The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 26, 2013)
Revitalization of business crucial to escaping real estate deflation
公示地価 不動産デフレ脱却へもう一息（3月25日付・読売社説）
Land prices have been showing stronger signs of bottoming out. To make it possible to restore real estate prices to normal levels and lead the nation out of deflation, the government must accelerate economic revitalization.
地価の底入れの兆しが一段と強まってきた。不動産価格を正常化させ、デフレから脱却できるよう、政府は経済活性化を急がねばならない。
Posted land prices as of Jan. 1 this year, which were announced last week by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, dropped 1.6 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, in residential and commercial areas from a year before. This marked year-on-year negative growth for the fifth straight year since the Lehman shock in the autumn of 2008.
国土交通省が発表した２０１３年１月１日時点の公示地価は、全国の住宅地で前年比１・６％、商業地で２・１％下落した。０８年秋のリーマン・ショック以降、ともに５年連続のマイナスだった。
However, the bright side is that the margin of decline shrank for three consecutive years. Above all, it may be said that the bottom is in sight in three major metropolitan areas where the margin of decline remained below 1 percent.
下落幅が３年連続で縮小したのは明るい材料だ。中でも３大都市圏の下落幅は０％台で、下げ止まりが視野に入ったと言える。
The year-on-year fall in the average land price contracted in almost all prefectures. This indicates that the situation is improving in both urban and regional areas.
都道府県別の平均値も、ほぼすべてで下落幅が縮まった。都市圏から地方圏へ、改善傾向が広がっていることをうかがわせる。
Funds have been flowing into the real estate market on hopes for the economic revitalization policies put forth by Shinzo Abe before he became prime minister. If this trend continues, it will spur a rebound in land prices.
安倍首相が就任前から掲げた経済再生に対する期待が先行し、不動産市場に資金が流入している。こうした動きが続けば、地価の回復に弾みがつくだろう。
===
Signs of recovery
Improvement is conspicuous in residential zones as a result of such policies as low interest rates and tax deductions for people who take out housing loans.
住宅地で改善が目立つのは、低金利や住宅ローン減税などの政策効果が下支えしたのが要因だ。
In Tokyo, some areas showed positive growth compared to no change the year before, thanks to brisk sales of condominiums.
東京では前年ゼロだった上昇地点が現れた。マンション販売が堅調なことが背景にある。
It is noteworthy that land prices are coming out of a slump in commercial areas, particularly in metropolitan areas, which tended to lag residential areas in the pace of their recovery.
住宅地に比べて遅れ気味だった商業地が、都市部を手始めに持ち直してきたのも注目できる。
The number of spots with higher land prices increased in redevelopment areas centering on large-scale commercial facilities such as Tokyo Skytree and areas where there is strong demand for moving to newly built houses and condominiums with advanced earthquake resistance.
東京スカイツリーなど大規模な商業施設を中核とした再開発地域や、耐震性に優れた新築物件への移転需要が根強い地域などで上昇地点が増えている。
Vacancy rates are falling, and the drop in rents is coming to an end.
空室率の低下、賃料の下げ止まりといった傾向が見え始めた。
Investments, mainly from after parts of Asia, seem to be expanding. This is possible because real estate in Japan is considered relatively inexpensive, as the yen has weakened due to monetary easing policies.
アジアを中心とする海外からの投資マネーも増大しているようだ。金融緩和に伴う円安の進行などで日本の不動産に割安感が出ているのだろう。
===
A matter of concern
Improvement is slow in regional commercial areas facing structural problems such as shrinking populations and battered economies.
一方、人口減や地域経済の疲弊など構造的な要因を抱える地方の商業地は改善テンポが鈍い。
In the areas devastated by the tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the polarization has weakened between land prices in tsunami-affected coastal areas and in higher areas that escaped being inundated.
東日本大震災の被災地では、津波被害に見舞われた沿岸部と浸水を免れた高台で地価が二極化する現象は薄まっている。
But it is worrying that a growing number of areas are showing a sharp rise in land prices as the demand to move expands due to the progress of reconstruction projects.
しかし、復興事業が進展し、住宅移転への需要が拡大するのに伴い、地価の急上昇する地点が増えている点は気がかりだ。
The residential area in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, marked the biggest rate of increase in land prices for two years in a row. Land prices turned upward across the board in municipalities in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures along the Pacific coast.
Miyagi topped the national list of prefectures in terms of the growth rate in land prices.
地価上昇率トップの住宅地は２年連続で宮城県石巻市だった。宮城、岩手両県の沿岸市町村は軒並み上昇に転じ、県別でも宮城県が全国一の上昇率を記録した。
The central and local governments concerned should beef up their surveillance to prevent sharp jumps in land prices that will have an adverse effect on housing reconstruction.
急激な地価上昇が住宅再建に悪影響を及ぼさないように政府と自治体は監視を強めるべきだ。
Authorities must be cautious regarding the effect on land prices of increased demand ahead of a hike in the consumption tax planned for April.
来年４月の消費税増税をにらんだ駆け込み需要が地価に与える影響にも注意する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 25, 2013)
（2013年3月25日01時12分 読売新聞）
2013/03/27
2013/03/26
全柔連改革 人心一新しか再生の道はない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 25, 2013)
Scandal-tainted judo federation must revamp leadership
全柔連改革 人心一新しか再生の道はない（3月24日付・読売社説）
A rash of scandals, including cases of physical violence and verbal abuse of female judoka, has left the reputation of the All Japan Judo Federation in tatters.
女子選手への暴力問題などで、全日本柔道連盟に対する信頼は地に落ちた。
To rebuild the disgraced judo body, the AJJF has no option other than pushing through drastic organizational reform by overhauling its leadership.
組織を立て直すには人心を一新し、改革を断行するしかあるまい。
But last week, the AJJF decided to allow all of its executives, including Chairman Haruki Uemura, to retain their positions and made no change to the lineup.
全柔連は、上村春樹会長ら執行部の体制を見直さず、全員の留任を決めた。
Doesn't the federation have a culture of taking responsibility for these scandals? We feel disgusted by the AJJF decision that flies in the face of commonly accepted norms.
責任を取る文化はないのか。社会通念に反する全柔連の決定に、呆(あき)れるばかりである。
Before the federation's decision, an independent panel tasked with looking into the abuse submitted on March 12 a set of reform proposals to the AJJF. The proposals pointed sternly to problems with the federation as an organization. The panel noted the federation has a dearth of human resources that "can stand for socially accepted common sense, not the common sense that works only in the judo world."
これに先立ち、暴力問題を検証した第三者委員会が、全柔連に答申を提出した。「柔道界の常識ではなく、世間一般の常識を体現できる人材が不足している」などと、全柔連の組織としての問題点を厳しく指摘する内容だった。
===
Unable to manage crisis
One committee member, psychiatrist Rika Kayama, quite rightly had a brickbat for the AJJF decision, saying her panel had worked out its recommendations after concluding the federation "wasn't functioning as an organization."
Kayama added, "Disciplinary measures should be taken against AJJF executives, including Chairman Uemura."
執行部の留任に、第三者委のメンバーだった精神科医の香山リカさんが「（答申では）組織として機能していない、とまとめた。会長も含めて処分を検討すべきだ」と批判したのも当然だ。
The federation, which was aware of the physical and verbal abuse dished out by the coach of the national women's judo team, who eventually resigned, decided at one time to keep him in his position. Driven by a sense of distrust, 15 female national team judoka filed a complaint with the Japanese Olympic Committee against the AJJF.
全柔連は、辞任した全日本女子前監督の暴力行為を把握しながら、いったんは前監督の続投を決めた。不信感を強めた１５人の女子選手は、日本オリンピック委員会（ＪＯＣ）への告発に至った。
The federation remains oblivious to the gravity of its problems, and has been unable to take proper steps to deal with the situation. It is obvious the federation badly lacks crisis management capability.
問題の重大性を認識できず、適切な対策も講じられない。全柔連に危機管理能力が欠如しているのは明らかである。
Noriko Mizoguchi, a silver medalist in the women's 52-kilogram judo division at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the federation "has a strong tendency to concentrate power in a handful of executives, making it hard for others to oppose [their decisions]."
バルセロナ五輪の５２キロ級銀メダリスト溝口紀子さんは、全柔連について「一握りの幹部に権力が集中しがちで、『違う』ともの申すことができにくい」と語る。
As long as the "handful of executives" remains unchanged, there is virtually no hope for an organizational transformation of the AJJF.
この「一握りの幹部」が交代しない限り、組織の変革は望めないだろう。
Uemura said the federation "will address the challenges by working as one." However, a revamp of its leadership must be the first step toward reforming the federation.
上村会長は「一丸となって取り組む」と語るが、執行部の一新こそ改革への第一歩だ。
===
Irregular use of subsidies
The independent panel also called for the AJJF to appoint executives from outside and introduce a system to adopt female executives and coaches. The federation should ensure these proposals are translated into action to get rid of its closed nature and be transformed into an organization in which everyone can candidly exchange their views.
第三者委は、執行部に外部のメンバーを入れることや、女性理事、女性監督の起用も求めた。閉鎖体質から脱却し、風通しのよい組織に変わるには、ぜひとも実現する必要があるだろう。
Another scandal also surfaced in the AJJF: A portion of subsidies the government-backed Japan Sports Council paid to members of a federation committee for supporting promising athletes was allegedly funneled to federation executives for winning and dining for themselves and others.
全柔連では新たな問題も明るみに出た。日本スポーツ振興センターから強化委員に支払われた助成金の一部を強化委員会に上納させ、飲食や接待に使っていた。
The disbursements were not recorded, and no receipts were kept. About 20 million yen was reportedly pooled for such usage.
帳簿や領収書は残されておらず、プール金の残高は約２０００万円にも上るという。
Furthermore, an AJJF executive in charge of the committee for supporting promising judoka has acknowledged that he wrongly received subsidies from the council despite having no involvement in training the athletes, with part of the cash diverted to the AJJF leadership.
さらに、強化委員を務める理事は、指導実態が全くないのに助成金を不正受給し、その一部を上納していたことを認めている。
The judo federation is an incorporated foundation for the public interest that receives preferential tax treatment. Such opaque financial management at the federation is unforgivable.
全柔連は税制上の優遇措置を受ける公益財団法人だ。不透明な金銭管理は許されない。
It is also crucial that the AJJF get to the bottom of these problems so it can regain the public's trust.
信頼回復には、これらの問題の徹底解明も重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2013)
（2013年3月24日01時20分 読売新聞）
Scandal-tainted judo federation must revamp leadership
全柔連改革 人心一新しか再生の道はない（3月24日付・読売社説）
A rash of scandals, including cases of physical violence and verbal abuse of female judoka, has left the reputation of the All Japan Judo Federation in tatters.
女子選手への暴力問題などで、全日本柔道連盟に対する信頼は地に落ちた。
To rebuild the disgraced judo body, the AJJF has no option other than pushing through drastic organizational reform by overhauling its leadership.
組織を立て直すには人心を一新し、改革を断行するしかあるまい。
But last week, the AJJF decided to allow all of its executives, including Chairman Haruki Uemura, to retain their positions and made no change to the lineup.
全柔連は、上村春樹会長ら執行部の体制を見直さず、全員の留任を決めた。
Doesn't the federation have a culture of taking responsibility for these scandals? We feel disgusted by the AJJF decision that flies in the face of commonly accepted norms.
責任を取る文化はないのか。社会通念に反する全柔連の決定に、呆(あき)れるばかりである。
Before the federation's decision, an independent panel tasked with looking into the abuse submitted on March 12 a set of reform proposals to the AJJF. The proposals pointed sternly to problems with the federation as an organization. The panel noted the federation has a dearth of human resources that "can stand for socially accepted common sense, not the common sense that works only in the judo world."
これに先立ち、暴力問題を検証した第三者委員会が、全柔連に答申を提出した。「柔道界の常識ではなく、世間一般の常識を体現できる人材が不足している」などと、全柔連の組織としての問題点を厳しく指摘する内容だった。
===
Unable to manage crisis
One committee member, psychiatrist Rika Kayama, quite rightly had a brickbat for the AJJF decision, saying her panel had worked out its recommendations after concluding the federation "wasn't functioning as an organization."
Kayama added, "Disciplinary measures should be taken against AJJF executives, including Chairman Uemura."
執行部の留任に、第三者委のメンバーだった精神科医の香山リカさんが「（答申では）組織として機能していない、とまとめた。会長も含めて処分を検討すべきだ」と批判したのも当然だ。
The federation, which was aware of the physical and verbal abuse dished out by the coach of the national women's judo team, who eventually resigned, decided at one time to keep him in his position. Driven by a sense of distrust, 15 female national team judoka filed a complaint with the Japanese Olympic Committee against the AJJF.
全柔連は、辞任した全日本女子前監督の暴力行為を把握しながら、いったんは前監督の続投を決めた。不信感を強めた１５人の女子選手は、日本オリンピック委員会（ＪＯＣ）への告発に至った。
The federation remains oblivious to the gravity of its problems, and has been unable to take proper steps to deal with the situation. It is obvious the federation badly lacks crisis management capability.
問題の重大性を認識できず、適切な対策も講じられない。全柔連に危機管理能力が欠如しているのは明らかである。
Noriko Mizoguchi, a silver medalist in the women's 52-kilogram judo division at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the federation "has a strong tendency to concentrate power in a handful of executives, making it hard for others to oppose [their decisions]."
バルセロナ五輪の５２キロ級銀メダリスト溝口紀子さんは、全柔連について「一握りの幹部に権力が集中しがちで、『違う』ともの申すことができにくい」と語る。
As long as the "handful of executives" remains unchanged, there is virtually no hope for an organizational transformation of the AJJF.
この「一握りの幹部」が交代しない限り、組織の変革は望めないだろう。
Uemura said the federation "will address the challenges by working as one." However, a revamp of its leadership must be the first step toward reforming the federation.
上村会長は「一丸となって取り組む」と語るが、執行部の一新こそ改革への第一歩だ。
===
Irregular use of subsidies
The independent panel also called for the AJJF to appoint executives from outside and introduce a system to adopt female executives and coaches. The federation should ensure these proposals are translated into action to get rid of its closed nature and be transformed into an organization in which everyone can candidly exchange their views.
第三者委は、執行部に外部のメンバーを入れることや、女性理事、女性監督の起用も求めた。閉鎖体質から脱却し、風通しのよい組織に変わるには、ぜひとも実現する必要があるだろう。
Another scandal also surfaced in the AJJF: A portion of subsidies the government-backed Japan Sports Council paid to members of a federation committee for supporting promising athletes was allegedly funneled to federation executives for winning and dining for themselves and others.
全柔連では新たな問題も明るみに出た。日本スポーツ振興センターから強化委員に支払われた助成金の一部を強化委員会に上納させ、飲食や接待に使っていた。
The disbursements were not recorded, and no receipts were kept. About 20 million yen was reportedly pooled for such usage.
帳簿や領収書は残されておらず、プール金の残高は約２０００万円にも上るという。
Furthermore, an AJJF executive in charge of the committee for supporting promising judoka has acknowledged that he wrongly received subsidies from the council despite having no involvement in training the athletes, with part of the cash diverted to the AJJF leadership.
さらに、強化委員を務める理事は、指導実態が全くないのに助成金を不正受給し、その一部を上納していたことを認めている。
The judo federation is an incorporated foundation for the public interest that receives preferential tax treatment. Such opaque financial management at the federation is unforgivable.
全柔連は税制上の優遇措置を受ける公益財団法人だ。不透明な金銭管理は許されない。
It is also crucial that the AJJF get to the bottom of these problems so it can regain the public's trust.
信頼回復には、これらの問題の徹底解明も重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2013)
（2013年3月24日01時20分 読売新聞）
2013/03/25
キプロス混迷 欧州危機の再燃回避が急務だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 24, 2013)
Prevent disarray in Cyprus from reigniting European crisis
キプロス混迷 欧州危機の再燃回避が急務だ（3月23日付・読売社説）
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, has begun to rattle the global economy.
地中海の小国キプロスの金融危機が、世界を揺るがし始めた。
The European Union should play a leading role in resolving the disarray and preventing it from affecting the economies of the rest of Europe and Japan.
欧州連合（ＥＵ）の主導で混乱を収拾させ、欧州全体や日本経済などへの波及を食い止めるべきだ。
The Cypriot government decided on a plan to restructure the nation's second-largest bank, which has fallen into financial difficulty. This is apparently a last-ditch measure to prevent the chaotic breakdown of the country's banking sector for the time being and secure financial assistance from the European Union.
キプロス政府は、経営危機に陥った国内第２位の大手銀行を整理・再編する方針を決めた。無秩序な破綻をひとまず回避し、ＥＵからの金融支援を取り付けるための窮余の策と言えよう。
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a member of the EU and the eurozone, was triggered by Greece's financial collapse.
ＥＵ加盟国で通貨ユーロを導入しているキプロスの危機の発端はギリシャ財政破綻だった。
Nonperforming loans have damaged the financial condition of Cypriot banks that owned a huge amount of Greek government bonds, but the Cypriot government lacks the fiscal strength to extend public support to them. This has led to stagnation in the Cypriot model of prosperity, in which the banking sector attracted enormous funds from Russia and other investors around the world.
ギリシャ国債を大量保有するキプロスの銀行が不良債権を抱えて経営が悪化したが、政府には公的支援を行う財政力がない。ロシアなど国外の預金者から巨額資金を集めていた「金融立国」モデルが行き詰まったことを示す。
===
Tax-on-deposits plan rejected
At Cyprus' request, the EU decided with the International Monetary Bank to extend 10 billion euros (1.2 trillion yen) in assistance. As a condition for the bailout, they demanded Nicosia levy a tax on bank deposits, but that led directly to the current disarray.
キプロスからの要請を受け、ＥＵは国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）とともに最大１００億ユーロ（約１兆２０００億円）の支援を決めた。
その条件としてＥＵが求めた銀行預金への課税案が、事態を混乱させる直接の要因になった。
Outraged with the envisioned taxation Cypriots rushed to banks to withdraw money, further fueling the chaos. A government bill aimed at gaining public support by excluding smaller accounts from the taxation was rejected by parliament, which was thinking of public opinion.
課税を嫌がる国民がＥＵの提案に反発し、預金引き出しに走るなど、騒ぎが拡大した。
少額預金については課税対象外とし、国民の理解を得ようとした政府の法案も、世論を意識した議会で否決された。
If this situation continues, Cyprus will not be able to meet the conditions demanded by the EU and the bailout will not be implemented. Some observers have expressed concern that Cyprus may default on its debts.
このままではＥＵの条件をクリアできず、支援策は宙に浮く。債務不履行（デフォルト）を警戒する見方すらくすぶる。
The Cypriot government presented its plan to restructure the second-largest bank because it was forced to present an alternative to the tax on bank deposits. Nicosia must have realized the merits of restructuring the troubled bank, since it would cost less pubic money than keeping the bank open and bailing it out.
キプロス政府が大手銀行を整理する方針を示したのは、預金課税の代替案を迫られた結果だ。問題銀行を存続させて救済するよりも公的資金が少なくて済むメリットに着目したのだろう。
===
German position key
However, it is still too early to tell whether assistance will be extended quickly. One key to determining that lies with Germany, which demands that Cyprus achieve strict fiscal discipline. Nicosia must work out more details of its measures to stabilize its banking sector, in order to convince Germany and other EU members.
だが、支援が速やかに実現するかどうか、先行きは不透明だ。最大のカギは、厳しい財政規律を求めるドイツが握る。キプロスはドイツなどを納得させる銀行安定策をさらに詰めねばなるまい。
The role of Russia, which has close ties with Cyprus, is also important. We hope Moscow will work with the EU.
キプロスとの関係が深いロシアの役割も重要だ。ＥＵと連携を図ってもらいたい。
The biggest fear is that the Cypriot crisis will spill over to other countries such as Spain and Italy, reigniting the European crisis that is currently calming down.
最も懸念されるのは、キプロス危機がスペインやイタリアなどに飛び火し、沈静化しつつあった欧州危機を再燃させる事態だ。
In the foreign exchange market, the euro continues to be weak while the yen tends to be bought. Wild fluctuations in stock prices have also been seen in markets around the world.
外国為替市場では、ユーロが弱含みで推移し、円が買われやすい展開が続く。世界各地で株価の乱高下も目立っている。
There should be careful monitoring of whether the disarray in Cyprus indirectly hinders Abenomics, the economic policy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to revitalize Japan's economy.
キプロス混迷が回り回って、経済再生を目指す安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」に冷や水を浴びせないか。要警戒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2013)
（2013年3月23日01時45分 読売新聞）
Prevent disarray in Cyprus from reigniting European crisis
キプロス混迷 欧州危機の再燃回避が急務だ（3月23日付・読売社説）
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, has begun to rattle the global economy.
地中海の小国キプロスの金融危機が、世界を揺るがし始めた。
The European Union should play a leading role in resolving the disarray and preventing it from affecting the economies of the rest of Europe and Japan.
欧州連合（ＥＵ）の主導で混乱を収拾させ、欧州全体や日本経済などへの波及を食い止めるべきだ。
The Cypriot government decided on a plan to restructure the nation's second-largest bank, which has fallen into financial difficulty. This is apparently a last-ditch measure to prevent the chaotic breakdown of the country's banking sector for the time being and secure financial assistance from the European Union.
キプロス政府は、経営危機に陥った国内第２位の大手銀行を整理・再編する方針を決めた。無秩序な破綻をひとまず回避し、ＥＵからの金融支援を取り付けるための窮余の策と言えよう。
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a member of the EU and the eurozone, was triggered by Greece's financial collapse.
ＥＵ加盟国で通貨ユーロを導入しているキプロスの危機の発端はギリシャ財政破綻だった。
Nonperforming loans have damaged the financial condition of Cypriot banks that owned a huge amount of Greek government bonds, but the Cypriot government lacks the fiscal strength to extend public support to them. This has led to stagnation in the Cypriot model of prosperity, in which the banking sector attracted enormous funds from Russia and other investors around the world.
ギリシャ国債を大量保有するキプロスの銀行が不良債権を抱えて経営が悪化したが、政府には公的支援を行う財政力がない。ロシアなど国外の預金者から巨額資金を集めていた「金融立国」モデルが行き詰まったことを示す。
===
Tax-on-deposits plan rejected
At Cyprus' request, the EU decided with the International Monetary Bank to extend 10 billion euros (1.2 trillion yen) in assistance. As a condition for the bailout, they demanded Nicosia levy a tax on bank deposits, but that led directly to the current disarray.
キプロスからの要請を受け、ＥＵは国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）とともに最大１００億ユーロ（約１兆２０００億円）の支援を決めた。
その条件としてＥＵが求めた銀行預金への課税案が、事態を混乱させる直接の要因になった。
Outraged with the envisioned taxation Cypriots rushed to banks to withdraw money, further fueling the chaos. A government bill aimed at gaining public support by excluding smaller accounts from the taxation was rejected by parliament, which was thinking of public opinion.
課税を嫌がる国民がＥＵの提案に反発し、預金引き出しに走るなど、騒ぎが拡大した。
少額預金については課税対象外とし、国民の理解を得ようとした政府の法案も、世論を意識した議会で否決された。
If this situation continues, Cyprus will not be able to meet the conditions demanded by the EU and the bailout will not be implemented. Some observers have expressed concern that Cyprus may default on its debts.
このままではＥＵの条件をクリアできず、支援策は宙に浮く。債務不履行（デフォルト）を警戒する見方すらくすぶる。
The Cypriot government presented its plan to restructure the second-largest bank because it was forced to present an alternative to the tax on bank deposits. Nicosia must have realized the merits of restructuring the troubled bank, since it would cost less pubic money than keeping the bank open and bailing it out.
キプロス政府が大手銀行を整理する方針を示したのは、預金課税の代替案を迫られた結果だ。問題銀行を存続させて救済するよりも公的資金が少なくて済むメリットに着目したのだろう。
===
German position key
However, it is still too early to tell whether assistance will be extended quickly. One key to determining that lies with Germany, which demands that Cyprus achieve strict fiscal discipline. Nicosia must work out more details of its measures to stabilize its banking sector, in order to convince Germany and other EU members.
だが、支援が速やかに実現するかどうか、先行きは不透明だ。最大のカギは、厳しい財政規律を求めるドイツが握る。キプロスはドイツなどを納得させる銀行安定策をさらに詰めねばなるまい。
The role of Russia, which has close ties with Cyprus, is also important. We hope Moscow will work with the EU.
キプロスとの関係が深いロシアの役割も重要だ。ＥＵと連携を図ってもらいたい。
The biggest fear is that the Cypriot crisis will spill over to other countries such as Spain and Italy, reigniting the European crisis that is currently calming down.
最も懸念されるのは、キプロス危機がスペインやイタリアなどに飛び火し、沈静化しつつあった欧州危機を再燃させる事態だ。
In the foreign exchange market, the euro continues to be weak while the yen tends to be bought. Wild fluctuations in stock prices have also been seen in markets around the world.
外国為替市場では、ユーロが弱含みで推移し、円が買われやすい展開が続く。世界各地で株価の乱高下も目立っている。
There should be careful monitoring of whether the disarray in Cyprus indirectly hinders Abenomics, the economic policy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to revitalize Japan's economy.
キプロス混迷が回り回って、経済再生を目指す安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」に冷や水を浴びせないか。要警戒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2013)
（2013年3月23日01時45分 読売新聞）
2013/03/24
イスラエル政権 イラン核問題で米と連携を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 23, 2013)
Israel must closely cooperate with U.S. over Iranian N-issue
イスラエル政権 イラン核問題で米と連携を（3月22日付・読売社説）
At their latest summit meeting, top U.S. and Israeli leaders stressed cooperation--demonstrating a recovery in bilateral relations, which have recently been stressed by differences over issues such as Iran's nuclear development and the Palestinian peace process.
米国とイスラエルが首脳会談で協調態勢をアピールした。イラン核問題や対パレスチナ和平を巡ってぎくしゃくしていた関係の修復を、印象づけたと言える。
It is important that the two countries utilize their renewed relations to stabilize the Middle East.
これを中東地域の安定につなげていくことが重要だ。
After Israel's general election in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally launched a coalition administration. U.S. President Barack Obama was the first foreign leader to be welcomed by the administration.
１月の総選挙を受け、ようやく連立政権発足にこぎつけたネタニヤフ首相は、オバマ米大統領を最初の外国首脳として迎えた。
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, a major focus of the summit talks, Netanyahu acknowledged during a joint press conference with Obama that it would take one year for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon, even if it decided to go nuclear. Meanwhile, Obama emphasized, "We prefer to resolve this diplomatically, and there's still time to do so."
焦点のイラン核問題では、首脳会談後の共同記者会見で、首相は、イランが核兵器製造を決断しても完成まで約１年かかるという認識を示し、大統領も「外交的解決の時間はまだある」と強調した。
===
Diplomatic solution first
We can conclude that both countries have agreed to fully engage diplomatically to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
両国は、イランの核保有阻止を目指し、外交的手段を尽くすことで一致したと言える。
Last September, Netanyahu warned global leaders that it was within the realm of possibility that Iran had enough highly enriched uranium to produce its first nuclear weapon by as early as this spring. He has also indicated that Israel may unilaterally attack Iran if the international community cannot stop the nation from possessing a nuclear weapon.
首相は昨年９月、イランが今年春にも、核兵器を作るのに十分な量の高濃縮ウランを保有する恐れがあると警告した。国際社会が阻止できねば、単独でのイラン攻撃も辞さない構えを見せていた。
But as Netanyahu has reached a compromise with Obama at the latest summit talks, a situation in which Israel takes military action against Iran is unlikely for the time being.
今回、米国に歩み寄ったことで、イスラエルが軍事行動に出る事態は当面、遠のいた。
Should Israel attack Iran, the effects of the war would undoubtedly spill over into other areas. For instance, crude oil prices would skyrocket, adversely affecting the global economy. It is for this and other reasons that Israel must refrain from using force.
イスラエルがイランを攻撃すれば、戦火は拡大し、原油価格の高騰で世界経済も揺らぎかねない。武力行使は自制すべきだ。
Obama pledged that the United States would support Israel in matters of security. In a show of his country's intent to keep its promise, Obama inspected Israel's "Iron Dome," a mobile all-weather air defense system that the United States helped to develop.
大統領は、米国が安全保障面でイスラエルを支えると確約した。米国が支援した対空防衛システム「アイアン・ドーム」を視察したのも、示威効果が狙いだろう。
The security situation around Israel has been increasing in severity. Its neighbor Syria has descended into civil war, and in Egypt, where Islamists have taken the reins of government, the economy and politics have been thrown into chaos. The circumstances surrounding the region are increasingly unclear. In such an environment, Israel needed to restore a cooperative relationship with the United States.
イスラエルの安保環境は厳しさを増している。隣国シリア内戦の泥沼化や、イスラム主義勢力が権力を握ったエジプトの政治・経済の混迷など、地域情勢は不透明感を強めている。イスラエルには、対米関係修復が必要だった。
During the joint press conference, Netanyahu also confirmed Israel remains fully committed to the "two states for two peoples" solution to the Palestinian issue, an initiative promoting the coexistence of two states.
首相は、共同記者会見でイスラエルとパレスチナの「２国家共存」構想への支持も確認した。
===
Weak administrative foundation
However, the growing number of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and a split in the Palestinian leadership have made reopening peace negotiations difficult. As a result, the process for establishing a Palestinian state is still nowhere in sight.
しかし、イスラエルの占領地ヨルダン川西岸での入植拡大や、パレスチナ指導部の分裂によって、パレスチナとの和平交渉が再開するめどは立たず、パレスチナ国家樹立への道筋は見えない。
Netanyahu's administrative foundation is now weaker than it was before the election. His attempts to garner support with a hard-line stance against Iran have ended in failure.
ネタニヤフ首相の政権基盤は、総選挙前より弱まった。対イラン強硬姿勢で支持を広げようという試みは失敗に終わった。
After the election, the prime minister tried to establish a broad coalition administration. However, a religious party that once had been a former coalition partner decided to become part of the opposition, and Netanyahu's Likud party only succeeded in winning over middle-of-the-road and rightist parties. The stability of the new administration remains questionable.
選挙後、首相は幅広い連立を試みたが、従来の連立相手だった宗教政党は離反し、中道勢力と強硬右派を取り込むにとどまり、政権の安定度には不安が残る。
Close cooperation with the United States is indispensable to maintain the Netanyahu government, and preserving its cooperation with the United States over the Iranian nuclear issue is an important pillar of that policy.
米国との緊密な協力は、政権維持に不可欠だ。イラン核問題での連携維持は、重要な柱である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2013)
（2013年3月22日01時11分 読売新聞）
Israel must closely cooperate with U.S. over Iranian N-issue
イスラエル政権 イラン核問題で米と連携を（3月22日付・読売社説）
At their latest summit meeting, top U.S. and Israeli leaders stressed cooperation--demonstrating a recovery in bilateral relations, which have recently been stressed by differences over issues such as Iran's nuclear development and the Palestinian peace process.
米国とイスラエルが首脳会談で協調態勢をアピールした。イラン核問題や対パレスチナ和平を巡ってぎくしゃくしていた関係の修復を、印象づけたと言える。
It is important that the two countries utilize their renewed relations to stabilize the Middle East.
これを中東地域の安定につなげていくことが重要だ。
After Israel's general election in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally launched a coalition administration. U.S. President Barack Obama was the first foreign leader to be welcomed by the administration.
１月の総選挙を受け、ようやく連立政権発足にこぎつけたネタニヤフ首相は、オバマ米大統領を最初の外国首脳として迎えた。
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, a major focus of the summit talks, Netanyahu acknowledged during a joint press conference with Obama that it would take one year for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon, even if it decided to go nuclear. Meanwhile, Obama emphasized, "We prefer to resolve this diplomatically, and there's still time to do so."
焦点のイラン核問題では、首脳会談後の共同記者会見で、首相は、イランが核兵器製造を決断しても完成まで約１年かかるという認識を示し、大統領も「外交的解決の時間はまだある」と強調した。
===
Diplomatic solution first
We can conclude that both countries have agreed to fully engage diplomatically to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
両国は、イランの核保有阻止を目指し、外交的手段を尽くすことで一致したと言える。
Last September, Netanyahu warned global leaders that it was within the realm of possibility that Iran had enough highly enriched uranium to produce its first nuclear weapon by as early as this spring. He has also indicated that Israel may unilaterally attack Iran if the international community cannot stop the nation from possessing a nuclear weapon.
首相は昨年９月、イランが今年春にも、核兵器を作るのに十分な量の高濃縮ウランを保有する恐れがあると警告した。国際社会が阻止できねば、単独でのイラン攻撃も辞さない構えを見せていた。
But as Netanyahu has reached a compromise with Obama at the latest summit talks, a situation in which Israel takes military action against Iran is unlikely for the time being.
今回、米国に歩み寄ったことで、イスラエルが軍事行動に出る事態は当面、遠のいた。
Should Israel attack Iran, the effects of the war would undoubtedly spill over into other areas. For instance, crude oil prices would skyrocket, adversely affecting the global economy. It is for this and other reasons that Israel must refrain from using force.
イスラエルがイランを攻撃すれば、戦火は拡大し、原油価格の高騰で世界経済も揺らぎかねない。武力行使は自制すべきだ。
Obama pledged that the United States would support Israel in matters of security. In a show of his country's intent to keep its promise, Obama inspected Israel's "Iron Dome," a mobile all-weather air defense system that the United States helped to develop.
大統領は、米国が安全保障面でイスラエルを支えると確約した。米国が支援した対空防衛システム「アイアン・ドーム」を視察したのも、示威効果が狙いだろう。
The security situation around Israel has been increasing in severity. Its neighbor Syria has descended into civil war, and in Egypt, where Islamists have taken the reins of government, the economy and politics have been thrown into chaos. The circumstances surrounding the region are increasingly unclear. In such an environment, Israel needed to restore a cooperative relationship with the United States.
イスラエルの安保環境は厳しさを増している。隣国シリア内戦の泥沼化や、イスラム主義勢力が権力を握ったエジプトの政治・経済の混迷など、地域情勢は不透明感を強めている。イスラエルには、対米関係修復が必要だった。
During the joint press conference, Netanyahu also confirmed Israel remains fully committed to the "two states for two peoples" solution to the Palestinian issue, an initiative promoting the coexistence of two states.
首相は、共同記者会見でイスラエルとパレスチナの「２国家共存」構想への支持も確認した。
===
Weak administrative foundation
However, the growing number of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and a split in the Palestinian leadership have made reopening peace negotiations difficult. As a result, the process for establishing a Palestinian state is still nowhere in sight.
しかし、イスラエルの占領地ヨルダン川西岸での入植拡大や、パレスチナ指導部の分裂によって、パレスチナとの和平交渉が再開するめどは立たず、パレスチナ国家樹立への道筋は見えない。
Netanyahu's administrative foundation is now weaker than it was before the election. His attempts to garner support with a hard-line stance against Iran have ended in failure.
ネタニヤフ首相の政権基盤は、総選挙前より弱まった。対イラン強硬姿勢で支持を広げようという試みは失敗に終わった。
After the election, the prime minister tried to establish a broad coalition administration. However, a religious party that once had been a former coalition partner decided to become part of the opposition, and Netanyahu's Likud party only succeeded in winning over middle-of-the-road and rightist parties. The stability of the new administration remains questionable.
選挙後、首相は幅広い連立を試みたが、従来の連立相手だった宗教政党は離反し、中道勢力と強硬右派を取り込むにとどまり、政権の安定度には不安が残る。
Close cooperation with the United States is indispensable to maintain the Netanyahu government, and preserving its cooperation with the United States over the Iranian nuclear issue is an important pillar of that policy.
米国との緊密な協力は、政権維持に不可欠だ。イラン核問題での連携維持は、重要な柱である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2013)
（2013年3月22日01時11分 読売新聞）
2013/03/23
クール・ジャパン 官民が連携して魅力の発信を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 22, 2013)
Abe aims to boost the power of 'Cool Japan' cultural exports
クール・ジャパン 官民が連携して魅力の発信を（3月21日付・読売社説）
Japanese music, anime, fashion and food are in the global spotlight, a trend called the "Cool Japan" boom.
クール・ジャパン（かっこいい日本）として、日本の音楽、アニメ、ファッション、食文化などは海外で人気が高い。
We believe this trend should be boosted to stimulate the nation's economic growth.
日本経済の成長に弾みをつけるため、さらにテコ入れすべきだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered Tomomi Inada, state minister for administrative reforms, to also serve as the nation's first Cool Japan strategy minister. Abe has also launched an expert panel aimed at promoting the government's Cool Japan campaign. These moves reflect the prime minister's intention to make the Cool Japan initiative part of the government's growth strategy.
安倍首相は、稲田行政改革相に初のクール・ジャパン戦略相を兼務させ、有識者による推進会議も発足させた。成長戦略の一つに位置付けようとしている。
We believe the government's policy of promoting businesses related to Cool Japan culture to a level Japan can be proud of is worth pursuing.
政府の「クール・ジャパンを世界に誇るビジネスに」という方針は妥当と言える。
The cornerstone of the Cool Japan initiative is the content industry, which produces movies, anime and video games. The size of the industry's domestic market is about 12 trillion yen.
核となる映画やアニメ、ゲームなどコンテンツ産業の国内市場規模は１２兆円に上る。
===
Future depends on global market
However, as the nation's population has begun to shrink, the future of Japan's content industry will taper off if it depends only on the domestic market. If the industry seeks further growth, it needs to aggressively advance overseas, and find new business opportunities there.
だが、人口減社会の到来で、国内だけでは先細りとなるだろう。さらなる成長を図るなら、海外へ積極的に展開し、ビジネスチャンスを獲得していく必要がある。
The size of the content industry's global market is about 130 trillion yen. It is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 6 percent.
コンテンツ産業の世界全体の市場規模は約１３０兆円だ。今後も年平均６％程度の成長を続けていくという。
One idea is to increase exports of domestic movies. Last year's export sales of domestic movies came to about 5 billion yen, less than 5 percent of domestic box-office revenues that year.
例えば、日本映画をもっと輸出できないか。昨年の邦画の輸出実績は約５０億円で、国内興行収入の５％にも満たなかった。
Export sales of domestic TV programs were 6.3 billion yen in 2010, lagging far behind the figure for South Korea, where the government strongly backs TV program exports.
テレビ番組の輸出額も６３億円（２０１０年）で、政府が後押しする韓国よりも大幅に少ない。
Japan's manga and anime are highly appreciated in the world. The government needs to draw up a strategy to exploit their full potential.
日本の漫画やアニメは世界的にも高い評価を受けている。その潜在力を生かす戦略が必要だ。
A noteworthy effort that began in India last year is a TV remake of the popular Japanese anime "Kyojin no Hoshi" (Star of the Giants).
その点で、インドで昨年末に始まったアニメ「巨人の星」のリメーク版のテレビ放送は、新たな試みとして注目に値する。
The anime TV series was jointly produced by Japanese and Indian firms. Instead of playing baseball, the hero of the TV series devotes himself to cricket, India's national sport.
日印共同制作で、ヒーローが打ち込むスポーツを野球からインドの国民的球技クリケットに置き換えて描いている。
Japanese companies sponsoring the series have enjoyed product placement for goods such as cars and stationery in the show. We believe the remade anime will also help viewers deepen their understanding of Japan's high-growth period.
作品の随所で、自動車や文房具など協賛の日本企業の製品もアピールしている。原作の背景となった高度成長期の日本への理解も深まることだろう。
===
Successful examples important
Yasushi Akimoto, general producer of girl group AKB48, has made thought-provoking remarks on the subject. "To prevent the Cool Japan campaign from ending up as a hollow image, it is important to produce successful examples," he said.
Akimoto serves as a member of the government's expert panel on promoting the Cool Japan Initiative.
政府の推進会議のメンバーの一人、ＡＫＢ４８のプロデューサーの秋元康氏が「クール・ジャパンを“絵に描いた餅”としないためにも、成功例を作ることが大切だ」と語るのはもっともだ。
The government should utilize various ideas generated by the private sector and proactively disseminate parts of Japanese culture that could win the hearts of the world.
民間の様々なアイデアを生かし、魅力ある日本文化を積極的に発信していくべきだ。
The government has earmarked 50 billion yen in the fiscal 2013 budget to establish a fund aimed at promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We urge the government to do its utmost to provide effective financial support and publicity.
政府は来年度予算案に、クール・ジャパン推進のための基金創設として５００億円を計上した。効率的な資金支援、情報発信に知恵を絞る必要がある。
It is important for the government and the private sector to join hands to devise a strategy on promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We hope such a strategy will be smoothly put on track.
クール・ジャパンの振興に、官民連携して取り組む戦略をうまく軌道に乗せたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2013)
（2013年3月21日01時28分 読売新聞）
Abe aims to boost the power of 'Cool Japan' cultural exports
クール・ジャパン 官民が連携して魅力の発信を（3月21日付・読売社説）
Japanese music, anime, fashion and food are in the global spotlight, a trend called the "Cool Japan" boom.
クール・ジャパン（かっこいい日本）として、日本の音楽、アニメ、ファッション、食文化などは海外で人気が高い。
We believe this trend should be boosted to stimulate the nation's economic growth.
日本経済の成長に弾みをつけるため、さらにテコ入れすべきだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered Tomomi Inada, state minister for administrative reforms, to also serve as the nation's first Cool Japan strategy minister. Abe has also launched an expert panel aimed at promoting the government's Cool Japan campaign. These moves reflect the prime minister's intention to make the Cool Japan initiative part of the government's growth strategy.
安倍首相は、稲田行政改革相に初のクール・ジャパン戦略相を兼務させ、有識者による推進会議も発足させた。成長戦略の一つに位置付けようとしている。
We believe the government's policy of promoting businesses related to Cool Japan culture to a level Japan can be proud of is worth pursuing.
政府の「クール・ジャパンを世界に誇るビジネスに」という方針は妥当と言える。
The cornerstone of the Cool Japan initiative is the content industry, which produces movies, anime and video games. The size of the industry's domestic market is about 12 trillion yen.
核となる映画やアニメ、ゲームなどコンテンツ産業の国内市場規模は１２兆円に上る。
===
Future depends on global market
However, as the nation's population has begun to shrink, the future of Japan's content industry will taper off if it depends only on the domestic market. If the industry seeks further growth, it needs to aggressively advance overseas, and find new business opportunities there.
だが、人口減社会の到来で、国内だけでは先細りとなるだろう。さらなる成長を図るなら、海外へ積極的に展開し、ビジネスチャンスを獲得していく必要がある。
The size of the content industry's global market is about 130 trillion yen. It is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 6 percent.
コンテンツ産業の世界全体の市場規模は約１３０兆円だ。今後も年平均６％程度の成長を続けていくという。
One idea is to increase exports of domestic movies. Last year's export sales of domestic movies came to about 5 billion yen, less than 5 percent of domestic box-office revenues that year.
例えば、日本映画をもっと輸出できないか。昨年の邦画の輸出実績は約５０億円で、国内興行収入の５％にも満たなかった。
Export sales of domestic TV programs were 6.3 billion yen in 2010, lagging far behind the figure for South Korea, where the government strongly backs TV program exports.
テレビ番組の輸出額も６３億円（２０１０年）で、政府が後押しする韓国よりも大幅に少ない。
Japan's manga and anime are highly appreciated in the world. The government needs to draw up a strategy to exploit their full potential.
日本の漫画やアニメは世界的にも高い評価を受けている。その潜在力を生かす戦略が必要だ。
A noteworthy effort that began in India last year is a TV remake of the popular Japanese anime "Kyojin no Hoshi" (Star of the Giants).
その点で、インドで昨年末に始まったアニメ「巨人の星」のリメーク版のテレビ放送は、新たな試みとして注目に値する。
The anime TV series was jointly produced by Japanese and Indian firms. Instead of playing baseball, the hero of the TV series devotes himself to cricket, India's national sport.
日印共同制作で、ヒーローが打ち込むスポーツを野球からインドの国民的球技クリケットに置き換えて描いている。
Japanese companies sponsoring the series have enjoyed product placement for goods such as cars and stationery in the show. We believe the remade anime will also help viewers deepen their understanding of Japan's high-growth period.
作品の随所で、自動車や文房具など協賛の日本企業の製品もアピールしている。原作の背景となった高度成長期の日本への理解も深まることだろう。
===
Successful examples important
Yasushi Akimoto, general producer of girl group AKB48, has made thought-provoking remarks on the subject. "To prevent the Cool Japan campaign from ending up as a hollow image, it is important to produce successful examples," he said.
Akimoto serves as a member of the government's expert panel on promoting the Cool Japan Initiative.
政府の推進会議のメンバーの一人、ＡＫＢ４８のプロデューサーの秋元康氏が「クール・ジャパンを“絵に描いた餅”としないためにも、成功例を作ることが大切だ」と語るのはもっともだ。
The government should utilize various ideas generated by the private sector and proactively disseminate parts of Japanese culture that could win the hearts of the world.
民間の様々なアイデアを生かし、魅力ある日本文化を積極的に発信していくべきだ。
The government has earmarked 50 billion yen in the fiscal 2013 budget to establish a fund aimed at promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We urge the government to do its utmost to provide effective financial support and publicity.
政府は来年度予算案に、クール・ジャパン推進のための基金創設として５００億円を計上した。効率的な資金支援、情報発信に知恵を絞る必要がある。
It is important for the government and the private sector to join hands to devise a strategy on promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We hope such a strategy will be smoothly put on track.
クール・ジャパンの振興に、官民連携して取り組む戦略をうまく軌道に乗せたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2013)
（2013年3月21日01時28分 読売新聞）
2013/03/22
南海トラフ地震 最大級の危機にどう備えるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 20, 2013)
Preparing for disasters of the largest scale
南海トラフ地震 最大級の危機にどう備えるか（3月19日付・読売社説）
A working group of the government's Central Disaster Management Council has compiled a report on the expected damage that would be caused by a magnitude-9 Nankai Trough triple earthquake, in which the so-called Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai quakes happen simultaneously.
東海、東南海、南海地震などが同時に起きるマグニチュード（Ｍ）９級の南海トラフ巨大地震について、政府の中央防災会議作業部会が被害予測の全体像をまとめた。
The huge quake is forecast to cause about 220 trillion yen in economic damage, in the worst-case scenario.
経済的被害は最悪の場合、約２２０兆円に上る。
The quake and subsequent tsunami is forecast to cause about 170 trillion yen of damage to homes and office buildings, about 10 times the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
このうち、地震や津波で建物などが壊れる直接の被害だけで、最大約１７０兆円に達する。東日本大震災の約１０倍に相当する額だ。
The public and private sectors will need to cooperate and boost the nation's preparedness for such a massive disaster.
官民が連携し、備えを強化せねばならない。
The prediction was made on the assumption that densely populated areas and key industrial bases from the Tokyo metropolitan area along to the Chubu, Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu regions would be rocked violently by the quake, followed by tsunami higher than 30 meters in some areas.
首都圏から中部、関西圏と四国、九州までの人口密集地や産業拠点を激しい揺れと最大３０メートル超の津波が襲う、との想定である。
===
Once in 1,000 years
Last summer, the working group released a prediction that up to about 320,000 people would die in Tokyo, Osaka and 28 other prefectures following the Nankai Trough triple earthquake. The latest report focused on likely economic damage.
作業部会は昨年夏、３０都府県で最大約３２万人が死亡するとの予測を公表した。それに今回は経済被害などを加えた。
The group forecast the total value of corporate production of goods and services--the core of Japan's economic activity--would decline by as much as about 45 trillion yen, nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product, in the year following the disaster, due to suspended production at destroyed factories and other factors.
経済活動の核である生産・サービスの総額は、工場倒壊による生産休止などにより、被災後１年間で約４５兆円も落ち込む。国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１割近い。
The group said such a quake occurs "at a frequency of less than once every 1,000 years," emphasizing that such a disaster would be extremely rare.
作業部会は「１０００年に１度以下の頻度でしか起きない」と説明し、極めてまれな災害であることを強調している。
Although there is no need to worry excessively about such a megaquake, the devastating quake that struck off the Tohoku coast on March 11, 2011, also was an event expected to occur once every 1,000 years. Complacency is not an option.
過度に不安を抱く必要はないが、東日本大震災も１０００年に１度の地震だった。油断は禁物である。
The important thing is to put in place as many "disaster mitigation" preparations as possible. The central government and local municipalities likely to be affected by the disaster should review their disaster-management processes based on the latest estimate.
大切なのは、「減災」へ向け可能な限り対策を講じることだ。今回の被害予測を踏まえ、政府や関係自治体は、防災対策を総点検する必要がある。
According to the group's calculation, making buildings more quake-resistant could halve the economic damage wrought by the disaster. The group also said quick evacuations could reduce tsunami deaths by 90 percent.
作業部会の試算によると、建物の耐震化などで経済被害は半減できるという。津波による犠牲者も、早期避難で９割減る。
The central and local governments have already been making such efforts.
いずれも、政府、自治体が、すでに取り組んできた対策だ。
===
Take basic steps first
The important thing is to, first of all, take basic steps such as accelerating the repair of buildings that lack quake-resistance and securing evacuation facilities and tsunami escape routes.
耐震性を欠く建物の改修を加速させる。津波に備えた避難ルートや避難ビルを整備する。まずは、こうした基本的対策が重要だ。
It is also essential to reinforce networks of trunk roads, harbors and airports to enable immediate rescue and relief operations and reduce damage to the economy.
迅速な救助・救援を可能にし、経済への影響を軽減するためには、幹線道路や港湾、空港など交通網の強化も欠かせない。
When the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito were in the opposition camp last year, they submitted to the Diet a bill concerning special measures to deal with the potential Nankai Trough triple quake. The bill would provide more government subsidies for making disaster management facilities more quake-resistant. However, the bill was abandoned with the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
自民、公明両党は野党時代の昨年、補助金で防災施設の耐震化を促進する南海トラフ巨大地震対策特別措置法案を国会に提出したが、衆院解散で廃案となった。
The bill would reinforce the present special measures law that promotes steps to deal with the Tonankai and Nankai quakes. The LDP and Komeito are considering resubmitting the bill. We hope the bill will be thoroughly discussed in the Diet.
現行の東南海・南海地震対策推進特措法を強化する内容で、両党は再提出を検討している。国会でしっかり議論してもらいたい。
Aside from the Nankai Trough quake, the government has predicted a separate Tokai quake has an 88 percent chance of occurring in the next 30 years, while a Tonankai quake has a 70 percent chance and the Nankai quake a 60 percent chance.
南海トラフ巨大地震とは別に、政府は、東海、東南海、南海の各地震が今後３０年以内にそれぞれ、８８％、７０％、６０％の高い確率で起きると予測している。
There is no time to waste in getting prepared to handle these disasters.
対策は待ったなしである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
Preparing for disasters of the largest scale
南海トラフ地震 最大級の危機にどう備えるか（3月19日付・読売社説）
A working group of the government's Central Disaster Management Council has compiled a report on the expected damage that would be caused by a magnitude-9 Nankai Trough triple earthquake, in which the so-called Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai quakes happen simultaneously.
東海、東南海、南海地震などが同時に起きるマグニチュード（Ｍ）９級の南海トラフ巨大地震について、政府の中央防災会議作業部会が被害予測の全体像をまとめた。
The huge quake is forecast to cause about 220 trillion yen in economic damage, in the worst-case scenario.
経済的被害は最悪の場合、約２２０兆円に上る。
The quake and subsequent tsunami is forecast to cause about 170 trillion yen of damage to homes and office buildings, about 10 times the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
このうち、地震や津波で建物などが壊れる直接の被害だけで、最大約１７０兆円に達する。東日本大震災の約１０倍に相当する額だ。
The public and private sectors will need to cooperate and boost the nation's preparedness for such a massive disaster.
官民が連携し、備えを強化せねばならない。
The prediction was made on the assumption that densely populated areas and key industrial bases from the Tokyo metropolitan area along to the Chubu, Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu regions would be rocked violently by the quake, followed by tsunami higher than 30 meters in some areas.
首都圏から中部、関西圏と四国、九州までの人口密集地や産業拠点を激しい揺れと最大３０メートル超の津波が襲う、との想定である。
===
Once in 1,000 years
Last summer, the working group released a prediction that up to about 320,000 people would die in Tokyo, Osaka and 28 other prefectures following the Nankai Trough triple earthquake. The latest report focused on likely economic damage.
作業部会は昨年夏、３０都府県で最大約３２万人が死亡するとの予測を公表した。それに今回は経済被害などを加えた。
The group forecast the total value of corporate production of goods and services--the core of Japan's economic activity--would decline by as much as about 45 trillion yen, nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product, in the year following the disaster, due to suspended production at destroyed factories and other factors.
経済活動の核である生産・サービスの総額は、工場倒壊による生産休止などにより、被災後１年間で約４５兆円も落ち込む。国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１割近い。
The group said such a quake occurs "at a frequency of less than once every 1,000 years," emphasizing that such a disaster would be extremely rare.
作業部会は「１０００年に１度以下の頻度でしか起きない」と説明し、極めてまれな災害であることを強調している。
Although there is no need to worry excessively about such a megaquake, the devastating quake that struck off the Tohoku coast on March 11, 2011, also was an event expected to occur once every 1,000 years. Complacency is not an option.
過度に不安を抱く必要はないが、東日本大震災も１０００年に１度の地震だった。油断は禁物である。
The important thing is to put in place as many "disaster mitigation" preparations as possible. The central government and local municipalities likely to be affected by the disaster should review their disaster-management processes based on the latest estimate.
大切なのは、「減災」へ向け可能な限り対策を講じることだ。今回の被害予測を踏まえ、政府や関係自治体は、防災対策を総点検する必要がある。
According to the group's calculation, making buildings more quake-resistant could halve the economic damage wrought by the disaster. The group also said quick evacuations could reduce tsunami deaths by 90 percent.
作業部会の試算によると、建物の耐震化などで経済被害は半減できるという。津波による犠牲者も、早期避難で９割減る。
The central and local governments have already been making such efforts.
いずれも、政府、自治体が、すでに取り組んできた対策だ。
===
Take basic steps first
The important thing is to, first of all, take basic steps such as accelerating the repair of buildings that lack quake-resistance and securing evacuation facilities and tsunami escape routes.
耐震性を欠く建物の改修を加速させる。津波に備えた避難ルートや避難ビルを整備する。まずは、こうした基本的対策が重要だ。
It is also essential to reinforce networks of trunk roads, harbors and airports to enable immediate rescue and relief operations and reduce damage to the economy.
迅速な救助・救援を可能にし、経済への影響を軽減するためには、幹線道路や港湾、空港など交通網の強化も欠かせない。
When the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito were in the opposition camp last year, they submitted to the Diet a bill concerning special measures to deal with the potential Nankai Trough triple quake. The bill would provide more government subsidies for making disaster management facilities more quake-resistant. However, the bill was abandoned with the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
自民、公明両党は野党時代の昨年、補助金で防災施設の耐震化を促進する南海トラフ巨大地震対策特別措置法案を国会に提出したが、衆院解散で廃案となった。
The bill would reinforce the present special measures law that promotes steps to deal with the Tonankai and Nankai quakes. The LDP and Komeito are considering resubmitting the bill. We hope the bill will be thoroughly discussed in the Diet.
現行の東南海・南海地震対策推進特措法を強化する内容で、両党は再提出を検討している。国会でしっかり議論してもらいたい。
Aside from the Nankai Trough quake, the government has predicted a separate Tokai quake has an 88 percent chance of occurring in the next 30 years, while a Tonankai quake has a 70 percent chance and the Nankai quake a 60 percent chance.
南海トラフ巨大地震とは別に、政府は、東海、東南海、南海の各地震が今後３０年以内にそれぞれ、８８％、７０％、６０％の高い確率で起きると予測している。
There is no time to waste in getting prepared to handle these disasters.
対策は待ったなしである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
2013/03/21
イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 20, 2013)
Iraq War anniversary a chance to reflect on North Korea's threat
イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ（3月19日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the controversial Iraq War. There are problems still left unsolved, and Japan today has a particular reason to calmly reassess the lessons of the war.
論議を呼んだイラク戦争の開戦から、２０日で１０年を迎える。今、改めてこの戦争が残した課題を冷静に分析することが、日本にとってはとりわけ重要である。
The Iraq War began under the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush, and it ended in December 2011 with the full withdrawal of U.S. troops.
米国のブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争は、２０１１年１２月、米軍の全面撤収で終結した。
The war taught the United States a bitter lesson. U.S. rule of the occupied land was blundering, the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers were lost, and huge expenditures on the war ballooned the nation's fiscal deficit. The United States launched the war based on a claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found, undermining the U.S. authority.
戦争は、苦い教訓を米国に残した。占領統治は混乱し、４５００人近い米兵の命が失われ、巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがった。開戦の理由とした大量破壊兵器が見つからず、威信は揺らいだ。
There is ceaseless criticism that the costs of the war were out of all proportion to its gains.
「コストに見合わない戦争だった」との批判は絶えない。
In addition, the international community was unable to reach an agreement on the issue, as countries such as France, Germany and Russia opposed the use of force by the United States and Britain. The final verdict on the Iraq War will not be rendered anytime soon.
国際社会の足並みも乱れた。米英の武力行使に、仏独露などが反対した。イラク戦争への評価は、今なお定まらない。
===
A question remains unanswered
However, we must keep in mind that one fundamental problem that drove the United States to launch the war remains unsolved.
留意すべきは、米国が開戦に至った本質的な問題が今も未解決だということである。
The problem is this: What actions should the international community take, if a country that develops weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, ignores U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it scrap such weapons?
核兵器など大量破壊兵器を開発する国が、国連安全保障理事会から廃棄を求める決議を突きつけられても無視する。そんな事態にどう対処すべきかという問題だ。
A case in point now is North Korea, a nation hell-bent on building a nuclear arsenal. The nation has conducted three nuclear tests, ignoring the Security Council's resolutions.
安保理決議に従わず、核実験を３回も強行し、核武装化にひた走る北朝鮮がまさに実例だ。
In addition to the direct threat posed by North Korea, Japan also has to cope with the unabated military and economic expansion of China.
日本は、北朝鮮の増大する脅威に直面するだけでなく、軍事・経済の両面で膨張著しい中国とも向き合わなければならない。
Japan was divided over the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq War. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi supported the use of force from the standpoint of prioritizing the Japan-U.S. alliance, but the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties opposed the war, saying it had no justification.
対イラク開戦を巡り、小泉首相が日米同盟重視の観点から、米国の武力行使を支持する一方で、民主党など野党は「大義なき戦争だ」と反対に回り、国論は割れた。
However, the necessity for Japan to firmly maintain its alliance with the United States remains unchanged over the past 10 years, or has even become stronger.
だが、日本が、米国との同盟を堅持する必要性は１０年前から少しも変わっていない。むしろ強まったと言える。
===
What Japan needs to do
The United States and Britain overestimated the danger of Iraq's programs on weapons of mass destruction. But it will be dangerous if the aftereffects of that overestimate led the international community to underestimate the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. If the United States becomes overly reluctant to use force against North Korea, there will be fewer options for responding to Pyongyang's threat.
イラクの大量破壊兵器計画を米英が過大に評価した反動で、国際社会が北朝鮮やイランの核開発能力を過小に見積もるようでは危険だ。米国が武力行使に慎重になり過ぎれば、北朝鮮の脅威に対処する選択肢を狭める恐れがある。
Our nation must not be complacent regarding its current relationship with the United States. Japan must take concrete measures to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as enabling itself to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
日本に必要なのは、米国との関係に安住せず、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするなど同盟強化へ具体的な手立てを講じることだ。
Iraq's democratization is making progress, as can be seen from events such as its conducting elections. Oil production is recovering, bringing prosperity to the nation's oil-producing northern and southern areas. Such results would have been difficult to achieve under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
イラクでは、選挙実施など民主化が進み、原油生産も回復して産油地の北部や南部は繁栄に沸いている。フセイン独裁政権の崩壊なしには難しかったろう。
However, Iraq's political situation remains unstable. Sectarian strife and terrorist attacks show no signs of abating in Baghdad and other key cities. Despite myriad problems, the administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slowly heading toward reconstruction of the country. We hope Iraq will succeed in restoring security, which will help it set a steady course toward reconstruction.
ただし、政情は不安で、首都バグダッドなどでは宗派間の抗争や過激派のテロがやまない。マリキ政権は曲がりなりに再建への歩みを続けているが、治安回復で復興への道筋を確かにしてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
Iraq War anniversary a chance to reflect on North Korea's threat
イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ（3月19日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the controversial Iraq War. There are problems still left unsolved, and Japan today has a particular reason to calmly reassess the lessons of the war.
論議を呼んだイラク戦争の開戦から、２０日で１０年を迎える。今、改めてこの戦争が残した課題を冷静に分析することが、日本にとってはとりわけ重要である。
The Iraq War began under the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush, and it ended in December 2011 with the full withdrawal of U.S. troops.
米国のブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争は、２０１１年１２月、米軍の全面撤収で終結した。
The war taught the United States a bitter lesson. U.S. rule of the occupied land was blundering, the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers were lost, and huge expenditures on the war ballooned the nation's fiscal deficit. The United States launched the war based on a claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found, undermining the U.S. authority.
戦争は、苦い教訓を米国に残した。占領統治は混乱し、４５００人近い米兵の命が失われ、巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがった。開戦の理由とした大量破壊兵器が見つからず、威信は揺らいだ。
There is ceaseless criticism that the costs of the war were out of all proportion to its gains.
「コストに見合わない戦争だった」との批判は絶えない。
In addition, the international community was unable to reach an agreement on the issue, as countries such as France, Germany and Russia opposed the use of force by the United States and Britain. The final verdict on the Iraq War will not be rendered anytime soon.
国際社会の足並みも乱れた。米英の武力行使に、仏独露などが反対した。イラク戦争への評価は、今なお定まらない。
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A question remains unanswered
However, we must keep in mind that one fundamental problem that drove the United States to launch the war remains unsolved.
留意すべきは、米国が開戦に至った本質的な問題が今も未解決だということである。
The problem is this: What actions should the international community take, if a country that develops weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, ignores U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it scrap such weapons?
核兵器など大量破壊兵器を開発する国が、国連安全保障理事会から廃棄を求める決議を突きつけられても無視する。そんな事態にどう対処すべきかという問題だ。
A case in point now is North Korea, a nation hell-bent on building a nuclear arsenal. The nation has conducted three nuclear tests, ignoring the Security Council's resolutions.
安保理決議に従わず、核実験を３回も強行し、核武装化にひた走る北朝鮮がまさに実例だ。
In addition to the direct threat posed by North Korea, Japan also has to cope with the unabated military and economic expansion of China.
日本は、北朝鮮の増大する脅威に直面するだけでなく、軍事・経済の両面で膨張著しい中国とも向き合わなければならない。
Japan was divided over the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq War. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi supported the use of force from the standpoint of prioritizing the Japan-U.S. alliance, but the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties opposed the war, saying it had no justification.
対イラク開戦を巡り、小泉首相が日米同盟重視の観点から、米国の武力行使を支持する一方で、民主党など野党は「大義なき戦争だ」と反対に回り、国論は割れた。
However, the necessity for Japan to firmly maintain its alliance with the United States remains unchanged over the past 10 years, or has even become stronger.
だが、日本が、米国との同盟を堅持する必要性は１０年前から少しも変わっていない。むしろ強まったと言える。
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What Japan needs to do
The United States and Britain overestimated the danger of Iraq's programs on weapons of mass destruction. But it will be dangerous if the aftereffects of that overestimate led the international community to underestimate the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. If the United States becomes overly reluctant to use force against North Korea, there will be fewer options for responding to Pyongyang's threat.
イラクの大量破壊兵器計画を米英が過大に評価した反動で、国際社会が北朝鮮やイランの核開発能力を過小に見積もるようでは危険だ。米国が武力行使に慎重になり過ぎれば、北朝鮮の脅威に対処する選択肢を狭める恐れがある。
Our nation must not be complacent regarding its current relationship with the United States. Japan must take concrete measures to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as enabling itself to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
日本に必要なのは、米国との関係に安住せず、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするなど同盟強化へ具体的な手立てを講じることだ。
Iraq's democratization is making progress, as can be seen from events such as its conducting elections. Oil production is recovering, bringing prosperity to the nation's oil-producing northern and southern areas. Such results would have been difficult to achieve under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
イラクでは、選挙実施など民主化が進み、原油生産も回復して産油地の北部や南部は繁栄に沸いている。フセイン独裁政権の崩壊なしには難しかったろう。
However, Iraq's political situation remains unstable. Sectarian strife and terrorist attacks show no signs of abating in Baghdad and other key cities. Despite myriad problems, the administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slowly heading toward reconstruction of the country. We hope Iraq will succeed in restoring security, which will help it set a steady course toward reconstruction.
ただし、政情は不安で、首都バグダッドなどでは宗派間の抗争や過激派のテロがやまない。マリキ政権は曲がりなりに再建への歩みを続けているが、治安回復で復興への道筋を確かにしてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
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