The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 13, 2012)
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ（9月12日付・読売社説）
What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。
We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。
The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。
However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。
Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。
===
Tanigaki frozen out
It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
野党第１党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。
In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は２１％でトップだ。
Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。
Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。
Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。
Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。
The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。
===
Take stand on nuclear power
Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。
The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。
The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。
Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。
Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分 読売新聞）
2012/09/14
2012/09/13
民主代表選告示 日本再生へ責任ある論争を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 12, 2012)
DPJ presidential candidates must debate revival of Japan
民主代表選告示 日本再生へ責任ある論争を（9月11日付・読売社説）
◆新たな政策課題の旗を掲げよ◆
It is essential that the candidates in the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential election review the DPJ's past three years in power and hold a responsible policy debate to rehabilitate the party and restore public trust.
党の体制を立て直し、国民の信頼を回復するためには、民主党政権の３年間を総括し、責任ある政策論争を展開することが肝要である。
Official campaigning for the DPJ presidential election began Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda; former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu; former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi; and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have thrown their hats into the ring to begin the war of words.
民主党代表選が告示された。再選を目指す野田佳彦首相と、赤松広隆元農相、原口一博元総務相、鹿野道彦前農相の計４人が立候補し、舌戦が始まった。
Noda's lead over the other candidates appears unshakable, making the race a de facto confidence vote. Much focus is being placed on how many anti-Noda votes the other candidates can garner.
首相の優勢は揺るがず、事実上の信任投票の様相を見せている。他の３人がどこまで野田批判票を集めるかも焦点である。
===
Ending deflation urgent
◆急がれるデフレ脱却◆
It is important for Noda to win as much support as possible in the party. He needs to restore his political clout, which was weakened after the DPJ split when former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers left the party, and to build a foundation to tackle new policy challenges.
首相にとっても、できるだけ多く党内の支持を集めることが重要だ。小沢一郎元代表らの離党に伴う党分裂で低下した求心力を回復し、新たな政策課題に取り組む基盤を築くことが求められよう。
At a joint press conference of the candidates Monday, Noda stressed his commitment to the agreement between the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over integrated social security and tax system reform. He said his stance will not change even though LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has announced he will not run for reelection.
野田首相は共同記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民主、自民、公明３党合意を堅持する考えを強調した。谷垣自民党総裁が総裁選不出馬を表明したが、その考えは変えないという。
Enacting the reform legislation, the main pillar of which is an increase in the consumption tax rate, has been the Noda administration's historic achievement. It marked a first step away from the "politics incapable of making decisions" under the divided Diet. We commend Noda's stance of maintaining cooperative relations between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito.
消費税率引き上げを柱とする一体改革関連法の成立は、野田政権の歴史的な業績だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、「決められない政治」を脱却する一歩でもあり、首相が民自公路線を継続していく姿勢は評価できる。
Akamatsu and Kano said they would basically stand by the three-party deal, but Haraguchi said the agreement had been negated by the passing of a censure motion against Noda in the House of Councillors.
赤松、鹿野両氏も３党合意を基本的に守る考えを示したのに対し、原口氏は、参院での問責決議可決によって「３党合意は破棄された」との認識を示した。
Haraguchi hopes to capitalize on his ties to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), but we strongly doubt he could turn policy into reality without the cooperation of the LDP and Komeito.
原口氏は、「大阪維新の会」との近さを売り物にしているが、自公両党と連携せずに政策課題を実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。
As a new policy goal, Noda announced he would draw up and implement an emergency plan to break the grip of deflation within one year and restore the country's competitiveness within two years.
首相は、新しい政策目標として経済再生に向けて「１年以内のデフレ脱却と２年以内の競争力回復」を実現する緊急計画を策定・実行する方針も表明した。
It is understandable that he set a specific deadline for beating deflation to create an environment amenable for raising the consumption tax rate. We hope he will put his policy into shape quickly.
消費増税の環境を整えるうえでも、目標期限を明示してデフレ脱却に取り組む方針は理解できる。具体化を急いでもらいたい。
===
Explain advantages of TPP
◆ＴＰＰの利点を語れ◆
The four candidates differ clearly over whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework. Noda said he will promote participation in the framework, Akamatsu and Kano have been cautious on the issue, and Haraguchi said Japan should not join.
４候補の違いが明確になったのは、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題だ。野田首相が「推進」を掲げたのに対し、赤松、鹿野両氏は「慎重」で、原口氏は「不参加」を唱えた。
Japan did not say it would participate in the TPP negotiations at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Russia. However, we believe the nation must join the free-trade framework if it hopes to tap the economic vigor of Asia to further develop the Japanese economy. Noda needs to clearly explain the merits of joining the talks early.
日本はロシアでのアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議で参加表明を見送ったが、アジアの活力を取り込み、日本経済を成長させるには、ＴＰＰ参加が欠かせない。首相は早期参加の利点を具体的に語るべきだ。
In energy policy, all four candidates agree the nation should eventually end its reliance on nuclear power.
エネルギー政策では、４候補が「原子力発電ゼロ」を目指す方針で足並みをそろえた。
We fear the proposed zero option for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the economy by increasing production costs and undermining nuclear technology, among other concerns. We suggest the four candidates reconsider the matter and come to a more realistic solution without pandering to antinuclear opinions.
「原発ゼロ」には、コスト増大による経済への悪影響、原子力技術の衰退など、重大な懸念がある。反原発論に迎合せず、より現実的な政策策定へ再考を求めたい。
In the joint news conference, Kano and two other candidates blamed Noda for causing the DPJ to split, and said the party needs a "political culture of responsibility." Noda rejected their claims, saying, "I can't resuscitate the party by leaving office halfway through."
鹿野氏ら３候補は共同記者会見で、党分裂を招いた首相の責任を追及し、民主党には「責任を取る政治文化」が必要と主張した。首相は、「党再生を図るため、中途半端に政権を投げ出すわけにはいかない」などと反論している。
What would be more problematic than the breakup of the party is if the DPJ, as a ruling party, continued its internal battles while papering over important policy differences. The party needs a political culture in which members comply with what has been decided through policy debates.
政権党が重要政策の違いを内在したまま、内紛を繰り返す方が、党分裂以上に問題は大きい。政策論争を経て、「決定したことはきちんと守る政治文化」こそが、民主党には必要だろう。
The DPJ should use the forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity for a fresh start by learning from its past blunders in running the government.
今回の代表選を、民主党政権の様々な失政を教訓とし、出直しを図る機会とせねばならない。
The failed attempt last week to field Environment Minister Goshi Hosono in the party presidential election laid bare once again the DPJ's tendency to seek easy-sounding popularity-seeking solutions. In the political drama, Hosono's supporters believed that if a young candidate with good name recognition led the party in the next House of Representatives election, they would not have to be so concerned that the party would have to fight an uphill battle.
不発に終わった先週の細野環境相の擁立劇は、安易な人気取りに走ろうとする民主党の体質を露呈した。若く知名度のある党首を担げば、次期衆院選での苦戦が緩和されよう、という発想だ。
In a draft of its manifesto for the next general election, the DPJ advocates the handout policy of increasing child allowances by 50 percent, which is typical of the party's populist inclinations.
民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）素案が「児童手当の５割増」というバラマキ政策を掲げたのも同様の人気取りの発想である。
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Realistic pledges crucial
◆現実的な公約が必要だ◆
The DPJ must reexamine the defects of its unrealistic manifesto, which claims it could generate more than 16 trillion yen per year by altering the budget allocation system. The debates of the presidential candidates must lead the party to adopt a convincing campaign platform.
民主党は、予算組み替えで年１６兆円超の財源捻出が可能などとした非現実的な現在のマニフェストの欠陥を直視せねばならない。代表選の論戦を踏まえ、説得力のある公約を練り上げるべきだ。
Japan's diplomatic and security policies have followed a sinuous course in recent years, neglecting the Japan-U.S. alliance. Government administrative functions have not worked smoothly due to the DPJ's policy of distancing itself from the bureaucracy in deciding and carrying out policies. The government should also be blamed for haphazardly dealing with the Gtreat East Japan Earthquake and the sebsequent nuclear crisis. Noda has struggled to resolve these negative legacies from the previous two DPJ administrations, led by Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, but he has yet to finish the job.
日米同盟の軽視による外交・安全保障政策の迷走、「脱官僚」路線がもたらした行政の停滞、大震災や原発事故への場当たり的な対応……。野田首相は、鳩山、菅両政権の「負の遺産」の清算に取り組んできたが、まだ道半ばだ。
The DPJ has attempted to blame the opposition for legislative failures in the divided Diet, in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp. But it is clear the DPJ's irresponsible management of Diet business has been a root cause of the indecisive political atmosphere.
ねじれ国会で法案が成立しない原因は与党でなく野党、と言わんばかりの民主党の無責任な国会運営が、「決められない政治」の根本にあったことも否めない。
The question is whether the DPJ as a whole can recognize its responsibilities as the ruling party during the leadership campaign and make a fresh start.
代表選を通じて、民主党全体が政権党の自覚を持ち、生まれ変われるかどうかが問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2012)
（2012年9月11日01時08分 読売新聞）
DPJ presidential candidates must debate revival of Japan
民主代表選告示 日本再生へ責任ある論争を（9月11日付・読売社説）
◆新たな政策課題の旗を掲げよ◆
It is essential that the candidates in the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential election review the DPJ's past three years in power and hold a responsible policy debate to rehabilitate the party and restore public trust.
党の体制を立て直し、国民の信頼を回復するためには、民主党政権の３年間を総括し、責任ある政策論争を展開することが肝要である。
Official campaigning for the DPJ presidential election began Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda; former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu; former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi; and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have thrown their hats into the ring to begin the war of words.
民主党代表選が告示された。再選を目指す野田佳彦首相と、赤松広隆元農相、原口一博元総務相、鹿野道彦前農相の計４人が立候補し、舌戦が始まった。
Noda's lead over the other candidates appears unshakable, making the race a de facto confidence vote. Much focus is being placed on how many anti-Noda votes the other candidates can garner.
首相の優勢は揺るがず、事実上の信任投票の様相を見せている。他の３人がどこまで野田批判票を集めるかも焦点である。
===
Ending deflation urgent
◆急がれるデフレ脱却◆
It is important for Noda to win as much support as possible in the party. He needs to restore his political clout, which was weakened after the DPJ split when former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers left the party, and to build a foundation to tackle new policy challenges.
首相にとっても、できるだけ多く党内の支持を集めることが重要だ。小沢一郎元代表らの離党に伴う党分裂で低下した求心力を回復し、新たな政策課題に取り組む基盤を築くことが求められよう。
At a joint press conference of the candidates Monday, Noda stressed his commitment to the agreement between the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over integrated social security and tax system reform. He said his stance will not change even though LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has announced he will not run for reelection.
野田首相は共同記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民主、自民、公明３党合意を堅持する考えを強調した。谷垣自民党総裁が総裁選不出馬を表明したが、その考えは変えないという。
Enacting the reform legislation, the main pillar of which is an increase in the consumption tax rate, has been the Noda administration's historic achievement. It marked a first step away from the "politics incapable of making decisions" under the divided Diet. We commend Noda's stance of maintaining cooperative relations between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito.
消費税率引き上げを柱とする一体改革関連法の成立は、野田政権の歴史的な業績だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、「決められない政治」を脱却する一歩でもあり、首相が民自公路線を継続していく姿勢は評価できる。
Akamatsu and Kano said they would basically stand by the three-party deal, but Haraguchi said the agreement had been negated by the passing of a censure motion against Noda in the House of Councillors.
赤松、鹿野両氏も３党合意を基本的に守る考えを示したのに対し、原口氏は、参院での問責決議可決によって「３党合意は破棄された」との認識を示した。
Haraguchi hopes to capitalize on his ties to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), but we strongly doubt he could turn policy into reality without the cooperation of the LDP and Komeito.
原口氏は、「大阪維新の会」との近さを売り物にしているが、自公両党と連携せずに政策課題を実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。
As a new policy goal, Noda announced he would draw up and implement an emergency plan to break the grip of deflation within one year and restore the country's competitiveness within two years.
首相は、新しい政策目標として経済再生に向けて「１年以内のデフレ脱却と２年以内の競争力回復」を実現する緊急計画を策定・実行する方針も表明した。
It is understandable that he set a specific deadline for beating deflation to create an environment amenable for raising the consumption tax rate. We hope he will put his policy into shape quickly.
消費増税の環境を整えるうえでも、目標期限を明示してデフレ脱却に取り組む方針は理解できる。具体化を急いでもらいたい。
===
Explain advantages of TPP
◆ＴＰＰの利点を語れ◆
The four candidates differ clearly over whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework. Noda said he will promote participation in the framework, Akamatsu and Kano have been cautious on the issue, and Haraguchi said Japan should not join.
４候補の違いが明確になったのは、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題だ。野田首相が「推進」を掲げたのに対し、赤松、鹿野両氏は「慎重」で、原口氏は「不参加」を唱えた。
Japan did not say it would participate in the TPP negotiations at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Russia. However, we believe the nation must join the free-trade framework if it hopes to tap the economic vigor of Asia to further develop the Japanese economy. Noda needs to clearly explain the merits of joining the talks early.
日本はロシアでのアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議で参加表明を見送ったが、アジアの活力を取り込み、日本経済を成長させるには、ＴＰＰ参加が欠かせない。首相は早期参加の利点を具体的に語るべきだ。
In energy policy, all four candidates agree the nation should eventually end its reliance on nuclear power.
エネルギー政策では、４候補が「原子力発電ゼロ」を目指す方針で足並みをそろえた。
We fear the proposed zero option for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the economy by increasing production costs and undermining nuclear technology, among other concerns. We suggest the four candidates reconsider the matter and come to a more realistic solution without pandering to antinuclear opinions.
「原発ゼロ」には、コスト増大による経済への悪影響、原子力技術の衰退など、重大な懸念がある。反原発論に迎合せず、より現実的な政策策定へ再考を求めたい。
In the joint news conference, Kano and two other candidates blamed Noda for causing the DPJ to split, and said the party needs a "political culture of responsibility." Noda rejected their claims, saying, "I can't resuscitate the party by leaving office halfway through."
鹿野氏ら３候補は共同記者会見で、党分裂を招いた首相の責任を追及し、民主党には「責任を取る政治文化」が必要と主張した。首相は、「党再生を図るため、中途半端に政権を投げ出すわけにはいかない」などと反論している。
What would be more problematic than the breakup of the party is if the DPJ, as a ruling party, continued its internal battles while papering over important policy differences. The party needs a political culture in which members comply with what has been decided through policy debates.
政権党が重要政策の違いを内在したまま、内紛を繰り返す方が、党分裂以上に問題は大きい。政策論争を経て、「決定したことはきちんと守る政治文化」こそが、民主党には必要だろう。
The DPJ should use the forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity for a fresh start by learning from its past blunders in running the government.
今回の代表選を、民主党政権の様々な失政を教訓とし、出直しを図る機会とせねばならない。
The failed attempt last week to field Environment Minister Goshi Hosono in the party presidential election laid bare once again the DPJ's tendency to seek easy-sounding popularity-seeking solutions. In the political drama, Hosono's supporters believed that if a young candidate with good name recognition led the party in the next House of Representatives election, they would not have to be so concerned that the party would have to fight an uphill battle.
不発に終わった先週の細野環境相の擁立劇は、安易な人気取りに走ろうとする民主党の体質を露呈した。若く知名度のある党首を担げば、次期衆院選での苦戦が緩和されよう、という発想だ。
In a draft of its manifesto for the next general election, the DPJ advocates the handout policy of increasing child allowances by 50 percent, which is typical of the party's populist inclinations.
民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）素案が「児童手当の５割増」というバラマキ政策を掲げたのも同様の人気取りの発想である。
===
Realistic pledges crucial
◆現実的な公約が必要だ◆
The DPJ must reexamine the defects of its unrealistic manifesto, which claims it could generate more than 16 trillion yen per year by altering the budget allocation system. The debates of the presidential candidates must lead the party to adopt a convincing campaign platform.
民主党は、予算組み替えで年１６兆円超の財源捻出が可能などとした非現実的な現在のマニフェストの欠陥を直視せねばならない。代表選の論戦を踏まえ、説得力のある公約を練り上げるべきだ。
Japan's diplomatic and security policies have followed a sinuous course in recent years, neglecting the Japan-U.S. alliance. Government administrative functions have not worked smoothly due to the DPJ's policy of distancing itself from the bureaucracy in deciding and carrying out policies. The government should also be blamed for haphazardly dealing with the Gtreat East Japan Earthquake and the sebsequent nuclear crisis. Noda has struggled to resolve these negative legacies from the previous two DPJ administrations, led by Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, but he has yet to finish the job.
日米同盟の軽視による外交・安全保障政策の迷走、「脱官僚」路線がもたらした行政の停滞、大震災や原発事故への場当たり的な対応……。野田首相は、鳩山、菅両政権の「負の遺産」の清算に取り組んできたが、まだ道半ばだ。
The DPJ has attempted to blame the opposition for legislative failures in the divided Diet, in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp. But it is clear the DPJ's irresponsible management of Diet business has been a root cause of the indecisive political atmosphere.
ねじれ国会で法案が成立しない原因は与党でなく野党、と言わんばかりの民主党の無責任な国会運営が、「決められない政治」の根本にあったことも否めない。
The question is whether the DPJ as a whole can recognize its responsibilities as the ruling party during the leadership campaign and make a fresh start.
代表選を通じて、民主党全体が政権党の自覚を持ち、生まれ変われるかどうかが問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2012)
（2012年9月11日01時08分 読売新聞）
2012/09/12
日露首脳会談 領土交渉への土俵を固めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 11, 2012)
Japan needs solid strategy for territorial talks with Russia
日露首脳会談 領土交渉への土俵を固めよ（9月9日付・読売社説）
Before holding further territorial talks with Russia, Japan must firstly strengthen the base of its negotiation stance.
まずは交渉の土俵をしっかりと固めていかなければならない。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting in Vladivostok in Far East Russia. The two leaders confirmed talks would continue over the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido.
野田首相とプーチン露大統領がロシア極東のウラジオストクで会談し、北方領土交渉の継続を確認した。
Tokyo and Moscow will deepen talks on the islands at a vice-ministerial meeting scheduled for autumn and when the Japanese prime minister visits Russia in December.
今秋に予定される日露次官級協議、１２月をメドとする首相の訪露で議論を深めることになる。
Recent friction with China and South Korea over the Senkaku and Takeshima islands has prompted hard-hitting questions about Japan's stance over its own sovereignty and territory. With Russia also, the government must work persistently to find a solution to the northern territories dispute based on historical facts and documents.
尖閣諸島や竹島の問題を契機に、日本の主権・領土に対する姿勢が厳しく問われている。北方領土問題でも、政府は歴史的な経緯と文書を踏まえ、粘り強く解決を模索しなければならない。
The latest talks between Noda and Putin followed their first meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June, where they agreed to "revive" long-stalled talks on the territorial issue.
野田、プーチン両首脳の会談は、領土交渉の「再活性化」で合意した６月のメキシコ・ロスカボスに続いて２度目だ。
===
Quiet, constructive talks needed
During the talks, Noda told Putin "consideration must be paid to public sentiment" in Japan as a condition for the territorial negotiations. He also requested the Russian leader hold discussions "in a quiet and constructive environment."
今回、野田首相は、交渉の前提として日本の国民感情への配慮が必要と指摘し、「静かで建設的な環境」での議論を求めた。
Noda's remarks apparently were referring to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's provocative landing on Kunashiri--one of the islands in the northern territories--in July. Moscow must not be allowed to "Russianize" the territories by faits accomplis with unilateral development of them, at a time when talks on the islands are poised to resume.
メドベージェフ露首相が７月に国後島に上陸して日本を挑発したことを念頭に置いた発言だ。日露間で交渉しようというのに、北方領土開発の既成事実を積み重ね、一方的に「ロシア化」を進めることは、断じて許されない。
Putin agreed with Noda that the issue should be solved in a quiet atmosphere without stirring up public sentiment. We think Putin should do what he said.
プーチン大統領も「世論を刺激せず、静かな雰囲気の下で解決していきたい」と言明した。言葉通りの行動をとるべきである。
In economic discussions, Noda welcomed Russia's recent entry to the World Trade Organization. He also said Japan will cooperate in the development of Siberia in the Russian Far East if mutual trust is further enhanced.
経済分野では、野田首相がロシアの世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）加盟を歓迎し、極東シベリア開発についても「相互信頼が進めば協力が現実のものとなる」と語った。
Putin expressed his expectation for increased investment from Japan. However, we hope Moscow will first improve Russia's investment climate, including the abolition of trade barriers.
大統領は日本の投資拡大に期待感を表明したが、ロシアには、貿易障壁の撤廃など投資環境を一層改善してもらいたい。
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum on construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Vladivostok, a project that Japanese firms and the Russian energy company Gazprom are working on.
会談後、両首脳は、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）工場建設に関する覚書の署名式に立ち会った。ウラジオストク近郊で、日本企業とロシア国営のガスプロムが進めているプロジェクトである。
===
Mutual benefits await
Russia is developing natural resources in its Far East region. Japan's demand for LNG has increased since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so ensuring a stable supply of the fuel for thermal power generation and importing the gas from a wider array of countries have become important issues for Japan. Energy cooperation will have huge merits for Japan and Russia.
ロシアは極東の資源開発を進めている。日本では原発事故以来、ＬＮＧの需要が増え、火力発電用燃料の安定調達と輸入先の多様化が課題だ。エネルギーに関しては日露双方にメリットが大きい。
Tokyo and Moscow also inked a treaty on measures to control poaching and smuggling of crabs and other marine products in the Okhotsk Sea.
両政府はまた、オホーツク海のカニなど水産物の密漁・密輸入対策に関する協定にも署名した。
These are not the only fields in which Japan and Russia can jointly work and benefit. Bilateral relations have strategic importance for both countries when it comes to dealing with China, which is expanding both economically and militarily.
日露両国が連携し、ともに利益を享受できるのは、こうした分野にとどまらない。経済、軍事の両面で膨張し続ける中国と向き合っていくうえで、日露関係には戦略的な重要性がある。
We think Japan and Russia should deepen their interdependence because it could lead to a solution to the dispute over the northern territories.
北方領土問題を解決する道筋をつけるためにも、日露の相互依存を深めていくべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
（2012年9月9日01時26分 読売新聞）
Japan needs solid strategy for territorial talks with Russia
日露首脳会談 領土交渉への土俵を固めよ（9月9日付・読売社説）
Before holding further territorial talks with Russia, Japan must firstly strengthen the base of its negotiation stance.
まずは交渉の土俵をしっかりと固めていかなければならない。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting in Vladivostok in Far East Russia. The two leaders confirmed talks would continue over the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido.
野田首相とプーチン露大統領がロシア極東のウラジオストクで会談し、北方領土交渉の継続を確認した。
Tokyo and Moscow will deepen talks on the islands at a vice-ministerial meeting scheduled for autumn and when the Japanese prime minister visits Russia in December.
今秋に予定される日露次官級協議、１２月をメドとする首相の訪露で議論を深めることになる。
Recent friction with China and South Korea over the Senkaku and Takeshima islands has prompted hard-hitting questions about Japan's stance over its own sovereignty and territory. With Russia also, the government must work persistently to find a solution to the northern territories dispute based on historical facts and documents.
尖閣諸島や竹島の問題を契機に、日本の主権・領土に対する姿勢が厳しく問われている。北方領土問題でも、政府は歴史的な経緯と文書を踏まえ、粘り強く解決を模索しなければならない。
The latest talks between Noda and Putin followed their first meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June, where they agreed to "revive" long-stalled talks on the territorial issue.
野田、プーチン両首脳の会談は、領土交渉の「再活性化」で合意した６月のメキシコ・ロスカボスに続いて２度目だ。
===
Quiet, constructive talks needed
During the talks, Noda told Putin "consideration must be paid to public sentiment" in Japan as a condition for the territorial negotiations. He also requested the Russian leader hold discussions "in a quiet and constructive environment."
今回、野田首相は、交渉の前提として日本の国民感情への配慮が必要と指摘し、「静かで建設的な環境」での議論を求めた。
Noda's remarks apparently were referring to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's provocative landing on Kunashiri--one of the islands in the northern territories--in July. Moscow must not be allowed to "Russianize" the territories by faits accomplis with unilateral development of them, at a time when talks on the islands are poised to resume.
メドベージェフ露首相が７月に国後島に上陸して日本を挑発したことを念頭に置いた発言だ。日露間で交渉しようというのに、北方領土開発の既成事実を積み重ね、一方的に「ロシア化」を進めることは、断じて許されない。
Putin agreed with Noda that the issue should be solved in a quiet atmosphere without stirring up public sentiment. We think Putin should do what he said.
プーチン大統領も「世論を刺激せず、静かな雰囲気の下で解決していきたい」と言明した。言葉通りの行動をとるべきである。
In economic discussions, Noda welcomed Russia's recent entry to the World Trade Organization. He also said Japan will cooperate in the development of Siberia in the Russian Far East if mutual trust is further enhanced.
経済分野では、野田首相がロシアの世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）加盟を歓迎し、極東シベリア開発についても「相互信頼が進めば協力が現実のものとなる」と語った。
Putin expressed his expectation for increased investment from Japan. However, we hope Moscow will first improve Russia's investment climate, including the abolition of trade barriers.
大統領は日本の投資拡大に期待感を表明したが、ロシアには、貿易障壁の撤廃など投資環境を一層改善してもらいたい。
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum on construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Vladivostok, a project that Japanese firms and the Russian energy company Gazprom are working on.
会談後、両首脳は、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）工場建設に関する覚書の署名式に立ち会った。ウラジオストク近郊で、日本企業とロシア国営のガスプロムが進めているプロジェクトである。
===
Mutual benefits await
Russia is developing natural resources in its Far East region. Japan's demand for LNG has increased since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so ensuring a stable supply of the fuel for thermal power generation and importing the gas from a wider array of countries have become important issues for Japan. Energy cooperation will have huge merits for Japan and Russia.
ロシアは極東の資源開発を進めている。日本では原発事故以来、ＬＮＧの需要が増え、火力発電用燃料の安定調達と輸入先の多様化が課題だ。エネルギーに関しては日露双方にメリットが大きい。
Tokyo and Moscow also inked a treaty on measures to control poaching and smuggling of crabs and other marine products in the Okhotsk Sea.
両政府はまた、オホーツク海のカニなど水産物の密漁・密輸入対策に関する協定にも署名した。
These are not the only fields in which Japan and Russia can jointly work and benefit. Bilateral relations have strategic importance for both countries when it comes to dealing with China, which is expanding both economically and militarily.
日露両国が連携し、ともに利益を享受できるのは、こうした分野にとどまらない。経済、軍事の両面で膨張し続ける中国と向き合っていくうえで、日露関係には戦略的な重要性がある。
We think Japan and Russia should deepen their interdependence because it could lead to a solution to the dispute over the northern territories.
北方領土問題を解決する道筋をつけるためにも、日露の相互依存を深めていくべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
（2012年9月9日01時26分 読売新聞）
2012/09/11
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 8
EDITORIAL: Party elections must not undermine commitment to reform
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな
The Diet session has effectively ended, and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party have started gearing up for their respective leadership elections.
国会が事実上閉幕し、民主、自民の両党首選が本格的に動き出した。
Within the DPJ, Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has decided against running in the party presidential election, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu have announced their candidacies.
民主党では、細野環境相が立候補を見送り、野田首相と原口元総務相、赤松元農林水産相が名乗りを上げた。
In the LDP, President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Nobutaka Machimura, former chief Cabinet secretary, have expressed their intention to run. Nobuteru Ishihara, party secretary-general, Shigeru Ishiba, former party policy chief, and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also showing an interest in joining the contest.
一方、自民党では谷垣総裁と町村元官房長官が立候補の意向を表明した。石原幹事長や石破前政調会長、安倍元首相、林元防衛相も意欲を示している。
The related moves that have been made so far within these two main parties have shown troubling signs that each leadership race is shaping up to be a popularity contest to choose each party's "poster boy" for the upcoming Lower House election.
これまでの両党の動きをみると、遠からず行われる総選挙に向けた「選挙の顔」えらびの側面ばかりが目につく。
That's not good news for the nation.
だが、それでは困るのだ。
One of the two new party heads is likely to lead this nation as prime minister after the Lower House poll. The candidates should make clear their political creeds and policy agendas to make sure that the party elections will be contests over qualifications as party leader.
今回選ばれる両党首のいずれかが、総選挙後の首相として日本のかじ取りを担う可能性が高い。各候補は理念と政策を明確に掲げ、指導者としての資質を競う機会としてもらいたい。
What the candidates should do first is to make a public commitment to follow through with the deal on integrated tax and social security reform struck among the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
まず求めたいのは、民主、自民、公明の３党で合意した、社会保障と税の一体改革を引き継ぐことを明確にすることだ。
Since the enactment of legislation for the integrated reform, relations between the two main parties have become strained, partly because of the passage of a censure motion against Noda through the Upper House, with the support of the LDP.
一体改革関連法の成立後、首相への問責決議の可決などで２大政党の関係は再びきしんでいる。
There is no prospect for the establishment of a new council for social security reform, which, under the agreement among the three parties, is supposed to develop a blueprint for the reform within one year.
１年以内に結論を出すとした、社会保障国民会議の設置もめどが立たない状態だ。
Details of the integrated reform have yet to be worked out, and many key issues remain to be tackled. How should the health-care and pension programs be bolstered, and how should policy efforts to support child care be expanded as the aging of the nation's population continues toward peak levels?
一体改革の肉付けはこれからだ。高齢化のピークに向けて医療や年金制度をどう強化し、子育て支援策をどう充実するか。
The remaining tasks also include developing measures to ease the regressive taxation effects of the scheduled consumption tax hike and to enhance the income and inheritance taxes.
また、消費増税にともなう逆進性の緩和や、所得税や相続税の強化も積み残されている。
The agreement among the three parties has committed them to shield the social security system from partisan warfare and to work together to secure the long-term financial stability of the system even if power changes hands. That's the long and short of the deal.
政権が代わっても、少なくとも社会保障制度は政争の具にせず、安定的に運営できる態勢を民自公３党を中心につくる。それこそが一体改革の眼目だったはずである。
This is a formal agreement among political parties. Breaching it would be tantamount to betraying the public, who are facing an increased tax burden due to the consumption tax raise.
政党間の正式な約束だ。それを反故（ほご）にするようなことになれば、消費増税で負担増となる国民への裏切りにも等しい。
Some politicians within the LDP, including Abe, are apparently maneuvering for a policy alliance with Osaka Ishin no Kai, a local party headed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that is planning to field candidates in the upcoming election, rather than with the DPJ.
ところが、自民党では安倍元首相のように民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携を模索する動きもある。
Osaka Ishin no Kai has proposed transferring the consumption tax revenue to local governments. If the LDP chooses the Hashimoto group over the DPJ, the three-party deal on the integrated reform could fall apart.
その維新の会は「消費税の地方税化」を掲げる。もし自民党が維新の会との連携を優先するなら、民自公の一体改革は空中分解しかねない。
If that happens, the question will be what kind of political framework should be formed to establish a stable and sustainable social security system. The candidates have the political responsibility to offer clear and convincing answers to this question.
その場合、安定的な社会保障制度をどんな政治の枠組みでつくっていくのか。説得力ある方針を示す責任がある。
There is also a long list of other policy challenges confronting this nation. Japan clearly needs to work out a new energy policy by settling the issue of restarting idled nuclear reactors, further liberalize its trade with key trade partners and repair its soured relations with its neighbors.
原発再稼働を含むエネルギー政策、貿易自由化、近隣外交のあり方など、課題は山積している。
Serious disagreements on these issues within both the DPJ and the LDP are hampering the efforts to deal with these challenges.
しかも、それぞれで両党とも党内の意見が割れている。
The two parties should regard their leadership elections as a good opportunity to clarify their platforms and renew their commitments to key policy proposals for their campaigns for the general election.
この党首選を、総選挙に向けて政策の方向性を整理し、公約を固め直す絶好のチャンスととらえてはどうか。
EDITORIAL: Party elections must not undermine commitment to reform
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな
The Diet session has effectively ended, and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party have started gearing up for their respective leadership elections.
国会が事実上閉幕し、民主、自民の両党首選が本格的に動き出した。
Within the DPJ, Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has decided against running in the party presidential election, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu have announced their candidacies.
民主党では、細野環境相が立候補を見送り、野田首相と原口元総務相、赤松元農林水産相が名乗りを上げた。
In the LDP, President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Nobutaka Machimura, former chief Cabinet secretary, have expressed their intention to run. Nobuteru Ishihara, party secretary-general, Shigeru Ishiba, former party policy chief, and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also showing an interest in joining the contest.
一方、自民党では谷垣総裁と町村元官房長官が立候補の意向を表明した。石原幹事長や石破前政調会長、安倍元首相、林元防衛相も意欲を示している。
The related moves that have been made so far within these two main parties have shown troubling signs that each leadership race is shaping up to be a popularity contest to choose each party's "poster boy" for the upcoming Lower House election.
これまでの両党の動きをみると、遠からず行われる総選挙に向けた「選挙の顔」えらびの側面ばかりが目につく。
That's not good news for the nation.
だが、それでは困るのだ。
One of the two new party heads is likely to lead this nation as prime minister after the Lower House poll. The candidates should make clear their political creeds and policy agendas to make sure that the party elections will be contests over qualifications as party leader.
今回選ばれる両党首のいずれかが、総選挙後の首相として日本のかじ取りを担う可能性が高い。各候補は理念と政策を明確に掲げ、指導者としての資質を競う機会としてもらいたい。
What the candidates should do first is to make a public commitment to follow through with the deal on integrated tax and social security reform struck among the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
まず求めたいのは、民主、自民、公明の３党で合意した、社会保障と税の一体改革を引き継ぐことを明確にすることだ。
Since the enactment of legislation for the integrated reform, relations between the two main parties have become strained, partly because of the passage of a censure motion against Noda through the Upper House, with the support of the LDP.
一体改革関連法の成立後、首相への問責決議の可決などで２大政党の関係は再びきしんでいる。
There is no prospect for the establishment of a new council for social security reform, which, under the agreement among the three parties, is supposed to develop a blueprint for the reform within one year.
１年以内に結論を出すとした、社会保障国民会議の設置もめどが立たない状態だ。
Details of the integrated reform have yet to be worked out, and many key issues remain to be tackled. How should the health-care and pension programs be bolstered, and how should policy efforts to support child care be expanded as the aging of the nation's population continues toward peak levels?
一体改革の肉付けはこれからだ。高齢化のピークに向けて医療や年金制度をどう強化し、子育て支援策をどう充実するか。
The remaining tasks also include developing measures to ease the regressive taxation effects of the scheduled consumption tax hike and to enhance the income and inheritance taxes.
また、消費増税にともなう逆進性の緩和や、所得税や相続税の強化も積み残されている。
The agreement among the three parties has committed them to shield the social security system from partisan warfare and to work together to secure the long-term financial stability of the system even if power changes hands. That's the long and short of the deal.
政権が代わっても、少なくとも社会保障制度は政争の具にせず、安定的に運営できる態勢を民自公３党を中心につくる。それこそが一体改革の眼目だったはずである。
This is a formal agreement among political parties. Breaching it would be tantamount to betraying the public, who are facing an increased tax burden due to the consumption tax raise.
政党間の正式な約束だ。それを反故（ほご）にするようなことになれば、消費増税で負担増となる国民への裏切りにも等しい。
Some politicians within the LDP, including Abe, are apparently maneuvering for a policy alliance with Osaka Ishin no Kai, a local party headed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that is planning to field candidates in the upcoming election, rather than with the DPJ.
ところが、自民党では安倍元首相のように民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携を模索する動きもある。
Osaka Ishin no Kai has proposed transferring the consumption tax revenue to local governments. If the LDP chooses the Hashimoto group over the DPJ, the three-party deal on the integrated reform could fall apart.
その維新の会は「消費税の地方税化」を掲げる。もし自民党が維新の会との連携を優先するなら、民自公の一体改革は空中分解しかねない。
If that happens, the question will be what kind of political framework should be formed to establish a stable and sustainable social security system. The candidates have the political responsibility to offer clear and convincing answers to this question.
その場合、安定的な社会保障制度をどんな政治の枠組みでつくっていくのか。説得力ある方針を示す責任がある。
There is also a long list of other policy challenges confronting this nation. Japan clearly needs to work out a new energy policy by settling the issue of restarting idled nuclear reactors, further liberalize its trade with key trade partners and repair its soured relations with its neighbors.
原発再稼働を含むエネルギー政策、貿易自由化、近隣外交のあり方など、課題は山積している。
Serious disagreements on these issues within both the DPJ and the LDP are hampering the efforts to deal with these challenges.
しかも、それぞれで両党とも党内の意見が割れている。
The two parties should regard their leadership elections as a good opportunity to clarify their platforms and renew their commitments to key policy proposals for their campaigns for the general election.
この党首選を、総選挙に向けて政策の方向性を整理し、公約を固め直す絶好のチャンスととらえてはどうか。
2012/09/10
通常国会閉幕 停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 9, 2012)
Ruling, opposition blocs must rise above politicking
通常国会閉幕 停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ（9月8日付・読売社説）
The ordinary session of the Diet, which has lasted more than seven months, adjourns on Saturday.
７か月余に及んだ通常国会が８日閉幕する。
Relative to its long duration, the session cannot be considered very productive.
長丁場の割には、非生産的だった。
There is an urgent need for both the ruling and opposition blocs to work out reforms of the legislature to break away from "politics incapable of making decisions."
「決められない政治」から脱却するための国会改革に、与野党で取り組む必要がある。
The most important achievement in this Diet session was the enactment of a set of laws for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems.
It is significant that the long-overdue task of raising the consumption tax rate has been accomplished through cooperation among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
最大の成果は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立である。民主党と自民、公明両党が連携し、長年の懸案であった消費税率引き上げを決めた意義は大きい。
In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared, "The stalemate of politics can surely be surmounted only if we politicians have a strong sense of responsibility and resolve, seeing things from a broad perspective."
野田首相は記者会見で「政治家が使命感と覚悟を持ち、大局に立てば、政治の停滞を打破できる」と強調した。その通りだろう。
He is right to say so.
Cooperation among the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, however, has been limited to a very narrow range, leaving a pile of Diet business unaddressed.
だが、民自公の連携はごく一部に限られ、多くの懸案が残った。
===
DPJ leadership clumsy
The passage rate of fresh government-sponsored bills during this ordinary session was 66 percent, the second-lowest in the past 20 years. Both the ruling and opposition parties must do serious soul-searching about this.
政府が新規提出した法案のうち成立は６６％で、この２０年間で２番目に低い水準だ。与野党とも大いに反省しなければならない。
The impasse cannot be attributed only to the divided state of the Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives.
国会停滞の原因は、衆参のねじれだけではない。
As LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has pointed out, imbroglios within the DPJ have hampered steering of state affairs.
自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の混乱が国政の遂行を妨げた、と指摘した。
There were some conspicuous instances of poor management of Diet affairs by the DPJ leadership during the session. For instance, the issue of Diet approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission has been left unrealized due to the DPJ's clumsy handling of the matter.
確かに、民主党執行部の稚拙な対応が目立った。例えば、原子力規制委員会人事の国会同意が実現しなかったことである。
After the government decided on candidates for the chairman and other members of the commission, one objection after another arose within the DPJ. The party leadership, fearful of internal rebellion, postponed votes on the candidates in both the lower and upper chambers' plenary sessions. The DPJ should be criticized for lacking awareness of its duty to shore up the government.
政府が決めた委員長と委員の候補に対し、民主党内から異論が相次ぎ、造反を恐れた党執行部は、衆参両院本会議での議決を見送った。民主党には政府を支える自覚が足りないと言えよう。
Delay in launching the nuclear regulatory commission, which is to be in charge of revamping the administration for ensuring nuclear safety, can only raise more obstacles to resuming operations of idled nuclear power plants.
原子力安全行政の立て直しを担う規制委の発足がずれ込めば、原子力発電所の再稼働にも支障が出る。
Under the circumstances, Noda has expressed his intention to appoint the commission's chairman and other members without Diet approval, based on a provision of the law for the establishment of the commission.
野田首相は規制委設置法に基づき、国会同意なしに委員長と委員を任命する考えを表明した。
Such action is inevitable.
やむを得ない措置である。
===
Opposition also culpable
Dealing with the problem of the disparity in the weight of votes in lower house elections, which the Supreme Court has ruled as being in a "state of unconstitutionality," has also been put off.
違憲状態とされている衆院選の「１票の格差」是正も先送りされた。
The DPJ's attempt to focus on a bill that it prepared unilaterally without any effort to obtain support from the opposition has only aggravated the problem.
民主党が、野党の合意を得ず一方的に独自法案の審議を進めたことが事態をこじらせた。
But the opposition, too, should be held heavily responsible for throwing the Diet into confusion.
一方、国会の混乱は野党にも大きな責任がある。
The opposition bloc passed censure motions against the prime minister and two other Cabinet members, subsequently boycotting Diet deliberations and stalling Diet business for a long period.
参院で首相と２閣僚の問責決議を可決し、審議拒否によって国会を長期間空転させた。
What the current opposition has done is much the same as what the DPJ did when it was in opposition. How long will opposition parties continue to engage in such futile showdowns with the government?
野党時代の民主党と同様の手法だ。こんな不毛な対立をいつまで繰り返すのか。
The opposition must refrain from using censure motions, which have no binding power, as means of political maneuvering.
法的拘束力のない問責決議を政争に使うことは慎まねばならない。
The bill for issuing deficit-covering government bonds has been scrapped because of resistance from opposition parties.
赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案は、野党の反対で廃案となった。
As a result, the government has been unable to secure revenue sources for budgetary appropriations and has had to refrain from implementing parts of the budget, including allocation of tax grants to local governments. This is a situation that can adversely affect people's lives.
予算の裏付けとなる財源を担保できず、政府は地方交付税交付金の配分など予算執行の一部抑制に踏み切る。国民生活に悪影響を及ぼしかねない事態だ。
Both the ruling and opposition camps make a point of engaging in politicking for the sake of their own selfish interests. This must stop.
与野党が党利党略で駆け引きにうつつを抜かす。そんな政治に終止符を打ってもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
（2012年9月8日01時45分 読売新聞）
Ruling, opposition blocs must rise above politicking
通常国会閉幕 停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ（9月8日付・読売社説）
The ordinary session of the Diet, which has lasted more than seven months, adjourns on Saturday.
７か月余に及んだ通常国会が８日閉幕する。
Relative to its long duration, the session cannot be considered very productive.
長丁場の割には、非生産的だった。
There is an urgent need for both the ruling and opposition blocs to work out reforms of the legislature to break away from "politics incapable of making decisions."
「決められない政治」から脱却するための国会改革に、与野党で取り組む必要がある。
The most important achievement in this Diet session was the enactment of a set of laws for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems.
It is significant that the long-overdue task of raising the consumption tax rate has been accomplished through cooperation among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
最大の成果は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立である。民主党と自民、公明両党が連携し、長年の懸案であった消費税率引き上げを決めた意義は大きい。
In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared, "The stalemate of politics can surely be surmounted only if we politicians have a strong sense of responsibility and resolve, seeing things from a broad perspective."
野田首相は記者会見で「政治家が使命感と覚悟を持ち、大局に立てば、政治の停滞を打破できる」と強調した。その通りだろう。
He is right to say so.
Cooperation among the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, however, has been limited to a very narrow range, leaving a pile of Diet business unaddressed.
だが、民自公の連携はごく一部に限られ、多くの懸案が残った。
===
DPJ leadership clumsy
The passage rate of fresh government-sponsored bills during this ordinary session was 66 percent, the second-lowest in the past 20 years. Both the ruling and opposition parties must do serious soul-searching about this.
政府が新規提出した法案のうち成立は６６％で、この２０年間で２番目に低い水準だ。与野党とも大いに反省しなければならない。
The impasse cannot be attributed only to the divided state of the Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives.
国会停滞の原因は、衆参のねじれだけではない。
As LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has pointed out, imbroglios within the DPJ have hampered steering of state affairs.
自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の混乱が国政の遂行を妨げた、と指摘した。
There were some conspicuous instances of poor management of Diet affairs by the DPJ leadership during the session. For instance, the issue of Diet approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission has been left unrealized due to the DPJ's clumsy handling of the matter.
確かに、民主党執行部の稚拙な対応が目立った。例えば、原子力規制委員会人事の国会同意が実現しなかったことである。
After the government decided on candidates for the chairman and other members of the commission, one objection after another arose within the DPJ. The party leadership, fearful of internal rebellion, postponed votes on the candidates in both the lower and upper chambers' plenary sessions. The DPJ should be criticized for lacking awareness of its duty to shore up the government.
政府が決めた委員長と委員の候補に対し、民主党内から異論が相次ぎ、造反を恐れた党執行部は、衆参両院本会議での議決を見送った。民主党には政府を支える自覚が足りないと言えよう。
Delay in launching the nuclear regulatory commission, which is to be in charge of revamping the administration for ensuring nuclear safety, can only raise more obstacles to resuming operations of idled nuclear power plants.
原子力安全行政の立て直しを担う規制委の発足がずれ込めば、原子力発電所の再稼働にも支障が出る。
Under the circumstances, Noda has expressed his intention to appoint the commission's chairman and other members without Diet approval, based on a provision of the law for the establishment of the commission.
野田首相は規制委設置法に基づき、国会同意なしに委員長と委員を任命する考えを表明した。
Such action is inevitable.
やむを得ない措置である。
===
Opposition also culpable
Dealing with the problem of the disparity in the weight of votes in lower house elections, which the Supreme Court has ruled as being in a "state of unconstitutionality," has also been put off.
違憲状態とされている衆院選の「１票の格差」是正も先送りされた。
The DPJ's attempt to focus on a bill that it prepared unilaterally without any effort to obtain support from the opposition has only aggravated the problem.
民主党が、野党の合意を得ず一方的に独自法案の審議を進めたことが事態をこじらせた。
But the opposition, too, should be held heavily responsible for throwing the Diet into confusion.
一方、国会の混乱は野党にも大きな責任がある。
The opposition bloc passed censure motions against the prime minister and two other Cabinet members, subsequently boycotting Diet deliberations and stalling Diet business for a long period.
参院で首相と２閣僚の問責決議を可決し、審議拒否によって国会を長期間空転させた。
What the current opposition has done is much the same as what the DPJ did when it was in opposition. How long will opposition parties continue to engage in such futile showdowns with the government?
野党時代の民主党と同様の手法だ。こんな不毛な対立をいつまで繰り返すのか。
The opposition must refrain from using censure motions, which have no binding power, as means of political maneuvering.
法的拘束力のない問責決議を政争に使うことは慎まねばならない。
The bill for issuing deficit-covering government bonds has been scrapped because of resistance from opposition parties.
赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案は、野党の反対で廃案となった。
As a result, the government has been unable to secure revenue sources for budgetary appropriations and has had to refrain from implementing parts of the budget, including allocation of tax grants to local governments. This is a situation that can adversely affect people's lives.
予算の裏付けとなる財源を担保できず、政府は地方交付税交付金の配分など予算執行の一部抑制に踏み切る。国民生活に悪影響を及ぼしかねない事態だ。
Both the ruling and opposition camps make a point of engaging in politicking for the sake of their own selfish interests. This must stop.
与野党が党利党略で駆け引きにうつつを抜かす。そんな政治に終止符を打ってもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
（2012年9月8日01時45分 読売新聞）
2012/09/09
民・自の党首選 「決める政治」への道筋を語れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 8, 2012)
Party presidential candidates must show policy directions
民・自の党首選 「決める政治」への道筋を語れ（9月7日付・読売社説）
Preparations for the presidential elections of both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party are gathering pace.
民主党の代表選、自民党の総裁選に向けた動きが加速している。
The president of the DPJ will be prime minister, but the president of the LDP may also take up the post, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election, which is to be held "sometime soon."
民主党代表はすなわち首相ポストだが、自民党総裁も「近いうち」の次期衆院選の結果によっては、首相に就く可能性がある。
Each party race must be fought over candidates' views on the nation as a state, their basic policies and their qualifications as a leader. There will be heated debates in which candidates need to take into account not only the positions of their rivals within their own party but also the positions of candidates in the other party.
国家観、基本政策、リーダーとしての資質が競われなければならない。党内だけでなく、相手の党も意識した論戦になるだろう。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will seek reelection in the DPJ presidential race, while Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, a member of the Noda Cabinet, has hinted at his intention to run, reversing his earlier stance that he would not. It now seems highly likely that the once almost certain prospect of Noda's reelection will be changed.
民主党代表選は、再選を目指す野田首相に対し、閣僚である細野環境相が一転して出馬に意欲を示している。再選確実の構図が変わる公算が大きくなってきた。
The LDP presidential race, meanwhile, appears to be a crowded field with the following figures expected to run: current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
自民党総裁選は、谷垣総裁、安倍元首相、石原幹事長、石破茂・前政調会長、町村信孝・元官房長官、林芳正政調会長代理の名が挙がり乱立気味だ。
Attention has been drawn to factions led by Makoto Koga and Machimura, as they may split over the question of whom to run from these factions.
古賀、町村両派の分裂含みの展開も目を引く。
===
3-party pacts key issue
One focal point in the two parties' elections is whether to maintain agreements reached by the DPJ, LDP and New Komeito over such issues as integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
両党首選の焦点の一つは、社会保障と税の一体改革などで実現した民主、自民、公明の３党による合意路線を今後も維持していくのかどうかである。
Neither the DPJ nor the LDP can change the divided Diet, where the lower house is controlled by the ruling camp and the House of Councillors is held by the opposition, until the next upper house election takes place.
民主、自民両党とも、来年の参院選までは、衆参ねじれ国会を解消することはできない。
Whether to cooperate to pass pending bills will be a point of contention. There is a growing number of tasks to be addressed, such as legislation to allow the issuance of deficit-covering bonds and to reform the lower house election system to rectify the disparity in the value of one vote.
今後の法案処理での連携が問われよう。赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案や、１票の格差を是正する衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案など課題は山積している。
In the DPJ, intraparty confrontation over differences in policy directions has eased since former party leader Ichiro Ozawa and others left the DPJ. If Noda is reelected, he will have no choice but to seek cooperation from the LDP and Komeito to form a consensus on policy.
民主党は、小沢一郎元代表らの離党によって路線対立は緩和された。野田首相は再選されれば、自公両党の協力を得て、合意を形成していくしかないだろう。
Meanwhile, confrontation within the LDP has been increasingly prominent. Although Tanigaki and Ishihara promoted three-party cooperation with the DPJ and Komeito, Abe hopes to join hands with Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) rather than the DPJ.
自民党では、対立が浮き彫りになっている。これまで谷垣、石原両氏が進めてきた民自公３党の協調路線に対し、安倍氏は民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携に意欲を見せる。
Which political forces to cooperate with is a key issue. Other possible candidates also should clarify their stance in this regard.
どの勢力と連携するかは、重要なテーマである。他の立候補予定者も明確にしてもらいたい。
===
Deepen debates
Both parties must deepen their debates on policy issues to tackle the problems they are facing.
無論、両党は直面する課題への政策論議を深めねばならない。
It is an urgent task to set the course for the nation's energy policy, which concerns such issues as restarting idled reactors at nuclear power plants. Whether to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework also will be a major issue.
原子力発電所の再稼働をはじめ、エネルギー政策をどう方向付けるかは喫緊の課題である。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題も大きな論点となる。
We want to hear candidates' views on issues related to Japan's sovereignty and territories, as exemplified in the cases of the Senkaku Islands, Takeshima islands and northern territories. We also will pay attention to their views on exercising the right to collective self-defense, which is indispensable to deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
尖閣諸島、竹島、北方領土など日本の主権・領土を巡る問題や、日米同盟の深化に欠かせない「集団的自衛権の行使」に関する見解はぜひとも聞きたい。
Rival candidates to Noda and Tanigaki are emerging because their parties need to survive the next lower house election. It cannot be denied that the major focus in the two parties' elections is on who will become the party's face in the lower house election. But it is putting the cart before the horse if policy positions do not serve as the yardstick.
野田、谷垣両氏に対抗馬が出るのは、衆院選での生き残りを懸けているからだ。両党首選の最大の眼目が「選挙の顔」にあることは否めないが、政策が尺度とならないようでは本末転倒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2012)
（2012年9月7日01時50分 読売新聞）
Party presidential candidates must show policy directions
民・自の党首選 「決める政治」への道筋を語れ（9月7日付・読売社説）
Preparations for the presidential elections of both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party are gathering pace.
民主党の代表選、自民党の総裁選に向けた動きが加速している。
The president of the DPJ will be prime minister, but the president of the LDP may also take up the post, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election, which is to be held "sometime soon."
民主党代表はすなわち首相ポストだが、自民党総裁も「近いうち」の次期衆院選の結果によっては、首相に就く可能性がある。
Each party race must be fought over candidates' views on the nation as a state, their basic policies and their qualifications as a leader. There will be heated debates in which candidates need to take into account not only the positions of their rivals within their own party but also the positions of candidates in the other party.
国家観、基本政策、リーダーとしての資質が競われなければならない。党内だけでなく、相手の党も意識した論戦になるだろう。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will seek reelection in the DPJ presidential race, while Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, a member of the Noda Cabinet, has hinted at his intention to run, reversing his earlier stance that he would not. It now seems highly likely that the once almost certain prospect of Noda's reelection will be changed.
民主党代表選は、再選を目指す野田首相に対し、閣僚である細野環境相が一転して出馬に意欲を示している。再選確実の構図が変わる公算が大きくなってきた。
The LDP presidential race, meanwhile, appears to be a crowded field with the following figures expected to run: current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
自民党総裁選は、谷垣総裁、安倍元首相、石原幹事長、石破茂・前政調会長、町村信孝・元官房長官、林芳正政調会長代理の名が挙がり乱立気味だ。
Attention has been drawn to factions led by Makoto Koga and Machimura, as they may split over the question of whom to run from these factions.
古賀、町村両派の分裂含みの展開も目を引く。
===
3-party pacts key issue
One focal point in the two parties' elections is whether to maintain agreements reached by the DPJ, LDP and New Komeito over such issues as integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
両党首選の焦点の一つは、社会保障と税の一体改革などで実現した民主、自民、公明の３党による合意路線を今後も維持していくのかどうかである。
Neither the DPJ nor the LDP can change the divided Diet, where the lower house is controlled by the ruling camp and the House of Councillors is held by the opposition, until the next upper house election takes place.
民主、自民両党とも、来年の参院選までは、衆参ねじれ国会を解消することはできない。
Whether to cooperate to pass pending bills will be a point of contention. There is a growing number of tasks to be addressed, such as legislation to allow the issuance of deficit-covering bonds and to reform the lower house election system to rectify the disparity in the value of one vote.
今後の法案処理での連携が問われよう。赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案や、１票の格差を是正する衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案など課題は山積している。
In the DPJ, intraparty confrontation over differences in policy directions has eased since former party leader Ichiro Ozawa and others left the DPJ. If Noda is reelected, he will have no choice but to seek cooperation from the LDP and Komeito to form a consensus on policy.
民主党は、小沢一郎元代表らの離党によって路線対立は緩和された。野田首相は再選されれば、自公両党の協力を得て、合意を形成していくしかないだろう。
Meanwhile, confrontation within the LDP has been increasingly prominent. Although Tanigaki and Ishihara promoted three-party cooperation with the DPJ and Komeito, Abe hopes to join hands with Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) rather than the DPJ.
自民党では、対立が浮き彫りになっている。これまで谷垣、石原両氏が進めてきた民自公３党の協調路線に対し、安倍氏は民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携に意欲を見せる。
Which political forces to cooperate with is a key issue. Other possible candidates also should clarify their stance in this regard.
どの勢力と連携するかは、重要なテーマである。他の立候補予定者も明確にしてもらいたい。
===
Deepen debates
Both parties must deepen their debates on policy issues to tackle the problems they are facing.
無論、両党は直面する課題への政策論議を深めねばならない。
It is an urgent task to set the course for the nation's energy policy, which concerns such issues as restarting idled reactors at nuclear power plants. Whether to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework also will be a major issue.
原子力発電所の再稼働をはじめ、エネルギー政策をどう方向付けるかは喫緊の課題である。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題も大きな論点となる。
We want to hear candidates' views on issues related to Japan's sovereignty and territories, as exemplified in the cases of the Senkaku Islands, Takeshima islands and northern territories. We also will pay attention to their views on exercising the right to collective self-defense, which is indispensable to deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
尖閣諸島、竹島、北方領土など日本の主権・領土を巡る問題や、日米同盟の深化に欠かせない「集団的自衛権の行使」に関する見解はぜひとも聞きたい。
Rival candidates to Noda and Tanigaki are emerging because their parties need to survive the next lower house election. It cannot be denied that the major focus in the two parties' elections is on who will become the party's face in the lower house election. But it is putting the cart before the horse if policy positions do not serve as the yardstick.
野田、谷垣両氏に対抗馬が出るのは、衆院選での生き残りを懸けているからだ。両党首選の最大の眼目が「選挙の顔」にあることは否めないが、政策が尺度とならないようでは本末転倒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2012)
（2012年9月7日01時50分 読売新聞）
2012/09/08
尖閣国有化へ 安定管理への具体的方策を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 7, 2012)
Govt should work out specifics for stable control of Senkakus
尖閣国有化へ 安定管理への具体的方策を（9月6日付・読売社説）
The government's decision to place the Senkaku Islands under state control is a step toward stably maintaining and controlling the islets.
尖閣諸島を安定的に維持・管理するうえで一歩前進である。
The government reportedly has agreed with the owner of three of the islands--Uotsurijima, Kita-kojima and Minami-kojima--that it will purchase them. The money to buy them, totaling about 2.05 billion yen, is likely to be procured from a reserve fund.
政府が、尖閣諸島の魚釣島と北小島、南小島の３島について、地権者と売買契約を結ぶことで合意した。約２０億５０００万円の購入費用は予備費から支出する方針だ。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's proactive steps to jump-start the purchase negotiations with the owner apparently prompted the central government, which had been dragging its feet on the issue, to make such a move. Ishihara has expressed his willingness to accept state control of the islands and hand over to the central government more than 1.4 billion yen that was donated to the Tokyo metropolitan government to buy them.
政府が重い腰を上げたのは、東京都の石原慎太郎知事が地権者との買い上げ交渉を進めたからである。石原氏も国有化を容認し、都が募った１４億円を超える寄付金を政府に渡す意向を示している。
The central government sold the islands to the private sector 80 years ago, and the ownership has changed hands since then. We highly regard efforts to put the islands back under state control as it will end the current instability connected with private ownership.
尖閣諸島は８０年前に政府が民間に払い下げてから、譲渡によって所有者が交代している。国有化で不安定な個人所有からようやく脱することは評価すべきだ。
The government has leased the three islets from the current owner and placed them under its effective control. It has since conducted minimum administrative work for the islets by restricting entry to government officials and other such parties.
政府は現在、３島を地権者から賃借し、管理下に置いている。政府関係者以外の立ち入りを規制して、最低限の管理業務だけを行ってきた。
===
Consideration for China
Such a hesitant stance was taken apparently because the government did not want to provoke China, which also claims sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
領有権を主張する中国を刺激したくないとの配慮からだろう。
However, China's fishery patrol boats have repeatedly engaged in provocative acts near the Senkakus. Public criticism against Japan has also grown in China over the issue.
だが、中国の漁業監視船は、尖閣周辺で挑発行為を繰り返している。中国内の世論でも、尖閣問題で日本批判が強まっている。
Japan needs not only to renovate a lighthouse and protect the environment on the islands but also to draw up measures to protect its sovereignty and further tighten its effective control of the islands.
政府は灯台の改修、環境保護はもとより、領土保全と実効支配を一段と強めるための方策を練っていく必要があろう。
Ishihara and the city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, which has jurisdiction over the islands, have called on the central government to build facilities there, such as port facilities that can shelter fishing boats during bad weather and a radio relay station for fishing vessels. The central government should look into the validity of such calls and, if necessary, consider working out the details.
石原氏や地元の沖縄県石垣市は、荒天時に備えた漁船の避難港や、漁業無線の中継基地の設置などを求めている。政府はその妥当性を判断し、必要なら具体化を検討すべきである。
We believe it would be reasonable for the central government to cooperate with the Tokyo metropolitan government, which has the know-how to manage remote islands such as the Ogasawara Islands.
小笠原諸島などで離島管理のノウハウを持っている都との連携を図ることも一案ではないか。
===
Strengthen sea surveillance
Meanwhile, the nation needs to strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's policing system and its authority to beef up surveillance of the Senkaku Islands. A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law, which was approved during the current Diet session, is part of such efforts.
尖閣諸島の警戒監視を強化するには、海上保安庁の体制と権限の拡充が必要だ。今国会で成立した改正海上保安庁法は、その一つの手立てである。
Previously, when foreigners landed illegally on the Senkakus, police officers had to come all the way from neighboring islets. But under the revised law, JCG officers will be allowed to arrest such intruders.
外国人が不法上陸した場合、従来は近隣の島から警察官を運ぶ必要があったが、施行後は、海上保安官が検挙できるようになる。
Also, we must not forget the importance of the U.S. military's deterrence. If the military's new Osprey transport aircraft is deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, the mobility of U.S. marines will be improved, raising hopes of holding China in check.
米軍の抑止力の重要性も忘れてはならない。新型輸送機オスプレイが沖縄に配備されれば、米海兵隊の機動性は高まり、中国をけん制する効果が期待できる。
Anti-Japan activists based in Hong Kong reportedly have vowed to make an unauthorized landing on the Senkakus again in October. If Hong Kong authorities allow them to set out for the islands, the Japan-China relationship would worsen and the move would go against China's own interests.
香港の反日活動家は１０月に再び不法上陸する構えだ。香港当局が尖閣諸島への出航を許せば、日中関係を揺るがし、中国にも不利益をもたらすことになるだろう。
If Japanese and Chinese leaders hold a summit meeting on the sideline of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit talks this weekend, they should discuss the future bilateral relationship from a broad point of view.
週末のアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際、日中首脳会談が開かれれば、両国首脳は大局的観点に立って日中関係の将来を話し合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2012)
（2012年9月6日01時33分 読売新聞）
Govt should work out specifics for stable control of Senkakus
尖閣国有化へ 安定管理への具体的方策を（9月6日付・読売社説）
The government's decision to place the Senkaku Islands under state control is a step toward stably maintaining and controlling the islets.
尖閣諸島を安定的に維持・管理するうえで一歩前進である。
The government reportedly has agreed with the owner of three of the islands--Uotsurijima, Kita-kojima and Minami-kojima--that it will purchase them. The money to buy them, totaling about 2.05 billion yen, is likely to be procured from a reserve fund.
政府が、尖閣諸島の魚釣島と北小島、南小島の３島について、地権者と売買契約を結ぶことで合意した。約２０億５０００万円の購入費用は予備費から支出する方針だ。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's proactive steps to jump-start the purchase negotiations with the owner apparently prompted the central government, which had been dragging its feet on the issue, to make such a move. Ishihara has expressed his willingness to accept state control of the islands and hand over to the central government more than 1.4 billion yen that was donated to the Tokyo metropolitan government to buy them.
政府が重い腰を上げたのは、東京都の石原慎太郎知事が地権者との買い上げ交渉を進めたからである。石原氏も国有化を容認し、都が募った１４億円を超える寄付金を政府に渡す意向を示している。
The central government sold the islands to the private sector 80 years ago, and the ownership has changed hands since then. We highly regard efforts to put the islands back under state control as it will end the current instability connected with private ownership.
尖閣諸島は８０年前に政府が民間に払い下げてから、譲渡によって所有者が交代している。国有化で不安定な個人所有からようやく脱することは評価すべきだ。
The government has leased the three islets from the current owner and placed them under its effective control. It has since conducted minimum administrative work for the islets by restricting entry to government officials and other such parties.
政府は現在、３島を地権者から賃借し、管理下に置いている。政府関係者以外の立ち入りを規制して、最低限の管理業務だけを行ってきた。
===
Consideration for China
Such a hesitant stance was taken apparently because the government did not want to provoke China, which also claims sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
領有権を主張する中国を刺激したくないとの配慮からだろう。
However, China's fishery patrol boats have repeatedly engaged in provocative acts near the Senkakus. Public criticism against Japan has also grown in China over the issue.
だが、中国の漁業監視船は、尖閣周辺で挑発行為を繰り返している。中国内の世論でも、尖閣問題で日本批判が強まっている。
Japan needs not only to renovate a lighthouse and protect the environment on the islands but also to draw up measures to protect its sovereignty and further tighten its effective control of the islands.
政府は灯台の改修、環境保護はもとより、領土保全と実効支配を一段と強めるための方策を練っていく必要があろう。
Ishihara and the city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, which has jurisdiction over the islands, have called on the central government to build facilities there, such as port facilities that can shelter fishing boats during bad weather and a radio relay station for fishing vessels. The central government should look into the validity of such calls and, if necessary, consider working out the details.
石原氏や地元の沖縄県石垣市は、荒天時に備えた漁船の避難港や、漁業無線の中継基地の設置などを求めている。政府はその妥当性を判断し、必要なら具体化を検討すべきである。
We believe it would be reasonable for the central government to cooperate with the Tokyo metropolitan government, which has the know-how to manage remote islands such as the Ogasawara Islands.
小笠原諸島などで離島管理のノウハウを持っている都との連携を図ることも一案ではないか。
===
Strengthen sea surveillance
Meanwhile, the nation needs to strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's policing system and its authority to beef up surveillance of the Senkaku Islands. A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law, which was approved during the current Diet session, is part of such efforts.
尖閣諸島の警戒監視を強化するには、海上保安庁の体制と権限の拡充が必要だ。今国会で成立した改正海上保安庁法は、その一つの手立てである。
Previously, when foreigners landed illegally on the Senkakus, police officers had to come all the way from neighboring islets. But under the revised law, JCG officers will be allowed to arrest such intruders.
外国人が不法上陸した場合、従来は近隣の島から警察官を運ぶ必要があったが、施行後は、海上保安官が検挙できるようになる。
Also, we must not forget the importance of the U.S. military's deterrence. If the military's new Osprey transport aircraft is deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, the mobility of U.S. marines will be improved, raising hopes of holding China in check.
米軍の抑止力の重要性も忘れてはならない。新型輸送機オスプレイが沖縄に配備されれば、米海兵隊の機動性は高まり、中国をけん制する効果が期待できる。
Anti-Japan activists based in Hong Kong reportedly have vowed to make an unauthorized landing on the Senkakus again in October. If Hong Kong authorities allow them to set out for the islands, the Japan-China relationship would worsen and the move would go against China's own interests.
香港の反日活動家は１０月に再び不法上陸する構えだ。香港当局が尖閣諸島への出航を許せば、日中関係を揺るがし、中国にも不利益をもたらすことになるだろう。
If Japanese and Chinese leaders hold a summit meeting on the sideline of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit talks this weekend, they should discuss the future bilateral relationship from a broad point of view.
週末のアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際、日中首脳会談が開かれれば、両国首脳は大局的観点に立って日中関係の将来を話し合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2012)
（2012年9月6日01時33分 読売新聞）
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