(Mainichi Japan) January 20, 2012
Editorial: Gov't nuclear power plant tests mired in doubt
社説：原発テスト 「結論ありき」と疑う
How will the lessons learned from the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant be put into practice in the future?
東京電力福島第１原発の重大事故の教訓を今後にどういかそうとしているのか。
The government's present response is questionable.
このところの政府のやり方には疑問が多い。
The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, which operates under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, has deemed Kansai Electric Power Co.'s stress tests of the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at its Oi nuclear power plant as "appropriate."
経済産業省の原子力安全・保安院は関西電力が提出した大飯原発３、４号機の安全評価（ストレステスト）を「妥当」と評価した。
This marks the first step in evaluating reactors that are being inspected with a view to restarting them.
再稼働の前提として定期検査中の原発を対象に行われる第１次評価である。
The reactors are to undergo further inspection by the Nuclear Safety Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
この先、原子力安全委員会の確認や国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の評価を受ける。
After that, the prime minister and three Cabinet ministers will make a political decision on whether or not to restart them.
さらに、首相と関係３閣僚が再稼働の是非を政治判断するが、
However, debate has arisen over whether Cabinet officials should be making decisions on the technical safety of reactors.
まず技術的な安全性を閣僚が判断することの是非に議論がある。
Furthermore, when looking at the results of the stress tests, it seems the technical safety appraisal was a foregone conclusion.
加えて、今回の評価結果を見る限り、技術的な安全評価も「結論ありき」に思える。
Kansai Electric's stress tests conclude that the reactor cores would not be damaged even if there were an earthquake that shook 1.8 times stronger than what was envisaged when the reactors were built, or if the reactors were hit by an 11.4-meter tsunami -- four times higher than what was initially predicted.
保安院が妥当とした関電の評価によると、設計上の想定より１．８倍大きい地震の揺れや４倍大きい１１.４メートルの津波に襲われても炉心損傷には至らない。
The power company says that even if there were a station blackout and no place for heat to escape, the reactor cores would not be damaged for 16 days and the spent nuclear fuel would remain intact for 10 days.
全交流電源が喪失し熱の逃がし場がなくなった場合でも炉心は１６日間、使用済み核燃料は１０日間、損傷までに余裕があるという。
However, the scenarios forming the basis for power plant's conclusions preceded the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
しかし、評価の前提となっている設計上の想定は東日本大震災以前のものだ。
The March 2011 disasters have shaken conceptions about the maximum shaking and the biggest possible tsunami in the event of another major quake.
震災で最大の揺れや津波の想定そのものが揺らいでいる。
耐震指針や安全設計審査指針の見直しも行われている。
There is no guarantee that the plant's previous predictions are on target.
もとの想定が信頼できるという保証はどこにもない。
The more relaxed the scenarios are, the more leeway the power plant seems to have.
想定が甘ければ甘いほど大きな余裕があるように見える矛盾も内包している。
When considering this, the phrases "1.8 times stronger" and "four times higher" have no meaning.
それを思えば、１．８倍や４倍という数値に意味はない。
The probe into the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has not even been completed. そもそも、事故そのものの検証もまだ終わっていない。
Officials should at least provide a set of risk evaluation guidelines based on the cause of the Fukushima disaster that the public can understand.
少なくとも事故の原因を踏まえ、国民が納得するリスク評価の指針を示すべきではないか。
In terms of determining the risks of nuclear power plants, doubts also remain over legislation on the life of power plants.
原発のリスク評価という点では寿命の法規制についても疑問がある。
On Jan. 6, Goshi Hosono, state minister in charge of the nuclear disaster, stated that nuclear reactors would in principle be decommissioned after they had been running for over 40 years.
「運転４０年を超えたら原則として廃炉」との方針を細野豪志原発事故担当相が発表したのが今月６日。
But less than two weeks later the government stated that exceptions would allow reactors to operate for 60 years.
それから２週間もたたないうちに、政府は「例外として６０年運転が可能」とする方針を公表した。
Just where is the government placing its priorities?
いったい、どちらに重きを置いているのか。
Does it really intend to reduce the number of high-risk nuclear power plants?
本気でリスクの高い原発を減らしていくつもりがあるのか。
The way the government is handling the situation invites mistrust over its nuclear power plant policy.
原発政策への不信感を招くやり方だ。
In terms of winning the public's trust, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency's decision to shut the public out of a hearing on the Oi nuclear power plant's stress tests is also problematic.
国民の信頼を得るという点では、大飯原発のストレステストの意見聴取会で市民を会場から閉め出した保安院のやり方にも問題があった。
In principle, debate should be open, and then if there are any major obstacles to proceedings, separate measures can be taken to settle them.
基本的には議論の場そのものを公開し、議事に大きな障害が出るような言動があった場合に個別に対応すればすむ話だ。
Furthermore, citizens groups have raised questions about a possible conflict of interests among committee members and these must be addressed as a top priority.
市民団体が疑問視する委員の利益相反についても、きちんと説明するのが先決だ。
Local bodies will have the final decision on whether or not to restart nuclear power plants, but if officials can't gain the public's trust, then it is inconceivable to restart the reactors.
原発の再稼働を最終的に判断するのは地元自治体だ。市民の信頼がなければ再稼働もありえない。
毎日新聞 2012年1月20日 2時31分
2012/01/22
2012/01/21
新型インフル 緊急事態法制に位置付けよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 21, 2012)
Parties should unite to pass flu epidemic legislation
新型インフル 緊急事態法制に位置付けよ（1月20日付・読売社説）
The outbreak of a new strain of influenza can take place anytime, anywhere in the world.
新型インフルエンザは世界のどこで、いつ発生してもおかしくない。
In the event of a new, virulent strain of flu becoming an epidemic, it is estimated that in the worst-case scenario as many as 640,000 people would die in this country alone.
強毒性の新型が流行した場合、最悪のケースでは、国内だけで６４万人が死亡するとも推定されている。
To prevent such a situation from occurring, it is imperative for the government to take all possible measures in preparation for a flu epidemic.
そうした事態に陥らないよう、万全の対策を講じておくのは、政府の責務である。
The government plans to submit a bill for special measures legislation to the upcoming ordinary Diet session to deal with the possible future emergence of a new, highly virulent and infectious flu
政府は、強い毒性と感染力を持つ新型インフルエンザの発生を想定し、通常国会に特別措置法案を提出する。
Both the ruling and opposition parties must cooperate to ensure smooth passage of the bill.
与野党が協力して成立を図るべきだ。
The planned law will define the onslaught of a highly virulent new strain of flu as a "national crisis."
特措法では、病原性の強い新型ウイルスの襲来を「国家的危機」と位置づける。
To prevent the spread of infection and public disorder, the law will empower the government to take strong, binding steps such as restrictions on or postponement of assemblies and securing the supply and distribution of goods.
感染や混乱の拡大を防止するため、集会制限や物資の流通確保などに、踏み込んだ強制措置をとれるようにする。
Currently, the central government and prefectural governments have already worked out "action plans" to cope with the outbreak of a new strain of influenza.
現在でも国や都道府県は、新型インフルエンザに対する「行動計画」を策定している。
===
Govt to declare 'emergency'
These measures, however, have no binding power. The central government and local entities can take no stronger steps than "requesting" people to stay home and cancel meetings on a voluntary basis.
ただし、強制力を伴うものではなく、外出や集会などの自粛や中止といった措置を「要請」できるだけだ。
When a new strain of flu broke out in 2009, there was no serious damage, since the virulence of the strain was weak.
２００９年に新型インフルエンザが発生した際は、毒性の弱いウイルスだったため、大きな被害を出さずに済んだ。
If that strain had been deadly, the government might have been unable to take any effective steps, resulting in serious harm to the public.
だが、もし強毒性だったら、行政は的確な対策を打てず、深刻な被害をもたらしていただろう。
Under the proposed legislation, if a virulent strain of flu becomes epidemic, the government's epidemic countermeasures headquarters will declare an "emergency situation" for affected prefectures.
検討中の特措法案では、強毒性ウイルスが流行した場合に、政府対策本部が、都道府県単位で「緊急事態」を宣言する。
While restrictions on going out and cancellations of gatherings under the planned law will be sought in the form of government "requests," as currently practiced, the law will make it possible for the government to issue stronger "instructions" if such requests are refused without sufficient justification.
外出自粛やイベントの中止などは、従来通り「要請」とするが、正当な理由なく拒まれた時に、より強い「指示」が出せるようにする。
The law will also make it possible for the government to requisition land and buildings needed to secure medical facilities when a flu epidemic occurs.
療施設などに必要な土地や建物の使用も可能にする。
To prevent the spread of a deadly flu strain, the government may legitimately need to consider meting out punishments against violators of the law.
感染拡大を防ぐためには、罰則の検討もやむを得まい。
The invocation of the law, however, must be carried out as scrupulously as possible.
ただ、発動は慎重であるべきだ。
The Civil Protection Law, enacted to prepare this country for an armed attack, states that the curtailment of private rights should be kept to a minimum out of respect for the freedom and rights of the people.
私権制限規定は武力攻撃に備える国民保護法にもある。
同法は国民の自由と権利を尊重し、制限は必要最小限にする、としている。
===
Prepare for goods shortages
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, shortages of goods occurred across the country.
東日本大震災では発生直後、全国で物資の不足が起こった。
The shortages were attributed to panic buying as well as the disruption of distribution networks.
流通網の寸断に加え、買いだめの影響も大きかったと見られる。
If a containment campaign is enforced in areas affected by a new strain of virulent flu virus, hoarding may occur in reaction to government requests for people to stay home, while local distribution networks may be snarled.
新型インフルエンザ発生時も、感染地域を封じ込めれば流通網は滞り、外出自粛で買いだめが生じる。
To deal with such a situation, the government, by means of the planned legislation, should enhance the power of administrative authorities to ensure sufficient supplies of goods at stable prices, in part by preventing merchants or suppliers from refusing to sell at the time of a deadly flu epidemic.
その場合でも、売り惜しみを防ぎ、安定した価格で品物を十分に供給できるよう、行政の権限を強化しておく必要がある。
The lessons learned from the bitter experience of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami must be used to minimize the damage caused by a deadly flu strain.
大震災の教訓を生かすべきだ。
The circumstances the planned law aims to deal with have much in common with various other emergencies.
特措法の想定は、さまざまな緊急事態の場合と共通する。
The legislation should lead to the strengthening of preparatory measures for emergencies, such as coordination of communication between the central and local entities, securing local medical services and stockpiling daily necessities.
国と自治体の連携、地域の医療や必需品の備蓄など、平時の備えを点検・強化することにもつなげたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 20, 2012)
（2012年1月20日01時15分 読売新聞）
Parties should unite to pass flu epidemic legislation
新型インフル 緊急事態法制に位置付けよ（1月20日付・読売社説）
The outbreak of a new strain of influenza can take place anytime, anywhere in the world.
新型インフルエンザは世界のどこで、いつ発生してもおかしくない。
In the event of a new, virulent strain of flu becoming an epidemic, it is estimated that in the worst-case scenario as many as 640,000 people would die in this country alone.
強毒性の新型が流行した場合、最悪のケースでは、国内だけで６４万人が死亡するとも推定されている。
To prevent such a situation from occurring, it is imperative for the government to take all possible measures in preparation for a flu epidemic.
そうした事態に陥らないよう、万全の対策を講じておくのは、政府の責務である。
The government plans to submit a bill for special measures legislation to the upcoming ordinary Diet session to deal with the possible future emergence of a new, highly virulent and infectious flu
政府は、強い毒性と感染力を持つ新型インフルエンザの発生を想定し、通常国会に特別措置法案を提出する。
Both the ruling and opposition parties must cooperate to ensure smooth passage of the bill.
与野党が協力して成立を図るべきだ。
The planned law will define the onslaught of a highly virulent new strain of flu as a "national crisis."
特措法では、病原性の強い新型ウイルスの襲来を「国家的危機」と位置づける。
To prevent the spread of infection and public disorder, the law will empower the government to take strong, binding steps such as restrictions on or postponement of assemblies and securing the supply and distribution of goods.
感染や混乱の拡大を防止するため、集会制限や物資の流通確保などに、踏み込んだ強制措置をとれるようにする。
Currently, the central government and prefectural governments have already worked out "action plans" to cope with the outbreak of a new strain of influenza.
現在でも国や都道府県は、新型インフルエンザに対する「行動計画」を策定している。
===
Govt to declare 'emergency'
These measures, however, have no binding power. The central government and local entities can take no stronger steps than "requesting" people to stay home and cancel meetings on a voluntary basis.
ただし、強制力を伴うものではなく、外出や集会などの自粛や中止といった措置を「要請」できるだけだ。
When a new strain of flu broke out in 2009, there was no serious damage, since the virulence of the strain was weak.
２００９年に新型インフルエンザが発生した際は、毒性の弱いウイルスだったため、大きな被害を出さずに済んだ。
If that strain had been deadly, the government might have been unable to take any effective steps, resulting in serious harm to the public.
だが、もし強毒性だったら、行政は的確な対策を打てず、深刻な被害をもたらしていただろう。
Under the proposed legislation, if a virulent strain of flu becomes epidemic, the government's epidemic countermeasures headquarters will declare an "emergency situation" for affected prefectures.
検討中の特措法案では、強毒性ウイルスが流行した場合に、政府対策本部が、都道府県単位で「緊急事態」を宣言する。
While restrictions on going out and cancellations of gatherings under the planned law will be sought in the form of government "requests," as currently practiced, the law will make it possible for the government to issue stronger "instructions" if such requests are refused without sufficient justification.
外出自粛やイベントの中止などは、従来通り「要請」とするが、正当な理由なく拒まれた時に、より強い「指示」が出せるようにする。
The law will also make it possible for the government to requisition land and buildings needed to secure medical facilities when a flu epidemic occurs.
療施設などに必要な土地や建物の使用も可能にする。
To prevent the spread of a deadly flu strain, the government may legitimately need to consider meting out punishments against violators of the law.
感染拡大を防ぐためには、罰則の検討もやむを得まい。
The invocation of the law, however, must be carried out as scrupulously as possible.
ただ、発動は慎重であるべきだ。
The Civil Protection Law, enacted to prepare this country for an armed attack, states that the curtailment of private rights should be kept to a minimum out of respect for the freedom and rights of the people.
私権制限規定は武力攻撃に備える国民保護法にもある。
同法は国民の自由と権利を尊重し、制限は必要最小限にする、としている。
===
Prepare for goods shortages
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, shortages of goods occurred across the country.
東日本大震災では発生直後、全国で物資の不足が起こった。
The shortages were attributed to panic buying as well as the disruption of distribution networks.
流通網の寸断に加え、買いだめの影響も大きかったと見られる。
If a containment campaign is enforced in areas affected by a new strain of virulent flu virus, hoarding may occur in reaction to government requests for people to stay home, while local distribution networks may be snarled.
新型インフルエンザ発生時も、感染地域を封じ込めれば流通網は滞り、外出自粛で買いだめが生じる。
To deal with such a situation, the government, by means of the planned legislation, should enhance the power of administrative authorities to ensure sufficient supplies of goods at stable prices, in part by preventing merchants or suppliers from refusing to sell at the time of a deadly flu epidemic.
その場合でも、売り惜しみを防ぎ、安定した価格で品物を十分に供給できるよう、行政の権限を強化しておく必要がある。
The lessons learned from the bitter experience of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami must be used to minimize the damage caused by a deadly flu strain.
大震災の教訓を生かすべきだ。
The circumstances the planned law aims to deal with have much in common with various other emergencies.
特措法の想定は、さまざまな緊急事態の場合と共通する。
The legislation should lead to the strengthening of preparatory measures for emergencies, such as coordination of communication between the central and local entities, securing local medical services and stockpiling daily necessities.
国と自治体の連携、地域の医療や必需品の備蓄など、平時の備えを点検・強化することにもつなげたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 20, 2012)
（2012年1月20日01時15分 読売新聞）
2012/01/20
นักเรียนไทยมาเรียนภาษาญี่ปุ่นกันด้วยนะครับ
เรียนภาษาญี่ปุ่นของนักเรียนไทย
初歩の日本語（タイ人学生向け）
Preliminary Japanese
lessons for Thai students.
(2011/11/24)
↓
http://www.geocities.jp/srachai2000_5/
「大阪都」構想 自治再生への将来像を示せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 19, 2012)
Present a vision for renewal of local administration
「大阪都」構想 自治再生への将来像を示せ（1月18日付・読売社説）
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto is preparing concrete steps to realize his plan to transform Osaka into a metropolitan administrative unit like Tokyo. If his proposal is realized, how will the people's daily lives and the local administration of Osaka change?
「大阪都」構想の実現で住民生活や行政はどう変わるのだろうか。
His proposal calls for institutional reform to reorganize the Osaka prefectural government and the Osaka and Sakai municipal governments into a metropolitan administrative unit that would provide administrative services across the entire area and 10 to 12 "special administrative wards" that would provide services close to the daily lives of the local people, such as welfare services.
橋下徹大阪市長が、都構想の具体案作りを進めている。
都構想は、府と大阪、堺両市を解体し、広域行政を担う「都」と福祉など身近な行政サービスを受け持つ１０～１２の「特別自治区」に再編する制度改革だ。
We can understand Hashimoto's intention of eliminating the prefectural and municipal governments' overlapping administrative services and integrating strategies on urban systems, by reviewing the antagonistic relations that have often existed between the prefectural government and the Osaka municipal government over the years.
長年対立してきた府と大阪市の関係を見直し、二重行政の無駄を廃して都市戦略を一元化しようという狙いはわかる。
Hashimoto has established a headquarters to integrate the prefectural and municipal governments, as a control tower of the scheme, and has come up with one reform policy after another.
橋下氏は司令塔となる府市統合本部を設け、矢継ぎ早に改革方針を打ち出した。
Carrying out, first of all, those reforms that can be realized under the present system will offer a favorable wind for the envisaged scheme. Included in such presently doable reforms are integrated management of water services, public hospitals and universities, and elections for more administratively powerful ward mayors with candidates invited from the public from all over the country.
水道、病院、大学の一体運営や、区長の公募・権限強化など、現行制度で可能な改革を先行させることは、構想実現への追い風となるからだ。
Will these institutional changes lead to, as Hashimoto asserts, the rejuvenation of Osaka, whose local economy is seen faltering?
だが、制度の変更が、橋下氏の言うように、沈滞ムード漂う大阪の再生に結びつくのか。
===
Costs not entirely clear
Having ward mayors and ward assembly members elected by popular vote may end up raising overall costs. There is also some concern that the review of overlapping administrative services by the prefectural and municipal governments may lead to some services being monopolized by certain entities, eliminating competition and thus making overall public administration inefficient.
公選区長と区議会を置くため、コストが増える恐れがある。二重行政を見直すことが行政サービスの独占となり、行政同士の競争が失われて、かえって効率が悪化しかねないとの見方もある。
Hashimoto should scrupulously answer these questions and draw up a clear future vision of a new local administration.
橋下氏は、こうした疑問の声にも丁寧に答えを出し、新しい自治の将来像を描くべきである。
To realize this metropolis scheme, it is essential to revise related laws, including the Local Government Law. 都構想の実現のためには、地方自治法など関連法の改正も欠かせない。
Both the ruling and opposition parties have begun concerted action based on Hashimoto's scheme.
与野党は、構想に呼応する動きを見せ始めている。
As the head of local party Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), Hashimoto won a strategic victory in the double elections for both Osaka governor (his preelection post, now held by another member of his party) and Osaka mayor.
先の大阪ダブル選で勝利を収めた橋下氏は、
Looking toward the next House of Representatives election, Hashimoto said his party will field its own candidates to run against those political parties that do not support his vision.
都構想に賛同しない政党には、次期衆院選で独自候補を擁立して対抗すると宣言しているが、
These strategies can be said to have prodded major national parties into action on his issue.
こうした「戦法」が中央政党を動かしたと言えよう。
===
Govt council to examine issue
Meanwhile, the Local Government System Research Council, a governmental advisory panel, on Tuesday began discussions on what form the administrative systems of mega cities should take.
一方、政府の地方制度調査会は１７日、大都市制度のあり方に関する議論を始めた。
The central government had seldom squarely tackled the issue of large cities before.
政府が大都市問題に正面から取り組んだことは、これまでほとんどなかった。
The Osaka metropolis scheme will be a central theme of the council's discussions.
大阪都構想は、中心的なテーマとなる。
Hashimoto intends to compile a concrete plan by this autumn, with an eye toward shifting to an Osaka metropolis in the spring of 2015.
橋下氏は、２０１５年春の大阪都移行を目指して、今秋までに具体案をまとめる考えだが、
His moves and the council's discussions will certainly affect each other.
その動向と調査会の議論は、相互に影響していくだろう。
Also to be discussed is the idea of letting ordinance-designated cities become completely independent from prefectural governments as special self-governing units.
政令市が道府県から独立する「特別自治市」や、
There are also other ideas to be taken up for discussion, such as one to integrate Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya to establish a "Chukyo-to" administrative unit, and one to realign Niigata Prefecture and Niigata City into Niigata-shu (Niigata State).
愛知県と名古屋市が掲げる「中京都」、新潟県と新潟市を再編する「新潟州」なども検討対象だ。
The times require discussions about systems of large-city governance.
大都市制度の議論は、時代の要請でもある。
The council will also discuss issues related to local municipalities, be they cities, towns or villages, that are dealing with marked population decline and a rapidly aging citizenry.
調査会では、人口減少が著しく、高齢化の進んでいる市町村の問題も審議する。
It is no easy task to consider the problems of large cities and those of smaller municipalities in the context of the ongoing trend of transferring administrative powers to local governments.
地方分権の流れの中で、大都市と小規模な自治体の問題をどう位置づけるかは、容易ではない。
Toward the aim of rejuvenating local administrations, a broad-based discussion is called for.
自治の再生に向けて、幅広い議論を重ねてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 18, 2012)
（2012年1月18日01時18分 読売新聞）
Present a vision for renewal of local administration
「大阪都」構想 自治再生への将来像を示せ（1月18日付・読売社説）
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto is preparing concrete steps to realize his plan to transform Osaka into a metropolitan administrative unit like Tokyo. If his proposal is realized, how will the people's daily lives and the local administration of Osaka change?
「大阪都」構想の実現で住民生活や行政はどう変わるのだろうか。
His proposal calls for institutional reform to reorganize the Osaka prefectural government and the Osaka and Sakai municipal governments into a metropolitan administrative unit that would provide administrative services across the entire area and 10 to 12 "special administrative wards" that would provide services close to the daily lives of the local people, such as welfare services.
橋下徹大阪市長が、都構想の具体案作りを進めている。
都構想は、府と大阪、堺両市を解体し、広域行政を担う「都」と福祉など身近な行政サービスを受け持つ１０～１２の「特別自治区」に再編する制度改革だ。
We can understand Hashimoto's intention of eliminating the prefectural and municipal governments' overlapping administrative services and integrating strategies on urban systems, by reviewing the antagonistic relations that have often existed between the prefectural government and the Osaka municipal government over the years.
長年対立してきた府と大阪市の関係を見直し、二重行政の無駄を廃して都市戦略を一元化しようという狙いはわかる。
Hashimoto has established a headquarters to integrate the prefectural and municipal governments, as a control tower of the scheme, and has come up with one reform policy after another.
橋下氏は司令塔となる府市統合本部を設け、矢継ぎ早に改革方針を打ち出した。
Carrying out, first of all, those reforms that can be realized under the present system will offer a favorable wind for the envisaged scheme. Included in such presently doable reforms are integrated management of water services, public hospitals and universities, and elections for more administratively powerful ward mayors with candidates invited from the public from all over the country.
水道、病院、大学の一体運営や、区長の公募・権限強化など、現行制度で可能な改革を先行させることは、構想実現への追い風となるからだ。
Will these institutional changes lead to, as Hashimoto asserts, the rejuvenation of Osaka, whose local economy is seen faltering?
だが、制度の変更が、橋下氏の言うように、沈滞ムード漂う大阪の再生に結びつくのか。
===
Costs not entirely clear
Having ward mayors and ward assembly members elected by popular vote may end up raising overall costs. There is also some concern that the review of overlapping administrative services by the prefectural and municipal governments may lead to some services being monopolized by certain entities, eliminating competition and thus making overall public administration inefficient.
公選区長と区議会を置くため、コストが増える恐れがある。二重行政を見直すことが行政サービスの独占となり、行政同士の競争が失われて、かえって効率が悪化しかねないとの見方もある。
Hashimoto should scrupulously answer these questions and draw up a clear future vision of a new local administration.
橋下氏は、こうした疑問の声にも丁寧に答えを出し、新しい自治の将来像を描くべきである。
To realize this metropolis scheme, it is essential to revise related laws, including the Local Government Law. 都構想の実現のためには、地方自治法など関連法の改正も欠かせない。
Both the ruling and opposition parties have begun concerted action based on Hashimoto's scheme.
与野党は、構想に呼応する動きを見せ始めている。
As the head of local party Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), Hashimoto won a strategic victory in the double elections for both Osaka governor (his preelection post, now held by another member of his party) and Osaka mayor.
先の大阪ダブル選で勝利を収めた橋下氏は、
Looking toward the next House of Representatives election, Hashimoto said his party will field its own candidates to run against those political parties that do not support his vision.
都構想に賛同しない政党には、次期衆院選で独自候補を擁立して対抗すると宣言しているが、
These strategies can be said to have prodded major national parties into action on his issue.
こうした「戦法」が中央政党を動かしたと言えよう。
===
Govt council to examine issue
Meanwhile, the Local Government System Research Council, a governmental advisory panel, on Tuesday began discussions on what form the administrative systems of mega cities should take.
一方、政府の地方制度調査会は１７日、大都市制度のあり方に関する議論を始めた。
The central government had seldom squarely tackled the issue of large cities before.
政府が大都市問題に正面から取り組んだことは、これまでほとんどなかった。
The Osaka metropolis scheme will be a central theme of the council's discussions.
大阪都構想は、中心的なテーマとなる。
Hashimoto intends to compile a concrete plan by this autumn, with an eye toward shifting to an Osaka metropolis in the spring of 2015.
橋下氏は、２０１５年春の大阪都移行を目指して、今秋までに具体案をまとめる考えだが、
His moves and the council's discussions will certainly affect each other.
その動向と調査会の議論は、相互に影響していくだろう。
Also to be discussed is the idea of letting ordinance-designated cities become completely independent from prefectural governments as special self-governing units.
政令市が道府県から独立する「特別自治市」や、
There are also other ideas to be taken up for discussion, such as one to integrate Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya to establish a "Chukyo-to" administrative unit, and one to realign Niigata Prefecture and Niigata City into Niigata-shu (Niigata State).
愛知県と名古屋市が掲げる「中京都」、新潟県と新潟市を再編する「新潟州」なども検討対象だ。
The times require discussions about systems of large-city governance.
大都市制度の議論は、時代の要請でもある。
The council will also discuss issues related to local municipalities, be they cities, towns or villages, that are dealing with marked population decline and a rapidly aging citizenry.
調査会では、人口減少が著しく、高齢化の進んでいる市町村の問題も審議する。
It is no easy task to consider the problems of large cities and those of smaller municipalities in the context of the ongoing trend of transferring administrative powers to local governments.
地方分権の流れの中で、大都市と小規模な自治体の問題をどう位置づけるかは、容易ではない。
Toward the aim of rejuvenating local administrations, a broad-based discussion is called for.
自治の再生に向けて、幅広い議論を重ねてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 18, 2012)
（2012年1月18日01時18分 読売新聞）
2012/01/19
台湾総統選―対中安定を選んだ民意
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 16
EDITORIAL: Taiwan’s voters show reserved support for expansion of China ties
台湾総統選―対中安定を選んだ民意
"In Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 14, voters gave qualified support, not unconditional approval, to expanded ties with China. That probably best sums up the election outcome.
中国との交流拡大はよいが、手放しでは歓迎できない――。
Incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) won re-election, defeating Tsai Ing-wen, head of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party.
台湾の総統選で、国民党の馬英九（マー・インチウ）総統が民進党の蔡英文（ツァイ・インウェン）主席らを退けた。示された民意をつづめて言えばこうではないか。
China-Taiwan relations soured markedly during the previous government of the DPP.
中台関係は民進党の前政権期に悪化した。
Ma was first elected president four years ago by promising to mend ties with China.
馬氏は改善を掲げて４年前の総統選に初当選し、
Ma implemented a series of steps to deliver on his pledge.
He launched regular direct flights between Taiwan and China, lifted a ban on visits by mainland Chinese and struck an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement for free cross-strait trade.
定期直行便を運航、中国からの観光客受け入れを解禁し、自由貿易圏を目指す経済協力枠組み協定を結んだ。
Ma, declaring his election victory while being pelted by a pouring rain, stressed that the expansion of Taiwan’s economic ties and trade with China during his first term had strong voter support.
He pledged to continue his China policy for the next four years.
土砂降りの雨に打たれながら勝利を宣言した馬総統は、中国との経済、貿易が拡大したことが「支持された」と強調して、「今後４年間もこの政策を続けていく」と明言した。
Indeed, relations between China and Taiwan have been on a roll recently.
確かに、このところの中台関係は活発だ。
Mainland tourists visiting Taiwan now outnumber Japanese visitors.
Chinese students are beginning to come to the island to study.
大陸からの観光客数は日本を上回り、留学生も来始めている。
The current state of the cross-strait relationship is a far cry from what it was 16 years ago when Beijing tried to intimidate Taiwan by test-firing missiles during a presidential election.
総統選の期間に中国がミサイル演習で威嚇した１６年前から想像できないほどだ。
Even so, China still keeps ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan and is expanding its naval power around the island. しかし、台湾に照準を合わせた弾道ミサイルを中国は配備したままだし、台湾周辺での海軍力も増強している。
The current stability in Sino-Taiwanese relations is as fragile as a glass sculpture and far from what constitutes true peace.
中台関係の安定はガラス細工のようにもろく、真の平和にほど遠い。
That’s why there is still strong, deep-rooted wariness about unification among Taiwanese, as indicated by the fact that Ma’s poll ratings dropped immediately after he talked about a peace treaty with China during the election campaign.
だから、馬総統が選挙戦で中国との平和協定を口にした途端に支持率が下がったように、統一に対する台湾の人々の警戒心はなお根強い。
The Communist Party of China and the government in Beijing issued an unusual statement following Ma’s re-election, expressing hope for “opening of a new phase of peaceful development of the relationship” and “striving together for a great resurgence of the Chinese race.”
The move clearly reflected China’s enthusiasm about starting political dialogue with Taiwan as a step toward eventual unification.
中国共産党と政府は、馬氏再選が決まった後に「関係の平和的発展の新しい局面をさらに開き、中華民族の偉大な復興のために共に力を尽くすことを願っている」という異例の談話を発表し、統一を視野に入れた政治対話に意欲を示した。
But the Taiwanese people are not interested in such political dialogue.
しかし、台湾の民意は政治対話をまだ望んでいない。
Ma needs to tread carefully on this issue.
馬氏は慎重に対応すべきである。
Beijing, if it really wants political dialogue with the island, should demonstrate its sincerity by taking steps to build a peaceful and favorable environment for cross-strait talks, such as removing the missiles aimed at Taiwan.
We sincerely hope the new Chinese leadership that will be elected in the party convention this autumn will make serious efforts to improve the diplomatic climate for political talks with Taiwan.
中国も政治対話を望むのであれば、台湾向けのミサイルを廃棄するなどの誠意を示して、平和な環境を整える必要がある。秋の党大会で生まれる新しい指導部にそれを強く望みたい。
For her part, Tsai fared better than the DPP’s candidate for the previous presidential election in terms of the percentage of votes garnered against the total poll. But her failure to offer concrete proposals to tackle key policy issues, like the relationship with China, growing economic inequity among Taiwanese people and employment, was her undoing.
蔡氏は前回の民進党候補より得票率を上げたが、対中関係や格差、雇用などの問題で具体的な対抗策を示すことはできなかった。
Nevertheless, we applaud Tsai for not inflaming tension during the election campaign, which often happened in the past. This gave the impression that democracy in Taiwan has matured.
とはいえ、過去のような対立をあおる選挙運動はせず、台湾の民主主義の成熟を印象づけたことは評価したい。
In mainland China, the people are still denied the right to vote in democratic elections. Yet, they showed tremendous interest in Taiwan’s election through Internet postings and other forms of online expression.
民主的な選挙に縁のない中国の人々もネットなどで大きな関心を示した。
We hope they will learn more about democracy through Taiwan's experience.
台湾を通してさらに学ぶようになればいい。
Although Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relationship with Japan, Taiwanese sentiment toward Japan is very friendly. This can be seen by the size of Taiwan’s donation to help victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Its 17 billion yen (about $213 million) topped all other foreign donations.
台湾は日本と外交関係はないが、東日本大震災で世界一の額の義援金１７０億円を寄せたように、極めて親日的である。
Japan must respond to the goodwill shown by the Taiwanese people by enhancing its ties with the island through steps like concluding a free trade agreement.
日本は自由貿易協定を結ぶなど関係の強化をはかり、台湾の善意にこたえなければならない。
EDITORIAL: Taiwan’s voters show reserved support for expansion of China ties
台湾総統選―対中安定を選んだ民意
"In Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 14, voters gave qualified support, not unconditional approval, to expanded ties with China. That probably best sums up the election outcome.
中国との交流拡大はよいが、手放しでは歓迎できない――。
Incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) won re-election, defeating Tsai Ing-wen, head of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party.
台湾の総統選で、国民党の馬英九（マー・インチウ）総統が民進党の蔡英文（ツァイ・インウェン）主席らを退けた。示された民意をつづめて言えばこうではないか。
China-Taiwan relations soured markedly during the previous government of the DPP.
中台関係は民進党の前政権期に悪化した。
Ma was first elected president four years ago by promising to mend ties with China.
馬氏は改善を掲げて４年前の総統選に初当選し、
Ma implemented a series of steps to deliver on his pledge.
He launched regular direct flights between Taiwan and China, lifted a ban on visits by mainland Chinese and struck an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement for free cross-strait trade.
定期直行便を運航、中国からの観光客受け入れを解禁し、自由貿易圏を目指す経済協力枠組み協定を結んだ。
Ma, declaring his election victory while being pelted by a pouring rain, stressed that the expansion of Taiwan’s economic ties and trade with China during his first term had strong voter support.
He pledged to continue his China policy for the next four years.
土砂降りの雨に打たれながら勝利を宣言した馬総統は、中国との経済、貿易が拡大したことが「支持された」と強調して、「今後４年間もこの政策を続けていく」と明言した。
Indeed, relations between China and Taiwan have been on a roll recently.
確かに、このところの中台関係は活発だ。
Mainland tourists visiting Taiwan now outnumber Japanese visitors.
Chinese students are beginning to come to the island to study.
大陸からの観光客数は日本を上回り、留学生も来始めている。
The current state of the cross-strait relationship is a far cry from what it was 16 years ago when Beijing tried to intimidate Taiwan by test-firing missiles during a presidential election.
総統選の期間に中国がミサイル演習で威嚇した１６年前から想像できないほどだ。
Even so, China still keeps ballistic missiles aimed at Taiwan and is expanding its naval power around the island. しかし、台湾に照準を合わせた弾道ミサイルを中国は配備したままだし、台湾周辺での海軍力も増強している。
The current stability in Sino-Taiwanese relations is as fragile as a glass sculpture and far from what constitutes true peace.
中台関係の安定はガラス細工のようにもろく、真の平和にほど遠い。
That’s why there is still strong, deep-rooted wariness about unification among Taiwanese, as indicated by the fact that Ma’s poll ratings dropped immediately after he talked about a peace treaty with China during the election campaign.
だから、馬総統が選挙戦で中国との平和協定を口にした途端に支持率が下がったように、統一に対する台湾の人々の警戒心はなお根強い。
The Communist Party of China and the government in Beijing issued an unusual statement following Ma’s re-election, expressing hope for “opening of a new phase of peaceful development of the relationship” and “striving together for a great resurgence of the Chinese race.”
The move clearly reflected China’s enthusiasm about starting political dialogue with Taiwan as a step toward eventual unification.
中国共産党と政府は、馬氏再選が決まった後に「関係の平和的発展の新しい局面をさらに開き、中華民族の偉大な復興のために共に力を尽くすことを願っている」という異例の談話を発表し、統一を視野に入れた政治対話に意欲を示した。
But the Taiwanese people are not interested in such political dialogue.
しかし、台湾の民意は政治対話をまだ望んでいない。
Ma needs to tread carefully on this issue.
馬氏は慎重に対応すべきである。
Beijing, if it really wants political dialogue with the island, should demonstrate its sincerity by taking steps to build a peaceful and favorable environment for cross-strait talks, such as removing the missiles aimed at Taiwan.
We sincerely hope the new Chinese leadership that will be elected in the party convention this autumn will make serious efforts to improve the diplomatic climate for political talks with Taiwan.
中国も政治対話を望むのであれば、台湾向けのミサイルを廃棄するなどの誠意を示して、平和な環境を整える必要がある。秋の党大会で生まれる新しい指導部にそれを強く望みたい。
For her part, Tsai fared better than the DPP’s candidate for the previous presidential election in terms of the percentage of votes garnered against the total poll. But her failure to offer concrete proposals to tackle key policy issues, like the relationship with China, growing economic inequity among Taiwanese people and employment, was her undoing.
蔡氏は前回の民進党候補より得票率を上げたが、対中関係や格差、雇用などの問題で具体的な対抗策を示すことはできなかった。
Nevertheless, we applaud Tsai for not inflaming tension during the election campaign, which often happened in the past. This gave the impression that democracy in Taiwan has matured.
とはいえ、過去のような対立をあおる選挙運動はせず、台湾の民主主義の成熟を印象づけたことは評価したい。
In mainland China, the people are still denied the right to vote in democratic elections. Yet, they showed tremendous interest in Taiwan’s election through Internet postings and other forms of online expression.
民主的な選挙に縁のない中国の人々もネットなどで大きな関心を示した。
We hope they will learn more about democracy through Taiwan's experience.
台湾を通してさらに学ぶようになればいい。
Although Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relationship with Japan, Taiwanese sentiment toward Japan is very friendly. This can be seen by the size of Taiwan’s donation to help victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Its 17 billion yen (about $213 million) topped all other foreign donations.
台湾は日本と外交関係はないが、東日本大震災で世界一の額の義援金１７０億円を寄せたように、極めて親日的である。
Japan must respond to the goodwill shown by the Taiwanese people by enhancing its ties with the island through steps like concluding a free trade agreement.
日本は自由貿易協定を結ぶなど関係の強化をはかり、台湾の善意にこたえなければならない。
2012/01/18
日本の指導者―政治の根幹変える覚悟を
--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 15
EDITORIAL: Japan in desperate need of a true leader
日本の指導者―政治の根幹変える覚悟を
If we get a new prime minister this year, it will be the seventh in seven years.
もし、ことしも首相が代われば７年連続である。
The possibility of such a change is not small at all, as the momentum for a Diet dissolution and Lower House election is growing as politicians battle over the government's plan to raise the consumption tax rate.
消費税率の引き上げをめぐって、衆院解散・総選挙の機運が高まりつつあり、その可能性は決して低くない。
After a succession of six prime ministers resigning in the same number of years, Japanese politics has completely lost its focus.
この６年、毎年、首相が退陣した日本の政治は、すっかりタガが外れてしまった。
Last year within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, voices loudly demanded the resignation of then-Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Even those within his own party supported the no-confidence motion against him.
民主党では昨年、菅首相に「辞めろ」の大合唱が起こり、不信任案へ同調する動きさえあった。
His successor, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, won the party leadership by pushing for higher taxes, but some DPJ lawmakers repeated their objections again late last year, and some even left the party.
次の野田首相は増税を訴えて党代表選に勝ったのに、年末の党内議論で反対論が蒸し返され、離党者まで出た。
The Liberal Democratic Party no longer has any semblance of a ruling party.
自民党には、もはや政権党の面影もない。
LDP politicians are acting as if the party had nothing to do with this country's enormous fiscal deficit, and they insist on yammering about the DPJ's breach of its manifesto. The LDP's actions border on the ridiculous.
財政赤字を積み上げてきた責任など知らん顔で、民主党のマニフェスト違反を責め立てる姿は滑稽ですらある。
With politics in such a state, it is little wonder that the recent support rate for the DPJ and the LDP combined, two major parties that make up nearly 90 percent of the seats in the Lower House, didn't even add up to 40 percent.
こんなありさまだから、衆院で９割に近い議席を占める民主党と自民党の支持率を合わせても、最近は４０％に満たない。
With an overwhelming majority of the electorate saying they support no party, can this really be called a "two-party system?"
「支持政党なし」が圧倒的な最大勢力を占める現状は、果たして「２大政党」などと言えるものなのか。
Recognition of the times
■確かな時代認識を
In September this year, the terms in office will expire for the leaders of both parties, DPJ President and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki.
ことし９月、民主党の野田佳彦代表（首相）も、自民党の谷垣禎一総裁も党トップの任期が切れる。
It will be a good opportunity to contemplate the essence of political leadership so that politics in this country can be rebooted.
政治を立て直すきっかけにするためにも、指導者のあり方を考える好機である。
An LDP veteran lawmaker once said: "The only thing postwar politicians had to decide was the general direction of this country: anti-communism, emphasis on the economy, and the Japan-U.S. security alliance. That was all. For the rest, bureaucrats drew up the blueprint."
「戦後の政治が決めたのは、反共と経済重視、日米安保の方向性だけ。あとは官僚が実行計画を書いてくれた」
In an age when politics was on "autopilot," the role of politicians was the "redistribution of expanding wealth."
こんな自民党ベテラン議員の言葉が物語る「自動操縦」のような時代は、「膨らむ富の再分配」が政治の役割だった。
However, our country is now seeing the progression of an extremely aging society, the extent of which is unprecedented around the world.
だが、いまや世界に例のない超高齢化がすすむ。
Fewer people are working.
働く人の数が減る。
Despite the rocky waters of globalization, we cannot find the key to new economic growth.
グローバル化の荒波のなか、新たな経済成長のタネが見つからない。
The divide between the rich and poor, as well as the divide between the young and old, is widening.
貧富や世代間の格差が広がり続ける。
Politics is faced with the tough task of "redistributing the burden."
政治は「負担の配分」という厳しい仕事を迫られている。
Yet, lawmakers continue to rely on bureaucrats as if we were still in the "autopilot' age. The lawmakers also continue to borrow more money and do their best to muddle through.
なのに国会議員たちは相も変わらず「自動操縦」の時代が続いているかのように官僚に寄りかかり、借金を重ねて、その場をしのぐ政治に精を出す。
This means we are bypassing our own problems and simply dumping them onto future generations.
これでは後世にツケを回すだけだ。
Political party leaders must first get a good grip on the times we live in.
政党を率いる指導者は、まず確かな時代認識を持つことだ。
Then they must brace themselves so that they can fundamentally change our political system into something appropriate for governing this country in this age.
それに従って、時代にふさわしい統治の仕組みに制度を根幹から変えていく覚悟が要る。
To recreate our society, some drastic changes are essential. For example, a true shift away from bureaucratic leadership to real political leadership is needed, as is a move toward decentralization.
社会をつくり直すためには、たとえば官僚主導から真の政治主導へ、中央集権から地方分権へといった大胆な転換が不可欠なはずだ。
The electorate has already changed along with the times.
有権者はすでに時代とともに変わっている。
The proof lies in the fact that industry organizations are losing their vote-drawing powers not just in the cities but also in rural areas.
都市部だけでなく、農村部でも業界団体などの集票力が激減しているのは、その証しだ。
As the needs of the voters became more diverse, the electorate became fragmented like grains of sand, and the positions shift like sand dunes.
要望の多様化とともに、有権者は砂粒のようにばらばらになり、風が吹けば砂丘のように位置を変える。
Respond to change
■変化への対応を
Politicians are unable to cope with these ephemeral changes.
この変わりように、政治家がついていけない。
The single-district system of the Lower House contributes to the parties' tendency to choose leaders they hope can gain wide support, but that is merely a window-dressing tactic aimed at winning over a fickle electorate.
衆院の小選挙区制もあいまって、より幅広い支持を得られそうな党首を据える傾向が強まっているが、それは気まぐれな世論を味方につけようとする、いわば糊塗策（ことさく）でしかない。
It is impossible to support anyone or any party if they don't have the means with which to recognize and realize what voters want.
有権者それぞれの思いを束ねて、くみあげる機能もないままに、支持だけ求めても無理だ。
It is only natural that voters should write off political parties and politicians that are out of touch with the times.
時代遅れの政党や政治家が、有権者に見限られるのは当たり前ではないか。
It is understandable that politicians like Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto are growing in stature when national politics is in such a dire state.
これほど情けない国政を見せられれば、橋下徹大阪市長のような政治家が存在感を増すのもうなずける。
Hashimoto's criticism of the huge Osaka Town Hall organization is extremely easy to understand.
大阪市役所という巨大な組織を批判する言説は、とにかくわかりやすい。
His push to eradicate the wasteful double administration that exists in Osaka--Osaka Prefecture and Osaka city--seems to be in accordance with these times of the shrinking economy
大阪府と市の二重行政の無駄をなくす姿勢も、経済が縮んでいく時代の流れに沿うものといえる。
He is always looking for new enemies and using the heat of that friction as the energy source to move forward. Such an approach is dangerous because it risks preventing rational thought and contemplation.
敵をつくり、対立の摩擦熱ですすむような手法は、冷静な思考を妨げる危うさがつきまとう。
However, his style definitely gives the voters the impression that something is happening in politics.
だが、政治が確かに動いているという感覚を有権者に与えているのは間違いない。
Existing parties, whatever their party platform or policies, are ingratiating themselves to Hashimoto. This is a pathetic sight.
こんな橋下氏に、従来の主張や政策を省みずにすり寄る既成政党の姿は哀れみさえ誘う。
Prime Minister Noda is asking the public to accept an increased burden as part of the tax and social security reform. That is a step forward in facing up to the changing times.
野田首相が税と社会保障の一体改革で、国民に負担増を求めるのは、時代の変化に向き合う一歩だといえる。
The country must adamantly achieve government reform and move forward.
行革を断行しつつ、前へ進まねばならない。
The prime minister should take the argument he used to override the anti-tax raise voices within his own party late last year, and repeat the discussion in the public domain in plain sight.
昨年末に民主党内の増税反対論を押し切った議論を、もっと国民に見える形でやればいい。
The voters will take notice only when the prime minister steps into the hot seat.
首相が矢面に立って初めて、有権者は振り返る。
Power to move organizations
■組織を動かす力を
How will LDP leader Tanigaki respond?
自民党の谷垣総裁は、どう応じるのか。
If he says, "I have always championed tax reform up front and center," then he should clamp down on those within his party who demand an early dissolution of the Diet, and achieve tax reform by leading the way ahead of the DPJ.
「税制改革の断行を堂々と掲げてきた」というのなら、早期解散への党内圧力を抑え、むしろ民主党をリードして改革を成し遂げるのが筋だろう。
If he can achieve that, then he will secure a place in history.
それができれば、歴史に名を残すに違いない。
A leader is someone who recognizes how the times are changing, puts forth clear goals, builds a strategy to achieve those goals, and moves organizations and the unsung people who work hard outside the limelight to realize those goals.
指導者は時代の変化を見極めて、わかりやすい目標を示し、その達成までの戦略を立て、実現のために縁の下で汗をかく人も含めて組織を動かす。
That is leadership, and leadership requires experience.
こうした指導力を培うには、経験も欠かせない。
A political culture that casually throws away its leaders in short succession is hardly conducive to producing good, worthy people.
指導者を使い捨てするような政治風土からは、有為な人材はなかなか生まれない。
EDITORIAL: Japan in desperate need of a true leader
日本の指導者―政治の根幹変える覚悟を
If we get a new prime minister this year, it will be the seventh in seven years.
もし、ことしも首相が代われば７年連続である。
The possibility of such a change is not small at all, as the momentum for a Diet dissolution and Lower House election is growing as politicians battle over the government's plan to raise the consumption tax rate.
消費税率の引き上げをめぐって、衆院解散・総選挙の機運が高まりつつあり、その可能性は決して低くない。
After a succession of six prime ministers resigning in the same number of years, Japanese politics has completely lost its focus.
この６年、毎年、首相が退陣した日本の政治は、すっかりタガが外れてしまった。
Last year within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, voices loudly demanded the resignation of then-Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Even those within his own party supported the no-confidence motion against him.
民主党では昨年、菅首相に「辞めろ」の大合唱が起こり、不信任案へ同調する動きさえあった。
His successor, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, won the party leadership by pushing for higher taxes, but some DPJ lawmakers repeated their objections again late last year, and some even left the party.
次の野田首相は増税を訴えて党代表選に勝ったのに、年末の党内議論で反対論が蒸し返され、離党者まで出た。
The Liberal Democratic Party no longer has any semblance of a ruling party.
自民党には、もはや政権党の面影もない。
LDP politicians are acting as if the party had nothing to do with this country's enormous fiscal deficit, and they insist on yammering about the DPJ's breach of its manifesto. The LDP's actions border on the ridiculous.
財政赤字を積み上げてきた責任など知らん顔で、民主党のマニフェスト違反を責め立てる姿は滑稽ですらある。
With politics in such a state, it is little wonder that the recent support rate for the DPJ and the LDP combined, two major parties that make up nearly 90 percent of the seats in the Lower House, didn't even add up to 40 percent.
こんなありさまだから、衆院で９割に近い議席を占める民主党と自民党の支持率を合わせても、最近は４０％に満たない。
With an overwhelming majority of the electorate saying they support no party, can this really be called a "two-party system?"
「支持政党なし」が圧倒的な最大勢力を占める現状は、果たして「２大政党」などと言えるものなのか。
Recognition of the times
■確かな時代認識を
In September this year, the terms in office will expire for the leaders of both parties, DPJ President and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki.
ことし９月、民主党の野田佳彦代表（首相）も、自民党の谷垣禎一総裁も党トップの任期が切れる。
It will be a good opportunity to contemplate the essence of political leadership so that politics in this country can be rebooted.
政治を立て直すきっかけにするためにも、指導者のあり方を考える好機である。
An LDP veteran lawmaker once said: "The only thing postwar politicians had to decide was the general direction of this country: anti-communism, emphasis on the economy, and the Japan-U.S. security alliance. That was all. For the rest, bureaucrats drew up the blueprint."
「戦後の政治が決めたのは、反共と経済重視、日米安保の方向性だけ。あとは官僚が実行計画を書いてくれた」
In an age when politics was on "autopilot," the role of politicians was the "redistribution of expanding wealth."
こんな自民党ベテラン議員の言葉が物語る「自動操縦」のような時代は、「膨らむ富の再分配」が政治の役割だった。
However, our country is now seeing the progression of an extremely aging society, the extent of which is unprecedented around the world.
だが、いまや世界に例のない超高齢化がすすむ。
Fewer people are working.
働く人の数が減る。
Despite the rocky waters of globalization, we cannot find the key to new economic growth.
グローバル化の荒波のなか、新たな経済成長のタネが見つからない。
The divide between the rich and poor, as well as the divide between the young and old, is widening.
貧富や世代間の格差が広がり続ける。
Politics is faced with the tough task of "redistributing the burden."
政治は「負担の配分」という厳しい仕事を迫られている。
Yet, lawmakers continue to rely on bureaucrats as if we were still in the "autopilot' age. The lawmakers also continue to borrow more money and do their best to muddle through.
なのに国会議員たちは相も変わらず「自動操縦」の時代が続いているかのように官僚に寄りかかり、借金を重ねて、その場をしのぐ政治に精を出す。
This means we are bypassing our own problems and simply dumping them onto future generations.
これでは後世にツケを回すだけだ。
Political party leaders must first get a good grip on the times we live in.
政党を率いる指導者は、まず確かな時代認識を持つことだ。
Then they must brace themselves so that they can fundamentally change our political system into something appropriate for governing this country in this age.
それに従って、時代にふさわしい統治の仕組みに制度を根幹から変えていく覚悟が要る。
To recreate our society, some drastic changes are essential. For example, a true shift away from bureaucratic leadership to real political leadership is needed, as is a move toward decentralization.
社会をつくり直すためには、たとえば官僚主導から真の政治主導へ、中央集権から地方分権へといった大胆な転換が不可欠なはずだ。
The electorate has already changed along with the times.
有権者はすでに時代とともに変わっている。
The proof lies in the fact that industry organizations are losing their vote-drawing powers not just in the cities but also in rural areas.
都市部だけでなく、農村部でも業界団体などの集票力が激減しているのは、その証しだ。
As the needs of the voters became more diverse, the electorate became fragmented like grains of sand, and the positions shift like sand dunes.
要望の多様化とともに、有権者は砂粒のようにばらばらになり、風が吹けば砂丘のように位置を変える。
Respond to change
■変化への対応を
Politicians are unable to cope with these ephemeral changes.
この変わりように、政治家がついていけない。
The single-district system of the Lower House contributes to the parties' tendency to choose leaders they hope can gain wide support, but that is merely a window-dressing tactic aimed at winning over a fickle electorate.
衆院の小選挙区制もあいまって、より幅広い支持を得られそうな党首を据える傾向が強まっているが、それは気まぐれな世論を味方につけようとする、いわば糊塗策（ことさく）でしかない。
It is impossible to support anyone or any party if they don't have the means with which to recognize and realize what voters want.
有権者それぞれの思いを束ねて、くみあげる機能もないままに、支持だけ求めても無理だ。
It is only natural that voters should write off political parties and politicians that are out of touch with the times.
時代遅れの政党や政治家が、有権者に見限られるのは当たり前ではないか。
It is understandable that politicians like Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto are growing in stature when national politics is in such a dire state.
これほど情けない国政を見せられれば、橋下徹大阪市長のような政治家が存在感を増すのもうなずける。
Hashimoto's criticism of the huge Osaka Town Hall organization is extremely easy to understand.
大阪市役所という巨大な組織を批判する言説は、とにかくわかりやすい。
His push to eradicate the wasteful double administration that exists in Osaka--Osaka Prefecture and Osaka city--seems to be in accordance with these times of the shrinking economy
大阪府と市の二重行政の無駄をなくす姿勢も、経済が縮んでいく時代の流れに沿うものといえる。
He is always looking for new enemies and using the heat of that friction as the energy source to move forward. Such an approach is dangerous because it risks preventing rational thought and contemplation.
敵をつくり、対立の摩擦熱ですすむような手法は、冷静な思考を妨げる危うさがつきまとう。
However, his style definitely gives the voters the impression that something is happening in politics.
だが、政治が確かに動いているという感覚を有権者に与えているのは間違いない。
Existing parties, whatever their party platform or policies, are ingratiating themselves to Hashimoto. This is a pathetic sight.
こんな橋下氏に、従来の主張や政策を省みずにすり寄る既成政党の姿は哀れみさえ誘う。
Prime Minister Noda is asking the public to accept an increased burden as part of the tax and social security reform. That is a step forward in facing up to the changing times.
野田首相が税と社会保障の一体改革で、国民に負担増を求めるのは、時代の変化に向き合う一歩だといえる。
The country must adamantly achieve government reform and move forward.
行革を断行しつつ、前へ進まねばならない。
The prime minister should take the argument he used to override the anti-tax raise voices within his own party late last year, and repeat the discussion in the public domain in plain sight.
昨年末に民主党内の増税反対論を押し切った議論を、もっと国民に見える形でやればいい。
The voters will take notice only when the prime minister steps into the hot seat.
首相が矢面に立って初めて、有権者は振り返る。
Power to move organizations
■組織を動かす力を
How will LDP leader Tanigaki respond?
自民党の谷垣総裁は、どう応じるのか。
If he says, "I have always championed tax reform up front and center," then he should clamp down on those within his party who demand an early dissolution of the Diet, and achieve tax reform by leading the way ahead of the DPJ.
「税制改革の断行を堂々と掲げてきた」というのなら、早期解散への党内圧力を抑え、むしろ民主党をリードして改革を成し遂げるのが筋だろう。
If he can achieve that, then he will secure a place in history.
それができれば、歴史に名を残すに違いない。
A leader is someone who recognizes how the times are changing, puts forth clear goals, builds a strategy to achieve those goals, and moves organizations and the unsung people who work hard outside the limelight to realize those goals.
指導者は時代の変化を見極めて、わかりやすい目標を示し、その達成までの戦略を立て、実現のために縁の下で汗をかく人も含めて組織を動かす。
That is leadership, and leadership requires experience.
こうした指導力を培うには、経験も欠かせない。
A political culture that casually throws away its leaders in short succession is hardly conducive to producing good, worthy people.
指導者を使い捨てするような政治風土からは、有為な人材はなかなか生まれない。
2012/01/17
独法改革 見せかけの取り組みでは困る
カラオケ、過労死、あまくだり・・・ そのまま米国で通用します＾＾。
日本語から英語へと進化した単語はかなりあると思います。
ハワイ事務所のセクレタリー（２名の女性たち）は、過労死を殺しと混同して発音していました。
日本には殺しが多いそうですね？って聞かれたときに、なんだこれはと思いましたが、よく説明を聞いたら、これは過労死のことだったのです＾＾。
悪乗りして、腹上死（ふくじょうし）って知ってるかって聞いたら、聞いたことがないと申しておりました＾＾。
楽しかったです。ハワイの勤務＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 16, 2012)
Going through the motions not enough for reform
独法改革 見せかけの取り組みでは困る（1月15日付・読売社説）
It is vital when reforming independent administrative institutions to achieve tangible results, such as spending cuts.
独立行政法人の改革は歳出削減などの具体的な成果を上げることが肝要だ。
The government must not allow reform to simply change such organizations' names.
看板の掛け替えに終わらせてはならない。
In this regard, newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, who will concurrently serve as state minister in charge of administrative reform, bears a heavy responsibility.
行政改革を担当する岡田副総理の役割は重い。
The Government Revitalization Unit will compile a plan to reorganize independent administrative institutions as early as by the end of this month.
政府の行政刷新会議が月内にも独法の組織再編案をまとめる。
Of the 102 such bodies, there are plans to abolish three, including the Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition '70, and to privatize the organization for environment improvement around international airports and one other body.
原案では、１０２法人のうち、日本万国博覧会記念機構など３法人は廃止、空港周辺整備機構など２法人は民間に移管する。
Other independent administrative institutions will be transformed into public corporations focused on achieving revenue and performance goals, or public corporations aimed at enhancing cooperation with central government projects.
その他の法人は２０１３年度末に、収益や業績の達成を重視する「成果目標達成法人」か、国の事業との連携を強める「行政執行法人」に移行させる。
Moreover, the government reportedly will consider integrating some of the first type of corporation after classifying them into eight subcategories, such as those working with universities and those engaging in financial operations.
成果目標達成法人は、大学連携型、金融業務型など８類型に分類し組織統合を検討するという。
But it will be unsatisfactory if only five independent administrative institutions are abolished or privatized.
廃止・民間移管が計５法人では物足りない。
Even if many are transformed into new types of public corporations, it will effectively constitute just a change of name if they continue to exist as organizations.
新たな種類の法人に移行しても組織が存続するのでは看板の掛け替えにすぎない。
Reorganizational efforts will be meaningful only if the government drastically reduces the number of such public agencies and slashes overall government spending.
法人数を大幅に減らし、経費削減を実現してこそ、意味がある。
===
Structural review insufficient
Reviewing their organizational structures will not be enough to reform independent administrative institutions.
独法改革は、組織形態の見直しだけでは不十分だ。
In addition to downsizing individual agencies' businesses and making them more efficient prior to transferring such organizations to the control of local governments and the private sector, it also will be necessary to sever the cozy ties between these agencies and the government bodies that have jurisdiction over them.
Such ties have developed through the provision of subsidies and the practice of amakudari, under which bureaucrats take lucrative jobs in related organizations after their retirement.
各法人の個別事業を縮減・効率化し、地方や民間に移管することに加え、天下りと補助金による所管府省との癒着にもメスを入れる必要がある。
If the government embarks on the reform of large-scale independent administrative institutions, such as the Urban Renaissance Agency and the Japan Housing Finance Agency, it will help the government substantially cut its spending.
都市再生機構、住宅金融支援機構など大型の独法の改革に切り込めば、政府支出の実質的な削減につながるだろう。
On the other hand, it is dangerous to make decisions that put too much weight on short-term cost performance in fields linked with national strategy, such as research and development in science and technology, and cultural promotion.
一方で、科学技術の研究開発や文化振興など国家戦略にかかわる分野で、短期的な費用対効果に偏った結論を出すのは危険だ。
The government must consider how to carry out reforms from mid- and long-term perspectives, without insisting too much on "visible results."
「目に見える成果」にばかり固執せず、中長期的な視点から改革を検討することが欠かせない。
In its manifesto pledges for the 2009 House of Representatives election, the Democratic Party of Japan called for a comprehensive review of independent administrative institutions, including their total abolishment.
民主党は０９年衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）で、独法について「全廃を含めて抜本的な見直し」を掲げた。
The party clearly stated in the manifesto that it would be possible to slash 6.1 trillion yen in annual government spending by reviewing independent administrative institutions, public-interest corporations and subsidies.
独法や公益法人、補助金の見直しで年６・１兆円の節約が可能とも明記した。
===
Minimal effort so far
However, an April 2010 session of the government panel tasked with reviewing wasteful government spending has been almost the only occasion when the DPJ-led government tackled the reform of independent administrative institutions.
ところが、実際に独法改革に取り組んだのは、１０年４月の事業仕分けくらいだった。
We regret to say there is a wide gap between the promise made in the manifesto and the latest draft reform plan.
公約と今回の改革原案との開きは大きい。
At the end of last year, the DPJ set up a research committee on administrative reform, spurred by the need to broaden public understanding of the proposed consumption tax hike.
民主党が昨年末、行政改革調査会を設置したのは、消費税率引き上げへの国民の理解を広げる必要性に迫られたためだ。
But the move was a hastily devised countermeasure.
文字通り「泥縄の対応」と言える。
What is needed now is not a token effort, but a determined and continuous undertaking.
見せかけでなく、腰を据えた、継続的な取り組みが求められる。
It is a matter of course for the government and the DPJ to thoroughly carry out administrative reform, including that of independent administrative institutions, as a prerequisite to the integrated reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革の前提として、独法を含む行政改革を徹底するのは当然だ。
Given the country's critical fiscal condition, insufficient administrative reform cannot be used as an excuse to postpone the tax hike.
ただ、危機的な財政状況を踏まえれば、「行革が不十分」を言い訳にした増税の先送りは許されない。
Efforts to realize the tax hike and administrative reform must be made simultaneously.
増税と行革を両立させねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 15, 2012)
（2012年1月15日01時16分 読売新聞）
日本語から英語へと進化した単語はかなりあると思います。
ハワイ事務所のセクレタリー（２名の女性たち）は、過労死を殺しと混同して発音していました。
日本には殺しが多いそうですね？って聞かれたときに、なんだこれはと思いましたが、よく説明を聞いたら、これは過労死のことだったのです＾＾。
悪乗りして、腹上死（ふくじょうし）って知ってるかって聞いたら、聞いたことがないと申しておりました＾＾。
楽しかったです。ハワイの勤務＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 16, 2012)
Going through the motions not enough for reform
独法改革 見せかけの取り組みでは困る（1月15日付・読売社説）
It is vital when reforming independent administrative institutions to achieve tangible results, such as spending cuts.
独立行政法人の改革は歳出削減などの具体的な成果を上げることが肝要だ。
The government must not allow reform to simply change such organizations' names.
看板の掛け替えに終わらせてはならない。
In this regard, newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, who will concurrently serve as state minister in charge of administrative reform, bears a heavy responsibility.
行政改革を担当する岡田副総理の役割は重い。
The Government Revitalization Unit will compile a plan to reorganize independent administrative institutions as early as by the end of this month.
政府の行政刷新会議が月内にも独法の組織再編案をまとめる。
Of the 102 such bodies, there are plans to abolish three, including the Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition '70, and to privatize the organization for environment improvement around international airports and one other body.
原案では、１０２法人のうち、日本万国博覧会記念機構など３法人は廃止、空港周辺整備機構など２法人は民間に移管する。
Other independent administrative institutions will be transformed into public corporations focused on achieving revenue and performance goals, or public corporations aimed at enhancing cooperation with central government projects.
その他の法人は２０１３年度末に、収益や業績の達成を重視する「成果目標達成法人」か、国の事業との連携を強める「行政執行法人」に移行させる。
Moreover, the government reportedly will consider integrating some of the first type of corporation after classifying them into eight subcategories, such as those working with universities and those engaging in financial operations.
成果目標達成法人は、大学連携型、金融業務型など８類型に分類し組織統合を検討するという。
But it will be unsatisfactory if only five independent administrative institutions are abolished or privatized.
廃止・民間移管が計５法人では物足りない。
Even if many are transformed into new types of public corporations, it will effectively constitute just a change of name if they continue to exist as organizations.
新たな種類の法人に移行しても組織が存続するのでは看板の掛け替えにすぎない。
Reorganizational efforts will be meaningful only if the government drastically reduces the number of such public agencies and slashes overall government spending.
法人数を大幅に減らし、経費削減を実現してこそ、意味がある。
===
Structural review insufficient
Reviewing their organizational structures will not be enough to reform independent administrative institutions.
独法改革は、組織形態の見直しだけでは不十分だ。
In addition to downsizing individual agencies' businesses and making them more efficient prior to transferring such organizations to the control of local governments and the private sector, it also will be necessary to sever the cozy ties between these agencies and the government bodies that have jurisdiction over them.
Such ties have developed through the provision of subsidies and the practice of amakudari, under which bureaucrats take lucrative jobs in related organizations after their retirement.
各法人の個別事業を縮減・効率化し、地方や民間に移管することに加え、天下りと補助金による所管府省との癒着にもメスを入れる必要がある。
If the government embarks on the reform of large-scale independent administrative institutions, such as the Urban Renaissance Agency and the Japan Housing Finance Agency, it will help the government substantially cut its spending.
都市再生機構、住宅金融支援機構など大型の独法の改革に切り込めば、政府支出の実質的な削減につながるだろう。
On the other hand, it is dangerous to make decisions that put too much weight on short-term cost performance in fields linked with national strategy, such as research and development in science and technology, and cultural promotion.
一方で、科学技術の研究開発や文化振興など国家戦略にかかわる分野で、短期的な費用対効果に偏った結論を出すのは危険だ。
The government must consider how to carry out reforms from mid- and long-term perspectives, without insisting too much on "visible results."
「目に見える成果」にばかり固執せず、中長期的な視点から改革を検討することが欠かせない。
In its manifesto pledges for the 2009 House of Representatives election, the Democratic Party of Japan called for a comprehensive review of independent administrative institutions, including their total abolishment.
民主党は０９年衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）で、独法について「全廃を含めて抜本的な見直し」を掲げた。
The party clearly stated in the manifesto that it would be possible to slash 6.1 trillion yen in annual government spending by reviewing independent administrative institutions, public-interest corporations and subsidies.
独法や公益法人、補助金の見直しで年６・１兆円の節約が可能とも明記した。
===
Minimal effort so far
However, an April 2010 session of the government panel tasked with reviewing wasteful government spending has been almost the only occasion when the DPJ-led government tackled the reform of independent administrative institutions.
ところが、実際に独法改革に取り組んだのは、１０年４月の事業仕分けくらいだった。
We regret to say there is a wide gap between the promise made in the manifesto and the latest draft reform plan.
公約と今回の改革原案との開きは大きい。
At the end of last year, the DPJ set up a research committee on administrative reform, spurred by the need to broaden public understanding of the proposed consumption tax hike.
民主党が昨年末、行政改革調査会を設置したのは、消費税率引き上げへの国民の理解を広げる必要性に迫られたためだ。
But the move was a hastily devised countermeasure.
文字通り「泥縄の対応」と言える。
What is needed now is not a token effort, but a determined and continuous undertaking.
見せかけでなく、腰を据えた、継続的な取り組みが求められる。
It is a matter of course for the government and the DPJ to thoroughly carry out administrative reform, including that of independent administrative institutions, as a prerequisite to the integrated reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革の前提として、独法を含む行政改革を徹底するのは当然だ。
Given the country's critical fiscal condition, insufficient administrative reform cannot be used as an excuse to postpone the tax hike.
ただ、危機的な財政状況を踏まえれば、「行革が不十分」を言い訳にした増税の先送りは許されない。
Efforts to realize the tax hike and administrative reform must be made simultaneously.
増税と行革を両立させねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 15, 2012)
（2012年1月15日01時16分 読売新聞）
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