The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 30, 2010)
Depend on China at your peril
対日経済圧力 中国リスク回避へ分散化図れ（9月29日付・読売社説）
China is piling economic pressure on Japan following the collision this month between a Chinese fishing boat and two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels in Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島沖での中国漁船衝突事件を巡り、中国が経済問題で対日圧力を強めている。
China effectively has limited exports of rare earth minerals, which are vital for manufacturing hybrid cars, energy-efficient electrical appliances and other products. Some Chinese customhouses have reportedly cranked up inspections of other goods exported to and imported from Japan, resulting in delayed shipments between the two countries.
ハイブリッド車や省エネ家電などに不可欠なレアアース（希土類）の対日輸出を事実上制限しているほか、税関当局が通関手続きを厳しくするなどして、日本との輸出入業務が遅れる事態が生じている。
Officially, the Chinese government has denied ordering this crackdown. However, China is clearly attempting to unsettle Japan. China's actions make a mockery of international economic rules. We think China should immediately retract its retaliatory measures.
中国政府は表向き、指示を否定している。だが、日本に揺さぶりをかけているのは明らかだ。国際的な経済ルールから見て、大いに問題がある。中国は、こうした報復的措置を直ちに撤回しなければならない。
Japan imports 90 percent of its rare earths from China. Industries that depend on these minerals are increasingly anxious about the slowdown in customs clearance procedures.
日本はレアアースの９割を中国から輸入しており、手続きが停滞していることに関連業界は不安を募らせている。
Actions trump words
China has claimed that it has not banned exports of rare earths. However, officials at several Japanese trading houses said the issuance of customs documents needed to approve exports has been halted.
中国側は日本に対し、「レアアースの輸出は禁止していない」と説明しているが、複数の日系商社は「輸出承諾書の発給は停止状態だ」と指摘する。
A China ban on exports of rare earths only to Japan would violate World Trade Organization rules. The Japanese government must immediately investigate this worrying situation and demand an explanation from China on why customs clearance procedures have been held up.
中国が日本だけに輸出を禁止すれば、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）協定に違反するのは明白だ。日本政府は、早急に実態を調査し、手続きの遅れについて中国側に説明を求めるべきだ。
At the same time, the government must do more to secure other rare earths production centers to ensure this nation has a stable supply of the minerals, promote research and development of rare earths substitutes and find ways to recycle the minerals.
同時に、レアアースの調達先の多様化や代替品の研究開発、リサイクルなどへの取り組みを急ぐ必要もあろう。
Many Japanese companies, mainly those in the textile, auto and electrical appliance industries, have shifted their manufacturing bases to China, where labor costs are a fraction of what they are in Japan.
日本企業は安価な労働力を当て込み、衣料品、自動車、電機メーカーなどを中心に、中国を生産拠点として活用してきた。
China's 1.3 billion population has increasingly strong purchasing power; it is certainly an attractive market for Japanese companies suffering from lethargic domestic demand due to the declining birthrate and graying population.
１３億人の人口を抱え、旺盛な購買力に支えられた中国の消費市場は、少子高齢化による内需低迷にあえぐ日本企業にとって、魅力的な存在でもある。
Reconsider business model
Nevertheless, Beijing's hard-nosed response to the latest dispute has made it painfully obvious to many Japanese firms that they should not rely too much on China to protect their business and interests.
しかし、今回の問題で中国が示した露骨な対応を見れば、過度な中国依存から脱することが、企業防衛上からも重要であることを再認識させられたのではないか。
It is disturbing that allowing Japan's economy to become a "hostage" to China's whims could sway government decisions on foreign and security policies.
日本経済が「人質」となり、政府の外交・安全保障政策上の足かせになっては困る。
Japanese companies should take this opportunity to reconsider their business strategy of concentrating production centers and investment in China, and instead start exploring new markets as the first step to reducing business risks.
日本企業は、生産や投資などを中国に集中させてきたビジネスモデルを再考し、中国以外の市場開拓に力を入れるなど、リスクの分散を図るきっかけにしなければならない。
Japanese companies have helped China develop technologies in such fields as energy and the environment. Some Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores have opened their doors in China, bringing jobs and a wide range of goods to the Chinese public.
日本企業はエネルギーや環境などの分野で中国の技術開発を手助けしている。スーパーやコンビニエンスストア業界も進出するなど消費や雇用面で、中国の国民に恩恵を及ぼしている。
We hope the Chinese government will not overlook the contributions Japanese companies have made to that country.
中国政府は、こうした日本企業の貢献を評価すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2010)
（2010年9月29日01時52分 読売新聞）
2010/09/30
2010/09/29
Falling rice prices
2010/09/28
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 27
EDITORIAL: Falling rice prices
日本の農業―安いコメで発展する道を
Lower rice prices may spell serious trouble for farmers but are welcome news for consumers.
「安いコメ」は、生産者にとってつらい話でも、消費者から見れば喜ばしい。
The government's first response to the prospect of a sharp decline, compared with usual years, in the prices of rice to be harvested this year should be based on the viewpoint and interest of consumers.
今年産米の価格が例年より大幅に下がる見通しとなってきたことも、まずは消費者本位の発想で受け止めるのが筋ではあるまいか。
The decline in rice prices is a product of an oversupply of the staple food in this nation. In addition to a massive carry-over of unsold rice from last year, when rice prices also dropped, an expected bountiful crop this year is likely to result in a sizable glut.
米価の下落は、コメの過剰が原因だ。すでに値が下がっていた昨年産米の在庫が大量に持ち越されるうえ、今年産のコメの作況が良いため、過剰米はかなり膨らむと見込まれる。
Even if depressed rice prices cause losses for rice growers, the income support program for farming households introduced this year by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan will guarantee them a minimum level of income.
米価下落で農家が採算割れに陥っても、民主党政権が今年から導入した「戸別所得補償制度」があるので、農家は最低限の所得は保証される。
But the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenchu), the national organization of local agricultural cooperatives, is lobbying the government to take steps to prevent rice prices from sinking.
ところが、農協（ＪＡ）の全国組織である全国農業協同組合中央会（全中）は、政府に米価維持を求めている。
Specifically, the organization is demanding that the government buy surplus rice by using, ahead of schedule, the new rice stockpiling system that the farm ministry plans to introduce next fiscal year.
具体的には、農林水産省が来年度から導入を計画している新備蓄制度を前倒し活用し、過剰米を買い上げよというのである。
But we find it difficult to support Zenchu's lobbying campaign.
しかし、全中などの主張には同意しがたい。
The biggest factor behind declining rice consumption is the shrinking and aging of the nation's population. It is glaringly obvious that the government's policy to maintain rice prices by purchasing surplus rice will reach its limits sooner or later. This approach will not solve any of the structural problems within the Japanese agricultural sector that cause an oversupply of rice.
コメの消費が減っている最大の要因は、人口減と高齢化の進展である。過剰米買い上げで価格維持を図ろうにも、どこかで限界に達するのは目に見えている。過剰米を生む農業の構造問題は、そうしたやり方では解決できない。
It should be remembered that the income support program for farming households was created on the assumption that rice prices would be allowed to decline.
そもそも、戸別所得補償制度は米価の変動による「安いコメ」を認めるという発想に立って設けられたのではなかっただろうか。
For decades after the end of World War II, the government maintained rice prices through the so-called acreage-reduction policy to adjust supply. This system was designed to support the income of rice farmers by forcing consumers to buy rice at prices kept artificially high.
日本の戦後農政は、長らく減反政策でコメの供給量を調節し、米価を維持した。消費者に高いコメを買ってもらうことで農業収入を下支えしたが、その弊害は大きかった。
However well intended, this policy has had many undesirable side effects for the agricultural sector. Although the government spent a total of 7 trillion yen ($83 billion) over the years to finance the acreage-reduction policy, Japanese agriculture has remained in a steady decline.
The present serious shortage of young farmers who can become the future backbone of agriculture in this nation and the vast amount of abandoned farmland can be said to be a result of this policy.
減反には累計７兆円の財政資金も投じたが農業の足腰は弱くなるばかりで、後継者不足や広大な耕作放棄地も生んだ。
Now the government should move in the direction of integrating efforts to aid the agricultural sector through a taxpayer-financed system that will allow rice prices to fall in the domestic market.
この際、農業を支える仕組みを納税者負担に一本化しつつ、「安いコメ」への道を開くべきだ。
Such a move would enhance the international price competitiveness of Japanese rice and thereby make it easier to open Japan's farm market to imports.
そうすることで日本のコメの価格競争力が高まり、農産物の市場開放もしやすくなる。
This policy shift could bring huge benefits to the Japanese people as a whole by eliminating the biggest obstacle in Japan's trade negotiations with other countries for free trade agreements.
日本の貿易交渉の最大の弱みだったこの問題を解消して、自由貿易協定を広げることが出来れば、国民全体にとって大きな利益となる。
Lower rice prices at home would improve the prospects for Japanese rice exports. Reputed for its safety and taste, Japanese rice has the potential to gain popularity in markets in China and other rice-eating Asian nations.
日本のコメ価格が下がれば、コメ輸出も展望しやすくなる。安全性と食味で定評のある日本のコメは、中国をはじめとするアジアのコメ消費地向けの有望な輸出品となりうる。
The current system of propping up the income of farming households is seriously flawed, as it is still married to policies that trim rice production to maintain artificially high prices.
現在の戸別所得補償制度には、重大な欠陥がある。いまだに米価維持を前提とする減反政策を続けていることだ。
Since the program covers all farmers selling rice, including very small-scale growers, it is hampering consolidation of farmland into the hands of large-scale farmers.
また、所得補償の対象を零細農家も含む全販売農家に広げたことが、大規模生産者への農地集約の障害となっている。
The time has come for new policy efforts to solve these challenges and improve the competitive environment for domestic farmers, so that Japanese agriculture can develop, even if rice prices fall.
これらの課題を克服し、「安いコメ」でも発展できる農業への扉を開くべきときが訪れている。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 27
EDITORIAL: Falling rice prices
日本の農業―安いコメで発展する道を
Lower rice prices may spell serious trouble for farmers but are welcome news for consumers.
「安いコメ」は、生産者にとってつらい話でも、消費者から見れば喜ばしい。
The government's first response to the prospect of a sharp decline, compared with usual years, in the prices of rice to be harvested this year should be based on the viewpoint and interest of consumers.
今年産米の価格が例年より大幅に下がる見通しとなってきたことも、まずは消費者本位の発想で受け止めるのが筋ではあるまいか。
The decline in rice prices is a product of an oversupply of the staple food in this nation. In addition to a massive carry-over of unsold rice from last year, when rice prices also dropped, an expected bountiful crop this year is likely to result in a sizable glut.
米価の下落は、コメの過剰が原因だ。すでに値が下がっていた昨年産米の在庫が大量に持ち越されるうえ、今年産のコメの作況が良いため、過剰米はかなり膨らむと見込まれる。
Even if depressed rice prices cause losses for rice growers, the income support program for farming households introduced this year by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan will guarantee them a minimum level of income.
米価下落で農家が採算割れに陥っても、民主党政権が今年から導入した「戸別所得補償制度」があるので、農家は最低限の所得は保証される。
But the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenchu), the national organization of local agricultural cooperatives, is lobbying the government to take steps to prevent rice prices from sinking.
ところが、農協（ＪＡ）の全国組織である全国農業協同組合中央会（全中）は、政府に米価維持を求めている。
Specifically, the organization is demanding that the government buy surplus rice by using, ahead of schedule, the new rice stockpiling system that the farm ministry plans to introduce next fiscal year.
具体的には、農林水産省が来年度から導入を計画している新備蓄制度を前倒し活用し、過剰米を買い上げよというのである。
But we find it difficult to support Zenchu's lobbying campaign.
しかし、全中などの主張には同意しがたい。
The biggest factor behind declining rice consumption is the shrinking and aging of the nation's population. It is glaringly obvious that the government's policy to maintain rice prices by purchasing surplus rice will reach its limits sooner or later. This approach will not solve any of the structural problems within the Japanese agricultural sector that cause an oversupply of rice.
コメの消費が減っている最大の要因は、人口減と高齢化の進展である。過剰米買い上げで価格維持を図ろうにも、どこかで限界に達するのは目に見えている。過剰米を生む農業の構造問題は、そうしたやり方では解決できない。
It should be remembered that the income support program for farming households was created on the assumption that rice prices would be allowed to decline.
そもそも、戸別所得補償制度は米価の変動による「安いコメ」を認めるという発想に立って設けられたのではなかっただろうか。
For decades after the end of World War II, the government maintained rice prices through the so-called acreage-reduction policy to adjust supply. This system was designed to support the income of rice farmers by forcing consumers to buy rice at prices kept artificially high.
日本の戦後農政は、長らく減反政策でコメの供給量を調節し、米価を維持した。消費者に高いコメを買ってもらうことで農業収入を下支えしたが、その弊害は大きかった。
However well intended, this policy has had many undesirable side effects for the agricultural sector. Although the government spent a total of 7 trillion yen ($83 billion) over the years to finance the acreage-reduction policy, Japanese agriculture has remained in a steady decline.
The present serious shortage of young farmers who can become the future backbone of agriculture in this nation and the vast amount of abandoned farmland can be said to be a result of this policy.
減反には累計７兆円の財政資金も投じたが農業の足腰は弱くなるばかりで、後継者不足や広大な耕作放棄地も生んだ。
Now the government should move in the direction of integrating efforts to aid the agricultural sector through a taxpayer-financed system that will allow rice prices to fall in the domestic market.
この際、農業を支える仕組みを納税者負担に一本化しつつ、「安いコメ」への道を開くべきだ。
Such a move would enhance the international price competitiveness of Japanese rice and thereby make it easier to open Japan's farm market to imports.
そうすることで日本のコメの価格競争力が高まり、農産物の市場開放もしやすくなる。
This policy shift could bring huge benefits to the Japanese people as a whole by eliminating the biggest obstacle in Japan's trade negotiations with other countries for free trade agreements.
日本の貿易交渉の最大の弱みだったこの問題を解消して、自由貿易協定を広げることが出来れば、国民全体にとって大きな利益となる。
Lower rice prices at home would improve the prospects for Japanese rice exports. Reputed for its safety and taste, Japanese rice has the potential to gain popularity in markets in China and other rice-eating Asian nations.
日本のコメ価格が下がれば、コメ輸出も展望しやすくなる。安全性と食味で定評のある日本のコメは、中国をはじめとするアジアのコメ消費地向けの有望な輸出品となりうる。
The current system of propping up the income of farming households is seriously flawed, as it is still married to policies that trim rice production to maintain artificially high prices.
現在の戸別所得補償制度には、重大な欠陥がある。いまだに米価維持を前提とする減反政策を続けていることだ。
Since the program covers all farmers selling rice, including very small-scale growers, it is hampering consolidation of farmland into the hands of large-scale farmers.
また、所得補償の対象を零細農家も含む全販売農家に広げたことが、大規模生産者への農地集約の障害となっている。
The time has come for new policy efforts to solve these challenges and improve the competitive environment for domestic farmers, so that Japanese agriculture can develop, even if rice prices fall.
これらの課題を克服し、「安いコメ」でも発展できる農業への扉を開くべきときが訪れている。
2010/09/28
Don't overlook violence by younger students
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 28, 2010)
Don't overlook violence by younger students
「キレる」子ども 暴力の低年齢化にブレーキを（9月27日付・読売社説）
There seems to be no end to the violence being committed by younger students. This serious situation at school is clear from a fiscal 2009 survey conducted by the education ministry.
暴力の低年齢化に歯止めがかからない。全国の小中高校を対象にした文部科学省の２００９年度調査からは、学校現場が抱える深刻な状況が浮かび上がる。
The number of violent acts by students both at and away from school jumped to a record 61,000 cases, marking an increase for the fourth straight year, according to the survey of primary, middle and high schools across the nation.
学校内外での暴力行為は４年連続で増加し、過去最多の６万１０００件に上った。
Violence by high school students is declining, but that by primary and middle school students has continued to rise. Primary school students in particular racked up a total of 7,100 violent incidents, nearly double the figure recorded three years before. The number of cases in which primary school teachers were treated at hospitals after suffering student violence topped 100.
高校生の暴力は減少傾向にあるものの、小中学生では増え続けている。特に小学生は７１００件で、３年前の２倍近い。教師が小学生から暴力を受け、病院で治療した件数は１００件を超えた。
In the past, specific groups tended to commit violence regularly. But in recent years, there have been conspicuous instances of usually calm students who are suddenly triggered by something to commit violence.
かつては特定のグループが恒常的に暴力行為に及ぶことが多かったが、最近は、おとなしい子どもが何かのきっかけで突然、暴力をふるうケースが目立つという。
===
New measures necessary
The situation has thus worsened to the extent that the problem of student violence cannot be solved merely by giving corrective guidance to the leaders of violent student groups. New countermeasures need to be taken after analyzing the current situation.
グループのリーダーを指導することで問題を解決するような方法では対処できなくなっている。現状を分析して、新たな対応をとる必要がある。
A common characteristic of children who burst into fits of rage is limited ability to control their emotions and express their feelings in words.
「キレる」子どもに共通する特徴は、自分の気持ちを言葉で表したり、感情をコントロールしたりするのが苦手なことだ。
To help such students develop better emotional awareness, one primary school, for example, gives lessons in first- and second-grade classes in which photos of an angry child's face are shown and students are asked, "How does this student feel?"
こうした点を克服するため、ある小学校では１、２年生の授業で、例えば、怒った顔をした子の写真を見せて、「この子がどんな気持ちでいるか」を、児童たちに考えさせているという。
Many experts say the problem lies with student's families. They say that in some cases students are not well disciplined because their parents tend to neglect them. In other families, overly controlling and education-obsessed parents subject their children to too much stress.
家庭の問題を指摘する専門家も多い。親が子どもに構わないため、しつけが十分でない、あるいは逆に教育熱心なあまり、干渉しすぎて子どもにストレスを与えている、といった意見だ。
School authorities must make efforts to improve the situation by learning about the family environments of individual students and using that knowledge as the basis for serious dialogue with parents.
学校側には、子ども一人ひとりの家庭環境を把握した上で、親と粘り強く対話を重ね、改善を促していく努力が求められよう。
===
Bullying persists
The number of bullying cases recognized by primary, middle and high schools came to 73,000 in fiscal 2009, a decrease of 12,000 from a year before. Compared with 125,000 cases registered in fiscal 2006, the figure for fiscal 2009 shows a drop of more than 40 percent.
一方、０９年度に小中高校などで認知されたいじめの件数は、前年度より１万２０００件少ない７万３０００件だった。０６年度の１２万５０００件に比べると、４割以上も減ったことになる。
But it is premature to conclude that bullying at school is in fact declining. This is because some schools answered there was "no bullying" at their schools without asking students in questionnaires or individual interviews about whether that was actually the case.
ただし、いじめが減少傾向にあると見るのは早計だろう。いじめの有無を尋ねるアンケートや個人面談を実施せず、「いじめゼロ」と回答した学校もあるためだ。
A third-year middle school student in Kawasaki who had been bullied by classmates killed himself in June. Such tragedies happen repeatedly. The "decrease in bullying" shown by statistics should not lull those in charge of education into relaxing their efforts.
同級生からいじめを受けていた川崎市の中学３年の男子生徒が今年６月に自殺した。現実にはこのような悲劇が繰り返されている。統計上の「いじめ減少」が教育関係者に気のゆるみをもたらすことがあってはなるまい。
Bullying could happen to any child. Schools must recognize this anew and take care not to overlook even the small signs of bullying.
いじめはどの子どもにも起こりうるということを、学校現場が再認識し、小さな兆候も見逃さないことが大切である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2010)
（2010年9月27日01時12分 読売新聞）
Don't overlook violence by younger students
「キレる」子ども 暴力の低年齢化にブレーキを（9月27日付・読売社説）
There seems to be no end to the violence being committed by younger students. This serious situation at school is clear from a fiscal 2009 survey conducted by the education ministry.
暴力の低年齢化に歯止めがかからない。全国の小中高校を対象にした文部科学省の２００９年度調査からは、学校現場が抱える深刻な状況が浮かび上がる。
The number of violent acts by students both at and away from school jumped to a record 61,000 cases, marking an increase for the fourth straight year, according to the survey of primary, middle and high schools across the nation.
学校内外での暴力行為は４年連続で増加し、過去最多の６万１０００件に上った。
Violence by high school students is declining, but that by primary and middle school students has continued to rise. Primary school students in particular racked up a total of 7,100 violent incidents, nearly double the figure recorded three years before. The number of cases in which primary school teachers were treated at hospitals after suffering student violence topped 100.
高校生の暴力は減少傾向にあるものの、小中学生では増え続けている。特に小学生は７１００件で、３年前の２倍近い。教師が小学生から暴力を受け、病院で治療した件数は１００件を超えた。
In the past, specific groups tended to commit violence regularly. But in recent years, there have been conspicuous instances of usually calm students who are suddenly triggered by something to commit violence.
かつては特定のグループが恒常的に暴力行為に及ぶことが多かったが、最近は、おとなしい子どもが何かのきっかけで突然、暴力をふるうケースが目立つという。
===
New measures necessary
The situation has thus worsened to the extent that the problem of student violence cannot be solved merely by giving corrective guidance to the leaders of violent student groups. New countermeasures need to be taken after analyzing the current situation.
グループのリーダーを指導することで問題を解決するような方法では対処できなくなっている。現状を分析して、新たな対応をとる必要がある。
A common characteristic of children who burst into fits of rage is limited ability to control their emotions and express their feelings in words.
「キレる」子どもに共通する特徴は、自分の気持ちを言葉で表したり、感情をコントロールしたりするのが苦手なことだ。
To help such students develop better emotional awareness, one primary school, for example, gives lessons in first- and second-grade classes in which photos of an angry child's face are shown and students are asked, "How does this student feel?"
こうした点を克服するため、ある小学校では１、２年生の授業で、例えば、怒った顔をした子の写真を見せて、「この子がどんな気持ちでいるか」を、児童たちに考えさせているという。
Many experts say the problem lies with student's families. They say that in some cases students are not well disciplined because their parents tend to neglect them. In other families, overly controlling and education-obsessed parents subject their children to too much stress.
家庭の問題を指摘する専門家も多い。親が子どもに構わないため、しつけが十分でない、あるいは逆に教育熱心なあまり、干渉しすぎて子どもにストレスを与えている、といった意見だ。
School authorities must make efforts to improve the situation by learning about the family environments of individual students and using that knowledge as the basis for serious dialogue with parents.
学校側には、子ども一人ひとりの家庭環境を把握した上で、親と粘り強く対話を重ね、改善を促していく努力が求められよう。
===
Bullying persists
The number of bullying cases recognized by primary, middle and high schools came to 73,000 in fiscal 2009, a decrease of 12,000 from a year before. Compared with 125,000 cases registered in fiscal 2006, the figure for fiscal 2009 shows a drop of more than 40 percent.
一方、０９年度に小中高校などで認知されたいじめの件数は、前年度より１万２０００件少ない７万３０００件だった。０６年度の１２万５０００件に比べると、４割以上も減ったことになる。
But it is premature to conclude that bullying at school is in fact declining. This is because some schools answered there was "no bullying" at their schools without asking students in questionnaires or individual interviews about whether that was actually the case.
ただし、いじめが減少傾向にあると見るのは早計だろう。いじめの有無を尋ねるアンケートや個人面談を実施せず、「いじめゼロ」と回答した学校もあるためだ。
A third-year middle school student in Kawasaki who had been bullied by classmates killed himself in June. Such tragedies happen repeatedly. The "decrease in bullying" shown by statistics should not lull those in charge of education into relaxing their efforts.
同級生からいじめを受けていた川崎市の中学３年の男子生徒が今年６月に自殺した。現実にはこのような悲劇が繰り返されている。統計上の「いじめ減少」が教育関係者に気のゆるみをもたらすことがあってはなるまい。
Bullying could happen to any child. Schools must recognize this anew and take care not to overlook even the small signs of bullying.
いじめはどの子どもにも起こりうるということを、学校現場が再認識し、小さな兆候も見逃さないことが大切である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2010)
（2010年9月27日01時12分 読売新聞）
2010/09/27
Ichiro's 200-hit milestone due to technique, training
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 27, 2010)
Ichiro's 200-hit milestone due to technique, training
イチロー 技と鍛錬が生んだ２００安打（9月26日付・読売社説）
The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki has reached yet another milestone in Major League Baseball history.
米大リーグの歴史に、また新たな金字塔を打ち立てた。
On Thursday, Suzuki notched 200 hits for an unprecedented 10th consecutive season, breaking his own major league record of nine straight 200-hit seasons. We'd like to extend our warmest congratulations on this remarkable feat.
シアトル・マリナーズのイチロー選手が、１０年連続２００安打を達成した。昨季に成し遂げた９年連続２００安打の大リーグ記録を更新した。偉業を祝福したい。
Ten years have passed since Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners after a nine-year stint with the Orix BlueWave (now the Orix Buffaloes) of Japan's Pacific League.
オリックスからマリナーズに移籍して１０年。
Suzuki has exceeded 200 hits every year since moving to the United States, using his masterful bat control and natural speed on the base paths.
巧みなバットコントロールと持ち前の俊足を生かし、移籍１年目から毎年、２００安打以上を打ち続けてきた。
Commenting on his achievement, Suzuki said, "I know better than anyone that it's not easy."
イチロー選手は、それについて「簡単じゃないことは、僕が一番知っている」と語った。
His feat is a great record that can only be achieved through continuous training and good physical conditioning.
地道なトレーニングと体調管理があってこその大記録であろう。
The Seattle Mariners have performed poorly in recent seasons, and the team is in last place in the American League West this year. With his team running in low gear, it must be difficult for Suzuki to maintain his concentration.
マリナーズは、戦績の振るわないシーズンが続いている。今季もア・リーグ西地区の最下位に沈んでいる。チームが不振の中で、集中力を維持するのは容易でない面もあったはずだ。
===
Pete Rose mark within reach
Former Major League player Pete Rose, who also is widely known in Japan, also had at least 200 hits in 10 seasons but not consecutively.
大リーグでは、日本でも広く知られるピート・ローズ氏が１０回にわたり２００安打を放ったが、連続記録ではない。
If Suzuki reaches 200 hits for the 11th consecutive season next year, he also would top Rose for the most 200-hit seasons. We hope he will break this record, too.
イチロー選手が来季も２００安打を打てば、通算回数でも単独トップに立つ。ぜひ、この記録も塗り替えてもらいたい。
On Sept. 18, Suzuki collected his 3,500th hit in his major league and Japanese careers combined. However, since this statistic includes the hits he had during his Japan playing days, it does not necessarily garner much praise in the United States.
イチロー選手は先ごろ、日米通算３５００安打も達成した。だが、日本での安打も含まれていることから、米国でのこの記録への評価は、必ずしも高くはない。
For that reason, the significance of the 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons he achieved only in the United States stands out.
それだけに、米国だけで達成した１０年連続２００安打の偉大さが際立つのだろう。
Major league players praised Suzuki's achievement as a record that will be unbreakable for the next 100 years. Despite reaching the mark while his team was on the road in Toronto, the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.
大リーグの選手も「今後１００年は破られない記録」と称賛している。敵地にもかかわらず、カナダ・トロントの観衆も大きな拍手を送っていた。
Suzuki will turn 37 next month. When he is in a slump, some people say his abilities have declined due to age.
イチロー選手も来月で３７歳となる。不調時には、年齢による衰えを指摘されるようになった。
However, Suzuki's extraordinary speed has hardly diminished, as this season he reached the 40-steal mark for the first time in two years.
だが、今季の盗塁数が２年ぶりに４０個を超えるなど、たぐいまれなスピードは健在だ。
===
NPB knock-on effect
Suzuki's marquee performances also stimulate Nippon Professional Baseball. Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows and other players who admire Suzuki are studying his technique and banging out the hits.
イチロー選手の活躍は、日本のプロ野球にも刺激を与えている。青木宣親選手（ヤクルト）ら、イチロー選手にあこがれる選手たちが、その技を研究し、安打を量産している。
Japan won the World Baseball Classic championship both times the tournament has been staged, in 2006 and 2009. Japanese baseball will rise to an even higher level if more players follow Suzuki's example and achieve excellence in all three facets of the game--running, hitting and fielding.
日本は、ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）の連覇を果たしたが、イチロー選手のような走攻守に優れた選手が増えれば、日本の野球のレベルは一層、上がるだろう。
Above all, the growing number of children who pick up bats dreaming of becoming baseball players like Suzuki will help spread the game even further.
何よりも、イチロー選手のようになることを夢見て、バットを握る子供たちが増えることが、野球のすそ野の拡大につながる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2010)
（2010年9月26日01時11分 読売新聞）
Ichiro's 200-hit milestone due to technique, training
イチロー 技と鍛錬が生んだ２００安打（9月26日付・読売社説）
The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki has reached yet another milestone in Major League Baseball history.
米大リーグの歴史に、また新たな金字塔を打ち立てた。
On Thursday, Suzuki notched 200 hits for an unprecedented 10th consecutive season, breaking his own major league record of nine straight 200-hit seasons. We'd like to extend our warmest congratulations on this remarkable feat.
シアトル・マリナーズのイチロー選手が、１０年連続２００安打を達成した。昨季に成し遂げた９年連続２００安打の大リーグ記録を更新した。偉業を祝福したい。
Ten years have passed since Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners after a nine-year stint with the Orix BlueWave (now the Orix Buffaloes) of Japan's Pacific League.
オリックスからマリナーズに移籍して１０年。
Suzuki has exceeded 200 hits every year since moving to the United States, using his masterful bat control and natural speed on the base paths.
巧みなバットコントロールと持ち前の俊足を生かし、移籍１年目から毎年、２００安打以上を打ち続けてきた。
Commenting on his achievement, Suzuki said, "I know better than anyone that it's not easy."
イチロー選手は、それについて「簡単じゃないことは、僕が一番知っている」と語った。
His feat is a great record that can only be achieved through continuous training and good physical conditioning.
地道なトレーニングと体調管理があってこその大記録であろう。
The Seattle Mariners have performed poorly in recent seasons, and the team is in last place in the American League West this year. With his team running in low gear, it must be difficult for Suzuki to maintain his concentration.
マリナーズは、戦績の振るわないシーズンが続いている。今季もア・リーグ西地区の最下位に沈んでいる。チームが不振の中で、集中力を維持するのは容易でない面もあったはずだ。
===
Pete Rose mark within reach
Former Major League player Pete Rose, who also is widely known in Japan, also had at least 200 hits in 10 seasons but not consecutively.
大リーグでは、日本でも広く知られるピート・ローズ氏が１０回にわたり２００安打を放ったが、連続記録ではない。
If Suzuki reaches 200 hits for the 11th consecutive season next year, he also would top Rose for the most 200-hit seasons. We hope he will break this record, too.
イチロー選手が来季も２００安打を打てば、通算回数でも単独トップに立つ。ぜひ、この記録も塗り替えてもらいたい。
On Sept. 18, Suzuki collected his 3,500th hit in his major league and Japanese careers combined. However, since this statistic includes the hits he had during his Japan playing days, it does not necessarily garner much praise in the United States.
イチロー選手は先ごろ、日米通算３５００安打も達成した。だが、日本での安打も含まれていることから、米国でのこの記録への評価は、必ずしも高くはない。
For that reason, the significance of the 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons he achieved only in the United States stands out.
それだけに、米国だけで達成した１０年連続２００安打の偉大さが際立つのだろう。
Major league players praised Suzuki's achievement as a record that will be unbreakable for the next 100 years. Despite reaching the mark while his team was on the road in Toronto, the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.
大リーグの選手も「今後１００年は破られない記録」と称賛している。敵地にもかかわらず、カナダ・トロントの観衆も大きな拍手を送っていた。
Suzuki will turn 37 next month. When he is in a slump, some people say his abilities have declined due to age.
イチロー選手も来月で３７歳となる。不調時には、年齢による衰えを指摘されるようになった。
However, Suzuki's extraordinary speed has hardly diminished, as this season he reached the 40-steal mark for the first time in two years.
だが、今季の盗塁数が２年ぶりに４０個を超えるなど、たぐいまれなスピードは健在だ。
===
NPB knock-on effect
Suzuki's marquee performances also stimulate Nippon Professional Baseball. Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows and other players who admire Suzuki are studying his technique and banging out the hits.
イチロー選手の活躍は、日本のプロ野球にも刺激を与えている。青木宣親選手（ヤクルト）ら、イチロー選手にあこがれる選手たちが、その技を研究し、安打を量産している。
Japan won the World Baseball Classic championship both times the tournament has been staged, in 2006 and 2009. Japanese baseball will rise to an even higher level if more players follow Suzuki's example and achieve excellence in all three facets of the game--running, hitting and fielding.
日本は、ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）の連覇を果たしたが、イチロー選手のような走攻守に優れた選手が増えれば、日本の野球のレベルは一層、上がるだろう。
Above all, the growing number of children who pick up bats dreaming of becoming baseball players like Suzuki will help spread the game even further.
何よりも、イチロー選手のようになることを夢見て、バットを握る子供たちが増えることが、野球のすそ野の拡大につながる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2010)
（2010年9月26日01時11分 読売新聞）
2010/09/26
Chinese skipper's release a political decision
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 26, 2010)
Chinese skipper's release a political decision
中国人船長釈放 関係修復を優先した政治決着（9月25日付・読売社説）
Prosecutors decided Friday to release a Chinese trawler captain, who was arrested following collisions between his ship and two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, without taking further legal action against him for now.
尖閣諸島沖での衝突事件で逮捕されていた中国人船長が、処分保留のまま、釈放されることが決まった。
The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Okinawa Prefecture, which was investigating the captain, said, "The impact on the people of this nation and the future of Japan-China relations were taken into consideration."
船長を取り調べていた那覇地検は「国民への影響や今後の日中関係を考慮した」と説明した。
The decision came soon after it was learned that four Japanese nationals had been taken into custody by Chinese authorities for allegedly filming "military targets" in Hebei Province.
中国・河北省で「軍事目標」をビデオ撮影したとして日本人４人が拘束されたばかりである。
"The impact on the people" was mentioned apparently out of concern over the possibility that the detention of the Japanese might be prolonged.
「国民への影響」とは、拘束が長引く可能性があることへの懸念をさすものだろう。
Beijing ties given priority
The prosecutors office explained that authorities were unable to prove the captain's action had been deliberately planned and that the collisions did not result in injury or serious damage.
地検は、船長の行為に計画性が認められず、けが人が出るなどの被害がなかったことも、釈放の理由に挙げた。
But this is inconsistent, as investigative authorities cited the malign nature of the incident to explain the arrest and detention of the skipper.
だが、これでは、悪質性が高いとして船長を逮捕・拘置してきたこととの整合性がとれない。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku insisted that the prosecutors office made the decision on its own. But there is no doubt that the issue was settled in a political decision by Prime Minister Naoto Kan and other senior members of the government and the Democratic Party of Japan. It also is said that the decision came because the U.S. government called for an early settlement of the issue.
仙谷官房長官は、地検独自の判断であることを強調しているものの、菅首相はじめ政府・民主党首脳らの政治判断による決着であることは間違いあるまい。背景には早期解決を求める米政府の意向もあったとされる。
Since the Japanese government repeatedly said the incident would be handled in line with domestic laws, the decision gave the impression that the Japanese government had given in and failed to stick to its original stance. Many people in this nation likely share this critical view. The government needs to provide the public with a thorough and convincing explanation.
「国内法に基づいて処理する」と繰り返してきた日本政府として筋を通せなかった印象はぬぐえない。国民の多くも同様の思いを抱いているのではないか。政府は国民の納得が得られるよう、十分説明を尽くす必要がある。
Needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan. The government must assert this point repeatedly both at home and abroad.
尖閣諸島は言うまでもなく、日本固有の領土である。政府はこの立場を、繰り返し内外に示していかなければならない。
Long-term effects
We also cannot disregard the repercussions the latest decision will likely bring about in the future.
今回の決着が、今後にもたらす影響も無視できない。
It is possible that JCG patrols will no longer have a strong deterrent effect on Chinese trawlers that illegally fish in Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands. The organizational functions of the JCG and its cooperation with the Maritime Self-Defense Force should be strengthened.
尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内で違法操業する中国漁船への海上保安庁の“にらみ”が利かなくなる可能性がある。海保の体制強化はもちろん、海上自衛隊との連携も強めることが求められる。
Amid the dispute over the skipper's detention, China blocked exports to Japan of rare earths vital for the production of hybrid car parts and other items. This development serves as a strong reminder that China is a trade partner of unpredictable risk.
中国が今回、ハイブリッド車の部品などの製造に欠かせないレアアース（希土類）の輸出禁止措置をとったことは、中国が貿易相手として予測不能なリスクを抱える国であることを再認識させた。
Regarding materials that are largely sourced from inside China, it is crucial to secure other sources of such materials.
今後、中国に大きく依存する物資については、中国以外からも調達できるよう対策を講じておくことが肝要だ。
China acted high-handedly apparently with anti-Japan hard-liners at home in mind. But the series of countermeasures successively taken by China over a short period of time--such as the suspension of youth exchange events and negotiations over a bilateral treaty on joint development of natural gas fields in the East China Sea--were obviously going too far.
中国の高圧的な姿勢の裏には、国内の対日強硬派への配慮もあろうが、青年交流や条約交渉の中止など矢継ぎ早の対抗措置は、明らかに行き過ぎている。
Japan should not be simply lured to a "friendship" approach toward China. From the standpoint of seeking "strategic and mutually beneficial relations," Japan must pursue its national interests calmly and realistically regarding China.
日本は、単なる「友好」という言葉に踊らされることなく、「戦略的互恵」の立場で、冷静かつ現実的に国益を追求する対中外交を展開していかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2010)
（2010年9月25日01時24分 読売新聞）
Chinese skipper's release a political decision
中国人船長釈放 関係修復を優先した政治決着（9月25日付・読売社説）
Prosecutors decided Friday to release a Chinese trawler captain, who was arrested following collisions between his ship and two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, without taking further legal action against him for now.
尖閣諸島沖での衝突事件で逮捕されていた中国人船長が、処分保留のまま、釈放されることが決まった。
The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Okinawa Prefecture, which was investigating the captain, said, "The impact on the people of this nation and the future of Japan-China relations were taken into consideration."
船長を取り調べていた那覇地検は「国民への影響や今後の日中関係を考慮した」と説明した。
The decision came soon after it was learned that four Japanese nationals had been taken into custody by Chinese authorities for allegedly filming "military targets" in Hebei Province.
中国・河北省で「軍事目標」をビデオ撮影したとして日本人４人が拘束されたばかりである。
"The impact on the people" was mentioned apparently out of concern over the possibility that the detention of the Japanese might be prolonged.
「国民への影響」とは、拘束が長引く可能性があることへの懸念をさすものだろう。
Beijing ties given priority
The prosecutors office explained that authorities were unable to prove the captain's action had been deliberately planned and that the collisions did not result in injury or serious damage.
地検は、船長の行為に計画性が認められず、けが人が出るなどの被害がなかったことも、釈放の理由に挙げた。
But this is inconsistent, as investigative authorities cited the malign nature of the incident to explain the arrest and detention of the skipper.
だが、これでは、悪質性が高いとして船長を逮捕・拘置してきたこととの整合性がとれない。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku insisted that the prosecutors office made the decision on its own. But there is no doubt that the issue was settled in a political decision by Prime Minister Naoto Kan and other senior members of the government and the Democratic Party of Japan. It also is said that the decision came because the U.S. government called for an early settlement of the issue.
仙谷官房長官は、地検独自の判断であることを強調しているものの、菅首相はじめ政府・民主党首脳らの政治判断による決着であることは間違いあるまい。背景には早期解決を求める米政府の意向もあったとされる。
Since the Japanese government repeatedly said the incident would be handled in line with domestic laws, the decision gave the impression that the Japanese government had given in and failed to stick to its original stance. Many people in this nation likely share this critical view. The government needs to provide the public with a thorough and convincing explanation.
「国内法に基づいて処理する」と繰り返してきた日本政府として筋を通せなかった印象はぬぐえない。国民の多くも同様の思いを抱いているのではないか。政府は国民の納得が得られるよう、十分説明を尽くす必要がある。
Needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan. The government must assert this point repeatedly both at home and abroad.
尖閣諸島は言うまでもなく、日本固有の領土である。政府はこの立場を、繰り返し内外に示していかなければならない。
Long-term effects
We also cannot disregard the repercussions the latest decision will likely bring about in the future.
今回の決着が、今後にもたらす影響も無視できない。
It is possible that JCG patrols will no longer have a strong deterrent effect on Chinese trawlers that illegally fish in Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands. The organizational functions of the JCG and its cooperation with the Maritime Self-Defense Force should be strengthened.
尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内で違法操業する中国漁船への海上保安庁の“にらみ”が利かなくなる可能性がある。海保の体制強化はもちろん、海上自衛隊との連携も強めることが求められる。
Amid the dispute over the skipper's detention, China blocked exports to Japan of rare earths vital for the production of hybrid car parts and other items. This development serves as a strong reminder that China is a trade partner of unpredictable risk.
中国が今回、ハイブリッド車の部品などの製造に欠かせないレアアース（希土類）の輸出禁止措置をとったことは、中国が貿易相手として予測不能なリスクを抱える国であることを再認識させた。
Regarding materials that are largely sourced from inside China, it is crucial to secure other sources of such materials.
今後、中国に大きく依存する物資については、中国以外からも調達できるよう対策を講じておくことが肝要だ。
China acted high-handedly apparently with anti-Japan hard-liners at home in mind. But the series of countermeasures successively taken by China over a short period of time--such as the suspension of youth exchange events and negotiations over a bilateral treaty on joint development of natural gas fields in the East China Sea--were obviously going too far.
中国の高圧的な姿勢の裏には、国内の対日強硬派への配慮もあろうが、青年交流や条約交渉の中止など矢継ぎ早の対抗措置は、明らかに行き過ぎている。
Japan should not be simply lured to a "friendship" approach toward China. From the standpoint of seeking "strategic and mutually beneficial relations," Japan must pursue its national interests calmly and realistically regarding China.
日本は、単なる「友好」という言葉に踊らされることなく、「戦略的互恵」の立場で、冷静かつ現実的に国益を追求する対中外交を展開していかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2010)
（2010年9月25日01時24分 読売新聞）
2010/09/25
Strict action needed to reform prosecutors
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 25, 2010)
Strict action needed to reform prosecutors
大阪地検特捜部 組織的隠蔽の批判は免れない（9月24日付・読売社説）
The latest revelation concerning the alleged tampering of evidence by a prosecutor from the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office may imply an organizationwide attempt to cover up a surefire scandal.
大阪地検は組織ぐるみで疑惑を隠蔽(いんぺい)していたということではないか。
The case in question involves a head prosecutor from the Osaka office's special investigation squad who has been accused of altering potential evidence seized during investigations into a case of alleged postal fraud. It has become known that the investigative unit was informed that its lead prosecutor had possibly falsified data, and that this finding was reported to top officials at the district prosecutors office.
郵便不正事件の捜査の過程で、大阪地検特捜部が主任検事による押収資料の改ざんの可能性を把握し、地検上層部にも報告していたことが明らかになった。
A task force from the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office set up to investigate this scandal has questioned two key figures who supervised the prosecutor in question: a high-ranking prosecutor who headed the investigation unit at the time, and another senior prosecutor who was the team's deputy chief.
最高検の捜査チームは、主任検事の上司だった当時の特捜部長や副部長から事情聴取した。
It must be clarified why senior officials from the district prosecutors office failed to act when they received information about what may constitute the crime of destruction of evidence. The task force must thoroughly investigate the case to get to the bottom of the scandal, while determining who should take the blame if there was indeed a cover-up.
証拠隠滅という犯罪を疑わせるに足る重大な情報を、地検幹部はなぜ放置していたのか。徹底した捜査で真相究明と関与者すべての責任を追及する必要がある。
Sketchy conduct high to low
In February, some officials of the district prosecutors office, including the head of the investigation squad, received reports that the team's lead prosecutor might have rewritten data on a floppy disk confiscated from the home of a former section chief at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
厚生労働省の元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、主任検事が書き換えたらしいという情報を特捜部長らが把握したのは、今年２月頃だった。
At the time, the prosecutor in question reportedly told a colleague he had planted a "time bomb" on the disk.
主任検事は当時、「ディスクに時限爆弾を仕掛けた」と、他の検事に漏らしていたという。
However, after the prosecutor told the head of the investigation unit and other senior officials that his alteration of the data "was not deliberate," they seem to have done little to uncover the truth behind his conduct.
ところが特捜部長らは、主任検事から「故意ではない」との説明を受けると、それ以上踏み込んだ調査をしなかった。
Questions also must be raised about how the head of the investigative team described the prosecutor's action when he reported on the alleged data alteration to the Osaka office's chief prosecutor. He reportedly said the prosecutor's conduct would pose "no problem."
また、特捜部長は検事正に対し、資料の改ざんを巡る情報があったが「問題はなかった」という趣旨の報告をしたとされる。
We feel the prosecutor's description of his action as a "time bomb" should have been sufficient to arouse suspicion that the falsification was deliberate. If the investigative team leader swallowed the explanation that the alteration "was not deliberate," he should be brought to task for being too lenient with his subordinates and for his lack of skill in dealing with the matter.
「時限爆弾を仕掛けた」という発言は、主任検事の意図的な改ざんを疑わせるに十分な例えだったのではないか。「故意ではない」との説明を、うのみにしていたのであれば、身内に甘い、あまりにもお粗末な対応である。
It is also questionable why the Osaka office's chief prosecutor had no reservations about the investigation team's report on the affair. It seems to us that as the head of the prosecutors office, his actions lacked urgency. He should have instructed the special investigative unit to further look into the prosecutor's conduct.
検事正も、特捜部の報告に、何ら疑問を抱かなかったのだろうか。地検トップとしての危機意識に欠けていたと言わざるを得ない。特捜部に対し、さらなる調査を指示するべきだったろう。
Act firmly to restore trust
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office should investigate the depth to which senior officials at the district prosecutors office were aware of the alleged data tampering. If their action--or inaction, for that matter--is found to violate any laws, the top prosecutors office should deal sternly with them, possibly even pursuing criminal charges.
最高検は、特捜部長をはじめとする地検幹部が、改ざんの事実関係をどの程度まで認識していたのかを調べ、仮に法に触れる行為が確認されれば、立件も辞さない覚悟で臨んでもらいたい。
The latest scandal has prompted some Democratic Party of Japan members to say the prosecutor general--the person in charge of all prosecutors in the country--should step down. They are also seeking to have all interrogations during criminal investigations videotaped.
今回の事件を受けて、民主党内からは検事総長の進退問題に言及したり、取り調べの全面可視化を求めたりする動きが出ている。
The scandal could arouse questions about related matters, including the credibility of depositions taken from suspects in other cases handled by the Osaka special investigation squad.
今後、特捜部が手がけた他の事件についても、供述調書の信用性などを疑問視する声が強まる可能性がある。
Prosecutors must uncover the truth behind the data-tampering scandal, and fully present their findings to the public. They also must reexamine every aspect of their probe into the alleged abuse of the postal discount system.
今必要なのは、主任検事による資料改ざん事件の全容を解明し、国民に速やかに公表することだ。郵便不正事件の捜査全般の検証も怠ってはならない。
Prosecutors must demonstrate they have what it takes to root out corruption among themselves to restore the trust they have lost. Doing so is the only way to resurrect the prosecution as an investigative organization.
組織の自浄能力を示すことが、失墜した信頼を取り戻し、検察が再生する唯一の道だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2010)
（2010年9月24日03時01分 読売新聞）
Strict action needed to reform prosecutors
大阪地検特捜部 組織的隠蔽の批判は免れない（9月24日付・読売社説）
The latest revelation concerning the alleged tampering of evidence by a prosecutor from the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office may imply an organizationwide attempt to cover up a surefire scandal.
大阪地検は組織ぐるみで疑惑を隠蔽(いんぺい)していたということではないか。
The case in question involves a head prosecutor from the Osaka office's special investigation squad who has been accused of altering potential evidence seized during investigations into a case of alleged postal fraud. It has become known that the investigative unit was informed that its lead prosecutor had possibly falsified data, and that this finding was reported to top officials at the district prosecutors office.
郵便不正事件の捜査の過程で、大阪地検特捜部が主任検事による押収資料の改ざんの可能性を把握し、地検上層部にも報告していたことが明らかになった。
A task force from the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office set up to investigate this scandal has questioned two key figures who supervised the prosecutor in question: a high-ranking prosecutor who headed the investigation unit at the time, and another senior prosecutor who was the team's deputy chief.
最高検の捜査チームは、主任検事の上司だった当時の特捜部長や副部長から事情聴取した。
It must be clarified why senior officials from the district prosecutors office failed to act when they received information about what may constitute the crime of destruction of evidence. The task force must thoroughly investigate the case to get to the bottom of the scandal, while determining who should take the blame if there was indeed a cover-up.
証拠隠滅という犯罪を疑わせるに足る重大な情報を、地検幹部はなぜ放置していたのか。徹底した捜査で真相究明と関与者すべての責任を追及する必要がある。
Sketchy conduct high to low
In February, some officials of the district prosecutors office, including the head of the investigation squad, received reports that the team's lead prosecutor might have rewritten data on a floppy disk confiscated from the home of a former section chief at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
厚生労働省の元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、主任検事が書き換えたらしいという情報を特捜部長らが把握したのは、今年２月頃だった。
At the time, the prosecutor in question reportedly told a colleague he had planted a "time bomb" on the disk.
主任検事は当時、「ディスクに時限爆弾を仕掛けた」と、他の検事に漏らしていたという。
However, after the prosecutor told the head of the investigation unit and other senior officials that his alteration of the data "was not deliberate," they seem to have done little to uncover the truth behind his conduct.
ところが特捜部長らは、主任検事から「故意ではない」との説明を受けると、それ以上踏み込んだ調査をしなかった。
Questions also must be raised about how the head of the investigative team described the prosecutor's action when he reported on the alleged data alteration to the Osaka office's chief prosecutor. He reportedly said the prosecutor's conduct would pose "no problem."
また、特捜部長は検事正に対し、資料の改ざんを巡る情報があったが「問題はなかった」という趣旨の報告をしたとされる。
We feel the prosecutor's description of his action as a "time bomb" should have been sufficient to arouse suspicion that the falsification was deliberate. If the investigative team leader swallowed the explanation that the alteration "was not deliberate," he should be brought to task for being too lenient with his subordinates and for his lack of skill in dealing with the matter.
「時限爆弾を仕掛けた」という発言は、主任検事の意図的な改ざんを疑わせるに十分な例えだったのではないか。「故意ではない」との説明を、うのみにしていたのであれば、身内に甘い、あまりにもお粗末な対応である。
It is also questionable why the Osaka office's chief prosecutor had no reservations about the investigation team's report on the affair. It seems to us that as the head of the prosecutors office, his actions lacked urgency. He should have instructed the special investigative unit to further look into the prosecutor's conduct.
検事正も、特捜部の報告に、何ら疑問を抱かなかったのだろうか。地検トップとしての危機意識に欠けていたと言わざるを得ない。特捜部に対し、さらなる調査を指示するべきだったろう。
Act firmly to restore trust
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office should investigate the depth to which senior officials at the district prosecutors office were aware of the alleged data tampering. If their action--or inaction, for that matter--is found to violate any laws, the top prosecutors office should deal sternly with them, possibly even pursuing criminal charges.
最高検は、特捜部長をはじめとする地検幹部が、改ざんの事実関係をどの程度まで認識していたのかを調べ、仮に法に触れる行為が確認されれば、立件も辞さない覚悟で臨んでもらいたい。
The latest scandal has prompted some Democratic Party of Japan members to say the prosecutor general--the person in charge of all prosecutors in the country--should step down. They are also seeking to have all interrogations during criminal investigations videotaped.
今回の事件を受けて、民主党内からは検事総長の進退問題に言及したり、取り調べの全面可視化を求めたりする動きが出ている。
The scandal could arouse questions about related matters, including the credibility of depositions taken from suspects in other cases handled by the Osaka special investigation squad.
今後、特捜部が手がけた他の事件についても、供述調書の信用性などを疑問視する声が強まる可能性がある。
Prosecutors must uncover the truth behind the data-tampering scandal, and fully present their findings to the public. They also must reexamine every aspect of their probe into the alleged abuse of the postal discount system.
今必要なのは、主任検事による資料改ざん事件の全容を解明し、国民に速やかに公表することだ。郵便不正事件の捜査全般の検証も怠ってはならない。
Prosecutors must demonstrate they have what it takes to root out corruption among themselves to restore the trust they have lost. Doing so is the only way to resurrect the prosecution as an investigative organization.
組織の自浄能力を示すことが、失墜した信頼を取り戻し、検察が再生する唯一の道だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2010)
（2010年9月24日03時01分 読売新聞）
2010/09/24
Govt should help push up land prices
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24, 2010)
Govt should help push up land prices
基準地価 下げ止まりの兆しはあるが（9月23日付・読売社説）
At long last signs have emerged of an end to the fall in land prices that began with the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. two years ago, but it remains uncertain whether the recovery trend will continue.
２年前のリーマン・ショック以来の地価急落にようやく下げ止まりの兆しが見え始めた。
ただ、こうした地価の回復基調が、今後も維持されるかどうかは不透明だ。
Changes in land prices lead to fluctuations in people's assets, which can greatly affect personal consumption. Therefore, we think the government should indirectly support land prices through measures such as an extension of the economic stimulus eco-point program for houses.
地価の動向は個人資産の増減につながり、消費活動にも大きな影響を与える。それだけに、政府が住宅版エコポイントの延長などで、地価底上げを側面支援することは妥当な施策といえよう。
The government needs to help boost the economy further by expanding tax cuts and tax exemptions for housing and real estate.
住宅・不動産関係諸税の減免措置の拡充などで、さらにテコ入れする必要がある。
According to a survey of land prices in all 47 prefectures released recently by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the average price of residential land fell 3.4 percent in the year to July 1, while that of commercial land dropped 4.6 percent. In the previous year's survey, the average price of residential land fell 4 percent and that of commercial land decreased 5.9 percent. The latest survey shows the pace of decline has slowed in both categories.
国土交通省が発表した７月１日時点の都道府県地価（基準地価）によると、全国の地価は、住宅地で前年比３・４％、商業地で４・６％の下落となった。
１年前の調査では住宅地が４・０％、商業地で５・９％値下がりしており、下落率は縮小した。
The ministry believes the slower decline has been partly due to factors such as rising demand for land on which to build condominiums in urban areas. Recently, condominiums have become more affordable as prices have fallen sharply. Condominium sales in major cities have been recovering rapidly, bringing a bit of brightness to future land price forecasts.
国交省は、急激な値下がりにより値ごろ感が出た都市部で、マンション用地の需要が高まったことなどが影響したと見ている。
実際、大都市ではマンションの売れ行きが急回復しており、地価動向を占う明るい材料だ。
Metro areas doing better
Trends in land prices in metropolitan areas--a leading indicator of land prices throughout the nation--are worth noting: In the Tokyo metropolitan area, average residential land prices fell 3 percent, while commercial land prices decreased 4.1 percent. The drops in both categories are almost half the figures from a year earlier.
地域別では、地価の先行指標である大都市での値動きが注目される。東京圏では、住宅地の下落率が３・０％、商業地は４・１％で、前年に比べほぼ半減した。
If we look at the trends in more detail, signs of an end to the fall in land prices become more apparent. Take, for instance, land price trends in the first half of the year that ended on July 1 and those in the second half of the year at 15 residential locations in eight wards in central Tokyo.
さらに詳しく分析すると、下げ止まりの流れがはっきりする。例えば、東京の都心８区の住宅地１５地点について、この１年間を前、後半に分けて比較してみよう。
During the first half of the year, land prices in all locations dropped, but prices rose in two locations, were about the same at four spots and the rate of decline slowed at eight places in the second half of the year. It is apparent that land prices began to turn around this year. A similar development can be seen in major cities such as Osaka and Nagoya.
前半はすべての地点が値下がりしていたが、後半では値上がりに転じたのが２地点、横ばいになったのが４地点、下落率が縮小したのが８地点あった。
今年に入って、地価が反転しつつあることが鮮明だ。大阪市、名古屋市などにも共通して見られる動きである。
Land prices in major cities rose markedly about three years ago, during a "mini bubble" caused by factors that included competition for prime locations among brand-name stores. However, in the wake of the so-called Lehman shock, things took a sudden turn for the worse. The latest survey may indicate the tide is about to change for land prices.
大都市の地価は、ブランド店の立地競争などによるミニバブルで、３年ほど前に大幅に値上がりしたが、リーマン・ショックで暗転した。今回の調査結果は、地価の潮目が変わりつつあることを示しているのではないか。
Other regions still struggling
However, land price trends in other regions are still poor. The average price of residential land in these regions dropped at a greater rate than during the previous year, while commercial land declined at about the same rate. This was the 18th straight year of decline in residential land prices in these areas, while commercial land values fell for the 19th consecutive year.
問題は地方圏である。住宅地は昨年より下落率が大きくなり、商業地もほぼ横ばいのままだ。これで、住宅地は１８年連続、商業地も１９年連続で下落を記録した。
Are there any ways to prop up land prices in these regions, which have seen the value of their land fall for so long?
長期低落に打つ手はないのか。
In Hokkaido and Mie Prefecture, some districts have increased land prices by improving their appeal as tourist destinations. Needless to say, we believe it is essential to promote local redevelopment and to encourage businesses to expand into the less urbanized regions.
北海道や三重県では、観光地としての魅力を高め、地価上昇につなげた地域もある。無論、地域再開発の推進や企業の地方進出を促す補助政策なども欠かせまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2010)
（2010年9月23日01時02分 読売新聞）
Govt should help push up land prices
基準地価 下げ止まりの兆しはあるが（9月23日付・読売社説）
At long last signs have emerged of an end to the fall in land prices that began with the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. two years ago, but it remains uncertain whether the recovery trend will continue.
２年前のリーマン・ショック以来の地価急落にようやく下げ止まりの兆しが見え始めた。
ただ、こうした地価の回復基調が、今後も維持されるかどうかは不透明だ。
Changes in land prices lead to fluctuations in people's assets, which can greatly affect personal consumption. Therefore, we think the government should indirectly support land prices through measures such as an extension of the economic stimulus eco-point program for houses.
地価の動向は個人資産の増減につながり、消費活動にも大きな影響を与える。それだけに、政府が住宅版エコポイントの延長などで、地価底上げを側面支援することは妥当な施策といえよう。
The government needs to help boost the economy further by expanding tax cuts and tax exemptions for housing and real estate.
住宅・不動産関係諸税の減免措置の拡充などで、さらにテコ入れする必要がある。
According to a survey of land prices in all 47 prefectures released recently by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the average price of residential land fell 3.4 percent in the year to July 1, while that of commercial land dropped 4.6 percent. In the previous year's survey, the average price of residential land fell 4 percent and that of commercial land decreased 5.9 percent. The latest survey shows the pace of decline has slowed in both categories.
国土交通省が発表した７月１日時点の都道府県地価（基準地価）によると、全国の地価は、住宅地で前年比３・４％、商業地で４・６％の下落となった。
１年前の調査では住宅地が４・０％、商業地で５・９％値下がりしており、下落率は縮小した。
The ministry believes the slower decline has been partly due to factors such as rising demand for land on which to build condominiums in urban areas. Recently, condominiums have become more affordable as prices have fallen sharply. Condominium sales in major cities have been recovering rapidly, bringing a bit of brightness to future land price forecasts.
国交省は、急激な値下がりにより値ごろ感が出た都市部で、マンション用地の需要が高まったことなどが影響したと見ている。
実際、大都市ではマンションの売れ行きが急回復しており、地価動向を占う明るい材料だ。
Metro areas doing better
Trends in land prices in metropolitan areas--a leading indicator of land prices throughout the nation--are worth noting: In the Tokyo metropolitan area, average residential land prices fell 3 percent, while commercial land prices decreased 4.1 percent. The drops in both categories are almost half the figures from a year earlier.
地域別では、地価の先行指標である大都市での値動きが注目される。東京圏では、住宅地の下落率が３・０％、商業地は４・１％で、前年に比べほぼ半減した。
If we look at the trends in more detail, signs of an end to the fall in land prices become more apparent. Take, for instance, land price trends in the first half of the year that ended on July 1 and those in the second half of the year at 15 residential locations in eight wards in central Tokyo.
さらに詳しく分析すると、下げ止まりの流れがはっきりする。例えば、東京の都心８区の住宅地１５地点について、この１年間を前、後半に分けて比較してみよう。
During the first half of the year, land prices in all locations dropped, but prices rose in two locations, were about the same at four spots and the rate of decline slowed at eight places in the second half of the year. It is apparent that land prices began to turn around this year. A similar development can be seen in major cities such as Osaka and Nagoya.
前半はすべての地点が値下がりしていたが、後半では値上がりに転じたのが２地点、横ばいになったのが４地点、下落率が縮小したのが８地点あった。
今年に入って、地価が反転しつつあることが鮮明だ。大阪市、名古屋市などにも共通して見られる動きである。
Land prices in major cities rose markedly about three years ago, during a "mini bubble" caused by factors that included competition for prime locations among brand-name stores. However, in the wake of the so-called Lehman shock, things took a sudden turn for the worse. The latest survey may indicate the tide is about to change for land prices.
大都市の地価は、ブランド店の立地競争などによるミニバブルで、３年ほど前に大幅に値上がりしたが、リーマン・ショックで暗転した。今回の調査結果は、地価の潮目が変わりつつあることを示しているのではないか。
Other regions still struggling
However, land price trends in other regions are still poor. The average price of residential land in these regions dropped at a greater rate than during the previous year, while commercial land declined at about the same rate. This was the 18th straight year of decline in residential land prices in these areas, while commercial land values fell for the 19th consecutive year.
問題は地方圏である。住宅地は昨年より下落率が大きくなり、商業地もほぼ横ばいのままだ。これで、住宅地は１８年連続、商業地も１９年連続で下落を記録した。
Are there any ways to prop up land prices in these regions, which have seen the value of their land fall for so long?
長期低落に打つ手はないのか。
In Hokkaido and Mie Prefecture, some districts have increased land prices by improving their appeal as tourist destinations. Needless to say, we believe it is essential to promote local redevelopment and to encourage businesses to expand into the less urbanized regions.
北海道や三重県では、観光地としての魅力を高め、地価上昇につなげた地域もある。無論、地域再開発の推進や企業の地方進出を促す補助政策なども欠かせまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2010)
（2010年9月23日01時02分 読売新聞）
2010/09/23
Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2010)
Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined
押収資料改ざん 地に落ちた特捜検察の威信（9月22日付・読売社説）
The alleged falsification of data by a senior prosecutor is a grave scandal that is shaking the very foundations of Japan's criminal justice system.
刑事司法の根幹を揺るがす特捜検察の一大不祥事である。
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office arrested the lead prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the postal abuse case involving Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry officials. The ministry's former bureau chief, Atsuko Muraki, was arrested and indicted for her alleged involvement in the case but was cleared by the Osaka District Court.
厚生労働省の村木厚子元局長に無罪判決が出た郵便不正事件に絡み、大阪地検特捜部の主任検事が、押収資料を改ざんした証拠隠滅容疑で最高検に逮捕された。
The chief prosecutor is suspected to have altered data on a floppy disk seized as possible evidence from one of Muraki's former subordinates, who was then a unit chief at the ministry's policy planning division, to make it better match the special investigation team's arguments.
村木元局長の部下だった元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、特捜部の描いた事件の構図に合うよう書き換えた疑いが持たれている。
===
Unprecedented scandal
If the allegation is true, it would be an unprecedented instance of a prosecutor, who holds supreme authority in investigations and indictments, being found to have illegally fabricated evidence against a defendant. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must bring to light the case's entire picture and strictly punish those involved.
事実とすれば、強大な捜査・起訴権限を持つ検事自らが、有罪証拠をでっちあげようとした前代未聞の違法行為だ。最高検は全容を解明し、関係者を厳正に処罰しなければならない。
The special investigation squad's probe was based on the scenario that Muraki had instructed the unit chief in early June 2004 to fabricate an official document to allow a group that falsely claimed itself as a body supporting the handicapped to abuse the postal discount system for the handicapped.
特捜部が描いた事件の構図は、村木元局長が２００４年６月上旬、元係長に対し、自称障害者団体に発行する偽証明書の作成を指示したというものだった。
However, the supposedly false document, which was found on the seized floppy disk, was last updated at 1:20 a.m. on June 1, 2004.
ところが、押収したディスクには、偽証明書作成の最終更新日時が「０４年６月１日午前１時２０分」と記録されていた。
The chief prosecutor allegedly changed the data to show that the document was last updated at 9:10 p.m. on June 8, 2004. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office suspects that the prosecutor altered the data because it did not fit the special investigation squad's suppositions.
主任検事は、これを「０４年６月８日午後９時１０分」に書き換えた。特捜部の見立てに合わないデータを意図的に改ざんした疑いがあると最高検は見ている。
A lead prosecutor, who takes charge of investigations in a criminal case, is supposed to change the course of the investigation or give up on establishing a case altogether if investigators have found evidence contrary to their case.
担当事件の捜査を統括する主任検事は、捜査の過程で見立てと異なる証拠が見つかれば、軌道修正したり、事件の立件を断念したりするのが鉄則だ。
Altering a seized document is an inexcusable act that ruins confidence in prosecutors' investigations and makes a mockery of the justice of criminal trials.
押収資料の改ざんは、検察捜査への信頼を損ね、刑事裁判の公正さをないがしろにする言語道断の行為である。
===
Terrifying abuse of power
The chief prosecutor eventually returned the floppy disk in question to the former unit chief without submitting it to the court as evidence. If it had been submitted to the court, it might have been used as material evidence to establish Muraki's guilt. We are terrified at the thought of such supreme authority spinning out of control.
主任検事は結局、ディスクを元係長側に返却し、公判に証拠提出しなかった。提出されていたら、村木元局長を強引に有罪に持ち込む物証となった可能性もあった。権力の暴走に戦慄(せんりつ)を覚える。
In addition, the prosecutors had drawn up an investigation report with the correct update time on the floppy disk but did not submit it to the court. They disclosed the report upon the request of Muraki's attorneys before her trial started.
さらに特捜部は、正確な最終更新日時のデータを記載した捜査報告書を作成していたが、これも証拠提出しなかった。公判前に弁護側の請求でようやく開示した。
Prosecutors must uncover what had been discussed within the special investigation squad and the district public prosecutors office over the handling of evidence and whether any other individuals were involved in altering the data. The Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must also be blamed for having failed to fulfill their responsibility to appropriately supervise the district public prosecutors office.
これら証拠資料の扱いについて特捜部や地検内でどんな議論があったのか、他に改ざんの関与者はいなかったのか、真相を明らかにすべきだ。上級庁の大阪高検、最高検の監督責任も免れまい。
In the postal abuse case, the court refused to accept many depositions by Muraki's alleged accomplices and witnesses submitted by the prosecutors, saying that the prosecutors could have coerced them into making such statements. Given that, we must say that the quality of public prosecutors has seriously deteriorated.
郵便不正事件では、特捜部の作成した供述調書の多くが「誘導の可能性がある」として、裁判で信用性を否定された。特捜検事の資質の劣化は極めて深刻だ。
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office has the responsibility to drive out corruption within the organization by thoroughly investigating the case without being lenient on its colleagues.
最高検には、身内への甘さを排した徹底捜査で、組織内部の病巣を取り除く責務がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2010)
（2010年9月22日01時26分 読売新聞）
Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined
押収資料改ざん 地に落ちた特捜検察の威信（9月22日付・読売社説）
The alleged falsification of data by a senior prosecutor is a grave scandal that is shaking the very foundations of Japan's criminal justice system.
刑事司法の根幹を揺るがす特捜検察の一大不祥事である。
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office arrested the lead prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the postal abuse case involving Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry officials. The ministry's former bureau chief, Atsuko Muraki, was arrested and indicted for her alleged involvement in the case but was cleared by the Osaka District Court.
厚生労働省の村木厚子元局長に無罪判決が出た郵便不正事件に絡み、大阪地検特捜部の主任検事が、押収資料を改ざんした証拠隠滅容疑で最高検に逮捕された。
The chief prosecutor is suspected to have altered data on a floppy disk seized as possible evidence from one of Muraki's former subordinates, who was then a unit chief at the ministry's policy planning division, to make it better match the special investigation team's arguments.
村木元局長の部下だった元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、特捜部の描いた事件の構図に合うよう書き換えた疑いが持たれている。
===
Unprecedented scandal
If the allegation is true, it would be an unprecedented instance of a prosecutor, who holds supreme authority in investigations and indictments, being found to have illegally fabricated evidence against a defendant. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must bring to light the case's entire picture and strictly punish those involved.
事実とすれば、強大な捜査・起訴権限を持つ検事自らが、有罪証拠をでっちあげようとした前代未聞の違法行為だ。最高検は全容を解明し、関係者を厳正に処罰しなければならない。
The special investigation squad's probe was based on the scenario that Muraki had instructed the unit chief in early June 2004 to fabricate an official document to allow a group that falsely claimed itself as a body supporting the handicapped to abuse the postal discount system for the handicapped.
特捜部が描いた事件の構図は、村木元局長が２００４年６月上旬、元係長に対し、自称障害者団体に発行する偽証明書の作成を指示したというものだった。
However, the supposedly false document, which was found on the seized floppy disk, was last updated at 1:20 a.m. on June 1, 2004.
ところが、押収したディスクには、偽証明書作成の最終更新日時が「０４年６月１日午前１時２０分」と記録されていた。
The chief prosecutor allegedly changed the data to show that the document was last updated at 9:10 p.m. on June 8, 2004. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office suspects that the prosecutor altered the data because it did not fit the special investigation squad's suppositions.
主任検事は、これを「０４年６月８日午後９時１０分」に書き換えた。特捜部の見立てに合わないデータを意図的に改ざんした疑いがあると最高検は見ている。
A lead prosecutor, who takes charge of investigations in a criminal case, is supposed to change the course of the investigation or give up on establishing a case altogether if investigators have found evidence contrary to their case.
担当事件の捜査を統括する主任検事は、捜査の過程で見立てと異なる証拠が見つかれば、軌道修正したり、事件の立件を断念したりするのが鉄則だ。
Altering a seized document is an inexcusable act that ruins confidence in prosecutors' investigations and makes a mockery of the justice of criminal trials.
押収資料の改ざんは、検察捜査への信頼を損ね、刑事裁判の公正さをないがしろにする言語道断の行為である。
===
Terrifying abuse of power
The chief prosecutor eventually returned the floppy disk in question to the former unit chief without submitting it to the court as evidence. If it had been submitted to the court, it might have been used as material evidence to establish Muraki's guilt. We are terrified at the thought of such supreme authority spinning out of control.
主任検事は結局、ディスクを元係長側に返却し、公判に証拠提出しなかった。提出されていたら、村木元局長を強引に有罪に持ち込む物証となった可能性もあった。権力の暴走に戦慄(せんりつ)を覚える。
In addition, the prosecutors had drawn up an investigation report with the correct update time on the floppy disk but did not submit it to the court. They disclosed the report upon the request of Muraki's attorneys before her trial started.
さらに特捜部は、正確な最終更新日時のデータを記載した捜査報告書を作成していたが、これも証拠提出しなかった。公判前に弁護側の請求でようやく開示した。
Prosecutors must uncover what had been discussed within the special investigation squad and the district public prosecutors office over the handling of evidence and whether any other individuals were involved in altering the data. The Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must also be blamed for having failed to fulfill their responsibility to appropriately supervise the district public prosecutors office.
これら証拠資料の扱いについて特捜部や地検内でどんな議論があったのか、他に改ざんの関与者はいなかったのか、真相を明らかにすべきだ。上級庁の大阪高検、最高検の監督責任も免れまい。
In the postal abuse case, the court refused to accept many depositions by Muraki's alleged accomplices and witnesses submitted by the prosecutors, saying that the prosecutors could have coerced them into making such statements. Given that, we must say that the quality of public prosecutors has seriously deteriorated.
郵便不正事件では、特捜部の作成した供述調書の多くが「誘導の可能性がある」として、裁判で信用性を否定された。特捜検事の資質の劣化は極めて深刻だ。
The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office has the responsibility to drive out corruption within the organization by thoroughly investigating the case without being lenient on its colleagues.
最高検には、身内への甘さを排した徹底捜査で、組織内部の病巣を取り除く責務がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2010)
（2010年9月22日01時26分 読売新聞）
2010/09/22
Japan-India accord should lead to more EPAs
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 22, 2010)
Japan-India accord should lead to more EPAs
日印ＥＰＡ 出遅れ挽回の確かな一歩に（9月21日付・読売社説）
An economic partnership agreement with India likely will give Japanese businesses a boost in such industries as automobiles and home electronic appliances in the huge Indian market, which has been growing rapidly.
急成長している巨大市場インドで、自動車や電機などの日本企業がビジネスを拡大する追い風になろう。
Japan and India broadly agreed earlier this month to sign an EPA. A formal agreement is expected to be made when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Japan in October.
日本とインドの経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉が大筋合意した。インドのシン首相が１０月に来日し、正式合意する予定だ。
The agreement is the first of its kind to be made under the Democratic Party of Japan-led government and will make India the 12th nation or region with which this country has an EPA. Coming as it did after four years of difficult negotiations, the broad agreement is of particular significance.
民主党政権としては初めての合意で、日本のＥＰＡは１２か国・地域目となる。４年越しの難交渉がまとまった意義は大きい。
The key point in the agreement is that the two nations will gradually lower tariffs on goods that account for 94 percent of the value of their exports, and eliminate the tariffs in 10 years.
日印両国の貿易額の９４％に当たる品目について、関税を１０年間で段階的に引き下げて、撤廃することが大筋合意のポイントだ。
The tariffs imposed by India on Japan's major export items, such as auto parts and steel, range from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. Japan would benefit greatly from their elimination.
日本の主要輸出品である自動車部品や鉄鋼などに対するインドの関税は約７・５％～１０％と高く、撤廃のメリットは大きい。
Japanese manufacturers with production bases in India also could reduce the procurement costs of parts from Japan and other items.
インドで現地生産する日本メーカーも、日本からの部品などの調達コストを削減できよう。
The EPA also includes an agreement to ease restrictions on investment in India. We hope Japanese companies seize this chance by carefully crafting strategies for the construction of local factories and expanded investment in plants and equipment.
インドでの投資規制を緩和する協定も盛り込まれた。日本企業は現地工場の建設や、設備投資の拡大などで戦略を練り、チャンスを生かしてほしい。
Highly attractive market
The Indian market is particularly appealing. The nation has a population of 1.2 billion people and its economy continues to register 9 percent annual growth. The number of middle-income households who purchase such products as automobiles and home electronic appliances is rapidly growing, and there has been strong demand for social infrastructure such as railroads and electric power.
インド市場の魅力は、１２億人の人口を抱え、約９％の高成長が続いていることだ。自動車や家電などを購入する中間所得層が急増し、鉄道や電力などのインフラ（社会基盤）整備の需要も旺盛だ。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration has expressed its intention to incorporate the vigor of Asia and other regions in its new growth strategy. In line with this policy, the EPA between Japan and India is expected to strengthen Japanese companies' competitiveness and expand infrastructure exports.
菅政権は、アジアなどの活力を取り込む新成長戦略を掲げている。日印ＥＰＡはその戦略に沿い、インドでの日本企業の競争力を強化したり、インフラ輸出を拡大したりする効果が期待される。
But South Korea, which has been aggressively promoting EPAs, already put one with India into effect in January. Under this bilateral agreement, tariffs on many items are set to be abolished in five to eight years, a faster pace for opening up the Indian market than the one established in the Japan-India pact.
ただ、ＥＰＡ戦略に積極的な韓国は今年１月、インドとのＥＰＡ協定を発効済みだ。韓印協定では５年から８年で関税を撤廃する品目が多く、インドの市場開放のペースは日本との協定より速い。
The Japan-India EPA will alleviate some of the disadvantages Japanese companies face against their South Korean rivals. But we must keep an eye on the competitiveness of South Korean companies.
韓国企業に比べて日本企業が強いられている不利な状況は、少しは改善されるが、韓国勢の競争力は依然、要警戒だ。
Compromise needed
India has asked Japan to accept Indian nurses and other workers, but Japan has resisted making a specific decision on this matter. To deepen economic partnerships between this country and India, Japan should make concessions.
インドが日本に要求した看護師などの受け入れは、日本の抵抗で具体策が先送りされた。両国の経済連携を深めるため、日本が譲歩すべきだろう。
Japan has fallen behind other nations in its EPA strategy. Negotiations with South Korea have been suspended, and talks with Australia have run into difficulty as Japan is resisting opening its agricultural market.
日本はＥＰＡ戦略で出遅れている。韓国との交渉は中断し、農業分野での市場開放に日本が抵抗する豪州との交渉は難航している。
There are no prospects even for the start of negotiations with the United States and the European Union.
米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）との交渉は開始のメドすらたたない。
To help Japan catch up, the government aims to devise basic guidelines on the EPA by November. We urge the government to include measures to open the agriculture sector, which has always been the bottleneck in negotiations. Without this, there will be no progress.
政府は挽回(ばんかい)を目指し、１１月までにＥＰＡの基本方針を策定する。常に交渉のネックとなる農業分野について、開放の方針を盛り込むべきだ。それなくして、今後のＥＰＡ交渉の進展は望めない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2010)
（2010年9月21日01時14分 読売新聞）
Japan-India accord should lead to more EPAs
日印ＥＰＡ 出遅れ挽回の確かな一歩に（9月21日付・読売社説）
An economic partnership agreement with India likely will give Japanese businesses a boost in such industries as automobiles and home electronic appliances in the huge Indian market, which has been growing rapidly.
急成長している巨大市場インドで、自動車や電機などの日本企業がビジネスを拡大する追い風になろう。
Japan and India broadly agreed earlier this month to sign an EPA. A formal agreement is expected to be made when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Japan in October.
日本とインドの経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉が大筋合意した。インドのシン首相が１０月に来日し、正式合意する予定だ。
The agreement is the first of its kind to be made under the Democratic Party of Japan-led government and will make India the 12th nation or region with which this country has an EPA. Coming as it did after four years of difficult negotiations, the broad agreement is of particular significance.
民主党政権としては初めての合意で、日本のＥＰＡは１２か国・地域目となる。４年越しの難交渉がまとまった意義は大きい。
The key point in the agreement is that the two nations will gradually lower tariffs on goods that account for 94 percent of the value of their exports, and eliminate the tariffs in 10 years.
日印両国の貿易額の９４％に当たる品目について、関税を１０年間で段階的に引き下げて、撤廃することが大筋合意のポイントだ。
The tariffs imposed by India on Japan's major export items, such as auto parts and steel, range from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. Japan would benefit greatly from their elimination.
日本の主要輸出品である自動車部品や鉄鋼などに対するインドの関税は約７・５％～１０％と高く、撤廃のメリットは大きい。
Japanese manufacturers with production bases in India also could reduce the procurement costs of parts from Japan and other items.
インドで現地生産する日本メーカーも、日本からの部品などの調達コストを削減できよう。
The EPA also includes an agreement to ease restrictions on investment in India. We hope Japanese companies seize this chance by carefully crafting strategies for the construction of local factories and expanded investment in plants and equipment.
インドでの投資規制を緩和する協定も盛り込まれた。日本企業は現地工場の建設や、設備投資の拡大などで戦略を練り、チャンスを生かしてほしい。
Highly attractive market
The Indian market is particularly appealing. The nation has a population of 1.2 billion people and its economy continues to register 9 percent annual growth. The number of middle-income households who purchase such products as automobiles and home electronic appliances is rapidly growing, and there has been strong demand for social infrastructure such as railroads and electric power.
インド市場の魅力は、１２億人の人口を抱え、約９％の高成長が続いていることだ。自動車や家電などを購入する中間所得層が急増し、鉄道や電力などのインフラ（社会基盤）整備の需要も旺盛だ。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration has expressed its intention to incorporate the vigor of Asia and other regions in its new growth strategy. In line with this policy, the EPA between Japan and India is expected to strengthen Japanese companies' competitiveness and expand infrastructure exports.
菅政権は、アジアなどの活力を取り込む新成長戦略を掲げている。日印ＥＰＡはその戦略に沿い、インドでの日本企業の競争力を強化したり、インフラ輸出を拡大したりする効果が期待される。
But South Korea, which has been aggressively promoting EPAs, already put one with India into effect in January. Under this bilateral agreement, tariffs on many items are set to be abolished in five to eight years, a faster pace for opening up the Indian market than the one established in the Japan-India pact.
ただ、ＥＰＡ戦略に積極的な韓国は今年１月、インドとのＥＰＡ協定を発効済みだ。韓印協定では５年から８年で関税を撤廃する品目が多く、インドの市場開放のペースは日本との協定より速い。
The Japan-India EPA will alleviate some of the disadvantages Japanese companies face against their South Korean rivals. But we must keep an eye on the competitiveness of South Korean companies.
韓国企業に比べて日本企業が強いられている不利な状況は、少しは改善されるが、韓国勢の競争力は依然、要警戒だ。
Compromise needed
India has asked Japan to accept Indian nurses and other workers, but Japan has resisted making a specific decision on this matter. To deepen economic partnerships between this country and India, Japan should make concessions.
インドが日本に要求した看護師などの受け入れは、日本の抵抗で具体策が先送りされた。両国の経済連携を深めるため、日本が譲歩すべきだろう。
Japan has fallen behind other nations in its EPA strategy. Negotiations with South Korea have been suspended, and talks with Australia have run into difficulty as Japan is resisting opening its agricultural market.
日本はＥＰＡ戦略で出遅れている。韓国との交渉は中断し、農業分野での市場開放に日本が抵抗する豪州との交渉は難航している。
There are no prospects even for the start of negotiations with the United States and the European Union.
米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）との交渉は開始のメドすらたたない。
To help Japan catch up, the government aims to devise basic guidelines on the EPA by November. We urge the government to include measures to open the agriculture sector, which has always been the bottleneck in negotiations. Without this, there will be no progress.
政府は挽回(ばんかい)を目指し、１１月までにＥＰＡの基本方針を策定する。常に交渉のネックとなる農業分野について、開放の方針を盛り込むべきだ。それなくして、今後のＥＰＡ交渉の進展は望めない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2010)
（2010年9月21日01時14分 読売新聞）
2010/09/21
Japan must map out its own GPS strategy
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 21, 2010)
Japan must map out its own GPS strategy
衛星みちびき 日本版ＧＰＳの戦略作り急げ（9月20日付・読売社説）
Japan's first navigation satellite, Michibiki, aimed at improving the global positioning system's coverage of Japan, has been launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
日本版のＧＰＳ（全地球測位システム）整備を目指した人工衛星の１号機「みちびき」を、宇宙航空研究開発機構などが打ち上げた。
The project--undertaken jointly by the industrial, public and academic sectors--calls for technology verification tests and is aimed at reducing the margin of error of GPS devices used in car navigation and other services from the current 10 meters or so to less than one meter.
カーナビゲーションなどで位置確認に使われているＧＰＳの測位誤差を、現在の１０メートル程度から１メートル以下に改善することを目指し、産官学で技術実証試験に挑む。
The market for satellite-based GPS products and services has been expanding globally. We hope that the Michibiki project will bring about results that make Japan more competitive in this area.
人工衛星を使った測位技術関連の製品、サービスは、国際的に市場が拡大している。世界に伍(ご)していける成果を期待したい。
Fifty-eight different tests are planned. The success or failure of the project depends on how its high positioning accuracy can be utilized.
試験は５８テーマが予定されており、高い測位精度をどう生かせるかが、成否のかぎとなる。
One example is a proposed guidance system for unmanned snow removers and farm machinery. Neither snow removal from roads nor soil cultivation in fields can be done if the machines are allowed to drift as much as 10 meters off course. Both can be done only when the margin of error is held to less than one meter.
その一例が、除雪車や耕運機などの自動誘導だ。誤差が１０メートルでは道路の除雪はできないし、畑も耕せない。誤差が１メートル以下なら、それが可能になる。
===
Diverse applications
GPS has been widely used in a diverse range of fields from rescue operations in alpine accidents to consumer products such as digital cameras. Such cameras are popular because locations where photos are shot are automatically stored for use as travel records.
すでにＧＰＳは、山岳遭難の救助からデジタルカメラのような日用品まで幅広く使われている。カメラの場合、撮影場所が写真に自動で付加されるため、旅行の記録になる、などと人気がある。
Improvement of GPS accuracy will stimulate further growth in such existing fields.
精度の向上は、こうした既存分野も活性化させるだろう。
A hallmark of Michibiki lies in the orbit it takes. Michibiki flies in an asymmetrical figure-eight course above the western Pacific, including Japan, every 24 hours.
みちびきの特徴は、その軌道にある。地上から見ると、日本を含む西太平洋上空を「８の字」を描くように２４時間で飛行する。
Michibiki's flight above Japan accounts for about eight hours of each orbit. If three satellites like Michibiki were put into orbit, at least one would be above Japan at all times. Because GPS satellites rely on line-of-sight radio wave transmission, this would nearly eliminate the problem of signals being blocked by obstacles such as buildings and mountains.
うち８時間程度は日本上空にいるので、３機あれば常に１機が日本のほぼ真上に見える。このため衛星からの電波は、ビルや山など障害物にほとんど遮られない。
The GPS currently uses about 30 U.S. satellites to cover the entire globe. Accurate results depend on devices on or near the Earth's surface being able to compare signals from four satellites in the visible sky. The system can fail in urban and mountainous areas where the lower portions of the sky are blocked by mountains or buildings.
米国が運用する今のＧＰＳは衛星約３０機で地球全体をカバーしている。だが、都市部や山間部では十分な信号強度が得られない。
Additional transmissions from Michibiki, which will often be nearly overhead in Japan, will enhance positioning accuracy.
これに、みちびきの電波を加えることで測位精度を上げる。
The problem is how to secure funding for the satellites that are meant to follow Michibiki. It cost 40 billion yen to build Michibiki. The cost for similar following satellites is estimated at a hefty 35 billion yen each. At least three satellites are necessary to commercialize the enhanced Japanese version of the GPS system. Discussions have begun about how to divide costs between the public and private sectors.
問題は後続の衛星だ。みちびきは４００億円、その後の衛星も１機３５０億円程度と試算されている。決して安くはない。実用化には最低３機が必要で、官民の費用分担を巡り論議が起きている。
===
A project team planned
The government says it will establish a project team comprising officials from the ministries and agencies concerned to study how to pay for the satellites that will follow Michibiki by the end of the current fiscal year. In that instance, the government must give due consideration to international trends and Japan's security interests.
政府は関係省庁によるチームを設け、今年度末までに後続機のあり方を検討するという。その際には国際動向、日本の安全保障も十分考慮せねばならない。
The GPS was developed by the United States, originally for military purposes. It remains to be seen whether its use may be restricted in the future. Out of such concern, China, India and European countries are building their own positioning systems. Russia operates its own system for the purpose of ensuring security and defense.
もともとＧＰＳは、米国が軍事用に開発した。いつ運用が制限されるかわからない。そうした懸念から、欧州、中国、インドは独自の測位システムを構築中だ。ロシアは安全保障、防衛のため自前のシステムを運用している。
The United States, China and Europe are moving toward cooperation with each other on positioning technology.
欧米、中国などが測位技術で連携する動きもある。
Against such a background, Japan must work out a GPS strategy that will take advantage of its technology while maintaining its international voice.
日本が国際的な発言力を保ちつつ、技術を生かせる戦略が求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2010)
（2010年9月20日01時20分 読売新聞）
Japan must map out its own GPS strategy
衛星みちびき 日本版ＧＰＳの戦略作り急げ（9月20日付・読売社説）
Japan's first navigation satellite, Michibiki, aimed at improving the global positioning system's coverage of Japan, has been launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
日本版のＧＰＳ（全地球測位システム）整備を目指した人工衛星の１号機「みちびき」を、宇宙航空研究開発機構などが打ち上げた。
The project--undertaken jointly by the industrial, public and academic sectors--calls for technology verification tests and is aimed at reducing the margin of error of GPS devices used in car navigation and other services from the current 10 meters or so to less than one meter.
カーナビゲーションなどで位置確認に使われているＧＰＳの測位誤差を、現在の１０メートル程度から１メートル以下に改善することを目指し、産官学で技術実証試験に挑む。
The market for satellite-based GPS products and services has been expanding globally. We hope that the Michibiki project will bring about results that make Japan more competitive in this area.
人工衛星を使った測位技術関連の製品、サービスは、国際的に市場が拡大している。世界に伍(ご)していける成果を期待したい。
Fifty-eight different tests are planned. The success or failure of the project depends on how its high positioning accuracy can be utilized.
試験は５８テーマが予定されており、高い測位精度をどう生かせるかが、成否のかぎとなる。
One example is a proposed guidance system for unmanned snow removers and farm machinery. Neither snow removal from roads nor soil cultivation in fields can be done if the machines are allowed to drift as much as 10 meters off course. Both can be done only when the margin of error is held to less than one meter.
その一例が、除雪車や耕運機などの自動誘導だ。誤差が１０メートルでは道路の除雪はできないし、畑も耕せない。誤差が１メートル以下なら、それが可能になる。
===
Diverse applications
GPS has been widely used in a diverse range of fields from rescue operations in alpine accidents to consumer products such as digital cameras. Such cameras are popular because locations where photos are shot are automatically stored for use as travel records.
すでにＧＰＳは、山岳遭難の救助からデジタルカメラのような日用品まで幅広く使われている。カメラの場合、撮影場所が写真に自動で付加されるため、旅行の記録になる、などと人気がある。
Improvement of GPS accuracy will stimulate further growth in such existing fields.
精度の向上は、こうした既存分野も活性化させるだろう。
A hallmark of Michibiki lies in the orbit it takes. Michibiki flies in an asymmetrical figure-eight course above the western Pacific, including Japan, every 24 hours.
みちびきの特徴は、その軌道にある。地上から見ると、日本を含む西太平洋上空を「８の字」を描くように２４時間で飛行する。
Michibiki's flight above Japan accounts for about eight hours of each orbit. If three satellites like Michibiki were put into orbit, at least one would be above Japan at all times. Because GPS satellites rely on line-of-sight radio wave transmission, this would nearly eliminate the problem of signals being blocked by obstacles such as buildings and mountains.
うち８時間程度は日本上空にいるので、３機あれば常に１機が日本のほぼ真上に見える。このため衛星からの電波は、ビルや山など障害物にほとんど遮られない。
The GPS currently uses about 30 U.S. satellites to cover the entire globe. Accurate results depend on devices on or near the Earth's surface being able to compare signals from four satellites in the visible sky. The system can fail in urban and mountainous areas where the lower portions of the sky are blocked by mountains or buildings.
米国が運用する今のＧＰＳは衛星約３０機で地球全体をカバーしている。だが、都市部や山間部では十分な信号強度が得られない。
Additional transmissions from Michibiki, which will often be nearly overhead in Japan, will enhance positioning accuracy.
これに、みちびきの電波を加えることで測位精度を上げる。
The problem is how to secure funding for the satellites that are meant to follow Michibiki. It cost 40 billion yen to build Michibiki. The cost for similar following satellites is estimated at a hefty 35 billion yen each. At least three satellites are necessary to commercialize the enhanced Japanese version of the GPS system. Discussions have begun about how to divide costs between the public and private sectors.
問題は後続の衛星だ。みちびきは４００億円、その後の衛星も１機３５０億円程度と試算されている。決して安くはない。実用化には最低３機が必要で、官民の費用分担を巡り論議が起きている。
===
A project team planned
The government says it will establish a project team comprising officials from the ministries and agencies concerned to study how to pay for the satellites that will follow Michibiki by the end of the current fiscal year. In that instance, the government must give due consideration to international trends and Japan's security interests.
政府は関係省庁によるチームを設け、今年度末までに後続機のあり方を検討するという。その際には国際動向、日本の安全保障も十分考慮せねばならない。
The GPS was developed by the United States, originally for military purposes. It remains to be seen whether its use may be restricted in the future. Out of such concern, China, India and European countries are building their own positioning systems. Russia operates its own system for the purpose of ensuring security and defense.
もともとＧＰＳは、米国が軍事用に開発した。いつ運用が制限されるかわからない。そうした懸念から、欧州、中国、インドは独自の測位システムを構築中だ。ロシアは安全保障、防衛のため自前のシステムを運用している。
The United States, China and Europe are moving toward cooperation with each other on positioning technology.
欧米、中国などが測位技術で連携する動きもある。
Against such a background, Japan must work out a GPS strategy that will take advantage of its technology while maintaining its international voice.
日本が国際的な発言力を保ちつつ、技術を生かせる戦略が求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2010)
（2010年9月20日01時20分 読売新聞）
2010/09/20
Consumption tax debate must proceed
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 20, 2010)
Consumption tax debate must proceed
消費税論議 新体制で与野党協議進めよ（9月19日付・読売社説）
Fiscal reconstruction and economic recovery are the main themes that Prime Minister Naoto Kan's newly reshuffled Cabinet must address. It should prop up the economy and rehabilitate the nation's fiscal condition, which is the worst among advanced nations.
景気をテコ入れし、先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直す――。
菅改造内閣が取り組むべき経済テーマの柱は、景気と財政再建の両立である。
To that end, the Cabinet must put its back into tackling the consumption tax issue, which the prime minister began to treat cautiously after the Democratic Party of Japan's setback in the House of Councillors election in July.
その実現のため、参院選敗北で首相が及び腰になった消費税問題に、今度こそ腰を据えて取り組まなければならない。
The battle lines on this issue were drawn in the run-up to last week's DPJ presidential election. While Kan said he would consider drastic tax reforms, including of the consumption tax, his opponent, former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa, stressed the government should cut waste before raising taxes.
民主党代表選では、財源を巡る対立軸が鮮明になった。「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革を検討する」と訴えた首相に対し、小沢元代表は「増税の前に無駄減らしだ」と強調した。
===
Increase is inevitable
It is a foregone conclusion that reducing waste, no matter how seriously the government tackles the problem, will not generate much in the way of financial resources.
無駄排除にいくら取り組んでもさほど財源を捻出(ねんしゅつ)できないのは、はっきりしている。
Also, we cannot say that replacing central government subsidies to local governments with lump-sum grants to them with fewer strings attached, or securitizing state-owned assets, constitutes the kiss of life for an anemic economy.
補助金の一括交付金化や国有財産の証券化なども、起死回生策とは言い難い。
It is likely that Kan's victory in the DPJ leadership race was due in part to the many DPJ lawmakers, party members and supporters who judged as unreasonable Ozawa's vow to fully implement the promises contained in the party's manifesto without clearly indicating the financial resources to fund them.
財源の明示なしに政権公約の完全実施を求めた小沢氏の主張に対し、民主党国会議員や党員・サポーターの多くが「無理がある」と判断したことが、首相勝利の一因になったと見ていいだろう。
It is impermissible for the issue of financial resources to be left on the shelf any longer in this country, which is saddled with massive budget deficits. And it is clear that raising the consumption tax rate is unavoidable to secure funds to cover the nation's ballooning social security costs.
巨額の財政赤字を抱える日本でこれ以上、財源問題を棚上げすることは許されない。増大する社会保障費を賄う財源を確保するためにも、消費税率の引き上げが避けられないのは明らかである。
A Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey conducted during the DPJ presidential election race found that 52 percent of respondents supported Kan's stance toward the consumption tax, greatly surpassing the 38 percent supporting Ozawa, who took a negative view toward a tax hike. The people apparently want thorough debate over the issue.
読売新聞が代表選中に実施した世論調査でも、消費税を巡る首相の姿勢を支持した人が全体の５２％で、引き上げに否定的な小沢氏を支持する３８％を大幅に上回った。国民は本格論議を求めている。
However, although Kan called for drastic tax reforms during the DPJ presidential election, he has yet to go further into their vital contents.
だが、首相は代表選で税制の抜本改革を叫びながら、肝心の中身には踏み込んでいない。
===
Start discussing details
Some DPJ members, such as Ozawa, are stubbornly cautious toward the consumption tax issue. Kan should lead intraparty debate in various settings, including a tax panel that the DPJ has resurrected, while again calling on opposition parties to join a wider discussion.
民主党内には、小沢氏に代表されるように、消費税論議に慎重な意見も根強い。首相は、復活させた党の税制関連部会などで党内論議をリードし、野党にも重ねて協議を呼びかけるべきだ。
It is also urgent to lower the nation's corporate tax rate, which is relatively high by world standards. To rejuvenate the Japanese economy, it is essential to enhance corporate vitality and improve competitiveness. Lowering the corporate tax rate is indispensable for that.
国際的に高い法人税率の引き下げも急務だ。日本経済の再生には企業活力を引き出し、競争力を高めることが肝要だ。それには法人税引き下げが不可欠である。
With the Finance Ministry concerned about a possible decline in tax revenues, the government's Tax Commission is expected to face tough going. Kan should not simply leave matters to the commission but must exercise leadership and achieve the objective of lowering the corporate tax rate as part of tax system revision for fiscal 2011.
財務省は税収減を懸念し、政府税制調査会では調整が難航するとみられる。首相は税調任せにせず指導力を発揮し、来年度税制改正で、ぜひ実現させるべきだ。
Kan's touchstone for the time being is the fiscal 2011 budget compilation. Budget requests hit record highs, but Japan is mired in an extraordinary fiscal situation in which the government is taking in less through taxes than it borrows through bonds. Therefore, the government can no longer afford to continue handout policies.
首相の当面の試金石は、来年度予算案の編成だ。概算要求額は過去最大に膨らんだが、日本の財政は新規国債の発行額が税収を上回る異常事態であり、バラマキ政策を続ける余裕はない。
The government should compile a finely tuned budget in which, for example, such policies as the child-rearing allowance are boldly reviewed while spending that would help underpin the country's economy is increased.
子ども手当などの政策を大胆に見直し、景気下支えに役立つ歳出を手厚くするなど、メリハリのきいた予算を作るべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2010)
（2010年9月19日01時15分 読売新聞）
Consumption tax debate must proceed
消費税論議 新体制で与野党協議進めよ（9月19日付・読売社説）
Fiscal reconstruction and economic recovery are the main themes that Prime Minister Naoto Kan's newly reshuffled Cabinet must address. It should prop up the economy and rehabilitate the nation's fiscal condition, which is the worst among advanced nations.
景気をテコ入れし、先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直す――。
菅改造内閣が取り組むべき経済テーマの柱は、景気と財政再建の両立である。
To that end, the Cabinet must put its back into tackling the consumption tax issue, which the prime minister began to treat cautiously after the Democratic Party of Japan's setback in the House of Councillors election in July.
その実現のため、参院選敗北で首相が及び腰になった消費税問題に、今度こそ腰を据えて取り組まなければならない。
The battle lines on this issue were drawn in the run-up to last week's DPJ presidential election. While Kan said he would consider drastic tax reforms, including of the consumption tax, his opponent, former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa, stressed the government should cut waste before raising taxes.
民主党代表選では、財源を巡る対立軸が鮮明になった。「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革を検討する」と訴えた首相に対し、小沢元代表は「増税の前に無駄減らしだ」と強調した。
===
Increase is inevitable
It is a foregone conclusion that reducing waste, no matter how seriously the government tackles the problem, will not generate much in the way of financial resources.
無駄排除にいくら取り組んでもさほど財源を捻出(ねんしゅつ)できないのは、はっきりしている。
Also, we cannot say that replacing central government subsidies to local governments with lump-sum grants to them with fewer strings attached, or securitizing state-owned assets, constitutes the kiss of life for an anemic economy.
補助金の一括交付金化や国有財産の証券化なども、起死回生策とは言い難い。
It is likely that Kan's victory in the DPJ leadership race was due in part to the many DPJ lawmakers, party members and supporters who judged as unreasonable Ozawa's vow to fully implement the promises contained in the party's manifesto without clearly indicating the financial resources to fund them.
財源の明示なしに政権公約の完全実施を求めた小沢氏の主張に対し、民主党国会議員や党員・サポーターの多くが「無理がある」と判断したことが、首相勝利の一因になったと見ていいだろう。
It is impermissible for the issue of financial resources to be left on the shelf any longer in this country, which is saddled with massive budget deficits. And it is clear that raising the consumption tax rate is unavoidable to secure funds to cover the nation's ballooning social security costs.
巨額の財政赤字を抱える日本でこれ以上、財源問題を棚上げすることは許されない。増大する社会保障費を賄う財源を確保するためにも、消費税率の引き上げが避けられないのは明らかである。
A Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey conducted during the DPJ presidential election race found that 52 percent of respondents supported Kan's stance toward the consumption tax, greatly surpassing the 38 percent supporting Ozawa, who took a negative view toward a tax hike. The people apparently want thorough debate over the issue.
読売新聞が代表選中に実施した世論調査でも、消費税を巡る首相の姿勢を支持した人が全体の５２％で、引き上げに否定的な小沢氏を支持する３８％を大幅に上回った。国民は本格論議を求めている。
However, although Kan called for drastic tax reforms during the DPJ presidential election, he has yet to go further into their vital contents.
だが、首相は代表選で税制の抜本改革を叫びながら、肝心の中身には踏み込んでいない。
===
Start discussing details
Some DPJ members, such as Ozawa, are stubbornly cautious toward the consumption tax issue. Kan should lead intraparty debate in various settings, including a tax panel that the DPJ has resurrected, while again calling on opposition parties to join a wider discussion.
民主党内には、小沢氏に代表されるように、消費税論議に慎重な意見も根強い。首相は、復活させた党の税制関連部会などで党内論議をリードし、野党にも重ねて協議を呼びかけるべきだ。
It is also urgent to lower the nation's corporate tax rate, which is relatively high by world standards. To rejuvenate the Japanese economy, it is essential to enhance corporate vitality and improve competitiveness. Lowering the corporate tax rate is indispensable for that.
国際的に高い法人税率の引き下げも急務だ。日本経済の再生には企業活力を引き出し、競争力を高めることが肝要だ。それには法人税引き下げが不可欠である。
With the Finance Ministry concerned about a possible decline in tax revenues, the government's Tax Commission is expected to face tough going. Kan should not simply leave matters to the commission but must exercise leadership and achieve the objective of lowering the corporate tax rate as part of tax system revision for fiscal 2011.
財務省は税収減を懸念し、政府税制調査会では調整が難航するとみられる。首相は税調任せにせず指導力を発揮し、来年度税制改正で、ぜひ実現させるべきだ。
Kan's touchstone for the time being is the fiscal 2011 budget compilation. Budget requests hit record highs, but Japan is mired in an extraordinary fiscal situation in which the government is taking in less through taxes than it borrows through bonds. Therefore, the government can no longer afford to continue handout policies.
首相の当面の試金石は、来年度予算案の編成だ。概算要求額は過去最大に膨らんだが、日本の財政は新規国債の発行額が税収を上回る異常事態であり、バラマキ政策を続ける余裕はない。
The government should compile a finely tuned budget in which, for example, such policies as the child-rearing allowance are boldly reviewed while spending that would help underpin the country's economy is increased.
子ども手当などの政策を大胆に見直し、景気下支えに役立つ歳出を手厚くするなど、メリハリのきいた予算を作るべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2010)
（2010年9月19日01時15分 読売新聞）
2010/09/19
New Cabinet must tackle economy first
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 19, 2010)
New Cabinet must tackle economy first
菅改造内閣 まず景気回復に全力を挙げよ（9月18日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's reshuffled Cabinet was launched Friday.
菅改造内閣が１７日、発足した。
Kan retained five Cabinet members, including Yoshito Sengoku in the central post of chief cabinet secretary and Yoshihiko Noda, who emphasizes fiscal reconstruction, as finance minister. However, the prime minister made new appointments for the 12 other posts, including those of health, labor and welfare minister and economy, trade and industry minister.
内閣の要である仙谷由人官房長官、財政再建重視の野田佳彦財務相ら５閣僚を留任させる一方、厚生労働相や経済産業相など１２ポストは新たに選任した。
With this major shift in its lineup, the new Cabinet must boldly tackle a number of domestic and diplomatic issues. 内閣の陣容を大幅に入れ替えたのを機に、内政・外交の諸課題の解決に、果断に取り組まなければならない。
First and foremost should be measures to address the rising yen and the flagging economy.
真っ先に対応すべきは円高・景気対策である。
As a result of monetary authorities recently making their first market intervention in 6-1/2 years, the sharp appreciation of the yen has been stemmed for the time being. But there should be no optimism about what is to come.
６年半ぶりの為替介入で円高の流れにひとまず歯止めがかかっているが、予断は許さない。
Finance Minister Noda must make the utmost effort, in close cooperation with the Bank of Japan, to prevent appreciation in the yen's value.
野田財務相は、日銀と緊密に連携し、円高阻止に全力を挙げてほしい。
===
Put growth strategy on track
◆成長戦略を軌道に◆
Kan intends to craft a supplementary budget for this fiscal year that includes additional stimulus measures. Given the uncertain economic outlook, this is a reasonable decision.
菅首相は、追加の経済対策を盛り込んだ今年度補正予算を編成する意向だ。景気の先行き不安を考えれば妥当な判断である。
It also is essential to have a growth strategy to invigorate private companies and increase their international competitiveness. Cabinet ministers in charge of economic affairs must exercise leadership so the government-launched Council on the Realization of the New Growth Strategy can fully function.
企業の活力を引き出し、国際競争力を高める成長戦略も大事だ。先に政府が発足させた「新成長戦略実現会議」が十分に機能するよう、関係の経済閣僚は、指導力を発揮しなければならない。
Budget requests made by ministries for the next fiscal year total more than 96 trillion yen, far exceeding this fiscal year's budget. The state's finances are tight, so the budget requests must be reduced. But if that causes the economy to cool down further, the loss to the nation would be even greater.
来年度予算編成に向けた各府省の要求総額は９６兆円超と、今年度予算額を大きく上回っている。財政事情は厳しく、要求の絞り込みが課題となるが、景気を冷え込ませては元も子もない。
Regional economies are in dire straits. Funding should be increased for projects that could stimulate the economy and create new jobs. It is important to employ a selective, focused strategy in budget compilation.
地方の経済は疲弊している。景気を刺激し、新たな雇用創出が期待できる事業には、むしろ予算を増やす「選択と集中」が大切だ。
It is the handout policy measures included in the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election that must be drastically revised. Little economic benefit can be expected from such measures as child-rearing allowances and toll-free expressways.
経済効果が期待できない子ども手当や高速道路無料化など、衆院選政権公約によるバラマキ政策こそ大幅に見直すべきだ。
To improve fiscal conditions and secure a stable revenue source for social security spending, raising the consumption tax rate is inevitable.
財政の健全化と社会保障費の安定財源確保には、消費税率の引き上げが避けて通れない。
Kan has called for suprapartisan discussions on the consumption tax and social security. He needs to urge opposition parties to start such discussions soon.
菅首相はかねて、消費税問題や社会保障に関する超党派協議を唱えてきた。野党側に働きかけ、早期に協議入りする必要がある。
In the extraordinary Diet session that is expected to be convened in October, it is vital to obtain cooperation from the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties under the divided Diet, where the ruling camp has a majority in the lower house while the opposition camp controls the House of Councillors.
１０月召集予定の臨時国会は、衆参ねじれ状況の下、自民党など野党の協力が欠かせない。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has been receptive to the idea of suprapartisan talks. But he maintains they will not take place as long as the DPJ continues its handout measures, and has set revision or withdrawal of these pledges as a condition for beginning suprapartisan talks. This is only natural.
自民党の石原伸晃幹事長は、協議に前向きな姿勢を示している。だが、「民主党がバラマキを続けている限りはだめだ」とし、政権公約の修正・撤回が協議入りの前提としている。当然のことだ。
Kan should bring about suprapartisan talks by drastically reviewing the policy pledges. Doing so also would pave the way for the formation of policy-based partial alliances between ruling and opposition parties.
菅首相は、政権公約を大胆に見直すことで、超党派協議を実現すべきだ。それが、政策ごとに与野党が協力する部分連合への道を開くことにもなろう。
The post of foreign minister was given to Seiji Maehara, who previously served as land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister. The previous foreign minister, Katsuya Okada, is now DPJ secretary general.
党幹事長に転じた岡田克也外相の後任には、前原誠司前国土交通相が横滑りした。
===
National interests key
◆国益踏まえた外交を◆
Maehara, who is well versed in security affairs, has many personal connections with pro-Japan experts in the United States. He apparently was seen as a good choice to heal the bilateral relations damaged under the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
安全保障通の前原氏は、米国の知日派にも多くの人脈を持つ。鳩山前内閣で亀裂が入った対米関係を改善するうえで適任とみなされての起用だろう。
We expect Maehara to make every possible effort, together with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, to realize the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within Okinawa Prefecture as agreed by the two governments in May.
留任した北沢俊美防衛相とともに、５月の日米合意に沿って米軍普天間飛行場の移設実現に全力で取り組んでほしい。
China has acted in a high-handed manner following an incident in which a Chinese trawler collided with Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels in waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea earlier this month. Maehara has taken a tough stance on China's military buildup ever since his days as head of the DPJ, and we hope that in relations with China he will assert what needs to be asserted, based on careful consideration of this country's interests.
尖閣沖漁船衝突事件では、中国は高圧的な姿勢をみせている。前原氏は党代表時代から、中国の軍事力増強について厳しい見方をしてきた。対中外交は、国益をしっかりと踏まえ、主張すべきは主張する姿勢で臨んでもらいたい。
Furthermore, the relationship between the government and political parties must be rebuilt, as must that between politicians and bureaucrats.
政府と党の関係や「政と官」のあり方についても、立て直しが急務である。
The former Hatoyama Cabinet did not have sufficient communications with key members of the ruling party, and its decision-making process was chaotic as policies were approved and then reversed a number of times.
鳩山前内閣では、内閣と党の意思疎通を欠き、いったん決まった方針が二転三転するなど、政策決定に乱れが生じていた。
Koichiro Gemba, who doubles as state minister in charge of national policy and chairman of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee, must act as a bridge between the DPJ and the Cabinet.
国家戦略相を兼務する玄葉光一郎政調会長は、党の政策調査会と内閣との橋渡し役をしっかり務める必要があろう。
Non-lawmaker Yoshihiro Katayama was appointed internal affairs and communications minister. Katayama, a former Home Affairs Ministry bureaucrat, worked to increase administrative transparency when he served as governor of Tottori Prefecture, and as a private-sector member of the Government Revitalization Unit, he has actively called for reform of the civil service.
非議員ながら総務相に抜擢(ばってき)された、旧自治省出身の片山善博前鳥取県知事は、知事時代に行政の透明化に取り組んだ。政府の行政刷新会議では、公務員改革について積極的に発信している。
Relations between politicians and bureaucrats under the DPJ-led government always have been awkward. If politicians fail to listen to bureaucrats' opinions and advice and discourage their enthusiasm by misconstruing the true meaning of politician-led government affairs, they will end up with a stagnant administration.
民主党政権における政官関係は絶えずぎくしゃくしてきた。「政治主導」の意味を履き違えて、官僚の進言に耳を貸さなかったり、官僚のやる気をそいだりするのでは、行政の停滞を招く。
All the Cabinet members must be firmly committed to utilizing bureaucrats in ways that bring out the best of the bureaucrats' capabilities.
改造内閣の各閣僚は、霞が関の官僚たちの能力を最大限引き出すため、官僚を使いこなす姿勢に徹してもらいたい。
===
Intraparty struggle remains
◆残った党内抗争の火種◆
The reshuffled Cabinet and DPJ leadership do not include anyone from the intraparty group led by former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa, who lost to Kan in the recent party presidential election.
今回の内閣・党役員人事では、首相が党代表の座を争った小沢一郎元代表のグループからは一人も起用されなかった。
Many in the Ozawa group are junior lawmakers. Kan intends to appoint a number of Ozawa group members as senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries to establish party unity.
小沢グループは若手議員が多数を占めている。首相としては、副大臣や政務官に積極的に登用し、挙党態勢を築きたい考えだ。
But Ozawa refused to take the post of DPJ acting president offered by Kan. Ozawa apparently is determined to act as an intraparty opposition force, expecting Kan's administration to get bogged down soon or later.
ただ、小沢氏は、首相が要請した党代表代行への就任を断った。菅政権がいずれ行き詰まるとみて「党内野党」の立場に徹するつもりなのだろう。
As the seeds of intraparty conflict remain, Kan will have difficulty steering the administration.
党内抗争の火種を抱え、菅首相は引き続き、厳しい政権運営を迫られることになる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2010)
（2010年9月18日01時33分 読売新聞）
New Cabinet must tackle economy first
菅改造内閣 まず景気回復に全力を挙げよ（9月18日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's reshuffled Cabinet was launched Friday.
菅改造内閣が１７日、発足した。
Kan retained five Cabinet members, including Yoshito Sengoku in the central post of chief cabinet secretary and Yoshihiko Noda, who emphasizes fiscal reconstruction, as finance minister. However, the prime minister made new appointments for the 12 other posts, including those of health, labor and welfare minister and economy, trade and industry minister.
内閣の要である仙谷由人官房長官、財政再建重視の野田佳彦財務相ら５閣僚を留任させる一方、厚生労働相や経済産業相など１２ポストは新たに選任した。
With this major shift in its lineup, the new Cabinet must boldly tackle a number of domestic and diplomatic issues. 内閣の陣容を大幅に入れ替えたのを機に、内政・外交の諸課題の解決に、果断に取り組まなければならない。
First and foremost should be measures to address the rising yen and the flagging economy.
真っ先に対応すべきは円高・景気対策である。
As a result of monetary authorities recently making their first market intervention in 6-1/2 years, the sharp appreciation of the yen has been stemmed for the time being. But there should be no optimism about what is to come.
６年半ぶりの為替介入で円高の流れにひとまず歯止めがかかっているが、予断は許さない。
Finance Minister Noda must make the utmost effort, in close cooperation with the Bank of Japan, to prevent appreciation in the yen's value.
野田財務相は、日銀と緊密に連携し、円高阻止に全力を挙げてほしい。
===
Put growth strategy on track
◆成長戦略を軌道に◆
Kan intends to craft a supplementary budget for this fiscal year that includes additional stimulus measures. Given the uncertain economic outlook, this is a reasonable decision.
菅首相は、追加の経済対策を盛り込んだ今年度補正予算を編成する意向だ。景気の先行き不安を考えれば妥当な判断である。
It also is essential to have a growth strategy to invigorate private companies and increase their international competitiveness. Cabinet ministers in charge of economic affairs must exercise leadership so the government-launched Council on the Realization of the New Growth Strategy can fully function.
企業の活力を引き出し、国際競争力を高める成長戦略も大事だ。先に政府が発足させた「新成長戦略実現会議」が十分に機能するよう、関係の経済閣僚は、指導力を発揮しなければならない。
Budget requests made by ministries for the next fiscal year total more than 96 trillion yen, far exceeding this fiscal year's budget. The state's finances are tight, so the budget requests must be reduced. But if that causes the economy to cool down further, the loss to the nation would be even greater.
来年度予算編成に向けた各府省の要求総額は９６兆円超と、今年度予算額を大きく上回っている。財政事情は厳しく、要求の絞り込みが課題となるが、景気を冷え込ませては元も子もない。
Regional economies are in dire straits. Funding should be increased for projects that could stimulate the economy and create new jobs. It is important to employ a selective, focused strategy in budget compilation.
地方の経済は疲弊している。景気を刺激し、新たな雇用創出が期待できる事業には、むしろ予算を増やす「選択と集中」が大切だ。
It is the handout policy measures included in the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election that must be drastically revised. Little economic benefit can be expected from such measures as child-rearing allowances and toll-free expressways.
経済効果が期待できない子ども手当や高速道路無料化など、衆院選政権公約によるバラマキ政策こそ大幅に見直すべきだ。
To improve fiscal conditions and secure a stable revenue source for social security spending, raising the consumption tax rate is inevitable.
財政の健全化と社会保障費の安定財源確保には、消費税率の引き上げが避けて通れない。
Kan has called for suprapartisan discussions on the consumption tax and social security. He needs to urge opposition parties to start such discussions soon.
菅首相はかねて、消費税問題や社会保障に関する超党派協議を唱えてきた。野党側に働きかけ、早期に協議入りする必要がある。
In the extraordinary Diet session that is expected to be convened in October, it is vital to obtain cooperation from the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties under the divided Diet, where the ruling camp has a majority in the lower house while the opposition camp controls the House of Councillors.
１０月召集予定の臨時国会は、衆参ねじれ状況の下、自民党など野党の協力が欠かせない。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has been receptive to the idea of suprapartisan talks. But he maintains they will not take place as long as the DPJ continues its handout measures, and has set revision or withdrawal of these pledges as a condition for beginning suprapartisan talks. This is only natural.
自民党の石原伸晃幹事長は、協議に前向きな姿勢を示している。だが、「民主党がバラマキを続けている限りはだめだ」とし、政権公約の修正・撤回が協議入りの前提としている。当然のことだ。
Kan should bring about suprapartisan talks by drastically reviewing the policy pledges. Doing so also would pave the way for the formation of policy-based partial alliances between ruling and opposition parties.
菅首相は、政権公約を大胆に見直すことで、超党派協議を実現すべきだ。それが、政策ごとに与野党が協力する部分連合への道を開くことにもなろう。
The post of foreign minister was given to Seiji Maehara, who previously served as land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister. The previous foreign minister, Katsuya Okada, is now DPJ secretary general.
党幹事長に転じた岡田克也外相の後任には、前原誠司前国土交通相が横滑りした。
===
National interests key
◆国益踏まえた外交を◆
Maehara, who is well versed in security affairs, has many personal connections with pro-Japan experts in the United States. He apparently was seen as a good choice to heal the bilateral relations damaged under the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
安全保障通の前原氏は、米国の知日派にも多くの人脈を持つ。鳩山前内閣で亀裂が入った対米関係を改善するうえで適任とみなされての起用だろう。
We expect Maehara to make every possible effort, together with Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, to realize the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station within Okinawa Prefecture as agreed by the two governments in May.
留任した北沢俊美防衛相とともに、５月の日米合意に沿って米軍普天間飛行場の移設実現に全力で取り組んでほしい。
China has acted in a high-handed manner following an incident in which a Chinese trawler collided with Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels in waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea earlier this month. Maehara has taken a tough stance on China's military buildup ever since his days as head of the DPJ, and we hope that in relations with China he will assert what needs to be asserted, based on careful consideration of this country's interests.
尖閣沖漁船衝突事件では、中国は高圧的な姿勢をみせている。前原氏は党代表時代から、中国の軍事力増強について厳しい見方をしてきた。対中外交は、国益をしっかりと踏まえ、主張すべきは主張する姿勢で臨んでもらいたい。
Furthermore, the relationship between the government and political parties must be rebuilt, as must that between politicians and bureaucrats.
政府と党の関係や「政と官」のあり方についても、立て直しが急務である。
The former Hatoyama Cabinet did not have sufficient communications with key members of the ruling party, and its decision-making process was chaotic as policies were approved and then reversed a number of times.
鳩山前内閣では、内閣と党の意思疎通を欠き、いったん決まった方針が二転三転するなど、政策決定に乱れが生じていた。
Koichiro Gemba, who doubles as state minister in charge of national policy and chairman of the DPJ's Policy Research Committee, must act as a bridge between the DPJ and the Cabinet.
国家戦略相を兼務する玄葉光一郎政調会長は、党の政策調査会と内閣との橋渡し役をしっかり務める必要があろう。
Non-lawmaker Yoshihiro Katayama was appointed internal affairs and communications minister. Katayama, a former Home Affairs Ministry bureaucrat, worked to increase administrative transparency when he served as governor of Tottori Prefecture, and as a private-sector member of the Government Revitalization Unit, he has actively called for reform of the civil service.
非議員ながら総務相に抜擢(ばってき)された、旧自治省出身の片山善博前鳥取県知事は、知事時代に行政の透明化に取り組んだ。政府の行政刷新会議では、公務員改革について積極的に発信している。
Relations between politicians and bureaucrats under the DPJ-led government always have been awkward. If politicians fail to listen to bureaucrats' opinions and advice and discourage their enthusiasm by misconstruing the true meaning of politician-led government affairs, they will end up with a stagnant administration.
民主党政権における政官関係は絶えずぎくしゃくしてきた。「政治主導」の意味を履き違えて、官僚の進言に耳を貸さなかったり、官僚のやる気をそいだりするのでは、行政の停滞を招く。
All the Cabinet members must be firmly committed to utilizing bureaucrats in ways that bring out the best of the bureaucrats' capabilities.
改造内閣の各閣僚は、霞が関の官僚たちの能力を最大限引き出すため、官僚を使いこなす姿勢に徹してもらいたい。
===
Intraparty struggle remains
◆残った党内抗争の火種◆
The reshuffled Cabinet and DPJ leadership do not include anyone from the intraparty group led by former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa, who lost to Kan in the recent party presidential election.
今回の内閣・党役員人事では、首相が党代表の座を争った小沢一郎元代表のグループからは一人も起用されなかった。
Many in the Ozawa group are junior lawmakers. Kan intends to appoint a number of Ozawa group members as senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries to establish party unity.
小沢グループは若手議員が多数を占めている。首相としては、副大臣や政務官に積極的に登用し、挙党態勢を築きたい考えだ。
But Ozawa refused to take the post of DPJ acting president offered by Kan. Ozawa apparently is determined to act as an intraparty opposition force, expecting Kan's administration to get bogged down soon or later.
ただ、小沢氏は、首相が要請した党代表代行への就任を断った。菅政権がいずれ行き詰まるとみて「党内野党」の立場に徹するつもりなのだろう。
As the seeds of intraparty conflict remain, Kan will have difficulty steering the administration.
党内抗争の火種を抱え、菅首相は引き続き、厳しい政権運営を迫られることになる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2010)
（2010年9月18日01時33分 読売新聞）
2010/09/18
Recently, I’m making comments on the postings of President Obama in facebook. I’ve realized reaction on my comments is quicker than that one in Japan. (It is slower in Japan.) I’m satisfied with the reaction, as I think my posting in English is accepted. Around two years ago, my posting for an American discussion forum was hated and rejected, because of lack of vocabulary in English as well as lack of American and European thinking way. Now it seems to me that I’ve already got rid of the difficulty. It is only concerning about English, but English! I’ve got impressed with the reaction made by foreigners. Thank you very much.
(srachai from khonkaen, thailand)
ここのところ毎日facebookでオバマ大統領の投稿にはたいていコメントしています。海外よりの反応は日本より素早いですね。（日本は遅いです）多分私の英語を受け入れてもらったものだと感激しています。２年前にはアメリカ人の経営するディスカッションフォーラムで英語力のなさと欧米の価値観から逸脱した私の投稿は袋叩きにあった経験があります。今では歓迎されるようになっています。たかが英語されど英語。海外よりの励ましはグット胸に迫りました。ありがとうございます。
（スラチャイ記、コンケンの自宅にて）
photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンド
Coexistence means fighting cultural frictions
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 18, 2010)
Coexistence means fighting cultural frictions
排外主義の台頭 異文化とどう共生していくか（9月17日付・読売社説）
The burqa, an enveloping outer garment, and the niqab, a veil covering the face, are worn by devout Muslim women.
敬虔(けいけん)なイスラム教徒女性が身に着ける衣装に、顔も体も覆い隠すブルカやニカブがある。
The French legislature has passed a bill banning women from wearing this type of clothing in public places.
これを公共の場で着用するのを禁止する法律が、フランスで成立した。
The law, prepared by the French government, will take effect in six months unless objections are raised by the Constitutional Council, an organ tasked with examining the constitutionality of laws.
違憲立法審査機関が異議を唱えなければ半年後に施行される。
Protagonists of the burqa-niqab ban have said wearing these garments runs counter to the principle of separation of church and state, and to the emancipation of women.
禁止の理由は、ブルカが厳格な政教分離や女性解放の理念に反するからだという。
President Nicolas Sarkozy's government has continued to send Roma back to such countries as Romania since summer. His administration is also considering revoking French nationality for immigrants found guilty of committing major crimes.
法案を準備したサルコジ政権は今夏以来、ルーマニアなどからやって来たロマ人を強制送還しているほか、重罪を犯した移民の国籍剥奪(はくだつ)も検討している。
Sarkozy's strong measures, including his crackdown on Roma communities, are a response to street disturbances by groups of young Roma and immigrants. However, the president continues to be accused of trying to resurrect his slumping popularity through these harsh measures, with a view to being reelected president in 2012.
ロマ人や移民の若者グループが暴動を起こしたためだが、２０１２年の大統領選を見据えた人気回復策だ、との批判は絶えない。
Violation of EU rules
France's expulsion of Roma, also known as Gypsies, has drawn fire from other European Union nations on the grounds that it violates the rule of freedom of movement within the bloc. However, a majority of French people support the Roma expulsion and burqa ban.
かつてジプシーと呼ばれたロマ人の追放には、欧州連合（ＥＵ）内でも、ＥＵの基本原則「域内の移動の自由」の侵害だ、と批判が起きている。しかし、仏国民の大半は、追放にもブルカ禁止にも賛成している。
If Sarkozy is merely trying to please the public through his antiforeigner policy, it is a sad commentary on France's national motto of liberty, equality and fraternity.
そんな世論に迎合した排外政策だとしたら、フランスが掲げる「自由・平等・友愛」の理念が泣くのではないか。
France is not the only country that apparently has become intolerant of immigrants and other minorities.
移民や少数派に非寛容になったのはフランスだけではない。
The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States have led many Americans and Europeans to view Muslims with fear and suspicion.
欧米諸国では、９年前の米同時テロ事件で、イスラム教徒を見る目に恐怖と猜疑(さいぎ)心が加わった。
Recent fiscal crises gripping some European countries, combined with a rise in unemployment, have triggered an even stronger antipathy toward immigrants. This is exemplified by ultrarightist parties making major gains in Dutch and Hungarian elections earlier this year after calling for restrictions on Muslim immigrants and a crackdown on Roma.
欧州では最近の財政危機や失業率の増加で、移民に対する風当たりはさらに強くなった。オランダやハンガリーで今年前半、イスラム教徒排斥やロマ人の取り締まり強化を叫ぶ極右政党が選挙で大躍進したのは、その一例である。
Rise in xenophobia
The anti-burqa movement is also gathering momentum in Belgium and Spain. Italy has also has set its sights on expelling Roma.
ブルカ禁止の動きはベルギーやスペインでも進む。ロマ人追放にはイタリアも乗り出した。
In early September, a board member of Germany's federal bank was dismissed for repeating racist remarks about Muslim immigrants and Jews. According to a survey, only about 30 percent of Germans thought the banker should be fired.
ドイツでは、イスラム教徒移民やユダヤ人に対する差別的発言を繰り返した連邦銀行理事が今月初めに解任されたが、解任を支持する声は約３割にとどまった。
The rise in xenophobic sentiment also is noticeable in the United States, a melting pot for immigrants. Divisions have deepened among Americans over a plan to build a mosque and Islamic center near New York's Ground Zero. Several days ago, a Florida pastor opposing the mosque construction plan stirred up an international furor when he vowed to burn copies of the Koran.
移民大国の米国でも、米同時テロ跡地近くにイスラム教礼拝堂を建設する計画をめぐって、賛成派と反対派の亀裂が深まっている。反対派の牧師がイスラム教の聖典コーランを焼却すると宣言して、世界を騒然とさせた。
The ongoing process of globalization obliges people to live with those who adhere to different religious faiths, manners and customs. Japan is no exception.
グローバル化が進む今、信仰や習俗の異なる人々との共生は避けて通れない。それは、日本も例外ではない。
The coexistence of different cultures also requires efforts by immigrants and other minorities to assimilate into the communities they live in. A society that accepts such minorities must fight cultural frictions that give rise to antiforeigner sentiments.
異文化との共生には、移民など少数派が既存社会に溶け込む努力も欠かせない。受け入れる側には文化摩擦の中で起きる排外主義と闘う責任があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2010)
（2010年9月17日01時34分 読売新聞）
Coexistence means fighting cultural frictions
排外主義の台頭 異文化とどう共生していくか（9月17日付・読売社説）
The burqa, an enveloping outer garment, and the niqab, a veil covering the face, are worn by devout Muslim women.
敬虔(けいけん)なイスラム教徒女性が身に着ける衣装に、顔も体も覆い隠すブルカやニカブがある。
The French legislature has passed a bill banning women from wearing this type of clothing in public places.
これを公共の場で着用するのを禁止する法律が、フランスで成立した。
The law, prepared by the French government, will take effect in six months unless objections are raised by the Constitutional Council, an organ tasked with examining the constitutionality of laws.
違憲立法審査機関が異議を唱えなければ半年後に施行される。
Protagonists of the burqa-niqab ban have said wearing these garments runs counter to the principle of separation of church and state, and to the emancipation of women.
禁止の理由は、ブルカが厳格な政教分離や女性解放の理念に反するからだという。
President Nicolas Sarkozy's government has continued to send Roma back to such countries as Romania since summer. His administration is also considering revoking French nationality for immigrants found guilty of committing major crimes.
法案を準備したサルコジ政権は今夏以来、ルーマニアなどからやって来たロマ人を強制送還しているほか、重罪を犯した移民の国籍剥奪(はくだつ)も検討している。
Sarkozy's strong measures, including his crackdown on Roma communities, are a response to street disturbances by groups of young Roma and immigrants. However, the president continues to be accused of trying to resurrect his slumping popularity through these harsh measures, with a view to being reelected president in 2012.
ロマ人や移民の若者グループが暴動を起こしたためだが、２０１２年の大統領選を見据えた人気回復策だ、との批判は絶えない。
Violation of EU rules
France's expulsion of Roma, also known as Gypsies, has drawn fire from other European Union nations on the grounds that it violates the rule of freedom of movement within the bloc. However, a majority of French people support the Roma expulsion and burqa ban.
かつてジプシーと呼ばれたロマ人の追放には、欧州連合（ＥＵ）内でも、ＥＵの基本原則「域内の移動の自由」の侵害だ、と批判が起きている。しかし、仏国民の大半は、追放にもブルカ禁止にも賛成している。
If Sarkozy is merely trying to please the public through his antiforeigner policy, it is a sad commentary on France's national motto of liberty, equality and fraternity.
そんな世論に迎合した排外政策だとしたら、フランスが掲げる「自由・平等・友愛」の理念が泣くのではないか。
France is not the only country that apparently has become intolerant of immigrants and other minorities.
移民や少数派に非寛容になったのはフランスだけではない。
The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States have led many Americans and Europeans to view Muslims with fear and suspicion.
欧米諸国では、９年前の米同時テロ事件で、イスラム教徒を見る目に恐怖と猜疑(さいぎ)心が加わった。
Recent fiscal crises gripping some European countries, combined with a rise in unemployment, have triggered an even stronger antipathy toward immigrants. This is exemplified by ultrarightist parties making major gains in Dutch and Hungarian elections earlier this year after calling for restrictions on Muslim immigrants and a crackdown on Roma.
欧州では最近の財政危機や失業率の増加で、移民に対する風当たりはさらに強くなった。オランダやハンガリーで今年前半、イスラム教徒排斥やロマ人の取り締まり強化を叫ぶ極右政党が選挙で大躍進したのは、その一例である。
Rise in xenophobia
The anti-burqa movement is also gathering momentum in Belgium and Spain. Italy has also has set its sights on expelling Roma.
ブルカ禁止の動きはベルギーやスペインでも進む。ロマ人追放にはイタリアも乗り出した。
In early September, a board member of Germany's federal bank was dismissed for repeating racist remarks about Muslim immigrants and Jews. According to a survey, only about 30 percent of Germans thought the banker should be fired.
ドイツでは、イスラム教徒移民やユダヤ人に対する差別的発言を繰り返した連邦銀行理事が今月初めに解任されたが、解任を支持する声は約３割にとどまった。
The rise in xenophobic sentiment also is noticeable in the United States, a melting pot for immigrants. Divisions have deepened among Americans over a plan to build a mosque and Islamic center near New York's Ground Zero. Several days ago, a Florida pastor opposing the mosque construction plan stirred up an international furor when he vowed to burn copies of the Koran.
移民大国の米国でも、米同時テロ跡地近くにイスラム教礼拝堂を建設する計画をめぐって、賛成派と反対派の亀裂が深まっている。反対派の牧師がイスラム教の聖典コーランを焼却すると宣言して、世界を騒然とさせた。
The ongoing process of globalization obliges people to live with those who adhere to different religious faiths, manners and customs. Japan is no exception.
グローバル化が進む今、信仰や習俗の異なる人々との共生は避けて通れない。それは、日本も例外ではない。
The coexistence of different cultures also requires efforts by immigrants and other minorities to assimilate into the communities they live in. A society that accepts such minorities must fight cultural frictions that give rise to antiforeigner sentiments.
異文化との共生には、移民など少数派が既存社会に溶け込む努力も欠かせない。受け入れる側には文化摩擦の中で起きる排外主義と闘う責任があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2010)
（2010年9月17日01時34分 読売新聞）
2010/09/17
China shouldn't stir up anti-Japanese sentiment
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 17, 2010)
China shouldn't stir up anti-Japanese sentiment
尖閣沖漁船衝突 中国は「反日」沈静化に努めよ（9月16日付・読売社説）
China has taken a strikingly hard line over Japan's handling of the recent collisions of a Chinese fishing trawler with two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
尖閣諸島沖の中国漁船衝突事件で、中国の強硬姿勢が目立っている。
China has protested five times to Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa over the arrest of the trawler's captain. China also unilaterally canceled talks on a pact covering joint gas field development in the East China Sea and a scheduled visit to Japan by Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
中国人船長の逮捕に対し、丹羽宇一郎駐中国大使への中国側の抗議は５度にわたった。東シナ海のガス田共同開発に向けた条約交渉や、全国人民代表大会副委員長の訪日も一方的にとりやめた。
In particular, the summons of Niwa by Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a deputy prime minister-level official, in the middle of the night on a holiday flies in the face of diplomatic protocol.
特に、副首相級の戴秉国国務委員が休日の未明に大使を呼び出したのは、外交儀礼的に問題のある対応だ。
China's postponement of the gas field talks, which has no direct link with the ship collisions, is an overreaction. We strongly urge China to exercise self-restraint.
事件と直接関係のないガス田交渉まで絡めることも行き過ぎである。中国には自制した対応を強く求めたい。
Japan in the right
The collisions occurred in Japanese waters off the Senkaku Islands, which are inherently Japanese. It is quite reasonable for Japan to deal with illegal activities in these waters in accordance with domestic law.
事件が起きた海域は、日本固有の領土である尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内だ。違法行為を日本の国内法で裁くのは当然である。
China is mistaken if it thinks Japan will buckle to China's demands if it plays hardball.
中国が、強い態度に出れば日本側が折れてくると考えているのなら、それは誤りだ。
Since the 1970s, China has claimed the Senkaku Islands belong to China. It has instilled this belief among its people through "anti-Japanese patriotism" education since the 1990s.
中国は、１９７０年代から尖閣諸島を中国の領土だと主張し、それを９０年代からの「反日・愛国」教育で国民に浸透させてきた。
If Chinese people get the impression that their government is "weak-kneed," it could ignite simmering public discontent over the country's economic disparities and other ills, which could escalate into anger directed at the Chinese Communist Party leadership.
尖閣問題で「政府は弱腰」との印象を与えれば、国内経済格差などへの不平や不満に“引火”し、中国国民の矛先が共産党指導部に向けられかねない――。
This fear has apparently driven the Chinese government to take a high-handed stance toward Japan over the collisions. But we think Beijing is barking up the wrong tree.
そんな懸念もあって、中国政府は今回、日本に高圧的な態度をとっているのだろう。だが、それは明らかに筋が違う話だ。
Online bulletin boards in China have been increasingly used to post extreme messages encouraging retaliatory attacks on Japan. Japanese living in China have been harassed, and small metallic balls were fired at a Japanese school building in Tianjin.
インターネット上では、日本への報復攻撃を促すなど過激な書き込みが増えている。天津市の日本人学校では、パチンコ玉状の金属球が撃ち込まれるなど、在留邦人への嫌がらせも起き始めた。
Level heads needed
The Japanese government on Monday sent members of the fishing boat crew, except for the captain, back to China, together with the vessel.
日本政府は１３日、船長以外の船員を帰国させ、漁船も返した。
We hoped China would applaud this attempt by the Japanese government to take some of the sting out of the situation. However, China has proclaimed the crew and vessel were returned "due to the united action taken by the Chinese government and its people." Beijing has used Japan's gesture to earn brownie points with the public.
そうした抑制的な対応を評価するならともかく、中国は「政府と国民の一体行動の成果」と喧伝(けんでん)し、国内世論対策に利用している。
This will only inflame "anti-Japanese" sentiment among Chinese people. We urge the Chinese government to defuse such sentiment and prevent a recurrence of the 2005 "anti-Japanese riots."
これでは、「反日」世論は過熱するばかりだ。中国は、２００５年の「反日」暴動を再来させることのないよう、国内世論の沈静化に努めるべきだ。
We also hope the Japanese side will continue to keep a level head. That being said, the government must not hesitate to refute inaccurate Chinese media reports, such as the claim that JCG patrol vessels "crashed into the fishing boat from behind."
日本側は冷静な対応に徹してほしい。ただ、海上保安庁の巡視船が「漁船に追突した」と、中国メディアが事実を曲げて報じていることには反論する必要がある。
The JCG videotaped the fishing boat intentionally colliding with two patrol vessels. However, the JCG has not released the tapes because it might need to submit them as evidence in court should the incident become a criminal case.
海保は、漁船が故意に衝突させた場面をビデオ撮影している。刑事裁判になれば証拠資料として提出する可能性があるため、公表を控えている。
If it becomes apparent that the captain was at fault, it may soothe public anger in China. Perhaps making the videotape public would be one way to achieve this.
だが、船長に非があることが明白になれば、中国国内世論を落ち着かせるのに役立とう。ビデオを公開するのも一案ではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2010)
（2010年9月16日01時27分 読売新聞）
China shouldn't stir up anti-Japanese sentiment
尖閣沖漁船衝突 中国は「反日」沈静化に努めよ（9月16日付・読売社説）
China has taken a strikingly hard line over Japan's handling of the recent collisions of a Chinese fishing trawler with two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
尖閣諸島沖の中国漁船衝突事件で、中国の強硬姿勢が目立っている。
China has protested five times to Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa over the arrest of the trawler's captain. China also unilaterally canceled talks on a pact covering joint gas field development in the East China Sea and a scheduled visit to Japan by Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
中国人船長の逮捕に対し、丹羽宇一郎駐中国大使への中国側の抗議は５度にわたった。東シナ海のガス田共同開発に向けた条約交渉や、全国人民代表大会副委員長の訪日も一方的にとりやめた。
In particular, the summons of Niwa by Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a deputy prime minister-level official, in the middle of the night on a holiday flies in the face of diplomatic protocol.
特に、副首相級の戴秉国国務委員が休日の未明に大使を呼び出したのは、外交儀礼的に問題のある対応だ。
China's postponement of the gas field talks, which has no direct link with the ship collisions, is an overreaction. We strongly urge China to exercise self-restraint.
事件と直接関係のないガス田交渉まで絡めることも行き過ぎである。中国には自制した対応を強く求めたい。
Japan in the right
The collisions occurred in Japanese waters off the Senkaku Islands, which are inherently Japanese. It is quite reasonable for Japan to deal with illegal activities in these waters in accordance with domestic law.
事件が起きた海域は、日本固有の領土である尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内だ。違法行為を日本の国内法で裁くのは当然である。
China is mistaken if it thinks Japan will buckle to China's demands if it plays hardball.
中国が、強い態度に出れば日本側が折れてくると考えているのなら、それは誤りだ。
Since the 1970s, China has claimed the Senkaku Islands belong to China. It has instilled this belief among its people through "anti-Japanese patriotism" education since the 1990s.
中国は、１９７０年代から尖閣諸島を中国の領土だと主張し、それを９０年代からの「反日・愛国」教育で国民に浸透させてきた。
If Chinese people get the impression that their government is "weak-kneed," it could ignite simmering public discontent over the country's economic disparities and other ills, which could escalate into anger directed at the Chinese Communist Party leadership.
尖閣問題で「政府は弱腰」との印象を与えれば、国内経済格差などへの不平や不満に“引火”し、中国国民の矛先が共産党指導部に向けられかねない――。
This fear has apparently driven the Chinese government to take a high-handed stance toward Japan over the collisions. But we think Beijing is barking up the wrong tree.
そんな懸念もあって、中国政府は今回、日本に高圧的な態度をとっているのだろう。だが、それは明らかに筋が違う話だ。
Online bulletin boards in China have been increasingly used to post extreme messages encouraging retaliatory attacks on Japan. Japanese living in China have been harassed, and small metallic balls were fired at a Japanese school building in Tianjin.
インターネット上では、日本への報復攻撃を促すなど過激な書き込みが増えている。天津市の日本人学校では、パチンコ玉状の金属球が撃ち込まれるなど、在留邦人への嫌がらせも起き始めた。
Level heads needed
The Japanese government on Monday sent members of the fishing boat crew, except for the captain, back to China, together with the vessel.
日本政府は１３日、船長以外の船員を帰国させ、漁船も返した。
We hoped China would applaud this attempt by the Japanese government to take some of the sting out of the situation. However, China has proclaimed the crew and vessel were returned "due to the united action taken by the Chinese government and its people." Beijing has used Japan's gesture to earn brownie points with the public.
そうした抑制的な対応を評価するならともかく、中国は「政府と国民の一体行動の成果」と喧伝(けんでん)し、国内世論対策に利用している。
This will only inflame "anti-Japanese" sentiment among Chinese people. We urge the Chinese government to defuse such sentiment and prevent a recurrence of the 2005 "anti-Japanese riots."
これでは、「反日」世論は過熱するばかりだ。中国は、２００５年の「反日」暴動を再来させることのないよう、国内世論の沈静化に努めるべきだ。
We also hope the Japanese side will continue to keep a level head. That being said, the government must not hesitate to refute inaccurate Chinese media reports, such as the claim that JCG patrol vessels "crashed into the fishing boat from behind."
日本側は冷静な対応に徹してほしい。ただ、海上保安庁の巡視船が「漁船に追突した」と、中国メディアが事実を曲げて報じていることには反論する必要がある。
The JCG videotaped the fishing boat intentionally colliding with two patrol vessels. However, the JCG has not released the tapes because it might need to submit them as evidence in court should the incident become a criminal case.
海保は、漁船が故意に衝突させた場面をビデオ撮影している。刑事裁判になれば証拠資料として提出する可能性があるため、公表を控えている。
If it becomes apparent that the captain was at fault, it may soothe public anger in China. Perhaps making the videotape public would be one way to achieve this.
だが、船長に非があることが明白になれば、中国国内世論を落ち着かせるのに役立とう。ビデオを公開するのも一案ではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2010)
（2010年9月16日01時27分 読売新聞）
2010/09/16
unwelcoming fx intervention
こんな無法が許されてよいものだろうか。
これ一発でトヨタとホンダだけで数千億円の利益を計上できるはずだ。
非居住者で年金をたよりにつつましやかに生活している世界中の人々は一瞬にして受給額が数パーセントの減額となる厳しい現実。
なにより欧米への外交的配慮を全く欠いた今回の奇襲攻撃、やがて手痛いしっぺ返しをうけるのは明白だ。
そもそも政府は常々急激な為替変動は健全な経済発展に重大な悪影響を及ぼすと述べていた。これが急激な為替変動でなくてなんであろうか。ひどい話だ。
photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンド
これ一発でトヨタとホンダだけで数千億円の利益を計上できるはずだ。
非居住者で年金をたよりにつつましやかに生活している世界中の人々は一瞬にして受給額が数パーセントの減額となる厳しい現実。
なにより欧米への外交的配慮を全く欠いた今回の奇襲攻撃、やがて手痛いしっぺ返しをうけるのは明白だ。
そもそも政府は常々急激な為替変動は健全な経済発展に重大な悪影響を及ぼすと述べていた。これが急激な為替変動でなくてなんであろうか。ひどい話だ。
photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンド
jpy/usd fx prospect
日本政府日銀の為替介入の効果は一時しのぎにすぎない。円高への加速が多少弱まるだけだ。アジア諸国が日本のまねをして介入の動き。しかしながら円高の真の要因はまったく払拭されていない。今年の末には日本政府の執拗な介入にもかかわらず、80yen/$となる見込み。
Japanese FX Intervention
Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:53 GMT
by Mitul Kotecha
The Bank of Japan acting on the behest of the Ministry of Finance intervened to weaken the JPY, the first such action since 2004. The intervention came as the USD was under broad based pressure, with the USD index dropping below its 200-day moving average. USD/JPY dropped to a low of around 82.88 before Japan intervened to weaken the JPY. The move follows weeks of verbal intervention by the Japanese authorities and came on the heels of the DPJ leadership election in which Prime Minister Kan retained his leadership.
One thing is for certain that Japanese exporters had become increasingly concerned, pained and vocal about JPY strength at a time when export momentum was waning. However, the move in USD/JPY may simply provide many local corporates with better levels to hedge their exposures.
Time will tell whether the intervention succeeds in engineering a sustainable weakening in the JPY but more likely it will only result in smoothing the drop in USD/JPY over coming months along the lines of what has happened with the SNB interventions in EUR/CHF. As many central banks have seen in the past successful intervention is usually helped if the market is turning and in this case USD/JPY remains on a downward trajectory.
Although the BoJ Governor Shirakawa said that the action should “contribute to a stable foreign exchange-rate formation” it is far from clear that the BoJ favoured FX intervention. Indeed, the view from the BoJ is that the move in USD/JPY is related less to Japanese fundamentals but more to US problems.
Now that the door is open, further intervention is likely over coming days and weeks but for it to be effective it will require 1) doubts about US growth to recede, 2) speculation of Fed QE 2 to dissipate, 3) and consequently interest rate differentials, in particular bond yields between the US and Japan to widen in favour of the USD. This is unlikely to happen quickly, especially given continued speculation of further US quantitative easing. A final prerequisite to a higher USD/JPY which is related to the easing of some of the above concerns is for there to be an improvement in risk appetite as any increase in risk aversion continues to result in JPY buying.
When viewed from the perspective of Asian currencies the Japanese intervention has put Japan in line with other Asian central banks which have been intervening to weaken their currencies. However, Asian central bank intervention has merely slowed the appreciation in regional currencies, and Japan may have to be satisfied with a similar result. Japan’s intervention may however, give impetus to Asian central banks to intervene more aggressively but the result will be the same, i.e. slowing rather then stemming appreciation.
As for the JPY a further strengthening, with a move to around 80.00 is likely by year end despite the more aggressive intervention stance. Over the short term there will at least be much greater two-way risk, which will keep market nervous, especially if as is likely Japan follows up with further interventions. USD/JPY could test resistance around 85.23, and then 85.92 soon but eventually markets may call Japan’s bluff and the intervention may just end up putting a red flag in front of currency markets to challenge.
Published on Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:54 GMT
Japanese FX Intervention
Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:53 GMT
by Mitul Kotecha
The Bank of Japan acting on the behest of the Ministry of Finance intervened to weaken the JPY, the first such action since 2004. The intervention came as the USD was under broad based pressure, with the USD index dropping below its 200-day moving average. USD/JPY dropped to a low of around 82.88 before Japan intervened to weaken the JPY. The move follows weeks of verbal intervention by the Japanese authorities and came on the heels of the DPJ leadership election in which Prime Minister Kan retained his leadership.
One thing is for certain that Japanese exporters had become increasingly concerned, pained and vocal about JPY strength at a time when export momentum was waning. However, the move in USD/JPY may simply provide many local corporates with better levels to hedge their exposures.
Time will tell whether the intervention succeeds in engineering a sustainable weakening in the JPY but more likely it will only result in smoothing the drop in USD/JPY over coming months along the lines of what has happened with the SNB interventions in EUR/CHF. As many central banks have seen in the past successful intervention is usually helped if the market is turning and in this case USD/JPY remains on a downward trajectory.
Although the BoJ Governor Shirakawa said that the action should “contribute to a stable foreign exchange-rate formation” it is far from clear that the BoJ favoured FX intervention. Indeed, the view from the BoJ is that the move in USD/JPY is related less to Japanese fundamentals but more to US problems.
Now that the door is open, further intervention is likely over coming days and weeks but for it to be effective it will require 1) doubts about US growth to recede, 2) speculation of Fed QE 2 to dissipate, 3) and consequently interest rate differentials, in particular bond yields between the US and Japan to widen in favour of the USD. This is unlikely to happen quickly, especially given continued speculation of further US quantitative easing. A final prerequisite to a higher USD/JPY which is related to the easing of some of the above concerns is for there to be an improvement in risk appetite as any increase in risk aversion continues to result in JPY buying.
When viewed from the perspective of Asian currencies the Japanese intervention has put Japan in line with other Asian central banks which have been intervening to weaken their currencies. However, Asian central bank intervention has merely slowed the appreciation in regional currencies, and Japan may have to be satisfied with a similar result. Japan’s intervention may however, give impetus to Asian central banks to intervene more aggressively but the result will be the same, i.e. slowing rather then stemming appreciation.
As for the JPY a further strengthening, with a move to around 80.00 is likely by year end despite the more aggressive intervention stance. Over the short term there will at least be much greater two-way risk, which will keep market nervous, especially if as is likely Japan follows up with further interventions. USD/JPY could test resistance around 85.23, and then 85.92 soon but eventually markets may call Japan’s bluff and the intervention may just end up putting a red flag in front of currency markets to challenge.
Published on Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:54 GMT
After a bruising battle, Kan faces tough tasks
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 16, 2010)
After a bruising battle, Kan faces tough tasks
菅代表再選 円高と景気対策に挙党態勢を（9月15日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan defeated Ichiro Ozawa, former secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, by a significant margin in the party presidential election Tuesday following a hard-fought battle that has opened a rift in the party.
党内を二分する激戦となった民主党代表選は、菅首相が小沢一郎前幹事長を大差で破った。
The confusion in the party, which followed the major defeat it suffered in the House of Councillors election in July, has effectively created a political vacuum in the nation. It cannot be denied that the situation has caused national policies to stagnate and has smothered the nation's politics in a sense of helplessness.
７月の参院選敗北に続く民主党内の混乱は、事実上の政治空白を生み、国政全体に停滞と閉塞(へいそく)感をもたらしてきたことは間違いない。
During the intraparty struggle, the government fell one step behind in dealing with the yen's rapid appreciation and the flagging economy. This was widely noticed.
この間、円高・経済対策では政府の対応が後手に回り、反応の鈍さも目立った。
Kan should immediately form his new Cabinet, appoint new party executives and exert leadership in implementing economic stimulus measures and drafting the fiscal 2011 budget.
菅首相は、すみやかに内閣・党役員人事を断行して態勢を整え、景気対策や来年度予算編成に全力をあげねばならない。
Scandal held Ozawa back
◆資金疑惑響いた小沢氏◆
Kan's victory, however, owes a lot to the "weak points" of his opponent, Ozawa.
菅首相の勝利は、対立候補の小沢氏が抱えていた多くの「弱点」に救われた面が大きい。
In connection with scandals involving his political funds management organization, his former secretaries were arrested and indicted. He resigned as party secretary general right before the upper house election.
自らの資金管理団体の政治資金規正法違反事件で元秘書らが逮捕・起訴された小沢氏は、参院選前に幹事長を辞職したばかりだ。
In the party leadership race, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who was also involved in a politics-and-money scandal and had resigned as prime minister, threw his support behind the DPJ heavyweight. It was a renewed challenge by the Ozawa-Hatoyama duo toward the party leadership, a move that most observers found hard to understand. It was natural that many non-lawmaker party members and registered supporters did not accept them.
今回の代表選は、同じく「政治とカネ」の問題を抱えて辞任した鳩山前首相の支援を受けての「小鳩」による不可解な再挑戦だった。多くの党員・サポーターが受け入れなかったのは当然だろう。
In connection with the scandal, an inquest of prosecution committee is scheduled to decide in October--for the second time--whether Ozawa should be indicted in connection with a suspicious land purchase by his political funds management group.
小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題では、１０月にも検察審査会が再度の議決を行う予定だ。
When Ozawa was asked what he would do if the independent panel decides that he merits the indictment and he is prosecuted, he clearly stated he would neither leave the party nor resign as Diet member, indicating that he planned to fight the charges in court.
そこで「起訴すべき」との議決が出され、強制起訴になった場合、小沢氏は「離党も辞職もしない」と明言し、司法の場で争う考えを示した。
However, Ozawa has failed to fulfill his responsibility to explain his politics-and-money problems. His remarks undoubtedly aroused opposition and doubt among many party members.
しかし、「政治とカネ」の問題で説明責任を果たそうとしてこなかった小沢氏のこの発言には、多くの党員が、反発や疑問を抱いたに相違ない。
In the end, one factor behind Ozawa's defeat in the presidential election was the possibility that the country might have ended up with a prime minister who was on trial in a criminal case.
結局、「刑事被告人の首相」になる可能性があったことも、小沢氏敗北の一因といえる。
Passive support to Kan
◆首相への支持は消極的◆
However, much of the support Kan received in the presidential election was passive. In other words, many of his supporters apparently did not want to have yet another prime minister barely three months after Kan assumed the post, or the third prime minister within a year.
代表選での首相への支持は消極的なものに過ぎない。党内抗争によって、政権を担当して３か月余で首相が交代したり、１年間に３人目の首相が生まれたりするのは避けたい、という理由だ。
Kan and Ozawa staged a neck and neck battle for votes by Diet members, suggesting that there are deep-rooted frustrations over the prime minister's management of his administration.
国会議員の獲得票では、首相と小沢氏がほぼ互角だったことは、党内に首相の政権運営に根強い不満があることを示している。
How does Kan intend to handle the divided Diet, in which the ruling bloc controls the House of Representatives while the opposition camp holds a majority in the upper house? And how will he reunite his party, which was split in the presidential election?
菅首相は一体、衆参ねじれ国会をどう乗り切り、代表選で亀裂の入った党をどう修復して「挙党態勢」を築くのか。
During the presidential election campaign, Kan failed to present clear strategies on how to overcome such problems, simply insisting that it would be possible to form a consensus through "careful" and "modest" discussions in the divided Diet.
代表選で首相は、ねじれ国会でも、「丁寧に謙虚に議論していけば合意形成は可能だ」などと述べるだけで、確たる戦略を示すことが出来なかった。
In a speech after his reelection as party leader, he sought cooperation from party members. "To form a united party in which all party members will be able to fully exert their power now that the game is over and there are no sides, I ask for your support," he said.
首相は再選が決まった後の挨拶(あいさつ)で「ノーサイドで全員が力をフルに発揮できる挙党態勢のために協力をお願いする」と表明した。
If Kan opts for a troika system by appointing Ozawa and Hatoyama to key Cabinet or party posts, it may end up creating a dual power structure, just as in the Hatoyama administration. We urge the prime minister not to repeat that mistake. He must appoint the right people to the right positions to decisively implement policies.
仮に小沢氏や鳩山前首相を要職で起用する「トロイカ体制」を組むとすれば、鳩山前内閣同様の二重権力体制を生むことになりかねない。失敗を繰り返すことなく、適材適所で政策を果断に遂行できる布陣で臨むべきだ。
Now that the party leadership race is over, it is anticipated that Ozawa's supporters will intensify moves to shake the administration not only in personnel affairs but also in budget compilation and other policy matters. Some may even try to break away from the party.
今後、人事だけでなく、予算編成など政策面でも、小沢支持派による揺さぶりが強まり、離反の動きが出ることも予想される。
The prime minister is highly likely to face difficult political situations, in which he has to confront the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties on one hand while dealing with the "intraparty opposition group" formed by Ozawa's supporters on the other.
首相が、前面に自民党などの野党と、後方に小沢支持派の「党内野党」とそれぞれ対峙(たいじ)する局面も大いにありえよう。
In addition, Kan has to deal with a full political agenda.
菅首相が取り組むべき政策課題は数多い。
As for the consumption tax rate hike, the prime minister has toned down his recent stance on the issue compared with what he said in the upper house election campaign. "We'll discuss the future of social security services together with fiscal resources. It'll be important to discuss the consumption tax in that process," he said during the presidential election campaign.
消費税率引き上げ問題について首相は、代表選で「社会保障のあり方を財源と一体で議論する。その中で消費税の議論をすることが重要」などと述べ、参院選時より発言をトーンダウンさせた。
However, if he adopts the "once bitten, twice shy" approach, he will unlikely be able to restore this country's public finances, which is one of his key policies.
「羹(あつもの)に懲りて膾(なます)を吹く」という姿勢では、自らの看板政策である財政再建は果たせまい。
The prime minister should expedite efforts to call on the LDP and other parties for suprapartisan negotiations to lay the groundwork for a consumption tax hike in the near future.
首相は、自民党などに超党派協議を呼びかけ、近い将来の消費税率引き上げに向けた環境整備を急ぐべきである。
Reevaluate election pledges
◆公約を大胆に見直せ◆
In the presidential election campaign, Ozawa called for sticking to the pledges the party made for the lower house election last year. However, his defeat indicates that his argument had been rejected.
衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）への原点回帰を唱える小沢氏の主張は、結果として否定されることになった。
Japan's fiscal condition is the worst among the major industrialized countries. To meet the fiscal 2010 budget, the government has been forced to issue bonds in an amount greater than its tax revenues. Given the situation, we believe there is no room for the government to continue the handout policies outlined in its manifesto, especially since no economic effects can be expected from such measures.
日本の財政は、今年度予算で税収を上回る国債を発行せざるを得ないなど、主要国で最悪の状況にある。経済効果も期待できない政権公約によるバラマキ政策を続ける余裕はないはずだ。
The government therefore must drastically review the child-rearing allowance program and the plan to make expressways toll-free in the fiscal 2011 budget compilation.
来年度予算編成では、子ども手当、高速道路無料化などの政策は大胆に見直す必要がある。
In the middle of the presidential election campaign, the prime minister ordered the relevant government offices to consider lowering effective corporate tax rates, which are high by international standards. The step is necessary to boost Japanese companies' potential power and raise their international competitiveness. The government must put this measure into practice in the tax system reform for the next fiscal year.
首相は代表選のさなか、国際的に高い法人税の実効税率引き下げの検討を指示した。企業活力を引き出し、国際競争力を高めるためにも必要な施策だ。来年度の税制改正でぜひ実現させるべきだ。
As for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, Ozawa suggested reviewing the Japan-U.S. agreement reached in May under the Hatoyama administration, exposing the fact that the DPJ is significantly divided over security policies.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題では、小沢氏が５月の日米合意の見直しに含みを持たせ、民主党政権内に安全保障政策で大きな違いがあることを露呈させた。
As soon as possible, Kan should dispel U.S. concerns that may have been generated by Ozawa's remarks and start full-fledged coordination with Okinawa Prefecture and the United States in line with the Japan-U.S. agreement.
首相は、小沢氏の発言がもたらした米側の懸念を早期に払拭(ふっしょく)するとともに、日米合意に基づいて沖縄や米国との調整を本格化させる必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 15, 2010)
（2010年9月15日01時53分 読売新聞）
After a bruising battle, Kan faces tough tasks
菅代表再選 円高と景気対策に挙党態勢を（9月15日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan defeated Ichiro Ozawa, former secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, by a significant margin in the party presidential election Tuesday following a hard-fought battle that has opened a rift in the party.
党内を二分する激戦となった民主党代表選は、菅首相が小沢一郎前幹事長を大差で破った。
The confusion in the party, which followed the major defeat it suffered in the House of Councillors election in July, has effectively created a political vacuum in the nation. It cannot be denied that the situation has caused national policies to stagnate and has smothered the nation's politics in a sense of helplessness.
７月の参院選敗北に続く民主党内の混乱は、事実上の政治空白を生み、国政全体に停滞と閉塞(へいそく)感をもたらしてきたことは間違いない。
During the intraparty struggle, the government fell one step behind in dealing with the yen's rapid appreciation and the flagging economy. This was widely noticed.
この間、円高・経済対策では政府の対応が後手に回り、反応の鈍さも目立った。
Kan should immediately form his new Cabinet, appoint new party executives and exert leadership in implementing economic stimulus measures and drafting the fiscal 2011 budget.
菅首相は、すみやかに内閣・党役員人事を断行して態勢を整え、景気対策や来年度予算編成に全力をあげねばならない。
Scandal held Ozawa back
◆資金疑惑響いた小沢氏◆
Kan's victory, however, owes a lot to the "weak points" of his opponent, Ozawa.
菅首相の勝利は、対立候補の小沢氏が抱えていた多くの「弱点」に救われた面が大きい。
In connection with scandals involving his political funds management organization, his former secretaries were arrested and indicted. He resigned as party secretary general right before the upper house election.
自らの資金管理団体の政治資金規正法違反事件で元秘書らが逮捕・起訴された小沢氏は、参院選前に幹事長を辞職したばかりだ。
In the party leadership race, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who was also involved in a politics-and-money scandal and had resigned as prime minister, threw his support behind the DPJ heavyweight. It was a renewed challenge by the Ozawa-Hatoyama duo toward the party leadership, a move that most observers found hard to understand. It was natural that many non-lawmaker party members and registered supporters did not accept them.
今回の代表選は、同じく「政治とカネ」の問題を抱えて辞任した鳩山前首相の支援を受けての「小鳩」による不可解な再挑戦だった。多くの党員・サポーターが受け入れなかったのは当然だろう。
In connection with the scandal, an inquest of prosecution committee is scheduled to decide in October--for the second time--whether Ozawa should be indicted in connection with a suspicious land purchase by his political funds management group.
小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題では、１０月にも検察審査会が再度の議決を行う予定だ。
When Ozawa was asked what he would do if the independent panel decides that he merits the indictment and he is prosecuted, he clearly stated he would neither leave the party nor resign as Diet member, indicating that he planned to fight the charges in court.
そこで「起訴すべき」との議決が出され、強制起訴になった場合、小沢氏は「離党も辞職もしない」と明言し、司法の場で争う考えを示した。
However, Ozawa has failed to fulfill his responsibility to explain his politics-and-money problems. His remarks undoubtedly aroused opposition and doubt among many party members.
しかし、「政治とカネ」の問題で説明責任を果たそうとしてこなかった小沢氏のこの発言には、多くの党員が、反発や疑問を抱いたに相違ない。
In the end, one factor behind Ozawa's defeat in the presidential election was the possibility that the country might have ended up with a prime minister who was on trial in a criminal case.
結局、「刑事被告人の首相」になる可能性があったことも、小沢氏敗北の一因といえる。
Passive support to Kan
◆首相への支持は消極的◆
However, much of the support Kan received in the presidential election was passive. In other words, many of his supporters apparently did not want to have yet another prime minister barely three months after Kan assumed the post, or the third prime minister within a year.
代表選での首相への支持は消極的なものに過ぎない。党内抗争によって、政権を担当して３か月余で首相が交代したり、１年間に３人目の首相が生まれたりするのは避けたい、という理由だ。
Kan and Ozawa staged a neck and neck battle for votes by Diet members, suggesting that there are deep-rooted frustrations over the prime minister's management of his administration.
国会議員の獲得票では、首相と小沢氏がほぼ互角だったことは、党内に首相の政権運営に根強い不満があることを示している。
How does Kan intend to handle the divided Diet, in which the ruling bloc controls the House of Representatives while the opposition camp holds a majority in the upper house? And how will he reunite his party, which was split in the presidential election?
菅首相は一体、衆参ねじれ国会をどう乗り切り、代表選で亀裂の入った党をどう修復して「挙党態勢」を築くのか。
During the presidential election campaign, Kan failed to present clear strategies on how to overcome such problems, simply insisting that it would be possible to form a consensus through "careful" and "modest" discussions in the divided Diet.
代表選で首相は、ねじれ国会でも、「丁寧に謙虚に議論していけば合意形成は可能だ」などと述べるだけで、確たる戦略を示すことが出来なかった。
In a speech after his reelection as party leader, he sought cooperation from party members. "To form a united party in which all party members will be able to fully exert their power now that the game is over and there are no sides, I ask for your support," he said.
首相は再選が決まった後の挨拶(あいさつ)で「ノーサイドで全員が力をフルに発揮できる挙党態勢のために協力をお願いする」と表明した。
If Kan opts for a troika system by appointing Ozawa and Hatoyama to key Cabinet or party posts, it may end up creating a dual power structure, just as in the Hatoyama administration. We urge the prime minister not to repeat that mistake. He must appoint the right people to the right positions to decisively implement policies.
仮に小沢氏や鳩山前首相を要職で起用する「トロイカ体制」を組むとすれば、鳩山前内閣同様の二重権力体制を生むことになりかねない。失敗を繰り返すことなく、適材適所で政策を果断に遂行できる布陣で臨むべきだ。
Now that the party leadership race is over, it is anticipated that Ozawa's supporters will intensify moves to shake the administration not only in personnel affairs but also in budget compilation and other policy matters. Some may even try to break away from the party.
今後、人事だけでなく、予算編成など政策面でも、小沢支持派による揺さぶりが強まり、離反の動きが出ることも予想される。
The prime minister is highly likely to face difficult political situations, in which he has to confront the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties on one hand while dealing with the "intraparty opposition group" formed by Ozawa's supporters on the other.
首相が、前面に自民党などの野党と、後方に小沢支持派の「党内野党」とそれぞれ対峙(たいじ)する局面も大いにありえよう。
In addition, Kan has to deal with a full political agenda.
菅首相が取り組むべき政策課題は数多い。
As for the consumption tax rate hike, the prime minister has toned down his recent stance on the issue compared with what he said in the upper house election campaign. "We'll discuss the future of social security services together with fiscal resources. It'll be important to discuss the consumption tax in that process," he said during the presidential election campaign.
消費税率引き上げ問題について首相は、代表選で「社会保障のあり方を財源と一体で議論する。その中で消費税の議論をすることが重要」などと述べ、参院選時より発言をトーンダウンさせた。
However, if he adopts the "once bitten, twice shy" approach, he will unlikely be able to restore this country's public finances, which is one of his key policies.
「羹(あつもの)に懲りて膾(なます)を吹く」という姿勢では、自らの看板政策である財政再建は果たせまい。
The prime minister should expedite efforts to call on the LDP and other parties for suprapartisan negotiations to lay the groundwork for a consumption tax hike in the near future.
首相は、自民党などに超党派協議を呼びかけ、近い将来の消費税率引き上げに向けた環境整備を急ぐべきである。
Reevaluate election pledges
◆公約を大胆に見直せ◆
In the presidential election campaign, Ozawa called for sticking to the pledges the party made for the lower house election last year. However, his defeat indicates that his argument had been rejected.
衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）への原点回帰を唱える小沢氏の主張は、結果として否定されることになった。
Japan's fiscal condition is the worst among the major industrialized countries. To meet the fiscal 2010 budget, the government has been forced to issue bonds in an amount greater than its tax revenues. Given the situation, we believe there is no room for the government to continue the handout policies outlined in its manifesto, especially since no economic effects can be expected from such measures.
日本の財政は、今年度予算で税収を上回る国債を発行せざるを得ないなど、主要国で最悪の状況にある。経済効果も期待できない政権公約によるバラマキ政策を続ける余裕はないはずだ。
The government therefore must drastically review the child-rearing allowance program and the plan to make expressways toll-free in the fiscal 2011 budget compilation.
来年度予算編成では、子ども手当、高速道路無料化などの政策は大胆に見直す必要がある。
In the middle of the presidential election campaign, the prime minister ordered the relevant government offices to consider lowering effective corporate tax rates, which are high by international standards. The step is necessary to boost Japanese companies' potential power and raise their international competitiveness. The government must put this measure into practice in the tax system reform for the next fiscal year.
首相は代表選のさなか、国際的に高い法人税の実効税率引き下げの検討を指示した。企業活力を引き出し、国際競争力を高めるためにも必要な施策だ。来年度の税制改正でぜひ実現させるべきだ。
As for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, Ozawa suggested reviewing the Japan-U.S. agreement reached in May under the Hatoyama administration, exposing the fact that the DPJ is significantly divided over security policies.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題では、小沢氏が５月の日米合意の見直しに含みを持たせ、民主党政権内に安全保障政策で大きな違いがあることを露呈させた。
As soon as possible, Kan should dispel U.S. concerns that may have been generated by Ozawa's remarks and start full-fledged coordination with Okinawa Prefecture and the United States in line with the Japan-U.S. agreement.
首相は、小沢氏の発言がもたらした米側の懸念を早期に払拭(ふっしょく)するとともに、日米合意に基づいて沖縄や米国との調整を本格化させる必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 15, 2010)
（2010年9月15日01時53分 読売新聞）
2010/09/15
To be the first lady in Japan
女が出しゃばるとき
民主党代表選で菅首相が再選されました。
再選された以上この青年のような熱き志を持つ人に日本の運命を託しましょう。
雇用促進、社会保障制度の確立に重点を置いた政索を期待します。
で、ちょっと気になる記事を発見。
江青女史の出しゃばりが毛沢東の偉業を破壊させたように、今回もこの点がちょっと気になります。
大の酒好きで夜な夜な飲み狂っていると言う噂も気になるところです。
女は男の調教次第で天女にも魔物にもなり得ます。
菅首相には厳しい調教をお願いしたい。
ちなみにスラチャイはどうかというと、これはもう完全に調教されてしまっています。（平和＾＾）
cite from lovedoor news
度を越した女の出しゃばりは、目に障るし、鼻につくものだ
↓
http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/5008230/
民主党代表選で菅首相が再選されました。
再選された以上この青年のような熱き志を持つ人に日本の運命を託しましょう。
雇用促進、社会保障制度の確立に重点を置いた政索を期待します。
で、ちょっと気になる記事を発見。
江青女史の出しゃばりが毛沢東の偉業を破壊させたように、今回もこの点がちょっと気になります。
大の酒好きで夜な夜な飲み狂っていると言う噂も気になるところです。
女は男の調教次第で天女にも魔物にもなり得ます。
菅首相には厳しい調教をお願いしたい。
ちなみにスラチャイはどうかというと、これはもう完全に調教されてしまっています。（平和＾＾）
cite from lovedoor news
度を越した女の出しゃばりは、目に障るし、鼻につくものだ
↓
http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/5008230/
Japanese banks must bolster core capital ratios
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2010)
Japanese banks must bolster core capital ratios
銀行新規制 邦銀は自己資本の充実を急げ（9月14日付・読売社説）
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, comprised of central bankers and supervisors from major countries, agreed Sunday on a new framework for calculating minimum core capital requirements for leading financial institutions.
主要国の金融監督当局で構成するバーゼル銀行監督委員会が、世界の主要銀行に義務づける新たな自己資本規制の基準を決めた。
The new regulations decided on by the Switzerland-based committee are meant to compel banks to ensure sounder management, to prevent any repeat of the international financial crisis.
金融危機の再発を防ぐため、銀行に経営の健全性向上を求める措置だ。
Based on the new rules known as Basel III, Japan's three megabanks will have to increase their core capital as soon as possible.
日本の３大メガバンクなども、新しいルールに沿い、資本増強を急ぐ必要があろう。
A bank's capital adequacy ratio indicates the amount of core capital it has to cushion potential losses, as a percentage of loans and other assets. A higher capital adequacy ratio means a bank has a greater capability to deal with risk.
銀行の自己資本比率は、融資などの「資産」に対し、損失処理に充てられる自前の資金である「自己資本」がどれだけあるかを示した数字だ。数値が高いほど、リスクへの対応力が高い。
The new rules require banks to increase the core tier 1 capital, such as common stock and retained earnings, that they must hold in reserve, to at least 4.5 percent of assets, from the current 2 percent.
They also have to build a separate capital conservation buffer equivalent to 2.5 percent of assets. This makes the total top-quality capital requirement even higher--at least 7 percent of assets.
新規制は、普通株や利益剰余金などの内部留保による「中核的自己資本」の最低基準を現行の２％から４・５％に引き上げたうえ、２・５％分の上乗せも求めている。実質的に「７％以上」を確保させる厳しい内容となった。
The new rules will be phased in from 2013 and take full effect in January 2019.
実施時期は、２０１３年から段階的に適用し、１９年１月に完全実施するとしている。
===
Early proposals too strict
Proposals were initially floated in the committee that the minimum core tier 1 capital ratio be set between 6 and 8 percent and introduced in 2012 because the United States and Britain, which have suffered greatly from the credit crisis, demanded stricter requirements.
金融危機の痛手が大きかった米国と英国が、より厳格な規制を求めたため、バーゼル委では当初、中核的自己資本比率を６～８％に引き上げ、１２年から実施するとの案も浮上していた。
However, Japan, Germany and some other countries opposed this, saying that tightening regulations too quickly would cause a credit squeeze and negatively affect the real economy.
しかし、日本とドイツなどは、急激な規制強化は金融の収縮を招いて、実体経済に悪影響を与えかねないと反対した。
Although the worst of the financial crisis is over, the future of the global economy is still uncertain. The U.S. economy is quickly slowing down and Europe is still suffering from the financial crisis.
金融危機は最悪期を脱したが、米国経済の急減速や欧州危機など世界経済の先行きは不透明だ。
If regulations on bank capitalization had been tightened quickly as the United States and Britain demanded, banks might have started forcibly calling in loans and lowering loan assets to improve their capital adequacy ratios.
ここで米英の主張通りに規制強化を急げば、銀行は自己資本比率の引き上げを目指して、貸し出し資産圧縮につながる貸しはがしなどに走り出す恐れがあった。
We think it an appropriate conclusion that the tighter requirements initially proposed were relaxed and that banks were given longer-than-expected transition periods before the new rules will be implemented.
最終的に、当初案が緩和され、実施時期も先延ばしになったのは妥当な結論と言えよう。
It was a bitter lesson when banks in the United States and some European countries fell on tough times due to the credit crisis and were bailed out with taxpayers' money. With the introduction of the more stringent rules, banks must improve their own strength to weather business crises, and not casually depend on taxpayer bailouts.
金融危機で米欧などの銀行が経営不安に陥り、公的資金で救済されたのは苦い教訓だ。規制強化を機に、銀行は安易に公的資金に頼ることなく、自らの体力強化で危機を乗り切らねばなるまい。
===
Tough road ahead
Attention is now focused on how Japanese banks, including the three megabanks, will deal with the new rules.
今後の焦点は、３大メガバンクなどの邦銀の対応である。
The core tier 1 capital ratios of Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group are said to be between 5 and 7 percent. The Financial Services Agency said Japanese banks will be able to meet the new international rules before the requirements are tightened.
今年６月末時点で、みずほ、三井住友、三菱ＵＦＪのメガバンクの中核的自己資本比率は約５～７％とされる。金融庁は「規制強化の期限までに、十分に対応は可能だ」と見ている。
However, there is no easy way for Japanese banks to meet the requirements while competing fiercely with gigantic foreign rivals. They must increase their core capital ratios by reviewing management strategies and steadily making profits.
しかし、巨大な外資との激しい競争を戦いながら、新規制策を達成する道は容易ではない。各行は経営戦略を練り直し、着実に利益を上げて、自己資本を増強する努力が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2010)
（2010年9月14日01時25分 読売新聞）
Japanese banks must bolster core capital ratios
銀行新規制 邦銀は自己資本の充実を急げ（9月14日付・読売社説）
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, comprised of central bankers and supervisors from major countries, agreed Sunday on a new framework for calculating minimum core capital requirements for leading financial institutions.
主要国の金融監督当局で構成するバーゼル銀行監督委員会が、世界の主要銀行に義務づける新たな自己資本規制の基準を決めた。
The new regulations decided on by the Switzerland-based committee are meant to compel banks to ensure sounder management, to prevent any repeat of the international financial crisis.
金融危機の再発を防ぐため、銀行に経営の健全性向上を求める措置だ。
Based on the new rules known as Basel III, Japan's three megabanks will have to increase their core capital as soon as possible.
日本の３大メガバンクなども、新しいルールに沿い、資本増強を急ぐ必要があろう。
A bank's capital adequacy ratio indicates the amount of core capital it has to cushion potential losses, as a percentage of loans and other assets. A higher capital adequacy ratio means a bank has a greater capability to deal with risk.
銀行の自己資本比率は、融資などの「資産」に対し、損失処理に充てられる自前の資金である「自己資本」がどれだけあるかを示した数字だ。数値が高いほど、リスクへの対応力が高い。
The new rules require banks to increase the core tier 1 capital, such as common stock and retained earnings, that they must hold in reserve, to at least 4.5 percent of assets, from the current 2 percent.
They also have to build a separate capital conservation buffer equivalent to 2.5 percent of assets. This makes the total top-quality capital requirement even higher--at least 7 percent of assets.
新規制は、普通株や利益剰余金などの内部留保による「中核的自己資本」の最低基準を現行の２％から４・５％に引き上げたうえ、２・５％分の上乗せも求めている。実質的に「７％以上」を確保させる厳しい内容となった。
The new rules will be phased in from 2013 and take full effect in January 2019.
実施時期は、２０１３年から段階的に適用し、１９年１月に完全実施するとしている。
===
Early proposals too strict
Proposals were initially floated in the committee that the minimum core tier 1 capital ratio be set between 6 and 8 percent and introduced in 2012 because the United States and Britain, which have suffered greatly from the credit crisis, demanded stricter requirements.
金融危機の痛手が大きかった米国と英国が、より厳格な規制を求めたため、バーゼル委では当初、中核的自己資本比率を６～８％に引き上げ、１２年から実施するとの案も浮上していた。
However, Japan, Germany and some other countries opposed this, saying that tightening regulations too quickly would cause a credit squeeze and negatively affect the real economy.
しかし、日本とドイツなどは、急激な規制強化は金融の収縮を招いて、実体経済に悪影響を与えかねないと反対した。
Although the worst of the financial crisis is over, the future of the global economy is still uncertain. The U.S. economy is quickly slowing down and Europe is still suffering from the financial crisis.
金融危機は最悪期を脱したが、米国経済の急減速や欧州危機など世界経済の先行きは不透明だ。
If regulations on bank capitalization had been tightened quickly as the United States and Britain demanded, banks might have started forcibly calling in loans and lowering loan assets to improve their capital adequacy ratios.
ここで米英の主張通りに規制強化を急げば、銀行は自己資本比率の引き上げを目指して、貸し出し資産圧縮につながる貸しはがしなどに走り出す恐れがあった。
We think it an appropriate conclusion that the tighter requirements initially proposed were relaxed and that banks were given longer-than-expected transition periods before the new rules will be implemented.
最終的に、当初案が緩和され、実施時期も先延ばしになったのは妥当な結論と言えよう。
It was a bitter lesson when banks in the United States and some European countries fell on tough times due to the credit crisis and were bailed out with taxpayers' money. With the introduction of the more stringent rules, banks must improve their own strength to weather business crises, and not casually depend on taxpayer bailouts.
金融危機で米欧などの銀行が経営不安に陥り、公的資金で救済されたのは苦い教訓だ。規制強化を機に、銀行は安易に公的資金に頼ることなく、自らの体力強化で危機を乗り切らねばなるまい。
===
Tough road ahead
Attention is now focused on how Japanese banks, including the three megabanks, will deal with the new rules.
今後の焦点は、３大メガバンクなどの邦銀の対応である。
The core tier 1 capital ratios of Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group are said to be between 5 and 7 percent. The Financial Services Agency said Japanese banks will be able to meet the new international rules before the requirements are tightened.
今年６月末時点で、みずほ、三井住友、三菱ＵＦＪのメガバンクの中核的自己資本比率は約５～７％とされる。金融庁は「規制強化の期限までに、十分に対応は可能だ」と見ている。
However, there is no easy way for Japanese banks to meet the requirements while competing fiercely with gigantic foreign rivals. They must increase their core capital ratios by reviewing management strategies and steadily making profits.
しかし、巨大な外資との激しい競争を戦いながら、新規制策を達成する道は容易ではない。各行は経営戦略を練り直し、着実に利益を上げて、自己資本を増強する努力が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2010)
（2010年9月14日01時25分 読売新聞）
2010/09/14
China's military buildup worries intl community
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2010)
China's military buildup worries intl community
防衛白書 中国軍増強は国際社会の懸念（9月12日付・読売社説）
China's military buildup, as well as the activities of its navy and air force, are a common concern among many countries in the region. Japan must repeatedly hold constructive talks with China, and strongly and tenaciously call on that country to dispel such concerns.
中国の軍備増強と海空軍の活動には、多くの周辺国が「懸念」を共有している。日本は、中国との建設的な対話を重ね、懸念を解消するよう粘り強く求めることが肝要である。
The 2010 white paper on defense explicitly says that the opaqueness of China's defense policy and military power is a matter of concern to Japan and other countries in this part of the world and in the larger international community. It also states the need to meticulously analyze China's activities.
２０１０年版防衛白書は、中国の「国防政策の不透明性や軍事力の動向」が「わが国を含む地域・国際社会にとっての懸念事項」と明記し、「慎重に分析していく必要がある」と指摘した。
China's military might has been an important theme in defense white papers in recent years, but the level of concern expressed in this year's report is greater than before. This is very natural in view of the rapid modernization of China's military forces and the expansion of the range of its military activities.
中国の軍事力は近年の白書の重要テーマだったが、今年は、より明確に「懸念」を打ち出した。その急速な近代化や活動範囲の拡大を踏まえれば、当然だろう。
In the South China Sea, friction between China and Southeast Asian countries has been increasing. There were a number of threatening moves this spring: A fleet of 10 Chinese warships, including destroyers, entered an area west of Japan's southernmost island, Okinotorishima, and a ship-based helicopter flew extremely close to a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on two occasions.
南シナ海では、東南アジア各国との摩擦が増えている。今春には中国海軍の駆逐艦など１０隻が沖ノ鳥島西方まで進出し、艦載ヘリが海上自衛隊の護衛艦に異常接近する示威的行動を繰り返した。
The Chinese Navy's activities are considered to be part of its "anti-access strategy" to hamper the engagement of the U.S. military in regional conflicts, such as an emergency involving China and Taiwan. The United States, as a result, is increasingly vigilant toward Chinese naval moves.
中国海軍の一連の活動は、中台有事など紛争への米軍の関与を阻む「接近拒否戦略」の一環と見られ、米国も警戒を強めている。
===
China's expanding 'core'
China has begun to apply the expression "core interests," which it has used regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Taiwan, to the South China Sea as well. A similar phrase is certain to be used in the future to describe China's efforts to secure its maritime interests in the East China Sea.
中国は最近、台湾問題などに使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を南シナ海に使い始めた。将来は、東シナ海の海洋権益確保についても、同様の表現を使う日が来ることも否定できない。
How should Japan deal with such Chinese moves?
日本はどう対応すべきか。
First and foremost, Japan must reconstruct a system in which the Japan-U.S. alliance can function properly. It is essential to restore the relationship of trust with Washington, which has been damaged by the immature diplomacy of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government.
まず日米同盟がきちんと機能する体制を再構築することだ。民主党政権の未熟な外交で傷ついた信頼関係の回復が欠かせない。
The peacetime warning and surveillance activities of the Self-Defense Forces must be bolstered. Such efforts are intended to strengthen "active deterrence" through troop operations, as opposed to "passive deterrence" through only the possession of military units and equipment.
自衛隊は、平時の警戒監視活動を強める必要がある。単なる部隊と装備の保有による「静的抑止力」でなく、部隊運用を通じた「動的抑止力」を強化するものだ。
For this reason, it is problematic that Japan's defense spending has declined 5 percent in the past decade. China's military expenditures approximately quadrupled during the same period, and those of the United States and South Korea more than doubled.
その観点で、中国の国防費は過去１０年で約４倍、米国や韓国も２倍以上になったのに、日本だけが５％減っている現状は問題だ。
It is also important to make efforts--through defense exchange programs and security dialogue--to have Beijing enhance the transparency of its military spending and activities, and comply with international rules.
中国との防衛交流や安保対話を通じて、国防費や軍の活動の透明性の向上や、国際ルールの順守を働きかけることも重要となる。
===
No concrete results
Recent years saw progress in exchanging visits by defense ministers, officers and warships between Japan and China. But those activities did not bring about such concrete results as the establishment of a mechanism for maritime communications to prevent accidents and joint training for search and rescue operations.
近年は、防衛相や制服組幹部、艦船の相互訪問など交流は進んでいるが、事故防止のための海上連絡メカニズムの構築や、捜索・救難の共同訓練の実施といった具体的成果にはつながっていない。
The defense white paper was supposed to be released in late July, as usual. But publication was postponed until last week on the pretext of adding the moves of the United Nations concerning the sinking of a South Korean warship.
防衛白書は本来、７月末に発表される予定だったが、韓国哨戒艦沈没事件に関する国連の動きを追加するとの名目で延期された。
But the additional portion accounts for a mere one paragraph in the main text and a sidebar. The real reason for the postponement was obviously excessive consideration to South Korea ahead of the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula in August.
だが、その追加部分は本文１段落とコラムにすぎない。真の延期理由が日韓併合１００年を控えた韓国への過剰な配慮だったのは明らかだ。
The government should avoid such a poor approach based on a principle of peace at any price.
こうした稚拙な事なかれ主義の対応は厳に慎むべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2010)
（2010年9月12日01時08分 読売新聞）
China's military buildup worries intl community
防衛白書 中国軍増強は国際社会の懸念（9月12日付・読売社説）
China's military buildup, as well as the activities of its navy and air force, are a common concern among many countries in the region. Japan must repeatedly hold constructive talks with China, and strongly and tenaciously call on that country to dispel such concerns.
中国の軍備増強と海空軍の活動には、多くの周辺国が「懸念」を共有している。日本は、中国との建設的な対話を重ね、懸念を解消するよう粘り強く求めることが肝要である。
The 2010 white paper on defense explicitly says that the opaqueness of China's defense policy and military power is a matter of concern to Japan and other countries in this part of the world and in the larger international community. It also states the need to meticulously analyze China's activities.
２０１０年版防衛白書は、中国の「国防政策の不透明性や軍事力の動向」が「わが国を含む地域・国際社会にとっての懸念事項」と明記し、「慎重に分析していく必要がある」と指摘した。
China's military might has been an important theme in defense white papers in recent years, but the level of concern expressed in this year's report is greater than before. This is very natural in view of the rapid modernization of China's military forces and the expansion of the range of its military activities.
中国の軍事力は近年の白書の重要テーマだったが、今年は、より明確に「懸念」を打ち出した。その急速な近代化や活動範囲の拡大を踏まえれば、当然だろう。
In the South China Sea, friction between China and Southeast Asian countries has been increasing. There were a number of threatening moves this spring: A fleet of 10 Chinese warships, including destroyers, entered an area west of Japan's southernmost island, Okinotorishima, and a ship-based helicopter flew extremely close to a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on two occasions.
南シナ海では、東南アジア各国との摩擦が増えている。今春には中国海軍の駆逐艦など１０隻が沖ノ鳥島西方まで進出し、艦載ヘリが海上自衛隊の護衛艦に異常接近する示威的行動を繰り返した。
The Chinese Navy's activities are considered to be part of its "anti-access strategy" to hamper the engagement of the U.S. military in regional conflicts, such as an emergency involving China and Taiwan. The United States, as a result, is increasingly vigilant toward Chinese naval moves.
中国海軍の一連の活動は、中台有事など紛争への米軍の関与を阻む「接近拒否戦略」の一環と見られ、米国も警戒を強めている。
===
China's expanding 'core'
China has begun to apply the expression "core interests," which it has used regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Taiwan, to the South China Sea as well. A similar phrase is certain to be used in the future to describe China's efforts to secure its maritime interests in the East China Sea.
中国は最近、台湾問題などに使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を南シナ海に使い始めた。将来は、東シナ海の海洋権益確保についても、同様の表現を使う日が来ることも否定できない。
How should Japan deal with such Chinese moves?
日本はどう対応すべきか。
First and foremost, Japan must reconstruct a system in which the Japan-U.S. alliance can function properly. It is essential to restore the relationship of trust with Washington, which has been damaged by the immature diplomacy of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government.
まず日米同盟がきちんと機能する体制を再構築することだ。民主党政権の未熟な外交で傷ついた信頼関係の回復が欠かせない。
The peacetime warning and surveillance activities of the Self-Defense Forces must be bolstered. Such efforts are intended to strengthen "active deterrence" through troop operations, as opposed to "passive deterrence" through only the possession of military units and equipment.
自衛隊は、平時の警戒監視活動を強める必要がある。単なる部隊と装備の保有による「静的抑止力」でなく、部隊運用を通じた「動的抑止力」を強化するものだ。
For this reason, it is problematic that Japan's defense spending has declined 5 percent in the past decade. China's military expenditures approximately quadrupled during the same period, and those of the United States and South Korea more than doubled.
その観点で、中国の国防費は過去１０年で約４倍、米国や韓国も２倍以上になったのに、日本だけが５％減っている現状は問題だ。
It is also important to make efforts--through defense exchange programs and security dialogue--to have Beijing enhance the transparency of its military spending and activities, and comply with international rules.
中国との防衛交流や安保対話を通じて、国防費や軍の活動の透明性の向上や、国際ルールの順守を働きかけることも重要となる。
===
No concrete results
Recent years saw progress in exchanging visits by defense ministers, officers and warships between Japan and China. But those activities did not bring about such concrete results as the establishment of a mechanism for maritime communications to prevent accidents and joint training for search and rescue operations.
近年は、防衛相や制服組幹部、艦船の相互訪問など交流は進んでいるが、事故防止のための海上連絡メカニズムの構築や、捜索・救難の共同訓練の実施といった具体的成果にはつながっていない。
The defense white paper was supposed to be released in late July, as usual. But publication was postponed until last week on the pretext of adding the moves of the United Nations concerning the sinking of a South Korean warship.
防衛白書は本来、７月末に発表される予定だったが、韓国哨戒艦沈没事件に関する国連の動きを追加するとの名目で延期された。
But the additional portion accounts for a mere one paragraph in the main text and a sidebar. The real reason for the postponement was obviously excessive consideration to South Korea ahead of the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula in August.
だが、その追加部分は本文１段落とコラムにすぎない。真の延期理由が日韓併合１００年を控えた韓国への過剰な配慮だったのは明らかだ。
The government should avoid such a poor approach based on a principle of peace at any price.
こうした稚拙な事なかれ主義の対応は厳に慎むべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2010)
（2010年9月12日01時08分 読売新聞）
2010/09/13
Koran-burning in U.S..
2010/09/11
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 10
EDITORIAL: Koran-burning in U.S..
米国とコーラン―寛容を取り戻すとき
A small Christian church in Florida called for the burning of the Koran, the sacred book of Muslims, on Sept. 11, the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.
米フロリダ州の小さなキリスト教会が、イスラム教の聖典コーランを焼こうと呼びかけている。
According to the church, the plan is aimed at alerting the world to the dangers of Islam, which it says "is of the Devil."
今年の９・１１の日に「邪悪な宗教」であるイスラムの危険性を知らせるのだそうだ。
Anyone can imagine how much antipathy such an act would incur among people who believe in the Koran.
コーランの教えを信ずる人たちからどれほどの反発を招き寄せるか。だれもが想像できることだ。
News about the plan made headlines around the world. In Afghanistan, where U.S. and European troops are stationed, residents staged protests. The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan warned that the book burning could put his troops in further danger. Such reactions are natural.
ニュースは世界を駆けめぐり、欧米軍が駐留するアフガニスタンで住民の抗議行動があった。駐留米軍の司令官は米兵への危険が高まると心配した。当然だろう。
The building of a free and tolerant society is the foundation of the United States. First U.S. President George Washington wrote that the United States "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." It is clear the church's plan would run counter to this philosophy.
自由で寛容な社会の構築は、米国の建国の原点である。初代のワシントン大統領は「米国は偏狭な価値観を認めず、迫害を助長することもない」との言葉を残している。教会の計画がこの理念に反するのは明らかだ。
Everything must be done to prevent the rift between the United States and the Islamic world from widening. We urge the church to immediately cancel its plans.
米国とイスラム世界との亀裂が広がることは避けねばならない。教会は今すぐ計画を撤回してもらいたい。
The image of passenger planes hijacked by terrorists crashing into the World Trade Center towers in New York nine years ago is still fresh in our minds. In the background of that attack was Muslim extremists' antagonism and distrust against the United States, which holds much of the world's wealth and power.
今から９年前、テロリストの乗っ取った旅客機が、ニューヨークの世界貿易センターに突っ込んだ光景はなお記憶に新しい。背景にあったのは、世界の富と権力の多くを手にする超大国米国に対するイスラム過激主義者の敵意と不信だった。
The George W. Bush administration, which plunged into war in Afghanistan and Iraq, could not alleviate such anti-U.S. sentiments.
アフガンとイラクでの戦争に突き進んだブッシュ前政権は、この反米感情を静められなかった。
Signs of change appeared after President Barack Obama, who advocates reconciliation with the Islamic world, took over. He embarked on mediating Middle East peace and reached a decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
変化が見えたのは、イスラム世界との和解を掲げるオバマ大統領が就任してからだ。中東和平への仲介に乗り出し、イラクからの米軍撤退にようやくこぎつけた。
What has become clear now is the bitter conflict and agony within the United States over peaceful coexistence with Islam.
しかしいま露呈しているのは、イスラムとの共存をめぐって対立し、苦悩する米国内部の苦い現実である。
A plan to build a mosque near the site where the World Trade Center stood has reached a deadlock in the face of opposition by residents. While the plan is aimed at promoting understanding toward different cultures, some families of victims of 9/11 say it is an affront to the memories of their loved ones.
世界貿易センター近くにイスラム教のモスクを建設する計画が住民の反対で暗礁に乗り上げている。異文化への理解を進める計画だが、９・１１テロの被害者家族からは「息子の思い出への侮辱だ」という声が上がっている。
The number of Muslims around the world centering on the Middle East and West Asia is estimated at between 1 billion and 2 billion. The United States, a society of immigrants, is also home to millions of Muslims, and many mosques exist across the country. People of different religious faiths live in the same society.
中東や西アジアを中心に、イスラム教徒は世界に十数億人いるとされる。移民社会の米国にも数百万人が住み、数多くのモスクがある。宗教は異なるが、同じ社会に住んでいるのだ。
In Europe, moves to exclude Islamic immigrants and ban women from wearing veils are emerging. Growing anxiety over the increase in jobless people and other issues is apparently behind the rising trend to cast a wary eye against social minorities.
欧州でも、イスラム系移民排斥や女性のベール着用禁止の動きが起きている。社会の少数者への視線が厳しさを増す背景には、失業者の増加といった社会不安の増大もあるのだろう。
But now, security and prosperity of not only the United States but also the entire world cannot be maintained without coexistence with Islam.
いまやイスラムとの共存なしには、米国はもちろん、世界の安全や繁栄はありえない。
Last year, in a speech at Cairo University, President Obama quoted the Koran, the Talmud, the compendium of Jewish law, and the Bible, saying, "The people of the world can live together in peace."
オバマ大統領は昨年、カイロ大学での演説で、コーランとユダヤ教の律法タルムード、キリスト教の聖書を引用し、「世界の人々はともに平和に暮らすことができる」と呼びかけた。
We want U.S. society to eliminate narrow-minded thinking and recover its tradition of showing tolerance and magnanimity to accept different cultures.
狭量な考えを排し、異なる文化を受け入れる寛容と度量をもつ。米社会はそんな伝統を取り戻してほしい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 10
EDITORIAL: Koran-burning in U.S..
米国とコーラン―寛容を取り戻すとき
A small Christian church in Florida called for the burning of the Koran, the sacred book of Muslims, on Sept. 11, the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States.
米フロリダ州の小さなキリスト教会が、イスラム教の聖典コーランを焼こうと呼びかけている。
According to the church, the plan is aimed at alerting the world to the dangers of Islam, which it says "is of the Devil."
今年の９・１１の日に「邪悪な宗教」であるイスラムの危険性を知らせるのだそうだ。
Anyone can imagine how much antipathy such an act would incur among people who believe in the Koran.
コーランの教えを信ずる人たちからどれほどの反発を招き寄せるか。だれもが想像できることだ。
News about the plan made headlines around the world. In Afghanistan, where U.S. and European troops are stationed, residents staged protests. The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan warned that the book burning could put his troops in further danger. Such reactions are natural.
ニュースは世界を駆けめぐり、欧米軍が駐留するアフガニスタンで住民の抗議行動があった。駐留米軍の司令官は米兵への危険が高まると心配した。当然だろう。
The building of a free and tolerant society is the foundation of the United States. First U.S. President George Washington wrote that the United States "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." It is clear the church's plan would run counter to this philosophy.
自由で寛容な社会の構築は、米国の建国の原点である。初代のワシントン大統領は「米国は偏狭な価値観を認めず、迫害を助長することもない」との言葉を残している。教会の計画がこの理念に反するのは明らかだ。
Everything must be done to prevent the rift between the United States and the Islamic world from widening. We urge the church to immediately cancel its plans.
米国とイスラム世界との亀裂が広がることは避けねばならない。教会は今すぐ計画を撤回してもらいたい。
The image of passenger planes hijacked by terrorists crashing into the World Trade Center towers in New York nine years ago is still fresh in our minds. In the background of that attack was Muslim extremists' antagonism and distrust against the United States, which holds much of the world's wealth and power.
今から９年前、テロリストの乗っ取った旅客機が、ニューヨークの世界貿易センターに突っ込んだ光景はなお記憶に新しい。背景にあったのは、世界の富と権力の多くを手にする超大国米国に対するイスラム過激主義者の敵意と不信だった。
The George W. Bush administration, which plunged into war in Afghanistan and Iraq, could not alleviate such anti-U.S. sentiments.
アフガンとイラクでの戦争に突き進んだブッシュ前政権は、この反米感情を静められなかった。
Signs of change appeared after President Barack Obama, who advocates reconciliation with the Islamic world, took over. He embarked on mediating Middle East peace and reached a decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
変化が見えたのは、イスラム世界との和解を掲げるオバマ大統領が就任してからだ。中東和平への仲介に乗り出し、イラクからの米軍撤退にようやくこぎつけた。
What has become clear now is the bitter conflict and agony within the United States over peaceful coexistence with Islam.
しかしいま露呈しているのは、イスラムとの共存をめぐって対立し、苦悩する米国内部の苦い現実である。
A plan to build a mosque near the site where the World Trade Center stood has reached a deadlock in the face of opposition by residents. While the plan is aimed at promoting understanding toward different cultures, some families of victims of 9/11 say it is an affront to the memories of their loved ones.
世界貿易センター近くにイスラム教のモスクを建設する計画が住民の反対で暗礁に乗り上げている。異文化への理解を進める計画だが、９・１１テロの被害者家族からは「息子の思い出への侮辱だ」という声が上がっている。
The number of Muslims around the world centering on the Middle East and West Asia is estimated at between 1 billion and 2 billion. The United States, a society of immigrants, is also home to millions of Muslims, and many mosques exist across the country. People of different religious faiths live in the same society.
中東や西アジアを中心に、イスラム教徒は世界に十数億人いるとされる。移民社会の米国にも数百万人が住み、数多くのモスクがある。宗教は異なるが、同じ社会に住んでいるのだ。
In Europe, moves to exclude Islamic immigrants and ban women from wearing veils are emerging. Growing anxiety over the increase in jobless people and other issues is apparently behind the rising trend to cast a wary eye against social minorities.
欧州でも、イスラム系移民排斥や女性のベール着用禁止の動きが起きている。社会の少数者への視線が厳しさを増す背景には、失業者の増加といった社会不安の増大もあるのだろう。
But now, security and prosperity of not only the United States but also the entire world cannot be maintained without coexistence with Islam.
いまやイスラムとの共存なしには、米国はもちろん、世界の安全や繁栄はありえない。
Last year, in a speech at Cairo University, President Obama quoted the Koran, the Talmud, the compendium of Jewish law, and the Bible, saying, "The people of the world can live together in peace."
オバマ大統領は昨年、カイロ大学での演説で、コーランとユダヤ教の律法タルムード、キリスト教の聖書を引用し、「世界の人々はともに平和に暮らすことができる」と呼びかけた。
We want U.S. society to eliminate narrow-minded thinking and recover its tradition of showing tolerance and magnanimity to accept different cultures.
狭量な考えを排し、異なる文化を受け入れる寛容と度量をもつ。米社会はそんな伝統を取り戻してほしい。
登録:
投稿 (Atom)