The Yomiuri Shimbun 7:06 pm, April 30, 2014
Obama’s reinforcement of Asian ties sends strong message to China
米のアジア重視 対中牽制に同盟諸国を生かせ
As U.S. President Barack Obama—known for his “Asia pivot” policy—reconfirms his nation’s unity with its Asian allies, the significance of his moves should not be underestimated.
「アジア重視」政策を掲げるオバマ米大統領が同盟国との結束を確認した意義は大きい。
Obama recently finished his Asian tour, leaving his footprints in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.
オバマ氏が、日本、韓国、マレーシア、フィリピンのアジア４か国への歴訪を終えた。
The U.S. president has made his country’s presence felt in the Asia-Pacific region during the trip, stressing his unyielding stance against China’s expansion into Asia-Pacific waters where Beijing is unilaterally attempting to change the status quo, as well as his stand against North Korea’s nuclear development program. We welcome these moves.
一方的な現状変更を伴う中国の海洋進出や、北朝鮮の核開発に対し、断固たる姿勢を鮮明にして、アジア太平洋における米国の存在感を示したことは評価できる。
One of the highlights of Obama’s Asian trip was the signing of a military pact between the United States and the Philippines, which paves the way for the re-stationing of U.S. troops in the Southeast Asian nation. Manila is currently engaged in territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.
今回の訪問で注目されるのは、南シナ海での領有権を巡り中国と対立するフィリピンにおける、米軍再駐留に道を開く軍事協定に、米比両国が調印したことだ。
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement will give U.S. forces access to Philippine military bases. The pact will also enable the temporary rotation of U.S. troops through the country, and the deployment of fighter jets and warships.
協定で、米軍はフィリピン軍基地の使用を認められる。常駐ではないが、部隊の巡回派遣や戦闘機、艦船の配備も可能となる。
The Philippines was once a strategic foothold of the United States. However, the island country refused to extend the stationing of the U.S. forces after the end of the Cold War, and U.S. troops withdrew from the country by the end of 1992.
米軍はかつてフィリピンを戦略拠点としていたが、冷戦終結後、フィリピンに駐留延長を拒まれ、１９９２年までに撤収した。
After the U.S. withdrawal, China began reinforcing its influence in the South China Sea as if the country were aiming to fill the power vacuum. For example, Beijing has extended its control of a shoal over which the Philippines claims sovereignty. More recently, China has obliged fishing boats operating in the South China sea to obtain a license from the Chinese government, further raising tensions in the area.
その後、フィリピンが領有権を主張する環礁に支配を拡大するなど、力の空白を埋めるように、南シナ海での勢力増強に乗り出してきたのが、中国だ。最近も、外国漁船に操業の許可申請を義務付けて、一段と緊張を高めている。
U.S. as stabilizer
The U.S.-Philippine pact will serve as a great opportunity to restore the influence of U.S. forces in the South China Sea. If U.S. forces enhance their cooperation with the forces of Asian allies, through efforts such as joint military exercises, this can be expected to work as a deterrent to China’s activities in the area. It is understandable that Obama said the purpose of the pact is “to promote regional stability such as in the South China Sea.”
協定は、南シナ海での米軍のプレゼンスを回復する契機となる。共同演習などで、米軍が各国軍と協調を強めれば、中国の活動を牽制けんせいする効果を持とう。オバマ氏が、協定で「地域の安定を促進する」と述べたのは、うなずける。
In the Japan-U.S. joint statement issued during Obama’s trip to Japan, Obama reaffirmed that the Senkaku Islands, which are located in the East China Sea, are within the scope of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. It is very meaningful that Obama expressed his intention not to condone China’s moves to seek hegemony also in the South China Sea through the U.S.-Philippines pact.
オバマ氏は日米共同声明で、東シナ海の尖閣諸島が日米安保条約の適用対象だと確認した。米比協定によって、南シナ海でも中国の覇権主義的な行動は許さないとの意思を表明したことは重要だ。
Meanwhile, in South Korea, Obama agreed with South Korean President Park Geun-hye to reinforce the two countries’ cooperation to prevent further provocations by North Korea, which continues its nuclear development activities. “We will not hesitate to use our military might to defend our allies and our way of life,” Obama said during a speech at a U.S. military base in the nation.
一方、オバマ氏は、韓国の朴槿恵大統領と、核開発を進める北朝鮮による「挑発を阻止する」ための協力強化で合意した。さらに、在韓米軍基地での演説では、「同盟国を守るためなら軍事力行使もためらわない」と断言した。
Specifically, Obama has stated that the United States will continue to have the right of command over U.S.-South Korea coalition troops during contingencies for the time being. We believe it was appropriate for the United States to show that it will maintain responsibility in deterring North Korea’s movements.
具体的措置として、有事における米韓連合軍の指揮権限を米軍が当面維持することも認めた。北朝鮮抑止に、米国が今後も責任を持つ姿勢を示したのは、適切だ。
Park has recently been increasing her inclination toward China. However, in a written reply to questions from a South Korean newspaper, Obama said that Seoul’s alliance with the United States serves as the foundation of South Korea’s security and prosperity, an apparent message urging to the nation to shift its focus onto cooperation with the United States and Japan.
朴大統領は中国への傾斜を強めているが、オバマ氏は韓国紙への書面回答で、「米国との同盟が韓国の安全と繁栄の基盤だ」と述べた。日米韓の連携を重視するよう韓国にくぎを刺したと言える。
It is unlikely that the tensions in the Asia-Pacific region will end anytime soon. It will be essential for the United States and its allies to join hands and accumulate specific actions one by one.
アジア太平洋の緊張は今後も継続するだろう。米国と同盟国が協力して、具体的な行動を積み重ねていくことが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 30, 2014)
2014/05/02
2014/05/01
（社説）原発ゼロの夏 内向きの経営脱する時
April 29, 2014
EDITORIAL: Utilities should start plotting nuclear-free future for themselves
（社説）原発ゼロの夏 内向きの経営脱する時
Electric utilities are still warning that a lack of nuclear power generation will cause power shortages and rises in electricity bills. It’s time for them to stop emphasizing such concerns in their attempts to win public support for restarting idled nuclear reactors.
原発なしでは電気が足りず、電気代も上がる――電力会社はもう、そんな不安を前面に出す姿勢を改めるべきではないか。
Prospects are bleak for bringing reactors back online by summer, so the utilities have worked out plans to avoid a summer power crunch without using nuclear energy. If these plans are carried out, this summer will be the first without nuclear power generation since the Fukushima nuclear disaster unfolded in March 2011.
この夏の原発再稼働が見通せぬ中、電力各社は「原発ゼロの夏」を乗り切る計画を示した。実現すれば、震災後初のこととなる。
Some utilities, however, will have to walk a tightrope. Kansai Electric Power Co., which was excessively dependent on nuclear power generation, will have only a 3-percent reserve capacity during the summer peak-demand period. That means efforts to reduce power consumption should not be relaxed.
とはいえ、もともと原発に過大な依存をしていた関西電力では、真夏のピーク時の余裕は３％しかない。
But the company’s power supply plan for the summer indicates an amazing change in society. It was only two years ago that Kansai Electric Power restarted reactors at its Oi nuclear power plant, claiming that an absence of nuclear power would force it to carry out a rolling blackout, which could seriously affect corporate activities and operations of medical institutions.
節電の手を緩めてはならないが、つい２年前「原発ゼロなら計画停電もある」「企業活動や医療現場に影響が出かねない」と大飯原発を再稼働したときのことを思えば、世の変化に目を見張る思いだ。
The great change has been powered by larger-than-expected cuts in power consumption achieved through efforts by society as a whole.
原動力は、予想を上回る節電の定着である。
In that summer, the power saving in the region served by Kansai Electric, which then relied on the Oi plant, was three times larger than expected. As it turned out, theoretically, there would not have been a power shortage in the region even if all nuclear plants had been offline.
あの夏、大飯原発に頼った関電管内では予想の３倍を超える節電を達成。原発ゼロでも乗り切れた計算となった。
The summer last year was among the hottest in history, but there were no signs that power-saving efforts slackened.
昨年は歴史的猛暑だったのに、節電の定着ぶりは変わらなかった。
Based on its experiences during the past two summers, Kansai Electric has estimated that the amount of electricity to be saved this summer will be equivalent to the total power output from two and a half nuclear reactors. Ardent power-saving efforts by consumers made as a serious response to the disastrous nuclear accident have effectively created a huge power surplus.
こうした実績から、関電は今夏、原発２・５基分の節電を見込むことができた。原発事故を真摯（しんし）に受け止めたユーザーの努力が「節電発電所」の建設につながったといえる。
In contrast, utilities have failed to make serious efforts to ensure a power supply without nuclear plants.
電力会社の努力はどうか。
They have kept arguing that nuclear power generation is indispensable for a stable power supply, and they have applied for permission to restart reactors, including even risky ones close to densely populated areas.
安定供給には原発しかないと説き続け、リスクが明らかに高い人口密集地付近の原発でも再稼働を申請する。
Meanwhile, they have been dragging their feet on establishing a system that makes it easier for them to buy surplus power from other utilities serving different regions. To prevent a power crunch, Kansai Electric plans to buy electricity from Tokyo Electric Power Co. for the first time this summer. The amount of power traded between the nation’s eastern and western regions, which run at different frequencies, has increased by only 20 percent since the Fukushima disaster.
一方で、余った電力を地域を越えて融通しあう仕組みはなかなか整わない。関電は今夏初めて、東京電力から融通を受けて電力不足を乗り切る計画だが、周波数の違う東西での融通能力は震災時から２割増えただけだ。
Most utilities have remained dependent on old thermal power plants with low energy efficiency. They have kept saying these thermal plants could break down at any time and force them to raise electricity charges to cover growing fuel costs. It was only very recently that utilities began to move toward building state-of-the-art, energy efficient thermal power plants.
燃費がかさむ古い火力に頼り、「いつ故障とも知れない」「電気代が上がる」という説明も続く。最新鋭の高効率の火力発電所建設の動きが出始めたのは、ごく最近のことだ。
The Diet is now considering a bill to further deregulate the power market. The nation is heading into a new era when consumers including households as well as businesses can freely choose their power suppliers. The market has already been liberalized for large consumers like local governments. A growing number of them are switching to newly created power suppliers that offer cheaper electricity.
電力市場の自由化を進める法案が、国会で審議中だ。家庭も含めて自由に電力会社を選べる時代へと移っていく。すでに自由化された自治体などの大口利用者は、電気代の安い新電力に乗り換え始めた。
Unless they change their way of thinking, large established utilities, which have long held regional monopolies, will find it increasingly hard to secure their long-term viability.
発想を切り替えねば、大手電力会社自身が生き残れまい。
People who are making power-saving efforts want to see the establishment of a system that ensures a safe and stable supply of electricity at the lowest possible cost. It is vital to expand the use of renewable energy sources and build up a reliable program for mutual supplies of surplus power for more efficient use of limited resources.
節電する人びとが求めるのは、安全に安定して、できるだけ安く電気を使えるシステムをつくっていくことだろう。再生可能エネルギーを拡大し、限られた電気を融通し合える仕組みを早く根付かせたい。
The accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant has revealed huge potential risks lurking in nuclear power generation. From this point of view, the efforts of utilities to restart their nuclear power plants, driven by the fact that they have poured huge amounts of money into the facilities, appear to reflect a ruefully inward-looking attitude.
福島での事故で巨大なリスクが潜むことが明らかになった以上、巨額の投資をしたから原発を動かしたいという経営の論理はあまりに内向きに見える。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 28
EDITORIAL: Utilities should start plotting nuclear-free future for themselves
（社説）原発ゼロの夏 内向きの経営脱する時
Electric utilities are still warning that a lack of nuclear power generation will cause power shortages and rises in electricity bills. It’s time for them to stop emphasizing such concerns in their attempts to win public support for restarting idled nuclear reactors.
原発なしでは電気が足りず、電気代も上がる――電力会社はもう、そんな不安を前面に出す姿勢を改めるべきではないか。
Prospects are bleak for bringing reactors back online by summer, so the utilities have worked out plans to avoid a summer power crunch without using nuclear energy. If these plans are carried out, this summer will be the first without nuclear power generation since the Fukushima nuclear disaster unfolded in March 2011.
この夏の原発再稼働が見通せぬ中、電力各社は「原発ゼロの夏」を乗り切る計画を示した。実現すれば、震災後初のこととなる。
Some utilities, however, will have to walk a tightrope. Kansai Electric Power Co., which was excessively dependent on nuclear power generation, will have only a 3-percent reserve capacity during the summer peak-demand period. That means efforts to reduce power consumption should not be relaxed.
とはいえ、もともと原発に過大な依存をしていた関西電力では、真夏のピーク時の余裕は３％しかない。
But the company’s power supply plan for the summer indicates an amazing change in society. It was only two years ago that Kansai Electric Power restarted reactors at its Oi nuclear power plant, claiming that an absence of nuclear power would force it to carry out a rolling blackout, which could seriously affect corporate activities and operations of medical institutions.
節電の手を緩めてはならないが、つい２年前「原発ゼロなら計画停電もある」「企業活動や医療現場に影響が出かねない」と大飯原発を再稼働したときのことを思えば、世の変化に目を見張る思いだ。
The great change has been powered by larger-than-expected cuts in power consumption achieved through efforts by society as a whole.
原動力は、予想を上回る節電の定着である。
In that summer, the power saving in the region served by Kansai Electric, which then relied on the Oi plant, was three times larger than expected. As it turned out, theoretically, there would not have been a power shortage in the region even if all nuclear plants had been offline.
あの夏、大飯原発に頼った関電管内では予想の３倍を超える節電を達成。原発ゼロでも乗り切れた計算となった。
The summer last year was among the hottest in history, but there were no signs that power-saving efforts slackened.
昨年は歴史的猛暑だったのに、節電の定着ぶりは変わらなかった。
Based on its experiences during the past two summers, Kansai Electric has estimated that the amount of electricity to be saved this summer will be equivalent to the total power output from two and a half nuclear reactors. Ardent power-saving efforts by consumers made as a serious response to the disastrous nuclear accident have effectively created a huge power surplus.
こうした実績から、関電は今夏、原発２・５基分の節電を見込むことができた。原発事故を真摯（しんし）に受け止めたユーザーの努力が「節電発電所」の建設につながったといえる。
In contrast, utilities have failed to make serious efforts to ensure a power supply without nuclear plants.
電力会社の努力はどうか。
They have kept arguing that nuclear power generation is indispensable for a stable power supply, and they have applied for permission to restart reactors, including even risky ones close to densely populated areas.
安定供給には原発しかないと説き続け、リスクが明らかに高い人口密集地付近の原発でも再稼働を申請する。
Meanwhile, they have been dragging their feet on establishing a system that makes it easier for them to buy surplus power from other utilities serving different regions. To prevent a power crunch, Kansai Electric plans to buy electricity from Tokyo Electric Power Co. for the first time this summer. The amount of power traded between the nation’s eastern and western regions, which run at different frequencies, has increased by only 20 percent since the Fukushima disaster.
一方で、余った電力を地域を越えて融通しあう仕組みはなかなか整わない。関電は今夏初めて、東京電力から融通を受けて電力不足を乗り切る計画だが、周波数の違う東西での融通能力は震災時から２割増えただけだ。
Most utilities have remained dependent on old thermal power plants with low energy efficiency. They have kept saying these thermal plants could break down at any time and force them to raise electricity charges to cover growing fuel costs. It was only very recently that utilities began to move toward building state-of-the-art, energy efficient thermal power plants.
燃費がかさむ古い火力に頼り、「いつ故障とも知れない」「電気代が上がる」という説明も続く。最新鋭の高効率の火力発電所建設の動きが出始めたのは、ごく最近のことだ。
The Diet is now considering a bill to further deregulate the power market. The nation is heading into a new era when consumers including households as well as businesses can freely choose their power suppliers. The market has already been liberalized for large consumers like local governments. A growing number of them are switching to newly created power suppliers that offer cheaper electricity.
電力市場の自由化を進める法案が、国会で審議中だ。家庭も含めて自由に電力会社を選べる時代へと移っていく。すでに自由化された自治体などの大口利用者は、電気代の安い新電力に乗り換え始めた。
Unless they change their way of thinking, large established utilities, which have long held regional monopolies, will find it increasingly hard to secure their long-term viability.
発想を切り替えねば、大手電力会社自身が生き残れまい。
People who are making power-saving efforts want to see the establishment of a system that ensures a safe and stable supply of electricity at the lowest possible cost. It is vital to expand the use of renewable energy sources and build up a reliable program for mutual supplies of surplus power for more efficient use of limited resources.
節電する人びとが求めるのは、安全に安定して、できるだけ安く電気を使えるシステムをつくっていくことだろう。再生可能エネルギーを拡大し、限られた電気を融通し合える仕組みを早く根付かせたい。
The accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant has revealed huge potential risks lurking in nuclear power generation. From this point of view, the efforts of utilities to restart their nuclear power plants, driven by the fact that they have poured huge amounts of money into the facilities, appear to reflect a ruefully inward-looking attitude.
福島での事故で巨大なリスクが潜むことが明らかになった以上、巨額の投資をしたから原発を動かしたいという経営の論理はあまりに内向きに見える。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 28
2014/04/30
ダンス営業規制 実態に即した法改正が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun 6:55 pm, April 28, 2014
Law regulating dance clubs should be revised to reflect current reality
ダンス営業規制 実態に即した法改正が必要だ
Regulating dance classes under the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses can be considered off the mark. The law should be revised to reflect reality.
風俗営業法でダンス教室まで規制するのは、的外れと言われても仕方あるまい。実態に即した法改正が必要である。
The Osaka District Court has acquitted the former operator of a dance club accused of running the establishment without permission in violation of the law, based on its judgment that “it cannot be said the operator allowed customers to engage in the kind of hedonistic dancing regulated by the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.”
若者らがダンスを楽しむ「クラブ」を無許可営業したとして、風営法違反に問われた元経営者に、大阪地裁が無罪を言い渡した。「風営法が規制する享楽的なダンスをさせたとは言えない」との判断からだ。
However, the court also rejected the claim by the defense counsel that “the law infringes on the freedom of business activity and is therefore unconstitutional,” concluding that “regulation is needed for the public benefit and is thus constitutional.”
一方、弁護側の「風営法は営業の自由を侵害しており、憲法違反だ」という主張に対して、判決は「規制は公共の利益のために必要で、合憲」と結論づけた。
We believe it is appropriate to acknowledge the rationality of controlling the excesses of sex entertainment businesses, while also clarifying the facts in individual cases involving dance clubs and other operations.
性風俗の乱れを取り締まる合理性は認めながら、クラブなどの個別の状況に応じて事実認定したのは、適切と言えよう。
Some of the law’s stipulations are outdated because it regards all businesses related to dance as “adult entertainment” and regulates them in the same way.
風営法の規定で時代にそぐわないのは、ダンスに関するあらゆる営業を「風俗営業」と位置づけ、一律に規制している点だ。
Regulation of dance businesses was included when the law was enacted in 1948, just after the end of World War II. At that time, dance halls were considered hotbeds of prostitution.
風営法にダンスの営業規制が盛り込まれたのは、戦後間もない１９４８年の制定時に遡る。当時、ダンスホールが売春の温床となっていたことが背景にある。
Currently, the operation of dance businesses, including dance halls and classes that do not serve food or drinks, in principle requires permission from a public safety commission. Such businesses are prohibited from opening establishments close to residential areas, schools, hospitals and some other locations. Also, their business hours must end at midnight in principle, and they are off limits to people younger than 18.
客に飲食を提供しないダンスホールやダンス教室を含め、営業には、原則として公安委員会の許可が必要だ。住宅地や学校、病院などの近くでは開業できない。営業時間は原則午前０時までで、１８歳未満の立ち入りは禁止される。
Popularity of dancing rising
More people are enjoying dancing as a fitness or artistic activity, and ballroom dance is popular mainly among the elderly. Considering these circumstances, it may be advisable to scrap the regulation of dance halls and dance classes.
ダンスをスポーツや芸術活動として楽しむ人が増えている。高齢者を中心に社交ダンスも流行している。こうした現状を考えれば、ダンスホールやダンス教室への規制は撤廃すべきではないか。
But dance clubs should remain subject to some regulation. They usually play reverberating music very loudly, triggering many complaints from neighbors because of the noise and vibrations. Furthermore, drug trade and violence are sometimes associated with dance clubs.
その一方、クラブに対しては、一定の規制を残すべきだろう。大音響で音楽を流すため、騒音や振動の苦情が多い。薬物売買や暴力事件なども発生している。
A suprapartisan group of about 60 Diet members, called the league of lawmakers promoting dance culture, is trying to submit a bill to revise the law during the current Diet session.
超党派の国会議員約６０人で作る「ダンス文化推進議員連盟」は、風営法改正案を今国会に提出することを目指している。
Among their proposals, the one most likely to be adopted is to abolish the regulation of dance halls and classes but continue to regulate the location of dance clubs, while allowing them to extend their business hours if they get permission.
ダンスホール、ダンス教室の規制は撤廃し、クラブについては、立地規制を維持しつつ、許可を受ければ営業時間を延長できるとする案が有力とされている。
A considerable number of dance clubs are deliberately operating without official permission because they would have a hard time attracting customers if they closed early. The bill under study by the lawmakers perhaps merits consideration, as it presents realistic controls.
営業の終了時間が早いと客が集まらないとして、あえて無許可営業を続けているクラブは少なくない。改正案は、現実的な対策として検討に値するのではないか。
At a subcommittee meeting of the government’s Council for Regulatory Reform, some members called for using dance clubs to attract tourists in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
政府の規制改革会議の部会では、２０２０年の東京五輪を前に、クラブを観光資源として活用すべきだといった意見も出た。
What matters most is to create an environment for people to enjoy dancing in a wholesome manner.
重要なのは、ダンスを健全に楽しむための環境作りである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2014)
Law regulating dance clubs should be revised to reflect current reality
ダンス営業規制 実態に即した法改正が必要だ
Regulating dance classes under the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses can be considered off the mark. The law should be revised to reflect reality.
風俗営業法でダンス教室まで規制するのは、的外れと言われても仕方あるまい。実態に即した法改正が必要である。
The Osaka District Court has acquitted the former operator of a dance club accused of running the establishment without permission in violation of the law, based on its judgment that “it cannot be said the operator allowed customers to engage in the kind of hedonistic dancing regulated by the Law Regulating Adult Entertainment Businesses.”
若者らがダンスを楽しむ「クラブ」を無許可営業したとして、風営法違反に問われた元経営者に、大阪地裁が無罪を言い渡した。「風営法が規制する享楽的なダンスをさせたとは言えない」との判断からだ。
However, the court also rejected the claim by the defense counsel that “the law infringes on the freedom of business activity and is therefore unconstitutional,” concluding that “regulation is needed for the public benefit and is thus constitutional.”
一方、弁護側の「風営法は営業の自由を侵害しており、憲法違反だ」という主張に対して、判決は「規制は公共の利益のために必要で、合憲」と結論づけた。
We believe it is appropriate to acknowledge the rationality of controlling the excesses of sex entertainment businesses, while also clarifying the facts in individual cases involving dance clubs and other operations.
性風俗の乱れを取り締まる合理性は認めながら、クラブなどの個別の状況に応じて事実認定したのは、適切と言えよう。
Some of the law’s stipulations are outdated because it regards all businesses related to dance as “adult entertainment” and regulates them in the same way.
風営法の規定で時代にそぐわないのは、ダンスに関するあらゆる営業を「風俗営業」と位置づけ、一律に規制している点だ。
Regulation of dance businesses was included when the law was enacted in 1948, just after the end of World War II. At that time, dance halls were considered hotbeds of prostitution.
風営法にダンスの営業規制が盛り込まれたのは、戦後間もない１９４８年の制定時に遡る。当時、ダンスホールが売春の温床となっていたことが背景にある。
Currently, the operation of dance businesses, including dance halls and classes that do not serve food or drinks, in principle requires permission from a public safety commission. Such businesses are prohibited from opening establishments close to residential areas, schools, hospitals and some other locations. Also, their business hours must end at midnight in principle, and they are off limits to people younger than 18.
客に飲食を提供しないダンスホールやダンス教室を含め、営業には、原則として公安委員会の許可が必要だ。住宅地や学校、病院などの近くでは開業できない。営業時間は原則午前０時までで、１８歳未満の立ち入りは禁止される。
Popularity of dancing rising
More people are enjoying dancing as a fitness or artistic activity, and ballroom dance is popular mainly among the elderly. Considering these circumstances, it may be advisable to scrap the regulation of dance halls and dance classes.
ダンスをスポーツや芸術活動として楽しむ人が増えている。高齢者を中心に社交ダンスも流行している。こうした現状を考えれば、ダンスホールやダンス教室への規制は撤廃すべきではないか。
But dance clubs should remain subject to some regulation. They usually play reverberating music very loudly, triggering many complaints from neighbors because of the noise and vibrations. Furthermore, drug trade and violence are sometimes associated with dance clubs.
その一方、クラブに対しては、一定の規制を残すべきだろう。大音響で音楽を流すため、騒音や振動の苦情が多い。薬物売買や暴力事件なども発生している。
A suprapartisan group of about 60 Diet members, called the league of lawmakers promoting dance culture, is trying to submit a bill to revise the law during the current Diet session.
超党派の国会議員約６０人で作る「ダンス文化推進議員連盟」は、風営法改正案を今国会に提出することを目指している。
Among their proposals, the one most likely to be adopted is to abolish the regulation of dance halls and classes but continue to regulate the location of dance clubs, while allowing them to extend their business hours if they get permission.
ダンスホール、ダンス教室の規制は撤廃し、クラブについては、立地規制を維持しつつ、許可を受ければ営業時間を延長できるとする案が有力とされている。
A considerable number of dance clubs are deliberately operating without official permission because they would have a hard time attracting customers if they closed early. The bill under study by the lawmakers perhaps merits consideration, as it presents realistic controls.
営業の終了時間が早いと客が集まらないとして、あえて無許可営業を続けているクラブは少なくない。改正案は、現実的な対策として検討に値するのではないか。
At a subcommittee meeting of the government’s Council for Regulatory Reform, some members called for using dance clubs to attract tourists in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
政府の規制改革会議の部会では、２０２０年の東京五輪を前に、クラブを観光資源として活用すべきだといった意見も出た。
What matters most is to create an environment for people to enjoy dancing in a wholesome manner.
重要なのは、ダンスを健全に楽しむための環境作りである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2014)
2014/04/29
認知症事故判決 介護する側の苦労も考慮した
The Yomiuri Shimbun 7:13 pm, April 27, 2014
Court considers hardship of caring for senile in lawsuit over rail death
認知症事故判決 介護する側の苦労も考慮した
Last week’s ruling by the Nagoya High Court posed a weighty question: How can we establish a system that will enable people to live at home after developing senile dementia?
認知症になっても自宅で暮らせる体制をどう築くか。重い課題を突きつける判決である。
The case, which was sent to the court on appeal, involves a suit filed by the Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) seeking compensation from the bereaved family of a man with senile dementia who died after being struck by a train—an accident the railway company claims caused damage because it delayed the train schedule. The high court ordered the man’s wife, who was caring for her husband at home, to pay compensation.
認知症の男性が列車にはねられて死亡し、ＪＲ東海が遺族に遅延損害の賠償を求めた訴訟の控訴審で、名古屋高裁は、介護していた妻に賠償を命じる判決を言い渡した。
There have been a considerable number of cases in which elderly people with dementia have wandered away from their home and become involved in train accidents. The issue is something people providing nursing care for family members can relate to.
認知症の高齢者が徘徊はいかいし、鉄道事故に遭うケースは少なくない。介護する家族にとって、人ごとではない問題だ。
The accident occurred when the man wandered out and entered the train tracks after his wife had briefly dozed off.
この事故では、妻がまどろんでいるわずかの間に、男性は外出し、線路内に立ち入った。
In the first trial at the Nagoya District Court, the presiding judge said that the danger of the man being involved in an accident, if he went out, was predictable and that “the wife was at fault for neglecting her duty to constantly watch over him.”
１審の名古屋地裁は、男性が外出すれば事故が起きる危険性を予見できたとした上で、「妻には、夫から目を離さずに見守るのを怠った過失がある」と認定した。
The high court, on the other hand, ruled that such an accident had not been predictable. The court also rejected the claim that she was at fault for neglect, which constitutes illegal behavior, by taking into account the fact that the wife was trying hard to nurse him. But it still acknowledged her responsibility of paying compensation as the person obliged to supervise her husband since he could not be legally held accountable.
これに対し、名古屋高裁は「事故は予見できなかった」と判断した。妻らが介護に努めていた点も考慮し、不法行為による過失を否定した。ただ、責任能力のない夫を介護する妻には、監督義務者としての賠償責任を認めた。
24-hour watch impossible
It is virtually impossible for family members to watch sufferers of senile dementia they care for around the clock. If family members are made to shoulder excessive burdens, more and more people will have second thoughts about caring for such patients at home.
介護する家族が四六時中、認知症の高齢者から目を離さずにいることはできまい。家族に過重な責任を負わせれば、自宅での介護に二の足を踏む人が増えよう。
The fact that the high court halved the amount of compensation the family has to pay in this case indicates it took into consideration the hardship of nursing care givers.
高裁が賠償額を１審に比べ半減させたのは、介護する側の苦労にも目配りした結果と言える。
Furthermore, the high court pointed out a blunder on the part of JR Tokai, saying, “It can be presumed that the accident could have been prevented” if the railway company had locked an opening in a fence, from which the man is believed to have entered the tracks.
高裁は、ＪＲ東海に対しても、男性が線路に立ち入ったとみられるフェンスに施錠していれば、「事故を防げたと推認できる」と落ち度を指摘した。
The court also said, “It is the social responsibility of public transportation entities to improve safety” by paying consideration to people unable to understand the danger of accidents. We hope all railway companies will take this point seriously.
事故の危険を理解できない人がいるのを考慮し、「公共交通機関として安全の向上に努めるのは社会的責務」とも述べた。鉄道各社は重く受け止めてもらいたい。
At a time when the number of senile dementia patients has surged in recent years to 4.6 million, and there are long waiting lists to enter special nursing homes for the elderly, it is difficult to care for senile dementia sufferers at nursing facilities alone.
認知症高齢者は急増し、４６０万人に上る。特別養護老人ホームの入居待機者も多く、施設だけで介護するのは困難だ。
In 2012, about 9,500 went missing because of senile dementia, of which 359 people were later found dead. It is essential to expand and improve the system for supporting nursing care at home in addition to coming up with measures to prevent accidents involving elderly people who wander away.
認知症が原因で行方不明になった人は２０１２年に約９５００人に上り、３５９人は発見時に死亡していた。在宅介護を支援する体制の拡充と、徘徊による事故を防ぐ手立てを考えねばならない。
The government, for its part, should establish around-the-clock visiting nursing care services as well as medical institutions that would dispatch a doctor to the home of a patient whose symptoms have worsened.
政府は、２４時間型の訪問介護サービスや症状の悪化時に往診する医療機関の整備を急ぐべきだ。
It is indispensable to involve community members in countermeasures. The city of Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, which sends e-mail alerts to citizens whenever a senile dementia sufferer goes missing, can be a good example for other local governments.
地域ぐるみの対策も欠かせない。認知症の高齢者が行方不明になると、市民に一斉メールで知らせる福岡県大牟田市の取り組みは、他の自治体の参考になる。
It will also be necessary to study the advisability of establishing an insurance system that would compensate railway companies for accidents involving senile persons.
事故が起きた場合、鉄道会社に損害金が支払われる保険制度の創設も検討課題になるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 27, 2014)
Court considers hardship of caring for senile in lawsuit over rail death
認知症事故判決 介護する側の苦労も考慮した
Last week’s ruling by the Nagoya High Court posed a weighty question: How can we establish a system that will enable people to live at home after developing senile dementia?
認知症になっても自宅で暮らせる体制をどう築くか。重い課題を突きつける判決である。
The case, which was sent to the court on appeal, involves a suit filed by the Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) seeking compensation from the bereaved family of a man with senile dementia who died after being struck by a train—an accident the railway company claims caused damage because it delayed the train schedule. The high court ordered the man’s wife, who was caring for her husband at home, to pay compensation.
認知症の男性が列車にはねられて死亡し、ＪＲ東海が遺族に遅延損害の賠償を求めた訴訟の控訴審で、名古屋高裁は、介護していた妻に賠償を命じる判決を言い渡した。
There have been a considerable number of cases in which elderly people with dementia have wandered away from their home and become involved in train accidents. The issue is something people providing nursing care for family members can relate to.
認知症の高齢者が徘徊はいかいし、鉄道事故に遭うケースは少なくない。介護する家族にとって、人ごとではない問題だ。
The accident occurred when the man wandered out and entered the train tracks after his wife had briefly dozed off.
この事故では、妻がまどろんでいるわずかの間に、男性は外出し、線路内に立ち入った。
In the first trial at the Nagoya District Court, the presiding judge said that the danger of the man being involved in an accident, if he went out, was predictable and that “the wife was at fault for neglecting her duty to constantly watch over him.”
１審の名古屋地裁は、男性が外出すれば事故が起きる危険性を予見できたとした上で、「妻には、夫から目を離さずに見守るのを怠った過失がある」と認定した。
The high court, on the other hand, ruled that such an accident had not been predictable. The court also rejected the claim that she was at fault for neglect, which constitutes illegal behavior, by taking into account the fact that the wife was trying hard to nurse him. But it still acknowledged her responsibility of paying compensation as the person obliged to supervise her husband since he could not be legally held accountable.
これに対し、名古屋高裁は「事故は予見できなかった」と判断した。妻らが介護に努めていた点も考慮し、不法行為による過失を否定した。ただ、責任能力のない夫を介護する妻には、監督義務者としての賠償責任を認めた。
24-hour watch impossible
It is virtually impossible for family members to watch sufferers of senile dementia they care for around the clock. If family members are made to shoulder excessive burdens, more and more people will have second thoughts about caring for such patients at home.
介護する家族が四六時中、認知症の高齢者から目を離さずにいることはできまい。家族に過重な責任を負わせれば、自宅での介護に二の足を踏む人が増えよう。
The fact that the high court halved the amount of compensation the family has to pay in this case indicates it took into consideration the hardship of nursing care givers.
高裁が賠償額を１審に比べ半減させたのは、介護する側の苦労にも目配りした結果と言える。
Furthermore, the high court pointed out a blunder on the part of JR Tokai, saying, “It can be presumed that the accident could have been prevented” if the railway company had locked an opening in a fence, from which the man is believed to have entered the tracks.
高裁は、ＪＲ東海に対しても、男性が線路に立ち入ったとみられるフェンスに施錠していれば、「事故を防げたと推認できる」と落ち度を指摘した。
The court also said, “It is the social responsibility of public transportation entities to improve safety” by paying consideration to people unable to understand the danger of accidents. We hope all railway companies will take this point seriously.
事故の危険を理解できない人がいるのを考慮し、「公共交通機関として安全の向上に努めるのは社会的責務」とも述べた。鉄道各社は重く受け止めてもらいたい。
At a time when the number of senile dementia patients has surged in recent years to 4.6 million, and there are long waiting lists to enter special nursing homes for the elderly, it is difficult to care for senile dementia sufferers at nursing facilities alone.
認知症高齢者は急増し、４６０万人に上る。特別養護老人ホームの入居待機者も多く、施設だけで介護するのは困難だ。
In 2012, about 9,500 went missing because of senile dementia, of which 359 people were later found dead. It is essential to expand and improve the system for supporting nursing care at home in addition to coming up with measures to prevent accidents involving elderly people who wander away.
認知症が原因で行方不明になった人は２０１２年に約９５００人に上り、３５９人は発見時に死亡していた。在宅介護を支援する体制の拡充と、徘徊による事故を防ぐ手立てを考えねばならない。
The government, for its part, should establish around-the-clock visiting nursing care services as well as medical institutions that would dispatch a doctor to the home of a patient whose symptoms have worsened.
政府は、２４時間型の訪問介護サービスや症状の悪化時に往診する医療機関の整備を急ぐべきだ。
It is indispensable to involve community members in countermeasures. The city of Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, which sends e-mail alerts to citizens whenever a senile dementia sufferer goes missing, can be a good example for other local governments.
地域ぐるみの対策も欠かせない。認知症の高齢者が行方不明になると、市民に一斉メールで知らせる福岡県大牟田市の取り組みは、他の自治体の参考になる。
It will also be necessary to study the advisability of establishing an insurance system that would compensate railway companies for accidents involving senile persons.
事故が起きた場合、鉄道会社に損害金が支払われる保険制度の創設も検討課題になるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 27, 2014)
2014/04/28
（社説）防衛省の隠蔽 良心はどこへいった
April 26, 2014
EDITORIAL: Bullying cover-up casts doubts on the Defense Ministry’s moral integrity
（社説）防衛省の隠蔽 良心はどこへいった
A cover-up scandal concerning the 2004 suicide of a Maritime Self-Defense Force seaman has brought to the fore the Defense Ministry’s willingness to go to any length to keep embarrassing facts in the dark.
都合の悪い文書は組織をあげて隠す。それを内部告発する者は徹底攻撃する。そんな防衛省の姿が浮かび上がった。
The ministry appears determined to sweep any inconvenient documents under the carpet through organization-wide efforts and relentlessly attack any whistle-blowers.
海上自衛隊の男性隊員の自殺をめぐり、先輩のいじめを示す証拠を同省が隠蔽（いんぺい）していたと、東京高裁が認定した。
On April 23, the Tokyo High Court acknowledged the deliberate concealment of internal documents that showed the seaman of the MSDF destroyer Tachikaze was bullied by a senior officer.
The existence of the documents came to light only after a lieutenant commander exposed the cover-up by submitting a statement to the high court, saying the MSDF was hiding the documents.
そんな証拠があることは、裁判を担った海自の３等海佐が暴露し明らかになった。
If the lieutenant commander had not acted, the organization’s failure to stop the bullying would have never become known to the public.
それがなかったら、いじめを放置した組織の責任は闇に葬られていた。
Despite being an organization whose mission is to protect the lives of people, the ministry made every effort to obscure the truth in order to protect itself, without reflecting on the seriousness of the loss of a life.
人命を守るべき組織でありながら、命が失われた重みを顧みずにひたすら自らの防衛に腐心したのである。
The ministry clearly needs to do some soul-searching. It should carry out an immediate and exhaustive investigation into the case to find out who ordered the concealment of the documents and who knew the facts, and then publish the findings.
猛省するほかあるまい。誰が隠蔽を指示し、その事実を誰が知っていたのか。早急に徹底調査し、公表すべきだ。
The concealed documents were the results of a survey covering all 190 crew members of the Tachikaze to see whether bullying was a factor in the seaman’s suicide. They also included records of comments made by crew members who knew what happened and were interviewed as part of the ministry’s in-house inquiry.
隠されたのは、男性が所属した護衛艦の乗組員たちにいじめの有無を聞いたアンケートや、事情にくわしい乗組員に聞き取ったメモだ。
The victim’s family filed a freedom-of-information request for the survey results, but the MSDF denied their existence.
遺族は情報公開法に基づいて開示を請求したが、海自は存在しないとして応じなかった。
There is no way to have specific information held by an organization disclosed if the organization claims there is no such information.
情報をもつ側が「ない」と突っぱねれば、情報公開は成り立たない。
The controversial state secrets protection law will come into force by the end of this year amid serious concerns about the disclosure situation in this country.
そんな実態がある中で年内に特定秘密保護法が施行される。
The law will make it even more likely that information inconvenient to the government will remain undisclosed to the public. This prospect is really distressing.
当局に不都合な情報はいっそう闇にとどまるだろう。暗然たる気持ちになる。
The only ray of hope in the whole depressing episode is the conscientious act of the lieutenant commander who prevented the scandal from being hushed up.
救いといえば、３佐の良心が、それを許さなかったことだ。
Revealing the existence of the evidence before the court of appeal was a courageous deed that jeopardized his position within the organization.
控訴審で証拠の存在を明らかにしたことは、組織人としての立場を賭した、勇気ある行いだった。
The government, however, criticized his remarks as untrustworthy during hearings of the high court.
しかし、控訴審で国側はその発言を「信用できない」と批判した。
There must be a considerable number of people within the MSDF who were actually privy to the cover-up. But no one but the lieutenant commander came forward to tell the truth.
実際には、少なからぬ関係者が隠蔽を知っていたはずだが、その３佐以外、誰も真実を語ろうとしなかった。
The Defense Ministry even considered punishing the officer. That’s simply an outrageous response to his honorable act.
同省は３佐の懲戒処分も検討したという。言語道断の対応というほかない。
It is not the whistle-blower, but the people who tried to conceal the information who should be punished.
処分が必要なのは告発者ではなく、情報隠しをした側である。
The ministry should promise not to treat the lieutenant commander unfairly.
告発した３佐を不当に扱うことはしないと約束すべきだ。
Ten years have already passed since the seaman committed suicide. If the survey had been disclosed earlier, the trial would not have taken so long, and the lessons from the incident might have been used for the efforts to root out bullying within the SDF.
男性の自殺からすでに１０年がたっている。アンケートが早く明らかになっていれば、裁判は長引かなかったし、その教訓は自衛隊内のいじめ防止などに生かせたかもしれない。
There is a winner and a loser for every trial. When the government is the defendant, however, it should not focus simply on winning the case.
ふつうの裁判に勝敗はつきものだが、国が当事者の場合、勝てばいいというものではないはずだ。
The government, which exists to serve the public interest, is responsible for offering all evidence that can help clarify the truth during the trial.
真実に近づく証拠を裁判で示すことが、公益の側に立つ政府の責任ではないか。
For any public entity, the cause of social justice should be of more value than its own organization. The Defense Ministry needs to take this obvious principle to heart.
どんな公的組織であれ、その組織自体よりも大切に守るべき社会の正義というものがある。防衛省はその当たり前の原則を肝に銘じるべきだ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 26
EDITORIAL: Bullying cover-up casts doubts on the Defense Ministry’s moral integrity
（社説）防衛省の隠蔽 良心はどこへいった
A cover-up scandal concerning the 2004 suicide of a Maritime Self-Defense Force seaman has brought to the fore the Defense Ministry’s willingness to go to any length to keep embarrassing facts in the dark.
都合の悪い文書は組織をあげて隠す。それを内部告発する者は徹底攻撃する。そんな防衛省の姿が浮かび上がった。
The ministry appears determined to sweep any inconvenient documents under the carpet through organization-wide efforts and relentlessly attack any whistle-blowers.
海上自衛隊の男性隊員の自殺をめぐり、先輩のいじめを示す証拠を同省が隠蔽（いんぺい）していたと、東京高裁が認定した。
On April 23, the Tokyo High Court acknowledged the deliberate concealment of internal documents that showed the seaman of the MSDF destroyer Tachikaze was bullied by a senior officer.
The existence of the documents came to light only after a lieutenant commander exposed the cover-up by submitting a statement to the high court, saying the MSDF was hiding the documents.
そんな証拠があることは、裁判を担った海自の３等海佐が暴露し明らかになった。
If the lieutenant commander had not acted, the organization’s failure to stop the bullying would have never become known to the public.
それがなかったら、いじめを放置した組織の責任は闇に葬られていた。
Despite being an organization whose mission is to protect the lives of people, the ministry made every effort to obscure the truth in order to protect itself, without reflecting on the seriousness of the loss of a life.
人命を守るべき組織でありながら、命が失われた重みを顧みずにひたすら自らの防衛に腐心したのである。
The ministry clearly needs to do some soul-searching. It should carry out an immediate and exhaustive investigation into the case to find out who ordered the concealment of the documents and who knew the facts, and then publish the findings.
猛省するほかあるまい。誰が隠蔽を指示し、その事実を誰が知っていたのか。早急に徹底調査し、公表すべきだ。
The concealed documents were the results of a survey covering all 190 crew members of the Tachikaze to see whether bullying was a factor in the seaman’s suicide. They also included records of comments made by crew members who knew what happened and were interviewed as part of the ministry’s in-house inquiry.
隠されたのは、男性が所属した護衛艦の乗組員たちにいじめの有無を聞いたアンケートや、事情にくわしい乗組員に聞き取ったメモだ。
The victim’s family filed a freedom-of-information request for the survey results, but the MSDF denied their existence.
遺族は情報公開法に基づいて開示を請求したが、海自は存在しないとして応じなかった。
There is no way to have specific information held by an organization disclosed if the organization claims there is no such information.
情報をもつ側が「ない」と突っぱねれば、情報公開は成り立たない。
The controversial state secrets protection law will come into force by the end of this year amid serious concerns about the disclosure situation in this country.
そんな実態がある中で年内に特定秘密保護法が施行される。
The law will make it even more likely that information inconvenient to the government will remain undisclosed to the public. This prospect is really distressing.
当局に不都合な情報はいっそう闇にとどまるだろう。暗然たる気持ちになる。
The only ray of hope in the whole depressing episode is the conscientious act of the lieutenant commander who prevented the scandal from being hushed up.
救いといえば、３佐の良心が、それを許さなかったことだ。
Revealing the existence of the evidence before the court of appeal was a courageous deed that jeopardized his position within the organization.
控訴審で証拠の存在を明らかにしたことは、組織人としての立場を賭した、勇気ある行いだった。
The government, however, criticized his remarks as untrustworthy during hearings of the high court.
しかし、控訴審で国側はその発言を「信用できない」と批判した。
There must be a considerable number of people within the MSDF who were actually privy to the cover-up. But no one but the lieutenant commander came forward to tell the truth.
実際には、少なからぬ関係者が隠蔽を知っていたはずだが、その３佐以外、誰も真実を語ろうとしなかった。
The Defense Ministry even considered punishing the officer. That’s simply an outrageous response to his honorable act.
同省は３佐の懲戒処分も検討したという。言語道断の対応というほかない。
It is not the whistle-blower, but the people who tried to conceal the information who should be punished.
処分が必要なのは告発者ではなく、情報隠しをした側である。
The ministry should promise not to treat the lieutenant commander unfairly.
告発した３佐を不当に扱うことはしないと約束すべきだ。
Ten years have already passed since the seaman committed suicide. If the survey had been disclosed earlier, the trial would not have taken so long, and the lessons from the incident might have been used for the efforts to root out bullying within the SDF.
男性の自殺からすでに１０年がたっている。アンケートが早く明らかになっていれば、裁判は長引かなかったし、その教訓は自衛隊内のいじめ防止などに生かせたかもしれない。
There is a winner and a loser for every trial. When the government is the defendant, however, it should not focus simply on winning the case.
ふつうの裁判に勝敗はつきものだが、国が当事者の場合、勝てばいいというものではないはずだ。
The government, which exists to serve the public interest, is responsible for offering all evidence that can help clarify the truth during the trial.
真実に近づく証拠を裁判で示すことが、公益の側に立つ政府の責任ではないか。
For any public entity, the cause of social justice should be of more value than its own organization. The Defense Ministry needs to take this obvious principle to heart.
どんな公的組織であれ、その組織自体よりも大切に守るべき社会の正義というものがある。防衛省はその当たり前の原則を肝に銘じるべきだ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 26
2014/04/27
配偶者控除 女性活用につながる見直しか
The Yomiuri Shimbun 11:00 pm, April 24, 2014
Will reviewing spousal tax deduction help boost role of women in society?
配偶者控除 女性活用につながる見直しか
The government’s Tax Commission has started discussing a review of the tax deduction system for spouses, which is aimed at reducing the burden of income and resident taxes on taxpayers with spouses.
所得税などの負担を軽減する「配偶者控除」の見直し論議が、政府税制調査会で始まった。
To help expand the role of women in society at a time when the working generation is shrinking due to the ongoing trend of a low birthrate and a rapidly aging population, a comprehensive range of reforms in many areas is required. Changes to the tax system alone will not be sufficient.
少子高齢化で「働く世代」が減少する中、女性の社会進出を後押しするため、税制だけでなく、総合的な対策が問われている。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made helping women to play a more important role in society a key element of his economic growth strategy. “We should review the tax system, which restricts women’s employment,” said Abe, who has instructed relevant government bodies to reexamine the deduction system. We think this is a fair response to the changing times.
見直しは、女性活用を成長戦略に掲げる安倍首相が「女性の就労を抑制する税制を見直すべきだ」と指示したのがきっかけだ。時代の要請とも言えるだろう。
Under the current spousal tax deduction system, the main household income earner can deduct ¥380,000 from their annual taxable income if their spouse is a full-time homemaker, or works part-time and earns ¥1.03 million or less per year.
所得税の配偶者控除とは、専業主婦やパートで働く配偶者の年収が１０３万円以下の場合、世帯主の課税所得を一律で３８万円減らす制度である。
Many companies reduce their spousal allowance and other allowances paid to employees at the ¥1.03 million threshold. Consequently, housewives working part-time tend to arrange their working hours to ensure they do not earn more than ¥1.03 million.
１０３万円を境に配偶者手当などを減らす企業も多い。パートで働く主婦は１０３万円を超えないよう仕事を調整しがちになる。
If a wife earns more than ¥1.03 million but less than ¥1.41 million, her husband can still claim a special spousal deduction. However, it is a fact that the “¥1.03 million wall” limits women's desire to work.
収入が１０３万円を超えても１４１万円未満までなら、控除を受けられる特別措置も設けられているが、「１０３万円の壁」が女性の働く意欲を損ねている側面があるのは確かだ。
The spousal tax deduction was introduced in 1961. Its objective was to provide tax relief to typical households at the time, in which the husband went to work while the wife stayed at home to devote herself to housekeeping and raising children.
配偶者控除は１９６１年に導入された。夫が外で働き、妻が家庭で育児や家事に専念するという、当時の一般的な家族を税制面から支援する狙いがあった。
Today, however, more households have broken away from the traditional model, with both spouses in employment. There have also been major social shifts regarding the handling of household chores.
しかし、今では、共働き世帯が専業主婦の世帯数を上回る。仕事や家事の分担に対する意識も大きく変化している。
A long road ahead
It would be wrong, however, to simply assume that the revision of the spousal tax deduction system alone would be sufficient in allowing more women to find employment. There are a myriad of reasons why many women who want to work are unable to do so. Many full-time housewives are so tied up with child-rearing and caring for elderly parents that they find it very difficult to join the labor force.
ただ、配偶者控除を見直しただけで女性がより働くようになると短絡的に考えることはできない。働きたくても働けない理由は様々だ。子育てや介護で就労しにくい専業主婦も少なくなかろう。
In addition to the spousal tax deduction, the government must also consider how to resolve the other obstacles obstructing women from working. Pressing issues include eliminating long waiting lists for day care centers, expanding the nursing care insurance system and rectifying the customary practice of working long hours.
政府は待機児童の解消や介護保険拡充、長時間労働の慣行是正といった課題の解決策も併せて検討しなければならない。
Some estimates suggest that abolishing the exemption would result in a tax increase of about ¥70,000 for a household with an annual income of ¥5 million. The government will also need to consider relief measures to ensure the additional burden on household budgets after the system review does not increase significantly.
控除を廃止すれば、年収５００万円の家庭で７万円程度の増税になるとの試算がある。家計の負担が大幅に増えないよう、負担緩和措置の検討も必要になる。
If the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent in October 2015 as scheduled, the burden on family budgets will balloon even further. The government is considering cutting the corporate tax rate, but the move could fuel criticism that businesses are receiving preferential treatment while households are being slapped with higher taxes.
消費税率が予定通り２０１５年１０月に１０％へ引き上げられると、家計負担はさらに膨らむ。政府は法人税率引き下げを検討中だが、「企業優遇」「家庭増税」という批判が高まりかねない。
In campaign booklets containing the Liberal Democratic Party’s policies for the House of Representatives election in 2012 and last summer’s House of Councillors election, the ruling party declared it would retain the spousal tax deduction system. Many LDP members are reluctant to review the system, or are outright opposed to such discussions. One of the most vocal opponents is Finance Minister Taro Aso, who said, “We mustn’t do anything thoughtless.”
自民党は、１２年の衆院選と昨夏の参院選の政策集で配偶者控除の維持を掲げていた。党内では制度見直しに異論も少なくない。麻生財務相は、「うかつなことはできない」と慎重論を唱えている。
How can more employment opportunities be created for women? We hope the government and ruling parties will deepen discussions on this issue from a wide range of viewpoints.
女性の就労機会をどう拡大するか。政府・与党は幅広い観点から議論を深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 24, 2014)
Will reviewing spousal tax deduction help boost role of women in society?
配偶者控除 女性活用につながる見直しか
The government’s Tax Commission has started discussing a review of the tax deduction system for spouses, which is aimed at reducing the burden of income and resident taxes on taxpayers with spouses.
所得税などの負担を軽減する「配偶者控除」の見直し論議が、政府税制調査会で始まった。
To help expand the role of women in society at a time when the working generation is shrinking due to the ongoing trend of a low birthrate and a rapidly aging population, a comprehensive range of reforms in many areas is required. Changes to the tax system alone will not be sufficient.
少子高齢化で「働く世代」が減少する中、女性の社会進出を後押しするため、税制だけでなく、総合的な対策が問われている。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made helping women to play a more important role in society a key element of his economic growth strategy. “We should review the tax system, which restricts women’s employment,” said Abe, who has instructed relevant government bodies to reexamine the deduction system. We think this is a fair response to the changing times.
見直しは、女性活用を成長戦略に掲げる安倍首相が「女性の就労を抑制する税制を見直すべきだ」と指示したのがきっかけだ。時代の要請とも言えるだろう。
Under the current spousal tax deduction system, the main household income earner can deduct ¥380,000 from their annual taxable income if their spouse is a full-time homemaker, or works part-time and earns ¥1.03 million or less per year.
所得税の配偶者控除とは、専業主婦やパートで働く配偶者の年収が１０３万円以下の場合、世帯主の課税所得を一律で３８万円減らす制度である。
Many companies reduce their spousal allowance and other allowances paid to employees at the ¥1.03 million threshold. Consequently, housewives working part-time tend to arrange their working hours to ensure they do not earn more than ¥1.03 million.
１０３万円を境に配偶者手当などを減らす企業も多い。パートで働く主婦は１０３万円を超えないよう仕事を調整しがちになる。
If a wife earns more than ¥1.03 million but less than ¥1.41 million, her husband can still claim a special spousal deduction. However, it is a fact that the “¥1.03 million wall” limits women's desire to work.
収入が１０３万円を超えても１４１万円未満までなら、控除を受けられる特別措置も設けられているが、「１０３万円の壁」が女性の働く意欲を損ねている側面があるのは確かだ。
The spousal tax deduction was introduced in 1961. Its objective was to provide tax relief to typical households at the time, in which the husband went to work while the wife stayed at home to devote herself to housekeeping and raising children.
配偶者控除は１９６１年に導入された。夫が外で働き、妻が家庭で育児や家事に専念するという、当時の一般的な家族を税制面から支援する狙いがあった。
Today, however, more households have broken away from the traditional model, with both spouses in employment. There have also been major social shifts regarding the handling of household chores.
しかし、今では、共働き世帯が専業主婦の世帯数を上回る。仕事や家事の分担に対する意識も大きく変化している。
A long road ahead
It would be wrong, however, to simply assume that the revision of the spousal tax deduction system alone would be sufficient in allowing more women to find employment. There are a myriad of reasons why many women who want to work are unable to do so. Many full-time housewives are so tied up with child-rearing and caring for elderly parents that they find it very difficult to join the labor force.
ただ、配偶者控除を見直しただけで女性がより働くようになると短絡的に考えることはできない。働きたくても働けない理由は様々だ。子育てや介護で就労しにくい専業主婦も少なくなかろう。
In addition to the spousal tax deduction, the government must also consider how to resolve the other obstacles obstructing women from working. Pressing issues include eliminating long waiting lists for day care centers, expanding the nursing care insurance system and rectifying the customary practice of working long hours.
政府は待機児童の解消や介護保険拡充、長時間労働の慣行是正といった課題の解決策も併せて検討しなければならない。
Some estimates suggest that abolishing the exemption would result in a tax increase of about ¥70,000 for a household with an annual income of ¥5 million. The government will also need to consider relief measures to ensure the additional burden on household budgets after the system review does not increase significantly.
控除を廃止すれば、年収５００万円の家庭で７万円程度の増税になるとの試算がある。家計の負担が大幅に増えないよう、負担緩和措置の検討も必要になる。
If the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent in October 2015 as scheduled, the burden on family budgets will balloon even further. The government is considering cutting the corporate tax rate, but the move could fuel criticism that businesses are receiving preferential treatment while households are being slapped with higher taxes.
消費税率が予定通り２０１５年１０月に１０％へ引き上げられると、家計負担はさらに膨らむ。政府は法人税率引き下げを検討中だが、「企業優遇」「家庭増税」という批判が高まりかねない。
In campaign booklets containing the Liberal Democratic Party’s policies for the House of Representatives election in 2012 and last summer’s House of Councillors election, the ruling party declared it would retain the spousal tax deduction system. Many LDP members are reluctant to review the system, or are outright opposed to such discussions. One of the most vocal opponents is Finance Minister Taro Aso, who said, “We mustn’t do anything thoughtless.”
自民党は、１２年の衆院選と昨夏の参院選の政策集で配偶者控除の維持を掲げていた。党内では制度見直しに異論も少なくない。麻生財務相は、「うかつなことはできない」と慎重論を唱えている。
How can more employment opportunities be created for women? We hope the government and ruling parties will deepen discussions on this issue from a wide range of viewpoints.
女性の就労機会をどう拡大するか。政府・与党は幅広い観点から議論を深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 24, 2014)
2014/04/25
閣議の議事録―何のための公開なのか
April 23, 2014
EDITORIAL: Abe misses the point in disclosing minutes of Cabinet meetings
閣議の議事録―何のための公開なのか
For the first time since Japan adopted the Cabinet system in 1885, the government on April 22 disclosed to the public the minutes of a Cabinet meeting and a following ministerial meeting, both held on April 1.
“This is a historic first step,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gloated over the disclosure. New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi called it an “epoch-making” attempt.
これが、安倍首相が胸を張る「歴史的な一歩」か。これが、公明党の山口那津男代表が言う「画期的」な試みなのか。
１８８５（明治１８）年に内閣制度が発足して以来初めて、閣議と閣僚懇談会の議事録が公開された。
We welcome the information disclosure itself. However, the manner in which this was done was hardly satisfactory, and we definitely do not share the enthusiasm of Abe and Yamaguchi.
そのこと自体は歓迎したいが、公開のあり方は到底満足できるものではない。
At the April 1 meeting, the Cabinet effectively lifted the nation’s self-imposed ban on weapons exports and replaced it with the new “three principles of defense equipment transfer.” The decision represented a major turning point in Japan’s post-World War II pacifist policy that was grounded in the spirit of the Constitution.
公開された４月１日の閣議では、「武器輸出三原則」に変わる「防衛装備移転三原則」が決定された。憲法の理念に基づく、戦後日本の平和主義のひとつの重要な転換点である。
According to the minutes, however, the minsters in charge merely “expressed their resolve” to apply the new principles appropriately, while Abe was quoted as saying, “I think it is most important to explain the purpose of the new principles in a way the people can understand, and make efforts to gain their understanding.”
ところが議事録によると、閣議では関係閣僚が、新原則の適切な運用に関して「決意表明」するにとどまっている。安倍首相も「新たな原則の趣旨を分かりやすく説明し、国民的理解を促進することが非常に重要であると考えております」。
This meeting ended in only 12 minutes, and the entire transcript is written on four pages of A4-size paper. Is this the reality of a Cabinet meeting, which serves as the supreme government session for making final policy decisions? The sheer absence of substance is almost incredible.
所要時間１２分。Ａ４判で実質４枚。内閣の最高かつ最終的な意思決定の場である閣議の現実がこれなのか。にわかには信じがたい空疎さである。
Granted, it has often been said that Cabinet meetings are extremely formalized and that in-depth discussions rarely take place even at the more casual ministerial meetings that follow.
かねて閣議は極めて形式的で、閣僚懇談会でも突っ込んだ議論はほとんどされないと言われてはきた。
But if the disclosed minutes are an indication of how little the Cabinet ministers have to say about policies, then the fundamental question that arises is, “Where are the nation’s policy decisions really made?”
しかし本当にこの程度のやりとりしか行われていないとすると、この国の意思決定はいったいどこで行われているのか。
根本的な疑問が頭をもたげてくる。
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that we have no means of verifying whether the disclosed minutes accurately reflect what was really discussed during the Cabinet meeting.
ただ問題はそれ以前に、本当にこの程度の発言しか出ていないのか、検証のしようがないことだ。
The disclosure is based on the Cabinet’s decision, and it is not a legal requirement.
公開は法律で義務づけられたものではなく、閣議決定に基づいている。
In fact, the “minutes” are actually nothing more than notes taken by the deputy chief Cabinet secretary and other officials present at the meeting. As such, we have no idea exactly what standards are being followed in the compilation of the minutes.
公開されるのは議事録といっても陪席した官房副長官らが発言要旨を記録したメモであり、どのような基準に基づきまとめられているのかわからない。
The prime minister has said, “From the standpoint of information disclosure, it is desirable to swiftly make public the information under the current laws.” But Abe is missing the whole point.
首相は「現行法の下で速やかに公表した方が情報公開の観点で望ましい」としているが、何か勘違いしていないか。
The compilation and disclosure of minutes is not a “public service.” Article 1 of the law on management of public records and archives defines public records as “intellectual resources to be shared by the people in supporting the basis of sound democracy.” The purpose of this law is to keep records of who made the decisions and why, so that they can be examined by future generations.
議事録の作成と公開は「サービス」ではない。公文書管理法第１条は、公文書を「健全な民主主義の根幹を支える国民共有の知的資源」と位置づける。誰が、なぜそのような意思決定をしたのか、過程を記録し後世の検証に堪えられるようにする。
So long as the government neglects its responsibility to history, there is no point whatsoever in disclosing information that cannot be verified, no matter how swiftly the government makes it public.
その歴史に対する責任を等閑視し、検証不能なものをどんなに速やかに公開したところで、何の意味もない。
The public records management law needs to be revised so that not only Cabinet meetings and ministerial meetings but also all other meetings that affect vital policy decisions, such as meetings of the Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, will be required to keep their minutes. The minutes should be disclosed to the public in principle after a certain number of years.
公文書管理法を改正し、閣議や閣僚懇のほか国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）など重要な意思決定に関わる会議も議事録作成を義務づける。一定の年月が経てば原則公開する。
Only when such changes have been made can the prime minister rightfully say that a “historic first step” has been taken.
そこに踏み込んで初めて、「歴史的な一歩」が刻まれる。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 23
EDITORIAL: Abe misses the point in disclosing minutes of Cabinet meetings
閣議の議事録―何のための公開なのか
For the first time since Japan adopted the Cabinet system in 1885, the government on April 22 disclosed to the public the minutes of a Cabinet meeting and a following ministerial meeting, both held on April 1.
“This is a historic first step,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gloated over the disclosure. New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi called it an “epoch-making” attempt.
これが、安倍首相が胸を張る「歴史的な一歩」か。これが、公明党の山口那津男代表が言う「画期的」な試みなのか。
１８８５（明治１８）年に内閣制度が発足して以来初めて、閣議と閣僚懇談会の議事録が公開された。
We welcome the information disclosure itself. However, the manner in which this was done was hardly satisfactory, and we definitely do not share the enthusiasm of Abe and Yamaguchi.
そのこと自体は歓迎したいが、公開のあり方は到底満足できるものではない。
At the April 1 meeting, the Cabinet effectively lifted the nation’s self-imposed ban on weapons exports and replaced it with the new “three principles of defense equipment transfer.” The decision represented a major turning point in Japan’s post-World War II pacifist policy that was grounded in the spirit of the Constitution.
公開された４月１日の閣議では、「武器輸出三原則」に変わる「防衛装備移転三原則」が決定された。憲法の理念に基づく、戦後日本の平和主義のひとつの重要な転換点である。
According to the minutes, however, the minsters in charge merely “expressed their resolve” to apply the new principles appropriately, while Abe was quoted as saying, “I think it is most important to explain the purpose of the new principles in a way the people can understand, and make efforts to gain their understanding.”
ところが議事録によると、閣議では関係閣僚が、新原則の適切な運用に関して「決意表明」するにとどまっている。安倍首相も「新たな原則の趣旨を分かりやすく説明し、国民的理解を促進することが非常に重要であると考えております」。
This meeting ended in only 12 minutes, and the entire transcript is written on four pages of A4-size paper. Is this the reality of a Cabinet meeting, which serves as the supreme government session for making final policy decisions? The sheer absence of substance is almost incredible.
所要時間１２分。Ａ４判で実質４枚。内閣の最高かつ最終的な意思決定の場である閣議の現実がこれなのか。にわかには信じがたい空疎さである。
Granted, it has often been said that Cabinet meetings are extremely formalized and that in-depth discussions rarely take place even at the more casual ministerial meetings that follow.
かねて閣議は極めて形式的で、閣僚懇談会でも突っ込んだ議論はほとんどされないと言われてはきた。
But if the disclosed minutes are an indication of how little the Cabinet ministers have to say about policies, then the fundamental question that arises is, “Where are the nation’s policy decisions really made?”
しかし本当にこの程度のやりとりしか行われていないとすると、この国の意思決定はいったいどこで行われているのか。
根本的な疑問が頭をもたげてくる。
What makes the situation even more frustrating is that we have no means of verifying whether the disclosed minutes accurately reflect what was really discussed during the Cabinet meeting.
ただ問題はそれ以前に、本当にこの程度の発言しか出ていないのか、検証のしようがないことだ。
The disclosure is based on the Cabinet’s decision, and it is not a legal requirement.
公開は法律で義務づけられたものではなく、閣議決定に基づいている。
In fact, the “minutes” are actually nothing more than notes taken by the deputy chief Cabinet secretary and other officials present at the meeting. As such, we have no idea exactly what standards are being followed in the compilation of the minutes.
公開されるのは議事録といっても陪席した官房副長官らが発言要旨を記録したメモであり、どのような基準に基づきまとめられているのかわからない。
The prime minister has said, “From the standpoint of information disclosure, it is desirable to swiftly make public the information under the current laws.” But Abe is missing the whole point.
首相は「現行法の下で速やかに公表した方が情報公開の観点で望ましい」としているが、何か勘違いしていないか。
The compilation and disclosure of minutes is not a “public service.” Article 1 of the law on management of public records and archives defines public records as “intellectual resources to be shared by the people in supporting the basis of sound democracy.” The purpose of this law is to keep records of who made the decisions and why, so that they can be examined by future generations.
議事録の作成と公開は「サービス」ではない。公文書管理法第１条は、公文書を「健全な民主主義の根幹を支える国民共有の知的資源」と位置づける。誰が、なぜそのような意思決定をしたのか、過程を記録し後世の検証に堪えられるようにする。
So long as the government neglects its responsibility to history, there is no point whatsoever in disclosing information that cannot be verified, no matter how swiftly the government makes it public.
その歴史に対する責任を等閑視し、検証不能なものをどんなに速やかに公開したところで、何の意味もない。
The public records management law needs to be revised so that not only Cabinet meetings and ministerial meetings but also all other meetings that affect vital policy decisions, such as meetings of the Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, will be required to keep their minutes. The minutes should be disclosed to the public in principle after a certain number of years.
公文書管理法を改正し、閣議や閣僚懇のほか国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）など重要な意思決定に関わる会議も議事録作成を義務づける。一定の年月が経てば原則公開する。
Only when such changes have been made can the prime minister rightfully say that a “historic first step” has been taken.
そこに踏み込んで初めて、「歴史的な一歩」が刻まれる。
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 23
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