2010年06月の記事
全29件 (29件中 1-29件目)
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名古屋場所開催 勧告踏まえて抜本的改革を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 30, 2010)Take tough steps to restore sumo's honor名古屋場所開催 勧告踏まえて抜本的改革を（6月29日付・読売社説）The Japan Sumo Association has decided to open the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 11 as scheduled, despite an abnormal situation in which it will suspend many wrestlers, including seven in the top makuuchi division, from the tournament and put the JSA chairman on probation over the ongoing gambling scandal. 幕内だけでも７人の力士を休場させ、理事長までもが謹慎という異常事態の中、日本相撲協会は７月１１日からの名古屋場所の開催を決めた。The JSA has forfeited the public's trust through the scandal over illegal betting on professional baseball games, and there are many who question its decision to hold the Nagoya tournament. Since it is going ahead with the tournament under such adverse circumstances, the JSA must quickly present cleanup measures rigorous enough to satisfy fans of the national sport. 野球賭博問題で相撲協会の信用は失墜した。場所開催を疑問視する声も少なくない。そうした中で場所を開くからには、協会は、ファンが納得する浄化策を早急に示さねばならない。=== Panel urged harsh penalties The association's board of directors decided to accept recommendations made by a special investigation panel comprising 10 outside experts regarding conditions for holding the Nagoya tournament. 相撲協会の理事会は、外部の１０人で構成する特別調査委員会から「名古屋場所開催の条件」として提示された勧告を受け入れることを決定した。The panel recommended the JSA should dismiss or mete out heavier penalties against stablemaster Otake (former sekiwake Takatoriki), who is alleged to have habitually bet huge amounts of money, and ozeki Kotomitsuki, who was blackmailed by a former wrestler over his gambling. 勧告は、常習的に多額の金を賭けていた大嶽親方（元関脇貴闘力）と、恐喝事件に巻き込まれた大関琴光喜について、「解雇以上」とするよう求めた。In addition, the panel urged the JSA to put the other wrestlers involved in the illegal gambling and their stablemasters on probation. In line with the recommendations, the association decided to suspend a total of 14 wrestlers, including Kotomitsuki, from the Nagoya tournament. The stablemasters to be put on probation include JSA Chairman Musashigawa. さらに、野球賭博にかかわった力士と、所属する部屋の親方の謹慎も求め、これを受けて協会は、琴光喜ら１４人の力士の休場を決定した。謹慎する親方には、武蔵川理事長も含まれている。Otake and Kotomitsuki's punishment will be officially decided at the association board meeting scheduled for Sunday, but they are likely to receive tough penalties as recommended by the panel. Many sumo fans must feel sorry to see the misconduct of Kotomitsuki, the highest-ranked Japanese wrestler, and Otake, who took over the stable established by legendary yokozuna Taiho. 大嶽親方、琴光喜については、７月４日の理事会で改めて処分を決めるが、勧告通り、厳罰は避けられないだろう。大鵬部屋を継承した大嶽親方、日本人力士最高位の琴光喜の不祥事を残念に思うファンも多いはずだ。=== Lax management must end The association initially intended to just give warnings to those who voluntarily confessed their involvement in illegal gambling. However, the general public would certainly regard such a penalty as too mild. The panel's recommendations apparently are a red card against the JSA's lenient attitude. 協会は当初、賭博への関与を自己申告した者には、厳重注意でとどめようとした。しかし、一般社会では、とても通用しない甘い対応だ。勧告内容は、そうした協会の認識に対するレッドカードだったといえる。Whenever scandals occurred in the past, the JSA was often criticized for its lax crisis management. The closed-off nature of the association, which is run totally by former wrestlers, is likely responsible for its inability to cleanse itself. 不祥事の度に、相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが指摘されてきた。大相撲出身者が協会の運営を取り仕切る閉鎖体質が、自浄能力の欠如につながっているのだろう。The latest gambling scandal, which involves even stablemasters, makes it clear that the discipline of the professional sumo society cannot be maintained if this continues. 親方までも関与していた野球賭博問題を通し、今のままでは角界の規律の維持は困難であることが明白になったといえる。Two of JSA's 12 current directors now come from outside sumo, a change that stemmed from the deadly assault that occurred in the Tokitsukaze stable. The association's leadership has to be reformed through such drastic measures as further increasing the number of board directors from outside the sumo world. 時津風部屋の暴行死事件の教訓から、相撲協会の１２人の理事のうち、２人が外部のメンバーとなっている。この外部理事の数を大幅に増やすなど、執行体制の抜本改革が必要だ。While Musashigawa is on probation, Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former head of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office who was invited to be a JSA board director, will likely be appointed acting chairman. 理事長代行には、外部理事の村山弘義・元東京高検検事長が就く見通しだ。Even if the Nagoya tournament is held as scheduled, some sumo fans may complain that they do not want to cheer for the wrestlers in the ring. Certain sponsors have decided not to provide prize money for the tournament. 名古屋場所が開催されても、土俵に声援を送る気になれないというファンもいるだろう。懸賞金の提供中止を決めた企業もある。Concrete measures to reform the association and reeducate wrestlers must be devised urgently to make the Nagoya tournament a chance to restore the honor of professional sumo. 名古屋場所を大相撲再生のきっかけとするためには、協会の再建や力士教育の具体策作りを急がなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 29, 2010) （2010年6月29日01時40分 読売新聞）
Jun 30, 2010
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子ども手当 半額支給維持も容易ではない
discern ディサーム（発音注意） 感覚や理性で理解する実際の発音は電子辞書で確認してください。（スラチャイ記）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 29, 2010)No cash to spare for child allowances子ども手当 半額支給維持も容易ではない（6月28日付・読売社説）Child-rearing support measures require a balanced policy perspective and--more than anything else--fiscal resources to implement them. 子育て支援は政策のバランスと、何より財源の裏付けが必要だ。The Democratic Party of Japan has dropped its ballyhooed policy of paying in full a 26,000 yen monthly child allowance starting in fiscal 2011 from its campaign platform for the forthcoming House of Councillors election. 民主党は参院選公約で子ども手当について、来年度から月２万６０００円を支給するという「満額実施」の看板を取り下げた。The DPJ started the allowance system by paying 13,000 yen a month, half the originally set figure. Now the party claims it will "provide an additional allowance while securing fiscal resources." The additional allowance, however, will "take the form of building more nurseries and providing free school lunches to replace cash handouts." 半額でスタートした現行の月１万３０００円に「財源を確保しつつ、上積みする」との表現にとどめている。上積み分も「保育所の拡充や給食の無料化など、現物サービスの充実策にも代えられるようにする」とした。The DPJ will no longer pay the additional child allowance unless fiscal resources can be secured, and it will reexamine the priority it placed on cash handouts. 財源がなければ上積みはせず、現金支給至上主義も見直す、ということだろう。=== DPJ right to change tack This country is in dire fiscal straits, as exemplified by the issuance of government bonds worth more than tax revenue. Under these conditions, the provision of the 26,000 yen child allowance, which would require 5.4 trillion yen a year, is out of the question. The DPJ was right to change tack. 国債発行額が税収を上回る非常事態の財政下で、年５・４兆円を要する子ども手当の満額支給は論外だ。路線変更は当然である。Social security budgets will increase by 1 trillion yen a year as our society ages. From next fiscal year, 2.5 trillion yen will be needed to pay for the portion of basic pension payments to be covered by the state. Given the serious fiscal conditions, it will not be easy to fund additional child allowances nor to maintain the current provision of half the promised amount. 社会保障関連予算は、高齢化の進行により、毎年約１兆円ずつ膨らむ。来年度からは基礎年金の国庫負担引き上げに２・５兆円が必要になる。子ども手当は上積みどころか、半額支給の維持も容易でないのが財政の現状だ。In its vision on children and child-rearing, the government set a goal of increasing the capacity of nurseries by 50,000 children a year over five years. 政府は「子ども・子育てビジョン」で、保育所定員を年に５万人ペースで増やす、といった今後５年間の数値目標を掲げている。It will cost 1.6 trillion yen to achieve this goal. Such an amount cannot be scrounged together simply by recasting the budget and cutting wasteful spending. 今後は、ビジョンの実現に軸足を移すということだろう。しかしこれにも、１・６兆円の財源が必要だ。予算の組み替えや無駄の削減で捻出(ねんしゅつ)できる金額ではない。=== Tax hike unavoidable Unless the consumption tax rate is raised, it will be difficult to boost measures to help parents raise their children. The DPJ needs to recognize this fact. Then the party should redesign its child-rearing policy comprehensively by studying what level of child allowance would be appropriate, and how it could be provided. This should be done in tandem with discussions on the advisability of raising the consumption tax. 消費税率を引き上げない限り、子育て支援を充実させることは難しい。民主党はその点をまず明確に認め、消費税の議論とセットで子ども手当の金額や支給方法、そして子育て施策全体の設計をやり直すべきだ。Opposition parties also need to take such an approach. In its campaign platform for the July 11 election, the Liberal Democratic Party says it will "abolish nursery and kindergarten tuition fees." However, this would require at least 800 billion yen. この姿勢は、野党にも求められよう。自民党は昨年の総選挙に引き続き、「幼児の保育料と幼稚園費の無料化」を公約に掲げるが、少なくとも８０００億円は必要な施策である。The LDP campaign pledges include "increasing the consumption tax rate to 10 percent," and details how necessary fiscal resources could be found. But the LDP should unequivocally tell voters that a hike in the consumption tax is the main premise for implementing measures that will greatly improve the social security system. 自民党は「消費税率１０％」を公約に明記し、必要財源を担保してはいる。だが、社会保障の思い切った充実策を実行するには、まず消費税率の引き上げ実現が大前提であることをもっと強く、国民に訴えるべきだろう。The British administration of Prime Minister David Cameron has put forth a policy of raising the value-added tax rate to 20 percent and freezing child-allowance payments for three years as it seeks to put Britain's fiscal house back in order. 英キャメロン政権は財政再建のために、付加価値税率を２０％に引き上げ、子ども手当を３年間凍結する方針を打ち出した。Japan's fiscal conditions are tighter than Britain's. It is impossible to maintain the social security system without asking the public to shoulder an additional burden. 日本の財政状況は英国以上に厳しい。負担増なしに社会保障制度を維持することは不可能だ。Voters need to discern which party will discuss and tackle this matter squarely and seriously in the upper house election. それを真正面から有権者に語る政党はどこか、有権者は参院選で見極める必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 28, 2010) （2010年6月28日01時56分 読売新聞）
Jun 29, 2010
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Ｇ８サミット 日本の存在感低下に歯止めを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 28, 2010)Japan must halt decline of diplomatic cloutＧ８サミット 日本の存在感低下に歯止めを（6月27日付・読売社説）The summit meetings of the Group of Eight major powers and the Group of 20 major industrialized and emerging countries are taking place in Canada. カナダを舞台に、主要８か国（Ｇ８）と世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）による首脳会議（サミット）が開かれている。While it is noted that Japan's clout in the international community has been on the decline for several years, Prime Minister Naoto Kan's diplomatic competence is already being put to the test in his first trip abroad as prime minister. ここ数年、国際社会における日本の存在感の低下が指摘される中、菅首相は、初外遊で早くも外交手腕が試される。Addressing the global economy, which is being rocked by Greece's debt crisis, leaders of the G-8 major powers affirmed during their meeting the importance of tackling fiscal reconstruction while securing growth. Ｇ８では、ギリシャ危機で揺れる世界経済について、成長を確保しながら、財政再建に取り組む重要性を確認した。Kan explained and sought understanding for Japan's policy of increasing expenditures in the nursing and medical fields while pursuing economic growth and fiscal soundness. 菅首相は、介護や医療分野への支出を手厚くし、成長と財政健全化の両立を目指す方針を説明し、理解を求めた。After returning to Japan, Kan certainly will be pressed to give concrete form to measures, including the consumption tax rate hike, to reconstruct the country's economy and state finances. 帰国後は、消費税率引き上げを含め、経済と財政の立て直し策の具体化に迫られよう。The G-8 leaders also agreed Friday to pledge 5 billion dollars over the next five years to aid maternal and child health care in developing countries. Kan announced Japan would offer 500 million dollars in this sector. このほかＧ８首脳は、母子保健分野で、５年間に５０億ドルの途上国支援を行うことで合意した。菅首相も５億ドルの拠出を表明した。Japan possesses various types of know-how in providing medical assistance. The government should conduct finely tuned strategic aid diplomacy. 日本は、医療援助では様々なノウハウを持つ。メリハリある戦略的な援助外交を展開すべきだ。=== Stability vital to natl interests In the political arena, the March sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship was another focus of attention at the G-8. 政治分野では、韓国哨戒艦の沈没事件が焦点となっている。Maintaining peace and stability in areas surrounding Japan is directly linked to its national interests. To secure its say at the G-8 summit meetings and shepherd its assertions to reality, it is indispensable that Japan fulfill its role as a major power in the political and economic arenas. 日本周辺の平和と安定の維持はわが国の国益に直結する。日本がＧ８で発言権を確保し、自らの主張を実現するためには、政治、経済両面で主要国としての役割を果たすことが欠かせない。However, Japan's position in G-8 diplomacy has been extremely tenuous in recent years. Different prime ministers attended past G-8 summit meetings, with Shinzo Abe participating in 2007, Yasuo Fukuda in 2008 and Taro Aso last year. ところが、Ｇ８外交において、日本の立場は近年、極めて不安定だ。２００７年のサミットには安倍、０８年は福田、０９年は麻生と、出席する首相が毎回異なった。Every time the prime minister changes, the new premier has to rebuild relationships from scratch with his counterparts from each country. While summit diplomacy is becoming increasingly important, there is no way we can expect, under such circumstances, the prime minister to exercise leadership in diplomatic negotiations, such as with Russia over the northern territories dispute. 首相が交代するたびに、各国首脳との関係を一から築き直さなければならない。首脳外交の重みが増す中、これでは、ロシアとの北方領土問題などの外交交渉で指導力を発揮することは望めない。=== Kan must avoid Hatoyama rut Kan's diplomatic competence is unknown, although as finance minister, he attended the meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven major industrialized nations in February. 菅首相は、財務相として先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）などに出席したものの、外交面の力量は未知数である。Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama drove Japan-U.S. relations astray with his go-it-alone judgment and immature approach. 鳩山前首相は、独りよがりの判断と未熟な手法で、日米関係を迷走させてしまった。Kan said he would try to promote diplomacy based on pragmatism, but he needs to humbly give ear to the advice of his specialists to avoid following the same rut as his predecessor. 菅首相は、「現実主義を基調とした外交」を心がけるというが、前任者の轍(てつ)を踏まぬように、専門スタッフの助言にも謙虚に耳を傾けることが必要だろう。A problem besetting Japan's diplomacy is its declining budget for official development assistance, which has been an important card for years. 日本外交で問題なのは、長年の重要なカードである政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）予算の減少だ。The ODA this fiscal year dropped to nearly half the level of its peak in fiscal 1997. From its position at the top of world rankings for total assistance in 2000, Japan has remained in fifth place since 2007. Japan must stop its position from declining by boosting the assistance. 今年度は、ピークの１９９７年度の半分近くに落ち込んだ。援助実績（支出純額）も、００年の世界１位から下落し、０７年以降は５位にとどまっている。援助額を反転させ、日本の地位の低下に歯止めをかけなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 27, 2010) （2010年6月27日01時24分 読売新聞）
Jun 28, 2010
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Ｗ杯ベスト１６ 組織力生かしさらに上位を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 27, 2010)Teamwork is Japan's World Cup weaponＷ杯ベスト１６ 組織力生かしさらに上位を（6月26日付・読売社説）Japan's national soccer team has qualified for the knockout phase of the greatest international event in its sport. We applaud the excellent performance of the team. 世界最高峰の舞台で、ベスト１６に駒を進めた。日本代表チームの奮闘に拍手を送りたい。Defeating Denmark 3-1 in the first round of the soccer World Cup finals in South Africa, Japan has advanced to the top 16. This is our country's second time to qualify for the second round, following the 2002 World Cup finals jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. サッカーのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）南アフリカ大会で、日本はデンマークを３―１で下し、決勝トーナメントに進出した。２００２年の日韓大会以来、２度目のベスト１６である。In the first half of the game with Denmark, Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo each scored with superb free kicks. Shinji Okazaki also netted a decisive goal in the second half. 前半に本田圭佑選手、遠藤保仁選手が見事なフリーキックを決めた。後半には、岡崎慎司選手のゴールで突き放した。=== Players made us proud Seeing the Japanese players throw everything into defending against the Danes' fierce attacks, we were impressed with the national team's display of never-say-die spirit. As coach Takeshi Okada said, "I'm proud of these wonderful players." デンマークの猛攻を体を張って防ぐ日本の選手たちからは、「ここで敗退するわけにはいかない」という気迫が伝わってきた。岡田武史監督は、「素晴らしい選手たちを誇りに思う」と語った。The Danes' imposing physical stature and abilities seemed to put the Japanese at a disadvantage, but each player on the team fulfilled his particular role. Japan's victorious accession to the top 16 therefore should be attributed to its teamwork. 体格、パワーでは劣っても、選手一人一人が、自らの役割を確実に果たした。組織力でつかみ取ったベスト１６といえる。Japan's next game is with Paraguay on Tuesday. It surely will be a tough match, but we hope the team will exert all its strength to achieve a place in the top eight for the first time in history. 次戦は２９日、相手は南米のパラグアイだ。厳しい戦いとなるだろうが、日本の持ち味を存分に発揮し、初めてのベスト８入りを達成してもらいたい。Expectations for the Japan team were not so high before the current World Cup finals kicked off, but after it beat Cameroon in its first game, public interest suddenly soared. 大会前、日本代表への期待は、さほど高くはなかった。だが、初戦でカメルーンに勝つと、関心が一気に高まった感がある。The average rating for the live broadcast of the Denmark game from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday was 30.5 percent of households with televisions in the Kanto region, with the highest rating reaching 41.3 percent. These are surprising figures given the early-morning time slot. デンマーク戦が中継された２５日午前３～５時の関東地区の平均視聴率は３０・５％、瞬間最高視聴率は４１・３％に達した。時間帯を考えれば、驚くべき数値である。The second round is a knockout phase--losing just one game will eliminate a team. The voltage of excitement among fans is therefore certain to be crackling at an even higher level. 決勝トーナメントは、負ければ終わりという一発勝負だ。それだけに、応援のボルテージも一層、上がるに違いない。=== Asian teams ascendant South Korea also has qualified to play in the top-16 second round. Unless teams from Asia perform well, the number of spots for the region may be reduced in the next World Cup finals. In this sense, too, it is good news that both Japan and South Korea have advanced to the second round. 韓国もベスト１６に勝ち上がった。アジア勢が振るわなければ、次回大会のアジアの出場枠が減らされる懸念がある。その意味でも、日韓両国の決勝トーナメント進出は朗報といえるだろう。Two unexpected developments were the exits of Italy and France, the champion and the runner-up, respectively, in the previous World Cup finals in 2006. Other leading European teams also have had tough games. 意外だったのは、前回大会優勝のイタリア、準優勝のフランスがともに敗退したことだ。それ以外の欧州の強豪国も、苦戦を強いられている。Many players on South American, African and Asian teams have played in the European leagues. These players improved their skills in Europe and now are threatening European teams in the World Cup. 今大会に出場している南米やアフリカ、アジアの選手の多くが、普段は欧州のリーグでプレーしている。欧州で技を磨いた選手たちが、国別対抗のＷ杯では、欧州各国の難敵として立ちはだかっているというわけだ。South American teams, such as Brazil and Argentina, have so far performed well. Having seen the excellent individual skills of players on these teams, which the Japan players lack, we are impressed with the differences in playing styles. ブラジルやアルゼンチンなど南米勢は好調だ。日本のサッカーにはない見事な個人技を見ると、サッカーのスタイルの違いを実感させられる。With half of the 32 original teams eliminated, the best part of the World Cup finals now begins. We are even more excited to watch the fierce battles that will be fought to reach the world's top place. 大会は折り返し点から佳境に入る。世界の頂点を目指すぶつかり合いが、ますます楽しみだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 26, 2010) （2010年6月26日01時08分 読売新聞）
Jun 27, 2010
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参院選公示 政治と経済立て直しの契機に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 26, 2010)Election chance to put politics, economy in order参院選公示 政治と経済立て直しの契機に（6月25日付・読売社説）Many people must feel that this country's backbone is in danger of splintering. 国の屋台骨が傾きかけている。そう感じる人は少なくないだろう。The Democratic Party of Japan-led government, which replaced the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito last autumn, has brought major confusion to the political arena, rather than ushering in a new era of politics. 昨秋、政権交代を果たした民主党政権は、政治を変えるどころか大混乱を招いてきた。The economy has been mired in deflation; glimmers of hope are few and far between. 日本経済もデフレに足をとられ、なかなか明るい展望を見いだすことができない。Official campaigning for the House of Councillors election kicked off after it was officially announced Thursday. ２４日、参院選が公示された。We hope each political party will present practical "prescriptions" that can cure the ills afflicting this nation, including policies that can get the economy back on its feet and diplomatic and security policies for restructuring the Japan-U.S. alliance. 各政党は有権者の不安を払拭するためにも、景気を着実に回復させる経済政策や、日米同盟再構築に向けた外交・安保政策で明確な処方箋を示してもらいたい。=== Weighing pledges ◆公約の真贋を見極めて◆Nine political parties have selected candidates in the election. The July 11 poll has become a real scramble for votes. Voters should carefully examine each party's campaign pledges to determine whether they are realistic, and its candidates to see if they are trustworthy. 選挙は、９政党が名乗りを上げ、混戦模様だ。有権者は、各党が掲げた公約や擁立した候補者が本物なのか、その真贋を、しっかり見極めてほしい。Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama lost the confidence of the public after being tarred by a money and politics scandal. He also severely strained this country's relations with the United States over the relocation of the U.S. military's Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. As a result, he was forced to step down just over eight months after he assumed the premiership. He was replaced by Naoto Kan. 鳩山前首相は、「政治とカネ」の問題で国民の信頼を失い、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では対米関係を大きく傷つけた。その結果、首相に就任してから８か月余りで退陣に追い込まれ、代わって菅首相が登場した。The candidates should first discuss what the two DPJ-led cabinets achieved and how they handled the responsibility of being in government. 今回の選挙でまず俎上にのせるべきは、民主党内閣の実績や政権運営のあり方だろう。The DPJ has been forced to revise the child-allowance program that headlined its manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election. Payments only started this month, but the lack of a revenue source has made the allowance untenable. Despite this, the DPJ has made no attempt to review and reflect on this and its other dole-out measures. 昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）でうたわれた子ども手当などは、財源不足から、早速見直しを迫られている。とはいえ、これらバラマキ政策については、何の総括もなされていない。===
Jun 26, 2010
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所得税論議 最高税率引き上げは問題多い
昔からこの構図は変りません。年収１０００万円以上の所得者による納税額の全体の納税額に対する割合（金額ベース）は極めて高かったのです。早期退職を決断したひとつの原因でもあります。国が危機的な状態にある現在、累進課税の強化、課税最低限度額の引き下げ、両面から進めなければこの危機を脱出することはできないでしょう。新聞社は高額所得者の利権を守るための教宣をやめて欲しい。利害がからむ複雑な問題です。当事者にならないと痛みは理解できないでしょう。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 25, 2010)Don't be hasty to raise top income tax rate所得税論議 最高税率引き上げは問題多い（6月24日付・読売社説）An expert panel of the government's Tax Commission has drawn up a list of points of contention on tax system reform in an interim report it submitted to the commission. 政府税制調査会の専門家委員会が論点整理の形で、税制改革の方向性を打ち出した。With the nation's perilous fiscal situation in mind, the panel spelled out the importance of harnessing consumption tax as a stable revenue source to cover rising social security costs. 危機的な財政事情を念頭に、社会保障の安定財源として消費税の重要性を強調している。We think this is a reasonable suggestion. 極めて妥当な指摘だ。However, we take issue with the panel's emphasis on reinforcing the progressive structure as part of this country's income tax system reform. Under the structure, an increase in individuals' income will catapult them into higher tax brackets. 反面、所得税改革に関し、所得が増えるほど税率が高くなる累進構造の強化に力点を置いているのは問題だ。Prime Minister Naoto Kan has spoken publicly about the need to hike the consumption tax rate in the future. Kan seems to be trying to convince the public of the worthiness of taxing high-income earners more since a consumption tax hike would increase the financial burden shouldered by Joe Blow. 菅首相が言及する将来の消費税率引き上げでは、一般国民の負担が増すため、高所得層への所得課税強化で、一定の理解を得ようとする狙いが読み取れる。=== Missing the point Indeed, some observers have pointed out that the consumption tax is regressive, which means the burden is relatively higher for low-income earners. 確かに消費税には、低所得層ほど税負担が相対的に高まる「逆進性」が指摘されている。But that does not mean progressive tax rates for income tax should be raised. The panel is completely missing the point. だからと言って、累進税率の強化につなげて考えるのは筋違いだ。Consumption tax should be made less regressive by, for instance, reducing the tax rate on daily necessities. 消費税の逆進性の解消は、生活必需品への軽減税率導入などで対応すべき問題である。Income tax revenue for fiscal 2009 is expected to dip below 13 trillion yen for the first time in 27 years, about half of the peak figure. 所得税は、２００９年度の税収が２７年ぶりに１３兆円を割り込み、ピーク時のほぼ半分になる。Currently, the burden rate of income taxation for individuals in Japan against national income is about 7 percent. The rate is 10 percent or higher in the United States and major European countries. It is a fact that income tax's role as the nation's core taxation has been eroded. 国民所得と対比した日本の個人所得課税の負担率は７％にとどまる。１０％以上の欧米を下回り、基幹税としての役割が低下しているのは事実である。However, even if the progressive tax structure is fortified, the number of high-income earners who will pay the higher tax rates will not change. Therefore, any increase in income tax revenue growth will be marginal as a proportion of the nation's entire tax revenue. しかし、累進構造を強めたとしても、負担する高所得層の数は限られるため、国の税収全体から見て、増収分はわずかなものだ。The maximum tax rate imposed on individual income--through a combination of income tax and resident tax--was 88 percent in the 1980s. 所得税と住民税を合わせた個人所得課税の最高税率は、１９８０年代には８８％に達していた。Many people complained they lost their motivation to work because of this high rate. In response, the government cut the maximum rate to keep pace with tax system reform implemented in the United States and Britain. 「こんなに税金が高いと働く意欲がなくなる」。そんな声に押されて、米国や英国の税制改革に歩調を合わせるように日本でも最高税率が引き下げられた。The highest tax rate for income tax, with national and regional taxes combined, is now 50 percent. However, it still tops the 47.6 percent for New York City and 48 percent in France. 現在は５０％だが、それでも米ニューヨーク市の４７・６％、フランスの４８％などを上回っている。=== Lower taxable income level We think the government should instead be cutting the lowest taxable income threshold for individuals. むしろ、今考えるべきは、課税最低限の引き下げだ。Japan's lowest taxable annual income is about 3.25 million yen for a standard household consisting of a married couple with two children. This is quite high by international standards. Many people end up not having to pay tax. 日本の課税最低限は標準世帯で年収約３２５万円である。国際水準に比べてかなり高く、それだけ多くの人が税金を納めていないことになる。If tax deductions are cut back, the lowest taxable income can also be reduced. Consequently, more income earners will be asked to pay more tax. This is inevitable if we consider a basic tenet of taxation--a wide proportion of the nation's people should bear the burden thinly. 各種の控除を縮小すれば最低限が下がり、より幅広い層に税負担を求めることになるが、国民が広く薄く負担するという税の原点からみてやむを得まい。The expert panel said fortifying the progressive structure of income taxation was important because the tax system's income redistribution function has been crippled, generating widening disparities among the people. 専門家委員会は、累進構造を強化する理由として、税の所得再分配機能が衰え格差の拡大を招いたこともあげている。However, going too far in progressive taxation would be nothing but a prime example of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's populist agenda. Before thinking about income redistribution, improving social security measures such as pension, medical care and nursing care programs should come first. だが、行き過ぎた累進強化は大衆迎合路線そのものだ。所得再分配を考えるなら、年金や医療、介護といった社会保障政策の充実が先決である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 24, 2010) （2010年6月24日01時07分 読売新聞）
Jun 25, 2010
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風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男
(Mainichi Japan) June 23, 2010Taking a deeper look at Kan's realism風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男Prime Minister Naoto Kan's naming of his new Cabinet as the "Kihei-tai Cabinet" (Irregular Militia Cabinet) still doesn't sit right. 「奇兵隊内閣」という命名、いまだ釈然としない。The Kiheitai was a militia formed in the Choshu domain (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, standing in opposition to the shogunate.奇兵隊は幕末史に登場する長州（山口県）の討幕ゲリラだが、知らない人の方が多いだろう。Many people have probably never heard of this militia, and the meaning of "Kihei-tai" in reference to Kan's Cabinet doesn't come across clearly -- to the man on the street, its significance is lost. 意味が伝わらない。民衆に届かない。半端なキャッチフレーズに菅直人首相の準備不足と迷いが表れている。The adoption of such an odd name is a reflection of the prime minister's lack of preparation and direction. By referring to his Cabinet as a "Kihei-tai," does Kan plan to keep up with the idea of destroying the system? 奇兵隊を名乗るからには、これからも体制の破壊を続けるつもりなのか？－－。In a question directed at Kan on June 15, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Yoshimasa Hayashi, who is from Yamaguchi Prefecture, asked, "Are you a destroyer or a creator?" to which Kan replied, "Both."菅を問い詰めたのは山口県選出の自民党参院議員、林芳正である。１５日の代表質問で「あなたは破壊者か、創造者か」と攻め、菅は「両方だ」と答えた。During the question session, Hayashi made reference to the historical work "Yoshida Shoin," by the great pre-war journalist Soho Tokutomi, explaining, "For a revolution, three types of people are needed: thinkers, destroyers and creators." 林は質問のなかで、戦前の大ジャーナリスト・徳富蘇峰の史論「吉田松陰」を引き、「革命には思想家、破壊者、創造者という３種類の人間が必要だ」と解説してみせた。Looking at Soho's original work, we see that the "creator" is a "constructive revolutionary." In giving an example, the journalist listed Cromwell, Napoleon, and Toshimichi Okubo, and noted that the reason they were successful in the final phase of their revolutions was that they were people who looked beyond ideals to the actual situation. 蘇峰の原著を見ると、「創造者」は「建設的革命家」となっている。例として蘇峰はクロムウェル、ナポレオン、大久保利通らを挙げ、彼らが革命の最終局面で活躍するのは、「理想の外に実際を見」る人々だからだと言っている。Looking beyond ideals to the actual situation probably means being a realist with a well-balanced feel for the situation. 理想の外に実際を見る、とはバランス感覚に富むリアリストということだろう。Kan is a realist, which both the prime minister himself and others acknowledge. Amid the upheaval brought about by political realignment, he has chosen, as a party leader, to place priority on survival. His dry yet flexible approach that is not necessarily bound by ideals, duty or obligations comprises the basis of others' assessments of Kan's character. 菅は自他ともに認めるリアリストである。政界再編の激動のなかで、政党の指導者としてサバイバルを優先してきた。必ずしも理念や義理人情に縛られないドライな柔軟さが人物評の根拠になっている。This approach is evident in his relationship with labor unions. Kan comes from a background of citizen campaigning, and during his time in the Socialist Democratic Federation and New Party Sakigake, he was consistently critical of politics that relied on labor unions. However, that changed when he formed the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and teamed up with lawmakers from the former Social Democratic Party and Democratic Socialist Party. He placed priority on solidifying his base of support and started making an effort to cooperate with labor unions. 早い話が労働組合との関係だ。菅は市民運動出身であり、社民連、さきがけ時代を通じて労組依存の政治に批判的だった。それが、民主党を結成し、旧社会党系、旧民社党系の議員と合流して変わった。支持基盤の維持を優先し、労組との協調に努めるようになった。Kan's approach when it comes to former DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa is even drier. The two didn't get on well to begin with, and Kan didn't hesitate to criticize Ozawa. But in the autumn of 2003, as leader of the DPJ, Kan decided to merge his party with the Liberal Party led by Ozawa. After that, he was cautious not to quickly join in criticism of Ozawa that was smoldering within the DPJ, and solidified his chances of succeeding former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. 小沢一郎前幹事長との関係はさらにドライだ。もともと肌が合わず、小沢批判をためらわなかった。ところが０３年秋、民主党代表として小沢自由党との合併を決断。以後、党内にくすぶった小沢批判にも簡単には乗らぬ慎重さで「ポスト鳩山」の地位を固めた。Kan's realism has also been displayed in his policies. In the book "90 Nendai no Shogen/Kan Naoto" (Testimonies of the 1990s -- Naoto Kan), published by Asahi Shimbun Publications in 2008, reference is made to Seiji Maehara, a particularly hawkish figure in the field of diplomacy within the DPJ. Kan is asked, "You're not as much of a realist as Maehara in diplomacy are you?" to which he responds, "Well actually, from my point of view, Maehara is more fundamentalist than pragmatic. I'm much more of a realist." 菅の現実主義は政策面にも表れている。前原誠司（国土交通相）といえば民主党きっての外交タカ派だが、菅は「外交では前原さんほど現実主義的ではないでしょう」と聞かれ、こう答えたことがある。 「いや、私に言わせれば前原君は現実的というより原理主義的です。私なんかの方がよっぽど現実主義的なんです」（「９０年代の証言／菅直人」０８年朝日新聞出版）In his policy speech at the Diet and during a party leaders' question session, Kan stressed that he would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the policy of an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance" promoted by Hatoyama's administration vanished. 国会の所信表明演説と代表質問を通じて菅は「日米同盟の深化」を訴え、鳩山政権の「対等な日米同盟」は消えた。Kan also suggested raising the consumption tax to 10 percent, "using an LDP proposal as a reference" -- in other words a policy no different from that of the LDP.消費税は「自民党案を参考に」１０％にするという。要するに自民党と変わらない。I would like to laud this as the behavior of a realist, but when we've come this far the question arises: What exactly is realism? さすがはリアリストだと言いたいが、ここまでくると、現実主義とは何かという疑問がせり上がってくる。The "Kojien" dictionary's definition of "realism" (genjitsu-shugi) translates as follows: "the attitude of handling affairs based on reality without adhering to a doctrine or ideals. There are times when the attitude of yielding to an established fact before one's eyes or opportunism has the same meaning." 広辞苑で「現実主義」を引くと、こう書いてある。「主義や理想にこだわらず現実に即して事を処理する態度。目前の既成事実に屈服する態度や日和見主義と同じ意味になる場合がある」。なるほど。So what is Kan's realism? Is it realism on the same scale as that used during the early years of the Meiji Period by Toshimichi Okubo, who observed the U.S. and Europe and decided to focus on internal affairs? Or is it the realism of the art of survival by the Kihei-tai of Japan's political center of Nagatacho -- suppressing Ozawa's group within the party for the time being and beating the LDP? That's the issue at stake. (By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer) 菅の現実主義とは何か。明治初年、大久保利通が米欧を見て内治優先を決断したというようなスケールでの現実主義なのか。当面、小沢グループを抑え込み、自民党をやっつけようという永田町奇兵隊のサバイバル戦術としての現実主義なのか。そこが問題だ。（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）毎日新聞 2010年6月21日 東京朝刊
Jun 24, 2010
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イルカ漁映画 問題あっても妨害は許されぬ
Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of BBS postings by an administrator, through deleting some postings cannot be allowed. 言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。BBS管理者による投稿の削除などでBBSの閲覧を妨害することは許されない。Whatever the content of the postings, the free expression that is a BBS should be respected as much as possible, as long as a postings are not offensive to public order and morality. ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限りBBSでの投稿という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。タイのバンコク週報への投稿や個人が運営しているBBSへの投稿で苦い経験をさせられています。(スラチャイ）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 23, 2010)Don't block a movie for being problematicイルカ漁映画 問題あっても妨害は許されぬ（6月22日付・読売社説）Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of the screening of a movie, through intimidating protests or other means, cannot be allowed. 言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。威圧的な抗議活動などで映画の上映を妨害することは許されない。Some showings in this country of "The Cove," a critical portrayal of the dolphin fishing of Taijicho, Wakayama Prefecture, have been canceled. Three theaters in Tokyo and Osaka that had been scheduled to show the film announced in early June they would not. 和歌山県太地町のイルカ漁を批判的に描いた米国のドキュメンタリー映画「ザ・コーヴ」の国内上映が、一部で中止に追い込まれた問題である。They did so because an organization that believes the movie is anti-Japan warned the theaters it would take such actions as holding street protests using loudspeakers. 上映を予定していた東京、大阪の３館が今月初めに、相次いで断念を発表した。The organization did make repeated protests in front of the home of the president of the movie's domestic distributor, and in front of the distributor's office, provoking turmoil. 映画の内容が反日的だと批判する団体が、映画館に街宣活動を行うなどと予告したためだ。映画の配給元の社長宅や事務所に対しては、実際に抗議活動が繰り返され、混乱を引き起こしていた。The operators of the theaters apparently feared that showing the film would cause trouble for audiences and people living nearby. 映画館は、観客や近隣に迷惑がかかることを懸念したようだ。===
Jun 23, 2010
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成長戦略決定 「絵空事」に終わらせるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 22, 2010)Growth strategy needs more substance成長戦略決定 「絵空事」に終わらせるな（6月21日付・読売社説）The government has drawn up its new growth strategy. However, uncertainties remain over whether this strategy can achieve the anticipated economic growth by effectively tapping the vigor of private businesses. 民間企業の活力をうまく引き出して、期待通りの経済成長を実現できるかどうか、未知数の部分も多い。The strategy is aimed at galvanizing seven fields, such as environment/energy and health, while accelerating moves to help the economy break free from deflation. It contains 21 measures for promoting what have been touted as national strategy projects to establish a strong economy. 政府が決定した新成長戦略は、デフレからの脱却を急ぎつつ、環境・エネルギーや健康など戦略７分野をテコ入れする。国家戦略プロジェクトと銘打った２１の施策を進めて、「強い経済」の実現を図るという。Implementing these measures, the government calculates, will create more than 120 trillion yen in new demand and about 5 million jobs. This would generate average yearly economic growth of more than 2 percent in real terms and more than 3 percent in nominal terms in the decade to come. その結果、１２０兆円を超える新規需要と、約５００万人の雇用が生まれ、今後１０年の経済成長率は、実質で平均２％超、名目では３％超になると見込んでいる。The strategy contains some measures likely to be effective. But there is a question over whether it can bring about the sort of drastic impact the government is banking on. The government should prioritize the measures and enhance their efficacy. 有効と思われる内容もあるが、果たしてこれほど劇的な効果が上がるかどうかは疑問だ。施策の重点化など、さらに実効性を高める工夫が求められよう。Many of the measures are intended to back up corporate activity and boost the vigor of the private sector. 成長戦略には、企業活動を後押しして、民間活力を高める施策が多く盛り込まれた。=== Boost corporate activity One pillar of the strategy is to lower the effective corporate tax rate gradually from the current 40 percent or so to 30 percent or about 25 percent--the same level as in many other industrialized nations. This will reinforce the international competitiveness of Japanese firms. 約４０％の法人税実効税率を、３０％から２０％台半ばにあたる「主要国並み」まで、段階的に引き下げるとした。日本企業の競争力強化に役立つだろう。The strategy calls for establishing a special committee representing both the private and public sectors to promote sales of social infrastructure projects in Asia, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet train networks. If successful, the plan will bring in orders for huge infrastructure projects in the region. アジアへ原子力発電所や新幹線など社会基盤（インフラ）を積極的に売り込むため、官民共同で専門委員会を設ける構想もある。うまくいけば、巨額のインフラ投資の受注が期待できる。However, the strategy is not without shortcomings. The practicality of some measures is debatable, such as the project to build an environmentally friendly futuristic city. Since the strategy is making plans for 10 years from now, it contains many rough and vague plans. These plans must be fleshed out in the years to come. 一方で、環境未来都市の整備など、実現できるかどうか疑問符のつくメニューも並んだ。１０年先を目指した戦略だけに、内容が大ざっぱで、雲をつかむような構想もある。今後、肉付けが必要だ。There are concerns about whether measures to revive forests and forestry will include simple handouts. We want the government to reexamine whether these measures are suitable for inclusion in its growth strategy. 「森林・林業再生プラン」などは、ばらまき的な施策が紛れ込まないか心配だ。成長戦略として適切かどうか再点検してほしい。=== Devil's in the (lack of) details An overall problem is that the strategy lacked precise figures for the fiscal spending and costs that will be needed to carry out the measures, although it projected concrete figures--such as the demand that will be created--for the fruit of the measures. 全体の問題として、需要創出など効果の数字は出したのに、必要な財政支出などコストを示していない点を指摘しておきたい。Unless details are spelled out about how to fund these projects at a time when the state finances are in dire straits, none of the plans will get off the ground. A close eye will need to be kept on whether each measure has an effect commensurate with its cost. 厳しい財政の中、費用をどう工面するのか詰めないと、せっかくのプランも絵空事になる。コストの割に成果が乏しくないかなど、監視の継続も重要である。Another matter of concern is the lack of clarity on how the measures will be carried out. Previous strategies were beset by failures due to conflicts of authority between government ministries involved in the projects. It is necessary to speed up efforts to establish a system that can promote several measures comprehensively and simultaneously. 実施体制のあいまいさも気がかりだ。過去の成長戦略は、府省の権限争いなどで失敗続きだった。複数の政策を総合的に推進する体制の整備を急がねばならない。The Democratic Party of Japan-led government calls for banning in principle the dispatch of temporary workers to the manufacturing industry and reducing greenhouse gases by 25 percent--measures that could adversely affect corporate activity. These steps do not wash with its new growth strategy designed to help businesses. 成長戦略の一方で、民主党政権が製造業派遣の原則禁止や、温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動にマイナスになる政策を続けるのは整合性を欠いている。The government should drop its adherence to its campaign pledges for last year's general election and instead devote itself to reviving the economy before all else. マニフェスト（政権公約）へのこだわりを捨て、経済優先の姿勢に徹するべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2010) （2010年6月21日01時41分 読売新聞）
Jun 22, 2010
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消費税公約 引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 21, 2010)Parties must stress need for consumption tax hike消費税公約 引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ（6月20日付・読売社説）Ahead of the official announcement of the House of Councillors election on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party recently hammered out drastic tax reform proposals, including raising the consumption tax rate. 今月２４日公示の参院選に向け、民主、自民両党が消費税率の引き上げを含む税制の抜本改革を打ち出した。It is the wish of many people to rehabilitate this country's state finances, the worst among leading industrialized nations, and make the social security system sustainable. To this end, a consumption tax hike is obviously unavoidable. 先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直し、社会保障制度を持続可能なものにすることが、多くの国民の願いだろう。それには、消費税率引き上げが避けて通れないことは明らかだ。It is the responsibility of politicians to try to convince the public of the need for a tax increase, even if it is painful. We hope to see the matter actively debated during the upcoming upper house election campaign. 国民に痛みを伴う増税であっても、必要性を堂々と訴えることが政治の責任である。選挙戦での活発な論争を期待したい。 ◆選挙戦術では困る◆At a press conference during which Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the DPJ's campaign pledges, he referred to the consumption tax and said he would try to come up with an appropriate tax rate and tax reform proposals within the current fiscal year. 菅首相は参院選公約を発表した記者会見で、消費税について「２０１０年度内にあるべき税率や改革案の取りまとめを目指したい」と語った。As for the consumption tax rate, Kan also said that he would use as reference the main opposition LDP's proposal of raising it to 10 percent from the current 5 percent. Kan's comment is a significant change from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy of making the issue of a consumption tax hike a no-go area. 税率は、自民党が提案している１０％への引き上げを参考にする考えを表明した。消費税の増税を封印してきた鳩山前首相の方針を、大きく転換するものだ。The consumption tax rate, which was introduced in 1989 at 3 percent, was raised to 5 percent in 1997. Since then, past administrations have not squarely addressed the consumption tax issue. Kan should be praised for announcing a policy of raising the consumption tax rate this time. １９８９年に３％で導入された消費税は、９７年に５％に引き上げられた。以来、歴代政権は消費税問題に正面から取り組んでこなかった。今回、菅首相が税率引き上げの方針を示したことは、評価してよい。At the press conference, Kan also expressed his intention to seek the people's mandate on the issue in the House of Representatives election before implementing a tax increase. However, an ideal opportunity could be lost if Kan takes things slowly. ただ、首相は記者会見で、増税前に衆院選で信を問う意向も示した。こんな悠長な構えでは、せっかくの機運が失われかねない。=== DPJ talk political posturing Some DPJ members have said that if the DPJ proposes raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent as the LDP has done, the issue would not be a point of contention in the upper house election. This is, however, nothing but conventional election posturing. 民主党には、「税率を自民党の主張と同じ１０％にすれば参院選の争点にはならない」との思惑もあるという。これでは、従来型の選挙戦術と同じだ。Kan's policy was met by a backlash within the DPJ. He should speed up intraparty discussions and establish his party's basic policy on the issue. 首相の方針に対しては党内から反発も出ている。首相は党内論議を急ぎ、党としての基本的な考え方を固めるべきだ。 ◆財政再建は待ったなし◆The nation's debt-laden finances are in a critical situation due to the Hatoyama administration's dole-out policies that stuck to the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election last summer, in addition to lavish economic stimulus measures after the bursting of the economic bubble. バブル崩壊後の景気対策の大盤振る舞いに、鳩山政権の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）にこだわったバラマキ政策が加わり、わが国の財政は「借金漬け」の危機的な状況に陥っている。It is estimated that cumulative long-term debts at the central and local governments will rise to 860 trillion yen as of the end of the current fiscal year--1.8 times the country's gross domestic product. 国と地方の長期債務残高は、今年度末に８６０兆円と国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍に膨らむ見込みだ。The fiscal 2010 budget is abnormal, with tax revenues falling to about 37 trillion yen, lower than the new government bond issuance, which has swollen to 44 trillion yen. １０年度予算は、税収が３７兆円余りに落ち込み、４４兆円に膨らんだ新規国債発行額を下回る異常な事態である。Due to the country's graying population, social security costs, which currently total more than 20 trillion yen a year, will increase by 1 trillion yen every year. 高齢化の進展で年間２０兆円超の社会保障費は、毎年１兆円ずつ自然に増える。In fiscal 2009, the government's share of contributions to the basic pension payments was raised to 50 percent from one-third. However, increased contributions are provisionally funded by surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," and a permanent revenue source of 2.5 trillion yen will be necessary in fiscal 2011 and thereafter. ０９年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げたが、これは、いわゆる埋蔵金で暫定的に賄っており、１１年度以降、新たに２・５兆円という恒久財源も必要となる。"Integrated economic, fiscal and social security reforms," as touted by the Kan Cabinet, can only be achieved with stable revenue sources. 菅内閣が掲げる「経済・財政・社会保障の一体改革」を成し遂げるには、安定した財源があってこそである。
Jun 20, 2010
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安保改定５０年 日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 20, 2010)Talks needed to boost Japan-U.S. alliance安保改定５０年 日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を（6月19日付・読売社説）Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the automatic ratification of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty--without the approval of the House of Councillors--amid demonstrators surrounding the Diet building. デモ隊が国会議事堂を取り囲む混乱の中、新しい日米安全保障条約が自然承認されてから、１９日で５０年を迎えた。There is no question that the Japan-U.S. alliance has played an important role in ensuring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Japan and the rest of Asia during the past half century. この間、日本とアジアが平和と安定を確保し、経済的な繁栄を享受してきたことに、日米同盟が重要な役割を果たしてきたことは論をまたない。Setting aside the way the revised treaty was approved by the Diet, the political decision of the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi to revise the treaty and maintain the bilateral alliance was correct. 安保条約の国会承認の手法はともかく、安保条約を改定し、日米同盟を堅持するという当時の岸内閣の政治的判断は誤っていなかったと言えよう。 「６０年安保」は、国際的には東西冷戦、国内では保革対決の時代だった。戦後復興から高度成長期に入る直前で、多くの国民には悲惨な戦争体験の記憶が残る中、国論は大きく割れた。The conflicts surrounding the 1960 security treaty mirrored the Cold War between the East and West abroad and a showdown between conservatives and reformists at home. At that time, this country was completing its postwar reconstruction and entering a period of high economic growth. Public opinion was split over the revised security treaty, with memories of tragic war experiences still fresh in many people's minds. === Govt appeals to public ◆条約改定は正しかった◆The government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which were promoting revision of the security treaty, appealed to the public by promising to correct inequalities of the original security treaty signed in 1951 and clarify the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. A group opposing revision, including the Japan Socialist Party, insisted the pact be abolished, saying it would make it easier for Japan to become embroiled in a war. 政府・自民党など条約改定推進派は、１９５１年の旧安保条約の不平等性を是正し、米国の日本防衛義務を明確化すると訴えた。社会党など反対派は、「日本が戦争に巻きこまれやすくなる」などと条約破棄を主張していた。Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, spent a huge amount of political energy on the issue. After the LDP steamrolled a bill to ratify the revised security treaty through the House of Representatives on May 19-20, 1960, large-scale demonstrations against the security treaty took place. 与野党の国会議員から一般国民まで多大な政治的エネルギーが費やされた。５月１９～２０日の自民党の強行採決による条約批准案の衆院通過を受けて、抗議デモ・集会が大規模化していく。In mid-June of the year, Michiko Kanba, a 22-year-old University of Tokyo student, was crushed to death during a clash between demonstrators and riot police, and a planned visit to Japan by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was canceled. The Yomiuri Shimbun and six other Tokyo-based newspaper companies issued a joint appeal to the demonstrators that said, "Abandon violence and protect parliamentarism." ６月中旬には、東大生・樺美智子さんが圧死し、アイゼンハワー大統領の来日が中止となった。読売新聞など在京新聞７社が「暴力を排し議会主義を守れ」と題する異例の共同宣言を発表した。Kishi announced his resignation right after the security treaty went into effect on June 23, 1960. 岸首相は、６月２３日の条約発効の直後に退陣を表明した。The Japan-U.S. alliance, which was born after many difficulties were overcome, effectively staved off the military threat posed by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. 多くの困難を経て生まれた日米同盟は冷戦中、旧ソ連の軍事的脅威への有効な歯止めとなった。In the post-Cold War period, the bilateral alliance functioned as a deterrent to new threats from regional conflicts, including that on the Korean Peninsula, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. By redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan and the United States came to regard their alliance as a kind of public asset to bolster the stability of Asia-Pacific region. 冷戦後も、朝鮮半島などの地域対立や大量破壊兵器、テロなど新たな脅威の抑止力として機能した。「安保再定義」により、日米同盟はアジア・太平洋の安定を支える「公共財」と位置づけられた。The Japanese and U.S. governments later reviewed the Guideline for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, increasing the effectiveness of the bilateral alliance. 日米防衛協力指針も見直され、同盟の実効性が高まった。=== Reconsidering relationship South Korea and Southeast Asian nations were now seriously concerned about the deterioration in the Japan-U.S. relationship caused by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's poor diplomacy--evidence that other Asian nations also perceive the Japan-U.S. alliance as a public asset. 鳩山前首相のお粗末な外交による日米関係の悪化を、韓国や東南アジア各国が本気で懸念していたのは、日米同盟を「公共財」とみなしている証左でもある。Ironically, Hatoyama's words and deeds, which could have been interpreted as distancing Japan from the United States gave many people a good opportunity to reconsider the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is vital for us to think about how to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance based on history and past developments in the relationship between the two countries. 前首相の「離米」ともとれる言動は皮肉にも、多くの国民が日米関係を再考する機会となった。過去の歴史と経緯を踏まえ、この先、同盟をどう深化、発展させるかを考えることが肝要だろう。
Jun 20, 2010
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参院選公約 民主党の現実路線は本物か
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 19, 2010)Has DPJ really taken realistic turn?参院選公約 民主党の現実路線は本物か（6月18日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties have announced their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11. 民主、自民など各政党が、７月１１日投開票の参院選の公約を相次いで発表した。A number of issues require deep discussion before the election--not least whether the consumption tax rate should be raised. We hope every party will discuss their policies with gusto. 消費税論議をはじめ、掘り下げるべき論点は数多い。各党とも、活発な政策論議を展開してほしい。The DPJ manifesto for the upper house poll has a healthier dose of realism than the pledges it made for last year's House of Representatives election. 民主党の公約は、昨年の衆院選の政権公約に比べ、現実路線に大きく舵(かじ)を切った。However, doubts linger over whether the new DPJ manifesto is merely a political gesture intended to draw votes, or if it is a genuine change of direction based firmly on realistic calculations. 単なる選挙向けのポーズでなく、地に足のついたものかどうかが問われよう。On restoring fiscal health, the DPJ has a goal of achieving a primary balance surplus in the budget 10 years from now. To achieve this objective, the manifesto stipulates the party will start a suprapartisan debate on drastic tax reform--including consumption tax. 財政健全化については、１０年後に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標を掲げ、そのために「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革」の超党派協議を開始すると明記した。=== Clarify tax reform picture The LDP manifesto says the consumption tax rate should be raised to 10 percent for the time being. The main opposition party came up with this figure based on the costs needed to finance social security. 自民党は公約で、社会保障分野で要する費用を根拠として示したうえで、消費税率の「当面１０％」引き上げを掲げた。At a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "We'll use the 10 percent proposal contained in the LDP pledges as one reference." As long as the DPJ is calling for suprapartisan debate on tax reform, the party should clarify the whole picture of this reform and what this would entail. 菅首相は記者会見で、「自民党公約の１０％を参考にしたい」と述べた。超党派協議を呼び掛ける以上、民主党としての税制改革の全体像を明確にすべきである。In its latest manifesto, the DPJ erased the "monthly amount of 26 yen,000" for the child allowance it pledged in last year's manifesto. Instead, the 2010 manifesto says the party will provide "something additional" to the 13,000 yen currently handed out each month. The DPJ has given up trying to provide the promised amount because there is not enough money to fund it--although last year the party insisted the cash would be found. 民主党は、衆院選公約で示した子ども手当の「月額２万６０００円」支給を削除し、現支給額の月額１万３０００円に「上乗せする」と改めた。財源のめどが立たず、満額支給を断念したものだ。However, the party has retained dole-out measures such as income support for farming households and a plan to abolish expressway tolls. We think the DPJ should review these measures, too. しかし、高速道路無料化や農家への戸別所得補償制度など、バラマキ型の施策は、依然として残されている。これらについても、さらなる見直しが必要だろう。In diplomatic and security fields, the party dropped the expression "move in the direction of reexamining" the role of U.S. military bases in Japan. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the party vows to "do its utmost to lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burden based on the Japan-U.S. agreement." 外交・安全保障分野でも、在日米軍基地について「見直しの方向で臨む」との表現を削除し、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、「日米合意に基づいて、沖縄の負担軽減に全力を尽くす」とした。Last year, the DPJ did not mention China's steady military expansion. This time, however, the manifesto calls for China to be more transparent in its national defense policy. 衆院選の公約では触れなかった中国の軍拡への懸念にも、「透明性を求める」と言及した。=== Omitting inconveniences It is only natural that the ruling party has shifted its stance after taking into consideration the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan's security environment. 日米同盟の重要性や、わが国の置かれた安全保障環境を踏まえての路線転換は、政権政党として当然のことである。Notable in the latest DPJ manifesto is the omission of a time schedule for each policy measure in each fiscal year. Last year's manifesto included such information. Similarly, the party did not provide a booklet of policy details; until last year, the party printed such a booklet to go with its pledges for each national election. 今回の民主党の公約で特徴的なのは、衆院選公約で示した年度ごとの政策工程表が省かれている点だ。公約に合わせて必ず発表してきた「政策集」もない。We assume the DPJ left these items out because it does not want voters to later go back and check which policies the party abandoned or revised. どの政策を断念し、どう修正したかを過去にさかのぼって検証されることを嫌ったのだろう。In its "Index 2009," the policy booklet for last year's election, the DPJ included controversial issues including its plan to swiftly introduce local suffrage to permanent foreign residents. The booklet's absence will leave voters unsure if the DPJ still considers these issues as planks of its agenda. 衆院選の政策集には、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与の早期実現など、問題の多い内容が含まれている。今回、政策集の発表を見合わせた結果、これらの政策が今も生きているのかどうかが、まったくわからない。The DPJ should immediately explain where it stands on these matters. 民主党は、こうした疑問点について、速やかに説明すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 18, 2010) （2010年6月18日01時05分 読売新聞）
Jun 19, 2010
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通常国会閉幕 「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 18, 2010)DPJ must stop 'cop-out tactics'通常国会閉幕 「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党（6月17日付・読売社説）Public expectations that the latest Diet session would usher in an era of "new politics" following last year's change of government have faded. Instead, the session showed all too clearly the deteriorating state of politics in this country. 政権交代による「新たな政治」への期待はしぼみ、政治の劣化を見せつけられた国会だった。The ordinary Diet session ended Wednesday. Political parties have now started preparing for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11. 通常国会が閉幕し、各政党は来月１１日投開票の参院選に向けて走り出した。The Democratic Party of Japan recently withdrew a proposal to hold a budget committee meeting and decided against extending the Diet session. These actions can only be criticized as "cop-outs" and neglecting the party's duty. 民主党が、予算委員会開催の提案を撤回し、国会会期も延長しなかったのは、「逃げの一手」「責任放棄」との批判を免れない。The two-day session of interpellations by party representatives regarding new Prime Minister Naoto Kan's policy speech was too short. More intensive discussions should have been made at the budget committees of both Diet chambers. 首相が交代した以上、菅首相の所信表明演説に対する２日間の代表質問だけでは不十分だ。予算委で審議を尽くすべきだった。It also remains unclear how the Kan administration differs from the previous one of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which ended up disappointing many people. 菅内閣が、多くの国民を失望させた鳩山前内閣とどう違うのかはよく分からない。Although Kan made no secret of the fact that his selection of cabinet ministers and top DPJ leaders were intended to rid the party of the influence of former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, the shape and direction of his policies--a key point for the new administration--remain opaque. 閣僚人事などでは小沢前幹事長の影響力を排除する姿勢をアピールしたが、肝心の政策の具体像は見えてこない。How will the new administration put the fiscal house in order and reform the tax system? How will it soothe strained bilateral ties with the United States? 財政健全化と税制の抜本改革にどう取り組むのか。日米関係をいかに立て直すか。=== Don't put party 1st In an ideal political world, the administration would face the upper house election only after clarifying--through Diet deliberations--the course for policies the Kan administration hopes to accomplish. 菅内閣の目指す政策の方向性を国会審議の中で明確にしたうえ、参院選に臨むのが政治のあるべき姿だろう。The DPJ avoided budget committee deliberations apparently because it felt the party would have the upper hand in the upcoming election while public approval ratings for the DPJ-led administration, which rose with the new cabinet, remain high. 民主党が予算委審議を避けたのは、回復した内閣支持率が高いうちに参院選を戦った方が得だ、と判断したためだ。These are tactics that put party interests before all else. Giving the ultimate priority to winning the election speaks volumes of the party's complete disregard for Diet affairs. 「選挙至上主義」とも言うべき党利党略の戦術であり、国会軽視も甚だしい。The DPJ-led coalition government did not hold a meeting of the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, which Ozawa had indicated he would attend to clarify his involvement in a political funds scandal. The government's decision has prevented it from fulfilling its accountability. 「政治とカネ」をめぐり、小沢氏が出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会を開かず、説明責任を果たさない。When a scandal over questionable office expenses made by a political organization of Satoshi Arai, state minister in charge of national policy and consumer affairs, surfaced, the DPJ-led administration tried to sweep the issue under the carpet. 荒井国家戦略相の事務所費問題が浮上しても、臭いものにフタをし、幕引きを図る。The DPJ must realize that its attempts to conceal swirling suspicions only amplify public distrust of politics. こうした「疑惑隠し」の姿勢が国民の政治不信を増幅していることを、民主党は自覚すべきだ。Several bills the government and ruling coalition had considered important did not get passed into law during the Diet session. These bills included one on postal service reforms, measures to combat global warming and one that would establish a decision-making system at the initiative of politicians. 政府・与党が重要法案としていた郵政改革、地球温暖化対策、政治主導確立などの法案は成立しなかった。=== LDP has lost its bite The DPJ-led administration used its superior weight of numbers to manage Diet affairs even more high-handedly than Liberal Democratic Party-led administrations did. However, it appears disarray within the government and the ruling coalition parties over key policies and the simultaneous resignations of Hatoyama and Ozawa affected the fate of these bills. 自民党政権以上に「数の力」に頼った強引な国会運営をしながら、政府・連立与党の足並みの乱れや鳩山前首相と小沢氏のダブル辞任が影響したと言えよう。Just 54.7 percent of government-proposed bills passed the Diet during the session--a postwar low. We do not think the DPJ has fulfilled its responsibility as the party in power. 政府提出法案の成立率が戦後最低の５４・７％では、政権党の責任を果たしたと言えない。On the other hand, the LDP failed to make its presence felt as the largest opposition party. The LDP failed to put the government on the defensive and present better counterproposals. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki's kid-glove questions during Diet debates between the prime minister and opposition party leaders, and the party's tired old tactics of boycotting the Diet session also triggered grumbling within party ranks. 一方で、自民党も、野党第１党としての存在感を示せなかった。政府を的確に批判し、より良い対案を示すどころか、党首討論での谷垣総裁の追及の甘さや、旧態依然の審議拒否戦術には、党内から非難の声が出るほどだった。A string of new parties have appeared on the scene, such as the Sunrise Party of Japan, New Renaissance Party and the Spirit of Japan Party. Their emergence reflects discontent at the fecklessness of the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP. たちあがれ日本、新党改革、日本創新党など新党結成が相次いだのは、民主、自民の２大政党のふがいなさの裏返しでもある。The election is just around the corner. Political parties must try to restore people's trust in politics by discussing responsible and basic policies, rather than competing with one another with claptrap election pledges. 各政党は、参院選に向けて、人気取りの公約を競うのでなく、責任ある骨太の政策論議を通じて政治の信頼回復を図るべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2010) （2010年6月17日01時43分 読売新聞）
Jun 18, 2010
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野球賭博汚染 暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 17, 2010)Sumo world must sever mobster ties野球賭博汚染 暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ（6月16日付・読売社説）Illegal gambling is rampant among sumo wrestlers. Popular sumo wrestler ozeki Kotomitsuki has admitted to the Japan Sumo Association that he gambled on professional baseball games--a criminal act. Following his admission, he will sit out the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. 大相撲の力士に賭博が蔓延(まんえん)していることが分かった。看板力士の大関琴光喜も、犯罪行為である野球賭博に手を染めていたことを認め、名古屋場所を休場することになった。Sumo recently has been rocked by a string of scandals. Yokozuna Asashoryu was forced to retire earlier this year following allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo club after a drinking session. The gambling blight even managed to taint an ozeki, sumo's second-highest rank. These extraordinary developments will shake the foundation of the association. 暴行騒動で横綱朝青龍が引退に追い込まれたばかりの相撲界で、今度は大関の不祥事である。日本相撲協会の屋台骨を揺るがす異常事態といえよう。The JSA recently asked sumo wrestlers, stablemasters and other association members to voluntarily report whether they had been involved in gambling activities. Kotomitsuki and 28 others admitted they had gambled on professional baseball games. Thirty-six others confessed to betting on golf, hanafuda playing cards and mah-jongg. 相撲協会が、力士、親方らに自己申告させたところ、野球賭博には琴光喜を含む２９人が関与したことを認めた。仲間内での賭けゴルフや花札、マージャンなどには３６人がかかわっていた。The association said it would report its findings to the Metropolitan Police Department and decide what further action to take after the police have completed their investigation. 相撲協会は、調査結果を警視庁に報告し、捜査の結果を待って対応を決めるという。=== JSA let guard down Association officials initially planned to put the scandal to bed after reprimanding those who voluntarily reported their wrongdoing. However, the association was forced to reverse the policy after the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees the association, stepped in. The ministry warned the association it would be premature to extenuate the misconduct before making a report to the police. 当初は、申告した者については厳重注意にとどめて幕引きを図る方針だった。しかし、所管の文部科学省から、「警察にも言わない段階で情状酌量は早すぎる」と注意され、方針転換せざるを得なくなったというわけだ。As such, the latest developments have exposed the association's lax way of dealing with serious matters. 相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが露呈したといえる。Organized crime syndicates are often behind gambling on professional baseball. Money wagered by sumo wrestlers must not be allowed to end up as funds for gang activities. We think the wrestlers involved should be severely punished. 野球賭博には、暴力団がかかわっているケースが多い。力士の賭け金が暴力団の資金源となるようなことが、あってはならない。関係した力士への厳しい処分は避けられまい。The latest scandal came to light in a report by a weekly magazine that Kotomitsuki had gambled on professional baseball and that gangsters had intimidated him into paying hush money. 発端となったのは、琴光喜が野球賭博にかかわり、暴力団関係者から口止め料を払うよう脅されたという週刊誌の報道だ。Although Kotomitsuki initially denied any involvement in gambling, he finally seemed to run out of excuses because other sumo wrestlers came forward to admit their misconduct to the sumo association. Regrettably, Kotomitsuki completely lacked the good sense expected of an ozeki, a rank expected to portray sumo values. 琴光喜は賭博への関与を否定していたが、他の力士たちが申告するに及んで、言い逃れができなくなったということだろう。大相撲を担う大関としての自覚を全く欠いている。=== Money talks Wealthy sumo supporters called tanimachi traditionally have provided financial assistance to wrestlers and stablemasters. Wrestlers and association members are said to sometimes come in contact with gangsters as they socialize with their tanimachi. 相撲界には、「タニマチ」と呼ばれる後援者が力士や親方を援助する慣習がある。その付き合いの中で、力士らは暴力団関係者と接する機会もあるとされる。There have been reports that criminal organizations have been involved in sumo events, such as tournaments held in local regions. 地方巡業などの興行面でも、暴力団の介在が指摘されてきた。It recently came to light that a number of gangsters had watched sumo from special ringside seats essentially set aside for the sumo association's financial supporters. A stablemaster who arranged seats for the mobsters has since had his stable disbanded by the association. The stablemaster eventually admitted he had socialized with gangsters. 土俵近くの特別席で多数の暴力団員が観戦していたことも、問題になったばかりだ。席の確保にかかわっていた親方の部屋は閉鎖処分となり、この親方は、暴力団との交際があったことを認めた。This series of unseemly incidents suggest there are deep-rooted links between sumo and organized crime. 角界と暴力団との根深い癒着がうかがえる。The JSA is a public-interest corporation, which receives preferential tax treatment, meaning sumo wrestlers and stablemasters belong to an organization supposed to contribute to society. In this respect, it is only natural that they immediately sever all ties with "antisocial forces." 相撲協会は、税制面で優遇措置を受けている公益法人だ。社会に貢献すべき団体に属する力士や親方が、反社会勢力との関係を断つのは、当然のことである。Freeing itself from unbecoming traditions is the only way the association will be able to survive. 悪(あ)しき体質の一掃が、相撲協会が存続していく唯一の道だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2010) （2010年6月16日02時00分 読売新聞）
Jun 17, 2010
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はやぶさ帰還 歴史的快挙を次に生かそう
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 16, 2010)Hayabusa's achievements should be built onはやぶさ帰還 歴史的快挙を次に生かそう（6月15日付・読売社説）Hayabusa, a space probe of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has finally returned to Earth. This is a great accomplishment in the history of space exploration. 宇宙航空研究開発機構の探査機「はやぶさ」が帰ってきた。宇宙開発史に残る快挙と言える。Hayabusa, which means peregrine falcon, left Earth in May 2003. It landed on Itokawa, an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth, in November 2005 and attempted to take samples of sand and other surface materials there. The probe's entire space voyage lasted seven years, ending with its homecoming on Sunday. ２００３年５月に地球を出発した。０５年１１月に３億キロ・メートル離れた小惑星イトカワに着陸し、砂などのサンプル採取を試みた。帰還まで、宇宙の旅は７年の長きに及んだ。Hayabusa is the first space probe to return to Earth after landing on a celestial body other than the moon. 初めて月以外の天体に探査機が着陸して帰還したことになる。The probe's main body burned up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, but before that it released a capsule, which landed safely in the desert in Australia, that may contain samples from Itokawa. JAXA will bring the capsule back to this country and confirm whether it contains sand or other materials from the asteroid. はやぶさ本体は大気圏突入で燃え尽きた。採取したサンプルを収めるカプセルは突入前に分離、豪州の砂漠に着地した。日本に運び内部を確認する。Unlike sand and stones on Earth, which have become oxidized and changed over many years, geologic material on asteroids is believed to have remained as it was in the early stages of the solar system. Such material would give important clues to understanding the history of the solar system. 小惑星の砂や石は、酸化などが進んだ地球の石と違い、太陽系の初期の状態に近い。太陽系の歴史を探るヒントになるだろう。Unfortunately, however, it is not certain whether the probe actually was able to take samples of surface material, since Hayabusa's gathering device did not work as expected. But JAXA said that sand stirred up when the probe landed on the asteroid may have entered the capsule. 残念ながら、装置の不調で確実にサンプルが採取できたかどうか分からない。だが、着陸時に舞い上がった砂がカプセル内に入った可能性はある。=== Miraculous engines Needless to say, the return of Hayabusa itself is a miracle. The probe experienced technical and mechanical malfunctions throughout its systems as it traveled a total distance of 6 billion kilometers, 40 times the distance between the sun and Earth. そもそも帰還自体が奇跡だ。地球―太陽間の４０倍にあたる約６０億キロ・メートルの飛行で、機体は各所が故障し、満身創痍(そうい)だった。First, fuel leaked from one of Hayabusa's chemical engines after it left the asteroid to return home, which caused JAXA to lose control and later communications. Although the agency fortunately was able to restore communications and put Hayabusa back on its homeward journey in 2006, JAXA had to constantly walk a tightrope for the remainder of the probe's long space flight. まずイトカワ離陸後に燃料が漏れた。制御不能になり、通信も途絶した。０６年、幸運にも復旧し帰路についたが、長期の飛行で、ぎりぎりの運用が続いてきた。Almost all the probe's devices malfunctioned, but a new type of engine manufactured by a Japanese company did outstanding work. 活躍したのは、搭載された日本独自の新型エンジンだ。Called ion engines, these new thrusters have much weaker propulsion than chemical engines, which expel jets of high-pressure gas. The power of an ion engine's thrust could only keep a 1 yen coin aloft on Earth, but it can work for long hours on far less fuel than a chemical engine needs. The ion engines were used for a total of 40,000 hours to control the probe's attitude. イオンエンジンと呼ばれる。高圧ガスを噴く化学エンジンなどと比べて推進力は小さい。地上で１円玉を動かす程度の力だが、少ない燃料で長期間動く。これが、のべ４万時間、機体を制御した。This, along with the automatic control technology that made it possible for the probe to land on the asteroid, demonstrates to the world how advanced Japan's technology in space exploration is. We can expect Japanese-made ion engines to be sold to other countries for use in their space probes and satellites. 小惑星着陸を成功させた自動制御技術とともに、技術の高さを世界に示した。海外の探査機や衛星への売り込みも期待される。=== Don't block progress However, we are concerned with the next project. Development is currently stalled on Hayabusa 2, which is intended to conduct higher-level exploration of another asteroid. Learning from the lessons of Hayabusa's development, which cost 13 billion yen, the new project's budget is set at almost the same amount. 心配なのは、次の計画だ。開発に約１３０億円をかけた「はやぶさ」の教訓を生かし、ほぼ同じ規模の予算で、別の小惑星の高度な探査を目指す「はやぶさ２」の開発が滞っている。Nonetheless, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's budget for space exploration was cut drastically, a victim of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's plan to make high school education free, which costs nearly 400 billion yen. 民主党が進める高校無償化に４０００億円近くかかり、そのしわ寄せで、文部科学省の宇宙予算が大幅に削られたためだ。Funding this fiscal year for Hayabusa 2 was cut to just 30 million yen, compared with the 1.7 billion yen made in its budgetary request before the DPJ took office from the Liberal Democratic Party. はやぶさ２の今年度予算は、政権交代前の概算要求額１７億円が、３０００万円まで圧縮された。The government should spend money on a meaningful project, rather than on handout measures. ばらまき予算よりも、意義のある計画に予算を投じるべきだ。There could be a blank period of more than 10 years until the next space probe project, given the positional relationship between Earth and asteroids. Memories of the successful space mission could fade during this downtime. 地球と小惑星の位置関係を考えると、次の探査機までに１０年以上の空白期が生じかねない。経験が風化してしまう。There must be no retreat in efforts to pass important technology in space exploration to the next generation of scientists and engineers, so they can improve it further. 貴重な技術を次世代につなぎ、発展させる取り組みを後退させてはならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2010) （2010年6月15日02時04分 読売新聞）
Jun 16, 2010
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日本振興銀捜索 偽りだった「中小企業の味方」
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 15, 2010)Small firms' 'protector' betrayed expectations日本振興銀捜索 偽りだった「中小企業の味方」（6月14日付・読売社説）A bank trumpeted as a "protector" of small and midsize companies when it was established in 2004 has been smeared by allegations of criminal irregularities. 中小零細企業の味方というふれこみで設立された銀行は、まさに不正まみれだった。The Financial Services Agency recently filed a criminal complaint against Incubator Bank of Japan, which specializes in providing loans to small and midsize firms. This prompted the Metropolitan Police Department to search the bank's head office and other locations last week on suspicion the bank had sabotaged an audit by the FSA, a violation of the Banking Law. 金融庁が、中小企業向け融資を専門に手がける日本振興銀行を、立ち入り検査を妨害した銀行法違反（検査忌避）の疑いで、刑事告発した。これを受け警視庁が、振興銀の本店などを捜索した。The FSA was quite right to file a complaint. We hope the police will thoroughly investigate the alleged wrongdoing and uncover the whole truth. 金融庁が、告発に踏み切ったのは当然である。警視庁は徹底した捜査を行い、全容を解明してもらいたい。Last month, the FSA ordered the bank to suspend part of its business for about four months after alleging its operations gravely violated the law. The agency followed this up with its criminal complaint last week. 金融庁は先月、重大な法令違反があったとして、振興銀に約４か月の一部業務停止を命じた。これに続く告発である。The financial watchdog's additional action suggests it believes the bank's operations were so malicious that an administrative punishment alone would not suffice. 行政処分だけでは不十分と判断するほど悪質ということだろう。Former Bank of Japan official Takeshi Kimura and members of the Tokyo Junior Chamber International established the bank in 2004. 振興銀は、日銀出身の木村剛氏が２００４年、東京青年会議所のメンバーらと開業した。By setting its interest rates higher than those offered by major commercial banks and providing loans without secured collateral, the bank touted itself as a financial institution catering to startup businesses with high growth potential. 大手銀行よりは貸付金利が高いが、原則として無担保で、成長性のある新興企業などの金融を担うとしていた。=== Off to a bad start However, the bank quickly ran into trouble. A string of executives resigned one after another due to differences over management policy. ところが、路線の違いで役員らの辞任が相次ぐなど、当初から経営は迷走状態に陥った。Kimura became president in 2005 and started overseeing the bank's management by himself. The bank ran a profit for three consecutive business terms starting with the year to March 2007, but fell into the red in the term ended March 2010 with a loss of more than 5 billion yen. Kimura resigned in May to take responsibility for the bank's deteriorating performance. ０５年には、木村氏が社長に就任して、自ら経営に乗り出した。０７年３月期決算から３年は黒字を出したものの、１０年３月期に５０億円超の赤字に転落したため、木村氏は引責辞任した。Question marks hung over the feasibility of the bank's business model of concentrating on loans to small and midsize firms. On top of that, the FSA investigation has revealed the bank's operations actually differed considerably from the management principles it had put forward. 中小企業専門というビジネスモデルそのものに無理があったうえに、金融庁の検査で、表向きの経営理念とかけ離れた業務の実情が明るみに出た。For example, the bank allegedly purchased loan claims from financially strapped moneylenders while collecting commissions from them, and then asked these moneylenders to buy the loans back about a month later. 例えば、資金繰りに困っている貸金業者から手数料を徴収して貸し出し債権を買い取り、約１か月後に買い戻させる取引だ。=== On a par with loan sharks On the surface, this appears to be a simple transaction of loan claims. But the commission--which for all intents and purposes was interest--translated into an annual rate of 46 percent, far above the legally allowable ceiling. This would not be out of place in a loan-shark operation. 見かけは債権の売買だが、金利にあたる手数料は、年利に換算して４６％と、法律の上限をはるかに超える暴利だ。まるで、貸金業者相手の高利貸しである。Moreover, the bank allegedly tried to dominate management of its clients by pressing them to have a majority of seats on their board of directors occupied by people the bank recommended. If the clients refused, the bank allegedly demanded increased collateral. このほか、融資先に対して、取締役の過半数は振興銀が推薦する人を就けるよう迫り、経営の支配を図った。拒否すれば担保の追加を求めたという。The bank also is suspected to have covered up other irregularities, including the deletion of e-mails detailing its business transactions from the bank's server. 業務に関する電子メールを削除するなど、一連の不正の隠蔽(いんぺい)工作もしていた。Kimura was an adviser to the FSA from October 2002 to August 2003 under Heizo Takenaka during the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He was deeply involved in the nation's financial administration. 木村氏は、小泉政権の竹中平蔵金融相のもと、金融庁顧問を務めるなど、国の金融行政に深くかかわった人物だ。Kimura has resigned from the bank's management lineup. But he bears heavy responsibility for the alleged misconduct because he was closely involved in the bank's management for years as president and chairman. すでに経営陣から退いたとはいえ、社長、会長として長く振興銀を経営した責任は重い。Kimura must cooperate fully with the police in their investigation. We also urge him to come clean in public by holding a press conference or using other avenues to speak about the bank scandals. 捜査への全面協力はもちろん、記者会見などで自ら説明すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2010) （2010年6月14日01時45分 読売新聞）
Jun 15, 2010
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口蹄疫拡大 迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2010)Swift, steady action key to halt foot-and-mouth口蹄疫拡大 迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ（6月13日付・読売社説）The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture has spread further from its origin and could expand to the entire prefecture. 宮崎県で発生した家畜の伝染病、口蹄疫(こうていえき)が県内全域に広がりかねない情勢となっている。New infections have been confirmed in cities including Miyakonojo, which is located about 50 kilometers from the epidemic's locus in the eastern part of the prefecture. 震源地の県東部から約５０キロ離れた都城市などで新たな感染が確認された。The epidemic now has reached a crucial juncture--whether the disease will spread outside the prefecture. Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited the prefecture Saturday and pledged the government would take all possible steps to support affected livestock farmers. The central and prefectural governments must strengthen epidemic prevention measures and do all they can to contain the disease. 県外に感染が拡大するかどうかの瀬戸際である。菅首相は現地入りし、被害畜産農家の支援に万全を期す方針を示した。国と県は改めて防疫体制を強化し、封じ込めに全力を挙げねばならない。The central and prefectural governments have been trying to prevent further infection by slaughtering and burying cows and pigs on disease-affected livestock farms, as well as by restricting movement and transfer of the livestock in the vicinity. これまで国と県は、口蹄疫が発生した農場の牛や豚を殺して埋める処分に加え、周辺地域の家畜の移動や搬出を制限する感染防止策を取ってきた。At farms within a 10-kilometer radius of major outbreak locations, livestock that have not been infected with the disease are being vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading and then culled. 主要な発生地から半径１０キロ圏内は、未感染の家畜にもワクチンを接種してウイルスの発生を抑え、処分する対策も進めている。However, infections have been confirmed on farms far from the locations of the disease's initial outbreak about 50 days ago. It must be asked whether there has been any lapse in preventative measures against the disease's spread since then. しかし、これまでの多発地区から遠い地域に感染が飛び火した。発生から５０日あまりが経過し、防疫措置に緩みはなかったか。=== Minimize infections' impact What is now necessary is to minimize damage to areas where new infections have been detected. 今必要なのは、新たに感染が見つかった地域の被害を最小限に食い止めることだ。The city of Ebino in the prefecture successfully contained the disease by slaughtering livestock immediately after infections were confirmed. Learning from its example, the Miyakonojo city government began culling livestock after informing the central government of certain animals' symptoms through photos, without waiting for results of genetic tests conducted by the central government. Such swift responses are necessary to deal with the disease from now on. えびの市は、農場で感染が確認された直後に家畜を処分し、封じ込めに成功した。その教訓を生かし、都城市は国による遺伝子検査を待たず、家畜の症例を写真で報告して処分に踏み切った。今後もこうした迅速な対応が必要だ。One of the reasons for the spread of infections seems to be the fact that the cull of cows and pigs has not been conducted smoothly because it is difficult to find people to slaughter the livestock and places to bury the animals. It is possible the virus might have spread from these livestock. Slaughter of the remaining 30,000 cows must be sped up. 感染が拡大した一因と見られるのは、埋める土地や人の手当てがつかず、処分に手間取っている牛や豚の存在だ。これらからウイルスがまき散らされた可能性がある。残されている３万頭の処分を急がねばならない。A special law on foot-and-mouth disease that took effect June 4 allows the central government to slaughter healthy livestock without farmers' consent if necessary. The legislation aims to prevent new infections by creating a livestock-free "blank area" where animals are culled. ４日に施行された口蹄疫対策特別措置法では、農家の同意がなくても国が健康な家畜を殺処分できるようになった。予防的に家畜を処分して空白地帯を作り、感染を防ごうという狙いだ。The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry does not plan to apply this law in areas where new infections have been confirmed. However, if infections do expand, it is inevitable that this measure would be taken. 農林水産省は、今回新たな感染が確認された地域では適用しない方針だが、感染が拡大するようであれば、こうした措置を取ることもやむを得ないだろう。=== Find out how disease spread Also, it is an urgent task to find out why foot-and-mouth disease has spread. One theory holds that people and vehicles that visit livestock farms have slipped through designated sterilization points. Others noted the possibility soil with the virus was carried by the wind. The government should strengthen field studies by epidemic prevention experts. 拡大の原因解明も急務だ。畜産施設を行き来する人や車などが消毒地点をすり抜けたとの説や、土壌に付着したウイルスが風で運ばれた可能性などが指摘される。防疫専門家による現地調査を強化すべきではないか。Miyakonojo produces some of the best livestock in the country. Neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture is well known for its Berkshire pigs and black cattle. The spread of the disease to Kagoshima Prefecture would immensely impact the country's livestock industry as well as adversely affect people's diets. 都城市は全国屈指の畜産都市であり、隣接する鹿児島県も黒豚や黒牛で知られる。感染が広がれば日本の畜産業への打撃は計り知れず、国民の食生活にも影響が出よう。We hope the Kan Cabinet will place top priority on tackling foot-and-mouth disease. 菅内閣は口蹄疫問題に最優先で取り組んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 13, 2010) （2010年6月13日01時14分 読売新聞）
Jun 14, 2010
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所信表明演説 超党派で財政再建に取り組め
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 13, 2010)Interparty efforts needed for fiscal reconstruction所信表明演説 超党派で財政再建に取り組め（6月12日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan can be praised for displaying a realistic, down-to-earth approach in his first policy speech to the Diet--unlike his predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, whose words were filled with philosophical ideas that ended up going nowhere. 理念ばかりが先行し、空回りし続けた鳩山前首相と違って、地に足のついた現実的な政治を目指す姿勢は評価できる。However, Kan's address was short on concrete policy measures, and we have to say it was not enough. ただ、具体的な政策は乏しく、物足りなさは否めない。In Friday's speech, Kan said his most important duty was to overcome the setbacks Hatoyama suffered and regain the public's trust. 菅首相が初の所信表明演説を行った。前首相の挫折を乗り越え、国民の信頼を回復することを自らの最大の責務と位置づけた。He listed three key items for the new Cabinet's policy agenda: "an exhaustive cleanup of the postwar government," "reviving the economy, rebuilding public finances and turning the social security system around in an integrated manner," and "a foreign and security policy grounded in a sense of responsibility." 新内閣の政策課題として「戦後行政の大掃除の本格実施」「経済・財政・社会保障の一体的建て直し」「責任感に立脚した外交・安全保障政策」の３項目を挙げた。"An exhaustive cleanup"--referring to the administrative style of the postwar era--is a slogan initially coined by Hatoyama and used by Kan to express his intention to continue with such ongoing efforts as budget screening, elimination of wasteful spending and decentralization of power to local governments. It is not clear, however, exactly what the new administration will do to tackle these issues, or how it will do it. 「戦後行政の大掃除」は前首相が掲げたスローガンだ。道半ばにある事業仕分けや無駄遣いの根絶、地方分権などを継承する考えを示したものだが、具体的に何にどう取り組むかは明確ではない。=== Seeking a 'third way' Kan has spoken many times recently of reconstructing the economy, public finances and social security system in an integrated manner. It hardly needs to be said that it is vital to put this nation's economy on a stable recovery track and set a course for fiscal reconstruction. 「経済・財政・社会保障の一体的建て直し」は、菅首相が最近、一貫して主張している。日本経済を安定した回復軌道に乗せるとともに、財政再建に道筋をつけることの重要性は言うまでもない。Kan said he would pursue a "third way" to do so, rather than the "first way" in which the government pours funds into public works projects or the "second way" represented by the drive for structural reforms under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The so-called third way aims to create new demand and employment by channeling government funds raised through tax increases to social security and other areas, thereby achieving growth. 菅首相は、公共事業中心の「第一の道」や、小泉構造改革に代表される「第二の道」に代えて、増税で得た財政資金を社会保障分野などに投入して新たな需要と雇用を創出し、成長につなげる「第三の道」を追求する、という。It will never be easy, however, to realize a strong economy--one that registers nominal annual growth of more than 3 percent--just through such an approach. だが、それだけで、名目成長率３％超という「強い経済」が実現するほど甘くはあるまい。Kan's policy address apparently was drawn up hastily. Nevertheless, a speech that does not establish measures to be given priority in different growth areas and map out how to reflect those measures in budgeting and policy implementation cannot be convincing. 急造の演説とはいえ、成長分野ごとに優先順位を定め、予算や施策に反映させる方向性を示さなければ、説得力を持たない。=== Parties should join panel Kan's proposal to create a suprapartisan panel to discuss how to restore the nation's fiscal health, with an eye to carrying out drastic reform of the tax system, was appropriate. 一方で、首相が、税制の抜本改革を視野に入れ、超党派の「財政健全化検討会議」の創設を提案したのは、妥当である。Raising the consumption tax rate is essential for this country to escape from its chronic budget deficits and secure revenue sources for social security. To tackle such important policy issues, the ruling and opposition parties should have a common understanding and build consensus. The Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties should not hesitate to join such an initiative. 財政の赤字体質からの脱却や社会保障の財源確保には、消費税率の引き上げが欠かせない。こうした重要な政策課題については、与野党が共通の認識・合意を形成することが望ましい。自民党など野党も積極的に応じるべきだ。In the foreign and security policy arena, Kan called for "pragmatism" and said the Japan-U.S. alliance was the cornerstone of this country's diplomacy. He said he plans to visit Okinawa Prefecture on June 23 and is resolved to make progress on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture. 外交・安保分野で、菅首相は、「現実主義」の外交を唱え、日米同盟が「外交の基軸」と明言した。２３日に沖縄を訪問し、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の前進に自ら取り組む考えも示した。Kan apparently learned from his predecessor's negative example, as Hatoyama sought to put Japan-U.S. relations on "an equal footing" and triggered unnecessary friction and confusion. 「対等な日米関係」を標榜(ひょうぼう)し、無用の摩擦や混乱を招いた前首相を反面教師にしたのだろう。But Kan failed to give details about what he would do to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance and improve relations with China and South Korea. ただ、同盟深化や中韓両国との関係改善のために何をするのか、といった各論への言及はなかった。A summit meeting of Group of Eight major nations is scheduled to be held later this month in Canada. The prime minister must quickly flesh out the specifics of his policy outlines. 今月下旬にはカナダで主要国首脳会議が開かれる。各論の詰めを急がなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2010) （2010年6月12日01時04分 読売新聞）
Jun 13, 2010
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役員報酬 大衆迎合的な個別開示の強行
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 12, 2010)役員報酬 大衆迎合的な個別開示の強行（6月11日付・読売社説）Pay disclosure law goes too farThe rule imposed by the Financial Services Agency on corporations to reveal the salaries paid to their executives must be regarded as excessive. 役員個人の報酬額まで開示させるのは、行き過ぎだろう。In February, the FSA announced the rule requiring listed companies to disclose the names of senior officials whose annual salaries exceed 100 million yen, as well as how much they were actually paid. This rule took effect in late March. 金融庁が上場企業に対して、報酬が１億円以上の役員の氏名や報酬額を開示するよう義務付けた。Under the FSA rule, listed corporations must release, by the end of the month, financial statement reports that include these details, if their accounts were closed in March. ３月期決算企業の場合、該当する役員名と報酬額を記載した有価証券報告書を、今月中に公表しなければならなくなった。Admittedly, it is important to encourage corporations to disclose meaningful information as thoroughly as possible. However, great care must be taken to protect the confidentiality of corporate executives' private information. In fact, business circles, including the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), have strongly objected to the new rule. 情報開示の充実は大切だ。しかし、プライバシー保護の点で課題も多く、日本経団連など経済界も強く反対している。It is difficult to say that the pros and cons of the rule were fully discussed before it went into effect. We believe the FSA should reconsider the propriety of obliging corporations to disclose their executives' salaries. 実施の是非について事前に論議が尽くされたとは言いがたい。金融庁は開示義務付けを見直すべきだ。=== Following the crowd Before the rule came into force, companies were only required to reveal the total amounts of salaries paid to board members. The FSA has said its decision to oblige corporations to disclose each board member's salary reflects the fact that global financial crises triggered in recent years by turmoil in the United States and some European nations raised questions about the appropriateness of hefty paychecks pocketed by corporate executives in these countries. In defending the disclosure rule, the FSA said the United States and many European nations have introduced similar regulations. これまでは、役員全員の報酬総額を開示すればよかった。だが、欧米発の金融危機で、高額な役員報酬が問題視されたことや、欧米ではすでに実施している国が多いことから個別開示に踏み切ったと、金融庁は説明している。The global financial crises were the end result of ill-advised decisions by executives at some U.S. and European financial institutions to carry out high-return, high-risk investment schemes, hoping to pick up large paychecks. These institutions were too extreme in paying their board members salaries in proportion to their performance. This is not the case with the large majority of Japanese corporations. 欧米の金融機関は、役員が高額報酬欲しさに、利益率は高いがリスクも大きい投資に走り、危機を招いた。役員報酬の業績連動が極端すぎる点が問題だった。こうしたことは、ほとんどの日本企業には当てはまらない。There is a marked difference in the pay levels of Japanese, U.S. and European companies. Chief executive officers at listed corporations in the United States earn an average of 3.9 million dollars annually (about 350 million yen). There are 300 U.S. companies whose CEOs are paid an average of 10 million dollars annually (900 million yen). This is in stark contrast to the state of affairs in this country. Board members of listed corporations here are paid, on average, a modest 25 million yen annually. 報酬の水準も違う。米国の上場企業の最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は、平均３９０万ドル（３・５億円）で、１０００万ドル（９億円）を超える企業が３００社もある。日本の上場企業は、役員報酬の平均が２５００万円にすぎない。Shiseido Co. has voluntarily revealed the salaries paid to three board members. The major cosmetics manufacturer's president and another executive receive more than 100 million yen in annual salaries. Shiseido has reason to pay annual salaries on this scale, given its status as a large corporation. 資生堂が３人の役員報酬を自主開示し、社長ら２人が１億円以上だった。大企業のトップクラスなら１億円以上もいるだろう。=== Privacy concerns A key sticking point in corporate disclosure is whether company shareholders have suffered losses through disproportionately high salaries paid to the firm's executives, compared with the company's size and business performance. This objective could be achieved under the old rule that only required disclosure of the total sum of salaries paid to board members. チェックすべきは、会社の規模や業績に比べて報酬が異常に高すぎ、株主の利益を損なっていないかだ。それなら、従来の総額開示で、事は足りる。There are concerns that including personal information, such as individual corporate officials' salaries, in financial statement reports could open the door to wrongdoing. These reports can be easily seen by anyone using the Internet. Access to this information online could encourage crimes targeting these officials. 報酬額という個人情報を、不特定多数の人がネットで簡単に見られる有価証券報告書に載せることの副作用が心配だ。例えば犯罪などの助長である。Several years ago, the government decided not to disclose a list of the nation's highest taxpayers. This was because a stream of top taxpayers had been singled out as targets of telephone fraud and harassment. We fear the FSA's disclosure rule could spark similar abuses. 所得税の「長者番付」が廃止されたのは、振り込め詐欺などの犯罪や、嫌がらせの標的にされる例が後を絶たなかったためだ。同じ轍(てつ)は踏まないだろうか。When the FSA proposed the new rule in February, it sought opinions from the public about it. As it turned out, the financial watchdog body received many objections to the rule. However, financial services minister Shizuka Kamei enforced the rule without setting a grace period. "If [a company] doesn't want its [board members'] hefty paychecks made known to the public, they could be reduced," Kamei said. 金融庁が今年２月、個別開示案を示した際、意見募集に多くの反対意見が寄せられた。だが、亀井金融相は「世間に知れて困るなら報酬を下げればよい」などとして、猶予期間も設けず実施した。The rule has been implemented too forcibly and hastily. The disclosure requirement--apparently intended to play to the gallery by taking a swipe at large corporations--is little more than a form of populism. あまりに強引かつ拙速だ。これでは、大企業たたきで喝采(かっさい)を得ようとする、ポピュリズム（大衆迎合）政治そのものではないか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 11, 2010) （2010年6月11日02時07分 読売新聞）
Jun 12, 2010
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国会延長問題 予算委での政策論争が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 11, 2010)Hold policy debates at budget committees国会延長問題 予算委での政策論争が必要だ（6月10日付・読売社説）With less than a week to go before the end of the ordinary Diet session, the question on many people's lips is: Will it be extended? 通常国会の会期が残り１週間を切り、会期を延長するかどうかが焦点となっている。The People's New Party, a junior member of the ruling coalition, is pressing the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration to extend the session so the bill on the postal services reform can be passed into law. 国民新党は、郵政改革法案を今国会で成立させるべきだとして、会期延長を主張している。The opposition parties also want the government to extend the session, but for a different reason. They want the Diet budget committees to discuss such issues as political funds scandals, including one involving former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, and the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 野党各党も、小沢一郎・民主党前幹事長らの「政治とカネ」の問題や、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などをテーマに、会期を延長してでも予算委員会を開催するよう求めている。However, appeals for an extension of the Diet session are falling on deaf ears as far as the DPJ is concerned. The prevailing view in the party is that Prime Minister Naoto Kan should deliver his policy speech followed by interpellations on that speech by representatives of political parties, and the session should then be closed on June 16 as scheduled. これに対し民主党は会期延長に消極的で、党内には、首相の所信表明演説と代表質問だけで国会を閉会すべきだとの意見が強い。This view is based on the belief that it would be advantageous for the party to hold the House of Councillors election on July 11, by closing the Diet on schedule, while the public approval rating of the newly inaugurated Kan Cabinet remains high. 菅内閣の支持率が高いうちに、１６日に国会を終え、７月１１日投開票の日程で参院選を実施した方が有利、と判断しているようだ。=== Q&A sessions needed It is true the Diet session is nearing its end, but the nation's politics is in an abysmal state with the recent change in prime ministers. 会期末とはいえ、首相交代という異例の事態である。Kan should first present the policy targets his Cabinet wants to aim for and explain what concrete actions are needed to implement them. 菅首相が真っ先になすべきは、内閣として取り組む政策目標を提示して、それを実施する具体的な道筋を明らかにすることだ。Also, to clarify points of contention in the upper house election, the ruling and opposition parties should debate their policies. 参院選の争点を明確化するためにも、与野党が積極的に政策論争を行うことが求められる。Interpellations on Kan's policy speech, which would be basically in the form of a "one-way" question-and-answer session, are hardly sufficient in providing a thorough understanding of the prime minister's political stance or diplomatic issues in general. 質問と答弁が一方通行の代表質問では、首相の政治姿勢や内政・外交全般にわたる考え方は十分わからない。It would be much better to hold budget committee sessions so the views of both sides could be exchanged in a question-and-answer format. やはり予算委を開催して、一問一答形式で双方向の議論をかわすべきだ。A party that only considers its relative advantages in an election deprives its rivals of an opportunity to present their viewpoints. 論戦の機会を奪い、選挙の得失だけを考える。This reminds us of political developments in the Taisho (1912-1926) and early Showa (1926-1989) eras, when major parties, including Rikken Seiyukai (the Friends of Constitutional Government Party) and Rikken Minseito (the Constitutional Democratic Party), alternately held the reins of government and dissolved the House of Representatives rather than answer questions posed by their rivals. This led the people to lose trust in party politics. そうした姿勢は、大正から昭和初期にかけ、政友会と民政党などが、交互に野党側の質疑をさえぎる形で衆院解散を繰り返し、政党政治への信頼を失墜させたことを想起させる。=== Diet debates will help voters Like the latest development, prime ministers changed during the ordinary Diet session in 2000 with Yoshiro Mori assuming the top post. At that time, however, his policy speech and interpellations were followed by question-and-answer sessions at the budget committees of both houses of the Diet before the lower house was dissolved for a general election. 今回同様、通常国会中に首相が交代した２０００年の森首相の場合、所信表明演説と代表質問だけでなく、衆参両院の予算委で質疑に応じてから衆院を解散し、総選挙に臨んでいる。With a change in prime ministers, it is only reasonable for an administration to offer voters more information to decide, through Diet debates, how to cast their ballots. The DPJ should support the call for budget committee sessions. 首相が交代した以上、国会論戦を通じて、有権者が１票を行使するための判断材料を提供するのは当然のことだ。民主党は予算委員会の開催に応じるべきだ。The issue concerning the political funds scandals remains unanswered. 「政治とカネ」の問題も、置き去りにされている。The Deliberative Council on Political Ethics at the Diet, which Ozawa had earlier showed his intention of attending to clarify the extent of the political funds scandal he is involved in, has yet to be held. 小沢氏がいったんは出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会も開催されないままだ。If the Diet closes without the council meeting, the Kan administration will be criticized for keeping everything in the dark. これで国会を閉じれば、「疑惑隠し」のそしりは免れまい。When the DPJ was in the opposition camp, Kan tenaciously questioned the government during budget committee sessions. Kan is an experienced debater and will disgrace himself if he becomes defensive now that he is prime minister. 菅首相は野党時代、予算委で政府を厳しく追及してきた。首相に就任したとたん、守勢に回るのでは、論客の名が泣くだろう。We hope the prime minister will go on the offensive and exchange verbal blows with representatives from the opposition parties. 攻めの姿勢で野党との論戦に臨んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2010) （2010年6月10日01時23分 読売新聞）
Jun 11, 2010
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菅内閣発足 国家戦略を明確に示す時だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2010)Kan must present clear national strategy菅内閣発足 国家戦略を明確に示す時だ（6月9日付・読売社説）Japan's new administration must not repeat the mistakes of the previous cabinet, which betrayed people's expectations as it lost its way and stumbled from blunder to blunder. The new government must drastically change the policies and policy methods adopted by its predecessor. 迷走と失政を重ね、国民の期待を失望に変えた前内閣の轍(てつ)を踏んではなるまい。その政策と政治手法を大胆に転換する決断が求められる。Prime Minister Naoto Kan's Cabinet was inaugurated Tuesday. At a press conference the same day, Kan stressed the importance of economic management. "We'll build a strong economy, strong government finances and strong social security programs at the same time," he said. Kan also said that on the diplomatic front, his administration would uphold the principle that the Japan-U.S. alliance forms the foundation of Japan's foreign policy. 菅内閣が８日、発足した。 菅直人首相は記者会見で、経済運営について「経済、財政、社会保障を一体で強くしていく」と改めて強調した。外交面では「日米同盟を基軸とする原則は、しっかりと続ける」と明言した。However, these explanations still leave unclear what form Kan wants the country to take and what specific measures he plans to implement. As an initial step, he should present a comprehensive national strategy. ただ、こうした説明だけでは、菅首相がどういう日本を目指し、そのためにどんな具体策を講じるのかは明確でない。まず、骨太の国家戦略を明示してほしい。=== Boost Prime Minister's Office ◆首相官邸を機能させよ◆The new prime minister has made no secret of his intention to rid the government of the influence of Ichiro Ozawa, the former Democratic Party of Japan secretary general, through his choices of Cabinet members and key party posts. This has buoyed the party's public support rate and raised expectations the nation could be about to enter a period of "new politics." 菅首相が閣僚・党役員人事を通じて、「小沢支配」排除の姿勢を打ち出したことは、民主党への支持を回復させ、「新しい政治」への期待を高めている。When Kan was a member of the opposition bloc, he earned a reputation as a skilled polemicist feared by government officials. However, after the DPJ came to power last year, Kan failed to make any substantial achievements as a member of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet, where he served as state minister in charge of national policy and then as finance minister. As prime minister, Kan will have to steadily produce tangible results. Failure to do so will see public support quickly slip away. 菅首相は野党時代、政府を追及する能力に定評があったが、鳩山内閣の国家戦略相や財務相としての実績は今ひとつだった。今後は首相として、着実に成果を上げなければ、世論の支持も長続きしないだろう。Since 2007, this country has seen prime ministers come and go each year. Such instability makes it impossible to reform key areas, such as fiscal reconstruction, the social security system and decentralization. Japan has been unable to craft relations of trust with leaders of other countries, which could erode this nation's status in the international community. ２００７年以降、首相が毎年交代している。こんな不安定な状況では、財政再建や社会保障制度見直し、地方分権などの抜本改革は望めない。他国の首脳との信頼関係も築けず、国際社会における日本の存在感は一層低下しかねない。Yoshito Sengoku, state minister in charge of national policy in the Hatoyama Cabinet, has been appointed chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal Cabinet post. 内閣の要の官房長官には、仙谷由人国家戦略相が起用された。Though the previous Cabinet called for politicians to lead the government, the Prime Minister's Office, which was supposed to spearhead this effort, did not function properly. Hatoyama did not exert leadership, and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano was unable to play his role as a coordinator in the government. 前内閣は、「政治主導」を標榜(ひょうぼう)しながら、肝心の首相官邸が機能しなかった。鳩山前首相は指導力を発揮せず、平野前官房長官も総合調整役を果たせなかった。Consequently, many bureaucrats have become very self-protective--they do not act until they receive instructions from politicians. 官僚も、「政治家から指示を受けるまで、自分からは動かない」という守りの姿勢に陥った。Kan and Sengoku must reflect on this point and enable politicians to make good use of the bureaucratic structure while ensuring the Prime Minister's Office still makes decisions on key issues. 菅・仙谷コンビは、この反省を踏まえ、官僚機構を使いこなし、節目では首相官邸が決断を下す体制を構築する必要がある。Cooperation between the government and ruling parties also will be important. In the previous government, Ozawa often overturned cabinet decisions. In effect, the principle that the Cabinet would uniformly make policy decisions turned out to exist in name only. 与党との連携も重要だ。前政権では、内閣の方針が小沢一郎前幹事長に覆され、「政策決定の内閣一元化」は有名無実化した。To rectify this situation, Kan and Sengoku will need to keep in close contact with DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano and Policy Research Committee Chairman Koichiro Gemba, who also serves as state minister in charge of civil service reform. それを改めるには、首相や仙谷長官と、枝野幹事長や、公務員制度改革相兼務の玄葉政調会長らとの緊密な調整が不可欠だ。The new government's most pressing task is to review the pledges the DPJ made for last year's House of Representatives election. The pledges included a lineup of handout policies, such as child-rearing allowances, and abolition of expressway tolls. 当面なすべきは、参院選に向けて、昨年の衆院選の政権公約を大幅に修正することだ。政権公約は子ども手当、高速道路の無料化などバラマキ政策に満ちている。===
Jun 10, 2010
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民主党新執行部 「小沢支配」脱し開かれた党に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 9, 2010)DPJ must eliminate Ozawa's influence民主党新執行部 「小沢支配」脱し開かれた党に（6月8日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan must completely change its culture, which has allegedly been controlled by former Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, to regain the public confidence lost under the regime of Ozawa and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. 鳩山首相―小沢幹事長の「小鳩」体制で失った民主党の信頼を回復するには、「小沢支配」と言われる党の体質を根本から改める必要がある。New DPJ President and Prime Minister Naoto Kan has chosen his party's new leadership, appointing Yukio Edano, former state minister in charge of government revitalization, to the powerful post of secretary general. Edano has worked with Kan since the days when they both belonged to the now-defunct New Party Sakigake. 菅・新首相は、党執行部人事を決定した。 幹事長には、新党さきがけ時代から行動を共にしてきた枝野幸男行政刷新相を起用した。Kan also appointed Jun Azumi, chairman of the House of Representatives Security Committee, as head of the party's Election Campaign Committee. Like Edano, Azumi has been critical of Ozawa. 選挙対策委員長には、枝野氏同様、小沢氏に批判的だった安住淳衆院安全保障委員長を充てた。=== Return power to the govt These appointments seem to indicate that Kan is trying to personally direct election campaign measures and Diet affairs through Edano and Azumi, areas that were controlled by Ozawa. 小沢氏が掌握してきた選挙と国会対策を、枝野、安住両氏を通じて自ら指揮するためだろう。Many DPJ members have kept silent about the money-and-politics scandal involving the former secretary general because Ozawa had too much authority in selecting the party's official candidates and distributing election campaign funds. 小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題に多くの民主党議員が沈黙し続けた背景には、公認候補の選定や選挙資金の分配などの権限が小沢氏に集中していたことがある。"I'll drastically increase the transparency of party management," Edano said after being named DPJ secretary general. He will be expected to eliminate Ozawa's influence and get the party back into shape for the House of Councillors election to be held this summer. 枝野幹事長は「党運営の徹底した透明化を進める」と表明した。小沢氏の影響力を排除しつつ、参院選に向けて党を立て直すことが求められる。Kan resurrected the party's Policy Research Committee, which had been disbanded at Ozawa's initiative, and appointed Koichiro Gemba, chairman of the lower house Financial Affairs Committee, as its chairman. Gemba also has kept his distance from Ozawa. 菅新首相は、小沢氏主導で廃止された政策調査会の会長ポストを復活させ、小沢氏に距離を置いてきた玄葉光一郎衆院財務金融委員長を起用した。Gemba also was named state minister in charge of civil service reform. This unconventional appointment aims at making Gemba a bridge between the Cabinet and the DPJ and at mending relations between them, which apparently became strained during the Hatoyama administration. 玄葉氏は公務員改革相も兼務するという。この異例の人事は、玄葉氏を内閣と党の橋渡し役とし、鳩山政権で目立った内閣と与党のギクシャクした関係を再構築する狙いがある。Ozawa dissolved the party's Policy Research Committee and made the secretary general's office the sole window for policy petitions from regions and industries. 小沢氏は、政調を廃止する一方で、地方や業界からの政策陳情の窓口を幹事長室に一本化した。Ozawa's voice of authority made the government withdraw its plans to abolish provisionally higher gasoline and other tax rates during the compilation of this fiscal year's budget. The DPJ also reversed the policy decided on by the government concerning revision of expressway toll discounts. 今年度予算編成では、ガソリン税などの暫定税率廃止の撤回が、小沢氏の鶴の一声で決まった。高速道路料金の割引制度見直しでは、政府が決めた方針を党が覆す事態も起きた。This abnormal situation where the DPJ has more power than the government must be corrected. 異常な「党高政低」を是正することが重要だ。=== Stop high-handed approach Shinji Tarutoko, chairman of the lower house Environment Committee and Kan's sole challenger in Friday's DPJ presidential election, was tapped to be chief of the party's Diet Affairs Committee. 国会対策委員長には、民主党代表選を争った樽床伸二衆院環境委員長を充てた。On the surface, this appointment may look like a gesture of respect to Tarutoko, who won a certain amount of votes in the presidential election. Its real aim, however, is said to be removing Kenji Yamaoka, who is directly connected to Ozawa, from the post of Diet affairs chief. 代表選で一定の票を獲得した樽床氏を遇した格好だが、実際の狙いは、小沢氏直系の山岡賢次氏を国対委員長から外すことにあるとみられている。Ozawa's high-handed approach to Diet affairs management was also criticized strongly. 国会運営でも、小沢氏の強引な手法に対する批判は強かった。The DPJ has been neglecting repeated demands by opposition parties to summon Ozawa and others embroiled in the money-and-politics scandal to testify before the Diet. It also refused to hold intensive Diet deliberations on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, although the opposition parties requested them. 民主党は、「政治とカネ」の問題について、小沢氏ら関係者の国会招致を野党から重ねて要求されながら、無視してきた。 野党が求める米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などの集中審議にも、応じてこなかった。The DPJ must revise its way of managing Diet affairs, which currently relies on the force of numbers and slights deliberations. 「数の力」に頼り、審議を軽視するような国会運営のあり方も見直す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2010) （2010年6月8日01時18分 読売新聞）
Jun 9, 2010
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菅・新首相 景気と財政再建の両立を図れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 8, 2010)Fiscal fix must be part of business recovery菅・新首相 景気と財政再建の両立を図れ（6月6日付・読売社説）Putting the economy on a stable course and rehabilitating the state finances--Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan will have his work cut out as he tries to steer the national economy. 景気を安定軌道に乗せ財政も立て直す――。 日本経済のかじ取りで菅直人新首相に課せられた使命である。Kan must make growth compatible with fiscal reconstruction by adopting a flexible approach and breaking free from the Hatoyama administration's obsession with giving top priority to delivering on campaign pledges. 鳩山内閣が陥った政権公約（マニフェスト）至上主義を脱し、柔軟な発想で、成長と財政再建の両立を図るべきだ。At the news conference last week where Kan announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Democratic Party of Japan, he spoke of his intention to improve the nation's fiscal health. "We'll seek to stop state debt from continuing to increase indefinitely," he said. Kan needs to translate this idea into concrete shape--starting with the fiscal 2011 budget. 新首相は、民主党代表選に向けた会見で、「無限に借金が増えるような方向性は正していく」と、財政健全化に意欲を示した。ならば、２０１１年度予算でさっそく具体化する必要があろう。Kan, as deputy prime minister and finance minister in the Hatoyama Cabinet, has already made moves to fix the huge fiscal deficit. He has spoken, for example, of capping the new issuance of government bonds in the fiscal 2011 budget at less than the 44 trillion yen issued in fiscal 2010. 副総理・財務相在任当時から、菅新首相はすでに布石を打っていた。１１年度予算における国債の新規発行額を、１０年度の４４兆円以下に抑えたい、と述べたことだ。Unless the government puts the brakes on government bond issuance, long-term debts held by central and local governments--which are predicted to reach a staggering 862 trillion yen as of the end of fiscal 2010--are expected to further swell, thereby eroding confidence in government bonds. 国債発行に一定の歯止めをかけなければ、１０年度末で８６２兆円に達する国と地方の長期債務の膨張が続き、国債の信用が失われかねないのが現実だ。Having attended several international conferences as finance minister, Kan might have recognized anew the serious fiscal conditions gripping Japan. At any rate, we welcome his statement in favor of "holding down government bond issues to below 44 trillion yen." 財務相として一連の国際会議に出席し、我が国の財政事情の深刻さを再認識させられたことも背景にある。「国債発行４４兆円以下」発言を一応は評価したい。=== Cut spending first The bond issuance worth about 44 trillion yen for the current fiscal year is the largest ever projected in an initial budget. The most pressing task for the government will be to reduce its bond issuance. だが、これでも当初予算の国債発行額としては史上最高だ。４４兆円を上限に、これをどう減額していくかが肝要である。First and foremost, spending should be reined in as much as possible. The fiscal 2010 budget became bloated due to hand-out policies pledged in the DPJ's manifesto for last year's general election. Among them are child-rearing allowances, income compensation for individual farmers and making public high school tuition free. 最初に取り組むべきは、歳出の抑制だ。１０年度予算は、マニフェストに盛り込まれた政策が歳出を膨らませた。子ども手当、農家に対する戸別所得補償、高校授業料の実質無償化などである。Such pork-barrel measures cannot be allowed to continue. Kan must trim waste and not blindly adhere to policies promised in the party's manifesto. こうしたバラマキを続けることは不可能だ。マニフェストへのこだわりを捨て、真の無駄減らしに取り組む必要がある。Raising the consumption tax rate will be a surefire source of revenue. The consumption tax will be indispensable for helping to meet social security costs that have been soaring by nearly 1 trillion yen annually. 歳入確保の面では、消費税率の引き上げが避けられない。毎年、１兆円規模で増え続ける社会保障費を賄う財源としても、消費税は極めて重要だ。=== Make tax hike a poll issue Some people suggest such a tax increase could adversely affect the economy. Kan, however, has brushed off such concerns, saying the economy will improve if additional revenue accruing from a tax increase is used to improve medical and nursing care treatment, which will create new jobs in these fields. 増税による景気への影響も懸念されるが、新首相は、増収分を医療・介護の充実などに回せば雇用が創出され、景気は良くなるとの見方を示している。If Kan genuinely believes this, we suggest he seek the people's mandate on the advisability of raising the consumption tax in this summer's House of Councillors election. If voters give their consent to this policy in the election, Kan must start working out concrete measures to implement the tax increase while paying close attention to business trends and conditions. そう言う以上、夏の参院選で消費税率引き上げの是非を国民に問うてはどうか。理解を得たと判断すれば、景気動向に目配りしながら、具体案作りに入るべきだ。Equally important will be compilation of guidelines on a "medium-term fiscal framework" and a "fiscal management strategy." The former will set a three-year blueprint for budgets starting with fiscal 2011, while the latter will spell out a longer-term fiscal management strategy. Both are being put together in tandem with compilation of the DPJ's campaign pledges for the forthcoming election. 参院選の公約取りまとめ作業と並行して進む、「中期財政フレーム」と「財政運営戦略」という二つの指針作りも重要である。 前者は１１年度から３年間の予算の大枠を決め、後者は中長期的な財政運営の道筋を描くものだ。The content of the two guidelines will give us a clear idea of the incoming prime minister's resolve on fiscal reconstruction. 二つの指針の中身次第で、新首相のやる気が判断されよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2010) （2010年6月6日01時43分 読売新聞）
Jun 8, 2010
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News Navigator: Why are corporate executives' remunerations disclosed?
(Mainichi Japan) June 4, 2010News Navigator: Why are corporate executives' remunerations disclosed?質問なるほドリ：なぜ高額の役員報酬が公表されるの？＝回答・中井正裕 ＜ＮＥＷＳ ＮＡＶＩＧＡＴＯＲ＞The Mainichi answers common questions that readers may have about why corporate executives who receive high-level remunerations are identified and their amounts disclosed.（何故高額の役員報酬が公表されるのか毎日新聞がお答えします） ◇不適切な経営判断けん制 基準は米国参考「年１億円以上」 ◆なぜ高額の役員報酬が公表されるの？Question: Major cosmetics company Shiseido Co. has recently announced the amount of its president's remuneration. Is it a rare move? なるほドリ 大手化粧品メーカーの資生堂が、社長の報酬額を発表したけど、珍しいの？Answer: Japanese listed companies are supposed to disclose their business performance and financial situation in their annual financial reports. Even though all listed firms are legally required to announce the total amount of their board members' remunerations, they were not mandated at all to specify the amounts of individual board members' remunerations until recently. Therefore, most of the companies have withheld such information even though some companies, including semiconductor supplier Tokyo Electron Ltd., have voluntarily disclosed their chief executive officers' remuneration in their financial statements. 記者 日本の上場企業は毎年、金融商品取引法に基づき、事業状況や財務内容などを有価証券報告書で公表します。報告書には役員報酬の総額を記載しなくてはなりませんが、それぞれがいくらもらったかの「個別開示」は義務付けられていませんでした。東京エレクトロンなど、報告書で自主的に代表取締役の報酬を明らかにしている企業もありますが、ほとんどの日本企業は個別開示していないのです。Q: How about listed companies in the United States? Ｑ 米国の上場企業は個別開示しているの？A: They publicize remunerations for their top five board members, who have earned the largest amounts of pay over the previous three years. In Britain, listed firms announce all individual board members' remunerations. Most major industrialized democracies including Canada, Germany, France and Italy have their own regulations on the announcement of individual corporate executives' remunerations. The move is aimed at discouraging companies from paying excessive amounts of compensation to executives when their business performance is slumping. Ａ 報酬額トップ５人の過去３年間分を開示しています。英国では役員全員の個別報酬を公表しています。そのほか、カナダ、ドイツ、フランス、イタリアなど主要先進国の多くが個別開示のルールを定めています。「業績不振にもかかわらず、トップに巨額報酬を支払ってしまう」などの不適切な経営判断をけん制するのが狙いです。Q: In Western countries, the transparency of board members' remunerations has been encouraged, hasn't it? Ｑ 欧米各国では、役員報酬の透明化が進んでいるんだね。A: In Japan, too, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) revised regulations on the standards for information to be disclosed in companies' financial statements to obligate firms to identify their board members and auditors who earn at least 100 million yen a year and specify their exact amounts. Ａ 日本でも金融庁が３月、報告書の公表基準を定める内閣府令を改正し、年間１億円以上の報酬を受けた取締役や監査役の名前と金額の公表を義務付けました。The new rules apply to corporate financial statements for fiscal 2009 that must be submitted to authorities by the end of June, or later. Some business leaders voiced opposition to the move due to privacy concerns, but the FSA justified it on the grounds that listed companies, for which numerous shareholders invest their funds, have a public mission and should publicize their specific information on relations between their business performances and remunerations for their executives.６月末が提出期限となる１０年３月期の有価証券報告書から適用されます。経済界からは、プライバシー保護などを理由に反対の声が上がりましたが、金融庁は「多数の株主が投資する上場会社は、公的存在。業績と報酬の関係について具体的に情報開示すべきだ」と説明しています。Behind the move is the fact that State Minister for Financial Services Shizuka Kamei expressed displeasure at the fact that Shinsei Bank that ran deeply in the red last fiscal year pays huge amounts of compensation to board members who are from a foreign company that holds a stake in the bank. "Its president gets a mere 9 million yen, but each board member from a foreign stakeholder earn a ridiculously high remuneration of 150 million yen," Kamei complained.また、１０年３月期に巨額赤字を計上した新生銀行に対し、亀井静香金融相が「社長は９００万円なのに、外資（出身の役員）が１億５０００万円ぐらいのべらぼうな報酬を取っている」と不快感を表明したことも背景にあるようです。Q: Why are only those who earn over 100 million yen subject to the rules? Ｑ なぜ、１億円以上なの？A: The agency made the decision considering that the figure is the average amount of remunerations paid to chief executives officers of listed companies in the United States. However, the levels of remunerations for Japanese listed companies are lower than those in the United States and Europe. Fulltime board members of Japanese listed firms receive approximately 25 million yen on average. Therefore, most of Japanese listed companies will unlikely be required to disclose their individual board members' remunerations. Ａ 米国の上場企業の最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）がもらっている報酬水準を参考にしたそうです。でも、日本の上場企業の役員報酬は欧米企業に比べて低く、常勤の取締役で平均２５００万円程度。日本の場合、ほとんどの企業が「開示対象なし」となる見通しです。It is also notable that the new rules obligate listed companies to disclose their standards for calculating their executives' remunerations and how to determine the amounts. In other words, listed companies are required to fulfill their accountability for how they decide on compensation for their executives. (Answers by Masahiro Nakai, Economic News Department)もう一つ注目したいのが、役員報酬の算定基準や決定方法の公表を新たに義務付けたこと。役員報酬をどのように決めているのかについて、企業側は説明責任を果たさなくてはなりません。（経済部）毎日新聞 2010年6月4日 東京朝刊
Jun 7, 2010
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菅・新首相選出 日米同盟と経済を立て直せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 6, 2010)Kan must revive economy, restore alliance with U.S.菅・新首相選出 日米同盟と経済を立て直せ（6月5日付・読売社説）It was a very hasty selection of the national leader. Naoto Kan, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, was elected prime minister Friday afternoon, only two days after outgoing Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation. いかにもにわか仕立てである。鳩山首相の退陣表明からわずか２日後、後継首相に菅直人・民主党代表が選出された。People may worry about a leader who is elected in such a way. To dispel these concerns, Prime Minister-elect Kan must put all his effort into patching up the strained Japan-U.S. alliance, which is the linchpin of this country's foreign policy and security, as well as turning around the Japanese economy. これで大丈夫なのか、そんな懸念を払拭(ふっしょく)するためにも、菅・新首相は、外交・安全保障の基軸である日米同盟関係の修復と、日本経済の立て直しに全力を挙げねばならない。=== Strategic view important ◆戦略的視点が重要だKan, who entered politics after he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 on the ticket of the now-defunct United Social Democratic Party, has been called a "politician of the people." It is true that the common sense of ordinary people is important. 社会民主連合から初当選し、政界入りした菅新首相は、「市民派」の政治家と言われてきた。確かに市民感覚も大切である。However, we hope Kan, as national leader, will strive to manage politics from a broad and strategic standpoint that protects people's safety and security and attaches great importance to national interests. しかし、今後は、国家指導者として、国民の安全と安心を守り、国益を重視するという大局的、戦略的な視点からの政治運営に努めてほしい。Prior to the prime ministerial votes Friday, Kan beat Shinji Tarutoko, chairman of the lower house Environment Committee, by a wide margin in the DPJ presidential election. 首相指名選挙に先立つ民主党代表選で、菅新首相は、樽床伸二衆院環境委員長を大差で破った。Kan's turn has finally come round, as Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, with whom Kan formed a troika, have both resigned. 鳩山、菅、小沢幹事長の３氏による「トロイカ体制」のうち、「小・鳩」の２氏が退陣し、残る菅氏にお鉢が回ってきた。Kan drew public attention when he dealt with the issue of HIV-tainted blood products as health minister in the 1990s. He founded the original DPJ with Hatoyama in 1996 and realized its 2003 merger with the Liberal Party, which was led by Ozawa. 新首相は、厚相として薬害エイズ問題に取り組んで注目を浴びた。鳩山首相とともに民主党を結党し、小沢氏が党首だった自由党との合併も実現した。Kan garnered broad support from the DPJ in its recent election, probably because of his varied political career and his high name recognition. 今回、党内の幅広い支持を集めたのも、多彩な政治経歴と高い知名度のためだろう。But the DPJ presidential election lacked policy debates between the two contenders. Does the DPJ really think it will be able to make a fresh start without examining the mistakes made by the Hatoyama administration? それにしても党代表選では、政策論議が乏しかった。民主党は鳩山政権の失敗の検証なくして出直しができると、本当に考えているのだろうか。Kan has started working on appointments to the cabinet and to party executive positions. It is important for Kan to eliminate the dual power structure under which someone can pull strings from behind the scenes to control the prime minister, as Ozawa did. 菅新首相は、内閣・党役員人事に着手した。ここでは、小沢幹事長のように背後から首相をコントロールする「二重権力」構造を排除することが大事だ。===
Jun 6, 2010
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野口さん帰還 フロンティア開拓に生かそう
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 5, 2010)Continue exploring the frontier of space野口さん帰還 フロンティア開拓に生かそう（6月4日付・読売社説）Astronaut Soichi Noguchi has returned to Earth after an extended stay on the International Space Station. He was in orbit for 163 days, the longest mission ever by a Japanese astronaut. 国際宇宙ステーションに長期滞在していた宇宙飛行士の野口聡一さんが地球に無事帰還した。 宇宙滞在期間は１６３日間にも及ぶ。日本人としてこれまでで最も長い。"The Earth air is refreshing," Noguchi said immediately after his return. He also spoke about Earth's gravity, saying he felt like "something's wrong with my neck." 帰還直後には「地球の空気はおいしい」と感想を述べた。久々の地球の重力に、「首に違和感がある」とも漏らしていた。The ISS is the front line of humankind's advancement into space, a harsh frontier. We appreciate Noguchi's continued efforts to send footage to the Earth with a smile during his stay in space. ステーションは人類の宇宙進出の最前線だ。改めて過酷なフロンティアと思う。それでも宇宙滞在中、笑顔で映像を送り続けた野口さんに、お疲れ様と言いたい。Noguchi carried out numerous experiments that could only be done in space. He cultivated muscle fibers in a weightless environment, for example, to further the study of muscular diseases. He also worked to grow enzyme crystals to help develop new materials. All this produced valuable data. 宇宙でしかできない実験も多数こなした。筋肉の病気研究のため無重力で筋肉繊維を育てたり、新材料開発のため結晶を作ったりして貴重なデータを得ている。Noguchi's tests also included taking medicine himself. 自ら薬剤を飲む実験もあった。Japanese astronauts are scheduled to stay on the ISS for extended periods next year and the year after that. Will it be possible to conduct advanced tests that would require more time but could produce results that could be used more effectively? 来年、再来年も日本人の長期滞在が予定されている。 もっと時間はかかるが、より有効利用できる高度な実験はできないものか。The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is involved in the U.S-led ISS project, and should make the best use of Noguchi's experiences to ensure that astronauts staying on the ISS can produce even more fruitful results. ステーション計画を担う宇宙航空研究開発機構は、宇宙滞在をさらに実りあるものにするよう、野口さんの経験を生かすべきだ。=== Project's value questioned In recent years, objections have been raised about the ISS project, the operational costs of which include an annual Japanese contribution of 40 billion yen. This is because only a few of the experimental achievements made on the ISS have been used for industrial purposes. 日本だけで年に４００億円の運営経費を要するステーション計画には、最近、異論が多い。 宇宙実験の成果が産業化につながる例が限られているためだ。Making matters worse, U.S. President Barack Obama said early this year--to the confusion of many--that instead of keeping the station in place until the end of 2015, as initially planned, the ISS operation would likely be extended for at least five years after that. 加えて、オバマ米大統領が今年初め、２０１５年までとしてきたステーションの運用期間を、最低でも５年延長する方針を打ち出したことが波紋を広げている。Even by simple arithmetic, this would require Japan to increase its contribution by more than 200 billion yen. With this in mind, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has started considering whether to continue our nation's involvement in the ISS project when its operations are extended. 日本は単純計算でも２０００億円以上のコスト増になる。延長後も継続して参加するか、文部科学省が検討を始めたところだ。Skeptics also note that the aging U.S. space shuttle fleet will be decommissioned by the end of the year, requiring astronauts to rely on Russia for transportation to and from the ISS. 老朽化した米スペースシャトルが年内で退役し、人の輸送がロシア頼りになることも、懸念材料となっている。=== Russia raising prices The Russian Soyuz spacecraft was used to transport Noguchi to the ISS from Earth and carry him back. It is distinct from U.S. space shuttles in that an astronaut plunges through the atmosphere in a Soyuz capsule, while shuttles sail through the air like winged planes. 野口さんも今回、行き帰りともロシアのソユーズ宇宙船に搭乗した。翼があり飛行機のように滑空するシャトルとは異なり、ソユーズは、人がカプセルに乗り込んで大気圏に突入する。Russia has proposed an increase in the cost of transport via the Soyuz, a spaceship that has been used since the initial stage of space development and gained international recognition for its safety--as if to take advantage of other ISS participants' weakness in this area. A rise in transport expenditures could increase the costs of the whole ISS project. 宇宙開発初期から運用され、安全性は高いが、ロシアは、他国の足元を見るかのように、輸送費用の値上げを言い出した。計画全体のコストが上昇しかねない。In response, the government has devised a plan to shore up this country's research and development regarding space exploration, with a view to building its own manned spacecraft. The government has said such a project will require an estimated 90 billion yen. そんな中、政府は、日本独自の有人宇宙船開発を視野に基盤となる研究開発を充実させる方針も打ち出した。９００億円の予算が必要と試算している。Building a manned spaceship of Japan's own is an ambitious enterprise. But the question is how to finance such a costly undertaking. We hope the government will step up efforts to consider ways and means of further exploring the frontier of the universe. 夢はある。だが、財源はどうするのか。宇宙のフロンティアを目指す検討を急ぎたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 4, 2010) （2010年6月4日01時25分 読売新聞）
Jun 5, 2010
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鳩山・小沢退陣 脱「二重権力」で政策転換図れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 4, 2010)DPJ must shed 'dual power' structure鳩山・小沢退陣 脱「二重権力」で政策転換図れ（6月3日付・読売社説）In the end, he probably concluded he had no other option. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced Wednesday he will step down. 万事休したということだろう。鳩山首相が退陣を表明した。When the Hatoyama Cabinet was inaugurated in September, nobody could have predicted the ruling coalition government under Hatoyama--comprised of his Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and People's New Party--would turn out to be so short-lived. 昨年９月、民主、社民、国民新３党による鳩山連立内閣が発足した時、これほどの短命を予測した人は、まずいまい。Yet in just 8-1/2 months, Hatoyama bruised the Japan-U.S. alliance--the cornerstone of this nation's foreign and national security policies--over the issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, and left the nation's politics in disarray. だが、わずか８か月半の間、鳩山首相は、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題で、わが国の外交・安全保障の基軸である日米同盟を傷つけ、日本政治を大混乱させた。Hatoyama also could not shake off several scandals, including one in which his mother had given him a sizable amount of money in political funds. 母親からの巨額資金提供など、「政治とカネ」にまつわる疑惑も払拭(ふっしょく)できなかった。=== Top 2 had to go ◆２トップ辞任は当然◆Together with Hatoyama, DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa will resign. Their resignations are reasonable; both must take "collective responsibility" for allowing the wheels to come off management of the administration. 首相とともに小沢民主党幹事長も辞任することになった。２人は政権運営の行き詰まりに「連帯責任」を負わねばならず、辞任は当然のことだ。Hatoyama and the party leadership will resign en masse. The DPJ is due to choose a new leader to succeed Hatoyama at a general meeting of its lawmakers from both Diet chambers Friday. 民主党は、首相と党執行部の退陣を受け、４日の両院議員総会で「ポスト鳩山」の新代表を選出する運びだ。Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also serves as finance minister, has emerged as one of the possible successors to Hatoyama. 後継には、菅副総理・財務相らの名があがっている。The new administration will need to commit itself to reconstructing the Japan-U.S. alliance and rejuvenating the economy by overhauling economic policy. 新政権は、日米同盟関係の再構築と、経済政策の一新による景気の回復に、全力を挙げる体制をつくらなければならない。"The public gradually stopped listening [to me]," Hatoyama gave as one reason for stepping down at the general meeting of DPJ lawmakers. Hatoyama has himself to blame, as his own words and deeds were what turned the public off. 鳩山首相は両院議員総会で、「国民が徐々に聞く耳をもたなくなってきてしまった」と辞任の理由を述べた。国民がほとんど耳を貸さなくなったのは、首相自らが招いた結果だ。On the Futenma issue, Hatoyama said he would transfer the base's functions "at least" outside Okinawa Prefecture, and he repeatedly said he would settle the issue by the end of May with a plan that would satisfy the United States, the ruling coalition parties and the people of Okinawa. However, he readily broke these promises. 普天間飛行場の移設問題で、首相は「最低でも県外」と言い、米国、連立与党、沖縄の合意を得るという「５月末決着」を何度も繰り返しながら、いずれも、あっさり反故(ほご)にした。Hatoyama's words and deeds were riddled with inconsistencies. It is only natural the public lost faith in him. これだけ言行不一致を重ねれば、国民が首相の言葉を信じなくなるのは当たり前だろう。Meanwhile, Ozawa has made no explanation whatsoever before the Diet regarding a money scandal that embroiled his political funds management organization, including a dubious land purchase in Tokyo. 小沢氏は、自らの資金管理団体をめぐる土地取引疑惑など「政治とカネ」の問題について、国会で一切説明してこなかった。Ozawa's actions have clearly generated distrust of politics and impeded the Hatoyama administration. これが国民の政治不信を招き、鳩山政権の足を引っ張ってきたのは明らかだ。In a recent Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, an overwhelming majority of respondents thought Ozawa should resign. If Ozawa had not taken responsibility and fallen on his sword, criticism of him would have only grown louder. 本紙の世論調査でも、小沢氏の幹事長辞任を求める声は圧倒的だった。小沢氏が何らけじめをつけなければ、批判は一層強まったに違いない。Ozawa's resignation apparently reflected these circumstances. Yet if the party truly intends to create a "clean DPJ," as Hatoyama claimed during the general meeting Wednesday, Ozawa should explain in detail his involvement--if any--in a spate of alleged funds scandals that have tarnished his political funds management body. 小沢氏が辞任に至ったのは、こうした事情が背景にあったためとみられる。ただ、首相が強調したように、「クリーンな民主党」を目指すというなら、小沢氏には、一連の疑惑について、詳しい説明が求められよう。===
Jun 4, 2010
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日中首脳会談 戦略的互恵を実のあるものに
コメント：今度も中国の北朝鮮に対する態度は変わらないでしょう。中国は金日成の時代より盟友でしたからね。米国の言うなりにはならないゾ！ある面では日本より先を走っていますね。経済でも追い抜かれます。頑張れ日本！srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 2, 2010)Build mutually beneficial relations with China日中首脳会談 戦略的互恵を実のあるものに（6月1日付・読売社説）Tension is running high on the Korean Peninsula and a few incidents have recently occurred between Japan and China in the East China Sea and waters off Japan. It is at times like this when Tokyo and Beijing must strive to resolve issues in line with the "Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests" statement they agreed upon in 2008. 朝鮮半島情勢が緊迫の度を深め、東シナ海などで日中間のトラブルが続いた。こうした時こそ、日中両国は戦略的互恵関係に基づき、課題解決を目ざさなければならない。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Monday agreed with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to start talks as soon as possible on a bilateral pact over exploration of disputed gas fields in the East China Sea. 鳩山首相は、日本を公式訪問した中国の温家宝首相と会談し、懸案の東シナ海ガス田開発の条約交渉を、できるだけ早期に開始することで合意した。Although the two countries agreed to jointly explore the gas resources in June 2008, China was unwilling to start talks on a formal pact to substantiate the agreement because it said conditions were not yet ready. ガス田の共同開発は２００８年６月、両国政府で合意しながら、合意を具体化するための条約交渉は、中国側が「環境が整っていない」と、難色を示していた。During that period, however, China attempted to resume unilateral development of a gas field known as Shirakaba in Japan and Chunxiao in China, prompting Tokyo to express concern. その間、中国側はガス田「白樺」（中国名・春暁）で単独開発を再開するかのような動きをみせ、日本側は懸念を表明してきた。Joint exploration of the gas fields is an ideal project to show tangible progress in the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Tokyo and Beijing should draw up a draft treaty they can agree upon as soon as possible. ガス田開発は日中の戦略的互恵関係の進展を目に見える形で示す格好の事業だ。両国が納得できる条約案を早急に固めてほしい。=== Unsettled demarcation In April, Chinese Navy helicopters twice flew very close to Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers in the East China Sea and waters off Japan while MSDF ships were monitoring activities of the Chinese fleet there. 日中間では、今年４月、東シナ海などで中国艦隊の艦載ヘリが２度、監視中の海上自衛隊護衛艦に異常接近した。In early May, a Chinese ship disturbed research activities by a Japan Coast Guard survey ship in the East China Sea. The Japanese government quite rightly protested to China for its infringement on Japanese interests, but Beijing claimed the Chinese ship acted properly and legitimately. ５月初旬、中国船が海上保安庁測量船の調査活動を妨害した。日本政府が、日本の権益を侵害しているとして抗議したのは当然のことだが、中国側は、正当な活動だと反論している。Observers have said such troubles stem from the unsettled demarcation of the East China Sea, China's eagerness to secure marine resources and the increased blue-water activities of the Chinese Navy. こうしたトラブルの背景には、東シナ海の境界線が未画定なことや、海洋資源確保に躍起な中国側の姿勢、中国海軍の遠洋展開の活発化があるとみられている。With such incidents in mind, Hatoyama expressed his concerns to Wen and asked the Chinese side to exercise self-restraint and prevent recurrences. 鳩山首相はこれらの事件を念頭に中国の行動に懸念を示し、二度と起きないよう自制を求めた。The two leaders also agreed to establish a crisis management system to avoid contingencies at sea and to establish a hotline between them. At least for a while, it is essential to take measures to prevent similar incidents. 両首脳は、海上での不測の事態を避けるための「危機管理メカニズム」の構築や、両首脳間のホットラインの開設でも一致した。当面は、再発防止策を急ぐことが肝要である。=== Urge China to punish DPRK Referring to the March sinking of a South Korean warship by a North Korean torpedo, Hatoyama said North Korea should be condemned under international law and asked for Beijing's cooperation on the issue. 北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃による韓国哨戒艦沈没事件について、鳩山首相は、「国際ルールに則(のっと)って北朝鮮は厳しく非難されるべきだ」と、中国側の協力を求めた。However, Wen only said China would like to communicate closely with Japan on the issue. In upcoming weeks, attention will be on diplomatic debates at the U.N. Security Council concerning the fatal sinking of the Cheonan corvette. だが温首相は、「日中間で意思疎通を図っていきたい」と、述べるにとどまったという。 今後は国連安全保障理事会を舞台とする外交戦に焦点が移る。Hatoyama has expressed his full support for Seoul's response to the incident at his recent summit meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and at other opportunities. 鳩山首相は、日韓首脳会談などで、今回の沈没事件に関する韓国の対応に全面的な支持を表明している。Japan, currently a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, should, together with the United States and South Korea, more strongly urge China to join them in concerted efforts toward the adoption of a resolution against North Korea at the Security Council. 日本は国連安保理の非常任理事国でもある。 対北朝鮮決議の採択に向けて、日米韓で緊密な連携を図りつつ、中国が同一歩調をとるよう、働きかけを一層強める必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 1, 2010) （2010年6月1日02時08分 読売新聞）
Jun 2, 2010
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社民党離脱 連立崩壊を招いた首相不決断
コメント：結果だけをみて鳩山首相をこれでもかこれでもかと批判するのは、あまりいただけない。それよりも経過が大切。新聞社も毎日発行されるわけですから、毎日首相への助言はできたはずです。流れを変えてみませんか。ポジティブな方向へ！The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 1, 2010)Hatoyama's dithering caused coalition crack社民党離脱 連立崩壊を招いた首相不決断（5月31日付・読売社説）The Social Democratic Party's split from the coalition government led by the Democratic Party of Japan arose from the fact that their diplomatic and security policies were as irreconcilable as oil and water. 「水と油」のように相いれない外交・安全保障政策を持つ政党同士が、連立政権を続けてきたこと自体に、致命的な問題があったと言えよう。The SDP's departure came after Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama dismissed SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima as state minister in charge of consumer affairs, after she refused to sign a document approving the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Despite this breakup, the SDP has not ruled out cooperating with the DPJ in this summer's House of Councillors election. 社民党が、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題をめぐる福島党首の閣僚罷免を踏まえて、鳩山政権から離脱する方針を決定した。ただ、夏の参院選で民主党との選挙協力を行う可能性はあり得るという。Hatoyama's sacking of Fukushima is understandable in light of her defiance over the Futenma policy--an issue that directly affects national security. The SDP decision to walk out of the tripartite coalition also was a natural reaction. 国の安全保障問題で政府方針に反対し、閣議での署名を拒否した以上、鳩山首相による福島氏罷免は納得できる。一方で、社民党の政権離脱も当然だろう。Hatoyama largely has himself to blame for the messy split: He repeatedly made concessions on Futenma and other issues as he gave priority to maintaining the coalition with the SDP to ensure smooth Diet management and electoral cooperation. 問題なのは、首相が、国会運営や選挙協力の観点から社民党との連立維持を優先し、普天間問題などで妥協を重ねてきたことだ。=== History could repeat The Hatoyama administration could repeat its mistake if it concedes to the SDP on policy matters simply to obtain its cooperation in the forthcoming election. The administration should be focusing more on the political realignment looming after the upper house election, as well as forming a "partial coalition" in which ruling and opposition parties cooperate when they agree on specific policies. 鳩山政権が今後、選挙目当てで社民党の協力を得るため政策面ですり寄れば、再び同じ過ちを犯しかねない。むしろ参院選後の政界再編や、政策ごとに与野党が連携する「部分連合」を視野に入れて行動すべきではないか。In its policy platform declared in 2006, the SDP said it wants to "scale down the Self-Defense Forces that have existed in violation of the Constitution" and "transform the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty into a pact of peace and goodwill." On the Futenma issue, the party insisted on relocating the base overseas--a plan the United States was never likely to accept--and delaying a final decision on the matter while making no effort to find a realistic solution. 社民党は２００６年の社民党宣言で、「違憲状態にある自衛隊は縮小を図る」「日米安保条約は平和友好条約に転換させる」方針を掲げた。普天間問題でも、米国が到底同意できない国外移設や決着先送りを主張し、現実的な問題解決の努力をしなかった。Hatoyama buckled late last year when the SDP threatened to bolt from the coalition over the Futenma relocation. The prime minister put off settling the issue in line with the 2006 agreement between Tokyo and Washington. This further complicated an already delicate problem. 鳩山首相は昨年末、政権離脱をちらつかせた社民党に屈して、現行計画での決着を決断できず、問題を一層迷走させた。Had Hatoyama defused the Futenma issue at that time and bitten the bullet by allowing the SDP to break away from the coalition, he would not have ended up straining relations with Washington, as well as with local Okinawa governments and residents, to the detriment of the national interest. 仮に首相が社民党の離脱を甘受し、問題を決着させておけば、米国や沖縄との関係を壊し、国益を損ねることはなかったろう。Making the tough decision then would have spared the prime minister from devoting so much political energy to the Futenma issue. Instead, he could have turned his attention to other diplomatic and domestic issues, such as deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance. その後、普天間問題に膨大な政治的エネルギーを費やす必要もなく、同盟深化の作業など、他の外交・内政案件にもっと真剣に取り組む態勢がとれたはずだ。=== A heavy price to pay A coalition government by its very nature requires all its participants to make concessions. But Hatoyama's unwillingness to openly discuss differences in important policy matters with his coalition partners has blown up in his face with the SDP's breakaway. 連立政権では政党間の妥協が付き物だが、重要な基本政策の不一致を黙認してきたツケが今回、一気に噴き出したと言える。According to a Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey taken over the weekend, the Hatoyama Cabinet's approval rating has dropped to 19 percent, and nearly 60 percent of respondents think Hatoyama should resign as prime minister. The percentage of respondents who plan to vote for the DPJ in the proportional representation segment of the upper house election dipped below that of the Liberal Democratic Party for the first time since the DPJ came to power in September. 読売新聞の緊急世論調査で、鳩山内閣の支持率は１９％に続落し、首相は退陣すべきだとの回答が６割近くにも上った。参院比例選の投票先では、政権交代後初めて民主党が自民党を下回った。Public discontent with Hatoyama has been growing over his refusal to take responsibility for his inability to resolve the Futenma issue in line with what he promised the people. 普天間問題を決着できず、「国民との約束」を破りながら、責任をとらない鳩山首相に対する国民の評価はかつてなく厳しい。Criticism of Hatoyama is finally emerging even within the DPJ. The party should be aware that people are casting a cold eye over the party because of its inability to reform itself from the inside. 民主党内では、ようやく首相批判の声が出始めた。国民の冷たい視線は、何ら自浄能力を発揮しない民主党にも向けられていることをきちんと自覚すべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2010) （2010年5月31日01時42分 読売新聞）
Jun 1, 2010
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