施政方針演説 「政府の役割」を着実に果たせ

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Jan. 29, 2009)

Aso should fulfill govt's responsibility

施政方針演説　「政府の役割」を着実に果たせ（1月29日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Taro Aso declared in his policy speech Wednesday that he would protect the lives of the Japanese people from the global economic crisis and "return Japan to a nation that is both positive and strong."

　麻生首相は初の施政方針演説で、経済危機から国民生活を守り、「明るくて強い日本」を取り戻すと宣言した。

We agree with his assessment of the current situation and the ideals about nation-building presented in his speech. But what really matters is implementation of specific policy measures using strong political power.

　首相が示した現状認識や国創(づく)りの理念に異論はない。だが、肝心なのは、具体的な政策の実行であり、それを可能にする政治の力である。

The prime minister also stressed in his speech that Japan's role in the world is to contribute to "the creation of a new order," and that the nation itself must build "a society of peace of mind and vitality" at home to "successfully ride the changes in the times."

　首相は、日本が果たすべきは世界の「新しい秩序創りへの貢献」であり、日本自身も「安心と活力ある社会」を築いて時代の変化を乗り越えなければならない、と強調した。

To realize all this, the Japanese economy must be put on a recovery path as soon as possible. Lawmakers must start deliberating on the fiscal 2009 budget as soon as possible to secure its passage by the end of this fiscal year and help the nation climb out of recession.

　それには、まず、日本経済の立て直しが急務だ。２００９年度予算案の審議入りを急ぎ、今年度内に確実に成立させ、景気後退を食い止めなければなるまい。

Aso also needs to restore the public confidence in politics. The prime minister surely wants to raise public support for his government by implementing economic stimulus measures so he can decide when to dissolve the House of Representatives. It is vital, therefore, for him to explain his ideals and policies in plain language during Diet deliberations to regain the people's support.

　政治の立て直しも必要だ。首相は、景気対策の実行で政権浮揚をはかり、衆院解散の時期を探りたいところだろう。国会論戦で自らの理念と政策をわかりやすい言葉で訴え、国民の支持を取り戻せるかどうかがカギとなる。

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Change in tack

The prime minister said in his speech that "catchphrases such as 'shifting from the public sector to the private sector' and a dichotomous mode of thinking such as 'big government or small government' will not alone provide the vision [for the government] we seek." He is quite right.

　首相は演説で、「『官から民へ』というスローガンや、『大きな政府か小さな政府か』といった発想だけでは、政府のあるべき姿は見えない」と指摘した。その通りだろう。

Aso's remark marks a shift from the course of structural reform championed by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

　首相の発言は“小泉改革路線”の修正を意味する。

Reform measures such as deregulation and the introduction of market principles have caused widening income gaps, employment insecurity and other problems. It is natural for the prime minister to have mentioned the need to strengthen social safety nets.

規制緩和や市場原理による改革で、格差の広がりや雇用不安などが起きている。首相が、社会の安全網を整備するとしたのも、当然のことだ。

The negative legacy of restraints on social security expenditure under structural reform since the Koizumi administration is now causing problems in medical and social welfare fields. The Koizumi administration avoided even discussing a hike in the consumption tax rate, although it is obvious that a financial source is needed to rebuild the nation's social security system.

　小泉政権以来の「構造改革」が社会保障予算を抑制してきたツケが、医療や福祉の現場に混乱をもたらしている。社会保障制度再構築のための財源が必要なのに、小泉政権は消費税率引き上げの論議すら避けてきた。

In his speech, Aso said his government "will take necessary legal measures by fiscal 2011" to undertake fundamental tax system reform. We expect Aso to stress the necessity of hiking the consumption tax rate patiently to the Democratic Party of Japan and the other opposition parties during upcoming Diet deliberations.

　首相は、税制抜本改革で「１１年度までに必要な法制上の措置を講じる」との方針を示した。今後の論戦では、民主党など野党を相手に、消費税率引き上げの必要性を粘り強く主張してもらいたい。

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Japan-U.S. ties need a boost

With U.S. President Barack Obama having just taken office, the international situation surrounding Japan is changing dramatically. Japan must strengthen its alliance with the United States and cooperate with it to tackle problems related to North Korea and fight against international terrorism.

　米国でオバマ新政権が発足するなど、日本を取り巻く情勢は変化している。日米同盟を強化し、北朝鮮問題やテロとの戦いに連携して対処していかねばならない。

"Japan will play a proactive role as a responsible member of the international community," the prime minister said in his speech. If he asserts that "Japan should contribute to the creation of a new order," the prime minister must have the nation participate in more international peace cooperation activities than ever.

　首相は演説で「国際社会の責任ある一員」として積極的役割を果たしていくと述べた。「新しい秩序創りへの貢献」を唱えるなら、国際平和協力活動にもこれまで以上に取り組まねばなるまい。

We expect the prime minister and other lawmakers to hold substantive discussions at the Diet on foreign and security affairs, including new legislation to send the Self-Defense Forces to crack down on piracy in waters off Somalia and the expansion of assistance for Afghanistan.

　海賊対策に自衛隊を派遣するための新法や、アフガニスタン支援の拡充など、外交・安保政策でも骨太な国会論戦を期待したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 29, 2009)

（2009年1月29日01時28分  読売新聞）