2010年05月の記事
全36件 (36件中 1-36件目)
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貨物検査法成立 海保と海自の連携を密にせよ
英字新聞でスペルミスは致命傷、気をつけてくださいね。（英語版にはときどきミススペル、米国の新聞ほとんどないですよ）waship→warshipThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 31, 2010)MSDF should join cargo inspections貨物検査法成立 海保と海自の連携を密にせよ（5月30日付・読売社説）The Diet on Friday finally enacted into law a special measures bill to enable inspections of cargo transported on ships to and from North Korea. 北朝鮮に出入りする船舶に対する貨物検査を可能にする特別措置法が、ようやく成立した。Cargo inspection was part of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in June last year imposing sanctions on North Korea after Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test despite international disapproval. However, Japan previously did not have a law under which it could conduct cargo inspections, preventing the nation from joining concerted international actions until now. 貨物検査は、核実験を強行した北朝鮮への制裁措置として、昨年６月の国連安全保障理事会決議に盛り込まれた。ところが、日本は貨物検査を実施できる根拠法がなく、国際協調行動の一翼を担えない状態が続いていた。The establishment of the special measures law solved this legal shortcoming. However, the government should not leave cargo inspection only to the Japan Coast Guard, but should also actively utilize the Maritime Self-Defense Force. 特措法の制定で、法の不備は解消されたが、貨物検査は海上保安庁だけに任せず、海上自衛隊も積極的に活用すべきだ。The special measures law authorizes the JCG and customs officials to inspect ships to check whether they are carrying weapons and other banned items. If captains of those ships refuse the inspections, the JCG and customs can order the ships to head for a nearby port. 特措法は、船舶が武器などを積んでいないか検査する権限を海保と税関に与えた。船長が検査に同意しない時は、最寄りの港に向かうよう回航命令を出せる。=== New law's tortuous path The special measures bill was initially submitted to the Diet by the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, but was scrapped because the House of Representatives was dissolved for a general election. 特措法は、麻生前内閣が国会に提出したものの、衆院解散で廃案になった。The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama partially revised the bill and resubmitted it to the Diet during its extraordinary session in autumn, but the law's enactment was delayed as the Cabinet placed priority on dealing with other bills. 鳩山内閣は、昨秋の臨時国会に法案を一部修正して再提出したが、他の法案処理を優先させ、成立を先送りしていた。The legislation governing cargo inspections should have been enacted much earlier. 本来、もっと早く成立させなければならない法律だった。In addition, the revised bill's contents contained a problem. The bill submitted by the Aso Cabinet stipulated the MSDF would be sent out when it became difficult for the JCG to deal with a case alone. The bill promulgated by the Hatoyama Cabinet deleted this provision in consideration of junior coalition partner the Social Democratic Party, which opposes utilizing the MSDF for cargo inspections. さらに問題なのは、法案の修正内容だ。麻生前内閣の法案では、海保で対応が困難な場合に海自が出動することを定めていたが、その規定を削除した。自衛隊の活用に否定的な社民党に配慮したためだった。The government said no obstacles exist for the law's smooth implemention even without the provision, noting the government would be able to dispatch the MSDF when ordering a maritime police action based on the Self-Defense Forces Law. 政府は、この規定がなくても、自衛隊法に基づく海上警備行動を発令すれば、海自を出動させることができるとして、運用上の支障はないと説明している。However, the law's lack of clarity over the MSDF's involvement in the cargo inspection mission could make the government hesitant about sending out the MSDF in times of emergency. だが、今回の特措法に海自の関与を明示しなかったことは、非常時に海自の出動をためらわせることにつながるのではないか。We hope the government will exercise ingenuity in the law's operation by ensuring close coordination between the JCG and the MSDF to enable concerted action. 海保と海自の連絡を密にし、連携して行動が取れるよう、運用上の工夫を凝らしてほしい。=== MSDF strengths needed Even after making use of the MSDF, there are still many problems that need to be solved to improve the effectiveness of cargo inspections. 海自を活用してもなお、貨物検査の実効性を高めるためには、課題が多い。In the case of North Korean ships and captains, it appears unlikely they would readily accept cargo inspections and orders to head for a nearby port. There might be a case in which ships masquerading as merchant ships are actually heavily armed. In such a scenario, even if the government dispatches the MSDF by ordering a maritime police action, the MSDF vessels are not allowed to fire even warning shots. 北朝鮮籍の船舶や北朝鮮船長の場合は、貨物検査や回航命令に応じるとは考えにくい。商船を装って重武装しているケースも想定されるが、海上警備行動を発令して海自を出動させても、海自は警告射撃が認められていない。Tension rose on the Korean Peninsula after the March sinking of a South Korean waship that was attributed to North Korea. 韓国哨戒艦沈没事件を機に、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。During summit talks with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak on Jeju Island in South Korea on Saturday, Hatoyama expressed his intention to actively conduct cargo inspections as the special measures bill was enacted into law the previous day. 鳩山首相は、韓国・済州島での日韓首脳会談で、特措法の成立に伴い、貨物検査に積極的に取り組む意向を表明した。From now on, information- and role-sharing with the U.S. and South Korean navies will be extremely important. The MSDF is the organization better equipped to undertake smooth coordination. 今後、米韓海軍との情報共有や役割分担がきわめて大事になる。そうした連携も、海自の方がスムーズにいくだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2010) （2010年5月30日01時34分 読売新聞）
May 31, 2010
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米倉経団連発足 逆風はね返し成長の実現を
専門用語：the Japan Business Federation 日本経団連コメント：Nippon Keidanrenは英語になりつつありますね。Nikkeiは完全に英語化されています。英語化された日本語たくさんあります。tsunami津波, karaokeカラオケ, karo-shi過労死…（あるアメリカ人は殺しと混同していました）英英辞典についてLongman Eictionary of Contemporary Englishロングマン現代英英辞典2000語の基本単語だけを使用して書かれているので初心者でもすぐに取り組める。渋谷にある英会話学校のインストラクター（米国人）から紹介されました。Oxford Student's Dictionaryオックスフォード学生向け英語辞典学生向けに用語を限定して書かれているのでわかりやすい。初心者向け。The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Languageアメリカン・ヘリエイジ英語辞典今これを使っています。一般のアメリカ人向け。難しい。今でもちょっと敷居が高いです。Answer.com online Dictionary最高です。ネイティブの発音付き。無料。アメリカン・ヘリエイジ英語辞典ほど難しくない。ほぼ完全に理解できます。難しい英英辞典を無理して読んでもまったくおもしろくない。ストレスが溜まり、ひいては自己嫌悪に陥ってしまいます。英英辞典は能力に応じて段階を踏んで使用するのがコツです。The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 29, 2010)New Keidanren chief has tough row to hoe米倉経団連発足 逆風はね返し成長の実現を（5月28日付・読売社説）Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura has taken office as the new chief of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren). 日本経団連の会長に、住友化学会長の米倉弘昌氏が就任した。One challenge awaiting the new chairman of the nation's largest business lobby will be to confront the increasingly hostile environment surrounding the Japanese economy. 新会長を待つのは、日本経済を取り巻く環境の厳しさだ。The domestic economy is shrinking due to deflation. Aggressive business activities in overseas markets by companies from emerging Asian and other economies are putting Japanese corporations' hard-earned international standing at risk. 国内経済はデフレによる市場の縮小に直面している。海外市場でも、アジアなど新興国企業の攻勢を受け、日本企業は国際的な地位を脅かされつつある。Making matters worse, the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to implement economic policies that could antagonize the corporate sector. Last year's change of government has weakened the relationship between political circles and the business community, contributing to a decline in Nippon Keidanren's influence. しかも鳩山政権は、企業を敵対視するような経済政策を続けている。昨年の政権交代で、経済界と政治の関係が希薄になり、経団連の影響力も低下している。With Yonekura at its helm, Nippon Keidanren must overcome these challenges and spearhead efforts to achieve economic growth. 米倉経団連は、こうした逆風をはね返し、経済成長を実現する先頭に立たねばならない。In April, Nippon Keidanren put forward a growth strategy whose pillars included measures to increase the international competitiveness of domestic corporations and reform the tax and fiscal systems. An immediate task for the economic organization is to ensure its proposals are sufficiently reflected in a growth strategy the government will announce soon. 経団連は４月、企業の国際競争力強化や税財政改革を柱とした成長戦略を提言した。当面の課題は、この提言内容を、政府が近く打ち出す成長戦略にどこまで反映させることができるかだろう。=== Intl competitiveness falling According to an international competitiveness yearbook compiled by a Swiss management research organ, Japan slumped to 27th this year, down from 17th in 2009. Japan has fallen behind China and South Korea in international corporate competitiveness. スイスの調査機関がまとめた今年の国際競争力ランキングで、日本は昨年の１７位から２７位へと大きく順位を落とし、中国や韓国より下位に転落した。The nation's high corporate tax rate, a major factor behind the decline, has done much to undermine domestic companies' vitality. The high-cost structure of the nation's corporate sector, including the high tax rate, could accelerate an "industrial hollowing-out"--the drain of domestic manufacturing bases to other nations. その要因の一つである国際的に高い法人税率は、日本企業の活力を損なっている。税金を含む高コスト体質は、生産拠点が海外に流出する「産業空洞化」を加速させかねない。Some members of the Hatoyama administration support Nippon Keidanren's proposal to lower the corporate tax rate. They should urge the government to reduce the tax rate as soon as possible. 経団連が提言する法人税率の引き下げについて、鳩山政権内にも賛同する声がある。政府に働きかけ、早期に実現を図るべきだ。In some cases, success--or the lack of it--in winning contracts for construction and other infrastructure projects in emerging economies can primarily depend on whether bidders have the support of their governments. Winning contracts for such projects requires public-private cooperation. 新興国の社会基盤（インフラ）投資の受注などは、政府の後押しが決め手になる場合があり、官民の連携が求められる。Given this fact, the government and business circles in this country have every reason to cooperate in this respect. By the same token, there are times when the business community must resolutely oppose government policies. こうした点で政府と経済界が協力するのは当然だ。しかし、経済界は、毅然(きぜん)として政府に異を唱えなければならない時もある。It should persist in urging the government to revamp policies that could weigh on the corporate sector, including a ban on dispatching temporary workers to manufacturers and a far-reaching 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions. 製造業の派遣労働禁止や温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動の重荷になりかねない政策に対しては、粘り強く修正を求める必要があろう。=== Time for strategy rethink Meanwhile, domestic corporations must reform themselves. Admittedly, there has been a long-awaited improvement in the corporate sector's performance. However, this gradual recovery is mainly attributable to increased profits arising from cuts in production and other costs, and comes despite falling earnings. This is to say the corporate sector has yet to grow out of its defensive mentality when it comes to devising business strategies. 一方、企業自らの改革も欠かせない。業績はようやく上向きつつあるが、コスト削減による「減収増益」が中心で、守りの経営から脱し切れていない。The corporate sector also should rethink its overseas strategy. It will be impossible to tap expanding middle-income groups in emerging nations if the sector adheres to the formula that has hitherto been successful in overseas markets--that is, high-quality products can sell well even if they have high prices. 海外戦略の練り直しも重要だ。品質が良ければ高くても売れるといった過去の「成功体験」にすがっていては、拡大する新興国の中間所得層は取り込めまい。Yonekura reportedly said he intends to put together a new growth strategy that will encourage private corporations to go it alone, without relying on the government. We hope the new Nippon Keidanren chief will advance proposals bursting with daring entrepreneurial spirit. 米倉新会長は、政府に頼らずに民間企業の自立を促す、新たな成長戦略を策定する意向という。攻めの企業家精神にあふれた提言になるよう期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,May 28, 2010) （2010年5月28日01時26分 読売新聞）
May 29, 2010
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産業ビジョン 日本の競争力をどう強化する
専門用語：economic partnership accords 経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）コメント：自画自賛的記事です。政治家も新聞記事で勉強しているのでしょうか。新聞社に負けて欲しくないと思いました。日本は年間のGDPの年間伸び率が4%を超える見込みで大喜び。タイは12%を越える勢いですよ。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 28, 2010)How should Japan boost competitiveness?産業ビジョン 日本の競争力をどう強化する（5月27日付・読売社説）What can Japan do to find a way out of the stalling economy and boost its international competitiveness? The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has come up with a review of the nation's industrial policy. 日本経済の行き詰まりを打破し、競争力を強化するにはどうすべきか。経済産業省が産業政策の見直しを打ち出した。The review refers to the ministry's "Industrial Structure Vision," which serves as a guideline for the nation's economic revitalization. The government hopes to make this a major pillar of the new growth strategy that it plans to decide on in June. 経済再生の指針とする「産業構造ビジョン」のことである。政府が６月中に策定する新成長戦略の柱にしたい考えだ。As such countries as China and South Korea are quickly catching up with Japan, Japan's international competitiveness is on the decline. 日本は中国や韓国などに猛追され、競争力は相対的に低下している。With the declining population at home, economic expansion will be limited if the nation relies too much on domestic demand. On the other hand, Japanese companies are accelerating their transfer of production abroad, raising the fear of a hollowing out of domestic industries. This sense of alarm underlies the ministry's vision. 人口減少で、内需だけでは先細りだ。一方で、企業の海外移転が加速し、国内産業の空洞化も懸念される――。そうした危機感がビジョンの背景にある。The Yomiuri Shimbun made an emergency proposal in early May, calling on the government to advance bold policies for the nation's economic reconstruction. The ministry's vision contains many points that overlap with those contained in the proposal. Both are probably aiming at similar targets. 読売新聞社は５月初め、経済再生に向けて大胆な政策展開を求める緊急提言を行った。ビジョンは本紙提言と重なる内容が多い。目指す方向は同じだろう。=== 5% tax cut in works It is noteworthy that the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has for the first time made clear its intention to lower the effective corporate tax rate by about 5 percent in the next fiscal year and lower it further to a range of 25 percent to 30 percent in the future. 今回、注目されるのは、鳩山政権として初めて、法人税の実効税率を来年度に５％程度引き下げ、将来的に２５～３０％を目指すと明記したことだ。Compared with corporate tax rates of about 30 percent in European countries and 25 percent or less in other Asian countries, Japan's effective corporate tax rate of 40.69 percent is strikingly high. 欧州の３０％前後、アジアの２５％以下に比べると、日本の実効税率は４０・６９％と突出して高い。Such heavy tax burdens deprive Japanese businesses of their corporate vitality, causing them to curb capital investment and reducing their international competitiveness. 重い税負担が企業活力を奪い、設備投資などを抑制させて競争力を低下させている。Many foreign companies are apparently reluctant to advance into the Japanese market because of the high corporate tax rate, which might partly explain the sluggish foreign investment in Japan. 日本への進出を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)する外国企業が多く、対日投資が伸びない原因でもある。The Yomiuri Shimbun has proposed that the corporate tax rate be lowered to a range of between 20 and 30 percent. The government should accelerate internal discussion and slash the corporate tax at the earliest possible time. 本紙は法人税の２０％台への引き下げを提言した。政府内で議論を加速し、税率の大幅引き下げを早期に実現すべきだ。The ministry's vision also points out the need to reinforce the framework of public-private cooperation in promoting the export of such infrastructure-related technologies as nuclear power generation systems and high-speed railways to other Asian countries or elsewhere. アジアなど向けに、原子力発電所や新幹線などの社会基盤を売り込む、官民を挙げた体制強化の必要性もビジョンは指摘した。We can expect great demand for social infrastructure abroad, involving a large sum of money. It is important for the government to adopt a strategy to pursue the benefits of expansion in both domestic and foreign demand. 海外では巨額のインフラ需要が期待できる。内需と外需の二兎(にと)を追う戦略が肝要だ。=== 'All Japan' system needed Nevertheless, the international competition with countries in Europe, the United States and such Asian rivals as South Korea is fierce. For Japan--which has lagged behind these rivals in the export of infrastructure-related systems--to win the market competition, it has to establish an "All Japan" system and promote comprehensive support for the projects. Such support should range from the provision of funds to after-sales services, with the prime minister and concerned ministers showing diplomatic leadership. だが、欧米や韓国などとの競争も激しい。出遅れを挽回(ばんかい)するため、資金提供からアフターサービスまで、首相や閣僚を先頭に、オールジャパンで市場を勝ち取らねばなるまい。The ministry's vision also includes the reinforcement of five strategic areas such as the development of next-generation vehicles, as well as the expansion of the economic partnership accords with other countries. ビジョンは、次世代自動車など五つの重点戦略分野の強化、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の拡大なども盛り込んだ。The government needs to tackle all these measures expeditiously to boost Japan's competitiveness in the international market. Japanese businesses should not lose business projects despite having superior technological prowess. 日本の競争力を強化するには、いずれも急いで取り組むべきテーマだ。技術で勝って、ビジネスで負ける事態は望ましくない。Yet the mere presentation of the vision without its realization would be of no practical use. ただ、ビジョンを提示しても、実現できなければ絵に描いた餅に終わる。Because the vision may conflict with similar growth strategies being advocated by other ministries including the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the government must coordinate these views and clearly prioritize policies. 国土交通省など他省の成長戦略とも競合するが、政府全体として調整し、政策の優先順位を明確にしなければならない。The speed with which these policies are carried out will be a test for the political leadership in the days ahead. 日本の成長に弾みをつけるには、政治の指導力と、政策を実行するスピードが問われよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 27, 2010) （2010年5月27日02時04分 読売新聞）
May 28, 2010
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公益法人仕分け 天下りと独占受注を是正せよ
専門用語：independent administrative institutions 独立法人public-interest corporations 公益法人コメント：東大卒で国家公務員試験をパスしているので天下りで楽をするのはあたりまえだ。こう考えています。第三の暴力、頭脳（知的）暴力だと思います。｢強者は弱者を助けなければならない｣とはテラワーダ仏教の教えです。タイは住みやすい国です。貧しくても。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 27, 2010)Step up the fight against amakudari公益法人仕分け 天下りと独占受注を是正せよ（5月26日付・読売社説）Budget screening by a government panel has underlined the need to sever the cozy relationship between public-interest corporations and former government officials who land lucrative jobs at these organizations--a practice called amakudari. In a typical case, these institutions monopolize government orders for certain operations and use their profits to pay high salaries to the former bureaucrats. 公益法人が国から事業を独占的に受注し、その利益を天下りしてきた官僚ＯＢの高額な給与に充てる。そんな癒着の構図に、徹底してメスを入れる必要がある。The Government Revitalization Unit has completed the latest round of budget screening aimed at weeding out wasteful spending at public-interest corporations and other entities. Among 82 programs undertaken by 70 corporations, the panel proposed 37 programs be abolished, including management of airport parking lots by the Airport Environment Improvement Foundation, and the Japan Center for Local Autonomy's lottery promotional activities. 政府の行政刷新会議が、公益法人などを対象とする４日間の事業仕分け作業を終えた。７０法人の８２事業のうち、空港環境整備協会の空港駐車場管理、自治総合センターの宝くじの普及広報など、３７事業を廃止すべきだと判定した。Previous budget screening sessions lacked a strategic perspective and smacked of political grandstanding. During the latest round that lasted four days, however, the unit dealt with a number of issues more familiar to the public and ripe for screening. If the panel's work helps correct problems that have gone unaddressed for years despite getting under the skin of many people, it would be a worthy achievement. 従来の事業仕分けは、戦略的視点を欠き、政治ショーの色彩が濃かったが、今回は、国民に身近で、仕分け向きのテーマが多かった。長年、多くの人が疑問を感じながら手付かずだった弊害が是正されるなら、成果と言えよう。Currently, the Japan Traffic Safety Association is the sole organization commissioned to give courses to drivers when they renew their licenses. The panel called for this work to no longer be entrusted to a specific institution, and instead recommended the responsibility be shared by organizations chosen through open competition. The proposal aims to cut expenses--including the cost of producing booklets given to each driver--to reduce the cost of renewing a driver's license. 全日本交通安全協会による運転免許の更新時講習は、実施機関を１団体に任せず、競争的手法で決定するよう求めた。教本の作成を含め、コストを削減し、免許更新者の負担を軽くするためだ。=== Public losing out The panel also questioned the certification program for fire extinguishers and other devices that is the exclusive domain of the Japan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute. The unit called for the program to be reviewed and private firms allowed to enter the business, saying it is problematic that the government has handed the institute a monopoly in this field. 日本消防検定協会の消火器などの検定業務も、国からの独占的な権限付与は問題だとして、民間参入できるよう見直しを求めた。If the government assigns authority for a specific program to a single institution, its high-cost structure will remain unchanged because there is no competition to encourage it to cut costs. Commissioning programs to public-interest organizations is intended to make these operations more efficient. When the reality runs counter to the original purpose, the public loses out. 国が１団体だけに権限を与えれば、競争原理が働かず、高コスト体質は避けられない。公益法人への業務委託は、効率化が目的なのに、逆行しているようでは困る。JKA, a public-interest corporation under the jurisdiction of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, provides subsidies funded by proceeds from keirin bicycle races. But the government panel decided the programs should be suspended until JKA tightens its "lenient" screening system. The panel also pointed out that many former ministry officials had slipped into cushy positions at organizations that received subsidies from JKA. 経済産業省所管の公益法人ＪＫＡは、競輪の売上金の一部を使った補助事業について「審査が甘い」として「審査体制を強化するまでは廃止」と判定された。補助金の交付団体に多数の経産省ＯＢが天下っている問題も指摘された。But the problem with public-interest corporations does not stop there. Taxpayers' money and some of the handling fees charged by the corporations end up paying the huge salaries of retired government officials. This setup grates with the public. 競輪の売上金に限らず、税金や手数料の一部が、天下り官僚の高額な給与に浪費される構造は、国民の納得が得られない。=== DPJ facing uphill battle A Yomiuri Shimbun survey showed that of 70 public corporations subject to the screening, 69 had accepted a total of 334 former bureaucrats as executives. The survey also showed 27 institutions had received a total of 74.6 billion yen a year in subsidies and commission fees from the central government and independent administrative institutions. 読売新聞の調査では、仕分け対象の７０法人のうち、６９法人に官僚ＯＢ３３４人が役員として天下りしていた。一方で、国や独立行政法人からの補助金・委託費は、２７法人で年間７４６億円に上る。Reemployment of former bureaucrats should not be ruled out, provided they take positions that require their expertise. However, the government must cut the number of bureaucrats riding the amakudari gravy train, and the subsidies being dished out to public corporations. 適材適所の再就職までは否定しないとしても、天下りと補助金の双方を減らすことが必要だ。At the same time, the central government should urgently review the current practice of urging its officials to leave their jobs before reaching retirement age, thereby reducing the number of amakudari bureaucrats. This would require the introduction of a new government personnel system that enables bureaucrats to work until retirement age. 同時に、天下りを減らす前提として、国家公務員の早期勧奨退職の慣行を見直し、公務員が定年まで働ける新しい人事システムの検討・導入を急がねばなるまい。The outcome of budget screening so far suggests the Democratic Party of Japan will have its work cut out to meet its campaign pledge for last year's House of Representatives election to dig up 6.1 trillion yen by cutting subsidies to independent administrative institutions and public-interest corporations, among other measures. これまでの事業仕分けの実績を見る限り、独法や公益法人の補助金削減などで「６・１兆円を節約」とした昨年衆院選の民主党の政権公約は到底実現しそうにない。The DPJ will need to clearly explain how it intends to address this shortcoming. 民主党は、この点について明確な説明が求められる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 26, 2010) （2010年5月26日01時00分 読売新聞）
May 27, 2010
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韓国大統領談話 安保理は北朝鮮の責任を問え
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 26, 2010)UNSC must condemn North Korean attack韓国大統領談話 安保理は北朝鮮の責任を問え（5月25日付・読売社説）South Korean President Lee Myung Bak said Monday in a nationwide speech that the March 26 sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship was "a military provocation by North Korea" and that Seoul would refer the incident to the U.N. Security Council and ask the international community to discuss severe punishment for Pyongyang. 韓国の李明博大統領が国民向けの談話で、哨戒艦の沈没事件を「北朝鮮の軍事的挑発」だと断定し、国連安全保障理事会に提起して厳しく責任を問う方針を表明した。A multinational team of investigators concluded last week, based on physical evidence, that a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine destroyed the Cheonan corvette, killing 46 sailors near the Koreas' western maritime border. As the South Korean president said, this is nothing but an act of war. 乗組員４６人の命を奪った沈没事件の原因については、先に国際的な合同調査団が、「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃だった」とする結果を物的証拠とともに明らかにしている。大統領が言うとおり、「戦争行為」以外のなにものでもあるまい。It is a matter of course for the Security Council to condemn North Korea over such an outrage. 安保理は当然、こうした非道な行為を指弾すべきである。Much of the diplomatic focus is currently on how China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, will respond to this situation. Beijing has so far been very cautious about discussing the sinking in the council, which will make it difficult for the Security Council not only to issue a resolution for additional sanctions but even to issue a presidential statement condemning North Korea. 焦点は、拒否権を持つ常任理事国の中国の対応だ。事件を安保理で扱うことに慎重で、これでは新たな制裁決議は無論、議長声明すら困難との見方がある。Beijing may be thinking that it would be counterproductive to drive Pyongyang into a corner. 中国は、北朝鮮を追い込むことは逆効果と考えているのかもしれない。=== Attack can't be brushed off In April last year, the Security Council adopted a nonbinding presidential statement condemning North Korea for test-launching a long-range ballistic missile. This angered Pyongyang, which conducted a second nuclear test in spite of international opposition. 昨年４月、安保理は、長距離弾道ミサイルを発射した北朝鮮を非難する議長声明を採択した。北朝鮮は激高し、２度目の核実験を強行した。It is feared North Korea would conduct a third test and raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula if the Security Council imposes additional sanctions on the communist state. 今回も、安保理が制裁に動けば３度目の核実験を行い、情勢は緊迫するとの懸念がある。However, if the Security Council fails to issue even a presidential statement regarding the sinking, North Korea will take the current sanctions resolution, which demands Pyongyang not conduct nuclear or missile testings, even more lightly. Such a situation would damage not only peace and stability in East Asia but China's national interests as well. だが、安保理がこの問題で議長声明すら出せないようでは、北朝鮮は、核実験やミサイル発射をしないよう求めた現行の制裁決議をなおさら軽視しよう。こうした事態は東アジアの平和と安定を損ない、中国のためにもなるまい。Japan, South Korea and the United States should strive to persuade China to work with them so Pyongyang's actions will not be brushed off. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the United States and China, which opened Monday in Beijing, would be a significant opportunity for that purpose, as would the China-South Korea and Japan-China-South Korea summit talks to be held after the dialogue. 日米韓は、北朝鮮の行為を看過しないため共同歩調をとるよう、中国の説得に努めるべきだ。開幕した米中戦略・経済対話、それに続く中韓首脳会談、日中韓首脳会談はそのための重要な機会だ。=== Japan must stand firm As South Korea's own sanction measures, Lee declared all trade and exchanges between the two Koreas would be suspended, except the operations of a joint factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. 李大統領は、韓国が独自にとる制裁措置として、開城工業団地の操業を除く「南北交易と交流の中断」を宣言した。The South Korean government also will push Washington harder to restore North Korea to its list of terrorism-supporting states so that the international community will impose heavier sanctions on the country. 韓国は国際的な制裁圧力の強化を狙って、北朝鮮をテロ支援国に再指定するよう、米国への働きかけを強めるだろう。Lee strongly warned North Korea that Seoul would invoke its right of self-defense against any armed invasion. He also said South Korea will play an active role in the Proliferation Security Initiative to prevent weapons of mass destruction and related materials from being redeployed or trafficked, and conduct joint antisubmarine military exercises with the United States. 李大統領は、「武力侵犯」には自衛権を発動する、と北朝鮮に強く警告した。韓国政府は、大量破壊兵器・関連物資の移転や輸送を防ぐ拡散阻止構想（ＰＳＩ）に積極的に参加し、米韓合同の対潜水艦訓練も実施するという。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told the Security Council of Japan to support South Korea's position and to study what additional sanctions Japan could impose on North Korea. 日本も、鳩山首相が安全保障会議で、韓国の立場を支持するとともに、独自の追加制裁措置を検討するよう指示した。Japan should adopt a strong line against any North Korean provocation or violation of the Security Council resolution. 日本は、北朝鮮のいかなる挑発にも、安保理決議の違反にも、断固として対応すべきだ。Japan must immediately review the Self-Defense Forces' warning, surveillance and information-gathering systems to heighten the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 自衛隊の警戒・監視や情報収集態勢を再点検し、日米同盟の実効性を強化することは待ったなしの課題だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 25, 2010) （2010年5月25日01時09分 読売新聞）
May 26, 2010
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首相沖縄再訪 決断先送りのツケは大きい
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 25, 2010)Delaying Futenma decision has high price首相沖縄再訪 決断先送りのツケは大きい（5月24日付・読売社説）The government undoubtedly will pay a high price for not resolving the Futenma relocation issue by the end of last year, in line with what Japan and the United States agreed on in 2006. Many difficulties lie ahead. 昨年末に現行案での決着を図らなかったツケはあまりに大きい、と言わざるを得ない。前途は多難である。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama visited Okinawa Prefecture again Sunday and told Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima of the government's intention to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago. The visit came after Japan and the United States reached a basic agreement to construct Futenma's replacement facilities off the coast of the marines' Camp Schwab in the district. 鳩山首相が沖縄県を再び訪問し、米軍普天間飛行場の移設先を名護市辺野古周辺にする意向を仲井真弘多知事に伝えた。辺野古の米軍キャンプ・シュワブ沿岸部に代替施設を建設するとの日米の大筋合意を受けたものだ。Nakaima, however, disapproved of the government plan. The governor said the government's choice was "extremely regrettable" and it would be "exceedingly difficult" to implement the plan. だが、知事は、辺野古移設について、「大変遺憾で、極めて厳しい」と難色を示した。Nakaima had originally accepted the 2006 relocation plan to construct Futenma replacement facilities in Henoko. But as Hatoyama dillydallied on the matter and public calls for the base to be shifted outside the prefecture grew louder, Nakaima changed his stance and now believes relocating the Futenma base within the prefecture will be difficult. 仲井真知事は当初、辺野古に代替施設を建設する現行案を容認していた。だが、首相が決断を先送りし、沖縄で県外移設を求める世論が高まる中、県内移設は困難との立場に転じてしまった。Susumu Inamine, a staunch opponent of the relocation to Henoko, was elected Nago mayor in January. This threw a wrench in the central government's attempts to make a final decision on the relocation issue. １月の名護市長選で、移設受け入れに反対する稲嶺進氏が当選したことも状況を厳しくした。=== Buck stops with Hatoyama Had Hatoyama adhered to the 2006 plan last year by overriding the opposition of the Social Democratic Party, the tumultuous to-ing and fro-ing that has occurred this year could have been avoided. Hatoyama bears a heavy responsibility for this politically damaging misjudgment. 昨年末に首相が社民党の反対を押し切り、現行案での実施を決断していれば、その後の展開は全く違ったはずだ。致命的な判断ミスであり、首相の罪は重い。During his meeting with Nakaima, Hatoyama insisted the government would lessen Okinawa's burden by dispersing U.S. military exercises to other prefectures. He pointed out the deterrent provided by the U.S. military presence in Okinawa is critical as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula, and sought Nakaima's support for the government plan. 鳩山首相は会談で、米軍の訓練の県外への分散移転などを通じて沖縄の負担軽減に努める考えを強調した。緊迫する朝鮮半島情勢を踏まえた米軍の抑止力の重要性も指摘し、知事の理解を求めた。To prevent the latest relocation plan from becoming deadlocked due to opposition from the prefectural government and Okinawa residents, the central government must persuade the governor to change his mind. This will not be simple, though. 日米合意ができても、沖縄県や地元の反対で行き詰まる事態を避けるためには、簡単ではないが、引き続き知事を説得し、翻意するよう求める必要がある。Since its inauguration in September, the Hatoyama administration has been at sixes and sevens over the Futenma relocation because it had no "control tower" overseeing the matter. This strained the trust between the government and the prefectural and Nago municipal governments and residents. Before anything else, the administration must steadily rebuild these relationships. 鳩山政権発足以来の８か月余、司令塔不在で普天間問題が迷走を重ねる中、政府と沖縄県や名護市との信頼関係は冷え切っている。政府はまず、この関係を地道に立て直さなければなるまい。=== Lay it on the line The 2006 plan calls for moving the Futenma base from a crowded area of Ginowan to the sparsely populated Henoko district in the northern part of prefecture, the transfer of 8,000 marines to Guam, and the return of Futenma and five other U.S. military facilities to Japan's sovereignty. The government needs to honestly explain that implementing the 2006 deal can considerably reduce the burden that hosting the U.S. military places on Okinawa residents. 住宅密集地にある普天間飛行場を人口の少ない県北部に移す。米海兵隊８０００人をグアムに移転し、普天間など米軍６施設を返還する。一連の日米合意の実施が相当な地元負担軽減になることを丁寧に説明することも大切だ。The SDP's strident opposition to the Futenma transfer to Henoko also has complicated the move. 普天間飛行場の辺野古移設にはほかにもハードルがある。社民党が強く反対していることだ。Some members of the Democratic Party of Japan want the government's decision on the final relocation plan postponed until after the scheduled end-of-May deadline. But such inconsistency would be an inexcusable repeat of the misjudgment the government made last year regarding a final settlement deadline. 民主党内には、社民党に配慮して、月末に予定される政府案決定の先送りを求める声もあるが、そんな無定見な対応は許されない。昨年末の二の舞いになる。The DPJ holds more than 400 seats in both houses of the Diet. If the DPJ-led government allows itself to be pushed around by the SDP, a tiny coalition partner with only about 10 Diet seats, and fails to decide on matters that affect national security, it would run counter to the national interest. 民主党は衆参両院で４００議席超を有する。それが、わずか１０議席余の社民党に振り回され、国の安全保障にかかわる問題が決められないようでは、国益に反する。Resolving this issue will test Hatoyama's resolve and leadership to the limit. 鳩山首相の決断力と指導力が厳しく問われよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2010) （2010年5月24日01時16分 読売新聞）
May 25, 2010
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裁判員制度 １年間の検証を改善に生かせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 24, 2010)Improve lay judge system by examining past trials裁判員制度 １年間の検証を改善に生かせ（5月23日付・読売社説）One year has passed since the law governing the lay judge system came into effect. Lay judge trials have not faced major troubles so far. 裁判員法が施行されてから１年が経過した。裁判員裁判は、概(おおむ)ね順調に実施されている。However, some problems have begun to emerge. It is essential to solve these problems by closely examining past lay judge trials. だが、一方で課題も見えてきた。これまでの公判の綿密な検証を行い、問題点を改善していくことが大切だ。According to the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, verdicts have been handed down to 530 defendants since the law took effect on May 21 last year. Six citizen judges are chosen per case, meaning more than 3,000 people have served as lay judges nationwide. 最高検によると、裁判員法が施行された昨年５月２１日からの１年間に、対象事件で５３０人に判決が言い渡された。一つの事件で６人の裁判員が選ばれることから、これまでに全国で３０００人以上が裁判員を務めたことになる。In many cases, trials ended after three to four days. However, one trial for which the Kyoto District Court handed down a ruling on Thursday lasted nine days, which appeared to be the longest lay judge trial so far. This is because quite a bit of time was spent to hear trial testimony, including that of an expert witness who performed a psychiatric examination of a defendant charged with injury resulting in death. 多くの公判は３～４日間で終了している。だが、京都地裁で２０日に判決が出た事件の公判は、これまでで最長とみられる９日間を要した。傷害致死罪などに問われた被告の精神鑑定医らの証人尋問に多くの時間が割かれたためだ。There likely will be even more prolonged trials in the future, in cases where the application of capital punishment, for example, becomes a major contention. 今後は死刑の適用などを巡り、より長期化する公判もあろう。It is vital, therefore, that judges as well as prosecutors and lawyers take heed to ensure efficient trial proceedings and fully examine cases, while giving consideration to lay judges to ensure that excessive burdens are not placed on them. 裁判員に過度の負担がかからないよう配慮しながら、十分に審理を尽くすためには、裁判官はもちろん、検察官、弁護人が効率的な公判の進行に留意することが肝要である。
May 24, 2010
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日米外相会談 現行案軸に「普天間」合意急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 23, 2010)Japan-U.S. accord on Futenma an urgent task日米外相会談 現行案軸に「普天間」合意急げ（5月22日付・読売社説）This is no time for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to be overly concerned about his personal pride. If he aims to reach a Japan-U.S. agreement on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, he should not cling to superficial revisions but go back to the original plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006. もはや鳩山首相はメンツにこだわっている時ではない。米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題で日米合意を目指すなら、小手先の修正に固執せず、現行案に回帰する決断をすべきだ。U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada during a brief visit to this country Friday, and confirmed that the two nations would continue to work toward the announcement of a bilateral agreement on the Futenma issue within the month. 来日したクリントン米国務長官が岡田外相と会談し、普天間問題の日米合意を月内にまとめる方向で調整を急ぐ方針を確認した。"I am confident we will resolve this matter in a way that reflects the very best of our alliance, the strength of that alliance," Clinton stressed in a joint press conference with Okada. 長官は記者会見で、「日米同盟の強さを反映する形で解決できると確信している」と強調した。The Hatoyama administration initially rejected the original 2006 plan, which calls for the reclamation of a coastal area in the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, to construct an alternative facility to the Futenma Air Station. 鳩山政権は当初、沖縄県名護市辺野古の沿岸部を埋め立てて普天間飛行場の代替施設を建設する現行案に否定的だった。However, the administration recently changed its approach to settling the issue by partially revising the 2006 plan on such points as the location of the alternative facility and the construction method. This is because the administration's attempts to obtain the cooperation of new candidate sites for relocation--such as Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture--failed one after another, mainly due to opposition from local governments and residents. だが、最近、現行案の代替施設の位置や建設工法を一部修正することで決着を目指す方針に転じた。鹿児島県・徳之島など新たな移設先候補が、地元の反対で次々と頓挫したためだ。=== Too late but practical As there is almost no hope Hatoyama will be able to keep his promise of settling the issue by the end of May, the administration appears to want to demonstrate that the problem has been solved by at least managing to reach a Japan-U.S. agreement. 鳩山首相が約束した５月末の問題決着が絶望的となる中、せめて日米合意をまとめ、体裁を繕おうという思惑があるようだ。The policy change comes too late, but it is practical and desirable from the viewpoint of lessening the burden on Okinawa Prefecture while at the same time maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance. 遅すぎた方針転換だが、日米同盟を堅持しつつ、沖縄の負担軽減を実現する観点からは、現実的で望ましい方向と言えよう。As long as the administration is reversing its policy, it should immediately abandon the idea of changing the construction method from reclamation to the quick installation platform method in the name of "giving serious consideration to the environment." 方針転換した以上、「環境重視」の名目で埋め立てを杭(くい)打ち桟橋方式に変更することなどは、早く断念した方がいい。The government should give more consideration to the fact that an administrative organization of residents in the Henoko district--people who will feel the impact of the relocation most strongly--accepted the 2006 reclamation plan, albeit conditionally. 代替施設の影響を最も受ける辺野古地区の住民組織が埋め立てによる現行案を容認していることをもっと重視する必要がある。Hatoyama advocated transfer of the Futenma functions to somewhere outside the prefecture due to his lack of understanding of the problem and was unable to make a decision to go forward with the 2006 plan in December last year. He should apologize to the public for these failures in a straightforward manner and ask for the understanding of local governments and residents of Okinawa Prefecture. 鳩山首相は、普天間問題に関する理解不足から「県外移設」を主張したり、昨年末に現行案での決着を決断できなかったりした自らの過ちを率直に謝罪し、沖縄や地元の理解を求めるべきだ。=== China's cooperation key During the Okada-Clinton talks, the two ministers agreed their countries would support South Korea and cooperate with that nation regarding the March sinking of a South Korean Navy patrol vessel. A multinational team of investigators concluded Thursday the ship sank as the result of a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine. 日米外相会談では、「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」が原因と判明した韓国軍哨戒艦沈没事件について、日米両国が韓国の立場を支持し、連携していく方針で一致した。Although it was South Korea that was directly affected by the incident, Japan cannot view it as someone else's problem. We must recognize it as a serious issue that concerns our own security. It is important for Japan to discuss the issue closely and continuously with the United States, a mutual ally of Japan and South Korea. 被害を受けたのは韓国だが、日本にとっても決して人ごとではない。日本自らの安全保障にかかわる重大な問題と認識したうえ、日韓共通の同盟国である米国と緊密に協議を重ねることが大切だ。If South Korea brings the case to the U.N. Security Council, Japan should naturally extend the utmost cooperation toward adoption of a strict, effective resolution at the council and the formation of an international coalition against North Korea. 韓国が国連安全保障理事会に事件を提起すれば、実効性のある厳しい決議を採択し、北朝鮮包囲網を構築するよう、日本が最大限協力するのは当然である。The important thing is to win the cooperation of China, which has a certain level of influence over North Korea. In that sense, the talks scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday between the foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea will be an important diplomatic forum. Hatoyama must align his steps with those of South Korea in persuading China. 重要なのは、北朝鮮に一定の影響力を持つ中国の協力を得ることだ。２９、３０両日の日中韓首脳会談が重要な外交の場となる。鳩山首相は、韓国と足並みをそろえ、中国を説得せねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 22, 2010) （2010年5月22日01時16分 読売新聞）
May 23, 2010
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May you rest in peace.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????(??????)I would like to express my sincere condolences to the people who died unfortunately in this democratization movement in the Kingdom of Thailand.May everybody rest in peace.(Srachai)このたびタイの民主化運動で犠牲になられた方々に謹んで哀悼の意を捧げます。安らかにお眠りください。(スラチャイ)
May 22, 2010
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韓国哨戒艦沈没 やはり「北」の魚雷攻撃だった
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 22, 2010)Evidence overwhelming of N. Korea torpedo attack韓国哨戒艦沈没 やはり「北」の魚雷攻撃だった（5月21日付・読売社説）A multinational investigation has determined that the sinking on March 26 of a South Korean naval warship in the Yellow Sea was caused by a North Korean torpedo. On Thursday, South Korea's Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group released the results of its investigation into the incident, concluding that an underwater blast caused by a North Korean homing torpedo tore the Cheonan patrol vessel in two in waters west of the Korean Peninsula. 朝鮮半島の西側の黄海で、３月２６日に起きた韓国海軍哨戒艦「天安」の沈没事件について、韓国の軍・民間合同調査団は「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」によるものだった、と結論づける調査報告を発表した。In a swift reaction to the release of the report, Pyongyang called the results "a fabrication," warning that any retaliation would prompt it to "respond with various forceful actions, including all-out war." 名指しされた北朝鮮は、ただちに「捏造(ねつぞう)だ」と反発し、制裁に対しては「全面戦争を含む各種の強硬措置で応える」と恫喝(どうかつ)した。If circumstances take a turn for the worse, North Korea might resort to further flagrant provocations. Japan, the United States and South Korea must work together closely to prevent the reclusive state from behaving recklessly. China and Russia should also act in concert with the three nations. 今後の展開次第で、北朝鮮が危険な挑発行為に出る恐れもある。日米韓の３か国は連携を強め、これを断固阻止する決意で臨まなければならない。中露両国も、これに呼応すべきだ。The team of investigators included specialists from the United States, Britain, Australia and Sweden. 調査団には、米、英、豪、スウェーデンの専門家も加わった。Fragments recovered from the waters where the Cheonan went down--components of a torpedo propulsion device, including a propeller--provided all the evidence needed to determine what happened. The fragments in question matched the schematics of a torpedo included in introductory brochures provided to foreign countries by North Korea for export purposes. 「北朝鮮の犯行」を裏付ける決め手となったのは、沈没現場の海域で回収したスクリューを含む魚雷用の推進動力部品だった。北朝鮮の輸出兵器カタログに載った魚雷の設計図に示された部品と大きさや形状が合致していた。The investigative team's conclusion, supported by these pieces of material evidence, is convincing. そうした物的証拠も公開しての発表は客観的で説得力がある。=== Possible retaliation North Korea continues to deny its involvement in the sinking. It should be remembered, however, that Pyongyang has lied about various criminal actions it has been accused of in the past. These include a spate of kidnappings targeting Japanese and a terrorist bomb explosion that occurred in Yangon 27 years ago, killing a number of people, including four South Korean cabinet ministers. Given this, North Korea's denial of its involvement in the sinking of the warship cannot be taken at face value. 当の北朝鮮は、事件との関与を否定している。だが、日本人拉致や、韓国の４閣僚らを爆死させた２７年前の爆破テロなどで、ウソを重ねた北朝鮮のことだ。額面通りには受け取れない。The sinking of the Cheonan occurred in waters where repeated clashes between warships from the South and North have occurred. In November, a North Korean warship was damaged in an exchange of fire between South and North Korean ships in the Yellow Sea. Some South Koreans view the torpedo attack as retaliation by North Korea for this exchange of fire. 事件現場は、韓国と北朝鮮の艦艇が衝突を繰り返してきた一触即発の海域だ。昨年１１月にも、機関砲を撃ち合い、北朝鮮側に損害が出た。魚雷攻撃はその報復だとする見解が韓国内にはある。South Korea is fundamentally reviewing its defense policy in response to the sinking and is expected to further bolster its alliance with the United States. This apparently shows that the South Korean government learned a bitter lesson when it dropped its guard against North Korea as a result of the sunshine policy of engagement with Pyongyang adopted by the preceding left-leaning administration. 韓国は今回の事件を機に、防衛政策の抜本的見直しに入った。米韓同盟の一層の強化を打ち出す見通しだ。左派政権の対「北」融和政策の結果、北朝鮮への警戒が薄れていたことへの反省がある。=== UNSC may get issue The South Korean government is expected to take the issue of the Cheonan's sinking to the U.N. Security Council. 韓国政府は、国連安全保障理事会に提訴する方針だ。In separate telephone conversations with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to support South Korea in addressing the issue at the Security Council. Japan and the United States should strive to ensure the council adopts a document that raises harsh questions about North Korea's responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan. 鳩山首相とオバマ米大統領は、李明博大統領との個別の電話会談で韓国への支援を約束した。安保理では、北朝鮮の責任を厳しく問う文書の採択に尽力すべきだ。Attention will be focused on whether China will choose to condemn North Korea in response to the release of the latest report. We hope the Chinese government will take a firm stance against North Korea. 中国が、調査結果発表を受けて北朝鮮非難の姿勢を見せるかが、注目される。この際、中国には毅然(きぜん)と対処してもらいたい。Participants in the six-party talks aimed at having North Korea dismantle its nuclear weapons will probably have to postpone a resumption of their negotiations for some time to come. However, doing so will help Pyongyang gain time to further advance its nuclear weapons development program, as it has been unwilling to return to the negotiating table. 北朝鮮の核廃棄を目指す６か国協議の再開は、今回の事件の影響で、当面ずれ込むと見られる。だが、それは協議復帰を渋る北朝鮮にとって、核兵器開発の時間を稼ぐことにつながる。North Korea's nuclear weapons program--a direct threat to our national security--must not be left unchecked. With this in mind, Japan needs to look for ways to open a new round of six-nation talks at an early date. 日本の安全を直接脅かす北朝鮮の核開発を野放しにはできない。日本としては、６か国協議の早期再開の道を探る必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 21, 2010) （2010年5月21日01時08分 読売新聞）
May 22, 2010
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タイのアピシット首相治安回復宣言を発令
本日５月２１日午後、アピシット首相はバンコクとタイ全土各県が治安回復した宣言を行いました。これから裁判で首謀者は処罰されることになるでしょうが、それがまた紛争の火種になるのではないかととても心配です。カーフューの解除宣言はまだ出ていません。まだまだ予断を許さない状況です。出頭したUDD首脳陣に対しては特段の温情有る裁きを示して欲しい。タイの民主化はちょっとだけ遅くなりますが、民主主義の魂は人々の心の中で着実に育ってきています。今後のタイ王国の発展を心より願っております。srachai from khonkaen, thailand(extracted from AFP, Bangkok)↓Thailand's PM says order restored after crackdownタイのアピシット首相治安回復宣言を発令BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday that order has been restored in Bangkok and the nation's provinces, after an offensive to shut down anti-government protests."We have restored order in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand," Abhisit said in a nationally televised address, but said there was much work to be done to bring about reconciliation."We will continue to swiftly restore normalcy and we recognise that as we move ahead there are huge challenges ahead of us, particularly the challenge of overcoming the divisions that have occurred in this country," he said.
May 21, 2010
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タイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実
見つけました、英文のオリジナル記事ニューヨークのフリーランスライターSchectmanさんがNewsweek社のために書き下ろしたものです。日本語の訳文はYahoo news より引用しました。訳文はほぼ完璧ですが、出だしと最後の部分は多少脚色されているかもしれません。原文も翻訳もみごとなものです。(extracted from newsweek us & yahoo news jp)Last Best Hopeタイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実ジョエル・シェクトマン（ジャーナリスト）Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was thought to be a populist demagogue. Actually, he was the high-water mark for Thai democracy.タクシン元首相は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ民主主義的だったのだDozens have died since Thailand's security forces started their crackdown last week against antigovernment protesters, known as the red shirts, who have taken over the streets of Bangkok to denounce their disenfranchisement since the exile of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, deposed in a 2006 military coup. 今月１３日に始まったタイ治安部隊とタクシン・シナワット元首相派勢力との衝突は、４０人近い死者を出す事態に発展している。 いわゆる「赤シャツ隊」のタクシン派は、０６年の軍事クーデターでタクシンが失脚・亡命してから、タクシン派政治家の公民権が停止されていることについて、首都バンコクの市街地を占拠して抗議を続けている。Images from Bangkok show a burgeoning war zone: lines of soldiers firing on packed crowds, unarmed men dead in the streets, burning vehicles, and barricades. バンコクからのニュース映像は、戦闘地帯の急拡大を伝えている。居並ぶ治安部隊が群集に向けて発砲し、非武装の市民の死体が道に転がり、車は炎上し、バリケードが築かれている。 抗議活動の中止を条件に政府側は話し合いに応じるとしていたが、治安部隊は１９日にバンコク中心部でデモ隊のバリケードを突破。ロイター通信によれば、タクシンは治安部隊による強制排除が国中でゲリラ戦を引き起こす可能性がある、と述べた。And there's no sign of regret from the nation's rich elite, who engineered Thaksin's ouster. To them, and to much of the world outside Thailand, he was a populist demagogue. 泥沼化にもかかわらず、タクシンを追放したエリート層が後悔している様子はない。彼らにとって、そしてタイ国外の人々にとって、タクシンはポピュリストのデマゴーグ（大衆迎合主義の扇動政治家）だった。He manipulated the ignorant rural majority for political power, the thinking goes, and he might have been the next Hugo Chavez.タクシンは無教養な農村貧困層の大衆を操って権力を握った。第２のウゴ・チャベスになっていたかもしれない、というのが彼らの見解だ。But for all his failings-and there are many-Thaksin represents the high-water mark of Thailand's crumbling democracy. だがタクシンは、砕け散ったタイ民主主義が最も素晴らしかったころを象徴する人物だ。He was undoubtedly cynical and probably corrupt, but his party, Thai Rak Thai, was the first to approach a majority of parliamentary seats-248 out of 500. 確かに不手際は数え切れないほどあった。彼は素直な政治家などでなく、汚職に手を染めたこともほぼ間違いないが、タクシンのタイ愛国党は０１年に下院で初めて５００議席の過半数に迫る２４８議席数を獲得した政党だ。The closest runner-up in that election took 96. Thaksin won this mandate by mobilizing uninitiated voters in the countryside, rendering a record 70 percent turnout. タクシンは農村部の政治に疎い大衆を動員することで、７０％という記録的な投票率も実現した。When the former policeman turned telecom mogul entered politics, he promised to move the base of power from its traditional center-among the rich in Bangkok-to the rural poor, who make up 80 percent of the nation. And he did. 元警察官で実業家のタクシンは政界に進出するにあたり、バンコクの富裕層から国民の８０％を占める農村貧困層へ権力の中心を移す、と約束した。そしてタクシンはその通り約束を実行した。■利益誘導と民主主義は矛盾しないFor much of the last 30 years Thailand has vacillated between the rule of juntas and strongmen. Eventually, the 1997 Asian financial crisis brought to power a prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, who pushed for good-government reforms. But his belt-tightening policies ignored the needs of rural Thais suffering from the downturn. 過去３０年間、タイは軍事政権と独裁者の統治との間で揺れ動いて来た。97年のアジア通貨危機によってチュアン・リークパイ元首相が権力を握り政治改革を推し進めたが、彼の金融引き締め策は景気後退に苦しむ農村貧困層を無視するものだった。So when Thaksin promised to address their needs in 2001, they elected Thailand's first truly representative government. Thaksin pumped billions into rural development-including a $2.3 billion Village Fund that gave $25,000 to each of Thailand's 80,000 villages for microloans and grants to start small businesses and help farmers expand production. 彼らの要求に耳を傾けることを約束して、０１年に登場したのがタクシンだった。タクシンは農村部の開発に数十億ドルをつぎ込んだ。小口融資や起業支援、あるいは農作物の生産拡大資金として、タイの約８万の村にそれぞれ２万５０００ドルを支給した総額２３億ドルの農村ファンドもその一環だ。
May 21, 2010
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タクシンの素顔に迫る
yahoo news の newsweek 日本語版でこの記事を発見。今原文（英語）を探しています。日本のマスコミはタクシンが失脚したあと除々に態度を変えタクシンと距離をおくようになりました。アメリカのは違う。Newsweekにはこんな記事も掲載されているのです。ものごとの本質にせまる米国人の熱い気迫を感じました。是非原文（英文）で読んでみたい。以下は翻訳文です。↓タイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実ニューズウィーク日本版5月19日(水) 21時18分配信 / 海外 - 海外総合 タクシン元首相は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ民主主義的だったのだ──ジョエル・シェクトマン（ジャーナリスト） 今月１３日に始まったタイ治安部隊とタクシン・シナワット元首相派勢力との衝突は、４０人近い死者を出す事態に発展している。 いわゆる「赤シャツ隊」のタクシン派は、０６年の軍事クーデターでタクシンが失脚・亡命してから、タクシン派政治家の公民権が停止されていることについて、首都バンコクの市街地を占拠して抗議を続けている。 バンコクからのニュース映像は、戦闘地帯の急拡大を伝えている。居並ぶ治安部隊が群集に向けて発砲し、非武装の市民の死体が道に転がり、車は炎上し、バリケードが築かれている。 抗議活動の中止を条件に政府側は話し合いに応じるとしていたが、治安部隊は１９日にバンコク中心部でデモ隊のバリケードを突破。ロイター通信によれば、タクシンは治安部隊による強制排除が国中でゲリラ戦を引き起こす可能性がある、と述べた。 泥沼化にもかかわらず、タクシンを追放したエリート層が後悔している様子はない。彼らにとって、そしてタイ国外の人々にとって、タクシンはポピュリストのデマゴーグ（大衆迎合主義の扇動政治家）だった。タクシンは無教養な農村貧困層の大衆を操って権力を握った。第２のウゴ・チャベスになっていたかもしれない、というのが彼らの見解だ。 だがタクシンは、砕け散ったタイ民主主義が最も素晴らしかったころを象徴する人物だ。確かに不手際は数え切れないほどあった。彼は素直な政治家などでなく、汚職に手を染めたこともほぼ間違いないが、タクシンのタイ愛国党は０１年に下院で初めて５００議席の過半数に迫る２４８議席数を獲得した政党だ。タクシンは農村部の政治に疎い大衆を動員することで、７０％という記録的な投票率も実現した。 元警察官で実業家のタクシンは政界に進出するにあたり、バンコクの富裕層から国民の８０％を占める農村貧困層へ権力の中心を移す、と約束した。そしてタクシンはその通り約束を実行した。■利益誘導と民主主義は矛盾しない 過去３０年間、タイは軍事政権と独裁者の統治との間で揺れ動いて来た。97年のアジア通貨危機によってチュアン・リークパイ元首相が権力を握り政治改革を推し進めたが、彼の金融引き締め策は景気後退に苦しむ農村貧困層を無視するものだった。 彼らの要求に耳を傾けることを約束して、０１年に登場したのがタクシンだった。タクシンは農村部の開発に数十億ドルをつぎ込んだ。小口融資や起業支援、あるいは農作物の生産拡大資金として、タイの約８万の村にそれぞれ２万５０００ドルを支給した総額２３億ドルの農村ファンドもその一環だ。 警察官時代にアメリカ留学の経験もあるタクシンは、農村部の小規模ビジネスの起業を支援するという自由主義的な手法と、農家への債務支払い猶予や補助金支給といったポピュリスト的政策をない交ぜにして実行した。こうした政策によって、国民１人当たりＧＤＰ（国内総生産）は０１年から０６年の間に７０％も増えた。農村部の住民収入の伸びはそれ以上だった。 ０１年にタクシンは貧困層が７５セントで医療を受けられる医療保険制度をつくった。野党はタクシンが票をカネで買っていると非難した。だが貧困ライン（生活に必要な最低限の物を購入することができる最低限の収入水準）以下で暮らす国民は、００年に１２７０万人いたが、４年後には７１０万人まで減少した。 タクシンの大義はほかの政治家と同様だ。すなわち権力を握り、権力を維持すること。それでも彼は得票操作ではなく、正当な選挙と政策によってそれを成し遂げた。利益と統治をうまく結びつけることで、指導者は権力の座にとどまる──機能する民主主義とはそういうものだ。 タイ民主主義においてタクシンが重要なのは、貧困層に奉仕したことばかりが理由ではない。彼には政治家としての能力があった。７６年に軍政が終了してから、４年の任期を最後まで務め上げた首相はタクシンが初めてだった。それ以外はみな、クーデターで転覆されるか辞任させられるか、連立を組むパートナーに見捨てられるかして新たに選挙を迫られた。 王室の陰謀と軍隊の派閥が政治に影響力を持つタイにおいて、エリート層はタクシンのビジネスライクな手法を好まなかった。彼は中央政府のチェックなしに地方の決定権を握ることができる「ＣＥＯ知事」を新設したが、形を変えた縁故主義にすぎないとレッテルを張られた。■バラマキでつくり出したチェック機能 それでも数値目標を設定し、地方当局者に決定権を与えることで、タクシンはタイを経済危機から救うことに成功した。ＩＭＦ（国際通貨基金）からの融資も予定より２年前倒しで返済した。 もちろんタクシンは聖人ではない。反タクシン派が主張する彼の姿の大半は真実だろう。０３年にタクシンが行った麻薬撲滅作戦（３カ月以内に麻薬取引を根こそぎにすると約束した）は、数千人の死者を出した。軍事攻撃によって南部のイスラム教徒の暴力は激化した。 農村融資は単なる票集めの手段に過ぎなかったと批判派は口をそろえる。タクシン自身も融資が返済されることはないと分かっていたはずだと（実際、多くの国々で農業助成は行われているのだが）。 だがタクシンにどんな欠陥があろうと、０１年から０６年にかけて彼が大衆の政治参加を実現し、タイ民主主義の最も輝ける瞬間を実現したのは間違いない。タクシンがエリート層を疎外しようと、一般大衆は彼が自分たちの味方だと考えていた。 どんな国にも利害の対立する階級や派閥は存在する。明らかに現在の衝突は行き過ぎだ。だが農村の有権者を政治に参加させることで、タクシンは都市のエリート層の権力に対するチェック機能をつくり出した。 タクシン政権は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ、民主主義的だったのだ。
May 21, 2010
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アスベスト判決 国の怠慢が被害を拡大させた
こうして判決が出てもただ国の責任というだけで当時の担当者は処罰されない。そして判決で勝訴した人々には国民の血税から支払いがなされる。血税の不足分は国債をどんどん発行してそれを補う。裁判所は本当にそう思うのなら当時の担当者も処罰してほしい。ひとまず被害者の苦しみを救った今回の裁定は評価できる。阪神淡路大震災のおり、スラチャイはたまたま日本勤務、すぐに大阪の阪神電車の倒壊した高架橋の復旧工事に派遣された。離婚していて家族のいなくなったスラチャイは危険地区への派遣は適任だと考えられていた。ここは倒壊したビルからアスベストが飛び交い、マスクを支給されてそれをつけて作業をした。いま考えるとあのとき支給されたマスクは安物、アスベストの進入を簡単に許してしまう。数ヶ月で復旧工事は終わったので大丈夫だと思うが…srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 21, 2010)Govt needs to get serious about asbestos, victimsアスベスト判決 国の怠慢が被害を拡大させた（5月20日付・読売社説）Despite being aware of the health risks posed, the government neglected to take the necessary measures to protect the nation's citizens from being exposed to deadly asbestos, leading to an increased number of people suffering from health problems, a court has ruled. アスベスト（石綿）の危険性を早くから知りながら、国は必要な対策を怠り、健康被害を拡大させた――。Plaintiffs in this lawsuit against the government claimed they and their families contracted asbestosis and lung cancer after inhaling the poisonous fireproof insulation while working at asbestos spinning and weaving mills in the Sennan district of southern Osaka Prefecture. The Osaka District Court on Wednesday ordered the central government to pay to the plaintiffs damages totaling about 435 million yen. 大阪府南部・泉南地域の石綿紡織工場で働き、石綿肺（じん肺）や肺がんになった元従業員や家族らが国家賠償を求めた訴訟で、大阪地裁は国に約４億３５００万円の支払いを命じる判決を出した。The judicial ruling recognized for the first time the state's responsibility for health problems caused by exposure to asbestos. This latest ruling is expected to influence the outcomes of similar lawsuits pending in Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe. 石綿被害をめぐり、国の責任を認めた初の司法判断である。東京、横浜、神戸の各地裁で争われている同種訴訟にも、大きな影響を与えるだろう。The ruling said the government had acted unlawfully by failing to put in place ordinances that would require ventilators in workplaces that deal with asbestos by 1960, when the original pneumoconiosis law was enacted. Such ordinances were designed to reduce health hazards and prevent health problems from spreading. 判決は、旧じん肺法が成立した１９６０年までに、国として排気装置の設置を義務付けるなど、危険性を減らし、被害の拡大を防ぐための省令を制定しなかったことを、違法と認定した。The ruling also said the government had broken the law by not mandating that such workplaces report asbestos dust density levels and take appropriate action, even after a 1972 revelation that there was a causal link between asbestos and lung cancer and mesothelial tumors. ７２年には肺がん、中皮腫との因果関係について医学的見解が明らかになったのに、粉じん濃度の測定結果の報告や改善措置を義務付けなかったことも違法とした。"By not using its power [the government] has deviated from its permissible limits and has been grossly irrational, and thus its actions were illegal," the ruling said, harshly criticizing the negligence of the central government. 「権限の不行使が、許容される限度を逸脱し、著しく合理性を欠き違法」と、判決は国の怠慢を厳しく批判している。=== Ignorance wasn't bliss Since the late Meiji era (1868-1912), the Sennan district has been peppered with asbestos-related factories and mills. These factories were involved in the production of munitions during the years leading up to World War II and underpinned the nation's key industries after the war. 泉南地域には明治末期から石綿関連の工場が多数集まり、戦前は軍需産業、戦後は国の基幹産業を下支えしてきた。The workers at most of these workplaces--which were run by small businesses--continuously inhaled asbestos, unaware of the danger, and eventually contracted related illnesses. 零細業者がほとんどで、従業員は危険性の認識もないまま石綿を吸い込み続け、病に侵されていった。In regard to this, the court said, "The central government also failed to provide people with the appropriate information concerning asbestos and the health risks linked to it." その点を判決は、「国民に対する石綿被害や危険性に関する適切な情報提供についても、やはり国は怠ったと言わざるを得ない」と指摘した。If this information had been made public earlier, fewer people's health would have been adversely affected. 危険情報が早期に伝えられていれば、被害の拡大はもっと抑えられたかもしれない。As asbestos that has been inhaled can lie dormant for a long time before becoming pathogenic, the causal link between disease and asbestos dust has been traditionally difficult to pin down. 石綿の吸引から病気発症までは長い潜伏期間があり、粉じんと被害の因果関係はわかりにくい。Yet international research and medical and epidemiological studies in the Sennan district have uncovered the causal link. The central government should be held seriously responsible for having made light of these findings. しかし、海外の研究や泉南地域での医学・疫学調査の結果は、因果関係を指摘していた。国がこれらを軽視してきた責任も重大だ。=== State's role greater than ever With regards to nonfeasance on the part of public administrators, there has been a growing trend toward courts ordering the state to pay damages. In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled against the state, ordering it to pay damages to former coal miners who were suffering from black lung disease in the Chikuho district of Fukuoka Prefecture. The same year, the top court also ordered the central government to pay damages to a group of Minamata mercury poisoning victims then living in the Kansai region. 行政の不作為をめぐっては、筑豊じん肺訴訟や関西水俣病訴訟の最高裁判決（いずれも２００４年）が、国に賠償を命じるなど流れが定着しつつある。The state's responsibility to protect our health has become greater than ever. 国民の健康、安全を守る行政の責任はますます重くなっている。Even after the World Health Organization in 1972 issued an alert on the carcinogenicity of asbestos, the nation continued its mass consumption of asbestos to meet the demand brought about because of the country's high economic growth. 世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）が石綿の発がん性を警告した７２年以降も、日本では経済成長の波に乗り石綿の大量消費が続いていた。The widespread use is now coming back to haunt us whenever a building or school built at that time is torn down. We hope the central government will be serious in its efforts to eliminate the damage brought on by asbestos. それが今、ビルや学校などの解体現場で問題化しつつある。国は石綿被害の解消に真剣に取り組んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2010) （2010年5月20日01時46分 読売新聞）
May 21, 2010
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悪夢のような一日
昨日は悪夢のような一日だった。バンコクの状況は最悪。現在でも暴動は続いている。アジア第二位の規模を誇るセントラルデパートメントは全焼。タイではセンタンと呼ばれている。ローマ字のLはタイでは音節末尾に現れるときにはNと発音されるためだ。ビクシーやロータスなどの米国系スーパーマーケットも次々と放火された。テレビ局も放火されて、現在放送が中止されている局もある。銀行も放火され、ATMも破壊されているらしい。コンドミニアムも放火されているようだ。バンコクには日本企業の駐在員とその家族が４００００人くらい居住しているはずだ。テレビの画面をみていて大きなショックを受けた。もともと私はバンコクはあまり好きではない。それでもまるで戦場のようなありさまを目の当たりにして大きなショックを受けた。コーンケーンには昨夜、夜間外出禁止令（カーフュー）が発令された。数日前には非常事態宣言の地域に指定されたばかりだ。朝の６時、恐る恐る窓から外を眺める。静かだ。人っ子一人見かけることは出来ない。皆、家の中に引きこもっているようだ。学校からは何の連絡もない。ここは安全のために娘たちは学校を休ませた。テレビの画面をみる。コーンケーンでも、争いはまだ終わっていないようだ。若い娘さんが軍の兵士の前に出て行き、罵っている。７０台とみられる元気のいいおじいさんがプロパンガスボンベを抱えて軍の兵士に向かって罵っている。｢撃ってみろ｣って。昨日コーンケーンでも一人死者が出たようだが報道管制されているらしく情報が伝わってこない。スラチャイの自宅から町まで５ｋｍ。出かけて行って様子をみたい。新聞記事に目を通す。朝日と読売がタイ騒乱の記事を社説として掲載していた。朝日のはかなり真実に近い。読売のは偏見がかなり入っていて読んでいて頭に来る。読売の特色は強者追従型、弱者には容赦なく叱責の鞭をふるう。現政権のとった措置を批判せずにタクシンの批判をしていた。昨日タイ現政権は司法を通じてタクシンに対してテロリストとして逮捕する、いわば逮捕状を発行した。帰国したら間違いなく裁かれて極刑に処される。こんな無法が許されるのか。タクシンが貧しい農民や都市の貧困層に対してどれだけ大きな援助をしたのか人々は忘れていない。タクシンが巨万の富を築いたのは彼の携帯電話事業が成功したからに他ならない。金持ちはたくさんいる。けれどもタクシンのようにひたむきに弱者を救済した金持ちはあまりいない。選挙のためだと言い切る人も多い。例え選挙のためだとしても、ここまで思いつめて弱者を救済する人はかつていなかった。タクシンの心の優しさがそうさせているのに気づかない人も多い。テレビの国会中継で泣きながら答弁していたタクシンがまるで昨日のことのように思い出される。一時帰国したときにはスワナプーム国際空港の入り口の大地にひざまずき、頭を大地につけてタイ国への思い入れを示していた。私は思わず目頭を熱くした。
May 20, 2010
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大手銀行黒字 成長戦略で金融の役割果たせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 20, 2010)Major banks should play role in growth strategy大手銀行黒字 成長戦略で金融の役割果たせ（5月19日付・読売社説）Even though the nation's leading banks have overcome the severe state of affairs they found themselves in, future prospects are far from rosy. Their earnings reports for the business year ending in March clearly indicate the financial sector needs to tackle a number of problems. 最悪期は乗り切ったものの、今後の展望は開けていない。大手銀行の２０１０年３月期決算を見ると、日本の金融業界が抱える多くの課題が浮かび上がってくる。Consolidated settlement of accounts for the country's six major banking groups showed that they all posted group net profits, which when combined exceeded 1 trillion yen. Their business performances are a significant improvement over the previous year, when four of the groups reported losses. 大手銀行６グループの連結決算は、税引き後利益がそろって黒字となり、利益の合計は１兆円を超えた。４グループが赤字だった前年から業績は急回復した。This can be attributed to reduced bad debt reserves as the economy has picked up. The business recovery has helped reduce the number of major companies collapsing and improved bank customers' businesses. The rise in stock prices, which plunged sharply in the previous business year, also helped improve the financial health of banks as a result of reduced appraisal losses in stockholdings. 景気が持ち直し、不良債権の処理費用が少なくなったおかげだ。大企業の倒産が減り、取引先の業績も改善した。前年に大きく下げた株価が回復して、保有する株式の評価損などが縮小したことも幸いした。However, bank profits are only about one-third of what they were before the global financial crisis hit following the collapse of Lehman Brothers. ただし、利益の規模はリーマン・ショック前の３分の１ほどの低水準にとどまっている。Using a point system, we can say that although the banks racked up few "minus points," or losses, they still failed to raise their scores sufficiently. 損失という「減点」は少なかったが、肝心な収益の「得点」は伸び悩んだということだろう。=== Don't restrict lending Four banking groups saw declines in net business profits--those incurred from lendings and other core businesses. Though Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc. chalked up increased profits for the 2009 business year, they were inflated by profits from bond transactions. 銀行の本業のもうけを示す業務純益は、４グループで前年実績を下回った。増益だった三菱ＵＦＪフィナンシャル・グループと、みずほフィナンシャルグループも、債券売買の運用益などでかさ上げされた面が強い。Major banks are not the only ones affected. Commercial financial institutions as a whole are experiencing declines in outstanding loans and shrinking net interest margin. But banks should not restrict loans by overreacting to risks and depending too much on bond investment and other operations to ensure profits. 大手行に限らず民間金融機関はこのところ貸出残高が減り、利ざやも縮小傾向にある。過剰にリスクを恐れて融資を絞り、債券投資などに収益を頼り過ぎるのは、銀行本来の姿とは言えまい。After government-affiliated financial institutions have taken steps to deal with the lingering crisis, private-sector banks will need to fulfill their financing functions, including raising funds for small and midsize companies, which are the lifeblood nourishing the Japanese economy. 公的金融機関による危機対応が一巡した後は、民間の銀行が、中小企業の資金繰りも含め、日本経済の血流である金融機能を、しっかり担う必要がある。It is essential for major banks to contribute to the country's economic growth, which is being adversely affected by deflation. The public and private sectors should cooperate to carry out growth strategies to prevent the economy from going downhill again. 特に大手行は、新たな経済成長への貢献も重要だ。長期デフレで景気回復はもたついている。官民挙げた成長戦略で、日本経済の衰退を防がねばならない。=== Selecting promising firms Banks should lend funds to companies in promising fields to support the government's growth strategy. 成長する分野や企業を選ぶ「目利き力」を磨き、融資で成長戦略を後押ししてほしい。Businesses in emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere are highly promising. In this respect, it will become increasingly important to provide appropriate financial services to infrastructure projects and companies that establish branches in such countries. アジアなど新興市場のビジネスは有望だ。現地の社会資本（インフラ）整備や海外進出する日本企業に対して、的確な金融サービスを提供していくことが、ますます重要になる。As there are a limited number of financial experts versed in the various laws and customs in such countries, it is crucial to secure and train such human resources. 国ごとに違う法律や慣行にも詳しい金融のプロは少ない。人材の確保や育成を急ぐべきだろう。Healthy financial conditions are also vital for banks to survive in this competitive world. Stricter international requirements on banks' capital adequacy are scheduled to start at the end of 2012. Major banks contend they have been prepared to comply with this requirement since last year. 財務の健全性も、国際競争を勝ち抜く条件だ。１２年末には自己資本の充実に関する国際規制の強化が始まる。大手行は、昨年来の増資で備えを固めたとしている。Yet, financial markets around the world are still volatile due partly to global stock price declines that have spread from Europe. Banks must remain alert to possible confusion in the markets. だが、欧州発の世界同時株安などで国際市場は荒れ模様だ。波乱への警戒を怠ってはならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 19, 2010) （2010年5月19日01時44分 読売新聞）
May 20, 2010
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命がけ
昨日の夕刻、バンコクの状態にたまりかねたコーンケーン市民がデモ行進。規模は数千人。赤い文字で（無実の）タイ人民を殺さないで、と書いてありました。本日午後一番でこのデモ隊に警察か軍隊が発砲、多数の死傷者が出ています。現場はカイちゃんの小学校に隣接しています。命がけでお父さん、お母さんたちが子供を守るために学校に殺到、パニック状態です。私もカイちゃんを救出、近くのホテルで様子をみた後帰宅しました。なにしろ銃弾が飛び交っているので…私の娘をこんなにひどい目に合わせる、許せない。命ある限り、この日受けたショックは償ってもらう。携帯電話、テレビ中継、それにインターネットも規制されています。規制しているのは国王の周辺。許しがたい行為です。やっとわかりました。仕組みが。私はこの戦いで命を落としてもくいはありません。間もなく解決するでしょう。でも、私は今回受けた、ひどい仕打ちを一生わすれません。戦い抜きます。srachai from khonkaen, thailand
May 19, 2010
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国民投票法施行 憲法改正に正面から向き合え
敗戦後日本は米国の価値観を受け入れてここまでやってこれました。アメリカには感謝しなければならないとは思っています。戦後６０年以上経過した今、憲法の見直しを行っても米国は文句は言わない、日本は十分やっていけると思います。憲法審査会(deliberative council)を早急にたてなおし人選をしなければならないですね。人材が選任されていなければ憲法審査会は意味が無い。今後の動きに注目！srachai from khonkaen, thailand The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 19, 2010)Lawmakers must face constitutional change国民投票法施行 憲法改正に正面から向き合え（5月18日付・読売社説）The National Referendum Law, which stipulates procedures for amendment of the Constitution, came into effect Tuesday. 憲法改正の手続きを定めた国民投票法が、きょう１８日施行される。As a result, lawmakers can now submit draft constitutional amendments to the Diet, a practice that had been frozen for three years since the national voting bill was enacted. This is an epoch-making event in the postwar history of our nation's constitutional politics. これにより、同法成立後３年間凍結されてきた憲法改正原案の国会提出が可能になる。戦後の憲政史上、画期的なことだ。If a draft constitutional amendment is approved by both the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives, it will be proposed to the public and then put to a national vote. 原案が衆参両院で可決されると、国民に改正案が発議され、国民投票で賛否が問われる。Political parties must squarely face the issue of constitutional revision now, when procedures have been established for revising the nation's top law by the hands of the people. 国民の手による最高法規の改正手順が整備された今こそ、各政党は、憲法改正に正面から向き合わねばならない。According to the procedures, the Deliberative Councils on the Constitution in the upper and lower houses are supposed to study draft amendments. However, neither house has even appointed people to the councils at present, so they have not been able to identify important points concerning constitutional revision for the nearly three years since they were established in 2007. 憲法改正原案は、衆参両院に設けられた憲法審査会が審査する仕組みだ。だが、両院ともに現在、憲法審査会は委員すら選任されていない。このため過去３年近く、憲法改正の論点整理などに取り組むこともなかった。The councils have been inactive because the Democratic Party of Japan, the leading party in the ruling coalition, is not willing to start them. 審査会が、こうして開店休業状態にあるのは、民主党がその始動に極めて消極的なためだ。Some members of the major opposition Liberal Democratic Party are trying to submit a draft constitutional amendment to the current Diet session. Even if it is submitted, however, the LDP draft is highly likely to just be shelved and collect dust under the current political situation. 自民党内には、憲法改正原案を今国会に提出する動きがあるが、仮に提出しても、これではたなざらしにされるだけだろう。=== Tunes have changed Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is a confirmed advocate of constitutional revision. He once claimed Article 9 of the Constitution should stipulate that "land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will be maintained." 鳩山首相は、かつて憲法９条に「陸海空軍その他の戦力は保持する」と明記するよう唱えるなど、れっきとした改憲論者だ。DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa released his own draft constitutional amendment in the past and criticized supporters of the current Constitution as having stopped thinking. Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also is finance minister, said when he was DPJ president that an extensive campaign to formulate a new constitution was necessary. 小沢民主党幹事長は以前、「改正試案」を公表し、「『護憲』の実態は思考停止」と批判したりもしていた。菅副総理・財務相も党代表の時、「幅広い憲法制定運動が必要」と訴えていた。There is too much of a gap between these remarks and the current attitude of the DPJ, which has turned its back on discussions of constitutional changes in the deliberative councils. これらの発言と、憲法審査会での改憲論議に背を向ける、いまの民主党の姿勢は、あまりに落差が大きすぎる。The National Referendum Law was created from two bills, one submitted by the then ruling LDP and the other by the then opposition DPJ. There were no particular points of contention between the two parties on the issue; neither was the law railroaded through. The DPJ supported the upper house resolution that accompanied enactment of the law. 国民投票法は、当時の与党・自民党案と、野党・民主党案をあわせて作成されたものだ。先鋭な対立点はなく、強引な採決が行われたわけでもない。参院の付帯決議には民主党も賛成していた。=== Get councils ready As the major ruling party, the DPJ is now responsible for resolving the "illegal condition" that the deliberative councils are currently in. 民主党は、与党第１党として、審査会をめぐる「違法状態」を解消する責任がある。The National Referendum Law allows people aged 18 or older to vote, and an additional clause calls on the deliberative councils to discuss lowering the voting age in the Public Offices Election Law from 20 or older and lowering the age people become adults to 18 from 20 as currently stipulated in the Civil Code before enforcement. However, this "homework" has not been touched yet. 国民投票法は、「１８歳以上」に投票権を認めた。 これに伴い、法施行までに、公職選挙法の選挙権年齢「２０歳以上」や民法の成年年齢「２０歳」を、１８歳に引き下げることを検討するよう付則で定めた。だが、これらの「宿題」も手つかずの状態だ。First, the upper house should quickly establish regulations for running its deliberative council and choose its members. The lower house, which already has such regulations, must select people for its own council as soon as possible. 参院はまず、憲法審査会を運営していくための規程を速やかに制定し、委員を選ぶべきだ。すでに規程のある衆院は、委員の選任を急がねばならない。It is important for both houses to prepare the councils so they can start discussions on draft constitutional amendments whenever they are submitted to the Diet. 衆参両院ともに、いつ改正原案が提出されても審査に臨めるよう態勢を整えることが大事だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 18, 2010) （2010年5月18日01時05分 読売新聞）
May 19, 2010
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企業決算 本格回復への道は半ばだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 18, 2010)Further corporate effort needed for full recovery企業決算 本格回復への道は半ばだ（5月17日付・読売社説）After hitting bottom, corporate performance is on the road to recovery, but future prospects are far from certain. The economy seems to be only halfway toward a full-scale recovery. 企業業績はＶ字回復でどん底を脱した。だが、先行きは不透明で、本格的な回復への道はまだ半ばだろう。Settlements of accounts in March by firms listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange have reached their peak. After-tax profits by all listed firms are expected to turn into the black for the first time in two business years. 東証１部上場企業の２０１０年３月期決算の発表がピークを迎えた。上場企業全体の税引き後利益は、２期ぶりに黒字に転換する見通しだ。In their settlements of accounts that ended in March 2009, major Japanese companies suffered huge losses when they chalked up their worst postwar performances due to the global recession caused by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in the autumn of the previous year. 一昨年秋のリーマン・ショックと世界不況に直撃された昨年３月期決算は、主要企業が巨額赤字に転落し、戦後最悪だった。Many firms were prepared for deficits for the second straight business year. However, most of them saw their balance of accounts turn into the black or were able to reduce their deficits drastically. ２期連続の赤字を覚悟した企業も多かったが、実際には、黒字に転換したり、赤字を大幅圧縮させたりした企業が相次いだ。The after-tax profits of about 30 percent of big businesses returned to levels seen before the Lehman shock. This means they were able to apply the brakes on deteriorating business faster than anticipated and overcome hard times. 全体の約３割が、リーマン・ショック前の税引き後利益の水準を回復した。予想以上に早く、各企業が業績悪化に歯止めをかけ、試練を乗り切ったと言えよう。=== Trimming fat pays off The primary reason behind their recovery is their restructuring efforts, particularly in cutting personnel and production costs. By trimming the fat, the profits of all listed companies increased despite a drop in sales from a year earlier. 最大の原動力は、リストラやコスト削減の徹底だ。売り上げが減っても利益が出せるよう、体質を絞った結果、上場企業全体の売上高は前期比で減少しながら、利益が増える減収増益を実現した。Carmakers and electrical appliance manufacturers, which boosted exports to China and other emerging markets that extricated themselves from the global recession ahead of other countries, served as locomotives for the recovery of listed firms. 業種別では、世界不況からいち早く脱した中国などの新興国市場向けに、輸出を増大させた自動車と電機が牽引(けんいん)役になった。They probably rode on the tails of stimulus measures taken by each country to aid the purchase of automobiles and digital household appliances. 自動車やデジタル家電の販売を支援する各国政府の景気刺激策も追い風に生かしたのだろう。A case in point is Honda Motor Co., which doubled its profits. Toyota Motor Corp., for its part, chalked up a profit for the first time in two business years. Hitachi, Ltd., which suffered an enormous deficit in fiscal 2009, is recovering sharply and a swing into the black is in sight. 利益を倍増させたホンダが代表例だ。トヨタ自動車も２期ぶりに黒字を確保し、復活した。前期は巨額赤字の日立製作所も、黒字化が視野に入ってきた。On the other hand, nonmanufacturing industries such as retailing, real estate and trading have fought uphill battles and their degree of recovery varies. 一方、小売り、不動産、商社などの非製造業は苦戦し、業績の回復にはばらつきがある。Shiseido Co. is strengthening its strategy to find a way out of its predicament by tapping the Asian market. It is vital for domestic demand-oriented firms to take advantage of foreign demand. 資生堂は、アジア市場に活路を求める戦略強化を打ち出した。内需型の企業も、外需をいかに取り込むかが重要だ。=== Environment still tough But the environment surrounding corporate management is still severe. Therefore, it is natural for many businesses to be circumspect about their performance for the business year ending next March. だが、企業の経営環境はまだまだ厳しい。今期の業績に慎重な企業が多いのも当然だろう。Although the global economy has picked up, apprehensions have risen once more in the wake of Greek fiscal crisis. If the business slowdown of Europe is protracted, its effect could spread elsewhere in the world. A radical appreciation of the yen against the euro would cut into the profits of Japanese exporters. 世界景気は持ち直してきたが、ギリシャ危機をきっかけに不安が再燃した。欧州経済の低迷が長期化すると、世界全体に波及しかねない。日本にとっても、急激な円高・ユーロ安は、輸出企業の採算を悪化させる。The effect of pump-priming measures adopted by various countries has eased off. Another concern is the rise in prices of iron ore and other resources. 各国政府がとった景気刺激策の効果も剥落(はくらく)しつつあり、鉄鉱石などの値上がりも懸念材料だ。Each firm must further accelerate its "choice and concentration" of business and bolster its financial base. 各社は、業務の「選択と集中」を一層加速し、財務基盤を強化しなければならない。Recovery efforts based on restructuring have their limit. It is indispensable for companies to be more aggressive in pioneering new growth markets and developing competitive products. リストラ主導では限界がある。新たな成長市場を開拓し、競争力ある製品を生み出すなど、「攻め」の姿勢が肝要である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 17, 2010) （2010年5月17日01時27分 読売新聞）
May 18, 2010
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小沢氏再聴取 検察は改めて真相解明めざせ
Prosecutors should verify truth in Ozawa caseThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 17, 2010)小沢氏再聴取 検察は改めて真相解明めざせ（5月16日付・読売社説）The Tokyo District Public Prosectors Office's special investigation squad questioned Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa on Saturday. The questioning is part of prosecutors' reinvestigation into Ozawa's fund management body's alleged false reporting of political funds after the Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution decided last month that he merits indictment over the case. 民主党の小沢幹事長が１５日、東京地検特捜部の事情聴取を受けた。先の検察審査会の「起訴相当」議決を受けた再捜査の一環である。During the questioning, the prosecutors are believed once again to have asked Ozawa whether he was involved in falsifying the political fund report. Ozawa apparently denied involvement, as he did before. この日の聴取で特捜部は、改めて政治資金収支報告書虚偽記入への、小沢氏本人の関与の認識などを質(ただ)したようだ。小沢氏はこれまで同様、否定したとみられる。It was the third round of questioning of Ozawa by the special investigation squad. Ozawa was surprisingly quick in responding to the questioning this time compared with the squad's request for its first round of inquiries in January, for which Ozawa refused to appear for more than two weeks, saying he was busy. 小沢氏に対する特捜部の聴取はこれが３度目だ。１月に最初の聴取要請を受けた際には、多忙などを理由に半月以上も応じなかったのに比べると、驚くほどの対応の早さである。Three days ago, Ozawa expressed his intention to attend the Political Ethics Hearing Committee of the House of Representatives to explain the facts related to the allegations. ３日前には、衆院政治倫理審査会に出席して事実関係を説明する意向を表明している。=== Ozawa should state his case Since the prosecutors decided not to charge Ozawa in February, citing insufficient evidence, the DPJ heavyweight insisted there was no need for him to offer an explanation in the Diet, saying, "It's become clear that I didn't do anything wrong." 小沢氏は２月に不起訴（嫌疑不十分）となって以降、「不正をしていないことが明らかになった」として国会での説明は不要との立場を繰り返してきた。Ozawa might consider that declaring his innocence, both during prosecutorial questioning and before the Diet, would provide a good opportunity to fend off criticism that he has heretofore evaded his responsibility to offer an explanation. 事情聴取と国会の両方で自身の潔白を主張することで、「説明責任を果たせ」との批判をかわす好機ととらえたのかもしれない。From his response, Ozawa's strategy to draw a line under the scandal can be seen as follows: Sooner or later, the prosecutors will decide not to indict him. He then will offer an explanation over the scandal at the Diet's Political Ethics Hearing Committee and insist he has fulfilled his responsibility. At that point, the committee for the inquest of prosecution would not be likely to conclude he should be indicted. 検察が早晩、再び「不起訴」の結論を出す。政倫審で説明をし、「これで責任は果たした」と主張する。そうすれば、検察審の２度目の議決も「起訴すべき」には至るまい――。そんな小沢氏の“幕引き戦術”が透けて見える。The prosecutors should strongly recognize the significance of this time's questioning of Ozawa. 検察当局には、今回の聴取の重要性を強く認識してもらいたい。When the independent judicial panel decided that Ozawa merited indictment, some officials within the prosecutors office said the decision not to charge Ozawa would not be overturned unless they obtained new evidence. 「起訴相当」議決の際にも検察内部には「新たな証拠が得られない限り、不起訴の結論は変わらないだろう」という声があった。Finishing the questioning as a mere formality while concluding from the outset Ozawa should not be indicted is an abdication by the prosecutors of their responsibility to verify the truth. Such an attitude also is tantamount to disregarding the committee for the inquest of prosecution, which gathers opinions of the general public. すでに結論ありきの形式的聴取に終わらせるなら、それは検察の事実解明責任の放棄であろう。一般市民の意を汲(く)む検察審の軽視にもつながる。=== Public trust undermined Ozawa still bears a heavy political responsibility. 小沢氏には、依然として重い政治責任がある。Ozawa's own fund management body, Rikuzan-kai, was at the heart of the scandal in relation to which the prosecutors charged three of Ozawa's former secretaries. How does Ozawa view his supervisory responsibility over his secretaries? 今回の事件では、小沢氏の元秘書ら３人が刑事訴追されている。事件の舞台となったのは、ほかならぬ小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」だ。秘書に対する監督責任をどう受け止めているのか。"A lawmaker is held responsible for a crime committed by his or her secretary." This is what Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said when he pointed the finger of blame at Liberal Democratic Party politicians. The public probably shares the same sensibility. 「秘書の犯罪は議員の責任」とは、鳩山首相がかつて自民党の政治家を指弾する時に口にした言葉だ。世間の感覚も同じだろう。It is undeniable that the lawmakers' response of "making their inferiors carry the can," in which blame for transgressions is laid only on their secretaries, has increased people's distrust of politics. In opinion surveys, the great majority said Ozawa should resign as DPJ secretary general. 秘書だけに責任を負わせる「トカゲのシッポ切り」の対応が、国民の政治不信を増幅させたことは否定できない。各種世論調査でも、小沢氏は幹事長を辞任すべきだとの声が圧倒的に多い。If the prosecutors decide again not to indict Ozawa, the committee for the inquest of prosecution will revisit the case. The questioning of Ozawa never ends. 再度「不起訴」なら検察審の第２幕が開く。小沢氏の追及は終わらない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 16, 2010) （2010年5月16日01時31分 読売新聞）
May 17, 2010
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５月末決着 首相の言葉を誰も信じない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 16, 2010)No one will believe Hatoyama's words５月末決着 首相の言葉を誰も信じない（5月15日付・読売社説）After breaking his promise to transfer the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to somewhere outside the prefecture, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has effectively violated another promise, this one to settle the Futenma issue by the end of May. 米軍普天間飛行場移設問題で鳩山首相が約束した「県外移設」に続き、「５月末決着」も事実上反故(ほご)になっている。The prime minister said Thursday that if necessary, he would make efforts to settle the issue "in June and even beyond." He thereby abandoned his end of May deadline, but on the following day, he again expressed his determination to resolve the issue by the end of this month. 首相は１３日、「６月以降も努力する」として、５月末決着の断念を表明した。それが、また１４日には、月末決着へのこだわりを示したりもしている。Seeing Hatoyama running around in all directions, a great many people must now be unable to believe what he says. There must be practically no one in this country who believes the Futenma issue will be settled by the end of this month. こうした右往左往ぶりをみて、首相の言葉を信じられなくなった人も多いだろう。「５月末決着」を信じている国民は、ほとんどいるまい。Hatoyama has maintained that "settling" the Futenma base relocation issue means reaching agreement with all the parties involved, namely the local governments and people of Okinawa Prefecture, the local governments of locations to which the Futenma base's functions would be relocated, the U.S. government and the ruling parties. 首相は、普天間移設問題の「決着」の意味について、「沖縄、移設先の自治体、米国、与党すべての同意」を挙げてきた。Ultimately, he failed one by one to obtain agreement from each of these parties and finally had to change the definition of settlement. This is the reality of the situation. 結局は、それぞれの同意取り付けに、ことごとく行き詰まり、「決着」という言葉の定義を変換させざるをえなくなった、というのが実態だろう。=== Premier lacks leadership ability The ability to find solutions to serious problems and the decisiveness to put those solutions into practice are indispensable in a government leader. Hatoyama lacks these resources. 指導者には、こじれた問題の解を見いだす力や、それを実行に移す決断力が不可欠だ。首相にはこれらの資質が不足している。Hatoyama had a good chance to resolve the Futenma issue in December. However, he quickly postponed the settlement after Mizuho Fukushima--leader of the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of Japan's junior coalition partner--hinted the SDP would leave the coalition if the Cabinet allowed Futenma's functions to be transferred to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. 昨年１２月、首相は決断の好機を迎えながら、社民党の「連立政権離脱」カードで揺さぶられると、結論をあっさり先延ばしした。Appointing Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano to coordinate the issue, Hatoyama launched a joint government-ruling bloc study panel on the problem of U.S. bases in Okinawa Prefecture, presided over by Hirano. Yet how can the government and the DPJ reach an agreement with the SDP, whose security policy is incompatible with that of the DPJ? 平野官房長官を仕切り役に、政府・与党の「沖縄基地問題検討委員会」を作ったが、安全保障政策で相いれない社民党との間で合意できるはずもない。=== Poor negotiation tactics The government's handling of negotiations on the Futenma issue with local government heads in Okinawa Prefecture and Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture stands out only because it is primitive and poor. 沖縄県や鹿児島県・徳之島などとの話し合いの進め方も、稚拙ぶりが際立っている。Anyone could have predicted the Futenma issue would run aground if the candidate who opposed the relocation of Futenma's functions to the city won the Nago mayoral election in January. 今年１月の名護市長選で移設反対派が勝利すれば、問題が暗礁に乗り上げてしまうことは、誰しもが予測できたことだった。Yet when the relocation opponent was victorious, Hirano said, "We don't have to take [the election results] into consideration," inviting the distrust of residents of the prefecture. あげく、反対派の市長が当選すると、平野長官は選挙結果を「斟酌(しんしゃく)する必要はない」と発言し、地元の不信を買った。Like Hatoyama's visit to Okinawa Prefecture, Hirano's visit to Kagoshima Prefecture started from the wrong point and was never corrected. Instead of persuading those concerned with the issue, the visit only strengthened their opposition. 首相の沖縄訪問と同様、平野長官の鹿児島入りも、初めからボタンを掛け違えたままだった。説得どころか、関係者の反発を増幅させている。Hatoyama also failed to build up a relationship of mutual trust with U.S. President Barack Obama. Unable to have an official diplomatic meeting with the U.S. president as Japanese prime minister, there is no way for Hatoyama to make progress in bilateral negotiations. 首相は、オバマ米大統領との信頼関係構築に失敗した。大統領とまともな会談も出来ないのでは、交渉が進捗(しんちょく)するわけがない。Meanwhile, it is not appropriate for ministers involved with the Futenma issue to have continuously made remarks on their own. 関係閣僚が勝手な発言をし続けたのも、いただけない。In addition, the Hatoyama administration did not allow bureaucrats who are knowledgeable about past facts and developments regarding Futenma to be involved in the negotiations, in the name of "politics led by politicians." This too made resolving the issue difficult. 「政治主導」の名の下、過去の経緯に詳しい官僚組織を交渉から外してきたことも、解決を困難にした。Hatoyama himself should of course be held politically responsible for inviting such a serious situation, but Hirano also played a major role. How do they intend to take responsibility? こうした深刻な事態を招いた首相はもちろんのこと、平野長官の政治責任も重大である。どう責任をとるつもりなのか。The government and ruling parties will be unable to brighten their prospects on the Futenma issue if they simply continue what they are doing now. 政府・与党が今の延長線上で作業を続けても展望は開けまい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 15, 2010) （2010年5月15日01時09分 読売新聞）
May 16, 2010
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普天間移設問題―仕切り直すしかあるまい
沖縄普天間の基地移設問題は自民党政権時、長い時間をかけて検討されたものです。それでも解決できない。鳩山首相は人が良すぎます。人々を幸せにするために良い返事をし続けていたのかも知れません。誰が担当してもこの移設は難しいのです。テレビで大きな顔をして堂々と発言を繰り返している社民党の福島党首。少子化担当よりも普天間移設担当に任命したらどうでしょうか。そうすればこの問題を担当する人の苦しみが少しは理解出来るかも知れない。新聞社は鳩山首相の非難ばかりするのを少し抑えて、解決策の手助けをする方向で記事を書いて欲しい。srachai from khonkaen, thailand2010/05/15--The Asahi Shimbun, May 14 EDITORIAL: Futenma impasse.普天間移設問題―仕切り直すしかあるまいJust two weeks remain before the expiry of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's self-imposed end-of-May deadline for resolving the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture. This was a promise he made not only to the Japanese people, but also to Washington. 沖縄県の米海兵隊普天間飛行場の移設問題で、鳩山由紀夫首相が内外に約束した「５月末決着」の期限まで残り半月余りとなった。 Hatoyama repeatedly said he would find a solution by working closely with the U.S. government, Okinawa and local communities in deciding the relocation site. But it is now clear that there is no hope for him to honor his promise. 米国政府、沖縄、移設先の地元のいずれの理解も得た形で決着する。首相はそう繰り返してきたが、もはや絶望的なことは誰の目にも明らかだ。 As things stand, Hatoyama will probably have to start anew from scratch. こうなっては、いったん仕切り直すしかないのではないか。 Hatoyama seems to be trying to keep up appearances with a hastily arranged relocation plan. Meantime, his talks with Okinawa and Washington will clearly extend beyond the deadline he set to allow for final adjustments in the policy. 首相としては、沖縄や米国と６月以降も調整を続けることを前提に、現時点での政府方針をとりまとめ、なお体裁を整えようとしているようだ。 The plan he apparently has in mind will call for building a pier-type runway off the Henoko district of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture. Drills currently conducted at the Futenma airfield in Ginowan would be transferred to Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture and Self-Defense Forces bases in other parts of the nation. 代替滑走路は桟橋方式を念頭に名護市辺野古沿岸に建設し、訓練は鹿児島県徳之島のほか全国の自衛隊基地などに分散することが柱になりそうだ。 In a desperate attempt to avoid being humiliated in the Diet for failing to fulfill his promise, Hatoyama is knocking out a plan that is designed only to gloss over his faults and is supported by nobody. This will achieve nothing. It will only delay reaching consensus and completing the actual relocation. Hatoyama's missteps have thrown the issue into the realm of the "not-in-my-backyard" fight. 責任の追及から逃れようともがき、短時日のうちに誰からも歓迎されないつじつま合わせの案をまとめても、合意形成も案の実現もかえって遠のこう。問題を基地の押し付け合いにしてしまったのは本末転倒である。 Hatoyama must own up to his political responsibility. He failed, not only on his promise to move the facility "at least" out of the prefecture, but also in settling the issue by his own deadline. 「最低でも県外」「５月末決着」という二つの公約を果たせない政治責任を、首相は認めなければならない。 Hatoyama should, in point by point fashion, explain how matters reached this stage and apologize to voters, especially those in Okinawa Prefecture. ここに至った経緯を丁寧に説明し、沖縄県民をはじめとする有権者に率直におわびするべきである。 No communication between the leaders ■首脳外交が機能不全 Saturday marks the 38th anniversary of the U.S. reversion of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty. 折しもあす、沖縄は本土に復帰して３８年になる。 Previously, people in Okinawa didn't openly demand the relocation of U.S. bases out of their prefecture. That's probably because they didn't have the heart to pass on their burden to others. 沖縄の人々はこれまで、米軍基地を「県外に移せ」と公然と言うことはなかった。自らの痛みを他人に背負わせるのは忍びないとの思いからだろう。 But in the latest Asahi Shimbun survey of residents in Okinawa, 53 percent of the respondents voiced support for moving some of the bases in the prefecture to elsewhere in the nation, up from 38 percent in a poll last year. Public opinion in Okinawa has changed dramatically. しかし今回の朝日新聞の世論調査では、県民の５３％が県外移設に賛成と答えた。昨年は３８％にとどまっていたから、民意は大きく変化した。 When Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan took power from the Liberal Democratic Party last year, the Okinawan people had high expectations that the new government would finally ease their burden of hosting the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Those expectations are now unlikely to be fulfilled. 県内への基地集中と過重な負担が、政権交代でやっと改善されるのではと期待したのに、裏切られようとしている。Bitter disappointment and deep anger have caused them to feel that people on the mainland are discriminating against Okinawa. その失望と怒りが、最近は「沖縄差別」という言葉となって噴き出してもいる。 It is impossible to keep the Japan-U.S. alliance on a stable footing without the support and cooperation of the local communities hosting U.S. bases. From this viewpoint, Hatoyama has done a serious disservice to the nation. His clumsy approach has served only to rub local residents the wrong way. 基地を提供する地元の理解なしに、日米同盟を安定的に維持していくことができるはずはない。その意味で県民を逆なでする結果を招いた首相の取り運びのまずさは何とも罪深い。 In the meantime, Japan-U.S. summit diplomacy has hardly functioned. During his meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama, Hatoyama should have talked candidly about his decision to reconsider the 2006 bilateral agreement to move Futenma to Henoko and sought the president's understanding. この間、日米間の首脳外交の機能不全も目を覆うばかりであった。 首相はオバマ米大統領との会談で、なぜ日米合意の辺野古移設案を見直そうとしたのかを率直に語り、理解を求めるべきだった。 However, there is nothing to suggest that the two men have had meaningful communication on the Futenma issue since then. This has made it very hard for the Hatoyama administration to offer a convincing explanation to the audience at home about progress in talks with Washington. It has become even more difficult for the government to persuade local communities to accept a fresh burden. その後、普天間問題で両首脳間に円滑な意思疎通がなされた形跡はない。これでは、日本国内に対して対米外交の進捗（しんちょく）状況を説明しようがないし、新たな負担を求めることになる移設先の説得などはもとよりおぼつかない。
May 15, 2010
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普天間移設 展望なき窮余の政府最終案
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 14, 2010)Govt's Futenma plan a hopeless hodgepodge普天間移設 展望なき窮余の政府最終案（5月13日付・読売社説）The government has at last decided on its final plan concerning the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題に関する政府の最終案が、ようやく固まった。However, the plan is fraught with inconsistencies and problems, and has many fluid elements. We harbor grave doubts about whether the government plan will actually get off the ground. 様々な矛盾と課題を抱えており、流動的な要素も多い。果たして実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。The main pillar of this plan is a twist on the plan that has already been agreed to. Instead of constructing a V-shaped pair of runways on land reclaimed from the sea off the marines' Camp Schwab in the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture, the government wants to build an alternative runway on a so-called quick installation platform. Some helicopter troops and training exercises would be transferred to Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture. 最終案の柱は、沖縄県名護市辺野古の沿岸部を埋め立てる現行計画を修正し、杭(くい)打ち桟橋方式で代替施設を建設する計画だ。鹿児島県・徳之島には、航空部隊の一部または訓練を移転する。The government will study the possibility of transferring flight training conducted at Futenma Air Station and Kadena Air Base to several other areas in the country. The United States could also be asked to return shooting and bombing ranges on two small islands in Okinawa Prefecture. 普天間飛行場や嘉手納基地での飛行訓練を各地に分散移転したり、沖縄の米軍射爆撃場の返還を求めたりすることも検討する。=== Base to stay in Okinawa The plan, for all intents and purposes, will relocate Futenma Air Station's functions within Okinawa Prefecture. However, this has been fiercely opposed by the people of Nago, three towns on Tokunoshima and the Social Democratic Party, a partner in the Democratic Party of Japan-led coalition government. 実質的には県内移設であり、移設先の名護市や徳之島３町のほか社民党は強く反対している。The Okinawa prefectural government, which initially approved the relocation within the prefecture as agreed to under the existing plan, has changed tack and is demanding the base's functions be shifted outside the prefecture. 県内移設を容認していた沖縄県も、県外移設の立場に転じた。The bottom line is that the final plan has cobbled together a mishmash of last-ditch ideas that might lesson the burdens on affected communities, in a bid to appease all the parties involved in the matter. 結局、考えられる限りの地元負担軽減策を並べて、関係者の反発を和らげようという、窮余のつじつま合わせの最終案となった。Although some training exercises that had been conducted at Kadena Air Base have been transferred elsewhere, the number of flights has reportedly remained unchanged. Furthermore, there is little likelihood that the United States will return the shooting and bombing ranges to Japan anytime soon. だが、嘉手納基地の訓練移転は一部で実施済みだが、飛行回数は減っていないとされる。米軍施設の返還も、米側がすぐに応じる見通しは立っていない。The absence of a "control tower" overseeing the relocation has resulted in the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama dealing with all the parties involved in an exceedingly ad hoc manner. The government has ended up trumpeting please-all patchy ideas and facing opposition from all sides. Its handling of the issue has been extremely inept. 司令塔が不在のまま、様々な関係者に場当たり的に配慮するあまり、八方美人的なつぎはぎの案となり、すべての関係者の反対にあう。まさに拙劣な手法だ。The whole point of the relocation was to reduce the burden shouldered by Okinawa Prefecture in hosting U.S. forces, while maintaining their deterrent. If the Hatoyama administration is sincere in achieving this objective, it should not reject the option of admitting it has strayed off course and returning to the original plan. 米軍の抑止力を維持しつつ、沖縄の負担を軽減する。その移設問題の原点を踏まえれば、迷走の過ちを認め、現行計画に戻る選択肢を排除すべきではあるまい。=== Deadline must be met Several Cabinet members recently suggested a conclusion to the issue should be "put off" until after May 31, a self-imposed deadline by Hatoyama that he called a "promise made to the people." However, this would be tantamount to shifting the goal during a soccer match and would be unlikely to sit well with the public. 一方、首相が「国民への約束」と語る月内の問題決着について、閣僚からは「先送り」発言が相次いでいる。サッカーの試合中にゴールを移動させるような対応であり、理解は得られまい。Hatoyama holds supreme responsibility for settling this issue. Even with only half a month left before the end of May, the prime minister has insisted almost daily that he would find a solution acceptable to Okinawa, the United States and the ruling coalition parties. 最高責任者の鳩山首相は、期限までほぼ半月となった今も、毎日のように、沖縄や米国、連立与党の合意を月内に得る、と言い続けている。If Hatoyama fails to achieve this, criticism of the inconsistencies in his deeds and words will only grow shriller. Hatoyama's political responsibility as prime minister is grave. これでも実現できない場合、鳩山首相の言行不一致に対する批判は一段と高まろう。首相の政治責任は重大である。Needless to say, the Futenma relocation is not the be-all and end-all of Japan-U.S. ties. However, any delay in settling this issue could have an immense impact on other aspects of the bilateral relationship. 無論、普天間問題が日米関係のすべてではないとしても、この問題が先送りされた場合の各方面への影響は甚大だ。Particularly disconcerting is the fact that there is no sign all parties with a stake in the matter will agree to the final plan. とりわけ深刻なのは、今の最終案で関係者が合意できる展望がないことだ。In that case, the risk of accidents and the noise problems that the Futenma base poses to densely populated neighboring areas will remain, while the historic burden-lessening transfer of 8,000 U.S. marines to Guam could be stalled. その際は、事故の危険や騒音問題を抱える普天間飛行場の現状が固定化するうえ、海兵隊８０００人のグアム移転などの歴史的な負担軽減策が頓挫しかねない。Once again, it will be Hatoyama who is to blame if that happens. その責任もまた、鳩山首相にある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 13, 2010) （2010年5月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
May 14, 2010
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発信箱：「仮面」の人たち＝滝野隆浩（社会部）
翻訳抜けの部分を補いました。（和文、英文）（ ）で示しています。(Mainichi Japan) May 12, 2010Masked social withdrawal linked to Japanese culture発信箱：「仮面」の人たち＝滝野隆浩（社会部）At the Sayama Psychological Institute in Saitama Prefecture stands a collection of sketches. (埼玉県狭山市の狭山心理研究所には一冊のスケッチブックが置かれている-by srachai）The first drawing is too hard to make out. It almost looks like an expressionless "umi-bozu," a type of sea monster. １枚目は何が描かれているか分からなかった。あえていえば「のっぺらぼうの海ぼうず」のよう。The second shows something like a person's face behind a stream of diagonal lines. ２枚目はぐちゃぐちゃの斜線の向こうに人の顔のようなものが。The third can actually be made out. It is the picture of a woman's head, as seen from behind.３枚目は分かる。後ろから見た女性の頭部。(There is a vivid mole on back of the neck. -by srachai)うなじに鮮やかにホクロがある。These pictures, sketched by reclusive patients at the institute, are of their "mother's face." これが「お母さんの顔」なのだという。One wonders if their mothers ever looked at them when they were young.子供のころ、ママは振り向いてくれなかったか。The institute accommodates a number of patients between their 20s and 50s who have withdrawn from society. 狭山心理研究所（埼玉県狭山市）には２０～５０歳代の「ひきこもり」たちが通っている。Rather than focusing on cases in which people have shut themselves inside their rooms, facility therapist Yuichi Hattori, 60, has turned his attention toward "underlying social withdrawal" among people who normally appear cheerful. セラピストの服部雄一さん（６０）が気になっているのは部屋に閉じこもるケースより、ふだんは「明るい人」を演じている「潜在的ひきこもり」だ。They come from good families, have good academic backgrounds, and are amiable, but they cannot build relationships with other people. 家柄もよく、学歴も高く、人当たりもいいのに、人間関係が築けない。They are concerned about the masks behind which they are hiding.そんな自らの「仮面」に悩む人たち。When the patients are asked during therapy to draw a picture of their mother on an A4-sized sheet of paper, none of them can draw the face -- this was the case in the dozen or so examples that I was shown.セラピーでＡ４判の紙に母の絵を描かせると、みな顔が描けない。見せてもらった十数枚全部そうだった。Reclusive patients at the institute commonly come from homes that are concerned about social appearances. 同研究所のひきこもりは、世間体を気にする家に多いという。They are well-off, but the father is absent. 裕福だが、父は不在。The mother cannot express her feelings. 母は感情表現ができない。Children who are brought up in such an environment have no chance of having contact with other people. そんな環境で育った子供たちが他人とかかわれるはずがない。They try to please their mother at home, and when they go out into society, they try to suit those around them. 母に合わせてきたいい子たちは、社会に出ても他人に合わせようとする。But they don't know how to go about love. でも、恋愛の「仕方」はわからない。They think that marriage is impossible and that babies are creepy.結婚なんて無理。赤ちゃんは不気味……。"This is not just the case at our institute," Hattori says. "Social withdrawal is a pathology that has affixed itself to Japanese culture." 「うちだけの話じゃない。ひきこもりは日本文化に固着した病理」と服部さんは断言する。Such a culture values the home and groups over the individual, and approves of a dual nature of an outward and inner self. 個人よりも家や集団を優先し、本音と建前の二面性を容認する。Rather then considering the question of good and evil, homes and society place importance on harmony.善悪より和が大事な家と社会。"The people who have wiped out their own existence can't find themselves. 「自分を消してきた人は、そもそも消す自分が見つけられない。They look like good people but they can't make decisions, and are swayed by the opinions of those around them," Hattori says.いい人にみえるが、実は決断ができず、他人の意見に振り回されてしまう」。A therapist who has turned his face toward the cries of people's hearts from beneath their masks has unexpectedly traced the problem to Japanese culture. 仮面の下の心の叫びに向き合ってきたセラピストが、期せずしてたどり着いた日本文化論。When considering Japan's declining birth rate, the situation is foreboding.少子化が進む現状と考え合わせると、とても怖くなる。 (By Takahiro Takino, City News Department, Mainichi Shimbun)毎日新聞 2010年5月12日 0時11分
May 13, 2010
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携帯情報端末 日本上陸で広がる新たな波紋
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 12, 2010)Will iPad change Japan's content industry?携帯情報端末 日本上陸で広がる新たな波紋（5月11日付・読売社説）SoftBank Mobile Corp. on Monday began taking orders in this country for the iPad tablet computer manufactured by Apple Inc. 米アップル社の情報端末「ｉＰａｄ（アイパッド）」の、日本での予約受け付けが始まった。The iPad is enjoying astonishing popularity in the United States--it debuted there April 3 and sold 300,000 units on that day alone. Less than one month later, 1 million units had been bought. 米国では先月３日に発売され、初日だけで３０万台、１か月足らずで１００万台が売れた。すさまじい人気だ。As a result of this higher-than-expected demand, however, the iPad's release was postponed in Japan and other countries outside the United States. その余波で、日本など海外での発売が延期されていた。The secret behind its popularity is the public's view of the iPad as a next-generation information terminal, something different from a conventional personal computer or cell phone. 人気の秘密は、ｉＰａｄが、従来のパソコンや携帯電話とは異なる新世代の情報端末、と受け止められていることだろう。The device looks like a board and is about one-quarter the size of a broadsheet newspaper. It weighs about 700 grams and features an embedded, glass-covered liquid crystal display. 新聞を四つに畳んだくらいの大きさの板のような形だ。重さは７００グラム前後で、ガラス張りの液晶画面が埋め込んである。Users can carry the iPad like a memo pad and enjoy a variety of content, including photos, videos, electronic books and games, just by touching the display with a fingertip. メモ帳（英語でｐａｄ）のように持ち歩くことができ、画面を指先でなぞる簡単な操作で、写真や映像、電子書籍、ゲームなど多彩なコンテンツ（情報内容）を楽しめるのが特徴だ。=== Universal appeal Although it does not have vocal communication functions, iPad users can search for information and send and receive e-mails by connecting it to the Internet. It also has business applications, such as creating documents and spreadsheets. 携帯電話のような通話機能はない。しかし、インターネットには接続でき、情報を調べたり、メールを送受信したりできる。文書を書いたり、表計算をしたりと、ビジネスにも使える。Unlike a personal computer, there is almost no need for iPad users to learn difficult operations, and unlike a cell phone, they do not have to strain their eyes looking at a small display. In the United States, a broad range of people, irrespective of gender and age, are said to be purchasing iPads. パソコンのように難しい操作を覚える必要がほとんどない。携帯電話のように、狭い画面に目を凝らさなくてもいい。米国では老若男女を問わず、幅広い層に売れているという。Will the device have the same popularity here as in the United States? One problem is that it is more difficult in Japan than in the United States to obtain content to watch or read on the iPad, such as videos and e-books. 日本でも、米国と同様に受け入れられるだろうか。課題は、ｉＰａｄで見る映像や電子書籍といったコンテンツが、米国ほど簡単には入手できないことだ。In the United States, Apple offers services enabling iPad users to watch movies and television programs via the Internet. Users can also purchase a wide variety of e-books from Apple and major online bookstore Amazon.com over the Internet. アップル社は、映画やテレビ番組をネット経由で見るサービスを米国内で提供している。ｉＰａｄで読める本も、同社やネット書籍販売大手のアマゾンから、ネット経由でいくつも入手できる。In the education field, moves are growing to digitize textbooks so students can read them on iPads. 教育現場でも、教科書を電子書籍化してｉＰａｄで読めるようにする動きが拡大している。=== A door to the future? Online sales of videos and e-books in Japan are limited, partly because many copyright holders will not grant permission. 日本では、著作権者の了解が得られないなどの理由で、映像や電子書籍のネット販売は小規模にとどまる。Is the iPad going to be a breakthrough that will expand such sales, like the 1853 arrival of U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry and his "Black Ships" led to the opening of the nation? ｉＰａｄは、それを拡大する“黒船”になるかどうか。The use of e-books particularly is increasing quickly in the United States and Europe, attracting attention in the publishing industry as a new source of revenue. 特に電子書籍は欧米で急速に利用が拡大し、出版業界の新たな収益源として注目されている。Japanese people are said to have a special affection for hardbound books. But if digitization creates more diverse means of reading, it might help promote the culture of the printed word. 日本人は紙の本に愛着があると言われるが、電子化で読書の手段が多様化すれば、「活字文化」振興にもつながるのではないか。It is regrettable, however, that in recent years this country has often fallen behind others in developing these kinds of electronic devices. Japan's technological and industrial capabilities seem to be on the decline. The government and the industrial sector must study ways to correct this. それにしても残念なのは、日本が、こうした電子機器の開発で近年、海外の後塵(こうじん)を拝する例が多いことだ。技術力、産業力に陰りが出ていないか。政府、産業界は対策を検討してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 11, 2010) （2010年5月11日01時37分 読売新聞）
May 12, 2010
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内閣支持率下落 首相は逆風に耐えられるか
発音注意buffet-バフィット→嵐、風に翻弄される (buffet-バフェイ→ ビュッフェと混同しない)、ややこしいですね。The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 11, 2010)How much longer can Hatoyama hang on?内閣支持率下落 首相は逆風に耐えられるか（5月10日付・読売社説）Public support for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has been on a slippery slope downward. 鳩山内閣に対する国民の支持離れは、とどまるところを知らない。Can Hatoyama implement policies while his administration is being constantly buffeted by unfavorable winds? 鳩山首相は世論の逆風に抗し、政策をきちんと遂行していけるのか。According to a Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey conducted over the weekend, the public approval rating for the Cabinet has plunged to 24 percent. This figure represents less than one-third of the 75 percent of respondents who backed the Cabinet in a similar survey taken in September, when the administration was inaugurated. The disapproval rate, on the other hand, has jumped to 67 percent. 読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率は２４％に下落した。内閣発足当初の、昨年９月調査の７５％に比べ３分の１に減った。不支持率は今回６７％に上った。As a reason for their disapproval, more than 50 percent of respondents chose, "The prime minister lacks leadership." 支持しない理由として、「首相に指導力がない」を挙げる人は、なんと５割を突破した。Hatoyama asserted last summer the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture "should be relocated at least to a site outside the prefecture." This fanned the expectations of residents in the prefecture. However, Hatoyama backpedaled on this assertion during his visit to the island last week, saying it was "not a campaign pledge" of his Democratic Party of Japan. 米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題で「最低でも県外」と唱え、期待をあおってきた首相は、沖縄訪問でそれを撤回し、党の公約ではなかったなどと釈明した。Hatoyama visited the prefecture despite there being no prospect of breaking the stalemate over the base relocation. His string of verbal blunders have left many voters' hopes for his government hanging by a thread. 全く成算のないままに訪問し、失言も重ねた首相に、多くの有権者が、サジを投げたい気分になっているようにみえる。=== Accountability vital One in two respondents to the Yomiuri survey said Hatoyama should step down if the Futenma dispute is not resolved by the end of this month. Undoubtedly, this reflects that many people value result-based accountability--a quality Hatoyama must show as the nation's leader. 「５月末に決着」しなければ、首相は退陣すべきだ、と答えた人が２人に１人に上る。これも、最高指導者としての結果責任を、重く見ているからに相違ない。Along with the contradictions between his words and actions, the issue of political ethics also has haunted the prime minister and his party. こうした言行不一致と同様、問われるのが政治倫理問題だ。It is extraordinary that Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who hold the top two posts of the ruling party, have been embroiled in political funding scandals. 首相と小沢民主党幹事長という政権のトップ二人が、「政治とカネ」の醜聞にまみれていること自体、極めて異常なことである。The Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution late last month decided Ozawa "merits indictment" in connection with his political fund management organization's alleged falsification of funds reports in violation of the Political Funds Control Law. Asked in the survey whether the civil judicial panel's judgment was "proper" and Ozawa "should resign as party secretary general," about 80 percent of respondents answered affirmatively to each question. 小沢氏の資金管理団体の政治資金規正法違反事件に絡み、検察審査会は小沢氏に「起訴相当」の議決をした。今回調査で、この議決を「妥当」と考え、小沢氏は辞任すべきだと答えた人は、それぞれ約８割に達した。A similar inquest panel earlier judged the prosecutors' decision not to indict Hatoyama over a funding controversy was "appropriate." But many voters do not believe Hatoyama has fulfilled his accountability over this matter. 首相についての、検察審査会の議決は「不起訴相当」だったが、有権者の多くは首相が説明責任を果たしたとは思っていない。=== Restore public faith The panel's attached opinion mentioned "it is unthinkable that Hatoyama knew nothing about money provided by his mother" and called into question whether "politicians can be allowed not to take responsibility if they claim they entrust everything to their secretaries." 「首相が、母親からの資金提供を全く知らなかったとは考えがたい」「秘書に任せていたと言えば政治家本人の責任は問われなくていいのか」These points are common sense to the general public. Hatoyama and Ozawa, as well as DPJ lawmakers, appear to be taking such criticism far too lightly. こうした検察審査会の問題提起は、いわば世間の常識だろう。首相も小沢氏も民主党議員も、これを甘く見過ぎていないか。After learning of the inquest panel's decision, Ozawa said he had done "nothing to be ashamed of." If this is indeed so, he has no reason to evade meeting the opposition parties' request to testify at the Diet as a sworn witness over the matter. He should meet this request without hesitation and prove his hands are clean. 小沢氏は、検察審査会の議決に関して、「何もやましいことはない」と言っている。だとすれば、野党の証人喚問要求から逃げる必要はない。国会招致に堂々と応じて、潔白を証明すべきである。Public support for the DPJ is mired at the 20 percent level. The number of voters who plan to vote for the DPJ in this summer's House of Councillors election has been dropping steadily. 民主党支持率は、２割台に低迷し、参院比例選の投票先でも、民主党を挙げる人は、減少の一途をたどっている。As indicated in the Analects of Confucius, politics can never be conducted if the people lose faith in it. The government and the DPJ must take this teaching to heart. 「信なくば立たず」という。国民の信用をなくしたら、政治は成り立たない。今こそ、その言葉を肝に銘じる時だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 10, 2010) （2010年5月10日01時24分 読売新聞）
May 11, 2010
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英総選挙 伝統の２大政党制に試練の時
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 10, 2010)Britain's 2-party system turned on its head英総選挙 伝統の２大政党制に試練の時（5月9日付・読売社説）British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party was defeated in the general election on Thursday as the Conservative Party made dramatic gains to become Britain's largest party. The Liberal Democrats, the third-largest party, failed to increase their seats, contrary to earlier expectations. 英国の総選挙で与党・労働党が敗れ、野党の保守党が第１党に返り咲いた。第３党の自由民主党は事前の予測に反して議席を伸ばせなかった。However, the Conservatives fell short of winning an absolute majority of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, so the shape of the new British government still is undecided. しかし、保守党も過半数に届かず、新政権の姿は見通せない。Britain's traditional two-party system, under which one of the two largest parties forms a stable government after securing a majority of seats, has begun to crumble. ２大政党のいずれかが過半数を制し、即座に単独で強力な政府を樹立する。この伝統ある英国の２大政党制が揺らぎ始めたということだろう。In countries that have adopted a proportional representation system, it is common for no party to secure a majority of seats. However, it is the first time since 1974 for Britain, which has a simple single-seat constituency system, to face a hung parliament. 過半数に届く政党がないのは、比例代表制を導入している国では何も珍しいことではない。だが、単純小選挙区制を採用する英国では３６年ぶりだ。If either the Conservatives or the Labour Party want to form a stable government, they must both consider the coalition option by making overtures to the Liberal Democratic Party and smaller parties. 保守、労働党のどちらが政権を担うにせよ、自民党や少数政党との連立工作が必要になる。Whether a new administration can be launched smoothly is a challenge both major parties face. 円滑に新政権を発足させられるか、試練の時と言えるだろう。=== Tories aided by Greece's woes The Conservatives have become the largest party in Britain for the first time in 13 years, partly due to the euro crisis triggered by Greece's fiscal woes. The latest turmoil obviously helped the Tories, who do not want Britain to become a eurozone member and aim to regain the country's policy independence from the European Union. 今選挙で１３年ぶりに第１党が交代した一因には、ギリシャの財政危機が引き起こしたユーロ危機がある。ユーロ加盟に反対し、欧州連合（ＥＵ）から政策上の独立性を取り戻そうとする保守党の追い風になったのは間違いない。The number of immigrants in Britain has risen to 14 percent of its total working population. The Conservatives' promise to stop the influx of immigrants to prevent the employment situation from worsening apparently appealed to the voters. 英国の就業年齢人口に占める移民の割合は１４％にまで増加した。保守党が雇用情勢の悪化につながる移民の増加に歯止めをかけると訴えたことも、有権者の不安な心に届いたのだろう。However, besides policies concerning the EU and immigrants, there are no distinctive differences between the two largest parties. しかし、対ＥＵ、移民政策を除けば、２大政党には政策上の際だった差異がない。Both Labour and the Conservatives aim to make free competition consistent with social justice. In the general election, the swing in the vote was not significant enough to result in a landslide win. This is because the two parties failed to give the voters a range of options. 労働党も保守党も、今や自由競争と社会的公正の両立を目指すようになった。今回、一方を大勝させるほど民意が大きく振れなかったのは、２大政党が有権者に「選択の幅」を与えられなかったせいでもあろう。Britain's two largest parties have combined to win more than 90 percent of the vote in most general elections since the end of World War II. But the percentage fell below 70 percent in the general election in 2005 and further dropped in Thursday's general election. With its first-past-the-post system, the diverse will of the people is not reflected in the number of seats won. 戦後は９割を超えていた２大政党の合計得票率は、前回２００５年の総選挙で７割を切り、今回さらに減った。こうした民意の多様化が議席に反映されにくいのが、単純小選挙区制である。=== Calls for electoral reform As a result, a move calling for electoral reform has begun to emerge. このため、選挙制度改革を求める動きも出てきた。The Labour Party has proposed a change to the single-seat constituency system under which people would vote for more than one candidate, marking their ballots in order of preference. The Liberal Democratic Party is calling for a proportional representation system. The coalition talks will probably take up electoral reform. 労働党は優先順位をつけて複数候補に投票する小選挙区制へ、自民党は比例代表制への転換を主張している。連立協議では、選挙制度改革も議題に上るだろう。During the general election campaign, a U.S.-style television debate was introduced for the first time and Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg soared in popularity at one point. The reason why this failed to lead to good results for his party can be put down to the existing electoral system. 今選挙戦では米国流のテレビ討論が初めて導入され、自民党党首の人気が一時、急上昇した。それが結果につながらなかったのも、今の選挙制度と無縁ではない。In Japan, a two-party system finally emerged that allowed for a change of government. As Japan's politics is modeled on Britain's, we should closely watch what changes are made in that country. 政権交代可能な２大政党制の入り口に立ったばかりの日本も、その範とした英国政治の変化をしっかり見つめる必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 9, 2010) （2010年5月9日01時08分 読売新聞）
May 10, 2010
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世界同時株安 ギリシャ危機の飛び火を防げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 9, 2010)Prevent Greek crisis from spreading further世界同時株安 ギリシャ危機の飛び火を防げ（5月8日付・読売社説）Financial markets around the world are still shaken by the troubles in Greece, even though European countries and the International Monetary Fund have decided to extend financial assistance of up to A110 billion (about 13 trillion yen) to the country, which is struggling with a serious fiscal crisis. 欧州各国と国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）が、深刻な財政危機にあえぐギリシャに、最大１１００億ユーロ（約１３兆円）の支援を決めたというのに、世界の金融市場で動揺が続いている。Selling ballooned on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, mainly due to fears over the adverse effects of Greece's fiscal deficit. This, coupled with a sudden plunge in the market that is believed to have been caused by a trader who mistyped an order to sell a large block of shares, briefly pushed the Dow Jones industrial average below 10,000. ６日のニューヨーク市場は、ギリシャなどの財政赤字を懸念する売りが膨らんだ。誤発注による相場急落も重なり、ダウ平均株価は一時、１万ドルの大台を割った。Affected by the New York sentiment, the Tokyo market was down across the board Friday, causing the Nikkei Stock Average to drop more than 400 points at one point. これを受けた７日の東京市場は全面安となり、平均株価の下げ幅は一時、４００円を超えた。Other major Asian markets such as Shanghai and Hong Kong also plunged, a situation that could be dubbed a spontaneous global market crash. 上海や香港など、アジアの主要市場も軒並み下落し、世界同時株安の様相を見せている。=== Not 'fire on the opposite shore' Even for Japan, the European-born trouble for which Greece is basically responsible cannot be considered a "fire on the other side of the river," a Japanese expression for events that can be observed casually. Japan too needs to be on high alert, so as not to be burned by sparks drifting over from the crisis. ギリシャから始まった欧州発の混乱は、日本にとって決して「対岸の火事」ではない。危機の飛び火でやけどする恐れはないのか、警戒が必要である。The assistance package from the IMF and the European Union is being extended on the condition that Greece implement measures to rebuild its public finances, including raising the rate of its value-added tax and of its taxes on luxury items, and cutting the salaries of public employees. ギリシャに対するＩＭＦなどの支援は、ギリシャ政府が付加価値税と物品税の引き上げや、公務員給与の削減などで、財政を立て直すことが条件だ。However, citizen demonstrations opposing the measures have intensified and even resulted in deaths. The chaos over fiscal rehabilitation within the very country at the center of the problem has been growing serious. ところが、これに反対する市民のデモが激化し、死者も出た。肝心のギリシャ国内が、財政再建を巡って混迷を深めている。Within the countries who decided to extend a helping hand, including Germany, prevailing public opinion is against the increased burden expected to result from the aid package. This has begun to fray the unity within the eurozone toward resolving the problem. ドイツなど、支援する側の国でも、支援による負担増加に反発する世論が根強く、ユーロ圏の結束がほころび始めている。The Greek crisis has had a ripple effect in markets in Spain and Portugal, which hold huge fiscal debts similar to that of Greece. People strongly fear confidence in the single currency of the euro may be undermined. Such psychological anxiety probably hit the stock markets hard. 市場では、ギリシャと並んで財政赤字が大きいスペインやポルトガルにも危機が波及して、単一通貨・ユーロの信認が揺らぎかねないとの懸念も強い。こうした不安心理が株価を直撃したようだ。=== G-20 too optimistic The Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors held in April in the United States did not probe deeply into the Greek fiscal problem. ４月に米国で開かれた世界２０か国・地域財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ２０）は、ギリシャの財政問題にさほど踏み込まなかった。The finance chiefs may have concluded the problem should be left to the IMF and eurozone nations. We think this judgment was too optimistic. ＩＭＦとユーロ圏各国に任せておけばいいと判断したようだが、認識が甘かったのではないか。Speculators may have taken advantage of this opportunity. Group of Seven and G-20 nations hereafter need to formulate countermeasures to deal with the situation more seriously. こうしたスキを今回、市場の投機筋に突かれたと言える。Ｇ７やＧ２０は今後、真剣に対策を練る必要があろう。Japan, still anxious over its own struggle toward economic recovery, also has a worsening fiscal problem. 景気に不安を抱える日本は、財政悪化も深刻だ。Ninety-five percent of its national bonds are held in a stable manner by domestic investors, a situation quite different from Greece, where 70 percent of its national bonds are held by overseas investors. 日本の国債は９５％が国内で安定的に消化されており、７割を海外の投資家が所有するギリシャ国債と事情は違う。However, the Greek economic chaos was triggered as its national bond rating was lowered. This country should see the Greek crisis as a valuable lesson to avoid a similar outcome. だが、ギリシャの経済混乱は、国債の格付けが引き下げられたことがきっかけだ。日本も二の舞いにならないよう、他山の石としなければならない。What is most hurting the Japanese economy's confidence is the economic policy of the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which continues to dole out huge funds without showing a clear road map for fiscal rehabilitation. This needs to be addressed first. 日本経済の信認を最も傷つけているのは、財政再建の道筋も示さず、ばらまきを続ける鳩山政権の経済政策である。まず、ここから改めねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 8, 2010) （2010年5月8日01時07分 読売新聞）
May 9, 2010
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読売経済提言 政策を一新し停滞を打開せよ
読売新聞の力作(秀作）だと思います。（英語版）インターナショナルクラス。久しぶりに辞書（英英）を多用しました。発音の確認は大切ですね。間違って覚えているものが結構あります。英英と英和を行ったり来たり、まだ英和が手放せなせません。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 8, 2010)Govt must change economic tack読売経済提言 政策を一新し停滞を打開せよ（5月7日付・読売社説）The administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has only aggravated this nation's fiscal condition through lavish government handouts that will do little to improve the economy. This has been exacerbated by the administration's failure to write proper prescriptions for recovering economic growth. The Hatoyama government's lack of sound economic management policies cannot be overlooked any longer. 経済効果の少ないばらまきで財政を悪化させ、成長回復に向けた確かな処方箋(せん)もない。鳩山政権による経済運営の無策ぶりは、もはや看過することができない――。This perception is the basis for the emergency proposal advanced by The Yomiuri Shimbun to press the government to fundamentally change its economic policies. 経済政策を大転換するよう求めた読売新聞の緊急提言は、こうした問題意識に基づいている。The greatest flaw in the Hatoyama administration's political approach lies with the priority it gives to ensuring the Democratic Party of Japan wins elections through policies and programs only aimed at pleasing the public, combined with its implementation at any cost of policies included in the DPJ's manifesto for last year's general election. 選挙の勝利を優先する大衆迎合政治と、マニフェスト（政権公約）至上主義が、鳩山政治の最大の問題といえよう。The prime minister should carry out responsible economic policies in line with the Yomiuri's latest proposal, to stabilize the nation's economy and society throughout the 21st century and achieve sustainable growth. ２１世紀を通じて日本の経済社会を安定させ、持続的な成長が可能となるよう、鳩山首相は本社提言に沿った責任ある経済政策を実施すべきである。 ◆公約が政治をゆがめる◆This country's economy is finally improving after months of being buffeted by the global recession. However, the nation cannot afford to feel at ease with this nascent economic recovery. 日本経済は、世界同時不況の荒波を乗り切り、ようやく景気が持ち直してきた。だが、つかの間の明るさに安心してはならない。The nation's current macroeconomic condition is marked by a 30 trillion yen shortfall in demand. There has been downward pressure on prices, giving rise to chronic deflation. マクロ経済全体で需要は３０兆円足りない。物価に下落圧力がかかり、デフレが慢性化している。=== Growth to slow A package of pump-priming measures introduced by the preceding government led by the Liberal Democratic Party, including an eco-friendly car purchase incentive program, is losing steam. According to many observers, the current economic improvement likely will slow down in the latter part of the year. エコカー減税など、前政権が残した景気対策もそろそろ息切れして、今年半ば以降には成長が減速するとの見方も強い。However, the current government's pump-priming measures are amiss, despite the necessity of doing all it can to underpin the economy. Its "from concrete to humans" slogan is a perfect example of this in that the policy regards public works projects as evil. 今こそ、景気下支えに万全を期さねばならないのに、肝心の経済政策は的はずれだ。公共事業を罪悪視した「コンクリートから人へ」は、その典型といえる。The government budget for fiscal 2010 entails a hefty 20 percent cut in public works spending, a budget item highly conducive to stimulating the economy. The reduction is certain to deal a blow to regional economies, which rely heavily on public works projects. 今年度予算で景気刺激効果の高い公共事業を２割も削った。公共事業を頼みとする地方経済への打撃は大きいだろう。Meanwhile, the current fiscal budget incorporates a massive amount of appropriations for dole-out programs, including child-rearing allowances. The Hatoyama government has given priority to honoring promises included in the DPJ manifesto despite being unsure how to secure a permanent source of revenue for the lavish handouts. Furthermore, direct allowances to households often end up being squirreled away, so it is difficult to expect the provision of such benefits will immediately improve the economy. 反面、子ども手当など、ばらまき型給付に巨額の予算を割いた。家計への直接給付は貯蓄に回り、景気浮揚の即効性は期待しにくいのに、恒久的な財源のあてもないまま、公約実現を優先させた。Increased spending for improving social infrastructure--including transport networks and school buildings and facilities that are earthquake-resistant--would spur economic growth and make people's lives safer. Given this, the government should improve the nation's social infrastructure, instead of regarding such public facilities in the same light as unnecessary buildings and equipment. 交通網の高度化や学校の耐震化など、インフラ（社会基盤）投資は成長や生活の安全・安心につながる。無駄なハコ物と同一視せず、整備を進める必要がある。=== Govt bonds to the rescue ◆安心は雇用の安定から◆We propose no-interest bearing, tax-exempt government bonds be issued as a means of securing financial resources for achieving that goal. The issuance of such bonds does not entail new financial burdens in the form of interest payments, though purchasers are entitled to the reduction of and exemption from inheritance taxation. This means there is no threat of the state coffers being further depleted. そのための財源確保の一策として、無利子非課税国債の活用はどうか。相続税を減免するものの利払い負担がないため、財政を悪化させることもない。New financial means could be secured by encouraging people to buy such bonds with some of the estimated 30 trillion yen stashed at homes across the nation. Using such resources to carry out necessary projects would make it possible not only to ensure people use a portion of their money saved at home but also make headway in improving the nation's social infrastructure. 約３０兆円とされるタンス預金を吸い上げて必要な事業に使えば、一石二鳥の効果が期待できよう。According to a Cabinet Office opinion survey, the greatest discontent felt by people about their current state of affairs is their lack of economic comfort and their uncertainty about their future. Nearly half of those polled gave this answer. 国民の最大の不満は「経済的なゆとりと先行きの見通しがない」ことだという。内閣府の世論調査で、ほぼ半数がそう答えた。Giving lavish allowances alone will do nothing to dispel people's anxiety about the future. The first step to be taken in this respect will be to create jobs for people who want to work and enable them to support themselves economically. Employment stability would reinvigorate the economy, for example, in the form of expanded consumption. 手当をばらまくだけでは、不安は解消しない。働きたい人に仕事を用意し、自ら生計を立てられるようにすることが、安心の第一歩だ。雇用が安定すれば、消費拡大など経済活性化にもつながる。=== Help care workers Chances are high that more jobs will be created in the medical and nursing care fields, given the rising need for these services due to the aging of society. However, many people are quick to leave such jobs because of the strenuous working conditions and low wages. This has caused a chronic shortage of workers in these fields. 高齢化でニーズの高まる医療・介護分野は、雇用拡大の面でも有望だ。しかし、仕事がきついうえに、給料が安すぎるとして、現場を去る人が多く、慢性的な人手不足に陥っている。Wages and other labor conditions in these sectors need to be improved, thus making sure people find such jobs worthwhile. Public money should be used to help achieve this goal. 魅力のある仕事にするため、処遇改善が求められる。公費による支援の拡充などを図るべきだ。It is also necessary to hurriedly shore up the social security system to support people who cannot work because of illness or old age. Drawing a blueprint for a new system is pie in the sky if it is not supported by financial means. 病気や高齢で働けない人を支える社会保障制度の強化も急がねばならない。制度の青写真をきれいに描いても、裏付けの財源がなければ絵に描いたモチだ。The declining birthrate and aging population is forecast to push up the nation's social security costs by about 1 trillion yen each year. To accommodate this increase and transform the social security system into a sustainable scheme, it will be inescapable to raise the consumption tax rate--which stands at 5 percent--as a stable source of revenue. 少子高齢化のため、黙っていても社会保障費は毎年１兆円ずつ増える。これを賄い、持続可能な制度に改めるには、税収の安定している消費税率の引き上げは避けられない。Hatoyama should retract his earlier pledge to "freeze" the tax rate and start specific discussions on an increase in the rate as soon as possible. As a first step, it is necessary to try and increase the tax rate to 10 percent. 鳩山首相は「消費税率凍結」を撤回し、早急に具体的な論議を開始すべきだ。税率は現在の５％から、まずは１０％への引き上げを目指す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 7, 2010) （2010年5月7日03時00分 読売新聞）
May 8, 2010
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首相沖縄訪問 遅すぎた方針転換と説得工作
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 7, 2010)Futenma policy change, efforts to persuade too late首相沖縄訪問 遅すぎた方針転換と説得工作（5月5日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at last visited Okinawa Prefecture, his first visit since he took office in September. 鳩山首相がようやく、昨年９月の就任以来初めて沖縄県を訪れた。While the self-imposed deadline of May 31 is approaching for concluding the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, Hatoyama could not even express concrete relocation plans. 米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の期限が今月末に迫る中、具体的な移設案を明示することさえできなかった。As his change of policy, from one that would relocate the functions of the Futenma base outside the prefecture to one that would relocate them mostly within the prefecture, came too late, his efforts to persuade the people of Okinawa into accepting his new policy has become even more difficult. 「県内移設」への方針転換が遅すぎたため、地元への説得工作は一段と困難な状況にある。During his talks with Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima on Tuesday, Hatoyama said: "It would be difficult to relocate all the functions [of the Futenma base] outside the prefecture. I have to ask the residents of Okinawa to bear a burden." 鳩山首相は沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事との会談で、移設先について「すべて県外というのは難しい。沖縄に負担をお願いしなければならない」と語った。By saying this, Hatoyama hinted he planned to keep part of the functions of the Futenma air base within the prefecture. 普天間飛行場の機能の一部は沖縄県内に残すとの考えを示したものだ。The government is coordinating views to replace the existing plan--agreed on in 2006 between Tokyo and Washington--to construct a V-shaped pair of runways by reclaiming land from the sea near the marines' Camp Schwab in the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture with one to build part of the runway on a so-called quick installation platform, coupled with transferring helicopter troops to Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture. 政府は、沖縄県名護市の米軍キャンプ・シュワブ沿岸部を埋め立てる現行計画を杭(くい)打ち桟橋方式に変更する案と、鹿児島県・徳之島へのヘリ部隊の移転を組み合わせる方向で調整している。=== U.S. unhappy with plan Yet the U.S. side showed its disapproval of transferring the helicopter troops to Tokunoshima island, which is far from Okinawa Prefecture, where other marines are stationed. Furthermore, because of safety concerns, it remains uncertain whether the U.S. side would agree to the installation platform method. だが、米側は、他の海兵隊部隊の駐留する沖縄から遠い徳之島への移転に難色を示す。杭打ち桟橋方式にも安全面などの理由から同意するかどうかは不透明だ。Hatoyama made no reference to any specific relocation sites during his visit to Okinawa, presumably because of these circumstances. 首相が今回、具体的な移設先に言及しなかったのは、こうした事情があるようだ。If he was earnestly considering settling the relocation issue by the end of May, he should have presented to Okinawa concrete plans and started coordinating views with the local governments much earlier. It is no longer the time for Hatoyama to meet with heads of local governments concerned as if he was merely setting up an excuse for failure. 本気で５月末の問題決着を考えていたのなら、もっと早期に具体案を示し、地元との調整に入るべきだった。もはやアリバイ作りのように地元の首長らと顔合わせをしている段階ではない。The meandering course of action taken so far by the government is just dreadful. ここに至る政府の迷走ぶりは目を覆うばかりだ。To protect the honor of its coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party, which calls for relocating the Futenma base functions outside the country, the government wasted precious time by inspecting alternative sites, including Guam. 国外移転を主張する社民党の顔を立ててグアムなどを視察し、貴重な時間を浪費する。Meanwhile, ideas surfaced and then sank, such as the one of building a land-based replacement facility for Futenma in Camp Schwab or the one of reclaiming an area off the U.S. Navy's White Beach facility in Uruma, also in Okinawa Prefecture. Both ideas were rejected in the past. The quick installation platform method was also taken up for study 14 years ago. 過去に否定されたシュワブ陸上部案やホワイトビーチ沖合案が浮上しては消える。杭打ち桟橋方式も、１４年前にも検討されたことがある。=== Past lessons ignored While the government has not made any use whatsoever of the results and knowledge accumulated through many years of study done by Japan and the United States, and politicians have offered one relocation plan after another--with none of them informed by principle--every new plan seems to have been giving the people of Okinawa the runaround. 長年の検討作業の成果・蓄積を何ら活用せず、政治家がにわか勉強でまとめた移設案を無定見に打ち出し、その度に、移設先の地元を振り回した。This can be considered a typical example of the pernicious results of "initiatives taken by politicians in forming policies," which the Democratic Party of Japan much advocates. 「政治主導」の悪弊の典型と言えよう。Needless to say, it is Hatoyama who is most to blame. 無論、最も罪が重いのは鳩山首相である。While Hatoyama fanned expectations of the people of Okinawa for realizing "the relocation outside the prefecture at a minimum" but now says, "It would be difficult to relocate all the functions from the viewpoint of deterrence," it is only natural for the people of Okinawa to feel resentful. 「最低でも県外移設」と沖縄県民の期待をあおり、今になって「抑止力の観点から県外移設は難しい」と言うのでは、沖縄県側が反発するのは当然だ。Hatoyama should have changed his policy much earlier to aim at relocating the functions within the prefecture from the viewpoint of security and have apologized to the people of Okinawa for the policy shift. もっと早く安全保障の観点から県内移設を目指す方針に転換し、沖縄県民に謝るのが筋だった。It is also absurd for him to condemn the existing plan. Hatoyama recently began calling the land reclamation of the waters near Camp Schwab as envisaged under the plan a "sacrilege against nature." If he truly believes this, he should have said so in the first place. It appears that Hatoyama is trying to modify the existing plan merely for the sake of saving face. 現行計画を否定しているのもおかしい。首相は最近、埋め立てを「自然への冒涜(ぼうとく)」と言い出した。本当にそう考えるなら、最初にそう言うべきだろう。単に自らのメンツを守るため、現行計画の修正を図っているとしか見えない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 5, 2010) （2010年5月5日01時21分 読売新聞）
May 7, 2010
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派遣法改正―働き方を正す一歩として
--The Asahi Shimbun, May 4 EDITORIAL: Dispatched workers.THE ASAHI SHIMBUN派遣法改正―働き方を正す一歩としてThe Diet is currently debating a bill to amend the law on dispatched workers. The proposed legislation is far from perfect, but at least the Diet can explore ways to correct income disparities that breed poverty. 問題点は少なくないとしても、貧困や格差を是正していくための一歩として役立てる道を考えたい。 Dispatched, or haken, workers have no employment stability. Their jobs, which are found by temporary staffing agencies, can be terminated at a moment's notice in what is known as haken-giri. As a result, people on occasion have suddenly found themselves homeless. 国会で労働者派遣法改正案の審議が進められている。「派遣切り」で仕事を失うと、路頭に迷ってしまう。The Diet must debate this issue in earnest and find ways to improve job security for dispatched workers. そんな姿に象徴される不安定な働き方を、どう安定させていくか。そこをしっかりと論じ合うべきである。 The bill aims to protect dispatched workers and overhaul the dispatch system itself. The least protected among these workers are those who are registered with temp staff agencies and gain employment contracts only when jobs are available. This practice will be banned under the amended law, except in 26 fields that require special skills, such as interpreting. 改正案は、派遣労働者の保護と制度の抜本的見直しを掲げる。仕事があるときだけ派遣会社と雇用契約を結ぶ「登録型」は、不安定な働き方の典型だ。これは専門知識が必要な通訳など２６業務を除き、禁止される。 The dispatch of workers to manufacturing companies, where massive dismissals became commonplace, will be allowed only in cases where temp staff agencies are expected to hire workers for more than one year. 大量の「派遣切り」の背景となった製造業への派遣は、派遣元が１年以上雇う見込みのある「常用型」に限られる。The amended law will also put an end to the illegal practice of giso ukeoi. This is when temp staffing agencies dispatch workers to client companies under disguised contracts that amount to outsourcing. The revised law will force offending client companies to conclude employment contracts directly with dispatched workers. One-day dispatches will, in principle, also be banned. 偽装請負のような違法な働き方をさせた場合は、派遣先に強制的に雇わせる「みなし雇用」制度も創設される。「日雇い」も原則禁止だ。 Since the dispatched workers law came into effect in 1986, the dispatch system has been deregulated time and again. The proposed amendment represents a major turning point. 同法が１９８６年に制定されて以来、派遣労働の規制緩和が続いてきた。今回の改正は大きな転換である。 However, many workers are skeptical of the proposed revisions because they do not expect any substantive results. Some point out that regulating the dispatch system further will only result in a change of their status to workers under ukeoi and other equally unstable contracts. Approximately 440,000 dispatched workers will be affected by the revised law. A private research institute estimates that 180,000 of them could end up jobless. だが、改正案には派遣労働者の側から「形だけで、効果は期待できない」との批判がある。派遣を規制しても請負など別の不安定な働き方に変わるだけだ、という指摘もある。法改正で禁止対象となる派遣社員は約４４万人。このうち、１８万人が失職する可能性があるという民間研究所の試算もある。 These criticisms stem from the amendment bill's failure to address structural problems inherent in the dispatch system. こうした批判が生まれるのは、改正案が構造的な問題に切り込むことができていないことにも原因がある。 Of the nation's current work force of about 54 million, one-third are non-regular employees, including about 2 million dispatched workers. 日本の労働者は約５４００万人。非正社員が３分の１を占める。派遣労働者は約２００万人だ。 Non-regular workers come in handy for companies that want cheap labor. The shift by companies to non-regular workers has resulted in widening income and other gaps among workers. 必要なときに、安く使える非正社員の人たちは、経営側にとっては都合がいい。そこに寄りかかり、労働者間の格差が広がった。 The Diet must address this situation without delay. この状況を抜本的に是正するための議論こそ、国会に期待したい。めざすべき方向は見えてきつつある。 Wage systems based on the concept of "equal pay for jobs of equal value" are taking hold in Europe. Put simply, it means paying the same wages to regular and non-regular employees alike whose jobs generate the same results. 同じ成果を生む働きについては正社員にも非正社員にも同じ賃金で報いる。そんな「同一価値労働・同一賃金」の考えに基づく賃金方式が欧州で広がってきている。 What should be done to put this concept into practice in our society and, specifically, at individual companies? 日本の社会全体や個々の企業でもそうした方式を実現させていくには、どうすればいいのか。 Companies must be prepared to cut their regular employees' working hours and review the wage structure to equalize the treatment of regular and non-regular employees. 企業ごとに正社員の長時間労働を減らすと同時に給与体系を見直し、非正社員との待遇均等化を進める、といった覚悟も問われるのではないか。 For the time being, the main challenge will be to expand the responsibilities of companies that accept dispatched workers and tighten pertinent regulations. 当面は、派遣先企業の使用者責任の拡大や規制強化にどう取り組むかが重要な課題だろう。 It will also be necessary for the government to realize what companies are doing to replace dispatched workers with other contract workers in anticipation of the legal amendment. 法制化を見越して派遣から請負などに切り替える実態の把握も必要だ。 There is a mountain of work to be done to make sure that everybody is able to work without being treated unfairly. すべての労働者が不当な扱いを受けることなく働けるようにするための課題は、山のようにある。
May 6, 2010
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ＮＰＴ会議 核不拡散の強化を打ち出せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 5, 2010)Strengthen NPT regime for sake of global securityＮＰＴ会議 核不拡散の強化を打ち出せ（5月4日付・読売社説）How can we stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons, which threatens global security? 世界の安全保障を脅かす核拡散をいかにして阻止していくのか。A U.N. conference to review the performance of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which began in New York on Monday and runs through May 28, provides an important opportunity to implement tangible measures toward that goal. ３日から２８日までニューヨークで開かれる核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）の運用状況を検討する会議は、その具体策を講じる重要な機会だ。The NPT is an international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. ＮＰＴは、核兵器の拡散防止を図る国際的な取り決めである。By limiting nuclear weapon states to just the five countries that tested nuclear weapons before 1967--Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States--and committing all the signatories to nuclear nonproliferation, the treaty inhibits the further appearance of such states. 核兵器保有国を、１９６７年以前に核実験をした米露英仏中の５か国に限定し、全加盟国に不拡散を義務づけることで新たな核兵器国の出現を抑止するのが目的だ。About 190 countries, including Japan, currently belong to the treaty, which came into force 40 years ago. 日本など約１９０か国が加盟し、発効から４０年を迎えた。However, the NPT regime has been seriously undermined recently. だが、このＮＰＴ体制は大きく揺らいでいる。North Korea conducted nuclear weapons tests twice after announcing its withdrawal from the pact, and has set a dangerous precedent of developing nuclear arms under the guise of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. 北朝鮮はＮＰＴからの脱退を宣言し、核実験を２度も強行した。「原子力の平和利用」を隠れみのにした核兵器開発、という危険な先例を作った。Iran also violated the treaty by avoiding inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency and enriching uranium. It has continued enriching uranium in repeated defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding the country stop, trying to follow a similar course to that of North Korea. イランも国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の査察をかいくぐり、ウラン濃縮を行う違反を犯した。国連安全保障理事会の再三の決議を無視して濃縮活動を続け、北朝鮮と同じ道をたどろうとしている。Nuclear materials have been traded, and technology to produce nuclear bombs has spread in the global black market. This has increased the risk of rogue nations and terrorist organizations arming themselves with nuclear weapons. 世界の闇市場で核関連物質が取引され、核爆弾の製造技術が広まった。ならず者国家やテロ組織の核武装の危険は高まっている。=== Cooperation vital It is essential for the safety of the world to rebuild the NPT regime, a linchpin for preventing the global proliferation of nuclear arms. Member nations should try to agree on practical measures to enhance the NPT at the ongoing conference. 世界の安全にとって、グローバルな不拡散体制の要であるＮＰＴの立て直しが不可欠だ。今回の会議で各国は、実質的なＮＰＴ強化策で合意を目指すべきである。To realize this, nuclear weapon and nonnuclear weapon states have to cooperate with each other. Nuclear powers should more swiftly fulfill their obligations to reduce their stores of nuclear weapons, while nonnuclear weapon states must prove they are not developing nuclear arms through IAEA inspections. それには、核兵器国と非核国が協力する必要がある。核兵器国は核軍縮の義務履行を加速化すべきだ。非核国はＩＡＥＡの査察を通じて核開発していないことを立証しなければならない。International cooperation toward the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons can be enhanced only if both sides tackle the issue seriously. But the current international situation does not allow us to be optimistic. 双方が真摯(しんし)に取り組んでこそ不拡散の国際連携は強化できるが、現状は楽観できない。The biggest destabilizing factor is Iran. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the U.N. conference to stop the adoption of a final consensus document for the event, which in principle requires a unanimous vote. 最大の攪乱(かくらん)要因はイランだ。大統領自らが会議に出席し、全会一致が原則の「最終合意文書」の採択を阻む構えだ。=== Middle East frustrated Japan and some European countries will demand at the conference the universalization of additional protocols, including provisions to reinforce the IAEA's powers to conduct inspections, and measures to prevent the misuse of announcements that countries are withdrawing from the NPT. More than a few developing countries are cautious, however, seeing this as interference from advanced countries. 日本や欧米諸国は、ＮＰＴ脱退通告の乱用防止策や、ＩＡＥＡの査察権限を強化する追加議定書の普遍化を求める方針だ。だが、それを先進国による介入とみて警戒する途上国は少なくない。Middle Eastern countries are very frustrated with the United States and European countries that play up the Iranian issue but do not acknowledge Israel's nuclear development because Israel is not a NPT signatory. 中東諸国には、欧米諸国はイラン問題を重視しても、ＮＰＴ未加盟のイスラエルの核問題に向き合わない、との強い不満がある。If mistrust grows between NPT members, their solidarity for nonproliferation will weaken. 各国の相互不信が募れば不拡散のタガは緩む。If this latest conference becomes a mere duplication of the previous gathering, which ended in failure, it will simply allow countries that violate the NPT, such as North Korea and Iran, to run rampant. A strong current must be created toward the enhancement of nuclear nonproliferation. 決裂に終わった前回会議の再現となっては、北朝鮮やイランのような違反国家の跋扈(ばっこ)を招くだけだ。不拡散強化へ大きな流れを作り出す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 4, 2010) （2010年5月4日01時18分 読売新聞）
May 5, 2010
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憲法記念日 改正論議を危機打開の一助に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 4, 2010)Time to restoke debate on top law revision憲法記念日 改正論議を危機打開の一助に（5月3日付・読売社説）Many people might say that with Japan in the economic and political doldrums, the nation cannot afford to spare any time or effort to discuss revision of the Constitution. 八方ふさがりの日本。いま、憲法改正論議の暇(いとま)はない、と言う人は少なくないかもしれない。But just because Japan is in such a feeble state, we wonder if perhaps it is all the more necessary to get back to the issue of the Constitution since it provides the fundamentals for governing the state. だが、こうした時だからこそ、国の統治の基本を定めた憲法の問題に立ち返ってみることが必要ではないか。Giving constitutional debate a push could help overcome the political and economic crises confronting the country today. 政治や経済の危機的な状況を打開する一助になるはずだ。Today marks Constitution Day, a national holiday to commemorate the day the Constitution came into force on May 3, 1947. We want people to observe this day by thinking again about whether the national charter should be revised. きょうは憲法記念日。改憲を改めて考える一日にしたい。 ◆憲法審査会を動かせ◆The National Referendum Law, which stipulates the procedure for constitutional revision, will come into effect on May 18, three years after its enactment. This law allows revision proposals to be submitted to the Diet at any time. 今月１８日、憲法改正手続きを定めた国民投票法が、同法成立後３年を経てようやく施行される。これからは、いつでも憲法改正原案の国会提出が可能になる。=== Diet panels twiddling thumbs But each Diet chamber's Deliberative Council on the Constitution, where draft revision proposals are to be deliberated, have been twiddling their thumbs. だが、原案などを審査する場になる、国会の憲法審査会が動いていない。The House of Representatives has only decided to work out provisions for managing its council. The House of Councillors, for its part, has yet to even establish such rules, a vacuum Takeo Nishioka, chairman of the upper house Committee on Rules and Administration, has denounced as "illegitimate." 衆院は審査会を運営するための審査会規程を定めただけだ。参院に至っては規程すらない。民主党の西岡武夫参院議院運営委員長が「違法状態」と言っている。The primary responsibility for negligence of constitutional debate lies with the Democratic Party of Japan, which has been mothballing the issue for politically motivated reasons. By the same token, the Liberal Democratic Party should take responsibility for lacking the power to promote the debate even though it lists constitutional revision as a party platform. 最大の責任は、政略的思惑から改憲論議を棚上げしている民主党にある。さらに改憲を党是としながら、推進力を欠く自民党の責任も否めない。The Constitution stipulates provisions for amendments, but the Diet enacted a law on the procedure for revising the top law only a few years ago. The Diet finally ironed out this wrinkle when it enacted the National Referendum Law. However, the fact that its deliberative councils have yet to function is tantamount to the continuation of their nonfeasance. 憲法に改正条項があるのに、手続き法を作ってこなかった国会の“不作為”は解消されたが、審査会始動をサボタージュしていては、不作為の継続に等しい。
May 4, 2010
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日銀リポート デフレ脱却には時間がかかる
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 3, 2010)Escaping deflationary environment takes time日銀リポート デフレ脱却には時間がかかる（5月2日付・読売社説）When will the nation's persistent deflation come to an end? The Bank of Japan presented one answer to this question in its recent "Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices" report, in which the central bank envisages the prospects of economic growth and consumer price trends. しつこいデフレはいつ終わるのか。日銀が、経済成長や物価の先行きを示す「展望リポート」で一つの答えを示した。With respect to the outlook for consumer prices, the Bank of Japan maintained its projection that the core consumer price index for fiscal 2010 would fall 0.5 percent from a year earlier. For fiscal 2011, however, the central bank revised its previous forecast, from a 0.2 percent drop to a 0.1 percent increase. If realized, it would be the first time in three years that the core CPI will have risen. 消費者物価の見通しについて、２０１０年度はこれまでと同じ「前年度比０・５％下落」としたが、１１年度は「０・２％の下落」から、「０・１％の上昇」へと修正した。実現すれば３年ぶりの物価上昇となる。However, it is premature to state that the data enables us to see a way out of the deflationary environment. The government and the Bank of Japan should not become optimistic and must not relax their policies to ensure the nation's economy escapes from deflation. だが、これをもってデフレの出口が見えてきたと考えるのは早計だろう。政府・日銀は決して楽観せず、デフレ脱却に向けた政策の手を緩めてはならない。=== Light at end of tunnel? The Bank of Japan also projected in its report the possibility that prices would enter positive territory during fiscal 2011. 展望リポートは、物価が１１年度中に「プラスの領域に入る可能性が展望できる」とした。Meanwhile, the central bank predicts steady positive growth for the nation's real gross domestic product, with 1.8 percent growth in fiscal 2010 and 2 percent growth in fiscal 2011. 国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の実質成長率も、１０年度が１・８％、１１年度も２・０％と、堅調なプラス成長を見込んでいる。In view of the current economic and price conditions, however, the bank's projections appear to be somewhat optimistic. だが、現在の経済・物価の情勢からみて、日銀の見立ては少々、甘くないだろうか。The nation's economy continues to experience weakening prices, with supply exceeding demand by as much as 30 trillion yen. Consumers, who have become accustomed to deflation, continue to sit on their wallets, while retailers and manufacturers continue to engage in fierce price wars. 日本経済は、３０兆円も需要が足りず、物価が下がりやすい状態が続いている。デフレに慣れた消費者の財布のひもはすっかり固くなり、小売業界やメーカーの安売り競争は依然として激しい。The government data showed the nation's core CPI fell 1.2 percent in March from a year earlier, the same rate as in February. The recovery in consumer prices has been marking time recently. ３月の消費者物価は、下落率が１・２％と前月と同じだった。物価の回復は、このところ足踏み状態が続いている。In March, prices of flat-panel TVs fell 36 percent while those of air conditioners dropped 21 percent from a year earlier, pushing down the entire CPI. The current deflationary environment is extremely stubborn. Even energy-saving electrical appliances that have been selling relatively well thanks to the government's subsidy program saw poor sales unless they were perceived to be bargains. ３月は、薄型テレビが３６％、エアコンも２１％下落して、物価全体を押し下げた。政府の購入支援で販売が好調な省エネ家電でさえ、割安感がないと売れない状況が、デフレのしぶとさを示す。=== 'Good' vs 'bad' escape Meanwhile, gasoline prices rose 16 percent in March, reducing the overall fall in the CPI by 0.3 percentage point. 一方で、ガソリン価格は１６％上がり、物価全体の下落率を０・３ポイント圧縮させた。The increase in gasoline prices continued last month, while the costs of public utilities, including electricity and gas, are scheduled to be hiked in the future. Prices of raw materials, including iron and steel, and chemical fiber, also are on the rise. ４月もガソリン価格の上昇は続き、これから電気・ガスなど公共料金の値上げも予定されている。鉄鋼や化学繊維などの原材料も高くなってきた。One reason that the Bank of Japan revised its price projections upward is due to the growing trend of price increases for energy and other items related to natural resources, in line with rising prices in those categories internationally. 国際市況の上昇を背景に、エネルギーや資源関連の品目で価格上昇が広がってきたことも、日銀が物価見通しを上方修正した一因と見られている。However, high prices for utilities and raw materials negatively impact the nation's economy. This is because companies' profits wane as firms cannot raise prices to desired levels amid severe competition. だが、光熱費や原材料が先導する物価高は、景気にマイナスとなる。厳しい販売競争の中で、企業は思うように販売価格を上げられず、利益が薄くなるからだ。This "bad escape from deflation" is problematic, whereas the "good escape from deflation" through increased demand is desirable. こうした「悪いデフレ脱却」では困る。需要の増加による「良いデフレ脱却」が望ましい。Conquering deflation is still at the halfway point. Toward this end, the Bank of Japan should actively continue its monetary easing policy and should not hesitate to implement additional measures when necessary. デフレの克服は道半ばである。日銀は積極的な金融緩和を続け、必要に応じて追加策もためらうべきではない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 2, 2010) （2010年5月2日01時16分 読売新聞）
May 3, 2010
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社説：普天間移設 筋通らぬ「辺野古」回帰
Hatoyama's modified Futenma plan runs counter to pledge to move base out of Okinawa社説：普天間移設 筋通らぬ「辺野古」回帰Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who had repeatedly pledged to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma out of Okinawa Prefecture, is now leaning toward building a substitute facility for the base off the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa. But one cannot help wonder why he has changed his mind. 「最低でも県外」と主張していた鳩山由紀夫首相はいつ、沖縄の「辺野古の海」に基地を建設する考えに転じたのだろうか。理解に苦しむ。The Hatoyama administration is reportedly considering building a runway on a so-called quick installation platform (QIP) to be built on piles driven into the sea bottom off the U.S. military's Camp Schwab. Furthermore, the government is studying a plan to either relocate up to 1,000 airborne troops from Futenma to Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, or to shift the training site. 米軍普天間飛行場（沖縄県宜野湾市）移設問題で、政府は、（１）米軍キャンプ・シュワブ沿岸部（同県名護市辺野古）に「くい打ち桟橋（ＱＩＰ）方式」で滑走路を建設する（２）鹿児島県・徳之島に普天間の航空部隊のうち最大１０００人を移転する、または訓練を移す－－を柱にした案で最終調整しているとされる。The government has claimed that the QIP method would pose less of a threat to the environment than the plan previously agreed upon between Tokyo and Washington to build a runway by reclaiming the sea off Camp Schwab. ＱＩＰは多数の支柱を海底に打ち込み、その上に滑走路などの構造物を建設する工法である。日米合意の現行案である「埋め立て方式」に比べて環境に与える影響は少ない、と政府関係者は主張している。Still, the construction of a runway off Henoko runs counter to Hatoyama's pledge to relocate Futenma base out of the prefecture. Okinawa, especially the city of Nago that would be required to host the substitute facility, is highly unlikely to accept the modified relocation plan as some 90,000 residents adopted a resolution in a rally on April 25, calling for relocation out of the prefecture and out of the country. しかし、そうであっても、現行案と同じ辺野古の海に滑走路をつくるというのは明らかに首相の「約束」に反する。首相が国会などで繰り返し強調してきた「県外」とは相いれない。「９万人県民大会」で国外・県外移設を決議した沖縄、特に名護市が受け入れるとは到底思えない。Experts have pointed out that even the QIP method would seriously affect sea creatures because the platform would block sunlight and thousands of piles would be driven into the sea floor. ＱＩＰ方式も、滑走路による日照の遮断と数千本の支柱で、海洋生物や環境に与える影響は大きいという指摘がある。If the prime minister approves the QIP method, it would be inconsistent with his earlier remarks describing the reclamation plan as "profanity against nature."海の埋め立てを「自然への冒とく」と述べた首相が一転、ＱＩＰを容認したとすれば、真意を測りかねる。Japan and the United States had considered building a runway off Henoko using the QIP method, but ruled it out because it is difficult to take anti-terrorism measures and it would cost a massive amount of money. The modified plan could spur speculation that the government has come up with the idea in a bid to drag U.S. officials, who are sticking to the previously agreed on plan, to the negotiation table.この工法は、かつて日米間で検討されたが、テロ対策の難しさや費用面などから排除された案だ。辺野古を前提にした現行案にこだわる米国側を協議のテーブルにつかせるために考えついた案ではないか、と勘ぐられても仕方ない。Prime Minister Hatoyama is scheduled to visit Okinawa on Tuesday for the first time since he took office, and hold talks with Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima over the relocation of Futenma base. Attention will be focused on whether the prime minister himself came up with the modified plan. He is required to provide an explanation that will satisfy not only the governor but also Okinawa residents and the Japanese general public as a whole. 首相は４日に就任後初めて沖縄県入りし、仲井真弘多知事と普天間問題について話し合う。移設先の「辺野古回帰」が首相自身の案なのかどうかが焦点になる。首相は知事だけでなく沖縄県民、国民に対しても納得のいく説明をしてもらいたい。The plan to relocate some of the Marines stationed at Futenma to Tokunoshima Island has also been deadlocked. The mayors of the three towns on Tokunoshima Island have expressed stiff opposition to the plan while Washington has shown reluctance to accept the plan, citing operational problems.Late last month, Hatoyama asked former House of Representatives member Torao Tokuda, who had been elected from Tokunoshima and has influence on the local community, to cooperate in shifting some Marines to the island, only to be rejected. 一方、徳之島への一部移転については、首相は先月２８日、同島出身の有力者である徳田虎雄元衆院議員に協力を要請したが拒否された。同島の３町長は受け入れ拒否の姿勢を崩さず、米政府も部隊運用上の理由から強い難色を示し、暗礁に乗り上げたままだ。Tokuda explained Tokunoshima residents' anti-U.S. forces sentiment, pointing out that the island was split from Japan's mainland following the end of World War II and placed under the control of U.S. forces until 1953. It goes without saying that the prime minister should take local residents' sentiment into consideration in studying the possibility of moving some U.S. Marines to the island. 徳之島は戦後、本土と分離され１９５３年まで米軍政下に置かれるなど複雑な歴史を持つ。徳田氏は首相にこの経緯を指摘した。「県外」の主力として徳之島への移転を検討するにあたっては、こうした島民感情を考慮しなければならないのは当然だろう。There remains less than a month before Hatoyama's self-imposed deadline for settling the Futenma relocation issue at the end of May. The prime minister has declared that he will stake his position on the settlement of the issue before the deadline. 残り１カ月。首相は「５月末決着」に「職を賭す覚悟」を明言している。The government is required to gain consent from the community of the area that will host a substitute facility. During his visit to Okinawa, Prime Minister Hatoyama should show his determination to settle the issue by forming a consensus among local residents.決着には移設先地元の合意が不可欠だ。沖縄訪問時には、その覚悟の中身を示してもらいたい。(Mainichi Japan) May 1, 2010毎日新聞 2010年5月1日 2時31分
May 2, 2010
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独法見直し 仕分けの効果と限界が見えた
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 1, 2010)Budget screening unit pulled its punches独法見直し 仕分けの効果と限界が見えた（4月30日付・読売社説）The government's latest session of budget screening was obviously inadequate in many respects, despite a certain degree of success in cutting projects undertaken by independent administrative institutions. This shows there is a limit to what can be accomplished through jigyo shiwake--the process of identifying wasteful government spending. 独立行政法人の事業の縮減などでは一定の成果があったが、切り込み不足も目立った。事業仕分けという手法の限界とも言えよう。On Wednesday, the Government Revitalization Unit wrapped up a four-day budget screening session--the second held by the organ since November--that targeted 151 projects carried out by 47 of 104 independent administrative agencies. １０４独法のうち、４７法人の１５１事業を対象とする４日間の事業仕分けが終了した。Entities subject to the latest jigyo shiwake included the Urban Renaissance Agency. The revitalization unit concluded the agency's operations should be downsized by transferring its task of providing rental housing for elderly and low-income people to the national and local governments, while also selling upscale condominiums it had built to private sector corporations. 都市再生機構（ＵＲ）の賃貸住宅事業については、高齢者・低所得者向け住宅は自治体や国に移管する一方、高級住宅は民間に売却し、全体の事業規模を縮減するよう求めた。The unit also decided the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency should hand over its earned surplus of about 1.35 trillion yen to the state coffers. 鉄道建設・運輸施設整備支援機構が抱える約１兆３５００億円もの利益剰余金は、国庫に返納すべきだと判定した。=== Easier said than done Little progress can be made in achieving such goals as cuts in projects and the handover of surpluses if independent administrative corporations--and the Cabinet Office and ministries supervising these bodies, for that matter--are left to their own devices. Given this, it is necessary to eliminate wasteful expenditures and reconsider the propriety of each project from a third-party point of view. こうした事業の縮減や剰余金の返納は、独法や所管府省に任せていてはなかなか実現しない。外部の第三者の視点で、無駄を省き、見直しを図ることが大切だ。The revitalization unit failed to unreservedly plunge the scalpel into projects deemed unnecessary. The body decided only some projects should be abolished, including a loan program administered by the Center for National University Finance and Management to build and improve facilities at university hospitals. This will probably do little to curtail government spending. 一方で、廃止と判定されたのは国立大学財務・経営センターによる大学付属病院整備費の融資事業など、一部にとどまった。政府の財政支出を大幅に削減する効果は望めそうにない。It should not be forgotten that the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election promised "a fundamental review of independent administrative institutions, including their overall abolition." That pledge is a far cry from what the latest jigyo shiwake session has accomplished. This clearly illustrates how slipshod the party was in working out the details of its manifesto. 忘れてならないのは、民主党が昨年の衆院選の政権公約で、独法の「全廃を含めた抜本的見直し」を掲げていたことだ。今回の作業の実態から、大きくかけ離れている。いかに政権公約がいいかげんだったかを物語るものだ。First and foremost, the revitalization unit's method of budget screening is unreasonable. The body concludes whether each project should be maintained or scrapped, through discussions that last barely one hour. This rule is applied to any and every project in question, the operating cost of which can range from several million yen to hundreds of billions of yen. そもそも、予算が数千億円から数百万円の事業まで、規模の大小を問わず、１テーマについて一律で、しかもわずか１時間足らずの議論で、その存廃の結論を出すという手法自体に無理がある。=== Can unit follow through? In conducting a jigyo shiwake review, it is not unreasonable to single out large institutions--including the Urban Renaissance Agency and the Japan Housing Finance Agency--for discussions during which sufficient time is taken to provide different perspectives. ＵＲや住宅金融支援機構など大型の独法の見直しは本来、その法人だけに十分な時間をかけ、多角的に議論してもおかしくない。The jigyo shiwake review is appropriate in its objective--that is, working to end wasteful projects and commissioning private corporations to undertake certain projects. However, the revitalization unit will alienate the public if it cites last year's change of government as a pretext for its unbending approach to budget screening and turns a deaf ear to any objections--as if to say jigyo shiwake inspectors are infallible. 無駄な事業はやめる。民間や自治体に任せられる事業は任せる。その方向性は間違っていない。だが、「政権交代」を錦の御旗に、あらゆる反論に聞く耳を持たず、仕分け人の判定が絶対正しいという姿勢では理解を得られない。What is important is to arrange for the revitalization unit to properly follow up on the results of its latest jigyo shiwake and continue reform of independent administrative agencies, instead of treating these results as an unalterable conclusion. 重要なのは、今回の作業を最終結論とするのでなく、今後も、政府の行政刷新会議がきちんと事後点検する仕組みを整え、継続して独法改革に取り組むことだ。Take the example of the body's call for the transfer of the Urban Renaissance Agency's rental housing business to the private sector and the national and local governments. It is necessary to form a final conclusion about the transfer in relation to what should be done to dispose of the 11 trillion yen debt incurred by the housing agency. 例えば、ＵＲの賃貸住宅事業を民間や自治体に移管するのなら、１１兆円にも上る債務をどう処理するのかという問題と一体で結論を出すことが必要だろう。There are concerns that the results of the latest jigyo shiwake could be watered down if pertinent government ministries are left to decide how--and whether--the conclusions formed in the budget screening should be translated into action, which could allow bureaucrats to roll back their efforts. That should be averted. 所管府省任せにすれば、官僚が巻き返し、今回の判定結果を骨抜きにする恐れがある。そうした事態は避けるべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,April 30, 2010) （2010年4月30日01時46分 読売新聞）
May 1, 2010
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