The Yomiuri Shimbun March 24, 2014
Browbeating smaller firms to avoid consumption tax burden unforgivable
消費増税の転嫁 不当な「買いたたき」を許すな（3月24日付・読売社説）
The increase in the consumption tax to 8 percent from the current 5 percent, effective from April 1, is drawing near.
消費税率が５％から８％に引き上げられる４月１日が迫っている。
While it is important to have the consumption tax increase included in the prices of goods, it also is essential to provide appropriate and easy-to-understand information of prices after the tax hike on products and services to avoid confusing consumers.
増税分を円滑に販売価格に転嫁するとともに、消費者にわかりやすい価格表示によって、混乱を回避することが不可欠である。
With the tax increase close at hand, many companies, including restaurant chains and railway operators, have been publicizing their plans one after another to add the tax hike to their prices.
消費増税を目前に控え、外食や鉄道などの企業各社は、増税分を転嫁するための値上げを相次いで発表している。
A number of companies, meanwhile, plan to leave their prices unchanged in the face of the higher consumption tax. Corporate efforts to maintain current prices can certainly be called a significant pricing strategy.
一方、あえて価格を据え置く例も少なくない。コスト削減など企業努力で顧客の減少を防ぐのも、重要な価格戦略と言えよう。
However, unlawful attempts by major companies to use their strong positions to force subcontractors and wholesale suppliers to keep prices down must never be condoned. Such illegitimate actions could cause the business situations of many small and medium-size enterprises to deteriorate.
ただし、大企業が優位な立場を利用して納入業者に価格の据え置きを強いる「買いたたき」などは許されない。多くの中小企業を経営悪化に追い込む恐れがある。
In October last year, the government put into force a law on special measures to ensure the smooth and proper shifting of the tax increase to prices and prohibiting efforts to refuse to pass the higher tax on to prices. A team comprising about 600 monitors has been set up to clamp down on refusals to shift the consumption tax increase on to prices. The monitors will maintain a tight rein over violations.
政府は昨年１０月に消費税転嫁対策特別措置法を施行し、価格転嫁を拒否する行為を禁止した。転嫁拒否を取り締まる約６００人の「転嫁Ｇメン」も新設し、違反に目を光らせている。
It is problematic that 850 businesses had been given administrative warnings over suspected violations across the country as of the end of February.
特措法に触れる恐れがあるとして指導を受けた企業が、２月末ですでに約８５０社に達したのは問題だろう。
There is a possibility that major firms’ moves to try to force the higher tax burdens unlawfully on their subcontractors and suppliers may spread further after the consumption tax increase to offset increased tax burdens of the big firms. The government must maintain utmost vigilance.
納入業者に負担を押しつけようとする動きが、増税後はさらに拡大しかねず、政府は監視を一段と強めねばならない。
Tax-exclusive price tags
A number of subcontractors and suppliers with business ties with large companies are likely to be reluctant to report to the government in the event of big firms refusing their requests to increase their prices, out of fear that their business partnerships could be severed in retaliation.
取引の打ち切りを恐れ、転嫁を拒否されても通報できない納入業者も少なくないはずだ。
After the April 1 tax increase, the Fair Trade Commission and the Small and Medium Enterprises Agency plan to survey about 4 million small and midsize companies on the tax hike situation. The survey should help prevent unfair business transactions.
公正取引委員会と中小企業庁は増税後、全国の中小企業約４００万社を調査する。不当取引の防止につなげたい。
The government should not merely wait for businesses to provide relevant information. It should aggressively carry out fact-finding activities, such as by conducting hearings.
政府は業者からの情報提供を待つだけでなく、独自に聞き取り調査を行うなど、積極的な実態把握にも努めるべきである。
It is important for subcontractors and suppliers to take steps to defend themselves, such as documenting in detail the process of pricing negotiations with large companies.
納入業者側も、価格交渉の経緯を詳細に記録するなど、自衛策を講じることが大切だ。
Retailers generally have been obliged to put tax-inclusive prices on their products to enable customers to understand at a glance how much they have to pay, but the law for the special measures acknowledges that price tags might exclude the tax.
小売店での価格表示は従来、支払額が顧客に一目で分かる税込み価格が義務づけられていたが、特措法は小売店での税抜き価格の表示も容認した。
Given that the consumption tax is scheduled to be raised again, from 8 percent to 10 percent, in October 2015, this provision is aimed at allowing retailers to avoid changing price tags again.
２０１５年１０月に税率が８％からさらに１０％へ引き上げられる予定であることから、再び値札を変更する手間を省く狙いがある。
Retailers should ensure that their prices are easy for consumers to understand, regardless of whether they include the tax hike or not.
小売店は価格が税込みか税抜きか、明確に表示し、消費者が戸惑わないようにしてほしい。
Railway and bus fares in some regions are to be raised in increments of ¥1 for users of IC cards, while fares for those who pay in cash will be raised in ¥10 increments for the same railway and bus service sections.
鉄道やバスでは同一区間の料金が、ＩＣカード乗車券は１円単位で、現金で買う切符は１０円単位で値上げされる地域もある。
It is quite possible that train and bus passengers will express dissatisfaction over the “double fare” structure. Efforts must be made to thoroughly familiarize passengers with the new fare system.
二重運賃に対して、乗客から不満が出る恐れもある。新たな運賃制度の周知徹底が求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2014)
（2014年3月24日01時29分 読売新聞）
2014/03/26
2014/03/25
中国経済リスク 「影の銀行」収束への険しい道
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 23, 2014
China faces difficult task in trying to reduce risks of ‘shadow banking’
中国経済リスク 「影の銀行」収束への険しい道（3月23日付・読売社説）
China must rein in the expansion of “shadow banking” activities that are threatening to drag the Chinese economy down to avert financial turmoil. The Chinese government is now being confronted by a thorny policy-handling task.
中国経済の足を引っ張る「シャドーバンキング」（影の銀行）の拡大を食い止め、混乱を回避すべきだ。中国政府は難しい舵かじ取りを迫られる。
A struggling manufacturer of solar cells and panels in Shanghai failed early this month to meet interest payments on corporate bonds it issued, the first debt default in the history of China’s corporate bond market.
上海市の太陽光パネルメーカーが今月初め、経営に行き詰まって社債の金利を払えず、中国社債市場で初めて、債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥った。
In this connection, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said the government was prepared to allow defaults on some financial products. This switch on China’s financial policy is significant, and should be considered carefully.
李克強首相はこれに関連し、金融商品のデフォルトを一部容認する考えを示した。政府の方針転換であり、その意味は重い。
Financial authorities in China have so far been bailing businesses and investors out of trouble, but there can be no denying that doing so has contributed to creating moral hazards among market players.
中国当局は従来、危機に陥った企業や投資家を救済してきたが、市場のモラルハザード（倫理の欠如）を助長した面は否めない。
Allowing the solar equipment maker’s bond default may have been aimed at warning investors by informing them that there may be bond defaults in the future depending on circumstances.
パネルメーカーのデフォルト容認は、場合によってはデフォルトもあり得ることを示し、投資家に警告するのが狙いだろう。
This seems to indicate a sense of crisis that shadow banking, or financial transactions not mediated by commercial banks, have continued to bloat, threatening to gnaw away at the Chinese economy as a whole.
背景には、銀行を介さない金融取引であるシャドーバンキングが膨張し、中国経済を蝕むしばんでいることへの危機感がうかがえる。
Many investors have flocked to speculative financial instruments, such as those marketed by nonbank entities trumpeting high yields. There have been many instances such as investment companies under the umbrella of local governments engaging in real-estate development projects by leveraging such investment funds, while companies unable to obtain loans from banks have been issuing corporate bonds with nonbanks as subscribers.
投資家はノンバンクなどの高利回りの財テク商品に群がった。地方政府傘下の投資会社がそれらを原資に不動産開発を進めたり、銀行から融資を受けにくい企業が社債を発行し、ノンバンクが引き受けたりする例が目立つ。
If a local government or company with a huge amount of liabilities faces a funding shortfall, it will be unavoidable for investors to suffer losses.
巨額債務を抱えた地方政府や企業が行き詰まると、投資家に被害が及ぶことが避けられない。
‘China risk’ affecting stocks
Even more troublesome is the fact that the actual state of shadow banking services has been shrouded in opacity. An estimate has been released that funds poured into shadow banking stand at a value amounting to half of China’s gross domestic product, so Beijing’s decision to place curbs on the swelling shadow banking money is right and proper.
さらに厄介なのが、シャドーバンキングの不透明な実態である。総額が国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の半分に達するという推計もある中、膨張マネーに歯止めをかけようとする政策判断はもっともだ。
In addition to the policy of allowing bond defaults, it is also noteworthy that Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan of the People’s Bank of China has said the central bank is considering the liberalization of bank deposit rates, the upper limits on which are currently fixed, in one to two years.
デフォルト容認方針とともに、中央銀行にあたる中国人民銀行の周小川総裁が、上限規制がある預金金利を１～２年以内に自由化する方針を示した点も重要だ。
It seems that China’s financial authorities, through the liberalization of interest rates, are ready to brake the flow of capital that has been pouring into speculative financial instruments, as investors are averse to low-interest bank deposits.
金利自由化によって、低い預金金利を嫌って財テク商品に流入してきた資金の流れにブレーキをかけようとしているようだ。
Drastic reform measures for reducing shadow banking activities are indispensable. There also are concerns, however, over the adverse impact on the Chinese economy if the envisioned reform is undertaken too hastily.
シャドーバンキングを縮小させるための大胆な改革は欠かせない。一方で、改革を急ぎすぎることによる副作用も懸念される。
The adverse consequences could be aggravated in the event of a contraction of credit, resulting in local governments and businesses to have cash-flow problems.
信用収縮によって、地方政府や企業の資金繰りが相次いで行き詰まるような事態を招けば、悪影響が広がるだろう。
Stock prices in New York, Tokyo and elsewhere have continued to fluctuate erratically with the “China risk” being cited as one of the major factors behind the instability.
ニューヨーク、東京などの株式市場では、中国リスクが一因となり、株価の乱高下が続く。
Will China be successful in dowsing the overheated economic bubble and in soft-landing the country’s economy, which has continued to slow down, by putting it on a stable growth track of around 7.5 percent a year?
バブル過熱を制御し、景気減速傾向が続く中国経済を７・５％程度の安定成長に軟着陸させられるか。
China, the world’s second largest economic power, is continuing to walk on a tightrope.
世界２位の経済大国・中国の綱渡りが続いている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2014)
（2014年3月23日01時42分 読売新聞）
China faces difficult task in trying to reduce risks of ‘shadow banking’
中国経済リスク 「影の銀行」収束への険しい道（3月23日付・読売社説）
China must rein in the expansion of “shadow banking” activities that are threatening to drag the Chinese economy down to avert financial turmoil. The Chinese government is now being confronted by a thorny policy-handling task.
中国経済の足を引っ張る「シャドーバンキング」（影の銀行）の拡大を食い止め、混乱を回避すべきだ。中国政府は難しい舵かじ取りを迫られる。
A struggling manufacturer of solar cells and panels in Shanghai failed early this month to meet interest payments on corporate bonds it issued, the first debt default in the history of China’s corporate bond market.
上海市の太陽光パネルメーカーが今月初め、経営に行き詰まって社債の金利を払えず、中国社債市場で初めて、債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥った。
In this connection, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said the government was prepared to allow defaults on some financial products. This switch on China’s financial policy is significant, and should be considered carefully.
李克強首相はこれに関連し、金融商品のデフォルトを一部容認する考えを示した。政府の方針転換であり、その意味は重い。
Financial authorities in China have so far been bailing businesses and investors out of trouble, but there can be no denying that doing so has contributed to creating moral hazards among market players.
中国当局は従来、危機に陥った企業や投資家を救済してきたが、市場のモラルハザード（倫理の欠如）を助長した面は否めない。
Allowing the solar equipment maker’s bond default may have been aimed at warning investors by informing them that there may be bond defaults in the future depending on circumstances.
パネルメーカーのデフォルト容認は、場合によってはデフォルトもあり得ることを示し、投資家に警告するのが狙いだろう。
This seems to indicate a sense of crisis that shadow banking, or financial transactions not mediated by commercial banks, have continued to bloat, threatening to gnaw away at the Chinese economy as a whole.
背景には、銀行を介さない金融取引であるシャドーバンキングが膨張し、中国経済を蝕むしばんでいることへの危機感がうかがえる。
Many investors have flocked to speculative financial instruments, such as those marketed by nonbank entities trumpeting high yields. There have been many instances such as investment companies under the umbrella of local governments engaging in real-estate development projects by leveraging such investment funds, while companies unable to obtain loans from banks have been issuing corporate bonds with nonbanks as subscribers.
投資家はノンバンクなどの高利回りの財テク商品に群がった。地方政府傘下の投資会社がそれらを原資に不動産開発を進めたり、銀行から融資を受けにくい企業が社債を発行し、ノンバンクが引き受けたりする例が目立つ。
If a local government or company with a huge amount of liabilities faces a funding shortfall, it will be unavoidable for investors to suffer losses.
巨額債務を抱えた地方政府や企業が行き詰まると、投資家に被害が及ぶことが避けられない。
‘China risk’ affecting stocks
Even more troublesome is the fact that the actual state of shadow banking services has been shrouded in opacity. An estimate has been released that funds poured into shadow banking stand at a value amounting to half of China’s gross domestic product, so Beijing’s decision to place curbs on the swelling shadow banking money is right and proper.
さらに厄介なのが、シャドーバンキングの不透明な実態である。総額が国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の半分に達するという推計もある中、膨張マネーに歯止めをかけようとする政策判断はもっともだ。
In addition to the policy of allowing bond defaults, it is also noteworthy that Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan of the People’s Bank of China has said the central bank is considering the liberalization of bank deposit rates, the upper limits on which are currently fixed, in one to two years.
デフォルト容認方針とともに、中央銀行にあたる中国人民銀行の周小川総裁が、上限規制がある預金金利を１～２年以内に自由化する方針を示した点も重要だ。
It seems that China’s financial authorities, through the liberalization of interest rates, are ready to brake the flow of capital that has been pouring into speculative financial instruments, as investors are averse to low-interest bank deposits.
金利自由化によって、低い預金金利を嫌って財テク商品に流入してきた資金の流れにブレーキをかけようとしているようだ。
Drastic reform measures for reducing shadow banking activities are indispensable. There also are concerns, however, over the adverse impact on the Chinese economy if the envisioned reform is undertaken too hastily.
シャドーバンキングを縮小させるための大胆な改革は欠かせない。一方で、改革を急ぎすぎることによる副作用も懸念される。
The adverse consequences could be aggravated in the event of a contraction of credit, resulting in local governments and businesses to have cash-flow problems.
信用収縮によって、地方政府や企業の資金繰りが相次いで行き詰まるような事態を招けば、悪影響が広がるだろう。
Stock prices in New York, Tokyo and elsewhere have continued to fluctuate erratically with the “China risk” being cited as one of the major factors behind the instability.
ニューヨーク、東京などの株式市場では、中国リスクが一因となり、株価の乱高下が続く。
Will China be successful in dowsing the overheated economic bubble and in soft-landing the country’s economy, which has continued to slow down, by putting it on a stable growth track of around 7.5 percent a year?
バブル過熱を制御し、景気減速傾向が続く中国経済を７・５％程度の安定成長に軟着陸させられるか。
China, the world’s second largest economic power, is continuing to walk on a tightrope.
世界２位の経済大国・中国の綱渡りが続いている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2014)
（2014年3月23日01時42分 読売新聞）
2014/03/24
日本の温暖化 被害軽減へ効率的対応が要る
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 22, 2014
Reducing global warming effects is essential to Japan’s future
日本の温暖化 被害軽減へ効率的対応が要る（3月22日付・読売社説）
Efficient, effective measures must be implemented to curb the adverse effects of global warming.
地球温暖化の悪影響を抑えるため、効率的かつ効果的な対策を講じていかねばならない。
An Environment Ministry research team has put together a report on the various effects of global warming on Japan.
温暖化が日本に及ぼす影響について、環境省の研究班が報告書をまとめた。
It predicts that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, the average temperature in Japan is expected to rise by a maximum of 6.4 C, and the sea level is anticipated to go up by 60-63 centimeters, both by the end of this century.
温室効果ガスの排出量がこのまま増え続けると、国内の平均気温は今世紀末に最大６・４度上昇し、海面も６０～６３センチ上昇する。
In all likelihood, global warming will have a serious impact on people’s daily lives.
国民の日常生活に深刻な影響が及ぶのは必至である。
According to the report, the nationwide death toll from heatstroke and other results of global warming will more than double by the end of this century. Asian tiger mosquitoes, which spread infectious diseases, are expected to multiply in nearly every area of the country.
報告書によると、今世紀末、熱中症などによる死者数が、全国で２倍以上に増える。感染症を媒介する蚊の一種ヒトスジシマカの分布がほぼ全国に拡大する。
The northern limit for rice production will move further northward. It will become possible to grow Tankan mandarins, a subtropical citrus fruit, instead of satsuma oranges even in the Kanto region, while 85 percent of the country’s sandy beaches will disappear. These changes would deal a blow to such regional industries as agriculture and tourism.
コメの生産地は北上する。温州ミカンに代わり、亜熱帯果樹のタンカンが関東でも栽培可能になる。全国の砂浜の８５％が消滅する。農業、観光など地域産業にとっても打撃となるだろう。
Due to the elevation of the sea level, Okino Torishima, the southernmost island that marks the beginning of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, could submerge.
海面上昇により、日本の排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の基点である沖ノ鳥島が水没してしまう可能性もあるのではないか。
It is appalling to see predictions of such enormous damage. Annual flood damage, which totaled about ¥200 billion at the end of the 20th century, is expected to expand to a maximum of approximately ¥480 billion. The damage caused by high tides is likely to increase by about ¥260 billion a year.
膨大な被害額も目を引く。２０世紀末には年間約２０００億円だった洪水被害額が、最大で約４８００億円増加する。高潮被害も年間約２６００億円増える。
Steps to minimize damage
Efforts must be made to reduce such damage as much as possible.
こうした被害を少しでも軽減する取り組みは重要だ。
But it is not realistic to completely eliminate damage by reinforcing dams and river levees throughout the nation. Society must study “adaptation measures” that can accommodate climate changes while predicting to a certain extent the progress of global warming.
だが、ダムや堤防を全国にくまなく整備して、被害を完全に食い止めようとするのは現実的ではあるまい。温暖化の進行をある程度、見越した上で、社会が気候変動に順応する「適応策」を検討していくのが重要となるだろう。
For example, it is imperative to study explicit, meaningful measures such as putting priority on hardware improvement in densely populated and industrial complex areas while trying to improve the compilation of hazard maps for evacuation in other areas.
例えば、ハード面の整備は人口密集地や産業集積地に重点を置き、他の地域は避難用のハザードマップを充実させるなど、メリハリのある対策を考えるべきだ。
It will be also necessary to promote research on breed improvements to develop agricultural products with high heat resistance, and conduct a green campaign to alleviate the heat island phenomenon in urban areas.
高温に強い農作物への品種改良の研究や、都市部のヒートアイランド現象を緩和するための緑化促進なども必要だろう。
The government will compile specific adaptation measures in the summer of next year. It is crucial to make these measures capable of dealing flexibly with hard-to-predict climate changes.
政府は来夏に具体的な適応策をまとめる。予測が難しい気候の変化に柔軟に対応できるようにすることが肝要だ。
Of course, the most crucial goal in efforts against global warming is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was natural for the report to point out that if cuts in gas emissions prevail globally, it will dramatically lessen the adverse effects of global warming on Japan.
無論、温暖化対策で最も重要なのは、温室効果ガスの排出量を減らすことである。報告書が、世界規模での排出削減が進めば、日本への悪影響は大幅に軽減されると指摘しているのはもっともだ。
Holding the key in this regard are China and the United States, which together account for more than 40 percent of the world’s total gas emissions. Japan should proactively commit itself to ensuring that a new framework for gas emission controls, which is scheduled to take the place of the Kyoto Protocol in 2020, leads to emission cuts by the two countries.
カギとなるのは、世界全体の排出量の４割以上を占める中国と米国の取り組みである。京都議定書に代わり、２０２０年発効予定の新たな枠組みが両国の排出削減につながるよう、日本も積極的に交渉に関与していくべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2014)
（2014年3月22日01時27分 読売新聞）
Reducing global warming effects is essential to Japan’s future
日本の温暖化 被害軽減へ効率的対応が要る（3月22日付・読売社説）
Efficient, effective measures must be implemented to curb the adverse effects of global warming.
地球温暖化の悪影響を抑えるため、効率的かつ効果的な対策を講じていかねばならない。
An Environment Ministry research team has put together a report on the various effects of global warming on Japan.
温暖化が日本に及ぼす影響について、環境省の研究班が報告書をまとめた。
It predicts that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, the average temperature in Japan is expected to rise by a maximum of 6.4 C, and the sea level is anticipated to go up by 60-63 centimeters, both by the end of this century.
温室効果ガスの排出量がこのまま増え続けると、国内の平均気温は今世紀末に最大６・４度上昇し、海面も６０～６３センチ上昇する。
In all likelihood, global warming will have a serious impact on people’s daily lives.
国民の日常生活に深刻な影響が及ぶのは必至である。
According to the report, the nationwide death toll from heatstroke and other results of global warming will more than double by the end of this century. Asian tiger mosquitoes, which spread infectious diseases, are expected to multiply in nearly every area of the country.
報告書によると、今世紀末、熱中症などによる死者数が、全国で２倍以上に増える。感染症を媒介する蚊の一種ヒトスジシマカの分布がほぼ全国に拡大する。
The northern limit for rice production will move further northward. It will become possible to grow Tankan mandarins, a subtropical citrus fruit, instead of satsuma oranges even in the Kanto region, while 85 percent of the country’s sandy beaches will disappear. These changes would deal a blow to such regional industries as agriculture and tourism.
コメの生産地は北上する。温州ミカンに代わり、亜熱帯果樹のタンカンが関東でも栽培可能になる。全国の砂浜の８５％が消滅する。農業、観光など地域産業にとっても打撃となるだろう。
Due to the elevation of the sea level, Okino Torishima, the southernmost island that marks the beginning of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, could submerge.
海面上昇により、日本の排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の基点である沖ノ鳥島が水没してしまう可能性もあるのではないか。
It is appalling to see predictions of such enormous damage. Annual flood damage, which totaled about ¥200 billion at the end of the 20th century, is expected to expand to a maximum of approximately ¥480 billion. The damage caused by high tides is likely to increase by about ¥260 billion a year.
膨大な被害額も目を引く。２０世紀末には年間約２０００億円だった洪水被害額が、最大で約４８００億円増加する。高潮被害も年間約２６００億円増える。
Steps to minimize damage
Efforts must be made to reduce such damage as much as possible.
こうした被害を少しでも軽減する取り組みは重要だ。
But it is not realistic to completely eliminate damage by reinforcing dams and river levees throughout the nation. Society must study “adaptation measures” that can accommodate climate changes while predicting to a certain extent the progress of global warming.
だが、ダムや堤防を全国にくまなく整備して、被害を完全に食い止めようとするのは現実的ではあるまい。温暖化の進行をある程度、見越した上で、社会が気候変動に順応する「適応策」を検討していくのが重要となるだろう。
For example, it is imperative to study explicit, meaningful measures such as putting priority on hardware improvement in densely populated and industrial complex areas while trying to improve the compilation of hazard maps for evacuation in other areas.
例えば、ハード面の整備は人口密集地や産業集積地に重点を置き、他の地域は避難用のハザードマップを充実させるなど、メリハリのある対策を考えるべきだ。
It will be also necessary to promote research on breed improvements to develop agricultural products with high heat resistance, and conduct a green campaign to alleviate the heat island phenomenon in urban areas.
高温に強い農作物への品種改良の研究や、都市部のヒートアイランド現象を緩和するための緑化促進なども必要だろう。
The government will compile specific adaptation measures in the summer of next year. It is crucial to make these measures capable of dealing flexibly with hard-to-predict climate changes.
政府は来夏に具体的な適応策をまとめる。予測が難しい気候の変化に柔軟に対応できるようにすることが肝要だ。
Of course, the most crucial goal in efforts against global warming is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It was natural for the report to point out that if cuts in gas emissions prevail globally, it will dramatically lessen the adverse effects of global warming on Japan.
無論、温暖化対策で最も重要なのは、温室効果ガスの排出量を減らすことである。報告書が、世界規模での排出削減が進めば、日本への悪影響は大幅に軽減されると指摘しているのはもっともだ。
Holding the key in this regard are China and the United States, which together account for more than 40 percent of the world’s total gas emissions. Japan should proactively commit itself to ensuring that a new framework for gas emission controls, which is scheduled to take the place of the Kyoto Protocol in 2020, leads to emission cuts by the two countries.
カギとなるのは、世界全体の排出量の４割以上を占める中国と米国の取り組みである。京都議定書に代わり、２０２０年発効予定の新たな枠組みが両国の排出削減につながるよう、日本も積極的に交渉に関与していくべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2014)
（2014年3月22日01時27分 読売新聞）
2014/03/23
ネット託児事件 ベビーシッターの質も確保を
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 21, 2014
Recent fatal incident underlines need for ensuring quality of babysitters
ネット託児事件 ベビーシッターの質も確保を（3月21日付・読売社説）
A recent fatal case has brought into stark relief the dangerous aspects inherent in online babysitting service sites.
インターネットのベビーシッター紹介サイトに潜む危険な一面が、浮き彫りになった。
Kanagawa prefectural police have arrested a man on suspicion of abandoning the body of a 2-year-old boy he had been asked to care for via an online babysitting service site.
神奈川県警が、ベビーシッターの男を、預かった男児の死体遺棄容疑で逮捕した。
Even before the incident, the child’s mother, a resident of Yokohama, had previously used the man’s babysitting services through the online site, but had found various problems with his babysitting habits. However, this time the man used a fictitious name in an exchange of e-mails, and a proxy appeared at a designated meeting place. She entrusted the boy and his 8-month-old younger brother to the proxy, also a babysitter, without knowing the man in question would actually be babysitting again.
横浜市に住む男児の母親は、以前にも紹介サイトを通じて男にシッターを依頼し、トラブルになった。しかし、メールのやりとりで男が偽名を使い、待ち合わせ場所には代理人が現れたため、同一人物と気づかずに預けたという。
The boy was found dead in an apartment in Saitama Prefecture three days later. The whole picture of this fatal case must be urgently unraveled, and measures to prevent the recurrence of such a terrible incident must be worked out.
男児は、男が保育室として使っていた埼玉県内のマンションの一室で３日後、遺体で発見された。事件の全容解明と、再発防止に向けた対策が急がれる。
Behind the spread of online babysitting service sites is the convenience of being able to secure babysitters at lower costs and more quickly than via babysitter-dispatch agencies. For economic reasons, many parents have no alternative but to ask for babysitters from online sites to take care of their children.
紹介サイトが広がっている背景には、派遣事業者を通すよりも低料金で、すぐにシッターを確保できるという利便性がある。経済的な事情から、個人シッターに頼らざるを得ない親も少なくない。
However, it has been pointed out that online babysitting sites are not completely trustworthy because they do not confirm the identities of the babysitters.
しかし、サイト側がシッターの本人確認をしないなど、信頼性に欠ける面が指摘されている。
Fact-finding is more important than anything else. This was emphasized by Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura, who said, “We’d like to examine the circumstances to understand the nature of these services.”
田村厚生労働相が、「どういう仕組みなのか、状況を調査してみたい」と語ったように、まずは実態把握が重要だ。
Room for improvement
There is room for improvement not only in online babysitting sites, but also in the babysitting industry as a whole. No public qualification is required for babysitters and no registration is mandatory with administrative offices. In fact, administrative checks have failed to reach the actual babysitting work to which children’s lives are entrusted.
紹介サイトに限らず、ベビーシッター業界全体にも、改善すべき点がある。ベビーシッターには公的資格がなく、行政への届け出も必要ない。子どもの命を預かるシッターの仕事に、行政のチェックが及んでいないのが実情だ。
On the other hand, the way parents’ work has diversified, and the number of single-parent households has been increasing. The demand for babysitters who can provide service at night and on holidays has therefore been rising in recent years.
一方で、親の働き方が多様化したことに加え、ひとり親家庭も増えている。夜間や休日も対応してくれるベビーシッターの需要は近年、高まっている。
Ensuring the quality of babysitters is a big challenge.
シッターの質の確保が、大きな課題である。
The All Japan Childcare Services Association, comprising 100 member companies, has set its own qualification system for babysitters. More voluntary efforts are urged on the part of the babysitting industry as a whole.
事業者１００社が加盟する「全国保育サービス協会」では、独自の資格制度を設けている。業界の自主的な取り組みをさらに強化してもらいたい。
Under a new system for supporting child-rearing that will begin in fiscal 2015, some babysitting businesses will be licensed by the governments of cities, towns and villages. Subsidies will be provided to babysitters if they receive designated seminar programs.
２０１５年度に始まる政府の子育て支援の新制度では、シッター業務の一部を市町村の認可制とする。所定の研修を受ければ、シッター側に補助金を支給する。
The subsidies thus granted will lessen the financial burden on those using babysitting services. This is expected to lead to eliminating dishonest operators who advertise their low-price services. The quality of babysitters must be enhanced as a whole by expanding such a support system.
補助金の分、利用者負担が軽減され、安さを売り物にした悪質業者の排除につながると期待される。こうした仕組みを拡充し、全体の質を高めたい。
Users are responsible for deciding which babysitters they will choose. In the aftermath of the fatal incident, the welfare ministry has presented a list of matters to be attended to when using babysitters. These include having an interview beforehand to confirm whether babysitters can be trusted. It is crucial to pay attention to such matters.
どのシッターを選ぶかは、利用者側の責任だ。厚労省は事件を受け、シッター利用時の注意事項を示した。事前に面接し、信頼できる人物かどうか確かめる。こうした点に留意する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2014)
（2014年3月21日01時25分 読売新聞）
Recent fatal incident underlines need for ensuring quality of babysitters
ネット託児事件 ベビーシッターの質も確保を（3月21日付・読売社説）
A recent fatal case has brought into stark relief the dangerous aspects inherent in online babysitting service sites.
インターネットのベビーシッター紹介サイトに潜む危険な一面が、浮き彫りになった。
Kanagawa prefectural police have arrested a man on suspicion of abandoning the body of a 2-year-old boy he had been asked to care for via an online babysitting service site.
神奈川県警が、ベビーシッターの男を、預かった男児の死体遺棄容疑で逮捕した。
Even before the incident, the child’s mother, a resident of Yokohama, had previously used the man’s babysitting services through the online site, but had found various problems with his babysitting habits. However, this time the man used a fictitious name in an exchange of e-mails, and a proxy appeared at a designated meeting place. She entrusted the boy and his 8-month-old younger brother to the proxy, also a babysitter, without knowing the man in question would actually be babysitting again.
横浜市に住む男児の母親は、以前にも紹介サイトを通じて男にシッターを依頼し、トラブルになった。しかし、メールのやりとりで男が偽名を使い、待ち合わせ場所には代理人が現れたため、同一人物と気づかずに預けたという。
The boy was found dead in an apartment in Saitama Prefecture three days later. The whole picture of this fatal case must be urgently unraveled, and measures to prevent the recurrence of such a terrible incident must be worked out.
男児は、男が保育室として使っていた埼玉県内のマンションの一室で３日後、遺体で発見された。事件の全容解明と、再発防止に向けた対策が急がれる。
Behind the spread of online babysitting service sites is the convenience of being able to secure babysitters at lower costs and more quickly than via babysitter-dispatch agencies. For economic reasons, many parents have no alternative but to ask for babysitters from online sites to take care of their children.
紹介サイトが広がっている背景には、派遣事業者を通すよりも低料金で、すぐにシッターを確保できるという利便性がある。経済的な事情から、個人シッターに頼らざるを得ない親も少なくない。
However, it has been pointed out that online babysitting sites are not completely trustworthy because they do not confirm the identities of the babysitters.
しかし、サイト側がシッターの本人確認をしないなど、信頼性に欠ける面が指摘されている。
Fact-finding is more important than anything else. This was emphasized by Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura, who said, “We’d like to examine the circumstances to understand the nature of these services.”
田村厚生労働相が、「どういう仕組みなのか、状況を調査してみたい」と語ったように、まずは実態把握が重要だ。
Room for improvement
There is room for improvement not only in online babysitting sites, but also in the babysitting industry as a whole. No public qualification is required for babysitters and no registration is mandatory with administrative offices. In fact, administrative checks have failed to reach the actual babysitting work to which children’s lives are entrusted.
紹介サイトに限らず、ベビーシッター業界全体にも、改善すべき点がある。ベビーシッターには公的資格がなく、行政への届け出も必要ない。子どもの命を預かるシッターの仕事に、行政のチェックが及んでいないのが実情だ。
On the other hand, the way parents’ work has diversified, and the number of single-parent households has been increasing. The demand for babysitters who can provide service at night and on holidays has therefore been rising in recent years.
一方で、親の働き方が多様化したことに加え、ひとり親家庭も増えている。夜間や休日も対応してくれるベビーシッターの需要は近年、高まっている。
Ensuring the quality of babysitters is a big challenge.
シッターの質の確保が、大きな課題である。
The All Japan Childcare Services Association, comprising 100 member companies, has set its own qualification system for babysitters. More voluntary efforts are urged on the part of the babysitting industry as a whole.
事業者１００社が加盟する「全国保育サービス協会」では、独自の資格制度を設けている。業界の自主的な取り組みをさらに強化してもらいたい。
Under a new system for supporting child-rearing that will begin in fiscal 2015, some babysitting businesses will be licensed by the governments of cities, towns and villages. Subsidies will be provided to babysitters if they receive designated seminar programs.
２０１５年度に始まる政府の子育て支援の新制度では、シッター業務の一部を市町村の認可制とする。所定の研修を受ければ、シッター側に補助金を支給する。
The subsidies thus granted will lessen the financial burden on those using babysitting services. This is expected to lead to eliminating dishonest operators who advertise their low-price services. The quality of babysitters must be enhanced as a whole by expanding such a support system.
補助金の分、利用者負担が軽減され、安さを売り物にした悪質業者の排除につながると期待される。こうした仕組みを拡充し、全体の質を高めたい。
Users are responsible for deciding which babysitters they will choose. In the aftermath of the fatal incident, the welfare ministry has presented a list of matters to be attended to when using babysitters. These include having an interview beforehand to confirm whether babysitters can be trusted. It is crucial to pay attention to such matters.
どのシッターを選ぶかは、利用者側の責任だ。厚労省は事件を受け、シッター利用時の注意事項を示した。事前に面接し、信頼できる人物かどうか確かめる。こうした点に留意する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2014)
（2014年3月21日01時25分 読売新聞）
2014/03/22
竹富町の教科書 学校の違法状態は看過できぬ
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 17, 2014
Use of unauthorized textbook at schools in Taketomi should not be overlooked
竹富町の教科書 学校の違法状態は看過できぬ（3月17日付・読売社説）
It is extremely problematic that the law has been ignored for nearly two years at schools, and this situation must be corrected as soon as possible.
教育現場で法律を無視した状況が２年近くも続いているのは、極めて問題だ。一刻も早く是正されなければならない。
Education minister Hakubun Shimomura has finally issued the so-called demand for corrective action, urging the town board of education in Taketomi, Okinawa Prefecture, to stop using a textbook it has unilaterally adopted in defiance of rules regarding the selection of textbooks to be used in schools.
下村文部科学相が、教科書採択のルールを守らず、独自採択した教科書を使っている沖縄県の竹富町教育委員会に対し、是正要求に踏み切った。
It was the first time that the demand based on the Local Government Law has been issued to a municipal government. The Taketomi Board of Education should not take it lightly.
地方自治法に基づく措置で、国が直接、市町村に発動するのは初めてだ。竹富町教委は深刻に受け止めてもらいたい。
In the summer of 2011, the Yaeyama district, including the city of Ishigaki and the towns of Taketomi and Yonaguni, selected a civics textbook published by Ikuhosha Publishing Inc. for use in middle schools. The problem started when the Taketomi Board of Education alone decided to adopt a textbook published by Tokyo Shoseki Co.
石垣市、竹富町、与那国町から成る八重山地区は２０１１年夏、中学校の公民教科書に育鵬社の教科書を選んだ。ところが、竹富町教委だけが東京書籍の教科書を採択した。それが問題の発端だ。
The law on supplying free textbooks at public primary and middle schools requires a wide-area educational district consisting of more than one municipality to adopt the same textbooks, on the grounds that it makes it easier for teachers to conduct joint studies on educational materials. The unilateral action by the Taketomi board constitutes a clear violation of the law.
教科書無償措置法は、複数の市町村で構成される広域地区では、教師が教材の共同研究をしやすいといった理由から、同一の教科書の採択を義務づけている。竹富町の独自採択が、無償措置法に違反するのは明白である。
Since April 2012, the Taketomi Board of Education has distributed to students copies of the Tokyo Shoseki textbook paid for by donations from town residents. The then administration of the Democratic Party of Japan showed a lenient attitude toward such textbook purchases. It is undeniable that the misstep by the DPJ administration has served to fuel disarray.
竹富町教委は町民らの寄付で東京書籍の教科書を購入し、一昨年４月以降、生徒に配布してきた。当時の民主党政権が、自前での教科書購入を容認する姿勢を示したためだ。民主党政権の誤った対応が、混乱に拍車をかけた。
Prevent recurrence
Since a change of government in December 2012, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly urged the Taketomi board to adopt the Ikuhosha textbook in accordance with the law on the provision of free textbooks—which, we believe, is a matter of course for a nation under the rule of law. If the Taketomi board continues to defy correction demands, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry should consider filing a lawsuit to confirm the illegality of the board’s action.
政権交代後、安倍政権が竹富町教委に対し、再三、無償措置法に則(のっと)った教科書の採択を求めたのは、法治国家として当然だ。今後、是正要求にも従わないようなら、文科省は違法確認訴訟を起こすことも検討すべきだろう。
The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education’s responses to the problem cannot escape criticism.
これまでの沖縄県教委の対応も、非難を免れない。
Last October, Shimomura instructed the prefectural board to demand the Taketomi board rectify the situation. The prefectural board did not comply, saying the Taketomi action has not caused any major problems, among other reasons given.
下村文科相は昨年１０月、まず沖縄県教委に、竹富町教委への是正要求を指示したが、県教委は「大きな問題は生じていない」などとして、これに応じなかった。
To prevent a recurrence of such a development, the government has submitted a bill to revise the law on the provision of free textbooks to the current Diet session. The key point written in the bill would require any educational district comprising more than one municipality to establish a council to select textbooks at public primary and middle schools, and that educational boards adopt textbooks in accordance with the council’s decision.
今回のような事態の再発を防ぐため、政府は無償措置法改正案を今国会に提出した。広域地区では教科書を選定する協議会を必ず設け、教委の教科書採択はその協議結果に基づくよう、法案に明記したのがポイントだ。
It is significant to give more clarity to the procedure of adopting textbooks.
採択の手続きをより明確化することは意味がある。
The revised bill also includes a stipulation that would require boards of education to make efforts to publicize reasons for adopting certain textbooks.
改正案には、教科書採択の理由の公表を、教委の努力義務とする規定も盛り込まれている。
For example, a good amount of description given to territorial issues was one of the reasons that the Yaeyama district— located close to the Senkaku Islands—selected the Ikuhosha textbook. Heightened tension between Japan and China is the reason for its adoption.
例えば、尖閣諸島に近い八重山地区が育鵬社版を選択した理由の一つは、領土に関する記述の充実だった。日本と中国との緊張が高まっているからだ。
It is of utmost importance for each board of education to win the acceptance of local residents and students’ parents or guardians by fully explaining the reasons for adopting certain textbooks.
採択の根拠を、各教委が丁寧に説明し、地域住民や保護者の理解を得ていくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2014)
（2014年3月17日01時59分 読売新聞）
Use of unauthorized textbook at schools in Taketomi should not be overlooked
竹富町の教科書 学校の違法状態は看過できぬ（3月17日付・読売社説）
It is extremely problematic that the law has been ignored for nearly two years at schools, and this situation must be corrected as soon as possible.
教育現場で法律を無視した状況が２年近くも続いているのは、極めて問題だ。一刻も早く是正されなければならない。
Education minister Hakubun Shimomura has finally issued the so-called demand for corrective action, urging the town board of education in Taketomi, Okinawa Prefecture, to stop using a textbook it has unilaterally adopted in defiance of rules regarding the selection of textbooks to be used in schools.
下村文部科学相が、教科書採択のルールを守らず、独自採択した教科書を使っている沖縄県の竹富町教育委員会に対し、是正要求に踏み切った。
It was the first time that the demand based on the Local Government Law has been issued to a municipal government. The Taketomi Board of Education should not take it lightly.
地方自治法に基づく措置で、国が直接、市町村に発動するのは初めてだ。竹富町教委は深刻に受け止めてもらいたい。
In the summer of 2011, the Yaeyama district, including the city of Ishigaki and the towns of Taketomi and Yonaguni, selected a civics textbook published by Ikuhosha Publishing Inc. for use in middle schools. The problem started when the Taketomi Board of Education alone decided to adopt a textbook published by Tokyo Shoseki Co.
石垣市、竹富町、与那国町から成る八重山地区は２０１１年夏、中学校の公民教科書に育鵬社の教科書を選んだ。ところが、竹富町教委だけが東京書籍の教科書を採択した。それが問題の発端だ。
The law on supplying free textbooks at public primary and middle schools requires a wide-area educational district consisting of more than one municipality to adopt the same textbooks, on the grounds that it makes it easier for teachers to conduct joint studies on educational materials. The unilateral action by the Taketomi board constitutes a clear violation of the law.
教科書無償措置法は、複数の市町村で構成される広域地区では、教師が教材の共同研究をしやすいといった理由から、同一の教科書の採択を義務づけている。竹富町の独自採択が、無償措置法に違反するのは明白である。
Since April 2012, the Taketomi Board of Education has distributed to students copies of the Tokyo Shoseki textbook paid for by donations from town residents. The then administration of the Democratic Party of Japan showed a lenient attitude toward such textbook purchases. It is undeniable that the misstep by the DPJ administration has served to fuel disarray.
竹富町教委は町民らの寄付で東京書籍の教科書を購入し、一昨年４月以降、生徒に配布してきた。当時の民主党政権が、自前での教科書購入を容認する姿勢を示したためだ。民主党政権の誤った対応が、混乱に拍車をかけた。
Prevent recurrence
Since a change of government in December 2012, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly urged the Taketomi board to adopt the Ikuhosha textbook in accordance with the law on the provision of free textbooks—which, we believe, is a matter of course for a nation under the rule of law. If the Taketomi board continues to defy correction demands, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry should consider filing a lawsuit to confirm the illegality of the board’s action.
政権交代後、安倍政権が竹富町教委に対し、再三、無償措置法に則(のっと)った教科書の採択を求めたのは、法治国家として当然だ。今後、是正要求にも従わないようなら、文科省は違法確認訴訟を起こすことも検討すべきだろう。
The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education’s responses to the problem cannot escape criticism.
これまでの沖縄県教委の対応も、非難を免れない。
Last October, Shimomura instructed the prefectural board to demand the Taketomi board rectify the situation. The prefectural board did not comply, saying the Taketomi action has not caused any major problems, among other reasons given.
下村文科相は昨年１０月、まず沖縄県教委に、竹富町教委への是正要求を指示したが、県教委は「大きな問題は生じていない」などとして、これに応じなかった。
To prevent a recurrence of such a development, the government has submitted a bill to revise the law on the provision of free textbooks to the current Diet session. The key point written in the bill would require any educational district comprising more than one municipality to establish a council to select textbooks at public primary and middle schools, and that educational boards adopt textbooks in accordance with the council’s decision.
今回のような事態の再発を防ぐため、政府は無償措置法改正案を今国会に提出した。広域地区では教科書を選定する協議会を必ず設け、教委の教科書採択はその協議結果に基づくよう、法案に明記したのがポイントだ。
It is significant to give more clarity to the procedure of adopting textbooks.
採択の手続きをより明確化することは意味がある。
The revised bill also includes a stipulation that would require boards of education to make efforts to publicize reasons for adopting certain textbooks.
改正案には、教科書採択の理由の公表を、教委の努力義務とする規定も盛り込まれている。
For example, a good amount of description given to territorial issues was one of the reasons that the Yaeyama district— located close to the Senkaku Islands—selected the Ikuhosha textbook. Heightened tension between Japan and China is the reason for its adoption.
例えば、尖閣諸島に近い八重山地区が育鵬社版を選択した理由の一つは、領土に関する記述の充実だった。日本と中国との緊張が高まっているからだ。
It is of utmost importance for each board of education to win the acceptance of local residents and students’ parents or guardians by fully explaining the reasons for adopting certain textbooks.
採択の根拠を、各教委が丁寧に説明し、地域住民や保護者の理解を得ていくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2014)
（2014年3月17日01時59分 読売新聞）
2014/03/21
横田夫妻と孫娘 対面にめぐみさん不在の重み
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 18, 2014
Megumi’s absence casts shadow over parents’ meeting with granddaughter
横田夫妻と孫娘 対面にめぐみさん不在の重み（3月18日付・読売社説）
“Something like a dream come true.” “She [our granddaughter] looks like Megumi when she was young.”
「夢のようなことが実現した」「若い時のめぐみによく似ている」
The words of Shigeru Yokota and his wife Sakie show that being able to meet their granddaughter was a pleasure greater than they had dreamed of.
孫娘とようやく出会えたことは、やはり望外の喜びだっただろう。
The Yokotas met Kim Eun Gyong, the daughter of their daughter Megumi—one of the many Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea—for the first time in Ulan Bator from March 10 to 14. The pair said they also met their 10-month-old great-granddaughter.
北朝鮮による拉致被害者・横田めぐみさんの両親の横田滋さん、早紀江さん夫妻が、めぐみさんの娘、キム・ウンギョンさんとモンゴルのウランバートルで、初めて対面した。生後１０か月のひ孫にも会えたという。
The Yokotas had expressed a desire to meet their granddaughter since her existence became known in 2002. But they had refrained from doing so for fear that if they visited North Korea to meet her, Pyongyang would use the visit as an excuse to say the abduction issue had been put to rest.
夫妻は、孫娘の存在が判明した２００２年から、会いたいとの意向を示していた。だが、訪朝すれば、拉致問題の幕引きに利用されかねないと見送ってきた。
With Shigeru at 81 and Sakie at 78, the government considered the advanced ages of the Yokotas an important humanitarian concern and did all it could do to make the meeting possible through negotiations with North Korea.
夫妻が高齢であることなど、「人道的な見地」を重視して、政府が北朝鮮と交渉し、面会実現に尽力したことは評価したい。
Senior Foreign Ministry officials reportedly began a series of secret meetings with their North Korean counterparts in Hanoi and Hong Kong in late January to make arrangements to allow the meeting to happen in a third country. The realization of this meeting could be the first step in resolving the abduction issue, on which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe places great priority.
外務省の幹部は今年１月下旬以降、ベトナム・ハノイや香港で北朝鮮の当局者と極秘に接触し、第三国での対面の実現に向けて調整したという。拉致問題の解決を前面に掲げる安倍首相にとって、具体的な一歩だと言える。
The fact remains, however, that Megumi was not present when the Yokotas met their granddaughter, and no information about her safety has been ascertained. Her absence must be taken seriously.
ただ、その場にめぐみさんの姿はなく、安否に関する情報は得られなかった。その重みもまた、かみしめなければならない。
North Korea insists that Megumi died, and provided Japan with what it claimed to be her remains, but the remains provided were later shown not to be hers. After that discovery, Pyongyang pledged to restart investigations of the abductions of Japanese nationals, but has postponed delivering on that promise. The country has shown an extremely disingenuous attitude.
北朝鮮は、めぐみさんが「死亡した」と主張し、日本に遺骨を提供したが、別人のものだった。その後も、拉致問題の再調査を約束しながら、一方的にこれを見送った。極めて不誠実な態度だ。
What’s behind concession?
The intentions of North Korea in accepting the meeting between the Yokotas and Eun Gyong in a third-party country should be examined carefully.
第三国でのウンギョンさんとの対面を受け入れた北朝鮮側の意図を十分見極めたい。
The North Korean administration of Kim Jong Un purged Choe Thae Bok, who had served as a link with China, in December, and in doing so threw cold water onto bilateral relations between the two, further exacerbating the country’s economic plight. Pyongyang is expected to use the abduction issue as a bargaining chip to call for Tokyo to ease its economic sanctions, hoping to ward off the people’s discontent.
昨年１２月、金正恩政権は中国とのパイプ役だった張成沢氏を粛清し、中国との関係が冷え込んだ。経済は一層困窮している。国民の不満をかわそうと拉致問題で駆け引きし、見返りに日本に経済制裁の緩和を求めてくるだろう。
Behind North Korea’s conciliatory move is a quickly tightening international noose around North Korea over the abduction issue.
背景には、拉致問題を巡る北朝鮮包囲網の強まりもある。
A U.N. investigation panel on human rights abuses has compiled a report accusing North Korea of infringing on human rights under its state leaders. Pyongyang evidently wants to calm international criticism of the country by improving relations with Tokyo.
国連の調査委員会が、北朝鮮は国家ぐるみで拉致など人権侵害を行っていると糾弾した報告書をまとめた。北朝鮮は、対日関係の改善を図ることで、国際的な批判を和らげたいのではないか。
Japan must tackle the abduction issue seriously. At the same time, it needs to seek a comprehensive solution to North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs, which threaten the international community. Japan must firmly maintain its stance of holding dialogue with and applying pressure on North Korea.
日本は、拉致問題に真剣に取り組まねばならない。同時に、国際社会を脅かす核・ミサイル問題の包括的な解決も求めていく必要がある。北朝鮮への「対話と圧力」を堅持していくべきだ。
Japan and North Korea will hold an unofficial meeting of foreign ministerial division directors in Shenyang, China, on Wednesday and Thursday. It is essential for Japan to seek to build on the unofficial meeting to schedule official meetings and sound out North Korea’s response.
日朝両政府は１９、２０の両日に中国・瀋陽で外務省課長級による非公式協議を行う。これを正式な協議に格上げするとともに、北朝鮮の出方を探ることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2014)
（2014年3月18日01時59分 読売新聞）
Megumi’s absence casts shadow over parents’ meeting with granddaughter
横田夫妻と孫娘 対面にめぐみさん不在の重み（3月18日付・読売社説）
“Something like a dream come true.” “She [our granddaughter] looks like Megumi when she was young.”
「夢のようなことが実現した」「若い時のめぐみによく似ている」
The words of Shigeru Yokota and his wife Sakie show that being able to meet their granddaughter was a pleasure greater than they had dreamed of.
孫娘とようやく出会えたことは、やはり望外の喜びだっただろう。
The Yokotas met Kim Eun Gyong, the daughter of their daughter Megumi—one of the many Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea—for the first time in Ulan Bator from March 10 to 14. The pair said they also met their 10-month-old great-granddaughter.
北朝鮮による拉致被害者・横田めぐみさんの両親の横田滋さん、早紀江さん夫妻が、めぐみさんの娘、キム・ウンギョンさんとモンゴルのウランバートルで、初めて対面した。生後１０か月のひ孫にも会えたという。
The Yokotas had expressed a desire to meet their granddaughter since her existence became known in 2002. But they had refrained from doing so for fear that if they visited North Korea to meet her, Pyongyang would use the visit as an excuse to say the abduction issue had been put to rest.
夫妻は、孫娘の存在が判明した２００２年から、会いたいとの意向を示していた。だが、訪朝すれば、拉致問題の幕引きに利用されかねないと見送ってきた。
With Shigeru at 81 and Sakie at 78, the government considered the advanced ages of the Yokotas an important humanitarian concern and did all it could do to make the meeting possible through negotiations with North Korea.
夫妻が高齢であることなど、「人道的な見地」を重視して、政府が北朝鮮と交渉し、面会実現に尽力したことは評価したい。
Senior Foreign Ministry officials reportedly began a series of secret meetings with their North Korean counterparts in Hanoi and Hong Kong in late January to make arrangements to allow the meeting to happen in a third country. The realization of this meeting could be the first step in resolving the abduction issue, on which Prime Minister Shinzo Abe places great priority.
外務省の幹部は今年１月下旬以降、ベトナム・ハノイや香港で北朝鮮の当局者と極秘に接触し、第三国での対面の実現に向けて調整したという。拉致問題の解決を前面に掲げる安倍首相にとって、具体的な一歩だと言える。
The fact remains, however, that Megumi was not present when the Yokotas met their granddaughter, and no information about her safety has been ascertained. Her absence must be taken seriously.
ただ、その場にめぐみさんの姿はなく、安否に関する情報は得られなかった。その重みもまた、かみしめなければならない。
North Korea insists that Megumi died, and provided Japan with what it claimed to be her remains, but the remains provided were later shown not to be hers. After that discovery, Pyongyang pledged to restart investigations of the abductions of Japanese nationals, but has postponed delivering on that promise. The country has shown an extremely disingenuous attitude.
北朝鮮は、めぐみさんが「死亡した」と主張し、日本に遺骨を提供したが、別人のものだった。その後も、拉致問題の再調査を約束しながら、一方的にこれを見送った。極めて不誠実な態度だ。
What’s behind concession?
The intentions of North Korea in accepting the meeting between the Yokotas and Eun Gyong in a third-party country should be examined carefully.
第三国でのウンギョンさんとの対面を受け入れた北朝鮮側の意図を十分見極めたい。
The North Korean administration of Kim Jong Un purged Choe Thae Bok, who had served as a link with China, in December, and in doing so threw cold water onto bilateral relations between the two, further exacerbating the country’s economic plight. Pyongyang is expected to use the abduction issue as a bargaining chip to call for Tokyo to ease its economic sanctions, hoping to ward off the people’s discontent.
昨年１２月、金正恩政権は中国とのパイプ役だった張成沢氏を粛清し、中国との関係が冷え込んだ。経済は一層困窮している。国民の不満をかわそうと拉致問題で駆け引きし、見返りに日本に経済制裁の緩和を求めてくるだろう。
Behind North Korea’s conciliatory move is a quickly tightening international noose around North Korea over the abduction issue.
背景には、拉致問題を巡る北朝鮮包囲網の強まりもある。
A U.N. investigation panel on human rights abuses has compiled a report accusing North Korea of infringing on human rights under its state leaders. Pyongyang evidently wants to calm international criticism of the country by improving relations with Tokyo.
国連の調査委員会が、北朝鮮は国家ぐるみで拉致など人権侵害を行っていると糾弾した報告書をまとめた。北朝鮮は、対日関係の改善を図ることで、国際的な批判を和らげたいのではないか。
Japan must tackle the abduction issue seriously. At the same time, it needs to seek a comprehensive solution to North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs, which threaten the international community. Japan must firmly maintain its stance of holding dialogue with and applying pressure on North Korea.
日本は、拉致問題に真剣に取り組まねばならない。同時に、国際社会を脅かす核・ミサイル問題の包括的な解決も求めていく必要がある。北朝鮮への「対話と圧力」を堅持していくべきだ。
Japan and North Korea will hold an unofficial meeting of foreign ministerial division directors in Shenyang, China, on Wednesday and Thursday. It is essential for Japan to seek to build on the unofficial meeting to schedule official meetings and sound out North Korea’s response.
日朝両政府は１９、２０の両日に中国・瀋陽で外務省課長級による非公式協議を行う。これを正式な協議に格上げするとともに、北朝鮮の出方を探ることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2014)
（2014年3月18日01時59分 読売新聞）
2014/03/20
「川内」優先審査 原発を再活用する第一歩に
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 15, 2014
Sendai reactor checks must be 1st step in ending nuclear power suspension
「川内」優先審査 原発を再活用する第一歩に（3月15日付・読売社説）
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has selected the Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture as priority targets for confirming their safety, a prerequisite for resuming operations.
原子力規制委員会が、再稼働に向けて優先的に安全性を確認する原子力発電所として、九州電力川内原発１、２号機（鹿児島県）を選んだ。
This must be made a step toward ending the long-running suspension of nuclear power generation.
原発の長期停止を脱する一歩としなければならない。
Currently, the NRA is screening the safety of 17 reactors at 10 nuclear plants. The Sendai plant is the first candidate likely to pass the screening, with legal procedures expected to be completed as early as this summer for resuming operations.
規制委は、１０原発１７基の安全審査を進めている。川内原発は、その中で初の「合格」候補となった。今夏にも再稼働に向けた法的手続きが終わる見通しだ。
With all the nation’s 48 nuclear power reactors suspended in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, fuel costs for alternative thermal power generation have jumped, resulting in higher electricity charges. Some utilities are considering additional increases in charges.
東日本大震災の影響で、国内の全４８基の原発が停止する中、代替の火力発電用燃料費が増加し、電気料金が上がった。再値上げを検討中の電力会社もある。
The seriousness of this situation, which is affecting industry and people’s livelihoods, should never be underestimated.
産業や国民生活への影響が深刻であることを軽視すべきではない。
In July, the NRA compiled a new set of standards for regulating nuclear power plants that takes into consideration what happened during the outbreak of the nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant. The NRA originally estimated that safety screenings based on the standards would be “completed in a half-year or so.”
規制委は昨年７月、東京電力福島第一原発事故を踏まえた原発の新規制基準を策定した。それによる安全審査は、「半年程度で終わる」との見通しを示していた。
But the NRA and utilities had been at odds for a while over the kinds of data necessary for the screenings and interpretations of the new standards, dimming prospects for completing the screenings any time soon.
しかし、規制委と電力会社の間で、必要なデータの種類や、データの解釈などを巡って見解が食い違い、審査終了の見通しが立たない状況が続いていた。
New framework built To break the impasse, the NRA last month came up with a framework to set priorities in screening, a move that merits praise.
規制委が先月、優先審査の仕組みを打ち出したのは、現状打開の観点から評価できる。
Under the framework, the NRA would deploy screening experts to plants on a priority basis and expedite compilation of a screening document equivalent to a pass certificate, if the scale of earthquakes and other scenarios studied by the utility are deemed appropriate. It may compile a draft of screening results as early as next month.
想定すべき地震の規模などで電力会社の検討内容が適切と判断した原発については、優先的に審査官を配置し、「合格証」に相当する審査書作りを急ぐ。早ければ来月にも審査書案をまとめる。
It is hoped that the NRA and Kyushu Electric will effectively proceed with screening work.
規制委と九電は、効率的に審査を進めてもらいたい。
What is worrying is that the NRA is planning to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings when the draft is compiled.
懸念されるのは、規制委が、審査書案の段階で意
A considerable number of officials will be needed to deal with the vast number of opinions expressed, which could lead to insufficient staff for the screening work at the Sendai plant. It will inevitably have adverse implications on how screening of other reactors will proceed.
膨大な意見への対応に相応の人員を割くことになり、肝心の川内原発の審査が手薄にならないか。川内原発以外の原発の審査にも、しわ寄せが出るだろう。
Asking for outside opinion on any draft that the NRA itself compiles from a scientific perspective will harm the NRA’s credibility.
そもそも、自らが科学的観点からまとめた審査書案に、改めて外部の意見を求めるのは、規制委の信頼を損なうものだ。
The NRA’s stance has invited criticism among many members of the Liberal Democratic Party. “It’s akin to a judge soliciting opinions on a draft document giving his or her ruling” and “It’s trying to skirt responsibility for making a decision” are some of the skeptical comments made by members of the LDP project team discussing nuclear regulation issues.
規制委の姿勢に対しては、自民党内にも批判が多い。党原子力規制プロジェクトチームからは、「裁判官が判決文の案に意見を募集するようなもの」「判断の
The NRA should cancel its plans to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings.
規制委は、意見公募、公聴会の実施を取りやめるべきだ。
Many residents near the Sendai plant want to see it reactivated. Municipalities in the vicinity of the plant are making progress in compiling evacuation plans. The government and Kyushu Electric should make their utmost efforts to persuade local residents to accept how important restarting the plant is.
川内原発の地元では再稼働を期待する声が多い。周辺自治体では避難計画の策定も進んでいる。政府は、九電とともに再稼働の重要性について、丁寧に理解を得ていかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2014)
（2014年3月15日01時33分 読売新聞）
Sendai reactor checks must be 1st step in ending nuclear power suspension
「川内」優先審査 原発を再活用する第一歩に（3月15日付・読売社説）
The Nuclear Regulation Authority has selected the Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture as priority targets for confirming their safety, a prerequisite for resuming operations.
原子力規制委員会が、再稼働に向けて優先的に安全性を確認する原子力発電所として、九州電力川内原発１、２号機（鹿児島県）を選んだ。
This must be made a step toward ending the long-running suspension of nuclear power generation.
原発の長期停止を脱する一歩としなければならない。
Currently, the NRA is screening the safety of 17 reactors at 10 nuclear plants. The Sendai plant is the first candidate likely to pass the screening, with legal procedures expected to be completed as early as this summer for resuming operations.
規制委は、１０原発１７基の安全審査を進めている。川内原発は、その中で初の「合格」候補となった。今夏にも再稼働に向けた法的手続きが終わる見通しだ。
With all the nation’s 48 nuclear power reactors suspended in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, fuel costs for alternative thermal power generation have jumped, resulting in higher electricity charges. Some utilities are considering additional increases in charges.
東日本大震災の影響で、国内の全４８基の原発が停止する中、代替の火力発電用燃料費が増加し、電気料金が上がった。再値上げを検討中の電力会社もある。
The seriousness of this situation, which is affecting industry and people’s livelihoods, should never be underestimated.
産業や国民生活への影響が深刻であることを軽視すべきではない。
In July, the NRA compiled a new set of standards for regulating nuclear power plants that takes into consideration what happened during the outbreak of the nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 power plant. The NRA originally estimated that safety screenings based on the standards would be “completed in a half-year or so.”
規制委は昨年７月、東京電力福島第一原発事故を踏まえた原発の新規制基準を策定した。それによる安全審査は、「半年程度で終わる」との見通しを示していた。
But the NRA and utilities had been at odds for a while over the kinds of data necessary for the screenings and interpretations of the new standards, dimming prospects for completing the screenings any time soon.
しかし、規制委と電力会社の間で、必要なデータの種類や、データの解釈などを巡って見解が食い違い、審査終了の見通しが立たない状況が続いていた。
New framework built To break the impasse, the NRA last month came up with a framework to set priorities in screening, a move that merits praise.
規制委が先月、優先審査の仕組みを打ち出したのは、現状打開の観点から評価できる。
Under the framework, the NRA would deploy screening experts to plants on a priority basis and expedite compilation of a screening document equivalent to a pass certificate, if the scale of earthquakes and other scenarios studied by the utility are deemed appropriate. It may compile a draft of screening results as early as next month.
想定すべき地震の規模などで電力会社の検討内容が適切と判断した原発については、優先的に審査官を配置し、「合格証」に相当する審査書作りを急ぐ。早ければ来月にも審査書案をまとめる。
It is hoped that the NRA and Kyushu Electric will effectively proceed with screening work.
規制委と九電は、効率的に審査を進めてもらいたい。
What is worrying is that the NRA is planning to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings when the draft is compiled.
懸念されるのは、規制委が、審査書案の段階で意
A considerable number of officials will be needed to deal with the vast number of opinions expressed, which could lead to insufficient staff for the screening work at the Sendai plant. It will inevitably have adverse implications on how screening of other reactors will proceed.
膨大な意見への対応に相応の人員を割くことになり、肝心の川内原発の審査が手薄にならないか。川内原発以外の原発の審査にも、しわ寄せが出るだろう。
Asking for outside opinion on any draft that the NRA itself compiles from a scientific perspective will harm the NRA’s credibility.
そもそも、自らが科学的観点からまとめた審査書案に、改めて外部の意見を求めるのは、規制委の信頼を損なうものだ。
The NRA’s stance has invited criticism among many members of the Liberal Democratic Party. “It’s akin to a judge soliciting opinions on a draft document giving his or her ruling” and “It’s trying to skirt responsibility for making a decision” are some of the skeptical comments made by members of the LDP project team discussing nuclear regulation issues.
規制委の姿勢に対しては、自民党内にも批判が多い。党原子力規制プロジェクトチームからは、「裁判官が判決文の案に意見を募集するようなもの」「判断の
The NRA should cancel its plans to solicit public opinion and hold public hearings.
規制委は、意見公募、公聴会の実施を取りやめるべきだ。
Many residents near the Sendai plant want to see it reactivated. Municipalities in the vicinity of the plant are making progress in compiling evacuation plans. The government and Kyushu Electric should make their utmost efforts to persuade local residents to accept how important restarting the plant is.
川内原発の地元では再稼働を期待する声が多い。周辺自治体では避難計画の策定も進んでいる。政府は、九電とともに再稼働の重要性について、丁寧に理解を得ていかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2014)
（2014年3月15日01時33分 読売新聞）
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