３・１１追悼式 被災の教訓を次世代につなげ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 13, 2013)
Relay lessons from disaster to next generation
３・１１追悼式　被災の教訓を次世代につなげ（3月12日付・読売社説）

Along with expediting reconstruction in the Tohoku region, it is vitally important to pass the lessons learned from the March 11, 2011, disaster on to the next generation.
　東北地方の再生を急ぐとともに、被災の教訓を次世代に引き継いでいくことが大切だ。

The nation has marked the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Tokyo, a government-sponsored memorial ceremony was held, with the Emperor and Empress attending. About 1,000 people also took part in the ceremony, including the heads of the nation's legislative, administrative and judicial branches of government and representatives of bereaved family members. They prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
　東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。
　東京では政府主催の追悼式が開かれ、天皇陛下ご臨席のもと、三権の長、遺族代表ら約１０００人が、亡くなられた人たちの冥福を祈った。

In a speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his resolve to "move forward to create a nation with a high degree of resilience to disasters throughout the country, in keeping with the lessons learned through this disaster."
　安倍首相は式辞で、「今般の教訓を踏まえ、我が国全土にわたって災害に強い強靱(きょうじん)な国づくりを進めていく」と決意を示した。

House of Representatives Speaker Bunmei Ibuki said: "It is worrisome that [people's recollections of the disaster] are fading as seen in the reduced number of volunteers. Taking the lessons learned to heart, we're obliged to pass them on to the next generation."
　伊吹衆院議長は、「ボランティアの減少など震災の風化が懸念されている。教訓を心に刻み、次の世代に引き継いでいくことこそが、我々の役割だ」と述べた。

The government and the Diet must use the lessons drawn from the disaster to improve disaster management measures for the entire nation.
　政府と国会は、震災からくみ取った教訓を日本全体の防災対策の向上に生かさねばならない。

The ceremony also was attended by about 150 people from diplomatic circles, including ambassadors from a number of countries.
　追悼式には、各国大使など外交関係者も約１５０人出席した。

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Action by younger generation

Rin Yamane, a high school student representing Iwate Prefecture, pledged: "The younger generation will aim to better serve as human resources in aiding countries affected by natural disasters using the experience from our own disaster. We'll treat the massive earthquake not as a painful memory but a memory that will lead to the future."
　岩手県代表の高校生、山根りんさんは、「自然災害が発生した国々で、被災体験を生かした支援活動ができる人材となり、大震災がつらい記憶ではなく、未来につながる記憶となるよう私たち若い世代が行動する」と誓った。

The nation also must expedite reconstruction efforts in a show of respect for the assistance offered by other nations.
　各国からの支援に応える意味でも、復興を急ぐべきだ。

Responding to a nationwide opinion survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun in late February, 69 percent of respondents said reconstruction of disaster-hit areas did not seem to have made much progress. The figure was almost unchanged from the 72 percent who responded this way in a survey a year ago.
　読売新聞が２月末に行った全国世論調査では、復興が進んでいないと思う人は６９％に上り、昨年の７２％と変わらない水準だった。

While it was in opposition, the Liberal Democratic Party harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Japan-led government for its slow and inefficient reconstruction efforts.
　自民党は野党時代、民主党政権が取り組む復興策の遅れや効率の悪さを厳しく批判してきた。

Now that he is back in power, Abe should make an all-out effort to produce tangible results in response to public discontent, which remains strong.
　安倍首相は、政権復帰を果たした以上、依然として強い国民の不満に対し、目に見える形で応えてもらいたい。

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Delays in Fukushima Prefecture

Delays in reconstruction are particularly obvious in Fukushima Prefecture, where a number of steps have yet to be taken in the wake of the crisis at a nuclear power plant, when compared to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which also were hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami.
　特に、いまだ原発事故の処理が続く福島県は、宮城、岩手両県と比べても復興の遅れが目立つ。

The Abe administration has set up a general bureau for reconstruction and revitalization in the city of Fukushima to establish a hands-on approach in tackling such issues as decontamination of radioactive materials and rebuilding communities.
　安倍政権は、福島市に福島復興再生総局を設置し、放射能の除染や町づくりに「現場主義」で取り組む体制を整えた。

Regarding the return of evacuees to areas near the nuclear plant, Abe said at a press conference, "With a target of around summer, I'll come up with a concrete road map on the restoration of roads, water systems, medical and welfare services, as well as for the return of residents."
　首相は記者会見で、原発事故で避難した周辺住民の帰還について、「夏頃をめどに、道路、水道、医療、福祉の復旧、いつ頃住めるようになるか、具体的な道筋を明らかにしていく」と語った。

We approve of Abe's stance when he said, "Action is everything."
「すべては実行あるのみ」との姿勢は評価できる。

As for the three hardest hit prefectures, the government has for the first time presented a timetable for the construction of public housing units for disaster victims to expedite housing reconstruction. This is the right move.
　被災３県については、住宅再建を急ぐため、政府が被災者向けの公営住宅である「復興住宅」建設の工程表を初めて提示した。適切な対応だろう。

People affected by the disaster are anxious about their uncertain futures. It is crucial for measures to be taken as soon as possible to give them hope.
　被災者は「先の見えない不安」を抱えている。一刻も早く将来に希望を持てるよう、手立てを講じることが肝要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2013)
（2013年3月12日01時26分  読売新聞）