所信表明演説 危機突破へ成長戦略を語れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 30, 2013)
Abe must formulate strategy to boost nation's growth
所信表明演説　危機突破へ成長戦略を語れ（1月29日付・読売社説）

Strong determination and concrete policy measures are imperative in achieving the breakthroughs needed to overcome the crises facing Japan.
　日本が直面する「危機」を突破していくには、強い意志と具体的な政策が重要である。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made his first policy speech since regaining power at the plenary sessions of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
　安倍首相が衆参両院本会議で、政権復帰後初めての所信表明演説を行った。

Abe said the source of his determination to serve as prime minister for the second time lies in his "deep sense of patriotism." He clearly demonstrated his resolve to have his entire Cabinet make utmost efforts to address crises in four areas: the economy, reconstruction from the 2011 earthquake disaster, foreign and security issues, and education.
　首相に再登板した決意の源は「深き憂国の念」だとし、経済と震災復興、外交・安全保障、教育の四つの「危機」に内閣を挙げて取り組む姿勢を明確にした。

What he underscored as the biggest and most pressing issue was economic revitalization. A strong economy will help increase individuals' income and strengthen the foundations for social security systems. The prime minister's recognition of the importance of this issue is appropriate.
　最大かつ喫緊の課題と強調したのは経済再生だ。「強い経済」が国民の所得を増やし、社会保障制度の基盤強化にもつながるとする首相の認識は妥当である。

The government has issued a joint statement with the Bank of Japan that stipulates a 2 percent inflation target. A supplementary budget that includes stimulus measures worth 10 trillion yen will be submitted to the Diet shortly. We praise Abe for setting in motion two of his "three arrows" for economic revitalization--monetary easing and fiscal measures.
　政府は、２％の物価目標を明記した日本銀行との共同声明をまとめた。１０兆円規模の経済対策を盛り込んだ補正予算案を近く国会に提出する。首相の掲げる「３本の矢」のうち金融緩和と財政政策が動き出したことは評価できる。

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Handle divided Diet carefully

The remaining "arrow" is growth strategy. At the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization, comprising the entire Cabinet, and the Industrial Competitiveness Council, in which relevant Cabinet ministers and outside experts are participating, the Abe administration must hammer out effective policy measures to stimulate private investment to increase synergistic effects with monetary and fiscal policy measures.
　残るのは成長戦略だ。全閣僚参加の日本経済再生本部や、有識者を交えた産業競争力会議で、民間投資を喚起する効果的な政策を打ち出し、金融・財政政策との相乗効果を高めねばならない。

To overcome the nation's crises, the prime minister called on the opposition bloc to cooperate. "Let us mobilize the wisdom of the ruling and opposition parties and demonstrate Japan's strength to the greatest possible extent," Abe said in his speech. It also is essential for the administration to carefully handle the Diet, as the upper house is controlled by the opposition.
　首相は演説で危機突破のために「与野党の叡智(えいち)を結集させ、国力を最大限発揮させよう」と野党に協力を求めた。衆参ねじれ国会であることからも、丁寧な国会運営が欠かせない。

A focal point in the Diet is that the government must obtain approval for its appointment of the successor to Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa, whose term expires in April. Early passage of budgets and related bills also is of major importance.
　国会の焦点は、４月に任期が切れる白川方明日銀総裁の後任人事の国会同意取り付けと、予算案と予算関連法案の早期成立だ。

Besides holding talks with the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest party in the upper house, the ruling parties should hold discussions with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, which share similar views on monetary and economic policy measures. We believe the Abe administration should consider the possibility of joining hands with these parties on a policy-by-policy basis.
　参院第１党の民主党に加え、金融・経済政策で共通点が多い日本維新の会やみんなの党とも協議することが重要だ。政策ごとの連携も視野に入れる必要があろう。

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How will PM rebuild China ties

In his speech, Abe delivered simple and easy-to-understand messages as he narrowed the points to highlight certain issues.
　今回の演説は、首相がメリハリをつけようと項目を絞り込んだため、シンプルで分かりやすいメッセージになった。

On the other hand, we consider unsatisfactory Abe's failure to refer to many important issues. We want him to clarify his stances on these issues through Diet debates.
反面、多くの重要課題に言及がなかったことは物足りない。国会論戦を通じて見解を明らかにしてもらいたい。

They include the government's policy toward China, one of the nation's biggest pending issues. Abe earlier said the nation would "resolutely protect" the Senkaku Islands. But we wonder how Japan-China relations will be rebuilt.
　例えば、最大の懸案の一つである中国政策だ。尖閣諸島を「断固として守り抜く」とする一方で、日中関係をどう立て直すのか。

Abe also did not touch on energy policy. We think he should have provided a full explanation on the necessity of reactivating idled nuclear reactors so that public anxiety over electricity shortages will not hinder economic revitalization.
　エネルギー政策にも触れていない。電力不足への不安感が経済再生の足を引っ張らないよう、首相が原発再稼働の必要性を丁寧に説明すべきだったのではないか。

He clearly stated in his speech that Japan would play a leading role in economic and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
　首相は演説で、日本がアジア太平洋地域で経済や安保の「先導役」となることを明言した。

Therefore, he should have Japan enter negotiations on the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework so the nation will be able to take full advantage of growth in other parts of Asia.
　それならば、アジアの成長を取り込むため、米国が主導する環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加を決断すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 29, 2013)
（2013年1月29日01時27分  読売新聞）