原発ゼロ発言 無責任な楽観論を振りまくな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 21, 2012)
Denuclearization is not a viable option
原発ゼロ発言　無責任な楽観論を振りまくな（8月20日付・読売社説）

It is irresponsible for a Cabinet minister in charge of promoting exports of nuclear power plants as part of Japan's growth strategy to state that the nation's ratio of nuclear power generation to total electricity output should become zero as soon as possible.
　成長戦略として原子力発電所の輸出を推進する担当閣僚が自ら、早期の「原発ゼロ」を主張するのは、あまりに無責任と言えよう。

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano recently visited Vietnam, where Japanese firms have won tentative orders to construct nuclear reactors, and signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government under which Japan would cooperate to create a system necessary for the introduction of nuclear plants.
　枝野経済産業相が、日本メーカーによる原発建設が内定しているベトナムを訪れ、原発の新規導入に必要な制度作りなどに協力することで合意した。

Edano told the media Japan has a responsibility to contribute to the international community by disseminating nuclear safety technology abroad.
　枝野氏は記者団に、日本は原子力の安全技術で国際貢献する責任がある、などと強調した。

Before visiting Vietnam, however, Edano said he believed the ratio of nuclear power generation in Japan's total electricity output "should become zero as soon as possible." Does this mean he will sell nuclear reactors to other countries while abolishing them quickly in his own country? How can he win international trust that way?
　ところが、ベトナム訪問前には、日本の原発比率を「できるだけ早くゼロにした方がいいと思う」と発言していた。原発を他国には売るが、自国は早くゼロにするというのだろうか。これでは国際的な信用は得られまい。

If this nation decides to abolish nuclear power generation, it will not be able to foster nuclear power experts. This means it would not be able to maintain its contribution to Vietnam in terms of nuclear safety. Edano should withdraw his contradictory remarks on denuclearization.
　日本が脱原発を決めれば原子力の技術者は育たず、ベトナムなどへの安全面の貢献も続かない。枝野氏は矛盾だらけの「原発ゼロ発言」を撤回すべきである。

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Zero option unrealistic

The government has presented to the public three scenarios on the ratio of nuclear power generation in 2030: zero percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent to 25 percent. Without doubt, the most unrealistic among the three is zero percent.
　政府は２０３０年の原発比率について「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」という三つの選択肢を示している。このうち、「０％」が最も非現実的なのは明らかだ。

If the ratio were reduced to zero percent, the damage to the Japanese economy would be immense. According to the government's estimate, Japan's gross domestic product would drop by 50 trillion yen.
　政府の試算によると、国内総生産が約５０兆円減少するなど、日本経済への打撃は甚大だ。

The private sector's outlook in this respect is also bleak. The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) warned that the number of unemployed would increase by 2 million under this scenario. The steel industry, which consumes huge amounts of electricity, said this scenario suggests their businesses would have to close as electricity bills could increase up to two times.
　民間の見通しも厳しい。経団連は、失業者が２００万人も増えると警告している。電力多消費産業の鉄鋼業界は、電気料金が最大で約２倍に上がることから、「廃業勧告に等しい」と訴えた。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has instructed ministers concerned to study what challenges the nation would face if the ratio became zero and to work out measures to overcome them. We cannot turn a blind eye to his instructions if they are aimed at arming the government with theories justifying denuclearization.
　野田首相は「０％」とした場合の課題やその克服策の検討を関係閣僚に指示している。原発ゼロを正当化する“理論武装”が狙いとすれば、看過できない。

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Edano irresponsible

We are extremely worried when we hear casual opinions voiced by some members of the Noda government despite painful calls from the economic sector that Japan can do without nuclear plants.
　懸念されるのは、経済界の悲痛な声をよそに、原発ゼロでも何とかなるとする安易な考えが、政権内に出ていることである。

It is particularly distressing when Edano, a minister responsible for both the stable supply of electricity and industrial development, is spreading such overoptimistic views.
　特に、電力安定供給と産業振興に責任を負う枝野氏が、楽観論を振りまいているのは問題だ。

In saying that zero percent is a viable option, Edano said, "It will rather benefit the economy as long as we do it right."
　枝野氏は「０％」を実現可能な選択肢としたうえで、「やり方を間違えなければ、むしろ経済にプラスだと思う」などと述べた。

He meant it would lead to expansion of domestic demand if renewable energy sources replaced nuclear reactors.
原発の代わりに再生可能エネルギーを導入すれば、内需拡大につながるはず、というのだ。

However, the reality is harsher. Germany has decided to promote renewable energy ahead of Japan, but it has come up against a number of negative factors, such as sharply increased financial burdens on households because of higher electricity bills, and the bankruptcy of German solar panel makers overwhelmed by an influx of lower-priced Chinese products.
　現実はそれほど甘くはない。再生エネで先行したドイツでは電気料金の上昇で家計負担が急増し、太陽光パネルのメーカーが安い中国製に押されて倒産するなど、悪影響が顕在化している。

It is extremely dangerous to decide on an energy strategy that affects the fate of Japan on the basis of such uncertain hopes.
　国の浮沈にかかわるエネルギー戦略を、不確実な期待を根拠に決めるのは、極めて危険である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2012)
（2012年8月20日01時32分 読売新聞）