The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 7, 2012)
Ceaseless efforts must be made to prevent nuclear threat
原爆忌 核の脅威阻止へ不断の努力を（8月6日付・読売社説）
Hiroshima and Nagasaki will mark the anniversary of their atomic bombing on Monday and Thursday, respectively. The nation should convey to the world the calamity of the attacks and make a fresh pledge for peace.
広島は６日、長崎は９日に原爆忌を迎える。被爆の惨禍を世界に伝え、平和への誓いを新たにしなければならない。
It has been 67 years since two atomic bombs were dropped on these two cities. Those who experienced the attacks are now quite old, with their average age nearing 80.
原爆投下から６７年。被爆者の高齢化が進み、平均年齢は８０歳に近づいている。
The Hiroshima city government this year started a project to recruit and train next-generation "kataribe," people who will speak about the reality of the bombings to others. The trainees will listen to the experiences of atomic bomb victims and study the historical background of the bombings and the current situation of nuclear weapons, among other things. After finishing the training, they will be officially certified as successors to testify about the experience of the atomic bombing.
広島市は今年、被爆の実態を証言する「語り部」の後継者を募り、育成していく事業に着手した。被爆者から体験を聞き、原爆投下の歴史的背景や核兵器の現状を学ぶ。そんな研修を終えると、被爆体験伝承者として認定される。
It is extremely important to steadily tell future generations about the tragedy of the days the bombings occurred and the ensuing years.
あの日の悲劇を次世代に着実に伝えていく意義は大きい。
===
Still many nuclear weapons
U.S. President Barack Obama clearly stated three years ago that the United States has a moral responsibility to realize a "world without nuclear weapons." His speech gave hope to atomic bombing victims.
オバマ米大統領は３年前、「核兵器のない世界」の実現へ米国は行動する責任があると明言し、被爆者にも希望をもたらした。
However, the circumstances surrounding nuclear weapons have by no means turned in a desirable direction.
しかし、核兵器を巡る状況は決して好転したわけではない。
In February last year, the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty took effect between the United States and Russia, but there are still about 19,000 nuclear warheads around the world. Further reduction of nuclear arms is necessary.
昨年２月に米露間で新戦略兵器削減条約（新ＳＴＡＲＴ）が発効したが、世界には依然として約１万９０００発の核弾頭がある。一層の核軍縮が必要だ。
We are also worried about the suspicions that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Ignoring U.N. Security Council resolutions, Iran has been moving forward with production of enriched uranium, which could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. It has not accepted inspections of suspicious facilities as demanded by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
一方で憂慮されるのは、イランの核開発疑惑である。イランは、国連安保理決議を無視し、核兵器開発につながる濃縮ウランの製造を進めている。国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）が求める疑惑施設への査察も受け入れていない。
If de facto nuclear weapons development advances in Iran, which is a member of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the NPT regime itself may be greatly weakened.
核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）加盟国でもあるイランで、事実上の核開発が進むなら、ＮＰＴ体制そのものが大きく揺らぎかねない。
North Korea, which has carried out two nuclear tests in the past, this spring test-launched a long-range ballistic missile despite warnings from the international community. The threat of North Korea's nuclear and missile development is constantly increasing.
過去２回、核実験を行った北朝鮮は今春、国際社会の警告にもかかわらず長距離弾道ミサイルの発射実験を行った。北朝鮮の核とミサイルの脅威は増すばかりだ。
Given this stark reality, Japan has to depend on the nuclear umbrella of the United States despite being itself a nation that was attacked by nuclear bombs.
厳しい現実を踏まえれば、日本は、被爆国とはいえ、米国の核の傘に頼らざるを得ない。
But even amid this dilemma, the nation needs to convey to the world the reality of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings and continue its efforts toward arms reduction and nuclear nonproliferation. This is the mission given to Japan.
そうしたジレンマを抱えながらも、広島、長崎の被爆の実態を伝え、軍縮と核不拡散に向けて努力を重ねていく必要がある。それが日本に課された使命と言える。
===
WMD vs peaceful use of N-power
However, we question why some people have linked their calls for abandoning nuclear power plants to nuclear disarmament and moves for peace since the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
疑問なのは、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故以来、一部で核軍縮や平和への希求に絡めて脱原発が主張されていることだ。
It is true that a nuclear power reactor invites the proliferation of radioactive substances when a major accident occurs. But fundamentally it is strange to argue that weapons of mass destruction and the peaceful use of nuclear power are on the same level.
原発も大事故に至れば放射性物質の拡散を招くが、大量殺りく兵器と原子力の平和利用とを同列に論じるのはおかしい。
Nuclear reactor accidents can be prevented if sufficient safety measures are properly taken. It must be rather Japan's responsibility to help improve the safety of nuclear reactors in the world, by taking advantage of lessons learned from the nuclear crisis.
原発事故は、安全対策をしっかり講じれば防ぎ得る。事故の教訓を生かし、世界の原発の安全性向上に貢献することが、むしろ日本の責務ではないのか。
Plenty of calm discussion needs to be held regarding nuclear power plants, from the standpoint of medium- and long-term energy policies.
原発については、中長期的なエネルギー政策の視点から、冷静に議論を重ねていく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2012)
（2012年8月6日01時22分 読売新聞）
2012/08/08
2012/08/07
日米防衛相会談 指針改定で安保協力の強化を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 6, 2012)
Revise defense guidelines to boost security cooperation
日米防衛相会談 指針改定で安保協力の強化を（8月5日付・読売社説）
To maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia, it is essential to steadily strengthen and expand defense cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces.
北東アジアの平和と安定を維持するためには、自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を着実に強化・拡大することが欠かせない。
Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta agreed in a meeting at the Pentagon on Friday that the two countries would jointly "study and discuss" the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, which stipulate methods of cooperation between the SDF and U.S. military during contingencies.
森本防衛相とパネッタ米国防長官が国防総省で会談し、有事における自衛隊と米軍の協力のあり方を定めた「日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）」について、今後、「研究・議論する」ことで一致した。
The guidelines were drastically revised in 1997 on the assumption of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. Over the years, however, the security environment in Northeast Asia has dramatically changed, and defense cooperation between the two countries has developed in various ways. It is time for Japan and the United States to seriously consider revising the guidelines again to deepen their alliance.
朝鮮半島有事を想定した１９９７年の指針の抜本改定後、北東アジアの安全保障環境は大きく変化し、日米の防衛協力も様々な面で進展している。日米同盟の深化に向けて、そろそろ指針の再改定を本格的に検討する時期である。
In their meeting Friday, the defense ministers also agreed on concrete measures for "dynamic defense cooperation" between Japan and the United States. The two countries will consider conducting surveillance activities in waters around Japan by using the U.S. military's unmanned reconnaissance planes and boost the two countries' joint drills around Guam.
会談では、日米の「動的防衛協力」の具体策でも合意した。無人偵察機による日本周辺海域の警戒監視活動の実施を検討し、グアム周辺での共同訓練を拡大する。
===
Enhancing deterrent to crises
Dynamic defense cooperation is meant to be a joint undertaking by SDF and U.S. military units. The program aims at enhancing the deterrent against emergencies through repeated joint information-gathering and reconnaissance activities, as well as drills and sharing of facilities.
動的防衛協力は、自衛隊と米軍の部隊運用を通じた協力だ。日米共同の情報収集・偵察活動や訓練、施設使用を重ね、緊急事態への抑止力を高める狙いがある。
The two countries are planning to base their surveillance activities in Guam and utilize the U.S. military's Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance planes. These steps are expected to help the two countries share information before the outbreak of various incidents, and consider and discuss how to jointly deal with such events as situations develop.
警戒監視活動では、グアムを拠点とし、米軍の無人機「グローバルホーク」を活用する方向だ。様々な事態の発生前の段階から日米が情報を共有し、事態の進展に応じて共同対処する方策を検討・協議することにつながる。
Also being considered is the preparation of military facilities in Guam and Tinian, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be shared by the SDF and U.S. forces, and conducting landing drills and other exercises. We believe such activities will be useful in boosting the defense of remote islands in and around the Nansei Islands, an area of increasing importance.
グアムや北マリアナ諸島のテニアンでは、自衛隊と米軍の共同施設を整備し、上陸訓練などを行う案がある。重要性を増す南西方面の離島防衛の強化に役立とう。
As for the scheduled deployment of MV-22 Osprey new transport aircraft in Japan, the two defense ministers agreed that the United States will refrain from test-flying the aircraft in Japan until the safety of its flight operations is confirmed. They also agreed that Japan and the United States would give utmost consideration to ensuring the safety of local residents when the aircraft conduct low-altitude flight exercises.
米軍の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの日本配備について、両閣僚は、安全性が確認されるまで国内を飛行させない方針で合意した。低空飛行訓練などで周辺住民に配慮することでも一致した。
It is quite significant for the defense ministers to have reconfirmed that they would ensure both the Osprey aircraft's safety and their deployment in Japan.
閣僚間でオスプレイの安全性と日本配備を両立させることを再確認した意義は小さくない。
===
Make most of Osprey info
Based on the latest agreement, the U.S. government is urged to make utmost efforts to provide information on the aircraft's safety and past crashes, and thoroughly implement effective measures to prevent similar accidents from happening again.
今回の合意に基づき、米政府は、墜落事故や安全性に関する情報提供や、実効性ある再発防止策の徹底に最大限努力してほしい。
The Japanese government will dispatch a team of analysis and evaluation experts to the United States as early as by the end of this week to receive explanations on a report regarding an Osprey crash in Morocco in April. It will be important to closely analyze and verify the accident's causes from Japan's point of view.
日本政府は、４月のモロッコにおける事故の報告書について説明を受けるため、今週中にも分析評価チームを訪米させる。日本独自の視点で、しっかり原因を分析・検証することが重要である。
After the bilateral meeting, Morimoto took a flight on an Osprey aircraft. He is scheduled to visit Okinawa Prefecture this month to explain Japan's analysis of the U.S. report on the Osprey accident in Morocco.
森本防衛相は会談後、オスプレイに試乗した。月内に沖縄を訪問し、事故報告書に関する日本の評価結果を説明する予定だ。
It will not be easy to dispel local governments' concerns over the aircraft's safety, given their already heightened anxiety. But the government must tenaciously continue explaining in an effort to broaden their understanding.
いったん高まった関係自治体の安全性への懸念を払拭するのは容易でないが、粘り強く説明を続け、理解を広げてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2012)
（2012年8月5日01時15分 読売新聞）
Revise defense guidelines to boost security cooperation
日米防衛相会談 指針改定で安保協力の強化を（8月5日付・読売社説）
To maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia, it is essential to steadily strengthen and expand defense cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces.
北東アジアの平和と安定を維持するためには、自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を着実に強化・拡大することが欠かせない。
Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta agreed in a meeting at the Pentagon on Friday that the two countries would jointly "study and discuss" the Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, which stipulate methods of cooperation between the SDF and U.S. military during contingencies.
森本防衛相とパネッタ米国防長官が国防総省で会談し、有事における自衛隊と米軍の協力のあり方を定めた「日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）」について、今後、「研究・議論する」ことで一致した。
The guidelines were drastically revised in 1997 on the assumption of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. Over the years, however, the security environment in Northeast Asia has dramatically changed, and defense cooperation between the two countries has developed in various ways. It is time for Japan and the United States to seriously consider revising the guidelines again to deepen their alliance.
朝鮮半島有事を想定した１９９７年の指針の抜本改定後、北東アジアの安全保障環境は大きく変化し、日米の防衛協力も様々な面で進展している。日米同盟の深化に向けて、そろそろ指針の再改定を本格的に検討する時期である。
In their meeting Friday, the defense ministers also agreed on concrete measures for "dynamic defense cooperation" between Japan and the United States. The two countries will consider conducting surveillance activities in waters around Japan by using the U.S. military's unmanned reconnaissance planes and boost the two countries' joint drills around Guam.
会談では、日米の「動的防衛協力」の具体策でも合意した。無人偵察機による日本周辺海域の警戒監視活動の実施を検討し、グアム周辺での共同訓練を拡大する。
===
Enhancing deterrent to crises
Dynamic defense cooperation is meant to be a joint undertaking by SDF and U.S. military units. The program aims at enhancing the deterrent against emergencies through repeated joint information-gathering and reconnaissance activities, as well as drills and sharing of facilities.
動的防衛協力は、自衛隊と米軍の部隊運用を通じた協力だ。日米共同の情報収集・偵察活動や訓練、施設使用を重ね、緊急事態への抑止力を高める狙いがある。
The two countries are planning to base their surveillance activities in Guam and utilize the U.S. military's Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance planes. These steps are expected to help the two countries share information before the outbreak of various incidents, and consider and discuss how to jointly deal with such events as situations develop.
警戒監視活動では、グアムを拠点とし、米軍の無人機「グローバルホーク」を活用する方向だ。様々な事態の発生前の段階から日米が情報を共有し、事態の進展に応じて共同対処する方策を検討・協議することにつながる。
Also being considered is the preparation of military facilities in Guam and Tinian, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, to be shared by the SDF and U.S. forces, and conducting landing drills and other exercises. We believe such activities will be useful in boosting the defense of remote islands in and around the Nansei Islands, an area of increasing importance.
グアムや北マリアナ諸島のテニアンでは、自衛隊と米軍の共同施設を整備し、上陸訓練などを行う案がある。重要性を増す南西方面の離島防衛の強化に役立とう。
As for the scheduled deployment of MV-22 Osprey new transport aircraft in Japan, the two defense ministers agreed that the United States will refrain from test-flying the aircraft in Japan until the safety of its flight operations is confirmed. They also agreed that Japan and the United States would give utmost consideration to ensuring the safety of local residents when the aircraft conduct low-altitude flight exercises.
米軍の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの日本配備について、両閣僚は、安全性が確認されるまで国内を飛行させない方針で合意した。低空飛行訓練などで周辺住民に配慮することでも一致した。
It is quite significant for the defense ministers to have reconfirmed that they would ensure both the Osprey aircraft's safety and their deployment in Japan.
閣僚間でオスプレイの安全性と日本配備を両立させることを再確認した意義は小さくない。
===
Make most of Osprey info
Based on the latest agreement, the U.S. government is urged to make utmost efforts to provide information on the aircraft's safety and past crashes, and thoroughly implement effective measures to prevent similar accidents from happening again.
今回の合意に基づき、米政府は、墜落事故や安全性に関する情報提供や、実効性ある再発防止策の徹底に最大限努力してほしい。
The Japanese government will dispatch a team of analysis and evaluation experts to the United States as early as by the end of this week to receive explanations on a report regarding an Osprey crash in Morocco in April. It will be important to closely analyze and verify the accident's causes from Japan's point of view.
日本政府は、４月のモロッコにおける事故の報告書について説明を受けるため、今週中にも分析評価チームを訪米させる。日本独自の視点で、しっかり原因を分析・検証することが重要である。
After the bilateral meeting, Morimoto took a flight on an Osprey aircraft. He is scheduled to visit Okinawa Prefecture this month to explain Japan's analysis of the U.S. report on the Osprey accident in Morocco.
森本防衛相は会談後、オスプレイに試乗した。月内に沖縄を訪問し、事故報告書に関する日本の評価結果を説明する予定だ。
It will not be easy to dispel local governments' concerns over the aircraft's safety, given their already heightened anxiety. But the government must tenaciously continue explaining in an effort to broaden their understanding.
いったん高まった関係自治体の安全性への懸念を払拭するのは容易でないが、粘り強く説明を続け、理解を広げてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2012)
（2012年8月5日01時15分 読売新聞）
2012/08/06
エネルギー戦略 現実的な電源構成案に改めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 5, 2012)
The government must make energy scenarios more realistic
エネルギー戦略 現実的な電源構成案に改めよ（8月4日付・読売社説）
The government's scenarios for a national energy strategy have been called into question over their feasibility. It is hard to deny the government has failed to sufficiently explain them to the public. These problems must be tackled.
政府のエネルギー戦略の選択肢は、実現性に疑問があるうえに、説明不足が否めない。問題点を改善すべきである。
In June, the government presented three scenarios on the ratio of nuclear power in the nation's energy sources in 2030, setting the ratio at zero percent, 15 percent or 20 to 25 percent.
政府は６月、２０３０年の原子力発電の比率を「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする三つの選択肢を示した。
Aimed at overhauling the current basic energy plan, all of the scenarios call for reducing the nation's dependence on nuclear power and making up the difference with thermal power and renewable energy, such as solar power. The government reportedly intends to reach a conclusion on the matter by the end of this month following public hearings and other types of national discussions.
現行のエネルギー基本計画を見直すたたき台で、いずれも原発を減らし、太陽光など再生可能エネルギーや火力発電で補う内容だ。政府は意見聴取会など「国民的議論」を経て、今月中に結論を出すとしている。
The scenarios appear to offer a wide range of options--from the zero percent plan aimed at denuclearization to the 20 percent to 25 percent plan calling for nuclear power to be used in the mid- and long term. However, all of the scenarios share a critical flaw: They are unrealistic.
脱原発を図る「０％」から、中長期的に原発を活用する「２０～２５％」まで、選択の幅は広いように見える。だが、すべての選択肢が現実味に乏しいという、致命的な欠点を抱えている。
===
Optimistic estimates
The ratio of renewable energy appears to have been overestimated. In the scenario calling for no nuclear power, renewable energy sources account for 35 percent of the nation's total electricity generation, while the two plans that include the use of nuclear power call for such eco-friendly energy to supply 25 percent to 30 percent of the nation's electricity. Currently, renewable energy, including hydroelectric power, accounts for only about 10 percent.
再生エネの見積もりが明らかに過大である。水力を含め約１０％に過ぎない再生エネについて、原発ゼロ案は３５％に、原発を残す２案も２５～３０％に増やす想定だ。
The government reportedly plans to install solar panels at more than 10 million homes to make the nation's solar power capacity 20 times greater than it is at present. But it is unclear how this plan will be implemented.
太陽光を２０倍に拡大するため、１０００万戸以上の住宅に太陽光パネルを設置するという。この計画を実現する道筋は不透明だ。
Although a renewable energy purchase program was launched in July, there is concern that the program could cause a rise in electricity rates, a side effect that has been seen in Germany. The target ratio of renewable energy should be revised to more realistic figures.
再生エネの買い取り制度は７月にスタートしたが、ドイツのように電気料金が急騰する副作用も懸念される。再生エネの目標は現実的な水準に改めるべきだろう。
The government has also yet to explain sufficiently how these scenarios would affect daily life. Its estimates show that a regular household would see its monthly utility bill increase by as much as 10,000 yen as a result of the wider use of renewable energy.
国民生活への影響に関する説明も物足りない。政府は再生エネの拡大などに伴い、標準的な家庭の電気代が最大月１万円ほど増えるといった試算を示している。
However, we suspect the public would face even greater burdens as rising overall costs of power generation could result in price increases and weigh on companies' business operations. The firms could be forced to restructure.
しかし、負担増はこれにとどまらないのではないか。生産など経済全体の電力コストが上がり、物価上昇や企業業績の悪化を招くと考えられるからだ。リストラの拡大も予想される。
===
Lack of information
According to estimates by the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), which were based on data from a government panel, if the zero percent nuclear power plan is implemented, the number of people unemployed in Japan will rise by 2 million from about 3 million at present. The annual income of working households is estimated to decline nearly 600,000 yen, dealing a serious blow to people's lives.
経団連が政府の審議会のデータをもとに試算したところ、原発ゼロのケースでは、現在約３００万人の失業者が２００万人増え、勤労者世帯の所得は年６０万円近く減る。国民生活に大打撃となる。
It is vital that people decide on the ratio of nuclear power they want to support, after being properly informed of the negative impact of reducing dependence on nuclear power and extreme energy-saving efforts. The government should provide information that will help them make proper decisions.
国民が減原発や省エネのマイナス面を正確に把握し、望ましい電源構成を決めることが重要だ。政府は判断材料となる情報を、わかりやすく提供すべきである。
Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about the economic growth rate under the three scenarios, which are all based on the assumption that the nation's economy will grow at a rate of about 1 percent in real terms. This figure is lower than the government's goal of a 2 percent growth rate, set under the national revitalization strategy.
三つの選択肢が前提とする経済成長率が実質１％前後と、政府の日本再生戦略で目指す２％成長を下回っている点も不可解だ。
Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national strategy, said the scenarios' assumption is not directly linked to the existing growth strategy. However, his remarks are hardly convincing.
古川国家戦略相は「選択肢の想定と成長戦略は直接関係しない」と釈明するが、説得力に欠ける。
The government should view a national energy strategy as an important pillar of economic growth and reconsider the three scenarios.
エネルギー戦略は、成長への重要な柱であることを踏まえ、三つの選択肢を再検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2012)
（2012年8月4日01時57分 読売新聞）
The government must make energy scenarios more realistic
エネルギー戦略 現実的な電源構成案に改めよ（8月4日付・読売社説）
The government's scenarios for a national energy strategy have been called into question over their feasibility. It is hard to deny the government has failed to sufficiently explain them to the public. These problems must be tackled.
政府のエネルギー戦略の選択肢は、実現性に疑問があるうえに、説明不足が否めない。問題点を改善すべきである。
In June, the government presented three scenarios on the ratio of nuclear power in the nation's energy sources in 2030, setting the ratio at zero percent, 15 percent or 20 to 25 percent.
政府は６月、２０３０年の原子力発電の比率を「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする三つの選択肢を示した。
Aimed at overhauling the current basic energy plan, all of the scenarios call for reducing the nation's dependence on nuclear power and making up the difference with thermal power and renewable energy, such as solar power. The government reportedly intends to reach a conclusion on the matter by the end of this month following public hearings and other types of national discussions.
現行のエネルギー基本計画を見直すたたき台で、いずれも原発を減らし、太陽光など再生可能エネルギーや火力発電で補う内容だ。政府は意見聴取会など「国民的議論」を経て、今月中に結論を出すとしている。
The scenarios appear to offer a wide range of options--from the zero percent plan aimed at denuclearization to the 20 percent to 25 percent plan calling for nuclear power to be used in the mid- and long term. However, all of the scenarios share a critical flaw: They are unrealistic.
脱原発を図る「０％」から、中長期的に原発を活用する「２０～２５％」まで、選択の幅は広いように見える。だが、すべての選択肢が現実味に乏しいという、致命的な欠点を抱えている。
===
Optimistic estimates
The ratio of renewable energy appears to have been overestimated. In the scenario calling for no nuclear power, renewable energy sources account for 35 percent of the nation's total electricity generation, while the two plans that include the use of nuclear power call for such eco-friendly energy to supply 25 percent to 30 percent of the nation's electricity. Currently, renewable energy, including hydroelectric power, accounts for only about 10 percent.
再生エネの見積もりが明らかに過大である。水力を含め約１０％に過ぎない再生エネについて、原発ゼロ案は３５％に、原発を残す２案も２５～３０％に増やす想定だ。
The government reportedly plans to install solar panels at more than 10 million homes to make the nation's solar power capacity 20 times greater than it is at present. But it is unclear how this plan will be implemented.
太陽光を２０倍に拡大するため、１０００万戸以上の住宅に太陽光パネルを設置するという。この計画を実現する道筋は不透明だ。
Although a renewable energy purchase program was launched in July, there is concern that the program could cause a rise in electricity rates, a side effect that has been seen in Germany. The target ratio of renewable energy should be revised to more realistic figures.
再生エネの買い取り制度は７月にスタートしたが、ドイツのように電気料金が急騰する副作用も懸念される。再生エネの目標は現実的な水準に改めるべきだろう。
The government has also yet to explain sufficiently how these scenarios would affect daily life. Its estimates show that a regular household would see its monthly utility bill increase by as much as 10,000 yen as a result of the wider use of renewable energy.
国民生活への影響に関する説明も物足りない。政府は再生エネの拡大などに伴い、標準的な家庭の電気代が最大月１万円ほど増えるといった試算を示している。
However, we suspect the public would face even greater burdens as rising overall costs of power generation could result in price increases and weigh on companies' business operations. The firms could be forced to restructure.
しかし、負担増はこれにとどまらないのではないか。生産など経済全体の電力コストが上がり、物価上昇や企業業績の悪化を招くと考えられるからだ。リストラの拡大も予想される。
===
Lack of information
According to estimates by the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), which were based on data from a government panel, if the zero percent nuclear power plan is implemented, the number of people unemployed in Japan will rise by 2 million from about 3 million at present. The annual income of working households is estimated to decline nearly 600,000 yen, dealing a serious blow to people's lives.
経団連が政府の審議会のデータをもとに試算したところ、原発ゼロのケースでは、現在約３００万人の失業者が２００万人増え、勤労者世帯の所得は年６０万円近く減る。国民生活に大打撃となる。
It is vital that people decide on the ratio of nuclear power they want to support, after being properly informed of the negative impact of reducing dependence on nuclear power and extreme energy-saving efforts. The government should provide information that will help them make proper decisions.
国民が減原発や省エネのマイナス面を正確に把握し、望ましい電源構成を決めることが重要だ。政府は判断材料となる情報を、わかりやすく提供すべきである。
Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about the economic growth rate under the three scenarios, which are all based on the assumption that the nation's economy will grow at a rate of about 1 percent in real terms. This figure is lower than the government's goal of a 2 percent growth rate, set under the national revitalization strategy.
三つの選択肢が前提とする経済成長率が実質１％前後と、政府の日本再生戦略で目指す２％成長を下回っている点も不可解だ。
Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national strategy, said the scenarios' assumption is not directly linked to the existing growth strategy. However, his remarks are hardly convincing.
古川国家戦略相は「選択肢の想定と成長戦略は直接関係しない」と釈明するが、説得力に欠ける。
The government should view a national energy strategy as an important pillar of economic growth and reconsider the three scenarios.
エネルギー戦略は、成長への重要な柱であることを踏まえ、三つの選択肢を再検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2012)
（2012年8月4日01時57分 読売新聞）
2012/08/05
消費税と新聞 文化と民主主義を守るために
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 4, 2012)
Keep tax on printed matter low to protect culture, democracy
消費税と新聞 文化と民主主義を守るために（8月3日付・読売社説）
A number of European nations have adopted reduced tax rate systems to keep value-added taxes low on newspapers and books.
欧州諸国では、新聞や書籍に対する付加価値税を低く抑える軽減税率を採用している。
To preserve the culture of print and democracy, Japan should introduce a similar system in the course of its planned consumption tax rate increase.
活字文化と民主主義を守るため、日本でも今回の消費税率引き上げで、軽減税率を導入すべきである。
Value-added taxes in Europe, which are equivalent to the consumption tax in Japan, have higher rates--at about 20 percent--than Japan. But the tax rates applied to newspapers are just 7 percent in Germany and 2.1 percent in France, while there is no tax on such matter in Britain.
日本の消費税に当たる欧州の付加価値税は、税率が２０％前後と日本より高いが、新聞に適用される税率は、ドイツが７％、フランスが２・１％、イギリスが０％などに軽減されている。
This is because newspapers are recognized as public organs that support democracy by providing information on the policies of central and local governments and carrying various opinions on a number of issues. As a result, they offer material people use to form judgments.
新聞が、国や地方の政策や多様な言論を伝えて判断材料を提供するなど、民主主義を担う「公器」として認識されているからだ。
In this respect, newspapers have won the trust of many readers in Japan as well. The use of newspapers at schools also has been spreading with Newspapers in Education (NIE) programs, which are aimed at helping schoolchildren improve their reading comprehension abilities and cultivate their abilities to think and make judgments to solve problems.
日本でも新聞は、こうした観点から多くの読者の信頼を得てきた。子どもたちの読解力を伸ばし、問題解決のための判断力や思考力を養うことを目指して、学校で新聞を活用するＮＩＥ（教育に新聞を）活動も広がっている。
We consider it necessary to pay due attention to newspapers' inherent role in serving the public and its interests.
新聞の公共性、公益性に着目する必要がある。
===
Diet group backs current rate
A Diet group to promote the culture of print, comprising lawmakers from various parties, has issued a statement calling for maintaining the current tax rate at 5 percent for newspapers, books and some other publications.
超党派の国会議員でつくる「活字文化議員連盟」は、新聞や書籍などに現行税率５％の維持を求める声明を出した。
The statement expressed a strong sense of crisis regarding these types of publications, saying: "Their public nature is extremely strong, in that they have played central roles in maintaining the culture of print in Japan. Consumption tax hikes would accelerate people's moves away from printed matter."
「日本の活字文化保持の中枢の役割を果たしてきた公共性は極めて高い。消費税率引き上げは国民の活字離れを加速させる」と強い危機感を示している。
In Diet deliberations on bills to raise the consumption tax rate, which are now in the final stage, there has been active discussion of reduced tax rate systems.
大詰めを迎えた消費税率引き上げ法案の国会審議でも、軽減税率を巡る議論が活発化している。
New Komeito's vice representative, Akira Matsu, called for introducing a reduced tax rate system on printed matter when the consumption tax rate is raised to 8 percent in the first of the envisaged two-stage tax hike plan.
"Reduced tax rate systems [on newspapers and books] are implemented in a number of European nations as they are considered intellectual infrastructure for democracy," Matsu said.
公明党の松あきら副代表は「欧州では新聞や書籍は民主主義の知的インフラとみなされ、軽減税率が目立つ」とし、日本でも消費税率を８％に引き上げる段階から導入するよう求めた。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said in response: "[The government] will consider [reduced tax rate systems] from various points of view. It's important that we study the situation in foreign countries."
野田首相は「様々な観点から検討する。外国の事例の検討も大事な要素だ」と応じた。
===
Be careful of taxing education
Learning from European models, we consider it necessary to give prudent consideration to taxes imposed on knowledge and education.
欧州の事例に学び、「知識」や「教育」に対する課税は、慎重に考えるべきだろう。
To maintain social security systems in a stable manner, it is inevitable to consider a future additional increase in the consumption tax rate beyond 10 percent.
社会保障制度を安定的に維持するには、将来的に消費税率を１０％超に引き上げる追加増税を視野に入れざるを得ない。
To ease the financial burden on households and obtain the people's understanding, we think it would be effective to introduce reduced tax rate systems.
家計の負担感をやわらげ、国民の理解を得るためにも、軽減税率の導入が効果的だ。
Opponents of such systems, mainly in the Finance Ministry, argue it would be difficult to set clear lines for which items should be subject to lower tax rates and that the systems might result in lower tax revenues.
「対象品目の線引きが難しく、税収減につながる恐れがある」として、財務省を中心に軽減税率への反対論がくすぶる。
But if eligibility for lower tax rates is limited, it is unlikely there would be sharp drops in tax revenues.
だが、軽減対象を限定すれば、大幅な税収減とはなるまい。
To determine what should be subject to lower tax rates, political leaders should be responsible for deciding after a third-party committee or other body studies the issue.
軽減税率の対象に何を選ぶかは、第三者委員会のような組織で検討したうえで、政治が責任を持って判断すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2012)
（2012年8月3日01時55分 読売新聞）
Keep tax on printed matter low to protect culture, democracy
消費税と新聞 文化と民主主義を守るために（8月3日付・読売社説）
A number of European nations have adopted reduced tax rate systems to keep value-added taxes low on newspapers and books.
欧州諸国では、新聞や書籍に対する付加価値税を低く抑える軽減税率を採用している。
To preserve the culture of print and democracy, Japan should introduce a similar system in the course of its planned consumption tax rate increase.
活字文化と民主主義を守るため、日本でも今回の消費税率引き上げで、軽減税率を導入すべきである。
Value-added taxes in Europe, which are equivalent to the consumption tax in Japan, have higher rates--at about 20 percent--than Japan. But the tax rates applied to newspapers are just 7 percent in Germany and 2.1 percent in France, while there is no tax on such matter in Britain.
日本の消費税に当たる欧州の付加価値税は、税率が２０％前後と日本より高いが、新聞に適用される税率は、ドイツが７％、フランスが２・１％、イギリスが０％などに軽減されている。
This is because newspapers are recognized as public organs that support democracy by providing information on the policies of central and local governments and carrying various opinions on a number of issues. As a result, they offer material people use to form judgments.
新聞が、国や地方の政策や多様な言論を伝えて判断材料を提供するなど、民主主義を担う「公器」として認識されているからだ。
In this respect, newspapers have won the trust of many readers in Japan as well. The use of newspapers at schools also has been spreading with Newspapers in Education (NIE) programs, which are aimed at helping schoolchildren improve their reading comprehension abilities and cultivate their abilities to think and make judgments to solve problems.
日本でも新聞は、こうした観点から多くの読者の信頼を得てきた。子どもたちの読解力を伸ばし、問題解決のための判断力や思考力を養うことを目指して、学校で新聞を活用するＮＩＥ（教育に新聞を）活動も広がっている。
We consider it necessary to pay due attention to newspapers' inherent role in serving the public and its interests.
新聞の公共性、公益性に着目する必要がある。
===
Diet group backs current rate
A Diet group to promote the culture of print, comprising lawmakers from various parties, has issued a statement calling for maintaining the current tax rate at 5 percent for newspapers, books and some other publications.
超党派の国会議員でつくる「活字文化議員連盟」は、新聞や書籍などに現行税率５％の維持を求める声明を出した。
The statement expressed a strong sense of crisis regarding these types of publications, saying: "Their public nature is extremely strong, in that they have played central roles in maintaining the culture of print in Japan. Consumption tax hikes would accelerate people's moves away from printed matter."
「日本の活字文化保持の中枢の役割を果たしてきた公共性は極めて高い。消費税率引き上げは国民の活字離れを加速させる」と強い危機感を示している。
In Diet deliberations on bills to raise the consumption tax rate, which are now in the final stage, there has been active discussion of reduced tax rate systems.
大詰めを迎えた消費税率引き上げ法案の国会審議でも、軽減税率を巡る議論が活発化している。
New Komeito's vice representative, Akira Matsu, called for introducing a reduced tax rate system on printed matter when the consumption tax rate is raised to 8 percent in the first of the envisaged two-stage tax hike plan.
"Reduced tax rate systems [on newspapers and books] are implemented in a number of European nations as they are considered intellectual infrastructure for democracy," Matsu said.
公明党の松あきら副代表は「欧州では新聞や書籍は民主主義の知的インフラとみなされ、軽減税率が目立つ」とし、日本でも消費税率を８％に引き上げる段階から導入するよう求めた。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said in response: "[The government] will consider [reduced tax rate systems] from various points of view. It's important that we study the situation in foreign countries."
野田首相は「様々な観点から検討する。外国の事例の検討も大事な要素だ」と応じた。
===
Be careful of taxing education
Learning from European models, we consider it necessary to give prudent consideration to taxes imposed on knowledge and education.
欧州の事例に学び、「知識」や「教育」に対する課税は、慎重に考えるべきだろう。
To maintain social security systems in a stable manner, it is inevitable to consider a future additional increase in the consumption tax rate beyond 10 percent.
社会保障制度を安定的に維持するには、将来的に消費税率を１０％超に引き上げる追加増税を視野に入れざるを得ない。
To ease the financial burden on households and obtain the people's understanding, we think it would be effective to introduce reduced tax rate systems.
家計の負担感をやわらげ、国民の理解を得るためにも、軽減税率の導入が効果的だ。
Opponents of such systems, mainly in the Finance Ministry, argue it would be difficult to set clear lines for which items should be subject to lower tax rates and that the systems might result in lower tax revenues.
「対象品目の線引きが難しく、税収減につながる恐れがある」として、財務省を中心に軽減税率への反対論がくすぶる。
But if eligibility for lower tax rates is limited, it is unlikely there would be sharp drops in tax revenues.
だが、軽減対象を限定すれば、大幅な税収減とはなるまい。
To determine what should be subject to lower tax rates, political leaders should be responsible for deciding after a third-party committee or other body studies the issue.
軽減税率の対象に何を選ぶかは、第三者委員会のような組織で検討したうえで、政治が責任を持って判断すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2012)
（2012年8月3日01時55分 読売新聞）
2012/08/04
いじめ対策 教育委員会の在り方問い直せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 3, 2012)
Education boards must improve their responses to bullying
いじめ対策 教育委員会の在り方問い直せ（8月2日付・読売社説）
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has set up a new office specializing in bullying issues in response to a case in which a second-year middle school student committed suicide in Otsu last October.
文部科学省がいじめ対策を専門に扱う新組織を発足させた。大津市で中学２年生が自殺した問題を受けた措置だ。
In addition, two other serious middle school bullying cases have recently been revealed--one in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, and the other in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture--both of which resulted in severe injuries to the bullied students.
埼玉県草加市や大阪府寝屋川市でも中学生がいじめで重傷を負っていた。
Bullying-related issues continue to appear. We urge the ministry to make effective use of the new office to deter bullying, which causes serious suffering to children.
いじめを巡る問題は後を絶たない。新たな対策室を有効に機能させ、子供を苦しめるいじめの抑止に役立ててもらいたい。
The new office, established Wednesday, comprises about 20 officials, including some from the National Police Agency. When serious bullying cases are revealed or students commit suicide as a result of bullying, the office is supposed to provide schools and boards of education with instructions and advice regarding how to probe such cases and prevent their recurrence.
新組織は約２０人の体制だ。警察庁の職員も参加する。深刻ないじめや、いじめを苦にした自殺が起きた際、学校や教育委員会に対し、原因究明や防止策を指導、助言することを想定している。
===
Ministry's commitment needed
The ministry used to leave how to respond to bullying cases up to schools and boards of education whenever they came to light. It can be said that the ministry has responded slowly to bullying issues so far even though it is aware of the overall trend of bullying nationwide.
文科省は従来、個別のいじめの対応については、学校や教委に委ねてきた。全国的な傾向の把握には取り組んできたが、対策は後手に回っていたと言えよう。
Setting up the new office suggests that the ministry has concluded it would be difficult to solve bullying cases as long as it leaves them up to schools and boards of education.
対策室の設置は、現場任せでは問題は解決しないと判断した結果だろう。
It is necessary for the ministry to gather information related to bullying and establish a framework that will allow it to swiftly respond to emergency cases.
文科省はいじめに関する情報を集約し、緊急を要する事案に対処できる体制を構築していく必要がある。
It is also important for the ministry to dispatch experts to schools and boards of education to give them appropriate advice on preventing children from killing themselves.
子供の自殺防止のため、専門家を派遣して、適切なアドバイスをすることも重要だ。
It would, however, be unreasonable to expect the ministry to directly respond to every single bullying case. Only schools and boards of education are responsible for dealing with the issue firsthand.
ただ、文科省がすべてのいじめに直接対応するのは無理がある。最前線でいじめ対策を担うのは、やはり学校や教育委員会だ。
The Otsu case has revealed how dysfunctional the city's board of education was in responding to the problem. Reforming education boards is an urgent task.
大津市の問題では市教委の機能不全が浮き彫りになった。教委の立て直しは喫緊の課題である。
The Otsu Municipal Board of Education rushed to wrap up its investigation even though many students at the public school the boy attended told how he was bullied when the board surveyed them following his suicide.
大津市教委は生徒の自殺後に実施したアンケートで、多くの生徒からいじめに関する情報を得ながら、早々に調査を打ち切った。
===
Board showed no understanding
Members of the board, moreover, reportedly did not raise any questions or express any opinions regarding the case during their regular meetings following the suicide. The board did not show that it understood the seriousness of the case or that it was committed to probing the cause of the suicide.
自殺後に開かれた市教委の定例会では、教育委員からいじめ問題への質問や意見は出なかったという。市教委には、問題の重大性の認識も、自殺の原因を究明しようという姿勢も感じられない。
This seriously calls into question whether boards of education are really necessary.
教育委員会の存在意義が厳しく問われている。
It has long been said that boards of education--most of whose members are appointed from among local communities--lack substance. Although the boards are independent from the heads of local governments, it is often the case that the majority of board members simply rubber-stamp decisions made by their secretariats, which handle practical affairs.
地域住民から任命された委員らで構成する教委については、かねて形骸化が指摘されている。首長から独立した機関であるにもかかわらず、実務を担う事務局の方針を追認するケースが目立つ。
Many boards of education have former teachers as their superintendents--the heads of the secretariats. A common criticism is that such superintendents fail to respond properly when problems arise because they feel camaraderie with the teachers involved.
事務局を統括する教育長の多くは教師出身者だ。学校で問題が生じた際に、「仲間意識」が働いて適切な対応がとれていないとの批判も絶えない。
Some observers strongly feel that boards of education are unnecessary.
教委不要論も根強い。
Some heads of local governments insist that it should be up to them to decide whether to even have such boards, in light of moves toward the decentralization of power.
地方分権の観点から、教委の設置を自治体の選択制にすべきだと主張する首長もいる。
Should boards of education be left as they are?
教育委員会は現状のままでいいのか。
It is necessary for the ministry to review the system.
文科省はその在り方を再検討する必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2012)
（2012年8月2日01時26分 読売新聞）
Education boards must improve their responses to bullying
いじめ対策 教育委員会の在り方問い直せ（8月2日付・読売社説）
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has set up a new office specializing in bullying issues in response to a case in which a second-year middle school student committed suicide in Otsu last October.
文部科学省がいじめ対策を専門に扱う新組織を発足させた。大津市で中学２年生が自殺した問題を受けた措置だ。
In addition, two other serious middle school bullying cases have recently been revealed--one in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, and the other in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture--both of which resulted in severe injuries to the bullied students.
埼玉県草加市や大阪府寝屋川市でも中学生がいじめで重傷を負っていた。
Bullying-related issues continue to appear. We urge the ministry to make effective use of the new office to deter bullying, which causes serious suffering to children.
いじめを巡る問題は後を絶たない。新たな対策室を有効に機能させ、子供を苦しめるいじめの抑止に役立ててもらいたい。
The new office, established Wednesday, comprises about 20 officials, including some from the National Police Agency. When serious bullying cases are revealed or students commit suicide as a result of bullying, the office is supposed to provide schools and boards of education with instructions and advice regarding how to probe such cases and prevent their recurrence.
新組織は約２０人の体制だ。警察庁の職員も参加する。深刻ないじめや、いじめを苦にした自殺が起きた際、学校や教育委員会に対し、原因究明や防止策を指導、助言することを想定している。
===
Ministry's commitment needed
The ministry used to leave how to respond to bullying cases up to schools and boards of education whenever they came to light. It can be said that the ministry has responded slowly to bullying issues so far even though it is aware of the overall trend of bullying nationwide.
文科省は従来、個別のいじめの対応については、学校や教委に委ねてきた。全国的な傾向の把握には取り組んできたが、対策は後手に回っていたと言えよう。
Setting up the new office suggests that the ministry has concluded it would be difficult to solve bullying cases as long as it leaves them up to schools and boards of education.
対策室の設置は、現場任せでは問題は解決しないと判断した結果だろう。
It is necessary for the ministry to gather information related to bullying and establish a framework that will allow it to swiftly respond to emergency cases.
文科省はいじめに関する情報を集約し、緊急を要する事案に対処できる体制を構築していく必要がある。
It is also important for the ministry to dispatch experts to schools and boards of education to give them appropriate advice on preventing children from killing themselves.
子供の自殺防止のため、専門家を派遣して、適切なアドバイスをすることも重要だ。
It would, however, be unreasonable to expect the ministry to directly respond to every single bullying case. Only schools and boards of education are responsible for dealing with the issue firsthand.
ただ、文科省がすべてのいじめに直接対応するのは無理がある。最前線でいじめ対策を担うのは、やはり学校や教育委員会だ。
The Otsu case has revealed how dysfunctional the city's board of education was in responding to the problem. Reforming education boards is an urgent task.
大津市の問題では市教委の機能不全が浮き彫りになった。教委の立て直しは喫緊の課題である。
The Otsu Municipal Board of Education rushed to wrap up its investigation even though many students at the public school the boy attended told how he was bullied when the board surveyed them following his suicide.
大津市教委は生徒の自殺後に実施したアンケートで、多くの生徒からいじめに関する情報を得ながら、早々に調査を打ち切った。
===
Board showed no understanding
Members of the board, moreover, reportedly did not raise any questions or express any opinions regarding the case during their regular meetings following the suicide. The board did not show that it understood the seriousness of the case or that it was committed to probing the cause of the suicide.
自殺後に開かれた市教委の定例会では、教育委員からいじめ問題への質問や意見は出なかったという。市教委には、問題の重大性の認識も、自殺の原因を究明しようという姿勢も感じられない。
This seriously calls into question whether boards of education are really necessary.
教育委員会の存在意義が厳しく問われている。
It has long been said that boards of education--most of whose members are appointed from among local communities--lack substance. Although the boards are independent from the heads of local governments, it is often the case that the majority of board members simply rubber-stamp decisions made by their secretariats, which handle practical affairs.
地域住民から任命された委員らで構成する教委については、かねて形骸化が指摘されている。首長から独立した機関であるにもかかわらず、実務を担う事務局の方針を追認するケースが目立つ。
Many boards of education have former teachers as their superintendents--the heads of the secretariats. A common criticism is that such superintendents fail to respond properly when problems arise because they feel camaraderie with the teachers involved.
事務局を統括する教育長の多くは教師出身者だ。学校で問題が生じた際に、「仲間意識」が働いて適切な対応がとれていないとの批判も絶えない。
Some observers strongly feel that boards of education are unnecessary.
教委不要論も根強い。
Some heads of local governments insist that it should be up to them to decide whether to even have such boards, in light of moves toward the decentralization of power.
地方分権の観点から、教委の設置を自治体の選択制にすべきだと主張する首長もいる。
Should boards of education be left as they are?
教育委員会は現状のままでいいのか。
It is necessary for the ministry to review the system.
文科省はその在り方を再検討する必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2012)
（2012年8月2日01時26分 読売新聞）
2012/08/03
防衛白書 中国軍の活動に警戒を怠るな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 2, 2012)
Defense paper rightly highlights need for caution over China
防衛白書 中国軍の活動に警戒を怠るな（8月1日付・読売社説）
In response to the Chinese military's rapid modernization and increased activities, it is imperative that the Self-Defense Forces steadily strengthen their surveillance and patrol activities.
中国軍の急速な近代化と活動の活発化に対し、自衛隊は警戒・監視活動を着実に強化することが肝要である。
The government's 2012 white paper on defense stated, as last year's report did, that China's military movements are "a matter of concern" for the Asia region and the international community, and "should require prudent analysis." It is natural for the government to point this out.
２０１２年版防衛白書は中国の軍事動向について、昨年に続き、アジア地域と国際社会の「懸念事項」と明記し、「慎重に分析していく必要がある」と指摘した。当然の認識である。
China's defense spending has jumped to more than double the level it was five years ago and 30 times that of 24 years ago. Its official defense budget is now more than 1.6 times that of Japan's. The gap will almost certainly continue to widen. Some observers have suggested China could match the United States as a military power by about 2050.
中国の国防費は過去５年間で２倍以上、２４年間で３０倍に急増した。日本の１・６倍超に達し、今後、この差は拡大することが確実だ。５０年頃には「米国の対等なライバルになる」との見方もある。
Besides China's sea trials of an aircraft carrier and development of next-generation fighter jets possessing stealth capabilities, Japan must not underestimate the implications of China's advance into the Pacific Ocean, where its naval vessels are operating increasingly frequently, and test-flights of reconnaissance drones.
空母の試験航行、ステルス性を持つ次世代戦闘機の開発に加え、海軍艦船による太平洋進出の常態化や偵察用無人機の飛行訓練なども軽視できない。
===
Beef up SDF capabilities
Given such factors as senior Chinese military officials making remarks on security issues more often than before, the white paper said relations between the Chinese Communist Party leadership and the People's Liberation Army have "been getting complex." The paper said it is a "risk management issue," and expressed caution over the growing influence of China's military.
白書は、安全保障問題に関する軍幹部の発言の増加などを踏まえ「共産党指導部との関係が複雑化している」と分析し、「危機管理上の課題」として、中国軍の影響力増大に警戒感を示した。
The lack of transparency in China's military capabilities and decision-making process has long been a source of unease. It is crucial that close attention is paid to this issue.
中国の軍事力や意思決定プロセスについては、かねて透明性の欠如が指摘されている。引き続き注視することが欠かせない。
The Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces in recent years have been placing greater emphasis on the defense of the Nansei Islands. But due to growing activities by Chinese forces, the SDF are being stretched when dispatching patrol aircraft and other vessels as needed.
海上・航空自衛隊は近年、南西諸島防衛を重視しているが、中国軍の動きが激しいため、哨戒機などのやり繰りが厳しいという。
We believe it is urgent for the nation to strengthen the "dynamic defense cooperation" with the U.S. military, which is renewing its focus on the Asia region. Improving the deployment formation and equipment of the SDF's maritime and air wings is also a pressing matter. The government should end its paring of defense spending, which has continued for 10 consecutive years.
「アジア重視」を鮮明にした米軍との「動的防衛協力」を強化するとともに、海空自の部隊配置や装備を充実させることが急務だ。防衛費の１０年連続の減少にも、歯止めをかけるべきである。
On the other hand, it is important to step up confidence-building efforts between Japan and China through such measures as reactivating bilateral defense exchanges, which have stalled in the past few years, and establishing an emergency contact system between forces of both nations to deal with a maritime accident.
一方で、ここ数年停滞している日中防衛交流を再活性化し、海上事故発生時の部隊間の緊急連絡体制を構築するなど、双方の信頼醸成を図ることが重要だ。
===
N. Korea text needs update
With regard to North Korea, the white paper said following the failed test of a ballistic missile in April, Pyongyang "is likely to attempt similar launches" in the future.
北朝鮮について、白書は、４月の弾道ミサイル発射の失敗を受けて「今後も同様の発射を行う可能性が高い」と指摘した。
Japan must enhance its deterrent capability by expanding the scope of military information sharing with the United States and South Korea and conducting joint exercises with them. The government should quickly conclude a general security of military information agreement with Seoul, the signing of which has been delayed due to domestic issues in South Korea.
日本は、米韓両国との軍事情報の共有を拡大し、共同演習を通じて抑止力を高めねばならない。韓国の国内事情で延期されている軍事情報包括保護協定（ＧＳＯＭＩＡ）の締結を急ぐ必要がある。
We find it baffling that since 1994 the white paper has not changed the language it uses to assess North Korea's military movements, saying only that it "constitutes a serious destabilizing factor for security in the entire East Asia region."
疑問なのは、白書が１９９４年以来、北朝鮮の軍事動向に関する評価を「東アジア全域の安全保障にとって重大な不安定要因」とし、一切変更していないことだ。
Over this period, Pyongyang has conducted two nuclear tests and test-fired long-distance ballistic missiles and carried out other military provocations that have significantly endangered Japan's security environment. We think the white paper should use expressions that more accurately reflect the changes in North Korea's posture.
この間、２回の核実験や長距離弾道ミサイル発射などが行われ、日本の安全保障環境は格段に厳しくなっている。北朝鮮情勢の変化を適切に反映した評価の表現を工夫しなければなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2012)
（2012年8月1日01時13分 読売新聞）
Defense paper rightly highlights need for caution over China
防衛白書 中国軍の活動に警戒を怠るな（8月1日付・読売社説）
In response to the Chinese military's rapid modernization and increased activities, it is imperative that the Self-Defense Forces steadily strengthen their surveillance and patrol activities.
中国軍の急速な近代化と活動の活発化に対し、自衛隊は警戒・監視活動を着実に強化することが肝要である。
The government's 2012 white paper on defense stated, as last year's report did, that China's military movements are "a matter of concern" for the Asia region and the international community, and "should require prudent analysis." It is natural for the government to point this out.
２０１２年版防衛白書は中国の軍事動向について、昨年に続き、アジア地域と国際社会の「懸念事項」と明記し、「慎重に分析していく必要がある」と指摘した。当然の認識である。
China's defense spending has jumped to more than double the level it was five years ago and 30 times that of 24 years ago. Its official defense budget is now more than 1.6 times that of Japan's. The gap will almost certainly continue to widen. Some observers have suggested China could match the United States as a military power by about 2050.
中国の国防費は過去５年間で２倍以上、２４年間で３０倍に急増した。日本の１・６倍超に達し、今後、この差は拡大することが確実だ。５０年頃には「米国の対等なライバルになる」との見方もある。
Besides China's sea trials of an aircraft carrier and development of next-generation fighter jets possessing stealth capabilities, Japan must not underestimate the implications of China's advance into the Pacific Ocean, where its naval vessels are operating increasingly frequently, and test-flights of reconnaissance drones.
空母の試験航行、ステルス性を持つ次世代戦闘機の開発に加え、海軍艦船による太平洋進出の常態化や偵察用無人機の飛行訓練なども軽視できない。
===
Beef up SDF capabilities
Given such factors as senior Chinese military officials making remarks on security issues more often than before, the white paper said relations between the Chinese Communist Party leadership and the People's Liberation Army have "been getting complex." The paper said it is a "risk management issue," and expressed caution over the growing influence of China's military.
白書は、安全保障問題に関する軍幹部の発言の増加などを踏まえ「共産党指導部との関係が複雑化している」と分析し、「危機管理上の課題」として、中国軍の影響力増大に警戒感を示した。
The lack of transparency in China's military capabilities and decision-making process has long been a source of unease. It is crucial that close attention is paid to this issue.
中国の軍事力や意思決定プロセスについては、かねて透明性の欠如が指摘されている。引き続き注視することが欠かせない。
The Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces in recent years have been placing greater emphasis on the defense of the Nansei Islands. But due to growing activities by Chinese forces, the SDF are being stretched when dispatching patrol aircraft and other vessels as needed.
海上・航空自衛隊は近年、南西諸島防衛を重視しているが、中国軍の動きが激しいため、哨戒機などのやり繰りが厳しいという。
We believe it is urgent for the nation to strengthen the "dynamic defense cooperation" with the U.S. military, which is renewing its focus on the Asia region. Improving the deployment formation and equipment of the SDF's maritime and air wings is also a pressing matter. The government should end its paring of defense spending, which has continued for 10 consecutive years.
「アジア重視」を鮮明にした米軍との「動的防衛協力」を強化するとともに、海空自の部隊配置や装備を充実させることが急務だ。防衛費の１０年連続の減少にも、歯止めをかけるべきである。
On the other hand, it is important to step up confidence-building efforts between Japan and China through such measures as reactivating bilateral defense exchanges, which have stalled in the past few years, and establishing an emergency contact system between forces of both nations to deal with a maritime accident.
一方で、ここ数年停滞している日中防衛交流を再活性化し、海上事故発生時の部隊間の緊急連絡体制を構築するなど、双方の信頼醸成を図ることが重要だ。
===
N. Korea text needs update
With regard to North Korea, the white paper said following the failed test of a ballistic missile in April, Pyongyang "is likely to attempt similar launches" in the future.
北朝鮮について、白書は、４月の弾道ミサイル発射の失敗を受けて「今後も同様の発射を行う可能性が高い」と指摘した。
Japan must enhance its deterrent capability by expanding the scope of military information sharing with the United States and South Korea and conducting joint exercises with them. The government should quickly conclude a general security of military information agreement with Seoul, the signing of which has been delayed due to domestic issues in South Korea.
日本は、米韓両国との軍事情報の共有を拡大し、共同演習を通じて抑止力を高めねばならない。韓国の国内事情で延期されている軍事情報包括保護協定（ＧＳＯＭＩＡ）の締結を急ぐ必要がある。
We find it baffling that since 1994 the white paper has not changed the language it uses to assess North Korea's military movements, saying only that it "constitutes a serious destabilizing factor for security in the entire East Asia region."
疑問なのは、白書が１９９４年以来、北朝鮮の軍事動向に関する評価を「東アジア全域の安全保障にとって重大な不安定要因」とし、一切変更していないことだ。
Over this period, Pyongyang has conducted two nuclear tests and test-fired long-distance ballistic missiles and carried out other military provocations that have significantly endangered Japan's security environment. We think the white paper should use expressions that more accurately reflect the changes in North Korea's posture.
この間、２回の核実験や長距離弾道ミサイル発射などが行われ、日本の安全保障環境は格段に厳しくなっている。北朝鮮情勢の変化を適切に反映した評価の表現を工夫しなければなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2012)
（2012年8月1日01時13分 読売新聞）
2012/08/02
国会を包囲する人々―民主主義を鍛え直そう
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 30
EDITORIAL: Anti-nuke protests offer an opportunity to move democracy forward
国会を包囲する人々―民主主義を鍛え直そう
A myriad of lights cast a soft glow around the Diet building as dusk fell on July 29.
夕暮れの国会議事堂を、無数の灯（ともしび）が取り囲んだ。
Thousands of anti-nuclear protesters formed a human chain around most of the Tokyo landmark in the latest of a continuing series of demonstrations against the reopening of nuclear power plants following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
The "Encircle the Diet" rally was organized by a coalition of citizen groups.
Participants demanding the phaseout of nuclear power generation in Japan chanted slogans against the restart of idled nuclear reactors, holding candles and flashlights.
きのう、市民グループの呼びかけであった「国会大包囲」。脱原発を求める人々が、キャンドルやペンライトを手に「再稼働反対」を連呼した。
The massive demonstration came after several months of Friday night protests at the prime minister's office and the Diet building. Tens of thousands of people have joined the growing movement.
ここ数カ月、毎週金曜の夕方には、首相官邸と国会の前でも何万という人々が抗議の声をあげている。
Never have so many Japanese participated in a movement against a government policy since a wave of protests against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty swept the nation half a century ago in 1960.
１９６０年の安保闘争から半世紀。これほどの大群衆が、政治に「ノー」を突きつけたことはなかった。
This loud chorus of objections to nuclear power generation that has risen among the silent majority is an amazing change triggered by the March 11, 2011, disaster and the subsequent reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
「もの言わぬ国民」による異議申し立て。３・１１と福島原発事故がもたらした驚くべき変化である。
MOVEMENT FUELED BY REACTOR RESTARTS
■原発再稼働で拡大
The weekly anti-nuclear protests in front of the prime minister's office began at the end of March with just 300 participants. The number of protesters swelled after the government decided in June to bring two idled reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant back online.
官邸前の抗議行動は、３月末に３００人ほどで始まった。それが、６月に政府が大飯原発の再稼働を決めた前後から、みるみる膨らんだ。
One participant in the July 29 rally, a 60-year-old, self-employed woman from the city of Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture, expressed her indignation at Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's remarks at the news conference to announce his decision to reactivate the two reactors.
「大包囲」に来た高知県四万十市の自営業の女性（６０）は、再稼働を表明した野田首相の記者会見に憤る。
"I can't forgive him for saying he had decided (to restart the reactors) for the people's sense of security," the woman said. "He should have been honest and said (his decision had been) for money."
「国民の安心のために決断したという言葉が許せない。正直に金もうけのためといえばいいのに」
Most of the protesters who were interviewed by The Asahi Shimbun shared the feeling that the government and electric utilities, which are in a rush to restart reactors, are hiding the truth.
再稼働を急ぐ政府や電力会社は「本当のこと」を語っていない――。話を聞いた参加者にほぼ共通する思いだ。
First of all, they find it hard to believe the claim that nuclear power plants in Japan are basically safe.
まず、「安全だ」という説明が信じられない。
That's hardly surprising. The causes of the accident have yet to be fully identified, while it is suspected that the Oi plant in Fukui Prefecture, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., could be sitting atop an active fault.
当然だろう。事故原因も判然とせず、大飯では活断層の存在も疑われている。
We wonder how many Japanese are willing to accept Noda's assertion that the nation is equipped with a reliable system to prevent a recurrence of nuclear accidents.
首相が「事故を防止できる体制は整っている」と力んでも、真に受ける人がどれほどいるのか。
The protesters are also suspicious of the claim that there will be a serious power shortage unless reactors are reactivated.
「電気が足りなくなる」という説明にも疑問の目を向ける。
They say that there was a sufficient power supply last winter and that no shortage is emerging this summer despite repeated warnings about a power crunch.
足りない、足りないと言いながら、昨冬もこの夏も余裕があるではないか。
They suspect that the real motive behind the hasty move to restart reactors is to protect the financial health of the electric utilities, which are suffering from higher fuel costs due to increased thermal power generation.
再稼働の本当の理由は、電力会社の経営を守るためではないのか。
Some of the protesters accept that nuclear power generation can only be phased out through a time-consuming process.
参加者の中には、原発ゼロを実現するにはある程度時間がかかると考える人もいる。
If Noda had clearly committed his administration to weaning Japan from dependence on atomic energy and mapped out a plan to decommission reactors over time, starting with the most dangerous ones, his efforts to reopen reactors might not have stirred such a huge wave of public outrage.
もし首相が「脱原発」の立場を明確にし、危険度の高い原発から順次廃炉にする行程を示していたら、ここまで怒りが燃え広がることはなかったのではないか。
DEEP-ROOTED DISTRUST OF ESTABLISHMENT
■根強い体制不信
But the Noda administration's actions concerning nuclear power generation are not the only problem.
ただ、問題は野田政権のふるまいだけにとどまらない。
At the root of the protest movement is strong distrust of the way indirect democracy is practiced in this country.
抗議の根っこにあるのは、間接民主主義のあり方に対する強い不信感である。
One of the protesters, a 77-year-old woman from the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, said: "Democracy is supposed to be politics based on people's opinions. Politics that ignores people's voices is nothing more than fascism."
兵庫県姫路市の女性（７７）は「民主主義は民の声を聴く政治のはず。声が届かないのはファッショだ」と語った。
This viewpoint has been expressed time and again at the protest rallies.
こんな声は抗議の場のあちこちで聴かれる。
Indirect democracy should allow voters to realize the policies they favor through their elected representatives, or legislators. Many Japanese seem to feel that the nation's system of indirect democracy is not functioning properly in that their voices are rarely heeded by policymakers.
有権者が、選挙で選んだ自分たちの代表（議員）を通じて政策を実現する。その間接民主主義の回路が機能せず、自分たちの声が政治に届かない。
This sense of frustration appears to have been driving people into actions that seem closer to direct democracy.
そんないらだちが、人々を直接民主主義的な行動に駆り立てているのではないか。
The Fukushima nuclear disaster was clearly the last straw.
そして、これを決定づけたのが原発事故だった。
Many Japanese believe it was not a natural disaster but the result of human error due to failures by the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operated the plant.
これは天災ではなく、電力会社や政府による人災だ。
They criticize the government and TEPCO for not immediately disclosing the facts of core meltdowns nor information about the release of radioactive materials from the plant into the environment.
メルトダウンの事実も、放射性物質の飛散情報もすぐに公表しなかった。
They don't trust news organizations either, which they believe base their reports mostly on information provided by the government.
そんな政府の情報をもとに報道するメディアも信用できない――。
People are not just distrustful of politics. They are also critical of newspapers and TV networks, which they regard as part of the establishment.
政治不信にとどまらず、新聞やテレビまで「体制側」とみなして批判の目を向ける。それほど不信の根は深い。
COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF POLICYMAKERS AND PEOPLE
■補完しあう関係築け
The trend toward direct democracy will only accelerate in coming years.
直接民主主義の流れは、今後も強まるだろう。
Large-scale political movements like the one against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty have not been seen in Japan for decades. This was most likely because Japan was preoccupied with rapid economic growth.
安保闘争のような大規模な政治行動は、高度経済成長とともに７０年代以降、影を潜めた。
But Japan has entered an era of economic decline. We are now in danger of losing the wealth and even the safety we have long taken for granted.
いまは右肩下がりの時代。手にしていたはずの豊かさも、安全までも、ポロポロとこぼれ落ちる。
Politicians have to be held accountable for policy problems in various areas. This is an essential part of the democratic process.
さまざまなテーマで、政治の責任を追及する声がやむことはあるまい。
But no good would come from political confrontation between the establishment and the people, separated by the wall of the prime minister’s office and alienated from each other by mutual distrust.
そんなとき、官邸の壁を隔て、「体制」と「民衆」が相互不信に凝り固まって対峙（たいじ）していては何も生まれない。
Direct democracy is an effective means to ensure that people's voices are reflected in policymaking during periods between elections.
直接民主主義は、選挙と選挙の間の民意を映す方法としては有効だ。
It is the job of political parties and politicians to incorporate their views into actual policies.
しかし、その声を政策に落とし込むのはあくまでも政党や政治家の役割である。
There is a communication breakdown between policymakers and the people. This needs to be quickly addressed by establishing a mutually complementary relationship.
国民との間の詰まったパイプを修繕し、新しい回路をつくることで相互補完の関係を築く。
One of the leaders of the coalition organizing protest rallies says the movement has prodded some lawmakers into action as the scale of public opposition to nuclear power is plain for all to see.
一連の抗議行動を呼びかけた市民グループのリーダーの一人は「大規模な抗議行動で、数を可視化することで議員が動き出した」と語る。
As the wave of protests swelled, lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition camps started joining the rallies.
抗議の人波が膨れあがるのにあわせて、与野党の議員が行動に加わるようになった。
A group of local assembly members have formed a new environmentalist party, Midori no To (Greens Japan), under the banner of immediate abolition of all nuclear power plants.
地方議員らが「原発の即時全廃」を掲げて「緑の党」を立ち上げた。
Some of these moves among politicians are probably attempts to garner votes in the next national election by jumping on the anti-nuclear bandwagon.
But there is no denying that people's voices are beginning to influence politics.
中には選挙目当ての便乗組もいるだろうが、人々の声が政治を動かしつつあるのは確かだ。
The organizers of the protest rallies are asking for meetings with top officials at the prime minister's office.
抗議行動の主催者らは、官邸側に面会を申し入れているという。
We think Noda should invite protesters in all age groups to his office for a discussion.
この際、老壮青の参加者も招き入れて、首相みずから話し合ってはどうか。
That would be a good start for fresh efforts to change "negative democracy," driven by distrust, into "positive democracy" based on trust and dialogue.
それを手始めに、不信に動かされる「負の民主主義」を、信頼と対話に基づく「正の民主主義」に鍛え直していくのだ。
EDITORIAL: Anti-nuke protests offer an opportunity to move democracy forward
国会を包囲する人々―民主主義を鍛え直そう
A myriad of lights cast a soft glow around the Diet building as dusk fell on July 29.
夕暮れの国会議事堂を、無数の灯（ともしび）が取り囲んだ。
Thousands of anti-nuclear protesters formed a human chain around most of the Tokyo landmark in the latest of a continuing series of demonstrations against the reopening of nuclear power plants following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
The "Encircle the Diet" rally was organized by a coalition of citizen groups.
Participants demanding the phaseout of nuclear power generation in Japan chanted slogans against the restart of idled nuclear reactors, holding candles and flashlights.
きのう、市民グループの呼びかけであった「国会大包囲」。脱原発を求める人々が、キャンドルやペンライトを手に「再稼働反対」を連呼した。
The massive demonstration came after several months of Friday night protests at the prime minister's office and the Diet building. Tens of thousands of people have joined the growing movement.
ここ数カ月、毎週金曜の夕方には、首相官邸と国会の前でも何万という人々が抗議の声をあげている。
Never have so many Japanese participated in a movement against a government policy since a wave of protests against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty swept the nation half a century ago in 1960.
１９６０年の安保闘争から半世紀。これほどの大群衆が、政治に「ノー」を突きつけたことはなかった。
This loud chorus of objections to nuclear power generation that has risen among the silent majority is an amazing change triggered by the March 11, 2011, disaster and the subsequent reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
「もの言わぬ国民」による異議申し立て。３・１１と福島原発事故がもたらした驚くべき変化である。
MOVEMENT FUELED BY REACTOR RESTARTS
■原発再稼働で拡大
The weekly anti-nuclear protests in front of the prime minister's office began at the end of March with just 300 participants. The number of protesters swelled after the government decided in June to bring two idled reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant back online.
官邸前の抗議行動は、３月末に３００人ほどで始まった。それが、６月に政府が大飯原発の再稼働を決めた前後から、みるみる膨らんだ。
One participant in the July 29 rally, a 60-year-old, self-employed woman from the city of Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture, expressed her indignation at Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's remarks at the news conference to announce his decision to reactivate the two reactors.
「大包囲」に来た高知県四万十市の自営業の女性（６０）は、再稼働を表明した野田首相の記者会見に憤る。
"I can't forgive him for saying he had decided (to restart the reactors) for the people's sense of security," the woman said. "He should have been honest and said (his decision had been) for money."
「国民の安心のために決断したという言葉が許せない。正直に金もうけのためといえばいいのに」
Most of the protesters who were interviewed by The Asahi Shimbun shared the feeling that the government and electric utilities, which are in a rush to restart reactors, are hiding the truth.
再稼働を急ぐ政府や電力会社は「本当のこと」を語っていない――。話を聞いた参加者にほぼ共通する思いだ。
First of all, they find it hard to believe the claim that nuclear power plants in Japan are basically safe.
まず、「安全だ」という説明が信じられない。
That's hardly surprising. The causes of the accident have yet to be fully identified, while it is suspected that the Oi plant in Fukui Prefecture, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., could be sitting atop an active fault.
当然だろう。事故原因も判然とせず、大飯では活断層の存在も疑われている。
We wonder how many Japanese are willing to accept Noda's assertion that the nation is equipped with a reliable system to prevent a recurrence of nuclear accidents.
首相が「事故を防止できる体制は整っている」と力んでも、真に受ける人がどれほどいるのか。
The protesters are also suspicious of the claim that there will be a serious power shortage unless reactors are reactivated.
「電気が足りなくなる」という説明にも疑問の目を向ける。
They say that there was a sufficient power supply last winter and that no shortage is emerging this summer despite repeated warnings about a power crunch.
足りない、足りないと言いながら、昨冬もこの夏も余裕があるではないか。
They suspect that the real motive behind the hasty move to restart reactors is to protect the financial health of the electric utilities, which are suffering from higher fuel costs due to increased thermal power generation.
再稼働の本当の理由は、電力会社の経営を守るためではないのか。
Some of the protesters accept that nuclear power generation can only be phased out through a time-consuming process.
参加者の中には、原発ゼロを実現するにはある程度時間がかかると考える人もいる。
If Noda had clearly committed his administration to weaning Japan from dependence on atomic energy and mapped out a plan to decommission reactors over time, starting with the most dangerous ones, his efforts to reopen reactors might not have stirred such a huge wave of public outrage.
もし首相が「脱原発」の立場を明確にし、危険度の高い原発から順次廃炉にする行程を示していたら、ここまで怒りが燃え広がることはなかったのではないか。
DEEP-ROOTED DISTRUST OF ESTABLISHMENT
■根強い体制不信
But the Noda administration's actions concerning nuclear power generation are not the only problem.
ただ、問題は野田政権のふるまいだけにとどまらない。
At the root of the protest movement is strong distrust of the way indirect democracy is practiced in this country.
抗議の根っこにあるのは、間接民主主義のあり方に対する強い不信感である。
One of the protesters, a 77-year-old woman from the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, said: "Democracy is supposed to be politics based on people's opinions. Politics that ignores people's voices is nothing more than fascism."
兵庫県姫路市の女性（７７）は「民主主義は民の声を聴く政治のはず。声が届かないのはファッショだ」と語った。
This viewpoint has been expressed time and again at the protest rallies.
こんな声は抗議の場のあちこちで聴かれる。
Indirect democracy should allow voters to realize the policies they favor through their elected representatives, or legislators. Many Japanese seem to feel that the nation's system of indirect democracy is not functioning properly in that their voices are rarely heeded by policymakers.
有権者が、選挙で選んだ自分たちの代表（議員）を通じて政策を実現する。その間接民主主義の回路が機能せず、自分たちの声が政治に届かない。
This sense of frustration appears to have been driving people into actions that seem closer to direct democracy.
そんないらだちが、人々を直接民主主義的な行動に駆り立てているのではないか。
The Fukushima nuclear disaster was clearly the last straw.
そして、これを決定づけたのが原発事故だった。
Many Japanese believe it was not a natural disaster but the result of human error due to failures by the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operated the plant.
これは天災ではなく、電力会社や政府による人災だ。
They criticize the government and TEPCO for not immediately disclosing the facts of core meltdowns nor information about the release of radioactive materials from the plant into the environment.
メルトダウンの事実も、放射性物質の飛散情報もすぐに公表しなかった。
They don't trust news organizations either, which they believe base their reports mostly on information provided by the government.
そんな政府の情報をもとに報道するメディアも信用できない――。
People are not just distrustful of politics. They are also critical of newspapers and TV networks, which they regard as part of the establishment.
政治不信にとどまらず、新聞やテレビまで「体制側」とみなして批判の目を向ける。それほど不信の根は深い。
COMPLEMENTARY ROLES OF POLICYMAKERS AND PEOPLE
■補完しあう関係築け
The trend toward direct democracy will only accelerate in coming years.
直接民主主義の流れは、今後も強まるだろう。
Large-scale political movements like the one against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty have not been seen in Japan for decades. This was most likely because Japan was preoccupied with rapid economic growth.
安保闘争のような大規模な政治行動は、高度経済成長とともに７０年代以降、影を潜めた。
But Japan has entered an era of economic decline. We are now in danger of losing the wealth and even the safety we have long taken for granted.
いまは右肩下がりの時代。手にしていたはずの豊かさも、安全までも、ポロポロとこぼれ落ちる。
Politicians have to be held accountable for policy problems in various areas. This is an essential part of the democratic process.
さまざまなテーマで、政治の責任を追及する声がやむことはあるまい。
But no good would come from political confrontation between the establishment and the people, separated by the wall of the prime minister’s office and alienated from each other by mutual distrust.
そんなとき、官邸の壁を隔て、「体制」と「民衆」が相互不信に凝り固まって対峙（たいじ）していては何も生まれない。
Direct democracy is an effective means to ensure that people's voices are reflected in policymaking during periods between elections.
直接民主主義は、選挙と選挙の間の民意を映す方法としては有効だ。
It is the job of political parties and politicians to incorporate their views into actual policies.
しかし、その声を政策に落とし込むのはあくまでも政党や政治家の役割である。
There is a communication breakdown between policymakers and the people. This needs to be quickly addressed by establishing a mutually complementary relationship.
国民との間の詰まったパイプを修繕し、新しい回路をつくることで相互補完の関係を築く。
One of the leaders of the coalition organizing protest rallies says the movement has prodded some lawmakers into action as the scale of public opposition to nuclear power is plain for all to see.
一連の抗議行動を呼びかけた市民グループのリーダーの一人は「大規模な抗議行動で、数を可視化することで議員が動き出した」と語る。
As the wave of protests swelled, lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition camps started joining the rallies.
抗議の人波が膨れあがるのにあわせて、与野党の議員が行動に加わるようになった。
A group of local assembly members have formed a new environmentalist party, Midori no To (Greens Japan), under the banner of immediate abolition of all nuclear power plants.
地方議員らが「原発の即時全廃」を掲げて「緑の党」を立ち上げた。
Some of these moves among politicians are probably attempts to garner votes in the next national election by jumping on the anti-nuclear bandwagon.
But there is no denying that people's voices are beginning to influence politics.
中には選挙目当ての便乗組もいるだろうが、人々の声が政治を動かしつつあるのは確かだ。
The organizers of the protest rallies are asking for meetings with top officials at the prime minister's office.
抗議行動の主催者らは、官邸側に面会を申し入れているという。
We think Noda should invite protesters in all age groups to his office for a discussion.
この際、老壮青の参加者も招き入れて、首相みずから話し合ってはどうか。
That would be a good start for fresh efforts to change "negative democracy," driven by distrust, into "positive democracy" based on trust and dialogue.
それを手始めに、不信に動かされる「負の民主主義」を、信頼と対話に基づく「正の民主主義」に鍛え直していくのだ。
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