut drastically, a victim of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's plan to make high school education free, which costs nearly 400 billion yen.
民主党が進める高校無償化に４０００億円近くかかり、そのしわ寄せで、文部科学省の宇宙予算が大幅に削られたためだ。
Funding this fiscal year for Hayabusa 2 was cut to just 30 million yen, compared with the 1.7 billion yen made in its budgetary request before the DPJ took office from the Liberal Democratic Party.
はやぶさ２の今年度予算は、政権交代前の概算要求額１７億円が、３０００万円まで圧縮された。
The government should spend money on a meaningful project, rather than on handout measures.
ばらまき予算よりも、意義のある計画に予算を投じるべきだ。
There could be a blank period of more than 10 years until the next space probe project, given the positional relationship between Earth and asteroids. Memories of the successful space mission could fade during this downtime.
地球と小惑星の位置関係を考えると、次の探査機までに１０年以上の空白期が生じかねない。経験が風化してしまう。
There must be no retreat in efforts to pass important technology in space exploration to the next generation of scientists and engineers, so they can improve it further.
貴重な技術を次世代につなぎ、発展させる取り組みを後退させてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2010)
（2010年6月15日02時04分 読売新聞）
2010/06/15
日本振興銀捜索 偽りだった「中小企業の味方」
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 15, 2010)
Small firms' 'protector' betrayed expectations
日本振興銀捜索 偽りだった「中小企業の味方」（6月14日付・読売社説）
A bank trumpeted as a "protector" of small and midsize companies when it was established in 2004 has been smeared by allegations of criminal irregularities.
中小零細企業の味方というふれこみで設立された銀行は、まさに不正まみれだった。
The Financial Services Agency recently filed a criminal complaint against Incubator Bank of Japan, which specializes in providing loans to small and midsize firms. This prompted the Metropolitan Police Department to search the bank's head office and other locations last week on suspicion the bank had sabotaged an audit by the FSA, a violation of the Banking Law.
金融庁が、中小企業向け融資を専門に手がける日本振興銀行を、立ち入り検査を妨害した銀行法違反（検査忌避）の疑いで、刑事告発した。これを受け警視庁が、振興銀の本店などを捜索した。
The FSA was quite right to file a complaint. We hope the police will thoroughly investigate the alleged wrongdoing and uncover the whole truth.
金融庁が、告発に踏み切ったのは当然である。警視庁は徹底した捜査を行い、全容を解明してもらいたい。
Last month, the FSA ordered the bank to suspend part of its business for about four months after alleging its operations gravely violated the law. The agency followed this up with its criminal complaint last week.
金融庁は先月、重大な法令違反があったとして、振興銀に約４か月の一部業務停止を命じた。これに続く告発である。
The financial watchdog's additional action suggests it believes the bank's operations were so malicious that an administrative punishment alone would not suffice.
行政処分だけでは不十分と判断するほど悪質ということだろう。
Former Bank of Japan official Takeshi Kimura and members of the Tokyo Junior Chamber International established the bank in 2004.
振興銀は、日銀出身の木村剛氏が２００４年、東京青年会議所のメンバーらと開業した。
By setting its interest rates higher than those offered by major commercial banks and providing loans without secured collateral, the bank touted itself as a financial institution catering to startup businesses with high growth potential.
大手銀行よりは貸付金利が高いが、原則として無担保で、成長性のある新興企業などの金融を担うとしていた。
===
Off to a bad start
However, the bank quickly ran into trouble. A string of executives resigned one after another due to differences over management policy.
ところが、路線の違いで役員らの辞任が相次ぐなど、当初から経営は迷走状態に陥った。
Kimura became president in 2005 and started overseeing the bank's management by himself. The bank ran a profit for three consecutive business terms starting with the year to March 2007, but fell into the red in the term ended March 2010 with a loss of more than 5 billion yen. Kimura resigned in May to take responsibility for the bank's deteriorating performance.
０５年には、木村氏が社長に就任して、自ら経営に乗り出した。０７年３月期決算から３年は黒字を出したものの、１０年３月期に５０億円超の赤字に転落したため、木村氏は引責辞任した。
Question marks hung over the feasibility of the bank's business model of concentrating on loans to small and midsize firms. On top of that, the FSA investigation has revealed the bank's operations actually differed considerably from the management principles it had put forward.
中小企業専門というビジネスモデルそのものに無理があったうえに、金融庁の検査で、表向きの経営理念とかけ離れた業務の実情が明るみに出た。
For example, the bank allegedly purchased loan claims from financially strapped moneylenders while collecting commissions from them, and then asked these moneylenders to buy the loans back about a month later.
例えば、資金繰りに困っている貸金業者から手数料を徴収して貸し出し債権を買い取り、約１か月後に買い戻させる取引だ。
===
On a par with loan sharks
On the surface, this appears to be a simple transaction of loan claims. But the commission--which for all intents and purposes was interest--translated into an annual rate of 46 percent, far above the legally allowable ceiling. This would not be out of place in a loan-shark operation.
見かけは債権の売買だが、金利にあたる手数料は、年利に換算して４６％と、法律の上限をはるかに超える暴利だ。まるで、貸金業者相手の高利貸しである。
Moreover, the bank allegedly tried to dominate management of its clients by pressing them to have a majority of seats on their board of directors occupied by people the bank recommended. If the clients refused, the bank allegedly demanded increased collateral.
このほか、融資先に対して、取締役の過半数は振興銀が推薦する人を就けるよう迫り、経営の支配を図った。拒否すれば担保の追加を求めたという。
The bank also is suspected to have covered up other irregularities, including the deletion of e-mails detailing its business transactions from the bank's server.
業務に関する電子メールを削除するなど、一連の不正の隠蔽(いんぺい)工作もしていた。
Kimura was an adviser to the FSA from October 2002 to August 2003 under Heizo Takenaka during the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He was deeply involved in the nation's financial administration.
木村氏は、小泉政権の竹中平蔵金融相のもと、金融庁顧問を務めるなど、国の金融行政に深くかかわった人物だ。
Kimura has resigned from the bank's management lineup. But he bears heavy responsibility for the alleged misconduct because he was closely involved in the bank's management for years as president and chairman.
すでに経営陣から退いたとはいえ、社長、会長として長く振興銀を経営した責任は重い。
Kimura must cooperate fully with the police in their investigation. We also urge him to come clean in public by holding a press conference or using other avenues to speak about the bank scandals.
捜査への全面協力はもちろん、記者会見などで自ら説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2010)
（2010年6月14日01時45分 読売新聞）
Small firms' 'protector' betrayed expectations
日本振興銀捜索 偽りだった「中小企業の味方」（6月14日付・読売社説）
A bank trumpeted as a "protector" of small and midsize companies when it was established in 2004 has been smeared by allegations of criminal irregularities.
中小零細企業の味方というふれこみで設立された銀行は、まさに不正まみれだった。
The Financial Services Agency recently filed a criminal complaint against Incubator Bank of Japan, which specializes in providing loans to small and midsize firms. This prompted the Metropolitan Police Department to search the bank's head office and other locations last week on suspicion the bank had sabotaged an audit by the FSA, a violation of the Banking Law.
金融庁が、中小企業向け融資を専門に手がける日本振興銀行を、立ち入り検査を妨害した銀行法違反（検査忌避）の疑いで、刑事告発した。これを受け警視庁が、振興銀の本店などを捜索した。
The FSA was quite right to file a complaint. We hope the police will thoroughly investigate the alleged wrongdoing and uncover the whole truth.
金融庁が、告発に踏み切ったのは当然である。警視庁は徹底した捜査を行い、全容を解明してもらいたい。
Last month, the FSA ordered the bank to suspend part of its business for about four months after alleging its operations gravely violated the law. The agency followed this up with its criminal complaint last week.
金融庁は先月、重大な法令違反があったとして、振興銀に約４か月の一部業務停止を命じた。これに続く告発である。
The financial watchdog's additional action suggests it believes the bank's operations were so malicious that an administrative punishment alone would not suffice.
行政処分だけでは不十分と判断するほど悪質ということだろう。
Former Bank of Japan official Takeshi Kimura and members of the Tokyo Junior Chamber International established the bank in 2004.
振興銀は、日銀出身の木村剛氏が２００４年、東京青年会議所のメンバーらと開業した。
By setting its interest rates higher than those offered by major commercial banks and providing loans without secured collateral, the bank touted itself as a financial institution catering to startup businesses with high growth potential.
大手銀行よりは貸付金利が高いが、原則として無担保で、成長性のある新興企業などの金融を担うとしていた。
===
Off to a bad start
However, the bank quickly ran into trouble. A string of executives resigned one after another due to differences over management policy.
ところが、路線の違いで役員らの辞任が相次ぐなど、当初から経営は迷走状態に陥った。
Kimura became president in 2005 and started overseeing the bank's management by himself. The bank ran a profit for three consecutive business terms starting with the year to March 2007, but fell into the red in the term ended March 2010 with a loss of more than 5 billion yen. Kimura resigned in May to take responsibility for the bank's deteriorating performance.
０５年には、木村氏が社長に就任して、自ら経営に乗り出した。０７年３月期決算から３年は黒字を出したものの、１０年３月期に５０億円超の赤字に転落したため、木村氏は引責辞任した。
Question marks hung over the feasibility of the bank's business model of concentrating on loans to small and midsize firms. On top of that, the FSA investigation has revealed the bank's operations actually differed considerably from the management principles it had put forward.
中小企業専門というビジネスモデルそのものに無理があったうえに、金融庁の検査で、表向きの経営理念とかけ離れた業務の実情が明るみに出た。
For example, the bank allegedly purchased loan claims from financially strapped moneylenders while collecting commissions from them, and then asked these moneylenders to buy the loans back about a month later.
例えば、資金繰りに困っている貸金業者から手数料を徴収して貸し出し債権を買い取り、約１か月後に買い戻させる取引だ。
===
On a par with loan sharks
On the surface, this appears to be a simple transaction of loan claims. But the commission--which for all intents and purposes was interest--translated into an annual rate of 46 percent, far above the legally allowable ceiling. This would not be out of place in a loan-shark operation.
見かけは債権の売買だが、金利にあたる手数料は、年利に換算して４６％と、法律の上限をはるかに超える暴利だ。まるで、貸金業者相手の高利貸しである。
Moreover, the bank allegedly tried to dominate management of its clients by pressing them to have a majority of seats on their board of directors occupied by people the bank recommended. If the clients refused, the bank allegedly demanded increased collateral.
このほか、融資先に対して、取締役の過半数は振興銀が推薦する人を就けるよう迫り、経営の支配を図った。拒否すれば担保の追加を求めたという。
The bank also is suspected to have covered up other irregularities, including the deletion of e-mails detailing its business transactions from the bank's server.
業務に関する電子メールを削除するなど、一連の不正の隠蔽(いんぺい)工作もしていた。
Kimura was an adviser to the FSA from October 2002 to August 2003 under Heizo Takenaka during the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He was deeply involved in the nation's financial administration.
木村氏は、小泉政権の竹中平蔵金融相のもと、金融庁顧問を務めるなど、国の金融行政に深くかかわった人物だ。
Kimura has resigned from the bank's management lineup. But he bears heavy responsibility for the alleged misconduct because he was closely involved in the bank's management for years as president and chairman.
すでに経営陣から退いたとはいえ、社長、会長として長く振興銀を経営した責任は重い。
Kimura must cooperate fully with the police in their investigation. We also urge him to come clean in public by holding a press conference or using other avenues to speak about the bank scandals.
捜査への全面協力はもちろん、記者会見などで自ら説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2010)
（2010年6月14日01時45分 読売新聞）
2010/06/14
口蹄疫拡大 迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2010)
Swift, steady action key to halt foot-and-mouth
口蹄疫拡大 迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture has spread further from its origin and could expand to the entire prefecture.
宮崎県で発生した家畜の伝染病、口蹄疫(こうていえき)が県内全域に広がりかねない情勢となっている。
New infections have been confirmed in cities including Miyakonojo, which is located about 50 kilometers from the epidemic's locus in the eastern part of the prefecture.
震源地の県東部から約５０キロ離れた都城市などで新たな感染が確認された。
The epidemic now has reached a crucial juncture--whether the disease will spread outside the prefecture. Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited the prefecture Saturday and pledged the government would take all possible steps to support affected livestock farmers. The central and prefectural governments must strengthen epidemic prevention measures and do all they can to contain the disease.
県外に感染が拡大するかどうかの瀬戸際である。菅首相は現地入りし、被害畜産農家の支援に万全を期す方針を示した。国と県は改めて防疫体制を強化し、封じ込めに全力を挙げねばならない。
The central and prefectural governments have been trying to prevent further infection by slaughtering and burying cows and pigs on disease-affected livestock farms, as well as by restricting movement and transfer of the livestock in the vicinity.
これまで国と県は、口蹄疫が発生した農場の牛や豚を殺して埋める処分に加え、周辺地域の家畜の移動や搬出を制限する感染防止策を取ってきた。
At farms within a 10-kilometer radius of major outbreak locations, livestock that have not been infected with the disease are being vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading and then culled.
主要な発生地から半径１０キロ圏内は、未感染の家畜にもワクチンを接種してウイルスの発生を抑え、処分する対策も進めている。
However, infections have been confirmed on farms far from the locations of the disease's initial outbreak about 50 days ago. It must be asked whether there has been any lapse in preventative measures against the disease's spread since then.
しかし、これまでの多発地区から遠い地域に感染が飛び火した。発生から５０日あまりが経過し、防疫措置に緩みはなかったか。
===
Minimize infections' impact
What is now necessary is to minimize damage to areas where new infections have been detected.
今必要なのは、新たに感染が見つかった地域の被害を最小限に食い止めることだ。
The city of Ebino in the prefecture successfully contained the disease by slaughtering livestock immediately after infections were confirmed. Learning from its example, the Miyakonojo city government began culling livestock after informing the central government of certain animals' symptoms through photos, without waiting for results of genetic tests conducted by the central government. Such swift responses are necessary to deal with the disease from now on.
えびの市は、農場で感染が確認された直後に家畜を処分し、封じ込めに成功した。その教訓を生かし、都城市は国による遺伝子検査を待たず、家畜の症例を写真で報告して処分に踏み切った。今後もこうした迅速な対応が必要だ。
One of the reasons for the spread of infections seems to be the fact that the cull of cows and pigs has not been conducted smoothly because it is difficult to find people to slaughter the livestock and places to bury the animals. It is possible the virus might have spread from these livestock. Slaughter of the remaining 30,000 cows must be sped up.
感染が拡大した一因と見られるのは、埋める土地や人の手当てがつかず、処分に手間取っている牛や豚の存在だ。これらからウイルスがまき散らされた可能性がある。残されている３万頭の処分を急がねばならない。
A special law on foot-and-mouth disease that took effect June 4 allows the central government to slaughter healthy livestock without farmers' consent if necessary. The legislation aims to prevent new infections by creating a livestock-free "blank area" where animals are culled.
４日に施行された口蹄疫対策特別措置法では、農家の同意がなくても国が健康な家畜を殺処分できるようになった。予防的に家畜を処分して空白地帯を作り、感染を防ごうという狙いだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry does not plan to apply this law in areas where new infections have been confirmed. However, if infections do expand, it is inevitable that this measure would be taken.
農林水産省は、今回新たな感染が確認された地域では適用しない方針だが、感染が拡大するようであれば、こうした措置を取ることもやむを得ないだろう。
===
Find out how disease spread
Also, it is an urgent task to find out why foot-and-mouth disease has spread. One theory holds that people and vehicles that visit livestock farms have slipped through designated sterilization points. Others noted the possibility soil with the virus was carried by the wind. The government should strengthen field studies by epidemic prevention experts.
拡大の原因解明も急務だ。畜産施設を行き来する人や車などが消毒地点をすり抜けたとの説や、土壌に付着したウイルスが風で運ばれた可能性などが指摘される。防疫専門家による現地調査を強化すべきではないか。
Miyakonojo produces some of the best livestock in the country. Neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture is well known for its Berkshire pigs and black cattle. The spread of the disease to Kagoshima Prefecture would immensely impact the country's livestock industry as well as adversely affect people's diets.
都城市は全国屈指の畜産都市であり、隣接する鹿児島県も黒豚や黒牛で知られる。感染が広がれば日本の畜産業への打撃は計り知れず、国民の食生活にも影響が出よう。
We hope the Kan Cabinet will place top priority on tackling foot-and-mouth disease.
菅内閣は口蹄疫問題に最優先で取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 13, 2010)
（2010年6月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
Swift, steady action key to halt foot-and-mouth
口蹄疫拡大 迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture has spread further from its origin and could expand to the entire prefecture.
宮崎県で発生した家畜の伝染病、口蹄疫(こうていえき)が県内全域に広がりかねない情勢となっている。
New infections have been confirmed in cities including Miyakonojo, which is located about 50 kilometers from the epidemic's locus in the eastern part of the prefecture.
震源地の県東部から約５０キロ離れた都城市などで新たな感染が確認された。
The epidemic now has reached a crucial juncture--whether the disease will spread outside the prefecture. Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited the prefecture Saturday and pledged the government would take all possible steps to support affected livestock farmers. The central and prefectural governments must strengthen epidemic prevention measures and do all they can to contain the disease.
県外に感染が拡大するかどうかの瀬戸際である。菅首相は現地入りし、被害畜産農家の支援に万全を期す方針を示した。国と県は改めて防疫体制を強化し、封じ込めに全力を挙げねばならない。
The central and prefectural governments have been trying to prevent further infection by slaughtering and burying cows and pigs on disease-affected livestock farms, as well as by restricting movement and transfer of the livestock in the vicinity.
これまで国と県は、口蹄疫が発生した農場の牛や豚を殺して埋める処分に加え、周辺地域の家畜の移動や搬出を制限する感染防止策を取ってきた。
At farms within a 10-kilometer radius of major outbreak locations, livestock that have not been infected with the disease are being vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading and then culled.
主要な発生地から半径１０キロ圏内は、未感染の家畜にもワクチンを接種してウイルスの発生を抑え、処分する対策も進めている。
However, infections have been confirmed on farms far from the locations of the disease's initial outbreak about 50 days ago. It must be asked whether there has been any lapse in preventative measures against the disease's spread since then.
しかし、これまでの多発地区から遠い地域に感染が飛び火した。発生から５０日あまりが経過し、防疫措置に緩みはなかったか。
===
Minimize infections' impact
What is now necessary is to minimize damage to areas where new infections have been detected.
今必要なのは、新たに感染が見つかった地域の被害を最小限に食い止めることだ。
The city of Ebino in the prefecture successfully contained the disease by slaughtering livestock immediately after infections were confirmed. Learning from its example, the Miyakonojo city government began culling livestock after informing the central government of certain animals' symptoms through photos, without waiting for results of genetic tests conducted by the central government. Such swift responses are necessary to deal with the disease from now on.
えびの市は、農場で感染が確認された直後に家畜を処分し、封じ込めに成功した。その教訓を生かし、都城市は国による遺伝子検査を待たず、家畜の症例を写真で報告して処分に踏み切った。今後もこうした迅速な対応が必要だ。
One of the reasons for the spread of infections seems to be the fact that the cull of cows and pigs has not been conducted smoothly because it is difficult to find people to slaughter the livestock and places to bury the animals. It is possible the virus might have spread from these livestock. Slaughter of the remaining 30,000 cows must be sped up.
感染が拡大した一因と見られるのは、埋める土地や人の手当てがつかず、処分に手間取っている牛や豚の存在だ。これらからウイルスがまき散らされた可能性がある。残されている３万頭の処分を急がねばならない。
A special law on foot-and-mouth disease that took effect June 4 allows the central government to slaughter healthy livestock without farmers' consent if necessary. The legislation aims to prevent new infections by creating a livestock-free "blank area" where animals are culled.
４日に施行された口蹄疫対策特別措置法では、農家の同意がなくても国が健康な家畜を殺処分できるようになった。予防的に家畜を処分して空白地帯を作り、感染を防ごうという狙いだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry does not plan to apply this law in areas where new infections have been confirmed. However, if infections do expand, it is inevitable that this measure would be taken.
農林水産省は、今回新たな感染が確認された地域では適用しない方針だが、感染が拡大するようであれば、こうした措置を取ることもやむを得ないだろう。
===
Find out how disease spread
Also, it is an urgent task to find out why foot-and-mouth disease has spread. One theory holds that people and vehicles that visit livestock farms have slipped through designated sterilization points. Others noted the possibility soil with the virus was carried by the wind. The government should strengthen field studies by epidemic prevention experts.
拡大の原因解明も急務だ。畜産施設を行き来する人や車などが消毒地点をすり抜けたとの説や、土壌に付着したウイルスが風で運ばれた可能性などが指摘される。防疫専門家による現地調査を強化すべきではないか。
Miyakonojo produces some of the best livestock in the country. Neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture is well known for its Berkshire pigs and black cattle. The spread of the disease to Kagoshima Prefecture would immensely impact the country's livestock industry as well as adversely affect people's diets.
都城市は全国屈指の畜産都市であり、隣接する鹿児島県も黒豚や黒牛で知られる。感染が広がれば日本の畜産業への打撃は計り知れず、国民の食生活にも影響が出よう。
We hope the Kan Cabinet will place top priority on tackling foot-and-mouth disease.
菅内閣は口蹄疫問題に最優先で取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 13, 2010)
（2010年6月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
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