The Yomiuri Shimbun October 13, 2013
Lack of police cooperation partly to blame for stalking-murder case
ストーカー殺人 見過ごせない警察の連携不足（10月12日付・読売社説）
Another outrageous stalking-murder has occurred.
またも悲惨なストーカー殺人が起きた。
Why wasn’t such a terrible incident prevented? Police must thoroughly investigate their handling of the case.
最悪の事態を防げなかったのか。警察は徹底検証せねばならない。
A third-year female student at a private high school in Mitaka, Tokyo, was stabbed to death Tuesday and a 21-year-old Kyoto man she had previously dated was arrested later in the day.
東京都三鷹市で私立高校３年の女子生徒が８日に刺殺され、京都市在住の元交際相手の男が逮捕された。
The girl had refused to see him any longer. She had rejected his mobile phone calls and e-mails since June. But after the man appeared in the vicinity of her home early this month, her homeroom teacher called Suginami Police Station of the Metropolitan Police Department, which is near her school, to request countermeasures on Oct. 4.
女子生徒は、かつて付き合っていた男との交際を拒んでいた。６月からは電話やメールの着信も拒否していた。だが、今月に入り、自宅付近に男が姿を見せたため、担任教諭が４日、高校に近い警視庁杉並署に対処法を相談した。
The problem was that the station failed to adequately listen. Its response was simply to recommend that the teacher contact the Mitaka Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the area where the girl lived. The girl and her parents visited the Mitaka station four days later—and she was killed later the same day.
問題なのは、被害内容を詳しく聞き取らなかった杉並署の対応だ。女子生徒宅を管轄する三鷹署への相談を勧めただけだった。女子生徒は４日後、三鷹署に相談したが、その日に殺害された。
Suginami Police Station displayed a lack of concern for a case that happened outside its jurisdiction. If it had communicated with Mitaka Police Station immediately, the outcome could have been different.
杉並署は、管轄外で起きた事案への当事者意識を持てなかったのではないか。即座に三鷹署に連絡していたら、展開は違っていた可能性もある。
A question also arises as to whether the Mitaka station responded adequately. Just one police officer handled the case for half a day from when the girl visited until the time of her murder.
三鷹署の対応も十分だったのだろうか。女子生徒の相談を受けてから、事件発生までの半日間、担当者が１人で対処した。
If the station had carefully arranged safety measures such as patrolling around her home, vigilant to the fact that stalker cases tend to involve abrupt turns and twists, perhaps the murder could have been prevented.
ストーカー事件は急展開しやすいという危機感を持ち、女子生徒宅の周辺をパトロールするなど、手厚い態勢を取っていれば、事件を防ぐ余地もあっただろう。
Lessons not learned
In a stalker case two years ago in Nagasaki Prefecture, two family members of the stalking victim were killed even after help was sought from the Chiba, Nagasaki and Mie prefectural police, all of whom failed to share information on the case.
２年前に長崎県で起きたストーカー事件では、千葉、長崎、三重の３県警が情報を共有せず、相談をたらい回しにした結果、被害女性の家族２人が殺害された。
Based on that bitter experience, in which a response was delayed due to the involvement of police from different jurisdictions, the National Police Agency directed police stations nationwide to take quick action and thorough measures to protect stalking victims who seek help.
複数の県警が絡んで対処が遅れた苦い経験から、警察庁は、迅速な対応や被害者保護の徹底を全国の警察に指示した。
A revision to the Anti-Stalker Law was enforced on Oct. 3, enabling police and public safety commissions from outside a victim’s area of residence to issue warnings and stay-away orders to a suspected stalker.
ストーカー規制法も、被害者の居住地以外の警察や公安委員会でも警告・禁止命令を出せるように改正され、今月３日に施行されたばかりだった。
But the measures devised from lessons learned from the Nagasaki incident failed to meet their purpose this time. On the contrary, even two police stations that were both in Tokyo failed to communicate with each other this time.
しかし、長崎の事件を教訓にしたこうした対策の趣旨は生かされなかった。それどころか、今回は都内の警察署同士でさえ速やかに連携できなかった。
The MPD must profoundly consider the magnitude of the consequences.
招いた結果の重大性を警視庁は深刻に受け止めねばならない。
The number of stalking victims has soared. Nearly 20,000 stalking cases were confirmed by police last year alone. Dealing with stalkers is an increasingly important police duty.
ストーカー被害は増加傾向にある。警察が昨年１年間に把握しただけでも２万件近くに上る。警察の職務の中で、ストーカー対策は重要性を増している。
Most of the offenders are said to stop stalking and other acts following police intervention.
大半の加害者は警察の介入でつきまといなどをやめるという。
What is the best way to contact offenders and protect victims? We suggest nationwide police organizations comprehensively study past cases to devise stalking countermeasures.
いかにして加害者に接触し、被害者を保護するか。全国の警察が事例を持ち寄り、対処方法を練り上げてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 12, 2013)
（2013年10月12日01時39分 読売新聞）
2013/10/14
2013/10/13
水俣条約採択 「脱水銀」へ日本の教訓生かせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 12, 2013
U.N. Minamata convention must lead to world free of mercury poisoning
水俣条約採択 「脱水銀」へ日本の教訓生かせ（10月11日付・読売社説）
By learning important and serious lessons from Minamata disease, considered a historic example of a tragedy caused by environmental pollution, efforts must be made to effectively stem mercury contamination from spreading worldwide.
公害の原点である水俣病を教訓に、世界的な水銀汚染の広がりを食い止めねばならない。
The Minamata Convention on Mercury of the United Nations was adopted Thursday in an international council in Kumamoto, with delegates from about 140 countries and territories participating. The name Minamata was used for the landmark treaty at the initiative of the Japanese government.
「水銀に関する水俣条約」が、約１４０の国・地域が参加した熊本市での国際会議で採択された。日本政府の提案で、条約名に「水俣」が用いられた。
The U.N. Environment Program, which sponsored the conference, aims to have the pact take effect from 2016. The treaty bans in principle the manufacturing, export and import of products containing mercury, starting from 2020.
会議を主催した国連環境計画は２０１６年の発効を目指す。
水銀含有製品の製造や輸出入を２０年以降、原則として禁止する。
When a coal-fired thermal power plant is newly built that emits mercury in the process of combustion for power generation, the plant operator will be obliged under the treaty to introduce the best possible technology available to curb mercury emissions into the environment. The pact also includes such regulations as banning development of new mercury mines.
燃焼時に水銀を排出する石炭火力発電所を新設する際には、排出抑制装置を導入する。新規の水銀鉱山の開発を禁じる――。条約はこうした内容を盛り込んだ。
This is definitely a major step forward for the realization of a “world free of mercury.”
「脱水銀」へ大きな一歩だ。
Mercury has been used broadly in the production of goods familiar in our daily lives, such as batteries, thermometers and fluorescent lamps.
水銀は、電池や体温計、蛍光灯など身近な製品に使われてきた。
Japanese manufacturers have addressed the task of regulating the use of mercury ahead of many other countries, but there has been little progress on curbing the use of mercury in emerging and developing countries.
日本のメーカーは、いち早く水銀の使用規制に取り組んだが、新興国・途上国では進んでいない。
When discharged into the atmosphere, sea and rivers, mercury accumulates in living creatures’ bodies. Those who eat large quantities of mercury-contaminated fish and shellfish are in danger of developing poisoning symptoms like those of Minamata disease.
水銀が大気中や海、河川に排出されると、生物内に蓄積される。汚染された魚介類などを人間が大量に食べると、水俣病のような中毒症状を引き起こす。
China the largest emitter
The quantity of mercury being emitted into the atmosphere due to industrial activities and other causes is estimated at about 2,000 tons a year worldwide.
産業活動などで大気中へ排出される水銀は、年約２０００トンに上る。
It is a matter of urgency to cut back on mercury emissions to prevent health hazards that are a menace across national borders.
国境を超えた健康被害を防ぐには、排出削減が急務である。
Topping the list of mercury emissions by industry are small-scale gold mines, many of which are in developing countries. They consume mercury in the process of extracting gold from ores.
最も大量に排出しているのは、途上国に多い小規模の金採掘現場だ。鉱石から金を取り出すために水銀が使われている。
Mercury is indispensable for people who earn their living through gold-mining operations. In light of this, the international treaty falls short of prohibiting the use of mercury for mining purposes, calling instead for efforts to reduce its use.
金採掘で生計を立てる人々にとって、水銀は欠かせない。条約でも、採掘での使用については、禁止でなく、削減にとどまった。
How can support be given to developing nations that can hardly afford to fund projects for environmental conservation? This problem must be addressed if the Minamata convention is to be made truly effective and viable.
環境対策にまで手が回らない途上国をどう支援していくのか。条約を実効性あるものにするには、避けて通れない課題である。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed the Japanese government’s intention to earmark a total of $2 billion (about ¥200 billion) in aid to developing nations’ environmental measures projects in three years from 2014.
安倍首相は、途上国の環境対策費として、１４年からの３年間で２０億ドル（約２０００億円）の支援を表明した。
It is of great significance that Japan, aiming to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy of the widespread damage from Minamata disease that resulted from delays in responding to the problem, is now contributing to preventing mercury contamination around the world.
対応の遅れが被害拡大を招いた水俣病の悲劇を繰り返さないため、日本が世界の水銀汚染防止に貢献する意義は大きい。
Countermeasures against thermal power generation using coal containing mercury are also a key issue. In particular, China, which is the world’s largest discharger of mercury, must proactively tackle the challenge of phasing out mercury emissions.
水銀を含む石炭による火力発電の対策も重要だ。特に、世界一の水銀排出国の中国には、積極的な取り組みが求められる。
An outbreak of Minamata disease has been confirmed in watershed regions of some river systems in China. China appears poised to ratify the convention, seemingly with the aim of obtaining technological support from industrially advanced countries to reduce mercury emissions.
中国では河川流域で水俣病の発生も確認されている。今回、中国が条約を批准する見通しなのは、先進国から排出削減の技術支援を得る狙いもあるのだろう。
In the wake of the treaty’s adoption, Japan must take measures to respond to the fact that mercury has been recycled domestically from used products, mainly those produced abroad, for export to other Asian countries and elsewhere.
条約採択により、日本も対応を迫られる。国内では使用済みの海外製品などから水銀がリサイクルされ、アジア諸国などに輸出されている。
When the pact takes effect, however, it will be required to store the mercury domestically.
だが、条約発効後は国内保管が必要となる。
Taking this into account, building a system to safely manage spent mercury is certain to become a pressing task.
安全な管理体制の構築が欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 11, 2013)
（2013年10月11日01時38分 読売新聞）
U.N. Minamata convention must lead to world free of mercury poisoning
水俣条約採択 「脱水銀」へ日本の教訓生かせ（10月11日付・読売社説）
By learning important and serious lessons from Minamata disease, considered a historic example of a tragedy caused by environmental pollution, efforts must be made to effectively stem mercury contamination from spreading worldwide.
公害の原点である水俣病を教訓に、世界的な水銀汚染の広がりを食い止めねばならない。
The Minamata Convention on Mercury of the United Nations was adopted Thursday in an international council in Kumamoto, with delegates from about 140 countries and territories participating. The name Minamata was used for the landmark treaty at the initiative of the Japanese government.
「水銀に関する水俣条約」が、約１４０の国・地域が参加した熊本市での国際会議で採択された。日本政府の提案で、条約名に「水俣」が用いられた。
The U.N. Environment Program, which sponsored the conference, aims to have the pact take effect from 2016. The treaty bans in principle the manufacturing, export and import of products containing mercury, starting from 2020.
会議を主催した国連環境計画は２０１６年の発効を目指す。
水銀含有製品の製造や輸出入を２０年以降、原則として禁止する。
When a coal-fired thermal power plant is newly built that emits mercury in the process of combustion for power generation, the plant operator will be obliged under the treaty to introduce the best possible technology available to curb mercury emissions into the environment. The pact also includes such regulations as banning development of new mercury mines.
燃焼時に水銀を排出する石炭火力発電所を新設する際には、排出抑制装置を導入する。新規の水銀鉱山の開発を禁じる――。条約はこうした内容を盛り込んだ。
This is definitely a major step forward for the realization of a “world free of mercury.”
「脱水銀」へ大きな一歩だ。
Mercury has been used broadly in the production of goods familiar in our daily lives, such as batteries, thermometers and fluorescent lamps.
水銀は、電池や体温計、蛍光灯など身近な製品に使われてきた。
Japanese manufacturers have addressed the task of regulating the use of mercury ahead of many other countries, but there has been little progress on curbing the use of mercury in emerging and developing countries.
日本のメーカーは、いち早く水銀の使用規制に取り組んだが、新興国・途上国では進んでいない。
When discharged into the atmosphere, sea and rivers, mercury accumulates in living creatures’ bodies. Those who eat large quantities of mercury-contaminated fish and shellfish are in danger of developing poisoning symptoms like those of Minamata disease.
水銀が大気中や海、河川に排出されると、生物内に蓄積される。汚染された魚介類などを人間が大量に食べると、水俣病のような中毒症状を引き起こす。
China the largest emitter
The quantity of mercury being emitted into the atmosphere due to industrial activities and other causes is estimated at about 2,000 tons a year worldwide.
産業活動などで大気中へ排出される水銀は、年約２０００トンに上る。
It is a matter of urgency to cut back on mercury emissions to prevent health hazards that are a menace across national borders.
国境を超えた健康被害を防ぐには、排出削減が急務である。
Topping the list of mercury emissions by industry are small-scale gold mines, many of which are in developing countries. They consume mercury in the process of extracting gold from ores.
最も大量に排出しているのは、途上国に多い小規模の金採掘現場だ。鉱石から金を取り出すために水銀が使われている。
Mercury is indispensable for people who earn their living through gold-mining operations. In light of this, the international treaty falls short of prohibiting the use of mercury for mining purposes, calling instead for efforts to reduce its use.
金採掘で生計を立てる人々にとって、水銀は欠かせない。条約でも、採掘での使用については、禁止でなく、削減にとどまった。
How can support be given to developing nations that can hardly afford to fund projects for environmental conservation? This problem must be addressed if the Minamata convention is to be made truly effective and viable.
環境対策にまで手が回らない途上国をどう支援していくのか。条約を実効性あるものにするには、避けて通れない課題である。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed the Japanese government’s intention to earmark a total of $2 billion (about ¥200 billion) in aid to developing nations’ environmental measures projects in three years from 2014.
安倍首相は、途上国の環境対策費として、１４年からの３年間で２０億ドル（約２０００億円）の支援を表明した。
It is of great significance that Japan, aiming to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy of the widespread damage from Minamata disease that resulted from delays in responding to the problem, is now contributing to preventing mercury contamination around the world.
対応の遅れが被害拡大を招いた水俣病の悲劇を繰り返さないため、日本が世界の水銀汚染防止に貢献する意義は大きい。
Countermeasures against thermal power generation using coal containing mercury are also a key issue. In particular, China, which is the world’s largest discharger of mercury, must proactively tackle the challenge of phasing out mercury emissions.
水銀を含む石炭による火力発電の対策も重要だ。特に、世界一の水銀排出国の中国には、積極的な取り組みが求められる。
An outbreak of Minamata disease has been confirmed in watershed regions of some river systems in China. China appears poised to ratify the convention, seemingly with the aim of obtaining technological support from industrially advanced countries to reduce mercury emissions.
中国では河川流域で水俣病の発生も確認されている。今回、中国が条約を批准する見通しなのは、先進国から排出削減の技術支援を得る狙いもあるのだろう。
In the wake of the treaty’s adoption, Japan must take measures to respond to the fact that mercury has been recycled domestically from used products, mainly those produced abroad, for export to other Asian countries and elsewhere.
条約採択により、日本も対応を迫られる。国内では使用済みの海外製品などから水銀がリサイクルされ、アジア諸国などに輸出されている。
When the pact takes effect, however, it will be required to store the mercury domestically.
だが、条約発効後は国内保管が必要となる。
Taking this into account, building a system to safely manage spent mercury is certain to become a pressing task.
安全な管理体制の構築が欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 11, 2013)
（2013年10月11日01時38分 読売新聞）
2013/10/12
介護保険制度 高齢者も応分の負担が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 11, 2013
Elderly also need to shoulder fair burden of nursing care cost
介護保険制度 高齢者も応分の負担が必要だ（10月10日付・読売社説）
To maintain the nursing care insurance system, it is impossible to ask only those people who are under retirement age to bear the heavy burdens. It is necessary for the elderly to bear their fair share of the costs.
介護保険制度を維持するには、現役世代にばかり負担を求めるわけにはいかない。高齢者にも相応の負担が必要だ。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has submitted to the Social Security Council a draft to review the self-pay rate for nursing care services from the current 10 percent to 20 percent for people earning a certain level of income.
厚生労働省は、介護保険の自己負担割合について、一定の所得がある場合には、現在の１割から２割に引き上げる見直し案を社会保障審議会に提示した。
The ministry plans to submit a bill to revise the Nursing Care Insurance Law to an ordinary Diet session next year, aiming at enforcing the revised law in fiscal 2015. If realized, it would be the first raise in the self-pay rate since the nursing care insurance system was created in 2000.
来年の通常国会に介護保険法改正案を提出し、２０１５年度の実施を目指す。介護保険制度が２０００年に創設されて以来、自己負担率引き上げは初めてとなる。
Due to the rapid graying of society, the payment of benefits under the system has been snowballing. It is quite understandable that the government is trying to secure revenue.
急速な高齢化で、介護保険の給付費は膨らむ一方だ。政府が財源の確保を図るのは理解できる。
The people who will become subject to the increase in the self-pay rate are those with an annual pension income of nearly ¥3 million. About 20 percent of people aged 65 or older meet this criteria.
自己負担引き上げの対象となるのは、年金だけで年間３００万円近い収入がある人だ。高齢者全体の２０％程度が該当する。
Under the health care insurance system, the self-pay rate of those aged 70 or older and who have a monthly income of ¥280,000 has already been raised to 30 percent. It is inevitable to increase the amount paid for the nursing care insurance system in proportion to income.
医療保険では既に、現役並みの所得がある高齢者の自己負担は３割に引き上げられている。介護保険についても、所得に応じた負担増はやむを得まい。
The ministry will also review a system to lessen the burden on residents at nursing care facilities for the purpose of spending cuts.
歳出削減のため、厚労省は介護施設の入居者に対する負担軽減制度も見直す。
At facilities like special nursing homes for the aged, expenses, such as living and meal costs paid by low-income residents, are currently subsidized through nursing care insurance revenue. Under the ministry’s envisioned review, married couples with savings of ¥20 million or more will be excluded from the system.
特別養護老人ホームなどでは、低所得者を対象に、入居者が負担する食費や居住費を介護保険財源で補助している。その対象から、夫婦で預貯金が２０００万円以上ある場合などを除外する。
Currently, low-income earners are eligible for the subsidies even if they have a huge amount of assets. It is natural to review the system. There are no subsidies for people who receive in-home nursing care services or residents in so-called group homes for the aged, leading some to criticize the system as unfair. This point should be taken into consideration.
現在は多額の資産があっても補助対象になっている。これを見直すのは当然だろう。自宅で介護を受けている人やグループホーム入居者に補助はなく、不公平との指摘がある点も考慮すべきだ。
Major problems
However, the increased revenue following these measures is expected to reach only about several tens of billions of yen, which is obviously insufficient. We also doubt to what extent the government will be able to determine individuals’ assets since, in principle, the government will rely on self-reporting. These are major points to be studied.
ただ、これらの措置による財政改善効果は数百億円規模にとどまる見込みで、十分ではない。資産の把握も、自己申告が原則では実効性に疑問符がつく。今後の大きな課題である。
The ministry is now considering removing services for those users who require only low-level nursing care services from the nursing care insurance system and transferring them to programs run by city, town and village governments utilizing volunteers. The ministry is also thinking about changing the criteria for those eligible to enter special nursing homes for the aged from the current “Nursing care required: Level 1 or higher” to “Nursing care required: Level 3 or higher” under the nursing care requirement authorization system.
厚労省は、軽度者向けサービスを介護保険から外し、ボランティアを活用した市町村の事業への移管も検討している。特養の入居基準も、現在の「要介護１以上」から「要介護３以上」に改める。
We think the direction of the policy, using the limited revenues mainly for people requiring intensive nursing care, is appropriate. The important thing is to make the entire nursing care insurance system efficient.
限られた財源を重度者中心に振り向ける方向性は妥当と言える。重要なのは、介護保険サービス全体の効率化である。
On the other hand, the welfare ministry will reduce the nursing care insurance premiums of low-income earners, who account for 30 percent of the elderly. It is designed to prevent an increase of the burden on low-income earners if an increase in premiums is unavoidable due to the increase in the number of nursing care service users.
一方で厚労省は、高齢者の３割に当たる低所得者の介護保険料を軽減する。利用者の増加で保険料の上昇が避けられない中、低所得者の負担増を防ぐためだ。
However, public funds will be required to take such a measure for low-income earners. To ensure that revenue can be secured by increasing the burden on high-income earners, we think the rate and the people entitled to reduced premiums must be limited to the minimum necessary.
だが、低所得者対策には公費投入が必要になる。高所得層の負担引き上げで財源を確保する効果が失われないよう、保険料軽減の率や対象を絞るべきではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 10, 2013)
（2013年10月10日01時22分 読売新聞）
Elderly also need to shoulder fair burden of nursing care cost
介護保険制度 高齢者も応分の負担が必要だ（10月10日付・読売社説）
To maintain the nursing care insurance system, it is impossible to ask only those people who are under retirement age to bear the heavy burdens. It is necessary for the elderly to bear their fair share of the costs.
介護保険制度を維持するには、現役世代にばかり負担を求めるわけにはいかない。高齢者にも相応の負担が必要だ。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has submitted to the Social Security Council a draft to review the self-pay rate for nursing care services from the current 10 percent to 20 percent for people earning a certain level of income.
厚生労働省は、介護保険の自己負担割合について、一定の所得がある場合には、現在の１割から２割に引き上げる見直し案を社会保障審議会に提示した。
The ministry plans to submit a bill to revise the Nursing Care Insurance Law to an ordinary Diet session next year, aiming at enforcing the revised law in fiscal 2015. If realized, it would be the first raise in the self-pay rate since the nursing care insurance system was created in 2000.
来年の通常国会に介護保険法改正案を提出し、２０１５年度の実施を目指す。介護保険制度が２０００年に創設されて以来、自己負担率引き上げは初めてとなる。
Due to the rapid graying of society, the payment of benefits under the system has been snowballing. It is quite understandable that the government is trying to secure revenue.
急速な高齢化で、介護保険の給付費は膨らむ一方だ。政府が財源の確保を図るのは理解できる。
The people who will become subject to the increase in the self-pay rate are those with an annual pension income of nearly ¥3 million. About 20 percent of people aged 65 or older meet this criteria.
自己負担引き上げの対象となるのは、年金だけで年間３００万円近い収入がある人だ。高齢者全体の２０％程度が該当する。
Under the health care insurance system, the self-pay rate of those aged 70 or older and who have a monthly income of ¥280,000 has already been raised to 30 percent. It is inevitable to increase the amount paid for the nursing care insurance system in proportion to income.
医療保険では既に、現役並みの所得がある高齢者の自己負担は３割に引き上げられている。介護保険についても、所得に応じた負担増はやむを得まい。
The ministry will also review a system to lessen the burden on residents at nursing care facilities for the purpose of spending cuts.
歳出削減のため、厚労省は介護施設の入居者に対する負担軽減制度も見直す。
At facilities like special nursing homes for the aged, expenses, such as living and meal costs paid by low-income residents, are currently subsidized through nursing care insurance revenue. Under the ministry’s envisioned review, married couples with savings of ¥20 million or more will be excluded from the system.
特別養護老人ホームなどでは、低所得者を対象に、入居者が負担する食費や居住費を介護保険財源で補助している。その対象から、夫婦で預貯金が２０００万円以上ある場合などを除外する。
Currently, low-income earners are eligible for the subsidies even if they have a huge amount of assets. It is natural to review the system. There are no subsidies for people who receive in-home nursing care services or residents in so-called group homes for the aged, leading some to criticize the system as unfair. This point should be taken into consideration.
現在は多額の資産があっても補助対象になっている。これを見直すのは当然だろう。自宅で介護を受けている人やグループホーム入居者に補助はなく、不公平との指摘がある点も考慮すべきだ。
Major problems
However, the increased revenue following these measures is expected to reach only about several tens of billions of yen, which is obviously insufficient. We also doubt to what extent the government will be able to determine individuals’ assets since, in principle, the government will rely on self-reporting. These are major points to be studied.
ただ、これらの措置による財政改善効果は数百億円規模にとどまる見込みで、十分ではない。資産の把握も、自己申告が原則では実効性に疑問符がつく。今後の大きな課題である。
The ministry is now considering removing services for those users who require only low-level nursing care services from the nursing care insurance system and transferring them to programs run by city, town and village governments utilizing volunteers. The ministry is also thinking about changing the criteria for those eligible to enter special nursing homes for the aged from the current “Nursing care required: Level 1 or higher” to “Nursing care required: Level 3 or higher” under the nursing care requirement authorization system.
厚労省は、軽度者向けサービスを介護保険から外し、ボランティアを活用した市町村の事業への移管も検討している。特養の入居基準も、現在の「要介護１以上」から「要介護３以上」に改める。
We think the direction of the policy, using the limited revenues mainly for people requiring intensive nursing care, is appropriate. The important thing is to make the entire nursing care insurance system efficient.
限られた財源を重度者中心に振り向ける方向性は妥当と言える。重要なのは、介護保険サービス全体の効率化である。
On the other hand, the welfare ministry will reduce the nursing care insurance premiums of low-income earners, who account for 30 percent of the elderly. It is designed to prevent an increase of the burden on low-income earners if an increase in premiums is unavoidable due to the increase in the number of nursing care service users.
一方で厚労省は、高齢者の３割に当たる低所得者の介護保険料を軽減する。利用者の増加で保険料の上昇が避けられない中、低所得者の負担増を防ぐためだ。
However, public funds will be required to take such a measure for low-income earners. To ensure that revenue can be secured by increasing the burden on high-income earners, we think the rate and the people entitled to reduced premiums must be limited to the minimum necessary.
だが、低所得者対策には公費投入が必要になる。高所得層の負担引き上げで財源を確保する効果が失われないよう、保険料軽減の率や対象を絞るべきではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 10, 2013)
（2013年10月10日01時22分 読売新聞）
2013/10/11
ＴＰＰ首脳声明 交渉加速へ「聖域」絞り込みを
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 10, 2013
Govt should narrow down ‘sanctuary’ categories to accelerate TPP talks
ＴＰＰ首脳声明 交渉加速へ「聖域」絞り込みを（10月9日付・読売社説）
Japan, the United States and other countries participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations have put off their goal of quickly reaching a broad agreement. It will be difficult for them to reach a conclusion by the end of this year so they must reshape their strategy.
日米など参加国が目標にしてきた「大筋合意」は見送られた。年内妥結への道は険しく、戦略立て直しが課題だ。
Leaders from the 12 countries involved in the TPP negotiations met in Indonesia and adopted a statement on Tuesday.
１２か国による環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合がインドネシアで開かれ、首脳声明を採択した。
The leaders’ statement emphasized, “We have agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year a comprehensive and balanced, and regional agreement.”
首脳声明は、「包括的でバランスの取れた協定を年内妥結するため、残された困難な課題の解決に取り組む」と強調した。
The 12 countries initially expected to reach a broad agreement in Indonesia to conclude the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. However, the United States and emerging economies were unable to resolve differences over such areas as intellectual property rights and competition policy. The 12 countries also shelved talks over tariff elimination.
１２か国は当初、年内決着に向け、インドネシアで大筋合意するシナリオだったが、知的財産権や競争政策などを巡って、米国と新興国の対立が解けなかった。関税撤廃の交渉も棚上げされた。
The fact that the 12 countries gave up reaching a broad agreement highlighted the difficulties of negotiations in which participating countries’ interests are intricately tangled. The abrupt absence of U.S. President Barack Obama, a facilitator in the TPP negotiations, also diminished the momentum of the talks.
大筋合意の断念は、複雑に利害が絡む交渉の難しさを浮き彫りにした。推進役であるオバマ米大統領の突然の欠席も、交渉の勢いを減退させた一因だろう。
The focus of attention from now on will be whether the participating countries can accelerate negotiations.
今後の焦点は、交渉を加速できるかどうかである。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is right in saying, “We must make this [the TPP] the first step toward the creation of a great, free economic zone in the Asia-Pacific region.” We hope the TPP will help Japan harness the economic vitality of other Asian countries to boost its own growth.
安倍首相が「アジア太平洋の大きな自由経済圏の第一歩にしなければならない」と述べたのはもっともだ。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつけたい。
Treating special items
An unavoidable issue is how to treat the five agricultural categories, such as rice, wheat and dairy products, which the Liberal Democratic Party demands should be regarded as “sanctuaries” that are exempt from eliminating tariffs.
避けて通れないのは、自民党が関税撤廃の「聖域」として求めているコメ、麦、乳製品など農産品５項目の扱いだ。
Koya Nishikawa, chairman of the LDP’s TPP committee, said Sunday, “We have to consider whether [some products in the five categories] can be eliminated [from a list of items for which tariffs will be maintained].” His remark drew a backlash from some LDP members and agricultural organizations.
同党の西川公也ＴＰＰ対策委員長が、「（関税維持対象から）抜けるか抜けないかを検討する」と述べたことで、党内の一部や農業団体などが反発している。
However, we believe it is quite natural and proper for Japan to closely examine the sanctuary categories.
だが、聖域の精査は、日本として当然の対応ではないか。
Although the TPP adopts a principle of eliminating tariffs on all items, participating countries are discussing a liberalization rate, a percentage of trade items that will be tariff-free. It is highly likely Japan will be urged to achieve a liberalization rate of above 95 percent.
ＴＰＰでは関税撤廃を原則としながらも、全貿易品目のうち関税を撤廃する割合を示す自由化率が議論されている。日本は９０％台後半を求められる可能性が高い。
The five agricultural categories cover 586 products in tariff classifications, with the rice category alone comprising 58 items. If tariffs are maintained for all those items, the liberalization rate will be only 93.5 percent.
農産品５項目は関税分類でコメ５８品目など計５８６品目あるが、これらをすべて維持すれば、自由化率は９３・５％にとどまる。
In preparation for an acceleration in the TPP negotiations, Japan must narrow down the sanctuary categories. Otherwise it will not be able to fully exert its negotiating power. The government must quickly have specific discussions over what items Japan should preferentially protect and on which items Japan should make concessions to best serve the overall national interest.
交渉加速に備え、５８６品目の「聖域」を絞り込まないと、交渉力も十分に発揮できまい。優先的に何を守り、何を譲ることが国益に資するのか。政府は具体的な検討を急がねばならない。
Rather than simply being defensive, it is also important for Japan to go on the front foot, for example, by capturing markets in emerging economies with its intellectual property.
守るだけでなく、知財で新興国市場を攻略するなど、攻めの姿勢を強化することも重要だ。
With negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia getting started, the future goal is to create a wider Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
東アジア包括的経済連携（ＲＣＥＰ）も動き出し、より広いアジア太平洋自由貿易地域（ＦＴＡＡＰ）作りが将来の目標になる。
Japan, which started later than South Korea in forming economic partnerships with other countries, must make up for this loss by leading trade liberalization. Japan’s negotiating power to better utilize different free-trade frameworks will certainly be put to the test.
韓国に経済連携で出遅れた日本は、貿易自由化を主導して挽回しなければならない。複数構想を使い分ける交渉力が問われる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 9, 2013)
（2013年10月9日01時52分 読売新聞）
Govt should narrow down ‘sanctuary’ categories to accelerate TPP talks
ＴＰＰ首脳声明 交渉加速へ「聖域」絞り込みを（10月9日付・読売社説）
Japan, the United States and other countries participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations have put off their goal of quickly reaching a broad agreement. It will be difficult for them to reach a conclusion by the end of this year so they must reshape their strategy.
日米など参加国が目標にしてきた「大筋合意」は見送られた。年内妥結への道は険しく、戦略立て直しが課題だ。
Leaders from the 12 countries involved in the TPP negotiations met in Indonesia and adopted a statement on Tuesday.
１２か国による環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合がインドネシアで開かれ、首脳声明を採択した。
The leaders’ statement emphasized, “We have agreed that negotiators should now proceed to resolve all outstanding issues with the objective of completing this year a comprehensive and balanced, and regional agreement.”
首脳声明は、「包括的でバランスの取れた協定を年内妥結するため、残された困難な課題の解決に取り組む」と強調した。
The 12 countries initially expected to reach a broad agreement in Indonesia to conclude the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. However, the United States and emerging economies were unable to resolve differences over such areas as intellectual property rights and competition policy. The 12 countries also shelved talks over tariff elimination.
１２か国は当初、年内決着に向け、インドネシアで大筋合意するシナリオだったが、知的財産権や競争政策などを巡って、米国と新興国の対立が解けなかった。関税撤廃の交渉も棚上げされた。
The fact that the 12 countries gave up reaching a broad agreement highlighted the difficulties of negotiations in which participating countries’ interests are intricately tangled. The abrupt absence of U.S. President Barack Obama, a facilitator in the TPP negotiations, also diminished the momentum of the talks.
大筋合意の断念は、複雑に利害が絡む交渉の難しさを浮き彫りにした。推進役であるオバマ米大統領の突然の欠席も、交渉の勢いを減退させた一因だろう。
The focus of attention from now on will be whether the participating countries can accelerate negotiations.
今後の焦点は、交渉を加速できるかどうかである。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is right in saying, “We must make this [the TPP] the first step toward the creation of a great, free economic zone in the Asia-Pacific region.” We hope the TPP will help Japan harness the economic vitality of other Asian countries to boost its own growth.
安倍首相が「アジア太平洋の大きな自由経済圏の第一歩にしなければならない」と述べたのはもっともだ。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつけたい。
Treating special items
An unavoidable issue is how to treat the five agricultural categories, such as rice, wheat and dairy products, which the Liberal Democratic Party demands should be regarded as “sanctuaries” that are exempt from eliminating tariffs.
避けて通れないのは、自民党が関税撤廃の「聖域」として求めているコメ、麦、乳製品など農産品５項目の扱いだ。
Koya Nishikawa, chairman of the LDP’s TPP committee, said Sunday, “We have to consider whether [some products in the five categories] can be eliminated [from a list of items for which tariffs will be maintained].” His remark drew a backlash from some LDP members and agricultural organizations.
同党の西川公也ＴＰＰ対策委員長が、「（関税維持対象から）抜けるか抜けないかを検討する」と述べたことで、党内の一部や農業団体などが反発している。
However, we believe it is quite natural and proper for Japan to closely examine the sanctuary categories.
だが、聖域の精査は、日本として当然の対応ではないか。
Although the TPP adopts a principle of eliminating tariffs on all items, participating countries are discussing a liberalization rate, a percentage of trade items that will be tariff-free. It is highly likely Japan will be urged to achieve a liberalization rate of above 95 percent.
ＴＰＰでは関税撤廃を原則としながらも、全貿易品目のうち関税を撤廃する割合を示す自由化率が議論されている。日本は９０％台後半を求められる可能性が高い。
The five agricultural categories cover 586 products in tariff classifications, with the rice category alone comprising 58 items. If tariffs are maintained for all those items, the liberalization rate will be only 93.5 percent.
農産品５項目は関税分類でコメ５８品目など計５８６品目あるが、これらをすべて維持すれば、自由化率は９３・５％にとどまる。
In preparation for an acceleration in the TPP negotiations, Japan must narrow down the sanctuary categories. Otherwise it will not be able to fully exert its negotiating power. The government must quickly have specific discussions over what items Japan should preferentially protect and on which items Japan should make concessions to best serve the overall national interest.
交渉加速に備え、５８６品目の「聖域」を絞り込まないと、交渉力も十分に発揮できまい。優先的に何を守り、何を譲ることが国益に資するのか。政府は具体的な検討を急がねばならない。
Rather than simply being defensive, it is also important for Japan to go on the front foot, for example, by capturing markets in emerging economies with its intellectual property.
守るだけでなく、知財で新興国市場を攻略するなど、攻めの姿勢を強化することも重要だ。
With negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership for East Asia getting started, the future goal is to create a wider Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
東アジア包括的経済連携（ＲＣＥＰ）も動き出し、より広いアジア太平洋自由貿易地域（ＦＴＡＡＰ）作りが将来の目標になる。
Japan, which started later than South Korea in forming economic partnerships with other countries, must make up for this loss by leading trade liberalization. Japan’s negotiating power to better utilize different free-trade frameworks will certainly be put to the test.
韓国に経済連携で出遅れた日本は、貿易自由化を主導して挽回しなければならない。複数構想を使い分ける交渉力が問われる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 9, 2013)
（2013年10月9日01時52分 読売新聞）
2013/10/10
小泉元首相発言 「原発ゼロ」掲げる見識を疑う
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 9, 2013
Koizumi’s call to end nuclear power shows clear lack of perspective
小泉元首相発言 「原発ゼロ」掲げる見識を疑う（10月8日付・読売社説）
Junichiro Koizumi’s recent comment calling for ending Japan’s reliance on nuclear power generation lacked the insight expected of a former prime minister. The last thing the country’s nuclear policy needs is more confusion.
首相経験者として、見識を欠く発言である。原子力政策をこれ以上混乱させてはならない。
In a recent lecture meeting, Koizumi asked the government to put forth a zero nuclear energy policy by calling for establishment of “a recycling society based on natural resources and that does not rely on nuclear power generation.” Koizumi said his view on this matter changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
小泉元首相が講演で、「原子力発電に依存しない、自然を資源にした循環型社会」の実現を唱え、政府に対し、「原発ゼロ」の方針を掲げるよう求めた。東日本大震災を機に自らの考えを変えたという。
Koizumi’s statement on nuclear power generation contradicts the nuclear policy of the government and the Liberal Democratic Party. This cannot be brushed off even though Koizumi has already retired from politics.
小泉氏の発言は、政府・自民党の方針と異なる。政界を引退したとはいえ、看過できない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to restart nuclear reactors following confirmation they are safe to operate, as he seeks to revise the Democratic Party of Japan-led government’s policy of ending the use of nuclear power generation. The LDP, for its part, incorporated a policy of promoting the restart of reactors in its campaign platforms for the two most recent national elections.
安倍首相は、安全性が確認された原発は再稼働させ、民主党政権の「原発ゼロ」路線を見直す意向だ。自民党も原発再稼働の推進を選挙公約に盛り込んだ。
Koizumi said finding substitute energy sources for nuclear power would “certainly be worked out by wise people.” We think this statement is overly optimistic and irresponsible.
小泉氏は原発の代替策について「知恵ある人が必ず出してくれる」と語るが、あまりに楽観的であり、無責任に過ぎよう。
Thermal power generation is currently filling the shortfall created by the loss of nuclear power generation. As a result, utility bills continue to rise due to higher fuel import costs. If this situation goes unchecked, the impact on household budgets and economic activity will be significant.
現在、火力発電で原発を代替している結果、燃料の輸入費が増え、電気料金は上昇を続けている。このままでは、家計や経済活動に与える影響が大きい。
Thermal power generation is a major cause of accelerated global warming because it discharges a huge amount of carbon dioxide.
火力発電は、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を多く排出し、地球温暖化が進む大きな要因である。
Renewable energy sources that utilize sunlight and wind have the disadvantage of being affected by weather conditions. As such, there is no prospect that they will become principal power sources. It is necessary to seek a balanced composition of electricity sources in which nuclear and thermal power account for the lion’s share.
太陽光や風力を利用した再生可能エネルギーは、天候に左右されるなど弱点があり、主要電源になる展望は見えていない。原子力、火力を主力にバランスの取れた電源構成を目指す必要がある。
If the government adopts a zero nuclear energy policy, it will become impossible to secure sufficient engineers capable of handling such work as decommissioning reactors at the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
「原発ゼロ」が政策になれば、福島第一原発の廃炉などに必要な技術者も確保できまい。
Location of disposal site vital
Koizumi said his reasoning was based on doubts over how radioactive waste produced at nuclear plants is handled. “It is more irresponsible to promote nuclear power generation without ascertaining the likelihood of securing a nuclear waste disposal site,” he emphasized.
小泉氏は、「原発ゼロ」の理由として、原発から生じる放射性廃棄物の扱い方を疑問視し、「核のごみ処分場のあてもないのに、原発を進める方がよほど無責任ではないか」と主張した。
The technical aspects of methods for disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste produced in this process have already been resolved.
使用済み核燃料や、それを処理した際に出る放射性廃棄物の処分法は技術的に決着している。
Experts say radioactive material can be disposed safely if it is buried in stable layers of earth. Japan and some other countries have decided to adopt this method. Construction of such a facility has already started in Finland.
専門家は地盤の安定した地層に埋めれば、安全に処分できると説明している。日本を含め各国がこの方法の採用を決めており、フィンランドでは建設も始まった。
Radioactivity becomes weaker as time passes, and declines by 99.95 percent after 1,000 years have elapsed. This differs from waste materials of heavy metals such as mercury that remain toxic permanently.
放射能は、時間を経ると減り、１０００年で９９・９５％が消滅する。有害性が消えない水銀など重金属の廃棄物とは事情が違う。
The fly in the ointment is that a final disposal site to bury radioactive waste in Japan has not been found. The government and electric power industry have invited bids for candidate sites, but they have not done enough to convince local governments and affected residents to support such a project.
問題は、廃棄物を埋める最終処分場を確保できないことだ。政府と電力業界は候補地を募ってきたが、自治体や住民の理解を得る努力がなお足りない。
The government’s dereliction, it may be said, is partly to blame for the failure to secure a disposal site. Part of the responsibility rests with Koizumi, who served as prime minister until several years ago. Discussions on selecting a disposal site need to be moved ahead.
処分場の確保に道筋が付かないのは、政治の怠慢も一因と言える。首相だった小泉氏にも責任の一端があろう。処分場選定を巡る議論を進めるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 8, 2013)
（2013年10月8日01時47分 読売新聞）
Koizumi’s call to end nuclear power shows clear lack of perspective
小泉元首相発言 「原発ゼロ」掲げる見識を疑う（10月8日付・読売社説）
Junichiro Koizumi’s recent comment calling for ending Japan’s reliance on nuclear power generation lacked the insight expected of a former prime minister. The last thing the country’s nuclear policy needs is more confusion.
首相経験者として、見識を欠く発言である。原子力政策をこれ以上混乱させてはならない。
In a recent lecture meeting, Koizumi asked the government to put forth a zero nuclear energy policy by calling for establishment of “a recycling society based on natural resources and that does not rely on nuclear power generation.” Koizumi said his view on this matter changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
小泉元首相が講演で、「原子力発電に依存しない、自然を資源にした循環型社会」の実現を唱え、政府に対し、「原発ゼロ」の方針を掲げるよう求めた。東日本大震災を機に自らの考えを変えたという。
Koizumi’s statement on nuclear power generation contradicts the nuclear policy of the government and the Liberal Democratic Party. This cannot be brushed off even though Koizumi has already retired from politics.
小泉氏の発言は、政府・自民党の方針と異なる。政界を引退したとはいえ、看過できない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to restart nuclear reactors following confirmation they are safe to operate, as he seeks to revise the Democratic Party of Japan-led government’s policy of ending the use of nuclear power generation. The LDP, for its part, incorporated a policy of promoting the restart of reactors in its campaign platforms for the two most recent national elections.
安倍首相は、安全性が確認された原発は再稼働させ、民主党政権の「原発ゼロ」路線を見直す意向だ。自民党も原発再稼働の推進を選挙公約に盛り込んだ。
Koizumi said finding substitute energy sources for nuclear power would “certainly be worked out by wise people.” We think this statement is overly optimistic and irresponsible.
小泉氏は原発の代替策について「知恵ある人が必ず出してくれる」と語るが、あまりに楽観的であり、無責任に過ぎよう。
Thermal power generation is currently filling the shortfall created by the loss of nuclear power generation. As a result, utility bills continue to rise due to higher fuel import costs. If this situation goes unchecked, the impact on household budgets and economic activity will be significant.
現在、火力発電で原発を代替している結果、燃料の輸入費が増え、電気料金は上昇を続けている。このままでは、家計や経済活動に与える影響が大きい。
Thermal power generation is a major cause of accelerated global warming because it discharges a huge amount of carbon dioxide.
火力発電は、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を多く排出し、地球温暖化が進む大きな要因である。
Renewable energy sources that utilize sunlight and wind have the disadvantage of being affected by weather conditions. As such, there is no prospect that they will become principal power sources. It is necessary to seek a balanced composition of electricity sources in which nuclear and thermal power account for the lion’s share.
太陽光や風力を利用した再生可能エネルギーは、天候に左右されるなど弱点があり、主要電源になる展望は見えていない。原子力、火力を主力にバランスの取れた電源構成を目指す必要がある。
If the government adopts a zero nuclear energy policy, it will become impossible to secure sufficient engineers capable of handling such work as decommissioning reactors at the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
「原発ゼロ」が政策になれば、福島第一原発の廃炉などに必要な技術者も確保できまい。
Location of disposal site vital
Koizumi said his reasoning was based on doubts over how radioactive waste produced at nuclear plants is handled. “It is more irresponsible to promote nuclear power generation without ascertaining the likelihood of securing a nuclear waste disposal site,” he emphasized.
小泉氏は、「原発ゼロ」の理由として、原発から生じる放射性廃棄物の扱い方を疑問視し、「核のごみ処分場のあてもないのに、原発を進める方がよほど無責任ではないか」と主張した。
The technical aspects of methods for disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste produced in this process have already been resolved.
使用済み核燃料や、それを処理した際に出る放射性廃棄物の処分法は技術的に決着している。
Experts say radioactive material can be disposed safely if it is buried in stable layers of earth. Japan and some other countries have decided to adopt this method. Construction of such a facility has already started in Finland.
専門家は地盤の安定した地層に埋めれば、安全に処分できると説明している。日本を含め各国がこの方法の採用を決めており、フィンランドでは建設も始まった。
Radioactivity becomes weaker as time passes, and declines by 99.95 percent after 1,000 years have elapsed. This differs from waste materials of heavy metals such as mercury that remain toxic permanently.
放射能は、時間を経ると減り、１０００年で９９・９５％が消滅する。有害性が消えない水銀など重金属の廃棄物とは事情が違う。
The fly in the ointment is that a final disposal site to bury radioactive waste in Japan has not been found. The government and electric power industry have invited bids for candidate sites, but they have not done enough to convince local governments and affected residents to support such a project.
問題は、廃棄物を埋める最終処分場を確保できないことだ。政府と電力業界は候補地を募ってきたが、自治体や住民の理解を得る努力がなお足りない。
The government’s dereliction, it may be said, is partly to blame for the failure to secure a disposal site. Part of the responsibility rests with Koizumi, who served as prime minister until several years ago. Discussions on selecting a disposal site need to be moved ahead.
処分場の確保に道筋が付かないのは、政治の怠慢も一因と言える。首相だった小泉氏にも責任の一端があろう。処分場選定を巡る議論を進めるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 8, 2013)
（2013年10月8日01時47分 読売新聞）
2013/10/09
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 8, 2013
Will China's new free-trade zone encourage foreign investment?
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか（10月7日付・読売社説）
The Chinese economy, driven by reckless government-led investments, is now facing a brick wall. In this context, the newly opened pilot free trade zone, aimed at encouraging foreign investment, will be a testing ground for economic reforms.
官主導の放漫な投資で牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済が壁に直面している。
外資呼び込みを狙った自由貿易試験区が立て直しの試金石になろう。
In the free trade zone, which opened in Shanghai recently, various restrictions on foreign businesses have been eased on an experimental basis.
上海で、外資企業などに対する規制を実験的に緩和する自由貿易試験区が発足した。
Thirty-six Chinese and foreign companies, mainly in such sectors as finance and foreign trade, including U.S. giants Citibank, N.A. and Microsoft Corp., and Porsche A.G. of Germany, have been granted licenses to operate in the zone.
米シティバンク、米マイクロソフト、独ポルシェなど金融や貿易を中心に内外企業３６社が進出した。
Specific deregulatory measures include one allowing market forces rather than regulators to set interest rates and another that makes it easier for foreign-capital financial institutions to establish offices there.
具体的な緩和措置には、金利の自由化や外資系金融機関の設立要件緩和が挙げられる。
As foreign capital investment in China has been sluggish recently, due chiefly to soaring payrolls, the Chinese government plans to use the new free trade zone to attract more investment from abroad.
労働者賃金の高騰などで、海外企業の対中投資が最近伸び悩んでおり、中国政府は、試験区をテコに、国外からの投資を再加速させる方針だ。
If the experimental free trade zone proves effective in reinvigorating the economy, the government said it would introduce such zones elsewhere. It appears Beijing considers the new zone as an important model project to help achieve economic reform.
経済活性化につながれば、試験区の全国展開もあり得るという。改革を先導する重要なモデルプロジェクトと見ているようだ。
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 official in the government, came up with the idea of setting up the free trade zone, leading to his economic policy being called “Likonomics.”
この構想を主導したのは、李克強首相だ。「リコノミクス」と呼ばれる経済政策を陣頭指揮する政権ナンバー２である。
Last month, Li said the government would uniformly promote stable economic growth, structural adjustment and reform, indicating he believes the Chinese economy is in a dire situation.
李首相は９月、「安定成長、構造調整、改革促進を統一的に進める」と述べた。中国経済の現状は危ういと考えたのだろう。
After the Lehman shock in 2008, China propped up the economy through sizable stimulus measures totaling 4 trillion yuan (about ¥60 trillion). The country temporarily recovered to achieve double-digit growth.
２００８年のリーマン・ショック後、中国は４兆元（約６０兆円）の巨額の景気対策で経済成長をテコ入れし、その後、２けた台の高成長を一時回復した。
Income gap widening
Recently, however, the country’s economic growth dropped to the 7 percent range, while the widening income gap among Chinese has become a social issue. Endless corruption among senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party is further widening economic disparities.
しかし、最近は成長率が７％台に減速し、所得格差の拡大も社会問題化している。共産党幹部らのとどまるところを知らない腐敗が格差拡大に拍車をかけている。
Even more worrisome is the so-called shadow banking. Many local governments and business enterprises that rushed to make real estate and capital investments with loans extended by nonbank financial institutions have been overwhelmed by massive debts.
さらに懸念されるのが、シャドーバンキング（影の銀行）問題だ。ノンバンクなどから融資を受けて不動産投資や設備投資に走った地方政府や企業などが、巨額の債務を抱えている。
As debts owed by local governments reportedly total 20 trillion yuan, management of the post-bubble economy is a serious challenge.
地方政府の債務は総額２０兆元にも達するとの情報もあり、バブル処理は重い課題と言える。
The new free trade zone is also intended to expose local governments and domestic companies to competition from foreign firms by lowering investment barriers and promoting foreign capital investment.
試験区には、規制緩和で投資障壁を低くし、海外からの投資を呼び込むことによって、地方政府や国内企業を外資企業との競争にさらす意図もあるのだろう。
It is believed that if many foreign companies operate in the free trade zone, the interest structure monopolized by domestic entities will collapse and hopefully hold down excessive investment—the chief culprit of the economic bubble. However, if competition is not carried out on the basis of certain rules and in a fair manner, the effect will be minimal.
多くの外資が進出すれば、これまでの利権独占構造が崩れ、バブルの元凶となってきた過剰投資も抑制されるという筋書きだ。だが、競争がルールに基づき公正に行われなければ効果は上がるまい。
How can the Chinese maintain stable growth and employment, while avoiding overheating the economy?
景気過熱を避けながら、安定成長と雇用をどう維持するか。
The Chinese government under President Xi Jinping is expected to spell out a basic policy of economic structural reform—deemed essential for stable growth—at the general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee in November. Some difficult maneuvering lies ahead for the Chinese government.
習近平政権は１１月の共産党中央委員会総会で、安定成長に欠かせない経済構造改革の基本方針を打ち出す見通しだ。中国政府は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2013)
（2013年10月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
Will China's new free-trade zone encourage foreign investment?
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか（10月7日付・読売社説）
The Chinese economy, driven by reckless government-led investments, is now facing a brick wall. In this context, the newly opened pilot free trade zone, aimed at encouraging foreign investment, will be a testing ground for economic reforms.
官主導の放漫な投資で牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済が壁に直面している。
外資呼び込みを狙った自由貿易試験区が立て直しの試金石になろう。
In the free trade zone, which opened in Shanghai recently, various restrictions on foreign businesses have been eased on an experimental basis.
上海で、外資企業などに対する規制を実験的に緩和する自由貿易試験区が発足した。
Thirty-six Chinese and foreign companies, mainly in such sectors as finance and foreign trade, including U.S. giants Citibank, N.A. and Microsoft Corp., and Porsche A.G. of Germany, have been granted licenses to operate in the zone.
米シティバンク、米マイクロソフト、独ポルシェなど金融や貿易を中心に内外企業３６社が進出した。
Specific deregulatory measures include one allowing market forces rather than regulators to set interest rates and another that makes it easier for foreign-capital financial institutions to establish offices there.
具体的な緩和措置には、金利の自由化や外資系金融機関の設立要件緩和が挙げられる。
As foreign capital investment in China has been sluggish recently, due chiefly to soaring payrolls, the Chinese government plans to use the new free trade zone to attract more investment from abroad.
労働者賃金の高騰などで、海外企業の対中投資が最近伸び悩んでおり、中国政府は、試験区をテコに、国外からの投資を再加速させる方針だ。
If the experimental free trade zone proves effective in reinvigorating the economy, the government said it would introduce such zones elsewhere. It appears Beijing considers the new zone as an important model project to help achieve economic reform.
経済活性化につながれば、試験区の全国展開もあり得るという。改革を先導する重要なモデルプロジェクトと見ているようだ。
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 official in the government, came up with the idea of setting up the free trade zone, leading to his economic policy being called “Likonomics.”
この構想を主導したのは、李克強首相だ。「リコノミクス」と呼ばれる経済政策を陣頭指揮する政権ナンバー２である。
Last month, Li said the government would uniformly promote stable economic growth, structural adjustment and reform, indicating he believes the Chinese economy is in a dire situation.
李首相は９月、「安定成長、構造調整、改革促進を統一的に進める」と述べた。中国経済の現状は危ういと考えたのだろう。
After the Lehman shock in 2008, China propped up the economy through sizable stimulus measures totaling 4 trillion yuan (about ¥60 trillion). The country temporarily recovered to achieve double-digit growth.
２００８年のリーマン・ショック後、中国は４兆元（約６０兆円）の巨額の景気対策で経済成長をテコ入れし、その後、２けた台の高成長を一時回復した。
Income gap widening
Recently, however, the country’s economic growth dropped to the 7 percent range, while the widening income gap among Chinese has become a social issue. Endless corruption among senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party is further widening economic disparities.
しかし、最近は成長率が７％台に減速し、所得格差の拡大も社会問題化している。共産党幹部らのとどまるところを知らない腐敗が格差拡大に拍車をかけている。
Even more worrisome is the so-called shadow banking. Many local governments and business enterprises that rushed to make real estate and capital investments with loans extended by nonbank financial institutions have been overwhelmed by massive debts.
さらに懸念されるのが、シャドーバンキング（影の銀行）問題だ。ノンバンクなどから融資を受けて不動産投資や設備投資に走った地方政府や企業などが、巨額の債務を抱えている。
As debts owed by local governments reportedly total 20 trillion yuan, management of the post-bubble economy is a serious challenge.
地方政府の債務は総額２０兆元にも達するとの情報もあり、バブル処理は重い課題と言える。
The new free trade zone is also intended to expose local governments and domestic companies to competition from foreign firms by lowering investment barriers and promoting foreign capital investment.
試験区には、規制緩和で投資障壁を低くし、海外からの投資を呼び込むことによって、地方政府や国内企業を外資企業との競争にさらす意図もあるのだろう。
It is believed that if many foreign companies operate in the free trade zone, the interest structure monopolized by domestic entities will collapse and hopefully hold down excessive investment—the chief culprit of the economic bubble. However, if competition is not carried out on the basis of certain rules and in a fair manner, the effect will be minimal.
多くの外資が進出すれば、これまでの利権独占構造が崩れ、バブルの元凶となってきた過剰投資も抑制されるという筋書きだ。だが、競争がルールに基づき公正に行われなければ効果は上がるまい。
How can the Chinese maintain stable growth and employment, while avoiding overheating the economy?
景気過熱を避けながら、安定成長と雇用をどう維持するか。
The Chinese government under President Xi Jinping is expected to spell out a basic policy of economic structural reform—deemed essential for stable growth—at the general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee in November. Some difficult maneuvering lies ahead for the Chinese government.
習近平政権は１１月の共産党中央委員会総会で、安定成長に欠かせない経済構造改革の基本方針を打ち出す見通しだ。中国政府は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2013)
（2013年10月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
2013/10/08
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 7, 2013
Obama’s absence overshadows TPP summit meeting in Bali
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席（10月6日付・読売社説）
It has become uncertain whether a clear road map can be drawn up at an upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership meeting to conclude negotiations on the multilateral free trade pact by the end of this year. The absence of U.S. President Barack Obama at the TPP summit will certainly cast a shadow over the negotiations.
年内妥結へ道筋を付けられるかどうか、不透明である。オバマ米大統領の欠席が交渉に影を落とすのは避けられまい。
Obama said he will skip the TPP summit to be held Tuesday in Indonesia with the participation of 12 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States.
日米、豪州、カナダなど１２か国が、インドネシアで８日開く環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合に、オバマ大統領が欠席する。
Obama has been aiming to have the TPP-member countries reach a broad agreement at the summit in Indonesia and to put priority on concluding the free trade pact by the end of this year. However, he had to give up the trip to Asia because some functions of the U.S. government have been shut down due to a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties that has left the passage of the federal budget for the new fiscal year stalled in Congress.
大統領は年内妥結を最優先課題に掲げ、インドネシアでの「大筋合意」を目指してきた。だが、議会の与野党対立で新年度予算が成立せず、政府機能の一部停止に追い込まれたため、外遊を断念せざるを得なくなった。
The absence of the U.S. president was apparently unexpected, as he was supposed to chair the summit meeting and lead the negotiations.
首脳会合の議長を務め、交渉を主導するはずだった大統領の不在は、予想外の展開と言える。
Meanwhile, a split between the United States and emerging economies has become increasingly apparent at a TPP ministerial meeting in Indonesia that serves as a prelude to the summit talks.
首脳会合の前哨戦としてインドネシアで開かれている閣僚会合では、米国と新興国の対立が改めて浮き彫りになってきた。
Regarding intellectual property rights, the United States is demanding enhanced protection of new drug patents, while emerging countries such as Malaysia oppose the move, since inexpensive generic medicine made after patents for genuine drugs expire is widely used in those countries.
「知的財産権」について、米国が新薬特許の保護強化を求めているのに対し、特許切れ後の安価な後発薬が普及するマレーシアなど新興国は反発を続ける。
Negotiations on a competition policy have also been stalled, after the United States demanded the governments of emerging economies be prohibited from subsidizing state companies and to provide the same conditions as private companies.
米国などが新興国による国営企業への補助金を禁止し、民間企業との対等の条件を求めた「競争政策」も膠着(こうちゃく)状態だ。
Still, in negotiations on the environment, the United States demanded the abolition of subsidies for the fishing industry, but Japan’s opposition to the move is likely to be approved, according to informed sources.
一方、「環境」で米国が要求した漁業補助金の原則禁止については、これに反対していた日本の主張が容認される方向という。
This shows that any negotiations under the TPP cannot be concluded at a pace set by the United States alone, but requires the broader support of other participants, even if Washington takes a tough stance.
米国が強硬姿勢で臨んでも、支持が広がらなければ、米国ペースで決着できないことを示す。
Abolition of tariffs
A tough road appears to be ahead for the TPP talks, with negotiations on the abolition of tariffs, the biggest issue, postponed at the upcoming meeting.
今回、最大の焦点である関税撤廃交渉が先送りされるのも、前途多難を予感させる。
Even if participating countries can reach a “broad” agreement over simplifying customs clearance procedures and other issues they can agree on, it cannot be called a real agreement as long as points of contention and areas that are difficult to negotiate are left out.
通関手続きの簡素化など、各国が一致できた点を中心に「大筋合意」にこぎつけたとしても、難航分野や争点を外した内容では、真の大筋合意とは言えない。
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party maintains that five agricultural items, such as rice and wheat, should be exempted as sacred cows from the abolition of tariffs. Eventually, however, the United States and other participating countries are expected to strongly pressure Japan to liberalize its agricultural industry.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の聖域とするよう主張している。いずれ、日本の農業分野の市場開放を米国などから強く求められる見通しだ。
The government is trying to limit the liberalization rate to just over 90 percent, with under 10 percent of the items remaining subject to tariffs. But a final battle over it has yet to come.
政府は関税をなくす品目の割合を示す自由化率を９０％超とする方向で模索しているが、ギリギリの攻防はこれからだろう。
Certainly, playing defense is not the only way to contribute to Japan’s national interests. The government must work out a strategy to boost Japan’s growth by tapping into the vitality of emerging Asian economies. Japan must quickly choose domestic products to be subject to liberalization and take measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic farm industry.
無論、守勢に立つだけが日本の国益ではない。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつける戦略を練る必要がある。自由化する品目の国内調整や、農業の競争力強化策も急がねばならない。
The upcoming summit will offer the Japanese side a chance to establish itself as a tough negotiator by winning concessions from the United States, which is pushing to conclude the TPP talks as soon as possible, and by reconciling the split between the United States and emerging countries. We expect Japan will make its presence felt at the summit meeting.
早期決着を焦る米国から日本が譲歩を引き出したり、米国と新興国の対立を仲裁したりして、したたかに交渉する好機でもある。日本は存在感を示したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2013)
（2013年10月6日01時31分 読売新聞）
Obama’s absence overshadows TPP summit meeting in Bali
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席（10月6日付・読売社説）
It has become uncertain whether a clear road map can be drawn up at an upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership meeting to conclude negotiations on the multilateral free trade pact by the end of this year. The absence of U.S. President Barack Obama at the TPP summit will certainly cast a shadow over the negotiations.
年内妥結へ道筋を付けられるかどうか、不透明である。オバマ米大統領の欠席が交渉に影を落とすのは避けられまい。
Obama said he will skip the TPP summit to be held Tuesday in Indonesia with the participation of 12 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States.
日米、豪州、カナダなど１２か国が、インドネシアで８日開く環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合に、オバマ大統領が欠席する。
Obama has been aiming to have the TPP-member countries reach a broad agreement at the summit in Indonesia and to put priority on concluding the free trade pact by the end of this year. However, he had to give up the trip to Asia because some functions of the U.S. government have been shut down due to a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties that has left the passage of the federal budget for the new fiscal year stalled in Congress.
大統領は年内妥結を最優先課題に掲げ、インドネシアでの「大筋合意」を目指してきた。だが、議会の与野党対立で新年度予算が成立せず、政府機能の一部停止に追い込まれたため、外遊を断念せざるを得なくなった。
The absence of the U.S. president was apparently unexpected, as he was supposed to chair the summit meeting and lead the negotiations.
首脳会合の議長を務め、交渉を主導するはずだった大統領の不在は、予想外の展開と言える。
Meanwhile, a split between the United States and emerging economies has become increasingly apparent at a TPP ministerial meeting in Indonesia that serves as a prelude to the summit talks.
首脳会合の前哨戦としてインドネシアで開かれている閣僚会合では、米国と新興国の対立が改めて浮き彫りになってきた。
Regarding intellectual property rights, the United States is demanding enhanced protection of new drug patents, while emerging countries such as Malaysia oppose the move, since inexpensive generic medicine made after patents for genuine drugs expire is widely used in those countries.
「知的財産権」について、米国が新薬特許の保護強化を求めているのに対し、特許切れ後の安価な後発薬が普及するマレーシアなど新興国は反発を続ける。
Negotiations on a competition policy have also been stalled, after the United States demanded the governments of emerging economies be prohibited from subsidizing state companies and to provide the same conditions as private companies.
米国などが新興国による国営企業への補助金を禁止し、民間企業との対等の条件を求めた「競争政策」も膠着(こうちゃく)状態だ。
Still, in negotiations on the environment, the United States demanded the abolition of subsidies for the fishing industry, but Japan’s opposition to the move is likely to be approved, according to informed sources.
一方、「環境」で米国が要求した漁業補助金の原則禁止については、これに反対していた日本の主張が容認される方向という。
This shows that any negotiations under the TPP cannot be concluded at a pace set by the United States alone, but requires the broader support of other participants, even if Washington takes a tough stance.
米国が強硬姿勢で臨んでも、支持が広がらなければ、米国ペースで決着できないことを示す。
Abolition of tariffs
A tough road appears to be ahead for the TPP talks, with negotiations on the abolition of tariffs, the biggest issue, postponed at the upcoming meeting.
今回、最大の焦点である関税撤廃交渉が先送りされるのも、前途多難を予感させる。
Even if participating countries can reach a “broad” agreement over simplifying customs clearance procedures and other issues they can agree on, it cannot be called a real agreement as long as points of contention and areas that are difficult to negotiate are left out.
通関手続きの簡素化など、各国が一致できた点を中心に「大筋合意」にこぎつけたとしても、難航分野や争点を外した内容では、真の大筋合意とは言えない。
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party maintains that five agricultural items, such as rice and wheat, should be exempted as sacred cows from the abolition of tariffs. Eventually, however, the United States and other participating countries are expected to strongly pressure Japan to liberalize its agricultural industry.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の聖域とするよう主張している。いずれ、日本の農業分野の市場開放を米国などから強く求められる見通しだ。
The government is trying to limit the liberalization rate to just over 90 percent, with under 10 percent of the items remaining subject to tariffs. But a final battle over it has yet to come.
政府は関税をなくす品目の割合を示す自由化率を９０％超とする方向で模索しているが、ギリギリの攻防はこれからだろう。
Certainly, playing defense is not the only way to contribute to Japan’s national interests. The government must work out a strategy to boost Japan’s growth by tapping into the vitality of emerging Asian economies. Japan must quickly choose domestic products to be subject to liberalization and take measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic farm industry.
無論、守勢に立つだけが日本の国益ではない。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつける戦略を練る必要がある。自由化する品目の国内調整や、農業の競争力強化策も急がねばならない。
The upcoming summit will offer the Japanese side a chance to establish itself as a tough negotiator by winning concessions from the United States, which is pushing to conclude the TPP talks as soon as possible, and by reconciling the split between the United States and emerging countries. We expect Japan will make its presence felt at the summit meeting.
早期決着を焦る米国から日本が譲歩を引き出したり、米国と新興国の対立を仲裁したりして、したたかに交渉する好機でもある。日本は存在感を示したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2013)
（2013年10月6日01時31分 読売新聞）
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