2010年04月の記事
全18件 (18件中 1-18件目)
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歌舞伎座新築へ 伝統芸能を発展させる礎に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 30, 2010)Reinvigorate traditional performing arts歌舞伎座新築へ 伝統芸能を発展させる礎に（4月29日付・読売社説）The stage on which many fine kabuki actors performed some of their greatest shows is about to be reborn. The curtain will come down on the antiquated Kabuki-za theater in Ginza, Tokyo, with a closing ceremony Friday. The theater will be torn down and rebuilt. 新歌舞伎座のイメージ図 数々の名優たちの足跡を刻んだ舞台が生まれ変わる。東京・銀座の歌舞伎座が老朽化に伴う建て替えのため、明日の閉場式を最後に休場する。The Kabuki-za, built with a grand architectural style evocative of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), has been a cultural space and distinctive landmark in central Tokyo. Many people were surely saddened to bid farewell to the venerable theater. 壮麗な桃山風建築の劇場は、都心にあって異彩を放つ文化空間でもあった。名残を惜しむ人も多いことだろう。The first Kabuki-za theater in Ginza was built in 1889. After the theater burned down several times, the present structure opened its doors in 1951. 最初の歌舞伎座は１８８９年（明治２２年）に誕生した。焼失を繰り返したが、１９５１年に現在の建物がオープンした。A new Kabuki-za building will be completed in three years as a multifunctional facility that will house a new four-story kabuki theater and a 29-story office building. 新歌舞伎座は、４階建ての新劇場と２９階建てのオフィス棟の複合施設として３年後に完成する。Farewell performances at the theater, which lasted for 16 months, were filled to overflowing every day. １６か月に及んだ歌舞伎座の「さよなら公演」は、連日超満員だった。=== Interest reignited Kabuki has entered a new phase of prosperity. Public performances are being well received at Shinbashi Enbujo in Tokyo, at the Minami-za in Kyoto, and at the Shochiku-za in Osaka. 歌舞伎は新たな隆盛期を迎えている。新橋演舞場や京都南座、大阪松竹座の公演も順調だ。This marks a turnaround from about 30 to 40 years ago, when kabuki was in a slump. At that time, some people harbored grave doubts about kabuki's future. ３０～４０年前には、歌舞伎の存続が危ぶまれる低迷期もあった。Since the mid-1980s, however, kabuki has regained popularity. Interest in kabuki has been rekindled by performances commemorating an actor's succession to the stage name Ichikawa Danjuro--the name of the person considered to be the founder of kabuki performed in Edo (present Tokyo)--and attempts to create new styles of kabuki, starting with "super kabuki," a combination of traditional kabuki with contemporary playwrights' work and modern stage technology. ８０年代後半以降、江戸歌舞伎の元祖と言える名跡、市川団十郎の襲名披露公演の成功や、スーパー歌舞伎に始まる新しい試みなどにより人気は回復していった。Since the 1970s, the National Theatre in Tokyo has devoted considerable resources to training kabuki actors and musicians. Those who earned their stripes at the theater are now supporting the foundations of kabuki. ７０年以降、国立劇場でも俳優や楽器奏者らの養成に順次取り組んできた。研修修了生は、今日の歌舞伎の基盤を支えている。Everyday terms such as "nobetsu makunashi" (without intermission), "oozume" (the final act), and "ohako" (one's specialty) originated in kabuki. This brings home again the depth of Japanese language and the aesthetic sense of the Japanese people. 日常の会話で使われる「のべつ幕なし」「大詰め」「おはこ（十八番）」などの言葉は、歌舞伎に由来したものだ。日本語の奥行きの深さや、日本人の美意識を改めて発見することが出来る。=== Laying the groundwork Audiences can feel the actors' powerful performances or marvel at the elaborate stage sets all the more when they watch a show at the theater. If kabuki is performed at more local theaters while the Kabuki-za is being rebuilt, the traditional art's fan base will widen even further. 迫力のある演技や趣向を凝らした舞台装置などは、劇場でこそ実感出来る。歌舞伎座の工事中に地方公演が増えるならば、ファンの幅はさらに広がるだろう。Such traditional performing arts as kabuki, noh plays and ningyo-joruri bunraku puppetry are registered on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritages. Although kabuki's popularity stands out among these performing arts, the origins and themes of all three are inextricably linked. 歌舞伎や能楽、人形浄瑠璃文楽などは、国連教育・科学・文化機関（ユネスコ）の無形文化遺産代表一覧リストに記載されている。歌舞伎の人気が突出しているが、成り立ちやテーマにおいて、三つの芸は深く関(かか)わりあっている。The revised Fundamental Law of Education stipulates that educators should instill a respect for Japan's tradition and culture in their students. Accordingly, the official guidelines for middle school teaching, for instance, say, "It is important to stimulate students' interest" in such classic performing arts as noh, kyogen, kabuki and rakugo comic storytelling. 改正教育基本法は、伝統と文化の尊重を新たな教育目標として盛り込んでいる。これを受け、例えば中学校の学習指導要領解説書は能、狂言、歌舞伎、落語なども含めた古典芸能への「関心を喚起することが大切」としている。Increasing opportunities for children to appreciate traditional performing arts will deepen their understanding of Japanese culture. 伝統芸の鑑賞の機会を増やしていくならば、子どもたちの日本文化への理解も深まるだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 29, 2010) （2010年4月29日01時16分 読売新聞）
Apr 30, 2010
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小沢氏起訴相当 「公判で真相」求めた審査会
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 29, 2010)Panel wants truth about Ozawa uncovered小沢氏起訴相当 「公判で真相」求めた審査会（4月28日付・読売社説）An independent judicial panel of citizens threw down the gauntlet in challenging prosecutors who had decided not to indict Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa. We can only call this an exercise of the "good sense of citizens." 民主党の小沢幹事長を「不起訴」とした検察の判断に、「善良な市民感覚」が強烈なノーを突き付けた形だ。In a closely watched decision, the Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution, which comprised 11 citizens, agreed that Ozawa merits indictment over his fund management body's alleged false reporting of political funds, a step beyond a decision that would merely deem nonindictment as inappropriate. 注目されていた検察審査会の議決は、「不起訴不当」から踏み込んで「起訴すべきだ」との結論になった。The panel's decision reflects a clear commonsense judgment that calls for the clarification of the facts and determining where the responsibility lies as long as there are suspicions concerning Ozawa's involvement. 小沢氏に疑わしい事実がある以上、裁判の場で事実関係と責任の所在を明らかにしてもらいたいという、極めて常識的な判断が投影されている。As an initial step, prosecutors must reinvestigate the case thoroughly. If they decide not to indict Ozawa again, a judicial panel could decide for the second time that he merits indictment. Court-appointed lawyers could then indict him in place of prosecutors. 検察は、まずは再捜査に全力を挙げるべきだ。 その結果、再び不起訴でも、２回目の審査で起訴相当なら裁判所指定の弁護士による強制起訴となる。Attention is now focused on whether prosecutors will reverse course and indict Ozawa, taking into account the panel's decision. 次の節目で検察が、議決を入れて起訴に踏み切るかどうかが注目される。"I'm surprised by the unexpected result. I believe the prosecutors will make an appropriate judgment in the end," Ozawa said in response to the panel's decision. He should fulfill his accountability by answering the questions the panel raised. 小沢氏は、議決を受けて「意外な結果で驚いている。検察が適正に判断すると信じている」と語った。小沢氏は審査会の指摘した疑惑については、説明責任を果たさなければならない。=== Key to decision The key to the panel's decision was its interpretations of a statement by House of Representatives member Tomohiro Ishikawa, who was in charge of clerical work at Ozawa's fund management organization, Rikuzan-kai, and others involved. Ishikawa has been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Control Law. 審査会の判断のポイントは、小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」の事務担当者だった石川知裕衆院議員（政治資金規正法違反で起訴）らの供述の評価だった。Ishikawa told investigators of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office he had informed Ozawa of his plan not to list 400 million yen in the management organization's political funds report, and obtained Ozawa's approval. Rikuzan-kai used most of the money to purchase a plot of land in Tokyo. 石川被告は、陸山会が東京都内の土地代金などに充てた４億円について、収支報告書に記載しない方針を小沢氏に報告、了承を得たと東京地検に供述している。However, Ozawa denied conspiring with Ishikawa, saying: "I don't know. I approved [the report], believing that the person in charge had recorded the facts." これに対し小沢氏は「知らない。担当者が真実を記載したと信じ、了承した」と共謀を否定した。The prosecutors eventually decided not to indict Ozawa, concluding that Ishikawa's statement lacked substance. However, the judicial panel disagreed, calling Ozawa's statement "unreasonable and unnatural" and "hard to believe," based on Ishikawa's statement and other evidence. 地検は、石川供述は具体性を欠くなどとして最終的に小沢氏の起訴を見送ったが、審査会は石川供述などを基に、小沢氏の弁明を「不合理・不自然で信用できない」と言い切っている。The panel even went on to say Ozawa had "persistently covered up" the fact that he had provided the 400 million yen so as "not to have the media kick up a fuss about it." しかも、小沢氏が「マスコミに騒がれないための手段」として、４億円が自らの資金であることを隠蔽(いんぺい)する「執拗(しつよう)な偽装工作」をしたとも指摘している。The panel, therefore, sought Ozawa's indictment from a different angle than the prosecutors, who put top priority on proving a suspect's guilt. 有罪立証を第一に考える検察官とは違う視点で起訴を求めた。=== 'Good sense' shown The inquest panel's citizens' "good sense" was clearly shown in the following statement: 審査会の「市民感覚」が端的に表れているのは次の部分だ。"Is it right not to question the responsibility of politicians whenever they insist they left the matter in question to their secretaries? "As public distrust in politics and money is growing, the case cannot be ignored from the viewpoint of citizens." 「秘書に任せていたと言えば、政治家の責任は問われなくて良いのか」「政治家とカネにまつわる政治不信が高まっている状況下、市民目線からは許し難い」We believe such views are shared by many people. これらは多くの国民にも共通した思いだろう。During the investigation of the Rikuzan-kai case, prosecutors were criticized for leaking information to the media. 陸山会事件では「検察リーク」などの捜査批判も起きた。Prosecutors must not be carried away by the feelings of citizens when conducting an investigation. But they should give explanations that satisfy the public. 市民感情に流されての捜査は禁物だが、検察にも、国民が納得できる説明が求められよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 28, 2010) （2010年4月28日01時19分 読売新聞）
Apr 29, 2010
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不起訴相当議決 首相は審査会の指摘に応えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 28, 2010)Hatoyama must answer inquest panel's questions不起訴相当議決 首相は審査会の指摘に応えよ（4月27日付・読売社説）An inquest panel recently decided it was appropriate for prosecutors not to indict Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama over false records of political donations compiled by his fund-management organization. However, Hatoyama should not mistakenly think this has allowed him to completely escape the scandal over falsified political donations. We would like to ask the prime minister to carefully read the report compiled by the Tokyo No. 4 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution. 鳩山首相は、検察審査会の「不起訴処分は妥当」の結論に、「これで逃げ切れた」などと勘違いしてはいけない。首相には議決書をじっくり読んでみてほしい。Hatoyama continually said he knew nothing about the falsification of the political fund reports and the huge amount of money provided by his mother. However, the panel questioned this, saying the natural feeling of ordinary citizens was that such a situation was unthinkable. Most of the public will probably have the same doubts. 政治資金収支報告書への虚偽記載と、母親からの巨額の資金提供を「知らなかった」と言い続ける首相に、審査会は「素朴な国民感情として、考えがたい」と疑問を呈した。国民の大多数が抱く疑念と同じだろう。It is the prime minister's duty to answer that question as well as to explain the use of his political funds. This should be considered separately from whether he is criminally liable. 資金の使途と合わせ、説明責任を果たすのは首相の義務であり、刑事責任とは別の問題である。=== Hatoyama's claim doubted In its report, the panel explained what caused Hatoyama's former first state-funded secretary to begin falsifying the political fund reports. 虚偽記載のきっかけについて、審査会は次のように認定した。Hatoyama's organization became totally dependent on the prime minster's personal funds after donations from companies and labor unions to political fund management organizations were prohibited by law in 2000. ２０００年に企業や労働組合などから資金管理団体への寄付が禁止され、首相の団体も首相個人の資金頼みの状態になった。"Don't always rely on my money," Hatoyama was quoted as telling the former secretary. "I want you to raise funds on your own." 首相は秘書に「いつも私のお金を頼るんじゃなくて、ちゃんと資金を集めろ」と苦言を呈した。Hatoyama's complaint prompted the former secretary to start falsifying records of political donations by padding contributions from individuals and revenues from fund-raising parties, the report said. そのため秘書が、個人献金やパーティー収入の水増し分の虚偽記載に走った、というものである。Hatoyama told the former secretary to raise funds by himself, but the prime minister must have understood how difficult that would be. 指示はしたものの、資金集めが容易ではないことくらい、首相もわかっていただろう。Meanwhile, Hatoyama's provision of money to the fund organization has decreased drastically every year since his organization began receiving political funds of 15 million yen a month--180 million yen annually--from his own mother. Given these circumstances, Hatoyama's claim to have known nothing is hardly convincing, the panel said. This logic is strongly persuasive. 一方で、母親から毎月１５００万円、年間１億８０００万円もの資金が入るようになって、首相個人の拠出額は年々、極端に減っていく。それなのに「知らなかった」では通るまい――。審査会のこの論法は実に説得力がある。Also, some members of the public suspected the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office of giving special consideration to the government when it did not directly question Hatoyama and instead let him submit a written report about the issue. 東京地検が首相本人の聴取をせず、上申書の提出で済ませたことも当時、政権に特別の配慮をしたのではないかと憶測を呼んだ。Quite a few members of the inquest panel reportedly questioned the contents of Hatoyama's written report. In other words, they may have said prosecutors' investigations were insufficient. 審査会では、上申書の内容そのものを疑う意見が少なからず出たという。裏返せば、地検の捜査不十分を指摘したのではないか。=== Panel seeks tougher law It is also noteworthy that the panel proposed revisions of the current Political Funds Control Law, saying its provisions are very advantageous for politicians. 今の政治資金規正法を「政治家に都合のよい規定」だとして、改正を求めた点にも着目したい。Representatives of political fund organizations are held accountable for violations of the law if they do not pay proper attention to the appointment and supervision of the people responsible for the organizations' accounting. However, there must be neglect of not only one, but both appointment and supervision to constitute a violation. 政治団体の代表者は、会計責任者の「選任及び監督」について注意を怠ると、規正法違反に問われる。しかし、どちらか一方ではなく両方であることが要件だ。This is why the prime minister, who was found not to be at fault regarding the former secretary's appointment, was not charged with criminal liability. 「選任」について問題なしとされた首相が、刑事責任を問われなかったのはこのためだ。New Komeito has already submitted to the current Diet session a bill to revise the law so that people who neglect either appointment or supervision can be held criminally responsible. However, discussions on the bill have not proceeded very far because members of some parties feel it is too strict or that prosecutors would misuse the revised law. 公明党は、どちらか一方を怠れば責任を問えるようにする改正案を国会に提出している。しかし、各党には「厳しすぎる」「検察が乱用する」といった異論もあり、議論は進んでいない。It is common sense among ordinary people for superiors at private companies to take responsibility for supervising their subordinates, according to the panel. 企業では部下の監督責任を上司が問われる。それが世間一般の常識だと審査会は言う。We would like the panel's opinion to be applied to discussions about revising the law based on the will of the public. 民意を汲(く)んだ法改正論議につなげたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 27, 2010) （2010年4月27日01時13分 読売新聞）
Apr 28, 2010
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医療の人手不足 外国人の就労制限撤廃は当然
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 27, 2010)Foreign nurses deserve helping hand医療の人手不足 外国人の就労制限撤廃は当然（4月26日付・読売社説）Given the serious shortage of medical and nursing care workers and nurses, lifting certain restrictions so qualified foreigners in these fields can apply their skills in this country is an obvious solution. 医療や介護の人手不足は深刻だ。資格を持つ外国人の就労制限をなくすのは当然と言えよう。In its fourth basic immigration control policy plan compiled late last month, the Justice Ministry stated it would reexamine the mandatory limit on the length of time foreign nurses and dentists can work in Japan when they hold residential status. 法務省が先月末に策定した第４次出入国管理基本計画に、医療分野の在留資格で看護師や歯科医師として働く外国人に課している就労年数制限の見直しが明記された。Even if non-Japanese qualify to work as a nurse or dentist after passing state exams, they are not permitted to work here for more than seven years and six years, respectively. A four-year limit is imposed on public health nurses and midwives. 外国人の場合、日本の国家試験に合格して免許を取得しても、看護師は７年、歯科医師は６年を超えて日本で働き続けることができない。保健師や助産師にも４年までの制限がある。Many foreigners with such qualifications desire to continue working in Japan beyond the set limits. Their aspirations are rightful in view of the fact that they have passed national exams and conquered the Japanese language barrier. 日本で働き続けたいと希望する外国人は多い。日本語能力のハンデを乗り越えて試験に合格したのだから、正当な要望だろう。The limits on working years for non-Japanese were mostly probably introduced out of concern that Japanese might be deprived of working opportunities. The restrictions have been criticized as excessive for years. The time limit for foreign doctors was dropped four years ago. 就労年数制限は、日本人の雇用に影響を及ぼすことを懸念して設けられた側面が強い。以前から過剰な規制との批判があり、医師については４年前に撤廃された。=== Speed up ordinances' review The ministry plans to revise relevant ordinances to abolish time restrictions on all remaining medical professions, including nurses. This is a necessary corrective step. We want the ministry to accelerate its work on revising these ordinances. 法務省は省令を改正し、看護師など残る職種すべての制限を撤廃するという。必要な是正である。改正作業を急いでほしい。The ministry's fourth basic immigration control plan incorporates a policy to study accepting foreigners in the nursing care field on condition they graduate from universities in Japan and pass state exams. 基本計画は、日本国内の大学卒業と国家試験の合格を条件に、介護分野でも外国人の受け入れを検討することを盛り込んだ。The population of elderly people requiring nursing care is growing at an ever-quickening pace. The nation has about 1.24 million nursing care workers today; estimates suggest the nation will need almost double that number in 2025. 介護を受ける高齢者は加速度的に増加する。約１２４万人の介護職員は、２０２５年にはほぼ２倍必要になると推計されている。Meanwhile, many Japanese who have earned qualifications as care workers then opt to work in another field. The physical and emotional demands of a career in nursing care, combined with the low pay, often are too much to bear. 一方、介護福祉士の資格を持ちながら働いていない日本人が数多くいる。心身ともに大変な仕事であるのに報酬が低いためだ。To alleviate the manpower shortage in nursing care, the first step is to improve the working environment for Japanese. However, there is a limit to just how quickly the ranks of Japanese nursing care workers can be increased. Because of this, opening the door to foreign nursing care givers is the right decision. 人手不足解消のためには、まず日本人の労働環境の改善に努めるべきだが、日本人職員を急激に増やすのは限界がある。介護分野でも外国人の受け入れに道を開くのは、妥当な判断といえる。Remove language barrier More help also should be extended to the people from Indonesia and the Philippines whom Japan has been accepting as candidates to work as certified nurses and care workers based on economic partnership agreements with the two countries. インドネシア、フィリピンとの経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づいて受け入れている看護師・介護福祉士希望者への対応も必要だ。National exams for nurses and nursing care workers are dotted with difficult kanji. Last month, 254 foreigners took the exam for nurses, but only three passed. 試験問題に難解な漢字が頻出することもあり、先月の看護師試験でも、受験した２５４人のうち合格者は３人にとどまった。Indonesian and Philippine examinees have acquired licenses and expertise as nurses and nursing care workers in their home countries. Considering that the pass rate for Japanese examinees stands at nearly 90 percent, the extremely low success rate for foreign examinees can be most probably be attributed to the kanji barrier. 彼らは母国で資格を取り、看護や介護に必要な知識を身につけている人たちだ。日本人の合格者が９割近いことを考えると、合格率が極端に低いのは漢字が障壁となっているのは間違いあるまい。The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is reexamining the content of national tests. The revisions include replacing difficult terms with easier ones, such as "jokuso" with "tokozure" to mean bedsores. 厚生労働省も試験の見直しに着手し、「褥瘡(じょくそう)」は「床ずれ」という具合に、平易な表現に言い換えることを検討している。We welcome this move. But the ministry should go a step further and print kana readings alongside kanji and allow examinees to use dictionaries in their exams. 歓迎できる動きだ。漢字にルビを振ることや、辞書の持ち込みを認めるなどさらに工夫を図ってほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 26, 2010) （2010年4月26日01時23分 読売新聞）
Apr 27, 2010
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仕分け第２弾 中長期の戦略的視点が重要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 26, 2010)Govt must avoid haste when trimming waste仕分け第２弾 中長期の戦略的視点が重要だ（4月25日付・読売社説）It is crucial to thoroughly cut the wasteful use of taxpayer money by independent administrative institutions. However, medium- and long-term strategic perspectives are most important and should never take a backseat to a short-term cost-effectiveness view. 独立行政法人の税金の無駄遣いを徹底して削減することは無論、大切である。しかし、目先の費用対効果にこだわるあまり、より重要な戦略的視点を忘れてはなるまい。The Government Revitalization Unit, which is tasked with cutting wasteful public spending, on Friday began its second round of discussions to screen state-funded programs. 政府の行政刷新会議が、事業仕分けの第２弾の作業を開始した。During the four-day round, the unit will scrutinize 151 programs at 47 independent administrative institutions that are under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Office and nine ministries, which are among the 104 such institutions overseen by the government. The panel will judge whether the programs should, for example, either be abolished, have their budgets reduced, or be transferred to private organizations or local governments. ４日間にわたり、１０４の独法のうち、１０府省が所管する４７法人の１５１事業を対象に、「廃止」「縮減」「民間移管」「地方移管」などを判定する。On Friday, the first day, panel members called for budget cuts and a review of the management structure of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, saying the institute has been spending too much on office expenses in connection with the opening of its planned graduate school and on employee salaries. 初日は、沖縄科学技術研究基盤整備機構について、大学院大学の開校準備の事務経費や職員給与が多すぎるとして、予算の縮減と管理運営体制の見直しを求めた。On the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is charge of dispatching Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and providing the government's official development assistance to other countries, the reviewers concluded JICA needs to further cut employee salaries, overseas allowances and travel expenses. The panel also judged that JICA should return its unused assets to state coffers. 青年海外協力隊の派遣や政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）を実施する国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）については、職員給与や在外手当、旅費の一層の節減、不要資産の国庫返納などが必要と結論づけた。=== Cozy relationships It is an urgent task to review the cozy relationship among government ministries, independent administrative institutions and other corporations. Currently, in a practice known as amakudari, retiring bureaucrats parachute into positions at independent administrative institutions that have relationships with their former offices, or officials of independent administrative institutions take jobs at related companies and corporations after retirement. In return, independent administrative institutions, companies and corporations receive orders for programs with favorable conditions in the form of discretionary contracts, or they receive subsidies. 所管府省から独法、あるいは独法から関連企業・法人にＯＢが天下りする。その見返りに、独法や企業・法人は、随意契約などで有利な条件で事業を受注したり、補助金を受け取ったりする。こうした癒着の見直しは急務だ。In cases where similar programs are being carried out by separate independent administrative institutions or by the institutions and local governments, abolishing or integrating the institutions or transferring the programs to local governments would help implement programs more efficiently and correct redundant administrative efforts. 独法同士または独法と自治体が類似した事業を行っている場合、独法を統廃合し、事業を地方に移管すれば、事業の効率化や二重行政の是正に役立つだろう。Meanwhile, the unit should be cautious about reform that is mere number-juggling, namely integrating or abolishing science and technology research and development corporations without thorough consideration. 一方で、科学技術の研究開発法人を安易に統廃合する「数合わせ」の改革には、慎重であるべきだ。=== Some cases need more funds There must be instances in which more, not less, budgetary resources should be allocated, if they are judged essential from the viewpoint of increasing international competitiveness, which is indispensable for a nation that relies on science and technology. 科学技術立国に欠かせない国際競争力を高める観点から、重要だと判断すれば、予算を拡充すべき事業もあるはずだ。The unit's program screening is foremost a method that has produced a degree of good results in cutting wasteful budgets in local governments. そもそも事業仕分けは、地方自治体の無駄な予算の削減で一定の効果を上げた手法だ。However, it is outrageous and unreasonable for the panel to draw its conclusions by majority rule after less than an hour of discussion on the fate of state-funded programs, which are extremely costly and complicated, and have an impact on the entire country. はるかに事業費が巨額で、仕組みも複雑なうえ、国全体に影響する事業の是非について、わずか１時間足らずの議論を経て多数決で結論を出してしまうやり方は、乱暴であり、無理がある。As in the unit's first screening last autumn, in which fiscal 2010 budgetary requests were scrutinized, the current round is fully open to the public and is being broadcast live on the Internet. 仕分け作業は、２０１０年度予算の概算要求を対象にした昨秋の第１弾と同様、全面公開され、インターネットで生中継された。Amid the free-falling approval rating of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the government and ruling Democratic Party of Japan apparently have the ulterior motive of using the program screening as a tool to pump up the administration's public image. However, any attempt to make the screening a political show, which only plays to the gallery, must not be tolerated. 鳩山内閣の支持率の低下に歯止めがかからない中、政府・与党には、仕分けを政権浮揚のカードにしたい思惑が働いている。大衆受けを狙った政治ショーにすることは許されない。The government plans to compile a draft for reforming independent administrative institutions next month at the earliest, based on the conclusions it reaches during the current program screening. The government should conduct calm and prudent discussions before forming its final conclusions. 政府は、仕分け作業の結論を踏まえて、来月中にも独法の改革案をまとめる予定だ。冷静で慎重な議論を重ねたうえで、最終結論を出すべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 25, 2010) （2010年4月25日01時06分 読売新聞）
Apr 26, 2010
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艦隊外洋訓練 中国軍ヘリの危険な異常接近
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 25, 2010)Chinese Navy choppers' dangerous actions艦隊外洋訓練 中国軍ヘリの危険な異常接近（4月24日付・読売社説）Chinese People's Liberation Army helicopters launched from navy ships during recent training maneuvers have repeatedly taken the unusual action of approaching Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers that were deployed for surveillance of Chinese vessels on the high seas near Japan's territorial waters. 訓練中の中国海軍の艦載ヘリコプターが、監視中の海上自衛隊の艦船に異常接近する異例の行動を繰り返した。The Japanese government lodged a diplomatic protest with China because such behavior is quite dangerous even if the actions did take place on the high seas. We believe the government's protest was a natural action. 日本政府が、「公海上とはいえ、極めて危険な事態だ」として外交ルートを通じて抗議したのは当然のことだ。On April 8, during a drill in the East China Sea, a Chinese Navy helicopter approached at a distance of about 90 meters an MSDF destroyer that was deployed for surveillance of the Chinese vessels. 今月８日には、東シナ海で訓練中の艦載ヘリが、監視活動中の海自の護衛艦に約９０メートルまで接近した。On April 10, a Chinese Navy fleet of 10 vessels, including two submarines, were moving southward on the high seas between Okinawa Island and Miyakojima island of Okinawa Prefecture. 今月１０日、潜水艦２隻を含む計１０隻の中国軍艦隊が沖縄本島と宮古島の間の公海を南下した。A similar incident happened again Wednesday. Another Chinese Navy helicopter circled an MSDF destroyer twice at a distance of 90 meters and an altitude of about 50 meters on the Pacific Ocean about 500 kilometers south of Okinawa Prefecture's main island. これ１度だけではない。２１日にも、やはり艦載ヘリが、沖縄本島の南方約５００キロの太平洋上で、海自艦の上空を旋回し、高さ約５０メートルの距離まで近づいたという。=== 'Necessary defense action' Such a close-range flight could have caused a serious accident. これだけの接近飛行は、偶発的な事故を起こしかねない。The Chinese government reacted to the Japanese protest by saying, "It was a necessary defense measure in response to Japanese surveillance activities." 中国政府は、日本の抗議に対し「日本の監視活動に対する必要な防衛措置」と反論している。However, we think that with such heavy-handed actions China intends to demonstrate at home and abroad the expansion of its naval power in recent years. Members of the Chinese media are reportedly aboard Chinese Navy vessels during ocean training. だが、今回の示威的な行動は、近年の中国海軍の拡張ぶりを内外に誇示する狙いがあるのではないか。外洋訓練には中国メディアの関係者も同行しているという。In the midst of the Chinese maneuvers, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met with Chinese President Hu Jintao on April 13 on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. Hu told Hatoyama that China wants to turn the East China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. 訓練期間中の１３日、ワシントンで開かれた日中首脳会談で、中国の胡錦濤国家主席は、「東シナ海を平和友好協力の海にしていきたい」と語った。The provocative actions by the Chinese helicopters run counter to the idea of a "sea of peace." Moreover, the meeting between the two leaders did not see any progress on the issue of when to start negotiations for concluding a treaty over joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea. 艦載ヘリの行動は「平和の海」に逆行するものだ。首脳会談では、肝心の、東シナ海のガス田共同開発をめぐる条約交渉開始問題は全く進展しなかった。The Japanese government's response was too slow. The Foreign Ministry asked the Chinese side to confirm and explain the first incident on April 12. And it was not until the same day that the Foreign Ministry reported the incident to Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. The ministry lodged the protest on Wednesday. それにしても、日本政府の対応は緩慢に過ぎる。外務省が中国側に事実確認と説明を求めたのは１２日で、その日ようやく岡田外相に報告されている。外務省が中国側に抗議をしたのは２１日だ。=== Govt may be too optimistic The Chinese Navy has been going beyond what it views as the "First Island Chain" of its strategic defense lines, which ranges from the Nansei Islands, which cover Okinawa Prefecture, to Taiwan and the Philippines, and expanded its area of activities to a "Second Island Chain" that connects the Ogasawara Islands and Guam. This is the commonly held view of those belonging to the diplomatic and defense authorities. 中国海軍が、沖縄などの南西諸島と台湾、フィリピンを結ぶ「第１列島線」を越えて、小笠原諸島とグアムを結ぶ「第２列島線」にまで活動領域を広げていることは、外交・防衛当局者なら百も承知のはずだろう。Concerning the activities of the Chinese fleet, some government officials see them as preparations for a strategy to prevent deployment of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in case of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. 中国艦隊の動きについて、政府内には、台湾海峡有事の際に米空母などの展開を阻む戦略の一環との見方もある。In its recent Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the United States expresses serious worries over China's rapid military buildup. We suspect the Hatoyama administration's view of the status quo is too optimistic. 米国の４年ごとの国防計画見直し（ＱＤＲ）は、中国の急速な軍拡に深刻な懸念を示している。鳩山政権の認識は甘すぎないか。From now on the government must pay utmost attention to increased actions by the Chinese Navy to secure interests in the sea. The government must study what actions it should take from medium- and long-term points of view and see to it that the results of such studies are reflected in this year's revision of the current National Defense Program Guidelines. 今後、海洋権益確保の動きを強める中国海軍の動向には、格段の注意が要る。政府は、中長期的にどんな対策をとるかを検討し、今年の防衛大綱の改定作業に反映させることが必要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 24, 2010) （2010年4月24日01時34分 読売新聞）
Apr 25, 2010
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首相元秘書有罪 「説明する」も嘘だったのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 24, 2010)Hatoyama must explain political funds scandal首相元秘書有罪 「説明する」も嘘だったのか（4月23日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to be evasive in facing up to the politics-and-money scandal he is entangled in, refusing to explain for what purpose he used such a massive amount of money. In his own defense, the prime minister said the case was still under investigation, and later, that it was before the court. これまで捜査中や公判中であることを理由に、巨額資金の使途の説明から逃げて来た鳩山首相である。Hatoyama should waste no time in fulfilling his duty and make a full explanation. 速やかに説明責任を果たすべき時だ。On Thursday, the Tokyo District Court handed down a ruling in a case involving allegedly falsified income and expenditure reports on political funds submitted by Yuai Seikei Konwa-kai, the prime minister's funds management organization. Keiji Katsuba, Hatoyama's former first state-paid secretary, was sentenced to a two-year prison term, suspended for three years, for violating the Political Funds Control Law. 首相の資金管理団体「友愛政経懇話会」の偽装献金事件で、政治資金規正法違反に問われた首相の元公設第１秘書・勝場啓二被告に対し、東京地裁は禁固２年、執行猶予３年の判決を言い渡した。The court concluded that Yuai Seikei Konwa-kai's political funding reports falsely declared contributions totaling 400 million yen from individuals through such means as using the names of people who never made such donations, including the deceased. 政治資金収支報告書に、故人を含め実際は献金していない人の名前を使うなどして総額４億円の嘘(うそ)を書いた――。=== What was the money for? Katsuba bears serious responsibility for a crime committed to conceal a massive amount of money from public scrutiny by lying about where it came from. The prime minister's responsibility is no less grave in that he failed to realize a crime was being committed. 資金の出どころを偽装して、国民の監視から覆い隠した刑事責任は重大である。それを漫然と見過ごしていた首相の責任も極めて大きい。The conclusion of Katsuba's trial does not mean the case is closed with respect to Hatoyama's own responsibility. 元秘書の裁判は終結しても、首相本人の責任論まで一件落着とはいくまい。Hatoyama received a total of 1.25 billion yen from his mother. However, he continues to say, "I knew nothing [about my mother's financial assistance]." At the end of last year, the prime minister paid about 600 million yen in gift tax, apparently trying to put the scandal behind him. 鳩山首相は、母親から１２億５０００万円もの資金提供を受けていた。「知らなかった」と強弁し、昨年末に約６億円の贈与税を納付して幕引きを図ろうとした。Hatoyama's response aroused speculation that he would not have paid the gift tax had it not been for the scandal, even prompting some people to say, "It's ridiculous to pay taxes." Such a comment is not surprising. 国民からは「発覚しなければ納税もしなかったろう。税金を払うのがばかばかしくなる」という声が上がった。当然の反応だ。Nothing is known about the purpose for which more than 700 million yen from the money in question has been used. The prime minister repeatedly said: "I left everything [related to his political funding] to my secretary. I know nothing about it." このうちの７億円余の使途も明らかになっていない。首相は「秘書に任せていた。わからない」を繰り返した。However, this did little to lessen the anger of the public and the opposition camp. In December, Hatoyama said, "I'll explain every fact to the public after prosecutors have finished uncovering the truth behind the case." それでも、世論の批判や野党の追及に、１２月には「検察の解明が終わった段階で、知りうる事実をすべて国民の皆さんに説明したい」と述べた。In March, Hatoyama also mentioned the specific measures he would take to explain the pertinent facts to the public: "I'll ask [prosecutors] to return the documents [submitted to them] after the trial is concluded, and show them to the public." 先月には「裁判が終わった暁には（検察に）書類の返還を求め、皆様方に見ていただきたい」と具体的な説明方法にも言及した。=== Prime minister backtracks During a one-on-one debate with opposition leaders on Wednesday, however, Hatoyama reneged on this promise, saying, "There is no need to disclose such documents." Many people may have been angered--rather than just surprised--by the prime minister's apparent change of heart. しかし一昨日の党首討論では一転、「資料を出す必要はない」と答弁を翻した。これには驚きを通り越して、怒りを覚えた国民も多かったのではないか。Did Hatoyama lie when he promised to release the documents? The prime minister should immediately start an investigation into the money received from his mother and take every possible means to disclose what the huge amount of funds were used for. 前言はすべて嘘だったのか。首相はただちに調査を開始して、巨額資金の使途を可能な限り国民の前で明らかにすべきだ。The prime minister's obtuse attitude has greatly undermined the public's image of the Democratic Party of Japan. 首相の責任逃れの姿勢は、民主党に対する国民のイメージを大きく損ねている。This has been exacerbated by DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa's failure to provide the facts behind the alleged accounting irregularities involving his political funding body's purchase of land worth 400 million yen. Chiyomi Kobayashi, a House of Representatives member of the ruling party, has also evaded questions raised about the scandal involving funds allegedly received illegally by her election office from the Hokkaido Teachers' Union during her campaign for last year's lower house election. ４億円の土地購入事件に関しての小沢幹事長や、北海道教職員組合から違法な選挙資金を受けていた小林千代美衆院議員も説明責任を果たしていない。Inquest-of-prosecution committees will soon pass judgment on the propriety of earlier decisions by prosecutors not to indict Hatoyama and Ozawa over their respective money scandals. If the panels rule against both decisions, it means prosecutors must conduct fresh investigations into these cases. If that happens, the public will become even harsher in its criticism of the DPJ lawmakers. 首相と小沢氏に関しては、検察の不起訴処分の当否について、近く検察審査会で議決が出る見通しだ。結果によっては、検察は再捜査を迫られる。国民の追及の目も厳しさを増すだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 23, 2010) （2010年4月23日01時26分 読売新聞）
Apr 24, 2010
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日本の宇宙開発 山崎さん活躍でも課題は多い
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 23, 2010)Nation's space program faces many challenges日本の宇宙開発 山崎さん活躍でも課題は多い（4月22日付・読売社説）Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki has returned to Earth after completing her mission at the International Space Station. 国際宇宙ステーションから、任務を終えた山崎直子さんが帰還した。Yamazaki is the first Japanese mother to have gone into space. After she returned, she was reunited with her husband and daughter, who supported her from Earth while she was on her 15-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. We would like to thank Yamazaki for her sterling efforts. 日本で初のお母さん宇宙飛行士だ。１５日間のスペースシャトルの飛行中活躍を応援していた夫と長女も再会を喜んだ。まずは、お疲れ様と言いたい。The space shuttle fleet, which has been in service for about 30 years, will be retired this year. The latest flight was the last to carry a Japanese astronaut into space. 初飛行から約３０年のシャトルは年内で退役する。今回は、日本人として最後の搭乗だった。Yamazaki assumed a heavy responsibility as a loadmaster charged with delivering supplies to the ISS, as well as conducting experiments to culture rat muscle cells and study the effect of the zero-gravity atmosphere on the cells. 山崎さんは物資輸送の責任者という重責を担い、ネズミの筋肉細胞を育てて無重力の影響を調べるといった実験にも携わった。She even managed to find the time to put on a kimono and play the koto while she was in orbit. 和服姿や琴の演奏を披露するなどパフォーマンスも次々こなした。=== Calls for review growing What does Japan hope to achieve in space? Japan has long considered its involvement in the international partnership behind the ISS to be a central pillar of its manned space activity. But recently, calls for a review of this policy have been getting louder. こうした努力の先に何を目指すのか。日本は、ステーションでの国際協力を有人宇宙活動の柱に位置づけてきたが、見直しを求める声が出ている。A typical example is the proposal compiled this week by a panel of experts for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara, who is in charge of space development. The panel recommended the government reexamine the benefits of the current space development program. 代表例が、前原国土交通相（宇宙開発担当）の有識者会議が今週まとめた提言だ。改めて計画のメリットを検討すべきだという。Japan has attached great importance to being part of the international team involved with the ISS, primarily because it is more efficient--in both money and time--than singlehandedly developing a manned craft for space exploration. The government believed this strategy would provide valuable experience in space activities. 日本がステーションを重視してきたのは、独自に有人宇宙船を開発して宇宙を目指すより、費用と時間がかからないためだ。効率良く経験を積めると考えた。Even so, Japan spends 40 billion yen on ISS-related activities, out of the annual 200 billion yen budget for the space program, excluding national security-related expenses. それでも、安全保障関連を除く日本の年間宇宙予算２０００億円のうち、ステーション関連は４００億円にのぼる。Yet there have so far been only a few space experiments that have eventually led to discoveries that can have an industrial application. Applications to conduct tests using the Kibo experiment module--now part of the space station--have only trickled in. だが、宇宙実験が産業化につながった例はまだ少ない。日本の宇宙実験棟「きぼう」を使う実験を募っても応募は低調だ。The panel's proposal has been worked out based on these realities. The proposal did not rule out that Japan might withdraw from the ISS program in the future, and suggested that this budget could then be diverted to satellite development or other projects. 提言は、こうした実態を踏まえている。将来的にステーションから撤退し、予算を人工衛星開発などに充てることも視野に置く。=== U.S. sets new goals The new space strategy announced this spring by the United States, a leading power in space development, has added to the pressure on Japan to review its space program. 宇宙開発大国の米国が今春、新たな宇宙戦略を打ち出したことも日本に計画再考を迫っている。The U.S. government has decided to entrust the private sector with developing manned spacecraft to replace the space shuttles, and canceled the manned lunar exploration that had been a recent pet project in Washington. 米政府は、シャトル退役後の有人宇宙船は民間に開発を任せ、これまで主要な目標に掲げてきた月の有人探査を取りやめた。The new goal is manned exploration to Mars in the 2030s. The United States also decided to extend the operation of the ISS by five years until 2020. 新たな目標は２０３０年代の有人火星探査だが、同時にステーションの運用を２０年まで５年間延長した。Accordingly, the international agreement concerning operation of the space station, which is good until 2015, will be extended by five years. Will Japan join the extended program? ステーション運用に関する１５年までの国際協定も延長されるが、日本は従来通り、これに加わるのか。Russia is now the only nation that can provide manned transport of equipment and supplies to the ISS for the time being. But will the cost of these missions increase as a result? 有人輸送は当面、ロシアに頼るが、その分費用は増えないか。Should Japan pull out of the ISS, the country will lag behind in space development. Japan must make some difficult choices. 撤退すれば世界の動きから取り残されてしまう。日本は極めて難しい選択を迫られることになる。The current administration, however, has not held a single meeting of the space development strategy headquarters of the Prime Minister's Office, which is supposed to be the control tower on the matter. This is quite irresponsible. しかし、現政権は、総合司令塔であるべき首相官邸の宇宙開発戦略本部の会合さえ全く開いていない。無責任だろう。We hope the administration will become more constructively involved in this issue. もっと前向きに取り組んでほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 22, 2010) （2010年4月22日01時19分 読売新聞）
Apr 23, 2010
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上海万博“盗作” 海外の知的財産を守る契機に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 22, 2010)China must protect intellectual property上海万博“盗作” 海外の知的財産を守る契機に（4月21日付・読売社説）In response to a rising chorus of accusatory voices from Hong Kong and Japan, organizers of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai apparently had no choice but to suspend the use of the event's promotional theme song, which critics have said is plagiarized. 盗作だと指摘する声が香港や日本で高まったことで、一時、使用を停止せざるを得なかったということだろう。The expo's secretariat took the step after it was pointed out that the official song for the event, which opens May 1, has a melody extremely similar to that of a song by Japanese singer-songwriter Mayo Okamoto, titled "Sono Mama no Kimi de Ite" (Stay the way you are). ５月１日に開幕する上海万博の公式ＰＲ曲が、シンガー・ソングライター、岡本真夜(まよ)さんの自作ヒット曲「そのままの君でいて」のメロディーに酷似している――。そう指摘された万博事務局の対応のことだ。After soliciting works from the public to choose a promotional song for the exposition, the secretariat reportedly selected a piece submitted by a popular Chinese composer after screenings by experts. 中国では万博ＰＲ曲が一般公募され、専門家の審査を経たうえで中国人の人気作曲家による楽曲が選ばれたという。After its release in China at the end of March, the song helped popularize and boost awareness of the exposition, partly because of a number of celebrities singing the song. ＰＲ曲は、３月末に中国国内で発表され、有名タレントが歌ったことなどで、万博の人気盛り上げに一役買っていた。=== It had a familiar ring Some time later, however, messages began to be posted on the Internet, alleging that the piece was plagiarized. ところが、しばらくして、インターネット上に盗作との書き込みが出始めた。Apparently in a flurry, the exposition secretariat secretly contacted Okamoto's office in the middle of this month, asking for permission to use her work as an official PR song for the event. これにあわてた万博事務局が今月中旬、水面下で岡本さんの所属事務所に接触し、公式のＰＲ曲として使用したいと、申請してきたという。In response, Okamoto expressed her intention to accept the proposal. As a result, the organizers may once again use the PR song, but this time as Okamoto's work. 岡本さんはこの申し出を受諾する意向を明らかにした。この結果、ＰＲ曲は、岡本さんの楽曲として再登場する可能性が出てきた。Details about how the song will be used reportedly will be finalized later. But the exposition secretariat must take procedures in line with international rules on creative works while taking into consideration Okamoto's intentions. 詳細な条件は今後、詰めるというが、万博事務局は、岡本さんの意向も踏まえ、著作物に関する国際的なルールに従って対応すべきである。In China, production of goods bearing counterfeit brands as well as pirated music, films and game software is flourishing as a full-blown industry. 中国では、海外ブランド品の模倣品や音楽、映画、ゲームソフトなどを違法にコピーした「海賊版」作りが、ひとつの産業として成立するほど盛んだ。Given this situation, Japan, the United States and European countries have been asking China to take effective measures to protect their intellectual property rights, such as through copyrights and patent rights. Following such requests, relevant legislation has been established to a certain degree, but as a matter of fact, it has proved barely effective. 日本や欧米諸国は、著作権や特許権などの知的財産権について、実効性ある保護策を中国に求めてきた。このため、法整備はある程度進んできたが、効果はほとんど上がっていないのが実態だ。Even if one demands compensation for copyright infringement in a trial in China, one will be able to win only a minimum amount of money, a pattern that apparently fails to deter infringement of intellectual property. 著作権の侵害で損害賠償を求めても、裁判で取れる補償金は少額で歯止めにならない。=== China should fall into step In addition, because creators in China, such as lyricists and composers, do not receive sufficient reward for their own works, they are believed to have little sense of guilt in copying other people's works. 作詞、作曲家らの創作者も十分に利益を得ているとは言えず、他人の作品をまねることに罪悪感は薄いとも言われる。In the latest plagiarism dispute, however, the Chinese side in effect admitted it was at fault, an extremely rare step taken by the country. しかし、今回の盗作騒ぎでは、事実上、中国側が非を認めた形だ。We assume the authorities in China finally found it impossible to ignore the rising public voices against the alleged plagiarism because the exposition is an international event. 極めて異例の対応で、万博が国際的な催しであることから、盗作との指摘を無視できなくなったのではないか。The Shanghai Expo will be held under the theme of "Better city, better life." Through the event, China is trying to publicize its economic development and boost its image. 上海万博は「より良い都市、より良い生活」がテーマだ。中国は経済発展をアピールし、イメージアップを狙っている。If that is the case, the country also needs to more seriously tackle the protection of intellectual property rights and bring its system into conformity with common practices in the rest of the world. そうであるなら、知的財産権の保護についても、世界の常識に沿うよう、より真剣に取り組まなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 21, 2010) （2010年4月21日01時43分 読売新聞）
Apr 22, 2010
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創新党旗揚げ 首長連合らしい具体策を示せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 21, 2010)New party must propose concrete policies for nation創新党旗揚げ 首長連合らしい具体策を示せ（4月20日付・読売社説）Another new party aiming to become the third major political force in the Diet has been formed, reflecting disappointment and frustration toward the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party, this country's two leading political parties. 民主、自民２大政党への失望や不満を背景に、第３極をめざす新党が、またも誕生した。Current and former heads of local governments--including Hiroshi Yamada, mayor of Tokyo's Suginami Ward, and Hiroshi Nakada, a former mayor of Yokohama--have formed Nippon Soshinto (party aiming to create a new Japan). 山田宏・東京都杉並区長、中田宏・前横浜市長ら自治体の首長と首長経験者が、「日本創新党」を結成した。Nippon Soshinto is led by Yamada, who has expressed a strong sense of crisis concerning the current political situation in this country. "Japan will collapse if things remain as they are," Yamada said. 党首に就任した山田氏は、「このままでは日本が崩壊する」と述べ、政治の現状に対する強い危機感を表明した。He criticized the economic policy of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet, saying it lacks cost-consciousness and management sense. Yamada also said the Hatoyama Cabinet is shaking up the Japan-U.S. security alliance and upsetting the peace by brandishing empty ideals. 鳩山内閣の経済政策については「コスト意識と経営感覚が欠落している」と批判、外交政策も「空想的な理念を振りかざして日米同盟を揺るがし、平和を攪乱(かくらん)している」と厳しく指摘した。=== Critical of DPJ despite ties As both Yamada and Nakada are former members of the defunct Japan New Party, they have close ties with members of the DPJ. As a result, a recently formed alliance of local government chiefs supporting the new party includes many former DPJ members, including Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda. 山田、中田両氏は旧日本新党出身で、人脈的には民主党に近い。新党を支援する「首長応援連合」にも、上田清司・埼玉県知事ら民主党出身の首長が名を連ねる。However, Yamada and the others--who could be expected to support the DPJ--have instead started a new party and are criticizing DPJ policies. This indicates how frustrated they are with the current administration's management of national politics. 本来なら民主党を支援してよいはずの山田氏らが新党を旗揚げして、民主党の政策を批判していることは、現政権の政治運営に対する不満の強さを示すものだ。Although regional economies are sluggish, the DPJ-led government considers public investment to be villainous and has frozen even projects necessary for local communities. It also has not yet finalized the details of its promised child-rearing allowances, although time is running short before local governments are scheduled to begin distributing the allowances in June. 地方経済が疲弊しているにもかかわらず、公共投資を罪悪視し、地元が必要とする事業を凍結してしまう。子ども手当は、６月の支給事務開始を目前にして、いまだに細部が詰まっていない。Local government heads are supporting the new party apparently due to their strong reaction to such negligence toward local governments. The DPJ should take their criticism seriously. 地方の首長が、創新党の支援に駆けつけたのも、こうした地方軽視の政治への反発によるものだろう。民主党は、批判に真摯(しんし)に耳を傾けるべきだ。However, the LDP also cannot afford to stay on the sidelines. A spate of new parties has been formed because the main opposition LDP lacks the aggressiveness to take power back from the ruling party and has failed to capitalize on criticism of the DPJ. 自民党も、他人(ひと)事(ごと)ではいられない。「反民主」を掲げる新党の結成が相次ぐのは、最大野党の自民党が、政権奪還の気迫を欠いて、民主党批判の受け皿になり得ていないからだ。The LDP also must appreciate the grave fact that local government heads are rejecting the current management of national politics. 地方の首長から国政にノーを突き付けられた重みを、自民党も受け止めなければならない。=== Clear policies required If Soshinto is aiming to be part of national politics, it must propose concrete solutions to various problems both within and outside this country. If it is concerned about the possible bankruptcy of the national government, it must state by how many percentage points the consumption tax rate needs to be raised. It should also clarify one of the key policies named in the new party's basic philosophies--"self-reliance of the nation" is ambiguous. How is this different from the "fifty-fifty relationship" between Japan and the United States sought by the DPJ? 創新党は、国政進出をめざす以上、内外の諸課題について具体論を提示することが求められる。 財政破綻(はたん)を憂えるなら、消費税率は、どの程度引き上げる必要があると考えるのか。基本理念に掲げる「国家の自立」は、意味があいまいだ。民主党の言う「対等な日米関係」とどう違うのか。Also, the self-reliance of local governments mentioned in the basic philosophies sounds similar to the regional sovereignty advocated by the DPJ. Soshinto will be able to fully capitalize on its strengths only when the party makes detailed proposals on decentralization, based on its members' administrative experience as heads of local governments. 「地方の自立」も、民主党が唱える「地域主権」に似通った主張に受け取れる。首長としての行政経験に裏打ちされた、地方分権の具体的なアイデアを示してこそ、創新党の持ち味を発揮することができよう。Soshinto members must present their policies and help deepen discussions in the Diet so they will not be criticized as forming a new party just to hold the deciding votes in the Diet. 単なるキャスチングボート狙いの新党結成と言われぬよう、政策を高く掲げ、論争を深める役割を果たしてほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 20, 2010) （2010年4月20日01時28分 読売新聞）
Apr 21, 2010
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海外美術品展示 国家補償制度は検討に値する
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 20, 2010)State backup needed to open art doors海外美術品展示 国家補償制度は検討に値する（4月19日付・読売社説）Museums, regardless of their size or location, are often crowded with visitors on the weekend. Many people will go on museum tours during the holiday-studded Golden Week starting late this month. 週末ともなれば、各地の美術館は、その規模の大小を問わず入場者でにぎわいを見せる。大型連休には、美術館巡りを楽しみにしている人も多いことだろう。Exhibitions of foreign masterpieces, which are rarely available to the general public here, are magnets for huge crowds. An incredible 1.47 million visitors took in the Louvre Museum exhibitions held last year at the National Museum of Western Art and elsewhere. 日頃接することの出来ない海外の名作を集めた企画展にも人気が集まる。昨年、国立西洋美術館などで開かれたルーヴル美術館展の入場者は１４７万人を数えた。Introducing outstanding foreign artwork to a wide spectrum of the population helps foster a rich cultural environment. But it requires painstaking negotiations with foreign museums before they will consent to loaning the precious exhibits under their care. 優れた海外の作品が広く国民に紹介されることで、豊かな文化環境も育まれるに違いない。 しかし、作品を所蔵する外国の美術館に対してねばり強く交渉を重ね、貸し出しの同意をとりつけるのは大変な作業だ。Japanese museums have fewer works that are worthy of being loaned in exchange for foreign art pieces. Furthermore, their location far from Europe and the United States also counts against them. 日本の美術館には、交換条件として貸し出せるような、相手国にとって魅力のある作品は少ない。欧米から地理的に遠いことも弱点となっている。=== Joint sponsorships Many Japanese museums lack the financial muscle and staff numbers of many of their U.S. and European counterparts. This makes it very difficult to singlehandedly organize and hold an art exhibition of a collection of foreign works in one place. Because of this, museums often turn to newspapers or TV networks--with their extremely public nature and established negotiation channels--to jointly sponsor such exhibitions. 運営資金や職員数で欧米に劣る日本の美術館が、単独で海外の作品を一堂に集めて紹介する美術展を開くのは、簡単ではない。公共性があり、交渉ルートも持っている新聞社やテレビ局との共催事業として行われる例が多い。These partnerships have forged a strong track record of bringing quality artwork to Japan and add credibility to the exhibitions. こうした共催事業は、実績と信用を積み重ねてきた。But the government could be doing more to help grease the wheels of negotiation on the loaning of national-treasure class works. One such step would be guaranteeing state compensation if any loaned work is stolen or accidentally damaged. しかし、事故や盗難にあった場合の国家補償を約束するのであれば、国宝級の作品などを借りる交渉の上でも大きな支えとなる。This would also resolve the problem of the huge insurance premiums that museums must pay to borrow foreign masterpieces, an expense that can often derail planned exhibitions. 高額な保険金が作品を借りる上での障害にもなっていたが、その問題も解消される。In its recommendation adopted in 1978 concerning the protection of movable cultural property, UNESCO showed its awareness of this point when it referred to the importance of ensuring state compensation for works of art. 国連教育・科学・文化機関（ユネスコ）が１９７８年に採択した文化財保護のための勧告の中で、美術品の国家補償制度の重要性に言及したのも、こうした意義を踏まえてのことだろう。=== Lagging behind The Cultural Affairs Agency is indeed contemplating introducing a state compensation system. 文化庁も、この国家補償制度の導入を検討している。Among the Group of Eight major powers, only Japan and Russia have yet to adopt such a system. The United States introduced a compensation system in 1975. Since then, it has approved about 40 exhibitions annually to be protected with state compensation. As of just recently, compensation totalling the equivalent of about 10 million yen had reportedly been paid in two cases. 主要８か国（Ｇ８）の中で、国家補償制度を導入していないのは日本とロシアだけだ。 例えば米国では、７５年に制度を導入して以来、年間約４０件の展覧会を国家補償の対象として認定してきた。最近までに補償された事例は２件で、合わせて約１０００万円相当が支払われたという。Of course, exhibition organizers themselves must primarily bear the responsibility of paying for any damage that might occur to borrowed works. The scope of exhibitions subject to state compensation must be screened strictly. A ceiling must be set on the amount of compensation, too. 無論、作品を借り入れるに当たって、美術展の主催者が一義的にリスクを負担するのは、当然だろう。国家補償の対象となる事業は厳選されなければならない。補償限度額も設けるべきだ。The introduction of a state compensation system, which would reassure overseas museums that loaning their treasures will not cost them anything, would likely increase opportunities for the Japanese public to see highly artistic works from overseas with their own eyes. It could even become a new cultural promotion measure. 貸出先に安心を与える国家補償制度の導入は、国民が海外の質の高い美術作品に触れる機会を増やすことになるだろう。それは新しい文化振興策にもなる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 19, 2010) （2010年4月19日01時11分 読売新聞）
Apr 20, 2010
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国連公開討論会 平和構築へ人的支援の拡充を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 19, 2010)Govt should up physical peace-building support国連公開討論会 平和構築へ人的支援の拡充を（4月18日付・読売社説）It is important that the international community provide support without interruption to strife-hit countries until regional conflicts, including civil war, end and peace settles. 内戦など地域紛争が終結した後も、当事国に平和が定着するまで、国際社会が切れ目なく支援することが重要だ。Japan should, first and foremost, increase its physical support for peace-building activities, which apparently compares poorly with that offered by other countries, if the government is to call for expanding assistance to conflict-torn countries. こうした支援の拡充を日本として呼びかけるなら、まず、他国に比べ見劣りする人的支援を増やすべきだろう。Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada chaired a U.N. Security Council open meeting on peace-building in New York on Friday. 岡田外相が訪米し、国連安全保障理事会の公開討論会の議長役を務めた。Open debates, in which U.N. member countries other than Security Council members can also participate, are held one to three times a month. The Security Council president can select some of the topics to be discussed and Japan, the rotating president this month, chose "postconflict peace-building" as the theme. 安保理メンバー以外の国連加盟国も参加できる公開討論会は、月に１～３回程度のペースで開かれている。一部討論のテーマは安保理の議長の裁量で設定でき、今月が議長の日本が選んだのは、「紛争後の平和構築」である。=== Risk of reversion to conflict Conflict-ravaged countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia, share a common trait in the fragility of their newly established governments, a situation that continues even after an antiterrorism war or civil war comes to an end. As a result, the reconstruction process in such countries is unable to get solidly on track, resulting in a reversion to conflict. アフガニスタンやソマリアなどの破綻(はたん)国家に共通するのは、対テロ戦争や内戦がいったん終結しても、その後に樹立した政府の基盤が脆弱(ぜいじゃく)なことだ。この結果、復興プロセスが軌道に乗らず、再び紛争状態に逆戻りしている。To have peace firmly take root, it is critical that the international community uninterruptedly provide support, including emergency humanitarian assistance in the beginning, followed by peacekeeping operations to restore security and development assistance to reduce poverty. 平和をしっかりと根づかせるには、初動の緊急人道支援から、治安回復のための平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）、貧困を減らす開発援助まで、国際社会の支援が途切れないことが肝要となる。In the open debate, Okada stressed the importance of a comprehensive strategy that organically coordinates each country's support measures, including peacekeeping operations to ensure security. He apparently wants Japan to play a leading role by actively committing to crafting the peace-building strategy. 岡田外相も討論で、ＰＫＯによる治安確保を含め、各国の支援策を有機的に連携させる「包括的な戦略」の重要性を強調した。戦略づくりに積極的に関与し、この分野で指導的な役割を果たしたいと外相は考えているのだろう。To this end, Japan needs to further strengthen the physical support it provides for peace-building activities. そのためにも、日本は人的支援を一段と強化する必要がある。Until recently, participation in peacekeeping operations by the Self-Defense Forces was limited to 39 personnel in the Golan Heights in the Middle East and elsewhere. About 350 Ground Self-Defense Force members were urgently dispatched to earthquake-devastated Haiti to engage in a humanitarian reconstruction, but that mission lasts only for six months. Civilians currently dispatched overseas total only 23, and no police officers are included. ＰＫＯへの自衛隊の参加は、つい最近まで中東のゴラン高原などへの３９人にとどまっていた。ハイチ地震で陸上自衛隊約３５０人を急派したが、これも当面半年間の措置だ。文民の派遣も現在は２３人で、警察官に至ってはゼロだ。Other than utilizing the SDF for peacekeeping operations, the government also should discuss measures to boost police officers and civilians to be dispatched for peace-building. 政府は、ＰＫＯへの自衛隊の活用は無論、警察官や文民の派遣増員策も検討すべきである。=== Addressing Afghan shortcomings In particular, Japan significantly lags behind other countries in its assistance to Afghanistan. 特に他国との差が著しいのが、アフガニスタンへの支援だ。Forty-four countries, including the United States and European nations, have dispatched nearly 90,000 personnel to join the International Security and Assistance Force, which stands at the forefront of maintaining security in war-torn Afghanistan. Of those countries, 14 also have sent many police officers and civilians to Afghanistan as members of Provincial Reconstruction Teams engaged in activities to rebuild the country. 欧米など４４か国は、現地で治安維持の最前線に立つ国際治安支援部隊（ＩＳＡＦ）に計９万人近い部隊を派遣している。このうちの１４か国は、復興事業にあたる地方復興チーム（ＰＲＴ）にも警察官や文民を多数派遣している。The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in January ended the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Indian Ocean antiterrorism refueling mission, which had enjoyed a highly favorable reputation among the countries concerned. 鳩山内閣は、各国から高い評価を得ていたインド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動を終了させた。Surely, Hatoyama does not think that peace can be built merely by giving other nations money. 「カネさえ出せば、平和を構築できる」と思っているわけではあるまい。The government should seriously consider physical assistance measures to serve as an alternative to the discontinued refueling mission. 政府は、給油活動に代わる人的支援策を真剣に探るべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 18, 2010) （2010年4月18日01時09分 読売新聞）
Apr 19, 2010
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消費税論議 首相が逃げては話が進まぬ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 18, 2010)Hatoyama must join consumption tax debate消費税論議 首相が逃げては話が進まぬ（4月17日付・読売社説）Leading members of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet have recently spoken in favor of increasing the consumption tax rate. The Hatoyama administration should not let their remarks simply be gestures to attract voters' attention for the upcoming House of Councillors election in summer; it must lead the way toward full-scale debate aimed at actually increasing the tax. 鳩山内閣の主要閣僚から、消費税率の引き上げに前向きな発言が相次いでいる。夏の参院選をにらんだポーズに終わらせず、具体化に向けた本格的な議論につなげるべきだ。It was Finance Minister Naoto Kan who first spoke on the issue. 口火を切ったのが菅財務相だ。"As long as there are no problems with the way we use the increased revenue from a tax rate increase, the economy will improve," Kan said. National Policy Minister Yoshito Sengoku made similar comments later. "It'd be an insult to voters if we went into an election ignoring budget revenue reform," Sengoku stressed. 「増税しても使い道を間違えなければ景気がよくなる」と指摘し、仙谷国家戦略相も「歳入改革を掲げて選挙しなければ、国民に失礼だ」と強調する。=== 'Nation will go broke' There is a subtle difference between Kan and Sengoku's arguments for a tax hike: Kan's top priority is fiscal action to help get this country out of its deflationary spiral, while Sengoku sees fiscal rehabilitation as his key concern. デフレ脱却に向けた財政出動を念頭に置く菅氏、財政再建を重視する仙谷氏と、増税論の立場は微妙に異なる。They share a sense of crisis, however: If the situation is left as it is, the economy will not recover and the nation's finances will starve to death, as it were. It was rather late in the day for Kan and Sengoku to take the bold step of arguing for drastic reform of tax revenues, including reform of the consumption tax system, but it was a natural action for ministers tasked with guarding the economy. だが、このままでは景気は回復せず、財政が破綻(はたん)するとの危機感は共通する。両氏が消費税を含む税財政の抜本改革に踏み込んだのは遅きに失した感はあるが、経済担当閣僚として当然であろう。In contrast, Hatoyama simply repeated he would not raise the consumption tax rate for four years while he heads the government during his current term as a member of the House of Representatives. The dominant opinion within Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan also is wishy-washy about a tax hike; the party feels the consumption tax rate should not be raised as it was not in the party's manifesto for the lower house election last year. これに対し、鳩山首相は４年間の任期中、消費税を上げないと繰り返し、民主党内の大勢も「衆院選公約になかった消費税増税をすべきではない」と及び腰だ。However, the government cannot get round an increase in the consumption tax rate if it wants to cover social security spending, which is increasing by 1 trillion yen annually, and rehabilitate the nation's finances at the same time. しかし、年１兆円ずつ増える社会保障費を賄いつつ、財政を立て直すには消費税率の引き上げが避けて通れない。それは多くの国民が受け入れつつある。Much of the public is coming to accept this, as clearly shown by the results of a March opinion poll by The Yomiuri Shimbun. In the survey, 66 percent of respondents said they approved of the government's decision to study the possibility of raising the consumption tax rate, well above the 28 percent who did not approve. 読売新聞が３月に実施した世論調査で、消費税について引き上げの検討を「評価する」とした回答が６６％にのぼり、「評価しない」の２８％を大きく上回ったことでも明らかだろう。Economic organizations have also proposed a major increase in the consumption tax rate. 経済団体も消費税率の大幅な引き上げを提言している。=== Don't evade discussion Given this country's fiscal situation, it will be very difficult to suppress discussion of consumption tax reform. In the fiscal 2010 budget, tax revenue accounts for only 40 percent of the total expenditures of 92 trillion yen. The situation is truly critical. わが国の財政事情は、消費税論議を封印できるほど甘くはない。２０１０年度予算は、９２兆円の歳出を賄う税収が４割しかない危機的な状況だ。The combined public debt of the central and local governments is estimated to be 862 trillion yen at the end of fiscal 2010, or 181 percent of the estimated gross domestic product. This is in stark contrast to other major nations, whose percentages of public debts account for between 60 and 70 percent of their GDPs. 国と地方の債務残高は１０年度末で８６２兆円、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）に対する割合は１８１％に達する。６０～７０％にとどまる先進国の中では突出している。The Hatoyama Cabinet is scheduled to come up with new policies on various economic issues by the end of June, including midterm fiscal targets, pension system reform and details of its new growth strategy. Whether these policies prove trustworthy will depend on whether the government can secure stable revenue sources. It has no hope of doing so without a consumption tax hike. 鳩山内閣は６月までに中期財政目標、年金制度改革、成長戦略など様々な経済テーマについて新方針を打ち出す。その内容が信頼に値するかどうかは、安定財源の確保にかかる。消費税抜きでは、それも期待できまい。The government's Tax Commission has begun studying how to reform the consumption tax but has not yet started discussing whether the tax rate should be raised. It has just been waiting for politicians to decide what to do. 政府税制調査会も消費税の扱いについて検討を始めたが、引き上げの是非などには踏み込まず、政治の決断待ちの状態だ。Opposition parties have criticized the Hatoyama Cabinet for "taking fiscal policy too lightly." Thus it is inevitable that the consumption tax issue will become a focal issue in the upper house election. 野党は鳩山内閣の姿勢を「財政軽視」と批判しており、消費税問題が参院選の争点に浮上するのは必至の情勢だ。We hope Hatoyama will not look away from the consumption tax issue, but join in the debate openly and boldly. 鳩山首相は消費税から目をそらさず、堂々と論戦に臨んでほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 17, 2010) （2010年4月17日01時30分 読売新聞）
Apr 18, 2010
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独法事業仕分け 「政治劇場」の再現では困る
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 17, 2010)Budget screening no place for theatrics独法事業仕分け 「政治劇場」の再現では困る（4月16日付・読売社説）The government is preparing to conduct a new round of budget screening, the second of its kind to be staged to identify wasteful items of government spending in what is known as jigyo shiwake. The upcoming jigyo shiwake process will target dozens of independent administrative corporations and public-utility foundations. 政府が、独立行政法人と公益法人を対象とする事業仕分け第２弾の準備を進めている。The government should ensure the next budget screening does not degenerate into a mere attempt by politicians to play to the gallery. In this regard, there are lessons to be learned from last year's inaugural jigyo shiwake session. 昨秋の第１弾の反省を踏まえ、政治パフォーマンスに陥らないようにすべきだ。The second screening process has been preceded by interviews conducted by some senior government officials--including Yukio Edano, state minister in charge of government revitalization--with officials from the Cabinet Office and other ministries that govern independent administrative corporations and government-affiliated public-interest foundations. This task was aimed at drawing up a list of institutions to be targeted in the upcoming budget screening process. The next round of jigyo shiwake will comprise two parts, the first of which will take place in late April, followed by the second one in late May. 枝野行政刷新相らは、仕分けの対象となる独法と政府系の公益法人を選ぶため、所管する府省などから聞き取り調査を実施した。本番の仕分け作業は、今月下旬と来月下旬に行われる予定だ。Many institutions subject to the next budget screening honor the so-called amakudari (descent from heaven) practice in which retired high-ranking bureaucrats take up executive posts at such corporations and foundations. They receive grants-in-aid from the government. They also can win orders for government-funded and other projects to be carried out under terms highly favorable to them. 独法や公益法人の多くは、各府省から職員の天下りを受け入れつつ、政府の補助金を受け、有利な条件で事業を受注している。In some cases, such institutions then farm out these projects to other government-affiliated and private corporations. This means these projects can be subcontracted at lower costs than those incurred by independent administrative corporations and public-service foundations. The money saved through this scheme has been used to pay salaries to amakudari employees at these institutions. 時には、受注事業をより安値で別の法人や企業に再発注し、その差額で天下り職員の給料を捻出(ねんしゅつ)する。=== Cut collusive ties The government should sever its collusive relations with independent administrative and public-interest corporations. Doing so is extremely important for reducing overall government expenditures and promoting administrative reform. そんな持ちつ持たれつの関係に大胆にメスを入れることは、政府全体の歳出削減と行政改革を進めるうえで、極めて大切だ。Efforts to drastically curtail amakudari appointments must be complemented by an attempt to reconsider the current national government personnel system as a whole, including the early-retirement program. ただ、独法や公益法人への天下りを大幅に減らすのであれば、早期勧奨退職を含む、現在の国家公務員制度全体の見直しにも同時に取り組むことが欠かせない。In December 2007, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda put together a consolidation plan targeting independent administrative corporations, which number 104 at present. However, minimal progress has been made in achieving the goal stipulated in the plan, which called for abolishing or privatizing six of these corporations. Only three institutions have been consolidated. 現在１０４ある独法については２００７年１２月に福田内閣が整理合理化計画をまとめた。だが、廃止・民営化とされた６法人のうち、実現したのは３法人だけで、進捗(しんちょく)ははかばかしくない。The fundamental idea behind jigyo shiwake screening is that unnecessary projects conducted by such institutions must be scrapped while also privatizing those that could be carried out in the private sector, and that operations for which the national government should bear responsibility must be carried out directly by the government. The upcoming screening process will be tested over whether these guiding principles will be thoroughly adhered to in examining the projects of each independent administrative corporation. 不要不急または民間で可能な事業は廃止・民営化する。国が責任を負うべき事業は国が直接実施する。仕分け作業を通じて各独法の事業を吟味し、この方針をどこまで徹底できるかが問われる。In July 2008, Fukuda ordered a 30 percent cut in government subsidies to public-utility corporations. The target has been accomplished. 公益法人については、０８年７月に福田首相が政府支出の３割削減を指示し、目標は達成された。However, it is difficult to keep a close check on the hefty 6,625 government-supervised public-interest corporations and the necessity of each project they conduct, as well as the propriety of the number of board members at each institution and the salaries paid to them. Given this, jigyo shiwake bears immense significance as a new tool for reforming the system governing such institutions. しかし、国所管の公益法人は６６２５にも上り、個別事業の必要性や役員の人数・報酬の妥当性に監視の目が届きにくい。事業仕分けという新たな手法で改革に取り組む意義は小さくない。=== No room for populism However, the government should not repeat the method it adopted in last autumn's budget screening. Inspectors assigned to the first round of jigyo shiwake frequently lambasted bureaucrats without allowing them to state their opinions and decided on budget cuts. Discussions on each budget item had to be wrapped up within one hour. Such an approach must be dismissed as a mere form of populism. More careful discussions are desired. 一方で、昨秋の第１弾のように、１案件にわずか１時間という制約の中、問答無用で官僚をたたき、予算を切る、というポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）的なやり方を繰り返すべきではあるまい。もっと丁寧な議論が求められる。During last year's budget screening, inspectors were apparently preoccupied with the immediate cost-effectiveness of each project. They failed to look at the whole issue from the standpoint of a medium- and long-term national strategy. Inspectors should realize they would fail to see the whole picture if they discussed projects to be conducted in sectors where a high degree of expertise is involved--for instance, science and technology, national security and cultural advancement--exclusively from the viewpoint of cost-effectiveness. 第１弾では、目先の費用対効果だけに固執し、中長期的な国家戦略という視点が欠けていた。科学技術や安全保障、文化振興といった専門性が要求される分野で、効率論一辺倒では大局を見失う。Care and caution also should be exercised in choosing jigyo shiwake inspectors. Private citizens and foreign residents should not be asked to play a role in making decisions about key policies and changes in administrative systems, as they lack credentials in the form of an official appointment. 仕分け人の選任も、慎重を期す必要がある。民間人や外国人が、正式な辞令交付もないまま、政府の重大な政策や制度の変更に関与することは避けるべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2010) （2010年4月16日01時15分 読売新聞）
Apr 17, 2010
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電波が届かない
１３日より１５日の三日間はタイのソンクラーン（水掛祭り）でチャイヤプームの自宅に帰っていました。先日ラヨーンで購入したEDGE USB Modem 電波が届いていなくて使用できませんでした。例年この期間は気温が高いので有名ですが、今年は特に暑いですね。たぶん地球規模の異常気象が原因ではないでしょうか。気温は連日４５度を突破。スラチャイもこの暑さであごを出しています。日本は涼しくていいですね。srachai from khonkaen, thailand
Apr 16, 2010
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高速割引見直し 値上げで建設費に回す無節操
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 11, 2010)Taking a wrong turn on expressway tolls高速割引見直し 値上げで建設費に回す無節操（4月10日付・読売社説）The policy compiled by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to revise the current system of discounts on expressway tolls can be summarized in the following way: The Cabinet was hard-pressed to secure funds for construction of new expressways, and decided to effectively raise the tolls to get the money it needs. 高速道路建設費の確保に窮して、料金を実質的に値上げし転用する―。鳩山内閣がまとめた高速料金割引制度の見直し策を一言でいえば、こうなるだろう。With implementation of the new system in June, many expressway users will likely pay more. Constructing new expressways and widening current expressways is appropriate, as such improvements bring about positive economic effects and also help prevent accidents. However, the policy obviously contradicts the Cabinet's attitude, which has been negative toward improvement and construction of expressways. ６月実施の新制度では、利用者の多くが負担増となりそうだ。経済効果が高く、事故防止にも役立つ路線の新設・拡幅は妥当だが、高速道整備に否定的だった鳩山内閣の姿勢と明らかに矛盾する。The reduction of toll discounts also runs against the policy of making expressways free, a policy the Hatoyama Cabinet still claims to uphold. It must be quite difficult for the administration to get the public's understanding for the new system. いまだ旗を降ろさぬ高速道路の無料化政策にも反しよう。新制度に対する国民の理解を得るのは、容易ではあるまい。The new discount system will drastically change the system that was introduced under the administration of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito coalition. 新しい割引制度は、自公政権時代に導入された中身を、大幅に整理・統合するものだ。=== No more 1,000 yen cap The extremely popular "1,000 yen toll for unlimited travel" discount system for vehicles equipped with electronic toll collection (ETC) devices on weekends and holidays will be abolished. Discounts for certain times of day, such as early morning and late night, will also be abolished after the current fiscal year. 目玉だった、自動料金収受システム（ＥＴＣ）を装備した車を対象にした土日・祝日限定の「１０００円走り放題」は廃止する。早朝、深夜など時間帯ごとの割引も、今年度限りでやめる。Instead, toll caps will be introduced--1,000 yen for minicars, 2,000 yen for regular passenger cars and 5,000 yen for larger vehicles. No additional charges will be added to these tolls. There is also a program to give preferential treatment to fuel-efficient vehicles. その代わり、軽自動車は１０００円、普通車は２０００円、中型車以上は５０００円などの上限を決め、それ以上の料金は取らないことにする。燃費のいい車を優遇する仕組みもある。The new system will be applied not only on weekends but also on weekdays, regardless of whether vehicles are equipped with ETC devices. Drivers of vehicles not equipped with ETC devices and those traveling long distances on weekdays will benefit greatly from the new system. 土日ばかりでなく平日にも適用し、ＥＴＣの有無を問わない。このため、ＥＴＣを付けていない車や平日に遠出する場合、恩恵は確かに大きいだろう。However, the new system has blind spots. The average daily travel distance of a regular passenger car on an expressway is about 60 kilometers on the weekend and about 40 kilometers on weekdays. Such distances are too short to reach the upper limit of the toll. What is even worse, the tolls to be paid by drivers in that range will be higher than the current ones. だが、新制度には盲点がある。普通車などの平均走行距離は土日で約６０キロ、平日なら約４０キロだ。この程度走ったくらいでは料金が上限に達せず、支払うべき料金は現行より高くなるという。For the Metropolitan and Hanshin expressways, the current flat-rate tolls based on prefectural zones and the zones themselves will be abolished. Instead, there will be a system that requires drivers to pay 500-900 yen on a scale determined by travel distance. 首都高速と阪神高速については年末をめどに、都府県ごとの区分と一律料金制をやめ、５００円から９００円を走行距離に応じて支払うシステムに変える。On those two expressways, the new tolls will be lower than the current ones for short-distance driving, but tolls for long-distance driving will go up in some cases and down in others. Drivers are bound to become confused. 短距離の場合は割安になるが、長く走ると、負担増・減の二つのケースが出てくる。ドライバーも戸惑うのではないか。=== Move is just for securing funds The Hatoyama administration is revising the discount system because it wants to secure funds for construction of expressways. 今回、料金割引制度を見直すのは、高速道路建設の財源確保のためである。Three trillion yen has already been allocated to make up for the reduction in toll revenues under the current discount system. Of that, only 500 billion yen has been spent, leaving 2.5 trillion yen. Out of this, the new system will save 1.4 trillion yen, which can be used for construction of new expressways. 料金割引の原資に国が手当てして残る２・５兆円から、今回の制度変更で使わずに済むようになる１・４兆円を、建設費に充てる計画だ。The Hatoyama Cabinet focused on the revenue for the current discount system because the Democratic Party of Japan made strong calls for the promotion of expressway improvement and construction programs in December last year. 鳩山内閣が昨年末、民主党に高速道路の整備促進を強く要請されたことで、原資に目をつけた。If funds for the construction of expressways are necessary, the administration should be logical enough to prepare a budget for that purpose in a proper fashion. As the Hatoyama Cabinet does not have a consistent expressway policy, it has chosen to take a wrong turn with its inappropriate toll-raising measure. 建設費がどうしても必要というなら、きちんと予算化するのが筋だろう。一貫した高速道路政策が鳩山内閣にないから、こんな姑息(こそく)な手段を選ぶことになる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 10, 2010) （2010年4月10日02時18分 読売新聞）
Apr 11, 2010
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ホームヘルパー2級
『資格取得ネット』は、各スクールの講座資料を一括で資料請求（無料）できる便利なサイトです。介護・福祉系ではやはりホームヘルパー2級講座が人気ランキング1位です。1位 ホームヘルパー2級2位 介護事務3位 介護職員基礎研修4位 社会福祉士5位 ケアマネージャーホームヘルパー2級は概ね３ヶ月の受講で資格を取得することができます。ほぼ公務員並みのお給料♪ホームヘルパーのお給料は、雇用形態にもよりますがほぼ公務員並みだと言われ、安定したお仕事です。また、ホームヘルパー2級は、介護のお仕事では基本中の基本となる資格。国家資格となる介護福祉士やケアマネージャーへステップアップすれば、収入もアップするなど将来の夢も広がります。平均時給とお給料の一例は下記のようになっていますので、参考にしてみてはいかがでしょうか。ホームヘルパー（女性）⇒平均時給：1,181円 平均月収：206,000円 平均年齢：45.4歳ケアマネージャー⇒平均時給：1,522円 平均月収：260,000円 平均年齢：44.9歳↓ホームヘルパー2級
Apr 6, 2010
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日米外相会談 同盟深化の共同作業を怠るな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 1, 2010)To solve the base problem, mend fences with U.S. first日米外相会談 同盟深化の共同作業を怠るな（3月31日付・読売社説）To settle the dispute over where to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, it is vital to steadily promote the joint process aimed at deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance. 米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題を決着させるためにも、日米同盟を深化させる共同作業を着実に進めることが肝要だ。Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday and reaffirmed the Japanese government's goal of resolving the Futenma relocation issue by the end of May. 岡田外相が米国のクリントン国務長官、ゲーツ国防長官と相次いで会談し、普天間問題について５月末までに解決する方針を改めて確認した。Okada explained the Japanese government's relocation proposals, which comprise the options of moving the base's functions to a land-based section of Camp Schwab, which straddles Nago and Ginozason in the prefecture, and an offshore area of a U.S. naval facility in White Beach on the Katsuren Peninsula in Uruma, also in the prefecture. 外相は、普天間飛行場の移設先として、米軍キャンプ・シュワブ陸上部やホワイトビーチ沖などを組み合わせた日本政府案を説明した。But the United States is sticking to its position that the existing plan of relocating the Futenma functions to the coastal area of Camp Schwab is the best option. しかし、米側は、シュワブ沿岸部の現行計画が最善とする立場を変えていない。=== Govt lacks a strategic vision Since the launch of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's administration, the dispute over the Futenma relocation has taken twists and turns because of the prime minister's irresponsible statements and immature political style. But the government can no longer be allowed to postpone dealing with this problem. 普天間問題は、鳩山政権の発足以来、首相の軽すぎる発言と未熟な政治手法などのため、迷走を続けてきた。これ以上の問題先送りは、もう許されない。Because the government-proposed plans entail a number of problems, such as opposition from local governments concerned, it is advisable that the Hatoyama Cabinet not exclude the option of relocating the air station to the coastal area of Camp Schwab so the issue can be settled by the end of May as promised. 政府案が地元自治体の反対など多くの問題を抱える以上、シュワブ沿岸案も排除せず、５月決着を実現することが求められる。What is needed now to resolve the Futenma issue is the restoration of a relationship of trust between Japan and the United States. 今、普天間問題の解決に必要なのは日米の信頼関係の回復だ。A relationship of trust between the two countries cannot be nurtured with such superficial statements as "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of [Japan's] diplomacy," or "Trust me." ２国間の信頼関係は、「日米同盟が外交の基軸」とか「トラスト・ミー（信頼して）」といった口先だけの発言では高まらない。The realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan is essentially aimed at simultaneously attaining two goals--maintaining the deterrence capability of the U.S. forces and reducing the burdens on local governments and residents hosting U.S. military facilities. 在日米軍再編の本来の目的は、米軍の抑止力の維持と、米軍基地による地元負担の軽減という二つの課題を両立させることだ。But the Hatoyama administration has put too much emphasis on the second goal and lacks a strategic vision concerning how Japan and the United States should jointly deal with security issues in East Asia. This has resulted in growing suspicions and frustrations within the U.S. government over whether it can really regard Japan as its ally. だが、鳩山政権は、後者に偏重するあまり、「東アジアの安全保障情勢に日米がどう共同対処するか」という戦略的な視点を欠いている。それが、米政府内で「日本は本当に我々の同盟国なのか」という疑念や不満を呼んでいる。=== Build trust step by step So what needs to be done? それでは、どうすべきか。Current circumstances and future developments in China and North Korea need to be analyzed and evaluated, and the results of such studies shared by the two countries' leaders and ministers. In addition, discussions should be deepened on what forms of cooperation Japan and the United States should promote in both the diplomatic and defense fields. 中国や北朝鮮の現状と将来を分析・評価し、首脳や閣僚が共通の認識を持つ。そのうえで、日米が外交、防衛の両面でどんな協力を進めるかの議論を深める。As for issues taken up during Japan-U.S. foreign ministerial talks, such as Iran's nuclear ambitions and Myanmar's democratization movement, the two countries will need to discuss how they should work with other countries and put into action what has been agreed. 外相会談で議題となったイランの核やミャンマーの民主化などの課題で、日米がいかに他国と連携するかを協議し、実行する。Undertaking a series of such efforts will help restore the two countries' relationship of trust as allies. Only through such confidence-building measures will the two countries be able to make concessions on the points on which they can do so and find areas of compromise in such difficult negotiations as the Futenma relocation issue and the so-called sympathy budget, or the portion Japan pays of the cost of maintaining U.S. forces stationed in the country. こうした一連の取り組みが、同盟国としての日米の信頼回復につながる。その信頼があってこそ、普天間問題や在日米軍駐留経費の日本側負担（思いやり予算）の難交渉で、日米双方が譲るべきは譲り、妥協点を見いだせよう。As Gates has pointed out, it will be difficult for the two countries to come up with a successful outcome in deepening the alliance to mark the 50th anniversary of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. ゲーツ長官が指摘したように、普天間問題の解決なしに、日米安保条約改定５０周年の同盟深化の作業が成果を生むのは難しい。It is important for the two countries to prevent the Futenma issue and the process of deepening the alliance from falling into a vicious circle and act in a way so progress is made in a virtuous circle. 大切なのは、普天間問題と同盟深化の作業が悪循環に陥るのを避けるとともに、逆に、好循環を生むよう行動することである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,March 31, 2010) （2010年3月31日01時25分 読売新聞）
Apr 1, 2010
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