民・自の新体制 「停滞国会」をもう繰り返すな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 30, 2012)
New leaders of 2 major parties must not allow Diet to stall again
民・自の新体制　「停滞国会」をもう繰り返すな（9月29日付・読売社説）

The Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party have launched new leadership teams, but the presidential elections of the ruling and largest opposition party have left some emotional divisions among members.
　民主、自民両党の新執行部が動き出した。
　両党内には党首選に伴うしこりが残っている。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, reelected as DPJ leader, and new LDP President Shinzo Abe will need to put all of their efforts into consolidating support in their respective parties.
野田首相と安倍総裁は、まず足場固めに全力を挙げなければなるまい。

We hope the parties will also work to end the futile confrontations between the ruling and opposition camps, and turn the Diet into a place capable of making decisions.
　その上で、両党には、不毛な与野党対立を排し、「決める国会」を主導してもらいたい。

The DPJ formally approved its new executive team Friday at a meeting of party lawmakers from both chambers of the Diet. DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi kept his post, while Environment Minister Goshi Hosono was tapped to lead the party's Policy Research Committee and Kazunori Yamanoi was given the chair of the Diet Affairs Committee.
　民主党は両院議員総会で、輿石幹事長再任と、政調会長に細野環境相、国会対策委員長に山井和則国対副委員長を充てるなどの役員人事を正式に了承した。

Expectations are high for Hosono--whose task as policy chief will be to work out the party's election platform--to play a central role in the next House of Representatives election.
　政権公約をまとめる細野氏は、次期衆院選で「選挙の顔」としても期待されている。

With the ruling party expected to face an uphill battle in the election, more DPJ lawmakers appear to be looking to break away from the party, such as by joining a certain newly formed party. The most pressing task for the new DPJ leadership is to quell these revolts.
苦戦が予想される選挙を控え、なお新党参加を視野に離党を模索する議員が少なくない。新布陣の眼目は、そんな動きを抑え込むことにある。

===

Mutual trust is essential

However, the DPJ executives should not engage in too much naval-gazing by focusing only on party unity. To break the current political stalemate, the ruling and opposition parties must build a trusting relationship.
　だが、党内融和を優先するだけの「内向き」な党運営であってはならない。政治の停滞を打破するには、与野党が信頼関係を築くことが不可欠である。

During the ordinary Diet session that ended in early September, the DPJ took primitive action over key legislation to reform the lower house electoral system, ramming its bill through the the lower house. Under its new leadership, we hope the DPJ will review how it handles Diet affairs.
　先の通常国会で民主党は、焦点の衆院選挙制度改革を巡り、独自の法案を強引に衆院通過させるなど稚拙な対応が目立った。新体制の発足を機に、国会運営のあり方を見直すべきだ。

The LDP also approved its new leadership lineup Friday. Former LDP policy chief Shigeru Ishiba was appointed secretary general, while former Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari was named chairman of the Policy Research Council. Yasukazu Hamada was promoted from acting chairman to head of the Diet Affairs Committee.
　一方、自民党では、幹事長に石破茂前政調会長、政調会長に甘利明元経済産業相、国対委員長に浜田靖一国対委員長代理がそれぞれ起用された。

Ishiba won the first round of the LDP presidential election comfortably through support from a majority of local chapters, but lost to Abe in the runoff, in which only party lawmakers could vote. Senior chapter officials voiced frustration with the results, and Ishiba was handed the party's No. 2 post in an apparent effort to placate them.
　総裁選の党員票で圧勝した石破氏が、国会議員の決選投票で敗れたことに地方の幹部から不満が噴出していた。石破氏の登用は、地方への配慮でもある。

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated recently, so it is also possible that Abe appointed Ishiba, considered an expert in security issues, to boost the party's chances in the next lower house election.
　日中関係が厳しい。安全保障に詳しい幹事長なら、選挙戦でもプラスに働くとの判断もあろう。

With five candidates having vied to lead the LDP, the election has left some rifts in the party and ill feelings have developed between some members. Abe will need to work to unify his party, but the prevalence of recent supporters, old-time allies and aides in his executive lineup is a worrisome sign.
　５氏による総裁選で、党内には亀裂や怨念が生まれている。安倍氏は、挙党体制作りに腐心せざるを得まい。それなのに、総裁選の論功行賞や盟友、側近の要職起用が多いのは気になる。

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Confirm 3-party alliance

We hope the executives of both major parties will reconfirm the three-party alliance by holding a meeting of the leaders of the DPJ, LDP and New Komeito, and begin preparations for an extraordinary Diet session. The alliance will be tested over a bill to allow issuance of deficit-covering bonds.
　民自両党の執行部は、公明党を含む党首会談で連携を確認し、臨時国会の準備に入るべきだ。赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案への対応が試金石となる。

During the campaign for LDP president, Ishiba said he would not set the dissolution of the lower house as a condition for the LDP's cooperation in the passage of key bills. He also ruled out the possibility of boycotting Diet deliberations, even though a censure motion was passed at the House of Councillors. We will view it as praiseworthy if the LDP adopts these ideas.
　石破氏は総裁選中に、衆院解散を法案成立の条件としない考えを示した。参院問責決議による審議拒否も否定している。そのまま党の方針となるなら評価できる。

Abe, however, has called on Noda to dissolve the lower house this year, while Ishiba said he would not stick to demanding dissolution at an early date. Abe and Ishiba differ strategically on other issues as well. How they coordinate their positions will likely affect the future course of this nation's politics.
　ただ、安倍氏は年内解散を主張し、石破氏は早期解散にこだわらない意向を示すなど、戦略には相違点が少なくない。両氏がどう調整するかは、今後の政治の行方を左右するだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2012)
（2012年9月29日01時32分  読売新聞）

日韓外相会談 対話継続で未来志向の関係を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 30, 2012)
Govt must continue dialogue with South Korea
日韓外相会談　対話継続で未来志向の関係を（9月29日付・読売社説）

Although discussions on territorial issues have ended without progress, it is significant that both sides reconfirmed the need to improve bilateral relations.
　領土問題は平行線だったが、２国間関係を改善する方針を確認した意義は小さくない。

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan, meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session in New York, agreed on the importance of trying to build "stable, future-oriented" relations between Japan and South Korea. The two sides also agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in such fields as the economy, human and cultural exchanges and security.
　玄葉外相と韓国の金星煥外交通商相が国連本部で会談し、「安定的で未来志向」の日韓関係の構築に向けて努力することで一致した。経済、人的・文化交流、安全保障などの分野で協力することでも合意した。

After South Korean President Lee Myung Bak made an unprecedented visit on Aug. 10 to Takeshima, the disputed islets in the Sea of Japan, a sequence of overly emotional actions taken by South Korea led to an angry round of finger-pointing between Tokyo and Seoul.
　８月１０日の李明博大統領の竹島訪問後、韓国側の一連の対応はあまりに感情的で、日韓両国は一時、非難合戦に陥った。

We are pleased to see the two countries at last beginning to move toward repairing bilateral ties from a broader point of view.
ようやく大局的な観点から、関係の立て直しに動き始めたことを歓迎したい。

Bilateral discord is certain to benefit North Korea in connection with such problems as its nuclear weapons development programs and abductions of Japanese and South Korean nationals.
　日韓の足並みが乱れては、核や拉致の問題で北朝鮮を利するだけだ。

===

No progress on Takeshima

As the main ally of both Tokyo and Seoul, the United States has expressed concern over the Japan-South Korea discord and encouraged Tokyo and Seoul to improve their relations.
日韓の対立については、同盟国の米国も懸念を隠さず、関係改善を働きかけていた。

Stabilization of relations with South Korea is very important for Japan, which has become embroiled in a major row with China over the government purchase of three of the Senkaku Islands from a private Japanese citizen.
　日本にとっては、尖閣諸島の国有化をめぐり対中関係が悪化している時だけに、対韓関係を安定化させる意味は大きい。

However, rapprochement between Japan and South Korea may be limited while South Korean President Lee is in office. For the moment, the Japanese government, by taking into account the inauguration of a new government in South Korea scheduled for February next year, must continue dialogue with Seoul at the foreign ministerial and other levels.
　李大統領の在任中の関係改善は限定的なものとなろうが、来年２月の韓国新政権発足後も視野に入れ、当面は、外相級などで対話を重ねることが重要である。

Concerning the islets of Takeshima, Gemba and Kim could do nothing in their talks but reiterate their countries' territorial arguments.
　竹島問題では、双方が従来の主張を繰り返すにとどまった。

In his speech in the United Nations, Kim stated, "No country should take advantage of international legal procedures for political purposes."
　金外相は国連演説で、「どの国も政治的目的のために国際法の手続きを利用すべきでない」などと語ったが、

There should be no problem at all, however, for any country to argue its case based on internationally accepted rules.
国際ルールに基づいて自国の主張を展開・実現することに何も問題はあるまい。

Because South Korea has rejected Japan's idea of jointly taking the dispute over the islets to the International Court of Justice, Japan must calmly prepare to unilaterally take the case to the U.N. court.
　韓国が国際司法裁判所（ＩＣＪ）への共同提訴を拒否した以上、日本は、単独提訴に向けて、準備を粛々と進める必要がある。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in his U.N. speech emphasized the importance of "the rule of law," declaring Japan's position of "upholding the principle of solving territorial disputes peacefully by complying with international law."
　野田首相は国連演説で、「法の支配」を重視し、領土紛争を「国際法に従い、平和的に解決する原則を堅持する」と宣言した。

Noda also prodded all member nations of the world body to accept compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ.
ＩＣＪに訴えられた際の応訴を義務づける「義務的管轄権」を各国が受諾することも呼びかけた。

===

China's high-handed diplomacy

Since 1958, Japan has recognized the authority of the ICJ, but a number of countries--including China and South Korea--do not accept the court's jurisdiction.
　日本は１９５８年から義務的管轄権を受諾しているが、中韓両国などは受諾していない。

As long as South Korea argues its claim to Takeshima, known as Dokdo in South Korea, is legitimate, it should hold its head high and fight out the issue at the ICJ.
　韓国も、竹島の領有権の正当性を主張するなら、本来、ＩＣＪで堂々と争えば良いはずだ。

Japan's appeal to the international community about its position of resolving territorial conflicts based on international law will distinguish it from China, which has been staging one-sided, high-handed diplomacy on the issue of sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
　日本が国際法に基づき領土紛争を解決する姿勢をアピールすることは、尖閣問題で一方的で高圧的な外交を展開する中国との違いを鮮明にする効果もあろう。

In the meeting with Gemba, the South Korean foreign minister raised the issue of so-called comfort women, reportedly calling on Japan to take "measures at state level."
　いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題については、金外相が提起し、「国家的次元の措置」を求めたという。

However, the issue between Japan and South Korea of wartime claims for compensation has been "fully and finally resolved" under the 1965 treaty for normalization of bilateral relations.
　日韓間の請求権問題は、６５年の国交正常化時に「完全かつ最終的に解決」している。

The government must steadfastly refrain from an easy compromise over this matter.
日本は、安易な妥協は厳に慎むべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2012)
（2012年9月29日01時32分  読売新聞）

日中国交４０年 「互恵」再構築へ長期戦略を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 29, 2012)
Long-range strategy a must for Japan-China reciprocity
日中国交４０年　「互恵」再構築へ長期戦略を（9月28日付・読売社説）

　◆外交力の発揮で事態悪化防げ◆

When diplomatic relations were established between Japan and China in 1972, who could have imagined the relationship would become as strained as it is now?
　日中両国が国交を樹立した時、これほどまで関係が険悪になると誰が予想しただろうか。

Saturday marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of a joint declaration by then Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing. Despite the importance of the milestone, events celebrating Japan-China ties have been canceled or suspended one after another.
　訪中した田中角栄首相が周恩来首相と共同声明に調印してから、２９日で４０年になる。節目の年なのに、記念行事が次々打ち切られている。

Boycotts of Japanese goods have spread in China, and the bilateral relationship is in an unprecedentedly grave situation. There are no signs that Chinese protests against Japan's decision to nationalize the Senkaku Islands will subside anytime soon.
　中国では日本製品の不買運動も広がっている。かつてない深刻な事態だ。尖閣諸島国有化への中国の反発は収束する気配がない。

Rocky relations between the world's No. 2 and No. 3 economies are bound to have an adverse effect on the region as well as the global economy.
　しかし、世界第２、３位の経済大国の不正常な関係は周辺地域や世界経済にも悪影響を与える。

How should Japan deal with China? First, it must map out and execute a long-range strategy for normalizing relations.
日本は今後、中国とどう向き合っていくか。関係の正常化へ長期的な戦略が欠かせない。

===

A political, economic chill
　◆「政冷経冷」の対日意識◆

Among the anti-Japan demonstrations that have occurred recently in China, the event that best symbolizes the bleak state of bilateral ties was the attack on a Panasonic Corp. factory by a violent mob.
　中国各地で起きた反日デモの中で、パナソニックの工場が暴徒に襲われた事件ほど、日中の寒々しい現状を象徴するものはない。

Panasonic has played a pioneering role among Japanese firms in expanding its operations in China.
　パナソニックは中国進出の先駆的企業である。

A meeting in 1978 between Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of the current Panasonic, and visiting Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping served as a catalyst for expansion by Japanese companies in China. In the meeting, Deng asked Matsushita to support China's development with both technology and business management.
１９７８年、来日したトウ小平副首相が創業者の松下幸之助氏と会い、中国発展のために技術、経営面での支援を求めたことがきっかけとなった。

In the wake of the meeting, Japanese firms rushed to establish offices in China, which created many jobs. In addition, the Japanese government continued to loan China yen until fiscal 2007.
　その後、多くの企業が中国で事業を拡大し、雇用も生んできた。日本は２００７年度まで円借款を供与し続けた。

There is no doubt the assistance of the Japanese government and companies strengthened China's economic fundamentals and helped China's economy surpass even that of Japan's in terms of gross domestic product.
　それが中国の経済基盤を強化し、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）が日本を上回るほどに成長する一助となったことは間違いない。

Japan's cooperation with China, however, is largely unknown to the ordinary people of China.
　だが、日本の協力姿勢は中国国内でほとんど認識されていない。

On the contrary, China in the 1990s strengthened patriotic education in its schools, inculcating anti-Japan sentiment and spreading attitudes downplaying Japan's role among the Chinese public even as the economy developed.
それどころか、９０年代に反日の愛国教育が強まり、経済発展に伴って日本軽視の風潮が広がった。

This state of mind appears to be intensifying in China, allowing the current political and economic chill in the bilateral relationship.
　中国では、対日関係は政治も経済も低調な「政冷経冷」で構わないとの意識が強まっている。

Nevertheless, it should never be forgotten that the economies of Japan and China have grown deeply intertwined.
　しかし、日中両国は経済的に不即不離の関係にある。

The two countries have established a system of international division of labor in which China imports industrial parts from Japan to assemble into finished products. These are then marketed domestically in China or exported to the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Both sides must not forget this fact.
日本から輸入した部品を中国で最終製品に組み立て、中国国内で販売したり、欧米などに輸出したりする国際分業体制が築かれている。そのことを忘れてはなるまい。

===

Strengthen coast guard
　◆尖閣で必要な海保強化◆

The root cause of problems surrounding the Senkaku Islands lies in China's unilateral assertion of a groundless claim to the islets in the 1970s, but only after learning that the area of the East China Sea around the islands might contain rich oil resources.
　尖閣諸島問題の根源は、周辺海域に石油があることを知った中国が７０年代、根拠もない領有権を一方的に主張したことにある。

At a press conference when the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China came into effect in 1978, Deng said, "It does not matter if this question [the dispute over the Senkaku Islands] is shelved for some time," thus proposing leaving the issue to future generations to solve.
　トウ小平氏は７８年、日中平和友好条約発効の際の記者会見で、尖閣問題について「一時棚上げにしても構わない」と語り、解決を次世代に委ねる意向を表明した。

However, China in 1992 enacted its Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, which specifies that the islands belong to China. More recently, China has caused friction to flare by repeatedly sending surveillance ships to the waters around the islands.
　だが、中国は、９２年には尖閣領有を明記した領海法を制定し、近年は、監視船を尖閣諸島近海に再三派遣するなど事あるごとに日本との摩擦を引き起こしてきた。

The recent nationalization of some of the Senkaku Islands is merely a transfer of ownership from a private citizen to the central government. China may have been angered because the purchase took place shortly after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Vladivostok, Russia, but China's ire has been greater than Japan expected.
　尖閣諸島の国有化は、所有権が民間人から政府に移転するだけのことである。ロシア・ウラジオストクで野田首相と胡錦濤国家主席が会った直後に、国有化したことが中国を刺激した面はあるが、中国の反発は予想を超えていた。

At a recent meeting between Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in New York, Yang called Japan's nationalization of the islands a "denial" of the outcome of "the anti-fascist war," by which he meant China's victory over Japan in World War II.
　日中外相会談で中国側が国有化を「反ファシズム戦争勝利の成果を否定するものだ」と指摘し、

We see Yang's attempt to associate the islands with unrelated historical events as extremely far-fetched.
無関係な歴史問題と絡めたのは、あまりに牽強(けんきょう)付会(ふかい)だ。

Japan should not stand idly by while China battles for world opinion by vehemently criticizing Japan over nonexistent "faults."
　ありもしない日本の「非」を世界に言い募る中国の「世論戦」に日本は手をこまねいてはいられない。

Noda, speaking before the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, said, "Any attempt by a nation to achieve its ideology or claims through the unilateral threat or use of force is absolutely unacceptable." We see this view as eminently reasonable.
野田首相が国連演説で、中国を念頭に「一方的な力や威嚇を用いる試みは受け入れられない」と主張したのは、当然である。

China recently launched its first aircraft carrier. The country's policy of expanding its military is sure to continue under its new leadership and will likely be promoted more strongly than ever.
　中国初の空母も就役した。軍拡路線は、近く発足する新指導部へ引き継がれ、より強力に進められよう。

If effective control over the Senkaku Islands were lost, it would be extremely difficult to regain. Therefore, the government must set as its highest priority the strengthening of the Japan Coast Guard's capabilities to counter any infringement on the nation's sovereignty.
　尖閣諸島で実効支配をいったん失ってしまえば、取り戻すのは非常に困難となる。主権を侵害する行為を排除できるよう海上保安庁の体制強化に国を挙げて取り組むことが最優先である。

Needless to say, a military confrontation must be avoided at all costs. The deployment of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture is an important part of boosting deterrence toward China.
　無論、軍事的対立は何としても避けなければならない。米海兵隊が新型輸送機オスプレイを沖縄に配備することも、対中抑止力を強める意味で重要である。

===

Achieve prosperity together
　◆経済・環境で共栄を◆

Since several years ago, beginning with the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan had held talks with China over the joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea from the standpoint of fostering a "strategically reciprocal relationship" so both nations could live in harmony and prosperity.
　安倍内閣以降、日中両国はウィンウィン（共存共栄）を意味する「戦略的互恵関係」を基軸に東シナ海のガス田共同開発協議などを進めた。

However, "reciprocal" ties have been stalled since a Chinese fishing vessel rammed JCG patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in 2010.
だが、１０年の尖閣諸島沖の漁船衝突事件後、暗礁に乗り上げている。

Thorough preparations are essential to rebuilding the reciprocal relationship. The government must inform China through various channels that it is willing to cooperate, not only in the industrial and tourism sectors and in enhancing agricultural productivity, but also in areas such as energy efficiency and environmental protection.
　互恵関係を立て直すには周到な準備が欠かせない。日中双方が産業・観光振興、農業の生産性向上の分野だけではなく、省エネや環境対策などの分野でも協力し合えることを、様々なパイプを駆使して、中国に伝えるべきだ。

Close cooperation with the United States is also vital in improving the Japan-China relationship, as is strategic diplomacy by reinforcing ties with neighbors, including India, Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
　米国との緊密な連携も日中関係の改善を図るには不可欠だ。同時に東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）、インド、ロシアなど、周辺国との関係を強化し、戦略的に対中外交を展開する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 28, 2012)
（2012年9月28日01時12分  読売新聞）

安倍自民新総裁 政権奪還への政策力を高めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 28, 2012)
Abe should enhance policymaking capability to retake reins of govt
安倍自民新総裁　政権奪還への政策力を高めよ（9月27日付・読売社説）

　◆保守志向が再登板の追い風に◆

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "retry" comes with a heavy task--retaking the reins of government.
　政権奪還という重い課題を担っての「再チャレンジ」である。

Abe was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, defeating four contenders, including former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba.
　自民党総裁選は、安倍晋三元首相が、石破茂前政調会長ら４氏を破り、新総裁に選出された。

Ishiba won the first round of the race by securing a majority of local chapters' votes, but Abe turned the tables in a runoff in which only Diet members were eligible to vote.
　第１回投票では、石破氏が地方票の過半数を獲得して１位となったが、国会議員による決選投票で安倍氏が逆転した。

Depending on the results of the next House of Representatives election, it is highly likely that Abe will become prime minister. After winning the presidential election, Abe expressed his resolve, saying: "I'll make all-out efforts to retake the reins of government. I'll make a strong Japan." He needs to devise a strategy and policy to revive the nation starting now.
　安倍氏は、次期衆院選の結果次第では首相に就任する可能性が大きい。当選後のあいさつでは「政権奪還に向けて全力を尽くす。強い日本をつくる」と、決意を表明した。今から日本再生への戦略と政策を練る必要がある。

===

Senkaku issue changes race
　◆「尖閣」で地方票に変化◆

The fact that the runoff was fought by Abe and Ishiba, neither of whom head their own faction, illustrates the changes in LDP presidential elections, which in the past were characterized by alliances of intra-party factions.
　派閥の代表ではない安倍、石破両氏が決選投票を争ったことは、派閥の合従連衡による総裁選からの変化をうかがわせる。

Initially, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara was seen as the likeliest to win the LDP presidency, but Abe and Ishiba expanded their support among local rank-and-file members. This is obviously related to China's high-handed behavior toward Japan over the Senkaku Islands.
　当初は石原伸晃幹事長が有力視されたが、安倍、石破両氏が地方の党員に支持を広げた。これは総裁選のさなか、中国が尖閣諸島を巡って日本に高圧的な外交を展開したことと無縁ではない。

During the presidential election campaign, Abe and Ishiba stressed the importance of diplomacy and security policy, saying they will resolutely protect Japan's land and territorial waters.
　両氏とも総裁選では、日本の領土・領海を「断固として守る」と訴え、外交・安全保障政策の重要性を強調した。

However, we cannot expect sticking to a hard-line stance to improve Japan's relationship with China.
　しかし、中国に強硬一辺倒の姿勢では関係改善は望めない。

When he was prime minister, Abe rebuilt the relationship with China, which had deteriorated under the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Abe agreed with Beijing to seek a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests."
　安倍氏は首相時代に、小泉内閣で悪化した対中関係を立て直し、中国と「戦略的互恵関係」を目指すことで合意した。

Amid growing anti-Japan sentiment in China after the Japanese government's purchase of three of the Senkaku Islands, concrete measures to rebuild the Japan-China relationship are now called for again.
尖閣諸島国有化で中国の反日機運が高まる中、日中関係を再構築する具体策が改めて求められている。

Abe indicated that he will work on strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance by enabling Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense and also that he would work to amend the Constitution. In addition, he has a favorable attitude toward reviewing a 1993 statement concerning so-called comfort women, which was issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono.
　安倍氏は、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることによる日米同盟の強化や、憲法改正に取り組む考えを示している。いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題に関する「河野談話」の見直しにも前向きだ。

These are all reasonable aspirations. We urge Abe to present concrete steps to realize them.
　いずれも妥当な考え方である。実現に向けて、具体的な道筋を示してもらいたい。

It was unfortunate that there was little in-depth discussion on the challenges Japan currently faces during the party presidential race.
　総裁選で残念だったのは、日本の直面する課題について、踏み込んだ議論が乏しかったことだ。

===

Show clear stance on TPP, energy
　◆ＴＰＰ・原発政策示せ◆

Regarding the issue of whether to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, Abe has been wary of clarifying his stance. "We first have to enhance our bargaining power. Then we should consider whether [joining the TPP] would serve the interests of the nation," he said.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題で、安倍氏は「交渉力を強めた上で、国益を守れるかどうか考えないといけない」と慎重な発言に終始した。

A considerable number of LDP members oppose Japan's joining the TPP, so we assume Abe was concerned about the opinion of such lawmakers. However, if Abe really plans to lead the party in regaining power from the Democratic Party of Japan, he must prepare measures to enhance the competitiveness of the nation's agricultural sector and pave the way for the nation to join negotiations for the TPP.
　党内に根強いＴＰＰ参加反対論に配慮したのだろうが、政権奪還を目指すなら、農業の競争力強化策をまとめ、交渉参加への環境を整えなければならない。

On the energy issue, it was appropriate for him to express negative views on the DPJ-led government's "zero nuclear" policy. However, that is not enough.
　エネルギー問題でも、政府・民主党の「原発ゼロ」方針に否定的な見解を示したのは適切だったにせよ、それだけでは不十分だ。

Abe should lead discussions within the party over an energy policy capable of securing a stable supply of electricity for the nation--a purpose for which safe nuclear power plants are necessary--and come up with a viable counterproposal.
　安全な原発は活用し、電力を安定供給できるエネルギー政策について党内で議論を深め、責任ある対案を打ち出すべきである。

Six years ago, Abe became the first Japanese born after World War II to assume the post of prime minister. Under the slogan of "departing from the postwar regime," he revised the Fundamental Law of Education and upgraded the Defense Agency to the Defense Ministry. His other achievements include the enactment of the National Referendum Law, which stipulated procedures to amend the Constitution.
　安倍氏は６年前、戦後生まれで初の首相となった。「戦後レジーム（体制）からの脱却」を掲げ、教育基本法を改正し、防衛庁を省に格上げした。憲法改正手続きを定めた国民投票法も成立させるなど実績を上げている。

However, under his leadership, the LDP suffered a humiliating defeat in the House of Councillors election in July 2007, which divided the Diet as opposition parties took control of the upper house. Soon after the election, Abe resigned from his post.
　しかし、２００７年７月の参院選に惨敗し、衆参ねじれ国会を生んだ。

It is now said that one of the reasons Abe decided to quit was a chronic disease--ulcerative colitis--but the abrupt resignation left a strong impression with the public that Abe had irresponsibly thrown away his administration.
その後の突然の辞任は、潰瘍性大腸炎という持病が一因とされるが、政権を無責任に投げ出した印象が強く残っている。

Abe will be tested on whether he can wipe away his negative image of being plagued with health problems and a lack of vigor.
　安倍氏には、「健康不安」やひ弱なイメージを払拭できるかどうかが、問われよう。

Abe's first task as new LDP president will be to appoint new party executives.
　新総裁として最初に取り組むのは党役員人事である。

In the first round of the presidential race, Ishiba secured a majority of votes cast by local chapters. At a press conference held after being chosen as the new president, Abe said he will "take this fact seriously." The results showed that Ishiba is highly popular at the local level. It would be reasonable for Abe to give him an important post.
　安倍氏は、総裁就任後の記者会見で、石破氏が党員票の過半数を獲得したことについて「重く受け止めなければならない」と述べた。石破氏には地方に圧倒的な支持のあることが裏付けられた。要職に起用するのは理解できる。

During his time as prime minister, Abe was criticized for appointing too many of his sworn friends and aides to important Cabinet posts. We would like to carefully watch to whom Abe will give senior party posts.
　安倍氏は首相時代に内閣の要職を盟友や側近で固め、批判を浴びた。今回、党役員にどういう人材を登用するかも注目したい。

===

Avoid unproductive confrontations
　◆解散で「紳士協定」を◆

How Abe will steer the LDP in the next extraordinary Diet session will be important in determining his fate as the new leader.
　重要なのは、次期臨時国会での対応である。

The ordinary Diet session closed earlier this month after the upper house adopted an opposition-backed censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. The LDP has said the fact that the upper house has adopted the censure motion will carry over to the next Diet session. However, Abe showed a flexible attitude on the censure motion at the press conference, saying that his party will not necessarily refuse to participate in all Diet deliberations.
　先の通常国会は、参院で野田首相の問責決議を可決したまま閉会した。これまで自民党は問責の効力が次の国会にも及ぶとしてきたが、安倍氏は記者会見で、一切審議を拒否するわけではないと柔軟な姿勢を示した。

It seems that Abe wants to hold Noda to his promise to dissolve the lower house "sometime soon," which the LDP regards as a gentlemen's agreement, in exchange for the LDP's cooperating with the Noda administration on such matters as the passage of a special bill that enables the government to issue deficit-covering bonds in the extraordinary Diet session. We believe this is a constructive approach.
　赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案の成立などに協力する代わりに、野田首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散を「紳士協定」として確認したい考えのようだ。建設的な提案だと評価できる。

Abe was plagued by a divided Diet when he was the prime minister. It is time to put an end to unproductive confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties, such as opposition parties refusing to participate in Diet deliberations and justifying it with the passage of a censure motion, and political paralysis caused by such confrontations.
　安倍氏自身、首相時代にねじれ国会に悩まされた。参院の問責決議を理由にした審議拒否など不毛な与野党対立や政治の停滞には、もう終止符を打つ時である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2012)
（2012年9月27日01時30分  読売新聞）

中台の領海侵入 示威行動に動ぜず冷静対処を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 27, 2012)
Japan should not be perturbed by recent territorial intrusions
中台の領海侵入　示威行動に動ぜず冷静対処を（9月26日付・読売社説）

China and Taiwan are stepping up pressure on Japan over the Senkaku Islands. The government must remain unshaken by this, and should seek to calm the situation through levelheaded diplomacy as soon as possible.
　尖閣諸島を巡って中国と台湾が対日圧力を高めている。政府は、これに動じることなく、冷静な外交によって事態の沈静化を急ぐべきである。

A week has passed since China sent about 10 surveillance ships at one time to areas around the Senkaku Islands. China has repeatedly intruded into Japan's territorial waters, making such surveillance activities appear to be routine operations.
　中国が尖閣諸島近くに１０隻前後の監視船を送り込んでから１週間が経過した。監視活動を常態化させ、日本の領海への侵入を繰り返している。

On Tuesday, about 40 Taiwan fishing boats and 12 patrol ships entered Japan's territorial waters. The Taiwan vessels departed after Japan Coast Guard patrol ships took measures against the intruders, such as spraying water at fishing boats.
　２５日には、台湾の漁船約４０隻と巡視船１２隻が領海に入った。海上保安庁の巡視船による漁船への放水などで、台湾側は退去した。

Taiwan and China in succession started claiming territorial rights over the Senkaku Islands during the 1970s. If the government allows Taiwan and China to enter Japan's territorial waters with impunity, the nation's effective control of the islands might be shaken.
　尖閣諸島に関しては、台湾、中国が１９７０年代に相次いで領有権を主張し始めた。その中台が領海に侵入するような事態を放置すれば、日本の実効支配体制が揺らぐことになりかねない。

The government must address the issue with precautions and countermeasures. To maintain maritime order, surveillance by JCG patrol ships and other means must be strengthened as much as possible.
　政府は警戒と対策が必要だ。海洋秩序を維持するため、海保の巡視船などによる監視体制を最大限強化しなければならない。

===

Enforcement must be firm

With the enforcement of the revised law on navigation of foreign ships, the JCG is now allowed to issue an order for foreign fishing boats operating in Japan's territorial waters to exit without boarding the vessels. It is essential to eliminate illegal actions more quickly and effectively than before and demonstrate the nation's determination to protect its sovereignty.
　改正外国船舶航行法の施行によって、海保は領海内を動き回る外国漁船に対し、立ち入り検査なしに退去を命令できるようになった。より迅速かつ効果的に違法行為を排除し、主権を守る姿勢を示すことが重要である。

Since the government placed the Senkaku Islands under state ownership, China has continued making outrageous responses.
　日本が尖閣諸島を国有化して以降、度を越した中国の反発が続いている。

China has called off exchange events with Japan in economic, cultural and sports fields one after another. A major memorial event to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. So has a visit to China by a Japanese business organization. This is an unusual situation.
　日本との経済や文化、スポーツ交流は続々と停止された。２７日に予定されていた国交正常化４０周年記念式典は中止され、日本の経済団体の訪中も取りやめとなった。異常な事態である。

These unilateral actions will undermine the international reputation of China itself. Further deterioration in Japan-China relations will only leave scars that will be hard to erase, and the situation will become much more difficult to heal.
　こうした一方的な措置は、中国自身の国際的評価を貶(おとし)めよう。日中関係のこれ以上の悪化は両国に拭いがたい傷を残し、修復を一層困難とするだけだ。

===

Clear understanding needed

The fact that Japan has effectively controlled the Senkaku Islands has not been properly conveyed to the Chinese people due to Beijing's control of the media in that nation. We suspect the Chinese people do not understand what Japan's "nationalization" of the islands means.
　日本が尖閣諸島を実効支配してきた事実は、中国の報道規制で国民にきちんと伝わっていない。中国国民は「国有化」の意味を理解していないのではないか。

China is stepping up its diplomatic offensive as well. It has released a white paper to justify its territorial claim to the Senkaku Islands. In doing so, Beijing apparently aims to make its case in the court of world opinion.
　中国は外交攻勢も強めている。自らの尖閣諸島領有の主張を正当化する「白書」を発表した。世界にアピールするのが狙いだ。

Japan, for its part, needs to make other nations properly understand what has happened with the Senkaku Islands and how calmly Japan has dealt with the issue.
　日本も、尖閣問題の経緯と日本側の冷静な対応を各国にきちんと理解してもらう必要がある。

Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai has held talks with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Zhijun, at the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. The Chinese side reportedly said that Japan "must abandon any illusion, face up to its erroneous actions and correct them with credible steps."
　河相周夫外務次官が北京で中国外務省の張志軍筆頭次官と会談した。中国側は日本に対し、「幻想を捨てて深く反省し、行動で誤りを正す」よう求めたという。

This highlighted Beijing's usual high-handed attitude. But the fact that the two nations agreed to continue talks on the matter can be viewed as positive. The government should find a way to break the deadlock by having a series of talks between foreign ministers as well as between the top leaders of the two nations.
　相変わらずの高圧的な態度だ。ただ、両国が協議の継続で一致したことは評価できる。外相や首脳同士の対話も重ね、事態打開の道筋を模索すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2012)
（2012年9月26日01時22分  読売新聞）

最高人民会議 不透明な「北」の経済立て直し

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 27, 2012)
Outlook for North Korea's economic revival uncertain
最高人民会議　不透明な「北」の経済立て直し（9月26日付・読売社説）

North Korea is seemingly laying the foundation for future development. But it remains to be seen what results Kim Jong Un's reform initiatives will produce.
　将来を見越して布石を打っているのだろう。どれだけ成果を上げられるかは依然、不透明だ。

The Supreme People's Assembly--North Korea's parliament--held a one-day session Tuesday. It was the second assembly session held since Kim Jong Un's regime was inaugurated in April.
　北朝鮮で、国会にあたる最高人民会議が開かれた。４月に正式に発足した金正恩体制下で２回目の開催である。

In the latest session, the assembly decided to extend the term of compulsory education from the current 11 years to 12 years. The reform is reportedly aimed at bolstering children's education on computer technology and foreign languages in addition to basic knowledge.
　今回の会議では、現在１１年の義務教育を１２年に延長する決定が行われた。基礎的知識に加えてコンピューター技術や外国語の教育を強化するという。

North Korea aims to foster human resources who can survive fierce international competition by extending the term of primary and middle school education to the levels of Japan and South Korea. Of course, Pyongyang also will have factored in that this will help that nation's military modernization, such as development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
　初等中等教育の年数を日本や韓国並みに充実させることで、激しい国際競争に負けない人材を育てる狙いがある。核兵器や弾道ミサイル開発など軍事近代化への対応も当然、計算に入れていよう。

Greater emphasis on education can be taken as one measure by the six-month-old Kim Jong Un regime to lay the foundation for a long-term grip on the country.
　教育の重視は、発足から約半年たった金正恩体制が、長期執権をにらんだ基礎固めの施策の一つととらえることができる。

But more than that, the most pressing priority for the new regime is economic reconstruction.
　もとより体制にとって最優先の課題は、経済の立て直しだ。

===

Plight deepening

The international community has imposed economic sanctions on North Korea after it charged ahead with nuclear and ballistic missile launch tests in defiance of strong objections. A string of policy blunders plus these self-invited economic sanctions have deepened North Korea's predicament.
　北朝鮮は、核実験や弾道ミサイル発射を強行したことによって、国際社会の経済制裁下にある。政策の失敗に加え、自ら招いた制裁の下で、苦境は深まる一方だ。

Unless North Korea resolves its food shortage so the people have enough to eat and feel their lives have improved, the regime will inevitably collapse from within.
　国民が不自由なく食べられるよう食糧問題を解決し、暮らしがよくなったと実感できる成果を上げなければ、体制は内部から崩壊せざるを得まい。

It is no wonder that the Kim Jong Un regime is fretting about how to strengthen ties with China, North Korea's biggest aid donor and traditional ally.
　金正恩体制が、最大の支援国で伝統的友邦の中国と、関係強化に腐心するのは不思議ではない。

Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, made his diplomatic debut in August when he met with Wan Jiarui, the visiting head of the Chinese Communist Party's International Department.
　金正恩朝鮮労働党第１書記は８月、訪朝した中国共産党の王家瑞・対外連絡部長と会談し、外交デビューを果たした。

===

Track record not encouraging

That same month, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Un's uncle-in-law and vice chairman of the National Defense Commission, visited China and agreed with the Chinese side to jointly develop a special economic zone on the countries' border. Pyongyang hopes to earn foreign currency by using Chinese investment in the project as leverage.
　同じ８月、第１書記の義理の叔父、張成沢・国防委員会副委員長が訪中し、中朝国境地帯にある経済特区の共同開発推進で中国側と合意した。中国の投資をテコに外貨を稼ごうという計画だ。

Speculation is rife that Chinese leaders will pledge additional assistance to North Korea during Kim Jong Un's visit to China, which is expected soon.
　近く実現するとみられる第１書記の訪中の際に、中国の指導部が一層の援助を約束するのではないか、との観測が強い。

To enhance agricultural and industrial productivity, North Korea is reportedly considering introducing a new system that would permit private possession of surplus goods after production quotas have been met.
　北朝鮮自身、農業や工業の生産性向上のため、生産割り当て分を達成しさえすれば、余剰分については私有などを認める新制度を導入するとも伝えられている。

It seems North Korea is making full-fledged efforts toward rebuilding its economy.
　経済再建へ、取り組みを本格化しているように見える。

However, Pyongyang has a track record of economic reform failures that have generated confusion. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the country has changed its "military-first politics." If new policies are implemented but prove unsuccessful, serious backlashes and side effects could erupt.
　だが、北朝鮮は過去にも経済改革を試みては失敗し、混乱を招いた経緯がある。まして、軍事最優先の「先軍政治」を転換したかどうかも定かでない。新たな政策を展開するにせよ、成果が上がらねば深刻な反動や副作用が出る。

It will be necessary to keep a wary eye on the course Kim Jong Un's regime will take.
　金正恩体制の行方は、なお慎重に見極める必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2012)
（2012年9月26日01時22分  読売新聞）

液化天然ガス 官民連携で高値買い是正せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 26, 2012)
Public, private sectors must team up to lower LNG prices
液化天然ガス　官民連携で高値買い是正せよ（9月25日付・読売社説）

Imports of liquefied natural gas to be used as fuel for thermal power plants have skyrocketed, and the price of LNG has been surging. The public and private sectors must cooperate more to ensure LNG can be procured at a lower price.
　火力発電所の燃料となる液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）の輸入が急増し、価格も急騰している。官民連携を強め、安価での調達を目指さねばならない。

LNG-consuming nations, including Japan and South Korea, and producing countries, including Qatar, took part in the first LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Tokyo last week.
　日本、韓国などの消費国と、カタールなど生産国による初めてのＬＮＧ会議が東京で開かれた。

Japan is the world's biggest LNG importer and sucks up 30 percent of the total production volume. Since the crisis began at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, Japan has increased its reliance on thermal power generation as an alternative to nuclear power.
　日本のＬＮＧ輸入量は世界１位で、全生産量の３割を輸入する。東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故後、原発の代替電源として火力発電の依存度が一層高まった。

Before the crisis, Japan's LNG import bill came to about 3 trillion yen a year. This is expected to double to about 6 trillion yen this year.
　事故前のＬＮＧ輸入額は年３兆円程度だったのに、今年は約６兆円に倍増する見通しだ。

If generation costs at electric power companies increase and these costs are passed on through higher electricity bills, it will deal a blow to industries and people's daily lives.
　電力会社の発電コストが上昇し、料金に転嫁されると、産業や国民生活に打撃を与えよう。

===

Paying a 'Japan premium'

We are concerned that LNG import prices have surged to about six times the price of natural gas in North America.
　懸念されるのは、その輸入価格が北米での天然ガス価格の約６倍にも急騰していることだ。

LNG prices in Asia are linked to crude oil prices; the recent spike in LNG is partly due to higher oil prices. During last week's conference, Japan called for a review of the current crude oil-linked pricing system, but discussions on the matter ended up being carried over to the next conference.
　アジアのＬＮＧ価格は、原油価格に連動する仕組みで、原油高につられているのが一因だ。日本は今回の会議で現行方式の見直しを訴えたが、持ち越された。

The top LNG importers following Japan are South Korea, Taiwan, China and India. Asian countries and regions import more than 60 percent of total global LNG output.
　日本に次ぐＬＮＧの輸入国・地域は、韓国、台湾、中国、インドで、アジア勢の総輸入量は世界生産量の６割を超える。

It is essential for Japan, together with South Korea and other nations, to introduce a new pricing system and lower LNG prices by pressing producing countries.
　韓国などと結束して生産国に迫り、新価格決定方式と価格引き下げを実現することが重要だ。

As for price negotiations with LNG-producers, we hope a method in which not just a single company but many firms, including electricity and gas utilities, can jointly participate will be considered.
　生産国側との価格交渉も、１社単位ではなく、電力会社やガス会社など多数の企業が連携して行う方法を併せて検討してほしい。

With Japan unable to restart idled nuclear reactors and the government laying out a zero nuclear power policy, LNG producers are cashing in by charging a "Japan premium"--forcing Japan to pay a higher price for LNG.
　日本が原発を再稼働できず、政府が原発ゼロ方針を打ち出したことで、生産国から足元を見られ、「ジャパンプレミアム」という高値買いを強いられている。

To alleviate this situation, the government should quickly reactivate nuclear reactors once they have been confirmed safe to operate. The government must give consideration to maintaining a balance among power sources, or it could find itself at even more of a disadvantage when negotiating LNG prices.
　この状況を改めるためにも、政府は安全性が確認できた原発の再稼働を急ぐ必要がある。電源バランスを考慮しないと、ＬＮＧの価格交渉でさらに不利になろう。

===

Shale gas could be savior

In the United States and other countries, new technologies are being used to extract shale gas contained in rocks deep underground. Shale gas reserves are huge, and extracting them will likely relax the supply-demand balance in the market in the future. Some observers have called this the "shale gas revolution."
　米国などでは、地中深い岩盤に含まれる天然ガスのシェールガスが新技術で採取されている。埋蔵量は膨大で、将来、市場の需給緩和につながる可能性が高い。シェールガス革命と言われる。

It is encouraging that Japanese trading and other companies have started moves to obtain concessions to develop shale gas fields in the United States. The government should provide massive development funds and build a framework that will ensure the stable procurement of shale gas.
　日本の大手商社などが米国でのシェールガスの開発権益獲得に動き出したのは期待できる。巨額な開発資金を政府も支援し、安定調達できる体制を整えるべきだ。

However, the United States has decided that its LNG can be exported only to nations that are signatories of free trade agreements with Washington.
　ただし、米国政府はＬＮＧ輸出先について自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の締結国を条件としている。

The U.S. policy on LNG exports under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement--an expanded version of an FTA--remains unclear. Nevertheless, Japan, to prepare for the future, needs to quickly announce it will participate in the TPP to ensure negotiations on the trade framework are to its advantage.
　ＦＴＡの拡大版である環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）での米国の方針は不明だが、日本は将来に備え、ＴＰＰ参加を早期に表明して有利に交渉する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2012)
（2012年9月25日02時13分  読売新聞）

いじめ問題 悪質な行為には厳しい処置を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 26, 2012)
Malicious bullying must be sternly punished
いじめ問題　悪質な行為には厳しい処置を（9月25日付・読売社説）

Serious bullying cases have been revealed one after another.
　深刻ないじめが相次いで表面化している。

To discover bullying early, it is essential for teachers not to overlook signals given by students.
　教師は、いじめの早期発見のため、子供が発するサインを見逃さないことが大切だ。

In Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, a male second-year student at a municipal middle school was critically injured in January when he was beaten unconscious by male classmates. He had been bullied frequently since entering the school.
　埼玉県川越市で今年１月、市立中学２年の男子生徒が同級生から暴行され、意識不明の重体となった。この生徒は入学時から常習的ないじめを受けていた。

In Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture, a male second-year student at a prefectural high school committed suicide this month. It was revealed that he had also been bullied by classmates.
　兵庫県川西市では今月、県立高校２年の男子生徒が自殺した。やはり同級生からのいじめがあったことが明らかになっている。

The school authorities failed to detect the signs of bullying in either case. It is truly regrettable that adequate measures could not be taken before the lives of the students were threatened.
　いずれも学校はいじめを見抜けなかった。子供たちの命が脅かされるまで適切な対応がとられなかったことが残念でならない。

According to a survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, 70,231 cases of bullying were acknowledged in fiscal 2011 by primary, middle and high schools and other entities across the country. The figure shows a decrease of 7,399 from the previous fiscal year and represents the lowest since the current survey method was introduced in fiscal 2006.
　文部科学省の調査によると、昨年度に全国の小中高校などで認知されたいじめは７万２３１件だった。前年度より７３９９件減少し、現在の調査方法になった２００６年度以降では最も少ない。

===

Findings cannot be trusted

But these survey findings cannot be taken at face value because, as in the Kawagoe and Kawanishi cases, school authorities have been shown to be lax in detecting bullying. A typical example is a case in Otsu in which a second-year student at a municipal middle school killed himself.
　しかし、この結果を額面通りに受け取る訳にはいかない。川越市や川西市のケースのように、学校側の実態把握に甘さがあるからだ。滋賀県大津市の市立中学２年生が自殺した事件は、その典型と言えるだろう。

In dealing with bullying, bullies must be given persistent guidance.
　いじめ問題の対応では、加害生徒らを粘り強く指導し、解決に導いていくことが求められる。

If guidance does not help, school authorities will have to take stern action.
　それでも、いじめがやまず、指導の限界を超えるような場合には、学校側が厳しい処置をとることが必要だ。

One such action could be suspension.
　その一つが、加害生徒への出席停止措置の活用である。

In the case of pupils and students at public primary and middle schools, suspension is provided for in the School Eduction Law.
　公立小中学校の場合、児童・生徒の出席停止は、学校教育法に規定されている。

The Education Rebuilding Council, a government advisory panel, has recommended the active use of suspension to deal with bullying.
これまでも、教育再生会議がいじめ対策として、積極活用を提言している。

But there were only 11 cases in the past five years in which suspension was applied to stop bullying. There were none in fiscal 2011.
　しかし、過去５年間にいじめを理由にした出席停止は１１件にとどまり、昨年度はゼロだった。

===

Respect dignity of victims

On the other hand, as many as 353 primary and middle school victims of bullying transferred to other schools in fiscal 2011.
　一方で、昨年度にいじめを受けて転校した小中学生は３５３人にのぼる。

It is problematic that the victims ended up being driven out by the bullies.
加害者が被害者を学校から追い出す結果になっているのは問題である。

Bullying should be reported to police without hesitation.
　警察への通報もためらうべきではない。

The education ministry, for its part, has incorporated strengthened cooperation with police in the overall anti-bullying measures it compiled this month.
文科省も、今月まとめた「いじめ総合対策」に、警察との連携強化を盛り込んだ。

From an educational standpoint, school authorities still tend to take a passive stance toward cooperating with police in dealing with school bullies.
　学校現場には、加害生徒に対する教育的な配慮から、警察との連携に消極的な傾向が残る。

However, bullying is an illegal act that ignores the dignity of its victims.
　だが、いじめは相手の尊厳を無視した違法行為である。

Beating and the extortion of money and goods constitute crimes.
殴ったり、金品をたかったりするのは、暴行罪や恐喝罪に該当する。

It is vital to teach social rules during class hours so that students can understand why bullying cannot be permitted.
　授業の中で社会のルールを教え、「なぜいじめが許されないか」を理解させることが肝要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2012)
（2012年9月25日02時13分  読売新聞）

輿石幹事長再任 「近いうち」の真意が問われる

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 25, 2012)
Koshiishi reappointment casts doubt on DPJ election promise
輿石幹事長再任　「近いうち」の真意が問われる（9月24日付・読売社説）

We wonder if it was such an inward-looking reappointment.
　あまりに「内向き」な人事ではないか。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who was reelected Friday as president of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, requested DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi to remain in the party's No. 2 post. Koshiishi accepted the reappointment.
　民主党代表に再選された野田首相が、輿石東幹事長に再任を要請し、輿石氏も受け入れた。

The appointment of the secretary general sends a message from the prime minister suggesting a new direction of his administration.
　幹事長人事は、首相の政権運営の新たな方向性を示すメッセージだ。

It had been expected that Koshiishi would be replaced to take responsibility for causing the breakup in the DPJ. It is also noteworthy that Koshiishi's policy views are different from the prime minister's, though the secretary general plays an important role in taking care of matters related to national elections and Diet management.
　輿石氏には、党分裂を招いた責任が問われ、交代説が出ていた。幹事長は国政選や国会運営を仕切る要職なのに、首相との路線の違いが目立ったこともある。

However, Noda apparently considered it appropriate to reappoint Koshiishi as secretary general, who was given the post last autumn as a symbol of intraparty unity, because some DPJ lawmakers, who voted against Noda in the latest DPJ presidential election, are making moves to leave the party.
　だが、代表選で「反野田」票を投じた国会議員の中に離党の動きがあることから、昨秋、「党内融和」の象徴として幹事長に起用した輿石氏の再任が望ましい、と首相は判断したのだろう。

If about 10 members of the House of Representatives leave the party, the DPJ and its coalition partner, the People's New Party, will be reduced to ruling minorities in the Diet. That will make it nearly impossible for them to manage the government.
　衆院で１０人前後が離党すれば、民主、国民新両党は「少数与党」に転落し、政権運営が立ち行かなくなるからだ。

===

Forward vision necessary

If that is the reason, however, the reappointment is far from a "political culture of responsibility" that was pointed out as a necessity for the DPJ during its presidential race.
　しかし、これでは、代表選でも指摘された「責任を取る文化」とは程遠い。

In addition, we cannot overlook that Koshiishi has maintained a backward-looking stance on a variety of issues during the last ordinary Diet session. These include the integrated reform of the tax and social security systems and the rectification of vote-value disparity in lower house elections. Koshiishi placed too much priority on avoiding a split of the party.
　さらに見過ごせないのは、輿石氏が先の通常国会で、党の分裂回避を優先するあまり、社会保障と税の一体改革や衆院選の「１票の格差」是正に一貫して後ろ向きだったことだ。

Also, Koshiishi openly made remarks playing down an agreement among leaders of the DPJ, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to dissolve the lower house and hold a general election "sometime soon."
　輿石氏は、民自公３党首が合意した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙についても、

"We don't have to stick to 'sometime soon,'" Koshiishi said, inviting strong criticism from the LDP and Komeito.
「『近いうち』にこだわる必要はない」などと公然と軽視する発言を行い、自公両党の強い批判を招いた。

He has been advocating that the lower house election and the House of Councillors election should be held on the same day next summer. A majority of DPJ members believe the lower house election should be deferred because it is expected to be an uphill battle for the DPJ. We are afraid that the agreement to hold an election poll "sometime soon" will be ignored.
　輿石氏は、衆院選の時期について、来年夏の衆参同日選を持論としている。民主党内では、苦戦が予想される衆院選の先送り論が大勢の中、「近いうち」が、ないがしろにされないか。

===

Opposition parties offended

A ranking official of the LDP reacted sharply against Koshiishi's reappointment. "I was so furious with the reappointment. It dumbfounded me," he said.
　輿石氏の再任について、自民党幹部は「怒りを通り越してあきれた」などと反発を強めている。

Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi warned, "The DPJ will end up digging its own grave if it overzealously attempts to avoid dissolution of the lower house."
公明党の山口代表も、「解散回避が目に余るようなら、かえって墓穴を掘る」と指摘している。

The DPJ should realize the ruling party has a primary responsibility to move politics forward, even though the Diet is divided with one of the two chambers under opposition control.
　衆参ねじれ国会とはいえ、民主党は、政権党として、政治を前に動かす一義的な責任を負っていることを自覚すべきだ。

If it makes light of the tripartite cooperation for the sake of the intraparty appeasement, the DPJ will not be able to win the collaboration of the opposition parties in the Diet, allowing the "politics incapable of making decisions" continue.
　「党内融和」の名の下に、３党の協調路線を軽んじるようでは、野党の協力が得られず、「決められない」政治が今後も続く。

There is no time to waste in the extraordinary Diet session scheduled in autumn to pass bills to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds and to rectify the "unconstitutional state" of disparity in the value of votes in lower house elections.
　秋の臨時国会では、赤字国債発行を可能にする特例公債法案の成立や「違憲状態」を解消する衆院選挙制度改革が待ったなしだ。

Noda must not only confirm the tripartite agreement on the integrated reform of the tax and social security systems but also set the basic direction of important policy issues at talks with a new LDP president to be elected Wednesday.
　野田首相は、２６日に選出される自民党の新総裁との党首会談で、一体改革をめぐる３党合意の再確認に加え、重要政策の基本的な方向づけを行う必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2012)
（2012年9月24日01時20分  読売新聞）

基準地価 加速する被災地の「二極化」

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 25, 2012)
Polarization in land prices growing in disaster-hit areas
基準地価　加速する被災地の「二極化」（9月24日付・読売社説）

There are signs that land prices are bottoming out, but scars left by the Great East Japan Earthquake remain, leaving the prospects of land prices uncertain.
　地価底入れの兆しはあるものの、東日本大震災の爪痕が残っており、先行きは不透明だ。

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry recently released data of average residential and commercial land prices as of July 1.
　国土交通省が７月１日時点の基準地価を発表した。

Average residential land prices fell from a year earlier for the 21st straight year, while commercial land prices dropped for the fifth straight year. However, the margin of falls in both residential and commercial land prices narrowed compared with a year earlier.
住宅地が２１年連続、商業地も５年連続で下落したが、下落率はともに前年より縮まった。

The margin of decline in land prices in the three major metropolitan areas, including Tokyo, narrowed to the zero percent range for residential and commercial land. The decline has nearly leveled off in these areas.
　東京など３大都市圏の下落率は住宅地、商業地いずれも０％台へ縮小し、横ばい状態となった。

This has been due to growing housing demand, supported by such government policies as extremely low interest rates and tax breaks for home buyers taking out mortgages.
　超低金利や住宅ローン減税などの政策効果で、住宅需要が高まったことが要因だ。

In some areas, land prices have been buoyed by the opening of large commercial complexes and the accompanying redevelopment of neighboring areas. The opening of Tokyo Skytree this spring is a prime example.
今春開業した東京スカイツリー周辺のように、大型商業施設や再開発が地価上昇の追い風になった地域もある。

===

Recovery will take time

Of the 20,000-plus surveyed locations, only 658--just 3 percent--recorded price rises. The recovery in land prices in local areas has lagged that of urban areas.
　ただし、全国２万か所の調査地点のうち、地価が上昇したのは６５８地点で、全体の３％に過ぎない。都市部に比べて、地方の回復は遅れている。

It will apparently be some time yet until land prices shift into a full-fledged upward trend. The government will need to pay close attention to future movements in land prices.
　地価が本格的な上昇局面を迎えるまで、なお時間がかかるのではないか。政府は今後の動向を注視する必要があろう。

Worryingly, there is a growing polarization in land prices in areas stricken by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami and crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　気になるのは、大震災や原発事故の被災地で、地価の二極化が強まっていることだ。

Land prices declined markedly in coastal areas hit hard by the tsunami and parts of Fukushima Prefecture seriously affected by the nuclear disaster.
　津波によって被害を受けた沿岸部と、原発事故の影響が深刻な福島県などは特に下落が目立つ。

On the other hand, areas on higher ground in the disaster-hit region saw land prices rise considerably and across the board, as demand grew among disaster victims hoping to rebuild homes on safer ground.
一方、被災者の移転需要で高台は軒並み大幅に上昇した。

Among residential areas, the biggest price rise was logged on a section of higher ground in tsunami-hit Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture. The areas that reported the 10 biggest margins of increase in land prices were all in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.
　住宅地で上昇率が全国一だったのは、岩手県陸前高田市内にある高台だ。上昇率の全国上位１０地点を岩手、宮城両県が独占した。

===

Safety comes first

Soaring land prices could adversely affect the rebuilding of homes for people affected by last year's disaster. If demand for housing is concentrated on limited residential land in their original neighborhood and the uptick in land prices accelerates, local governments will become unable to promptly purchase plots of land needed for their post-disaster reconstruction plans.
　地価の急上昇は、被災者の住宅再建に悪影響を及ぼしかねない。近隣の限られた宅地に需要が集中し、値上がりに拍車がかかれば、自治体は復興計画に必要な用地買収を迅速に実施できなくなる。

In some cases, private business operators have snapped up such land while local governments have dawdled through the purchase process.
　自治体が手間取っている間に、民間事業者が先行し、用地を取得するケースもあるという。

The central and local governments need to cooperate and expedite efforts to implement reconstruction projects.
　政府と自治体は連携し、復興事業を急がねばならない。

It is also necessary to increase the monitoring of land deals to prevent land from being traded speculatively.
投機的な売買を招かないよう、土地取引の監視を強めることも必要だ。

The latest survey on land prices clearly reflected residents' fear of another disaster.
　今回の基準地価には、災害に対する住民の警戒感が反映している点も見逃せない。

Land prices declined markedly not only in quake-affected areas but also in coastal parts of Wakayama, Kochi and other prefectures. This probably was due to people's concern over expected damage from tsunami in the event of simultaneous major earthquakes along the Nankai Trough.
　大震災の被災地にとどまらず、和歌山県や高知県などの沿岸部でも下落が目立つ。南海トラフ巨大地震などの津波被害が懸念されているためだろう。

Lessons learned from last year's catastrophe have also spread to urban areas. Land prices are recovering in areas where highly quake-resistant office buildings are concentrated.
　大震災の教訓は都市部にも浸透している。耐震性に優れたオフィスビルが集まる地域は、地価が持ち直し傾向にある。

The degree of "safety" has become a new yardstick for assessing real estate across the country. Reinforcing the disaster-prevention functions of regions will lead to the full-scale recovery of land prices.
　「安全性」は全国で不動産の新たな評価基準になっている。地域の防災機能を強化することが、地価の本格回復にもつながろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2012)
（2012年9月24日01時20分  読売新聞）

人権委設置法案 理解に苦しむ唐突な閣議決定

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24, 2012)
Abrupt Cabinet decision on human rights body dubious
人権委設置法案　理解に苦しむ唐突な閣議決定（9月23日付・読売社説）

We find it difficult to fathom why the government so hastily made a Cabinet decision on a bill riddled with problems while the Diet is in recess.
　問題点が多い法案の閣議決定を、国会閉会中になぜ急ぐ必要があったのか、理解に苦しむ。

The Cabinet gave the go-ahead Wednesday to a bill for setting up a human rights commission that will create a body dedicated to human rights protection.
　政府が、新たな人権救済機関を設けるための人権委員会設置法案を閣議決定した。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said the Cabinet decision was to "confirm the bill's content on the premise of submitting it to the next Diet session."
　藤村官房長官は「次期国会への提出を前提に法案内容を確認するものだ」と説明する。

Providing relief to people who have suffered unfair discrimination and abuse is vital. However, the bill has generated deep-rooted fears that ordinary activities conducted under the freedom of speech and expression could become subject to investigations by law-enforcement authorities as "suspected infringements of human rights."
　不当な差別や虐待を受けた被害者の救済は重要だ。だが、この法案については、人権侵害を理由として、通常の言論や表現活動まで調査対象になるのではないか、との懸念から、反対論が根強い。

In its election pledges, the Democratic Party of Japan committed to establishing an entity to oversee human rights relief efforts. The abrupt Cabinet decision was probably made to defuse criticism that the party had broken this commitment--and with an eye on the next House of Representatives election.
　民主党は人権救済機関の創設を政権公約に掲げてきた。唐突な閣議決定は、次期衆院選を意識し、公約違反との批判をかわす思惑があるのだろう。

===

Definition of violations vague

A bill for creating a body to prevent human rights violations was presented to the Diet during the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2002 as a human rights protection bill.
　人権救済機関を巡る法案は、小泉内閣時代の２００２年にも人権擁護法案として国会提出された。

That bill was scrapped after coming under fire for provisions that would punish those who refused to be investigated under the planned legislation, as well as for measures empowering law-enforcement authorities to warn news organizations to suspend coverage of certain topics.
その際は、調査拒否に罰則を科す点や報道機関への取材停止勧告を可能にする内容などが批判を浴び、最終的に廃案となった。

The latest bill gives no coercive powers to probes by the envisioned commission, and includes no provisions that would restrict media activities.
　今回の人権委設置法案は人権委の調査に強制力を持たせず、メディア規制条項も設けていない。

Yet, we still harbor doubts over the planned legislation.
　それでも、なお、法案への疑問は消えない。

The biggest problem is that the bill's definition of a human rights violation is ambiguous.
　最大の問題は、人権侵害行為の定義があいまいなことだ。

The Justice Ministry has come out with a view that human rights violations are "acts that can be deemed illegal in light of the Civil Code and the Penal Code and infringe on the human rights of certain people."
　法務省は「特定の人の人権を侵害する、民法や刑法に照らして違法となる行為」との見解を示している。

Whether certain deeds and verbal criticism of another person or people should be considered defamation, however, is a highly delicate issue. Court decisions have often been split on this issue.
だが、他人に対する批判的な言動が名誉毀損に当たるかどうかは、司法判断が分かれる微妙なケースも少なくない。

If the planned commission has the scope to make an arbitrary, extended interpretation of the law's provisions, it could open the door to restrictions on the freedom of expression.
　人権委が恣意的に拡大解釈する余地を残せば、表現の自由の制約につながりかねない。

The government intends to designate the envisioned commission as an "Article 3 committee" under the National Government Organization Law. Article 3 committees are entitled to a high degree of independence, so there are concerns that the Diet would find it hard to keep possible excesses by the commission in check.
　人権委は、国家行政組織法上の「３条委員会」と位置づけられている。独立性が強いため、国会によるチェックが及びにくい点を問題視する声もある。

===

Boost existing system first

The government is considering making the commission an external organ under the Justice Ministry. This is because the government plans to have the ministry's regional bureaus and district legal affairs bureaus across the country act as local arms of the commission.
　政府は人権委を法務省の外局とする方針だ。人権委の地方組織として、全国の法務局や地方法務局の活用を想定しているからだ。

But can these organizations deal rigorously with human rights abuses of inmates in prisons, or at immigration offices and other facilities under the ministry's jurisdiction?
　しかし、刑務所や入管施設など、同じ法務省傘下の施設で起きる入所者への人権侵害に厳しく対処できるだろうか。

Laws are already in place to prevent the abuse of children and the elderly. In addition, the ministry's departments in charge of human rights protection investigate about 20,000 cases a year in response to claims filed by people who say their rights have been violated. In the bulk of these cases, assistance is provided in one form or another.
　児童や高齢者の虐待対策には、個別の法律が整備されている。また、現在でも法務省の人権擁護部門は、人権侵害を受けた人からの申告に基づき、毎年約２万件の任意調査を実施し、ほとんど救済措置がとられている。

Rather than establishing the planned commission, the existing human rights protection system should be improved and more effective relief provided to people whose rights have been violated.
　まずは、現行制度の改善を重ね、人権侵害救済の実効性を高めることが大切である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2012)
（2012年9月23日01時13分  読売新聞）

中国威圧外交 リスク増大で日本の投資減も

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24, 2012)
Anti-Japan stance may curb investment in China
中国威圧外交　リスク増大で日本の投資減も（9月23日付・読売社説）

Anti-Japan demonstrations in cities around China to protest the Japanese government's purchase of the Senkaku Islands have mostly calmed down.
　日本の尖閣諸島国有化に反発する中国各地の反日デモは、ほぼ沈静化した。

However, it is a problem that the Chinese government is escalating its overbearing approach in diplomacy.
　だが、中国の威圧外交が強まっていることは問題である。

Chinese authorities banned demonstrations in Beijing after Tuesday, which marked the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu bombing incident that prefaced the Manchurian Incident.
　中国当局は、満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年となる１８日を最後に、北京でのデモを禁止した。

The authorities apparently became wary that continuing to allow the demonstrations could threaten social stability because some of them developed into riots.
　一部が暴徒化したデモを容認し続けると、社会の安定が揺らぐと警戒したようだ。

But we are concerned that Chinese President Hu Jintao and other national leaders have made a series of hard-line statements against Japan. Premier Wen Jiabao said in Brussels, where the China-European Union summit meeting was held, that China "must take strong measures," referring to the Japanese government's purchase of the Senkaku Islands.
　懸念すべきは、胡錦濤国家主席ら首脳の強硬発言が相次いでいることだ。温家宝首相は、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との首脳会談が開かれたブリュッセルで、尖閣諸島国有化に言及し、「有力な措置を講じなければならない」と述べた。

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, who will succeed Hu at the upcoming National Congress of the Communist Party of China, also said some groups in Japan repeated mistakes and "staged the farce" of purchasing the islands.
　近く開かれる共産党大会で胡氏のポストを引き継ぐ習近平国家副主席も、「日本の一部勢力は過ちを繰り返し、島購入という茶番を演じた」と発言した。

They apparently were expressing their determination to make no concessions at all to Japan.
　日本には絶対に譲歩しない、という決意を示したのだろう。

===

Doing business in China risky

However, we believe it was to the Chinese side's disadvantage that the demonstrations have made Japanese companies keenly realize the risks of doing business in China.
　しかし、中国での事業リスクを日本企業に痛感させたことは、中国側にもマイナスではないか。

Resumption of operations is being delayed at some of the Japanese factories in China attacked by demonstrators. The Chinese side has not shown any willingness to pay compensation for damage caused during the protests. The Japanese nonlife insurance sector estimated that insurance payouts to the damaged companies would reach 10 billion yen in total. That eventually might raise insurance fees of the companies.
　反日デモで襲撃された企業の一部の工場再開は遅れている。中国側が損害賠償する姿勢は見えず、日本の損保業界は被害企業への保険金が約１００億円にも上ると試算した。いずれ各社の保険料も値上がりしかねない。

It is also a matter of concern that strikes for pay raises are occurring frequently at Japanese-affiliated plants in Guangdong and other provinces in China.
　広東省などの日系工場で、賃上げを要求するストライキが頻発していることも憂慮される。

We understand why one Japanese business leader after another is expressing wariness about investment in China, saying they must be cautious.
　経済界で「対中投資は慎重にならざるを得ない」と警戒する声が続出しているのは当然である。

Japanese firms have placed much value on China as the factory of the world and increased their investment in that country. Such investment reached a total of 6.3 billion dollars last year, up 50 percent from the previous year. This contrasts with U.S. investment in China, which fell 26 percent last year to a mere 3 billion dollars.
　日本企業は中国を「世界の工場」と重視し、投資を増やしてきた。昨年の投資額は前年比５０％増の６３億ドルに達し、２６％減の３０億ドルにとどまった米国と対照的だ。

===

Millions work at Japan firms

Such aggressive investment by Japanese companies is sustaining China's employment and economy. It is estimated that several million Chinese work at Japanese-affiliated companies in China.
　こうした積極的な投資が、中国の雇用と景気を支えている。日系企業による中国での雇用者は数百万人に達するとも推計される。

The violent anti-Japan demonstrations have trampled on cooperative relations between China and Japan that have been nurtured over many years.
　過激な反日デモは、長年培ってきた日本との協調関係も踏みにじったことになる。

It is highly likely that Japanese companies will sharply curb their investment in China and instead increase investment in other Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.
　日本企業の対中投資には急ブレーキがかかり、代わって、ベトナムやタイなどアジア他国への投資が増える可能性が大きい。

Because the Chinese economy is continuing to slow down due to a decrease in exports and other factors, China's real economic growth rate this year is expected to drop below 8 percent. It is certain that--depending on the investment strategy of Japanese companies--downward pressure could further increase on the Chinese economy, negatively affecting employment there.
　中国経済は輸出減などで景気減速が止まらず、今年の実質経済成長率は８％を割りそうだ。日本企業の投資戦略によっては、一段の景気の下押し圧力となり、雇用にも悪影響を与えるに違いない。

China should realize that continuing its hard line against Japan could boomerang to its own disadvantage.
　中国政府は、対日強硬姿勢を改めないと、自国にも不利になって跳ね返る恐れがあることを自覚すべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2012)
（2012年9月23日01時13分  読売新聞）

野田代表再選 民自公党首会談で連携確認を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2012)
With Noda reelected, DPJ must reconfirm 3-party pact
野田代表再選　民自公党首会談で連携確認を（9月22日付・読売社説）

　◆「離党」恐れて政策は定まらず◆

By the numbers, it was a landslide victory, but considering the difficulty of the tasks ahead, the win can only be seen as bittersweet.
　数字上は大差だが、多難な前途を考えれば、ほろ苦い勝利でもある。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was reelected as Democratic Party of Japan president on Friday. Former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and the two other challengers only managed to garner about one-third of the votes between them.
　民主党代表選で、野田佳彦首相が再選を果たした。原口一博元総務相ら他の３候補の獲得票は合計で全体の３分の１程度にとどまった。

At the cost of splitting the ruling party, the prime minister pushed legislation through the Diet to comprehensively revamp the social security and tax systems, reforms that are essential for Japan's revitalization. Noda's reelection is a clear sign that DPJ members endorse the agreement to work together toward reform made between the three major political parties--the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　首相は、党分裂という犠牲も辞さずに、日本再生に不可欠な社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させた。今回の再選は、その民主、自民、公明の３党の協調路線が信任されたことを意味する。

===

Noda's stance endorsed
　◆信任された首相の路線◆

In a speech after winning the election, Noda called for party unity, telling DPJ members, "I'd like to work with all of you to make a country where smiling faces are everywhere."
　野田首相は再選後、「笑顔が広がる国を、皆さんと一緒に造りたい」と、党の結束を呼びかけた。

We think the party should now unite behind its newly reelected leader.
代表選の結果が出た以上、民主党は首相の下で団結すべきだ。

However, it was disappointing that the DPJ presidential candidates did not conduct a meaningful policy debate.
　残念なのは、肝心の政策論争が低調だったことだ。

Noda has been supportive of Japan participating in talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, but he hedged his remarks on the issue during the campaign, only acknowledging that the discussions with other countries are ongoing. He did not address the issue directly around his rivals, who were either against the TPP or had adopted cautious positions.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題で、野田首相は本来、「推進」の立場なのに、「関係国との協議が継続中」などと慎重な発言に終始した。「反対・慎重」の原口氏ら３人に、正面から論争を挑む場面はなかった。

The prime minister was probably concerned that pushing for TPP participation would cause more DPJ members to bolt. However, the decision should not be put off any longer, and we urge the government to join the TPP negotiations as soon as possible.
　ＴＰＰ参加に踏み込めば、さらなる離党者が出かねないと、首相は懸念したのだろう。しかし、政府としては参加の判断を先送りせず、早期にＴＰＰ交渉に加わるべきである。

Meanwhile, Noda supported the goal of eliminating nuclear power in the nation in the 2030s. "I want to unswervingly promote various measures in line with this basic policy," he said, while Haraguchi and the other candidates proposed an even earlier target date.
　原子力政策では、首相は「２０３０年代の原発ゼロ」を掲げて、「ぶれない姿勢で、この基本方針の下、様々な政策を推進したい」と語った。原口氏らは「原発ゼロ」達成時期の前倒しを唱えた。

However, it is worrying that the four candidates hardly touched on the formidable challenges that could arise from reducing the nation's reliance on nuclear power to zero, such as negative impacts on the economy and foreign affairs, as well as how to maintain consistency with already existing policies such as a nuclear fuel-cycle policy.
　４氏とも、「原発ゼロ」が経済や外交関係に与える悪影響や、核燃料サイクルとの整合性など、深刻な課題への対策をほとんど論じなかったのは問題だ。

They appeared enamored with the belief that touting the zero nuclear policy would work to their advantage in an election. As prospective leaders of the ruling party, we see such actions as irresponsible.
　「脱原発」の旗を掲げれば、選挙に有利だろうという思惑ばかりが先行している。政権党として、極めて無責任な対応である。

The debate over how to buffer low-income earners from the impact of a consumption tax hike also was mostly left alone, although two contenders--Hirotaka Akamatsu and Michihiko Kano, both former agriculture, forestry and fisheries ministers--proposed implementing reduced tax rates on certain items.
　消費税率引き上げの低所得者対策でも、赤松広隆元農相と鹿野道彦前農相が軽減税率導入に言及したが、議論は深まらなかった。

We lament that the DPJ missed an opportunity to set the direction for several key issues through its leadership election.
　代表選を通じて重要政策を方向づける機会を逸したと言える。

===

Thornier path ahead
　◆政権運営は一層厳しく◆

Although he emerged victorious, Noda faces even more difficulties than before the election in steering the ship of state.
　野田首相の今後の政権運営は、一段と困難になろう。

A total of 114 ballots were cast against Noda in the party leadership race.
　「反野田」の国会議員票は計１１４票に達した。

In the debates prior to the election, Kano criticized Noda by calling for a "stronger culture of responsibility in the DPJ," while Haraguchi called for Noda "to take responsibility for causing the party to split more than once."
論戦では、鹿野氏に「民主党に責任を取る文化を」と提起され、原口氏にも「分裂を重ねた責任」を問われた。

Seeking any possible advantage in the next House of Representatives election, DPJ members have continued to move away from the party to join the new Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and other emerging political forces.
　次期衆院選を少しでも有利に戦おうと、新党「日本維新の会」などへの合流を目指し、離党する動きが続く。

If around 10 more DPJ lower house lawmakers were to leave, the party would lose its majority in the powerful chamber, even counting the seats held by its coalition partner, the People's New Party. This would leave the ruling camp vulnerable to a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet proposed by the opposition.
衆院でも、１０人程度が離党すれば、国民新党と合わせても過半数を割り、内閣不信任決議案を否決できない恐れがある。

In such circumstances, the prime minister walks a tightrope in navigating political issues, and must maintain a precarious balance between preserving party unity and addressing difficult policy tasks.
　首相は、党内融和に配慮しながら困難な政策課題に取り組む、という綱渡りの対応を迫られる。

At this stage, it is vitally important that the tripartite framework between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito be kept intact.
　重要なのは、民自公３党の協調路線を堅持することだ。

In the divided Diet, where the opposition controls the House of Councillors, no bill stands a chance without cooperation between the three parties.
衆参ねじれ国会である以上、３党の協力なしでは、法案は成立せず、政治は前に進まない。

The prime minister has said he will make a preliminary decision on a reshuffle of the DPJ leadership by Monday, when he leaves for the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly.
　首相は、国連総会出席のため訪米する２４日までに党役員人事の骨格を固める意向を表明した。

The focal point in the reshuffle is whether Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi will retain his post. Noda appointed Koshiishi to the No. 2 post last year to help ensure party unity.
最も注目されるのは、輿石幹事長が留任するかどうかだ。
　昨秋、輿石氏を幹事長に起用したのは、党内融和を重視する狙いだった。

Koshiishi, however, has clashed often with the opposition over Diet affairs, including during the deliberations over the social security and tax system reform. Koshiishi's behavior highlighted the differences between his views and Noda's.
　だが、輿石氏は一体改革法案審議など国会運営で再三、野党と衝突し、首相との路線の違いも表面化した。

We urge Noda in reshuffling his party's executive lineup to place more importance on promoting cooperation between the ruling and opposition camps, instead of sticking only to crafting a strategy relating to dissolving the lower house for a general election.
　今回は、衆院解散戦略だけでなく、与野党協調をより重視した布陣が求められる。

The prime minister has also expressed an intention to meet with the new leader of the LDP, who will be elected in the largest opposition party's presidential contest Wednesday, to reconfirm the three-party reform accord.
　野田首相は、２６日の自民党総裁選後、新総裁と党首会談を行い、一体改革をめぐる３党合意を再確認したい考えを示している。

We see a meeting in which the heads of the three main parties can exchange views on key political challenges as highly significant.
３党首間で、当面の重要課題について腹合わせをすることは大切だ。

We hope the three party chiefs will have a candid discussion over such issues as how to rectify vote disparities in lower house elections, legislation for issuing deficit-covering bonds, and the compilation of a supplementary budget for fiscal 2012.
　衆院選の「１票の格差」是正や赤字国債の発行を可能にする特例公債法案、補正予算の扱いについて率直に話し合ってほしい。

===

Start by cutting 5 seats
　◆「０増５減」を先行せよ◆

Concerning reform of the lower house's electoral system, the DPJ caused considerable consternations in the Diet by proposing, over strong objection from the opposition, legislation that included partial adoption of a seat-allocation formula for proportional representation elections that would favor small and midsize parties. The ruling party should not repeat such a sloppy, irresponsible act.
　衆院選挙制度改革で、民主党は野党の反対を押し切って、連用制の一部導入を含む法案を提出し、混乱を招いた。こんないいかげんな対応は、もう許されない。

Noda in a news conference showed he is willing to tackle the task of slashing the number of seats in the lower house.
　野田首相は記者会見で、衆院定数の削減に意欲を示した。

Before anything else, it would be practical to cut five single-seat districts to end the "state of unconstitutionality" in vote disparities. This would pave the way for dissolution of the lower house.
だが、衆院を解散するには、「違憲状態」を解消する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行実施が現実的だ。

There is a high possibility that any talks between the three party heads would include on the agenda the prime minister's pledge to dissolve the lower house for a general election "sometime soon."
　３党首会談では、首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙も議題となる可能性が高い。

Noda has hinted that a general election should be postponed because "the political situation has changed" after the passage of an opposition-backed censure motion against him in the upper house. However, neither the LDP nor Komeito has backed off their demands for an early lower house dissolution.
　首相は「問責（決議）という状況の変化がある」と解散先送りの可能性も示唆しているが、自公両党は早期解散を求める立場を変えていない。

Given this, we suspect the prime minister will have a difficult time unilaterally scrapping his pledge to dissolve the lower house.
首相が一方的に約束を反故(ほご)にするのは難しいだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2012)
（2012年9月22日01時14分  読売新聞）

日航再上場 課題も残したスピード再建

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 22, 2012)
JAL's swift turnaround doesn't end aviation industry problems
日航再上場　課題も残したスピード再建（9月21日付・読売社説）

Japan Airlines has returned to the Tokyo Stock Exchange two years and seven months after delisting.
　経営破綻した日本航空が、２年７か月で東京証券取引所に再上場した。

The relisting of JAL after such a short period is unparalleled by any turnaround in the past, but this is just the beginning of the former national flag carrier's true reconstruction.
過去に例がない「スピード再建」だが、これからが本当の勝負である。

JAL filed for bankruptcy under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law in January 2010, and its shares were delisted the following month.
　日航は２０１０年１月に会社更生法の適用を申請し、翌月に上場廃止となっていた。

The firm's shares on Wednesday, the first day of trading since the delisting, closed at 3,830 yen, more than they were priced at for their initial public offering. It has been smooth sailing for JAL stock transactions so far.
取引初日の１９日の終値は、売り出し価格を上回る３８３０円を付け、その後も順調な売買が続いている。

The recovery of the carrier's business performance has been stunning, and far swifter than expected. JAL has been reborn as one of the world's most profitable aviation companies. Investors appear to highly rate its current corporate value.
　予想以上のＶ字回復で、日航は世界屈指の収益を上げる航空会社に生まれ変わった。投資家はその企業価値を評価したのだろう。

The government-backed Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan, which held almost all JAL shares, has sold off all of its share holdings, garnering 650 billion yen in proceeds. This means ETIC has successfully recouped the entire 350 billion yen of taxpayer money injected for JAL's resuscitation and also has made a sizable profit on the sale of JAL shares.
　日航株のほとんどを保有する企業再生支援機構は、全株売却して６５００億円を手にした。日航に出資した公的資金３５００億円を全額回収した上、売却益も得た。

===

Profits due to assistance

We are pleased that JAL did not plunge into a second failure, and that a further financial burden on taxpayers was averted.
２次破綻に陥らず、国民負担を回避できた点は歓迎できる。

A key factor behind JAL's resuscitation in a short period is its success in improving the high-cost management system that was a major pending problem after the carrier's bankruptcy filing.
　日航が短期間で再生した要因は、更生法適用で懸案だった高コスト体質を改善できたことだ。

By pushing ahead with drastic business restructuring programs, such as slashing personnel and withdrawing from unprofitable air routes, JAL posted operating profits of 204.9 billion yen in the business year that ended in March 2012, topping the firm's previous high.
　人員削減や不採算路線からの撤退など大規模なリストラを進め、１２年３月期の営業利益は過去最高の２０４９億円に膨らんだ。

The effect of coercive business improvement steps for JAL through the bankruptcy protection under law was substantial.
法的整理による強制的な経営改革の効果は大きかったと言える。

In the rehabilitation process, JAL received assistance from both the private and public sectors, including provision of taxpayers' money, tax breaks and debt waivers from creditor banks. JAL should never forget that its colossal profits have been realized thanks to these helping hands.
　公的資金や銀行の債権放棄、法人税減免という官民の支援を受けた。それが巨額の利益を実現したことも忘れてはなるまい。

From now on, JAL must consolidate its management capability for flying solo. Its ability to hammer out a business strategy will be tested amid increasingly severe competition in the aviation industry, including the emergence of new low-cost carriers in Japan.
　今後求められるのは経営の自立である。格安航空会社の台頭などで競争が一段と激しくなる中、戦略が問われよう。

JAL now aims to grow by expanding its international transportation capacity by 25 percent, boosting routes in Asia and elsewhere.
　日航は、アジアなどでの国際線の輸送能力を２５％拡大するなど、国際線を成長の柱に据える。

It may be right for the carrier to shift the focus of its strategy from business restructuring efforts to going on the offensive.
　合理化戦略から積極攻勢に転じるのはいい。

However, if JAL expands routes and purchases new aircraft recklessly, it could repeat the bankruptcy-causing mistakes of the past.
だが、破綻の一因となった無理な路線拡大や航空機材購入に走れば、「いつか来た道」に戻りかねない。

===

Gaps in terms of competition

Of key significance to the carrier's future growth is its ability to beef up managerial capability and prevent itself from slipping into complacency about its current high profitability.
　現在の高収益に慢心せず、経営体力をいかに維持・強化できるかが成長のカギを握る。

The reconstruction of JAL presents a question concerning how the government should extend assistance to failed firms.
　日航再建は、破綻企業への政府支援のあり方にも課題を残した。

This is because a gap in business performance has opened up between JAL, which has been revived through generous government assistance, and its longtime rival All Nippon Airways Co. which has continued flying under its own power.
手厚い支援で復活した日航と、自力経営を続ける全日本空輸との間に格差が生じたためだ。

JAL's after-tax profits for last fiscal year, which ended in March 2012, were six times higher than ANA's, and JAL's profits for the current fiscal year are expected to be more than three times higher than ANA's.
　１２年３月期の税引き後利益は、日航が全日空の６倍に達し、１３年３月期でも３倍以上の開きが見込まれる。

In addition, corporate tax breaks for JAL are expected to remain in place for some time.
日航の法人税減免はしばらく続く見通しだ。

It is significant that Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kazuhiko Takeshima has told a Diet committee the favorable treatment of JAL "has undoubtedly had a major impact on competition conditions" in the aviation industry.
　竹島一彦公正取引委員長が国会答弁で、「明らかに競争条件に大きな影響が出ている」との見解を示した意味は大きい。

The government should study ways of securing fair competition among airlines through such means as reasonable allocation of flight slots at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
　羽田空港の発着枠配分などを通じて、公正な競争環境の確保を検討することが求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2012)
（2012年9月21日01時40分  読売新聞）

原子力規制委 安全確認の基準作りを急げ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 22, 2012)
New N-body must quickly create safety guidelines
原子力規制委　安全確認の基準作りを急げ（9月21日付・読売社説）

It is urgently necessary for the new regulatory body to restore public trust in the administration of nuclear safety, which has been damaged by the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故で失われた原子力安全行政への信頼回復が急務だ。

The Nuclear Regulation Authority, which was launched Wednesday, and its secretariat organ, the nuclear regulatory agency, bear heavy responsibilities in this regard.
　１９日に発足した原子力規制委員会と、事務局の原子力規制庁の責務は重い。

In launching the new authority, regulatory divisions that had been overseen by several ministry and agency bodies have been absorbed into the new entity. The new authority has also been separated from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and other government bodies that promoted nuclear power generation.
　複数省庁に分散していた規制部門を統合し、原発を推進する経済産業省などから分離させた。

The new authority is an organ set up in line with Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law, and it has a high degree of autonomy from politics.
国家行政組織法第３条に基づく組織で、政治からの独立性も高い。

What is required for the new entity is, first and foremost, to make objective and rigorous judgments on whether the safety of each nuclear power plant can be ensured, based on its technical knowledge and expertise.
　まず求められるのは、個々の原発が十分に安全かどうか、技術的な知見に基づき、客観的かつ厳正に判断することである。

The new authority, comprised of chairman Shunichi Tanaka and four commissioners, must hammer out safety guidelines and establish effective inspection protocols as soon as possible.
　田中俊一委員長と４人の委員で構成する規制委は、安全確認の判断基準作りや、検査体制の整備を早急に進めねばならない。

===

Idle plants need to be restarted

Except for the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant, where operations were restarted in July, the other 48 nuclear reactors in the nation remain idle.
　国内の原発は、７月に再稼働した関西電力大飯原発３、４号機を除く４８基が停止している。

This situation was caused by the provisional guidelines the government set for restarting suspended operations of nuclear reactors. Taking lessons from the Fukushima crisis, the government imposed emergency safety requirements, such as improved measures to secure power in emergencies, on the nuclear plants.
　政府が設けた再稼働の暫定基準が原因だ。原発事故の教訓に基づき、政府は非常電源の強化など緊急安全対策を各原発に求めた。

In addition, the government ordered utility companies to conduct stress tests at nuclear plants. The tests were introduced by former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, an advocate of abandoning nuclear power, and have no legal grounds.
　それに加え、「脱原発」派の菅前首相が持ち込んだ法的根拠のないストレステスト（耐性検査）まで実施させていた。

Although test results on 30 nuclear reactors have been submitted, most of the results have yet to be examined. These results have been passed on to the new regulatory authority.
　３０基の原発からテスト結果が提出されたものの、大半の審査は手付かずで、妥当性が判断されないまま規制委に引き継がれた。

It is necessary to correct this half-hearted situation.
　こうした中途半端な状況を解消する必要がある。

Tanaka said at a press conference: "Stress tests are politically motivated. I won't stick to them."
　田中委員長は記者会見で、「ストレステストは政治的なもの。それにとらわれない」と述べた。

We consider this remark reasonable, given that stress tests are not a condition for restarting nuclear reactors in the United States or Europe.
欧米でもストレステストは再稼働の条件になっていないことを考えれば、妥当な見解だろう。

It is also understandable that he showed an intention to improve disaster prevention systems and look into whether existing safety measures are flawed.
　再稼働に向けて、防災体制を整え、これまでの安全対策に漏れがないか検証する姿勢を示したことも理解できる。

===

Timing is important

The problem is how much time the new authority will spend in compiling safety guidelines and making safety assessments.
　問題は、基準作りと安全判断にいつまで時間をかけるかだ。

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. has expressed serious concerns over whether winter electricity supplies will meet demand without the restart of nuclear reactors. But Tanaka said, "It will probably be difficult [to restart] by year-end." He also said, "I'm not going to take electricity supply and demand into account."
　北海道電力は、原発再稼働なしには冬の需給が厳しいと危機感を示すが、田中委員長は「年内は難しいのではないか」「電力需給は考慮しない」と述べている。

Surely, it is not acceptable to make snap decisions on matters concerning safety measures. But if the new authority postpones making judgments by giving too much weight to thoughtless calls to abandon nuclear power, which likely will have a negative impact on industry and the people's daily lives with blackouts, the role of the authority itself will be put into question.
　無論、安全対策で見切り発車は許されない。だが、浅はかな「脱原発」の声に過度に配慮して判断を先送りし、停電により産業や市民生活に悪影響を与えれば、規制委の存在意義が問われよう。

The new authority is facing a number of tasks, such as establishing measures to ensure safety at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant while its reactors are decommissioned and studying the feasibility of decommissioning reactors after 40 years of operation.
　規制委は、福島第一原発の廃炉までの安全確保策や、原発の「原則４０年廃炉」の検討など多くの課題を抱えている。

There has been criticism over the fact that Diet approval has yet to be given to the government's appointments of members of the new authority. But nothing is more important for them than steadily fulfilling their duties and producing tangible results.
　規制委人事が国会同意を得ていないことに批判はあるが、着実に職責を果たし、実績を上げることが何より大切だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2012)
（2012年9月21日01時40分  読売新聞）

オスプレイ配備 抑止力と安全性の両立を図れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 21, 2012)
Osprey deployment will promote both deterrence and safety
オスプレイ配備　抑止力と安全性の両立を図れ（9月20日付・読売社説）

It is crucial to attain two goals: strengthening the deterrent power of the U.S. military stationed in Japan and ensuring the safety of military drills conducted here.
　在日米軍の抑止力の強化と訓練の安全性を両立させることが肝要だ。

The government on Wednesday issued a statement saying the safety of the U.S. Marine Corps' new transport aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey, was "duly confirmed" and approved the aircraft's flights in Japan.
　政府は、米軍の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイについて、「安全性は十分に確認された」と結論づける安全宣言を発表し、国内飛行を容認した。

Twelve Ospreys temporarily stationed at the marine corps' Iwakuni Air Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture will be deployed at the Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture after test flights to be conducted as early as this week. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to start the operation of the aircraft in earnest in mid-October.
　米軍岩国基地に一時駐機中のオスプレイ１２機は、週内にも試験飛行を行った後、沖縄県の普天間飛行場に配備される。１０月中旬に本格運用を開始する予定だ。

The government's safety declaration is based on Japan's own analyses of Osprey crashes in Morocco in April and Florida in June in addition to specific safety measures agreed upon by the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee. We hail the declaration as the fruit of the government's efforts to pursue safety measures involving the Osprey.
　安全宣言は、４月のモロッコと６月の米フロリダ州の墜落事故に関する日本独自の原因分析に加えて、日米合同委員会で具体的な安全確保策に合意したことを踏まえたものだ。日本側として安全策を追求した成果と評価できる。

The Japan-U.S. agreements include such provisos as conducting low-altitude flight training at least 150 meters off the ground and keeping in-flight shifts between horizontal and vertical rotor operations--the procedure during which the two crashes occurred--to a minimum.
　日米合意は、低空飛行を地上１５０メートル以上に限るほか、事故が起きた、垂直飛行から水平飛行に移行する「転換モード」を最小限にすることなどを盛り込んだ。

===

Reasonable compromise by U.S.

Negotiations between Japan and the United States were rocky as the U.S. military initially opposed limits on its unit operations. But the two nations reached a political settlement after the U.S. military compromised in consideration of Japan's domestic situation. It is hoped that the U.S. military will abide by the recent agreements and make efforts to ensure the safety of Osprey flights.
　米軍は当初、部隊運用の制限に反対し、日米協議は難航した。だが、日本の国内事情に配慮して譲歩し、政治決着したものだ。米軍が今回の合意を順守し、安全性の確保に努めるよう求めたい。

The municipal governments concerned in Okinawa and Yamaguchi prefectures remain opposed to the Osprey deployment in spite of the government's safety declaration. Although there is no need to gain consent from local governments for the deployment, the central government should make efforts to give thorough explanations to local residents to win more understanding so Osprey operations will go smoothly.
　沖縄、山口両県の関係自治体は政府の安全宣言にもかかわらず、配備反対の姿勢を変えていない。配備に地元の同意は不要とはいえ、安定した運用に向けて、政府には、地元への説明を尽くし、理解を広げる努力が欠かせない。

In the first place, the notion that the Osprey is an extremely dangerous aircraft is largely based on misunderstanding.
　そもそもオスプレイが極めて危険な航空機であるかのような見方は、誤解に基づく部分が多い。

Of course, there can be accidents or trouble, as with any aircraft. But since the Osprey is equipped with the latest safety features, it is not logical to argue that the aircraft is more dangerous than other U.S. military aircraft, including the aging CH-46 transport helicopters.
　無論、航空機である以上、事故や故障は起こり得るが、最新の安全対策を講じており、老朽化したＣＨ４６輸送ヘリなど米軍の他の航空機より危ない、といった議論は合理的ではない。

===

Stronger defense for Japan

What should not be overlooked is the benefit the Osprey's outstanding performance would bring: It would strengthen the deterrent power of the U.S. military stationed in Japan.
　見過ごしてならないのは、オスプレイの優れた機能による在日米軍の抑止力の強化である。

The Osprey's maximum speed is twice that of the CH-46 helicopter, its load capacity is three times greater, and its range is four times longer. The aircraft will allow the marines to greatly improve their mobility and their response capabilities in contingencies.
　ＣＨ４６より最大速力は２倍、搭載能力は３倍、行動半径は４倍となり、緊急時の海兵隊の機動展開・即応力が大幅に向上する。

At a time when friction between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands has heightened--a situation feared to continue in the medium to long term--defense cooperation between Japan and the United States will contribute to defending the Nansei Islands and stability in Northeast Asia.
　尖閣諸島をめぐる中国との軋轢(あつれき)が高まり、今後も中長期的に続く恐れがある中、日米の防衛協力を通じて、南西諸島の離島防衛や北東アジアの安定に貢献しよう。

Osprey flight training is planned at U.S. military and Self-Defense Force bases both inside and outside of Okinawa Prefecture. With the Osprey's long flight range and capability to be refueled mid-air, it is possible that training will be extended beyond Okinawa Prefecture.
　オスプレイの訓練は、沖縄だけでなく、本土の米軍・自衛隊施設でも行われる予定だ。航続距離が長く、空中給油もできるため、訓練の本土移転が可能になる。

Regions outside of Okinawa Prefecture should take on some of the burden of hosting U.S. bases currently shouldered by Okinawa Prefecture. Along these lines, the Osprey training plan should be promoted from the viewpoint of solidifying Japan-U.S. defense cooperation.
　沖縄の基地負担の一部を本土が受け入れるとともに、日米連携を強める観点から推進すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2012)
（2012年9月20日01時21分  読売新聞）

原発ゼロ方針 「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 21, 2012)
Govt must retract zero nuclear target for good of economy
原発ゼロ方針　「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ（9月20日付・読売社説）

What was the conclusion of the recent Cabinet meeting on the government's "zero nuclear" target? It is unclear whether the government has decided to review the policy or push it through.
　こんな決着では、「原子力発電ゼロ」を見直すのか、それとも強行するのか、あいまいだ。

The government should clearly retract the zero nuclear target, which could deal a serious blow to the economy and employment if implemented, and instead come up with a feasible energy strategy.
　政府は、日本経済や雇用に多大な打撃を与えかねない「原発ゼロ」を明確に撤回し、現実的なエネルギー戦略を練り直すべきである。

The Cabinet refrained from approving the government's "innovative energy and environmental strategy," which sets a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s, at the meeting Wednesday.
　政府が、２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目指すとした「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」の閣議決定を見送った。

Instead, the Cabinet merely approved the government's policy to "conduct responsible discussions with related local governments and the international community based on the strategy" and implement future energy and environmental policies "while making tireless efforts to examine and revise them."
　代わりに「戦略を踏まえて、関係自治体や国際社会と責任ある議論を行い、不断の検証と見直しを行いながら遂行する」という対応方針のみを閣議決定した。

The new energy strategy has drawn angry reactions from the business community as well as local governments that host nuclear power plants. The United States, which concluded a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Japan, has also expressed strong concerns over the plan.
　今回のエネルギー戦略には、経済界や原発立地自治体が反発し、原子力協定を結んでいる米国も強い懸念を示している。

===

Economic losses 'unavoidable'

Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, heads of the nation's top three business organizations--the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Japan Association of Corporate Executives--held a joint emergency press conference Tuesday to demand the government retract the zero nuclear target.
　閣議前日の１８日には、経団連、日本商工会議所、経済同友会の財界トップ３人が共同で緊急記者会見を開き、「原発ゼロ」の撤回を政府に求めた。

It was unusual for the heads of the three top business organizations to jointly express their dissatisfaction with government policy. The demand reflected their fears that electricity charges may double if the government implements a zero nuclear policy, and unavoidably force companies to relocate production overseas, leading to massive employment losses.
　経済３団体の長がそろって政府に注文をつける異例の対応をとったのは、「原発ゼロ」では電気料金が２倍に跳ね上がり、産業空洞化や大量の雇用喪失が避けられないという危機感からだ。

The government has so far failed to work out how to secure viable alternatives to nuclear energy, such as methods to further utilize renewable energy, mainly solar and wind power. The zero nuclear target may threaten the country's ability to secure a stable supply of electricity.
　太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの普及をはじめ、原発の代替電源を確保するメドは立っておらず、電力の安定供給が揺らぐ恐れもある。

Considering these concerns, it was entirely appropriate for the Cabinet to refrain from quickly approving the new energy strategy.
　こうした懸念に配慮し、政府がエネルギー戦略をそのまま閣議決定しなかったのは当然である。

However, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national policy, said at a press conference that the Cabinet meeting "did not change the decisions made regarding the strategy." It was problematic for him to make remarks that can be interpreted as the government maintaining the zero nuclear target.
　ただ、古川国家戦略相は記者会見で「戦略の決定内容を変えたものではない」と説明した。「原発ゼロ」の方針を堅持しているともとれる発言は問題だ。

Without assuaging the deep resentment of the business community, it will be almost impossible for the government to implement its energy strategy smoothly. The government should sincerely listen to the opinions of businesses and improve soured relationships with them soon.
　経済界が猛反発したままでは、エネルギー戦略を円滑に推進できるはずがない。政府は、経済界の意見に真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、関係修復を急ぐべきである。

===

Energy policies not political tool

Energy policies should not be made to please voters in the upcoming general election--far-sighted initiatives concerning the nation's future are necessary.
　エネルギー政策は、目先の選挙目当てではなく、日本の将来を見据えた対応が求められる。

All candidates of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race have carefully avoided expressing opinions in favor of the zero nuclear target. We believe they made appropriate decisions.
　自民党総裁選の全候補が、「原発ゼロ」の方針を打ち出すことに慎重な見解を示しているのは、妥当と言えよう。

Meanwhile, during the election campaign for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential race, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said: "The public has expressed its resolve [to abolish all nuclear power plants]. Based on the wishes of the people, the government has also made its decision."
　一方、民主党代表選の論戦で野田首相は、「（原発ゼロは）国民の覚悟だ。それを踏まえて政府も覚悟を決めた」と述べた。

However, we doubt whether there is a sufficient number of people who understand the risks of a zero nuclear policy--such as unemployment and poverty--and would be willing to undergo the hardships involved.
　だが、「原発ゼロ」に伴う失業や貧困のリスクを理解し、苦難を受け入れる覚悟を固めている国民がどれほどいるだろうか。

The government has a responsibility to choose the best national policy. It is a mistake for the government to pass the responsibility to the public and justify it as the "will of the people."
　国策選択の責任を、国民の「覚悟」に丸投げするのは誤りだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2012)
（2012年9月20日01時21分  読売新聞）

予算の執行抑制 国民生活への影響を回避せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 20, 2012)
Legislative row over budget threatens people's well-being
予算の執行抑制　国民生活への影響を回避せよ（9月19日付・読売社説）

Doesn't it seem that the ruling and opposition parties are making light of financing for the national budget? They must work to resolve the current extraordinary situation concerning state finances as soon as possible.
　国家財政の資金繰りをあまりに安易に考えていないか。与野党は、一日も早く異常事態を解消しなければならない。

The government has started limiting the use of funds for the fiscal 2012 budget. This is because the government will not be able to secure fiscal resources of 38 trillion yen--equivalent to 40 percent of projected state revenue--due to the scrapping of the special bill on issuance of deficit-covering government bonds in the ordinary Diet session that ended earlier this month.
　政府が２０１２年度予算の執行抑制を始めた。赤字国債の発行に必要な特例公債法案が通常国会で廃案となり、歳入の４割に当たる３８兆円の財源が確保できなかったためだ。

This is the first time in the postwar era that the spending of funds for the national budget has been held back on a full-scale basis.
本格的な執行抑制は戦後初である。

The bill has been used as a bargaining chip by the ruling and opposition parties over a dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap general election. There is no clear prospect of the bill clearing the Diet.
　特例公債法案は衆院解散を巡る与野党の駆け引き材料となり、成立のメドは立っていない。

Postponing the spending of some funds is unavoidable as an emergency measure.
　予算の執行先送りは、緊急措置としてやむを得まい。

The government plans to hold back the spending of 5 trillion yen over three months from September. The 5 trillion yen includes tax grants allocated to prefectural governments and subsidies for independent administrative entities.
　執行抑制策は、９月から３か月間、計５兆円の支出を見合わせる内容だ。道府県への地方交付税や独立行政法人向け補助金の支払いなどを延期する。

The postponement of local allocation tax grants strengthened upward pressure on short-term interest rates, thereby influencing the financial market. This is because local financial institutions moved to secure funds from the market as they could not obtain the deposits they hoped to gain from the local governments to which tax grants are allocated.
　地方交付税の支給延期で短期金利の上昇圧力が強まるなど、執行抑制は一時、金融市場にも影響を与えた。地方交付税を受ける自治体から見込んでいた預金が入らず、地域の金融機関が市場での資金確保に動いたからだ。

===

Delay not a solution

The measure adopted this time to restrain budget implementation will only postpone the depletion of state coffers by about one month.
　今回の執行抑制策は、国庫が底を突く時期を１か月ほど先延ばしするだけである。

If the bill does not clear the Diet until November, the government may find it difficult to secure necessary funds in December, a month when government spending is usually high. If spending for medical insurance expenses and welfare benefits is delayed by further restraint on the use of funds, it will have a wider impact on people's lives.
　法案が１１月になっても成立しなければ、予算支出が集中する１２月は乗り切れない恐れもある。さらなる執行抑制で、医療費や生活保護費などの支出が遅れると、国民生活への影響が広がろう。

A system is in place for the Finance Ministry to issue bonds to make up for a short-term fund shortage. But the issuance of these bonds on the pretext of a shortage of fiscal resources is unprecedented and would violate the public finance law.
　短期的な資金不足を補う財務省証券を発行する仕組みはあるが、財源不足を理由とする発行は財政法違反とされ、前例がない。

If the ruling and opposition parties put off the Diet passage of the bill on the presumption that they can address the issue by issuing Finance Ministry bonds, they are abdicating their responsibilities.
　財務省証券を発行すれば良いとして、与野党が法案成立を先送りするなら、責任放棄に等しい。

If they continue to receive grants from the government to political parties while turning a blind eye to their own dereliction of duty, it will be impossible to win over the people.
　自らの怠慢を棚に上げ、政党交付金は従来通り受け取り続ける、では国民は納得しないだろう。

===

Political football

Some members of the Democratic Party of Japan have sought to delay the dissolution of the lower house as long as possible, citing the delay in passage of the bill as an excuse. But the DPJ must not be allowed to ignore an agreement between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki that the lower house is to be dissolved "sometime soon."
　民主党内には、特例公債法案などが成立しないことを口実に、衆院解散先送りを画策する動きもある。次期衆院選で苦戦が予想されるからといって、「近いうち」の解散という、自民党との合意をないがしろにはできまい。

The bill on issuance of deficit-financing government bonds was also used last year as a bargaining chip over the resignation of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
　特例公債法案は昨年も菅首相退陣の駆け引き材料に使われた。

Noda said: "If the cabinet resigns or the lower house is dissolved every time the bill is taken hostage annually, no prime minister will be able to stay in office for more than one year." Concerning measures to handle the bill in a divided Diet, where the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp, he expressed his intention to coordinate views with the opposition parties.
　野田首相は、「法案を毎年人質に取られ、そのたびに内閣総辞職か解散を繰り返していたら、首相の寿命は全部１年だ」と述べた。衆参ねじれ国会で法案を扱う方策について、野党と「腹合わせ」したいとの意向を示した。

His statement is understandable. It is essential to look into the possibility of establishing a system or a precedent to prevent the bill from being used as a political football any longer.
　首相の発言は理解できる。特例公債法案がこれ以上、「政争の具」とされないような制度や慣例を検討することが必要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2012)
（2012年9月19日01時50分  読売新聞）

反日デモ続く 対中感情の悪化を招くだけだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 20, 2012)
Anti-Japan rallies can only worsen feelings toward China
反日デモ続く　対中感情の悪化を招くだけだ（9月19日付・読売社説）

In the face of days of fierce anti-Japan demonstrations in China, Japan's attitude toward China has continued to deteriorate. We wonder to what extent the Chinese government is aware of the serious effect the protests are having on bilateral relations.
　連日の過激な反日デモで、日本の対中感情は悪化するばかりだ。日中関係に大きな禍根を残すことを、中国政府はどこまで認識しているのか。

On the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, on Tuesday, large-scale anti-Japan demonstrations were held in dozens of places across China. Demonstrations over the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands have been held for the eighth consecutive day.
　満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年となる１８日、中国各地で大規模な反日デモが行われた。日本政府の尖閣諸島の国有化に抗議するデモは、これで８日連続である。

In Shenyang, Liaoning Province, where the Liutiaohu Incident took place, the windows of the Japanese Consulate General were smashed by rocks thrown by demonstrators. This reckless violence followed vandalism against Japanese-affiliated companies in a number of places in China last weekend.
　柳条湖事件のあった中国遼寧省瀋陽では、デモ隊の投石で日本総領事館のガラスが割られた。各地で日系企業への破壊行為が相次いだ週末に続く狼藉(ろうぜき)だ。

Although the Chinese government appears to be trying to stem the extreme violence, it still permits the demonstrations. Some Japanese-affiliated companies have been forced to suspend factory operations and close their outlets. Chinese working at Japanese-affiliated companies or Japanese restaurants are also victimized by the acts of destruction.
　中国政府は、過激な行動は抑えようとはしても、デモ容認の姿勢を変えようとはしていない。日系企業は工場の操業停止や店舗の休業に追い込まれた。日系企業や日本料理店で働く中国人も破壊行為の被害者だ。

===

Income gap also protested

Demonstrators holding portraits of Mao Zedong aloft apparently were also showing their strong discontent over the growing income disparity under the current Chinese administration. This indicates the demonstrations were not simply aimed only at Japan.
　毛沢東の肖像画を掲げたデモ隊には、現政権下での所得格差拡大への強い不満もあるのだろう。単純な反日とも言い切れない。

If China's pressure on Japan escalates, tensions between the two countries will increase further. To prepare for unpredictable events, the Japanese government should keep in close contact with Japanese citizens and Japanese-affiliated companies in China. It also should strongly press the Chinese government to ensure the safety of Japanese people and companies.
　中国の対日圧力がさらにエスカレートすれば、日中間の緊張は一層高まろう。日本政府は不測の事態に備え、在留邦人や日系企業との連絡を密にするとともに、中国政府に対し、邦人と企業の安全確保を強く求めるべきだ。

It has been reported that more than 10,000 Chinese fishing vessels set sail in the East China Sea and that about 1,000 vessels are expected to arrive in areas around the Senkaku Islands. In an attempt to wrench the islands from Japan's control, those vessels, escorted by fishery surveillance ships of the Chinese Agriculture Ministry, may enter Japan's territorial waters.
　東シナ海に中国の漁船１万隻以上が出航し、尖閣諸島海域に約１０００隻が到着すると報じられている。日本の実効支配を崩そうと、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛下で、日本領海内に入る恐れがある。

Ships sent by the Chinese authorities entered Japan's territorial waters Friday and Tuesday. The Japan Coast Guard must not relax its vigilance and surveillance activities in the immediate future.
　中国の公船は、１４日に続き１８日も日本の領海に侵入した。海上保安庁の警戒監視は当分緩めるわけにはいかない。

===

Japan, U.S. should cooperate

In talks in Tokyo on Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba agreed the two nations would cooperate to prevent Japan-China relations from being irreparably damaged. Japan and the United States must continue to urge China to handle the matter in a levelheaded manner and resolve the situation as soon as possible.
　来日したパネッタ米国防長官は１７日、玄葉外相と会談し、「日中関係が大きく損なわれないよう日米で協力する」との認識で一致した。日米両国がともに、中国側に冷静な対応と事態の早期収拾を粘り強く働きかける必要がある。

The Japanese and U.S. governments also have agreed that deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft in Okinawa Prefecture will proceed as planned.
　日米両政府はまた、米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイの沖縄県配備を進めることでも合意した。

Strengthening the functions of the U.S. forces stationed in Japan will help guide China to act in a restrained manner.
　在日米軍の機能強化に取り組むことは、中国の抑制的な対応を引き出すことにつながるはずだ。

The Chinese government has submitted to the United Nations a nautical chart that identifies the areas around the Senkaku Islands as its "territorial waters." Beijing also has decided to submit an application to move the outer limit of its continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the baseline of its territorial waters in the East China Sea. These are steps apparently aimed at strengthening China's territorial claim over the Senkaku Islands.
　中国政府は、国連に、尖閣諸島周辺海域を「領海」とする海図を提出した。さらに東シナ海で領海の基線から２００カイリを超える大陸棚の延伸を求める申請案の提出も決定した。尖閣の領有権主張を強化しようとする動きだ。

The Japanese government for its part must make its stance clear to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of Japan's territory.
　日本政府は、尖閣諸島が日本の領土であることを国際的にアピールしていかなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 19, 2012)
（2012年9月19日01時50分  読売新聞）

反米デモ 中東の不安定化を憂慮する

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 19, 2012)
Anti-U.S. feelings mustn't lead to destabilization of Middle East
反米デモ　中東の不安定化を憂慮する（9月18日付・読売社説）

Anti-U.S. demonstrations have spread in Middle Eastern and Asian countries over a video clip from a U.S. film regarded by Muslims as disparaging the Prophet Mohammed.
　イスラム教の預言者ムハンマドを侮辱した映像に抗議する反米デモが、中東やアジアの国々に広がっている。

In the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, the U.S. ambassador and three staff members were killed in an attack on the U.S. Consulate. It is strongly believed that armed extremists carried out the terrorist attack by taking advantage of the chaos caused by the anti-U.S. protests.
　リビア東部ベンガジでは、米国領事館が襲撃され、米大使ら４人が死亡した。
　デモの混乱に乗じて、武装勢力がテロを実行したとの見方も強い。

In Cairo, some protesters stormed into the U.S. Embassy compound. U.S. embassies also were attacked in Sudan and Tunisia. In Yemen, people were killed in clashes between protesters and police.
　エジプトの首都カイロでは、デモ隊の一部が米大使館敷地内に乱入し、スーダンとチュニジアでも米大使館が襲われた。イエメンでは警察との衝突で死者が出た。

The wave of protests has spread to Asian countries with Muslim majorities, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
　反米デモの波は、インドネシア、マレーシアなどアジアのイスラム国にも及んでいる。

Images from the video clip of the film, which was produced in the United States, spread across the world after it was posted on the Internet. It is not known which individual or group produced the video clip or why it was posted on the Internet, but it has fueled religious hostility. No wonder Muslims are offended.
　問題の映像は、米国で作られた映画の要約版で、インターネットを通じて流れた。制作者やその意図は不明だが、宗教的対立をあおる行為だ。イスラム教徒が感情を害したのも無理はない。

===

Violence should be avoided

Even so, acts of violence and sabotage should never be permitted regardless of the anger the film provoked.
　だが、そうであろうと、怒りにまかせた暴力的な破壊行為は許されるものではない。

U.S. President Barack Obama strongly denounced the attacks on the U.S. ambassador and others, saying "we reject the denigration of any religion...Yet there never is any justification for violence."
　オバマ米大統領は、「われわれは他者の信仰を侮辱する行為を拒絶する」と述べた上で、「非常識な暴力は正当化できない」と米大使らへの襲撃を強く非難した。

We hope the situation will calm down as early as possible.
　事態が早期に沈静化することを望みたい。

A major concern is that anti-U.S. sentiment has spread widely among common people in the Middle East, not just Muslim radicals.
　懸念されるのは、過激派に限らず、中東の一般国民の間に反米感情が広がっている問題だ。

This may be because of their distrust in and discontent with U.S. policies vis-a-vis the Middle East.
　根底には、米国の中東政策への不信、不満があるのだろう。

After taking office in 2009, Obama made an effort to improve relations with the Islamic world, where anti-U.S. sentiment had increased because of the Iraq War. He supported the Arab Spring reform movement against autocratic leaders.
　オバマ大統領は就任後、イラク戦争によって対米感情が悪化したイスラム世界との関係改善に乗り出した。強権政治に立ち向かう「アラブの春」の改革を支持する立場を明確にしている。

Nevertheless, the demonstrations triggered by a video that has no connection whatsoever with the U.S. administration have spread. This underscores the existence of deep-rooted anti-U.S. feelings in addition to religious issues. Obama's Middle East policies do not seem to be functioning effectively.
　にもかかわらず、米政府とは無関係の映像を契機に反米デモが広がったことは、宗教上の問題に加えて反米感情の根深さを物語っている。オバマ政権の中東政策が機能していないとも言えよう。

===

Democratization half done

In Egypt and other countries where autocratic rulers were ousted during the Arab Spring movement, democratization is only half carried out. We are worried over how the anti-U.S. protests will affect the internal politics of Middle Eastern countries.
　「アラブの春」で独裁体制が崩壊したエジプトなどの民主化は道半ばだ。それだけに、この反米デモが、中東の国々の内政にもたらす影響が気がかりだ。

If the Middle East is thrown into chaos, it will have a global impact.
　中東が混乱すれば、その影響は世界に及ぶ。

As a "Pacific nation," the United States has attached more importance to Asia. But if Washington changes this policy and deploys a significant number of troops to the Middle East, it may affect Japan's national security.
　米国が「太平洋国家」としていくら「アジア重視」を唱えても、相当数の兵力を中東に振り向ける事態になれば、日本の安全保障に制約が生じかねない。

As Japan relies on the Middle East for slightly more than 80 percent of its crude oil imports, it is essential for this country to support the region's economic development by providing official development assistance and contribute to stabilizing the political situation.
　政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）などで中東諸国の経済発展を支え、政情の安定に寄与することは、原油輸入の８割強を中東に依存する日本にとっても重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2012)
（2012年9月18日01時24分  読売新聞）

リーマン４年 世界経済の再生へ試練は続く

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 19, 2012)
Challenges lie ahead in revival of global economy
リーマン４年　世界経済の再生へ試練は続く（9月18日付・読売社説）

Sept. 15 marked the fourth anniversary of the so-called Lehman shock, but the global economy remains mired in the doldrums.
　リーマン・ショックから１５日で４年過ぎたが、世界経済は低迷から抜け出せない。

Will additional measures recently decided by the U.S. and European central banks open the door to an economic recovery?
　米欧の中央銀行が決めた追加策で活路を開けるだろうか。

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has introduced a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3, to inject a massive amount of funds into financial markets. This follows the first and second rounds in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Under QE3, the Fed will purchase 40 billion dollars (about 3.1 trillion yen) of mortgage-backed securities per month.
　米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）は、２００８年と１０年に続き、金融市場に資金を大量に供給する量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）を導入した。
　住宅ローンを担保にした証券を月額４００億ドル（約３・１兆円）購入する内容だ。

The Fed also decided to extend its virtually zero-interest rate policy, which it previously planned to maintain until late 2014, until mid-2015.
　「２０１４年終盤まで」としていた事実上のゼロ金利政策についても、「１５年半ばまで」に延長する方針を打ち出した。

The Fed took this bold step--dubbed by some as a trump card--with the aim of buoying the economy to help increase employment. A strong sense of crisis apparently prompted the Fed to take this step.
　「切り札」とされる大胆な策に踏み込み、雇用増につながる景気浮揚を狙ったものだ。強い危機感に背中を押されたのだろう。

===

U.S. in a tight spot

The deterioration in U.S. economic indicators has been striking in recent months. The growth rate of the real gross domestic product fell to an annualized 1.7 percent in the April-June quarter. The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at the 8 percent level.
　このところ、米国の経済指標の悪化が目立つ。４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率は年率１・７％増に鈍化し、失業率は８％台に高止まりする。

The U.S. economy briefly picked up due to the all-out implementation of fiscal and monetary policies after the Lehman shock. However, the employment situation remains miserable and the economy has yet to get on a recovery track.
　リーマン・ショック後、財政と金融政策が総動員された結果、米国経済はいったん持ち直した。だが、雇用悪化が止まらず、景気回復軌道に乗り切れない。

One difference from four years ago is that the U.S. government is saddled with an immense budget deficit, which makes it very difficult to launch fiscal policies now. The United States has no choice but to depend on a monetary policy, but it is uncertain how effective this will be in improving the jobs situation. The U.S. government will face difficult challenges in steering the economy.
　政府が巨額の財政赤字を抱え、今は財政政策を発動しにくいことが４年前との違いだ。金融政策に頼るしかないが、雇用改善にどれだけ効果があるかは不透明だ。難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られよう。

Even more disconcerting than the economic situation in the United States is the European sovereign debt crisis, which shows no sign of drawing to a close.
　米国以上に懸念されるのが、出口が見えない欧州債務危機だ。

The European Central Bank has finally decided to purchase unlimited amounts of government bonds of Spain and other countries plagued by credit uncertainty due to the deterioration in their state finances.
　欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）は、財政悪化で信用不安に陥ったスペインなどの国債を無制限に購入する対策をようやく決めた。

===

Eurozone's need for speed

This is one step toward containing the crisis, but Europe, which has been too tardy in dealing with the problem, needs to act speedily.
　危機封じ込めへ、一歩前進だが、対応が後手に回ってきた欧州に求められるのはスピードだ。

We urge eurozone nations to quickly and fully activate the European Stability Mechanism, which will buy government bonds of countries affected by credit uneasiness in cooperation with the ECB. Spain should quickly seek assistance, and Germany and France must stand united with their support.
　信用不安国の国債をＥＣＢと協調して買い取るユーロ圏の欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）の本格稼働を急いでもらいたい。スペインは速やかに支援を求め、独仏両国などが結束する必要がある。

However, assistance from the ECB and the ESM is a mere stopgap measure. It is indispensable that nations such as Spain and Greece, the epicenter of the European financial crisis, embark on economic structural reform such as drastic fiscal reconstruction.
　ただし、ＥＣＢやＥＳＭの支援は当面の猶予策に過ぎない。スペインや欧州危機の震源地であるギリシャなどは、抜本的な財政再建といった経済構造改革に取り組むことが不可欠である。

There also has been much hand-wringing over the rapid slowdowns in emerging economies, including China and Brazil, that had served as driving forces of the global economy after the Lehman shock. The superstrong yen is damaging Japan's export industries and the country's economic recovery remains at a standstill. The government must be vigilant against further appreciation of the yen.
　リーマン・ショック後、世界経済を牽引(けんいん)した中国、ブラジルなど新興国の景気が急減速していることも不安材料だ。超円高は輸出産業に打撃を与え、日本の景気回復も足踏みしている。一段の円高を警戒しなければならない。

The revival of the global economy has only been half completed. Developed and emerging nations must do more to strengthen cooperation to finish the job.
　世界経済の再生は道半ばだ。先進国と新興国が連携を強化する一層の努力が求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 18, 2012)
（2012年9月18日01時24分  読売新聞）

日朝宣言１０年 原点に返って交渉を立て直せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 18, 2012)
Revive talks with North Korea based on 2002 joint declaration
日朝宣言１０年　原点に返って交渉を立て直せ（9月17日付・読売社説）

Monday marks 10 years since Junichiro Koizumi became the first Japanese prime minister to visit North Korea, where he signed the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Joint Declaration with then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
　日本の首相として初めて北朝鮮を訪れた小泉首相が、金正日総書記と日朝平壌宣言に署名してから１７日で１０年となる。

In the decade since then, however, the problem of Japanese abducted by North Korean agents has not been resolved, and North Korea's missile and nuclear threats to Japan have increased.
　この間、拉致問題は解決できず、北朝鮮の核・ミサイルの脅威は増大した。

Tokyo must confirm the validity of the Pyongyang Declaration--the starting point for resolving bilateral issues--with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, to put intergovernmental negotiations on pending issues on track.
　政府は、金正恩第１書記との間で原点の平壌宣言の有効性を確認し、政府間交渉を軌道に乗せる必要がある。

During the 2002 summit talks, Kim Jong Il admitted for the first time that his government had been involved in abducting Japanese, and apologized.
　日朝首脳会談で金総書記は、国家が関与した日本人拉致を初めて認め、謝罪した。

The Pyongyang Declaration stipulated, "North Korea will take appropriate actions to prevent a recurrence of incidents that threaten the lives and safety of Japanese nationals."
宣言は、北朝鮮が「日本国民の生命と安全に関わる懸案問題」を再び起こさぬよう適切な措置をとると明記した。

===

Abduction issue far from over

About one month later, five abductees, including Hitomi Soga and Kaoru Hasuike, returned to Japan. Koizumi visited North Korea again in May 2004, a trip that resulted in the abductees' families being allowed to come to Japan--more progress in the right direction.
　約１か月後、曽我ひとみさん、蓮池薫さんら拉致被害者５人が帰国、２００４年５月の小泉首相再訪朝を機に、さらに被害者の家族が帰国するなど前進はあった。

However, the whole truth of this matter is still nowhere near being revealed. Pyongyang said during its 2008 talks with Tokyo that it would reinvestigate the abduction issue, but it has unilaterally broken this promise and has not lifted a finger on this issue to this day.
　だが、全容解明にはほど遠い。北朝鮮は０８年の協議で拉致問題の再調査を表明しながら、一方的に反古(ほご)にし、今日に至っている。

We think it is extremely regrettable that North Korea has not sincerely tried to live up to its end of the bargain.
　誠実に対応しようとしない北朝鮮の態度は極めて遺憾である。

At the end of August, officials from Japan and North Korea, which is under the new regime of Kim Jong Un, held governmental talks for the first time in four years. Both delegations agreed to discuss a "broad range of issues of interest to both sides," with the abduction issue apparently in mind. This agreement seems to indicate a sign of change in North Korea.
　金正恩体制下の先月末、４年ぶりの日朝政府間協議では、拉致問題を念頭に「双方が関心を持つ事項」について協議することで一致した。北朝鮮に変化の兆しが出てきたようにも見える。

North Korea claims other Japanese abduction victims, including Megumi Yokota, have already died. However, Jin Matsubara, state minister in charge of the abduction issue, said it is a fact that he has received a lot of information from various contacts that suggest the abductees are still alive.
　北朝鮮が死亡したと主張する横田めぐみさんらの消息に関して、松原拉致問題相は「多くの生存情報が様々な接触から寄せられていることは事実だ」と述べた。

We hope the government will engage in talks with the North Korean government after reassembling its strategy to ensure the repatriation of all the abductees to Japan as soon as possible.
　政府は被害者全員の早期帰国が実現するよう、戦略を立て直して交渉に臨んでもらいたい。

===

Spell out path to normalized ties

As steps toward the normalization of Japan-North Korea diplomatic relations, the Pyongyang Declaration also confirmed international agreements would be observed to solve North Korea's nuclear issue and dialogue promoted among countries concerned over the nuclear, missile and other security issues. Following the declaration, six-party talks among Japan, North Korea, the United States, China, South Korea and Russia were launched.
　平壌宣言は、日朝国交正常化に向けて、核問題解決のため「国際的合意の順守」を確認し、核・ミサイルなど安全保障でも関係国間の対話の促進を明記した。宣言を受けて、北朝鮮と日米中韓露による６か国協議が発足した。

After the start of these talks that aimed to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, however, North Korea ignored repeated warnings by the international community and charged ahead with ballistic missile and nuclear weapon tests. North Korea now proclaims to be a "nuclear power." The six-party talks also have ground to a halt.
　北朝鮮は、朝鮮半島の非核化を目指す６か国協議の開始後、国際社会の度重なる警告を無視して弾道ミサイル発射や核実験を強行した。今や「核保有国」を自称する。６か国協議も行き詰まった。

North Korea has quite rightly been placed under U.N. economic sanctions, and it also has been slapped with additional sanctions by Japan.
　北朝鮮が、国連の経済制裁下に置かれ、日本独自の制裁対象にもなったのは当然である。

If Pyongyang wants to revive its economy in the future, it will need to depend not just on China's assistance but also to improve its relationship with the international community.
　今後、北朝鮮が経済を再建するためには、中国の支援に依存するだけではなく、国際社会との関係を改善することが必要だろう。

North Korea will be able to normalize diplomatic ties with Japan only after the abduction, nuclear and missile issues are comprehensively resolved. Japan must make Kim Jong Un fully aware of that.
　日本との国交正常化は、拉致や核・ミサイル問題の包括的な解決が前提だ。それを金第１書記に認識させていかねばならない。

To achieve this goal, domestic political stability in Japan is essential.
　そのためにも、日本政治の安定が欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2012)
（2012年9月17日01時20分  読売新聞）

反日過激デモ 中国政府はなぜ容認するのか

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 18, 2012)
Why does Beijing permit anti-Japan protests?
反日過激デモ　中国政府はなぜ容認するのか（9月17日付・読売社説）

Anti-Japan protests have been expanding and escalating in China.
　中国の反日デモが拡大し、過激化している。

This is a serious situation.
　憂慮すべき事態だ。

Protesters railing against the recent nationalization of three islets of the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, by the central government have taken to the streets of about 100 cities in China.
　日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに抗議するデモは、中国の約１００都市に広がった。

In Beijing, protesters hurled rocks at the Japanese Embassy, while in other cities they attacked Japanese-affiliated business establishments. Some Japanese citizens have been assaulted in places where there have been no street demonstrations.
　北京では日本大使館が投石され、地方都市では日系企業が襲撃された。デモの現場ではないが、日本人が暴行された例もあった。

It is quite reasonable for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to have lodged a protest with the Chinese government. The Japanese government must continuously press China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and businesses and the protection of their property.
　野田首相が抗議したのは当然である。日本政府は引き続き、中国政府に対し、邦人と日系企業の安全、財産の保護を徹底するよう求めなければならない。

The Chinese government should strictly punish those involved in behavior that results in property destruction in accordance with the law.
　中国政府は、破壊行為に関わった容疑者を法に基づいて厳正に処分すべきである。

In parallel with these protests, there have been aggressive acts by the Chinese government itself, which is apparently trying to undermine Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands.
　デモと並行して、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国政府の示威行動も目立つ。

===

Unprecedented intrusion

In an unprecedented action, six Chinese government maritime surveillance ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on Friday at the same time.
尖閣諸島周辺の日本の領海内に１４日、中国の海洋監視船６隻が侵入した。中国公船が同時に６隻も侵入してきたのは過去に例がない。

This is the first time that China has raised tensions with Japan to such a stage since bilateral diplomatic relations were normalized in 1972.
　１９７２年の日中国交正常化以来、これほど中国が日本との間で緊張を高めたのは初めてだ。

China has probably acted out of a heightened sense of crisis that it may lose face if the administration under the Chinese Communist Party is perceived by the people to have conceded to Japan over the Senkaku islets.
尖閣諸島を巡って日本に譲歩した、と国内で受け止められれば、共産党政権の威信が揺らぐと危機感を強めているのだろう。

In China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Japan's "wrongful act" (nationalization of the three islets) has been provoking strong righteous indignation in China, showing Beijing's sympathy for the anti-Japan protests. A senior Commerce Ministry official has also implied a boycott of Japanese products would be a natural consequence.
　中国は、外務省報道官が「日本の誤った行為が強い義憤を引き起こしている」と反日デモへの理解を示し、商務省幹部も日本製品の不買運動を容認するかのような発言をしている。

Such developments have fueled the anger of a younger generation that has been immersed in patriotic education, causing an escalation of their actions.
　これが愛国教育世代の若者を煽(あお)り、行動の過激化を招いた。

The Chinese government has apparently decided to politically exploit the people's anger against the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands to exert diplomatic pressure on Japan.
　中国政府には、尖閣諸島国有化に反発する国民の怒りを対日圧力に利用する政治的思惑がある。

===

Maintain the rule of law

But for the Chinese government to sanction illegal behavior under a slogan that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime would be to deny the rule of law. And boycotting products of a specific country violates the spirit of free trade, which also runs counter to China's interests.
　だが、愛国的行為は罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」のスローガンの下、破壊行為を正当化するのは法治の否定だ。特定国の製品の不買は自由貿易に反する。中国のためにもならない。

Appeals are being made for people to demonstrate against Japan again on Tuesday, which marks the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident that triggered the Manchurian Incident. It is feared the daily activities of Japanese people and businesses in China may be badly affected again.
　満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年に当たる１８日、各地では再びデモが呼びかけられている。邦人の生活や日系企業の営業活動への影響が懸念される。

It is highly likely that a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, escorted by fishing monitoring vessels of the Chinese agriculture ministry, will soon leave ports for the Senkaku Islands shortly and try to intrude into Japanese territorial waters.
　間もなく尖閣諸島沖に向け、中国漁船が大挙出港し、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛で、日本領海への侵入を図る可能性が高い。

The Japanese government, for its part, must make absolutely sure that the Japan Coast Guard protects the territorial waters.
　日本政府は海上保安庁による領海警備に万全を期すべきだ。

The government must assert to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory and that the recent acquisition of the islands is intended to place them under stable government management.
　政府は、尖閣諸島は日本の領土であり、安定的に管理するための国有化であることを、国際社会に主張していかねばならない。

The national leaders of Japan and China should bring the current situation under control so as not to aggravate the conflict of their people's sentiments.
　国民感情の対立を深めぬよう、日中両国は首脳レベルで、事態の沈静化に努める必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2012)
（2012年9月17日01時20分  読売新聞）

エネルギー選択 「原発ゼロ」は戦略に値しない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 16, 2012)
Responsible govt should never adopt zero nuclear goal
エネルギー選択　「原発ゼロ」は戦略に値しない（9月15日付・読売社説）

　◆経済・雇用への打撃軽視するな◆

It was extremely irresponsible of the government to set out a "zero nuclear power" policy without illustrating the details of how the nation is supposed to secure a stable supply of electricity.
　電力を安定的に確保するための具体策も描かずに、「原子力発電ゼロ」を掲げたのは、極めて無責任である。

The government should retract the zero-nuclear policy and instead propose a feasible energy strategy.
　政府は「原発ゼロ」の方針を撤回し、現実的なエネルギー政策を示すべきだ。

The government's Energy and Environment Council adopted an "innovative energy and environmental strategy" with a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating in the 2030s."
　政府のエネルギー・環境会議が、「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」を目指す「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」をまとめた。

Under the strategy, the government will not allow the establishment of any new nuclear power plants and will strictly enforce the rule of decommissioning nuclear reactors after 40 years of operation to achieve the goal, the council said.
　原発の新増設を認めず、運転開始から４０年での廃炉を厳格に適用していくという。

　◆肝心な部分は生煮え◆

At a press conference held Friday, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister for national policy, stressed the importance of the strategy. "We have shown our stance of earnestly tackling the problems associated with nuclear power without shelving them," Furukawa said.
　古川国家戦略相は記者会見で、「原子力に関する問題点を先送りせず、真摯(しんし)に取り組む姿勢を示した」などと意義を強調した。

However, Furukawa failed to provide an overall picture of the future composition of the energy supply, which the government has pledged to drastically review in light of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　しかし、東京電力福島第一原発の事故を受けて抜本的に見直すとしていた将来の電源構成については、全体像を示せなかった。

Such a sloppy, immature scheme is totally unworthy of a national energy policy.
　こんな生煮えの“粗案”では、国家のエネルギー戦略に値しないと言えよう。

===

Vital details lacking

The strategy stated a goal of increasing the proportion of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, from the current 10 percent to 30 percent by 2030. However, the council postponed revealing measures to achieve the plan until year-end.
　太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの比率を、現在の約１割から３割に増やすとしているが、肝心の実現策は年末に先送りした。

The government's decision to achieve zero reliance on nuclear energy in about 20 years without working out the details of how to secure viable alternatives looks slipshod.
　原発の代替電源を確保する方策の中身も詰めずに、約２０年先の「原発ゼロ」だけを決めるのは乱暴だ。

Was this the result of a calculated decision that it would help the Democratic Party of Japan if the government clarified its antinuke stance ahead of the next House of Representatives election? It is natural to suspect the government had already reached a conclusion on this matter ahead of discussions.
　次期衆院選を前に「脱原発」の旗印を鮮明にした方が民主党に有利になる、と計算したに過ぎないのではないのか。初めに結論ありきと言われても仕方あるまい。

Another problem of the new strategy is its lack of response to the results of an expert panel tasked with examining this issue, as well as indications from the business community.
　有識者会議による検討結果や経済界からの指摘に対応していないのも問題である。

It is estimated that vast sums of money would be required to achieve zero reliance on nuclear energy--50 trillion yen to increase the amount of renewable energy and another 100 trillion yen for energy-saving measures.
　各種の試算は、「原発ゼロ」にするには、再生エネ拡大に５０兆円、省エネに１００兆円を要するとしていた。

The nation's gross domestic product would likely fall by 50 trillion yen, and the number of jobless people is expected to increase by 2 million.
国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は５０兆円近く落ち込み、失業者も２００万人増加する見通しだ。

However, the new strategy only stated that the government would "devote all necessary resources possible" to deal with the problems, without stating specific measures.
　だが「戦略」には、「あらゆる政策資源を投入する」とあるだけで、課題の解決策がない。

Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), strongly criticized the zero-nuclear policy. "Industrial circles, which have been doing everything possible to maintain the level of employment, can never approve such a policy. It's a total contradiction to the government's growth strategy," Yonekura said.
　経団連の米倉弘昌会長は、「原発ゼロ」方針について、「雇用の維持に必死に頑張っている産業界としては、とても了承できない。まさに成長戦略に逆行している」などと、厳しく批判した。

Yonekura's remark reflects concerns that the zero-nuclear policy could threaten the people's livelihood by causing electricity shortfalls and driving up production costs, which would likely accelerate companies' moves to shift their production bases abroad.
　電力不足と生産コストの上昇で産業空洞化が加速し、国民生活が脅かされかねないためだ。

===

Policy laden with contradictions
　◆矛盾だらけの内容◆

Currently, 48 of the nation's 50 reactors remain unable to resume operations in spite of the end of their regular safety checkups.
　現在、全原発５０基のうち４８基が定期検査の終了後も再稼働できない状況が続いている。

Fuel costs for thermal power generation have shot up by 3 trillion yen a year compared to their level before the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
　火力発電の燃料費が年３兆円も余計にかかっている。

If things stay as they are, it will be inevitable for other electricity companies to raise their electricity charges, following TEPCO.
このままでは東電以外の電力会社も電力料金の値上げが避けられない。

If the ratio of thermal power generation rises in the nation's energy source mix, Japan's dependence on the politically volatile Middle East for much of its energy sources will continue.
　火力発電の比率が高まれば、政治的に不安定な中東に多くのエネルギーを依存する状況も続く。

The new energy strategy is right in pointing out that the nation should make use of nuclear reactors as important sources of power generation if their safety is guaranteed.
　「戦略」が、安全性を確認できた原発を重要電源として活用する方針を示したのは妥当である。

To ensure stable supplies of electricity, the government must redouble efforts to realize the restart of currently idled reactors.
電力安定供給のため、政府は再稼働の実現に努めねばならない。

However, the government's trumpeting of its "zero nuclear power" policy makes it all the more difficult to obtain local residents' consent to restart nuclear plants in their areas. The government is at cross-purposes with itself.
　それなのに政府は「原発ゼロ」をうたい、わざわざ再稼働に対する地元の理解取り付けを困難にした。ちぐはぐな対応だ。

Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa, who gave the go-ahead to the reactivation of the Oi nuclear power plant of Kansai Electric Power Co. in his prefecture, has understandably expressed a sense of distrust regarding the government's shifting energy policy.
関西電力大飯原発の再稼働を容認した福井県の西川一誠知事も、政府の方針転換に不信感を表明している。

To pursue the goal of reducing reliance on nuclear energy to zero while at the same time preserving Japan's nuclear fuel recycling program cannot be called anything but an obvious contradiction.
　核燃料サイクル政策を継続しながら「原発ゼロ」を目指すというのは、明らかな矛盾である。

Given this situation, nuclear fuel to be produced through the fuel cycle will not serve any purpose.
　これでは、再処理で作った核燃料の使い道がなくなる。

In Aomori Prefecture, which has long cooperated with the central government's nuclear fuel recycling program, some are calling for the prefecture to refuse to accept any new spent nuclear fuel. The anger there over the central government's treacherous handling of nuclear policy is quite understandable.
　国策の核燃サイクルに協力してきた青森県からは、使用済み核燃料の受け入れ拒否を求める声も出ている。不誠実な政府方針に対する青森県の怒りはもっともだ。

If Aomori Prefecture refuses to take in any more used fuel from nuclear complexes around the nation, there would be no place for storage of spent nuclear fuel, meaning nuclear power plants across the country would sooner or later be forced to halt their operations.
　青森県が協力を拒否すれば、使用済み核燃料の保管場所がなくなり、各地の原発は早晩、運転を続けることはできなくなろう。

Furthermore, the newly adopted policy would lead to drastic declines in the number of people pursuing careers as nuclear experts, jeopardizing enhancement of the nation's nuclear safety technologies and the future decommissioning of reactors.
　さらに、原子力の技術者になる人材が激減し、原発の安全性向上や、今後の廃炉作業に支障をきたす恐れもある。

===

Japan-U.S. ties in jeopardy
　◆日米同盟に悪影響も◆

Britain and France, to which Japan has entrusted the task of spent fuel reprocessing, and the United States, which has put high hopes on nuclear technologies held by Japanese companies, have shown strong anxieties over the government's policy switch.
　日本が核燃料の再処理を委託している英仏両国も、日本企業が持つ原発技術に期待する米国も、強い懸念を示している。

The United States has acknowledged Japan's reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel as a special right on the basis of the Japan-U.S. Cooperation Agreement on Nuclear Energy.
　米国は日米原子力協定に基づく特別な権利として、日本に使用済み核燃料の再処理を認めている。

Japan could lose the reprocessing right on the grounds of its new "zero nuclear power" policy.
「原発ゼロ」を理由に、日本は再処理の権利を失いかねない。

There also is concern that the international status of Japan, which the United States has so far deemed as its key partner in pursuing nuclear security policy in the Asian region, may decline.
　米国が、アジアにおける核安全保障政策のパートナーと位置づける日本の地位低下も心配だ。

Should this country break completely away from nuclear power, the stature of China and South Korea, which have both been keen to boost construction of nuclear power plants, would be bolstered in East Asia. Such a development would inevitably damage the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　日本が原発を完全に放棄すれば、引き続き原発増設を図る中国や韓国の存在感が東アジアで高まる。日米の同盟関係にも悪影響は避けられまい。

The government must be well aware of the fact that Japan's energy policy cannot be formulated without paying due attention to its implications in the international community.
　国際社会との関係抜きに、日本のエネルギー政策は成り立たないことを、政府は自覚すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 15, 2012)
（2012年9月15日02時00分  読売新聞）

自民総裁選告示 日本の針路に責任ある論戦を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 17, 2012)
LDP presidential candidates should thoroughly debate issues
自民総裁選告示　日本の針路に責任ある論戦を（9月16日付・読売社説）

　◆原発・ＴＰＰから逃げるな◆

If the Liberal Democratic Party's goal is to regain power, the candidates seeking their party's leadership must reveal concrete measures on how to tackle the vital tasks facing the nation.
　政権奪還を目指すという以上、日本が直面する重要課題への具体的な処方箋を明らかにしなければならない。

The LDP presidential race kicked off Friday, with five members running for the leadership: former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba; former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura; LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, acting chairman of the Policy Research Council. Verbal clashes among the five are heating up ahead of the voting on Sept. 26.
　自民党総裁選が１４日、告示され、安倍晋三元首相、石破茂前政調会長、町村信孝元官房長官、石原伸晃幹事長、林芳正政調会長代理の５人が立候補した。２６日の投開票日に向け、論戦も本格化している。

If the LDP wins the next House of Representatives election, the new party president will likely become the prime minister. We are looking forward to scrutinizing the qualities of the candidates as well as their policies through the election race.
　次の衆院選で自民党が勝てば、新総裁は首相に就任する公算が大きい。総裁選を通じて候補の資質と政策を十分に吟味したい。

　◆「集団的自衛権」は評価◆

The public is watching the campaign to confirm whether the LDP is capable of holding the reins of government. To regain the public's trust of the party, all candidates must clarify how they would deal with issues that have split public opinion.
　総裁選では自民党の政権担当能力の有無も問われる。信頼を取り戻すためには、国論を二分する政策について明確に方向性を示す必要があろう。

===

Show details on collective defense

All five candidates have pledged to amend the Constitution. Furthermore, they have stated in their election pledges that Japan should be allowed to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The five plan to establish a basic law on national security that will enable the nation to exercise this right. This is essential in order to restore the Japan-U.S. alliance after it was eroded during the administrations of Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan.
　５氏とも、憲法改正だけではなく、集団的自衛権の行使容認を公約に掲げている。これを可能とする「国家安全保障基本法」制定も目指す。鳩山、菅両政権で揺らいだ日米同盟の立て直しには欠かせない。

We commend them on this issue.
　この点は評価したい。

However, when the LDP formed a coalition government with New Komeito, the party failed to get the ball rolling on allowing the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The candidates must show specific steps to achieve this goal.
　ただ、集団的自衛権行使の容認は自公政権で手をつけられなかった課題である。実現に向けての具体的な手順を示す必要がある。

The present government recently set out a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s. Machimura criticized this policy, saying it is "just an expression of hope without specific means to achieve it." The other four candidates have similar opinions on this issue.
　政府が２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目標に掲げたことに対して、町村氏は「単なる願望であり、具体的な道筋がない」と批判した。この点でも、５氏の足並みはそろっている。

We can never approve the government's slipshod decision of announcing its "zero nuclear power" policy without sorting out ways to secure viable alternatives to nuclear power.
　代替エネルギーのあてもないまま、原発ゼロを打ち出した政府・民主党の短慮は認められない。

What do the presidential candidates of the LDP--which had promoted nuclear power for so long during its administrations--think about the nation's future energy policy? If they say only that it is too early to draw a conclusion, they are evading the issue.
　では、原子力行政を長年推し進めてきた自民党は、今後のエネルギー政策について、どう考えているのか。現段階で結論を出せないと言うだけなら、議論から逃げていることになる。

On the issue of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, all candidates have stated they oppose joining TPP negotiations if the premise is to eliminate tariffs without any "sanctuaries." If so, the candidates should explain their conditions for joining the TPP and how they would go about joining it.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題については、各氏とも「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提とした交渉参加には反対だ」と主張する。それなら、参加するための条件や道筋を語るべきだろう。

Hasn't the LDP emphasized expanding free trade in its growth strategy? The party should not turn its back to the TPP, which is essential to take advantage of economic growth in neighboring Asian nations.
　自民党はこれまで、自由貿易拡大による成長戦略を重視してきたはずだ。アジアの経済成長を取り込む上で欠かせないＴＰＰに背を向けてはならない。

We believe the candidates are considering the reactions of agricultural organizations such as agricultural cooperatives. However, under the existing circumstances, Japan's agriculture will only continue declining. The candidates must discuss measures to revive domestic agriculture so it can cope with further trade liberalization.
　農協など農業団体への配慮もあるのだろう。だが、農業はこのままでは地盤沈下が進むだけだ。貿易自由化に対応できるよう農業の再生策こそ議論すべきである。

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Diplomacy toward Beijing
　◆対中外交をどうする◆

On the diplomatic front, we want to hear what the aspirants for the top LDP post think about issues affecting Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and how they would rebuild this country's diplomatic ties with China, South Korea and Russia.
　外交では、対中・韓・露外交を再構築するためにも、主権・領土の問題への対応を聞きたい。

The candidates have all agreed on the need to beef up Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands. The tricky part is what measures they would take to achieve this.
　尖閣諸島の実効支配を強化する方針では、各氏とも一致している。問題は具体策だ。

Ishihara said, "It's natural for this country to defend its sovereignty, but now is the time for us to keep a cool head."
　石原氏は「主権を守るのは当然だが、クールダウンすべきだ」と指摘した。

Anti-Japanese demonstrations have become increasingly boisterous in China. To urge the Chinese government to calm the situation, the government and the ruling and opposition camps should levelheadedly work as one.
中国国内では反日デモが激しさを増している。中国に事態の沈静化を求めるために、政府や与野党が一丸となって冷静に対処すべきだろう。

Another matter of high significance is which party or parties the LDP should link up with after the next lower house election.
　一方、衆院選後にどの党と連携するかも重要な問題である。

Whatever the outcome of the election, the LDP will still lack a majority in the House of Councillors, even when counting the seats held by New Komeito. This situation will continue until at least next summer's upper house election.
自民党は、衆院選の結果にかかわりなく、参院で公明党と合わせても過半数に及ばない。来夏の参院選までこの状態が続く。

The five candidates are all wary of the idea of forming a grand coalition with the Democratic Party of Japan. Instead, they favor cooperation with the DPJ on a policy-by-policy basis.
　５氏とも民主党との大連立に否定的で、政策ごとの合意を訴えた。

Abe, for his part, has hinted at a possible partnership with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which is led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
安倍氏は橋下徹大阪市長が率いる「日本維新の会」との連携に含みを持たせている。

Some of Ishin no Kai's policies neatly fit those of the LDP, such as seeking revisions to the Constitution. However, many policy commitments of the party starkly contrast with those of the LDP, including the former's demand that the number of lower house seats be halved.
　維新の会の政策には、改憲など自民党と一致する点もあるが、衆院議員の定数半減など相いれない面も少なくない。

The LDP will need to consider these details carefully before forming any full-blooded political alliance.
政策本位で連携の是非を考えるべきだ。

Regarding comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems jointly undertaken by the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, all the LDP candidates have committed to adhering with the three-party accord. This is a natural course of action.
　５氏とも、民主、自民、公明の３党で進めた社会保障・税一体改革について、合意を順守することを言明した。当然だろう。

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New Diet rules required
　◆国会のルールを見直せ◆

The DPJ-LDP-Komeito tripartite agreement must be kept intact. The three parties should jointly address such key tasks as working out how to lower the financial burdens low-income earners will face when the consumption tax rate is increased, and enhance efficiency in budget appropriations for ballooning social security expenditures.
　民自公路線は今後も堅持し、消費増税に伴う低所得者対策や膨張する社会保障費の効率化といった課題に取り組む必要がある。

Abe said the proposed consumption tax hike "could put a damper on the economy if it's implemented at the wrong time," indicating the possibility he would postpone the first stage of the tax raise in April 2014.
　ただ、安倍氏は消費税率引き上げに関し、「時期を間違えると経済の腰を折ってしまう」と述べ、２０１４年４月段階の増税先送りの可能性を示唆した。

Although due consideration should be paid to national economic conditions before the tax increase, the importance of reconstructing the deficit-ridden government finances--a problem left alone for too long--should never be taken lightly.
　増税前に経済状況を考慮することは必要だが、長年の懸案である財政再建を軽視することがあってはならない。

Ishiba said the government-sponsored bill for enabling the issuance of deficit-covering bonds "shouldn't be used as a tool in a power struggle" between the parties. We agree entirely.
　赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案について、石破氏は「政争の具に使うべきではない」と提案した。もっともである。

This bill must not be used as a bargaining chip by the LDP as it pushes for the early dissolution of the lower house for a general election.
衆院解散・総選挙を求める駆け引きに使うべきではない。

In the divided Diet, where the opposition holds a majority in the upper house while the ruling bloc controls the lower house, what can be done so this nation has "politics capable of making decisions"?
　衆参ねじれ国会の下で、「決められる政治」をどう実現していくのか。

Deeper discussions should be held about how to formulate new rules for running Diet affairs.
新たな国会のルールづくりの論議も深めてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2012)
（2012年9月16日01時15分  読売新聞）

大震災１年半 復興の遅れ取り戻したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2012)
Delays in disaster restoration must be ended immediately
大震災１年半　復興の遅れ取り戻したい（9月14日付・読売社説）

Eighteen months have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck.
　東日本大震災から１年半が過ぎたが、

However, reconstruction of disaster-ravaged areas has fallen far short of the desired progress.
被災地の復興は思うように進んでいない。

The central and local governments must step up cooperation to address without a hitch the challenge of helping put disaster victims' lives and local industry back in order.
　政府と自治体が連携し、被災者の生活再建と産業の再生を急がねばならない。

Still conspicuous in the region stricken by the earthquake and tsunami are huge piles of debris at temporary storage sites in coastal districts. There is no immediate prospect of them being removed.
　被災地でいまだに目に付くのが、沿岸部に積み上げられた膨大な量のがれきだ。仮置きされたまま、行き場を失っている。

A mere 25 percent of the debris in the disaster area has been disposed of. If things stay as they are, the government-set goal of completely disposing of the debris by March 2014 can hardly be accomplished.
処理率は２５％に過ぎず、このままでは「２０１４年３月までに処理完了」という政府の目標達成は危うい。

Construction of temporary incineration facilities in the disaster-hit areas is an urgent matter. Broad-based plans to dispose of debris in prefectures outside the disaster-struck region should also be moved forward quickly.
　被災各地で、仮設焼却炉の整備が急務である。他県に運んで処分する広域処理も加速させたい。

There have been notable delays as well in plans to build publicly operated housing, or so-called restoration housing, to accommodate disaster victims living in temporary housing.
　仮設住宅などの避難者を受け入れる災害公営住宅（復興住宅）の建設も遅れが目立つ。

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Collective relocation eyed

About 30,000 housing units are meant to be built under the plans, but appropriate sites, such as publicly owned plots of land, have proven scarce. As a result, sites have been secured for only 10 percent of the planned public housing so far.
約３万戸を計画中だが、公有地などの適地がなかなか見つからず、用地が確保できたのは、わずか１割だ。

Projects for collective relocation of disaster-affected communities to higher ground will soon be launched. More than 200 communities, mainly in the three hard-hit prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima, are expected to be covered by the planned relocation.
　今後、高台への集団移転事業も動き出す。岩手、宮城、福島の３県を中心に、２００地区以上が移転対象になるとみられる。

Every one of such plans will certainly be unprecedentedly large in scale. Voices in prefectural, city, town and village governments are saying that the manpower needed to carry out the projects, such as civil engineers, is seriously lacking.
　いずれも前例のない大事業となる。県や市町村からは、土木技術者などの人材が足りない、という声が上がっている。

The Tokyo metropolitan government has pledged to send about 50 technical officials in charge of civil engineering and construction matters to the disaster areas. The central government's Reconstruction Agency must give full play to its role as coordinator for creating a framework of cooperation for stable supplies of personnel to promote the relocation projects.
　東京都は土木・建築系の技官を中心に約５０人を被災自治体に派遣する。復興庁が調整役となり、人材を安定供給する協力体制作りを進めてもらいたい。

There are 160,000 Fukushima Prefecture residents who have been evacuated within and outside the prefecture due to the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. A great majority of them are unable to return home in the near future because of radioactive contamination.
　福島県では、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の影響で、１６万人が県内外に避難した。その大部分が、放射能による環境汚染で、すぐには帰宅が困難な住民だ。

The government's policies to help restore Fukushima Prefecture from the disaster include a program to build "temporary towns" designed to entirely relocate the local entities involved. Iwaki in the prefecture is a candidate for such towns with consultations to start this month.
　政府は福島県の復興方針の中に、自治体ごと移転する「仮の町」構想を盛り込んでいる。県内のいわき市などが移転候補地に挙がっており、今月中に協議が始まる見通しだ。

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Expedite special zone system

The central government and Fukushima prefectural government should tackle in earnest the task of making the program a reality.
実現へ向け、政府や県が積極的に調整を図るべきだ。

To enable evacuees to return home, it is imperative to resolutely carry out radioactivity decontamination operations. Construction of interim storage facilities for radiation-polluted soil is essential. To ensure such facilities are established, the government must do its utmost to obtain understanding from local governments with candidate sites.
　避難住民が自宅に戻るには、除染を着実に実施することが大切だ。汚染土を管理する中間貯蔵施設も欠かせない。施設の設置へ、政府は地元自治体の理解を得ることに全力を尽くす必要がある。

Worthy of special note as a way to help resuscitate local economies is the central government's system for designating special zones for reconstruction in the disaster-stricken areas. In the eight months after the enactment of the law for the system, 20 plans to set up such zones have been approved by the government.
　被災地の経済再生策として期待されるのが復興特区制度だ。法施行後、８か月で２０件の特区計画が認定された。

The municipal government of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, has decided to invite a large-scale retail complex to a district that has so far been exclusively for industrial purposes under the Building Standards Law, by easing regulations through the special zone system.
　岩手県釜石市は、建築基準法の緩和で工業専用地域に大規模商業施設を誘致する。

In Sendai, a group of farmers, utilizing a preferential taxation measure on farm produce-related businesses under the system, will launch a food processing and distribution company. Whether the system can be deemed effective overall remains to be seen, however.
仙台市では農産品事業の法人税優遇を利用し、生産者が食品加工、流通も担う会社の設立に乗り出す。制度の実効性が問われるのは、これからだ。

Reviews to ascertain if the government's budgets for the March 11, 2011, disaster are being used effectively must be conducted across the board on the basis of how things actually stand in the disaster areas.
　政府の復興予算が有効に使われているのか、現地の実情を踏まえた総点検も実施すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分  読売新聞）

尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2012)
China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化　中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ（9月14日付・読売社説）

China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
　日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
　温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。

The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
　国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。

There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
　指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。

Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
　中国は、２年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース（希土類）の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。

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No doubt that isles are Japanese

Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
　尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。

Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
　国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。

The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
　日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船２隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。

A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
　今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。

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Coast guard must be strengthened

The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
　日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。

Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
　中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた９月１８日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。

Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
　日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。

It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
　交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化４０周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約３０人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。

Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
　日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分  読売新聞）

民主代表選討論 「決める政治」の一歩とせよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2012)
DPJ should use election to build political decisiveness
民主代表選討論　「決める政治」の一歩とせよ（9月13日付・読売社説）

The Democratic Party of Japan should use its forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity to encourage a new political culture to take root in the party--a culture in which party members comply with decisions reached through vigorous debate according to a set deadline.
　活発に議論した後は、期限内に結論を出す。その決定は党全体で守る。民主党は今回の代表選を機に、そうした政治文化を根付かせるべきだ。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and the three other DPJ presidential candidates participated in an open debate Wednesday that was organized by the Japan National Press Club.
　民主党代表選の候補４人による公開討論会が、日本記者クラブの主催で行われた。

Discussing the split in the party over the integrated social security and tax system reform, two of the three challengers--former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu and former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi--blamed Noda for the divide, citing flawed party procedures for obtaining approval for bills.
　社会保障と税の一体改革をめぐる民主党の分裂について、赤松広隆元農相や原口一博元総務相は、一体改革関連法の党の了承手続きなどに問題があったと主張し、野田首相の責任を追及した。

Noda replied that he feels "a deep responsibility" for the divide but that he made the right decision concerning the reform legislation. "I need to revive the party while engaging in serious self-reflection," he said.
　首相は「責任は痛切に感じている」としつつ、「（一体改革の）判断に間違いがあったとは思わない。猛省しながら党を再生しなければいけない」と強調した。

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Advance quickly on reforms

It is essential to make progress on the integrated reform, which aims to make the nation's social security system sustainable, without any further waste of time. We cannot fault the DPJ leadership in this respect, as it gave ample time for intraparty debates.
　持続可能な社会保障制度を実現する一体改革は、待ったなしだ。党執行部は、党内論議にも十分な時間を費やしたし、大きな瑕疵(かし)はなかったと言える。

However, the DPJ's tendency to put off difficult political decisions remains problematic. If the ruling party continues in this vein, it will never achieve political decisiveness.
　むしろ問題は、困難な政策決定を安易に先送りしがちな民主党の体質にある。政権党がこれを放置していては、「決める政治」の実現はおぼつかない。

Referring to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), a regional political group that is highly popular with the public, Noda said it is important for the DPJ "to make a decision at the right time" as an established political party. We agree with the prime minister's sentiment.
　地域政党・大阪維新の会の人気が高いことに関連し、野田首相は、反省を込めて、「既成政党が結論を出すべき時に出す」ことの必要性を指摘した。その通りだ。

The DPJ should try to improve its fundamental nature during the presidential election campaign.
　民主党は代表選を通じて、体質改善を図る必要がある。

A touchstone issue the party needs to face is whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework.
　今後の試金石は、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題だ。

The four candidates are split on the issue--Noda favors promoting participation, Haraguchi is opposed, and Akamatsu and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have taken a cautious stance.
首相は「推進」の立場だが、原口氏は「参加しない」、赤松氏と鹿野道彦前農相も「慎重」という対立の構図がある。

During Wednesday's open debate, Noda went only so far as to say that the country "cannot make a decision without sufficient discussions with the countries involved."
　首相も討論会では、「関係国との協議が熟さないと、（日本が対応を）決めることはできない」と語るにとどまった。

===

TPP delay undesirable

If Japan delays joining the TPP negotiations, however, it will inevitably lose the opportunity to put forth its viewpoint on new international rules for trade and investment.
　しかし、交渉参加が遅れれば、新たな貿易・投資の国際ルールに日本の主張を反映できる余地が一層狭まるのは確実だ。

We urge the candidates to engage in thorough discussions on the issue during the campaign, including how TPP participation would affect the domestic farming industry.
　国内農業に与える影響などを含め、代表選で、ＴＰＰの参加論議を深めることが重要だ。

Regarding methods to ease the burden of a higher consumption tax rate on low-income earners, Akamatsu called for adopting a reduced tax rate for food and other daily necessities, saying, "The plan would be easier for the ruling and opposition parties to agree on." Kano also supported the idea.
　消費税率引き上げに伴う低所得者対策について、赤松氏は、「与野党合意を得やすい」として、食料品などの軽減税率の導入を主張した。鹿野氏も同調した。

Their support apparently comes after New Komeito, a major opposition party, threw its weight behind the idea.
公明党が軽減税率を支持していることを踏まえたものだろう。

Noda, on the other hand, reiterated his support for an earned income tax credit as the main form of support for the low-income group.
　野田首相は、従来通り、「給付付き税額控除」を対策の柱とすべきだとの考えを示した。

We believe reduced tax rates for certain items would be easy for the public to understand and also effective in achieving its goals, as similar systems have been implemented in Europe. We hope the candidates will hold deeper discussions on the issue.
　軽減税率は、国民に分かりやすく、欧州各国も採用しており、有力な対策だ。代表選での、より踏み込んだ論争を期待したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
（2012年9月13日01時36分  読売新聞）

「日本維新の会」 国政改革への道筋が見えない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2012)
Hashimoto's new party lacks road map to reform natl politics
「日本維新の会」　国政改革への道筋が見えない（9月13日付・読売社説）

Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, is poised to become a political force to be reckoned with, but it cannot be denied that its policies and management structure were hastily formulated.
　侮れない政治勢力になりつつあるが、政策も運営体制も急ごしらえの感は否めない。

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), declared the launch of the new party during a fund-raiser in Osaka on Wednesday.
　地域政党・大阪維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長が、大阪市で党の政治資金パーティーを開き、新党「日本維新の会」結成を宣言した。

Hashimoto stressed the significance of Osaka Ishin no Kai's foray into national politics. "The nation's systems and laws are barriers we hit when we try to do something," Hashimoto said. "If we carry out Osaka's reform in the true sense, revising the laws is our only choice."
　橋下氏は、「何かをやろうとするとぶつかる壁が国の制度と法律だ。本当の意味で大阪の改革をやろうと思えば、法改正しかない」と国政進出の意義を語った。

Hashimoto said the new party will aim to win "a majority" of the 480 seats in the next House of Representatives election.
　日本維新は、次期衆院選で「過半数」獲得を目指すという。

However, it is unnecessary for Hashimoto to advance into national politics if all he wants is to realize his Osaka metropolis plan. His rash eagerness, or big talk, is what makes him stand out. But what does he plan to achieve in national politics, and how? He needs to present a convincing vision.
　だが、「大阪都」構想を実現するためだけなら、何も国政に進出する必要はない。橋下氏は、“大風呂敷”とも言える意欲ばかりが先走っているように見える。国政で何をどう実現するのか、説得力のある見解を示す必要がある。

===

Platform grandiose but vague

Osaka Ishin no Kai has changed its campaign pledges for the next lower house election, dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy statement), to the "platform" of the new party. Hashimoto said this is because the listed points represent the new party's sense of values.
　維新側は、これまで次期衆院選の公約としてきた「維新八策」を「綱領」に変更した。党の価値観を示すものだからだという。

Ishin Hassaku contains such phrases as "self-sustaining nation" and "democracy that is capable of making decisions and takes responsibility," but these abstract expressions do not tell what kind of nation the new party will pursue. The ideals should be explained in a more understandable way.
　維新八策には「自立する国家」「決定でき、責任を負う民主主義」といった言葉が並んでいるが、こうした抽象的な表現からは、日本維新がどんな国家を目指すのかが伝わってこない。理念はもっとわかりやすく説明すべきだ。

Ishin Hassaku is a mix of slogan-like goals--such as the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which would require a constitutional amendment, and halving the number of lower house seats--and policies for social security, education and employment. The mid- and long-term tasks and immediate policy challenges must be properly sorted out.
　維新八策には、憲法改正を伴う首相公選制導入や、衆院の議員定数半減などスローガンのような目標と、社会保障、教育、雇用などの政策が混在している。中長期と当面の政策課題を、きちんと仕分けしなければなるまい。

Hashimoto stressed that elections are the only way to solve problems that cannot be solved by bureaucrats and problems that divide public opinion. If that is so, he should present specifically what pledges the new party will make for the next lower house election.
　橋下氏は「役人では解決できない問題、国論を二分する問題は、選挙で解決するしかない」と強調した。それでは、次期衆院選で具体的に何を公約するのか、明示してもらいたい。

===

A highly unusual structure

The new party has an extremely peculiar structure. Its headquarters will be in Osaka. Because seven Diet members, including former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno, will join it, the new party will meet a major requirement to be recognized as an official national political party, which must have at least five lawmakers. The party's Diet members and its groups of local assembly members, including Osaka Ishin no Kai, will be on equal terms with each other.
　日本維新は、極めて特異な体制をとる。党本部を大阪に置く。松野頼久元官房副長官ら現職国会議員７人が新党に参加するため、政党要件は満たされる。国会議員団と大阪維新の会など地方議員団は、並列の関係にする方針だ。

Hashimoto will double as both Osaka mayor and leader of the new party, and has said he will not run in the upcoming lower house election. This is probably because it has been less than one year since Hashimoto transitioned from Osaka governor to Osaka mayor and his commitment to the Osaka metropolis plan, the biggest item on his political agenda, is expected to enter a difficult phase in which he will work on such tasks as dividing cities into special wards and making relevant financial resource arrangements.
　橋下氏は党代表と大阪市長を兼務し、衆院選には立候補しないという。府知事から市長に転身して１年足らずで、最大の政治課題である大阪都構想への取り組みも、これから区割りや財源調整など難しい局面に入るからだろう。

There is widespread speculation over the possibility that Hashimoto's new party will make great strides, becoming the force holding the key to cooperation between political parties after the lower house election.
　日本維新は衆院選後、政党間の連携のカギを握る勢力に躍進する可能性もとりざたされている。

Hashimoto said, "I'll cut down the amount of time I spend for myself, and use it for national politics." However, will it really be possible for Hashimoto, in Osaka, to control rookie lawmakers who lack experience in politics?
　橋下氏は、「自分の時間を削って国政に充てる」と言うが、政治経験のない新人議員らを大阪からコントロールできるだろうか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
（2012年9月13日01時36分  読売新聞）

原子力規制委 やむを得ぬ首相の委員長任命

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 13, 2012)
Noda's appointment of nuclear watchdog chief inevitable
原子力規制委　やむを得ぬ首相の委員長任命（9月12日付・読売社説）

A nuclear regulatory commission must be established as soon as possible to reconstruct the nation's nuclear safety administration.
　原子力安全行政を立て直すため、原子力規制委員会を速やかに設置する必要がある。

At a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, the government decided to establish the commission next Wednesday.
　政府は、規制委の１９日発足を閣議決定した。

The chairman and four other posts will be appointed by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda based on a law that allows for the appointment of the nuclear watchdog's members without obtaining Diet approval.
　委員長と委員４人の人事案に国会の同意が得られぬまま、規制委設置法に基づき、野田首相が自らの権限で任命することになる。

Personnel appointment without Diet approval is not desirable. But considering that the legal deadline for establishing the agency is Sept. 26, the government will have no choice but to take this exceptional step.
　国会同意なしの任命は望ましくないが、法律上の設置期限の２６日が迫っている。政府が特例措置に踏み切るのはやむを得ない。

There was no vote held on a personnel plan for the commission during the ordinary Diet session that ended last week because of differences within the Democratic Party of Japan.
　先の通常国会で同意の議決ができなかったのは、民主党内の混乱が原因である。

Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi, a candidate in the forthcoming party presidential election, and some other DPJ members called for replacing the proposed personnel with people who do not belong to the so-called nuclear power village.
　鳩山元首相や党代表選に出馬した原口一博元総務相らは、いわゆる「原子力ムラ」に属さない人物への差し替えを求めている。

Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan also took a cautious stance toward the personnel plan. It is incredible that the plan was not backed by the ruling party.
菅前首相も慎重姿勢を示した。政府が提案した人事に与党が同意しないのは異常な事態だ。

Opposition from within the DPJ has little chance of subsiding and it is strongly believed the opposition parties would reject the proposal. It appears the government would not find it easy to obtain approval in the next extraordinary Diet session.
　民主党内の反対論が沈静化する可能性は低く、野党にも否決論が根強い。次の臨時国会での同意取り付けも容易ではなさそうだ。

===

Nuclear experts necessary

The regulatory commission is responsible for ensuring the safety of nuclear power based on specialized knowledge. Hatoyama and other opponents of the plan must understand that the commission is not a forum to decide on nuclear policy.
　だが、規制委の任務は、専門的知見に基づき、原子力利用の安全性を確保することにある。原子力政策の決定の場ではないことに、鳩山氏らは留意すべきだ。

Under normal circumstances, the commission's main task will be to determine the advisability of restarting and decommissioning nuclear power reactors. In times of emergency, the commission will serve as a control headquarters for dealing with nuclear accidents.
　平時は、原子力発電所の再稼働や廃炉の是非を判断し、緊急時には事故対応の司令塔となる。

Since the commission is an autonomous entity, which is to say independent from government ministries and agencies, it requires personnel with practical knowledge of nuclear power. The commission will be unable to perform its role if experts are eliminated from it.
　規制委は各府省からの独立性が強く、自律的な組織だけに、原子力の実務を知る人材を欠かすことはできない。専門家を排除すればその役割を果たせまい。

For the commission to function properly, a robust personnel arrangement must be realized for the nuclear regulatory agency that will serve as its secretariat. It is essential to harness human resources widely from the private and public sectors.
　規制委が機能するには、事務局となる原子力規制庁の陣容を固める必要がある。官民から幅広く人材を起用することが不可欠だ。

If the government puts forth a policy to reduce the nation's nuclear dependence to zero, it will become difficult to get the most out of able personnel due to the loss of a bright outlook for the future. The government must consider this point as well.
　政府が「原発ゼロ」を打ち出せば、将来への展望がなくなり、優秀な人材の確保は困難となることにも気を配る必要はないか。

===

Rule needs review

The rule requiring Diet approval for personnel appointments must be reviewed by both the ruling and opposition parties.
　国会同意人事については、与野党でルールを見直すべきである。

Above all, it is problematic that personnel plans revealed in the media in advance are not approved in principle. This rule was included in an agreement reached by the chairmen of the Rules and Administration committees of both houses of the Diet, as insisted on by the DPJ when it was an opposition party.
特に、事前報道された場合、原則その人事を認めないとしている点が問題だ。野党当時の民主党が主張し、衆参両院議院運営委員長の合意に明記された。

Such a rule represents unjustifiable media control. Using fear of information leaks as an excuse for the government to refrain from consulting ruling and opposition parties on personnel matters could have serious consequences.
　不当な報道規制である。政府が情報漏えいを口実にして、与野党との人事案の事前調整を忌避することによる弊害も大きい。

The lower house has called for abolishing the agreement but the upper house disagreed, insisting it be partly revised instead.
　衆院側は合意撤廃を求めたが、参院側は一部修正にとどめるべきだとして折り合えなかった。

Liberal Democratic Party members of the upper house might have opposed scrapping the accord to strike back at the DPJ, which the LDP believes used the agreement to attack the LDP-led government.
　参院自民党には、かつてこの合意を盾に野党民主党に苦しめられたことへの意趣返しという思いもあろう。

In any case, irrational rules must be eliminated. It is the reasonable thing to do.
だが、不合理な規則は早急に廃止するのが筋である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分  読売新聞）

自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 13, 2012)
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選　「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ（9月12日付・読売社説）

What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
　政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。

We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。

LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
　自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。

The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
　次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。

However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
　だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。

Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
　谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。

===

Tanigaki frozen out

It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
　野党第１党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。

In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は２１％でトップだ。

Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
　それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。

Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
　背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。

Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
　谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。

Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。

The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
　総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。

===

Take stand on nuclear power

Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
　石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。

The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
　自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。

The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
　自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。

Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
　対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。

Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
　政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分  読売新聞）

民主代表選告示 日本再生へ責任ある論争を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 12, 2012)
DPJ presidential candidates must debate revival of Japan
民主代表選告示　日本再生へ責任ある論争を（9月11日付・読売社説）

　◆新たな政策課題の旗を掲げよ◆

It is essential that the candidates in the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential election review the DPJ's past three years in power and hold a responsible policy debate to rehabilitate the party and restore public trust.
　党の体制を立て直し、国民の信頼を回復するためには、民主党政権の３年間を総括し、責任ある政策論争を展開することが肝要である。

Official campaigning for the DPJ presidential election began Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda; former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu; former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi; and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have thrown their hats into the ring to begin the war of words.
　民主党代表選が告示された。再選を目指す野田佳彦首相と、赤松広隆元農相、原口一博元総務相、鹿野道彦前農相の計４人が立候補し、舌戦が始まった。

Noda's lead over the other candidates appears unshakable, making the race a de facto confidence vote. Much focus is being placed on how many anti-Noda votes the other candidates can garner.
　首相の優勢は揺るがず、事実上の信任投票の様相を見せている。他の３人がどこまで野田批判票を集めるかも焦点である。

===

Ending deflation urgent
　◆急がれるデフレ脱却◆

It is important for Noda to win as much support as possible in the party. He needs to restore his political clout, which was weakened after the DPJ split when former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers left the party, and to build a foundation to tackle new policy challenges.
　首相にとっても、できるだけ多く党内の支持を集めることが重要だ。小沢一郎元代表らの離党に伴う党分裂で低下した求心力を回復し、新たな政策課題に取り組む基盤を築くことが求められよう。

At a joint press conference of the candidates Monday, Noda stressed his commitment to the agreement between the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over integrated social security and tax system reform. He said his stance will not change even though LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has announced he will not run for reelection.
　野田首相は共同記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民主、自民、公明３党合意を堅持する考えを強調した。谷垣自民党総裁が総裁選不出馬を表明したが、その考えは変えないという。

Enacting the reform legislation, the main pillar of which is an increase in the consumption tax rate, has been the Noda administration's historic achievement. It marked a first step away from the "politics incapable of making decisions" under the divided Diet. We commend Noda's stance of maintaining cooperative relations between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito.
　消費税率引き上げを柱とする一体改革関連法の成立は、野田政権の歴史的な業績だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、「決められない政治」を脱却する一歩でもあり、首相が民自公路線を継続していく姿勢は評価できる。

Akamatsu and Kano said they would basically stand by the three-party deal, but Haraguchi said the agreement had been negated by the passing of a censure motion against Noda in the House of Councillors.
　赤松、鹿野両氏も３党合意を基本的に守る考えを示したのに対し、原口氏は、参院での問責決議可決によって「３党合意は破棄された」との認識を示した。

Haraguchi hopes to capitalize on his ties to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), but we strongly doubt he could turn policy into reality without the cooperation of the LDP and Komeito.
　原口氏は、「大阪維新の会」との近さを売り物にしているが、自公両党と連携せずに政策課題を実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。

As a new policy goal, Noda announced he would draw up and implement an emergency plan to break the grip of deflation within one year and restore the country's competitiveness within two years.
　首相は、新しい政策目標として経済再生に向けて「１年以内のデフレ脱却と２年以内の競争力回復」を実現する緊急計画を策定・実行する方針も表明した。

It is understandable that he set a specific deadline for beating deflation to create an environment amenable for raising the consumption tax rate. We hope he will put his policy into shape quickly.
　消費増税の環境を整えるうえでも、目標期限を明示してデフレ脱却に取り組む方針は理解できる。具体化を急いでもらいたい。

===

Explain advantages of TPP
　◆ＴＰＰの利点を語れ◆

The four candidates differ clearly over whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework. Noda said he will promote participation in the framework, Akamatsu and Kano have been cautious on the issue, and Haraguchi said Japan should not join.
　４候補の違いが明確になったのは、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題だ。野田首相が「推進」を掲げたのに対し、赤松、鹿野両氏は「慎重」で、原口氏は「不参加」を唱えた。

Japan did not say it would participate in the TPP negotiations at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Russia. However, we believe the nation must join the free-trade framework if it hopes to tap the economic vigor of Asia to further develop the Japanese economy. Noda needs to clearly explain the merits of joining the talks early.
　日本はロシアでのアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議で参加表明を見送ったが、アジアの活力を取り込み、日本経済を成長させるには、ＴＰＰ参加が欠かせない。首相は早期参加の利点を具体的に語るべきだ。

In energy policy, all four candidates agree the nation should eventually end its reliance on nuclear power.
　エネルギー政策では、４候補が「原子力発電ゼロ」を目指す方針で足並みをそろえた。

We fear the proposed zero option for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the economy by increasing production costs and undermining nuclear technology, among other concerns. We suggest the four candidates reconsider the matter and come to a more realistic solution without pandering to antinuclear opinions.
　「原発ゼロ」には、コスト増大による経済への悪影響、原子力技術の衰退など、重大な懸念がある。反原発論に迎合せず、より現実的な政策策定へ再考を求めたい。

In the joint news conference, Kano and two other candidates blamed Noda for causing the DPJ to split, and said the party needs a "political culture of responsibility." Noda rejected their claims, saying, "I can't resuscitate the party by leaving office halfway through."
　鹿野氏ら３候補は共同記者会見で、党分裂を招いた首相の責任を追及し、民主党には「責任を取る政治文化」が必要と主張した。首相は、「党再生を図るため、中途半端に政権を投げ出すわけにはいかない」などと反論している。

What would be more problematic than the breakup of the party is if the DPJ, as a ruling party, continued its internal battles while papering over important policy differences. The party needs a political culture in which members comply with what has been decided through policy debates.
　政権党が重要政策の違いを内在したまま、内紛を繰り返す方が、党分裂以上に問題は大きい。政策論争を経て、「決定したことはきちんと守る政治文化」こそが、民主党には必要だろう。

The DPJ should use the forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity for a fresh start by learning from its past blunders in running the government.
　今回の代表選を、民主党政権の様々な失政を教訓とし、出直しを図る機会とせねばならない。

The failed attempt last week to field Environment Minister Goshi Hosono in the party presidential election laid bare once again the DPJ's tendency to seek easy-sounding popularity-seeking solutions. In the political drama, Hosono's supporters believed that if a young candidate with good name recognition led the party in the next House of Representatives election, they would not have to be so concerned that the party would have to fight an uphill battle.
　不発に終わった先週の細野環境相の擁立劇は、安易な人気取りに走ろうとする民主党の体質を露呈した。若く知名度のある党首を担げば、次期衆院選での苦戦が緩和されよう、という発想だ。

In a draft of its manifesto for the next general election, the DPJ advocates the handout policy of increasing child allowances by 50 percent, which is typical of the party's populist inclinations.
　民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）素案が「児童手当の５割増」というバラマキ政策を掲げたのも同様の人気取りの発想である。

===

Realistic pledges crucial
　◆現実的な公約が必要だ◆

The DPJ must reexamine the defects of its unrealistic manifesto, which claims it could generate more than 16 trillion yen per year by altering the budget allocation system. The debates of the presidential candidates must lead the party to adopt a convincing campaign platform.
　民主党は、予算組み替えで年１６兆円超の財源捻出が可能などとした非現実的な現在のマニフェストの欠陥を直視せねばならない。代表選の論戦を踏まえ、説得力のある公約を練り上げるべきだ。

Japan's diplomatic and security policies have followed a sinuous course in recent years, neglecting the Japan-U.S. alliance. Government administrative functions have not worked smoothly due to the DPJ's policy of distancing itself from the bureaucracy in deciding and carrying out policies. The government should also be blamed for haphazardly dealing with the Gtreat East Japan Earthquake and the sebsequent nuclear crisis. Noda has struggled to resolve these negative legacies from the previous two DPJ administrations, led by Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, but he has yet to finish the job.
　日米同盟の軽視による外交・安全保障政策の迷走、「脱官僚」路線がもたらした行政の停滞、大震災や原発事故への場当たり的な対応……。野田首相は、鳩山、菅両政権の「負の遺産」の清算に取り組んできたが、まだ道半ばだ。

The DPJ has attempted to blame the opposition for legislative failures in the divided Diet, in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp. But it is clear the DPJ's irresponsible management of Diet business has been a root cause of the indecisive political atmosphere.
　ねじれ国会で法案が成立しない原因は与党でなく野党、と言わんばかりの民主党の無責任な国会運営が、「決められない政治」の根本にあったことも否めない。

The question is whether the DPJ as a whole can recognize its responsibilities as the ruling party during the leadership campaign and make a fresh start.
　代表選を通じて、民主党全体が政権党の自覚を持ち、生まれ変われるかどうかが問われている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2012)
（2012年9月11日01時08分  読売新聞）

視覚的で使いやすいブックマークならライフリストです

ブックマークというと、よく分からないと言われる方が多いのですが、MSウインドウズ系とアップル系で呼び方が違うのが原因だと思います。MSウインドウズ系では、my favorite （お気に入り）となっていますが、ブックマークと何ら変わるものではありません。

サイトで偶然に見つけたのが、視覚的で使いやすいブックマーク、ライフリストなのです。
これは本当に見やすいですよね。
私の利用方法を考えて見ました。

ブックマークは一画面当たり最大で５４個まで設定できるということなので、それでひらめきました。
私の運営するブログ、HPが現在丁度５０個くらいなのです。
これらを一画面上で閲覧管理できるとなれば、その便利さは計り知れません。

早速この記事を投稿した後で、サイトにアクセスして登録してみます。
楽しみです。

育毛シャンプーの正しい選択肢はノンシリコンシャンプーだったのです(汗）；

私は慣れない海外での仕事と、加えて、事務処理の膨大さによるストレスにより円形脱毛症にかかったことがあります。今でこそ髪の毛がふさふさに快復しておりますが、当時は円形脱毛症で直径約２０センチメートルにわたり、まるで漫画で良く出て来るカッパの頭みたいに禿げ上がってしまいました。

それは、日本のスリランカ向け政府開発援助でしたが、そのプロジェクトの主任技師を担当しておりました。
現地採用のタイピストとセクレタリー併せて数名はすべて女性でした。
ある日突然、私は彼女たちの視線を、なんと、私の頭の方に感じました。
彼女たち、禿げかかっている私の頭のほうを見ては含み笑いをするのですよ。
これはとても辛かった。陰湿ないじめを受ける辛さみたいなものを感じましたが、私には為す術（すべ）がありませんでした。

その一件以来、私は髪の毛を取り戻すべく、ありとあらゆる育毛剤に手を出し、出費した金額も半端ではありませんでした。なんとかして短期間で挽回したかったからです。ハゲの汚名を晴らしたかった。
私の場合、運良く毛根がまだ完全に死滅していなかったので、かろうじて自分の髪の毛を取り戻すことができました。毛根が死滅している人は、かつらか植毛しかないというサイト情報に震え上がった思い出がございます。

髪が抜け落ちる苦しみは耐え難いものではありました。
私は当時の西ドイツから、わざわざ毛はえ薬を輸入して治療しました。
それから、豚毛のブラシで頭を叩きました。そこにはうっすらと血が滲んでおりました。
まさに、血の滲むような努力をしたわけなのです。

スリランカのプロジェクトが完成するまで６年間を要しましたが、無事竣工し、私は日本に晴れて帰国することができました。日本に戻ってから、すぐに育毛シャンプーというものを使い始めました。
現在、日本では通販を中心として実に様々な種類の育毛シャンプーが販売されています。

で、つい今しがたですが、サイトで発見したのが「ノンシリコンシャンプー研究会」というサイトです。
まさに、目から鱗が落ちるとはこのことですね。私は今まで何をしていたのか？
育毛シャンプーの種類の選択が、その後の髪の運命を決定づけるのです。

こちらのリンクで詳細が確認できます。

出生前診断 「命の選別」助長せぬルールを

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 11, 2012)
Medical community must ensure 'embryo screening' doesn't occur
出生前診断　「命の選別」助長せぬルールを（9月9日付・読売社説）

Trial implementation of a new method of prenatal diagnosis that can determine with near certainty whether a fetus will develop Down syndrome is set to begin shortly at about 10 medical institutions nationwide.
　胎児がダウン症かどうか、高い精度で分かる新型の出生前診断が、近く国内の約１０医療機関で試験的に始まる。

The medical community must avoid a situation whereby the latest technology in reproductive medicine encourages "embryo screening."
　最新の生殖医療技術が「命の選別」を助長するような事態は、避けなくてはならない。

We urge the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and other organizations to quickly work out guidelines for using the examination so it is not used casually.
　安易な実施に歯止めをかけるため、日本産科婦人科学会などは、検査する際の基準を規定する指針の作成を急ぐべきだ。

Maternal serum marker screenings--another form of prenatal diagnosis--have become commonly used. These tests check a pregnant woman's blood for certain chromosome abnormalities in the fetus.
　妊婦の血液から胎児の染色体異常などを調べる出生前診断では、既に「母体血清マーカー」と呼ばれる検査法が普及している。

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry issued an opinion saying serum marker screenings should "not be recommended by medical doctors." However, the opinion is nonbinding and nearly 20,000 such tests are conducted each year.
　厚生労働省は「医師は勧めるべきではない」との見解を出しているが、強制力はなく、年間２万件近く実施されている。

Reportedly, not a few expectant mothers, shocked at the possibility of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality, choose abortion after receiving positive test results.
異常の可能性を知って、妊婦がショックを受け、人工妊娠中絶を選択するケースが少なくないとされる。

===

Situation worrisome

Compared with the conventional methods for predicting Down syndrome that only offer a likelihood, test results using the new method are nearly certain.
　ダウン症の発症を確率でしか予測できない旧来の方法に比べ、今回、試験的に始まる新型の診断法では、ほぼ確実に判定できる。

We believe it is quite natural for medical specialists to harbor concerns that the new test could encourage the casual use of abortion.
専門医などの間で、「安易な中絶を助長する恐れがある」との懸念があるのも当然と言えよう。

In other countries where the method has already been introduced, it has been met with opposition from groups of concerned families and other organizations, who have released statements opposing it on the grounds that it could cause disabled people to be rejected by society. A case on the issue has even been brought before the International Criminal Court.
　新型診断を導入している海外では、「障害者の排除につながる」として、家族らの団体が反対声明を出し、国際刑事裁判所に提訴した例もある。

Behind the increased use of prenatal diagnoses lies the reality of the tendency of modern women to have children later in life, which generally increases the risk of congenital disease.
　出生前診断が広まっている背景には、晩婚化に伴い、先天疾患のリスクが高まる高齢出産が増えている現状がある。

Doctors may find it difficult to refuse requests from pregnant women wanting to know if their babies have a genetic disease.
「赤ちゃんの障害の有無を知りたい」という妊婦の依頼を、医師はなかなか断れない実情もあるのだろう。

===

Proper education crucial

It is important that doctors, when asked to conduct prenatal diagnoses, give expectant mothers sufficient knowledge about Down syndrome.
　医師は、検査を要望されたら、ダウン症の正しい知識を丁寧に説明することが大切だ。

While people with Down syndrome often experience mental disabilities and cardiac disorders, many of them are able to lead normal lives thanks to improved medical and educational support systems.
　ダウン症は知的障害や心疾患を伴うことが多い反面、医療や教育体制が整備され、多くの人は健やかに日常生活を送っている。

Improved counseling services are also needed to address the anxieties of pregnant women. The nation needs more such specialists than the current 270.
　妊婦の不安に応えるカウンセリング態勢の充実が欠かせない。現在、全国で約２７０人の専門家を増やしていく必要がある。

Meanwhile, experts in the United States succeeded in June in decoding a fetus' genetic information using only a sample of the mother's blood and the father's saliva.
　米国では今年６月、妊婦の血液と父親の唾液から、胎児のすべての遺伝情報を解読することに成功した。

When put into practical use, this method is expected to make it possible to check for most genetic diseases at the fetal stage.
実用化されると、ほとんどの遺伝性疾患を胎児の段階で調べることが可能になる。

Such a development would pose an even more difficult challenge for those working on the medical front lines. The new test for Down syndrome is merely a sign of what could come in this issue.
　そうなれば、医療現場には今後、さらに重い課題が突き付けられよう。今回の新型診断は、その入り口に過ぎないと言える。

The reality is that rules and regulations on the use of prenatal diagnosis have not caught up with technological innovations in reproductive medicine. In drawing up relevant guidelines, we urge those involved to also take a hard look at future technological progress.
　生殖医療の技術革新に、利用や規制のルールが追いついていないのが現状だ。指針の作成においては、将来の技術の進展も見据えた議論が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
（2012年9月9日01時26分  読売新聞）

日露首脳会談 領土交渉への土俵を固めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 11, 2012)
Japan needs solid strategy for territorial talks with Russia
日露首脳会談　領土交渉への土俵を固めよ（9月9日付・読売社説）

Before holding further territorial talks with Russia, Japan must firstly strengthen the base of its negotiation stance.
　まずは交渉の土俵をしっかりと固めていかなければならない。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting in Vladivostok in Far East Russia. The two leaders confirmed talks would continue over the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido.
　野田首相とプーチン露大統領がロシア極東のウラジオストクで会談し、北方領土交渉の継続を確認した。

Tokyo and Moscow will deepen talks on the islands at a vice-ministerial meeting scheduled for autumn and when the Japanese prime minister visits Russia in December.
今秋に予定される日露次官級協議、１２月をメドとする首相の訪露で議論を深めることになる。

Recent friction with China and South Korea over the Senkaku and Takeshima islands has prompted hard-hitting questions about Japan's stance over its own sovereignty and territory. With Russia also, the government must work persistently to find a solution to the northern territories dispute based on historical facts and documents.
　尖閣諸島や竹島の問題を契機に、日本の主権・領土に対する姿勢が厳しく問われている。北方領土問題でも、政府は歴史的な経緯と文書を踏まえ、粘り強く解決を模索しなければならない。

The latest talks between Noda and Putin followed their first meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June, where they agreed to "revive" long-stalled talks on the territorial issue.
　野田、プーチン両首脳の会談は、領土交渉の「再活性化」で合意した６月のメキシコ・ロスカボスに続いて２度目だ。

===

Quiet, constructive talks needed

During the talks, Noda told Putin "consideration must be paid to public sentiment" in Japan as a condition for the territorial negotiations. He also requested the Russian leader hold discussions "in a quiet and constructive environment."
　今回、野田首相は、交渉の前提として日本の国民感情への配慮が必要と指摘し、「静かで建設的な環境」での議論を求めた。

Noda's remarks apparently were referring to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's provocative landing on Kunashiri--one of the islands in the northern territories--in July. Moscow must not be allowed to "Russianize" the territories by faits accomplis with unilateral development of them, at a time when talks on the islands are poised to resume.
　メドベージェフ露首相が７月に国後島に上陸して日本を挑発したことを念頭に置いた発言だ。日露間で交渉しようというのに、北方領土開発の既成事実を積み重ね、一方的に「ロシア化」を進めることは、断じて許されない。

Putin agreed with Noda that the issue should be solved in a quiet atmosphere without stirring up public sentiment. We think Putin should do what he said.
　プーチン大統領も「世論を刺激せず、静かな雰囲気の下で解決していきたい」と言明した。言葉通りの行動をとるべきである。

In economic discussions, Noda welcomed Russia's recent entry to the World Trade Organization. He also said Japan will cooperate in the development of Siberia in the Russian Far East if mutual trust is further enhanced.
　経済分野では、野田首相がロシアの世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）加盟を歓迎し、極東シベリア開発についても「相互信頼が進めば協力が現実のものとなる」と語った。

Putin expressed his expectation for increased investment from Japan. However, we hope Moscow will first improve Russia's investment climate, including the abolition of trade barriers.
　大統領は日本の投資拡大に期待感を表明したが、ロシアには、貿易障壁の撤廃など投資環境を一層改善してもらいたい。

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum on construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Vladivostok, a project that Japanese firms and the Russian energy company Gazprom are working on.
　会談後、両首脳は、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）工場建設に関する覚書の署名式に立ち会った。ウラジオストク近郊で、日本企業とロシア国営のガスプロムが進めているプロジェクトである。

===

Mutual benefits await

Russia is developing natural resources in its Far East region. Japan's demand for LNG has increased since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so ensuring a stable supply of the fuel for thermal power generation and importing the gas from a wider array of countries have become important issues for Japan. Energy cooperation will have huge merits for Japan and Russia.
　ロシアは極東の資源開発を進めている。日本では原発事故以来、ＬＮＧの需要が増え、火力発電用燃料の安定調達と輸入先の多様化が課題だ。エネルギーに関しては日露双方にメリットが大きい。

Tokyo and Moscow also inked a treaty on measures to control poaching and smuggling of crabs and other marine products in the Okhotsk Sea.
　両政府はまた、オホーツク海のカニなど水産物の密漁・密輸入対策に関する協定にも署名した。

These are not the only fields in which Japan and Russia can jointly work and benefit. Bilateral relations have strategic importance for both countries when it comes to dealing with China, which is expanding both economically and militarily.
　日露両国が連携し、ともに利益を享受できるのは、こうした分野にとどまらない。経済、軍事の両面で膨張し続ける中国と向き合っていくうえで、日露関係には戦略的な重要性がある。

We think Japan and Russia should deepen their interdependence because it could lead to a solution to the dispute over the northern territories.
　北方領土問題を解決する道筋をつけるためにも、日露の相互依存を深めていくべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
（2012年9月9日01時26分  読売新聞）

ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 8
EDITORIAL: Party elections must not undermine commitment to reform
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな

The Diet session has effectively ended, and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party have started gearing up for their respective leadership elections.
　国会が事実上閉幕し、民主、自民の両党首選が本格的に動き出した。

Within the DPJ, Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has decided against running in the party presidential election, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu have announced their candidacies.
　民主党では、細野環境相が立候補を見送り、野田首相と原口元総務相、赤松元農林水産相が名乗りを上げた。

In the LDP, President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Nobutaka Machimura, former chief Cabinet secretary, have expressed their intention to run. Nobuteru Ishihara, party secretary-general, Shigeru Ishiba, former party policy chief, and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also showing an interest in joining the contest.
　一方、自民党では谷垣総裁と町村元官房長官が立候補の意向を表明した。石原幹事長や石破前政調会長、安倍元首相、林元防衛相も意欲を示している。

The related moves that have been made so far within these two main parties have shown troubling signs that each leadership race is shaping up to be a popularity contest to choose each party's "poster boy" for the upcoming Lower House election.
　これまでの両党の動きをみると、遠からず行われる総選挙に向けた「選挙の顔」えらびの側面ばかりが目につく。

That's not good news for the nation.
　だが、それでは困るのだ。

One of the two new party heads is likely to lead this nation as prime minister after the Lower House poll. The candidates should make clear their political creeds and policy agendas to make sure that the party elections will be contests over qualifications as party leader.
　今回選ばれる両党首のいずれかが、総選挙後の首相として日本のかじ取りを担う可能性が高い。各候補は理念と政策を明確に掲げ、指導者としての資質を競う機会としてもらいたい。

What the candidates should do first is to make a public commitment to follow through with the deal on integrated tax and social security reform struck among the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
　まず求めたいのは、民主、自民、公明の３党で合意した、社会保障と税の一体改革を引き継ぐことを明確にすることだ。

Since the enactment of legislation for the integrated reform, relations between the two main parties have become strained, partly because of the passage of a censure motion against Noda through the Upper House, with the support of the LDP.
　一体改革関連法の成立後、首相への問責決議の可決などで２大政党の関係は再びきしんでいる。

There is no prospect for the establishment of a new council for social security reform, which, under the agreement among the three parties, is supposed to develop a blueprint for the reform within one year.
１年以内に結論を出すとした、社会保障国民会議の設置もめどが立たない状態だ。

Details of the integrated reform have yet to be worked out, and many key issues remain to be tackled. How should the health-care and pension programs be bolstered, and how should policy efforts to support child care be expanded as the aging of the nation's population continues toward peak levels?
　一体改革の肉付けはこれからだ。高齢化のピークに向けて医療や年金制度をどう強化し、子育て支援策をどう充実するか。

The remaining tasks also include developing measures to ease the regressive taxation effects of the scheduled consumption tax hike and to enhance the income and inheritance taxes.
また、消費増税にともなう逆進性の緩和や、所得税や相続税の強化も積み残されている。

The agreement among the three parties has committed them to shield the social security system from partisan warfare and to work together to secure the long-term financial stability of the system even if power changes hands. That's the long and short of the deal.
　政権が代わっても、少なくとも社会保障制度は政争の具にせず、安定的に運営できる態勢を民自公３党を中心につくる。それこそが一体改革の眼目だったはずである。

This is a formal agreement among political parties. Breaching it would be tantamount to betraying the public, who are facing an increased tax burden due to the consumption tax raise.
　政党間の正式な約束だ。それを反故（ほご）にするようなことになれば、消費増税で負担増となる国民への裏切りにも等しい。

Some politicians within the LDP, including Abe, are apparently maneuvering for a policy alliance with Osaka Ishin no Kai, a local party headed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that is planning to field candidates in the upcoming election, rather than with the DPJ.
　ところが、自民党では安倍元首相のように民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携を模索する動きもある。

Osaka Ishin no Kai has proposed transferring the consumption tax revenue to local governments. If the LDP chooses the Hashimoto group over the DPJ, the three-party deal on the integrated reform could fall apart.
　その維新の会は「消費税の地方税化」を掲げる。もし自民党が維新の会との連携を優先するなら、民自公の一体改革は空中分解しかねない。

If that happens, the question will be what kind of political framework should be formed to establish a stable and sustainable social security system. The candidates have the political responsibility to offer clear and convincing answers to this question.
　その場合、安定的な社会保障制度をどんな政治の枠組みでつくっていくのか。説得力ある方針を示す責任がある。

There is also a long list of other policy challenges confronting this nation. Japan clearly needs to work out a new energy policy by settling the issue of restarting idled nuclear reactors, further liberalize its trade with key trade partners and repair its soured relations with its neighbors.
　原発再稼働を含むエネルギー政策、貿易自由化、近隣外交のあり方など、課題は山積している。

Serious disagreements on these issues within both the DPJ and the LDP are hampering the efforts to deal with these challenges.
しかも、それぞれで両党とも党内の意見が割れている。

The two parties should regard their leadership elections as a good opportunity to clarify their platforms and renew their commitments to key policy proposals for their campaigns for the general election.
　この党首選を、総選挙に向けて政策の方向性を整理し、公約を固め直す絶好のチャンスととらえてはどうか。

「原発ゼロ」提言 現実を直視できない民主党

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 9, 2012)
DPJ's zero-nuclear energy proposal unrealistic
「原発ゼロ」提言　現実を直視できない民主党（9月8日付・読売社説）

As a ruling party, the Democratic Party of Japan is beyond irresponsible in setting a policy course seeking zero nuclear power generation after hasty and inadequate discussion.
　拙速な議論で「原子力発電ゼロ」の方針を打ち出すのは、政権党としてあまりに無責任だ。

The DPJ has drawn up a proposal for future energy measures that will aim for zero reliance on nuclear power in the 2030s.
　民主党が「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」を目指すエネルギー政策の提言をまとめた。

The proposal does not allow the government to construct new nuclear power stations and requires it to strictly adhere to a new regulation of shutting down reactors after 40 years of operation. However, the proposal lacks specific measures to overcome the possible negative impact on the economy, such as high costs and increased unemployment.
　原発の新増設は認めず、運転開始から４０年での廃炉を厳格に適用するという。だが、高コストや失業増大など経済への悪影響を克服するための具体策は乏しい。問題だらけの内容だ。

The proposal is full of problems.

The DPJ made a hasty decision to include the 2030s target for achieving zero reliance in the proposal in the final stage of party discussions on the matter.
　「原発ゼロ」を３０年代に実現するという期限についても、党内の議論の終盤で強引に盛り込む乱暴な決め方だった。

With an eye to its manifesto for the next House of Representatives election, the DPJ apparently thought stating its position to seek zero reliance would benefit the party in the election. We see this as pure demagoguery.
　衆院選のマニフェスト（政権公約）を意識し、「原発ゼロ」を鮮明にした方が選挙に有利だと考えたのだろう。大衆迎合主義（ポピュリズム）そのものだ。

===

Enormous costs

According to estimates by the government's Energy and Environment Council, the nation would face enormous costs to completely end its dependence on nuclear power. The council has projected 50 trillion yen would be needed to expand the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power while energy-saving investments would cost the nation 100 trillion yen under the zero percent nuclear power scenario.
　太陽光など再生可能エネルギー拡大に５０兆円、省エネ達成に１００兆円――。政府のエネルギー・環境会議が示した「原発ゼロ」のコストは膨大である。

As a result, electricity charges would be raised. Regular households would likely see their monthly utility bills jump from the current maximum of 17,000 yen to 32,000 yen. Furthermore, increases in production costs would accelerate the hollowing-out of industry, forcing people out of jobs.
　電気代が上昇し、標準家庭の光熱費は、現在の月１万７０００円が３万２０００円に跳ね上がる。生産コスト増で産業空洞化が加速し、失業は急増するだろう。

Both the business community and the government are aware of the seriousness of the possible negative impact from zero reliance on nuclear energy.
　「原発ゼロ」がもたらす悪影響の重大さは、経済界だけでなく政府も認めている。

However, the DPJ appears to have turned a blind eye to such "inconvenient truth." The party failed to work out concrete measures in the proposal. Instead, it has left the task to the government, only saying in the proposal the government "needs to utilize all policy resources" to denuclearize the nation.
　しかし、民主党はこうした「不都合な真実」に目をつぶった。提言で明確な打開策を示さず、「政策的に強力な支援を行う必要がある」などとし、政府に対応を“丸投げ”しただけである。

There has also been strong concern that setting the timing for achieving zero reliance would cause a decline in the number of young people seeking careers in nuclear-related fields, making it difficult for the nation to nurture capable experts.
　「原発ゼロ」の時期を明示した場合、原子力の技術者などを目指す若者が激減し、肝心の人材が育たなくなる恐れが強い。

If that happens, the government would be unable to fulfill the important tasks of enhancing the safety of nuclear reactors and establishing technologies to shut down reactors in light of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. Japan could lose its international credibility.
　福島の事故を受けた原発の安全性向上や廃炉技術の確立など、重要な責務を果たせなくなり、日本の国際的な信用も失墜しよう。

===

Realistic strategy needed

The government also would find it more difficult to obtain understanding from local people for restarting nuclear reactors. If Aomori Prefecture, which had accepted spent nuclear fuel from nuclear facilities nationwide under the national nuclear fuel cycle policy, decides to reject spent fuel, restarting reactors across the nation would become more difficult.
　原発再稼働へ地元の理解も得られにくくなる。政府の核燃料サイクル政策を前提に、各地の原発から使用済み核燃料を受け入れてきた青森県が、協力を拒否する事態となれば、全国の原発を動かすことは一段と困難になる。

Currently, the nation faces an additional cost of more than 3 trillion yen a year for thermal power generation to make up for lost nuclear energy. Unless nuclear reactors are reactivated, utility companies other than Tokyo Electric Power Co. would also be forced to sharply raise electricity rates.
　現在、原発を代替する火力発電の燃料費は、年３兆円以上も余計にかかっている。再稼働できないと、東電以外の電力会社も大幅な料金値上げを回避できまい。

The government plans to decide on its new energy strategy as early as next week. Without being bound by the DPJ's proposal, which apparently looks to the lower house election, the government should present to the public a realistic energy plan that will continue to utilize nuclear energy in the mid- and long term.
　政府は来週にも、新たなエネルギー戦略を決める予定だ。選挙目当ての民主党提言にとらわれず、政府は中長期的に原発の活用を続けていく現実的なエネルギー政策を示すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
（2012年9月8日01時45分  読売新聞）

通常国会閉幕 停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 9, 2012)
Ruling, opposition blocs must rise above politicking
通常国会閉幕　停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ（9月8日付・読売社説）

The ordinary session of the Diet, which has lasted more than seven months, adjourns on Saturday.
　７か月余に及んだ通常国会が８日閉幕する。

Relative to its long duration, the session cannot be considered very productive.
　長丁場の割には、非生産的だった。

There is an urgent need for both the ruling and opposition blocs to work out reforms of the legislature to break away from "politics incapable of making decisions."
　「決められない政治」から脱却するための国会改革に、与野党で取り組む必要がある。

The most important achievement in this Diet session was the enactment of a set of laws for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems.
It is significant that the long-overdue task of raising the consumption tax rate has been accomplished through cooperation among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　最大の成果は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立である。民主党と自民、公明両党が連携し、長年の懸案であった消費税率引き上げを決めた意義は大きい。

In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared, "The stalemate of politics can surely be surmounted only if we politicians have a strong sense of responsibility and resolve, seeing things from a broad perspective."
　野田首相は記者会見で「政治家が使命感と覚悟を持ち、大局に立てば、政治の停滞を打破できる」と強調した。その通りだろう。

He is right to say so.

Cooperation among the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, however, has been limited to a very narrow range, leaving a pile of Diet business unaddressed.
　だが、民自公の連携はごく一部に限られ、多くの懸案が残った。

===

DPJ leadership clumsy

The passage rate of fresh government-sponsored bills during this ordinary session was 66 percent, the second-lowest in the past 20 years. Both the ruling and opposition parties must do serious soul-searching about this.
政府が新規提出した法案のうち成立は６６％で、この２０年間で２番目に低い水準だ。与野党とも大いに反省しなければならない。

The impasse cannot be attributed only to the divided state of the Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives.
　国会停滞の原因は、衆参のねじれだけではない。

As LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has pointed out, imbroglios within the DPJ have hampered steering of state affairs.
自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の混乱が国政の遂行を妨げた、と指摘した。

There were some conspicuous instances of poor management of Diet affairs by the DPJ leadership during the session. For instance, the issue of Diet approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission has been left unrealized due to the DPJ's clumsy handling of the matter.
　確かに、民主党執行部の稚拙な対応が目立った。例えば、原子力規制委員会人事の国会同意が実現しなかったことである。

After the government decided on candidates for the chairman and other members of the commission, one objection after another arose within the DPJ. The party leadership, fearful of internal rebellion, postponed votes on the candidates in both the lower and upper chambers' plenary sessions. The DPJ should be criticized for lacking awareness of its duty to shore up the government.
　政府が決めた委員長と委員の候補に対し、民主党内から異論が相次ぎ、造反を恐れた党執行部は、衆参両院本会議での議決を見送った。民主党には政府を支える自覚が足りないと言えよう。

Delay in launching the nuclear regulatory commission, which is to be in charge of revamping the administration for ensuring nuclear safety, can only raise more obstacles to resuming operations of idled nuclear power plants.
　原子力安全行政の立て直しを担う規制委の発足がずれ込めば、原子力発電所の再稼働にも支障が出る。

Under the circumstances, Noda has expressed his intention to appoint the commission's chairman and other members without Diet approval, based on a provision of the law for the establishment of the commission.
野田首相は規制委設置法に基づき、国会同意なしに委員長と委員を任命する考えを表明した。

Such action is inevitable.
やむを得ない措置である。

===

Opposition also culpable

Dealing with the problem of the disparity in the weight of votes in lower house elections, which the Supreme Court has ruled as being in a "state of unconstitutionality," has also been put off.
　違憲状態とされている衆院選の「１票の格差」是正も先送りされた。

The DPJ's attempt to focus on a bill that it prepared unilaterally without any effort to obtain support from the opposition has only aggravated the problem.
民主党が、野党の合意を得ず一方的に独自法案の審議を進めたことが事態をこじらせた。

But the opposition, too, should be held heavily responsible for throwing the Diet into confusion.
　一方、国会の混乱は野党にも大きな責任がある。

The opposition bloc passed censure motions against the prime minister and two other Cabinet members, subsequently boycotting Diet deliberations and stalling Diet business for a long period.
　参院で首相と２閣僚の問責決議を可決し、審議拒否によって国会を長期間空転させた。

What the current opposition has done is much the same as what the DPJ did when it was in opposition. How long will opposition parties continue to engage in such futile showdowns with the government?
　野党時代の民主党と同様の手法だ。こんな不毛な対立をいつまで繰り返すのか。

The opposition must refrain from using censure motions, which have no binding power, as means of political maneuvering.
法的拘束力のない問責決議を政争に使うことは慎まねばならない。

The bill for issuing deficit-covering government bonds has been scrapped because of resistance from opposition parties.
　赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案は、野党の反対で廃案となった。

As a result, the government has been unable to secure revenue sources for budgetary appropriations and has had to refrain from implementing parts of the budget, including allocation of tax grants to local governments. This is a situation that can adversely affect people's lives.
予算の裏付けとなる財源を担保できず、政府は地方交付税交付金の配分など予算執行の一部抑制に踏み切る。国民生活に悪影響を及ぼしかねない事態だ。

Both the ruling and opposition camps make a point of engaging in politicking for the sake of their own selfish interests. This must stop.
　与野党が党利党略で駆け引きにうつつを抜かす。そんな政治に終止符を打ってもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
（2012年9月8日01時45分  読売新聞）

ＴＰＰ交渉 参加表明の見送りを憂慮する

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 8, 2012)
Japan must swiftly overcome its internal deadlock on TPP
ＴＰＰ交渉　参加表明の見送りを憂慮する（9月7日付・読売社説）

How much longer does the government intend to put off participating in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord? It should hasten a political decision on the matter.
　政府は環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加をいつまで先送りするつもりなのか。政治決断を急ぐべきだ。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will likely put off expressing Japan's intention to take part in the TPP talks during the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled to start Saturday in Vladivostok.
　野田首相は、ロシア・ウラジオストクで８日開幕するアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議でのＴＰＰ参加表明を見送る方針である。

At the APEC meeting last November in Hawaii, Noda announced Japan's policy of starting discussions with countries involved toward Japan's participation in the TPP talks. Since then, Japan has held negotiations with the nine other countries, including the United States.
　首相は昨年１１月、ハワイでのＡＰＥＣ首脳会議に合わせて、「ＴＰＰの交渉参加に向けて関係国との協議に入る」と述べ、米国など９か国と協議してきた。

Initially, Noda wanted to express Japan's intention to participate in the talks at the upcoming meeting in Russia. However, as some within the Democratic Party of Japan and agricultural organizations oppose Japan participating in the TPP talks, there has been little progress in reaching a consensus within the government and the ruling DPJ.
　当初は、ロシアでの表明を目指したが、民主党内の一部や農業団体などが反発し、政府や党内の意見集約が進んでいない。

Wary that his power base might be shaken if he announced Japan's participation in the TPP talks, Noda has apparently had second thoughts about doing so.
　ＴＰＰへの参加表明によって、自らの政権基盤が揺らぎかねないと警戒した首相は、二の足を踏んだのだろう。

===

Window of opportunity closing

Considering the required period for giving notice to the U.S. Congress, it is reckoned that Japan must express its intention to participate in the talks no later than this month if it is to start negotiating with the nine other countries this year. Thus, there is no longer any hope that Japan can take part in the talks in 2012. This is a worrisome development.
　米議会への通告期間を考慮すると、日本が年内に交渉のテーブルに着くには、９月が表明の期限とされる。年内参加は絶望的になった。憂慮すべき事態だ。

Meanwhile, it has become certain that Canada and Mexico will join the negotiations, bringing the participating countries to 11 and leaving slow-going Japan further behind.
　もたつく日本を追い越し、カナダとメキシコのＴＰＰ参加が決まっている。

U.S. President Barack Obama hopes to see the TPP negotiations concluded by the end of the year. Although that appears unlikely, the 11 participating countries are expected to hold talks in September and December, bringing the negotiations into full swing over the next year.
オバマ米大統領が目指す年内の交渉妥結は難しい情勢だが、参加１１か国は、今月に続き１２月に会合を開き、来年にかけて交渉を本格化させる見通しだ。

As things stand now, final-stage negotiations over such issues as eliminating or lowering tariffs and working out rules on trade and investment will accelerate without Japan. Should Japan take part in the talks only after the negotiations are settled, it will be unable to complain if it is subjected to unfavorable rules.
　このままでは、関税撤廃・引き下げや貿易・投資ルール作りなどを巡り、日本抜きで大詰めの交渉が加速する。交渉決着後の参加なら、日本に不利なルールを押しつけられても文句は言えない。

With domestic demand expected to contract due to a declining population, Japan needs to tap the vitality of other Asian countries through an expansion of free trade.
　人口減で国内需要が縮小する日本は、自由貿易の拡大によって、アジアの活力を取り込む必要がある。

To use the TPP as a lever in this effort, it is essential for Japan to get involved in the TPP talks from the stage of formulating rules under the trade accord.
ＴＰＰをその起爆剤とするには、ルール作りの段階から関与していくことが肝要だ。

===

Hollowing-out may worsen

It is only reasonable for the business sector to criticize the government on that score. If the current situation continues, with businesses unable to enjoy the merits of economic partnership with other countries, companies will shift more of their production bases abroad, thus accelerating the hollowing-out of industry at home.
　経済界が政府を批判するのは当然である。経済連携のメリットを享受できない状況が続けば、企業は海外に生産拠点を移転し、国内の空洞化が加速するだろう。

Prospects for the negotiations on a bilateral economic partnership agreement with South Korea and an envisaged Japan-South Korea-China free trade agreement, both of which Japan is aiming to achieve together with the TPP, appear uncertain at best, due chiefly to the latest confrontations over the Senkaku Islands and the Takeshima islands.
　日本がＴＰＰと併せて目指している韓国との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）や日中韓の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉も、尖閣諸島と竹島問題の影響で先行きは不透明だ。

Meanwhile, we cannot expect any early realization of larger-scale free trade accords such as an envisioned extensive FTA involving 16 countries--the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Japan, Australia, China, India, New Zealand and South Korea.
　東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）に日中韓、インドなどを加えた１６か国による広域アジアのＦＴＡ構想も、大がかりな貿易自由化の早期実現は望めまい。

Japan must make the TPP free trade accord its top priority. Japan should shift into a proactive mode of quickly joining the talks and, while not giving in to China and South Korea on other issues, it must forge ahead in the bilateral talks with South Korea and in the three-way trade talks.
　日本が今、最優先すべきは、やはりＴＰＰである。速やかに交渉に加わる積極姿勢に転じて、中韓両国を牽制(けんせい)しながら、日韓や日中韓の交渉も前進させていく。

This is the strategy Japan must stubbornly pursue.
そのようなしたたかな戦略が要る。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2012)
（2012年9月7日01時50分  読売新聞）

民・自の党首選 「決める政治」への道筋を語れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 8, 2012)
Party presidential candidates must show policy directions
民・自の党首選　「決める政治」への道筋を語れ（9月7日付・読売社説）

Preparations for the presidential elections of both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party are gathering pace.
　民主党の代表選、自民党の総裁選に向けた動きが加速している。

The president of the DPJ will be prime minister, but the president of the LDP may also take up the post, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election, which is to be held "sometime soon."
　民主党代表はすなわち首相ポストだが、自民党総裁も「近いうち」の次期衆院選の結果によっては、首相に就く可能性がある。

Each party race must be fought over candidates' views on the nation as a state, their basic policies and their qualifications as a leader. There will be heated debates in which candidates need to take into account not only the positions of their rivals within their own party but also the positions of candidates in the other party.
　国家観、基本政策、リーダーとしての資質が競われなければならない。党内だけでなく、相手の党も意識した論戦になるだろう。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will seek reelection in the DPJ presidential race, while Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, a member of the Noda Cabinet, has hinted at his intention to run, reversing his earlier stance that he would not. It now seems highly likely that the once almost certain prospect of Noda's reelection will be changed.
　民主党代表選は、再選を目指す野田首相に対し、閣僚である細野環境相が一転して出馬に意欲を示している。再選確実の構図が変わる公算が大きくなってきた。

The LDP presidential race, meanwhile, appears to be a crowded field with the following figures expected to run: current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
　自民党総裁選は、谷垣総裁、安倍元首相、石原幹事長、石破茂・前政調会長、町村信孝・元官房長官、林芳正政調会長代理の名が挙がり乱立気味だ。

Attention has been drawn to factions led by Makoto Koga and Machimura, as they may split over the question of whom to run from these factions.
古賀、町村両派の分裂含みの展開も目を引く。

===

3-party pacts key issue

One focal point in the two parties' elections is whether to maintain agreements reached by the DPJ, LDP and New Komeito over such issues as integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
　両党首選の焦点の一つは、社会保障と税の一体改革などで実現した民主、自民、公明の３党による合意路線を今後も維持していくのかどうかである。

Neither the DPJ nor the LDP can change the divided Diet, where the lower house is controlled by the ruling camp and the House of Councillors is held by the opposition, until the next upper house election takes place.
　民主、自民両党とも、来年の参院選までは、衆参ねじれ国会を解消することはできない。

Whether to cooperate to pass pending bills will be a point of contention. There is a growing number of tasks to be addressed, such as legislation to allow the issuance of deficit-covering bonds and to reform the lower house election system to rectify the disparity in the value of one vote.
　今後の法案処理での連携が問われよう。赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案や、１票の格差を是正する衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案など課題は山積している。

In the DPJ, intraparty confrontation over differences in policy directions has eased since former party leader Ichiro Ozawa and others left the DPJ. If Noda is reelected, he will have no choice but to seek cooperation from the LDP and Komeito to form a consensus on policy.
　民主党は、小沢一郎元代表らの離党によって路線対立は緩和された。野田首相は再選されれば、自公両党の協力を得て、合意を形成していくしかないだろう。

Meanwhile, confrontation within the LDP has been increasingly prominent. Although Tanigaki and Ishihara promoted three-party cooperation with the DPJ and Komeito, Abe hopes to join hands with Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) rather than the DPJ.
　自民党では、対立が浮き彫りになっている。これまで谷垣、石原両氏が進めてきた民自公３党の協調路線に対し、安倍氏は民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携に意欲を見せる。

Which political forces to cooperate with is a key issue. Other possible candidates also should clarify their stance in this regard.
　どの勢力と連携するかは、重要なテーマである。他の立候補予定者も明確にしてもらいたい。

===

Deepen debates

Both parties must deepen their debates on policy issues to tackle the problems they are facing.
　無論、両党は直面する課題への政策論議を深めねばならない。

It is an urgent task to set the course for the nation's energy policy, which concerns such issues as restarting idled reactors at nuclear power plants. Whether to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework also will be a major issue.
　原子力発電所の再稼働をはじめ、エネルギー政策をどう方向付けるかは喫緊の課題である。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題も大きな論点となる。

We want to hear candidates' views on issues related to Japan's sovereignty and territories, as exemplified in the cases of the Senkaku Islands, Takeshima islands and northern territories. We also will pay attention to their views on exercising the right to collective self-defense, which is indispensable to deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　尖閣諸島、竹島、北方領土など日本の主権・領土を巡る問題や、日米同盟の深化に欠かせない「集団的自衛権の行使」に関する見解はぜひとも聞きたい。

Rival candidates to Noda and Tanigaki are emerging because their parties need to survive the next lower house election. It cannot be denied that the major focus in the two parties' elections is on who will become the party's face in the lower house election. But it is putting the cart before the horse if policy positions do not serve as the yardstick.
　野田、谷垣両氏に対抗馬が出るのは、衆院選での生き残りを懸けているからだ。両党首選の最大の眼目が「選挙の顔」にあることは否めないが、政策が尺度とならないようでは本末転倒である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2012)
（2012年9月7日01時50分  読売新聞）

ＷＢＣ出場 選手会の決定を歓迎したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 7, 2012)
Players made right choice on World Baseball Classic
ＷＢＣ出場　選手会の決定を歓迎したい（9月6日付・読売社説）

The Nippon Professional Baseball Players Association has announced its decision to play in the upcoming World Baseball Classic--a move that will give us an opportunity to cheer for the Samurai Japan team for the third time in its quest for the world championship.
　世界一をかけた舞台で戦う「侍ジャパン」を三たび応援できる。

In making the decision, the union dropped its initial resolution to sit out the event, which will be held in March.
　日本プロ野球選手会が来年３月の「第３回ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）」への不参加決議を撤回し、大会に出場することを表明した。

We welcome the association's decision.
　選手会の決定を歓迎したい。

The nation was energized when Samurai Japan won the inaugural 2006 competition and repeated as champions in 2009. Many baseball fans would be disappointed if they could not enjoy watching exciting games like those seen in the previous competitions.
　２００６年、０９年のＷＢＣで、日本が連覇した際、国中がわき返った。あの白熱した戦いを楽しめないとなれば、大勢の野球ファンが落胆しただろう。

"We believed our fans would like to watch games played by the national team," NPBPA chief Takahiro Arai of the Hanshin Tigers said of the union's decision. "We'd also like to play games wearing the uniform of the national team."
　選手会の新井貴浩会長（阪神）は「ファンも日本代表の試合を見たいと思うし、選手も代表のユニホームを着て試合をしたいという思いがあった」と語った。

The WBC is now a rare chance for baseball players to compete on a global stage with their national flag on their uniforms because the sport has been dropped from the Olympics.
　野球が五輪の競技から除外されている現在、日の丸を背負って戦える貴重な世界大会である。

===

Good news all around

It is good to hear that the players association has reached a conclusion that pleases both its members and their fans.
　ファンも選手も喜ぶ結果となったのは、朗報と言える。

The WBC will be organized by a company jointly set up by Major League Baseball of the United States and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Japan will be among the 28 countries and territories to participate in it.
　ＷＢＣは、米国の大リーグ機構と大リーグ選手会の共同出資会社が主催する。今回は、日本を含め、２８の国・地域から代表チームが出場する。

The NPBPA had argued that it could not agree with a condition under which the Japanese team would not get revenues for carrying its sponsors' names on uniforms and helmets.
　日本の選手会は、代表チームのユニホームやヘルメットに企業名を掲示するスポンサー権について、日本側に認められていないのは問題だと主張してきた。

Nippon Professional Baseball has negotiated with the WBC organizers and obtained recognition of the right to carry the sponsors' logos as long as they are not used along with the WBC logo during the event period. This decision promoted the NPBPA to change its mind.
　日本野球機構（ＮＰＢ）は、主催者側と交渉を重ね、大会のロゴを使用しなければ、ＷＢＣ期間中でもスポンサー権が日本側にあることを確認した。これが、選手会に方針転換を促した。

It can be said that Japan's participation is indispensable to WBC organizers for promoting the event as it won the first two tournaments.
　ＷＢＣの主催者側にとって、連覇を成し遂げている日本チームは、大会を盛り上げる上で、欠かせない存在と言えよう。

If Japan had sat out the upcoming WBC, it would surely have left a rift between Japanese and U.S. baseball.
　日本チームが不参加となっていたら、日米の野球界に亀裂を残したに違いない。

Even though Japanese baseball officials find some fault in the way the WBC is organized, it is wise to participate in the event to boost its influence and its ability to call for improvements from within.
　日本側から見て、運営方法に問題があるとしても、大会に参加する中で発言力を強め、改善を求めていくのが賢明だろう。

===

A move toward the Olympics

It is necessary for the WBC participants to work together to make the tournament bigger so that baseball can become even more global. It is important for them to expand the pool of amateur players and improve the level of baseball in each country and region. These efforts will help the sport make a comeback in the Olympics.
　参加国が協力して、大会を成長させ、野球の国際化を一層、進めていく必要がある。五輪競技に復帰する上でも、野球のすそ野を広げ、各国のプレーのレベルを底上げしていくことが大切だ。

Players will be selected to form the Samurai Japan team for the upcoming WBC. We're looking forward to seeing which members the team will consist of.
　今後、日本代表のチーム編成が本格化する。どのような顔ぶれになるのか、楽しみだ。

Making the national team will be a new goal for professional players toward the end of this year's season. During the WBC, we hope that not only members playing in the domestic leagues, but also those who belong to the major leagues will prove themselves by turning in a fascinating performance.
　シーズン終盤に向け、選手にとっては、代表入りという新たな目標ができた。国内でプレーする選手はもちろん、大リーグ球団に所属する日本人選手も、ファンを魅了するプレーで、存在感を大いにアピールしてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2012)
（2012年9月6日01時33分  読売新聞）

尖閣国有化へ 安定管理への具体的方策を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 7, 2012)
Govt should work out specifics for stable control of Senkakus
尖閣国有化へ　安定管理への具体的方策を（9月6日付・読売社説）

The government's decision to place the Senkaku Islands under state control is a step toward stably maintaining and controlling the islets.
　尖閣諸島を安定的に維持・管理するうえで一歩前進である。

The government reportedly has agreed with the owner of three of the islands--Uotsurijima, Kita-kojima and Minami-kojima--that it will purchase them. The money to buy them, totaling about 2.05 billion yen, is likely to be procured from a reserve fund.
　政府が、尖閣諸島の魚釣島と北小島、南小島の３島について、地権者と売買契約を結ぶことで合意した。約２０億５０００万円の購入費用は予備費から支出する方針だ。

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's proactive steps to jump-start the purchase negotiations with the owner apparently prompted the central government, which had been dragging its feet on the issue, to make such a move. Ishihara has expressed his willingness to accept state control of the islands and hand over to the central government more than 1.4 billion yen that was donated to the Tokyo metropolitan government to buy them.
　政府が重い腰を上げたのは、東京都の石原慎太郎知事が地権者との買い上げ交渉を進めたからである。石原氏も国有化を容認し、都が募った１４億円を超える寄付金を政府に渡す意向を示している。

The central government sold the islands to the private sector 80 years ago, and the ownership has changed hands since then. We highly regard efforts to put the islands back under state control as it will end the current instability connected with private ownership.
　尖閣諸島は８０年前に政府が民間に払い下げてから、譲渡によって所有者が交代している。国有化で不安定な個人所有からようやく脱することは評価すべきだ。

The government has leased the three islets from the current owner and placed them under its effective control. It has since conducted minimum administrative work for the islets by restricting entry to government officials and other such parties.
　政府は現在、３島を地権者から賃借し、管理下に置いている。政府関係者以外の立ち入りを規制して、最低限の管理業務だけを行ってきた。

===

Consideration for China

Such a hesitant stance was taken apparently because the government did not want to provoke China, which also claims sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
　領有権を主張する中国を刺激したくないとの配慮からだろう。

However, China's fishery patrol boats have repeatedly engaged in provocative acts near the Senkakus. Public criticism against Japan has also grown in China over the issue.
　だが、中国の漁業監視船は、尖閣周辺で挑発行為を繰り返している。中国内の世論でも、尖閣問題で日本批判が強まっている。

Japan needs not only to renovate a lighthouse and protect the environment on the islands but also to draw up measures to protect its sovereignty and further tighten its effective control of the islands.
　政府は灯台の改修、環境保護はもとより、領土保全と実効支配を一段と強めるための方策を練っていく必要があろう。

Ishihara and the city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, which has jurisdiction over the islands, have called on the central government to build facilities there, such as port facilities that can shelter fishing boats during bad weather and a radio relay station for fishing vessels. The central government should look into the validity of such calls and, if necessary, consider working out the details.
　石原氏や地元の沖縄県石垣市は、荒天時に備えた漁船の避難港や、漁業無線の中継基地の設置などを求めている。政府はその妥当性を判断し、必要なら具体化を検討すべきである。

We believe it would be reasonable for the central government to cooperate with the Tokyo metropolitan government, which has the know-how to manage remote islands such as the Ogasawara Islands.
　小笠原諸島などで離島管理のノウハウを持っている都との連携を図ることも一案ではないか。

===

Strengthen sea surveillance

Meanwhile, the nation needs to strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's policing system and its authority to beef up surveillance of the Senkaku Islands. A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law, which was approved during the current Diet session, is part of such efforts.
　尖閣諸島の警戒監視を強化するには、海上保安庁の体制と権限の拡充が必要だ。今国会で成立した改正海上保安庁法は、その一つの手立てである。

Previously, when foreigners landed illegally on the Senkakus, police officers had to come all the way from neighboring islets. But under the revised law, JCG officers will be allowed to arrest such intruders.
　外国人が不法上陸した場合、従来は近隣の島から警察官を運ぶ必要があったが、施行後は、海上保安官が検挙できるようになる。

Also, we must not forget the importance of the U.S. military's deterrence. If the military's new Osprey transport aircraft is deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, the mobility of U.S. marines will be improved, raising hopes of holding China in check.
　米軍の抑止力の重要性も忘れてはならない。新型輸送機オスプレイが沖縄に配備されれば、米海兵隊の機動性は高まり、中国をけん制する効果が期待できる。

Anti-Japan activists based in Hong Kong reportedly have vowed to make an unauthorized landing on the Senkakus again in October. If Hong Kong authorities allow them to set out for the islands, the Japan-China relationship would worsen and the move would go against China's own interests.
　香港の反日活動家は１０月に再び不法上陸する構えだ。香港当局が尖閣諸島への出航を許せば、日中関係を揺るがし、中国にも不利益をもたらすことになるだろう。

If Japanese and Chinese leaders hold a summit meeting on the sideline of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit talks this weekend, they should discuss the future bilateral relationship from a broad point of view.
　週末のアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際、日中首脳会談が開かれれば、両国首脳は大局的観点に立って日中関係の将来を話し合うべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2012)
（2012年9月6日01時33分  読売新聞）

二重ローン問題 救済策の活用を加速させたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 6, 2012)
Use financial relief systems to help people with 'double loans'
二重ローン問題　救済策の活用を加速させたい（9月5日付・読売社説）

Helping people saddled with "double loans"--those who borrowed money before the Great East Japan Earthquake and again after the disaster to rebuild their homes or companies--is taking too long.
　東日本大震災前の借金に、自宅や会社を再建するための借り入れが加わる「二重ローン問題」の解決が遅れている。

This is because relief measures, such as repayment exemptions or reductions, have not been extensively used.
　返済額の減免など救済策はあるが、肝心の利用が低迷しているためだ。

The government and the banking industry should step up their efforts to find a solution to the multiple loan problem.
　政府と金融業界は取り組みを強化し、二重ローンの解消に弾みをつけるべきである。

Many disaster sufferers now living in temporary housing are still repaying loans for homes that were swept away by the massive tsunami triggered by the earthquake.
　仮設住宅で暮らしながら、津波で流された自宅のローンを返済している被災者は多い。

Last year, the government started a new support system for disaster victims who want to make a fresh start after paying off their previous loans. The system is based on the Guidelines for Individual Debtor Out-of-Court Workouts.
　従来のローンを整理して再出発したい被災者を対象に、政府は昨年、「個人版私的整理ガイドライン」と呼ばれる指針に基づく新たな支援制度をスタートさせた。

Negotiating with financial institutions on a debt exemption or reduction can be a difficult process for an individual. Under the system, the central government provides subsidies for debtors, including those to help cover lawyer's fees, thereby supporting debtors in negotiations with financial institutions and with legal procedures.
　個人が金融機関に債務減免を求めるのは大変だ。そこで弁護士費用などを国が補助し、交渉や手続きを手助けしている。

A man in Miyagi Prefecture, who owed 27 million yen, repaid 8 million yen by selling his home, which had been rendered unlivable, and was exempted from repaying the remaining 19 million yen to a financial institution. This case shows that the system--when it works smoothly--it can be a huge help to debtors.
　２７００万円のローンを抱える宮城県の男性は、住めなくなった自宅を売って８００万円を返し、残る１９００万円は金融機関の負担で返済を免除してもらった。うまくいけばメリットは大きい。

===

Few applicants

But the problem is that this system has not been used widely. In the year since last August, when applications were first accepted, consultations were sought on about 2,500 cases and only 70 of them were resolved. The number of consultations fell far below the government's one-year projection of 10,000.
　問題は、利用が伸び悩んでいることだ。受け付け開始から約１年間の相談は約２５００件で、解決したのは７０件にとどまる。年間１万件の利用を見込んだ政府の想定を、大きく下回っている。

Businesses have two support systems available--one under the jurisdiction of the Reconstruction Agency, and the other through the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry. In both systems, a public entity purchases loan claims from a financial institution and sets a certain grace period for repayment to give reconstruction a nudge in the right direction. However, support has been extended in fewer than 50 cases.
　事業者向けは、復興庁と経済産業省がそれぞれ所管する二つの制度がある。どちらも公的機関が金融機関から貸出債権を買い取り、一定期間は返済を猶予して再建を後押しする内容だが、支援決定は合わせて５０件に届かない。

Complicated procedures and strict conditions for approval are suspected to have hampered wide use of these systems. The government must examine closely where problems lie.
　手続きの煩雑さや適用条件の厳しさが、障害になっているのではないか。政府は丹念に点検してもらいたい。

===

Lack of publicity to blame

One reason could be that the details and advantages of the support systems are not well known. The government and organizations concerned should do more to publicize the systems.
　支援策の内容や利点があまり知られていないことも一因だ。政府や関係機関は、一層の周知徹底を図るべきだ。

Many small and midsize firms are said to have reservations about using the systems out of fear they will become unable to borrow money from financial institutions if they cause trouble on repayment reductions and other matters.
　返済額の軽減などで金融機関に迷惑をかけると、今後は融資してもらえなくなる……。そう心配して利用に二の足を踏む中小企業が少なくないという。

We suggest that financial institutions explain to customers they will not be treated unfavorably even if they apply for these support systems. If disaster sufferers use the systems, it will accelerate the resuscitation of local economies and benefit financial institutions in the long term.
　金融機関は、支援制度を利用しても不利益な扱いはしないと取引先に説明してほしい。被災者が積極的に活用すれば地域経済の再生が早まり、長い目で見て金融機関にもプラスとなろう。

The Law Concerning Temporary Measures to Facilitate Financing for Small and Medium-size Enterprises, which provides a repayment moratorium for unprofitable companies, will expire next March. Given this, small and midsize firms in disaster-affected areas might find it even more difficult to secure funds.
　業績の悪い会社の債務返済を猶予する中小企業金融円滑化法の期限が来年３月に切れることから、被災地の中小企業の資金繰りが、さらに悪化する恐れがある。

The double loan problem needs to be resolved--urgently.
　今のうちに、二重ローンの解消を急がねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2012)
（2012年9月5日01時07分  読売新聞）

再処理稼働へ 「原発ゼロ」は青森への背信だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 6, 2012)
'Zero nuclear' policy would betray Aomori govt on reprocessing plant
再処理稼働へ　「原発ゼロ」は青森への背信だ（9月5日付・読売社説）

Japan is aiming to achieve a nuclear fuel cycle that can reuse the spent fuel generated from nuclear power plants.
　日本は、原子力発電所から出る使用済み核燃料を再利用する「核燃料サイクル」政策の実現を目指している。

The reprocessing plant being constructed by Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, would be an essential part of this policy, and one major challenge for starting operations at the plant has been overcome.
　日本原燃が青森県六ヶ所村に建設してきた再処理工場は、その要である。稼働へ向け、大きなヤマ場を越えた。

The construction of the plant began in 1993 and has cost more than 2 trillion yen so far.
　１９９３年に着工し、２兆円以上の建設費が投じられてきた。

The process of vitrifying highly radioactive waste to allow for stable storage had been difficult in the final experimental stages, but test operations have finally succeeded and the plant will be finished after the government completes safety checks and other necessary steps have been taken.
高レベル放射性廃棄物を安定保管するため、ガラスで固める工程が最終試験段階で難航していたが、ようやく試運転に成功した。政府の安全確認などを経て完工する。

The plant is meant to contribute to the efficient use of uranium resources and reduce radioactive waste. We believe it should be put into use as soon as possible.
　ウラン資源の有効活用や放射性廃棄物の減少に貢献する施設である。早期の稼働が求められる。

However, the meandering discussions occurring in the government and ruling Democratic Party of Japan over the shift away from nuclear power are cause for concern. The question of whether the reprocessing plant will ever be started is now up in the air.
　懸念すべきは、政府・民主党の「脱原発」論議の迷走だ。再処理工場を稼働させられるかどうか、それ自体が問題になってきた。

===

Immediate consequences

If the "zero nuclear" policy, currently seen as a leading option in the government's Energy and Environment Council, were adopted, the path to reusing spent nuclear waste would be barred. Operating the reprocessing plant would be meaningless.
　政府のエネルギー・環境会議で有力選択肢に浮上している「原発ゼロ」になれば、使用済み核燃料の再利用の道は閉ざされ、工場を動かす意味がなくなる。

The about 3,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel that has already been transferred from nuclear plants around the country to Rokkasho would have no place to go.
　再処理工場に全国の原発から搬入された約３０００トンの使用済み核燃料は行き場を失うだろう。

The Aomori prefectural government has demanded, in line with a memorandum exchanged with Japan Nuclear Fuel, that if the plant is not made operational, the spent fuel must be taken back by the power companies operating nuclear plants.
　青森県は、日本原燃と交わした覚書を踏まえ、工場を稼働させない場合は、すべてを各電力会社が引き取るよう求めている。

If this happened, all of the nation's nuclear plants would be filled to capacity with returned spent fuel, which would leave no room even to bring in new nuclear fuel to run the plants. Under such circumstances, no local government would consent to restarting a suspended nuclear reactor.
　そうなれば、各地の原発は戻された使用済み核燃料で満杯となり、交換用の新たな核燃料を持ち込む余地さえなくなる。これでは、立地自治体も、原発を再稼働することに同意はすまい。

This could result in immediate confusion, well ahead of the future goal of "zero nuclear power."
　将来の「原発ゼロ」どころか、直ちに混乱しかねない。

Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura last month submitted a request to the government urging it to show a "realistic and feasible policy course," and questioned the wisdom of the "zero nuclear" option. The governor described the nuclear fuel cycle as "an essential policy to support a nation lacking in natural resources."
　青森県の三村申吾知事は先月、政府に対して「現実的に実行可能な方針」を示すよう求める要望書を提出し、「原発ゼロ」に疑問を呈した。核燃料サイクルについても「資源に乏しいわが国を支える重要な政策」と述べた。

===

Govt owes Aomori answer

The governor's requests were apparently aimed at urging the government and the DPJ not to casually adopt the "zero nuclear" policy. We think the governor was quite right to express such views. The government should respond sincerely.
　政府・民主党が安直に「原発ゼロ」政策に転換しないよう、クギを刺したものだろう。当然の見解表明と言える。政府は、青森県に誠実に対応すべきだ。

Reprocessing technology is a right granted to Japan as an exception by the United States, which is sensitive about nuclear proliferation, under the Japan-U.S. Nuclear Energy Agreement. This right would be lost with the "zero nuclear" policy.
　再処理技術は、核拡散に敏感な米国が日米原子力協定で日本に特別に認めた権利でもある。この権利が「原発ゼロ」で失われる。

Nuclear technologies that have been nurtured would surely wane, and no new human resources in this industry would be developed.
　無論、これまで培ってきた原子力の技術が衰退し、新たな人材も育たなくなる。

Recycling spent nuclear fuel under strict controls would also be helpful in preventing the fuel from being converted for military use.
　使用済み核燃料を、厳しい管理の下で確実に再利用することは軍事転用を封じるのに役立つ。

China, South Korea and other countries are expanding their use of nuclear power. We believe the "zero nuclear" option would undermine Japan's voice in the international community.
　中国、韓国などは原発利用を拡大している。「原発ゼロ」は日本の発言力を低下させるだけだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2012)
（2012年9月5日01時07分  読売新聞）

もうじき七五三です 記念写真は結婚写真で評判のスタジオシモムラで！

みなさんは、結婚式で一番大切なものは何だと思いますか？
都心の豪華なホテルで行われる立派な披露宴でしょうか？
それとも、結婚式はそこそこに、二人で出かける海外へのハネムーン旅行でしょうか？
私は違います。
結婚式で一番大切なもは一生の思い出となる立派な結婚写真の撮影だと思います。

結婚式は一生に一度の大切な儀式です。私は二度も経験いたしましたが＾＾。
出来れば、一流の写真館で、一生の思い出に残るような立派な結婚写真を残したいものですね。
で、サイトを物色いたしておりました。

どうやら、こちらのサイトがベストみたいです。
それは、撮影衣裳総数700着以上をほこる、結婚写真の撮影を専門とするスタジオシモムラです。
スタジオシモムラは創業７２年の老舗らしいです。これは大変な長さだと言うことが出来ます。
スタジオで使われる撮影機器や設備は現代最高水準らしいですね。
極め付けの撮影機材は世界一と言われる機材を使用しているそうです。
さらに、印画紙も銀園写真でプリントしていて写真のクオリティーに一流のこだわりがあります。
これなら、まさに一生ものですね。

スタジオシモムラの優れた技術を持つ美容師と晴れ着の着付師があなたのお手伝いします。
なおスタジオシモムラは、東京だけではなくて、横浜でも鋭意営業中ということです。
東京か横浜、どちらかあなたのご都合の良い場所を選択できるのも便利ではないでしょうか。

スタジオシモムラでは、結婚式のお写真の撮影に加えて、子供たちの七五三の写真撮影も行っているようです。
男の子は3歳と5歳、女の子は3歳と7歳の年の11月15日に、成長を祝って神社・寺などに詣でますが、あと二月ほどで七五三の季節となりますね。こちらもスタジオシモムラさんにお任せすれば、立派なお写真が残せます。

で気になったので、神奈川県川崎市にある写真館「スタジオシモムラ」のサイトを再度訪問してみました。
子供たちは男の子も女の子も生き生きしていて本当に幸せそうですね。
スタジオシモムラ写真館での撮影を楽しんでるみたいです。
七五三の晴れ着には和風と洋風が用意されておりますが、どちらもまったく素晴らしいです。
あなたも、子供たちに一生の思い出として素敵な記念写真を残してあげませんか。

こちらです。
↓
http://www.shimomura-w.jp/

大阪維新の会 大衆迎合的な公約が気になる

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 5, 2012)
Osaka Ishin no Kai's populist pledges a cause of concern
大阪維新の会　大衆迎合的な公約が気になる（9月4日付・読売社説）

The question of whether the election pledges of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) are feasible cannot be dispelled.
　実現可能な公約なのか疑問は拭えない。

The group recently unveiled the final version of its policy statement for the next House of Representatives election. The policy statement is dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy platform).
　大阪維新の会が、次期衆院選公約「維新八策」の最終版を公表した。

Osaka Ishin no Kai plans to form a new party in the middle of this month with participation of at least five incumbent Diet members. Sixteen percent of respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey said they would vote for Osaka Ishin no Kai in proportional representation contests of the next lower house election, following the largest group--21 percent--who said they would vote for the Liberal Democratic Party. Osaka Ishin no Kai is likely to be at the eye of the storm in the election.
　維新の会は、現職国会議員５人以上の参加を得て今月半ばに新党を結成する方針だ。読売新聞の世論調査では次期衆院選比例選の投票先で、維新の会は１位の自民党２１％に次ぐ１６％だった。“台風の目”となりそうだ。

Some points of Osaka Ishin no Kai's election pledges are commendable. For example, it says Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.
　維新八策は環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を打ち出すなど、評価できる点もある。

On the other hand, some pledges that seem to have come off the top of their heads are conspicuous. "Halving the number of seats in the lower house" is one example. Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads Osaka Ishin no Kai, said it is necessary to make lawmakers think about the country as a whole, including foreign policies and security, by expanding electoral districts through integration of single-seat constituencies.
　一方で、思いつきのように見える公約も目立つ。たとえば「衆院議員定数の半減」だ。維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長は、小選挙区を統合して拡大し、国会議員が外交・安全保障など国全体を考えるようにする必要があると言う。

===

Seat cuts easier said than done

However, it would be extremely difficult politically to realize this idea under the current divided Diet. In fact, the Democratic Party of Japan still has not been able to fulfill its pledge to eliminate 80 lower house seats allocated under proportional representation. It is understandable if Osaka Ishin no Kai's ideas are mid- and long-term proposals, but it should be cautious about making the ideas campaign pledges.
　だが、衆参ねじれ国会の下で実現するには大きな政治的コストがかかる。現に民主党は衆院比例選定数８０削減を公約しながら、依然実現できないままだ。中長期の問題提起ならわかるが、公約にすることは慎重であるべきだろう。

Making the consumption tax a local tax and abolishing distribution of tax revenues to local governments, which is entailed by the former, are also open to question.
　消費税の地方税化とそれに伴う地方交付税の廃止も疑問だ。

Given the harsh reality of state finances, how could it be possible, if consumption tax revenues are allocated to local governments, to cover social security costs, which are increasing by as much as about 1 trillion yen every year?
　財政事情が厳しい中、消費税収を地方財源に回して、一体どうやって毎年１兆円前後も増加する国の社会保障費を賄うのか。

Osaka Ishin no Kai also needs to clarify whether it supports laws for integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, which were enacted based on an agreement between the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
　民主、自民、公明３党の合意をもとに成立した社会保障と税の一体改革関連法に対する賛否も、明らかにする必要がある。

Tax revenues allocated to local governments help adjust the disparities among local governments' finances. Hashimoto said how to handle the situation after tax allocations to local governments are abolished will be left to coordination among local governments and a third-party committee. However, it will not be so easy.
　地方交付税には、自治体の財政格差を調整する役割がある。橋下氏は、廃止後の対応を自治体間や第三者委員会の調整に委ねると言うが、そう簡単にはいくまい。

===

Nuclear power stand dubious

As for economic policies, Osaka Ishin no Kai stresses "strengthening competitiveness" and calls for "building a system to end dependence on nuclear power generation." However, if the country moves away from nuclear power, energy costs will surge, and this could accelerate the hollowing-out of domestic industries. It should be explained how a growth strategy and an end to dependence on nuclear power generation can be compatible.
　経済政策では、「競争力の強化」を強調し、「脱原発依存体制の構築」も訴えている。脱原発依存を進めればエネルギー費用は増大し、産業の空洞化が加速しかねない。成長戦略と脱原発依存をどう両立させるか、説明が要る。

As a basic policy, Osaka Ishin no Kai stipulated in its policy statement the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which requires a constitutional amendment.
　基本方針として、憲法改正が必要な首相公選制を明記した。

Israel once introduced this system but eventually abolished it after politics were thrown into turmoil. Osaka Ishin no Kai said it will prevent the system from becoming something like a popularity vote, but we doubt whether this is possible.
　ただ、この制度に関しては、一度導入したイスラエルで政治が混迷した末に撤廃されている。「人気投票的になることは防ぐ」というが、そんなことが可能なのか、疑問符を付けざるをえない。

It is worrisome that Osaka Ishin no Kai, which claims it "will change Japan's system," presents these pledges in a highly populist tone.
　「日本の国の仕組みを変える」と訴える維新の会が、こうした大衆迎合色の濃い公約を提起している点は、気がかりだ。

In the previous lower house election in 2009, the DPJ set out an array of policies aimed at appealing to the public and pledging that it would be able to squeeze out a hefty 16.8 trillion yen in fiscal resources by rearranging the state budget. This has since caused considerable confusion and should be taken as a lesson.
　前回衆院選で、民主党が国民受けを狙った政策を並べ、予算を組み替えれば１６・８兆円もの財源を作れると公約して大混乱を招いたことを教訓とすべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 4, 2012)
（2012年9月4日01時19分  読売新聞）

漂流がれき 日本は処理に積極的な支援を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 5, 2012)
Japan must help dispose of debris floating across Pacific
漂流がれき　日本は処理に積極的な支援を（9月4日付・読売社説）

Debris swept away by the tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake last year has started washing ashore along the Pacific coast of North America. The amount of debris arriving on this coastline is expected to spike from October.
　東日本大震災の津波で海に流出したがれきが、北米の太平洋沿岸に漂着し始めている。流れ着く量は１０月以降、急増する見通しだ。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Monday the government "will devise measures as soon as possible" to dispose of this debris. This is the natural course of action.
　藤村官房長官が３日、漂流がれきの処理問題について、「出来るだけ早く対応を取りまとめたい」と語ったのは当然である。

Japan must step up efforts to study what assistance it should provide to the United States and Canada to deal with this debris.
　米国やカナダに対し、日本としてどのような支援ができるのか、検討を急がねばならない。

The Environment Ministry estimates 5 million tons of wreckage was dragged out to sea from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. Of this, 1.5 million tons is believed to be adrift on the ocean, rather than sinking to the seabed. Much of this is said to be the remnants of destroyed houses.
　環境省の推計によると、岩手、宮城、福島３県から流出したがれきは５００万トンに達する。そのうち１５０万トンは海底に沈まず、漂流物になったとみられる。倒壊した家屋のがれきが多いという。

A soccer ball belonging to a primary school student in Miyagi Prefecture was found on a beach in Alaska. This was among several heartwarming stories reported in connection with debris drifting from northeastern Japan.
　これまで、宮城県の小学生のサッカーボールが米アラスカ州で見つかったことなどが、美談として取り上げられてきた。

===

Big problem for U.S., Canada

But if debris begins washing ashore in great quantities, disposing of it will certainly become a major headache for U.S. and Canadian states on the Pacific Coast.
　だが、今後、漂着が本格化すれば、米国やカナダの沿岸州にとって、がれき処理が大きな問題となることは間違いない。

Some estimates suggest the debris could keep turning up for several years. The state government of Oregon has already earmarked a budget to deal with it.
　漂着は数年間にわたって続くとの予測もある。米オレゴン州などでは既に、対策のための予算を計上している。

There are no international rules stipulating how to dispose of debris that washes ashore after drifting across the sea. Conventionally, getting rid of the debris would be undertaken by the country where it came ashore. So the Japanese government is not officially obliged to get involved in disposing of this debris.
　海を渡って漂着するがれきの処理に関し、国際的なルールは存在しない。流れ着いた側の国が実施するのが通例で、今回、発生した漂流がれきについても、日本政府に処理の義務はない。

Even so, Japan should not stand aloof. After all, it is the origin of this unprecedentedly huge quantity of debris. Actively helping with debris disposal would be a display of gratitude for the assistance provided by the United States and other nations after the March 11, 2011, disaster.
　そうだとしても、過去に例のない膨大な量のがれきの発生元として、傍観は出来ない。処理に積極的に協力することが、大震災後、米国などから受けた支援に対する感謝の意思表示ともなろう。

We think the government should hold frequent consultations with its U.S. and Canadian counterparts on this issue, including talks on sharing disposal costs.
　政府は、処理費用の負担問題も含め、米、カナダ両国政府と協議を重ねてもらいたい。

===

Precise projections crucial

The most pressing task for the time being is to use satellites and other methods to determine as precisely as possible how much debris will come ashore, and when and where this will happen.
　当面、最も重要なのは、漂流がれきが、いつごろ、どの地域に、どの程度流れ着くかについて、衛星などを活用して、出来る限り精密に予測することである。

Analyzing the data will require more detailed exchanges of information between experts from the countries concerned. This acquired data must be shared by the affected nations to help them work out concrete measures for cleaning up coastal areas.
　分析にあたっては、既に実施している各国の専門家同士の情報交換を、より密にすることが大事だ。得られたデータは、関係国で共有し、沿岸地域の具体的な対策に役立てねばならない。

There are fears washed-up debris could bring various problems.
　漂流がれきは、様々な問題を引き起こす恐れがある。

Authorities must remain vigilant to ensure the debris does not endanger vessels sailing in these waters. There is the possibility that Japanese sea life on the debris could propagate after coming ashore and seriously affect local ecosystems as alien species.
　船舶の航行に危険を及ぼさないか、警戒を怠ってはならない。がれきに付着した日本の生物が漂着先で繁殖し、「外来種」として現地の生態系に深刻な影響を与える可能性もある。

The government must put systems in place that can react promptly to every conceivable eventuality.
　日本政府は、起こり得る事態を想定し、迅速に対処できる態勢を整えておくべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 4, 2012)
（2012年9月4日01時19分  読売新聞）

大学生と就職 学んだ成果も評価する採用に

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 4, 2012)
Assess academic results when hiring graduates
大学生と就職　学んだ成果も評価する採用に（9月3日付・読売社説）

Do recent survey findings suggest the title of "university graduate" will no longer assure a recent graduate of a job?
　「大卒」の肩書は、もはや就職の保証にならないということか。

According to a basic survey on schools taken recently by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, 128,000 of those who graduated from universities this spring have not found steady employment.
　文部科学省の学校基本調査で、今春に大学を卒業した学生のうち、１２万８０００人が安定した仕事に就いていないことがわかった。

This means about 20 percent of university graduates--560,000 in all, including 76,000 who went on to graduate school--have either taken a nonregular or part-time job, or have yet to decide on their future.
　大学院進学者（７万６０００人）を含む全卒業生５６万人の約２割が、非正規労働やアルバイト、進路未定者の計算になる。

It is quite natural for the education ministry to be concerned, saying, "This is an extremely serious situation that needs to be rectified."
　文科省が、「極めて深刻な事態であり、改善が必要だ」と懸念するのは当然だ。

The job market continues to be dismal amid the prolonged stagnant economy. On the other hand, there is a strong tendency among students to try to secure employment in a well-known company. As a result, there remains the problem of a mismatch between graduating students and the small and midsize companies hoping to hire them.
　経済状況が好転せず、雇用環境は依然として厳しい。一方で、学生の間に知名度の高い企業を志向する傾向も根強く、採用を希望する中小・中堅企業とのミスマッチは解消されてはいない。

Many students who apparently failed to secure a position gave up their job-hunting activities halfway through the recruiting season.
　就職先が決まらず、途中で就職活動をあきらめてしまった学生も少なくないようだ。

===

Universities must help more

We hope all universities and colleges vigorously continue extending support for and offering advice on job-hunting activities by utilizing counters set up by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in Hello Work job placement offices to help new graduates find jobs.
　各大学は、厚生労働省が設置した若者向けのハローワークなどと連携し、粘り強く就職活動の支援・助言を続けてもらいたい。

It should also be kept in mind that universities need to help students acquire skills and competence for the real world during their four-year education.
　同時に考えねばならないのは、大学が４年間の教育を通じて、学生に社会で通用する力を身につけさせることである。

The Central Council for Education has compiled a report calling for an increase in the number of study hours for students, as part of university reform.
　中央教育審議会は、大学改革の一環として、学生の学習時間の増加を求める答申をまとめた。

The council has pointed out that university students study for an average of 4.6 hours daily, including class hours. This is only about half of the study hours the education ministry expected.
　大学生の学習時間は、授業を含めても１日平均４・６時間で、文科省が想定する時間の半分程度にとどまると指摘している。

As long as students attend classes only passively, it will be difficult for them to acquire either the thinking skills to tackle various problems, or the creative skills to develop innovative technology, both of which are necessary in the real world.
　授業に出るだけ、という受け身の姿勢では、社会で必要とされる、様々な問題の解決方法を自ら探求する思考力や、新たな技術を生み出す創造力は培えまい。

===

Update curricula, methods

It is quite reasonable for the business community, which will hire these graduates, to be skeptical of the current state of university education.
　大学教育の現状に、学生を採用する側の産業界が不信感を抱くのも無理はない。

The council also recommends universities increase interactive, discussion-based classes, rather than having one-way lectures in large classrooms, while working on comprehensive syllabus planning to stimulate students' intellectual curiosity.
　答申は、大教室での一方通行的な講義ではなく、討論型の授業を増やすことや、学生の知的好奇心を刺激する分かりやすい授業計画を示すことを提言している。

Universities have to improve their quality of education by carrying out these recommendations.
大学はこうした実践によって、教育の質を向上させる必要がある。

Universities need to clearly indicate their criteria for scholastic evaluation, and strictly certify students' qualifications and ability to advance to the next grade or graduate.
　学生の成績評価の基準を明確に示し、進級や卒業の認定も厳格に行うべきだろう。

It is also essential for the business community to make its own efforts.
　産業界の努力も欠かせない。

Presently, many businesses do not give weight to students' academic performance or their specialities when hiring graduates.
　現在、企業の多くは採用時に大学での学習成果や専門性を重視していない。

If they assess these elements more thoroughly when recruiting, students would probably be more motivated to study hard while in college.
採用の際、それらも適正に評価するようになれば、在学中に学生が勉学に励む動機づけになるのではないか。

As students often have to spend a lot of time job-hunting and visiting prospective employers, they tend to neglect their studies.
　会社訪問などに時間を割かれ、学業がおろそかになりがちだ。

To correct the current situation, it is also necessary to shorten companies' job-hunting period for graduating students.
そんな現状を改善するため、就職活動の期間短縮も必要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 3, 2012)
（2012年9月3日01時17分  読売新聞）

米大統領選 ロムニー氏の再生策は本物か

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 4, 2012)
Is Mitt Romney the answer to U.S. economic, fiscal problems?
米大統領選　ロムニー氏の再生策は本物か（9月3日付・読売社説）

There are just over two months left until the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6.
　米大統領選は、１１月６日の投開票まで、あと２か月余りに迫った。

The Republican Party, aiming to reclaim the office after a four-year absence, held its national convention in the state of Florida last week and officially nominated former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as its president and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as its vice president.
　４年ぶりの政権奪還を目指す共和党がフロリダ州で党大会を開き、ロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事とライアン下院予算委員長を正副大統領候補にそれぞれ指名した。

In his acceptance speech, Romney sharply criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's administration for its mismanagement of the country. He pledged to rebuild the struggling U.S. economy to "restore the promise of America," an apparent dig at Obama.
　ロムニー氏は、指名受諾演説で、オバマ政権の失政を厳しく批判し、経済を立て直して「米国を再生させる」と公約した。対決色を鮮明にしたと言える。

Romney is a "small government" advocate, a policy line that would attempt to boost the economy with a variety of tax cuts and regulatory easing while drastically cutting back on federal spending, including social security programs.
　社会保障など連邦政府の歳出は大幅に削減する一方、幅広い減税策や規制緩和によって、民間活力を通じた景気浮揚を図ろうとする「小さな政府」路線である。

For instance, he pledged to make the United States energy self-sufficient, expand trade, create 12 million jobs through assistance to small and midsize businesses, slash the nation's huge fiscal deficit, oppose cuts to the defense budget and abolish Obama's reform of the health care system.
　具体的には、エネルギー自給の推進や貿易拡大、中小企業支援を通じた１２００万人の雇用創出計画、巨額の債務削減、国防予算の削減反対、オバマ政権の医療保険制度改革の撤廃などを挙げた。

===

Obama under pressure

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party does not see defense spending as untouchable when cutting expenditures to rebuild government finances.
　民主党は、財政再建に必要な歳出削減では国防費も例外扱いにしていない。

The party has staked out a position that, as much as possible, will not cut federal spending for the underprivileged, including low-income earners and senior citizens, and emphasize correcting income disparities.
格差是正を重視し、低所得者や高齢者など弱者への政府支出は極力削らない立場だ。

However, the U.S. economy has been stuck in slow gear, and reverberations from the debt crisis in Europe have made its future uncertain. The U.S. unemployment rate has never gone below the 7.8 percent mark it stood at when Obama took office. Recently, it has hovered between 8 percent and 8.5 percent.
　米国は、景気減速が続いており、欧州債務危機の影響を受けて、先行きも不透明だ。
　失業率はオバマ大統領の就任時の７・８％を下回ることなく、８％台前半に高止まりしている。

The U.S. fiscal deficit has exceeded 1 trillion dollars for four straight years. Obama needs effective policies to quickly boost the economy, as well as restore the health of government finances in the medium- and long-term.
　財政赤字は４年連続で１兆ドルを超えた。当面の景気浮揚と中長期的な財政再建で、実効性ある政策が求められよう。

Although Romney claims he could do both, simultaneously cutting taxes drastically and reducing the country's huge debt seems incompatible. He needs to clearly state what steps he would take to cut the federal deficit without losing tax revenue. This will undoubtedly be a major issue in the remainder of the campaign.
　ロムニー氏の唱える、大幅減税と巨額の財政赤字減らしは、両立し難く見える。歳入を減らさずに赤字は減らせるという道筋を具体的に明示する必要がある。選挙戦で争点になるのは間違いない。

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is scheduled to kick off its national convention in the state of North Carolina on Tuesday, where it is expected to stress party unity during the march toward Obama's reelection.
　民主党は４日からノースカロライナ州で党大会を開き、大統領再選へ挙党態勢をアピールする。

===

Parties agree on Asian issues

Recent polls have shown Obama and Romney in a dead heat. The three debates between the presidential candidates to be held in October will be major opportunities to determine the course of this close contest. We hope Obama and Romney have frank and heated discussions on the economy, diplomacy and defense policy.
　世論調査では、オバマ、ロムニー両氏の支持率は拮抗(きっこう)している。１０月に３回にわたって行われる大統領候補討論会が、接戦の帰趨(きすう)を決する重要な機会となる。経済や外交・安保政策を巡り、大いに論戦を展開してもらいたい。

Both parties call the United States a Pacific nation and value its relations with Asian countries, and both agree the United States should work toward completing negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.
　共和党も民主党も、ともに「米国は太平洋国家」とアジア重視を唱えている。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉を完了させるという主張でも一致している。

The two parties also share the view that the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region should be maintained under U.S. leadership. This is an ideal course also for Japan as a U.S. ally.
　米国主導によるアジア太平洋地域の安定と繁栄の維持を図る狙いがあろう。同盟国の日本にとっても望ましい方向だ。

The result of the U.S. presidential election will affect Japan's domestic and foreign policies. We will keep a close eye on Obama and Romney's battle over policies.
　米大統領選は、日本の内政、外交にも影響する。両候補の政策対決の行方を注視したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 3, 2012)
（2012年9月3日01時17分  読売新聞）

これで妻の長年の悩みも解消 黒ずみ・シミ・保湿ケア用の専用ジェル

今日は嬉しい発見です。

私の妻は日本人ではありません。
色の浅黒い、対東北地方出身のタイ人ですが、ラオスから移住してきた祖先の末裔みたいです。
常日頃から、自分の顔が黒ずんでいるのが気に入らないみたいで、様々な美白クリームを試しています。

美白クリームでも、わずかな効果はありますが、続けていないとすぐに元に戻ります。
できれば黒ずみやシミを根本から抜いてくれるようなクリームがあればいいなって探しておりました。
サイトで偶然発見したのは、黒ずみ・シミ・保湿ケア用の専用ジェル　薬用アットベリー です。

これは、美白クリームと違って、純粋にお肌のシミを抜いてくれるジェルなので、効果が期待できます。
さっそく、日本の叔母経由で購入を考えております。

中国大使車襲撃 容疑者の「英雄」扱いを憂える

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 3, 2012)
China shouldn't treat suspects in car attack like heroes
中国大使車襲撃　容疑者の「英雄」扱いを憂える（9月2日付・読売社説）

We hope the Chinese government will take appropriate actions to prevent the recurrence of an incident that insulted Japan.
　日本を侮辱するような事件が再発しないよう、中国政府に適切な対応を望みたい。

An official car carrying Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa was attacked recently in Beijing, and the Japanese national flag on it was stolen. Chinese authorities have identified four suspects, including one woman, but the authorities have just been questioning them without detention.
　丹羽宇一郎・中国大使が乗った車が襲撃されて国旗を奪われた事件で、中国当局は容疑者が男女４人であることを突き止めた。拘束せず、事情を聞いているという。

This incident seems to have been caused by rising anti-Japanese sentiment within China, which was ignited by Hong Kong activists illegally landing on the Senkaku Islands. Stealing the Japanese national flag is nothing but a blatant insult to this country.
　今回の事件は、香港の活動家による尖閣諸島への不法上陸事件を契機に中国国内で反日機運が高まっていることが原因だろう。国旗を狙ったのは、日本を冒涜(ぼうとく)する行為にほかならない。

Responding to a protest by the Japanese government, Beijing said the incident was extremely regrettable, and it would do its best to prevent similar incidents in the future and take stern actions as required by its laws.
　日本政府の抗議に対して、中国側は「極めて遺憾だ。再発防止に全力を尽くし、法に基づき厳正に対処したい」と応えている。

===

Effects of patriotic education

However, an opinion survey conducted by a Chinese portal site on the Internet showed that 80 percent of respondents supported the attack on the Japanese ambassador's car. It is alarming for Japan that many people praised the attack, calling the suspects "heroes."
　ただ、中国のインターネットのポータルサイトが実施した世論調査では、大使車襲撃を支持する回答が８割に達した。容疑者を「英雄」として、事件を称賛する声が多いことは、日本にとって憂慮すべき事態だ。

There is a slogan in China that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime. However, it is certainly a problem that the destruction of Japanese cars and restaurants by anti-Japan demonstrators is virtually permitted in that nation.
　中国にはもともと、愛国的行為なら罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」というスローガンがある。日本車や日本料理店などを壊す反日行動が、事実上容認されているのは問題である。

We must point out that the strong effects on young people of the patriotic education by Chinese authorities are behind the radicalization of the opinions they express on the Internet due to anti-Japanese sentiment.
　反日で若者のネット世論が過激化する背景として、中国当局による愛国教育の強い影響を指摘しないわけにはいかない。

Both Japan and China should understand that they are close neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, and that they are very important partners not only economically but also in many other fields. It should be stressed that the latest incident and repeated anti-Japanese demonstrations are simply unproductive.
　一衣帯水の日中は、経済をはじめ、極めて重要なパートナーであることを認識すべきだ。今回の事件や繰り返される反日デモは、不毛と言うしかない。

We also cannot overlook the fact that many friendship events scheduled to be held in China had to be postponed or canceled due to rising tensions over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands.
　尖閣諸島を巡って緊張が高まっていることから、中国で開催予定の友好行事が延期や中止に追い込まれているのも看過できない。

===

Mutually beneficial relations

To improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recently sent a personal letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao. Parliamentary Senior Foreign Vice Minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi met Friday in Beijing with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a political heavyweight in charge of foreign affairs who is close to Hu, and handed Noda's letter to him.
　このため、野田首相は胡錦濤国家主席に親書を出した。山口壮外務副大臣が北京で、胡主席に近い外交担当の実力者、戴秉国・国務委員と会談して手渡した。

In the letter, Noda stressed that Japan and China should deepen their strategic and mutually beneficial relations. To develop relations further, it is important to have close communications between high-level government officials, the letter also said.
　親書は、日中両国が戦略的互恵関係を深化させることが重要だとし、関係発展のためにハイレベルで緊密な意思疎通を行っていくことが有意義だと訴えている。

Noda apparently sees improvement of the bilateral relationship as a matter of urgency. How will Hu respond to Noda's letter?
　首相は両国関係の改善が急務と考えているのだろう。胡主席はどう対応するだろうか。

Japan and China will mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations at the end of this month. Tokyo and Beijing are considering arranging talks between their leaders on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled to be held in Vladivostok early this month.
　日中両国は今月末で国交正常化４０周年の節目を迎える。両国政府は、今月上旬に開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議に合わせて、首脳会談を行うことを検討している。

Japanese and Chinese leaders must try to rebuild the relations between their nations by holding numerous discussions from a broader perspective and in a calm manner.
　日中双方の首脳が大局的かつ冷静に対話を重ね、両国関係の再構築に努めることが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2012)
（2012年9月2日01時45分  読売新聞）

認知症急増 在宅ケアの態勢作りが重要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 3, 2012)
Promote at-home care for dementia sufferers
認知症急増　在宅ケアの態勢作りが重要だ（9月2日付・読売社説）

As the number of elderly people suffering from dementia continues to rise rapidly, it is crucial for all sectors of society to create a system that will enable such people to live at home.
　急増する認知症の高齢者が、自宅で暮らし続けられる仕組みを社会全体で築く必要があろう。

According to estimates released on Aug. 24 by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, more than 3 million elderly people across the country suffer from dementia. This is one out of every 10 people aged 65 or older.
　厚生労働省の推計で、認知症の高齢者が３００万人を超えた。６５歳以上の人の１０人に１人にあたる。

The ministry estimates the figure will reach 4.7 million in 2025. The growth in the number of the aged with dementia is alarmingly faster than projected.
　２０２５年には４７０万人に達するという。従来の予測を大幅に上回る勢いだ。

The faster pace is due both to the rapid graying of society and to the increased number of people who are examined and diagnosed because of successful programs to raise awareness of the problem.
急速な高齢化に加え、啓発が進んで診断を受ける人が増えたことも背景にある。

Advanced dementia can lead to such symptoms as wandering away, incontinence and even violence.
　認知症が進行すると、徘徊(はいかい)、失禁、暴力といった症状が出ることがある。

In many cases, family members of people suffering from dementia have become physically and mentally exhausted taking care of them and have opted to put them into mental hospitals. Such hospitalization tends to be long-term, averaging two years and seven months.
家族は介護に疲れ果ててしまい、精神科の病院に入院させるケースも多い。入院期間は平均２年７か月と長期にわたる。

===

Support teams envisaged

The symptoms of people suffering from dementia are often aggravated after hospitalization, apparently due to such causes as changes in living environment and inadequate medication.
　環境が変わったことや不適切な薬物治療で、かえって状態が悪化する例もある。

It is necessary to shift the priority in supporting elderly dementia patients from hospitals to home care.
　入院重視の対策から、在宅支援策に重点を移すことが必要だ。

Sixty percent of the approximately 52,000 people currently hospitalized with dementia could be discharged if arrangements were put in place to support them, including a system to promote home care.
　認知症で精神科に入院している患者５万２０００人のうち、６割は「自宅などで支援態勢が整えば退院可能」とされる。

Those who are hospitalized for dementia must feel frustrated that they cannot be at home, where they accustomed to being.
本来なら住み慣れた家で過ごせるはずなのに、本人も不本意だろう。

To help avoid longtime hospitalization of dementia patients, the health ministry plans to implement a new set of measures to promote their care at home, starting in fiscal 2013.
　長期入院を避けるため、厚労省は来年度から、自宅での支援を主体とする新対策を実施する。

Under the program, the ministry will set up support teams nationwide that will comprise such experts as nurses, public health nurses and rehabilitation therapists for intensive care of people in the early stages of cognitive decline.
　発症初期のケアに当たるため、看護師、保健師、作業療法士ら専門職で組織する「初期集中支援チーム」を設ける。

The support teams will visit the homes of the elderly to hear from them and their family members, while providing suggestions about how to deal with dementia symptoms at home.
高齢者宅を訪問し、本人や家族からの聞き取りや相談、助言を行う。

In Britain, where a similar system was introduced in 2009, the number of people hospitalized for dementia has begun to decrease sharply. We hope to see such a favorable effect in this country, too.
　０９年に同様の仕組みを導入した英国では、認知症による精神科への入院が大きく減り始めた。日本でも成果を期待したい。

===

Securing personnel urgent

To deal with elderly people with advanced dementia, the ministry plans to designate about 300 medical institutions as dementia centers. To facilitate quick responses to urgent requests from the families of dementia sufferers, the ministry is studying ways to enable doctors to make house calls on short notice.
　症状が悪化した高齢者への対応としては、拠点医療機関を３００か所ほど確保する。家族からのＳＯＳに対処するため、医師が迅速に往診する態勢を整備する。

The biggest obstacle to such measures remains a shortage of personnel. It is a matter of urgency to secure medical doctors, nurses and caregivers who are well versed in caring for patients with dementia.
　これらの対策を実施するうえで、最大の問題は人材の不足である。認知症に習熟した医師、看護師、介護士らの育成が急務だ。

Securing budgetary appropriations needed to implement the envisioned programs is also difficult.
　必要な予算をどう確保するかも課題となろう。

Although people suffering from senile dementia tend to be viewed as unable to perform everyday activities, in many cases they remain emotionally stable and can engage in a range of activities.
　認知症は、何も分からなくなる「恍惚(こうこつ)の人」というイメージが強かったが、実際は感情や様々な能力が保たれることが多い。

Many people with dementia serve as volunteer workers, hoping to help others in spite of their own problems.
　「認知症でも、人の役に立ちたい」とボランティアをする人もいる。

People providing medical and nursing care to those with dementia are urged to pay due attention to them to help them live in a way suited to their needs.
その人らしく過ごせるよう配慮するケアが、医療・介護スタッフに求められている。

Efforts in local communities to establish frameworks that will facilitate helping the aged are also important.
　地域で高齢者を支える仕組みづくりも大切だ。

To this end, some local governments have taken the initiative in enhancing support for the elderly, such as encouraging members of shopping district associations to learn about dementia.
商店街ぐるみで認知症の知識を学ぶなど、独自の施策に取り組む自治体もある。

Attention should be paid to such examples.
そんな事例を参考にしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2012)
（2012年9月2日01時45分  読売新聞）

スマホ特許訴訟 米韓２強対決に影薄い日本勢

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 2, 2012)
Japanese firms pale compared to dueling U.S., ROK giants
スマホ特許訴訟　米韓２強対決に影薄い日本勢（9月1日付・読売社説）

A patent war, the largest of its kind in the world, is being fought between giant U.S. and South Korean smartphone manufacturers.
　スマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）の米韓２強が、世界最大の特許紛争で対決している。

We refer to the lawsuits U.S. technology titan Apple Inc. has filed against South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co., arguing Samsung has infringed Apple patents involving the technology and designs of its iPhone and other hit products. The California-based technology giant has demanded that provisional injunctions be issued ordering Samsung to pay damages for patent infringement and remove its products from store shelves.
　米アップルがｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）などを操作する技術とデザインの特許を侵害されたとして、韓国サムスン電子を相手取り、損害賠償や製品の販売差し止めを求めている訴訟のことである。

The ruling handed down by the Tokyo District Court on Friday rejected the patent claims Apple made against Samsung, awarding the South Korean maker a victory.
　東京地裁は３１日、サムスンによる特許侵害を認めず、アップルの請求を棄却した。

Prior to the Tokyo District Court decision, a U.S. federal district court jury in late August ruled that Samsung had infringed Apple patents and handed down a verdict fully in favor of the latter. The jury's verdict ordered Samsung to pay 1.5 billion dollars (about 82.6 billion yen) in damages to Apple.
　これに先立ち、米国の連邦地裁は、サムスンの侵害を認めてアップル全面勝訴の評決を出し、サムスンに１０億５０００万ドル（約８２６億円）の損害賠償を命じた。

The opposing decisions in the Apple-Samsung court battles in the United States and Japan may be partly attributable to differences in the points under dispute in the two countries.
　日米での争点が違う事情があり、判断が分かれたのだろう。

===

Samsung tops market

The two firms have been fighting patent suits in 10 countries around the world.
　両社は世界１０か国で特許紛争中だ。

A judge in South Korea handed down a split decision, saying Apple and Samsung have both infringed each other's patents, while a German court awarded a victory to Apple. Judicial rulings over patent infringement in the Apple-Samsung global court battle vary considerably in different countries.
韓国では、両社とも特許侵害したという痛み分けの判決が出て、ドイツではアップルが勝訴した。特許侵害に関する各国の司法判断も異なっている。

Apple initially took the lead in the world's smartphone market, on the strength of the iPhone's high popularity. Samsung subsequently caught up with Apple, rapidly expanding its sales to currently have the most smartphone sales in the world, with Apple ranking second.
　世界のスマートフォン市場は、アップルがアイフォーンで先行し、サムスンが追い上げた。現在、サムスンが急伸して世界１位となり、アップルが２位だ。

Apple plans to market new iPhone models this coming autumn. Samsung will also put new models on the market, most likely adding fuel to the already intense competition between the two.
　アップルは今秋、アイフォーンの新機種を発売する。サムスンも対抗して新機種を発売し、競争は一段と過熱するとみられる。

One focus of attention in the lawsuits is whether the marketing of Samsung products will actually be prohibited in the wake of court decisions favoring Apple in the United States and elsewhere.
　焦点は、米国などの判決を受け、サムスン製品の販売が実際に差し止められるかどうかだ。

Given that both Samsung and Apple are expected to appeal court rulings unfavorable to them, the battles will likely be protracted.
　ただ、両社とも、敗訴した国では控訴する方針とみられ、裁判は長期化しそうだ。

As time passes, the products involved in the litigation will become outdated, and provisional injunctions to stop marketing them will likely have only a limited effect on the firms' business performance.
時間が経過するほど、提訴対象になった製品が旧モデル化し、仮に差し止められても影響は限定的だろう。

Samsung smartphones rely on Google Inc.'s Android operating software technology, and it should be noted that the series of court battles between Samsung and Apple can be seen as a "proxy war" between Apple and Google.
　サムスンは携帯端末に米グーグル製の基本ソフト「アンドロイド」を採用しており、一連の訴訟はアップルとグーグルの「代理戦争」という側面も無視できない。

===

Japan firms must take offensive

Apple is poised to lodge legal complaints against companies other than Samsung that use the Android technology, apparently in a bid to check the Android-dependent bloc of firms. This move may become a catalyst that will eventually lead to major changes in the competitive landscape of the world smartphone market.
　アップルは、サムスン以外のアンドロイド採用企業も訴える構えで、アンドロイド陣営を牽制(けんせい)する狙いだろう。勢力図を塗り替える契機となるかもしれない。

In the rapidly growing global markets for smartphones and multifunction tablet computers, the presence of Japanese manufacturers is markedly weak.
　急成長するスマートフォンやタブレット型多機能端末の市場で、日本メーカーの存在感は薄い。

This is in stark contrast to Apple, the current aggregate value of which has reached a level equivalent to 50 trillion yen, and Samsung, which has also captured the world's No. 1 position in sales of flat screen TVs and other electronic products.
時価総額が５０兆円に達したアップル、薄型テレビなどでも世界首位のサムスンとは対照的だ。

Of key significance to Japanese companies' efforts to regain their international competitiveness and recoup lost ground is effective use of their intellectual property rights, including patents.
　日本勢が競争力を強化し、巻き返すには、特許などの知的財産権を活用することがカギを握る。

It is indispensable for Japanese firms to redouble their efforts to pioneer new markets with high growth potential, by going on the offensive and taking initiative in carving out new business frontiers.
新たな成長市場を開拓し、主導する攻めの姿勢が欠かせない。

In light of the legal war between the strong U.S. and South Korean firms, Japanese companies should be courageous enough to energize themselves to recast their business strategies.
　米韓２強の争いに発奮し、各社は戦略を練り直すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2012)
（2012年9月1日01時26分  読売新聞）

日朝予備協議 金正恩体制に「拉致」打開促せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 2, 2012)
Govt should press N. Korea's new leader on abductions
日朝予備協議　金正恩体制に「拉致」打開促せ（9月1日付・読売社説）

Can preliminary talks between Japan and North Korea become a step toward resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea? The government should patiently deepen a dialogue with the country to break the stalemate on the issue.
　日本人拉致問題を解決するための一歩になるだろうか。政府は膠着(こうちゃく)状態の打開へ、粘り強く対話を重ねるべきだ。

During division chief-level preliminary consultations in Beijing on Friday, the two countries agreed to discuss a "broad range of issues that interest both sides," and bureau chief-level talks are scheduled to be held in the Chinese capital later this month.
　北京で開かれていた日本と北朝鮮の課長級による予備協議は、「双方が関心を持つ事項」について幅広く協議することで一致した。今月中にも、北京で局長級の本協議が行われる。

Although the countries did not explicitly agree on it, it stands to reason that the abduction issue, which Japan has called on North Korea to discuss, will be put on the agenda in the higher-level talks.
　明示されてはいないが、日本が要求した拉致問題が議題になることは、当然である。

Such abductions are criminal acts by a state and violate human rights and national sovereignty. North Korea's claim that the abduction issue has already been resolved is totally unacceptable. The government should do everything in its power to enable all the abductees to return home.
　拉致は、人権と国家主権を侵害する国家的な犯罪だ。「拉致問題は解決済み」といった北朝鮮の従来の主張は、到底受け入れられない。政府は、拉致被害者全員の早期帰国に全力を挙げるべきだ。

In August 2008, North Korea agreed during working-level bilateral talks in Shenyang, China, to launch a committee to reinvestigate the abductions "soon." But Pyongyang unilaterally put off the reinvestigation, and the bilateral talks on the matter were suspended.
　拉致問題については、２００８年８月に中国・瀋陽で行った日朝の実務者協議で、北朝鮮が拉致被害者再調査のための委員会を早期に設置することで合意した。ところが、北朝鮮は一方的に再調査を見送り、協議は中断していた。

However, the issue of repatriating the remains of about 21,600 Japanese who died in North Korea in the closing days of or shortly after World War II prompted the two governments to hold talks for the first time in four years. North Korea has showed a positive attitude toward visits to the graves of such people by their Japanese families.
　４年ぶりに政府間協議が実現した直接のきっかけは、終戦前後に北朝鮮で死亡した約２万１６００人分の日本人の遺骨返還問題である。北朝鮮側は、遺族の墓参についても積極的な姿勢を見せた。

===

Kim seen asserting own style

Such developments appear to be partly attributable to North Korea's new regime under Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. The chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, regarded as a key mentor to the young leader, was removed from all posts. The move fueled speculation that Kim dismissed him to assert his own style of leadership.
　金正恩第１書記の新体制と無縁ではない。後見役と目されていた軍総参謀長が解任され、統治スタイルにも独自性がうかがえる。

We suspect Kim is trying to persuade Japan and other countries to lift economic sanctions against his nation and provide economic assistance to alleviate its food crisis.
　金正恩氏は、食料問題を解決するため、日本をはじめ国際社会から経済制裁の解除や経済支援を引き出したいのではないか。

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has reportedly obtained various kinds of information on the abductees through unofficial channels.
　政府は、北朝鮮側との非公式な接触で拉致被害者に関して様々な生存情報を得ているという。

Jin Matsubara, state minister in charge of the abduction issue, takes North Korea's recent moves positively.
　松原拉致問題相は、北朝鮮側の動きを前向きにとらえている。

Kenji Fujimoto, who was a chef for late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, reportedly mentioned Megumi Yokota, one of the abductees, and directly asked Kim Jong Un to allow her and other abductees to return home when he visited Pyongyang in July and August at the invitation of the young leader. Matsubara said raising the abduction issue with the leader is very significant.
　金正日総書記の専属料理人だった藤本健二氏が金正恩氏の招きで７～８月に訪朝した際、横田めぐみさんの名を挙げて解決を正恩氏に直訴したことについても、「極めて重い」と期待感を示した。

===

Develop momentum

The challenge now is how to link such developments to the resolution of issues of concern, such as the abductions and the repatriation of remains.
　問題は、こうした変化を、拉致や遺骨返還など懸案の解決にどう結びつけるかである。

At the three-day preliminary meeting this week, Japanese and North Korean government officials reportedly touched upon the fact that Sept. 17 will mark the 10th anniversary of summit talks between then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il.
　３日間にわたった今回の予備協議の中では、小泉首相と金正日総書記の日朝首脳会談から９月１７日でちょうど１０年を迎えることも話題になったという。

During the meeting, the late North Korean leader admitted his country had abducted Japanese people and apologized for the first time. And we should not forget that North Korea signed the Pyongyang Declaration in which both sides confirmed they would abide by international agreements related to the nuclear issue.
　この首脳会談で、総書記は初めて拉致を認めて謝罪した。北朝鮮は、核問題解決のため国際的合意の順守を確認した平壌宣言に署名したことも忘れてはならない。

The government needs to elicit sincere responses from North Korea. To this end, we urge the government to devise a thorough strategy.
　政府は、北朝鮮から誠意ある対応を引き出す必要がある。綿密な戦略を立ててもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2012)
（2012年9月1日01時27分  読売新聞）

火災保険の口コミ情報サイトを検証する 火災共済を選んだ40代男性の声

例えば団地の集合住宅にお住まいの方だったら、火災保険については個人加入よりも、団地の管理組合で一括して契約する火災共済のほうが、戸別の掛け金は安く済むと思います。火災共済の口コミ情報、火災共済を選んだ40代男性の声というサイトに遭遇し、記事を読んだ後にそのように感じた次第です。サイトで私が得ることが出来た知識を披露いたします。

共済は、例えば生命保険では団体生命に相当すると思います。
会社で一括して契約し、社員の事故・病気に備えるためです。
私も知らないうちに会社の共済（生命保険）に加入させられていたことがあります。
それは、掛け捨て式の生命保険で、毎月の掛け金はもちろん会社が負担いたしました。

金融商品の自由化とあいまって、保険関連商品の自由化も大幅になされております。
で、新手の共済商品も、どんどん新しいものが生まれたわけなのです。
共済関連商品は三種類です。人、車、家です。
会社等の組織で、まとめて加入するので掛け金が安くて済みますが、反面、個々のニーズに対応出来ないというデメリットもございます。

個人にしろ、共済にしろ火災保険を掛けて置くことは、災害大国日本では避けることが出来ません。
共済で大きな部分をカバー、個々のニーズに対しては個人で火災保険に加入するということだって出来るので、ここは、起こり得るリスクとの相談となるでしょうね。人それぞれだと思います。ちなみに私はゴルフ保険です＾＾。

火災共済の口コミ情報 で予備知識を仕入れました。

南海トラフ地震 減災対策を着実に進めたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 1, 2012)
Disaster-preparedness measures must be steadily pushed forward
南海トラフ地震　減災対策を着実に進めたい（8月31日付・読売社説）

Measures to prepare for and minimize damage from a gigantic earthquake and tsunami must be implemented unwaveringly.
　巨大地震と津波による深刻な被害を最小限に食い止めるため、減災対策を着実に進めたい。

Two Cabinet Office expert panels released damage predictions Wednesday regarding a potential "Nankai Trough Earthquake," a severe tremor caused by multiple concurrent or sequential earthquakes--likely involving what are known as Tokai, Tonankai or Nankai quakes--centered in the Nankai Trough that stretches from off Shizuoka Prefecture down to Shikoku and Kyushu.
　東海、東南海、南海などの地震が連動する「南海トラフ巨大地震」について、内閣府の有識者会議が被害想定を公表した。

If the sea bottom shifts off this wide stretch of shoreline from the Tokai region down to Kyushu, a huge earthquake up to magnitude 9 on the Richter scale could take place. Such a temblor could leave as many as 323,000 people dead, the estimates stated.
　東海から九州沖までの海底が広範に動くと、マグニチュード９級の巨大地震になり、犠牲者数は最大で３２万３０００人に上る。

The most lethal recorded earthquake in Japan to date was the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which claimed the lives of more than 105,000 people.
　国内の地震では、これまで、１０万５０００人以上とされる関東大震災の犠牲者数が最多だった。

Under the expert panels' projections, fatalities from a tsunami caused by a Nankai Trough Earthquake could hit 230,000, accounting for 70 percent of the deaths caused by the disaster. Such colossal fatalities would be due to tsunami more than five meters high on average striking 124 cities, towns and villages in Tokyo and 12 prefectures.
　想定では、津波の犠牲者数が２３万人で、全体の７割を占める。１３都県１２４市町村で、津波の高さが平均５メートルを超えるためだ。

===

Quick evacuation key

Fatalities from earthquake-related damage such as collapsing buildings could reach a maximum of 82,000, according to the estimates.
建物倒壊など地震による犠牲者数も８万２０００人に及ぶ。

Such a situation would be a national crisis.
　「国難」とも言えよう。

Based on these projections, the central and relevant local governments must cooperate in planning effective countermeasures, such as securing sufficient evacuation routes and facilities.
　この想定を参考に、政府や関係自治体が協力して、津波避難所や避難ルートの整備など、有効な対策を講じる必要がある。

The probability of such a megaquake actually occurring is, of course, rather slim.
　無論、これほどの巨大地震が起きる可能性は大きくない。

In the course of the panel discussions, some experts expressed concern that local governments would simply give up on formulating effective countermeasures in the face of the enormous damage estimates associated with the strongest possible earthquake.
有識者会議でも、最大級を前提にすると「自治体や住民が対策をあきらめる」と懸念する声が出た。

However, the most bitter lesson among many drawn from the Great East Japan Earthquake is that past projections of earthquake damage were too mild and disaster preparations were far from sufficient.
　しかし、想定が甘く、備えが疎(おろそ)かだったことが、東日本大震災の教訓である。

Taking this into account, the expert panels released a set of specific steps they recommend be taken to reduce damage from a disaster.
　有識者会議は、具体的な減災対策も提示している。

For instance, if all residents of the areas affected by an earthquake begin evacuating within 10 minutes after the tremor hits, the number of fatalities due to tsunami could be reduced by 80 percent, the experts claimed. Their report stressed the importance of quick evacuation in the earliest possible phase of the disaster.
　地震後、１０分以内に全員が避難を始めれば、津波の犠牲者は想定より８割少なくできるとして、素早い避難の重要性を指摘した。

Also, if 100 percent of buildings met the earthquake-resistance requirements under the Building Standards Law instead of the current 76 percent, fatalities from collapsed buildings in the earthquake would also be cut by roughly 80 percent, the expert panels stated.
　建築基準法の耐震基準を満たした建物の比率が、今の７６％から１００％に上がれば、倒壊による犠牲者も同程度減らせるという。

===

Industrial complexes in danger

Achieving these two steps would reduce fatalities to 61,000, about one-fifth of the maximum projected 323,000 victims. This figure should serve as a good reference for the national and local entities crafting disaster-preparedness measures.
　これで犠牲者の総数は、約５分の１の６万１０００人になる。政府や自治体の参考になろう。

However, given the severe state of the government's finances, undertaking the large-scale public works projects necessary to prepare for such a disaster, such as building sea walls, will be difficult.
　厳しい財政状況の下、防潮堤建設など大規模な公共事業は容易ではない。

Under the circumstances, we believe priority should be placed on programs that can be implemented immediately, such as designating buildings to be used as shelters and improving disaster drills.
避難ビルの確保や避難訓練の強化など、すぐに着手できる対策を優先することが大切だ。

The areas that would be devastated by a megaquake include zones thick with industrial sites. Quick to realize the possible danger, an increasing number of companies have begun taking such steps as moving offices and plants to higher ground and setting up their own disaster shelters.
　被災が予想される地域は、産業の集積地も多い。高台移転を検討したり、自前の津波避難所を設けたりする企業が増えつつある。

We urge the government to provide support for small and midsized companies, which tend to be slow in taking action to prepare for disasters.
　対応が遅れがちな中小企業の支援策も必要だろう。

The government has hammered out plans for a special law that would accelerate construction of facilities needed to reduce disaster-related damage in areas susceptible to large earthquakes.
　政府は、関係地域を対象に、必要な防災施設の整備をさらに促進する特別措置法制定の方針を打ち出している。

The government is also reported to have plans in the works to expand areas covered by earthquake-forecasting networks to address a possible Tokai Earthquake.
東海地震を対象とした発生予知の範囲を拡大することも検討するという。

However, some have criticized these plans, saying there is no way to predict earthquakes. We hope in-depth discussions will be held regarding any legislation to be drafted on the matter, including whether such skepticism over earthquake forecasting is warranted.
　ただ、地震の予知はできないとの批判もある。その是非を含め、法整備の論議を深めるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2012)
（2012年8月31日01時19分  読売新聞）

韓国提訴拒否 竹島はやはり国際裁判が筋だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 1, 2012)
Take Takeshima row to ICJ despite South Korea's refusal
韓国提訴拒否　竹島はやはり国際裁判が筋だ（8月31日付・読売社説）

It is crucial for the government to persist in its attempt to resolve the dispute with South Korea over the Takeshima islands at the International Court of Justice.
　あくまで国際司法裁判所（ＩＣＪ）の法廷での決着を追求し続けることが重要である。

South Korea recently delivered a letter to Japan officially refusing Tokyo's proposal to jointly refer the two nations' territorial dispute over the islands, which are a part of Shimane Prefecture, to the ICJ.
　島根県・竹島の領有権問題を日韓両国がＩＣＪに共同付託するとの日本政府の提案について、韓国政府は拒否する口上書を日本側に渡した。

In a statement, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said he was "extremely disappointed" with Seoul's reply. The Japanese government is now moving toward unilaterally filing a suit with the ICJ, and the Foreign Ministry has begun drafting a petition to that end.
　玄葉外相は、韓国側回答に「極めて失望」したとする談話を発表した。外務省は、ＩＣＪへの日本単独の提訴に向けて、訴状の作成などの準備作業を始めている。

The government previously asked South Korea to take the Takeshima dispute to the ICJ in 1954 and 1962, but gave up on the idea after Seoul rejected both requests. If Japan alone files suit with the ICJ, it will be the first time the territorial row is brought before the U.N. court.
　政府は１９５４年と６２年にＩＣＪ提訴を韓国に提案したが、韓国に拒否された段階で断念した。単独提訴を行えば、初めてだ。

Since Japan's requests were made before it normalized diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1965, we presume Japanese governments at the time gave up on taking the dispute to the ICJ because it hoped to keep friction with South Korea from reaching a critical stage.
　当時は６５年の国交正常化前であり、韓国との決定的対立を避ける外交的配慮があったのだろう。

However, South Korean President Lee Myung Bak went beyond acceptable limits recently by ignoring Japan's requests and visiting the Takeshima islands, a move aimed mainly at boosting his administration's flagging popularity. This act cannot be overlooked, and we see it as entirely appropriate for Japan to take the matter to the ICJ on its own.
だが、李明博大統領が政権浮揚の思惑などから竹島訪問を強行し、重大な一線を越えた事実は重い。単独提訴は当然の対応である。

===

South Korea's far-fetched claims

If South Korea believes its territorial claim to the Takeshima islands is sound, it should agree with Japan's request to bring the dispute to the ICJ and state its views openly before the international tribunal.
　韓国は、自らの領有権が正当だと考えるなら、ＩＣＪ提訴に応じ、法廷で堂々と主張すべきだ。

South Korea had not yet joined the United Nations when Japan made its two previous requests, but the nation is now a key member of the organization, touting itself as "Global Korea." Such a country should not hesitate to use international means of dispute resolution.
過去の日本の提訴提案時は、国連未加盟だったが、今は主要な加盟国で「グローバル・コリア」を標榜(ひょうぼう)しているのだから、なおさらだ。

In its written reply to Japan's request, the South Korean government stated that the Takeshima islands are "an integral part of the territory of South Korea, a fact that is unequivocal from historical and geographical standpoints, as well as under international law."
The reply also stated that "no territorial dispute exists" over the islands.
　韓国側は口上書で、竹島は「歴史的、地理的、国際法的に明白な韓国の不可分の領土」「いかなる紛争もない」などと強弁した。

Sources close to the matter said South Korean government representatives told their Japanese counterparts that the islands "first fell victim to Japan when the Korean Peninsula was invaded and pillaged as a result of Japanese imperialism."
"[The islands] returned to South Korea through the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Declaration and Japan's unconditional surrender" in World War II, the South Korean representatives were quoted as saying.
　竹島が「日本帝国主義の韓半島侵奪の過程で初めて犠牲になった」「カイロ宣言、ポツダム宣言及び日本の無条件降伏を通じて韓国領土に回復した」とも、日本側に口頭で伝えたという。

However, Japan's dominion over the Takeshima islands was established by the 17th century when the islands were used for fishing and other purposes. After World War II, the South Korean government asked the United States to grant the islands to South Korea, but the United States refused. South Korea later unilaterally established the Syngman Rhee Line border and illegally occupied the islands.
　だが、日本は１７世紀には竹島を漁場などに利用し、領有権を確立した。大戦後、韓国は竹島を韓国領とするよう米国に要請したが、拒否されたため、一方的に「李承晩ライン」を設定し、不法占拠した。

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Show world legitimacy of claim

Even if Japan files suit with the ICJ, a trial will not be held if South Korea continues to refuse to participate. However, the action would have no small impact, as it would be a precious opportunity for Japan to make its case for the legitimacy of its territorial claims before the global community, and history will note South Korea's refusal to allow the matter to be heard by the international court.
　日本が単独提訴しても、韓国が裁判を拒否し続けた場合、公判は開かれない。それでも、日本が国際社会に竹島の領有権の正当性をアピールするとともに、日本の提訴を韓国が拒否した事実を歴史に残す意義は小さくあるまい。

It is undeniable that past Japanese administrations, including those when the Liberal Democratic Party was in power, avoided focusing too much on the Takeshima issue, worrying it would sour Japan's relationship with South Korea. We think the Japanese government should make a first step toward rectifying its past weakness by taking the suit to the ICJ.
　日本は、自民党政権時代を含め、日韓関係の悪化を懸念して、竹島問題で主張を抑制してきたことは否めない。単独提訴をその対応を改める一歩とすべきだ。

However, South Korea's position as an important neighbor to Japan will not change. The two countries need to continue to cooperate on various issues, such as North Korea and further economic partnership.
　一方で、韓国が重要な隣国であることに変わりはない。北朝鮮問題、経済連携など、日韓両国が取り組むべき案件は多い。

It will probably be difficult to improve the Japan-South Korea relationship before Lee's term expires in February, but we urge the government to make proper efforts to maintain a dialogue with South Korea.
　来年２月までの李大統領在任中に日韓関係を改善するのは難しいとしても、対話や協議はきちんと継続することが大切である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2012)
（2012年8月31日01時19分  読売新聞）