The Yomiuri Shimbun April 29, 2013
China's 'core interests' comment over Senkaku Islands uncalled for
中国の尖閣発言 「核心的利益」とはお門違いだ（4月28日付・読売社説）
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping should refrain from dangerous behavior that could escalate tensions around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺の緊張を高める危険な言動を、中国の習近平政権は厳に慎むべきだ。
At a recent press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, a spokeswoman said the Senkaku issue pertains to China's territorial sovereignty. "They are certainly part of China's core interests," she added.
中国外務省報道官が記者会見で、尖閣諸島について「中国の領土主権に関わる問題で、当然、中国の核心的利益だ」と述べた。
It was the first time a senior Chinese government official has made a clear remark that the Senkaku Islands are considered a "core interest."
尖閣諸島が「核心的利益」の対象だと当局者が明言したのは初めてである。
China uses this term to describe matters of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and other national interests over which it will never make compromises.
核心的利益とは、国家主権や領土保全など、中国にとって絶対に譲歩できない国益を指す言葉だ。
Beijing has used the expression in reference to Taiwan, Tibet and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before, but in recent years it has been using the term when referring to the South China Sea.
これまで主として台湾やチベット、ウイグルに用いてきたが、近年は南シナ海にも使っている。
The Senkaku Islands were deemed a core interest by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, in January last year. However, the Chinese government never used the expression in its public statements.
尖閣諸島については、昨年１月、共産党機関紙「人民日報」が使ったが、政府が公式に認めたことはなかった。
A show of maritime might
The latest press officer's remark can be seen as proof that Xi's administration has placed high priority on the islets as it aims to propel China's development as a maritime power.
今回の報道官発言は、「海洋強国化」を図る習政権が尖閣諸島を国家の最優先課題に位置づけたことの証左だろう。
Beijing has been obsessed of late with extending its purported territory and maritime rights and interests, by unilaterally applying the core interest designation to new areas. Such a stance is nothing but self-righteous expansionism.
核心的利益の対象を一方的に広げて、領土や海洋権益の拡大に固執する中国の姿勢は、独善的な膨張主義にほかならない。
This behavior is totally unacceptable. The Japanese government should continually inform the international community about China's transgressions.
断じて容認できない。日本政府は国際社会に対し、中国の不当性を粘り強く訴えねばならない。
Beijing is likely to dispatch an increasing number of surveillance vessels from its State Oceanic Administration to intrude into waters around the Senkaku Islands. Japan should prepare countermeasures by assuming every possible contingency.
今後、中国が国家海洋局の監視船を大挙、尖閣諸島周辺の領海に侵入させることもあるだろう。日本はあらゆる事態を想定して、対応策を練る必要がある。
The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe endorsed the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy during a Cabinet meeting last week. The plan stipulates bolstering the defense system and maximizing surveillance activities in waters around the Nansei Islands, which include the Senkakus. It is crucial that cooperation be reinforced between the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces, among other measures.
政府は、南西諸島周辺での防衛態勢を強化し、警戒監視活動に万全を期すことを明記した海洋基本計画を閣議決定した。海上保安庁と自衛隊との連携などを強化していくことが肝要である。
It cannot be forgotten that the Chinese military has been increasingly involved in activities in waters around the islands. In January, a Chinese Navy vessel locked its fire-control radar onto a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer north of the islets.
看過できないのは、中国軍の関与が着々と強まっていることだ。１月には尖閣諸島の北方海域で、海軍艦艇による海上自衛隊艦艇へのレーダー照射事件も起きた。
The situation in these waters remains tense as a standoff between Chinese Navy and MSDF vessels continues.
この海域では、今も中国海軍艦艇と海自艦艇がにらみ合う緊迫した状況が続いている。
Military standoff alarming
China, backed by a strong military, seems to be signaling it may use force to knock Japan off balance and erode Tokyo's effective control of the islands.
中国には、強大な軍事力を背景に武力行使も辞さない方針をちらつかせ、日本を揺さぶったり、実効支配を切り崩したりする狙いがあるのだろう。
Beijing has claimed it will never pursue hegemony in the Asian region. However, its actions have only been viewed as an increasing threat to neighboring countries.
中国は言葉では「決して覇権を唱えない」と強調するが、その行動は周辺国への脅威を高めるばかりだ。
Abe has expressed his own concerns, saying: "The military balance between Japan and China will totally break down within two years."
安倍首相も「この２年で日本と中国の軍事バランスが完全に壊れる」と懸念を示している。
China has adopted a hard-line stance by putting its military might at the fore. Such an attitude is extremely perilous as it could provoke an unexpected conflict.
軍事力を前面に出す中国の強硬姿勢は不測の衝突を招きかねず、危険極まりない。
Japanese and Chinese defense officials have resumed talks on creating a maritime communication system to prevent unintended clashes between the two countries' ships and aircraft. Tokyo and Beijing should aim to reach an agreement on this front as soon as possible.
日中の防衛当局は、艦艇や航空機の偶発的事故を防止する「海上連絡メカニズム」の協議を再開した。早期合意を目指すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2013)
（2013年4月28日01時31分 読売新聞）
2013/04/30
2013/04/29
非核化拒む「北」 警戒も制裁も緩めてはならぬ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 27, 2013
International community mustn't lower guard, sanctions against North Korea
非核化拒む「北」 警戒も制裁も緩めてはならぬ（4月26日付・読売社説）
North Korea's Chief of General Staff Hyon Yong Chol pledged at the 81st anniversary of the inauguration of the Korean People's Army to mass-produce precise miniaturized nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery.
「核保有国」の既成事実化を図ろうとする北朝鮮の姿勢が、ますます鮮明になってきた。
国際社会は、警戒も制裁も緩めるべきではない。
His remark reflects the order to develop more powerful nuclear weapons that was given by North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in March.
朝鮮人民軍創建８１周年の大会で、玄永哲総参謀長が「精密化、小型化された核兵器と運搬手段」を量産すると表明した。
Pyongyang apparently intends to accelerate development of nuclear warheads. We must stay alert for additional nuclear tests and test-launches of ballistic missiles by the country.
３月の朝鮮労働党中央委員会総会で、金正恩第１書記が指示した核戦力増強路線を受けたものだ。今後、核弾頭の開発に拍車をかけるつもりだろう。
さらなる核実験や弾道ミサイル発射に警戒が怠れない。
Members of the international community need to unite to strictly carry out U.N. Security Council resolutions on sanctions against North Korea. They should thoroughly inspect cargo suspected of containing embargoed goods such as those related to nuclear weapons and missiles. They should also tighten monitoring of North Korea's financial transactions.
国際社会は結束して、北朝鮮に対する国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議を厳格に履行する必要がある。核・ミサイル関連物資など禁輸品の疑いがある貨物の検査や金融取引の監視を徹底すべきだ。
Fang Fenghui, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, has said North Korea might go ahead with its fourth nuclear test and that he resolutely opposes it.
中国人民解放軍の房峰輝総参謀長は、北朝鮮が４回目の核実験を強行する可能性を指摘し、「断固として反対する」と述べた。
China's responsibility
China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, is the biggest aid donor and trade partner for North Korea. Beijing should be aware of its responsibility regarding North Korea and deal with Pyongyang strictly.
中国は、北朝鮮にとって最大の援助国・貿易相手国で、安保理常任理事国だ。その責任を自覚して厳しく対処してもらいたい。
North Korea is still poised to fire ballistic missiles. Its strategic rocket units maintain the highest level of attack readiness.
北朝鮮は、弾道ミサイル発射の構えを崩していない。戦略ロケット軍部隊などは最高度の戦闘勤務態勢を維持したままだ。
Japan must cooperate with the United States to stay on alert and maintain surveillance for a Pyongyang missile launch.
日本は米国と連携し、ミサイル発射に備えた警戒監視態勢を堅持しなければならない。
U.S.-South Korea joint military drills are scheduled to conclude at the end of April. Last week, North Korea responded to U.S. calls for dialogue and presented conditions for the resumption of talks. This might be a strategic move toward starting negotiations with Washington.
４月末には米韓合同軍事演習が終わる。北朝鮮が先週、米国の対話の呼びかけに反応し、対話再開へ条件を提示したのは、対米交渉へ動く布石とも受け取れる。
However, North Korea's National Defense Commission said in a statement that retraction of the U.N. Security Council's sanction resolutions, termination of U.S.-South Korea military drills and withdrawal of U.S. tools for a nuclear war, such as strategic bombers, were necessary to resume any talks with Seoul or Washington.
北朝鮮の国防委員会の声明は、対話再開には、安保理の制裁決議の撤回や、米韓合同軍事演習の恒久中止、戦略爆撃機など「核戦争手段」の撤収が必要だとした。
Denuclearization of N. Korea
The demand for the retraction of U.N. sanctions is too much. Pyongyang implies it would hold talks with Seoul or Washington if they recognize North Korea as a nuclear power, but such a stance cannot be tolerated.
制裁撤回要求は虫がよすぎる。決して容認できないのは、「核保有国」としてなら対話に臨むという北朝鮮の姿勢である。
It is a matter of course that Japan, the United States and South Korea have flatly rejected these conditions, saying the only aim of resuming talks is to denuclearize North Korea.
日本や米国、韓国などが「対話再開はあくまでも非核化に向けたもの」として、北朝鮮がつけた条件を一蹴したのは当然である。
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Japan, China and South Korea. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se traveled to China and South Korean President Park Geun Hye is scheduled to visit the United States next month for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama.
米国は、ケリー国務長官やデンプシー統合参謀本部議長が日中韓を歴訪した。韓国は尹炳世外相が訪中し、朴槿恵大統領も来月訪米してオバマ大統領と会談する。
More active diplomatic talks among countries concerned would provide valuable opportunities for them to seek a common strategy in dealing with North Korea.
関係国による外交の活発化は、北朝鮮に対する共通の戦略を探る上で重要な機会となろう。
The nuclearization of North Korea is a grave threat to the safety of Japan. The government must do its best in diplomatic talks with countries concerned to enhance national security.
北朝鮮の核武装は、日本の安全への重大な脅威だ。日本の安全保障を強化するため、外交にも全力を挙げなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 26, 2013)
（2013年4月26日01時40分 読売新聞）
International community mustn't lower guard, sanctions against North Korea
非核化拒む「北」 警戒も制裁も緩めてはならぬ（4月26日付・読売社説）
North Korea's Chief of General Staff Hyon Yong Chol pledged at the 81st anniversary of the inauguration of the Korean People's Army to mass-produce precise miniaturized nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery.
「核保有国」の既成事実化を図ろうとする北朝鮮の姿勢が、ますます鮮明になってきた。
国際社会は、警戒も制裁も緩めるべきではない。
His remark reflects the order to develop more powerful nuclear weapons that was given by North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in March.
朝鮮人民軍創建８１周年の大会で、玄永哲総参謀長が「精密化、小型化された核兵器と運搬手段」を量産すると表明した。
Pyongyang apparently intends to accelerate development of nuclear warheads. We must stay alert for additional nuclear tests and test-launches of ballistic missiles by the country.
３月の朝鮮労働党中央委員会総会で、金正恩第１書記が指示した核戦力増強路線を受けたものだ。今後、核弾頭の開発に拍車をかけるつもりだろう。
さらなる核実験や弾道ミサイル発射に警戒が怠れない。
Members of the international community need to unite to strictly carry out U.N. Security Council resolutions on sanctions against North Korea. They should thoroughly inspect cargo suspected of containing embargoed goods such as those related to nuclear weapons and missiles. They should also tighten monitoring of North Korea's financial transactions.
国際社会は結束して、北朝鮮に対する国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議を厳格に履行する必要がある。核・ミサイル関連物資など禁輸品の疑いがある貨物の検査や金融取引の監視を徹底すべきだ。
Fang Fenghui, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army of China, has said North Korea might go ahead with its fourth nuclear test and that he resolutely opposes it.
中国人民解放軍の房峰輝総参謀長は、北朝鮮が４回目の核実験を強行する可能性を指摘し、「断固として反対する」と述べた。
China's responsibility
China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, is the biggest aid donor and trade partner for North Korea. Beijing should be aware of its responsibility regarding North Korea and deal with Pyongyang strictly.
中国は、北朝鮮にとって最大の援助国・貿易相手国で、安保理常任理事国だ。その責任を自覚して厳しく対処してもらいたい。
North Korea is still poised to fire ballistic missiles. Its strategic rocket units maintain the highest level of attack readiness.
北朝鮮は、弾道ミサイル発射の構えを崩していない。戦略ロケット軍部隊などは最高度の戦闘勤務態勢を維持したままだ。
Japan must cooperate with the United States to stay on alert and maintain surveillance for a Pyongyang missile launch.
日本は米国と連携し、ミサイル発射に備えた警戒監視態勢を堅持しなければならない。
U.S.-South Korea joint military drills are scheduled to conclude at the end of April. Last week, North Korea responded to U.S. calls for dialogue and presented conditions for the resumption of talks. This might be a strategic move toward starting negotiations with Washington.
４月末には米韓合同軍事演習が終わる。北朝鮮が先週、米国の対話の呼びかけに反応し、対話再開へ条件を提示したのは、対米交渉へ動く布石とも受け取れる。
However, North Korea's National Defense Commission said in a statement that retraction of the U.N. Security Council's sanction resolutions, termination of U.S.-South Korea military drills and withdrawal of U.S. tools for a nuclear war, such as strategic bombers, were necessary to resume any talks with Seoul or Washington.
北朝鮮の国防委員会の声明は、対話再開には、安保理の制裁決議の撤回や、米韓合同軍事演習の恒久中止、戦略爆撃機など「核戦争手段」の撤収が必要だとした。
Denuclearization of N. Korea
The demand for the retraction of U.N. sanctions is too much. Pyongyang implies it would hold talks with Seoul or Washington if they recognize North Korea as a nuclear power, but such a stance cannot be tolerated.
制裁撤回要求は虫がよすぎる。決して容認できないのは、「核保有国」としてなら対話に臨むという北朝鮮の姿勢である。
It is a matter of course that Japan, the United States and South Korea have flatly rejected these conditions, saying the only aim of resuming talks is to denuclearize North Korea.
日本や米国、韓国などが「対話再開はあくまでも非核化に向けたもの」として、北朝鮮がつけた条件を一蹴したのは当然である。
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Japan, China and South Korea. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se traveled to China and South Korean President Park Geun Hye is scheduled to visit the United States next month for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama.
米国は、ケリー国務長官やデンプシー統合参謀本部議長が日中韓を歴訪した。韓国は尹炳世外相が訪中し、朴槿恵大統領も来月訪米してオバマ大統領と会談する。
More active diplomatic talks among countries concerned would provide valuable opportunities for them to seek a common strategy in dealing with North Korea.
関係国による外交の活発化は、北朝鮮に対する共通の戦略を探る上で重要な機会となろう。
The nuclearization of North Korea is a grave threat to the safety of Japan. The government must do its best in diplomatic talks with countries concerned to enhance national security.
北朝鮮の核武装は、日本の安全への重大な脅威だ。日本の安全保障を強化するため、外交にも全力を挙げなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 26, 2013)
（2013年4月26日01時40分 読売新聞）
2013/04/28
危険運転厳罰化 重大事故の撲滅につなげたい
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 26, 2013
Tougher penalties needed to curb deadly drivers
危険運転厳罰化 重大事故の撲滅につなげたい（4月25日付・読売社説）
Horrific accidents caused by drunk driving, unlicensed driving and other reckless driving seem to occur unceasingly. Planned harsher punishment of such practices must serve to prevent accidents.
飲酒や無免許など悪質運転による重大事故が後を絶たない。厳罰化を事故抑止につなげたい。
The government has submitted a bill to the Diet to toughen penalties in cases of reckless driving. The bill is designed to take elements relating to reckless driving from the Penal Code, such as definitions of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury, and include them in a new law.
政府は無謀運転の罰則を強化する法案を国会に提出した。危険運転致死傷罪などを刑法から抜き出し、独立した法律にするものだ。
The heart of the bill is the creation of new provisions on what may be called the offense of "quasi-dangerous driving."
法案の柱は、“準危険運転罪”と言える規定を新設した点だ。
One requirement for applying the charge of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury is a "state in which it is difficult for a person to conduct normal driving." For example, the subject of the offense must be a person who caused an accident while driving a vehicle at uncontrollable speeds or in a state of extreme intoxication from alcoholic beverages or drugs. The maximum punishment is 20 years in prison.
危険運転罪は「正常な運転が困難な状態」が適用要件だ。制御できないほどのスピードや飲酒・薬物の影響による酩酊(めいてい)状態で運転し、事故を起こした当事者が対象となる。最高刑は懲役２０年だ。
However, it is quite difficult to accurately determine the exact driving speed or precise degree of intoxication at the time of an accident. For this reason, there have been many cases in which investigation authorities had to build their cases on suspicion of "negligent" rather than "dangerous" driving resulting in deaths or injuries. The maximum penalty for this offense is seven years in prison.
だが、事故当時の速度や酔いの程度を確定するのは難しい。このため、捜査当局は、自動車運転過失致死傷罪で立件せざるを得ないケースが少なくない。最高刑は懲役７年にとどまる。
A great gap
The gap between the punishments for dangerous driving resulting in death or injury and for negligent driving resulting in death or injury is too large.
危険運転罪と自動車運転過失致死傷罪の刑罰の差は大きすぎると言えよう。
In consideration of the feelings of bereaved families, who have demanded tougher punishments, it is understandable that the government intends to create regulations enabling a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
厳罰を求める遺族感情に配慮し、最高刑が懲役１５年の規定を設けるのは理解できる。
The major problem with the new rules is ambiguity. If a driver was "in a state in which significant obstacles to normal driving might occur," the person can be accused of the offense. However, the standards for defining the situations in which "significant obstacles to normal driving might occur" are not clear.
問題なのは、新たな規定の適用要件があいまいなことだ。運転手が「正常な運転に支障が生じる恐れがある状態」であれば、罪に問えるが、「支障が生じる恐れ」の適用範囲が明確ではない。
The government needs to make the standards for applying the new rules easy for everyone to understand through Diet deliberations.
政府は国会審議で、適用基準を分かりやすく示す必要がある。
Under the bill, accidents caused by the effects of medical conditions are designated as dangerous driving acts. The bill targets illnesses and symptoms that may disrupt consciousness, such as epilepsy, in response to a 2011 accident in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, in which the driver of a crane truck suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel and killed six primary school students.
法案は、病気の影響で起きた事故も危険運転の対象とした。てんかんなど意識障害を招く疾病を想定している。栃木県鹿沼市で一昨年、クレーン車の運転手がてんかんの発作を起こし、児童６人を死亡させた事故を受けたものだ。
Epilepsy and other patients' organizations strongly oppose the bill, saying it will invite discrimination against people with certain conditions. It is important for the government to carefully explain to such groups the intent of the bill, which is to prevent accidents.
病気への差別を招くとして、患者団体は法案に強く反発している。政府は、事故抑止という趣旨を患者側に丁寧に説明することが大切だ。
Patients are also asked to voluntarily refrain from driving if they know they may suffer seizures.
患者側にも、発作などの危険がある場合、運転を控える自律性が求められよう。
The bill also includes a provision to put a heavier penalty on driving without a license. This was prompted by an accident a year ago in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, in which 10 people including primary school students were injured or killed by a car driven by an unlicensed driver.
法案には、無免許運転に対し、罰をより重くする加重罪も盛り込まれた。京都府亀岡市で１年前、無免許運転の車が小学生ら１０人を死傷させた事故がきっかけだ。
Frustrating explanation
The teenage boy arrested over this incident was found to have repeatedly driven a car without a license. Investigative authorities thus did not apply the dangerous driving charge, due to the judgment that "his driving technique was not underdeveloped."
この事故では、逮捕された少年が無免許運転を繰り返していたことから、「運転技術は未熟でなかった」として、捜査当局は危険運転罪を適用しなかった。
Yet even in the latest bill, the government did not include driving without a license as it judged it is insufficient to establish dangerous driving charges. Having no driving license cannot, by itself, prove the element of "difficulty of normal driving," according to the government.
今回の法案でも、無免許運転を危険運転罪に組み込むことは見送られた。無免許だけでは、「正常な運転が困難」との適用要件を満たせないためだという。
There must be many people who are frustrated with such an explanation. How to deal with reckless unlicensed drivers is a subject that demands further discussion.
釈然としない思いを抱く人は多いだろう。無謀な無免許運転の扱いは、今後の検討課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2013)
（2013年4月25日01時45分 読売新聞）
Tougher penalties needed to curb deadly drivers
危険運転厳罰化 重大事故の撲滅につなげたい（4月25日付・読売社説）
Horrific accidents caused by drunk driving, unlicensed driving and other reckless driving seem to occur unceasingly. Planned harsher punishment of such practices must serve to prevent accidents.
飲酒や無免許など悪質運転による重大事故が後を絶たない。厳罰化を事故抑止につなげたい。
The government has submitted a bill to the Diet to toughen penalties in cases of reckless driving. The bill is designed to take elements relating to reckless driving from the Penal Code, such as definitions of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury, and include them in a new law.
政府は無謀運転の罰則を強化する法案を国会に提出した。危険運転致死傷罪などを刑法から抜き出し、独立した法律にするものだ。
The heart of the bill is the creation of new provisions on what may be called the offense of "quasi-dangerous driving."
法案の柱は、“準危険運転罪”と言える規定を新設した点だ。
One requirement for applying the charge of dangerous driving resulting in death or injury is a "state in which it is difficult for a person to conduct normal driving." For example, the subject of the offense must be a person who caused an accident while driving a vehicle at uncontrollable speeds or in a state of extreme intoxication from alcoholic beverages or drugs. The maximum punishment is 20 years in prison.
危険運転罪は「正常な運転が困難な状態」が適用要件だ。制御できないほどのスピードや飲酒・薬物の影響による酩酊(めいてい)状態で運転し、事故を起こした当事者が対象となる。最高刑は懲役２０年だ。
However, it is quite difficult to accurately determine the exact driving speed or precise degree of intoxication at the time of an accident. For this reason, there have been many cases in which investigation authorities had to build their cases on suspicion of "negligent" rather than "dangerous" driving resulting in deaths or injuries. The maximum penalty for this offense is seven years in prison.
だが、事故当時の速度や酔いの程度を確定するのは難しい。このため、捜査当局は、自動車運転過失致死傷罪で立件せざるを得ないケースが少なくない。最高刑は懲役７年にとどまる。
A great gap
The gap between the punishments for dangerous driving resulting in death or injury and for negligent driving resulting in death or injury is too large.
危険運転罪と自動車運転過失致死傷罪の刑罰の差は大きすぎると言えよう。
In consideration of the feelings of bereaved families, who have demanded tougher punishments, it is understandable that the government intends to create regulations enabling a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
厳罰を求める遺族感情に配慮し、最高刑が懲役１５年の規定を設けるのは理解できる。
The major problem with the new rules is ambiguity. If a driver was "in a state in which significant obstacles to normal driving might occur," the person can be accused of the offense. However, the standards for defining the situations in which "significant obstacles to normal driving might occur" are not clear.
問題なのは、新たな規定の適用要件があいまいなことだ。運転手が「正常な運転に支障が生じる恐れがある状態」であれば、罪に問えるが、「支障が生じる恐れ」の適用範囲が明確ではない。
The government needs to make the standards for applying the new rules easy for everyone to understand through Diet deliberations.
政府は国会審議で、適用基準を分かりやすく示す必要がある。
Under the bill, accidents caused by the effects of medical conditions are designated as dangerous driving acts. The bill targets illnesses and symptoms that may disrupt consciousness, such as epilepsy, in response to a 2011 accident in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, in which the driver of a crane truck suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel and killed six primary school students.
法案は、病気の影響で起きた事故も危険運転の対象とした。てんかんなど意識障害を招く疾病を想定している。栃木県鹿沼市で一昨年、クレーン車の運転手がてんかんの発作を起こし、児童６人を死亡させた事故を受けたものだ。
Epilepsy and other patients' organizations strongly oppose the bill, saying it will invite discrimination against people with certain conditions. It is important for the government to carefully explain to such groups the intent of the bill, which is to prevent accidents.
病気への差別を招くとして、患者団体は法案に強く反発している。政府は、事故抑止という趣旨を患者側に丁寧に説明することが大切だ。
Patients are also asked to voluntarily refrain from driving if they know they may suffer seizures.
患者側にも、発作などの危険がある場合、運転を控える自律性が求められよう。
The bill also includes a provision to put a heavier penalty on driving without a license. This was prompted by an accident a year ago in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, in which 10 people including primary school students were injured or killed by a car driven by an unlicensed driver.
法案には、無免許運転に対し、罰をより重くする加重罪も盛り込まれた。京都府亀岡市で１年前、無免許運転の車が小学生ら１０人を死傷させた事故がきっかけだ。
Frustrating explanation
The teenage boy arrested over this incident was found to have repeatedly driven a car without a license. Investigative authorities thus did not apply the dangerous driving charge, due to the judgment that "his driving technique was not underdeveloped."
この事故では、逮捕された少年が無免許運転を繰り返していたことから、「運転技術は未熟でなかった」として、捜査当局は危険運転罪を適用しなかった。
Yet even in the latest bill, the government did not include driving without a license as it judged it is insufficient to establish dangerous driving charges. Having no driving license cannot, by itself, prove the element of "difficulty of normal driving," according to the government.
今回の法案でも、無免許運転を危険運転罪に組み込むことは見送られた。無免許だけでは、「正常な運転が困難」との適用要件を満たせないためだという。
There must be many people who are frustrated with such an explanation. How to deal with reckless unlicensed drivers is a subject that demands further discussion.
釈然としない思いを抱く人は多いだろう。無謀な無免許運転の扱いは、今後の検討課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2013)
（2013年4月25日01時45分 読売新聞）
2013/04/27
尖閣諸島 海も空も中国への警戒強めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 26, 2013
Air and marine patrols must increase vigilance to defend against China
尖閣諸島 海も空も中国への警戒強めよ（4月25日付・読売社説）
The need to reinforce patrol and monitoring activities on the water and in the air around the Senkaku Islands to respond to China's perilously provocative acts has grown.
中国の危険な挑発に対し、海空両面での警戒監視活動を強化する必要性が一段と高まった。
Eight Chinese maritime surveillance ships entered the territorial waters off the Senkakus in Okinawa Prefecture on Tuesday and remained in the vicinity for about 12 hours.
沖縄県・尖閣諸島沖の領海に２３日、中国の海洋監視船８隻が相次いで侵入し、約１２時間も航行を続けた。
Since the Japanese government purchased part of the Senkakus in September, Chinese government vessels have intruded into Japanese waters on 40 occasions, often using multiple ships for a total of about 130 intrusions. Tuesday's intrusion marked the largest simultaneous entry.
昨年９月の尖閣諸島国有化以来、中国公船の領海侵犯は４０件、延べ約１３０隻に上る。８隻同時は最多だ。
In its attempt to justify its actions, China claimed they were engaging in "law enforcement" against the "trespassing" of Japanese fishing vessels in the waters. Such an assertion is totally unacceptable.
中国は、現場海域にいた日本漁船の「侵害行為」に対する「法執行だ」と領海侵犯の正当化を図ったが、到底容認できない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strongly cautioned China by saying, "The reasonable response is for us to respond physically [to intruding vessels], with a strong determination to prevent them from landing on any of the islands."
安倍首相は「絶対に上陸させないという強い決意で、物理的に対応していくことが正しい対応だ」と強く牽制(けんせい)した。
Possible countermeasures
Abe hinted at the possibility of taking such countermeasures as stationing public servants on the islands if Chinese vessels continue such intrusions into Japan's territorial waters.
領海侵犯が続く場合は公務員駐在などの対抗措置をとる可能性も示唆している。
The Chinese government last month unified, under the State Oceanic Administration, maritime surveillance duties, which were performed by various institutions, including the agriculture and public security ministries.
中国政府は３月、農業、公安両省など複数機関による海上取り締まり任務を国家海洋局の下に一元化した。
This time, together with the maritime surveillance ships that intruded into Japanese waters, two fishery surveillance ships sailed in the contiguous zone in the vicinity, indicating unified management of surveillance.
今回、海洋監視船の領海侵犯に合わせて、周辺の接続水域内を漁業監視船２隻が航行したのも、一元管理の表れだろう。
It is expected a large number of China's surveillance ships will intrude into the territorial waters again in the days ahead, staying there for longer periods than before.
今後、大量の監視船の領海侵犯が再発し、侵犯時間も長くなることが予想される。
The Japan Coast Guard needs to improve its capability to deal with such intrusive acts, while cooperating closely with the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
海上保安庁は対処能力を拡充し、海上自衛隊とも緊密に連携する必要がある。
Air intrusions also occurring
The tense situation has not been limited to the sea.
緊迫の状況は海に限らない。
The Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese aircraft intruding into Japan's airspace a record 306 times in fiscal 2012, almost double the number of the previous year. It also marked the first time such flights outpaced those against Russian aircraft.
２０１２年度の中国機に対する航空自衛隊の緊急発進（スクランブル）は過去最多の３０６回に上った。前年度の約２倍で、初めてロシア機への発進を上回った。
The scrambles mostly targeted Chinese Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, flying north of the Senkakus.
緊急発進の対象は、戦闘機など中国空軍機が大半を占め、尖閣諸島北方空域に集中している。
As long as the Chinese government maintains its hard-line stance on securing its purported territorial and maritime rights and interests, the Japanese government must make a strenuous effort to take necessary measures and prepare for the tense situation to last into the middle- or long-term.
中国政府が領土・海洋権益への強硬姿勢を公言する以上、日本政府は事態の中長期化を覚悟して、対策に本腰を入れるべきだ。
The government will review the National Defense Program Guidelines at the end of this year. In the review, it must prioritize its efforts in reinforcing the "dynamic defense capability," which emphasizes force mobility, and in boosting the capabilities of the ships and aircraft in the Okinawa area, as well as increasing the number of SDF personnel there.
政府は今年末に防衛大綱を見直す。その中で、部隊の機動性を重視する「動的防衛力」を強化し、沖縄方面の艦船・航空機や要員の増強に優先的に取り組まねばならない。
It is also necessary to introduce the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle earlier than planned.
無人偵察機グローバルホークの導入も前倒しが必要だ。
On the other hand, Japan should avoid unnecessarily raising tensions with China. It is important to continue mapping out rules to prevent incidents like the one that occurred when a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-control radar on an MSDF vessel in January.
一方で、日中間の緊張をいたずらに高めることは避けたい。今年１月の中国海軍艦艇によるレーダー照射事件のような不測の事態や事故を防ぐためのルール作りを進めることが大切だ。
The defense authorities of both countries in June last year reached a basic accord on creating a maritime communication system. It is designed to have information hotlines between the countries' respective defense forces, with the two countries' vessels or aircraft communicating on a common radio frequency when approaching each other. However, the idea has not been implemented.
日中の防衛当局は昨年６月、海上連絡メカニズムの構築で基本合意した。部隊間のホットラインを開設し、艦艇・航空機が国際緊急周波数で無線連絡する仕組みだが、まだ実現していない。
It is important, first of all, for both countries to put this accord into action, and build a trusting relationship between their respective defense forces.
まずは、この合意を実行に移し、部隊間の信頼関係の醸成を図ることが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2013)
（2013年4月25日01時45分 読売新聞）
Air and marine patrols must increase vigilance to defend against China
尖閣諸島 海も空も中国への警戒強めよ（4月25日付・読売社説）
The need to reinforce patrol and monitoring activities on the water and in the air around the Senkaku Islands to respond to China's perilously provocative acts has grown.
中国の危険な挑発に対し、海空両面での警戒監視活動を強化する必要性が一段と高まった。
Eight Chinese maritime surveillance ships entered the territorial waters off the Senkakus in Okinawa Prefecture on Tuesday and remained in the vicinity for about 12 hours.
沖縄県・尖閣諸島沖の領海に２３日、中国の海洋監視船８隻が相次いで侵入し、約１２時間も航行を続けた。
Since the Japanese government purchased part of the Senkakus in September, Chinese government vessels have intruded into Japanese waters on 40 occasions, often using multiple ships for a total of about 130 intrusions. Tuesday's intrusion marked the largest simultaneous entry.
昨年９月の尖閣諸島国有化以来、中国公船の領海侵犯は４０件、延べ約１３０隻に上る。８隻同時は最多だ。
In its attempt to justify its actions, China claimed they were engaging in "law enforcement" against the "trespassing" of Japanese fishing vessels in the waters. Such an assertion is totally unacceptable.
中国は、現場海域にいた日本漁船の「侵害行為」に対する「法執行だ」と領海侵犯の正当化を図ったが、到底容認できない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strongly cautioned China by saying, "The reasonable response is for us to respond physically [to intruding vessels], with a strong determination to prevent them from landing on any of the islands."
安倍首相は「絶対に上陸させないという強い決意で、物理的に対応していくことが正しい対応だ」と強く牽制(けんせい)した。
Possible countermeasures
Abe hinted at the possibility of taking such countermeasures as stationing public servants on the islands if Chinese vessels continue such intrusions into Japan's territorial waters.
領海侵犯が続く場合は公務員駐在などの対抗措置をとる可能性も示唆している。
The Chinese government last month unified, under the State Oceanic Administration, maritime surveillance duties, which were performed by various institutions, including the agriculture and public security ministries.
中国政府は３月、農業、公安両省など複数機関による海上取り締まり任務を国家海洋局の下に一元化した。
This time, together with the maritime surveillance ships that intruded into Japanese waters, two fishery surveillance ships sailed in the contiguous zone in the vicinity, indicating unified management of surveillance.
今回、海洋監視船の領海侵犯に合わせて、周辺の接続水域内を漁業監視船２隻が航行したのも、一元管理の表れだろう。
It is expected a large number of China's surveillance ships will intrude into the territorial waters again in the days ahead, staying there for longer periods than before.
今後、大量の監視船の領海侵犯が再発し、侵犯時間も長くなることが予想される。
The Japan Coast Guard needs to improve its capability to deal with such intrusive acts, while cooperating closely with the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
海上保安庁は対処能力を拡充し、海上自衛隊とも緊密に連携する必要がある。
Air intrusions also occurring
The tense situation has not been limited to the sea.
緊迫の状況は海に限らない。
The Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept Chinese aircraft intruding into Japan's airspace a record 306 times in fiscal 2012, almost double the number of the previous year. It also marked the first time such flights outpaced those against Russian aircraft.
２０１２年度の中国機に対する航空自衛隊の緊急発進（スクランブル）は過去最多の３０６回に上った。前年度の約２倍で、初めてロシア機への発進を上回った。
The scrambles mostly targeted Chinese Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, flying north of the Senkakus.
緊急発進の対象は、戦闘機など中国空軍機が大半を占め、尖閣諸島北方空域に集中している。
As long as the Chinese government maintains its hard-line stance on securing its purported territorial and maritime rights and interests, the Japanese government must make a strenuous effort to take necessary measures and prepare for the tense situation to last into the middle- or long-term.
中国政府が領土・海洋権益への強硬姿勢を公言する以上、日本政府は事態の中長期化を覚悟して、対策に本腰を入れるべきだ。
The government will review the National Defense Program Guidelines at the end of this year. In the review, it must prioritize its efforts in reinforcing the "dynamic defense capability," which emphasizes force mobility, and in boosting the capabilities of the ships and aircraft in the Okinawa area, as well as increasing the number of SDF personnel there.
政府は今年末に防衛大綱を見直す。その中で、部隊の機動性を重視する「動的防衛力」を強化し、沖縄方面の艦船・航空機や要員の増強に優先的に取り組まねばならない。
It is also necessary to introduce the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle earlier than planned.
無人偵察機グローバルホークの導入も前倒しが必要だ。
On the other hand, Japan should avoid unnecessarily raising tensions with China. It is important to continue mapping out rules to prevent incidents like the one that occurred when a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-control radar on an MSDF vessel in January.
一方で、日中間の緊張をいたずらに高めることは避けたい。今年１月の中国海軍艦艇によるレーダー照射事件のような不測の事態や事故を防ぐためのルール作りを進めることが大切だ。
The defense authorities of both countries in June last year reached a basic accord on creating a maritime communication system. It is designed to have information hotlines between the countries' respective defense forces, with the two countries' vessels or aircraft communicating on a common radio frequency when approaching each other. However, the idea has not been implemented.
日中の防衛当局は昨年６月、海上連絡メカニズムの構築で基本合意した。部隊間のホットラインを開設し、艦艇・航空機が国際緊急周波数で無線連絡する仕組みだが、まだ実現していない。
It is important, first of all, for both countries to put this accord into action, and build a trusting relationship between their respective defense forces.
まずは、この合意を実行に移し、部隊間の信頼関係の醸成を図ることが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2013)
（2013年4月25日01時45分 読売新聞）
2013/04/26
閣僚の靖国参拝 外交問題化は避けるべきだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 25, 2013
Don't let ministers' Yasukuni visits become thorn in diplomatic relations
閣僚の靖国参拝 外交問題化は避けるべきだ（4月24日付・読売社説）
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se's response must have been unexpected for the Japanese government.
日本政府には予想外の反応だった、ということではないか。
Yun canceled a trip to Japan that was scheduled for Friday and Saturday. This was a protest against visits by three Cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The South Korean Foreign Ministry says the Shinto shrine "glorifies Japan's wars of aggression."
韓国の尹炳世外相が、２６、２７日に予定されていた日本訪問を中止した。麻生副総理ら閣僚３人の靖国神社参拝に対し、「侵略戦争の美化」と反発したためだ。
A trilateral meeting between leaders from Japan, China and South Korea, which was originally scheduled for late May, will likely be postponed due to China's unwillingness to participate. South Korea, chair of the meeting, intended for Yun's visit to help create an environment conducive to holding the talks.
尹外相の来日は、５月下旬の日中韓首脳会談が中国の消極的姿勢で見送られる見通しとなる中で、議長国として会談開催の環境整備を図ろうとしたものだった。
Yun's visit also was expected to provide a golden opportunity for Japan and South Korea to continue their close cooperation in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, over which tensions have recently risen. It was also designed to improve the bilateral relationship under South Korean President Park Geun Hye, after ties became strained due to such factors as former President Lee Myung Bak's visit to the Takeshima islands last year.
緊張の高まる北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題での日韓連携に加え、李明博前大統領の竹島訪問などで悪化した日韓関係を朴槿恵大統領の下で改善する機会でもあった。
All this makes the cancellation of Yun's visit to Japan very regrettable.
それだけに、尹外相の来日中止は残念である。
Nagging questions remain about South Korea's diplomatic approach. Although then South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun canceled a visit to Japan in protest after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the shrine, Seoul has never made Yasukuni visits by Cabinet ministers a diplomatic issue to such a serious degree before.
韓国の外交姿勢には疑問が残る。従来、小泉首相の靖国参拝に反発して盧武鉉大統領が訪日を見合わせたことはあっても、閣僚の靖国参拝をここまで外交問題にしたことはなかった。
A matter for Japanese to decide
On issues concerning the perception of history, the Japanese government said: "Each country has its own stance on different issues. We should not let these matters affect diplomatic relations." We agree entirely.
日本政府が、歴史認識をめぐる問題について「それぞれの国にはそれぞれの立場があり、影響を外交に及ぼすべきではない」と主張するのは、その通りだ。
How Japanese mourn the war dead is not something that other countries can give orders on. Both Japan and South Korea must make efforts not to let differences in their position on this issue affect overall diplomatic relations.
戦没者をどう追悼するかは他国に指図される問題ではない。立場の相違を外交全体に極力影響させない努力が双方に求められる。
Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said visits to Yasukuni Shrine are "a matter of the heart." Suga indicated that the government does not particularly regard Yasukuni visits by Cabinet ministers, including Aso, as a problem.
一方、菅官房長官は「靖国参拝は心の問題だ」と語り、麻生氏ら閣僚の参拝をことさら問題視しない考えを示している。
Ties have been harmed
However, it cannot be denied that the Yasukuni visits by Aso and other ministers have adversely affected Tokyo-Seoul relations. In politics and diplomacy, results are always important and "a matter of the heart" should not be trotted out as an excuse. Shouldn't Aso have been more careful about visiting the shrine while he is deputy prime minister, a key Cabinet post?
しかし、麻生氏らの靖国参拝が日韓関係に悪影響を与えたことは否定できない。政治も外交も重要なのは結果であり、「心の問題」では済まされない。麻生氏は副総理の要職にある以上、より慎重であるべきではなかったか。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was "extremely regrettable" that he could not visit the shrine during the tenure of his first Cabinet several years ago. We hope Abe will handle government affairs with the utmost care so historical issues will not negatively affect diplomatic ties.
首相は、かつて第１次安倍内閣時代に靖国参拝できなかったことを「痛恨の極み」と述べたが、歴史問題が外交に悪影響を与えないよう細心の注意を払って政権運営してもらいたい。
Amid the tense relationship between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands, improving Japan-South Korea ties must be the top priority for Abe's diplomacy.
尖閣諸島の問題で日中関係が険悪になる中、まず日韓関係を改善することは、安倍外交にとって最優先の課題であるはずだ。
The crux of the problem over Yasukuni visits is the fact that "Class-A war criminals," including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who was executed following his conviction by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, also known as the Tokyo Tribunal, are enshrined along with Japan's war dead. There has been severe criticism of the Japanese leaders who led the nation to war, not only from South Korea and China but also from Japan.
靖国神社参拝をめぐる問題の根底には極東国際軍事裁判（東京裁判）で処刑された東条英機元首相ら「Ａ級戦犯」が合祀(ごうし)されていることがある。韓国や中国だけでなく、日本国内にも戦争を招いた指導者への厳しい批判がある。
The government should resume discussions on the construction of a new national facility where everybody can pay homage to the war dead without resentment or awkwardness.
誰もが、わだかまりなく戦没者を追悼できる国立施設の建立に向け、政府は議論を再開することも考えるべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 24, 2013)
（2013年4月24日01時38分 読売新聞）
Don't let ministers' Yasukuni visits become thorn in diplomatic relations
閣僚の靖国参拝 外交問題化は避けるべきだ（4月24日付・読売社説）
South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se's response must have been unexpected for the Japanese government.
日本政府には予想外の反応だった、ということではないか。
Yun canceled a trip to Japan that was scheduled for Friday and Saturday. This was a protest against visits by three Cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The South Korean Foreign Ministry says the Shinto shrine "glorifies Japan's wars of aggression."
韓国の尹炳世外相が、２６、２７日に予定されていた日本訪問を中止した。麻生副総理ら閣僚３人の靖国神社参拝に対し、「侵略戦争の美化」と反発したためだ。
A trilateral meeting between leaders from Japan, China and South Korea, which was originally scheduled for late May, will likely be postponed due to China's unwillingness to participate. South Korea, chair of the meeting, intended for Yun's visit to help create an environment conducive to holding the talks.
尹外相の来日は、５月下旬の日中韓首脳会談が中国の消極的姿勢で見送られる見通しとなる中で、議長国として会談開催の環境整備を図ろうとしたものだった。
Yun's visit also was expected to provide a golden opportunity for Japan and South Korea to continue their close cooperation in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, over which tensions have recently risen. It was also designed to improve the bilateral relationship under South Korean President Park Geun Hye, after ties became strained due to such factors as former President Lee Myung Bak's visit to the Takeshima islands last year.
緊張の高まる北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題での日韓連携に加え、李明博前大統領の竹島訪問などで悪化した日韓関係を朴槿恵大統領の下で改善する機会でもあった。
All this makes the cancellation of Yun's visit to Japan very regrettable.
それだけに、尹外相の来日中止は残念である。
Nagging questions remain about South Korea's diplomatic approach. Although then South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun canceled a visit to Japan in protest after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the shrine, Seoul has never made Yasukuni visits by Cabinet ministers a diplomatic issue to such a serious degree before.
韓国の外交姿勢には疑問が残る。従来、小泉首相の靖国参拝に反発して盧武鉉大統領が訪日を見合わせたことはあっても、閣僚の靖国参拝をここまで外交問題にしたことはなかった。
A matter for Japanese to decide
On issues concerning the perception of history, the Japanese government said: "Each country has its own stance on different issues. We should not let these matters affect diplomatic relations." We agree entirely.
日本政府が、歴史認識をめぐる問題について「それぞれの国にはそれぞれの立場があり、影響を外交に及ぼすべきではない」と主張するのは、その通りだ。
How Japanese mourn the war dead is not something that other countries can give orders on. Both Japan and South Korea must make efforts not to let differences in their position on this issue affect overall diplomatic relations.
戦没者をどう追悼するかは他国に指図される問題ではない。立場の相違を外交全体に極力影響させない努力が双方に求められる。
Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said visits to Yasukuni Shrine are "a matter of the heart." Suga indicated that the government does not particularly regard Yasukuni visits by Cabinet ministers, including Aso, as a problem.
一方、菅官房長官は「靖国参拝は心の問題だ」と語り、麻生氏ら閣僚の参拝をことさら問題視しない考えを示している。
Ties have been harmed
However, it cannot be denied that the Yasukuni visits by Aso and other ministers have adversely affected Tokyo-Seoul relations. In politics and diplomacy, results are always important and "a matter of the heart" should not be trotted out as an excuse. Shouldn't Aso have been more careful about visiting the shrine while he is deputy prime minister, a key Cabinet post?
しかし、麻生氏らの靖国参拝が日韓関係に悪影響を与えたことは否定できない。政治も外交も重要なのは結果であり、「心の問題」では済まされない。麻生氏は副総理の要職にある以上、より慎重であるべきではなかったか。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was "extremely regrettable" that he could not visit the shrine during the tenure of his first Cabinet several years ago. We hope Abe will handle government affairs with the utmost care so historical issues will not negatively affect diplomatic ties.
首相は、かつて第１次安倍内閣時代に靖国参拝できなかったことを「痛恨の極み」と述べたが、歴史問題が外交に悪影響を与えないよう細心の注意を払って政権運営してもらいたい。
Amid the tense relationship between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands, improving Japan-South Korea ties must be the top priority for Abe's diplomacy.
尖閣諸島の問題で日中関係が険悪になる中、まず日韓関係を改善することは、安倍外交にとって最優先の課題であるはずだ。
The crux of the problem over Yasukuni visits is the fact that "Class-A war criminals," including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who was executed following his conviction by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, also known as the Tokyo Tribunal, are enshrined along with Japan's war dead. There has been severe criticism of the Japanese leaders who led the nation to war, not only from South Korea and China but also from Japan.
靖国神社参拝をめぐる問題の根底には極東国際軍事裁判（東京裁判）で処刑された東条英機元首相ら「Ａ級戦犯」が合祀(ごうし)されていることがある。韓国や中国だけでなく、日本国内にも戦争を招いた指導者への厳しい批判がある。
The government should resume discussions on the construction of a new national facility where everybody can pay homage to the war dead without resentment or awkwardness.
誰もが、わだかまりなく戦没者を追悼できる国立施設の建立に向け、政府は議論を再開することも考えるべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 24, 2013)
（2013年4月24日01時38分 読売新聞）
2013/04/25
社会保障会議 「節度ある医療」へ議論深めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 24, 2013
Panel should deepen discussions for cost-effective medical system
社会保障会議 「節度ある医療」へ議論深めよ（4月23日付・読売社説）
With Japan facing a so-called super-aged society, the government must arrest sharply increasing expenses of medical and nursing care services and establish a reliable social security system.
超高齢社会を迎える中で、急増する医療・介護費用の伸びを抑え、信頼される社会保障制度を築くことが急務である。
The National Council on Social Security System Reform, a government panel discussing this issue, has compiled a number of points regarding reform of medical and nursing care services.
その方策を議論している政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議が、医療・介護について改革の論点をまとめた。
The panel described medical facilities and staff, which are not unlimited, as "assets of the people," and underlined the importance of their proper use. We consider the panel's views reasonable for building sustainable medical and nursing care systems.
限りある医療の設備や人材について「国民の財産」と位置付け、適正利用の重要性を強調した。持続可能な医療・介護制度を構築する上で適切な指摘である。
The point the panel made was that medical services should be altered to allow patients to "receive proper treatment when needed at a proper place and at a minimum cost."
ポイントは、国民会議が「必要な時に適切な医療を適切な場所で、最小の費用で受ける」医療への転換を打ち出したことだ。
'Free access' to hospitals
At present, Japan's medical services allow patients to have "free access," meaning that a patient can visit any medical institution at any time without worrying too much about payments.
日本の医療は、患者側が費用の心配をせずに、いつでも、どの医療機関にもかかれる「フリーアクセス」を特徴としている。
This system has brought about a situation that can be described as chaotic, as patients even visit university hospitals when they have a slight cold. As a result, many doctors are overworked.
その結果、軽い風邪でも大学病院にかかるなど、無秩序とも言える受診を招いた。これが医師の過重労働にもつながっている。
To rectify the situation, the panel proposed that patients be charged about 10,000 yen if they seek treatment at major hospitals without a referral letter, in addition to regular charges for treatment they receive. The extra charge would not be covered by health insurance.
こうした状況の改善策として、国民会議では、紹介状を持たずに大病院を受診する場合、診察料に加え、１万円程度の保険外の負担を求めるとの案が示された。
This would sharply increase the financial burden patients would have to shoulder. We consider it well worth considering.
自己負担を大幅に引き上げるものだ。検討に値するのではないか。
Among items discussed, the panel said wider use of generic drugs should be realized as soon as possible, as they are cheaper than their original versions.
国民会議が示した論点のうち、実現を急ぐべきなのは、価格の安いジェネリック医薬品（後発品）の普及である。
In the United States, Britain and Germany, generic products account for 60 percent to 70 percent of all prescribed drugs. In Japan, the figure is about 40 percent.
米国、イギリス、ドイツでは、処方薬のうち後発品が占める割合が６～７割に上る。これに対し、日本は４割にとどまる。
The low usage of generic drugs in this country can be ascribed to deep-seated doubts doctors have of their efficacy, although their quality has improved.
後発品の品質は向上しているが、医師の間では、その効能を疑問視する風潮が根強いことも背景にあるだろう。
Generic drugs are priced at 20 percent to 70 percent of the original products. If generic drugs are used more widely, medical spending will be reduced.
後発品の価格は先発品の２～７割で、普及が進めば医療費の削減につながる。
Regarding prescriptions, which are currently left to the discretion of medical institutions, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry should consider a system in which generic drugs are the main types of medication prescribed.
現在は医療機関の裁量に任されている医薬品の処方について、厚生労働省は後発品の使用を原則とする仕組みを検討すべきだ。
Treatment at home
The panel also called for an improvement in health and nursing care services at home by suggesting that patients be cured and supported in local communities, rather than relying on hospitals to provide medical treatment.
国民会議は、「病院で治す」医療から「地域全体で治し、支える」医療への転換をうたい、在宅医療・介護の充実も求めた。
The panel said prefectural governments should take over the national health insurance program, which deals mainly with self-employed people and is currently operated by municipal governments. This position is reasonable as the panel took into account a number of municipalities in which insurance premiums have sharply risen as fiscal conditions have worsened.
国民健康保険については、運営主体を現在の市町村から都道府県に広域化する方向で一致した。財政事情が悪化し、保険料が高騰している市町村もあることを踏まえた問題提起だ。
However, it is necessary to discuss these issues from various angles to realize the envisaged measures. The panel is expected to wrap up its discussions by August, as stipulated in a law on integrated reform of social security and tax systems. It is vital for the panel to determine priorities and reach viable conclusions.
ただ、こうした施策を実現するには様々な角度からの議論が必要だ。国民会議は、社会保障と税の一体改革関連法により、８月までに議論をまとめることになっている。優先順位を決め、実効性ある結論を得ることが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 23, 2013)
（2013年4月23日01時26分 読売新聞）
Panel should deepen discussions for cost-effective medical system
社会保障会議 「節度ある医療」へ議論深めよ（4月23日付・読売社説）
With Japan facing a so-called super-aged society, the government must arrest sharply increasing expenses of medical and nursing care services and establish a reliable social security system.
超高齢社会を迎える中で、急増する医療・介護費用の伸びを抑え、信頼される社会保障制度を築くことが急務である。
The National Council on Social Security System Reform, a government panel discussing this issue, has compiled a number of points regarding reform of medical and nursing care services.
その方策を議論している政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議が、医療・介護について改革の論点をまとめた。
The panel described medical facilities and staff, which are not unlimited, as "assets of the people," and underlined the importance of their proper use. We consider the panel's views reasonable for building sustainable medical and nursing care systems.
限りある医療の設備や人材について「国民の財産」と位置付け、適正利用の重要性を強調した。持続可能な医療・介護制度を構築する上で適切な指摘である。
The point the panel made was that medical services should be altered to allow patients to "receive proper treatment when needed at a proper place and at a minimum cost."
ポイントは、国民会議が「必要な時に適切な医療を適切な場所で、最小の費用で受ける」医療への転換を打ち出したことだ。
'Free access' to hospitals
At present, Japan's medical services allow patients to have "free access," meaning that a patient can visit any medical institution at any time without worrying too much about payments.
日本の医療は、患者側が費用の心配をせずに、いつでも、どの医療機関にもかかれる「フリーアクセス」を特徴としている。
This system has brought about a situation that can be described as chaotic, as patients even visit university hospitals when they have a slight cold. As a result, many doctors are overworked.
その結果、軽い風邪でも大学病院にかかるなど、無秩序とも言える受診を招いた。これが医師の過重労働にもつながっている。
To rectify the situation, the panel proposed that patients be charged about 10,000 yen if they seek treatment at major hospitals without a referral letter, in addition to regular charges for treatment they receive. The extra charge would not be covered by health insurance.
こうした状況の改善策として、国民会議では、紹介状を持たずに大病院を受診する場合、診察料に加え、１万円程度の保険外の負担を求めるとの案が示された。
This would sharply increase the financial burden patients would have to shoulder. We consider it well worth considering.
自己負担を大幅に引き上げるものだ。検討に値するのではないか。
Among items discussed, the panel said wider use of generic drugs should be realized as soon as possible, as they are cheaper than their original versions.
国民会議が示した論点のうち、実現を急ぐべきなのは、価格の安いジェネリック医薬品（後発品）の普及である。
In the United States, Britain and Germany, generic products account for 60 percent to 70 percent of all prescribed drugs. In Japan, the figure is about 40 percent.
米国、イギリス、ドイツでは、処方薬のうち後発品が占める割合が６～７割に上る。これに対し、日本は４割にとどまる。
The low usage of generic drugs in this country can be ascribed to deep-seated doubts doctors have of their efficacy, although their quality has improved.
後発品の品質は向上しているが、医師の間では、その効能を疑問視する風潮が根強いことも背景にあるだろう。
Generic drugs are priced at 20 percent to 70 percent of the original products. If generic drugs are used more widely, medical spending will be reduced.
後発品の価格は先発品の２～７割で、普及が進めば医療費の削減につながる。
Regarding prescriptions, which are currently left to the discretion of medical institutions, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry should consider a system in which generic drugs are the main types of medication prescribed.
現在は医療機関の裁量に任されている医薬品の処方について、厚生労働省は後発品の使用を原則とする仕組みを検討すべきだ。
Treatment at home
The panel also called for an improvement in health and nursing care services at home by suggesting that patients be cured and supported in local communities, rather than relying on hospitals to provide medical treatment.
国民会議は、「病院で治す」医療から「地域全体で治し、支える」医療への転換をうたい、在宅医療・介護の充実も求めた。
The panel said prefectural governments should take over the national health insurance program, which deals mainly with self-employed people and is currently operated by municipal governments. This position is reasonable as the panel took into account a number of municipalities in which insurance premiums have sharply risen as fiscal conditions have worsened.
国民健康保険については、運営主体を現在の市町村から都道府県に広域化する方向で一致した。財政事情が悪化し、保険料が高騰している市町村もあることを踏まえた問題提起だ。
However, it is necessary to discuss these issues from various angles to realize the envisaged measures. The panel is expected to wrap up its discussions by August, as stipulated in a law on integrated reform of social security and tax systems. It is vital for the panel to determine priorities and reach viable conclusions.
ただ、こうした施策を実現するには様々な角度からの議論が必要だ。国民会議は、社会保障と税の一体改革関連法により、８月までに議論をまとめることになっている。優先順位を決め、実効性ある結論を得ることが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 23, 2013)
（2013年4月23日01時26分 読売新聞）
2013/04/24
中国国防白書 危険過ぎる習政権の強軍路線
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 23, 2013
Xi administration's 'strong army' policy ramps up Chinese threat
中国国防白書 危険過ぎる習政権の強軍路線（4月22日付・読売社説）
The Chinese administration of Xi Jinping has reiterated its intention to push ahead with a "strong army" policy. This policy centers on building China into a maritime power.
中国の習近平政権が、「強軍路線」を推進していく姿勢を改めて強調した。核となるのは「海洋強国化」である。
In its biennial defense white paper released last week, Beijing declared: "It is an essential national development strategy to exploit, utilize and protect the seas and oceans, and build China into a maritime power. It is an important duty for the PLA (People's Liberation Army) to resolutely safeguard China's maritime rights and interests."
中国は２年ぶりの国防白書で、「海洋強国の建設は国家の重要な発展戦略であり、断固として海洋権益を守ることが軍の重要な職責だ」と明記した。
The white paper also emphasized China has developed a policy of bolstering cooperation between its navy and the State Oceanic Administration's surveillance vessels and others.
海軍が国家海洋局の監視船などと連携を強めていく方針も打ち出した。
Senkakus remark disturbing
The white paper says China's first aircraft carrier, which was commissioned into the navy last year, has a "profound impact on building a strong People's Liberation Army's Navy and safeguarding maritime security."
昨年、初の空母を就役させたことについて、「強大な海軍の建設と海上安全保障にとって深遠な意義がある」と指摘した。
There is no doubt China will accelerate efforts to augment its naval capabilities through such projects as building new aircraft carriers.
新たな空母建造など海軍力の増強を加速させるのは間違いない。
In Japan's eyes, China's expansion of its maritime strength is truly alarming.
日本として、中国の海洋への膨張は警戒すべき動きだ。
What cannot be overlooked is the white paper's reference to the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The report denounces Japan by name for "making trouble over the issue of the Diaoyu Islands," the Chinese name for the Senkakus. It opted not to mention such countries as Vietnam and the Philippines that have their own sovereignty issues with Beijing in the South China Sea.
看過できないのは、沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って、白書が「日本が問題を作り出した」と名指しで非難したことだ。南シナ海で中国と対立するベトナムやフィリピンは国名を挙げていない。
Singling out Japan for condemnation is presumably designed to beef up China's military pressure with the aim of eroding Japan's effective control of the Senkakus.
日本を際立たせたのは、軍事面で圧力を強め、尖閣の実効支配を切り崩す狙いがあるのだろう。
The Japanese government naturally lodged a protest with China, saying this country "can never accept any words and deeds based solely on China's own assertions."
日本政府が「中国独自の主張に基づく言動は一切受け入れられない」と抗議したのは当然だ。
Waters surrounding the Senkakus have already seen stepped-up muscle-flexing by Chinese naval vessels. On Wednesday, the day after the white paper was released, a Chinese destroyer and a frigate sailed in the vicinity of the Senkakus.
尖閣周辺海域では中国海軍艦艇の示威行動がすでに活発化している。白書発表翌日の１７日も、駆逐艦とフリゲート艦が航行した。
Fears are rising that provocations involving Chinese naval vessels and surveillance ships could escalate.
海軍艦艇と監視船が一体となった挑発行動の活発化が懸念される事態だ。
Japan, for its part, must increase its vigilance through cooperation with the United States while deepening collaboration between the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces.
日本は米国と協調し、海上保安庁と自衛隊の連携も深め、警戒に当たらねばならない。
Xi, who is general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, has said, "The great dream of the restoration of the nation of China is the dream of a country with a mighty military."
習近平・中国共産党総書記は「中華民族の偉大な復興の夢とは強軍の夢だ」と語っている。
In January, a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. Xi's hard-line posture might invite the Chinese military to take further extreme actions.
１月には海自艦艇へのレーダー照射事件が起きた。習氏の強硬な姿勢は、中国軍のさらなる過激な行動を招きかねない。
On April 9, Xi inspected China's latest amphibious assault ship at a naval base on Hainan Island, southern China, and issued an order to the troops to "take to heart the goal of strengthening the army, and devote efforts to realize this goal." We find this remark deeply disturbing.
習氏は今月９日、海南島の海軍基地で最新鋭の揚陸艦などを視察し、「強軍の目標を心に刻み、その実践に身をささげよ」と命じた。危惧すべき発言である。
Transparency still lacking
China tooted its own horn over the white paper, saying it had disclosed a breakdown of China's ground, naval and air forces. The paper, however, included not one iota of information about personnel in charge of strategic missile operations with nuclear capabilities, or the scale of China's armed police.
中国は今回の白書について、陸海空軍など兵員数の内訳を公開したと自賛している。だが、核戦力を担う戦略ミサイル部隊や、武装警察部隊の規模などは一切明らかにしなかった。
The report has far fewer pages than a defense white paper published two years ago. Breakdowns of defense expenditures, such as living expenses of military members and equipment outlays, have been omitted this time.
２年前の前回の白書に比べ、分量も大幅に減った。兵員生活費や装備費など国防費の内訳に関する記述もなくなった。
Although China's swelling defense budget intimidates the international community, the white paper gives no indication that China itself is aware of that.
国防費の膨張が国際社会に脅威を与えているのに、その自覚が感じられないではないか。
Instead of concealing information, China has an obligation as a major power to enhance transparency of its military.
隠蔽ではなく、透明性の向上こそが大国としての責任である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 22, 2013)
（2013年4月22日01時45分 読売新聞）
Xi administration's 'strong army' policy ramps up Chinese threat
中国国防白書 危険過ぎる習政権の強軍路線（4月22日付・読売社説）
The Chinese administration of Xi Jinping has reiterated its intention to push ahead with a "strong army" policy. This policy centers on building China into a maritime power.
中国の習近平政権が、「強軍路線」を推進していく姿勢を改めて強調した。核となるのは「海洋強国化」である。
In its biennial defense white paper released last week, Beijing declared: "It is an essential national development strategy to exploit, utilize and protect the seas and oceans, and build China into a maritime power. It is an important duty for the PLA (People's Liberation Army) to resolutely safeguard China's maritime rights and interests."
中国は２年ぶりの国防白書で、「海洋強国の建設は国家の重要な発展戦略であり、断固として海洋権益を守ることが軍の重要な職責だ」と明記した。
The white paper also emphasized China has developed a policy of bolstering cooperation between its navy and the State Oceanic Administration's surveillance vessels and others.
海軍が国家海洋局の監視船などと連携を強めていく方針も打ち出した。
Senkakus remark disturbing
The white paper says China's first aircraft carrier, which was commissioned into the navy last year, has a "profound impact on building a strong People's Liberation Army's Navy and safeguarding maritime security."
昨年、初の空母を就役させたことについて、「強大な海軍の建設と海上安全保障にとって深遠な意義がある」と指摘した。
There is no doubt China will accelerate efforts to augment its naval capabilities through such projects as building new aircraft carriers.
新たな空母建造など海軍力の増強を加速させるのは間違いない。
In Japan's eyes, China's expansion of its maritime strength is truly alarming.
日本として、中国の海洋への膨張は警戒すべき動きだ。
What cannot be overlooked is the white paper's reference to the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The report denounces Japan by name for "making trouble over the issue of the Diaoyu Islands," the Chinese name for the Senkakus. It opted not to mention such countries as Vietnam and the Philippines that have their own sovereignty issues with Beijing in the South China Sea.
看過できないのは、沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って、白書が「日本が問題を作り出した」と名指しで非難したことだ。南シナ海で中国と対立するベトナムやフィリピンは国名を挙げていない。
Singling out Japan for condemnation is presumably designed to beef up China's military pressure with the aim of eroding Japan's effective control of the Senkakus.
日本を際立たせたのは、軍事面で圧力を強め、尖閣の実効支配を切り崩す狙いがあるのだろう。
The Japanese government naturally lodged a protest with China, saying this country "can never accept any words and deeds based solely on China's own assertions."
日本政府が「中国独自の主張に基づく言動は一切受け入れられない」と抗議したのは当然だ。
Waters surrounding the Senkakus have already seen stepped-up muscle-flexing by Chinese naval vessels. On Wednesday, the day after the white paper was released, a Chinese destroyer and a frigate sailed in the vicinity of the Senkakus.
尖閣周辺海域では中国海軍艦艇の示威行動がすでに活発化している。白書発表翌日の１７日も、駆逐艦とフリゲート艦が航行した。
Fears are rising that provocations involving Chinese naval vessels and surveillance ships could escalate.
海軍艦艇と監視船が一体となった挑発行動の活発化が懸念される事態だ。
Japan, for its part, must increase its vigilance through cooperation with the United States while deepening collaboration between the Japan Coast Guard and the Self-Defense Forces.
日本は米国と協調し、海上保安庁と自衛隊の連携も深め、警戒に当たらねばならない。
Xi, who is general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, has said, "The great dream of the restoration of the nation of China is the dream of a country with a mighty military."
習近平・中国共産党総書記は「中華民族の偉大な復興の夢とは強軍の夢だ」と語っている。
In January, a Chinese frigate locked its weapons-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. Xi's hard-line posture might invite the Chinese military to take further extreme actions.
１月には海自艦艇へのレーダー照射事件が起きた。習氏の強硬な姿勢は、中国軍のさらなる過激な行動を招きかねない。
On April 9, Xi inspected China's latest amphibious assault ship at a naval base on Hainan Island, southern China, and issued an order to the troops to "take to heart the goal of strengthening the army, and devote efforts to realize this goal." We find this remark deeply disturbing.
習氏は今月９日、海南島の海軍基地で最新鋭の揚陸艦などを視察し、「強軍の目標を心に刻み、その実践に身をささげよ」と命じた。危惧すべき発言である。
Transparency still lacking
China tooted its own horn over the white paper, saying it had disclosed a breakdown of China's ground, naval and air forces. The paper, however, included not one iota of information about personnel in charge of strategic missile operations with nuclear capabilities, or the scale of China's armed police.
中国は今回の白書について、陸海空軍など兵員数の内訳を公開したと自賛している。だが、核戦力を担う戦略ミサイル部隊や、武装警察部隊の規模などは一切明らかにしなかった。
The report has far fewer pages than a defense white paper published two years ago. Breakdowns of defense expenditures, such as living expenses of military members and equipment outlays, have been omitted this time.
２年前の前回の白書に比べ、分量も大幅に減った。兵員生活費や装備費など国防費の内訳に関する記述もなくなった。
Although China's swelling defense budget intimidates the international community, the white paper gives no indication that China itself is aware of that.
国防費の膨張が国際社会に脅威を与えているのに、その自覚が感じられないではないか。
Instead of concealing information, China has an obligation as a major power to enhance transparency of its military.
隠蔽ではなく、透明性の向上こそが大国としての責任である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 22, 2013)
（2013年4月22日01時45分 読売新聞）
2013/04/23
Ｇ２０共同声明 円安だけに頼れぬデフレ脱却
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 22, 2013
Japan should not rely solely on yen's depreciation to escape deflation
Ｇ２０共同声明 円安だけに頼れぬデフレ脱却（4月21日付・読売社説）
Japan's ability to gain the understanding of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies that Tokyo's bold monetary easing policy is not intended to induce a weaker yen was significant.
日本の大規模な金融緩和策は円安誘導ではないとして、先進国と新興国の理解を得られたことは前進である。
The government and the Bank of Japan have assumed a greater responsibility in overcoming deflation and putting the country on a path toward a steady economic recovery.
デフレ克服と着実な日本経済再生へ、政府と日銀は一段と重い責任を負った。
Finance ministers and central bank heads from the G-20 countries--which include Japan, the United States, some European nations, China and Russia--adopted a communique Friday at the end of a two-day meeting in Washington.
日米欧と中国、ロシアなど主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）財務相・中央銀行総裁会議がワシントンで開かれ、共同声明を採択した。
The statement first mentioned Japan, whose recent monetary moves were seen as a major issue during the meeting.
声明はまず、焦点だった日本に言及した。
"Japan's recent policy actions are intended to stop deflation and support domestic demand," the joint statement said, referring to the quantitative and qualitative monetary easing policy that newly appointed Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has forged.
就任したばかりの黒田東彦日銀総裁が打ち出した量的・質的金融緩和策について、「デフレを止め、内需を支えることを意図したものだ」と明記した。
The rapid pace of the yen's depreciation is a result of what some call "another level" of monetary easing policy, which has prompted criticism from South Korea and other countries.
「異次元」の金融緩和策を受けて急激に円安が進み、韓国などが日本を牽制(けんせい)していた。
However, the policy is aimed at pulling the nation out of deflation, not intentionally weakening the yen to boost exports. It is commendable that Japan was able to gain some degree of understanding concerning its stance from other G-20 members.
しかし、金融緩和策はあくまで脱デフレが目的で、輸出拡大を意図した円安誘導ではない。こうした日本の主張が、一定の理解を得られたと評価できよう。
More pressing global concerns
The joint statement expressed a grim view on the global economy, saying, "Global growth has continued to be too weak" mainly because of fears that Europe's credit unrest may stir once again as the continent has marked a negative growth rate.
声明は、マイナス成長が続く欧州の信用不安再燃などを踏まえ、「世界経済の成長は引き続き弱すぎる」と厳しい認識を示した。
The G-20 members accepted Japan's stance apparently because they share a sense of crisis over the global economy and agree that the nation's efforts to boost growth may have positive international repercussions.
各国・地域が危機感を共有し、日本の成長強化が世界経済にも有益だと一致したことも、日本への理解につながったようだ。
It was also significant that G-20 officials reaffirmed they will "refrain from competitive devaluation," in which currencies are guided lower, which was also discussed at the last meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank heads in February.
ただし、前回２月のＧ２０声明に盛り込んだ「通貨安競争の回避」を再確認した点は重要だ。
The nation has successfully averted criticism over the weakening yen from emerging economies and other G-20 members, at least for now. However, similar criticism may reemerge if Japan constrains its focus to the monetary easing policy and depreciation of the yen as measures to improve the economy.
ひとまず新興国などからの円安批判は避けられたものの、日本が金融緩和策や円安進行に頼るだけでは批判が再燃しかねない。
Japan will need to continue seeking other countries' understanding concerning its revitalization strategies and produce results in its efforts to vanquish deflation as soon as possible.
日本は今後も経済再生策への理解を求め、速やかに脱デフレの成果を出すことが問われよう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has unveiled the first package of measures for his growth strategy, the "third arrow" of Abenomics following monetary easing and fiscal policy. The measures aim to maximize opportunities for young people, create more jobs for women and expand the nation's medical industry.
金融緩和、財政政策に続く「３本目の矢」である成長戦略として、安倍首相が若者の能力向上、女性活用、医療産業育成を第１弾とする方針を示した。
We hope Abe will take the results of the G-20 meeting as an opening to compile additional measures.
これを機にさらなる戦略をまとめてほしい。
Avoid shortsighted tactics
However, the G-20's communique also said, "We will be mindful of unintended negative side effects" stemming from the monetary easing policies of Japan, the United States and Europe. This declaration should be taken to heart.
日米欧の金融緩和策に関連し、声明が「意図せざる負の副作用に留意する」と強調した点も重く受け止めたい。
Some emerging countries have complained that speculative funds, which have posted huge gains recently due to the monetary easing policies of the developed countries, have been overheating their financial markets. Japan should work with the United States, Europe and other parties to monitor any additional side effects that their policies could cause.
新興国では、先進国の金融緩和であふれた投機資金が新興国の金融市場などの過熱を招いているという不満がくすぶる。日本は米欧などと連携し、副作用の拡大を警戒する必要がある。
It was natural that the joint statement took aim at Japan by saying it "should define a credible medium-term fiscal plan."
日本の課題として、声明が「信頼に足る中期財政計画を策定すべきだ」と注文したのは当然だ。
Japan has the worst fiscal situation of all developed countries. Fiscal stimulus measures may be acceptable for an immediate economic boost, but the nation must be careful not to lose international confidence due to efforts that are remiss in addressing fiscal reconstruction over the medium term.
日本の財政は先進国最悪の状況である。当面は財政刺激策による経済再生を優先するにしても、中期的な財政再建を怠って信認が揺らぐ事態を避けねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 21, 2013)
（2013年4月21日01時13分 読売新聞）
Japan should not rely solely on yen's depreciation to escape deflation
Ｇ２０共同声明 円安だけに頼れぬデフレ脱却（4月21日付・読売社説）
Japan's ability to gain the understanding of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies that Tokyo's bold monetary easing policy is not intended to induce a weaker yen was significant.
日本の大規模な金融緩和策は円安誘導ではないとして、先進国と新興国の理解を得られたことは前進である。
The government and the Bank of Japan have assumed a greater responsibility in overcoming deflation and putting the country on a path toward a steady economic recovery.
デフレ克服と着実な日本経済再生へ、政府と日銀は一段と重い責任を負った。
Finance ministers and central bank heads from the G-20 countries--which include Japan, the United States, some European nations, China and Russia--adopted a communique Friday at the end of a two-day meeting in Washington.
日米欧と中国、ロシアなど主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）財務相・中央銀行総裁会議がワシントンで開かれ、共同声明を採択した。
The statement first mentioned Japan, whose recent monetary moves were seen as a major issue during the meeting.
声明はまず、焦点だった日本に言及した。
"Japan's recent policy actions are intended to stop deflation and support domestic demand," the joint statement said, referring to the quantitative and qualitative monetary easing policy that newly appointed Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has forged.
就任したばかりの黒田東彦日銀総裁が打ち出した量的・質的金融緩和策について、「デフレを止め、内需を支えることを意図したものだ」と明記した。
The rapid pace of the yen's depreciation is a result of what some call "another level" of monetary easing policy, which has prompted criticism from South Korea and other countries.
「異次元」の金融緩和策を受けて急激に円安が進み、韓国などが日本を牽制(けんせい)していた。
However, the policy is aimed at pulling the nation out of deflation, not intentionally weakening the yen to boost exports. It is commendable that Japan was able to gain some degree of understanding concerning its stance from other G-20 members.
しかし、金融緩和策はあくまで脱デフレが目的で、輸出拡大を意図した円安誘導ではない。こうした日本の主張が、一定の理解を得られたと評価できよう。
More pressing global concerns
The joint statement expressed a grim view on the global economy, saying, "Global growth has continued to be too weak" mainly because of fears that Europe's credit unrest may stir once again as the continent has marked a negative growth rate.
声明は、マイナス成長が続く欧州の信用不安再燃などを踏まえ、「世界経済の成長は引き続き弱すぎる」と厳しい認識を示した。
The G-20 members accepted Japan's stance apparently because they share a sense of crisis over the global economy and agree that the nation's efforts to boost growth may have positive international repercussions.
各国・地域が危機感を共有し、日本の成長強化が世界経済にも有益だと一致したことも、日本への理解につながったようだ。
It was also significant that G-20 officials reaffirmed they will "refrain from competitive devaluation," in which currencies are guided lower, which was also discussed at the last meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank heads in February.
ただし、前回２月のＧ２０声明に盛り込んだ「通貨安競争の回避」を再確認した点は重要だ。
The nation has successfully averted criticism over the weakening yen from emerging economies and other G-20 members, at least for now. However, similar criticism may reemerge if Japan constrains its focus to the monetary easing policy and depreciation of the yen as measures to improve the economy.
ひとまず新興国などからの円安批判は避けられたものの、日本が金融緩和策や円安進行に頼るだけでは批判が再燃しかねない。
Japan will need to continue seeking other countries' understanding concerning its revitalization strategies and produce results in its efforts to vanquish deflation as soon as possible.
日本は今後も経済再生策への理解を求め、速やかに脱デフレの成果を出すことが問われよう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has unveiled the first package of measures for his growth strategy, the "third arrow" of Abenomics following monetary easing and fiscal policy. The measures aim to maximize opportunities for young people, create more jobs for women and expand the nation's medical industry.
金融緩和、財政政策に続く「３本目の矢」である成長戦略として、安倍首相が若者の能力向上、女性活用、医療産業育成を第１弾とする方針を示した。
We hope Abe will take the results of the G-20 meeting as an opening to compile additional measures.
これを機にさらなる戦略をまとめてほしい。
Avoid shortsighted tactics
However, the G-20's communique also said, "We will be mindful of unintended negative side effects" stemming from the monetary easing policies of Japan, the United States and Europe. This declaration should be taken to heart.
日米欧の金融緩和策に関連し、声明が「意図せざる負の副作用に留意する」と強調した点も重く受け止めたい。
Some emerging countries have complained that speculative funds, which have posted huge gains recently due to the monetary easing policies of the developed countries, have been overheating their financial markets. Japan should work with the United States, Europe and other parties to monitor any additional side effects that their policies could cause.
新興国では、先進国の金融緩和であふれた投機資金が新興国の金融市場などの過熱を招いているという不満がくすぶる。日本は米欧などと連携し、副作用の拡大を警戒する必要がある。
It was natural that the joint statement took aim at Japan by saying it "should define a credible medium-term fiscal plan."
日本の課題として、声明が「信頼に足る中期財政計画を策定すべきだ」と注文したのは当然だ。
Japan has the worst fiscal situation of all developed countries. Fiscal stimulus measures may be acceptable for an immediate economic boost, but the nation must be careful not to lose international confidence due to efforts that are remiss in addressing fiscal reconstruction over the medium term.
日本の財政は先進国最悪の状況である。当面は財政刺激策による経済再生を優先するにしても、中期的な財政再建を怠って信認が揺らぐ事態を避けねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 21, 2013)
（2013年4月21日01時13分 読売新聞）
2013/04/22
スー・チー来日 官民連携で国造りを支えたい
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 20, 2013
Myanmar nation building must be supported by govt, private sector
スー・チー来日 官民連携で国造りを支えたい（4月19日付・読売社説）
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's largest opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has visited Japan at the invitation of the government and had successive meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and others.
ミャンマーの最大野党である国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）の党首アウン・サン・スー・チー氏が日本政府の招きで来日し、安倍首相や岸田外相らと相次いで会談した。
This is her first visit in 27 years. She was a guest researcher at Kyoto University in the mid-1980s before getting involved in the democracy movement in her home country.
スー・チー氏の来日は、民主化運動に身を投じる前の１９８０年代半ば、京大客員研究員として滞在して以来２７年ぶりだ。
Suu Kyi confronted the junta and was placed under house arrest for a total of about 15 years. Her Japan visit symbolizes Myanmar's democratization, which has been promoted by the administration of President Thein Sein since the country changed to civilian rule two years ago.
スー・チー氏は軍政と対立し、約１５年間も自宅軟禁を強いられていた。今回の来日実現は、２年前の民政移管後、テイン・セイン政権が推進しているミャンマーの民主化を象徴するものだ。
The Japanese government has welcomed the Thein Sein administration's reform efforts and has been proactively supporting the country through such actions as restarting official development assistance projects, including yen loans, ahead of the United States or European countries.
日本政府はこれまで、テイン・セイン政権の改革を歓迎し、円借款など政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の再開を欧米に先駆けて決めるなど積極的に支援してきた。
NLD and democratization
The government is trying to strengthen its relationship with the NLD on the thinking that growth of a sound opposition party in the national assembly could lead to further democratization of the country and stability of society. It is also thought that the NLD is likely to further gain strength in a general election to be held in 2015.
ＮＬＤとの関係を強めるのは、議会内で健全な野党が育つことがミャンマーの一層の民主化と社会の安定につながるとの判断があるからだ。２０１５年の総選挙でＮＬＤが勢力を拡大しそうだという背景もある。
Abe told Suu Kyi during their talks, "We'd like to support your country so that reform can progress further." He then explained to her the government's policy of supporting Myanmar's nation building through ODA and private investment.
安倍首相は会談で、「改革が一層進展するよう支援していきたい」と述べ、ＯＤＡと民間投資の両面でミャンマーの国造りを支える日本政府の方針を説明した。
Suu Kyi responded that she hopes Japan will cooperate with Myanmar in the country's development. She asked for Japan's assistance for her country in vocational and agricultural education, among other fields.
スー・チー氏も「発展に協力してほしい」と語り、職業・農業教育などでの支援を求めた。
Concrete achievements
Since she was elected in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Assembly of the Union, in spring last year, she has been trying to transform from a pro-democracy leader outside the government into a pragmatic politician. To respond to supporters' expectations, she needs concrete achievements such as an improvement in the country's standard of living.
スー・チー氏は昨春の下院議員当選以来、在野の民主化運動指導者から現実的な政治家への脱皮を図っている。支持者の期待に応えるには、生活水準の向上など具体的な成果を必要としていよう。
There is a rough road ahead for Myanmar's nation building. As Suu Kyi insists, the Constitution must be revised for further democratization, including the abolishment of guaranteed seats for the military in the assembly, which are stipulated in the Constitution to secure the military's political influence.
ミャンマーの国造りの道のりは険しい。さらなる民主化には、スー・チー氏が訴える通り、軍の政治的影響力を保証するために定められた議会の軍人枠の撤廃など、憲法の改正が避けられまい。
Efforts of the Myanmar government to improve relations with ethnic minorities who have confronted it have seen rough going, meaning national reconciliation is not in sight. Also, worsening public security may pour cold water onto Japanese companies' passion for investment in the country.
対立が続く少数民族との関係改善も難航し、国民和解の道筋はまだ見えない。治安悪化は日本企業の投資熱に水を差しかねない。
Of all countries, Japan is providing the most economic assistance to Myanmar. It is important for Japan that the public and private sectors cooperate in development assistance to Myanmar, which contributes to the stabilization of society, such as raising the standard of living for ethnic minorities and improvement in roads and electricity.
日本は最大の経済支援国だ。少数民族の生活の底上げや、道路や電力の整備など社会の安定に寄与する開発支援に、官民が連携して取り組む意義は大きい。
The strategic value of Myanmar, which is situated in an important location between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, has been ever increasing. Myanmar has turned away from its exclusively pro-China diplomacy under military rule and has been strengthening relations with such countries as Japan, India and the United States.
インド洋と南シナ海を結ぶ要衝に位置するミャンマーの戦略的価値は高まる一方だ。ミャンマーは軍政時代の中国一辺倒の外交から転換し、日本や米国、インドとの関係を強めつつある。
To keep China, which has been increasing its influence through military and economic expansion, in check, it is important for Japan to deepen relations with Myanmar.
軍事・経済両面で膨張し、影響力を増大する中国を牽(けん)制(せい)する上でも、ミャンマーとの関係を深めることが日本には重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 19, 2013)
（2013年4月19日01時17分 読売新聞）
Myanmar nation building must be supported by govt, private sector
スー・チー来日 官民連携で国造りを支えたい（4月19日付・読売社説）
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's largest opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has visited Japan at the invitation of the government and had successive meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and others.
ミャンマーの最大野党である国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）の党首アウン・サン・スー・チー氏が日本政府の招きで来日し、安倍首相や岸田外相らと相次いで会談した。
This is her first visit in 27 years. She was a guest researcher at Kyoto University in the mid-1980s before getting involved in the democracy movement in her home country.
スー・チー氏の来日は、民主化運動に身を投じる前の１９８０年代半ば、京大客員研究員として滞在して以来２７年ぶりだ。
Suu Kyi confronted the junta and was placed under house arrest for a total of about 15 years. Her Japan visit symbolizes Myanmar's democratization, which has been promoted by the administration of President Thein Sein since the country changed to civilian rule two years ago.
スー・チー氏は軍政と対立し、約１５年間も自宅軟禁を強いられていた。今回の来日実現は、２年前の民政移管後、テイン・セイン政権が推進しているミャンマーの民主化を象徴するものだ。
The Japanese government has welcomed the Thein Sein administration's reform efforts and has been proactively supporting the country through such actions as restarting official development assistance projects, including yen loans, ahead of the United States or European countries.
日本政府はこれまで、テイン・セイン政権の改革を歓迎し、円借款など政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の再開を欧米に先駆けて決めるなど積極的に支援してきた。
NLD and democratization
The government is trying to strengthen its relationship with the NLD on the thinking that growth of a sound opposition party in the national assembly could lead to further democratization of the country and stability of society. It is also thought that the NLD is likely to further gain strength in a general election to be held in 2015.
ＮＬＤとの関係を強めるのは、議会内で健全な野党が育つことがミャンマーの一層の民主化と社会の安定につながるとの判断があるからだ。２０１５年の総選挙でＮＬＤが勢力を拡大しそうだという背景もある。
Abe told Suu Kyi during their talks, "We'd like to support your country so that reform can progress further." He then explained to her the government's policy of supporting Myanmar's nation building through ODA and private investment.
安倍首相は会談で、「改革が一層進展するよう支援していきたい」と述べ、ＯＤＡと民間投資の両面でミャンマーの国造りを支える日本政府の方針を説明した。
Suu Kyi responded that she hopes Japan will cooperate with Myanmar in the country's development. She asked for Japan's assistance for her country in vocational and agricultural education, among other fields.
スー・チー氏も「発展に協力してほしい」と語り、職業・農業教育などでの支援を求めた。
Concrete achievements
Since she was elected in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Assembly of the Union, in spring last year, she has been trying to transform from a pro-democracy leader outside the government into a pragmatic politician. To respond to supporters' expectations, she needs concrete achievements such as an improvement in the country's standard of living.
スー・チー氏は昨春の下院議員当選以来、在野の民主化運動指導者から現実的な政治家への脱皮を図っている。支持者の期待に応えるには、生活水準の向上など具体的な成果を必要としていよう。
There is a rough road ahead for Myanmar's nation building. As Suu Kyi insists, the Constitution must be revised for further democratization, including the abolishment of guaranteed seats for the military in the assembly, which are stipulated in the Constitution to secure the military's political influence.
ミャンマーの国造りの道のりは険しい。さらなる民主化には、スー・チー氏が訴える通り、軍の政治的影響力を保証するために定められた議会の軍人枠の撤廃など、憲法の改正が避けられまい。
Efforts of the Myanmar government to improve relations with ethnic minorities who have confronted it have seen rough going, meaning national reconciliation is not in sight. Also, worsening public security may pour cold water onto Japanese companies' passion for investment in the country.
対立が続く少数民族との関係改善も難航し、国民和解の道筋はまだ見えない。治安悪化は日本企業の投資熱に水を差しかねない。
Of all countries, Japan is providing the most economic assistance to Myanmar. It is important for Japan that the public and private sectors cooperate in development assistance to Myanmar, which contributes to the stabilization of society, such as raising the standard of living for ethnic minorities and improvement in roads and electricity.
日本は最大の経済支援国だ。少数民族の生活の底上げや、道路や電力の整備など社会の安定に寄与する開発支援に、官民が連携して取り組む意義は大きい。
The strategic value of Myanmar, which is situated in an important location between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, has been ever increasing. Myanmar has turned away from its exclusively pro-China diplomacy under military rule and has been strengthening relations with such countries as Japan, India and the United States.
インド洋と南シナ海を結ぶ要衝に位置するミャンマーの戦略的価値は高まる一方だ。ミャンマーは軍政時代の中国一辺倒の外交から転換し、日本や米国、インドとの関係を強めつつある。
To keep China, which has been increasing its influence through military and economic expansion, in check, it is important for Japan to deepen relations with Myanmar.
軍事・経済両面で膨張し、影響力を増大する中国を牽(けん)制(せい)する上でも、ミャンマーとの関係を深めることが日本には重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 19, 2013)
（2013年4月19日01時17分 読売新聞）
2013/04/21
ボストン・テロ 市街地イベント警備の点検を
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 19, 2013
Thorough checks needed for major events in urban areas
ボストン・テロ 市街地イベント警備の点検を（4月18日付・読売社説）
The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon in the United States was an act of indiscriminate terrorism that targeted a traditional event familiar even to Japanese people. We can never forgive this despicable, atrocious crime that killed and injured many people.
日本人にもなじみの深い伝統ある米国のボストンマラソンを狙った無差別テロだ。多数の人々を死傷させた卑劣な凶悪犯罪は断じて許せない。
Two bombs exploded successively on a road along the route near the finish line as runners streamed past about four hours after the start of the race. At least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed, while more than 170 others were injured in the horrible incident, some of them seriously.
スタートから約４時間後、ランナーが続々到着するゴール近くの沿道で２発の爆弾が連続して炸裂(さくれつ)した。８歳の少年ら少なくとも３人が死亡、１７０人以上が重軽傷を負う惨事となった。
About 23,000 people, including more than 200 Japanese runners, participated in the race, with relatives, friends, Boston residents and many others cheering the participants on.
レースには、２００人を超す日本人ランナーら約２万３０００人が参加し、家族や友人、市民ら大勢の人々が応援していた。
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the attack, saying, "Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terrorism." Obama expressed his determination to make every effort to arrest those responsible and determine the details of the crime.
オバマ米大統領は、「罪のない市民を標的にしたテロ行為だ」と非難し、犯人の逮捕と全容解明に全力を挙げる決意を表明した。
It was the first terrorist bombing in the United States since the simultaneous terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
米国では、２００１年９月１１日の同時テロ事件後、初めての爆破テロの発生だ。
After the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States placed top priority on reinforcing antiterrorism measures and prevented many incidents from actually taking place. It discovered the hideout of the mastermind of 9/11 and killed him.
米国は同時テロ後、テロ対策の強化を最優先し、多くの事件を未然に防いできた。同時テロの首謀者も潜伏先を突き止め、殺害した。それだけに衝撃は大きい。
These achievements make the impact of the latest twin bombing particularly strong in the United States. The incident has made the U.S. government and its people keenly aware that terrorism still exists as a real threat in everyday life.
テロがなお、現実の脅威として身近に存在していることを痛感させられたからだ。
It is still unknown whether the bombing was committed by a terrorist organization or a single culprit. We hope U.S. authorities will conduct a thorough investigation based on material evidence and information.
テロ組織による犯行なのか、単独犯なのか、犯人像は明らかになっていない。米当局は、物証や情報を手がかりに徹底的な捜査を行ってもらいたい。
Bombs simple yet deadly
The Federal Bureau of Investigation suspects the bombs were made from pressure cookers packed with explosives and other materials. The FBI now strongly believes they were placed in a black nylon bag or backpack.
連邦捜査局（ＦＢＩ）は、圧力鍋の中に爆薬を詰めた仕掛け爆弾が使用され、黒いナイロン製バックパックに入れられていたとの見方を強めている。
Similar bombs are often used in terror attacks in countries such as Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. They are easily made but highly lethal as nails and other metal objects are mixed with explosives.
同種の爆弾は、アフガニスタンやインド、パキスタンなどでテロ攻撃によく使われている。製造方法は簡単でも、クギなどの金属を混入するため殺傷力は高い。
It has been reported that the security arrangements for the Boston Marathon were thorough. However, it is difficult to employ baggage inspections and metal detectors over a wide scale to achieve complete security control in outdoor events in urban areas. The culprit focused on this vulnerability in the security arrangements.
ボストンマラソンでは警備に万全を期していたとされる。だが、屋外の市街地イベントでは、手荷物検査や金属探知機での取り締まりを徹底するのは難しい。その警備態勢の脆弱(ぜいじゃく)さが突かれた。
Japan must be prepared
This terrorist attack is not an event of the other side of the ocean for Japan, as large marathons for ordinary people have already become common here. The Tokyo Marathon in February was a huge sporting event that drew about 37,000 runners. About 1.7 million people watched and cheered them along the route.
今回のテロは、大規模市民マラソンが定着した日本にとっても人ごとではない。２月の東京マラソンは、３万７０００人が走る巨大イベントだった。沿道には１７０万人が詰めかけた。
Japan also needs to implement measures against terrorist attacks to guard marathons and other major events.
日本でも、マラソンに限らず大型イベントの警備でテロに特化した対策を講じる必要があろう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government will do its best to ensure safety. "Police are now doing everything they can to ensure security and safety at important facilities and places where many people gather," Abe said.
安倍首相は、「警察が重要施設の警戒警備や、人が多数集まる場所の警備対策の徹底にあたっている」と、安全の確保に最善を尽くす方針を示した。
Even if security checks become stricter, citizens' cooperation with antiterrorism efforts is indispensable.
保安検査が厳しくなっても、テロ防止への協力は欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 18, 2013)
（2013年4月18日02時04分 読売新聞）
Thorough checks needed for major events in urban areas
ボストン・テロ 市街地イベント警備の点検を（4月18日付・読売社説）
The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon in the United States was an act of indiscriminate terrorism that targeted a traditional event familiar even to Japanese people. We can never forgive this despicable, atrocious crime that killed and injured many people.
日本人にもなじみの深い伝統ある米国のボストンマラソンを狙った無差別テロだ。多数の人々を死傷させた卑劣な凶悪犯罪は断じて許せない。
Two bombs exploded successively on a road along the route near the finish line as runners streamed past about four hours after the start of the race. At least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed, while more than 170 others were injured in the horrible incident, some of them seriously.
スタートから約４時間後、ランナーが続々到着するゴール近くの沿道で２発の爆弾が連続して炸裂(さくれつ)した。８歳の少年ら少なくとも３人が死亡、１７０人以上が重軽傷を負う惨事となった。
About 23,000 people, including more than 200 Japanese runners, participated in the race, with relatives, friends, Boston residents and many others cheering the participants on.
レースには、２００人を超す日本人ランナーら約２万３０００人が参加し、家族や友人、市民ら大勢の人々が応援していた。
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the attack, saying, "Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terrorism." Obama expressed his determination to make every effort to arrest those responsible and determine the details of the crime.
オバマ米大統領は、「罪のない市民を標的にしたテロ行為だ」と非難し、犯人の逮捕と全容解明に全力を挙げる決意を表明した。
It was the first terrorist bombing in the United States since the simultaneous terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
米国では、２００１年９月１１日の同時テロ事件後、初めての爆破テロの発生だ。
After the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States placed top priority on reinforcing antiterrorism measures and prevented many incidents from actually taking place. It discovered the hideout of the mastermind of 9/11 and killed him.
米国は同時テロ後、テロ対策の強化を最優先し、多くの事件を未然に防いできた。同時テロの首謀者も潜伏先を突き止め、殺害した。それだけに衝撃は大きい。
These achievements make the impact of the latest twin bombing particularly strong in the United States. The incident has made the U.S. government and its people keenly aware that terrorism still exists as a real threat in everyday life.
テロがなお、現実の脅威として身近に存在していることを痛感させられたからだ。
It is still unknown whether the bombing was committed by a terrorist organization or a single culprit. We hope U.S. authorities will conduct a thorough investigation based on material evidence and information.
テロ組織による犯行なのか、単独犯なのか、犯人像は明らかになっていない。米当局は、物証や情報を手がかりに徹底的な捜査を行ってもらいたい。
Bombs simple yet deadly
The Federal Bureau of Investigation suspects the bombs were made from pressure cookers packed with explosives and other materials. The FBI now strongly believes they were placed in a black nylon bag or backpack.
連邦捜査局（ＦＢＩ）は、圧力鍋の中に爆薬を詰めた仕掛け爆弾が使用され、黒いナイロン製バックパックに入れられていたとの見方を強めている。
Similar bombs are often used in terror attacks in countries such as Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. They are easily made but highly lethal as nails and other metal objects are mixed with explosives.
同種の爆弾は、アフガニスタンやインド、パキスタンなどでテロ攻撃によく使われている。製造方法は簡単でも、クギなどの金属を混入するため殺傷力は高い。
It has been reported that the security arrangements for the Boston Marathon were thorough. However, it is difficult to employ baggage inspections and metal detectors over a wide scale to achieve complete security control in outdoor events in urban areas. The culprit focused on this vulnerability in the security arrangements.
ボストンマラソンでは警備に万全を期していたとされる。だが、屋外の市街地イベントでは、手荷物検査や金属探知機での取り締まりを徹底するのは難しい。その警備態勢の脆弱(ぜいじゃく)さが突かれた。
Japan must be prepared
This terrorist attack is not an event of the other side of the ocean for Japan, as large marathons for ordinary people have already become common here. The Tokyo Marathon in February was a huge sporting event that drew about 37,000 runners. About 1.7 million people watched and cheered them along the route.
今回のテロは、大規模市民マラソンが定着した日本にとっても人ごとではない。２月の東京マラソンは、３万７０００人が走る巨大イベントだった。沿道には１７０万人が詰めかけた。
Japan also needs to implement measures against terrorist attacks to guard marathons and other major events.
日本でも、マラソンに限らず大型イベントの警備でテロに特化した対策を講じる必要があろう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government will do its best to ensure safety. "Police are now doing everything they can to ensure security and safety at important facilities and places where many people gather," Abe said.
安倍首相は、「警察が重要施設の警戒警備や、人が多数集まる場所の警備対策の徹底にあたっている」と、安全の確保に最善を尽くす方針を示した。
Even if security checks become stricter, citizens' cooperation with antiterrorism efforts is indispensable.
保安検査が厳しくなっても、テロ防止への協力は欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 18, 2013)
（2013年4月18日02時04分 読売新聞）
2013/04/20
憲法９６条改正 首相は参院選へ議論主導せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 18, 2013
Abe should lead debate on top law revision ahead of upper house poll
憲法９６条改正 首相は参院選へ議論主導せよ（4月17日付・読売社説）
Japan's current Constitution has not been revised even once since its establishment.
現憲法は制定以来一度も改正されていない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is laying the groundwork to ask voters whether the hurdles to constitutional amendment should be lowered. We applaud Abe's willingness to amend the Constitution to respond to changes in Japan and the international community.
安倍首相は憲法改正のハードルを下げることを有権者に問おうとしている。日本と国際社会の変化に対応できる憲法にするための積極的な姿勢は評価できる。
During an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe said he wants to make the issue of revising Article 96 of the Constitution, which stipulates conditions for proposing amendments, a central plank of the Liberal Democratic Party's pledges for this summer's House of Councillors election.
首相は読売新聞のインタビューで、改正の発議要件を定めた９６条について「参院選の中心的な公約として訴えたい」と語った。
Article 96 stipulates that a revision must be initiated by the Diet through an affirmative vote by two-thirds or more of all members of each chamber, followed by a national referendum in which a majority of the public must support the change.
９６条は、衆参各院の「３分の２以上」の賛成で国会が発議し、国民投票で過半数の賛成を得なければならないと規定している。
To make it easier to propose constitutional revisions, the LDP plans to lower the threshold of "two-thirds or more" to "a simple majority."
自民党は改正を発議しやすくする目的で、「３分の２以上」を「過半数」とする方針だ。
Komeito still cautious
Abe has met with Toru Hashimoto, coleader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), and they have already agreed on this point. Abe is trying to pave the way for constitutional revision by first reviewing Article 96, a process that some other parties support. We think his idea is realistic.
首相は既に日本維新の会の橋下共同代表と会談し、この点で一致した。他党も賛同する９６条の見直しから憲法改正への道を開こうという考え方は現実的だ。
For Abe, coordination with the LDP's coalition partner New Komeito will be crucial if constitutional revision is to become a reality. Komeito remains cautious about amending Article 96, saying the time is not ripe to do so.
首相にとって憲法改正の実現を図るうえでの懸案は、公明党との調整だ。公明党は９６条改正について、「熟度が足りない」と依然慎重な構えを見せている。
However, leaders of the LDP and Komeito will reportedly hold regular meetings to discuss this matter. We hope Komeito will deepen its deliberations on revising the nation's supreme law.
ただ、自公両党は党首会談を定期化し、協議を重ねるという。公明党内で、憲法改正への議論が深まることを期待したい。
The Democratic Party of Japan insists that discussions on concrete details of the revisions, rather than tweaking Article 96 itself, are necessary. But it is the DPJ that should be discussing the content of possible revisions. The LDP has already compiled a draft of constitutional revisions in which the existence of the Self-Defense Forces would be spelled out in Article 9.
民主党は、９６条よりも改正の具体的な中身の議論が必要との見解を示しているが、中身の議論が求められるのは、むしろ民主党の方ではないか。自民党は既に、９条に自衛隊の存在を書き込むなど憲法改正の草案をまとめている。
There might be resistance to changing Article 96. This is because the United States and Germany still require an affirmative vote of "two-thirds or more" in their legislatures as a condition for revisions, although they do not hold national referendums on proposed changes to their constitutions. These countries have altered their top laws many times. Why has Japan been unable to do the same?
９６条の改正には反論もあろう。国民投票はないものの、米国やドイツは議会の「３分の２以上」の賛成などを改正の条件としているからだ。そうした国々が何度も憲法を改正してきたのに、日本はなぜそれができなかったのか。
Systemic obstacles
After World War II, the Japan Socialist Party, which championed the principle of unarmed neutrality, and other political parties held a degree of power in the Diet. They trumpeted that militarism would be revived if the Constitution was revised. The LDP, for its part, promoted policies that put the economy first and shied away from making an active commitment to revise the Constitution.
戦後、非武装・中立を掲げる社会党などが一定の勢力を占め、憲法を改正すれば軍国主義が復活すると喧伝(けんでん)した。自民党も経済優先路線を推し進めて、憲法改正に積極的に取り組まなくなった。
The electoral system also has hindered constitutional revision. Since the multiple-seat constituency system was introduced, no ruling party has held two-thirds or more of the seats in both Diet chambers. Under the current system, in which proportional representation elections that give consideration to small parties were introduced in parts of both houses, it became difficult for ruling parties to secure at least two-thirds of the seats in either chamber--until the House of Representatives election in December.
選挙制度も足かせだった。中選挙区制時代から衆参そろって政権与党が「３分の２以上」を確保できた例はない。現行制度も、衆参いずれも小政党に配慮した比例代表選を一部導入しており、昨年末の衆院選までは難しかった。
July's upper house election could, depending on the results, create conditions in which constitutional revision will become realistically possible for the first time. The upcoming election is extremely important because it will also affect Japan's future course.
７月の参院選は、結果次第で初めて憲法改正が可能な状況が生まれよう。日本の針路にもかかわる、極めて重要な選挙となる。
There are a wide array of points to be discussed regarding the Constitution, including Article 96, the preamble, national security, the bicameral system, local autonomy and environmental rights. Each party should actively debate these matters.
憲法の論点は９６条をはじめ、前文、安全保障、二院制、地方自治、環境権など幅広い。各党は積極的に論戦を展開すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 17, 2013)
（2013年4月17日01時21分 読売新聞）
Abe should lead debate on top law revision ahead of upper house poll
憲法９６条改正 首相は参院選へ議論主導せよ（4月17日付・読売社説）
Japan's current Constitution has not been revised even once since its establishment.
現憲法は制定以来一度も改正されていない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is laying the groundwork to ask voters whether the hurdles to constitutional amendment should be lowered. We applaud Abe's willingness to amend the Constitution to respond to changes in Japan and the international community.
安倍首相は憲法改正のハードルを下げることを有権者に問おうとしている。日本と国際社会の変化に対応できる憲法にするための積極的な姿勢は評価できる。
During an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun, Abe said he wants to make the issue of revising Article 96 of the Constitution, which stipulates conditions for proposing amendments, a central plank of the Liberal Democratic Party's pledges for this summer's House of Councillors election.
首相は読売新聞のインタビューで、改正の発議要件を定めた９６条について「参院選の中心的な公約として訴えたい」と語った。
Article 96 stipulates that a revision must be initiated by the Diet through an affirmative vote by two-thirds or more of all members of each chamber, followed by a national referendum in which a majority of the public must support the change.
９６条は、衆参各院の「３分の２以上」の賛成で国会が発議し、国民投票で過半数の賛成を得なければならないと規定している。
To make it easier to propose constitutional revisions, the LDP plans to lower the threshold of "two-thirds or more" to "a simple majority."
自民党は改正を発議しやすくする目的で、「３分の２以上」を「過半数」とする方針だ。
Komeito still cautious
Abe has met with Toru Hashimoto, coleader of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), and they have already agreed on this point. Abe is trying to pave the way for constitutional revision by first reviewing Article 96, a process that some other parties support. We think his idea is realistic.
首相は既に日本維新の会の橋下共同代表と会談し、この点で一致した。他党も賛同する９６条の見直しから憲法改正への道を開こうという考え方は現実的だ。
For Abe, coordination with the LDP's coalition partner New Komeito will be crucial if constitutional revision is to become a reality. Komeito remains cautious about amending Article 96, saying the time is not ripe to do so.
首相にとって憲法改正の実現を図るうえでの懸案は、公明党との調整だ。公明党は９６条改正について、「熟度が足りない」と依然慎重な構えを見せている。
However, leaders of the LDP and Komeito will reportedly hold regular meetings to discuss this matter. We hope Komeito will deepen its deliberations on revising the nation's supreme law.
ただ、自公両党は党首会談を定期化し、協議を重ねるという。公明党内で、憲法改正への議論が深まることを期待したい。
The Democratic Party of Japan insists that discussions on concrete details of the revisions, rather than tweaking Article 96 itself, are necessary. But it is the DPJ that should be discussing the content of possible revisions. The LDP has already compiled a draft of constitutional revisions in which the existence of the Self-Defense Forces would be spelled out in Article 9.
民主党は、９６条よりも改正の具体的な中身の議論が必要との見解を示しているが、中身の議論が求められるのは、むしろ民主党の方ではないか。自民党は既に、９条に自衛隊の存在を書き込むなど憲法改正の草案をまとめている。
There might be resistance to changing Article 96. This is because the United States and Germany still require an affirmative vote of "two-thirds or more" in their legislatures as a condition for revisions, although they do not hold national referendums on proposed changes to their constitutions. These countries have altered their top laws many times. Why has Japan been unable to do the same?
９６条の改正には反論もあろう。国民投票はないものの、米国やドイツは議会の「３分の２以上」の賛成などを改正の条件としているからだ。そうした国々が何度も憲法を改正してきたのに、日本はなぜそれができなかったのか。
Systemic obstacles
After World War II, the Japan Socialist Party, which championed the principle of unarmed neutrality, and other political parties held a degree of power in the Diet. They trumpeted that militarism would be revived if the Constitution was revised. The LDP, for its part, promoted policies that put the economy first and shied away from making an active commitment to revise the Constitution.
戦後、非武装・中立を掲げる社会党などが一定の勢力を占め、憲法を改正すれば軍国主義が復活すると喧伝(けんでん)した。自民党も経済優先路線を推し進めて、憲法改正に積極的に取り組まなくなった。
The electoral system also has hindered constitutional revision. Since the multiple-seat constituency system was introduced, no ruling party has held two-thirds or more of the seats in both Diet chambers. Under the current system, in which proportional representation elections that give consideration to small parties were introduced in parts of both houses, it became difficult for ruling parties to secure at least two-thirds of the seats in either chamber--until the House of Representatives election in December.
選挙制度も足かせだった。中選挙区制時代から衆参そろって政権与党が「３分の２以上」を確保できた例はない。現行制度も、衆参いずれも小政党に配慮した比例代表選を一部導入しており、昨年末の衆院選までは難しかった。
July's upper house election could, depending on the results, create conditions in which constitutional revision will become realistically possible for the first time. The upcoming election is extremely important because it will also affect Japan's future course.
７月の参院選は、結果次第で初めて憲法改正が可能な状況が生まれよう。日本の針路にもかかわる、極めて重要な選挙となる。
There are a wide array of points to be discussed regarding the Constitution, including Article 96, the preamble, national security, the bicameral system, local autonomy and environmental rights. Each party should actively debate these matters.
憲法の論点は９６条をはじめ、前文、安全保障、二院制、地方自治、環境権など幅広い。各党は積極的に論戦を展開すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 17, 2013)
（2013年4月17日01時21分 読売新聞）
2013/04/19
教育委員会改革 機能の立て直しをどう図るか
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 17, 2013
Functions of boards of education must be rebuilt in stable manner
教育委員会改革 機能の立て直しをどう図るか（4月16日付・読売社説）
The Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, which works directly under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has submitted to Abe its second set of proposals calling for drastic reform of the education board system.
安倍首相直属の教育再生実行会議が、教育委員会制度の抜本的な改革を求める第２次提言をまとめ、首相に提出した。
In the proposals, the council clearly states that the superintendent of a board of education, who is appointed by the head of a local government with the consent of a local assembly, is responsible for educational administration. The head of the local government also has the right to dismiss the superintendent under the proposals.
提言は、自治体の首長が議会の同意を得て任命する教育長を、教育行政の責任者として明確に位置づけた。首長には教育長の罷免権も付与した。
The proposals are aimed at transforming the education board system. Currently, board members and other experts make decisions without any input from the head of a local government.
首長から独立し、有識者など複数の教育委員の合議で意思決定を行ってきた現行の教委制度の転換を図る内容と言える。
It has come to light that local boards of education around the country have failed to function properly in dealing with such incidents as one involving an Otsu middle school boy who committed suicide in 2011, apparently due to bullying at school.
大津市のいじめ自殺事件などの対応を巡り、各地で教委の機能不全が露呈している。
Prompt action essential
The government's Central Council for Education plans to study the proposals further.
政府は提言内容について、中央教育審議会でさらに検討を重ねる方針だ。
We hope the panel's assessment of the proposals will lead to rebuilding the educational administration at the local level.
地方の教育行政の立て直しにつなげてもらいたい。
Under the current system, local boards of education have a chairperson representing the board and a superintendent in charge of administrative work. This has raised questions about who is responsible for educational administration.
現行制度では、教育委員会の中に、代表者である教育委員長と、実務を統括する教育長が併存しており、責任の所在があいまいだとの批判がある。
Except for the superintendent, board members are appointed on a nonregular basis, and they hold meetings only a few times a month. The board's deliberations, therefore, tend to be a mere formality.
教育長以外の委員は非常勤で、会議も月に数回程度しか開かれない。このため、審議が形骸化し、いじめや体罰など重大事案が起きた際、迅速な対応がとれないという弊害も顕在化していた。
It has recently become apparent that they often fail to take prompt action when serious incidents occur, such as bullying and corporal punishment.
教育長に責任と権限を一元化することで、こうした問題点を是正し、教育行政の機動性を高めようとする狙いは理解できる。
The proposals are aimed at correcting these shortcomings and enhancing the board's maneuverability in implementing educational administration with the responsibility and power centering on the superintendent.
However, under the proposals, the authority for the personnel management of teachers and school officials and the selection of textbooks will be the responsibility of the superintendent.
Certain checks and balances are needed to prevent the superintendent from adopting biased policies.
新たな教育長には、教職員人事や教科書採択などの権限が集中することが想定される。教育長が偏った方針の下で暴走しないよう、その業務をチェックする仕組みが不可欠だ。
In light of this, the proposals are calling for the maintenance of the education board system, rather than abolishing it. When the superintendent decides on basic policies and other key issues, the proposals call for these issues to be discussed by the entire board.
提言が、教育委員会を廃止せずに存続させたのは、まさにそのためである。教育長が基本方針などを決める際には、教委で審議することを求めている。
The method of appointing board members also holds the key for the new boards of education to monitor educational administration.
新たな教育委員会が教育行政に対する監視機能を果たすには、委員の任命方法も重要となる。
Political neutrality
The political neutrality of educational administration is essential, as the head of a local government would be empowered with the right to dismiss the superintendent. It is obvious the intentions of the head of a local government will be reflected, more than ever, in educational administration.
首長が教育長の任免権を持つことにより、教育行政の政治的中立性が十分に確保できるかという問題もある。従来に比べ、首長の意向がより強く反映されるようになるのは間違いない。
Will the head of a local government appoint someone who exercises little discretion in educational administration merely because he or she shares the same political beliefs?
首長が自らの政治的信条に合致しているというだけの理由で、教育行政の見識に欠ける人物を教育長に据えるといった事態は生じないだろうか。
Should the educational targets and policies change significantly every time a new head of a local government is elected, it would cause great confusion among teachers at local schools.
首長が選挙で代わるごとに、教育の目標や方針が大きく変更されるようになれば、学校現場の混乱は避けられまい。
Even if the makeup of an education board changes, it is important to maintain the stability and continuity of educational administration.
教育委員会の在り方は変わっても、教育行政の安定性や継続性を保つことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2013)
（2013年4月16日01時05分 読売新聞）
Functions of boards of education must be rebuilt in stable manner
教育委員会改革 機能の立て直しをどう図るか（4月16日付・読売社説）
The Education Rebuilding Implementation Council, which works directly under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has submitted to Abe its second set of proposals calling for drastic reform of the education board system.
安倍首相直属の教育再生実行会議が、教育委員会制度の抜本的な改革を求める第２次提言をまとめ、首相に提出した。
In the proposals, the council clearly states that the superintendent of a board of education, who is appointed by the head of a local government with the consent of a local assembly, is responsible for educational administration. The head of the local government also has the right to dismiss the superintendent under the proposals.
提言は、自治体の首長が議会の同意を得て任命する教育長を、教育行政の責任者として明確に位置づけた。首長には教育長の罷免権も付与した。
The proposals are aimed at transforming the education board system. Currently, board members and other experts make decisions without any input from the head of a local government.
首長から独立し、有識者など複数の教育委員の合議で意思決定を行ってきた現行の教委制度の転換を図る内容と言える。
It has come to light that local boards of education around the country have failed to function properly in dealing with such incidents as one involving an Otsu middle school boy who committed suicide in 2011, apparently due to bullying at school.
大津市のいじめ自殺事件などの対応を巡り、各地で教委の機能不全が露呈している。
Prompt action essential
The government's Central Council for Education plans to study the proposals further.
政府は提言内容について、中央教育審議会でさらに検討を重ねる方針だ。
We hope the panel's assessment of the proposals will lead to rebuilding the educational administration at the local level.
地方の教育行政の立て直しにつなげてもらいたい。
Under the current system, local boards of education have a chairperson representing the board and a superintendent in charge of administrative work. This has raised questions about who is responsible for educational administration.
現行制度では、教育委員会の中に、代表者である教育委員長と、実務を統括する教育長が併存しており、責任の所在があいまいだとの批判がある。
Except for the superintendent, board members are appointed on a nonregular basis, and they hold meetings only a few times a month. The board's deliberations, therefore, tend to be a mere formality.
教育長以外の委員は非常勤で、会議も月に数回程度しか開かれない。このため、審議が形骸化し、いじめや体罰など重大事案が起きた際、迅速な対応がとれないという弊害も顕在化していた。
It has recently become apparent that they often fail to take prompt action when serious incidents occur, such as bullying and corporal punishment.
教育長に責任と権限を一元化することで、こうした問題点を是正し、教育行政の機動性を高めようとする狙いは理解できる。
The proposals are aimed at correcting these shortcomings and enhancing the board's maneuverability in implementing educational administration with the responsibility and power centering on the superintendent.
However, under the proposals, the authority for the personnel management of teachers and school officials and the selection of textbooks will be the responsibility of the superintendent.
Certain checks and balances are needed to prevent the superintendent from adopting biased policies.
新たな教育長には、教職員人事や教科書採択などの権限が集中することが想定される。教育長が偏った方針の下で暴走しないよう、その業務をチェックする仕組みが不可欠だ。
In light of this, the proposals are calling for the maintenance of the education board system, rather than abolishing it. When the superintendent decides on basic policies and other key issues, the proposals call for these issues to be discussed by the entire board.
提言が、教育委員会を廃止せずに存続させたのは、まさにそのためである。教育長が基本方針などを決める際には、教委で審議することを求めている。
The method of appointing board members also holds the key for the new boards of education to monitor educational administration.
新たな教育委員会が教育行政に対する監視機能を果たすには、委員の任命方法も重要となる。
Political neutrality
The political neutrality of educational administration is essential, as the head of a local government would be empowered with the right to dismiss the superintendent. It is obvious the intentions of the head of a local government will be reflected, more than ever, in educational administration.
首長が教育長の任免権を持つことにより、教育行政の政治的中立性が十分に確保できるかという問題もある。従来に比べ、首長の意向がより強く反映されるようになるのは間違いない。
Will the head of a local government appoint someone who exercises little discretion in educational administration merely because he or she shares the same political beliefs?
首長が自らの政治的信条に合致しているというだけの理由で、教育行政の見識に欠ける人物を教育長に据えるといった事態は生じないだろうか。
Should the educational targets and policies change significantly every time a new head of a local government is elected, it would cause great confusion among teachers at local schools.
首長が選挙で代わるごとに、教育の目標や方針が大きく変更されるようになれば、学校現場の混乱は避けられまい。
Even if the makeup of an education board changes, it is important to maintain the stability and continuity of educational administration.
教育委員会の在り方は変わっても、教育行政の安定性や継続性を保つことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2013)
（2013年4月16日01時05分 読売新聞）
2013/04/18
ケリー長官来日 対中朝で日米連携を強化せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 17, 2013
Japan, U.S. should cooperate closely to address China, North Korea issues
ケリー長官来日 対中朝で日米連携を強化せよ（4月16日付・読売社説）
To effectively address North Korea's brinkmanship tactics and China's overbearing diplomacy, it is essential for Japan and the United States to step up cooperation further.
北朝鮮の瀬戸際戦術や中国の威圧的な外交に効果的に対応するには、日米両国が連携を一段と強化することが重要だ。
Visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held separate talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. They agreed to press North Korea to exercise self-restraint on ballistic missile launches. They also agreed not to allow the country to possess nuclear arms and to urge the country to undertake concrete steps toward denuclearization.
ケリー米国務長官が来日し、安倍首相、岸田外相と個別に会談した。北朝鮮に弾道ミサイルの発射の自制を求めるとともに、北朝鮮の核保有を容認せず、非核化に向けた具体的な行動を促す方針で一致した。
It is a typical tactic of North Korea to intentionally heighten a crisis to try to gain economic assistance through later negotiations. We think Abe rightly pointed out, "It's necessary to make North Korea understand its repeated provocations will not bring about any benefits."
意図的に危機を高めたうえ、交渉を通じて経済支援を得ようとするのは北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段だ。「北朝鮮が挑発行為を繰り返しても、何ら利益にならないことを理解させることが必要だ」との安倍首相の指摘は適切である。
Japan and the United States must not neglect missile defense and other military preparations. At the same time, the two nations must continue dealing with the issue in a coolheaded and resolute manner, through such means as steady implementation of sanctions against North Korea, without excessively responding to its intimidating actions.
日米両国は、ミサイル防衛など軍事的な備えを怠らない一方、恫喝(どうかつ)には過剰に反応せず、対北朝鮮制裁措置を着実に実施するなど、冷静かつ断固たる対応を継続しなければなるまい。
Multilateral cooperation
It also is important that Japan and the United States urge China, which wields a certain amount of influence over North Korea, to fulfill its responsibilities in a proactive manner.
北朝鮮に一定の影響力を持つ中国が前向きな責任を果たすよう、働きかけることも大切だ。
Kerry emphatically said in a speech, "The United States remains open to authentic and credible negotiations on denuclearization."
ケリー長官は講演で、「米国は実現性のある真剣な非核化交渉の用意がある」と強調した。
It is not an easy task to make Pyongyang abandon its nuclear development. But the international community should continue pursuing this goal. North Korea may eventually return to a dialogue-based approach, such as the six-party talks.
北朝鮮に核開発を断念させるのは簡単でないが、国際社会は追求し続けるべきだ。北朝鮮がいずれ６か国協議の再開などの対話路線に戻ることもあるだろう。
In such a scenario, economic assistance must not be provided to North Korea unless that country takes concrete actions. It is necessary for Japan, the United States, China and South Korea to carefully hammer out a workable plan so North Korea will not benefit from its diplomacy of threats.
その際、北朝鮮の具体的行動がないままでの経済支援は禁物だ。北朝鮮の威嚇外交を奏功させないよう、日米中韓４か国が慎重に政策をすり合わせる必要がある。
Territorial, troop issues
In talks with the Japanese foreign minister, Kerry touched on the Senkaku Islands, saying, "We oppose any unilateral or coercive action that would somehow aim at changing the status quo."
ケリー長官は日米外相会談で、尖閣諸島について「一方的、強制的に現状を変えるような行動に反対する」と明言した。
Similar to remarks made by his predecessor, Hillary Clinton, in January, it is significant that Kerry flatly rejected China's apparent attempts to alter Japan's effective control of the islands by force. We consider this the fruit of prior arrangements made by the Japanese side.
１月のクリントン前長官の発言と同様、日本の実効支配を中国が実力で変更することを明確に否定した意義は大きい。日本側の事前調整の成果と言える。
China should not be allowed to employ such tactics as blatantly dispatching government ships and others with an eye toward expanding its territorial rights and maritime interests. It is vitally important for Japan to persistently stress that having China abide by international law and rules is a challenge faced by the entire international community.
強引な公船の派遣などで領有権や海洋権益の拡大を図る中国の手法を通用させてはならない。中国に国際法とルールを順守させることが国際社会にとって共通の課題であると、日本は粘り強く訴えていくことが重要である。
In the foreign ministerial talks, the third of their kind since Kerry assumed the post in February, Kishida and Kerry also confirmed the two nations would steadily move ahead in the process for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. This includes the planned relocation of Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, and the transfer of some U.S. marines from the prefecture to Guam. They also confirmed they would steadily work toward Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks.
ケリー長官の２月の就任以来３回目となった日米外相会談では、普天間飛行場の辺野古移設、在沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転など在日米軍再編や、日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加を着実に進めることも確認した。
On enhancing Japan-U.S. cooperation in policies toward North Korea and China, Tokyo and Washington are expected to make progress on underlying bilateral issues through frequent dialogues.
北朝鮮、中国政策での日米協調を高めるためにも、頻繁な対話を通じて、日米間の課題を前進させることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2013)
（2013年4月16日01時05分 読売新聞）
Japan, U.S. should cooperate closely to address China, North Korea issues
ケリー長官来日 対中朝で日米連携を強化せよ（4月16日付・読売社説）
To effectively address North Korea's brinkmanship tactics and China's overbearing diplomacy, it is essential for Japan and the United States to step up cooperation further.
北朝鮮の瀬戸際戦術や中国の威圧的な外交に効果的に対応するには、日米両国が連携を一段と強化することが重要だ。
Visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held separate talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. They agreed to press North Korea to exercise self-restraint on ballistic missile launches. They also agreed not to allow the country to possess nuclear arms and to urge the country to undertake concrete steps toward denuclearization.
ケリー米国務長官が来日し、安倍首相、岸田外相と個別に会談した。北朝鮮に弾道ミサイルの発射の自制を求めるとともに、北朝鮮の核保有を容認せず、非核化に向けた具体的な行動を促す方針で一致した。
It is a typical tactic of North Korea to intentionally heighten a crisis to try to gain economic assistance through later negotiations. We think Abe rightly pointed out, "It's necessary to make North Korea understand its repeated provocations will not bring about any benefits."
意図的に危機を高めたうえ、交渉を通じて経済支援を得ようとするのは北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段だ。「北朝鮮が挑発行為を繰り返しても、何ら利益にならないことを理解させることが必要だ」との安倍首相の指摘は適切である。
Japan and the United States must not neglect missile defense and other military preparations. At the same time, the two nations must continue dealing with the issue in a coolheaded and resolute manner, through such means as steady implementation of sanctions against North Korea, without excessively responding to its intimidating actions.
日米両国は、ミサイル防衛など軍事的な備えを怠らない一方、恫喝(どうかつ)には過剰に反応せず、対北朝鮮制裁措置を着実に実施するなど、冷静かつ断固たる対応を継続しなければなるまい。
Multilateral cooperation
It also is important that Japan and the United States urge China, which wields a certain amount of influence over North Korea, to fulfill its responsibilities in a proactive manner.
北朝鮮に一定の影響力を持つ中国が前向きな責任を果たすよう、働きかけることも大切だ。
Kerry emphatically said in a speech, "The United States remains open to authentic and credible negotiations on denuclearization."
ケリー長官は講演で、「米国は実現性のある真剣な非核化交渉の用意がある」と強調した。
It is not an easy task to make Pyongyang abandon its nuclear development. But the international community should continue pursuing this goal. North Korea may eventually return to a dialogue-based approach, such as the six-party talks.
北朝鮮に核開発を断念させるのは簡単でないが、国際社会は追求し続けるべきだ。北朝鮮がいずれ６か国協議の再開などの対話路線に戻ることもあるだろう。
In such a scenario, economic assistance must not be provided to North Korea unless that country takes concrete actions. It is necessary for Japan, the United States, China and South Korea to carefully hammer out a workable plan so North Korea will not benefit from its diplomacy of threats.
その際、北朝鮮の具体的行動がないままでの経済支援は禁物だ。北朝鮮の威嚇外交を奏功させないよう、日米中韓４か国が慎重に政策をすり合わせる必要がある。
Territorial, troop issues
In talks with the Japanese foreign minister, Kerry touched on the Senkaku Islands, saying, "We oppose any unilateral or coercive action that would somehow aim at changing the status quo."
ケリー長官は日米外相会談で、尖閣諸島について「一方的、強制的に現状を変えるような行動に反対する」と明言した。
Similar to remarks made by his predecessor, Hillary Clinton, in January, it is significant that Kerry flatly rejected China's apparent attempts to alter Japan's effective control of the islands by force. We consider this the fruit of prior arrangements made by the Japanese side.
１月のクリントン前長官の発言と同様、日本の実効支配を中国が実力で変更することを明確に否定した意義は大きい。日本側の事前調整の成果と言える。
China should not be allowed to employ such tactics as blatantly dispatching government ships and others with an eye toward expanding its territorial rights and maritime interests. It is vitally important for Japan to persistently stress that having China abide by international law and rules is a challenge faced by the entire international community.
強引な公船の派遣などで領有権や海洋権益の拡大を図る中国の手法を通用させてはならない。中国に国際法とルールを順守させることが国際社会にとって共通の課題であると、日本は粘り強く訴えていくことが重要である。
In the foreign ministerial talks, the third of their kind since Kerry assumed the post in February, Kishida and Kerry also confirmed the two nations would steadily move ahead in the process for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. This includes the planned relocation of Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, and the transfer of some U.S. marines from the prefecture to Guam. They also confirmed they would steadily work toward Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks.
ケリー長官の２月の就任以来３回目となった日米外相会談では、普天間飛行場の辺野古移設、在沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転など在日米軍再編や、日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加を着実に進めることも確認した。
On enhancing Japan-U.S. cooperation in policies toward North Korea and China, Tokyo and Washington are expected to make progress on underlying bilateral issues through frequent dialogues.
北朝鮮、中国政策での日米協調を高めるためにも、頻繁な対話を通じて、日米間の課題を前進させることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2013)
（2013年4月16日01時05分 読売新聞）
2013/04/17
衆院選挙制度 「格差」と定数削減は別問題だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 16, 2013
Don't lump 'vote value disparity' issue with planned cuts in lawmakers
衆院選挙制度 「格差」と定数削減は別問題だ（4月14日付・読売社説）
Both the ruling and opposition camps must place top priority on resolving what the judiciary has described as a "state of unconstitutionality" in the House of Representatives electoral system, and do everything possible to enact a bill that will alleviate the problem.
与野党は、「違憲」状態の解消を最優先し、法案の速やかな成立を図るべきである。
The government has presented to the lower house a bill that would change the demarcation of the chamber's single-seat constituencies by revising the Public Offices Election Law, with the aim of trimming the number of first-past-the-post districts by five to 295 from the current 300.
政府が、衆院小選挙区定数の「０増５減」を実現する区割り法案（公職選挙法改正案）を衆院に提出した。
The bill would revamp 42 single-seat districts of 17 prefectures, including Tokyo, based on recommendations submitted in March to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by an expert panel tasked with rezoning lower house constituencies.
法案は、衆院選挙区画定審議会が３月に安倍首相に勧告した区割り改定案に基づき、１７都県４２選挙区を見直すものだ。
If the bill becomes law, disparities in the weight of each vote on the basis of the 2010 national census will fall below 2:1 between the most and least populated districts, the ratio the Supreme Court has ruled as "being within the bounds of reasonableness."
２０１０年国勢調査に基づく「１票の格差」は、最高裁が「合理的」と判断する２倍未満に縮小される。
No consensus on reform
In 17 administrative lawsuits filed over vote value disparity in the previous lower house election in December, high courts have handed down rulings of "unconstitutionality" in 15 of them. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue as early as this autumn.
先の衆院選での「１票の格差」を巡る行政訴訟１７件のうち、各高裁は１５件の「違憲」判断を示した。一連の訴訟について、最高裁は今秋にも判決を出すとみられる。
Given that this will have a bearing on its makeup, it is only natural that the the Diet should rectify state of unconstitutionality.
国会の姿勢としても、違憲状態の是正を図るのが筋だろう。
However, most opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Japan, are poised to oppose the bill.
ところが、民主党など大半の野党は、法案に反対する構えだ。
They say the bill would not abolish the system under which each of the 47 prefectures is automatically allocated one single-seat constituency, and the remainder of seats is apportioned among them, according to their populations. A 2011 Supreme Court ruling said this system should be scrapped because it was a major cause of vote value disparities.
最高裁は、各都道府県にまず１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因だとし、廃止を求めたが、今回の法案には別枠方式が残っているからだという。
DPJ Secretary General Goshi Hosono insists the government-submitted bill for eliminating five single-seat districts "doesn't go far enough to eliminate the state of unconstitutionality." He has called for consultations between the ruling and opposition blocs on drastically reforming the lower house electoral system, including slashing the large number of seats in the chamber.
民主党の細野幹事長は、「０増５減では、違憲状態の解消には不十分だ」と述べ、大幅な定数削減を含む抜本改革に向けた与野党協議を求めている。
It should be remembered, however, the DPJ agreed in November to a bill that would establish a framework for pruning five single-seat constituencies from the chamber. The party's latest tactic smacks of opportunism.
だが、民主党は昨年１１月、０増５減の大枠を決めた選挙制度改革法には賛成したはずだ。ご都合主義ではないか。
The parties remain far apart in their thinking on how the electoral system should be reformed. Given the slim chances of forming a consensus on this issue, it is the minimum responsibility of the legislature to pass into law as quickly as possible the bill to erase five seats.
抜本改革に関する各党の主張の隔たりは大きい。合意形成が困難である以上、０増５減の区割り法案を早期に成立させることが立法府の最低限の責務だ。
Fundamentally, the arguments by many parties for advocating reforms by linking them with the issue of reducing lower house seats are not reasonable.
そもそも、多くの政党が定数削減と絡めた改革案を唱えていること自体がおかしい。
In an apparent bid to justify its position, the DPJ insists Diet members should be willing to put themselves on the line to obtain public support for higher burdens the people will face due to looming increases in the consumption tax rate. The DPJ assertion, however, is completely unrelated to the issue of rectifying vote value gaps.
民主党は消費増税で国民に負担を求めるため、国会議員の身を切る必要があると言うが、「１票の格差」是正とは次元の異なる問題である。
Revote may be inevitable
We have doubts about the debates among the parties that are seemingly vying over the number of seats to be cut. This seems little more than a populist tactic to garner support as the House of Councillors election draws near.
定数の削減数を競うような議論は疑問だ。参院選を前に国民受けを狙ったポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）そのものではないか。
Japan has relatively few legislators per head of population compared with other developed nations. The legislature must ensure it functions to properly oversee the actions of the administration by representing the opinions of a wide spectrum of the public.
日本の国会議員の定数は、他の先進国と比較すると、人口比ではかなり少ない。様々な民意を幅広くすくい上げ、適切な行政監視機能を確保する必要もある。
The ruling parties have floated an idea to make the bill, if it is voted down or is not put to a vote in the upper house due to a failure to agree on terms with the opposition, passed into law through a revote in the lower house in accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution.
与党内では、野党との合意がまとまらずに参院で法案が否決、あるいは採決されない場合、憲法５９条に基づいて衆院で再可決し、成立させる案が浮上している。
Time is running out, as the current Diet session will be adjourned in June. The Diet must not let the "unconstitutionality" issue go unaddressed any longer. Under the circumstances, the government may have no option but to take a revote to legislate the bill as an emergency step.
６月の会期末まで、時間は限られている。これ以上、「違憲」は放置できない。緊急措置としての再可決もやむを得ないだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 14, 2013)
（2013年4月14日01時37分 読売新聞）
Don't lump 'vote value disparity' issue with planned cuts in lawmakers
衆院選挙制度 「格差」と定数削減は別問題だ（4月14日付・読売社説）
Both the ruling and opposition camps must place top priority on resolving what the judiciary has described as a "state of unconstitutionality" in the House of Representatives electoral system, and do everything possible to enact a bill that will alleviate the problem.
与野党は、「違憲」状態の解消を最優先し、法案の速やかな成立を図るべきである。
The government has presented to the lower house a bill that would change the demarcation of the chamber's single-seat constituencies by revising the Public Offices Election Law, with the aim of trimming the number of first-past-the-post districts by five to 295 from the current 300.
政府が、衆院小選挙区定数の「０増５減」を実現する区割り法案（公職選挙法改正案）を衆院に提出した。
The bill would revamp 42 single-seat districts of 17 prefectures, including Tokyo, based on recommendations submitted in March to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by an expert panel tasked with rezoning lower house constituencies.
法案は、衆院選挙区画定審議会が３月に安倍首相に勧告した区割り改定案に基づき、１７都県４２選挙区を見直すものだ。
If the bill becomes law, disparities in the weight of each vote on the basis of the 2010 national census will fall below 2:1 between the most and least populated districts, the ratio the Supreme Court has ruled as "being within the bounds of reasonableness."
２０１０年国勢調査に基づく「１票の格差」は、最高裁が「合理的」と判断する２倍未満に縮小される。
No consensus on reform
In 17 administrative lawsuits filed over vote value disparity in the previous lower house election in December, high courts have handed down rulings of "unconstitutionality" in 15 of them. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue as early as this autumn.
先の衆院選での「１票の格差」を巡る行政訴訟１７件のうち、各高裁は１５件の「違憲」判断を示した。一連の訴訟について、最高裁は今秋にも判決を出すとみられる。
Given that this will have a bearing on its makeup, it is only natural that the the Diet should rectify state of unconstitutionality.
国会の姿勢としても、違憲状態の是正を図るのが筋だろう。
However, most opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Japan, are poised to oppose the bill.
ところが、民主党など大半の野党は、法案に反対する構えだ。
They say the bill would not abolish the system under which each of the 47 prefectures is automatically allocated one single-seat constituency, and the remainder of seats is apportioned among them, according to their populations. A 2011 Supreme Court ruling said this system should be scrapped because it was a major cause of vote value disparities.
最高裁は、各都道府県にまず１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因だとし、廃止を求めたが、今回の法案には別枠方式が残っているからだという。
DPJ Secretary General Goshi Hosono insists the government-submitted bill for eliminating five single-seat districts "doesn't go far enough to eliminate the state of unconstitutionality." He has called for consultations between the ruling and opposition blocs on drastically reforming the lower house electoral system, including slashing the large number of seats in the chamber.
民主党の細野幹事長は、「０増５減では、違憲状態の解消には不十分だ」と述べ、大幅な定数削減を含む抜本改革に向けた与野党協議を求めている。
It should be remembered, however, the DPJ agreed in November to a bill that would establish a framework for pruning five single-seat constituencies from the chamber. The party's latest tactic smacks of opportunism.
だが、民主党は昨年１１月、０増５減の大枠を決めた選挙制度改革法には賛成したはずだ。ご都合主義ではないか。
The parties remain far apart in their thinking on how the electoral system should be reformed. Given the slim chances of forming a consensus on this issue, it is the minimum responsibility of the legislature to pass into law as quickly as possible the bill to erase five seats.
抜本改革に関する各党の主張の隔たりは大きい。合意形成が困難である以上、０増５減の区割り法案を早期に成立させることが立法府の最低限の責務だ。
Fundamentally, the arguments by many parties for advocating reforms by linking them with the issue of reducing lower house seats are not reasonable.
そもそも、多くの政党が定数削減と絡めた改革案を唱えていること自体がおかしい。
In an apparent bid to justify its position, the DPJ insists Diet members should be willing to put themselves on the line to obtain public support for higher burdens the people will face due to looming increases in the consumption tax rate. The DPJ assertion, however, is completely unrelated to the issue of rectifying vote value gaps.
民主党は消費増税で国民に負担を求めるため、国会議員の身を切る必要があると言うが、「１票の格差」是正とは次元の異なる問題である。
Revote may be inevitable
We have doubts about the debates among the parties that are seemingly vying over the number of seats to be cut. This seems little more than a populist tactic to garner support as the House of Councillors election draws near.
定数の削減数を競うような議論は疑問だ。参院選を前に国民受けを狙ったポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）そのものではないか。
Japan has relatively few legislators per head of population compared with other developed nations. The legislature must ensure it functions to properly oversee the actions of the administration by representing the opinions of a wide spectrum of the public.
日本の国会議員の定数は、他の先進国と比較すると、人口比ではかなり少ない。様々な民意を幅広くすくい上げ、適切な行政監視機能を確保する必要もある。
The ruling parties have floated an idea to make the bill, if it is voted down or is not put to a vote in the upper house due to a failure to agree on terms with the opposition, passed into law through a revote in the lower house in accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution.
与党内では、野党との合意がまとまらずに参院で法案が否決、あるいは採決されない場合、憲法５９条に基づいて衆院で再可決し、成立させる案が浮上している。
Time is running out, as the current Diet session will be adjourned in June. The Diet must not let the "unconstitutionality" issue go unaddressed any longer. Under the circumstances, the government may have no option but to take a revote to legislate the bill as an emergency step.
６月の会期末まで、時間は限られている。これ以上、「違憲」は放置できない。緊急措置としての再可決もやむを得ないだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 14, 2013)
（2013年4月14日01時37分 読売新聞）
2013/04/16
日米協議決着 ＴＰＰ交渉の勝負はこれから
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 14, 2013
With entry to TPP talks imminent, negotiating challenges await Japan
日米協議決着 ＴＰＰ交渉の勝負はこれから（4月13日付・読売社説）
How can Japan make up for its late entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations? The government must make all-out efforts in the talks.
出遅れによる不利な立場をいかに巻き返すか。政府は総力を挙げて交渉に臨まねばならない。
Japan announced Friday it has completed its bilateral preliminary consultations with the United States, which are viewed as the most crucial step for Japan to enter the TPP talks.
日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に向け、最大のハードルだった米国との事前協議が決着した。
The U.S. administration is now set to notify Congress of its intent to accept Japan's entry into the TPP negotiations. It is expected to obtain formal approval this summer after a 90-day period for congressional procedures.
米国政府は議会に日本の参加を通知し、９０日間の手続きを経て今夏に承認が得られそうだ。
Japan's entry needs to be approved by all 11 countries currently taking part in the TPP talks.
１１か国が進めているＴＰＰ交渉に日本が参加するには、すべての国の同意が必要である。
Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which have yet to endorse Japan's participation, are likely to give the green light soon, finally opening the way for the nation to join the talks. We welcome the prospect that Japan likely will go to the negotiating table as early as July.
態度を保留していたカナダ、豪州、ニュージーランドも近く、同意するとみられ、日本が参加できる条件がようやく整う。７月にも日本が交渉のテーブルに着くめどがついたことを歓迎したい。
Japan makes concessions to U.S.
Among the highlights of the bilateral accord between Japan and the United States, the two countries agreed that U.S. tariffs on imports of Japanese passenger cars and trucks will be phased out over the longest period possible. This is an apparent effort to ease the U.S. auto industry's concerns over expected increases in Japanese auto imports.
日米合意は、米国が日本から輸入する乗用車とトラックにかけている関税率の引き下げと撤廃時期を「最大限に後ろ倒しする」ことがポイントだ。輸入増を警戒する米自動車業界に配慮した。
The two countries also agreed that Japan will refrain from approving new products of Japan Post Insurance Co., the life insurance unit of Japan Post Holdings Co. This agreement addressed a concern among the U.S. insurance sector that business expansion of Japan Post, which is partially funded by the government, would impede fair competition.
日本郵政グループ傘下のかんぽ生命保険による新規事業は凍結する。政府出資が残る日本郵政の業務拡大は「公正な競争を阻害する」という、米保険業界の主張に沿った決着と言える。
In the U.S. Congress, some lawmakers had begun coordinating with the U.S. auto and insurance sectors and other entities to put the brakes on Japan's entry into TPP talks. We think it inevitable for Tokyo to place top priority on early entry into the TPP talks even if that results in making concessions to Washington in the bilateral consultations.
米議会では、自動車や保険業界などと連携して日本参加を牽制(けんせい)する動きが出ていた。日本政府が早期参加の実現を最優先し、米側に譲歩したのはやむを得ない。
The 11 countries are aiming to conclude the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. There is not much time left for Japan. The nation will lose room to maneuver in making trade rules in the TPP framework if its participation is delayed further.
１１か国はＴＰＰ交渉の年内妥結を目指している。残された時間は少なく、日本の参加が遅れれば遅れるほど、通商ルール作りに関与できる余地が狭まるからだ。
Meanwhile, Japan and the United States also confirmed in their bilateral consultations that Japan has certain trade sensitivities regarding agricultural products.
一方、事前協議で「日本には一定の農産品といった慎重に扱うべき事柄がある」とも確認した。
The Liberal Democratic Party has called on the government to treat five agricultural items, including rice and wheat, as exceptions to the tariff elimination being sought under the TPP framework. However, calls for trade liberalization have been strong from participating countries. Japan will be tested on the extent to which it can take advantage of its bilateral agreement with the United States to push for its stance in the negotiations.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の例外扱いとするよう政府に求めている。各国からの自由化圧力は強く、米国との合意をテコに日本の主張がどこまで認められるかが焦点となろう。
Tough strategy needed
Japan should be wary of Australia and other countries taking up the call to postpone lowering tariffs on Japanese auto imports. This could hamper growth of Japan's exports.
自動車の関税引き下げ先送りを日本に求める動きが豪州などに広がり、輸出拡大にマイナスとなることにも要注意である。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting of key ministers Friday: "We'll face a real challenge to realize our national interests from now on. We'll participate in the negotiations as soon as possible and aim to take the lead in the talks."
安倍首相は１２日の関係閣僚会議で、「国益を実現する本当の勝負はこれからだ。一日も早く交渉に参加し、交渉を主導していきたい」との決意を明らかにした。
We hope the government will enter the negotiations with a tough strategy. Above all, Japan should boost its growth by expanding free trade and taking advantage of the vitality of Asia and other regions.
政府は、したたかな戦略で交渉に当たってもらいたい。なにより大事なのは、自由貿易の拡大でアジアなどの活力を取り込み、日本の成長に弾みを付けることだ。
In parallel with the TPP negotiations, Japan needs to accelerate efforts to beef up its agricultural sector to prepare for global competition that will come after opening markets further.
交渉と並行して、一段の市場開放による国際競争に備え、農業強化策を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 13, 2013)
（2013年4月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
With entry to TPP talks imminent, negotiating challenges await Japan
日米協議決着 ＴＰＰ交渉の勝負はこれから（4月13日付・読売社説）
How can Japan make up for its late entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations? The government must make all-out efforts in the talks.
出遅れによる不利な立場をいかに巻き返すか。政府は総力を挙げて交渉に臨まねばならない。
Japan announced Friday it has completed its bilateral preliminary consultations with the United States, which are viewed as the most crucial step for Japan to enter the TPP talks.
日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に向け、最大のハードルだった米国との事前協議が決着した。
The U.S. administration is now set to notify Congress of its intent to accept Japan's entry into the TPP negotiations. It is expected to obtain formal approval this summer after a 90-day period for congressional procedures.
米国政府は議会に日本の参加を通知し、９０日間の手続きを経て今夏に承認が得られそうだ。
Japan's entry needs to be approved by all 11 countries currently taking part in the TPP talks.
１１か国が進めているＴＰＰ交渉に日本が参加するには、すべての国の同意が必要である。
Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which have yet to endorse Japan's participation, are likely to give the green light soon, finally opening the way for the nation to join the talks. We welcome the prospect that Japan likely will go to the negotiating table as early as July.
態度を保留していたカナダ、豪州、ニュージーランドも近く、同意するとみられ、日本が参加できる条件がようやく整う。７月にも日本が交渉のテーブルに着くめどがついたことを歓迎したい。
Japan makes concessions to U.S.
Among the highlights of the bilateral accord between Japan and the United States, the two countries agreed that U.S. tariffs on imports of Japanese passenger cars and trucks will be phased out over the longest period possible. This is an apparent effort to ease the U.S. auto industry's concerns over expected increases in Japanese auto imports.
日米合意は、米国が日本から輸入する乗用車とトラックにかけている関税率の引き下げと撤廃時期を「最大限に後ろ倒しする」ことがポイントだ。輸入増を警戒する米自動車業界に配慮した。
The two countries also agreed that Japan will refrain from approving new products of Japan Post Insurance Co., the life insurance unit of Japan Post Holdings Co. This agreement addressed a concern among the U.S. insurance sector that business expansion of Japan Post, which is partially funded by the government, would impede fair competition.
日本郵政グループ傘下のかんぽ生命保険による新規事業は凍結する。政府出資が残る日本郵政の業務拡大は「公正な競争を阻害する」という、米保険業界の主張に沿った決着と言える。
In the U.S. Congress, some lawmakers had begun coordinating with the U.S. auto and insurance sectors and other entities to put the brakes on Japan's entry into TPP talks. We think it inevitable for Tokyo to place top priority on early entry into the TPP talks even if that results in making concessions to Washington in the bilateral consultations.
米議会では、自動車や保険業界などと連携して日本参加を牽制(けんせい)する動きが出ていた。日本政府が早期参加の実現を最優先し、米側に譲歩したのはやむを得ない。
The 11 countries are aiming to conclude the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. There is not much time left for Japan. The nation will lose room to maneuver in making trade rules in the TPP framework if its participation is delayed further.
１１か国はＴＰＰ交渉の年内妥結を目指している。残された時間は少なく、日本の参加が遅れれば遅れるほど、通商ルール作りに関与できる余地が狭まるからだ。
Meanwhile, Japan and the United States also confirmed in their bilateral consultations that Japan has certain trade sensitivities regarding agricultural products.
一方、事前協議で「日本には一定の農産品といった慎重に扱うべき事柄がある」とも確認した。
The Liberal Democratic Party has called on the government to treat five agricultural items, including rice and wheat, as exceptions to the tariff elimination being sought under the TPP framework. However, calls for trade liberalization have been strong from participating countries. Japan will be tested on the extent to which it can take advantage of its bilateral agreement with the United States to push for its stance in the negotiations.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の例外扱いとするよう政府に求めている。各国からの自由化圧力は強く、米国との合意をテコに日本の主張がどこまで認められるかが焦点となろう。
Tough strategy needed
Japan should be wary of Australia and other countries taking up the call to postpone lowering tariffs on Japanese auto imports. This could hamper growth of Japan's exports.
自動車の関税引き下げ先送りを日本に求める動きが豪州などに広がり、輸出拡大にマイナスとなることにも要注意である。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting of key ministers Friday: "We'll face a real challenge to realize our national interests from now on. We'll participate in the negotiations as soon as possible and aim to take the lead in the talks."
安倍首相は１２日の関係閣僚会議で、「国益を実現する本当の勝負はこれからだ。一日も早く交渉に参加し、交渉を主導していきたい」との決意を明らかにした。
We hope the government will enter the negotiations with a tough strategy. Above all, Japan should boost its growth by expanding free trade and taking advantage of the vitality of Asia and other regions.
政府は、したたかな戦略で交渉に当たってもらいたい。なにより大事なのは、自由貿易の拡大でアジアなどの活力を取り込み、日本の成長に弾みを付けることだ。
In parallel with the TPP negotiations, Japan needs to accelerate efforts to beef up its agricultural sector to prepare for global competition that will come after opening markets further.
交渉と並行して、一段の市場開放による国際競争に備え、農業強化策を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 13, 2013)
（2013年4月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
2013/04/15
「北」瀬戸際外交 予測不能な言動に警戒強めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 14, 2013
World must step up vigilance against North Korea's unpredictable actions
「北」瀬戸際外交 予測不能な言動に警戒強めよ（4月13日付・読売社説）
The international community, including Japan, must unite and deal strictly with North Korea, which is trying to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. We must tighten sanctions against Pyongyang if it launches a ballistic missile.
核戦力強化を図る北朝鮮に、日本を含めた国際社会は足並みをそろえて厳しく対処せねばならない。弾道ミサイルを実際に発射すれば、制裁強化で応じる必要がある。
Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight nations on Thursday adopted a communique urging North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and agreed to tighten sanctions if the country fires a missile. The move is a strong warning to North Korea.
主要８か国（Ｇ８）外相会議は北朝鮮に挑発行為の自制を求める声明を採択し、ミサイル発射なら制裁を強化することで一致した。北朝鮮を強く牽制(けんせい)したものだ。
The international community is now being tested over how it can effectively thwart North Korea's drive to go nuclear.
国際社会には、核武装化を阻止するため、実効性ある対策をどう講じるかが問われている。
North Korea has threatened Japan, the United States and South Korea by name, saying they are potential targets of its preemptive nuclear strike, and declared that it will reactivate its nuclear facilities. The country appears to be preparing to launch one or more ballistic missiles.
北朝鮮は、日本、米国、韓国を名指しして先制核攻撃の対象だと威嚇し、核施設の再稼働を宣言した。弾道ミサイルの発射準備と見られる動きも続いている。
Missile threat
There is a possibility that North Korea may fire missiles capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific island of Guam, Japan and South Korea from mobile launch pads.
米グアム島や、日本、韓国を狙える複数のミサイルを、移動式発射台から撃つ可能性がある。
To prepare for a case in which a missile falls on Japan, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera ordered the Self-Defense Forces to shoot down any missile from North Korea using the missile defense system. The government should take all possible measures to intercept North Korea's missiles.
日本への飛来、落下に備え、ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）システムで迎撃するため、小野寺防衛相は自衛隊に破壊措置命令を出した。政府は、万全を期してもらいたい。
Repeating threatening words and actions, Pyongyang is seeking nuclear armaments that will menace global peace and security. This is intolerable.
北朝鮮は、威嚇的な言動を繰り返し、世界の平和と安全を脅かす核武装化を進めようとしている。到底看過できない。
North Korea has continued provocative words and actions, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said "have reached a level at which they are difficult to tolerate." It is only natural that U.S. President Barack Obama took a firm stance, saying the United States will "take all necessary steps" unless North Korea changes its belligerent attitude.
安倍首相が言う通り、「許し難いレベルと言ってもよい挑発的な言動」の連続だ。オバマ米大統領が、好戦的な姿勢を改めなければ「必要なあらゆる措置をとる」と強い態度を示したのは当然だ。
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to South Korea, China and Japan, which started Friday, has a significant meaning. It is essential for Japan, the United States, South Korea and China to coordinate thoroughly in dealing with North Korea.
ケリー米国務長官が開始した韓国、中国、日本の歴訪は、大きな意味を持つ。日米韓中の４か国が、北朝鮮への対応を、よくすりあわせることが肝要である。
It is problematic that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, does not have strong connections with Chinese leaders and therefore it is unclear how well he understands the international situation.
問題は、北朝鮮の最高指導者、金正恩氏が中国首脳とのパイプも乏しく、国際情勢をどこまで理解しているのか不透明なことだ。
U.S. National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Kim seems "impetuous."
米国のクラッパー国家情報長官は、金正恩氏には「衝動的な面がある」との見方を示している。
Constant concern hangs over his unpredictable words and actions.
その予測不能な言動には、常に不安がつきまとう。
During a ceremony to celebrate the first anniversary of Kim's promotion to first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea on Thursday, a nuclear test and the firing of a long-range ballistic missile were praised as his great achievements.
金正恩氏の朝鮮労働党第１書記就任１周年の記念式典では、核実験と長距離弾道ミサイル発射が大きな業績とたたえられた。
Menacing weaponry
At a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee held late last month, Kim gave the order to mass-produce "precision and miniaturized nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery" and actively develop "more powerful nuclear weapons."
金正恩氏は、３月末の党中央委員会総会で、「精密化・小型化した核兵器とその運搬手段」の量産化と「より威力ある核兵器」の積極的な開発を指示している。
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Defense, reportedly compiled an analysis that concludes that North Korea has developed a nuclear weapon that can be mounted on a missile.
北朝鮮がミサイルに搭載可能な核兵器を開発したとの分析を、米国防総省傘下の国防情報局（ＤＩＡ）がまとめたともされる。
The international community should make efforts to grasp the actual situation of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development and further strengthen vigilance and measures against the country.
国際社会は核・ミサイル開発の実態の把握に努め、警戒と対策を一層強化すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 13, 2013)
（2013年4月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
World must step up vigilance against North Korea's unpredictable actions
「北」瀬戸際外交 予測不能な言動に警戒強めよ（4月13日付・読売社説）
The international community, including Japan, must unite and deal strictly with North Korea, which is trying to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. We must tighten sanctions against Pyongyang if it launches a ballistic missile.
核戦力強化を図る北朝鮮に、日本を含めた国際社会は足並みをそろえて厳しく対処せねばならない。弾道ミサイルを実際に発射すれば、制裁強化で応じる必要がある。
Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight nations on Thursday adopted a communique urging North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and agreed to tighten sanctions if the country fires a missile. The move is a strong warning to North Korea.
主要８か国（Ｇ８）外相会議は北朝鮮に挑発行為の自制を求める声明を採択し、ミサイル発射なら制裁を強化することで一致した。北朝鮮を強く牽制(けんせい)したものだ。
The international community is now being tested over how it can effectively thwart North Korea's drive to go nuclear.
国際社会には、核武装化を阻止するため、実効性ある対策をどう講じるかが問われている。
North Korea has threatened Japan, the United States and South Korea by name, saying they are potential targets of its preemptive nuclear strike, and declared that it will reactivate its nuclear facilities. The country appears to be preparing to launch one or more ballistic missiles.
北朝鮮は、日本、米国、韓国を名指しして先制核攻撃の対象だと威嚇し、核施設の再稼働を宣言した。弾道ミサイルの発射準備と見られる動きも続いている。
Missile threat
There is a possibility that North Korea may fire missiles capable of reaching the U.S. Pacific island of Guam, Japan and South Korea from mobile launch pads.
米グアム島や、日本、韓国を狙える複数のミサイルを、移動式発射台から撃つ可能性がある。
To prepare for a case in which a missile falls on Japan, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera ordered the Self-Defense Forces to shoot down any missile from North Korea using the missile defense system. The government should take all possible measures to intercept North Korea's missiles.
日本への飛来、落下に備え、ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）システムで迎撃するため、小野寺防衛相は自衛隊に破壊措置命令を出した。政府は、万全を期してもらいたい。
Repeating threatening words and actions, Pyongyang is seeking nuclear armaments that will menace global peace and security. This is intolerable.
北朝鮮は、威嚇的な言動を繰り返し、世界の平和と安全を脅かす核武装化を進めようとしている。到底看過できない。
North Korea has continued provocative words and actions, which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said "have reached a level at which they are difficult to tolerate." It is only natural that U.S. President Barack Obama took a firm stance, saying the United States will "take all necessary steps" unless North Korea changes its belligerent attitude.
安倍首相が言う通り、「許し難いレベルと言ってもよい挑発的な言動」の連続だ。オバマ米大統領が、好戦的な姿勢を改めなければ「必要なあらゆる措置をとる」と強い態度を示したのは当然だ。
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to South Korea, China and Japan, which started Friday, has a significant meaning. It is essential for Japan, the United States, South Korea and China to coordinate thoroughly in dealing with North Korea.
ケリー米国務長官が開始した韓国、中国、日本の歴訪は、大きな意味を持つ。日米韓中の４か国が、北朝鮮への対応を、よくすりあわせることが肝要である。
It is problematic that Kim Jong Un, North Korea's supreme leader, does not have strong connections with Chinese leaders and therefore it is unclear how well he understands the international situation.
問題は、北朝鮮の最高指導者、金正恩氏が中国首脳とのパイプも乏しく、国際情勢をどこまで理解しているのか不透明なことだ。
U.S. National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Kim seems "impetuous."
米国のクラッパー国家情報長官は、金正恩氏には「衝動的な面がある」との見方を示している。
Constant concern hangs over his unpredictable words and actions.
その予測不能な言動には、常に不安がつきまとう。
During a ceremony to celebrate the first anniversary of Kim's promotion to first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea on Thursday, a nuclear test and the firing of a long-range ballistic missile were praised as his great achievements.
金正恩氏の朝鮮労働党第１書記就任１周年の記念式典では、核実験と長距離弾道ミサイル発射が大きな業績とたたえられた。
Menacing weaponry
At a plenary meeting of the party's Central Committee held late last month, Kim gave the order to mass-produce "precision and miniaturized nuclear weapons and the means of their delivery" and actively develop "more powerful nuclear weapons."
金正恩氏は、３月末の党中央委員会総会で、「精密化・小型化した核兵器とその運搬手段」の量産化と「より威力ある核兵器」の積極的な開発を指示している。
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Defense, reportedly compiled an analysis that concludes that North Korea has developed a nuclear weapon that can be mounted on a missile.
北朝鮮がミサイルに搭載可能な核兵器を開発したとの分析を、米国防総省傘下の国防情報局（ＤＩＡ）がまとめたともされる。
The international community should make efforts to grasp the actual situation of Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development and further strengthen vigilance and measures against the country.
国際社会は核・ミサイル開発の実態の把握に努め、警戒と対策を一層強化すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 13, 2013)
（2013年4月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
2013/04/14
老いる大都市圏 介護の担い手をどう確保する
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 13, 2013
EDITORIAL / Secure nursing care staffers as major urban areas go gray
老いる大都市圏 介護の担い手をどう確保する（4月12日付・読売社説）
How to respond to the need for medical and nursing care in major urban areas, which will sharply rise in coming years, is a grave theme in social security policy.
大都市圏で急増していく医療・介護のニーズにどう対応するか。
社会保障政策の重い課題だ。
In the 30 years from 2010, Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba and Aichi, among others, will see huge jumps in the number of residents aged 65 or older. This was revealed in a recent survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research on population projections for specific regions.
東京、神奈川、埼玉、千葉、愛知――。２０１０年から３０年間で、６５歳以上の人口が増える比率の高い都県だ。国立社会保障・人口問題研究所がまとめた「地域別将来推計人口」で明らかになった。
In Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, the number of residents who are 75 or older--a group with higher need for medical and nursing care services--will double during the period.
中でも埼玉、神奈川両県では、医療や介護の必要性が高まる７５歳以上の人口が倍増する。
Urban areas will gray as generations who moved there from regional areas during the period of rapid economic growth become senior citizens. Rural society is already graying as depopulation has steadily continued in farming village areas, and the trend will spread to major urban areas.
都市部の高齢化は、高度成長期に職を求めて地方から都会に出てきた世代が高齢期を迎えるためだ。過疎化の進む農村部で先行していた地域社会の高齢化の波が、大都市圏にも押し寄せる。
In such a situation, it is indispensable to improve facilities for the aged, including special nursing care homes for the elderly. Such facilities have the advantage of being able to take care of many elderly people with a limited number of nursing care staff.
特別養護老人ホームなど高齢者施設の拡充が欠かせない。限られた介護職員で多数の入所者をケアできるというメリットがある。
However, it is not easy to construct new facilities in urban areas, where land prices are high. The lack of facilities for the aged will worsen in the future.
ただ、地価が高い都市部で施設の新設は容易でない。施設不足は今後一段と深刻になるだろう。
We hope each local government will wisely prepare facilities for the aged by, for instance, utilizing the buildings of schools that are no longer in use.
各自治体は、廃校になった校舎を活用するなど、施設整備に知恵を絞ってもらいたい。
Home care needed
It is also important to create an environment in which people can receive sufficient medical and nursing care at their homes. Expectations are running high for the 24-hour home-visit nursing care service that the government launched last year. Nurses or nursing care staff visit the homes of aged people several times a day, and can also respond to emergency calls.
在宅で十分な医療・介護を受けられるようにすることも重要だ。政府が昨年始めた「２４時間型訪問介護サービス」への期待は大きい。介護職員や看護師が高齢者宅を１日数回訪問し、緊急の呼び出しにも応じる仕組みだ。
However, this service has not been used widely: Less than 10 percent of local governments in the nation have introduced it so far.
Nursing care service providers are hesitant to adopt the service due to such burdens as responding to midnight calls. Difficulty securing nurses, a condition for entering the market, is said to be another cause.
ところが、このサービスは普及していない。導入した自治体は全体の１割に満たない。夜間の呼び出しなどが負担で事業者が敬遠している。参入条件である看護師の確保が難しいのも一因という。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry must study measures to improve the situation, such as easing conditions for participating in the market.
厚生労働省は、参入条件の緩和などを検討すべきだ。
It is also important to secure nursing care staff. Even people who have experience in this area often stop working due to marriage and childbirth. An environment has to be created in which such people can continue to work in nursing care while rearing their children, by solving the problem of the long waiting list to enroll children in licensed day care centers, among other things.
介護職員の確保も重要である。介護のノウハウを持っていても、結婚や出産で辞める人は多い。保育所の待機児童の解消など、子育てをしながら働き続けられる環境を整えねばならない。
It is also necessary to improve salaries in this business sector, which are lower than in other industries.
他の産業に比べ低い賃金水準を改善する必要もある。
Single men face isolation
The number of elderly men living alone in urban areas will sharply increase in the future, much more than single elderly women. This is going to be a big problem.
A major reason is that the percentage of unmarried men currently in their 30s and 40s is rising due to such factors as the increase in non-regular employees, who are paid less than regular full-time workers.
都市部では今後、独り暮らしの高齢男性が女性以上に急増することが大きな問題となろう。収入が低い非正規雇用の増加などで、現在３０～４０歳代の男性の未婚率が上昇していることが要因だ。
Single people cannot expect family members to provide nursing care when they become old. They tend to have tenuous connections to their neighbors and become alienated.
単身者は家族による介護が期待できない。近隣との結びつきが乏しく、孤立しがちだ。
The urban graying problem must be discussed, including such factors as employment, salaries and an appropriate way for the public to bear the burdens. We hope the government's National Council on Social Security System Reform will deepen its discussions on these issues.
都市部の高齢化問題については雇用や賃金制度、さらに国民の負担のあり方も含めて検討することが欠かせない。政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議は、こうした視点からも議論を深めてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 12, 2013)
（2013年4月12日01時42分 読売新聞）
EDITORIAL / Secure nursing care staffers as major urban areas go gray
老いる大都市圏 介護の担い手をどう確保する（4月12日付・読売社説）
How to respond to the need for medical and nursing care in major urban areas, which will sharply rise in coming years, is a grave theme in social security policy.
大都市圏で急増していく医療・介護のニーズにどう対応するか。
社会保障政策の重い課題だ。
In the 30 years from 2010, Tokyo and the prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba and Aichi, among others, will see huge jumps in the number of residents aged 65 or older. This was revealed in a recent survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research on population projections for specific regions.
東京、神奈川、埼玉、千葉、愛知――。２０１０年から３０年間で、６５歳以上の人口が増える比率の高い都県だ。国立社会保障・人口問題研究所がまとめた「地域別将来推計人口」で明らかになった。
In Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, the number of residents who are 75 or older--a group with higher need for medical and nursing care services--will double during the period.
中でも埼玉、神奈川両県では、医療や介護の必要性が高まる７５歳以上の人口が倍増する。
Urban areas will gray as generations who moved there from regional areas during the period of rapid economic growth become senior citizens. Rural society is already graying as depopulation has steadily continued in farming village areas, and the trend will spread to major urban areas.
都市部の高齢化は、高度成長期に職を求めて地方から都会に出てきた世代が高齢期を迎えるためだ。過疎化の進む農村部で先行していた地域社会の高齢化の波が、大都市圏にも押し寄せる。
In such a situation, it is indispensable to improve facilities for the aged, including special nursing care homes for the elderly. Such facilities have the advantage of being able to take care of many elderly people with a limited number of nursing care staff.
特別養護老人ホームなど高齢者施設の拡充が欠かせない。限られた介護職員で多数の入所者をケアできるというメリットがある。
However, it is not easy to construct new facilities in urban areas, where land prices are high. The lack of facilities for the aged will worsen in the future.
ただ、地価が高い都市部で施設の新設は容易でない。施設不足は今後一段と深刻になるだろう。
We hope each local government will wisely prepare facilities for the aged by, for instance, utilizing the buildings of schools that are no longer in use.
各自治体は、廃校になった校舎を活用するなど、施設整備に知恵を絞ってもらいたい。
Home care needed
It is also important to create an environment in which people can receive sufficient medical and nursing care at their homes. Expectations are running high for the 24-hour home-visit nursing care service that the government launched last year. Nurses or nursing care staff visit the homes of aged people several times a day, and can also respond to emergency calls.
在宅で十分な医療・介護を受けられるようにすることも重要だ。政府が昨年始めた「２４時間型訪問介護サービス」への期待は大きい。介護職員や看護師が高齢者宅を１日数回訪問し、緊急の呼び出しにも応じる仕組みだ。
However, this service has not been used widely: Less than 10 percent of local governments in the nation have introduced it so far.
Nursing care service providers are hesitant to adopt the service due to such burdens as responding to midnight calls. Difficulty securing nurses, a condition for entering the market, is said to be another cause.
ところが、このサービスは普及していない。導入した自治体は全体の１割に満たない。夜間の呼び出しなどが負担で事業者が敬遠している。参入条件である看護師の確保が難しいのも一因という。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry must study measures to improve the situation, such as easing conditions for participating in the market.
厚生労働省は、参入条件の緩和などを検討すべきだ。
It is also important to secure nursing care staff. Even people who have experience in this area often stop working due to marriage and childbirth. An environment has to be created in which such people can continue to work in nursing care while rearing their children, by solving the problem of the long waiting list to enroll children in licensed day care centers, among other things.
介護職員の確保も重要である。介護のノウハウを持っていても、結婚や出産で辞める人は多い。保育所の待機児童の解消など、子育てをしながら働き続けられる環境を整えねばならない。
It is also necessary to improve salaries in this business sector, which are lower than in other industries.
他の産業に比べ低い賃金水準を改善する必要もある。
Single men face isolation
The number of elderly men living alone in urban areas will sharply increase in the future, much more than single elderly women. This is going to be a big problem.
A major reason is that the percentage of unmarried men currently in their 30s and 40s is rising due to such factors as the increase in non-regular employees, who are paid less than regular full-time workers.
都市部では今後、独り暮らしの高齢男性が女性以上に急増することが大きな問題となろう。収入が低い非正規雇用の増加などで、現在３０～４０歳代の男性の未婚率が上昇していることが要因だ。
Single people cannot expect family members to provide nursing care when they become old. They tend to have tenuous connections to their neighbors and become alienated.
単身者は家族による介護が期待できない。近隣との結びつきが乏しく、孤立しがちだ。
The urban graying problem must be discussed, including such factors as employment, salaries and an appropriate way for the public to bear the burdens. We hope the government's National Council on Social Security System Reform will deepen its discussions on these issues.
都市部の高齢化問題については雇用や賃金制度、さらに国民の負担のあり方も含めて検討することが欠かせない。政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議は、こうした視点からも議論を深めてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 12, 2013)
（2013年4月12日01時42分 読売新聞）
2013/04/13
日台漁業協定 戦略的外交で「尖閣」を守れ
[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 12, 2013
Japan-Taiwan fisheries pact strategic diplomacy tool to protect Senkakus
日台漁業協定 戦略的外交で「尖閣」を守れ（4月11日付・読売社説）
The Japan-Taiwan fisheries agreement will have a significant impact on preserving Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
沖縄県の尖閣諸島における日本の主権を守る上で大きな意味を持つ。
It also demonstrates the direction of the diplomacy being pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to reinforce strategic relations with China's neighbors to keep the country in check.
中国の周辺国・地域との戦略的関係を強化し、中国を牽制(けんせい)する安倍外交の方向性を示したと言える。
Japan and Taiwan reopened official negotiations for the first time in four years over fishing activities in waters near the Senkaku Islands and signed a bilateral agreement on private fishing activities.
日本と台湾が、４年ぶりに尖閣諸島周辺の漁業を巡って本交渉を再開して「日台民間漁業取り決め」で合意し、調印した。
The pillar of the agreement is the establishment of a zone exempt from the fishing-related laws of both Japan and Taiwan within Japan's exclusive economic zone, set outside Japan's territorial waters. This will allow Taiwan fishermen to operate in the zone, in addition to another special cooperative operational zone specified in the agreement.
日本の領海の外に設定された排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の一部に「法令適用除外水域」などを設け、台湾漁船の操業を認めることが柱だ。
The agreement does not allow Taiwan fishing boats to operate in Japanese territorial waters.
日本領海への台湾漁船の立ち入りは、認めていない。
Concerning the Senkaku Islands, both China and Taiwan have claimed territorial rights on the islets. In September last year, many Taiwan fishing boats entered the Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus. China had called on Taiwan's cooperation in confronting Japan.
尖閣諸島を巡っては、中国だけでなく台湾も領有権を主張している。昨年９月には、台湾の漁船が大挙して尖閣諸島周辺の日本領海に侵入した。中国は、台湾に共闘を呼びかけてもいた。
The latest agreement is aimed at blocking such cooperation between China and Taiwan. The Chinese side immediately expressed "grave concern" over the agreement as it must have felt displeasure over the Japan-Taiwan cooperation.
今回の合意は、こうした中台の連携にくさびを打ち込む狙いがある。中国側がさっそく「重大な懸念」を表明したのは、日台連携への不快感にほかならない。
Negotiations over fishing have been held intermittently between Japan and Taiwan since 1996, but a compromise could not be reached as the two sides butted heads over operational zones and rules, for example.
日台間では１９９６年から漁業交渉が断続的に行われたが、操業水域やルールなどで主張が対立し、折り合えなかった。
The Japanese government asked Taipei to reopen the negotiations in autumn last year, immediately after the Japanese government nationalized some of the Senkaku Islands.
日本政府が台湾に交渉再開を持ちかけたのは昨年秋、尖閣諸島を国有化した直後のことである。
Priority on islands' sovereignty
The call to reopen the talks was based on Japan's diplomatic strategy. Negotiations were led by the Prime Minister's Office. It was a major compromise for Japan on fishing rights as it prioritized protecting the Senkaku Islands. As Taiwan gains practical benefits in expanding its fishing area, the pact thus provides advantages for both sides.
日本の戦略が根底にある。首相官邸主導で、漁業権では譲歩し、尖閣諸島を守ることを優先した。台湾にとっても漁業水域が広がり、実利がとれる。双方にメリットのある内容だと言える。
Yet, the problem is whether the terms of the agreement will be smoothly carried out in the actual fishing areas. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima was vocal in his protest against the Japanese government.
"It is extremely regrettable a major compromise was made. We'll face fierce competition and the shrinkage of quality fishing areas," Nakaima said.
問題は、合意の内容が、漁業の現場で円滑に運用されるかどうかである。沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事は、「大幅な譲歩は極めて遺憾だ。漁業競合の激化や好漁場の縮小が余儀なくされる」と日本政府に抗議の意を表明している。
In spring, fishing activities pick up and the waters around the Senkaku Islands are good for catching Pacific bluefin tuna and flame snapper, in addition to other fish. The number of fishing boats to work in the zones and the catches must be coordinated to prevent overfishing.
春は漁業が活発化する。尖閣諸島周辺は、クロマグロやハマダイがとれる豊かな漁場だ。出漁する漁船数や漁獲量を調整し、乱獲を防がねばならない。
Japan and Taiwan will establish a joint fisheries committee to put the finishing touches on the agreement.
日台双方は、漁業委員会を設けて詰めの交渉に入る。
To appropriately control fisheries resources, which are common assets for coastal nations, both sides need to proceed with the talks while keeping a broad perspective.
沿岸国の共通の財産である漁業資源を適切に管理することを前提に、双方ともに大局的見地に立って協議を進める必要がある。
Improvement in relations
Fundamentally, Taiwan has been taking a pro-Japanese stance. At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Taiwan provided huge donations. Abe has been taking into consideration the improvement in relations with Taiwan. For instance, at a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, a place for an official representing Taiwan was prepared alongside seats for the representatives of foreign countries.
台湾はもともと親日的だ。東日本大震災の際には、巨額の義援金を提供した。安倍首相は先月１１日の大震災２周年追悼式で、台湾代表の席を各国代表団と同じ場所にするなど、日台間の関係改善に配慮している。
The latest fisheries agreement will consequently result in reinforcement of the entire scope of Japan-Taiwan relations.
今回の漁業合意は、日台関係全体の強化にもつながろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 11, 2013)
（2013年4月11日01時30分 読売新聞）
Japan-Taiwan fisheries pact strategic diplomacy tool to protect Senkakus
日台漁業協定 戦略的外交で「尖閣」を守れ（4月11日付・読売社説）
The Japan-Taiwan fisheries agreement will have a significant impact on preserving Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
沖縄県の尖閣諸島における日本の主権を守る上で大きな意味を持つ。
It also demonstrates the direction of the diplomacy being pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to reinforce strategic relations with China's neighbors to keep the country in check.
中国の周辺国・地域との戦略的関係を強化し、中国を牽制(けんせい)する安倍外交の方向性を示したと言える。
Japan and Taiwan reopened official negotiations for the first time in four years over fishing activities in waters near the Senkaku Islands and signed a bilateral agreement on private fishing activities.
日本と台湾が、４年ぶりに尖閣諸島周辺の漁業を巡って本交渉を再開して「日台民間漁業取り決め」で合意し、調印した。
The pillar of the agreement is the establishment of a zone exempt from the fishing-related laws of both Japan and Taiwan within Japan's exclusive economic zone, set outside Japan's territorial waters. This will allow Taiwan fishermen to operate in the zone, in addition to another special cooperative operational zone specified in the agreement.
日本の領海の外に設定された排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の一部に「法令適用除外水域」などを設け、台湾漁船の操業を認めることが柱だ。
The agreement does not allow Taiwan fishing boats to operate in Japanese territorial waters.
日本領海への台湾漁船の立ち入りは、認めていない。
Concerning the Senkaku Islands, both China and Taiwan have claimed territorial rights on the islets. In September last year, many Taiwan fishing boats entered the Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus. China had called on Taiwan's cooperation in confronting Japan.
尖閣諸島を巡っては、中国だけでなく台湾も領有権を主張している。昨年９月には、台湾の漁船が大挙して尖閣諸島周辺の日本領海に侵入した。中国は、台湾に共闘を呼びかけてもいた。
The latest agreement is aimed at blocking such cooperation between China and Taiwan. The Chinese side immediately expressed "grave concern" over the agreement as it must have felt displeasure over the Japan-Taiwan cooperation.
今回の合意は、こうした中台の連携にくさびを打ち込む狙いがある。中国側がさっそく「重大な懸念」を表明したのは、日台連携への不快感にほかならない。
Negotiations over fishing have been held intermittently between Japan and Taiwan since 1996, but a compromise could not be reached as the two sides butted heads over operational zones and rules, for example.
日台間では１９９６年から漁業交渉が断続的に行われたが、操業水域やルールなどで主張が対立し、折り合えなかった。
The Japanese government asked Taipei to reopen the negotiations in autumn last year, immediately after the Japanese government nationalized some of the Senkaku Islands.
日本政府が台湾に交渉再開を持ちかけたのは昨年秋、尖閣諸島を国有化した直後のことである。
Priority on islands' sovereignty
The call to reopen the talks was based on Japan's diplomatic strategy. Negotiations were led by the Prime Minister's Office. It was a major compromise for Japan on fishing rights as it prioritized protecting the Senkaku Islands. As Taiwan gains practical benefits in expanding its fishing area, the pact thus provides advantages for both sides.
日本の戦略が根底にある。首相官邸主導で、漁業権では譲歩し、尖閣諸島を守ることを優先した。台湾にとっても漁業水域が広がり、実利がとれる。双方にメリットのある内容だと言える。
Yet, the problem is whether the terms of the agreement will be smoothly carried out in the actual fishing areas. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima was vocal in his protest against the Japanese government.
"It is extremely regrettable a major compromise was made. We'll face fierce competition and the shrinkage of quality fishing areas," Nakaima said.
問題は、合意の内容が、漁業の現場で円滑に運用されるかどうかである。沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事は、「大幅な譲歩は極めて遺憾だ。漁業競合の激化や好漁場の縮小が余儀なくされる」と日本政府に抗議の意を表明している。
In spring, fishing activities pick up and the waters around the Senkaku Islands are good for catching Pacific bluefin tuna and flame snapper, in addition to other fish. The number of fishing boats to work in the zones and the catches must be coordinated to prevent overfishing.
春は漁業が活発化する。尖閣諸島周辺は、クロマグロやハマダイがとれる豊かな漁場だ。出漁する漁船数や漁獲量を調整し、乱獲を防がねばならない。
Japan and Taiwan will establish a joint fisheries committee to put the finishing touches on the agreement.
日台双方は、漁業委員会を設けて詰めの交渉に入る。
To appropriately control fisheries resources, which are common assets for coastal nations, both sides need to proceed with the talks while keeping a broad perspective.
沿岸国の共通の財産である漁業資源を適切に管理することを前提に、双方ともに大局的見地に立って協議を進める必要がある。
Improvement in relations
Fundamentally, Taiwan has been taking a pro-Japanese stance. At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Taiwan provided huge donations. Abe has been taking into consideration the improvement in relations with Taiwan. For instance, at a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, a place for an official representing Taiwan was prepared alongside seats for the representatives of foreign countries.
台湾はもともと親日的だ。東日本大震災の際には、巨額の義援金を提供した。安倍首相は先月１１日の大震災２周年追悼式で、台湾代表の席を各国代表団と同じ場所にするなど、日台間の関係改善に配慮している。
The latest fisheries agreement will consequently result in reinforcement of the entire scope of Japan-Taiwan relations.
今回の漁業合意は、日台関係全体の強化にもつながろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 11, 2013)
（2013年4月11日01時30分 読売新聞）
2013/04/12
サッチャー死去 今なお生きる国家再生の教訓
[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 11, 2013
EDITORIAL / Thatcher leaves indelible lesson on how to revitalize a nation
サッチャー死去 今なお生きる国家再生の教訓（4月10日付・読売社説）
Margaret Thatcher was a female politician who not only revitalized a sinking Britain but changed the world by playing a key role in ending the Cold War.
衰退しつつあった英国を蘇生させたばかりか、冷戦終結に重要な役割を演じ、世界を変えた女性政治家だった。
Thatcher, who served as British prime minister for 11 years from 1979, died Monday at the age of 87.
１９７９年から１１年間の長きにわたり、英首相を務めたマーガレット・サッチャー氏が８日、８７歳で死去した。
In expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said she was "a great leader who demonstrated a force of will and was a respected politician who devoted herself to her country and people."
安倍首相は「意志の力を身をもって示した偉大なリーダーであり、国家国民のためにすべてをささげた尊敬すべき政治家であった」と、弔意を表した。
Even today, Japan can learn many lessons from Thatcher. Her greatest achievement was carrying out drastic reforms known as Thatcherism.
今なお、日本がサッチャー氏から学ぶべきことは多い。最大の業績は、サッチャリズムと呼ばれる大胆な改革を推進したことだ。
She stood firm against the "British disease"--a reference to the country's recession and financial woes--by promoting a small government. She embraced privatization and took a series of deregulation steps, including the "Big Bang" that transformed financial markets. She also boldly pushed through unpopular measures such as reducing generous welfare services and streamlining the coal mine sector.
「小さな政府」によって、経済停滞と国家財政悪化という「英国病」の病根にメスをいれ、民営化や、金融市場の「ビッグバン」などの規制緩和を断行した。手厚すぎる福祉の抑制や炭鉱合理化など不人気な政策も果敢に進めた。
However, as her economic policy focused mainly on the financial sector, Britain's manufacturing industry waned, widening the rich-poor gap. Despite the negative impact, her reforms are regarded to have laid the groundwork for the country's economic growth from the 1990s.
金融に比重を置くあまり、製造業は弱体化し、貧富の格差が拡大したという負の側面もあったにせよ、改革は９０年代からの経済成長の基礎を作ったと言える。
Impact on Japan
In the wake of Thatcherism, the state-owned Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation and Japanese National Railways were privatized under the administration of then Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, and Japan's version of the "Big Bang" financial reforms were carried out under the administration of then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
中曽根政権の電電公社や国鉄の民営化、橋本政権の掲げた日本版ビッグバン（金融制度改革）もサッチャリズムの系譜に連なる。
Along with Reaganomics, the economic policies promoted by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Thatcher managed the remarkable achievement of resuscitating the global economy.
サッチャー氏が、レーガン米大統領のレーガノミクスとの連携で、世界経済の停滞を打開した功績は大きい。
Currently, Japan is trying to turn its economy around under Abenomics. Abe must exert his leadership to implement the necessary measures.
日本は今、アベノミクスで経済再生に取り組んでいる。安倍首相にも実行力が求められよう。
Thatcher's educational reforms have also influenced Abe. In a book, the Japanese prime minister praised her commitment to boosting Britain's educational levels by correcting a "self-deprecating" view of history in education.
サッチャー氏の教育改革は、安倍首相にも影響を与えた。首相は自著で、歴史教育の「自虐的」な偏向の是正と、教育水準の向上を図ったと評価している。
Thatcher's role in international politics is also unforgettable.
サッチャー氏が、国際政治で果たした役割も忘れられない。
When the United States and European countries were divided over U.S. plans to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe and other issues, Thatcher stressed the need to counter the Soviet Union militarily. She played a pivotal role in unifying the West and ending the Cold War.
米国による中距離核の欧州配備などを巡って米欧の足並みが乱れかけた時、ソ連に軍事面で対抗する必要を説いた。サッチャー氏は、西側陣営の団結、そして冷戦終結の立役者であった。
Maintaining rule of law
The world's spotlight was directed on Thatcher in April 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the British territory of Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. She did not hesitate to send a naval fleet to retake them.
世界が注目したのは８２年４月、アルゼンチン軍が南大西洋の英領フォークランド諸島に侵攻した時のことだ。サッチャー氏は、直ちに英軍艦隊を派遣して諸島の奪還に成功した。
In his recent policy speech, Abe quoted Thatcher who, on reflecting on the Falklands War, said Britain was defending the principle that international law should take precedence over the use of force.
「何よりも国際法が力の行使に勝たなくてはならないという原則を守ろうとしていた」というサッチャー氏の言葉を、安倍首相は施政方針演説で、引用している。
She strongly advocated the protection of territories and sovereignty while abiding by international law. Japan should adopt this kind of firm attitude.
国際法を順守しつつ、領土、主権を断固守る。その強い信念が、今の日本にも問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 10, 2013)
（2013年4月10日02時00分 読売新聞）
EDITORIAL / Thatcher leaves indelible lesson on how to revitalize a nation
サッチャー死去 今なお生きる国家再生の教訓（4月10日付・読売社説）
Margaret Thatcher was a female politician who not only revitalized a sinking Britain but changed the world by playing a key role in ending the Cold War.
衰退しつつあった英国を蘇生させたばかりか、冷戦終結に重要な役割を演じ、世界を変えた女性政治家だった。
Thatcher, who served as British prime minister for 11 years from 1979, died Monday at the age of 87.
１９７９年から１１年間の長きにわたり、英首相を務めたマーガレット・サッチャー氏が８日、８７歳で死去した。
In expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said she was "a great leader who demonstrated a force of will and was a respected politician who devoted herself to her country and people."
安倍首相は「意志の力を身をもって示した偉大なリーダーであり、国家国民のためにすべてをささげた尊敬すべき政治家であった」と、弔意を表した。
Even today, Japan can learn many lessons from Thatcher. Her greatest achievement was carrying out drastic reforms known as Thatcherism.
今なお、日本がサッチャー氏から学ぶべきことは多い。最大の業績は、サッチャリズムと呼ばれる大胆な改革を推進したことだ。
She stood firm against the "British disease"--a reference to the country's recession and financial woes--by promoting a small government. She embraced privatization and took a series of deregulation steps, including the "Big Bang" that transformed financial markets. She also boldly pushed through unpopular measures such as reducing generous welfare services and streamlining the coal mine sector.
「小さな政府」によって、経済停滞と国家財政悪化という「英国病」の病根にメスをいれ、民営化や、金融市場の「ビッグバン」などの規制緩和を断行した。手厚すぎる福祉の抑制や炭鉱合理化など不人気な政策も果敢に進めた。
However, as her economic policy focused mainly on the financial sector, Britain's manufacturing industry waned, widening the rich-poor gap. Despite the negative impact, her reforms are regarded to have laid the groundwork for the country's economic growth from the 1990s.
金融に比重を置くあまり、製造業は弱体化し、貧富の格差が拡大したという負の側面もあったにせよ、改革は９０年代からの経済成長の基礎を作ったと言える。
Impact on Japan
In the wake of Thatcherism, the state-owned Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation and Japanese National Railways were privatized under the administration of then Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, and Japan's version of the "Big Bang" financial reforms were carried out under the administration of then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
中曽根政権の電電公社や国鉄の民営化、橋本政権の掲げた日本版ビッグバン（金融制度改革）もサッチャリズムの系譜に連なる。
Along with Reaganomics, the economic policies promoted by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Thatcher managed the remarkable achievement of resuscitating the global economy.
サッチャー氏が、レーガン米大統領のレーガノミクスとの連携で、世界経済の停滞を打開した功績は大きい。
Currently, Japan is trying to turn its economy around under Abenomics. Abe must exert his leadership to implement the necessary measures.
日本は今、アベノミクスで経済再生に取り組んでいる。安倍首相にも実行力が求められよう。
Thatcher's educational reforms have also influenced Abe. In a book, the Japanese prime minister praised her commitment to boosting Britain's educational levels by correcting a "self-deprecating" view of history in education.
サッチャー氏の教育改革は、安倍首相にも影響を与えた。首相は自著で、歴史教育の「自虐的」な偏向の是正と、教育水準の向上を図ったと評価している。
Thatcher's role in international politics is also unforgettable.
サッチャー氏が、国際政治で果たした役割も忘れられない。
When the United States and European countries were divided over U.S. plans to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe and other issues, Thatcher stressed the need to counter the Soviet Union militarily. She played a pivotal role in unifying the West and ending the Cold War.
米国による中距離核の欧州配備などを巡って米欧の足並みが乱れかけた時、ソ連に軍事面で対抗する必要を説いた。サッチャー氏は、西側陣営の団結、そして冷戦終結の立役者であった。
Maintaining rule of law
The world's spotlight was directed on Thatcher in April 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the British territory of Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. She did not hesitate to send a naval fleet to retake them.
世界が注目したのは８２年４月、アルゼンチン軍が南大西洋の英領フォークランド諸島に侵攻した時のことだ。サッチャー氏は、直ちに英軍艦隊を派遣して諸島の奪還に成功した。
In his recent policy speech, Abe quoted Thatcher who, on reflecting on the Falklands War, said Britain was defending the principle that international law should take precedence over the use of force.
「何よりも国際法が力の行使に勝たなくてはならないという原則を守ろうとしていた」というサッチャー氏の言葉を、安倍首相は施政方針演説で、引用している。
She strongly advocated the protection of territories and sovereignty while abiding by international law. Japan should adopt this kind of firm attitude.
国際法を順守しつつ、領土、主権を断固守る。その強い信念が、今の日本にも問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 10, 2013)
（2013年4月10日02時00分 読売新聞）
2013/04/11
食物アレルギー 給食の事故防止を徹底したい
[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 10, 2013
Strong measures needed to prevent food allergy cases occurring at schools
食物アレルギー 給食の事故防止を徹底したい（4月9日付・読売社説）
How can we prevent children with food allergies from experiencing allergic reactions during a pleasant lunch at school?
学校での楽しい給食の時間に、子供の食物アレルギーによる事故をいかに防ぐか。
As a new term has begun at schools, school administrators are asked to do their utmost to ensure their safety measures for school lunches are flawless.
新学期が始まったのを機に、教育現場は改めて給食の安全対策に万全を期してもらいたい。
Those with food allergies can develop such symptoms as eczema and respiratory difficulties if they eat certain foods, such as eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, shrimp or crab.
卵や牛乳、小麦、落花生、エビ、カニなど特定の食べ物を口にすると、湿疹、呼吸の乱れなどの症状が表れるのが食物アレルギーだ。
There are also life-threatening allergic reactions, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or impairment of consciousness.
血圧低下や意識障害を引き起こし、命を落とす危険もある。
According to a survey taken by the education ministry, 2.6 percent of students in the country suffer from food allergies. This means almost one student in every class has a food allergy.
文部科学省の調査によると、全国の児童・生徒の２・６％に食物アレルギーがある。ほぼクラスに１人の割合である。
There has been an increase in cases of students mistakenly eating food containing an allergen and requiring medical treatment. In fiscal 2011, such cases topped 300. Thoroughly implementing countermeasures is an urgent matter.
給食でアレルギーの原因食材を誤って口に入れ、治療を受けるケースは増加傾向にある。２０１１年度には３００件を超えた。対策の徹底が急務だ。
Allergic reactions can be fatal
At a municipality-run primary school in Chofu, western Tokyo, a fifth-grade girl died in December last year after consuming dairy products she was allergic to.
東京都調布市の市立小学校では昨年１２月、乳製品にアレルギーがある５年生の女児が死亡する事故が起きた。
A report compiled last month by a local board of education examination committee pointed out a series of mistakes on the part of the school.
市教委の検証委員会が３月にまとめた報告書は、学校のミスの連鎖を指摘している。
On the day of the incident, the school provided her with a special meal without cheese, to which she was allergic. When she asked for seconds, her teacher mistakenly gave her an ordinary portion containing cheese. The teacher should have checked the list of those foods she was not supposed to eat.
学校は女児に、アレルギーの原因のチーズを除いたおかずを出した。だが、女児がお代わりを求めると、担任教諭はチーズ入りのおかずを配ってしまった。その際、担任は、女児が食べられない食材の一覧表を確認すべきだった。
When the student complained about feeling sick, neither her teacher nor a nurse gave her an injection, which could have mitigated her allergic reaction.
さらに、女児が体調不良を訴えた時、担任教諭、養護教諭とも、アレルギーのショックを和らげる注射薬を打たなかった。
At the same school, another student had an allergic reaction during lunch three months earlier. Later the school conducted an instructional program on food allergies for teachers and other school officials. It is quite regrettable that the lesson was not learned.
この学校では、３か月前にも別の児童が給食でアレルギーを起こし、その後、教職員向けの研修を実施していた。教訓を生かせなかったことが何とも悔やまれる。
To prevent such tragic incidents from recurring, it is important for schools to cooperate with students' parents and doctors and to have accurate knowledge of possible allergy symptoms of food-allergic children and take careful steps.
悲劇を繰り返さないためには、学校が保護者や医師と連携して子供の症状を正確に把握し、きめ細かな対応をとることが大切だ。
With regard to measures to be taken for food-allergic students, a guideline was worked out in 2008 under the supervision of the education ministry. However, the reality is that schools differ from one another in how they deal with food allergies.
アレルギー対策を巡っては、文科省監修の指針が２００８年に作られたが、学校ごとに、対応に差があるのが現状と言える。
Schools must be vigilant
It is important for every school to thoroughly take such fundamental measures as distributing in advance lists of school lunch ingredients to parents, while arranging special meals for students with food allergies.
給食の食材リストをあらかじめ保護者に配布する。アレルギーのある子供用の献立を工夫する。各校がこうした基本的対策の総点検を行うことが重要である。
Parents also need to always remind their food-allergic children of those foods that they should not eat.
保護者も日頃から子供に「何を食べてはいけないか」ということを繰り返し教える必要がある。
When a child suffers an allergic reaction to food, the initial response is crucial. Teachers and other school staff need to be trained so that they can administer an injection properly to someone having an allergic reaction.
子供がアレルギー反応を起こした場合、初期対応がカギを握る。教職員が注射薬を適切に投与できるよう訓練を重ねるべきだ。
The education ministry will examine how schools across the country are coping with food allergy issues. We hope any problems can be cleared up to help to prevent further accidents from occurring.
文科省は今後、全国の取り組み状況を調査する。問題点を洗い出し、事故防止につなげたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 9, 2013)
（2013年4月9日01時12分 読売新聞）
Strong measures needed to prevent food allergy cases occurring at schools
食物アレルギー 給食の事故防止を徹底したい（4月9日付・読売社説）
How can we prevent children with food allergies from experiencing allergic reactions during a pleasant lunch at school?
学校での楽しい給食の時間に、子供の食物アレルギーによる事故をいかに防ぐか。
As a new term has begun at schools, school administrators are asked to do their utmost to ensure their safety measures for school lunches are flawless.
新学期が始まったのを機に、教育現場は改めて給食の安全対策に万全を期してもらいたい。
Those with food allergies can develop such symptoms as eczema and respiratory difficulties if they eat certain foods, such as eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, shrimp or crab.
卵や牛乳、小麦、落花生、エビ、カニなど特定の食べ物を口にすると、湿疹、呼吸の乱れなどの症状が表れるのが食物アレルギーだ。
There are also life-threatening allergic reactions, such as a sudden drop in blood pressure or impairment of consciousness.
血圧低下や意識障害を引き起こし、命を落とす危険もある。
According to a survey taken by the education ministry, 2.6 percent of students in the country suffer from food allergies. This means almost one student in every class has a food allergy.
文部科学省の調査によると、全国の児童・生徒の２・６％に食物アレルギーがある。ほぼクラスに１人の割合である。
There has been an increase in cases of students mistakenly eating food containing an allergen and requiring medical treatment. In fiscal 2011, such cases topped 300. Thoroughly implementing countermeasures is an urgent matter.
給食でアレルギーの原因食材を誤って口に入れ、治療を受けるケースは増加傾向にある。２０１１年度には３００件を超えた。対策の徹底が急務だ。
Allergic reactions can be fatal
At a municipality-run primary school in Chofu, western Tokyo, a fifth-grade girl died in December last year after consuming dairy products she was allergic to.
東京都調布市の市立小学校では昨年１２月、乳製品にアレルギーがある５年生の女児が死亡する事故が起きた。
A report compiled last month by a local board of education examination committee pointed out a series of mistakes on the part of the school.
市教委の検証委員会が３月にまとめた報告書は、学校のミスの連鎖を指摘している。
On the day of the incident, the school provided her with a special meal without cheese, to which she was allergic. When she asked for seconds, her teacher mistakenly gave her an ordinary portion containing cheese. The teacher should have checked the list of those foods she was not supposed to eat.
学校は女児に、アレルギーの原因のチーズを除いたおかずを出した。だが、女児がお代わりを求めると、担任教諭はチーズ入りのおかずを配ってしまった。その際、担任は、女児が食べられない食材の一覧表を確認すべきだった。
When the student complained about feeling sick, neither her teacher nor a nurse gave her an injection, which could have mitigated her allergic reaction.
さらに、女児が体調不良を訴えた時、担任教諭、養護教諭とも、アレルギーのショックを和らげる注射薬を打たなかった。
At the same school, another student had an allergic reaction during lunch three months earlier. Later the school conducted an instructional program on food allergies for teachers and other school officials. It is quite regrettable that the lesson was not learned.
この学校では、３か月前にも別の児童が給食でアレルギーを起こし、その後、教職員向けの研修を実施していた。教訓を生かせなかったことが何とも悔やまれる。
To prevent such tragic incidents from recurring, it is important for schools to cooperate with students' parents and doctors and to have accurate knowledge of possible allergy symptoms of food-allergic children and take careful steps.
悲劇を繰り返さないためには、学校が保護者や医師と連携して子供の症状を正確に把握し、きめ細かな対応をとることが大切だ。
With regard to measures to be taken for food-allergic students, a guideline was worked out in 2008 under the supervision of the education ministry. However, the reality is that schools differ from one another in how they deal with food allergies.
アレルギー対策を巡っては、文科省監修の指針が２００８年に作られたが、学校ごとに、対応に差があるのが現状と言える。
Schools must be vigilant
It is important for every school to thoroughly take such fundamental measures as distributing in advance lists of school lunch ingredients to parents, while arranging special meals for students with food allergies.
給食の食材リストをあらかじめ保護者に配布する。アレルギーのある子供用の献立を工夫する。各校がこうした基本的対策の総点検を行うことが重要である。
Parents also need to always remind their food-allergic children of those foods that they should not eat.
保護者も日頃から子供に「何を食べてはいけないか」ということを繰り返し教える必要がある。
When a child suffers an allergic reaction to food, the initial response is crucial. Teachers and other school staff need to be trained so that they can administer an injection properly to someone having an allergic reaction.
子供がアレルギー反応を起こした場合、初期対応がカギを握る。教職員が注射薬を適切に投与できるよう訓練を重ねるべきだ。
The education ministry will examine how schools across the country are coping with food allergy issues. We hope any problems can be cleared up to help to prevent further accidents from occurring.
文科省は今後、全国の取り組み状況を調査する。問題点を洗い出し、事故防止につなげたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 9, 2013)
（2013年4月9日01時12分 読売新聞）
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