The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 13, 2012)
Ozawa's latest political party is mainly a populist stunt
小沢新党 大衆迎合の色濃い「生活第一」（7月12日付・読売社説）
The third-largest party in Diet, after the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party, has been born. The new party's size makes it a force to be reckoned with in national politics, especially in light of the dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election.
民主、自民に次ぐ第３党の誕生だ。衆院解散・総選挙に向けた政局で、侮れない規模である。
We are concerned about the addition of yet another factor that could throw Japan's politics into further turmoil.
政治を一層混迷させる要因が増えたことに、懸念を抱かざるを得ない。
Former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers, who had been expelled from the ruling party, held a meeting to inaugurate Kokumin no Seikatsu ga Daiichi (People's livelihoods first) in Tokyo on Wednesday. Forty-nine lawmakers from the lower house and the House of Councillors who had belonged to the DPJ joined the new party.
民主党を除名された小沢一郎元代表らが、都内で新党「国民の生活が第一」の結党大会を開いた。民主党に属していた衆参国会議員４９人が新党に参加した。
Ozawa, who became leader of the new party, said, "I'm determined to take action to seek the withdrawal of bills to raise the consumption tax rate in the name of integrated reform."
代表に就任した小沢氏は、「一体改革に名を借りた消費増税法案を撤回させるべく行動していく決意だ」と訴えた。
The aim of launching the new party is to consolidate forces opposed to the consumption tax hike. It can also be said the new party is vying for power in opposition to the line that the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito have taken on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
新党旗揚げの狙いは反消費増税勢力の結集だ。社会保障・税一体改革での民主、自民、公明路線に対する権力闘争とも言えよう。
===
A potential rebel network
Ozawa is aiming to form loose alliances with regional parties, including Genzei Nippon (Tax cut Japan) led by Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura, and other opposition parties. In the Diet, the new party plans to form a parliamentary group with the Kizuna Party, which was formed by earlier DPJ defectors.
小沢氏は、河村たかし名古屋市長の「減税日本」など地域政党や野党と緩やかに連携することを目指している。国会では、民主党離党組の「新党きづな」と統一会派を結成する方針だ。
At a press conference on Wednesday, Ozawa also said he would cooperate with former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and others who remain in the DPJ although they rebelled against the party during the vote on integrated reform bills.
小沢氏は記者会見で、一体改革関連法案の採決時に造反しながら民主党に残った鳩山元首相らと連携していく考えも示した。
Hatoyama's appalling words and deeds keep dragging down Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, but the number of rebels remaining in the DPJ cannot be ignored.
野田首相の足を引っ張り続ける鳩山氏の言動には、あきれるばかりだが、党内に残った造反組の数は軽視できない。
It looks certain that Noda will experience more difficulties in handling the government now. To counter Ozawa, Noda must do his utmost to maintain cooperative relationships with the LDP and Komeito.
首相の政権運営が、一層難しくなることは確かだろう。小沢氏に対抗するためにも、首相は自公両党との協調関係を保つことに全力を挙げねばなるまい。
===
A lack of vitality and solidity
However, the launch of the new party lacks emotional uplift. This is because it is the fourth new party that Ozawa, dubbed the "destroyer," has formed and therefore it lacks freshness.
ただし、新党の発足に高揚感は乏しい。何しろ、「壊し屋」と称される小沢氏の４度目の新党であり、新鮮味に欠ける。
Among lower house members who joined the new party, two-thirds are first-time lawmakers with weak electoral bases. Their ulterior motive--surviving the next lower house election with opposition to the tax hike as a driving force--can be seen.
新党に参加した衆院議員のうち３分の２は、選挙地盤の固まっていない新人議員だ。反増税をバネにして次期衆院選で生き残ろうという思惑が、透けて見える。
The new party's name, Kokumin no Seikatsu ga Daiichi (People's livelihoods first), is a slogan used in the DPJ's manifesto for the 2009 lower house election. An LDP member remarked, "It [the new party] may be taking the same path as the DPJ, which touted a pie-in-the-sky manifesto." This criticism has a point.
新党名に選んだ「国民の生活が第一」も、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）のキャッチフレーズである。「出来もしないマニフェストを掲げた民主党と同じ道を進んでいくことになるのでは」という自民党の批判は一理ある。
It is unclear how the new party would reconstruct critical state finances and cover social security costs, which are swelling by more than 1 trillion yen a year, without the consumption tax hike.
消費増税なしに、どうやって危機的な国家財政を立て直し、毎年１兆円以上増え続けている社会保障費をまかなうのか不透明だ。
Ozawa also said his party will make it clear that it will seek to end nuclear power generation. There is no denying that such a policy is haphazard. How will a stable power supply be realized?
小沢氏は、「脱原発を鮮明にしていきたい」とも語った。場当たり的な感は否めない。電力の安定供給をどう実現するのか。
If the new party proclaims it will put people's livelihoods first, it should give a concrete and detailed explanation of how it will do so. Simply advocating populist slogans to appeal to voters is irresponsible.
国民の生活本位と言うのなら、具体的かつ丁寧に説明してもらいたい。有権者へのアピールを意識して、大衆迎合的なスローガンを唱えるだけでは無責任である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 12, 2012)
（2012年7月12日01時21分 読売新聞）
2012/07/14
2012/07/13
オスプレイ配備 政府は安全性の説明を尽くせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 12, 2012)
Govt must fully explain safety of Osprey
オスプレイ配備 政府は安全性の説明を尽くせ（7月11日付・読売社説）
It is important to evaluate and discuss the safety of the U.S. military's new transport aircraft in a coolheaded manner.
米軍新型輸送機の安全性については、冷静に評価し、議論することが肝要である。
During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the planned deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in Japan, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba asked Washington to provide information on the causes of two crashes earlier this year involving the aircraft.
玄葉外相がクリントン米国務長官と会談し、海兵隊の垂直離着陸機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの日本配備に関連して、今年発生した２件の墜落事故の原因の情報提供を要請した。
While Clinton pledged the United States would conduct thorough investigations into the aircraft's safety and share the results with Japan, she expressed no intention of changing the plan to deploy the Osprey in Japan.
クリントン長官は、「安全性について調査を徹底的に行い、結果を日本と共有する」と約束するとともに、日本配備の方針は変更しない考えを表明した。
The United States should be given credit for its willingness to provide information to Japan. The Japanese government should collect information through such means as sending experts to the United States to closely examine the aircraft.
日本への情報提供に前向きな米側の姿勢は評価できる。政府は、専門家の訪米などを通じて情報を収集し、吟味する必要がある。
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Opposition to deployment
Following the crash of an MV-22 Osprey in Morocco in April, a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed during an exercise in mid-June in Florida.
４月のモロッコにおけるＭＶ２２の墜落事故に続き、６月中旬には米フロリダ州で訓練中の空軍の同型機ＣＶ２２が墜落した。
The United States plans to deploy the MV-22 Osprey at Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, after temporarily stationing them at the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni base in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. However, local governments concerned have expressed their opposition to the deployment or temporary stationing of the aircraft, citing safety concerns.
配備先の沖縄県宜野湾市の普天間飛行場や、一時駐機先である山口県岩国市の岩国基地の関係自治体は、安全性を懸念し、配備や駐機に反対している。
We believe the government must thoroughly explain the aircraft's safety to these local authorities to gain their understanding as much as possible.
政府は、ＭＶ２２の安全性について関係自治体に丁寧に説明し、理解を広げなければならない。
As the causes of the accidents were not attributed to problems with the aircraft themselves, the U.S. military has not prohibited the aircraft from flying or taken similar measures.
２件の事故原因は機体の問題ではないとされ、米軍は飛行禁止措置などを取っていない。
The shift from the CH-46 transport helicopters--which have been in operation for nearly four decades--to the new aircraft is not in itself a bad thing. Actually, from a safety standpoint, it would be more problematic to continue using the CH-46 for a long time.
そもそも、４０年近く使用している輸送ヘリコプターＣＨ４６から新型輸送機への交代は、悪いことではない。むしろ老朽化した輸送ヘリを今後も長期間使い続けることの方が安全上の問題があろう。
The rate of serious MV-22 accidents resulting in death or damage of 2 million dollars or more is 1.93 per 100,000 flight hours. This rate is lower than the average rate of 2.45 for all marine corps aircraft.
ＭＶ２２の１０万飛行時間当たりの重大事故（死亡または２００万ドル以上の損害を伴う事故）率は１・９３件で、海兵隊航空機の平均の２・４５件よりも低い。
===
Enhanced capabilities
The deployment of the MV-22, which boasts high capabilities in terms of maximum speed and flight range, among other features, would enhance the U.S. military's capability to conduct civilian rescue operations and disaster relief activities. The deployment also would help improve the U.S. forces' assault landing operations and increase deterrence capabilities. These factors cannot be overlooked.
一方で、最高速度、航続距離などの性能が優れるＭＶ２２の配備によって、米軍の民間人救出や災害救援の活動は強化される。強襲上陸作戦能力が向上し、抑止力が高まることも見逃せない。
In addition, the deployment would be in line with the U.S. military's strategy of increasing its presence in the west Pacific region to deal with the rapid rise of the Chinese military.
中国の急速な軍事的台頭に対応し、西太平洋地域を重視する米軍戦略とも合致している。
The United States plans to deliver 12 Ospreys to Iwakuni later this month, then transport them to Okinawa Prefecture. As the retirement of CH-46 helicopters is under way, the circumstances do not allow for impediments to operations of the U.S. forces.
米側は、今月下旬にオスプレイ１２機を岩国に搬入した後、沖縄に配備する予定だ。ＣＨ４６の退役が始まる中、部隊運用に支障を生じさせられない事情がある。
Reports on the accidents in Morocco and Florida are expected to be compiled later this month and in late August, respectively. The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed not to fly the MV-22 in Japan until the reports are completed.
モロッコの事故は今月下旬、フロリダの事故は８月末に報告書がまとまる見通しだ。日米両政府は、それまではＭＶ２２を日本で飛行させないことで一致している。
This is an adequate decision. It is important to realize the deployment of the aircraft in accordance with this agreement and take sufficient measures to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.
妥当な判断である。日米合意を順守し、事故の再発防止策をきちんと講じたうえ、配備を実現することが重要となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2012)
（2012年7月11日01時40分 読売新聞）
Govt must fully explain safety of Osprey
オスプレイ配備 政府は安全性の説明を尽くせ（7月11日付・読売社説）
It is important to evaluate and discuss the safety of the U.S. military's new transport aircraft in a coolheaded manner.
米軍新型輸送機の安全性については、冷静に評価し、議論することが肝要である。
During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the planned deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in Japan, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba asked Washington to provide information on the causes of two crashes earlier this year involving the aircraft.
玄葉外相がクリントン米国務長官と会談し、海兵隊の垂直離着陸機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの日本配備に関連して、今年発生した２件の墜落事故の原因の情報提供を要請した。
While Clinton pledged the United States would conduct thorough investigations into the aircraft's safety and share the results with Japan, she expressed no intention of changing the plan to deploy the Osprey in Japan.
クリントン長官は、「安全性について調査を徹底的に行い、結果を日本と共有する」と約束するとともに、日本配備の方針は変更しない考えを表明した。
The United States should be given credit for its willingness to provide information to Japan. The Japanese government should collect information through such means as sending experts to the United States to closely examine the aircraft.
日本への情報提供に前向きな米側の姿勢は評価できる。政府は、専門家の訪米などを通じて情報を収集し、吟味する必要がある。
===
Opposition to deployment
Following the crash of an MV-22 Osprey in Morocco in April, a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed during an exercise in mid-June in Florida.
４月のモロッコにおけるＭＶ２２の墜落事故に続き、６月中旬には米フロリダ州で訓練中の空軍の同型機ＣＶ２２が墜落した。
The United States plans to deploy the MV-22 Osprey at Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, after temporarily stationing them at the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni base in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. However, local governments concerned have expressed their opposition to the deployment or temporary stationing of the aircraft, citing safety concerns.
配備先の沖縄県宜野湾市の普天間飛行場や、一時駐機先である山口県岩国市の岩国基地の関係自治体は、安全性を懸念し、配備や駐機に反対している。
We believe the government must thoroughly explain the aircraft's safety to these local authorities to gain their understanding as much as possible.
政府は、ＭＶ２２の安全性について関係自治体に丁寧に説明し、理解を広げなければならない。
As the causes of the accidents were not attributed to problems with the aircraft themselves, the U.S. military has not prohibited the aircraft from flying or taken similar measures.
２件の事故原因は機体の問題ではないとされ、米軍は飛行禁止措置などを取っていない。
The shift from the CH-46 transport helicopters--which have been in operation for nearly four decades--to the new aircraft is not in itself a bad thing. Actually, from a safety standpoint, it would be more problematic to continue using the CH-46 for a long time.
そもそも、４０年近く使用している輸送ヘリコプターＣＨ４６から新型輸送機への交代は、悪いことではない。むしろ老朽化した輸送ヘリを今後も長期間使い続けることの方が安全上の問題があろう。
The rate of serious MV-22 accidents resulting in death or damage of 2 million dollars or more is 1.93 per 100,000 flight hours. This rate is lower than the average rate of 2.45 for all marine corps aircraft.
ＭＶ２２の１０万飛行時間当たりの重大事故（死亡または２００万ドル以上の損害を伴う事故）率は１・９３件で、海兵隊航空機の平均の２・４５件よりも低い。
===
Enhanced capabilities
The deployment of the MV-22, which boasts high capabilities in terms of maximum speed and flight range, among other features, would enhance the U.S. military's capability to conduct civilian rescue operations and disaster relief activities. The deployment also would help improve the U.S. forces' assault landing operations and increase deterrence capabilities. These factors cannot be overlooked.
一方で、最高速度、航続距離などの性能が優れるＭＶ２２の配備によって、米軍の民間人救出や災害救援の活動は強化される。強襲上陸作戦能力が向上し、抑止力が高まることも見逃せない。
In addition, the deployment would be in line with the U.S. military's strategy of increasing its presence in the west Pacific region to deal with the rapid rise of the Chinese military.
中国の急速な軍事的台頭に対応し、西太平洋地域を重視する米軍戦略とも合致している。
The United States plans to deliver 12 Ospreys to Iwakuni later this month, then transport them to Okinawa Prefecture. As the retirement of CH-46 helicopters is under way, the circumstances do not allow for impediments to operations of the U.S. forces.
米側は、今月下旬にオスプレイ１２機を岩国に搬入した後、沖縄に配備する予定だ。ＣＨ４６の退役が始まる中、部隊運用に支障を生じさせられない事情がある。
Reports on the accidents in Morocco and Florida are expected to be compiled later this month and in late August, respectively. The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed not to fly the MV-22 in Japan until the reports are completed.
モロッコの事故は今月下旬、フロリダの事故は８月末に報告書がまとまる見通しだ。日米両政府は、それまではＭＶ２２を日本で飛行させないことで一致している。
This is an adequate decision. It is important to realize the deployment of the aircraft in accordance with this agreement and take sufficient measures to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.
妥当な判断である。日米合意を順守し、事故の再発防止策をきちんと講じたうえ、配備を実現することが重要となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2012)
（2012年7月11日01時40分 読売新聞）
2012/07/12
尖閣国有化方針 政府と都は安定管理へ協調を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 11, 2012)
Central, Tokyo govts should get in tune over Senkaku Islands
尖閣国有化方針 政府と都は安定管理へ協調を（7月10日付・読売社説）
The inability of the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments to get on the same page will be only to China's advantage. They need to closely cooperate on the Senkaku Islands issue.
政府と東京都が牽制(けんせい)しあえば、中国を利するだけだ。両者は、緊密に連携する必要がある。
The central government has finally made a concrete move to put the Senkaku Islands under state control.
政府が、尖閣諸島の国有化に向けて、ようやく具体的に動き始めた。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has admitted that the government is holding talks with the metropolitan government and the owner of three islands in the five-islet chain. "From the viewpoint of peacefully and stably maintaining and managing [the islands], we've been in contact [with the metropolitan government and others] at various levels," Noda said to the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Monday.
野田首相は、衆院予算委員会で「平穏かつ安定的に維持・管理する観点で、様々なレベルで接触している」と述べ、都や地権者と協議に入っていることを認めた。
The central government's aspirations of putting the Senkaku Islands under state control will advance efforts to better maintain the territorial integrity and effective control of the islands.
政府が尖閣諸島の国有化を目指すことは、領土保全、実効支配の強化に向けて前進となる。
The government currently leases the three islands, including Uotsurijima, from the owner and bans people other than government officials from landing on them. However, under individual ownership, through which the islands could be sold to or inherited by a third person, the future of the islands could be unstable.
政府は魚釣島など３島を地権者から賃借し、政府関係者以外の立ち入りを禁じている。だが、第三者への売却や相続があり得る個人所有では安定的とは言えない。
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China's claim unwarranted
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara has built up a relationship of trust with the islands' owner. Donations to the Tokyo government to purchase the three islands have topped 1.3 billion yen.
東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、地権者との一定の信頼関係を築いている。購入費などに充てる予定の都の募金も１３億円を超えた。
Given the recent developments, various options are on the table, including having the metropolitan government buy the three islands and then immediately transfer them to the central government.
これまでの経緯を考えると、いったん都が購入した後、政府に速やかに譲渡するなど、様々な方法が考えられよう。
Ishihara has expressed distrust of the government's plan to purchase the islands, saying the Noda administration is trying "to gain popularity" and deriding it as "abrupt." However, now is not the time for the central and metropolitan governments to be out of step.
石原氏は政府の方針に「人気稼ぎだろう」「唐突だ」と不信感を表明したが、政府と都が足並みを乱している場合ではない。
It is essential that the islands be surely placed under state control, regardless of how this is done. The central and metropolitan governments must speed up necessary arrangements to make this happen.
どのような手順を踏むにせよ、着実に国有化することが肝要である。政府と都の間で調整を急がねばならない。
The Japanese government's plan to place the islands under state control prompted Beijing to issue a statement saying, "No one will ever be permitted to buy and sell China's sacred territory."
日本政府の国有化方針に対し、中国は「中国の神聖な領土を売買することは絶対許さない」とする談話を発表した。
However, it was only in 1971--after the existence of oil reserves was confirmed near the Senkaku Islands--that China started to claim sovereignty over them.
だが、中国が領有権を主張し始めたのは、周辺海域での石油埋蔵が判明した後の１９７１年だ。
Japan has been in effective control of the islands since it incorporated them into its territory based on international law in 1895. It is unreasonable of China, which effectively gave tacit approval to Japan's control of the Senkakus, to belatedly claim sovereignty over them.
日本は１８９５年、国際法に基づき尖閣諸島を領土に編入して、実効支配している。それを事実上黙認していた中国が、後から領有権を主張するのは不当である。
===
Strengthen JCG
Chinese fishery patrol boats approach waters around the Senkaku Islands almost monthly and repeatedly make their presence felt.
中国の漁業監視船は毎月のように尖閣諸島周辺に近づき、示威行為を繰り返している。
Earlier this month, Taiwan patrol vessels and a leisure fishing boat briefly intruded into Japanese territorial waters.
今月には台湾の巡視船などが日本の領海内に入った。
These provocations will only undermine Japan-China and Japan-Taiwan relations. We strongly urge Beijing and Taipei to exercise self-restraint.
こうした挑発活動は、日中、日台関係を損なうだけである。強く自制を求めたい。
Even if the government puts the Senkaku Islands under state control in the future, this in itself will not be able to prevent intrusions and other illegal acts.
この先、日本政府が尖閣諸島を国有化しても、それだけで不法侵入などを防げるわけではない。
It will be necessary to enable Japan Coast Guard officers to apprehend foreign nationals who illegally land on the Senkaku Islands. To do so, the Diet should quickly deliberate a bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law.
不法上陸した外国人を海上保安官が検挙できるようにする必要がある。そのための海上保安庁法改正案の国会審議を急ぐべきだ。
Also, the JCG must be strengthened in terms of manpower and the quality of its equipment, through such measures as deploying a large patrol vessel that will enable long-term monitoring of waters around the Senkaku Islands and increasing the number of JCG officers.
尖閣諸島周辺で長期間の監視活動ができるような大型巡視船の配備や、保安官の増員など、質と量の両面から海保の体制強化も図らなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2012)
（2012年7月10日01時35分 読売新聞）
Central, Tokyo govts should get in tune over Senkaku Islands
尖閣国有化方針 政府と都は安定管理へ協調を（7月10日付・読売社説）
The inability of the central and Tokyo metropolitan governments to get on the same page will be only to China's advantage. They need to closely cooperate on the Senkaku Islands issue.
政府と東京都が牽制(けんせい)しあえば、中国を利するだけだ。両者は、緊密に連携する必要がある。
The central government has finally made a concrete move to put the Senkaku Islands under state control.
政府が、尖閣諸島の国有化に向けて、ようやく具体的に動き始めた。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has admitted that the government is holding talks with the metropolitan government and the owner of three islands in the five-islet chain. "From the viewpoint of peacefully and stably maintaining and managing [the islands], we've been in contact [with the metropolitan government and others] at various levels," Noda said to the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Monday.
野田首相は、衆院予算委員会で「平穏かつ安定的に維持・管理する観点で、様々なレベルで接触している」と述べ、都や地権者と協議に入っていることを認めた。
The central government's aspirations of putting the Senkaku Islands under state control will advance efforts to better maintain the territorial integrity and effective control of the islands.
政府が尖閣諸島の国有化を目指すことは、領土保全、実効支配の強化に向けて前進となる。
The government currently leases the three islands, including Uotsurijima, from the owner and bans people other than government officials from landing on them. However, under individual ownership, through which the islands could be sold to or inherited by a third person, the future of the islands could be unstable.
政府は魚釣島など３島を地権者から賃借し、政府関係者以外の立ち入りを禁じている。だが、第三者への売却や相続があり得る個人所有では安定的とは言えない。
===
China's claim unwarranted
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara has built up a relationship of trust with the islands' owner. Donations to the Tokyo government to purchase the three islands have topped 1.3 billion yen.
東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、地権者との一定の信頼関係を築いている。購入費などに充てる予定の都の募金も１３億円を超えた。
Given the recent developments, various options are on the table, including having the metropolitan government buy the three islands and then immediately transfer them to the central government.
これまでの経緯を考えると、いったん都が購入した後、政府に速やかに譲渡するなど、様々な方法が考えられよう。
Ishihara has expressed distrust of the government's plan to purchase the islands, saying the Noda administration is trying "to gain popularity" and deriding it as "abrupt." However, now is not the time for the central and metropolitan governments to be out of step.
石原氏は政府の方針に「人気稼ぎだろう」「唐突だ」と不信感を表明したが、政府と都が足並みを乱している場合ではない。
It is essential that the islands be surely placed under state control, regardless of how this is done. The central and metropolitan governments must speed up necessary arrangements to make this happen.
どのような手順を踏むにせよ、着実に国有化することが肝要である。政府と都の間で調整を急がねばならない。
The Japanese government's plan to place the islands under state control prompted Beijing to issue a statement saying, "No one will ever be permitted to buy and sell China's sacred territory."
日本政府の国有化方針に対し、中国は「中国の神聖な領土を売買することは絶対許さない」とする談話を発表した。
However, it was only in 1971--after the existence of oil reserves was confirmed near the Senkaku Islands--that China started to claim sovereignty over them.
だが、中国が領有権を主張し始めたのは、周辺海域での石油埋蔵が判明した後の１９７１年だ。
Japan has been in effective control of the islands since it incorporated them into its territory based on international law in 1895. It is unreasonable of China, which effectively gave tacit approval to Japan's control of the Senkakus, to belatedly claim sovereignty over them.
日本は１８９５年、国際法に基づき尖閣諸島を領土に編入して、実効支配している。それを事実上黙認していた中国が、後から領有権を主張するのは不当である。
===
Strengthen JCG
Chinese fishery patrol boats approach waters around the Senkaku Islands almost monthly and repeatedly make their presence felt.
中国の漁業監視船は毎月のように尖閣諸島周辺に近づき、示威行為を繰り返している。
Earlier this month, Taiwan patrol vessels and a leisure fishing boat briefly intruded into Japanese territorial waters.
今月には台湾の巡視船などが日本の領海内に入った。
These provocations will only undermine Japan-China and Japan-Taiwan relations. We strongly urge Beijing and Taipei to exercise self-restraint.
こうした挑発活動は、日中、日台関係を損なうだけである。強く自制を求めたい。
Even if the government puts the Senkaku Islands under state control in the future, this in itself will not be able to prevent intrusions and other illegal acts.
この先、日本政府が尖閣諸島を国有化しても、それだけで不法侵入などを防げるわけではない。
It will be necessary to enable Japan Coast Guard officers to apprehend foreign nationals who illegally land on the Senkaku Islands. To do so, the Diet should quickly deliberate a bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law.
不法上陸した外国人を海上保安官が検挙できるようにする必要がある。そのための海上保安庁法改正案の国会審議を急ぐべきだ。
Also, the JCG must be strengthened in terms of manpower and the quality of its equipment, through such measures as deploying a large patrol vessel that will enable long-term monitoring of waters around the Senkaku Islands and increasing the number of JCG officers.
尖閣諸島周辺で長期間の監視活動ができるような大型巡視船の配備や、保安官の増員など、質と量の両面から海保の体制強化も図らなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2012)
（2012年7月10日01時35分 読売新聞）
2012/07/11
ちいさな企業 日本再生に期待される潜在力
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 10, 2012)
Harness small firms' potential to revitalize Japan
ちいさな企業 日本再生に期待される潜在力（7月8日付・読売社説）
Small and midsize companies account for 90 percent of domestic enterprises, and are a huge potential source of technological and human capital. We hope they will play a significant role in kick-starting the economy.
日本企業の９割を占める中小企業は、技術や人材などの潜在力を持つ。日本経済に弾みをつける役割を期待したい。
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry formed to investigate the future of small and midsize businesses recently announced its proposals for revitalizing this sector. The panel's report compiled the views of workers at small and midsize companies including managers, female entrepreneurs and younger workers.
経済産業省の「“ちいさな企業”未来会議」は、中小企業の活性化策に関する提言をまとめた。中小企業の経営者や女性起業家、青年層などの現場の声を集約したのが特徴である。
An important part of the proposals is the request for the government to revise conventional measures by paying more attention to smaller companies, instead of supporting the relatively major members of this sector with priority.
提言のポイントは、比較的規模が大きい中小企業を主な支援対象としてきた政府に対し、小規模企業にも十分目配りするよう、施策の修正を求めたことだ。
The number of small and midsize companies has decreased by 650,000 over the last decade, to the detriment of about 3 million jobs. Smaller firms that close or struggle are particularly noticeable.
中小企業は、過去１０年で約６５万社減り、雇用者数は約３００万人も減少した。小規模な企業の廃業や経営不振が目立つ。
With the domestic market shrinking due to the aging population and low birthrate, and businesses being pinched by an unusually high yen, smaller companies tend to be affected also by overseas transfers and poor performance by the large companies they do business with. Small and midsize companies face an increasingly harsh business environment.
少子高齢化に伴う国内市場の縮小や超円高に加え、取引先である大企業の海外移転や業績悪化に振り回されがちだ。経営環境は一段と厳しくなっている。
===
Looking for the next Toyota
The decline in small and midsize businesses has led to a vicious cycle that exhausts regional economies. This can no longer be ignored.
中小企業の低迷により、地域経済が疲弊するという悪循環に陥っている状況も看過できない。
The panel displayed a stronger level of concern, pointing out that "small enterprises can change Japan." Indeed, we believe that only revitalized small and midsize firms can maintain regional jobs and prevent the further hollowing out of domestic industries.
未来会議が危機感を強め、「小さな企業が日本を変える」と指摘したのは妥当だ。中小企業が活性化してこそ、地域の雇用が維持され、空洞化を防ぐ方策になる。
Many major firms such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. started out as small, local factories. A vital question for today is how to discover and support a future Toyota that has growth potential.
トヨタ自動車やパナソニックなどの大企業も、小さな町工場からスタートした。成長が見込まれる「未来のトヨタ」を発掘し、後押しすることが問われている。
Unfortunately, many small firms miss opportunities for dramatic growth because of a lack in practical management expertise.
実践的な経営ノウハウが不足しているため、飛躍のチャンスを逃している小規模企業も多い。
The panel's proposal emphasized the importance of boosting a one-stop management support system where financial institutions, certified tax accountants and others could help small and midsize enterprises in cooperation with the central and local governments. Aid would be provided depending on the individual company's stage, whether just starting out, stable or growing, or looking for successors. Details of the system should be worked out as soon as possible.
提言は、起業から安定・成長期、事業承継など、企業の段階に応じて、国や自治体と連携しながら金融機関、税理士などがワンストップで経営支援する「知識サポート体制」の強化を打ち出した。具体化を急ぐべきだろう。
===
Market unique technology
Measures are also necessary to assist small and midsize businesses in improving unique technological skills and enhancing their products' market competitiveness. We think an initiative to create a concentrated area for overseas-oriented industry--one of the panel's proposals--deserves serious consideration. Parties involved need to rack their brains to discover the best ways for small and midsize firms to expand their sales in Asia and elsewhere.
オンリーワンの技術を磨き、製品力を強化する支援策の充実も重要だ。提言が示した「海外展開集積地域構想」は検討に値する。中小企業がアジアなどで販路を拡大できるように知恵を絞りたい。
In addition to manufacturing, companies in service industries such as nursing care and medical services need to be developed, as women and young people can work comfortably in these fields. It is important to develop working environments that can better utilize the potential of this nation's women.
ものづくりだけでなく、女性や若者が働きやすい介護、医療などのサービス分野の企業育成が課題と言える。女性パワーをもっと活用する環境整備が欠かせない。
Policies concerning small and midsize companies should be one of the pillars of the government's up-coming strategy for revitalizing Japan. However, care must be taken so these measures are not just an additional form of lavish support.
政府は近くまとめる日本再生戦略の柱に中小企業政策を位置づけるべきだ。ただし、大前提は、施策を精査し、ばらまき型の追加支援としないことである。
Small and midsize companies have no hope of success if they merely rely on government support. They must have the originality and ingenuity to proactively find new opportunities on their own.
中小企業が政府などの支援に頼るだけでは、展望は開けない。創意工夫で自ら活路を開く積極的な姿勢が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2012)
（2012年7月8日01時13分 読売新聞）
Harness small firms' potential to revitalize Japan
ちいさな企業 日本再生に期待される潜在力（7月8日付・読売社説）
Small and midsize companies account for 90 percent of domestic enterprises, and are a huge potential source of technological and human capital. We hope they will play a significant role in kick-starting the economy.
日本企業の９割を占める中小企業は、技術や人材などの潜在力を持つ。日本経済に弾みをつける役割を期待したい。
A panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry formed to investigate the future of small and midsize businesses recently announced its proposals for revitalizing this sector. The panel's report compiled the views of workers at small and midsize companies including managers, female entrepreneurs and younger workers.
経済産業省の「“ちいさな企業”未来会議」は、中小企業の活性化策に関する提言をまとめた。中小企業の経営者や女性起業家、青年層などの現場の声を集約したのが特徴である。
An important part of the proposals is the request for the government to revise conventional measures by paying more attention to smaller companies, instead of supporting the relatively major members of this sector with priority.
提言のポイントは、比較的規模が大きい中小企業を主な支援対象としてきた政府に対し、小規模企業にも十分目配りするよう、施策の修正を求めたことだ。
The number of small and midsize companies has decreased by 650,000 over the last decade, to the detriment of about 3 million jobs. Smaller firms that close or struggle are particularly noticeable.
中小企業は、過去１０年で約６５万社減り、雇用者数は約３００万人も減少した。小規模な企業の廃業や経営不振が目立つ。
With the domestic market shrinking due to the aging population and low birthrate, and businesses being pinched by an unusually high yen, smaller companies tend to be affected also by overseas transfers and poor performance by the large companies they do business with. Small and midsize companies face an increasingly harsh business environment.
少子高齢化に伴う国内市場の縮小や超円高に加え、取引先である大企業の海外移転や業績悪化に振り回されがちだ。経営環境は一段と厳しくなっている。
===
Looking for the next Toyota
The decline in small and midsize businesses has led to a vicious cycle that exhausts regional economies. This can no longer be ignored.
中小企業の低迷により、地域経済が疲弊するという悪循環に陥っている状況も看過できない。
The panel displayed a stronger level of concern, pointing out that "small enterprises can change Japan." Indeed, we believe that only revitalized small and midsize firms can maintain regional jobs and prevent the further hollowing out of domestic industries.
未来会議が危機感を強め、「小さな企業が日本を変える」と指摘したのは妥当だ。中小企業が活性化してこそ、地域の雇用が維持され、空洞化を防ぐ方策になる。
Many major firms such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. started out as small, local factories. A vital question for today is how to discover and support a future Toyota that has growth potential.
トヨタ自動車やパナソニックなどの大企業も、小さな町工場からスタートした。成長が見込まれる「未来のトヨタ」を発掘し、後押しすることが問われている。
Unfortunately, many small firms miss opportunities for dramatic growth because of a lack in practical management expertise.
実践的な経営ノウハウが不足しているため、飛躍のチャンスを逃している小規模企業も多い。
The panel's proposal emphasized the importance of boosting a one-stop management support system where financial institutions, certified tax accountants and others could help small and midsize enterprises in cooperation with the central and local governments. Aid would be provided depending on the individual company's stage, whether just starting out, stable or growing, or looking for successors. Details of the system should be worked out as soon as possible.
提言は、起業から安定・成長期、事業承継など、企業の段階に応じて、国や自治体と連携しながら金融機関、税理士などがワンストップで経営支援する「知識サポート体制」の強化を打ち出した。具体化を急ぐべきだろう。
===
Market unique technology
Measures are also necessary to assist small and midsize businesses in improving unique technological skills and enhancing their products' market competitiveness. We think an initiative to create a concentrated area for overseas-oriented industry--one of the panel's proposals--deserves serious consideration. Parties involved need to rack their brains to discover the best ways for small and midsize firms to expand their sales in Asia and elsewhere.
オンリーワンの技術を磨き、製品力を強化する支援策の充実も重要だ。提言が示した「海外展開集積地域構想」は検討に値する。中小企業がアジアなどで販路を拡大できるように知恵を絞りたい。
In addition to manufacturing, companies in service industries such as nursing care and medical services need to be developed, as women and young people can work comfortably in these fields. It is important to develop working environments that can better utilize the potential of this nation's women.
ものづくりだけでなく、女性や若者が働きやすい介護、医療などのサービス分野の企業育成が課題と言える。女性パワーをもっと活用する環境整備が欠かせない。
Policies concerning small and midsize companies should be one of the pillars of the government's up-coming strategy for revitalizing Japan. However, care must be taken so these measures are not just an additional form of lavish support.
政府は近くまとめる日本再生戦略の柱に中小企業政策を位置づけるべきだ。ただし、大前提は、施策を精査し、ばらまき型の追加支援としないことである。
Small and midsize companies have no hope of success if they merely rely on government support. They must have the originality and ingenuity to proactively find new opportunities on their own.
中小企業が政府などの支援に頼るだけでは、展望は開けない。創意工夫で自ら活路を開く積極的な姿勢が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2012)
（2012年7月8日01時13分 読売新聞）
2012/07/10
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:受給者の苦悩に配慮を ／東京
July 08, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Remember there is no shame in accepting welfare
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:受給者の苦悩に配慮を ／東京
Recently, a committee for tackling illegal public assistance payouts has been launched in Kanagawa Prefecture. It appears that prefectural authorities and local law enforcers will be collaborating to establish a system to purge fraudulent public assistance recipients from the welfare rolls.
神奈川県では、生活保護をめぐる連絡会が発足、不正受給の撲滅を目指すという。行政と県警がタッグを組んで不正受給をなくすシステムを作っていくそうだ。
When I hear people saying things along the lines of, "People taking welfare unlawfully is indeed a problem, but...," I feel somewhat depressed. As a matter of fact, a number of my patients have told me they're considering taking themselves off public assistance, such as cancelling their disability pensions or their applications for injury or illness allowances.
「たしかに不正受給は問題だけどね」と、こういう話題を耳にすると気持ちがめいってしまう。実は私の診察室でもすでに何人かが、「障害年金をもらっているがやめたいと思う」「休職中だが今月は傷病手当の申請を辞退したい」などと言い出しているのだ。
One tearful patient, currently unable to work due to an illness and with a family on welfare, told me, "They are my relatives so I should be the one sending them money.
親族が生活保護を受給し、自分もいま病気で仕事につくことができないある患者さんは、「やっぱり親族ですから私が仕送りすべきですよね。本当に情けない」と涙を浮かべた。
I feel really miserable." The other patients of mine who raised similar concerns are all taking welfare assistance as a last resort, just to maintain a base-line standard of living. These folks can hardly be accused of welfare fraud.
みんなそれ以外の方法がなく、ギリギリの生活を保つために、年金や手当をもらっている人たちだ。断じて不正受給などではない。
I tell such patients that they should hold their heads high and continue receiving their allowances without feeling bad about it. But they, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility, shake their heads in disapproval.
「あなたの場合、堂々ともらっていいんですよ」などと励ましてみるが、まじめな彼らは首を横に振る。
"While the government is talking of increasing the consumption tax to improve Japan's finances, I feel extremely bad for taking public money," one patient said. "When I watch reports of illegal welfare recipients on TV, I feel as if they are pointing at me, and I feel alienated."
「だって国の財政もたいへんで消費税を上げようという中、私が公的なお金をいただくのは、申し訳なさすぎますよ。テレビで不正受給の話題が取り上げられるたび、自分が責められているようで身の置きどころがなくなります」
All welfare recipients that I know of feel similar. There are some media reports on public assistance recipients who drive foreign cars, or on criminals coercing social workers into putting them on the public assistance rolls. However, I want to ask: Where are these things actually happening?
私が知っている生活保護や障害年金の受給者は、みなこのような人たちなのだ。一部で伝えられているような、「生活保護なのに外車を乗り回している」「福祉課の職員を脅迫して申請している」といった例がいったいどこにいるのか、と言いたいくらいだ。
What will happen to people if they withdraw from welfare assistance? I find statements such as "as long as one is determined, they should be able to find all sorts of jobs," mostly come from people lucky enough to be both healthy and socially engaged.
もし、彼らが役所の窓口に行って「今月でもうけっこうです」と受け取りを辞退したら、その先はどうなるのだろう。「やる気になればどんな仕事でもあるはず」などと言うのは、健康や人間関係に恵まれている人の発想なのではないか。
What I tell my patients is: "I understand your feelings well. But you still need a little bit more time before you return to work. Until then, please protect your life by accepting welfare assistance, and concentrate on your treatment. You can repay society for its kindness after you recover." This does not, however, bring a smile to their faces.
「気持ちはよくわかりました。でも、働けるようになるまでにはもう少しだけ時間がかかります。それまでは生活保護でしっかり自分の生活を守ってください。安心して療養に専念してください。世の中への恩返しは、元気になってからでもいいじゃないですか」。社会からの支えを借りても生き続けるように、と必死に励ますが、「はあ、そうですか」と答える彼らの笑顔はどことなく力ない。
I agree that it is important to crack down on illegal welfare recipients. However, at the same time I hope another system -- one that tracks down people who need assistance but aren't getting it -- is also launched.
不正受給を取り締まるのも必要かもしれないが、本当に必要なのに社会的サービスが行きわたっていない人を見つける、というシステムも作ってほしい。
The number of people who are unable to maintain even the most basic standard of living, and who are in a constant fear of "causing trouble" to others, is greater than people imagine.
世の中には「誰の迷惑にもなりたくない」と最低限のレベルの生活さえ送れないまま生きている人が、想像よりたくさんいるのだ。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年07月03日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Remember there is no shame in accepting welfare
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:受給者の苦悩に配慮を ／東京
Recently, a committee for tackling illegal public assistance payouts has been launched in Kanagawa Prefecture. It appears that prefectural authorities and local law enforcers will be collaborating to establish a system to purge fraudulent public assistance recipients from the welfare rolls.
神奈川県では、生活保護をめぐる連絡会が発足、不正受給の撲滅を目指すという。行政と県警がタッグを組んで不正受給をなくすシステムを作っていくそうだ。
When I hear people saying things along the lines of, "People taking welfare unlawfully is indeed a problem, but...," I feel somewhat depressed. As a matter of fact, a number of my patients have told me they're considering taking themselves off public assistance, such as cancelling their disability pensions or their applications for injury or illness allowances.
「たしかに不正受給は問題だけどね」と、こういう話題を耳にすると気持ちがめいってしまう。実は私の診察室でもすでに何人かが、「障害年金をもらっているがやめたいと思う」「休職中だが今月は傷病手当の申請を辞退したい」などと言い出しているのだ。
One tearful patient, currently unable to work due to an illness and with a family on welfare, told me, "They are my relatives so I should be the one sending them money.
親族が生活保護を受給し、自分もいま病気で仕事につくことができないある患者さんは、「やっぱり親族ですから私が仕送りすべきですよね。本当に情けない」と涙を浮かべた。
I feel really miserable." The other patients of mine who raised similar concerns are all taking welfare assistance as a last resort, just to maintain a base-line standard of living. These folks can hardly be accused of welfare fraud.
みんなそれ以外の方法がなく、ギリギリの生活を保つために、年金や手当をもらっている人たちだ。断じて不正受給などではない。
I tell such patients that they should hold their heads high and continue receiving their allowances without feeling bad about it. But they, feeling a heavy sense of responsibility, shake their heads in disapproval.
「あなたの場合、堂々ともらっていいんですよ」などと励ましてみるが、まじめな彼らは首を横に振る。
"While the government is talking of increasing the consumption tax to improve Japan's finances, I feel extremely bad for taking public money," one patient said. "When I watch reports of illegal welfare recipients on TV, I feel as if they are pointing at me, and I feel alienated."
「だって国の財政もたいへんで消費税を上げようという中、私が公的なお金をいただくのは、申し訳なさすぎますよ。テレビで不正受給の話題が取り上げられるたび、自分が責められているようで身の置きどころがなくなります」
All welfare recipients that I know of feel similar. There are some media reports on public assistance recipients who drive foreign cars, or on criminals coercing social workers into putting them on the public assistance rolls. However, I want to ask: Where are these things actually happening?
私が知っている生活保護や障害年金の受給者は、みなこのような人たちなのだ。一部で伝えられているような、「生活保護なのに外車を乗り回している」「福祉課の職員を脅迫して申請している」といった例がいったいどこにいるのか、と言いたいくらいだ。
What will happen to people if they withdraw from welfare assistance? I find statements such as "as long as one is determined, they should be able to find all sorts of jobs," mostly come from people lucky enough to be both healthy and socially engaged.
もし、彼らが役所の窓口に行って「今月でもうけっこうです」と受け取りを辞退したら、その先はどうなるのだろう。「やる気になればどんな仕事でもあるはず」などと言うのは、健康や人間関係に恵まれている人の発想なのではないか。
What I tell my patients is: "I understand your feelings well. But you still need a little bit more time before you return to work. Until then, please protect your life by accepting welfare assistance, and concentrate on your treatment. You can repay society for its kindness after you recover." This does not, however, bring a smile to their faces.
「気持ちはよくわかりました。でも、働けるようになるまでにはもう少しだけ時間がかかります。それまでは生活保護でしっかり自分の生活を守ってください。安心して療養に専念してください。世の中への恩返しは、元気になってからでもいいじゃないですか」。社会からの支えを借りても生き続けるように、と必死に励ますが、「はあ、そうですか」と答える彼らの笑顔はどことなく力ない。
I agree that it is important to crack down on illegal welfare recipients. However, at the same time I hope another system -- one that tracks down people who need assistance but aren't getting it -- is also launched.
不正受給を取り締まるのも必要かもしれないが、本当に必要なのに社会的サービスが行きわたっていない人を見つける、というシステムも作ってほしい。
The number of people who are unable to maintain even the most basic standard of living, and who are in a constant fear of "causing trouble" to others, is greater than people imagine.
世の中には「誰の迷惑にもなりたくない」と最低限のレベルの生活さえ送れないまま生きている人が、想像よりたくさんいるのだ。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年07月03日 地方版
2012/07/09
ヒッグス粒子 未知の探求へ新たな一歩だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 8, 2012)
Higgs boson discovery marks new start in probing the unknown
ヒッグス粒子 未知の探求へ新たな一歩だ（7月7日付・読売社説）
A new subatomic particle believed to be the "Higgs boson," hunted for more than 40 years by particle physicists around world, has been discovered at long last.
世界の物理学者たちが４０年以上も探し続けてきた「ヒッグス粒子」とみられる新粒子が、ついに見つかった。
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, on the Swiss-French border near Geneva, announced the discovery on Wednesday. This can definitely be called a glorious accomplishment that will go down in history.
スイス・ジュネーブ郊外の欧州合同原子核研究機関（ＣＥＲＮ）が発表した。歴史に残る偉業と言えよう。
In the smallest fractions of a second after the birth of the universe, the Higgs boson was responsible for the existence of mass, commonly thought of as weight, in all matter, according to the "Standard Model" of physics. Since it is the origin of mass in the universe, the Higgs boson is also known as the "God particle."
宇宙誕生の直後、この粒子が万物に重さ（質量）を与えた、と物理学の「標準理論」では考えられている。重さの源だけに、「神の粒子」とも呼ばれている。
How did the universe come into being? How was substance brought into existence? How did galaxies form and the stars ignite? How did life first begin to stir?
宇宙はどのように誕生したか。物質はどんな仕組みで生成され、星や銀河ができ、生命が登場したのか。
The new discovery marks a milestone in the grand quest to understand the ultimate origins of humanity.
人類の根源を辿(たど)る壮大な旅の一つの到達点だろう。
According to the Standard Model, every substance consists of 17 kinds of ultramicroscopic particles that cannot be divided into any smaller units.
標準理論によれば、すべての物質は、それ以上分割できない１７種類の極微の素粒子で構成されている。
===
Final building block
Of such particles, electrons were first discovered in 1897, while the existence of a total of 16 particles--every subatomic particle except the Higgs boson--had been confirmed by 2000.
まず電子が１８９７年に見つかり、２０００年までに、ヒッグス粒子を除いて、計１６種類の存在が確認されていた。
The discovery of the Higgs boson means the final building block necessary to explain the development of the universe from its birth 13.7 billion years ago right up to the present moment has been identified.
１３７億年前の宇宙創生から現在まで、宇宙の歩みを説明する理論を裏付ける最後の部品が、これでそろったことになる。
This achievement has been made using CERN's circular 27-kilometer underground proton accelerator. The accelerator is a gigantic facility built at a cost of 550 billion yen. It can make protons, a kind of microparticle, collide with each other in a vacuum at nearly the speed of light for a high-energy collision.
この発見は、ＣＥＲＮにある全周２７キロ・メートルの円形加速器で成し遂げられた。建設費５５００億円の巨大施設だ。真空に保ったパイプの中に、微粒子の陽子を光速に近いスピードで飛ばし、陽子同士を衝突させることができる。
CERN researchers repeated such collisions 1.1 quadrillion times, analyzing in detail the fragments produced by the impacts. These include the new Higgs particle, which they have identified with 99.99998 percent certainty, the announcement said.
これを１１００兆回繰り返して衝撃で飛び出した破片を詳細に分析し、新粒子を９９・９９９９８％の確率で見つけたという。
From Japan, 110 researchers from universities and other research organizations, including the University of Tokyo, have taken part in the CERN program, playing significant roles in such activities as data analysis.
東京大など１６の大学・研究機関から日本人１１０人が参加し、分析などに活躍した。
It was a theory formulated by Yoichiro Nambu, a Japanese-born professor emeritus at the University of Chicago and a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, that provided the foundation for the prediction of the existence of the Higgs boson.
ヒッグス粒子の存在予言も、ノーベル物理学賞受賞者の南部陽一郎・米シカゴ大名誉教授の理論が基になった。
We feel proud of Japan's contribution.
日本の貢献が誇らしい。
===
Trust in science
The pursuit of mysteries of the universe is certain to go on. Experiments with the newly found subatomic particle will lead to the detailed elucidation of its properties. It may even be possible to crack open a new realm of cosmic theory. Physicists have great expectations.
これからも探求は続く。実験を重ねれば新粒子の詳しい性質が分かる。そこから新たな理論が生まれるかもしれない。そう物理学者たちは期待している。
This is because current theory can account for about only 4 percent of the energy that lets matter, and the universe itself, exist. We hope to see Japanese researchers aggressively striving to make further discoveries to help shape our understanding of the universe.
今の理論ではまだ、宇宙にある物質、宇宙を支えるエネルギーの４％しか説明できないからだ。さらなる発見へ、日本の研究者も挑戦してほしい。
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent nuclear power plant accident last year, an increasing number of people in this country are becoming distrustful of or anxious about science and technology.
昨年の東日本大震災と原子力発電所の事故以降、国内で科学技術に不信や不安を抱く人が増えている。
A survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has shown that as many as four out of every 10 people think humans "cannot take control" of outcomes of science and technology. This is double the figure from before the March 11, 2011, disaster.
文部科学省の調査では「人間は科学技術をコントロールできない」と考える人が１０人中４人もいる。震災前の倍になった。
It is strongly hoped that a breakthrough such as the discovery of the Higgs boson will help resuscitate people's dreams about the future of science.
ヒッグス粒子の究明のような取り組みが、科学への夢を取り戻すきっかけになればいい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2012)
（2012年7月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
Higgs boson discovery marks new start in probing the unknown
ヒッグス粒子 未知の探求へ新たな一歩だ（7月7日付・読売社説）
A new subatomic particle believed to be the "Higgs boson," hunted for more than 40 years by particle physicists around world, has been discovered at long last.
世界の物理学者たちが４０年以上も探し続けてきた「ヒッグス粒子」とみられる新粒子が、ついに見つかった。
The European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, on the Swiss-French border near Geneva, announced the discovery on Wednesday. This can definitely be called a glorious accomplishment that will go down in history.
スイス・ジュネーブ郊外の欧州合同原子核研究機関（ＣＥＲＮ）が発表した。歴史に残る偉業と言えよう。
In the smallest fractions of a second after the birth of the universe, the Higgs boson was responsible for the existence of mass, commonly thought of as weight, in all matter, according to the "Standard Model" of physics. Since it is the origin of mass in the universe, the Higgs boson is also known as the "God particle."
宇宙誕生の直後、この粒子が万物に重さ（質量）を与えた、と物理学の「標準理論」では考えられている。重さの源だけに、「神の粒子」とも呼ばれている。
How did the universe come into being? How was substance brought into existence? How did galaxies form and the stars ignite? How did life first begin to stir?
宇宙はどのように誕生したか。物質はどんな仕組みで生成され、星や銀河ができ、生命が登場したのか。
The new discovery marks a milestone in the grand quest to understand the ultimate origins of humanity.
人類の根源を辿(たど)る壮大な旅の一つの到達点だろう。
According to the Standard Model, every substance consists of 17 kinds of ultramicroscopic particles that cannot be divided into any smaller units.
標準理論によれば、すべての物質は、それ以上分割できない１７種類の極微の素粒子で構成されている。
===
Final building block
Of such particles, electrons were first discovered in 1897, while the existence of a total of 16 particles--every subatomic particle except the Higgs boson--had been confirmed by 2000.
まず電子が１８９７年に見つかり、２０００年までに、ヒッグス粒子を除いて、計１６種類の存在が確認されていた。
The discovery of the Higgs boson means the final building block necessary to explain the development of the universe from its birth 13.7 billion years ago right up to the present moment has been identified.
１３７億年前の宇宙創生から現在まで、宇宙の歩みを説明する理論を裏付ける最後の部品が、これでそろったことになる。
This achievement has been made using CERN's circular 27-kilometer underground proton accelerator. The accelerator is a gigantic facility built at a cost of 550 billion yen. It can make protons, a kind of microparticle, collide with each other in a vacuum at nearly the speed of light for a high-energy collision.
この発見は、ＣＥＲＮにある全周２７キロ・メートルの円形加速器で成し遂げられた。建設費５５００億円の巨大施設だ。真空に保ったパイプの中に、微粒子の陽子を光速に近いスピードで飛ばし、陽子同士を衝突させることができる。
CERN researchers repeated such collisions 1.1 quadrillion times, analyzing in detail the fragments produced by the impacts. These include the new Higgs particle, which they have identified with 99.99998 percent certainty, the announcement said.
これを１１００兆回繰り返して衝撃で飛び出した破片を詳細に分析し、新粒子を９９・９９９９８％の確率で見つけたという。
From Japan, 110 researchers from universities and other research organizations, including the University of Tokyo, have taken part in the CERN program, playing significant roles in such activities as data analysis.
東京大など１６の大学・研究機関から日本人１１０人が参加し、分析などに活躍した。
It was a theory formulated by Yoichiro Nambu, a Japanese-born professor emeritus at the University of Chicago and a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, that provided the foundation for the prediction of the existence of the Higgs boson.
ヒッグス粒子の存在予言も、ノーベル物理学賞受賞者の南部陽一郎・米シカゴ大名誉教授の理論が基になった。
We feel proud of Japan's contribution.
日本の貢献が誇らしい。
===
Trust in science
The pursuit of mysteries of the universe is certain to go on. Experiments with the newly found subatomic particle will lead to the detailed elucidation of its properties. It may even be possible to crack open a new realm of cosmic theory. Physicists have great expectations.
これからも探求は続く。実験を重ねれば新粒子の詳しい性質が分かる。そこから新たな理論が生まれるかもしれない。そう物理学者たちは期待している。
This is because current theory can account for about only 4 percent of the energy that lets matter, and the universe itself, exist. We hope to see Japanese researchers aggressively striving to make further discoveries to help shape our understanding of the universe.
今の理論ではまだ、宇宙にある物質、宇宙を支えるエネルギーの４％しか説明できないからだ。さらなる発見へ、日本の研究者も挑戦してほしい。
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent nuclear power plant accident last year, an increasing number of people in this country are becoming distrustful of or anxious about science and technology.
昨年の東日本大震災と原子力発電所の事故以降、国内で科学技術に不信や不安を抱く人が増えている。
A survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has shown that as many as four out of every 10 people think humans "cannot take control" of outcomes of science and technology. This is double the figure from before the March 11, 2011, disaster.
文部科学省の調査では「人間は科学技術をコントロールできない」と考える人が１０人中４人もいる。震災前の倍になった。
It is strongly hoped that a breakthrough such as the discovery of the Higgs boson will help resuscitate people's dreams about the future of science.
ヒッグス粒子の究明のような取り組みが、科学への夢を取り戻すきっかけになればいい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2012)
（2012年7月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
2012/07/08
公務員退職給付 官民格差の解消を前提とせよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 7, 2012)
Eliminate disparity between public, private retirement packages
公務員退職給付 官民格差の解消を前提とせよ（7月6日付・読売社説）
How should the government eliminate the disparity in retirement packages between the public and private sectors?
官民の格差をいかに解消するか――。
A government expert panel has compiled a draft plan for reforms of the retirement and pension system for civil servants.
政府の有識者会議が公務員の退職金や年金のあり方について改革案をまとめた。
A bill that would unify the pension system for corporate employees and the mutual pension plan for civil servants in October 2015 is expected to be passed by the Diet during the current session as part of the integrated reform of the social welfare and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革の一環として、会社員の厚生年金と公務員の共済年金を２０１５年１０月に統合する被用者年金一元化法案が衆院を通過し、今国会で成立する見通しだ。
Assuming the two pension schemes are unified, the government panel stated that retirement payments and pension benefits should be regarded as a comprehensive retirement package, and demanded that such packages be more closely aligned with retirement programs offered by the private sector.
有識者会議は、この年金統合を前提に、公務員の退職金と年金を合わせて「退職給付」ととらえ、これを総合的に民間に合わせる方針を示した。
We see this proposal as reasonable.
妥当と言えよう。
According to a survey by the National Personnel Authority last year, the average retirement pay package for national civil servants--retirement pay and an additional benefit paid under the mutual pension program--was 29.5 million yen, exceeding by 4.03 million yen the average retirement pay and corporate pension benefits of workers at companies with more than 50 employees.
人事院の昨年の調査によると、国家公務員の退職金と「職域加算」と呼ばれる共済年金の上乗せ支給の合計は２９５０万円で、従業員５０人以上の民間企業の平均的退職給付（退職金と企業年金の合計）を４０３万円上回っている。
The panel's first proposal was to remove this gap. Retirement benefits for corporate employees have shrunk since the so-called Lehman shock in 2008. In light of this, a significant reduction in retirement packages for public servants is inevitable. We believe the government should make bold cuts instead of acting piecemeal.
提言はまず、この分を引き下げるよう求めた。リーマン・ショック以降、民間の退職給付は落ち込んでいる。公務員の退職給付もこれに合わせて、大幅にカットすることはやむを得まい。あまり段階を踏まずに実施すべきだろう。
===
End preferential treatment
In integrating the private and public pension systems, the bill calls for abolishing the additional pension payment of about 20,000 yen a month for civil servants, which is seen as a symbol of preferential treatment for public workers. The panel has also focused on discussing how public servants should receive retirement benefits.
厚生・共済年金の統合で、公務員優遇の象徴とされた月額約２万円の職域加算は廃止される。公務員の老後資金をどう形成するかが議論の焦点となった。
The panel has proposed a two-tier scheme in which retirement packages would be provided in a lump sum as well as pension payments, where the total amount is to be on par with private-sector levels.
有識者会議は、公務員の退職給付を「一時払い」と「年金払い」の２本立てとし、その合計を民間水準に合わせるよう提言した。
In the private sector, a combined provision of lump-sum retirement pay and corporate pension benefits is common.
民間では一時金と企業年金を組み合わせた退職給付が主流だ。
The introduction of a payment scheme similar to that used by the private sector would make it easier for the government to adjust the public-private disparity.
形態も民間に合わせた方が、今後、官民格差を調整しやすい。
In other words, the panel has proposed the creation of something similar to a corporate pension system for civil servants.
このため、「年金払い」部分を元に“公務員版企業年金”を新設する。
===
New pension scheme sought
Providing retirement packages to civil servants in two stages would not require any extra public funds compared with paying benefits in a lump sum.
No extra taxpayer money would need to be injected into a corporate-style pension system for public employees.
退職給付をすべて一時金で支給する場合と公費負担は変わらず、公務員版企業年金に特別の税金が投入されるわけではない。
However, we urge the government to carefully formulate the new pension system and be fully accountable for it to prevent people from viewing it as a different form of preferential treatment for public employees.
ただし、国民から、「形を変えた公務員優遇」といった見方をされないよう、政府には、新年金についての十分な説明と設計上の配慮が求められる。
Making the pension benefits smaller than the current additional payment of about 20,000 yen is one way this could be accomplished.
現行の職域加算よりも受取額を小さく設計することは、一策であろう。
If the Diet passes legislation to integrate the two pension schemes, the amount of taxpayer money injected into the mutual pension plan under "additional expenses" would also be cut.
The mutual pension program replaced the "onkyu" allowance system that was financed by tax revenue instead of premium payments.
Even under the current pension system, however, injections of taxpayer money have been necessary to cover pension payments for retired civil servants who worked when the onkyu system was in place.
被用者年金一元化法案が成立すれば、共済年金ができる前の恩給制度との関係で続いてきた「追加費用」という税金投入も削減される。
If the additional payments are cut, about 860,000 retired public employees will have their pension benefits reduced by up to 10 percent.
この結果、退職した元公務員のうち約８６万人の受給者は、年金額が最大で１０％減る。
Measures to remove the public-private retirement benefit gap will be difficult to bear for public servants, but they are inevitable in light of the nation's serious financial difficulties and the tough situation faced by private companies. Swiftly eliminating the private-public disparity is essential.
一連の措置は公務員には厳しい内容だが、深刻な財政や民間の苦しい状況を考えれば、やむを得ないだろう。官民格差は、迅速に解消することが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 6, 2012)
（2012年7月6日01時19分 読売新聞）
Eliminate disparity between public, private retirement packages
公務員退職給付 官民格差の解消を前提とせよ（7月6日付・読売社説）
How should the government eliminate the disparity in retirement packages between the public and private sectors?
官民の格差をいかに解消するか――。
A government expert panel has compiled a draft plan for reforms of the retirement and pension system for civil servants.
政府の有識者会議が公務員の退職金や年金のあり方について改革案をまとめた。
A bill that would unify the pension system for corporate employees and the mutual pension plan for civil servants in October 2015 is expected to be passed by the Diet during the current session as part of the integrated reform of the social welfare and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革の一環として、会社員の厚生年金と公務員の共済年金を２０１５年１０月に統合する被用者年金一元化法案が衆院を通過し、今国会で成立する見通しだ。
Assuming the two pension schemes are unified, the government panel stated that retirement payments and pension benefits should be regarded as a comprehensive retirement package, and demanded that such packages be more closely aligned with retirement programs offered by the private sector.
有識者会議は、この年金統合を前提に、公務員の退職金と年金を合わせて「退職給付」ととらえ、これを総合的に民間に合わせる方針を示した。
We see this proposal as reasonable.
妥当と言えよう。
According to a survey by the National Personnel Authority last year, the average retirement pay package for national civil servants--retirement pay and an additional benefit paid under the mutual pension program--was 29.5 million yen, exceeding by 4.03 million yen the average retirement pay and corporate pension benefits of workers at companies with more than 50 employees.
人事院の昨年の調査によると、国家公務員の退職金と「職域加算」と呼ばれる共済年金の上乗せ支給の合計は２９５０万円で、従業員５０人以上の民間企業の平均的退職給付（退職金と企業年金の合計）を４０３万円上回っている。
The panel's first proposal was to remove this gap. Retirement benefits for corporate employees have shrunk since the so-called Lehman shock in 2008. In light of this, a significant reduction in retirement packages for public servants is inevitable. We believe the government should make bold cuts instead of acting piecemeal.
提言はまず、この分を引き下げるよう求めた。リーマン・ショック以降、民間の退職給付は落ち込んでいる。公務員の退職給付もこれに合わせて、大幅にカットすることはやむを得まい。あまり段階を踏まずに実施すべきだろう。
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End preferential treatment
In integrating the private and public pension systems, the bill calls for abolishing the additional pension payment of about 20,000 yen a month for civil servants, which is seen as a symbol of preferential treatment for public workers. The panel has also focused on discussing how public servants should receive retirement benefits.
厚生・共済年金の統合で、公務員優遇の象徴とされた月額約２万円の職域加算は廃止される。公務員の老後資金をどう形成するかが議論の焦点となった。
The panel has proposed a two-tier scheme in which retirement packages would be provided in a lump sum as well as pension payments, where the total amount is to be on par with private-sector levels.
有識者会議は、公務員の退職給付を「一時払い」と「年金払い」の２本立てとし、その合計を民間水準に合わせるよう提言した。
In the private sector, a combined provision of lump-sum retirement pay and corporate pension benefits is common.
民間では一時金と企業年金を組み合わせた退職給付が主流だ。
The introduction of a payment scheme similar to that used by the private sector would make it easier for the government to adjust the public-private disparity.
形態も民間に合わせた方が、今後、官民格差を調整しやすい。
In other words, the panel has proposed the creation of something similar to a corporate pension system for civil servants.
このため、「年金払い」部分を元に“公務員版企業年金”を新設する。
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New pension scheme sought
Providing retirement packages to civil servants in two stages would not require any extra public funds compared with paying benefits in a lump sum.
No extra taxpayer money would need to be injected into a corporate-style pension system for public employees.
退職給付をすべて一時金で支給する場合と公費負担は変わらず、公務員版企業年金に特別の税金が投入されるわけではない。
However, we urge the government to carefully formulate the new pension system and be fully accountable for it to prevent people from viewing it as a different form of preferential treatment for public employees.
ただし、国民から、「形を変えた公務員優遇」といった見方をされないよう、政府には、新年金についての十分な説明と設計上の配慮が求められる。
Making the pension benefits smaller than the current additional payment of about 20,000 yen is one way this could be accomplished.
現行の職域加算よりも受取額を小さく設計することは、一策であろう。
If the Diet passes legislation to integrate the two pension schemes, the amount of taxpayer money injected into the mutual pension plan under "additional expenses" would also be cut.
The mutual pension program replaced the "onkyu" allowance system that was financed by tax revenue instead of premium payments.
Even under the current pension system, however, injections of taxpayer money have been necessary to cover pension payments for retired civil servants who worked when the onkyu system was in place.
被用者年金一元化法案が成立すれば、共済年金ができる前の恩給制度との関係で続いてきた「追加費用」という税金投入も削減される。
If the additional payments are cut, about 860,000 retired public employees will have their pension benefits reduced by up to 10 percent.
この結果、退職した元公務員のうち約８６万人の受給者は、年金額が最大で１０％減る。
Measures to remove the public-private retirement benefit gap will be difficult to bear for public servants, but they are inevitable in light of the nation's serious financial difficulties and the tough situation faced by private companies. Swiftly eliminating the private-public disparity is essential.
一連の措置は公務員には厳しい内容だが、深刻な財政や民間の苦しい状況を考えれば、やむを得ないだろう。官民格差は、迅速に解消することが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 6, 2012)
（2012年7月6日01時19分 読売新聞）
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