The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 11, 2011)
Verbal clashes won't induce in-depth debate
党首討論 激突だけでは議論が深まらぬ（2月10日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan and major opposition party leaders--Sadakazu Tanigaki of the Liberal Democratic Party and Natsuo Yamaguchi of New Komeito--held their first question-time debates in the Diet on Wednesday.
菅首相と、谷垣自民党総裁、山口公明党代表による初めての党首討論が行われた。
The debates centered on integrated tax and social security system reforms, but both sides, apparently with the unified local elections in April in mind, stuck stubbornly to their respective positions throughout.
社会保障と税の一体改革が中心テーマだったが、双方とも統一地方選を意識し、従来の主張の言い合いに終始した。
If this kind of debate is the norm, in-depth policy discussions will be a pipe dream, no matter how often question time is held. We hope they will make their debates more constructive.
これでは何度やっても政策論議は深まるまい。建設的な論戦になるよう工夫してもらいたい。
Tanigaki said the Democratic Party of Japan had failed to honor its manifesto promises, saying the manifesto was not based on the assumption the consumption tax rate would be raised.
谷垣氏は、民主党の政権公約が破綻しており、消費税導入も前提にしていないと指摘した。
He then lashed out at Kan by saying that if the government plans to compile a plan for integrated reforms of the tax and social security systems, including the consumption tax, in June, and review the party manifesto in September, the administration is putting the cart before the horse.
６月に消費税を含む一体改革案をまとめた後、９月に公約を見直すというのは手順が逆だと批判した。
Yamaguchi said the DPJ's failure to keep its manifesto promises constituted a violation of its mandate, and he asked if the administration would assume responsibility.
山口氏も、政権公約の破綻は国民との契約違反だとして、責任をどうとるのかと追及した。
===
DPJ manifesto a failure
It is obvious that the DPJ's manifesto is a failure as it is not based on solid financial sources.
財源の裏付けを欠く政権公約の破綻は、誰の目にも明らかだ。
Yet Kan stubbornly insisted: "They are policies no previous administration has been able to implement. They are not handout policies."
だが、首相は「従来の政権が出来なかった政策だ。バラマキではない」と強弁した。
As long as Kan continues to take such an attitude while calling for cooperation from the opposition parties in discussing tax and social security system reforms, the LDP and New Komeito can hardly be expected to join the debate.
こんな姿勢で与野党協議を求めても、自民、公明両党が参加するはずがない。
Kan should first acknowledge the errors in the manifesto and agree to review it promptly and drastically.
首相は政権公約の誤りを認め、早期かつ大胆に見直すことを言明すべきだ。
In the divided Diet, question time should be an opportunity for party leaders to exchange views without reserve and break the legislative gridlock.
ねじれ国会のもとでの党首討論は、党首同士が虚心坦懐(たんかい)に意見を述べ合い、難局を打開する場でもありたい。
When Kan asked Tanigaki whether his party would cooperate in discussing tax and social security systems together once the government compiles a concrete plan, the LDP leader said, "It's absurd for you to ask us to help you break the promises [the DPJ] made to the people."
On top of refusing to cooperate, Tanigaki demanded that Kan dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election.
一方、首相は、谷垣氏に対し、社会保障改革の具体案がまとまれば与野党協議に応じるのかとただした。谷垣氏は、「国民との約束違反を手伝えというのは筋違いだ」と反論して、協議を拒み、衆院解散・総選挙を要求した。
===
LDP also has responsibility
The LDP leader's hard-line stance is probably based on the prevailing atmosphere in his party that refuses to extend a helping hand to keep the DPJ-led administration alive, when the public approval rating for the ruling party is so low.
谷垣氏の強硬姿勢は、支持率が低迷する民主党政権の延命に手を貸す必要はないという自民党内の空気を踏まえたものだろう。
However, the LDP also has a responsibility as a party that held the reins of power for so long. Kan was right in replying, "Calling for dissolution of the lower house [for a general election] without discussing these issues is merely an attempt to put your party's interests first."
だが、自民党には長年、政権を担当してきた政党としての責任がある。首相が「議論もしないで、まず解散では、党利優先だ」と切り返したのはもっともだ。
If the government and the ruling coalition comes up with a practical reform plan that clearly spells out where the necessary fiscal resources will come from, the LDP should join the discussion.
政府・与党が、財源を明示した改革案を出してくれば、自民党は協議の席につくべきである。
Another focal point in the question-time debate concerned the political fund scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, who was indicted last week.
党首討論のもう一つの論点は、強制起訴された小沢一郎民主党元代表を巡る政治とカネの問題だった。
Tanigaki and Yamaguchi reiterated their demands that the ruling coalition have Ozawa appear as a sworn witness before the Diet.
谷垣、山口両氏は、小沢氏に対する野党の証人喚問要求に応じるよう決断を迫った。
Kan brushed off these demands by saying, "The issue should be discussed thoroughly in the Diet and then we could have him explain his case at an appropriate venue."
だが、首相は、「国会の中でしっかり議論して、いずれかの場で説明していただけるよう努力したい」と述べるにとどまった。
To resolve the issue, the prime minister should soon comply with the opposition bloc's request to have Ozawa, who continues to avoid explaining his involvement in the Diet, summoned as a sworn witness.
首相は、国会での説明を回避し続ける小沢氏の問題に決着をつけるため、早期に証人喚問に応じる必要がある。
As things stand now, Kan has only deepened the impression that the DPJ is a party that cannot make decisions.
このままでは、「何も決められない民主党」という印象を強めるばかりである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 10, 2011)
（2011年2月10日01時10分 読売新聞）
2011/02/11
2011/02/10
外国人看護師 日本語を非関税障壁にするな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 10, 2011)
Don't let Japanese be 'nontariff barrier'
外国人看護師 日本語を非関税障壁にするな（2月9日付・読売社説）
Sending foreign nationals back to their home countries immediately if they fail to pass this nation's nursing certification test can only be considered as an excessively rule-obsessed approach.
「試験に不合格なら、すみやかに帰国を」という対応は、杓(しゃく)子(し)定規に過ぎよう。
About 420 Indonesians and Filipinos--all of whom arrived in Japan to obtain nursing licenses in this country under economic partnership agreements--are set to take our nurse licensing exam in late February.
経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づいてインドネシアとフィリピンから受け入れた約４２０人の看護師希望者が、今月下旬、看護師試験を受験する。
They are all licensed nurses in their own countries. If they want to work as nurses in Japan, however, they must pass the government-sanctioned examination during their three-year stay here.
全員が母国で看護師資格を持っているが、日本で働くためには３年の在留期間中に日本の国家試験に合格しなければならない。
No foreign nurse passed the test in 2009, the first year they took the exam. In the second year, only three nurses passed the exam, meaning the proportion of successful non-Japanese applicants stood around the 1 percent range. This figure is in stark contrast to the success rate of about 90 percent among Japanese applicants.
ところが、１年目は合格者がゼロで２年目は３人、率にして１％台だった。日本人の合格率約９０％と比べると落差が大き過ぎる。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has at last taken action to rectify the situation. The move comes in response to accusations that Indonesian and Philippine applicants for the test have been greatly handicapped by their difficulties in understanding the Japanese language--particularly kanji--used in the exam.
日本語、特に漢字の判読が大きなハンデになっているためだ、との批判を受けて、厚生労働省もようやく重い腰を上げた。
===
Halfhearted measures
Last summer, the ministry put together a plan to improve the method for setting questions in the national test. Corrective steps included writing both the Japanese name of a disease and its corresponding English name, as well as placing kana alongside difficult kanji.
昨年夏、日本語の病名に英語を併記し、難解な漢字にはルビを振るといった試験問題の改善を図った。
However, it was concluded that the use of kana readings would not cover technical terms in medical and nursing care. The ministry also decided not to replace technical terms with easier-to-understand language--for instance, describing "jokuso" (decubitus ulcer) as "tokozure" (bedsore) and "gyogai" (supine position) as "aomuke" (lying on one's back).
ただ、医療・看護の専門用語はルビの対象外で、「褥瘡(じょくそう)」は床ずれ、「仰(ぎょう)臥(が)位(い)」はあおむけと表記するといった平易な表現への言い換えも見送られた。
The ministry's seemingly halfhearted approach apparently was a nod to the Japan Nursing Association's negative stance toward greatly revising the method of examination. The association has been alarmed by an anticipated reduction in employment opportunities for Japanese nurses due to a possible increase in the number of foreign nurses in this country under the EPA pacts.
日本人看護師の雇用機会が奪われることを警戒する日本看護協会が、大幅な見直しに消極的なのが一因という。
This state of affairs is sure to prevent a sharp rise in the percentage of successful non-Japanese applicants for the test. We believe the method for setting questions must be further improved.
これでは合格率が飛躍的に向上するはずがない。試験問題はさらなる改善が必要だ。
Examinees for the upcoming test include about 90 Indonesians and Filipinos sitting the annual exam for the third time. If they fail to pass, they will have to return home.
今回の受験者のうち約９０人は、これが３度目の受験となり、合格しないと帰国せざるを得ない。
We find it unreasonable that the government should order these nurses to leave Japan if they fail to take their "final chances"--without examining whether measures adopted to correct the method of examination are sufficient. The length of their permitted stay in Japan should be extended so they could sit the national test next year and beyond.
試験問題の見直しが十分かどうか検証しないまま「これで最後」という扱いでよいのか。在留期間を延長して、来年以降も受験可能にすべきだろう。
===
Ties could be affected
The system for accepting Indonesians and Filipinos under the EPA programs also covers those hoping to be licensed as providers of nursing care for elderly and disabled people in this country. They are permitted to stay in Japan for four years during which they must acquire three years of work experience at relevant facilities before taking this country's nursing care licensing exam. This means they have only one chance to take the annual test.
インドネシア、フィリピンとのＥＰＡに基づく受け入れは、介護福祉士も対象だ。こちらは４年の在留期間を与えているが、介護福祉士試験は３年の実務経験を受験資格に課しているため、実際の受験機会はたった１度しかない。
We think the length of their stay also needs to be extended to give them several opportunities to take the test.
彼らにも在留期間の延長を認めて、複数回の受験機会を確保する必要がある。
Nevertheless, reconsidering the method of examination and extending the permitted duration of stay are mere stopgap measures.
試験問題の見直しや在留期間延長は、基本的には弥縫(びほう)策だ。
Indonesia and the Philippines may feel the extremely low success rate of their applicants for the nurse certification exam symbolizes what many see as Japan's self-centeredness. To them, Japan may appear to be using its own language in the exam as a "nontariff barrier" to the employment of foreign nurses and others, despite selling a large volume of products to their countries under the economic partnership agreements.
インドネシアやフィリピンにすれば、極端な合格率の低さは、ＥＰＡで製品をどんどん売り込みながら、看護師らの受け入れは、日本語という“非関税障壁”でブロックしている「日本の身勝手さの象徴」と映るのではないか。
The status quo could develop into diplomatic disputes with Indonesia and the Philippines.
このままでは両国との外交摩擦に発展しかねない。
We hope Prime Minister Naoto Kan will take the initiative in considering ways to fundamentally correct the situation.
菅首相には、政治主導で抜本的な是正策の検討を進めてもらいたい。
Failure to do so would disgrace his avowed effort to "reopen the nation in the Heisei era."
それなしでは「平成の開国」の看板が泣くというものだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 9, 2011)
（2011年2月9日01時29分 読売新聞）
Don't let Japanese be 'nontariff barrier'
外国人看護師 日本語を非関税障壁にするな（2月9日付・読売社説）
Sending foreign nationals back to their home countries immediately if they fail to pass this nation's nursing certification test can only be considered as an excessively rule-obsessed approach.
「試験に不合格なら、すみやかに帰国を」という対応は、杓(しゃく)子(し)定規に過ぎよう。
About 420 Indonesians and Filipinos--all of whom arrived in Japan to obtain nursing licenses in this country under economic partnership agreements--are set to take our nurse licensing exam in late February.
経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づいてインドネシアとフィリピンから受け入れた約４２０人の看護師希望者が、今月下旬、看護師試験を受験する。
They are all licensed nurses in their own countries. If they want to work as nurses in Japan, however, they must pass the government-sanctioned examination during their three-year stay here.
全員が母国で看護師資格を持っているが、日本で働くためには３年の在留期間中に日本の国家試験に合格しなければならない。
No foreign nurse passed the test in 2009, the first year they took the exam. In the second year, only three nurses passed the exam, meaning the proportion of successful non-Japanese applicants stood around the 1 percent range. This figure is in stark contrast to the success rate of about 90 percent among Japanese applicants.
ところが、１年目は合格者がゼロで２年目は３人、率にして１％台だった。日本人の合格率約９０％と比べると落差が大き過ぎる。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has at last taken action to rectify the situation. The move comes in response to accusations that Indonesian and Philippine applicants for the test have been greatly handicapped by their difficulties in understanding the Japanese language--particularly kanji--used in the exam.
日本語、特に漢字の判読が大きなハンデになっているためだ、との批判を受けて、厚生労働省もようやく重い腰を上げた。
===
Halfhearted measures
Last summer, the ministry put together a plan to improve the method for setting questions in the national test. Corrective steps included writing both the Japanese name of a disease and its corresponding English name, as well as placing kana alongside difficult kanji.
昨年夏、日本語の病名に英語を併記し、難解な漢字にはルビを振るといった試験問題の改善を図った。
However, it was concluded that the use of kana readings would not cover technical terms in medical and nursing care. The ministry also decided not to replace technical terms with easier-to-understand language--for instance, describing "jokuso" (decubitus ulcer) as "tokozure" (bedsore) and "gyogai" (supine position) as "aomuke" (lying on one's back).
ただ、医療・看護の専門用語はルビの対象外で、「褥瘡(じょくそう)」は床ずれ、「仰(ぎょう)臥(が)位(い)」はあおむけと表記するといった平易な表現への言い換えも見送られた。
The ministry's seemingly halfhearted approach apparently was a nod to the Japan Nursing Association's negative stance toward greatly revising the method of examination. The association has been alarmed by an anticipated reduction in employment opportunities for Japanese nurses due to a possible increase in the number of foreign nurses in this country under the EPA pacts.
日本人看護師の雇用機会が奪われることを警戒する日本看護協会が、大幅な見直しに消極的なのが一因という。
This state of affairs is sure to prevent a sharp rise in the percentage of successful non-Japanese applicants for the test. We believe the method for setting questions must be further improved.
これでは合格率が飛躍的に向上するはずがない。試験問題はさらなる改善が必要だ。
Examinees for the upcoming test include about 90 Indonesians and Filipinos sitting the annual exam for the third time. If they fail to pass, they will have to return home.
今回の受験者のうち約９０人は、これが３度目の受験となり、合格しないと帰国せざるを得ない。
We find it unreasonable that the government should order these nurses to leave Japan if they fail to take their "final chances"--without examining whether measures adopted to correct the method of examination are sufficient. The length of their permitted stay in Japan should be extended so they could sit the national test next year and beyond.
試験問題の見直しが十分かどうか検証しないまま「これで最後」という扱いでよいのか。在留期間を延長して、来年以降も受験可能にすべきだろう。
===
Ties could be affected
The system for accepting Indonesians and Filipinos under the EPA programs also covers those hoping to be licensed as providers of nursing care for elderly and disabled people in this country. They are permitted to stay in Japan for four years during which they must acquire three years of work experience at relevant facilities before taking this country's nursing care licensing exam. This means they have only one chance to take the annual test.
インドネシア、フィリピンとのＥＰＡに基づく受け入れは、介護福祉士も対象だ。こちらは４年の在留期間を与えているが、介護福祉士試験は３年の実務経験を受験資格に課しているため、実際の受験機会はたった１度しかない。
We think the length of their stay also needs to be extended to give them several opportunities to take the test.
彼らにも在留期間の延長を認めて、複数回の受験機会を確保する必要がある。
Nevertheless, reconsidering the method of examination and extending the permitted duration of stay are mere stopgap measures.
試験問題の見直しや在留期間延長は、基本的には弥縫(びほう)策だ。
Indonesia and the Philippines may feel the extremely low success rate of their applicants for the nurse certification exam symbolizes what many see as Japan's self-centeredness. To them, Japan may appear to be using its own language in the exam as a "nontariff barrier" to the employment of foreign nurses and others, despite selling a large volume of products to their countries under the economic partnership agreements.
インドネシアやフィリピンにすれば、極端な合格率の低さは、ＥＰＡで製品をどんどん売り込みながら、看護師らの受け入れは、日本語という“非関税障壁”でブロックしている「日本の身勝手さの象徴」と映るのではないか。
The status quo could develop into diplomatic disputes with Indonesia and the Philippines.
このままでは両国との外交摩擦に発展しかねない。
We hope Prime Minister Naoto Kan will take the initiative in considering ways to fundamentally correct the situation.
菅首相には、政治主導で抜本的な是正策の検討を進めてもらいたい。
Failure to do so would disgrace his avowed effort to "reopen the nation in the Heisei era."
それなしでは「平成の開国」の看板が泣くというものだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 9, 2011)
（2011年2月9日01時29分 読売新聞）
2011/02/09
Myanmar's parliament
朝日新聞はビルマの民主化推進を支援するためにこの記事を掲載しました。
読売新聞はどうしたのでしょかね＾＾。これぞ価値観の違い。
取り上げる記事は新聞社各社が自由に決定する、これも民主主義には違いない。
価値観や意見の分裂を許すからこそ民主主義！
普通は毎日新聞が一番先に飛びつくような記事ですが今回、毎日さんおとなしいですね。
（スラチャイ記）
2011/02/09
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 8
EDITORIAL: Myanmar's parliament
ミャンマー―新政権は民主化へ行動を
The newly inaugurated parliament of Myanmar (Burma) convened last week in the gleaming new capital city of Naypyidaw. The event marked the official opening of the massive parliament building, but the media were not allowed near it. It was only from state-run news programs at night that the public learned about the decisions of the parliament, the first elected legislature in 20 years.
新首都に建設された壮大な議事堂。そこで開かれる初めての国会。華やかなこけら落としのはずなのにメディアは建物にさえ近づけない。夜の国営ニュースが決定事項を伝えるだけだ。
So much for Myanmar's "new start" last week. There was nothing to indicate that the nation had moved any closer to democracy.
国の変化や「民主化」への期待感など、まったく伝わらない門出である。
The military regime's former prime minister, Thein Sein, was named president by the new parliament, which was elected last November.
ミャンマー（ビルマ）で国会が開かれ、軍事政権の首相だったテイン・セイン氏が大統領に選ばれた。
A new Cabinet will be formed soon, which the military regime claims will spell a "transition to democratic rule."
昨年１１月、２０年ぶりに実施された総選挙を受けた国家元首の誕生だ。新内閣がまもなく発足し、これをもって「民政に移管する」と軍政はいう。
An elected administration sounds a lot better than a regime without a Constitution or parliament. But in reality, one-quarter of the seats of the new parliament are reserved for military officers. Even among the elected members, former military officers make up an overwhelming majority.
憲法もない、議会もない統治から、選挙を経て新政権が誕生する。聞こえはいいが、議会の４分の１は軍人枠だ。選挙を経た議員の圧倒的多数も軍服を脱いだ元軍人である。
The support of more than three-quarters of the parliament is needed to amend the current Constitution, which was instituted by the military junta three years ago. It seems that the new administration is designed to legalize and perpetuate oppressive rule.
３年前に軍主導で制定された憲法を改正するには国会の４分の３を超える賛成が必要なので、実際には合法を装った圧政の永続ともいえる。
Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, was not named president. Some Myanmar watchers say this at least shows some progress.
軍政トップのタン・シュエ国家平和発展評議会議長が大統領に就任しなかったことで、最低限の前進はあったという見方もある。
However, Thein Sein is Mynamar's fourth highest ranked military official. As Than Shwe's loyal lieutenant, he was the face of the junta.
しかし、軍序列４位のテイン・セイン氏は議長の忠実な部下として、対外的な役割を担った人物だ。
In Myanmar, the commander of the armed forces holds greater power than the president. The commander appoints the ministers of defense, internal affairs and others, and is vested with wide-ranging powers by the president in times of emergency.
この国では、大統領以上の権力を握るポストがある。国軍司令官だ。国防相、内相らを任命するほか、非常時には大統領から全権を譲り受ける。
Than Shwe currently serves as commander of Myanmar's armed forces. Although the new administration's National Security Council is to appoint a new commander, nothing will change if Than Shwe is reappointed.
タン・シュエ議長は現在、国軍司令官を兼務する。新政権の治安評議会が新司令官を選ぶが、議長が再びそこに座れば、状況は何も変わらない。
If the new administration is aiming at democratic rule, it must show its sincerity at home as well as abroad. The real test lies in who will be appointed to key government posts. If Than Shwe remains in his post or is allowed to keep pulling the strings, Myanmar will find it hard to convince anybody that it is moving toward democratic rule.
新政権が「民政」をうたうなら、その意思を内外に示さねばならない。試金石は人事の刷新だ。タン・シュエ氏が司令官にとどまったり、闇将軍として権勢をふるったりすれば、民政移管とはとても認められない。
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has demanded that the United States and European countries lift their economic sanctions against Myanmar, on the grounds that Myanmar has held national elections and released democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）は、総選挙の実施と民主化指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんの自宅軟禁解除を理由に、欧米諸国が同国に科す経済制裁の解除を求めた。
The Japanese government, too, acknowledges "some credit" is due to Myanmar for Suu Kyi's release and for the general elections, according to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.
日本政府も、総選挙とスー・チーさんの解放については「一定の評価をしている」（前原誠司外相）という。
But it is still too soon for Japan to demand the lifting of the sanctions or to resume full-scale aid to Myanmar. Japan must await specific actions by the new administration.
しかしまだ、日本が経済制裁解除を求める、あるいは本格的な援助を再開するといった時期ではない。新政府の具体的な行動を待つ必要がある。
Suu Kyi won her election 21 years ago by a landslide, and she is still an extremely popular figure in her country. Unless the new administration swiftly initiates dialogue with her in earnest, there can be no national reconciliation.
スー・チーさんとの対話を速やかに、かつ本格的に始めるかどうか。２１年前の選挙で圧勝し、いまでも国民の間に高い人気のある彼女を抜きにして国民和解はあり得ない。
The new regime must also immediately free political prisoners. There are estimated to be around 2,000 people held for political reasons.
さらに約２千人とされる政治犯の釈放もまったなしだ。
The Japanese government must patiently work with neighboring nations to pressure the new administration to take those steps.
日本政府は新政権がこうした取り組みを進めるよう、周辺諸国とともに粘り強く働きかけなければならない。
読売新聞はどうしたのでしょかね＾＾。これぞ価値観の違い。
取り上げる記事は新聞社各社が自由に決定する、これも民主主義には違いない。
価値観や意見の分裂を許すからこそ民主主義！
普通は毎日新聞が一番先に飛びつくような記事ですが今回、毎日さんおとなしいですね。
（スラチャイ記）
2011/02/09
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 8
EDITORIAL: Myanmar's parliament
ミャンマー―新政権は民主化へ行動を
The newly inaugurated parliament of Myanmar (Burma) convened last week in the gleaming new capital city of Naypyidaw. The event marked the official opening of the massive parliament building, but the media were not allowed near it. It was only from state-run news programs at night that the public learned about the decisions of the parliament, the first elected legislature in 20 years.
新首都に建設された壮大な議事堂。そこで開かれる初めての国会。華やかなこけら落としのはずなのにメディアは建物にさえ近づけない。夜の国営ニュースが決定事項を伝えるだけだ。
So much for Myanmar's "new start" last week. There was nothing to indicate that the nation had moved any closer to democracy.
国の変化や「民主化」への期待感など、まったく伝わらない門出である。
The military regime's former prime minister, Thein Sein, was named president by the new parliament, which was elected last November.
ミャンマー（ビルマ）で国会が開かれ、軍事政権の首相だったテイン・セイン氏が大統領に選ばれた。
A new Cabinet will be formed soon, which the military regime claims will spell a "transition to democratic rule."
昨年１１月、２０年ぶりに実施された総選挙を受けた国家元首の誕生だ。新内閣がまもなく発足し、これをもって「民政に移管する」と軍政はいう。
An elected administration sounds a lot better than a regime without a Constitution or parliament. But in reality, one-quarter of the seats of the new parliament are reserved for military officers. Even among the elected members, former military officers make up an overwhelming majority.
憲法もない、議会もない統治から、選挙を経て新政権が誕生する。聞こえはいいが、議会の４分の１は軍人枠だ。選挙を経た議員の圧倒的多数も軍服を脱いだ元軍人である。
The support of more than three-quarters of the parliament is needed to amend the current Constitution, which was instituted by the military junta three years ago. It seems that the new administration is designed to legalize and perpetuate oppressive rule.
３年前に軍主導で制定された憲法を改正するには国会の４分の３を超える賛成が必要なので、実際には合法を装った圧政の永続ともいえる。
Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, was not named president. Some Myanmar watchers say this at least shows some progress.
軍政トップのタン・シュエ国家平和発展評議会議長が大統領に就任しなかったことで、最低限の前進はあったという見方もある。
However, Thein Sein is Mynamar's fourth highest ranked military official. As Than Shwe's loyal lieutenant, he was the face of the junta.
しかし、軍序列４位のテイン・セイン氏は議長の忠実な部下として、対外的な役割を担った人物だ。
In Myanmar, the commander of the armed forces holds greater power than the president. The commander appoints the ministers of defense, internal affairs and others, and is vested with wide-ranging powers by the president in times of emergency.
この国では、大統領以上の権力を握るポストがある。国軍司令官だ。国防相、内相らを任命するほか、非常時には大統領から全権を譲り受ける。
Than Shwe currently serves as commander of Myanmar's armed forces. Although the new administration's National Security Council is to appoint a new commander, nothing will change if Than Shwe is reappointed.
タン・シュエ議長は現在、国軍司令官を兼務する。新政権の治安評議会が新司令官を選ぶが、議長が再びそこに座れば、状況は何も変わらない。
If the new administration is aiming at democratic rule, it must show its sincerity at home as well as abroad. The real test lies in who will be appointed to key government posts. If Than Shwe remains in his post or is allowed to keep pulling the strings, Myanmar will find it hard to convince anybody that it is moving toward democratic rule.
新政権が「民政」をうたうなら、その意思を内外に示さねばならない。試金石は人事の刷新だ。タン・シュエ氏が司令官にとどまったり、闇将軍として権勢をふるったりすれば、民政移管とはとても認められない。
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has demanded that the United States and European countries lift their economic sanctions against Myanmar, on the grounds that Myanmar has held national elections and released democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.
東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）は、総選挙の実施と民主化指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんの自宅軟禁解除を理由に、欧米諸国が同国に科す経済制裁の解除を求めた。
The Japanese government, too, acknowledges "some credit" is due to Myanmar for Suu Kyi's release and for the general elections, according to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.
日本政府も、総選挙とスー・チーさんの解放については「一定の評価をしている」（前原誠司外相）という。
But it is still too soon for Japan to demand the lifting of the sanctions or to resume full-scale aid to Myanmar. Japan must await specific actions by the new administration.
しかしまだ、日本が経済制裁解除を求める、あるいは本格的な援助を再開するといった時期ではない。新政府の具体的な行動を待つ必要がある。
Suu Kyi won her election 21 years ago by a landslide, and she is still an extremely popular figure in her country. Unless the new administration swiftly initiates dialogue with her in earnest, there can be no national reconciliation.
スー・チーさんとの対話を速やかに、かつ本格的に始めるかどうか。２１年前の選挙で圧勝し、いまでも国民の間に高い人気のある彼女を抜きにして国民和解はあり得ない。
The new regime must also immediately free political prisoners. There are estimated to be around 2,000 people held for political reasons.
さらに約２千人とされる政治犯の釈放もまったなしだ。
The Japanese government must patiently work with neighboring nations to pressure the new administration to take those steps.
日本政府は新政権がこうした取り組みを進めるよう、周辺諸国とともに粘り強く働きかけなければならない。
陸山会事件 裁判で「小沢氏資金」の解明を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 9, 2011)
Court must unravel Ozawa money trail
陸山会事件 裁判で「小沢氏資金」の解明を（2月8日付・読売社説）
The trial of three former secretaries of ruling party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa quickly became an all-out battle between the defendants and prosecutors soon after it opened Monday.
冒頭から全面対決の様相となった。
The first hearing for House of Representatives member Tomohiro Ishikawa and the two other former secretaries opened at the Tokyo District Court. They were charged in connection with a suspicious land deal involving Rikuzan-kai, the political funds management body of Ozawa, a former Democratic Party of Japan president. The three former secretaries are charged with violating the Political Funds Control Law.
民主党の小沢一郎元代表の資金管理団体「陸山会」の土地取引を巡る事件で、政治資金規正法違反に問われた石川知裕衆院議員ら元秘書３人の公判が始まった。
Prosecutors insist the secretaries did not register 400 million yen, which the group had borrowed from Ozawa to purchase the land, in Rikuzan-kai's political funds reports because the money originally had come from a source that they did not want to identify.
小沢氏から借り入れた土地購入原資の４億円が出所を明らかにできない金だったため、政治資金収支報告書に記載しなかった――というのが、検察側の主張だ。
Ishikawa and the other secretaries have pleaded not guilty and insisted they had not falsified statements in the funds reports.
これに対し、石川議員らは「虚偽の記載をした認識はない」などと否定し、無罪を訴えた。
In the same case, Ozawa was recently indicted based on decisions by a judicial panel comprising citizens on charges of violating the same law, and his trial is expected to begin this summer at the earliest. He is accused of conspiring with the three secretaries to cover up the money trail. The secretaries' trial shares many pieces of evidence and points of contention with the Ozawa trial. Therefore, it is shaping up as a prelude to--and likely will be a barometer for the outcome of--Ozawa's trial.
この事件では、小沢氏自身も検察審査会の議決に基づき、共犯として強制起訴されたばかりだ。証拠や争点の多くが重なる元秘書３人の裁判は、夏以降に始まると見られる小沢氏の裁判の行方を占う前哨戦の意味合いもあろう。
===
Still waiting for explanation
Ozawa has given inconsistent explanations regarding where the 400 million yen in question came from, a key focus in the trial. We hope the trial will fully uncover the source of the money and what it was actually intended for.
焦点となっている土地購入原資の４億円について、小沢氏は説明を二転三転させてきた。裁判では４億円の出所や趣旨を徹底的に明らかにしてもらいたい。
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Ozawa's office had received illegal donations from a general contractor in connection with a dam construction order around the same time it had borrowed the money from Ozawa. The prosecutors apparently intended to emphasize the maliciousness of falsifying a statement in a political funds report.
検察側は冒頭陳述で、「小沢氏からの借り入れと同時期に、小沢事務所は建設業者からダム工事の受注に絡んで裏献金を受領していた」とも言及した。虚偽記載という行為の悪質性を強調する狙いがあるのだろう。
However, the defendants denied receiving the donation. The trial will hinge on whether prosecutors can prove the credibility of a statement by the construction firm, which allegedly said it handed the cash to Ozawa's secretaries.
石川議員らは受領自体を否定している。「金を届けた」とする業者側の供述の信用性を検察がどこまで立証できるかが鍵を握る。
The Ozawa office's alleged reception of illegal donations from a construction firm in exchange for exercising influence over the selection of a contractor in a public works project has shades of a separate trial involving Nishimatsu Construction Co. That case came to light about two years ago.
公共工事の業者選定への影響力を背景に、小沢事務所が建設業者から資金提供を受ける構図は、２年前に摘発された西松建設の違法献金事件の裁判でも浮上した。
While repeatedly criticizing prosecutors and the committee for the inquest of prosecution, Ozawa has yet to provide an explanation that would clear up the allegations against him. Furthermore, he has not come forward to answer questions in the Diet about the scandal. Although Ozawa now is a defendant in a criminal case, we think he still has a responsibility as a politician to explain himself in the Diet.
小沢氏はこれまで検察や検察審査会への批判を繰り返す一方で、詳細な説明を避けている。国会招致も実現していない。被告人の立場になったとはいえ、政治家として国会で説明する必要がある。
===
Prosecutors in spotlight
The public is certainly watching the investigation by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office--which has handled a number of cases involving politicians--more closely than ever before.
一方、数々の政界事件を手がけてきた東京地検特捜部の捜査手法に、今、かつてない厳しい目が注がれているのも事実である。
Ishikawa and the other secretaries have claimed testimonies they gave during interrogations--in which they admitted the allegations--were not credible because they were not made voluntarily. They allege the forceful investigation led them to make incriminating statements against their will.
石川議員らは「強引な取り調べで供述を誘導された」として、捜査段階で容疑を認めた供述調書の任意性や信用性を争っている。
The defendants' testimonies have a direct bearing on the core questions in this case. If these confessions are deemed to be not credible, it could not only determine the direction of Ozawa's trial but also raise questions about the prosecution's investigation, which was built on statements by people involved.
この裁判で、事件の根幹にかかわる供述調書の信用性などが否定されれば、小沢氏の裁判の方向性を決めかねないばかりか、関係者の供述を積み重ねて真相解明を試みてきた特捜部の捜査の在り方も問われることになる。
The prosecutors will need to carefully prove each of the defendants' testimonies were made of their own free will and are credible.
検察には、供述調書の任意性や信用性を一つひとつ丁寧に立証していくことが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2011)
（2011年2月8日01時47分 読売新聞）
Court must unravel Ozawa money trail
陸山会事件 裁判で「小沢氏資金」の解明を（2月8日付・読売社説）
The trial of three former secretaries of ruling party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa quickly became an all-out battle between the defendants and prosecutors soon after it opened Monday.
冒頭から全面対決の様相となった。
The first hearing for House of Representatives member Tomohiro Ishikawa and the two other former secretaries opened at the Tokyo District Court. They were charged in connection with a suspicious land deal involving Rikuzan-kai, the political funds management body of Ozawa, a former Democratic Party of Japan president. The three former secretaries are charged with violating the Political Funds Control Law.
民主党の小沢一郎元代表の資金管理団体「陸山会」の土地取引を巡る事件で、政治資金規正法違反に問われた石川知裕衆院議員ら元秘書３人の公判が始まった。
Prosecutors insist the secretaries did not register 400 million yen, which the group had borrowed from Ozawa to purchase the land, in Rikuzan-kai's political funds reports because the money originally had come from a source that they did not want to identify.
小沢氏から借り入れた土地購入原資の４億円が出所を明らかにできない金だったため、政治資金収支報告書に記載しなかった――というのが、検察側の主張だ。
Ishikawa and the other secretaries have pleaded not guilty and insisted they had not falsified statements in the funds reports.
これに対し、石川議員らは「虚偽の記載をした認識はない」などと否定し、無罪を訴えた。
In the same case, Ozawa was recently indicted based on decisions by a judicial panel comprising citizens on charges of violating the same law, and his trial is expected to begin this summer at the earliest. He is accused of conspiring with the three secretaries to cover up the money trail. The secretaries' trial shares many pieces of evidence and points of contention with the Ozawa trial. Therefore, it is shaping up as a prelude to--and likely will be a barometer for the outcome of--Ozawa's trial.
この事件では、小沢氏自身も検察審査会の議決に基づき、共犯として強制起訴されたばかりだ。証拠や争点の多くが重なる元秘書３人の裁判は、夏以降に始まると見られる小沢氏の裁判の行方を占う前哨戦の意味合いもあろう。
===
Still waiting for explanation
Ozawa has given inconsistent explanations regarding where the 400 million yen in question came from, a key focus in the trial. We hope the trial will fully uncover the source of the money and what it was actually intended for.
焦点となっている土地購入原資の４億円について、小沢氏は説明を二転三転させてきた。裁判では４億円の出所や趣旨を徹底的に明らかにしてもらいたい。
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Ozawa's office had received illegal donations from a general contractor in connection with a dam construction order around the same time it had borrowed the money from Ozawa. The prosecutors apparently intended to emphasize the maliciousness of falsifying a statement in a political funds report.
検察側は冒頭陳述で、「小沢氏からの借り入れと同時期に、小沢事務所は建設業者からダム工事の受注に絡んで裏献金を受領していた」とも言及した。虚偽記載という行為の悪質性を強調する狙いがあるのだろう。
However, the defendants denied receiving the donation. The trial will hinge on whether prosecutors can prove the credibility of a statement by the construction firm, which allegedly said it handed the cash to Ozawa's secretaries.
石川議員らは受領自体を否定している。「金を届けた」とする業者側の供述の信用性を検察がどこまで立証できるかが鍵を握る。
The Ozawa office's alleged reception of illegal donations from a construction firm in exchange for exercising influence over the selection of a contractor in a public works project has shades of a separate trial involving Nishimatsu Construction Co. That case came to light about two years ago.
公共工事の業者選定への影響力を背景に、小沢事務所が建設業者から資金提供を受ける構図は、２年前に摘発された西松建設の違法献金事件の裁判でも浮上した。
While repeatedly criticizing prosecutors and the committee for the inquest of prosecution, Ozawa has yet to provide an explanation that would clear up the allegations against him. Furthermore, he has not come forward to answer questions in the Diet about the scandal. Although Ozawa now is a defendant in a criminal case, we think he still has a responsibility as a politician to explain himself in the Diet.
小沢氏はこれまで検察や検察審査会への批判を繰り返す一方で、詳細な説明を避けている。国会招致も実現していない。被告人の立場になったとはいえ、政治家として国会で説明する必要がある。
===
Prosecutors in spotlight
The public is certainly watching the investigation by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office--which has handled a number of cases involving politicians--more closely than ever before.
一方、数々の政界事件を手がけてきた東京地検特捜部の捜査手法に、今、かつてない厳しい目が注がれているのも事実である。
Ishikawa and the other secretaries have claimed testimonies they gave during interrogations--in which they admitted the allegations--were not credible because they were not made voluntarily. They allege the forceful investigation led them to make incriminating statements against their will.
石川議員らは「強引な取り調べで供述を誘導された」として、捜査段階で容疑を認めた供述調書の任意性や信用性を争っている。
The defendants' testimonies have a direct bearing on the core questions in this case. If these confessions are deemed to be not credible, it could not only determine the direction of Ozawa's trial but also raise questions about the prosecution's investigation, which was built on statements by people involved.
この裁判で、事件の根幹にかかわる供述調書の信用性などが否定されれば、小沢氏の裁判の方向性を決めかねないばかりか、関係者の供述を積み重ねて真相解明を試みてきた特捜部の捜査の在り方も問われることになる。
The prosecutors will need to carefully prove each of the defendants' testimonies were made of their own free will and are credible.
検察には、供述調書の任意性や信用性を一つひとつ丁寧に立証していくことが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2011)
（2011年2月8日01時47分 読売新聞）
2011/02/08
春場所中止 八百長が土俵の火を消した
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 8, 2011)
Torch of sumo tradition flickers after match-fixing
春場所中止 八百長が土俵の火を消した（2月7日付・読売社説）
Can the Japan Sumo Association continue to bear the responsibility of carrying on sumo as the "national sport"? The JSA faces the crisis of its existence being called into question as it has been forced to cancel a forthcoming sumo tournament.
今後も「国技」を担っていけるのか。本場所を開催できない事態に追い込まれ、日本相撲協会は存立そのものが問われる危機に直面している。
Shaken by a match-fixing scandal, the JSA decided Sunday to cancel the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to start on March 13 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
八百長問題で揺れる相撲協会が、３月１３日から大阪府立体育会館で開く予定だった春場所を中止することを決めた。
It is the first cancellation of a grand tournament in 65 years since the 1946 summer grand tournament was canceled due to a delay in repair work on the previous Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena amid the postwar chaos. This is the first time for a grand tourney to be canceled due to a scandal, leaving a hard-to-erase blemish on the long history of sumo.
本場所の中止は６５年ぶり、戦後の混乱期、国技館の改修工事が遅れた１９４６年夏場所以来のことだ。不祥事による中止は、過去に例がない。大相撲の長い歴史においても、消し難い汚点である。
As reasons for the cancellation, the JSA said, among other things, it would otherwise be impossible to obtain the understanding of fans and it would take time to conduct investigations of the 14 current and former sumo wrestlers allegedly involved in the scandal. JSA Chairman Hanaregoma told a news conference, "We cannot show sumo matches on the dohyo ring until we can eliminate the pus [from the sport]."
ファンの理解が得られない。八百長疑惑に名前が挙がった１４人の力士の調査に時間がかかる。それらが本場所中止の理由だ。相撲協会の放駒理事長は「ウミを出し切るまでは、土俵で相撲をお見せすることはできない」と語った。
===
Fans betrayed
The top priority of the JSA should be to thoroughly probe the match-fixing scandal and severely punish all found to be involved. If this is taken into consideration, the JSA's cancellation of the spring grand tournament was the right decision.
相撲協会が最優先になすべきは、八百長の実態を徹底解明し、関与した力士らを厳しく処分することだ。それを考えれば、春場所の中止は、当然の判断である。
Match-fixing flatly contradicts any claim that sumo is a real fighting sport. It also represents a betrayal of the fans, who expect to see hard-fought bouts.
大相撲が真剣勝負の競技であるならば、八百長はそれを真っ向から否定する行為だ。白熱した土俵を楽しみにしているファンに対する裏切りでもある。
Many fans in Osaka must feel regret over the cancellation of the spring tournament, which is the only basho held in the city each year.
大阪で本場所が開かれるのは年１回のため、中止を残念に思うファンも多いだろう。
But if the tournament were to be held under the present circumstances, suspicious eyes would be cast even over wrestlers not involved in the match-fixing scandal. If sumo becomes suspect, it does not deserve the claim of being the national sport.
しかし、今の状況では、八百長にかかわっていない力士にも、疑いの目が向けられよう。疑念を持たれる土俵は、「国技」を名乗るに値しない。
A seven-member special investigation panel, consisting of four lawyers and three other outsiders, is tasked with uncovering the whole truth behind the scandal. The panel has conducted a questionnaire survey of all wrestlers and other JSA members concerning their involvement in the match-fixing scandal. But we think it is impossible to grasp the whole picture with such a pro forma probe alone.
全容解明にあたっているのは、弁護士ら外部のメンバーで組織する特別調査委員会だ。全力士らを対象に、八百長への関与の有無を確認するアンケートを実施した。だが、形式的な調査だけで真相を把握できるはずがない。
It is necessary to make in-depth investigations by going as far as interrogating the suspected wrestlers after analyzing past bouts suspected to have been fixed.
過去に八百長が疑われた取組を分析したうえで事情聴取するなど、踏み込んだ調査が必要だ。
===
JSA claim falls flat
The JSA had persistently asserted, "There is no match-fixing whatsoever." The association has established punitive steps for intentionally spiritless bouts and issued warnings to wrestlers every time their bouts were found to lack a fighting spirit. But it had never probed whether they fixed matches.
相撲協会は一貫して「八百長は存在しない」と主張してきた。故意の無気力相撲に関する罰則規定を設けて、闘争心に欠ける相撲を取った力士には、その都度、注意などをしてきたが、八百長かどうかの調査は行ってこなかった。
As some of the 14 current and former wrestlers suspected to have been involved in the scandal admitted the alleged match-fixing, the JSA's assumption of "no match-fixing whatsoever" has crumbled. The association must clearly mention in its punitive provisions that wrestlers found to be involved in match-fixing will be expelled from the sumo world.
今回、疑惑が持たれている１４人の力士の一部が八百長行為を認めたことで、「八百長はない」との前提は崩れた。八百長相撲を取った力士を除名などにすると規定に明記すべきだ。
The JSA is a public-interest corporation entitled to preferential tax treatment. The association must remember it has the responsibility of working out measures that can convince the public that the sport is clean.
相撲協会は、税制面で優遇を受けている公益法人だ。社会が納得できる措置を講じる責任があることを忘れてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 7, 2011)
（2011年2月7日01時07分 読売新聞）
Torch of sumo tradition flickers after match-fixing
春場所中止 八百長が土俵の火を消した（2月7日付・読売社説）
Can the Japan Sumo Association continue to bear the responsibility of carrying on sumo as the "national sport"? The JSA faces the crisis of its existence being called into question as it has been forced to cancel a forthcoming sumo tournament.
今後も「国技」を担っていけるのか。本場所を開催できない事態に追い込まれ、日本相撲協会は存立そのものが問われる危機に直面している。
Shaken by a match-fixing scandal, the JSA decided Sunday to cancel the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to start on March 13 at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
八百長問題で揺れる相撲協会が、３月１３日から大阪府立体育会館で開く予定だった春場所を中止することを決めた。
It is the first cancellation of a grand tournament in 65 years since the 1946 summer grand tournament was canceled due to a delay in repair work on the previous Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena amid the postwar chaos. This is the first time for a grand tourney to be canceled due to a scandal, leaving a hard-to-erase blemish on the long history of sumo.
本場所の中止は６５年ぶり、戦後の混乱期、国技館の改修工事が遅れた１９４６年夏場所以来のことだ。不祥事による中止は、過去に例がない。大相撲の長い歴史においても、消し難い汚点である。
As reasons for the cancellation, the JSA said, among other things, it would otherwise be impossible to obtain the understanding of fans and it would take time to conduct investigations of the 14 current and former sumo wrestlers allegedly involved in the scandal. JSA Chairman Hanaregoma told a news conference, "We cannot show sumo matches on the dohyo ring until we can eliminate the pus [from the sport]."
ファンの理解が得られない。八百長疑惑に名前が挙がった１４人の力士の調査に時間がかかる。それらが本場所中止の理由だ。相撲協会の放駒理事長は「ウミを出し切るまでは、土俵で相撲をお見せすることはできない」と語った。
===
Fans betrayed
The top priority of the JSA should be to thoroughly probe the match-fixing scandal and severely punish all found to be involved. If this is taken into consideration, the JSA's cancellation of the spring grand tournament was the right decision.
相撲協会が最優先になすべきは、八百長の実態を徹底解明し、関与した力士らを厳しく処分することだ。それを考えれば、春場所の中止は、当然の判断である。
Match-fixing flatly contradicts any claim that sumo is a real fighting sport. It also represents a betrayal of the fans, who expect to see hard-fought bouts.
大相撲が真剣勝負の競技であるならば、八百長はそれを真っ向から否定する行為だ。白熱した土俵を楽しみにしているファンに対する裏切りでもある。
Many fans in Osaka must feel regret over the cancellation of the spring tournament, which is the only basho held in the city each year.
大阪で本場所が開かれるのは年１回のため、中止を残念に思うファンも多いだろう。
But if the tournament were to be held under the present circumstances, suspicious eyes would be cast even over wrestlers not involved in the match-fixing scandal. If sumo becomes suspect, it does not deserve the claim of being the national sport.
しかし、今の状況では、八百長にかかわっていない力士にも、疑いの目が向けられよう。疑念を持たれる土俵は、「国技」を名乗るに値しない。
A seven-member special investigation panel, consisting of four lawyers and three other outsiders, is tasked with uncovering the whole truth behind the scandal. The panel has conducted a questionnaire survey of all wrestlers and other JSA members concerning their involvement in the match-fixing scandal. But we think it is impossible to grasp the whole picture with such a pro forma probe alone.
全容解明にあたっているのは、弁護士ら外部のメンバーで組織する特別調査委員会だ。全力士らを対象に、八百長への関与の有無を確認するアンケートを実施した。だが、形式的な調査だけで真相を把握できるはずがない。
It is necessary to make in-depth investigations by going as far as interrogating the suspected wrestlers after analyzing past bouts suspected to have been fixed.
過去に八百長が疑われた取組を分析したうえで事情聴取するなど、踏み込んだ調査が必要だ。
===
JSA claim falls flat
The JSA had persistently asserted, "There is no match-fixing whatsoever." The association has established punitive steps for intentionally spiritless bouts and issued warnings to wrestlers every time their bouts were found to lack a fighting spirit. But it had never probed whether they fixed matches.
相撲協会は一貫して「八百長は存在しない」と主張してきた。故意の無気力相撲に関する罰則規定を設けて、闘争心に欠ける相撲を取った力士には、その都度、注意などをしてきたが、八百長かどうかの調査は行ってこなかった。
As some of the 14 current and former wrestlers suspected to have been involved in the scandal admitted the alleged match-fixing, the JSA's assumption of "no match-fixing whatsoever" has crumbled. The association must clearly mention in its punitive provisions that wrestlers found to be involved in match-fixing will be expelled from the sumo world.
今回、疑惑が持たれている１４人の力士の一部が八百長行為を認めたことで、「八百長はない」との前提は崩れた。八百長相撲を取った力士を除名などにすると規定に明記すべきだ。
The JSA is a public-interest corporation entitled to preferential tax treatment. The association must remember it has the responsibility of working out measures that can convince the public that the sport is clean.
相撲協会は、税制面で優遇を受けている公益法人だ。社会が納得できる措置を講じる責任があることを忘れてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 7, 2011)
（2011年2月7日01時07分 読売新聞）
2011/02/07
社会保障改革 具体的な与党案を早急に示せ
Social security reform proposals needed quickly
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 7, 2011)
社会保障改革 具体的な与党案を早急に示せ（2月6日付・読売社説）
The government and the ruling coalition parties on Saturday launched a new panel of experts chaired by Prime Minister Naoto Kan to discuss social security reform.
政府・与党は５日、菅首相を議長とする「社会保障改革に関する集中検討会議」をスタートさせた。
We will wait and see how detailed a picture the panel can paint of the future of the nation's social security system.
社会保障制度の将来像を、どこまで具体的に描き出せるか。
The de facto leader of the panel is the assistant to the chairman, Kaoru Yosano, state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy.
議長補佐として検討会議を主導するのは与謝野経済財政相だ。
Members include University of Tokyo Prof. Hiroshi Yoshikawa, who headed the National Council on Social Security under former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda; and supreme adviser to Dentsu Inc. Yutaka Narita, who chaired a panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society under former Prime Minister Taro Aso.
Also participating are other experts who compiled policy proposals under the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito. Yosano is said to have selected the panel members personally.
メンバーには、福田内閣で社会保障国民会議の座長を務めた吉川洋・東大教授、麻生内閣で安心社会実現会議の座長だった成田豊・電通名誉相談役ら、自公政権で政策提言を担った識者が何人も加わった。与謝野氏の人選という。
Some members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan have complained that the panel lineup does not reflect the change in government.
民主党内には、「これでは政権交代した意味がない」との批判もあるようだ。
However, we think such critics are small-minded. Social security policy, like foreign and security policy, is an important matter related to the foundation of the country. It is not an issue to be disputed between ruling and opposition parties.
だが、こうした見方は狭量である。社会保障政策は、外交・安全保障と同様、国の根幹にかかわる重要な政策だ。与野党が対立する問題ではない。
The public would feel insecure if policy that determines the course of the nation's future is changed drastically with a change of government.
将来を方向づける政策が政権交代で大きく変わるようでは、国民は安心できない。
Therefore it is no wonder the new panel includes experts consulted by the LDP-New Komeito coalition.
その意味で、自公政権と同じ顔ぶれでも不思議ではなかろう。
===
Valuable past suggestions
Substantial reports were compiled by both the National Council on Social Security and the panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society.
国民会議と安心会議は、いずれも、かなり中身の濃い報告書をまとめている。
The national council studied a comprehensive vision of possible measures to deal with issues related to public pensions, medical and nursing care, and the low birthrate. It proposed some options, along with the figures regarding the additional funds needed to realize them.
国民会議は、年金・医療・介護・少子化対策をトータルで見た将来見通しを検討し、いくつかの選択肢を必要な追加負担額と共に示した。
The council estimated that the additional funds that would be needed in fiscal 2015 would be equivalent to the revenues that could be earned from consumption tax rates ranging from 3 to 11 percent.
２０１５年度に確保すべき新たな財源は消費税率で３～１１％分になる、と試算している。
The panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society proposed spending consumption tax revenue only for social security purposes. It also said the money should be put into a newly created social security account and managed separately from other taxes, to spotlight a secure system that would return to the public benefits commensurate with the taxes they would pay.
安心会議は、消費税を社会保障目的税とし、新設する「社会保障勘定」に入れて他の税とは管理を別にすることで、負担した税が確実に国民に還元される仕組みを明確にするよう提言している。
It is significant that the former chairmen of the two government panels have joined the new one--this means the new panel will carry over all the estimates and proposals made by its predecessors. The new panel should quickly draft a reform plan based on the discussions of the two earlier groups.
二つの会議の座長が今回の検討会議に加わる意味は大きい。両会議の試算や提言をすべて引き継ぐということだろう。積み上げた議論を生かし、早急に改革原案をとりまとめるべきだ。
===
Reconsider unrealistic idea
Based on that reform proposal, the prime minister has said he will present a basic policy on public pension and other social security issues by April and a comprehensive picture of integrated reforms of the social security and tax systems by June.
菅首相はそれをもとに、年金など社会保障の基本方針を４月までに、税制を含む一体改革の全体像を６月までに示すとしている。
It is essential not only to clarify how much and when the consumption tax rate would be raised but also to reconsider the unrealistic proposal by the DPJ to integrate the public pension systems and the provision of child-rearing allowances.
消費税率の具体的な引き上げ幅と実施時期を明示することはもちろん、民主党が掲げてきた現実味のない年金一元化構想や、子ども手当の再検討も不可欠だ。
There is deep-rooted antagonism in the DPJ toward Yosano, a defector from the minor opposition Sunrise Party of Japan. This aversion was heightened by Yosano's appointment to the new panel of Hakuo Yanagisawa, who served as health, labor and welfare minister under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
民主党内には与謝野氏への反感が根強くある。検討会議に柳沢伯夫・元厚生労働相が加わったことも反発に拍車をかけている。
Given the seriousness of the government's fiscal crisis, however, the social security system must be reviewed immediately, without delay. We cannot tolerate emotional confrontations that delay or distort discussions on the social security reform.
だが、財政危機の深刻さを考えれば、社会保障制度の見直しは待ったなしだ。感情的対立で社会保障改革の議論を遅らせたり、ゆがめたりしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 6, 2011)
（2011年2月6日00時45分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 7, 2011)
社会保障改革 具体的な与党案を早急に示せ（2月6日付・読売社説）
The government and the ruling coalition parties on Saturday launched a new panel of experts chaired by Prime Minister Naoto Kan to discuss social security reform.
政府・与党は５日、菅首相を議長とする「社会保障改革に関する集中検討会議」をスタートさせた。
We will wait and see how detailed a picture the panel can paint of the future of the nation's social security system.
社会保障制度の将来像を、どこまで具体的に描き出せるか。
The de facto leader of the panel is the assistant to the chairman, Kaoru Yosano, state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy.
議長補佐として検討会議を主導するのは与謝野経済財政相だ。
Members include University of Tokyo Prof. Hiroshi Yoshikawa, who headed the National Council on Social Security under former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda; and supreme adviser to Dentsu Inc. Yutaka Narita, who chaired a panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society under former Prime Minister Taro Aso.
Also participating are other experts who compiled policy proposals under the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito. Yosano is said to have selected the panel members personally.
メンバーには、福田内閣で社会保障国民会議の座長を務めた吉川洋・東大教授、麻生内閣で安心社会実現会議の座長だった成田豊・電通名誉相談役ら、自公政権で政策提言を担った識者が何人も加わった。与謝野氏の人選という。
Some members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan have complained that the panel lineup does not reflect the change in government.
民主党内には、「これでは政権交代した意味がない」との批判もあるようだ。
However, we think such critics are small-minded. Social security policy, like foreign and security policy, is an important matter related to the foundation of the country. It is not an issue to be disputed between ruling and opposition parties.
だが、こうした見方は狭量である。社会保障政策は、外交・安全保障と同様、国の根幹にかかわる重要な政策だ。与野党が対立する問題ではない。
The public would feel insecure if policy that determines the course of the nation's future is changed drastically with a change of government.
将来を方向づける政策が政権交代で大きく変わるようでは、国民は安心できない。
Therefore it is no wonder the new panel includes experts consulted by the LDP-New Komeito coalition.
その意味で、自公政権と同じ顔ぶれでも不思議ではなかろう。
===
Valuable past suggestions
Substantial reports were compiled by both the National Council on Social Security and the panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society.
国民会議と安心会議は、いずれも、かなり中身の濃い報告書をまとめている。
The national council studied a comprehensive vision of possible measures to deal with issues related to public pensions, medical and nursing care, and the low birthrate. It proposed some options, along with the figures regarding the additional funds needed to realize them.
国民会議は、年金・医療・介護・少子化対策をトータルで見た将来見通しを検討し、いくつかの選択肢を必要な追加負担額と共に示した。
The council estimated that the additional funds that would be needed in fiscal 2015 would be equivalent to the revenues that could be earned from consumption tax rates ranging from 3 to 11 percent.
２０１５年度に確保すべき新たな財源は消費税率で３～１１％分になる、と試算している。
The panel to discuss ways to realize a secure society proposed spending consumption tax revenue only for social security purposes. It also said the money should be put into a newly created social security account and managed separately from other taxes, to spotlight a secure system that would return to the public benefits commensurate with the taxes they would pay.
安心会議は、消費税を社会保障目的税とし、新設する「社会保障勘定」に入れて他の税とは管理を別にすることで、負担した税が確実に国民に還元される仕組みを明確にするよう提言している。
It is significant that the former chairmen of the two government panels have joined the new one--this means the new panel will carry over all the estimates and proposals made by its predecessors. The new panel should quickly draft a reform plan based on the discussions of the two earlier groups.
二つの会議の座長が今回の検討会議に加わる意味は大きい。両会議の試算や提言をすべて引き継ぐということだろう。積み上げた議論を生かし、早急に改革原案をとりまとめるべきだ。
===
Reconsider unrealistic idea
Based on that reform proposal, the prime minister has said he will present a basic policy on public pension and other social security issues by April and a comprehensive picture of integrated reforms of the social security and tax systems by June.
菅首相はそれをもとに、年金など社会保障の基本方針を４月までに、税制を含む一体改革の全体像を６月までに示すとしている。
It is essential not only to clarify how much and when the consumption tax rate would be raised but also to reconsider the unrealistic proposal by the DPJ to integrate the public pension systems and the provision of child-rearing allowances.
消費税率の具体的な引き上げ幅と実施時期を明示することはもちろん、民主党が掲げてきた現実味のない年金一元化構想や、子ども手当の再検討も不可欠だ。
There is deep-rooted antagonism in the DPJ toward Yosano, a defector from the minor opposition Sunrise Party of Japan. This aversion was heightened by Yosano's appointment to the new panel of Hakuo Yanagisawa, who served as health, labor and welfare minister under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
民主党内には与謝野氏への反感が根強くある。検討会議に柳沢伯夫・元厚生労働相が加わったことも反発に拍車をかけている。
Given the seriousness of the government's fiscal crisis, however, the social security system must be reviewed immediately, without delay. We cannot tolerate emotional confrontations that delay or distort discussions on the social security reform.
だが、財政危機の深刻さを考えれば、社会保障制度の見直しは待ったなしだ。感情的対立で社会保障改革の議論を遅らせたり、ゆがめたりしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 6, 2011)
（2011年2月6日00時45分 読売新聞）
2011/02/06
鉄鋼再編 国際競争激化が促した大合併
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 6, 2011)
Merger of steelmakers prompted by global race
鉄鋼再編 国際競争激化が促した大合併（2月5日付・読売社説）
A gigantic steelmaker will be born in Japan with the aim of surviving fierce competition from foreign rivals.
海外企業との激しい競争に勝ち残ることを目指し、日本に巨大鉄鋼メーカーが誕生する。
Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd.--Japan's largest and third-largest steelmakers, respectively--agreed to merge by October 2012. Though they started capital and business tie-ups in 2002, the two companies have decided this time to also integrate management.
国内最大手の新日本製鉄と、３位の住友金属工業が、２０１２年１０月をメドに合併することで合意した。０２年に資本提携していたが、経営統合に踏み込む。
Their combined annual production of crude steel will become the biggest in Asia and second biggest in the world after ArcelorMittal, headquartered in Luxembourg.
両社を合わせた粗鋼生産量は、アルセロール・ミッタル（ルクセンブルク）に次ぐ世界２位、アジア最大に浮上する。
Not only the steel industry, but also other industrial sectors in Japan are characterized by tough competition among several major companies. Japanese companies are engaged in a domestic war of attrition, and it is often noted they have become too exhausted to do battle against business giants in other countries. We expect this latest large corporate realignment to affect other industries and to lead to strengthening the competitive edge of Japanese companies in general.
日本の産業界は鉄鋼に限らず、複数の有力企業がしのぎを削るのが特徴だ。消耗戦が続き、海外の巨大企業に対抗できない例が目立つ。今回の大型再編が他産業にも波及し、日本企業の競争力強化につながることを期待したい。
===
Race on for new markets
The merger of Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal was prompted by intensified competition in markets of newly emerging economies such as China and India.
新日鉄と住金に合併を促したのは、中国、インドなど新興国市場での競争の激化である。
Nippon Steel has an advantage in manufacturing high-function steel sheets for automobiles and electric appliances, while Sumitomo Metal excels in making seamless pipes. But the domestic market for such products is shrinking. On the other hand, the global market, including markets in up-and-coming countries with booming economies, is growing rapidly.
新日鉄は自動車や電機向けの高機能鋼板に強みがあり、住金はシームレスパイプが得意だが、国内市場は縮小傾向が続く。これと対照的に、好景気の新興国を中心に世界市場は急成長している。
ArcelorMittal is aggressively pursuing mergers and acquisitions, while Chinese and South Korean steelmakers have launched offensives by increasing output. In reality, Japanese makers have been forced to play defense.
大胆なＭ＆Ａ（合併・買収）を続けるアルセロールだけでなく、中国や韓国大手が生産増強で攻勢をかけ、日本メーカーは守勢に立たされているのが実態だ。
Japanese automakers and electronic appliance manufacturers, which consume a huge amount of steel, are quickly increasing local production in newly emerging economies. Japanese steelmakers will fail to serve such customer needs if they cannot expand production in those countries.
自動車や電機メーカーなど、鉄鋼を大量に使う企業も新興国での現地生産を加速中だ。日本の鉄鋼各社が現地での生産を拡大できなければ、せっかくの顧客ニーズに応えられなくなる。
To deal with this problem, the merged companies aim to build factories and strengthen their production capability in newly emerging economies with a reinforced management base.
このため、今回の合併には、経営基盤の強化で、新興国に工場を新設し、生産体制を増強する狙いが込められている。
===
Resource prices merger factor
The steel industry also feels threatened by soaring resource prices with the emergence of resource giants that produce and sell iron ore and other raw materials. Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal apparently expect their larger size will reinforce their bargaining power on resource prices.
鉄鋼業界にとって、鉄鉱石などを産出・販売する資源メジャーが台頭し、資源価格が高騰していることも脅威だ。新日鉄と住金には規模拡大で価格交渉力を強めたいとの思惑もあろう。
With the merger, the two firms are highly likely to trim their operations by taking actions such as eliminating and consolidating their blast furnaces. At the same time, it is extremely important to maintain employment in Japan. Hollowing out of the domestic labor force should be avoided as much as possible.
合併を機に、両社は、高炉の統廃合など業務スリム化を推し進める可能性が高い。しかし、その場合でも、国内の雇用維持は極めて重要だ。空洞化はできるだけ避けてほしい。
Now, attention will turn to scrutiny of the merger by the Fair Trade Commission, which will decide whether to approve the deal or not.
今後の焦点は、両社の合併を認めるかどうか、公正取引委員会の審査に移る。
The new company created by the merger would make up nearly 45 percent of the crude steel produced in Japan. However, its share in the global market would be just 3 percent.
合併で新会社の粗鋼生産量の国内シェア（市場占有率）は４５％近くに達する。しかし、海外でのシェアは約３％に過ぎない。
The FTC tends to emphasize domestic share, but it should approve the merger as soon as possible from the viewpoint of enhancing the international competitiveness of the Japanese steel industry.
公取委は国内シェアを重視しがちだが、国際競争力の強化を図る観点から、合併を早期に認めるべきであろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 5, 2011)
（2011年2月5日01時21分 読売新聞）
Merger of steelmakers prompted by global race
鉄鋼再編 国際競争激化が促した大合併（2月5日付・読売社説）
A gigantic steelmaker will be born in Japan with the aim of surviving fierce competition from foreign rivals.
海外企業との激しい競争に勝ち残ることを目指し、日本に巨大鉄鋼メーカーが誕生する。
Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd.--Japan's largest and third-largest steelmakers, respectively--agreed to merge by October 2012. Though they started capital and business tie-ups in 2002, the two companies have decided this time to also integrate management.
国内最大手の新日本製鉄と、３位の住友金属工業が、２０１２年１０月をメドに合併することで合意した。０２年に資本提携していたが、経営統合に踏み込む。
Their combined annual production of crude steel will become the biggest in Asia and second biggest in the world after ArcelorMittal, headquartered in Luxembourg.
両社を合わせた粗鋼生産量は、アルセロール・ミッタル（ルクセンブルク）に次ぐ世界２位、アジア最大に浮上する。
Not only the steel industry, but also other industrial sectors in Japan are characterized by tough competition among several major companies. Japanese companies are engaged in a domestic war of attrition, and it is often noted they have become too exhausted to do battle against business giants in other countries. We expect this latest large corporate realignment to affect other industries and to lead to strengthening the competitive edge of Japanese companies in general.
日本の産業界は鉄鋼に限らず、複数の有力企業がしのぎを削るのが特徴だ。消耗戦が続き、海外の巨大企業に対抗できない例が目立つ。今回の大型再編が他産業にも波及し、日本企業の競争力強化につながることを期待したい。
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Race on for new markets
The merger of Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal was prompted by intensified competition in markets of newly emerging economies such as China and India.
新日鉄と住金に合併を促したのは、中国、インドなど新興国市場での競争の激化である。
Nippon Steel has an advantage in manufacturing high-function steel sheets for automobiles and electric appliances, while Sumitomo Metal excels in making seamless pipes. But the domestic market for such products is shrinking. On the other hand, the global market, including markets in up-and-coming countries with booming economies, is growing rapidly.
新日鉄は自動車や電機向けの高機能鋼板に強みがあり、住金はシームレスパイプが得意だが、国内市場は縮小傾向が続く。これと対照的に、好景気の新興国を中心に世界市場は急成長している。
ArcelorMittal is aggressively pursuing mergers and acquisitions, while Chinese and South Korean steelmakers have launched offensives by increasing output. In reality, Japanese makers have been forced to play defense.
大胆なＭ＆Ａ（合併・買収）を続けるアルセロールだけでなく、中国や韓国大手が生産増強で攻勢をかけ、日本メーカーは守勢に立たされているのが実態だ。
Japanese automakers and electronic appliance manufacturers, which consume a huge amount of steel, are quickly increasing local production in newly emerging economies. Japanese steelmakers will fail to serve such customer needs if they cannot expand production in those countries.
自動車や電機メーカーなど、鉄鋼を大量に使う企業も新興国での現地生産を加速中だ。日本の鉄鋼各社が現地での生産を拡大できなければ、せっかくの顧客ニーズに応えられなくなる。
To deal with this problem, the merged companies aim to build factories and strengthen their production capability in newly emerging economies with a reinforced management base.
このため、今回の合併には、経営基盤の強化で、新興国に工場を新設し、生産体制を増強する狙いが込められている。
===
Resource prices merger factor
The steel industry also feels threatened by soaring resource prices with the emergence of resource giants that produce and sell iron ore and other raw materials. Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal apparently expect their larger size will reinforce their bargaining power on resource prices.
鉄鋼業界にとって、鉄鉱石などを産出・販売する資源メジャーが台頭し、資源価格が高騰していることも脅威だ。新日鉄と住金には規模拡大で価格交渉力を強めたいとの思惑もあろう。
With the merger, the two firms are highly likely to trim their operations by taking actions such as eliminating and consolidating their blast furnaces. At the same time, it is extremely important to maintain employment in Japan. Hollowing out of the domestic labor force should be avoided as much as possible.
合併を機に、両社は、高炉の統廃合など業務スリム化を推し進める可能性が高い。しかし、その場合でも、国内の雇用維持は極めて重要だ。空洞化はできるだけ避けてほしい。
Now, attention will turn to scrutiny of the merger by the Fair Trade Commission, which will decide whether to approve the deal or not.
今後の焦点は、両社の合併を認めるかどうか、公正取引委員会の審査に移る。
The new company created by the merger would make up nearly 45 percent of the crude steel produced in Japan. However, its share in the global market would be just 3 percent.
合併で新会社の粗鋼生産量の国内シェア（市場占有率）は４５％近くに達する。しかし、海外でのシェアは約３％に過ぎない。
The FTC tends to emphasize domestic share, but it should approve the merger as soon as possible from the viewpoint of enhancing the international competitiveness of the Japanese steel industry.
公取委は国内シェアを重視しがちだが、国際競争力の強化を図る観点から、合併を早期に認めるべきであろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 5, 2011)
（2011年2月5日01時21分 読売新聞）
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