この９月、スカイツリーで熱いイベントが開催されます 夜景観光コンベンション・ビューロー

最近全国各地で日本の夜景が見直されてきていますが、それには理由があります。
日本の夜景評論で有名な夜景観光コンベンション・ビューローの努力のたまものではないでしょうか。
夜景評論家丸々もとお 氏が夜景観光コンベンション・ビューローの代表を務められていますが、全国各地に数多くの夜景評論家を創出しています。
活動の一環として、東京スカイツリーの夜景を初プロデュースします。
場所はもちろんあの東京スカイツリーですが、テーマは中秋の名月と夜景とのコラボです。
美しい中秋の名月を、世界一高いタワーで鑑賞するという画期的な試みです。
開催期間は2016年9月1日（木）～9月30日（金）です。
地上450メートルの天望回廊では、月の魅力を肌身で感じられる演出がされますが、「パワームーン」のイベントと称されています。
特殊な映像技術を駆使して、まるで本物の月に手でさわれるような感覚です。
ご家族でお出かけください。

今日のイチオシDreamNews

今日のイチオシDreamNews

まもなく締切！感情コントロールとコミュニケーション能力、自己実現方法まで学べるNLPプラクティショナーコース申込受付 一般社団法人東京ラーニングアカデミー

アフリカ会議 良質な支援で中国と差別化を

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Differentiate Japan’s aid to Africa from China’s in terms of quality
アフリカ会議　良質な支援で中国と差別化を

Africa’s healthy development is indispensable to world stability. It is necessary to provide support through the joint efforts of the public and private sectors and establish a relationship of reciprocity embracing the potential for growth as the continent develops.
　アフリカの健全な発展は、世界の安定に欠かせない。官民を挙げて支援し、成長力を取り込む互恵関係を築きたい。

The Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) was held in Nairobi, with the leaders of Japan and about 50 African nations attending, among others. They adopted the Nairobi Declaration, calling for economic structural reforms and reinforcing measures against communicable diseases as its main pillars.
　日本とアフリカの約５０か国の首脳らによる第６回アフリカ開発会議（ＴＩＣＡＤ）がケニアで開かれた。経済構造改革や感染症対策の強化を柱とするナイロビ宣言を採択した。

In a keynote speech, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a total of $30 billion (about ¥3 trillion) in investments from the public and private sectors over a period of three years through 2018, and to develop human resources, including about 10 million engineers. “The time has come to make the best of Japan’s capabilities, Japanese companies’ capabilities,” Abe emphasized.
　安倍首相は基調講演で、３年間で官民総額３００億ドル（約３兆円）規模を投資し、約１０００万人の技術者らを育成する考えを表明した。「日本と日本企業の力を生かす時が来た」とも訴えた。

Blessed with rich natural resources and given its rapid increase in population, Africa is referred to as “the final frontier” of the world economy, leading many countries to compete to make investments in the continent.
　豊富な天然資源を有し、人口も急増するアフリカは、世界経済の「最後のフロンティア」と称され、各国が競って投資してきた。

But, in recent years, Africa has faced such challenges as declining prices for natural resources, the spread of Ebola and other infectious diseases, frequent civil wars and terrorism. The continent is far from being in a situation under which it can eradicate poverty and achieve social stability.
　しかし、近年は、資源価格の下落、エボラ出血熱など感染症の拡大、内戦やテロの多発といった課題に直面している。貧困の根絶や社会の安定にはほど遠い。

It is reasonable that the Nairobi Declaration refers to “economic diversification” without relying merely on exports of resources. It is essential to promote investment in high-quality infrastructure and foster human resources through the prudent use of Japanese expertise, thereby encouraging self-sustained development.
　ナイロビ宣言が、資源輸出だけに頼らない「経済の多角化」を掲げたのは妥当だ。日本の技術力を生かした、質の高いインフラ投資や人材育成を進め、アフリカの自立を促すことが肝要である。

Diverse cooperation

Many Japanese business corporations and associations took part in the TICAD conference, which was held for the first time in Africa, and discussed concrete investment projects. The Japanese business community has high expectations for Africa as a potentially huge market.
　初めてアフリカで開かれたＴＩＣＡＤには、多くの日本企業や団体が参加し、具体的な投資案件などを協議した。潜在的な巨大市場への経済界の期待は強い。

Twenty-two Japanese firms and business associations signed memorandums on a total of 73 projects. It is highly significant that the range of cooperation is diverse, covering geothermal power generation, agricultural development, hospital construction and malaria control measures.
　２２企業・団体が計７３事業の覚書に署名した。地熱発電や農業の開発、病院整備、マラリア対策など広範な協力の意義は大きい。

Abe announced a plan to launch the “Japan-Africa Public and Private Economic Forum” as a permanent forum for which members of the Japanese Cabinet, together with top executives from Japan’s major business associations and corporations, will visit Africa once every three years. It is imperative for Japan and Africa to maintain close cooperation and pursue mutual benefits.
　首相は、「日アフリカ官民経済フォーラム」の設立を発表した。日本の閣僚や企業関係者らが３年に１回、アフリカを訪問する枠組みだ。密接に連携し、双方の利益を追求することが重要だ。

In December, China announced a plan to offer $60 billion in aid to Africa over a period of three years. This figure is double Japan’s. But there is strong criticism that China’s assistance will not lead to fostering personnel and technical transfers because China places priority on profits for its firms and procurement of resources.
　中国は昨年１２月、３年間で６００億ドルを支援すると公表した。金額では日本の２倍だが、中国企業の儲もうけや資源確保などを優先するため、人材育成や技術移転につながらないとの批判が根強い。

In addition to construction of infrastructure with an emphasis on quality, it is essential for Japan to provide know-how on the maintenance and operation of infrastructure and offer elaborate programs to foster local experts, thereby differentiating its assistance from China’s.
　日本は、質を重視したインフラ整備に加え、維持や運用のノウハウを提供し、現地の専門家を育てるきめ細かな支援で、中国との差別化を図ることが大切である。

Abe has come out with an India-Pacific initiative of making the Pacific and Indian oceans “peaceful seas governed by the rule of law.” Maintaining a rules-based maritime order and the necessity of reforming the U.N. Security Council were also incorporated in the Nairobi Declaration.
　首相は、太平洋とインド洋を「平和な、ルールの支配する海」とするインド太平洋戦略を打ち出した。ナイロビ宣言にも、海洋秩序の維持、国連安全保障理事会の改革の必要性が盛り込まれた。

Both of these points were made with China in mind. From the viewpoint of encouraging China to exercise restraint and avoid self-centered behavior, Japan must build a strategic relationship with African countries.
　いずれも中国を念頭に置いたものだ。中国に独善的な行動の自制を促すためにも、アフリカ諸国と戦略的な関係を構築したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2016)

相続法制見直し 高齢社会に見合う仕組みとは

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Reflect needs of graying population in revision of inheritance legislation
相続法制見直し　高齢社会に見合う仕組みとは

It is important to establish a system of inheritance that takes into account the needs of Japan’s rapidly graying society.
　急速な高齢化に対応した相続制度を構築することが大切である。

The Legislative Council is gathering opinions from the public regarding a tentative draft put together to revise a Civil Code provision related to the inheritance of property left by the deceased.
　法制審議会が遺産相続に関する民法改正の中間試案をまとめ、国民から意見を公募している。

The focus of the draft is to protect the rights of the spouse of the deceased. As one of its proposed measures, the Justice Ministry panel says the spouse’s right of residence should be established. This right would allow the spouse to continue living in the house for a certain period of time, even if he or she does not have the right of ownership.
　試案の柱は、配偶者の権利保護である。方策の一つとして、居住権の創設を打ち出した。配偶者が自宅の所有権を有していなくても、一定期間、住み続けることのできる権利だ。

When a couple has no property of any value other than their house, the spouse of the deceased is sometimes forced to sell the house due to the partition of the estate involved. This means that the spouse could end up with no place to live if they are aged and only have a tiny income. Establishing the spouse’s right of residence is expected to help prevent such a situation from arising.
　家屋以外にめぼしい財産を持たなかった夫婦の場合、配偶者が遺産分割のために家屋の売却を迫られるケースがある。高齢で収入が乏しければ、住む場所を失いかねない。居住権創設で、こうした事態を防ぐ効果が期待できよう。

The panel’s draft also includes a proposed increase in the spouse’s legal portion of an inheritance.
　試案は、配偶者の法定相続分の引き上げにも言及している。

Under the current law, the spouse’s share is fixed regardless of the length of the couple’s married life. However short their marriage is, the spouse inherits half of the property involved if the estate is divided between the spouse and children. With the rise in the number of elderly people who choose to remarry, however, there are growing doubts about this system.
　現行法で、配偶者の相続分は、婚姻期間に関係なく、一定している。結婚後の期間がどんなに短くても、遺産を子供と分割する際には、相続分は２分の１だ。高齢者の再婚も増える中、この仕組みを疑問視する声は強まっている。

With this in mind, the panel has proposed increasing the spouse’s portion of an inheritance if the couple is married longer than a certain period of time — for example, 20 or 30 years. Another proposal would raise the spouse’s share in proportion to an increase in the size of the property after the couple married. These proposed ideas have been included in the latest draft.
　そこで、結婚から２０年や３０年といった区切りを設け、それより長くなれば、相続分を増やす。あるいは、婚姻後の財産の増加に応じて相続分も多くする。これらの案を併記している。

It is understandable that the council has sought to make sure the degree of the spouse’s contribution to property accumulation is reflected in his or her portion of an inheritance.
　財産形成への貢献度を相続に反映させる狙いは理解できる。

Downside to proposal

The panel’s latest discussions were prompted when the civil law was revised in 2013. In response to a Supreme Court ruling that the disparities in inheritance shares allotted to children born in or out of wedlock were unconstitutional, the pertinent civil law provision was abolished. This drew objections from Diet members of the Liberal Democratic Party and others, who said the legal change could “upset the family system, which is built on legal marriage.”
　今回の議論の発端は、２０１３年の民法改正だった。婚外子の相続格差に対する最高裁の違憲判断を受けて、該当する規定が廃止されると、自民党の国会議員らから「法律婚に基づく家族制度が揺らぐ」といった反発が出た。

Considering the circumstances under which the council began its discussions, the direction of the draft proposal is reasonable, as it clarifies the significance of legal marriage by protecting the rights of the spouse.
　そこから検討が始まった経緯に照らしても、配偶者の権利保護を通じ、法律婚の意義を明確にする試案の方向性は妥当だろう。

However, the panel’s proposal involves a downside — the procedures involved would become more complex.
　だが、手続きが煩雑になるというマイナスの要素も出てくる。

If the spouse exercises the right of residence for extended periods, it would be deemed that he or she had inherited the bulk of the property involved. How would the value of that inheritance be assessed?
　配偶者の居住権行使が長期に及ぶ場合には、相当程度の財産を相続したとみなされるが、その財産価値をどう算定するのか。

The draft also includes a plan to create a mechanism by which anyone, other than heirs to the estate involved, would be authorized to demand monetary payments if that person had rendered services to the deceased person, such as providing nursing care.
　試案は、介護などの貢献があれば、相続人以外でも金銭の支払いを相続人に請求できるようにする仕組みも盛り込んでいる。

If the number of people involved in an inheritance increases, feuds among relatives and others would become more common and last for extended periods.
　相続に関わる人の範囲が広がれば、親族間などの紛争が増加し、長期化するのは避けられまい。

After studying public opinion, the council will hold further discussions on pertinent issues. The Justice Ministry wants to submit to the Diet a bill aimed at revising the civil law by the end of next year at the earliest.
　法制審は、意見公募の結果を踏まえて、さらに議論を進める。法務省は、来年中にも民法改正案を国会に提出する方針だ。

We hope the ministry will work out a new system in a way that attaches importance to procedures that are easy to understand, as inheritance is a personal issue for everyone.
　身近なテーマだけに、手続きの分かりやすさを重視して、新たな制度を練ってもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2016)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡「ほめ言葉」にも原則ある ／東京

August 28, 2016 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Praise athletes for their sporting excellence, not looks
香山リカのココロの万華鏡「ほめ言葉」にも原則ある　／東京

When referring to good looking men today, the Japanese word "ikemen" is often used. I heard a TV announcer during the Rio Olympics broadcast say, "He is popular as an ikemen runner," about an athlete participating in the Games. Women in sports, on the other hand, have been called "pretty athletes" or described as "too beautiful to be a swimmer" when people comment on their looks.
　最近、男性の外見をほめるときに「イケメン」という単語がよく使われる。五輪中継を見ていても、時々スタジオでアナウンサーが「彼はイケメンランナーとしても人気です」などと言っている。一方、女性は昔から変わらず「美人アスリート」「美しすぎるスイマー」などと称される。

Whether it is "ikemen" or "pretty," those who say these words use them without hesitation since they are supposedly both compliments. But I wonder how people on the receiving end of these words feel.
　この「イケメン」にしても「美人」にしても、基本的にはほめ言葉なのだから、と使うほうも遠慮がない。しかし、言われるほうはどうなのだろう。

I have a friend who is a physician. She is tall and has fine facial features and says she has been spotted by talent agencies many times. When she spoke at a local health conference, the moderator said at the end of the event, "While today's theme was the prevention of high blood pressure, my blood pressure has been skyrocketing because of your beauty, doctor."
　私の友人で、目鼻立ちがはっきりしていて背も高く、何度もタレントプロダクションからスカウトされたことがあるという女性内科医がいる。あるとき地元の健康講演会で講師を務めたが、閉会時に司会がこう言った。「今日のテーマは『高血圧の予防』でしたが、先生があまりに美しいので、先ほどから私の血圧は上がりっぱなしです」。

Though the comment had the audience laughing, she said she was disappointed. "I did my best to speak about exercise and diet that are good for preventing high blood pressure, but it felt like I was told that all that didn't matter," she recalled.
会場は笑いに包まれたが、友人はがっかりしたそうだ。「一生懸命、高血圧を防ぐための運動や食事について話したのに、その意味はなかったと言われた気がした」

What about Olympians? There must be some athletes who want the media to focus attention on their sport and outcomes of the events they are participating in rather than being in the spotlight for their looks. I occasionally see some interviewers asking athletes irrelevant questions such as, "How do you keep yourself beautiful?" but I assume there are some athletes who would feel disappointed to be asked such questions, especially right after their race was finished, or personal questions like, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
　五輪選手はどうなのだろう。外見のことより競技の内容や結果について話題にしてほしい、と思う人もいるのではないか。ごくまれに「美しさを保つ秘訣（ひけつ）は？」といった場違いな質問をしているインタビュアーもいるが、いまレースや試合が終わったばかりなのに、とがっかりする人、「恋人は？」といった私生活に関する質問を不快に感じる人もいるのではないか。

It is indeed very beautiful how athletes devote themselves to their sports. I have no intention of picking on those who use words like "ikemen" and "beautiful" to praise the athletes' efforts. At the same time, when someone repeats comments and questions toward a person about their looks that are irrelevant to what they have achieved, it can be regarded as sexual harassment.
　もちろん、スポーツ選手がひとつの道に精いっぱい打ち込む姿はとても美しい。それをほめようとして「イケメン」「美人」という言葉が出てきてしまうことじたい、とがめるつもりはない。とはいえ、あることで真剣に勝負している人にそれとは関係のない外見のこと、私生活のことでコメントや質問を繰り返すのは、ハラスメントになることもある。たとえそれが悪意にもとづく否定的な言葉でなくても、あまりにしつこく繰り返すのは、セクハラと言ってもよい。

It's OK to say, "the way he runs is beautiful," but not, "she is so pretty that she can be in show business" -- I imagine some people might think that's too much trouble, but if you just think a little, you would understand. We should not bring up topics about someone being a man or woman, or their looks, when they are putting their best into something regardless of such labels. Then we can simply applaud their sporting excellence.
　「走るフォームが美しい」はよくて「タレント並みの美貌」はよくない。「なんだか面倒くさいな」と思う人もいるかもしれないが、ちょっと考えればわかるはずだ。男だから女だからとか、外見がどうかといったことを忘れてがんばっている人に対しては、そのことは話題にしない。その原則をきちんと押さえ、あとはおおいにすばらしさをたたえれば、それでよいのだ。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist) （精神科医）

北ＳＬＢＭ発射 増大する脅威へ対処が急務だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Urgent measures needed to counter growing N. Korean SLBM threat
北ＳＬＢＭ発射　増大する脅威へ対処が急務だ

North Korea’s latest firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) indicates that Pyongyang’s military threat is growing further. The international community must work together to speed up efforts to halt the country’s provocations.
　北朝鮮の軍事的脅威が一段と増大していることが鮮明になったと言えよう。国際社会は連携して挑発を抑える取り組みを進めねばならない。

The U.N. Security Council has started considering issuing a statement to condemn North Korea’s SLBM test launch toward the Sea of Japan.
　北朝鮮が日本海に向けて行った潜水艦発射弾道ミサイル（ＳＬＢＭ）の実験について、国連安全保障理事会は非難声明を出す方向で検討に入った。

It is vital for the UNSC to swiftly send a strong message to North Korea, which has repeatedly conducted nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches in violation of U.N. sanctions resolutions.
　安保理が、制裁決議に違反して核実験や弾道ミサイル発射を繰り返す北朝鮮に、強いメッセージを迅速に送ることが肝要である。

The regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opposes the planned deployment of the United States’ state-of-the-art Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system in South Korea. The SLBM launch, which was conducted during a U.S.-South Korean joint military exercise, was apparently intended to shake Japan, the United States and South Korea by demonstrating North Korea’s ability to carry out a surprise attack.
　金正恩政権は、米韓が配備を進める最新鋭ミサイル防衛システム「最終段階高高度地域防衛（ＴＨＡＡＤ）」に反発する。米韓合同軍事演習期間中のＳＬＢＭ発射で奇襲能力を示し、日米韓に揺さぶりをかけたつもりなのだろう。

Kim, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea, watched the test-firing and declared that the SLBM launch proved his country “joined the front rank of military powers fully equipped with nuclear attack capabilities,” according to the Korean Central News Agency. He also ordered increased efforts to develop nuclear weapons and ways to deliver them, the KCNA reported.
　朝鮮中央通信によると、実験を視察した朝鮮労働党の金委員長は「核攻撃能力を完璧に保有する軍事大国入りを証明した」と宣言した。核兵器と運搬手段の開発に注力するよう指示したともいう。

If North Korea successfully deploys an SLBM equipped with a miniaturized nuclear warhead for combat use, it would allow the country to conduct nuclear attacks in various different ways. This is a source of grave concern that could undermine regional stability.
　北朝鮮が核弾頭を小型化してＳＬＢＭに搭載し、実戦配備することになれば、核攻撃の方法が多様化する。地域の安定を揺るがしかねない重大な懸念材料である。

Significant improvements

Signs of an impending SLBM firing are difficult to detect. Even if North Korean military forces on land were destroyed, SLBMs could enable the country to retaliate from a submarine.
　ＳＬＢＭは、事前に発射の兆候が捕捉されにくい。たとえ北朝鮮国内の兵力が壊滅しても、潜水艦から報復する役割を担える。

Since North Korea test-fired the missile in waters in spring last year, its SLBM capability has improved significantly.
　北朝鮮は、昨年春に水中発射実験を行って以降、ＳＬＢＭの技術を急速に向上させている。

According to the South Korean military, the latest SLBM flew about 500 kilometers. The missile’s range could reach 2,000 kilometers. Initially, it was expected to take two or three years for North Korea to be able to deploy SLBMs for combat use, but some observers say the deployment could happen earlier. Japan, the United States and South Korea must urgently strengthen their deterrence capability.
　韓国軍によると、今回のミサイルは約５００キロ飛行した。射程は２０００キロに達する可能性がある。２～３年かかると推定されていた実戦配備がより早まるとの見通しも浮上している。日米韓は抑止力の強化が急務である。

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has described Kim as “unpredictable” and expressed strong concern, saying North Korea’s “nuclear and missile threats” are becoming a reality.
　韓国の朴槿恵大統領は、金委員長について、「予測困難だ」と分析し、北朝鮮の「核とミサイルの脅威」が現実になりつつあると、強い警戒感を示した。

Park’s recent remarks deserve attention. She said Kim could conduct further provocations to tighten his grip as the country’s elite class is showing “signs of cracks.”
　朴氏が、金政権のエリート層に「亀裂の兆候」が見られるとして、国内を引き締めるため、さらなる挑発を行う可能性が高いと指摘したのは注目に値する。

The remarks came after a series of defections by North Korean diplomats. Earlier this month, a minister at the North Korean Embassy in London defected to South Korea.
　在英国の北朝鮮大使館の公使が今月、韓国に亡命するなど、北朝鮮外交官の脱北が相次いでいることに基づく発言だ。

In April, North Koreans working at a “North Korean-run restaurant” in China defected, in a rare group move.
　今年４月には、中国の「北朝鮮レストラン」従業員が集団脱走するという異例の事件も起きた。

While the “Kim dynasty” dictatorship has become increasingly isolated in the international community, North Korea can no longer cover up growing discontent among its people.
　「金王朝」の独裁体制が国際社会で孤立を深める中、国民の不満がさらに高まっていることを、もはや糊塗ことできまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2016)

海洋ごみ汚染 国際連携で拡散を防止したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun
International cooperation needed to prevent spread of marine garbage
海洋ごみ汚染　国際連携で拡散を防止したい

We hope the circle of international cooperation will widen to reduce the volume of plastic trash that is threatening the marine environment.
　海洋の環境を脅かすプラスチックごみを減らすために、国際連携の輪を広げたい。

In fiscal 2013, about 45,000 tons of trash that had drifted ashore was retrieved along Japan’s coastline. The Environment Ministry estimates the total volume of trash washed ashore, including rubbish that was not collected, was from 310,000 tons to 580,000 tons.
　日本各地の海岸に流れ着き、回収されたごみの量は２０１３年度、約４万５０００トンだった。環境省は、未回収分を合わせた漂着ごみ全体では３１～５８万トンに上ると推計している。

Beach clean-ups conducted before and after the summer swimming season are becoming more expensive each year. In fiscal 2013, cleaning beaches around the nation cost ¥4.3 billion.
　海水浴シーズンの前後などに行われる清掃の費用は年々増え、１３年度は全国で４３億円に達した。

The majority of this trash is plastic, such as PET bottles and detergent containers. Some was thrown away inland but swept to the sea by rivers, while much of the trash found along the Sea of Japan coast of Kyushu and Honshu drifted ashore from overseas from countries such as China and South Korea.
　ごみの大半はペットボトルや洗剤の容器などのプラスチックだ。内陸で投げ捨てられたものが川から海に流れ込むほか、九州や本州の日本海側では、中国や韓国など海外から漂着するものも多い。

A wide spectrum of steps, such as reducing the use of plastic products, recycling and campaigns to discourage people from littering, will be indispensable for curbing the overall volume of marine trash.
　海洋ごみの総量を抑制するには、プラスチック製品の使用減や再利用、ポイ捨て防止などを徹底することが欠かせない。

As global plastic production continues to increase, some estimates suggest at least 8 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. Some calculations say China and countries in Southeast Asia are among the main sources of this garbage.
　世界のプラスチック生産量が増加する中、少なくとも年間８００万トン分が海に流出しているとされる。中国や東南アジア諸国などが上位を占めるとの試算もある。

At the meeting of environment ministers from the Group of Seven advanced nations held in Toyama city in May, the ministers confirmed the G-7 would lead and promote international cooperation to combat marine litter.
　５月に富山市で開かれた先進７か国（Ｇ７）環境相会合でも、Ｇ７が主導し、国際協力を推進することを確認した。

Japan is already engaged in efforts to address this issue with South Korea and China, and with Russia. These include sharing information on policies related to plastic litter, training on fact-finding surveys regarding marine pollution, and jointly conducting coastline clean-ups. These countermeasures will need to be expanded further with the countries concerned.
　日本は既に、中韓両国やロシアとの間で、プラスチックごみ関連政策の情報交換や、海洋汚染の実態調査の研修、海岸清掃の共同実施などの取り組みを進めている。こうした対策を関係国にさらに拡大することが求められよう。

Microplastics a bugbear

Marine trash not only spoils the natural scenery of the coastline; it also damages fishing nets and becomes mixed in with marine products, lowering their commercial value. Fish and birds that accidentally swallow this trash often die.
　海洋ごみは海岸の景観を損ねるだけでなく、水産物にごみが混ざって商品価値を下げたり、漁網を破損したりする。魚や鳥が誤ってのみ込み、死ぬケースも多い。

In recent years, the increase in microplastics — plastic particles 5 millimeters in size or smaller — has become a serious problem. They are created when PET bottles and other plastic are broken into small fragments due to ultraviolet rays from sunlight or abrasive wave action. Microplastics have spread across oceans around the world, and are said to be almost impossible to remove from the environment.
　近年、深刻化しているのが、大きさが５ミリ以下の「マイクロプラスチック」の増加である。ペットボトルなどが、太陽光の紫外線や波の力などで細かく砕かれたものだ。既に地球全体の海に広がっており、回収はほぼ不可能だ。

The impact of microplastics even reaches smaller living creatures. Last year, a survey that Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology conducted in Tokyo Bay found microplastics were present in almost 80 percent of 64 Japanese anchovy. Microplastics were even detected in shellfish living on the seabed.
　影響は、より小さな生物にも及ぶ。東京農工大が昨年、東京湾で行った調査では、カタクチイワシ６４匹の８割近くからマイクロプラスチックが発見された。海底にすむ貝からも見つかっている。

We should also be wary of microplastics’ tendency to adsorb toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). This can accumulate in the food chain, and there are also concerns it could affect humans and the breeding of marine life.
　ＰＣＢ（ポリ塩化ビフェニール）などの有害物質を吸着する性質も要注意だ。食物連鎖の中で蓄積され、海洋生物の繁殖や人体への影響も懸念される。

Japan, the United States and Europe are at the forefront of research into microplastics. However, there are still only a few researchers, and methods for measuring microplastics and assessing their impact have not been standardized. Japan should use its experience and take the lead in creating a base for measures to combat microplastics.
　マイクロプラスチックの研究は日米欧が先行している。だが、研究者はまだ少なく、測定や影響評価の方法が標準化されていない。日本は経験を生かし、対策の基盤作りをリードしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2016)

日中韓会談 協力の重み自覚して

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 25
EDITORIAL: Despite tussles, Japan, S. Korea, China must learn to cooperate
（社説）日中韓会談　協力の重み自覚して

Although the current mood among Japan, China and South Korea is not totally positive, the foreign ministers of the three countries held talks in Tokyo on Aug. 24.
　いまの日中韓の間に漂う雰囲気は、それほど良好とは言えない。それでも、３カ国の外相が集う会談が東京で開かれた。

Such meetings among the top diplomats of the three countries should play a vital role in stability and development in Northeast Asia.
We welcome the fact that this important meeting took place again this year following the one held last year.
　北東アジアの安定と発展に重要な役割を果たすべき会合であり、昨年に続き定期開催できたことを前向きに受け止めたい。

Disputes tend to immediately strain relations between two countries. But the two countries locked in a diplomatic row may feel comfortable attending a meeting involving a third nation.
This smart formula should be used effectively for three-way relationships. A meeting among the leaders of the three countries should also be held by the end of the year.
　２国間に対立問題があれば、外交関係は直ちに滞りがちだ。だが、３カ国の枠組みという名目なら出席しやすい。この知恵を生かしたい。首脳会談も年内に必ず実現させるべきだ。

Unlike last year, when perceptions about history took center stage, tensions this year have grown over national security issues.
　歴史認識の問題が大きく取り上げられた昨年とは様相が変わり、今年は安全保障問題で緊張が高まっている。

One security issue straining relations between Japan and China are the disputes over islands in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
　その一つは日中間にある東シナ海・南シナ海問題である。

The number of Chinese government vessels entering areas around the Senkaku Islands has increased sharply this month. China has continued sending ships into Japanese waters around the islands despite Tokyo’s repeated protests.
China’s actions run counter to a bilateral agreement struck in 2014 to “prevent the deterioration of the situation through dialogue.”
　今月、尖閣諸島周辺の領海に侵入する中国の公船が一気に増え、日本政府が抗議をしても続いている。「対話を通じて情勢の悪化を防ぐ」とした一昨年の日中合意に反するものだ。

Another security issue creating tensions in the region lies between China and South Korea.
　もう一つは中国と韓国の間にある。

In response to the decision by Seoul and U.S. forces stationed in South Korea to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the country, China has taken steps that appear to be reprisals, such as canceling some cultural exchange events.
韓国と在韓米軍が新たなミサイル防衛システムの配備を決めたことに対し、中国が文化交流行事の停止など、報復ともみられる動きをみせている。

Behind all these issues are internal political factors that make it hard for the countries to make concessions. The tussles also reflect the intensifying tug of war between the United States and China in the Asia-Pacific region.
　これらの背景には、それぞれの国内で、対外的に譲歩しにくい政治の事情があり、また、アジア太平洋地域での米中間の綱引きの現れという面もある。

The factors creating friction among Japan, China and South Korea will continue rocking their diplomatic relations. That makes it all the more important for the three countries to hold regular meetings of their leaders and ministers.
　日中韓を取り巻く多くの摩擦の要因は今後も外交関係を揺らし続けるだろう。だからこそ、３カ国が首脳や閣僚の会合を定期的に開く意義は大きい。

Despite their disagreements over certain issues, the three countries face a raft of challenges they should tackle in a cooperative manner.
　対立点を残しながらも協調して取り組むべき課題はいくつもある。

The biggest challenge is the security threat posed by North Korea. The country fired a missile from a submarine on Aug. 24 that reached Japan’s air defense identification zone.
　最大のテーマは北朝鮮だ。きのう、再び北朝鮮が潜水艦発射弾道ミサイルを発射し、日本の防空識別圏内に到達した。

In a natural response to the missile firing, the foreign ministers of the three countries agreed to demand that North Korea stop such provocative acts.
　３外相が挑発行動の自制を北朝鮮に求めることで一致したのは当然だ。

In particular, China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with close ties to North Korea, should use its influence to put pressure on Pyongyang.
特に国連安保理常任理事国であり、北朝鮮と密接な関係をもつ中国がその影響力を使うよう強く求めたい。

It is also a pity there has been little progress in creating a framework for economic cooperation among the three countries, such as a trilateral free trade agreement.
　日中韓の自由貿易協定といった経済協力の枠組みづくりが滞っていることも残念だ。

Given the combined economic weight of the three countries, which together account for 20 percent of the world economy, they should do more to find a formula to expand their economic cooperation.
３カ国合わせて世界経済の２割という比重を考えれば、もっと歩み寄りの工夫を追求すべきだろう。

Earlier this month, a Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel rescued crew members of a Chinese fishing boat that sank after a collision with a Greek freighter off the Senkaku Islands.
　今月、尖閣沖の海域で中国の漁船が沈没し、日本の巡視船が乗組員を救助した。

The episode drove home the reality that situations requiring cooperation from the two neighboring countries facing the same sea can arise at any time.
同じ海を囲む隣国間では、手を差し伸べ合う事態が日常的に起こりうる現実を思い起こさせた。

The three countries are bound by the undeniable need for cooperation over not only rescue operations at sea but also environmental problems and disaster responses.
They should continue steady efforts to expand and enhance their cooperative relationships.
　海難救援だけでなく、環境問題や災害対策などを含め、３カ国には切っても切れぬ近隣ならではの関係がある。地道に協力を積み上げていきたい。

露トルコ急接近 米欧の安保秩序に影を落とす

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Rapid Russia-Turkey rapprochement casts shadow on West’s security order
露トルコ急接近　米欧の安保秩序に影を落とす

If Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, becomes excessively close to Russia, it would affect the security order led by the United States and Europe. The current situation is serious.
　北大西洋条約機構（ＮＡＴＯ）加盟国のトルコがロシアに過度に接近すれば、米欧主導の安全保障秩序に影響しよう。深刻な事態である。

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held talks in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which they agreed to mend the bilateral relations strained after the shooting down of a Russian military jet by Turkey in November.
　トルコのエルドアン大統領がロシアでプーチン大統領と会談し、昨年１１月のトルコによる露軍機撃墜以降、悪化している関係を修復することで合意した。

Stating that Erdogan apologized for the downing of the plane in June, Russia is set to gradually lift economic sanctions on Turkey, including restrictions on sightseeing trips to the country and an import ban on Turkish livestock and agricultural products. During his latest visit to Russia, Erdogan even described Putin as his “dear friend.”
　ロシアは、エルドアン氏が今年６月に撃墜を謝罪したとして、トルコへの観光旅行の制限や、トルコ産農産物の禁輸など、経済制裁を段階的に解除する。エルドアン氏は今回の訪露で、プーチン氏を「親友」とまで呼んだ。

The easing of tensions between the two nations can be a positive move conducive to preventing the regional situation from becoming complicated. What is worrying is that the rapid formation of a closer relationship between the two countries noticeably points to their ulterior motive of restraining the United States and European nations.
　緊張緩和は地域情勢の複雑化を避ける上で評価できる。懸念されるのは、両国の急接近に米欧牽制けんせいの思惑が目立つことである。

Erdogan escalated a purge of opponents after an abortive coup took place in July. The president has demanded Washington extradite a religious leader living in the United States whom Erdogan regards as the mastermind of the coup attempt. He is also considering reinstating the death penalty, a move the European Union opposes.
　エルドアン氏は、７月のクーデター未遂事件後、反対勢力の粛清をエスカレートさせた。事件の黒幕とみなす在米宗教指導者の引き渡しを米国に要求し、欧州連合（ＥＵ）が反対する死刑制度の復活も検討している。

Erdogan’s efforts to forge a highly amicable relationship with Russia without listening to U.S. and European criticism directed at him may indicate his determination to adhere to an iron-fisted regime, even by abandoning his country’s long-cherished aim of gaining accession to the EU.
　米欧の批判に耳を貸さず、ロシアとの蜜月を演出したのは、長年の目標であるＥＵ加盟を断念してでも、強権統治を貫くという意思の表れではないか。

Maintain dialogue with EU

Turkey has also hinted at suspending a measure to accept Syrian refugees remaining in Greece. If Turkey’s accord reached with the EU in March is scrapped, there would inevitably be a renewed rise in the number of refugees who are smuggled into European countries.
　トルコは、ギリシャに滞留するシリア難民を受け入れる措置の停止もちらつかせている。今年３月のＥＵとの合意が白紙になれば、欧州への密航者が再び増加するのは避けられまい。

It is important for Turkey and the EU to maintain their dialogue so common ground can be found in their positions, a task necessary to steadily implement the agreement.
　合意の着実な履行に向けて、トルコとＥＵは対話を維持し、接点を探ることが肝要である。

Russia has been at odds with the United States and European nations over the Ukraine situation and other issues. Russia’s acceptance of Turkey’s calls for improving their ties at this juncture may signify an attempt to shake NATO and take the initiative in dealing with the Syrian situation.
　ウクライナ情勢などを巡って、ロシアは米欧と対立を続けている。この時期にトルコとの関係改善に応じたのは、ＮＡＴＯを揺さぶり、シリア情勢の主導権を握る狙いがあるのだろう。

Russia joins Iran in supporting the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In mid-August, Russian forces for the first time used an air base in Iran to conduct air strikes in Syria.
　ロシアはイランと共に、シリアのアサド政権の後ろ盾となっている。ロシア軍は今月半ば、初めてイランの空軍基地を利用し、シリア空爆も行った。

Given that Turkey, as a member of the U.S. and European camp, is supporting Syria’s antigovernment forces, the mending of ties between Moscow and Ankara seems to have been intended to keep the Assad administration in place by drawing Turkey closer to the Russian side.
　米欧側の一員として反体制派を支援するトルコをロシア側に引き寄せることで、政権温存につなげようとしているのではないか。

The U.S. military is conducting air strikes on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militant group in Syria using an air base in Turkey from which to send planes. If Turkey continues to cozy up to Russia, it would adversely affect the U.S. operations. That could also hinder peace talks over Syria.
　米軍は、トルコの空軍基地を拠点に、シリアで過激派組織「イスラム国」に対する空爆を行っている。トルコの対露接近が続けば、作戦にも悪影響が出る。シリア和平協議の障害にもなろう。

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will soon visit Turkey. His visit must serve as an opportunity to find out about Erdogan’s true motives while also rebuilding relations between their nations.
　米国のバイデン副大統領は近くトルコを訪問する。エルドアン氏の真意を探り、関係を立て直す契機とせねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2016)

核先制不使用 首相はオバマ氏に力を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 19
EDITORIAL: Abe should be backing Obama’s ‘no first use’ nuclear proposal
（社説）核先制不使用　首相はオバマ氏に力を

The nuclear “no first use” principle means a country will not use nuclear weapons unless it is first attacked by an enemy using nuclear arms.
　敵の核攻撃がない限り、核兵器を先に使わない。それが「核の先制不使用」だ。

U.S. President Barack Obama is said to be considering adopting this policy. But Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has conveyed his opposition to such a move to Adm. Harry Harris Jr., head of the U.S. Pacific Command, according to a recent report by The Washington Post.
　オバマ米大統領が検討しているとされるこの政策について、安倍首相がハリス米太平洋軍司令官に反対姿勢を示したと米紙ワシントン・ポストが報じた。

The report said Abe expressed concerns that if Obama declares a “no first use” policy, deterrence against North Korea will suffer and the risks of conflict will rise.
　同紙によると首相は、北朝鮮に対する抑止力が弱まり、紛争の危険が高まるという趣旨の懸念を伝えたという。

The Japanese government has made no official comment on the report, and it is not clear if Abe really made these remarks.
　報道に対し日本政府の公式な説明はなく、首相が本当にこうした発言をしたのかは不明だ。

The Japanese government’s traditional position has been that it cannot support the “no first use” policy because it would undermine deterrence of the nuclear umbrella.
ただ日本政府はこれまで、先制不使用は「核の傘」の抑止力を損なうもので賛同しがたいとの立場をとってきた。

Talking to The Asahi Shimbun about the report, a senior Foreign Ministry official said: “If the U.S. administration declares no first use of nuclear weapons, there can be no extended deterrence provided by the United States to protect Japan. That’s not going to happen.”
　今回も外務省幹部は朝日新聞の取材に、「もし米政権が核の先制不使用を宣言すれば、日本を守る米国の拡大抑止は成立しなくなる。あり得ない話だ」と述べている。

For Japan, which once suffered nuclear devastation, this stance is too backward-looking to take.
　被爆国・日本として、あまりにも後ろ向きな姿勢と言わざるをえない。

There can be no winner or loser in a nuclear war.
　核戦争には、勝者も敗者もない。

And the risk of nuclear warfare cannot be eliminated as long as nations depend on nuclear deterrence for their security.
核抑止論に立つ限り、核戦争の危険はなくせない。

A major nuclear power’s attempt to reduce the role of nuclear arms in national security is a boost to efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.
核の拡散を防ぐためにも、世界有数の核保有国が核の役割を減らす姿勢を示すことは意義がある。

A harsh assessment of the security environment is necessary. But many experts argue that conventional weapons of the U.S. military offer sufficient deterrence against North Korea and other countries.
　安保環境を厳しく見る必要はあるが、米軍の通常戦力だけでも北朝鮮などへの抑止は機能しているという見方も有力だ。

In his speech in Hiroshima three months ago, Obama said, “We must have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them (nuclear weapons).”
　「核兵器のない世界を追求する勇気を」。

Abe, who stood beside Obama in Hiroshima, should cooperate actively with the president in his bid to promote the policy of “no first use.”
３カ月前、広島でそう呼びかけたオバマ氏に同行した安倍首相は、むしろ積極的にオバマ氏に協力し、先制不使用を後押しすべきだ。

In addition to Japan, South Korea, which is also protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella, and two nuclear powers--Britain and France--have communicated their concerns about the change in the U.S. nuclear-weapons policy, according to The Washington Post.
　ワシントン・ポストによれば日本と同様、米国の「核の傘」に入る韓国のほか、核保有国の英国やフランスも政策転換に反対しているという。

On the other hand, a group of former government officials of Asia-Pacific countries, including former Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, recently released a joint statement calling on the Obama administration to pledge never to be the first to use nuclear weapons and urging Japan and other U.S. allies to support the policy.
　一方で、川口順子元外相や豪州のエバンズ元外相らアジア太平洋地域の元閣僚らは最近、オバマ政権に先制不使用を求め、日本を含む米国の同盟国に支持を促す声明を出した。

Japan, which has first-hand experiences of the ravages of nuclear attacks, should never take action that hinders any global trend toward a world without nuclear weapons.
　核の惨禍を身をもって知る日本が、非核への歩を進めようという世界の潮流を阻むことがあってはならない。

Japan’s foreign policy should be focused on efforts to realize a security system not dependent on the nuclear umbrella. Tokyo should declare its will to pursue that goal and hold serious negotiations with Washington to achieve it.
　「核の傘」に頼らぬ安全保障をめざし、その意志と目標を掲げ、米国と協議を進めることこそ日本外交にはふさわしい。

Such efforts would enhance Japan’s moral position and contribute to stability and peace in the region.
　それが結果として日本の道義的な立場を高め、地域の安定と平和にも資するはずだ。

In Hiroshima, Abe pledged to “continue to make efforts” to realize a world without nuclear weapons.
　首相は広島で、核兵器のない世界に向けて「絶え間なく努力を積み重ねていく」と誓った。

Abe needs to offer a clear vision and take concrete actions to deliver on his promise.
　そのために何をするのか、具体的なビジョンと行動が問われている。

中国と南シナ海 行動規範を骨抜きにするな

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Beijing mustn’t undermine code of conduct for South China Sea
中国と南シナ海　行動規範を骨抜きにするな

To rein in backlash from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China has agreed to hold negotiations on international rules. But it seems to be making a self-centered effort to render any agreement toothless.
　国際ルールの協議に応じることで、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の反発を抑え、内容を骨抜きにする。中国はそんな独善的な筋書きを描いているのではないか。

In a bid to work out a code of conduct to prevent any conflict in the South China Sea, China has agreed with ASEAN to hold formal negotiations among high-ranking officials with the aim of reaching a framework agreement by the middle of next year.
　南シナ海での紛争防止を図る「行動規範」の策定に向けて、中国とＡＳＥＡＮが公式高官協議を開き、来年半ばまでに枠組み合意を目指すことで一致した。

China had been cautious about the establishment of such a code. But Beijing has likely changed its tack based on the belief that international criticism would be directed toward it during a meeting of Group of 20 major economies to be chaired by China early next month.
　中国は行動規範の策定に慎重だった。これ以上、期限を決めなければ、来月初めに中国が議長として開く主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議で国際社会の批判が自国に集中すると考えたのだろう。

However, it cannot be overlooked that China has expressed its intention of not taking up the South China Sea issue during the G-20 meeting. It has become all the more important for leaders of participating countries to discuss the matter.
　その中国が南シナ海問題を扱わない方針を示しているのは看過できない。各国首脳が緊張緩和について議論する重要性は、むしろ高まる一方である。

A code of conduct would legally restrict the actions of China, the Philippines and other countries involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Such a code is supposed to incorporate respect for the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and the establishment of a system to oversee the behaviour of the countries concerned.
　行動規範は、領有権を争う中国やフィリピンなど関係国の行動を法的に拘束するものだ。本来は、国連海洋法条約の尊重や各国の行動を監視する仕組みの創設などを盛り込むことを想定している。

But the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping seems to have the intention of weakening the binding power of a code of conduct as much as possible in the process of forthcoming negotiations with ASEAN countries so that its moves to militarize man-made islands will not be restricted.
　だが、習近平政権は今後のＡＳＥＡＮとの協議で、行動規範の拘束力をできる限り弱め、人工島の軍事拠点化の動きが制約されないようにする目論見もくろみではないか。

Intl pressure vital

China has not accepted an international court ruling in July that wholly denied China’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, dismissing the ruling as a “piece of wastepaper.” It is impossible to think that China, which disregards international law, can fulfill its responsibilities in working out international rules.
　中国は南シナ海を巡る主権の主張を全面否定した７月の仲裁裁判所の判決を「紙くず」と言い放ち、受け入れていない。国際法を蔑ないがしろにする中国が国際ルール作りに責任を果たすとは思えまい。

Japan and the United States, in cooperation with the likes of ASEAN member countries and Australia, must ramp up pressure on Beijing as much as possible to make the planned code of conduct practically effective.
　日米は、ＡＳＥＡＮ各国、豪州などと連携して対中圧力を強め、実効性のある行動規範にしていかねばならない。

Problematic in this respect is that China has emphasized “the need to prevent outside intervention” in South China Sea affairs, thus clarifying its stance of excluding Japan and the United States.
　問題なのは、中国が南シナ海情勢について「外部の介入を防ぐ必要がある」と強調し、日米排除の姿勢を鮮明にしたことである。

China has recently been accelerating moves to strengthen its effective control in the Spratly Islands and elsewhere.
　中国は最近も、スプラトリー（南沙）諸島などで、実効支配強化の動きを加速させている。

Analysis released by a U.S. policy research institute this month says that China has been pushing ahead with the construction of hangars capable of accommodating such aircraft as fighter jets and airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS) planes on artificial islands it has built.
　米国の政策研究機関は今月、中国が造成した複数の人工島で、戦闘機や早期警戒管制機などを収容できる格納庫の建設が進んでいるとの分析を明らかにした。

The Chinese military has also been conducting patrol flights of its new bomber over areas near the Scarborough Shoal close to the Philippines.
　中国軍はフィリピンに近いスカボロー礁付近で、新型爆撃機などの巡視飛行も繰り返している。

These moves represent nothing but China’s expansionist attempt to bring under control by large military power almost all of the South China Sea, while turning its back on the principle of the rule of law.
　「法の支配」に背を向け、南シナ海のほぼ全域を強大な軍事力で支配しようとする中国の膨張主義の表れにほかならない。

To ensure stability in the South China Sea, it is indispensable that the United States continues seaborne and airborne surveillance activities to secure “freedom of navigation and flight,” as well as to establish a monitoring system with other countries concerned.
　南シナ海の安定には、米国が「航行と飛行の自由」を確保するための艦艇と航空機の巡視活動を続けるだけでなく、関係国と監視態勢を築くことが欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2016)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡 子どもがいなくても

July 31, 2016 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Stand tall, women without children
香山リカのココロの万華鏡　子どもがいなくても

Japan's decreasing birthrate has reached grave levels. Meanwhile, mothers face a whole range of serious problems, from "maternity harassment" while they're pregnant to postpartum depression and the many stresses of raising children. There is no question that building a society where people can feel confident and at ease about having and bringing up kids is one of the most urgent tasks facing Japan today.
　いまの日本にとって少子化は深刻な事態だ。また、妊娠中の女性へのハラスメントや出産後のうつ状態、育児ストレスと、子どもを持つ女性たちはさまざまな問題に直面しなければならない。「安心して産み、育てることのできる社会」をつくることが急務であるのは間違いない。

However, there are women in every era who don't have children. There are those who want to have kids but, for various reasons, can't. And then there are those who chose not to have children for reasons of their own. These women may not insist that they are having a tough time, but they do indeed have their own specific problems and worries. I have written a book called "Non-mama to iu ikikata" (A non-mother's way of life) aimed at these very people, based not just on my experiences as a practicing psychiatrist but also on my personal life as a woman without children.
　ただ、いつの時代も「子どもを持たない女性」もいる。いろいろな事情で子どもがほしくてもそうできなかった人もいれば、自分の意思であえてその選択をしなかった人もいるだろう。そういう女性たちはあえて「私たち、たいへんなんです」とはあまり言わないが、その人たちならではの困難もあれば悩みもある。子どもを持って「ママ」にならなかった女性たちにスポットをあて「ノンママという生き方」という本にまとめてみた。診察室での経験と同時に、子どもを持たない女性のひとりである自分のことも書いた。

Patients seeing me about their child-reading worries will often ask me, "Do you have children, doctor?" I answer honestly and directly, "No, I don't." On many occasions, the patient has replied, "Oh, well then you can't understand my problems." A senior doctor once told me, "Psychiatrists only truly come to understand people's feelings when they have kids of their own." In all honesty, it hurt to hear that, and it made me wonder if I was doomed to remain forever incomplete as a psychiatrist.
　私の場合、子育ての悩みを語る患者さんに「先生はお子さんがいますか？」ときかれ、「いえ、いません」と正直に答えて「じゃ、私の悩みはわからないですよね」と言われたことが何度かある。先輩から「精神科医もわが子を育ててはじめて人の気持ちがわかる」と言われ、「私は一生、精神科医として未熟なままなのだろうか」とひそかに傷ついたこともある。

I admit I have sometimes been a little envious when listening to an old school friend talk happily about their kids. However, as I've built up various kinds of experience, I have come to think that the fact I don't have children gives me the ability to consider people's feelings and the problems of child rearing from a perspective not available to parents. And I think that's a good thing about me.
もちろん、楽しそうに子育ての話をする学校時代の同級生を見ながら、「ちょっと寂しいな」と思ったこともある。ただ、いろいろな経験を積む中で、「子どもがいないからこそ、親とは別の視点から育児や人の気持ちを考えることもできているはず。私はこれでよかったんだ」といまの自分に自信を持てるようになった。

Women without kids who come to my office often feel guilty somewhere in their hearts, and it saps their confidence. Some of them end up burning out from overwork after taking on the responsibilities of other women at their workplaces who have taken parental leave. To these tired women I always say, "You are always you, whether you have kids or not. Give what you can do your utmost effort, and don't be shy about refusing things you can't do."
　診察室で子どものない女性たちは、どこか後ろめたさを感じ、自信を失っている。職場でいつも子育て中の女性の仕事を引き受け、過労で倒れそうになっている人もいる。私はいつもそういう女性たちに、「子どもがいてもいなくても自分は自分。できることを精いっぱいやればいいし、できないことは遠慮なく断ればいい」と伝えている。

Having kids and raising them to adulthood is a wonderful thing, but that does not mean that not having kids is somehow less wonderful.
子どもを産み、育てるのはすばらしいことだが、だからといってその逆、「子どもがいないのはすばらしくない」が正しいというわけではないのだ。

Women who choose not to have children face various circumstances and many worries, but there are also things that only they can do and be proud of. I believe in my heart that everyone should be able to stand tall and say, "I am me."
　子どもを持たない人生を選んだ女性たちには、事情もあれば迷いもあり、彼女たちにしかできないことや誇りもある。誰もが胸を張って「私は私」と言えたらいいな、と心から思う。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist) （精神科医）

タイ新憲法 国民和解につなげられるのか

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Can Thailand’s new constitution lead to national reconciliation?
タイ新憲法　国民和解につなげられるのか

One would have to conclude that Thailand has opted for prolonging the life of the junta. Is it possible to pave the way for national reconciliation, which is Thailand’s biggest challenge?
　軍事政権の延命が図られたということだろう。タイの最大の懸案である国民和解に道筋をつけられるのか。

To obtain the trust of the international community, the junta must put all its efforts into realizing a full transition to civilian rule.
　国際社会の信頼を得るには、軍政は全面的な民政移管に力を尽くさねばならない。

A draft of a new constitution compiled under the military rule was endorsed by a majority of votes in a referendum. As the constitution was designed to ensure the military’s political influence, the content of the new basic law is far from democratic.
　軍政下でまとめられた新憲法草案が国民投票の結果、賛成多数で承認された。軍が政治的な影響力を行使できる仕掛けが施され、民主的な内容にはほど遠い。

Under the new constitution, the prime minister is not required to be a lower house member, making it possible for military personnel to assume the post. As a provisional measure in the initial five years, the junta can appoint anyone it wants to the upper house. The referendum also approved granting the upper house the right to nominate a prime minister.
　新憲法は、下院議員でなくても首相になれるようにし、軍人首相に道を開いた。経過措置として最初の５年間は、軍政の意に沿う人物を上院議員に任命できる。その上院にも、首相の指名権を与えることが国民投票で認められた。

An electoral system that makes it difficult for any single party to win a majority will be introduced in the lower house. Behind this move is the junta’s aim to block the reinstatement of the political force led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which is strong in elections with its support base of farmers in rural areas and low-income earners in urban areas. A general election will be held by the end of next year.
　下院では、１党が単独で過半数を獲得しにくい選挙制度を導入する。地方の農民や都市の低所得者を支持層とし、選挙に強いタクシン元首相派の復権を阻止する軍政の狙いを反映したものだろう。総選挙は来年中に実施される。

There has been a fierce confrontation in Thailand for more than 10 years between the Thaksin forces and anti-Thaksin forces. The anti-Thaksin forces mainly comprise groups with vested interests, including military personnel and bureaucrats.
　タイでは１０年以上にわたり、タクシン派と、軍人や官僚などの既得権益層を中心とする反タクシン派が激しい対立を続けてきた。

Behind the approval of the new constitution is the public’s hopes for a stable society even under the military rule amid expectations that the new constitution will be a step forward toward a return to civilian rule.
　新憲法承認の背景には、国民が軍政下であっても安定を望んだ面や、民政復帰の一歩となることへの期待があろう。

No legitimacy

However, for whatever reason, it is clear that the junta, which ignored democratic procedures and took power in a coup, has no legitimacy.
　しかし、いかなる理由であれ、民主的な手続きを無視し、クーデターで政権を奪取した現在の軍政に正統性がないのは明らかだ。

It is worrisome that the junta is clamping down on free speech and stifling opposing opinions with an iron fist.
　懸念されるのは、現政権が言論統制を強めるなど、強権で異論を抑え込んでいることである。

The junta has repeatedly temporarily detained students opposing the new constitution, and politicians and reporters who have criticized the junta. It also totally prohibited systematic campaigns seeking discussions of the pros and cons of the new constitution.
　新憲法に反対する学生や、軍政に批判的な発言をした政治家、記者の一時的な拘束を繰り返した。有権者に賛否を呼びかける組織的な運動も全面的に禁止した。

National reconciliation cannot be realized with such a governing method. After the referendum, there was a series of explosions in the central part of the country, where Thai royal family palaces are located, and in resorts in the south. The junta suspects that opponents of the new constitution were involved in the incidents.
　こんな統治手法では、国民和解は実現しまい。国民投票後には、タイ王室の宮殿がある中部や南部のリゾート地で連続爆発事件が起きた。軍政は新憲法に不満を持つ勢力が関与したと見ている。

It is feared that continued uncertainty in the political situation will affect the economy, curbing foreign investment and profits from tourism. Thailand is an important production base for Japanese companies, such as automobile manufacturers.
　今後も、不透明な政情が続くようなら、外国企業の投資や観光収入など経済に及ぼす影響が心配される。タイは自動車メーカーなど日系企業の大切な製造拠点だ。

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is shaken by the issue of the South China Sea. The stability of Thailand — one of the association’s main member countries — is also important for ASEAN unity.
　東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）は南シナ海問題で揺れている。主要国タイの安定はＡＳＥＡＮの結束にとっても重要である。

In response to the referendum, interim Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha issued a statement that said he would employ every possible means to eliminate public concern. It is indispensable for him to sincerely make efforts to overcome the nation’s divided society as mentioned in the statement.
　国民投票を受けて、プラユット暫定首相は「国民の懸念を払拭するため、あらゆる手を尽くすつもりだ」との声明を発表した。その言葉通り、社会の分断の克服に真摯しんしに努めることが欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 17, 2016)

Olympics: Japan rebounds to take bronze in women's team table tennis

Olympics: Japan rebounds to take bronze in women's team table tennis

August 17, 2016

(Mainichi Japan)

Japan's Ai Fukuhara, left, Kasumi Ishikawa, and Mima Ito wave after receiving the Bronze medal in women's team gold medal team table tennis at the Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

    RIO DE JANEIRO (Kyodo) -- Japan did not take its semifinal defeat to Germany very well. So the Japanese let it all out against Singapore on Tuesday, when they won 3-1 to finish Rio 2016 with a bronze medal in the women's team event.

    "I wanted to finish the competition with a smile on my face," said 15-year-old Mima Ito, who beat world No. 4 Feng Tianwei 3-0 in the decisive fourth match.

    "There was nothing we could do about the loss to Germany. Our only option was to let out all our frustrations in today's third-place match."

    "I've cried after winning in the past, but today was the first time I couldn't control myself," Ai Fukuhara said. "It's been the toughest four years I've had, and the toughest Olympics I've had."

    "As the oldest player and captain of the team, I couldn't allow myself to be rattled. I swore to myself that I wouldn't cry afterward, but I couldn't hold on."

Mika Ito, right, , Kasumi Ishikawa, center, and Ai Fukuhara of Japan celebrate after their win against Singapore during their women's team table tennis bronze medal match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 16, 2016. Japan won Singapore 3-1.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

    Fukuhara dropped the first match 3-2, but Kasumi Ishikawa righted the ship for Japan with a 3-0 victory over Feng behind a come-from-behind 12-10 win in the first game.

    Fukuhara and Ito went on to beat Zhou Yihan and Yu Mengyu 3-1 in the doubles before Ito secured Japan's place on the podium with a cogent win against Feng, who could not capture a single game on the afternoon.

    Coach Yasukazu Murakami said trying to move on from Sunday's crippling 3-2 loss against Germany was not easy, a result that denied Japan a second successive trip to the Olympic final.

    Four of the five matches went to five games, including the first, which Ito lost despite being ahead 9-3 in the final game.

    "It was difficult getting ready for this match," Murakami said. "This team hasn't lost much and we lost a match that was there for the taking against Germany."

    "If we didn't have the one day in between, I don't think we would have been able to win today. We used yesterday to regroup mentally, and practiced a little."

    "Gold, silver would have been better but if we didn't win this bronze, it was going to haunt us for the next four years."

    Four-time Olympian Fukuhara was bawling after the match, saying she let down the team with her performance in the first match against Yu.

    The 27-year-old veteran also wanted to win a medal for Ito, a fellow prodigy who Fukuhara has taken under her wing and has been mentoring throughout the Games.

    "This is my third Olympics (team event), but I know all too well that there is a huge difference between going home with a medal and going home without one," Fukuhara said. "I'm relieved and gratified to have won this medal."

    "If we missed out on a medal, I know it would have eaten Mima up for the next four years, more than it would have me or Kasumi. So I was determined to win a medal today."

    Ito, however, might be maturing faster than Fukuhara thinks. Ito kept her composure in both matches and was never in danger of relinquishing control against Feng.

    "She continues to surprise me," Murakami said. "She wasn't even focused at the start. She only switched on from the second game. She's not your average player."

    With Ishikawa -- the bedrock of the women's team who on this day underlined her quality in beating Feng -- and Ito, Japan appears to be in good hands at home for 2020.

    "Laugh or cry, this was it so I gave it everything I had," Ito said. "We wanted to win a silver here at the least, but were reminded just how difficult it is to win an Olympic medal. You never know what can happen. But we won a medal of some kind so I'm happy."

終戦の日 確かな「平和と繁栄」を築こう

The Yomiuri Shimbun
War-end anniversary start for constructive peace, prosperity
終戦の日　確かな「平和と繁栄」を築こう

　◆世界に伝える日米の新たな和解◆

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the end of World War II. This day offers an opportunity to mourn the 3.1 million people who died in the war and renew our vow for peace.
　７１回目の終戦の日を迎えた。先の大戦で亡くなった３１０万の人々を追悼し、平和への誓いを新たにする日である。

A government-sponsored memorial service for the war dead will be held at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo’s Kitanomaru Park.
　東京・北の丸公園の日本武道館では、政府主催の全国戦没者追悼式が行われる。

Aug. 15 has long been established as the anniversary of the war’s end, marking the same day in 1945 when Emperor Showa told the people of the war’s termination.
　昭和天皇が国民に終戦を伝えた８月１５日が、日本では長く終戦記念日として定着している。

Strictly speaking, however, the end of all combative activities was formalized on Sept. 2 that year. Aboard the USS Missouri, which was anchored in Tokyo Bay, representatives of Japan and the Allied Powers signed an instrument of surrender on that day.
　ただし、戦闘の終結が確定したのは、厳密には９月２日である。東京湾に停泊する米戦艦ミズーリ号上で、日本と連合国の代表が降伏文書に調印した。

Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima
　◆真珠湾と広島で発信を

The Battleship Missouri, preserved at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, is open for public viewing. Located at the bottom of the sea nearby, the USS Arizona, the battleship that was sunk during the Japanese surprise attack on the harbor, is the resting place of more than 1,100 officers and sailors.
　戦艦ミズーリは現在、ハワイ・ホノルルの真珠湾に係留され、一般公開されている。近くの海底には、日本の奇襲攻撃で撃沈された戦艦アリゾナが、１１００人を超える将兵とともに眠る。

The cry of “No more Hiroshimas” can be answered with “Remember Pearl Harbor!” The atomic bombings and the Pearl Harbor attack are thorns in an unfortunate piece of Japan-U.S. history.
　「ノーモア・ヒロシマ」と叫べば、「リメンバー・パールハーバー」と反論される。「原爆投下」と「真珠湾攻撃」は、日米の不幸な歴史のトゲのような存在だ。

During a visit to Pearl Harbor in 1997, then Chinese President Jiang Zemin made a speech in which he said the Chinese and the Americans had “stood side by side in the fight against the fascist invasion.” His speech was intended to emphasize cooperation between the United States and China, and thereby drive a wedge into the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　１９９７年に中国の江沢民国家主席が真珠湾を訪問した際、「ファシストの侵略に対して中米両国民は肩を並べて戦った」などと演説したこともあった。米中の連携を強調し、日米同盟に楔くさびを打ち込もうとしたものだ。

However, both Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima are being transformed into a theater of reconciliation.
　しかし、真珠湾も広島も、和解の舞台へと変わりつつある。

Since 2013, a tiny folded paper crane has been displayed in a corner of the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. The origami crane, produced by the late Sadako Sasaki, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, was donated by her bereaved family to the memorial. The Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is modeled on Sasaki.
　真珠湾のアリゾナ記念館の一角には、小さな折り鶴が２０１３年から展示されている。広島平和記念公園内にある「原爆の子の像」のモデル、佐々木禎子さんが折った１羽を、遺族が寄贈した。

The city government in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture — birthplace of Isoroku Yamamoto, commander in chief of the prewar Combined Fleet, who led the Pearl Harbor raid — has conducted exchange activities with Honolulu since the two cities established a sister-city relationship in 2012.
　真珠湾攻撃を指揮した連合艦隊司令長官・山本五十六の出身地、新潟県長岡市は１２年の姉妹都市提携以来、ホノルル市と交流を続ける。

In a memorial ceremony held in August 2015, the 70th year of the postwar period, fireworks from Nagaoka were set off in Pearl Harbor’s night sky, accompanied by a prayer for peace.
戦後７０年の１５年８月の追悼式典では、平和を祈念する長岡の花火が真珠湾の夜空を飾った。

A visit to Hiroshima by U.S. President Barack Obama in May was the result of a wise decision made despite persistent opinion in the United States that the atomic bombings were justified. His 17-minute remarks went right to the hearts of many people. Although the Japanese side has not accepted this inhumane action, it has not demanded an apology from the United States.
　今年５月のオバマ米大統領の広島訪問は、米国で原爆投下を正当化する意見が根強い中での英断であり、１７分間に及ぶ声明は多くの人の心を打った。日本側も、非人道的な行為を容認したわけではないが、謝罪を求めなかった。

Obama’s historic visit symbolized the mature nature of Japan-U.S. relations. This has been founded on a relationship of trust built over the years by the two allies, which share such values as freedom, democracy and human rights.
　成熟した日米関係を象徴する歴史的な訪問だった。その土台には、自由や民主主義、人権といった価値観を共有する同盟国が長年築いてきた信頼関係がある。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement last August expressing anew “remorse and apology” for Japan’s wartime actions has been taken positively by the United States and many other countries.
　先の大戦への反省とお詫わびを改めて表明した昨年８月の安倍首相談話は、米国をはじめ、多くの国に肯定的に受け止められた。

The current stable bilateral relations between Japan and the United States should be developed further.
　今日の安定した日米関係を、さらに発展させたい。

In contrast to the United States, China continues to use the historical perception issue as a diplomatic card. When Obama visited Hiroshima, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said bluntly that “Nanjing should not be forgotten and deserves even more attention.”
　米国とは対照的に、歴史を外交カードにし続けているのが中国である。オバマ氏の広島訪問の際、王毅外相は「南京は更に忘れるべきではない」と言い放った。

China against intl order
　◆秩序に挑むのは中国だ

China has unilaterally asserted that 300,000 people were killed during the Nanjing Incident and has had “Documents of the Nanjing Massacre” added to the UNESCO’s Memory of the World list.
　中国は、南京事件で３０万人が殺されたと一方的に主張し、「南京大虐殺の文書」のユネスコ世界記憶遺産登録を実現させた。

On the anniversary of the country’s “victory” in the “War of Resistance Against Japan” last September, China held a military parade in front of about 30 heads of state and leaders of the world, emphasizing China as a “victorious nation” in World War II.
　昨年９月の「抗日戦勝記念日」には、約３０か国の元首・首脳の前で軍事パレードを披露し、中国が「戦勝国」であると誇示した。

Yet China’s foreign policies as a “victor country,” in which it proclaims that it backed the international order, while trying to change the international maritime order in the East and South China seas through force, has not won empathy from the international community.
　だが、東・南シナ海で力による海洋秩序の変更を試みる一方、自らが国際秩序の側にあるように喧伝けんでんする「戦勝国外交」は、国際社会の共感を得ていない。

South Korea, which had attempted to join hands with China in addressing issues related to historical perception, has shifted its stance to improve its relationship with Japan, following the bilateral deal Japan and South Korea reached late last year on the issue of the so-called comfort women. Japan will contribute ¥1 billion to a foundation set up by South Korea to support former comfort women as early as this month.
　中国と“歴史共闘”を進めてきた韓国は、慰安婦問題を巡る昨年末の日韓合意を機に、対日関係の改善に転じた。日本は月内にも、元慰安婦を支援する韓国の財団に１０億円を拠出する方針だ。

Yet a support group for former comfort women and others have not relaxed their stance of opposing the foundation. Also, a comfort woman statue was unveiled at a ceremony in Australia early this month, following similar ceremonies in the United States. The misperception that these women were forcibly taken by the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army prevails in the world even today.
　ただ、元慰安婦支援団体などは、財団に反対する姿勢を崩していない。米国に続いてオーストラリアでも今月上旬、慰安婦像の除幕式が行われた。慰安婦は旧日本軍に強制連行されたという誤解が今なお、世界に広がっている。

Refute distortions
　◆史実の歪曲に反論せよ

The Japanese government must continue to appropriately refute distortions of various historical facts related to the war. It is also important to urge China and other countries to abide by the rules of the international community.
　日本政府は、戦争に関する様々な史実の歪曲わいきょくに対し、的確な反論を続けねばならない。国際社会のルールの順守を中国などに働きかけることも大切だ。

Efforts must also be made to resolve the issue of the northern territories with Russia.
　ロシアとの北方領土問題の解決にも力を入れる必要がある。

A more strategic approach is required for Japan to resolve pending postwar issues with Russia, which remain unsettled even after the passage of 71 years since the end of the war, and conclude a peace treaty.
　７１年を経ても未解決の戦後処理問題を決着させ、日露平和条約を締結するには、一段と戦略的なアプローチが求められる。

After Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014, European countries and the United States continue to impose sanctions against that country. In the meantime, Abe has been exploring ways to resolve the territorial issues through repeated talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Abe will visit Russia’s Far East early next month at the soonest.
　１４年３月のロシアのクリミア併合以降、欧米諸国は対露制裁を続けるが、安倍首相は、プーチン大統領との会談を重ね、領土問題の打開の道を探っている。来月上旬にも、ロシア極東を訪れる。

By pursuing constructive relations with other countries, the peace and prosperity that Japan has been building since the end of the war should be made more solid. Such efforts will also contribute to responding to hopes of those who lost their lives during the war.
　各国との建設的な関係を追求して、戦後日本が築いてきた平和と繁栄をより確かなものとしたい。先の大戦で犠牲となった戦没者の思いに応えることにもなろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 15, 2016)

Olympics: Nishikori beats Nadal for Japan's 1st tennis medal in 96 yrs

Olympics: Nishikori beats Nadal for Japan's 1st tennis medal in 96 yrs

August 15, 2016

(Mainichi Japan)

Kei Nishikori, of Japan, smiles as he holds up his bronze medal in men's singles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    RIO DE JANEIRO (Kyodo) -- Kei Nishikori defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-3 to win bronze at the Rio Olympics on Sunday for Japan's first tennis medal in almost a century.

    World No. 7 Nishikori, as he's been known to do, did it the hard way in becoming the first Japanese tennis medalist since Ichiya Kumagai (silver) at the 1920 Games in Antwerp. The victory was only Nishikori's second against Beijing 2008 champion Nadal in 11 career meetings.

    Nishikori cruised through the first set and was well on his way to making quick work of Nadal. But from 5-2 down, Nadal showed the heart of a champion, winning five of the next six games to trigger a third set.

    Yet Nishikori, who lost in the quarterfinals four years ago in London, did well to regroup from the forgettable second set to win an exhausting 2 hour, 49 minute affair.

    "I'm exhausted but I pushed myself today," Nishikori said. "I lost the second set in a bad way, but I managed to come back in the final set. Rafa had beaten me a couple of times this season and I managed to shake that off."

Japan's Kei Nishikori returns to Spain's Rafael Nadal during the bronze medal match of the men's tennis competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

    "I'm very happy to get a medal today. Even though it's third place, it means a lot to me to beat Rafa. I knew if I played good, solid tennis I had a chance to get a medal."

    "I was playing for my country and this is something different from the tour. For sure, this experience will help with my confidence and future."

    Nadal tipped his hat to Nishikori.

    "He played great during the whole match. During the whole match I was a little bit too tired," the Spaniard said. "If you don't play 100 percent tennis against a player like Kei, it's almost impossible. I want to congratulate Kei. I tried my best, I fought to the end."

    A day after being taken to school by Briton Andy Murray, Nishikori was far more competitive against a tired Nadal, who, counting the men's doubles he won with Marc Lopez, was playing in his 11th match at Rio.

    Fifth-ranked Nadal lost to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in a three-set semifinal on Saturday.

    Nishikori pounced on the second break-point opportunity he saw of the match to go up 3-2 in the first set. In Nadal's next service game, he shot himself in the foot with a double fault that set up another break point, which Nishikori promptly capitalized on.

    Nishikori aced his first set point to win 6-2.

    The resilient legs Nadal has used to build a distinguished career were nowhere to be found early in the second set, Nishikori winning his third break point in the third game.

    At 4-2 with Nadal serving, Nishikori converted a fourth break point to win the game. In the following game, Nadal finally broke his opponent on the fourth chance and converted another to even the score 5-5, thanks to a Nishikori double fault.

    With Nadal appearing to have found his second wind, the 14-time Grand Slam champion held serve after deuce to move in front. Nishikori won the next game, but the Japanese continued to self-destruct, managing just one point in the tiebreak as Nadal captured the set.

    Nishikori admitted he felt pressed being on the brink of winning the match.

    "I was uptight. He was starting to play better and that was half the reason. But I started to think about the medal, and was rushing my serves and shots," he said.

    Nadal got the crowd behind him with the comeback, and Nishikori drew the jeers after a lengthy bathroom break that seemed to irritate Nadal ahead of the final set.

    Nishikori won his fifth break point to lead 3-1, a critical game that Nadal could not find a way back from. Nishikori, determined not to suffer another meltdown, held on for Japan's 15th bronze medal of these Games.

    "I'm just glad I won today," he said. "I broke him first (in the last set) and that gave me a bit of breathing room. I went back to playing the aggressive tennis I played in the first set."

    "He was coming at me from the very first game. I had to work hard to keep my serve and I couldn't let him keep doing what he was doing. He made a few mistakes, I defended well and managed to break him. Remembering what he did to me in the previous set from 5-2, I tried to stay as focused as possible."

    "I feel like I've improved (from 2012), not only the result, but the performance, too. I'm playing with a lot more confidence compared to four years ago, when I was pretty happy just to have reached the quarterfinals. I don't know where I'll be in four years, but I hope to be better and stronger."

タイ新憲法 軍主導では安定しない

英訳版がまだ出ていないので、大切な部分のみ英訳しておきました。
民主化という観点からは、タイの民主化はお先真っ暗な状態ですが、現政権のやりかたで、安心して暮らせています。
日々の平和が何よりです。ステープ氏の黄色デモがなくなっただけでも、その価値は大きい。
現首相は、国民の幸せのために努力されていると感じています。

毎日新聞社説
タイ新憲法　軍主導では安定しない
The army-led new constitution in Thailand, unstable under military control
   
　タイの国民投票で新憲法案が承認された。２０１４年のクーデターで権力を握った軍事政権から民政復帰するための新憲法だというが、民主的とは言えない内容だ。
New constitution draft has been approved in the referendum of Thailand. It is said to be a new constitution for the restoration of democracy from a military regime that came to power in a 2014 coup d'etat , but it's far from the content to be democratic.

　新憲法は、軍が政治に関与する余地を大きく残している。
In the New constitution, the military has left a large room to be involved in politics.

　上院（２５０議席）は、軍が議員を指名する。下院（５００議席）の総選挙は来年後半にも行うが、中小政党を優遇する制度とされた。軍の対抗勢力となりうる大政党の出現を阻むことを狙っている。
Senate (250 seats), the army is to appoint the lawmakers. General election of the House of Representatives (500 seats) is also performed in the second half of next year, but has been with the system to favor small and medium-sized party. It is aiming to prevent the emergence of a large political party that can be a military counterweight.

　新憲法案と一緒に承認された追加条項によって、首相の選出方法も変わる。従来は下院議員だけの投票だったが、新憲法施行から５年間は上院議員も投票する。軍が、票の３分の１を握るということだ。
By additional terms that have been approved in conjunction with the new constitution draft, also change election method of the prime minister. Conventionally, was a vote of only congressman, five (5) years from the enforcement new constitution senator also vote. Military, but that hold one-third of the vote.

　新憲法の主眼は、選挙に強いタクシン元首相派の封じ込めにある。
The focus of the new Constitution aims at containing Thaksin faction who is strong to the election.

　タクシン派政党は、０１年に行われた民主的憲法の下での総選挙に勝利した。支持基盤である貧しい農村部を優遇する政策を進めたタクシン政権に、軍や官僚に代表される都市エリート層は「ばらまきだ」と主張して強く反発した。

　軍は０６年のクーデターでタクシン政権を崩壊させた。その後、タクシン派に不利な内容を盛り込んだ憲法を作って民政復帰したにもかかわらず、タクシン派は選挙に勝って復権した。

　そして軍は１４年に再びタクシン派政権を力で倒した。タクシン派は依然として農村部を中心に強い支持を誇るが、軍は、今度こそ復権を許さないつもりなのだろう。

　タイ社会に深刻な分断と混乱をもたらしているのは、タクシン政権下で政治意識を強めた農村部や貧困層と、それまで既得権益を独占してきた都市エリート層の対立だ。１０年には、タクシン派デモ隊を軍が鎮圧する過程で日本人カメラマンを含む約９０人が死亡する惨事が起きた。

　新憲法案承認の背景には、そうした混乱を避けたいという思いがうかがえる。そのためには、不十分な内容でも民政復帰を急ぐべきだという現実的な判断があったとみられる。

　しかし、そもそも今回の国民投票はとても公正とは言えず、今後に大きな不安を残すものだった。
However, in the first place, it can not be said that the referendum this time is fair, leaving a great anxiety in the future.

　国民投票では、政府機関が賛成を呼びかける以外のキャンペーンは禁じられ、反対の立場を取ったタクシン派のテレビ局は放送停止を命じられた。新憲法案を批判するパンフレットなどを配った学生や政治家が拘束される事件も起きた。
In the referendum, campaign other than government agencies call the favor is forbidden, television station supporting Thaksinwas ordered to stop broadcasting. Such incidents are observed that students and politicians who were handing out pamphlets to criticize the new constitution draft is seized.

　新憲法でタクシン派を封じ込めようと考えるのは過ちだ。民主化を求める動きを力で止めてはならない。軍主導の「民政復帰」で対立を解消することはできない。
It is a mistake to containing the Thaksin faction in the new constitution. It is wrong to control the movement to seek democracy by force. It is not possible to solve the conflict in a military-led "restoration of democracy".

オシャレウォーカーで話題のファッションアイテムをゲット

ジオシス合同会社のインターネット総合ショッピングモール「Qoo10」といえば、ネットショッピングをする人たちでは知らないものがいないくらい有名なサイトですが、そこで、2016年7月22日（金）より出店された話題のショップがあります。
それは、オシャレウォーカー ですが、7月22日（金）～8月5日（金）までの期間、オープニング記念セールを開催しました。

ネットショッピングの最大の魅力は、わざわざお出かけしなくても、自分が今一番欲しいものを購入できる点にあります。
オシャレウォーカーならではの、魅力的な新しい商品のめじろ押しですから、一見の価値があります。

中でも一押しは「Ribbon motif dolman mode Tshirt 」です。
チェック柄の立体リボン付きのお洒落Tシャツで、あなたも、おしゃれの差別化を図ることができます。
デザインは、いまも、流動的で、その流行は絶えず移り変わってきています。
高齢者の仲間入りをした今でも、おしゃれ感覚だけは、研ぎ澄ませておきたいものです。
オシャレウォーカー が、そのお手伝いをしてくれます。

ランドセルの思い出、無理をしてくれた父親に感謝しつつ

わたしは団塊世代の一番最後、昭和２４年に生まれました。
家計にゆとりがなかったので、幼稚園に行かせてもらえなかったことを、今でも鮮明に覚えています。
あれは、わたしが小学校に入学する直前です。
父親が、大奮発して、真新しい革製のランドセルを買ってくれました。
当時の父親の給料は、確か、１万５千円足らずでした。
価格が千円を超えるランドセルを買うのには、大変な勇気が入ったのではないかと推察できます。
依頼、小学校を卒業するまでの６年間、あのすばらしいランドセルとともに、生活を共にすることができました。
父親の、大きな決断のおかげであると、今でも感謝しています。

時は流れ、ランドセルの世界にもデザイン革命が起きつつあります。
自分たちの子供のランドセルを、自分たちでデザインする時代の到来です。
そんな夢を実現してくれたのが、ランドセル造りの老舗である、榮伸です。
榮伸が、画期的な 「EISHINランドセルファクトリー」を、2016年8月1日ですが、秋葉原2k540にオープンいたしました。
そこでは、あの榮伸の、すべての種類のランドセルを手にすることができます。
画期的なデザインコーナーも用意されているので、自分たちで、子供たちに与えるランドセルのデザインをすることも可能です。
来春小学校に入学されるお子様をお持ちのご家族は、必見です。
子供たちの、一生の思い出になるような、すばらしいランドセルを選びたいものです。

北朝鮮の挑発 周辺国は対立に陥るな

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 12
EDITORIAL: Rift among neighboring countries only benefits N. Korea
（社説）北朝鮮の挑発　周辺国は対立に陥るな
 
North Korea has continued firing missiles, including a intermediate-range ballistic missile without warning last week.
The missile, believed to have been a Rodong, landed within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
　北朝鮮がミサイルの発射を続けている。
　先週に予告なく撃った中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」とみられる１発は、日本の排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）内に落下した。

Fortunately, the missile caused no damage. But it was an extremely dangerous act that cannot be overlooked.
　幸い被害はなかったが、見過ごすわけにはいかない危険極まりない行為である。

North Korea clearly violates resolutions of the United Nations Security Council whenever it fires a ballistic missile. The Security Council discussed how to respond to the latest in a series of missile launches but failed to issue a statement condemning Pyongyang.
　北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルの発射は明確な国連安保理の決議違反だ。今回の発射の後、対応を協議してきた安保理だが、非難声明を出すことを断念した。

Japan, the United States and South Korea lobbied for a fresh statement that strongly denounces North Korea’s action.
　日米韓は強い非難を求めた。

But China effectively blocked the attempt apparently because of the decision by Washington and Seoul in July to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to U.S. forces in South Korea. Beijing has bitterly criticized the move because it fears the high-performance radars for the anti-missile system could be used to gather sensitive information within China.
これに対し、米韓が７月、高高度迎撃ミサイルシステムの在韓米軍への配備を決めたことに反発する中国が難色を示し、合意にいたらなかった。中国は、高性能レーダーによって自国まで探知できるようになると警戒している。

North Korea has repeatedly ignored warnings from the U.N. Security Council. But it is still important for the international community to clearly show that it will never tolerate Pyongyang’s nuclear or missile programs.
　北朝鮮は安保理の警告を無視しているとはいえ、国際社会は核もミサイルも決して容認しない意思を示す必要がある。

The U.N. Security Council, however, has been unable to issue any statement to condemn North Korea’s missile firings since Washington and Seoul announced the deployment of the THAAD system. This can only be called an abnormal situation.
　にもかかわらず、米韓がシステム配備を発表して以降、ミサイル発射を続ける北朝鮮に、安保理が一度も非難声明を出せない現実は異常というしかない。

The relationship between China, under President Xi Jinping, and South Korea, under President Park Geun-hye, was once described as being at its best state in history. But the bilateral ties have since become seriously strained.
　習近平（シーチンピン）、朴槿恵（パククネ）政権の下で、一時は過去最良と言われた中韓の関係も大きく揺らいでいる。

The souring of relations has already started hurting economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries. China has stopped issuing business visas to South Koreans, for instance.
　韓国人への商用ビザの発給が止まるなど、経済や文化の活動にも支障が出ている。韓国メディアは、中国による意趣返しではないかと報じている。

South Korean media reports have argued that China is making reprisals for Seoul’s decision to allow the U.S. military to deploy the THAAD system in South Korea.
Despite the shaky state of the relationship between China and North Korea, Beijing is still Pyongyang’s biggest ally.
　中朝関係はまだぎくしゃくしているとはいえ、中国は今も北朝鮮の最大の後ろ盾だ。

North Korea is undoubtedly gloating over the end of the China-South Korea honeymoon.
それだけに北朝鮮は中韓関係の停滞を好都合と考えているだろう。

Regarding the responses to North Korea’s reckless actions, a rift is widening not just between China and South Korea but also between two groups of countries: the alliance of Tokyo, Washington and Seoul against China and Russia.
　北朝鮮問題をめぐっては、中韓だけでなく、日米韓と中国・ロシアとの溝も広がっている。

The United States and South Korea think the escalation of North Korea’s actions is forcing them to take necessary countermeasures. But China and Russia believe the two countries are using Pyongyang’s behavior as a pretext to beef up their military capabilities.
　米韓にしてみれば、行動をエスカレートさせる北朝鮮への対抗措置をとらざるをえないが、中ロ側は、北朝鮮の振るまいを口実にした軍事力の強化と受け止めている。

If the two groups become increasingly alienated from each other, North Korea would be even more willing to take provocative actions.
　このまま、日米韓と中ロとの離反が進めば、北朝鮮の挑発行動をますます助長してしまう。

All these nations should be committed to preventing Pyongyang and its dangerous acts from destabilizing the entire East Asia.
北朝鮮の危険な行動が、結果的に東アジア全体を不安定化させる事態を許してはなるまい。

It is vital for the countries involved to act in a cool-headed manner. In particular, China should realize that North Korea is the country it should put pressure on.
　ここは各国が冷静に行動する時だ。とりわけ中国が圧力をかけるべき相手は、北朝鮮であることを忘れてはならない。

The unpredictable behavior of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is forcing the United States and South Korea to ramp up their missile defense.
米韓にミサイル防衛の強化を余儀なくしているのは、金正恩（キムジョンウン）政権の予測困難な振るまいだ。

Washington and Seoul should seek more dialogue with China and Russia to nip seeds of misunderstandings in the bud.
　米韓はこれまで以上に中ロとの対話の機会を求め、誤解の芽を摘みとるよう努めるべきだろう。

Discord among the countries concerned would only be a boon to North Korea.
関係国の足並みの乱れは、北朝鮮の思うつぼである。

Swimmer Kaneto overcame many setbacks to win Olympic gold

Swimmer Kaneto overcame many setbacks to win Olympic gold

August 12, 2016

(Mainichi Japan)

Japanese version

Rie Kaneto smiles as she shows off her gold medal after winning the women's 200-meter breaststroke at the Rio Olympics on Aug. 11, 2016. (Mainichi Photo/Daisuke Wada)

    RIO DE JANEIRO -- Rie Kaneto won the gold medal in the women's 200-meter breaststroke at the Rio Olympics on Aug. 11 with a time of 2:20.30.

    "I've been able to continue to aim for the top because my fellow swimmers who underwent training with me and my family fully supported me," Kaneto, 27, said after the competition.

    A native of Hiroshima Prefecture, Kaneto started swimming when she was a third grader in elementary school.

    She performed reasonably well in the 2008 Beijing Games -- the first Olympics she participated in -- coming in seventh in the women's 200-meter breaststroke. However, she failed to win a berth at the 2012 London Olympics. She was unable to leave the swimming pool for a while after failing to advance in a qualifying trial for the London Games and cried.

    Kaneto participated in the FINA World Aquatics Championships in August 2013, vowing to regain her competitiveness as an athlete, but failed to win a medal, finishing fourth.

    The swimmer then decided to retire after telling herself, "You've done enough."

    At a wedding reception for her sister, Yuki, now 31, three months after the championships, a video of Kaneto swimming at the FINA World Aquatics Championships, followed by a message by her coach Tsuyoshi Kato, 50, were shown.

Rie Kaneto raises her fist after winning the women's 200-meter breaststroke at the Rio Olympics on Aug. 11, 2016. (Mainichi Photo/Naotsune Umemura)

    "It's a difficult challenge so it's worth trying. I believe I can work with Rie," he said.

    Dressed in a red kimono, Kaneto was in tears after the five-minute video message.

    Her father, 61-year-old Hiroaki, who was opposed to her retirement, hung a gold medal on her. On the opposite side of the medal was her 58-year-old mother Fujiko's message saying, "Even when you rise up high, there are yet even higher places. Nevertheless, you should look up like a sunflower. I'm always watching over you."

    Yuki prepared the video because she "wanted to tell her sister that there're people who are encouraged by Rie's swimming."

    Kaneto made up her mind to continue swimming, but was unable to produce good results, partly due to the rise of younger swimmers.

    Whenever she mentioned the possibility of retiring, coach Kato tried to encourage her to continue swimming saying, "How can you retire when there are so many people supporting you? People around you are thinking about you. Don't be a person who only thinks about themself."

    This past February, Kaneto set a Japanese record in the women's 200-meter breaststroke. In the Japan Swimming Championships in April, she set a world record, becoming the first female swimmer to swim the 200-meter breaststroke in less than 2 minutes and 20 seconds, securing a berth at the Rio Olympics.

    "I set a record in front of many people who supported me," Kaneto tearfully said after winning a ticket to Rio.

    As the first female captain of a Japanese Olympic swimming team, Kaneto led the team saying, "I want to lead in a way that all members can smile." (By Kosuke Yamamoto, Tadashi Murakami and Sachi Fukushima, Mainichi Shimbun)

高齢者の認知症による徘徊、ひと事だとは思えません

つい最近の新聞記事ですが、またまた、日本人の平均寿命が世界一を更新したという話題がありました。
それはそれで、とてもありがたいことですが、問題が一つあります。
それは、高齢者の認知症による徘徊です。
団塊の世代は、まだまだ元気そうに見えますが、あと１０年で状態は変わっていくような気がいたします。
現時点では、まだ、団塊世代の両親の世代ですが、高齢者の徘徊が社会問題となっています。
そんな心配を、少しでも軽減してくれるような素晴らしい発想のツールが開発されました。
アンドロイドの位置情報機能を利用した、高齢者のための、位置情報感知器「みまもりビーコン 」です。
お守り袋風の感知器を、認知症で徘徊する恐れのあるお年寄りたちに身に着けてもらえば、それだけで、家族の負担は軽減されること、請け合いです。
素晴らしい機器の開発に拍手をします。

伝票の糊張り作業から解放される時代が、目の前まで迫ってきています

会社勤めのサラリーマンであれば、だれしも思い浮かぶのが、月末の経費精算です。
月末の経費精算は、出張業務の多い職種であれば、その大変さはひとしおです。
大切な伝票や領収書を紛失して、会社に請求することができなくなるといった事態は、ある面で日常茶飯事です。

会社の経費節減をネットのクラウド上から実現する、あのコンカーより素敵なお知らせがあります。
領収書の電子化が叫ばれて久しいですが、いままで、その実現が困難であった理由が存在します。
それは、領収書の電子化は、スキャナの「原稿台と一体型に限る」という要件が記載されていたからです。
今回それが撤廃されました。
指示を出したのが国税庁であるのは言うまでもありません。
これからは、自分たちのスマホや携帯で撮影した、領収書や伝票が、そのまま使えるようになります。
スマホで経費精算 ができる時代の到来です。

コンカー、日本CFO協会、日本文書情報マネジメント協会、一般社団法人 新経済連盟は7月7日に規制緩和への歓迎声明を発表しました。
国税庁が発表した電子帳簿保存法の規制緩和に関するガイドラインについての規制緩和を歓迎し、支持するというのが趣旨となっています。
サラリーマンたちの長年の夢が実現されようとしています。
伝票の糊張り作業から解放される時代が、目の前まで迫っています。

日本の歴史に刻まれる、美しい「日本夜景遺産」を堪能してみませんか

世界各地には、人々の心を和ませてくれる、すばらしい夜景が数多く存在しますが、日本も例外ではありません。
これらの美しい夜景は、もっぱら、美しい夜景を持つ国々の観光資源として活用されていたりします。

日本でも、少し前から、日本の美しい夜景を観光資源として活用しようではないかという考えが芽生えました。
その動きの中心をなしているのが、夜景鑑定士や夜景鑑定士試験で有名な、夜景観光コンベンション・ビューローです。

2016年度は、第12回の「日本夜景遺産」の新規認定になりますが、全国約90カ所を越える多くのエントリーのなかから、最終的に選ばれた「日本夜景遺産 」は、8カ所です。
全国各地に点在する、夜景鑑定士たちが、それらの夢を実現させたのは、いうまでもありません。
あなたも、日本の歴史に刻まれる、美しい「日本夜景遺産」を堪能してみませんか。
おすすめします。

Olympics: Uchimura defends gold in men's all-around gymnastics at Rio

Olympics: Uchimura defends gold in men's all-around gymnastics at Rio

August 11, 2016

(Mainichi Japan)

Gold medallist Japan's Kohei Uchimura holds his national flag at the end of the artistic gymnastics men's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

    RIO DE JANEIRO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Kohei Uchimura defended his Olympic title in men's all-around gymnastics, coming from behind to defeat Ukraine's Oleg Verniaiev in the last rotation of the final at the Rio Games on Wednesday.

    The six-time world champion, trailing Verniaiev by 0.901 point with the horizontal bar left to go, pulled off a near-perfect routine on his favorite apparatus before the Ukrainian, last up on the bar, made a small hop on his landing that decided the outcome.

    Uchimura claimed his second gold medal in Rio after leading Japan to victory in the men's team final Monday.

Japan's Kohei Uchimura performs on the horizontal bar during the artistic gymnastics men's individual all-around final at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

尖閣領海侵入 中国は示威活動を自制せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China must restrain its activities in waters around the Senkakus
尖閣領海侵入　中国は示威活動を自制せよ

We cannot overlook China’s obvious attempt to change the status quo by force. We strongly demand that China restrain itself.
　力による現状変更の狙いが明白であり、看過できない。中国には、強く自制を求めたい。

Around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, Beijing has made demonstrative activities by using a number of government vessels belonging to the China Coast Guard, unilaterally escalating the situation.
　尖閣諸島周辺で、中国が多数の海警局所属の公船による示威活動を展開し、一方的にエスカレートさせている。

Since Friday, Chinese vessels have intruded into Japan’s territorial waters on more than 10 occasions. The number of Chinese government vessels entering Japan’s territorial waters has gradually increased, and on Monday morning, a record 14 vessels simultaneously sailed in the contiguous zone around the Senkakus.
　５日以降、日本の領海に１０回以上も侵入した。公船は徐々に増加し、８日午前には、過去最多の１４隻が接続水域を同時航行した。

The Senkaku Islands are an inherent territory of Japan both historically and under international law and have consistently been under the effective control of Japan. The intrusion of Chinese vessels into Japan’s territorial waters is obviously an infringement of Japan’s sovereignty.
　尖閣諸島は歴史的にも国際法上も日本固有の領土であり、日本が一貫して実効支配している。領海侵入は明確な主権の侵害だ。

It is only natural that Shinsuke Sugiyama, vice minister for foreign affairs, has strongly and repeatedly protested to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua, saying such actions “significantly raises tensions in the area.”
　杉山晋輔外務次官が程永華駐日中国大使に対し、「現場の緊張を著しく高める」などと厳重な抗議を重ねたのは当然である。

China may have been repulsed by Japan’s call on China to accept the ruling made by the court of arbitration, which dismissed Beijing’s claims that its sovereignty covers almost all of the South China Sea. However, there is no legitimacy to China’s logic, words and deeds.
　中国には、南シナ海での主権の主張を否定した仲裁裁判所の判決受け入れを日本が求めていることへの反発もあろう。だが、中国の論理と言動には正当性がない。

The Japanese government must respond in a level-headed and resolute manner.
　日本政府には、冷静かつ毅然きぜんとした対処が求められる。

A major problem is that these government vessels seemingly have been cooperating in their intrusive activities with hundreds of Chinese fishing boats. It is a common practice for China to dispatch government vessels to the area under the pretext of “guarding” or “supervising and guiding” fishing boats and intrude into the territorial waters of other countries and expand its control over areas by force, thereby rendering the situation a fait accompli.
　問題なのは、公船が数百隻もの中国漁船と連携しているとみられることだ。自国の漁船の「護衛」や「監督・指導」の名目で、公船を派遣し、領海侵入や強引な支配拡大などを既成事実化するのは、中国の常套じょうとう手段である。

Japan must heighten guard

China has “maritime militia,” fishermen who are trained and organized. They sometimes serve as vanguards in disputed waters, under the instructions of the Chinese military. Japan should keep its guard up against them.
　中国には、漁民を訓練して組織化した「海上民兵」が存在する。軍の指示で、係争海域で「先兵役」を担うこともあるという。十分に警戒せねばならない。

By spring, the Japan Coast Guard organized a system in which 12 patrol vessels would constantly keep watch over waters around the Senkakus. It is important to build new patrol vessels and further increase and reinforce personnel future.
　海上保安庁は今春までに、巡視船１２隻が専従で尖閣諸島周辺海域を警備する体制を整えた。今後も、新規巡視船の建造や要員の増強などを進めることが大切だ。

We also must not overlook the fact that China has installed radar and surveillance camera equipment on a sea-based facility where China is developing a gas field near the Japan-China intermediary line in the East China Sea.
　中国が東シナ海の日中中間線付近にあるガス田の海上施設に、レーダーと監視カメラを設置したことも見過ごせない。

The radar is believed to be used to scan a small area of the sea and does not have the capability of keeping track of aircraft. But there is a possibility the device will become the first step in building a military site. Should the radar’s capabilities be upgraded later on, the activities of the Self-Defense Forces could be monitored, possibly affecting Japan’s security. We should pay close attention to China’s actions down the road.
　周辺の水上捜索が目的で、航空機などの確認能力はないとされるが、軍事拠点化への一歩の可能性がある。いずれ能力が高まれば、自衛隊の活動を監視され、日本の安全保障にも影響しかねない。今後の動きを注視すべきだ。

In order to avoid any untoward incident, it is important for the Japanese and Chinese governments to continue dialogues on various levels. It is also essential for the SDF and China’s military to take confidence-building measures.
　不測の事態を回避するには、日中両政府が様々なレベルで対話を重ねることが大切だ。自衛隊と中国軍の信頼醸成も欠かせない。

China has refused to negotiate with Japan over the joint development of natural gas fields, and there has been no progress in bilateral talks on a “maritime liaison mechanism” aimed at preventing accidental clashes between the aircrafts and ships of the SDF and China.
　中国は、ガス田の日中共同開発の交渉を拒み、艦船などの偶発的衝突を防ぐ「海上連絡メカニズム」の協議も進んでいない。

During a foreign ministerial meeting between Japan and China held in Laos in late July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is said to have acknowledged the need for talks between the two countries. Easing tensions with its neighboring countries will also benefit China itself. We hope China will agree to hold bilateral talks.
　７月末のラオスでの日中外相会談では、王毅外相が一連の協議の必要性は認めたという。周辺国との緊張の緩和は、中国自身の利益でもある。実行を求めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 9, 2016)

Letter from OFA U.S.A

Kiyoshi --

Thanks to OFA supporters pushing for lasting change on the local and national level, we've been able to make big strides in tackling some of our country's most important issues. But our work is far from over -- and your feedback matters in determining what's ahead.

For the past few months, OFA volunteers around the country have been giving their perspectives on the direction of this movement as part of OFA's What's Next tour. What's Next is the opportunity for this movement's biggest supporters to give feedback on where we've been, and input on where we're going. And now it's your turn.

Today, we're launching the What's Next survey, a short questionnaire that will help us gather information on what people like you -- who have played a critical role in this movement -- want to do going forward. Take a few minutes and share your thoughts on where we've been and where we're going.

Once you've completed the survey, as a small thank you, you'll receive a discount code to receive 40 percent off any OFA Store products.

Make sure your voice is heard -- fill out the What's Next survey now. It will only take a few minutes.

I can't stress enough how important your voice is in determining the direction of this movement. Whether you've been a part of this since the beginning or just taken action recently, your input will help inform planning for the future.

This is, and always has been, about all of us, working to make change -- and believing, in the face of cynicism, that we can do it if we speak up together. We still have a lot of important work to do together. Can we count on you?

Don't pass up this chance to make your voice heard and help shape the path forward. Get started on the What's Next survey now:

https://my.barackobama.com/Take-The-Survey-Today

Thanks,

Katie

Katie Hogan
Executive Director
Organizing for Action

Letter from Hillary Clinton

Kiyoshi --

This week, we learned that Donald Trump and the Republicans raised more than $82 million in the month of July.

This is the same man who mocked a disabled reporter and has called women "fat pigs." The same man who took the stage at the Republican National Convention and told the world that his vision is to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, deport millions of immigrants, and repeal the Affordable Care Act, leaving countless Americans without health care.

He's unqualified and unfit to lead our country -- but the unfortunate reality we must confront is that he still might be able to win if he spends enough to convince voters otherwise.

This team has what it takes to defeat him -- I know that. But I need to know you're with me right now. Will you chip in $3 or more to help make sure we win in November and build a future for our country that we can be proud of?

If you've saved your payment information, your donation will go through immediately.

Or donate another amount:

https://my.democrats.org/Stronger-Together

Thanks,

Hillary

Letter from the Democrats U.S.A.

Kiyoshi --

I was born in Louisiana at a time when, if you had the wrong skin color and tried to register to vote or cast a ballot, you might be forced to pass a literacy test, pay a poll tax, or even face the threat of physical violence.

51 years ago today, that changed dramatically when President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law.

It was a profound victory for families like mine -- and it's why I celebrate this anniversary every year, and why I hope you'll join with me to commit to exercising this hard-won right on Election Day.

I've made it my life's work to fight alongside the Democratic Party to protect the right to vote against efforts to erect new barriers.

I wish it was a fight we weren't still fighting in the year 2016 -- but in the three years since the Supreme Court profoundly weakened the protections of the VRA in Shelby County v. Holder, Republican-led state legislatures across the country have set to work making it harder for the folks the law used to protect to vote.

By rolling back early voting, eliminating same-day registration, implementing new photo ID laws, and more, Republican politicians are systematically targeting women, communities of color, working families, students, first-generation Americans, the elderly -- all people who, it just so happens, tend not to be the ones supporting the GOP on Election Day.

The good news is, with a string of recent rulings across the nation, our courts are stepping up and striking down these laws one by one by calling them out for what they really are -- partisan ploys to disenfranchise voters inclined to support Democrats.

Each decision has been a step in the right direction, but we still have our work cut out for us. Democrats believe that we are stronger together, and stronger when every voice can be heard at the ballot box.

Kiyoshi, join me today in committing to vote for leaders who share that belief and will continue fighting alongside us:

http://my.democrats.org/Commit-To-Vote

Thanks for being part of this,

Donna

Donna Brazile
Chair
Democratic National Committee

Letter from Amnesty International U.S.A

Cheer on the first-ever refugee Olympic team

Dear kiyoshi,

Tonight, when millions of people tune into the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, they’ll see a team of ten refugees march into the stadium as a team with no nation and no flag.

The unprecedented team is a reflection of the global refugee crisis, with more people displaced by violence and persecution than at any time since World War II. It’s also an opportunity to help shape how the public thinks of refugees – and how governments treat them.

Amnesty International is rallying behind the refugee team. We’re supporting a group of refugees who created a flag and an anthem for the team, and we’re partnering with a coalition of groups, including UNICEF, Sesame Street, and Save the Children, on an initiative called Team Refugees.

Together, we’re honoring these 10 brave athletes who have overcome tremendous obstacles. We’re showing refugees around the world that they are welcome. We’re galvanizing public support for the safety and dignity of all refugees. And we are demanding that governments do their part to help address the refugee crisis.

You can help by sharing these Facebook and Twitter posts.

While we cheer on the refugee Olympians, Amnesty will continue shining a light on human rights abuses in Brazil. We will not allow the human rights of anyone be disregarded—from the refugees struggling to find safety around the world, to the families living in favelas in Rio.

Join us today to tell the world: human rights have no borders.

In solidarity,
Eric Ferrero
Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Communications and Digital Initiatives
Amnesty International USA

Letter from Michelle Obama

Kiyoshi --

Yesterday was Barack's 55th birthday, his last one as President. And as we celebrated this milestone, I couldn't help but think about how proud I am of who he is and the example he has set as President -- his decency, grace, perseverance, and strength.

Those are the traits I'm looking for in our next President -- and that's why I'm proud to say: I'm with her.

Between now and November, we need to get out every vote in order to elect Hillary and Democrats up and down the ballot, Kiyoshi -- and we're counting on your support to help us pull it off.

So I hope you will step up today by pitching in $3 or whatever you can to help.

If you've saved your payment information, your donation will go through immediately.

https://my.democrats.org/Invest-in-Democrats

Thank you so, so much.

Michelle

Emperor likely to issue video message Monday amid reports of desire to abdicate

Japan Times 2016-08-05
Emperor likely to issue video message Monday amid reports of desire to abdicate

Emperor Akihito is likely to express his thoughts on his role in a video message Monday amid growing speculation that he is considering abdication, sources said Thursday.

The Imperial Household Agency is arranging for the 82-year-old Emperor’s message to be made public Monday afternoon, the agency sources said, adding he is expected to read out a statement prepared in consultation with senior agency officials.

It will be only the Emperor’s second video message, following one released five days after the massive earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011.

While the Emperor is unlikely to refer directly to abdication, he is expected to share his view about fulfilling his official duties going forward.

The last emperor to abdicate was Emperor Kokaku in 1817.

The Imperial House Law does not contain a provision relating to abdication and the government has set up a special team to study the matter in strict secrecy.

Last month, it was reported that the Emperor wished to hand the throne to his 56-year-old son, Crown Prince Naruhito, due to concerns about his ability to fully perform his duties.

The Emperor has since told close aides that the performance of his duties is inseparable from his status as a symbol of the state, as stipulated in the Constitution, and has expressed his desire to abdicate if he cannot perform them in the future.

Emperor Akihito acceded to the throne at age 55 upon the death of his 87-year-old father, Emperor Hirohito, who is posthumously called Emperor Showa, in 1989.

You're in! Baseball/softball, 4 other sports make Tokyo cut

August 4, 2016 (Mainichi Japan)
You're in! Baseball/softball, 4 other sports make Tokyo cut

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Olympic leaders approved the addition of five sports to the program of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, including the return of baseball-softball and the introduction of youth-oriented events such as skateboarding and surfing.

International Olympic Committee members voted unanimously to accept the five-sport package, which also includes karate and sport climbing.

The five were put forward for inclusion last year by Tokyo organizers, taking advantage of new IOC rules that allow host cities to propose the inclusion of additional sports for their own games. Wednesday's approval was for the Tokyo Games only.

The new sports will add 18 events and 474 athletes to the program. The Tokyo Games will now feature 33 sports and about 11,000 athletes, compared to the usual number of 28 sports and 10,500 athletes.

While baseball and softball -- both highly popular in Japan -- will be returning after a 12-year absence, the other sports will be making their Olympic debuts.

The IOC called it "the most comprehensive evolution of the Olympic program in modern history."

"Taken together, the five sports are an innovative combination of established and emerging, youth-focused events that are popular in Japan and will add to the legacy of the Tokyo Games," IOC President Thomas Bach said.

Baseball and softball have been off the Olympic program since the 2008 Beijing Games. The two were rejected in separate bids to return for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, so they combined forces to put forward a single bid for inclusion in Tokyo.

Baseball was a full part of the Olympic program from 1992 to 2008, with softball joining in 1996. The IOC voted them both out in 2005.

Baseball will have a six-team tournament, short of the eight-team format sought by officials from the sport's international federation. Women's softball will also have six teams. The games will be played at a shared venue In Yokohama.

"Today's historic decision by the IOC is a 'home run' for the Olympics, our sport and the Tokyo 2020 Games," said Riccardo Fraccari, president of the World Baseball Softball Confederation. "It will be the most covered and most exciting international baseball/softball tournaments in history, which will help build our case to be featured in future Olympic Games, as well."

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred also welcomed the IOC vote.

"Baseball and softball are global sports that belong in the Olympics," he said, adding that their approval "will allow fans throughout the world to again enjoy baseball and softball on the Olympic stage."

Before the vote, several IOC members questioned whether baseball would have the world's top players at the games. While pro leagues in Japan and some other countries have agreed to shut down their seasons to send their players to the Olympics, MLB has declined to do so.

Franco Carraro, who chairs the IOC's program commission, said he hopes the international federation can still reach an agreement with MLB, in line with the deals with the NBA and NHL that brought pro basketball and ice hockey players into the Olympics.

If not, Carraro said, said it will be "difficult for baseball to be included in the future" beyond the Tokyo Games.

Skateboarding will have street and park events, and feature 80 athletes -- 40 men and 40 women. In climbing, 40 competitors will take part in the disciplines of speed, bouldering and lead (also known as sport). Karate will have 80 athletes competing in men's and women's Kumite and Kata events, while surfing will have two shortboard events for 40 competitors.

The surfing competition will be held on natural waves at a beach location in Chiba prefecture.

"Our Olympic dream has now become a reality," International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguerre said. "This is a game-changing moment for surfing. With its unique and modern blend of sport performance, style and youth culture, surfing will help deliver something special to the games."

Skateboarding and sports climbing events will be held in temporary venues in urban settings in Tokyo, while karate will be contested at the Nippon Budokan in the capital.

Organizers hope skateboarding will catch on with worldwide viewers as halfpipe in snowboarding did in the Winter Olympics.

"I've always believed that if skateboarding was properly protected and supported, its appearance on the Olympic stage could change the world," International Skateboarding Federation president Gary Ream said.

Skateboarding's approval came despite tensions between rival federations.

For the Olympics, a special "Tokyo 2020 skateboarding commission" was formed to run the sport. It is a collaboration between the International Roller Sports Federation (FIRS) and the ISF.

A lawsuit was filed last week in California by the World Skateboarding Federation (WSF). It alleged the ISF abruptly canceled scheduled drug testing at an event last year because of fears that several riders would test positive.

The lawsuit also alleged that Ream struck up a friendly relationship with Christophe Dubi, the IOC Olympic Games executive director, and provided Dubi's son with free training at a skateboarding camp he owned.

Letter from Hillary Clinton in the morning

Kiyoshi --

Last week, President Obama gave a beautiful speech at the Democratic Convention. He spoke movingly about the challenges we face, the progress we've made, and the hope he still has for our country and our future.

I am so lucky to call him my friend.

Today I have a favor to ask you for President Obama -- his birthday is in two days, and I want to do something special for him this year to show him how much he means to me and this whole Democratic family. Will you sign the official birthday card for President Obama so he can see how many people on this team love and appreciate him?

I've often said that President Obama doesn't get the credit he deserves for saving our country from the worst economic crisis in decades. Because of his leadership, we have 15 million new jobs, the Affordable Care Act, marriage equality, and so much more.

It means so much to me that he's a part of this team, and I know he'll be invaluable as we kick off these final 98 days until the election. So on Thursday, let's show him that we're grateful for all he's done for our country, that we're excited to work with him to win this November, and that we're committed to working together to protect and build on his remarkable legacy.

Add your name to sign his card now -- he'll love knowing that you're thinking of him on his special day:

http://my.democrats.org/Happy-Birthday-President-Obama

Thank you,

Hillary

小池新都知事 都民本位の改革実行を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 1
EDITORIAL: Koike must keep promise, push policies that help Tokyo citizens
（社説）小池新都知事　都民本位の改革実行を

Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike was elected Tokyo’s new governor on July 31, becoming the first female chief of the capital’s government. We hope Koike will capitalize on her trademark ability to send out effective messages in her role as the public face of Japan’s capital.
　東京都の新しい知事に、小池百合子氏が選ばれた。初の女性都知事の誕生だ。日本の首都の顔として、持ち前の発信力を生かしてほしい。

Koike won a landslide victory in the gubernatorial election despite failing to receive the endorsement of her Liberal Democratic Party, which fielded another candidate. The ruling party’s decision, based primarily on its partisan interests, probably provoked a backlash among voters in Tokyo.
　自民党の意向に逆らった末の勝利である。都民の胸中には、党による「組織の論理」に対する反発が色濃くあったはずだ。

The process in which opposition parties led by the Democratic Party chose a unified candidate also confused many voters.
野党の統一候補選びにも分かりにくさがあった。

During her campaign, Koike pledged to put priority on the interests of individual citizens. She should be true to her words and push through reforms to shift the focus of Tokyo’s policymaking from the interests of specific organizations to those of the entire population of the capital.
　小池氏は、都民一人ひとりが主役だと唱えた訴えどおり、特定の組織に目を向ける旧来の政治から、都民全体を考える都政への変革を進めてほしい。

Koike needs to provide leadership to resolve a wide range of tough policy challenges, from the rapidly aging population to disaster preparedness for a huge earthquake that many experts warn could occur directly under Tokyo.
　急速に進む高齢化への対応や首都直下地震への備えなど、小池氏がリーダーシップを発揮すべき課題は山積している。

In particular, she must immediately review the financing plan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, focusing on the capital’s contribution. The total cost for the event, initially estimated at 700 billion yen ($6.8 billion), is now expected to balloon to 2 trillion yen or even 3 trillion yen. The challenge for Koike is to figure out ways to reduce the cost and decide on an appropriate burden for Tokyo.
　すぐに待ち受けるのは東京五輪・パラリンピックの整備費の分担見直しだ。当初７千億円と言われた全体経費は２兆とも３兆とも言われている。これをいかに削り、都負担の適正ラインをどこに引くか。

Both the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the LDP members of the metropolitan assembly are calling for an increase in the capital’s share of the cost burden, emphasizing Tokyo’s responsibility due to its bid to host the event.
　組織委も都議会自民党も「招致した東京の責任」を唱え、都の負担増を求めている。

Discussing the issue, Koike criticized the Tokyo government’s opaque policymaking process as a “black box” and called for greater transparency. The issue of financing the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics will test her commitment to addressing the issue.
小池氏は「都政がブラックボックスになっている」と決定過程の透明化を訴えた。その真価が問われることになる。

In an Asahi Shimbun survey of voters in Tokyo, “education and child-care support” was cited by the largest number of respondents as the policy area that they wanted the new governor to prioritize.
　朝日新聞の調査では、新知事に力を入れてほしい政策のトップは「教育・子育て」だった。

Tokyo’s child-care support for its citizens has national implications. Many young people who moved from rural areas to Tokyo are giving up having children because of an unfavorable environment for rearing children. This problem is accelerating Japan’s demographic decline.
　「子育て」問題は東京の課題にとどまらない。首都圏に集まった地方の若者が、子育て環境の悪さなどから、子どもを産むのをあきらめる構造が日本の人口減に拍車をかけている。

During her campaign, Koike proposed various ideas to solve the problem of the estimated 8,500 children on waiting lists for day-care centers. Her ideas included the use of land owned by the metropolitan government and higher pay for child-care workers. Koike needs to make steady efforts to deal with this challenge.
　約８５００人にのぼる待機児童の解消に向け、都有地の活用や保育士の待遇改善など様々なアイデアが選挙戦で語られた。着実に対策を進めてほしい。

On the other hand, Koike talked little about education.
　一方、小池氏が「教育」について語ることはほぼなかった。

She once argued that tragic incidents involving children, such as murders of family members, were a result of Japan’s “self-deprecating education” in the postwar period.
　かつて、家族間での殺人事件などが起きるのは「自虐的な戦後教育の結果」だと語ったこともある。

The Japan Society for History Textbook Reform, an organization devoted to helping the nation “overcome masochistic historical views,” backed Koike in the election, saying she was the only major candidate who supported its activities.
自虐史観の克服を掲げる「新しい歴史教科書をつくる会」は、主な候補のうち小池氏だけが活動を支えてくれた、と今回支持を表明していた。

The law on regional educational administration was revised in 2014 to enhance the power of local government chiefs over education policy decisions. Instead of using her power as the governor to promote education based on specific values, Koike should serve as a champion of “diversity,” which she pledged to promote, in education.
　２０１４年の地方教育行政法の改正で、首長の権限が強められた。特定の価値観ではなく、自らが公約とした「多様性」を認める教育をめざすべきだ。

In announcing her candidacy, Koike emphasized she was ready to confront the LDP in the metropolitan assembly. We welcome her stance if that means true competition for better, citizen-focused policies through serious debate at the assembly.
　立候補の際、小池氏は都議会自民党との対決を強調した。議場での真剣な議論を通じ、都民本位の政治を競うなら歓迎だ。

But we have had enough of the petty political fights over parochial interests.
　しかし、またコップの中の争いになるなら、ごめんこうむりたい。

After the resignation of two Tokyo governors--Naoki Inose and Yoichi Masuzoe--amid scandals, there is no room for further stagnation in the capital’s efforts to tackle its key policy challenges.
猪瀬直樹氏、舛添要一氏と２代続いた失脚で、これ以上都政を停滞させる余裕はない。

大統領選 団結を求めたクリントン候補

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Democratic presidential candidate Clinton calls for national, global unity
米大統領選　団結を求めたクリントン候補

In the U.S. presidential election, the difference in outlook has become clear between Republican nominee Donald Trump, who advocates an “America first” policy, and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who calls for international cooperation and national reconciliation.
　米大統領選で、「米国第一主義」を唱える共和党のドナルド・トランプ氏と、国際協調や国民融和を訴える民主党のヒラリー・クリントン氏の立場の違いが鮮明になった。

Clinton, a former secretary of state, was nominated as a presidential candidate at the Democratic convention, kicking off the full-fledged election campaign.
　民主党大会でクリントン前国務長官が大統領候補に指名され、本格的な選挙戦が始まった。

In her acceptance speech, Clinton said, “We’ve reached a milestone in our nation’s march toward a more perfect union,” emphasizing the significance of having been nominated as the first female presidential candidate of a major party.
　クリントン氏は指名受諾演説で「我々はより完全な国になるための転換点に達した」と述べ、主要政党として初の女性大統領候補が生まれた意義を強調した。

The important thing is that Clinton spelled out her commitment to reinforce alliances, saying, “We are stronger when we work with our allies around the world.”
　重要なのは、クリントン氏が「米国は世界の同盟国と協力した時、より強くなる」と語り、同盟強化を打ち出したことである。

When Clinton was secretary of state, she promoted the policy of attaching importance to Asia. She was the first within the administration to make clear that the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture are covered by Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which stipulates that the United States is obliged to defend Japan.
　クリントン氏は国務長官時代に、アジア重視政策を推進した。沖縄県の尖閣諸島が、米国の対日防衛義務を定めた日米安保条約５条の適用対象であることを政権内でいち早く明言していた。

It is also reassuring for Japan that there are more than a few people within the Clinton camp who are knowledgeable about Japan, including Kurt Campbell, a former assistant secretary of state.
　陣営にキャンベル前国務次官補ら知日派が少なくないことも、日本にとっては心強い材料だ。

While making no direct reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade accord, Clinton went only so far as to express her opposition to “unfair trade deals” in her speech. We can rate positively that she left some room for the U.S. ratification of the accord, while paying consideration to left-wingers within the party who oppose the TPP.
　クリントン氏は演説で、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）には直接言及せず、「不公正な貿易協定」への反対を表明するだけにとどめた。ＴＰＰに反発する党内左派に配慮しつつ、批准の余地を残したことは評価できる。

Japan must help U.S. ratify TPP

It is vital for Japan to move ahead swiftly with procedures for Diet approval so as to create an environment that will make it easier for the United States to ratify the pact.
　日本が国会の承認手続きを迅速に進め、米国が批准しやすい環境を整えることが欠かせない。

Clinton criticized Trump, who advocates an exclusionary immigration policy, saying, “He wants to divide us — from the rest of the world, and from each other.” She said, “People are looking for steady leadership,” and promoted her feasible policies.
　排他的な移民政策を掲げるトランプ氏に対し、クリントン氏は「世界や米国の分断を望んでいる」と非難した。「国民は堅実な指導者を求めている」と述べ、実行可能な政策をアピールした。

At the Democratic convention, U.S. President Barack Obama, Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had fiercely vied with Clinton for the Democratic presidential candidacy, and others made speeches in support of Clinton. It can be said that she succeeded in orchestrating a reconciliation within the party.
　民主党大会では、オバマ大統領や、候補の座を激しく争ったバーニー・サンダース上院議員らが応援演説を行った。党内融和の演出には成功したと言えよう。

A challenge for Clinton is her record-low popularity as a presidential candidate, similar to Trump’s. During her tenure as secretary of state, Clinton used her private e-mail address for communication of classified information against the state department’s rules.
　課題は、トランプ氏と同様、好感度が大統領候補として記録的に低いことだ。長官在任中、国務省の規定に反し、私用メールアドレスで機密情報を扱った。

Judicial authorities did not bring charges against Clinton over the case but said she was “extremely careless.”
司法当局は立件を見送ったが、「極めて不注意だった」と指摘した。

When the scandal was uncovered, she initially refused to explain her case in detail or to apologize. This may have led to a national sentiment that she cannot be trusted.
　発覚当初、十分な説明も謝罪も拒んだことが、「信用できない」という国民感情につながっているのではないか。

Clinton, who was a first lady and also served as a senator, has been regarded as “a symbol of the establishment” by young people and others who support Sanders.
　大統領夫人や上院議員も務めたクリントン氏は、サンダース氏を支持する若者らから、「既存の支配層の象徴」と目されてきた。

During the presidential campaign, she needs not only to make her claim to be the “anti-Trump,” but also to win support of those who are discontented about the present state of things. Otherwise, she may not even be able to unite the whole nation.
　選挙戦では、「反トランプ」を主張するだけでなく、現状に不満を抱く人々の支持を得なければ、国全体の団結も実現できまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2016)