参院選制度改革 「合区」の導入もやむを得ない

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Merged constituencies unavoidable for upper house electoral reform
参院選制度改革　「合区」の導入もやむを得ない

Planned electoral reforms for the House of Councillors represent a major institutional change, as they reexamine the prefecture-based electoral system that the public has been widely familiar with for many years.
　長年、国民に広く定着している都道府県単位の選挙区を見直す、大きな制度変更である。

The Liberal Democratic Party has decided on a reform plan for the upper house electoral system that centers on merging thinly populated prefectures with neighboring prefectures to create new constituencies. The ruling party plans to submit a bill to the current Diet session to revise the Public Offices Election Law, and aims to apply the new system from an upper house election next summer.
　自民党は、人口の少ない県と隣接県を１選挙区に統合する「合区」の導入を柱とする参院選挙制度改革案を決めた。今国会に公職選挙法改正案を提出し、成立を図る。来夏の参院選からの適用を目指す。

The LDP’s reform plan is exactly what has been called for by the Japan Innovation Party and three other opposition parties, and seeks to create new electoral districts by combining Tottori and Shimane prefectural constituencies and Tokushima and Kochi prefectural constituencies.
　改革案は、維新の党など野党４党が主張していたもので、鳥取と島根、徳島と高知を「合区」とする。

It will also change the number of seats allocated to some electoral districts.
選挙区定数の配分も変更し、

As a result, a total of 10 seats will be added to some electoral districts and a total of 10 seats will be cut in other districts, while the total number of seats is maintained at 242 as today.
全体では「１０増１０減」となる。定数２４２は維持する。

As a result, the maximum vote-value disparity of 4.77:1 in the 2013 upper house election is expected to be reduced to 2.97:1.
　これにより、「１票の格差」は２０１３年参院選の最大４・７７倍から２・９７倍に縮まるという。

There is a limit to what can be done to correct the gap if that goal is pursued while maintaining the framework of the current electoral system, which combines elections in constituencies and the national proportional representation district. To resolve the vote-value disparity that the Supreme Court ruled to be “in a state of unconstitutionality,” it is unavoidable to merge electoral districts on a limited scale.
　選挙区選と全国比例選を組み合わせた現行制度の骨格を維持したままでの格差是正には、限界がある。最高裁が認定した「違憲状態」の解消には、限定的に合区を導入することはやむを得まい。

Discussions on reform of the electoral system by parliamentary groups in the upper house have been in limbo since they were started in 2013. This is because the LDP, the biggest Diet group, has been persistently passive about pressing for drastic reform.
　１３年に始まった参院各会派の制度改革論議は、迷走が続いた。最大会派の自民党が、一貫して抜本改革に消極的だったためだ。

The opposition parties have vehemently criticized this stance of the LDP. Even its coalition partner, Komeito, reached an agreement with the Democratic Party of Japan to integrate 20 prefectural constituencies into 10.
　野党は強く反発した。与党の公明党さえ民主党と２０県を１０選挙区に統合する合区案で合意した。

Long-term perspective vital

The LDP has finally agreed to accept the combination of constituencies, despite opposition from within the party, probably because it could not overcome the pressure from other parties.
　孤立した自民党が党内に不満を抱えながらも合区を容認したのは、こうした各党の圧力に抗し切れなかったからだろう。

Once an accord is reached on combining constituencies as a means of rectifying the vote disparity, it is highly likely that future reforms will also seek to expand the number of merged constituencies. This may make it difficult to return to discussions on introducing a proportional representation bloc election system, as proposed by former upper house President Takeo Nishioka, and a large bloc constituency system.
　いったん合区で格差を是正すると、今後の改革も合区の拡大になる可能性が大きい。西岡武夫・元参院議長が提唱したブロック比例案やブロック大選挙区案の議論に後戻りできなくなりかねない。

It is notable that the combined electoral district system has not a few adverse effects.
　注意すべきは、合区には弊害が少なくないことだ。

There are fears that the system creates the possibility that no one from underpopulated prefectures can be represented in the upper house. It will make it unavoidable for the LDP and the DPJ to make such adjustments as fielding candidates alternately from adjacent constituencies, and fielding one of the two candidates in a proportional representation election.
　人口の少ない方の県から参院に代表を出せなくなる恐れがある。自民党や民主党は、隣接する両県から交互に候補者を擁立したり、もう一方を比例選で処遇したりするなどの調整が欠かせない。

If prefectural administrative units with unique historical and cultural characteristics are shaken up by the adoption of the combined electoral district system, it will weaken the element that lawmakers elected from constituencies represent regional areas.
　合区により、固有の歴史や文化を持つ各都道府県の行政単位が揺らげば、選挙区選出議員の地域代表としての側面が弱まろう。

Amid the growing population gap between urban and rural areas, there are concerns that too much emphasis on securing equality in vote values will make it difficult for regional voices to be reflected in national politics.
　都市部と地方の人口格差が広がる中、投票価値の平等に固執し過ぎると、地方の声が国政に反映しにくくなるという懸念がある。

Discussions on the electoral system reform must be held from a long-range perspective.
　選挙制度改革では、長期的な視点に立った議論も進めたい。

In an effort to promote differentiation of the upper house from the House of Representatives, and on the premise that the Constitution is revised, it is worth studying the introduction of a system in which personnel with professional expertise and experience will be recommended or appointed as upper house members without going through elections.
　衆院と差別化を図るため、憲法改正を前提に、専門的知識・経験を持つ人材を選挙を経ずに、推薦・任命する制度の導入なども検討に値するのではないか。

Discussion should also be deepened on the roles and functions required of the upper house.
　参院に求められる役割・機能についても論議を深めるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2015)

ＢＲＩＣＳ会議 中露の国際秩序挑戦が露骨だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China, Russia pose blatant challenge to economy, security of world order
ＢＲＩＣＳ会議　中露の国際秩序挑戦が露骨だ

China and Russia have evidently bolstered their ties to challenge both the economic and security dimensions of the current international order led by the United States and Europe.
　中国とロシアが一段と共闘し、米欧主導の国際秩序に、経済、安全保障の両面で挑戦する構図が鮮明になった。

The BRICS group — which comprises the five emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — has put forth a policy of strengthened cooperation after holding a summit meeting in the central Russian city of Ufa.
　中露とインド、ブラジル、南アフリカで構成する新興５か国（ＢＲＩＣＳ）が、ロシア中部ウファで首脳会議を開き、協力強化を打ち出した。

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who chaired the meeting, called for the authority of BRICS to be enhanced to boost its influence on the world economy. Chinese President Xi Jinping echoed his view, saying international economic rules must be changed to meet the evolving state of global affairs.
　議長役のプーチン露大統領は、ＢＲＩＣＳについて「権威を高め、世界経済への影響力を強める」と強調した。中国の習近平国家主席も、「世界情勢の変化に適応するよう、国際経済のルールを改めなければならない」と応じた。

Their remarks can be said to have plainly revealed China and Russia’s ambitions to change the international financial system revolving around the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and centering on Japan, Europe and the United States.
　世界銀行や国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）など日米欧中心の国際金融システムの変更を目指す中露の野心を、露骨に示したと言えよう。

Launched by the BRICS nations, the New Development Bank is scheduled to start operation as early as December. Along with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, it apparently serves as a means for China and Russia to promote infrastructure development in emerging and developing countries, thereby increasing their influence over them.
　年末にも運営を開始するＢＲＩＣＳの「新開発銀行」を、アジアインフラ投資銀行（ＡＩＩＢ）とともに駆使して、新興国や途上国の社会資本整備を進め、影響力を一層強めたいのだろう。

It is not acceptable that the joint declaration issued after the summit stated, “We condemn unilateral military interventions and economic sanctions in violation of international law.”
　容認できないのは、首脳会議の共同宣言が、「国際法に違反する一方的な軍事介入や制裁を非難する」と明記したことである。

Russia has persistently engaged in military interventions by supporting pro-Russia separatist militants in eastern Ukraine. Such being the case, Russia is hardly qualified to condemn sanctions imposed on it by the United States and Europe.
　ウクライナ東部で親露派武装集団を支援し、「軍事介入」を続けているのはロシア自身だ。そのロシアに、米欧の対露制裁を非難する資格はあるまい。

Conflicting interests

The joint declaration also stated, “We express our commitment to resolutely reject the continued attempts to misrepresent the results of World War II.” This strongly reflected China’s intention to check Japan over the issue of historical perceptions ahead of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the war’s end.
　共同宣言はまた、「第２次世界大戦の結果を改ざんする試みは認めない」と表明した。安倍首相の戦後７０年談話を念頭に、歴史問題で日本を牽制けんせいしたい中国の思惑を色濃く反映したものだ。

China has been executing a plan to build military facilities on reclaimed land over reefs in the South China Sea, a move bound to destabilize the postwar security order. Unless China and Russia alter such hard-line policies, the international community will not cease its criticism of the two countries.
　中国は南シナ海で埋め立てた岩礁の軍事基地化を進め、戦後の安全保障体制を不安定化させている。中露がこうした強硬路線を改めない限り、国際社会の批判が収まることはない。

Following the BRICS meeting, a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in the same Russian city. The group comprises China, Russia and four Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan.
　ＢＲＩＣＳに続き、中露とカザフスタンなど中央アジア４か国でつくる上海協力機構（ＳＣＯ）も首脳会議を開いた。

China is believed to be utilizing the SCO framework to smoothly realize its “Silk Road” initiative, which calls for a huge economic zone to be built along what was once the Silk Road.
　中国には、かつてのシルクロード沿いに巨大経済圏を構築する「シルクロード構想」を円滑に推進するため、ＳＣＯの枠組みを利用する狙いがあるとみられる。

But in Central Asia, China’s interests conflict with those of Russia, which leads the Eurasian Economic Union. Putin and Xi affirmed that the two countries would promote cooperation by integrating the two economic-zone plans. But the fact remains that the presence of China, as the world’s No. 2 economic power, overwhelms that of Russia.
　ただ、中央アジアで「ユーラシア経済同盟」を主導するロシアとは、利害が衝突する。中露首脳は両経済圏構想を統合し、協力を進めることを確認したが、世界第２の経済力を背景に、中国の存在感はロシアを圧倒している。

Amid mutual distrust, China and Russia have emphasized the importance of working together. In cooperation with the United States and other nations, Japan needs to closely watch the moves of these two countries.
　互いに不信感を抱えつつも、協調関係をアピールする中露の動向を、日本は米国などと連携し、注視する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2015)

中国株乱高下 強引な市場介入が招いた混迷

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Heavy-handed intervention behind turmoil roiling Chinese stock markets
中国株乱高下　強引な市場介入が招いた混迷

Recent events have reinforced just how difficult it is to steer the Chinese economy through the slowdown it is facing.
　景気減速に直面する中国経済のかじ取りの困難さを、改めて印象づけたと言えよう。

Chinese stock prices are continuing their wild fluctuations.
　中国株の乱高下が続いている。

The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index, China’s leading stock index, surged from the latter half of 2014. In June this year, the index reached about 2½ times its level a year earlier. However, after the index peaked, the market was swamped by a mood of selling. The Shanghai index has plunged as much as 30 percent in the past month.
　代表的な株価指数である上海総合指数は、昨年後半から急騰し、今年６月に１年前の２・５倍に跳ね上がった。ところが、ピークから一転して売り一色となり、ここ１か月で３割も急落した。

The panic on the Chinese stock market is having repercussions in markets around the globe. The Nikkei Stock Average in Tokyo has dipped below 20,000.
　東京市場の平均株価が２万円を割り込むなど、中国株の波乱は世界の市場にも飛び火している。

On Thursday, prices on the Shanghai exchange regained some ground as expectations rose regarding steps taken by Chinese authorities to push up share prices. However, doubts linger over the staying power of these measures. Investors will need to exercise caution over volatile share price movements for a while yet.
　９日の上海市場は、中国当局が打ち出した株価対策への期待を背景に上昇に転じたが、持続力には疑問がある。しばらくは、不安定な値動きに注意が必要だろう。

It should be recognized that the chaos on the Chinese stock market was brought about by failed policies of the authorities.
　認識すべきなのは、株式市場の混乱が、当局の失政によってもたらされたことである。

In an attempt to shore up the economy, which was losing steam due to the deterioration of real estate market conditions and other factors, China launched a string of policies to nudge up share prices and stimulate private consumption. The appetite to invest was whetted as interest rates were lowered several times and state-run media carried predictions that share prices would continue to rise.
　不動産市況の悪化などで低迷した景気の下支えを狙い、株価をつり上げ、個人消費を刺激する政策に乗り出した。利下げを繰り返した上に、国営メディアを通じて株高はまだ続くとの観測を流し、投資家心理をあおった。

The authorities bear a heavy responsibility for creating a “government-manufactured bubble” to prime the economic pump.
　景気対策のために「官製バブル」を生成させた責任は重い。

Hurt by short-term view

As the downward trend in share prices gathered strength, Chinese authorities rolled out a slew of policies for propping up stock prices, with little regard to how these actions might appear to the public. Major securities companies were even ordered to buy about ¥2.4 trillion of exchange-traded funds.
　株価が下げを強めると、当局は大手証券会社に総額約２・４兆円の上場投資信託の買い入れを求めるなど、なりふり構わない株価維持策に打って出た。

This spur-of-the-moment market intervention by the authorities has undeniably laid bare the peculiarities of the Chinese stock market.
　当局による場当たり的な市場介入が、中国の株式市場の特異性を際立たせた面は否めまい。

The immaturity of the Chinese market has also added to the confusion.
　中国市場の未熟さも、混乱に拍車をかけた要因だ。

Because the participation of overseas investors is restricted in the Chinese markets, about 80 percent of all transactions are conducted by individual domestic investors.
　海外投資家の参加が制限されているため、国内の個人投資家が取引の８割を占めている。

These individual investors have soared in number since the market began rising last year. They strongly tend to make buy and sell decisions based on short-term price movements and other data, and observers have said this is one reason share prices make such sudden, sweeping changes in direction.
　昨年来の上昇相場で急増した個人投資家は、目先の値動きなどで売買を判断する傾向が強く、株価が一方的に振れる原因になっていると指摘される。

One peculiar element of the Chinese market is the system that allows a company to decide to suspend trading of its shares. There are numerous problems with hampering the free purchase and sale of shares due to the circumstances of a given company.
　企業の判断で株式売買を停止できる制度も、中国市場に特有のものだ。企業の事情で自由な売買を阻害するのは問題が多い。

China is seeking to switch from a model of high economic growth centered on development investment, to a “new normal” that will allow a soft landing through stable growth driven by consumption.
　中国は、開発投資が中心の高成長から、消費主導の安定成長へ軟着陸させる「新常態」（ニューノーマル）を目指している。

However, Beijing has been unable to put the brakes on the slowdown in economic growth. The Chinese government has again started steps to prop up the economy through investment, including its decision to establish a new ¥6 trillion fund to be used for investment in infrastructure development.
　だが、成長減速に歯止めがかからず、中国政府は、インフラ投資に使う６兆円の新基金設立を決めるなど、再び投資による景気テコ入れに動き始めた。

Shifting to policies that could generate a new bubble will inhibit China’s mid- and long-term growth. This aberration in the world’s second-largest economic power must not be allowed to develop into a situation that shakes the global economy.
　新たなバブルを起こしかねない政策への転換は、中長期的な成長を阻害しよう。世界第２の経済大国の迷走が、世界経済を揺るがす事態は避けねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2015)

産業革命遺産 祝賀に水差す韓国の政治工作

The Yomiuri Shimbun
S. Korea’s political maneuvering rains on Japan’s UNESCO parade
産業革命遺産　祝賀に水差す韓国の政治工作

It was persistent political maneuvering by the South Korean government to pour cold water on Japan’s festive mood for the World Heritage site registration.
　世界遺産への登録という日本の祝賀ムードに水を差す、韓国政府の執拗しつような政治工作だった。

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, meeting in Germany, has officially decided to add Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912) industrial revolution sites to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
　「明治日本の産業革命遺産」が、国連教育・科学・文化機関（ユネスコ）の世界文化遺産に登録されることが、ドイツで開かれた世界遺産委員会で正式に決まった。

The sites are mainly bases for iron and steel manufacturing, shipbuilding and coal industries in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. They comprise 23 assets in eight prefectures, including the state-run Yawata Steel Works in Fukuoka Prefecture and Hashima Coal Mine — better known as Gunkanjima — in Nagasaki Prefecture. They are heritage sites that Japan can boast of to the world.
　遺産は、１９世紀半ばから２０世紀初頭の製鉄・製鋼、造船、石炭産業の拠点が中心である。福岡県の官営八幡製鉄所や、「軍艦島」と呼ばれる長崎県の端島炭坑など、８県の２３資産で構成される。世界に誇り得る遺産と言えよう。

It was unfortunate that the South Korean government excessively played up the “negative side” of Japan’s heritage sites.
　残念だったのは、韓国政府が日本の遺産に関する「負の側面」を過剰に演出したことだ。

South Korea initially opposed the registration, claiming that Korean workers were requisitioned at some of the facilities during World War II. But it changed its policy at a foreign ministerial meeting in June and agreed to cooperate with Japan on the bid for World Heritage status.
　韓国は当初、大戦中に一部施設で朝鮮人労働者が徴用されていたとして登録に反対したが、６月の日韓外相会談で方針転換し、日本と協力することで合意した。

However, after that, it was revealed that South Korea, at a committee meeting, prepared a draft of remarks stating that Japan had admitted the requisitioned workers were “forced labor.” It included wording that likened the facilities to slave export ports. For that reason, Japan protested the draft and the prior coordination between the two countries hit a snag.
　ところが、その後、韓国が委員会で、徴用について「『強制労働』だったと日本が認めた」との発言案を準備したことが判明した。施設を奴隷輸出港になぞらえる文言もあった。このため、日本側が抗議し、事前調整は難航した。

South Korea then seemed to shift the emphasis to an international campaign to spread the idea that requisitioned workers were “forced labor.” It was irrational of South Korea to lobby to strengthen its position over issues relating to historical perceptions at a meeting meant to discuss the protection of cultural assets.
　韓国は、徴用が「強制労働」であるかのような国際的な宣伝に力点を移したのだろう。文化財保護を目的とする場で、歴史問題での自国の立場強化を狙うのは、筋違いなロビー外交である。

Requisition mischaracterized

The requisition that Japan carried out through entire territories at that time, including the Korean Peninsula, was based on a national order and targeted all the people there. It is a fact that many Korean workers were mobilized to Japan, but it was different from “forced labor” that violates international laws.
　日本が内地や朝鮮半島などで実施した徴用は、国民徴用令に基づき、国民全般が対象だった。多数の朝鮮人労働者が内地へ動員されたのは事実だが、国際法に反する「強制労働」とは異なる。

In the statement made at the committee meeting, Japan pointed out, “There were a large number of Koreans and others who were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions.” By using expressions other than “forced labor” while making concessions to South Korea, Japan intended to have come to terms with South Korea.
　日本は委員会の声明で、徴用に関して「意思に反して連れて来られ、厳しい環境の下で働かされた多くの朝鮮半島出身者らがいた」と指摘した。韓国側に譲歩しつつ、「強制労働」とは一線を画する表現で折り合ったつもりだった。

However, turning Japan’s statement to its own advantage, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se said, “The Japanese government announced there was ‘forced work,’” and South Korean newspapers covered it extensively. Japan thus wound up letting South Korea cause trouble and have what it wanted, failing to remove the cause of conflicts between Japan and South Korea.
　だが、韓国の尹炳世外相は、これを逆手に取って「日本政府が『強制労役』があったと発表した」と語り、韓国紙も大きく報じた。結果的に、徴用の表現を巡って韓国にゴネ得を許し、日韓対立に火種を残したことは否めない。

In the 1965 Agreement Between Japan and the Republic of Korea Concerning the Settlement of Problems in Regard to Property and Claims and Economic Cooperation, Japan and South Korea confirmed that all such claims, including those of former requisitioned workers, were legally settled. 　１９６５年の請求権協定で、元徴用工を含めた請求権問題は法的に解決済みだ。

Seoul has told Tokyo that it will not use Japan’s statement on the workers to deal with issues concerning the claims. Is there any possibility that South Korea could bring up the issues again in relation to the statement?
韓国は、請求権問題に関連して日本の声明を利用しない、と伝えてきている。この問題を蒸し返すことはないのか。

Due to the latest dustup, “anti-South Korean” sentiment in Japan further increased.
　今回の騒動で、日本国内の「嫌韓」感情はさらに高まった。

It is safe to say that cold water was also poured onto the momentum toward the improvement of relations between the two countries.
日韓関係改善の機運にも、冷や水が浴びせられたのは間違いない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2015)

中国ＣＯ２削減 最大排出国の責任はどこに

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China needs to fulfill its obligation in combating global warming
中国ＣＯ２削減　最大排出国の責任はどこに

China should fulfill its responsibility in fighting global warming as the world’s largest carbon dioxide emitter.
　地球温暖化を食い止めるため、中国は、世界最大の二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出国として、応分の責任を果たすべきだ。

The country has submitted to the United Nations its target for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Its main goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 percent to 65 percent per unit of gross domestic product by the end of 2030, compared with 2005 levels.
　中国が、温室効果ガスの排出削減目標を国連に提出した。国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）当たりのＣＯ２排出量を、２０３０年までに０５年比で６０～６５％削減することが柱だ。

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang emphasized his country’s determination in this respect, saying, “[China] will do its utmost to combat climate change.” Given its numerical target, however, China’s CO2 emissions are bound to increase if its GDP continues to grow.
　李克強首相は「気候変動との戦いで最大限の努力をする」と強調した。だが、この目標では、ＧＤＰの拡大が続けば、排出量を増やせることになる。

China has said it will ensure the total amount of domestic CO2 emissions decreases after reaching a peak around 2030.
　国内で排出するＣＯ２の総量については、３０年ごろをピークに減少させるという。

China’s reduction target is far from plausible. Its stance seems to reflect its government’s determination to place priority on achieving economic growth rather than adopting environmental protection measures.
　真っ当な目標には、ほど遠い。環境対策より経済成長を優先する中国政府の姿勢の表れだろう。

A new framework to replace the Kyoto Protocol on global warming will be worked out at a U.N. climate change conference in Paris — officially titled 21st Session of the Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) — toward the end of the year. The new framework is expected to take effect in 2020.
　年末にパリで開かれる国連気候変動枠組み条約の第２１回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ２１）では、京都議定書に代わり、２０年に発効予定の新たな枠組みが策定される。

In preparation for the COP21 meeting, developed nations have unveiled their respective objectives for reductions in total emissions.
　それに向け、先進国は、自国内の総排出量の削減目標を国際的に表明している。

China’s per-GDP reduction target can be viewed as an attempt to emphasize its difference from more industrialized countries in its efforts to fight global warming. The country’s posture is based on its belief that developed nations should do more to address the problem, given that their industrial activities led to global warming.
　中国がＧＤＰ当たりの削減目標を示したのは、先進国との違いを強調する狙いがあろう。産業活動により温暖化を招いた先進国は、途上国よりも重い責任を負うべきだとの考え方に基づいている。

Large rise in emissions

However, it should be noted that in recent years there has been a remarkable increase in CO2 emissions from newly emerging and developing countries, which are not obliged to curtail their emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. China accounts for about one-fourth of the world’s total CO2 emissions. Its per-capita emissions compare with European Union levels.
　しかし、京都議定書で削減義務を負っていない新興国・途上国からの排出量は近年、著しく増えている。特に、中国は世界の４分の１のＣＯ２を排出している。国民１人当たりの排出量も、欧州連合（ＥＵ）と並ぶレベルにある。

It is essential for China to adopt an even more proactive approach toward the problem, a task necessary for reducing CO2 emissions worldwide. Therefore, China needs to improve its energy efficiency while also curbing its thermal power generation, which results in a large amount of CO2 emissions. We believe Japan’s energy-saving technology would help China’s efforts to reduce its emissions.
　世界全体の排出量を減らすには、中国のより積極的な取り組みが欠かせない。エネルギー効率の改善や、ＣＯ２排出量が多い石炭火力発電の抑制が必要だ。日本が培ってきた省エネ技術は、中国の排出削減にも役立つだろう。

The list of nations yet to unveil emission reduction targets includes India, the world’s third-largest emitter, as well as Southeast Asian nations, whose emissions are sharply increasing. We are concerned that they may choose to set insufficient reduction goals as a result of China’s influence.
　世界３位の排出国であるインドや、排出量が急増する東南アジア諸国などの目標提出は、これからだ。中国の影響を受け、不十分な削減目標を設定する恐れもあるのではないか。

A lesson must be learned from the Kyoto Protocol in making sure the envisaged framework fulfills its purposes. It is important for all nations to steadily carry out emission-reduction measures that are commensurate with their respective amounts of CO2 emissions.
　新たな枠組みを実効性あるものにするためには、京都議定書を教訓に、すべての国が排出量に見合った削減策を着実に実行することが重要である。

The Japanese government will soon finalize a numerical target requiring this country to reduce its emissions by 26 percent by the end of fiscal 2030 from fiscal 2013 levels. The figure can be regarded as a target that favorably compares with EU and U.S. objectives.
　日本政府は近く、３０年度に１３年度比で２６％削減するという目標を決定する。ＥＵや米国と比べても、遜色のない内容だと言える。

An important task for Japan is to play a leadership role in trying to create a fair framework for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
　日本には、公平な枠組み作りのため、主導的な役割を果たすことが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2015)

ギリシャ危機 国民投票は悲劇の幕開けか

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Does Greek national referendum mark beginning of a tragic drama?
ギリシャ危機　国民投票は悲劇の幕開けか

Did the Greek people raise the curtain on a tragic drama?
　ギリシャ国民は、自らの手で悲劇の幕を開けてしまったのだろうか。

In the national referendum held in Greece on Sunday on structural reform proposals demanded by the European Union, “no” votes accounted for more than 60 percent of the total, surpassing the affirmative votes by an overwhelming margin.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）などが示した構造改革案の受け入れを巡るギリシャの国民投票で、反対が６割を超え、賛成を大差で上回った。

The rejection of the EU proposals, which were the conditions for resuming financial assistance, has made it more difficult to agree on a bailout package.
　金融支援再開の条件であるＥＵ案が退けられ、合意は一段と難しくなった。

Eurozone countries were to discuss how to respond in a meeting of their leaders Tuesday, but an easy compromise would lead to a backlash from their own peoples. Given the deadlock in negotiations, it has become more likely that Greece will fall into a full-scale default and be pressured to decide whether to leave the eurozone.
　ユーロ圏各国は７日の首脳会議で対応を協議するが、安易な妥協は自国民の反発を招きかねない。交渉の行き詰まりでギリシャが本格的な債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥り、ユーロ圏離脱を迫られるシナリオは現実味を増した。

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras characterized the outcome of the plebiscite as a “victory for democracy.” But he was utterly off the mark.
　チプラス首相が、国民投票の結果について「民主主義の勝利」と位置付けたのは、あまりに見当違いと言わざるを得ない。

In the first place, it was tremendously problematic that he had asked the people to decide the future course of complicated diplomatic negotiations.
　そもそも、複雑な外交交渉の決断を、国民投票に丸投げした手法に大きな問題がある。

The Tsipras administration abruptly decided to call the national referendum amid negotiations with the EU, allowing for about a week before the plebiscite was held. This was too short a period.
　チプラス政権はＥＵ側との交渉中に突如、国民投票を決めた。国民への周知期間は１週間ほどで、あまりに短かった。

It cannot be overlooked that Tsipras created false expectations among the people that Greece would gain a strong negotiating position to press for concessions from the EU with a “no” vote majority.
　反対票が多数を占めれば、ＥＵ側に譲歩を迫る強い交渉力が得られると唱え、国民に誤った期待を抱かせたことも看過できない。

Mutual concessions key

Greece has already restricted cash withdrawals from its banks. If the European Central Bank cuts off emergency financial aid, the country will be forced to walk a tightrope as it will face a deadlock in raising cash from banks.
　ギリシャでは既に、銀行預金の引き出しが制限されている。欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）が緊急支援を打ち切れば、銀行の資金繰りが行き詰まる綱渡りの状況にある。

It was irresponsible that Tsipras did not explain sufficiently to the people the possible adverse effects of raising the level of confrontation with the EU.
　ＥＵ側との対立が激化した際のマイナス面を、国民に十分に説明しなかったのは無責任だ。

Greece could seek to survive a fund shortage by issuing a currency of its own, but this would represent the first step toward an exit from the eurozone. It is feared that the value of a currency with less creditworthiness would plunge and drive the country into serious inflation because it relies on imports for many of its daily necessities.
　独自の通貨を発行し、資金不足をしのぐ選択肢もあるが、ユーロ圏離脱への第一歩を踏み出すことにつながる。信用力のない通貨が暴落し、生活必需品の多くを輸入に頼るギリシャが、深刻なインフレに見舞われる恐れもある。

The Greek people should not be driven into a further predicament. Without sticking to an anti-austerity stance, the Tsipras administration should seek to find realistic concessions by July 20, the deadline for redeeming €3.5 billion in government bonds.
　国民をさらなる苦境に追い込んではなるまい。チプラス政権は反緊縮に拘泥せず、３５億ユーロに上る国債の償還期限が来る７月２０日までに現実的な妥協を図るべきだ。

For its part, it would be unwise for the EU to shut down the channel for negotiations.
　ＥＵ側も、交渉の窓口を閉ざすことは得策ではない。

Financial markets continue to feel the adverse effects of the Greek financial crisis, with the Nikkei Stock Average, for example, plummeting more than 500 points momentarily on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday.
　東京市場の平均株価が一時５００円以上も急落するなど、金融市場に悪影響が広がっている。

There is concern that anti-EU political parties will gain strength in Spain and Italy and shake confidence in the euro. Another concern is whether Greece, which has a strategically important position in terms of security, will strengthen relations with Russia or China, thereby heightening geopolitical risk.
　スペインやイタリアで反ＥＵ政党が勢力を強め、ユーロの信認を揺さぶる懸念がある。安全保障上の要衝にあるギリシャがロシアや中国と関係を強め、地政学的なリスクが高まることも心配だ。

To avoid restoking a Europe-originated financial crisis and to prevent it from seriously affecting economic and political stability, the EU must do whatever it can to break the stalemate.
　欧州発の危機を再燃させ、経済や政治の安定に深刻な打撃を与えないよう、ＥＵ側も事態打開に最善を尽くさねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2015)

日メコン会議 良質なインフラ整備を進めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan must do utmost to help Mekong countries build quality infrastructure
日メコン会議　良質なインフラ整備を進めよ

Given the promise and potential of Southeast Asian nations, providing development assistance and boosting mutually beneficial cooperative ties are actions that correspond to Japan’s national interests. The government must adopt a strategic perspective in addressing these tasks.
　将来性豊かな東南アジアの成長を後押しし、互恵的な協力関係を強化することは、日本の国益に合致する。政府は、戦略的に取り組むべきだ。

Japan and five Southeast Asian nations along the Mekong River recently held a summit conference in Tokyo. There Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged fresh assistance to the Mekong countries in the form of ¥750 billion in official development aid over the next three years. He also stressed that Japan earnestly seeks to bring about “high-quality growth” in the region.
　日本とメコン川流域５か国が東京で首脳会議を開いた。安倍首相は、今後３年間で７５００億円規模の政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の拠出を表明した。「質の高い成長の実践を目指す」とも強調した。

Abe’s announcement is part of an investment initiative for the Asian region that the Japanese government unveiled in May. The recent assistance pledge emphasized transportation infrastructure projects, including the construction of an arterial road that will serve as an economic corridor linking the east and west of the Mekong region, and the building and upgrading of ports and airports.
　５月に発表したアジア投資計画の一環だ。メコン地域の東西を幹線道路で結ぶ「経済回廊」や、港湾、空港など交通面の社会基盤（インフラ）整備に重点を置く。

Flanked by the two major powers of China and India, the Mekong region is situated in an area of high strategic importance for land and maritime traffic in the vicinity of the South China Sea.
　メコン地域は、大国の中国とインドに挟まれ、南シナ海に接する陸上・海上交通の要衝である。

Japan maintains generally friendly relations with the five countries — Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar — all of which have been logging high rates of growth.
　タイ、ベトナム、カンボジア、ラオス、ミャンマーの各国は基本的に親日的で、成長率も高い。

The implementation of the Abe administration’s growth strategy can be accelerated by using ODA as a catalyst for their economic development and expanding private-sector investment by Japanese firms to make the most of their vitality.
　ＯＤＡを呼び水に、日本企業の投資を拡大し、各国の活力を取り込むことは、安倍政権の成長戦略にも資するだろう。

In this regard, it is important to build relations on an equal footing — whereby all parties can enjoy mutual benefits — by paying due respect to individual needs.
　大切なのは、相手国の自主性を尊重し、共に利益を享受する対等な関係を築くことである。

‘Soft efforts’ for development

In the case of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the percentage of China’s capital contribution is overwhelmingly large compared to that of other members. This has led to doubts about the impartiality of its management and financing decisions.
　中国主導のアジアインフラ投資銀行（ＡＩＩＢ）は、中国の出資比率が突出し、運営や融資判断の公正性に疑念が持たれている。

It is essential for Japan to work hard to maintain effectiveness and a high degree of transparency in its assistance activities to help build quality infrastructure in the region. Such efforts will distinguish Japan’s assistance from that of China.
　日本は、適正で透明性の高い援助に努め、「良質なインフラ」を地域に定着させることが肝要だ。それが、中国との差別化を図ることにつながろう。

A joint statement adopted at the close of the summit meeting stressed the significance of working together with the Asian Development Bank. It also advocated boosting Japan’s “soft efforts” in such fields as research and development or the nurturing of human resources.
　首脳会議が採択した共同文書は、アジア開発銀行（ＡＤＢ）との連携を強調した。研究開発、人材育成などソフト面の支援に力を入れる方針も打ち出している。

It is vital to carry out a form of “Japanese-style development assistance” that is carefully designed to help each country in the Mekong region achieve sustainable growth through autonomous means.
　メコン地域各国の自立的で、持続的な発展を、きめ細かく手助けする「日本型援助」を着実に推進することが重要である。

Views on maritime security issues were also exchanged at the summit conference.
　首脳会議では、海洋安全保障についても議論した。

The joint statement made explicit reference to “concerns over the recent development in the South China Sea, which ... may undermine regional peace, security and stability.” This alludes to reclamation projects on reefs that are apparently part of a bid for militarization.
　共同文書は「地域の平和、安全、安定を損ないうる南シナ海の最近の動向」への「懸念」を明記した。中国による岩礁埋め立てと軍事施設化を念頭に置いたものだ。

The statement also affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation based on international law and the need to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
　国際法の原則に基づく航行の自由や、紛争の平和的解決の必要性なども盛り込まれた。

Maritime security must be recognized as an “international good” that is indispensable for economic activity to be conducted freely and smoothly, according to the statement. It is highly significant that not only Vietnam, which is at odds with China over territorial issues, but also such countries as Cambodia, which has closer ties with China, agreed on the joint statement’s contents.
　海洋の安全は、自由で円滑な経済活動を支える国際公共財だ。中国と領有権問題で対立するベトナムだけでなく、中国と近いカンボジアなども、共同文書の認識を共有したことは意味がある。

In cooperation with the international community, Japan and the five countries must work together at various opportunities to make China refrain from attempting to change the status quo by force.
　日本と５か国は様々な機会に、国際社会と連携し、力による現状変更の試みを自制するよう中国に働きかけることが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 5, 2015)