2010/10/11
--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 9
EDITORIAL: Nobel Peace Prize
平和賞―中国は背を向けるな
A strong message has been delivered to China's political leaders, who have shown little, if any, respect for democracy or human rights while their country has been accomplishing amazing economic growth.
驚異的な経済発展とは裏腹に、民主主義や人権を大切にしてこなかった中国の指導者に、痛烈なメッセージが突きつけられた。
The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Liu Xiaobo, a jailed Chinese writer and pro-democracy activist.
中国の民主活動家で作家の劉暁波氏に、ノーベル平和賞が授与されることになった。
Since he was involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, Liu has been consistently and passionately fighting for democracy in China. Liu has expressed his opinions in writing and spoken up without using violence or other radical means.
１９８９年の天安門民主化運動にかかわり、それ以来暴力など過激な手段を使わず、言論活動一筋に民主化を求めてきた人物だ。
The Norwegian Nobel Committee highly praised his peaceful struggle.
ノルウェーのノーベル賞委員会は、こうした活動を高く評価した。
At the end of 2008, the year of the Beijing Summer Olympics, Liu drafted "Charter 08," a manifesto calling for fundamental reforms for democracy that would ultimately end the Communist Party's monopoly on power. This and his criticism against the party and its leaders earned him an 11-year jail sentence for "inciting subversion of state power."
北京五輪のあった２００８年暮れ、劉氏は共産党独裁の廃止など根本的な民主化を訴える「０８憲章」を起草した。そのことと党や指導者に対する批判が、「国家政権転覆扇動罪」に問われて懲役１１年の判決を受けた。
Liu is now in prison in northeast Liaoning province.
今は東北部の遼寧省で獄中にある。
It is not clear whether Liu even knows yet that he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Many Chinese citizens probably are still unaware of the fact because of the media blackout imposed by the authorities.
劉氏が平和賞の知らせを聞くことができたかは定かでない。少なからぬ国民も、当局による報道規制のために知らずにいるかもしれない。
But the news will spread, sooner or later. And it will provide a big morale boost to other Chinese activists who have been struggling, along with Liu, to give their country democratic freedoms.
しかし早晩、授賞の知らせは中国で広がり、劉氏らとともに民主化につとめてきた人々への大きな励ましとなるだろう。
Beijing warned the Nobel committee that awarding the peace prize to a dissident like Liu would be regarded as an unfriendly act, according to the committee.
ノーベル賞委員会によれば、中国当局は「反体制派への授与は非友好的な行為と見なされる」と警告していたという。
If so, China again acted in a high-handed manner that apparently reflects the growing sentiment that it is now a major power fueled by its rapid economic growth and military buildup.
だとすれば、急成長する経済や軍事力の増強による「大国意識」を背景にした強権的な一面が、ここでも表れたといえる。
We applaud the Nobel committee for not giving in to pressure from China.
しかし、委員会は中国側の圧力に屈しなかった。高く評価したい。
The committee chastised the Chinese authorities for violating international conventions approving peaceful expressions of political beliefs to which Beijing is a party, as well as the country's own constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and other human rights. It pointed out that China now must accept greater responsibility.
中国当局は、政治的信条の平和的な表現を認める、自らも署名した国際規約に反し、言論の自由などをうたった中国憲法にも反している。委員会はそう厳しく批判し、中国の責任の大きさを指摘した。
China's behavior concerning the collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels near the Senkaku Islands and the actions it took against Vietnamese fishermen operating near disputed islands in the South China Sea have alarmed the international community and strengthened China's image as a country willing to ignore rules for the sake of its interests.
尖閣諸島沖の衝突事件や南シナ海での行動は、中国がルールに従わない国という警戒感を国際社会に与えた。
As economic interdependence among countries has grown, the international community has been inclined to overlook China's trampling on universal values.
経済の相互依存が強まるなかで、国際社会は中国による普遍的価値の侵害に目をつぶりがちだった。
The United States and Europe, which traditionally place great importance on human rights, have also been willing to turn a blind eye to Beijing's poor human rights record to keep relations with the rising economic power on friendly terms. China also faced no harsh criticism at the recent Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels.
人権問題を重視してきた欧米諸国も、最近は中国との関係維持を優先させていた。先のアジア欧州会議（ＡＳＥＭ）首脳会合でも厳しい注文はつけなかった。
The Nobel committee's decision to award the prestigious honor to a Chinese dissident should be taken seriously as a warning, especially to industrial nations.
そうした風潮の中でのノーベル賞委員会の決定は、とりわけ先進国への警鐘として重く受けとめたい。
China's Foreign Ministry has criticized the committee's move, saying Liu violated Chinese law and his actions run counter to the spirit of the prize. The ministry also indicated that the decision would adversely affect ties with Norway.
中国外務省は「劉暁波は中国の法律を犯しており、その行為は平和賞の趣旨に背いている」と批判し、ノルウェーとの関係悪化も示唆した。
There are concerns about the possibility that Beijing may tighten its crackdown on democracy advocates and other activists in China.
民主活動家らへの国内での締め付けが厳しくなることも心配だ。
Taking a hard-line posture both at home and abroad, however, will not serve China's interests.
内外で強硬な姿勢をとることは、長い目で見て中国の利益にならないだろう。
Chinese leaders must realize now that their country will never be recognized as a legitimate world power unless they start respecting universal values.
経済発展を続けても、普遍的な価値を大切にしなければ真の大国として認められないことに、中国当局は早く気づかねばならない。
2010/10/12
2010/10/11
高橋さん解放 中国は事態の全容を説明せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 11, 2010)
China must fully explain detention of Fujita 4
高橋さん解放 中国は事態の全容を説明せよ（10月10日付・読売社説）
China on Saturday released Sadamu Takahashi, the last of four Japanese employees of construction company Fujita Corp. detained last month.
中国当局に拘束された建設会社「フジタ」の社員４人のうち、１人残されていた高橋定さんが９日、解放された。
First and foremost, we rejoice at his safe release.
まずは、無事の解放を喜びたい。
However, Takahashi was freed after 20 days in custody; such a long detention represents flagrant contempt for human rights. Chinese authorities must explain in detail what led to Takahashi's release and the reasons for his detention.
しかし、２０日間に及ぶ長期拘束の末の解放はあまりに遅く、人権軽視も甚だしい。この間の経緯や拘束の理由について、中国当局は詳しく説明する責任がある。
The four were taken into custody Sept. 20 by state security authorities for allegedly illegally videotaping what China called "military targets" in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, while they were looking at potential construction sites for a plant to process chemical weapons left behind by the Japanese military during World War II.
４人は先月２０日、河北省石家荘市内にある遺棄化学兵器の処理事業の建設予定地を視察中、「軍事目標」を違法に撮影したとして国家安全局に拘束された。
Takahashi and the others were questioned while in the custody of security authorities at a hotel in the city. China freed all the employees except Takahashi on Sept. 30.
市内のホテルで監視下に置かれたまま取り調べを受けていたが、高橋さんを除く３人は３０日、「釈放」された。
===
Obvious retaliation
The three were released after explaining they were unaware they were in a military zone and entered accidentally. China must have realized from the beginning that their actions were not malicious. If so, why did China keep Takahashi in custody even after releasing the others?
３人は「軍事管理区域と気づかなかった。故意ではない」と中国当局に説明し、その上で解放されている。悪質性がなかったことは、中国側も当初から承知のはずである。ならば高橋さんだけ拘束が解けなかった理由は何なのか。
Although Beijing denies it, there is no doubt the arrest and detention of the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with Japan Coast Guard vessels off the Senkaku Islands affected the case involving the Fujita employees.
中国側は関係を否定するが、尖閣諸島沖で起きた中国漁船の衝突事件で、中国人船長が逮捕、拘置された問題が影響していることは間違いない。
The four were detained the day after the Ishigaki Summary Court in Okinawa Prefecture authorized prosecutors to extend the captain's detention for 10 days. It is likely that China, which expected Japan to release the captain at the end of the first 10-day detention period, retaliated to prevent criticism from its people.
フジタ社員４人が拘束されたのは、中国人船長の１０日間の拘置延長が決まった翌日である。最初の拘置だけで釈放されることを期待していた中国政府が、国内世論が政府批判に向かわぬよう報復措置に出たと見ることもできる。
The three were released five days after the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office released the captain without further legal action against him for the time being. After that, China partially eased its restrictions on rare earths exports to Japan, which may have been an effort to present a softened stance on the issue before the image of China as a threat to global stability spread around the world.
一方、３人の解放は、那覇地検が船長を処分保留で釈放した５日後だった。以後中国は、レアアース（希土類）の対日輸出規制も一部緩和している。中国脅威論が世界に広がる前に、軟化姿勢を示そうという戦略だったのだろう。
Since then, the Japanese government came under growing public criticism over its handling of the captain's release. Calls also heightened for the release of video footage of one of the fishing boat collisions and for the Japanese government to take a tough approach toward China to realize the release of the detained Fujita employees.
その後、日本国内では船長の釈放をめぐって政府の対応を批判する声が強まった。衝突ビデオの公開や、フジタ社員拘束問題などでの中国側への強い働き掛けを求める機運も高まった。
The Chinese government may have been closely watching how the Japanese government would respond to these issues, using Takahashi as a diplomatic bargaining chip to pressure Tokyo.
これらの問題に日本政府がどう対処するか、中国政府は高橋さんを“圧力カード”に、監視の目を光らせていたのではないか。
===
Visitors must be wary
The prolonged detention of Japanese company employees indicates the possibility that so-called China risk will continue to exist in every area for the time being.
今回、日本企業社員が長期拘束された問題は、当面あらゆる分野で「中国リスク」が継続する可能性を示したと言えるだろう。
Employees of companies doing business in China and those doing business with Chinese companies should be very careful about their actions in that country. The same holds for people who visit China on cultural exchanges or as tourists.
中国進出企業や取引企業の社員は、現地での行動に十分注意すべきだ。文化交流や旅行などで中国に行った場合も同様だ。
We must keep in mind that China is a country where the government limits human rights, and there is always a possibility this will happen.
国家の思惑で人権が制約される。その可能性が残る国であることを肝に銘じる必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 10, 2010)
（2010年10月10日01時15分 読売新聞）
China must fully explain detention of Fujita 4
高橋さん解放 中国は事態の全容を説明せよ（10月10日付・読売社説）
China on Saturday released Sadamu Takahashi, the last of four Japanese employees of construction company Fujita Corp. detained last month.
中国当局に拘束された建設会社「フジタ」の社員４人のうち、１人残されていた高橋定さんが９日、解放された。
First and foremost, we rejoice at his safe release.
まずは、無事の解放を喜びたい。
However, Takahashi was freed after 20 days in custody; such a long detention represents flagrant contempt for human rights. Chinese authorities must explain in detail what led to Takahashi's release and the reasons for his detention.
しかし、２０日間に及ぶ長期拘束の末の解放はあまりに遅く、人権軽視も甚だしい。この間の経緯や拘束の理由について、中国当局は詳しく説明する責任がある。
The four were taken into custody Sept. 20 by state security authorities for allegedly illegally videotaping what China called "military targets" in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, while they were looking at potential construction sites for a plant to process chemical weapons left behind by the Japanese military during World War II.
４人は先月２０日、河北省石家荘市内にある遺棄化学兵器の処理事業の建設予定地を視察中、「軍事目標」を違法に撮影したとして国家安全局に拘束された。
Takahashi and the others were questioned while in the custody of security authorities at a hotel in the city. China freed all the employees except Takahashi on Sept. 30.
市内のホテルで監視下に置かれたまま取り調べを受けていたが、高橋さんを除く３人は３０日、「釈放」された。
===
Obvious retaliation
The three were released after explaining they were unaware they were in a military zone and entered accidentally. China must have realized from the beginning that their actions were not malicious. If so, why did China keep Takahashi in custody even after releasing the others?
３人は「軍事管理区域と気づかなかった。故意ではない」と中国当局に説明し、その上で解放されている。悪質性がなかったことは、中国側も当初から承知のはずである。ならば高橋さんだけ拘束が解けなかった理由は何なのか。
Although Beijing denies it, there is no doubt the arrest and detention of the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that collided with Japan Coast Guard vessels off the Senkaku Islands affected the case involving the Fujita employees.
中国側は関係を否定するが、尖閣諸島沖で起きた中国漁船の衝突事件で、中国人船長が逮捕、拘置された問題が影響していることは間違いない。
The four were detained the day after the Ishigaki Summary Court in Okinawa Prefecture authorized prosecutors to extend the captain's detention for 10 days. It is likely that China, which expected Japan to release the captain at the end of the first 10-day detention period, retaliated to prevent criticism from its people.
フジタ社員４人が拘束されたのは、中国人船長の１０日間の拘置延長が決まった翌日である。最初の拘置だけで釈放されることを期待していた中国政府が、国内世論が政府批判に向かわぬよう報復措置に出たと見ることもできる。
The three were released five days after the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office released the captain without further legal action against him for the time being. After that, China partially eased its restrictions on rare earths exports to Japan, which may have been an effort to present a softened stance on the issue before the image of China as a threat to global stability spread around the world.
一方、３人の解放は、那覇地検が船長を処分保留で釈放した５日後だった。以後中国は、レアアース（希土類）の対日輸出規制も一部緩和している。中国脅威論が世界に広がる前に、軟化姿勢を示そうという戦略だったのだろう。
Since then, the Japanese government came under growing public criticism over its handling of the captain's release. Calls also heightened for the release of video footage of one of the fishing boat collisions and for the Japanese government to take a tough approach toward China to realize the release of the detained Fujita employees.
その後、日本国内では船長の釈放をめぐって政府の対応を批判する声が強まった。衝突ビデオの公開や、フジタ社員拘束問題などでの中国側への強い働き掛けを求める機運も高まった。
The Chinese government may have been closely watching how the Japanese government would respond to these issues, using Takahashi as a diplomatic bargaining chip to pressure Tokyo.
これらの問題に日本政府がどう対処するか、中国政府は高橋さんを“圧力カード”に、監視の目を光らせていたのではないか。
===
Visitors must be wary
The prolonged detention of Japanese company employees indicates the possibility that so-called China risk will continue to exist in every area for the time being.
今回、日本企業社員が長期拘束された問題は、当面あらゆる分野で「中国リスク」が継続する可能性を示したと言えるだろう。
Employees of companies doing business in China and those doing business with Chinese companies should be very careful about their actions in that country. The same holds for people who visit China on cultural exchanges or as tourists.
中国進出企業や取引企業の社員は、現地での行動に十分注意すべきだ。文化交流や旅行などで中国に行った場合も同様だ。
We must keep in mind that China is a country where the government limits human rights, and there is always a possibility this will happen.
国家の思惑で人権が制約される。その可能性が残る国であることを肝に銘じる必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 10, 2010)
（2010年10月10日01時15分 読売新聞）
2010/10/10
ノーベル平和賞 中国に民主化を迫る授賞だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 10, 2010)
Liu's Nobel pressures China on democracy
ノーベル平和賞 中国に民主化を迫る授賞だ（10月9日付・読売社説）
The winning of the Nobel Peace Prize by an imprisoned Chinese pro-democracy activist sends a strong message to China to respect fundamental human rights. The nation, which has grown into a major economic power, is overdue to take steps toward democratization.
経済大国化しながら民主化を怠る中国に対し、基本的人権などの重視を求める強いメッセージと言えよう。
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said it honored Liu Xiaobo, who has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, "for his long and nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights."
今年のノーベル平和賞が、懲役１１年の刑で服役中の中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏に授賞されることが決まった。
理由について、ノルウェーのノーベル賞委員会は、劉氏の長年にわたる非暴力的な人権活動を評価したものだとしている。
The committee then called on China to respect freedom of speech and other rights of its people.
その上で、中国に対し、言論の自由など国民の権利を尊重するよう注文をつけた。
The Nobel Peace Prize is seen as highly political in nature, having been awarded to such figures as the 14th Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in 1989, and Aung San Suu Kyi, a Myanmar pro-democracy leader, in 1991.
ノーベル平和賞はこれまで、１９８９年にチベット仏教の最高指導者ダライ・ラマ１４世、９１年にミャンマーの民主活動家アウン・サン・スー・チーさんに授与されるなど極めて政治性の高い賞だ。
This year's recognition of Liu apparently is in line with such precedents.
今回も、その流れに沿った動きと言っていいだろう。
===
Beijing lashes out
But the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Information Department lashed out at the Nobel committee's decision, saying that Liu is "a criminal who has been sentenced for violating Chinese laws." The decision to award him the peace prize runs counter to the purpose of the award, the senior spokesman added.
これに対し、中国の外務省報道局長は、「劉氏は中国の法律を犯し、有罪判決を受けた人物。平和賞の趣旨に背く行為だ」と強く非難した。
Prior to Friday's announcement, a Chinese vice foreign minister visited Norway and pressured the Nobel committee not to award the peace prize to Liu. With this request now clearly rejected, China likely will continue criticizing the decision.
今回の発表に先立ち、中国の外務次官がノルウェーを訪れ、劉氏に平和賞を授けないよう、ノーベル賞委員会の事務長に政治的圧力をかけていた。それが無視された形で、中国の反発が今後も続くのは避けられまい。
Liu, who is also an author, played a leading role in writing Charter 08, a document listing 19 demands including direct elections and freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion.
作家の劉氏は０８年末に、直接選挙の実施、言論や集会、宗教の自由など、１９項目の要求を盛り込んだ「０８憲章」を起草した中心人物である。
Chinese authorities arrested and indicted Liu, saying that his speech and acts were aimed at subversion of the government. A jail sentence for Liu was finalized at an appeal hearing in February.
中国当局は、劉氏の言動が政権転覆を狙ったものとして逮捕・起訴した。今年２月には控訴審で劉氏の実刑が確定した。
===
Rights charter suppressed
Chinese authorities suppressed Charter 08, and further stepped up regulations and oversight of media and publications.
その劉氏らの「０８憲章」は当局に握りつぶされ、報道や出版物に対する監督・規制は一段と強化されているのが実態だ。
Chinese President and Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have recently called for some political reform. It is likely they can no longer ignore the international community's calls for political reform in China.
胡錦濤総書記や温家宝首相は最近、相次いで政治改革の必要性を訴えた。政治改革を求める国際的な声を無視できないのだろう。
The party leadership aims to carry out political reform within the framework of the socialist regime. But there is no sign that any concrete steps toward reform have been taken.
党指導部が目指すのは社会主義体制の枠内での政治改革だが、それでも具体的に動き出す気配は見られない。
China's defense spending has increased every year since the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, at an even faster pace than the nation's economic growth. While the military buildup has been proceeding, China has flourished economically. But in terms of the people's rights, no progress has been seen. We wonder how long such a distorted situation can continue.
中国の国防費は８９年の天安門事件以降、経済成長率を上回る規模で毎年増加している。軍備増強の中、経済的には豊かになったが、国民の権利は一向に改善されない。こうしたいびつな状態が、いつまで続くのか。
If China wants to become a responsible member of the international community, it must take to heart the meaning of Liu's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize.
国際社会で責任ある地位を占めようとするのなら、中国は劉氏のノーベル平和賞受賞の意味を重く受け止めなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 9, 2010)
（2010年10月9日01時12分 読売新聞）
Liu's Nobel pressures China on democracy
ノーベル平和賞 中国に民主化を迫る授賞だ（10月9日付・読売社説）
The winning of the Nobel Peace Prize by an imprisoned Chinese pro-democracy activist sends a strong message to China to respect fundamental human rights. The nation, which has grown into a major economic power, is overdue to take steps toward democratization.
経済大国化しながら民主化を怠る中国に対し、基本的人権などの重視を求める強いメッセージと言えよう。
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said it honored Liu Xiaobo, who has been sentenced to 11 years in prison, "for his long and nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights."
今年のノーベル平和賞が、懲役１１年の刑で服役中の中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏に授賞されることが決まった。
理由について、ノルウェーのノーベル賞委員会は、劉氏の長年にわたる非暴力的な人権活動を評価したものだとしている。
The committee then called on China to respect freedom of speech and other rights of its people.
その上で、中国に対し、言論の自由など国民の権利を尊重するよう注文をつけた。
The Nobel Peace Prize is seen as highly political in nature, having been awarded to such figures as the 14th Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, in 1989, and Aung San Suu Kyi, a Myanmar pro-democracy leader, in 1991.
ノーベル平和賞はこれまで、１９８９年にチベット仏教の最高指導者ダライ・ラマ１４世、９１年にミャンマーの民主活動家アウン・サン・スー・チーさんに授与されるなど極めて政治性の高い賞だ。
This year's recognition of Liu apparently is in line with such precedents.
今回も、その流れに沿った動きと言っていいだろう。
===
Beijing lashes out
But the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Information Department lashed out at the Nobel committee's decision, saying that Liu is "a criminal who has been sentenced for violating Chinese laws." The decision to award him the peace prize runs counter to the purpose of the award, the senior spokesman added.
これに対し、中国の外務省報道局長は、「劉氏は中国の法律を犯し、有罪判決を受けた人物。平和賞の趣旨に背く行為だ」と強く非難した。
Prior to Friday's announcement, a Chinese vice foreign minister visited Norway and pressured the Nobel committee not to award the peace prize to Liu. With this request now clearly rejected, China likely will continue criticizing the decision.
今回の発表に先立ち、中国の外務次官がノルウェーを訪れ、劉氏に平和賞を授けないよう、ノーベル賞委員会の事務長に政治的圧力をかけていた。それが無視された形で、中国の反発が今後も続くのは避けられまい。
Liu, who is also an author, played a leading role in writing Charter 08, a document listing 19 demands including direct elections and freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion.
作家の劉氏は０８年末に、直接選挙の実施、言論や集会、宗教の自由など、１９項目の要求を盛り込んだ「０８憲章」を起草した中心人物である。
Chinese authorities arrested and indicted Liu, saying that his speech and acts were aimed at subversion of the government. A jail sentence for Liu was finalized at an appeal hearing in February.
中国当局は、劉氏の言動が政権転覆を狙ったものとして逮捕・起訴した。今年２月には控訴審で劉氏の実刑が確定した。
===
Rights charter suppressed
Chinese authorities suppressed Charter 08, and further stepped up regulations and oversight of media and publications.
その劉氏らの「０８憲章」は当局に握りつぶされ、報道や出版物に対する監督・規制は一段と強化されているのが実態だ。
Chinese President and Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have recently called for some political reform. It is likely they can no longer ignore the international community's calls for political reform in China.
胡錦濤総書記や温家宝首相は最近、相次いで政治改革の必要性を訴えた。政治改革を求める国際的な声を無視できないのだろう。
The party leadership aims to carry out political reform within the framework of the socialist regime. But there is no sign that any concrete steps toward reform have been taken.
党指導部が目指すのは社会主義体制の枠内での政治改革だが、それでも具体的に動き出す気配は見られない。
China's defense spending has increased every year since the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, at an even faster pace than the nation's economic growth. While the military buildup has been proceeding, China has flourished economically. But in terms of the people's rights, no progress has been seen. We wonder how long such a distorted situation can continue.
中国の国防費は８９年の天安門事件以降、経済成長率を上回る規模で毎年増加している。軍備増強の中、経済的には豊かになったが、国民の権利は一向に改善されない。こうしたいびつな状態が、いつまで続くのか。
If China wants to become a responsible member of the international community, it must take to heart the meaning of Liu's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize.
国際社会で責任ある地位を占めようとするのなら、中国は劉氏のノーベル平和賞受賞の意味を重く受け止めなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 9, 2010)
（2010年10月9日01時12分 読売新聞）
2010/10/09
ノーベル化学賞―「鈴木反応」が花開いた
2010/10/08
--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 7
EDITORIAL: Nobel Prize winners
ノーベル化学賞―「鈴木反応」が花開いた
Akira Suzuki, professor emeritus at Hokkaido University, and Eiichi Negishi, distinguished professor at Purdue University in the United States, have won this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with a U.S. chemist.
鈴木章・北大名誉教授と根岸英一・米パデュー大特別教授が、今年のノーベル化学賞に決まった。
The two Japanese scientists have been awarded the prize for their achievements in synthetic organic chemistry, a field of research focused on producing a wide variety of compounds, from medicines to electronics, by using specifically designed chemical reactions.
授賞対象になった有機合成化学は、物質をうまく反応させて、医薬品からエレクトロニクス材料まで、さまざまな物質を作り出す分野だ。
Synthetic organic chemistry may not be familiar to the general public, but for researchers it is a field full of intriguing theories and of great practical importance.
一般にはなじみが薄いが、研究者にとっては理論的な面白さと同時に、実用的にもきわめて重要な意味を持っている。
Negishi and Suzuki developed techniques called palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling, which can freely bind carbon atoms together, leading to new ways to create various chains of carbon atoms that constitute the backbone of organic compounds.
根岸さんと鈴木さんが開発した、パラジウムという金属を触媒とする「クロスカップリング」という方法は、有機物質の骨格を作る炭素と炭素を自由に結びつけることができる。
Their methods are called the Suzuki reaction and the Negishi reaction, respectively, and have spawned a vast range of related research.
２人の方法は「鈴木反応」「根岸反応」と呼ばれて、研究領域として大きく広がっている。とりわけ鈴木反応は広く使われている。
Organic synthesis using palladium as a catalyst is a field of research in which Japanese scientists have made many great contributions. It is sometimes referred to as "chemistry of Japanese."
パラジウムを使った有機合成は、日本人の化学といわれるほどに、日本人の貢献が大きい分野だ。
There are many other palladium-based reactions named after Japanese researchers. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction developed by Richard Heck, who shared the Nobel Prize with the two Japanese, is called the Mizoroki-Heck reaction, after the American researcher and a Japanese chemist, the late Tsutomu Mizoroki.
ほかにも日本人の名前がついた反応がたくさんある。２人と共同受賞したリチャード・ヘック氏が見つけた反応も、亡くなった溝呂木勉氏と連名で、溝呂木・ヘック反応と呼ばれる。
A chemically interesting and useful reaction can be discovered at a relatively small cost if the effort is based on a good idea.
化学的に面白くて有用な反応を見つける仕事は、アイデアさえあれば、少ない費用でできる。
Some experts say this was a field suitable for creative Japanese researchers who worked during the era of insufficient funding.
まだ研究費が十分でなかった日本に向いた研究領域だったともいわれる。
The Nobel Prize for Suzuki and Negishi is a glittering monument to all the great achievements by Japanese researchers in the field.
そんな領域が大きく花開いたことを示すのが今回の受賞だ。
They won the prize as representatives, so to speak, of the many Japanese chemists who have reactions named after them. Their feats have proved the effectiveness of Japanese approaches to research in chemistry.
反応に名を連ねた多くの研究者たちを代表しての受賞といっていいだろう。日本流の化学の力を示したともいえる。
The two have brought to 15 the number of Japanese winners of the Nobel Prize in science, including Hideki Yukawa, the first Japanese laureate, and those in such fields as physics, physiology and medicine.
物理学や医学生理学をふくめた日本人の科学分野でのノーベル賞は湯川秀樹さん以来、合計で１５人になった。
Only five Japanese won the Nobel Prize in science up to 1999. But Japan's Nobel performance gained huge momentum--three straight years of winning from 2000--which added four to the list of Japanese laureates.
１９００年代は５人だったが、２０００年から３年連続で４人が受賞してはずみがついた。
Now, a Nobel Prize for a Japanese scientist is no longer a rarity. This undoubtedly testifies to the high level of Japanese scientific research.
ノーベル賞は日本にとって、決して珍しいものではなくなってきた。日本の研究水準の高さを示すといっていいだろう。
There is, however, no room for optimism about the situation of scientific research in Japan.
もっとも、日本の科学の現状は決して楽観できない。
The trend toward demanding short-term results has grown markedly in recent years, and there are troubling signs that the environment for long-term and basic research has deteriorated.
このところ、短期的な成果を求める風潮が強まり、じっくり腰を落ち着けて取り組む研究がしにくくなっているのが気がかりだ。
Despite the widely shared recognition of the importance of human resources for scientific research, the job outlook is gloomy for students with doctorates.
人材が重要といわれながら、博士号を取っても就職は厳しい。
Scientific research is no longer an area that offers many opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.
研究現場は若者たちが夢を持って飛び込んでいける場ではなくなりつつある。
It has also been pointed out that the low priority given to scientific research in the government's sweeping budget review has demoralized young researchers.
事業仕分けでの研究への厳しい評価が、若い研究者の意欲をそいだことも指摘されている。
Fresh efforts should be made to promote scientific research in this nation. Japan's future depends to a great extent on science and technology.
改めて、日本の研究を伸ばすことを考えなければならない。科学技術にこそ、日本の未来がかかっている。
We want Japan to continue to be a country that produces original scientific achievements. We hope many young Japanese will be inspired and encouraged to pursue scientific research by what older generations of Japanese researchers have achieved.
It is crucial to improve the research environment for young scientists.
これからも、独創的な研究成果を生み出す国でありたい。若い人たちにはぜひ、先輩たちに続いてほしいし、そのための環境作りが大切だ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 7
EDITORIAL: Nobel Prize winners
ノーベル化学賞―「鈴木反応」が花開いた
Akira Suzuki, professor emeritus at Hokkaido University, and Eiichi Negishi, distinguished professor at Purdue University in the United States, have won this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with a U.S. chemist.
鈴木章・北大名誉教授と根岸英一・米パデュー大特別教授が、今年のノーベル化学賞に決まった。
The two Japanese scientists have been awarded the prize for their achievements in synthetic organic chemistry, a field of research focused on producing a wide variety of compounds, from medicines to electronics, by using specifically designed chemical reactions.
授賞対象になった有機合成化学は、物質をうまく反応させて、医薬品からエレクトロニクス材料まで、さまざまな物質を作り出す分野だ。
Synthetic organic chemistry may not be familiar to the general public, but for researchers it is a field full of intriguing theories and of great practical importance.
一般にはなじみが薄いが、研究者にとっては理論的な面白さと同時に、実用的にもきわめて重要な意味を持っている。
Negishi and Suzuki developed techniques called palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling, which can freely bind carbon atoms together, leading to new ways to create various chains of carbon atoms that constitute the backbone of organic compounds.
根岸さんと鈴木さんが開発した、パラジウムという金属を触媒とする「クロスカップリング」という方法は、有機物質の骨格を作る炭素と炭素を自由に結びつけることができる。
Their methods are called the Suzuki reaction and the Negishi reaction, respectively, and have spawned a vast range of related research.
２人の方法は「鈴木反応」「根岸反応」と呼ばれて、研究領域として大きく広がっている。とりわけ鈴木反応は広く使われている。
Organic synthesis using palladium as a catalyst is a field of research in which Japanese scientists have made many great contributions. It is sometimes referred to as "chemistry of Japanese."
パラジウムを使った有機合成は、日本人の化学といわれるほどに、日本人の貢献が大きい分野だ。
There are many other palladium-based reactions named after Japanese researchers. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction developed by Richard Heck, who shared the Nobel Prize with the two Japanese, is called the Mizoroki-Heck reaction, after the American researcher and a Japanese chemist, the late Tsutomu Mizoroki.
ほかにも日本人の名前がついた反応がたくさんある。２人と共同受賞したリチャード・ヘック氏が見つけた反応も、亡くなった溝呂木勉氏と連名で、溝呂木・ヘック反応と呼ばれる。
A chemically interesting and useful reaction can be discovered at a relatively small cost if the effort is based on a good idea.
化学的に面白くて有用な反応を見つける仕事は、アイデアさえあれば、少ない費用でできる。
Some experts say this was a field suitable for creative Japanese researchers who worked during the era of insufficient funding.
まだ研究費が十分でなかった日本に向いた研究領域だったともいわれる。
The Nobel Prize for Suzuki and Negishi is a glittering monument to all the great achievements by Japanese researchers in the field.
そんな領域が大きく花開いたことを示すのが今回の受賞だ。
They won the prize as representatives, so to speak, of the many Japanese chemists who have reactions named after them. Their feats have proved the effectiveness of Japanese approaches to research in chemistry.
反応に名を連ねた多くの研究者たちを代表しての受賞といっていいだろう。日本流の化学の力を示したともいえる。
The two have brought to 15 the number of Japanese winners of the Nobel Prize in science, including Hideki Yukawa, the first Japanese laureate, and those in such fields as physics, physiology and medicine.
物理学や医学生理学をふくめた日本人の科学分野でのノーベル賞は湯川秀樹さん以来、合計で１５人になった。
Only five Japanese won the Nobel Prize in science up to 1999. But Japan's Nobel performance gained huge momentum--three straight years of winning from 2000--which added four to the list of Japanese laureates.
１９００年代は５人だったが、２０００年から３年連続で４人が受賞してはずみがついた。
Now, a Nobel Prize for a Japanese scientist is no longer a rarity. This undoubtedly testifies to the high level of Japanese scientific research.
ノーベル賞は日本にとって、決して珍しいものではなくなってきた。日本の研究水準の高さを示すといっていいだろう。
There is, however, no room for optimism about the situation of scientific research in Japan.
もっとも、日本の科学の現状は決して楽観できない。
The trend toward demanding short-term results has grown markedly in recent years, and there are troubling signs that the environment for long-term and basic research has deteriorated.
このところ、短期的な成果を求める風潮が強まり、じっくり腰を落ち着けて取り組む研究がしにくくなっているのが気がかりだ。
Despite the widely shared recognition of the importance of human resources for scientific research, the job outlook is gloomy for students with doctorates.
人材が重要といわれながら、博士号を取っても就職は厳しい。
Scientific research is no longer an area that offers many opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.
研究現場は若者たちが夢を持って飛び込んでいける場ではなくなりつつある。
It has also been pointed out that the low priority given to scientific research in the government's sweeping budget review has demoralized young researchers.
事業仕分けでの研究への厳しい評価が、若い研究者の意欲をそいだことも指摘されている。
Fresh efforts should be made to promote scientific research in this nation. Japan's future depends to a great extent on science and technology.
改めて、日本の研究を伸ばすことを考えなければならない。科学技術にこそ、日本の未来がかかっている。
We want Japan to continue to be a country that produces original scientific achievements. We hope many young Japanese will be inspired and encouraged to pursue scientific research by what older generations of Japanese researchers have achieved.
It is crucial to improve the research environment for young scientists.
これからも、独創的な研究成果を生み出す国でありたい。若い人たちにはぜひ、先輩たちに続いてほしいし、そのための環境作りが大切だ。
2010/10/08
ノーベル化学賞 受賞の喜びを次につなげたい
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 8, 2010)
Joy in Nobel prize should be linked to future
ノーベル化学賞 受賞の喜びを次につなげたい（10月7日付・読売社説）
This is very encouraging news for Japan, which is beset by a sluggish economy and a diplomatic row.
景気低迷や外交問題で悩む日本を、大いに元気づける朗報だ。
It was announced Wednesday that the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Akira Suzuki, a professor emeritus at Hokkaido University; Ei-ichi Negishi, a chemistry professor at Purdue University; and American researcher Richard Heck.
今年のノーベル化学賞が、北海道大名誉教授の鈴木章博士、米パデュー大特別教授の根岸英一博士と、米国人研究者の３人に贈られることが決まった。
This brings the total number of Japanese Nobel laureates to 18, and the number in chemistry to 7. In both figures, Japan is ahead of the pack in Asia.
日本人のノーベル賞受賞者は１８人を数え、化学賞では、７人となる。アジア地域では群を抜く。
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the winners were honored for their development of chemical methods for efficiently producing pharmaceuticals and liquid crystal substances.
受賞の理由は、医薬品や液晶物質などを効率良く合成するための化学反応法の開発だ。
Crucial tools for industry
The synthesis of organic compounds, in which carbon atoms are linked in complex chains, was at one time extremely difficult. But Negishi and Suzuki found new ways of easily bonding carbon atoms together.
炭素原子が鎖のように複雑につながった有機化合物の合成は、極めて難しかった。根岸、鈴木両博士はこれを容易にする新手法を見つけ出した。
Their methods have already become essential tools in a number of industrial fields, including the production of hypertension and cancer medicines and light-emitting organic compounds.
すでに、高血圧治療薬、抗がん剤、発光する有機化合物の製造など、多くの産業分野で欠かせない手法となっている。
Chemistry is the basis for the synthesis and analysis of materials, and has helped Japan's basic materials industry. This latest award has demonstrated once again Japan's high level of research in this field, and we rejoice in the honor bestowed on Suzuki and Negishi.
化学は、物質の合成や分析などの基礎となるもので、日本の素材産業を支えてきた。今回、その水準の高さを改めて示した。両博士の受賞を大いに喜びたい。
Yet there are worrisome signs emerging as to how long Japan will be able to retain such technical prowess.
ただ、こうした日本の実力をいつまで維持できるか、不安を感じさせる兆候が表れている。
One such indicator is what has been called an inward-looking attitude among young Japanese researchers. An increasing number are studying only at home, rarely going abroad.
その一つが、若手研究者の「内向き志向」だ。ほとんど海外に行かず、国内だけで研究の道を歩む例が増えている。
Only a few young Japanese researchers are pursuing knowledge in the United States, the country considered to be the international center of research.
研究の中心地とも言える米国で修業する若手は少ない。
Of non-American students who receive doctorates at U.S. universities, Chinese students account for about 30 percent and South Koreans for about 10 percent, compared to only about 2 percent for Japanese.
米国の大学で博士号を得る外国人学生の出身国の割合は、中国の約３０％、韓国の約１０％に対して、日本は約２％にとどまる。
If things continue this way, won't Japan be left behind in the fierce international competition in research?
これでは、激烈な世界の研究競争に取り残されないか。
After graduating from Hokkaido University, Suzuki began studying with a prominent chemist in the United States. Negishi went to the United States after graduating from the University of Tokyo and lives there today.
受賞が決まった鈴木博士は北海道大卒業後、米国の著名な化学者の下で研究を始めた。根岸博士も東京大を出た後、米国で修業して今も米国にとどまっている。
Their unwavering diligence abroad led Suzuki and Negishi to the prize.
海外での切磋琢磨(せっさたくま)が受賞につながったと言ってよい。
Foreign opinion worsening
Also worrisome is the fact that international opinion of Japanese universities is declining. One warning bell was sounded last month by global university rankings for this year compiled by a British education magazine on the basis of their achievements in teaching and research.
日本の大学の国際評価が下がり始めているのも気がかりだ。英国の教育専門誌が先月、教育、研究などの実績をもとに発表した今年の「世界大学ランキング」はその警鐘である。
The University of Tokyo, which until last year was the top-ranked institution in Asia, was ranked 26th overall. This was still the highest among Japanese universities, but it was overtaken in Asia by the University of Hong Kong, which was ranked 21st.
日本勢は、最高の東京大が２６位で、昨年までのアジア首位の座を２１位の香港大に奪われた。
Also, the number of Japanese institutions in the top 200 declined from 11 last year to five this year.
上位２００位に入る日本の大学の数も昨年の１１校から５校に減った。
Due to harsh fiscal conditions, the central government's budget for science and technology is shrinking. In stark contrast, Europe and the United States are increasing their public investment in science and technology.
厳しい財政状況の下、国の科学技術予算も減っている。対照的に欧米諸国は、科学技術への公的投資を増している。
The Japanese government and research institutions may need to renew their sense of alarm.
政府や日本の研究機関は、改めて危機感を持たねばなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2010)
（2010年10月7日01時37分 読売新聞）
Joy in Nobel prize should be linked to future
ノーベル化学賞 受賞の喜びを次につなげたい（10月7日付・読売社説）
This is very encouraging news for Japan, which is beset by a sluggish economy and a diplomatic row.
景気低迷や外交問題で悩む日本を、大いに元気づける朗報だ。
It was announced Wednesday that the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Akira Suzuki, a professor emeritus at Hokkaido University; Ei-ichi Negishi, a chemistry professor at Purdue University; and American researcher Richard Heck.
今年のノーベル化学賞が、北海道大名誉教授の鈴木章博士、米パデュー大特別教授の根岸英一博士と、米国人研究者の３人に贈られることが決まった。
This brings the total number of Japanese Nobel laureates to 18, and the number in chemistry to 7. In both figures, Japan is ahead of the pack in Asia.
日本人のノーベル賞受賞者は１８人を数え、化学賞では、７人となる。アジア地域では群を抜く。
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the winners were honored for their development of chemical methods for efficiently producing pharmaceuticals and liquid crystal substances.
受賞の理由は、医薬品や液晶物質などを効率良く合成するための化学反応法の開発だ。
Crucial tools for industry
The synthesis of organic compounds, in which carbon atoms are linked in complex chains, was at one time extremely difficult. But Negishi and Suzuki found new ways of easily bonding carbon atoms together.
炭素原子が鎖のように複雑につながった有機化合物の合成は、極めて難しかった。根岸、鈴木両博士はこれを容易にする新手法を見つけ出した。
Their methods have already become essential tools in a number of industrial fields, including the production of hypertension and cancer medicines and light-emitting organic compounds.
すでに、高血圧治療薬、抗がん剤、発光する有機化合物の製造など、多くの産業分野で欠かせない手法となっている。
Chemistry is the basis for the synthesis and analysis of materials, and has helped Japan's basic materials industry. This latest award has demonstrated once again Japan's high level of research in this field, and we rejoice in the honor bestowed on Suzuki and Negishi.
化学は、物質の合成や分析などの基礎となるもので、日本の素材産業を支えてきた。今回、その水準の高さを改めて示した。両博士の受賞を大いに喜びたい。
Yet there are worrisome signs emerging as to how long Japan will be able to retain such technical prowess.
ただ、こうした日本の実力をいつまで維持できるか、不安を感じさせる兆候が表れている。
One such indicator is what has been called an inward-looking attitude among young Japanese researchers. An increasing number are studying only at home, rarely going abroad.
その一つが、若手研究者の「内向き志向」だ。ほとんど海外に行かず、国内だけで研究の道を歩む例が増えている。
Only a few young Japanese researchers are pursuing knowledge in the United States, the country considered to be the international center of research.
研究の中心地とも言える米国で修業する若手は少ない。
Of non-American students who receive doctorates at U.S. universities, Chinese students account for about 30 percent and South Koreans for about 10 percent, compared to only about 2 percent for Japanese.
米国の大学で博士号を得る外国人学生の出身国の割合は、中国の約３０％、韓国の約１０％に対して、日本は約２％にとどまる。
If things continue this way, won't Japan be left behind in the fierce international competition in research?
これでは、激烈な世界の研究競争に取り残されないか。
After graduating from Hokkaido University, Suzuki began studying with a prominent chemist in the United States. Negishi went to the United States after graduating from the University of Tokyo and lives there today.
受賞が決まった鈴木博士は北海道大卒業後、米国の著名な化学者の下で研究を始めた。根岸博士も東京大を出た後、米国で修業して今も米国にとどまっている。
Their unwavering diligence abroad led Suzuki and Negishi to the prize.
海外での切磋琢磨(せっさたくま)が受賞につながったと言ってよい。
Foreign opinion worsening
Also worrisome is the fact that international opinion of Japanese universities is declining. One warning bell was sounded last month by global university rankings for this year compiled by a British education magazine on the basis of their achievements in teaching and research.
日本の大学の国際評価が下がり始めているのも気がかりだ。英国の教育専門誌が先月、教育、研究などの実績をもとに発表した今年の「世界大学ランキング」はその警鐘である。
The University of Tokyo, which until last year was the top-ranked institution in Asia, was ranked 26th overall. This was still the highest among Japanese universities, but it was overtaken in Asia by the University of Hong Kong, which was ranked 21st.
日本勢は、最高の東京大が２６位で、昨年までのアジア首位の座を２１位の香港大に奪われた。
Also, the number of Japanese institutions in the top 200 declined from 11 last year to five this year.
上位２００位に入る日本の大学の数も昨年の１１校から５校に減った。
Due to harsh fiscal conditions, the central government's budget for science and technology is shrinking. In stark contrast, Europe and the United States are increasing their public investment in science and technology.
厳しい財政状況の下、国の科学技術予算も減っている。対照的に欧米諸国は、科学技術への公的投資を増している。
The Japanese government and research institutions may need to renew their sense of alarm.
政府や日本の研究機関は、改めて危機感を持たねばなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2010)
（2010年10月7日01時37分 読売新聞）
2010/10/07
日中首脳会談 中国は互恵の前に報復撤回を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 7, 2010)
Kan must take firm line on Chinese aggression
日中首脳会談 中国は互恵の前に報復撤回を（10月6日付・読売社説）
Monday's impromptu meeting between Japanese and Chinese leaders is expected to open the door for the two countries to mend their ties, which have been strained since last month's collision between a Chinese trawler and two Japan Coast Guard vessels in Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
日中両首脳の対話が実現したことは、尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件で悪化した両国関係を修復する契機となろう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels. The two leaders agreed to resume high-level negotiations and civic exchanges between the two countries, which China unilaterally suspended.
菅首相と中国の温家宝首相が、ベルギーで開かれたアジア欧州会議（ＡＳＥＭ）首脳会議の合間を利用して会談した。中国が一方的に中止していた日中のハイレベル協議や民間交流について復活させることで合意した。
If Japan-China economic ties cool, it will slow down China's growth, possibly resulting in mounting frustrations in the country. It also will inevitably stagnate the transfer of Japan's environmental and energy-saving technology, which is highly anticipated by China.
日中の経済関係を冷え込ませれば、中国も成長の鈍化を招き、国内不満を高める恐れがある。中国が望む日本の環境・省エネ技術の移転も、停滞が避けられまい。
Moreover, China's hard-nosed diplomacy gave the impression to the international community that the country is aggressive, as France's Le Monde newspaper described it. China apparently decided to go ahead with the unscheduled meeting after concluding that further complicating the Japan-China relationship will cost it a lot.
加えて中国の圧力外交は、国際社会に「粗暴な大国」（仏ル・モンド紙）との印象を与えた。中国側は、日中関係をこれ以上こじらせては失うものが大きいとして、首脳会談に応じたのだろう。
===
China needs Japan
It is also believed that China did not want the current row to adversely affect the scheduled attendance of Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum set to open in Yokohama next month.
来月、横浜で開催されるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）への胡錦濤国家主席の出席に影響が及ぶ事態は避けたい、という事情もあったに違いない。
In their meeting, the two leaders confirmed they should return to the "starting point" of promoting a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship. If that is the case, we believe it is China's responsibility to completely retract the retaliatory measures it has taken following the collision incident near the Senkaku Islands.
会談では、戦略的互恵関係を進展させるとの「原点」に戻ることを確認した。それならば中国は、その前提として、今回の衝突事件を受けて行った対日報復措置を完全に撤回するのが筋だろう。
Beijing must release a Japanese employee of Fujita Corp. who has been held since Sept. 20 for allegedly entering a military zone without permission. China has continued to hold him despite releasing three other Japanese employees of the company.
China must also normalize its exports of rare earth minerals to Japan.
拘束を継続する建設会社「フジタ」社員を早期に解放するのは無論、レアアース（希土類）の対日輸出も正常化すべきだ。
The Kan administration must show a resolute stance against China in handling problems concerning Japan's sovereignty and maritime interests, even as it deepens ties with China in trade and other fields.
菅政権は今後、貿易などで中国との関係を深めるとしても、主権や海洋権益の問題では、毅然(きぜん)とした姿勢を示す必要がある。
===
Release collision video
In the wake of the collision incident, Chinese authorities started deploying fisheries patrol boats near the Senkaku Islands around the clock.
中国当局は、漁船衝突事件を機に、尖閣諸島近海に漁業監視船を常駐させるようになった。
Fishing boats in the vanguard, followed by fisheries patrol boats--this is exactly the same as the strategy China has taken in advancing into the South China Sea. We absolutely cannot overlook this.
漁船が“先兵”役を果たし、漁業監視船がこれに続くのは、中国が南シナ海での海洋進出で取った手法だ。到底、看過できない。
The Kan administration must strongly demand China exercise self-restraint. It must also step up monitoring by the JCG.
菅政権は、中国側に強く自制を迫ると同時に、海上保安庁による監視体制を強化すべきだ。
In addition, the government must no longer, out of unnecessary consideration to China, hesitate to release JCG video footage of one of the collisions.
海保が撮影した衝突時のビデオも、中国側への無用な配慮で公開をためらうべきではない。
A recent Yomiuri Shimbun survey showed that about 70 percent of the public viewed Japanese prosecutors' release of the Chinese skipper as inappropriate. Of those, 40 percent said they thought this gave the impression that Japan would cave in when pressured.
読売新聞の世論調査では、中国人船長の釈放を不適切と受け止めている人は７割にのぼり、そのうちの４割が「日本は圧力をかけると譲歩するという印象を与えるから」を理由に挙げた。
More than 80 percent said they felt anxiety over the Democratic Party of Japan's handling of diplomatic affairs.
民主党の外交姿勢に「不安を感じる」と答えた人も、８割を超えている。
Kan must be fully aware that many people in the country are strictly scrutinizing the government, and he must proactively carry out diplomacy that serves the national interests.
菅首相は、国民の多くが厳しい視線を送っていることを強く自覚し、国益に立った外交を積極的に展開しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2010)
（2010年10月6日01時44分 読売新聞）
Kan must take firm line on Chinese aggression
日中首脳会談 中国は互恵の前に報復撤回を（10月6日付・読売社説）
Monday's impromptu meeting between Japanese and Chinese leaders is expected to open the door for the two countries to mend their ties, which have been strained since last month's collision between a Chinese trawler and two Japan Coast Guard vessels in Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
日中両首脳の対話が実現したことは、尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件で悪化した両国関係を修復する契機となろう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels. The two leaders agreed to resume high-level negotiations and civic exchanges between the two countries, which China unilaterally suspended.
菅首相と中国の温家宝首相が、ベルギーで開かれたアジア欧州会議（ＡＳＥＭ）首脳会議の合間を利用して会談した。中国が一方的に中止していた日中のハイレベル協議や民間交流について復活させることで合意した。
If Japan-China economic ties cool, it will slow down China's growth, possibly resulting in mounting frustrations in the country. It also will inevitably stagnate the transfer of Japan's environmental and energy-saving technology, which is highly anticipated by China.
日中の経済関係を冷え込ませれば、中国も成長の鈍化を招き、国内不満を高める恐れがある。中国が望む日本の環境・省エネ技術の移転も、停滞が避けられまい。
Moreover, China's hard-nosed diplomacy gave the impression to the international community that the country is aggressive, as France's Le Monde newspaper described it. China apparently decided to go ahead with the unscheduled meeting after concluding that further complicating the Japan-China relationship will cost it a lot.
加えて中国の圧力外交は、国際社会に「粗暴な大国」（仏ル・モンド紙）との印象を与えた。中国側は、日中関係をこれ以上こじらせては失うものが大きいとして、首脳会談に応じたのだろう。
===
China needs Japan
It is also believed that China did not want the current row to adversely affect the scheduled attendance of Chinese President Hu Jintao at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum set to open in Yokohama next month.
来月、横浜で開催されるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）への胡錦濤国家主席の出席に影響が及ぶ事態は避けたい、という事情もあったに違いない。
In their meeting, the two leaders confirmed they should return to the "starting point" of promoting a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship. If that is the case, we believe it is China's responsibility to completely retract the retaliatory measures it has taken following the collision incident near the Senkaku Islands.
会談では、戦略的互恵関係を進展させるとの「原点」に戻ることを確認した。それならば中国は、その前提として、今回の衝突事件を受けて行った対日報復措置を完全に撤回するのが筋だろう。
Beijing must release a Japanese employee of Fujita Corp. who has been held since Sept. 20 for allegedly entering a military zone without permission. China has continued to hold him despite releasing three other Japanese employees of the company.
China must also normalize its exports of rare earth minerals to Japan.
拘束を継続する建設会社「フジタ」社員を早期に解放するのは無論、レアアース（希土類）の対日輸出も正常化すべきだ。
The Kan administration must show a resolute stance against China in handling problems concerning Japan's sovereignty and maritime interests, even as it deepens ties with China in trade and other fields.
菅政権は今後、貿易などで中国との関係を深めるとしても、主権や海洋権益の問題では、毅然(きぜん)とした姿勢を示す必要がある。
===
Release collision video
In the wake of the collision incident, Chinese authorities started deploying fisheries patrol boats near the Senkaku Islands around the clock.
中国当局は、漁船衝突事件を機に、尖閣諸島近海に漁業監視船を常駐させるようになった。
Fishing boats in the vanguard, followed by fisheries patrol boats--this is exactly the same as the strategy China has taken in advancing into the South China Sea. We absolutely cannot overlook this.
漁船が“先兵”役を果たし、漁業監視船がこれに続くのは、中国が南シナ海での海洋進出で取った手法だ。到底、看過できない。
The Kan administration must strongly demand China exercise self-restraint. It must also step up monitoring by the JCG.
菅政権は、中国側に強く自制を迫ると同時に、海上保安庁による監視体制を強化すべきだ。
In addition, the government must no longer, out of unnecessary consideration to China, hesitate to release JCG video footage of one of the collisions.
海保が撮影した衝突時のビデオも、中国側への無用な配慮で公開をためらうべきではない。
A recent Yomiuri Shimbun survey showed that about 70 percent of the public viewed Japanese prosecutors' release of the Chinese skipper as inappropriate. Of those, 40 percent said they thought this gave the impression that Japan would cave in when pressured.
読売新聞の世論調査では、中国人船長の釈放を不適切と受け止めている人は７割にのぼり、そのうちの４割が「日本は圧力をかけると譲歩するという印象を与えるから」を理由に挙げた。
More than 80 percent said they felt anxiety over the Democratic Party of Japan's handling of diplomatic affairs.
民主党の外交姿勢に「不安を感じる」と答えた人も、８割を超えている。
Kan must be fully aware that many people in the country are strictly scrutinizing the government, and he must proactively carry out diplomacy that serves the national interests.
菅首相は、国民の多くが厳しい視線を送っていることを強く自覚し、国益に立った外交を積極的に展開しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2010)
（2010年10月6日01時44分 読売新聞）
2010/10/06
アザデガン油田―撤退を新戦略に生かそう
--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 4 (2010/10/05)
EDITORIAL: Oil field diplomacy
アザデガン油田―撤退を新戦略に生かそう
A major turning point has come for the government's energy security policy. This policy has been based on the conviction that Japan needs to be actively involved in the development of oil fields overseas in order to secure a stable supply of energy for itself at home.
日本のエネルギー安全保障には開発で主導権を持つ「日の丸油田」が必須、としてきた政策が転機を迎えた。
In a move symbolic of the shift, a government-affiliated Japanese oil company has decided to withdraw altogether from a project to develop the Azadegan oil field in southwestern Iran.
イランのアザデガン油田から日本企業が完全撤退する方針を固めたことはその象徴である。
In 2004, the predecessor of Inpex Corp. acquired a 75-percent stake in the Iranian oil field, which is believed to be one of the biggest in the world, beating out European and Chinese competitors. As suspicions grew that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, however, Japan reduced its stake to 10 percent in 2006 in response to U.S. concerns about the Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
２００４年に欧州勢や中国との競争に勝ち、世界最大級とされるこの油田の権益の７５％を国際石油開発（現国際石油開発帝石）が確保した。その後イランの核兵器開発疑惑で米国に配慮し、０６年に権益を１０％に縮小した。
Now, Tokyo has decided to pull out of the oil drilling project under intensified pressure from Washington, which is stepping up its sanctions against Iran.
今回は制裁を強める米国の要請を受け、全面撤退となった。
The withdrawal from this oil project is an unfortunate but inevitable result of Iran's refusal to take convincing actions to ease international concerns about its nuclear program.
撤退は残念だが、イランの核疑惑が晴れない以上、やむをえない。
The importance of the Azadegan oil field for Japan's energy strategy has significantly decreased.
すでにアザデガン油田の意義は小さくなっていた。
Given declining oil consumption at home and the growing trend toward a low-carbon society, it is important for Japan to make a levelheaded response to the situation and use the lessons from the experience for its future energy strategy.
石油消費が減少に向かっている国内情勢や将来の低炭素社会も考えて冷静に受け止め、今後のエネルギー戦略に生かすべきだ。
Japan's efforts for energy security should now focus on becoming a member of an international network of countries that share information about oil through joint development projects and supply resources to each other.
今後は共同開発などで石油をめぐる情報を確保しつつ、資源を融通し合う国際ネットワークの一員としての資格を得るようにしたい。
This strategy requires Japan to use its energy-related technologies and funds to expand its cooperation with oil-producing countries.
そのためにエネルギー関連技術や資金を活用し、産油国との連携を深めることが必要だ。
It is also important to accelerate efforts to develop a wide variety of energy sources including natural gas and other renewable energies.
天然ガスや自然エネルギーの活用を含む多角的なエネルギー開発を加速させることも大切である。
Only by continuing such efforts, can Japan find an effective way to help ensure that natural resource markets will perform their core functions properly in this age of globalization.
そうした努力を続けてこそ、グローバルな時代の資源市場の機能を維持するために、日本が貢献できる道が見えてくる。
The grim geopolitical realities highlighted by the withdrawal demand that Japan redouble its efforts to revitalize its independent diplomacy in the Middle East.
中東での独自外交の立て直しも、今回の撤退に示された厳しい状況を踏まえて進めたい。
Iran is the fourth-largest oil supplier for Japan, which has maintained a friendly relationship with the country even after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 led to the breakdown of Tehran's diplomatic relations with Washington.
イランは日本にとって第４の原油供給国であり、１９７９年のイスラム革命後に米国とイランが国交断絶した後も、日本は友好関係をつないできた。
But Japan's diplomacy has failed to exert any significant influence on the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
しかし、これまでの日本の外交は、イランの核問題に対して何ら有効な影響力を持ち得なかった。
This summer, the United States lodged no opposition to a Russian state-run nuclear power company's move to start operating a reactor in Iran.
米国は今夏、ロシアの国営原子力企業がイランで原子炉を稼働させることを認めた。
In contrast, the U.S. administration has pressed Japan to abandon its involvement in the oil field development in Iran. This underscores the limitation of Japan's independent diplomacy.
それと対照的に日本に撤退を求めたことは、日本の独自外交の限界の表れでもある。
Most of the rights in the Azadegan oil field that Japan has abandoned have been acquired by Chinese companies.
これまでに日本が放棄したアザデガン油田の権益の大部分は、中国企業が取得した。
The United States, Russia and China, a relatively new diplomatic player in the region, are jockeying for influence in Iran. This diplomatic game is being played out across the Middle East.
イランに対して米国、ロシア、そして新参の中国が影響力でしのぎを削るという構図は、中東全体にもあてはまると考えるべきだろう。
Japan lacks the ability to pursue a national strategy in the Middle East like a major power. The sooner Tokyo acknowledges this reality, the sooner it can figure out what it can do by way of policy in the region.
日本は、中東で大国のように国家戦略を遂行できる力を持っていない。その現実を認識した上で、今後何ができるかを考える必要がある。
It could serve Japan's diplomatic interest to put on a delicate balancing act from time to time to keep some distance in the region from U.S. diplomacy, which tends to be tilted toward strong-arm tactics including the deployment of armed forces.
中東では、軍事力の行使を含め強圧的な対応に陥りがちな米国と、時にはうまく距離をとることも賢い外交ではあるまいか。
Meanwhile, Japan needs to do more to build relations based on mutual trust with oil-producing countries through contributions in such areas as technological aid and social development.
一方で、産油国などには技術援助や社会開発の分野でもっと貢献し、信頼関係を築くことだ。
Japan should not spare any effort to become a country that is needed in the Middle East.
中東に必要とされる国になるための努力を惜しんではならない。
EDITORIAL: Oil field diplomacy
アザデガン油田―撤退を新戦略に生かそう
A major turning point has come for the government's energy security policy. This policy has been based on the conviction that Japan needs to be actively involved in the development of oil fields overseas in order to secure a stable supply of energy for itself at home.
日本のエネルギー安全保障には開発で主導権を持つ「日の丸油田」が必須、としてきた政策が転機を迎えた。
In a move symbolic of the shift, a government-affiliated Japanese oil company has decided to withdraw altogether from a project to develop the Azadegan oil field in southwestern Iran.
イランのアザデガン油田から日本企業が完全撤退する方針を固めたことはその象徴である。
In 2004, the predecessor of Inpex Corp. acquired a 75-percent stake in the Iranian oil field, which is believed to be one of the biggest in the world, beating out European and Chinese competitors. As suspicions grew that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, however, Japan reduced its stake to 10 percent in 2006 in response to U.S. concerns about the Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
２００４年に欧州勢や中国との競争に勝ち、世界最大級とされるこの油田の権益の７５％を国際石油開発（現国際石油開発帝石）が確保した。その後イランの核兵器開発疑惑で米国に配慮し、０６年に権益を１０％に縮小した。
Now, Tokyo has decided to pull out of the oil drilling project under intensified pressure from Washington, which is stepping up its sanctions against Iran.
今回は制裁を強める米国の要請を受け、全面撤退となった。
The withdrawal from this oil project is an unfortunate but inevitable result of Iran's refusal to take convincing actions to ease international concerns about its nuclear program.
撤退は残念だが、イランの核疑惑が晴れない以上、やむをえない。
The importance of the Azadegan oil field for Japan's energy strategy has significantly decreased.
すでにアザデガン油田の意義は小さくなっていた。
Given declining oil consumption at home and the growing trend toward a low-carbon society, it is important for Japan to make a levelheaded response to the situation and use the lessons from the experience for its future energy strategy.
石油消費が減少に向かっている国内情勢や将来の低炭素社会も考えて冷静に受け止め、今後のエネルギー戦略に生かすべきだ。
Japan's efforts for energy security should now focus on becoming a member of an international network of countries that share information about oil through joint development projects and supply resources to each other.
今後は共同開発などで石油をめぐる情報を確保しつつ、資源を融通し合う国際ネットワークの一員としての資格を得るようにしたい。
This strategy requires Japan to use its energy-related technologies and funds to expand its cooperation with oil-producing countries.
そのためにエネルギー関連技術や資金を活用し、産油国との連携を深めることが必要だ。
It is also important to accelerate efforts to develop a wide variety of energy sources including natural gas and other renewable energies.
天然ガスや自然エネルギーの活用を含む多角的なエネルギー開発を加速させることも大切である。
Only by continuing such efforts, can Japan find an effective way to help ensure that natural resource markets will perform their core functions properly in this age of globalization.
そうした努力を続けてこそ、グローバルな時代の資源市場の機能を維持するために、日本が貢献できる道が見えてくる。
The grim geopolitical realities highlighted by the withdrawal demand that Japan redouble its efforts to revitalize its independent diplomacy in the Middle East.
中東での独自外交の立て直しも、今回の撤退に示された厳しい状況を踏まえて進めたい。
Iran is the fourth-largest oil supplier for Japan, which has maintained a friendly relationship with the country even after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 led to the breakdown of Tehran's diplomatic relations with Washington.
イランは日本にとって第４の原油供給国であり、１９７９年のイスラム革命後に米国とイランが国交断絶した後も、日本は友好関係をつないできた。
But Japan's diplomacy has failed to exert any significant influence on the issue of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
しかし、これまでの日本の外交は、イランの核問題に対して何ら有効な影響力を持ち得なかった。
This summer, the United States lodged no opposition to a Russian state-run nuclear power company's move to start operating a reactor in Iran.
米国は今夏、ロシアの国営原子力企業がイランで原子炉を稼働させることを認めた。
In contrast, the U.S. administration has pressed Japan to abandon its involvement in the oil field development in Iran. This underscores the limitation of Japan's independent diplomacy.
それと対照的に日本に撤退を求めたことは、日本の独自外交の限界の表れでもある。
Most of the rights in the Azadegan oil field that Japan has abandoned have been acquired by Chinese companies.
これまでに日本が放棄したアザデガン油田の権益の大部分は、中国企業が取得した。
The United States, Russia and China, a relatively new diplomatic player in the region, are jockeying for influence in Iran. This diplomatic game is being played out across the Middle East.
イランに対して米国、ロシア、そして新参の中国が影響力でしのぎを削るという構図は、中東全体にもあてはまると考えるべきだろう。
Japan lacks the ability to pursue a national strategy in the Middle East like a major power. The sooner Tokyo acknowledges this reality, the sooner it can figure out what it can do by way of policy in the region.
日本は、中東で大国のように国家戦略を遂行できる力を持っていない。その現実を認識した上で、今後何ができるかを考える必要がある。
It could serve Japan's diplomatic interest to put on a delicate balancing act from time to time to keep some distance in the region from U.S. diplomacy, which tends to be tilted toward strong-arm tactics including the deployment of armed forces.
中東では、軍事力の行使を含め強圧的な対応に陥りがちな米国と、時にはうまく距離をとることも賢い外交ではあるまいか。
Meanwhile, Japan needs to do more to build relations based on mutual trust with oil-producing countries through contributions in such areas as technological aid and social development.
一方で、産油国などには技術援助や社会開発の分野でもっと貢献し、信頼関係を築くことだ。
Japan should not spare any effort to become a country that is needed in the Middle East.
中東に必要とされる国になるための努力を惜しんではならない。
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