The Yomiuri Shimbun October 9, 2013
Koizumi’s call to end nuclear power shows clear lack of perspective
小泉元首相発言 「原発ゼロ」掲げる見識を疑う（10月8日付・読売社説）
Junichiro Koizumi’s recent comment calling for ending Japan’s reliance on nuclear power generation lacked the insight expected of a former prime minister. The last thing the country’s nuclear policy needs is more confusion.
首相経験者として、見識を欠く発言である。原子力政策をこれ以上混乱させてはならない。
In a recent lecture meeting, Koizumi asked the government to put forth a zero nuclear energy policy by calling for establishment of “a recycling society based on natural resources and that does not rely on nuclear power generation.” Koizumi said his view on this matter changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
小泉元首相が講演で、「原子力発電に依存しない、自然を資源にした循環型社会」の実現を唱え、政府に対し、「原発ゼロ」の方針を掲げるよう求めた。東日本大震災を機に自らの考えを変えたという。
Koizumi’s statement on nuclear power generation contradicts the nuclear policy of the government and the Liberal Democratic Party. This cannot be brushed off even though Koizumi has already retired from politics.
小泉氏の発言は、政府・自民党の方針と異なる。政界を引退したとはいえ、看過できない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to restart nuclear reactors following confirmation they are safe to operate, as he seeks to revise the Democratic Party of Japan-led government’s policy of ending the use of nuclear power generation. The LDP, for its part, incorporated a policy of promoting the restart of reactors in its campaign platforms for the two most recent national elections.
安倍首相は、安全性が確認された原発は再稼働させ、民主党政権の「原発ゼロ」路線を見直す意向だ。自民党も原発再稼働の推進を選挙公約に盛り込んだ。
Koizumi said finding substitute energy sources for nuclear power would “certainly be worked out by wise people.” We think this statement is overly optimistic and irresponsible.
小泉氏は原発の代替策について「知恵ある人が必ず出してくれる」と語るが、あまりに楽観的であり、無責任に過ぎよう。
Thermal power generation is currently filling the shortfall created by the loss of nuclear power generation. As a result, utility bills continue to rise due to higher fuel import costs. If this situation goes unchecked, the impact on household budgets and economic activity will be significant.
現在、火力発電で原発を代替している結果、燃料の輸入費が増え、電気料金は上昇を続けている。このままでは、家計や経済活動に与える影響が大きい。
Thermal power generation is a major cause of accelerated global warming because it discharges a huge amount of carbon dioxide.
火力発電は、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を多く排出し、地球温暖化が進む大きな要因である。
Renewable energy sources that utilize sunlight and wind have the disadvantage of being affected by weather conditions. As such, there is no prospect that they will become principal power sources. It is necessary to seek a balanced composition of electricity sources in which nuclear and thermal power account for the lion’s share.
太陽光や風力を利用した再生可能エネルギーは、天候に左右されるなど弱点があり、主要電源になる展望は見えていない。原子力、火力を主力にバランスの取れた電源構成を目指す必要がある。
If the government adopts a zero nuclear energy policy, it will become impossible to secure sufficient engineers capable of handling such work as decommissioning reactors at the wrecked Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
「原発ゼロ」が政策になれば、福島第一原発の廃炉などに必要な技術者も確保できまい。
Location of disposal site vital
Koizumi said his reasoning was based on doubts over how radioactive waste produced at nuclear plants is handled. “It is more irresponsible to promote nuclear power generation without ascertaining the likelihood of securing a nuclear waste disposal site,” he emphasized.
小泉氏は、「原発ゼロ」の理由として、原発から生じる放射性廃棄物の扱い方を疑問視し、「核のごみ処分場のあてもないのに、原発を進める方がよほど無責任ではないか」と主張した。
The technical aspects of methods for disposing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste produced in this process have already been resolved.
使用済み核燃料や、それを処理した際に出る放射性廃棄物の処分法は技術的に決着している。
Experts say radioactive material can be disposed safely if it is buried in stable layers of earth. Japan and some other countries have decided to adopt this method. Construction of such a facility has already started in Finland.
専門家は地盤の安定した地層に埋めれば、安全に処分できると説明している。日本を含め各国がこの方法の採用を決めており、フィンランドでは建設も始まった。
Radioactivity becomes weaker as time passes, and declines by 99.95 percent after 1,000 years have elapsed. This differs from waste materials of heavy metals such as mercury that remain toxic permanently.
放射能は、時間を経ると減り、１０００年で９９・９５％が消滅する。有害性が消えない水銀など重金属の廃棄物とは事情が違う。
The fly in the ointment is that a final disposal site to bury radioactive waste in Japan has not been found. The government and electric power industry have invited bids for candidate sites, but they have not done enough to convince local governments and affected residents to support such a project.
問題は、廃棄物を埋める最終処分場を確保できないことだ。政府と電力業界は候補地を募ってきたが、自治体や住民の理解を得る努力がなお足りない。
The government’s dereliction, it may be said, is partly to blame for the failure to secure a disposal site. Part of the responsibility rests with Koizumi, who served as prime minister until several years ago. Discussions on selecting a disposal site need to be moved ahead.
処分場の確保に道筋が付かないのは、政治の怠慢も一因と言える。首相だった小泉氏にも責任の一端があろう。処分場選定を巡る議論を進めるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 8, 2013)
（2013年10月8日01時47分 読売新聞）
2013/10/10
2013/10/09
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 8, 2013
Will China's new free-trade zone encourage foreign investment?
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか（10月7日付・読売社説）
The Chinese economy, driven by reckless government-led investments, is now facing a brick wall. In this context, the newly opened pilot free trade zone, aimed at encouraging foreign investment, will be a testing ground for economic reforms.
官主導の放漫な投資で牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済が壁に直面している。
外資呼び込みを狙った自由貿易試験区が立て直しの試金石になろう。
In the free trade zone, which opened in Shanghai recently, various restrictions on foreign businesses have been eased on an experimental basis.
上海で、外資企業などに対する規制を実験的に緩和する自由貿易試験区が発足した。
Thirty-six Chinese and foreign companies, mainly in such sectors as finance and foreign trade, including U.S. giants Citibank, N.A. and Microsoft Corp., and Porsche A.G. of Germany, have been granted licenses to operate in the zone.
米シティバンク、米マイクロソフト、独ポルシェなど金融や貿易を中心に内外企業３６社が進出した。
Specific deregulatory measures include one allowing market forces rather than regulators to set interest rates and another that makes it easier for foreign-capital financial institutions to establish offices there.
具体的な緩和措置には、金利の自由化や外資系金融機関の設立要件緩和が挙げられる。
As foreign capital investment in China has been sluggish recently, due chiefly to soaring payrolls, the Chinese government plans to use the new free trade zone to attract more investment from abroad.
労働者賃金の高騰などで、海外企業の対中投資が最近伸び悩んでおり、中国政府は、試験区をテコに、国外からの投資を再加速させる方針だ。
If the experimental free trade zone proves effective in reinvigorating the economy, the government said it would introduce such zones elsewhere. It appears Beijing considers the new zone as an important model project to help achieve economic reform.
経済活性化につながれば、試験区の全国展開もあり得るという。改革を先導する重要なモデルプロジェクトと見ているようだ。
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 official in the government, came up with the idea of setting up the free trade zone, leading to his economic policy being called “Likonomics.”
この構想を主導したのは、李克強首相だ。「リコノミクス」と呼ばれる経済政策を陣頭指揮する政権ナンバー２である。
Last month, Li said the government would uniformly promote stable economic growth, structural adjustment and reform, indicating he believes the Chinese economy is in a dire situation.
李首相は９月、「安定成長、構造調整、改革促進を統一的に進める」と述べた。中国経済の現状は危ういと考えたのだろう。
After the Lehman shock in 2008, China propped up the economy through sizable stimulus measures totaling 4 trillion yuan (about ¥60 trillion). The country temporarily recovered to achieve double-digit growth.
２００８年のリーマン・ショック後、中国は４兆元（約６０兆円）の巨額の景気対策で経済成長をテコ入れし、その後、２けた台の高成長を一時回復した。
Income gap widening
Recently, however, the country’s economic growth dropped to the 7 percent range, while the widening income gap among Chinese has become a social issue. Endless corruption among senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party is further widening economic disparities.
しかし、最近は成長率が７％台に減速し、所得格差の拡大も社会問題化している。共産党幹部らのとどまるところを知らない腐敗が格差拡大に拍車をかけている。
Even more worrisome is the so-called shadow banking. Many local governments and business enterprises that rushed to make real estate and capital investments with loans extended by nonbank financial institutions have been overwhelmed by massive debts.
さらに懸念されるのが、シャドーバンキング（影の銀行）問題だ。ノンバンクなどから融資を受けて不動産投資や設備投資に走った地方政府や企業などが、巨額の債務を抱えている。
As debts owed by local governments reportedly total 20 trillion yuan, management of the post-bubble economy is a serious challenge.
地方政府の債務は総額２０兆元にも達するとの情報もあり、バブル処理は重い課題と言える。
The new free trade zone is also intended to expose local governments and domestic companies to competition from foreign firms by lowering investment barriers and promoting foreign capital investment.
試験区には、規制緩和で投資障壁を低くし、海外からの投資を呼び込むことによって、地方政府や国内企業を外資企業との競争にさらす意図もあるのだろう。
It is believed that if many foreign companies operate in the free trade zone, the interest structure monopolized by domestic entities will collapse and hopefully hold down excessive investment—the chief culprit of the economic bubble. However, if competition is not carried out on the basis of certain rules and in a fair manner, the effect will be minimal.
多くの外資が進出すれば、これまでの利権独占構造が崩れ、バブルの元凶となってきた過剰投資も抑制されるという筋書きだ。だが、競争がルールに基づき公正に行われなければ効果は上がるまい。
How can the Chinese maintain stable growth and employment, while avoiding overheating the economy?
景気過熱を避けながら、安定成長と雇用をどう維持するか。
The Chinese government under President Xi Jinping is expected to spell out a basic policy of economic structural reform—deemed essential for stable growth—at the general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee in November. Some difficult maneuvering lies ahead for the Chinese government.
習近平政権は１１月の共産党中央委員会総会で、安定成長に欠かせない経済構造改革の基本方針を打ち出す見通しだ。中国政府は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2013)
（2013年10月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
Will China's new free-trade zone encourage foreign investment?
上海自由貿易区 外資呼び込みモデルになるか（10月7日付・読売社説）
The Chinese economy, driven by reckless government-led investments, is now facing a brick wall. In this context, the newly opened pilot free trade zone, aimed at encouraging foreign investment, will be a testing ground for economic reforms.
官主導の放漫な投資で牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済が壁に直面している。
外資呼び込みを狙った自由貿易試験区が立て直しの試金石になろう。
In the free trade zone, which opened in Shanghai recently, various restrictions on foreign businesses have been eased on an experimental basis.
上海で、外資企業などに対する規制を実験的に緩和する自由貿易試験区が発足した。
Thirty-six Chinese and foreign companies, mainly in such sectors as finance and foreign trade, including U.S. giants Citibank, N.A. and Microsoft Corp., and Porsche A.G. of Germany, have been granted licenses to operate in the zone.
米シティバンク、米マイクロソフト、独ポルシェなど金融や貿易を中心に内外企業３６社が進出した。
Specific deregulatory measures include one allowing market forces rather than regulators to set interest rates and another that makes it easier for foreign-capital financial institutions to establish offices there.
具体的な緩和措置には、金利の自由化や外資系金融機関の設立要件緩和が挙げられる。
As foreign capital investment in China has been sluggish recently, due chiefly to soaring payrolls, the Chinese government plans to use the new free trade zone to attract more investment from abroad.
労働者賃金の高騰などで、海外企業の対中投資が最近伸び悩んでおり、中国政府は、試験区をテコに、国外からの投資を再加速させる方針だ。
If the experimental free trade zone proves effective in reinvigorating the economy, the government said it would introduce such zones elsewhere. It appears Beijing considers the new zone as an important model project to help achieve economic reform.
経済活性化につながれば、試験区の全国展開もあり得るという。改革を先導する重要なモデルプロジェクトと見ているようだ。
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 official in the government, came up with the idea of setting up the free trade zone, leading to his economic policy being called “Likonomics.”
この構想を主導したのは、李克強首相だ。「リコノミクス」と呼ばれる経済政策を陣頭指揮する政権ナンバー２である。
Last month, Li said the government would uniformly promote stable economic growth, structural adjustment and reform, indicating he believes the Chinese economy is in a dire situation.
李首相は９月、「安定成長、構造調整、改革促進を統一的に進める」と述べた。中国経済の現状は危ういと考えたのだろう。
After the Lehman shock in 2008, China propped up the economy through sizable stimulus measures totaling 4 trillion yuan (about ¥60 trillion). The country temporarily recovered to achieve double-digit growth.
２００８年のリーマン・ショック後、中国は４兆元（約６０兆円）の巨額の景気対策で経済成長をテコ入れし、その後、２けた台の高成長を一時回復した。
Income gap widening
Recently, however, the country’s economic growth dropped to the 7 percent range, while the widening income gap among Chinese has become a social issue. Endless corruption among senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party is further widening economic disparities.
しかし、最近は成長率が７％台に減速し、所得格差の拡大も社会問題化している。共産党幹部らのとどまるところを知らない腐敗が格差拡大に拍車をかけている。
Even more worrisome is the so-called shadow banking. Many local governments and business enterprises that rushed to make real estate and capital investments with loans extended by nonbank financial institutions have been overwhelmed by massive debts.
さらに懸念されるのが、シャドーバンキング（影の銀行）問題だ。ノンバンクなどから融資を受けて不動産投資や設備投資に走った地方政府や企業などが、巨額の債務を抱えている。
As debts owed by local governments reportedly total 20 trillion yuan, management of the post-bubble economy is a serious challenge.
地方政府の債務は総額２０兆元にも達するとの情報もあり、バブル処理は重い課題と言える。
The new free trade zone is also intended to expose local governments and domestic companies to competition from foreign firms by lowering investment barriers and promoting foreign capital investment.
試験区には、規制緩和で投資障壁を低くし、海外からの投資を呼び込むことによって、地方政府や国内企業を外資企業との競争にさらす意図もあるのだろう。
It is believed that if many foreign companies operate in the free trade zone, the interest structure monopolized by domestic entities will collapse and hopefully hold down excessive investment—the chief culprit of the economic bubble. However, if competition is not carried out on the basis of certain rules and in a fair manner, the effect will be minimal.
多くの外資が進出すれば、これまでの利権独占構造が崩れ、バブルの元凶となってきた過剰投資も抑制されるという筋書きだ。だが、競争がルールに基づき公正に行われなければ効果は上がるまい。
How can the Chinese maintain stable growth and employment, while avoiding overheating the economy?
景気過熱を避けながら、安定成長と雇用をどう維持するか。
The Chinese government under President Xi Jinping is expected to spell out a basic policy of economic structural reform—deemed essential for stable growth—at the general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee in November. Some difficult maneuvering lies ahead for the Chinese government.
習近平政権は１１月の共産党中央委員会総会で、安定成長に欠かせない経済構造改革の基本方針を打ち出す見通しだ。中国政府は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2013)
（2013年10月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
2013/10/08
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 7, 2013
Obama’s absence overshadows TPP summit meeting in Bali
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席（10月6日付・読売社説）
It has become uncertain whether a clear road map can be drawn up at an upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership meeting to conclude negotiations on the multilateral free trade pact by the end of this year. The absence of U.S. President Barack Obama at the TPP summit will certainly cast a shadow over the negotiations.
年内妥結へ道筋を付けられるかどうか、不透明である。オバマ米大統領の欠席が交渉に影を落とすのは避けられまい。
Obama said he will skip the TPP summit to be held Tuesday in Indonesia with the participation of 12 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States.
日米、豪州、カナダなど１２か国が、インドネシアで８日開く環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合に、オバマ大統領が欠席する。
Obama has been aiming to have the TPP-member countries reach a broad agreement at the summit in Indonesia and to put priority on concluding the free trade pact by the end of this year. However, he had to give up the trip to Asia because some functions of the U.S. government have been shut down due to a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties that has left the passage of the federal budget for the new fiscal year stalled in Congress.
大統領は年内妥結を最優先課題に掲げ、インドネシアでの「大筋合意」を目指してきた。だが、議会の与野党対立で新年度予算が成立せず、政府機能の一部停止に追い込まれたため、外遊を断念せざるを得なくなった。
The absence of the U.S. president was apparently unexpected, as he was supposed to chair the summit meeting and lead the negotiations.
首脳会合の議長を務め、交渉を主導するはずだった大統領の不在は、予想外の展開と言える。
Meanwhile, a split between the United States and emerging economies has become increasingly apparent at a TPP ministerial meeting in Indonesia that serves as a prelude to the summit talks.
首脳会合の前哨戦としてインドネシアで開かれている閣僚会合では、米国と新興国の対立が改めて浮き彫りになってきた。
Regarding intellectual property rights, the United States is demanding enhanced protection of new drug patents, while emerging countries such as Malaysia oppose the move, since inexpensive generic medicine made after patents for genuine drugs expire is widely used in those countries.
「知的財産権」について、米国が新薬特許の保護強化を求めているのに対し、特許切れ後の安価な後発薬が普及するマレーシアなど新興国は反発を続ける。
Negotiations on a competition policy have also been stalled, after the United States demanded the governments of emerging economies be prohibited from subsidizing state companies and to provide the same conditions as private companies.
米国などが新興国による国営企業への補助金を禁止し、民間企業との対等の条件を求めた「競争政策」も膠着(こうちゃく)状態だ。
Still, in negotiations on the environment, the United States demanded the abolition of subsidies for the fishing industry, but Japan’s opposition to the move is likely to be approved, according to informed sources.
一方、「環境」で米国が要求した漁業補助金の原則禁止については、これに反対していた日本の主張が容認される方向という。
This shows that any negotiations under the TPP cannot be concluded at a pace set by the United States alone, but requires the broader support of other participants, even if Washington takes a tough stance.
米国が強硬姿勢で臨んでも、支持が広がらなければ、米国ペースで決着できないことを示す。
Abolition of tariffs
A tough road appears to be ahead for the TPP talks, with negotiations on the abolition of tariffs, the biggest issue, postponed at the upcoming meeting.
今回、最大の焦点である関税撤廃交渉が先送りされるのも、前途多難を予感させる。
Even if participating countries can reach a “broad” agreement over simplifying customs clearance procedures and other issues they can agree on, it cannot be called a real agreement as long as points of contention and areas that are difficult to negotiate are left out.
通関手続きの簡素化など、各国が一致できた点を中心に「大筋合意」にこぎつけたとしても、難航分野や争点を外した内容では、真の大筋合意とは言えない。
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party maintains that five agricultural items, such as rice and wheat, should be exempted as sacred cows from the abolition of tariffs. Eventually, however, the United States and other participating countries are expected to strongly pressure Japan to liberalize its agricultural industry.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の聖域とするよう主張している。いずれ、日本の農業分野の市場開放を米国などから強く求められる見通しだ。
The government is trying to limit the liberalization rate to just over 90 percent, with under 10 percent of the items remaining subject to tariffs. But a final battle over it has yet to come.
政府は関税をなくす品目の割合を示す自由化率を９０％超とする方向で模索しているが、ギリギリの攻防はこれからだろう。
Certainly, playing defense is not the only way to contribute to Japan’s national interests. The government must work out a strategy to boost Japan’s growth by tapping into the vitality of emerging Asian economies. Japan must quickly choose domestic products to be subject to liberalization and take measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic farm industry.
無論、守勢に立つだけが日本の国益ではない。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつける戦略を練る必要がある。自由化する品目の国内調整や、農業の競争力強化策も急がねばならない。
The upcoming summit will offer the Japanese side a chance to establish itself as a tough negotiator by winning concessions from the United States, which is pushing to conclude the TPP talks as soon as possible, and by reconciling the split between the United States and emerging countries. We expect Japan will make its presence felt at the summit meeting.
早期決着を焦る米国から日本が譲歩を引き出したり、米国と新興国の対立を仲裁したりして、したたかに交渉する好機でもある。日本は存在感を示したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2013)
（2013年10月6日01時31分 読売新聞）
Obama’s absence overshadows TPP summit meeting in Bali
ＴＰＰ交渉 前途に影落とす米大統領欠席（10月6日付・読売社説）
It has become uncertain whether a clear road map can be drawn up at an upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership meeting to conclude negotiations on the multilateral free trade pact by the end of this year. The absence of U.S. President Barack Obama at the TPP summit will certainly cast a shadow over the negotiations.
年内妥結へ道筋を付けられるかどうか、不透明である。オバマ米大統領の欠席が交渉に影を落とすのは避けられまい。
Obama said he will skip the TPP summit to be held Tuesday in Indonesia with the participation of 12 countries including Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States.
日米、豪州、カナダなど１２か国が、インドネシアで８日開く環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の首脳会合に、オバマ大統領が欠席する。
Obama has been aiming to have the TPP-member countries reach a broad agreement at the summit in Indonesia and to put priority on concluding the free trade pact by the end of this year. However, he had to give up the trip to Asia because some functions of the U.S. government have been shut down due to a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties that has left the passage of the federal budget for the new fiscal year stalled in Congress.
大統領は年内妥結を最優先課題に掲げ、インドネシアでの「大筋合意」を目指してきた。だが、議会の与野党対立で新年度予算が成立せず、政府機能の一部停止に追い込まれたため、外遊を断念せざるを得なくなった。
The absence of the U.S. president was apparently unexpected, as he was supposed to chair the summit meeting and lead the negotiations.
首脳会合の議長を務め、交渉を主導するはずだった大統領の不在は、予想外の展開と言える。
Meanwhile, a split between the United States and emerging economies has become increasingly apparent at a TPP ministerial meeting in Indonesia that serves as a prelude to the summit talks.
首脳会合の前哨戦としてインドネシアで開かれている閣僚会合では、米国と新興国の対立が改めて浮き彫りになってきた。
Regarding intellectual property rights, the United States is demanding enhanced protection of new drug patents, while emerging countries such as Malaysia oppose the move, since inexpensive generic medicine made after patents for genuine drugs expire is widely used in those countries.
「知的財産権」について、米国が新薬特許の保護強化を求めているのに対し、特許切れ後の安価な後発薬が普及するマレーシアなど新興国は反発を続ける。
Negotiations on a competition policy have also been stalled, after the United States demanded the governments of emerging economies be prohibited from subsidizing state companies and to provide the same conditions as private companies.
米国などが新興国による国営企業への補助金を禁止し、民間企業との対等の条件を求めた「競争政策」も膠着(こうちゃく)状態だ。
Still, in negotiations on the environment, the United States demanded the abolition of subsidies for the fishing industry, but Japan’s opposition to the move is likely to be approved, according to informed sources.
一方、「環境」で米国が要求した漁業補助金の原則禁止については、これに反対していた日本の主張が容認される方向という。
This shows that any negotiations under the TPP cannot be concluded at a pace set by the United States alone, but requires the broader support of other participants, even if Washington takes a tough stance.
米国が強硬姿勢で臨んでも、支持が広がらなければ、米国ペースで決着できないことを示す。
Abolition of tariffs
A tough road appears to be ahead for the TPP talks, with negotiations on the abolition of tariffs, the biggest issue, postponed at the upcoming meeting.
今回、最大の焦点である関税撤廃交渉が先送りされるのも、前途多難を予感させる。
Even if participating countries can reach a “broad” agreement over simplifying customs clearance procedures and other issues they can agree on, it cannot be called a real agreement as long as points of contention and areas that are difficult to negotiate are left out.
通関手続きの簡素化など、各国が一致できた点を中心に「大筋合意」にこぎつけたとしても、難航分野や争点を外した内容では、真の大筋合意とは言えない。
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party maintains that five agricultural items, such as rice and wheat, should be exempted as sacred cows from the abolition of tariffs. Eventually, however, the United States and other participating countries are expected to strongly pressure Japan to liberalize its agricultural industry.
自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の聖域とするよう主張している。いずれ、日本の農業分野の市場開放を米国などから強く求められる見通しだ。
The government is trying to limit the liberalization rate to just over 90 percent, with under 10 percent of the items remaining subject to tariffs. But a final battle over it has yet to come.
政府は関税をなくす品目の割合を示す自由化率を９０％超とする方向で模索しているが、ギリギリの攻防はこれからだろう。
Certainly, playing defense is not the only way to contribute to Japan’s national interests. The government must work out a strategy to boost Japan’s growth by tapping into the vitality of emerging Asian economies. Japan must quickly choose domestic products to be subject to liberalization and take measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic farm industry.
無論、守勢に立つだけが日本の国益ではない。アジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みをつける戦略を練る必要がある。自由化する品目の国内調整や、農業の競争力強化策も急がねばならない。
The upcoming summit will offer the Japanese side a chance to establish itself as a tough negotiator by winning concessions from the United States, which is pushing to conclude the TPP talks as soon as possible, and by reconciling the split between the United States and emerging countries. We expect Japan will make its presence felt at the summit meeting.
早期決着を焦る米国から日本が譲歩を引き出したり、米国と新興国の対立を仲裁したりして、したたかに交渉する好機でもある。日本は存在感を示したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2013)
（2013年10月6日01時31分 読売新聞）
2013/10/07
暴力団融資 みずほの企業統治が問われる
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 6, 2013
Mizuho Bank’s loans to gangsters show corporate governance lacking
暴力団融資 みずほの企業統治が問われる（10月5日付・読売社説）
Mizuho Bank’s handling of its latest scandal was done in an impromptu manner that shows the megabank lacks a sense of responsibility. Mizuho must swiftly regain its organizational discipline.
メガバンクとしての責任感を欠く場当たり的な対応だ。緩んだ組織のタガを、早急に締め直さねばならない。
The Financial Services Agency issued a business improvement administrative order to the bank because it determined it had been extending loans to many members of gang organizations through affiliated firms, including the consumer credit company Orient Corp.
みずほ銀行が、系列信販会社・オリエントコーポレーションなどを通じ、多数の暴力団員らに融資していたとして、金融庁から業務改善命令を受けた。
These loans were extended in the form of 230 so-called tie-up loans between the bank and consumer credit firms, the total value of which exceeded ¥200 million.
これらの融資は、銀行と信販会社との提携ローンで行われていた。取引は２３０件、融資額は計２億円超にのぼるという。
The business world has been working to rid itself of the influence of criminal organizations. In spite of this, Mizuho extended a huge sum of loans to gangsters. There is simply no justification for the bank’s actions.
経済界の取り組む暴力団排除の動きに逆行し、多額の融資をしていたのは論外である。
Mizuho Bank held a press conference on Friday, and Vice President Toshitsugu Okabe apologized for the scandal. We cannot understand why it took one week to hold the press conference after the FSA issued the business improvement order. Bank President Yasuhiro Sato himself should have appeared at the press conference to explain the reasons for the scandal, among other things.
みずほ銀は４日、記者会見を開き、岡部俊胤副頭取が陳謝した。改善命令から記者会見まで１週間もかかったのは、理解に苦しむ。佐藤康博頭取が自ら、不祥事の理由などを説明すべきだった。
To restore the trust in the bank, Mizuho must clarify where management responsibility lies through stern internal punishments. Also, it needs to take thorough steps to determine the cause of the scandal and devise measures to prevent a recurrence.
傷ついた信頼の回復へ、みずほ銀は厳しい社内処分で責任を明確化し、原因解明と再発防止策を徹底する必要がある。
Under the tie-up loan system, consumer credit firms receive and screen applications from customers. If they approve a loan to buy a car, for example, a bank extends the loan.
問題になった提携ローンは、信販会社の融資審査に基づき、銀行が自動車などの購入代金を貸し付ける仕組みだ。
Left untouched for 2 years
Mizuho learned that it had lent money to gangsters during a confirmation process after the loans were extended.
みずほ銀は融資後の確認で、暴力団員への融資を見つけた。
However, the bank did not make an appropriate response such as canceling the transactions based on the terms of loan contracts and left the problem unsolved for two years until it was pointed out by the FSA in its inspection in December last year.
ところが、契約に基づく取引解除など適切な対応を取らず、昨年１２月の金融庁検査で指摘されるまで、２年間も放置した。
Furthermore, information on the questionable transactions went no further than executives in charge of legal compliance, including the then vice president, and did not reach top management executives. We must say that the bank’s corporate governance is defective.
さらに、こうした経緯の情報は当時の副頭取ら法令順守担当の役員にとどまり、経営トップに伝わっていなかったという。ガバナンス（企業統治）に欠陥があると言わざるを得まい。
Other banks also deal with tie-up loans. With the latest scandal as a good lesson, banks and consumer credit companies should make utmost efforts to prevent the extension of problematic loans by, for example, sharing credit records such as lists of gangsters and gangster-related people.
提携ローンは、みずほ以外の銀行も扱っている。今回のケースを教訓に、銀行と信販会社が暴力団関係者のリストなど信用情報を共有し、問題融資の防止に努めることが求められよう。
The Mizuho Financial Group was launched in 2000 through a management integration of three banks: Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Fuji Bank and the Industrial Bank of Japan. In July this year, the group was transformed into a one-bank system under the One Mizuho New Frontier Plan after the merger of Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Corporate Bank. The scandal has spoiled the fresh start of the banking group.
２０００年に第一勧業、富士、日本興業の３行が経営統合して発足したみずほグループは、今年７月に１行体制の「ワンみずほ」に移行した。再スタートの出ばなをくじくつまずきだ。
A sense of rivalry still deeply rooted among Mizuho bankers from the three former banks must be behind the poor response to the scandal. It is an urgent task for the bank to reform its corporate climate into one with a smooth flow of information.
旧３行意識がいまだに根強いことが、お粗末な対応の背景にあるのだろう。風通しのいい企業風土へ改革することが急務である。
Before the merger of the three banks, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank received strong criticism from society over a payoff scandal involving a sokaiya corporate racketeer. And after the launch of the group, Mizuho was roundly criticized for successive large-scale system failures.
第一勧銀時代に起こした総会屋への利益供与事件や、みずほグループ発足後に相次いだ大規模なシステム障害などは、社会から強い批判を浴びた。
As far as we can see from its response to the latest scandal, the financial group has not made use of its bitter experiences. This time, it must listen sincerely to the harsh criticisms of society for the sake of management reform.
今回の対応を見る限り、苦い経験を生かしたとは思えない。今度こそ厳しい声を真摯(しんし)に受け止め、経営改革につなげるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 5, 2013)
（2013年10月5日01時26分 読売新聞）
Mizuho Bank’s loans to gangsters show corporate governance lacking
暴力団融資 みずほの企業統治が問われる（10月5日付・読売社説）
Mizuho Bank’s handling of its latest scandal was done in an impromptu manner that shows the megabank lacks a sense of responsibility. Mizuho must swiftly regain its organizational discipline.
メガバンクとしての責任感を欠く場当たり的な対応だ。緩んだ組織のタガを、早急に締め直さねばならない。
The Financial Services Agency issued a business improvement administrative order to the bank because it determined it had been extending loans to many members of gang organizations through affiliated firms, including the consumer credit company Orient Corp.
みずほ銀行が、系列信販会社・オリエントコーポレーションなどを通じ、多数の暴力団員らに融資していたとして、金融庁から業務改善命令を受けた。
These loans were extended in the form of 230 so-called tie-up loans between the bank and consumer credit firms, the total value of which exceeded ¥200 million.
これらの融資は、銀行と信販会社との提携ローンで行われていた。取引は２３０件、融資額は計２億円超にのぼるという。
The business world has been working to rid itself of the influence of criminal organizations. In spite of this, Mizuho extended a huge sum of loans to gangsters. There is simply no justification for the bank’s actions.
経済界の取り組む暴力団排除の動きに逆行し、多額の融資をしていたのは論外である。
Mizuho Bank held a press conference on Friday, and Vice President Toshitsugu Okabe apologized for the scandal. We cannot understand why it took one week to hold the press conference after the FSA issued the business improvement order. Bank President Yasuhiro Sato himself should have appeared at the press conference to explain the reasons for the scandal, among other things.
みずほ銀は４日、記者会見を開き、岡部俊胤副頭取が陳謝した。改善命令から記者会見まで１週間もかかったのは、理解に苦しむ。佐藤康博頭取が自ら、不祥事の理由などを説明すべきだった。
To restore the trust in the bank, Mizuho must clarify where management responsibility lies through stern internal punishments. Also, it needs to take thorough steps to determine the cause of the scandal and devise measures to prevent a recurrence.
傷ついた信頼の回復へ、みずほ銀は厳しい社内処分で責任を明確化し、原因解明と再発防止策を徹底する必要がある。
Under the tie-up loan system, consumer credit firms receive and screen applications from customers. If they approve a loan to buy a car, for example, a bank extends the loan.
問題になった提携ローンは、信販会社の融資審査に基づき、銀行が自動車などの購入代金を貸し付ける仕組みだ。
Left untouched for 2 years
Mizuho learned that it had lent money to gangsters during a confirmation process after the loans were extended.
みずほ銀は融資後の確認で、暴力団員への融資を見つけた。
However, the bank did not make an appropriate response such as canceling the transactions based on the terms of loan contracts and left the problem unsolved for two years until it was pointed out by the FSA in its inspection in December last year.
ところが、契約に基づく取引解除など適切な対応を取らず、昨年１２月の金融庁検査で指摘されるまで、２年間も放置した。
Furthermore, information on the questionable transactions went no further than executives in charge of legal compliance, including the then vice president, and did not reach top management executives. We must say that the bank’s corporate governance is defective.
さらに、こうした経緯の情報は当時の副頭取ら法令順守担当の役員にとどまり、経営トップに伝わっていなかったという。ガバナンス（企業統治）に欠陥があると言わざるを得まい。
Other banks also deal with tie-up loans. With the latest scandal as a good lesson, banks and consumer credit companies should make utmost efforts to prevent the extension of problematic loans by, for example, sharing credit records such as lists of gangsters and gangster-related people.
提携ローンは、みずほ以外の銀行も扱っている。今回のケースを教訓に、銀行と信販会社が暴力団関係者のリストなど信用情報を共有し、問題融資の防止に努めることが求められよう。
The Mizuho Financial Group was launched in 2000 through a management integration of three banks: Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Fuji Bank and the Industrial Bank of Japan. In July this year, the group was transformed into a one-bank system under the One Mizuho New Frontier Plan after the merger of Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Corporate Bank. The scandal has spoiled the fresh start of the banking group.
２０００年に第一勧業、富士、日本興業の３行が経営統合して発足したみずほグループは、今年７月に１行体制の「ワンみずほ」に移行した。再スタートの出ばなをくじくつまずきだ。
A sense of rivalry still deeply rooted among Mizuho bankers from the three former banks must be behind the poor response to the scandal. It is an urgent task for the bank to reform its corporate climate into one with a smooth flow of information.
旧３行意識がいまだに根強いことが、お粗末な対応の背景にあるのだろう。風通しのいい企業風土へ改革することが急務である。
Before the merger of the three banks, Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank received strong criticism from society over a payoff scandal involving a sokaiya corporate racketeer. And after the launch of the group, Mizuho was roundly criticized for successive large-scale system failures.
第一勧銀時代に起こした総会屋への利益供与事件や、みずほグループ発足後に相次いだ大規模なシステム障害などは、社会から強い批判を浴びた。
As far as we can see from its response to the latest scandal, the financial group has not made use of its bitter experiences. This time, it must listen sincerely to the harsh criticisms of society for the sake of management reform.
今回の対応を見る限り、苦い経験を生かしたとは思えない。今度こそ厳しい声を真摯(しんし)に受け止め、経営改革につなげるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 5, 2013)
（2013年10月5日01時26分 読売新聞）
2013/10/06
ＩＰＣＣ報告 深刻な温暖化にどう備えるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 5, 2013
U.N. climate report notes urgency for steps against global warming
ＩＰＣＣ報告 深刻な温暖化にどう備えるか（10月4日付・読売社説）
The latest U.N. report on climate change, it can be said, has indicated anew the importance of measures against global warming.
地球温暖化対策の重要性が改めて示されたと言えるだろう。
The report was compiled by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) based on its latest scientific assessment of present and future global warming.
国連の「気候変動に関する政府間パネル（ＩＰＣＣ）」が、地球温暖化の現状と将来に関する最新の科学的見解をまとめた。
The report concluded it is extremely likely global warming is being caused by increased carbon dioxide emissions due to massive consumption of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal.
石油や石炭など化石燃料の大量消費により、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）の排出量が増大し、地球規模の温暖化が引き起こされている可能性が極めて高い、と結論づけた。
Unless adequate measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the report predicted the average global temperature would likely rise by up to 4.8 C from the average for the two decades from 1986 to 2005. The report also warned of the high possibility that heat waves and heavy rain would occur more often around the world.
十分な対策を講じないと、今世紀末の世界の平均気温は、１９８６～２００５年の平均に比べ、最大４・８度上がると予測した。世界中で熱波や豪雨が増える可能性が非常に高いとも警告した。
It also predicted sea levels could rise a maximum of 82 centimeters by the end of the century. Arctic sea ice is expected to be nonexistent in the summer in the not-so-distant future.
海面も今世紀末には最大８２センチ上昇する。夏の北極海の海氷も遠からず消滅する恐れがある。
It may be said that the report painted an extremely serious vision for the future of the Earth.
極めて深刻な地球の未来図を描き出したと言えよう。
The report is reviewed every five to six years. The latest one assigned human culpability for global warming in the strongest tone ever, saying there is a “more than 95 percent” possibility that global warming has been caused by human activities.
報告書は５～６年ごとに見直されている。今回は、温暖化について、「９５％以上の確率」で人間の活動が原因とし、これまでで最も強く人類の責任を指摘した。
Reference has also been made to the phenomena already caused by global warming. The duration and frequency of heat waves have increased in Asia, Europe and Australia since 1950, according to the report.
すでに生じている影響にも触れた。例えば、１９５０年以降、アジア、欧州、豪州で熱波の期間と頻度が増えているという。
Unusual phenomena reported
In Japan, this summer saw record rainfall and a series of tornadoes. As things stand at present, it is impossible to determine that global warming is responsible for such phenomena. But many people believe there have been abnormal climate changes.
日本でも今夏、記録的な豪雨や竜巻が連続して発生した。現時点では温暖化の影響と断じられないものの、異変を実感している人は多いのではないか。
The report’s predictions are uncertain. There are currently 195 countries represented in the IPCC, which calls for neutrality and fairness. However, its views are not unanimously shared in many areas. In the case of its previous report, inadequate handling of data emerged as a problem.
予測には不確かな部分もある。ＩＰＣＣは１９５か国の政府が関与し、中立公正を標榜(ひょうぼう)しているが、見解への異論は少なくない。前回の報告書では、データの不適切な扱いが問題になった。
In the case of the latest report, its contents were made public while it was being drafted as part of procedural improvement measures. This indicated the IPCC’s efforts to regain public confidence.
今回は報告書の作成段階で草稿を広く公開するなど、手続きを改善した。信頼を取り戻そうというＩＰＣＣの姿勢がうかがえる。
If the most drastic measures are taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the report estimated it would be possible to limit the temperature increase to 0.3 C to 1.7 C at the end of this century. Effective measures must be taken as early as possible.
報告書は、最大限の対策を取れば、今世紀末の気温上昇を０・３～１・７度に抑えられると試算している。有効な対策が急務だ。
Attention is now on the future course of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. Efforts are centered on a new framework scheduled to take effect in 2020 to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which has served as a pillar of emission control measures.
焦点は、国連気候変動枠組み条約締約国会議の交渉の行方だ。対策の柱だった京都議定書に代わり、２０２０年にスタート予定の新たな枠組みが重要になる。
China and the United States, the two largest emission producers, are not obliged to reduce greenhouse effect gases under the Kyoto Protocol. A new framework must involve all major industrial countries to be effective.
京都議定書では温室効果ガスの削減義務を負っていない２大排出国の中国、米国など、すべての主要排出国が参加する実効性のある枠組みにせねばならない。
Of course, every country must make every effort to reduce gas emissions as much as possible even before a new framework will take effect.
無論、新たな枠組みが発効するまでの間も、各国は可能な限り対策に取り組む必要がある。
Use of nuclear power generation that produces no carbon dioxide is also indispensable for tackling global warming.
温暖化対策には、発電時にＣＯ２を排出しない原子力発電の活用も欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 4, 2013)
（2013年10月4日02時12分 読売新聞）
U.N. climate report notes urgency for steps against global warming
ＩＰＣＣ報告 深刻な温暖化にどう備えるか（10月4日付・読売社説）
The latest U.N. report on climate change, it can be said, has indicated anew the importance of measures against global warming.
地球温暖化対策の重要性が改めて示されたと言えるだろう。
The report was compiled by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) based on its latest scientific assessment of present and future global warming.
国連の「気候変動に関する政府間パネル（ＩＰＣＣ）」が、地球温暖化の現状と将来に関する最新の科学的見解をまとめた。
The report concluded it is extremely likely global warming is being caused by increased carbon dioxide emissions due to massive consumption of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal.
石油や石炭など化石燃料の大量消費により、二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）の排出量が増大し、地球規模の温暖化が引き起こされている可能性が極めて高い、と結論づけた。
Unless adequate measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the report predicted the average global temperature would likely rise by up to 4.8 C from the average for the two decades from 1986 to 2005. The report also warned of the high possibility that heat waves and heavy rain would occur more often around the world.
十分な対策を講じないと、今世紀末の世界の平均気温は、１９８６～２００５年の平均に比べ、最大４・８度上がると予測した。世界中で熱波や豪雨が増える可能性が非常に高いとも警告した。
It also predicted sea levels could rise a maximum of 82 centimeters by the end of the century. Arctic sea ice is expected to be nonexistent in the summer in the not-so-distant future.
海面も今世紀末には最大８２センチ上昇する。夏の北極海の海氷も遠からず消滅する恐れがある。
It may be said that the report painted an extremely serious vision for the future of the Earth.
極めて深刻な地球の未来図を描き出したと言えよう。
The report is reviewed every five to six years. The latest one assigned human culpability for global warming in the strongest tone ever, saying there is a “more than 95 percent” possibility that global warming has been caused by human activities.
報告書は５～６年ごとに見直されている。今回は、温暖化について、「９５％以上の確率」で人間の活動が原因とし、これまでで最も強く人類の責任を指摘した。
Reference has also been made to the phenomena already caused by global warming. The duration and frequency of heat waves have increased in Asia, Europe and Australia since 1950, according to the report.
すでに生じている影響にも触れた。例えば、１９５０年以降、アジア、欧州、豪州で熱波の期間と頻度が増えているという。
Unusual phenomena reported
In Japan, this summer saw record rainfall and a series of tornadoes. As things stand at present, it is impossible to determine that global warming is responsible for such phenomena. But many people believe there have been abnormal climate changes.
日本でも今夏、記録的な豪雨や竜巻が連続して発生した。現時点では温暖化の影響と断じられないものの、異変を実感している人は多いのではないか。
The report’s predictions are uncertain. There are currently 195 countries represented in the IPCC, which calls for neutrality and fairness. However, its views are not unanimously shared in many areas. In the case of its previous report, inadequate handling of data emerged as a problem.
予測には不確かな部分もある。ＩＰＣＣは１９５か国の政府が関与し、中立公正を標榜(ひょうぼう)しているが、見解への異論は少なくない。前回の報告書では、データの不適切な扱いが問題になった。
In the case of the latest report, its contents were made public while it was being drafted as part of procedural improvement measures. This indicated the IPCC’s efforts to regain public confidence.
今回は報告書の作成段階で草稿を広く公開するなど、手続きを改善した。信頼を取り戻そうというＩＰＣＣの姿勢がうかがえる。
If the most drastic measures are taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the report estimated it would be possible to limit the temperature increase to 0.3 C to 1.7 C at the end of this century. Effective measures must be taken as early as possible.
報告書は、最大限の対策を取れば、今世紀末の気温上昇を０・３～１・７度に抑えられると試算している。有効な対策が急務だ。
Attention is now on the future course of the Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. Efforts are centered on a new framework scheduled to take effect in 2020 to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which has served as a pillar of emission control measures.
焦点は、国連気候変動枠組み条約締約国会議の交渉の行方だ。対策の柱だった京都議定書に代わり、２０２０年にスタート予定の新たな枠組みが重要になる。
China and the United States, the two largest emission producers, are not obliged to reduce greenhouse effect gases under the Kyoto Protocol. A new framework must involve all major industrial countries to be effective.
京都議定書では温室効果ガスの削減義務を負っていない２大排出国の中国、米国など、すべての主要排出国が参加する実効性のある枠組みにせねばならない。
Of course, every country must make every effort to reduce gas emissions as much as possible even before a new framework will take effect.
無論、新たな枠組みが発効するまでの間も、各国は可能な限り対策に取り組む必要がある。
Use of nuclear power generation that produces no carbon dioxide is also indispensable for tackling global warming.
温暖化対策には、発電時にＣＯ２を排出しない原子力発電の活用も欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 4, 2013)
（2013年10月4日02時12分 読売新聞）
2013/10/05
朴大統領発言 日韓関係改善の意思あるのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 4, 2013
Does Park intend to improve S. Korea’s relations with Japan?
朴大統領発言 日韓関係改善の意思あるのか（10月3日付・読売社説）
Considering South Korean President Park Geun Hye’s recent statements, we cannot help doubting whether she intends to improve relations with Japan.
対日関係を改善する意思があるのだろうかと、疑わざるを得ない。
In her talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who spoke to her about the importance of security cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, she criticized Japan, saying, “Trust has not been established due to the [Japanese] leadership, which has repeatedly made regressive remarks” on historical and territorial issues.
日米韓の安保協力の重要性を説いたヘーゲル米国防長官に、韓国の朴槿恵大統領が、「歴史や領土問題で時代逆行発言を繰り返す（日本）指導部のせいで、信頼を築けない」と対日批判を展開した。
Japan-South Korea relations have rapidly deteriorated since last summer, when then President Lee Myung Bak visited the Takeshima islands and made a statement demanding the Emperor apologize for Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Even after the administration in both countries changed, bilateral relations have been chilly.
日韓関係は、昨年夏の李明博大統領の竹島訪問と天皇謝罪要求の発言以降、急激に悪化し、両国の政権交代後も冷え込んでいる。
Park’s statement that the responsibility for the situation lies with Japan is extremely one-sided. She was also barking up the wrong tree in saying so to a ranking U.S. official.
その責任が日本にあるという発言は一方的に過ぎよう。米政府高官に主張したのもお門違いだ。
Concerning the so-called comfort women issue, Park said, “Japan has leveled insults against them rather than offering an apology.” We think she is operating under a misconception.
朴氏は、いわゆる元従軍慰安婦問題では、日本が「謝罪どころか、侮辱している」と述べた。どこかに誤解があるのではないか。
Based on her understanding of the bilateral situation, she said it is difficult to have summit talks with Japan, unless Japan shows a “sincere attitude.” By doing so, she established de facto conditions for holding talks. This is problematic, too. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he always keeps an open door for dialogue.
その上で、日本が「誠意ある姿勢」を見せない限り首脳会談は難しい、と事実上の条件をつけた点も問題だ。安倍首相は対話のドアは常に開けているとしている。
On its independence movement day in March, just after her inauguration, Park demanded Japan “have a correct understanding of history and take an attitude of responsibility.” She even clearly said, “The hostile dynamic of one party being a perpetrator and the other party a victim will remain unchanged even after 1,000 years have passed.”
朴氏は大統領就任直後の３月、独立運動記念日に、日本に「歴史を正しく直視し、責任を負う姿勢」を求め、「加害者と被害者の歴史的立場は千年の歴史が流れても変わらない」とまで断言した。
Such statements damage the significance of a statement made in 1965 by her father, then President Park Chung Hee, when Japan-South Korean diplomatic relations were normalized: that South Korea and Japan had been enemies, but it was a thing of the past.
これでは、朴氏の父親の朴正煕大統領が１９６５年の日韓国交正常化に際して、「韓日は仇敵(きゅうてき)関係だったが、あくまでも過去だ」と述べた意義が損なわれよう。
Questionable diplomacy
It is questionable that Park has been pursuing diplomacy that is particularly focused on Japan’s perception of history.
訝(いぶか)しいのは、朴氏が日本の歴史認識にことさら焦点を当てる外交を繰り広げていることだ。
During her meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in May, she said Japan needs to have a correct recognition of history. During her speech to the U.S. Congress, she said, “Those who are blind to the past cannot see the future.”
５月のオバマ米大統領との会談で「日本は正しい歴史認識をもつべきだ」と語り、米国議会では「歴史に目を閉ざす者は未来を見ることができない」と述べた。
In June, during a lunch meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, she proposed the establishment of a memorial to Korean independence activist An Jung Geun, who assassinated Hirobumi Ito, the first resident general of Korea under Japan’s colonial rule, at Harbin Station in China’s Heilongjiang Province in 1909. She praised An as a historical figure respected by the peoples of South Korea and China.
翌月は習近平・中国国家主席との昼食会で、伊藤博文・初代韓国統監をハルビン駅で暗殺した朝鮮独立運動家の安重根を「韓中両国民が尊敬する歴史的人物」とたたえ、記念碑建立を提案した。
Such statements by Park have inflamed anti-Japanese nationalism in her country. During a soccer game between the Japanese and South Korean national teams in June, a huge image of An Jung Geun and a banner reading “A nation that forgets its history has no future” appeared in the South Korean supporters’ seats. This incident must be related to Park’s statements.
こうした朴氏の言動が、反日ナショナリズムを煽(あお)る結果になっている。７月のサッカー日韓戦で、韓国応援席に安重根の巨大な肖像画と、「歴史を忘れた民族に未来はない」との横断幕が登場したことも、無縁ではあるまい。
In South Korea, two court rulings have been handed down in damages suits in favor of former South Korean workers forcibly employed by Japanese companies during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Such rulings are considered violations of the 1965 bilateral agreement on claims rights. This situation is shaking Japan-South Korean relations, which were normalized decades ago.
韓国では、日韓請求権協定に反する形で、韓国人元徴用工の損害賠償請求訴訟で日本企業敗訴の判決が相次いでいる。国交正常化後の日韓関係を揺るがす事態だ。
There are many issues that must be jointly tackled by the leaders of Japan and South Korea, such as the nuclear threat from North Korea and how to deal with China, which has been expanding its military and economic power. It is impossible to build a relationship of mutual trust if Park sticks to rehashing settled issues from the past, rather than establishing future-oriented relations.
日韓には、北朝鮮の核脅威や膨張中国への対処など、首脳同士で取り組むべき課題が多い。朴氏が未来志向よりも過去清算にこだわるなら、信頼関係は築けない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 3, 2013)
（2013年10月3日01時37分 読売新聞）
Does Park intend to improve S. Korea’s relations with Japan?
朴大統領発言 日韓関係改善の意思あるのか（10月3日付・読売社説）
Considering South Korean President Park Geun Hye’s recent statements, we cannot help doubting whether she intends to improve relations with Japan.
対日関係を改善する意思があるのだろうかと、疑わざるを得ない。
In her talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who spoke to her about the importance of security cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, she criticized Japan, saying, “Trust has not been established due to the [Japanese] leadership, which has repeatedly made regressive remarks” on historical and territorial issues.
日米韓の安保協力の重要性を説いたヘーゲル米国防長官に、韓国の朴槿恵大統領が、「歴史や領土問題で時代逆行発言を繰り返す（日本）指導部のせいで、信頼を築けない」と対日批判を展開した。
Japan-South Korea relations have rapidly deteriorated since last summer, when then President Lee Myung Bak visited the Takeshima islands and made a statement demanding the Emperor apologize for Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Even after the administration in both countries changed, bilateral relations have been chilly.
日韓関係は、昨年夏の李明博大統領の竹島訪問と天皇謝罪要求の発言以降、急激に悪化し、両国の政権交代後も冷え込んでいる。
Park’s statement that the responsibility for the situation lies with Japan is extremely one-sided. She was also barking up the wrong tree in saying so to a ranking U.S. official.
その責任が日本にあるという発言は一方的に過ぎよう。米政府高官に主張したのもお門違いだ。
Concerning the so-called comfort women issue, Park said, “Japan has leveled insults against them rather than offering an apology.” We think she is operating under a misconception.
朴氏は、いわゆる元従軍慰安婦問題では、日本が「謝罪どころか、侮辱している」と述べた。どこかに誤解があるのではないか。
Based on her understanding of the bilateral situation, she said it is difficult to have summit talks with Japan, unless Japan shows a “sincere attitude.” By doing so, she established de facto conditions for holding talks. This is problematic, too. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he always keeps an open door for dialogue.
その上で、日本が「誠意ある姿勢」を見せない限り首脳会談は難しい、と事実上の条件をつけた点も問題だ。安倍首相は対話のドアは常に開けているとしている。
On its independence movement day in March, just after her inauguration, Park demanded Japan “have a correct understanding of history and take an attitude of responsibility.” She even clearly said, “The hostile dynamic of one party being a perpetrator and the other party a victim will remain unchanged even after 1,000 years have passed.”
朴氏は大統領就任直後の３月、独立運動記念日に、日本に「歴史を正しく直視し、責任を負う姿勢」を求め、「加害者と被害者の歴史的立場は千年の歴史が流れても変わらない」とまで断言した。
Such statements damage the significance of a statement made in 1965 by her father, then President Park Chung Hee, when Japan-South Korean diplomatic relations were normalized: that South Korea and Japan had been enemies, but it was a thing of the past.
これでは、朴氏の父親の朴正煕大統領が１９６５年の日韓国交正常化に際して、「韓日は仇敵(きゅうてき)関係だったが、あくまでも過去だ」と述べた意義が損なわれよう。
Questionable diplomacy
It is questionable that Park has been pursuing diplomacy that is particularly focused on Japan’s perception of history.
訝(いぶか)しいのは、朴氏が日本の歴史認識にことさら焦点を当てる外交を繰り広げていることだ。
During her meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in May, she said Japan needs to have a correct recognition of history. During her speech to the U.S. Congress, she said, “Those who are blind to the past cannot see the future.”
５月のオバマ米大統領との会談で「日本は正しい歴史認識をもつべきだ」と語り、米国議会では「歴史に目を閉ざす者は未来を見ることができない」と述べた。
In June, during a lunch meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, she proposed the establishment of a memorial to Korean independence activist An Jung Geun, who assassinated Hirobumi Ito, the first resident general of Korea under Japan’s colonial rule, at Harbin Station in China’s Heilongjiang Province in 1909. She praised An as a historical figure respected by the peoples of South Korea and China.
翌月は習近平・中国国家主席との昼食会で、伊藤博文・初代韓国統監をハルビン駅で暗殺した朝鮮独立運動家の安重根を「韓中両国民が尊敬する歴史的人物」とたたえ、記念碑建立を提案した。
Such statements by Park have inflamed anti-Japanese nationalism in her country. During a soccer game between the Japanese and South Korean national teams in June, a huge image of An Jung Geun and a banner reading “A nation that forgets its history has no future” appeared in the South Korean supporters’ seats. This incident must be related to Park’s statements.
こうした朴氏の言動が、反日ナショナリズムを煽(あお)る結果になっている。７月のサッカー日韓戦で、韓国応援席に安重根の巨大な肖像画と、「歴史を忘れた民族に未来はない」との横断幕が登場したことも、無縁ではあるまい。
In South Korea, two court rulings have been handed down in damages suits in favor of former South Korean workers forcibly employed by Japanese companies during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Such rulings are considered violations of the 1965 bilateral agreement on claims rights. This situation is shaking Japan-South Korean relations, which were normalized decades ago.
韓国では、日韓請求権協定に反する形で、韓国人元徴用工の損害賠償請求訴訟で日本企業敗訴の判決が相次いでいる。国交正常化後の日韓関係を揺るがす事態だ。
There are many issues that must be jointly tackled by the leaders of Japan and South Korea, such as the nuclear threat from North Korea and how to deal with China, which has been expanding its military and economic power. It is impossible to build a relationship of mutual trust if Park sticks to rehashing settled issues from the past, rather than establishing future-oriented relations.
日韓には、北朝鮮の核脅威や膨張中国への対処など、首脳同士で取り組むべき課題が多い。朴氏が未来志向よりも過去清算にこだわるなら、信頼関係は築けない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 3, 2013)
（2013年10月3日01時37分 読売新聞）
消費税率８％へ 景気と財政へ首相の重い決断
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 3, 2013
Abe must ensure economic recovery, fiscal reconstruction are compatible
消費税率８％へ 景気と財政へ首相の重い決断（10月2日付・読売社説）
◆来春から必需品に軽減税率を◆
The true value of the Abe administration, which emphasizes the revitalization of the economy, will be put to the test as it tackles the task of realizing economic recovery alongside fiscal rehabilitation.
景気回復と財政再建をどう両立させるか。日本再生を掲げる安倍政権の真価が問われよう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Tuesday that the government will raise the consumption tax rate from 5 percent to 8 percent in April as planned. He also said the government will implement a ¥5 trillion economic stimulus package, including a corporate tax cut.
安倍首相が、来年４月に消費税率を５％から８％に予定通り引き上げると表明した。企業減税など５兆円規模の経済対策も打ち出す。
We believe the tax hike planed for next spring should have been postponed to accomplish the main task of dragging the nation out of its deflationary phase. However, now that the prime minister has made this important decision, we have no choice but to accept it.
デフレからの脱却を最優先し、来春の増税を先送りすべきであるが、首相が自らの責任で重い決断をした以上、これを受け止めるしかあるまい。
It would be terrible if the consumption tax hike stalled the economy. The government must ensure that its economic management policy is sound.
消費増税で景気を腰折れさせては本末転倒だ。政府は経済運営に万全を期さねばならない。
Job recovery halfway
◆雇用の回復は道半ば◆
At a press conference Tuesday, Abe explained the reason for going ahead with the tax increase, saying: “By helping the nation regain hope, vitality and confidence...we’re determined to pass a sustainable social security system to the next generation. This is the responsibility my Cabinet must fulfill.”
首相は記者会見で、増税を決断した理由について、「国の信認を維持し、社会保障制度を次の世代にしっかり引き渡すことが私の内閣の責任だ」と説明した。
Securing a stable revenue source for ever-rising social security expenses—such as public pension, health care and nursing care programs—through the consumption tax hike is the foundation for implementing comprehensive social security and tax reforms agreed on by the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan.
膨張する年金、医療、介護など社会保障費の安定財源を消費税増税で確保することは、自民、公明、民主の３党が決めた社会保障と税の一体改革の根幹である。
The central government’s debts have grown beyond the ¥1 quadrillion mark, the highest among major economic powers.
In the financial market and elsewhere, there had been concerns that if the government postponed the consumption tax hike planned for next April, government bond prices would nosedive.
国の借金は既に１０００兆円を超え、先進国で最悪だ。市場などでは、来春の消費増税を見送れば、国債が暴落しかねないといった懸念も出ていた。
In light of the rapid acceleration of graying society and the chronically low birthrate, we believe the course of action taken toward raising the tax rate is reasonable.
少子高齢化の急激な進行を踏まえれば、消費税率を引き上げる方向性は正しい。
What is problematic is the possibility that the economy, which has at long last started turning upward, will lose steam due to the tax rate hike.
問題なのは、ようやく景気が上向いてきた日本経済が来春の消費増税で失速しないかどうか、不透明なことである。
The Bank of Japan’s closely watched Tankan survey showed that business sentiment among major companies improved significantly in September, posting the highest reading since the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in autumn 2008. Yet the pace of recovery is expected to slow down in the months ahead.
日銀の９月企業短期経済観測調査（短観）で、大企業の景況感は大きく改善し、リーマン・ショック前の水準に戻った。だが、今後はペースが鈍るとみられる。
Even more worrisome is the employment situation. The jobless rate in August rose to the 4 percent level for the first time in three months, while wages of salaried workers have continued to decline.
さらに懸念されるのは雇用情勢だ。８月の失業率は３か月ぶりに４％台に上昇し、サラリーマンの給与も減少が続いている。
“By resolutely implementing bold economic measures, we’ll seize this opportunity for economic recovery,” Abe said.
首相は、「大胆な経済対策を果断に実行し、景気回復のチャンスを確実にする」と述べた。
Tax cuts urgently needed
◆法人税率下げは急務だ◆
Among the government’s economic stimulus measures is a corporate tax cut for companies that raise their workers’ wages, as well as tax reductions aimed at prompting capital investment and implementing research and development activities.
経済対策には、民間設備投資や研究開発を促す政策減税のほか、従業員の賃上げに踏み切った企業を対象にした税負担の軽減策拡充などを盛り込む。
The new set of pump-priming measures also includes a plan to consider ending a temporary increase in the corporate tax rate aimed at helping finance reconstruction projects following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. After studying the pros and cons of scrapping the current special tax hike one year earlier than initially planned, the government aims to arrive at a conclusion on the matter by the end of the year.
震災復興のため法人税に上乗せしている「復興特別法人税」についても、１年前倒しで廃止する方向で年内に結論を出す。
It is undoubtedly essential to secure a source of revenue that can supplant the special corporate tax increase to fund postquake rebuilding policies and programs. Under such circumstances, the prime minister had every reason to say, “Nothing should hamper reconstruction efforts.”
無論、特別法人税に代わる復興財源をしっかり確保することが不可欠だ。首相が「復興に支障が生じることがあってはならない」と述べたのは当然である。
He also urged the ruling parties to consider lowering the effective corporate tax rate immediately. As things stand, the rate, which is the ratio of corporations’ national and local tax payments to their taxable incomes, is higher than those levied in other major economies. No time should be wasted in boosting the international competitiveness of Japanese companies while at the same time attracting greater foreign investment to Japan.
首相はまた、主要国に比べて高い法人税の実効税率引き下げについても、与党に速やかな検討開始を求めた。企業の国際競争力強化や、海外からの対日投資の拡大は喫緊の課題と言える。
In this regard, the prime minister’s initiative in drawing up a road map for reducing the effective corporate tax rate is quite significant.
首相の主導で実効税率引き下げに道筋をつけた意味は大きい。
However, Abe’s plan to raise the consumption tax rate, coupled with envisaged corporate tax cuts, has drawn fire from the public, as well as the ruling and opposition parties, for what they see as “preferential treatment for companies.”
ただし、消費税を増税する一方で、企業減税することに対し、国民や与野党から「企業優遇だ」などの批判が出ている。
Private-sector corporations are key players in the pursuit of economic growth. By taking advantage of the government’s support measures, they should play a role in facilitating a positive growth cycle through such measures as using their internal reserves for capital and other investment, as well as wage increases.
経済成長の主役は民間企業である。政策支援を追い風に、企業も内部留保を投資や賃上げに活用するなど、経済成長の「好循環」に貢献することが求められる。
The new economic stimulus package is worth about ¥5 trillion, equivalent to the amount of revenue that could be raised through a two percentage point hike in the consumption tax rate. If it is reduced to a package of mostly show, but little substance, the set of pump-priming measures would do little to underpin the economy.
経済対策は約５兆円と、消費税率２％分の規模を確保するが、「見かけ倒し」では、景気を十分に支えることはできまい。
The question is whether a wide range of corporations will adequately take advantage of the tax cuts and other planned steps. The government needs to closely examine what will ensue from the package.
減税措置などを幅広い企業が利用するかどうか、政府は成果を検証する必要がある。
The government should avoid counting on a revenue increase that could be made possible through the consumption tax rate hike, anticipating it could increase the number of public works projects, including nonessential ones.
消費税の増収分を当て込み、不要不急の公共事業を拡大することも避けるべきだ。
An extraordinary Diet session is scheduled to convene in mid-October, with a number of important items on the agenda, including a bill for increasing industrial competitiveness. The legislation is a major part of the Abe administration’s growth strategy.
今月中旬に始まる臨時国会は、安倍政権の掲げる成長戦略の柱である産業競争力強化法案など、重要なテーマが多い。
We hope the government and the ruling parties will do all they can to ensure the upcoming Diet session proceeds smoothly, while also achieving their intended goals as swiftly as possible. This is essential as the Diet session should serve as a forum for discussions on how to set our nation’s growth strategy in motion.
名実ともに「成長戦略実現国会」となるよう、政府・与党は円滑な国会運営に全力を尽くし、迅速に成果を上げてもらいたい。
Simple allowance not enough
◆簡素な給付では力不足◆
It will take some time for the benefits of the planned corporate tax cuts to reach consumers through wage hikes. With this in mind, it is necessary to take measures that will benefit them in the short term to prevent a decline in personal consumption.
企業減税の効果が賃金上昇を通じて消費者に波及するまでには、一定の時間がかかるだろう。個人消費の落ち込みを防ぐため、即効性のある手立てが要る。
The government intends to implement what it calls “a simple allowance-granting measure” targeting low-income households in the form of a payment of ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per person. However, there is a limit to what can be gained through such temporary handouts.
政府は、低所得世帯を対象に１人当たり１万～１万５０００円を支給する「簡素な給付措置」を講じる構えだが、一時的な現金支給では効果は限定的である。
We believe a wider range of consumers, including people in the lower-income bracket, would benefit more from lower consumption tax rates for rice and other daily necessities, as well as newspapers that support democracy and a culture that values printed material.
コメなどの生活必需品や、民主主義と活字文化を支える新聞の消費税率を抑える「軽減税率」の方が、低所得層など広範な消費者に持続的な恩恵が及ぶはずだ。
The LDP and Komeito have said they will seek to introduce lower tax rates for basic necessities when the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent. But we believe a reduced tax scheme should be put in place when the consumption tax rate is increased to 8 percent next spring to reduce the burden shouldered by ordinary households.
自民、公明両党は、消費税率を１０％にする際に軽減税率の導入を目指すというが、来春の８％への引き上げ時に導入し、家計の負担を和らげるべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 2, 2013)
（2013年10月2日01時31分 読売新聞）
Abe must ensure economic recovery, fiscal reconstruction are compatible
消費税率８％へ 景気と財政へ首相の重い決断（10月2日付・読売社説）
◆来春から必需品に軽減税率を◆
The true value of the Abe administration, which emphasizes the revitalization of the economy, will be put to the test as it tackles the task of realizing economic recovery alongside fiscal rehabilitation.
景気回復と財政再建をどう両立させるか。日本再生を掲げる安倍政権の真価が問われよう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Tuesday that the government will raise the consumption tax rate from 5 percent to 8 percent in April as planned. He also said the government will implement a ¥5 trillion economic stimulus package, including a corporate tax cut.
安倍首相が、来年４月に消費税率を５％から８％に予定通り引き上げると表明した。企業減税など５兆円規模の経済対策も打ち出す。
We believe the tax hike planed for next spring should have been postponed to accomplish the main task of dragging the nation out of its deflationary phase. However, now that the prime minister has made this important decision, we have no choice but to accept it.
デフレからの脱却を最優先し、来春の増税を先送りすべきであるが、首相が自らの責任で重い決断をした以上、これを受け止めるしかあるまい。
It would be terrible if the consumption tax hike stalled the economy. The government must ensure that its economic management policy is sound.
消費増税で景気を腰折れさせては本末転倒だ。政府は経済運営に万全を期さねばならない。
Job recovery halfway
◆雇用の回復は道半ば◆
At a press conference Tuesday, Abe explained the reason for going ahead with the tax increase, saying: “By helping the nation regain hope, vitality and confidence...we’re determined to pass a sustainable social security system to the next generation. This is the responsibility my Cabinet must fulfill.”
首相は記者会見で、増税を決断した理由について、「国の信認を維持し、社会保障制度を次の世代にしっかり引き渡すことが私の内閣の責任だ」と説明した。
Securing a stable revenue source for ever-rising social security expenses—such as public pension, health care and nursing care programs—through the consumption tax hike is the foundation for implementing comprehensive social security and tax reforms agreed on by the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan.
膨張する年金、医療、介護など社会保障費の安定財源を消費税増税で確保することは、自民、公明、民主の３党が決めた社会保障と税の一体改革の根幹である。
The central government’s debts have grown beyond the ¥1 quadrillion mark, the highest among major economic powers.
In the financial market and elsewhere, there had been concerns that if the government postponed the consumption tax hike planned for next April, government bond prices would nosedive.
国の借金は既に１０００兆円を超え、先進国で最悪だ。市場などでは、来春の消費増税を見送れば、国債が暴落しかねないといった懸念も出ていた。
In light of the rapid acceleration of graying society and the chronically low birthrate, we believe the course of action taken toward raising the tax rate is reasonable.
少子高齢化の急激な進行を踏まえれば、消費税率を引き上げる方向性は正しい。
What is problematic is the possibility that the economy, which has at long last started turning upward, will lose steam due to the tax rate hike.
問題なのは、ようやく景気が上向いてきた日本経済が来春の消費増税で失速しないかどうか、不透明なことである。
The Bank of Japan’s closely watched Tankan survey showed that business sentiment among major companies improved significantly in September, posting the highest reading since the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in autumn 2008. Yet the pace of recovery is expected to slow down in the months ahead.
日銀の９月企業短期経済観測調査（短観）で、大企業の景況感は大きく改善し、リーマン・ショック前の水準に戻った。だが、今後はペースが鈍るとみられる。
Even more worrisome is the employment situation. The jobless rate in August rose to the 4 percent level for the first time in three months, while wages of salaried workers have continued to decline.
さらに懸念されるのは雇用情勢だ。８月の失業率は３か月ぶりに４％台に上昇し、サラリーマンの給与も減少が続いている。
“By resolutely implementing bold economic measures, we’ll seize this opportunity for economic recovery,” Abe said.
首相は、「大胆な経済対策を果断に実行し、景気回復のチャンスを確実にする」と述べた。
Tax cuts urgently needed
◆法人税率下げは急務だ◆
Among the government’s economic stimulus measures is a corporate tax cut for companies that raise their workers’ wages, as well as tax reductions aimed at prompting capital investment and implementing research and development activities.
経済対策には、民間設備投資や研究開発を促す政策減税のほか、従業員の賃上げに踏み切った企業を対象にした税負担の軽減策拡充などを盛り込む。
The new set of pump-priming measures also includes a plan to consider ending a temporary increase in the corporate tax rate aimed at helping finance reconstruction projects following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. After studying the pros and cons of scrapping the current special tax hike one year earlier than initially planned, the government aims to arrive at a conclusion on the matter by the end of the year.
震災復興のため法人税に上乗せしている「復興特別法人税」についても、１年前倒しで廃止する方向で年内に結論を出す。
It is undoubtedly essential to secure a source of revenue that can supplant the special corporate tax increase to fund postquake rebuilding policies and programs. Under such circumstances, the prime minister had every reason to say, “Nothing should hamper reconstruction efforts.”
無論、特別法人税に代わる復興財源をしっかり確保することが不可欠だ。首相が「復興に支障が生じることがあってはならない」と述べたのは当然である。
He also urged the ruling parties to consider lowering the effective corporate tax rate immediately. As things stand, the rate, which is the ratio of corporations’ national and local tax payments to their taxable incomes, is higher than those levied in other major economies. No time should be wasted in boosting the international competitiveness of Japanese companies while at the same time attracting greater foreign investment to Japan.
首相はまた、主要国に比べて高い法人税の実効税率引き下げについても、与党に速やかな検討開始を求めた。企業の国際競争力強化や、海外からの対日投資の拡大は喫緊の課題と言える。
In this regard, the prime minister’s initiative in drawing up a road map for reducing the effective corporate tax rate is quite significant.
首相の主導で実効税率引き下げに道筋をつけた意味は大きい。
However, Abe’s plan to raise the consumption tax rate, coupled with envisaged corporate tax cuts, has drawn fire from the public, as well as the ruling and opposition parties, for what they see as “preferential treatment for companies.”
ただし、消費税を増税する一方で、企業減税することに対し、国民や与野党から「企業優遇だ」などの批判が出ている。
Private-sector corporations are key players in the pursuit of economic growth. By taking advantage of the government’s support measures, they should play a role in facilitating a positive growth cycle through such measures as using their internal reserves for capital and other investment, as well as wage increases.
経済成長の主役は民間企業である。政策支援を追い風に、企業も内部留保を投資や賃上げに活用するなど、経済成長の「好循環」に貢献することが求められる。
The new economic stimulus package is worth about ¥5 trillion, equivalent to the amount of revenue that could be raised through a two percentage point hike in the consumption tax rate. If it is reduced to a package of mostly show, but little substance, the set of pump-priming measures would do little to underpin the economy.
経済対策は約５兆円と、消費税率２％分の規模を確保するが、「見かけ倒し」では、景気を十分に支えることはできまい。
The question is whether a wide range of corporations will adequately take advantage of the tax cuts and other planned steps. The government needs to closely examine what will ensue from the package.
減税措置などを幅広い企業が利用するかどうか、政府は成果を検証する必要がある。
The government should avoid counting on a revenue increase that could be made possible through the consumption tax rate hike, anticipating it could increase the number of public works projects, including nonessential ones.
消費税の増収分を当て込み、不要不急の公共事業を拡大することも避けるべきだ。
An extraordinary Diet session is scheduled to convene in mid-October, with a number of important items on the agenda, including a bill for increasing industrial competitiveness. The legislation is a major part of the Abe administration’s growth strategy.
今月中旬に始まる臨時国会は、安倍政権の掲げる成長戦略の柱である産業競争力強化法案など、重要なテーマが多い。
We hope the government and the ruling parties will do all they can to ensure the upcoming Diet session proceeds smoothly, while also achieving their intended goals as swiftly as possible. This is essential as the Diet session should serve as a forum for discussions on how to set our nation’s growth strategy in motion.
名実ともに「成長戦略実現国会」となるよう、政府・与党は円滑な国会運営に全力を尽くし、迅速に成果を上げてもらいたい。
Simple allowance not enough
◆簡素な給付では力不足◆
It will take some time for the benefits of the planned corporate tax cuts to reach consumers through wage hikes. With this in mind, it is necessary to take measures that will benefit them in the short term to prevent a decline in personal consumption.
企業減税の効果が賃金上昇を通じて消費者に波及するまでには、一定の時間がかかるだろう。個人消費の落ち込みを防ぐため、即効性のある手立てが要る。
The government intends to implement what it calls “a simple allowance-granting measure” targeting low-income households in the form of a payment of ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per person. However, there is a limit to what can be gained through such temporary handouts.
政府は、低所得世帯を対象に１人当たり１万～１万５０００円を支給する「簡素な給付措置」を講じる構えだが、一時的な現金支給では効果は限定的である。
We believe a wider range of consumers, including people in the lower-income bracket, would benefit more from lower consumption tax rates for rice and other daily necessities, as well as newspapers that support democracy and a culture that values printed material.
コメなどの生活必需品や、民主主義と活字文化を支える新聞の消費税率を抑える「軽減税率」の方が、低所得層など広範な消費者に持続的な恩恵が及ぶはずだ。
The LDP and Komeito have said they will seek to introduce lower tax rates for basic necessities when the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent. But we believe a reduced tax scheme should be put in place when the consumption tax rate is increased to 8 percent next spring to reduce the burden shouldered by ordinary households.
自民、公明両党は、消費税率を１０％にする際に軽減税率の導入を目指すというが、来春の８％への引き上げ時に導入し、家計の負担を和らげるべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 2, 2013)
（2013年10月2日01時31分 読売新聞）
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