日韓解決合意 法的責任、曖昧なまま 少女像撤去は玉虫色

毎日新聞2015年12月29日　東京朝刊
Japan-South Korea accord on 'comfort women' leaves ambiguities
日韓解決合意　法的責任、曖昧なまま　少女像撤去は玉虫色

In the latest accord reached by the governments of Japan and South Korea on the so-called "comfort women" issue, Japan did not back down from its position that the issue had been resolved in a 1965 treaty with South Korea. Instead, the two governments agreed that South Korea would establish a foundation for former comfort women, for which the Japanese government would provide the funds. There remain, however, gaps between what the two governments are seeking, which will require future political maneuvering.
　慰安婦問題で韓国側には日本政府の「法的責任」を求める声が強かったが、日本側は「解決済み」との立場は崩さず、韓国が財団を設立し日本が資金を拠出する新たな支援策で折り合った。両国間で完全に一致していない論点もあり、今後の調整に委ねられた。

According to the latest agreement, the South Korean government will establish a new foundation to support former comfort women, for which the Japanese government will supply some 1 billion yen. Unlike the Asian Women's Fund, which was funded in part by donations from the private sector and dissolved in 2007, the new foundation's monies will come solely by the Japanese government. The arrangement implies that the Japanese government is taking a certain degree of responsibility for the comfort women issue, making the agreement more acceptable for Seoul, which had been calling on Japan to explicitly acknowledge its responsibility as a state.
　□請求権
　今回の合意では、元慰安婦を支援する新たな財団を韓国政府が設立し、日本政府が１０億円程度支出することで両国が歩み寄った。資金の一部を民間からの寄付金で賄ったアジア女性基金と異なり、全額が日本の政府予算。日本側が一定の責任を取ったとの意味合いを持たせ、日本が国家としての責任を明確に認めるよう求めてきた韓国側が受け入れやすくなった面がある。

Meanwhile, the Japanese government, which has continued to argue that the comfort women issue was completely and definitively resolved in the 1965 Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea, will be providing the funds for the new foundation under the pretext that it is taking "moral responsibility." According to a Japanese government source, the cash amount ended up being much higher than initially planned, because "it would be difficult to persuade former comfort women to accept the accord if the amount were too small." Asked about the Japanese government's provision of funds for the foundation, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized to reporters, "They are not reparations."
　一方、１９６５年の日韓請求権協定で「完全かつ最終的に解決済み」と主張してきた日本側は「道義的責任」との名目で支出する。政府関係者は「あまりに少ないと韓国が元慰安婦らを説得できなくなる」と当初の想定より大幅に増額した。岸田文雄外相は財団への支出について記者団に「賠償ではない」と強調した。

At a joint press conference held by Kishida and his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se following the accord, Kishida said the Japanese government is "painfully aware of its responsibilities." He also explained that the prime minister would express a "heartfelt apology and remorse." The wording the prime minister will use will be almost exactly the same as those in letters sent by past prime ministers to former comfort women -- which was the limit of what the Japanese government was willing to accept. As for the method by which the prime minister's sentiments will be communicated to former comfort women, Kishida said, "That is the job of the foundation. We will move forward in adherence with the Japan-South Korea agreement."
　□謝罪
　元慰安婦らが求める謝罪については、岸田氏が共同記者発表で「日本政府は責任を痛感している」と表明。「首相が心からおわびと反省の気持ちを表明する」と説明した。歴代首相が元慰安婦に送った手紙の文言とほぼ同じで、日本側にとって受け入れ可能なラインだった。合意に基づく首相の言葉を元慰安婦に伝える方法について、岸田氏は記者団に「財団の事業。日韓で合意したものを進める」と語った。

At the Japan-South Korea summit held in November, South Korean President Park Geun-hye sought a resolution to the comfort women issue that "the victims would be able to accept, and that the public will find satisfactory" as a condition for reaching a final agreement. Meanwhile, the Japanese government demanded that South Korea put in writing that, after an agreement is reached, the issue would not be brought up again. Ultimately, both Kishida and Yun stated that the agreement reached on Dec. 28 was "final and irreversible," using the term "irreversible" for the first time. Tokyo believes that the document released at the joint foreign ministerial press conference is proof of Seoul's definitive commitment to this promise.
　□最終妥結の条件
　最終決着となる妥結の条件については、韓国側は朴槿恵（パククネ）大統領が「被害者が受け入れられ、韓国国民が納得のいく水準の解決策」と１１月の日韓首脳会談で求めていた。日本側は韓国側が「蒸し返す」ことがないよう文書化を目指した。結局、両外相が「最終的かつ不可逆的に解決することを確認」と表明し、「不可逆的」という言葉が初めて使われた。共同記者発表の文書によって、日本側は決着の確約が取れたと受け止めている。

However, the fate of the statue of a girl in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul -- installed in remembrance of former comfort women -- is still unclear. South Korea said merely that it would "take the measures necessary," while Kishida took it one step further, saying the statue will be "appropriately relocated." The end result remains ambiguous, with both sides going only as far as they were willing to go, respectively.
　□少女像
　少女像の撤去をめぐっては、韓国側は「適切に解決されるよう努力」との表現にとどめた。一方で岸田氏は「適切な移転がなされる」と踏み込んだ。双方で言い分が異なる玉虫色の結果だが、双方が折り合えるギリギリの表現となった。

慰安婦問題の合意 歴史を越え日韓の前進を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 29
EDITORIAL: 'Comfort women' deal should lead to new era of Tokyo-Seoul relations
（社説）慰安婦問題の合意　歴史を越え日韓の前進を

Japan and South Korea on Dec. 28 reached a landmark agreement to settle the long-festering issue of “comfort women.” The agreement, struck at the closing of the year that marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, has removed the largest source of tension in their bilateral ties.
　戦後７０年であり、日本と韓国が国交正常化してから半世紀。そんな１年の終わりに、両政府は最大の懸案だった慰安婦問題で合意に達した。

This is a historic deal for the relationship between Tokyo and Seoul suitable for this milestone year. We welcome the weighty decision by the two governments to move beyond their long-standing feud and take a wise step forward to overcome the negative legacies of their history.
　節目の年にふさわしい歴史的な日韓関係の進展である。両政府がわだかまりを越え、負の歴史を克服するための賢明な一歩を刻んだことを歓迎したい。

After the Dec. 28 meeting between Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, Kishida defined the issue of comfort women as “an issue that deeply scarred the honor and dignity of many women under the involvement of the military of that time" and stated, “The Japanese government is acutely aware of its responsibility” for the matter.
“Comfort women” is a euphemism for women who were forced to provide sex to members of the imperial Japanese military before and during World War II.
　きのうあった外相会談の後、岸田外相は慰安婦問題を「軍の関与のもと多数の女性の名誉と尊厳を傷つけた問題」と定義し、「日本政府は責任を痛感している」と明言した。

The Japanese government, which argues that a bilateral agreement on war reparations concluded 50 years ago legally resolved the issue, has been reluctant to use any language that suggests the nation’s responsibility for the issue. This time, the Japanese government used more candid expressions in referring to its stance toward the sensitive topic while maintaining its official position.
　５０年前の請求権協定で「法的には解決済み」とする日本政府はこれまで、国家責任を連想させる言葉遣いに消極的だった。今回はその原則を維持しつつ、率直な表現に踏み込んだ。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his heartfelt apology and remorse as prime minister of Japan to former comfort women.
　安倍首相は日本の首相として元慰安婦に対し、「心からのおわびと反省」を表明した。

Abe once indicated a desire to review the 1993 Kono statement on the issue, released by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono. It is quite significant that Abe, albeit through Kishida, expressed his commitment to the core message of the key statement.
　かつて慰安婦問題をめぐる「河野談話」の見直しに言及したこともある安倍首相だが、岸田外相を通じてとはいえ、談話の核心部分を韓国で表明したことには大きな意味がある。

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY MADE CLEAR
　■日本政府の責任明言

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun, for his part, made remarks that responded to Tokyo’s demands.
　一方、韓国の尹炳世（ユンビョンセ）外相も日本政府に応えた。

Yun confirmed that the agreement represents a “final and irreversible resolution” of the bitter dispute, although he premised his comment by saying the measures promised by the Japanese government need to be implemented without fail.
　今回の合意について、「日本政府の措置の着実な実施」という前提つきながら、「最終的かつ不可逆的に解決されることを確認する」と言い切った。

Yun expressed the South Korean government’s solid commitment to the terms of the agreement in an apparent attempt to reassure Japan, which has criticized South Korea for “moving the goal posts” by changing its position on promises it has made.
　日本側から「韓国は約束してもゴールポストを動かす」と批判されていたことを意識したうえでの確約の表明である。

The top diplomats of both countries made these pledges in front of media. They should ensure that the agreement will be faithfully carried out.
　両外相ともメディアを通じて両国民に固く誓ったのだ。合意をしっかり履行してほしい。

Under the deal, the South Korean government will establish a foundation to restore the honor and dignity of former comfort women and heal the wounds they bear in their hearts. Tokyo will provide about 1 billion yen ($8.3 million) from its state budget for the foundation.
　韓国政府は、元慰安婦の名誉と尊厳を回復し、心の傷を癒やすための財団をつくり、そこに日本政府が約１０億円を国家予算から拠出する。

In the 1990s, Japan set up the Asian Women’s Fund, which offered compensation to former comfort women financed by donations from the Japanese public, as well as medical and welfare programs financed by public funds, along with a letter of apology from the prime minister.
　日本は９０年代、国民の募金からなる「償い金」と、政府の資金による医療・福祉支援事業に首相の「おわびの手紙」を添えた「アジア女性基金」事業を始めた。

This initiative produced positive results in Southeast Asia and some other areas, but it failed to achieve its objectives in South Korea because of the rise of public opposition to the project in the country.
東南アジアなどで成果を生んだが、韓国では反対の声が強まり、頓挫してしまった。

Various factors were behind the fund’s failure to win support in South Korea. For one thing, the Japanese government was not necessarily very eager to promote the project. Secondly, the compensation paid to former comfort women was financed by donations from Japanese people, not by the government’s money. These facts provoked criticism in South Korea that Japan was trying to dodge its responsibility.
　韓国側で基金の意義が理解されなかった要因は、さまざまあった。日本政府が必ずしも積極的な姿勢で事業に臨まなかったことや、「償い金」に民間募金をあてたことなどで、韓国側は責任回避だとして反発した。

Both governments, citizen groups supporting former comfort women and news media should all learn lessons from this failure.
　両政府とともに、元慰安婦たちの支援者ら市民団体、メディアも含めて、当時の教訓を考えたい。

Through future talks, the two sides will work out details about the operation of the proposed new foundation. The top priority should be placed on respecting the feelings of the surviving former comfort women, who now number fewer than 50.
　新たに設けられる財団の運営のあり方については今後、詰められる。何より優先すべきは、存命者が５０人を切ってしまった元慰安婦たちのそれぞれの気持ちをくむことだろう。

A support group for these women has denounced the agreement as “diplomatic collusion that betrays both the victims and the public.” Negative reactions to the deal driven by nationalism could also emerge in Japan.
　韓国の支援団体は合意について「被害者や国民を裏切る外交的談合」と非難している。日本側からもナショナリズムにかられた不満の声がでかねない。

But the agreement can be a valuable foundation for building new relations between Japan and South Korea. The Japanese government has to meet its commitments faithfully, while the South Korean government has no choice but to have a serious conversation with the people to win their support for the agreement.
　だが今回の合意は、新たな日韓関係を築くうえで貴重な土台の一つとなる。日本政府は誠実に合意を履行し、韓国政府は真剣に国内での対話を強める以外に道はない。

PROMOTE RELATIONS BASED ON MUTUAL BENEFITS
　■互恵の関係強化を

On Dec. 18, 1965, Japan and South Korea held a ceremony in Seoul to exchange ratification documents for the basic treaty to establish diplomatic relations and four other agreements, opening a new chapter in their history.
　５０年前の１２月１８日。
　日韓はソウルで基本条約と四つの協定の批准文書を交換し、新たな第一歩を踏み出した。

The four agreements on war reparations, fishing industries, cultural assets and cooperation, and Korean residents in Japan have been improved in some way in response to the demands of the times.
　請求権のほか、漁業、文化財・文化協力、在日韓国人の法的地位の４協定はこれまで、その時々の実情に合わせて何らかの形で改良が加えられてきた。

Generations of people in the two countries, including those alive today, have a shared responsibility to review and reconsider the “1965 regime,” the historic framework created in that year by these agreements to define the basic assumptions for the bilateral relationship.
　現在の日韓関係の原点ともいえる「６５年体制」の枠組みを、時代に応じて考えていくことは、いまを含む各世代の両国民が担う責務である。

Japan-South Korea relations have developed remarkably over the past half-century.
　この半世紀で日韓関係は大きく飛躍した。

South Korea’s per-capita income has grown to nearly $30,000 from slightly more than $100 back then. Japan’s support contributed to South Korea’s marvelous economic development.
韓国の１人あたりの国民所得は、当時の１００ドル余りが今や３万ドルの目前。そこには日本の経済協力金が役立った。

Japan has also gained huge benefits from its neighbor’s rapid economic growth.
そして日本も、急成長する韓国から莫大（ばくだい）な利益を得た。

Over the past half-century, the development of the relationship between Japan and South Korea has been driven by mutual cooperation and benefits. This is also how ties between the two neighbors should be in the future.
　ともに協力し合い、利益を広げる互恵の関係がこの半世紀の歩みだったし、これからもあるべき隣国関係の姿である。

The United States, which strongly urged the two nations to normalize their relations five decades ago, has been actively involved in the process leading to the agreement on the comfort women issue.
　日韓の国交正常化を強く後押しした米国は、今回の和解にも大きく関与した。

During the past two-and-a-half years, Tokyo and Seoul have been locked in diplomatic smear campaigns against each other, making demeaning remarks in front of other countries, mainly on the diplomatic stage in Washington.
この２年半、日韓両国はワシントンを主舞台として、激しい「告げ口」外交を展開してきた。

Hurt and exhausted by this verbal battle, the two countries have realized the obvious fact that this futile fight produces nothing and decided to return to the most basic principle in diplomacy--dialogue.
　その結果、傷つき、疲れ果てた日韓が悟ったのは「不毛な争いは何も生み出さない」というあたり前のことであり、対話という原点に戻ることだった。

LONG LIST OF CHALLENGES TOKYO, SEOUL SHOULD TACKLE TOGETHER
　■安保など課題山積

This is an age when the world faces a large number of challenges that demand global responses, including not only various economic problems but also issues concerning security, humanitarian assistance related to conflicts and natural disasters, and environmental protection.
　経済だけでなく、安全保障や紛争・災害の人道支援、環境対策など、地球規模の課題が多い時代、

That means there are countless challenges Japan and South Korea, the two major powers in Asia, should grapple with together through cooperative efforts.
アジアを代表する主要国同士の日韓が手を携えて取り組むべきテーマは数知れない。

The foreign ministers of the two countries on Dec. 28 voiced their expectations that the agreement will open a new chapter in the history of the bilateral ties. Kishida said he is convinced that Japan-South Korea relations will enter a new era, while Yun said he expects the two countries to start carving out a new relationship next year.
　両外相はきのう、ともに「日韓関係が新時代に入ることを確信している」「来年から新しい関係を切り開けることを期待する」と期待を述べた。

The hope is that the new year, which starts in three days, will mark the beginning of 50 years in which Japan and South Korea can walk together with their eyes looking ahead toward a new future for their relations.
　３日後の新年からは、日韓がともに前を向いて歩む５０年の始まりとしたい。

高浜原発 再稼働に反対する

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 27
EDITORIAL: Approval to restart Takahama reactors based on unmet conditions, weak promises
（社説）高浜原発　再稼働に反対する

The Fukui District Court recently nullified its earlier injunction against reactivating the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors of the Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
　関西電力高浜原発３、４号機（福井県高浜町）の運転を禁じた福井地裁の仮処分決定が取り消された。

Kansai Electric Power Co., operator of the nuclear plant in the town of Takahama, is expected to restart one of the two reactors as early as late January.
関電は来月下旬にも再稼働に踏み切る見込みだ。

But the procedure for obtaining the approval of the hosting government of Fukui Prefecture, which was completed immediately before the court decision, was laden with problems. We oppose moves to press ahead with the planned restarts under the current circumstances.
　だが、司法判断の直前に完了した地元・福井県の同意手続きには問題が多い。このまま再稼働へ進むことには反対だ。

Fifteen nuclear reactors are concentrated in Fukui Prefecture, including some for which decisions have been made for decommissioning.
　福井県には廃炉が決まったものも含めて１５基の原子炉が集中する。

Fukui Governor Issei Nishikawa set five conditions for his approval, calling on the central government and Kansai Electric to clearly pinpoint their responsibilities.
西川一誠知事は同意にあたって五つの条件を掲げ、国と関電に責任の明確化を迫った。

Public opinion has consistently been cautious about restarting nuclear reactors following the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Nishikawa called strongly on the central government to “promote public understanding,” and he obtained Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assurances that he will ensure that meetings with residents will be held across Japan for that purpose.
　福島第一原発事故後、原発再稼働に世論は一貫して慎重だ。西川氏は「国民理解の促進」を国に強く求め、安倍首相から「全国各地で説明会を開く」との言質をとった。

The governor called on Kansai Electric to precisely explain when it plans to build an interim storage facility outside Fukui Prefecture for spent nuclear fuel. The utility said in November that it will locate the site for the facility around 2020 and have it operational around 2030.
　関電には使用済み核燃料の中間貯蔵施設を県外につくる時期の明示を求めた。関電は１１月、「２０年ごろに場所を決め、３０年ごろに操業する」と表明した。

Nishikawa said he believes that all his conditions have been met. But the substantiality of those commitments remains questionable.
　西川氏は、条件がすべて満たされたとの認識を示した。だがこれらの約束がどれほど内実を伴っているかは疑問だ。

Kansai Electric has said it hopes to install an interim storage facility somewhere in the Kansai region, and it has long been canvassing local governments for their understanding. But resistance to hosting such a facility remains strong, and the building site is not likely to be selected any time soon. There is no denying suspicions that the plan could end up as an empty promise.
　関電は以前から「中間貯蔵施設は関西に設置したい」と自治体への説明を続けてきた。しかし反発は強く、めどは立たない。結局は「空手形」ではないか、との疑いが否めない。

Questions also remain on the extent to which Nishikawa has fulfilled his own responsibilities.
　一方、西川氏はどこまで自身の責任を果たしたか。

He has never had the prefectural government organize meetings with local residents, saying it is up to the central government and the plant operators to explain the safety and necessity of nuclear plants.
　「原発の安全性や必要性は国や事業者に説明責任がある」とし、県主催の住民説明会は開かなかった。

An emergency evacuation plan for areas within a 30-kilometer radius of the Takahama nuclear plant was only worked out earlier this month. That zone contains parts of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures and has a total population of about 180,000.
３０キロ圏に京都、滋賀両府県を含み、計約１８万人が暮らす高浜原発周辺の避難計画は今月まとまったばかり。

But Nishikawa approved the planned restarts without waiting for a drill held across prefectural borders, arguing that working out an emergency evacuation plan is not a legal requisite for restarting a nuclear reactor.
だが西川氏は「法律上、避難計画は再稼働の条件ではない」と述べ、府県境をまたぐ訓練も待たずに同意に踏み切った。

Obtaining the host communities’ approval for a reactor restart should primarily be a process to enhance the safety and peace of mind of local residents.
　地元同意は本来、住民の安全と安心を高めるプロセスのはずだ。

It is all too regretful that another undesirable example has been set, following the earlier approvals to restart the Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture and the Ikata nuclear power plant in Ehime Prefecture.
だが、九州電力川内原発（鹿児島県）、四国電力伊方原発（愛媛県）に続き、望ましくない「ひな型」がまた一つ増えたのは残念というしかない。

The central government was also quite candid in postulating that restarting nuclear reactors is a foregone conclusion. Industry minister Motoo Hayashi visited Fukui, the capital of Fukui Prefecture, four days before the court decision to ask Nishikawa for his approval.
　国の再稼働ありきの姿勢もより露骨だった。林幹雄経済産業相は司法判断の４日前に福井を訪れ西川氏に同意を要請した。

The local governments and residents of communities adjacent to nuclear plants are strongly dissatisfied that they have no say in decisions on reactor restarts. Kansai Electric has rejected the demands of the Kyoto and Shiga prefectural governments for inclusion on the list of “hosting communities,” whose approvals are required for restarting reactors of the Takahama nuclear plant. The central government has only been looking on, arguing that approvals of the hosting communities are not a legal requirement.
　原発周辺の自治体や住民には、再稼働の判断に関与できないことへの不満が強い。高浜でも京都、滋賀両府県が立地自治体並みの「同意権」を求めたが、関電は応じていない。国も「地元同意は法令上の要件ではない」と静観するばかりだ。

Abe has said he will provide explanations to gain the public’s understanding of the importance of nuclear power generation. That leads us to believe that he should also be presenting guidelines on the extent and coverage of the “hosting communities,” whose approvals are necessary for nuclear restarts.
　安倍首相は「原発の重要性に国民理解が得られるよう説明していく」と述べた。それならば「地元」の範囲についても方向性を示すべきではないか。

香山リカのココロの万華鏡: 女性、結婚 姓で考える ／東京

December 27, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Considering women and marriage through the lens of the surname
香山リカのココロの万華鏡: 女性、結婚　姓で考える　／東京

I increasingly use email during the course of my work, and I sometimes inadvertently type in the wrong name. For example I might accidentally call someone whose last name is Fujimoto as Fujiki -- which contains an extremely similar second kanji character -- or use the wrong first character for the surname Mifune.
　仕事のやり取りでメールを使うことが多くなったが、つい相手の名前を間違ったりしてしまうことがある。たとえば、藤本さんを「藤木さん」、三船さんを「美船さん」という具合にだ。

Sometimes, I realize my mistake after I have sent the message, but there have likely been other times that I remained unaware of the error.
後から気づいて「しまった」と思うこともあるが、こちらが気づかないこともあるだろう。

Occasionally, I will get a return message saying something like, "My last name is Fujimoto, not Fujiki." And while it is obviously impossible to read someone's feelings through email, there are times when the tone of such a message suggests the person has been somewhat offended.
　しかしときどき、「私の名前は藤本ではなく藤木です」などと伝えてくれる人もいる。メールだからその心情まではわからないが、文面からするとちょっと機嫌をそこねているのかな、と思うこともある。

Because mistaking someone's name is clearly impolite, I respond by apologizing and saying something like, "Please forgive me. I have been experiencing the onset of farsightedness due to age, and I made a mistake reading your name on your business card."
もちろん、名前を間違えるなどというのは失礼なことだから、こちらも「たいへん申し訳ありません。老眼が進んでおりまして、名刺のお名前を読み間違えてしまいました」などと言い訳しながら、謝ることになる。

In every instance where I have received such a message, it has been from a man. Most likely, their surnames are something very important for them. In that case, then, I think that they should be able to imagine to at least some extent the feelings experienced by women who must change their surname following marriage.
　そういうメールをくれるのは決まって男性だ。きっと自分の名前をとても大切にしているのだ。だとしたら、結婚して姓をまるごと変えなければならない女性の気持ちも、少しは想像できるのではないだろうか。

Presently in Japan, 96 percent of marrying couples end up using the husband's surname.
　いまの日本では、結婚する男女はだいたい９６％が男性側、つまり夫の姓を名乗ることになる。

The assertion that a man and woman who are marrying may choose whose last name to adopt is a mere formality, since women don't really have a choice.
「結婚する男女で姓を選べる」というのは建前で、実際には女性には選択肢などないのだ。

A friend of mine once said to me, "My family believes very strongly in the divination associated with the number of strokes used in the kanji of one's name, and my first name was chosen after careful consideration of the total number of strokes in combination with my last name. But changing your last name following marriage changes the entire number of strokes -- and a fortune-teller told me after calculating the number of strokes in my new name that it was the least auspicious figure possible."
かつて友人がこんなことを言っていた。「私の親族は字画占いにこだわりが強くて、私の名前も姓名全体の画数を考え抜いてつけられたものなんだよね。でも結婚して名字が変わることになったら、画数も変わっちゃうでしょう。それでもう一度占ったら最悪の運勢なんだって」。

At the urging of her relatives, my friend ended up using different characters for her first name. She once smiled wryly and said to me, "Both my first and last names ended up changing."
結局、彼女は親族のすすめで名前も漢字を変え、「姓も名も変わっちゃったよ」と苦笑していた。

Many people advocate for men and women being able to choose separate surnames following marriage, as working women find it professionally inconvenient to change their names. However, I assume that there are also numerous women without jobs who have no desire to change the family names that they have become familiar with, and/or who are fond of the combination of their first and last names.
　選択的男女別姓を主張している人の多くは「仕事をする上で女性が姓を変えるのは不便だから」と言っているが、仕事をしていない女性の中にも、ずっとなじんできた姓を変えたくない、自分の姓と名前の組み合わせが好き、という人はたくさんいるのではないだろうか。

For this reason, I find it odd to assume that it is unproblematic for non-working women to change their surnames after marriage.
「仕事をしていない女性なら姓を変えても問題ないでしょう」という考えはおかしいと思う。

Sometimes, women at my clinic say to me with a smile, "My last name has changed." In such cases, however, I assume that it is the marriage itself that they are happy about -- not their new family name.
　診察室でも「今度、名前が変わったんです」と笑顔で報告する女性もいるが、彼女は結婚がうれしいのであって、改姓そのものがうれしいわけではないだろう。

I once saw a man say with a straight face, "Every woman is happy about changing her surname to that of her husband." This statement caused me to reconsider the following questions: What does it mean to be a woman? And what does it mean to get married?
メディアで「女性であれば誰でも夫の名字になるのは喜び」と真顔で言う男性もいて、「女性って何だろう。結婚って何だろう」と改めて考えさせられた。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
（精神科医）

慰安婦問題 日韓で歴史的な合意を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 26
EDITORIAL: Let 2015 be the year 'comfort women' issue is resolved
（社説）慰安婦問題　日韓で歴史的な合意を

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will visit South Korea on Dec. 28 to hold talks with his South Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, in a diplomatic effort to reach an agreement on the wartime “comfort women” issue that has been a festering sore in relations between Japan and its neighbor.
　慰安婦問題の合意をめざし、岸田外相があさって韓国を訪れ、尹炳世（ユンビョンセ）外相と会談する。

How to provide relief to women who were forced to provide sex to wartime Japanese soldiers is a human rights issue the governments of both countries need to tackle together, regardless of differences in their political positions on this sticky issue.
　戦時中、日本軍の将兵たちの性の相手を強いられた女性たちをいかに救済するか。政治的な立場を超えて、両政府がともに対処すべき人権問題である。

Twenty-four years have passed since a former comfort woman in South Korea came forward to talk about her experience for the first time.
　元慰安婦の１人が初めて韓国で名乗り出て、２４年の歳月が流れた。

This year alone, many former comfort women died with bitter resentment in their hearts. The number of former comfort women recognized by the South Korean government who are still alive is now less than 50, and their average age is nearly 90.
今年だけでも多くの元慰安婦が遺恨を胸に抱いたまま、亡くなった。韓国政府が把握する存命中の元慰安婦は５０人を切り、平均年齢は９０歳近い。

Time is growing short for both governments to resolve this long-running issue. This is clearly the time for Tokyo and Seoul to take action to remove this painful thorn in their relationship.
　両政府に残された時間はわずかしかない。両国関係にとっても長く刺さってきたトゲを自らの手で抜くべき時だ。

Any agreement on the issue reached between the two governments will stir up discontent and anger among people in both countries. There are narrow-minded opinions on both sides that use this issue to stir nationalistic impulses.
　政府間で合意がなされても、日韓とも国内から不満や反発は出るだろう。一部には、この問題をナショナリズムに絡めて論じる狭量な声もある。

The political leaders of Japan and South Korea have a duty to overcome such friction and speak about the importance of building healthy relations between their countries through efforts based on a broad, long-term perspective. They must not let this crucial opportunity slip through their fingers.
　しかし、そうした摩擦を乗り越え、大局的な見地から、健全な隣国関係を築く重みを説くことが政治の責務であろう。この機を逃してはならない。

Japan and South Korea established a formal diplomatic relationship in 1965, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the normal ties between the two nations.
　日韓は１９６５年に国交正常化し、ことしで５０年を迎えた。

Half a century ago, the number of Japanese and South Koreans who visited the other country was about 10,000 annually. The figure has since grown to more than 5 million due to steady expansion of exchanges between the two nations.
　半世紀前、両国を往来する人は１万人にすぎなかったが、最近では５００万人を超えるなど交流は活発化している。

Nowadays, Japan and South Korea are bound together by inseparable and cooperative economic and cultural ties.
いまや経済や文化の協力関係は切っても切れない間柄である。

However, the comfort women issue has been a major obstacle to further development of the bilateral relations.
　その一方で、慰安婦問題は、関係の深化を阻む壁となってきた。

Tokyo and Seoul have been at odds over the question of whether a 1965 bilateral agreement on war reparations and economic cooperation legally solved the comfort women issue, as it did on issues concerning Japanese compensation for its colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945. Bilateral talks over this question have gone nowhere.
両政府は、５０年前に交わした請求権・経済協力協定で、慰安婦問題も法的に解決したかどうかの見解で対立し、話し合いは平行線をたどってきた。

If an agreement is to be reached in the meeting between the foreign ministers, it would be a product of major mutual, not unilateral, concessions.
　今回の会談で合意ができれば、それはどちらか一方ではなく、双方が大きく歩み寄った中身になるはずだ。

Such a deal would be an important symbol of the two governments’ commitment to overcome the legacies of the unfortunate past of the two countries and start building a new future for bilateral ties.
不幸な過去の歴史から未来に向けて歩を進めようとする両政府の意思を確認する一里塚となろう。

The real negotiations over the comfort women issue have been taking place behind the scenes through an unofficial diplomatic channel, rather than official director-general level talks.
　慰安婦問題をめぐる交渉は、表向きの外交当局の局長級協議ではなく、水面下での非公式接触で進められてきた。

The negotiations have made significant headway since the first one-on-one summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Nov. 2.
それがここで急加速したのは、先月の初の日韓首脳会談が実現した直後からだ。

The Abe and Park administrations have been under strong diplomatic pressure from the United States, the principal ally for both countries, to take steps toward settling the issue.
　日韓双方の政権とも、最大の同盟国である米国から、和解へ向けて強く背中を押されてきた事情がある。

In addition, the scheduled general election in South Korea next spring has provided a strong political incentive for both governments to push the negotiations forward quickly.
それに加え、来春にある韓国の総選挙を意識して交渉を急いだ面もある。

The Japanese and South Korean governments share the need to manage their diplomatic agendas while feeling the pulse of the public.
　国内世論を探りつつ、外交のかじ取りをせねばならない事情は日韓とも同じだ。

This is a situation that will test the political leadership of both administrations.
ここは両政権の指導力の真価が問われる局面である。

We strongly hope that the political leaders of the two countries will work out a historic agreement on the issue suitable for this milestone year by duly fulfilling their responsibility.
　国交５０年の節目の年にふさわしい歴史的な合意を政治の責任でまとめてほしい。

韓国憲法裁判決 却下で「反日」火種は回避した

The Yomiuri Shimbun
ROK’s court decision in constitutional suit avoids new friction with Japan
韓国憲法裁判決　却下で「反日」火種は回避した

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit claiming that the bilateral agreement with Japan that settled claims for wartime compensation was unconstitutional.
　韓国の憲法裁判所が、日韓請求権協定の違憲性の確認を求めた訴えを却下した。

The court did not render a judgment on whether the agreement was unconstitutional, so a situation in which the court’s decision would create a new source of friction between the two countries may have been avoided.
　憲法判断に踏み込まなかったことで、日韓関係の新たな火種になる事態は避けられたと言えよう。

The lawsuit was filed by the bereaved family of a South Korean man mobilized by the Japanese government as a civilian employee of the military during the war. His family asserted that a provision in the agreement stipulating that South Korea waives the rights to claim compensation from the Japanese government violates property rights guaranteed under South Korea’s Constitution, and is thus unconstitutional.
　訴えを起こしたのは、戦時中、日本政府に動員された軍属の男性の遺族だ。韓国側の請求権放棄を定めた協定の条項について、「憲法が保障する財産権を侵害し、違憲だ」と主張していた。

The bereaved family had originally filed a lawsuit over the money provided by the South Korean government to victims of those who were “forcibly mobilized.” It was in the course of that litigation that the family made its appeal over the agreement to the Constitutional Court.
　遺族は元々、「強制動員」被害者への韓国政府による支援金支給を巡って訴訟を起こし、その過程で憲法裁に訴えた。

As its reason for dismissing the case, the court said its judgment on whether the agreement was unconstitutional would not affect the ruling on the lawsuit (filed by the family regarding the South Korean government’s provision of money).
　憲法裁は「協定が違憲か否かは、（遺族の）訴訟の判決に影響を与えない」と却下理由を示した。

It also said the family’s claim does not meet the requirements for the case to be examined at the Constitutional Court.
訴えが憲法裁で審理する要件を満たさないとも指摘した。

Considering the content of the lawsuit, in which the family calls for an increase in the money provided by the South Korean government, we consider the court’s latest conclusion to be appropriate.
支援金の増額を求めている訴訟の内容を考えれば、穏当な判断だろう。

Since the left-leaning government under then South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun said in 2005 that the issue of so-called comfort women had not been settled, the country’s judiciary has apparently tended to interpret the bilateral agreement one-sidedly to favor South Korea.
　左派の盧武鉉政権が２００５年、慰安婦問題は「未解決」だと表明して以降、韓国司法は請求権協定を自国に都合の良いよう、一方的に解釈する傾向が目立つ。

Room for solution

Had the Constitutional Court ruled that the agreement was unconstitutional, it would have caused serious diplomatic friction, undermining the foundation of the bilateral relationship between Japan and South Korea.
　今回も、憲法裁が違憲判決を出せば、重大な外交問題に発展し、日韓関係の基盤が損なわれる恐れがあった。

As the court turned away the claim, it effectively left room for the two countries to strike a deal on the issue of so-called comfort women.
訴えを門前払いしたことで、慰安婦問題の妥結などに余地が残った形だ。

Following the court’s ruling, the Foreign Ministry of Japan issued a comment that both countries need to make efforts for the advancement of the bilateral relationship.
　判決を受け、日本の外務省は、「日韓関係前進のために双方が努力する必要がある」とのコメントを発表した。

The Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation Between Japan and the Republic of Korea was concluded in 1965, concurrently with the signing of the Treaty of Basic Relations, which established diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea.
　請求権協定は１９６５年、両国が国交を樹立する「基本条約」と同時に締結された。

The agreement stipulated that Japan would provide South Korea with a total of $500 million in economic cooperation in the form of grants and loans, and said the problems concerning property and claims between the two countries as well as their people had been settled completely and finally.
日本が無償・有償で計５億ドルの経済協力を約束し、「両国および国民間の請求権に関する問題が完全かつ最終的に解決された」と明記している。

South Korea later utilized the cooperation money from Japan to build infrastructure, leading to the country’s economic development. The fact that the bilateral agreement has proved beneficial for both countries deserves praise.
　韓国は協力資金をインフラ建設などに活用し、経済発展につなげた。協定が両国のプラスとなったことは、評価されるべきだ。

It is hard to understand the very fact that a lawsuit of this kind was filed with the Constitutional Court.
今回のような訴えが憲法裁に提起されること自体、理解し難い。

South Korean courts are examining other lawsuits whose outcomes also could affect the bilateral relationship. Particularly worrisome is litigation over former requisitioned workers who were mobilized during the war.
　今回の事案以外にも、韓国の裁判所は、日韓関係に影響を及ぼしかねない訴訟を審理している。特に懸念されるのは、戦時中に動員された元徴用工の裁判である。

In 2012, the South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that illegal actions directly linked to the colonial rule were difficult to recognize as subject to the bilateral agreement on property and claims.
　韓国最高裁は１２年、「植民地支配と直結した不法行為」などについては、協定の対象と認め難いという判断を示した。

High courts that had their rulings remanded by the top court handed down numerous decisions ordering Japanese companies, the former employers of the requisitioned workers, to compensate them. These cases are now being heard again at the top court in South Korea.
　審理を差し戻された高裁で、日本企業に賠償を命じる判決が相次ぎ、再び最高裁で審理中だ。

The South Korean government earlier took the position that issues related to the former requisitioned workers were also not subject to the bilateral agreement. We hope the top court in Seoul will make level-headed judgments.
　韓国政府は従来、元徴用工も協定の対象という立場だった。最高裁には冷静な判断を求めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2015)Speech

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米の武器台湾へ 地域の安定へ関与が不可欠だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan crucial contribution to regional security
米の武器台湾へ　地域の安定へ関与が不可欠だ

Active U.S. engagement is essential for preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and by extension the whole of East Asia.
　台湾海峡、ひいては東アジアの平和と安定の維持には、米国の積極的な関与が欠かせない。

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to sell weapons worth $1.83 billion (about ¥220 billion) to Taiwan. Two decommissioned frigates, amphibious assault vehicles and small surface-to-air missiles are among the weapons the United States will provide to Taiwan.
　オバマ政権が台湾に対し、総額１８億３０００万ドル（約２２００億円）の武器売却を決めた。退役フリゲート艦２隻や水陸両用車、小型の地対空ミサイルなどを供与する。

A domestic U.S. law stipulates that the United States can provide weapons intended to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. This stipulation was made with China in mind.
　米国は国内法で、中国を念頭に、台湾の自衛力維持を目的とする武器の提供を定めている。

This latest arms sale is not only a political message in defense of Taiwan. It also appears aimed at keeping Beijing in check as it pushes ahead with the creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea and the establishment of military strongholds on those islands.
　今回の売却決定には、「台湾防衛」の政治的メッセージだけでなく、南シナ海で人工島を造成し、軍事拠点化を進める中国をけん制する狙いもあるのだろう。

A candidate of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, which strongly favors Taiwan independence, will likely win January’s presidential election and usher in a new administration. This may lead to deterioration in the ties between Beijing and Taipei. It seems the United States announced the weapons sale this month due to concern that doing so after the election could cause regional tensions to soar.
　来年１月の台湾総統選では、「台湾独立」志向の強い最大野党の候補が勝利し、政権交代する可能性が大きい。中台関係の悪化も予想される。その局面で決定すれば、地域の緊張が高まると懸念し、今回、決めたのではないか。

The United States and China earlier this month confirmed they would cooperate with regard to the Paris agreement, a framework that spells out steps to counter global warming from 2020. Both sides also want to avoid any decisive confrontations.
　米中両国は、２０２０年以降の地球温暖化対策の枠組み「パリ協定」合意を巡って協調を確認したばかりだ。双方とも決定的な対立は避けたい思惑で一致する。

When the U.S. government announced weapons sales worth about $12 billion in total to Taiwan in 2010 and 2011, China responded angrily and temporarily suspended military exchanges with the United States. Compared with such instances, the latest sale does not include any cutting-edge weapons and could be described as “restrained.”
　米国が１０年と１１年に計約１２０億ドルの武器売却を決めた際には、中国がいずれも猛反発し、米中軍事交流を一時停止した。それに比べると、今回の売却には最新兵器も含まれず、抑制的と言える。

China has upper hand

China has deployed a huge number of missiles along its coast facing the Taiwan Strait, and is mass-producing sophisticated fighter aircraft and frigates. The military balance is overwhelmingly tilted in China’s favor.
　中国は台湾海峡を挟んだ沿岸部に大量のミサイルを配備し、新型戦闘機とフリゲート艦などを量産している。軍事バランスは圧倒的に中国優位に傾いている。

Strengthening Taiwan’s air defense readiness and its ability to repel a landing force will be essential to the island’s defense. Taiwan had urged the United States to provide new-model fighter jets and submarines, as well as Aegis-equipped destroyers, but this did not eventuate. The Obama administration apparently did not authorize the sale of such weapons because they were deemed not to be necessary.
　台湾防衛には、防空態勢や上陸阻止能力の強化が不可欠だが、台湾の求める新型戦闘機や潜水艦、イージス駆逐艦の売却は実現しなかった。オバマ政権は「必要ない」として認めなかったという。

China’s Foreign Ministry has demanded that the United States scrap the weapons deal, and announced sanctions would be imposed on U.S. companies involved in the arms sale. However, Beijing did not go as far as halting military exchanges or taking other steps, so this protest was at a lower level than in previous cases. It appears China has judged that this arms package will not be a substantial threat to its security.
　中国外務省は米国に武器売却の撤回を求め、売却に関与する米企業に制裁を科すと表明した。軍事交流停止などには踏み込まず、控えめの抗議だ。実質的に、中国の脅威になる売却ではないと判断しているのだろう。

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is mistaken if it thinks it can continue military exchanges with the United States and avoid a cooling of bilateral relations even without halting its self-righteous maritime advances.
　習近平政権が、独善的な海洋進出をやめなくても、米国との軍事交流を継続し、関係冷却化を回避できると計算しているのなら、筋違いである。

It is also important that Washington continues its strategy of sending U.S. military vessels through waters within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands China has built in the South China Sea. Such an operation was conducted in late October, and we think the United States needs to stick to its plan to conduct these patrols about twice every three months.
　米国が、南シナ海の人工島の１２カイリ内に米艦艇を航行させる作戦を継続することも重要だ。１０月下旬に実施したが、３か月に２回程度の頻度で巡視を行う方針を維持する必要がある。

The United States must continue to take concrete steps to urge China to exercise self-control and show that it will not tolerate Beijing’s provocations.
　挑発を容認していると受け取られないよう、具体的な行動で自制を促し続けねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2015)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡: Ｘマスは「あなたの日」 ／東京

December 20, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Christmas is the season for everyone to feel their worth
香山リカのココロの万華鏡: Ｘマスは「あなたの日」　／東京

It's almost Christmas -- a fact that is greeted by most visitors to my office not with joyful anticipation, but rather as a reminder of how lonely they feel. Many of my patients tell me with dark expressions on their faces, "When the streets are bustling and lively, it just makes me feel all the more miserable."
　クリスマスが近づいてきた。診察室では「楽しみです」と言う人より「孤独だと思い知らされる」「街がにぎやかだとよけいに自分がみじめ」と顔を暗くする人のほうが多い。

While I was wondering what I could say to these people, I received a handmade pamphlet from a minister by the name of Yoshikazu Okado, who has been turning out the publication for many years.
　どんな言葉をかけてあげればよいのか、と思っているところに、大門義和氏という牧師から小冊子が送られてきた。大門牧師が手づくりで長年、発行しているものだ。

"Christmas is a declaration that all people are important," he writes in the introduction.
　冒頭に「すべての人が貴い人であるとの宣言がクリスマス」という言葉が記されていた。

As I read this I thought, "Isn't Christmas for Jesus Christ, and romantic partners and families?" Further along, however, came a passage about how the Bible says that the light of Jesus shines on everyone without exception or discrimination.
「クリスマスはイエス・キリストと、あとはハッピーな恋人や家族のものじゃないの？」と思いながら読むと、こんなことが書かれていた。聖書にはイエスは「例外なくすべての人を照らす光」とあり、その光は人を区別したり分類したりはしない。

In other words, Christmas -- the day Jesus was born -- is a joyous moment about happiness for all. It is a holiday in which each person is celebrated.
だから、イエスが生まれたクリスマスは、分け隔てなくすべての人にとっての喜びであり、どんな人をも尊び祝う日なのだ……。

When a person arrives in our offices, doctors like me apply the science of psychiatry to determine what illness they may have, and how severe it may be.
　私のような医者は、診察室に来た人の問診をして「何の病気か」「重症度はどれくらいか」とその人を精神医学の体系にあてはめていく。

People leave the office having been treated entirely as "patients," and I send them off with the words, "Don't push yourself too hard, and I'll see you next week."
そして、診察室を出る頃にはその人をすっかり「患者さん」として扱い、「無理しないでくださいね。ではまた来週」と送り出す。

You could say that classifying people is my job.
そうやって区別、分類するのが私の仕事と言ってもよい。

Within that context, I eventually start to wonder about which more personalized categories patients may fall into. Are they happy, or lonely, or feeling pitiable?
　しかし、その医者としての「区別や分類」は、いつの間にか、その人が幸福なのか、孤独なのか、かわいそうなのか、といった人間的な部分にまで及んでいたかもしれない。

And I don't think it's just me.
そして私だけではなくて、

The patient, too, may begin to classify themselves with labels like "worthless," or "loser."
患者さん側も、自分で自分を「私には価値がない」「負け組です」などと分類しているのではないか。

Okado's little pamphlet points out that in Christianity, Christmas is not a holiday to make lonely people feel even more so.
　先の小冊子で私は、キリスト教では、クリスマスは孤独な人がより孤独を感じる行事ではなく、

Rather, it is a day for everyone -- even those feeling lonely -- to have someone tell them, "It's wonderful that you're alive."
孤独だと思っている人も「あなたが生きているのはすばらしいことです」とたたえられるための日なのだ、と知った。

This was something of an epiphany for me.
なるほど、と私は膝を打った。

For the rest of December, I will tell my patients, "I've heard that Christmas is a day when no-one is singled out or discriminated against."
これから１２月の診察室では、「クリスマスは誰も区別されない日なんですって」と話すことにしよう。

Actually, I don't think I'll limit this to just the Christmas season.
　いや、クリスマスだけではない。

I'll do the same for New Year's, for all of the various winter festivals around the country, and for all kinds of holidays throughout the year.
お正月、各地で行われる冬のイベント、いろいろな祝日。

If someone says to me with a sad expression on their face, "When everyone around me looks like they're having fun, it just makes me feel all the more miserable," I want to tell them, "This day is for you."
「まわりが楽しそうだとよけいにみじめになる」と暗い顔をする人には、そのたびに「これはあなたのための日ですよ」と声をかけてみることにしたい。

This Christmas season, why don't you try telling yourself, "I'm a precious person, too"?
まずはこのクリスマスシーズンをひとりですごしている人も、「私も貴い人間なんだよね」と笑顔になってみてはどうだろう。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
（精神科医）

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診療報酬改定 地域医療を守る視点が重要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Protecting community medical care crucial in revision of fee schedules
診療報酬改定　地域医療を守る視点が重要だ

Reining in medical care expenses, which have been swelling with the aging of society, is indispensable in order to maintain the social welfare system. To this end, reducing overall medical treatment fees paid to medical institutions under the public health insurance system is unavoidable.
　高齢化で膨らむ医療費の抑制は、社会保障制度を維持する上で欠かせない。診療報酬のマイナス改定はやむを得まい。

In the revision of such fees for fiscal 2016, the government has decided on a 0.84 percent reduction in total. The previous revision of fiscal 2014 called for an increase of 0.1 percent, but it represented a decrease of 1.26 percent if the hike in the consumption tax is excluded. Therefore, the latest revision means medical treatment fees will have been virtually cut for the second time in a row.
　２０１６年度の診療報酬改定で、政府は全体として０・８４％引き下げることを決めた。前回１４年度改定はプラス０・１％だったが、消費増税の対応分を除けばマイナス１・２６％だった。実質的に２回連続の引き下げだ。

The latest revision calls for raising technical fees for doctors and other health professionals by 0.49 percent and lowering the fees paid for pharmaceuticals by 1.33 percent in accordance with market prices.
　今回、医師らの技術料である「本体部分」を０・４９％引き上げる一方、医薬品の価格である「薬価部分」は、実勢価格に合わせて１・３３％引き下げる。

After deciding early on to reduce all medical treatment fees with a view to putting fiscal conditions on a sound footing, the government had looked into the possibility of also cutting the technical fees, the main portion of the fees. However, the Japan Medical Association and other organizations strongly asked for an upward revision arguing that a reduction might cause the medical care system to collapse.
　政府は、財政健全化に向けて全体のマイナス改定を早々に決め、本体部分への切り込みも検討してきた。日本医師会などは、医療崩壊を招きかねないとして、プラス改定を強く求めてきた。

Some people point out that the revision was decided in consideration of medical institutions ahead of the House of Councillors election set for next summer.
　来年夏の参院選を前に、政府・与党が医療機関側に配慮する形で決着したとの見方もある。

Since the previous virtual reduction of medical treatment fees, hospital management has been on the trend of deterioration. At the same time, the doctor shortage in local areas remains serious. Raising the main portion of fees, which covers personnel expenses for those engaged in medical practice, can be regarded as a necessary measure to protect community medical service and alleviate the people’s anxiety.
　前回の実質マイナス改定以降、病院経営は悪化傾向にある。地方の医師不足も依然として深刻だ。医療従事者の人件費となる本体部分の引き上げは、地域医療を守り、国民の不安を和らげるためには、必要な措置と言えよう。

Drug expenses to be curbed

Simultaneously with the revision of medical treatment fees, the government will carry out institutional reform to curb pharmaceutical expenses. The reform calls for, among other things, lowering the prices of newly developed popular drugs that exceeded ¥100 billion in annual sales and limiting the amount of compresses prescribed by doctors.
　報酬改定と同時に、薬剤費抑制のための制度改革を実施する。国内での売り上げが年１０００億円を超えたヒット新薬の値下げや、医師が処方する湿布の枚数制限などが見込まれている。

Use of less costly generic medicines must also be accelerated.
　安価なジェネリック医薬品（後発薬）の利用促進も急ぎたい。

Fees to be paid to drugstores will also be reexamined. To help promote the spread of “regular pharmacies” that use unified management of patient’s drug information, the fees paid to pharmacies located near major hospitals will be reduced. This measure was taken in response to strong criticism that they are making too much profit.
　薬局に支払われる報酬も大幅に見直す。患者の服薬情報を一元管理する「かかりつけ薬局」の普及を促すため、大病院周辺に立ち並ぶ「門前薬局」の報酬は減額する。もうけ過ぎとの批判が強いことを受けたものだ。

Allocation of fees for each medical treatment will be discussed early next year. A medical care system must be built to meet the needs of a super-aging society. It is imperative to allocate fees in the order of priority to promote the quality of medical treatment while reining in expenses.
　診療行為ごとの報酬の具体的な配分は、年明けに議論される。超高齢社会に適した医療提供体制を構築する。費用を抑えつつ、医療の質を向上させる。こうした方向性に沿ったメリハリのある配分にすることが重要である。

Prefectural governments are drawing up community medical service plans that incorporate future needs for medical treatment and the number of beds needed. The plans are aimed at decreasing the number of costly beds for patients requiring acute treatment and improving support for discharge from hospitals and treatment at home.
　都道府県では、将来の医療ニーズと必要な病床数を盛り込んだ地域医療構想の策定を進めている。高コストの急性期向け病床を減らし、退院支援や在宅診療などを充実させるのが狙いだ。

It is necessary to correct the situation in which elderly patients whose conditions are stable are being hospitalized in great numbers because the number of beds for acute patients has increased excessively.
　急性期病床が増えすぎ、症状の安定した高齢患者が多数入院している現状は改める必要がある。

Strengthening the collaboration between medical treatment and nursing care is also important to make it possible for senior citizens to live at peace in the community. This should be treated as a priority in the allocation of the medical treatment fees.
　高齢者が地域で安心して暮らせるよう、医療と介護の連携強化も大切だ。報酬配分で重点課題とすべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 22, 2015)

日豪首脳会談 経済と安保で「特別な関係」に

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, Australia must build ‘special relationship’ on economy, security
日豪首脳会談　経済と安保で「特別な関係」に

Japan and Australia have an important role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. We should build a comprehensive relationship of cooperation.
　日本と豪州は、アジア太平洋地域の平和と繁栄を牽引けんいんする重要な役割を担う。包括的な協力関係を構築すべきだ。

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who took office in September, made his first visit to Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two leaders issued a joint statement that said Japan and Australia would cooperate in the economic and security fields and deepen the “special relationship” of the two countries that share strategic interests.
　９月に就任したターンブル豪首相が初来日し、安倍首相と会談した。経済や安全保障分野で連携し、戦略的利益を共有する日豪の「特別な関係」を深化させるとの共同声明を発表した。

Abe emphasized that both leaders affirmed the “unshakable strategic relationship” between the two countries. “Both countries share the same values,” Turnbull said.
　安倍首相は「揺るぎない戦略的関係を確認した」と強調した。ターンブル首相は「両国は共通の価値観を持っている」と語った。

Turnbull, who is known to be acceptive of China, chose Japan for his first visit to East Asia as prime minister. We welcome Turnbull’s posture of attaching weight to bilateral ties with Japan, continuing the policy pursued by his predecessor, Tony Abbott — like Turnbull a member of the Liberal Party — who was close to Abe.
　中国通で知られるターンブル首相は、東アジアでの最初の訪問国に日本を選んだ。安倍首相と親密だった同じ自由党のアボット前首相の路線を継承し、対日重視の姿勢を示したことを歓迎したい。

Both leaders agreed on expanding bilateral trade and investment, on the basis of the bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in January.
　両首脳は、今年１月に発効した経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づき、貿易・投資を拡大させることで一致した。

Abe and Turnbull also confirmed the importance of technological innovation and agreed on bilateral cooperation in such fields as regenerative medicine.
技術革新の重要性を確認し、再生医療などの分野で協力することでも合意した。

Japan and Australia have a mutually complementary relationship, with Japan importing mainly natural resources and foods from Australia, and exporting automobiles and other products to the country. It is important to promote economic cooperation between the two countries, using the EPA as a tailwind.
　日本は、豪州から主に天然資源や食料を輸入し、自動車などを輸出しており、相互補完の関係にある。ＥＰＡを追い風に、日豪の経済協力を進めることが大切だ。

The Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, with 12 countries including Japan and Australia participating, reached a broad agreement in October. Japan and Australia should further cooperate in putting the accord into force at an early stage.
　日豪など１２か国が参加する環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉も１０月に大筋合意した。早期発効に向けて連携を強めたい。

Freedom of navigation

With regard to the South China Sea, the joint statement called on “all claimants to halt large-scale land reclamation or construction, and to refrain from using any land features for military purposes.” Needless to say, both have China in mind, as it is building artificial islands and promoting the establishment of military bases there.
　共同声明は、南シナ海情勢に関し、「大規模な埋め立てや建設の停止」と「軍事目的での使用の自制」を明記した。無論、南シナ海で人工島造成と軍事拠点化を進める中国が念頭にある。

The U.S. Navy carried out patrols within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands in October, while an Australian military surveillance plane recently flew near the artificial islands. It is important to take all possible steps to ensure freedom of navigation and flight under international law.
　米海軍は１０月、人工島の１２カイリ内で巡視活動を行った。豪州軍の哨戒機も最近、人工島付近で監視活動を行ったという。国際法に基づく「航行と飛行の自由」の確保へ、手段を尽くすことが重要だ。

Ensuring the safety of sea lanes will serve as a basis for free economic activities. By cooperating closely with other countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia must urge China to abide by international rules.
　海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保は、自由な経済活動の基盤となる。日豪は米国などと緊密に協調し、中国に国際ルールの順守を働きかけねばならない。

During their talks, Abe and Turnbull agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense on the basis of the security-related legislation. Japan and Australia intend to expedite concluding a “visiting forces agreement,” which would facilitate joint exercises between the Self-Defense Forces and Australian forces.
　首脳会談では、安全保障関連法に基づき、防衛協力を強めることで合意した。自衛隊と豪州軍の共同訓練を円滑にする「訪問部隊地位協定」の締結も急ぐ方針だ。

Japan and Australia should pursue multitiered cooperation, with the United States — an ally of both Japan and Australia — joining in.
日豪両国と同盟関係にある米国を交え、重層的協力を追求したい。

Turnbull expressed Australia’s “deep disappointment” with Japan’s resumption of its research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Abe explained the necessity of conducting whaling for research purposes on scientific grounds.
　ターンブル首相は、日本が南極海で調査捕鯨を再開したことについて「深い失望」を表明した。安倍首相は、科学的根拠に基づく調査の必要性などを説明した。

The assertions of the two leaders remain far apart on this issue. But it is necessary for this issue not to damage the overall bilateral relationship.
　双方の主張の開きは大きいが、この問題が日豪関係全体を損なわないようにする必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2015)

産経記者判決 無分別な訴追終結を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 18
EDITORIAL: Seoul should end impudent case against Japanese journalist
（社説）産経記者判決　無分別な訴追終結を

A South Korean court on Dec. 17 acquitted Tatsuya Kato, a former Seoul bureau chief for the Sankei Shimbun, who was indicted on a charge of defaming South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
　韓国大統領の名誉を傷つけたとして起訴された産経新聞の前ソウル支局長に対し、韓国の裁判所が無罪を言い渡した。

The ruling was all too appropriate considering that South Korean law guarantees freedom of speech.
言論の自由を保障した法に照らし、当然の判決である。

It was extraordinary in the first place for prosecutors, who exercise public authority, to indict a journalist just for writing an article that displeased the president.
　そもそも、大統領の気に入らない記事を書いたとしても、検察という公権力が記者を起訴すること自体が異常だった。

The Seoul Central District Court handed down a totally reasonable ruling by saying, “It is clear that freedom of speech should be respected because our nation has adopted a democratic system.”
　「わが国が民主主義制度をとっている以上、言論の自由を重視せねばならないのは明らかだ」とする判決は妥当である。

Prosecutors should swiftly accept the court decision without appealing it.
検察当局は控訴せず、速やかに判決を受け入れるべきだ。

The case concerned an article written by Kato that ran on the Sankei website in August 2014. It referred to a “rumor” that Park was with a former male aide and could not be reached for seven hours on April 16, 2014, the day of the Sewol ferry disaster.
　問題になったのは前支局長が昨年８月、ネット上に出した記事だ。旅客船沈没事故の際、所在不明になった朴槿恵（パククネ）大統領が男性と会っていたのでは、という「うわさ」を紹介した。

The presidential office reacted angrily to the article, pledging to “pursue the responsibility.” Prosecutors then started an investigation into the defamation allegations in response to a criminal complaint filed by a citizen organization and indicted Kato. He was long banned from leaving the country.
　これに大統領府が「責任を追及する」と公然と反発し、市民団体の告発を受ける形で検察が捜査し、起訴した。前支局長は長らく出国を禁じられた。

Under South Korean law, Kato would not have been indicted if President Park, the alleged victim of defamation, had said she didn’t wish for punishment against the Sankei journalist.
　韓国の法律では、被害者の朴氏が処罰を望まないと言えば、訴追は免れた。

But the fact is that the trial following the indictment lasted for as long as 14 months, leading to the Dec. 17 ruling. That leaves little doubt that Park herself wanted to see the journalist prosecuted.
起訴から１年２カ月間公判が続き、判決にまで至ったのは、朴氏自身が訴追を求めたからとみるべきだ。

Didn’t she give any thought to how badly South Korea’s democracy would be damaged by the prosecution of a reporter for a news organization just because of the wishes of the person in power?
　権力者の意向次第で報道機関の記者を訴追することが、韓国の民主主義にどんな禍根を残すか、考えなかったのか。

Unsurprisingly, journalist organizations of not only Japan but also other countries voiced strong concerns about the South Korean government’s legal action against Kato.
　日本のみならず、海外のジャーナリスト団体などからも、韓国政府に対し、強い懸念の声が相次いだのも当然だった。

Before the verdict was read out, the presiding judge revealed that the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs had asked the court to give consideration to Japan’s request for “appropriate handling” of the case.
　判決公判の冒頭で裁判長は、「善処」を求める日本の要望を考慮するよう、韓国外交省が裁判所に求めていたことを明らかにした。

It was an unusual move that can be interpreted as an attempt by the South Korean government to end the case, which has further strained bilateral relations and provoked international criticism.
異例の措置であり、韓国政府が日韓関係や国際批判などを考えて自ら決着を図ろうとしたとも受け取れる。

The Park administration should do serious soul-searching on its misguided move to prosecute a case that should never have been brought to court in the first place. By doing so, Seoul unnecessarily created a sticky political issue with serious diplomatic consequences.
　もともと公訴を提起すべきでない問題を、自ら政治問題化してしまった責任を、韓国政府は反省しなくてはならない。

Even without the case, relations between the Japanese and South Korean governments have soured badly in the past few years, casting dark shadows even on grass-roots exchanges between people of the two neighboring countries.
　それでなくとも近年の日韓関係は、政治の関係悪化により、市民交流にも暗い影が落ちている。

Both Tokyo and Seoul should restrain themselves from any action that could generate unnecessary diplomatic friction.
無用ないさかいを生んで外交問題にする振る舞いは、日韓両政府とも慎むべきである。

The court ruling, however, acknowledged that the former Sankei bureau chief was aware that the rumor he wrote about was false.
　一方、判決は記事が取り上げた「うわさ」について、虚偽であることを前支局長は認識していたと認定した。

The defense team stopped denying this allegation during the trial. This means the Sankei cannot claim to have fulfilled its responsibility as a news medium.
産経側も裁判の途中からそれに異を唱えなかった。報道機関としての責任をまっとうしたとは言えまい。

South Korea’s legal action against the Sankei reporter has been a festering sore in the relationship between the country and Japan.
　いずれにせよ、この問題は、日韓間の懸案の一つだったのは間違いない。

This case should be brought to an end quickly so that the two governments can concentrate on diplomatic efforts to resolve really important issues, like the “comfort women.”
一刻も早く終止符を打ち、両政府は慰安婦問題など大きな課題の解決に全神経を注ぐべきである。

衆院選制度改革 格差の是正へ党利党略を排せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Set aside party interests to narrow vote-value disparity in lower house
衆院選制度改革　格差の是正へ党利党略を排せ

Ruling and opposition parties should set aside party interests to narrow the vote-value disparity in the House of Representatives election and tackle the electoral system reform.
　衆院選の「１票の格差」の縮小へ、与野党は党利党略を排して、制度改革に取り組むべきだ。

A research panel of experts tasked with reform of the lower house electoral system has compiled a draft proposal for redistributing seats allocated to each prefecture by using the so-called Adams’ method to rectify the vote-value disparity in single-seat constituencies.
　衆院の選挙制度改革に関する有識者調査会が答申原案をまとめた。小選挙区の格差是正について、各都道府県の定数を「アダムズ方式」で配分し直すことを提案した。

According to the draft proposal, a total of seven constituency seats should be added in Tokyo and four other prefectures, while 13 other prefectures, including Aomori and Iwate, should lose one seat each. As a result, the maximum vote-value disparity at the prefectural level would be reduced to 1.621-to-1.
　定数は、東京都と４県で計７増加し、青森、岩手など１３県で１ずつ減る。都道府県間の格差は最大１・６２１倍となる。

The vote-value disparity in single-seat constituencies would also likely be reduced to less than 2-to-1, as called for by the law concerning the establishment of the council on rezoning the electoral districts of the lower house.
　小選挙区間の格差も、衆院選挙区画定審議会設置法の定める２倍未満に収まる見通しである。

The Adams’ method would be used in place of the current seat distribution system [which allots one seat to each prefecture and then decides, in proportion to the population, how many additional seats each prefecture should be allocated in the single-seat constituencies of the election]. The Adams’ method is said to be comparatively favorable to less populous prefectures and able to reduce the increase and decrease in the seats allocated to each prefecture to a narrow range. It also will be able to cope with a population decrease in the future to a certain extent. With the method, even Tottori Prefecture, whose population is the smallest on the prefectural level, would be able to maintain the two-seat allocation for the present.
　アダムズ方式は、「１人別枠方式」に代わるものだ。人口の少ない県に比較的有利とされ、都道府県の定数の増減を小幅に抑えられる。将来の人口減にも一定程度対応が可能で、最少の鳥取県も当面、定数２を維持できる。

The Adams’ method is a realistic one in terms of rectifying the vote-value disparity in consideration of local areas.
　地方に配慮しつつ、１票の格差を是正する観点で、現実的な方式と言えよう。

The Supreme Court handed down a ruling in late November that the lower house election in December last year, which had a maximum vote-value disparity of 2.13-to-1 in single-seat constituencies, was in a state of unconstitutionality. As the legislative body, the Diet must respond swiftly to the request from the judicial branch of government.
　最高裁は先月下旬、１票の格差が最大２・１３倍だった昨年１２月の衆院選を「違憲状態」と判断した。立法府として、司法の要請に速やかに応えねばなるまい。

Not all will be pleased

What is questionable is that the draft proposed eliminating six seats in the single-seat constituencies and eliminating four in the proportional representation blocks. The proposed reduction would take the number of lower house seats to a postwar low of 465.
　疑問なのは、答申原案が定数を小選挙区で６、比例選で４削減したことだ。衆院定数は戦後最少の４６５となる。

If the number of lower house seats is reduced, even just slightly, it would be difficult to reflect the diversity of public opinions in the election. Diet functions, such as lawmaker-initiated legislation and holding administrations to account through deliberations on bills, could be weaker. Originally, the number of legislators in proportion to the population was smaller in Japan than in the United States and European countries.
　小幅とはいえ、定数を減らせば、選挙で多様な民意を反映しにくくなる。議員立法や、法案審議を通じた行政監視など、立法府の能力が低下しかねない。そもそも日本の国会議員は人口比でみれば、欧米諸国より多くない。

Furthermore, the fewer seats there are, the more difficult the correction of the vote-value disparity becomes.
　さらに、定数を減らすほど、１票の格差是正が困難になる。

Even within the panel, there were voices pointing out the negative effects of reducing the number of seats. It is regrettable that the panel finally had no choice but to incorporate the assertions of main political parties that seek a drastic reduction in the seats.
　調査会内でも、定数削減の弊害を指摘する意見が少なくなかった。最終的に、定数の大幅削減を唱える主要政党の主張を取り入れざるを得なかったのは残念だ。

The panel is scheduled to submit its proposal to lower house Speaker Tadamori Oshima in early January. In June last year, each main party confirmed that they would “respect” the conclusion of the panel. However, some members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who were elected from less populated electoral districts have already expressed their opposition to the draft proposal.
　調査会は年明けに、大島議長に答申する。主要各党は昨年６月、調査会の結論を「尊重する」ことを確認している。だが、自民党内では早くも、地方選出議員らから答申原案への反発が出ている。

Electoral systems directly lead to the rise and fall of political parties. No plan can avoid every objection. The LDP should not cling to its own interests, but should play a leading role in drawing together the various opinions of each political party to reach a consensus.
　選挙制度は各党の消長に直結する。どんな案でも、異論は避けられない。自民党は、自らの利害に拘泥せず、各党の意見集約に主導的な役割を果たすべきだ。

Shifting to a new system requires revision of the Public Offices Election Law so that the content of the proposal can be reflected in the law. It also requires studying a new rezoning process. It will likely take more than a year to do so.
　新制度への移行には、答申内容を反映した公職選挙法の改正や区割りの見直し作業などが必要で、最低１年以上かかる見通しだ。

Ruling and opposition parties are urged to realize the electoral system reform with such a time schedule in mind.
　与野党は、こうした日程も踏まえて、選挙制度改革を実現することが求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2015)

米ゼロ金利解除 「出口」迎えた異例の危機対応

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Fed’s decision to increase rate ends unprecedented crisis response
米ゼロ金利解除　「出口」迎えた異例の危機対応

The United States has put an end to the situation in which monetary easing on an unprecedented scale was used to deal with the extraordinary financial crisis triggered by the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers.
　リーマン・ショックに端を発した未曽有の金融危機に、米国が空前の大規模緩和で対処する事態に終止符が打たれた。

We welcome the fact that the United States, the epicenter of the global financial crunch, has successfully met the challenge of reinvigorating its economy, to the point of being able to return to ordinary financial policy.
　危機の震源地である米国が、金融政策を平時の状態に戻せるまで、経済再生を果たしたことを歓迎したい。

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has decided on its first interest rate increase in 9½ years. Lifting the effectively zero-interest rate policy that was in place from the end of 2008, the Fed increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent per year from between zero and 0.25 percent.
　米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が、９年半ぶりの利上げを決めた。政策金利の誘導目標を年０～０・２５％から年０・２５～０・５０％に上げ、２００８年末から続く事実上のゼロ金利政策を解除した。

The expansionary phase of the U.S. economy has been continuing for a little more than six years so far, while the unemployment rate has shrunk to a pre-crisis level. Given the prospects for stability in the U.S. labor market and moderate price rises in the future, it is reasonable for the United States to break off the extraordinary monetary easing.
　米国の景気拡大局面は６年強に及び、失業率は危機前の水準に戻った。雇用安定や緩やかな物価上昇も見込める以上、異例の金融緩和を打ち切るのは妥当である。

Emerging economies have served as locomotives for the global economy since the crash, as plenty of funds flowed into them as a result of the easy money policies in Japan, the United States and Europe. Due caution should be exercised about the possibility of the U.S. interest rate raise causing a major transformation of this paradigm.
　危機後の世界経済は、日米欧の金融緩和で潤沢な資金が流入した新興国が牽引けんいんしてきた。米国の利上げによって、この構図が大きく転換することに注意が必要だ。

There can be no doubt that the world’s investment funds will lean toward fund management in dollars, expecting higher interest rates. Fears are being noted that the “monetary easing cash” that has flowed into emerging economies will flow backward in large quantities into the United States.
　世界の投資資金が、金利上昇を期待できるドルでの運用に傾くのは確実である。新興国に流れていた「緩和マネー」が、大量に米国へ逆流する恐れが指摘される。

Vigilance may be required against the risk of currencies and stock prices plunging precipitously in emerging economies, gravely shaking markets worldwide.
　新興国の通貨や株価が急落し、市場に深刻な動揺を招くリスクを十分警戒せねばなるまい。

Dialogue with markets

The continuing drops in crude oil prices are also a matter of concern. Because the finances of oil-producing countries have been increasingly severe, they have been withdrawing oil money from the markets. Should this outflow be coupled with the back-streaming of funds into the United States from emerging economies, the danger of turmoil in the world’s economy could arise.
　原油価格の下落も懸念材料だ。産油国の財政逼迫ひっぱくでオイルマネーが市場から引き揚げられている。緩和マネーの逆流が重なれば、混乱に拍車がかかりかねない。

Markets have mostly reacted favorably to the higher U.S. interest rate policy, as shown by sharp rises in stock prices both in Japan and the United States right after the Fed decision.
　ＦＲＢの決定の直後、日米の株価が大幅に上昇するなど、市場は利上げをおおむね好感した。

While many investors had factored in the U.S. lifting of the zero-interest rate policy in advance, the statement made by Fed Chair Janet Yellen suggesting future hikes will be coming slowly has also had a favorable impact.
　投資家の多くが事前にゼロ金利解除を織り込んでいたうえ、ＦＲＢのイエレン議長が、今後の利上げを緩やかなペースで進める考えを表明したのも奏功した。

There is no justification for being unprepared for future developments in “exit strategies” out of the monetary easing.
　だが、金融緩和の「出口戦略」の今後に、油断は禁物である。

The Fed should be as prudent as possible in steering its monetary policy. By engaging again and again in circumspect dialogues with the markets, it is imperative for the Fed to have the direction of its financial policy gradually spread through market players.
　ＦＲＢには、繊細な舵かじ取りが求められる。「市場との対話」を慎重に重ねて、金融政策の方向性を市場関係者に徐々に浸透させることが欠かせない。

It is important for emerging economies to redouble their efforts to enhance their attractiveness as investment destinations, to ensure that no excessive outflow of funds takes place. We hope to see them accelerate steps for structural reform, such as easing regulations to encourage the entry of capital from overseas.
　新興国側も、過度な資金流出が起きないよう、投資先としての魅力を高める努力が大切になる。外資の参入を促す規制緩和など構造改革を加速してもらいたい。

Regarding the effect the U.S. interest rate hike will have on Japan, Akira Amari, state minister in charge of economic revitalization, has stressed that higher U.S. rates “will be a plus for the Japanese economy in the medium to long term.” Further weakening of the yen and strengthening of the dollar are expected, boosting increases in Japan’s exports.
　甘利経済再生相は、利上げの日本への影響について「中長期的にプラスだ」と強調した。円安・ドル高が進み、輸出にさらに勢いがつく効果が期待できよう。

However, we cannot take our eyes off the danger of excessive depreciation of the yen causing import prices to increase so much they adversely affect businesses. The government must be sure to steadily put the economic growth policy into force, wasting no time in bringing about a self-sustained business recovery led by domestic demand.
　ただ、過度な円安が輸入物価を高騰させ、景気が悪化する危険性からも目が離せない。成長戦略を着実に実行し、内需主導の自律的な景気回復を急ぐべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2015)Speech

与党税制大綱 出版物の「軽減」対象も検討を

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Ruling parties should consider lower consumption tax rate for publications
与党税制大綱　出版物の「軽減」対象も検討を

To boost economic growth, the government should steadily press ahead with tax system revisions that encourage investment and consumption.
　成長の拡大へ、投資や消費を促す税制改革を着実に進めるべきだ。

The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito have formally decided on an outline for tax system revisions for fiscal 2016. A pillar of this outline is the lowering of the effective corporate tax rate from the current 32.11 percent to 29.97 percent in fiscal 2016. This tax rate will be brought below 30 percent one year ahead of the original schedule.
　自民、公明両党が２０１６年度の与党税制改正大綱を決めた。法人税実効税率を今の３２・１１％から２９・９７％に引き下げ、従来方針より１年早く２０％台とすることが柱だ。

This will be reflected in the government’s budget for fiscal 2016 and bills related to the revisions of the tax system.
　政府の１６年度予算案と税制改正関連法案に反映される。

Japan’s corporate tax rate is high compared with the rate in some European and Asian nations. We understand the aim of strengthening companies’ international competitiveness by trimming the tax rate and improving the business operating environment.
　日本の税率は、欧州・アジア諸国に比べて高い。税率を下げて経営環境を改善し、企業の国際競争力を強める目的は理解できる。

It is important for this to put the brakes on the hollowing-out of domestic industries, and lead to more investment from abroad.
　国内の産業空洞化に歯止めをかけ、海外からの投資の呼び込みにつなげることが重要である。

The decision to bring forward the cutting of the corporate tax rate to below 30 percent was based on requests by business organizations and other groups. There will be no point in lessening this tax burden if all it does is inflate the more than ¥350 trillion in internal reserves held by companies. We expect each company to make positive efforts to boost wages and expand investment in plants and equipment.
　２０％台への引き下げ前倒しは、経済団体などの要望を踏まえたものだ。税負担を軽くしても、３５０兆円超の企業の内部留保が増えるだけでは意味がない。各社が賃上げや設備投資拡大に前向きに取り組むことを期待したい。

One revision, made in preparation for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement coming into effect, will halve the fixed asset tax on farmland leased out by farmland intermediary administration institutes created in each prefecture. Conversely, the tax burden imposed on fields and paddies that are no longer cultivated, despite being potentially usable, will be increased about 80 percent.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）の発効を見据えた改正では、都道府県の農地中間管理機構に貸し出された農地の固定資産税を半減する。逆に、利用が可能なのに放置されている耕作放棄地の税負担は約１・８倍に増やす。

We welcome this creative use of the tax system to increase productivity by increasing the size of farms in the country. One issue to be addressed is how to accurately select abandoned farmland that would be subject to the higher tax rate.
　農地の大規模化による生産性向上に税制を活用する工夫は、評価できる。課税強化対象となる放棄地を的確に選ぶことが課題だ。

Curbing ‘knowledge tax’

When the consumption tax rate is hiked to 10 percent in April 2017, the existing automobile acquisition tax will be abolished and replaced with a new automobile tax based on fuel efficiency. The more fuel-efficient a vehicle is, the lower the tax rate will be. More than half of all new vehicles are forecast to be exempt from this new tax, which will result in an effective reduction of ¥20 billion in the tax burden shouldered by vehicle owners.
　１７年４月の消費増税時に自動車取得税を廃止する代わりに、燃費性能の高い車ほど購入時の税率を低くする制度も始める。新車の半分以上が非課税となる見込みで、２００億円の実質減税になる。

We think it is appropriate that the ruling parties aim to alleviate the impact of the higher consumption tax rate and beef up measures to help the environment.
　増税の影響を和らげつつ、環境対策を拡充する狙いは妥当だ。

According to the outline, a lower consumption tax rate will be applied to food in general, excluding alcohol and eating out. In addition, the ruling parties decided the lower rate would apply to subscribed newspapers that are issued at least twice a week and home-delivered.
　消費税の軽減税率は、酒類と外食を除く飲食料品全般に加えて、宅配される週２回以上発行の新聞も新たに対象となった。

Newspapers provide a wide range of information and opinions to the public, so they can be considered social infrastructure that supports democracy and the culture of the printed word.
　国民に幅広い情報や意見を提供する新聞は、民主主義や活字文化を支える社会基盤と言える。

The LDP and Komeito attached importance to the benefit newspapers provide to the public, and decided to curb, as much as possible, the imposition of an additional “tax on knowledge.”
　自公両党は、新聞の公益性を重視し、「知識課税」をできるだけ抑制することにした。

Newspaper publishers must remain fully aware of the significance of this step, and fulfill their duties as organs of news reporting and public opinion.
　新聞社は、その意義を十分自覚し、報道・言論機関としての責務を果たすことが求められよう。

It was unfortunate that the parties decided more discussions are needed on whether the lower rate should be applied to publications such as books and magazines. While we understand it is difficult to draw the cut-off line, it is essential that consideration be given to the social role these publications play in supporting education and culture.
　残念なのは、書籍や雑誌など出版物への軽減税率の適用が継続協議となったことだ。対象の線引きが難しいのは分かるが、教育や文化を支える出版物の社会的役割への配慮は欠かせない。

Most European countries impose a lower tax rate on publications as well as newspapers. The same step should be taken in Japan, and we urge the ruling parties to hold discussions on designing such a system.
　欧州の大半の国では、新聞とともに、出版物も軽減対象にしている。日本も同様の措置を取るべきであり、与党は制度設計の協議を重ねてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2015)

中国軍機構改革 対米挑戦姿勢は緊張を高める

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China’s military reform could lead to heightened tensions with U.S.
中国軍機構改革　対米挑戦姿勢は緊張を高める

China has started a structural reform of its military to enhance its readiness for modern warfare entailing the full use of high-tech weapons.
　ハイテク兵器を駆使する現代戦への即応態勢を整えるため、中国が軍の機構改革に着手した。

The latest move can be described as a new phase in China’s drive to build a strong army, the goal pursued by President Xi Jinping through rapid progress in his country’s military build-up. Japan and the United States must closely cooperate to strengthen their guard against China’s continuously evolving military.
　軍備増強を急速に進めてきた習近平国家主席の「強軍路線」が新たな段階に入ったと言えよう。日米は緊密に協調し、進化する中国軍への警戒を強めねばならない。

At a recent military conference, Xi emphasized that deepening national defense and military reform are “requirements of the times” to be fulfilled in pursuing “the dream of a strong army.” He also said China would seek to build, by the end of 2020, a structure for the integrated operation of units from its army, navy, air force and 2nd Artillery (strategic missile forces).
　習氏は最近、軍の会議で、「国防と軍隊の改革を深めることは、『強軍の夢』を実現する時代の要請だ」と強調した。２０２０年までに、陸海空３軍と第２砲兵（戦略ミサイル部隊）を統合運用する体制を構築する方針も示した。

The reform drive entails a plan to reorganize the current structure, which divides the whole country into seven major military districts, each mainly controlled by the army. The plan will rearrange these districts into four to five combat zones, followed by a measure to establish a joint operational command organization in each zone. The reform is aimed at ensuring that orders from the nerve center of the military are thoroughly enforced among frontline troops, thereby making it possible to flexibly respond to any situation.
　全土を７地域に分けた陸軍主導の７大軍区を、４～５程度の「戦区」に改編した上で、各戦区に「統合作戦指揮機構」を新設するという。軍中央の命令を前線部隊に徹底し、機動的な対応ができるようにする狙いである。

The current military districts are so strongly influenced by the army that there is a serious degree of vertical segmentation in military management there. There is inadequacy of the army’s cooperation with the navy, air force and missile unit. Xi’s reform drive seems to reflect his belief that, if the current situation goes unrectified, his country will not be able to effectively implement its strategy — known as “anti-access area denial (A2/AD)” — for preventing U.S. intervention in a military contingency.
　現行の軍区は陸軍の影響力が強く、縦割りが深刻だ。海空軍やミサイル部隊との連携も十分でない。このままでは、米軍の有事介入を阻む「接近阻止・領域拒否（Ａ２ＡＤ）」戦略を有効に実施できないと判断しているのだろう。

Xi in command

China’s military reform reflects Xi’s wishes. Since the launch of his administration in the autumn of 2012, he has striven to build “an army that can win a war,” a task necessary for transforming his nation into “a great maritime power.”
　軍改革は、１２年秋の政権発足以来、「海洋強国」建設に向けて、「戦いに勝てる軍」を目指してきた習氏の意向を反映したものだ。

The prevailing view has been that it will be difficult to reorganize the military districts due to strong resistance from the army. However, Xi’s success in initiating his reform drive means that he has cemented his power base by removing all foes within the military through his policy of clamping down on corrupt practices. He may also have intended to further tighten up the military.
　軍区の改編はこれまで、陸軍の抵抗が激しく、難しいとの見方が多かった。今回、習氏が改革を始動できたのは、腐敗摘発で軍内の政敵を完全に排除し、権力基盤を固めたことを意味する。軍をさらに引き締める意図もあろう。

Earlier, the Xi administration said it would slash his country’s 2.3 million soldiers by 300,000. This seems to entail cuts mainly in the number of noncombatants in the army, a task that can be made possible through a reorganization of the military districts. Budgetary resources to be accrued from this will likely be used for selected purposes of high priority, such as those tied to state-of-the-art weapons to be used by the three arms of the military.
　習政権は先に、２３０万人の兵力を３０万人削減する計画を表明している。軍区改編に伴い陸軍の非戦闘員らを中心に減らし、その分の予算を海空軍の最新兵器などに重点投入するとみられる。

China is reportedly accelerating efforts to develop a next-generation stealth bomber and a new intercontinental ballistic missile while also building several domestically designed aircraft carriers.
　中国は、次世代ステルス戦闘機や新型の大陸間弾道ミサイル（ＩＣＢＭ）の開発、複数の国産空母の建造を急いでいるとされる。

We believe Xi’s decision to unveil his military reform plan at this point in time signifies he was keenly aware of how relevant nations have acted in connection with China’s recent movements. For instance, the United States sent a warship to the South China Sea, and conducted patrol activities in waters near artificial islands reclaimed by China in the region. Japan too has been trying to restrain China.
　この時期に軍改革を発表したのは、南シナ海の人工島付近で艦艇による巡視活動を行った米国や、中国を牽制けんせいする日本など関係国の動向を意識したのではないか。

China is also increasing the frequency of naval exercises in the Western Pacific, with a view to advancing into the so-called Second Island Chain, which extends from the Izu Islands to Guam. China’s maritime activities have also been noticeable in waters around the Senkaku Islands. The country’s undisguised provocative acts against the Japan-U.S. alliance will only add to tensions in the region.
　伊豆諸島からグアムに至る「第２列島線」まで進出するため、西太平洋で海軍の訓練も増やしている。尖閣諸島周辺での活動も目立つ。日米同盟に露骨に対抗する動きは地域の緊張を招くだけだ。

However, it should be noted that even the U.S. forces required many years to achieve integrated military operation. Our nation’s Self-Defense Forces are still halfway there in pursuit of a similar goal. China’s neighboring countries need to closely watch whether Xi’s military reform drive will proceed as he calculated.
　ただ、統合運用は米軍でさえ、実現に長年を費やした。自衛隊もまだ途上にある。周辺国は、中国軍の改革が習氏の計算通りに進むのか、注視する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2015)

パリ協定採択 世界全体で目標を達成しよう

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Close global cooperation needed to achieve Paris accord emissions targets
パリ協定採択　世界全体で目標を達成しよう

The agreement by all participating countries to work toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a significant step forward in dealing with global warming.
　全ての国が温室効果ガスの排出削減に努める体制に合意できたのは、地球温暖化対策の重要な前進である。

The 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) ended in Paris on Saturday after adopting the Paris agreement, a framework designed to take effect in 2020.
　パリで開かれていた国連気候変動枠組み条約の第２１回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ２１）が、２０２０年からの新たな枠組みとなる「パリ協定」を採択した。

The Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997 called only on developed countries to carry out emissions cuts, but this time all parties are obliged to make efforts to curtail emissions in line with nationally determined goals. The new framework does not make it mandatory to achieve targets and is a loose structure, but calls for reexamining them every five years to make further efforts to cut emissions.
　１９９７年採択の京都議定書では、先進国のみが削減義務を負ったが、今回は全締約国が自主目標を基に削減を図る。目標達成を義務づけない緩やかな枠組みとする一方で、各国は５年ごとに目標を見直し、一層の削減を進める。

The Paris agreement aims to hold the rise of the world’s average temperature to “well below 2 C above preindustrial levels.” It also mentioned a commitment to “below 1.5 C above preindustrial levels,” which was demanded by island countries, as a target for which efforts must be made. Both these goals will be hard to achieve.
　平均気温の上昇は、産業革命前に比べて「２度を十分下回る」ことを目指す。温暖化の影響が大きい島嶼とうしょ国が求めた「１・５度未満」も努力目標として言及した。いずれも高いハードルだ。

The effectiveness of the agreement will be put to the test with regard to how each country can achieve its target and whether it can raise its target further.
　各国が目標をどれだけ達成し、さらに引き上げられるか。パリ協定の実効性が問われる。

Endeavors by emerging countries are key to cutting global emissions as a whole. China and India, among other nations, argued that “our per capita energy consumption is small and we are developing countries.”
　世界全体の排出量を減らすカギとなるのは、新興国の取り組みだ。中国やインドなどは「１人当たりのエネルギー消費は少なく、我々は途上国だ」と主張した。

The fact remains, however, that China and India are the world’s top and the third-largest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively. To fulfill their responsibilities, the two countries must make greater efforts to curb emissions without limiting their efforts to nationally determined contributions.
　だが、中印両国は既に世界１、３位の排出大国だ。相応の責任を果たすため、自主目標の達成にとどまらず、一層の削減に努力することが求められる。

Realistic choice

During the Paris conference, developing nations called on developed countries to increase their financial assistance and technological transfers, arguing that they “became rich as a result of consuming huge quantities of fossil fuels.”
　会議で、途上国は「先進国が化石燃料を大量に消費して豊かになった」として、資金援助や技術移転の強化を求めた。

The agreement made it mandatory for developed nations to assist developing countries but did not put a monetary value on such assistance. Annual assistance of ¥100 billion in 2020 and onward was incorporated in a separate document of a nonbinding agreement. A realistic judgment by developing nations that placed priority on the conclusion of an agreement is laudable.
　協定は、途上国支援を先進国の義務としたが、額の明示は見送った。年１０００億ドルの支援を２０年以降、上積みすることは、拘束力のない別の文書に盛り込まれた。合意を優先した途上国の現実的な判断は評価できる。

Using such assistance to carry out measures to fight global warming is important. It also is necessary to ensure transparency of this assistance and work out a system to verify its effectiveness.
　大切なのは、支援を温暖化対策に確実につなげることだ。透明性を確保し、効果を検証できるシステムを構築する必要がある。

Japan proposed a “bilateral credit system” under which Japan would assist in the energy-saving measures of developing countries, with portions of emissions curbed calculated as its own. The scheme, adopted as part of the agreement, was the outcome of diplomatic efforts by Japanese officials.
　日本は、途上国の省エネ策を支援し、削減された排出量の一部を自国分に算入できる「２国間クレジット制度」を提唱した。この制度が協定に採用されたのは、日本の外交努力の成果だ。

Japan has already agreed to apply the bilateral credit system to 16 countries, including Mongolia and Bangladesh. Assistance in the energy-saving efforts of developing countries has greater cost-effectiveness than measures taken domestically. The application of the system must be expanded positively.
　日本は既に、モンゴル、バングラデシュなど１６か国と提携している。途上国の省エネ支援は、国内対策よりも費用対効果が大きい。積極的に拡大するべきだ。

Japan’s target is to reduce emissions by 26 percent in fiscal 2030 from the levels in fiscal 2013. Reliance on coal and other fossil fuels must be corrected. It is essential to promote the reactivation and new construction of nuclear power plants to lower the cost of renewable energy generation.
　日本の削減目標は、３０年度に１３年度比で２６％減だ。石炭など化石燃料への依存を改めねばならない。原発の再稼働と新増設を進め、再生可能エネルギーの発電コストを下げることが重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2015)

軽減税率 円滑導入で増税の備え万全に

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Launch lower rate smoothly to prepare for sales tax hike
軽減税率　円滑導入で増税の備え万全に

　◆安定財源確保へ検討を深めよ◆

All possible measures should be taken to prepare for future tax hikes by ensuring that the new system is put into practice smoothly.
　新制度の円滑な導入を図り、増税の備えに万全を期さねばならない。

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito have reached a broad agreement on formulating a reduced tax rate system. The lower tax rate is to be put into effect at the same time as the scheduled hike in the consumption tax from the current 8 percent to 10 percent in April 2017.
　自民、公明両党が、軽減税率の制度設計で大筋合意した。２０１７年４月に消費税率を１０％へ引き上げる際、同時に導入する。

Both fresh and processed food and drinks, excluding alcohol and eating out, are eligible for tax relief by keeping the rate unchanged at 8 percent. The reduced tax rate plan will lower the government’s annual tax revenue by an estimated ¥1 trillion. The lower rate measure is expected to alleviate the pain felt by the public, especially low-income earners, due to the higher tax rate, thereby helping household budgets.
　酒類・外食を除く生鮮食品と加工食品を対象とし、税率は８％に据え置く。軽減規模は年１兆円に上る。軽減税率には、低所得者を中心に痛税感を和らげ、家計を支える効果が期待される。

The ruling coalition parties should be praised for clinching the tax relief deal by putting their differences behind them.
　与党が意見対立を収め、合意に漕こぎ着けたことは評価できる。

Bridging the gap
　◆首相官邸が公明に配慮

The additional revenue resulting from the planned consumption tax markup is to be used solely to cover social security costs. Budgetary appropriations for social security are bound to continue to grow rapidly with the graying of the country and the low birthrate.
　消費税の増収分は全額、社会保障費の財源に充てられる。少子高齢化の進行で、予算規模がこれからも増え続けるのは必至だ。

If the government’s stringent fiscal conditions is taken into account, we cannot help but feel that further consumption tax hikes are likely in the future. It is significant that the introduction of the reduced tax rate system agreed on this time means that daily necessities will be exempt from the hike, so it will become simpler to make preparations for possible additional tax increases in the future.
　厳しい財政事情を考慮すれば、一層の消費税率の引き上げを視野に入れざるを得ない。軽減税率の導入で、生活必需品を増税から切り離し、将来の再増税に備えられる制度となる意義は大きい。

Talks between the LDP and Komeito experienced rough going because of the difficulty in bridging the gap between the two parties on what items should be eligible for the lower tax rate.
　協議の難航は、対象の線引きを巡る溝が深かったためだ。

Although earlier calling for limiting the scope of the lower tax rate to fresh food, the LDP made a concession by accepting Komeito’s demand that processed foodstuffs should be made eligible for the reduced tax rate. The LDP even went so far as to propose that the reduced tax rate cover eating out, a suggestion that led to confusion.
　当初、生鮮食品に限ると主張していた自民党は、途中から公明党の加工食品を含める案をのんだ。さらに外食も加えるよう求め、混乱が生じた。

The two parties eventually agreed to exclude dining out from the list of the eligible items, because of objections that it would be unduly generous to people in high-income brackets as they have many opportunities to enjoy meals at luxury restaurants.
　外食を含めると、高級飲食店などの利用が多い高所得者への恩恵が手厚くなりすぎるとの異論も出て、外食を除く案で決着した。

The concession made by the LDP in the final phase of the talks is due to the strong determination on the part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his close aides who placed priority on cooperation with Komeito in the electoral campaign for the House of Councillors election scheduled for next summer.
　最終的に自民党が歩み寄ったのは、来年夏に参院選を控え、公明党との選挙協力を重視する首相官邸の意向が働いたからだ。

Processed food includes bread, noodles and others that are indispensable in people’s daily diet. We welcome the two parties’ broad agreement that makes the foodstuffs people purchase every day eligible for the lower tax rate.
　加工食品には、パンや麺類など食生活に不可欠な商品が含まれる。日常的に購入する食品を対象とする大筋合意を歓迎したい。

The ruling coalition parties will now focus their talks on whether to apply the lower rate to items other than food.
　与党は今後、食品以外の対象品目の協議を続ける考えだ。

Most countries with the reduced tax rate arrangements have made newspapers and other publications eligible for the tax relief along with food.
　海外では、軽減税率を採用する大半の国が、食品と並んで新聞や出版物を対象にしている。

They have contributed to the development of democracy and the promotion of reading culture. They should not be simply considered consumption commodities, but public goods that enrich the lives of the people.
　新聞と出版物は、民主主義の発展や活字文化の振興に貢献してきた。単なる消費財でなく、豊かな国民生活を維持するのに欠かせない公共財と言える。

In light of their roles in society, newspapers and other publications should be covered by the reduced tax rate in Japan.
　こうした社会的役割を踏まえ、日本でも、新聞と出版物に軽減税率を適用すべきである。

The ruling coalition parties also decided to make it mandatory for business operators to adopt an invoice system in which the amounts of tax and tax rates would be included in their bill, effective from fiscal 2021.
　与党は、請求書に税額や税率を記入するインボイス（税額票）の採用を、２１年度から事業者に義務づける方針も決定した。

Invoices good idea
　◆税額票の採用は当然だ

With multiple tax rates, there is a possibility of operators engaging in a rash of fraudulent practices, such as by disguising sales actually made under the standard tax rate as having been made under the reduced tax rate, thereby allowing them to retain part of the tax as profit.
　税率が複数になると、標準税率の売り上げを軽減税率の取引だと偽り、事業者が税金の一部を手元に残す行為が頻発しかねない。

In preventing such fraud, the adoption of invoices is deemed reasonable.
　こうした不正を防ぐうえで、インボイスの採用は当然だろう。

Now that the ruling parties have reached an agreement, the government needs to steadily move ahead with preparatory work to introduce the reduced tax rate.
　与党合意を受けて政府は、軽減税率の導入に向けた準備作業を着実に進める必要がある。

To prevent confusion among consumers and business operators at stores over the multiple tax rates, the government should make a clear distinction between items subject to the reduced tax rate and those that are not, come up with ways to deal with problematic cases and spare no effort to disseminate the multiple tax rates as widely as possible.
　店頭で消費者や事業者が戸惑うことのないよう、対象の線引きや様々な事例への対処法を明示し、周知徹底を図らねばならない。

The reduced tax rate is not applied to dining in restaurants but a question arises as to how to distinguish between eating inside a fast-food restaurant and taking out food. It is important to establish precise guidelines.
　外食は対象外だが、ファストフード店内での食事と持ち帰りをどう区別するかといった疑問が生じかねない。簡明なガイドラインなどを設けることが大切だ。

It is also vital for the government to help small stores deal with the multiple tax rates by, for instance, financially assisting them in having their cash registers modified and by holding instruction courses for them to learn the new accounting system.
　レジの改修費補助や新たな会計方式を習得するための研修など、中小・零細店の対応を支援する取り組みも重要になる。

A major worry is that there are no prospects at present in securing the necessary financial sources to make up for the revenue shortfall when the reduced tax rate is introduced.
　気がかりなのは、軽減税率導入の財源をどのような手段で手当てするか、まだ目処めどが立っていないことだ。

Currently, the government has decided only on a policy of allocating ¥400 billion that had originally been earmarked to assist low-income people when the tax is raised.
　今は、増税時の低所得者対策に回す予定だった４０００億円を充てる方針だけが決まっている。

The LDP has been saying that the necessary financial sources should be managed within the framework of social security expenses. But it is undesirable to put an excessive burden on health care and nursing care programs. The party should deepen its discussions on whether the government can hold down expenditures in areas other than social security spending or make use of other tax revenues.
　自民党は社会保障費の枠内でのやり繰りを主張してきたが、医療や介護などに過度な影響を及ぼすのは望ましくない。社会保障以外の歳出抑制や他の税収を活用できないか、議論を深めるべきだ。

LDP Secretary General Sadakazu Tanigaki emphasized: “We will uphold the government’s plan to restore its fiscal health. We will take responsibility for securing stable and permanent fiscal resources.” We hope the LDP will continue studying ideas such as raising the tobacco tax as advocated by Komeito.
　自民党の谷垣幹事長は「財政健全化目標を堅持する。安定的な恒久財源の確保に責任をもって対応する」と強調した。公明党が提唱する、たばこ増税案などの検討も続けてもらいたい。

Reduce ‘tax profits’
　◆益税拡大は許されない

Also remaining to be worked out is the issue of what to do with “tax profits” as some business operators pocket part of the consumption tax, rather than turn it over to the government.
　消費者が支払った税金が事業者の手元に残る「益税」の取り扱いも、残された課題である。

It has been decided that even after the reduced tax rate is introduced, the current consumption tax exemption system for small-business operators and the simplified tax system that makes tax calculations easier are to be kept in place.
　軽減税率の導入後も、現行の小規模事業者の免税制度や、納税の計算を簡単にする簡易課税制度は存続することが決まった。

At present, tax profits are estimated to amount to ¥600 billion a year. It will be unavoidable that tax gains will grow following the tax hike.
　現在の益税規模は年６０００億円にも上ると試算される。税率引き上げで、さらに規模が膨らむ事態は避けられない。

As the government will make consumers pay a higher tax, it is logical to reduce such tax profits. Should the government allow such profits to expand instead, the public would not understand.
　消費者に増税を強いる以上、益税は縮小するのが筋である。逆に拡大を許してしまうのでは、国民の納得は得られまい。

The ruling parties must examine this issue in a much more sincere manner.
　与党は益税の見直しについて、より真剣に検討すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 13, 2015)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡 がまんせず助け求めて ／東京

December 13, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't hesitate to seek help
香山リカのココロの万華鏡 がまんせず助け求めて　／東京

One thing I often hear from patients in my consultation room is, "Why did this have to happen to me?"
　診察室でよく聞く言葉に「なぜ私がこんな目にあわなければならないのか」というものがある。

Depression is said to be more common among people who are devoted.
　たとえば、うつ病はまじめな人に多いといわれる。

They work past their natural limits, or don't say when they are tired, not wanting to impose on those around them.
自分の限界を超えて仕事をしたり、疲れていてもまわりに悪いからと言い出せなかったりするからだ。

When I say, "Your devotion backfired," and they reply back softly, "Is it wrong to be devoted?"
「まじめすぎたのがあだになりましたね」と患者さんに言い、小さな声で「まじめはだめですか」と問い返されると、

I always regret what I said.
いつも「そんなことを言うべきではなかった」と反省する。

Devotion is a strong point of such people, and we shouldn't say, "If you were less hard-working, you would have gotten by without getting depression."
まじめなのはその人の長所であり、「もっと不まじめに生きてきたら、うつ病なんかにならないですんだのですよ」などと言うのは間違っている。

In other cases, they say, "I was betrayed by my colleagues," or "I was diagnosed with cancer." Having fallen into low spirits and been recommended to see a psychiatrist, they visit my clinic and say, "Why me?"
　ほかにも「仕事の仲間に裏切られた」「健康診断でがんが見つかった」などの理由で深く落ち込み、精神科の受診を勧められてやって来て「なぜ私が」とため息をつく人たちは大勢いる。

"Is there no God, no Buddha?" I then give a muddied response.
「神も仏もないのでしょうか」と問われ、言葉を濁したこともあった。

When I see these people, I wonder whether, even without an unequal society, life is simply unfair and absurd from the start.
　こういう人たちを見ていると「格差社会」でなくても人生はもともと不公平で理不尽なのか、と考えてしまう。

Not everyone who works hard is rewarded like in "The Ant and the Grasshopper."
「アリとキリギリス」の物語のように、努力した人が報われるとは限らないからだ。

Before I resign myself to believing that life is unfair, some people come to my mind.
　しかし、「人間は不平等」とあきらめる前に、私はいつも何人かの顔を思い出す。

One of them, after suffering from a disaster in their life, began working to help society because they "wanted to help people suffering in the same way."
わが身に起きた不幸なできごとに泣き暮らした後、「同じ苦しみにある人を救いたい」と社会活動を始めた人がいた。

Another person had struggled against a string of unfortunate incidents, saying, "Still, I don't want to become someone who is jealous of others." 気の毒になるくらい不運続きの人生で、「それでもほかの人たちをねたむ自分になりたくない」と必死に歯を食いしばっている人もいた。

Another person said, "I can't fully recover, but I want to live out this life I was given," and continued living out their days with care, cooking and cleaning.
「立ち直ることなんてできないけれど、とりあえず与えられた生はまっとうしたい」と丁寧に食事を作り、掃除をし、日々の暮らしを大切にしている人に会ったこともある。

So many times, I have been shown by my patients how dignified humans can act.
人間って気高いものだな、と診察室で何度、教えられたことか。

Of course, we should do what we can to avoid meeting unfortunate events in our lives.
　もちろん、不幸なできごと、不運なできごとは避けられるなら避けたほうがいいし、そのための準備や対策なども怠らずにおきたい。

But there will still be some probability that problems will occur.
それでも、一定の確率でいろいろなことが私たちの人生には起きる。

Sometimes we will be visited with multiple bad things in a row.
ときには続けざまに悪いことが降りかかってくることもある。

It's normal at those times to feel down, or to curse one's fate, and we needn't overly restrain our feelings.
そんなときに落ち込んだり運命を呪ったりするのは当然で、がまんしすぎる必要はない。

At the same time, we shouldn't completely give up, and as long as we have a means of recovery left at our disposal, we have the ability to pull ourselves back up.
しかし、完全にあきらめるのはまだ早く、打てる手もあれば立ち上がる力も備わっている。

It's OK to ask for help from experts or friends, too, and this is what I want to say to people who feel that this year has been an unlucky one for them.
専門家や友人の助けを借りたってよいのだ。「今年一年、運が悪かったな」となげいている人に伝えたい。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist) （精神科医）
毎日新聞2015年12月8日　地方版