2009年08月の記事
全36件 (36件中 1-36件目)
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民主党政権実現 変化への期待と重責に応えよ (2/1)
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 31, 2009)DPJ must be responsible, live up to expectations民主党政権実現 変化への期待と重責に応えよ（8月31日付・読売社説）People's dissatisfaction with the Liberal Democratic Party's politics and their expectation that a new administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan can bring "change" has ushered in a historic change in power in this country. 自民党政治に対する不満と、民主党政権誕生による「変化」への期待が歴史的な政権交代をもたらした。 The DPJ romped to a landslide victory in the House of Representatives election Sunday, handing the LDP its most devastating defeat since the party was formed. ３０日投開票の衆院選で民主党が大勝し、自民党は結党以来の惨敗を喫した。This is the first time since the end of World War II that an opposition party has won a single-party majority in the lower house and brought about a change in administration. 野党が衆院選で単独過半数を獲得し、政権交代を果たしたのは戦後初めてのことである。DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama, who is expected to be named prime minister in the special Diet session to be convened soon, will bear the heavy responsibility of managing the country. 近く召集される予定の特別国会で、首相に指名される民主党の鳩山代表が、国家経営の重責を担うことになる。=== Disappointment and weariness ◆自民党への失望と飽き◆The largest cause of this sea change in public sentiment lies in the LDP itself. このような民意の大変動の要因は、自民党にある。Policies taken by the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, which espoused the importance of market principles, widened disparities in society, devastated the country's medical and nursing care services and impoverished many rural areas. 小泉内閣の市場原理主義的な政策は、「格差社会」を助長し、医療・介護現場の荒廃や地方の疲弊を招いた。Koizumi's successors--Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda--abruptly resigned as prime minister. 小泉後継の安倍、福田両首相は相次いで政権を投げ出した。Prime Minister Taro Aso, who took over from Fukuda, suffered a string of self-imposed setbacks with verbal gaffes and other blunders that raised questions about his ability to serve as prime minister before he could correct the policy line taken by the Koizumi administration. 麻生首相は、小泉路線の修正も中途半端なまま、首相としての資質を問われる言動を続けて、失点を重ねた。The LDP lost its status as the largest party in the House of Councillors after a thumping defeat in the 2007 election. Subsequently, the LDP's support organizations and industrial groups that traditionally supported the party began to increasingly distance themselves from the LDP. この間、自民党は、参院選敗北によって参院第１党の座を失い、従来の支持・業界団体も、自民離れを加速させた。In short, it can be said that the LDP's historic defeat was brought about by the collapse of its structural reforms that went too far, its leaders' failure to live up to their responsibilities and their lack of leadership ability, the alienation of its traditional support base, and weariness and disappointment with the administration that had been in power for a long time. 構造改革路線の行き過ぎ、指導者の責任放棄と力量不足、支持団体の離反、長期政権への失望と飽きが、自民党の歴史的敗北につながったと言えよう。In addition to criticizing the LDP's failings, the DPJ wooed discontented voters by putting forward policies including support for households, such as a monthly child allowance for families and a gradual phasing out of highway tolls, as well as adopting election campaign tactics that included fielding a diverse range of candidates. 民主党は、こうした自民党の行き詰まりを批判し、子ども手当や高速道路無料化など家計支援策、多様な候補者を立てる選挙戦術で有権者の不満を吸い上げた。In the previous lower house election, the LDP was blessed with strong and favorable winds whipped up by the postal service privatization debate and the divisions wrought by the party's decision to put "assassin" candidates on the official party ticket to run against those LDP members who opposed the Koizumi-led postal reform drive and were forced off the party ticket. 小泉政権下の前回衆院選では、「郵政民営化」と刺客騒動で、自民党に強い追い風が吹いた。The winds of change then took a sudden turn, swinging behind the DPJ, which advocates a change in power--and the favorable conditions have remained since the dissolution of the lower house, culminating in heavy damage to the LDP's junior coalition partner, New Komeito, too. 今回、風向きは一転、「政権交代」を唱えた民主党側に変わり、圧勝への勢いを与えた。この結果、自民党だけでなく、連立与党の公明党も大きな打撃を受けた。This development should be interpreted as meaning that the overwhelming sentiment among voters was to give the DPJ a chance to hold the reins of power, despite anxiety in the electorate about how a DPJ-led administration might fare. 民主党政権に「不安」は感じつつも、一度は政権交代を、との有権者の意識が、それだけ根強かったと見るべきだろう。Despite the DPJ's landslide victory, however, it does not mean voters have given the party an open-ended mandate. しかし、３００議席を超す勝利は、必ずしも、民主党への白紙委任を意味するものではない。===
Aug 31, 2009
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民主党政権実現 変化への期待と重責に応えよ (2/2)
Review election pledges ◆政権公約の見直しを◆A new cabinet to be formed by Hatoyama is to carry out policy measures based on the schedule presented in the DPJ's election manifesto. However, the new government should not stick to its "election" pledges so much so as to destabilize people's lives. 鳩山新内閣は、政権公約（マニフェスト）で示した工程表に従って、政策を進めることになる。だが、“選挙用”政権公約にこだわるあまり、国民生活を不安定にさせてはならない。Its most important task is to put the Japanese economy, which is now in the process of recovering from a serious recession, on a steady road to recovery. Given the deteriorating employment situation, public spending on economic pump-priming measures must be continued seamlessly. 最大の課題は、大不況から立ち直りかけている日本経済を着実な回復軌道に乗せることだ。雇用情勢の悪化を考えれば、切れ目のない景気対策が欠かせない。When drafting the next fiscal year's budget, the new administration needs to give top priority to boosting the economy. 来年度予算編成でも、景気浮揚に最大限の配慮が必要だ。In the realm of foreign and security policy, the change of government will not be accepted as an excuse to tear up international agreements. The new government must seek to achieve consistency in this country's foreign policy and firmly maintain the Japan-U.S. alliance. 外交・安全保障では、政権交代によって、国際公約を反故(ほご)にすることは許されない。外交の継続性に留意し、日米同盟を堅持しなければならない。Since it does not have a single-party majority in the upper house, the DPJ will start talks soon with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party about the formation of a coalition government. 民主党は、参院では単独過半数を持たないことから、社民、国民新両党と連立政権協議に入る。One major concern is the huge gap between the DPJ and the SDP regarding their basic policies on foreign and security affairs, including the participation of the Self-Defense Forces in international peacekeeping activities. 懸念されるのは、自衛隊の国際平和協力活動など、外交・安保の基本にかかわる政策をめぐって、民主、社民両党間に大きな隔たりがあることだ。A political situation in which a small party can use its casting vote to push around a major party would be extremely harmful. The DPJ should approach the talks determined to scrap plans for a coalition with the SDP if they cannot reach an agreement on fundamental policies. 少数党が多数党を振り回すキャスチングボート政治は、弊害が大きい。民主党は、基本政策で合意できなければ、連立を白紙に戻すこともあり得るとの強い決意で、協議に臨むべきだろう。The DPJ has set a goal of "bidding farewell to bureaucrat-led policy-making." 民主党は、「官僚政治からの脱却」も目標に掲げている。But the DPJ should not be under the illusion that bureaucrats will dance to the party's tune simply by establishing a politician-led "National Strategy Bureau" or by assigning a bevy of lawmakers to positions within each government agency or ministry. だが、首相直属の「国家戦略局」を設けたり、多数の国会議員を各府省に配置しさえすれば、官僚を動かせるというものではない。Lawmakers will be scrutinized for their ability to use bureaucrats to serve their purposes, rather than to act hostilely against bureaucrats. Lawmakers should know that only when they win the trust of bureaucrats will they be able to effectively implement policies. 官僚と敵対するのではなく、使いこなす力量が問われる。官僚の信頼を得て初めて、政策の遂行が可能になることを知るべきだ。=== Can LDP make comeback? The LDP was formed in 1955 through a marriage of conservative parties to counter the Japan Socialist Party, which in that year merged the rightist and leftist socialist parties. 自民党は１９５５年、左右の社会党の統一に対抗する保守合同によって誕生した。The ideological clash between the LDP and JSP that was dominant in those days has since evaporated, and the JSP the nation knew then no longer exists. The LDP's crushing defeat in Sunday's election completed the demise of the so-called 1955 political system that centered around the LDP and the socialists. 当時のイデオロギー対決はすでになく、かつての社会党も存在しない。今回の自民党の壊滅的な敗北は、自社主軸の「５５年体制」の完全な終幕を告げるものだ。 ◆自民党は立ち直れるか◆The LDP must brace itself for an extended period in the opposition camp. The party will need to dust itself off and rebuild itself almost from scratch if it wants to be a viable political party that can occupy the position of one of the two major political parties--together with the DPJ. 自民党は、これから野党時代が長くなることを覚悟しなければなるまい。民主党とともに２大政党制の一角を占め続けるには、解党的出直しが必要だ。The LDP was temporarily ousted from power in 1993 in the wake of money-for-favor political scandals. Since then, it has remained at the helm of the government by forming coalitions with the JSP, Komeito and other parties. ９３年、自民党は金権腐敗から一時期政権を退いた。その後、社会党や公明党などとの連立で政権を維持してきた。The LDP has been forced by the voters to start over--after having neglected to reform itself. しかし、自己改革を怠り、結局、有権者の手によって、再出発を余儀なくされた。The party will be pressed to drastically change everything from its political philosophy to its policies and its structure under a new party leader who will replace Aso ahead of the upper house election next summer. 今後は、麻生首相に代わる新総裁の下、来年夏の参院選に向け、党の組織や政策、選挙体制など、すべての面にわたり徹底的な改革が迫られる。The LDP must present healthy, sound policies and bolster its ability to counter the DPJ-led administration if it wants to be a key player that can level criticism at the government. 説得力のある政策を示し、民主党政権に対する批判勢力として、闘争力を高めねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2009) （2009年8月31日05時28分 読売新聞）
Aug 31, 2009
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衆院選：民主単独で３００議席超へ 鳩山政権誕生が確実に
歴史的な政権交代となりましたね。消費税は4年間据え置き。どうやって社会保障財源を確保するのか心配です。しかしながら民主党の政権をとることが決まった以上、我々も覚悟を決めて、民主新日本丸に乗船しなければなりません。期待と不安が交じり合った複雑な心境です。（スラチャイ）(Mainichi Japan) August 30, 2009Opposition Democratic Party of Japan set to win election in landslide衆院選：民主単独で３００議席超へ 鳩山政権誕生が確実に The largest opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is set to score a landslide victory in Sunday's general election, likely capturing more than 300 of the 480 seats in the House of Representatives, according to Mainichi Shimbun exit polls.The DPJ is certain to take over the reins of government, putting an end to the 10-year-old coalition government comprised of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito (NKP).DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama will be elected prime minister at a special Diet session that must be called within 30 days after the polling day under the Constitution, and form a Cabinet.The LDP is expected to suffer a humiliating defeat, possibly falling short of 100 seats.The focal point of Sunday's general election has been whether the DPJ will take over the reins of government or the LDP-NKP coalition will stay in power.Vote counting began immediately after almost all of about 51,000 polling stations across the country closed at 8 p.m.As of 10:40 p.m., the DPJ had won 243 seats, the LDP 62, NKP 11, the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) five, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) two, the People's New Party (PNP) two, the Your Party (YP) three and the New Party Nippon (NPN) one, while the Japan Renaissance Party (JRP) had won no seats. Four independents have also been elected to the chamber.All winners in the nation's 300 single-seat constituencies (SSC) will be announced by about 1 a.m. on Monday and all those elected in the proportional representation blocs (PRB) will be determined by around 3 a.m.The voter turnout was 53 percent as of 7:30 p.m., down 2.65 points from the previous election in 2005. However, as the number of those who cast absentee ballots was more than 50 percent more than the previous election, final voter turnout is expected to be above that in the previous election, which stood at 67.51 percent.A confidence vote among the public for nine Supreme Court justices, who were appointed after the previous Lower House election, was also held simultaneously with the general election.日本語の速報↓ 第４５回衆院選は３０日投票され、同日午後８時、投票が締め切られた。即日開票され、３１日未明には新たな４８０議席が確定する見通し。毎日新聞が全国３００小選挙区の投票所で実施した出口調査によると、民主党が圧倒的に優勢で、比例代表と合わせ単独で過半数（２４１議席）を大きく上回り、３００議席を超える可能性が高い。民主党が結党後初の政権交代を果たし、鳩山由紀夫代表を首相とする鳩山政権が誕生するのは確実になった。 自民党は公示前の３００議席から大幅に議席を減らす惨敗で、１００議席を割る可能性もある。自民、公明両党の連立政権は１０年で終止符を打つことになった。 午後７時半現在の投票率は５３．００％（男性５３．５４％、女性５２．４８％）で、前回０５年衆院選の同時刻より２．６５ポイント低い。一方、２９日に締め切った期日前投票は１３９８万４９６８人（全有権者数の１３．４０％）と前回の１．５６倍で、過去３回の国政選挙で最も多かった約１０８０万人（０７年参院選）を超え、過去最多となった。最終的な投票率は前回の６７．５１％（小選挙区）を上回りそうだ。毎日新聞 2009年8月30日 21時02分（最終更新 8月30日 22時08分）
Aug 30, 2009
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きょう投票 １票が日本の進路を決める
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 30, 2009)An election that will chart Japan's future courseきょう投票 １票が日本の進路を決める（8月30日付・読売社説）Which political party and which candidates should be entrusted to take the helm of this nation? Today, Aug. 30, is the polling day for the 45th House of Representatives election. It is an election that will determine Japan's future path. 日本の舵(かじ)取りを委ねるのにふさわしい政党はどこか、候補者は誰か。有権者の１票が日本の進路を左右する。 きょう３０日、第４５回衆院選が投票日を迎えた。Voters must choose whether to continue under the current administration of the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner New Komeito, or to switch to a new administration centered on the Democratic Party of Japan. 自民、公明両党の現政権の継続か、民主党を基軸とする新政権の誕生か。The election campaign has focused not only on a straight evaluation of the accomplishments and policies of each party. Voters also have had to weigh up which party most deserves to govern. 今回の選挙戦では、各政党の実績、政策の評価に加えて、選挙後の政権の選択が大きな焦点となった。The LDP had to fight the election campaign in the face of a strong voter backlash. 自民党にとっては、強い逆風の下の選挙戦だった。After an overwhelming victory in the lower house election in 2005 under the administration of then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the premiership changed hands three times, passing to Shinzo Abe, Yasuo Fukuda and then Taro Aso. The party was subject to persistent criticism for passing the reins of government from one party head to another. 小泉政権下の前回衆院選での圧勝の後、安倍、福田、麻生と首相が３度も交代し、「政権たらい回し」の批判は根強かった。Since taking power in September, Prime Minister Taro Aso showed himself to be inconsistent and indecisive at a number of crucial moments, such as when he failed to explain what the flat-sum cash benefit program was meant to achieve. Each time he floundered, he pushed down the LDP's approval rating. 麻生首相も、昨年９月の政権発足以来、定額給付金の性格付けを始めとして、節目で発言のぶれや優柔不断さを露呈し、そのたびに自民党の支持率を押し下げた。For the DPJ, doubts have been raised over its ability to govern due to its composition--a motley collection of politicians from different parties ranging from conservatives on one side of the political spectrum to former members of the now-defunct Japan Socialist Party on the other. In addition, some observers have expressed caution over the party's desire to form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party, which has very different national security policies from the DPJ. 民主党に対しても、保守系から旧社会党出身までを党内に抱えた「寄り合い所帯」に起因する統治能力への疑問や、安全保障政策で開きのある社民党との連立を志向することへの不安などが、指摘された。=== Vote on policies, not feelings Some observers have said that the vote likely will reflect dissatisfaction with the LDP or anxiety over the DPJ, rather than voters' active decision to continue with an administration formed of the LDP-Komeito coalition or move to one centered on the DPJ. 有権者にとっては、自公政権か民主基軸政権かの積極的な選択というより、「自民党への不満か、民主党への不安か」の消極的な選択でしかない選挙だという指摘もある。However, the results of the lower house election will have a direct bearing on this nation's future. It cannot be correct to decide which party and politician to choose simply on the basis of one's discontent, anxiety or a fleeting emotion. しかし、衆院選の結果は、これからの日本の進路に直結する。不満であるとか、不安であるとかいった気分や、一時のムードで、決めていいはずがあるまい。Policies must, first and foremost, be the key criteria for deciding who to vote for. 有権者が投票の第一の判断基準とすべきは、やはり政策だ。 ◆政策を冷静に見極めよ◆Each party conducted its campaign by first drawing up a platform covering the policies each would implement during the four-year House of Representatives term. 各政党とも、衆院議員の任期である４年間に実施する政策を網羅した政権公約（マニフェスト）を掲げて選挙に臨んだ。Policies on pensions, health care, child-rearing and education, which are of great interest to voters in this nation that is rapidly aging and has a very low birthrate, as well as funding for those policies, surfaced as major issues in the election campaign. 中でも、少子高齢化が進む中で、有権者の関心が高い年金・医療、子育て・教育などの政策や、その財源の手当てが、主要な争点に浮上した。The LDP stressed it would introduce drastic reforms of the taxation system, including an increase of the consumption tax rate, to provide stable financing for the social security system. The LDP did not clarify when it would raise the consumption tax, saying only that it would occur after the nation achieved 2 percent year-on-year economic growth. 自民党は、社会保障の安定財源として、消費税率引き上げを含む税制抜本改革に取り組むと強調した。引き上げの時期は、年率２％の経済成長が達成されてからとしたが、明示は避けた。The DPJ listed many schemes that would provide direct payment of benefits to households as a way of boosting spending, such as child-rearing allowances. It said it would fund the measures by cutting spending in other areas, for example suspending nonessential projects. The party said it would not raise the consumption tax rate before the next lower house election. 民主党は、「子ども手当」など多くの直接給付型の家計支援策を掲げた。財源は、不要不急な事業の中止など徹底した歳出削減で捻出(ねんしゅつ)し、消費税率は次の衆院選まで据え置くとした。=== Leadership important Differences among the two key parties in the fields of diplomacy and national security are conspicuous, such as whether to press on with the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. インド洋における海上自衛隊の給油活動を継続するか否かなど、外交・安全保障政策でも各党の主張の違いは顕著だ。It is important to calmly assess the persuasiveness of each party's policies. We hope voters will thoroughly examine each party's stance. どの主張に説得力があるか、冷静に見極めることが大事だ。有権者には、各党の政策を十分に吟味してもらいたい。
Aug 30, 2009
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雇用と物価 デフレに至る悪循環を防げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 29, 2009)Deflationary pressures must be nipped in bud雇用と物価 デフレに至る悪循環を防げ（8月29日付・読売社説）Utmost caution must be exercised to prevent falling prices and the worsening employment situation from allowing deflation to take a vicelike grip on the nation's economy. 物価下落と雇用情勢の悪化が、深刻なデフレを招かぬよう、細心の注意が必要だろう。The nation's key consumer price index in July fell 2.2 percent from a year earlier, marking the first fall in the 2 percent range in the postwar period. ７月の全国消費者物価指数が、前年同月比２・２％下がり、下落率は戦後初めて２％台をつけた。Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in July climbed to a postwar high of 5.7 percent, up 0.3 percentage point from the previous month. 一方、７月の完全失業率は前月より０・３ポイント悪化して５・７％となり、戦後最悪を更新した。The worsening employment situation is eroding workers' incomes. Tightening the purse strings at home leads to sluggish sales of products and, in turn, to falling prices. As companies struggle with falling sales, they resort to restructuring and other measures to cut costs, exacerbating the grim employment situation. The latest government figures on prices and employment show that a vicious cycle of deflationary pressures is becoming increasingly real. 雇用の悪化で労働者の収入が減ると、物が売れなくなって価格が下がる。このため企業の売り上げが減り、リストラなどで雇用はさらに厳しくなる。物価と雇用の統計は、デフレの悪循環が現実味を増してきたことを示している。Whichever party takes power after Sunday's House of Representatives election, the new administration must do everything it can to arrest these deflationary pressures and boost the economy. 衆院選後の政権がどうあれ、デフレ阻止と景気浮揚に全力を挙げねばならない。The sharp price falls are due mainly to the drop in oil prices that soared last year. Gasoline prices fell as much as 30 percent from last year, lowering overall prices about 1 percent. 物価の大幅下落は、前年に高騰した原油の値下がりが主因だ。ガソリン価格は３０％も下がり、物価全体を約１％押し下げた。But prices, excluding those of energy-related products, fell 0.9 percent. The rate of fall was about the same as that in fiscal 2001 during a serious deflationary period. だが、エネルギー関連を除いた物価も０・９％下がり、下落率は深刻なデフレ期の２００１年度とほぼ同水準だ。=== Domestic demand weak The current deflationary trend should not be waved off as a temporary phenomenon caused by the correction in oil prices after they skyrocketed last year. Rather, weak domestic demand should be considered the major cause of falling prices. 現在のデフレ傾向を、原油高の反動による一時的な現象だと軽視してはなるまい。 物価下落の核心は、内需の不足にあると見るべきだ。The nation's real gross domestic product for the April-June period returned to positive growth for the first time in five quarters. However, the improvement was mainly attributed to a recovery in exports and policy initiatives under the government's stimulus package that, for example, increased sales of energy-saving home appliances. Worryingly, overall domestic demand remains weak. ４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は、５四半期ぶりにプラス成長に転じた。だが、輸出回復と、経済対策による省エネ家電の販売増加など政策効果が中心で、内需全体の足腰は弱い。Boosting consumption is critical for a full economic recovery. However, sales at department stores and supermarkets have been lethargic for a prolonged period, and sales at convenience stores, which had been brisk, registered a record plunge in July. 本格回復のカギを握る消費は、百貨店とスーパーの販売不振が長期化し、好調だったコンビニの売上高も、７月には過去最大の下げを記録した。Consumers are cutting back spending on foods and other daily necessities. Both the number of shoppers and the amount each shopper spent at convenience stores decreased last month. 消費者は、食品や日用品など必需品への支出を切りつめ、コンビニでは来客数と１人あたりの購入額が、ともに減った。=== BOJ has role to play Fierce price wars might be good news for consumers, but excessive discounting would add to a deflationary spiral, in which the economy heads south while prices fall. 安売り競争も激しい。消費者にはうれしいことだが、行き過ぎれば物価と景気が連鎖的に落ち込むデフレスパイラルにつながる。For the time being, we think it is necessary to bolster domestic demand through economic pump-priming and employment support measures. 当面は、景気・雇用対策で内需を支える必要がある。The Democratic Party of Japan has indicated it will overhaul the supplementary budget compiled for boosting the economy if it takes power. We agree that it is important to eliminate wasteful spending, but austerity measures such as drastic cuts in spending on public works projects should be avoided. 民主党は、景気対策のための補正予算を組み直すという。無駄の見直しは大切だが、公共事業の大幅カットなど緊縮策は避けねばならない。The Bank of Japan's monetary policy has a crucial role to play. Although the central bank has kept its key interest rate near zero, real interest rates will rise if prices fall. This would sap the impact of the bank's low interest rate policy. 日銀の金融政策も重要だ。政策金利はゼロ％に近い低さだが、物価下落率の分だけ、実質金利は上昇する。低金利政策の効果はかなり減殺されていよう。If the deflationary trend gets stronger, the central bank should consider taking additional measures, such as increased purchases of long-term government bonds and the introduction of a quantitative easing policy setting a target for the outstanding balance of current account deposits held by private financial institutions at the central bank. デフレ傾向が強まるようなら、長期国債の買い入れ増額や、日銀当座預金残高を目標とした量的金融緩和策の導入など、追加策を検討すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2009) （2009年8月29日01時03分 読売新聞）
Aug 29, 2009
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新型インフル ワクチンだけには頼れない
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 28, 2009)Vaccine isn't the only weapon against new flu新型インフル ワクチンだけには頼れない（8月28日付・読売社説）Expectations are rising that infections of the H1N1 strain of influenza A and further outbreaks could be prevented once the vaccine for the new flu becomes available. ワクチンがあれば新型インフルエンザの感染を防ぎ、急拡大も抑えられるのではないか――。 こんな期待が高まっているが、そうした思惑通りに行くだろうか。However, it is far from a foregone conclusion that things will pan out as expected. Even past epidemics of seasonal influenza have not been repulsed by a vaccination program. 例年のインフルエンザでも、ワクチンの接種で流行を抑え込めたという例はないからだ。Of course, vaccination can work to a certain extent. During ordinary flu seasons, vaccinated people will develop only relatively mild symptoms even if they become infected with the disease. 一定の効果はあるだろう。例年の流行でもワクチンを接種すれば症状は軽い、と言われてきた。Medical experts also point out that the spread of infection could slow if a large number of people are vaccinated. If the number of patients falling into critical condition is reduced thanks to a vaccination program, front-line doctors and hospitals would have more time to treat flu patients in general. 大勢が接種すると、感染拡大のペースが遅れるという効能も指摘されている。ワクチンで重症化する患者が減れば、その分、医師や病院も治療に余裕が持てる。However, the flu vaccine has the major drawback of providing only weak preventive effects. This is different from the vaccine for measles, which can prevent the disease developing once a person is inoculated. Furthermore, vaccination in general has very minor side effects. 問題は、インフルエンザワクチンの予防効果が低いことだ。接種すれば発症を防げる「はしかワクチン」などと異なる。しかも一般的にワクチン接種には、ごくわずかだが、副作用がある。The government must explain the limited effectiveness of the flu vaccination to the public. The most important thing is to help people understand that inoculation is not the only countermeasure against the new influenza strain. 政府は、インフルエンザワクチンの限界を国民に丁寧に説明する必要がある。特に大切なのは、ワクチンだけが対策ではない、と理解してもらうことだ。=== Prevention better than cure Obviously, preventing infection is the best way to defang the new-flu threat. Regularly washing one's hands and gargling are quintessential rules for preventing infection. Members of the public also must bear in mind that they will be unable to avoid infection if the virus spreads widely because most people are not immune to the new flu. まず予防する。手洗い、うがいは鉄則だ。ほとんどの人に免疫がないので、流行が拡大すれば、感染を免れることはできないという自覚も必要になる。However, it also should be remembered that most people, excluding small children and people with kidney and other chronic diseases, would likely display only mild symptoms even if they catch the new flu. Of course, people with mild symptoms should be careful not to spread this disease. その際、腎臓病などの持病を抱えた人や幼児を除き、通常はほとんどが軽症で済む、ということも覚えておきたい。無論、軽症でも感染を広げない注意は要る。Meanwhile, the shortage of vaccine for the seasonal influenza has often caused widespread consternation. ただ、例年のインフルエンザでも、ワクチン不足は各地に不安を広げることが、よくある。Worryingly, the same problem has become apparent regarding the new-flu strain. Domestic manufacturers are working flat-out to produce a vaccine for the new flu, but they are unable to produce enough to meet the nation's requirements. Japan reportedly faces a shortage of about 20 million doses. However, panic over the new-flu vaccine must be avoided. まして、今回は新型だ。新型用ワクチン製造は本格化しているが必要量に追いつかない。国内で約２０００万人分が不足する、とも言われている。新型のワクチンを巡る混乱は避けたい。=== Govt must pull out all stops The government must immediately discuss and decide who should be given priority in receiving vaccinations. It makes perfect sense that medical workers and people likely to develop serious symptoms should they catch the new flu be given priority. However, the current projected supply of vaccine is not sufficient even to cover these high-risk groups. そのためにも、ワクチンをだれに接種するか、優先順位の論議を急ぐ必要がある。医療従事者や新型感染で重症化しやすい人は当然だろう。それでも、現在の供給見通し量では追いつかない。The government should take every possible measure to acquire enough vaccine to combat the new flu. 政府は、新型用のワクチン確保に全力を挙げるべきだ。Importing vaccine from the United States and European countries has been touted as the best solution to meet this shortfall. However, the government has not yet settled on measures to confirm the safety of imported vaccine and detailed procedures to deal with possible side effects. その切り札として、欧米などからのワクチン輸入が有力視されている。ただ、安全性を確認する方法や副作用が出た時の詳細な対応が決まっていない。Until 15 years ago, the government required every primary and middle school student to be vaccinated against influenza. However, mandatory vaccination was terminated because of lingering doubts about its effectiveness and possible side effects. 国内では１５年前まで、小中学生全員にインフルエンザワクチン接種を義務づけていた。だが、副作用被害に加え効果を疑問視する意見も出て、廃止された。The government must tread carefully to ensure a sense of mistrust against flu vaccine does not take hold among the public once again. 再びワクチンへの不信感を広げることがない対応が重要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 28, 2009) （2009年8月28日01時16分 読売新聞）
Aug 28, 2009
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放送・通信融合 新たなルール整備が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 27, 2009)New regulatory system needed for airwaves放送・通信融合 新たなルール整備が必要だ（8月27日付・読売社説）Through technological innovations, new types of services that are not covered by existing regulations targeting broadcast and communications services have emerged. To make such new "buds" part of the industry's growth strategy, related rules and regulations need to be reviewed. 技術革新によって、従来の放送・通信に対する規制の枠に収まらないサービスが登場している。新たな芽を成長戦略につなげるには、ルールの見直しが必要だろう。The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry's advisory panel on information and communications services has compiled a proposal to drastically review regulations on broadcast and communications services. 総務省の情報通信審議会が、放送と通信の規制を抜本的に改める答申をまとめた。The proposal calls for reviewing the current regulatory categorization of services based on the type of operation, such as wired or wireless services, and instead recategorizing the services based on function, such as program production and radio transmission. 通信か放送か、無線か有線か、といった業態別の区分を見直し、番組制作や電波送信といった機能別に組み直す内容である。There are as many as nine major laws governing information and communications services. The laws include a number of regulations that do not match the actual situation. It therefore is of great significance to remove barriers between broadcast and communications services, eyeing the integration of those services. 情報通信関連の法律は主なものだけで九つもあり、実態にそぐわない規制も多い。今回、放送と通信の融合をにらみ、垣根を取り払う意義は大きい。=== Function key under plan Under the envisaged new regulatory framework, there would be no distinction between communications and broadcast services. Services would instead be categorized into three areas--program contents offered to viewers; transmission infrastructure such as communications networks and transmitting stations; and transmission services for conveying information to viewers. 新たな規制の枠組みでは、通信と放送の区分はなくなり、〈１〉視聴者に提供する「番組の内容」〈２〉通信網や送信所などの「伝送設備」〈３〉視聴者に情報を届けるための「伝送サービス」――の３分野にくくり直される。The regulations on radio waves, which separately target broadcast and communications services, would be relaxed so that broadcast stations could distribute their programs on cell phones and broadcast their programs via cell phone antennas. 放送用、通信用に分かれている電波の規制も緩和され、放送局が携帯電話に番組を配信したり、携帯電話のアンテナを使って放送したりできるようになる。By reforming regulatory categories so they are based on functions, it would become easier for broadcasters to operate their program production and transmission services in separate corporate entities. Local broadcasters would be able to improve management efficiency by jointly using transmission equipment. It also would be possible for outside businesses to enter the broadcasting services field by renting other companies' equipment. 規制が機能別になることで、放送局は番組制作と送信業務を別会社で実施しやすくなる。複数の地方局が送信設備を共用すれば経営の効率化に役立とう。他社の設備を借りる形での異業種からの放送事業への参入も可能になる。An invigorated business environment would result in expanded and cheaper communications and broadcasting services. The industry should strive to create new services by putting consumers' interests first. 放送・通信の活性化は、サービスの多様化や通信料の値下げにつながる。業界は利用者の利便向上を最優先に、新サービスの創出に努めてほしい。Some observers have pointed out that under the new regulatory framework it would be easier for the government to intervene in the content of programs, a situation that would threaten the independence of broadcasters. 新たな規制の枠組みに対しては、国が番組内容に口出ししやすくなり、放送局の自立性が脅かされるとの指摘もある。The proposal says there would be no new regulations imposed on information on the Internet, and that editorial freedom in respect of broadcast programs would be stipulated under the law. It is essential to give due consideration to freedom of expression during the process of drafting related bills. 答申は、インターネット上の情報には新たな規制は設けず、放送番組の編集の自由は法律に明記するとしている。今後の法案化作業で、表現の自由に対する十分な配慮は不可欠だろう。=== Fix administrative structure The Democratic Party of Japan, in its policy pledges for the upcoming House of Representatives election, suggested that administration of broadcast and communications services be taken out of the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry's jurisdiction to prevent the government from intervening in broadcast services. 民主党は衆院選に向けた政策集で、放送への国の介入を排除するため、放送・通信行政を総務省から分離させるとしている。The main opposition party called for the creation of an independent administrative commission, modeled after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, to which administrative power would be devolved from the ministry. The DPJ apparently intends not only to revise the current regulations, but to reform administrative structures as well. 米国の連邦通信委員会（ＦＣＣ）をモデルにした独立行政委員会を新設し、権限を移管する案だ。規制の見直しと同時に、行政組織のあり方についても再検討するということだろう。But transplanting a U.S. model alone would not ensure the smooth operation of broadcast and communications administrative services. What is necessary first and foremost is to review the current administrative structure that involves the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and a cabinet member whose portfolio includes information technology policy. しかし、米国型の移植だけで放送・通信行政は円滑に進むまい。総務省や経済産業省、ＩＴ（情報技術）担当大臣が並立する今の行政の見直しが先決ではないか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2009) （2009年8月27日01時30分 読売新聞）
Aug 27, 2009
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｢英字新聞｣学習の手引き
学習の手引き最初に日本語を読んで意味を理解してから、英文を読解する。なれてきたら今度は、英文を先に読んで意味を理解する。翻訳思考で英文を理解するのでなく、英文のまま理解することが大切です。英文で意味を理解できたら、日本語の文章は専門用語の確認をする程度で結構です。辞書辞書はネイティブによる発音が充実したものを購入してください。スラチャイは小学館のbookshelf 2.0を愛用しています。英語の発音は理解しているつもりでも間違って覚えているものが多いものです。発音記号とネイティブの発音を比較しながら、耳から直接覚えるようにしてください。社説社説の文章はやさしくはないですが、それほど難しくもありません。この程度の文章を瞬時に読解できるようになれば、外国で英語を使って仕事をするときにも十分通用すると思います。実績昨年（2008年）の６月からこのトレーニングを開始して丁度１年が経過しました。最初は一件の社説を読解するのに２時間近くかかっていましたが、現在では15分くらいで読解できるようになっています。私のささやかな毎日の努力が英語学習者の一助になれば、これに勝る喜びはありません。srachai from khonkaen, thailand
Aug 26, 2009
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アジア外交 膨張する中国とどう向き合う
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 26, 2009)China, Asia policy vital part of election debateアジア外交 膨張する中国とどう向き合う（8月26日付・読売社説）In the campaign for Sunday's House of Representatives election, the contending political parties have all touted their policies on Asian issues, but what voters really want to hear about is how the parties intend to fulfill their campaign promises and what actions the parties will take to solve the problems at hand. 衆院選では、各党ともアジア外交を重視する姿勢を打ち出している。だが、有権者が知りたいのは、公約実現に向けた道筋や、目の前にある懸案への具体的な処方箋(せん)である。In its manifesto, the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan promises to create an East Asia Community. The central plank in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Asia platform is to tie Japan's economic growth to that of Asia. New Komeito, the LDP's ruling coalition partner, also touts the promotion of economic integration in Asia. 民主党は政権公約で、「東アジア共同体」の構築を目指すとしている。自民党は、アジア全体の経済成長を日本の成長につなげる政策を柱に据える。公明党もアジア地域の経済統合推進を掲げる。East Asia consists of several countries with a broad spectrum of political systems. It is a realistic choice to move toward economic partnership among them as a first step toward closer integration. Sixteen countries, including India and Australia, plan to soon start discussing an East Asian economic partnership agreement. 東アジアは政治体制の異なる多様な国々から成る。経済連携を先行させるのは現実的な選択だろう。インド、豪州を含む１６か国による「東アジア経済連携協定」の検討も近く始まる予定だ。There are many problems to overcome to achieve such an agreement. Negotiations between Japan and Australia on a free trade agreement faltered over liberalization in the agricultural sector. Negotiations with India and South Korea also are sluggish and have made little progress. だが、課題は多い。日本と豪州の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉は、農業分野の貿易自由化が障害となって全く進んでいない。インド、韓国との交渉も停滞気味だ。=== Farm policy vs trade policy The DPJ modified the expression in its manifesto concerning a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement after opposition from agricultural organizations. It is difficult to harmonize domestic agricultural policies and trade liberalization. 民主党が、日米ＦＴＡに関する政権公約の表現を農業団体の反発を受けて修正したように、国内農政と貿易自由化をどう調和させるかは難しい問題だ。If political parties intend to promote the idea of creating an East Asia Community or the importance of economic partnership, they should clearly explain to voters how they will overcome these obstacles. 共同体や経済連携を公約に掲げるのなら、こうした具体的課題にどう取り組むかも語るべきだ。Among Asian issues, of particular importance is Japan's relationship with China in light of China's emergence as both an economic and military superpower. All the parties call for strengthening ties with China, but none outline specific measures for accomplishing this goal. 中でも肝心なのが対中関係だ。経済、軍事両面で大国化する中国とどう向き合うか。各党とも対中関係の強化を掲げているが、具体性に乏しい。It is natural for Japan to develop closer economic ties with China, but the nation must consider ways to safeguard its intellectual property rights and protect itself against the kind of widespread production of knock-off merchandise and pirated DVDs rampant in China. 経済関係を緊密化していくのは当然としても、模造品の横行やＤＶＤの違法コピーなど知的財産権の侵害をどうやって防ぐか。As Japan largely depends on China for its food, it also is important to ensure food safety. There has been no progress in clarifying what happened in the food poisoning cases involving frozen gyoza dumplings made in China. 多くの食材を中国に依存している中で、「食の安全」を担保することも大事だ。中国製冷凍ギョーザによる中毒事件も、依然、解明が進んでいない。=== Numerous pressing concerns In addition, there are many other pressing issues between the two countries, including treaty negotiations for a joint gas field development project in the East China Sea and securing a stable supply of rare metals from China. ほかにも、東シナ海のガス田共同開発に向けた条約交渉、レアメタル（希少金属）の安定供給確保など、懸案は山積している。China's rapid military buildup also is a vital issue for East Asia. 中国軍の増強も、この地域にとって大きな懸念材料だ。China's defense spending has grown by double-digit percentages for 21 consecutive years. Chinese naval vessels are expanding their operational areas south into the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. China makes no secret of its intention to construct an aircraft carrier. 国防費は２１年連続で２ケタの伸びを示し、海軍の活動範囲は太平洋やインド洋まで拡大している。空母建造への意欲も隠さない。It is necessary to tenaciously urge China to be more open about its military policy, including the reasons behind its military buildup--whether, for example, it is only for national defense or for securing sea lanes. 単に国防や海上輸送路の確保が目的なのか。その意図を含めて、軍事面の透明性を高めるよう、中国に対して粘り強く働きかける必要がある。In addition to relations with China, there are other points of contention over Asian policy in the election, including how to handle the threat of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. There is limited time before voting day, but we hope that the political parties will deepen their debate over foreign policy in Asia to address these vital issues. 対中関係以外にも、北朝鮮の核・ミサイルの脅威にどう備えるかなど論点は数多くある。投票日まで残り少ないが、議論を掘り下げてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2009) （2009年8月26日01時23分 読売新聞）
Aug 26, 2009
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雇用対策 若者の就労支援が緊急課題だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 25, 2009)Helping youth find jobs is an urgent task雇用対策 若者の就労支援が緊急課題だ（8月25日付・読売社説）The upcoming House of Representatives election will be held amid growing concern over employment. Though individual parties have proposed measures to tackle the employment crisis, none offers a quick fix. 雇用不安が高まる中での選挙戦である。各党は危機に対応した雇用対策を掲げるが、即効薬があるわけではない。Voters should carefully consider what effect particular policies will have on their workplace. 個々の対策について、労働現場に及ぼす影響などを慎重に見極める必要がある。The government and the ruling parties have taken emergency countermeasures for employment-related problems in the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget and through other means. The Liberal Democratic Party is quite right to tout these policies in its manifesto for the lower house election. They include drastic expansion of job-training programs and an emergency employment project under which local governments would create jobs with grants from the central government. 政府・与党は２００９年度の補正予算などで緊急対策を講じてきた。自民党が、これらを公約の前面に掲げたのは当然である。職業訓練の大幅な拡充や、国からの交付金で地方が雇用を創出する緊急雇用創出事業などだ。The nation's unemployment rate stands at 5.4 percent. There is growing speculation that it is only a matter of time before the rate tops the current post-World War II record high of 5.5 percent. Will it be possible to put the brakes on this worsening trend? The effectiveness of the job-creation measures will be tested against such circumstances. 完全失業率は５・４％まで上昇した。今後、過去最悪の５・５％を超えるのは必至との見方も強まっている。悪化傾向に歯止めをかけることができるか。対策の効果が試される局面でもある。=== DPJ wooly on dispatch issue Three opposition parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party--have pledged to strengthen measures to boost employment in a common policy pledge. The measures include setting up a system to help those seeking jobs and banning, in principle, the dispatch of temporary workers in the manufacturing sector and to daily-paid jobs. 民主・社民・国民新の野党３党は、共通の公約に「雇用対策の強化」を盛り込んだ。求職者支援制度の創設、製造業派遣や日雇い派遣の原則禁止、などだ。The system to assist job-seekers is meant to provide financial assistance to nonregular workers and others who are not covered by unemployment insurance while they are participating in job-training programs. The government and ruling parties have already introduced a similar system in the supplementary budget for fiscal 2009. 求職者支援制度は、雇用保険の適用を受けない非正規労働者などを対象に、職業訓練期間中の生活を支援する制度だが、政府・与党も、すでに０９年度の補正予算で同様の制度を設けている。While the system established by the government and the ruling parties is a temporary measure that will expire in three years, the opposition parties propose a permanent system. However, the government and the ruling bloc plan to examine the advisability of extending the system after studying its effects and the employment situation. In this regard, there is no major difference between the two systems. 政府・与党の制度は３年の臨時措置、野党案は永続的な制度、と違いはあるが、政府・与党も効果や雇用情勢を踏まえて存続の是非を検討する方針だ。与野党間に大差があるわけではない。As for the dispatch of temp workers in the manufacturing sector, the DPJ proposes to set up a system for jobs requiring specialized skills and knowledge, and allow those engaged in jobs that fall into this category to be employed as dispatch workers. But the party has failed to spell out the details of the system it envisages. 製造業派遣について、民主党は新たに専門職制度を設け、その部分については認める方針だ。しかし、専門職制度とは何なのか、具体的な説明がない。Moreover, what will happen to the nearly 500,000 people who are currently dispatched as temp staff in the manufacturing industry? We suspect they will end up shifting to other unstable positions, such as subcontractor jobs, in which people are hired by one company to work at another firm. It will be impossible for us to judge how effective the proposed system will be unless the party provides a clear picture of how it plans to secure employment in the manufacturing sector. 製造業派遣で働く５０万人近い人の雇用はどうなるのか。請負など別の不安定雇用に移るだけではないのか。原則禁止後の製造現場の雇用の姿を示してくれないと、判断のしようがない。=== Future in hands of young The LDP also takes the position of banning the dispatch of workers to daily-paid jobs, in principle. However, there is a demand for short-term jobs from both employees and workers. We believe what needs to be done first is to set up a simple, smooth system for introducing work to job seekers, instead of relying on temporary staffing service firms. 日雇い派遣は自民党も原則禁止の立場だが、短期間の仕事の需要は求人求職の双方にある。派遣に代わる簡便で円滑な職業紹介の仕組みを設けることが先決だ。The government must also make efforts to widen a system to hire dispatch workers as regular employees in cooperation with the business sector. At the same time, it needs to take into account the danger that simply regulating a flexible working style may leave people out of a job. 産業界とも協力し、派遣労働者を正社員に転換させる制度を拡充していくべきだ。同時に、柔軟な働き方を規制するだけでは、かえって雇用の場が失われる危険性も考慮しなければならない。As society is steadily graying while the birthrate is declining, the number of unemployed and nonregular workers is increasing among young people, who are expected to play central roles in society in the future. 少子高齢化が進む中で、将来を担う若者の間で失業者や非正規労働者が増えている。How can we nurture young people who are motivated to work and support them? This is an urgent problem for us to tackle, regardless of which party or parties takes the reins of government. 働く意欲のある若者を社会全体でどう育て、支えていくか。政権の行方にかかわらず、緊急の課題である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 25, 2009) （2009年8月25日01時26分 読売新聞）
Aug 25, 2009
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成長戦略 本格回復の展望が見えない
Both LDP, DPJ's recipes for growth lack punchThe Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 24, 2009)成長戦略 本格回復の展望が見えない（8月24日付・読売社説）Although the nation's economy has come out of its worst period, no clear direction for a full-scale recovery can be seen. 日本経済は最悪期を脱したが、本格回復への道筋は見えない。Amid such circumstances, attention in the House of Representatives election campaign is focused on political parties' strategies for achieving a steady economic recovery and stable growth. こうした中、衆院選では、着実な景気回復と安定成長に向けた各党の戦略が注目されている。High economic growth can no longer be expected for the Japanese economy, which is mature. However, economic growth is indispensable for supporting a society in which the majority of people can maintain modestly satisfactory living standards and live without significant anxiety for their future. 成熟した日本経済には、もはや高度成長は望めまい。だが、多くの国民がそこそこ満足できる生活水準を維持し、将来に大きな不安を感じず暮らせる社会を支えるには、経済成長が欠かせない。Firstly, the economy needs to be righted again in a steady manner. まず、当面の景気を着実に回復させる必要がある。Secondly, the framework of the nation's economy, which is highly dependent on exports, must be reformed to balance domestic and foreign demand. Structural changes in the economy, including shrinking domestic demand due to a declining population and aging society, and the aggravating factor of international competition resulting from the rise of emerging economies, also need to be dealt with. 次に、輸出依存が強い経済構造を改め、内需と外需のバランスをとらねばならない。人口減少や高齢化による内需縮小、新興国の台頭による国際競争の激化など、経済の構造変化への対応も求められる。=== LDP policies already on menu The Liberal Democratic Party has pledged a numerical goal for the economic growth rate and a deadline for achieving it in the party's election campaign platform, promising to achieve 2 percent year-on-year economic growth in the second half of fiscal 2010. The party also said it will create domestic demand worth 40 trillion yen to 60 trillion yen and secure about 2 million jobs over the next three years. 自民党は、「２０１０年度後半には年率２％の経済成長を実現する」などと、成長率の目標と時期を公約した。今後３年で４０～６０兆円の需要を生み出し、約２００万人の雇用を確保するという。Credit should be given to the LDP as the party has vowed to achieve specific goals. Its stated policies of fostering vitality in the private sector through providing support for research in environmental industries and other growth areas while continuing to implement economic stimulus measures also are laudable. 具体的な目標達成を約束したことは、評価できる。景気対策を続けながら、環境をはじめ成長分野の研究支援などで民間活力を高める手法も妥当だろう。But specific measures drawn by the LDP are less persuasive, as existing policies are listed in the manifesto, such as expansion of solar power generation and boosting sales of energy-saving home electrical appliances through utilizing the eco point system. They alone do not seem capable of realizing the goals the LDP has set. だが、具体策は迫力不足だ。太陽光発電の拡大やエコポイントによる省エネ家電の普及など、既にある政策が並び、目標が実現しそうな手応えが感じられない。=== DPJ not saying who'll pay bill Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan has not set target figures for economic growth and other issues. The rate of economic growth will affect how major tasks, such as fiscal reconstruction and social security system reform, are approached. If the DPJ claims it is capable of taking the reins of government, it should spell out goals. 一方の民主党は、成長率などで具体的な目標を掲げなかった。経済成長の状況は、財政再建や社会保障改革など主要課題の取り組みにも影響する。政権を担うというのなら、明示するべきだ。The DPJ's strategies for economic growth mainly consist of measures to directly provide benefits to boost household budgets, such as child-rearing allowances, making public high school education free of charge and scrapping highway tolls. The DPJ's manifesto says its strategies will boost consumption and transform the nation's economy into one led by domestic demand. 民主党の成長戦略は、子ども手当や高校無償化、高速道路の無料化などで家計が使えるお金を増やす「直接給付型」の支援中心だ。消費を拡大し、日本経済を内需主導に転換するとしている。While households receiving benefits will increase their consumption, domestic demand will cool off if public works projects are slashed. Reviewing already-formulated budgets also has downsides. In the first place, consumption will not become self-sustaining merely by dint of the government handing out cash to support household budgets. 給付を受けた世帯は消費を増やすとしても、他方で公共事業が削減されれば内需を冷やす。予算の組み替えにはマイナス面もある。そもそも、家計への予算ばらまきで消費を増やし続けられまい。To expand consumption steadily, it would make more sense to enhance trust in the social security system, thus shifting the excessive amount of savings, which households hoard because of fears about the future, into use for consumption. 安定した消費拡大には、社会保障制度の信頼性を高め、家計が将来不安で抱えた「過剰貯蓄」が、消費に回るようにすればいい。Holding off on raising the consumption tax rate for the next four years, which the DPJ has pledged in its campaign platform, will not secure stable financial resources that are vital for strengthening the social security system. A mood of anxiety will spread, dampening consumption. 民主党が公約する「消費税率４年凍結」では、社会保障の強化に必要な安定財源の確保が見通せない。不安が一段と強まり、消費拡大には逆効果となろう。We hope that DPJ lawmakers will engage in fundamental discussions on strategies for economic growth with an eye toward the future. 将来を見据えた、骨太の成長戦略を論議してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 24, 2009) （2009年8月24日01時26分 読売新聞）
Aug 24, 2009
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日米同盟 責任分かち信頼を強化せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 23, 2009)Proactive security stance key to Japan-U.S. alliance日米同盟 責任分かち信頼を強化せよ（8月23日付・読売社説）Given that North Korea's nuclear and missile threat has manifested itself, it is necessary to strengthen the Japan-U.S. security alliance to enhance the effectiveness of both bilateral defense cooperation and the combined deterrent force. 北朝鮮の核とミサイルの脅威が顕在化した今、日米同盟を強化し、防衛協力の実効性と抑止力を高める必要がある。The alliance is important, not only in dealing with issues surrounding North Korea but also other concerns. 同盟の重要性は、北朝鮮問題だけにあるのではない。The establishment of a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance would serve this nation's interests in responding to the worldwide recession, global warming and energy issues. It also would benefit Japan with regards to the nuclear disarmament efforts proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Japan's mid- to long-term relations with China, a country that has been moving further toward major power status. 世界不況や地球温暖化、エネルギー問題への対応、オバマ大統領の提唱する核軍縮、さらに大国化する中国との中長期的関係を展望するうえでも、強固な日米関係の構築が日本の国益にかなう。Both the Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party of Japan manifestos for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election name the Japan-U.S. alliance as the main axis of Japan's diplomacy. Despite this, the parties' policies relating to the alliance differ greatly. 自民、民主両党は衆院選の政権公約で、ともに日米同盟を日本外交の基軸と位置づけている。だが、その中身は大きく異なる。As part of its proposed measures to solidify the alliance, the LDP has decided to adopt a policy of partially allowing the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, a longstanding issue, so that Japan could intercept ballistic missiles heading toward the United States and protect U.S. military vessels from armed attacks. It is a welcome move. 自民党は、同盟強化の具体策として、米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃や米軍艦船の防護を行うため、長年の懸案である集団的自衛権の行使を一部容認する方針に踏み込んだ。歓迎したい。=== Review the Constitution Japan currently does not have the capability to shoot down missiles heading toward the United States, so gaining that ability is an issue to be discussed in the future. Sticking to the nation's stance of prohibiting missile interception in accordance with the Constitution could shake the Japan-U.S. alliance. 日本は現在、米国向けミサイルの迎撃能力を持たないため、実際には将来の課題だが、憲法上できないという姿勢に固執していては同盟関係が揺らぎかねない。In this regard, it is important for the ruling and opposition parties to work on reviewing the government's interpretation of the Constitution on the matter and establishing a basic law governing Japan's national security in a suprapartisan fashion. 政府の憲法解釈の見直しや安全保障基本法の制定に、与野党が超党派で取り組むことが大切だ。A more solid Japan-U.S. alliance cannot be realized through passive diplomacy under which Japan simply abides by U.S. demands and requests. It is important that Japan adopts a proactive diplomatic stance under which it actively considers how to solve problems, puts forward proposals and plays a role that is in keeping with its strength as a nation. 日米同盟の強化は、単に米国の要求・要望に従うという受動的外交では実現しない。日本が問題解決の手段を積極的に考え、提案したうえ、国力に応じた役割を果たす能動的外交が重要となる。=== DPJ behaving irresponsibly The DPJ's manifesto stresses its slogan of building "a close and equal Japan-U.S. alliance" and stipulates "Japan will fulfill its responsibilities by sharing roles with the United States." 民主党は公約で、「緊密で対等な日米同盟関係」を標榜(ひょうぼう)し、「米国と役割を分担しながら日本の責任を果たす」と明記した。However, what does an "equal" relationship really mean and what kind of roles and responsibilities does the DPJ plan to take on? The DPJ's manifesto fails to address these critical points. The party is acting very irresponsibly if it plans to consider such points only after taking the reins of government. だが、「対等」とは、どんな関係で、いかなる役割と責任を果たすのか。最も肝心な部分への言及がない。政権交代後に考えるというのでは、あまりに無責任だ。There is no country in the world that maintains an equal footing with the United States in terms of military strength. U.S. allies are striving to play their respective roles to the extent they can in the international security arena. 軍事的に米国と対等な国は存在しない。米国の同盟国は、それぞれが可能な範囲で国際安全保障上の役割を懸命に担っている。In Afghanistan, more than 40 countries are currently engaged in the fight against terrorism, so far enduring the sacrifice of more than 1,300 lives. The DPJ's policy, which will end even the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the far safer Indian Ocean, will never make an "equal alliance" viable. アフガニスタンでは、四十数か国が計１３００人超の犠牲に耐え、「テロとの戦い」に従事している。はるかに安全なインド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動さえ終了させるという民主党の方針では、「対等な同盟」は成り立つまい。The DPJ also says the planned relocation within Okinawa Prefecture of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan in the prefecture, which has been agreed between Japan and the United States, should be reviewed and instead the facilities should be relocated outside the prefecture or abroad. However, the Okinawa prefectural government has approved the relocation of the facilities within the prefecture and only requested minor changes in the relocation site. 民主党は、日米間で合意した米海兵隊普天間飛行場の沖縄県内移設を県外・国外移設に見直すよう主張する。だが、沖縄県は、県内移設自体は容認し、移設場所の微修正を求めているにすぎない。Reviewing the relocation of the Futenma Air Station is tantamount to scrapping bilateral negotiations and agreements achieved over the past 13 years and would deeply harm the mutual trust built up by the two countries. 移設見直しは、過去１３年間の交渉・合意の白紙化を意味し、日米の信頼関係を深く傷つけよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2009) （2009年8月23日01時15分 読売新聞）
Aug 23, 2009
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憲法改正 「国づくり」の基本を論じよう
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 22, 2009)Parties, candidates must debate top law reform憲法改正 「国づくり」の基本を論じよう（8月22日付・読売社説）There must be quite a few people who still feel somewhat unsure about the election pledges or manifestos prepared by political parties for the upcoming House of Representatives election. In what direction do the political parties want to lead this country? この国をどの方向へ導こうとしているのか。各党の政権公約をみても、いま一つ判然としない、と感じている人は少なくないだろう。This election will be a chance for voters to select which party they think deserves to govern the country. Accordingly, voters need to listen to each party's vision for this country's society and what course the nation should take. We think each party should take part in a debate to make their respective positions clear on the Constitution, which can be regarded as the "shape of the nation." 「政権選択」の選挙だといわれる。とするなら、目指すべき社会の姿や国家の進路について各党の見解を聞く必要がある。そのためには、「国のかたち」とも言うべき憲法の論戦が不可欠だ。However, we have heard almost no debate on constitutional reform even though the election campaign is in its final stretch. We find this a worrying development. しかし、選挙戦も終盤なのに、憲法改正論議がほとんど聞こえてこない。どうしたことか。=== Don't avoid discussion The Liberal Democratic Party at least emphasizes in its manifesto that it will revise the nation's top law based on the party's draft of a new constitution. 自民党は、政権公約でこそ、「自民党新憲法草案」に基づいて早期改正を実現する、と強調している。However, the argument on instituting the party's constitution has been almost drowned out amid the chorus of calls by Prime Minister Taro Aso and other LDP candidates' attempts to win over voters by putting economic stimulus measures first. だが、その自主憲法制定論も、麻生首相をはじめとする「景気対策最優先」の訴えの前に、かき消されがちだ。Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama is known to favor reforming the Constitution. However, the DPJ's election pledges only say that the main opposition party "will carefully and positively examine" the issue of revision. This gives no indication whatsoever about where the party stands on this issue. Such wording must leave voters scratching their heads. 民主党の鳩山代表は、改憲論者として知られる。だが、民主党の政権公約は、憲法問題について、「慎重かつ積極的に検討」すると書いている。前向きなのか、後ろ向きなのか。これでは有権者は戸惑うだけだろう。The Social Democratic Party only talks about "protecting the Constitution." We think it is quite regrettable if the DPJ has been ducking debate over revising the Constitution due to fears that such exchanges would only cause confusion in and hinder its joint campaign efforts and coalition negotiations with the SDP. 社民党は、「護憲」一辺倒である。民主党が、社民党との選挙協力や連立協議の混乱、不調を恐れて憲法論議を忌避しているとすれば、極めて残念なことだ。However, lower house members elected in the coming election will have to face the Constitution issue whether they like it or not. ただ、今回の選挙で当選する衆院議員は、憲法問題に、否応(いやおう)なく向き合うことになる。The National Referendum Law that defines procedures for revising the Constitution will be enforced next May. This will legally enable the submission of a bill for revising the Constitution to the Diet. 憲法改正手続きを定めた国民投票法が来年５月には施行されるからだ。法律上は、憲法改正原案の国会提出が可能になる。=== All issues related to Constitution Policy pledges trumpeted by political parties for the looming election--such as child-rearing allowances, scholarships and tuition exemptions, employment measures and the promotion of the decentralization of government functions to local authorities--are all inextricably connected with the top law. 衆院選で各党が掲げている子育てや教育支援、雇用対策、地方分権などの公約も、憲法に深いかかわりをもっている。After the election, the fuel supply mission of the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean as part of antiterrorism operations will again become the subject of intense bickering between ruling and opposition parties. How to clarify the Self-Defense Forces' international peace cooperation activities in the Constitution will be one of the contentious issues in any possible revision of the top law. 選挙後は、インド洋での海上自衛隊による給油活動の継続の是非が、再び与野党の争点になる。こうした自衛隊の国際平和協力活動を憲法にどう明文化するかは、憲法改正の一つの論点である。Whether the government's interpretation that the Constitution prohibits Japan's exercise of the right to collective self-defense should be altered to help this nation better deal with the ballistic missile threat posed by North Korea will be another unavoidable political issue. 北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルに対処するため、集団的自衛権行使を禁ずる政府解釈を変更するかどうかも、避けて通れぬ政治課題だ。We think the lower house's Deliberative Council on the Constitution, which has for all intents and purposes been rendered dormant, should be reactivated during the Diet session after the election. 選挙後の国会では、休眠状態にあった衆院憲法審査会を本格始動させなければならない。According to a recent Yomiuri Shimbun survey of prospective candidates in the upcoming election, 98 percent of those in the LDP and 62 percent of those in the DPJ said that the current Constitution should be revised. 読売新聞が先に実施した立候補予定者アンケートによれば、自民党では９８％、民主党でも６２％が、「今の憲法を改正する方がよい」と答えていた。Each party, not to mention each candidate, should make debate on the Constitution a top item on its agenda--and make clear its views on this crucial issue. 新しい「国づくり」に向けて、各党、候補者は、憲法について大いに論じ合うべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 22, 2009) （2009年8月22日01時07分 読売新聞）
Aug 22, 2009
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少子化対策 「手当」「無償化」で済むのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 21, 2009)Parties must grapple with declining birthrate少子化対策 「手当」「無償化」で済むのか（8月21日付・読売社説）A report compiled by a government advisory panel on social security issues states, "The declining birthrate is the biggest challenge confronting Japan." Meanwhile, a report released by a different government advisory panel studying strategies to realize a "secure" society notes, "The continuously declining birthrate is 'a quietly advancing emergency.'" 「少子化は日本が直面する最大の課題」 「少子化の進展は“静かな有事”である」 前者は政府の社会保障国民会議、後者は同じく安心社会実現会議の報告書の一文だ。The ruling parties and, by the same token, the opposition parties would be foolish to challenge these views. 与党はもちろん、野党もこの認識に異論はあるまい。The nation's total fertility rate--the estimated number of children a woman will bear in her lifetime--has improved slightly to 1.37. However, this is still a very low figure, and the number of children in the country continues to decrease each year. 合計特殊出生率は１・３７とわずかに上向いたものの、低迷を続けている。子どもの数は年々減少する一方だ。=== Financial incentives It was inevitable that the political parties would put expanded support measures for child-rearing families at the heart of their policy pledges for the upcoming House of Representatives election. 衆院選で、各党が子育て支援の充実を公約の中核に据えたことは当然だろう。In particular, the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan has proposed the creation of a child allowance scheme that would provide 26,000 yen per month for each child up to middle school age. 特に民主党は、中学生以下の子ども１人当たり月２万６０００円を支給する「子ども手当」の創設を掲げた。We applaud the party for proposing such a bold plan. 大胆に経済支援を打ち出したこと自体は評価できる。However, it is crucially important to find fiscal resources to fund this idea. それには財源の裏付けが不可欠だ。Under the envisaged plan, the child allowance would be provided across-the-board, regardless of family income levels, and could end up totaling about 5.3 trillion yen. 子ども手当は、所得に制限を設けず一律支給するため、５兆３０００億円が必要になる。The DPJ intends to raise part of the funds through such measures as scrapping tax deductions for spouses. However, this would still leave a shortfall of about 3 trillion yen, which the party insists could be covered by reviewing the state budget, among other measures. 民主党は、配偶者控除を廃止するなどして財源の一部をまかなう方針だが、それでも約３兆円足りない。この分は予算の見直しなどで捻(ねん)出(しゅつ)する、という。With the abolition of the spouse deduction, tax burdens would be heavier for some households, such as those without children or those that contain women who already have raised children. Conversely, households with children--even high-income homes--would be entitled to the child allowance. また、配偶者控除を廃止することで、子どもがいないか、子育てを終えた専業主婦のいる家庭などでは負担増になる場合がある。一方で、子どもがいれば、所得の高い世帯にも手当は支給される。The DPJ argues that child-rearing should be supported by society as a whole and that the financial burden should be shared. A considerable number of people, however, have voiced objections to the proposed measures. 民主党は、子育ては社会全体で応援し負担を分担しよう、と訴えているが、こうした措置には異論も少なくない。In an apparent bid to counter the DPJ's proposals, the Liberal Democratic Party and its ruling coalition partner, New Komeito, have posited that preschool education be free. 自民党と公明党は、子ども手当に対抗するように「幼児教育の無償化」を打ち出した。The parties have yet to work out the details of the plan, such as whether unauthorized day care centers should fall within the remit of the scheme. Even if only kindergartens and authorized day care centers were covered, it would still cost about 800 billion yen. As the consumption tax rate is unlikely to be raised anytime soon, no permanent revenue source has been identified to fund this plan. 無認可の保育所まで対象にするのかなど、具体的な検討はこれからだが、幼稚園と認可保育所に絞っても約８０００億円が必要になる。これも、消費税の引き上げが実現するまで恒久財源のめどはたっていない。=== Additional measures The child allowance scheme and the provision of free preschool education--moves apparently aimed at wooing voters--should not be relied upon too heavily as the main measures for coping with the declining birthrate. 「手当」と「無償化」という、選挙での受けを狙った政策が突出することは、少子化対策として好ましいことではない。In addition to the financial support for households, improved administrative services, such as more day care centers, also should be considered as priorities for child-raising families. 子育て家庭には、経済支援とともに、保育所の増設など行政サービスの充実も重要だ。Regardless of which party takes up the reins of government following the general election, the new administration will have to focus on fulfilling the vote-garnering financial support measures pledged during the election battle. We think the ruling and opposition parties should first and foremost strive during the election campaign to offer grander visions for tackling the declining birthrate. ところが、このままではどの党が政権についても、選挙でアピール合戦をした経済支援に集中せざるを得なくなるだろう。与野党は少子化対策の全体像を示すことによって競い合うべきだ。Voters, for their part, must carefully consider which party has the clearest concept for expanding the support measures, and sourcing and allocating the necessary financial resources. 有権者は、ビジョンを持って施策を拡充しようとしている政党はどこか、財源の裏付けとともに見極める必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2009) （2009年8月21日01時35分 読売新聞）
Aug 21, 2009
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金大中氏死去 問われ続ける太陽政策の功罪
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 20, 2009)'Sunshine policy' weighs on Kim Dae Jung legacy金大中氏死去 問われ続ける太陽政策の功罪（8月20日付・読売社説）Kim Dae Jung, who recently died at the age of 85, was the first South Korean president to pay a visit to North Korea, during which he held a historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, and afterward was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 韓国大統領として初の北朝鮮訪問で金正日総書記と会談し、ノーベル平和賞を受賞した金大中氏が８５歳で亡くなった。South Korea's modern history cannot be told without mentioning Kim Dae Jung. Throughout his life, he was a constant presence in the midst of the nation's political turbulence. 韓国の現代史は、金大中氏を抜きに語ることはできない。激動する政治の渦の中心に、その身をおいた生涯だった。He became known the world over when he was abducted in Tokyo by South Korean intelligence agents and forcibly taken back to Seoul in 1973. ３６年前、東京で韓国情報機関要員に拉致され、ソウルに強制的に連れ戻された金大中事件で、世界にその名が知れ渡った。He then endured persistent suppression by the then South Korean administration, including imprisonment and house arrest. In 1980, he was sentenced to death on treason charges. 以来、当時の韓国政権から収監や自宅軟禁など執拗(しつよう)に弾圧を受け、１９８０年には、内乱陰謀罪で死刑を言い渡された。Without ever giving in, he continued to lead the democratic movement. Kim's courage was the driving force in ending that nation's military rule. Nobody can deny that achievement. それに屈せず民主化運動の先頭に立ち続けた勇気が、軍事政権を終焉(しゅうえん)させる原動力となった。その功績はだれも否定できない。After he was elected president, at his fourth attempt, he led the nation to overcome an unprecedented economic crisis through drastic structural reforms. He also saw the country achieve remarkable breakthroughs in the area of information technology. ４回目の挑戦で大統領となると、未曽有の経済危機を大胆な構造改革で克服し、韓国を情報技術（ＩＴ）先進国に躍進させた。On the other hand, despite major steps forward, he was unable to settle some important issues he set out to tackle. 大きな一歩を踏み出しながら、期待通りにことを運べなかった重要な課題もある。=== Triumphs and letdowns In 1998, Kim, together with then Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, signed a Japan-South Korea joint declaration, expressing an intention to seek future-oriented development in bilateral relations by putting an end to past historic issues. Kim decided to lift restrictions on Japanese pop culture, which resulted in a dramatic increase in exchanges between Japan and South Korea. 金大統領は９８年、小渕首相と日韓共同宣言に署名し、過去の歴史問題に区切りをつけ未来志向の関係を発展させるとした。日本の大衆文化を解禁して、日韓の往来が急増する契機を作った。But in the later years of his only term as president, the South Korean government requested Japan make further alterations to history textbooks used in middle schools, despite the fact that the books had already been screened once. This was apparently driven by strong nationalistic sentiments in South Korea. He thus failed to solve tensions over perceptions of history between the two countries. しかし任期後半、韓国のナショナリズムに押された形で、韓国政府は日本の中学歴史教科書の検定内容の修正を要求した。歴史認識をめぐる双方のわだかまりは解けないままに終わった。In relations with North Korea, Kim's "sunshine policy" took a conciliatory approach, under which South Korea tried to persuade Kim Jong Il's regime to effect change through economic assistance. Such a shift in policy--from confrontation to coexistence--opened up new diplomatic avenues on the Korean Peninsula. 北朝鮮との関係では、経済支援によって金正日体制の変化を促すという太陽政策を掲げた。「敵対」から「共存」への路線転換は、朝鮮半島情勢に新局面を開いた。But given the current situation, which has seen North Korea step up its nuclear and missile programs significantly, Kim Dae Jung's legacy cannot avoid criticism that aid to North Korea only helped further its nuclear development. だが、北朝鮮が核とミサイルを格段に強化した現状を見れば、支援は北朝鮮の核開発につながっただけ、との批判は免れない。=== Whither inter-Korea relations? What changes will Kim Dae Jung's death bring to the situation on the Korean Peninsula? It likely will be a big blow to North Korea following the suicide of former South Korean President Roh Moon-hyun, who also was an advocate of the sunshine policy. 金大中氏の死は、今後の朝鮮半島情勢にどんな動きをもたらすのか。太陽政策を支えた盧武鉉前大統領の自殺に次ぐ今回の死去は、北朝鮮に大きな痛手だろう。Following Kim Jong Il's reported expression of sympathy over Kim Dae Jung's death, North Korea reportedly intends to send a delegation to the funeral. Taking this opportunity, the two nations may look for ways to resume bilateral talks. 北朝鮮は、金総書記の弔電に続き、弔問団も派遣するという。これを機に、南北対話再開を模索する可能性がある。South Korean President Lee Myung Bak has pressed North Korea over the abandonment of its nuclear development program. He also has called on North Korea to begin bilateral talks for reducing conventional weapons. Lee's initiative is aimed at patching up holes in the sunshine policy, under which South Korea failed to take measures to ease military tensions with North Korea, despite the call for peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang. 韓国の李明博大統領は、核放棄の決断を促し、南北の通常戦力削減協議の開始を提案している。平和共存を唱えながら軍事的な緊張を緩和する措置を講じなかった太陽政策の欠陥を補うものだ。If the sunshine policy is to be seen as a success, it will be when North Korea abandons its nuclear program and engages in dialogue with South Korea for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. 太陽政策が肯定的に評価されるとすれば、それは、北朝鮮が核を放棄し、半島の平和定着に向けた南北対話に取り組む時だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2009) （2009年8月20日01時04分 読売新聞）
Aug 20, 2009
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衆院選公示 政権構想と政策を吟味しよう (1/2)
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 19, 2009)Voters deserve a clear presentation of policies衆院選公示 政権構想と政策を吟味しよう（8月19日付・読売社説）Official campaigning for the House of Representatives election kicked off Tuesday. This is an extremely important contest, the outcome of which will steer the future course of the nation. 日本の進路を左右する極めて重要な衆院選が１８日、公示された。We hope that each voter, political party and candidate will carry an awareness of the significance of this election and fulfill their respective responsibilities in it. 各政党、候補者はもとより、有権者一人ひとりが、今回の総選挙の意義をしっかりと自覚し、それぞれの責任を果たしてもらいたい。The nation faces a number of difficult and serious problems. 日本は今、多くの困難かつ深刻な課題に直面している。The world economy appears to be emerging from the business downturn that struck the globe at the same time, but has yet to reach full-fledged recovery. How to put the nation's economy on a recovery path while taking into consideration the worsening employment situation is a pressing problem. 世界経済は、同時不況から脱しつつあるが、本格的な景気回復には至っていない。悪化が続く雇用情勢に目配りしつつ、いかに日本経済を回復軌道に乗せるのか。 ◆経済をどう回復させる◆With the declining birthrate combined with the aging of the population, the assumption of a social security system supported by a steadily growing economy no longer holds water. It is necessary to work on a new mechanism that addresses benefits and burdens and to reconstruct a sustainable system to realize it. 少子高齢化が進む中、右肩上がりの経済成長が前提の社会保障制度は機能しない。新たな給付と負担のあり方を検討し、持続可能なシステムを再構築する必要がある。The security environment surrounding the nation has grown more severe. North Korea is accelerating its nuclear and ballistic missile development and China is aiming to be a military superpower. 日本を取り巻く安全保障環境はかつてなく厳しい。北朝鮮は核・弾道ミサイル開発を加速させ、中国の軍事大国化も進む。日本の平和と安全をどう確保するのか。How can the nation's peace and security be ensured? Appropriate ways to solve these pressing issues should be a key point of contention in the election. 衆院選で争われるべきは、これらの課題に対する適切な処方箋(せん)だろう。=== Priorities of the 2 coalitions Each political party and candidate needs to present fresh visions for the nation and the policies needed to realize them so that voters can have clear choices. 各党と候補者は、日本の新たな国家像と、それを実現するための政策を語り、有権者に選択肢を示すべきだ。Both the ruling and opposition parties are presenting their ideas of a government with the notion that they will be establishing ruling coalitions. 与野党は、連立政権を前提に政権構想を提示している。A good way to see which policies a future government would give priority to is to look at the common policies of the current ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, and the common policies of three opposition parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and People's New Party. 政権選択の重要な手がかりは、自民、公明の連立与党の重点政策と、民主、社民、国民新の野党３党による共通政策だろう。As their growth strategy, the ruling parties have pledged in their common campaign platform to create domestic demand worth 40 trillion yen to 60 trillion yen and secure 2 million jobs over the next three years. They specify that they will implement drastic tax reforms--including raising the consumption tax rate once the economy recovers--to ensure a stable financial resource for social security programs. 与党は、経済成長戦略として「今後３年間で４０～６０兆円の需要を創出し、２００万人の雇用を確保する」と強調した。社会保障の安定財源として、景気回復を前提に、消費税を含む税制の抜本改革を実行するとも明記している。Though the pledge carries the responsible attitude of a ruling party toward tackling economic recovery and financial reconstruction in two stages, the presentation's concrete measures to realize these policies have not been made clear. The two parties need to provide a more understandable explanation of this to voters. 景気回復と財政再建に２段階で取り組む方針を明示したのは、責任ある態度だが、実現に向けた具体的な道筋は不透明である。より明確な説明が求められよう。The three opposition parties tout as their top policy priority the support of household budget concerns, such as directly providing child-rearing allowances and free high school education. They aim to increase disposable incomes and spur economic growth through domestic demand. They also say they would leave the current consumption tax rate unchanged until the next lower house election. 野党３党は、子ども手当、高校無償化など直接給付型の家計支援を最重点施策に掲げた。国民の可処分所得を増やし、内需主導型の成長を目指す。消費税率は次期衆院選まで据え置くという。=== Promises must be paid for If the opposition parties were to implement these new policies, estimated to cost about 16.8 trillion yen a year, it would indeed bring about a certain expansion in domestic demand. But there is no denying that the ideas presented regarding domestic demand-led growth were made hastily, as evidenced by the common criticisms that the plans are "pork-barrel policies" and "lack future growth strategy." 年１６・８兆円にも上る新規施策を実施すれば、内需拡大に一定の効果は持つだろう。だが、内需主導型の成長戦略は、「ばらまき」「成長戦略がない」との批判を受けて急遽(きゅうきょ)示したもので、“後付け”との印象は否めない。Since it was first presented, a fundamental question of whether the opposition parties can really secure this 16.8 trillion yen a year only through cuts in wasteful spending has not been cleared up. そもそも、１６・８兆円もの財源を無駄遣いの排除などだけで本当に捻出(ねんしゅつ)できるのか、という根本的な疑問も解消されていない。
Aug 19, 2009
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衆院選公示 政権構想と政策を吟味しよう (2/2)
◆４年間の総括が重要◆In the fields of foreign policy and national security, the ruling parties stipulated the continuation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and antipiracy mission off Somalia. 外交・安全保障分野で、与党は、海上自衛隊によるインド洋での給油活動やソマリア沖での海賊対処活動の継続を明記した。Both missions are important activities for Japan to assume its role in the international community's fight against terrorism, and to reinforce its alliance with the United States. いずれも、国際社会の「テロとの戦い」の一翼を担い、日米同盟を強化する上で重要な活動だ。On the other hand, the three opposition parties have made no reference to foreign and national security policy issues in their common policy. 一方、野党３党の共通政策は外交・安保政策に言及していない。This is primarily because of the large difference in the positions taken by the three parties, with, for instance, the SDP opposed to the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces abroad. Yet this is merely an attempt at postponing the solving of thorny issues until after the election. 社民党が自衛隊の海外派遣に反対するなど、各党の立場に大きな隔たりがあるためだが、難題を衆院選後に先送りしたにすぎない。Should the three parties form a coalition government, while leaving their stances on such a fundamental issue murky, will they be able to pursue a responsible foreign policy and protect the national interest? 国家の基本にかかわる問題をあいまいにしたまま、連立政権を組んだ場合、責任ある外交を展開し、日本の国益を守れるのか。It is important for parties to deepen their discussion on foreign affairs and national security through the election campaign. 選挙戦を通じて、外交・安保政策論議を深めることが大切だ。=== View of the past Another vital point is how to sum up the track record of the ruling coalition government of the LDP and New Komeito since the previous lower election four years ago. 前回衆院選以来４年間の自公連立政権を、どう総括するかも重要な視点だ。The ruling parties suffered a crushing defeat in the House of Councillors election in 2007. Ever since, the Diet has been divided with the DPJ-led forces dominating the upper house and the ruling coalition parties controlling the lower house--sending the Diet's business into disarray. ２００７年参院選で与党が大敗した結果、国会は衆参ねじれ状態となり、機能不全に陥った。As a matter of course, the ruling parties' major defeat stemmed from the problems involving the ruling coalition government, including the sloppy management of public pension data by the Social Insurance Agency and the opaque reports of office expenses of political fund management organizations of Cabinet members. Yet, the DPJ may also carry grave responsibility for the political turmoil under the divided Diet, as the party, under the leadership of Ichiro Ozawa, pursued a strategy of all-out confrontation with the ruling parties. 年金記録漏れや閣僚の事務所費問題など、大敗の原因は無論、自公政権にある。だが、ねじれ国会での政治の混乱については、小沢代表の下、政局至上主義で与党と全面対決に走った民主党側にも大きな責任があろう。Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his successor Yasuo Fukuda both abandoned their administrations about one year after taking office, making apparent the LDP's declining ability to govern. 安倍、福田両首相は各１年で政権を放り出し、自民党の統治能力の低下を露呈させた。Meanwhile, successive DPJ leaders Seiji Maehara and Ichiro Ozawa also resigned to take responsibility for scandals that damaged the party, with Maehara quitting over a DPJ lawmaker using a faked e-mail to make spurious accusations against a relative of an LDP Diet member, and Ozawa stepping down over false records of political fund donation, incidents that increased people's distrust of politics. 民主党の前原、小沢両代表も偽メールや政治資金の問題で辞任し、国民の政治不信を高めた。Both the ruling and opposition camp should bear in mind that it is their joint responsibility to rebuild the public's trust. 政治への信頼回復は、与野党の連帯責任であることを忘れるべきではない。=== Future of nation at stake ◆「日本の進路」熟考を◆A change of government, as the DPJ asserts, is an important element for realizing a sound parliamentary democracy. 民主党の主張する「政権交代」は、健全な議会制民主主義を実現するうえで重要な要素だ。Yet the crucial point is not a "change of government" per se, but how the nation's politics should be changed through changes in the government. ただ、肝心なのは、「交代」自体ではなく、「交代」によって政治をどう変えるかだろう。The upcoming election is the third time the lower house poll has been fought based on the political parties' respective policy platforms they intend to pursue if they come to power. 今回は、各党が政権公約を掲げて戦う３回目の衆院選となる。Their policy pledges cover a wide range of issues and include a lot of highly technical matters. Voters should not be bewildered by mere make-believe populist policies, campaign tactics or fleeting sociopolitical atmosphere of the moment. 政権公約は多岐にわたり、専門的な内容も多い。単なる人気取りの政策や選挙戦術、一時のムードに惑わされてはなるまい。Voters must think carefully and consider the issues from multiple angles to grasp the pros and cons of the parties' policies level-headedly and choose the administration. 政策の是非を冷静に見極め、政権を選択するためには、複眼的な思考が有権者に求められる。The upcoming lower house election is an important opportunity for us to think seriously about the future course of the nation and push the nation's politics forward. 今回の衆院選を、日本の進路を熟考し、政治を前進させるための重要な一歩としたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2009) （2009年8月19日01時17分 読売新聞）
Aug 19, 2009
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ＧＤＰプラス 本格回復へ詰めを誤るな
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 18, 2009)Govt must pull out stops for full-fledged recoveryＧＤＰプラス 本格回復へ詰めを誤るな（8月18日付・読売社説）Though statistics show the nation's economy has finally hit bottom, this does not mean there is no risk that the economy will fall back into recession. 景気の下げ止まりが数字で確認されたが、腰折れの危険が完全に去ったわけではない。The nation's gross domestic product grew 0.9 percent in the April-June period from the previous quarter, which represents an annualized growth rate of 3.7 percent, marking the first expansion in five quarters. ４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は、前期比０・９％増、年率換算で３・７％増と、５四半期ぶりにプラス成長となった。Exports began increasing thanks to the recovery of overseas economies, while on the domestic front, consumer spending and public investment got a shot in the arm from the government's economic-stimulus measures. 海外景気の持ち直しで輸出が増加に転じたほか、国内需要でも、景気対策の恩恵を受けた消費や公共投資が伸びた。Though the rapid economic downturn, which had progressed at the worst pace since the war, has halted, annualized real GDP stands at 526 trillion yen, down about 40 trillion yen from a year ago, a state of affairs that fails to convince us that the economy is on a recovery track. The government must not stumble in putting the finishing touches on its policies for a full-scale business recovery. 戦後最悪のペースだった景気の急落は止まったが、年換算の実質ＧＤＰは５２６兆円と、１年前より約４０兆円少なく、回復の実感は乏しい。本格回復の実現へ、政策の詰めを誤ってはならない。GDP growth in the April-June period was led by overseas demand. During that period, China and many other Asian countries achieved high economic growth. In the United States and Europe, the margin of economic contraction narrowed, while exports of major products, such as electronics parts and automobiles, recovered. 今回のプラス成長は、外需主導だった。４～６月期は、中国などアジアの多くの国が高い成長率となったほか、欧米もマイナス幅が縮小し、電子部品や自動車など、主力品目の輸出が回復した。Nevertheless, the prospects for overseas economies remain highly uncertain. Therefore, whether the Japanese economy will be able to get on a stable recovery track hinges on the strength of domestic demand. とはいえ、海外経済の先行きは不透明感が強い。日本経済が安定した回復軌道に乗るかどうかは、内需の力強さにかかっている。=== Self-sustained demand crucial The fact that consumer spending, which accounts for about 60 percent of GDP, moved into positive territory, is encouraging news. In particular, consumption of consumer durables, such as electrical appliances and vehicles, increased significantly. The government's pump-priming measures, such as tax breaks and subsidies for the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles, and the introduction of the eco point system aimed at boosting sales of eco-friendly electrical appliances, have proved quite successful. ＧＤＰの６割を占める消費がプラスに転じたのは明るい材料だ。特に家電や自動車など耐久消費財の消費が大幅に増えた。エコカー購入時の減税や補助、省エネ家電のエコポイント制度など対策の効果が大きかった。Public spending, which was boosted in supplementary budgets, showed the largest growth in about 10 years, helping push up GDP. 補正予算で追加された公共投資も、約１０年ぶりの高い伸びとなり、ＧＤＰを押し上げた。The series of economic-stimulus measures put forward by the government and ruling parties since last summer was accompanied by fiscal deterioration. However, the measures can be viewed as appropriate policy decisions because they helped prevent the economy from sinking into a double-dip recession. 昨夏から政府・与党が相次いで打ち出した景気対策は、財政悪化の副作用を伴ったが、景気の底割れを防いだ点で、妥当な政策判断だったと評価できよう。But once the pump-priming steps' positive effects have run their course, there will be concern that consumer spending and public investment will slow down. だが、対策の効果が出尽くせば、消費や公共投資の息切れが心配になる。It is desirable that domestic demand move into a self-sustaining recovery mode, which is evidenced by the expansion of consumption resulting from higher employment and higher incomes, supported by policy measures. However, the prospects for such a situation are grim. 政策で下支えしているうちに、雇用・所得の改善による消費拡大など、内需の自律回復への移行が望まれるが、見通しは厳しい。=== Austerity not the answer now Unemployment continues to rise, and workers' income is on the decline due to cuts in bonus and overtime pay. Under such circumstances, we urge the government to make steady efforts to tackle unemployment and provide financial assistance to those in trouble. The government must not hesitate to take additional measures when necessary. 失業の増加が続き、ボーナスや残業のカットで労働者の収入も減っている。失業対策や生活支援を粘り強く続け、状況に応じて追加策もためらうべきでない。Capital investment, another pillar of domestic demand along with consumer spending, has long been sluggish. Additional policies aimed at spurring business activities, such as further investment tax credits, are likely to be necessary. 消費と並ぶ内需の柱の設備投資も長期低迷が続いている。投資減税の追加など、企業を元気づける政策がさらに必要となろう。At this stage, the government must not take the short-term economic recovery for granted and switch to belt-tightening policy measures, such as cutting down on public works projects. 足元の回復に安心して、公共事業削減など緊縮政策に転換することは、厳に慎まねばならない。We also urge the government--irrespective of the political situation--to avoid delaying the compilation of the fiscal 2010 budget, which would hinder policy implementation. 政局の都合で来年度予算の編成が遅れ、政策遂行に支障が出る事態も避けるべきだ。Whichever party or parties take the reins of government following the general election, a business recovery must continue to be the government's top priority in its economic policies. 総選挙の結果、どの党が政権を担うことになっても、「景気最優先」の経済政策を続けねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 18, 2009) （2009年8月18日01時22分 読売新聞）
Aug 18, 2009
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香山リカのココロの万華鏡：芸能界の違法薬物問題 ／東京
(Mainichi Japan) August 16, 2009Alleged drug use by celebrities sending shockwaves through Japanese society香山リカのココロの万華鏡：芸能界の違法薬物問題 ／東京 芸能界の違法薬物問題が、社会に大きな衝撃を与えている。In times past, people in show business were seen as unique and free-spirited, living outside the rules of society. In recent years, however, I'd heard celebrities being characterized as well-mannered and generally the model-student type, barely touching alcohol or going out all night. "Unless you're the serious type, the kind who's interested only in pets and books, there's no way you can survive the brutal world of show biz," a friend of mine who works at a television station once told me. その昔は、芸能人といえば個性的で奔放、世の中のルールの枠外で生きる人たちというイメージもあったが、最近はむしろ礼儀正しく優等生的な人が増えていると聞いた。「お酒も飲まず夜遊びもしない、趣味は読書とペット、なんていうまじめなタイプでなければ、今の厳しい芸能界で生き抜いていけないよ」とテレビ局に勤める友人が教えてくれたこともあった。Having been on television programs with young celebs, I've found them to be surprisingly hardworking and polite. Whenever I encounter students with a poor command of honorific language at the university where I teach, I silently think, "You really could learn a thing or two from spending a few months at a talent agency." 私もたまにテレビの情報番組で若いタレントさんといっしょになることがあるが、みな勉強熱心であいさつもきちんとできるので驚かされる。大学で敬語も使えない学生を見るたび、「キミたち、芸能プロダクションで何カ月か修業してくれば」と言いたくなる。And yet, just recently, celebrities popular among the younger generation have been arrested on suspicion of drug possession and use. More than a few fans must have been disappointed to discover that their beloved idols were irresponsible people after all. それにもかかわらず今回、若者に人気の俳優やタレントが、麻薬や覚せい剤を所持・使用していた容疑が判明した。「結局はいいかげんな人たちだったのか」と失望したファンも多いのではないか。Every time the issue of drug abuse in the entertainment industry resurfaces, people attribute it to the acute pressures of the industry. Indeed, show business is characterized by irregular employment, where a top star today could have the plug pulled on a on his TV series next month. Those with a strong sense of duty especially must experience sleepless nights, worrying about an unpredictable tomorrow and the trouble they could potentially cause their family and colleagues. こういった芸能界の麻薬や覚せい剤汚染が問題になるたび、「浮き沈みの激しい業界のプレッシャー」が原因ではないか、という声が上がる。たしかに芸能界や音楽界は、ある意味で非正規雇用者の集団。今日は人気者でも来月には「ドラマ打ち切り」などの憂き目にあうかもしれない。とくに責任感の強い人なら、「明日はどうなるのだろう、家族やスタッフに迷惑をかけるのでは」と不安で眠れない夜もあるに違いない。Still, turning to drugs to alleviate pressures one finds unbearable is unacceptable. Perhaps I'm being harsh, but people who are that fragile are probably not fit for show business to begin with. とはいえ、そのプレッシャーに耐えられず、それを紛らわすために薬物に手を出すようなことがあってよいはずはない。厳しい言い方をすれば、それほど脆弱（ぜいじゃく）な人は、そもそも芸能人に向いていない、と言ってもよいかもしれない。Drugs momentarily provide users with extraordinary sensations, but they also have various harmful effects on the body. Most of all, their danger lies in the emotional and physical dependency that users can develop on them, making quitting incredibly difficult. You could say that virtually no one who uses drugs thinking they'll stop "after a few times" is actually able to do so. 麻薬や覚せい剤は、使用した瞬間はいつもと違う刺激や感覚が味わえるが、身体にはいろいろ有害な影響がある。それに何より精神的、身体的な依存に陥り、「もうやめよう」と思ってもやめられなくなるのが恐ろしい。遊び感覚で「数回だけなら」と思って使用し、本当に数回でやめられた人はほとんどいないと言ってもよい。There are reports that of late, drugs, seen as "relaxation medication" or something akin to vitamins and dietary supplements, are exchanged among young people with ease. Regardless of one's justification for drug use -- be it to relieve stress, seek excitement, or as mere recreation -- what is wrong is wrong. If you are unwilling to experience your demise and that of those around you, take this to heart: do not mess with drugs. (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist) さらに最近は、若い人のあいだでは麻薬が「サプリメント」と「リラックスできる薬」などと言われて、気軽に受け渡しされているとも聞く。プレッシャーから逃れるため、刺激を求めて、遊び気分で。どんな言い訳をしようと、ダメなものはダメ。自分とまわりを崩壊させたくないなら、手を出すべきではない。これだけは肝に銘じておきたい。毎日新聞 2009年8月11日 地方版
Aug 17, 2009
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野球の五輪落選 魅力をどう世界に広めるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 16, 2009)IOC decision tough on baseball, softball野球の五輪落選 魅力をどう世界に広めるか（8月16日付・読売社説）Even if Tokyo is chosen to host the 2016 Olympic Games, we will not be able to enjoy watching the battle for baseball and softball medals. ２０１６年の東京五輪招致が実現しても、野球とソフトボールのメダル争いは見ることができなくなった。The International Olympic Committee executive board has selected golf and rugby sevens for proposed inclusion in the 2016 Summer Games. The board will submit the two sports for ratification by the IOC Assembly in Copenhagen in October. １６年夏季五輪で実施する競技について、国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）の理事会は、ゴルフと７人制ラグビーを追加候補に決めた。１０月の総会で最終決定する。Baseball and softball, which have been dropped from the Olympic program for the 2012 London Games, failed in their comeback bids. As both are sports Japan had a chance of winning gold medals in, it was a regrettable outcome for this nation. １２年のロンドン五輪で実施競技から外れる野球とソフトボールは、選から漏れ、五輪復帰はならなかった。日本にとっては、どちらも金メダルを狙える競技だけに、残念な結果である。=== Baseball stars failed to speak Baseball is only popular in a few regions around the world, and this may be the main reason it was dropped from the Olympic program. While baseball is popular in Japan and the United States, it cannot be denied that in Europe it lags well behind other popular sports, such as soccer, and is a minor sport there. 野球は、盛んな地域が限られている。落選した最大の要因は、そこにあるだろう。日本や米国では人気競技だが、欧州ではサッカーなどの陰に隠れたマイナーなスポーツであることは否めない。The failure of U.S. Major League Baseball's leading players to state whether they would participate in the Games also affected the outcome. In contrast, leading golfer Tiger Woods appealed to the board for his sport to be included in the 2016 Summer Games. 米大リーグのトップクラスの選手が、五輪に出場するかどうか、はっきりしないままだったことも響いた。ゴルフでは、第一人者であるタイガー・ウッズ選手が、五輪競技入りをアピールしたのとは対照的だったといえる。The participation of star players increases interest in a sporting event, which in turn allows higher broadcasting rights fees to be charged, bringing in increased funds for the IOC. スター選手が出場することで、注目度が高まれば、テレビの放映権料が高騰し、ＩＯＣの財政は潤う。This fact undoubtedly formed the basis of the decision to select golf and not baseball for proposed inclusion in the 2016 Olympics. ゴルフが選ばれ、野球が落選した背景には、こうした側面があったことは否定できまい。Allegations of performance-enhancing drug use by MLB players may also have been a key factor behind the IOC's decision, as the committee has toughened its stance on doping. 大リーグでの相次ぐ薬物疑惑も、ドーピング対策に力を入れるＩＯＣから見れば、大きなマイナスポイントであったといえる。There is no doubt the World Baseball Classic will continue to be seen as an important event. To spread baseball's appeal around the world, efforts must be made to improve the standing of this competition that determines the world's number one national baseball team. 今後、ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）の重要性が増すのは間違いない。世界一を決める大会として、さらに充実させ、野球の魅力を広く発信していく必要がある。In the second WBC, which was held in March, it was great to see that the competitiveness of European baseball teams had greatly improved. This is encouraging in terms of promoting the internationalization of the game. ３月の第２回大会で、欧州チームのレベルアップが目立ったのは、野球の国際化を進めるうえで、心強いことだ。If Japan and the United States continue to play a leading role in promoting the sport around the globe, such improvements in the skill level of emerging baseball nations should lead to the return of the game to the Olympic program in the future. 日本や米国が先導役となって、世界的に普及を図っていく。それが、将来の五輪復帰につながるはずだ。The IOC decision also came as a huge shock to softballers, for whom participation in the Olympics was their main goal. Maintaining the high standards that saw the Japanese national team win the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has now become a pressing issue. 五輪を最大の目標としてきたソフトボールの選手にとっても、今回の落選は大きなショックであろう。昨年の北京五輪で金メダルを獲得した実力を、どう維持していくかが課題である。=== Good news for golfers If golf is officially included in the 2016 Summer Games, we would be able to cheer on Ryo Ishikawa and Ai Miyazato as they drive for gold. ゴルフが五輪競技に加われば、石川遼選手や宮里藍選手が金メダルを目指し、奮闘する姿が見られるかもしれない。If Tokyo hosts that Games, the inclusion of the two players would make the Olympics even more exciting. 東京五輪でそれが実現すれば、大会は大いに盛り上がるだろう。On Oct. 2, the IOC will pick the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games. We hope the nation's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games continues to gain momentum. １６年夏季五輪の開催地が決まる１０月２日に向けて、招致の機運を一層盛り上げていきたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 16, 2009) （2009年8月16日01時39分 読売新聞）
Aug 16, 2009
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終戦の日 追悼めぐる論議を深めよ (1/2)
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 15, 2009)Time to discuss how to commemorate war dead終戦の日 追悼めぐる論議を深めよ（8月15日付・読売社説）Whenever we ponder on those who dedicated their lives for the cause of our nation, our heart aches with deep emotion 「くにのためいのちささげし ひとびとの ことをおもへば むねせまりくる」This poem by Emperor Showa (1926-1989) is inscribed on the monument to the memory of the war dead at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. 東京・千代田区の千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑の碑に刻まれた昭和天皇のお歌である。Once again, the day has arrived on which the nation commemorates the end of World War II. The government will host a memorial service for the war dead at Nippon Budokan hall, which is close to the national cemetery. 今年も「終戦の日」を迎えた。千鳥ヶ淵の墓苑にほど近い日本武道館では、政府主催の全国戦没者追悼式が行われる。In an ordinary year, the ceremony is attended by the Emperor and Empress as well as the heads of the three branches of state power: the heads of both houses of the Diet, the prime minister and the Supreme Court chief justice. In this regard, it is the nation's most solemn event. This year, however, the House of Representatives speaker will not attend because the lower house has been dissolved ahead of the upcoming general election. 天皇、皇后両陛下と共に、例年、三権の長である衆参両院議長、首相、最高裁長官が列席する。日本国として最も厳粛な儀式である。とは言え、今回は衆院が解散されているため衆院議長は不在だ。This year marks the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II. The war broke out with the German invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939. Germany had concluded a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union only a week earlier on Aug. 23. 今年は第２次大戦勃発(ぼっぱつ)から７０周年の年でもある。１９３９年９月１日、ドイツのポーランド侵攻で始まった。直前の８月２３日には独ソ不可侵条約が締結された。Soon after, Soviet forces invaded Poland and annexed three Baltic states. The three states only regained their independence shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. ソ連もポーランドに侵攻し、バルト３国を併合した。３国が独立を回復するのは、９１年にソ連が崩壊する直前のことである。In July, the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted a resolution calling for the anniversary of the day the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact was concluded to be a day of remembrance for victims of Stalinism and Nazism. The session was held in Lithuania--one of the Baltic states that came under Soviet control. バルト３国の一つ、リトアニアで今夏開催された全欧安保協力機構（ＯＳＣＥ）の議会は、独ソ不可侵条約が締結された日を、「スターリニズムとナチズムの犠牲者追悼の日」とすることなどを求める宣言を採択した。=== Diplomatic blunders During the war years, Japan repeatedly made diplomatic blunders by making approaches to Germany and the Soviet Union. このドイツとソ連に接近して外交上の失敗を繰り返したのが、当時の日本だった。The Imperial Japanese Army initially believed it could keep the Soviet Union in check by forming an alliance with Germany. The signing of the nonaggression treaty between those two countries, however, stunned the Cabinet of Prime Minister Kiichiro Hiranuma, which resigned en masse after issuing a statement that said, "Europe's heaven and earth are complicated and inscrutable." 日本陸軍は当初、ドイツと同盟を結び、ソ連をけん制しようと考えていた。その独ソによる不可侵条約の締結に驚いた平沼騏一郎内閣は「欧州の天地は複雑怪奇」との声明を出して総辞職した。Later, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe concluded the Tripartite Alliance with Germany and Italy as well as the Japanese-Soviet Neutrality Pact. Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka apparently thought the impasse in Japan-U.S. relations could be broken by balancing against Britain and the United States by strengthening cooperation among four countries--Japan, Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union. その後、近衛文麿内閣は日独伊三国同盟と日ソ中立条約を締結した。松岡洋右外相は日独伊にソ連を加えた４か国の連携で、英米との力の均衡をはかり、日米関係を打開しようと考えていた。But Matsuoka's plan was scuttled by the outbreak of hostilities between the Soviet Union and Germany. The next cabinet, that of Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, decided to go to war with the United States--a reckless undertaking on Japan's part. だが、独ソ戦が始まり構想は破綻(はたん)した。続く東条英機内閣は、米国との無謀な戦争に踏み切る。As the conflict drew closer to its end, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki asked the Soviet Union to broker a deal with the Allies to end the war. However, the Soviet Union turned its back on the neutrality pact with Japan and invaded Manchuria (what is now northeastern China). As a result, 575,000 Japanese officers and soldiers were captured and detained in Siberia and other parts of the Soviet Union. An estimated 55,000 Japanese are believed to have died in the Soviet Union after the war. 戦争末期、鈴木貫太郎内閣はソ連に終戦の仲介を依頼したが、ソ連は日ソ中立条約を破って旧満州（現中国東北部）に侵攻した。５７万５０００人の将兵がシベリアなどに抑留され、５万５０００人が死亡したと推定されている。A massive amount of documents detailing the Japanese detainees has recently been discovered at a Russian archive. We hope these documents will help identify the Japanese who died in Soviet detention. 最近、ロシアの公文書館で抑留者の資料が大量に見つかった。ロシア側資料による死亡者の情報の裏付けが期待されている。Looking back, it is clear that Japanese leaders grossly misinterpreted what was happening on the international stage. こうした経緯からも、当時の日本の指導者たちは世界の情勢を見誤っていたのは明らかだろう。
Aug 15, 2009
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終戦の日 追悼めぐる論議を深めよ (2/2)
The House of Representatives election to choose the leaders who will be tasked with navigating Japan through uncharted waters will be officially announced Tuesday, opening an 11-day campaign. これからの日本を託す指導者を選ぶ総選挙の公示は、３日後に控えている。Both the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan have mapped out policies they plan to implement should they hold the reins of government. The battle to woo voters will be fierce. 自民、民主両党が政権構想を示して競い合っているが、=== Grandfathers' experiences The current state of affairs no doubt reminds many people of the grandfathers of Prime Minister Taro Aso and DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama. 思い起こされるのは、麻生首相と民主党・鳩山代表の祖父たちのことだ。Aso's grandfather, former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, served as ambassador to Britain before the war and was a strong proponent of closer ties with Britain and the United States. Yoshida, who engaged with Konoe and other like-minded people in a futile effort to bring the fighting to an end in the closing months of World War II, was arrested by military police and detained for 40 days. Yoshida fell ill after being released. The war ended while he was recuperating in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture. 麻生首相の祖父、吉田茂は戦前駐英大使を務め、英米との連携を強く主張した。戦争末期には、近衛元首相らと連携して終戦工作に動き、憲兵隊に逮捕された。 ４０日間拘束され、釈放されたあと、病に倒れ、神奈川県大磯の別宅で静養中に終戦を迎えた。Hatoyama's grandfather, former Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, was a lawmaker focused on party politics who had served as education minister. Hatoyama clashed with Tojo and, as a result, he had to spend some time in seclusion at a villa in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. He listened to the radio broadcast in which Emperor Showa announced Japan's surrender while he was tucked away in Karuizawa. 鳩山代表の祖父、鳩山一郎は文相なども務めた政党政治家だったが、東条首相と対立して軽井沢の別荘で隠とん生活を送った。玉音放送も軽井沢で聞いた。While at his villa, Hatoyama regularly read a book written by Austro-Hungarian diplomat Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, who is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of European integration. The book stressed the need for "fraternal revolution." Hatoyama later translated the book under the title of "Jiyu to Jinsei" (Liberty and Life). 別荘では、欧州統合の父とされるクーデンホーフ・カレルギーが「友愛革命」を説いた著書を愛読し、「自由と人生」と題して後に翻訳した。=== Lessons of history What historical lessons can Aso and Hatoyama learn from the bitter experiences of their grandfathers? 戦後は首相を務めた２人のかつての苦い経験から、麻生首相と鳩山代表は、どのような歴史の教訓をくみとるだろうか。Aso will observe the war anniversary for the first time since becoming prime minister. He has said he will not visit Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo because it would be wrong to make "the people who sacrificed their precious lives for the country" a matter of political contention. 麻生首相は就任後初めて「終戦の日」を迎えるが、靖国神社には参拝しないという。「国家のために尊い命をささげた人たち」を政争の具などにするのは間違っていると、理由を語った。Fourteen Class-A war criminals, including Tojo and Matsuoka, are enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine along with other war dead. 靖国神社には、東条元首相や松岡元外相ら、１４人の「Ａ級戦犯」が合祀(ごうし)されている。Some LDP members insist the Class-A war criminals must be enshrined elsewhere. Some other LDP members have advocated constructing a national memorial facility. However, the party has not formulated a united position on the matter. 自民党内には、靖国神社に合祀された「Ａ級戦犯」の分祀や国立追悼施設の建設の主張もあるが、党の方針は示されていない。Hatoyama said he would not visit Yasukuni should he become prime minister, and he would urge his cabinet ministers to refrain from going to the shrine. Hatoyama has suggested he favors establishing a national memorial facility for the war dead. 民主党の鳩山代表は、仮に首相になっても参拝せず、閣僚にも自粛を求めるとともに、国立追悼施設の設置に向けて取り組みを進める方針を示している。DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada said he wants to have a group of experts discuss building a national facility, possibly making use of the Chidorigafuchi cemetery. 岡田幹事長も、追悼施設について、千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑を生かすことも含め有識者に議論してもらう考えを表明した。Emperor Showa expressed concern that the essence of Yasukuni Shrine, a resting place for the spirits of the nation's war dead, has been distorted with the enshrinement of the Class-A war criminals. 昭和天皇は、戦死者の魂を鎮めるという靖国神社の性格が「Ａ級戦犯」の合祀で変わってしまうのではないかと懸念されていた。Yasukuni Shrine insists the teachings of Shintoism prevent it from separating the war criminals from the shrine. 靖国神社は、いったん合祀した「Ａ級戦犯」の分祀は、神道の教学上できないとしている。However, even if Yasukuni Shrine refuses to separately enshrine the Class-A war criminals, discussions about establishing a national facility will gain momentum regardless of the outcome of this month's general election. だが、神社側が分祀に応じない限り、選挙の結果がどうであれ、国立追悼施設建立に向けての議論は、勢いを増していくだろう。It is time to deepen national-level discussions on the best way to pay tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives for the country, and to settle this issue. 国のために尊い命を犠牲にした人々の追悼のあり方について、改めて国民的な議論を深め、結論を導き出す時期に来ているのではないだろうか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 15, 2009) （2009年8月15日01時23分 読売新聞）
Aug 15, 2009
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年金改革 党派の対立超え接点を探れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 14, 2009)Compromise necessary for pension reform年金改革 党派の対立超え接点を探れ（8月14日付・読売社説）The pension system is the bedrock upon which the citizens of this nation build their postretirement life. However, if this system lacks stability, notions of a strong ultra-aging society will be nothing more than a pipe dream. 年金制度は老後を支える根幹だ。これが揺らいでは、安定した超高齢社会は築けない。In the last fiscal year, the rate of contributions paid by subscribers to the national pension scheme, which mainly covers self-employed and nonregular workers, declined to a record low of 62.1 percent. This figure is believed to reflect public distrust in the current system, with many people reportedly concerned about being unable to receive pension benefits, despite having paid premiums over many years. 自営業者や非正規労働者などが支払う国民年金保険料の納付率は昨年度、過去最低の６２・１％まで下がった。保険料を納めても年金を受け取れないのではないか、という不信感を反映したものだろう。Evidently, the pension system will need to be fundamentally overhauled before public confidence can be restored. 年金制度への信頼を取り戻すために、思い切った改革が必要であることは明らかだ。=== Different visions The Liberal Democratic Party pledged in its policy platforms for the upcoming House of Representatives election to offer help within three years to people who currently receive little or no pension benefits. 自民党は、無年金・低年金者を３年以内に救済することを公約に掲げた。More specifically, the party--in a shared pledge with its coalition partner, New Komeito--proposed shortening the minimum period that people are required to pay premiums in order to qualify for pension benefits from the current 25 years to 10 years. 具体的には公明党との与党共通公約として、年金をもらうための最低加入期間を現行の２５年から１０年に短縮するなどとしている。In addition, New Komeito proposed improvements aimed at guaranteeing minimum benefits for low-income earners by providing additional financial assistance from the state coffers. 公明党はさらに、低所得者に年金を上乗せして最低保障機能を充実することを唱えている。Conversely, the Democratic Party of Japan proposed an all-encompassing pension program in which everyone would be asked to pay premiums in proportion to their income. The envisaged program also is designed to guarantee a minimum monthly pension income of 70,000 yen by drawing upon taxpayers' money to provide extra benefits. Such a move would transform the current pension scheme. 一方、民主党は国民共通の所得比例年金を創設し、受け取り月額が７万円以上になるように税金で最低保障年金を上乗せする案を示した。新しい制度に移行する抜本改革である。Though the ruling bloc's pension reform plans and the DPJ's ideas are significantly different, they are not completely incompatible. 与党と民主党の年金改革案は大きく異なる。ただし、全く相いれないものではない。Up until the previous House of Councillors election, the DPJ had said the basic pension portion of its minimum-guarantee pension scheme would rely entirely on taxpayers' money. This proposal thus gave the impression that the current premium-based system would be rebuilt from the ground up into a system that was fully funded by tax revenues. 民主党は前回の参院選まで、自らが唱える最低保障年金について「基礎部分をすべて税にする」と説明し、現行の保険料方式を全額税方式に転換するかのように印象づけていた。However, the party altered its rationale ahead of the upcoming lower house election. Under its newly drafted reform plan, the envisaged pension scheme would be based on benefits linked to the amount of premiums paid into the system by people during their working years, with the minimum-guarantee pension benefits complementing this income-linked pension. しかし、衆院選では説明を変えている。基本となるのは保険料による所得比例年金であり、最低保障年金はそれを補完する形に概念図を作り直した。As a result of this new stance, friction lessened between the ruling and opposition blocs over whether a premium-based or tax-funded program was best suited to the nation's needs. この結果、保険料方式か全額税方式かという、これまでの与野党の対立は弱まった。=== Cross-party challenge The ruling parties continue to maintain that a domestic unified pension program should be this country's long-term goal. 与党はかねて「最終的には年金制度の一元化が望ましい」としていた。We believe the idea of a unified income-linked pension program to be worthy of serious consideration. すべての国民が保険料方式の所得比例年金に入る構想は到達点として十分検討に値しよう。However, the DPJ plan would require a long transitional period before the new system could be operated smoothly and effectively. Therefore, as proposed by the ruling parties, the government would need to take measures to financially support those people who had only small pensions, or no benefits at all. 一方、民主党案も完成させるには長期の移行期間が必要であり、与党が主張するような、現に生じている無年金・低年金者への対策が不要になるわけではない。The ruling and opposition blocs' pension reform proposals are not completely contradictory. As such, it would be possible to seek a compromise. 年金改革に関して、与野党の主張は互いを全否定する関係にはなく、接点は見いだしうる。As for coming debates on pension reform, voters should keep a close eye on which party or candidate seems the most constructively minded on the issue. 有権者が見極めるべきは、建設的な姿勢で議論しているのは、どの政党、どの候補者か、という点であろう。Whatever political shape the nation takes after the lower house election, reforming the pension system is a task that must be tackled across party lines. 衆院選後に政権の枠組みがどうなろうとも、年金改革は超党派で取り組まねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 14, 2009) （2009年8月14日01時13分 読売新聞）
Aug 14, 2009
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サイバー攻撃 ネット社会に深刻な脅威だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 13, 2009)Cyber attacks a threat to modern societyサイバー攻撃 ネット社会に深刻な脅威だ（8月13日付・読売社説）Cyber attacks are a grave threat to the globe-spanning computer networks that underpin modern society and it is imperative that checks be made to ensure adequate countermeasures are in place to deal with potential problems in this country. 世界規模でネットワーク化が進んだ現代社会にとって、サイバー攻撃は大きな脅威だ。国内の対策は十分か、点検を怠るべきではない。In early July, a spate of cyber attacks hit the Web sites of government organizations, banks and stock exchanges in the United States and South Korea. 米国と韓国で、政府機関や銀行、証券取引所などのウェブサイトが先月上旬、集中的なサイバー攻撃の標的となった。Internet bots, which can remotely control the computers of unsuspecting users, were used to launch the attacks. Using such hijacked computers, the hackers simultaneously sent enormous volumes of data to particular Web sites, forcing them to shut down. 使われたのはボット・ウイルスだ。ボットに感染したコンピューターは外部から遠隔操作が可能になる。ハッカーは、乗っ取った多数のコンピューターから、大量のデータを標的のサイトに一斉に送りつけて機能まひに陥らせた。The distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks in South Korea were compounded by the destruction of data, which meant it took many of the affected organizations a considerable time to restore their Web sites. 韓国では、この「ＤＤｏＳ（ディードス＝分散型サービス拒否）攻撃」のほかに、データが破壊される被害も重なって、サイトの復旧に時間がかかった。=== North Korean involvement? According to global information security experts, the attacks were launched from about 170,000 bot-infected computers in 74 countries. Though it is highly suspected that North Korea or pro-North Korean groups had a hand in the cyber offensives, it is difficult to conclusively identify the attackers. 各国の情報セキュリティー専門家の解析から、７４か国計１７万台のボット感染のコンピューターが攻撃に使われ、北朝鮮もしくは親北朝鮮勢力が関与した疑いが濃厚とみられている。ただ、具体的に特定することは困難という。However, if North Korea was involved in the attacks in some form, it is likely that Japan will be targeted at some point in the future. We hope careful analyses of the U.S. and South Korean cases will help bolster domestic countermeasures against such attacks. 仮に北朝鮮が何らかの形で関与していたのなら、日本がいつ標的になるとも限らない。米韓の事例を詳細に分析し、国内対策に役立てるようにしてほしい。As exemplified by these recent events, government Web sites are the prime targets for cyber assaults. 米韓のケースをみてもわかる通り、政府系のウェブサイトは真っ先に攻撃対象となる。While government Web sites are becoming increasingly convenient for the public--such as by allowing people to file income tax returns online, among other tasks--the fact that anyone can access these networks leaves such computer systems vulnerable to cyber attacks. 政府系サイトは、確定申告をはじめオンライン申請できるなど利便性が向上している反面、ネットワークを通じて誰でも接続できるため、サイバー攻撃のリスクがつきまとう。At the end of July, the Education, Science and Technology Ministry's Web site was tampered with by an unidentified person or group. As a result, it was possible to access with a single click a Web site written in Chinese. Although no real damage was confirmed, this was typical of the kind of malicious behavior that drives hackers to send out computer-infecting bots. 先月末には、文部科学省のサイトが何者かに改竄(かいざん)された。クリックすると、中国語のサイトにつながる状態になっていた。実害は確認されていないが、ボット感染させる典型的な手口だ。We hope the government, led primarily by the Cabinet Secretariat's National Information Security Center, will closely monitor the situation and take the requisite steps to ensure security is given high priority. 内閣官房情報セキュリティセンターを中心に、監視の目が十分行き届くようにしてもらいたい。=== Vigilance required In terms of countermeasures, individuals, too, also have an important role to play. It has been confirmed that many Japan-based computers were unknowingly involved in the recent digital bombardment of U.S. and South Korean Web sites. According to a government estimate, there are about 300,000 bot-infected computers in Japan. 個々人の対策も欠かせない。米韓でのサイバー攻撃では、日本国内のパソコンも多数利用されたことが確認済みだ。政府の推計では、ボット感染している日本国内のパソコンは３０万台にのぼる。The most important single step that users can take to protect their computers is to install antivirus software and make sure that it always runs the latest version. Running an up-to-date operating system, such as Windows, also is an effective countermeasure. The Web site of the government-operated Cyber Clean Center offers users a free check to learn whether their computers are infected with bots. 基本はウイルス対策ソフトを組み込み、常に最新版に更新しておくことだ。ウィンドウズなど基本ソフトの更新も必要だ。政府が運営する「サイバークリーンセンター」のホームページでは、ボット感染の自己チェックもできる。Let us hope we can all avoid becoming unwitting accomplices in bot-based cyber attacks. 知らぬ間にボット感染し、サイバー攻撃の片棒を担がされることのないようにしたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 13, 2009) （2009年8月13日01時09分 読売新聞）
Aug 13, 2009
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災害列島 避難準備と救援体制は万全に
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 12, 2009)Sound preparations a must for disasters災害列島 避難準備と救援体制は万全に（8月12日付・読売社説）The combination of a typhoon and an earthquake reminds us afresh that Japan is an archipelago of disasters. 日本は災害列島、と改めて思い知らされた。First, heavy rains associated with Typhoon No. 9 hit various places in western Japan. As the typhoon moved east, an earthquake with an intensity of lower 6 on the Japanese scale of 7 occurred in the Tokai region, which fell in the path of the typhoon, with its focus under Suruga Bay off Shizuoka Prefecture. まず、台風９号に伴う豪雨が西日本の各地を襲った。この台風が東へ向かうと、今度は、進路に当たる東海地方で、最大震度６弱の静岡沖地震が起きた。It was found that Tuesday's quake was not related to the much-feared expected major Tokai earthquake. However, the damages done by the two disasters are serious. We hope the central and local governments involved do their best in rescue and restoration efforts. 当初懸念された巨大地震「東海地震」との関連はない、と判明したが、どちらも被害は深刻だ。政府と関係自治体は、救援と復旧に全力を挙げてもらいたい。The heavy rains caused flooding of rivers and landslides in many places. The number of people dead or missing reached 30 in Hyogo Prefecture and surrounding areas. Many houses were buried by landslides. 豪雨では、各地で河川が増水し土砂崩れが起きた。死者、不明者は兵庫県などで２７人に達する。土砂で埋まった住宅も多い。In the Shizuoka Prefecture earthquake, a violent tremor of lower 6 in intensity was recorded in several cities in the prefecture. Many injuries were reported, both minor and serious, including people hurt in neighboring Kanagawa and Aichi prefectures as well as Tokyo. 静岡沖地震では、静岡県で震度６弱の激しい揺れが記録され、隣接の神奈川県を含め、多くの人が重軽傷を負った。=== Complex disaster As rainfall from Typhoon No. 9 before the quake made the ground loose, the quake caused landslides in several places, apparently broadening and combining the impact of the two disasters. 地震前から台風９号による降雨があり、緩んだ地盤が各所で崩れる「複合災害」も起きた。In particular, the collapse of part of the Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture is expected to seriously affect the nation's distribution system. 特に静岡県内の東名高速道路での路面崩落は、物流への影響が大きい。A 100-meter section of the expressway, dubbed the "aorta of transportation," which connects eastern and western Japan, was destroyed. The road should be repaired as soon as possible to allow traffic to begin to flow once more. 東西を結んでいる「交通の大動脈」が、約１００メートルにわたって壊れた。早急に修理して、通行を再開させねばならない。Typhoon season is just getting started. A huge earthquake could occur anywhere. While work on rescue and relief efforts is vital, it also is important to check whether preparations for natural disasters are sufficient. 台風シーズンはこれからが本番だ。大きな地震も、いつ、どこで起きるか分からない。救援と復旧作業の一方で、災害への備えは大丈夫か、点検も大切だ。Our concern is the current state of evacuation arrangements prepared in case of flooding and landslides. In Hyogo Prefecture, there were those who were swept away by the flooded river while evacuating in anticipation of the river rising. In addition, the evacuation took place at night. とりわけ気がかりなのが、河川の増水や土砂崩れに備えた避難体制の現状だ。兵庫県では、増水に備えて避難中に、水位が上がった川に流された人がいる。しかも夜間の避難だったという。In western Japan, large-scale landslides caused by heavy rains occurred last month, killing 30 people in Yamaguchi Prefecture and other places. At that time, too, problems concerning the evacuation arrangement were pointed out. 西日本では先月も、豪雨による大規模な土砂崩れが起き、山口県などで３０人が亡くなっている。この時も、避難体制について課題が指摘された。The government in 2005 compiled guidelines on evacuation in natural disasters and called on municipalities throughout the nation to streamline evacuation procedures. The government took the move in light of frequent disasters caused by heavy rains the previous year that left more than 200 people dead. 政府は２００５年に「避難に関するガイドライン」をまとめ、全国の市町村に体制整備を呼びかけている。その前年に豪雨災害が多発し、２００人以上の犠牲者が出たことを踏まえている。=== Guidelines poorly observed The guidelines stipulate that places where the danger of flooding and landslides is high must be identified. Based on the data, a hazard map must be made marking areas where damage is expected. Conditions under which residents will be asked to evacuate have to be decided in advance, taking into consideration the amount and rate of rise in river water levels and amount of rainfall, according to the guidelines. まず、増水や土砂崩れの危険がある場所を洗い出す。これに基づき、被害が及びそうな地域を地図化する。その上で、河川の水位や降雨量をもとに、住民に避難を呼びかける「基準」をあらかじめ定めておく、という内容だ。However, according to the results of a survey by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency announced this spring, only about 40 percent of cities, towns and villages in the country have set such evacuation criteria. Similarly, about 40 percent of municipalities have prepared text messages to tell residents how to evacuate, according to the survey. だが、消防庁が今春公表した調査結果によると、この「基準」を定めている市町村は、全国で４割程度しかない。避難方法を住民に伝える文章を用意している市町村も、同程度にとどまる。The Meteorological Agency says the incidence of heavy rainfalls in a year has been increasing in recent years. We should spare no pains in making a reality of the old Japanese adage that "If you are prepared, you don't have to worry." 気象庁によると、豪雨の発生回数は近年、増加している。備えあれば憂いなし、を徹底したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 12, 2009) （2009年8月12日01時37分 読売新聞）
Aug 12, 2009
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警察白書 国民の「抵抗力」が被害を防ぐ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 11, 2009)Develop immunity to remittance frauds警察白書 国民の「抵抗力」が被害を防ぐ（8月11日付・読売社説）This year's white paper on police published by the National Police Agency has a special section titled "Measures against crimes that threaten people's daily lives." 今年の警察白書は「日常生活を脅かす犯罪」を特集した。As examples of such crimes, it mentions bank remittance fraud and vicious business scams. It details current police measures against remittance fraud and lists related problems to be tackled. 具体例として、振り込め詐欺や悪徳商法などを挙げ、特に振り込め詐欺について、警察の取り組みや今後の課題を詳述している。The total number of criminal offense cases has been decreasing in recent years after peaking in 2002. But the white paper points out that the spread of such crimes is "one of the factors preventing people's uneasiness about public security from being allayed." 刑法犯罪の全体の件数は２００２年をピークに減少している。それでも「治安に対する国民の不安がぬぐえない要因の一つ」に、これらの犯罪の広がりがあると白書は指摘する。If the current economic slump prolongs, new types of crimes that threaten people's daily lives may proliferate. 経済不況が長引けば、日常生活を脅かす新手の犯罪が次々と増殖する恐れがあるだろう。The police white paper emphasizes that it is important to enhance people's understanding and cooperation when it comes to fighting crime, such as by encouraging members of the public to provide information to police, and to boost people's crime-prevention capability. Indeed, preventing remittance fraud is not something that can be accomplished by police alone. 白書は、被害防止には情報提供などの「国民の理解と協力」、犯罪に対する「国民の抵抗力」を高めていくことが重要だと強調している。まさに、警察だけで解決できる問題ではない。=== Various ploys used There are a variety of ploys used in the commission of remittance fraud, including the "It's me" type, in which offenders pretend to be a son or grandchild of the targeted victim, and the refund type, in which offenders pass themselves off as workers at social insurance and tax offices. 息子や孫などを装うオレオレ詐欺、社会保険事務所や税務署の職員を名乗る還付金詐欺など、振り込め詐欺の手口は様々だ。People across the country have been victimized. In many cases, money remitted to criminals is withdrawn from ATMs in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The bank accounts and cell phones used in the crimes belong to third parties or fictitious people. 被害は全国に及ぶが、被害金の多くは首都圏の現金自動預け払い機（ＡＴＭ）で引き出される。犯行に使われる預貯金口座と携帯電話は他人名義や架空名義だ。The criminals in the groups that run the scams perform different tasks, and it is not easy to gain a clear picture of how the frauds are perpetrated. For instance, a group might consist of a person who dupes victims, one who obtains bank accounts and cell phones, and another who withdraws swindled money. The ratio of arrests to cases of remittance fraud remains slightly more than 20 percent. 犯行グループは、だまし役、預貯金口座や携帯電話の調達役、詐取した金の引き出し役など役割分担し、全容を見せない。検挙率も２割強にとどまっている。The NPA has been making efforts to combat such crimes, with police forces nationwide alerted to take countermeasures. For instance, it has inputted the modus operandi of all reported remittance fraud cases into a database that can be used in investigations. It also has deployed a special full-time investigation force comprising investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department and prefectural police headquarters in the metropolitan area. 警察庁は犯行手口をデータベース化して捜査に活用し、都道府県警察の捜査員による専従班を首都圏に投入するなど、全国警察を挙げた取り組みを展開してきた。These were necessary responses to fight a crime that is a threat to people all over the country. 全国的に脅威となっている犯罪に対しては、必要な対応であった。=== Cat-and-mouse game continues After banks limited the amount of cash that may be transferred via ATM to 100,000 yen, cases of money being remitted between accounts increased. Offenders began using a special postal package service to receive money instead of ATMs, which are subject to heightened security measures to counter remittance fraud. ＡＴＭによる現金の振り込みを１０万円までに制限したら、口座間送金をさせる手口が増加した。警戒の強いＡＴＭを避けて、郵便の専用封筒で私設私書箱あてに現金を送らせる手口が増えてきた。Police will have to continue their cat-and-mouse game with these wily offenders. To prevent new scams from being devised, it is crucial to prevent criminals from using and coming up with new ways to foil police, including revising related laws and creating new ones. 犯罪者の悪知恵とのいたちごっこが続く。新たな手口には、法整備を含めて、確実に抜け道をふさいでいくことが大事だ。What can be done to prevent bank accounts, ATMs and cell phones from being used in crimes? Financial institutions and cell phone service operators should think seriously about measures to solve this problem. 預貯金口座やＡＴＭ、携帯電話を、いかに犯罪に利用されないようにするか。金融機関や携帯電話事業者も真剣に対応すべきだ。The need for cooperation among agencies and ministries concerned--including the Financial Services Agency, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry and the consumer affairs agency that is to be launched as early as autumn--is also increasingly evident. 金融庁、総務省、秋にも発足予定の消費者庁など、関係省庁間の連携の必要性も増している。In its conclusion, the white paper describes the importance of reviving solidarity among people in communities as well as bonds among family members, which are weaker than they used to be, so society as a whole can combat crime. 白書は最後に、希薄化した地域の連帯や家族の絆(きずな)を再生し、社会全体で犯罪に立ち向かうことの重要さに言及している。What should we do to prevent criminals from cheating us? Steady efforts by individual communities are also now required to combat crime. どうすれば犯罪者につけ入るすきを与えないか。地域ごとの地道な取り組みも求められている。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 11, 2009) （2009年8月11日01時07分 読売新聞）
Aug 11, 2009
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「アニメの殿堂」 文化政策のあり方を問え
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 10, 2009)Parties' cultural policies a focus in election「アニメの殿堂」 文化政策のあり方を問え（8月10日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan is fiercely opposed to a government plan to build a national popular culture center, dubbed the "anime hall of fame," arguing that it would be a wasteful use of the state budget. 「アニメの殿堂」とも呼ばれる国立メディア芸術総合センターの建設計画について、民主党が予算の無駄遣いだと強く反発している。The Diet passed in an ordinary Diet session a supplementary budget that included 11.7 billion yen for the construction of the comprehensive media arts center. But the DPJ intends to cancel the plan if it takes power after the upcoming House of Representatives election. １１７億円のセンター建設費を盛り込んだ補正予算が先の通常国会で成立したが、民主党は政権に就いた場合、センター建設を凍結する方針だ。The issue is more than a disagreement over whether such a center per se should be built--it also highlights each party's policy stance on cultural affairs. 一文化施設の建設の是非をめぐる対立ではあるが、文化政策のあり方が問われているということでもあろう。We hope, taking this opportunity, that political parties will have active discussions on the issue of cultural affairs. この機会に、各党で大いに論じ合ってほしい。The envisaged center is expected to serve as a base for disseminating information on manga, anime and game software to people at home and abroad. Planned projects at the center include the exhibition, collection and preservation of such works, research into pop culture and the nurturing of pop culture creators. メディア芸術総合センターは、マンガやアニメ、ゲームなどを内外に発信していく拠点として計画されている。作品の展示、収集保存、調査研究、クリエイターの育成などの事業に取り組む予定だ。Tokyo's Daiba area was at one point considered for the site for the planned facility, but the government now reportedly will have to work from scratch to decide on the location. 東京・お台場に新施設を建設することも一時検討されたが、現在立地については白紙の状態だ。=== 'Manga kissa' jibe misplaced The DPJ has condemned the planned center, saying it would be a "state-run manga kissa [cafe]." This kind of stance will only foster misunderstanding about the project. 民主党は「国営マンガ喫茶」と揶揄(やゆ)しているが、これでは誤解が広がるばかりだろう。It is an important task for the government to actively support the production and publicizing of works in this area, which has gained international recognition. A particularly big challenge will be collecting pop culture works, which are said to be widely dispersed. 国際的評価も高いこの分野の作品の製作や発信を、国が積極的に支援することは大切なことだ。とりわけ、散逸する作品の収集は大きな課題となっている。The point is to create a facility that matches the purposes for which it is built without wasting taxpayers money. 要は、税金の無駄遣いにならないよう、目的にきちんと見合った施設を造ることだ。It also is important to have cooperation with other facilities across the nation, such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum, set up by a group of entities including Kyoto Seika University. 京都精華大学などが設立した京都国際マンガミュージアムなど、各地の施設との連携も必要だ。Consideration should also be given to the idea of using existing buildings that could be renovated without necessarily sticking to the idea of constructing a new facility. 新しい施設の建設にはこだわらず、既存の建造物を改修して利用する方向も探るべきだろう。=== Arts a broad field The Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, comprising companies engaged in cultural support activities, polled political parties about their policies on cultural affairs ahead of the general election. 文化活動に取り組む企業で組織する企業メセナ協議会は、総選挙を前に各党の文化政策についてアンケート調査を実施している。In its reply to the questionnaire, the Liberal Democratic Party said promotion of culture and arts is a basic plank of its national strategy, and that culture-related budgets need to be drastically increased. 自民党は、文化芸術の振興を国家戦略の基本と位置づけ、文化関係予算の大幅な拡充が必要との考えを示した。The DPJ, for its part, said it wants to transform the conventional cultural policy centered on construction of facilities into one that makes use of human resources. The party also said it would carefully study culture-related spending in the past and compare it with the situation in the other countries before deciding the scale of its budget for the arts. 民主党は、従来のハコモノ中心の行政を改め人材を生かす文化政策に転換したいとした。予算規模については、過去の予算を精査して、諸外国の状況とも照らし検討すると慎重な姿勢を見せた。These differences in opinion seem to be reflected in the two parties' positions toward the media arts center project. こうした発想の違いが、メディア芸術総合センターへの姿勢にも反映されているのだろう。Cultural administration covers a broad range of issues, including the transmission of traditional culture and the development of cities' cultural assets by taking advantage of their historic landscapes and buildings. We hope political parties will deepen their discussions on cultural policy and come up with concrete policy proposals on the arts. 文化行政の課題は、伝統文化の継承や、地域の景観や歴史的建造物を生かした文化の街づくりなど多岐にわたっている。政党レベルでも議論を深め、具体的政策を提示していってほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 10, 2009) （2009年8月10日01時11分 読売新聞）
Aug 10, 2009
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消費税引き上げ 必要性を率直に国民に説け
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 9, 2009)Parties must explain need for consumption tax hike消費税引き上げ 必要性を率直に国民に説け（8月9日付・読売社説）It is time to answer the question of how to secure the financial resources needed to make the social security system sustainable. 社会保障制度を持続可能にする財源をどう確保するか、もう答えを出す時ではないか。Most of the public understand that the consumption tax, which spreads the burden on taxpayers broadly and thinly, is the only tax that can be tapped to provide a stable source of financing. 安定財源となり得るのは、広く薄く負担を求める消費税しかないことは多くの国民が理解している。But deep debate on the consumption tax among the ruling and opposition parties in the run-up to the House of Representatives election is yet to occur. Even if the parties argue that priority should be given to economic recovery or thorough expenditure cuts, they also should try to show how a consumption tax rate hike might be achieved. だが、衆院選に向けた与野党の消費税議論は一向に深まっていない。景気回復や歳出削減の徹底が先だとしても、与野党は選挙戦を通じて、将来の引き上げの具体像を示すよう努めるべきだ。The ruling Liberal Democratic Party specifies in its manifesto that it will take the necessary legal steps by fiscal 2011 to implement drastic reform of the taxation system--including consumption tax changes--immediately after the economy turns for the better. 自民党は消費税を含む税制抜本改革について、「２０１１年度までに必要な法制上の措置を講じ、経済状況の好転後、遅滞なく実施する」と政権公約に明記した。The LDP will designate the consumption tax as a special purpose tax, allowing it to allot all the increased revenue to social security programs, while gradually raising the consumption tax rate. The party also stated a deadline for completion of the preparation stage, which seems to be a responsible attitude for a ruling party. 増収分の全額を社会保障財源に充てる目的税化を行い、税率を段階的に引き上げる。その準備を終える期限を約束したのは、責任ある姿勢といえるだろう。In the 2005 lower house election, the ruling bloc pledged to implement drastic reform, including consumption tax reform, around fiscal 2007, but failed to fulfill their promise. If it intends to tackle the reform issue seriously this time, it should clearly state what the tax rate will be and when it will be raised. 与党は０５年の前回衆院選で、０７年度をメドに消費税などの抜本改革を実現すると公約したが、果たせなかった。今回は真剣に取り組むというなら、税率や引き上げ時期をはっきりさせるべきだ。=== DPJ must explain position The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan said in its manifesto that it will not raise the consumption tax rate in the coming four years. In the run-up to the 2005 lower house election, the DPJ said it backed a three percentage point consumption tax rate hike. So far, the party has not sufficiently explained to the public why it has decided there is no need to raise the tax rate this time. 民主党は、今後４年間は消費税率は引き上げないという。前回衆院選では年金目的消費税として、３％の引き上げを掲げていた。なぜ今回は引き上げを不要としたのか、十分な説明はない。As part of its program for taxation reform announced in December 2008, the DPJ said the importance of the consumption tax would continue to grow and that it intended to draw up a framework for tax reform, including consumption tax changes, during its first term if it gains power. 昨年暮れの「税制抜本改革アクションプログラム」では、「消費税の重要性はますます高まる」とし、民主党政権の最初の任期中に消費税を含む税制改革の制度設計を進めることを明記した。If the DPJ intends to use the consumption tax as a financial resource to fund the social security system and begin to draw up a plan for drastic taxation reform, little would separate the DPJ and LDP on the issue. The DPJ therefore needs to admit it is necessary to increase the consumption tax burden and frankly explain the reasons why to the public. 社会保障財源として消費税を活用し、その制度設計を始めるなら、与党が示した道筋と大差はない。ならば、国民に負担増の必要性を率直に説くべきではないか。=== Scope for a rate increase At 25 percent, Sweden has the highest consumption tax rate in Europe, with value-added tax rates in much of the continent, including Britain, France and Germany, ranging from 15 percent to 20 percent. Those of China and South Korea are 17 percent and 10 percent, respectively, making Japan's 5 percent rather exceptional. スウェーデンの２５％を筆頭に、イギリス、ドイツ、フランスなど欧州の付加価値税の税率は、１５～２０％が当たり前だ。中国は１７％、韓国でも１０％だ。日本の５％は、むしろ例外的といえる。It is necessary to take into consideration the effect on low-income earners whose burden will become larger if the consumption tax rate is raised. 引き上げで負担が増える低所得者に対する配慮は必要だ。By allotting some of the increased revenue to the financing of social security programs, the benefits received by low-income earners can be increased. But at the same time, the question of what the reduced tax rate should be on daily necessities will arise. It will be necessary to consider making mandatory an invoicing system in which various taxes would have to be recorded on an itemized bill whenever a purchase is made. 増収分を社会保障に回すことで低所得者への給付は手厚くなるが、同時に生活必需品への軽減税率の適用も課題になる。インボイス（伝票）方式の検討も避けて通れまい。The DPJ is proposing a system that would see low-income earners given payments equivalent to the consumption tax levied on daily necessities, but this leaves key problems unaddressed, including how to accurately assess each low-income earner's income. So, it is more realistic to first consider applying a lower tax rate on daily necessities than on other items. 民主党は生活必需品の消費税相当額を低所得者に還元する「給付つき消費税額控除」を提唱しているが、実現には所得把握の方法など難題を抱えている。まず軽減税率を考えた方が現実的だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 9, 2009) （2009年8月9日01時19分 読売新聞）
Aug 9, 2009
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政権公約選挙 正しい方向なら変更は当然だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 8, 2009)Parties should be open to revising election vows政権公約選挙 正しい方向なら変更は当然だ（8月8日付・読売社説）Obviously, it is important for politicians to try to stick to election pledges. However, if they treat pledges as if they are set in stone, they may face problems in meeting their political obligations. 公約を「守る」ことが大切なのは確かだが、金科玉条のごとく「守る」ことだけにこだわれば、現実の政治には不具合が生じよう。The Aug. 30 poll will be the third House of Representatives election for which political parties have announced their policy platforms, along with proposed revenue sources and deadlines for implementation, since the practice began in 2003. 各政党が政策ごとに財源や実施期限を明示した政権公約を掲げて衆院選を実施するのは、２００３年以来、３度目となる。Academics who proposed such an approach have stressed the need to review previous election pledges each time a lower house election is held. これを提言した学者らは、衆院選のたびに過去の公約を点検することが重要だと説いた。In keeping with this goal, a number of organizations recently held a joint meeting to rate the degree to which the ruling bloc has met manifesto pledges laid out ahead of the 2005 lower house election. この提言に沿って、与党の０５年公約の達成度を検証する集会が先日、開かれた。The organizations were critical of the ruling parties, saying that the structural reform drive promoted by the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been gradually adjusted over the past four years. 参加した各団体は「小泉内閣の構造改革路線が、なし崩し的に修正された」と批判した。However, when judging the ruling parties' success, it is dangerous to simply focus on whether the points as laid out in their manifestos four years ago have been attained. だが、４年前の公約通りに実践したかどうかだけを判断基準にするのは危険だ。=== Changing realities of reform The negative effects of Koizumi's reform drive, such as widening social and economic disparities, started to become evident after the last lower house election in 2005. In addition, the country later entered a dramatic economic downturn as a result of the global economic crisis that began last autumn. 格差拡大など小泉改革の「影」の部分が問題化したのは、前回衆院選以降のことだ。経済が急減速したのも、世界同時不況の影響が広がった昨年秋以降である。If cabinets that succeeded the Koizumi administration had continued belt-tightening policies--neglecting economic current conditions and failing to take into account problems resulting from market-based structural reforms, such as widening disparities--the Japanese economy likely would have been thrown into chaos. もし「小泉後」の歴代内閣が、格差拡大を生んだ市場原理主義的な構造改革の弊害を省みず、景気動向を無視して緊縮財政路線を続けていれば、日本の経済は今ごろ大混乱していただろう。It is therefore essential to maintain flexibility and a willingness to modify policies in response to changing economic and political realities. 政治や経済の環境変化に合わせて政策を修正する柔軟さまで否定すべきではない。At the same time, it is important for policymakers to offer a clear explanation to voters of why such adjustments are necessary. ただ、その前提として、変更の理由は有権者にきちんと説明する必要はあろう。However, simply judging the ruling parties' pledges while ignoring the implications of the opposition's proposals also is questionable--the Democratic Party of Japan is battling with the ruling parties for power in the upcoming lower house race, and it is therefore only right that its policy pledges come in for scrutiny. 与党の公約達成度だけを問題にするのも疑問だ。政権の座を争う以上、民主党の公約も厳しくチェックしないとバランスを欠く。=== DPJ must be flexible The DPJ stated in its 2005 manifesto that the party would "undertake" a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement with a view to having U.S. bases in Okinawa Prefecture relocated out of the country. 民主党は０５年の公約に、日米地位協定の改定に「着手」し、在沖縄米軍基地の「国外への移転」を目指すと明記していた。But if the DPJ had seized power in the 2005 election and followed through with its election pledges, cracks would have been created in Japan-U.S. relations. Acceptance of this reality is evident in the DPJ's decision to change the phrasing regarding the bilateral accord from "undertake" to "propose" and drop the reference to relocation overseas in its latest manifesto. ０５年の衆院選で民主党政権が誕生し、公約通りに行動していれば、日米関係に亀裂が生じる事態に陥っただろう。そのことは、民主党が今回、「着手」を「提起」に改め、国外移転の文言を削除したことが雄弁に物語っている。Of course, it is not right to judge the DPJ's pledges solely on their consistency--if positive changes are made they should be welcomed. 無論、民主党の公約点検でも、「ぶれた」かどうかを唯一の物差しにするのは誤りだ。望ましい方向への修正なら、むしろ歓迎すべきことだ。The DPJ reportedly plans to modify wording on decentralization and a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement in its election pledges. 民主党は、地方分権や日米自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の記述で公約の修正を行うという。Apart from this, there are some pledges whose feasibility is doubtful and which are written in an extremely ambiguous way, especially on security and global environment issues, among others. ほかにも、安全保障政策や地球環境問題をはじめ、実現可能性を疑われたり、表現が極めて曖昧(あいまい)だったりする公約がある。The party must therefore continue to carefully examine and reflect on its manifesto pledges until the election is officially announced, and it must not hesitate to revise them if necessary. 公示まで精査に努め、必要であれば修正もためらうべきではない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 8, 2009) （2009年8月8日01時23分 読売新聞）
Aug 8, 2009
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裁判員判決 検証の積み重ねが欠かせない
Lay judge system should be monitored, improvedThe Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 7, 2009)裁判員判決 検証の積み重ねが欠かせない（8月7日付・読売社説）The nation's first lay judge trial has ended. Many more trials in which ordinary citizens participate as lay judges in criminal cases are expected to follow across the country. 裁判員が関与した初の裁判が終了した。今後も全国で裁判が相次ぐ。It is vital that people in the judicial world look for any shortcomings or problems in lay judge trials, including the one that just ended Thursday, and rectify them so the lay judge system can be improved. 法曹関係者は今回も含め、問題点を洗い出して検証し、裁判員制度を改善していくことが肝要である。The first lay judge trial dealt with a murder that took place on a Tokyo street in May. A 72-year-old man had been accused of stabbing to death his 66-year-old female neighbor with a survival knife. 審理されたのは、東京で５月に起きた路上殺人事件だった。６６歳の女性をサバイバルナイフで刺殺したとして、近所の７２歳の男が殺人罪に問われた。The Tokyo District Court courtroom where the trial was conducted looked completely different to courtrooms in the past. Three professional judges in robes were flanked by six lay judges wearing their everyday clothes. 東京地裁の法廷は様変わりした。法服姿の３人の裁判官の両脇に私服の裁判員６人が並んだ。Prosecutors and lawyers showed images on monitors and paraphrased hard-to-comprehend technical terms with plain language. 検察官と弁護人はモニターに画像を映し、難解な専門用語を平易な言葉に言い換えた。As one example, a prosecutor explained that a "defensive wound"--which was found on the woman's body--is an injury sustained when a victim tries to use their hand, arm or other body part to block an assault by an assailant with a sharp weapon. 検察官が被害者の「防御創」について、「刃物で刺されそうになった時、とっさに手で受け止めようとしてできる傷のこと」と説明したのは、その典型だ。We welcome such changes because they will help the general public more easily understand what is discussed during trials. 裁判の内容が一般にも分かりやすくなったのは、歓迎すべきことである。=== Heavy burdens The trial focused on determining the punishment for the defendant, who had admitted to killing the woman. The crux of the decision centered on to what degree the defendant had intended to kill the woman. 被告は犯行を認めていたため、裁判の争点は量刑に絞られていた。どれだけ強い殺意を持って被害者を刺したかが、量刑を決めるポイントだった。One lay judge asked the defendant why he decided to go and fetch a knife while he was quarreling with the victim. Such questions indicated the lay judges' willingness to determine for themselves the degree of the defendant's intent to commit murder. 裁判員は、「言い争いになった時、なぜナイフを持っていこうと思ったのか」などと被告に問いかけた。殺意の度合いを見極めようという姿勢がうかがえた。While prosecutors demanded a 16-year term of imprisonment, the court sentenced the defendant to 15 years in prison, acknowledging that he stabbed the woman with a strong intent despite being aware that doing so would result in her death. The court handed down a ruling in line with the argument put forward by prosecutors. 懲役１６年の求刑に対し、判決は懲役１５年だった。「死亡させると分かりながら、強い攻撃意思を持って刺した」と認定した。検察側の主張に沿った判断である。During the four-day trial, a female lay judge averted her eyes when images of the victim's body were shown on a monitor. Another female judge was unable to appear in court on the third day because she was feeling unwell due to a cold. She was replaced with a male "supplementary" lay judge. ４日間の公判では、遺体の写真をモニターで見た女性裁判員が、目をそらす場面があった。別の女性裁判員は風邪で体調を崩し、男性の補充裁判員に交代した。The daily trial undoubtedly placed a heavy strain on lay judges. In cases when lay judges are asked to make even tougher decisions, such as choosing between the death penalty or an indefinite prison term, they likely will bear an even heavier burden. 連日の公判が、裁判員にとって大きな負担であったことは間違いあるまい。死刑か無期懲役かの判断などを迫られる裁判では、負担は、さらに増すだろう。In this regard, the Supreme Court must do everything it can to take care of the lay judges' mental condition, such as ensuring the smooth operation of the counseling service counter that has been set up to give advice to lay judges. 最高裁は、既に設置した電話相談窓口を円滑に機能させるなど、裁判員の心のケア対策に万全を期していく必要がある。=== Weighty responsibility Another issue that needs careful consideration is how to select lay judges. 裁判員の選考方法も検討課題といえよう。In the Tokyo District Court trial, the six lay judges randomly chosen by the court turned out to be five women and one man. But for trials on cases involving sex offenses, we wonder whether the age and gender balance of the lay judges could subtly affect rulings. 今回、地裁が無作為で選んだ裁判員は、女性５人、男性１人だったが、性犯罪などの裁判で、男女の比率や年齢構成が偏ると、判決内容に微妙な影響が及ぶことはないだろうか。After the ruling Thursday, the six lay judges and a supplementary citizen judge attended a press conference. "I sincerely felt the heavy responsibility I bore in judging a person," one said. 判決後、裁判員全員が会見に応じ、「人を裁くという重大なことを担わされている思いをひしひしと感じた」などと語った。This comment should be kept in mind, given that any of us could be asked to serve as a lay judge any time soon. いつ自分が選ばれるか分からないだけに、裁判員の生の声は、大いに参考になるはずだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2009) （2009年8月7日01時15分 読売新聞）
Aug 7, 2009
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原爆忌 オバマ非核演説をどう生かす
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 6, 2009)Obama's nonnuclear goal worthy but difficult原爆忌 オバマ非核演説をどう生かす（8月6日付・読売社説）It has been 64 years since atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and this year a ray of light appeared to illuminate the profound desire of those who experienced the terrible devastation of the atomic bombings to see a world free of nuclear weapons. 広島、長崎への原爆投下から６４年がたつ。惨禍を経験した人々の核廃絶への切なる願いに、今年は一筋の光明が差しているようにみえる。This light was the speech by U.S. President Barack Obama in Prague in April. オバマ米大統領による今年４月のプラハ演説である。In the speech, Obama clarified that "the United States has a moral responsibility" to lead an effort to realize a world without nuclear weapons "as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon." 大統領は、「核兵器を使用したことがある唯一の核保有国」として、「核兵器のない世界」の実現に向けて「行動する道義的責任」があると明言した。The speech was not an admission of responsibility by Obama over using destructive weapons on Japan, which was unable to continue fighting at the time. むろん、当時、継戦能力を失っていた日本に対し、残虐兵器を使ったこと自体の責任を認めたわけではない。However, it is no surprise that this speech by the U.S. president, whose country tends to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs, has brought excitement and hope to people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. しかし、原爆投下を正当化する風潮が、なお根強く残る米国の大統領のこの発言が、ヒロシマ、ナガサキに感動と希望をもたらしたことは、疑いがない。We hope Obama, without betraying those hopes, exerts leadership by promoting talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia as well as leading the United States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. オバマ大統領は、この気持ちを裏切ることなく、ロシアとの新核軍縮交渉推進や、米国の核実験全面禁止条約（ＣＴＢＴ）批准に、指導力を発揮してもらいたい。=== New treaty for new times We also need to look at another aspect of Obama's speech. オバマ演説のもう一つの側面にも、目を向ける必要がある。Obama said of eliminating nuclear weapons: "This goal will not be reached quickly--perhaps not in my lifetime." The current state of the world's nuclear weapons is precarious. 大統領は演説で、核廃絶は「おそらく私の生きているうちには達成されない」と述べた。世界の核状況はそれだけ厳しい。The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which bans the possession of nuclear weapons except by five nations--Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States--has become a mere facade since India and Pakistan became nuclear powers. And even among the five nations, China has been building up its nuclear arms. 米露英仏中の５か国以外の核保有を禁じた核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制は、インド、パキスタンの核保有以降、形骸(けいがい)化の一途だ。５か国の中でも、中国のように核軍拡を進めている国もある。There also is a growing risk that nuclear weapons and related materials could fall into the hands of terrorists. テロリストの手に核兵器・関連物質が渡る危険も増している。The United States is at last seriously addressing the issue of nuclear disarmament--a responsibility is shoulders as a nuclear power under the NPT--a move being touted as a way to thwart the potential for nuclear terrorism, which the United States fears most. 核保有国のＮＰＴ上の責務である軍縮に、米国がようやく本腰を入れるのも、最も危惧(きぐ)している「核テロ」を阻止するため、と指摘されている。=== Still under the U.S. umbrella? Japan also faces serious threats from nuclear weapons. 日本も、深刻な核の脅威の下にある。Earlier this year, North Korea aggressively conducted missile launches and a second nuclear test. 北朝鮮は先にミサイル発射や２度目の核実験を強行した。Japan has to depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to be safe from any North Korean nuclear missile and other military threats. After Obama's speech, it is not surprising that the government has tried to reconfirm with the United States the protection of the nuclear umbrella, as Japan fears a weakened nuclear deterrence. 北朝鮮の核ミサイルなどに対して日本は、米国の「核の傘」に頼らざるを得ない。オバマ演説のあと、日本政府が、核抑止力の低下を懸念して「傘」の再確認に動いているのは当然のことだ。Meanwhile, Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, stressed that Japan should make the United States pledge that it will never preemptively use nuclear weapons. 他方、民主党の岡田幹事長は、米国に核の先制不使用を宣言するよう主張すべきだと言う。He explained that this would not prohibit U.S. retaliations if a hostile nation strikes first, which he said would partly expose Japan from the protection of the nuclear umbrella. But doesn't this render useless the protection afforded by the umbrella? 敵国の先制使用に対して、米国の報復まで禁止するわけでないから、「核の傘」から半分外れると説明するが、これでは「傘」は役立たないのではないか。While seeking the elimination of nuclear weapons, the grave reality is that we must also depend on the nuclear deterrent. It is vital that nuclear disarmament be tackled without having it threaten Japan's peace and security. 核廃絶を希求する一方で、核抑止力に依存せねばならぬ重い現実がある。核軍縮も、日本の平和と安全が損なわれないよう、着実に取り組むことが肝要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2009) （2009年8月6日01時24分 読売新聞）
Aug 6, 2009
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防衛有識者会議 大胆な提言を新大綱に生かせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 5, 2009)New defense guidelines should reflect bold ideas防衛有識者会議 大胆な提言を新大綱に生かせ（8月5日付・読売社説）A report was presented to Prime Minister Taro Aso on Tuesday by a group of experts studying the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines, which define how to maintain Japan's defense capabilities. The panel's report contains a number of daring and important proposals. 防衛力整備の指針である「防衛計画の大綱」の改定を検討してきた有識者会議が、報告書を麻生首相に提出した。大胆かつ重要な提言が多数含まれている。To ensure the nation's peace and security amid the changes taking place in the international security environment, it is imperative that traditional taboos be cast aside and that a review takes place of defense policy and the organization of Self-Defense Forces units and the defense equipment available to them. 国際的な安全保障環境が変化する中、日本の平和と安全を確保し続けるには、従来のタブーを排し、防衛政策や自衛隊の部隊編成・装備を見直すことが肝要だ。Whichever party takes office after the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election, efforts should be made to reflect the group's proposals as much as possible in the new defense guidelines that are due to be formulated by the end of this year. 衆院選後の政権をどの政党が担うにせよ、年末に策定する予定の新防衛大綱に、この提言を極力反映させるよう努めるべきだ。In the report, the experts said that the ability of the United States to be the driving force of "a free and open global system" has weakened in relative terms. Therefore, Japan and European countries need to make up for the United States' declining influence and try to solve international security problems with a joint approach, according to the panel. 報告書は、「自由で開かれた国際システム」を牽引(けんいん)してきた米国の力が相対的に低下したとの現状認識を示した。そのため、日本や欧州諸国が共同で米国を補完し、国際的な安全保障問題の解決を目指す必要性を主張する。=== Review PKO participation rules In concrete terms, the report proposed a review of the nation's five principles for participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and a revision of the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law so that SDF troops can more actively participate in peace cooperation activities. 具体的には、自衛隊が国際平和協力活動に、より積極的に参加するよう、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の参加５原則の見直しやＰＫＯ協力法の改正を提唱した。The threats of international terrorism and piracy in the waters off Somalia symbolize the reality that Japan's security is tied to world peace. The nation has a responsibility to play a part in peace-building efforts by the international community. However, only 39 Japanese were participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations as of June 30, a figure that places Japan only 82nd in the world. 国際テロや海賊の脅威に象徴されるように、日本の安全は世界の平和と連動している。日本は国際社会による平和構築活動の一翼を担う責任がある。だが、日本の６月末のＰＫＯ参加人数は３９人で、世界８２位にすぎない。To increase the number of SDF members participating in PKOs, it is important to develop a system enabling the dispatch of troops flexibly in line with the actual circumstances of such missions. It is also necessary to relax existing rules on the use of weapons and develop permanent legislation on the dispatch of SDF members abroad. 自衛隊の参加を増やすには、ＰＫＯの実態に即して、柔軟に部隊を派遣する体制を整えることが大切だ。武器使用権限の拡大と、自衛隊の海外派遣に関する恒久法の整備にも取り組む必要がある。=== How to interpret Constitution? In the report, the panel also urged the government to change its interpretation of the Constitution to enable the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense so that the SDF can intercept ballistic missiles heading toward the United States and protect U.S. Navy ships monitoring missile launches. 報告書は、集団的自衛権について、米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃や、ミサイルを警戒する米軍艦船の防護を可能にするよう、政府の憲法解釈の変更を求めた。When North Korea fired a ballistic missile in April, the SDF and U.S. forces worked together to deal with the situation. To further strengthen confidence in the Japan-U.S. alliance, the government should change its constitutional interpretation as soon as possible. ４月の北朝鮮のミサイル発射時に自衛隊と米軍は共同対処した。日米同盟の信頼性を高めるには政府解釈の変更を急ぐべきだ。On the question of whether the nation should possess the capability of attacking bases in enemy territory, the panel stressed in the report that Japan should study the suitability and cost-effectiveness of equipment and operational procedures to this end on the condition that should such contingencies arise Tokyo and Washington would work together to deal with them. 報告書は、敵基地攻撃能力の保有についても、日米共同対処を前提に、日本として適切な装備体系や運用方法、費用対効果を検討する必要性を強調している。Calmly discussing what responsibilities Tokyo can share with Washington to help supplement the offensive capabilities of U.S. forces has huge significance. 米国の攻撃力を補完する形で、どんな役割分担が可能かを冷静に議論する意味は大きい。The report said the nation's three principles for banning arms exports were preventing Japan from participating in international research projects for developing and producing weapons and that these should be made exceptions to the rules. They also proposed that the ban on the export of weapons to support efforts against terrorism and piracy should also be lifted. 武器輸出３原則について、報告書は、日本が装備品の国際的な共同開発・生産に参加できない問題を指摘し、３原則の例外化を求めた。テロ・海賊対策支援目的の輸出の解禁も提唱した。In addition to Japan not being left behind when it comes to state-of-the-art military technology, it should also be a matter of course that Japan allows the export of weapons when this can serve as a contribution to global peace. 日本が最新の軍事技術から取り残される事態は避けるべきだし、国際平和に寄与する武器輸出は容認するのが当然だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2009) （2009年8月5日02時09分 読売新聞）
Aug 5, 2009
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私大定員割れ 特色作りで活路を見いだせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 4, 2009)Specialty key to survival of private universities私大定員割れ 特色作りで活路を見いだせ（8月4日付・読売社説）With the shakeout of private universities having finally begun, these institutions must seriously take to heart the fact that those among their number that cannot demonstrate a specialty will no longer be able to survive. 大学の淘汰(とうた)がいよいよ始まったということだろう。特色を打ち出せない大学は、生き残れない時代だということを肝に銘じなければなるまい。A survey released Thursday by the Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan found that 46.5 percent of four-year private universities were underenrolled at the start of this academic year, almost the same level as last academic year, while 69.1 percent of two-year private junior colleges were in such a situation, a slight increase from last academic year. 日本私立学校振興・共済事業団が、今年度の大学・短大への入学者数などを発表した。定員割れは昨年度と比べ、４年制大学はほぼ横ばいの４６・５％、短大は微増の６９・１％に上っている。Since the beginning of this year, five private universities, including those run by joint-stock companies, have said they will stop accepting new students from next academic year. 今年に入り、来年度からの学生募集停止を表明した大学は、株式会社立を含め既に５校ある。Despite the fact that the population of 18-year-olds has been declining due to the low birthrate since academic year 1993, when it fell below 2 million, the number of universities and junior colleges has continued to rise, with the number of four-year private, and state-run and other public universities totaling as many as about 770. It is natural that universities that cannot demonstrate a specialty will be forced to close. １８歳人口は、２００万人を切った１９９３年度以降、少子化で減り続けているのに、大学数は増え続け、国公立を含めると、４年制大学だけで約７７０校ある。特色を出せない大学が退場を余儀なくされるのは、当然だろう。=== Students' needs paramount Stable university management will not be ensured merely by contriving to continuously recruit students through recommendation-based admission and interview- and essay-based tests, known as "admission office exams." It is very important that private universities offer attractive courses of study and clearly present their education policy and method of developing human resources so young people will be able to envision their future after they are educated there. 推薦入試やＡＯ入試で安易な学生集めを続けるだけでは、経営の安定は図れない。進学したいと思わせる教育課程を用意し、その教育を受ければどんな将来像が描けるのか、教育方針と人材育成の方法を明確に示すことが肝要だ。At some private universities, people who have had careers in corporate management serve as president, and faculty and companies in their local community discuss and decide on study goals, textbooks and other educational materials. Other universities have established unique departments, including one specializing in manga. 企業経営に携わった経験者を学長に据え、教員と地元の企業が協議して授業の目標や教材を決めたり、マンガ学部など独自の学部を設けたりする大学もある。To increase the number of mature students holding down full-time jobs, which accounts for only about 2 percent of the total, private universities must also provide education that meets such students' various needs. ２％程度しかいない社会人学生が増えるよう、需要に合った教育内容の提供も必要だろう。The government's Central Education Council is currently discussing future university education from a mid- and long-term perspective. We hope the council will thoroughly discuss the appropriate number of universities and students. 中央教育審議会は、中長期的な大学教育のあり方について審議中だ。大学数や学生数の適正規模もしっかり議論してもらいたい。=== Safety net needed It is noteworthy that the council's first report, compiled in June, emphasizes that the desirable size and nature of universities should be discussed from the perspective of different targets. The report lists seven such targets, including "nurturing professionals in a wide range of fields" and "social contribution." ６月にまとめた第１次報告で注目されるのは、大学の規模や質のあり方を分野別に考えるよう強調していることだ。この中で、「幅広い職業人の養成」「社会貢献」など７分野を例示している。In their respective proposals on human resources development, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) and the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) also are calling on universities to increase specialization in their areas of expertise. 大学が得意分野に重点化していくことは、経済同友会や日本経団連がまとめた人材育成に関する提言でも求めている。However, the Central Education Council should spell out in greater detail the targets it believes an ideal university should meet. We hope the council will work out this point before compiling its final report. ただ、分野別の例は、もっと具体的に示すべきではないか。最終報告までに練り上げてほしい。The council has also proposed discussions on the establishment of a new higher educational body, specializing in vocational education, other than existing universities and junior colleges. The raison d'etre of junior colleges, whose main objectives include vocational education, therefore comes into question. 中教審は、大学や短大とは別に職業教育に特化した新高等教育機関の検討も打ち出しており、職業教育を目的の一つとする短大は存在意義が問われている。Cultivating a specialty is necessary, but it may also be a wise option for junior colleges to actively discuss transforming themselves into four-year universities as well as realigning and integrating. 特色作りも必要だが、４年制大学への転換や再編・統合をもっと積極的に検討してもよい。The population of 18-year-olds is expected to hover around 1.2 million for the next decade. Should private universities remain underenrolled, their management will face an increased danger of collapse. The Education, Science and Technology Ministry should prepare measures to deal with a possible collapse of universities, including a system to protect students enrolled in universities that fail. １８歳人口は、今後も１０年間程度は１２０万人前後で推移する。定員割れが続けば、経営破綻(はたん)の危機は高まる。文部科学省は、在学生が保護される仕組みなど破綻処理策を考えておく必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2009) （2009年8月4日00時43分 読売新聞）
Aug 4, 2009
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最低賃金 まだ残る生活保護との逆転
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 3, 2009)Minimum wage should always exceed welfare最低賃金 まだ残る生活保護との逆転（8月3日付・読売社説）The Central Minimum Wages Council, an advisory panel to the health, labor and welfare minister, has proposed to the minister reference increases for the minimum wage in fiscal 2009 that differ from prefecture to prefecture. 厚生労働省の中央最低賃金審議会が、地域別最低賃金の今年度の引き上げの目安を示した。The proposals are to leave unchanged the minimum wage in the 35 prefectures in which the minimum wage exceeds welfare benefit, and to raise the minimum wage in the remaining 12, including Tokyo, by 2 yen to 30 yen an hour. 最低賃金が生活保護水準を上回る３５県は据え置き、それ以外の１２都道府県は、時給で２円から３０円の引き上げを求める、という内容である。If the panel's recommendation is adopted, the national average minimum wage would rise by between 7 yen and 9 yen to 710-712 yen an hour, which translates to a net monthly income of about 106,000 yen. Considering current economic conditions, such a hike would be a drastic one. この結果、最低賃金は全国平均で７～９円引き上げられ、時給で７１０～７１２円、月収換算すると、税などを控除して約１０万６０００円となる。経済状況からすれば、踏み込んだ決着となった。A year-on-year comparison of the national average minimum wage shows that increases of 14 yen and 16 yen occurred in fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively, representing double-digit growth for two consecutive years. But the rate of wage increases for small companies nationwide, which the advisory panel studies when working out the minimum wage reference increases, fell into negative territory in 2009. ここ２年は平均１４円、１６円と２ケタ増が続いたが、目安を審議する際に参考にしている全国の小規模企業の賃上げ率は、今年はマイナスに転じていた。Panel members selected from labor circles sought an increase of 50 yen an hour in the minimum wage last year, but failed to demand a specific figure this year, no doubt in consideration of the severe business environment. 昨年は時給５０円増を求めた労働側委員も、今回は具体的な上げ幅を示さなかった。経営環境の厳しさを承知していたからだろう。=== Panel's proposal no panacea The Minimum Wages Law, which was revised in July 2008, calls for setting the minimum wage by factoring in employers' ability to pay wages and "harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit." 最低賃金法が昨年７月に改正され、事業主側の賃金支払い能力などに加え、新たに「生活保護との整合性」にも配慮して最低賃金を定めることが盛り込まれた。Even in the current economic climate, if the panel had abandoned the goal of pursuing "harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit" only two years after the law revision, its raison d'etre would have been called into question. 景気が悪くても施行２年目でこれを放棄しては、審議会の存在が問われるところでもあった。The problem of the minimum wage being below welfare benefit in the 12 prefectures will not be solved merely through the implementation of the panel's recommendation. In the case of Tokyo, if the minimum wage is raised in line with the panel's proposal, the amount would be increased from the current 766 yen an hour to a maximum 796 yen. But 796 yen an hour is 30 yen less than the amount of welfare benefit paid in the capital, in hourly terms. 生活保護と逆転している１２都道府県は、今回でそれが解消されるわけではない。東京都の場合、目安どおりアップすれば現状の時給７６６円から最大７９６円になるが、まだ時給で３０円足りない。The amount of welfare benefit is categorized in six ranks according to municipality (cities, towns and villages). The national average minimum wage is compared with the average amount of welfare benefit received by young, single people in each prefecture. In most of the 35 prefectures whose minimum wage the panel proposes be left as is, the amount of welfare benefit paid out in the capitals of those prefectures likely will exceed the minimum wage paid in those cities. 生活保護は市町村ごとに６ランクに分けて決められている。最低賃金は若年単身者の都道府県別の平均額と比較するが、最低賃金が据え置かれた３５県の多くも、県庁所在地で比べると、生活保護の方が上回るとみられている。The advisory panels responsible for setting the minimum wage in each prefecture will decide how much to raise it based on the reference increases proposed by the central government panel, and the raises will be introduced from October. We hope the minimum wage will exceed welfare benefit in all the areas of each prefecture. 今後、中央審が示した目安を参考に、都道府県ごとに地方審議会が引き上げ額を決定し、１０月から改定される予定だ。都道府県内のどの地域でも生活保護を上回ることを目標にしてもらいたい。=== Deeper discussions needed If welfare benefit exceeds the minimum wage, workers who receive little more than that amount will lose the motivation to work, while people on welfare will have no incentive to find a job. "Harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit" is an issue that should be seriously discussed next year and after, too. 生活保護の方が高ければ、最低賃金ぎりぎりで働く人の就労意欲は失われ、生活保護者は職を探す気にならないだろう。「生活保護との整合性」は、来年以降もしっかりと追求していくべきだ。With the increase in the number of nonregular workers, including part-time workers, the importance of the role of the minimum wage system as a social safety net is growing. パートなどの非正規労働者が増加し、安全網としての最低賃金制度の役割は増している。The manifestos of each opposition party and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, New Komeito, for the next House of Representatives election propose a minimum wage of 1,000 yen an hour. But it is problematic to treat student part-timers on an equal footing with fatherless families when it comes to setting the minimum wage. 野党各党や公明党は衆院選の公約で「時給１０００円」の最低賃金を掲げているが、学生アルバイトと母子家庭では同一に論じられないという側面もある。More intensive discussions on a fair minimum wage level and how to set such a level should be held, taking into account how this issue affects corporate management. 企業経営への影響を含め、最低賃金のあり方や決定方法の議論を深めることが重要だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2009) （2009年8月3日01時21分 読売新聞）
Aug 3, 2009
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ラグビー Ｗ杯をスポーツ界の活力に
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 2, 2009)2019 Rugby World Cup could give sports fillipラグビー Ｗ杯をスポーツ界の活力に（8月2日付・読売社説）Japan has won the right to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup. ラグビーの２０１９年ワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）が、日本で開催されることになった。We hope that hosting the event will invigorate not only rugby, but sport more generally in the nation, which has been suffering during the severe economic downturn. Ｗ杯開催を、ラグビー界だけでなく、不況の影響で逆風を受けているスポーツ界全体の活性化につなげたい。The Rugby World Cup is said to be the third-biggest sporting event in the world after soccer's World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games. Since it was launched in 1987, the Rugby World Cup has been held every four years. But Japan will be the first Asian nation to host the tournament. ラグビーのＷ杯は、サッカーのＷ杯、夏季五輪に次ぐ規模の国際大会と言われている。１９８７年の第１回大会以来、４年に１度、開かれてきたが、アジアでの開催は初めてである。Japan was likely picked in light of the praise it earned for its hosting in June of the Junior World Championship (for players aged 20 or under) among other factors. Also, the International Rugby Board apparently is intent on expanding the rugby business through greater internationalization of the sport. 日本が選ばれたのは、６月に２０歳以下の世界選手権を開催した実績などが評価された結果だろう。ラグビーの国際化で市場拡大を目指す国際ラグビーボード（ＩＲＢ）の思惑も働いたといえる。=== Long way to go But the reality is that Japan still has many obstacles to overcome ahead of the tournament. だが、現実には、大会までの道のりは平坦(へいたん)ではないだろう。First and foremost, it is imperative to raise the standard of the national team--a strong team would likely lead to greater public excitement over the tournament. まず必要なのは、日本チームのレベルアップだ。日本代表が強ければこそ、大会は盛り上がる。Japan has participated in all six rugby World Cups, but has each time failed to progress beyond the group stage--the national team struggles to compete with the world's top teams. 日本は過去６回のＷ杯のすべてに出場しているが、いずれも１次リーグで敗退している。世界のトップクラスの国と比べると、大きな力の差があるのが現状だ。The Japan Rugby Football Union must therefore work hard to come up with effective measures to improve standards with an eye on the next decade. 日本ラグビー協会は、１０年後を見据え、しっかりとした強化策を練らなければならない。One way to strengthen the national team would be the fielding of foreign players. Foreign rugby players would be eligible to play for Japan as long as they have not played for any other national team and have played in Japan for at least three years consecutively. 外国人選手によって日本代表をさらに補強するのも一つの方法であろう。ラグビーの場合、他国での代表経験がなく、日本で３年以上プレーすれば、外国人でも日本代表になれるからだ。However, if there are too many foreign players in the national team, people may feel the thrill of cheering on their country's own players at the World Cup is diminished. しかし、他国の選手があまりに多くては、国旗を背負って戦うというＷ杯の醍醐(だいご)味が薄れてしまうと感じる人も少なくあるまい。=== Investing in success It is difficult to argue that rugby is particularly popular in Japan, with many members of the public likely to say they only watch the latter stages of the national university championship early in the New Year on TV. 国内のラグビー人気は、決して高いとはいえない。テレビで見るのは、年始の大学選手権だけという人も多いのではないか。To broaden the sport's fan base, it is essential that the nation's players improve their skill levels and battle hard in games. ファン層を拡大するためにも、選手がレベルアップして、迫力ある試合を見せることは欠かせない。The Japan Rugby Football Union is due to make an about 15 billion yen host guarantee payment to the International Rugby Board. Meanwhile, the construction and upgrading of venue facilities will require huge investment. Ｗ杯開催により、協会は約１５０億円の開催保証金をＩＲＢに支払わねばならない。会場の整備にも巨額の資金が必要となる。A further issue is how attractive rugby will appear to businesses and other groups whose support is being sought. ラグビーがビジネスとしても魅力ある競技であると認知されるかどうかが、経済界などからの支援獲得のカギとなるだろう。The nation also has been bidding to host the 2016 Olympic Games and a soccer World Cup. If Tokyo is chosen to host the Games in 2016, a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 is expected to be built in the city's Harumi district. Using the same stadium for the Rugby World Cup would save on costs. 日本は、１６年の東京五輪、さらにサッカーのＷ杯招致にも取り組んでいる。東京五輪が実現すれば、東京・晴海に１０万人収容の新スタジアムが建設される予定だ。ここをラグビーＷ杯でも使えば、施設整備費の節約につながる。The host city of the 2016 Games will be announced in October. We hope that Tokyo will win, helped on by the successful bid to host the Rugby World Cup. １６年の五輪開催地は１０月に決まる。ラグビーＷ杯を追い風に、東京五輪も実現にこぎ着けたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2009) （2009年8月2日01時46分 読売新聞）
Aug 2, 2009
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自民党政権公約 「責任力」に見合う具体策示せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 1, 2009)Responsible party needs responsible policies自民党政権公約 「責任力」に見合う具体策示せ（8月1日付・読売社説）The Liberal Democratic Party unveiled its campaign platform for the upcoming House of Representatives election on Friday. 自民党が衆院選の政権公約を発表した。Although the manifesto contained an unusual phrase lauding the party's "ability to govern responsibly," the LDP was at pains to trumpet that it is a responsible political party and spelled out where it differed from the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan. 「責任力」という聞き慣れない造語を使ってまで、自民党は責任政党ぶりを強調し、政権交代を訴える民主党への対抗意識を前面に打ち出した。However, sections on how the LDP will carry out its policies are riddled with vague explanation. We think the LDP should describe its policies in far more detail during political debates from now on. だが、個々の政策を実現させる道筋には曖昧(あいまい)な部分が目立つ。今後の論戦を通じて、さらに具体的な説明に努める必要がある。The LDP picks up social security system reform and tax system reform from the opening of its manifesto. It says, "We will implement necessary legislative measures by fiscal 2011 in regard to fundamental taxation reform, including a consumption tax rate increase." 公約の冒頭に社会保障制度改革と税制改革を掲げ、「消費税を含む税制抜本改革について、２０１１年度までに必要な法制上の措置を講じる」としている。The platform then goes on to say the party "will construct a social security system of medium welfare levels and medium burden." The LDP spells out in black and white that it wants the public to bear a fair share of the cost of providing a social security safety net, including through a rise in the consumption tax rate in the future. その上で、「『中福祉・中負担』の社会保障制度を構築する」とも記し、将来の消費税率引き上げを含め、国民に応分の負担を求める姿勢を明確にした。=== Finding the funding The LDP tried to pick apart the DPJ platform and cast doubt on whether the DPJ can actually find the resources to bankroll its policies. The LDP should be given some credit for having found the courage to mention a consumption tax increase and prodding the public to shoulder a "medium burden" of social security costs. However, the LDP failed to specify crucial details of these policies. 財源の裏付けがあやふやな民主党との違いを際立たせよう、という狙いからだろうが、及び腰ながら、消費税や「中負担」に踏み込んだことは一応、評価できる。The centerpiece of the LDP manifesto is a policy to phase out preschool fees for children aged 3 to 5, with these fees eventually being waived in fiscal 2012. The policy is a direct counterproposal to the DPJ pledge to offer a monthly allowance of 26,000 yen per child to households with children of middle school age or younger. 目玉政策は、幼児教育の負担を段階的に軽減し、２０１２年度に完全無償化することだという。中学生まで１人月額２万６０００円を支給するとした民主党の「子ども手当」に対抗して掲げた。However, the LDP will need to wring an additional about 790 billion yen from somewhere to cover the costs of this policy. Although this is a fraction of the 5.5 trillion yen the DPJ will need for its monthly allowance policy, it is still a hefty price tag. The party manifesto offered no clear answers on how it would finance this plan. だが、完全無償化には新たに約７９００億円を捻出(ねんしゅつ)しなければならない。「子ども手当」実現に必要な５・５兆円とは桁(けた)が違うとはいえ、かなりの額だ。財源はどう手当てするのか。その答えは示されていない。If the LDP is serious about extolling its ability to govern responsibly, it should not crank up a skirmish based on pork-barrel spending as it seeks to woo voters. 「責任力」を強調するのなら、票目当てのばらまき合戦をエスカレートさせるべきではない。=== Security issues In the diplomatic and national security fields, the platform says that, to counter North Korea's ballistic missile threat, the LDP will implement necessary security measures that will enable the interception of ballistic missiles fired toward the United States as well as protect U.S. vessels operating in cooperation with Japan on the ballistic missile defense shield. 一方、外交・安全保障分野では、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルの脅威に対し、「米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃」「弾道ミサイル防衛で連携する米国艦艇の防護」が可能となるよう、「必要な安全保障上の手当てを行う」としている。If the LDP suggests there could be a change from the current government interpretation on the right to collective self-defense--in which the nation possesses this right but cannot exercise it--we think the party should have come right out and said so. 集団的自衛権の「権利はあるが、行使できない」とする現行の政府解釈の変更を意味しているのなら、もっと明確に書くべきだったのではないか。The DPJ said in its collection of policies unveiled at the same time as its manifesto that it will not stick to conceptual discussions on whether self-defense is individual or collective. The DPJ's stance can be interpreted as accepting the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, but this lack of clarity makes the party's stance difficult to understand. We think the DPJ needs to flesh out its explanation. 集団的自衛権について、民主党は公約と一緒に発表した政策集で「個別的・集団的といった概念上の議論に拘泥せず」としている。行使の容認とも読めるが、分かりにくい。補足の説明が必要だ。All the major parties have presented their campaign platforms, so now the cut-and-thrust of a full-fledged election campaign can begin in earnest. We hope each party focuses on spreading their messages and policies on pending domestic and international issues. 主要政党の政権公約が出揃(そろ)い、論戦はいよいよ本格化する。各党には、内外の懸案に対する具体的な処方箋(せん)を競うことに主眼を置いてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2009) （2009年8月1日01時18分 読売新聞）
Aug 1, 2009
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