The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 30, 2012)
Positive events in 2012 set stage for nation's recovery
２０１２回顧・日本 再生への希望が芽生えた年（12月29日付・読売社説）
Many readers must have gained hope and courage from the bright news stories of 2012.
明るい話題に、希望や勇気をもらった人が多かったのだろう。
Among this year's top 10 domestic news stories selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers, the awarding of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka headed the list. The opening of Tokyo Skytree ranked second, followed by the winning of a record number of medals by Japanese athletes at the London Olympics.
読売新聞の読者が選ぶ今年の「日本１０大ニュース」の１位は、「ノーベル生理学・医学賞に山中教授」だった。
「東京スカイツリーの開業」が２位、「ロンドン五輪、史上最多のメダル」が３位に入った。
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells developed by Yamanaka have contributed greatly to medical progress toward realizing the regeneration of damaged organs.
山中伸弥京都大教授が開発したｉＰＳ細胞（人工多能性幹細胞）は、傷んだ臓器などの再生医療を実現へ大きく動かした。
However, after it was announced he had won the award, Yamanaka said, "I haven't saved even one patient yet [with my iPS technology]." The professor's humble and sincere attitude favorably impressed many people.
「まだ一人の患者も救っていませんから」。受賞が決まった後の山中氏の謙虚で誠実な姿勢も好感を呼んだ。
Tokyo Skytree has attracted 28 million visitors in the six months since it opened to the public in May. The 634-meter Skytree is the world's tallest free-standing broadcast tower.
東京スカイツリーは５月の開業から半年で約２８００万人の入場者を集めた。６３４メートルは自立式電波塔では世界一の高さだ。
If Tokyo Tower, the second-tallest tower in Japan, is a symbol of Japan's past rapid economic growth, what will the popular Tokyo Skytree come to symbolize?
東京タワーが高度成長の象徴ならば、スカイツリーはどんなシンボルとして親しまれていくのだろうか。
===
Good news in sports
Japanese athletes won a record 38 medals--including seven gold medals--at the Summer Olympic Games held in London. In women's wrestling, Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho grabbed their third consecutive Olympic golds. And many female athletes such as members of the Nadeshiko Japan women's soccer team and volleyball and table tennis players performed superbly.
ロンドン五輪で日本選手団は、金７個を含む３８個のメダルを獲得した。レスリングの吉田沙保里選手、伊調馨選手が五輪３連覇を達成した。なでしこジャパンのサッカー、バレーボール、卓球など女子選手が見事な活躍を見せた。
In eighth place on the list of top 10 domestic stories was the Yomiuri Giants' winning of the Japan Series, marking the team's first championship in three years and its 22nd overall.
プロ野球の「巨人３年ぶり２２度目の日本一」は８位に入った。
Meanwhile, Hideki Matsui, who had been a Giants slugger for many years, announced his retirement Thursday. Matsui hit a total of 507 home runs while playing for the Giants, the New York Yankees and other major league teams, and won the World Series MVP award with the Yankees in 2009. Fans will take his dynamic batting style deep into their hearts.
その巨人の主砲を長く務めた松井秀喜選手が２７日、引退を表明した。巨人や米大リーグ・ヤンキースなどで５０７本塁打を放ち、ワールドシリーズの最優秀選手にも選ばれた。豪快な打撃はファンの心に深く刻まれよう。
The general election held in December, which resulted in the inauguration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet, ranked fourth on the list of top 10 stories. Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito he would dissolve the House of Representatives "sometime soon" in return for their cooperation in passing bills related to the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems, which ranked 16th in the list of top domestic news stories. Noda kept his promise and dissolved the lower house, but his Democratic Party of Japan suffered a crushing defeat in the general election.
安倍内閣の発足につながる「師走の衆院選挙」は４位だった。民主党は、野田前首相が社会保障と税の一体改革（１６位）と引き換えに、「近いうち解散」に打って出た末の惨敗だった。
===
Change in government
The defeat ended the DPJ-led government's rule, which had lasted three years and three months.
３年３か月に及んだ民主党政権が終わった。
The DPJ-led administration caused confusion in management of such national issues as the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, and its election pledges fell through. Many voters must have concluded the DPJ was not qualified to run the country. Prime Minister Abe is expected to draft and carry out realistic polices, and to stably run the government.
米軍普天間飛行場移設の問題などで迷走し、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）も破綻した。政権担当能力に欠けると多くの有権者は判断したのだろう。
安倍首相には、現実的な政策の立案・実行と安定した政権運営が求められる。
In fifth place on the list was the deterioration of Japan-China relations resulting from Japan's nationalization of some of the Senkaku Islands. For instance, anti-Japanese demonstrators rioted and stormed Japanese firms in China. Improvement of the bilateral ties is a priority issue for the Abe Cabinet.
尖閣諸島の国有化による日中関係の悪化も、５位と関心が高かった。中国では反日デモが暴徒化し、日本企業が襲われた。関係の改善は安倍内閣の重要課題である。
The collapse of ceiling panels in the Chuo Expressway's Sasago Tunnel in December, which killed nine people, ranked 7th. Aging infrastructure in the nation should be revamped as soon as possible.
１２月には中央道の笹子トンネル（山梨県）の天井板が崩落し、９人が死亡する大惨事が起きた（７位）。老朽化したインフラ（社会基盤）の改修も急ぎたい。
We would like to see 2013 become the turning point in the nation's steady recovery.
日本が確実に再生の道へ歩み出す。来年をその節目にしたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 29, 2012)
（2012年12月29日01時20分 読売新聞）
2012/12/31
2012/12/30
安倍外交 日米「基軸」で隣国関係改善を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 29, 2012)
Use pact with U.S. as linchpin to improve ties with neighbors
安倍外交 日米「基軸」で隣国関係改善を（12月28日付・読売社説）
◆同盟強化へ防衛指針を改定せよ◆
A little more than three years of administration by the Democratic Party of Japan has knocked Japan's diplomacy into a serious tailspin. How can it get back on course?
３年余の民主党政権下で大きく後退した日本外交をどう立て直すのか。
This is a task of great importance that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must address with everything in its power.
安倍内閣が全力で取り組むべき重要課題だ。
Abe is scheduled to make a trip to the United States as early as January to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama. The prime minister's visit to Washington appears in line with Abe's belief that strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States should be the first step toward reconstructing relations with its neighbors, such as China and South Korea.
安倍首相は来月中にも米国を訪問し、オバマ大統領と会談する。日米同盟の強化が、中国、韓国など近隣国との関係を再構築する第一歩と考えるからだ。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama threw the issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture off course, causing confusion and disruption in Japan-U.S. ties.
鳩山元首相が米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題を迷走させ、日米同盟を混乱させた。
As though availing themselves of the mix-up, China, South Korea and Russia have each tried to knock Japan off balance over territorial problems.
その間隙(かんげき)を突くように、中国、韓国、ロシアが領土問題で日本を揺さぶった――。
Such is the common perception among people concerned with diplomatic issues regarding Japan's foreign policy situation.
多くの外交関係者の共通理解だ。
===
Create a road map for security
◆安保課題の工程表作れ◆
The problem is how to hammer out and implement specific measures for beefing up the Japan-U.S. alliance.
問題は、日米同盟を強化する具体策である。
In its platform for the latest House of Representatives election, the Liberal Democratic Party incorporated such pledges as enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and again revising the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines.
自民党は衆院選の政権公約に、集団的自衛権の行使容認や防衛協力指針（ガイドライン）再改定などを盛り込んだ。
Both are tasks of key significance that the Abe administration must accomplish. Setting an order of priority for steadily tackling them will help to resolidify the Tokyo-Washington alliance.
いずれも実現すべき安全保障の課題である。一つひとつに優先順位をつけ、着実に取り組むことが同盟関係をより強固にしよう。
Expansion of the defense budget, which has been shrinking for 10 consecutive years, is a matter of urgency. The Abe Cabinet should take this into account in compiling a state budget for fiscal 2013.
１０年連続で減少している防衛費の拡充は急務だ。来年度予算編成で考慮する必要がある。
Regarding the planned defense guideline revision for bolstering cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, bilateral consultations should be started at an early date to jointly study specifics.
自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を強化するガイドライン再改定についても、日米協議を早期に開始し、具体的な検討に入りたい。
Under the divided Diet, in which the ruling coalition controls the lower house but lacks a majority in the House of Councillors, it will be hard for the government to pass the set of bills Abe envisions to create a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council.
衆参ねじれ国会の下、首相が創設に意欲を見せる国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の関連法案の成立は簡単ではない。
However, given that the opposition DPJ also has an idea similar to Abe's, the government would be well advised to call for joint consultations on the matter between the ruling and opposition blocs.
だが、民主党も同様の構想を持つ。与野党協議を呼びかけてはどうか。
But when it comes to solving the collective self-defense right issue, it will be difficult to bridge the gaps in views between the LDP, its coalition partner New Komeito and the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. It would be realistic for the government to place priority first on deepening discussions within the ruling camp by setting a goal of accomplishing the task after next summer's upper house election.
集団的自衛権の問題は、公明党や内閣法制局との調整が難関となる。来夏の参院選後の実現を目指し、まずは与党内でしっかりと議論を深めるのが現実的だろう。
When Abe visits the United States, the issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact will certainly be high on the agenda. To ensure Japan's national interests are not marred, the government must be determined to take part in the TPP talks as early as possible.
安倍首相の訪米時には、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題が重要議題となろう。日本の国益を確保するため、極力早期に交渉参加を決断すべきだ。
The Futenma problem, which has remained stalled for many years, is now heading into a crucial stretch.
長年の懸案である普天間問題も正念場を迎えている。
Construction of an alternative facility for the Futenma Air Station can never be undertaken without permission from Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for land reclamation required for the project.
普天間飛行場の代替施設の建設には、沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事の埋め立て許可が不可欠だ。
It is of especially high importance for the government to obtain understanding from a wider range of local people to create an environment in which it would be easier for Nakaima--who has been calling for Futenma's "relocation outside our prefecture"--to change his mind in favor of relocating it within the prefecture.
地元関係者の理解を広げ、「県外移設」を主張する知事が翻意しやすい環境を整えることが大切である。
Relations between Japan and China have been tense ever since the government decision in September to nationalize some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
日中両国は、今年９月の尖閣諸島の国有化以降、険しい対立関係にある。
An abnormal situation ensued, with Chinese government surveillance ships sailing in waters close to the Senkakus day after day.
中国政府船が連日、尖閣諸島周辺で示威活動を繰り返す異常な状況が続いている。
===
Seek mutual benefit with China
◆中国と「互恵」を再構築◆
Of course, Japan should not make any concession to China on its territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. Even so, it would be seriously detrimental to the interests of both sides if the entire bilateral relationship is kept in a stalemate by this issue alone.
無論、日本は、尖閣諸島の領有権に関しては一切の譲歩をすべきではない。ただ、この問題だけで日中関係全体が停滞することは、双方にとって大きな損失だ。
When Abe visited China six years ago, he succeeded in reaching an agreement with China to build a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" by refraining from making a definitive statement on whether he had visited or would visit Yasukuni Shrine. There must be a way to achieve a breakthrough even on diplomatic issues that are difficult to solve, if they are included as part of a wider scope of negotiations.
安倍首相は６年前の訪中で、靖国神社参拝問題に明確な結論を出さずに、「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで中国と一致した。解決が困難な外交問題も、より大きな交渉の一部に包含することで、打開できる道はあるはずだ。
This time, for instance, the government could make the Senkaku issue a subject for continued discussion, while it seeks a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Through such an approach to negotiations, Japan can aim at reaching a comprehensive agreement with the Xi Jinping administration. The Japanese government must mobilize all of its wisdom to do so.
今回も、例えば、尖閣問題は継続協議にしておく一方、戦略的互恵関係を追求することで習近平指導部と包括的な合意を図るなど、知恵を絞らねばならない。
For that purpose, it would be realistic for the government to shelve for the time being hard-line measures such as the "permanent stationing of government officials" on the Senkaku Islands, raised by the LDP in its list of policy measures to be studied.
そのため、自民党が政策集の検討項目に掲げた尖閣諸島での「公務員の常駐」などの強硬策は当面、棚上げにするのが現実的だ。
"Assertive diplomacy," the slogan Abe raised on dealing with issues including territorial problems, is far better than "unassertive diplomacy." However, it will be meaningless if making assertions becomes an end unto itself.
安倍首相が領土問題などで掲げる「主張する外交」は、「主張しない外交」と比べれば、はるかに良いが、主張すること自体が目的化しては意味がない。
What the new administration should aim at is a "diplomacy that produces achievements" through both hard and soft measures, sometimes seeking ways to solve problems in a levelheaded manner.
目指すべきは、時には静かに解決策を模索するなど、硬軟両様で「結果を出す外交」である。
The government must also hasten improvements of relations with South Korea.
韓国との関係の改善も、急がなければならない。
The change in administration from President Lee Myung Bak, who defiantly set foot on the Takeshima islands, which are Japanese territory, to Park Geun Hye is a good chance to improve bilateral ties. We think it is quite appropriate that Abe is thinking about sending a special envoy to Park.
竹島訪問を強行した李明博大統領から朴槿恵氏への交代は、その好機である。安倍首相が特使の派遣を検討しているのは妥当だ。
To effectively face North Korea, which has been continuing its nuclear weapons development program, and China, which has been pursuing the road to military superpower status, close cooperation with South Korea, in addition to the United States, is indispensable.
核開発を進める北朝鮮や、軍事大国化する中国に効果的に向き合うには、米国に加え、韓国との緊密な連携が欠かせない。
===
Seek progress on abduction issue
◆新政権で「拉致」進展を◆
Concerning Japan's relations with North Korea, scheduled bureau chief-level talks were postponed due to the North's ballistic missile launch this month.
日朝関係は、今月の北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射で、予定されていた局長級協議が延期された。
To end the deadlock over the problem of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, it is essential for the government to convince North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the country's Workers' Party of Korea, that Japan is a country worth negotiating with.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある日本人拉致問題の前進には、日本が交渉に値する相手だと北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記に確信させることが不可欠だ。
With the opportunity presented by the transition from the DPJ-led administration, which had produced various kinds of confusion and turmoil, to the Abe administration, the government must strengthen its calls on North Korea along with a "dialogue and pressure" approach.
混乱が続いた民主党政権から安倍政権への移行を契機に、「対話と圧力」路線に沿って北朝鮮への働きかけを強めねばならない。
In relations with Russia, the government intends to dispatch former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who has close relations with President Vladimir Putin, to Russia around February, with an eye toward Abe's visit to the country later on.
ロシアについて政府は、来年２月ごろにプーチン大統領と親しい森元首相を派遣し、その後の安倍首相の訪露につなげる考えだ。
Putin places importance on relations with Japan and has a zeal to solve the northern territories issue. It is important for Japan to advance both the territorial issue and cooperation on energy through repeated dialogues at various levels.
大統領は対日関係を重視し、北方領土問題の解決にも意欲を持っている。様々なレベルで対話を重ね、領土問題やエネルギー協力を進展させることが重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 28, 2012)
（2012年12月28日01時30分 読売新聞）
Use pact with U.S. as linchpin to improve ties with neighbors
安倍外交 日米「基軸」で隣国関係改善を（12月28日付・読売社説）
◆同盟強化へ防衛指針を改定せよ◆
A little more than three years of administration by the Democratic Party of Japan has knocked Japan's diplomacy into a serious tailspin. How can it get back on course?
３年余の民主党政権下で大きく後退した日本外交をどう立て直すのか。
This is a task of great importance that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must address with everything in its power.
安倍内閣が全力で取り組むべき重要課題だ。
Abe is scheduled to make a trip to the United States as early as January to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama. The prime minister's visit to Washington appears in line with Abe's belief that strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States should be the first step toward reconstructing relations with its neighbors, such as China and South Korea.
安倍首相は来月中にも米国を訪問し、オバマ大統領と会談する。日米同盟の強化が、中国、韓国など近隣国との関係を再構築する第一歩と考えるからだ。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama threw the issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture off course, causing confusion and disruption in Japan-U.S. ties.
鳩山元首相が米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題を迷走させ、日米同盟を混乱させた。
As though availing themselves of the mix-up, China, South Korea and Russia have each tried to knock Japan off balance over territorial problems.
その間隙(かんげき)を突くように、中国、韓国、ロシアが領土問題で日本を揺さぶった――。
Such is the common perception among people concerned with diplomatic issues regarding Japan's foreign policy situation.
多くの外交関係者の共通理解だ。
===
Create a road map for security
◆安保課題の工程表作れ◆
The problem is how to hammer out and implement specific measures for beefing up the Japan-U.S. alliance.
問題は、日米同盟を強化する具体策である。
In its platform for the latest House of Representatives election, the Liberal Democratic Party incorporated such pledges as enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and again revising the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines.
自民党は衆院選の政権公約に、集団的自衛権の行使容認や防衛協力指針（ガイドライン）再改定などを盛り込んだ。
Both are tasks of key significance that the Abe administration must accomplish. Setting an order of priority for steadily tackling them will help to resolidify the Tokyo-Washington alliance.
いずれも実現すべき安全保障の課題である。一つひとつに優先順位をつけ、着実に取り組むことが同盟関係をより強固にしよう。
Expansion of the defense budget, which has been shrinking for 10 consecutive years, is a matter of urgency. The Abe Cabinet should take this into account in compiling a state budget for fiscal 2013.
１０年連続で減少している防衛費の拡充は急務だ。来年度予算編成で考慮する必要がある。
Regarding the planned defense guideline revision for bolstering cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, bilateral consultations should be started at an early date to jointly study specifics.
自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を強化するガイドライン再改定についても、日米協議を早期に開始し、具体的な検討に入りたい。
Under the divided Diet, in which the ruling coalition controls the lower house but lacks a majority in the House of Councillors, it will be hard for the government to pass the set of bills Abe envisions to create a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council.
衆参ねじれ国会の下、首相が創設に意欲を見せる国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の関連法案の成立は簡単ではない。
However, given that the opposition DPJ also has an idea similar to Abe's, the government would be well advised to call for joint consultations on the matter between the ruling and opposition blocs.
だが、民主党も同様の構想を持つ。与野党協議を呼びかけてはどうか。
But when it comes to solving the collective self-defense right issue, it will be difficult to bridge the gaps in views between the LDP, its coalition partner New Komeito and the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. It would be realistic for the government to place priority first on deepening discussions within the ruling camp by setting a goal of accomplishing the task after next summer's upper house election.
集団的自衛権の問題は、公明党や内閣法制局との調整が難関となる。来夏の参院選後の実現を目指し、まずは与党内でしっかりと議論を深めるのが現実的だろう。
When Abe visits the United States, the issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact will certainly be high on the agenda. To ensure Japan's national interests are not marred, the government must be determined to take part in the TPP talks as early as possible.
安倍首相の訪米時には、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題が重要議題となろう。日本の国益を確保するため、極力早期に交渉参加を決断すべきだ。
The Futenma problem, which has remained stalled for many years, is now heading into a crucial stretch.
長年の懸案である普天間問題も正念場を迎えている。
Construction of an alternative facility for the Futenma Air Station can never be undertaken without permission from Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for land reclamation required for the project.
普天間飛行場の代替施設の建設には、沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事の埋め立て許可が不可欠だ。
It is of especially high importance for the government to obtain understanding from a wider range of local people to create an environment in which it would be easier for Nakaima--who has been calling for Futenma's "relocation outside our prefecture"--to change his mind in favor of relocating it within the prefecture.
地元関係者の理解を広げ、「県外移設」を主張する知事が翻意しやすい環境を整えることが大切である。
Relations between Japan and China have been tense ever since the government decision in September to nationalize some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
日中両国は、今年９月の尖閣諸島の国有化以降、険しい対立関係にある。
An abnormal situation ensued, with Chinese government surveillance ships sailing in waters close to the Senkakus day after day.
中国政府船が連日、尖閣諸島周辺で示威活動を繰り返す異常な状況が続いている。
===
Seek mutual benefit with China
◆中国と「互恵」を再構築◆
Of course, Japan should not make any concession to China on its territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. Even so, it would be seriously detrimental to the interests of both sides if the entire bilateral relationship is kept in a stalemate by this issue alone.
無論、日本は、尖閣諸島の領有権に関しては一切の譲歩をすべきではない。ただ、この問題だけで日中関係全体が停滞することは、双方にとって大きな損失だ。
When Abe visited China six years ago, he succeeded in reaching an agreement with China to build a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" by refraining from making a definitive statement on whether he had visited or would visit Yasukuni Shrine. There must be a way to achieve a breakthrough even on diplomatic issues that are difficult to solve, if they are included as part of a wider scope of negotiations.
安倍首相は６年前の訪中で、靖国神社参拝問題に明確な結論を出さずに、「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで中国と一致した。解決が困難な外交問題も、より大きな交渉の一部に包含することで、打開できる道はあるはずだ。
This time, for instance, the government could make the Senkaku issue a subject for continued discussion, while it seeks a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Through such an approach to negotiations, Japan can aim at reaching a comprehensive agreement with the Xi Jinping administration. The Japanese government must mobilize all of its wisdom to do so.
今回も、例えば、尖閣問題は継続協議にしておく一方、戦略的互恵関係を追求することで習近平指導部と包括的な合意を図るなど、知恵を絞らねばならない。
For that purpose, it would be realistic for the government to shelve for the time being hard-line measures such as the "permanent stationing of government officials" on the Senkaku Islands, raised by the LDP in its list of policy measures to be studied.
そのため、自民党が政策集の検討項目に掲げた尖閣諸島での「公務員の常駐」などの強硬策は当面、棚上げにするのが現実的だ。
"Assertive diplomacy," the slogan Abe raised on dealing with issues including territorial problems, is far better than "unassertive diplomacy." However, it will be meaningless if making assertions becomes an end unto itself.
安倍首相が領土問題などで掲げる「主張する外交」は、「主張しない外交」と比べれば、はるかに良いが、主張すること自体が目的化しては意味がない。
What the new administration should aim at is a "diplomacy that produces achievements" through both hard and soft measures, sometimes seeking ways to solve problems in a levelheaded manner.
目指すべきは、時には静かに解決策を模索するなど、硬軟両様で「結果を出す外交」である。
The government must also hasten improvements of relations with South Korea.
韓国との関係の改善も、急がなければならない。
The change in administration from President Lee Myung Bak, who defiantly set foot on the Takeshima islands, which are Japanese territory, to Park Geun Hye is a good chance to improve bilateral ties. We think it is quite appropriate that Abe is thinking about sending a special envoy to Park.
竹島訪問を強行した李明博大統領から朴槿恵氏への交代は、その好機である。安倍首相が特使の派遣を検討しているのは妥当だ。
To effectively face North Korea, which has been continuing its nuclear weapons development program, and China, which has been pursuing the road to military superpower status, close cooperation with South Korea, in addition to the United States, is indispensable.
核開発を進める北朝鮮や、軍事大国化する中国に効果的に向き合うには、米国に加え、韓国との緊密な連携が欠かせない。
===
Seek progress on abduction issue
◆新政権で「拉致」進展を◆
Concerning Japan's relations with North Korea, scheduled bureau chief-level talks were postponed due to the North's ballistic missile launch this month.
日朝関係は、今月の北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射で、予定されていた局長級協議が延期された。
To end the deadlock over the problem of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, it is essential for the government to convince North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the country's Workers' Party of Korea, that Japan is a country worth negotiating with.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある日本人拉致問題の前進には、日本が交渉に値する相手だと北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記に確信させることが不可欠だ。
With the opportunity presented by the transition from the DPJ-led administration, which had produced various kinds of confusion and turmoil, to the Abe administration, the government must strengthen its calls on North Korea along with a "dialogue and pressure" approach.
混乱が続いた民主党政権から安倍政権への移行を契機に、「対話と圧力」路線に沿って北朝鮮への働きかけを強めねばならない。
In relations with Russia, the government intends to dispatch former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who has close relations with President Vladimir Putin, to Russia around February, with an eye toward Abe's visit to the country later on.
ロシアについて政府は、来年２月ごろにプーチン大統領と親しい森元首相を派遣し、その後の安倍首相の訪露につなげる考えだ。
Putin places importance on relations with Japan and has a zeal to solve the northern territories issue. It is important for Japan to advance both the territorial issue and cooperation on energy through repeated dialogues at various levels.
大統領は対日関係を重視し、北方領土問題の解決にも意欲を持っている。様々なレベルで対話を重ね、領土問題やエネルギー協力を進展させることが重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 28, 2012)
（2012年12月28日01時30分 読売新聞）
2012/12/29
第２次安倍内閣 危機突破へ政権の総力挙げよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 28, 2012)
Abe must work wholeheartedly to lead nation out of crisis
第２次安倍内閣 危機突破へ政権の総力挙げよ（12月27日付・読売社説）
◆「強い経済」取り戻す知恵が要る◆
Defeating deflation, continuing with post-disaster reconstruction, overhauling nuclear power policy, and rebuilding foreign policy--Japan is faced with many challenges.
However, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's determination to resolve these issues was reflected in his choice of Cabinet ministers.
デフレからの脱却、震災復興、原発政策の再構築、外交立て直し――。日本が直面する難問を解決しようという意欲のうかがえる布陣だ。
The second Abe Cabinet was formed Wednesday, making Abe the second politician since the end of World War II to make a comeback as prime minister, following Shigeru Yoshida (1878-1967).
第２次安倍内閣が発足した。戦後、首相の再登板は吉田茂以来２人目である。
"I would like to gain the trust of the public by producing results as soon as possible," Abe said at a press conference after being elected prime minister.
安倍首相は就任後の記者会見で「一日も早く結果を出すことで信頼を得たい」と強調した。
Abe's first Cabinet broke up five years ago after only a short period in office. Has he learned from the bitter experience? The spotlight is now on whether he can put his policies into practice.
短命政権に終わった５年前の苦い経験を教訓に政策実現能力が問われる。
Abe has said his Cabinet's reason for being is to "break through the national crisis." We hope the new prime minister can lead the nation out of the dead end it has found itself in.
「危機突破内閣」の看板通り、閉塞状況を打開してもらいたい。
===
Use bureaucrats to full potential
◆「霞が関」を使いこなせ◆
Political heavyweights including former Prime Minister Taro Aso, former Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki and former New Komeito Chief Representative Akihiro Ota gained spots in the Cabinet alongside midranking and junior lawmakers close to Abe, such as Takumi Nemoto, the new state minister for disaster reconstruction.
閣僚には、自民党の麻生元首相や谷垣禎一前総裁、公明党の太田昭宏前代表ら重鎮が並んだ。根本匠復興相ら首相に近い中堅・若手の登用も目立つ。
Abe built his Cabinet around a close confidant in choosing former LDP Acting Secretary General Yoshihide Suga as chief cabinet secretary. Hiroshige Seko, another Abe ally and former chairman of the LDP Policy Board in the House of Councillors, was appointed deputy chief secretary. Isao Iijima, who served as parliamentary secretary under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, was made a special adviser to the Cabinet.
内閣の要となる官房長官に腹心の菅義偉前幹事長代行、官房副長官には世耕弘成前参院政審会長ら側近を据えた。内閣官房参与に小泉元首相の政務秘書官を務めた飯島勲氏を起用している。
His appointments in the Cabinet Secretariat show Abe's desire to strengthen the collective power of his administration based on the leadership of the Cabinet Office, as well as to enhance the office's crisis-management capabilities.
首相官邸を中心にしたチーム力と大災害時などの危機管理能力を高めるのが狙いだろう。
The administrations led by the Democratic Party of Japan sailed under the slogan "politics led by politicians," but they failed to understand the true meaning of the phrase. The Abe administration must make a clear distinction between it and the DPJ administrations by making use of the bureaucracy.
We ask Abe to exploit the full potential of the Kasumigaseki bureaucrats.
民主党政権の誤った「政治主導」とは一線を画し、官僚機構を十二分に使いこなして、霞が関の機能を引き出すことが大切だ。
The Abe Cabinet's top priority will be reviving the economy. Cabinet ministers who are expected to play a central role in this include Aso, who is deputy prime minister, finance minister and state minister for financial services; Akira Amari, state minister for economic revitalization; and Toshimitsu Motegi, the economy, trade and industry minister.
安倍内閣の最重要課題は、日本経済の再生である。麻生太郎副総理・財務・金融相、甘利明経済再生相、茂木敏充経済産業相の３閣僚が、その中核を担う。
All three are known as expert policymakers and have chaired the party's Policy Research Council. We hope they will swiftly draw up effective measures to jump-start the economy.
いずれも政調会長を経験した政策通である。実効性のある政策を迅速に打ち出してほしい。
===
Govt bodies to revive economy
◆司令塔を機能させたい◆
The new administration needs to steadily raise the consumption tax rate to obtain enough revenue to fund social security programs. However, the administration must first compile a supplementary budget large enough to buoy the economy, which is showing signs of further decline.
社会保障財源を確保するため、消費税率を着実に引き上げていく必要がある。それには、後退色を強める景気を下支えする大規模な補正予算の編成が急務だ。
Abe has said he will revive the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, a government panel that was idled under the DPJ, and establish a new body tentatively named Japan's economic revitalization headquarters. The prime minister must steer these two organs effectively so they can play a leading role in economic policy.
経済再生に向けて、首相は経済財政諮問会議を復活させ、新たに日本経済再生本部を置く。二つの組織を経済の司令塔として、しっかり機能させねばならない。
The administration of former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pledged to achieve "zero nuclear power" in the 2030s, a policy that endangers the stability of the power supply and will accelerate the hollowing-out of the domestic industrial sector. We urge the Abe administration to annul this policy and come up with practical nuclear and energy policies.
野田政権の「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」の方針では電力の安定供給が揺らぎ、産業空洞化も加速する。これを早急に撤回し、現実的な原発・エネルギー政策を再構築すべきである。
With our society graying, birthrate low and population decreasing, shrinkage of domestic demand is unavoidable for the medium term. Japan must join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework to spur economic growth.
少子高齢化と人口減で中期的には国内需要の縮小が避けられない。日本の成長に弾みをつけるには環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を決断するしかない。
We have high hopes that Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will play a pivotal role in enhancing the international competitiveness of the agriculture industry, a necessary part of preparing to further open the domestic market.
林芳正農相は、一層の市場開放に備え、農業の国際競争力を強化する重要な役割を担う。
It is also essential for the Abe administration to improve the nation's aging infrastructure and implement disaster-management measures. Keiji Furuya, state minister for disaster management, will be in charge of "strengthening national land"--one of the key policies of the new Cabinet.
老朽化したインフラ（社会基盤）の整備と防災対策も欠かせない。古屋圭司防災相が目玉政策の「国土強靱(きょうじん)化」を担当する。
Needless to say, it should not be forgotten that the nation's finances have been seriously dependent on borrowing. The Abe Cabinet has to come up with effective methods of public investment so that we will not pass on any further heavy burdens to future generations.
無論、日本が深刻な借金財政に陥っていることも忘れてはなるまい。将来世代にこれ以上重いツケを回さないよう、効率的な公共投資を工夫することが肝要だ。
To make the nation's social security system sustainable, it is inevitable to cut benefit payments. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura will be tested on handling the issue as a social security expert.
社会保障制度を持続可能にするには給付の削減は避けられない。社会保障の専門家である田村憲久厚生労働相の手腕が問われる。
The post of foreign minister has been assumed by Fumio Kishida, a former state minister for Okinawa Prefecture affairs. Progress will not be made on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture unless Kishida can restore trust with the prefecture, a condition that was seriously damaged by the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama from the DPJ.
外相には、岸田文雄元沖縄相が就任した。鳩山政権が著しく損なった沖縄県との信頼関係を回復しなければ、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題は前進しない。
It is reasonable for Abe to appoint Kishida as foreign minister, as he is knowledgeable on situations facing Okinawa Prefecture and is said to have a relationship of trust with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima.
沖縄県の事情に通じ、仲井真弘多知事とも一定の信頼関係があると言われる岸田氏の起用は妥当だと言えよう。
Named as defense minister was Itsunori Onodera, former parliamentary senior vice minister for foreign affairs.
防衛相には小野寺五典元外務副大臣が起用された。
Over the dispute on the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, China has sent not only its vessels to intrude into Japanese waters, but also an airplane to violate the nation's airspace. Dealing with China--which has been seeking to expand its economic and military might--is the Abe Cabinet's top priority in the diplomatic and security field.
尖閣諸島を巡って中国は、領海だけでなく、領空まで侵犯した。経済、軍事両面で膨張路線をとる中国とどう向き合うかは外交・安全保障の最重要課題だ。
The new prime minister has to establish a flexible, shrewd strategy by working closely with Kishida and Onodera.
首相は岸田、小野寺両氏と十分連携し、柔軟で、したたかな戦略を打ち立てる必要がある。
===
LDP seeks to renew itself
◆自公民路線は堅持を◆
Meanwhile, the lineup of the LDP's new party leadership is attracting attention as two of its three key executives posts have been given to women: Sanae Takaichi has been named chairwoman of the Policy Research Council, while Seiko Noda has been given the post of chairwoman of the General Council.
一方、自民党の新執行部体制では、高市早苗政調会長、野田聖子総務会長という女性２人の党三役への登用が注目される。
The appointments aim to make the two women part of the face of the party along with Shigeru Ishiba--who is being retained as secretary general and is especially popular in less urban areas--for the upcoming upper house election next summer. Abe said the changes in the LDP can be signaled by the two female members assuming the key posts.
地方で人気のある石破幹事長とともに来夏の参院選で「党の顔」とすることを狙った人事だ。自民党の変化を示すものだという。
However, such an image alone cannot help restore public confidence in the LDP. The party is urged to make further efforts and assume a humble attitude to move the nation's politics forward. Otherwise, the LDP could follow the path Abe warned of: "We'll become a cheap, old LDP as soon as we begin to rely only on party traditions."
だが、イメージだけでは党に対する国民の信頼は回復しない。政治を前に動かすために、一層の努力と謙虚な姿勢が求められる。首相が言う通り、「伝統にあぐらをかけば、あっという間に陳腐な古い自民党と化す」だろう。
The Diet remains divided until the next upper house election. The LDP, Komeito and the DPJ should maintain their framework of cooperation regarding the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
参院選までは衆参のねじれが続く。社会保障と税の一体改革の実現に向けて、自公民３党の協力路線を堅持していくべきである。
We are fed up with political indecisiveness. We hope Abe will manage his government in a different way than previous administrations.
「決められない政治」はもううんざりだ。これまでとは次元の違う政権運営を期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 27, 2012)
（2012年12月27日01時09分 読売新聞）
Abe must work wholeheartedly to lead nation out of crisis
第２次安倍内閣 危機突破へ政権の総力挙げよ（12月27日付・読売社説）
◆「強い経済」取り戻す知恵が要る◆
Defeating deflation, continuing with post-disaster reconstruction, overhauling nuclear power policy, and rebuilding foreign policy--Japan is faced with many challenges.
However, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's determination to resolve these issues was reflected in his choice of Cabinet ministers.
デフレからの脱却、震災復興、原発政策の再構築、外交立て直し――。日本が直面する難問を解決しようという意欲のうかがえる布陣だ。
The second Abe Cabinet was formed Wednesday, making Abe the second politician since the end of World War II to make a comeback as prime minister, following Shigeru Yoshida (1878-1967).
第２次安倍内閣が発足した。戦後、首相の再登板は吉田茂以来２人目である。
"I would like to gain the trust of the public by producing results as soon as possible," Abe said at a press conference after being elected prime minister.
安倍首相は就任後の記者会見で「一日も早く結果を出すことで信頼を得たい」と強調した。
Abe's first Cabinet broke up five years ago after only a short period in office. Has he learned from the bitter experience? The spotlight is now on whether he can put his policies into practice.
短命政権に終わった５年前の苦い経験を教訓に政策実現能力が問われる。
Abe has said his Cabinet's reason for being is to "break through the national crisis." We hope the new prime minister can lead the nation out of the dead end it has found itself in.
「危機突破内閣」の看板通り、閉塞状況を打開してもらいたい。
===
Use bureaucrats to full potential
◆「霞が関」を使いこなせ◆
Political heavyweights including former Prime Minister Taro Aso, former Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki and former New Komeito Chief Representative Akihiro Ota gained spots in the Cabinet alongside midranking and junior lawmakers close to Abe, such as Takumi Nemoto, the new state minister for disaster reconstruction.
閣僚には、自民党の麻生元首相や谷垣禎一前総裁、公明党の太田昭宏前代表ら重鎮が並んだ。根本匠復興相ら首相に近い中堅・若手の登用も目立つ。
Abe built his Cabinet around a close confidant in choosing former LDP Acting Secretary General Yoshihide Suga as chief cabinet secretary. Hiroshige Seko, another Abe ally and former chairman of the LDP Policy Board in the House of Councillors, was appointed deputy chief secretary. Isao Iijima, who served as parliamentary secretary under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, was made a special adviser to the Cabinet.
内閣の要となる官房長官に腹心の菅義偉前幹事長代行、官房副長官には世耕弘成前参院政審会長ら側近を据えた。内閣官房参与に小泉元首相の政務秘書官を務めた飯島勲氏を起用している。
His appointments in the Cabinet Secretariat show Abe's desire to strengthen the collective power of his administration based on the leadership of the Cabinet Office, as well as to enhance the office's crisis-management capabilities.
首相官邸を中心にしたチーム力と大災害時などの危機管理能力を高めるのが狙いだろう。
The administrations led by the Democratic Party of Japan sailed under the slogan "politics led by politicians," but they failed to understand the true meaning of the phrase. The Abe administration must make a clear distinction between it and the DPJ administrations by making use of the bureaucracy.
We ask Abe to exploit the full potential of the Kasumigaseki bureaucrats.
民主党政権の誤った「政治主導」とは一線を画し、官僚機構を十二分に使いこなして、霞が関の機能を引き出すことが大切だ。
The Abe Cabinet's top priority will be reviving the economy. Cabinet ministers who are expected to play a central role in this include Aso, who is deputy prime minister, finance minister and state minister for financial services; Akira Amari, state minister for economic revitalization; and Toshimitsu Motegi, the economy, trade and industry minister.
安倍内閣の最重要課題は、日本経済の再生である。麻生太郎副総理・財務・金融相、甘利明経済再生相、茂木敏充経済産業相の３閣僚が、その中核を担う。
All three are known as expert policymakers and have chaired the party's Policy Research Council. We hope they will swiftly draw up effective measures to jump-start the economy.
いずれも政調会長を経験した政策通である。実効性のある政策を迅速に打ち出してほしい。
===
Govt bodies to revive economy
◆司令塔を機能させたい◆
The new administration needs to steadily raise the consumption tax rate to obtain enough revenue to fund social security programs. However, the administration must first compile a supplementary budget large enough to buoy the economy, which is showing signs of further decline.
社会保障財源を確保するため、消費税率を着実に引き上げていく必要がある。それには、後退色を強める景気を下支えする大規模な補正予算の編成が急務だ。
Abe has said he will revive the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, a government panel that was idled under the DPJ, and establish a new body tentatively named Japan's economic revitalization headquarters. The prime minister must steer these two organs effectively so they can play a leading role in economic policy.
経済再生に向けて、首相は経済財政諮問会議を復活させ、新たに日本経済再生本部を置く。二つの組織を経済の司令塔として、しっかり機能させねばならない。
The administration of former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pledged to achieve "zero nuclear power" in the 2030s, a policy that endangers the stability of the power supply and will accelerate the hollowing-out of the domestic industrial sector. We urge the Abe administration to annul this policy and come up with practical nuclear and energy policies.
野田政権の「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」の方針では電力の安定供給が揺らぎ、産業空洞化も加速する。これを早急に撤回し、現実的な原発・エネルギー政策を再構築すべきである。
With our society graying, birthrate low and population decreasing, shrinkage of domestic demand is unavoidable for the medium term. Japan must join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework to spur economic growth.
少子高齢化と人口減で中期的には国内需要の縮小が避けられない。日本の成長に弾みをつけるには環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を決断するしかない。
We have high hopes that Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will play a pivotal role in enhancing the international competitiveness of the agriculture industry, a necessary part of preparing to further open the domestic market.
林芳正農相は、一層の市場開放に備え、農業の国際競争力を強化する重要な役割を担う。
It is also essential for the Abe administration to improve the nation's aging infrastructure and implement disaster-management measures. Keiji Furuya, state minister for disaster management, will be in charge of "strengthening national land"--one of the key policies of the new Cabinet.
老朽化したインフラ（社会基盤）の整備と防災対策も欠かせない。古屋圭司防災相が目玉政策の「国土強靱(きょうじん)化」を担当する。
Needless to say, it should not be forgotten that the nation's finances have been seriously dependent on borrowing. The Abe Cabinet has to come up with effective methods of public investment so that we will not pass on any further heavy burdens to future generations.
無論、日本が深刻な借金財政に陥っていることも忘れてはなるまい。将来世代にこれ以上重いツケを回さないよう、効率的な公共投資を工夫することが肝要だ。
To make the nation's social security system sustainable, it is inevitable to cut benefit payments. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura will be tested on handling the issue as a social security expert.
社会保障制度を持続可能にするには給付の削減は避けられない。社会保障の専門家である田村憲久厚生労働相の手腕が問われる。
The post of foreign minister has been assumed by Fumio Kishida, a former state minister for Okinawa Prefecture affairs. Progress will not be made on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture unless Kishida can restore trust with the prefecture, a condition that was seriously damaged by the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama from the DPJ.
外相には、岸田文雄元沖縄相が就任した。鳩山政権が著しく損なった沖縄県との信頼関係を回復しなければ、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題は前進しない。
It is reasonable for Abe to appoint Kishida as foreign minister, as he is knowledgeable on situations facing Okinawa Prefecture and is said to have a relationship of trust with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima.
沖縄県の事情に通じ、仲井真弘多知事とも一定の信頼関係があると言われる岸田氏の起用は妥当だと言えよう。
Named as defense minister was Itsunori Onodera, former parliamentary senior vice minister for foreign affairs.
防衛相には小野寺五典元外務副大臣が起用された。
Over the dispute on the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, China has sent not only its vessels to intrude into Japanese waters, but also an airplane to violate the nation's airspace. Dealing with China--which has been seeking to expand its economic and military might--is the Abe Cabinet's top priority in the diplomatic and security field.
尖閣諸島を巡って中国は、領海だけでなく、領空まで侵犯した。経済、軍事両面で膨張路線をとる中国とどう向き合うかは外交・安全保障の最重要課題だ。
The new prime minister has to establish a flexible, shrewd strategy by working closely with Kishida and Onodera.
首相は岸田、小野寺両氏と十分連携し、柔軟で、したたかな戦略を打ち立てる必要がある。
===
LDP seeks to renew itself
◆自公民路線は堅持を◆
Meanwhile, the lineup of the LDP's new party leadership is attracting attention as two of its three key executives posts have been given to women: Sanae Takaichi has been named chairwoman of the Policy Research Council, while Seiko Noda has been given the post of chairwoman of the General Council.
一方、自民党の新執行部体制では、高市早苗政調会長、野田聖子総務会長という女性２人の党三役への登用が注目される。
The appointments aim to make the two women part of the face of the party along with Shigeru Ishiba--who is being retained as secretary general and is especially popular in less urban areas--for the upcoming upper house election next summer. Abe said the changes in the LDP can be signaled by the two female members assuming the key posts.
地方で人気のある石破幹事長とともに来夏の参院選で「党の顔」とすることを狙った人事だ。自民党の変化を示すものだという。
However, such an image alone cannot help restore public confidence in the LDP. The party is urged to make further efforts and assume a humble attitude to move the nation's politics forward. Otherwise, the LDP could follow the path Abe warned of: "We'll become a cheap, old LDP as soon as we begin to rely only on party traditions."
だが、イメージだけでは党に対する国民の信頼は回復しない。政治を前に動かすために、一層の努力と謙虚な姿勢が求められる。首相が言う通り、「伝統にあぐらをかけば、あっという間に陳腐な古い自民党と化す」だろう。
The Diet remains divided until the next upper house election. The LDP, Komeito and the DPJ should maintain their framework of cooperation regarding the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
参院選までは衆参のねじれが続く。社会保障と税の一体改革の実現に向けて、自公民３党の協力路線を堅持していくべきである。
We are fed up with political indecisiveness. We hope Abe will manage his government in a different way than previous administrations.
「決められない政治」はもううんざりだ。これまでとは次元の違う政権運営を期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 27, 2012)
（2012年12月27日01時09分 読売新聞）
2012/12/28
自公連立合意 ＴＰＰ先送りなら国益損ねる
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 27, 2012)
Delay in joining TPP talks will harm national interests
自公連立合意 ＴＰＰ先送りなら国益損ねる（12月26日付・読売社説）
If the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito truly attach importance to the nation's best interests, they must not delay in deciding to participate in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade agreement.
国益を本当に重視するなら、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉に参加する決断を先送りしてはなるまい。
LDP President Shinzo Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi met Tuesday to sign an agreement on forming a coalition government. Their accord covers eight areas, including economic stimulus, diplomacy and security policies.
自民党の安倍総裁と公明党の山口代表が会談し、景気・経済対策、外交安保など８項目の連立政権合意書に署名した。
The agreement says the coalition government "will promote free trade more than ever," but on the TPP specifically it stipulates that the new administration "will pursue the course that best serves the national interests."
合意書は、「自由貿易をこれまで以上に推進する」としたうえ、ＴＰＰについて「国益にかなう最善の道を求める」と明記した。
In their campaign platforms for the Dec. 16 House of Representatives election, both the LDP and Komeito took a cautious stance on the TPP issue. The LDP said it "opposes taking part in the TPP talks if they are premised on abolishing tariffs without exception." Komeito said it "will create an environment [in the Diet] where full deliberations can take place."
先の衆院選政権公約は、自民党が「聖域なき関税撤廃が前提なら反対」、公明党も「（国会で）十分審議できる環境をつくる」と、いずれも慎重だった。
The coalition agreement is a positive development if it leaves some room for participating in the talks.
連立合意は、ＴＰＰ交渉参加に含みを持たせたのであれば、前向きな動きだ。
Eleven countries, including the United States and Australia, are trying to reach an agreement on the TPP by the end of next year. Japan failed to decide to join the TPP talks and fell behind Canada and Mexico.
米豪など１１か国は、来年中のＴＰＰ交渉の妥結を目指している。日本は参加に踏み切れず、カナダ、メキシコにも後れをとった。
Participating in the TPP talks would be an effective means to help the national economy grow through free trade, and strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.
自由貿易を通じた経済成長にも日米同盟の強化にも、ＴＰＰ参加は有力な手段となるはずだ。
===
No time for caution
Some LDP members are eager to enter the TPP negotiations, pushing for the incoming government to announce Japan's participation during a visit by the prime minister to the United States early next year. However, others remain cautious, calling for a decision to be delayed until after the House of Councillors election next summer out of fear that the party may lose the farm vote.
自民党内では、来年初めの首相訪米時の参加表明を求める積極論がある一方で、農業票の離反を恐れて来夏の参院選後に決断を先送りする慎重論も根強い。
We understand the LDP wants to focus on "driving safely" at least until the upper house poll, but it must remember that inaction that could delay joining the TPP talks reduces the country's say in trade and investment rules, which could harm the national interests.
参院選前は「安全運転」に徹したい事情は理解できるが、交渉参加を遅らせる不作為は、日本の主張を貿易・投資ルールに盛り込む余地を狭め、結果的に国益を損ねることを忘れてはならない。
When it comes to a trade agreement, Japan can opt for pulling out of the negotiations or eventually rejecting the accord in the Diet if it is determined to go against the national interests. Assuming only bad scenarios even before joining the talks is not constructive. We urge the incoming government to announce at an early date that Japan will join the TPP negotiations.
通商協定では、国益に反すると判断すれば、交渉過程で離脱することも、最終的に国会で承認しない選択もあり得る。交渉前から、悪いシナリオばかりを想定するのは建設的ではない。まずは早期に交渉参加を表明すべきだ。
===
Keep taxes simple
The coalition agreement states that discussions will be held on introducing reduced tax rates for food and other necessities as a measure to help low-income earners when the planned consumption tax hike goes into effect. This was a concession by the LDP to Komeito.
連立合意は、消費税率引き上げ時の低所得者対策として、食料品などの軽減税率の導入を検討することを盛り込んだ。自民党が公明党に歩み寄ったものだ。
Such a system is simpler and clearer, as well as easier to understand than the Japanese version of the earned income tax credit proposed by the Democratic Party of Japan-led administraion. Applying the reduced tax rates to newspapers and books would help protect intellectual culture. We urge the LDP and Komeito to discuss and overcome problems such as how to decide what items should be subject to reduced tax rates.
軽減税率は、民主党政権が主張する給付付き税額控除よりも簡明で、分かりやすい。新聞や書籍を対象とすれば、知的文化を守ることにつながる。対象品目の線引きなどの課題は、自公両党が十分協議し、克服してもらいたい。
On nuclear energy policy, the coalition agreement did not adopt the "zero-nuclear policy," which was in Komeito's election pledges, but instead called for the use of nuclear power for the time being. It said the coalition government "will reduce the nation's dependence on nuclear power plants."
原発政策は、公明党が公約に掲げた「原発ゼロ」を採用せず、「原発依存度を減らす」との表現で当面の活用をうたった。
We commend the agreement for its realism, which will allow nuclear reactors to be reactivated once they have been confirmed safe.
安全が確認された原発の再稼働も容認し、現実的な内容と評価できる。
Abe has said he would review the DPJ-led administration's policy of not approving the construction of new nuclear power plants. It is essential to minimize negative impacts on the economy and employment, while also ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants.
安倍氏は、原発新設を認めない民主党政権の方針を見直す考えも示している。経済・雇用への悪影響を最小限に抑えることと、原発の安全確保との両立が大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2012)
（2012年12月26日01時25分 読売新聞）
Delay in joining TPP talks will harm national interests
自公連立合意 ＴＰＰ先送りなら国益損ねる（12月26日付・読売社説）
If the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito truly attach importance to the nation's best interests, they must not delay in deciding to participate in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade agreement.
国益を本当に重視するなら、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉に参加する決断を先送りしてはなるまい。
LDP President Shinzo Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi met Tuesday to sign an agreement on forming a coalition government. Their accord covers eight areas, including economic stimulus, diplomacy and security policies.
自民党の安倍総裁と公明党の山口代表が会談し、景気・経済対策、外交安保など８項目の連立政権合意書に署名した。
The agreement says the coalition government "will promote free trade more than ever," but on the TPP specifically it stipulates that the new administration "will pursue the course that best serves the national interests."
合意書は、「自由貿易をこれまで以上に推進する」としたうえ、ＴＰＰについて「国益にかなう最善の道を求める」と明記した。
In their campaign platforms for the Dec. 16 House of Representatives election, both the LDP and Komeito took a cautious stance on the TPP issue. The LDP said it "opposes taking part in the TPP talks if they are premised on abolishing tariffs without exception." Komeito said it "will create an environment [in the Diet] where full deliberations can take place."
先の衆院選政権公約は、自民党が「聖域なき関税撤廃が前提なら反対」、公明党も「（国会で）十分審議できる環境をつくる」と、いずれも慎重だった。
The coalition agreement is a positive development if it leaves some room for participating in the talks.
連立合意は、ＴＰＰ交渉参加に含みを持たせたのであれば、前向きな動きだ。
Eleven countries, including the United States and Australia, are trying to reach an agreement on the TPP by the end of next year. Japan failed to decide to join the TPP talks and fell behind Canada and Mexico.
米豪など１１か国は、来年中のＴＰＰ交渉の妥結を目指している。日本は参加に踏み切れず、カナダ、メキシコにも後れをとった。
Participating in the TPP talks would be an effective means to help the national economy grow through free trade, and strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.
自由貿易を通じた経済成長にも日米同盟の強化にも、ＴＰＰ参加は有力な手段となるはずだ。
===
No time for caution
Some LDP members are eager to enter the TPP negotiations, pushing for the incoming government to announce Japan's participation during a visit by the prime minister to the United States early next year. However, others remain cautious, calling for a decision to be delayed until after the House of Councillors election next summer out of fear that the party may lose the farm vote.
自民党内では、来年初めの首相訪米時の参加表明を求める積極論がある一方で、農業票の離反を恐れて来夏の参院選後に決断を先送りする慎重論も根強い。
We understand the LDP wants to focus on "driving safely" at least until the upper house poll, but it must remember that inaction that could delay joining the TPP talks reduces the country's say in trade and investment rules, which could harm the national interests.
参院選前は「安全運転」に徹したい事情は理解できるが、交渉参加を遅らせる不作為は、日本の主張を貿易・投資ルールに盛り込む余地を狭め、結果的に国益を損ねることを忘れてはならない。
When it comes to a trade agreement, Japan can opt for pulling out of the negotiations or eventually rejecting the accord in the Diet if it is determined to go against the national interests. Assuming only bad scenarios even before joining the talks is not constructive. We urge the incoming government to announce at an early date that Japan will join the TPP negotiations.
通商協定では、国益に反すると判断すれば、交渉過程で離脱することも、最終的に国会で承認しない選択もあり得る。交渉前から、悪いシナリオばかりを想定するのは建設的ではない。まずは早期に交渉参加を表明すべきだ。
===
Keep taxes simple
The coalition agreement states that discussions will be held on introducing reduced tax rates for food and other necessities as a measure to help low-income earners when the planned consumption tax hike goes into effect. This was a concession by the LDP to Komeito.
連立合意は、消費税率引き上げ時の低所得者対策として、食料品などの軽減税率の導入を検討することを盛り込んだ。自民党が公明党に歩み寄ったものだ。
Such a system is simpler and clearer, as well as easier to understand than the Japanese version of the earned income tax credit proposed by the Democratic Party of Japan-led administraion. Applying the reduced tax rates to newspapers and books would help protect intellectual culture. We urge the LDP and Komeito to discuss and overcome problems such as how to decide what items should be subject to reduced tax rates.
軽減税率は、民主党政権が主張する給付付き税額控除よりも簡明で、分かりやすい。新聞や書籍を対象とすれば、知的文化を守ることにつながる。対象品目の線引きなどの課題は、自公両党が十分協議し、克服してもらいたい。
On nuclear energy policy, the coalition agreement did not adopt the "zero-nuclear policy," which was in Komeito's election pledges, but instead called for the use of nuclear power for the time being. It said the coalition government "will reduce the nation's dependence on nuclear power plants."
原発政策は、公明党が公約に掲げた「原発ゼロ」を採用せず、「原発依存度を減らす」との表現で当面の活用をうたった。
We commend the agreement for its realism, which will allow nuclear reactors to be reactivated once they have been confirmed safe.
安全が確認された原発の再稼働も容認し、現実的な内容と評価できる。
Abe has said he would review the DPJ-led administration's policy of not approving the construction of new nuclear power plants. It is essential to minimize negative impacts on the economy and employment, while also ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants.
安倍氏は、原発新設を認めない民主党政権の方針を見直す考えも示している。経済・雇用への悪影響を最小限に抑えることと、原発の安全確保との両立が大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2012)
（2012年12月26日01時25分 読売新聞）
2012/12/27
健保財政悪化 医療費負担の世代格差是正を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 26, 2012)
Intergenerational fairness in medical expenses needed
健保財政悪化 医療費負担の世代格差是正を（12月25日付・読売社説）
The fiscal conditions of public health insurance programs for corporate employees have worsened, resulting in an increase in insurance premiums. This is attributable to the huge expense in providing medical services for elderly people. The working generation should not have to bear an even heavier burden.
サラリーマンが加入する健康保険の財政が悪化し、保険料の上昇を招いている。高齢者医療への巨額の支出が原因だ。これ以上重い負担を現役世代に求めるのは避けるべきだ。
Medical expenses for people aged 65 or older are covered by premiums and medical fees paid by elderly people themselves, as well as contributions from public coffers, health insurance societies and other entities. The contributions rose sharply with the launch of a new health care system for elderly people in 2008, causing many health insurance societies to fall into the red.
６５歳以上の高齢者の医療費は、高齢者自身の保険料や窓口負担のほか、公費と健保組合などからの拠出金で賄われている。その拠出金が、２００８年にスタートした高齢者医療制度で急増したため、多くの健保は赤字に転落した。
Due to this dire financial situation, health insurance societies have no choice but to raise insurance premiums shouldered both by employers and employees. The Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kempo), to which employees of small and midsize companies belong, has raised the premium rate from 8.2 percent to 10 percent. Health insurance societies of larger companies also raised their rates from a range of between 7 percent and 8 percent to an average 8.3 percent.
財政難から、健保は労使で負担する保険料を上げざるを得ない。中小企業の従業員が加入する協会けんぽでは従来の８・２％から１０％に、大企業の健保組合も７％台から平均８・３％に上昇した。
Baby boomers began turning 65 this year, and medical expenses for elderly people are expected to grow. There are fears that premium rates will continue to be raised endlessly.
団塊世代が今年から６５歳にさしかかり、高齢者の医療費は今後さらに増えるだろう。保険料率は際限なく上昇する恐れがある。
===
Heavier burden for elderly
This would impose a heavy burden on corporate managements and slash the net wages of employees, with the resulting adverse effects on the nation's economy and consumption.
企業経営の重荷になる上に、賃金の手取りが減り、景気や消費に悪影響を与えかねない。
To prevent this from happening, we believe it is inevitable to have senior citizens shoulder a more appropriate portion of the burden.
それを防ぐには、高齢者にも応分の負担を求めざるを得まい。
Fees paid at medical institutions by patients aged 70 to 74 are set by law at 20 percent of their medical bills, but in reality remain at 10 percent. This is attributable to the government response to harsh criticism from then opposition Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and others on the newly introduced health insurance system for those aged 75 or older. The opposition at that time used the new system for their own political benefits, criticizing it as "ubasuteyama," a folklore term meaning abandonment of old people in the mountains.
７０～７４歳の医療費の窓口負担は法定では２割なのに、１割に抑えられている。７５歳以上を対象にした後期高齢者医療制度の導入に際し、当時の民主党の鳩山幹事長らが「うば捨て山」と酷評し、政争に利用したことの反動である。
Such criticism missed the point as the new system was designed to have the working generation bear much of the expense. However, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Cabinet, fearing a backlash from elderly people, took special measures to keep the level of the burden on those aged 70 to 74 the same as for those 75 or older.
費用の多くを現役世代が賄う制度であり、的外れの批判だったが、福田内閣は高齢者の反発を恐れ、７０～７４歳の負担を７５歳以上並みに抑える特例措置をとった。
We suggest the special measures be abolished, so those aged 70 to 74 pay 20 percent of their medical expenses at medical institutions as stipulated by law. Consideration also should be given to raising the current 10 percent of the burden paid by those aged 75 or older at medical institutions.
この特例を廃し、本来の２割負担に引き上げるべきだ。１割となっている７５歳以上の窓口負担の引き上げも検討課題になろう。
What is important is to curb the continuing rise in medical spending.
重要なのは、増え続ける医療費の伸びを抑えることだ。
===
Introduce medical data system
A number of elderly people who suffer from more than one illness visit many medical specialists, resulting in a duplication in consultations, tests and medication in many cases.
複数の病気を抱える高齢者は、多くの専門医にかかり、受診や検査、投薬の重複が目立つ。
We think information on individual patients that is maintained by each medical institution should be collected under a unified management system so overlapping medical services can be eliminated. We also suggest the early introduction of a new personal identification number system, called My Number. It is indispensable to nurture general medical practitioners who can treat a variety of diseases so that duplicating medical examinations can be avoided.
各医療機関の患者情報を一元的に管理し、無駄をなくすべきだ。共通番号制度（マイナンバー）の導入を急いでもらいたい。様々な病気を診る「総合医」育成も、重複受診の解消に欠かせない。
Drug costs also should be reduced by using, in principle, cheaper generic drugs.
価格の安いジェネリック医薬品（後発薬）の使用を原則とし、薬剤費の抑制を図る必要もある。
The policy pledges of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, which are set to return to power, included such proposals as making medical treatment for young children free, which would result in further increases in medical spending. We are concerned these measures will make the current health insurance system unsustainable.
政権に復帰する自民、公明両党の公約には「小児医療費の無料化を検討」など医療費増大につながる内容が目についた。これでは制度の維持が困難にならないか。
Given the graying of society, it is inevitable to increase public spending on medicine for elderly people. To secure fiscal resources, increases in the consumption tax rate must proceed as planned.
高齢者人口の増加で、高齢者医療に公費投入を増やすのは不可避だろう。財源確保のため、消費増税を着実に進めねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 25, 2012)
（2012年12月25日01時17分 読売新聞）
Intergenerational fairness in medical expenses needed
健保財政悪化 医療費負担の世代格差是正を（12月25日付・読売社説）
The fiscal conditions of public health insurance programs for corporate employees have worsened, resulting in an increase in insurance premiums. This is attributable to the huge expense in providing medical services for elderly people. The working generation should not have to bear an even heavier burden.
サラリーマンが加入する健康保険の財政が悪化し、保険料の上昇を招いている。高齢者医療への巨額の支出が原因だ。これ以上重い負担を現役世代に求めるのは避けるべきだ。
Medical expenses for people aged 65 or older are covered by premiums and medical fees paid by elderly people themselves, as well as contributions from public coffers, health insurance societies and other entities. The contributions rose sharply with the launch of a new health care system for elderly people in 2008, causing many health insurance societies to fall into the red.
６５歳以上の高齢者の医療費は、高齢者自身の保険料や窓口負担のほか、公費と健保組合などからの拠出金で賄われている。その拠出金が、２００８年にスタートした高齢者医療制度で急増したため、多くの健保は赤字に転落した。
Due to this dire financial situation, health insurance societies have no choice but to raise insurance premiums shouldered both by employers and employees. The Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kempo), to which employees of small and midsize companies belong, has raised the premium rate from 8.2 percent to 10 percent. Health insurance societies of larger companies also raised their rates from a range of between 7 percent and 8 percent to an average 8.3 percent.
財政難から、健保は労使で負担する保険料を上げざるを得ない。中小企業の従業員が加入する協会けんぽでは従来の８・２％から１０％に、大企業の健保組合も７％台から平均８・３％に上昇した。
Baby boomers began turning 65 this year, and medical expenses for elderly people are expected to grow. There are fears that premium rates will continue to be raised endlessly.
団塊世代が今年から６５歳にさしかかり、高齢者の医療費は今後さらに増えるだろう。保険料率は際限なく上昇する恐れがある。
===
Heavier burden for elderly
This would impose a heavy burden on corporate managements and slash the net wages of employees, with the resulting adverse effects on the nation's economy and consumption.
企業経営の重荷になる上に、賃金の手取りが減り、景気や消費に悪影響を与えかねない。
To prevent this from happening, we believe it is inevitable to have senior citizens shoulder a more appropriate portion of the burden.
それを防ぐには、高齢者にも応分の負担を求めざるを得まい。
Fees paid at medical institutions by patients aged 70 to 74 are set by law at 20 percent of their medical bills, but in reality remain at 10 percent. This is attributable to the government response to harsh criticism from then opposition Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama and others on the newly introduced health insurance system for those aged 75 or older. The opposition at that time used the new system for their own political benefits, criticizing it as "ubasuteyama," a folklore term meaning abandonment of old people in the mountains.
７０～７４歳の医療費の窓口負担は法定では２割なのに、１割に抑えられている。７５歳以上を対象にした後期高齢者医療制度の導入に際し、当時の民主党の鳩山幹事長らが「うば捨て山」と酷評し、政争に利用したことの反動である。
Such criticism missed the point as the new system was designed to have the working generation bear much of the expense. However, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's Cabinet, fearing a backlash from elderly people, took special measures to keep the level of the burden on those aged 70 to 74 the same as for those 75 or older.
費用の多くを現役世代が賄う制度であり、的外れの批判だったが、福田内閣は高齢者の反発を恐れ、７０～７４歳の負担を７５歳以上並みに抑える特例措置をとった。
We suggest the special measures be abolished, so those aged 70 to 74 pay 20 percent of their medical expenses at medical institutions as stipulated by law. Consideration also should be given to raising the current 10 percent of the burden paid by those aged 75 or older at medical institutions.
この特例を廃し、本来の２割負担に引き上げるべきだ。１割となっている７５歳以上の窓口負担の引き上げも検討課題になろう。
What is important is to curb the continuing rise in medical spending.
重要なのは、増え続ける医療費の伸びを抑えることだ。
===
Introduce medical data system
A number of elderly people who suffer from more than one illness visit many medical specialists, resulting in a duplication in consultations, tests and medication in many cases.
複数の病気を抱える高齢者は、多くの専門医にかかり、受診や検査、投薬の重複が目立つ。
We think information on individual patients that is maintained by each medical institution should be collected under a unified management system so overlapping medical services can be eliminated. We also suggest the early introduction of a new personal identification number system, called My Number. It is indispensable to nurture general medical practitioners who can treat a variety of diseases so that duplicating medical examinations can be avoided.
各医療機関の患者情報を一元的に管理し、無駄をなくすべきだ。共通番号制度（マイナンバー）の導入を急いでもらいたい。様々な病気を診る「総合医」育成も、重複受診の解消に欠かせない。
Drug costs also should be reduced by using, in principle, cheaper generic drugs.
価格の安いジェネリック医薬品（後発薬）の使用を原則とし、薬剤費の抑制を図る必要もある。
The policy pledges of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, which are set to return to power, included such proposals as making medical treatment for young children free, which would result in further increases in medical spending. We are concerned these measures will make the current health insurance system unsustainable.
政権に復帰する自民、公明両党の公約には「小児医療費の無料化を検討」など医療費増大につながる内容が目についた。これでは制度の維持が困難にならないか。
Given the graying of society, it is inevitable to increase public spending on medicine for elderly people. To secure fiscal resources, increases in the consumption tax rate must proceed as planned.
高齢者人口の増加で、高齢者医療に公費投入を増やすのは不可避だろう。財源確保のため、消費増税を着実に進めねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 25, 2012)
（2012年12月25日01時17分 読売新聞）
2012/12/26
「普天間」評価書 政権交代を機に移設を進めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 25, 2012)
Seize the change of govt to push relocation issue
「普天間」評価書 政権交代を機に移設を進めよ（12月24日付・読売社説）
By taking advantage of a change of government, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito should do their utmost to advance the stalled relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station.
自民、公明両党は政権交代を機に、停滞している米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の前進に全力を挙げるべきである。
The Defense Ministry has finished revising its report on its environmental impact assessment in preparation for relocating the station's functions to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture and submitted it to the Okinawa prefectural government.
防衛省が、普天間飛行場の沖縄県名護市辺野古沿岸部への移設に向けた環境影響評価書の補正作業を完了し、沖縄県に提出した。
The report was revised in response to the written opinion of Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima on the relocation to Henoko. The governor's opinion listed 579 points.
評価書の補正は仲井真弘多知事が示した計５７９件の意見に対応したものだ。
While adding assessments based on the latest survey on marine life, the ministry wrote that it would take the best environmental protection measures possible.
海洋生物の最新調査に基づく評価などを追加し、「可能な範囲で最大限の環境保全措置を取る」としている。
It can be said that the ministry's report responded thoroughly to the huge number of requests made by the governor.
知事の膨大な注文に、丁寧に回答した内容と言えよう。
Following the public announcement of its report later, the ministry will be able to apply to the prefectural government for approval to begin reclamation work for the construction of an air base to replace Futenma Air Station.
今後、評価書の公告を経て、防衛省が、普天間飛行場の代替施設建設に伴う埋め立てを沖縄県に申請することが可能になる。
LDP President Shinzo Abe, who is certain to become the next prime minister, said he would like to make efforts to win the understanding of local governments and residents on the relocation plan.
自民党の安倍総裁は、辺野古移設について「地元の理解を得る努力をしたい」と述べたが、仲井真知事は「地元の理解が得られない移設は事実上不可能」と語っている。
===
Prospect dim for early solution
Nakaima said earlier the relocation would be impossible without local understanding. As it stands, there is no prospect for the ministry to win the governor's permission to carry out the reclamation work.
埋め立ての許可を得られる見通しは立っていない。
Nakaima had approved relocation to the Henoko district until the gubernatorial election in November 2010. He later shifted his stance to call for "relocation outside the prefecture," but he has not publicly declared objections to the relocation plan.
ただ、知事は一昨年秋の知事選まで辺野古移設を容認していた。その後、「県外移設」要求に転じたが、今も反対は明言していない。
The incoming coalition government of the LDP and Komeito must reestablish a relationship of trust with the Okinawa prefectural government, which has been greatly damaged by the maladministration of the Democratic Party of Japan, and persuade Nakaima to approve the relocation plan.
自公政権は、民主党政権の失政で破壊された沖縄県との信頼関係を修復し、移設を容認するよう知事を説得しなければならない。
To relocate the air station from the densely populated area of Ginowan to a sparsely inhabited area of Henoko would greatly reduce the burden on Okinawa of hosting U.S. bases.
人口密集地から過疎地に飛行場を移すことは、県全体として基地負担を大幅に軽減する。
Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine opposes the relocation plan, but some local communities around Henoko approve of the plan, which is significant.
名護市長は反対だが、辺野古周辺の自治区が容認している事実は重い。
If the Henoko relocation plan is realized, it will be possible to make effective use of the vacated air station, and to take various measures to promote the local economy. If the plan is abandoned, however, the currently dangerous situation in Ginowan is certain to continue for a long time.
辺野古移設が実現すれば、普天間飛行場の跡地を有効利用し、様々な地域振興が可能となる。逆に断念すれば、危険な現状が長期間、固定化されることは確実だ。
===
Accident impact less
The safety of the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, newly deployed at Futenma Air Station, has been confirmed. But if an accident involving the new transport aircraft occurred, it is obvious the resulting damage to the coastal district of Henoko would be smaller than the impact of a similar accident in the urban area of Ginowan.
普天間飛行場に配備された新型輸送機オスプレイは安全性が確認されたが、万一、事故が起きた際、市街地よりも辺野古沿岸部の方が被害が小さいのは明らかだ。
Solving the issue, which has been pending since the 1996 Japan-U.S. accord on the relocation, would greatly contribute to the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance, the importance of which is growing against the backdrop of China's military buildup and other developments.
１９９６年の日米合意以来の懸案を解決することは、中国の軍備増強などで重要性を増す日米同盟の強化にも大いに役立つ。
We hope Nakaima will comprehensively consider these factors.
仲井真知事は、こうした要素を総合的に勘案してもらいたい。
The important thing is for the central government to create an atmosphere in which the governor will find it easier to permit the reclamation work.
重要なのは、新政権が、埋め立てを知事が許可しやすい環境を整えることだ。
First of all, the LDP and Komeito need to persuade their prefectural organizations and their locally elected Diet members calling for "relocating the facility outside the prefecture" to change their stance, thus increasing local understanding on the Henoko relocation.
まず、「県外移設」を唱える自公両党の県組織や地元選出国会議員を説得し、辺野古移設への理解を広げることだ。
It is also vital to deal with the problem of local assembly members of Nago who are split over the relocation issue, and to make efforts to rebuild the cooperative relationship with Okinawa Prefecture, including expanded measures to promote the local economy.
反対・容認に割れる名護市議などの地元対策や、沖縄振興策の拡充を含めた沖縄県との協調関係の再構築も欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2012)
（2012年12月24日01時20分 読売新聞）
Seize the change of govt to push relocation issue
「普天間」評価書 政権交代を機に移設を進めよ（12月24日付・読売社説）
By taking advantage of a change of government, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito should do their utmost to advance the stalled relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station.
自民、公明両党は政権交代を機に、停滞している米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の前進に全力を挙げるべきである。
The Defense Ministry has finished revising its report on its environmental impact assessment in preparation for relocating the station's functions to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture and submitted it to the Okinawa prefectural government.
防衛省が、普天間飛行場の沖縄県名護市辺野古沿岸部への移設に向けた環境影響評価書の補正作業を完了し、沖縄県に提出した。
The report was revised in response to the written opinion of Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima on the relocation to Henoko. The governor's opinion listed 579 points.
評価書の補正は仲井真弘多知事が示した計５７９件の意見に対応したものだ。
While adding assessments based on the latest survey on marine life, the ministry wrote that it would take the best environmental protection measures possible.
海洋生物の最新調査に基づく評価などを追加し、「可能な範囲で最大限の環境保全措置を取る」としている。
It can be said that the ministry's report responded thoroughly to the huge number of requests made by the governor.
知事の膨大な注文に、丁寧に回答した内容と言えよう。
Following the public announcement of its report later, the ministry will be able to apply to the prefectural government for approval to begin reclamation work for the construction of an air base to replace Futenma Air Station.
今後、評価書の公告を経て、防衛省が、普天間飛行場の代替施設建設に伴う埋め立てを沖縄県に申請することが可能になる。
LDP President Shinzo Abe, who is certain to become the next prime minister, said he would like to make efforts to win the understanding of local governments and residents on the relocation plan.
自民党の安倍総裁は、辺野古移設について「地元の理解を得る努力をしたい」と述べたが、仲井真知事は「地元の理解が得られない移設は事実上不可能」と語っている。
===
Prospect dim for early solution
Nakaima said earlier the relocation would be impossible without local understanding. As it stands, there is no prospect for the ministry to win the governor's permission to carry out the reclamation work.
埋め立ての許可を得られる見通しは立っていない。
Nakaima had approved relocation to the Henoko district until the gubernatorial election in November 2010. He later shifted his stance to call for "relocation outside the prefecture," but he has not publicly declared objections to the relocation plan.
ただ、知事は一昨年秋の知事選まで辺野古移設を容認していた。その後、「県外移設」要求に転じたが、今も反対は明言していない。
The incoming coalition government of the LDP and Komeito must reestablish a relationship of trust with the Okinawa prefectural government, which has been greatly damaged by the maladministration of the Democratic Party of Japan, and persuade Nakaima to approve the relocation plan.
自公政権は、民主党政権の失政で破壊された沖縄県との信頼関係を修復し、移設を容認するよう知事を説得しなければならない。
To relocate the air station from the densely populated area of Ginowan to a sparsely inhabited area of Henoko would greatly reduce the burden on Okinawa of hosting U.S. bases.
人口密集地から過疎地に飛行場を移すことは、県全体として基地負担を大幅に軽減する。
Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine opposes the relocation plan, but some local communities around Henoko approve of the plan, which is significant.
名護市長は反対だが、辺野古周辺の自治区が容認している事実は重い。
If the Henoko relocation plan is realized, it will be possible to make effective use of the vacated air station, and to take various measures to promote the local economy. If the plan is abandoned, however, the currently dangerous situation in Ginowan is certain to continue for a long time.
辺野古移設が実現すれば、普天間飛行場の跡地を有効利用し、様々な地域振興が可能となる。逆に断念すれば、危険な現状が長期間、固定化されることは確実だ。
===
Accident impact less
The safety of the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, newly deployed at Futenma Air Station, has been confirmed. But if an accident involving the new transport aircraft occurred, it is obvious the resulting damage to the coastal district of Henoko would be smaller than the impact of a similar accident in the urban area of Ginowan.
普天間飛行場に配備された新型輸送機オスプレイは安全性が確認されたが、万一、事故が起きた際、市街地よりも辺野古沿岸部の方が被害が小さいのは明らかだ。
Solving the issue, which has been pending since the 1996 Japan-U.S. accord on the relocation, would greatly contribute to the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance, the importance of which is growing against the backdrop of China's military buildup and other developments.
１９９６年の日米合意以来の懸案を解決することは、中国の軍備増強などで重要性を増す日米同盟の強化にも大いに役立つ。
We hope Nakaima will comprehensively consider these factors.
仲井真知事は、こうした要素を総合的に勘案してもらいたい。
The important thing is for the central government to create an atmosphere in which the governor will find it easier to permit the reclamation work.
重要なのは、新政権が、埋め立てを知事が許可しやすい環境を整えることだ。
First of all, the LDP and Komeito need to persuade their prefectural organizations and their locally elected Diet members calling for "relocating the facility outside the prefecture" to change their stance, thus increasing local understanding on the Henoko relocation.
まず、「県外移設」を唱える自公両党の県組織や地元選出国会議員を説得し、辺野古移設への理解を広げることだ。
It is also vital to deal with the problem of local assembly members of Nago who are split over the relocation issue, and to make efforts to rebuild the cooperative relationship with Okinawa Prefecture, including expanded measures to promote the local economy.
反対・容認に割れる名護市議などの地元対策や、沖縄振興策の拡充を含めた沖縄県との協調関係の再構築も欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2012)
（2012年12月24日01時20分 読売新聞）
2012/12/25
米財政の崖 大統領と議会は回避へ合意を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 24, 2012)
Obama, U.S. Congress must strike deal to avoid 'fiscal cliff'
米財政の崖 大統領と議会は回避へ合意を（12月23日付・読売社説）
Will the United States be able to avoid tumbling off the so-called fiscal cliff, which could lead to a drastic fiscal contraction and economic slowdown? We urge both President Barack Obama and Congress to compromise to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
急激な財政緊縮で米国経済が失速する「財政の崖」を回避できるか。オバマ大統領と議会は互いに譲歩し、早期合意を図ってもらいたい。
In the last round of negotiations, the two sides abandoned their effort to resolve the problem before Christmas, which had been set as the deadline for a settlement. They plan to resume talks on Wednesday at the earliest.
大詰めの協議は、交渉期限としていたクリスマス休暇前の決着を断念した。２６日以降に協議を再開する予定だ。
The negotiations are expected to continue until the end of the year, but it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to strike a deal by then. There are pessimistic predictions that the negotiations will go into next year, which we consider a terrible development.
再協議は年末ギリギリまで行われる見通しだが、年内妥結は微妙で、来年に先送りされるという悲観的な観測も出ている。憂慮すべき展開になってきた。
The fiscal cliff refers to the expiration of tax cuts introduced during former President George W. Bush's administration and mandatory spending cuts that will kick in Jan. 1.
「財政の崖」は、ブッシュ前大統領が導入した所得税などの大型減税の失効と歳出の強制削減が来年にかけて重なる事態を言う。
Failure to reach an agreement this year could result in a fiscal contraction of up to 503 billion dollars (about 42 trillion yen) a year, pushing down real gross domestic product growth by about 3 percent.
財政緊縮額は最大で年間５０３０億ドル（約４２兆円）に達し、米国の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率を約３％も押し下げる。
In that event, the U.S. economy would almost certainly enter a recession, which would deal a serious blow to Japan and the rest of the global economy. It is natural there are growing concerns on the New York Stock Exchange and elsewhere.
そうなれば、米国の景気後退入りが避けられず、日本など世界経済にも深刻な打撃を与えよう。ニューヨーク株式市場などが警戒を強めているのは当然だ。
===
Taxing the wealthy
The biggest sticking point in the talks are tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
協議の最大の焦点は、富裕層向け減税の扱いである。
Among the tax cuts introduced by Bush, Obama has consistently called for ending tax cuts for wealthy households earning more than 250,000 dollars (about 21 million yen) during and after the presidential campaign. This is aimed at focusing tax cuts on the middle-class and reducing fiscal deficits.
大統領は大統領選中から一貫して「ブッシュ減税」のうち、年収２５万ドル（約２１００万円）超の富裕層向け減税の打ち切りを主張してきた。減税を中間層などに絞り、財政赤字縮小を図る狙いだ。
The Republicans, however, oppose tax hikes on the wealthy, calling instead for extending across-the-board tax cuts.
これに対し、富裕層増税に反対する共和党は、全所得層の減税延長を求めて対立してきた。
Obama recently offered a compromise by proposing higher tax rates for Americans making more than 400,000 dollars, which is seen as a positive sign. The proposal is commendable as it shows his willingness to bring the stalled negotiations to a close.
大統領が最近になってようやく、増税対象とする富裕層を４０万ドル超に引き上げる妥協案を示したのは良いサインだ。協議打開を目指す姿勢と評価できる。
===
GOP softens stance
Republicans have also softened their stance, putting forward a plan to allow taxes to rise only on households making more than 1 million dollars a year. However, some party members still strongly oppose raising taxes for any high-income earners.
共和党も軟化し、１００万ドル超の富裕層については増税を容認する案を提示したが、それでも党内には依然、富裕層増税に反対する強硬派がいる。
Although their positions are still wide apart, we hope both sides will compromise.
主張の隔たりはまだあるが、歩み寄りを期待したい。
The president and Republicans are also at odds over the scale of spending cuts in social security and other fields. In summer last year, the U.S. government managed to raise the federal debt limit. As the federal debt is likely to reach that limit as early as the beginning of next year, this problem has become another focus of attention.
大統領と共和党の協議は、社会保障などの歳出削減規模を巡っても対立している。昨夏、連邦債務上限の引き上げが実現したが、年明けにも再び債務上限に達する問題への対応策も論点である。
Some people are calling on the president and Congress to reach a "small deal," under which the two parties will initially compromise on certain points. This proposal is worth considering to avert the worst.
ひとまず妥協できる点で決着する「小さな合意」を求める声が一部にある。最悪の事態を避ける次善策として検討に値する。
The U.S. fiscal deficit has topped 1 trillion dollars for four consecutive years, the nation's unemployment hovers at a high level and economic recovery has been delayed.
米国の財政赤字は４年連続で１兆ドル台に乗り、失業率が高止まりして景気回復は遅れている。
In January, Obama will start serving his second term, and a newly elected Congress will take office. But the country still must confront the difficult challenges of realizing thorough fiscal reconstruction and economic growth at the same time.
来年１月にオバマ大統領の２期目がスタートし、新議会も始まる。抜本的な財政再建と経済成長の両立は重い課題となるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2012)
（2012年12月23日01時31分 読売新聞）
Obama, U.S. Congress must strike deal to avoid 'fiscal cliff'
米財政の崖 大統領と議会は回避へ合意を（12月23日付・読売社説）
Will the United States be able to avoid tumbling off the so-called fiscal cliff, which could lead to a drastic fiscal contraction and economic slowdown? We urge both President Barack Obama and Congress to compromise to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
急激な財政緊縮で米国経済が失速する「財政の崖」を回避できるか。オバマ大統領と議会は互いに譲歩し、早期合意を図ってもらいたい。
In the last round of negotiations, the two sides abandoned their effort to resolve the problem before Christmas, which had been set as the deadline for a settlement. They plan to resume talks on Wednesday at the earliest.
大詰めの協議は、交渉期限としていたクリスマス休暇前の決着を断念した。２６日以降に協議を再開する予定だ。
The negotiations are expected to continue until the end of the year, but it remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to strike a deal by then. There are pessimistic predictions that the negotiations will go into next year, which we consider a terrible development.
再協議は年末ギリギリまで行われる見通しだが、年内妥結は微妙で、来年に先送りされるという悲観的な観測も出ている。憂慮すべき展開になってきた。
The fiscal cliff refers to the expiration of tax cuts introduced during former President George W. Bush's administration and mandatory spending cuts that will kick in Jan. 1.
「財政の崖」は、ブッシュ前大統領が導入した所得税などの大型減税の失効と歳出の強制削減が来年にかけて重なる事態を言う。
Failure to reach an agreement this year could result in a fiscal contraction of up to 503 billion dollars (about 42 trillion yen) a year, pushing down real gross domestic product growth by about 3 percent.
財政緊縮額は最大で年間５０３０億ドル（約４２兆円）に達し、米国の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率を約３％も押し下げる。
In that event, the U.S. economy would almost certainly enter a recession, which would deal a serious blow to Japan and the rest of the global economy. It is natural there are growing concerns on the New York Stock Exchange and elsewhere.
そうなれば、米国の景気後退入りが避けられず、日本など世界経済にも深刻な打撃を与えよう。ニューヨーク株式市場などが警戒を強めているのは当然だ。
===
Taxing the wealthy
The biggest sticking point in the talks are tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.
協議の最大の焦点は、富裕層向け減税の扱いである。
Among the tax cuts introduced by Bush, Obama has consistently called for ending tax cuts for wealthy households earning more than 250,000 dollars (about 21 million yen) during and after the presidential campaign. This is aimed at focusing tax cuts on the middle-class and reducing fiscal deficits.
大統領は大統領選中から一貫して「ブッシュ減税」のうち、年収２５万ドル（約２１００万円）超の富裕層向け減税の打ち切りを主張してきた。減税を中間層などに絞り、財政赤字縮小を図る狙いだ。
The Republicans, however, oppose tax hikes on the wealthy, calling instead for extending across-the-board tax cuts.
これに対し、富裕層増税に反対する共和党は、全所得層の減税延長を求めて対立してきた。
Obama recently offered a compromise by proposing higher tax rates for Americans making more than 400,000 dollars, which is seen as a positive sign. The proposal is commendable as it shows his willingness to bring the stalled negotiations to a close.
大統領が最近になってようやく、増税対象とする富裕層を４０万ドル超に引き上げる妥協案を示したのは良いサインだ。協議打開を目指す姿勢と評価できる。
===
GOP softens stance
Republicans have also softened their stance, putting forward a plan to allow taxes to rise only on households making more than 1 million dollars a year. However, some party members still strongly oppose raising taxes for any high-income earners.
共和党も軟化し、１００万ドル超の富裕層については増税を容認する案を提示したが、それでも党内には依然、富裕層増税に反対する強硬派がいる。
Although their positions are still wide apart, we hope both sides will compromise.
主張の隔たりはまだあるが、歩み寄りを期待したい。
The president and Republicans are also at odds over the scale of spending cuts in social security and other fields. In summer last year, the U.S. government managed to raise the federal debt limit. As the federal debt is likely to reach that limit as early as the beginning of next year, this problem has become another focus of attention.
大統領と共和党の協議は、社会保障などの歳出削減規模を巡っても対立している。昨夏、連邦債務上限の引き上げが実現したが、年明けにも再び債務上限に達する問題への対応策も論点である。
Some people are calling on the president and Congress to reach a "small deal," under which the two parties will initially compromise on certain points. This proposal is worth considering to avert the worst.
ひとまず妥協できる点で決着する「小さな合意」を求める声が一部にある。最悪の事態を避ける次善策として検討に値する。
The U.S. fiscal deficit has topped 1 trillion dollars for four consecutive years, the nation's unemployment hovers at a high level and economic recovery has been delayed.
米国の財政赤字は４年連続で１兆ドル台に乗り、失業率が高止まりして景気回復は遅れている。
In January, Obama will start serving his second term, and a newly elected Congress will take office. But the country still must confront the difficult challenges of realizing thorough fiscal reconstruction and economic growth at the same time.
来年１月にオバマ大統領の２期目がスタートし、新議会も始まる。抜本的な財政再建と経済成長の両立は重い課題となるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2012)
（2012年12月23日01時31分 読売新聞）
2012/12/24
クリスマスプレゼント
一昨年の１２月２５日、クリスマスプレゼントとしてスラチャイ編集の辞書をプレゼントしました。ラオ日辞書は、一週間以上睡眠を犠牲にしてエクセルで打ち込んだ力作です＾＾。
↓
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/srachai/e/2819dae62dddf615ab6d5cb11f2c2602
昨年の１２月２２日、クリスマスプレゼントとして「クリスマスプレゼント オンラインカジノゲーム」をプレゼントしました。
↓
http://kiyoshimatforklog.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2012/04/ocn-cafe-copy-6.html
今年も昨年のクリスマスプレゼントを踏襲いたします＾＾。
オンラインカジノゲームです。
今年は、初めて覚えたバカラを掲載いたします。
今回はバカラですが、ルーレット、スロットマシン、ブラックジャックは昨年のプレゼントで今年も遊べます。
いずれも完全無料で心ゆくまで楽しめますが、実際にお金をかけるオンラインカジノと同じようなサイトのつくりになっています。
● 完全無料のミニバカラゲームはこちらです。
↓
http://sdin.jp/browser/casino/minibaccarat/
で、こちらが本物のオンラインカジノです。（ボーナス付きですが、勝つのは至難の業！）
日本のパチンコで遊ぶより多少ましな程度なのです。
↓
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/srachai/e/2819dae62dddf615ab6d5cb11f2c2602
昨年の１２月２２日、クリスマスプレゼントとして「クリスマスプレゼント オンラインカジノゲーム」をプレゼントしました。
↓
http://kiyoshimatforklog.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2012/04/ocn-cafe-copy-6.html
今年も昨年のクリスマスプレゼントを踏襲いたします＾＾。
オンラインカジノゲームです。
今年は、初めて覚えたバカラを掲載いたします。
今回はバカラですが、ルーレット、スロットマシン、ブラックジャックは昨年のプレゼントで今年も遊べます。
いずれも完全無料で心ゆくまで楽しめますが、実際にお金をかけるオンラインカジノと同じようなサイトのつくりになっています。
● 完全無料のミニバカラゲームはこちらです。
↓
http://sdin.jp/browser/casino/minibaccarat/
で、こちらが本物のオンラインカジノです。（ボーナス付きですが、勝つのは至難の業！）
日本のパチンコで遊ぶより多少ましな程度なのです。
原発と活断層 規制委は説明責任を果たせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 23, 2012)
Nuclear Regulation Authority too hasty in evaluating faults?
原発と活断層 規制委は説明責任を果たせ（12月22日付・読売社説）
A Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) expert team has announced its view that crush zones on the premises of the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori Prefecture are active faults that could cause earthquakes.
東北電力東通原子力発電所（青森県東通村）敷地内の断層（破砕帯）について、原子力規制委員会の専門家会合が、「地震を起こす活断層」との見解をまとめた。
In light of this view, restarting the plant's reactor early now appears to be difficult.
東通原発を早期に再稼働させることは難しくなったと言える。
This is a serious matter for Tohoku Electric Power Co., the operator of the nuclear power plant, as it had put its hopes on the restart as the key to recovering its power supply capacity after suffering extensive damage to its facilities from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
東日本大震災で設備を多数損傷した東北電は、東通原発の再稼働を供給力回復の切り札と期待していただけに、深刻な事態だ。
The faults in question extend along the plant site, coming as close to the reactor as 200 meters. Tohoku Electric had asserted they were formed after layers slipped due to changes in underground water levels. However, the five-member team of experts led by Kunihiko Shimazaki, acting chairman of the NRA, unanimously dismissed the utility's assertion.
問題とされる断層は、原子炉の２００メートルほど脇を通っている。東北電は、「地下水による地盤のずれ」と説明してきた。だが、規制委の島崎邦彦委員長代理を座長とする専門家会合の５人全員が、東北電の解釈を否定した。
If the faults move in the way the team has predicted, the reactor's safety equipment would inevitably be undermined.
専門家会合の見解通りに、この断層が動けば、原子炉の安全設備への影響は避けられない。
Nothing is more important than securing the safety of the reactor. Tohoku Electric likely will be urged to thoroughly conduct research and risk assessments as well as to drastically review the seismic resistance of the reactor and other nuclear facilities. Such an overhaul could force the company to carry out reinforcement work, depending on the results of further surveys.
安全の確保は何より大切だ。今後、東北電は、断層の徹底的な調査と評価、原子炉など施設の耐震性の抜本的な見直しを迫られるだろう。結果次第で、補強工事を求められる可能性もある。
===
Stable power supply also needed
In the meantime, Tohoku Electric needs to make every effort to secure a stable power supply so as not to disrupt people's daily lives and business activities.
国民生活や企業活動に支障を来さないよう、東北電は安定電源の確保に万全を期す必要がある。
On Dec. 10, the expert team reached an agreement that a crush zone directly under a reactor of the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co., is highly likely to be an active fault. In such a case, the reactor could be ordered to be decommissioned, but no such active fault has been found directly under the reactor at the Higashidori plant.
規制委の専門家会合は１０日にも、日本原子力発電敦賀原発について「原子炉直下に活断層がある」と判定した。一方、東通原発では、廃炉の可能性がある原子炉直下の活断層は確認されていない。
Dissatisfied with the expert team's view, Tohoku Electric reportedly intends to make counterarguments.
東北電は、専門家会合の見解を不満とし、反論する方針だ。
In addition to faults on the premises of the Higashidori plant, the team has also warned that a huge peripheral fault, more than 80 kilometers long in the nearby seabed, could be active.
専門家会合は、敷地内の断層に加え、東通原発の目前の海底にも全長８０キロ・メートル以上の巨大活断層がある可能性を指摘した。
If this fault moves, the whole Shimokita Peninsula where the plant is located could be affected. Discussions are likely to be sparked also over the quake resistance of Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.'s Rokkasho plant for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
これが動けば、東通原発がある下北半島全体に影響が及ぶ。日本原燃の使用済み核燃料再処理工場などの耐震性も議論になろう。
===
Seismology not perfect
Meanwhile, we must not forget that seismology is an immature field. Due consideration is needed over whether the NRA should launch full-fledged research.
地震学は未熟な学問であることを忘れてはならない。今後、規制委として調査すべきかどうか、慎重な検討が必要である。
Risk assessments of faults in and near nuclear power plants will affect respective regional economies and local residents' lives. People have indeed been increasingly vocal in expressing such concerns.
各原発の断層評価は、立地地域の経済や住民生活も左右する。不安の声は拡大している。
The regulatory body has the responsibility to explain how its expert team conducted research and evaluated findings in detail, but its efforts have been far from satisfactory in this regard.
調査、評価の内容について、規制委は丁寧に説明する責任があるが、その取り組みは不十分だ。
The NRA has yet to compile the team's risk assessments in writing. Only information materials full of jargon and video footage showing experts' discussions have been made public.
規制委は、これまでの評価結果を文書にまとめていない。公開されているのは、専門用語による資料や議論の映像だけだ。
Furthermore, it can be said that the NRA failed to spend enough time exchanging opinions with the utilities concerned and appeared to make assertions one-sidedly.
しかも、当事者である電力会社との意見交換に十分な時間を割かず、一方的な議論に終始した。
The authority is guaranteed its independence. However, it cannot win public trust with a self-righteous approach.
規制委は、組織の独立性が保証されている。しかし、独善的な運営では信頼を得られない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 22, 2012)
（2012年12月22日01時04分 読売新聞）
Nuclear Regulation Authority too hasty in evaluating faults?
原発と活断層 規制委は説明責任を果たせ（12月22日付・読売社説）
A Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) expert team has announced its view that crush zones on the premises of the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori Prefecture are active faults that could cause earthquakes.
東北電力東通原子力発電所（青森県東通村）敷地内の断層（破砕帯）について、原子力規制委員会の専門家会合が、「地震を起こす活断層」との見解をまとめた。
In light of this view, restarting the plant's reactor early now appears to be difficult.
東通原発を早期に再稼働させることは難しくなったと言える。
This is a serious matter for Tohoku Electric Power Co., the operator of the nuclear power plant, as it had put its hopes on the restart as the key to recovering its power supply capacity after suffering extensive damage to its facilities from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
東日本大震災で設備を多数損傷した東北電は、東通原発の再稼働を供給力回復の切り札と期待していただけに、深刻な事態だ。
The faults in question extend along the plant site, coming as close to the reactor as 200 meters. Tohoku Electric had asserted they were formed after layers slipped due to changes in underground water levels. However, the five-member team of experts led by Kunihiko Shimazaki, acting chairman of the NRA, unanimously dismissed the utility's assertion.
問題とされる断層は、原子炉の２００メートルほど脇を通っている。東北電は、「地下水による地盤のずれ」と説明してきた。だが、規制委の島崎邦彦委員長代理を座長とする専門家会合の５人全員が、東北電の解釈を否定した。
If the faults move in the way the team has predicted, the reactor's safety equipment would inevitably be undermined.
専門家会合の見解通りに、この断層が動けば、原子炉の安全設備への影響は避けられない。
Nothing is more important than securing the safety of the reactor. Tohoku Electric likely will be urged to thoroughly conduct research and risk assessments as well as to drastically review the seismic resistance of the reactor and other nuclear facilities. Such an overhaul could force the company to carry out reinforcement work, depending on the results of further surveys.
安全の確保は何より大切だ。今後、東北電は、断層の徹底的な調査と評価、原子炉など施設の耐震性の抜本的な見直しを迫られるだろう。結果次第で、補強工事を求められる可能性もある。
===
Stable power supply also needed
In the meantime, Tohoku Electric needs to make every effort to secure a stable power supply so as not to disrupt people's daily lives and business activities.
国民生活や企業活動に支障を来さないよう、東北電は安定電源の確保に万全を期す必要がある。
On Dec. 10, the expert team reached an agreement that a crush zone directly under a reactor of the Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, operated by Japan Atomic Power Co., is highly likely to be an active fault. In such a case, the reactor could be ordered to be decommissioned, but no such active fault has been found directly under the reactor at the Higashidori plant.
規制委の専門家会合は１０日にも、日本原子力発電敦賀原発について「原子炉直下に活断層がある」と判定した。一方、東通原発では、廃炉の可能性がある原子炉直下の活断層は確認されていない。
Dissatisfied with the expert team's view, Tohoku Electric reportedly intends to make counterarguments.
東北電は、専門家会合の見解を不満とし、反論する方針だ。
In addition to faults on the premises of the Higashidori plant, the team has also warned that a huge peripheral fault, more than 80 kilometers long in the nearby seabed, could be active.
専門家会合は、敷地内の断層に加え、東通原発の目前の海底にも全長８０キロ・メートル以上の巨大活断層がある可能性を指摘した。
If this fault moves, the whole Shimokita Peninsula where the plant is located could be affected. Discussions are likely to be sparked also over the quake resistance of Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.'s Rokkasho plant for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
これが動けば、東通原発がある下北半島全体に影響が及ぶ。日本原燃の使用済み核燃料再処理工場などの耐震性も議論になろう。
===
Seismology not perfect
Meanwhile, we must not forget that seismology is an immature field. Due consideration is needed over whether the NRA should launch full-fledged research.
地震学は未熟な学問であることを忘れてはならない。今後、規制委として調査すべきかどうか、慎重な検討が必要である。
Risk assessments of faults in and near nuclear power plants will affect respective regional economies and local residents' lives. People have indeed been increasingly vocal in expressing such concerns.
各原発の断層評価は、立地地域の経済や住民生活も左右する。不安の声は拡大している。
The regulatory body has the responsibility to explain how its expert team conducted research and evaluated findings in detail, but its efforts have been far from satisfactory in this regard.
調査、評価の内容について、規制委は丁寧に説明する責任があるが、その取り組みは不十分だ。
The NRA has yet to compile the team's risk assessments in writing. Only information materials full of jargon and video footage showing experts' discussions have been made public.
規制委は、これまでの評価結果を文書にまとめていない。公開されているのは、専門用語による資料や議論の映像だけだ。
Furthermore, it can be said that the NRA failed to spend enough time exchanging opinions with the utilities concerned and appeared to make assertions one-sidedly.
しかも、当事者である電力会社との意見交換に十分な時間を割かず、一方的な議論に終始した。
The authority is guaranteed its independence. However, it cannot win public trust with a self-righteous approach.
規制委は、組織の独立性が保証されている。しかし、独善的な運営では信頼を得られない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 22, 2012)
（2012年12月22日01時04分 読売新聞）
2012/12/23
物価目標検討 政府・日銀はデフレ脱却急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 22, 2012)
Govt, BOJ must move quickly to defeat deflation
物価目標検討 政府・日銀はデフレ脱却急げ（12月21日付・読売社説）
The inauguration of a Liberal Democratic Party-led government next week will mark the first step for the government and the Bank of Japan to close ranks and work toward leading Japan out of deflation.
政権交代を機に、政府と日銀がデフレからの脱却に向けて連携を強める第一歩である。
The central bank decided Thursday to look into the possibility of introducing an inflation target.
日銀が２０日、「物価目標」の導入を検討する方針を打ち出した。
At a news conference the same day, Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said he would make a final decision on the matter in January. He said the central bank had decided to study the matter in response to a request from LDP President Shinzo Abe.
日銀の白川方明総裁は記者会見で、「自民党の安倍総裁から物価目標について要請された。これを踏まえて検討することにした」と述べ、１月に結論を出す考えを明らかにした。
Currently, the central bank is aiming for a 1 percent inflation target but this goal is not set in stone.
日銀は当面１％の消費者物価上昇率を目指しているが、「目途(めど)」というあいまいな位置づけだ。
Abe had called for the government and the central bank to reach an accord on a 2 percent inflation target and implement drastic monetary easing policies.
安倍総裁は日銀に２％の物価目標の設定や大胆な金融緩和、政府と日銀の政策協定を求めていた。
The central bank should be praised for responding promptly and deciding to study setting an inflation target.
日銀が迅速に対応し、目標設定に踏み出すことは評価できる。
The bank has also decided on an additional monetary easing package worth 10 trillion yen. As a result, the bank's fund to purchase government bonds and other assets will exceed 100 trillion yen.
日銀は今回、１０兆円の追加金融緩和策も決めた。日銀が国債などを買い入れる「基金」の規模は１００兆円を超える。
The slowdown of foreign economies and worsening of relations with China have reduced exports and production, making domestic business more sluggish.
海外経済の減速と、日中関係の悪化で輸出や生産が低迷し、景気は後退色を強めている。
===
Prompt decision praiseworthy
The Bank of Japan was correct in promptly deciding on additional monetary easing measures to follow up those decided in September and October.
日銀が、９月と１０月の金融緩和から間を置かず追加策を講じたのは妥当な判断と言えよう。
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average has surged back to the 10,000 yen level due to high expectations for the incoming administration led by Abe, who is aggressive about pump-priming measures.
景気対策に前向きな安倍新政権への期待から、東京市場の平均株価が１万円を回復している。
Of course, monetary policy alone is not enough to defeat deflation and achieve an economic recovery. The key is for the government and the central bank to conclude pragmatic policy accords.
もちろん、金融政策だけではデフレ脱却や景気回復は望めない。肝心なのは、政府と日銀が実効性のある政策協定を結ぶことだ。
We hope they will coordinate their efforts expeditiously after the launch of the new government.
新政権の発足後、調整を急いでもらいたい。
It will be necessary to restore a process that allows funds made available as a result of monetary easing to be used as loans for plant and equipment investments to expand both corporate profits and jobs.
金融緩和で供給された資金が貸し出しを通じて設備投資に使われ、利益と雇用の拡大をもたらす流れを回復する必要がある。
The government is primarily responsible for undertaking this task. First and foremost, it will be essential to resolve as soon as possible the shortage in demand, which is one cause of deflation.
これは主に政府の役割だろう。まずはデフレの原因である「需要不足」の解消が急がれる。
===
Big stimulus package vital
Immediate results can be expected from the implementation of such urgent public works projects as repairs to aging infrastructure and improvement of antidisaster capabilities. It is indispensable to carry out a large-scale economic stimulus package after compiling a supplementary budget.
老朽化した社会インフラの改修や防災など、緊急性の高い公共事業は即効性がある。補正予算による大型経済対策が不可欠だ。
Issuing a certain amount of additional government bonds will be unavoidable to secure fiscal resources but this should be done without causing the fiscal balance to deteriorate further.
財源確保のため一定の国債増発はやむを得ないが、財政悪化に拍車をかけてはならない。
In formulating the budget for fiscal 2013 starting in April, it will be imperative to significantly cut back on spending programs initiated under the handout policies of the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration.
来年度予算の編成では、民主党のバラマキ政策の予算を、大胆に削ることが重要となる。
It also will be essential to expand measures to assist corporate activities, including tax breaks for investment in growth fields, lowering the corporate tax and reviewing regulations detrimental to start-up businesses.
成長分野の投資減税や法人税率引き下げ、新規事業を阻害する規制の見直しなど、企業活動を支援する政策の充実が求められる。
To keep the Bank of Japan on the defensive, the LDP and others have threatened to revise the Bank of Japan Law and hints have been dropped in connection with the bank's next governor.
自民党などには、日銀法改正や次期日銀総裁人事をちらつかせ、日銀を牽制(けんせい)する向きもある。
However, if the bank's independence is undermined, it may lower confidence in Japan's monetary system and government bonds and spread disarray throughout the financial markets. Excessive political pressure must be avoided.
中央銀行の独立性が揺らげば、日本の通貨制度や国債の信認が低下し、市場が混乱しかねない。過剰な政治圧力は避けるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2012)
（2012年12月21日01時29分 読売新聞）
Govt, BOJ must move quickly to defeat deflation
物価目標検討 政府・日銀はデフレ脱却急げ（12月21日付・読売社説）
The inauguration of a Liberal Democratic Party-led government next week will mark the first step for the government and the Bank of Japan to close ranks and work toward leading Japan out of deflation.
政権交代を機に、政府と日銀がデフレからの脱却に向けて連携を強める第一歩である。
The central bank decided Thursday to look into the possibility of introducing an inflation target.
日銀が２０日、「物価目標」の導入を検討する方針を打ち出した。
At a news conference the same day, Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa said he would make a final decision on the matter in January. He said the central bank had decided to study the matter in response to a request from LDP President Shinzo Abe.
日銀の白川方明総裁は記者会見で、「自民党の安倍総裁から物価目標について要請された。これを踏まえて検討することにした」と述べ、１月に結論を出す考えを明らかにした。
Currently, the central bank is aiming for a 1 percent inflation target but this goal is not set in stone.
日銀は当面１％の消費者物価上昇率を目指しているが、「目途(めど)」というあいまいな位置づけだ。
Abe had called for the government and the central bank to reach an accord on a 2 percent inflation target and implement drastic monetary easing policies.
安倍総裁は日銀に２％の物価目標の設定や大胆な金融緩和、政府と日銀の政策協定を求めていた。
The central bank should be praised for responding promptly and deciding to study setting an inflation target.
日銀が迅速に対応し、目標設定に踏み出すことは評価できる。
The bank has also decided on an additional monetary easing package worth 10 trillion yen. As a result, the bank's fund to purchase government bonds and other assets will exceed 100 trillion yen.
日銀は今回、１０兆円の追加金融緩和策も決めた。日銀が国債などを買い入れる「基金」の規模は１００兆円を超える。
The slowdown of foreign economies and worsening of relations with China have reduced exports and production, making domestic business more sluggish.
海外経済の減速と、日中関係の悪化で輸出や生産が低迷し、景気は後退色を強めている。
===
Prompt decision praiseworthy
The Bank of Japan was correct in promptly deciding on additional monetary easing measures to follow up those decided in September and October.
日銀が、９月と１０月の金融緩和から間を置かず追加策を講じたのは妥当な判断と言えよう。
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average has surged back to the 10,000 yen level due to high expectations for the incoming administration led by Abe, who is aggressive about pump-priming measures.
景気対策に前向きな安倍新政権への期待から、東京市場の平均株価が１万円を回復している。
Of course, monetary policy alone is not enough to defeat deflation and achieve an economic recovery. The key is for the government and the central bank to conclude pragmatic policy accords.
もちろん、金融政策だけではデフレ脱却や景気回復は望めない。肝心なのは、政府と日銀が実効性のある政策協定を結ぶことだ。
We hope they will coordinate their efforts expeditiously after the launch of the new government.
新政権の発足後、調整を急いでもらいたい。
It will be necessary to restore a process that allows funds made available as a result of monetary easing to be used as loans for plant and equipment investments to expand both corporate profits and jobs.
金融緩和で供給された資金が貸し出しを通じて設備投資に使われ、利益と雇用の拡大をもたらす流れを回復する必要がある。
The government is primarily responsible for undertaking this task. First and foremost, it will be essential to resolve as soon as possible the shortage in demand, which is one cause of deflation.
これは主に政府の役割だろう。まずはデフレの原因である「需要不足」の解消が急がれる。
===
Big stimulus package vital
Immediate results can be expected from the implementation of such urgent public works projects as repairs to aging infrastructure and improvement of antidisaster capabilities. It is indispensable to carry out a large-scale economic stimulus package after compiling a supplementary budget.
老朽化した社会インフラの改修や防災など、緊急性の高い公共事業は即効性がある。補正予算による大型経済対策が不可欠だ。
Issuing a certain amount of additional government bonds will be unavoidable to secure fiscal resources but this should be done without causing the fiscal balance to deteriorate further.
財源確保のため一定の国債増発はやむを得ないが、財政悪化に拍車をかけてはならない。
In formulating the budget for fiscal 2013 starting in April, it will be imperative to significantly cut back on spending programs initiated under the handout policies of the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration.
来年度予算の編成では、民主党のバラマキ政策の予算を、大胆に削ることが重要となる。
It also will be essential to expand measures to assist corporate activities, including tax breaks for investment in growth fields, lowering the corporate tax and reviewing regulations detrimental to start-up businesses.
成長分野の投資減税や法人税率引き下げ、新規事業を阻害する規制の見直しなど、企業活動を支援する政策の充実が求められる。
To keep the Bank of Japan on the defensive, the LDP and others have threatened to revise the Bank of Japan Law and hints have been dropped in connection with the bank's next governor.
自民党などには、日銀法改正や次期日銀総裁人事をちらつかせ、日銀を牽制(けんせい)する向きもある。
However, if the bank's independence is undermined, it may lower confidence in Japan's monetary system and government bonds and spread disarray throughout the financial markets. Excessive political pressure must be avoided.
中央銀行の独立性が揺らげば、日本の通貨制度や国債の信認が低下し、市場が混乱しかねない。過剰な政治圧力は避けるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2012)
（2012年12月21日01時29分 読売新聞）
2012/12/22
女性大統領誕生 未来見据えた日韓関係構築を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 22, 2012)
S. Korea's new president must seek future-oriented ties with Japan
女性大統領誕生 未来見据えた日韓関係構築を（12月21日付・読売社説）
South Koreans have chosen their country's first female president. We hope she will break through new frontiers and exercise leadership in such matters as revitalization of the country's economy and rebuilding relations with Japan.
韓国初の女性大統領の誕生である。経済の再生や、日韓関係の再構築などで指導力を発揮して、新しい時代を切り開いてもらいたい。
Park Geun Hye of the ruling Saenuri Party was elected in a closely fought presidential election, defeating rival candidate Moon Jae In of the Democratic United Party, the largest opposition party.
韓国大統領選で、与党セヌリ党の朴槿恵氏が最大野党・民主統合党の文在寅氏との接戦を制し、当選した。
The key issues during the election campaign were economic problems, including measures to reduce the widening income gap and unemployment.
選挙戦の最大の争点は、格差是正や雇用など経済問題だった。
While Moon emphasized tighter control over family-run conglomerates, Park placed weight on economic growth and securing employment for young people.
財閥への規制強化に力点を置く文氏に対し、朴氏は、経済成長の維持と、若者などの雇用確保を重視した。
We can safely conclude South Korean voters chose economic growth and more employment, rather than restricting the activities of major corporations, which are the locomotive of the country's exports.
有権者は、輸出を担う大企業の締め付けより、成長と雇用拡大を望んだと言える。
===
Small business measures key
South Korea is now among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of trade volume, due partly to its efforts to promote free trade agreements with the United States, the European Union and others. However, this has not resulted in an increase of jobs. Reinforcing and nurturing small and midsize enterprises, which are crucial to employment, are important issues.
韓国は、米欧などとの自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）推進を軸に貿易額で世界トップ１０入りしたが、それが雇用増にはつながっていない。雇用の受け皿となる中小企業の強化や育成が重要な課題だ。
There were also great differences in the approaches of the two candidates to North Korea.
対北朝鮮政策でも、両候補の違いは目立った。
Moon pledged to unconditionally restart large-scale food and fertilizer assistance programs to the North and have summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, next year. His policy is a return to the "sunshine policy" pursued by left-wing administrations.
文氏は、北朝鮮への食料、肥料などの大規模支援を、無条件で再開し、金正恩・朝鮮労働党第１書記との首脳会談を来年中に行うと公約した。左派政権時代の太陽政策に回帰しようとするものだ。
In contrast, conservative Park also showed a willingness to reopen dialogue with North Korea, but said full-fledged assistance programs must come after a relationship of trust had been built up between the two countries. Her policy follows the footsteps of the current administration, which has demanded that North Korea take concrete actions to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
これに対し、保守派の朴氏は、南北対話再開に前向きな姿勢は見せたが、本格的な支援は信頼関係構築が前提、とした。北朝鮮に非核化への具体的な取り組みを求める現行路線を踏襲している。
North Korea is still pursuing its nuclear and missile development programs, as was seen in the recent launch of a long-range ballistic missile despite calls by the international community to cancel it.
北朝鮮は、長距離弾道ミサイル発射を強行するなど、依然、核・ミサイル開発を進めている。
The victory of Park, who has vowed to take a stern attitude toward North Korea through cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, is a welcome development for Japan.
北朝鮮に日米韓の連携強化で厳しく臨もうとする朴氏の当選は、日本にとっても歓迎できるものだ。
===
Repair bilateral ties
Park is the daughter of former President Park Chung Hee, who braved strong opposition within the country to normalize relations with Japan in 1965 and led the country on a rapid economic growth path, dubbed the "Miracle of the Hanggang river." During the election campaign, Park gave prominence to relations with Japan, including the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement.
朴氏は、１９６５年に国内の強い反対を押し切って日韓国交正常化を断行し、韓国を「漢江の奇跡」と呼ばれる高度経済成長路線に導いた朴正煕大統領の娘である。選挙戦では、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の推進など、日本との関係を重視していく立場を打ち出した。
Many issues are common to both Japan and South Korea, such as low birthrates and aging populations as well the handling of North Korea and China, which is expanding economically and militarily.
少子高齢化対策、北朝鮮や膨張する中国への対応など、日韓共通の課題は多い。
Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe congratulated Park on her victory. "I hope to deepen bilateral relations further from a broad perspective by maintaining close contacts," said Abe, whose administration will be launched next week.
自民党の安倍総裁は「緊密に意思疎通を行うことで、大局的な観点から日韓両国の関係をさらに深化させていきたい」と朴氏当選を祝うコメントを発表した。日本でも来週、安倍政権が発足する。
We hope the two incoming leaders will initially work toward repairing the Japan-South Korean relationship, which deteriorated to the worst-ever level when President Lee Myung Bak visited the Takeshima islands and demanded for an "apology by the Emperor" to victims of Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.
日韓の両首脳にはまず、李明博大統領の竹島訪問と「天皇の謝罪」要求発言で最悪になった日韓関係の修復を図ってもらいたい。
Of course, there is little ground for optimism, but they need to make efforts to avoid issues of history from negatively impacting on the two nations any further.
楽観は禁物だが、歴史問題がこれ以上、両国に否定的な影響を与えぬよう双方の努力が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2012)
（2012年12月21日01時29分 読売新聞）
S. Korea's new president must seek future-oriented ties with Japan
女性大統領誕生 未来見据えた日韓関係構築を（12月21日付・読売社説）
South Koreans have chosen their country's first female president. We hope she will break through new frontiers and exercise leadership in such matters as revitalization of the country's economy and rebuilding relations with Japan.
韓国初の女性大統領の誕生である。経済の再生や、日韓関係の再構築などで指導力を発揮して、新しい時代を切り開いてもらいたい。
Park Geun Hye of the ruling Saenuri Party was elected in a closely fought presidential election, defeating rival candidate Moon Jae In of the Democratic United Party, the largest opposition party.
韓国大統領選で、与党セヌリ党の朴槿恵氏が最大野党・民主統合党の文在寅氏との接戦を制し、当選した。
The key issues during the election campaign were economic problems, including measures to reduce the widening income gap and unemployment.
選挙戦の最大の争点は、格差是正や雇用など経済問題だった。
While Moon emphasized tighter control over family-run conglomerates, Park placed weight on economic growth and securing employment for young people.
財閥への規制強化に力点を置く文氏に対し、朴氏は、経済成長の維持と、若者などの雇用確保を重視した。
We can safely conclude South Korean voters chose economic growth and more employment, rather than restricting the activities of major corporations, which are the locomotive of the country's exports.
有権者は、輸出を担う大企業の締め付けより、成長と雇用拡大を望んだと言える。
===
Small business measures key
South Korea is now among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of trade volume, due partly to its efforts to promote free trade agreements with the United States, the European Union and others. However, this has not resulted in an increase of jobs. Reinforcing and nurturing small and midsize enterprises, which are crucial to employment, are important issues.
韓国は、米欧などとの自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）推進を軸に貿易額で世界トップ１０入りしたが、それが雇用増にはつながっていない。雇用の受け皿となる中小企業の強化や育成が重要な課題だ。
There were also great differences in the approaches of the two candidates to North Korea.
対北朝鮮政策でも、両候補の違いは目立った。
Moon pledged to unconditionally restart large-scale food and fertilizer assistance programs to the North and have summit talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, next year. His policy is a return to the "sunshine policy" pursued by left-wing administrations.
文氏は、北朝鮮への食料、肥料などの大規模支援を、無条件で再開し、金正恩・朝鮮労働党第１書記との首脳会談を来年中に行うと公約した。左派政権時代の太陽政策に回帰しようとするものだ。
In contrast, conservative Park also showed a willingness to reopen dialogue with North Korea, but said full-fledged assistance programs must come after a relationship of trust had been built up between the two countries. Her policy follows the footsteps of the current administration, which has demanded that North Korea take concrete actions to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.
これに対し、保守派の朴氏は、南北対話再開に前向きな姿勢は見せたが、本格的な支援は信頼関係構築が前提、とした。北朝鮮に非核化への具体的な取り組みを求める現行路線を踏襲している。
North Korea is still pursuing its nuclear and missile development programs, as was seen in the recent launch of a long-range ballistic missile despite calls by the international community to cancel it.
北朝鮮は、長距離弾道ミサイル発射を強行するなど、依然、核・ミサイル開発を進めている。
The victory of Park, who has vowed to take a stern attitude toward North Korea through cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, is a welcome development for Japan.
北朝鮮に日米韓の連携強化で厳しく臨もうとする朴氏の当選は、日本にとっても歓迎できるものだ。
===
Repair bilateral ties
Park is the daughter of former President Park Chung Hee, who braved strong opposition within the country to normalize relations with Japan in 1965 and led the country on a rapid economic growth path, dubbed the "Miracle of the Hanggang river." During the election campaign, Park gave prominence to relations with Japan, including the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement.
朴氏は、１９６５年に国内の強い反対を押し切って日韓国交正常化を断行し、韓国を「漢江の奇跡」と呼ばれる高度経済成長路線に導いた朴正煕大統領の娘である。選挙戦では、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の推進など、日本との関係を重視していく立場を打ち出した。
Many issues are common to both Japan and South Korea, such as low birthrates and aging populations as well the handling of North Korea and China, which is expanding economically and militarily.
少子高齢化対策、北朝鮮や膨張する中国への対応など、日韓共通の課題は多い。
Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe congratulated Park on her victory. "I hope to deepen bilateral relations further from a broad perspective by maintaining close contacts," said Abe, whose administration will be launched next week.
自民党の安倍総裁は「緊密に意思疎通を行うことで、大局的な観点から日韓両国の関係をさらに深化させていきたい」と朴氏当選を祝うコメントを発表した。日本でも来週、安倍政権が発足する。
We hope the two incoming leaders will initially work toward repairing the Japan-South Korean relationship, which deteriorated to the worst-ever level when President Lee Myung Bak visited the Takeshima islands and demanded for an "apology by the Emperor" to victims of Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.
日韓の両首脳にはまず、李明博大統領の竹島訪問と「天皇の謝罪」要求発言で最悪になった日韓関係の修復を図ってもらいたい。
Of course, there is little ground for optimism, but they need to make efforts to avoid issues of history from negatively impacting on the two nations any further.
楽観は禁物だが、歴史問題がこれ以上、両国に否定的な影響を与えぬよう双方の努力が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2012)
（2012年12月21日01時29分 読売新聞）
2012/12/21
自公連立協議 現実的な原発政策を掲げよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 20, 2012)
LDP, Komeito need to present realistic nuclear power policy
自公連立協議 現実的な原発政策を掲げよ（12月19日付・読売社説）
If the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito are to form a coalition government, it is a matter of course that they will have to make adjustments on important policies as much as possible to prevent discord within the cabinet.
連立政権を組む以上、閣内不一致に陥らないように、重要政策について極力すり合わせておくのは、当然である。
LDP President Shinzo Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi met Tuesday to launch a series of policy consultations ahead of the inauguration of the second Abe Cabinet next week.
自民党の安倍総裁と公明党の山口代表が会談し、第２次安倍内閣の発足に向けた政策協議を開始した。
To begin with, they agreed to compile a large supplementary budget for fiscal 2012 to serve as temporary economic stimulus.
当面の経済対策として、大型の今年度補正予算を編成する方針で一致した。
LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Akira Amari and Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Keiichi Ishii are expected to hammer out the details for the budget ahead of an official accord by the end of the week.
詳細は、自民・甘利、公明・石井の両党政調会長が協議し、週内の合意を目指すという。
===
Economy a proper priority
The country desperately needs to be lifted out of deflation. The incoming administration is right in its decision to give top priority to economic reconstruction as a symbol of its efforts to move politics forward.
デフレ脱却は急務である。新政権が、政治を前に動かす「象徴」として、景気の立て直しを最優先する判断は間違っていない。
Komeito supports a supplementary budget to the tune of about 10 trillion yen, while the LDP has yet to be specific.
補正予算の規模について、公明党は１０兆円規模を主張するが、自民党は規模を明示していない。
Since at least part of any supplementary budget has to rely on the issuance of additional government bonds, it is important to avoid simple handout policies and choose spending that will have a highly positive economic effect.
財源の一部を国債の追加発行に頼らざるを得ないこともあり、バラマキを避け、経済効果の高い歳出項目を選ぶことが大切だ。
Adjustments to energy policy will be another focus of attention during the policy talks between the two parties. While the LDP pledged to "establish the best possible combination of power generation sources within 10 years," Komeito advocates "aiming to reduce the number of nuclear power plants to zero as soon as possible."
政策協議ではエネルギー政策の調整が焦点となる。自民党が「１０年以内に最適な電源構成を確立する」方針を掲げるのに対し、公明党は「可能な限り速やかに原発ゼロを目指す」と唱えている。
However, Komeito also acknowledges the need to give consideration to possible negative effects on the economy and employment, as well as to the securing of nuclear power engineers.
ただ、公明党も、経済・雇用への影響や技術者の確保に配慮する必要性は認めている。
Imports of fuel for the nation's thermal power plants, which are being used as alternative power sources to nuclear power plants, have continued to surge, with 3 trillion yen of national wealth currently flowing overseas per year.
今も原発の代替電源である火力発電の燃料輸入が急増し、年３兆円の国富が海外に流出している。
Zero nuclear power would accelerate the hollowing-out of the domestic industrial sector, which we see as contradicting the economic measures Komeito places importance on.
「原発ゼロ」では、産業の空洞化が加速し、公明党が重視する経済対策にも逆行するだろう。
===
Reactivation a must
We urge both the LDP and Komeito to craft a realistic policy that includes reactivating the nation's nuclear reactors once they are confirmed safe and rejecting the idea of zero nuclear power in the mid- and long term.
安全性が確認された原発は再稼働し、中長期的にも「原発ゼロ」は避けるという現実的な政策を自公両党はまとめてもらいたい。
The LDP and Komeito also differ over amending the Constitution, but the two parties will unlikely go deeply into the issue during the policy talks this time around, due to its "low priority." This is an inevitable judgment given the limited amount of time before the new administration takes power.
自公両党間では、憲法改正問題で主張の隔たりがあるが、今回の政策協議では「優先度が高くない」として深入りしない方向だ。新政権発足まで時間が限られている以上、やむを得ない判断だろう。
The LDP insists the government's interpretation of the Constitution should be revised so the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. This would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and is something we believe should be realized.
自民党は、集団的自衛権を行使できるように政府の憲法解釈の変更を主張している。日米同盟を深化するうえで、重要な意義を持つ。本来は、ぜひ実現したい。
Komeito has consistently opposed such a move. However, Japan would only be required to exercise its right to collective self-defense in a limited number of situations, such as if a U.S. military vessel was attacked by a foreign country on the high seas or if a ballistic missile headed for the United States passed over Japan.
公明党は反対の立場を崩していないが、実際に日本が集団的自衛権の行使を求められるのは、公海上で米軍艦船が他国に攻撃される場合や、日本上空を通過する弾道ミサイルで米国が攻撃される場合など、限定されている。
When should exercising the right to collective self-defense be allowed, and how should it be restricted? We believe it is possible for the two parties to find common ground if they engage in deep, reality-based discussions. We hope they, as ruling parties, will continue to discuss this matter after the new administration is launched.
どのケースで行使を可能にし、どんな歯止めをかけるのか。現実に即して議論を深めれば、両党の接点を見つけることは不可能ではあるまい。新政権の発足後も、与党内で論議を続けてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2012)
（2012年12月19日01時12分 読売新聞）
LDP, Komeito need to present realistic nuclear power policy
自公連立協議 現実的な原発政策を掲げよ（12月19日付・読売社説）
If the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito are to form a coalition government, it is a matter of course that they will have to make adjustments on important policies as much as possible to prevent discord within the cabinet.
連立政権を組む以上、閣内不一致に陥らないように、重要政策について極力すり合わせておくのは、当然である。
LDP President Shinzo Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi met Tuesday to launch a series of policy consultations ahead of the inauguration of the second Abe Cabinet next week.
自民党の安倍総裁と公明党の山口代表が会談し、第２次安倍内閣の発足に向けた政策協議を開始した。
To begin with, they agreed to compile a large supplementary budget for fiscal 2012 to serve as temporary economic stimulus.
当面の経済対策として、大型の今年度補正予算を編成する方針で一致した。
LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Akira Amari and Komeito Policy Research Council Chairman Keiichi Ishii are expected to hammer out the details for the budget ahead of an official accord by the end of the week.
詳細は、自民・甘利、公明・石井の両党政調会長が協議し、週内の合意を目指すという。
===
Economy a proper priority
The country desperately needs to be lifted out of deflation. The incoming administration is right in its decision to give top priority to economic reconstruction as a symbol of its efforts to move politics forward.
デフレ脱却は急務である。新政権が、政治を前に動かす「象徴」として、景気の立て直しを最優先する判断は間違っていない。
Komeito supports a supplementary budget to the tune of about 10 trillion yen, while the LDP has yet to be specific.
補正予算の規模について、公明党は１０兆円規模を主張するが、自民党は規模を明示していない。
Since at least part of any supplementary budget has to rely on the issuance of additional government bonds, it is important to avoid simple handout policies and choose spending that will have a highly positive economic effect.
財源の一部を国債の追加発行に頼らざるを得ないこともあり、バラマキを避け、経済効果の高い歳出項目を選ぶことが大切だ。
Adjustments to energy policy will be another focus of attention during the policy talks between the two parties. While the LDP pledged to "establish the best possible combination of power generation sources within 10 years," Komeito advocates "aiming to reduce the number of nuclear power plants to zero as soon as possible."
政策協議ではエネルギー政策の調整が焦点となる。自民党が「１０年以内に最適な電源構成を確立する」方針を掲げるのに対し、公明党は「可能な限り速やかに原発ゼロを目指す」と唱えている。
However, Komeito also acknowledges the need to give consideration to possible negative effects on the economy and employment, as well as to the securing of nuclear power engineers.
ただ、公明党も、経済・雇用への影響や技術者の確保に配慮する必要性は認めている。
Imports of fuel for the nation's thermal power plants, which are being used as alternative power sources to nuclear power plants, have continued to surge, with 3 trillion yen of national wealth currently flowing overseas per year.
今も原発の代替電源である火力発電の燃料輸入が急増し、年３兆円の国富が海外に流出している。
Zero nuclear power would accelerate the hollowing-out of the domestic industrial sector, which we see as contradicting the economic measures Komeito places importance on.
「原発ゼロ」では、産業の空洞化が加速し、公明党が重視する経済対策にも逆行するだろう。
===
Reactivation a must
We urge both the LDP and Komeito to craft a realistic policy that includes reactivating the nation's nuclear reactors once they are confirmed safe and rejecting the idea of zero nuclear power in the mid- and long term.
安全性が確認された原発は再稼働し、中長期的にも「原発ゼロ」は避けるという現実的な政策を自公両党はまとめてもらいたい。
The LDP and Komeito also differ over amending the Constitution, but the two parties will unlikely go deeply into the issue during the policy talks this time around, due to its "low priority." This is an inevitable judgment given the limited amount of time before the new administration takes power.
自公両党間では、憲法改正問題で主張の隔たりがあるが、今回の政策協議では「優先度が高くない」として深入りしない方向だ。新政権発足まで時間が限られている以上、やむを得ない判断だろう。
The LDP insists the government's interpretation of the Constitution should be revised so the country can exercise its right to collective self-defense. This would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and is something we believe should be realized.
自民党は、集団的自衛権を行使できるように政府の憲法解釈の変更を主張している。日米同盟を深化するうえで、重要な意義を持つ。本来は、ぜひ実現したい。
Komeito has consistently opposed such a move. However, Japan would only be required to exercise its right to collective self-defense in a limited number of situations, such as if a U.S. military vessel was attacked by a foreign country on the high seas or if a ballistic missile headed for the United States passed over Japan.
公明党は反対の立場を崩していないが、実際に日本が集団的自衛権の行使を求められるのは、公海上で米軍艦船が他国に攻撃される場合や、日本上空を通過する弾道ミサイルで米国が攻撃される場合など、限定されている。
When should exercising the right to collective self-defense be allowed, and how should it be restricted? We believe it is possible for the two parties to find common ground if they engage in deep, reality-based discussions. We hope they, as ruling parties, will continue to discuss this matter after the new administration is launched.
どのケースで行使を可能にし、どんな歯止めをかけるのか。現実に即して議論を深めれば、両党の接点を見つけることは不可能ではあるまい。新政権の発足後も、与党内で論議を続けてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2012)
（2012年12月19日01時12分 読売新聞）
2012/12/20
中国機領空侵犯 自衛隊への挑発が過ぎないか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 19, 2012)
China's provocative acts are beyond the pale
中国機領空侵犯 自衛隊への挑発が過ぎないか（12月18日付・読売社説）
How should Japan deal with a China that has repeatedly engaged in brazen provocations both on the sea and in the air near the Senkaku Islands? This is one of the most serious tasks facing the administration of incoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
海だけでなく、空からも尖閣諸島周辺で示威活動を繰り返す中国とどう向き合うか。
「安倍政権」にとって、最も重い課題の一つである。
A propeller-driven airplane belonging to China's State Oceanic Administration on Thursday intruded into Japanese airspace near the Senkaku Islands and flew near the islands for about half an hour. It marks the first time a Chinese aircraft has ever intruded into Japanese airspace.
中国国家海洋局に所属するプロペラ航空機が１３日、日本の領空に侵入し、尖閣諸島周辺の上空を約３０分間飛行した。中国機による領空侵犯は初めてだ。
The Chinese government tried to explain the act away by calling it "a three-dimensional patrol both on the water and in the air." But it was probably an intentionally provocative act conducted amid Japan's election campaign for the House of Representatives.
中国政府は「海と空からの立体パトロール」と強弁しているが、衆院選の最中を狙った意図的な挑発行為だろう。
Thursday marked the 75th anniversary of the Nanjing Incident perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army. The air intrusion may also have been intended to respond to anti-Japan sentiments in China.
１３日は旧日本軍による南京事件７５年に当たっていた。国内の反日感情に呼応する目的もあったのかもしれない。
The government lodged a strong protest with China. Washington, acting in concert with Tokyo, also conveyed its concern. When the gravity of the issue is taken into consideration, these are appropriate responses. The Japanese government, in cooperation with other countries, must call on China to exercise self-restraint.
政府は中国に厳重抗議した。米国も日本に同調し、懸念を伝えた。問題の重大性を踏まえれば当然の対応だ。政府は各国と連携し、中国に自制を求めねばならない。
===
A higher level of hazard
The potential danger posed by an intrusive act differs greatly between those in the air and on the water.
空と海とは、その危険度が全く異なる。
When a Chinese government vessel intrudes into Japanese waters, the Japan Coast Guard takes action, while the Maritime Self-Defense Force does not come to the fore.
領海侵入した中国政府船には海上保安庁が対応し、海上自衛隊が前面に出ることはない。
When there is an intrusion into the nation's airspace, however, the Air Self-Defense Force scrambles fighters to patrol and issue warnings.
これに対し、領空侵犯が起きた場合は、航空自衛隊の戦闘機が緊急発進（スクランブル）し、監視や警告を行うことになる。
International law does not allow aircraft to fly into the territorial airspace of a foreign country without permission. A country thus intruded upon can take measures to exclude the intruding airplane to protect its sovereignty.
国際法は、航空機が無許可で外国の領空を飛行することを認めていない。各国とも、主権侵害として、排除措置を取れる。
The ASDF scrambled 156 times against seemingly imminent intrusions by Chinese airplanes into Japanese airspace in fiscal 2011, a record high in the past decade. In the first half of this fiscal year alone, the ASDF scrambled 69 times.
空自は昨年度、領空侵犯の恐れがある中国機に対し、１５６回のスクランブルを実施した。この１０年間で最も多かった。今年度前半も６９回に達している。
Should any unexpected incident occur between an ASDF aircraft and an intruding Chinese airplane, it could escalate, in a worst-case scenario, into a military conflict between the two countries.
仮に、領空侵犯した中国機との間で不測の事故が起きれば、最悪の場合、日中間の軍事的対立に発展しかねない。
===
A troubling radar blind spot
In response to Thursday's intrusion into Japanese airspace, the ASDF scrambled fighter jets but failed to arrive at the spot promptly enough and to fully track the intrusion of the Chinese airplane. As there is no radar site near the Senkaku Islands, the ASDF failed to detect the Chinese aircraft, which was believed to have flown low over the waters close to the islands, early enough.
今回の領空侵犯に対し、空自機がスクランブルしたものの、現場への到着が遅れ、中国機の飛行を確認することに失敗した。尖閣諸島近くにレーダーサイトがなく、低空飛行で接近したと見られる中国機に気づかなかった。
It is a matter of urgency to reinforce the SDF's warning and patrol system against Chinese aircraft. The ASDF needs to fill in this blind spot in its radar network by deploying more E-2C early-warning aircraft and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) planes to the Nansei Islands.
中国機に対する自衛隊の警戒監視体制の強化は急務だ。空自は、早期警戒機Ｅ２Ｃや空中警戒管制機（ＡＷＡＣＳ）を南西諸島に派遣する機会を増やし、レーダー網の死角を埋める必要がある。
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has released a paper on China's foreign policy, in which he emphasized that China "will fight with Japan resolutely" against the Japanese government's nationalization of part of the Senkaku Islands.
中国の楊潔チ外相は外交政策に関する論文を発表し、日本による尖閣諸島国有化に対し「断固、日本と闘争を行う」と強調した。
A Chinese official in charge of diplomatic authorities, who are supposed to function as a window for communication and negotiation with other countries, has taken a hard-line stance. This only hinders a level-headed bilateral dialogue, making it difficult to bring the issue under control.
協議の窓口となるべき外交当局の責任者が強硬姿勢を取ることが、冷静な２国間対話を妨げ、事態の沈静化を困難にしている。
China must become aware that its self-centered behavior is certainly damaging its international reputation.
中国は、身勝手な自己主張が自国の国際的評価を確実に損なっていることを自覚すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2012)
（2012年12月18日01時22分 読売新聞）
China's provocative acts are beyond the pale
中国機領空侵犯 自衛隊への挑発が過ぎないか（12月18日付・読売社説）
How should Japan deal with a China that has repeatedly engaged in brazen provocations both on the sea and in the air near the Senkaku Islands? This is one of the most serious tasks facing the administration of incoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
海だけでなく、空からも尖閣諸島周辺で示威活動を繰り返す中国とどう向き合うか。
「安倍政権」にとって、最も重い課題の一つである。
A propeller-driven airplane belonging to China's State Oceanic Administration on Thursday intruded into Japanese airspace near the Senkaku Islands and flew near the islands for about half an hour. It marks the first time a Chinese aircraft has ever intruded into Japanese airspace.
中国国家海洋局に所属するプロペラ航空機が１３日、日本の領空に侵入し、尖閣諸島周辺の上空を約３０分間飛行した。中国機による領空侵犯は初めてだ。
The Chinese government tried to explain the act away by calling it "a three-dimensional patrol both on the water and in the air." But it was probably an intentionally provocative act conducted amid Japan's election campaign for the House of Representatives.
中国政府は「海と空からの立体パトロール」と強弁しているが、衆院選の最中を狙った意図的な挑発行為だろう。
Thursday marked the 75th anniversary of the Nanjing Incident perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army. The air intrusion may also have been intended to respond to anti-Japan sentiments in China.
１３日は旧日本軍による南京事件７５年に当たっていた。国内の反日感情に呼応する目的もあったのかもしれない。
The government lodged a strong protest with China. Washington, acting in concert with Tokyo, also conveyed its concern. When the gravity of the issue is taken into consideration, these are appropriate responses. The Japanese government, in cooperation with other countries, must call on China to exercise self-restraint.
政府は中国に厳重抗議した。米国も日本に同調し、懸念を伝えた。問題の重大性を踏まえれば当然の対応だ。政府は各国と連携し、中国に自制を求めねばならない。
===
A higher level of hazard
The potential danger posed by an intrusive act differs greatly between those in the air and on the water.
空と海とは、その危険度が全く異なる。
When a Chinese government vessel intrudes into Japanese waters, the Japan Coast Guard takes action, while the Maritime Self-Defense Force does not come to the fore.
領海侵入した中国政府船には海上保安庁が対応し、海上自衛隊が前面に出ることはない。
When there is an intrusion into the nation's airspace, however, the Air Self-Defense Force scrambles fighters to patrol and issue warnings.
これに対し、領空侵犯が起きた場合は、航空自衛隊の戦闘機が緊急発進（スクランブル）し、監視や警告を行うことになる。
International law does not allow aircraft to fly into the territorial airspace of a foreign country without permission. A country thus intruded upon can take measures to exclude the intruding airplane to protect its sovereignty.
国際法は、航空機が無許可で外国の領空を飛行することを認めていない。各国とも、主権侵害として、排除措置を取れる。
The ASDF scrambled 156 times against seemingly imminent intrusions by Chinese airplanes into Japanese airspace in fiscal 2011, a record high in the past decade. In the first half of this fiscal year alone, the ASDF scrambled 69 times.
空自は昨年度、領空侵犯の恐れがある中国機に対し、１５６回のスクランブルを実施した。この１０年間で最も多かった。今年度前半も６９回に達している。
Should any unexpected incident occur between an ASDF aircraft and an intruding Chinese airplane, it could escalate, in a worst-case scenario, into a military conflict between the two countries.
仮に、領空侵犯した中国機との間で不測の事故が起きれば、最悪の場合、日中間の軍事的対立に発展しかねない。
===
A troubling radar blind spot
In response to Thursday's intrusion into Japanese airspace, the ASDF scrambled fighter jets but failed to arrive at the spot promptly enough and to fully track the intrusion of the Chinese airplane. As there is no radar site near the Senkaku Islands, the ASDF failed to detect the Chinese aircraft, which was believed to have flown low over the waters close to the islands, early enough.
今回の領空侵犯に対し、空自機がスクランブルしたものの、現場への到着が遅れ、中国機の飛行を確認することに失敗した。尖閣諸島近くにレーダーサイトがなく、低空飛行で接近したと見られる中国機に気づかなかった。
It is a matter of urgency to reinforce the SDF's warning and patrol system against Chinese aircraft. The ASDF needs to fill in this blind spot in its radar network by deploying more E-2C early-warning aircraft and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) planes to the Nansei Islands.
中国機に対する自衛隊の警戒監視体制の強化は急務だ。空自は、早期警戒機Ｅ２Ｃや空中警戒管制機（ＡＷＡＣＳ）を南西諸島に派遣する機会を増やし、レーダー網の死角を埋める必要がある。
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has released a paper on China's foreign policy, in which he emphasized that China "will fight with Japan resolutely" against the Japanese government's nationalization of part of the Senkaku Islands.
中国の楊潔チ外相は外交政策に関する論文を発表し、日本による尖閣諸島国有化に対し「断固、日本と闘争を行う」と強調した。
A Chinese official in charge of diplomatic authorities, who are supposed to function as a window for communication and negotiation with other countries, has taken a hard-line stance. This only hinders a level-headed bilateral dialogue, making it difficult to bring the issue under control.
協議の窓口となるべき外交当局の責任者が強硬姿勢を取ることが、冷静な２国間対話を妨げ、事態の沈静化を困難にしている。
China must become aware that its self-centered behavior is certainly damaging its international reputation.
中国は、身勝手な自己主張が自国の国際的評価を確実に損なっていることを自覚すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2012)
（2012年12月18日01時22分 読売新聞）
2012/12/19
アナリスで究極のアフィリエイトを！ 効果は絶大、費用は最小
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自民党政権復帰 謙虚に実績積み信頼取り戻せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 18, 2012)
LDP must regain public's trust with achievements
自民党政権復帰 謙虚に実績積み信頼取り戻せ（12月17日付・読売社説）
◆民主政権迷走への厳しい懲罰だ◆
Voters handed down a stern judgment on the Democratic Party of Japan-led government. They obviously opted for a stable administration from which realistic policies can be expected.
有権者は、民主党政権に極めて厳しい審判を下した。現実路線で安定を望める政権を選択したと言える。
The Liberal Democratic Party and its likely coalition partner New Komeito together garnered more than 320 seats in the 46th House of Representatives election Sunday to secure a return to power. It was an overwhelming victory but was not met with an air of excitement.
第４６回衆院選は、自民党と公明党で３２０を超える議席を獲得し、政権復帰を決めた。熱気なき圧勝である。
The DPJ, on the other hand, suffered a historic, crushing setback after losing a huge number of seats. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced Sunday night he would resign as party president.
民主党は、議席を激減させ、歴史的敗北を喫した。野田首相は、党代表の辞任を表明した。
LDP President Shinzo Abe, who is poised to assume the post of prime minister for the second time, said the election results "do not show the LDP fully regained the people's confidence." The party should not be complacent. It will be essential for it to resolve a host of challenges, including economic revitalization and reconstruction from last year's disaster, so it can regain public confidence.
２度目の首相就任が確実となった安倍総裁は「自民党に完全に信頼が戻ったということではない」と述べた。自民党は、おごってはならない。経済再生や復興など山積する課題を着実に解決し、信頼を取り戻すことが肝要だ。
===
Ishin no Kai secures foothold
◆維新も国政に影響力◆
One factor behind the LDP's victory may be that the voters wanted to punish the DPJ-led administration for its blunders.
自民党の勝因は、民主党政権に対する有権者の「懲罰」の感情が強く働いたことにある。いわば敵失に助けられた面が大きい。
The Hatoyama administration's haphazard handling of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture undermined the relationship of trust between the central and local governments and crippled the Japan-U.S. alliance.
鳩山内閣の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題を巡る場当たり的対応は政府と沖縄との信頼関係を決定的に壊し、日米同盟も揺るがせた。
The following Kan Cabinet took a winding course in coping with the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Public distrust in politics peaked as Prime Minister Naoto Kan clung to his post after announcing his intention to resign.
菅内閣は、東日本大震災や原発事故処理で迷走した。菅首相は退陣を表明しながら居座り、政治不信は頂点に達した。
The Noda administration made some laudable achievements, including the enactment of the law on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, but he failed to achieve unity in his party, thereby causing it to split.
野田内閣は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立など、評価できる点はあったが、民主党をまとめ切れず、党分裂を招いた。
The gap between the people's expectations of the DPJ to effect real change in government three years ago and their subsequent disappointment was demonstrated by the huge loss of seats suffered in Sunday's election. The DPJ's humiliating setback was symbolized by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision not to run in the election and Kan's defeat in a single-seat constituency.
３年前の政権交代への期待と失望の落差が、大幅な議席減に表れている。鳩山元首相の不出馬と菅前首相の小選挙区での敗退が象徴的である。
Some incumbent Cabinet ministers lost their Diet seats. Among them are Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, Finance Minister Koriki Jojima, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Shinji Tarutoko, and Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Makiko Tanaka.
藤村官房長官、城島財務相、樽床総務相、田中文部科学相ら現職閣僚が相次いで落選した。
Many voters must have used their votes to express their stern criticism of the DPJ over its campaign platform for the 2009 general election, which incorporated such populist policies as a handout of child-rearing allowances and making expressway tolls free without securing definite sources of revenue.
確たる財源がないのに、子ども手当や高速道路無料化など大衆迎合の政策を盛り込んだ政権公約（マニフェスト）に対する痛烈な批判票が多かったに違いない。
The DPJ must rebuild itself based on the experience it gained as a ruling party.
民主党は、与党の経験を踏まえて党を再建させねばならない。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which had aimed to become a so-called third political force, made a strong showing, securing enough seats to exert a certain amount of influence on the national political scene. Its two popular campaign faces--party leader Shintaro Ishihara and acting leader Toru Hashimoto--were able to successfully appeal to the voters. Your Party, which has a cooperative relationship with Ishin no Kai, also made gains.
「第３極」を目指した日本維新の会は躍進し、国政への一定の影響力を確保した。石原代表と橋下代表代行の「二枚看板」がアピールしたのだろう。協力関係にあるみんなの党も議席を伸ばした。
Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) suffered disappointing results. Ichiro Ozawa and other DPJ defectors tried to survive by joining the party headed by Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada and gathering political forces opposing tax increase and nuclear power generation. Their strategy came up short.
日本未来の党は惨敗した。滋賀県の嘉田知事を担ぎ、反増税、脱原発勢力の結集を狙った小沢一郎氏ら民主党離党組の生き残り戦略は、失速を余儀なくされた。
===
'Zero-nuclear policy' unsuccessful
◆「原発ゼロ」は広がらず◆
The LDP's election partnership with Komeito in single-seat constituencies bore fruit. And the LDP gained in districts where "third political force" parties competed with another.
自民党は小選挙区で公明党との選挙協力が奏功した。「第３極」同士が競合する中、漁夫の利を得たとも言える。
The LDP's advance may also partly be attributed to the fact that its policies appeared more convincing than those of other parties.
自民党の政策が、他党に比べて説得力を持ったこともあろう。
The LDP appealed to voters by pledging to carry out bold monetary-easing policies to end the nation's deflationary trend and implement comprehensive reform of the social security and tax system, centering on the hike in the consumption tax rate.
自民党は、デフレ脱却のための大胆な金融緩和や、消費税率引き上げを柱とする社会保障と税の一体改革の実行を訴えた。
The party also emphasized its energy policy, under which nuclear power plants whose safety is confirmed will be put back online at least for the time being and the best combination of power generation sources will be decided over time. It did not advocate eliminating nuclear power generation.
当面は安全性を確認できた原発を再稼働しつつ、時間をかけて最適な電源構成を確立するというエネルギー政策も強調した。「原発ゼロ」は掲げなかった。
The fact that the national security environment has become increasingly harsh may also have helped the LDP widen its appeal to voters as it stressed its pledge of rebuilding the nation's diplomatic policy.
日本の安全保障環境が厳しさを増していることも、外交の立て直しを強調した自民党への支持拡大につながったのではないか。
The LDP is set to form a coalition government with Komeito. But the coalition cannot secure a majority in the House of Councillors even when the strength of two parties is combined.
自民党は、公明党と連立政権を組む方針だが、参院では自公両党合わせても過半数に届かない。
It is highly likely the Diet will remain divided with no party holding a majority in the upper house, at least until the next upper house election scheduled for next summer.
少なくとも来年夏の参院選までは衆参ねじれ国会が継続する公算が大きい。
Given this, it is essential for a ruling coalition to maintain cooperation among the three parties--the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito--which realized the comprehensive pension and tax reform, and make thorough efforts to form a consensus in policies.
一体改革を実現した民自公３党の協調路線を維持し、丁寧に合意形成を図ることが不可欠だ。
As the LDP and Komeito, when combined, have garnered more than the two-thirds of the total seats in the lower house, bills can be passed into law by a second vote even if they are voted down in the upper chamber.
自公両党は衆院の３分の２以上の議席を獲得したため、参院で法案が否決されても衆院で再可決できる。
Yet precedent shows that if they run the administration high-handedly, they will cause a backlash of public sentiment in the next upper house election. The two parties should bear in mind the need to manage the administration with humility.
だが、強引な政権運営を行えば、次の参院選で民意の揺り戻しを招くという先例がある。謙虚な政権運営を心がけるべきだ。
We were surprised at the wide-ranging swing in the number of seats won by parties, as was seen in the 2005 lower house election contested over the postal privatization issue, the 2009 election that brought a change of government with the DPJ coming into power, and the latest election.
それにしても郵政解散の２００５年衆院選、政権交代が起きた０９年、そして今回と、獲得議席の振れ幅の大きさに驚かされる。
===
Election reform an urgent task
◆選挙制度改革は急務だ◆
It is characteristic of the single-seat constituency system that parties tend to win more seats than the percentage of all votes they receive would seem to warrant. We cannot help feeling that the current system needs to be corrected.
政党の得票率以上に議席数に差が出るのが小選挙区制の特徴だとしても、このままの制度で良いのかという思いを禁じ得ない。
Should a large number of Diet members be replaced every time a national election is held, the nation's politics will become unstable as it becomes difficult for policies to be created at the initiative of politicians. Such a development would also weaken the nation's diplomatic power.
毎回大量の議員が入れ替わるようでは政治が不安定になり、政治主導も発揮しにくい。外交力が弱まるという弊害もある。
We should also keep in mind that the latest election was held with the electoral system in a "state of unconstitutionality" as the Supreme Court has pointed out.
今回の衆院選は、最高裁が指摘した「違憲状態」のまま実施されたことも、忘れてはならない。
The DPJ, the LDP and Komeito have agreed they would make a drastic review of the lower house election system and make the necessary legal arrangements to reduce the number of lower house seats during the ordinary Diet session next year.
民自公３党は、来年の通常国会で衆院選挙制度の抜本的な見直しと定数削減について、必要な法整備を行うことを合意している。
It is necessary to shed light on the problems in the current system, which combines single-seat constituencies and proportional representation, and dare to implement a drastic reform, including re-adopting a multiple-seat constituency system. This could be a faster route to rebuilding the nation's politics.
現行の小選挙区比例代表並立制の問題点を洗い出し、中選挙区制の復活も含めて、抜本改革に踏み切る必要がある。それが日本の政治を立て直す近道でもあろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2012)
（2012年12月17日04時01分 読売新聞）
LDP must regain public's trust with achievements
自民党政権復帰 謙虚に実績積み信頼取り戻せ（12月17日付・読売社説）
◆民主政権迷走への厳しい懲罰だ◆
Voters handed down a stern judgment on the Democratic Party of Japan-led government. They obviously opted for a stable administration from which realistic policies can be expected.
有権者は、民主党政権に極めて厳しい審判を下した。現実路線で安定を望める政権を選択したと言える。
The Liberal Democratic Party and its likely coalition partner New Komeito together garnered more than 320 seats in the 46th House of Representatives election Sunday to secure a return to power. It was an overwhelming victory but was not met with an air of excitement.
第４６回衆院選は、自民党と公明党で３２０を超える議席を獲得し、政権復帰を決めた。熱気なき圧勝である。
The DPJ, on the other hand, suffered a historic, crushing setback after losing a huge number of seats. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced Sunday night he would resign as party president.
民主党は、議席を激減させ、歴史的敗北を喫した。野田首相は、党代表の辞任を表明した。
LDP President Shinzo Abe, who is poised to assume the post of prime minister for the second time, said the election results "do not show the LDP fully regained the people's confidence." The party should not be complacent. It will be essential for it to resolve a host of challenges, including economic revitalization and reconstruction from last year's disaster, so it can regain public confidence.
２度目の首相就任が確実となった安倍総裁は「自民党に完全に信頼が戻ったということではない」と述べた。自民党は、おごってはならない。経済再生や復興など山積する課題を着実に解決し、信頼を取り戻すことが肝要だ。
===
Ishin no Kai secures foothold
◆維新も国政に影響力◆
One factor behind the LDP's victory may be that the voters wanted to punish the DPJ-led administration for its blunders.
自民党の勝因は、民主党政権に対する有権者の「懲罰」の感情が強く働いたことにある。いわば敵失に助けられた面が大きい。
The Hatoyama administration's haphazard handling of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture undermined the relationship of trust between the central and local governments and crippled the Japan-U.S. alliance.
鳩山内閣の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題を巡る場当たり的対応は政府と沖縄との信頼関係を決定的に壊し、日米同盟も揺るがせた。
The following Kan Cabinet took a winding course in coping with the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Public distrust in politics peaked as Prime Minister Naoto Kan clung to his post after announcing his intention to resign.
菅内閣は、東日本大震災や原発事故処理で迷走した。菅首相は退陣を表明しながら居座り、政治不信は頂点に達した。
The Noda administration made some laudable achievements, including the enactment of the law on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, but he failed to achieve unity in his party, thereby causing it to split.
野田内閣は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立など、評価できる点はあったが、民主党をまとめ切れず、党分裂を招いた。
The gap between the people's expectations of the DPJ to effect real change in government three years ago and their subsequent disappointment was demonstrated by the huge loss of seats suffered in Sunday's election. The DPJ's humiliating setback was symbolized by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's decision not to run in the election and Kan's defeat in a single-seat constituency.
３年前の政権交代への期待と失望の落差が、大幅な議席減に表れている。鳩山元首相の不出馬と菅前首相の小選挙区での敗退が象徴的である。
Some incumbent Cabinet ministers lost their Diet seats. Among them are Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, Finance Minister Koriki Jojima, Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Shinji Tarutoko, and Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Makiko Tanaka.
藤村官房長官、城島財務相、樽床総務相、田中文部科学相ら現職閣僚が相次いで落選した。
Many voters must have used their votes to express their stern criticism of the DPJ over its campaign platform for the 2009 general election, which incorporated such populist policies as a handout of child-rearing allowances and making expressway tolls free without securing definite sources of revenue.
確たる財源がないのに、子ども手当や高速道路無料化など大衆迎合の政策を盛り込んだ政権公約（マニフェスト）に対する痛烈な批判票が多かったに違いない。
The DPJ must rebuild itself based on the experience it gained as a ruling party.
民主党は、与党の経験を踏まえて党を再建させねばならない。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which had aimed to become a so-called third political force, made a strong showing, securing enough seats to exert a certain amount of influence on the national political scene. Its two popular campaign faces--party leader Shintaro Ishihara and acting leader Toru Hashimoto--were able to successfully appeal to the voters. Your Party, which has a cooperative relationship with Ishin no Kai, also made gains.
「第３極」を目指した日本維新の会は躍進し、国政への一定の影響力を確保した。石原代表と橋下代表代行の「二枚看板」がアピールしたのだろう。協力関係にあるみんなの党も議席を伸ばした。
Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) suffered disappointing results. Ichiro Ozawa and other DPJ defectors tried to survive by joining the party headed by Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada and gathering political forces opposing tax increase and nuclear power generation. Their strategy came up short.
日本未来の党は惨敗した。滋賀県の嘉田知事を担ぎ、反増税、脱原発勢力の結集を狙った小沢一郎氏ら民主党離党組の生き残り戦略は、失速を余儀なくされた。
===
'Zero-nuclear policy' unsuccessful
◆「原発ゼロ」は広がらず◆
The LDP's election partnership with Komeito in single-seat constituencies bore fruit. And the LDP gained in districts where "third political force" parties competed with another.
自民党は小選挙区で公明党との選挙協力が奏功した。「第３極」同士が競合する中、漁夫の利を得たとも言える。
The LDP's advance may also partly be attributed to the fact that its policies appeared more convincing than those of other parties.
自民党の政策が、他党に比べて説得力を持ったこともあろう。
The LDP appealed to voters by pledging to carry out bold monetary-easing policies to end the nation's deflationary trend and implement comprehensive reform of the social security and tax system, centering on the hike in the consumption tax rate.
自民党は、デフレ脱却のための大胆な金融緩和や、消費税率引き上げを柱とする社会保障と税の一体改革の実行を訴えた。
The party also emphasized its energy policy, under which nuclear power plants whose safety is confirmed will be put back online at least for the time being and the best combination of power generation sources will be decided over time. It did not advocate eliminating nuclear power generation.
当面は安全性を確認できた原発を再稼働しつつ、時間をかけて最適な電源構成を確立するというエネルギー政策も強調した。「原発ゼロ」は掲げなかった。
The fact that the national security environment has become increasingly harsh may also have helped the LDP widen its appeal to voters as it stressed its pledge of rebuilding the nation's diplomatic policy.
日本の安全保障環境が厳しさを増していることも、外交の立て直しを強調した自民党への支持拡大につながったのではないか。
The LDP is set to form a coalition government with Komeito. But the coalition cannot secure a majority in the House of Councillors even when the strength of two parties is combined.
自民党は、公明党と連立政権を組む方針だが、参院では自公両党合わせても過半数に届かない。
It is highly likely the Diet will remain divided with no party holding a majority in the upper house, at least until the next upper house election scheduled for next summer.
少なくとも来年夏の参院選までは衆参ねじれ国会が継続する公算が大きい。
Given this, it is essential for a ruling coalition to maintain cooperation among the three parties--the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito--which realized the comprehensive pension and tax reform, and make thorough efforts to form a consensus in policies.
一体改革を実現した民自公３党の協調路線を維持し、丁寧に合意形成を図ることが不可欠だ。
As the LDP and Komeito, when combined, have garnered more than the two-thirds of the total seats in the lower house, bills can be passed into law by a second vote even if they are voted down in the upper chamber.
自公両党は衆院の３分の２以上の議席を獲得したため、参院で法案が否決されても衆院で再可決できる。
Yet precedent shows that if they run the administration high-handedly, they will cause a backlash of public sentiment in the next upper house election. The two parties should bear in mind the need to manage the administration with humility.
だが、強引な政権運営を行えば、次の参院選で民意の揺り戻しを招くという先例がある。謙虚な政権運営を心がけるべきだ。
We were surprised at the wide-ranging swing in the number of seats won by parties, as was seen in the 2005 lower house election contested over the postal privatization issue, the 2009 election that brought a change of government with the DPJ coming into power, and the latest election.
それにしても郵政解散の２００５年衆院選、政権交代が起きた０９年、そして今回と、獲得議席の振れ幅の大きさに驚かされる。
===
Election reform an urgent task
◆選挙制度改革は急務だ◆
It is characteristic of the single-seat constituency system that parties tend to win more seats than the percentage of all votes they receive would seem to warrant. We cannot help feeling that the current system needs to be corrected.
政党の得票率以上に議席数に差が出るのが小選挙区制の特徴だとしても、このままの制度で良いのかという思いを禁じ得ない。
Should a large number of Diet members be replaced every time a national election is held, the nation's politics will become unstable as it becomes difficult for policies to be created at the initiative of politicians. Such a development would also weaken the nation's diplomatic power.
毎回大量の議員が入れ替わるようでは政治が不安定になり、政治主導も発揮しにくい。外交力が弱まるという弊害もある。
We should also keep in mind that the latest election was held with the electoral system in a "state of unconstitutionality" as the Supreme Court has pointed out.
今回の衆院選は、最高裁が指摘した「違憲状態」のまま実施されたことも、忘れてはならない。
The DPJ, the LDP and Komeito have agreed they would make a drastic review of the lower house election system and make the necessary legal arrangements to reduce the number of lower house seats during the ordinary Diet session next year.
民自公３党は、来年の通常国会で衆院選挙制度の抜本的な見直しと定数削減について、必要な法整備を行うことを合意している。
It is necessary to shed light on the problems in the current system, which combines single-seat constituencies and proportional representation, and dare to implement a drastic reform, including re-adopting a multiple-seat constituency system. This could be a faster route to rebuilding the nation's politics.
現行の小選挙区比例代表並立制の問題点を洗い出し、中選挙区制の復活も含めて、抜本改革に踏み切る必要がある。それが日本の政治を立て直す近道でもあろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2012)
（2012年12月17日04時01分 読売新聞）
2012/12/18
衆院選きょう投票 日本再生へ誤りなき１票を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 17, 2012)
National revitalization, end to political stagnation crucial
衆院選きょう投票 日本再生へ誤りなき１票を（12月16日付・読売社説）
◆政治の停滞から脱却しよう◆
Voting today in the 46th House of Representatives election provides people with an important opportunity to choose a new political alignment that will bear the responsibility of charting the nation's future course.
第４６回衆院選は、きょう投票日を迎える。
It is hoped voters will cast their precious vote after examining the policies, capabilities and disposition of each party and candidate.
日本の将来を担う、新しい政治のかたちを決める重要な選択の機会だ。各政党と候補者の政策や能力・資質をしっかりと見極め、貴重な１票を行使したい。
The world is going through drastic changes. This year, new regimes were inaugurated in China, North Korea, Russia, France and a number of other countries. U.S. President Barack Obama was reelected for a second term, and South Korea will elect a new president on Wednesday.
世界は激動している。今年、中国、北朝鮮、ロシア、フランスなど多くの国で新体制が発足した。オバマ米大統領は再選され、韓国も１９日に新大統領を選出する。
◆政権選択が最大の焦点◆
We should not allow only Japan to lag under our nation's climate of political indecisiveness.
日本だけが、いつまでも「決められない政治」を続けるわけにはいかない。
Reviving the vigor of the nation's political system is the first and most urgent task if Japan wants to overcome deflation and the strong yen, attain both economic resuscitation and fiscal reconstruction, strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and rebuild its diplomacy vis-a-vis other Asian countries.
デフレ・円高を克服し、経済再生と財政再建を両立させる。日米同盟を強化し、アジア外交を再構築する。それには、何よりも政治の立て直しが急務だ。
The lower house election is for voters to choose an administration to lead the country. The biggest focal point in this poll is whether the Democratic Party of Japan-led alliance will continue to hold the reins of government or a coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito will retake the helm.
衆院選は政権を選択する選挙である。民主党中心の政権の継続か、自民、公明両党の連立政権への回帰か。これが最大の焦点だ。
The DPJ is facing a strong headwind. It made a historical achievement when it enabled a package of bills related to the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems to pass through the Diet. But the party's campaign pledges for 2009 lower house election were in tatters, and its pledge of "taking key roles in the decision-making process away from bureaucrats and putting them into the hands of politicians" was only an empty slogan that caused much political confusion. We believe these factors are playing against the DPJ.
民主党は、厳しい逆風を受けている。社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立は歴史的成果だが、２００９年衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）は破綻し、「脱官僚」も掛け声倒れで政治を混乱させたことが響いているのだろう。
===
12 parties field candidates
We highly commend the LDP with regard to the support it gave to allow the passage of the bills on the integrated reform of social security and tax systems even though it was an opposition party.
自民党は、野党ながら一体改革に協力した点は評価できる。
But the LDP failed to act like a responsible party in some cases when it resisted entering deliberations on bills and jolted the DPJ-led government by presenting censure motions--all tactics engineered by exploiting the divided Diet, in which the ruling bloc lacks a majority of seats in the House of Councillors.
しかし、衆参ねじれを利用し、法案審議に抵抗したり、問責決議で民主党政権を揺さぶったりし、責任政党らしからぬ対応もあった。
This election saw candidates fielded by 12 parties--the biggest number since the current election system that combines single-seat constituencies and a proportional representation system was introduced in 1996. This resulted from splits within the DPJ and the inroads into national politics made by regional parties.
今回は、小選挙区比例代表並立制の導入以来、最多の１２党が候補者を擁立した。民主党の分裂と地域政党の国政進出が要因だ。
Before this election campaign officially kicked off on Dec. 4, new parties vying to form a "third political force" were formed or merged one after another. They undeniably put priority on these moves as an election strategy, with coordination of their policies and political philosophy taking a back seat.
公示直前、「第３極」を目指す新党の離合集散が相次いだ。理念や政策のすり合わせを二の次にして、勢力結集による選挙対策を最優先したことは否めない。
To which party and candidate should we entrust our votes to reflect our will? The credibility of campaign pledges was severely hurt with the DPJ's botched efforts, but we should pay attention most to parties' policies.
どの政党・候補者に思いを託せば良いのか。民主党の失敗でマニフェストの信頼は失墜したが、やはり重視すべきは政策だ。
With the ever-graying society, declining birthrate and worsening fiscal conditions, the role of the government is shifting from distributing benefits to distributing burdens. We should closely examine if parties' policies are backed up by concrete plans for revenue sources and if they have presented ways to realize their policies.
少子高齢化の進展や財政悪化に伴い、政治の役割は、「利益」の分配から「負担」の分配へと移りつつある。政策に財源の裏付けはあるのか。実現への手順が示されているのか。きちんと精査することが大切である。
In regard to economic policy, an area of particular interest to the public, the DPJ in its election platform set the goal of a nominal 3 percent year-on-year growth rate, or around 2 percent after inflation. The party says it will place priority on helping nurture such emerging sectors as renewable energy and medical and nursing care services.
国民の関心が高い経済政策で、民主党は名目３％、実質２％程度の目標成長率を掲げた。再生可能エネルギー、医療・介護など新産業の育成に重点を置くという。
The LDP, for its part, has attached high importance to reinvigorating the national economy and strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness. Setting an inflation target of 2 percent, the party has committed itself to a bold monetary-easing policy, saying it will consider the advisability of revising the Bank of Japan Law to allow more collaboration between the government and the central bank.
自民党は経済再生や産業競争力強化を重視する。２％の物価目標を設定し、日銀法改正も視野に政府・日銀の連携を強化して大胆な金融緩和を行うと踏み込んだ。
===
Diplomatic skills vital
◆外交目標の実現力は◆
The issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free trade negotiations had earlier been expected to be a key campaign issue from the viewpoint of the nation's growth strategy. It is disappointing, however, that both the DPJ and the LDP refrained from going into specifics because both have a number of members who either oppose the free trade pact outright or are skeptical about it.
成長戦略の観点で、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題が重要な争点となるはずだったが、民主、自民両党とも、党内に反対・慎重論を抱えるため、各論に入るのを避けたのは残念である。
Meanwhile, parties remain sharply split regarding energy policy.
エネルギー政策では、各党の意見が鋭く対立した。
The DPJ has pledged to "reduce the number of operating nuclear power plants to zero by the end of the 2030s." Such parties as Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) and the Japanese Communist Party have taken the position of "doing away with nuclear power generation" within an even shorter time frame. The LDP, for that matter, has avoided producing a definite conclusion, saying the party will "determine the optimum makeup of power generation sources over a 10-year time frame."
民主党は「２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロ」を目指す。日本未来の党、共産党などはより早い「脱原発」を唱える。自民党は「１０年以内に電源構成のベストミックスを確立」と早急な結論を避けた。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) has officially vowed to "break with" nuclear power, but its stance on the matter is incomprehensible because its leader, Shintaro Ishihara, has publicly denied the party made the antinuclear election pledge.
日本維新の会は「脱原発依存」を掲げながら、石原代表が否定するなど、分かりにくい。
A party calling for terminating the nation's nuclear power generation should, as a matter of course, propose ways to cope with the adverse impacts of the "no-nuclear" option on the economy and employment, as well as measures to maintain Japan's nuclear energy-related technological levels. There have been no such proposals made in the lower house campaign and no in-depth debates on the matter.
「脱原発」を主張する党は本来、経済・雇用への悪影響の克服や、原子力技術の維持の具体策を示す責任があるが、その動きはなく、議論は深まらなかった。
On diplomacy and national security issues, many parties have called for deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance, each pledging to do its best to defend Japan's territorial integrity, including that over the Senkaku Islands.
外交・安全保障では、多くの党が日米同盟の深化を唱え、尖閣諸島など領土を守ると主張した。
The environment surrounding the nation's security has been increasingly severe as shown by the latest launch by North Korea of a long-range ballistic missile and China's military buildup and increasingly assertive maritime activities.
北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射や中国の軍備増強と海洋進出など、日本の安保環境は厳しさを増している。どの党が、外交目標を実現する具体策や交渉力を持つのかを見極めることが重要だ。
We urge voters to determine correctly which party has specific measures and ability to negotiate effectively to realize the nation's diplomatic goals.
===
Quality of politicians falling
◆複眼的に政策の吟味を◆
The possibility is high that the divided state of the Diet will continue even after the general election.
衆院選後も衆参ねじれの状況が続く可能性が高い。
Voters, in this connection, should also consider whether they should grant a single party a stable majority in the lower chamber.
衆院第１党が安定多数を得た方が良いかどうかも、投票の判断材料だろう。
A coalition government comprising a number of parties might find it easier to reflect diversified views in government policies. However, the process of ironing out conflicting views within the parties in power could be protracted, leading to a political impasse.
多くの党が連立すれば、多様な意見が施策に反映される反面、与党内の政策調整に手間取り、政治の混乱が続く恐れもある。
Many first-time candidates have been fielded in this general election, including those from the "third political force." If they win the election, they will have to immediately address a pile of policy tasks. Those in power, in particular, must fulfill the responsibility of appropriately using bureaucrats in steering affairs of state.
今回は、第３極を含め、多くの新人が出馬している。当選すれば、直ちに多くの政策課題に取り組まねばならない。特に与党となれば、官僚を的確に使いこなし、国政を運営する責任を担う。
One major factor behind the stagnancy of politics in recent years is the deteriorating quality of politicians. Candidates' problem-solving capabilities and other personal qualities are therefore sure to be tested.
最近の政治の停滞は、政治家の劣化が一因である。候補者の課題解決能力や資質が問われる。
Voters should make correct choices in casting their ballots by scrutinizing the comparative merits and demerits of policies and assertions of parties and candidates.
有権者は、各党・候補の政策や主張を様々な視点から吟味し、誤りなき選択をしてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2012)
（2012年12月16日01時21分 読売新聞）
National revitalization, end to political stagnation crucial
衆院選きょう投票 日本再生へ誤りなき１票を（12月16日付・読売社説）
◆政治の停滞から脱却しよう◆
Voting today in the 46th House of Representatives election provides people with an important opportunity to choose a new political alignment that will bear the responsibility of charting the nation's future course.
第４６回衆院選は、きょう投票日を迎える。
It is hoped voters will cast their precious vote after examining the policies, capabilities and disposition of each party and candidate.
日本の将来を担う、新しい政治のかたちを決める重要な選択の機会だ。各政党と候補者の政策や能力・資質をしっかりと見極め、貴重な１票を行使したい。
The world is going through drastic changes. This year, new regimes were inaugurated in China, North Korea, Russia, France and a number of other countries. U.S. President Barack Obama was reelected for a second term, and South Korea will elect a new president on Wednesday.
世界は激動している。今年、中国、北朝鮮、ロシア、フランスなど多くの国で新体制が発足した。オバマ米大統領は再選され、韓国も１９日に新大統領を選出する。
◆政権選択が最大の焦点◆
We should not allow only Japan to lag under our nation's climate of political indecisiveness.
日本だけが、いつまでも「決められない政治」を続けるわけにはいかない。
Reviving the vigor of the nation's political system is the first and most urgent task if Japan wants to overcome deflation and the strong yen, attain both economic resuscitation and fiscal reconstruction, strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and rebuild its diplomacy vis-a-vis other Asian countries.
デフレ・円高を克服し、経済再生と財政再建を両立させる。日米同盟を強化し、アジア外交を再構築する。それには、何よりも政治の立て直しが急務だ。
The lower house election is for voters to choose an administration to lead the country. The biggest focal point in this poll is whether the Democratic Party of Japan-led alliance will continue to hold the reins of government or a coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito will retake the helm.
衆院選は政権を選択する選挙である。民主党中心の政権の継続か、自民、公明両党の連立政権への回帰か。これが最大の焦点だ。
The DPJ is facing a strong headwind. It made a historical achievement when it enabled a package of bills related to the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems to pass through the Diet. But the party's campaign pledges for 2009 lower house election were in tatters, and its pledge of "taking key roles in the decision-making process away from bureaucrats and putting them into the hands of politicians" was only an empty slogan that caused much political confusion. We believe these factors are playing against the DPJ.
民主党は、厳しい逆風を受けている。社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立は歴史的成果だが、２００９年衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）は破綻し、「脱官僚」も掛け声倒れで政治を混乱させたことが響いているのだろう。
===
12 parties field candidates
We highly commend the LDP with regard to the support it gave to allow the passage of the bills on the integrated reform of social security and tax systems even though it was an opposition party.
自民党は、野党ながら一体改革に協力した点は評価できる。
But the LDP failed to act like a responsible party in some cases when it resisted entering deliberations on bills and jolted the DPJ-led government by presenting censure motions--all tactics engineered by exploiting the divided Diet, in which the ruling bloc lacks a majority of seats in the House of Councillors.
しかし、衆参ねじれを利用し、法案審議に抵抗したり、問責決議で民主党政権を揺さぶったりし、責任政党らしからぬ対応もあった。
This election saw candidates fielded by 12 parties--the biggest number since the current election system that combines single-seat constituencies and a proportional representation system was introduced in 1996. This resulted from splits within the DPJ and the inroads into national politics made by regional parties.
今回は、小選挙区比例代表並立制の導入以来、最多の１２党が候補者を擁立した。民主党の分裂と地域政党の国政進出が要因だ。
Before this election campaign officially kicked off on Dec. 4, new parties vying to form a "third political force" were formed or merged one after another. They undeniably put priority on these moves as an election strategy, with coordination of their policies and political philosophy taking a back seat.
公示直前、「第３極」を目指す新党の離合集散が相次いだ。理念や政策のすり合わせを二の次にして、勢力結集による選挙対策を最優先したことは否めない。
To which party and candidate should we entrust our votes to reflect our will? The credibility of campaign pledges was severely hurt with the DPJ's botched efforts, but we should pay attention most to parties' policies.
どの政党・候補者に思いを託せば良いのか。民主党の失敗でマニフェストの信頼は失墜したが、やはり重視すべきは政策だ。
With the ever-graying society, declining birthrate and worsening fiscal conditions, the role of the government is shifting from distributing benefits to distributing burdens. We should closely examine if parties' policies are backed up by concrete plans for revenue sources and if they have presented ways to realize their policies.
少子高齢化の進展や財政悪化に伴い、政治の役割は、「利益」の分配から「負担」の分配へと移りつつある。政策に財源の裏付けはあるのか。実現への手順が示されているのか。きちんと精査することが大切である。
In regard to economic policy, an area of particular interest to the public, the DPJ in its election platform set the goal of a nominal 3 percent year-on-year growth rate, or around 2 percent after inflation. The party says it will place priority on helping nurture such emerging sectors as renewable energy and medical and nursing care services.
国民の関心が高い経済政策で、民主党は名目３％、実質２％程度の目標成長率を掲げた。再生可能エネルギー、医療・介護など新産業の育成に重点を置くという。
The LDP, for its part, has attached high importance to reinvigorating the national economy and strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness. Setting an inflation target of 2 percent, the party has committed itself to a bold monetary-easing policy, saying it will consider the advisability of revising the Bank of Japan Law to allow more collaboration between the government and the central bank.
自民党は経済再生や産業競争力強化を重視する。２％の物価目標を設定し、日銀法改正も視野に政府・日銀の連携を強化して大胆な金融緩和を行うと踏み込んだ。
===
Diplomatic skills vital
◆外交目標の実現力は◆
The issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free trade negotiations had earlier been expected to be a key campaign issue from the viewpoint of the nation's growth strategy. It is disappointing, however, that both the DPJ and the LDP refrained from going into specifics because both have a number of members who either oppose the free trade pact outright or are skeptical about it.
成長戦略の観点で、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題が重要な争点となるはずだったが、民主、自民両党とも、党内に反対・慎重論を抱えるため、各論に入るのを避けたのは残念である。
Meanwhile, parties remain sharply split regarding energy policy.
エネルギー政策では、各党の意見が鋭く対立した。
The DPJ has pledged to "reduce the number of operating nuclear power plants to zero by the end of the 2030s." Such parties as Nippon Mirai no To (Tomorrow Party of Japan) and the Japanese Communist Party have taken the position of "doing away with nuclear power generation" within an even shorter time frame. The LDP, for that matter, has avoided producing a definite conclusion, saying the party will "determine the optimum makeup of power generation sources over a 10-year time frame."
民主党は「２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロ」を目指す。日本未来の党、共産党などはより早い「脱原発」を唱える。自民党は「１０年以内に電源構成のベストミックスを確立」と早急な結論を避けた。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) has officially vowed to "break with" nuclear power, but its stance on the matter is incomprehensible because its leader, Shintaro Ishihara, has publicly denied the party made the antinuclear election pledge.
日本維新の会は「脱原発依存」を掲げながら、石原代表が否定するなど、分かりにくい。
A party calling for terminating the nation's nuclear power generation should, as a matter of course, propose ways to cope with the adverse impacts of the "no-nuclear" option on the economy and employment, as well as measures to maintain Japan's nuclear energy-related technological levels. There have been no such proposals made in the lower house campaign and no in-depth debates on the matter.
「脱原発」を主張する党は本来、経済・雇用への悪影響の克服や、原子力技術の維持の具体策を示す責任があるが、その動きはなく、議論は深まらなかった。
On diplomacy and national security issues, many parties have called for deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance, each pledging to do its best to defend Japan's territorial integrity, including that over the Senkaku Islands.
外交・安全保障では、多くの党が日米同盟の深化を唱え、尖閣諸島など領土を守ると主張した。
The environment surrounding the nation's security has been increasingly severe as shown by the latest launch by North Korea of a long-range ballistic missile and China's military buildup and increasingly assertive maritime activities.
北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射や中国の軍備増強と海洋進出など、日本の安保環境は厳しさを増している。どの党が、外交目標を実現する具体策や交渉力を持つのかを見極めることが重要だ。
We urge voters to determine correctly which party has specific measures and ability to negotiate effectively to realize the nation's diplomatic goals.
===
Quality of politicians falling
◆複眼的に政策の吟味を◆
The possibility is high that the divided state of the Diet will continue even after the general election.
衆院選後も衆参ねじれの状況が続く可能性が高い。
Voters, in this connection, should also consider whether they should grant a single party a stable majority in the lower chamber.
衆院第１党が安定多数を得た方が良いかどうかも、投票の判断材料だろう。
A coalition government comprising a number of parties might find it easier to reflect diversified views in government policies. However, the process of ironing out conflicting views within the parties in power could be protracted, leading to a political impasse.
多くの党が連立すれば、多様な意見が施策に反映される反面、与党内の政策調整に手間取り、政治の混乱が続く恐れもある。
Many first-time candidates have been fielded in this general election, including those from the "third political force." If they win the election, they will have to immediately address a pile of policy tasks. Those in power, in particular, must fulfill the responsibility of appropriately using bureaucrats in steering affairs of state.
今回は、第３極を含め、多くの新人が出馬している。当選すれば、直ちに多くの政策課題に取り組まねばならない。特に与党となれば、官僚を的確に使いこなし、国政を運営する責任を担う。
One major factor behind the stagnancy of politics in recent years is the deteriorating quality of politicians. Candidates' problem-solving capabilities and other personal qualities are therefore sure to be tested.
最近の政治の停滞は、政治家の劣化が一因である。候補者の課題解決能力や資質が問われる。
Voters should make correct choices in casting their ballots by scrutinizing the comparative merits and demerits of policies and assertions of parties and candidates.
有権者は、各党・候補の政策や主張を様々な視点から吟味し、誤りなき選択をしてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2012)
（2012年12月16日01時21分 読売新聞）
2012/12/17
花粉症の抑制は抗ヒスタミン剤アレグラで 通販で購入できます
日本は寒さ厳しい冬を迎えていますが、皆様いかがお過ごししょうか。
ここはタイ、１２月でも日中の気温は３５度まで上昇いたします。
私がタイに移住した理由のひとつが花粉症で、病院ではアレルギー性鼻炎と診断されました。
日本に住んでいると、春、三月は私にとって、とても恐ろしい季節なのです。
何故かというと、杉花粉が大気中に、これでもかというくらいまき散らされ始め、私の鼻のムズムズ状態が始まるからです。アレルギー性鼻炎は恐ろしい病気です。
それで日本では、この時期には必ず耳鼻咽喉科の医者通いなのです。
私は症状が重いので、注射を打って貰ったり、副腎皮質ホルモン剤（ステロイド）を服用して症状を抑えます。
もしも、アレルギー対策 をしないと仕事がまったく出来なくなるほど重傷です。
あれこれ悩んだ末に、杉花粉の飛ばないタイに移住してしまいました。
アレルギー疾患は始末に負えませんね。
花粉症アレルギーの方に朗報です。
抗ヒスタミン剤として有名なアレグラが良いらしいですね。
通販で購入出来るらしいです♪。
ここはタイ、１２月でも日中の気温は３５度まで上昇いたします。
私がタイに移住した理由のひとつが花粉症で、病院ではアレルギー性鼻炎と診断されました。
日本に住んでいると、春、三月は私にとって、とても恐ろしい季節なのです。
何故かというと、杉花粉が大気中に、これでもかというくらいまき散らされ始め、私の鼻のムズムズ状態が始まるからです。アレルギー性鼻炎は恐ろしい病気です。
それで日本では、この時期には必ず耳鼻咽喉科の医者通いなのです。
私は症状が重いので、注射を打って貰ったり、副腎皮質ホルモン剤（ステロイド）を服用して症状を抑えます。
もしも、アレルギー対策 をしないと仕事がまったく出来なくなるほど重傷です。
あれこれ悩んだ末に、杉花粉の飛ばないタイに移住してしまいました。
アレルギー疾患は始末に負えませんね。
花粉症アレルギーの方に朗報です。
抗ヒスタミン剤として有名なアレグラが良いらしいですね。
通販で購入出来るらしいです♪。
ネットカジノ界のサラブレッド、３２レッドカジノ
３２レッドカジノは、２００２年にオンラインカジノゲームサイトとして創業を開始いたしました。２００５年には、あのお堅いイギリスのロンドン証券取引所に上場されています。
２００３年から２０１２年に至るまで、オンラインカジノゲームの名だたる賞を独占状態なのです。まさにオンラインカジノゲーム界のサラブレッドと呼ばれるにふさわしい、サイト運営内容です。ペイアウトが高いのはもちろんですが、その運営は専門機関から厳しく管理されており、フェアなビジネスで、世界中のオンラインカジノファンを魅了いたしております。
今回、日本のアフィリエイト仲介業者を介さず、英語で交渉して、直接、３２レッドカジノとのアフィリエイト契約にこぎ着けました。日本語化が随分と進んでいます。
ホームページでサイトの研究をされたら、練習プレー（プラクティス）で遊んでみるのが早道です。慣れてきたら、３０ドル程度送金して、即、実戦が楽しめます。
パチンコ屋で使うお金の十分の一の金額で、１０倍遊べます。
但し、ルーレットとブラックジャックに限ります。
小額をベットして、出来るだけ長い間遊ぶ。これがコツです＾＾。
３２レッドカジノホームページ
３２レッドカジノ練習プレー（プラクティス）
２００３年から２０１２年に至るまで、オンラインカジノゲームの名だたる賞を独占状態なのです。まさにオンラインカジノゲーム界のサラブレッドと呼ばれるにふさわしい、サイト運営内容です。ペイアウトが高いのはもちろんですが、その運営は専門機関から厳しく管理されており、フェアなビジネスで、世界中のオンラインカジノファンを魅了いたしております。
今回、日本のアフィリエイト仲介業者を介さず、英語で交渉して、直接、３２レッドカジノとのアフィリエイト契約にこぎ着けました。日本語化が随分と進んでいます。
ホームページでサイトの研究をされたら、練習プレー（プラクティス）で遊んでみるのが早道です。慣れてきたら、３０ドル程度送金して、即、実戦が楽しめます。
パチンコ屋で使うお金の十分の一の金額で、１０倍遊べます。
但し、ルーレットとブラックジャックに限ります。
小額をベットして、出来るだけ長い間遊ぶ。これがコツです＾＾。
３２レッドカジノホームページ
３２レッドカジノ練習プレー（プラクティス）
衆院選あす投票 ネット利用が課題として残る
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 16, 2012)
Voters should study policies and vote to change politics
衆院選あす投票 ネット利用が課題として残る（12月15日付・読売社説）
Sunday's House of Representatives election is important in setting the nation's course. We want to prepare for the vote by scrutinizing each political party's platform.
日本の針路を決める重要な選挙だ。各党の政策をきちんと吟味し、あすの投票日に臨みたい。
In this election, 12 parties are fighting a close, heated battle. In contrast, voters appear to be less enthusiastic.
今回の衆院選では、１２もの政党が競う混戦となった反面、有権者側の熱気は今ひとつのように見える。
According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun after the official election campaign kicked off, 82 percent of respondents said they were interested in the forthcoming lower house election, down 10 percentage points from a similar poll conducted ahead of the previous 2009 election.
読売新聞社が公示後に実施した全国世論調査によると、衆院選に「関心がある」と回答した人は８２％で、前回の２００９年衆院選に比べて１０ポイント低い。
The number of early votes cast so far for Sunday's election was also reportedly lower than that for the previous election.
期日前投票も、前回よりは総じて低調という。
This is attributable to growing public distrust of politics due to the current political disarray.
その理由として、政治の混迷が続き、政治不信が深まっていることが挙げられるだろう。
New parties, formed to challenge established parties, largely serve as mutual-aid entities designed only to help defectors from the Democratic Party of Japan and lower-profile candidates win seats in the election. Apparently drawn up hastily, their proposed measures hardly address issues that people are dissatisfied about.
既成政党を批判する新党も、民主党離党組らが生き残るための選挙互助会の色彩が濃く、政策はいかにも急ごしらえだ。不満の受け皿として十分とは言い難い。
In a basic step to change politics, voters must look closely into each party's policies and then exercise their voting right.
政治のあり方を変えるには各党の政策に耳を傾けて、投票権を行使するのが基本である。
===
Low turnout of young voters
Meanwhile, it is a matter of concern that the voting rate for people in their 20s is always significantly lower compared with other age brackets.
懸念されるのは、２０代の投票率が、常に他の年代を大きく下回っていることだ。
However, we want young people, in particular, to become more interested in politics as they will be forced to shoulder various burdens as a result of the nation's financial difficulties and expanding economic disparity among people.
危機的な財政や経済格差の拡大によって、将来様々なツケを背負わされる若者たちこそ、政治にもっと関心を持ってほしい。
Parties tend to put measures to support child care on the back burner as they focus on the pension system and health care for the elderly in their social security policies. Some observers say such a tendency reflects the parties' focus on middle-aged and elderly people with higher voting rates.
社会保障政策では、高齢者の年金・医療が優先され、子育て支援策は後回しになりがちだ。政党がこれまで、選挙で投票率の高い中高年齢層を重視してきたことの表れだとの指摘もある。
The nation's economy has worsened. If the parties make wrong policy choices now, job scarcity for university students and other young people could become serious again.
景気は悪化している。ここで政策を誤ると、大学生らの就職難が再び深刻になりかねない。
Concerned over the higher youth jobless rate, the parties have proposed employment measures such as making part-time workers known as freeters regular employees and providing young people with assistance to develop job skills. Some parties have pushed for steps friendly to young people and families with small children in their campaign pledges.
各党は若年失業率の高さを踏まえ、フリーターの正規雇用化や若者の就労支援などの雇用対策を掲げている。若者や子育て世帯向けの重点政策を出した党もある。
===
Use of Net remains an issue
Voters are being urged to assess what party has proposed realistic measures that are unlikely to pass excessive burdens onto future generations.
どの党の政策が現実的か、次世代に過大な負担を回さないか、きちんと見極めてもらいたい。
To boost the turnout of young voters, the expanded use of the Internet for elections would be effective.
若年層の投票率を高めるには、選挙でのインターネット利用を一層拡大することが、有力な手段になるだろう。
However, even updating the website of a party after the start of an official campaign could violate the Public Offices Election Law if the act is deemed part of election campaign activities.
ところが、公示後の政党のホームページ更新は選挙運動と見なされれば公職選挙法違反となる。
With the number of Net users nearing 100 million and Japanese expatriates casting their ballots from overseas, such a regulation is unreasonable. It is no wonder that many parties have criticized the outdated law during the latest election campaign.
ネット利用者が１億人に迫り、海外の日本人も投票する中で、こうした規制には合理性が乏しい。今回の衆院選を通じて、各党から公選法は時代遅れだといった指摘が上がったのはもっともだ。
We hope the parties will work on establishing rules on the use of the Internet for elections before next summer's House of Councillors election.
来夏の参院選に間に合うよう、各党はネット利用のルールづくりに取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2012)
（2012年12月15日01時41分 読売新聞）
Voters should study policies and vote to change politics
衆院選あす投票 ネット利用が課題として残る（12月15日付・読売社説）
Sunday's House of Representatives election is important in setting the nation's course. We want to prepare for the vote by scrutinizing each political party's platform.
日本の針路を決める重要な選挙だ。各党の政策をきちんと吟味し、あすの投票日に臨みたい。
In this election, 12 parties are fighting a close, heated battle. In contrast, voters appear to be less enthusiastic.
今回の衆院選では、１２もの政党が競う混戦となった反面、有権者側の熱気は今ひとつのように見える。
According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun after the official election campaign kicked off, 82 percent of respondents said they were interested in the forthcoming lower house election, down 10 percentage points from a similar poll conducted ahead of the previous 2009 election.
読売新聞社が公示後に実施した全国世論調査によると、衆院選に「関心がある」と回答した人は８２％で、前回の２００９年衆院選に比べて１０ポイント低い。
The number of early votes cast so far for Sunday's election was also reportedly lower than that for the previous election.
期日前投票も、前回よりは総じて低調という。
This is attributable to growing public distrust of politics due to the current political disarray.
その理由として、政治の混迷が続き、政治不信が深まっていることが挙げられるだろう。
New parties, formed to challenge established parties, largely serve as mutual-aid entities designed only to help defectors from the Democratic Party of Japan and lower-profile candidates win seats in the election. Apparently drawn up hastily, their proposed measures hardly address issues that people are dissatisfied about.
既成政党を批判する新党も、民主党離党組らが生き残るための選挙互助会の色彩が濃く、政策はいかにも急ごしらえだ。不満の受け皿として十分とは言い難い。
In a basic step to change politics, voters must look closely into each party's policies and then exercise their voting right.
政治のあり方を変えるには各党の政策に耳を傾けて、投票権を行使するのが基本である。
===
Low turnout of young voters
Meanwhile, it is a matter of concern that the voting rate for people in their 20s is always significantly lower compared with other age brackets.
懸念されるのは、２０代の投票率が、常に他の年代を大きく下回っていることだ。
However, we want young people, in particular, to become more interested in politics as they will be forced to shoulder various burdens as a result of the nation's financial difficulties and expanding economic disparity among people.
危機的な財政や経済格差の拡大によって、将来様々なツケを背負わされる若者たちこそ、政治にもっと関心を持ってほしい。
Parties tend to put measures to support child care on the back burner as they focus on the pension system and health care for the elderly in their social security policies. Some observers say such a tendency reflects the parties' focus on middle-aged and elderly people with higher voting rates.
社会保障政策では、高齢者の年金・医療が優先され、子育て支援策は後回しになりがちだ。政党がこれまで、選挙で投票率の高い中高年齢層を重視してきたことの表れだとの指摘もある。
The nation's economy has worsened. If the parties make wrong policy choices now, job scarcity for university students and other young people could become serious again.
景気は悪化している。ここで政策を誤ると、大学生らの就職難が再び深刻になりかねない。
Concerned over the higher youth jobless rate, the parties have proposed employment measures such as making part-time workers known as freeters regular employees and providing young people with assistance to develop job skills. Some parties have pushed for steps friendly to young people and families with small children in their campaign pledges.
各党は若年失業率の高さを踏まえ、フリーターの正規雇用化や若者の就労支援などの雇用対策を掲げている。若者や子育て世帯向けの重点政策を出した党もある。
===
Use of Net remains an issue
Voters are being urged to assess what party has proposed realistic measures that are unlikely to pass excessive burdens onto future generations.
どの党の政策が現実的か、次世代に過大な負担を回さないか、きちんと見極めてもらいたい。
To boost the turnout of young voters, the expanded use of the Internet for elections would be effective.
若年層の投票率を高めるには、選挙でのインターネット利用を一層拡大することが、有力な手段になるだろう。
However, even updating the website of a party after the start of an official campaign could violate the Public Offices Election Law if the act is deemed part of election campaign activities.
ところが、公示後の政党のホームページ更新は選挙運動と見なされれば公職選挙法違反となる。
With the number of Net users nearing 100 million and Japanese expatriates casting their ballots from overseas, such a regulation is unreasonable. It is no wonder that many parties have criticized the outdated law during the latest election campaign.
ネット利用者が１億人に迫り、海外の日本人も投票する中で、こうした規制には合理性が乏しい。今回の衆院選を通じて、各党から公選法は時代遅れだといった指摘が上がったのはもっともだ。
We hope the parties will work on establishing rules on the use of the Internet for elections before next summer's House of Councillors election.
来夏の参院選に間に合うよう、各党はネット利用のルールづくりに取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2012)
（2012年12月15日01時41分 読売新聞）
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