英語版を出すのだったら英訳抜けは許されません。
読売や朝日に比べると、毎日は英訳抜けが多いのです。
過去の経験からそれが言えます。
完全に英訳して欲しいなって思いました。
記事の内容は充実しています。
惜しいですね＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
(Mainichi Japan) January 4, 2012
Editorial: Financial world faces a year of tests in 2012
社説：２０１２激動の年 財政再建で成長支えよ
On Jan. 1, 2002, Europe was in a festive mood.
２００２年１月、欧州はお祭りムードに高揚していた。
The year marked the first time for 300 million people in countries which had in the past fought terrible wars against each other to have the same currency -- the euro.
過去に幾度も戦火を交えた国々の３億を超える人々が、初めて同じ通貨を手にしたのである。
Who would have thought that the new currency people welcomed as a symbol of unity, stability and prosperity would 10 years later become a source of opposition, insecurity and turmoil?
結束と安定と繁栄の象徴として迎えた新通貨が１０年後、対立と不安と混迷の種になっていようとは、どれほどの人が予想しただろう。
The euro now stands in a precarious position.
ユーロは今、崖っぷちにある。
Will trust in the currency be revived, or will the euro fail and fall?
信用を取り戻すのか、転落し瓦解（がかい）するのか。
This year is an extremely important one for financial markets, with the fate of the euro likely to be the biggest influencing factor in the financial world in 2012.
極めて重大な年となる。その行方は２０１２年の世界経済を左右する最大の要素にもなりそうだ。
◇ユーロの解体を防げ
Several tests lie ahead.
いくつもの試練が待ち受けている。
Italy, which holds the key to the euro's fate, will have to borrow about 440 billion euros (about 45 trillion yen) from financial markets this year through government bond issues.
カギを握るイタリアは今年、約４４００億ユーロ（約４５兆円）もの資金を国債発行により市場から借り入れる必要がある。
But with interest rates remaining high, just how much will the Italian government be able to raise by itself?
金利が高止まりする中、どこまで自力の資金調達が可能なのか。
As things stand, a series of balancing acts await the country.
このままでは綱渡りの連続となりかねない。
Italy's economy is the third biggest in the Eurozone after the economies of Germany and France, but if Italy seeks financial assistance like Greece and Portugal have done, European countries won't be able to handle the bailout plans they have already agreed upon.
ユーロ圏で独仏に次ぐ３番目の経済規模を持ったイタリアが、ギリシャやポルトガルのように支援を仰ぐことになると、欧州諸国がこれまでに合意した救済策では、対応できまい。
Before reaching such a stage, members of the Eurozone must hammer out drastic measures and restore trust in the euro; otherwise the previously unimaginable prospect of the euro's demise could edge closer to reality.
その前に、加盟国全体で抜本策を打ち出し、信用を回復しなければ、ユーロ解体という、かつて想定外だった事態が一気に現実味を帯びる恐れがある。
（英訳抜け＾＾）
国債や株が売り込まれてから、一時しのぎの対策を決める、という従来パターンは限界だ。統合の拡大と深化を通じ、戦争のない安定した欧州を築くという理想に立ち返り、果敢な政治決断を下してもらいたい。
（英訳抜け＾＾）
債務危機の影響はすでに欧州を越え、太い貿易のパイプでつながった中国など新興国の経済にも及んでいる。時間との勝負である。日米に新興国を加えた主要国はもっと強く、欧州に迅速な行動を迫らなければならない。解決できるのは欧州だが、解決できなかった時の打撃は世界に及ぶのだ。欧州以外のＧ２０（主要２０カ国・地域）諸国は結束して欧州に圧力をかけ続ける必要がある。
（英訳抜け＾＾）
１０月には東京で国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）と世界銀行の年次総会が開かれ、世界の財務相や中央銀行総裁が集まる。日本での開催は東京オリンピックが開かれた１９６４年以来で、２度目だ。震災からの復興を印象づける機会にしたいものだが、開催国が先進国一重い借金に何ら手を打てないでいるというのでは、影響力どころではない。
In Japan, meanwhile, the basic prescription for reforming the nation's finances and social security system in an integrated manner has already been prepared. The differences between the ruling party and the largest opposition party are not that great. What remains to be done is to make decisions, steadily implement those decisions, and send a message to financial markets that Japan has finally put its back into resolving difficult economic issues.
財政と社会保障制度を一体的に改革するための基本的な処方箋はできている。最大野党との違いも大きくない。あとは決断し、着実に実行し、日本がやっと困難な課題の解決に本腰を入れたというメッセージを市場に送ることである。
It is often said that growth strategies should take precedence over revitalizing finances through tax increases.
「増税による財政再建ではなく、成長戦略が最優先だ」との主張をよく耳にする。
But the idea that categorizing certain industries as growth industries and allocating more funds to them will boost Japan's growth potential is mere wishful thinking.
だが、特定の業種を成長産業と位置づけ、そこに予算を重点配分することが日本の成長力向上につながるということであれば、それは幻想に過ぎない。
Looking to the government for insight into identifying what constitutes a growth industry, and furnishing such industries with large helpings of financial assistance are now outdated concepts.
何が成長産業かを特定する眼力を政府に期待することも、そうした産業にまとまった財政支援をすることも、もはや時代遅れの発想だ。
What we need the government to do now is to remove as many obstacles to financial growth as possible while individuals and companies display their potential.
今、政府に求めたいのは、個人や企業が潜在力を発揮するうえで妨げとなりうるものをできる限り取り除くことだ。
Ultimately, financial collapse must be avoided.
その最たるものが、財政破綻の回避である。
But if government bond prices plunge, resulting in a surge in interest rates and steep inflation, then there will be no prospects for economic growth.
国債暴落で金利の急騰や激しいインフレが起きれば、経済成長など望みようがない。
◇もっと発想の転換を
To boost growth, companies and individuals need to adapt their way of thinking.
一方、企業や個人は発想の転換が求められる。
More effort needs to be put into marketing products that have not been sold outside Japan and services that have targeted only specific customers, so that new markets can be opened.
国内でしか売ってこなかった物、特定の顧客しか想定していないサービスをもっと工夫し、新しい市場の開拓に結びつけたい。
Japan has been outranked by China in terms of gross domestic product, and now stands as the world's third largest economy. People may lament the nation's decline, but third place is still an important position.
国内総生産が中国に抜かれ、世界３位になったと嘆きがちだが、３位でも大変なものだ。
We must not undervalue the high-quality goods and services that have received a seal of approval in Japan's massive market.
巨大市場で認められた質の高い物やサービスを過小評価してはいけない。
When we think of Japanese exports, vehicles and electronics are usually the first things that come to mind, but there are many other things that Japanese take for granted which remain unknown in other countries.
輸出といえば、自動車や電機を思い浮かべがちだが、日本人が当たり前のように利用しているのに世界では知られていない、というものが数多くある。
Take food products, for example. Obesity is a serious problem in the United States and other developed countries.
例えば、米国など先進国では肥満が深刻な問題となっている。
Surely there is room to introduce or expand the range of processed Japanese food products and bento boxes -- which are not only well presented but also low in calories -- in those countries.
低カロリーでありながら栄養のバランスが取れていて、見た目にも美しい日本の加工食品や弁当が参入・拡大する余地は大きいのではないか。
In addition to food, Japan can offer music, video games, movies and other forms of entertainment, as well as delivery services, and items such as fashion and beauty products.
The industries with growth potential in Asia are not necessarily limited to manufacturing.
食だけでなく、音楽やゲーム、映画といった娯楽から宅配サービス、ファッションや美容など、アジア市場で今後成長が期待できそうな「輸出産業」は必ずしも製造業ではない。
However, our preconceived ideas are putting a ceiling on growth.
成長の天井をこしらえているのは、私たちの既成概念だ。
Last year, Japanese companies' purchases of foreign firms reached an all-time high.
元気付けられるデータもある。昨年、日本企業による海外企業の買収件数が過去最高となった。
This is the flipside of the strong yen that carries a predominantly negative image in Japan.
マイナスの印象が強い円高を味方に付けた動きだ。
Recently small- and medium-sized companies are also said to be boosting overseas purchases.
最近は中小企業も海外での買収を活発化させているという。
For those companies, this helps offset declining proceeds from the domestic market, but the benefits do not stop at boosted profits.
企業にとって、縮小する国内市場を補う意味があるが、メリットは直接的な収益拡大にとどまらない。
By participating in other markets, companies can gain knowledge of new products and management methods, and get new ideas.
異質の市場とかかわることでまた新しい商品や経営ノウハウ、発想が生まれ得る。
This, in turn, stimulates the domestic market.
それが翻って国内市場の活性化にもつながるだろう。
For the possibilities to materialize, there must be a stable economic and social foundation free of chaos.
そうした可能性の開花も、混乱のない安定した経済・社会基盤が大前提だ。
Providing such conditions is the greatest role of the political world, and this will be a year in which the political world will face its greatest tests.
それを提供するのが、政治の最大の役割であり、今年はそれが最も試される年となろう。
毎日新聞 2012年1月4日 0時01分
2012/01/06
2012/01/05
若者と高齢者と政治―世代をつなぐ分かちあいを
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 3
EDITORIAL: Dialogue on burden sharing needed between young, old
若者と高齢者と政治―世代をつなぐ分かちあいを
Last year, young people played the leading role in various movements that changed the world.
昨年、世界を動かした主役は若者たちだった。
The young generation was in the vanguard of both the "Arab Spring," a wave of pro-democracy demonstrations that toppled long-standing dictatorships in the Arab world, and the "Occupy" protests against income and wealth inequality that started on Wall Street and spread to many parts of the world.
独裁体制を倒した「アラブの春」も、米ウォール街の占拠から世界に広がった「格差社会」への抗議行動も、若い世代が先頭にいた。
Indeed, these are times of tribulation for young people across the globe.
なにせ、どこも若者受難の時代なのである。
The number of the world's jobless workers belonging to the 15-24 age group hit an all-time high in 2009, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).
国際労働機関（ＩＬＯ）によれば、世界の１５歳から２４歳の失業者数は０９年、過去最多を記録した。
The unemployment ratio for young people has remained far higher than those for other age groups.
その後も失業率は、他の世代を大きく上回る。
The ILO thinks high unemployment among the young is the main factor behind the worldwide protests.
それが「世界中でみられた抗議の要因だ」とＩＬＯは分析している。
In Japan, the latest job data puts the unemployment rate for the 15-24-year-old demographic at around 9 percent, nearly double the average for all other groups.
日本でも直近の統計で、この世代の失業率は約９％で、全世代平均の２倍近い。
Since the figure is still lower than in many Western countries like Spain, where more than 40 percent of young workers are without jobs, Japanese youth may be less disgruntled than their counterparts in other industrial countries.
４０％を超すスペインなど欧米諸国よりは低いから、現状への「不満」はまだ少ないのかもしれない。
But young Japanese are probably no less worried about the future.
だが将来への「不安」は、おそらくひけをとるまい。
Young people are also becoming more vocal and assertive in expressing their feelings in Japan.
日本でも若い力が動き出している。
In last year's mayoral election in Osaka, for instance, more young voters went to the polls than in the previous election, according to an exit poll by The Asahi Shimbun.
たとえば、昨年の大阪市長選だ。
As many as 70 percent of voters in their 20s and 30s cast their votes for Toru Hashimoto, the leader of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), a local reformist party, who was elected as the new mayor of the city.
朝日新聞社の出口調査では、前回の選挙より投票所に足を運んだ若者が増え、２０代、３０代の７割は大阪維新の会の橋下徹氏に一票を投じていた。
Young Japanese and the nation's plight
■若者と日本の窮地
Hiroshi Ichihashi, the 23-year-old leader of Gakusei Osaka Ishin no Kai, the student group supporting Hashimoto's party, has voiced anxiety about the future of the nation in his blog. "I'm terribly scared when I imagine what Japan will look like 10 years, 20 years from now."
「学生・大阪維新の会」の市橋拓代表（２３）はブログにつづった。「１０年後、２０年後、日本はどうなってるんやろと考えると、すごい怖い」
The principal source of their anxiety is the deteriorating job picture.
不安の源は働く環境だろう。
Fierce global competition is putting relentless pressure on Japanese companies to cut costs for survival as well as in other industrial nations. Furthermore, there are some unique factors that are complicating the situation in Japan.
グローバル競争に生き残るためのコスト削減は先進国共通の厳しさだが、日本なりの事情もある。
The tradition of lifetime employment is not yet dead in Japan, although it has become less prevalent. Many Japanese companies still hire mainly new graduates and keep them on their payrolls until retirement.
緩んだとはいえ、新卒で一括採用し、終身雇用する慣行がまだ残っている。
Under this system, companies tend to reduce new full-time hires during economic hard times to protect the livelihoods of their current employees.
この仕組みだと、会社は社員の暮らしを守るため、新たな正社員の採用を絞る。
Unless young people can find full-time jobs when they graduate when jobs are scarce, they are likely to have difficulty developing their skills and building careers.
「狭き門」をくぐれなければ、能力を磨く機会を逃しがちだ。
One study found that young Japanese who enter the job market during a recession are more likely to remain low-income earners for a longer period than their counterparts in countries like the United States.
だから日本では、不況期に社会に出た人たちが長期にわたって収入が低くなる傾向が、米国などよりも著しいという研究結果もある。
Compounding Japan's problems is the rapid aging of its population and its low birthrate.
加えて、少子高齢化だ。
There were once many Japanese workers to support each elderly dependent.
日本はかつて、多くの現役世代で高齢者を支える「胴上げ型」の社会だった。
Now, there are about three or so workers for every pensioner. In the future, there will be only one.
いまは「騎馬戦型」であり、将来は「肩車型」になる。
That's why Japan needs a consumption tax hike, argues Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
だから消費増税が必要だと、野田首相は説く。
He is right. But his argument is based on a basic premise that must not be forgotten.
その通りなのだが、忘れてはならない前提がある。
If young workers cannot pay taxes and premiums for social security programs, the entire system will collapse.
若い世代が税や保険料を納められなければ、社会保障は成り立たない。
Low-income earners cannot contribute to the support of retirees.
担う側がやせ細っていては、肩車は、お年寄りもろとも崩れてしまうという現実だ。
Politicians need to persuade the public
■説得が政治の責務
As the nation is shifting from a growth-oriented society to a mature society, the most important thing is to energize young generations.
成長社会から成熟社会へ移行するいま、何より大切なのは、若い世代を強くすることだ。
It is vital to make it easier to receive education, create more jobs and improve the environment for child rearing. These should be top policy priorities.
教育を受けやすくする。雇用の機会を広げる。子どもを生み育てる環境を整える。それが、政治の最優先課題である。
It is also necessary to narrow the gap in pay between full-time and part-time workers and figure out ways to share jobs and wages between young people and older workers who have finished raising their children.
正社員と非正規の待遇格差を縮め、子育てが終わった世代と仕事や賃金を分かちあう方策も考えるべきだ。
But how about the reality in Japan?
だが、現実はどうか。
The ratio of Japan's expenditures for children and young people to its overall public spending was the second lowest among 39 countries, mostly members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to data for 2007.
子ども・若者向けの公的支出の比率を、経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟国など３９カ国で比べたところ、日本はなんと３８位（０７年データ）だった。
The government has promised to reform the social security system to expand benefits for children and younger generations.
政府も、子どもを含む「全世代対応型」社会保障への転換を掲げている。
But there has been little progress toward that goal because the government has been unable to persuade the public to accept cuts in other expenditures to finance the reform.
それでも思うように進まないのは、財源を生み出すために、他の支出を我慢してもらう説得ができないからだ。
The government has long postponed reducing pension benefits in response to falling prices as required by the program for fear of antagonizing elderly voters.
年金を本来の水準に引き下げることさえ、お年寄りの反発が怖くて先送りを重ねてきた。
It is the duty of politicians to convince the public that the proposed social security reform will be good for future generations and benefit all generations over the long term.
しかし、これは子や孫のためだ。長い目でみれば、すべての世代の利益になる。そう説得するのが、政治の責務だ。
Dialogue between citizens of different generations needed
■かぎは市民の対話
Politicians, however, not wanting to face angry voters in elections, are avoiding their duty.
ただ、選挙で有権者に嫌われたくない政治家は責務から逃げようとする。
That's why Japanese politics has been unable to deal effectively with many pressing challenges confronting the nation.
政治が迷走続きなのは、そのせいだといっていい。
Democracy, by its nature, is not quite good at fresh burden sharing.
民主主義は、新たな負担の分かちあいが苦手なのだ。
Our challenge is how to overcome this weakness and move politics forward.
この弱点を乗り越え、どうやって政治を動かすか。
Things are not so simple as to allow us to solve the problem by simply entrusting the mission to a capable leader.
頼もしそうなリーダーに任せれば解決するほど、ことは簡単ではない。
Politicians should first mend their ways and improve their performance. But voters also need to change themselves.
まずは政治家が進化すべきだが、同時に有権者も変わらなければならない。
One good starting point is serious policy dialogue among citizens with conflicting interests.
たとえば、利害が異なる人々が、もっと対話したらどうか。
Are both elderly and young people content with the current state of the social security system, which is designed mainly for old people?
高齢者に手厚い社会保障の現状を、お年寄りと若者はこのままでいいと納得しているのか。
During the Osaka mayoral election, Ichihashi, the student activist, made speeches in the streets urging young people generally indifferent to politics to get involved in his movement as "participants, not as supporters."
大阪の市橋さんは市長選で街頭に立ち、「応援者ではなく、当事者として参加してほしい」と、政治に関心を抱く機会が少ない同じ世代に呼びかけた。
A wrong choice now could cause the social security system to break down by the time today's young people have grown old.
いま選択を誤れば、若者が高齢者になるとき、社会保障は壊れているかもしれない。
A real fiscal collapse would deliver immeasurable damage to the people's lives and the nation's economy.
もし財政が破綻（はたん）すれば、暮らしや経済への打撃は計り知れない。
Young people won't be able to run away from the consequences of their choices.
そして若者は、選択の結果から逃れられない。
How can we create a society where different generations are willing to support each other?
世代をつないで分かちあう社会を、どうすれば実現できるのか。
What is necessary to leave such a society to future generations?
それを先々の世代に引き継ぐには何が必要なのか。
These are questions that all Japanese voters, including young people, should ponder.
若者はもちろん、より多くの有権者が当事者として考える。
Then, there would be a powerful force to move politics.
それが政治を動かす原動力になるに違いない。
EDITORIAL: Dialogue on burden sharing needed between young, old
若者と高齢者と政治―世代をつなぐ分かちあいを
Last year, young people played the leading role in various movements that changed the world.
昨年、世界を動かした主役は若者たちだった。
The young generation was in the vanguard of both the "Arab Spring," a wave of pro-democracy demonstrations that toppled long-standing dictatorships in the Arab world, and the "Occupy" protests against income and wealth inequality that started on Wall Street and spread to many parts of the world.
独裁体制を倒した「アラブの春」も、米ウォール街の占拠から世界に広がった「格差社会」への抗議行動も、若い世代が先頭にいた。
Indeed, these are times of tribulation for young people across the globe.
なにせ、どこも若者受難の時代なのである。
The number of the world's jobless workers belonging to the 15-24 age group hit an all-time high in 2009, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).
国際労働機関（ＩＬＯ）によれば、世界の１５歳から２４歳の失業者数は０９年、過去最多を記録した。
The unemployment ratio for young people has remained far higher than those for other age groups.
その後も失業率は、他の世代を大きく上回る。
The ILO thinks high unemployment among the young is the main factor behind the worldwide protests.
それが「世界中でみられた抗議の要因だ」とＩＬＯは分析している。
In Japan, the latest job data puts the unemployment rate for the 15-24-year-old demographic at around 9 percent, nearly double the average for all other groups.
日本でも直近の統計で、この世代の失業率は約９％で、全世代平均の２倍近い。
Since the figure is still lower than in many Western countries like Spain, where more than 40 percent of young workers are without jobs, Japanese youth may be less disgruntled than their counterparts in other industrial countries.
４０％を超すスペインなど欧米諸国よりは低いから、現状への「不満」はまだ少ないのかもしれない。
But young Japanese are probably no less worried about the future.
だが将来への「不安」は、おそらくひけをとるまい。
Young people are also becoming more vocal and assertive in expressing their feelings in Japan.
日本でも若い力が動き出している。
In last year's mayoral election in Osaka, for instance, more young voters went to the polls than in the previous election, according to an exit poll by The Asahi Shimbun.
たとえば、昨年の大阪市長選だ。
As many as 70 percent of voters in their 20s and 30s cast their votes for Toru Hashimoto, the leader of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), a local reformist party, who was elected as the new mayor of the city.
朝日新聞社の出口調査では、前回の選挙より投票所に足を運んだ若者が増え、２０代、３０代の７割は大阪維新の会の橋下徹氏に一票を投じていた。
Young Japanese and the nation's plight
■若者と日本の窮地
Hiroshi Ichihashi, the 23-year-old leader of Gakusei Osaka Ishin no Kai, the student group supporting Hashimoto's party, has voiced anxiety about the future of the nation in his blog. "I'm terribly scared when I imagine what Japan will look like 10 years, 20 years from now."
「学生・大阪維新の会」の市橋拓代表（２３）はブログにつづった。「１０年後、２０年後、日本はどうなってるんやろと考えると、すごい怖い」
The principal source of their anxiety is the deteriorating job picture.
不安の源は働く環境だろう。
Fierce global competition is putting relentless pressure on Japanese companies to cut costs for survival as well as in other industrial nations. Furthermore, there are some unique factors that are complicating the situation in Japan.
グローバル競争に生き残るためのコスト削減は先進国共通の厳しさだが、日本なりの事情もある。
The tradition of lifetime employment is not yet dead in Japan, although it has become less prevalent. Many Japanese companies still hire mainly new graduates and keep them on their payrolls until retirement.
緩んだとはいえ、新卒で一括採用し、終身雇用する慣行がまだ残っている。
Under this system, companies tend to reduce new full-time hires during economic hard times to protect the livelihoods of their current employees.
この仕組みだと、会社は社員の暮らしを守るため、新たな正社員の採用を絞る。
Unless young people can find full-time jobs when they graduate when jobs are scarce, they are likely to have difficulty developing their skills and building careers.
「狭き門」をくぐれなければ、能力を磨く機会を逃しがちだ。
One study found that young Japanese who enter the job market during a recession are more likely to remain low-income earners for a longer period than their counterparts in countries like the United States.
だから日本では、不況期に社会に出た人たちが長期にわたって収入が低くなる傾向が、米国などよりも著しいという研究結果もある。
Compounding Japan's problems is the rapid aging of its population and its low birthrate.
加えて、少子高齢化だ。
There were once many Japanese workers to support each elderly dependent.
日本はかつて、多くの現役世代で高齢者を支える「胴上げ型」の社会だった。
Now, there are about three or so workers for every pensioner. In the future, there will be only one.
いまは「騎馬戦型」であり、将来は「肩車型」になる。
That's why Japan needs a consumption tax hike, argues Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
だから消費増税が必要だと、野田首相は説く。
He is right. But his argument is based on a basic premise that must not be forgotten.
その通りなのだが、忘れてはならない前提がある。
If young workers cannot pay taxes and premiums for social security programs, the entire system will collapse.
若い世代が税や保険料を納められなければ、社会保障は成り立たない。
Low-income earners cannot contribute to the support of retirees.
担う側がやせ細っていては、肩車は、お年寄りもろとも崩れてしまうという現実だ。
Politicians need to persuade the public
■説得が政治の責務
As the nation is shifting from a growth-oriented society to a mature society, the most important thing is to energize young generations.
成長社会から成熟社会へ移行するいま、何より大切なのは、若い世代を強くすることだ。
It is vital to make it easier to receive education, create more jobs and improve the environment for child rearing. These should be top policy priorities.
教育を受けやすくする。雇用の機会を広げる。子どもを生み育てる環境を整える。それが、政治の最優先課題である。
It is also necessary to narrow the gap in pay between full-time and part-time workers and figure out ways to share jobs and wages between young people and older workers who have finished raising their children.
正社員と非正規の待遇格差を縮め、子育てが終わった世代と仕事や賃金を分かちあう方策も考えるべきだ。
But how about the reality in Japan?
だが、現実はどうか。
The ratio of Japan's expenditures for children and young people to its overall public spending was the second lowest among 39 countries, mostly members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to data for 2007.
子ども・若者向けの公的支出の比率を、経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟国など３９カ国で比べたところ、日本はなんと３８位（０７年データ）だった。
The government has promised to reform the social security system to expand benefits for children and younger generations.
政府も、子どもを含む「全世代対応型」社会保障への転換を掲げている。
But there has been little progress toward that goal because the government has been unable to persuade the public to accept cuts in other expenditures to finance the reform.
それでも思うように進まないのは、財源を生み出すために、他の支出を我慢してもらう説得ができないからだ。
The government has long postponed reducing pension benefits in response to falling prices as required by the program for fear of antagonizing elderly voters.
年金を本来の水準に引き下げることさえ、お年寄りの反発が怖くて先送りを重ねてきた。
It is the duty of politicians to convince the public that the proposed social security reform will be good for future generations and benefit all generations over the long term.
しかし、これは子や孫のためだ。長い目でみれば、すべての世代の利益になる。そう説得するのが、政治の責務だ。
Dialogue between citizens of different generations needed
■かぎは市民の対話
Politicians, however, not wanting to face angry voters in elections, are avoiding their duty.
ただ、選挙で有権者に嫌われたくない政治家は責務から逃げようとする。
That's why Japanese politics has been unable to deal effectively with many pressing challenges confronting the nation.
政治が迷走続きなのは、そのせいだといっていい。
Democracy, by its nature, is not quite good at fresh burden sharing.
民主主義は、新たな負担の分かちあいが苦手なのだ。
Our challenge is how to overcome this weakness and move politics forward.
この弱点を乗り越え、どうやって政治を動かすか。
Things are not so simple as to allow us to solve the problem by simply entrusting the mission to a capable leader.
頼もしそうなリーダーに任せれば解決するほど、ことは簡単ではない。
Politicians should first mend their ways and improve their performance. But voters also need to change themselves.
まずは政治家が進化すべきだが、同時に有権者も変わらなければならない。
One good starting point is serious policy dialogue among citizens with conflicting interests.
たとえば、利害が異なる人々が、もっと対話したらどうか。
Are both elderly and young people content with the current state of the social security system, which is designed mainly for old people?
高齢者に手厚い社会保障の現状を、お年寄りと若者はこのままでいいと納得しているのか。
During the Osaka mayoral election, Ichihashi, the student activist, made speeches in the streets urging young people generally indifferent to politics to get involved in his movement as "participants, not as supporters."
大阪の市橋さんは市長選で街頭に立ち、「応援者ではなく、当事者として参加してほしい」と、政治に関心を抱く機会が少ない同じ世代に呼びかけた。
A wrong choice now could cause the social security system to break down by the time today's young people have grown old.
いま選択を誤れば、若者が高齢者になるとき、社会保障は壊れているかもしれない。
A real fiscal collapse would deliver immeasurable damage to the people's lives and the nation's economy.
もし財政が破綻（はたん）すれば、暮らしや経済への打撃は計り知れない。
Young people won't be able to run away from the consequences of their choices.
そして若者は、選択の結果から逃れられない。
How can we create a society where different generations are willing to support each other?
世代をつないで分かちあう社会を、どうすれば実現できるのか。
What is necessary to leave such a society to future generations?
それを先々の世代に引き継ぐには何が必要なのか。
These are questions that all Japanese voters, including young people, should ponder.
若者はもちろん、より多くの有権者が当事者として考える。
Then, there would be a powerful force to move politics.
それが政治を動かす原動力になるに違いない。
2012/01/04
ポスト成長の年明け―すべて将来世代のために
昨日の読売新聞新年早々の社説と比較すると面白いです。
新聞社により力点が異なるのが面白いですね。
これも新聞を読む醍醐味のひとつでしょう。
毎日新聞はまだ発表していないようですね＾＾。
毎日のは多分反原発主体ではないでしょうか。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 1
EDITORIAL: Painful choices needed for sake of future generations
ポスト成長の年明け―すべて将来世代のために
The new year has arrived, but Japan continues to grapple with a wide range of formidable challenges.
新しい年も難問が続く。
Besides dealing with all the intractable problems created by last year’s Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the government also needs to tackle the political challenge of raising the consumption tax in line with a draft plan finally announced by the ruling Democratic Party of Japan at the end of last year.
東日本大震災、福島の原発事故への対応はもちろん、年末に民主党がやっと素案を決めた消費税率の引き上げもある。
The sovereign debt crisis in Europe, which has been threatening to knock the world economy off the growth track, is also demanding close attention and monitoring.
世界経済を脅かした欧州の財政金融危機からも目が離せない。
It is certainly a coincidence that all these challenges have emerged to confront the nation at the same time. But there seems to be a common thread.
難問が織り重なったのは偶然だが、なにか共通した問題を暗示しているように思う。
All these challenges appear to indicate that the age of continuous economic growth in industrial nations that began soon after the end of World War II is now coming to an end.
それは、戦後ずっと続いてきた「成長の時代」が、先進国ではいよいよ終わろうとしているということだ。
Huge deficits from financial bubbles
■バブルで財政赤字に
The accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and its dire consequences have forced us to reflect seriously on the reality that an energy source that has been supporting our affluent society is in fact standing on very shaky ground.
原発の惨状は、豊かな生活を支えてきた潤沢なエネルギーがじつは危うい上げ底だったとの反省を迫っている。
The towering budget deficits in Japan, the United States and Europe are the prices of their reckless efforts to stoke economic growth.
日米欧の赤字財政は、成長を無理に追い求めたツケだ。
World history is littered with grim episodes about aggressive monetary expansion to revitalize a sputtering economy ending up creating bubbles with serious consequences.
世界の歴史を振り返れば、経済成長が行き詰まると、成長を取り戻そうとして金融を拡大し、バブルを生んできた。
Japan also produced speculative bubbles after the end of its fast economic growth and piled on debt to deal with the consequences of the bursting of these bubbles.
日本も高度成長が終わってバブルをつくりだし、その後処理のために財政赤字を積み上げてしまった。
The Japanese government sank deeper into the budget morass as it kept issuing huge amounts of bonds to finance measures to stimulate economic growth.
成長を諦めきれずに国債を乱発したからでもある。
The United States and Europe, where housing bubbles popped in a global recession triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, are now following the same path as Japan, struggling with huge budget deficits.
住宅バブルがリーマン・ショックで破裂した欧米も、財政赤字をふくらませ日本が来た道をたどっている。
Industrial nations, which have built more or less affluent societies, are now having a hard time finding a new powerful engine of economic and job growth.
それなりに豊かな社会を実現した先進各国はいま、新たな成長のタネを探しあぐね、雇用の確保に苦しむ。
Economic growth is indeed a magic wand to solve many problems.
経済成長は多くの問題を解決してくれる魔法の杖には違いないが、
But many industrial nations have gotten themselves in an awful bind as they have failed to discover new seeds of growth and turned to fiscal and monetary stimulants to re-energize their economies.
そのタネを見つけられぬまま財政と金融に頼って成長の夢を追った結果、各国とも難問を抱えこんでしまっている。
It has become clear that the traditional policy approach to stimulating economic growth no longer works.
従来の手法が経済成長を生まない。
The world is obviously at a major turning point in history.
そんな歴史の大きなトレンドが変わりつつある。
"Herbivores" a byproduct of society's adjustment
■進化が生んだ草食系
Various signs of profound changes are already visible.
すでに変化の芽は、さまざまな形で見えている。
Last autumn, Japanese people eagerly welcomed Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema when they visited Japan.
昨秋、ブータンから来日したワンチュク国王夫妻を人々は大歓迎した。
Japanese were not just charmed by the royal couple’s amiable and unassuming characters. They also saw one possible future for their country in the Himalayan kingdom’s unique policy focus on spiritual fulfillment rather than on material wealth.
This is symbolized by the “Gross National Happiness,” an indicator invented and espoused by the Buddhist country to measure the quality of life among people.
その清新な人柄の魅力もあったが、物質的な充足よりも心の豊かさを求めてＧＮＨ（国民総幸福）を掲げるブータンの国是に、ひとつの未来を見いだしたからだろう。
Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward has been working to develop its own indicator of happiness for seven years by learning from Bhutan’s experience. Similar efforts are also under way in other parts of Japan.
ブータンにならい、幸福の指標を７年前から研究してきた東京の荒川区をはじめ、各地で同じような模索が始まっている。
The emergence of Japan’s “herbivores”--mild-tempered young men who are passive in building relationships with the opposite sex and don’t have strong worldly desires or ambitions--is a sign that Japanese have started adapting to social and economic changes due to their nation’s shift to a post-growth era, according to a theory proposed by Mizuho Research Institute.
草食系の若者たちが登場したのは、ポスト成長の環境変化に適応して進化したからではないか――。みずほ総合研究所がこんな新説を唱えている。
Herbivore men don’t have strong expectations or complaints about the world around them but seek mild bonds with other people.
過大な期待は抱かず、ほどほどの現状のなかで人々との絆を求める。
Many young people who rushed to help victims of the March 11 disaster appear to fit the mold.
震災のボランティアに駆けつける若者たちと、どこか重なるものがある。
Given the growing concerns about the destruction of the environment and depletion of resources on our planet, it is good for people to adapt to low growth.
地球大での環境や資源の限界を考えても、低成長に適応していくことは好ましい。
The question, however, is whether Japan will be able to deal with the problem of gargantuan public debt and overcome the effects of the rapidly aging population amid low birthrates without achieving economic growth.
だがしかし、経済成長をしないで、巨額の財政赤字を処理しつつ、急激に進む少子高齢化を乗り切っていけるのか。
This question brings us to another colossal challenge.
ここで、次なる難問に突き当たる。
In this age of global competition, when emerging countries are fiercely increasing their economic might to catch up with industrial nations, Japan, with its shrinking population, cannot afford to take it easy.
新興国が激しく追い上げてくる大競争の時代、人口が減りだした日本は、のんきに構えてはいられない。
It will be difficult for Japan even to maintain the status quo unless it makes strenuous efforts.
よほど努力しないと現状維持すら難しい。
Reality dictates that Japan needs to open itself more to the world and make more aggressive moves to capitalize on the growth potential of emerging countries while developing young people who can compete globally.
だから、国をもっと開いて打って出て、新興国の成長力を取り込み、世界に伍（ご）していける若い人材を育てていかねばならない。
If we fail to do so, our future will be in jeopardy.
それを怠れば、この国の将来が危うくなる。
From growth to maturity
■成長から成熟社会へ
How can we deal with two conflicting challenges: adapting to zero growth and striving to stoke growth?
「ゼロ成長への適応」と「成長への努力」という相反するような二つの課題を、同時にどう達成するのか。
This is undoubtedly the hardest economic trial this nation has experienced in its history.
歴史的にみて、経験したことのない困難な道である。
We propose that sustainability has to be the cardinal guiding principle for our efforts to achieve these goals.
そのさい、「持続可能性」を大原則とすることを提案する。
That’s because we should put top priority on the well-being of future generations.
何よりも、将来世代のことを考えるためだ。
We should stop trying to inflate economic growth with fiscal and monetary expansion.
財政支出や金融拡大に頼った「成長の粉飾」はもうしない。
The debt we run up today will have to be paid back by future generations decades down the road. But they have yet to be born.
いま増やした国の借金は何十年も先の世代が返済するが、彼らはまだ生まれてもいない。
That means these future generations will be forced to bear the onerous consequences of decisions they have not made themselves.
決定権のないまま負担だけを背負わされる。
This is a serious defect in democracy.
民主主義の欠陥である。
We must stop repeating this folly now.
この愚をこれ以上繰り返してはならない。
What we need to do is to lay a solid foundation for a matured society by pushing through integrated tax and social security reform.
取り組むべきは、社会保障と税の一体改革を実現させて、成熟社会の基盤をつくることだ。
Rebuilding social services like health and nursing care and education would help create a new society not driven by economic expansion.
医療・介護や教育といった社会的サービスを再建することが、量的拡大に代わる新たな経済社会につながっていく。
Tax increases and spending cuts inevitably cause pain.
増税や政府支出のカットはつらい。
Such austerity measures tend to slow the nation’s economic growth. But the painful effects of these efforts must be accepted for the sake of future generations.
成長率の押し下げ要因になるが、将来世代のことを考え甘受しなくてはいけない。
It is also necessary to phase out as soon as possible nuclear power generation, which produces radioactive waste that will remain a serious health hazard for thousands of years.
また、何万年もの後代まで核のゴミを残す原発は、できるだけ早くゼロにする。
It is also important to promote the use of renewable energy sources and make the economy more environment friendly.
自然エネルギーを発展させ、環境重視の経済に組み替える。
“Silver” markets for products aimed at the elderly and “green” industries that produce and sell eco-friendly products could be new sources of sustainable economic growth.
シルバー（高齢化）とグリーン（環境）が、次の活力ある経済をつくるタネになり得る。
The government’s policy efforts should be focused on these areas.
ここに力を注ぐべきだ。
Such a policy shift would also mean reorienting society from growth to maturity.
それは成長から成熟へ、社会を切り替えることでもある。
We have been reveling in the age of steady economic growth for far too long.
成長の時代を享受してきた私たちは、
We must now take a hard, long-term look at the changes that are taking place and the direction history is following, and then start carrying out steadily what we need to do now.
変化していく歴史の行方を長い目で見つめながら、いまやるべきことを着実に実行していかねばならない。
新聞社により力点が異なるのが面白いですね。
これも新聞を読む醍醐味のひとつでしょう。
毎日新聞はまだ発表していないようですね＾＾。
毎日のは多分反原発主体ではないでしょうか。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 1
EDITORIAL: Painful choices needed for sake of future generations
ポスト成長の年明け―すべて将来世代のために
The new year has arrived, but Japan continues to grapple with a wide range of formidable challenges.
新しい年も難問が続く。
Besides dealing with all the intractable problems created by last year’s Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the government also needs to tackle the political challenge of raising the consumption tax in line with a draft plan finally announced by the ruling Democratic Party of Japan at the end of last year.
東日本大震災、福島の原発事故への対応はもちろん、年末に民主党がやっと素案を決めた消費税率の引き上げもある。
The sovereign debt crisis in Europe, which has been threatening to knock the world economy off the growth track, is also demanding close attention and monitoring.
世界経済を脅かした欧州の財政金融危機からも目が離せない。
It is certainly a coincidence that all these challenges have emerged to confront the nation at the same time. But there seems to be a common thread.
難問が織り重なったのは偶然だが、なにか共通した問題を暗示しているように思う。
All these challenges appear to indicate that the age of continuous economic growth in industrial nations that began soon after the end of World War II is now coming to an end.
それは、戦後ずっと続いてきた「成長の時代」が、先進国ではいよいよ終わろうとしているということだ。
Huge deficits from financial bubbles
■バブルで財政赤字に
The accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and its dire consequences have forced us to reflect seriously on the reality that an energy source that has been supporting our affluent society is in fact standing on very shaky ground.
原発の惨状は、豊かな生活を支えてきた潤沢なエネルギーがじつは危うい上げ底だったとの反省を迫っている。
The towering budget deficits in Japan, the United States and Europe are the prices of their reckless efforts to stoke economic growth.
日米欧の赤字財政は、成長を無理に追い求めたツケだ。
World history is littered with grim episodes about aggressive monetary expansion to revitalize a sputtering economy ending up creating bubbles with serious consequences.
世界の歴史を振り返れば、経済成長が行き詰まると、成長を取り戻そうとして金融を拡大し、バブルを生んできた。
Japan also produced speculative bubbles after the end of its fast economic growth and piled on debt to deal with the consequences of the bursting of these bubbles.
日本も高度成長が終わってバブルをつくりだし、その後処理のために財政赤字を積み上げてしまった。
The Japanese government sank deeper into the budget morass as it kept issuing huge amounts of bonds to finance measures to stimulate economic growth.
成長を諦めきれずに国債を乱発したからでもある。
The United States and Europe, where housing bubbles popped in a global recession triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, are now following the same path as Japan, struggling with huge budget deficits.
住宅バブルがリーマン・ショックで破裂した欧米も、財政赤字をふくらませ日本が来た道をたどっている。
Industrial nations, which have built more or less affluent societies, are now having a hard time finding a new powerful engine of economic and job growth.
それなりに豊かな社会を実現した先進各国はいま、新たな成長のタネを探しあぐね、雇用の確保に苦しむ。
Economic growth is indeed a magic wand to solve many problems.
経済成長は多くの問題を解決してくれる魔法の杖には違いないが、
But many industrial nations have gotten themselves in an awful bind as they have failed to discover new seeds of growth and turned to fiscal and monetary stimulants to re-energize their economies.
そのタネを見つけられぬまま財政と金融に頼って成長の夢を追った結果、各国とも難問を抱えこんでしまっている。
It has become clear that the traditional policy approach to stimulating economic growth no longer works.
従来の手法が経済成長を生まない。
The world is obviously at a major turning point in history.
そんな歴史の大きなトレンドが変わりつつある。
"Herbivores" a byproduct of society's adjustment
■進化が生んだ草食系
Various signs of profound changes are already visible.
すでに変化の芽は、さまざまな形で見えている。
Last autumn, Japanese people eagerly welcomed Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema when they visited Japan.
昨秋、ブータンから来日したワンチュク国王夫妻を人々は大歓迎した。
Japanese were not just charmed by the royal couple’s amiable and unassuming characters. They also saw one possible future for their country in the Himalayan kingdom’s unique policy focus on spiritual fulfillment rather than on material wealth.
This is symbolized by the “Gross National Happiness,” an indicator invented and espoused by the Buddhist country to measure the quality of life among people.
その清新な人柄の魅力もあったが、物質的な充足よりも心の豊かさを求めてＧＮＨ（国民総幸福）を掲げるブータンの国是に、ひとつの未来を見いだしたからだろう。
Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward has been working to develop its own indicator of happiness for seven years by learning from Bhutan’s experience. Similar efforts are also under way in other parts of Japan.
ブータンにならい、幸福の指標を７年前から研究してきた東京の荒川区をはじめ、各地で同じような模索が始まっている。
The emergence of Japan’s “herbivores”--mild-tempered young men who are passive in building relationships with the opposite sex and don’t have strong worldly desires or ambitions--is a sign that Japanese have started adapting to social and economic changes due to their nation’s shift to a post-growth era, according to a theory proposed by Mizuho Research Institute.
草食系の若者たちが登場したのは、ポスト成長の環境変化に適応して進化したからではないか――。みずほ総合研究所がこんな新説を唱えている。
Herbivore men don’t have strong expectations or complaints about the world around them but seek mild bonds with other people.
過大な期待は抱かず、ほどほどの現状のなかで人々との絆を求める。
Many young people who rushed to help victims of the March 11 disaster appear to fit the mold.
震災のボランティアに駆けつける若者たちと、どこか重なるものがある。
Given the growing concerns about the destruction of the environment and depletion of resources on our planet, it is good for people to adapt to low growth.
地球大での環境や資源の限界を考えても、低成長に適応していくことは好ましい。
The question, however, is whether Japan will be able to deal with the problem of gargantuan public debt and overcome the effects of the rapidly aging population amid low birthrates without achieving economic growth.
だがしかし、経済成長をしないで、巨額の財政赤字を処理しつつ、急激に進む少子高齢化を乗り切っていけるのか。
This question brings us to another colossal challenge.
ここで、次なる難問に突き当たる。
In this age of global competition, when emerging countries are fiercely increasing their economic might to catch up with industrial nations, Japan, with its shrinking population, cannot afford to take it easy.
新興国が激しく追い上げてくる大競争の時代、人口が減りだした日本は、のんきに構えてはいられない。
It will be difficult for Japan even to maintain the status quo unless it makes strenuous efforts.
よほど努力しないと現状維持すら難しい。
Reality dictates that Japan needs to open itself more to the world and make more aggressive moves to capitalize on the growth potential of emerging countries while developing young people who can compete globally.
だから、国をもっと開いて打って出て、新興国の成長力を取り込み、世界に伍（ご）していける若い人材を育てていかねばならない。
If we fail to do so, our future will be in jeopardy.
それを怠れば、この国の将来が危うくなる。
From growth to maturity
■成長から成熟社会へ
How can we deal with two conflicting challenges: adapting to zero growth and striving to stoke growth?
「ゼロ成長への適応」と「成長への努力」という相反するような二つの課題を、同時にどう達成するのか。
This is undoubtedly the hardest economic trial this nation has experienced in its history.
歴史的にみて、経験したことのない困難な道である。
We propose that sustainability has to be the cardinal guiding principle for our efforts to achieve these goals.
そのさい、「持続可能性」を大原則とすることを提案する。
That’s because we should put top priority on the well-being of future generations.
何よりも、将来世代のことを考えるためだ。
We should stop trying to inflate economic growth with fiscal and monetary expansion.
財政支出や金融拡大に頼った「成長の粉飾」はもうしない。
The debt we run up today will have to be paid back by future generations decades down the road. But they have yet to be born.
いま増やした国の借金は何十年も先の世代が返済するが、彼らはまだ生まれてもいない。
That means these future generations will be forced to bear the onerous consequences of decisions they have not made themselves.
決定権のないまま負担だけを背負わされる。
This is a serious defect in democracy.
民主主義の欠陥である。
We must stop repeating this folly now.
この愚をこれ以上繰り返してはならない。
What we need to do is to lay a solid foundation for a matured society by pushing through integrated tax and social security reform.
取り組むべきは、社会保障と税の一体改革を実現させて、成熟社会の基盤をつくることだ。
Rebuilding social services like health and nursing care and education would help create a new society not driven by economic expansion.
医療・介護や教育といった社会的サービスを再建することが、量的拡大に代わる新たな経済社会につながっていく。
Tax increases and spending cuts inevitably cause pain.
増税や政府支出のカットはつらい。
Such austerity measures tend to slow the nation’s economic growth. But the painful effects of these efforts must be accepted for the sake of future generations.
成長率の押し下げ要因になるが、将来世代のことを考え甘受しなくてはいけない。
It is also necessary to phase out as soon as possible nuclear power generation, which produces radioactive waste that will remain a serious health hazard for thousands of years.
また、何万年もの後代まで核のゴミを残す原発は、できるだけ早くゼロにする。
It is also important to promote the use of renewable energy sources and make the economy more environment friendly.
自然エネルギーを発展させ、環境重視の経済に組み替える。
“Silver” markets for products aimed at the elderly and “green” industries that produce and sell eco-friendly products could be new sources of sustainable economic growth.
シルバー（高齢化）とグリーン（環境）が、次の活力ある経済をつくるタネになり得る。
The government’s policy efforts should be focused on these areas.
ここに力を注ぐべきだ。
Such a policy shift would also mean reorienting society from growth to maturity.
それは成長から成熟へ、社会を切り替えることでもある。
We have been reveling in the age of steady economic growth for far too long.
成長の時代を享受してきた私たちは、
We must now take a hard, long-term look at the changes that are taking place and the direction history is following, and then start carrying out steadily what we need to do now.
変化していく歴史の行方を長い目で見つめながら、いまやるべきことを着実に実行していかねばならない。
2012/01/03
「危機」乗り越える統治能力を ポピュリズムと決別せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 1, 2012)
Japan faces many challenges in 2012
「危機」乗り越える統治能力を ポピュリズムと決別せよ（1月1日付・読売社説）
The world is in a nearly continuous state of crisis.
世界的に「危機」が常態化しつつある。
In Europe, a sovereign debt crisis has ballooned into a financial crisis that is shaking the world economy.
欧州では、財政危機が金融危機に拡大し、世界経済を揺るがしている。
The United States is beset by huge budget deficits.
米国も巨大な財政赤字に苦しんでいる。
These problems have slowed down the economies of China and India.
その影響で中国やインドでも景気が減速し始めた。
Despite warnings from economists that the value of government bonds could nosedive unless state finances are put on a surer footing, politicians have been unable to persuade their constituents to shoulder additional burdens.
財政再建に努めないと国債が暴落しかねないと指摘されても、政治は負担増を嫌う国民を説得できていない。
Flagging markets and leaders at the mercy of the popular will are stuck in a dangerous embrace that is only serving to amplify the crisis.
混迷を深める市場と、民意に翻弄される政治が、相互に危機を増幅している。
The debt problems of a few European countries are at the bottom of the crisis, and urgently need to be solved. 危機の根源にある欧州債務問題を鎮めることが、喫緊の課題だ。
The governments of these states must act by any means possible to reduce their fiscal deficits and prevent their bonds from losing value.
欧州は、財政赤字を削減し、国債の下落を抑えるよう、万策を講じなければならない。
===
Revitalize economy
経済活性化は復興から
Today marks the first New Year's Day since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, 2011.
日本は、東日本大震災から初めての正月を迎えた。
The unprecedented natural disaster left deep scars on the national psyche and on society.
未曽有の震災は人々の心と社会に深い傷痕を残している。
Cleaning up the debris left behind by the earthquake and tsunami has not proceeded smoothly, and the reconstruction of disaster-hit communities is just beginning.
がれきの処理が進まず、新しいまちづくりはこれからだ。
The catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has not been settled completely, and people who fled their homes to escape the nuclear crisis are scattered around the country.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所は、いまだに事故を完全に収束できず、全国各地での避難生活も続いている。
Our nation's economy is suffering from the dual blows of a super-strong yen and low stock prices caused by the financial confusion in the United States and Europe. Furthermore, the transfer of manufacturing facilities overseas is accelerating--exacerbating the hollowing-out of the nation's industrial base.
日本経済は、欧米の混乱に伴う超円高と株安に苦しみ、企業の生産拠点の海外移転による産業空洞化も加速している。
We hope the economy can return to a growth track through full-fledged reconstruction of the areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.
復興を進めて経済を成長軌道に乗せたい。
To realize this, the nation's political world must recover from its state of dysfunction.
それには、政治が機能不全から脱却する必要がある。
The people are questioning the capability of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government to govern the country.
民主党政権の統治能力も問われている。
We call on Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to set a course toward raising the consumption tax rate so social security programs can be adequately funded.
Noda also must promote free trade, a key to economic growth, and establish a realistic energy policy.
野田首相は、社会保障の財源としての消費税率引き上げに道筋をつけ、成長のカギを握る自由貿易を推進し、現実的なエネルギー政策を確立しなければならない。
The only way political progress can be made in the divided Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors, is through agreements among the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
衆参ねじれ国会では、民主、自民、公明３党の合意があって、初めて政治が前に進む。
To ensure the government runs smoothly, the DPJ must talk with the other parties and build consensus on issues.
政権を円滑に運営するには、政党間協議で合意を積み重ねる必要がある。
===
Fiscal collapse looms
財政破綻もあり得る
There is no magic wand that will move politics forward.
政治を動かす「魔法の杖(つえ)」はない。
The next House of Representatives election could be held this year, but this should not stop the DPJ, LDP and Komeito from transcending party interests to find common ground.
次期衆院選が年内にも予想されるが、民自公３党は、党利党略を超え、合意を目指すべきだ。
In today's political world, a leader needs unflagging resolve, the ability to build consensus and enough persuasiveness to convince the public to bear the necessary pain.
今の政治に必要なのは、リーダーの不退転の覚悟と合意形成に向けた努力、国民に痛みを受容してもらう説得力である。
The European financial crisis, triggered by Greece's sovereign debt crisis, is not "a fire on the other side of the river."
ギリシャの財政危機に端を発した欧州危機は、日本にとって「対岸の火事」ではない。
Our own nation is in the worst fiscal shape among developed countries, with nearly 900 trillion yen in combined national and local government debt--twice the gross domestic product.
日本は、先進国の中で最も厳しい財政事情にある。国と地方を合わせた公的債務は９００兆円弱に膨らみ、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）のほぼ２倍にも上っている。
Japanese government bonds have so far been seen as less risky than those of European countries, which depend heavily on foreign investment.
On the contrary, the Japanese people have personal financial assets worth nearly 1.5 yen quadrillion, and more than 90 percent of government bonds are owned by domestic institutional and individual investors.
これまで、日本には１５００兆円近くの個人金融資産があり、日本の国債は９割以上が国内の機関投資家や個人投資家に保有されているため、国債の消化を海外に頼る欧米諸国と比べて危険度が比較的小さい、とされてきた。
However, in real terms the value of the nation's personal financial assets is only 1.1 yen quadrillion after subtracting personal debts such as housing loans.
しかし、個人金融資産は、住宅ローンなどの債務を差し引いた実体では１１００兆円になる。
This is only 200 trillion yen more than the amount of public debt.
公的債務との差は２００兆円程度だ。
If the issuance of government bonds continues to increase at the current pace, and the aging population begins withdrawing their savings to live on, the financial assets of the Japanese public will no longer be able to cover government bonds.
今後、国債発行がこれまでのペースで増える一方、高齢化による貯蓄の取り崩しによって金融資産が目減りすれば、国民の資産だけでは国債を吸収できなくなる。
Despite the fiscal problems and the damage to the economy by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese yen still enjoys strong international confidence.
財政状況が深刻化し、大震災に見舞われながらも、円に対する国際的信認はなお厚い。
Many believe Japan has room to raise its consumption tax rate into the 15 percent to 25 percent range, similar to the rates in many countries in Europe.
日本には欧州並みに消費税率を１５～２５％に引き上げる「余地」があると思われているからだろう。
However, if investors begin fleeing Japanese bonds, their interest rates will rise and the increased debt-servicing costs would further bloat the government's debt.
しかし、日本の国債がいったん売られると、金利が上昇して利払い費が膨らみ、債務が拡大する。
If Japan were to fall into a vicious cycle of economic doldrums and reduced tax revenue, such as a drop in corporate capital spending caused by consumers tightening their purse strings, the nightmare scenario--fiscal collapse of the government--could become reality.
消費が冷え込み、設備投資の減少など景気低迷と税収減の悪循環に陥れば、財政破綻という悪夢のシナリオが現実になりかねない。
This is why the government must quickly return to fiscal health by increasing the consumption tax rate.
消費税率引き上げによる財政再建を急ぐ理由は、ここにある。
Noda has pledged the consumption tax rate would be "raised to 8 percent in April 2014 and to 10 percent in October 2015."
野田首相は、消費税率について「２０１４年４月に８％、１５年１０月に１０％へ引き上げる」と言明している。
He plans to submit bills related to this purpose to the Diet at the end of March.
３月末に、税制関連法案を国会に提出する方針だ。
We expect the prime minister to seek the understanding of the public by explaining to them carefully that a consumption tax hike is the only way to achieve a sustainable social security system, which includes public pensions, as well as medical and nursing care programs.
首相は、年金や医療、介護などの社会保障制度を持続可能にするには、消費税率引き上げによるしかないことを、国民に丁寧に説明し、理解を求めてもらいたい。
===
Regional tensions
Integrated reform of the social security and tax systems is a significant policy issue that can only be carried out with cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties, no matter what party is running the government.
社会保障と税の一体改革は、どの政党が政権を取っても、与野党で協力して実施に移さなければならないテーマだ。
The LDP and Komeito should cooperate to pass the reforms through the Diet, locking their sights on taking back control of the government afterward.
自民、公明両党も政権復帰の可能性を見据え、法案成立に協力すべきだろう。
To overcome the crisis, lawmakers must make a clean break from populism, no longer bowing to the public's wishes for reduced burdens and increased benefits.
負担減と給付増を求めるような大衆に迎合する政治（ポピュリズム）と決別することが、危機を克服する道である。
中国にどう向き合う
In the Asia-Pacific region, the seas are only getting rougher.
アジア太平洋地域で、荒波がその高さを増している。
China has been continuing its military expansion and has deployed ballistic missiles able to strike Japan and other countries, and is hurrying to develop a next-generation fighter jet.
軍事的膨張を続ける中国は、日本や他国を射程に収めた弾道ミサイルを配備し、次世代戦闘機の開発を急いでいる。
In the South China Sea and the East China Sea, China has repeatedly tangled with Japan, the United States and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states.
南シナ海や東シナ海では、日米両国、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）との軋轢(あつれき)を繰り返している。
Added to this, North Korea is in the middle of a transfer of power, raising the possibility of political turbulence.
北朝鮮は、権力継承の過程で政情が不穏になる可能性がある。
Japan must choose the path of deepening its alliance with the United States, which has shifted its foreign policy focus to Asia, and improve defense capabilities in the Nansei Islands, which include the Okinawa Islands.
日本の取るべき道は、アジア重視の姿勢に転じた米国との同盟を一層深化させ、南西方面の防衛力を向上させることである。
Thus, it is vital for the government to solve problems related to Okinawa Prefecture.
そのためには、沖縄問題の解決が避けて通れない。
Japan and the United States have agreed to transfer the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. To realize the agreement, the government must regain the trust of the prefecture by lessening its burden in hosting U.S. military bases through noise reduction and other measures, as well as adopting regional development programs.
米軍普天間飛行場を名護市辺野古に移設するという日米合意を実現するには、沖縄振興策、騒音など基地負担の軽減を通じた、沖縄県との信頼回復が不可欠だ。
Cabinet ministers concerned, and of course Noda himself, must fly to the prefecture to persuade Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and others to agree to the transfer.
担当閣僚はもちろん、野田首相も沖縄に出向き、仲井真弘多(ひろかず)知事らを本気で説得すべきである。
===
Revive farm sector
農業再生へのチャンス
Promoting economic partnership relations will also greatly contribute to reinforcing the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日米同盟の強化には、経済連携を進めることも寄与する。
Noda has already announced his intention to enter into discussions with other countries concerned toward participation in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade agreement.
野田首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加に向け、関係国との協議に入るとの意向を示している。
This framework would harness the economic vitality of Asia, and is indispensable for Japan's growth strategy.
アジアの活力を取り込む枠組みは日本の成長戦略に不可欠だ。
If it is approved to participate in the negotiations, Japan will be able to commit itself to the formulation of new trade rules.
事前交渉などを経て、ＴＰＰへの参加が認められれば、新たな通商ルールづくりに関与できる。
The government will need to take a strategic approach to the negotiations so the new rules will strengthen Japan's national interests.
日本の国益増進に資するよう、戦略的に交渉しなくてはならない。
Farmers and other people related to the agricultural industry have opposed Japan's participation in the TPP talks.
交渉参加には、農業関係者らが反発している。
The basic principle of the framework is the abolition of tariffs without exceptions, and opponents say such a situation would leave the nation's agriculture sector unprotected.
原則が「例外なき関税撤廃」では、日本の農業を守れない、という理由からだ。
However, the nation's farm industry will deteriorate for certain if the situation is left untouched.
だが、農業はこのままでは衰退必至だ。
Participation in the TPP talks raises the possibility of agricultural reforms such as farmland integration and providing aid to people who wish to take part in the industry.
ＴＰＰへの参加こそ農地の大規模化、就農支援など農業改革に取り組む契機になる。
If Japan strengthens its international agricultural competitiveness, not only will the rice market expand, but growth will occur in the markets for other high-quality farm products.
国際競争力が増せば、コメに限らず、高品質の農産物の輸出も拡大しよう。
We must see the TPP not as a "pinch," but rather a "chance" for revival.
ＴＰＰはピンチではなく、再生へのチャンスと捉えたい。
安全な原発に更新せよ
The nation's energy policy, including power generation, will play a central role in Japan's reconstruction and economic growth.
日本の復興、経済成長で中心的役割を果たすのが電力などのエネルギー政策である。
Amid the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, other nuclear reactors around the country have been unable to restart even after finishing regularly scheduled inspections.
福島原発の事故の影響で、各地の原発が定期検査を終えた後も再稼働できず、電力不足が深刻化している。
This has caused serious power shortages, and it is now feared that all of the nation's 54 nuclear reactors will be idled by May.
５月までには全原発５４基が停止する恐れがある。
Such a situation--the loss of 30 percent of the nation's electricity generation capacity--should be avoided at all costs.
総発電量の３割が失われる事態を回避しなければならない。
===
Ensure nuclear safety
Power companies have been managing to cope with the situation through expanding thermal power generation, but rising prices of fuel, such as natural gas, have influenced power generation costs.
電力会社は火力発電で急場をしのいでいるが、燃料の天然ガスなどが高騰し、発電コストが上昇している。
The generation of electricity through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind only account for 1 percent of total supply, and it will take years until these industries become mature enough to replace nuclear power.
太陽光や風力の再生可能エネルギーによる発電は、総発電量の１％しかない。原発に代わる事業に育つには長年を要する。
It is necessary for nuclear reactors to be restarted quickly after they have been confirmed safe.
安全が十分に確認できた原発から再稼働していくことが必要だ。
To achieve this, the government must make efforts to win the cooperation of local governments that host nuclear plants.
政府は地元自治体の理解を得るよう尽力しなければならない。
Delaying the resumption of reactor operations will prompt businesses to move production bases overseas to avoid risks such as blackouts and power shortages, thereby spurring the hollowing-out of the industrial sector.
再稼働が進まないと、停電や電力不足のリスクを避けるために、企業が海外移転を図り、産業空洞化に拍車を掛けることになる。
In contrast to former Prime Minister Naoto Kan's irresponsible attempt to break with nuclear power, Noda has encouraged practical energy policies such as promoting exports of nuclear power plants and technology. This is an appropriate course of action.
菅前首相の無責任な「脱原発」路線と一線を画し、野田首相が原発輸出を推進するなど、現実を踏まえたエネルギー政策に乗り出したのは、当然である。
China and other emerging economies have not abandoned plans to build new nuclear power plants.
中国など新興国では、原発新設の計画が維持されている。
If Japanese firms can develop new and safer reactors and export them in packages bundled with technology and expertise in the form of specialized training programs, some of the confidence Japan lost in the aftermath of the nuclear crisis can be regained.
より安全な新型原発を開発し、技術提供や専門家育成のノウハウと合わせて輸出することは、事故を起こした日本の信頼回復に役立つ。
However, if Japan pursues a policy of eliminating its domestic nuclear plants, its ability to export nuclear technology will be harmed, which could lead to a brain drain in engineers.
「原発ゼロ」を標榜(ひょうぼう)すれば、原発輸出力は低下し、技術者の海外流出にもつながりかねない。
The crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was declared under control in December, but it will take 30 to 40 years to fully decommission the reactors.
福島原発では、事故収束から廃炉まで３０～４０年を要する。
Along with this challenging work, personnel need to be fostered who can preserve and build on Japan's nuclear technology and expertise.
並行して、原発技術を継承する人材を確保、育成しなければならない。
Even if sun and wind power play larger roles, the option of replacing obsolete nuclear plants with safer and higher-performing models should not be ruled out.
太陽光や風力などの電源に占める比率を高めていくにしても、国内で古くなった原発を高性能で安全な原発に更新する、という選択肢を排除すべきではない。
The optimal combination of power sources should be decided based on an overall judgment concerning supply stability, costs, environmental impact and other factors.
電力の安定供給、コスト、環境への影響などを総合的に判断し、電源の最適な組み合わせを見いだすべきだ。
Such efforts will help avoid future power crises.
それが今後の電力危機を回避することに結びつこう。
Japan must not allow any of the above issues--the consumption tax, Okinawa, TPP and nuclear power--to remain undealt with.
消費税、沖縄、ＴＰＰ、原発の各課題は、いずれも先送りできない。
The world is watching to see whether Japan will move forward toward peace and prosperity after overcoming the scars left by the March 11 disaster.
日本が「３・１１」を克服し、平和と繁栄の方向に歩を進められるか。世界が注目している。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2012)
（2012年1月1日00時56分 読売新聞）
Japan faces many challenges in 2012
「危機」乗り越える統治能力を ポピュリズムと決別せよ（1月1日付・読売社説）
The world is in a nearly continuous state of crisis.
世界的に「危機」が常態化しつつある。
In Europe, a sovereign debt crisis has ballooned into a financial crisis that is shaking the world economy.
欧州では、財政危機が金融危機に拡大し、世界経済を揺るがしている。
The United States is beset by huge budget deficits.
米国も巨大な財政赤字に苦しんでいる。
These problems have slowed down the economies of China and India.
その影響で中国やインドでも景気が減速し始めた。
Despite warnings from economists that the value of government bonds could nosedive unless state finances are put on a surer footing, politicians have been unable to persuade their constituents to shoulder additional burdens.
財政再建に努めないと国債が暴落しかねないと指摘されても、政治は負担増を嫌う国民を説得できていない。
Flagging markets and leaders at the mercy of the popular will are stuck in a dangerous embrace that is only serving to amplify the crisis.
混迷を深める市場と、民意に翻弄される政治が、相互に危機を増幅している。
The debt problems of a few European countries are at the bottom of the crisis, and urgently need to be solved. 危機の根源にある欧州債務問題を鎮めることが、喫緊の課題だ。
The governments of these states must act by any means possible to reduce their fiscal deficits and prevent their bonds from losing value.
欧州は、財政赤字を削減し、国債の下落を抑えるよう、万策を講じなければならない。
===
Revitalize economy
経済活性化は復興から
Today marks the first New Year's Day since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, 2011.
日本は、東日本大震災から初めての正月を迎えた。
The unprecedented natural disaster left deep scars on the national psyche and on society.
未曽有の震災は人々の心と社会に深い傷痕を残している。
Cleaning up the debris left behind by the earthquake and tsunami has not proceeded smoothly, and the reconstruction of disaster-hit communities is just beginning.
がれきの処理が進まず、新しいまちづくりはこれからだ。
The catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has not been settled completely, and people who fled their homes to escape the nuclear crisis are scattered around the country.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所は、いまだに事故を完全に収束できず、全国各地での避難生活も続いている。
Our nation's economy is suffering from the dual blows of a super-strong yen and low stock prices caused by the financial confusion in the United States and Europe. Furthermore, the transfer of manufacturing facilities overseas is accelerating--exacerbating the hollowing-out of the nation's industrial base.
日本経済は、欧米の混乱に伴う超円高と株安に苦しみ、企業の生産拠点の海外移転による産業空洞化も加速している。
We hope the economy can return to a growth track through full-fledged reconstruction of the areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.
復興を進めて経済を成長軌道に乗せたい。
To realize this, the nation's political world must recover from its state of dysfunction.
それには、政治が機能不全から脱却する必要がある。
The people are questioning the capability of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government to govern the country.
民主党政権の統治能力も問われている。
We call on Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to set a course toward raising the consumption tax rate so social security programs can be adequately funded.
Noda also must promote free trade, a key to economic growth, and establish a realistic energy policy.
野田首相は、社会保障の財源としての消費税率引き上げに道筋をつけ、成長のカギを握る自由貿易を推進し、現実的なエネルギー政策を確立しなければならない。
The only way political progress can be made in the divided Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors, is through agreements among the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
衆参ねじれ国会では、民主、自民、公明３党の合意があって、初めて政治が前に進む。
To ensure the government runs smoothly, the DPJ must talk with the other parties and build consensus on issues.
政権を円滑に運営するには、政党間協議で合意を積み重ねる必要がある。
===
Fiscal collapse looms
財政破綻もあり得る
There is no magic wand that will move politics forward.
政治を動かす「魔法の杖(つえ)」はない。
The next House of Representatives election could be held this year, but this should not stop the DPJ, LDP and Komeito from transcending party interests to find common ground.
次期衆院選が年内にも予想されるが、民自公３党は、党利党略を超え、合意を目指すべきだ。
In today's political world, a leader needs unflagging resolve, the ability to build consensus and enough persuasiveness to convince the public to bear the necessary pain.
今の政治に必要なのは、リーダーの不退転の覚悟と合意形成に向けた努力、国民に痛みを受容してもらう説得力である。
The European financial crisis, triggered by Greece's sovereign debt crisis, is not "a fire on the other side of the river."
ギリシャの財政危機に端を発した欧州危機は、日本にとって「対岸の火事」ではない。
Our own nation is in the worst fiscal shape among developed countries, with nearly 900 trillion yen in combined national and local government debt--twice the gross domestic product.
日本は、先進国の中で最も厳しい財政事情にある。国と地方を合わせた公的債務は９００兆円弱に膨らみ、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）のほぼ２倍にも上っている。
Japanese government bonds have so far been seen as less risky than those of European countries, which depend heavily on foreign investment.
On the contrary, the Japanese people have personal financial assets worth nearly 1.5 yen quadrillion, and more than 90 percent of government bonds are owned by domestic institutional and individual investors.
これまで、日本には１５００兆円近くの個人金融資産があり、日本の国債は９割以上が国内の機関投資家や個人投資家に保有されているため、国債の消化を海外に頼る欧米諸国と比べて危険度が比較的小さい、とされてきた。
However, in real terms the value of the nation's personal financial assets is only 1.1 yen quadrillion after subtracting personal debts such as housing loans.
しかし、個人金融資産は、住宅ローンなどの債務を差し引いた実体では１１００兆円になる。
This is only 200 trillion yen more than the amount of public debt.
公的債務との差は２００兆円程度だ。
If the issuance of government bonds continues to increase at the current pace, and the aging population begins withdrawing their savings to live on, the financial assets of the Japanese public will no longer be able to cover government bonds.
今後、国債発行がこれまでのペースで増える一方、高齢化による貯蓄の取り崩しによって金融資産が目減りすれば、国民の資産だけでは国債を吸収できなくなる。
Despite the fiscal problems and the damage to the economy by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese yen still enjoys strong international confidence.
財政状況が深刻化し、大震災に見舞われながらも、円に対する国際的信認はなお厚い。
Many believe Japan has room to raise its consumption tax rate into the 15 percent to 25 percent range, similar to the rates in many countries in Europe.
日本には欧州並みに消費税率を１５～２５％に引き上げる「余地」があると思われているからだろう。
However, if investors begin fleeing Japanese bonds, their interest rates will rise and the increased debt-servicing costs would further bloat the government's debt.
しかし、日本の国債がいったん売られると、金利が上昇して利払い費が膨らみ、債務が拡大する。
If Japan were to fall into a vicious cycle of economic doldrums and reduced tax revenue, such as a drop in corporate capital spending caused by consumers tightening their purse strings, the nightmare scenario--fiscal collapse of the government--could become reality.
消費が冷え込み、設備投資の減少など景気低迷と税収減の悪循環に陥れば、財政破綻という悪夢のシナリオが現実になりかねない。
This is why the government must quickly return to fiscal health by increasing the consumption tax rate.
消費税率引き上げによる財政再建を急ぐ理由は、ここにある。
Noda has pledged the consumption tax rate would be "raised to 8 percent in April 2014 and to 10 percent in October 2015."
野田首相は、消費税率について「２０１４年４月に８％、１５年１０月に１０％へ引き上げる」と言明している。
He plans to submit bills related to this purpose to the Diet at the end of March.
３月末に、税制関連法案を国会に提出する方針だ。
We expect the prime minister to seek the understanding of the public by explaining to them carefully that a consumption tax hike is the only way to achieve a sustainable social security system, which includes public pensions, as well as medical and nursing care programs.
首相は、年金や医療、介護などの社会保障制度を持続可能にするには、消費税率引き上げによるしかないことを、国民に丁寧に説明し、理解を求めてもらいたい。
===
Regional tensions
Integrated reform of the social security and tax systems is a significant policy issue that can only be carried out with cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties, no matter what party is running the government.
社会保障と税の一体改革は、どの政党が政権を取っても、与野党で協力して実施に移さなければならないテーマだ。
The LDP and Komeito should cooperate to pass the reforms through the Diet, locking their sights on taking back control of the government afterward.
自民、公明両党も政権復帰の可能性を見据え、法案成立に協力すべきだろう。
To overcome the crisis, lawmakers must make a clean break from populism, no longer bowing to the public's wishes for reduced burdens and increased benefits.
負担減と給付増を求めるような大衆に迎合する政治（ポピュリズム）と決別することが、危機を克服する道である。
中国にどう向き合う
In the Asia-Pacific region, the seas are only getting rougher.
アジア太平洋地域で、荒波がその高さを増している。
China has been continuing its military expansion and has deployed ballistic missiles able to strike Japan and other countries, and is hurrying to develop a next-generation fighter jet.
軍事的膨張を続ける中国は、日本や他国を射程に収めた弾道ミサイルを配備し、次世代戦闘機の開発を急いでいる。
In the South China Sea and the East China Sea, China has repeatedly tangled with Japan, the United States and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states.
南シナ海や東シナ海では、日米両国、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）との軋轢(あつれき)を繰り返している。
Added to this, North Korea is in the middle of a transfer of power, raising the possibility of political turbulence.
北朝鮮は、権力継承の過程で政情が不穏になる可能性がある。
Japan must choose the path of deepening its alliance with the United States, which has shifted its foreign policy focus to Asia, and improve defense capabilities in the Nansei Islands, which include the Okinawa Islands.
日本の取るべき道は、アジア重視の姿勢に転じた米国との同盟を一層深化させ、南西方面の防衛力を向上させることである。
Thus, it is vital for the government to solve problems related to Okinawa Prefecture.
そのためには、沖縄問題の解決が避けて通れない。
Japan and the United States have agreed to transfer the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. To realize the agreement, the government must regain the trust of the prefecture by lessening its burden in hosting U.S. military bases through noise reduction and other measures, as well as adopting regional development programs.
米軍普天間飛行場を名護市辺野古に移設するという日米合意を実現するには、沖縄振興策、騒音など基地負担の軽減を通じた、沖縄県との信頼回復が不可欠だ。
Cabinet ministers concerned, and of course Noda himself, must fly to the prefecture to persuade Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and others to agree to the transfer.
担当閣僚はもちろん、野田首相も沖縄に出向き、仲井真弘多(ひろかず)知事らを本気で説得すべきである。
===
Revive farm sector
農業再生へのチャンス
Promoting economic partnership relations will also greatly contribute to reinforcing the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日米同盟の強化には、経済連携を進めることも寄与する。
Noda has already announced his intention to enter into discussions with other countries concerned toward participation in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade agreement.
野田首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加に向け、関係国との協議に入るとの意向を示している。
This framework would harness the economic vitality of Asia, and is indispensable for Japan's growth strategy.
アジアの活力を取り込む枠組みは日本の成長戦略に不可欠だ。
If it is approved to participate in the negotiations, Japan will be able to commit itself to the formulation of new trade rules.
事前交渉などを経て、ＴＰＰへの参加が認められれば、新たな通商ルールづくりに関与できる。
The government will need to take a strategic approach to the negotiations so the new rules will strengthen Japan's national interests.
日本の国益増進に資するよう、戦略的に交渉しなくてはならない。
Farmers and other people related to the agricultural industry have opposed Japan's participation in the TPP talks.
交渉参加には、農業関係者らが反発している。
The basic principle of the framework is the abolition of tariffs without exceptions, and opponents say such a situation would leave the nation's agriculture sector unprotected.
原則が「例外なき関税撤廃」では、日本の農業を守れない、という理由からだ。
However, the nation's farm industry will deteriorate for certain if the situation is left untouched.
だが、農業はこのままでは衰退必至だ。
Participation in the TPP talks raises the possibility of agricultural reforms such as farmland integration and providing aid to people who wish to take part in the industry.
ＴＰＰへの参加こそ農地の大規模化、就農支援など農業改革に取り組む契機になる。
If Japan strengthens its international agricultural competitiveness, not only will the rice market expand, but growth will occur in the markets for other high-quality farm products.
国際競争力が増せば、コメに限らず、高品質の農産物の輸出も拡大しよう。
We must see the TPP not as a "pinch," but rather a "chance" for revival.
ＴＰＰはピンチではなく、再生へのチャンスと捉えたい。
安全な原発に更新せよ
The nation's energy policy, including power generation, will play a central role in Japan's reconstruction and economic growth.
日本の復興、経済成長で中心的役割を果たすのが電力などのエネルギー政策である。
Amid the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, other nuclear reactors around the country have been unable to restart even after finishing regularly scheduled inspections.
福島原発の事故の影響で、各地の原発が定期検査を終えた後も再稼働できず、電力不足が深刻化している。
This has caused serious power shortages, and it is now feared that all of the nation's 54 nuclear reactors will be idled by May.
５月までには全原発５４基が停止する恐れがある。
Such a situation--the loss of 30 percent of the nation's electricity generation capacity--should be avoided at all costs.
総発電量の３割が失われる事態を回避しなければならない。
===
Ensure nuclear safety
Power companies have been managing to cope with the situation through expanding thermal power generation, but rising prices of fuel, such as natural gas, have influenced power generation costs.
電力会社は火力発電で急場をしのいでいるが、燃料の天然ガスなどが高騰し、発電コストが上昇している。
The generation of electricity through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind only account for 1 percent of total supply, and it will take years until these industries become mature enough to replace nuclear power.
太陽光や風力の再生可能エネルギーによる発電は、総発電量の１％しかない。原発に代わる事業に育つには長年を要する。
It is necessary for nuclear reactors to be restarted quickly after they have been confirmed safe.
安全が十分に確認できた原発から再稼働していくことが必要だ。
To achieve this, the government must make efforts to win the cooperation of local governments that host nuclear plants.
政府は地元自治体の理解を得るよう尽力しなければならない。
Delaying the resumption of reactor operations will prompt businesses to move production bases overseas to avoid risks such as blackouts and power shortages, thereby spurring the hollowing-out of the industrial sector.
再稼働が進まないと、停電や電力不足のリスクを避けるために、企業が海外移転を図り、産業空洞化に拍車を掛けることになる。
In contrast to former Prime Minister Naoto Kan's irresponsible attempt to break with nuclear power, Noda has encouraged practical energy policies such as promoting exports of nuclear power plants and technology. This is an appropriate course of action.
菅前首相の無責任な「脱原発」路線と一線を画し、野田首相が原発輸出を推進するなど、現実を踏まえたエネルギー政策に乗り出したのは、当然である。
China and other emerging economies have not abandoned plans to build new nuclear power plants.
中国など新興国では、原発新設の計画が維持されている。
If Japanese firms can develop new and safer reactors and export them in packages bundled with technology and expertise in the form of specialized training programs, some of the confidence Japan lost in the aftermath of the nuclear crisis can be regained.
より安全な新型原発を開発し、技術提供や専門家育成のノウハウと合わせて輸出することは、事故を起こした日本の信頼回復に役立つ。
However, if Japan pursues a policy of eliminating its domestic nuclear plants, its ability to export nuclear technology will be harmed, which could lead to a brain drain in engineers.
「原発ゼロ」を標榜(ひょうぼう)すれば、原発輸出力は低下し、技術者の海外流出にもつながりかねない。
The crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was declared under control in December, but it will take 30 to 40 years to fully decommission the reactors.
福島原発では、事故収束から廃炉まで３０～４０年を要する。
Along with this challenging work, personnel need to be fostered who can preserve and build on Japan's nuclear technology and expertise.
並行して、原発技術を継承する人材を確保、育成しなければならない。
Even if sun and wind power play larger roles, the option of replacing obsolete nuclear plants with safer and higher-performing models should not be ruled out.
太陽光や風力などの電源に占める比率を高めていくにしても、国内で古くなった原発を高性能で安全な原発に更新する、という選択肢を排除すべきではない。
The optimal combination of power sources should be decided based on an overall judgment concerning supply stability, costs, environmental impact and other factors.
電力の安定供給、コスト、環境への影響などを総合的に判断し、電源の最適な組み合わせを見いだすべきだ。
Such efforts will help avoid future power crises.
それが今後の電力危機を回避することに結びつこう。
Japan must not allow any of the above issues--the consumption tax, Okinawa, TPP and nuclear power--to remain undealt with.
消費税、沖縄、ＴＰＰ、原発の各課題は、いずれも先送りできない。
The world is watching to see whether Japan will move forward toward peace and prosperity after overcoming the scars left by the March 11 disaster.
日本が「３・１１」を克服し、平和と繁栄の方向に歩を進められるか。世界が注目している。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2012)
（2012年1月1日00時56分 読売新聞）
2012/01/02
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：あなただけじゃない ／東京
(Mainichi Japan) December 31, 2011
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: The importance of welcoming the New Year together
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：あなただけじゃない ／東京
The New Year's holiday is rather short this time.
今年はカレンダーの関係で年末年始の休みが少ない、という人もいるようだ。
Even if we spend only two to three days away from our workplaces, however, it is a tradition in Japan on the last day of work to tell our colleagues, "You were kind to me during this past year, have a good New Year," as well as to ask for their kindness during the new year when we see them for the first time in January.
それでもたとえ２、３日しか間があいてなくても、仕事納めの日に「今年もお世話になりました」「よいお年を」と、仕事始めの日には「今年もよろしく」とあらたまってあいさつをする。
We have formed a habit to think that everything is reset with the beginning of a new year.
正月が来るとすべてがリセットされる、というのが、私たちの社会の習慣のようだ。
However, there are things, such as sadness, illness and anguish, which unfortunately, do not disappear easily, even with the end of a year and the beginning of a new one.
でも、残念ながら悲しみや苦しみ、病などは、年が変わったからといって簡単に消えてなくなりはしない。
This year in particular, with the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and the ongoing nuclear disaster, I believe there are many people who will welcome 2012 with still lingering anxieties.
とくに今年は、東日本大震災などの影響で、「悩みを抱えたまま年を越す」という人が多いのではないだろうか。
We should not forget about these people.
私たちは、そういう人たちのことを忘れてはならない。
In 2008, many "temporary workers" who had lost their jobs were invited to spend New Year's Eve and the first days of 2009 in the so-called tent camp, "Toshikoshi Hakenmura," or "New Year's Village for Temporary Workers," in the Hibiya area in Tokyo.
２００８年には「年越し派遣村」ができて、“派遣切り”にあった人たちなどが東京の日比谷を中心に集まった。
The next year, the so-called "Kosetsu Hakenmura" (Public Village for Temporary Workers) was organized, inviting unemployed people, or those living alone, to spend the holiday with others. They were given food, some money to use for transportation while looking for jobs, and a place to spend these traditionally important days.
次の年の暮れには全国に「公設派遣村」がもうけられ、単身者や失業者で生活に困窮している人たちに、年末年始の居場所や食事、仕事探しための交通費などが支給された。
However, since then, there hasn't been a single large-scale "New Year's Village."
ところが、その後、大規模な「年越し村」は実施されなくなった。
I'm sure that there are many reasons, but it is a fact that there were many people who criticized such events, believing that they were used by some who "don't try hard to reconstruct their lives." Some thought of the events as a waste of taxpayer's money.
理由はひとつではないと思うが、そのひとつに「まじめに生活を再建しようとしない人までが利用している」「税金のむだづかい」といった批判の声の高まりがあったことは確かだ。
That some continued to struggle under difficult conditions while others reaped the benefits of the "villages" may have appeared unreasonable. It may have made the people at those "villages" seem coddled.
厳しい状況の中、がんばっている人たちも多い中、「年越し村」でケアを受けた人だけがいい思いをするのは理不尽に見え、甘えているだけに思えたのかもしれない。
But is this really the case?
しかし、本当にそうなのだろうか。
In my opinion, the "New Year's Villages" may have helped more than those who were the ostensible recipients of care.
「年越し村」で救われたのは、実際にそこに出かけた人だけではなかったのではないか。
A patient of mine, who is unemployed and single, told me the following at the time:
私の診察室で、ひとり暮らしで失業中の患者さんが当時、こんな話をしてくれたことがあった。
"I have my own apartment, so I welcomed the New Year there.
「私はアパートがあるから、そこでひとりで年を越しました。
But it was reassuring just knowing that if I became really lonely, I could go to Hibiya, where there would have been people and warm food."
でも、どうしても寂しくなったら、日比谷に行けば誰かがいるんだ、お雑煮もあるんだ、と思うだけでなんとなく心強かったですよ」
We all want to spend the end of a year and the beginning of a new year with someone.
年の暮れや正月こそ、誰かといっしょにすごしたい。
I assume that this feeling is even stronger among people who usually feel lonely or depressed.
ふだん孤独な人、悩んでいる人こそ、そう思うはずだ。
For those who have lost their homes, jobs, and families, all the more so.
家族や仕事、住まいを失った人は、なおさらだ。
I wish that on a year like 2011, there were such places across Japan, where everyone would gather, shoulder to shoulder, and welcome the New Year together.
今年のような年こそ、大勢の人が肩を寄せ合ってすごせる「年越し村」が全国にできてもよかったのに、と思う。
You are not the only one who feels lonely.
寂しいのは、あなただけじゃない。
We all feel that way.
みんな同じなのだ。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2011年12月27日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: The importance of welcoming the New Year together
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：あなただけじゃない ／東京
The New Year's holiday is rather short this time.
今年はカレンダーの関係で年末年始の休みが少ない、という人もいるようだ。
Even if we spend only two to three days away from our workplaces, however, it is a tradition in Japan on the last day of work to tell our colleagues, "You were kind to me during this past year, have a good New Year," as well as to ask for their kindness during the new year when we see them for the first time in January.
それでもたとえ２、３日しか間があいてなくても、仕事納めの日に「今年もお世話になりました」「よいお年を」と、仕事始めの日には「今年もよろしく」とあらたまってあいさつをする。
We have formed a habit to think that everything is reset with the beginning of a new year.
正月が来るとすべてがリセットされる、というのが、私たちの社会の習慣のようだ。
However, there are things, such as sadness, illness and anguish, which unfortunately, do not disappear easily, even with the end of a year and the beginning of a new one.
でも、残念ながら悲しみや苦しみ、病などは、年が変わったからといって簡単に消えてなくなりはしない。
This year in particular, with the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and the ongoing nuclear disaster, I believe there are many people who will welcome 2012 with still lingering anxieties.
とくに今年は、東日本大震災などの影響で、「悩みを抱えたまま年を越す」という人が多いのではないだろうか。
We should not forget about these people.
私たちは、そういう人たちのことを忘れてはならない。
In 2008, many "temporary workers" who had lost their jobs were invited to spend New Year's Eve and the first days of 2009 in the so-called tent camp, "Toshikoshi Hakenmura," or "New Year's Village for Temporary Workers," in the Hibiya area in Tokyo.
２００８年には「年越し派遣村」ができて、“派遣切り”にあった人たちなどが東京の日比谷を中心に集まった。
The next year, the so-called "Kosetsu Hakenmura" (Public Village for Temporary Workers) was organized, inviting unemployed people, or those living alone, to spend the holiday with others. They were given food, some money to use for transportation while looking for jobs, and a place to spend these traditionally important days.
次の年の暮れには全国に「公設派遣村」がもうけられ、単身者や失業者で生活に困窮している人たちに、年末年始の居場所や食事、仕事探しための交通費などが支給された。
However, since then, there hasn't been a single large-scale "New Year's Village."
ところが、その後、大規模な「年越し村」は実施されなくなった。
I'm sure that there are many reasons, but it is a fact that there were many people who criticized such events, believing that they were used by some who "don't try hard to reconstruct their lives." Some thought of the events as a waste of taxpayer's money.
理由はひとつではないと思うが、そのひとつに「まじめに生活を再建しようとしない人までが利用している」「税金のむだづかい」といった批判の声の高まりがあったことは確かだ。
That some continued to struggle under difficult conditions while others reaped the benefits of the "villages" may have appeared unreasonable. It may have made the people at those "villages" seem coddled.
厳しい状況の中、がんばっている人たちも多い中、「年越し村」でケアを受けた人だけがいい思いをするのは理不尽に見え、甘えているだけに思えたのかもしれない。
But is this really the case?
しかし、本当にそうなのだろうか。
In my opinion, the "New Year's Villages" may have helped more than those who were the ostensible recipients of care.
「年越し村」で救われたのは、実際にそこに出かけた人だけではなかったのではないか。
A patient of mine, who is unemployed and single, told me the following at the time:
私の診察室で、ひとり暮らしで失業中の患者さんが当時、こんな話をしてくれたことがあった。
"I have my own apartment, so I welcomed the New Year there.
「私はアパートがあるから、そこでひとりで年を越しました。
But it was reassuring just knowing that if I became really lonely, I could go to Hibiya, where there would have been people and warm food."
でも、どうしても寂しくなったら、日比谷に行けば誰かがいるんだ、お雑煮もあるんだ、と思うだけでなんとなく心強かったですよ」
We all want to spend the end of a year and the beginning of a new year with someone.
年の暮れや正月こそ、誰かといっしょにすごしたい。
I assume that this feeling is even stronger among people who usually feel lonely or depressed.
ふだん孤独な人、悩んでいる人こそ、そう思うはずだ。
For those who have lost their homes, jobs, and families, all the more so.
家族や仕事、住まいを失った人は、なおさらだ。
I wish that on a year like 2011, there were such places across Japan, where everyone would gather, shoulder to shoulder, and welcome the New Year together.
今年のような年こそ、大勢の人が肩を寄せ合ってすごせる「年越し村」が全国にできてもよかったのに、と思う。
You are not the only one who feels lonely.
寂しいのは、あなただけじゃない。
We all feel that way.
みんな同じなのだ。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2011年12月27日 地方版
2012/01/01
社説：回顧２０１１年 ３・１１を乗り越えて
2011年を締めくくる英字新聞社説は毎日新聞です。
朝日新聞は本日2011年12月31日より、また英字紙の閲覧が有料となっていました。
無料配信していただければ助かるのですが＾＾。
朝日英字紙が無くなっても英語学習教材には事欠きません。
世界中の教材たちが読んでくれるのを待っているのですからね＾＾。
英語学習は実に楽しいです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
(Mainichi Japan) December 31, 2011
Editorial: Overcoming the March 11 disasters
社説：回顧２０１１年 ３・１１を乗り越えて
One cannot help but wonder how the actions of Japan and the Japanese people in 2011 in response to the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster will be evaluated by future generations.
東日本大震災に見舞われた２０１１年に、日本と日本人がとった行動は、後世にどのような評価を受けることになるのだろうか。
It was at 2:46:18 p.m., March 11, when the magnitude-9 earthquake hit.
マグニチュード９の巨大地震が起こったのは３月１１日午後２時４６分１８秒。
About three minutes later, even as tremors were still rattling northeastern Japan, a tsunami warning was issued. 揺れの続く中で約３分後に大津波警報が出された。
Scenes of whole neighborhoods being engulfed by massive waves are still fresh in our memory.
激しい水流に街全体が破壊されていく光景が私たちの目に焼き付いた。
The disasters claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people, and the number rises to nearly 20,000 if those still missing are included.
死者は１万５０００人余りを数え、行方不明者も加えると２万人に迫る未曽有の大災害だ。
This is despite the fact that the government had spent a huge amount of taxpayers' money to implement the world's best tsunami countermeasures.
膨大な資金を投じ、世界でも類のない津波対策を講じてきたにもかかわらずだ。
The disasters have reminded us that we are still vulnerable to natural threats.
自然の脅威に、私たちは今なお、脆弱（ぜいじゃく）であることを思い知らされた。
Still, the world has been amazed at the lengths to which disaster victims went to help others amid such extreme circumstances.
しかし、極限的な状況の中で被災者がとった「利他的」な行動に、世界は驚嘆した。
Also, numerous members of the Japanese public have extended support to disaster-hit areas by providing donations and working as volunteers to help disaster victims.
日本の中でも、ボランティアや義援金などの形で被災地に対する支援の輪が広がった。
It has been pointed out that regional communities in Japan have collapsed and society is increasingly divided. 共同体が崩れ、社会の分断が進んでいると言われている。
However, the actions taken by many people to help disaster victims have convinced the public that the bonds between Japanese people remain close.
しかし、日本人が「絆」で結ばれていることを確認できたのは、
This will help restore Japanese people's trust in their own society even under the sad situation brought about by the disasters.
大災害という不幸な状況下ではあるものの、社会への信頼を再認識する契機になったのではないだろうか。
We could certainly say that earthquakes are purely natural disasters if we were able to keep damage from powerful quakes to the minimum.
震災は天災である。それによって生じる被害を最小限にとどめることができれば、そう言い切ることができるだろう。
However, this was not the case in the March 11 disasters.
しかし、実際にはそうではなかった。
The crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant has demonstrated that the government and utilities had neglected to work out effective measures to respond to nuclear accidents, while weaving an illusion of safety.
福島第１原発事故は、原発の安全神話のもとに、事故への対応がいかになおざりにされてきたかを示した。
The political world's response to the disasters was also poor.
政治の動きも鈍かった。
An intensifying conflict between ruling and opposition parties under the "twisted" Diet -- in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors while the ruling coalition has an overwhelming majority in the powerful House of Representatives -- adversely affected the government's response to the disasters.
衆参のねじれの中で、先鋭化した与野党の対立が、震災や原発事故への対応にも持ち込まれてしまった。
Since manufacturing across the world is deeply interdependent, a problem in one area can spread rapidly across the globe.
世界の生産活動が密接に連携し、どこかで支障が生じると、その影響が瞬く間に広がる。
Not only the March 11 disasters in eastern Japan but also a massive flood in Thailand have demonstrated the vulnerability of supply chains.
日本での震災に加え、タイでの洪水でも示されたサプライチェーンの問題だ。
Greece's failure to take appropriate measures to address its debt crisis at an early stage has sparked a financial crisis throughout Europe.
欧州の債務危機も、ギリシャの段階で適切な措置がとられず、欧州全体に危機が広がっていった。
Now, all countries' risk- and crisis-management abilities are being tested.
さまざまなリスクに対する対応力が問われているわけだが、
In particular, the Fukushima nuclear crisis has highlighted to the world Japan's poor ability to respond to crises. 特に原発事故は、日本の対応力の低さを世界に示した格好だ。
Furthermore, the government's confusion over its submission of an environmental assessment report on the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa to the prefectural government is also a noteworthy example of a decline in its response to difficult policy issues.
また、普天間飛行場移設をめぐる環境影響評価問題での政府の醜態も、対応力の劣化という点で特筆すべき事例だろう。
In no other year has the need for the government and companies to rebuild their risk- and crisis-management abilities been highlighted as it has in 2011.
政治や行政に企業も含め、リスクへの対応力の再構築が必要であることが、今年ほど鮮明になった年はない。
It will take a long time, a massive amount of resources and much patience to restore disaster-ravaged areas, bring the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactors under control and decontaminate areas tainted with radioactive substances leaking from the plant.
震災からの復興、原発事故の収束と放射性物質の除染には、長い時間と多くの資源、そして忍耐を費やさなければならない。
There are many risks involved in each stage of these processes.
その過程でも多くのリスクが待ち受けている。
In 2012, whether Japan can improve its abilities to respond to risks and crises and overcome damage caused by the March 11 disasters will be tested.
それへの対応力をつけ、３・１１を乗り越えていけるのか。来年は、それが問われる年になる。
毎日新聞 2011年12月31日 東京朝刊
朝日新聞は本日2011年12月31日より、また英字紙の閲覧が有料となっていました。
無料配信していただければ助かるのですが＾＾。
朝日英字紙が無くなっても英語学習教材には事欠きません。
世界中の教材たちが読んでくれるのを待っているのですからね＾＾。
英語学習は実に楽しいです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
(Mainichi Japan) December 31, 2011
Editorial: Overcoming the March 11 disasters
社説：回顧２０１１年 ３・１１を乗り越えて
One cannot help but wonder how the actions of Japan and the Japanese people in 2011 in response to the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster will be evaluated by future generations.
東日本大震災に見舞われた２０１１年に、日本と日本人がとった行動は、後世にどのような評価を受けることになるのだろうか。
It was at 2:46:18 p.m., March 11, when the magnitude-9 earthquake hit.
マグニチュード９の巨大地震が起こったのは３月１１日午後２時４６分１８秒。
About three minutes later, even as tremors were still rattling northeastern Japan, a tsunami warning was issued. 揺れの続く中で約３分後に大津波警報が出された。
Scenes of whole neighborhoods being engulfed by massive waves are still fresh in our memory.
激しい水流に街全体が破壊されていく光景が私たちの目に焼き付いた。
The disasters claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people, and the number rises to nearly 20,000 if those still missing are included.
死者は１万５０００人余りを数え、行方不明者も加えると２万人に迫る未曽有の大災害だ。
This is despite the fact that the government had spent a huge amount of taxpayers' money to implement the world's best tsunami countermeasures.
膨大な資金を投じ、世界でも類のない津波対策を講じてきたにもかかわらずだ。
The disasters have reminded us that we are still vulnerable to natural threats.
自然の脅威に、私たちは今なお、脆弱（ぜいじゃく）であることを思い知らされた。
Still, the world has been amazed at the lengths to which disaster victims went to help others amid such extreme circumstances.
しかし、極限的な状況の中で被災者がとった「利他的」な行動に、世界は驚嘆した。
Also, numerous members of the Japanese public have extended support to disaster-hit areas by providing donations and working as volunteers to help disaster victims.
日本の中でも、ボランティアや義援金などの形で被災地に対する支援の輪が広がった。
It has been pointed out that regional communities in Japan have collapsed and society is increasingly divided. 共同体が崩れ、社会の分断が進んでいると言われている。
However, the actions taken by many people to help disaster victims have convinced the public that the bonds between Japanese people remain close.
しかし、日本人が「絆」で結ばれていることを確認できたのは、
This will help restore Japanese people's trust in their own society even under the sad situation brought about by the disasters.
大災害という不幸な状況下ではあるものの、社会への信頼を再認識する契機になったのではないだろうか。
We could certainly say that earthquakes are purely natural disasters if we were able to keep damage from powerful quakes to the minimum.
震災は天災である。それによって生じる被害を最小限にとどめることができれば、そう言い切ることができるだろう。
However, this was not the case in the March 11 disasters.
しかし、実際にはそうではなかった。
The crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant has demonstrated that the government and utilities had neglected to work out effective measures to respond to nuclear accidents, while weaving an illusion of safety.
福島第１原発事故は、原発の安全神話のもとに、事故への対応がいかになおざりにされてきたかを示した。
The political world's response to the disasters was also poor.
政治の動きも鈍かった。
An intensifying conflict between ruling and opposition parties under the "twisted" Diet -- in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors while the ruling coalition has an overwhelming majority in the powerful House of Representatives -- adversely affected the government's response to the disasters.
衆参のねじれの中で、先鋭化した与野党の対立が、震災や原発事故への対応にも持ち込まれてしまった。
Since manufacturing across the world is deeply interdependent, a problem in one area can spread rapidly across the globe.
世界の生産活動が密接に連携し、どこかで支障が生じると、その影響が瞬く間に広がる。
Not only the March 11 disasters in eastern Japan but also a massive flood in Thailand have demonstrated the vulnerability of supply chains.
日本での震災に加え、タイでの洪水でも示されたサプライチェーンの問題だ。
Greece's failure to take appropriate measures to address its debt crisis at an early stage has sparked a financial crisis throughout Europe.
欧州の債務危機も、ギリシャの段階で適切な措置がとられず、欧州全体に危機が広がっていった。
Now, all countries' risk- and crisis-management abilities are being tested.
さまざまなリスクに対する対応力が問われているわけだが、
In particular, the Fukushima nuclear crisis has highlighted to the world Japan's poor ability to respond to crises. 特に原発事故は、日本の対応力の低さを世界に示した格好だ。
Furthermore, the government's confusion over its submission of an environmental assessment report on the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa to the prefectural government is also a noteworthy example of a decline in its response to difficult policy issues.
また、普天間飛行場移設をめぐる環境影響評価問題での政府の醜態も、対応力の劣化という点で特筆すべき事例だろう。
In no other year has the need for the government and companies to rebuild their risk- and crisis-management abilities been highlighted as it has in 2011.
政治や行政に企業も含め、リスクへの対応力の再構築が必要であることが、今年ほど鮮明になった年はない。
It will take a long time, a massive amount of resources and much patience to restore disaster-ravaged areas, bring the crippled Fukushima nuclear reactors under control and decontaminate areas tainted with radioactive substances leaking from the plant.
震災からの復興、原発事故の収束と放射性物質の除染には、長い時間と多くの資源、そして忍耐を費やさなければならない。
There are many risks involved in each stage of these processes.
その過程でも多くのリスクが待ち受けている。
In 2012, whether Japan can improve its abilities to respond to risks and crises and overcome damage caused by the March 11 disasters will be tested.
それへの対応力をつけ、３・１１を乗り越えていけるのか。来年は、それが問われる年になる。
毎日新聞 2011年12月31日 東京朝刊
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