The Yomiuri Shimbun December 27, 2013
Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine must be followed by diplomatic rebuilding
首相靖国参拝 外交立て直しに全力を挙げよ （12月27日付・読売社説）
◆国立追悼施設を検討すべきだ
In what could be called a “lightning shrine visit,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a surprise visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday, raising the question of why he took such an action at this particular point in time. A number of other questions should also be asked, including what resolve and preparations were in his mind in making this visit to the shrine.
“電撃参拝”である。なぜ、今なのか。どんな覚悟と準備をして参拝に踏み切ったのか。多くの疑問が拭えない。
Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Thursday morning, on the first anniversary of the launch of the current Abe administration. It was his first visit since he assumed the top post of the government and the first visit to the war-related shrine by a sitting prime minister since then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi went there on Aug. 15, 2006.
安倍首相が政権発足１年を迎えた２６日午前、就任後初めて靖国神社に参拝した。現職首相の参拝は、２００６年８月１５日の小泉首相以来だ。
Regarding his inability to visit Yasukuni during the first Abe Cabinet in 2006-07, Abe is repeatedly on record as saying, “It was a matter of deepest regret.” Thursday’s visit can be said to be the fulfillment of a personal, long-cherished desire of the prime minister.
安倍首相は、第１次政権の任期中に靖国神社に参拝できなかったことについて「痛恨の極み」と述べていた。その個人的な念願を果たしたことになる。
U.S. ‘disappointed’
◆気がかりな米の「失望」
Abe refrained from visiting the shrine earlier this year on Aug. 15, the day marking the end of World War II, and during the shrine’s spring and autumn festivals. Instead, he only sent offerings of masakaki sacred tree stands and made monetary offerings called tamagushi-ryo.
首相は終戦記念日と靖国神社の春・秋季例大祭の際、真(ま)榊(さかき)や玉串料を奉納するにとどめてきた。
His decisions on those occasions may have been based on a broad perspective that a visit to Yasukuni would worsen Japan’s already strained relations with China and South Korea, which see Yasukuni as a symbol of Japan’s militarism, a step inadvisable from a diplomatic point of view.
参拝すれば、靖国神社を日本の軍国主義のシンボルと見る中国、韓国との関係が一層悪化し、外交上、得策ではないと大局的に判断したからだろう。
The United States was also concerned that a visit to the shrine by the prime minister could heighten Tokyo’s tensions with Beijing and Seoul.
米国も首相の参拝は中韓との緊張を高めると懸念していた。
On their trip to Japan in October, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel laid flowers at Tokyo’s Chidorigafuchi cemetery for the remains of unidentified Japanese who died overseas during World War II. This is believed to have been an attempt to dissuade Abe from making a Yasukuni visit.
ケリー国務長官とヘーゲル国防長官が１０月の来日の際、氏名不詳で遺族に渡せない戦没者の遺骨を納めた千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑で献花したのは、そのメッセージだ。
We are especially concerned that the United States, in the wake of Abe’s visit to the shrine, has released an extraordinary statement saying that Washington “is disappointed that Japan’s leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan’s neighbors.”
気がかりなのは、米国が「日本の指導者が近隣諸国との緊張を悪化させるような行動を取ったことに失望している」と、異例の声明を発表したことである。
Was this a miscalculation by Abe, who has placed top priority on the United States in his diplomatic policies?
日米関係を最重視する首相にとって誤算だったのではないか。
China has unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, heightening tension in the relations between Japan and China. China may beef up its offensive stance over the territorial sovereignty issue of the Senkaku Islands.
中国は東シナ海上空に防空識別圏を一方的に設定し、日中間の緊張を高めている。尖閣諸島をめぐって、さらに攻勢を強めてくる可能性もある。
Japan, in tandem with its ally the United States, must continue acting resolutely in defense of the integrity of the nation’s territorial land and sea.
日本は同盟国の米国と連携して領土・領海を守り抜かねばならない。
We cannot help but wonder whether Abe, at this highly sensitive time, has personally created a destabilizing factor for his administration by visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
この微妙な時機に靖国神社に参拝し、政権の不安定要因を自ら作ってしまったのではないか。
Some of the prime minister’s close aides reportedly prodded Abe to make a Yasukuni visit, saying China and South Korea have criticized Japan even though Abe had not gone there. The situation would remain unchanged even if the prime minister visited Yasukuni, they reportedly told him.
首相周辺には、「参拝しなくても中韓は日本批判を繰り返している。それなら参拝しても同じだ」と参拝を促す声があったという。
If Abe came to that conclusion as a result of his failure to find a way to improve relations with China and South Korea, we cannot help but feel that is regrettable.
首相が、中韓両国との関係改善の糸口を見いだせず、そうした判断に至ったのであれば残念だ。
New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi opposed the visit when Abe phoned him immediately before his visit to the shrine, saying bluntly, “I cannot support that.” After Abe’s visit, Yamaguchi said, “As the prime minister presumably acted knowing there would be adverse reactions from both China and South Korea, the prime minister should personally make efforts to ameliorate the situation.”
公明党の山口代表は首相から参拝直前に電話があった際、「賛同できない」と反対した。「中韓両国の反発を予測しての行動だろうから、首相自身が改善の努力をする必要がある」と述べている。
Abe must do his utmost to rebuild the nation’s diplomacy, which has been marred because of his visit to Yasukuni.
首相は、外交立て直しに全力を挙げねばなるまい。
Abuse by China, ROK
◆中韓の悪のりを許すな
Regarding his Yasukuni visit, Abe said he chose that day “to report the progress of the first year of my administration and convey my resolve to build an era in which the people will never again suffer the ravages of war.” In regard to China and South Korea, Abe said, “I would like to explain this feeling of mine to them directly.”
首相は、参拝について「政権発足後、１年間の歩みを報告し、戦争の惨禍で再び人々が苦しむことのない時代を創る決意を込めて不戦の誓いをした」と説明した。中韓両国などに「この気持ちを直接説明したい」とも語った。
Rather than lending an ear to Abe’s statement, China and South Korea have begun to use his Yasukuni visit as material to back their claim that Japan is drifting to the right.
だが、中韓両国は、安倍首相に耳を傾けるどころか、靖国参拝を日本の「右傾化」を宣伝する材料に利用し始めている。
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement that Abe’s visit “infringed on the national sentiment of war-victimized countries and defied the justice of history.” The South Korean government also criticized the visit, saying it was “an anachronistic act that would harm the stability and cooperation of Northeast Asia from its very foundation.”
中国外務省は、「戦争被害国の国民感情を踏みにじり、歴史の正義に挑戦した」との談話を表明した。韓国政府も「北東アジアの安定と協力を根本から損なう時代錯誤的な行為」と非難している。
Their misunderstanding and distortions are excessive.
誤解、曲解も甚だしい。
Japan has pursued the path of a pacifist nation in the postwar period while upholding the principles of freedom and democracy. It is missing the mark for these two countries to ignore this point and criticize Abe’s Yasukuni visit.
日本は戦後、自由と民主主義を守り、平和国家の道を歩んできた。中韓が、それを無視して靖国参拝を批判するのは的外れだ。
In the first place, China and South Korea should be blamed for worsening relations with Japan by linking the issue of perceptions of history with political and diplomatic affairs.
そもそも対日関係を悪化させたのは歴史認識問題を政治・外交に絡める中韓両国の方だ。
Aside from the propriety of Abe’s Yasukuni visit, how the prime minister of one nation mourns its war dead is not a matter for interference from other nations.
今回の参拝の是非は別として一国の首相が戦没者をどう追悼するかについて、本来他国からとやかく言われる筋合いもない。
Build nonreligious site
◆Ａ級戦犯合祀が問題
The predecessor of Yasukuni Shrine is Tokyo Shokonsha Shrine, which was built in 1869 to console the souls of soldiers from anti-Tokugawa Shogunate domains who died in civil wars to achieve the so-called Meiji Restoration. Samurai warriors in the late Tokugawa period, the war dead from the Sino-Japanese, Russo-Japanese and Showa wars are enshrined together at Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine, however, is not dedicated only to the war dead.
靖国神社の前身は、明治維新の戦火で亡くなった官軍側の慰霊のために建立された「東京招魂社」だ。幕末の志士や日清、日露戦争、そして昭和戦争の戦没者らが合祀(ごうし)されている。戦没者だけが祀(まつ)られているわけではない。
Behind the fact that worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine has become a political issue is the enshrinement there of former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and other so-called Class A war criminals who were sentenced to death at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials.
靖国参拝が政治問題化した背景には、極東国際軍事裁判（東京裁判）で処刑された東条英機元首相ら、いわゆる「Ａ級戦犯」が合祀されていることがある。
Yasukuni Shrine has argued that it is impossible from a religious viewpoint to transfer enshrined souls elsewhere. But criticism of Class A criminals who led Japan into the Showa War is deep-seated, and there are still calls to move their souls to another place.
靖国神社は、合祀した御霊(みたま)を他に移す分祀は、教学上できないとしているが、戦争指導者への批判は根強く、「Ａ級戦犯」の分祀を求める声が今もなおある。
Abe stressed that he also visited Chinreisha Shrine, which is located on the premises of Yasukuni Shrine. Chinreisha is dedicated to the war dead killed worldwide—not only Japanese but also people of other countries—who are not enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine. If he gave such consideration, we believe he should have rather worshipped at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery.
首相は、靖国神社の境内にある「鎮霊社」に参拝したことも強調した。靖国神社には合祀されない国内外の戦死者らの慰霊施設である。そうした配慮をするのなら、むしろ千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑に参るべきではなかったか。
It is difficult even for the Emperor and foreign dignitaries to worship at Yasukuni Shrine as long as it stays in its current status. Measures must be studied to make it possible for everyone to worship without any reserve, centering on a plan to build a national memorial site with no religious affiliation.
今の靖国神社には、天皇陛下も外国の要人も参拝しづらい。無宗教の国立追悼施設の建立案を軸に誰もがわだかまりなく参拝できる方策を検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 27, 2013)
（2013年12月27日01時43分 読売新聞）
2013/12/29
2013/12/28
ＰＫＯ弾薬提供 武器輸出の新原則策定を急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 26, 2013
In intl crisis, govt must lay down new weapons-export principles
ＰＫＯ弾薬提供 武器輸出の新原則策定を急げ（12月26日付・読売社説）
A country working to support nation-building efforts in Africa under rigorous conditions has every reason to help another country engaged in the same task, a duty that has been taken for granted internationally.
厳しい環境の下、アフリカの国造りに共に取り組む仲間を助けるのは、国際常識である。
The Ground Self-Defense Force, now participating in a U.N. mission in South Sudan—officially called the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)—has provided South Korean forces with 10,000 bullets for rifles without asking for payment in exchange. The bullets were given via the UNMISS authorities. The GSDF’s bullet offer was the first of its kind to occur overseas.
国連南スーダン派遣団（ＵＮＭＩＳＳ）に参加中の陸上自衛隊が、小銃弾１万発をＵＮＭＩＳＳ経由で韓国軍に無償提供した。海外での自衛隊の弾薬譲渡は初めてだ。
Amid a rapid decline in the African country’s security situation, South Korean forces were working to protect the safety of about 15,000 refugees in their assigned area, surrounded by armed rebel groups.
南スーダンの治安情勢が悪化する中、韓国軍は宿営地に１万５０００人の避難民を保護し、反政府勢力から包囲されていた。
It is clear the Japanese government had no option but to supply bullets to the South Korean forces. The action was needed from the standpoint of humanity and urgency, given that the lives of South Korean soldiers and local refugees were at risk.
Supplying the bullets was essential for supporting the global significance of U.N. peacekeeping operations. No participants in the UNMISS mission except the GSDF were carrying bullets that could be used for rifles carried by South Korean soldiers.
韓国兵や避難民の生命にかかわる人道性や緊急性、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）という公共性、ＵＮＭＩＳＳ参加部隊で日本以外に同種の弾薬を携行していないことなど、どの観点からも弾薬を提供しない選択肢はなかった。
South Korean forces telephoned the GSDF unit and expressed their gratitude for the bullets.
韓国軍から現地の陸自部隊に感謝の電話もあった。
There may be cases in which the GSDF asks other nations to support its forces or come to its rescue. Making steady efforts to extend assistance comparable to the recent case of supplying bullets and increasing cooperation with foreign forces will ensure the security of GSDF personnel operating overseas.
陸自が今後、他国に支援や救援を頼むケースもあろう。今回のような協力を重ね、国際的連帯を強めることが、陸自の安全確保にも役立つ。
Regarding the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law, which was the subject of questions during Diet sessions, the government has long said it does not expect requests from other nations to provide weapons and ammunition, and that if such a request were to be filed, it would reject the request. This line of reasoning apparently reflects the fact that it is extremely unusual for Japan to be asked by any other country to supply weapons and ammunition, even if it is a request that could affect the survival of the requesting nation’s forces.
政府はＰＫＯ協力法に関する国会答弁で、武器・弾薬の提供は想定されず、要請されても断るとしてきた。部隊の生存にかかわる武器・弾薬の提供を他国に要請される事態は極めて異例だからだ。
Civilian control effective
In deciding on the bullet offer, the government held a meeting of four relevant Cabinet members under the National Security Council and a Cabinet conference. In these meetings, the government concluded the bullet supply would be treated as an exception to its three rules on arms exports and its official interpretation of the peace cooperation law.
政府は今回、国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の４大臣会合や閣議を開き、ＵＮＭＩＳＳへの弾薬提供を、武器輸出３原則やＰＫＯ協力法の政府見解の例外扱いとすることを決めた。
Given the lack of procedural defects in the latest decision, it is safe to say our nation’s principle of civilian control has fulfilled its purpose.
手続き上の欠陥はなく、文民統制も機能したと言える。
In 2011, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda relaxed the principles regarding arms exports, thus making it possible to offer weapons for peace-building and international cooperation purposes. However, the offer of arms was limited to foreign governments, meaning such institutions as the UNMISS authorities were not included in the list of organs to which our country would supply arms.
一昨年に野田内閣が３原則を緩和し、平和構築・国際協力目的の武器提供は可能になった。ただ、提供先は国に限られ、ＵＮＭＩＳＳなど国際機関は対象外だ。
The government is currently considering fundamentally reexamining the three principles. Taking the recent bullet supply into consideration, the government should lay down a new set of flexible and realistic principles as quickly as possible.
政府は、武器輸出３原則の抜本的見直しを検討している。今回の事例も踏まえ、柔軟で現実的な新原則を早期に策定すべきだ。
With the deterioration of the South Sudanese situation in mind, the U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution to shore up the UNMISS mission to better protect the safety of local residents. About 6,000 staff will be sent to South Sudan, where they will be united with about 7,500 military and police personnel already deployed there.
国連安全保障理事会は、現地情勢の悪化を踏まえ、住民保護の強化のため、ＵＮＭＩＳＳを増強する決議を採択した。展開中の軍事・警察要員約７５００人に加え、約６０００人を増派する。
It is imperative the U.N. resolution be implemented as promptly as possible, to resolve the South Sudanese situation.
事態の沈静化に向けて、決議を迅速に実施することが肝要だ。
About 30 months after its independence, South Sudan is on the brink of a civil war, as a conflict between its president and former vice president has grown into a tribal conflict. International engagement is essential for preventing the conflict from degenerating into civil war.
独立から２年半たつ南スーダンは、大統領と前副大統領の対立が部族紛争に発展し、内戦の瀬戸際にある。これを阻止するには、国際社会の関与が欠かせない。
The United States has begun to intermediate between the warring parties with the aim of seeking a solution to the problem through dialogue.
米国は、当事者間の対話による解決に向けて仲介を始めた。
Japan should contribute to the international peace initiative in South Sudan, a task that should be carried out with close attention to the safety of GSDF personnel operating in that country.
日本も、陸自隊員の安全に細心の注意を払いながら、国際社会の和平努力に貢献したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2013)
（2013年12月26日01時32分 読売新聞）
In intl crisis, govt must lay down new weapons-export principles
ＰＫＯ弾薬提供 武器輸出の新原則策定を急げ（12月26日付・読売社説）
A country working to support nation-building efforts in Africa under rigorous conditions has every reason to help another country engaged in the same task, a duty that has been taken for granted internationally.
厳しい環境の下、アフリカの国造りに共に取り組む仲間を助けるのは、国際常識である。
The Ground Self-Defense Force, now participating in a U.N. mission in South Sudan—officially called the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)—has provided South Korean forces with 10,000 bullets for rifles without asking for payment in exchange. The bullets were given via the UNMISS authorities. The GSDF’s bullet offer was the first of its kind to occur overseas.
国連南スーダン派遣団（ＵＮＭＩＳＳ）に参加中の陸上自衛隊が、小銃弾１万発をＵＮＭＩＳＳ経由で韓国軍に無償提供した。海外での自衛隊の弾薬譲渡は初めてだ。
Amid a rapid decline in the African country’s security situation, South Korean forces were working to protect the safety of about 15,000 refugees in their assigned area, surrounded by armed rebel groups.
南スーダンの治安情勢が悪化する中、韓国軍は宿営地に１万５０００人の避難民を保護し、反政府勢力から包囲されていた。
It is clear the Japanese government had no option but to supply bullets to the South Korean forces. The action was needed from the standpoint of humanity and urgency, given that the lives of South Korean soldiers and local refugees were at risk.
Supplying the bullets was essential for supporting the global significance of U.N. peacekeeping operations. No participants in the UNMISS mission except the GSDF were carrying bullets that could be used for rifles carried by South Korean soldiers.
韓国兵や避難民の生命にかかわる人道性や緊急性、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）という公共性、ＵＮＭＩＳＳ参加部隊で日本以外に同種の弾薬を携行していないことなど、どの観点からも弾薬を提供しない選択肢はなかった。
South Korean forces telephoned the GSDF unit and expressed their gratitude for the bullets.
韓国軍から現地の陸自部隊に感謝の電話もあった。
There may be cases in which the GSDF asks other nations to support its forces or come to its rescue. Making steady efforts to extend assistance comparable to the recent case of supplying bullets and increasing cooperation with foreign forces will ensure the security of GSDF personnel operating overseas.
陸自が今後、他国に支援や救援を頼むケースもあろう。今回のような協力を重ね、国際的連帯を強めることが、陸自の安全確保にも役立つ。
Regarding the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law, which was the subject of questions during Diet sessions, the government has long said it does not expect requests from other nations to provide weapons and ammunition, and that if such a request were to be filed, it would reject the request. This line of reasoning apparently reflects the fact that it is extremely unusual for Japan to be asked by any other country to supply weapons and ammunition, even if it is a request that could affect the survival of the requesting nation’s forces.
政府はＰＫＯ協力法に関する国会答弁で、武器・弾薬の提供は想定されず、要請されても断るとしてきた。部隊の生存にかかわる武器・弾薬の提供を他国に要請される事態は極めて異例だからだ。
Civilian control effective
In deciding on the bullet offer, the government held a meeting of four relevant Cabinet members under the National Security Council and a Cabinet conference. In these meetings, the government concluded the bullet supply would be treated as an exception to its three rules on arms exports and its official interpretation of the peace cooperation law.
政府は今回、国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の４大臣会合や閣議を開き、ＵＮＭＩＳＳへの弾薬提供を、武器輸出３原則やＰＫＯ協力法の政府見解の例外扱いとすることを決めた。
Given the lack of procedural defects in the latest decision, it is safe to say our nation’s principle of civilian control has fulfilled its purpose.
手続き上の欠陥はなく、文民統制も機能したと言える。
In 2011, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda relaxed the principles regarding arms exports, thus making it possible to offer weapons for peace-building and international cooperation purposes. However, the offer of arms was limited to foreign governments, meaning such institutions as the UNMISS authorities were not included in the list of organs to which our country would supply arms.
一昨年に野田内閣が３原則を緩和し、平和構築・国際協力目的の武器提供は可能になった。ただ、提供先は国に限られ、ＵＮＭＩＳＳなど国際機関は対象外だ。
The government is currently considering fundamentally reexamining the three principles. Taking the recent bullet supply into consideration, the government should lay down a new set of flexible and realistic principles as quickly as possible.
政府は、武器輸出３原則の抜本的見直しを検討している。今回の事例も踏まえ、柔軟で現実的な新原則を早期に策定すべきだ。
With the deterioration of the South Sudanese situation in mind, the U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution to shore up the UNMISS mission to better protect the safety of local residents. About 6,000 staff will be sent to South Sudan, where they will be united with about 7,500 military and police personnel already deployed there.
国連安全保障理事会は、現地情勢の悪化を踏まえ、住民保護の強化のため、ＵＮＭＩＳＳを増強する決議を採択した。展開中の軍事・警察要員約７５００人に加え、約６０００人を増派する。
It is imperative the U.N. resolution be implemented as promptly as possible, to resolve the South Sudanese situation.
事態の沈静化に向けて、決議を迅速に実施することが肝要だ。
About 30 months after its independence, South Sudan is on the brink of a civil war, as a conflict between its president and former vice president has grown into a tribal conflict. International engagement is essential for preventing the conflict from degenerating into civil war.
独立から２年半たつ南スーダンは、大統領と前副大統領の対立が部族紛争に発展し、内戦の瀬戸際にある。これを阻止するには、国際社会の関与が欠かせない。
The United States has begun to intermediate between the warring parties with the aim of seeking a solution to the problem through dialogue.
米国は、当事者間の対話による解決に向けて仲介を始めた。
Japan should contribute to the international peace initiative in South Sudan, a task that should be carried out with close attention to the safety of GSDF personnel operating in that country.
日本も、陸自隊員の安全に細心の注意を払いながら、国際社会の和平努力に貢献したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2013)
（2013年12月26日01時32分 読売新聞）
2013/12/27
天皇陛下８０歳 公務の負担軽減を検討したい
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 23, 2013
As Emperor turns 80, it’s time to consider trimming his duties
天皇陛下８０歳 公務の負担軽減を検討したい（12月23日付・読売社説）
The Emperor has marked his 80th birthday.
天皇陛下が８０歳の誕生日を迎えられた。
On this occasion, we express our heartfelt congratulations to the Emperor for reaching this milestone while being hale and hearty.
お元気で過ごされていることを心から喜びたい。
In February last year, the Emperor underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. His recovery has gone as scheduled. The Emperor currently performs official duties at the same pace as he did before the operation.
陛下は昨年２月に心臓の冠動脈のバイパス手術を受け、順調に回復された。現在は手術前と同じペースで公務に取り組まれている。
The day before his 80th birthday on Monday, the Emperor said at a news conference in the Imperial Palace, “While coming to terms with certain constraints due to my advancing age, I would like to continue playing my role as much as possible.”
誕生日前の記者会見で、陛下は「年齢による制約を受け入れつつ、できる限り役割を果たしていきたい」と述べられている。
Referring to his official duties, he said, “I wish to maintain my current pace, at least for a while.” This suggests he is rather negative about any move to reduce his official duties on health grounds.
公務については「しばらくはこのままでいきたい」と語り、健康上の理由による公務の軽減には否定的な考えを示された。
This is presumably because the Emperor, with his best wishes for the happiness of the people, still feels a strong sense of responsibility to continue moving forward with the populace.
国民の幸せを祈り、国民と共に歩み続けることに強い使命感をお持ちだからだろう。
Accompanied by the Empress, the Emperor visited such places this year as areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and Minamata, the city in Kumamoto Prefecture that has become known for the mercury-poisoning disease with the same name. The Imperial couple also followed a tight schedule on their recent official visit to India.
今年も、陛下は皇后さまと共に東日本大震災の被災地や熊本県水俣市などを訪ねられた。先日、インドを公式訪問された際も、過密な日程をこなされた。
Many people want the Emperor to be able to continue to engage in his official duties in good health. For this very reason, however, we believe the burden placed on the Emperor should not be excessive.
陛下にお元気で公務を続けられてほしいと願う国民も多いことだろう。そうであればこそ、ご負担が過重になってはなるまい。
The Imperial Household Agency should examine how to reduce the load shouldered by the Emperor, perhaps by handing some of his duties to Imperial family members including Crown Prince Naruhito and his younger brother, Prince Akishino.
宮内庁は、公務時間のより一層の短縮や、皇太子さまや秋篠宮さまへの一部公務の引き継ぎも、検討していくべきだろう。
Adhering to Constitution
The Emperor’s stance of always giving consideration to the people is also represented by his views on his funeral and mausoleum.
常に国民を思いやる陛下の姿勢は、自らの葬儀や御陵に関する考え方にも表れている。
In November, the Imperial Household Agency announced that the Emperor plans to be cremated, rather than be buried as has been tradition for emperors since the Edo period, and scale down his mausoleum compared to those of the Emperor’s predecessors.
宮内庁は１１月、江戸時代から続いてきた土葬を火葬に変更し、御陵は規模を縮小する方針を明らかにした。
These plans fit snugly with the wishes of the Emperor and Empress not to impose an onerous burden on the people in regard to the construction of their mausoleums and their funerals. These decisions can be said to reflect the desire of the Emperor, who has been committed to ensuring the Imperial family can meet the changes of the times while keeping the essence of royal tradition intact.
御陵の整備や葬儀にあたって、国民に負担をかけてはならないという天皇、皇后両陛下のお考えを踏まえたものだ。伝統を守りつつも、時代に即した皇室のあり方を模索し続ける陛下らしいご決断と言えよう。
During the news conference, a question was asked about the relationship between the Imperial family and politics.
今回の記者会見では、皇室と政治の関係について質問が出た。
Some media outlets were outraged that Princess Hisako of Takamado attended the general session of the International Olympic Committee in September that chose Tokyo as host city of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
高円宮妃久子さまが、２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの開催を決めた９月の国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）総会に出席されたことに関し、一部メディアなどが問題視していた。
In reply to the question, the Emperor said when he faces a thorny question, “I have made it a rule to seek the opinions of the Imperial Household Agency director general and the agency’s councillors.”
陛下は、判断の難しい場合、「宮内庁長官や参与の意見を聴くことにしています」と答えられた。
This statement was intended to emphasize afresh his position of adhering closely to Article 4 of the Constitution, which stipulates the Emperor “shall not have powers related to government.”
天皇は「国政に関する権能を有しない」とする憲法４条を順守し、自らを律するというお立場を改めて強調されたのだろう。
At the IOC session, Princess Hisako only expressed Japan’s gratitude for such things as support extended from many nations after the Great East Japan Earthquake. She refrained from making any direct reference to Tokyo’s Games bid. Some media said her speech amounted to “using the Imperial family for political purposes.” It was nothing of the sort.
久子さまは、ＩＯＣ総会で大震災への各国の支援などに謝辞を述べただけで、東京招致への直接的な言及は避けられた。「皇室の政治利用」に当たるはずがない。
This issue must not be allowed to bother the Emperor any further.
この問題でこれ以上、陛下の心を煩わせてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2013)
（2013年12月23日01時25分 読売新聞）
As Emperor turns 80, it’s time to consider trimming his duties
天皇陛下８０歳 公務の負担軽減を検討したい（12月23日付・読売社説）
The Emperor has marked his 80th birthday.
天皇陛下が８０歳の誕生日を迎えられた。
On this occasion, we express our heartfelt congratulations to the Emperor for reaching this milestone while being hale and hearty.
お元気で過ごされていることを心から喜びたい。
In February last year, the Emperor underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. His recovery has gone as scheduled. The Emperor currently performs official duties at the same pace as he did before the operation.
陛下は昨年２月に心臓の冠動脈のバイパス手術を受け、順調に回復された。現在は手術前と同じペースで公務に取り組まれている。
The day before his 80th birthday on Monday, the Emperor said at a news conference in the Imperial Palace, “While coming to terms with certain constraints due to my advancing age, I would like to continue playing my role as much as possible.”
誕生日前の記者会見で、陛下は「年齢による制約を受け入れつつ、できる限り役割を果たしていきたい」と述べられている。
Referring to his official duties, he said, “I wish to maintain my current pace, at least for a while.” This suggests he is rather negative about any move to reduce his official duties on health grounds.
公務については「しばらくはこのままでいきたい」と語り、健康上の理由による公務の軽減には否定的な考えを示された。
This is presumably because the Emperor, with his best wishes for the happiness of the people, still feels a strong sense of responsibility to continue moving forward with the populace.
国民の幸せを祈り、国民と共に歩み続けることに強い使命感をお持ちだからだろう。
Accompanied by the Empress, the Emperor visited such places this year as areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and Minamata, the city in Kumamoto Prefecture that has become known for the mercury-poisoning disease with the same name. The Imperial couple also followed a tight schedule on their recent official visit to India.
今年も、陛下は皇后さまと共に東日本大震災の被災地や熊本県水俣市などを訪ねられた。先日、インドを公式訪問された際も、過密な日程をこなされた。
Many people want the Emperor to be able to continue to engage in his official duties in good health. For this very reason, however, we believe the burden placed on the Emperor should not be excessive.
陛下にお元気で公務を続けられてほしいと願う国民も多いことだろう。そうであればこそ、ご負担が過重になってはなるまい。
The Imperial Household Agency should examine how to reduce the load shouldered by the Emperor, perhaps by handing some of his duties to Imperial family members including Crown Prince Naruhito and his younger brother, Prince Akishino.
宮内庁は、公務時間のより一層の短縮や、皇太子さまや秋篠宮さまへの一部公務の引き継ぎも、検討していくべきだろう。
Adhering to Constitution
The Emperor’s stance of always giving consideration to the people is also represented by his views on his funeral and mausoleum.
常に国民を思いやる陛下の姿勢は、自らの葬儀や御陵に関する考え方にも表れている。
In November, the Imperial Household Agency announced that the Emperor plans to be cremated, rather than be buried as has been tradition for emperors since the Edo period, and scale down his mausoleum compared to those of the Emperor’s predecessors.
宮内庁は１１月、江戸時代から続いてきた土葬を火葬に変更し、御陵は規模を縮小する方針を明らかにした。
These plans fit snugly with the wishes of the Emperor and Empress not to impose an onerous burden on the people in regard to the construction of their mausoleums and their funerals. These decisions can be said to reflect the desire of the Emperor, who has been committed to ensuring the Imperial family can meet the changes of the times while keeping the essence of royal tradition intact.
御陵の整備や葬儀にあたって、国民に負担をかけてはならないという天皇、皇后両陛下のお考えを踏まえたものだ。伝統を守りつつも、時代に即した皇室のあり方を模索し続ける陛下らしいご決断と言えよう。
During the news conference, a question was asked about the relationship between the Imperial family and politics.
今回の記者会見では、皇室と政治の関係について質問が出た。
Some media outlets were outraged that Princess Hisako of Takamado attended the general session of the International Olympic Committee in September that chose Tokyo as host city of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
高円宮妃久子さまが、２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの開催を決めた９月の国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）総会に出席されたことに関し、一部メディアなどが問題視していた。
In reply to the question, the Emperor said when he faces a thorny question, “I have made it a rule to seek the opinions of the Imperial Household Agency director general and the agency’s councillors.”
陛下は、判断の難しい場合、「宮内庁長官や参与の意見を聴くことにしています」と答えられた。
This statement was intended to emphasize afresh his position of adhering closely to Article 4 of the Constitution, which stipulates the Emperor “shall not have powers related to government.”
天皇は「国政に関する権能を有しない」とする憲法４条を順守し、自らを律するというお立場を改めて強調されたのだろう。
At the IOC session, Princess Hisako only expressed Japan’s gratitude for such things as support extended from many nations after the Great East Japan Earthquake. She refrained from making any direct reference to Tokyo’s Games bid. Some media said her speech amounted to “using the Imperial family for political purposes.” It was nothing of the sort.
久子さまは、ＩＯＣ総会で大震災への各国の支援などに謝辞を述べただけで、東京招致への直接的な言及は避けられた。「皇室の政治利用」に当たるはずがない。
This issue must not be allowed to bother the Emperor any further.
この問題でこれ以上、陛下の心を煩わせてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2013)
（2013年12月23日01時25分 読売新聞）
2013/12/26
国の権限移譲 地方の意志と能力も試される
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 24, 2013
Local governments’ will, capabilities tested in transfer of state authority
国の権限移譲 地方の意志と能力も試される（12月24日付・読売社説）
It is essential to revitalize regional areas by eliminating the waste caused by dual administration of central and local governments and work out innovative measures to utilize the individuality and characteristics of each region.
国と地方の二重行政によるムダの排除と、地域の個性や特色を生かした創意工夫を通じて、地方の活性化につなげることが肝要である。
The government has decided to transfer 48 types of clerical work and authority, including the expansion and management of national roads and first-class rivers under its direct control, to prefectures. It also plans to reexamine 18 clerical items, including provision of HelloWork’s job information.
政府が、国直轄の国道・１級河川の整備・管理など４８の事務・権限を政府から都道府県に移譲する方針を決定した。ハローワークの求人情報の自治体への提供など１８項目の事務見直しも決めた。
It will submit related bills to the ordinary Diet session convening early next year to realize these goals.
いずれも来年の通常国会に関連法案を提出し、実現を図る。
The transfer of authority on national roads and rivers has been left pending since the Council for Decentralization Reform, an advisory panel of the Cabinet Office, recommended this action in 2008. However, the Democratic Party of Japan-led government then came up with a wild scheme of “abolishing in principle” local agencies of the central government, thereby adding a serpentine dimension to discussions on decentralization. But the issue was eventually resolved with realistic measures worked out by the Liberal Democratic Party-led administration.
国道・河川の権限移譲は、２００８年の地方分権改革推進委員会の勧告以来の懸案だ。その後、民主党政権が国の出先機関の「原則廃止」といった乱暴な手法を掲げ、分権論議は迷走したが、ようやく現実的な内容で決着した。
Administration of some sections of national roads and first-class rivers has already been transferred to prefectures. It is unreasonable to assert that administration can only be carried out by the central government. Coherent town building may be possible by integrated expansion and administration of national roads and connected local roads.
国道や１級河川の一部区間の管理は既に、都道府県に委ねられている。政府しか管理できないとの理屈は成り立たない。国道に接続する地方道との一体的な整備・管理により、整合性の取れた町づくりも可能になるのではないか。
It was appropriate for the government to work out measures to secure fiscal resources, including one allocating local tax grants to finance maintenance and management costs incurred by prefectural governments. Decentralization will not make much headway without securing such fiscal resources.
権限移譲に伴い、都道府県が負担する維持管理費を地方交付税で賄うなどの財源確保策をまとめたのは適切だ。財源の手当てなしには地方分権は進まない。
2-way shift possible
It also will be possible depending on the situation to transfer authority over roads and rivers under the control of local governments to the central government.
一方で、地方が管理する道路や河川について、実情に応じて国直轄に移すことも可能にした。
Recent years have seen flood damage caused by heavy rain in various parts of the country. In some of these disasters, small municipalities found it difficult to take adequate crisis-management measures for rivers. The central government’s role in times of disaster was recognized anew following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accompanying huge task of reconstruction.
近年、各地で大雨による水害が発生し、小規模自治体では河川の管理や危機対応の難しい例が見受けられる。東日本大震災の復旧・復興では、災害時における政府の役割の重要性が再認識された。
Transferring authority in this manner is reasonable, rather than calling for the uniform transfer of authority to local governments.
地方移譲という画一的な施策にはせず、国への移譲も認める柔軟な制度にしたのは妥当だ。
Noteworthy is a system for handling registration and clerical work to audit nonprofit organizations that will provide paid-for transport services to replace taxis and buses in underpopulated areas.
注目されるのは、過疎地でタクシー・バスの代わりに有償旅客輸送を行う非営利組織（ＮＰＯ）などの登録・監査事務の扱いだ。
Clerical work will be transferred to municipalities that apply for the system. If they are reluctant to do this, such work will be transferred to prefectures willing to do so.
基本は、希望する市町村に国の事務を移すが、市町村が希望しない場合、希望する都道府県に移譲できる仕組みにした。
Thus, municipalities will be asked whether they want to undertake new clerical work or are capable of doing so and to make decisions on their own initiative. This formula can be applied to the transfer of other kinds of clerical work and authority to local governments.
新たな事務を引き受ける意志と能力があるか、自治体自身に判断を求める制度で、「手挙げ方式」と呼ばれる。他の事務・権限の地方移譲にも応用できるだろう。
It also has been decided to move 29 types of clerical work and authority, including a decision on standards for the composition of primary and middle school classes, to government-designated major cities. These cities will be required to bear the financial burden of paying schoolteachers and administrative personnel, but they will be able to exercise a wider range of discretionary powers, including whether to form small classes.
小中学校の学級編制基準の決定など、２９の都道府県の事務・権限を政令市に移すことも決まった。政令市が教職員給与を負担する一方、独自の判断で少人数学級を編成できるなど裁量権が広がる。
It is indispensable for the government, prefectures and municipalities to continue studying how to divide the various roles to promote practical decentralization.
政府と都道府県、市町村はどう役割分担すべきか、引き続き検討し、地に足のついた分権改革を進めることが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2013)
（2013年12月24日01時42分 読売新聞）
Local governments’ will, capabilities tested in transfer of state authority
国の権限移譲 地方の意志と能力も試される（12月24日付・読売社説）
It is essential to revitalize regional areas by eliminating the waste caused by dual administration of central and local governments and work out innovative measures to utilize the individuality and characteristics of each region.
国と地方の二重行政によるムダの排除と、地域の個性や特色を生かした創意工夫を通じて、地方の活性化につなげることが肝要である。
The government has decided to transfer 48 types of clerical work and authority, including the expansion and management of national roads and first-class rivers under its direct control, to prefectures. It also plans to reexamine 18 clerical items, including provision of HelloWork’s job information.
政府が、国直轄の国道・１級河川の整備・管理など４８の事務・権限を政府から都道府県に移譲する方針を決定した。ハローワークの求人情報の自治体への提供など１８項目の事務見直しも決めた。
It will submit related bills to the ordinary Diet session convening early next year to realize these goals.
いずれも来年の通常国会に関連法案を提出し、実現を図る。
The transfer of authority on national roads and rivers has been left pending since the Council for Decentralization Reform, an advisory panel of the Cabinet Office, recommended this action in 2008. However, the Democratic Party of Japan-led government then came up with a wild scheme of “abolishing in principle” local agencies of the central government, thereby adding a serpentine dimension to discussions on decentralization. But the issue was eventually resolved with realistic measures worked out by the Liberal Democratic Party-led administration.
国道・河川の権限移譲は、２００８年の地方分権改革推進委員会の勧告以来の懸案だ。その後、民主党政権が国の出先機関の「原則廃止」といった乱暴な手法を掲げ、分権論議は迷走したが、ようやく現実的な内容で決着した。
Administration of some sections of national roads and first-class rivers has already been transferred to prefectures. It is unreasonable to assert that administration can only be carried out by the central government. Coherent town building may be possible by integrated expansion and administration of national roads and connected local roads.
国道や１級河川の一部区間の管理は既に、都道府県に委ねられている。政府しか管理できないとの理屈は成り立たない。国道に接続する地方道との一体的な整備・管理により、整合性の取れた町づくりも可能になるのではないか。
It was appropriate for the government to work out measures to secure fiscal resources, including one allocating local tax grants to finance maintenance and management costs incurred by prefectural governments. Decentralization will not make much headway without securing such fiscal resources.
権限移譲に伴い、都道府県が負担する維持管理費を地方交付税で賄うなどの財源確保策をまとめたのは適切だ。財源の手当てなしには地方分権は進まない。
2-way shift possible
It also will be possible depending on the situation to transfer authority over roads and rivers under the control of local governments to the central government.
一方で、地方が管理する道路や河川について、実情に応じて国直轄に移すことも可能にした。
Recent years have seen flood damage caused by heavy rain in various parts of the country. In some of these disasters, small municipalities found it difficult to take adequate crisis-management measures for rivers. The central government’s role in times of disaster was recognized anew following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the accompanying huge task of reconstruction.
近年、各地で大雨による水害が発生し、小規模自治体では河川の管理や危機対応の難しい例が見受けられる。東日本大震災の復旧・復興では、災害時における政府の役割の重要性が再認識された。
Transferring authority in this manner is reasonable, rather than calling for the uniform transfer of authority to local governments.
地方移譲という画一的な施策にはせず、国への移譲も認める柔軟な制度にしたのは妥当だ。
Noteworthy is a system for handling registration and clerical work to audit nonprofit organizations that will provide paid-for transport services to replace taxis and buses in underpopulated areas.
注目されるのは、過疎地でタクシー・バスの代わりに有償旅客輸送を行う非営利組織（ＮＰＯ）などの登録・監査事務の扱いだ。
Clerical work will be transferred to municipalities that apply for the system. If they are reluctant to do this, such work will be transferred to prefectures willing to do so.
基本は、希望する市町村に国の事務を移すが、市町村が希望しない場合、希望する都道府県に移譲できる仕組みにした。
Thus, municipalities will be asked whether they want to undertake new clerical work or are capable of doing so and to make decisions on their own initiative. This formula can be applied to the transfer of other kinds of clerical work and authority to local governments.
新たな事務を引き受ける意志と能力があるか、自治体自身に判断を求める制度で、「手挙げ方式」と呼ばれる。他の事務・権限の地方移譲にも応用できるだろう。
It also has been decided to move 29 types of clerical work and authority, including a decision on standards for the composition of primary and middle school classes, to government-designated major cities. These cities will be required to bear the financial burden of paying schoolteachers and administrative personnel, but they will be able to exercise a wider range of discretionary powers, including whether to form small classes.
小中学校の学級編制基準の決定など、２９の都道府県の事務・権限を政令市に移すことも決まった。政令市が教職員給与を負担する一方、独自の判断で少人数学級を編成できるなど裁量権が広がる。
It is indispensable for the government, prefectures and municipalities to continue studying how to divide the various roles to promote practical decentralization.
政府と都道府県、市町村はどう役割分担すべきか、引き続き検討し、地に足のついた分権改革を進めることが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2013)
（2013年12月24日01時42分 読売新聞）
2013/12/25
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ
>国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。
↓＾＾
海外の日本人向け放送の拡充は急務だ。
民放はネットで世界に向けて無料開放して良いのでは？
厳しいのは日本だけ。
これも霞ヶ関の影響力か？
例えばタイ、全チャンネル無料で見られます＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 21, 2013
New NHK president must promote impartiality, fairness in broadcasts
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ（12月21日付・読売社説）
We want NHK’s new president to fulfill his responsibility as the head of the public broadcasting corporation by promoting production of fair and neutral programs.
中立で公正な番組作りを推進することで、公共放送のトップとしての責任を果たしてほしい。
NHK’s Board of Governors has appointed Katsuto Momii to succeed Masayuki Matsumoto as the public broadcaster’s president. After serving as a vice president of Mitsui & Co., Momii has worked in various positions in the business world, including the post of president of Nihon Unisys Ltd., a major player in IT solutions services.
ＮＨＫの経営委員会は松本正之会長の後任に籾井勝人氏を選出した。籾井氏は三井物産で副社長を務めた後、情報システム会社の日本ユニシスで社長などを歴任した経済人だ。
Momii is the third NHK president in a row from the private sector. He should effectively reform the public broadcaster by using the management abilities he cultivated when he worked with private companies.
民間出身の会長は３代連続である。企業で培った経営手腕を存分に発揮し、ＮＨＫ改革の実効を上げることが求められる。
Matsumoto can be credited with such reforms as lowering viewers’ fees and reducing wages for NHK employees.
松本会長が受信料の値下げや職員給与の削減といった改革に取り組んだ点は評価できる。
However, compared with private broadcasters, NHK must do more to cut manpower and production costs. Momii should bring cost-consciousness home to all NHK employees to overhaul the bloated organization.
ただ、民放に比べ、要員削減や制作費の使い方などでＮＨＫの合理化努力はまだ甘い。籾井氏はコスト意識を徹底させ、肥大化した組織の見直しを図るべきだ。
Viewers’ fees account for more than 90 percent of NHK’s revenue, but nearly 30 percent of viewers do not pay the fees.
ＮＨＫの収入の９割超を占める受信料は、支払っていない比率が全国で３割近くに及ぶ。
Raising the fee collection rate will be necessary to help alleviate the people’s sense of unfairness.
国民の不公平感を和らげるためにも、受信料の徴収率をさらに引き上げる必要がある。
Legal compliance is also an important challenge for the new president. NHK’s Science and Technology Research Laboratories was hit by a scandal concerning fictitious orders this autumn. Serious irregularities such as insider trading have been rife in NHK.
法令順守も新会長の重要な課題だ。今秋には放送技術研究所で架空発注問題が起きた。ＮＨＫでは、インサイダー事件など過去にも深刻な不祥事が頻発している。
Enhance awareness
It is essential to enhance employees’ awareness and work toward preventing the recurrence of such incidents.
職員の意識向上を図り、再発防止に努めることが大切になる。
The political and business worlds have increasingly criticized NHK’s programs and reporting as biased, arguing that they took a negative stance in reporting on the maintenance and restart of nuclear power plants and the deployment of new U.S. Osprey military transport aircraft. This could also be a factor behind Matsumoto’s exit from the post of NHK president.
原発の維持・再稼働や米軍輸送機オスプレイの配備に批判的だとして、ＮＨＫの番組・報道には政財界から「偏っている」との批判が高まっていた。これも松本会長退任の背景にあろう。
Also, in regard to reporting on the law on protecting specially-designated state secrets, it seems that NHK failed to present a diverse range of views, inviting mostly experts with negative views of the law as guest commentators on the matter.
特定秘密保護法をめぐる報道でも、論点が多岐にわたらず、登場する識者の人選も、反対する側に傾いていたのではないか。
Momii, who will assume the post to take ultimate responsibility for production of programs, should constantly take care to ensure program contents are impartial while attaching importance to presenting views in a balanced manner when the programs take up subjects on which opinion is divided.
番組制作の最高責任者に就く籾井氏は、見解が分かれる問題を取り上げる場合、バランスを重視し、放送内容が中立かどうか絶えず目配りをしなくてはならない。
NHK’s political neutrality is a major principle stipulated in the Broadcast Law. The relationship of trust with viewers and listeners should be built by providing unbiased programs.
「不偏不党」は、放送法で定められた大原則だ。偏らない番組を提供し続けることで、視聴者との信頼関係を築くべきだろう。
Expanding and improving broadcasting for people overseas is also an urgent task. It will serve the national interest to actively broadcast programs about Japanese policies, culture and tourism resources overseas.
国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。日本の政策や文化、観光資源を積極的に海外に発信していくことは国益にもつながる。
Momii will be pressed to craft an effective strategy to expand business in such fields as sales of programs to foreign cable television companies. High expectations will be placed on him in this regard because of his personal connections and the experience he accumulated working with a major trading house.
外国のケーブルテレビ会社への販売促進などで効果的な戦略を立てることが望まれる。商社出身の籾井氏の人脈やビジネス経験に期待したい。
Focusing on technological innovations such as development of next-generation high-definition broadcasting, dubbed “8K,” and simultaneous provision of programs on the Internet is another mission facing the new president.
次世代高画質放送「８Ｋ」（スーパーハイビジョン）の開発や、番組のインターネットへの同時配信といった技術革新に注力することも新会長の使命と言える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2013)
（2013年12月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
↓＾＾
海外の日本人向け放送の拡充は急務だ。
民放はネットで世界に向けて無料開放して良いのでは？
厳しいのは日本だけ。
これも霞ヶ関の影響力か？
例えばタイ、全チャンネル無料で見られます＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 21, 2013
New NHK president must promote impartiality, fairness in broadcasts
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ（12月21日付・読売社説）
We want NHK’s new president to fulfill his responsibility as the head of the public broadcasting corporation by promoting production of fair and neutral programs.
中立で公正な番組作りを推進することで、公共放送のトップとしての責任を果たしてほしい。
NHK’s Board of Governors has appointed Katsuto Momii to succeed Masayuki Matsumoto as the public broadcaster’s president. After serving as a vice president of Mitsui & Co., Momii has worked in various positions in the business world, including the post of president of Nihon Unisys Ltd., a major player in IT solutions services.
ＮＨＫの経営委員会は松本正之会長の後任に籾井勝人氏を選出した。籾井氏は三井物産で副社長を務めた後、情報システム会社の日本ユニシスで社長などを歴任した経済人だ。
Momii is the third NHK president in a row from the private sector. He should effectively reform the public broadcaster by using the management abilities he cultivated when he worked with private companies.
民間出身の会長は３代連続である。企業で培った経営手腕を存分に発揮し、ＮＨＫ改革の実効を上げることが求められる。
Matsumoto can be credited with such reforms as lowering viewers’ fees and reducing wages for NHK employees.
松本会長が受信料の値下げや職員給与の削減といった改革に取り組んだ点は評価できる。
However, compared with private broadcasters, NHK must do more to cut manpower and production costs. Momii should bring cost-consciousness home to all NHK employees to overhaul the bloated organization.
ただ、民放に比べ、要員削減や制作費の使い方などでＮＨＫの合理化努力はまだ甘い。籾井氏はコスト意識を徹底させ、肥大化した組織の見直しを図るべきだ。
Viewers’ fees account for more than 90 percent of NHK’s revenue, but nearly 30 percent of viewers do not pay the fees.
ＮＨＫの収入の９割超を占める受信料は、支払っていない比率が全国で３割近くに及ぶ。
Raising the fee collection rate will be necessary to help alleviate the people’s sense of unfairness.
国民の不公平感を和らげるためにも、受信料の徴収率をさらに引き上げる必要がある。
Legal compliance is also an important challenge for the new president. NHK’s Science and Technology Research Laboratories was hit by a scandal concerning fictitious orders this autumn. Serious irregularities such as insider trading have been rife in NHK.
法令順守も新会長の重要な課題だ。今秋には放送技術研究所で架空発注問題が起きた。ＮＨＫでは、インサイダー事件など過去にも深刻な不祥事が頻発している。
Enhance awareness
It is essential to enhance employees’ awareness and work toward preventing the recurrence of such incidents.
職員の意識向上を図り、再発防止に努めることが大切になる。
The political and business worlds have increasingly criticized NHK’s programs and reporting as biased, arguing that they took a negative stance in reporting on the maintenance and restart of nuclear power plants and the deployment of new U.S. Osprey military transport aircraft. This could also be a factor behind Matsumoto’s exit from the post of NHK president.
原発の維持・再稼働や米軍輸送機オスプレイの配備に批判的だとして、ＮＨＫの番組・報道には政財界から「偏っている」との批判が高まっていた。これも松本会長退任の背景にあろう。
Also, in regard to reporting on the law on protecting specially-designated state secrets, it seems that NHK failed to present a diverse range of views, inviting mostly experts with negative views of the law as guest commentators on the matter.
特定秘密保護法をめぐる報道でも、論点が多岐にわたらず、登場する識者の人選も、反対する側に傾いていたのではないか。
Momii, who will assume the post to take ultimate responsibility for production of programs, should constantly take care to ensure program contents are impartial while attaching importance to presenting views in a balanced manner when the programs take up subjects on which opinion is divided.
番組制作の最高責任者に就く籾井氏は、見解が分かれる問題を取り上げる場合、バランスを重視し、放送内容が中立かどうか絶えず目配りをしなくてはならない。
NHK’s political neutrality is a major principle stipulated in the Broadcast Law. The relationship of trust with viewers and listeners should be built by providing unbiased programs.
「不偏不党」は、放送法で定められた大原則だ。偏らない番組を提供し続けることで、視聴者との信頼関係を築くべきだろう。
Expanding and improving broadcasting for people overseas is also an urgent task. It will serve the national interest to actively broadcast programs about Japanese policies, culture and tourism resources overseas.
国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。日本の政策や文化、観光資源を積極的に海外に発信していくことは国益にもつながる。
Momii will be pressed to craft an effective strategy to expand business in such fields as sales of programs to foreign cable television companies. High expectations will be placed on him in this regard because of his personal connections and the experience he accumulated working with a major trading house.
外国のケーブルテレビ会社への販売促進などで効果的な戦略を立てることが望まれる。商社出身の籾井氏の人脈やビジネス経験に期待したい。
Focusing on technological innovations such as development of next-generation high-definition broadcasting, dubbed “8K,” and simultaneous provision of programs on the Internet is another mission facing the new president.
次世代高画質放送「８Ｋ」（スーパーハイビジョン）の開発や、番組のインターネットへの同時配信といった技術革新に注力することも新会長の使命と言える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2013)
（2013年12月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
2013/12/22
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 20, 2013
Act to protect lives and govt center from major earthquake damage
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか（12月20日付・読売社説）
Paralysis of the nation’s nerve center in a major earthquake is a worst-case scenario that must be prevented.
大震災で日本の中枢機能がマヒする最悪の事態を防がねばならない。
A panel of the government’s Central Disaster Management Council, which has been studying measures to deal with the aftermath of a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, has compiled a report on the scale of a predicted temblor and the damage likely to be caused.
首都直下地震の対策を検討してきた政府の中央防災会議の部会が、予想される地震の規模や、それによる被害予測をまとめた。
The predictions were made based on the assumption of a magnitude-7.3 earthquake occurring with its focus in southern central Tokyo. The panel has adopted this scenario because among the various quakes that might happen in Tokyo and its vicinity, there is a 70-percent possibility that a magnitude-7.3 quake will occur within 30 years and it would strike a direct blow to the nation’s nerve center.
想定したのは、東京都心南部を震源とするマグニチュード７・３の地震だ。首都周辺で起き得る大地震のうち、今後３０年間の発生確率が７０％と高く、国の中枢を直撃する恐れがあるためという。
The anticipated earthquake would cause shaking at an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese scale of seven in central Tokyo, even reaching 7 in some areas. In the worst case, 610,000 buildings and houses are predicted to collapse and be destroyed by fire, causing about 23,000 deaths.
この地震では、震度６強の猛烈な揺れが都心部を襲う。一部地域は震度７になる。最悪の場合、建物６１万棟が倒壊・炎上し、約２万３０００人もの犠牲者が出る。
This reflects the fragility of a gigantic and overpopulated city. Countermeasures must be taken urgently.
巨大過密都市の弱点を反映したものだ。対策は急務である。
Above all, fires are of serious concern. Fires are anticipated to break out in various places simultaneously and spread for about two days. It is feared that disaster victims will not be able to escape and will be engulfed by fire.
特に火災は深刻だ。各所で同時多発し、延焼が２日程度続く。被災者が周囲を火に囲まれ、逃げられない事態も心配される。
Streets will be swamped with people who have lost their homes or are unable to return home. Major roads will become unusable due to the debris while railways and other transport networks will be disrupted.
住宅を失ったり、帰宅できなくなったりした被災者で街はあふれる。がれきで主要道路は不通となり、鉄道など交通網が止まる。
Losses of power, water and telephone connections may continue for about a week.
停電や電話の不通、断水が１週間程度も続くかもしれない。
Disruption of official functions
Of special concern is that the Diet, the Prime Minister’s Office and government offices will cease to function. If central coordination and control are lost, the damage will be compounded.
懸念されるのは、国会や首相官邸、官庁街が機能不全になることだ。震災対応の司令塔が失われれば、被害は一層拡大しよう。
Moreover, if the nerve center for economic activities is destroyed, production and distribution will stagnate, with a major impact across the nation. Economic damage is estimated to total about ¥95 trillion.
経済活動の中枢が壊滅すれば、生産や流通が滞り、全国に甚大な影響が及ぶ。経済被害の額は、約９５兆円に上るという。
政府や自治体はもちろん、企業や家庭で対策を講じたい。
If the percentage of buildings in Tokyo equipped with earthquake resistance measures is enhanced from the current 87 percent to 94 percent, the death toll would be halved, according to calculations by the panel.
今回、中央防災会議の部会は、東京都内の建物の耐震化率が今の８７％から９４％に上昇すると、死者数は半減すると試算した。
Regarding fires, if earthquake-sensing breakers, which stop power supply immediately upon sensing a temblor, were installed in every household to reduce the likelihood of fire, it is said that the fire death toll would drop by 90 percent.
火災についても、揺れを感知して電気を止める「感震ブレーカー」が全戸に普及し、初期消火できれば、焼死者は９割減るという。
The public and private sectors must cooperate in strengthening such immediately needed countermeasures.
官民が連携し、こうした足元の対策を強化することが肝要だ。
The Cabinet Office, under which the disaster panel exists, has drafted a program to preserve government functions in the aftermath of a disaster, taking into account the panel’s compilation of disaster damage predictions.
内閣府は、今回の被害想定に合わせ、政府の活動が震災時にも停滞しないようにする「事業継続計画」の素案をまとめた。
The program calls for quickly grasping the damage situation to begin rescue and relief activities. It also points out the need to disseminate accurate information both at home and abroad and make all-out efforts to carry out emergency measures on such priority issues as financial stability and public safety. It will be necessary to clarify the roles to be played by the government ministries and agencies concerned so that measures can be implemented without fail.
被災状況の把握を急ぎ、救助救援を展開する。内外への正確な情報発信に努め、金融の安定、治安対策などの非常時優先業務に全力を挙げるという内容だ。関係府省の役割分担を明確にし、確実に実施できるよう備えるべきだ。
A special law was enacted last month to accelerate countermeasures against an earthquake centered directly below Tokyo. Areas will be designated based on the law to accelerate the reinforcement of sewerage and other infrastructure systems with the joint efforts of the central and local governments. Projects must be promoted steadily on a priority basis.
対策の加速を図る首都直下地震対策特措法も先月、成立した。今後、下水道の補強などインフラ整備を急ぐ地域を指定し、政府と自治体が取り組むことになる。優先順位をつけ、着実に進めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2013)
（2013年12月20日01時36分 読売新聞）
Act to protect lives and govt center from major earthquake damage
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか（12月20日付・読売社説）
Paralysis of the nation’s nerve center in a major earthquake is a worst-case scenario that must be prevented.
大震災で日本の中枢機能がマヒする最悪の事態を防がねばならない。
A panel of the government’s Central Disaster Management Council, which has been studying measures to deal with the aftermath of a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, has compiled a report on the scale of a predicted temblor and the damage likely to be caused.
首都直下地震の対策を検討してきた政府の中央防災会議の部会が、予想される地震の規模や、それによる被害予測をまとめた。
The predictions were made based on the assumption of a magnitude-7.3 earthquake occurring with its focus in southern central Tokyo. The panel has adopted this scenario because among the various quakes that might happen in Tokyo and its vicinity, there is a 70-percent possibility that a magnitude-7.3 quake will occur within 30 years and it would strike a direct blow to the nation’s nerve center.
想定したのは、東京都心南部を震源とするマグニチュード７・３の地震だ。首都周辺で起き得る大地震のうち、今後３０年間の発生確率が７０％と高く、国の中枢を直撃する恐れがあるためという。
The anticipated earthquake would cause shaking at an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese scale of seven in central Tokyo, even reaching 7 in some areas. In the worst case, 610,000 buildings and houses are predicted to collapse and be destroyed by fire, causing about 23,000 deaths.
この地震では、震度６強の猛烈な揺れが都心部を襲う。一部地域は震度７になる。最悪の場合、建物６１万棟が倒壊・炎上し、約２万３０００人もの犠牲者が出る。
This reflects the fragility of a gigantic and overpopulated city. Countermeasures must be taken urgently.
巨大過密都市の弱点を反映したものだ。対策は急務である。
Above all, fires are of serious concern. Fires are anticipated to break out in various places simultaneously and spread for about two days. It is feared that disaster victims will not be able to escape and will be engulfed by fire.
特に火災は深刻だ。各所で同時多発し、延焼が２日程度続く。被災者が周囲を火に囲まれ、逃げられない事態も心配される。
Streets will be swamped with people who have lost their homes or are unable to return home. Major roads will become unusable due to the debris while railways and other transport networks will be disrupted.
住宅を失ったり、帰宅できなくなったりした被災者で街はあふれる。がれきで主要道路は不通となり、鉄道など交通網が止まる。
Losses of power, water and telephone connections may continue for about a week.
停電や電話の不通、断水が１週間程度も続くかもしれない。
Disruption of official functions
Of special concern is that the Diet, the Prime Minister’s Office and government offices will cease to function. If central coordination and control are lost, the damage will be compounded.
懸念されるのは、国会や首相官邸、官庁街が機能不全になることだ。震災対応の司令塔が失われれば、被害は一層拡大しよう。
Moreover, if the nerve center for economic activities is destroyed, production and distribution will stagnate, with a major impact across the nation. Economic damage is estimated to total about ¥95 trillion.
経済活動の中枢が壊滅すれば、生産や流通が滞り、全国に甚大な影響が及ぶ。経済被害の額は、約９５兆円に上るという。
政府や自治体はもちろん、企業や家庭で対策を講じたい。
If the percentage of buildings in Tokyo equipped with earthquake resistance measures is enhanced from the current 87 percent to 94 percent, the death toll would be halved, according to calculations by the panel.
今回、中央防災会議の部会は、東京都内の建物の耐震化率が今の８７％から９４％に上昇すると、死者数は半減すると試算した。
Regarding fires, if earthquake-sensing breakers, which stop power supply immediately upon sensing a temblor, were installed in every household to reduce the likelihood of fire, it is said that the fire death toll would drop by 90 percent.
火災についても、揺れを感知して電気を止める「感震ブレーカー」が全戸に普及し、初期消火できれば、焼死者は９割減るという。
The public and private sectors must cooperate in strengthening such immediately needed countermeasures.
官民が連携し、こうした足元の対策を強化することが肝要だ。
The Cabinet Office, under which the disaster panel exists, has drafted a program to preserve government functions in the aftermath of a disaster, taking into account the panel’s compilation of disaster damage predictions.
内閣府は、今回の被害想定に合わせ、政府の活動が震災時にも停滞しないようにする「事業継続計画」の素案をまとめた。
The program calls for quickly grasping the damage situation to begin rescue and relief activities. It also points out the need to disseminate accurate information both at home and abroad and make all-out efforts to carry out emergency measures on such priority issues as financial stability and public safety. It will be necessary to clarify the roles to be played by the government ministries and agencies concerned so that measures can be implemented without fail.
被災状況の把握を急ぎ、救助救援を展開する。内外への正確な情報発信に努め、金融の安定、治安対策などの非常時優先業務に全力を挙げるという内容だ。関係府省の役割分担を明確にし、確実に実施できるよう備えるべきだ。
A special law was enacted last month to accelerate countermeasures against an earthquake centered directly below Tokyo. Areas will be designated based on the law to accelerate the reinforcement of sewerage and other infrastructure systems with the joint efforts of the central and local governments. Projects must be promoted steadily on a priority basis.
対策の加速を図る首都直下地震対策特措法も先月、成立した。今後、下水道の補強などインフラ整備を急ぐ地域を指定し、政府と自治体が取り組むことになる。優先順位をつけ、着実に進めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2013)
（2013年12月20日01時36分 読売新聞）
2013/12/21
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 19, 2013
The long road to full settelment of itai-itai pollution disease cases
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり（12月19日付・読売社説）
As 45 years have passed since itai-itai disease was recognized by the state as a pollution-related disease, it was indeed a long journey for the issue to have been “fully resolved.”
公害病と認定されてから４５年、「全面解決」までの道のりは、あまりに長かった。
The case of itai-itai disease, an affliction caused by pollution in areas along the Jinzugawa river in Toyama Prefecture, reached its resolution when Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.—the company that caused the pollution—and a victims group signed a compensation agreement on Tuesday. The company has also made a formal apology to the victims for the first time.
富山県の神通川流域で発生したイタイイタイ病を巡り、被害者団体と原因企業の三井金属鉱業が被害者救済の合意書に調印した。三井金属鉱業は初めて正式に謝罪した。
The victims have grown old and many victims have died. It appears that the victims and the company responsible for the pollution have mutually conceded and reached a full settlement.
被害者の高齢化が進む。他界した人も少なくない。被害者と原因企業が歩み寄り、全面解決を実現させたことを評価したい。
The main pillar of the agreement is that Mitsui Mining will pay a lump sum of ¥600,000 per person to those victims of the disease who were not recognized under the Environment Ministry’s criteria as victims of itai-itai disease and so were not eligible for compensation.
環境省の基準でイタイイタイ病と認定されず、救済から漏れていた被害者に、三井金属鉱業が１人当たり６０万円の一時金を支払うのが、合意書の柱だ。
Yet those victims recognized as sufferers by the state were entitled to receive ¥10 million per person.
認定患者への賠償金１０００万円とは大きな開きがある。
For victims who had sought to have their cases settled early, accepting the compensation proposal must have been a bitter decision.
早期解決を目指してきた被害者たちにとって、解決案の受け入れは苦渋の決断だったろう。
Eligible for the lump sum compensation will be those who meet certain criteria, including a degree of kidney dysfunction that is a symptom developed at a stage leading to itai-itai disease. Nearly 1,000 people are believed to be eligible to receive the payments.
一時金は、イタイイタイ病の前段症状である腎機能低下の度合いなどで、条件を満たした人が対象となる。該当者は１０００人近くに上るとみられる。
Mitsui Mining must compensate as many victims as possible.
三井金属鉱業には、可能な限り多くの人を救済する姿勢で臨むことが求められる。
Recognition difficult
Itai-itai disease is considered to be one of Japan’s four major pollution-related diseases, along with Minamata disease in Kumamoto Prefecture, Minamata disease in Niigata Prefecture, and Yokkaichi asthma in Mie Prefecture.
イタイイタイ病は、水俣病、新潟水俣病、四日市ぜんそくとともに４大公害病に数えられる。
As nephropathy patients suffered from brittle bones, they moaned in pain, crying “Itai, itai (It hurts, it hurts),” which is what gave the disease its name. It was recognized by the state as the country’s first pollution-related disease in 1968.
体の骨が折れやすくなり、患者が「痛い、痛い」と泣き叫んだことから、病名が付いた。１９６８年、日本初の公害病に認定された。
The disease was caused by cadmium, a heavy metal, discharged from the Kamioka mine in Gifu Prefecture. The pollutant spread through the consumption of rice and other things contaminated by cadmium in the river and harvested in the affected areas.
原因は、神岡鉱業所（岐阜県）から排出された重金属のカドミウムだ。汚染流域で収穫されたコメなどを通じて被害が広がった。
Mitsui Mining has cleaned up the polluted soil, in addition to paying compensation to those recognized as victims. The cleanup of soil in the polluted farm land was completed last year.
三井金属鉱業は、認定患者への賠償金支払いに加え、汚染地域の土壌改善などに取り組んできた。汚染された農地の復元事業は昨年、ようやく終了した。
Once pollution has been set off, it takes the polluter many years and hefty sums to provide relief measures to the victims and restore the environment—one lesson to be learned from itai-itai disease.
いったん公害を引き起こすと、被害者救済や環境の回復に長い年月と多くの費用を要する。イタイイタイ病の教訓である。
It can be said the criteria for officially recognizing sufferers of pollution-related diseases, set by the ministry, has blocked many sufferers from receiving compensation in a timely manner. As many sufferers of itai-itai disease were not recognized as sufferers until their cases became so serious that they developed the bone-softening disorder osteomalacia, those with relatively milder cases were left neglected.
環境省の患者認定基準が、早期の幅広い救済を阻んだと言えよう。重症化し、骨軟化症にならないと、イタイイタイ病と認定されないため、比較的、軽症の人が置き去りにされる結果となった。
Minamata disease is similar to itai-itai disease in that the ministry’s criteria for officially recognizing sufferers is rigid.
認定のハードルが極めて高いという点では、水俣病も同様だ。
In April, the Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling that recognized a sufferer who was not recognized under the ministry’s criteria as a victim of Minamata disease. Lawsuits with sufferers of the disease seeking relief measures are still continuing in the country.
最高裁は４月、環境省の基準で認定を退けられたケースについて、水俣病患者と認める判断を示した。被害者救済を巡る争いは、今なお続いている。
It is highly important, first and foremost, for sufferers of Minamata disease and others concerned with it to compromise.
水俣病問題でも、被害者をはじめ、当事者同士の歩み寄りが何よりも求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2013)
（2013年12月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
The long road to full settelment of itai-itai pollution disease cases
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり（12月19日付・読売社説）
As 45 years have passed since itai-itai disease was recognized by the state as a pollution-related disease, it was indeed a long journey for the issue to have been “fully resolved.”
公害病と認定されてから４５年、「全面解決」までの道のりは、あまりに長かった。
The case of itai-itai disease, an affliction caused by pollution in areas along the Jinzugawa river in Toyama Prefecture, reached its resolution when Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.—the company that caused the pollution—and a victims group signed a compensation agreement on Tuesday. The company has also made a formal apology to the victims for the first time.
富山県の神通川流域で発生したイタイイタイ病を巡り、被害者団体と原因企業の三井金属鉱業が被害者救済の合意書に調印した。三井金属鉱業は初めて正式に謝罪した。
The victims have grown old and many victims have died. It appears that the victims and the company responsible for the pollution have mutually conceded and reached a full settlement.
被害者の高齢化が進む。他界した人も少なくない。被害者と原因企業が歩み寄り、全面解決を実現させたことを評価したい。
The main pillar of the agreement is that Mitsui Mining will pay a lump sum of ¥600,000 per person to those victims of the disease who were not recognized under the Environment Ministry’s criteria as victims of itai-itai disease and so were not eligible for compensation.
環境省の基準でイタイイタイ病と認定されず、救済から漏れていた被害者に、三井金属鉱業が１人当たり６０万円の一時金を支払うのが、合意書の柱だ。
Yet those victims recognized as sufferers by the state were entitled to receive ¥10 million per person.
認定患者への賠償金１０００万円とは大きな開きがある。
For victims who had sought to have their cases settled early, accepting the compensation proposal must have been a bitter decision.
早期解決を目指してきた被害者たちにとって、解決案の受け入れは苦渋の決断だったろう。
Eligible for the lump sum compensation will be those who meet certain criteria, including a degree of kidney dysfunction that is a symptom developed at a stage leading to itai-itai disease. Nearly 1,000 people are believed to be eligible to receive the payments.
一時金は、イタイイタイ病の前段症状である腎機能低下の度合いなどで、条件を満たした人が対象となる。該当者は１０００人近くに上るとみられる。
Mitsui Mining must compensate as many victims as possible.
三井金属鉱業には、可能な限り多くの人を救済する姿勢で臨むことが求められる。
Recognition difficult
Itai-itai disease is considered to be one of Japan’s four major pollution-related diseases, along with Minamata disease in Kumamoto Prefecture, Minamata disease in Niigata Prefecture, and Yokkaichi asthma in Mie Prefecture.
イタイイタイ病は、水俣病、新潟水俣病、四日市ぜんそくとともに４大公害病に数えられる。
As nephropathy patients suffered from brittle bones, they moaned in pain, crying “Itai, itai (It hurts, it hurts),” which is what gave the disease its name. It was recognized by the state as the country’s first pollution-related disease in 1968.
体の骨が折れやすくなり、患者が「痛い、痛い」と泣き叫んだことから、病名が付いた。１９６８年、日本初の公害病に認定された。
The disease was caused by cadmium, a heavy metal, discharged from the Kamioka mine in Gifu Prefecture. The pollutant spread through the consumption of rice and other things contaminated by cadmium in the river and harvested in the affected areas.
原因は、神岡鉱業所（岐阜県）から排出された重金属のカドミウムだ。汚染流域で収穫されたコメなどを通じて被害が広がった。
Mitsui Mining has cleaned up the polluted soil, in addition to paying compensation to those recognized as victims. The cleanup of soil in the polluted farm land was completed last year.
三井金属鉱業は、認定患者への賠償金支払いに加え、汚染地域の土壌改善などに取り組んできた。汚染された農地の復元事業は昨年、ようやく終了した。
Once pollution has been set off, it takes the polluter many years and hefty sums to provide relief measures to the victims and restore the environment—one lesson to be learned from itai-itai disease.
いったん公害を引き起こすと、被害者救済や環境の回復に長い年月と多くの費用を要する。イタイイタイ病の教訓である。
It can be said the criteria for officially recognizing sufferers of pollution-related diseases, set by the ministry, has blocked many sufferers from receiving compensation in a timely manner. As many sufferers of itai-itai disease were not recognized as sufferers until their cases became so serious that they developed the bone-softening disorder osteomalacia, those with relatively milder cases were left neglected.
環境省の患者認定基準が、早期の幅広い救済を阻んだと言えよう。重症化し、骨軟化症にならないと、イタイイタイ病と認定されないため、比較的、軽症の人が置き去りにされる結果となった。
Minamata disease is similar to itai-itai disease in that the ministry’s criteria for officially recognizing sufferers is rigid.
認定のハードルが極めて高いという点では、水俣病も同様だ。
In April, the Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling that recognized a sufferer who was not recognized under the ministry’s criteria as a victim of Minamata disease. Lawsuits with sufferers of the disease seeking relief measures are still continuing in the country.
最高裁は４月、環境省の基準で認定を退けられたケースについて、水俣病患者と認める判断を示した。被害者救済を巡る争いは、今なお続いている。
It is highly important, first and foremost, for sufferers of Minamata disease and others concerned with it to compromise.
水俣病問題でも、被害者をはじめ、当事者同士の歩み寄りが何よりも求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2013)
（2013年12月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
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