The Yomiuri Shimbun January 5, 2014
Vigilance must be maintained over China-ROK ‘anti-Japan’ ties
朝鮮半島の変動 警戒すべき中韓の「反日」接近（1月5日付・読売社説）
◆米との連携で「北」の急変に備えよ
There has been a seismic change on the Korean Peninsula, where the Cold War structure remains, as South Korea, with Japan and the United States in the background, is in a military face-off with North Korea, which is supported by China.
日米両国を背にした韓国と、中国が支える北朝鮮とが軍事的に対峙(たいじ)する冷戦構造が今なお続く朝鮮半島で、大きな地殻変動が起きている。
China, the world’s second-largest economic power, and South Korea are becoming rapidly closer to each other, indicating they are set to strengthen ties through their mutually shared anti-Japan sentiment. How will this affect the course of Northeast Asia, coupled with uncertain prospects over North Korea?
経済強国に成長した中国と韓国の急速な接近である。反日を触媒に、その紐帯(ちゅうたい)を強める気配だ。不透明な北朝鮮情勢と合わせ、新たな動きは北東アジアの行方にどう影響するのか。
Japan should remain coolheaded in assessing this development so it can decide on appropriate countermeasures.
日本は冷静に見極め、適切な対策を練らねばならない。
Working on history issues
◆「歴史認識」で共闘も
South Korean President Park Geun Hye, whose administration will enter its second year next month, apparently regards China as an important partner, while at the same time stepping up criticism against Japan.
２月に就任２年目に入る韓国の朴槿恵大統領は、中国を重視する一方、対日批判を強めている。
Last year, China became the second country for Park to visit as South Korean president following the United States. This was not just because China is her country’s biggest trading partner. Apparently, she aimed to showcase close ties with her Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, to check North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has not visited China since the inauguration of his regime.
朴氏が昨年、米国に次ぐ訪問先に、日本でなく中国を選んだのは、最大の貿易相手国という理由だけではない。習近平国家主席との密接な関係を見せつけ、訪中していない北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記を牽制(けんせい)する狙いもあったのだろう。
Park’s visit also caused speculation that she plans to form a united front with China against Japan over the perception of history and territorial issues.
同時に、中国と歴史認識や領土問題で対日共闘を図ろうとしているのかと警戒せざるを得ない。
China and South Korea took advantage of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine at the end of last year to justify their anti-Japan stance, calling the visit proof of the revival of Japan’s militarism and its drift to the right.
中韓は、昨年末の安倍首相の靖国神社参拝を「右傾化、軍国主義復活の証しだ」と、反日主張の正当化に利用している。
If China and South Korea form a united front against Japan, it could lead to weakening cooperation among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul, which is centered on the Japan-U.S. and U.S.-South Korea alliances.
中韓の共闘が進むのは、憂慮すべき事態だ。日米と米韓の同盟関係を軸にした日米韓連携を弱める動きにつながるからだ。
Park even criticized Japan during her talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel when he visited South Korea in September. The president countered Hagel when he referred to the importance of security cooperation among the three countries, saying, “Trust has not been established due to the [Japanese] leadership, which has repeatedly made regressive remarks on historical and territorial issues.”
朴氏は昨年９月、日米韓の安保協力の重要性を説くヘーゲル米国防長官に、「歴史や領土問題で時代逆行発言を繰り返す（日本）指導部のせいで信頼が築けない」と、対日批判を披瀝(ひれき)した。
It is highly questionable for a country’s leader to criticize Japan during a meeting with a senior official from a third country. In particular, it is hard to accept her self-centered opinions that blame Japan for the failure to maintain security cooperation between the two countries.
第三国の要人を相手に日本を批判してやまぬ朴氏の言動は、一国の指導者としていかがなものか。特に、日本と安保協力ができない責任は日本にある、という身勝手な主張は、到底容認できない。
South Korea postponed the signing of the General Security of Military Information Agreement in 2012 just before it was to be concluded between Tokyo and Seoul. The agreement is crucial for sharing confidential information on North Korea.
北朝鮮にかかわる機密の共有に不可欠な日韓軍事情報包括保護協定（ＧＳＯＭＩＡ）の締結を、直前になってキャンセルしたのは韓国ではなかったか。
Last month, the Ground Self-Defense Force, now participating in a U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, provided South Korean forces with 10,000 rounds of ammunition for assault rifles without asking for payment. This development highlighted how important it is for the two countries to regularly build cooperation so that they can provide military materials and share duties with each other.
昨年１２月、南スーダン派遣の国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）で陸上自衛隊が韓国軍に小銃弾１万発を無償提供した事例は、日韓が普段から、軍需物資や役務を相互提供できる協力体制を作っておくことの重要性を示したと言えよう。
For China, which has been trying to change the status quo by force in the East and South China seas, closer ties with South Korea mean it can exercise more influence over the Yellow Sea and the Korean Peninsula.
東シナ海や南シナ海で力による現状変更を迫る中国にとって、韓国との緊密化は、黄海や朝鮮半島への影響力強化を意味する。
There are indications Xi could visit South Korea, possibly even this year. Could his trip add momentum to South Korea’s tilt toward China regarding security affairs, too? Given that closer Beijing-Seoul relations could weaken the alliance between the United States and South Korea, the outcome of the possible China-South Korea summit talks must be watched closely.
年内にも、習氏が韓国を訪れる可能性がある。韓国が、安全保障面でも対中傾斜を深める契機となるのかどうか。米韓同盟の弱体化につながり得るだけに中韓首脳会談の行方を注視したい。
Keep framework intact
◆正常化の枠組み崩すな
Chilled relations between Japan and South Korea have prevented Abe and Park from meeting for talks. The relationship could be irrevocably damaged depending on a ruling South Korea’s Supreme Court is expected to hand down, possibly in January, over damage compensation litigation filed against Japanese companies that forced Koreans to labor for them during World War II.
安倍首相と朴氏の会談が開けずにいる日韓関係を、決定的に悪化させかねないのが、月内にも見込まれる韓国人元徴用工の損害賠償請求訴訟の韓国最高裁判決だ。
Should a decision by the top court against the Japanese firms be finalized, and should the South Korean government acknowledge this ruling, the foundation of the framework formed by the 1965 basic bilateral treaty to normalize bilateral diplomatic ties could crumble.
日本企業の敗訴が確定し、それを韓国政府が追認するなら、１９６５年の日韓国交正常化の枠組みは根底から崩れる。
The South Korean government, which signed an agreement attached to the 1965 pact that states problems regarding property and claims between the two countries “have been settled completely and finally,” should declare that the Japanese companies have no obligation to pay any compensation. This would be the obvious duty in the international community of a nation governed by the rule of law.
「完全かつ最終的に解決された」と明記した請求権協定に署名した韓国政府は、日本側に支払い義務はないと明言すべきだ。それが、国際社会における法治国家としての当然の務めである。
The situation in North Korea remains worrisome. The power base of supreme leader Kim Jong Un, two years after taking over power from his father, can hardly be said to have solidified. Attesting to this is the dismissal and execution in December of Jang Sung Taek, vice chairman of Pyongyang’s National Defense Commission.
一方、北朝鮮では権力の父子継承から２年を経て、金正恩氏の権力基盤はなお盤石でない。張成沢・国防委員会副委員長の解任・処刑は、その証左だ。
Because of the instability of the power structure upholding this regime of terror, Kim will likely become more reliant on the military and push ahead with strengthening his country’s nuclear weapons capability. The political setup that places top priority on military affairs, however, is bound only to hamper alleviation of international economic sanctions against Pyongyang. Under the circumstances, the North’s policy of rebuilding its dwindling economy is doomed to fail.
恐怖政治が支配する不安定な権力構造の下、金氏は軍への依存を強め、核戦力増強に一層邁進(まいしん)するだろう。軍事最優先の政治は、国際社会による経済制裁の緩和を妨げるだけだ。じり貧状態の経済の再建路線は破綻するほかない。
Concerns are rising that the Kim regime, in a bid to divert swelling popular discontent in the country, may resort to yet another military provocation. Vigilance must be paid to the possibility of Pyongyang charging ahead with a new nuclear test or firing a long-range ballistic missile under the guise of “a satellite launch.”
金政権が国内の不満をかわすため、武力挑発する懸念は深まっている。核実験や「人工衛星打ち上げ」と称する長距離ミサイル発射の強行に、警戒が必要である。
Kim regime raises risks
◆リスク増す金正恩政権
It cannot be ruled out that North Korea might resort to an armed attack on South Korea, like its shelling of the island of Yeonpyeong in November 2010. If such an event were to happen again, South Korea has declared it is prepared to strike back ferociously. The risk of military conflict between the North and South should never be underestimated.
北朝鮮が、２０１０年１１月の延坪島砲撃のように韓国へ武力攻撃を加える可能性も排除できない。その場合、韓国は今度は強力に反撃する構えだ。南北の武力衝突リスクも軽視すべきではない。
Cooperation between Japan, the United States, China, South Korea and Russia has never been as necessary as it is now, given the urgent need to rein in North Korea’s wild behavior and prepare for a sudden crisis there such as a political coup. It is especially important to strengthen strategic cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea on the basis of the alliance ties Tokyo and Seoul have with Washington.
北朝鮮の“暴走”を抑止し、政変などの急変事態に備えるため、日本と米国、中国、韓国、ロシアの関係国の協調が、今ほど必要な時はない。とりわけ重要なのが、米国との同盟関係を軸とする日米韓の戦略的連携の強化である。
Japan is seeking comprehensive solutions to North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang. It will need the assistance of China and South Korea to find these solutions. But in light of the difficulty Japan faces in receiving such cooperation under the current circumstances, it should view the role of its alliance with the United States as having even greater significance in ensuring the security of the region.
核、ミサイルと拉致問題の包括的解決を目指す日本には、中韓との協力も必要だが、それが難しい現状を踏まえれば、地域の安全保障で、日米同盟の役割がその重みを一層増したと見るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 5, 2014)
（2014年1月5日01時33分 読売新聞）
2014/01/07
2014/01/06
安倍政権２年目 数に傲らず幅広い合意形成を
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 4, 2014
Ruling coalition should build wide consensus with opposition parties
安倍政権２年目 数に傲らず幅広い合意形成を（1月4日付・読売社説）
◆野党再編はどこまで進むか
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears determined to make all-out efforts to revitalize the Japanese economy and resolve long-pending issues such as the right to collective self-defense.
安倍政権は、日本経済再生に向けて全力を挙げるとともに、集団的自衛権の問題など長年の懸案解決にも挑む構えだ。
To make effective use of limited time, it is imperative that the Abe administration devise a well-prepared strategy to implement measures and manage the government in a humble manner to avoid unnecessary criticism.
限られた時間をいかに効果的に使うか。それには、政策実現への周到な戦略とともに、無用な反発を招かぬ謙虚な政権運営が欠かせない。
The second Abe administration has made it this far without collapsing apparently because of a well-functioning “Team Abe,” comprising Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in whom Abe has deep trust, as well as Finance Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as deputy prime minister, and Akira Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, both Abe’s political allies.
第２次安倍政権が、破綻なく政権を運営してきたのは、安倍首相の信頼が厚い菅官房長官、盟友の麻生副総理・財務相、甘利経済再生相ら「チーム安倍」が、しっかり機能していたからだろう。
Coordination key
◆自公の調整を入念に
It is also worth mentioning that members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, such as Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba, have provided significant support to the government. Close cooperation with the ruling coalition helped the government decide to join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and win the Okinawa prefectural government’s approval of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station.
石破幹事長ら自民党側が政府を支えたことも見逃せない。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加への決断や、沖縄県の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、政府と与党の協力が奏功したと言える。
New Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, has also played a significant role.
自民党と連立を組む公明党の役割も小さくはなかった。
During the last extraordinary Diet session, a bill to protect specially designated state secrets was revised with consideration given to the public’s right to know and freedom of the press after Komeito called for such consideration. Without this revision, Diet deliberations on the bill could have been even more difficult.
先の臨時国会では、特定秘密保護法案の調整過程で、公明党の主張によって「知る権利」「報道・取材の自由」への配慮が法案に盛り込まれた。この修正がなければ、国会審議はもっと難航しただろう。
Komeito also strongly sought the introduction of a reduced tax rate system on daily necessities and other items to ease the impact of the upcoming consumption tax rate increase. The LDP and Komeito then reached an agreement to introduce such a system “when the consumption tax is 10 percent.” We applaud Komeito for this contribution.
生活必需品などの消費税を低く抑える軽減税率の導入に関しても、公明党が強く求め、「税率１０％時」に導入することで決着した。これについても高く評価したい。
However, the LDP and Komeito do not necessarily take the same stance on issues like amending the Constitution and nuclear policy. Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi have been deeply divided over issues related to politicians’ visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the interpretations of history, such as a 1993 statement on so-called comfort women during World War II issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, as well as a review of the government’s constitutional interpretation aimed at allowing the nation to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
ただし、自公両党は、憲法改正や原発政策などで必ずしも一致しているわけではない。安倍首相と公明党の山口代表は、靖国神社参拝や、河野談話など歴史認識問題、集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しについて隔たりが大きい。
The more Abe attempts to push his pet policies, the more strongly Komeito will oppose and resist them. How the two parties deal with such challenges will bear directly on the stability of national politics.
首相が「安倍カラー」の強い政策を進めようとすればするほど、公明党は反発、抵抗する。自公両党がそれをどう乗り越えるかが、政治の安定度にも直結しよう。
Regarding the Jan. 19 mayoral election in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Komeito’s Okinawa chapter has yet to decide whether it will support a conservative candidate who would give the green light to the government’s plan on the Futenma relocation. The issue will serve as a test of whether the LDP and Komeito can coordinate their views.
１月１９日投票の沖縄・名護市長選で、公明党の沖縄県本部は、米軍普天間飛行場移設容認の保守系候補を推すかどうかまだ態度を決めていない。ここでも自公協力の真価が試される。
The ruling coalition must build a consensus with the opposition camp without relying on its dominant number of Diet seats.
与党は、議席の数に傲(おご)らず、野党との合意形成を丁寧に進めていかねばならない。
Above all, social security and national security systems should not be too transformed no matter what party takes office. The next election is as much as 2.5 years away. The ruling and opposition parties should take this as an opportunity to tackle these issues in earnest.
とくに社会保障や安全保障政策は、どの党が政権を担っても、そのたびに制度を大きく変更するわけにはいかない。次の国政選挙まで最大２年半あるこの好機に、与野党とも腰を据えて取り組むべき課題である。
Partial coalition must be sought
◆追求すべき「部分連合」
The LDP, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan have established a working-level conference on social security policies. We urge them to use this forum to deepen their discussions.
社会保障政策は自民、公明、民主の３党が実務者会議を設けている。ここでの議論を深めたい。
In the security field, a step forward was marked when the bill to establish a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council cleared the extraordinary Diet session in late November with the approval of the DPJ, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, as well as the LDP and Komeito.
安全保障の分野では、先の臨時国会で、国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）設置法が民主党と日本維新の会、みんなの党も賛成して成立したことは前進だった。
Regarding the bill to protect specially designated states secrets, Ishin no Kai and Your Party accepted the modifications to the bill but boycotted voting in the plenary session of the House of Councillors, in a show of criticism of the ruling parties over their management of Diet business.
特定秘密保護法では、維新、みんな両党は法案修正に応じながら、与党の国会運営を批判して参院本会議の採決時に退席した。
The ruling coalition must rebuild its relationship with Ishin no Kai and Your Party.
与党は、維新、みんなとの関係を再構築しなければならない。
Ishin no Kai coleader Shintaro Ishihara has expressed his intention to cooperate with Abe in dealing with such issues as constitutional revision.
維新の石原共同代表はかねて、憲法改正などのテーマで首相に協力する意向を示している。
Meanwhile, Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe has proposed what he called a regular “strategic dialogue” with Abe on such key issues as deregulation and reviewing the constitutional interpretation of the nation’s collective self-defense right.
みんなの党の渡辺代表も、首相に対し、規制改革や集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しなど、重要政策を定期的に協議する「戦略的対話」を呼び掛けている。
How will the government and ruling parties form a partial coalition with Ishin no Kai and Your Party? The answer could affect the future course of parliamentary and electoral system reforms.
政府・与党が維新、みんな両党とどう部分連合を形成していくか。それが、国会改革や選挙制度改革の行方にも影響しよう。
DPJ in need of reform
◆民主も党改革が必要だ
The DPJ’s handling of parliamentary matters gives us the impression the party has returned to its former role as a resistant opposition party, despite its experience of serving as a ruling party. It has yet to form a joint struggle with other opposition parties.
民主党は政権与党を経験したにもかかわらず、抵抗野党に立ち返ったような国会対応が目立つ。野党共闘も実現できていない。
In the aftermath of the upper house election in July, DPJ members, particularly those who lost elections, have defected from the party one after another for such reasons as discontent with the party leadership. This undeniably indicates that Banri Kaieda’s leadership as party president has been waning.
参院選後、党執行部への不満などから、落選議員を中心に離党が相次いでいる。海江田代表の求心力の低下は否めない。
To regain voters’ confidence, Kaieda needs to form an intraparty consensus on basic policies on the Constitution and national security and strengthen the party’s local organizations. He is urged to demonstrate his leadership in reconstructing his party.
有権者の信頼を取り戻すには憲法、安全保障など基本政策で党内をまとめ、地方組織を強化する必要がある。海江田代表は党再建に指導力を発揮してもらいたい。
The DPJ must hold discussions this year with other opposition parties on campaign strategies for unified local elections set for the spring of 2015. Such talks will lead to prompting moves for a realignment of opposition parties.
２０１５年春の統一地方選をどう戦うか。選挙協力についても、他の党と今年中に議論しなければなるまい。それが、野党再編の引き金を引く可能性もあろう。
It has also become a focus of attention whether the Yui no To party, led by Kenji Eda, a defector from Your Party, will be able to work closely with some members of the DPJ and Ishin no Kai.
みんなの党とたもとを分かった江田憲司氏率いる結いの党が、民主党の一部や維新の会と勢力を結集できるかどうかも焦点だ。
Eda has formed a suprapartisan study group with Goshi Hosono, a former secretary general of the DPJ, and Yorihisa Matsuno, secretary general of Ishin no Kai’s group of Diet members. To what extent can the study group’s members firmly unite on policies and ideals?
江田氏や、民主党の細野豪志前幹事長、維新の松野頼久国会議員団幹事長は、超党派の勉強会を結成した。政策・理念でどこまで一致団結できるだろうか。
We would like to see a unified opposition party that is capable of presenting constructive policies without taking a stance of always criticizing the government.
政府への批判一辺倒ではなく、建設的な政策立案能力のある野党勢力の結集を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 4, 2014)
（2014年1月4日01時40分 読売新聞）
Ruling coalition should build wide consensus with opposition parties
安倍政権２年目 数に傲らず幅広い合意形成を（1月4日付・読売社説）
◆野党再編はどこまで進むか
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears determined to make all-out efforts to revitalize the Japanese economy and resolve long-pending issues such as the right to collective self-defense.
安倍政権は、日本経済再生に向けて全力を挙げるとともに、集団的自衛権の問題など長年の懸案解決にも挑む構えだ。
To make effective use of limited time, it is imperative that the Abe administration devise a well-prepared strategy to implement measures and manage the government in a humble manner to avoid unnecessary criticism.
限られた時間をいかに効果的に使うか。それには、政策実現への周到な戦略とともに、無用な反発を招かぬ謙虚な政権運営が欠かせない。
The second Abe administration has made it this far without collapsing apparently because of a well-functioning “Team Abe,” comprising Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, in whom Abe has deep trust, as well as Finance Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as deputy prime minister, and Akira Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, both Abe’s political allies.
第２次安倍政権が、破綻なく政権を運営してきたのは、安倍首相の信頼が厚い菅官房長官、盟友の麻生副総理・財務相、甘利経済再生相ら「チーム安倍」が、しっかり機能していたからだろう。
Coordination key
◆自公の調整を入念に
It is also worth mentioning that members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, such as Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba, have provided significant support to the government. Close cooperation with the ruling coalition helped the government decide to join negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and win the Okinawa prefectural government’s approval of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station.
石破幹事長ら自民党側が政府を支えたことも見逃せない。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加への決断や、沖縄県の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、政府と与党の協力が奏功したと言える。
New Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, has also played a significant role.
自民党と連立を組む公明党の役割も小さくはなかった。
During the last extraordinary Diet session, a bill to protect specially designated state secrets was revised with consideration given to the public’s right to know and freedom of the press after Komeito called for such consideration. Without this revision, Diet deliberations on the bill could have been even more difficult.
先の臨時国会では、特定秘密保護法案の調整過程で、公明党の主張によって「知る権利」「報道・取材の自由」への配慮が法案に盛り込まれた。この修正がなければ、国会審議はもっと難航しただろう。
Komeito also strongly sought the introduction of a reduced tax rate system on daily necessities and other items to ease the impact of the upcoming consumption tax rate increase. The LDP and Komeito then reached an agreement to introduce such a system “when the consumption tax is 10 percent.” We applaud Komeito for this contribution.
生活必需品などの消費税を低く抑える軽減税率の導入に関しても、公明党が強く求め、「税率１０％時」に導入することで決着した。これについても高く評価したい。
However, the LDP and Komeito do not necessarily take the same stance on issues like amending the Constitution and nuclear policy. Abe and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi have been deeply divided over issues related to politicians’ visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the interpretations of history, such as a 1993 statement on so-called comfort women during World War II issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono, as well as a review of the government’s constitutional interpretation aimed at allowing the nation to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
ただし、自公両党は、憲法改正や原発政策などで必ずしも一致しているわけではない。安倍首相と公明党の山口代表は、靖国神社参拝や、河野談話など歴史認識問題、集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しについて隔たりが大きい。
The more Abe attempts to push his pet policies, the more strongly Komeito will oppose and resist them. How the two parties deal with such challenges will bear directly on the stability of national politics.
首相が「安倍カラー」の強い政策を進めようとすればするほど、公明党は反発、抵抗する。自公両党がそれをどう乗り越えるかが、政治の安定度にも直結しよう。
Regarding the Jan. 19 mayoral election in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Komeito’s Okinawa chapter has yet to decide whether it will support a conservative candidate who would give the green light to the government’s plan on the Futenma relocation. The issue will serve as a test of whether the LDP and Komeito can coordinate their views.
１月１９日投票の沖縄・名護市長選で、公明党の沖縄県本部は、米軍普天間飛行場移設容認の保守系候補を推すかどうかまだ態度を決めていない。ここでも自公協力の真価が試される。
The ruling coalition must build a consensus with the opposition camp without relying on its dominant number of Diet seats.
与党は、議席の数に傲(おご)らず、野党との合意形成を丁寧に進めていかねばならない。
Above all, social security and national security systems should not be too transformed no matter what party takes office. The next election is as much as 2.5 years away. The ruling and opposition parties should take this as an opportunity to tackle these issues in earnest.
とくに社会保障や安全保障政策は、どの党が政権を担っても、そのたびに制度を大きく変更するわけにはいかない。次の国政選挙まで最大２年半あるこの好機に、与野党とも腰を据えて取り組むべき課題である。
Partial coalition must be sought
◆追求すべき「部分連合」
The LDP, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan have established a working-level conference on social security policies. We urge them to use this forum to deepen their discussions.
社会保障政策は自民、公明、民主の３党が実務者会議を設けている。ここでの議論を深めたい。
In the security field, a step forward was marked when the bill to establish a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council cleared the extraordinary Diet session in late November with the approval of the DPJ, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, as well as the LDP and Komeito.
安全保障の分野では、先の臨時国会で、国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）設置法が民主党と日本維新の会、みんなの党も賛成して成立したことは前進だった。
Regarding the bill to protect specially designated states secrets, Ishin no Kai and Your Party accepted the modifications to the bill but boycotted voting in the plenary session of the House of Councillors, in a show of criticism of the ruling parties over their management of Diet business.
特定秘密保護法では、維新、みんな両党は法案修正に応じながら、与党の国会運営を批判して参院本会議の採決時に退席した。
The ruling coalition must rebuild its relationship with Ishin no Kai and Your Party.
与党は、維新、みんなとの関係を再構築しなければならない。
Ishin no Kai coleader Shintaro Ishihara has expressed his intention to cooperate with Abe in dealing with such issues as constitutional revision.
維新の石原共同代表はかねて、憲法改正などのテーマで首相に協力する意向を示している。
Meanwhile, Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe has proposed what he called a regular “strategic dialogue” with Abe on such key issues as deregulation and reviewing the constitutional interpretation of the nation’s collective self-defense right.
みんなの党の渡辺代表も、首相に対し、規制改革や集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しなど、重要政策を定期的に協議する「戦略的対話」を呼び掛けている。
How will the government and ruling parties form a partial coalition with Ishin no Kai and Your Party? The answer could affect the future course of parliamentary and electoral system reforms.
政府・与党が維新、みんな両党とどう部分連合を形成していくか。それが、国会改革や選挙制度改革の行方にも影響しよう。
DPJ in need of reform
◆民主も党改革が必要だ
The DPJ’s handling of parliamentary matters gives us the impression the party has returned to its former role as a resistant opposition party, despite its experience of serving as a ruling party. It has yet to form a joint struggle with other opposition parties.
民主党は政権与党を経験したにもかかわらず、抵抗野党に立ち返ったような国会対応が目立つ。野党共闘も実現できていない。
In the aftermath of the upper house election in July, DPJ members, particularly those who lost elections, have defected from the party one after another for such reasons as discontent with the party leadership. This undeniably indicates that Banri Kaieda’s leadership as party president has been waning.
参院選後、党執行部への不満などから、落選議員を中心に離党が相次いでいる。海江田代表の求心力の低下は否めない。
To regain voters’ confidence, Kaieda needs to form an intraparty consensus on basic policies on the Constitution and national security and strengthen the party’s local organizations. He is urged to demonstrate his leadership in reconstructing his party.
有権者の信頼を取り戻すには憲法、安全保障など基本政策で党内をまとめ、地方組織を強化する必要がある。海江田代表は党再建に指導力を発揮してもらいたい。
The DPJ must hold discussions this year with other opposition parties on campaign strategies for unified local elections set for the spring of 2015. Such talks will lead to prompting moves for a realignment of opposition parties.
２０１５年春の統一地方選をどう戦うか。選挙協力についても、他の党と今年中に議論しなければなるまい。それが、野党再編の引き金を引く可能性もあろう。
It has also become a focus of attention whether the Yui no To party, led by Kenji Eda, a defector from Your Party, will be able to work closely with some members of the DPJ and Ishin no Kai.
みんなの党とたもとを分かった江田憲司氏率いる結いの党が、民主党の一部や維新の会と勢力を結集できるかどうかも焦点だ。
Eda has formed a suprapartisan study group with Goshi Hosono, a former secretary general of the DPJ, and Yorihisa Matsuno, secretary general of Ishin no Kai’s group of Diet members. To what extent can the study group’s members firmly unite on policies and ideals?
江田氏や、民主党の細野豪志前幹事長、維新の松野頼久国会議員団幹事長は、超党派の勉強会を結成した。政策・理念でどこまで一致団結できるだろうか。
We would like to see a unified opposition party that is capable of presenting constructive policies without taking a stance of always criticizing the government.
政府への批判一辺倒ではなく、建設的な政策立案能力のある野党勢力の結集を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 4, 2014)
（2014年1月4日01時40分 読売新聞）
2014/01/05
上向く世界経済 本格再生へ「分水嶺」の１年だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 3, 2014
Steady leadership needed as world economy at crossroads
上向く世界経済 本格再生へ「分水嶺」の１年だ（1月3日付・読売社説）
◆先進国と新興国にくすぶる不安
Signs of a bright future for the global economy seem to have begun twinkling, with advanced economies picking up gradually after managing to break out of monetary and fiscal crises.
金融・財政危機を収束した先進国の景気が持ち直し、世界経済の前途に明るさが見えてきた。
Uncertainties remain, however, concerning the policy handling of the United States and European countries. Caution is also needed regarding a slowdown of emerging market economies such as China.
ただし、米欧の政策運営には、まだ不透明感が残る。中国など新興国経済の減速にも注意が必要だ。
This year will most likely mark a watershed regarding whether the world economy can realize sufficiently robust growth to get onto a full-fledged recovery path.
より力強い成長を実現し、本格的な景気回復軌道に乗れるかどうか、分水嶺(れい)の１年となろう。
In its report last autumn, the International Monetary Fund forecast the 2014 world economy would log 3.6 percent growth after inflation. It is noteworthy that the growth of the world economy this year is expected to expand a little on the strength of advanced economies’ pickup, compared to 2013’s growth, which the IMF estimates at 2.9 percent.
国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は昨秋、２０１４年の世界経済を実質３・６％成長と予想した。２・９％成長が見込まれる１３年と比べると、先進国の伸びを背景に、やや増進するのがポイントである。
U.S. debt ceiling accord a key
◆米債務上限の合意急げ
The world financial woes triggered by the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in the autumn of 2008 embroiled Greece, developing into a crisis for all European economies.
世界経済は、０８年秋のリーマン・ショックがギリシャに飛び火し、欧州危機へ発展した。
What made it possible for the global economy to begin finding a way out of a chain of negative occurrences at long last was, first of all, indications of a solid business recovery in the United States, the epicenter of the global financial hardships. The European economies, after experiencing a series of business downturns, have now returned to positive growth, signifying a breakaway from the worst phase of their economic conditions.
「負の連鎖」をようやく抜け出しつつあるのは、危機の震源地だった米国の景気が底堅く推移し始めたのが主因だ。景気後退が続いた欧州経済もプラス成長に転じ、最悪期を脱した。
Symbolic of the signs of uptrend is the decision late last year by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to modify its extraordinary easy money policy in response to improvements in U.S. unemployment rates and other key economic indicators.
雇用改善などを受けて、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が決めた異例の金融政策の修正が象徴的である。
Starting this month, the Fed is scheduled to embark on an “exit strategy” designed to scale down bit by bit Phase Three of its quantitative monetary easing, or QE3, in which the U.S. central bank has been purchasing a huge amount of U.S. treasury bonds and other financial assets every month.
米国債などを毎月購入してきた量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）の規模を小刻みに縮小する「出口戦略」に今月から一歩踏み出す。
It seems the world’s market players have been reassured to see the Fed spearheading a move in favor of an exit strategy, amid large-scale monetary easing policies in place in Japan, the United States and Europe. Consequently, stock prices are on the rise in New York and other markets.
日米欧が大規模な緩和策を続ける中、ＦＲＢが先陣を切って慎重に動き出したことで、安心感を与えたのだろう。ニューヨーク市場などの株価が上昇している。
The Fed reportedly intends to continue tapering its QE3 asset purchases, with a view to terminating the easy money policy as early as the end of the year. Next year and afterward, the Fed is seen probing timing for an end to its zero-interest rate policy while looking for an opportune time to raise rates.
ＦＲＢはＱＥ３縮小を継続し、年内にも終了させる方針という。来年以降、ゼロ金利政策の終了と利上げ時期も探るとみられる。
Due attention should be paid to the adverse impact of colossal money supplies worldwide that have so far been in place, as they could lead to rekindling of economic bubbles in the United States, emerging market countries and elsewhere.
これまでの巨額マネーの供給で米国や新興国にバブルが再燃する副作用への警戒も必要だ。
Implementation of the exit strategy, however, will require a considerably long period of time. The ability of incoming Fed chair Janet Yellen, who is to take the place of Chairman Ben Bernanke toward the end of January, will certainly be tested through her efforts to ensure that no danger arises of the world economy and markets plunging into turmoil in the process of the implementation of the Fed’s exit strategy.
とは言え、出口戦略は長い道のりになる。世界経済や市場に混乱を招かないよう、１月末にバーナンキ議長と交代するイエレン新議長の手腕が問われる。
How things evolve regarding U.S. congressional discussions on fiscal measures is also of key significance.
米国の財政協議も焦点だ。
It is a highly welcome development that Democrats and Republicans in Congress have reached common ground on a federal budget deal, successfully averting a recurrence of a partial shutdown of government functions.
議会の与野党が、予算確保で合意し、政府機関の一部閉鎖（シャットダウン）の再来を回避したことは評価したい。
Should the two parties fail to strike an agreement on raising the federal government’s debt ceiling in time for the Feb. 7 deadline, however, there would be a high risk of U.S. treasury bonds going into default. If U.S. treasury bonds actually went into default, there would be serious damage to not only the United States but also the rest of the world economy.
だが、２月７日までに与野党が連邦債務上限引き上げで合意しないと、米国債がデフォルト（債務不履行）に陥る別のリスクが迫っている。現実に起きれば米国だけでなく、世界に打撃を与える。
Therefore, it was reasonable for U.S. President Barack Obama to ask Republican Party members in Congress to unconditionally approve raising the debt ceiling. The confrontation between the Democrats and Republicans is expected to continue ahead of midterm elections in November, but an early agreement on the matter is needed.
オバマ大統領が野党共和党に無条件での上限引き上げを求めたのはもっともだ。１１月の中間選挙を控えて与野党の対立は続くが、早期合意を図ってもらいたい。
The European Central Bank carried out an additional interest rate cut in November despite having been able to stem the business slowdown because it was wary about prices hovering at low levels.
景気後退を食い止めたのに、欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）が昨年１１月に追加利下げしたのは、物価低迷を警戒しているためだ。
Europe must avoid deflation
◆欧州はデフレ回避を
The growth rate in consumer prices has been held to less than 1 percent, lower than the 2 percent targeted by the ECB. There is concern that Europe will fall into deflation like Japan.
ユーロ圏の消費者物価上昇率は０％台にとどまり、ＥＣＢが目標とする２％を下回る。日本のようなデフレ転落も懸念される。
If Europe’s favorable economic turn should prove to be a “false dawn,” it will hobble the world economy again.
欧州の経済好転が「偽りの夜明け」に終われば、再び世界経済の足かせになろう。
The ECB should not hesitate to take the next steps, including an additional interest rate cut. Deflation must be avoided while keeping a close watch on price and business trends at the same time.
ＥＣＢは追加利下げなどの「次の一手」を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)してはならない。物価と景気を両にらみしつつ、デフレを食い止めるべきだ。
ECB stress tests on eurozone banks will start shortly ahead of its integrated supervision of the banks starting this autumn.
今秋、ＥＣＢに域内の銀行監督が一元化されるのに先立ち、銀行の資産査定（ストレステスト）がまもなく始まる。
It is indispensable to promote the strengthening of the financial underpinnings of banks with capital shortages to prevent financial uncertainty from flaring up again.
資本不足行の財務基盤強化を進め、金融不安の再燃を防ぐことも欠かせない。
The pace of growth has been slowing down across the board in emerging economies. Difficult economic management is expected to continue in China, and the country is likely to see a growth rate of about 7.5 percent this year, unlike the double-digit growth it once marked.
新興国では、成長が軒並み減速している。難しい経済運営が続く中国は、今年もかつての２ケタ成長を下回る７・５％程度の成長にとどまる見通しだ。
In China, nonbanks and other financial institutions have collected funds from individuals by selling high-interest financial products. These funds have been used to promote public works projects and real estate development in regional areas. It is problematic that the real situation of such shadow banking remains unknown.
ノンバンクなどが高金利の金融商品で個人から集めた資金が、地方の公共事業や不動産開発を後押しする。そうした「影の銀行（シャドーバンキング）」の実態が依然不透明なことは問題である。
Shadow banking problematic
◆中国「影の銀行」問題
Investment firms under the umbrella of Chinese local governments have a huge amount of debts. It is vital to prevent a situation in which the Chinese financial system is shaken by deferred debt repayment.
地方政府傘下の投資会社は巨額債務を抱える。債務返済が滞り、中国の金融システムを揺るがす事態を防ぐことが肝要だ。
How can China break away from an investment-dependent economy and achieve a soft landing for stable growth? Correcting economic disparities is also a tough challenge. China should accelerate reform.
投資依存型経済から脱却し、安定成長にどう軟着陸させるか。経済格差是正も難題である。中国の改革加速が求められよう。
Due to the U.S. “exit strategy” of scaling down quantitative monetary easing, investment money has been withdrawn from Brazil and India among other countries, and there is now a real possibility of a vicious circle in which the weakening of their currencies leads to the stagnation of their real economies.
ブラジル、インドなどでは、米国の量的緩和縮小に伴って、投資マネーが引き揚げられ、自国通貨安が実体経済の低迷をもたらす悪循環が現実味を帯びる。
As it has become an urgent task to rein in high prices, central banks of various countries have been tightening their money supply.
一方、物価高の抑制も急務になり、各国の中央銀行が金融引き締めを強化している。
To broaden the vision of the world economy, now lighted by a faint hope, advanced and emerging economies must overcome their own challenges and promote policy coordination.
薄明かりがともった世界経済の展望を広げるには、先進国と新興国がそれぞれの課題を克服し、政策協調を図らねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 3, 2014)
（2014年1月3日01時38分 読売新聞）
Steady leadership needed as world economy at crossroads
上向く世界経済 本格再生へ「分水嶺」の１年だ（1月3日付・読売社説）
◆先進国と新興国にくすぶる不安
Signs of a bright future for the global economy seem to have begun twinkling, with advanced economies picking up gradually after managing to break out of monetary and fiscal crises.
金融・財政危機を収束した先進国の景気が持ち直し、世界経済の前途に明るさが見えてきた。
Uncertainties remain, however, concerning the policy handling of the United States and European countries. Caution is also needed regarding a slowdown of emerging market economies such as China.
ただし、米欧の政策運営には、まだ不透明感が残る。中国など新興国経済の減速にも注意が必要だ。
This year will most likely mark a watershed regarding whether the world economy can realize sufficiently robust growth to get onto a full-fledged recovery path.
より力強い成長を実現し、本格的な景気回復軌道に乗れるかどうか、分水嶺(れい)の１年となろう。
In its report last autumn, the International Monetary Fund forecast the 2014 world economy would log 3.6 percent growth after inflation. It is noteworthy that the growth of the world economy this year is expected to expand a little on the strength of advanced economies’ pickup, compared to 2013’s growth, which the IMF estimates at 2.9 percent.
国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は昨秋、２０１４年の世界経済を実質３・６％成長と予想した。２・９％成長が見込まれる１３年と比べると、先進国の伸びを背景に、やや増進するのがポイントである。
U.S. debt ceiling accord a key
◆米債務上限の合意急げ
The world financial woes triggered by the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in the autumn of 2008 embroiled Greece, developing into a crisis for all European economies.
世界経済は、０８年秋のリーマン・ショックがギリシャに飛び火し、欧州危機へ発展した。
What made it possible for the global economy to begin finding a way out of a chain of negative occurrences at long last was, first of all, indications of a solid business recovery in the United States, the epicenter of the global financial hardships. The European economies, after experiencing a series of business downturns, have now returned to positive growth, signifying a breakaway from the worst phase of their economic conditions.
「負の連鎖」をようやく抜け出しつつあるのは、危機の震源地だった米国の景気が底堅く推移し始めたのが主因だ。景気後退が続いた欧州経済もプラス成長に転じ、最悪期を脱した。
Symbolic of the signs of uptrend is the decision late last year by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to modify its extraordinary easy money policy in response to improvements in U.S. unemployment rates and other key economic indicators.
雇用改善などを受けて、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が決めた異例の金融政策の修正が象徴的である。
Starting this month, the Fed is scheduled to embark on an “exit strategy” designed to scale down bit by bit Phase Three of its quantitative monetary easing, or QE3, in which the U.S. central bank has been purchasing a huge amount of U.S. treasury bonds and other financial assets every month.
米国債などを毎月購入してきた量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）の規模を小刻みに縮小する「出口戦略」に今月から一歩踏み出す。
It seems the world’s market players have been reassured to see the Fed spearheading a move in favor of an exit strategy, amid large-scale monetary easing policies in place in Japan, the United States and Europe. Consequently, stock prices are on the rise in New York and other markets.
日米欧が大規模な緩和策を続ける中、ＦＲＢが先陣を切って慎重に動き出したことで、安心感を与えたのだろう。ニューヨーク市場などの株価が上昇している。
The Fed reportedly intends to continue tapering its QE3 asset purchases, with a view to terminating the easy money policy as early as the end of the year. Next year and afterward, the Fed is seen probing timing for an end to its zero-interest rate policy while looking for an opportune time to raise rates.
ＦＲＢはＱＥ３縮小を継続し、年内にも終了させる方針という。来年以降、ゼロ金利政策の終了と利上げ時期も探るとみられる。
Due attention should be paid to the adverse impact of colossal money supplies worldwide that have so far been in place, as they could lead to rekindling of economic bubbles in the United States, emerging market countries and elsewhere.
これまでの巨額マネーの供給で米国や新興国にバブルが再燃する副作用への警戒も必要だ。
Implementation of the exit strategy, however, will require a considerably long period of time. The ability of incoming Fed chair Janet Yellen, who is to take the place of Chairman Ben Bernanke toward the end of January, will certainly be tested through her efforts to ensure that no danger arises of the world economy and markets plunging into turmoil in the process of the implementation of the Fed’s exit strategy.
とは言え、出口戦略は長い道のりになる。世界経済や市場に混乱を招かないよう、１月末にバーナンキ議長と交代するイエレン新議長の手腕が問われる。
How things evolve regarding U.S. congressional discussions on fiscal measures is also of key significance.
米国の財政協議も焦点だ。
It is a highly welcome development that Democrats and Republicans in Congress have reached common ground on a federal budget deal, successfully averting a recurrence of a partial shutdown of government functions.
議会の与野党が、予算確保で合意し、政府機関の一部閉鎖（シャットダウン）の再来を回避したことは評価したい。
Should the two parties fail to strike an agreement on raising the federal government’s debt ceiling in time for the Feb. 7 deadline, however, there would be a high risk of U.S. treasury bonds going into default. If U.S. treasury bonds actually went into default, there would be serious damage to not only the United States but also the rest of the world economy.
だが、２月７日までに与野党が連邦債務上限引き上げで合意しないと、米国債がデフォルト（債務不履行）に陥る別のリスクが迫っている。現実に起きれば米国だけでなく、世界に打撃を与える。
Therefore, it was reasonable for U.S. President Barack Obama to ask Republican Party members in Congress to unconditionally approve raising the debt ceiling. The confrontation between the Democrats and Republicans is expected to continue ahead of midterm elections in November, but an early agreement on the matter is needed.
オバマ大統領が野党共和党に無条件での上限引き上げを求めたのはもっともだ。１１月の中間選挙を控えて与野党の対立は続くが、早期合意を図ってもらいたい。
The European Central Bank carried out an additional interest rate cut in November despite having been able to stem the business slowdown because it was wary about prices hovering at low levels.
景気後退を食い止めたのに、欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）が昨年１１月に追加利下げしたのは、物価低迷を警戒しているためだ。
Europe must avoid deflation
◆欧州はデフレ回避を
The growth rate in consumer prices has been held to less than 1 percent, lower than the 2 percent targeted by the ECB. There is concern that Europe will fall into deflation like Japan.
ユーロ圏の消費者物価上昇率は０％台にとどまり、ＥＣＢが目標とする２％を下回る。日本のようなデフレ転落も懸念される。
If Europe’s favorable economic turn should prove to be a “false dawn,” it will hobble the world economy again.
欧州の経済好転が「偽りの夜明け」に終われば、再び世界経済の足かせになろう。
The ECB should not hesitate to take the next steps, including an additional interest rate cut. Deflation must be avoided while keeping a close watch on price and business trends at the same time.
ＥＣＢは追加利下げなどの「次の一手」を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)してはならない。物価と景気を両にらみしつつ、デフレを食い止めるべきだ。
ECB stress tests on eurozone banks will start shortly ahead of its integrated supervision of the banks starting this autumn.
今秋、ＥＣＢに域内の銀行監督が一元化されるのに先立ち、銀行の資産査定（ストレステスト）がまもなく始まる。
It is indispensable to promote the strengthening of the financial underpinnings of banks with capital shortages to prevent financial uncertainty from flaring up again.
資本不足行の財務基盤強化を進め、金融不安の再燃を防ぐことも欠かせない。
The pace of growth has been slowing down across the board in emerging economies. Difficult economic management is expected to continue in China, and the country is likely to see a growth rate of about 7.5 percent this year, unlike the double-digit growth it once marked.
新興国では、成長が軒並み減速している。難しい経済運営が続く中国は、今年もかつての２ケタ成長を下回る７・５％程度の成長にとどまる見通しだ。
In China, nonbanks and other financial institutions have collected funds from individuals by selling high-interest financial products. These funds have been used to promote public works projects and real estate development in regional areas. It is problematic that the real situation of such shadow banking remains unknown.
ノンバンクなどが高金利の金融商品で個人から集めた資金が、地方の公共事業や不動産開発を後押しする。そうした「影の銀行（シャドーバンキング）」の実態が依然不透明なことは問題である。
Shadow banking problematic
◆中国「影の銀行」問題
Investment firms under the umbrella of Chinese local governments have a huge amount of debts. It is vital to prevent a situation in which the Chinese financial system is shaken by deferred debt repayment.
地方政府傘下の投資会社は巨額債務を抱える。債務返済が滞り、中国の金融システムを揺るがす事態を防ぐことが肝要だ。
How can China break away from an investment-dependent economy and achieve a soft landing for stable growth? Correcting economic disparities is also a tough challenge. China should accelerate reform.
投資依存型経済から脱却し、安定成長にどう軟着陸させるか。経済格差是正も難題である。中国の改革加速が求められよう。
Due to the U.S. “exit strategy” of scaling down quantitative monetary easing, investment money has been withdrawn from Brazil and India among other countries, and there is now a real possibility of a vicious circle in which the weakening of their currencies leads to the stagnation of their real economies.
ブラジル、インドなどでは、米国の量的緩和縮小に伴って、投資マネーが引き揚げられ、自国通貨安が実体経済の低迷をもたらす悪循環が現実味を帯びる。
As it has become an urgent task to rein in high prices, central banks of various countries have been tightening their money supply.
一方、物価高の抑制も急務になり、各国の中央銀行が金融引き締めを強化している。
To broaden the vision of the world economy, now lighted by a faint hope, advanced and emerging economies must overcome their own challenges and promote policy coordination.
薄明かりがともった世界経済の展望を広げるには、先進国と新興国がそれぞれの課題を克服し、政策協調を図らねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 3, 2014)
（2014年1月3日01時38分 読売新聞）
2014/01/04
コミッショナー ＮＰＢの体制強化を最優先に
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 2, 2014
New commissioner must place top priority on strengthening NPB
コミッショナー ＮＰＢの体制強化を最優先に（12月31日付・読売社説）
We hope the new commissioner of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization will throw his energy into making Japan’s professional baseball even more loved.
プロ野球が一層、国民に愛されるよう、力を注いでほしい。
Lawyer Katsuhiko Kumazaki, former chief of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s special investigation squad, will become NPB’s new commissioner as of Wednesday.
東京地検特捜部長などを務めた弁護士の熊崎勝彦氏が、１月１日付でプロ野球の新コミッショナーに就任することが決まった。
“I want to make the most of my abilities to make Japanese pro baseball more vigorous so it can contribute to society,” Kumazaki said at a press conference.
熊崎氏は記者会見で、「プロ野球界を活力あるものにし、社会に貢献できるように持ち味を発揮したい」と抱負を語った。
Kumazaki has been in charge of compliance issues as an adviser to NPB’s commissioner since 2005. Expectations are high that he will exercise leadership to work out the problems that Japan’s professional baseball is currently saddled with by utilizing that experience.
２００５年からコミッショナー顧問として、コンプライアンス（法令順守）問題などを担当してきた。その経験を生かし、プロ野球界が抱える問題点を改善するリーダーシップが期待される。
What Kumazaki must work on first is to carry out reform in NPB after it lost the trust of baseball fans due to a problem concerning the introduction of unified ball.
まず、手がけねばならないのは、足元の日本野球機構（ＮＰＢ）の改革である。統一球問題で、ＮＰＢはファンの信頼を失った。
Ryozo Kato, former NPB commissioner, said he did not know the unified ball’s coefficient of restitution had been increased. Reforming NPB, in which such important information does not reach the head of the organization, is an urgent task.
加藤良三・前コミッショナーは、統一球の反発力が高まった事実を把握していなかったという。重要情報がトップに伝わらないＮＰＢの組織改革が急務だ。
Kumazaki said he needs a full-time assistant who will meticulously keep watch on things in NPB. It is necessary to establish governance functions that enable the commissioner to make appropriate decisions.
熊崎氏は、細かく目配りできる常勤の補佐役が必要だとの考えを示した。コミッショナーが的確な判断を下せるガバナンス（統治機能）を確立する必要がある。
A decisive moment
The status of professional baseball remains severe. Although the number of spectators increased this season both in the Central League and the Pacific League compared to last season, four teams saw their spectators decrease. The number of professional baseball games aired on terrestrial broadcasting also fell.
プロ野球を取り巻く環境は依然、厳しい。今季はセ・パ両リーグとも昨季より観客数が増えたものの、４球団では減少した。テレビの地上波中継も減っている。
We urge the new commissioner to cooperate with the 12 teams and do his utmost to improve various services for baseball fans.
ファンサービス向上のため、新コミッショナーは１２球団と連携し、知恵を絞ってもらいたい。
In particular, Kumazaki must devise a strategy to enhance the appeal of Japan’s national team—called Samurai Japan, which has been formed on a permanent basis—to help increase NPB’s earnings. His ability will be tested, for example, in setting up international games that will please baseball fans.
特に、常設化した日本代表（侍ジャパン）の魅力を高め、収益につなげる戦略が求められる。ファンが喜ぶ国際試合の設定などで、手腕が問われよう。
Meanwhile, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have recently allowed ace Masahiro Tanaka to move to the major leagues.
楽天は、エースの田中将大投手の米大リーグ移籍を容認した。
A professional baseball player’s dream to take on the challenge of playing in the major leagues and make a leap forward deserves respect.
大リーグに挑戦し、飛躍したいという選手の夢は、可能な限り尊重すべきだろう。
However, the fact is that Japan’s professional baseball will inevitably decline if star players continue to flow out to the major leagues.
一方で、スター選手の流出が続けば、プロ野球の地盤沈下が避けられないのも事実である。
The posting system used when a Japanese player moves to the major leagues has significantly changed. Under the revised system, a Japanese team that allows a player to go to the major leagues sets a posting fee of up to $20 million, or ¥2 billion.
今回、日本選手が大リーグに移籍するためのポスティングシステムが、大きく変更された。移籍を容認した日本の球団が、２０００万ドル（約２０億円）を上限に譲渡金を設定する仕組みになった。
The revision apparently reflects the major leagues’ wish to hold down the money the clubs pay to acquire Japanese players, which previously had no limit.
上限がなかった日本選手の獲得金額を抑えたい大リーグ側の意向を反映した制度変更と言える。
For baseball to further develop around the world, it is indispensable for the Japanese and U.S. professional baseball worlds, the two axes of the sport, to ensure coexistence and mutual prosperity.
野球が世界的にさらに発展するには、軸となる日米の球界が共存共栄していくことが欠かせない。
Formulating fair rules between Japan and the United States on the acquisition of Japanese players is also an important task that the new commissioner must work on.
選手獲得における日米の公平なルール作りも、新コミッショナーの重要な課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2013)
（2013年12月31日02時07分 読売新聞）
New commissioner must place top priority on strengthening NPB
コミッショナー ＮＰＢの体制強化を最優先に（12月31日付・読売社説）
We hope the new commissioner of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization will throw his energy into making Japan’s professional baseball even more loved.
プロ野球が一層、国民に愛されるよう、力を注いでほしい。
Lawyer Katsuhiko Kumazaki, former chief of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office’s special investigation squad, will become NPB’s new commissioner as of Wednesday.
東京地検特捜部長などを務めた弁護士の熊崎勝彦氏が、１月１日付でプロ野球の新コミッショナーに就任することが決まった。
“I want to make the most of my abilities to make Japanese pro baseball more vigorous so it can contribute to society,” Kumazaki said at a press conference.
熊崎氏は記者会見で、「プロ野球界を活力あるものにし、社会に貢献できるように持ち味を発揮したい」と抱負を語った。
Kumazaki has been in charge of compliance issues as an adviser to NPB’s commissioner since 2005. Expectations are high that he will exercise leadership to work out the problems that Japan’s professional baseball is currently saddled with by utilizing that experience.
２００５年からコミッショナー顧問として、コンプライアンス（法令順守）問題などを担当してきた。その経験を生かし、プロ野球界が抱える問題点を改善するリーダーシップが期待される。
What Kumazaki must work on first is to carry out reform in NPB after it lost the trust of baseball fans due to a problem concerning the introduction of unified ball.
まず、手がけねばならないのは、足元の日本野球機構（ＮＰＢ）の改革である。統一球問題で、ＮＰＢはファンの信頼を失った。
Ryozo Kato, former NPB commissioner, said he did not know the unified ball’s coefficient of restitution had been increased. Reforming NPB, in which such important information does not reach the head of the organization, is an urgent task.
加藤良三・前コミッショナーは、統一球の反発力が高まった事実を把握していなかったという。重要情報がトップに伝わらないＮＰＢの組織改革が急務だ。
Kumazaki said he needs a full-time assistant who will meticulously keep watch on things in NPB. It is necessary to establish governance functions that enable the commissioner to make appropriate decisions.
熊崎氏は、細かく目配りできる常勤の補佐役が必要だとの考えを示した。コミッショナーが的確な判断を下せるガバナンス（統治機能）を確立する必要がある。
A decisive moment
The status of professional baseball remains severe. Although the number of spectators increased this season both in the Central League and the Pacific League compared to last season, four teams saw their spectators decrease. The number of professional baseball games aired on terrestrial broadcasting also fell.
プロ野球を取り巻く環境は依然、厳しい。今季はセ・パ両リーグとも昨季より観客数が増えたものの、４球団では減少した。テレビの地上波中継も減っている。
We urge the new commissioner to cooperate with the 12 teams and do his utmost to improve various services for baseball fans.
ファンサービス向上のため、新コミッショナーは１２球団と連携し、知恵を絞ってもらいたい。
In particular, Kumazaki must devise a strategy to enhance the appeal of Japan’s national team—called Samurai Japan, which has been formed on a permanent basis—to help increase NPB’s earnings. His ability will be tested, for example, in setting up international games that will please baseball fans.
特に、常設化した日本代表（侍ジャパン）の魅力を高め、収益につなげる戦略が求められる。ファンが喜ぶ国際試合の設定などで、手腕が問われよう。
Meanwhile, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles have recently allowed ace Masahiro Tanaka to move to the major leagues.
楽天は、エースの田中将大投手の米大リーグ移籍を容認した。
A professional baseball player’s dream to take on the challenge of playing in the major leagues and make a leap forward deserves respect.
大リーグに挑戦し、飛躍したいという選手の夢は、可能な限り尊重すべきだろう。
However, the fact is that Japan’s professional baseball will inevitably decline if star players continue to flow out to the major leagues.
一方で、スター選手の流出が続けば、プロ野球の地盤沈下が避けられないのも事実である。
The posting system used when a Japanese player moves to the major leagues has significantly changed. Under the revised system, a Japanese team that allows a player to go to the major leagues sets a posting fee of up to $20 million, or ¥2 billion.
今回、日本選手が大リーグに移籍するためのポスティングシステムが、大きく変更された。移籍を容認した日本の球団が、２０００万ドル（約２０億円）を上限に譲渡金を設定する仕組みになった。
The revision apparently reflects the major leagues’ wish to hold down the money the clubs pay to acquire Japanese players, which previously had no limit.
上限がなかった日本選手の獲得金額を抑えたい大リーグ側の意向を反映した制度変更と言える。
For baseball to further develop around the world, it is indispensable for the Japanese and U.S. professional baseball worlds, the two axes of the sport, to ensure coexistence and mutual prosperity.
野球が世界的にさらに発展するには、軸となる日米の球界が共存共栄していくことが欠かせない。
Formulating fair rules between Japan and the United States on the acquisition of Japanese players is also an important task that the new commissioner must work on.
選手獲得における日米の公平なルール作りも、新コミッショナーの重要な課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2013)
（2013年12月31日02時07分 読売新聞）
2014/01/03
独大連立政権 欧州経済の再生に責任は重い
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 2, 2014
Germany should bolster efforts to lift eurozone out of crisis
独大連立政権 欧州経済の再生に責任は重い（12月31日付・読売社説）
We expect German Chancellor Angela Merkel to exercise leadership to overcome the European fiscal and financial crisis now that she has secured a stable political foundation.
安定的な政権基盤を得たメルケル・ドイツ首相が欧州財政・金融危機の克服に指導力を発揮することを期待したい。
The third Merkel Cabinet was launched in Europe’s biggest economic power through the formation of a grand coalition between Germany’s two major political parties—her center-right Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD)—for the first time in four years.
欧州一の経済大国、ドイツで、中道左右の２大政党が４年ぶりに大連立を組み、第３次メルケル政権が発足した。
As the German Bundestag, or lower house, has members elected basically by proportional representation, it is difficult for even a major party to secure a majority on its own. Negotiations to form a coalition government are thus inevitable.
ドイツ連邦議会（下院）の選挙制度は基本的に比例代表制であるため、大政党でも単独過半数を占めることは難しく、政権作りには連立交渉が避けられない。
The CDU/CSU secured a stunning victory in the September general election, after which it negotiated with the SPD, the largest opposition party, to form the grand coalition.
９月の総選挙で大勝したのは、首相率いる中道右派、キリスト教民主・社会同盟（ＣＤＵ・ＣＳＵ）で、最大野党の中道左派、社会民主党（ＳＰＤ）と交渉した。
However, it took more than 80 days to launch the new coalition because the SPD adamantly demanded that the coalition government realize SPD’s campaign pledges, including the introduction of a nationwide minimum wage system, when formulating an accord to form the coalition. It cannot be denied that this created a political vacuum in Germany and stalled debates in the European Union to address the financial crisis.
だが、社民党が連立合意作りで、全国一律の最低賃金制度導入などの公約実現を強く主張し、政権発足に８０日以上も要した。国内の政治空白が生じ、欧州連合（ＥＵ）における危機対策をめぐる論議の停滞を招いたのは否めない。
The coalition agreement signed by the two parties called for fiscal rehabilitation and structural reform by eurozone countries. Their accord opposed initiatives that could increase the burden on Germany, saying that the measures, including a proposal to issue common euro-area bonds to procure funds based on the credibility of the eurozone, could foster laxity among indebted nations.
両党がまとめた連立合意書は、ユーロ加盟国に対して財政健全化と構造改革を求めた。ユーロ圏の信用で資金調達する「ユーロ共通債」など、ドイツの負担増につながる構想には、債務国の甘えを助長するとして、反対している。
That is what the Merkel administration has been asserting, but it nonetheless demonstrated again its basic stance in overcoming the European crisis.
メルケル政権の従来路線の踏襲だ。危機克服に取り組む基本姿勢を改めて示したと言えよう。
Danger of deflation
Greece and other south European nations are plagued with aggravated unemployment, prompting some observers to point out the risk of the eurozone plunging into deflation.
ギリシャなど南欧諸国は失業増に苦しみ、ユーロ圏がデフレに陥る危険も指摘される。
Germany, which achieved the world’s largest current account surplus in 2012, is essentially the only economically sound nation in Europe. Germany should consider policies to facilitate economic recovery in Europe, including increasing imports from other eurozone nations by boosting its domestic consumption.
経済が堅調で、昨年経常黒字が世界最大だったドイツは、「独り勝ち」の状況だ。欧州の景気回復に向け、内需拡大で域内諸国から輸入増を図るなど、成長に資する政策を検討する必要がある。
The coalition agreement reconfirmed the existing “nuclear phaseout” stance to reduce the number of nuclear power plants to zero by the end of 2022.
連立合意書は、エネルギー分野では、２０２２年までに原子力発電所を全廃するというこれまでの「脱原発」政策も再確認した。
But it said the coalition government will overhaul the nation’s feed-in tariff system, which requires utility companies to buy renewable energy—expected by many to be an alternative energy source for nuclear energy—at a high rate for certain number of years.
ただ、代替電力として期待される再生可能エネルギーについては、電力会社が電力を一定年数、高値で買い取る「固定価格買い取り制度」を抜本的に見直す。
The grand coalition plans to make it a fundamental principle to trade renewable energy generated at newly established facilities in the market and introduce other measures to ensure a competitive environment in this field.
新設の再生エネ施設で発電された電力は市場での取引を原則とするなど、競争原理が働きやすい仕組みを取り入れるという。
The feed-in tariff system was introduced in 2000 as a pillar of a program to promote the proliferation of renewable energy use. Since then, the electricity rate for households has continuously increased to its present figure, which is double the 2000 level. We believe the move to overhaul the system is appropriate, considering the widespread public criticism of it.
再生エネ普及促進策の核として、この制度が２０００年に導入されて以来、家庭の電力料金は右肩上がりで上昇し、現在約２倍にまでなっている。国民の反発は強く、見直しは当然と言える。
Japan’s feed-in tariff system was modeled after the German system. Japan should also review this system by closely paying attention to Germany’s moves in this regard.
日本の固定価格買い取り制度は、ドイツを参考にして作られた。日本は、ドイツの現状を注視し、制度見直しを進めるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2013)
（2013年12月31日02時07分 読売新聞）
Germany should bolster efforts to lift eurozone out of crisis
独大連立政権 欧州経済の再生に責任は重い（12月31日付・読売社説）
We expect German Chancellor Angela Merkel to exercise leadership to overcome the European fiscal and financial crisis now that she has secured a stable political foundation.
安定的な政権基盤を得たメルケル・ドイツ首相が欧州財政・金融危機の克服に指導力を発揮することを期待したい。
The third Merkel Cabinet was launched in Europe’s biggest economic power through the formation of a grand coalition between Germany’s two major political parties—her center-right Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD)—for the first time in four years.
欧州一の経済大国、ドイツで、中道左右の２大政党が４年ぶりに大連立を組み、第３次メルケル政権が発足した。
As the German Bundestag, or lower house, has members elected basically by proportional representation, it is difficult for even a major party to secure a majority on its own. Negotiations to form a coalition government are thus inevitable.
ドイツ連邦議会（下院）の選挙制度は基本的に比例代表制であるため、大政党でも単独過半数を占めることは難しく、政権作りには連立交渉が避けられない。
The CDU/CSU secured a stunning victory in the September general election, after which it negotiated with the SPD, the largest opposition party, to form the grand coalition.
９月の総選挙で大勝したのは、首相率いる中道右派、キリスト教民主・社会同盟（ＣＤＵ・ＣＳＵ）で、最大野党の中道左派、社会民主党（ＳＰＤ）と交渉した。
However, it took more than 80 days to launch the new coalition because the SPD adamantly demanded that the coalition government realize SPD’s campaign pledges, including the introduction of a nationwide minimum wage system, when formulating an accord to form the coalition. It cannot be denied that this created a political vacuum in Germany and stalled debates in the European Union to address the financial crisis.
だが、社民党が連立合意作りで、全国一律の最低賃金制度導入などの公約実現を強く主張し、政権発足に８０日以上も要した。国内の政治空白が生じ、欧州連合（ＥＵ）における危機対策をめぐる論議の停滞を招いたのは否めない。
The coalition agreement signed by the two parties called for fiscal rehabilitation and structural reform by eurozone countries. Their accord opposed initiatives that could increase the burden on Germany, saying that the measures, including a proposal to issue common euro-area bonds to procure funds based on the credibility of the eurozone, could foster laxity among indebted nations.
両党がまとめた連立合意書は、ユーロ加盟国に対して財政健全化と構造改革を求めた。ユーロ圏の信用で資金調達する「ユーロ共通債」など、ドイツの負担増につながる構想には、債務国の甘えを助長するとして、反対している。
That is what the Merkel administration has been asserting, but it nonetheless demonstrated again its basic stance in overcoming the European crisis.
メルケル政権の従来路線の踏襲だ。危機克服に取り組む基本姿勢を改めて示したと言えよう。
Danger of deflation
Greece and other south European nations are plagued with aggravated unemployment, prompting some observers to point out the risk of the eurozone plunging into deflation.
ギリシャなど南欧諸国は失業増に苦しみ、ユーロ圏がデフレに陥る危険も指摘される。
Germany, which achieved the world’s largest current account surplus in 2012, is essentially the only economically sound nation in Europe. Germany should consider policies to facilitate economic recovery in Europe, including increasing imports from other eurozone nations by boosting its domestic consumption.
経済が堅調で、昨年経常黒字が世界最大だったドイツは、「独り勝ち」の状況だ。欧州の景気回復に向け、内需拡大で域内諸国から輸入増を図るなど、成長に資する政策を検討する必要がある。
The coalition agreement reconfirmed the existing “nuclear phaseout” stance to reduce the number of nuclear power plants to zero by the end of 2022.
連立合意書は、エネルギー分野では、２０２２年までに原子力発電所を全廃するというこれまでの「脱原発」政策も再確認した。
But it said the coalition government will overhaul the nation’s feed-in tariff system, which requires utility companies to buy renewable energy—expected by many to be an alternative energy source for nuclear energy—at a high rate for certain number of years.
ただ、代替電力として期待される再生可能エネルギーについては、電力会社が電力を一定年数、高値で買い取る「固定価格買い取り制度」を抜本的に見直す。
The grand coalition plans to make it a fundamental principle to trade renewable energy generated at newly established facilities in the market and introduce other measures to ensure a competitive environment in this field.
新設の再生エネ施設で発電された電力は市場での取引を原則とするなど、競争原理が働きやすい仕組みを取り入れるという。
The feed-in tariff system was introduced in 2000 as a pillar of a program to promote the proliferation of renewable energy use. Since then, the electricity rate for households has continuously increased to its present figure, which is double the 2000 level. We believe the move to overhaul the system is appropriate, considering the widespread public criticism of it.
再生エネ普及促進策の核として、この制度が２０００年に導入されて以来、家庭の電力料金は右肩上がりで上昇し、現在約２倍にまでなっている。国民の反発は強く、見直しは当然と言える。
Japan’s feed-in tariff system was modeled after the German system. Japan should also review this system by closely paying attention to Germany’s moves in this regard.
日本の固定価格買い取り制度は、ドイツを参考にして作られた。日本は、ドイツの現状を注視し、制度見直しを進めるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2013)
（2013年12月31日02時07分 読売新聞）
2014/01/02
日本浮上へ総力を結集せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 1, 2014
Deal with economy, China to ensure Japan can rise again
日本浮上へ総力を結集せよ（1月1日付・読売社説）
◆「経済」と「中国」に万全の備えを
This nation must be saved from drowning in the sea of deflation, a challenge essential for putting its economy onto an upward trend.
デフレの海で溺れている日本を救い出し、上昇気流に乗せなければならない。
Doing so will definitely require success in achieving the targets set in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policy line, known as Abenomics, through efforts to ensure his administration is kept running even more stably.
それには、安倍政権が政治の安定を維持し、首相の経済政策「アベノミクス」が成功を収めることが不可欠である。
With this in mind, the government should place priority on economic growth over fiscal reconstruction for the time being, a task necessary to revitalize the economy and increase tax revenue.
当面は、財政再建より経済成長を優先して日本経済を再生させ、税収を増やす道を選ぶべきだ。
This must be accompanied by efforts to disburse financial resources in such fields as pensions, medical and other forms of social security, along with national security, crisis management and energy. Success in that endeavor is indispensable for boosting Japan’s national strength from the mid- and long-term standpoints.
そのうえで、年金・医療などの社会保障、安全保障・危機管理、エネルギーなどの政策分野に投資し、中長期的に国力を上昇させていくことが肝要である。
In promoting good external relations, the government needs to ensure stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
対外的には、アジア太平洋地域の安定が望ましい。
China has been escalating its high-handed behavior in the East China Sea and in the sky above the area in recent months. Few eyebrows would be raised if an accidental conflict erupted between Japan and China at any time. This situation will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
中国が東シナ海とその上空で、強圧的な行動をエスカレートさせている。日本との間に偶発的衝突がいつあってもおかしくない、厳しい情勢が続く。
Perceived military tensions in this region must be relaxed through repeated dialogue between Japanese and Chinese diplomatic and defense authorities, coupled with efforts to improve the functions of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日中両国の外交・防衛当局者による対話を重ねつつ、日米同盟の機能を高めることで、軍事的緊張を和らげねばならない。
The economy and China will likely be the two major focuses of government policy this year. Failure to squarely confront the two tasks—one domestic, the other external—will render useless any attempt by Japan to start rising to prominence, economically or otherwise.
今年も「経済」と「中国」が焦点となろう。この内外のテーマに正面から立ち向かわずに、日本が浮上することはない。
Crunch time for Abenomics
◆アベノミクスに試練
One year has passed since Abe inaugurated his second Cabinet. The prime minister was at the forefront of his ruling coalition’s victory in the House of Councillors election last summer, a triumph that sealed an end to the divided Diet. This has enabled the Liberal Democratic Party to emerge as the sole dominant power in the political arena, reducing all other parties to lesser forces.
第２次安倍内閣が発足して１年が経過した。首相は昨年夏の参院選で衆参両院のねじれを解消し、自民党が突出する「１強多弱」体制を作り上げた。
His Cabinet has consistently enjoyed a high popular support rating. Despite a drop in the rating due to turmoil arising from the enactment of the state secrets protection law during an extraordinary Diet session last year, the figure still stands in the 50 percent range.
内閣支持率は一貫して高い。昨年の臨時国会での特定秘密保護法成立の混乱によって低下したが、なお５０％台を維持している。
This should be solely attributed to Abe’s focused efforts on economic recovery, a task that comes first in the list of his policy priorities.
安倍首相が、政策課題に優先順位をつけ、専ら「経済」に力を注いできたからにほかならない。
The prime minister’s pursuit of his Abenomics policy is accomplishing a certain degree of success. This is evident in the fact, for example, that two of the three pillars stipulated in his policy—bold monetary relaxation and flexible fiscal stimulus—have apparently caused the economy to pick up. This has been accompanied by realizing higher stock prices and a decline in the value of the yen. There is no doubt that the current situation has helped make Japan’s presence felt more strongly in the international community.
アベノミクスは、３本の矢のうち、大胆な金融緩和と機動的な財政出動の２本の矢によって、日本の景気を持ち直し、株高・円安も実現するなど、一定の成果を上げている。日本の国際社会での存在感が増したことも確かだ。
However, it is still uncertain whether—and how, for that matter—the Bank of Japan will be able to bring the annual price increase rate to 2 percent, a target set by the central bank to overcome protracted deflation. Furthermore, there is a limit to how long the benefits of the fiscal measures taken by the government to underpin the economy will endure. The Abe Cabinet’s high support rating is primarily because the public expect he will be able to recharge the economy. His high popularity does not mean people actually feel their living conditions are improving under the current administration.
だが、日銀がデフレ克服の目標に掲げる「２％の物価上昇率」の実現への道筋は、なお不透明だ。景気を下支えする財政出動は持続力に限りがある。世論の支持も、景気回復への期待が先行し、必ずしも生活向上を実感できたからではない。
Given this, the Abenomics policy will be tested over whether it can truly achieve its purpose this year.
今年は、アベノミクスの真価が問われる。
The prime minister’s decision in October to implement a consumption tax rate hike, as initially planned, means the rate will rise from 5 percent to 8 percent in April.
首相の決断によって、４月に消費税率が５％から８％に引き上げられる。
The economy will likely remain more or less upbeat until the end of March, partly due to last-minute rise in demand for such commodities as consumer durables. In April and beyond, however, the economy could take a downturn due to dampened consumer appetite in reaction to the tax rate increase.
３月までは、耐久消費財などの「駆け込み需要」もあって、景気は回復基調で推移するだろう。だが、消費が冷え込む「反動減」が予想される４月以降は、景気が腰折れしかねない。
To minimize the effect of the tax hike on consumption, the government put together an economic stimulus package worth about ¥5.5 trillion at government expense, the main pillars of which include financial and other support for business corporations and public works projects. With a similar purpose in mind, the government has devised a bloated budget for fiscal 2014.
政府は消費増税の影響を最小限に抑えるため、企業支援や公共事業を柱に国費で５・５兆円規模の経済対策を打ち出した。２０１４年度予算案も大きく膨らんだ。
However, we think the package is less than satisfactory when it comes to supporting ordinary household finances. It includes a one-shot financial support for low-income households, or what the government calls “simple benefit payment.” Meanwhile, the government decided not to introduce a lower tax rate for such essential goods as foodstuffs and newspapers. We hope the government and the ruling parties will prepare to introduce a mitigated tax rate system covering such necessities when a planned rate hike from 8 percent to 10 percent is implemented.
一方、家計への支援は物足りない。低所得者へ１回限りの「簡素な給付措置」が盛り込まれたが、食料品や新聞への軽減税率は導入が見送られた。政府・与党は１０％への消費増税と同時導入を期して準備を進めてもらいたい。
Abe must lead from front
◆成長戦略は首相主導で
The third pillar of Abenomics calls for translating a growth strategy into action. Success in ensuring the government’s growth strategy fulfills its aim is essential for accomplishing a sustainable economic growth led by the private sector, aided by job creation and higher wages that could be made possible through Abenomics.
アベノミクスが雇用や賃上げに波及して、民間主導の持続的な経済成長を実現するには、成長戦略という３本目の矢が、的を射なければならない。
However, it is uncertain whether the growth strategy will accomplish its goal. This was underlined by the large cut in the number of deregulatory steps to be implemented in what are called national strategy special zones, due to objections from various government offices and organizations that would be affected by this deregulation.
だが、国家戦略特区で行う規制緩和のメニューが各府省や関係団体の抵抗で大幅に後退するなど、戦略の実効性は心もとない。
The prime minister should play a leadership role in encouraging the private sector to inject its vitality, economic or otherwise, into growth markets, thus accelerating the effects of the third pillar of Abenomics.
首相が指導力を発揮し、民間活力を成長市場へ誘導することで、３本目の矢を加速させたい。
A recent rise in consumer prices cannot be considered a favorable trend triggered by increased demand, given that a surge in the prices of imported goods and higher electricity bills are major factors behind the situation. A favorable cycle—in which private corporations buoyed by improved business performance raise wages for their employees, which in turn improves family budgets and leads to increased consumption—must be created.
最近の消費者物価の上昇は、輸入物価や電気料金の値上げが背景にあり、需要増を契機とした「良い物価上昇」とは言えない。業績を上げた企業が賃金を引き上げ、家計の収入増が消費を拡大する好循環を実現せねばならない。
Success—or the lack thereof—of this policy depends on whether a stable supply of inexpensive electricity will be secured.
その成否のカギを握るのが、安価な電力の安定供給である。
Operations at all 50 reactors at nuclear power plants in Japan remain suspended. As things stand, the nation must shoulder a hefty ¥10 billion in additional costs for imported fuel for power generation such as liquefied natural gas each day. The additional burden is to operate thermal power plants to their fullest, thus making up for an electric power shortage while nuclear power reactors remain idled. This is an extra drain of national wealth to energy resource exporting countries.
原子力発電所は全５０基が停止している。電力不足を火力発電所のフル稼働で補うため、液化天然ガスなど輸入発電燃料の追加負担は１日１００億円に上る。国富が資源国に余計に流出している。
Nuclear power stations must be steadily brought back online once they have been confirmed safe to operate.
安全が確認できた原発を着実に再稼働させなければならない。
One worrisome factor is the delay in the Nuclear Regulation Authority’s safety checks that must be conducted before nuclear reactors can be brought back online. Given the time needed to obtain consent from local governments concerned and other necessary procedures, the reactors now being screened will be able to resume operations in summer at the earliest.
気がかりなのは、原子力規制委員会による原発再稼働の審査が遅れていることだ。地元の了解などの手続きを考慮すれば、再稼働は早くて夏ごろになってしまう。
With its low energy self-sufficiency rate, how Japan ensures a stable supply of electricity will be directly linked with its national strategy.
エネルギー自給率の低い日本が今後、どう電力を確保していくかは、国家戦略にも直結する。
The Abe administration plans to position nuclear energy as an “important basic energy source” in its basic plan on energy to be adopted by the Cabinet in January. We support the administration’s decision to drop the Democratic Party of Japan’s irresponsible “zero nuclear power” policy, leaving open the possibility of building new nuclear power plants or reactors.
安倍政権は１月中に閣議決定するエネルギー基本計画で、原発を「重要なベース電源」と位置づける。民主党政権の無責任な「原発ゼロ」路線と決別し、新増設に含みを残した点は支持したい。
Japan possesses some of the world’s most sophisticated nuclear technologies. Constructing safe, next-generation nuclear power stations is also necessary from the viewpoint of maintaining and nurturing human resources in this field. The nation also needs to expand exports of nuclear power infrastructure to boost economic growth.
日本は世界有数の原子力技術を保持している。安全な次世代型原発の新増設は、人材維持・育成の観点からも必要だ。原発のインフラ輸出を成長にも生かしたい。
In addition, the government must accelerate discussions on preparing an optimal combination of nuclear power, thermal power, solar power and other renewable energy sources.
政府は、電源として原子力、火力、太陽光発電など再生可能エネルギーをどう組み合わせるか、という議論を加速させるべきだ。
Accidental clashes
◆偶発的衝突の恐れも
China is attempting to change the status quo in the Asia-Pacific region by force, intensifying friction with its neighbors.
アジア太平洋地域では、中国が力による現状変更を試み、周辺国との摩擦を強めている。
Touting a policy of increasing wealth and military power it has labeled the “Chinese dream,” the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is increasingly conducting naval and airspace drills with its fleet and aircraft in the West Pacific, and strengthening its effective control of the South China Sea. China’s anti-access area-denial strategy against the United States is poised to bear fruit.
中国の習近平政権は、「中国の夢」と称する富国強兵路線を掲げて、西太平洋での艦隊・航空機演習や南シナ海の実効支配強化の動きを活発化させている。米軍への接近阻止・領域拒否（Ａ２ＡＤ）戦略が実を結ぼうとしている。
As for Japan, Chinese state vessels are stationed almost around-the-clock around the Senkaku Islands and repeatedly intrude into Japanese waters. Its unmanned aircraft fly over Japanese waters. Furthermore, it unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea that included the Senkaku Islands.
日本には、尖閣諸島周辺での公船常駐化と領海侵入、無人機の海上飛行を繰り返し、さらには尖閣を含む東シナ海上空に一方的に防空識別圏を設定した。
China has demanded that all aircraft flying within the ADIZ submit flight plans in advance, and threatened to adopt “emergency defensive measures” by the Chinese military against any plane that refuses to obey its instructions. We think it is extremely problematic that China treats the ADIZ like its territorial airspace.
中国は、識別圏内を飛行する全航空機に飛行計画の提出を求め、従わないなら「防御的緊急措置」の対象だと警告している。領空のごとく扱うのは極めて問題だ。
If this situation remains in place, Japan could become entangled in a military clash. The two countries urgently need to set up a liaison mechanism to help prevent an unexpected situation from erupting between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military.
このままでは日本が武力衝突の当事者になりかねない。自衛隊と中国軍との間に、不測の事態を回避する連絡メカニズムを構築することが急務となる。
China must not use Abe’s recent visit to Yasukuni Shrine as an excuse to refuse dialogue with Japan.
安倍首相の靖国神社参拝が、中国側に対話を拒む口実に使われることがあってはならない。
It will also be important to hold China in check by deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日米同盟の深化によって、中国を牽制(けんせい)することも重要だ。
The United States maintains the position that the Senkaku Islands fall within the scope of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which stipulates U.S. defense obligations to Japan. To ensure this article functions without fail, Japan will need to boost the roles it can play with the United States.
米国は尖閣諸島に対し、日米安保条約の対日防衛義務を定めた条項が適用される、という立場を変えていない。この条項が確実に機能するよう、米国との間で日本の役割も増強しなければならない。
It is timely that the Abe administration will review the Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines at the end of this year.
安倍政権が今年末に、日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）を見直すのは時宜にかなっている。
The new guidelines should stipulate what additional assistance the SDF can provide to U.S. forces and the U.S. forces’ expanded involvement in the defense of Japan’s remote islands such as the Senkakus so Tokyo and Washington can jointly operate smoothly and handle any crisis as it escalates from a time of peace to a contingency.
平時から有事へ、危機の拡大に応じた継ぎ目のない日米共同対処ができるよう、自衛隊の米軍支援の拡充、尖閣など離島防衛での米軍の関与拡大を打ち出したい。
It will also be unavoidable for the government to change its interpretation of the Constitution to enable Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense.
集団的自衛権の行使を可能にする憲法解釈の変更に踏み切ることも、避けて通れない。
The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are considering a new interpretation under which exercising the right to collective self-defense will be part of the “minimum necessary” exercise of force for self-defense. Given the worsening security environment surrounding the country, expanding the scope of what constitutes the “minimum necessary” exercise of force is quite understandable.
政府・自民党は、自衛のための「必要最小限の武力行使」に、集団的自衛権の行使も含める、とする新しい解釈を検討している。安全保障環境の悪化を受けて「必要最小限」の範囲を広げるのは、十分理解できる。
Along with the right to collective self-defense, it will also be necessary to deepen discussions on the right to individual self-defense. For instance, if intruders disguised as fishermen unlawfully occupy a remote island, a development that does not reach a military attack, how would the SDF respond? It will be necessary to spell out rules on the possible use of weapons in a scenario like this that could be described as the exercise of “the minor right to self-defense.”
集団的自衛権とともに、個別自衛権の議論も深めたい。例えば、偽装漁民による離島占拠という武力攻撃に至らない段階で、自衛隊は、どう対処するのか。こうした「マイナー自衛権」の武器使用の問題も詰めておく必要がある。
Contribute to regional stability
◆地域の安定に寄与せよ
The relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture recently saw a development. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has approved the central government’s request to carry out a land reclamation project in waters off the Henoko district in Nago in the prefecture, a necessary step for ultimately relocating the air station to the district. His decision has cleared the path for an issue that has remained unresolved between Japan and the United States since 1996.
沖縄県の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題は、進展を見せている。仲井真弘多知事が名護市辺野古の公有水面埋め立てを承認したことで、１９９６年以来の日米間の懸案が解決に向かいつつある。
Relocating the air base to Henoko would significantly reduce the burden Okinawa Prefecture shoulders by hosting U.S. bases, and enhance the deterrent provided by U.S. forces.
辺野古への移設が実現すれば、沖縄の基地負担軽減と、抑止力の向上に大きく貢献するだろう。
In December, the government decided on its first National Security Strategy. It urges China to play responsible and constructive roles for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. It also stipulates that Japan will continue to respond firmly but calmly against China’s attempts to forcibly change the present situation.
昨年１２月に初めて決定された国家安全保障戦略は、中国に、地域の平和と安定、繁栄のために責任ある建設的役割を果たすよう促すとともに、力による現状変更の試みには、冷静かつ毅然(きぜん)として対応していく、と記している。
With its birthrate declining and population aging, China’s working and manufacturing populations have started to decline. Under these circumstances, will China’s economic growth slow? How long will the United States place priority on the Asian region? How will such changes affect Japan’s security and economy?
中国は、少子高齢化が進行し、労働生産人口が減少し始めた。経済成長はどう鈍化していくのか。米国のアジア重視はいつまで続くのか。日本の安全保障や経済にどう影響を与えるのか。
Unlocking the answers to such questions will require analyzing information and drawing up strategic policies toward China.
情報を分析し、戦略的な対中政策を練り上げねばならない。
In the mid- and long-term, it is crucial for Japan to continue to contribute to the region’s security. In cooperation with the United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan must continuously persuade China to be aware of its responsibilities as a member of the international community, and to act accordingly. That is a key duty of Japan.
中長期的には、日本が地域の安全保障に寄与することが肝要だ。米国や東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）などと連携し、中国に対し、国際社会の一員としての責任を自覚して行動するよう説得し続けることが日本の責務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2014)
（2014年1月1日00時57分 読売新聞）
Deal with economy, China to ensure Japan can rise again
日本浮上へ総力を結集せよ（1月1日付・読売社説）
◆「経済」と「中国」に万全の備えを
This nation must be saved from drowning in the sea of deflation, a challenge essential for putting its economy onto an upward trend.
デフレの海で溺れている日本を救い出し、上昇気流に乗せなければならない。
Doing so will definitely require success in achieving the targets set in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policy line, known as Abenomics, through efforts to ensure his administration is kept running even more stably.
それには、安倍政権が政治の安定を維持し、首相の経済政策「アベノミクス」が成功を収めることが不可欠である。
With this in mind, the government should place priority on economic growth over fiscal reconstruction for the time being, a task necessary to revitalize the economy and increase tax revenue.
当面は、財政再建より経済成長を優先して日本経済を再生させ、税収を増やす道を選ぶべきだ。
This must be accompanied by efforts to disburse financial resources in such fields as pensions, medical and other forms of social security, along with national security, crisis management and energy. Success in that endeavor is indispensable for boosting Japan’s national strength from the mid- and long-term standpoints.
そのうえで、年金・医療などの社会保障、安全保障・危機管理、エネルギーなどの政策分野に投資し、中長期的に国力を上昇させていくことが肝要である。
In promoting good external relations, the government needs to ensure stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
対外的には、アジア太平洋地域の安定が望ましい。
China has been escalating its high-handed behavior in the East China Sea and in the sky above the area in recent months. Few eyebrows would be raised if an accidental conflict erupted between Japan and China at any time. This situation will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
中国が東シナ海とその上空で、強圧的な行動をエスカレートさせている。日本との間に偶発的衝突がいつあってもおかしくない、厳しい情勢が続く。
Perceived military tensions in this region must be relaxed through repeated dialogue between Japanese and Chinese diplomatic and defense authorities, coupled with efforts to improve the functions of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日中両国の外交・防衛当局者による対話を重ねつつ、日米同盟の機能を高めることで、軍事的緊張を和らげねばならない。
The economy and China will likely be the two major focuses of government policy this year. Failure to squarely confront the two tasks—one domestic, the other external—will render useless any attempt by Japan to start rising to prominence, economically or otherwise.
今年も「経済」と「中国」が焦点となろう。この内外のテーマに正面から立ち向かわずに、日本が浮上することはない。
Crunch time for Abenomics
◆アベノミクスに試練
One year has passed since Abe inaugurated his second Cabinet. The prime minister was at the forefront of his ruling coalition’s victory in the House of Councillors election last summer, a triumph that sealed an end to the divided Diet. This has enabled the Liberal Democratic Party to emerge as the sole dominant power in the political arena, reducing all other parties to lesser forces.
第２次安倍内閣が発足して１年が経過した。首相は昨年夏の参院選で衆参両院のねじれを解消し、自民党が突出する「１強多弱」体制を作り上げた。
His Cabinet has consistently enjoyed a high popular support rating. Despite a drop in the rating due to turmoil arising from the enactment of the state secrets protection law during an extraordinary Diet session last year, the figure still stands in the 50 percent range.
内閣支持率は一貫して高い。昨年の臨時国会での特定秘密保護法成立の混乱によって低下したが、なお５０％台を維持している。
This should be solely attributed to Abe’s focused efforts on economic recovery, a task that comes first in the list of his policy priorities.
安倍首相が、政策課題に優先順位をつけ、専ら「経済」に力を注いできたからにほかならない。
The prime minister’s pursuit of his Abenomics policy is accomplishing a certain degree of success. This is evident in the fact, for example, that two of the three pillars stipulated in his policy—bold monetary relaxation and flexible fiscal stimulus—have apparently caused the economy to pick up. This has been accompanied by realizing higher stock prices and a decline in the value of the yen. There is no doubt that the current situation has helped make Japan’s presence felt more strongly in the international community.
アベノミクスは、３本の矢のうち、大胆な金融緩和と機動的な財政出動の２本の矢によって、日本の景気を持ち直し、株高・円安も実現するなど、一定の成果を上げている。日本の国際社会での存在感が増したことも確かだ。
However, it is still uncertain whether—and how, for that matter—the Bank of Japan will be able to bring the annual price increase rate to 2 percent, a target set by the central bank to overcome protracted deflation. Furthermore, there is a limit to how long the benefits of the fiscal measures taken by the government to underpin the economy will endure. The Abe Cabinet’s high support rating is primarily because the public expect he will be able to recharge the economy. His high popularity does not mean people actually feel their living conditions are improving under the current administration.
だが、日銀がデフレ克服の目標に掲げる「２％の物価上昇率」の実現への道筋は、なお不透明だ。景気を下支えする財政出動は持続力に限りがある。世論の支持も、景気回復への期待が先行し、必ずしも生活向上を実感できたからではない。
Given this, the Abenomics policy will be tested over whether it can truly achieve its purpose this year.
今年は、アベノミクスの真価が問われる。
The prime minister’s decision in October to implement a consumption tax rate hike, as initially planned, means the rate will rise from 5 percent to 8 percent in April.
首相の決断によって、４月に消費税率が５％から８％に引き上げられる。
The economy will likely remain more or less upbeat until the end of March, partly due to last-minute rise in demand for such commodities as consumer durables. In April and beyond, however, the economy could take a downturn due to dampened consumer appetite in reaction to the tax rate increase.
３月までは、耐久消費財などの「駆け込み需要」もあって、景気は回復基調で推移するだろう。だが、消費が冷え込む「反動減」が予想される４月以降は、景気が腰折れしかねない。
To minimize the effect of the tax hike on consumption, the government put together an economic stimulus package worth about ¥5.5 trillion at government expense, the main pillars of which include financial and other support for business corporations and public works projects. With a similar purpose in mind, the government has devised a bloated budget for fiscal 2014.
政府は消費増税の影響を最小限に抑えるため、企業支援や公共事業を柱に国費で５・５兆円規模の経済対策を打ち出した。２０１４年度予算案も大きく膨らんだ。
However, we think the package is less than satisfactory when it comes to supporting ordinary household finances. It includes a one-shot financial support for low-income households, or what the government calls “simple benefit payment.” Meanwhile, the government decided not to introduce a lower tax rate for such essential goods as foodstuffs and newspapers. We hope the government and the ruling parties will prepare to introduce a mitigated tax rate system covering such necessities when a planned rate hike from 8 percent to 10 percent is implemented.
一方、家計への支援は物足りない。低所得者へ１回限りの「簡素な給付措置」が盛り込まれたが、食料品や新聞への軽減税率は導入が見送られた。政府・与党は１０％への消費増税と同時導入を期して準備を進めてもらいたい。
Abe must lead from front
◆成長戦略は首相主導で
The third pillar of Abenomics calls for translating a growth strategy into action. Success in ensuring the government’s growth strategy fulfills its aim is essential for accomplishing a sustainable economic growth led by the private sector, aided by job creation and higher wages that could be made possible through Abenomics.
アベノミクスが雇用や賃上げに波及して、民間主導の持続的な経済成長を実現するには、成長戦略という３本目の矢が、的を射なければならない。
However, it is uncertain whether the growth strategy will accomplish its goal. This was underlined by the large cut in the number of deregulatory steps to be implemented in what are called national strategy special zones, due to objections from various government offices and organizations that would be affected by this deregulation.
だが、国家戦略特区で行う規制緩和のメニューが各府省や関係団体の抵抗で大幅に後退するなど、戦略の実効性は心もとない。
The prime minister should play a leadership role in encouraging the private sector to inject its vitality, economic or otherwise, into growth markets, thus accelerating the effects of the third pillar of Abenomics.
首相が指導力を発揮し、民間活力を成長市場へ誘導することで、３本目の矢を加速させたい。
A recent rise in consumer prices cannot be considered a favorable trend triggered by increased demand, given that a surge in the prices of imported goods and higher electricity bills are major factors behind the situation. A favorable cycle—in which private corporations buoyed by improved business performance raise wages for their employees, which in turn improves family budgets and leads to increased consumption—must be created.
最近の消費者物価の上昇は、輸入物価や電気料金の値上げが背景にあり、需要増を契機とした「良い物価上昇」とは言えない。業績を上げた企業が賃金を引き上げ、家計の収入増が消費を拡大する好循環を実現せねばならない。
Success—or the lack thereof—of this policy depends on whether a stable supply of inexpensive electricity will be secured.
その成否のカギを握るのが、安価な電力の安定供給である。
Operations at all 50 reactors at nuclear power plants in Japan remain suspended. As things stand, the nation must shoulder a hefty ¥10 billion in additional costs for imported fuel for power generation such as liquefied natural gas each day. The additional burden is to operate thermal power plants to their fullest, thus making up for an electric power shortage while nuclear power reactors remain idled. This is an extra drain of national wealth to energy resource exporting countries.
原子力発電所は全５０基が停止している。電力不足を火力発電所のフル稼働で補うため、液化天然ガスなど輸入発電燃料の追加負担は１日１００億円に上る。国富が資源国に余計に流出している。
Nuclear power stations must be steadily brought back online once they have been confirmed safe to operate.
安全が確認できた原発を着実に再稼働させなければならない。
One worrisome factor is the delay in the Nuclear Regulation Authority’s safety checks that must be conducted before nuclear reactors can be brought back online. Given the time needed to obtain consent from local governments concerned and other necessary procedures, the reactors now being screened will be able to resume operations in summer at the earliest.
気がかりなのは、原子力規制委員会による原発再稼働の審査が遅れていることだ。地元の了解などの手続きを考慮すれば、再稼働は早くて夏ごろになってしまう。
With its low energy self-sufficiency rate, how Japan ensures a stable supply of electricity will be directly linked with its national strategy.
エネルギー自給率の低い日本が今後、どう電力を確保していくかは、国家戦略にも直結する。
The Abe administration plans to position nuclear energy as an “important basic energy source” in its basic plan on energy to be adopted by the Cabinet in January. We support the administration’s decision to drop the Democratic Party of Japan’s irresponsible “zero nuclear power” policy, leaving open the possibility of building new nuclear power plants or reactors.
安倍政権は１月中に閣議決定するエネルギー基本計画で、原発を「重要なベース電源」と位置づける。民主党政権の無責任な「原発ゼロ」路線と決別し、新増設に含みを残した点は支持したい。
Japan possesses some of the world’s most sophisticated nuclear technologies. Constructing safe, next-generation nuclear power stations is also necessary from the viewpoint of maintaining and nurturing human resources in this field. The nation also needs to expand exports of nuclear power infrastructure to boost economic growth.
日本は世界有数の原子力技術を保持している。安全な次世代型原発の新増設は、人材維持・育成の観点からも必要だ。原発のインフラ輸出を成長にも生かしたい。
In addition, the government must accelerate discussions on preparing an optimal combination of nuclear power, thermal power, solar power and other renewable energy sources.
政府は、電源として原子力、火力、太陽光発電など再生可能エネルギーをどう組み合わせるか、という議論を加速させるべきだ。
Accidental clashes
◆偶発的衝突の恐れも
China is attempting to change the status quo in the Asia-Pacific region by force, intensifying friction with its neighbors.
アジア太平洋地域では、中国が力による現状変更を試み、周辺国との摩擦を強めている。
Touting a policy of increasing wealth and military power it has labeled the “Chinese dream,” the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is increasingly conducting naval and airspace drills with its fleet and aircraft in the West Pacific, and strengthening its effective control of the South China Sea. China’s anti-access area-denial strategy against the United States is poised to bear fruit.
中国の習近平政権は、「中国の夢」と称する富国強兵路線を掲げて、西太平洋での艦隊・航空機演習や南シナ海の実効支配強化の動きを活発化させている。米軍への接近阻止・領域拒否（Ａ２ＡＤ）戦略が実を結ぼうとしている。
As for Japan, Chinese state vessels are stationed almost around-the-clock around the Senkaku Islands and repeatedly intrude into Japanese waters. Its unmanned aircraft fly over Japanese waters. Furthermore, it unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea that included the Senkaku Islands.
日本には、尖閣諸島周辺での公船常駐化と領海侵入、無人機の海上飛行を繰り返し、さらには尖閣を含む東シナ海上空に一方的に防空識別圏を設定した。
China has demanded that all aircraft flying within the ADIZ submit flight plans in advance, and threatened to adopt “emergency defensive measures” by the Chinese military against any plane that refuses to obey its instructions. We think it is extremely problematic that China treats the ADIZ like its territorial airspace.
中国は、識別圏内を飛行する全航空機に飛行計画の提出を求め、従わないなら「防御的緊急措置」の対象だと警告している。領空のごとく扱うのは極めて問題だ。
If this situation remains in place, Japan could become entangled in a military clash. The two countries urgently need to set up a liaison mechanism to help prevent an unexpected situation from erupting between the Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military.
このままでは日本が武力衝突の当事者になりかねない。自衛隊と中国軍との間に、不測の事態を回避する連絡メカニズムを構築することが急務となる。
China must not use Abe’s recent visit to Yasukuni Shrine as an excuse to refuse dialogue with Japan.
安倍首相の靖国神社参拝が、中国側に対話を拒む口実に使われることがあってはならない。
It will also be important to hold China in check by deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日米同盟の深化によって、中国を牽制(けんせい)することも重要だ。
The United States maintains the position that the Senkaku Islands fall within the scope of Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which stipulates U.S. defense obligations to Japan. To ensure this article functions without fail, Japan will need to boost the roles it can play with the United States.
米国は尖閣諸島に対し、日米安保条約の対日防衛義務を定めた条項が適用される、という立場を変えていない。この条項が確実に機能するよう、米国との間で日本の役割も増強しなければならない。
It is timely that the Abe administration will review the Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines at the end of this year.
安倍政権が今年末に、日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）を見直すのは時宜にかなっている。
The new guidelines should stipulate what additional assistance the SDF can provide to U.S. forces and the U.S. forces’ expanded involvement in the defense of Japan’s remote islands such as the Senkakus so Tokyo and Washington can jointly operate smoothly and handle any crisis as it escalates from a time of peace to a contingency.
平時から有事へ、危機の拡大に応じた継ぎ目のない日米共同対処ができるよう、自衛隊の米軍支援の拡充、尖閣など離島防衛での米軍の関与拡大を打ち出したい。
It will also be unavoidable for the government to change its interpretation of the Constitution to enable Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense.
集団的自衛権の行使を可能にする憲法解釈の変更に踏み切ることも、避けて通れない。
The government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are considering a new interpretation under which exercising the right to collective self-defense will be part of the “minimum necessary” exercise of force for self-defense. Given the worsening security environment surrounding the country, expanding the scope of what constitutes the “minimum necessary” exercise of force is quite understandable.
政府・自民党は、自衛のための「必要最小限の武力行使」に、集団的自衛権の行使も含める、とする新しい解釈を検討している。安全保障環境の悪化を受けて「必要最小限」の範囲を広げるのは、十分理解できる。
Along with the right to collective self-defense, it will also be necessary to deepen discussions on the right to individual self-defense. For instance, if intruders disguised as fishermen unlawfully occupy a remote island, a development that does not reach a military attack, how would the SDF respond? It will be necessary to spell out rules on the possible use of weapons in a scenario like this that could be described as the exercise of “the minor right to self-defense.”
集団的自衛権とともに、個別自衛権の議論も深めたい。例えば、偽装漁民による離島占拠という武力攻撃に至らない段階で、自衛隊は、どう対処するのか。こうした「マイナー自衛権」の武器使用の問題も詰めておく必要がある。
Contribute to regional stability
◆地域の安定に寄与せよ
The relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture recently saw a development. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has approved the central government’s request to carry out a land reclamation project in waters off the Henoko district in Nago in the prefecture, a necessary step for ultimately relocating the air station to the district. His decision has cleared the path for an issue that has remained unresolved between Japan and the United States since 1996.
沖縄県の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題は、進展を見せている。仲井真弘多知事が名護市辺野古の公有水面埋め立てを承認したことで、１９９６年以来の日米間の懸案が解決に向かいつつある。
Relocating the air base to Henoko would significantly reduce the burden Okinawa Prefecture shoulders by hosting U.S. bases, and enhance the deterrent provided by U.S. forces.
辺野古への移設が実現すれば、沖縄の基地負担軽減と、抑止力の向上に大きく貢献するだろう。
In December, the government decided on its first National Security Strategy. It urges China to play responsible and constructive roles for peace, stability and prosperity in the region. It also stipulates that Japan will continue to respond firmly but calmly against China’s attempts to forcibly change the present situation.
昨年１２月に初めて決定された国家安全保障戦略は、中国に、地域の平和と安定、繁栄のために責任ある建設的役割を果たすよう促すとともに、力による現状変更の試みには、冷静かつ毅然(きぜん)として対応していく、と記している。
With its birthrate declining and population aging, China’s working and manufacturing populations have started to decline. Under these circumstances, will China’s economic growth slow? How long will the United States place priority on the Asian region? How will such changes affect Japan’s security and economy?
中国は、少子高齢化が進行し、労働生産人口が減少し始めた。経済成長はどう鈍化していくのか。米国のアジア重視はいつまで続くのか。日本の安全保障や経済にどう影響を与えるのか。
Unlocking the answers to such questions will require analyzing information and drawing up strategic policies toward China.
情報を分析し、戦略的な対中政策を練り上げねばならない。
In the mid- and long-term, it is crucial for Japan to continue to contribute to the region’s security. In cooperation with the United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Japan must continuously persuade China to be aware of its responsibilities as a member of the international community, and to act accordingly. That is a key duty of Japan.
中長期的には、日本が地域の安全保障に寄与することが肝要だ。米国や東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）などと連携し、中国に対し、国際社会の一員としての責任を自覚して行動するよう説得し続けることが日本の責務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2014)
（2014年1月1日00時57分 読売新聞）
2014/01/01
２０１３回顧・世界 災害への同情と中国への不安
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 30, 2014
Natural disasters, China’s behavior catch public’s attention in 2013
２０１３回顧・世界 災害への同情と中国への不安（12月30日付・読売社説）
The top 10 international news items selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers for 2013 indicate that many people are deeply concerned about natural disasters that occurred overseas this year and feel sympathy for their victims. This stands to reason, as this nation is still struggling to rehabilitate areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.
東日本大震災からの復興途上にあるだけに、国民は、海外で起きた災害にも強い関心と同情を寄せているのだろう。
A powerful typhoon that struck parts of the Philippines in November took first place on the list of this year’s 10 major world news reports. Typhoon Haiyan wrecked Leyte Island and other areas, leaving about 8,000 people dead or missing.
本紙読者が選んだ「海外１０大ニュース」の１位は、「猛烈な台風がフィリピン直撃」だった。レイテ島などで、死者・行方不明者合計約８０００人という甚大な被害を出した。
Ranked third was the meteorite that streaked across the sky above Russia’s Ural Mountains in February before fragments of the meteor fell to the ground. Video footage of the meteor’s speeding through the atmosphere was broadcast on TV, and many Yomiuri readers apparently were impressed with the ferocity of this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
ロシアの「隕石(いんせき)落下」が３位だ。隕石の軌跡をとらえた映像がテレビで流れ、天変地異の凄(すさ)まじさが強い印象を残したようだ。
China’s rise to international prominence has been evident in the number of important news items related to that country in 2013. The past year has generated even more news reports about China than in the past.
今年は以前にも増して中国を巡る重要ニュースが多く、その台頭ぶりを裏付けた。
Xi Jinping’s elevation to the Chinese presidency in March was awarded fourth place. Backed by its own military muscle, the Chinese leadership has been high-handed in dealing with Japan. All this contributes to the even greater distrust felt by many Japanese toward that nation.
習近平氏の国家主席就任は、４位に入った。習政権は、日本に対して、軍事力を背景にした強圧的な姿勢を示している。日本の対中不信感は強まるばかりだ。
Today, China is confronted with a host of distortions that have accompanied its rapid economic growth, including widening disparities between the rich and the poor and deteriorating environmental conditions.
中国は、貧富の格差や環境悪化など、急激な成長に伴うひずみに直面している。
China’s worsening air pollution due to a high density of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) came in fifth place, indicating that many readers are deeply worried that China’s atmospheric pollution could affect this country.
微小粒子状物質（ＰＭ２・５）による大気汚染の深刻化が５位になったのは、日本にも汚染の影響が及ぶのではないか、という強い不安の反映でもあろう。
December brought a stunning report that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s uncle, Jang Song Thaek, had been purged as vice chairman of the country’s top military body, the National Defense Commission. This was followed by the astounding news that Jang, long considered the No. 2 power in Kim’s regime, had been executed. The incident was added as an extra to the top 10 list.
北朝鮮・金正恩政権のナンバー２と言われた張成沢・国防委員会副委員長が失脚して処刑されたという衝撃的な出来事は、１２月に報じられ、１０大ニュースの「番外」として追加された。
A purge and a prince
North Korea will remain an element of regional instability, given that the reclusive state seeks to set up an even stronger dictatorship through a reign of terror and continues to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
恐怖政治によって独裁体制を固め、核・ミサイルの開発を続ける北朝鮮は、来年も、地域の不安定要因であることに変わりない。
The start of U.S. President Barack Obama’s second term in January took ninth place. However, Obama has not made much administrative progress this year, as shown by the numerous difficulties he experienced in dealing with external and domestic affairs.
米国では、オバマ大統領が２期目をスタートさせた（９位）。だが、外交、内政ともつまずきが多く順調とは言えなかった。
The disclosures by Edward Snowden, a former employee of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, ranked eighth. Snowden, now a suspect in intelligence leakage and other cases, exposed a wide range of wiretapping activities by U.S. intelligence services both at home and overseas. Cited by him as the target of U.S. eavesdropping, some European countries have expressed strong anger at the U.S. administration.
米中央情報局（ＣＩＡ）の元職員エドワード・スノーデン容疑者が、国内外における米情報機関の広範囲な通信傍受を暴露した（８位）。傍受対象だとされた欧州諸国からは強い反発が起きた。
The affair has also drawn condemnation from Americans, and Obama is under pressure to reexamine the methods used by his country’s intelligence services to gather information.
米国民からも批判の声が上がっており、大統領は、情報収集の方法の見直しを迫られている。
In early October, the U.S. government staggered into a partial shutdown due to a deadlock between the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Democratic-controlled Senate over the federal budget, an incident that came in 13th.
連邦予算を巡る与野党対立で、１０月初めに政府機能の一部が停止する事態も発生した（１３位）。
One of the top 10 news items warmed people’s hearts: In July, Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate, welcomed a son they named George. The birth of the royal couple’s first son was awarded second place.
読者の心を和ませた出来事もあった。英国のウィリアム王子の妻キャサリン妃が、長男ジョージ王子を出産した（２位）。
In seventh place was the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in April at the age of 87. Thatcher deserves credit for her successful efforts to revitalize her country’s battered economy during her 11 years in office. In December came news of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, an antiapartheid icon who dedicated himself to achieving unity among all races in his country. The achievements of these two political leaders continue to inspire and influence people around the world today.
一方、英経済を再生させた「鉄の女」サッチャー元首相の死去（７位）に続き、１２月は、南アフリカで多人種融和に尽くしたマンデラ元大統領の訃報が伝えられた。２人の指導者の業績は、今日も世界に影響を与え続けている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 30, 2013)
（2013年12月30日01時25分 読売新聞）
Natural disasters, China’s behavior catch public’s attention in 2013
２０１３回顧・世界 災害への同情と中国への不安（12月30日付・読売社説）
The top 10 international news items selected by Yomiuri Shimbun readers for 2013 indicate that many people are deeply concerned about natural disasters that occurred overseas this year and feel sympathy for their victims. This stands to reason, as this nation is still struggling to rehabilitate areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011.
東日本大震災からの復興途上にあるだけに、国民は、海外で起きた災害にも強い関心と同情を寄せているのだろう。
A powerful typhoon that struck parts of the Philippines in November took first place on the list of this year’s 10 major world news reports. Typhoon Haiyan wrecked Leyte Island and other areas, leaving about 8,000 people dead or missing.
本紙読者が選んだ「海外１０大ニュース」の１位は、「猛烈な台風がフィリピン直撃」だった。レイテ島などで、死者・行方不明者合計約８０００人という甚大な被害を出した。
Ranked third was the meteorite that streaked across the sky above Russia’s Ural Mountains in February before fragments of the meteor fell to the ground. Video footage of the meteor’s speeding through the atmosphere was broadcast on TV, and many Yomiuri readers apparently were impressed with the ferocity of this extraordinary natural phenomenon.
ロシアの「隕石(いんせき)落下」が３位だ。隕石の軌跡をとらえた映像がテレビで流れ、天変地異の凄(すさ)まじさが強い印象を残したようだ。
China’s rise to international prominence has been evident in the number of important news items related to that country in 2013. The past year has generated even more news reports about China than in the past.
今年は以前にも増して中国を巡る重要ニュースが多く、その台頭ぶりを裏付けた。
Xi Jinping’s elevation to the Chinese presidency in March was awarded fourth place. Backed by its own military muscle, the Chinese leadership has been high-handed in dealing with Japan. All this contributes to the even greater distrust felt by many Japanese toward that nation.
習近平氏の国家主席就任は、４位に入った。習政権は、日本に対して、軍事力を背景にした強圧的な姿勢を示している。日本の対中不信感は強まるばかりだ。
Today, China is confronted with a host of distortions that have accompanied its rapid economic growth, including widening disparities between the rich and the poor and deteriorating environmental conditions.
中国は、貧富の格差や環境悪化など、急激な成長に伴うひずみに直面している。
China’s worsening air pollution due to a high density of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) came in fifth place, indicating that many readers are deeply worried that China’s atmospheric pollution could affect this country.
微小粒子状物質（ＰＭ２・５）による大気汚染の深刻化が５位になったのは、日本にも汚染の影響が及ぶのではないか、という強い不安の反映でもあろう。
December brought a stunning report that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s uncle, Jang Song Thaek, had been purged as vice chairman of the country’s top military body, the National Defense Commission. This was followed by the astounding news that Jang, long considered the No. 2 power in Kim’s regime, had been executed. The incident was added as an extra to the top 10 list.
北朝鮮・金正恩政権のナンバー２と言われた張成沢・国防委員会副委員長が失脚して処刑されたという衝撃的な出来事は、１２月に報じられ、１０大ニュースの「番外」として追加された。
A purge and a prince
North Korea will remain an element of regional instability, given that the reclusive state seeks to set up an even stronger dictatorship through a reign of terror and continues to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.
恐怖政治によって独裁体制を固め、核・ミサイルの開発を続ける北朝鮮は、来年も、地域の不安定要因であることに変わりない。
The start of U.S. President Barack Obama’s second term in January took ninth place. However, Obama has not made much administrative progress this year, as shown by the numerous difficulties he experienced in dealing with external and domestic affairs.
米国では、オバマ大統領が２期目をスタートさせた（９位）。だが、外交、内政ともつまずきが多く順調とは言えなかった。
The disclosures by Edward Snowden, a former employee of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, ranked eighth. Snowden, now a suspect in intelligence leakage and other cases, exposed a wide range of wiretapping activities by U.S. intelligence services both at home and overseas. Cited by him as the target of U.S. eavesdropping, some European countries have expressed strong anger at the U.S. administration.
米中央情報局（ＣＩＡ）の元職員エドワード・スノーデン容疑者が、国内外における米情報機関の広範囲な通信傍受を暴露した（８位）。傍受対象だとされた欧州諸国からは強い反発が起きた。
The affair has also drawn condemnation from Americans, and Obama is under pressure to reexamine the methods used by his country’s intelligence services to gather information.
米国民からも批判の声が上がっており、大統領は、情報収集の方法の見直しを迫られている。
In early October, the U.S. government staggered into a partial shutdown due to a deadlock between the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Democratic-controlled Senate over the federal budget, an incident that came in 13th.
連邦予算を巡る与野党対立で、１０月初めに政府機能の一部が停止する事態も発生した（１３位）。
One of the top 10 news items warmed people’s hearts: In July, Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate, welcomed a son they named George. The birth of the royal couple’s first son was awarded second place.
読者の心を和ませた出来事もあった。英国のウィリアム王子の妻キャサリン妃が、長男ジョージ王子を出産した（２位）。
In seventh place was the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in April at the age of 87. Thatcher deserves credit for her successful efforts to revitalize her country’s battered economy during her 11 years in office. In December came news of the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela, an antiapartheid icon who dedicated himself to achieving unity among all races in his country. The achievements of these two political leaders continue to inspire and influence people around the world today.
一方、英経済を再生させた「鉄の女」サッチャー元首相の死去（７位）に続き、１２月は、南アフリカで多人種融和に尽くしたマンデラ元大統領の訃報が伝えられた。２人の指導者の業績は、今日も世界に影響を与え続けている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 30, 2013)
（2013年12月30日01時25分 読売新聞）
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