The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 31, 2012)
Strategy needed to discuss northern territories with Russia
日露外相会談 戦略を持って交渉を継続せよ（7月30日付・読売社説）
Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, agreed during their meeting held in Sochi, a resort in southern Russia, to continue talks on the disputed northern territories between their top leaders, foreign ministers and vice foreign ministers.
ロシア南部の保養地ソチで行われた玄葉外相とラブロフ露外相との会談は、北方領土問題について、次官級、外相、首脳のレベルでそれぞれ交渉していく方針で一致した。
Japan and Russia have not yet developed an environment in which they can make progress on the territorial issue. Priority should be given to building a relationship of mutual trust between the leaders of the two countries through various discussions.
日本とロシアが領土問題を前進させる環境は、まだ整っていない。様々な協議を通じて首脳間の信頼関係を構築することが先決だ。
At the meeting, Gemba again expressed his regret over Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's second visit to Kunashiri Island, one of the islands in the northern territories, earlier this month. It is also reasonable that Gemba told Lavrov that both countries need to pay due consideration to public sentiment in holding territorial talks.
外相会談で、玄葉氏はメドベージェフ首相が今月初旬、北方領土の国後島を視察したことに改めて遺憾の意を示した。双方が国民感情に配慮しながら協議する必要があると述べたのも当然だろう。
Lavrov said Russia would continue discussions with Japan calmly and unemotionally, but added Russian leaders would continue to visit the northern territories.
ラブロフ氏は「落ち着いた雰囲気で感情的にならずに」議論を続けるとしながらも、露要人の領土訪問は今後も続くと述べた。
===
Overcome difference of views
However, there is a critical problem.
だが、これは極めて問題だ。
We cannot allow Moscow to ignore Tokyo's intention and enhance its effective control over the northern territories based only on its own logic.
ロシア側が、日本政府の意向を無視し、自国の論理だけで北方領土の実効支配を強めることは容認できない。
It is questionable how deeply Moscow understands the seriousness of Japan's protest. Russia might be taking unfair advantage of the current instability in the Japanese government.
日本の抗議の意思がどこまでロシア側に伝わっているのか疑問である。日本の政権基盤が不安定で、ロシア側から足元を見られているのかもしれない。
"Japan would like to solve [the territorial issue with Russia] based on agreements and documents between the two countries, and on the principles of law and justice," Gemba said.
玄葉氏は領土問題で「両国間の諸合意、諸文書、法と正義の原則に基づき解決したい」と強調した。
However, there are differences in the interpretation of basic ideas such as "the principles of law and justice" between Japan and Russia. Tokyo must find solutions to overcome such differences.
ただ、日露間では「法と正義の原則」など、基本的な考え方が異なっている。それをどう克服するか、打開策を探る必要がある。
Gemba also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin highly praised the current economic development situation between Japan and Russia.
"We must think about what we can and should do," he said, expressing hope for further development of economic cooperation between the two countries.
玄葉氏はプーチン大統領とも会談した。プーチン氏は日露間の経済発展の現状を高く評価し、「何ができるか、何をすべきかを考えないといけない」と述べ、日露の協力拡大に期待を表明した。
===
Japan-Russia ties important
In fact, economic relations between Japan and Russia have been deepening. It is notable that an increasing number of Japanese companies have engaged in oil and natural gas development projects in Sakhalin and in the auto industry in other parts of Russia. Japan's trade with Russia reached a record 30.7 billion dollars in 2011. 実際、日露間の経済関係は深まっている。サハリンの石油・天然ガス開発プロジェクトや自動車分野などで、日本企業の進出が目立つ。２０１１年の貿易額は過去最高の約３０７億ドルとなった。
Enhanced relations would benefit both nations. The relationship may become more significant in dealing jointly with North Korea's nuclear development, China, which has been increasing its economic and military strength, and other international issues.
日露関係の強化は、双方にメリットがある。経済だけではなく、北朝鮮の核問題や、経済・軍事力を高める中国に対処するためにも、重要性を増すだろう。
"We would like to continue [territorial] negotiations [with Japan] to seek a mutually acceptable solution," Putin was quoted as telling Gemba.
プーチン氏は玄葉氏に「相互に受け入れ可能な解決策を探るべく、交渉を継続したい」との意向を示した。
Though his true intention is not clear, Putin seems to have expressed his willingness to settle the territorial dispute.
真意は不明だが、領土問題解決に意欲を見せている。
How should the government deal with Putin's administration, which places importance on the Asia-Pacific region, to find a clue to solve the territorial issue? Tokyo must rethink its Russia strategy.
日本政府は、アジア太平洋地域を重視するプーチン政権に、どう向き合い、領土問題解決への糸口を見いだすか。対露戦略を練り直さなければならない。
The government should use every resource available in Japan to deal with Russia, including the dispatch of former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who has a good relationship with Putin, to Russia.
プーチン氏と親交のある森元首相を特派するなど、“オールジャパン”で対応すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2012)
（2012年7月30日01時48分 読売新聞）
2012/08/01
2012/07/31
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:いじめは誰にでも起きる ／東京
July 29, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Bullying could happen to anyone
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:いじめは誰にでも起きる ／東京
The backlash against the problem of bullying has spread further.
いじめ問題の波紋がさらに広がっている。
Following a recent publication of my column here, in which I wrote: "Why are those who are being bullied not seeking help? This is a problem that requires further thought," I was criticized for "trying to say that the victims who aren't seeking help are to blame."
このコラムで「なぜ『いじめられてる』とＳＯＳを出せないか。もう一度、考えてみたい」と書いたら、「サインを出せない被害者が悪いと言いたいのか」と批判の声が上がった。
Needless to say, that is not the case. What I was really trying to say is that there are cases when, being in the swirl of all of this turmoil, some people are just unable to call for help, because they cannot fully realize what is happening to them.
もちろんそうではない。私がいちばん言いたかったのは、「その渦中にあるときには自分の身に何が起きているのか、はっきりわからず、ＳＯＳの声も上げられない場合がある」ということだ。
As a matter of fact, I have witnessed this situation at my consultation room a couple of times now.
診察室でも何度もそういう経験をした。
Among these cases was a parent who brought their junior high school-aged daughter to me, saying she had been unwilling to go to school.
After talking with the girl, I came to realize that she had been a victim of malicious bullying.
あるとき「不登校ぎみなんです」と保護者に連れられて診察室に来た女子中学生といろいろと話しているうちに、その子は学校で陰湿ないじめ被害にあっていることがわかったことがあった。
However, when I told her that I think her problem was not her refusal to go to school, but the bullying itself, telling her she was correct not to go to school, she shook her head in denial, saying she disagrees with my opinion.
私は「不登校じゃなくていじめじゃないの。学校に行かないのは正解だよ」と言ったのだが、女子生徒は「えっ、そうなんですか。違うと思います」と首を横に振るばかりだった。
I wonder, could this be some sort of refusal to accept that one is being bullied?
「いじめられている、なんて思いたくない」ということなのだろう。
There are other cases, in which although bullied children gather courage to tell their parents and schools that they have been bullied, the adults themselves refuse to accept the reality.
中には、子どもが勇気を出していじめを認め、保護者や学校に申し出ても、今度はおとなたちが「まさか、いじめだなんて」と現実を見ようとしない場合もある。
I wonder if this is what happened at the school in Otsu, where a boy committed suicide after being bullied by classmates.
今回の大津市の問題もこれに当たるのだろうか。
Many adults think that for bullying to occur, there should be other fundamental problems happening at the institution.
そういったおとなたちは「いじめ事件が起きるのは、日ごろから何か問題があるからだ」と思っていて、
Many people refuse to accept that bullying is actually happening, on the grounds that theirs is "a proper institution, that has nothing to do with badly handled households or schools."
「ウチはしっかりやっている。そういったダメな家庭、学校とは違う」と思い込みたいために、「これはいじめなんかじゃない」と言ってしまうのだ。
We all need to acknowledge that, unfortunately, with the current school system and society, bullying could happen anywhere.
まず、誰もが認めなければならないのは、残念ながらいまの社会、いまの学校では、どんなところでもいじめの問題はすぐに起きる、ということだ。
Therefore, people who have fallen victim to bullying or schools where such incidents have occurred do not need to think that there is something wrong with them or the institution.
そして、いじめが起きたからといって、「私が悪いんだ」「ウチはダメな学校になってしまった」などと考える必要はない。
Children who are being bullied should try to stay away from the place where that is happening, or in other words -- the school.
被害を受けてしまったら、本人はいじめが起きる場、つまり学校から逃げる。
Such children's parents should welcome them at home, while school officials should share the responsibility for the incident and deal with it together, instead of putting it all on the child's homeroom teacher or other single individuals.
保護者は逃げてきた子どもを、家でしっかり受けとめる。学校はそのクラスの担任教員などひとりにすべての責任を押しつけることはしないで、みんなで問題を共有して対処する。
Nobody should try to turn a blind eye to bullying or attempt to hide the truth from the public.
いじめから目をそらしたり、外に対して隠そうとしたりしてはいけない。
In order to protect children from being bullied, you should not think of it as something atypical.
いじめから子どもを守るためにも、いじめを特殊なものと見ないで。
You should think of it as something that could happen anywhere and to anyone.
どこにでも誰にでも起きるものだと考えて。
I would like to repeat that one more time.
もう一度、そう繰り返したい。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年07月24日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Bullying could happen to anyone
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:いじめは誰にでも起きる ／東京
The backlash against the problem of bullying has spread further.
いじめ問題の波紋がさらに広がっている。
Following a recent publication of my column here, in which I wrote: "Why are those who are being bullied not seeking help? This is a problem that requires further thought," I was criticized for "trying to say that the victims who aren't seeking help are to blame."
このコラムで「なぜ『いじめられてる』とＳＯＳを出せないか。もう一度、考えてみたい」と書いたら、「サインを出せない被害者が悪いと言いたいのか」と批判の声が上がった。
Needless to say, that is not the case. What I was really trying to say is that there are cases when, being in the swirl of all of this turmoil, some people are just unable to call for help, because they cannot fully realize what is happening to them.
もちろんそうではない。私がいちばん言いたかったのは、「その渦中にあるときには自分の身に何が起きているのか、はっきりわからず、ＳＯＳの声も上げられない場合がある」ということだ。
As a matter of fact, I have witnessed this situation at my consultation room a couple of times now.
診察室でも何度もそういう経験をした。
Among these cases was a parent who brought their junior high school-aged daughter to me, saying she had been unwilling to go to school.
After talking with the girl, I came to realize that she had been a victim of malicious bullying.
あるとき「不登校ぎみなんです」と保護者に連れられて診察室に来た女子中学生といろいろと話しているうちに、その子は学校で陰湿ないじめ被害にあっていることがわかったことがあった。
However, when I told her that I think her problem was not her refusal to go to school, but the bullying itself, telling her she was correct not to go to school, she shook her head in denial, saying she disagrees with my opinion.
私は「不登校じゃなくていじめじゃないの。学校に行かないのは正解だよ」と言ったのだが、女子生徒は「えっ、そうなんですか。違うと思います」と首を横に振るばかりだった。
I wonder, could this be some sort of refusal to accept that one is being bullied?
「いじめられている、なんて思いたくない」ということなのだろう。
There are other cases, in which although bullied children gather courage to tell their parents and schools that they have been bullied, the adults themselves refuse to accept the reality.
中には、子どもが勇気を出していじめを認め、保護者や学校に申し出ても、今度はおとなたちが「まさか、いじめだなんて」と現実を見ようとしない場合もある。
I wonder if this is what happened at the school in Otsu, where a boy committed suicide after being bullied by classmates.
今回の大津市の問題もこれに当たるのだろうか。
Many adults think that for bullying to occur, there should be other fundamental problems happening at the institution.
そういったおとなたちは「いじめ事件が起きるのは、日ごろから何か問題があるからだ」と思っていて、
Many people refuse to accept that bullying is actually happening, on the grounds that theirs is "a proper institution, that has nothing to do with badly handled households or schools."
「ウチはしっかりやっている。そういったダメな家庭、学校とは違う」と思い込みたいために、「これはいじめなんかじゃない」と言ってしまうのだ。
We all need to acknowledge that, unfortunately, with the current school system and society, bullying could happen anywhere.
まず、誰もが認めなければならないのは、残念ながらいまの社会、いまの学校では、どんなところでもいじめの問題はすぐに起きる、ということだ。
Therefore, people who have fallen victim to bullying or schools where such incidents have occurred do not need to think that there is something wrong with them or the institution.
そして、いじめが起きたからといって、「私が悪いんだ」「ウチはダメな学校になってしまった」などと考える必要はない。
Children who are being bullied should try to stay away from the place where that is happening, or in other words -- the school.
被害を受けてしまったら、本人はいじめが起きる場、つまり学校から逃げる。
Such children's parents should welcome them at home, while school officials should share the responsibility for the incident and deal with it together, instead of putting it all on the child's homeroom teacher or other single individuals.
保護者は逃げてきた子どもを、家でしっかり受けとめる。学校はそのクラスの担任教員などひとりにすべての責任を押しつけることはしないで、みんなで問題を共有して対処する。
Nobody should try to turn a blind eye to bullying or attempt to hide the truth from the public.
いじめから目をそらしたり、外に対して隠そうとしたりしてはいけない。
In order to protect children from being bullied, you should not think of it as something atypical.
いじめから子どもを守るためにも、いじめを特殊なものと見ないで。
You should think of it as something that could happen anywhere and to anyone.
どこにでも誰にでも起きるものだと考えて。
I would like to repeat that one more time.
もう一度、そう繰り返したい。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年07月24日 地方版
2012/07/30
ロンドン五輪 数多くの感動を味わいたい
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 29, 2012)
Nation craves moving drama at London Olympics
ロンドン五輪 数多くの感動を味わいたい（7月28日付・読売社説）
The London Olympics have opened. What kind of drama will the athletes, who have come from all over the world, show us? We hope we will enjoy the quadrennial sporting festival.
ロンドン五輪が開幕した。世界のアスリートたちは、どのようなドラマを見せてくれるのか。４年に１度のスポーツの祭典を堪能したい。
A total of 204 countries and territories will take part in this Summer Olympics. This is the first time female athletes have been included in every Olympic team, and also the first Games in which women will compete in all events.
今回の夏季五輪には、２０４の国・地域が参加する。そのすべてから女子選手が出場する初の五輪だ。全競技で女子種目が実施される初めての大会でもある。
London has become the first city to host the Olympics three times--first in 1908 and again in 1948.
ロンドンで五輪が開催されるのは、１９０８年、４８年に続き３度目となる。
The British government has been cautious about security this time. The Olympic Village is surrounded by an electrified fence about five meters high, and surface-to-air missiles have been deployed in London's downtown areas.
今回、英国政府が神経をとがらせているのは、テロ対策だ。選手村は、高圧電流が流れる高さ約５メートルのフェンスに取り囲まれている。ロンドン市街には地対空ミサイルも配備されている。
We hope the British government will implement the best possible security measures until the Games end on Aug. 12.
８月１２日の大会終了まで、万全の警備体制を敷いてほしい。
===
Limited budget
Europe is now in the middle of a financial crisis, and Britain is no exception, being forced to stage a "frugal Olympics" amid austerity measures.
欧州は金融危機の中にある。英国も例外ではなく、超緊縮財政下での「倹約五輪」となった。
The cost of holding the Games, reportedly about 1.13 trillion yen, is said to be only a quarter of what China spent for the previous Beijing Olympics, which were apparently aimed at raising the latter's national prestige.
日本円にして約１兆１３００億円とされる大会経費は、中国の国威発揚の場となった前回北京五輪の４分の１とも言われる。
Britain used concrete made from industrial waste to build the main Olympic stadium, and plans to transform the Olympic Village into a private housing complex after the Games.
メーンスタジアムの建設には、産業廃棄物などが原料のコンクリートを利用した。選手村は大会終了後、民間の集合住宅として生まれ変わる予定だ。
The London Olympics feature cost-saving, care for the environment and effective use of facilities.
経費抑制、環境への配慮、施設の有効活用――。これらがロンドン五輪らしさを示している。
As for Japan, this year marks the 100th anniversary of its Olympic debut at the Stockholm Games in 1912.
日本にとっては、五輪に初めて参加した１９１２年のストックホルム大会から、ちょうど１００年の節目を迎えた。
A total of 293 Japanese athletes are competing at the current London Games, and the Japanese team has set a target of finishing fifth or higher in the gold medal standings.
今回、出場する日本選手は２９３人。選手団の目標は、国別の金メダル数で５位以内になることだ。
Japan won nine gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, finishing eighth. To secure the fifth spot, more than 15 golds will probably be needed.
北京五輪での金メダルは９個で、８位だった。５位になるには１５個以上が目安となるだろう。
===
Test of Japan govt measures
In recent years, the Japanese government has selected events in which the nation has a higher probability of winning medals and allocated more subsidies to them. The London Olympics could serve as a test of such steps to boost the nation's competitiveness.
政府は近年、メダル有望種目に的を絞って、強化費を重点配分する事業に力を入れている。政府主導の強化策が奏功するかどうかも問われる五輪と言える。
If Japanese Olympians produce good results in the opening events such as swimming, judo and gymnastics, that could lift the spirits of the whole team.
大会序盤の競泳や柔道、体操などで好成績を挙げれば、日本選手団全体が勢いに乗る。
Kosuke Kitajima is notable as he will aim for his third consecutive Olympic golds in the men's 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. We hope he will swim his way into Olympic history.
特に、競泳平泳ぎの北島康介選手は、１００メートルと２００メートルで五輪３連覇の偉業に挑む。五輪史に名を刻む泳ぎを期待したい。
People in Japan are already excited about the Olympics after the men's and women's Japanese soccer teams won their opening games. The vigorous performances of the Japanese athletes encourage us as we root for them.
男女サッカーの白星発進で、国内は早くも沸き立っている。日本選手の活躍は、応援する私たちを元気づけてくれる。
The more impressive the athletes' performances, the more people will be interested in the Olympics. Such public interest is certain to become a tailwind for promoting the campaign to bring the 2020 Games to Tokyo.
感動を呼ぶシーンが多いほど、五輪への関心も高まるだろう。２０２０年東京五輪の招致活動を盛り上げていくうえでも、追い風となるに違いない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2012)
（2012年7月28日05時15分 読売新聞）
Nation craves moving drama at London Olympics
ロンドン五輪 数多くの感動を味わいたい（7月28日付・読売社説）
The London Olympics have opened. What kind of drama will the athletes, who have come from all over the world, show us? We hope we will enjoy the quadrennial sporting festival.
ロンドン五輪が開幕した。世界のアスリートたちは、どのようなドラマを見せてくれるのか。４年に１度のスポーツの祭典を堪能したい。
A total of 204 countries and territories will take part in this Summer Olympics. This is the first time female athletes have been included in every Olympic team, and also the first Games in which women will compete in all events.
今回の夏季五輪には、２０４の国・地域が参加する。そのすべてから女子選手が出場する初の五輪だ。全競技で女子種目が実施される初めての大会でもある。
London has become the first city to host the Olympics three times--first in 1908 and again in 1948.
ロンドンで五輪が開催されるのは、１９０８年、４８年に続き３度目となる。
The British government has been cautious about security this time. The Olympic Village is surrounded by an electrified fence about five meters high, and surface-to-air missiles have been deployed in London's downtown areas.
今回、英国政府が神経をとがらせているのは、テロ対策だ。選手村は、高圧電流が流れる高さ約５メートルのフェンスに取り囲まれている。ロンドン市街には地対空ミサイルも配備されている。
We hope the British government will implement the best possible security measures until the Games end on Aug. 12.
８月１２日の大会終了まで、万全の警備体制を敷いてほしい。
===
Limited budget
Europe is now in the middle of a financial crisis, and Britain is no exception, being forced to stage a "frugal Olympics" amid austerity measures.
欧州は金融危機の中にある。英国も例外ではなく、超緊縮財政下での「倹約五輪」となった。
The cost of holding the Games, reportedly about 1.13 trillion yen, is said to be only a quarter of what China spent for the previous Beijing Olympics, which were apparently aimed at raising the latter's national prestige.
日本円にして約１兆１３００億円とされる大会経費は、中国の国威発揚の場となった前回北京五輪の４分の１とも言われる。
Britain used concrete made from industrial waste to build the main Olympic stadium, and plans to transform the Olympic Village into a private housing complex after the Games.
メーンスタジアムの建設には、産業廃棄物などが原料のコンクリートを利用した。選手村は大会終了後、民間の集合住宅として生まれ変わる予定だ。
The London Olympics feature cost-saving, care for the environment and effective use of facilities.
経費抑制、環境への配慮、施設の有効活用――。これらがロンドン五輪らしさを示している。
As for Japan, this year marks the 100th anniversary of its Olympic debut at the Stockholm Games in 1912.
日本にとっては、五輪に初めて参加した１９１２年のストックホルム大会から、ちょうど１００年の節目を迎えた。
A total of 293 Japanese athletes are competing at the current London Games, and the Japanese team has set a target of finishing fifth or higher in the gold medal standings.
今回、出場する日本選手は２９３人。選手団の目標は、国別の金メダル数で５位以内になることだ。
Japan won nine gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, finishing eighth. To secure the fifth spot, more than 15 golds will probably be needed.
北京五輪での金メダルは９個で、８位だった。５位になるには１５個以上が目安となるだろう。
===
Test of Japan govt measures
In recent years, the Japanese government has selected events in which the nation has a higher probability of winning medals and allocated more subsidies to them. The London Olympics could serve as a test of such steps to boost the nation's competitiveness.
政府は近年、メダル有望種目に的を絞って、強化費を重点配分する事業に力を入れている。政府主導の強化策が奏功するかどうかも問われる五輪と言える。
If Japanese Olympians produce good results in the opening events such as swimming, judo and gymnastics, that could lift the spirits of the whole team.
大会序盤の競泳や柔道、体操などで好成績を挙げれば、日本選手団全体が勢いに乗る。
Kosuke Kitajima is notable as he will aim for his third consecutive Olympic golds in the men's 100- and 200-meter breaststroke. We hope he will swim his way into Olympic history.
特に、競泳平泳ぎの北島康介選手は、１００メートルと２００メートルで五輪３連覇の偉業に挑む。五輪史に名を刻む泳ぎを期待したい。
People in Japan are already excited about the Olympics after the men's and women's Japanese soccer teams won their opening games. The vigorous performances of the Japanese athletes encourage us as we root for them.
男女サッカーの白星発進で、国内は早くも沸き立っている。日本選手の活躍は、応援する私たちを元気づけてくれる。
The more impressive the athletes' performances, the more people will be interested in the Olympics. Such public interest is certain to become a tailwind for promoting the campaign to bring the 2020 Games to Tokyo.
感動を呼ぶシーンが多いほど、五輪への関心も高まるだろう。２０２０年東京五輪の招致活動を盛り上げていくうえでも、追い風となるに違いない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2012)
（2012年7月28日05時15分 読売新聞）
2012/07/29
北朝鮮新体制 「先軍政治」から転換できるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 28, 2012)
Can Pyongyang change its 'military-first' doctrine?
北朝鮮新体制 「先軍政治」から転換できるか（7月27日付・読売社説）
Speculation is rife in the wake of the dismissal of the chief of North Korea's General Staff, who was widely seen as a mentor of that country's young leader, the ruling Workers' Party First Secretary Kim Jong Un.
北朝鮮の若い指導者、金正恩・党第１書記の後見役と目されていた軍総参謀長の解任が、様々な臆測を呼んでいる。
A little more than three months since it launched its new leadership, uncertainty is heightening over Pyongyang's future course, meaning we must remain vigilant.
新体制が本格的に始動して３か月余りたった北朝鮮の行方には不確実さが増しており、警戒が怠れない。
Two years ago, in the days of the late General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the now dismissed army chief was promoted to the post of vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the party's political bureau, or politburo, along with Kim Jong Un. The man was at the top of North Korea's military elite, concurrently serving as a member of the standing committee of the politburo.
解任された総参謀長は、金正日総書記時代の２年前、正恩氏と一緒に党中央軍事委員会副委員長に抜擢(ばってき)され、政治局常務委員も務める軍のトップエリートだった。
In Kim Jong Il's funeral procession, the man walked in a leading position along with Kim Jong Un, and was seen a key figure supporting the new leader.
総書記の葬儀では、正恩氏とともに霊きゅう車の先頭を歩き、新体制で正恩氏を支える軍部の要と見られていた。
The meeting of the politburo that decided on his removal from all duties said the decision was "due to his illness," but some analysts believe there may have been a power struggle behind the decision.
すべての職務からの解任を決めた政治局会議は、「病気のため」と説明しているが、背景に権力闘争の存在を指摘する声もある。
===
New leadership style eyed?
Kim Jong Un, who earlier became a four-star general, obtained the post of "marshal of the republic" immediately after the removal of the chief of the General Staff. Kim Jong Un's acquisition of the topmost military position is thought to be a move to demonstrate that he has now a complete grip on the military both in name and substance, presumably in a bid to display the stability of his regime.
大将だった金正恩氏は、総参謀長の解任直後に「共和国元帥」に昇格した。名実ともに軍部を掌握したことを示し、政権の安定ぶりを誇示する狙いがあろう。
No other remarkable developments have been reported recently in the North Korean military, but Japan, together with the United States and South Korea, must continue to watch Pyongyang's moves.
北朝鮮の軍に目立った動きは伝えられていないものの、日本は米韓両国と連携し、今後の動向を注視しなければならない。
While pledging to dedicate himself unconditionally to his father's teachings, Kim Jong Un has shown signs of a new style of governance different from that of his father in a number of ways.
金正恩氏は、父親の「遺訓」を無条件で貫徹するとしながらも、目新しい統治スタイルを随所で示している。
In one high-profile example of this, North Korean media have disclosed that a young woman seen accompanying Kim Jong Un on various occasions is his wife.
北朝鮮メディアが、正恩氏に随行していた若い女性を「夫人」と紹介し、結婚していた事実を明らかにしたのはその一例だ。
He also authorized the TV broadcast of a performance by an all-female band, some of its members in miniskirts, during which an ersatz Mickey Mouse character made an appearance.
ミニスカートの女性楽団の公演を放映させ、ミッキーマウスに似たキャラクターが登場した。
Such gestures appear designed to emphasize differences from his father, who preferred an authoritarian and mysterious pattern of behavior. There might even be hints that he favors North Korea opening up a bit to the international community.
権威主義的で神秘性を好んだ父親との違いを強調しようとしているかのように見える。孤立ではなく、国際社会と交流を深めたい意欲すら、うかがえる。
However, the question is whether these changes may lead eventually to a change from Pyongyang's traditional "songun," or military-first, doctrine.
問題は、こうした変化が果たして軍事最優先の「先軍政治」の転換につながるのかどうかだ。
As Kim Jong Un himself stressed in a speech, North Korea's most urgent task is "solving food problems of the people."
正恩氏が演説で強調した通り、最優先課題は「人民の食糧問題の解決」だ。
===
Signs of economic reform
The task is to rebuild the North Korean economy in a way Kim Jong Un has pledged will mean people "no longer have to tighten their belts" and endure hunger.
空腹を我慢するために「ベルトを締めあげずにすむよう」経済を立て直すことにある。
He has issued instructions for steps to expand acreage of farmland and increase farming productivity. He has criticized the disorderly development and export of mineral resources that have been carried out in the name of "earning foreign currency." Apparently in connection with this, the new North Korean leader has come out with a policy of placing the management of his country's natural resources under the direct and integrated control of his Cabinet.
正恩氏は耕地面積の拡大や生産性向上を指示した。「外貨稼ぎ」の名の下に行われている地下資源の無秩序な開発・輸出を批判し、資源を内閣が一元的に管理する方針を表明した。
These could be signs of Kim Jong Un's resolve to embark on sweeping reforms of his country's economy.
経済の抜本的改革に乗り出す予告とも受け取れる。
The reality North Korea faces is that sanctions imposed by the international community, which North Korea brought on itself because of its nuclear weapons and missile development programs, have narrowed its options for economic reconstruction.
だが、核とミサイルの開発によって国際社会からの経済制裁を招き、経済再建の選択肢を自ら狭めてきたのが、北朝鮮の現実だ。
It seems that a transformation of North Korea's "military-first" politics into "politics placing top priority on the economy" would be extremely hard to realize.
先軍政治から「経済最優先」への転換は容易ではあるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2012)
（2012年7月27日01時27分 読売新聞）
Can Pyongyang change its 'military-first' doctrine?
北朝鮮新体制 「先軍政治」から転換できるか（7月27日付・読売社説）
Speculation is rife in the wake of the dismissal of the chief of North Korea's General Staff, who was widely seen as a mentor of that country's young leader, the ruling Workers' Party First Secretary Kim Jong Un.
北朝鮮の若い指導者、金正恩・党第１書記の後見役と目されていた軍総参謀長の解任が、様々な臆測を呼んでいる。
A little more than three months since it launched its new leadership, uncertainty is heightening over Pyongyang's future course, meaning we must remain vigilant.
新体制が本格的に始動して３か月余りたった北朝鮮の行方には不確実さが増しており、警戒が怠れない。
Two years ago, in the days of the late General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the now dismissed army chief was promoted to the post of vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the party's political bureau, or politburo, along with Kim Jong Un. The man was at the top of North Korea's military elite, concurrently serving as a member of the standing committee of the politburo.
解任された総参謀長は、金正日総書記時代の２年前、正恩氏と一緒に党中央軍事委員会副委員長に抜擢(ばってき)され、政治局常務委員も務める軍のトップエリートだった。
In Kim Jong Il's funeral procession, the man walked in a leading position along with Kim Jong Un, and was seen a key figure supporting the new leader.
総書記の葬儀では、正恩氏とともに霊きゅう車の先頭を歩き、新体制で正恩氏を支える軍部の要と見られていた。
The meeting of the politburo that decided on his removal from all duties said the decision was "due to his illness," but some analysts believe there may have been a power struggle behind the decision.
すべての職務からの解任を決めた政治局会議は、「病気のため」と説明しているが、背景に権力闘争の存在を指摘する声もある。
===
New leadership style eyed?
Kim Jong Un, who earlier became a four-star general, obtained the post of "marshal of the republic" immediately after the removal of the chief of the General Staff. Kim Jong Un's acquisition of the topmost military position is thought to be a move to demonstrate that he has now a complete grip on the military both in name and substance, presumably in a bid to display the stability of his regime.
大将だった金正恩氏は、総参謀長の解任直後に「共和国元帥」に昇格した。名実ともに軍部を掌握したことを示し、政権の安定ぶりを誇示する狙いがあろう。
No other remarkable developments have been reported recently in the North Korean military, but Japan, together with the United States and South Korea, must continue to watch Pyongyang's moves.
北朝鮮の軍に目立った動きは伝えられていないものの、日本は米韓両国と連携し、今後の動向を注視しなければならない。
While pledging to dedicate himself unconditionally to his father's teachings, Kim Jong Un has shown signs of a new style of governance different from that of his father in a number of ways.
金正恩氏は、父親の「遺訓」を無条件で貫徹するとしながらも、目新しい統治スタイルを随所で示している。
In one high-profile example of this, North Korean media have disclosed that a young woman seen accompanying Kim Jong Un on various occasions is his wife.
北朝鮮メディアが、正恩氏に随行していた若い女性を「夫人」と紹介し、結婚していた事実を明らかにしたのはその一例だ。
He also authorized the TV broadcast of a performance by an all-female band, some of its members in miniskirts, during which an ersatz Mickey Mouse character made an appearance.
ミニスカートの女性楽団の公演を放映させ、ミッキーマウスに似たキャラクターが登場した。
Such gestures appear designed to emphasize differences from his father, who preferred an authoritarian and mysterious pattern of behavior. There might even be hints that he favors North Korea opening up a bit to the international community.
権威主義的で神秘性を好んだ父親との違いを強調しようとしているかのように見える。孤立ではなく、国際社会と交流を深めたい意欲すら、うかがえる。
However, the question is whether these changes may lead eventually to a change from Pyongyang's traditional "songun," or military-first, doctrine.
問題は、こうした変化が果たして軍事最優先の「先軍政治」の転換につながるのかどうかだ。
As Kim Jong Un himself stressed in a speech, North Korea's most urgent task is "solving food problems of the people."
正恩氏が演説で強調した通り、最優先課題は「人民の食糧問題の解決」だ。
===
Signs of economic reform
The task is to rebuild the North Korean economy in a way Kim Jong Un has pledged will mean people "no longer have to tighten their belts" and endure hunger.
空腹を我慢するために「ベルトを締めあげずにすむよう」経済を立て直すことにある。
He has issued instructions for steps to expand acreage of farmland and increase farming productivity. He has criticized the disorderly development and export of mineral resources that have been carried out in the name of "earning foreign currency." Apparently in connection with this, the new North Korean leader has come out with a policy of placing the management of his country's natural resources under the direct and integrated control of his Cabinet.
正恩氏は耕地面積の拡大や生産性向上を指示した。「外貨稼ぎ」の名の下に行われている地下資源の無秩序な開発・輸出を批判し、資源を内閣が一元的に管理する方針を表明した。
These could be signs of Kim Jong Un's resolve to embark on sweeping reforms of his country's economy.
経済の抜本的改革に乗り出す予告とも受け取れる。
The reality North Korea faces is that sanctions imposed by the international community, which North Korea brought on itself because of its nuclear weapons and missile development programs, have narrowed its options for economic reconstruction.
だが、核とミサイルの開発によって国際社会からの経済制裁を招き、経済再建の選択肢を自ら狭めてきたのが、北朝鮮の現実だ。
It seems that a transformation of North Korea's "military-first" politics into "politics placing top priority on the economy" would be extremely hard to realize.
先軍政治から「経済最優先」への転換は容易ではあるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2012)
（2012年7月27日01時27分 読売新聞）
2012/07/28
南シナ海緊張 中国の強硬姿勢に深まる憂慮
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 27, 2012)
China's hard-line stance cause for grave concern
南シナ海緊張 中国の強硬姿勢に深まる憂慮（7月26日付・読売社説）
We urge China to restrain itself from taking unilateral action and to work to alleviate tension through dialogue with Vietnam and other neighboring countries.
中国は一方的な行動を自制し、ベトナムなどと対話を通じて緊張緩和に努めてもらいたい。
China has created the city of "Sansha" to administer the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands and Macclesfield Bank in the South China Sea. Vietnam and the Philippines, which are vying for sovereignty over those island chains with China, immediately voiced strong opposition.
中国が、南シナ海の南沙、西沙、中沙の３諸島を管轄する「三沙市」を設置した。これらの諸島を巡って中国と領有権を争っているベトナムやフィリピンは直ちに強く反発した。
The three island chains were previously administered by a liaison office of Hainan Province in southern China, which is located on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands. China apparently aims to strengthen its effective control over the island chains by upgrading them to a city.
３諸島はこれまで、中国南部の海南省が西沙諸島の永興島に置く連絡事務所が管轄していた。市への格上げは、実効支配を強化する狙いがあろう。
China set up administrative organizations in Sansha, including a People's Congress, or city council, in which the mayor was elected. China said it plans to promote tourism, the fisheries industry and natural resource development in the South China Sea with Sansha as a foothold.
市の人民代表大会（市議会）を設置して市長も選出し、行政組織の体裁を整えた。三沙市を拠点に、南シナ海の観光・水産業、資源開発を推進する方針という。
===
Responsibility lies with China
China's establishment of Sansha is a countermeasure against Vietnam's enactment of the Maritime Law, which stipulates its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands. However, the initial cause of the trouble was that China unilaterally claimed sovereignty over the three island chains and other islets under the Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone 20 years ago.
中国の三沙市設置は、ベトナムが南沙、西沙両諸島の領有を明記する海洋法を制定したことへの対抗措置だ。だが、そもそも、中国が２０年前に領海法で３諸島などの領有を勝手に定めたことにトラブルの原因があった。
Even more serious is that China decided to establish in Sansha a "security area" in which the Chinese military will be in charge of defending key strongpoints. Small units are already stationed to protect runways and other facilities, but the establishment of the security area is considered preparation for full-scale military action in the South China Sea.
さらに深刻なのは、中国軍が重要拠点の防衛に当たる「警備区」を、この三沙にも置くと決めたことだ。滑走路などを守る小規模な部隊は既に駐留しているが、南シナ海での本格的な軍事行動に備える態勢作りと言える。
China's attempt to use its military strength, which is far superior to that of Vietnam and other neighbors, to make the South China Sea "China's Sea" could trigger armed conflict. The situation is grave.
中国がベトナムなどに比べて圧倒的な軍事力を背景に、南シナ海を「中国の海」にしようとすることは、軍事的な衝突を引き起こしかねない。憂慮すべき事態だ。
China also unilaterally announced a plan to invite bids for natural resource development in waters that Vietnam claims are inside its exclusive economic zone. Beijing sent 30 fishing boats accompanied by fishery patrol ships to waters around the Spratly Islands and other islets. These actions could cause tension in the South China Sea.
中国は、ベトナムが排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）と主張する海域でも、一方的に資源開発の入札計画を発表した。南沙諸島などの周辺海域に漁船３０隻を漁業監視船とともに送り込んだ。いずれも、南シナ海に緊張をもたらす行為だ。
===
Stability crucial
The stability of the South China Sea is crucial for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also conducive to Japan's national interests from the viewpoint of securing the safety of its sea lanes.
南シナ海の安定は、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）にとって欠かせない。海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保の観点から、日本の国益にも資する。
In concert with Vietnam and the Philippines, which are threatened by China, Japan needs to strengthen cooperation such as fostering human resources in the field of maritime security and offering patrol vessels to those countries.
日本は、中国の脅威にさらされているベトナムやフィリピンと連携して、海上安全保障分野での人材育成や巡視船供与などの協力を強める必要がある。
In the East China Sea, meanwhile, the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands has been increasingly harsh.
東シナ海では、尖閣諸島をめぐる情勢が厳しさを増す一方だ。
Recently, Chinese fishery patrol ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on two consecutive days. As in the South China Sea, China has been blatantly escalating moves to expand its maritime interests.
最近、中国の漁業監視船は２日連続で尖閣諸島近くの領海を侵犯した。南シナ海同様に、海洋権益を拡大しようとする中国の動きは露骨にエスカレートしている。
China is conducting activities to make its presence felt with many fishing boats in the South China Sea. The possibility that Beijing may do the same thing in the East China Sea cannot be ruled out. Japan must heighten its vigilance against China over the Senkaku Islands.
中国が南シナ海で展開している多数の漁船による示威活動を東シナ海で行う可能性も排除できない。日本は、尖閣諸島の警戒体制を強めねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2012)
（2012年7月26日01時47分 読売新聞）
China's hard-line stance cause for grave concern
南シナ海緊張 中国の強硬姿勢に深まる憂慮（7月26日付・読売社説）
We urge China to restrain itself from taking unilateral action and to work to alleviate tension through dialogue with Vietnam and other neighboring countries.
中国は一方的な行動を自制し、ベトナムなどと対話を通じて緊張緩和に努めてもらいたい。
China has created the city of "Sansha" to administer the Spratly Islands, the Paracel Islands and Macclesfield Bank in the South China Sea. Vietnam and the Philippines, which are vying for sovereignty over those island chains with China, immediately voiced strong opposition.
中国が、南シナ海の南沙、西沙、中沙の３諸島を管轄する「三沙市」を設置した。これらの諸島を巡って中国と領有権を争っているベトナムやフィリピンは直ちに強く反発した。
The three island chains were previously administered by a liaison office of Hainan Province in southern China, which is located on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands. China apparently aims to strengthen its effective control over the island chains by upgrading them to a city.
３諸島はこれまで、中国南部の海南省が西沙諸島の永興島に置く連絡事務所が管轄していた。市への格上げは、実効支配を強化する狙いがあろう。
China set up administrative organizations in Sansha, including a People's Congress, or city council, in which the mayor was elected. China said it plans to promote tourism, the fisheries industry and natural resource development in the South China Sea with Sansha as a foothold.
市の人民代表大会（市議会）を設置して市長も選出し、行政組織の体裁を整えた。三沙市を拠点に、南シナ海の観光・水産業、資源開発を推進する方針という。
===
Responsibility lies with China
China's establishment of Sansha is a countermeasure against Vietnam's enactment of the Maritime Law, which stipulates its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands. However, the initial cause of the trouble was that China unilaterally claimed sovereignty over the three island chains and other islets under the Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone 20 years ago.
中国の三沙市設置は、ベトナムが南沙、西沙両諸島の領有を明記する海洋法を制定したことへの対抗措置だ。だが、そもそも、中国が２０年前に領海法で３諸島などの領有を勝手に定めたことにトラブルの原因があった。
Even more serious is that China decided to establish in Sansha a "security area" in which the Chinese military will be in charge of defending key strongpoints. Small units are already stationed to protect runways and other facilities, but the establishment of the security area is considered preparation for full-scale military action in the South China Sea.
さらに深刻なのは、中国軍が重要拠点の防衛に当たる「警備区」を、この三沙にも置くと決めたことだ。滑走路などを守る小規模な部隊は既に駐留しているが、南シナ海での本格的な軍事行動に備える態勢作りと言える。
China's attempt to use its military strength, which is far superior to that of Vietnam and other neighbors, to make the South China Sea "China's Sea" could trigger armed conflict. The situation is grave.
中国がベトナムなどに比べて圧倒的な軍事力を背景に、南シナ海を「中国の海」にしようとすることは、軍事的な衝突を引き起こしかねない。憂慮すべき事態だ。
China also unilaterally announced a plan to invite bids for natural resource development in waters that Vietnam claims are inside its exclusive economic zone. Beijing sent 30 fishing boats accompanied by fishery patrol ships to waters around the Spratly Islands and other islets. These actions could cause tension in the South China Sea.
中国は、ベトナムが排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）と主張する海域でも、一方的に資源開発の入札計画を発表した。南沙諸島などの周辺海域に漁船３０隻を漁業監視船とともに送り込んだ。いずれも、南シナ海に緊張をもたらす行為だ。
===
Stability crucial
The stability of the South China Sea is crucial for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also conducive to Japan's national interests from the viewpoint of securing the safety of its sea lanes.
南シナ海の安定は、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）にとって欠かせない。海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保の観点から、日本の国益にも資する。
In concert with Vietnam and the Philippines, which are threatened by China, Japan needs to strengthen cooperation such as fostering human resources in the field of maritime security and offering patrol vessels to those countries.
日本は、中国の脅威にさらされているベトナムやフィリピンと連携して、海上安全保障分野での人材育成や巡視船供与などの協力を強める必要がある。
In the East China Sea, meanwhile, the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands has been increasingly harsh.
東シナ海では、尖閣諸島をめぐる情勢が厳しさを増す一方だ。
Recently, Chinese fishery patrol ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on two consecutive days. As in the South China Sea, China has been blatantly escalating moves to expand its maritime interests.
最近、中国の漁業監視船は２日連続で尖閣諸島近くの領海を侵犯した。南シナ海同様に、海洋権益を拡大しようとする中国の動きは露骨にエスカレートしている。
China is conducting activities to make its presence felt with many fishing boats in the South China Sea. The possibility that Beijing may do the same thing in the East China Sea cannot be ruled out. Japan must heighten its vigilance against China over the Senkaku Islands.
中国が南シナ海で展開している多数の漁船による示威活動を東シナ海で行う可能性も排除できない。日本は、尖閣諸島の警戒体制を強めねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2012)
（2012年7月26日01時47分 読売新聞）
2012/07/27
エネルギー選択 付け焼き刃の議論で決めるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 26, 2012)
Don't decide energy option through ad hoc discussions
エネルギー選択 付け焼き刃の議論で決めるな（7月25日付・読売社説）
The basic policy on energy, which will determine the nation's future, should not be decided through ad hoc "national debates."
国の将来を左右する重要なエネルギーの基本政策は、付け焼き刃の「国民的議論」で決めるべきものではない。
The government presented three options on the ratio of nuclear power in the nation's mix of power sources for the year 2030, namely zero, 15 percent, or 20 percent to 25 percent. It is carrying out procedures to seek public opinions regarding which option would be most desirable.
政府は２０３０年の電源に占める原子力発電の比率を、「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする３案を示し、どの選択肢が望ましいか、国民に意見を求める手続きを進めている。
Among such procedures are hearings where randomly selected members of the public express their opinions. Eleven such hearings have been or will be held through Aug. 4 at 11 locations nationwide.
その一つが、抽選で選ばれた国民による意見聴取会だ。８月４日までに全国の計１１会場で開く。
It is reasonable for the government to seek a wide sample of public opinions, but it cannot be overlooked that the hearings have caused trouble.
国民に幅広く意見を求めるのは妥当だが、意見聴取会が混乱を招いている事態は看過できない。
At hearings on July 15 and 16, employees of electric power companies, who identified their employers by name, called for the continued use of nuclear power. Both times, this caused a fierce backlash from other participants who support moving away from dependence on nuclear energy.
７月１５～１６日の聴取会で、電力会社の社員が社名を明かしたうえで原発の利用継続を主張したところ、脱原発を求める出席者から強い批判を浴びた。
The government then hastily decided not to allow employees of power companies and affiliated businesses to express opinions at such hearings. At hearings held Sunday at two locations, the government kept four people working in the industry from expressing their views.
すると政府は急きょ、電力会社と関連会社の社員に意見表明を認めない方針を決め、２２日に開かれた２か所の聴取会では、電力関係者４人に発言を辞退させた。
===
Why have a gag rule?
We are concerned that prohibiting people in the power industry from expressing their views on energy policy is a form of suppression of free speech. The government needs to convincingly explain why it changed the rules in the middle of the process.
電力関係者というだけでエネルギー政策に関する意見表明を封じるのは、言論の自由を抑圧することにならないか。政府は、途中でルールを変更した理由をきちんと説明する必要がある。
To avoid unproductive black-and-white arguments over pro- or anti-nuclear power positions, we consider it vitally important for members of society to express opinions from various points of view and calmly discuss them.
原発推進と脱原発という不毛な「二項対立」を避けるには、多様な意見を出し合い、冷静に話し合うことが肝心なはずだ。
It is also distressing to observe the bad manners displayed by some participants at those hearings, such as excessive booing by those seeking an end to nuclear power.
意見聴取会で脱原発派が激しいヤジを飛ばすなど、マナー違反が散見されるのも残念である。
We also cannot eliminate our concerns over a "deliberative poll," a new method of public survey and discussions the government plans to conduct on Aug. 4 and 5.
８月４～５日に実施する新手法の「討論型世論調査」に関する懸念も拭えない。
Among about 3,000 people nationwide who responded in an opinion survey on the energy options, 200 to 300 who wished to participate in a two-day discussion meeting will do so. After the meeting, the government will again conduct an opinion survey on the participants.
エネルギー選択に関する世論調査に答えた全国の約３０００人から希望者２００～３００人が参加して２日間の討論会を開き、終了後に再び意見を調べる。
===
An opinion experiment
We understand the purpose of such a measure--to deepen public understanding of the issue through discussions and observe how public opinions change. But public views could be influenced in certain directions, depending on the content of materials used for discussions and how such an event is held. The government should consider such a method as a mere experimental project--it must not directly reflect the results derived from the event in shaping its policies.
討論を通じて理解を深め、意見の変化を見るという趣旨はわかるが、討論の資料や運営によって考えが誘導される恐れはないだろうか。政府は実験的な取り組みにとどめ、結果をストレートに政策判断へ反映させてはならない。
In the first place, all three policy options the government presented are based on the assumption that the ratio of renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power, will be raised from the current 10 percent or so to 25 percent to 35 percent. People in business circles and others have vocally opposed such scenarios as unattainable.
そもそも、政府の示した３選択肢はいずれも、水力を含めて現在約１０％の再生可能エネルギー比率を２５～３５％に引き上げる想定だ。経済界などでは、とても達成できないとする声が強い。
As long as current circumstances remain unchanged, none of the three policy choices represent a realistic composition of power sources to ensure a stable power supply.
このままでは、どの選択肢を採用しても、電力を安定供給できる現実的な電源構成となるまい。
To hammer out a mid- to long-term energy policy in which impacts on the economy and the environment are taken into account, the government should reconsider the suitability of the three options.
経済や環境への影響を考慮した中長期のエネルギー政策を打ち出すためにも、政府は３選択肢の妥当性を再検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 25, 2012)
（2012年7月25日01時42分 読売新聞）
Don't decide energy option through ad hoc discussions
エネルギー選択 付け焼き刃の議論で決めるな（7月25日付・読売社説）
The basic policy on energy, which will determine the nation's future, should not be decided through ad hoc "national debates."
国の将来を左右する重要なエネルギーの基本政策は、付け焼き刃の「国民的議論」で決めるべきものではない。
The government presented three options on the ratio of nuclear power in the nation's mix of power sources for the year 2030, namely zero, 15 percent, or 20 percent to 25 percent. It is carrying out procedures to seek public opinions regarding which option would be most desirable.
政府は２０３０年の電源に占める原子力発電の比率を、「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする３案を示し、どの選択肢が望ましいか、国民に意見を求める手続きを進めている。
Among such procedures are hearings where randomly selected members of the public express their opinions. Eleven such hearings have been or will be held through Aug. 4 at 11 locations nationwide.
その一つが、抽選で選ばれた国民による意見聴取会だ。８月４日までに全国の計１１会場で開く。
It is reasonable for the government to seek a wide sample of public opinions, but it cannot be overlooked that the hearings have caused trouble.
国民に幅広く意見を求めるのは妥当だが、意見聴取会が混乱を招いている事態は看過できない。
At hearings on July 15 and 16, employees of electric power companies, who identified their employers by name, called for the continued use of nuclear power. Both times, this caused a fierce backlash from other participants who support moving away from dependence on nuclear energy.
７月１５～１６日の聴取会で、電力会社の社員が社名を明かしたうえで原発の利用継続を主張したところ、脱原発を求める出席者から強い批判を浴びた。
The government then hastily decided not to allow employees of power companies and affiliated businesses to express opinions at such hearings. At hearings held Sunday at two locations, the government kept four people working in the industry from expressing their views.
すると政府は急きょ、電力会社と関連会社の社員に意見表明を認めない方針を決め、２２日に開かれた２か所の聴取会では、電力関係者４人に発言を辞退させた。
===
Why have a gag rule?
We are concerned that prohibiting people in the power industry from expressing their views on energy policy is a form of suppression of free speech. The government needs to convincingly explain why it changed the rules in the middle of the process.
電力関係者というだけでエネルギー政策に関する意見表明を封じるのは、言論の自由を抑圧することにならないか。政府は、途中でルールを変更した理由をきちんと説明する必要がある。
To avoid unproductive black-and-white arguments over pro- or anti-nuclear power positions, we consider it vitally important for members of society to express opinions from various points of view and calmly discuss them.
原発推進と脱原発という不毛な「二項対立」を避けるには、多様な意見を出し合い、冷静に話し合うことが肝心なはずだ。
It is also distressing to observe the bad manners displayed by some participants at those hearings, such as excessive booing by those seeking an end to nuclear power.
意見聴取会で脱原発派が激しいヤジを飛ばすなど、マナー違反が散見されるのも残念である。
We also cannot eliminate our concerns over a "deliberative poll," a new method of public survey and discussions the government plans to conduct on Aug. 4 and 5.
８月４～５日に実施する新手法の「討論型世論調査」に関する懸念も拭えない。
Among about 3,000 people nationwide who responded in an opinion survey on the energy options, 200 to 300 who wished to participate in a two-day discussion meeting will do so. After the meeting, the government will again conduct an opinion survey on the participants.
エネルギー選択に関する世論調査に答えた全国の約３０００人から希望者２００～３００人が参加して２日間の討論会を開き、終了後に再び意見を調べる。
===
An opinion experiment
We understand the purpose of such a measure--to deepen public understanding of the issue through discussions and observe how public opinions change. But public views could be influenced in certain directions, depending on the content of materials used for discussions and how such an event is held. The government should consider such a method as a mere experimental project--it must not directly reflect the results derived from the event in shaping its policies.
討論を通じて理解を深め、意見の変化を見るという趣旨はわかるが、討論の資料や運営によって考えが誘導される恐れはないだろうか。政府は実験的な取り組みにとどめ、結果をストレートに政策判断へ反映させてはならない。
In the first place, all three policy options the government presented are based on the assumption that the ratio of renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric power, will be raised from the current 10 percent or so to 25 percent to 35 percent. People in business circles and others have vocally opposed such scenarios as unattainable.
そもそも、政府の示した３選択肢はいずれも、水力を含めて現在約１０％の再生可能エネルギー比率を２５～３５％に引き上げる想定だ。経済界などでは、とても達成できないとする声が強い。
As long as current circumstances remain unchanged, none of the three policy choices represent a realistic composition of power sources to ensure a stable power supply.
このままでは、どの選択肢を採用しても、電力を安定供給できる現実的な電源構成となるまい。
To hammer out a mid- to long-term energy policy in which impacts on the economy and the environment are taken into account, the government should reconsider the suitability of the three options.
経済や環境への影響を考慮した中長期のエネルギー政策を打ち出すためにも、政府は３選択肢の妥当性を再検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 25, 2012)
（2012年7月25日01時42分 読売新聞）
2012/07/26
政府事故調報告 原発の安全向上に教訓生かせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 25, 2012)
Use lessons of Fukushima to improve N-plant safety
政府事故調報告 原発の安全向上に教訓生かせ（7月24日付・読売社説）
◆「想定外」に備える危機対策を
Based on lessons learned from the results of investigations into the unprecedented nuclear power plant crisis, the government and electric power companies must work on measures to prevent future nuclear accidents.
未曽有の原子力発電所事故の調査結果を教訓とし、政府と電力会社は、再発防止に取り組まねばならない。
The government's Nuclear Incident Investigation and Verification Committee, responsible for looking into the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, released its final report on Monday.
東京電力福島第一原発事故に関する政府の事故調査・検証委員会が最終報告書をまとめ、公表した。
Investigation commissions of the Diet and TEPCO as well as a private independent investigation panel have already released their respective reports on the crisis. With these four reports, clarification of the cause of the crisis and how it developed as well as identification of problems in the responses to it by the government and TEPCO have come to an end for the moment.
国会と東電の各事故調と民間の独立検証委員会が、それぞれ報告書を発表済みだ。四つの報告書が出そろい、事故の原因や経緯、政府や東電の問題点などの解明は一区切りがついた。
However, it will take more time to uncover the full scope of the crisis. It is necessary from now on to review crisis countermeasures to secure the safety of nuclear power plants while continuing a probe into the Fukushima disaster.
だが、事故の全容解明にはまだ時間を要するだろう。今後も調査を継続しながら、危機対策を練り直し、原発の安全性を確保していく必要がある。
===
Report denies quake damage
◆地震による損傷を否定
The government committee's investigation was characterized by detailed analysis of the technological aspects of the crisis based on a massive amount of data. This is because committee chairman Yotaro Hatamura, who advocates the "study of failure," placed importance on clarifying the truth of the crisis rather than finding out who is to blame.
政府事故調は、膨大なデータに基づき事故の技術的な側面を詳細に分析した点が特徴だ。「失敗学」を提唱している畑村洋太郎委員長が、責任追及よりも事実の解明に重点を置いたからだ。
The final report of the government's committee criticizes reports by other investigation panels, saying much of their content is based on obvious misinterpretation of facts.
最終報告書は、他の事故調による報告書について、「明らかな事実誤認を前提としているものが多い」と批判している。
For example, the Diet's Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission emphasized the possibility that the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake may have destroyed important reactor functions. However, the government's committee rejected the possibility that the earthquake damaged the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's Nos. 1 to 3 reactors in a way that would have impaired the containment of radiation.
例えば、国会事故調は地震で原子炉の重要機能が壊れた可能性を強調したが、政府事故調は、地震で福島第一原発１～３号機に「（放射能の）閉じ込め機能を損なうような損傷が生じた可能性は否定される」と、反論した。
The reactors' operation data show that important equipment was functioning normally until the tsunami hit the plant. The analysis by the government's committee, which identified the tsunami, not the earthquake, as the main cause of the crisis, is persuasive.
原子炉の運転データからは、原発の重要機器が津波襲来まで正常に機能していたことが分かっている。地震ではなく、津波が事故の主因とした政府事故調の分析には説得力がある。
Since the outbreak of the nuclear crisis, the government has been working on measures against tsunami at nuclear power plants throughout the country. To reactivate idled reactors, we hope the government will explain the appropriateness of these measures to the public to ease their anxiety.
政府は、事故後、全国の原発で津波対策に取り組んできた。再稼働に向け、この対策が適切であることを国民に説明し、不安感の軽減につなげてもらいたい。
It is also important that the final report of the government's committee suggested the possibility that core meltdowns could have been prevented if TEPCO had appropriately responded to the situation after the tsunami hit the plant.
東電が津波発生後に適切に対応していれば、炉心溶融（メルトダウン）を防げた可能性がある、と示唆した点も重要だ。
The report concluded that the reactors' core could have been cooled before meltdown if measures had been immediately taken to lower pressure in the reactors before the situation worsened.
事態が悪化する前に、現場が速やかに原子炉内の圧力を下げる措置を取っていれば、溶融前に炉心の冷却ができたと断じている。
===
Crisis response flawed
The report harshly evaluated TEPCO's ability--or lack thereof to respond to crises.
東電の危機対応力の欠如に厳しい評価を下したと言える。
Meanwhile, as other investigation commissions have done, the government committee had tough words about the then government's bungled handling of the crisis.
一方、他の事故調と同様、政府事故調が辛口の評価をしているのが、当時の政府の不手際だ。
◆不備だった官邸の対応
Regarding the crisis response by the Prime Minister's Office, the report says, "The lack of information, and its uneven distribution, made it inevitable for the office to make decisions without sufficient basis."
首相官邸の対応について、「情報の不足と偏在が生じ、十分な情報がないままに意思決定せざるを得なかった」とした。
Then Prime Minister Naoto Kan and his Cabinet ministers failed to adequately utilize a crisis control center set up in the basement of the Prime Minister's Office, where senior officials of relevant government offices were gathered. As a result, data from the System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI) was not used in giving evacuation guidance to residents.
菅首相や閣僚が、各府省幹部らが集まる官邸地下の「危機管理センター」を十分に活用しなかったためだ。その結果、放射性物質拡散予測システム「ＳＰＥＥＤＩ」を住民の避難誘導に利用することは検討もされなかった。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government failed to make effective use of the bureaucratic machine due to its erroneous implementation of what it calls "politician-led politics." The government is largely to blame for having confounded the situation.
民主党政権が、誤った「政治主導」で官僚組織を使いこなせず、事態を混乱させた責任は重い。
Kan, who prided himself on being more familiar with nuclear matters than other Cabinet members, "didn't try to tackle the crisis systematically," the report says. The report criticizes Kan for his intervention in frontline crisis control operations, including his visit to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant the day after it was crippled by the March 11 disaster.
最終報告書によると、原子力に「土地鑑」があると自負していた菅氏は「組織的に事態収拾に当たろうとしなかった」という。事故直後の原発視察を始めとする現場介入も、「弊害の方が大きい」と批判した。
The Prime Minister's Office asked the government offices concerned and TEPCO to have prior consultations with it concerning the content of information to be published, thereby causing delays in providing information to the public on meltdown and other problems at the nuclear reactors.
官邸が各府省や東電に対して、広報内容の事前連絡を求めたため、メルトダウンなど原発の状況に関する国民への情報提供も遅れた。
It is natural that the panel pointed these problems out in its final report. Efforts must be made to improve the way information is handled in times of crisis.
こうした問題を指摘したのは当然である。危機的状況での情報発信の改善が求められよう。
===
Obsession with safety myth
◆今後も事故究明続けよ
As a reason for the failure to prevent the accident, the final report says, "TEPCO and the government were obsessed with the myth that nuclear plants are safe," and criticizes such a stance as a fundamental problem. The report also points out that the government, due to its fiscal constraints, "set aside disasters with a lower probability of occurrence" from a list of those subject to strengthened countermeasures.
事故を防げなかった理由について、最終報告書は「東電も国も安全神話にとらわれていた」ことが根源的な問題、と批判した。政府が財源難から「発生確率の低い事象を除外」したとも指摘した。
In addition, the March 11 catastrophe was a complex disaster in which the nuclear crisis and natural disaster occurred simultaneously. It is essential to work out adequate precautionary measures to deal with a crisis that is anticipated to inflict serious damage even if the probability of its occurrence is slight.
しかも、今回は、原発事故と自然災害が同時に起きる「複合災害」だった。発生確率が低くても甚大な被害が予想される危機への十分な備えは欠かせない。
The new nuclear regulatory commission to be established by the government must put priority on measures to be taken in ordinary times, such as formulating disaster-management programs and conducting disaster-response drills, on the assumption that a serious accident will happen.
新たに発足する政府の原子力規制委員会は、深刻な事故を想定した防災計画の策定や防災訓練の実施といった平時からの準備に重点を置く必要がある。
The Fukushima nuclear crisis has attracted global interest. The decommissioning of reactors, which will go on for a long time, and efforts to help disaster victims put their lives back together must be demonstrated, both at home and abroad.
国際的にも、事故への関心は高い。長期にわたる廃炉作業や被災者の生活再建の状況を国内外に示さねばならない。
In his personal impressions attached to the end of the report, Hatamura listed lessons from the disaster, including, "Simply creating the framework of a system does not mean it will work," and "Changes must be dealt with flexibly."
畑村委員長は、締めくくりの所感で「形を作っただけでは機能しない」「変化に柔軟に対応する」など、教訓を列挙した。
In addition to the importance of organizational reform, he stressed the need for members of an organization to be aware that there could be oversight in human thinking and prepare for events beyond their assumptions.
組織を改編するだけでなく、その構成員が、人間の考えには欠落があることを自覚し、「想定外」に備える重要性を訴えている。
All those involved in the nuclear power field must take these words to heart.
原子力に携わる全関係者は、肝に銘じるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 24, 2012)
（2012年7月24日01時37分 読売新聞）
Use lessons of Fukushima to improve N-plant safety
政府事故調報告 原発の安全向上に教訓生かせ（7月24日付・読売社説）
◆「想定外」に備える危機対策を
Based on lessons learned from the results of investigations into the unprecedented nuclear power plant crisis, the government and electric power companies must work on measures to prevent future nuclear accidents.
未曽有の原子力発電所事故の調査結果を教訓とし、政府と電力会社は、再発防止に取り組まねばならない。
The government's Nuclear Incident Investigation and Verification Committee, responsible for looking into the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, released its final report on Monday.
東京電力福島第一原発事故に関する政府の事故調査・検証委員会が最終報告書をまとめ、公表した。
Investigation commissions of the Diet and TEPCO as well as a private independent investigation panel have already released their respective reports on the crisis. With these four reports, clarification of the cause of the crisis and how it developed as well as identification of problems in the responses to it by the government and TEPCO have come to an end for the moment.
国会と東電の各事故調と民間の独立検証委員会が、それぞれ報告書を発表済みだ。四つの報告書が出そろい、事故の原因や経緯、政府や東電の問題点などの解明は一区切りがついた。
However, it will take more time to uncover the full scope of the crisis. It is necessary from now on to review crisis countermeasures to secure the safety of nuclear power plants while continuing a probe into the Fukushima disaster.
だが、事故の全容解明にはまだ時間を要するだろう。今後も調査を継続しながら、危機対策を練り直し、原発の安全性を確保していく必要がある。
===
Report denies quake damage
◆地震による損傷を否定
The government committee's investigation was characterized by detailed analysis of the technological aspects of the crisis based on a massive amount of data. This is because committee chairman Yotaro Hatamura, who advocates the "study of failure," placed importance on clarifying the truth of the crisis rather than finding out who is to blame.
政府事故調は、膨大なデータに基づき事故の技術的な側面を詳細に分析した点が特徴だ。「失敗学」を提唱している畑村洋太郎委員長が、責任追及よりも事実の解明に重点を置いたからだ。
The final report of the government's committee criticizes reports by other investigation panels, saying much of their content is based on obvious misinterpretation of facts.
最終報告書は、他の事故調による報告書について、「明らかな事実誤認を前提としているものが多い」と批判している。
For example, the Diet's Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission emphasized the possibility that the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake may have destroyed important reactor functions. However, the government's committee rejected the possibility that the earthquake damaged the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant's Nos. 1 to 3 reactors in a way that would have impaired the containment of radiation.
例えば、国会事故調は地震で原子炉の重要機能が壊れた可能性を強調したが、政府事故調は、地震で福島第一原発１～３号機に「（放射能の）閉じ込め機能を損なうような損傷が生じた可能性は否定される」と、反論した。
The reactors' operation data show that important equipment was functioning normally until the tsunami hit the plant. The analysis by the government's committee, which identified the tsunami, not the earthquake, as the main cause of the crisis, is persuasive.
原子炉の運転データからは、原発の重要機器が津波襲来まで正常に機能していたことが分かっている。地震ではなく、津波が事故の主因とした政府事故調の分析には説得力がある。
Since the outbreak of the nuclear crisis, the government has been working on measures against tsunami at nuclear power plants throughout the country. To reactivate idled reactors, we hope the government will explain the appropriateness of these measures to the public to ease their anxiety.
政府は、事故後、全国の原発で津波対策に取り組んできた。再稼働に向け、この対策が適切であることを国民に説明し、不安感の軽減につなげてもらいたい。
It is also important that the final report of the government's committee suggested the possibility that core meltdowns could have been prevented if TEPCO had appropriately responded to the situation after the tsunami hit the plant.
東電が津波発生後に適切に対応していれば、炉心溶融（メルトダウン）を防げた可能性がある、と示唆した点も重要だ。
The report concluded that the reactors' core could have been cooled before meltdown if measures had been immediately taken to lower pressure in the reactors before the situation worsened.
事態が悪化する前に、現場が速やかに原子炉内の圧力を下げる措置を取っていれば、溶融前に炉心の冷却ができたと断じている。
===
Crisis response flawed
The report harshly evaluated TEPCO's ability--or lack thereof to respond to crises.
東電の危機対応力の欠如に厳しい評価を下したと言える。
Meanwhile, as other investigation commissions have done, the government committee had tough words about the then government's bungled handling of the crisis.
一方、他の事故調と同様、政府事故調が辛口の評価をしているのが、当時の政府の不手際だ。
◆不備だった官邸の対応
Regarding the crisis response by the Prime Minister's Office, the report says, "The lack of information, and its uneven distribution, made it inevitable for the office to make decisions without sufficient basis."
首相官邸の対応について、「情報の不足と偏在が生じ、十分な情報がないままに意思決定せざるを得なかった」とした。
Then Prime Minister Naoto Kan and his Cabinet ministers failed to adequately utilize a crisis control center set up in the basement of the Prime Minister's Office, where senior officials of relevant government offices were gathered. As a result, data from the System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI) was not used in giving evacuation guidance to residents.
菅首相や閣僚が、各府省幹部らが集まる官邸地下の「危機管理センター」を十分に活用しなかったためだ。その結果、放射性物質拡散予測システム「ＳＰＥＥＤＩ」を住民の避難誘導に利用することは検討もされなかった。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government failed to make effective use of the bureaucratic machine due to its erroneous implementation of what it calls "politician-led politics." The government is largely to blame for having confounded the situation.
民主党政権が、誤った「政治主導」で官僚組織を使いこなせず、事態を混乱させた責任は重い。
Kan, who prided himself on being more familiar with nuclear matters than other Cabinet members, "didn't try to tackle the crisis systematically," the report says. The report criticizes Kan for his intervention in frontline crisis control operations, including his visit to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant the day after it was crippled by the March 11 disaster.
最終報告書によると、原子力に「土地鑑」があると自負していた菅氏は「組織的に事態収拾に当たろうとしなかった」という。事故直後の原発視察を始めとする現場介入も、「弊害の方が大きい」と批判した。
The Prime Minister's Office asked the government offices concerned and TEPCO to have prior consultations with it concerning the content of information to be published, thereby causing delays in providing information to the public on meltdown and other problems at the nuclear reactors.
官邸が各府省や東電に対して、広報内容の事前連絡を求めたため、メルトダウンなど原発の状況に関する国民への情報提供も遅れた。
It is natural that the panel pointed these problems out in its final report. Efforts must be made to improve the way information is handled in times of crisis.
こうした問題を指摘したのは当然である。危機的状況での情報発信の改善が求められよう。
===
Obsession with safety myth
◆今後も事故究明続けよ
As a reason for the failure to prevent the accident, the final report says, "TEPCO and the government were obsessed with the myth that nuclear plants are safe," and criticizes such a stance as a fundamental problem. The report also points out that the government, due to its fiscal constraints, "set aside disasters with a lower probability of occurrence" from a list of those subject to strengthened countermeasures.
事故を防げなかった理由について、最終報告書は「東電も国も安全神話にとらわれていた」ことが根源的な問題、と批判した。政府が財源難から「発生確率の低い事象を除外」したとも指摘した。
In addition, the March 11 catastrophe was a complex disaster in which the nuclear crisis and natural disaster occurred simultaneously. It is essential to work out adequate precautionary measures to deal with a crisis that is anticipated to inflict serious damage even if the probability of its occurrence is slight.
しかも、今回は、原発事故と自然災害が同時に起きる「複合災害」だった。発生確率が低くても甚大な被害が予想される危機への十分な備えは欠かせない。
The new nuclear regulatory commission to be established by the government must put priority on measures to be taken in ordinary times, such as formulating disaster-management programs and conducting disaster-response drills, on the assumption that a serious accident will happen.
新たに発足する政府の原子力規制委員会は、深刻な事故を想定した防災計画の策定や防災訓練の実施といった平時からの準備に重点を置く必要がある。
The Fukushima nuclear crisis has attracted global interest. The decommissioning of reactors, which will go on for a long time, and efforts to help disaster victims put their lives back together must be demonstrated, both at home and abroad.
国際的にも、事故への関心は高い。長期にわたる廃炉作業や被災者の生活再建の状況を国内外に示さねばならない。
In his personal impressions attached to the end of the report, Hatamura listed lessons from the disaster, including, "Simply creating the framework of a system does not mean it will work," and "Changes must be dealt with flexibly."
畑村委員長は、締めくくりの所感で「形を作っただけでは機能しない」「変化に柔軟に対応する」など、教訓を列挙した。
In addition to the importance of organizational reform, he stressed the need for members of an organization to be aware that there could be oversight in human thinking and prepare for events beyond their assumptions.
組織を改編するだけでなく、その構成員が、人間の考えには欠落があることを自覚し、「想定外」に備える重要性を訴えている。
All those involved in the nuclear power field must take these words to heart.
原子力に携わる全関係者は、肝に銘じるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 24, 2012)
（2012年7月24日01時37分 読売新聞）
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