３２レッドカジノ VS ジパングカジノ

はじめに、

オンラインカジノ遊びは期間が長期に渡ると必ず負けます。（収支決算で）
私の得意なのはルーレットの赤黒勝負だけです。
小さく賭けていけば、かなり長い時間遊べます。
ただし、これで生計が立つかというと、答えはノーです。（人によりますが＾＾）
オンライカジノ遊びは気分転換、リフレッシュの目的で遊ぶのが正しいやり方です。
たった一回の赤黒勝負に１５００万円相当の金額を賭けた男性のビデオもみました。
この男性は運が良かったのでしょう。
３０００万円相当を懐にいれて、さっさと帰宅いたしました。
オンラインカジノは夢を買う遊びなのですが、宝くじと似ています。
実際、スロットマシンゲームではジャックポットを引き当てて、一躍、億万長者になった人だって多いのです。その中には日本人も含まれます。
公営ギャンブル、宝くじ、パチンコなどで遊ぶよりは、ペイアウトで考えれば多少ましな遊びだと言うことが出来ます。
所詮遊びです。深入りは身の破滅を招きます。


３２レッドカジノ

当代、世界一の評判が高い（各種賞の獲得）
ロンドン証券所上場のエリート企業
抜群のペイアウト（還元率）
日本人担当者はいない
若干の英語力が必要
多少の英語力のある人だったらこちらです





ジパングカジノ

カジノライセンス保有（フィリピン）
日本人担当者がいるようだ
２４時間、日本語で対応（日本語サポート）
英語力は不要
その分、ペイアウトは落ちるものと推定される（経費がかかるので）
英語がまったく出来ない人はこちらになります

社説:２０１３年を展望する 骨太の互恵精神育てよ

January 01, 2013(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Japan's 2013 to be shaped by power of its economy, power of peace
社説:２０１３年を展望する　骨太の互恵精神育てよ

2013 will be a year of new approaches for Japan, and we believe the nation's new ways of being will come in two facets.
　２０１３年は、戦後日本の生き方が、二つの意味で試される年になるのではないだろうか。

The first: Japan's latent economic power. Economic policy will grapple with ways to enlarge the economic pie, and then decide how that pie will be sliced.
　一つは、日本経済の底力だ。経済政策には、全体のパイをどう増やしていくか、という側面と、それをどう分配するか、と２通りある。

The previous Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) administration put the most emphasis on the latter half of that equation, distributing generous support to young people and those in agriculture in the form of child allowances, free high school tuition, and farming household subsidies.
民主党政権は後者の分配政策を重視、子ども手当、高校授業料無償化、農家への戸別所得補償といった形で若年層、第１次産業に手厚く予算を配分した。

The newly minted Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-led administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on the other hand, is intensely focused on the size of the pie, championing sweeping monetary easing and public investment under the name of breaking away from deflation.
これに対し安倍政権は、前者の成長政策を前面に押し立て、デフレ脱却の名の下に大胆な金融緩和と公共投資の必要性を唱えている。

　◇若者へ所得移転を

Of course, just about everyone ought to be happier if there's more pie to go around, and here at the outset we have no intention of speaking ill of the idea.
　確かに、全体のパイが大きくなれば誰もがハッピーになるはずで、のっけからくさすつもりは毛頭ない。

However, we must point out that it's not as if preceding administrations have done nothing towards that goal in the 20 plus years since the economic bubble burst.
They pushed zero interest rates, went ahead with major monetary easing measures of their own, and poured money into mostly public works projects as emergency economic measures on numerous occasions.
ただし、指摘すべきは、バブル崩壊後の２０年余り、歴代政権は何もしてこなかったのではなく、金融政策としてはゼロ金利や量的緩和、財政政策としては公共事業を中心とした数次に及ぶ緊急経済対策を打ってきた。

In the end, quite similar strategies were piled one atop the other, amassing a quadrillion yen national debt in the process.
いわば類似政策を積み重ねてきた結果が、１０００兆円にものぼる借金財政を生んだ、という事実だ。

Behind Japan's lack of growth are its low birthrate and aging population, the rise of emerging economies, and environmental limitations on our supply and use of energy and resources. These are all structural causes, and we want to see the Abe administration tackle them head-on.
　成長できない背景には、少子化による人口減と高齢化、新興国の台頭、資源・エネルギーの環境制約があるのだが、安倍政権にはこういった構造的要因にも手をつけてほしい。

Japan's population is greying at the fastest rate in the world, and already one in four Japanese is 65 or older. This fact makes a well-considered and solid plan to deal with the aging society especially important.
　特に、すでに４人に１人が６５歳以上となっている世界最速の高齢化には、腰を据えた対策が必要だ。

Furthermore, to create an environment where young people are confident they have the financial wherewithal to have and raise children of their own, we believe it's time that a part of our limited economic pie -- employment and income -- be shifted to those young people from the older, wealthier segment of society.
若い人たちが自分たちの子どもを産み育てることのできる環境を整備するためには、限られたパイの中で、豊かな高齢者層から雇用も所得も不安定な若年者層へのより明確な所得移転が必要になるのではないだろうか。

What we'd like people to bear in mind here is the importance of mutual concessions and reciprocity.
　その際に心がけたいのは、互譲と互恵の精神である。

We need to think that, in yielding to another, we ourselves are blessed and enriched. We also need to make this a mutual process, repeated many times.
相手に譲ることで自らが恩恵を受ける、豊かになる、それを相互に繰り返す、そういった心の持ちようだ。

To make use of Japan's young people to the full extent of their abilities will in turn revitalize all of society, the benefits of which will flow back to the elderly.
若い人たちを生かすことが社会全体の活力につながり、めぐりめぐって高齢者層の利益になる。

Even if the economic pie does not grow, can we not create such a positive redistribution cycle?
全体のパイが増えなくてもそんなプラスの分配サイクルはできないか。

To that end, we'd like to see some of the DPJ's policies that never got off the ground pushed forward by the new administration.
民主政権では踏み込めなかった政策をぜひ前に進めてほしい。

As Japan has held to its postwar focus on light armament and economy-first policy, its economy has managed to survive the calamities of the currency crisis, the oil shock and the end of the bubble economy.
　戦後軽軍備・経済重視路線を堅持する中で、為替危機、石油ショック、バブル崩壊などいくつもの激変を乗り切ってきた日本経済である。

Now is the time to use the economic potential so evident in this resilience to shift gears, to deal with the mature economy that Japan enjoys.
今こそ、その底力を発揮して成熟経済対応にギアチェンジする時である。

The spirit of reciprocity must not only be applied to intergenerational relations, but to foreign relations as well.
　互恵の精神は、世代間対立だけでなく、国と国との関係にも応用できる。

The second facet of Japan's new way of life in 2013 lies here, in the power of peace bound up in a national government that has never pursued war.
二つ目に試される日本政治の平和力とも関わってくる。

The greatest issue facing Japanese diplomacy is how to deal with the rising power of China.
　日本外交の当面の最大の課題は、台頭する中国とどう向き合うか、にある。

There is talk in international circles that Chinese incursions into Japanese territorial waters and airspace over the Senkaku Islands dispute could lead to an armed clash.
尖閣諸島をめぐる対立は、中国側の領海、領空侵犯で武力紛争の可能性まで取りざたされるに至っている。

As a country that hasn't fired a shot in anger in some 67 years, all Japanese must now reconfirm the peace power of our nation and discuss how we can avoid Japan-China relations from worsening.
戦後６７年間一回も戦争をせずにこられた我が国の平和力を今一度点検し、どうすれば最悪の事態を回避できるか、国民的議論が必要だ。

Japanese postwar pacifism is built on two main premises: a vow grounded in reflection on World War II to never again launch a war of aggression, and on the deterrent embodied in the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
　戦後の平和を支えてきたのは、あの戦争に対する反省からきた二度と侵略戦争はしないという誓いと、現実的な抑止力として機能する日米安保体制であろう。

Japan strives to solve all its international disputes through dialogue.
係争はあくまでも話し合いで解決する。

Of course for the sake of deterring potential enemies, Japan must prepare itself militarily.
もちろん、適正な抑止力を維持するための軍事上の備えは怠らない。

For this reason, we must reconfirm the meaning and the function of the security treaty.
そのためには、日米安保体制の意義、機能を再確認しておくことが大切だ。

On top of this, we believe it important to study the history of the 1920s.
そのうえで１９２０年代の歴史から学びたい。

　◇あくまで国際協調で

The Taisho period (1912-1926) saw the formation of two major political parties, and the national discourse rang with the voices of democracy.
　日本で初めて２大政党が定着し大正デモクラシーが高らかに宣言された時代である。

In the end, however, party politics couldn't protect the peace.
だが、結果的に政党政治は平和を守り切れなかった。

The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 combined with a global financial crisis sent the Japanese economy into turmoil. Calls for imperial expansion on the Asian continent intensified, and bellicose, xenophobic hardliners drowned out the good sense of those calling for international cooperation and compromise. Militarism took over, and in the name of supporting Imperial rule, the government led our nation into reckless war.
関東大震災や世界恐慌で経済が混乱し中国大陸に対する帝国主義的な領土拡張競争が激化する中、排外主義的対外強硬路線の大声が、妥協主義的国際協調路線の良識をかき消し、軍部独走、大政翼賛政治が私たちを無謀な戦争に追いやった。

What our very own history teaches us is that when two countries cannot compromise over a territorial or sovereignty dispute, useless escalation follows.
領土や主権をめぐる争いは双方がどちらも譲歩できないことにより、いたずらに対立がエスカレートするのも歴史が教えるところである。

We believe Japan must discard cheap anti-foreign sentiment and seek big-picture international cooperation.
　安直な排外主義を排し、大局的な国際協調路線に立ちたい。

Japan is doing its best now to deal with the Senkaku dispute with China through dialogue based on legal principles. China, meanwhile, which had it examined the history of the Senkaku dispute ought to have shelved its claims to the islands, is obviously trying to change the present reality with a show of sheer power.
尖閣を巡る一連の経緯を振り返ると、棚上げされてきたはずのこの問題に対して、力による現状変更を仕掛けてきているのは明らかに中国側であり、日本はあくまで対話と法理で問題解決を図ろうとしている。

Japan must explain carefully and persistently what's going on to the world and to Asian nations in particular, and thereby make friends and allies in its confrontation with China. We should not end up alone in this.
こういった日本の立場と主張をアジア諸国を中心に世界に対し粘り強く丁寧に説明し理解を得て仲間を作る。決して孤立化しないことだ。

With China itself, we must constantly reassert the merits of the strategic partnership of mutual benefit.
　中国との間では、戦略的互恵路線がいかに両国関係にメリットをもたらしたかを改めて確認したい。

First of all, Japan must tolerate the tension involved in dispensing with any hardline talk and sticking to the status quo.
まずは、強硬路線の悪循環を排し現状維持の緊張に耐え抜くことだ。

A chance for compromise will emerge from therein.
そして、対話と妥協の機をうかがう。

If, for example, China stopped sending government ships to the waters around the Senkakus; if Japan admitted that the islands dispute was in fact a diplomatic issue, then the parties could finally sit at a table and talk about it.
例えば、中国は公船の派遣をやめる。日本も外交問題はあることまでは認め話し合いのテーブルにつく。

We'd like to see leaders from both China and Japan show resourcefulness and courage.
両国首脳の知略と勇気に期待したい。

Distributing the economic pie and the continuation of peace in East Asia -- for these things we call for a spirit of reciprocity that will make this era one of conciliation.
　パイの配分と平和の継続。時代は互譲の裏付けのある骨太な互恵精神を求めている。

If we look back on all the steps we've taken since the end of World War II, we have built up all the power we need to respond to the demands of the postwar era.
戦後の歩みを振り返ると、私たちにはその時代の要請に応える力は十分に備わっているように思える。

While it is undoubtedly the politicians who will have to work the hardest to put that power to use, we would like all Japanese citizens to remember once more that their jobs are given to them by us.
実現に汗をかくのは一義的には政治家だが、彼らにそういう仕事をさせるのは、私たち国民であることを改めて胸に刻みたい。

毎日新聞　2013年01月01日　02時30分

政治の安定で国力を取り戻せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 1, 2013)
Regain national strength through political stability
政治の安定で国力を取り戻せ　（1月1日付・読売社説）

　◆成長戦略練り直しは原発から◆

Japan stands at a crossroads of whether it can maintain its national strength and retain its status as a major power.
　日本は、国力を維持し、先進国の地位を守れるかどうかの岐路に立たされている。

National strength is the total power of a country, comprising such elements as economic and military might, and technological prowess. The primary task of the administration led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to maintain and enhance Japan's strength through political stability.
　国力は、経済力、防衛力、技術力などで構成される、その国の総合力だ。安倍政権の使命は、政治の安定によって、国力を維持・向上させることにある。

Boosting national strength will lead to improved social security systems, including pension and health care programs, and reinforce national security policy. That will also shore up disaster management measures and solidify social infrastructure, while accelerating reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
　それが、年金・医療などの社会保障制度の充実、安全保障政策の強化につながる。防災対策や公共インフラの維持、東日本大震災からの復興も加速しよう。

Political stability is also important for Japan to regain its voice and presence in the international community.
　政治の安定は、国際社会における発言力や存在感を回復するにも重要だ。

As former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama created strains in the Japan-U.S. alliance while he was in office, Japan's relations with China, South Korea and Russia also deteriorated. Reorganizing the nation's diplomatic strategy is a matter of urgency.
鳩山元首相が日米同盟を不安定にしたため、中国、韓国、ロシアとの関係も悪化した。外交の立て直しは喫緊の課題だ。

===

Upper house poll a key moment
　◆参院選が最大のヤマ場◆

The Abe administration's biggest political objective this year is for the Liberal Democratic Party he leads and its coalition partner, New Komeito, to win a majority in the House of Councillors election scheduled for this summer, thereby bringing an end to the divided Diet.
　安倍政権の今年最大の政治目標は、夏の参院選で自民、公明両党で過半数を占め、衆参ねじれ国会を解消することである。

Depending on the outcome of the election, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party might join the ruling coalition. But this will be premised on the assumption that it will add stability to the administration.
　選挙結果次第では、日本維新の会やみんなの党が新たに連立に参加することもあり得るが、政権の安定に資することが前提だ。

If Abe's administration retains a majority in the upper house, the nation's political arena will enter a "stable phase," as there will be up to three years before the next national election is to be held, and more than two years before the next LDP presidential election.
　安倍政権が参院で過半数を確保すれば、次の国政選挙まで最大３年、次期総裁選まで２年余あるため、政治は「安定期」に入る。

This will make it possible for the administration to tackle its major political agenda and pending policy issues without being tripped up by resorting to populism.
　大衆迎合（ポピュリズム）に足をすくわれることもなく、大きな政治テーマや懸案の政策に取り組むことも可能になろう。

For instance, the administration will be able to propose the enactment of a "Basic Law on National Security" that would enable the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense, although the LDP will need to coordinate views with Komeito on this issue.
　例えば、公明党との調整が必要だが、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にする「国家安全保障基本法」の制定を提案することもできる。

It is crucial for the government to approve the use of the right to collective self-defense and to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance so it can deal better with the nuclear and missile development of North Korea, and tensions that have emerged with China since the government nationalized some of the Senkaku Islands last year.
　尖閣諸島国有化をめぐる中国との対立、北朝鮮の核・ミサイル開発などに対処するためには、集団的自衛権の行使を容認し、日米同盟を強化することが必要だ。

We hope ruling and opposition parties hold thorough discussions and reach a common understanding on the issue.
こうした認識を共有できるよう、与野党で議論を重ねてもらいたい。

===

Manage administration moderately
　◆節度ある政権運営を◆

In last month's House of Representatives election, the LDP and Komeito together won more than two-thirds of the seats in the lower house. This will enable the coalition to have bills voted down in the upper house enacted by a second vote in the lower chamber.
　先の衆院選で自民、公明両党が法案の再議決が可能な定数の３分の２を超える議席を獲得した。

The fact of the matter is that voters opted for stable politics and politics that can move forward, under the administration of the LDP and Komeito, both of which have extensive experience in managing the government.
政権担当経験がある自公両党による安定した政治、前に進める政治を、有権者が選択した結果にほかならない。

Further political dithering can be averted now that the DPJ has been kicked out of power. In addition, it may be said that political instability that could have arisen if a strong third political party had joined a coalition government has been prevented.
　民主党政権のさらなる迷走だけでなく、第３極の政権参加による混乱も回避したと言えよう。

The Democratic Party of Japan was demoted to an opposition party after suffering a crushing defeat in the general election, but it still has the second-largest number of seats in the lower house and remains a party with a plurality in the upper house. For the time being, the LDP-Komeito coalition government will need to obtain cooperation from the DPJ while exploring ways of forming a partial coalition involving third political forces.
　民主党は大敗して下野したが、衆院でなお第２党にある。参院では引き続き第１党を占めている。当面、自公民３党の連携を軸に、第３極を含めた部分連合を模索する必要がある。

The DPJ is expected to step up its confrontational stance toward the Abe administration in a bid to regain ground in the upper house election set for this summer.
　民主党は参院選での巻き返しを期して、安倍政権への対決姿勢を強めてくるだろう。

In the 2007 upper house poll, the Abe-led LDP suffered a bitter defeat, handing the opposition camp control of the upper chamber and creating a divided Diet. Recent years have seen repeated cases of the party that won big in the lower house suffering a setback in the next upper house poll due to a swing in public support.
　安倍首相には、２００７年の参院選で苦杯を喫し、衆参ねじれを作った過去もある。衆院選で大勝した政権が、民意の揺り戻しによって、次の参院選で敗北するケースが続いている。

Abe must maintain disciplined management of his administration by diligently seeking to build consensus.
　首相に求められるのは、丁寧に合意形成を目指す、節度ある政権運営である。

First and foremost, he must tackle the tasks of resuscitating Japan's economy and restoring economic growth.
　真っ先に取り組むべき課題は、経済再生と成長力回復だ。

===

3 core policy initiatives
　◆「３本の矢」をどう放つ◆

With price increases being held to almost zero, the nominal growth domestic product that reflects more closely sentiment felt by households and businesses has declined by 40 trillion yen compared with five years ago. Consequently, the nation's economic size is stuck at about the same level as it was two decades ago.
　物価上昇率はゼロに等しく、家計や企業の実感に近いといわれる名目国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は５年前に比べて４０兆円も減少した。日本の経済規模は２０年前とほぼ同水準にとどまっている。

All possible policies must be carried out to correct the super-strong yen and defeat deflation so the nation can achieve stable growth.
　円高とデフレを解消し、安定成長に向け、政策を総動員しなければならない。

Abe said he will try to lift the country out of deflation by implementing three core policies--credit easing, fiscal stimulus and a growth strategy. His thinking is reasonable.
　首相は、「金融緩和」「財政出動」「成長戦略」の３本の矢で、デフレ脱却を図るとしている。妥当な考え方だろう。

The yen has recently weakened against the dollar and stock prices have risen.
　為替相場は円安に振れ、株価も上昇してきている。

Setting a 2 percent inflation target, the prime minister has called for concluding a policy agreement between the government and the Bank of Japan to carry out drastic monetary easing. The central bank plans to set an inflation target this month. Stronger cooperation between the government and the central bank will be called for.
　首相は、消費者物価の前年比２％上昇を達成するインフレ目標を掲げ、大胆な金融緩和、政府と日銀の政策協定を求めている。日銀は、今月にもインフレ目標を導入する方針だ。政府と日銀の連携強化が問われよう。

Masaaki Shirakawa's term as central bank governor will expire in April. Abe has expressed his intention to appoint as Shirakawa's successor a person who shares his policy of setting a 2 percent inflation target.
　４月に白川方明日銀総裁の任期が満了する。首相は、後継総裁にインフレ目標を共有できる人物を充てる意向を示している。

Appointment of the central bank governor requires Diet approval. Under the divided Diet, if Abe's appointee is rejected by the opposition-controlled upper house, the post could be left vacant. We urge the ruling and opposition parties to work together to avoid this possibility.
　日銀総裁は、国会同意人事だ。ねじれ国会では、参院が反対すると、空席になる恐れもある。与野党で調整を図りたい。

Fiscal action also is important. The government has been compiling a supplementary budget for fiscal 2012 in parallel with the fiscal 2013 budget.
　財政出動も重要だ。政府は１２年度補正予算案と１３年度予算案の編成を並行して進めている。

The government will decide in autumn whether to raise the consumption tax rate from the current 5 percent to 8 percent in April 2014, in line with integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
　社会保障と税の一体改革に沿って、消費税率を来年４月に５％から８％に引き上げるかどうかは、今年秋に政府が判断する。

One factor to be taken into account in making this decision will be GDP growth for the April-June quarter. Abe indicated the tax hike could be put off, depending on the GDP figure.
　判断材料の一つが４～６月期のＧＤＰ成長率だ。首相は、その数字次第で、引き上げの先送りもあり得るとしている。

For the tax increase to be surely implemented, we hope the government takes all possible measures to defeat deflation and shore up the economy, by compiling a large supplementary budget worth about 10 trillion yen.
　消費税率を確実に引き上げるためにも、１０兆円前後の大型補正予算を組み、デフレ脱却と景気てこ入れに万全を期したい。

In the ordinary Diet session, the fiscal 2013 budget likely will be passed as late as sometime after the Golden Week holiday period in May. It will be inevitable to compile a stopgap budget. To ensure budgets can be seamlessly implemented, it is essential to create an environment in which ruling and opposition parties can cooperate.
　通常国会では１３年度予算案成立が５月の連休後にずれ込む見通しだ。暫定予算の編成も必至だ。切れ目のない予算執行の実現へ、与野党が協調できる環境を整えることが大切である。

===

Power rate hikes serious issue
　◆深刻な電力料金値上げ◆

To promote a growth strategy, the government needs a "control tower" with strong authority and coordination capabilities. We highly regard the prime minister's reinstatement of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy and plan to integrate its functions with the newly established "headquarters for Japan's economic revitalization."
　政府が成長戦略を進めるうえで不可欠なのが、強い権限と調整力を備えた司令塔だ。首相が経済財政諮問会議を復活させ、新設の日本経済再生本部と一体的に運営することは評価できる。

We want productivity in the private sector to be increased through deregulation in various fields and investment in such growth areas as the environment and medical and nursing care services.
　各種規制の緩和、環境や医療・介護など成長分野への投資によって、民間の生産力を高めたい。

Securing electricity cheaply and stably also is essential for growth.
　安価で安定的な電力の確保も、成長に欠かせない。

Due to the DPJ's policy direction of weaning the nation off nuclear power, reactors at nuclear power plants, whose output accounted for 30 percent of the nation's power generation, were shut down one after another. Of the 50 commercial reactors in Japan, only two at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi plant are operating.
　民主党政権の「脱原発」路線のために、全発電量の３割を占めていた原子力発電所が次々停止し、全国５０基のうち関西電力大飯原発の２基しか稼働できていない。

Thermal power generation has been ramped up to cover the severe electricity shortage. Imports of liquefied natural gas and other sources have surged, causing national wealth totaling about 3 trillion yen per year to flow out to countries that produce these energy sources. Many electricity utilities, including KEPCO, have fallen into the red and filed for approval to increase their rates.
　深刻な電力不足を火力発電でカバーするため、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）などの輸入が急増し、年３兆円もの国富が資源産出国に流出している。関電など多くの電力会社は赤字に転落し、電力料金の引き上げを申請している。

The steel industry has estimated it would face additional burdens of more than 90 billion yen if electricity bills were raised by KEPCO and others. This would accelerate the hollowing out of Japan's industries and inevitably affect the people's daily lives, including employment.
　鉄鋼業界は、関電などの電力料金値上げが実現すれば、業界全体で９００億円を超える負担増になると試算している。産業空洞化が加速し、雇用など国民生活が脅かされるのは避けられない。

We consider it necessary to restart idled nuclear reactors after their safety is confirmed under new safety guidelines to be established by the Nuclear Regulation Authority.
　原子力規制委員会が新たに作る安全基準に従って安全性を確認した原発は、着実に再稼働していく必要がある。

In the latest lower house election, the LDP, which criticized the "zero-nuclear policy" as irresponsible, scored a landslide victory. Now, the Abe administration will be required to work out the best mix of power sources--including nuclear power--as soon as possible.
　先の衆院選で、「原発ゼロ」を無責任だとして否定した自民党が大勝したことで、安倍政権には、原子力を含む電源のベストな組み合わせを早急に検討することが求められよう。

Excluding hydropower, renewable energy, such as solar power and wind power, currently accounts for only a little more than 1 percent of Japan's entire power generation. It is still premature to expect renewable energy can be immediately used as a main power source that can replace nuclear power.
　太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーは、水力を除けば、全発電量の１％強に過ぎない。すぐに原発に代わる主要電源として利用できると期待してはならない。

More than 100 trillion yen will need to be invested on steps to save energy and expand renewable energy. In reality, the public will be forced to shoulder this cost in the form of higher power bills and taxes.
　省エネと再生エネ拡大の投資費用は１００兆円を超える。電気料金または税金として国民が負担せざるを得ないのも現実である。

The world will continue using nuclear power and building more reactors. China, in particular, has put more than 10 nuclear reactors into operation and plans to build at least 50 more.
　世界は引き続き原発を活用し、増設する。特に中国は、十数基を運転させ、５０基以上の原発建設を計画している。

It will be necessary for Japan to firmly maintain its nuclear technology, which is among the best in the world. Abe has expressed determination to build safe nuclear power plants. To secure and nurture talented human resources in this field, the nation should not exclude the option of building next-generation nuclear reactors.
　日本は、原子力分野で世界有数の技術力を、今後も保持する必要がある。首相は、安全な原発の新設へ意欲を示したが、有為な人材を確保・育成するうえでも、次世代型原発の新設という選択肢を排除すべきではない。

From the standpoint of the country's growth, it will be desirable to promote exports of nuclear infrastructure.
　成長の観点からは、原発のインフラ輸出も促進したい。

===

TPP key to economic growth
　◆ＴＰＰ参加で反転攻勢◆

Japan's nuclear power policy also will affect its defense capability, which centers on the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　原発政策は、日米同盟を軸とする防衛力にも影響を与える。

Under the Japan-U.S. nuclear power cooperation agreement, Japan is allowed to possess plutonium, which can be converted to nuclear weapons. But the principle to end the use of nuclear power, which was decided under the administration led by former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, would mean that Japan will lose not only this privilege but also its status as a U.S. partner for promoting the peaceful use of nuclear power and nuclear nonproliferation.
　日米原子力協定によって、日本には核兵器にも転用できるプルトニウムの保有が認められている。野田政権が決定した「原発ゼロ」方針の下では、その特別な権利も、原子力の平和利用や核不拡散をめぐる米国のパートナーとしての地位も、失うことになる。

The Abe administration has good reasons to review the country's nuclear and energy policy.
　安倍政権が原発・エネルギー政策を練り直すのは、当然だ。

Generating sustainable growth will require harnessing demand from overseas nations such as those in Asia. As such, participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational free trade framework has been a pending issue since the DPJ-led government was in power.
　持続的成長には、アジアなど海外の需要を取り込む必要がある。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題が、民主党政権からの懸案になっている。

Member nations of the TPP, which aims to promote free trade under U.S. initiatives, plan to conclude their negotiations by the end of this year. Japan must get involved in the process of drawing up rules on eliminating and reducing tariffs as well as trade and investment to reflect its national interests. We urge the prime minister to announce Japan will take a seat at the TPP talks as soon as possible.
　米国主導で自由貿易を推進するＴＰＰは、今年中の交渉妥結を目標としている。日本は関税撤廃・引き下げ、貿易・投資のルール作りに関与し、国益を反映させなければならない。首相は、早期に参加を表明すべきである。

By steadily working on these policy agendas for regaining Japan's national strength, the new administration will gradually be able to restore public trust in politics.
　こうした国力を取り戻すための政策課題を着実にこなすことで、政治への信頼も徐々に取り戻すことができるだろう。

We hope this year will see Japan solidify its footing and become more assertive.
　今年を日本が足元を固め、反転攻勢をかける年にしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2013)
（2013年1月1日01時12分  読売新聞）

happy new year!

２０１２回顧・世界 国際舞台の役者が出そろった

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 31, 2012)
World's future depends on new lineup of global leaders
２０１２回顧・世界　国際舞台の役者が出そろった（12月30日付・読売社説）

The year 2012 saw presidential elections and leadership changes in several major countries.
　２０１２年は、主要国で大統領選や指導部交代が相次いだ。

These big upheavals in international politics were also prominent in this year's top 10 overseas news events selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers.
　読売新聞の読者が選んだ「海外１０大ニュース」にも、国際政治の大きな変化が読みとれる。

The biggest international story of 2012, as chosen by our readers, was Barack Obama's reelection as U.S. president.
　１位は、「米大統領選でオバマ氏が再選」だった。

Although the world is said to be heading toward an era of multipolarization, the United States' economic strength and unmatched military might ensure it remains the world's most influential superpower.
　多極化が進む世界とはいえ、経済力、軍事力で群を抜く米国は、依然として最も影響力がある超大国だ。

A string of preelection debates between Obama of the Democratic Party and Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate, were closely watched by people around the world.
民主党のオバマ大統領と共和党のロムニー候補の論戦は、世界中が注目した。

The Obama administration's top priority is keeping the U.S. economic recovery on track while rebuilding deficit-ridden government finances.
　オバマ政権の最優先課題は、景気対策と財政再建の両立である。

During his first term, Obama hammered out a diplomatic strategy that placed greater emphasis on Asia. This will significantly shape the future of Japan-U.S. relations.
１期目で打ち出したアジア重視の外交戦略は、今後の日米関係を方向づけるだろう。

===

Little good news on China

Taking second place in Yomiuri readers' lineup of overseas stories was the change in the top echelons of the Chinese Communist Party.
　２位は、中国共産党のトップ交代だ。

Xi Jinping has been selected as the party's general secretary.
総書記に習近平氏が選出された。

The Japanese public's interest in the Chinese leadership reached new heights, undoubtedly because China has been ramping up pressure on Japan over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands.
中国指導部への関心がかつてなく強いのは、尖閣諸島をめぐり、中国が日本に露骨な圧力を加えているからにほかならない。

Some protests that erupted in cities in China against the Japanese government's decision to nationalize some of the Senkakus turned violent, and some Japanese companies operating there suffered heavy financial and physical damage. Despite 2012 marking the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties, there were few bright spots in Tokyo-Beijing relations.
　日本の尖閣諸島国有化に抗議するデモが暴徒化し、日本企業に大きな損害を与えるなど、国交樹立４０周年の日中関係に明るいニュースは乏しかった。

In Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency, a story that ranked sixth among our readers. Putin has committed to bolstering Russia's national strength by beefing up economic relations with nations in Asia.
　ロシアではプーチン首相が大統領の座に返り咲いた（６位）。アジアとの経済関係を強化し、国力向上を図ろうとしている。

Near the end of 2012, Park Geun Hye won South Korea's presidential election. This ranked 20th in the list of overseas events. We will closely watch how Park, South Korea's first female president, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe try to improve Tokyo-Seoul relations.
　年末の韓国大統領選（２０位）で、朴槿恵氏が当選した。初の女性大統領と安倍首相が、日韓関係をどう改善するかを注視したい。

These new leaders are now free from the stifling pressure of their election races. We urge them to address a range of problems next year without being excessively focused on domestic affairs, and deepen international cooperation.
　「指導者選び」の重圧を経た各国首脳には来年、内向きな発想を脱して諸課題に取り組み、国際協調を深めてもらいたい。

===

North Korea's isolation deepens

In North Korea, Kim Jong Un, the third son of Kim Jong Il, the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea who died late last year, took the post of first secretary of the ruling party. Our readers chose this as the third-biggest international story of 2012. In an apparent bid to solidify the power base of the third-generation leader's regime, North Korea defiantly fired missiles in April and December.
　北朝鮮では、昨年死去した金正日総書記の後継として三男正恩氏が、朝鮮労働党第１書記に就任した（３位）。３代世襲の新体制を固めるように、４月と１２月にミサイル発射を強行した。

It is a cause of strong concern that North Korea has further isolated itself from the international community.
　北朝鮮が、国際的孤立を深めているのは大きな懸念材料だ。

By contrast, Myanmar President Thein Sein has pushed ahead with a democratization process and repaired relations with the global community. Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's victory in a parliamentary by-election, which ranked fifth in the Yomiuri readers' selection, is symbolic of this change.
　ミャンマーは対照的に、テイン・セイン大統領が民主化を進め、国際社会との関係を修復した。野党指導者アウン・サン・スー・チー氏が議会補選で当選した（５位）のは象徴的だ。

In Europe, there was happy news such as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's 60th jubilee, which ranked fourth, mixed with gloomy developments such as Europe's fiscal and financial crises worsening to the extent that Spain had to request financial assistance from the eurozone, which ranked 10th.
　欧州では、英エリザベス女王の即位６０年の祝賀行事（４位）という明るい話題の一方で、財政・金融危機が長期化し、スペインがユーロ圏に金融支援を要請した（１０位）。

Next year, all eyes will be on how Europe's economic situation unfolds.
欧州経済の動向は来年も目が離せない。

Ranking eighth was Syria's protracted civil war between the regime of President Bashar Assad and antigovernment forces.
　シリアでは、アサド政権と反体制派の間の内戦が泥沼化した（８位）。

Repercussions from the Arab Spring uprisings are still shaking the Middle East.
「アラブの春」のうねりはなおも中東を揺るがしている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 30, 2012)
（2012年12月30日01時17分  読売新聞）

２０１２回顧・日本 再生への希望が芽生えた年

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 30, 2012)
Positive events in 2012 set stage for nation's recovery
２０１２回顧・日本　再生への希望が芽生えた年（12月29日付・読売社説）

Many readers must have gained hope and courage from the bright news stories of 2012.
　明るい話題に、希望や勇気をもらった人が多かったのだろう。

Among this year's top 10 domestic news stories selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers, the awarding of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka headed the list. The opening of Tokyo Skytree ranked second, followed by the winning of a record number of medals by Japanese athletes at the London Olympics.
　読売新聞の読者が選ぶ今年の「日本１０大ニュース」の１位は、「ノーベル生理学・医学賞に山中教授」だった。
　「東京スカイツリーの開業」が２位、「ロンドン五輪、史上最多のメダル」が３位に入った。

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells developed by Yamanaka have contributed greatly to medical progress toward realizing the regeneration of damaged organs.
　山中伸弥京都大教授が開発したｉＰＳ細胞（人工多能性幹細胞）は、傷んだ臓器などの再生医療を実現へ大きく動かした。

However, after it was announced he had won the award, Yamanaka said, "I haven't saved even one patient yet [with my iPS technology]." The professor's humble and sincere attitude favorably impressed many people.
「まだ一人の患者も救っていませんから」。受賞が決まった後の山中氏の謙虚で誠実な姿勢も好感を呼んだ。

Tokyo Skytree has attracted 28 million visitors in the six months since it opened to the public in May. The 634-meter Skytree is the world's tallest free-standing broadcast tower.
　東京スカイツリーは５月の開業から半年で約２８００万人の入場者を集めた。６３４メートルは自立式電波塔では世界一の高さだ。

If Tokyo Tower, the second-tallest tower in Japan, is a symbol of Japan's past rapid economic growth, what will the popular Tokyo Skytree come to symbolize?
東京タワーが高度成長の象徴ならば、スカイツリーはどんなシンボルとして親しまれていくのだろうか。

===

Good news in sports

Japanese athletes won a record 38 medals--including seven gold medals--at the Summer Olympic Games held in London. In women's wrestling, Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho grabbed their third consecutive Olympic golds. And many female athletes such as members of the Nadeshiko Japan women's soccer team and volleyball and table tennis players performed superbly.
　ロンドン五輪で日本選手団は、金７個を含む３８個のメダルを獲得した。レスリングの吉田沙保里選手、伊調馨選手が五輪３連覇を達成した。なでしこジャパンのサッカー、バレーボール、卓球など女子選手が見事な活躍を見せた。

In eighth place on the list of top 10 domestic stories was the Yomiuri Giants' winning of the Japan Series, marking the team's first championship in three years and its 22nd overall.
　プロ野球の「巨人３年ぶり２２度目の日本一」は８位に入った。

Meanwhile, Hideki Matsui, who had been a Giants slugger for many years, announced his retirement Thursday. Matsui hit a total of 507 home runs while playing for the Giants, the New York Yankees and other major league teams, and won the World Series MVP award with the Yankees in 2009. Fans will take his dynamic batting style deep into their hearts.
　その巨人の主砲を長く務めた松井秀喜選手が２７日、引退を表明した。巨人や米大リーグ・ヤンキースなどで５０７本塁打を放ち、ワールドシリーズの最優秀選手にも選ばれた。豪快な打撃はファンの心に深く刻まれよう。

The general election held in December, which resulted in the inauguration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet, ranked fourth on the list of top 10 stories. Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito he would dissolve the House of Representatives "sometime soon" in return for their cooperation in passing bills related to the comprehensive reform of social security and taxation systems, which ranked 16th in the list of top domestic news stories. Noda kept his promise and dissolved the lower house, but his Democratic Party of Japan suffered a crushing defeat in the general election.
　安倍内閣の発足につながる「師走の衆院選挙」は４位だった。民主党は、野田前首相が社会保障と税の一体改革（１６位）と引き換えに、「近いうち解散」に打って出た末の惨敗だった。

===

Change in government

The defeat ended the DPJ-led government's rule, which had lasted three years and three months.
３年３か月に及んだ民主党政権が終わった。

The DPJ-led administration caused confusion in management of such national issues as the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, and its election pledges fell through. Many voters must have concluded the DPJ was not qualified to run the country. Prime Minister Abe is expected to draft and carry out realistic polices, and to stably run the government.
　米軍普天間飛行場移設の問題などで迷走し、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）も破綻した。政権担当能力に欠けると多くの有権者は判断したのだろう。
　安倍首相には、現実的な政策の立案・実行と安定した政権運営が求められる。

In fifth place on the list was the deterioration of Japan-China relations resulting from Japan's nationalization of some of the Senkaku Islands. For instance, anti-Japanese demonstrators rioted and stormed Japanese firms in China. Improvement of the bilateral ties is a priority issue for the Abe Cabinet.
　尖閣諸島の国有化による日中関係の悪化も、５位と関心が高かった。中国では反日デモが暴徒化し、日本企業が襲われた。関係の改善は安倍内閣の重要課題である。

The collapse of ceiling panels in the Chuo Expressway's Sasago Tunnel in December, which killed nine people, ranked 7th. Aging infrastructure in the nation should be revamped as soon as possible.
　１２月には中央道の笹子トンネル（山梨県）の天井板が崩落し、９人が死亡する大惨事が起きた（７位）。老朽化したインフラ（社会基盤）の改修も急ぎたい。

We would like to see 2013 become the turning point in the nation's steady recovery.
　日本が確実に再生の道へ歩み出す。来年をその節目にしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 29, 2012)
（2012年12月29日01時20分  読売新聞）

安倍外交 日米「基軸」で隣国関係改善を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 29, 2012)
Use pact with U.S. as linchpin to improve ties with neighbors
安倍外交　日米「基軸」で隣国関係改善を（12月28日付・読売社説）

　◆同盟強化へ防衛指針を改定せよ◆

A little more than three years of administration by the Democratic Party of Japan has knocked Japan's diplomacy into a serious tailspin. How can it get back on course?
　３年余の民主党政権下で大きく後退した日本外交をどう立て直すのか。

This is a task of great importance that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must address with everything in its power.
　安倍内閣が全力で取り組むべき重要課題だ。

Abe is scheduled to make a trip to the United States as early as January to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama. The prime minister's visit to Washington appears in line with Abe's belief that strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States should be the first step toward reconstructing relations with its neighbors, such as China and South Korea.
　安倍首相は来月中にも米国を訪問し、オバマ大統領と会談する。日米同盟の強化が、中国、韓国など近隣国との関係を再構築する第一歩と考えるからだ。

Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama threw the issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture off course, causing confusion and disruption in Japan-U.S. ties.
　鳩山元首相が米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題を迷走させ、日米同盟を混乱させた。

As though availing themselves of the mix-up, China, South Korea and Russia have each tried to knock Japan off balance over territorial problems.
その間隙(かんげき)を突くように、中国、韓国、ロシアが領土問題で日本を揺さぶった――。

Such is the common perception among people concerned with diplomatic issues regarding Japan's foreign policy situation.
多くの外交関係者の共通理解だ。

===

Create a road map for security
　◆安保課題の工程表作れ◆

The problem is how to hammer out and implement specific measures for beefing up the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　問題は、日米同盟を強化する具体策である。

In its platform for the latest House of Representatives election, the Liberal Democratic Party incorporated such pledges as enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and again revising the Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Guidelines.
自民党は衆院選の政権公約に、集団的自衛権の行使容認や防衛協力指針（ガイドライン）再改定などを盛り込んだ。

Both are tasks of key significance that the Abe administration must accomplish. Setting an order of priority for steadily tackling them will help to resolidify the Tokyo-Washington alliance.
　いずれも実現すべき安全保障の課題である。一つひとつに優先順位をつけ、着実に取り組むことが同盟関係をより強固にしよう。

Expansion of the defense budget, which has been shrinking for 10 consecutive years, is a matter of urgency. The Abe Cabinet should take this into account in compiling a state budget for fiscal 2013.
　１０年連続で減少している防衛費の拡充は急務だ。来年度予算編成で考慮する必要がある。

Regarding the planned defense guideline revision for bolstering cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, bilateral consultations should be started at an early date to jointly study specifics.
　自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を強化するガイドライン再改定についても、日米協議を早期に開始し、具体的な検討に入りたい。

Under the divided Diet, in which the ruling coalition controls the lower house but lacks a majority in the House of Councillors, it will be hard for the government to pass the set of bills Abe envisions to create a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council.
　衆参ねじれ国会の下、首相が創設に意欲を見せる国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の関連法案の成立は簡単ではない。

However, given that the opposition DPJ also has an idea similar to Abe's, the government would be well advised to call for joint consultations on the matter between the ruling and opposition blocs.
だが、民主党も同様の構想を持つ。与野党協議を呼びかけてはどうか。

But when it comes to solving the collective self-defense right issue, it will be difficult to bridge the gaps in views between the LDP, its coalition partner New Komeito and the Cabinet Legislation Bureau. It would be realistic for the government to place priority first on deepening discussions within the ruling camp by setting a goal of accomplishing the task after next summer's upper house election.
　集団的自衛権の問題は、公明党や内閣法制局との調整が難関となる。来夏の参院選後の実現を目指し、まずは与党内でしっかりと議論を深めるのが現実的だろう。

When Abe visits the United States, the issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact will certainly be high on the agenda. To ensure Japan's national interests are not marred, the government must be determined to take part in the TPP talks as early as possible.
　安倍首相の訪米時には、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題が重要議題となろう。日本の国益を確保するため、極力早期に交渉参加を決断すべきだ。

The Futenma problem, which has remained stalled for many years, is now heading into a crucial stretch.
　長年の懸案である普天間問題も正念場を迎えている。

Construction of an alternative facility for the Futenma Air Station can never be undertaken without permission from Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima for land reclamation required for the project.
　普天間飛行場の代替施設の建設には、沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事の埋め立て許可が不可欠だ。

It is of especially high importance for the government to obtain understanding from a wider range of local people to create an environment in which it would be easier for Nakaima--who has been calling for Futenma's "relocation outside our prefecture"--to change his mind in favor of relocating it within the prefecture.
地元関係者の理解を広げ、「県外移設」を主張する知事が翻意しやすい環境を整えることが大切である。

Relations between Japan and China have been tense ever since the government decision in September to nationalize some of the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
　日中両国は、今年９月の尖閣諸島の国有化以降、険しい対立関係にある。

An abnormal situation ensued, with Chinese government surveillance ships sailing in waters close to the Senkakus day after day.
中国政府船が連日、尖閣諸島周辺で示威活動を繰り返す異常な状況が続いている。

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Seek mutual benefit with China
　◆中国と「互恵」を再構築◆

Of course, Japan should not make any concession to China on its territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. Even so, it would be seriously detrimental to the interests of both sides if the entire bilateral relationship is kept in a stalemate by this issue alone.
　無論、日本は、尖閣諸島の領有権に関しては一切の譲歩をすべきではない。ただ、この問題だけで日中関係全体が停滞することは、双方にとって大きな損失だ。

When Abe visited China six years ago, he succeeded in reaching an agreement with China to build a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" by refraining from making a definitive statement on whether he had visited or would visit Yasukuni Shrine. There must be a way to achieve a breakthrough even on diplomatic issues that are difficult to solve, if they are included as part of a wider scope of negotiations.
　安倍首相は６年前の訪中で、靖国神社参拝問題に明確な結論を出さずに、「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで中国と一致した。解決が困難な外交問題も、より大きな交渉の一部に包含することで、打開できる道はあるはずだ。

This time, for instance, the government could make the Senkaku issue a subject for continued discussion, while it seeks a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. Through such an approach to negotiations, Japan can aim at reaching a comprehensive agreement with the Xi Jinping administration. The Japanese government must mobilize all of its wisdom to do so.
　今回も、例えば、尖閣問題は継続協議にしておく一方、戦略的互恵関係を追求することで習近平指導部と包括的な合意を図るなど、知恵を絞らねばならない。

For that purpose, it would be realistic for the government to shelve for the time being hard-line measures such as the "permanent stationing of government officials" on the Senkaku Islands, raised by the LDP in its list of policy measures to be studied.
　そのため、自民党が政策集の検討項目に掲げた尖閣諸島での「公務員の常駐」などの強硬策は当面、棚上げにするのが現実的だ。

"Assertive diplomacy," the slogan Abe raised on dealing with issues including territorial problems, is far better than "unassertive diplomacy." However, it will be meaningless if making assertions becomes an end unto itself.
　安倍首相が領土問題などで掲げる「主張する外交」は、「主張しない外交」と比べれば、はるかに良いが、主張すること自体が目的化しては意味がない。

What the new administration should aim at is a "diplomacy that produces achievements" through both hard and soft measures, sometimes seeking ways to solve problems in a levelheaded manner.
　目指すべきは、時には静かに解決策を模索するなど、硬軟両様で「結果を出す外交」である。

The government must also hasten improvements of relations with South Korea.
　韓国との関係の改善も、急がなければならない。

The change in administration from President Lee Myung Bak, who defiantly set foot on the Takeshima islands, which are Japanese territory, to Park Geun Hye is a good chance to improve bilateral ties. We think it is quite appropriate that Abe is thinking about sending a special envoy to Park.
　竹島訪問を強行した李明博大統領から朴槿恵氏への交代は、その好機である。安倍首相が特使の派遣を検討しているのは妥当だ。

To effectively face North Korea, which has been continuing its nuclear weapons development program, and China, which has been pursuing the road to military superpower status, close cooperation with South Korea, in addition to the United States, is indispensable.
　核開発を進める北朝鮮や、軍事大国化する中国に効果的に向き合うには、米国に加え、韓国との緊密な連携が欠かせない。

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Seek progress on abduction issue
　◆新政権で「拉致」進展を◆

Concerning Japan's relations with North Korea, scheduled bureau chief-level talks were postponed due to the North's ballistic missile launch this month.
　日朝関係は、今月の北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射で、予定されていた局長級協議が延期された。

To end the deadlock over the problem of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, it is essential for the government to convince North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the country's Workers' Party of Korea, that Japan is a country worth negotiating with.
　膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある日本人拉致問題の前進には、日本が交渉に値する相手だと北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記に確信させることが不可欠だ。

With the opportunity presented by the transition from the DPJ-led administration, which had produced various kinds of confusion and turmoil, to the Abe administration, the government must strengthen its calls on North Korea along with a "dialogue and pressure" approach.
　混乱が続いた民主党政権から安倍政権への移行を契機に、「対話と圧力」路線に沿って北朝鮮への働きかけを強めねばならない。

In relations with Russia, the government intends to dispatch former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who has close relations with President Vladimir Putin, to Russia around February, with an eye toward Abe's visit to the country later on.
　ロシアについて政府は、来年２月ごろにプーチン大統領と親しい森元首相を派遣し、その後の安倍首相の訪露につなげる考えだ。

Putin places importance on relations with Japan and has a zeal to solve the northern territories issue. It is important for Japan to advance both the territorial issue and cooperation on energy through repeated dialogues at various levels.
　大統領は対日関係を重視し、北方領土問題の解決にも意欲を持っている。様々なレベルで対話を重ね、領土問題やエネルギー協力を進展させることが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 28, 2012)
（2012年12月28日01時30分  読売新聞）