The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 29, 2012)
Long-range strategy a must for Japan-China reciprocity
日中国交４０年 「互恵」再構築へ長期戦略を（9月28日付・読売社説）
◆外交力の発揮で事態悪化防げ◆
When diplomatic relations were established between Japan and China in 1972, who could have imagined the relationship would become as strained as it is now?
日中両国が国交を樹立した時、これほどまで関係が険悪になると誰が予想しただろうか。
Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of a joint declaration by then Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing. Despite the importance of the milestone, events celebrating Japan-China ties have been canceled or suspended one after another.
訪中した田中角栄首相が周恩来首相と共同声明に調印してから、２９日で４０年になる。節目の年なのに、記念行事が次々打ち切られている。
Boycotts of Japanese goods have spread in China, and the bilateral relationship is in an unprecedentedly grave situation. There are no signs that Chinese protests against Japan's decision to nationalize the Senkaku Islands will subside anytime soon.
中国では日本製品の不買運動も広がっている。かつてない深刻な事態だ。尖閣諸島国有化への中国の反発は収束する気配がない。
Rocky relations between the world's No. 2 and No. 3 economies are bound to have an adverse effect on the region as well as the global economy.
しかし、世界第２、３位の経済大国の不正常な関係は周辺地域や世界経済にも悪影響を与える。
How should Japan deal with China? First, it must map out and execute a long-range strategy for normalizing relations.
日本は今後、中国とどう向き合っていくか。関係の正常化へ長期的な戦略が欠かせない。
===
A political, economic chill
◆「政冷経冷」の対日意識◆
Among the anti-Japan demonstrations that have occurred recently in China, the event that best symbolizes the bleak state of bilateral ties was the attack on a Panasonic Corp. factory by a violent mob.
中国各地で起きた反日デモの中で、パナソニックの工場が暴徒に襲われた事件ほど、日中の寒々しい現状を象徴するものはない。
Panasonic has played a pioneering role among Japanese firms in expanding its operations in China.
パナソニックは中国進出の先駆的企業である。
A meeting in 1978 between Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of the current Panasonic, and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping served as a catalyst for expansion by Japanese companies in China. In the meeting, Deng asked Matsushita to support China's development with both technology and business management.
１９７８年、来日したトウ小平副首相が創業者の松下幸之助氏と会い、中国発展のために技術、経営面での支援を求めたことがきっかけとなった。
In the wake of the meeting, Japanese firms rushed to establish offices in China, which created many jobs. In addition, the Japanese government continued to loan China yen until fiscal 2007.
その後、多くの企業が中国で事業を拡大し、雇用も生んできた。日本は２００７年度まで円借款を供与し続けた。
There is no doubt the assistance of the Japanese government and companies strengthened China's economic fundamentals and helped China's economy surpass even that of Japan's in terms of gross domestic product.
それが中国の経済基盤を強化し、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）が日本を上回るほどに成長する一助となったことは間違いない。
Japan's cooperation with China, however, is largely unknown to the ordinary people of China.
だが、日本の協力姿勢は中国国内でほとんど認識されていない。
On the contrary, China in the 1990s strengthened patriotic education in its schools, inculcating anti-Japan sentiment and spreading attitudes downplaying Japan's role among the Chinese public even as the economy developed.
それどころか、９０年代に反日の愛国教育が強まり、経済発展に伴って日本軽視の風潮が広がった。
This state of mind appears to be intensifying in China, allowing the current political and economic chill in the bilateral relationship.
中国では、対日関係は政治も経済も低調な「政冷経冷」で構わないとの意識が強まっている。
Nevertheless, it should never be forgotten that the economies of Japan and China have grown deeply intertwined.
しかし、日中両国は経済的に不即不離の関係にある。
The two countries have established a system of international division of labor in which China imports industrial parts from Japan to assemble into finished products. These are then marketed domestically in China or exported to the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Both sides must not forget this fact.
日本から輸入した部品を中国で最終製品に組み立て、中国国内で販売したり、欧米などに輸出したりする国際分業体制が築かれている。そのことを忘れてはなるまい。
===
Strengthen coast guard
◆尖閣で必要な海保強化◆
The root cause of problems surrounding the Senkaku Islands lies in China's unilateral assertion of a groundless claim to the islets in the 1970s, but only after learning that the area of the East China Sea around the islands might contain rich oil resources.
尖閣諸島問題の根源は、周辺海域に石油があることを知った中国が７０年代、根拠もない領有権を一方的に主張したことにある。
At a press conference when the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China came into effect in 1978, Deng said, "It does not matter if this question [the dispute over the Senkaku Islands] is shelved for some time," thus proposing leaving the issue to future generations to solve.
トウ小平氏は７８年、日中平和友好条約発効の際の記者会見で、尖閣問題について「一時棚上げにしても構わない」と語り、解決を次世代に委ねる意向を表明した。
However, China in 1992 enacted its Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, which specifies that the islands belong to China. More recently, China has caused friction to flare by repeatedly sending surveillance ships to the waters around the islands.
だが、中国は、９２年には尖閣領有を明記した領海法を制定し、近年は、監視船を尖閣諸島近海に再三派遣するなど事あるごとに日本との摩擦を引き起こしてきた。
The recent nationalization of some of the Senkaku Islands is merely a transfer of ownership from a private citizen to the central government. China may have been angered because the purchase took place shortly after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Vladivostok, Russia, but China's ire has been greater than Japan expected.
尖閣諸島の国有化は、所有権が民間人から政府に移転するだけのことである。ロシア・ウラジオストクで野田首相と胡錦濤国家主席が会った直後に、国有化したことが中国を刺激した面はあるが、中国の反発は予想を超えていた。
At a recent meeting between Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in New York, Yang called Japan's nationalization of the islands a "denial" of the outcome of "the anti-fascist war," by which he meant China's victory over Japan in World War II.
日中外相会談で中国側が国有化を「反ファシズム戦争勝利の成果を否定するものだ」と指摘し、
We see Yang's attempt to associate the islands with unrelated historical events as extremely far-fetched.
無関係な歴史問題と絡めたのは、あまりに牽強(けんきょう)付会(ふかい)だ。
Japan should not stand idly by while China battles for world opinion by vehemently criticizing Japan over nonexistent "faults."
ありもしない日本の「非」を世界に言い募る中国の「世論戦」に日本は手をこまねいてはいられない。
Noda, speaking before the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, said, "Any attempt by a nation to achieve its ideology or claims through the unilateral threat or use of force is absolutely unacceptable." We see this view as eminently reasonable.
野田首相が国連演説で、中国を念頭に「一方的な力や威嚇を用いる試みは受け入れられない」と主張したのは、当然である。
China recently launched its first aircraft carrier. The country's policy of expanding its military is sure to continue under its new leadership and will likely be promoted more strongly than ever.
中国初の空母も就役した。軍拡路線は、近く発足する新指導部へ引き継がれ、より強力に進められよう。
If effective control over the Senkaku Islands were lost, it would be extremely difficult to regain. Therefore, the government must set as its highest priority the strengthening of the Japan Coast Guard's capabilities to counter any infringement on the nation's sovereignty.
尖閣諸島で実効支配をいったん失ってしまえば、取り戻すのは非常に困難となる。主権を侵害する行為を排除できるよう海上保安庁の体制強化に国を挙げて取り組むことが最優先である。
Needless to say, a military confrontation must be avoided at all costs. The deployment of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture is an important part of boosting deterrence toward China.
無論、軍事的対立は何としても避けなければならない。米海兵隊が新型輸送機オスプレイを沖縄に配備することも、対中抑止力を強める意味で重要である。
===
Achieve prosperity together
◆経済・環境で共栄を◆
Since several years ago, beginning with the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan had held talks with China over the joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea from the standpoint of fostering a "strategically reciprocal relationship" so both nations could live in harmony and prosperity.
安倍内閣以降、日中両国はウィンウィン（共存共栄）を意味する「戦略的互恵関係」を基軸に東シナ海のガス田共同開発協議などを進めた。
However, "reciprocal" ties have been stalled since a Chinese fishing vessel rammed JCG patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in 2010.
だが、１０年の尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件後、暗礁に乗り上げている。
Thorough preparations are essential to rebuilding the reciprocal relationship. The government must inform China through various channels that it is willing to cooperate, not only in the industrial and tourism sectors and in enhancing agricultural productivity, but also in areas such as energy efficiency and environmental protection.
互恵関係を立て直すには周到な準備が欠かせない。日中双方が産業・観光振興、農業の生産性向上の分野だけではなく、省エネや環境対策などの分野でも協力し合えることを、様々なパイプを駆使して、中国に伝えるべきだ。
Close cooperation with the United States is also vital in improving the Japan-China relationship, as is strategic diplomacy by reinforcing ties with neighbors, including India, Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
米国との緊密な連携も日中関係の改善を図るには不可欠だ。同時に東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）、インド、ロシアなど、周辺国との関係を強化し、戦略的に対中外交を展開する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 28, 2012)
（2012年9月28日01時12分 読売新聞）
2012/09/30
2012/09/29
安倍自民新総裁 政権奪還への政策力を高めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 28, 2012)
Abe should enhance policymaking capability to retake reins of govt
安倍自民新総裁 政権奪還への政策力を高めよ（9月27日付・読売社説）
◆保守志向が再登板の追い風に◆
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "retry" comes with a heavy task--retaking the reins of government.
政権奪還という重い課題を担っての「再チャレンジ」である。
Abe was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, defeating four contenders, including former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba.
自民党総裁選は、安倍晋三元首相が、石破茂前政調会長ら４氏を破り、新総裁に選出された。
Ishiba won the first round of the race by securing a majority of local chapters' votes, but Abe turned the tables in a runoff in which only Diet members were eligible to vote.
第１回投票では、石破氏が地方票の過半数を獲得して１位となったが、国会議員による決選投票で安倍氏が逆転した。
Depending on the results of the next House of Representatives election, it is highly likely that Abe will become prime minister. After winning the presidential election, Abe expressed his resolve, saying: "I'll make all-out efforts to retake the reins of government. I'll make a strong Japan." He needs to devise a strategy and policy to revive the nation starting now.
安倍氏は、次期衆院選の結果次第では首相に就任する可能性が大きい。当選後のあいさつでは「政権奪還に向けて全力を尽くす。強い日本をつくる」と、決意を表明した。今から日本再生への戦略と政策を練る必要がある。
===
Senkaku issue changes race
◆「尖閣」で地方票に変化◆
The fact that the runoff was fought by Abe and Ishiba, neither of whom head their own faction, illustrates the changes in LDP presidential elections, which in the past were characterized by alliances of intra-party factions.
派閥の代表ではない安倍、石破両氏が決選投票を争ったことは、派閥の合従連衡による総裁選からの変化をうかがわせる。
Initially, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara was seen as the likeliest to win the LDP presidency, but Abe and Ishiba expanded their support among local rank-and-file members. This is obviously related to China's high-handed behavior toward Japan over the Senkaku Islands.
当初は石原伸晃幹事長が有力視されたが、安倍、石破両氏が地方の党員に支持を広げた。これは総裁選のさなか、中国が尖閣諸島を巡って日本に高圧的な外交を展開したことと無縁ではない。
During the presidential election campaign, Abe and Ishiba stressed the importance of diplomacy and security policy, saying they will resolutely protect Japan's land and territorial waters.
両氏とも総裁選では、日本の領土・領海を「断固として守る」と訴え、外交・安全保障政策の重要性を強調した。
However, we cannot expect sticking to a hard-line stance to improve Japan's relationship with China.
しかし、中国に強硬一辺倒の姿勢では関係改善は望めない。
When he was prime minister, Abe rebuilt the relationship with China, which had deteriorated under the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Abe agreed with Beijing to seek a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests."
安倍氏は首相時代に、小泉内閣で悪化した対中関係を立て直し、中国と「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで合意した。
Amid growing anti-Japan sentiment in China after the Japanese government's purchase of three of the Senkaku Islands, concrete measures to rebuild the Japan-China relationship are now called for again.
尖閣諸島国有化で中国の反日機運が高まる中、日中関係を再構築する具体策が改めて求められている。
Abe indicated that he will work on strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance by enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and also that he would work to amend the Constitution. In addition, he has a favorable attitude toward reviewing a 1993 statement concerning so-called comfort women, which was issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono.
安倍氏は、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることによる日米同盟の強化や、憲法改正に取り組む考えを示している。いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題に関する「河野談話」の見直しにも前向きだ。
These are all reasonable aspirations. We urge Abe to present concrete steps to realize them.
いずれも妥当な考え方である。実現に向けて、具体的な道筋を示してもらいたい。
It was unfortunate that there was little in-depth discussion on the challenges Japan currently faces during the party presidential race.
総裁選で残念だったのは、日本の直面する課題について、踏み込んだ議論が乏しかったことだ。
===
Show clear stance on TPP, energy
◆ＴＰＰ・原発政策示せ◆
Regarding the issue of whether to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, Abe has been wary of clarifying his stance. "We first have to enhance our bargaining power. Then we should consider whether [joining the TPP] would serve the interests of the nation," he said.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題で、安倍氏は「交渉力を強めた上で、国益を守れるかどうか考えないといけない」と慎重な発言に終始した。
A considerable number of LDP members oppose Japan's joining the TPP, so we assume Abe was concerned about the opinion of such lawmakers. However, if Abe really plans to lead the party in regaining power from the Democratic Party of Japan, he must prepare measures to enhance the competitiveness of the nation's agricultural sector and pave the way for the nation to join negotiations for the TPP.
党内に根強いＴＰＰ参加反対論に配慮したのだろうが、政権奪還を目指すなら、農業の競争力強化策をまとめ、交渉参加への環境を整えなければならない。
On the energy issue, it was appropriate for him to express negative views on the DPJ-led government's "zero nuclear" policy. However, that is not enough.
エネルギー問題でも、政府・民主党の「原発ゼロ」方針に否定的な見解を示したのは適切だったにせよ、それだけでは不十分だ。
Abe should lead discussions within the party over an energy policy capable of securing a stable supply of electricity for the nation--a purpose for which safe nuclear power plants are necessary--and come up with a viable counterproposal.
安全な原発は活用し、電力を安定供給できるエネルギー政策について党内で議論を深め、責任ある対案を打ち出すべきである。
Six years ago, Abe became the first Japanese born after World War II to assume the post of prime minister. Under the slogan of "departing from the postwar regime," he revised the Fundamental Law of Education and upgraded the Defense Agency to the Defense Ministry. His other achievements include the enactment of the National Referendum Law, which stipulated procedures to amend the Constitution.
安倍氏は６年前、戦後生まれで初の首相となった。「戦後レジーム（体制）からの脱却」を掲げ、教育基本法を改正し、防衛庁を省に格上げした。憲法改正手続きを定めた国民投票法も成立させるなど実績を上げている。
However, under his leadership, the LDP suffered a humiliating defeat in the House of Councillors election in July 2007, which divided the Diet as opposition parties took control of the upper house. Soon after the election, Abe resigned from his post.
しかし、２００７年７月の参院選に惨敗し、衆参ねじれ国会を生んだ。
It is now said that one of the reasons Abe decided to quit was a chronic disease--ulcerative colitis--but the abrupt resignation left a strong impression with the public that Abe had irresponsibly thrown away his administration.
その後の突然の辞任は、潰瘍性大腸炎という持病が一因とされるが、政権を無責任に投げ出した印象が強く残っている。
Abe will be tested on whether he can wipe away his negative image of being plagued with health problems and a lack of vigor.
安倍氏には、「健康不安」やひ弱なイメージを払拭できるかどうかが、問われよう。
Abe's first task as new LDP president will be to appoint new party executives.
新総裁として最初に取り組むのは党役員人事である。
In the first round of the presidential race, Ishiba secured a majority of votes cast by local chapters. At a press conference held after being chosen as the new president, Abe said he will "take this fact seriously." The results showed that Ishiba is highly popular at the local level. It would be reasonable for Abe to give him an important post.
安倍氏は、総裁就任後の記者会見で、石破氏が党員票の過半数を獲得したことについて「重く受け止めなければならない」と述べた。石破氏には地方に圧倒的な支持のあることが裏付けられた。要職に起用するのは理解できる。
During his time as prime minister, Abe was criticized for appointing too many of his sworn friends and aides to important Cabinet posts. We would like to carefully watch to whom Abe will give senior party posts.
安倍氏は首相時代に内閣の要職を盟友や側近で固め、批判を浴びた。今回、党役員にどういう人材を登用するかも注目したい。
===
Avoid unproductive confrontations
◆解散で「紳士協定」を◆
How Abe will steer the LDP in the next extraordinary Diet session will be important in determining his fate as the new leader.
重要なのは、次期臨時国会での対応である。
The ordinary Diet session closed earlier this month after the upper house adopted an opposition-backed censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The LDP has said the fact that the upper house has adopted the censure motion will carry over to the next Diet session. However, Abe showed a flexible attitude on the censure motion at the press conference, saying that his party will not necessarily refuse to participate in all Diet deliberations.
先の通常国会は、参院で野田首相の問責決議を可決したまま閉会した。これまで自民党は問責の効力が次の国会にも及ぶとしてきたが、安倍氏は記者会見で、一切審議を拒否するわけではないと柔軟な姿勢を示した。
It seems that Abe wants to hold Noda to his promise to dissolve the lower house "sometime soon," which the LDP regards as a gentlemen's agreement, in exchange for the LDP's cooperating with the Noda administration on such matters as the passage of a special bill that enables the government to issue deficit-covering bonds in the extraordinary Diet session. We believe this is a constructive approach.
赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案の成立などに協力する代わりに、野田首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散を「紳士協定」として確認したい考えのようだ。建設的な提案だと評価できる。
Abe was plagued by a divided Diet when he was the prime minister. It is time to put an end to unproductive confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties, such as opposition parties refusing to participate in Diet deliberations and justifying it with the passage of a censure motion, and political paralysis caused by such confrontations.
安倍氏自身、首相時代にねじれ国会に悩まされた。参院の問責決議を理由にした審議拒否など不毛な与野党対立や政治の停滞には、もう終止符を打つ時である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2012)
（2012年9月27日01時30分 読売新聞）
Abe should enhance policymaking capability to retake reins of govt
安倍自民新総裁 政権奪還への政策力を高めよ（9月27日付・読売社説）
◆保守志向が再登板の追い風に◆
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "retry" comes with a heavy task--retaking the reins of government.
政権奪還という重い課題を担っての「再チャレンジ」である。
Abe was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, defeating four contenders, including former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba.
自民党総裁選は、安倍晋三元首相が、石破茂前政調会長ら４氏を破り、新総裁に選出された。
Ishiba won the first round of the race by securing a majority of local chapters' votes, but Abe turned the tables in a runoff in which only Diet members were eligible to vote.
第１回投票では、石破氏が地方票の過半数を獲得して１位となったが、国会議員による決選投票で安倍氏が逆転した。
Depending on the results of the next House of Representatives election, it is highly likely that Abe will become prime minister. After winning the presidential election, Abe expressed his resolve, saying: "I'll make all-out efforts to retake the reins of government. I'll make a strong Japan." He needs to devise a strategy and policy to revive the nation starting now.
安倍氏は、次期衆院選の結果次第では首相に就任する可能性が大きい。当選後のあいさつでは「政権奪還に向けて全力を尽くす。強い日本をつくる」と、決意を表明した。今から日本再生への戦略と政策を練る必要がある。
===
Senkaku issue changes race
◆「尖閣」で地方票に変化◆
The fact that the runoff was fought by Abe and Ishiba, neither of whom head their own faction, illustrates the changes in LDP presidential elections, which in the past were characterized by alliances of intra-party factions.
派閥の代表ではない安倍、石破両氏が決選投票を争ったことは、派閥の合従連衡による総裁選からの変化をうかがわせる。
Initially, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara was seen as the likeliest to win the LDP presidency, but Abe and Ishiba expanded their support among local rank-and-file members. This is obviously related to China's high-handed behavior toward Japan over the Senkaku Islands.
当初は石原伸晃幹事長が有力視されたが、安倍、石破両氏が地方の党員に支持を広げた。これは総裁選のさなか、中国が尖閣諸島を巡って日本に高圧的な外交を展開したことと無縁ではない。
During the presidential election campaign, Abe and Ishiba stressed the importance of diplomacy and security policy, saying they will resolutely protect Japan's land and territorial waters.
両氏とも総裁選では、日本の領土・領海を「断固として守る」と訴え、外交・安全保障政策の重要性を強調した。
However, we cannot expect sticking to a hard-line stance to improve Japan's relationship with China.
しかし、中国に強硬一辺倒の姿勢では関係改善は望めない。
When he was prime minister, Abe rebuilt the relationship with China, which had deteriorated under the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Abe agreed with Beijing to seek a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests."
安倍氏は首相時代に、小泉内閣で悪化した対中関係を立て直し、中国と「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで合意した。
Amid growing anti-Japan sentiment in China after the Japanese government's purchase of three of the Senkaku Islands, concrete measures to rebuild the Japan-China relationship are now called for again.
尖閣諸島国有化で中国の反日機運が高まる中、日中関係を再構築する具体策が改めて求められている。
Abe indicated that he will work on strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance by enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and also that he would work to amend the Constitution. In addition, he has a favorable attitude toward reviewing a 1993 statement concerning so-called comfort women, which was issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono.
安倍氏は、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることによる日米同盟の強化や、憲法改正に取り組む考えを示している。いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題に関する「河野談話」の見直しにも前向きだ。
These are all reasonable aspirations. We urge Abe to present concrete steps to realize them.
いずれも妥当な考え方である。実現に向けて、具体的な道筋を示してもらいたい。
It was unfortunate that there was little in-depth discussion on the challenges Japan currently faces during the party presidential race.
総裁選で残念だったのは、日本の直面する課題について、踏み込んだ議論が乏しかったことだ。
===
Show clear stance on TPP, energy
◆ＴＰＰ・原発政策示せ◆
Regarding the issue of whether to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, Abe has been wary of clarifying his stance. "We first have to enhance our bargaining power. Then we should consider whether [joining the TPP] would serve the interests of the nation," he said.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題で、安倍氏は「交渉力を強めた上で、国益を守れるかどうか考えないといけない」と慎重な発言に終始した。
A considerable number of LDP members oppose Japan's joining the TPP, so we assume Abe was concerned about the opinion of such lawmakers. However, if Abe really plans to lead the party in regaining power from the Democratic Party of Japan, he must prepare measures to enhance the competitiveness of the nation's agricultural sector and pave the way for the nation to join negotiations for the TPP.
党内に根強いＴＰＰ参加反対論に配慮したのだろうが、政権奪還を目指すなら、農業の競争力強化策をまとめ、交渉参加への環境を整えなければならない。
On the energy issue, it was appropriate for him to express negative views on the DPJ-led government's "zero nuclear" policy. However, that is not enough.
エネルギー問題でも、政府・民主党の「原発ゼロ」方針に否定的な見解を示したのは適切だったにせよ、それだけでは不十分だ。
Abe should lead discussions within the party over an energy policy capable of securing a stable supply of electricity for the nation--a purpose for which safe nuclear power plants are necessary--and come up with a viable counterproposal.
安全な原発は活用し、電力を安定供給できるエネルギー政策について党内で議論を深め、責任ある対案を打ち出すべきである。
Six years ago, Abe became the first Japanese born after World War II to assume the post of prime minister. Under the slogan of "departing from the postwar regime," he revised the Fundamental Law of Education and upgraded the Defense Agency to the Defense Ministry. His other achievements include the enactment of the National Referendum Law, which stipulated procedures to amend the Constitution.
安倍氏は６年前、戦後生まれで初の首相となった。「戦後レジーム（体制）からの脱却」を掲げ、教育基本法を改正し、防衛庁を省に格上げした。憲法改正手続きを定めた国民投票法も成立させるなど実績を上げている。
However, under his leadership, the LDP suffered a humiliating defeat in the House of Councillors election in July 2007, which divided the Diet as opposition parties took control of the upper house. Soon after the election, Abe resigned from his post.
しかし、２００７年７月の参院選に惨敗し、衆参ねじれ国会を生んだ。
It is now said that one of the reasons Abe decided to quit was a chronic disease--ulcerative colitis--but the abrupt resignation left a strong impression with the public that Abe had irresponsibly thrown away his administration.
その後の突然の辞任は、潰瘍性大腸炎という持病が一因とされるが、政権を無責任に投げ出した印象が強く残っている。
Abe will be tested on whether he can wipe away his negative image of being plagued with health problems and a lack of vigor.
安倍氏には、「健康不安」やひ弱なイメージを払拭できるかどうかが、問われよう。
Abe's first task as new LDP president will be to appoint new party executives.
新総裁として最初に取り組むのは党役員人事である。
In the first round of the presidential race, Ishiba secured a majority of votes cast by local chapters. At a press conference held after being chosen as the new president, Abe said he will "take this fact seriously." The results showed that Ishiba is highly popular at the local level. It would be reasonable for Abe to give him an important post.
安倍氏は、総裁就任後の記者会見で、石破氏が党員票の過半数を獲得したことについて「重く受け止めなければならない」と述べた。石破氏には地方に圧倒的な支持のあることが裏付けられた。要職に起用するのは理解できる。
During his time as prime minister, Abe was criticized for appointing too many of his sworn friends and aides to important Cabinet posts. We would like to carefully watch to whom Abe will give senior party posts.
安倍氏は首相時代に内閣の要職を盟友や側近で固め、批判を浴びた。今回、党役員にどういう人材を登用するかも注目したい。
===
Avoid unproductive confrontations
◆解散で「紳士協定」を◆
How Abe will steer the LDP in the next extraordinary Diet session will be important in determining his fate as the new leader.
重要なのは、次期臨時国会での対応である。
The ordinary Diet session closed earlier this month after the upper house adopted an opposition-backed censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The LDP has said the fact that the upper house has adopted the censure motion will carry over to the next Diet session. However, Abe showed a flexible attitude on the censure motion at the press conference, saying that his party will not necessarily refuse to participate in all Diet deliberations.
先の通常国会は、参院で野田首相の問責決議を可決したまま閉会した。これまで自民党は問責の効力が次の国会にも及ぶとしてきたが、安倍氏は記者会見で、一切審議を拒否するわけではないと柔軟な姿勢を示した。
It seems that Abe wants to hold Noda to his promise to dissolve the lower house "sometime soon," which the LDP regards as a gentlemen's agreement, in exchange for the LDP's cooperating with the Noda administration on such matters as the passage of a special bill that enables the government to issue deficit-covering bonds in the extraordinary Diet session. We believe this is a constructive approach.
赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案の成立などに協力する代わりに、野田首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散を「紳士協定」として確認したい考えのようだ。建設的な提案だと評価できる。
Abe was plagued by a divided Diet when he was the prime minister. It is time to put an end to unproductive confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties, such as opposition parties refusing to participate in Diet deliberations and justifying it with the passage of a censure motion, and political paralysis caused by such confrontations.
安倍氏自身、首相時代にねじれ国会に悩まされた。参院の問責決議を理由にした審議拒否など不毛な与野党対立や政治の停滞には、もう終止符を打つ時である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2012)
（2012年9月27日01時30分 読売新聞）
2012/09/28
中台の領海侵入 示威行動に動ぜず冷静対処を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 27, 2012)
Japan should not be perturbed by recent territorial intrusions
中台の領海侵入 示威行動に動ぜず冷静対処を（9月26日付・読売社説）
China and Taiwan are stepping up pressure on Japan over the Senkaku Islands. The government must remain unshaken by this, and should seek to calm the situation through levelheaded diplomacy as soon as possible.
尖閣諸島を巡って中国と台湾が対日圧力を高めている。政府は、これに動じることなく、冷静な外交によって事態の沈静化を急ぐべきである。
A week has passed since China sent about 10 surveillance ships at one time to areas around the Senkaku Islands. China has repeatedly intruded into Japan's territorial waters, making such surveillance activities appear to be routine operations.
中国が尖閣諸島近くに１０隻前後の監視船を送り込んでから１週間が経過した。監視活動を常態化させ、日本の領海への侵入を繰り返している。
On Tuesday, about 40 Taiwan fishing boats and 12 patrol ships entered Japan's territorial waters. The Taiwan vessels departed after Japan Coast Guard patrol ships took measures against the intruders, such as spraying water at fishing boats.
２５日には、台湾の漁船約４０隻と巡視船１２隻が領海に入った。海上保安庁の巡視船による漁船への放水などで、台湾側は退去した。
Taiwan and China in succession started claiming territorial rights over the Senkaku Islands during the 1970s. If the government allows Taiwan and China to enter Japan's territorial waters with impunity, the nation's effective control of the islands might be shaken.
尖閣諸島に関しては、台湾、中国が１９７０年代に相次いで領有権を主張し始めた。その中台が領海に侵入するような事態を放置すれば、日本の実効支配体制が揺らぐことになりかねない。
The government must address the issue with precautions and countermeasures. To maintain maritime order, surveillance by JCG patrol ships and other means must be strengthened as much as possible.
政府は警戒と対策が必要だ。海洋秩序を維持するため、海保の巡視船などによる監視体制を最大限強化しなければならない。
===
Enforcement must be firm
With the enforcement of the revised law on navigation of foreign ships, the JCG is now allowed to issue an order for foreign fishing boats operating in Japan's territorial waters to exit without boarding the vessels. It is essential to eliminate illegal actions more quickly and effectively than before and demonstrate the nation's determination to protect its sovereignty.
改正外国船舶航行法の施行によって、海保は領海内を動き回る外国漁船に対し、立ち入り検査なしに退去を命令できるようになった。より迅速かつ効果的に違法行為を排除し、主権を守る姿勢を示すことが重要である。
Since the government placed the Senkaku Islands under state ownership, China has continued making outrageous responses.
日本が尖閣諸島を国有化して以降、度を越した中国の反発が続いている。
China has called off exchange events with Japan in economic, cultural and sports fields one after another. A major memorial event to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. So has a visit to China by a Japanese business organization. This is an unusual situation.
日本との経済や文化、スポーツ交流は続々と停止された。２７日に予定されていた国交正常化４０周年記念式典は中止され、日本の経済団体の訪中も取りやめとなった。異常な事態である。
These unilateral actions will undermine the international reputation of China itself. Further deterioration in Japan-China relations will only leave scars that will be hard to erase, and the situation will become much more difficult to heal.
こうした一方的な措置は、中国自身の国際的評価を貶(おとし)めよう。日中関係のこれ以上の悪化は両国に拭いがたい傷を残し、修復を一層困難とするだけだ。
===
Clear understanding needed
The fact that Japan has effectively controlled the Senkaku Islands has not been properly conveyed to the Chinese people due to Beijing's control of the media in that nation. We suspect the Chinese people do not understand what Japan's "nationalization" of the islands means.
日本が尖閣諸島を実効支配してきた事実は、中国の報道規制で国民にきちんと伝わっていない。中国国民は「国有化」の意味を理解していないのではないか。
China is stepping up its diplomatic offensive as well. It has released a white paper to justify its territorial claim to the Senkaku Islands. In doing so, Beijing apparently aims to make its case in the court of world opinion.
中国は外交攻勢も強めている。自らの尖閣諸島領有の主張を正当化する「白書」を発表した。世界にアピールするのが狙いだ。
Japan, for its part, needs to make other nations properly understand what has happened with the Senkaku Islands and how calmly Japan has dealt with the issue.
日本も、尖閣問題の経緯と日本側の冷静な対応を各国にきちんと理解してもらう必要がある。
Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai has held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, at the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. The Chinese side reportedly said that Japan "must abandon any illusion, face up to its erroneous actions and correct them with credible steps."
河相周夫外務次官が北京で中国外務省の張志軍筆頭次官と会談した。中国側は日本に対し、「幻想を捨てて深く反省し、行動で誤りを正す」よう求めたという。
This highlighted Beijing's usual high-handed attitude. But the fact that the two nations agreed to continue talks on the matter can be viewed as positive. The government should find a way to break the deadlock by having a series of talks between foreign ministers as well as between the top leaders of the two nations.
相変わらずの高圧的な態度だ。ただ、両国が協議の継続で一致したことは評価できる。外相や首脳同士の対話も重ね、事態打開の道筋を模索すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2012)
（2012年9月26日01時22分 読売新聞）
Japan should not be perturbed by recent territorial intrusions
中台の領海侵入 示威行動に動ぜず冷静対処を（9月26日付・読売社説）
China and Taiwan are stepping up pressure on Japan over the Senkaku Islands. The government must remain unshaken by this, and should seek to calm the situation through levelheaded diplomacy as soon as possible.
尖閣諸島を巡って中国と台湾が対日圧力を高めている。政府は、これに動じることなく、冷静な外交によって事態の沈静化を急ぐべきである。
A week has passed since China sent about 10 surveillance ships at one time to areas around the Senkaku Islands. China has repeatedly intruded into Japan's territorial waters, making such surveillance activities appear to be routine operations.
中国が尖閣諸島近くに１０隻前後の監視船を送り込んでから１週間が経過した。監視活動を常態化させ、日本の領海への侵入を繰り返している。
On Tuesday, about 40 Taiwan fishing boats and 12 patrol ships entered Japan's territorial waters. The Taiwan vessels departed after Japan Coast Guard patrol ships took measures against the intruders, such as spraying water at fishing boats.
２５日には、台湾の漁船約４０隻と巡視船１２隻が領海に入った。海上保安庁の巡視船による漁船への放水などで、台湾側は退去した。
Taiwan and China in succession started claiming territorial rights over the Senkaku Islands during the 1970s. If the government allows Taiwan and China to enter Japan's territorial waters with impunity, the nation's effective control of the islands might be shaken.
尖閣諸島に関しては、台湾、中国が１９７０年代に相次いで領有権を主張し始めた。その中台が領海に侵入するような事態を放置すれば、日本の実効支配体制が揺らぐことになりかねない。
The government must address the issue with precautions and countermeasures. To maintain maritime order, surveillance by JCG patrol ships and other means must be strengthened as much as possible.
政府は警戒と対策が必要だ。海洋秩序を維持するため、海保の巡視船などによる監視体制を最大限強化しなければならない。
===
Enforcement must be firm
With the enforcement of the revised law on navigation of foreign ships, the JCG is now allowed to issue an order for foreign fishing boats operating in Japan's territorial waters to exit without boarding the vessels. It is essential to eliminate illegal actions more quickly and effectively than before and demonstrate the nation's determination to protect its sovereignty.
改正外国船舶航行法の施行によって、海保は領海内を動き回る外国漁船に対し、立ち入り検査なしに退去を命令できるようになった。より迅速かつ効果的に違法行為を排除し、主権を守る姿勢を示すことが重要である。
Since the government placed the Senkaku Islands under state ownership, China has continued making outrageous responses.
日本が尖閣諸島を国有化して以降、度を越した中国の反発が続いている。
China has called off exchange events with Japan in economic, cultural and sports fields one after another. A major memorial event to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. So has a visit to China by a Japanese business organization. This is an unusual situation.
日本との経済や文化、スポーツ交流は続々と停止された。２７日に予定されていた国交正常化４０周年記念式典は中止され、日本の経済団体の訪中も取りやめとなった。異常な事態である。
These unilateral actions will undermine the international reputation of China itself. Further deterioration in Japan-China relations will only leave scars that will be hard to erase, and the situation will become much more difficult to heal.
こうした一方的な措置は、中国自身の国際的評価を貶(おとし)めよう。日中関係のこれ以上の悪化は両国に拭いがたい傷を残し、修復を一層困難とするだけだ。
===
Clear understanding needed
The fact that Japan has effectively controlled the Senkaku Islands has not been properly conveyed to the Chinese people due to Beijing's control of the media in that nation. We suspect the Chinese people do not understand what Japan's "nationalization" of the islands means.
日本が尖閣諸島を実効支配してきた事実は、中国の報道規制で国民にきちんと伝わっていない。中国国民は「国有化」の意味を理解していないのではないか。
China is stepping up its diplomatic offensive as well. It has released a white paper to justify its territorial claim to the Senkaku Islands. In doing so, Beijing apparently aims to make its case in the court of world opinion.
中国は外交攻勢も強めている。自らの尖閣諸島領有の主張を正当化する「白書」を発表した。世界にアピールするのが狙いだ。
Japan, for its part, needs to make other nations properly understand what has happened with the Senkaku Islands and how calmly Japan has dealt with the issue.
日本も、尖閣問題の経緯と日本側の冷静な対応を各国にきちんと理解してもらう必要がある。
Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai has held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, at the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. The Chinese side reportedly said that Japan "must abandon any illusion, face up to its erroneous actions and correct them with credible steps."
河相周夫外務次官が北京で中国外務省の張志軍筆頭次官と会談した。中国側は日本に対し、「幻想を捨てて深く反省し、行動で誤りを正す」よう求めたという。
This highlighted Beijing's usual high-handed attitude. But the fact that the two nations agreed to continue talks on the matter can be viewed as positive. The government should find a way to break the deadlock by having a series of talks between foreign ministers as well as between the top leaders of the two nations.
相変わらずの高圧的な態度だ。ただ、両国が協議の継続で一致したことは評価できる。外相や首脳同士の対話も重ね、事態打開の道筋を模索すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2012)
（2012年9月26日01時22分 読売新聞）
2012/09/27
液化天然ガス 官民連携で高値買い是正せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 26, 2012)
Public, private sectors must team up to lower LNG prices
液化天然ガス 官民連携で高値買い是正せよ（9月25日付・読売社説）
Imports of liquefied natural gas to be used as fuel for thermal power plants have skyrocketed, and the price of LNG has been surging. The public and private sectors must cooperate more to ensure LNG can be procured at a lower price.
火力発電所の燃料となる液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）の輸入が急増し、価格も急騰している。官民連携を強め、安価での調達を目指さねばならない。
LNG-consuming nations, including Japan and South Korea, and producing countries, including Qatar, took part in the first LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Tokyo last week.
日本、韓国などの消費国と、カタールなど生産国による初めてのＬＮＧ会議が東京で開かれた。
Japan is the world's biggest LNG importer and sucks up 30 percent of the total production volume. Since the crisis began at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, Japan has increased its reliance on thermal power generation as an alternative to nuclear power.
日本のＬＮＧ輸入量は世界１位で、全生産量の３割を輸入する。東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故後、原発の代替電源として火力発電の依存度が一層高まった。
Before the crisis, Japan's LNG import bill came to about 3 trillion yen a year. This is expected to double to about 6 trillion yen this year.
事故前のＬＮＧ輸入額は年３兆円程度だったのに、今年は約６兆円に倍増する見通しだ。
If generation costs at electric power companies increase and these costs are passed on through higher electricity bills, it will deal a blow to industries and people's daily lives.
電力会社の発電コストが上昇し、料金に転嫁されると、産業や国民生活に打撃を与えよう。
===
Paying a 'Japan premium'
We are concerned that LNG import prices have surged to about six times the price of natural gas in North America.
懸念されるのは、その輸入価格が北米での天然ガス価格の約６倍にも急騰していることだ。
LNG prices in Asia are linked to crude oil prices; the recent spike in LNG is partly due to higher oil prices. During last week's conference, Japan called for a review of the current crude oil-linked pricing system, but discussions on the matter ended up being carried over to the next conference.
アジアのＬＮＧ価格は、原油価格に連動する仕組みで、原油高につられているのが一因だ。日本は今回の会議で現行方式の見直しを訴えたが、持ち越された。
The top LNG importers following Japan are South Korea, Taiwan, China and India. Asian countries and regions import more than 60 percent of total global LNG output.
日本に次ぐＬＮＧの輸入国・地域は、韓国、台湾、中国、インドで、アジア勢の総輸入量は世界生産量の６割を超える。
It is essential for Japan, together with South Korea and other nations, to introduce a new pricing system and lower LNG prices by pressing producing countries.
韓国などと結束して生産国に迫り、新価格決定方式と価格引き下げを実現することが重要だ。
As for price negotiations with LNG-producers, we hope a method in which not just a single company but many firms, including electricity and gas utilities, can jointly participate will be considered.
生産国側との価格交渉も、１社単位ではなく、電力会社やガス会社など多数の企業が連携して行う方法を併せて検討してほしい。
With Japan unable to restart idled nuclear reactors and the government laying out a zero nuclear power policy, LNG producers are cashing in by charging a "Japan premium"--forcing Japan to pay a higher price for LNG.
日本が原発を再稼働できず、政府が原発ゼロ方針を打ち出したことで、生産国から足元を見られ、「ジャパンプレミアム」という高値買いを強いられている。
To alleviate this situation, the government should quickly reactivate nuclear reactors once they have been confirmed safe to operate. The government must give consideration to maintaining a balance among power sources, or it could find itself at even more of a disadvantage when negotiating LNG prices.
この状況を改めるためにも、政府は安全性が確認できた原発の再稼働を急ぐ必要がある。電源バランスを考慮しないと、ＬＮＧの価格交渉でさらに不利になろう。
===
Shale gas could be savior
In the United States and other countries, new technologies are being used to extract shale gas contained in rocks deep underground. Shale gas reserves are huge, and extracting them will likely relax the supply-demand balance in the market in the future. Some observers have called this the "shale gas revolution."
米国などでは、地中深い岩盤に含まれる天然ガスのシェールガスが新技術で採取されている。埋蔵量は膨大で、将来、市場の需給緩和につながる可能性が高い。シェールガス革命と言われる。
It is encouraging that Japanese trading and other companies have started moves to obtain concessions to develop shale gas fields in the United States. The government should provide massive development funds and build a framework that will ensure the stable procurement of shale gas.
日本の大手商社などが米国でのシェールガスの開発権益獲得に動き出したのは期待できる。巨額な開発資金を政府も支援し、安定調達できる体制を整えるべきだ。
However, the United States has decided that its LNG can be exported only to nations that are signatories of free trade agreements with Washington.
ただし、米国政府はＬＮＧ輸出先について自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の締結国を条件としている。
The U.S. policy on LNG exports under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement--an expanded version of an FTA--remains unclear. Nevertheless, Japan, to prepare for the future, needs to quickly announce it will participate in the TPP to ensure negotiations on the trade framework are to its advantage.
ＦＴＡの拡大版である環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）での米国の方針は不明だが、日本は将来に備え、ＴＰＰ参加を早期に表明して有利に交渉する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2012)
（2012年9月25日02時13分 読売新聞）
Public, private sectors must team up to lower LNG prices
液化天然ガス 官民連携で高値買い是正せよ（9月25日付・読売社説）
Imports of liquefied natural gas to be used as fuel for thermal power plants have skyrocketed, and the price of LNG has been surging. The public and private sectors must cooperate more to ensure LNG can be procured at a lower price.
火力発電所の燃料となる液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）の輸入が急増し、価格も急騰している。官民連携を強め、安価での調達を目指さねばならない。
LNG-consuming nations, including Japan and South Korea, and producing countries, including Qatar, took part in the first LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Tokyo last week.
日本、韓国などの消費国と、カタールなど生産国による初めてのＬＮＧ会議が東京で開かれた。
Japan is the world's biggest LNG importer and sucks up 30 percent of the total production volume. Since the crisis began at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, Japan has increased its reliance on thermal power generation as an alternative to nuclear power.
日本のＬＮＧ輸入量は世界１位で、全生産量の３割を輸入する。東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故後、原発の代替電源として火力発電の依存度が一層高まった。
Before the crisis, Japan's LNG import bill came to about 3 trillion yen a year. This is expected to double to about 6 trillion yen this year.
事故前のＬＮＧ輸入額は年３兆円程度だったのに、今年は約６兆円に倍増する見通しだ。
If generation costs at electric power companies increase and these costs are passed on through higher electricity bills, it will deal a blow to industries and people's daily lives.
電力会社の発電コストが上昇し、料金に転嫁されると、産業や国民生活に打撃を与えよう。
===
Paying a 'Japan premium'
We are concerned that LNG import prices have surged to about six times the price of natural gas in North America.
懸念されるのは、その輸入価格が北米での天然ガス価格の約６倍にも急騰していることだ。
LNG prices in Asia are linked to crude oil prices; the recent spike in LNG is partly due to higher oil prices. During last week's conference, Japan called for a review of the current crude oil-linked pricing system, but discussions on the matter ended up being carried over to the next conference.
アジアのＬＮＧ価格は、原油価格に連動する仕組みで、原油高につられているのが一因だ。日本は今回の会議で現行方式の見直しを訴えたが、持ち越された。
The top LNG importers following Japan are South Korea, Taiwan, China and India. Asian countries and regions import more than 60 percent of total global LNG output.
日本に次ぐＬＮＧの輸入国・地域は、韓国、台湾、中国、インドで、アジア勢の総輸入量は世界生産量の６割を超える。
It is essential for Japan, together with South Korea and other nations, to introduce a new pricing system and lower LNG prices by pressing producing countries.
韓国などと結束して生産国に迫り、新価格決定方式と価格引き下げを実現することが重要だ。
As for price negotiations with LNG-producers, we hope a method in which not just a single company but many firms, including electricity and gas utilities, can jointly participate will be considered.
生産国側との価格交渉も、１社単位ではなく、電力会社やガス会社など多数の企業が連携して行う方法を併せて検討してほしい。
With Japan unable to restart idled nuclear reactors and the government laying out a zero nuclear power policy, LNG producers are cashing in by charging a "Japan premium"--forcing Japan to pay a higher price for LNG.
日本が原発を再稼働できず、政府が原発ゼロ方針を打ち出したことで、生産国から足元を見られ、「ジャパンプレミアム」という高値買いを強いられている。
To alleviate this situation, the government should quickly reactivate nuclear reactors once they have been confirmed safe to operate. The government must give consideration to maintaining a balance among power sources, or it could find itself at even more of a disadvantage when negotiating LNG prices.
この状況を改めるためにも、政府は安全性が確認できた原発の再稼働を急ぐ必要がある。電源バランスを考慮しないと、ＬＮＧの価格交渉でさらに不利になろう。
===
Shale gas could be savior
In the United States and other countries, new technologies are being used to extract shale gas contained in rocks deep underground. Shale gas reserves are huge, and extracting them will likely relax the supply-demand balance in the market in the future. Some observers have called this the "shale gas revolution."
米国などでは、地中深い岩盤に含まれる天然ガスのシェールガスが新技術で採取されている。埋蔵量は膨大で、将来、市場の需給緩和につながる可能性が高い。シェールガス革命と言われる。
It is encouraging that Japanese trading and other companies have started moves to obtain concessions to develop shale gas fields in the United States. The government should provide massive development funds and build a framework that will ensure the stable procurement of shale gas.
日本の大手商社などが米国でのシェールガスの開発権益獲得に動き出したのは期待できる。巨額な開発資金を政府も支援し、安定調達できる体制を整えるべきだ。
However, the United States has decided that its LNG can be exported only to nations that are signatories of free trade agreements with Washington.
ただし、米国政府はＬＮＧ輸出先について自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の締結国を条件としている。
The U.S. policy on LNG exports under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement--an expanded version of an FTA--remains unclear. Nevertheless, Japan, to prepare for the future, needs to quickly announce it will participate in the TPP to ensure negotiations on the trade framework are to its advantage.
ＦＴＡの拡大版である環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）での米国の方針は不明だが、日本は将来に備え、ＴＰＰ参加を早期に表明して有利に交渉する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2012)
（2012年9月25日02時13分 読売新聞）
2012/09/26
中国威圧外交 リスク増大で日本の投資減も
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24, 2012)
Anti-Japan stance may curb investment in China
中国威圧外交 リスク増大で日本の投資減も（9月23日付・読売社説）
Anti-Japan demonstrations in cities around China to protest the Japanese government's purchase of the Senkaku Islands have mostly calmed down.
日本の尖閣諸島国有化に反発する中国各地の反日デモは、ほぼ沈静化した。
However, it is a problem that the Chinese government is escalating its overbearing approach in diplomacy.
だが、中国の威圧外交が強まっていることは問題である。
Chinese authorities banned demonstrations in Beijing after Tuesday, which marked the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu bombing incident that prefaced the Manchurian Incident.
中国当局は、満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年となる１８日を最後に、北京でのデモを禁止した。
The authorities apparently became wary that continuing to allow the demonstrations could threaten social stability because some of them developed into riots.
一部が暴徒化したデモを容認し続けると、社会の安定が揺らぐと警戒したようだ。
But we are concerned that Chinese President Hu Jintao and other national leaders have made a series of hard-line statements against Japan. Premier Wen Jiabao said in Brussels, where the China-European Union summit meeting was held, that China "must take strong measures," referring to the Japanese government's purchase of the Senkaku Islands.
懸念すべきは、胡錦濤国家主席ら首脳の強硬発言が相次いでいることだ。温家宝首相は、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との首脳会談が開かれたブリュッセルで、尖閣諸島国有化に言及し、「有力な措置を講じなければならない」と述べた。
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, who will succeed Hu at the upcoming National Congress of the Communist Party of China, also said some groups in Japan repeated mistakes and "staged the farce" of purchasing the islands.
近く開かれる共産党大会で胡氏のポストを引き継ぐ習近平国家副主席も、「日本の一部勢力は過ちを繰り返し、島購入という茶番を演じた」と発言した。
They apparently were expressing their determination to make no concessions at all to Japan.
日本には絶対に譲歩しない、という決意を示したのだろう。
===
Doing business in China risky
However, we believe it was to the Chinese side's disadvantage that the demonstrations have made Japanese companies keenly realize the risks of doing business in China.
しかし、中国での事業リスクを日本企業に痛感させたことは、中国側にもマイナスではないか。
Resumption of operations is being delayed at some of the Japanese factories in China attacked by demonstrators. The Chinese side has not shown any willingness to pay compensation for damage caused during the protests. The Japanese nonlife insurance sector estimated that insurance payouts to the damaged companies would reach 10 billion yen in total. That eventually might raise insurance fees of the companies.
反日デモで襲撃された企業の一部の工場再開は遅れている。中国側が損害賠償する姿勢は見えず、日本の損保業界は被害企業への保険金が約１００億円にも上ると試算した。いずれ各社の保険料も値上がりしかねない。
It is also a matter of concern that strikes for pay raises are occurring frequently at Japanese-affiliated plants in Guangdong and other provinces in China.
広東省などの日系工場で、賃上げを要求するストライキが頻発していることも憂慮される。
We understand why one Japanese business leader after another is expressing wariness about investment in China, saying they must be cautious.
経済界で「対中投資は慎重にならざるを得ない」と警戒する声が続出しているのは当然である。
Japanese firms have placed much value on China as the factory of the world and increased their investment in that country. Such investment reached a total of 6.3 billion dollars last year, up 50 percent from the previous year. This contrasts with U.S. investment in China, which fell 26 percent last year to a mere 3 billion dollars.
日本企業は中国を「世界の工場」と重視し、投資を増やしてきた。昨年の投資額は前年比５０％増の６３億ドルに達し、２６％減の３０億ドルにとどまった米国と対照的だ。
===
Millions work at Japan firms
Such aggressive investment by Japanese companies is sustaining China's employment and economy. It is estimated that several million Chinese work at Japanese-affiliated companies in China.
こうした積極的な投資が、中国の雇用と景気を支えている。日系企業による中国での雇用者は数百万人に達するとも推計される。
The violent anti-Japan demonstrations have trampled on cooperative relations between China and Japan that have been nurtured over many years.
過激な反日デモは、長年培ってきた日本との協調関係も踏みにじったことになる。
It is highly likely that Japanese companies will sharply curb their investment in China and instead increase investment in other Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.
日本企業の対中投資には急ブレーキがかかり、代わって、ベトナムやタイなどアジア他国への投資が増える可能性が大きい。
Because the Chinese economy is continuing to slow down due to a decrease in exports and other factors, China's real economic growth rate this year is expected to drop below 8 percent. It is certain that--depending on the investment strategy of Japanese companies--downward pressure could further increase on the Chinese economy, negatively affecting employment there.
中国経済は輸出減などで景気減速が止まらず、今年の実質経済成長率は８％を割りそうだ。日本企業の投資戦略によっては、一段の景気の下押し圧力となり、雇用にも悪影響を与えるに違いない。
China should realize that continuing its hard line against Japan could boomerang to its own disadvantage.
中国政府は、対日強硬姿勢を改めないと、自国にも不利になって跳ね返る恐れがあることを自覚すべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2012)
（2012年9月23日01時13分 読売新聞）
2012/09/25
野田代表再選 民自公党首会談で連携確認を
９月２３日の１９時過ぎに夜行バスでコンケンからバンコクへ向かいました。
バスの中で日付は２４日となりましたが、まだ夜の明けきらぬ深夜の午前２時前にバンコク北バスターミナルに到着、フェイスブックお友達の越川さんにホテルで面会いたしました。
午前２時から世の白々と明け初（そ）める５時半まで、ホテルのロビーで話に花が咲きました。私が長い間気に掛けていた真実も、ほぼ完璧なかたちで確認できました。
真相は私の予想通りだったのです。やはりショックですね。
それにもめげず前向きな人生を歩まれる越川さんの強さに打たれ、不覚にも涙を流しました。越川さんを尊敬いたします。
遅くなりました。昨日掲載予定の原稿です。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2012)
With Noda reelected, DPJ must reconfirm 3-party pact
野田代表再選 民自公党首会談で連携確認を（9月22日付・読売社説）
◆「離党」恐れて政策は定まらず◆
By the numbers, it was a landslide victory, but considering the difficulty of the tasks ahead, the win can only be seen as bittersweet.
数字上は大差だが、多難な前途を考えれば、ほろ苦い勝利でもある。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was reelected as Democratic Party of Japan president on Friday. Former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and the two other challengers only managed to garner about one-third of the votes between them.
民主党代表選で、野田佳彦首相が再選を果たした。原口一博元総務相ら他の３候補の獲得票は合計で全体の３分の１程度にとどまった。
At the cost of splitting the ruling party, the prime minister pushed legislation through the Diet to comprehensively revamp the social security and tax systems, reforms that are essential for Japan's revitalization. Noda's reelection is a clear sign that DPJ members endorse the agreement to work together toward reform made between the three major political parties--the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
首相は、党分裂という犠牲も辞さずに、日本再生に不可欠な社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させた。今回の再選は、その民主、自民、公明の３党の協調路線が信任されたことを意味する。
===
Noda's stance endorsed
◆信任された首相の路線◆
In a speech after winning the election, Noda called for party unity, telling DPJ members, "I'd like to work with all of you to make a country where smiling faces are everywhere."
野田首相は再選後、「笑顔が広がる国を、皆さんと一緒に造りたい」と、党の結束を呼びかけた。
We think the party should now unite behind its newly reelected leader.
代表選の結果が出た以上、民主党は首相の下で団結すべきだ。
However, it was disappointing that the DPJ presidential candidates did not conduct a meaningful policy debate.
残念なのは、肝心の政策論争が低調だったことだ。
Noda has been supportive of Japan participating in talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, but he hedged his remarks on the issue during the campaign, only acknowledging that the discussions with other countries are ongoing. He did not address the issue directly around his rivals, who were either against the TPP or had adopted cautious positions.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題で、野田首相は本来、「推進」の立場なのに、「関係国との協議が継続中」などと慎重な発言に終始した。「反対・慎重」の原口氏ら３人に、正面から論争を挑む場面はなかった。
The prime minister was probably concerned that pushing for TPP participation would cause more DPJ members to bolt. However, the decision should not be put off any longer, and we urge the government to join the TPP negotiations as soon as possible.
ＴＰＰ参加に踏み込めば、さらなる離党者が出かねないと、首相は懸念したのだろう。しかし、政府としては参加の判断を先送りせず、早期にＴＰＰ交渉に加わるべきである。
Meanwhile, Noda supported the goal of eliminating nuclear power in the nation in the 2030s. "I want to unswervingly promote various measures in line with this basic policy," he said, while Haraguchi and the other candidates proposed an even earlier target date.
原子力政策では、首相は「２０３０年代の原発ゼロ」を掲げて、「ぶれない姿勢で、この基本方針の下、様々な政策を推進したい」と語った。原口氏らは「原発ゼロ」達成時期の前倒しを唱えた。
However, it is worrying that the four candidates hardly touched on the formidable challenges that could arise from reducing the nation's reliance on nuclear power to zero, such as negative impacts on the economy and foreign affairs, as well as how to maintain consistency with already existing policies such as a nuclear fuel-cycle policy.
４氏とも、「原発ゼロ」が経済や外交関係に与える悪影響や、核燃料サイクルとの整合性など、深刻な課題への対策をほとんど論じなかったのは問題だ。
They appeared enamored with the belief that touting the zero nuclear policy would work to their advantage in an election. As prospective leaders of the ruling party, we see such actions as irresponsible.
「脱原発」の旗を掲げれば、選挙に有利だろうという思惑ばかりが先行している。政権党として、極めて無責任な対応である。
The debate over how to buffer low-income earners from the impact of a consumption tax hike also was mostly left alone, although two contenders--Hirotaka Akamatsu and Michihiko Kano, both former agriculture, forestry and fisheries ministers--proposed implementing reduced tax rates on certain items.
消費税率引き上げの低所得者対策でも、赤松広隆元農相と鹿野道彦前農相が軽減税率導入に言及したが、議論は深まらなかった。
We lament that the DPJ missed an opportunity to set the direction for several key issues through its leadership election.
代表選を通じて重要政策を方向づける機会を逸したと言える。
===
Thornier path ahead
◆政権運営は一層厳しく◆
Although he emerged victorious, Noda faces even more difficulties than before the election in steering the ship of state.
野田首相の今後の政権運営は、一段と困難になろう。
A total of 114 ballots were cast against Noda in the party leadership race.
「反野田」の国会議員票は計１１４票に達した。
In the debates prior to the election, Kano criticized Noda by calling for a "stronger culture of responsibility in the DPJ," while Haraguchi called for Noda "to take responsibility for causing the party to split more than once."
論戦では、鹿野氏に「民主党に責任を取る文化を」と提起され、原口氏にも「分裂を重ねた責任」を問われた。
Seeking any possible advantage in the next House of Representatives election, DPJ members have continued to move away from the party to join the new Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and other emerging political forces.
次期衆院選を少しでも有利に戦おうと、新党「日本維新の会」などへの合流を目指し、離党する動きが続く。
If around 10 more DPJ lower house lawmakers were to leave, the party would lose its majority in the powerful chamber, even counting the seats held by its coalition partner, the People's New Party. This would leave the ruling camp vulnerable to a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet proposed by the opposition.
衆院でも、１０人程度が離党すれば、国民新党と合わせても過半数を割り、内閣不信任決議案を否決できない恐れがある。
In such circumstances, the prime minister walks a tightrope in navigating political issues, and must maintain a precarious balance between preserving party unity and addressing difficult policy tasks.
首相は、党内融和に配慮しながら困難な政策課題に取り組む、という綱渡りの対応を迫られる。
At this stage, it is vitally important that the tripartite framework between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito be kept intact.
重要なのは、民自公３党の協調路線を堅持することだ。
In the divided Diet, where the opposition controls the House of Councillors, no bill stands a chance without cooperation between the three parties.
衆参ねじれ国会である以上、３党の協力なしでは、法案は成立せず、政治は前に進まない。
The prime minister has said he will make a preliminary decision on a reshuffle of the DPJ leadership by Monday, when he leaves for the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly.
首相は、国連総会出席のため訪米する２４日までに党役員人事の骨格を固める意向を表明した。
The focal point in the reshuffle is whether Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi will retain his post. Noda appointed Koshiishi to the No. 2 post last year to help ensure party unity.
最も注目されるのは、輿石幹事長が留任するかどうかだ。
昨秋、輿石氏を幹事長に起用したのは、党内融和を重視する狙いだった。
Koshiishi, however, has clashed often with the opposition over Diet affairs, including during the deliberations over the social security and tax system reform. Koshiishi's behavior highlighted the differences between his views and Noda's.
だが、輿石氏は一体改革法案審議など国会運営で再三、野党と衝突し、首相との路線の違いも表面化した。
We urge Noda in reshuffling his party's executive lineup to place more importance on promoting cooperation between the ruling and opposition camps, instead of sticking only to crafting a strategy relating to dissolving the lower house for a general election.
今回は、衆院解散戦略だけでなく、与野党協調をより重視した布陣が求められる。
The prime minister has also expressed an intention to meet with the new leader of the LDP, who will be elected in the largest opposition party's presidential contest Wednesday, to reconfirm the three-party reform accord.
野田首相は、２６日の自民党総裁選後、新総裁と党首会談を行い、一体改革をめぐる３党合意を再確認したい考えを示している。
We see a meeting in which the heads of the three main parties can exchange views on key political challenges as highly significant.
３党首間で、当面の重要課題について腹合わせをすることは大切だ。
We hope the three party chiefs will have a candid discussion over such issues as how to rectify vote disparities in lower house elections, legislation for issuing deficit-covering bonds, and the compilation of a supplementary budget for fiscal 2012.
衆院選の「１票の格差」是正や赤字国債の発行を可能にする特例公債法案、補正予算の扱いについて率直に話し合ってほしい。
===
Start by cutting 5 seats
◆「０増５減」を先行せよ◆
Concerning reform of the lower house's electoral system, the DPJ caused considerable consternations in the Diet by proposing, over strong objection from the opposition, legislation that included partial adoption of a seat-allocation formula for proportional representation elections that would favor small and midsize parties. The ruling party should not repeat such a sloppy, irresponsible act.
衆院選挙制度改革で、民主党は野党の反対を押し切って、連用制の一部導入を含む法案を提出し、混乱を招いた。こんないいかげんな対応は、もう許されない。
Noda in a news conference showed he is willing to tackle the task of slashing the number of seats in the lower house.
野田首相は記者会見で、衆院定数の削減に意欲を示した。
Before anything else, it would be practical to cut five single-seat districts to end the "state of unconstitutionality" in vote disparities. This would pave the way for dissolution of the lower house.
だが、衆院を解散するには、「違憲状態」を解消する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行実施が現実的だ。
There is a high possibility that any talks between the three party heads would include on the agenda the prime minister's pledge to dissolve the lower house for a general election "sometime soon."
３党首会談では、首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙も議題となる可能性が高い。
Noda has hinted that a general election should be postponed because "the political situation has changed" after the passage of an opposition-backed censure motion against him in the upper house. However, neither the LDP nor Komeito has backed off their demands for an early lower house dissolution.
首相は「問責（決議）という状況の変化がある」と解散先送りの可能性も示唆しているが、自公両党は早期解散を求める立場を変えていない。
Given this, we suspect the prime minister will have a difficult time unilaterally scrapping his pledge to dissolve the lower house.
首相が一方的に約束を反故(ほご)にするのは難しいだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2012)
（2012年9月22日01時14分 読売新聞）
バスの中で日付は２４日となりましたが、まだ夜の明けきらぬ深夜の午前２時前にバンコク北バスターミナルに到着、フェイスブックお友達の越川さんにホテルで面会いたしました。
午前２時から世の白々と明け初（そ）める５時半まで、ホテルのロビーで話に花が咲きました。私が長い間気に掛けていた真実も、ほぼ完璧なかたちで確認できました。
真相は私の予想通りだったのです。やはりショックですね。
それにもめげず前向きな人生を歩まれる越川さんの強さに打たれ、不覚にも涙を流しました。越川さんを尊敬いたします。
遅くなりました。昨日掲載予定の原稿です。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2012)
With Noda reelected, DPJ must reconfirm 3-party pact
野田代表再選 民自公党首会談で連携確認を（9月22日付・読売社説）
◆「離党」恐れて政策は定まらず◆
By the numbers, it was a landslide victory, but considering the difficulty of the tasks ahead, the win can only be seen as bittersweet.
数字上は大差だが、多難な前途を考えれば、ほろ苦い勝利でもある。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was reelected as Democratic Party of Japan president on Friday. Former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and the two other challengers only managed to garner about one-third of the votes between them.
民主党代表選で、野田佳彦首相が再選を果たした。原口一博元総務相ら他の３候補の獲得票は合計で全体の３分の１程度にとどまった。
At the cost of splitting the ruling party, the prime minister pushed legislation through the Diet to comprehensively revamp the social security and tax systems, reforms that are essential for Japan's revitalization. Noda's reelection is a clear sign that DPJ members endorse the agreement to work together toward reform made between the three major political parties--the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
首相は、党分裂という犠牲も辞さずに、日本再生に不可欠な社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させた。今回の再選は、その民主、自民、公明の３党の協調路線が信任されたことを意味する。
===
Noda's stance endorsed
◆信任された首相の路線◆
In a speech after winning the election, Noda called for party unity, telling DPJ members, "I'd like to work with all of you to make a country where smiling faces are everywhere."
野田首相は再選後、「笑顔が広がる国を、皆さんと一緒に造りたい」と、党の結束を呼びかけた。
We think the party should now unite behind its newly reelected leader.
代表選の結果が出た以上、民主党は首相の下で団結すべきだ。
However, it was disappointing that the DPJ presidential candidates did not conduct a meaningful policy debate.
残念なのは、肝心の政策論争が低調だったことだ。
Noda has been supportive of Japan participating in talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, but he hedged his remarks on the issue during the campaign, only acknowledging that the discussions with other countries are ongoing. He did not address the issue directly around his rivals, who were either against the TPP or had adopted cautious positions.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題で、野田首相は本来、「推進」の立場なのに、「関係国との協議が継続中」などと慎重な発言に終始した。「反対・慎重」の原口氏ら３人に、正面から論争を挑む場面はなかった。
The prime minister was probably concerned that pushing for TPP participation would cause more DPJ members to bolt. However, the decision should not be put off any longer, and we urge the government to join the TPP negotiations as soon as possible.
ＴＰＰ参加に踏み込めば、さらなる離党者が出かねないと、首相は懸念したのだろう。しかし、政府としては参加の判断を先送りせず、早期にＴＰＰ交渉に加わるべきである。
Meanwhile, Noda supported the goal of eliminating nuclear power in the nation in the 2030s. "I want to unswervingly promote various measures in line with this basic policy," he said, while Haraguchi and the other candidates proposed an even earlier target date.
原子力政策では、首相は「２０３０年代の原発ゼロ」を掲げて、「ぶれない姿勢で、この基本方針の下、様々な政策を推進したい」と語った。原口氏らは「原発ゼロ」達成時期の前倒しを唱えた。
However, it is worrying that the four candidates hardly touched on the formidable challenges that could arise from reducing the nation's reliance on nuclear power to zero, such as negative impacts on the economy and foreign affairs, as well as how to maintain consistency with already existing policies such as a nuclear fuel-cycle policy.
４氏とも、「原発ゼロ」が経済や外交関係に与える悪影響や、核燃料サイクルとの整合性など、深刻な課題への対策をほとんど論じなかったのは問題だ。
They appeared enamored with the belief that touting the zero nuclear policy would work to their advantage in an election. As prospective leaders of the ruling party, we see such actions as irresponsible.
「脱原発」の旗を掲げれば、選挙に有利だろうという思惑ばかりが先行している。政権党として、極めて無責任な対応である。
The debate over how to buffer low-income earners from the impact of a consumption tax hike also was mostly left alone, although two contenders--Hirotaka Akamatsu and Michihiko Kano, both former agriculture, forestry and fisheries ministers--proposed implementing reduced tax rates on certain items.
消費税率引き上げの低所得者対策でも、赤松広隆元農相と鹿野道彦前農相が軽減税率導入に言及したが、議論は深まらなかった。
We lament that the DPJ missed an opportunity to set the direction for several key issues through its leadership election.
代表選を通じて重要政策を方向づける機会を逸したと言える。
===
Thornier path ahead
◆政権運営は一層厳しく◆
Although he emerged victorious, Noda faces even more difficulties than before the election in steering the ship of state.
野田首相の今後の政権運営は、一段と困難になろう。
A total of 114 ballots were cast against Noda in the party leadership race.
「反野田」の国会議員票は計１１４票に達した。
In the debates prior to the election, Kano criticized Noda by calling for a "stronger culture of responsibility in the DPJ," while Haraguchi called for Noda "to take responsibility for causing the party to split more than once."
論戦では、鹿野氏に「民主党に責任を取る文化を」と提起され、原口氏にも「分裂を重ねた責任」を問われた。
Seeking any possible advantage in the next House of Representatives election, DPJ members have continued to move away from the party to join the new Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and other emerging political forces.
次期衆院選を少しでも有利に戦おうと、新党「日本維新の会」などへの合流を目指し、離党する動きが続く。
If around 10 more DPJ lower house lawmakers were to leave, the party would lose its majority in the powerful chamber, even counting the seats held by its coalition partner, the People's New Party. This would leave the ruling camp vulnerable to a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet proposed by the opposition.
衆院でも、１０人程度が離党すれば、国民新党と合わせても過半数を割り、内閣不信任決議案を否決できない恐れがある。
In such circumstances, the prime minister walks a tightrope in navigating political issues, and must maintain a precarious balance between preserving party unity and addressing difficult policy tasks.
首相は、党内融和に配慮しながら困難な政策課題に取り組む、という綱渡りの対応を迫られる。
At this stage, it is vitally important that the tripartite framework between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito be kept intact.
重要なのは、民自公３党の協調路線を堅持することだ。
In the divided Diet, where the opposition controls the House of Councillors, no bill stands a chance without cooperation between the three parties.
衆参ねじれ国会である以上、３党の協力なしでは、法案は成立せず、政治は前に進まない。
The prime minister has said he will make a preliminary decision on a reshuffle of the DPJ leadership by Monday, when he leaves for the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly.
首相は、国連総会出席のため訪米する２４日までに党役員人事の骨格を固める意向を表明した。
The focal point in the reshuffle is whether Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi will retain his post. Noda appointed Koshiishi to the No. 2 post last year to help ensure party unity.
最も注目されるのは、輿石幹事長が留任するかどうかだ。
昨秋、輿石氏を幹事長に起用したのは、党内融和を重視する狙いだった。
Koshiishi, however, has clashed often with the opposition over Diet affairs, including during the deliberations over the social security and tax system reform. Koshiishi's behavior highlighted the differences between his views and Noda's.
だが、輿石氏は一体改革法案審議など国会運営で再三、野党と衝突し、首相との路線の違いも表面化した。
We urge Noda in reshuffling his party's executive lineup to place more importance on promoting cooperation between the ruling and opposition camps, instead of sticking only to crafting a strategy relating to dissolving the lower house for a general election.
今回は、衆院解散戦略だけでなく、与野党協調をより重視した布陣が求められる。
The prime minister has also expressed an intention to meet with the new leader of the LDP, who will be elected in the largest opposition party's presidential contest Wednesday, to reconfirm the three-party reform accord.
野田首相は、２６日の自民党総裁選後、新総裁と党首会談を行い、一体改革をめぐる３党合意を再確認したい考えを示している。
We see a meeting in which the heads of the three main parties can exchange views on key political challenges as highly significant.
３党首間で、当面の重要課題について腹合わせをすることは大切だ。
We hope the three party chiefs will have a candid discussion over such issues as how to rectify vote disparities in lower house elections, legislation for issuing deficit-covering bonds, and the compilation of a supplementary budget for fiscal 2012.
衆院選の「１票の格差」是正や赤字国債の発行を可能にする特例公債法案、補正予算の扱いについて率直に話し合ってほしい。
===
Start by cutting 5 seats
◆「０増５減」を先行せよ◆
Concerning reform of the lower house's electoral system, the DPJ caused considerable consternations in the Diet by proposing, over strong objection from the opposition, legislation that included partial adoption of a seat-allocation formula for proportional representation elections that would favor small and midsize parties. The ruling party should not repeat such a sloppy, irresponsible act.
衆院選挙制度改革で、民主党は野党の反対を押し切って、連用制の一部導入を含む法案を提出し、混乱を招いた。こんないいかげんな対応は、もう許されない。
Noda in a news conference showed he is willing to tackle the task of slashing the number of seats in the lower house.
野田首相は記者会見で、衆院定数の削減に意欲を示した。
Before anything else, it would be practical to cut five single-seat districts to end the "state of unconstitutionality" in vote disparities. This would pave the way for dissolution of the lower house.
だが、衆院を解散するには、「違憲状態」を解消する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行実施が現実的だ。
There is a high possibility that any talks between the three party heads would include on the agenda the prime minister's pledge to dissolve the lower house for a general election "sometime soon."
３党首会談では、首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙も議題となる可能性が高い。
Noda has hinted that a general election should be postponed because "the political situation has changed" after the passage of an opposition-backed censure motion against him in the upper house. However, neither the LDP nor Komeito has backed off their demands for an early lower house dissolution.
首相は「問責（決議）という状況の変化がある」と解散先送りの可能性も示唆しているが、自公両党は早期解散を求める立場を変えていない。
Given this, we suspect the prime minister will have a difficult time unilaterally scrapping his pledge to dissolve the lower house.
首相が一方的に約束を反故(ほご)にするのは難しいだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2012)
（2012年9月22日01時14分 読売新聞）
2012/09/23
原子力規制委 安全確認の基準作りを急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 22, 2012)
New N-body must quickly create safety guidelines
原子力規制委 安全確認の基準作りを急げ（9月21日付・読売社説）
It is urgently necessary for the new regulatory body to restore public trust in the administration of nuclear safety, which has been damaged by the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故で失われた原子力安全行政への信頼回復が急務だ。
The Nuclear Regulation Authority, which was launched Wednesday, and its secretariat organ, the nuclear regulatory agency, bear heavy responsibilities in this regard.
１９日に発足した原子力規制委員会と、事務局の原子力規制庁の責務は重い。
In launching the new authority, regulatory divisions that had been overseen by several ministry and agency bodies have been absorbed into the new entity. The new authority has also been separated from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and other government bodies that promoted nuclear power generation.
複数省庁に分散していた規制部門を統合し、原発を推進する経済産業省などから分離させた。
The new authority is an organ set up in line with Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law, and it has a high degree of autonomy from politics.
国家行政組織法第３条に基づく組織で、政治からの独立性も高い。
What is required for the new entity is, first and foremost, to make objective and rigorous judgments on whether the safety of each nuclear power plant can be ensured, based on its technical knowledge and expertise.
まず求められるのは、個々の原発が十分に安全かどうか、技術的な知見に基づき、客観的かつ厳正に判断することである。
The new authority, comprised of chairman Shunichi Tanaka and four commissioners, must hammer out safety guidelines and establish effective inspection protocols as soon as possible.
田中俊一委員長と４人の委員で構成する規制委は、安全確認の判断基準作りや、検査体制の整備を早急に進めねばならない。
===
Idle plants need to be restarted
Except for the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant, where operations were restarted in July, the other 48 nuclear reactors in the nation remain idle.
国内の原発は、７月に再稼働した関西電力大飯原発３、４号機を除く４８基が停止している。
This situation was caused by the provisional guidelines the government set for restarting suspended operations of nuclear reactors. Taking lessons from the Fukushima crisis, the government imposed emergency safety requirements, such as improved measures to secure power in emergencies, on the nuclear plants.
政府が設けた再稼働の暫定基準が原因だ。原発事故の教訓に基づき、政府は非常電源の強化など緊急安全対策を各原発に求めた。
In addition, the government ordered utility companies to conduct stress tests at nuclear plants. The tests were introduced by former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, an advocate of abandoning nuclear power, and have no legal grounds.
それに加え、「脱原発」派の菅前首相が持ち込んだ法的根拠のないストレステスト（耐性検査）まで実施させていた。
Although test results on 30 nuclear reactors have been submitted, most of the results have yet to be examined. These results have been passed on to the new regulatory authority.
３０基の原発からテスト結果が提出されたものの、大半の審査は手付かずで、妥当性が判断されないまま規制委に引き継がれた。
It is necessary to correct this half-hearted situation.
こうした中途半端な状況を解消する必要がある。
Tanaka said at a press conference: "Stress tests are politically motivated. I won't stick to them."
田中委員長は記者会見で、「ストレステストは政治的なもの。それにとらわれない」と述べた。
We consider this remark reasonable, given that stress tests are not a condition for restarting nuclear reactors in the United States or Europe.
欧米でもストレステストは再稼働の条件になっていないことを考えれば、妥当な見解だろう。
It is also understandable that he showed an intention to improve disaster prevention systems and look into whether existing safety measures are flawed.
再稼働に向けて、防災体制を整え、これまでの安全対策に漏れがないか検証する姿勢を示したことも理解できる。
===
Timing is important
The problem is how much time the new authority will spend in compiling safety guidelines and making safety assessments.
問題は、基準作りと安全判断にいつまで時間をかけるかだ。
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has expressed serious concerns over whether winter electricity supplies will meet demand without the restart of nuclear reactors. But Tanaka said, "It will probably be difficult [to restart] by year-end." He also said, "I'm not going to take electricity supply and demand into account."
北海道電力は、原発再稼働なしには冬の需給が厳しいと危機感を示すが、田中委員長は「年内は難しいのではないか」「電力需給は考慮しない」と述べている。
Surely, it is not acceptable to make snap decisions on matters concerning safety measures. But if the new authority postpones making judgments by giving too much weight to thoughtless calls to abandon nuclear power, which likely will have a negative impact on industry and the people's daily lives with blackouts, the role of the authority itself will be put into question.
無論、安全対策で見切り発車は許されない。だが、浅はかな「脱原発」の声に過度に配慮して判断を先送りし、停電により産業や市民生活に悪影響を与えれば、規制委の存在意義が問われよう。
The new authority is facing a number of tasks, such as establishing measures to ensure safety at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant while its reactors are decommissioned and studying the feasibility of decommissioning reactors after 40 years of operation.
規制委は、福島第一原発の廃炉までの安全確保策や、原発の「原則４０年廃炉」の検討など多くの課題を抱えている。
There has been criticism over the fact that Diet approval has yet to be given to the government's appointments of members of the new authority. But nothing is more important for them than steadily fulfilling their duties and producing tangible results.
規制委人事が国会同意を得ていないことに批判はあるが、着実に職責を果たし、実績を上げることが何より大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2012)
（2012年9月21日01時40分 読売新聞）
New N-body must quickly create safety guidelines
原子力規制委 安全確認の基準作りを急げ（9月21日付・読売社説）
It is urgently necessary for the new regulatory body to restore public trust in the administration of nuclear safety, which has been damaged by the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故で失われた原子力安全行政への信頼回復が急務だ。
The Nuclear Regulation Authority, which was launched Wednesday, and its secretariat organ, the nuclear regulatory agency, bear heavy responsibilities in this regard.
１９日に発足した原子力規制委員会と、事務局の原子力規制庁の責務は重い。
In launching the new authority, regulatory divisions that had been overseen by several ministry and agency bodies have been absorbed into the new entity. The new authority has also been separated from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and other government bodies that promoted nuclear power generation.
複数省庁に分散していた規制部門を統合し、原発を推進する経済産業省などから分離させた。
The new authority is an organ set up in line with Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law, and it has a high degree of autonomy from politics.
国家行政組織法第３条に基づく組織で、政治からの独立性も高い。
What is required for the new entity is, first and foremost, to make objective and rigorous judgments on whether the safety of each nuclear power plant can be ensured, based on its technical knowledge and expertise.
まず求められるのは、個々の原発が十分に安全かどうか、技術的な知見に基づき、客観的かつ厳正に判断することである。
The new authority, comprised of chairman Shunichi Tanaka and four commissioners, must hammer out safety guidelines and establish effective inspection protocols as soon as possible.
田中俊一委員長と４人の委員で構成する規制委は、安全確認の判断基準作りや、検査体制の整備を早急に進めねばならない。
===
Idle plants need to be restarted
Except for the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant, where operations were restarted in July, the other 48 nuclear reactors in the nation remain idle.
国内の原発は、７月に再稼働した関西電力大飯原発３、４号機を除く４８基が停止している。
This situation was caused by the provisional guidelines the government set for restarting suspended operations of nuclear reactors. Taking lessons from the Fukushima crisis, the government imposed emergency safety requirements, such as improved measures to secure power in emergencies, on the nuclear plants.
政府が設けた再稼働の暫定基準が原因だ。原発事故の教訓に基づき、政府は非常電源の強化など緊急安全対策を各原発に求めた。
In addition, the government ordered utility companies to conduct stress tests at nuclear plants. The tests were introduced by former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, an advocate of abandoning nuclear power, and have no legal grounds.
それに加え、「脱原発」派の菅前首相が持ち込んだ法的根拠のないストレステスト（耐性検査）まで実施させていた。
Although test results on 30 nuclear reactors have been submitted, most of the results have yet to be examined. These results have been passed on to the new regulatory authority.
３０基の原発からテスト結果が提出されたものの、大半の審査は手付かずで、妥当性が判断されないまま規制委に引き継がれた。
It is necessary to correct this half-hearted situation.
こうした中途半端な状況を解消する必要がある。
Tanaka said at a press conference: "Stress tests are politically motivated. I won't stick to them."
田中委員長は記者会見で、「ストレステストは政治的なもの。それにとらわれない」と述べた。
We consider this remark reasonable, given that stress tests are not a condition for restarting nuclear reactors in the United States or Europe.
欧米でもストレステストは再稼働の条件になっていないことを考えれば、妥当な見解だろう。
It is also understandable that he showed an intention to improve disaster prevention systems and look into whether existing safety measures are flawed.
再稼働に向けて、防災体制を整え、これまでの安全対策に漏れがないか検証する姿勢を示したことも理解できる。
===
Timing is important
The problem is how much time the new authority will spend in compiling safety guidelines and making safety assessments.
問題は、基準作りと安全判断にいつまで時間をかけるかだ。
Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has expressed serious concerns over whether winter electricity supplies will meet demand without the restart of nuclear reactors. But Tanaka said, "It will probably be difficult [to restart] by year-end." He also said, "I'm not going to take electricity supply and demand into account."
北海道電力は、原発再稼働なしには冬の需給が厳しいと危機感を示すが、田中委員長は「年内は難しいのではないか」「電力需給は考慮しない」と述べている。
Surely, it is not acceptable to make snap decisions on matters concerning safety measures. But if the new authority postpones making judgments by giving too much weight to thoughtless calls to abandon nuclear power, which likely will have a negative impact on industry and the people's daily lives with blackouts, the role of the authority itself will be put into question.
無論、安全対策で見切り発車は許されない。だが、浅はかな「脱原発」の声に過度に配慮して判断を先送りし、停電により産業や市民生活に悪影響を与えれば、規制委の存在意義が問われよう。
The new authority is facing a number of tasks, such as establishing measures to ensure safety at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant while its reactors are decommissioned and studying the feasibility of decommissioning reactors after 40 years of operation.
規制委は、福島第一原発の廃炉までの安全確保策や、原発の「原則４０年廃炉」の検討など多くの課題を抱えている。
There has been criticism over the fact that Diet approval has yet to be given to the government's appointments of members of the new authority. But nothing is more important for them than steadily fulfilling their duties and producing tangible results.
規制委人事が国会同意を得ていないことに批判はあるが、着実に職責を果たし、実績を上げることが何より大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2012)
（2012年9月21日01時40分 読売新聞）
2012/09/22
原発ゼロ方針 「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 21, 2012)
Govt must retract zero nuclear target for good of economy
原発ゼロ方針 「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ（9月20日付・読売社説）
What was the conclusion of the recent Cabinet meeting on the government's "zero nuclear" target? It is unclear whether the government has decided to review the policy or push it through.
こんな決着では、「原子力発電ゼロ」を見直すのか、それとも強行するのか、あいまいだ。
The government should clearly retract the zero nuclear target, which could deal a serious blow to the economy and employment if implemented, and instead come up with a feasible energy strategy.
政府は、日本経済や雇用に多大な打撃を与えかねない「原発ゼロ」を明確に撤回し、現実的なエネルギー戦略を練り直すべきである。
The Cabinet refrained from approving the government's "innovative energy and environmental strategy," which sets a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s, at the meeting Wednesday.
政府が、２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目指すとした「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」の閣議決定を見送った。
Instead, the Cabinet merely approved the government's policy to "conduct responsible discussions with related local governments and the international community based on the strategy" and implement future energy and environmental policies "while making tireless efforts to examine and revise them."
代わりに「戦略を踏まえて、関係自治体や国際社会と責任ある議論を行い、不断の検証と見直しを行いながら遂行する」という対応方針のみを閣議決定した。
The new energy strategy has drawn angry reactions from the business community as well as local governments that host nuclear power plants. The United States, which concluded a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Japan, has also expressed strong concerns over the plan.
今回のエネルギー戦略には、経済界や原発立地自治体が反発し、原子力協定を結んでいる米国も強い懸念を示している。
===
Economic losses 'unavoidable'
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, heads of the nation's top three business organizations--the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Japan Association of Corporate Executives--held a joint emergency press conference Tuesday to demand the government retract the zero nuclear target.
閣議前日の１８日には、経団連、日本商工会議所、経済同友会の財界トップ３人が共同で緊急記者会見を開き、「原発ゼロ」の撤回を政府に求めた。
It was unusual for the heads of the three top business organizations to jointly express their dissatisfaction with government policy. The demand reflected their fears that electricity charges may double if the government implements a zero nuclear policy, and unavoidably force companies to relocate production overseas, leading to massive employment losses.
経済３団体の長がそろって政府に注文をつける異例の対応をとったのは、「原発ゼロ」では電気料金が２倍に跳ね上がり、産業空洞化や大量の雇用喪失が避けられないという危機感からだ。
The government has so far failed to work out how to secure viable alternatives to nuclear energy, such as methods to further utilize renewable energy, mainly solar and wind power. The zero nuclear target may threaten the country's ability to secure a stable supply of electricity.
太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの普及をはじめ、原発の代替電源を確保するメドは立っておらず、電力の安定供給が揺らぐ恐れもある。
Considering these concerns, it was entirely appropriate for the Cabinet to refrain from quickly approving the new energy strategy.
こうした懸念に配慮し、政府がエネルギー戦略をそのまま閣議決定しなかったのは当然である。
However, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national policy, said at a press conference that the Cabinet meeting "did not change the decisions made regarding the strategy." It was problematic for him to make remarks that can be interpreted as the government maintaining the zero nuclear target.
ただ、古川国家戦略相は記者会見で「戦略の決定内容を変えたものではない」と説明した。「原発ゼロ」の方針を堅持しているともとれる発言は問題だ。
Without assuaging the deep resentment of the business community, it will be almost impossible for the government to implement its energy strategy smoothly. The government should sincerely listen to the opinions of businesses and improve soured relationships with them soon.
経済界が猛反発したままでは、エネルギー戦略を円滑に推進できるはずがない。政府は、経済界の意見に真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、関係修復を急ぐべきである。
===
Energy policies not political tool
Energy policies should not be made to please voters in the upcoming general election--far-sighted initiatives concerning the nation's future are necessary.
エネルギー政策は、目先の選挙目当てではなく、日本の将来を見据えた対応が求められる。
All candidates of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race have carefully avoided expressing opinions in favor of the zero nuclear target. We believe they made appropriate decisions.
自民党総裁選の全候補が、「原発ゼロ」の方針を打ち出すことに慎重な見解を示しているのは、妥当と言えよう。
Meanwhile, during the election campaign for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential race, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said: "The public has expressed its resolve [to abolish all nuclear power plants]. Based on the wishes of the people, the government has also made its decision."
一方、民主党代表選の論戦で野田首相は、「（原発ゼロは）国民の覚悟だ。それを踏まえて政府も覚悟を決めた」と述べた。
However, we doubt whether there is a sufficient number of people who understand the risks of a zero nuclear policy--such as unemployment and poverty--and would be willing to undergo the hardships involved.
だが、「原発ゼロ」に伴う失業や貧困のリスクを理解し、苦難を受け入れる覚悟を固めている国民がどれほどいるだろうか。
The government has a responsibility to choose the best national policy. It is a mistake for the government to pass the responsibility to the public and justify it as the "will of the people."
国策選択の責任を、国民の「覚悟」に丸投げするのは誤りだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2012)
（2012年9月20日01時21分 読売新聞）
Govt must retract zero nuclear target for good of economy
原発ゼロ方針 「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ（9月20日付・読売社説）
What was the conclusion of the recent Cabinet meeting on the government's "zero nuclear" target? It is unclear whether the government has decided to review the policy or push it through.
こんな決着では、「原子力発電ゼロ」を見直すのか、それとも強行するのか、あいまいだ。
The government should clearly retract the zero nuclear target, which could deal a serious blow to the economy and employment if implemented, and instead come up with a feasible energy strategy.
政府は、日本経済や雇用に多大な打撃を与えかねない「原発ゼロ」を明確に撤回し、現実的なエネルギー戦略を練り直すべきである。
The Cabinet refrained from approving the government's "innovative energy and environmental strategy," which sets a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s, at the meeting Wednesday.
政府が、２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目指すとした「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」の閣議決定を見送った。
Instead, the Cabinet merely approved the government's policy to "conduct responsible discussions with related local governments and the international community based on the strategy" and implement future energy and environmental policies "while making tireless efforts to examine and revise them."
代わりに「戦略を踏まえて、関係自治体や国際社会と責任ある議論を行い、不断の検証と見直しを行いながら遂行する」という対応方針のみを閣議決定した。
The new energy strategy has drawn angry reactions from the business community as well as local governments that host nuclear power plants. The United States, which concluded a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Japan, has also expressed strong concerns over the plan.
今回のエネルギー戦略には、経済界や原発立地自治体が反発し、原子力協定を結んでいる米国も強い懸念を示している。
===
Economic losses 'unavoidable'
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, heads of the nation's top three business organizations--the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Japan Association of Corporate Executives--held a joint emergency press conference Tuesday to demand the government retract the zero nuclear target.
閣議前日の１８日には、経団連、日本商工会議所、経済同友会の財界トップ３人が共同で緊急記者会見を開き、「原発ゼロ」の撤回を政府に求めた。
It was unusual for the heads of the three top business organizations to jointly express their dissatisfaction with government policy. The demand reflected their fears that electricity charges may double if the government implements a zero nuclear policy, and unavoidably force companies to relocate production overseas, leading to massive employment losses.
経済３団体の長がそろって政府に注文をつける異例の対応をとったのは、「原発ゼロ」では電気料金が２倍に跳ね上がり、産業空洞化や大量の雇用喪失が避けられないという危機感からだ。
The government has so far failed to work out how to secure viable alternatives to nuclear energy, such as methods to further utilize renewable energy, mainly solar and wind power. The zero nuclear target may threaten the country's ability to secure a stable supply of electricity.
太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの普及をはじめ、原発の代替電源を確保するメドは立っておらず、電力の安定供給が揺らぐ恐れもある。
Considering these concerns, it was entirely appropriate for the Cabinet to refrain from quickly approving the new energy strategy.
こうした懸念に配慮し、政府がエネルギー戦略をそのまま閣議決定しなかったのは当然である。
However, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national policy, said at a press conference that the Cabinet meeting "did not change the decisions made regarding the strategy." It was problematic for him to make remarks that can be interpreted as the government maintaining the zero nuclear target.
ただ、古川国家戦略相は記者会見で「戦略の決定内容を変えたものではない」と説明した。「原発ゼロ」の方針を堅持しているともとれる発言は問題だ。
Without assuaging the deep resentment of the business community, it will be almost impossible for the government to implement its energy strategy smoothly. The government should sincerely listen to the opinions of businesses and improve soured relationships with them soon.
経済界が猛反発したままでは、エネルギー戦略を円滑に推進できるはずがない。政府は、経済界の意見に真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、関係修復を急ぐべきである。
===
Energy policies not political tool
Energy policies should not be made to please voters in the upcoming general election--far-sighted initiatives concerning the nation's future are necessary.
エネルギー政策は、目先の選挙目当てではなく、日本の将来を見据えた対応が求められる。
All candidates of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race have carefully avoided expressing opinions in favor of the zero nuclear target. We believe they made appropriate decisions.
自民党総裁選の全候補が、「原発ゼロ」の方針を打ち出すことに慎重な見解を示しているのは、妥当と言えよう。
Meanwhile, during the election campaign for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential race, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said: "The public has expressed its resolve [to abolish all nuclear power plants]. Based on the wishes of the people, the government has also made its decision."
一方、民主党代表選の論戦で野田首相は、「（原発ゼロは）国民の覚悟だ。それを踏まえて政府も覚悟を決めた」と述べた。
However, we doubt whether there is a sufficient number of people who understand the risks of a zero nuclear policy--such as unemployment and poverty--and would be willing to undergo the hardships involved.
だが、「原発ゼロ」に伴う失業や貧困のリスクを理解し、苦難を受け入れる覚悟を固めている国民がどれほどいるだろうか。
The government has a responsibility to choose the best national policy. It is a mistake for the government to pass the responsibility to the public and justify it as the "will of the people."
国策選択の責任を、国民の「覚悟」に丸投げするのは誤りだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2012)
（2012年9月20日01時21分 読売新聞）
2012/09/21
反日デモ続く 対中感情の悪化を招くだけだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 20, 2012)
Anti-Japan rallies can only worsen feelings toward China
反日デモ続く 対中感情の悪化を招くだけだ（9月19日付・読売社説）
In the face of days of fierce anti-Japan demonstrations in China, Japan's attitude toward China has continued to deteriorate. We wonder to what extent the Chinese government is aware of the serious effect the protests are having on bilateral relations.
連日の過激な反日デモで、日本の対中感情は悪化するばかりだ。日中関係に大きな禍根を残すことを、中国政府はどこまで認識しているのか。
On the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, on Tuesday, large-scale anti-Japan demonstrations were held in dozens of places across China. Demonstrations over the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands have been held for the eighth consecutive day.
満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年となる１８日、中国各地で大規模な反日デモが行われた。日本政府の尖閣諸島の国有化に抗議するデモは、これで８日連続である。
In Shenyang, Liaoning Province, where the Liutiaohu Incident took place, the windows of the Japanese Consulate General were smashed by rocks thrown by demonstrators. This reckless violence followed vandalism against Japanese-affiliated companies in a number of places in China last weekend.
柳条湖事件のあった中国遼寧省瀋陽では、デモ隊の投石で日本総領事館のガラスが割られた。各地で日系企業への破壊行為が相次いだ週末に続く狼藉(ろうぜき)だ。
Although the Chinese government appears to be trying to stem the extreme violence, it still permits the demonstrations. Some Japanese-affiliated companies have been forced to suspend factory operations and close their outlets. Chinese working at Japanese-affiliated companies or Japanese restaurants are also victimized by the acts of destruction.
中国政府は、過激な行動は抑えようとはしても、デモ容認の姿勢を変えようとはしていない。日系企業は工場の操業停止や店舗の休業に追い込まれた。日系企業や日本料理店で働く中国人も破壊行為の被害者だ。
===
Income gap also protested
Demonstrators holding portraits of Mao Zedong aloft apparently were also showing their strong discontent over the growing income disparity under the current Chinese administration. This indicates the demonstrations were not simply aimed only at Japan.
毛沢東の肖像画を掲げたデモ隊には、現政権下での所得格差拡大への強い不満もあるのだろう。単純な反日とも言い切れない。
If China's pressure on Japan escalates, tensions between the two countries will increase further. To prepare for unpredictable events, the Japanese government should keep in close contact with Japanese citizens and Japanese-affiliated companies in China. It also should strongly press the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Japanese people and companies.
中国の対日圧力がさらにエスカレートすれば、日中間の緊張は一層高まろう。日本政府は不測の事態に備え、在留邦人や日系企業との連絡を密にするとともに、中国政府に対し、邦人と企業の安全確保を強く求めるべきだ。
It has been reported that more than 10,000 Chinese fishing vessels set sail in the East China Sea and that about 1,000 vessels are expected to arrive in areas around the Senkaku Islands. In an attempt to wrench the islands from Japan's control, those vessels, escorted by fishery surveillance ships of the Chinese Agriculture Ministry, may enter Japan's territorial waters.
東シナ海に中国の漁船１万隻以上が出航し、尖閣諸島海域に約１０００隻が到着すると報じられている。日本の実効支配を崩そうと、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛下で、日本領海内に入る恐れがある。
Ships sent by the Chinese authorities entered Japan's territorial waters Friday and Tuesday. The Japan Coast Guard must not relax its vigilance and surveillance activities in the immediate future.
中国の公船は、１４日に続き１８日も日本の領海に侵入した。海上保安庁の警戒監視は当分緩めるわけにはいかない。
===
Japan, U.S. should cooperate
In talks in Tokyo on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba agreed the two nations would cooperate to prevent Japan-China relations from being irreparably damaged. Japan and the United States must continue to urge China to handle the matter in a levelheaded manner and resolve the situation as soon as possible.
来日したパネッタ米国防長官は１７日、玄葉外相と会談し、「日中関係が大きく損なわれないよう日米で協力する」との認識で一致した。日米両国がともに、中国側に冷静な対応と事態の早期収拾を粘り強く働きかける必要がある。
The Japanese and U.S. governments also have agreed that deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture will proceed as planned.
日米両政府はまた、米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイの沖縄県配備を進めることでも合意した。
Strengthening the functions of the U.S. forces stationed in Japan will help guide China to act in a restrained manner.
在日米軍の機能強化に取り組むことは、中国の抑制的な対応を引き出すことにつながるはずだ。
The Chinese government has submitted to the United Nations a nautical chart that identifies the areas around the Senkaku Islands as its "territorial waters." Beijing also has decided to submit an application to move the outer limit of its continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the baseline of its territorial waters in the East China Sea. These are steps apparently aimed at strengthening China's territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands.
中国政府は、国連に、尖閣諸島周辺海域を「領海」とする海図を提出した。さらに東シナ海で領海の基線から２００カイリを超える大陸棚の延伸を求める申請案の提出も決定した。尖閣の領有権主張を強化しようとする動きだ。
The Japanese government for its part must make its stance clear to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of Japan's territory.
日本政府は、尖閣諸島が日本の領土であることを国際的にアピールしていかなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2012)
（2012年9月19日01時50分 読売新聞）
Anti-Japan rallies can only worsen feelings toward China
反日デモ続く 対中感情の悪化を招くだけだ（9月19日付・読売社説）
In the face of days of fierce anti-Japan demonstrations in China, Japan's attitude toward China has continued to deteriorate. We wonder to what extent the Chinese government is aware of the serious effect the protests are having on bilateral relations.
連日の過激な反日デモで、日本の対中感情は悪化するばかりだ。日中関係に大きな禍根を残すことを、中国政府はどこまで認識しているのか。
On the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, on Tuesday, large-scale anti-Japan demonstrations were held in dozens of places across China. Demonstrations over the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands have been held for the eighth consecutive day.
満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年となる１８日、中国各地で大規模な反日デモが行われた。日本政府の尖閣諸島の国有化に抗議するデモは、これで８日連続である。
In Shenyang, Liaoning Province, where the Liutiaohu Incident took place, the windows of the Japanese Consulate General were smashed by rocks thrown by demonstrators. This reckless violence followed vandalism against Japanese-affiliated companies in a number of places in China last weekend.
柳条湖事件のあった中国遼寧省瀋陽では、デモ隊の投石で日本総領事館のガラスが割られた。各地で日系企業への破壊行為が相次いだ週末に続く狼藉(ろうぜき)だ。
Although the Chinese government appears to be trying to stem the extreme violence, it still permits the demonstrations. Some Japanese-affiliated companies have been forced to suspend factory operations and close their outlets. Chinese working at Japanese-affiliated companies or Japanese restaurants are also victimized by the acts of destruction.
中国政府は、過激な行動は抑えようとはしても、デモ容認の姿勢を変えようとはしていない。日系企業は工場の操業停止や店舗の休業に追い込まれた。日系企業や日本料理店で働く中国人も破壊行為の被害者だ。
===
Income gap also protested
Demonstrators holding portraits of Mao Zedong aloft apparently were also showing their strong discontent over the growing income disparity under the current Chinese administration. This indicates the demonstrations were not simply aimed only at Japan.
毛沢東の肖像画を掲げたデモ隊には、現政権下での所得格差拡大への強い不満もあるのだろう。単純な反日とも言い切れない。
If China's pressure on Japan escalates, tensions between the two countries will increase further. To prepare for unpredictable events, the Japanese government should keep in close contact with Japanese citizens and Japanese-affiliated companies in China. It also should strongly press the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Japanese people and companies.
中国の対日圧力がさらにエスカレートすれば、日中間の緊張は一層高まろう。日本政府は不測の事態に備え、在留邦人や日系企業との連絡を密にするとともに、中国政府に対し、邦人と企業の安全確保を強く求めるべきだ。
It has been reported that more than 10,000 Chinese fishing vessels set sail in the East China Sea and that about 1,000 vessels are expected to arrive in areas around the Senkaku Islands. In an attempt to wrench the islands from Japan's control, those vessels, escorted by fishery surveillance ships of the Chinese Agriculture Ministry, may enter Japan's territorial waters.
東シナ海に中国の漁船１万隻以上が出航し、尖閣諸島海域に約１０００隻が到着すると報じられている。日本の実効支配を崩そうと、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛下で、日本領海内に入る恐れがある。
Ships sent by the Chinese authorities entered Japan's territorial waters Friday and Tuesday. The Japan Coast Guard must not relax its vigilance and surveillance activities in the immediate future.
中国の公船は、１４日に続き１８日も日本の領海に侵入した。海上保安庁の警戒監視は当分緩めるわけにはいかない。
===
Japan, U.S. should cooperate
In talks in Tokyo on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba agreed the two nations would cooperate to prevent Japan-China relations from being irreparably damaged. Japan and the United States must continue to urge China to handle the matter in a levelheaded manner and resolve the situation as soon as possible.
来日したパネッタ米国防長官は１７日、玄葉外相と会談し、「日中関係が大きく損なわれないよう日米で協力する」との認識で一致した。日米両国がともに、中国側に冷静な対応と事態の早期収拾を粘り強く働きかける必要がある。
The Japanese and U.S. governments also have agreed that deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture will proceed as planned.
日米両政府はまた、米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイの沖縄県配備を進めることでも合意した。
Strengthening the functions of the U.S. forces stationed in Japan will help guide China to act in a restrained manner.
在日米軍の機能強化に取り組むことは、中国の抑制的な対応を引き出すことにつながるはずだ。
The Chinese government has submitted to the United Nations a nautical chart that identifies the areas around the Senkaku Islands as its "territorial waters." Beijing also has decided to submit an application to move the outer limit of its continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the baseline of its territorial waters in the East China Sea. These are steps apparently aimed at strengthening China's territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands.
中国政府は、国連に、尖閣諸島周辺海域を「領海」とする海図を提出した。さらに東シナ海で領海の基線から２００カイリを超える大陸棚の延伸を求める申請案の提出も決定した。尖閣の領有権主張を強化しようとする動きだ。
The Japanese government for its part must make its stance clear to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of Japan's territory.
日本政府は、尖閣諸島が日本の領土であることを国際的にアピールしていかなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2012)
（2012年9月19日01時50分 読売新聞）
2012/09/20
反米デモ 中東の不安定化を憂慮する
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 19, 2012)
Anti-U.S. feelings mustn't lead to destabilization of Middle East
反米デモ 中東の不安定化を憂慮する（9月18日付・読売社説）
Anti-U.S. demonstrations have spread in Middle Eastern and Asian countries over a video clip from a U.S. film regarded by Muslims as disparaging the Prophet Mohammed.
イスラム教の預言者ムハンマドを侮辱した映像に抗議する反米デモが、中東やアジアの国々に広がっている。
In the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, the U.S. ambassador and three staff members were killed in an attack on the U.S. Consulate. It is strongly believed that armed extremists carried out the terrorist attack by taking advantage of the chaos caused by the anti-U.S. protests.
リビア東部ベンガジでは、米国領事館が襲撃され、米大使ら４人が死亡した。
デモの混乱に乗じて、武装勢力がテロを実行したとの見方も強い。
In Cairo, some protesters stormed into the U.S. Embassy compound. U.S. embassies also were attacked in Sudan and Tunisia. In Yemen, people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.
エジプトの首都カイロでは、デモ隊の一部が米大使館敷地内に乱入し、スーダンとチュニジアでも米大使館が襲われた。イエメンでは警察との衝突で死者が出た。
The wave of protests has spread to Asian countries with Muslim majorities, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
反米デモの波は、インドネシア、マレーシアなどアジアのイスラム国にも及んでいる。
Images from the video clip of the film, which was produced in the United States, spread across the world after it was posted on the Internet. It is not known which individual or group produced the video clip or why it was posted on the Internet, but it has fueled religious hostility. No wonder Muslims are offended.
問題の映像は、米国で作られた映画の要約版で、インターネットを通じて流れた。制作者やその意図は不明だが、宗教的対立をあおる行為だ。イスラム教徒が感情を害したのも無理はない。
===
Violence should be avoided
Even so, acts of violence and sabotage should never be permitted regardless of the anger the film provoked.
だが、そうであろうと、怒りにまかせた暴力的な破壊行為は許されるものではない。
U.S. President Barack Obama strongly denounced the attacks on the U.S. ambassador and others, saying "we reject the denigration of any religion...Yet there never is any justification for violence."
オバマ米大統領は、「われわれは他者の信仰を侮辱する行為を拒絶する」と述べた上で、「非常識な暴力は正当化できない」と米大使らへの襲撃を強く非難した。
We hope the situation will calm down as early as possible.
事態が早期に沈静化することを望みたい。
A major concern is that anti-U.S. sentiment has spread widely among common people in the Middle East, not just Muslim radicals.
懸念されるのは、過激派に限らず、中東の一般国民の間に反米感情が広がっている問題だ。
This may be because of their distrust in and discontent with U.S. policies vis-a-vis the Middle East.
根底には、米国の中東政策への不信、不満があるのだろう。
After taking office in 2009, Obama made an effort to improve relations with the Islamic world, where anti-U.S. sentiment had increased because of the Iraq War. He supported the Arab Spring reform movement against autocratic leaders.
オバマ大統領は就任後、イラク戦争によって対米感情が悪化したイスラム世界との関係改善に乗り出した。強権政治に立ち向かう「アラブの春」の改革を支持する立場を明確にしている。
Nevertheless, the demonstrations triggered by a video that has no connection whatsoever with the U.S. administration have spread. This underscores the existence of deep-rooted anti-U.S. feelings in addition to religious issues. Obama's Middle East policies do not seem to be functioning effectively.
にもかかわらず、米政府とは無関係の映像を契機に反米デモが広がったことは、宗教上の問題に加えて反米感情の根深さを物語っている。オバマ政権の中東政策が機能していないとも言えよう。
===
Democratization half done
In Egypt and other countries where autocratic rulers were ousted during the Arab Spring movement, democratization is only half carried out. We are worried over how the anti-U.S. protests will affect the internal politics of Middle Eastern countries.
「アラブの春」で独裁体制が崩壊したエジプトなどの民主化は道半ばだ。それだけに、この反米デモが、中東の国々の内政にもたらす影響が気がかりだ。
If the Middle East is thrown into chaos, it will have a global impact.
中東が混乱すれば、その影響は世界に及ぶ。
As a "Pacific nation," the United States has attached more importance to Asia. But if Washington changes this policy and deploys a significant number of troops to the Middle East, it may affect Japan's national security.
米国が「太平洋国家」としていくら「アジア重視」を唱えても、相当数の兵力を中東に振り向ける事態になれば、日本の安全保障に制約が生じかねない。
As Japan relies on the Middle East for slightly more than 80 percent of its crude oil imports, it is essential for this country to support the region's economic development by providing official development assistance and contribute to stabilizing the political situation.
政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）などで中東諸国の経済発展を支え、政情の安定に寄与することは、原油輸入の８割強を中東に依存する日本にとっても重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2012)
（2012年9月18日01時24分 読売新聞）
Anti-U.S. feelings mustn't lead to destabilization of Middle East
反米デモ 中東の不安定化を憂慮する（9月18日付・読売社説）
Anti-U.S. demonstrations have spread in Middle Eastern and Asian countries over a video clip from a U.S. film regarded by Muslims as disparaging the Prophet Mohammed.
イスラム教の預言者ムハンマドを侮辱した映像に抗議する反米デモが、中東やアジアの国々に広がっている。
In the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, the U.S. ambassador and three staff members were killed in an attack on the U.S. Consulate. It is strongly believed that armed extremists carried out the terrorist attack by taking advantage of the chaos caused by the anti-U.S. protests.
リビア東部ベンガジでは、米国領事館が襲撃され、米大使ら４人が死亡した。
デモの混乱に乗じて、武装勢力がテロを実行したとの見方も強い。
In Cairo, some protesters stormed into the U.S. Embassy compound. U.S. embassies also were attacked in Sudan and Tunisia. In Yemen, people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.
エジプトの首都カイロでは、デモ隊の一部が米大使館敷地内に乱入し、スーダンとチュニジアでも米大使館が襲われた。イエメンでは警察との衝突で死者が出た。
The wave of protests has spread to Asian countries with Muslim majorities, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
反米デモの波は、インドネシア、マレーシアなどアジアのイスラム国にも及んでいる。
Images from the video clip of the film, which was produced in the United States, spread across the world after it was posted on the Internet. It is not known which individual or group produced the video clip or why it was posted on the Internet, but it has fueled religious hostility. No wonder Muslims are offended.
問題の映像は、米国で作られた映画の要約版で、インターネットを通じて流れた。制作者やその意図は不明だが、宗教的対立をあおる行為だ。イスラム教徒が感情を害したのも無理はない。
===
Violence should be avoided
Even so, acts of violence and sabotage should never be permitted regardless of the anger the film provoked.
だが、そうであろうと、怒りにまかせた暴力的な破壊行為は許されるものではない。
U.S. President Barack Obama strongly denounced the attacks on the U.S. ambassador and others, saying "we reject the denigration of any religion...Yet there never is any justification for violence."
オバマ米大統領は、「われわれは他者の信仰を侮辱する行為を拒絶する」と述べた上で、「非常識な暴力は正当化できない」と米大使らへの襲撃を強く非難した。
We hope the situation will calm down as early as possible.
事態が早期に沈静化することを望みたい。
A major concern is that anti-U.S. sentiment has spread widely among common people in the Middle East, not just Muslim radicals.
懸念されるのは、過激派に限らず、中東の一般国民の間に反米感情が広がっている問題だ。
This may be because of their distrust in and discontent with U.S. policies vis-a-vis the Middle East.
根底には、米国の中東政策への不信、不満があるのだろう。
After taking office in 2009, Obama made an effort to improve relations with the Islamic world, where anti-U.S. sentiment had increased because of the Iraq War. He supported the Arab Spring reform movement against autocratic leaders.
オバマ大統領は就任後、イラク戦争によって対米感情が悪化したイスラム世界との関係改善に乗り出した。強権政治に立ち向かう「アラブの春」の改革を支持する立場を明確にしている。
Nevertheless, the demonstrations triggered by a video that has no connection whatsoever with the U.S. administration have spread. This underscores the existence of deep-rooted anti-U.S. feelings in addition to religious issues. Obama's Middle East policies do not seem to be functioning effectively.
にもかかわらず、米政府とは無関係の映像を契機に反米デモが広がったことは、宗教上の問題に加えて反米感情の根深さを物語っている。オバマ政権の中東政策が機能していないとも言えよう。
===
Democratization half done
In Egypt and other countries where autocratic rulers were ousted during the Arab Spring movement, democratization is only half carried out. We are worried over how the anti-U.S. protests will affect the internal politics of Middle Eastern countries.
「アラブの春」で独裁体制が崩壊したエジプトなどの民主化は道半ばだ。それだけに、この反米デモが、中東の国々の内政にもたらす影響が気がかりだ。
If the Middle East is thrown into chaos, it will have a global impact.
中東が混乱すれば、その影響は世界に及ぶ。
As a "Pacific nation," the United States has attached more importance to Asia. But if Washington changes this policy and deploys a significant number of troops to the Middle East, it may affect Japan's national security.
米国が「太平洋国家」としていくら「アジア重視」を唱えても、相当数の兵力を中東に振り向ける事態になれば、日本の安全保障に制約が生じかねない。
As Japan relies on the Middle East for slightly more than 80 percent of its crude oil imports, it is essential for this country to support the region's economic development by providing official development assistance and contribute to stabilizing the political situation.
政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）などで中東諸国の経済発展を支え、政情の安定に寄与することは、原油輸入の８割強を中東に依存する日本にとっても重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2012)
（2012年9月18日01時24分 読売新聞）
2012/09/19
反日過激デモ 中国政府はなぜ容認するのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 18, 2012)
Why does Beijing permit anti-Japan protests?
反日過激デモ 中国政府はなぜ容認するのか（9月17日付・読売社説）
Anti-Japan protests have been expanding and escalating in China.
中国の反日デモが拡大し、過激化している。
This is a serious situation.
憂慮すべき事態だ。
Protesters railing against the recent nationalization of three islets of the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, by the central government have taken to the streets of about 100 cities in China.
日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに抗議するデモは、中国の約１００都市に広がった。
In Beijing, protesters hurled rocks at the Japanese Embassy, while in other cities they attacked Japanese-affiliated business establishments. Some Japanese citizens have been assaulted in places where there have been no street demonstrations.
北京では日本大使館が投石され、地方都市では日系企業が襲撃された。デモの現場ではないが、日本人が暴行された例もあった。
It is quite reasonable for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to have lodged a protest with the Chinese government. The Japanese government must continuously press China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and businesses and the protection of their property.
野田首相が抗議したのは当然である。日本政府は引き続き、中国政府に対し、邦人と日系企業の安全、財産の保護を徹底するよう求めなければならない。
The Chinese government should strictly punish those involved in behavior that results in property destruction in accordance with the law.
中国政府は、破壊行為に関わった容疑者を法に基づいて厳正に処分すべきである。
In parallel with these protests, there have been aggressive acts by the Chinese government itself, which is apparently trying to undermine Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands.
デモと並行して、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国政府の示威行動も目立つ。
===
Unprecedented intrusion
In an unprecedented action, six Chinese government maritime surveillance ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on Friday at the same time.
尖閣諸島周辺の日本の領海内に１４日、中国の海洋監視船６隻が侵入した。中国公船が同時に６隻も侵入してきたのは過去に例がない。
This is the first time that China has raised tensions with Japan to such a stage since bilateral diplomatic relations were normalized in 1972.
１９７２年の日中国交正常化以来、これほど中国が日本との間で緊張を高めたのは初めてだ。
China has probably acted out of a heightened sense of crisis that it may lose face if the administration under the Chinese Communist Party is perceived by the people to have conceded to Japan over the Senkaku islets.
尖閣諸島を巡って日本に譲歩した、と国内で受け止められれば、共産党政権の威信が揺らぐと危機感を強めているのだろう。
In China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Japan's "wrongful act" (nationalization of the three islets) has been provoking strong righteous indignation in China, showing Beijing's sympathy for the anti-Japan protests. A senior Commerce Ministry official has also implied a boycott of Japanese products would be a natural consequence.
中国は、外務省報道官が「日本の誤った行為が強い義憤を引き起こしている」と反日デモへの理解を示し、商務省幹部も日本製品の不買運動を容認するかのような発言をしている。
Such developments have fueled the anger of a younger generation that has been immersed in patriotic education, causing an escalation of their actions.
これが愛国教育世代の若者を煽(あお)り、行動の過激化を招いた。
The Chinese government has apparently decided to politically exploit the people's anger against the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands to exert diplomatic pressure on Japan.
中国政府には、尖閣諸島国有化に反発する国民の怒りを対日圧力に利用する政治的思惑がある。
===
Maintain the rule of law
But for the Chinese government to sanction illegal behavior under a slogan that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime would be to deny the rule of law. And boycotting products of a specific country violates the spirit of free trade, which also runs counter to China's interests.
だが、愛国的行為は罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」のスローガンの下、破壊行為を正当化するのは法治の否定だ。特定国の製品の不買は自由貿易に反する。中国のためにもならない。
Appeals are being made for people to demonstrate against Japan again on Tuesday, which marks the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident that triggered the Manchurian Incident. It is feared the daily activities of Japanese people and businesses in China may be badly affected again.
満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年に当たる１８日、各地では再びデモが呼びかけられている。邦人の生活や日系企業の営業活動への影響が懸念される。
It is highly likely that a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, escorted by fishing monitoring vessels of the Chinese agriculture ministry, will soon leave ports for the Senkaku Islands shortly and try to intrude into Japanese territorial waters.
間もなく尖閣諸島沖に向け、中国漁船が大挙出港し、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛で、日本領海への侵入を図る可能性が高い。
The Japanese government, for its part, must make absolutely sure that the Japan Coast Guard protects the territorial waters.
日本政府は海上保安庁による領海警備に万全を期すべきだ。
The government must assert to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory and that the recent acquisition of the islands is intended to place them under stable government management.
政府は、尖閣諸島は日本の領土であり、安定的に管理するための国有化であることを、国際社会に主張していかねばならない。
The national leaders of Japan and China should bring the current situation under control so as not to aggravate the conflict of their people's sentiments.
国民感情の対立を深めぬよう、日中両国は首脳レベルで、事態の沈静化に努める必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2012)
（2012年9月17日01時20分 読売新聞）
Why does Beijing permit anti-Japan protests?
反日過激デモ 中国政府はなぜ容認するのか（9月17日付・読売社説）
Anti-Japan protests have been expanding and escalating in China.
中国の反日デモが拡大し、過激化している。
This is a serious situation.
憂慮すべき事態だ。
Protesters railing against the recent nationalization of three islets of the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, by the central government have taken to the streets of about 100 cities in China.
日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに抗議するデモは、中国の約１００都市に広がった。
In Beijing, protesters hurled rocks at the Japanese Embassy, while in other cities they attacked Japanese-affiliated business establishments. Some Japanese citizens have been assaulted in places where there have been no street demonstrations.
北京では日本大使館が投石され、地方都市では日系企業が襲撃された。デモの現場ではないが、日本人が暴行された例もあった。
It is quite reasonable for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to have lodged a protest with the Chinese government. The Japanese government must continuously press China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and businesses and the protection of their property.
野田首相が抗議したのは当然である。日本政府は引き続き、中国政府に対し、邦人と日系企業の安全、財産の保護を徹底するよう求めなければならない。
The Chinese government should strictly punish those involved in behavior that results in property destruction in accordance with the law.
中国政府は、破壊行為に関わった容疑者を法に基づいて厳正に処分すべきである。
In parallel with these protests, there have been aggressive acts by the Chinese government itself, which is apparently trying to undermine Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands.
デモと並行して、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国政府の示威行動も目立つ。
===
Unprecedented intrusion
In an unprecedented action, six Chinese government maritime surveillance ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on Friday at the same time.
尖閣諸島周辺の日本の領海内に１４日、中国の海洋監視船６隻が侵入した。中国公船が同時に６隻も侵入してきたのは過去に例がない。
This is the first time that China has raised tensions with Japan to such a stage since bilateral diplomatic relations were normalized in 1972.
１９７２年の日中国交正常化以来、これほど中国が日本との間で緊張を高めたのは初めてだ。
China has probably acted out of a heightened sense of crisis that it may lose face if the administration under the Chinese Communist Party is perceived by the people to have conceded to Japan over the Senkaku islets.
尖閣諸島を巡って日本に譲歩した、と国内で受け止められれば、共産党政権の威信が揺らぐと危機感を強めているのだろう。
In China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Japan's "wrongful act" (nationalization of the three islets) has been provoking strong righteous indignation in China, showing Beijing's sympathy for the anti-Japan protests. A senior Commerce Ministry official has also implied a boycott of Japanese products would be a natural consequence.
中国は、外務省報道官が「日本の誤った行為が強い義憤を引き起こしている」と反日デモへの理解を示し、商務省幹部も日本製品の不買運動を容認するかのような発言をしている。
Such developments have fueled the anger of a younger generation that has been immersed in patriotic education, causing an escalation of their actions.
これが愛国教育世代の若者を煽(あお)り、行動の過激化を招いた。
The Chinese government has apparently decided to politically exploit the people's anger against the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands to exert diplomatic pressure on Japan.
中国政府には、尖閣諸島国有化に反発する国民の怒りを対日圧力に利用する政治的思惑がある。
===
Maintain the rule of law
But for the Chinese government to sanction illegal behavior under a slogan that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime would be to deny the rule of law. And boycotting products of a specific country violates the spirit of free trade, which also runs counter to China's interests.
だが、愛国的行為は罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」のスローガンの下、破壊行為を正当化するのは法治の否定だ。特定国の製品の不買は自由貿易に反する。中国のためにもならない。
Appeals are being made for people to demonstrate against Japan again on Tuesday, which marks the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident that triggered the Manchurian Incident. It is feared the daily activities of Japanese people and businesses in China may be badly affected again.
満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年に当たる１８日、各地では再びデモが呼びかけられている。邦人の生活や日系企業の営業活動への影響が懸念される。
It is highly likely that a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, escorted by fishing monitoring vessels of the Chinese agriculture ministry, will soon leave ports for the Senkaku Islands shortly and try to intrude into Japanese territorial waters.
間もなく尖閣諸島沖に向け、中国漁船が大挙出港し、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛で、日本領海への侵入を図る可能性が高い。
The Japanese government, for its part, must make absolutely sure that the Japan Coast Guard protects the territorial waters.
日本政府は海上保安庁による領海警備に万全を期すべきだ。
The government must assert to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory and that the recent acquisition of the islands is intended to place them under stable government management.
政府は、尖閣諸島は日本の領土であり、安定的に管理するための国有化であることを、国際社会に主張していかねばならない。
The national leaders of Japan and China should bring the current situation under control so as not to aggravate the conflict of their people's sentiments.
国民感情の対立を深めぬよう、日中両国は首脳レベルで、事態の沈静化に努める必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2012)
（2012年9月17日01時20分 読売新聞）
2012/09/18
エネルギー選択 「原発ゼロ」は戦略に値しない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 13, 2012)
Local govts need bigger ax to slash personnel costs
地方公務員給与 自治体はもっと削減努力を（11月11日付・読売社説）
Slashing personnel costs is a crucial task for local governments and from the viewpoint of rebuilding the central government's finances. It is essential that local governments redouble their efforts to cut expenditures.
地方の人件費圧縮は、国の財政再建にも重要な課題だ。
自治体の削減努力が求められる。
With preparations for compiling a state budget for fiscal 2013 under way, the Finance Ministry announced provisional calculations regarding salary levels of local government employees.
２０１３年度予算の編成に向け、財務省が地方公務員の給与水準に関する試算を発表した。
The Laspeyres index--an indicator that compares local government employees' salaries against a base of 100 for salaries of central government workers--stood at 106.9 for fiscal 2012, marking a reversal for the first time in nine years, according to the estimates.
国家公務員を１００としたときの地方公務員の給与水準を示すラスパイレス指数が、１２年度は１０６・９となり、９年ぶりに国と地方の給与が逆転した。
Salaries in more than 80 percent of about 1,800 local entities across Japan exceeded the pay pocketed by central government employees.
全国約１８００自治体の８割以上が国より高水準だった。
This seems partly due to the fact that the central government decided to cut its employees' salaries for two years from fiscal 2012 to raise funds for budgetary appropriations for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
東日本大震災の復興予算を捻出するため、国家公務員の給与を１２年度から２年間、引き下げた措置が影響しているのだろう。
Salaries of local government employees are stipulated by ordinances, mainly after consultations between municipalities and trade unions of their workers. The central government has no say in pay scale decisions by local governments.
地方公務員の給与は労組との協議などを経て、自治体が条例で決める。国に決定権はない。
===
Averse to pay cuts
However, local government employees' salaries are paid from local tax grants allocated by the central government, in addition to local tax revenues.
ただ、その財源となるのは、地方税などに加え、国から配分される地方交付税交付金だ。
These tax grants, which are designed to help local governments make up for budget deficits, have reached more than 17 trillion yen a year. The central government funds these grants by incurring debts. Providing cash for local tax grants has been a major cause of the central government's fiscal crunch, along with fast-ballooning social security costs.
地方の財源不足を補う１７兆円超の交付税は国が借金しながら支えており、社会保障費と並んで国家財政を圧迫する要因となっている。
Personnel costs account for about one-fourth of the more than 80 trillion yen in total expenses of local governments throughout Japan. Curtailing employees' salaries is essential for turning around the finances of chronically debt-ridden local governments.
地方全体の歳出８０兆円超のうち給与が４分の１を占める。公務員給与の削減は、借金体質が続く地方財政の改革に不可欠だ。
Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada, who chairs the Association of Prefectural Governors, has bristled at the Finance Ministry's suggestion that local government workers' salaries must be cut. He said the central government "should recognize the efforts being made by local governments" to reel in budget deficits.
財務省の指摘に対し、全国知事会長の山田啓二京都府知事は「地方の努力を評価してもらわないと困る」と反発し、
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Shinji Tarutoko also joined the chorus of criticism, saying the Finance Ministry was "making figures arbitrarily, apparently with the aim of misleading public opinion. This is extremely inappropriate."
樽床総務相も「勝手に数字を出して世論をミスリードするのは甚だ不適切だ」と不快感を表明している。
The way salaries of local government employees are determined is baffling for several reasons.
しかし、地方公務員給与の現状をみれば、首をかしげたくなるような面も少なくない。
Salary levels for a local government are decided, in principle, after checking salaries of other local entities and the central government, as well as salary trends in the private sector.
給与水準は国や他の自治体、民間の動向を踏まえて決定することになっている。
===
Fringe benefits too generous
According to the Finance Ministry, workers at local governments in every prefecture earned larger pay packets than the average monthly pay of private business employees. Local government monthly salaries were more than 100,000 yen higher than company employees' salaries in Aomori, Akita and Ehime prefectures, the ministry noted.
だが、財務省によれば、全都道府県で民間の平均月額給与を上回る。青森、秋田、愛媛３県は１０万円以上多い。
Aside from regular administrative positions, local government employees handling cleaning and bus-driving duties are paid 1.5 times the amount their private-sector counterparts receive. The figures are 1.9 times higher for security guards and and 1.8 times for telephone operators.
一般職以外でも、清掃関係やバス運転手は民間の１・５倍、警備員は１・９倍、電話交換手が１・８倍などと厚遇ぶりが目立つ。
Some local entities pay employees housing allowances--a perk already abolished for central government employees. Others give special allowances to teachers for accompanying school excursions and supervising high school exams.
国家公務員では廃止された持ち家手当を温存し、修学旅行の引率や高校入試の監督まで特殊勤務手当で支給する自治体もある。
Both the ruling and opposition camps appear reluctant to take up the issue of local government salaries. They seem afraid of antagonizing local entities when a House of Representatives election is likely to be held soon.
与野党とも衆院選を前に地方の反発を恐れ、地方公務員の給与問題には及び腰となりがちだ。
Community residents and assemblies should press harder for administrative reform of local governments.
地域の住民や議会が一層の行政改革を迫ることが重要だろう。
When the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent from October 2015, revenue from 1.54 percentage points of the five-point hike will go to local governments' coffers, which they can use at their discretion.
１５年１０月に消費税率が１０％に引き上げられた段階で、増税５％のうち１・５４％分は自治体に回り、自主財源となる。
Given this, local governments should remain aware of their responsibility to further cut expenditures to ensure fiscal matters are handled effectively and properly.
地方は一段と歳出削減に取り組み、メリハリのある財政運営を行う責任がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 11, 2012)
（2012年11月11日01時19分 読売新聞）
Local govts need bigger ax to slash personnel costs
地方公務員給与 自治体はもっと削減努力を（11月11日付・読売社説）
Slashing personnel costs is a crucial task for local governments and from the viewpoint of rebuilding the central government's finances. It is essential that local governments redouble their efforts to cut expenditures.
地方の人件費圧縮は、国の財政再建にも重要な課題だ。
自治体の削減努力が求められる。
With preparations for compiling a state budget for fiscal 2013 under way, the Finance Ministry announced provisional calculations regarding salary levels of local government employees.
２０１３年度予算の編成に向け、財務省が地方公務員の給与水準に関する試算を発表した。
The Laspeyres index--an indicator that compares local government employees' salaries against a base of 100 for salaries of central government workers--stood at 106.9 for fiscal 2012, marking a reversal for the first time in nine years, according to the estimates.
国家公務員を１００としたときの地方公務員の給与水準を示すラスパイレス指数が、１２年度は１０６・９となり、９年ぶりに国と地方の給与が逆転した。
Salaries in more than 80 percent of about 1,800 local entities across Japan exceeded the pay pocketed by central government employees.
全国約１８００自治体の８割以上が国より高水準だった。
This seems partly due to the fact that the central government decided to cut its employees' salaries for two years from fiscal 2012 to raise funds for budgetary appropriations for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
東日本大震災の復興予算を捻出するため、国家公務員の給与を１２年度から２年間、引き下げた措置が影響しているのだろう。
Salaries of local government employees are stipulated by ordinances, mainly after consultations between municipalities and trade unions of their workers. The central government has no say in pay scale decisions by local governments.
地方公務員の給与は労組との協議などを経て、自治体が条例で決める。国に決定権はない。
===
Averse to pay cuts
However, local government employees' salaries are paid from local tax grants allocated by the central government, in addition to local tax revenues.
ただ、その財源となるのは、地方税などに加え、国から配分される地方交付税交付金だ。
These tax grants, which are designed to help local governments make up for budget deficits, have reached more than 17 trillion yen a year. The central government funds these grants by incurring debts. Providing cash for local tax grants has been a major cause of the central government's fiscal crunch, along with fast-ballooning social security costs.
地方の財源不足を補う１７兆円超の交付税は国が借金しながら支えており、社会保障費と並んで国家財政を圧迫する要因となっている。
Personnel costs account for about one-fourth of the more than 80 trillion yen in total expenses of local governments throughout Japan. Curtailing employees' salaries is essential for turning around the finances of chronically debt-ridden local governments.
地方全体の歳出８０兆円超のうち給与が４分の１を占める。公務員給与の削減は、借金体質が続く地方財政の改革に不可欠だ。
Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada, who chairs the Association of Prefectural Governors, has bristled at the Finance Ministry's suggestion that local government workers' salaries must be cut. He said the central government "should recognize the efforts being made by local governments" to reel in budget deficits.
財務省の指摘に対し、全国知事会長の山田啓二京都府知事は「地方の努力を評価してもらわないと困る」と反発し、
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Shinji Tarutoko also joined the chorus of criticism, saying the Finance Ministry was "making figures arbitrarily, apparently with the aim of misleading public opinion. This is extremely inappropriate."
樽床総務相も「勝手に数字を出して世論をミスリードするのは甚だ不適切だ」と不快感を表明している。
The way salaries of local government employees are determined is baffling for several reasons.
しかし、地方公務員給与の現状をみれば、首をかしげたくなるような面も少なくない。
Salary levels for a local government are decided, in principle, after checking salaries of other local entities and the central government, as well as salary trends in the private sector.
給与水準は国や他の自治体、民間の動向を踏まえて決定することになっている。
===
Fringe benefits too generous
According to the Finance Ministry, workers at local governments in every prefecture earned larger pay packets than the average monthly pay of private business employees. Local government monthly salaries were more than 100,000 yen higher than company employees' salaries in Aomori, Akita and Ehime prefectures, the ministry noted.
だが、財務省によれば、全都道府県で民間の平均月額給与を上回る。青森、秋田、愛媛３県は１０万円以上多い。
Aside from regular administrative positions, local government employees handling cleaning and bus-driving duties are paid 1.5 times the amount their private-sector counterparts receive. The figures are 1.9 times higher for security guards and and 1.8 times for telephone operators.
一般職以外でも、清掃関係やバス運転手は民間の１・５倍、警備員は１・９倍、電話交換手が１・８倍などと厚遇ぶりが目立つ。
Some local entities pay employees housing allowances--a perk already abolished for central government employees. Others give special allowances to teachers for accompanying school excursions and supervising high school exams.
国家公務員では廃止された持ち家手当を温存し、修学旅行の引率や高校入試の監督まで特殊勤務手当で支給する自治体もある。
Both the ruling and opposition camps appear reluctant to take up the issue of local government salaries. They seem afraid of antagonizing local entities when a House of Representatives election is likely to be held soon.
与野党とも衆院選を前に地方の反発を恐れ、地方公務員の給与問題には及び腰となりがちだ。
Community residents and assemblies should press harder for administrative reform of local governments.
地域の住民や議会が一層の行政改革を迫ることが重要だろう。
When the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent from October 2015, revenue from 1.54 percentage points of the five-point hike will go to local governments' coffers, which they can use at their discretion.
１５年１０月に消費税率が１０％に引き上げられた段階で、増税５％のうち１・５４％分は自治体に回り、自主財源となる。
Given this, local governments should remain aware of their responsibility to further cut expenditures to ensure fiscal matters are handled effectively and properly.
地方は一段と歳出削減に取り組み、メリハリのある財政運営を行う責任がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 11, 2012)
（2012年11月11日01時19分 読売新聞）
2012/09/17
自民総裁選告示 日本の針路に責任ある論戦を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 17, 2012)
LDP presidential candidates should thoroughly debate issues
自民総裁選告示 日本の針路に責任ある論戦を（9月16日付・読売社説）
◆原発・ＴＰＰから逃げるな◆
If the Liberal Democratic Party's goal is to regain power, the candidates seeking their party's leadership must reveal concrete measures on how to tackle the vital tasks facing the nation.
政権奪還を目指すという以上、日本が直面する重要課題への具体的な処方箋を明らかにしなければならない。
The LDP presidential race kicked off Friday, with five members running for the leadership: former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba; former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura; LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, acting chairman of the Policy Research Council. Verbal clashes among the five are heating up ahead of the voting on Sept. 26.
自民党総裁選が１４日、告示され、安倍晋三元首相、石破茂前政調会長、町村信孝元官房長官、石原伸晃幹事長、林芳正政調会長代理の５人が立候補した。２６日の投開票日に向け、論戦も本格化している。
If the LDP wins the next House of Representatives election, the new party president will likely become the prime minister. We are looking forward to scrutinizing the qualities of the candidates as well as their policies through the election race.
次の衆院選で自民党が勝てば、新総裁は首相に就任する公算が大きい。総裁選を通じて候補の資質と政策を十分に吟味したい。
◆「集団的自衛権」は評価◆
The public is watching the campaign to confirm whether the LDP is capable of holding the reins of government. To regain the public's trust of the party, all candidates must clarify how they would deal with issues that have split public opinion.
総裁選では自民党の政権担当能力の有無も問われる。信頼を取り戻すためには、国論を二分する政策について明確に方向性を示す必要があろう。
===
Show details on collective defense
All five candidates have pledged to amend the Constitution. Furthermore, they have stated in their election pledges that Japan should be allowed to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The five plan to establish a basic law on national security that will enable the nation to exercise this right. This is essential in order to restore the Japan-U.S. alliance after it was eroded during the administrations of Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan.
５氏とも、憲法改正だけではなく、集団的自衛権の行使容認を公約に掲げている。これを可能とする「国家安全保障基本法」制定も目指す。鳩山、菅両政権で揺らいだ日米同盟の立て直しには欠かせない。
We commend them on this issue.
この点は評価したい。
However, when the LDP formed a coalition government with New Komeito, the party failed to get the ball rolling on allowing the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The candidates must show specific steps to achieve this goal.
ただ、集団的自衛権行使の容認は自公政権で手をつけられなかった課題である。実現に向けての具体的な手順を示す必要がある。
The present government recently set out a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s. Machimura criticized this policy, saying it is "just an expression of hope without specific means to achieve it." The other four candidates have similar opinions on this issue.
政府が２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目標に掲げたことに対して、町村氏は「単なる願望であり、具体的な道筋がない」と批判した。この点でも、５氏の足並みはそろっている。
We can never approve the government's slipshod decision of announcing its "zero nuclear power" policy without sorting out ways to secure viable alternatives to nuclear power.
代替エネルギーのあてもないまま、原発ゼロを打ち出した政府・民主党の短慮は認められない。
What do the presidential candidates of the LDP--which had promoted nuclear power for so long during its administrations--think about the nation's future energy policy? If they say only that it is too early to draw a conclusion, they are evading the issue.
では、原子力行政を長年推し進めてきた自民党は、今後のエネルギー政策について、どう考えているのか。現段階で結論を出せないと言うだけなら、議論から逃げていることになる。
On the issue of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, all candidates have stated they oppose joining TPP negotiations if the premise is to eliminate tariffs without any "sanctuaries." If so, the candidates should explain their conditions for joining the TPP and how they would go about joining it.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題については、各氏とも「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提とした交渉参加には反対だ」と主張する。それなら、参加するための条件や道筋を語るべきだろう。
Hasn't the LDP emphasized expanding free trade in its growth strategy? The party should not turn its back to the TPP, which is essential to take advantage of economic growth in neighboring Asian nations.
自民党はこれまで、自由貿易拡大による成長戦略を重視してきたはずだ。アジアの経済成長を取り込む上で欠かせないＴＰＰに背を向けてはならない。
We believe the candidates are considering the reactions of agricultural organizations such as agricultural cooperatives. However, under the existing circumstances, Japan's agriculture will only continue declining. The candidates must discuss measures to revive domestic agriculture so it can cope with further trade liberalization.
農協など農業団体への配慮もあるのだろう。だが、農業はこのままでは地盤沈下が進むだけだ。貿易自由化に対応できるよう農業の再生策こそ議論すべきである。
===
Diplomacy toward Beijing
◆対中外交をどうする◆
On the diplomatic front, we want to hear what the aspirants for the top LDP post think about issues affecting Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and how they would rebuild this country's diplomatic ties with China, South Korea and Russia.
外交では、対中・韓・露外交を再構築するためにも、主権・領土の問題への対応を聞きたい。
The candidates have all agreed on the need to beef up Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands. The tricky part is what measures they would take to achieve this.
尖閣諸島の実効支配を強化する方針では、各氏とも一致している。問題は具体策だ。
Ishihara said, "It's natural for this country to defend its sovereignty, but now is the time for us to keep a cool head."
石原氏は「主権を守るのは当然だが、クールダウンすべきだ」と指摘した。
Anti-Japanese demonstrations have become increasingly boisterous in China. To urge the Chinese government to calm the situation, the government and the ruling and opposition camps should levelheadedly work as one.
中国国内では反日デモが激しさを増している。中国に事態の沈静化を求めるために、政府や与野党が一丸となって冷静に対処すべきだろう。
Another matter of high significance is which party or parties the LDP should link up with after the next lower house election.
一方、衆院選後にどの党と連携するかも重要な問題である。
Whatever the outcome of the election, the LDP will still lack a majority in the House of Councillors, even when counting the seats held by New Komeito. This situation will continue until at least next summer's upper house election.
自民党は、衆院選の結果にかかわりなく、参院で公明党と合わせても過半数に及ばない。来夏の参院選までこの状態が続く。
The five candidates are all wary of the idea of forming a grand coalition with the Democratic Party of Japan. Instead, they favor cooperation with the DPJ on a policy-by-policy basis.
５氏とも民主党との大連立に否定的で、政策ごとの合意を訴えた。
Abe, for his part, has hinted at a possible partnership with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which is led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
安倍氏は橋下徹大阪市長が率いる「日本維新の会」との連携に含みを持たせている。
Some of Ishin no Kai's policies neatly fit those of the LDP, such as seeking revisions to the Constitution. However, many policy commitments of the party starkly contrast with those of the LDP, including the former's demand that the number of lower house seats be halved.
維新の会の政策には、改憲など自民党と一致する点もあるが、衆院議員の定数半減など相いれない面も少なくない。
The LDP will need to consider these details carefully before forming any full-blooded political alliance.
政策本位で連携の是非を考えるべきだ。
Regarding comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems jointly undertaken by the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, all the LDP candidates have committed to adhering with the three-party accord. This is a natural course of action.
５氏とも、民主、自民、公明の３党で進めた社会保障・税一体改革について、合意を順守することを言明した。当然だろう。
===
New Diet rules required
◆国会のルールを見直せ◆
The DPJ-LDP-Komeito tripartite agreement must be kept intact. The three parties should jointly address such key tasks as working out how to lower the financial burdens low-income earners will face when the consumption tax rate is increased, and enhance efficiency in budget appropriations for ballooning social security expenditures.
民自公路線は今後も堅持し、消費増税に伴う低所得者対策や膨張する社会保障費の効率化といった課題に取り組む必要がある。
Abe said the proposed consumption tax hike "could put a damper on the economy if it's implemented at the wrong time," indicating the possibility he would postpone the first stage of the tax raise in April 2014.
ただ、安倍氏は消費税率引き上げに関し、「時期を間違えると経済の腰を折ってしまう」と述べ、２０１４年４月段階の増税先送りの可能性を示唆した。
Although due consideration should be paid to national economic conditions before the tax increase, the importance of reconstructing the deficit-ridden government finances--a problem left alone for too long--should never be taken lightly.
増税前に経済状況を考慮することは必要だが、長年の懸案である財政再建を軽視することがあってはならない。
Ishiba said the government-sponsored bill for enabling the issuance of deficit-covering bonds "shouldn't be used as a tool in a power struggle" between the parties. We agree entirely.
赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案について、石破氏は「政争の具に使うべきではない」と提案した。もっともである。
This bill must not be used as a bargaining chip by the LDP as it pushes for the early dissolution of the lower house for a general election.
衆院解散・総選挙を求める駆け引きに使うべきではない。
In the divided Diet, where the opposition holds a majority in the upper house while the ruling bloc controls the lower house, what can be done so this nation has "politics capable of making decisions"?
衆参ねじれ国会の下で、「決められる政治」をどう実現していくのか。
Deeper discussions should be held about how to formulate new rules for running Diet affairs.
新たな国会のルールづくりの論議も深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2012)
（2012年9月16日01時15分 読売新聞）
LDP presidential candidates should thoroughly debate issues
自民総裁選告示 日本の針路に責任ある論戦を（9月16日付・読売社説）
◆原発・ＴＰＰから逃げるな◆
If the Liberal Democratic Party's goal is to regain power, the candidates seeking their party's leadership must reveal concrete measures on how to tackle the vital tasks facing the nation.
政権奪還を目指すという以上、日本が直面する重要課題への具体的な処方箋を明らかにしなければならない。
The LDP presidential race kicked off Friday, with five members running for the leadership: former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba; former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura; LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, acting chairman of the Policy Research Council. Verbal clashes among the five are heating up ahead of the voting on Sept. 26.
自民党総裁選が１４日、告示され、安倍晋三元首相、石破茂前政調会長、町村信孝元官房長官、石原伸晃幹事長、林芳正政調会長代理の５人が立候補した。２６日の投開票日に向け、論戦も本格化している。
If the LDP wins the next House of Representatives election, the new party president will likely become the prime minister. We are looking forward to scrutinizing the qualities of the candidates as well as their policies through the election race.
次の衆院選で自民党が勝てば、新総裁は首相に就任する公算が大きい。総裁選を通じて候補の資質と政策を十分に吟味したい。
◆「集団的自衛権」は評価◆
The public is watching the campaign to confirm whether the LDP is capable of holding the reins of government. To regain the public's trust of the party, all candidates must clarify how they would deal with issues that have split public opinion.
総裁選では自民党の政権担当能力の有無も問われる。信頼を取り戻すためには、国論を二分する政策について明確に方向性を示す必要があろう。
===
Show details on collective defense
All five candidates have pledged to amend the Constitution. Furthermore, they have stated in their election pledges that Japan should be allowed to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The five plan to establish a basic law on national security that will enable the nation to exercise this right. This is essential in order to restore the Japan-U.S. alliance after it was eroded during the administrations of Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan.
５氏とも、憲法改正だけではなく、集団的自衛権の行使容認を公約に掲げている。これを可能とする「国家安全保障基本法」制定も目指す。鳩山、菅両政権で揺らいだ日米同盟の立て直しには欠かせない。
We commend them on this issue.
この点は評価したい。
However, when the LDP formed a coalition government with New Komeito, the party failed to get the ball rolling on allowing the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The candidates must show specific steps to achieve this goal.
ただ、集団的自衛権行使の容認は自公政権で手をつけられなかった課題である。実現に向けての具体的な手順を示す必要がある。
The present government recently set out a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s. Machimura criticized this policy, saying it is "just an expression of hope without specific means to achieve it." The other four candidates have similar opinions on this issue.
政府が２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目標に掲げたことに対して、町村氏は「単なる願望であり、具体的な道筋がない」と批判した。この点でも、５氏の足並みはそろっている。
We can never approve the government's slipshod decision of announcing its "zero nuclear power" policy without sorting out ways to secure viable alternatives to nuclear power.
代替エネルギーのあてもないまま、原発ゼロを打ち出した政府・民主党の短慮は認められない。
What do the presidential candidates of the LDP--which had promoted nuclear power for so long during its administrations--think about the nation's future energy policy? If they say only that it is too early to draw a conclusion, they are evading the issue.
では、原子力行政を長年推し進めてきた自民党は、今後のエネルギー政策について、どう考えているのか。現段階で結論を出せないと言うだけなら、議論から逃げていることになる。
On the issue of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, all candidates have stated they oppose joining TPP negotiations if the premise is to eliminate tariffs without any "sanctuaries." If so, the candidates should explain their conditions for joining the TPP and how they would go about joining it.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題については、各氏とも「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提とした交渉参加には反対だ」と主張する。それなら、参加するための条件や道筋を語るべきだろう。
Hasn't the LDP emphasized expanding free trade in its growth strategy? The party should not turn its back to the TPP, which is essential to take advantage of economic growth in neighboring Asian nations.
自民党はこれまで、自由貿易拡大による成長戦略を重視してきたはずだ。アジアの経済成長を取り込む上で欠かせないＴＰＰに背を向けてはならない。
We believe the candidates are considering the reactions of agricultural organizations such as agricultural cooperatives. However, under the existing circumstances, Japan's agriculture will only continue declining. The candidates must discuss measures to revive domestic agriculture so it can cope with further trade liberalization.
農協など農業団体への配慮もあるのだろう。だが、農業はこのままでは地盤沈下が進むだけだ。貿易自由化に対応できるよう農業の再生策こそ議論すべきである。
===
Diplomacy toward Beijing
◆対中外交をどうする◆
On the diplomatic front, we want to hear what the aspirants for the top LDP post think about issues affecting Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and how they would rebuild this country's diplomatic ties with China, South Korea and Russia.
外交では、対中・韓・露外交を再構築するためにも、主権・領土の問題への対応を聞きたい。
The candidates have all agreed on the need to beef up Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands. The tricky part is what measures they would take to achieve this.
尖閣諸島の実効支配を強化する方針では、各氏とも一致している。問題は具体策だ。
Ishihara said, "It's natural for this country to defend its sovereignty, but now is the time for us to keep a cool head."
石原氏は「主権を守るのは当然だが、クールダウンすべきだ」と指摘した。
Anti-Japanese demonstrations have become increasingly boisterous in China. To urge the Chinese government to calm the situation, the government and the ruling and opposition camps should levelheadedly work as one.
中国国内では反日デモが激しさを増している。中国に事態の沈静化を求めるために、政府や与野党が一丸となって冷静に対処すべきだろう。
Another matter of high significance is which party or parties the LDP should link up with after the next lower house election.
一方、衆院選後にどの党と連携するかも重要な問題である。
Whatever the outcome of the election, the LDP will still lack a majority in the House of Councillors, even when counting the seats held by New Komeito. This situation will continue until at least next summer's upper house election.
自民党は、衆院選の結果にかかわりなく、参院で公明党と合わせても過半数に及ばない。来夏の参院選までこの状態が続く。
The five candidates are all wary of the idea of forming a grand coalition with the Democratic Party of Japan. Instead, they favor cooperation with the DPJ on a policy-by-policy basis.
５氏とも民主党との大連立に否定的で、政策ごとの合意を訴えた。
Abe, for his part, has hinted at a possible partnership with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which is led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
安倍氏は橋下徹大阪市長が率いる「日本維新の会」との連携に含みを持たせている。
Some of Ishin no Kai's policies neatly fit those of the LDP, such as seeking revisions to the Constitution. However, many policy commitments of the party starkly contrast with those of the LDP, including the former's demand that the number of lower house seats be halved.
維新の会の政策には、改憲など自民党と一致する点もあるが、衆院議員の定数半減など相いれない面も少なくない。
The LDP will need to consider these details carefully before forming any full-blooded political alliance.
政策本位で連携の是非を考えるべきだ。
Regarding comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems jointly undertaken by the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, all the LDP candidates have committed to adhering with the three-party accord. This is a natural course of action.
５氏とも、民主、自民、公明の３党で進めた社会保障・税一体改革について、合意を順守することを言明した。当然だろう。
===
New Diet rules required
◆国会のルールを見直せ◆
The DPJ-LDP-Komeito tripartite agreement must be kept intact. The three parties should jointly address such key tasks as working out how to lower the financial burdens low-income earners will face when the consumption tax rate is increased, and enhance efficiency in budget appropriations for ballooning social security expenditures.
民自公路線は今後も堅持し、消費増税に伴う低所得者対策や膨張する社会保障費の効率化といった課題に取り組む必要がある。
Abe said the proposed consumption tax hike "could put a damper on the economy if it's implemented at the wrong time," indicating the possibility he would postpone the first stage of the tax raise in April 2014.
ただ、安倍氏は消費税率引き上げに関し、「時期を間違えると経済の腰を折ってしまう」と述べ、２０１４年４月段階の増税先送りの可能性を示唆した。
Although due consideration should be paid to national economic conditions before the tax increase, the importance of reconstructing the deficit-ridden government finances--a problem left alone for too long--should never be taken lightly.
増税前に経済状況を考慮することは必要だが、長年の懸案である財政再建を軽視することがあってはならない。
Ishiba said the government-sponsored bill for enabling the issuance of deficit-covering bonds "shouldn't be used as a tool in a power struggle" between the parties. We agree entirely.
赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案について、石破氏は「政争の具に使うべきではない」と提案した。もっともである。
This bill must not be used as a bargaining chip by the LDP as it pushes for the early dissolution of the lower house for a general election.
衆院解散・総選挙を求める駆け引きに使うべきではない。
In the divided Diet, where the opposition holds a majority in the upper house while the ruling bloc controls the lower house, what can be done so this nation has "politics capable of making decisions"?
衆参ねじれ国会の下で、「決められる政治」をどう実現していくのか。
Deeper discussions should be held about how to formulate new rules for running Diet affairs.
新たな国会のルールづくりの論議も深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2012)
（2012年9月16日01時15分 読売新聞）
2012/09/16
尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2012)
China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ（9月14日付・読売社説）
China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。
The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。
There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。
Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
中国は、２年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース（希土類）の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。
===
No doubt that isles are Japanese
Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。
Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。
The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船２隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。
A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。
===
Coast guard must be strengthened
The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。
Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた９月１８日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。
Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。
It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化４０周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約３０人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。
Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分 読売新聞）
China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ（9月14日付・読売社説）
China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。
The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。
There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。
Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
中国は、２年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース（希土類）の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。
===
No doubt that isles are Japanese
Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。
Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。
The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船２隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。
A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。
===
Coast guard must be strengthened
The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。
Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた９月１８日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。
Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。
It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化４０周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約３０人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。
Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分 読売新聞）
2012/09/15
「日本維新の会」 国政改革への道筋が見えない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2012)
Hashimoto's new party lacks road map to reform natl politics
「日本維新の会」 国政改革への道筋が見えない（9月13日付・読売社説）
Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, is poised to become a political force to be reckoned with, but it cannot be denied that its policies and management structure were hastily formulated.
侮れない政治勢力になりつつあるが、政策も運営体制も急ごしらえの感は否めない。
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), declared the launch of the new party during a fund-raiser in Osaka on Wednesday.
地域政党・大阪維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長が、大阪市で党の政治資金パーティーを開き、新党「日本維新の会」結成を宣言した。
Hashimoto stressed the significance of Osaka Ishin no Kai's foray into national politics. "The nation's systems and laws are barriers we hit when we try to do something," Hashimoto said. "If we carry out Osaka's reform in the true sense, revising the laws is our only choice."
橋下氏は、「何かをやろうとするとぶつかる壁が国の制度と法律だ。本当の意味で大阪の改革をやろうと思えば、法改正しかない」と国政進出の意義を語った。
Hashimoto said the new party will aim to win "a majority" of the 480 seats in the next House of Representatives election.
日本維新は、次期衆院選で「過半数」獲得を目指すという。
However, it is unnecessary for Hashimoto to advance into national politics if all he wants is to realize his Osaka metropolis plan. His rash eagerness, or big talk, is what makes him stand out. But what does he plan to achieve in national politics, and how? He needs to present a convincing vision.
だが、「大阪都」構想を実現するためだけなら、何も国政に進出する必要はない。橋下氏は、“大風呂敷”とも言える意欲ばかりが先走っているように見える。国政で何をどう実現するのか、説得力のある見解を示す必要がある。
===
Platform grandiose but vague
Osaka Ishin no Kai has changed its campaign pledges for the next lower house election, dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy statement), to the "platform" of the new party. Hashimoto said this is because the listed points represent the new party's sense of values.
維新側は、これまで次期衆院選の公約としてきた「維新八策」を「綱領」に変更した。党の価値観を示すものだからだという。
Ishin Hassaku contains such phrases as "self-sustaining nation" and "democracy that is capable of making decisions and takes responsibility," but these abstract expressions do not tell what kind of nation the new party will pursue. The ideals should be explained in a more understandable way.
維新八策には「自立する国家」「決定でき、責任を負う民主主義」といった言葉が並んでいるが、こうした抽象的な表現からは、日本維新がどんな国家を目指すのかが伝わってこない。理念はもっとわかりやすく説明すべきだ。
Ishin Hassaku is a mix of slogan-like goals--such as the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which would require a constitutional amendment, and halving the number of lower house seats--and policies for social security, education and employment. The mid- and long-term tasks and immediate policy challenges must be properly sorted out.
維新八策には、憲法改正を伴う首相公選制導入や、衆院の議員定数半減などスローガンのような目標と、社会保障、教育、雇用などの政策が混在している。中長期と当面の政策課題を、きちんと仕分けしなければなるまい。
Hashimoto stressed that elections are the only way to solve problems that cannot be solved by bureaucrats and problems that divide public opinion. If that is so, he should present specifically what pledges the new party will make for the next lower house election.
橋下氏は「役人では解決できない問題、国論を二分する問題は、選挙で解決するしかない」と強調した。それでは、次期衆院選で具体的に何を公約するのか、明示してもらいたい。
===
A highly unusual structure
The new party has an extremely peculiar structure. Its headquarters will be in Osaka. Because seven Diet members, including former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno, will join it, the new party will meet a major requirement to be recognized as an official national political party, which must have at least five lawmakers. The party's Diet members and its groups of local assembly members, including Osaka Ishin no Kai, will be on equal terms with each other.
日本維新は、極めて特異な体制をとる。党本部を大阪に置く。松野頼久元官房副長官ら現職国会議員７人が新党に参加するため、政党要件は満たされる。国会議員団と大阪維新の会など地方議員団は、並列の関係にする方針だ。
Hashimoto will double as both Osaka mayor and leader of the new party, and has said he will not run in the upcoming lower house election. This is probably because it has been less than one year since Hashimoto transitioned from Osaka governor to Osaka mayor and his commitment to the Osaka metropolis plan, the biggest item on his political agenda, is expected to enter a difficult phase in which he will work on such tasks as dividing cities into special wards and making relevant financial resource arrangements.
橋下氏は党代表と大阪市長を兼務し、衆院選には立候補しないという。府知事から市長に転身して１年足らずで、最大の政治課題である大阪都構想への取り組みも、これから区割りや財源調整など難しい局面に入るからだろう。
There is widespread speculation over the possibility that Hashimoto's new party will make great strides, becoming the force holding the key to cooperation between political parties after the lower house election.
日本維新は衆院選後、政党間の連携のカギを握る勢力に躍進する可能性もとりざたされている。
Hashimoto said, "I'll cut down the amount of time I spend for myself, and use it for national politics." However, will it really be possible for Hashimoto, in Osaka, to control rookie lawmakers who lack experience in politics?
橋下氏は、「自分の時間を削って国政に充てる」と言うが、政治経験のない新人議員らを大阪からコントロールできるだろうか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
（2012年9月13日01時36分 読売新聞）
Hashimoto's new party lacks road map to reform natl politics
「日本維新の会」 国政改革への道筋が見えない（9月13日付・読売社説）
Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, is poised to become a political force to be reckoned with, but it cannot be denied that its policies and management structure were hastily formulated.
侮れない政治勢力になりつつあるが、政策も運営体制も急ごしらえの感は否めない。
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), declared the launch of the new party during a fund-raiser in Osaka on Wednesday.
地域政党・大阪維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長が、大阪市で党の政治資金パーティーを開き、新党「日本維新の会」結成を宣言した。
Hashimoto stressed the significance of Osaka Ishin no Kai's foray into national politics. "The nation's systems and laws are barriers we hit when we try to do something," Hashimoto said. "If we carry out Osaka's reform in the true sense, revising the laws is our only choice."
橋下氏は、「何かをやろうとするとぶつかる壁が国の制度と法律だ。本当の意味で大阪の改革をやろうと思えば、法改正しかない」と国政進出の意義を語った。
Hashimoto said the new party will aim to win "a majority" of the 480 seats in the next House of Representatives election.
日本維新は、次期衆院選で「過半数」獲得を目指すという。
However, it is unnecessary for Hashimoto to advance into national politics if all he wants is to realize his Osaka metropolis plan. His rash eagerness, or big talk, is what makes him stand out. But what does he plan to achieve in national politics, and how? He needs to present a convincing vision.
だが、「大阪都」構想を実現するためだけなら、何も国政に進出する必要はない。橋下氏は、“大風呂敷”とも言える意欲ばかりが先走っているように見える。国政で何をどう実現するのか、説得力のある見解を示す必要がある。
===
Platform grandiose but vague
Osaka Ishin no Kai has changed its campaign pledges for the next lower house election, dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy statement), to the "platform" of the new party. Hashimoto said this is because the listed points represent the new party's sense of values.
維新側は、これまで次期衆院選の公約としてきた「維新八策」を「綱領」に変更した。党の価値観を示すものだからだという。
Ishin Hassaku contains such phrases as "self-sustaining nation" and "democracy that is capable of making decisions and takes responsibility," but these abstract expressions do not tell what kind of nation the new party will pursue. The ideals should be explained in a more understandable way.
維新八策には「自立する国家」「決定でき、責任を負う民主主義」といった言葉が並んでいるが、こうした抽象的な表現からは、日本維新がどんな国家を目指すのかが伝わってこない。理念はもっとわかりやすく説明すべきだ。
Ishin Hassaku is a mix of slogan-like goals--such as the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which would require a constitutional amendment, and halving the number of lower house seats--and policies for social security, education and employment. The mid- and long-term tasks and immediate policy challenges must be properly sorted out.
維新八策には、憲法改正を伴う首相公選制導入や、衆院の議員定数半減などスローガンのような目標と、社会保障、教育、雇用などの政策が混在している。中長期と当面の政策課題を、きちんと仕分けしなければなるまい。
Hashimoto stressed that elections are the only way to solve problems that cannot be solved by bureaucrats and problems that divide public opinion. If that is so, he should present specifically what pledges the new party will make for the next lower house election.
橋下氏は「役人では解決できない問題、国論を二分する問題は、選挙で解決するしかない」と強調した。それでは、次期衆院選で具体的に何を公約するのか、明示してもらいたい。
===
A highly unusual structure
The new party has an extremely peculiar structure. Its headquarters will be in Osaka. Because seven Diet members, including former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno, will join it, the new party will meet a major requirement to be recognized as an official national political party, which must have at least five lawmakers. The party's Diet members and its groups of local assembly members, including Osaka Ishin no Kai, will be on equal terms with each other.
日本維新は、極めて特異な体制をとる。党本部を大阪に置く。松野頼久元官房副長官ら現職国会議員７人が新党に参加するため、政党要件は満たされる。国会議員団と大阪維新の会など地方議員団は、並列の関係にする方針だ。
Hashimoto will double as both Osaka mayor and leader of the new party, and has said he will not run in the upcoming lower house election. This is probably because it has been less than one year since Hashimoto transitioned from Osaka governor to Osaka mayor and his commitment to the Osaka metropolis plan, the biggest item on his political agenda, is expected to enter a difficult phase in which he will work on such tasks as dividing cities into special wards and making relevant financial resource arrangements.
橋下氏は党代表と大阪市長を兼務し、衆院選には立候補しないという。府知事から市長に転身して１年足らずで、最大の政治課題である大阪都構想への取り組みも、これから区割りや財源調整など難しい局面に入るからだろう。
There is widespread speculation over the possibility that Hashimoto's new party will make great strides, becoming the force holding the key to cooperation between political parties after the lower house election.
日本維新は衆院選後、政党間の連携のカギを握る勢力に躍進する可能性もとりざたされている。
Hashimoto said, "I'll cut down the amount of time I spend for myself, and use it for national politics." However, will it really be possible for Hashimoto, in Osaka, to control rookie lawmakers who lack experience in politics?
橋下氏は、「自分の時間を削って国政に充てる」と言うが、政治経験のない新人議員らを大阪からコントロールできるだろうか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
（2012年9月13日01時36分 読売新聞）
2012/09/14
自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 13, 2012)
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ（9月12日付・読売社説）
What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。
We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。
The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。
However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。
Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。
===
Tanigaki frozen out
It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
野党第１党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。
In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は２１％でトップだ。
Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。
Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。
Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。
Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。
The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。
===
Take stand on nuclear power
Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。
The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。
The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。
Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。
Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分 読売新聞）
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ（9月12日付・読売社説）
What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。
We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。
The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。
However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。
Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。
===
Tanigaki frozen out
It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
野党第１党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。
In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は２１％でトップだ。
Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。
Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。
Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。
Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。
The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。
===
Take stand on nuclear power
Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。
The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。
The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。
Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。
Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分 読売新聞）
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