2010年07月の記事
全37件 (37件中 1-37件目)
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エコカー支援 補助金打ち切りは時期尚早だ
It's too early to end eco-car subsidiesThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 1, 2010)エコカー支援 補助金打ち切りは時期尚早だ（7月31日付・読売社説）Why would an economic stimulus measure that has produced good results be discontinued? せっかく効果を上げている景気刺激策を、なぜやめるのか。The government on Friday decided to end a subsidy program for people purchasing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient automobiles at the end of September as scheduled. 政府は３０日、省エネ性能に優れたエコカーを購入する際に支給する補助金を、期限である９月末で打ち切ることを決めた。Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima said: "It [program] was implemented as a temporary and unusual measure. It will automatically end at the end of September." 直嶋経済産業相は「臨時、異例の措置としてやってきた。自動的に９月末で終了することになる」と述べた。But the pace of economic recovery has been slow recently. We consider now to be a bad time to lose a measure that helps prop up consumption. In business circles, too, there are strong calls for the continuation of the measure. しかし、最近は、景気回復の足取りがもたついている。消費の下支え策をなくすには、タイミングが悪いのではないか。経済界にも存続を求める声が強い。Affordable assistanceMoney to pay for this program could be found in the 1 trillion yen reserve funds included in this fiscal year's budget for measures to help the economy stay afloat. The government should reconsider its stance and continue to provide the so-called eco-car subsidies for the time being. 経済危機対応のため今年度予算に盛り込まれた１兆円の予備費を使えば、財源の手当ては可能だ。政府は、補助金の支給を当面続けるよう、再考すべきである。The subsidy program was first introduced by the administration of former Prime Minister Taro Aso as a temporary measure effective through the end of March this year. The following administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama extended it for another six months with an additional budget allocation. エコカー補助金は、麻生政権が今年３月末までの時限措置として導入した後、鳩山政権も予算を追加して６か月延長した。The measure was favorably received by consumers, as they could receive up to 250,000 yen for a passenger car. Coupled with an eco-point system targeting energy-saving home appliances, the eco-car subsidies have significantly contributed to an expansion in consumption. 乗用車で最大２５万円をもらえる内容が好評で、省エネ家電のエコポイントとともに、消費拡大に高い効果を上げてきた。As a financial resource for the consumer-supporting measure, the government earmarked about 600 billion yen in a supplementary budget for fiscal 2009. This amount was enough to assist in the purchase of 4.5 million automobiles, and funds have been used or are set to be used for the actual purchase of 3 million cars. 支援の財源として２００９年度の補正予算で約６０００億円が計上された。これで４５０万台分の購入支援が可能となり、すでに３００万台分の利用が決まった。There is about 100 billion yen left in subsidy funds and two months left before the expiration of the measures. But the planned termination of the subsidy program has caused some consequences already. 補助金は１０００億円ほど残っており、期限切れまで、まだ２か月あるが、影響はすでに出始めているようだ。Buyers hitting brakes alreadyPurchasers will not be able to receive subsidies if they do not register their new cars by the end of September. With popular models, it often takes more than two months for purchasers to receive their cars after signing a purchase contract. 新車登録が９月末に間に合わないと補助金の対象にならないが、人気車は契約から納車まで２か月以上かかることも珍しくない。Some customers reportedly have given up on their car-buying plans after dealers told them that they might not be able to receive subsidies even if they made a purchase now. 販売店の説明で、今すぐ買っても補助金がもらえない恐れがあると知り、購入をあきらめる客もいるという。There is reason to worry that automobile sales will drop significantly with the completion of the subsidy program. 今後、補助金制度の終了で、本格的に自動車の販売が落ち込むことが懸念される。Germany introduced a new car purchase support system in January last year, and abolished the measure in September after using up its budget funds. New car sales then decreased by more than 20 percent from the period of the support system, and remain sluggish. 昨年１月に新車購入支援制度を導入したドイツでは、９月に予算を使い果たして制度が廃止された。その後、新車の販売台数は、支援の実施中より２割以上も落ち込んだまま低迷が続いている。Taking into account an anticipated decrease in sales, Toyota Motor Corp. plans to reduce domestic production by about 20 percent from October. If automakers, which constitute one of the nation's major industries, downshift their production, then industrial output as a whole, whose pace of recovery has already slowed, may cool down even further. 終了後の販売減少を見込んで、トヨタ自動車は国内生産を、１０月から２割ほど減らす。主要産業の自動車が減産に動けば、回復のペースが落ちてきた工業生産が、さらに冷え込みかねない。Although the nation is facing severe fiscal conditions, the termination of the subsidies would seriously affect the economy. Government officials should exercise their wisdom to find a way to continue the subsidy program while giving consideration to both state finances and the economy. For example, reducing the number of eligible models and the overall subsidy amount would be a possible scenario. 財政は厳しいが、打ち切りは景気への副作用が大きい。対象車種を絞って支援規模を縮小するなど、財政と景気の両面に配慮しながら補助金を継続させる知恵を出してほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2010)（2010年7月31日01時40分 読売新聞）
Jul 31, 2010
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中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ
中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。cite from washington postChina Now World's Second-Largest Economy 中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へSurpassing Japan, China's economy is second only to that of the United States, which it is projected to overtake sometime around 2025. The per-capita income, though, is still a paltry $3,800.中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。ただ一人当りに換算するとわずか3800ドルにすぎない。
Jul 31, 2010
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中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ
中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。cite from washington postChina Now World's Second-Largest Economy 中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へSurpassing Japan, China's economy is second only to that of the United States, which it is projected to overtake sometime around 2025. The per-capita income, though, is still a paltry $3,800.中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。ただ一人当りに換算するとわずか3800ドルにすぎない。
Jul 31, 2010
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検索大手提携 グーグルの市場支配が心配だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 31, 2010)Yahoo Japan-Google tie-up must be monitored検索大手提携 グーグルの市場支配が心配だ（7月30日付・読売社説）Internet search giant Google Inc. and Japan's top portal Yahoo Japan have agreed to form a search engine alliance and cooperate in online advertising and other services. インターネット検索で世界最大の米グーグルと国内最大手のヤフーが、検索やネット広告配信で提携する。The partnership between Yahoo Japan and Google of the United States will mean the two companies will acquire a dominant 90 percent of the Internet search market in this country. This could reduce the options available to Internet users seeking a more diverse variety of online information. With this in mind, it is necessary to ensure that the alliance does not prevent the Internet market from growing further. 両社合わせた国内検索市場の占有率は９割に達し、多様なネット情報を望む利用者の選択肢が狭まる可能性がある。提携がネット市場の発展を妨げないよう注視が必要だ。Ironically, while the Japanese portal, in which telecom operator SoftBank Corp. has a major stake, has joined hands with its rival Google, Yahoo Inc. of the United States is struggling to catch up with the world's largest search service provider through a tie-up with Microsoft Corp. 米ヤフーはマイクロソフトと提携し、グーグルを追撃するが、ソフトバンクが出資する日本のヤフーはライバルと手を結んだ。Yahoo Japan's move apparently reflects a decision that it has no choice but to adopt Google's cutting-edge technology if it wants to survive in the search market, the major battleground in the Internet business. ネット事業の主戦場である検索分野で生き残るには、グーグルの最先端技術を取り入れるしかないと判断したのだろう。Under the agreement, Google will provide Yahoo Japan with a search engine and technology to display ads associated with the search results. 今回の提携で、グーグルは「検索エンジン」と、検索結果に連動して広告を表示するシステムをヤフーに提供する。Will U.S. giant control market?The search engine appends indexes to vast amounts of data on the Internet, with each piece of information ranked depending on keywords users type in, enabling them to select the data they need instantly. Use of search engines has taken firm root in our daily lives, as is evident by the fact that 50 million people use such Internet tools in this country every month. 検索エンジンは、ネット上の膨大なデータに索引を付け、利用者がキーワードを入力すれば、瞬時に関連情報を順位付けして取り出せる仕組みだ。月間延べ５０００万人以上が利用し、今や日常生活にすっかり定着したと言える。Corporations strive to attract customers through the Internet by having their Web sites and ads displayed in the upper ranks of search results, so such information will be easily discerned by users. ネット経由の集客に力を入れる企業は、利用者の目に触れやすいように自社のサイトや広告が、検索結果の上位に表示されるように懸命になっている。However, the Google-Yahoo Japan alliance is problematic as the U.S. search giant could end up monopolizing the market in Japan. 問題は、そうした中核サービスが事実上、グーグル１社に握られる恐れがあることだ。Yahoo Japan has denied this, saying its services will include data and information distinct from that provided by the U.S. firm.However, some people fear users may be unable to access the information they need because of Google's ability to control search results. Is there no reason to worry? There also is a concern that the Google-Yahoo Japan tie-up could lead to an increase in ad rates. ヤフーは自社サービスに独自色を出すとして寡占化を否定するが、検索結果がグーグルの意向に左右され、利用者が欲しい情報にたどり着けない事態が本当に起きないか。一方で、広告料金が引き上げられる懸念もある。FTC sees no problemThe Fair Trade Commission has said the partnership between the two giants--both of which operate separately--does not pose a problem in relation to the Antimonopoly Law. 公正取引委員会は、今回の提携について、「営業活動などは別であり、独占禁止法上の問題はない」としている。It should be noted, however, that the U.S. Justice Department put a stop to an attempt by Yahoo Inc. and Google to form a tie-up two years ago, saying their alliance would violate the U.S. antitrust law. In Europe, the regulatory authorities are reportedly keeping watch on Google to thwart any bid to control the market. だが、２年前に米ヤフーがグーグルと提携しようとした際、米司法省は独禁法違反を理由に待ったをかけた。欧州の規制当局は現在、グーグルが市場支配力を乱用していないか、監視の目を光らせているという。The FTC needs to keep a close eye on how the Google-Yahoo Japan alliance works out. 公正取引委員会も、提携の行方を注意深く見守る必要がある。The Internet's remarkable development is the result of intense competition among start-up companies in providing a variety of services. This is also the case with Google, which has grown into a huge company providing excellent services through its innovative search engine technology. ネットがめざましい発展を遂げたのは、新興企業が多様なサービスで競い合ってきたからだ。グーグル自身も革新的な検索技術で超優良企業にのし上がった。Admittedly, access to online search engine services free of charge is great, but there is a danger of information being selected and ranked arbitrarily. Internet users should take this to heart. 無料のネット検索は確かに便利な機能ではあるが、情報の仕分けが恣意(しい)的に操作される危険性がある――。そんなことを利用者も十分認識しておきたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2010)（2010年7月30日01時27分 読売新聞）
Jul 31, 2010
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防衛白書延期 禍根残す政府の事なかれ主義
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 30, 2010)Defense report delay unnecessary 防衛白書延期 禍根残す政府の事なかれ主義（7月29日付・読売社説）The government's decision to put off the release of this year's defense white paper is nothing but an attempt not to disturb the Japan-South Korea relationship. But a retreat to safe ground on this issue is an ill-thought-out move to turn a blind eye to future trouble that could arise between Tokyo and Seoul. 日韓関係に波風を立てたくない、という無責任な事なかれ主義であり、今後に禍根を残すと言わざるを得ない。The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has postponed giving cabinet approval to the "Defense of Japan 2010" white paper until September, despite an earlier plan to finalize the annual report Friday. 政府が、３０日に予定していた２０１０年版防衛白書の閣議了承を９月に延期した。In explaining the government's decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku cited recent actions taken by the United Nations in connection with the sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March. He added the government wanted the white paper to address some issues that will be taken up in a report to be issued in August by a government panel tasked with reviewing the current National Defense Program Guidelines. Sengoku's reasoning is far from convincing. 仙谷官房長官は、延期の理由について、韓国の哨戒艦沈没事件に関する国連の動きや、防衛大綱見直しの報告書などを新たに記載することなどを挙げた。到底、納得できる説明ではない。In the first place, the government does not have to write about the developments cited by Sengoku in the white paper. His account does little to convince the public of the need to postpone the release of the report, more than 14,000 copies of which have already been printed at a cost of about 9.4 million yen. 本来、こうした動きをいちいち追加する必要性はない。既に約９４０万円をかけて、１万４０００部以上を印刷した白書の公表を延期する理由として不十分だ。The real reason behind the decision, according to government sources, is that Tokyo does not want to antagonize Seoul. Previous defense white papers described the disputed Takeshima islets as "an inherent part of our nation's territory." 政府関係者によると、本当の理由は韓国側への配慮だとされる。防衛白書は例年、竹島を「わが国固有の領土」と明記している。The sources said the government did not want to stir up anti-Japanese sentiment among South Koreans as this year marks the centennial of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910. On Aug. 29 that year, the treaty took effect, starting 35 years of Japanese rule over the Korean Peninsula.今年は８月２９日に日韓併合条約発効１００年を控えており、反日感情を刺激したくなかったという。Takeshima belongs to JapanHowever, the government has every reason to incorporate into the white paper its assertion that Takeshima inherently belongs to Japan. だが、政府の白書が、竹島は日本固有の領土という政府見解を盛り込むのは当然のことだ。Admittedly, South Korea has protested the Japanese government's view every year, claiming sovereignty over the islet group. However, Seoul's reaction has not been so strong as to undermine bilateral relations. Some people fear anti-Japanese feelings could grow among South Koreans as Aug. 29 marks the 100th anniversary of the treaty. So far, however, no such hostility has surfaced. 竹島の領有権を主張する韓国側は毎年、抗議しているが、日韓関係を損なうほどではなかった。日韓併合１００年を前に、反日感情の高まりを懸念する向きもあるものの、現時点で、そんな動きは表面化していない。We think the government should have adhered to its practice of publishing a defense white paper at this time of year. 政府は、例年通り、白書を淡々と公表すべきだった。Postponing the paper's release and then scrambling for an explanation as to why has proved of no avail. Doing so has only drawn public attention to the Takeshima controversy. We feel all this could adversely affect the Japan-South Korea relationship. The Kan administration made the wrong decision about the release of the report. 公表直前に異例の形で延期し、姑息(こそく)な説明を加えたことで、かえって竹島問題が注目を集めてしまい、日韓関係にも逆効果ではないか。菅政権の判断ミスである。The Defense Ministry and the Foreign Ministry had insisted the defense report should be released as initially scheduled. Last week, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara and Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Akihisa Nagashima visited South Korea, where some officials reportedly asked them to reconsider the timing of the white paper's release. After being briefed by Maehara and Naga-shima, the prime minster and the chief cabinet secretary decided to delay the report's release, according to informed sources. 防衛、外務両省は、白書を予定通り公表するよう主張していた。前原国土交通相と長島昭久防衛政務官が先週韓国を訪問した際、一部の関係者から配慮を求められた。その報告を受けた菅首相と仙谷長官が延期を決めたという。Not the DPJ's first blunderThis episode is yet another perfect example of an ill-advised initiative taken by political leaders--that is, members of the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration--in formulating key policies. Political confusion has erupted frequently since the DPJ came into power, as best exemplified by the turmoil created by the government's ham-handed handling of the dispute over the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などで露呈した民主党政権の「悪(あ)しき政治主導」の典型例と言える。In December, the DPJ government decided not to include a reference to the Takeshima issue in a teacher's manual for high school geography lessons to be given under the education ministry's new course of study. Failure to say what Japan needs to say could be interpreted as a willingness by our government to make concessions on issues that could affect the foundation of the country. 民主党政権は昨年１２月にも、新学習指導要領の高校地理の解説書で竹島問題への言及を見送っている。このように、言うべきことを言わない対応を続けては、日本は国の根幹にかかわる問題でも譲歩すると見られかねない。Takeshima belongs to Japan, both historically and under international law. South Korea is an important neighbor, but our government should not easily buckle to Seoul when dealing with territorial issues. 竹島は、歴史的にも国際法上も日本の領土である。韓国は、日本にとって重要な隣国だが、領土問題で安易な妥協は禁物だ。It is entirely possible for Japan to maintain proper relations with other countries despite a conflict over territorial problems. The government should pursue such a diplomatic approach. 領土問題で主張が異なっても、２国間関係をきちんと維持することは十分可能なはずであり、そうした外交こそ追求すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2010)（2010年7月29日01時08分 読売新聞）
Jul 30, 2010
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概算要求基準 予算編成を人気取りに使うな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 29, 2010)Budget compilation isn't popularity contest概算要求基準 予算編成を人気取りに使うな（7月28日付・読売社説）The Cabinet has adopted guidelines for fiscal 2011 budgetary requests. ２０１１年度予算の大枠を示す概算要求基準が閣議決定された。Last year, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet decided to drop similar guidelines, which led to the fiscal 2010 budget ballooning to become the biggest ever. 昨年は、鳩山内閣によって基準が廃止され、１０年度予算の規模が大きく膨らむ原因となった。We think the government is right to revive the guidelines for budgetary requests, considering what happened last year. However, the government seems set to charge ahead with the free-spending handout policies the Democratic Party of Japan announced in last year's election manifesto. In stark contrast to planned spending cuts, the government plans to offer income compensation to farmers and partially abolish expressways tolls. それを反省して今回、基準を復活させたのは妥当である。だが、農家の戸別所得補償や高速道路の一部無料化など、昨年の民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）に基づく予算が削減の例外になるなど、バラマキ体質は残ったままだ。The government also plans to set aside funds to be funneled to growth fields, such as medical and nursing services as well as the environment. It also proposed that determining how to allocate this special budget would be conducted in full view of the public. 医療・介護や環境など、成長分野に予算を重点配分するための特別枠を設けるが、公開の席で優劣を競う「政策コンテスト」で配分先を決めるという。The government apparently plans to conduct something along the lines of the budget screening for wasteful spending, which smacked of political grandstanding. 政治的なパフォーマンスが目立った「事業仕分け」に似た手法といえる。=== Kan seeking boost? The plan appears to be an attempt to restore the falling popularity of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. But we doubt whether cool-headed discussions can be carried out in an environment open to the public. The government must not use the budget compilation process as a tool to gain popularity. 菅内閣の支持率低下を挽回(ばんかい)する狙いもあるのだろうが、そうした場で冷静な議論ができるとは思えない。予算編成を人気取りの手段にしてはなるまい。The prime minister must sincerely review and retract funding scheduled to be used for the manifesto pledges, and secure revenue sources before the fiscal 2011 budget will be decided at the end of the year. 年末の１１年度予算案決定に向け菅首相は今後、マニフェスト予算の改廃や財源の確保に、真摯(しんし)に取り組むべきである。The outline for the budgetary request guidelines is in line with the fiscal management strategy compiled in June. The government will cap general-account spending, excluding debt-servicing costs, below 71 trillion yen and new government bond issuance below 44 trillion yen, just as in the fiscal 2010 budget. 要求基準の骨格は、６月にまとまった財政運営戦略に準拠した。国債費を除く歳出と国債新規発行額は、１０年度予算とそれぞれ同じ７１兆円と４４兆円以下にする。Based on these figures, the Cabinet approved a natural increase of 1.3 trillion yen in social security costs. An expected rise in these costs from the graying population and declining birthrate will be unavoidable, but the child-rearing allowance should be reviewed from scratch. これを前提にまず、社会保障費について、１・３兆円の自然増をそのまま認めることにした。少子高齢化で膨らむ分はやむを得ないが、子ども手当については抜本的に見直す必要がある。=== Growth fields The focus of the budget will be the special allocation for growth fields. The DPJ initially proposed to the government that 2 trillion yen be earmarked for the scheme. The two parties eventually settled on the ambiguous expression of "an amount far above 1 trillion yen." 焦点は特別枠の扱いである。民主党側は当初、２兆円を提案したが、政府側との調整で、「１兆円を相当上回る額」とのあいまいな表現で決着した。Combined with the natural increase in social security costs, the government will need an additional 3 trillion yen or so. The government said this could be covered by a uniform 10 percent cut in policy-related spending for all ministries and agencies--including spending on education, defense and public works projects. 特別枠に社会保障費の自然増を加えると、３兆円前後の原資が必要になる計算だ。その分は、教育費や防衛費、公共事業費など一般的な歳出を各府省が一律に１割削減して捻出(ねんしゅつ)する、としている。However, the government likely will struggle to secure the revenue it needs, given that ministries and agencies have bristled at the across-the-board 10 percent cut plan, and manifesto-related budgets are to be handled separately. だが、ただでさえ各府省が１割削減に抵抗しているうえ、マニフェスト関連が例外では、目標の達成は容易ではあるまい。The government used more than 10 trillion yen in nontax revenue, including surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," for the fiscal 2010 budget. However, the buried treasure chest is almost empty. If nontax revenue drastically declines, the government may be forced to issue more government bonds than it did in the current fiscal year, rather than capping the issuance at 44 trillion yen as planned. １０年度予算では、埋蔵金を含む税外収入を１０兆円余り計上した。だが、埋蔵金は枯渇しつつある。税外収入が大幅に減る場合、国債の発行額は４４兆円以下どころか、増える可能性もある。But this would make a mockery of Japan's international pledge to put state finances back on a sound footing. Securing revenue sources will be essential to reducing the budget deficit. それでは、財政健全化の国際公約に逆行する。赤字減らしには歳入の確保が肝要だ。The fiscal 2011 budget compilation process is spelling out in black and white that the government must urgently tackle tax system reform--including an increase in the consumption tax rate. 消費税率の引き上げを含む税制改革に早急に取り組む必要があることを、１１年度予算の編成作業は教えている。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2010) （2010年7月28日01時18分 読売新聞）
Jul 29, 2010
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video clips of kai chan and seefaa chan
I’ve just posted family video clips of kai chan and seefaa chan.カイちゃんとシーファーちゃんのビデオクリップ掲載しました。???????????????????????????????????????????????english versionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCOlwEOks3gthai versionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utePJh4h2gA
Jul 28, 2010
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名古屋場所閉幕 「賜杯なき優勝」を繰り返すな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 28, 2010)Learn from tourney lacking Emperor's Cup名古屋場所閉幕 「賜杯なき優勝」を繰り返すな（7月27日付・読売社説）The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which was rocked by a scandal over illegal betting on professional baseball games, ended Sunday with a remarkable accomplishment by yokozuna Hakuho--he became the first wrestler since the end of World War II to claim three consecutive championships without losing a single match. 野球賭博問題に揺れた大相撲の名古屋場所は、横綱白鵬の３場所連続全勝優勝という戦後初の快挙で幕を閉じた。Since the Japan Sumo Association refrained from accepting any awards from outside organizations due to the gambling scandal, Hakuho received only the championship flag and a certificate at the award ceremony. 日本相撲協会が外部からの表彰を辞退したため、表彰式で白鵬に贈られたのは、優勝旗と賞状だけだった。Hakuho also extended his winning streak to 47 bouts, exceeding legendary yokozuna Taiho's record of 45, but said with tears in his eyes that the Nagoya tournament was "very difficult." "On behalf of [all] wrestlers, I wish I could've received just the Emperor's Cup," he added. 自身の連勝記録を、大鵬の４５を上回る４７に伸ばした白鵬は、「大変な場所だった」と涙を浮かべ、「力士代表として、天皇賜杯だけは頂きたかった」と語った。To prevent such situations in the future, the JSA must proceed with reforms and regain the trust of sumo fans as soon as possible. このような事態を繰り返さないためには、相撲協会は改革を推し進め、ファンの信頼を一刻も早く取り戻さなくてはならない。=== More problems arise Regrettably, however, a few cases suggesting close ties between sumo officials and gangsters were revealed during the Nagoya tourney. One of them involves stablemaster Matsugane and is too serious to overlook. だが、残念ながら、名古屋場所中にも角界と暴力団関係者の親密な関係がうかがえる複数の事例が明らかになった。特に、看過できないのは、元大関若嶋津の松ヶ根親方の問題である。A former ozeki who wrestled under the name Wakashimazu, Matsugane has used a building rented from the president of a gang-related real estate agency as lodgings for his wrestlers during spring tournaments in Osaka. He has done so since he started his own stable 20 years ago. 松ヶ根親方は、暴力団と関係が深いとされる不動産会社社長から借りたビルを春場所（大阪）の宿舎に使っていた。部屋を興した２０年前から続いているという。The company president in question was arrested in 2008 over land sharking, the practice of forcing people to sell their residences so a land shark can resell consolidated plots of land for large development projects. Despite knowing this, however, Matsugane continued to rent the building. "I thought he was a businessman," Matsugane said. この社長は２００８年に、地上げに絡んで逮捕された。松ヶ根親方は、事件のことを知りながらも借り続け、社長については「実業家と思っていた」という。Nevertheless, he should have at least stopped using the building when the president was arrested. This is a scandal caused by insufficient risk management. しかし、少なくとも、社長が逮捕された時点で、ビルの使用を見合わせるべきだった。甘い危機管理が招いた不祥事である。Securing lodgings for wrestlers is certainly an important issue for a stable, and stablemasters badly need offers of help. But sumo officials must not forget that this is one way gangsters approach them. 確かに、相撲部屋にとって、宿舎の確保は大きな問題だ。支援の申し出は、親方にとっては「渡りに船」だろうが、それが、暴力団関係者が近付いてくる手口であることも忘れてはならない。Gangs use their close ties with the sumo world to flaunt their influence. We strongly feel that gangs are spreading their tentacles into everything. 暴力団は、角界との親密な関係を力の誇示に利用する。暴力団の触手は至る所に伸びているという感を強くするばかりである。=== Rules not enough Also, a serious problem has surfaced over special ringside seats at sumo tournaments, the kind primarily allocated to financial supporters of the JSA. It was discovered that a gang boss obtained a ticket for a ringside seat via a chain of people that included an acquaintance of a member of the special panel investigating the gambling scandal. 土俵近くの特別席である維持員席を巡っても、ゆゆしき問題が発覚した。維持員席に座っていた暴力団組長にチケットが渡る過程で、不祥事の調査を担当している特別調査委員会のメンバーの知人が関与していたというものだ。Since this could erode public trust in the investigation panel, the JSA was quite right to dismiss that member. 調査委への信頼を損なう問題だけに、相撲協会がこのメンバーを解任したのは当然のことだ。An independent panel of the JSA tasked with improving the association's governance and implementing organizational reforms is planning to compile measures to eliminate gangsters' influence, including a provision that would penalize sumo wrestlers and officials severely if they associate with gangsters. 相撲協会の改革案を協議している「ガバナンス（統治能力）の整備に関する独立委員会」は、暴力団との交際には厳罰を下す規定などを盛り込んだ暴力団排除対策をまとめる方針だ。Of course, strict rules are necessary. But, it is more important that sumo wrestlers and stablemasters learn lessons from the commotion during the Nagoya tournament and strengthen their determination to sever their ties with gangsters. 規定も必要だが、大切なのは名古屋場所の騒動を教訓に、力士、親方が暴力団との関係を断つという意識を徹底することである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2010) （2010年7月27日01時17分 読売新聞）
Jul 28, 2010
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アフガン会議 支援とともに監視が必要だ
アフガニスタン問題はブッシュ政権の負の遺産です。ひっこみがつかなくなってオバマ大統領は苦悩しているのではないでしょうか。大統領就任直後にアフガニスタンからの段階的撤退を表明していますが、さすがオバマ大統領だと思いました。しかしながら、このテロリスト封じ込め作戦はうまくいっていないのが現実です。世界はアフガニスタン支援よりも自国のテロ防止組織を強化したほうが良いのでは。底の抜けているバケツに水を入れ満杯にする、むなしい努力のような気がします。日本は自国の雇用改善対策にこのお金を使ったほうが良い。srachai from khonkaen, thailadThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 25, 2010)Aid to Afghanistan must be accounted forアフガン会議 支援とともに監視が必要だ（7月24日付・読売社説）For the past nine years, the international community has continued to provide reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan to keep the country from becoming a nest of terrorists again. アフガニスタンをテロの巣に戻さぬために、国際社会は９年に及ぶ復興支援を続けてきた。The administration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai must respond to this steady flow of support with action. その忍耐強い支持に、アフガンのカルザイ政権は行動で応えなければならない。At an international donor conference recently held in Kabul, Karzai declared the Afghan government would take responsibility for its own security, for which it currently relies largely on foreign troops, across the country by the end of 2014. Countries participating in the conference welcomed the initiative. カルザイ大統領はカブールで開かれたアフガン支援国際会議で、駐留外国軍に頼っている治安維持を、２０１４年末までに全土でアフガン政府が担うと宣言した。会議参加国もそれを歓迎した。Karzai's declaration likely matched the intentions of Western leaders who are eager to draw up an exit strategy as soon as possible amid growing opposition at home to the continued deployment of their troops in Afghanistan. アフガンに派兵する欧米諸国では、駐留継続反対論が高まっている。カルザイ大統領の宣言は、撤兵を視野に入れた出口戦略を早く描きたいという各国指導者の思惑とも合致したのだろう。Given the status quo, however, we must say that such a scenario is unlikely to occur. だが、現状をみれば、実現は難しいと言わざるをえまい。=== Is the end really in sight? An increase of U.S. troops by 30,000 is expected to be completed next month, bringing the total number of foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan to 150,000. But their operations to hunt down members of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban, which has sheltered members of the international terrorist organization Al-Qaida, have been unable to make progress in the face of the ongoing insurgency. Meanwhile, the number of casualties among the international troops continues to rise. 米軍の３万人増派は来月には完了する。アフガン駐留外国軍の規模は１５万人に達するが、国際テロ組織アル・カーイダを匿(かくま)ったイスラム原理主義勢力タリバンの掃討は進展するどころか、反転攻勢に苦しめられている。駐留軍の犠牲者は増え続けるばかりだ。The recent dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan after he criticized the U.S. government's handling of Afghanistan is probably not unrelated to the deadlock seen in that nation. 米政府のアフガン政策を批判した駐留米軍司令官の更迭劇も、アフガン情勢の行き詰まりと無縁ではなかろう。To transfer security responsibility, it is essential to train Afghan security forces. The Afghan government plans to increase the number of personnel in the military and police to more than 300,000 by October next year. But the question is the quality of the security forces. Afghan security forces are not only ill equipped, they are also known for a low literacy rate and a lack of discipline. 治安維持任務の移管には、アフガン人治安部隊の育成が欠かせない。アフガン政府は来年１０月までに、軍と警察を合わせた要員を３０万人超に増やす計画だが、問題はその質だ。装備の貧弱さだけでなく、識字率や規律意識も低い。To improve the security situation, job creation projects and the establishment of infrastructure related to daily life also must proceed. There are too many issues that must be resolved before the Afghan government can be entrusted with maintaining security. 治安改善のためには、生活基盤整備や雇用創出事業も同時に進めなければならない。アフガン政府に治安維持を任せるまでに、克服すべき課題はあまりにも多い。=== Where does the money go? Since 2002, more than 35 billion dollars (about 3 trillion yen) in aid money has been poured into Afghanistan. Most of the funds were provided directly to international nongovernmental organizations and other entities engaged in reconstruction work. アフガンには０２年以来、３５０億ドル（約３兆円）を超える援助資金が注がれてきた。その大半は、復興事業を担う国際的な非政府組織（ＮＧＯ）などに対する直接支援だった。An agreement was made at the conference that up to half the aid money would be channeled through the Afghan government in two years. Donor nations accepted Karzai's request that his government be given discretion to more effectively use aid money. 会議では、今後２年間で援助資金の半分までを、アフガン政府経由に切り替えることで合意した。「政府の裁量でより有効に資金を使いたい」とのカルザイ大統領の要望を受け入れたのだ。But we still frequently hear about corruption and irregularities involving senior officials of the Afghan government. It is unacceptable for aid funds to be embezzled or misappropriated. しかし、アフガン政府幹部らの不正、腐敗への批判は絶えない。援助資金の横領などあってはならない。Karzai has expressed an intention to strengthen corruption countermeasures, such as the creation of a special tribunal to try those accused of corruption. We hope to see these measures producing results as soon as possible. 大統領は、特別法廷の設置など汚職対策強化を表明したが、早急に成果を示してほしい。Japan pledged to provide 5 billion dollars in aid during the five years from 2009. Donor nations, including Japan, need to strictly check whether aid money is properly used. 日本も０９年から５年間で５０億ドルの支援を約束した。日本を含めた支援国は、援助資金が適切に使われるよう、厳しく監視していく必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 24, 2010) （2010年7月24日01時07分 読売新聞）
Jul 25, 2010
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入安居（いりあんご）＝ カオパンサー
２０10年７月24日入安居（いりあんご）＝ カオパンサータイのテラワーダ仏教の中でも比較的大きな行事である入安居が７月26日と28日の二日間、私がチャイヤープーム県に建設した家のある村のお寺で行われる。私は特に敬謙な仏教徒というわけではないが、タイ国の中で生きようとすれば仏教の行事に参加するのは当然の義務であり、この国で生残るための重要な手段となっている。入安居はタイ語ではカオ パンサーと呼ばれている。入安居の発祥の地はお釈迦さま（ゴータマ シッタルータ）の生れたインドで仏僧は雨季の間約３ヶ月間、外出を控え、お寺にこもり修行に専念する。私が最初に移住したチャイヤープーム県のこの村の住人はこぞって貧しい。こんな貧困の中でも、人々は明るく、のびのびと暮している。こんなに貧しいのに、入安居の日には、こぞってお寺に参拝し、競って寄進（寄付）を行う。食べるものも十分に無いような状況の中でも、驚くほど熱心に寄進を行う。私も日本人として、できるだけのことはするつもりでいる。金持ちの日本人がけちなまねはできない。8年ほど前には、この村のお寺の別棟を新築したが、私はこのお寺の屋根の部分を寄進した。お寺の建築資金が底をつき、このお寺の住職が私に助けを求めてきた。私は心の中では、もったいないな、と思ったが、表情にそれがでないように気をつけながら、この住職の申し出を受入れた。それで、このお寺の別棟には、無事屋根を取付けることが出来たのだ。周辺の村にもアメリカ人やヨーロッパ人が何人が住んでいるが、お寺の行事に参加する人は皆無である。村人たちは口をそろえてファラン（タイ語で白人社会よりタイ国にやってきた人々）はキーニアオ(けちんぼう）だと罵っている。あと３ヶ月したら、今度は出安居（であんご：オーク パンサー）の行事があり、そのあとには、灯篭流し（ローイ クラトーン）がやってくる。一年を通してタイ国の仏教行事がとぎれることはなく、この国の国王といえども重要な仏教行事には決まって参加している。タイ国の国王のお名前はプミポーン アドンヤデートといわれる。この国王は敬虔な仏教徒であり、かつ抜群の能力を有するシビルエンジニアー（土木技師）でもある。タイ国の各地にはこのきわめて優秀なシビルエンジニアーである国王が建設されたダムが数多くあり、人々は深い尊敬の念と感謝の心をもって、この国王に対している。で、英字新聞は２６日、２７日の二日間お休みします。携帯電話の電波も届かない超僻地です。
Jul 24, 2010
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臨時国会 強引な運営はもう通用しない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 24, 2010)No room for arrogance in Diet affairs臨時国会 強引な運営はもう通用しない（7月23日付・読売社説）The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to open Budget Committee meetings in both Diet chambers during an extraordinary session to be convened at the end of this month. 月末から始まる臨時国会で、衆参両院の予算委員会が開かれることが決まった。It is unusual for the legislature to call Budget Committee sessions so soon after a House of Councillors election. However, the ruling camp has bowed to strong demands from the opposition bloc to hold such discussions. 参院選直後の国会での予算委開催は異例だが、野党が強く要求し、与党もこれを受け入れた。These meetings should have been convened during the last ordinary Diet session--namely, before the July 11 upper house election. This would have enabled Prime Minister Naoto Kan to wage a battle of words with the opposition parties for the first time since he took office. だが、菅首相が予算委で野党と初めて論戦をかわす場は本来、参院選前の通常国会だったはずだ。However, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan rejected opposition demands for Budget Committee sessions, and refused to extend the last Diet session. The DPJ's move apparently reflected its belief that the party would fare better in the election if the poll took place while the Cabinet was buoyed by high popular support generated by Kan's replacement of his unpopular predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama. それなのに民主党は、首相交代で内閣支持率が高いうちに選挙をした方が有利とみて予算委を拒み、国会会期を延長しなかった。The DPJ also refused to open a plenary session of the upper chamber, turning a deaf ear, in effect, to a no-confidence motion submitted against upper house President Satsuki Eda by the opposition camp. The DPJ feared the motion would be narrowly adopted. 加えて、野党が提出した江田参院議長への不信任決議案なども不測の事態を恐れて事実上黙殺し、本会議を開会しなかった。The DPJ's high-handed approach to Diet management was a ploy repeatedly used by the party's preceding top brass led by former party Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa and others. 強引な国会運営は、そもそも小沢一郎・前幹事長ら前執行部が繰り返してきたことだ。=== Move came too late The DPJ's concession to opposition demands for Budget Committee meetings comes too late. The ruling party should seriously reflect on its conduct in steering Diet sessions. The DPJ must end its overbearing attitude toward the opposition bloc and, instead, seek a dialogue with the rival camp. 遅きに失したとはいえ、野党に歩み寄って予算委の開催に応じたのを機に、民主党は、これまでの国会運営を厳しく反省し、野党との話し合いを重視する姿勢に転換する必要がある。A spate of politics-and-money scandals involving some DPJ members--most notably Ozawa--remain unresolved. During its days in power, the Liberal Democratic Party accepted opposition demands for scandal-tainted party members, including former prime ministers, to testify in the Diet about their problems. Given this, the DPJ has no reason to keep rejecting demands for its scandal-hit lawmakers and others to be summoned before the legislature. 小沢氏らの「政治とカネ」の問題は依然、未解決のままだ。自民党の場合、疑惑を持たれた政治家は、首相経験者を含めて国会招致に応じてきた。関係者の招致を拒み続けるのは筋が通らない。The DPJ forcibly arranged for a plenary session of the House of Representatives to vote on a postal reform bill after only six hours of discussions on the legislation at a lower house committee. The bill was eventually scrapped in the last Diet session. Nevertheless, the DPJ should stop slighting Diet debates. 廃案になった郵政改革法案は、わずか６時間の委員会審議だけで採決した。審議軽視の態度も改めるべきだ。The DPJ's defeat in the July 11 election created a divided Diet. This has made it difficult for the DPJ to bulldoze bills through the Diet. 衆参「ねじれ」国会となり、民主党は、強引に法律を成立させることは困難になった。These circumstances have apparently encouraged the DPJ to maintain a low profile in dealing with the opposition camp. What is truly required of the DPJ, however, is to end its arrogant Diet management, an approach resulting from its numerical strength in the lower house. こうした事情が、民主党に低姿勢を促しているのだろうが、民主党に求められるのは、数を頼った驕(おご)りの姿勢からの脱却である。=== Opposition must play ball Meanwhile, we hope the opposition parties will behave sensibly. While an opposition party, the DPJ repeatedly rejected government proposals on personnel affairs at important institutions subject to Diet approval. In those days, the LDP-New Komeito coalition had an overwhelming majority in the lower house, while the upper chamber was controlled by the opposition camp. 野党側にも、常識的な対応を求めたい。民主党は野党時代、「ねじれ」国会の下、政府提案の国会同意人事にノーを連発した経緯がある。The LDP and other opposition parties should not act out of spiteful retaliation toward the DPJ under the circumstances. 野党がこれに対して意趣返しするのは禁物だ。The upper house will elect its new president and vice president at the outset of the forthcoming extraordinary Diet session. 注目されるのは、臨時国会の冒頭で行う正副議長人事だ。The opposition camp has insisted Eda not be reelected as upper house president, saying he failed to steer the chamber fairly. 野党側は、公正な国会運営をしなかったとして江田議長の再任を拒んでいる。However, the opposition parties' bid to choose a new upper house president from their camp is little more than an abuse of their numerical strength for deciding Diet matters. This would run counter to the long-running practice of selecting the upper house president from the predominant party in the chamber--currently the DPJ--and choosing the vice president from the second-largest party in the house. だが、「比較第１党から議長、第２党から副議長」の慣例に背いて、議長ポストまで狙うのは、それこそ数を頼みにした対応で、問題が多い。The election of the upper house president and vice president will be the first test of whether the Diet can become a citadel of cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties. We hope both sides will properly discuss the selection of the upper chamber's president and vice president. 与野党協調の国会に改まるかどうか、最初の関門だ。与野党はしっかり協議を重ねてほしい。The upcoming Budget Committee sessions are expected to focus on such issues as the politics-and-money scandals and Kan's recent remarks about a possible increase in the consumption tax rate. We hope lawmakers will engage in lively verbal battles during the all-too-brief extraordinary session. 予算委では、前国会からの政治とカネの問題や、消費税増税をめぐる菅首相の発言などが論点になりそうだ。限られた日数ではあるが、活発な論戦を期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 23, 2010) （2010年7月23日01時55分 読売新聞）
Jul 24, 2010
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就職留年者急増 職業意識を高め再挑戦しよう
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 23, 2010)Whet students' appetite for working life就職留年者急増 職業意識を高め再挑戦しよう（7月22日付・読売社説）An estimated 79,000 university seniors who failed to find jobs chose to repeat a year despite having reached the end of their studies this spring, according to a recent Yomiuri Shimbun survey. 就職先が見つからず、卒業年限を迎えながら留年する。今春の「就職留年者」と推定される大学生が、約７万９０００人にも上ることが読売新聞の調査でわかった。The figure equates to one in every seven prospective graduates opting to stay on at school. It also is disturbing to see that about 31,000 students graduated this spring despite failing to secure jobs. All this illustrates the grim employment situation as a result of the corporate sector's severe business environment. 卒業予定者の７人に１人が大学にとどまった計算になる。就職が決まらないまま卒業した大学生も約３万１０００人おり、厳しい経営環境の下での深刻な雇用状況を浮き彫りにしている。An important factor behind the large number of students choosing to repeat a year because of their unsuccessful hunt for a job is the system by which corporations hire fresh graduates en masse. The system mainly selects successful job applicants from seniors expected to graduate in March. This encourages students to stay on at school if they fail to find work, and look for jobs as fresh graduates, instead of allowing themselves to be treated as graduates from an earlier school year. 就職留年の背景には、「新卒一括採用」と呼ばれる企業の採用形態がある。卒業予定の大学４年生（新卒者）を選考の中心とするため、学生は卒業して既卒者扱いになるより、留年して新卒者として志望する道を選んでいる。=== Revamp recruitment policy According to a survey by the Japan Business Federation, about 59 percent of corporations polled said they had no plan to accept graduates from an earlier year as job applicants. 日本経済団体連合会のアンケート調査では、「既卒者を受け付ける予定がない」と回答した企業は約５９％に達した。We believe these businesses should give students as many chances as possible to find work by, for example, treating past graduates the same as new graduates for a certain period and hiring graduates as employees throughout the year. The corporate sector should reconsider its recruitment method to offer more jobs. 卒業後の一定期間は新卒者と同じ扱いにしたり、年間を通じて採用を行ったりして、学生になるべく多くのチャンスを与えられないか。企業は雇用拡大に向け、採用形態を見直すべきだろう。It is no less important to educate students about the significance of working. Questions can be raised about whether high schools, colleges and universities have properly taught students what it means to work in society. Many students do not choose a career path before graduating from high school, preferring to go to university before looking for a job. 職業教育も必要だ。高校や大学は、社会で働くことの意味を十分教えてきただろうか。将来どんな職業に就くかという目的意識を持つことなく、取りあえず高校から大学に進学し、そのまま就職活動に臨む学生は多い。Obviously, many students lack basic scholastic ability. Many corporations are skeptical of the university education system's ability to churn out potentially talented employees. 基礎的な学力不足も目立ち、特に大学教育に対して、企業側には不信感がある。In February, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry revised its university establishment standards, requiring all universities from the next academic year to raise their students' job consciousness. 文部科学省は２月に大学設置基準を改正し、来年度からすべての大学に対し、職業意識を育む教育を行うことを義務づけた。Students need more than just cosmetic skills such as the ability to give a polished performance at a job interview. It is essential to encourage students to set postgraduation targets while acquiring skills and moral values indispensable for occupations they hope to take up. 面接テクニックの指導など、小手先の対策ではない。学生一人ひとりに卒業後の目標を立てさせるとともに、目指す職業に必要な能力や倫理観を身に着けさせる教育が肝要である。=== Onus also on students It is also necessary for academic and business circles to maintain a dialogue and agree on what abilities and aptitudes should be required of students. 教育界と経済界が対話を重ね、求められる資質についての認識を共有する必要もあろう。Students also need to think about their own attitude toward job hunting. 一方、学生側も自らを振り返ってみることが大切だ。Many may well be inclined toward job offers at large corporations, which are more likely to enable them to live a stable life. However, switching jobs and other means can help improve one's career. Doors could open by using experiences gained through jobs that students believe best suit their skills and ambitions. 安定志向から、大企業に志望が偏るのはわかるが、まず自らの適性を見極めて就職し、経験を積んでから、転職などでキャリアアップを図る道もある。Progress in economic globalization is certain to increase the number of corporations that will employ foreign students studying in this country. This means Japanese students likely will face even greater competition for jobs. 経済のグローバル化で、今後は外国人留学生を採用する企業が増える。日本人学生は、就職戦線でこれまで以上に厳しい競争を強いられることが予想される。We hope students who have chosen to repeat a year after failing to find work will spend the additional year wisely by, for instance, honing their foreign language and other skills. 例えば語学力を磨くなど、留年した１年を自己研(けん)さんにあて、有意義な時間にしてほしい。（さんは金へんに「先」二つに「貝」）(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 22, 2010) （2010年7月22日01時44分 読売新聞）
Jul 22, 2010
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タイの詩聖スントンプー記念碑
今年の３月の後半、２週間に渡りラヨーンのメーラムプンビーチで過ごしました。最初に現れる写真はタイの詩聖スントンプー記念碑を訪れたときに撮影したものです。この記念碑はメーラムピンビーチの東側２０ｋｍのところにあります。クレーンという街に隣接していますが、クレーンはスントンプーの生誕地です。（２００年前）後半現れる鹿の写真は、私のもう一つの実家（チャイヤプーム）の近くの自然動物園で撮影しました。この動物園はプミポン国王の建設されたチュラポーンダム（美しいロックフィルダム）を含む広大な保存林の中にあります。プミポン国王はきわめて優れたシビルエンジニアでもあられます。↓http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS5K130chp8
Jul 22, 2010
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金元工作員来日 政府は「北」に拉致協議を促せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 22, 2010)Nudge North Korea on abduction talks金元工作員来日 政府は「北」に拉致協議を促せ（7月21日付・読売社説）Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent responsible for the fatal 1987 bombing of a Korean Air passenger jet, has arrived in Japan. During her stay through Friday, Kim is scheduled to meet the families of several Japanese abducted decades ago by North Korean agents. １９８７年の大韓航空機爆破事件の実行犯、金賢姫・元北朝鮮工作員が来日した。２３日までの滞在中、拉致被害者の家族らと面会する。The Japanese government asked the South Korean government to allow Kim--who now lives in the South--to visit Japan to "generate resentment toward the abductions and prick public awareness of the issue." The visit comes against the backdrop of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's hard-line stance against North Korea. 「国民に拉致事件への憤りと関心を持ってもらう」ためにと、政府が韓国側に来日を働きかけてきた。拉致被害者の家族も要望していた。背景には、韓国の李明博政権が北朝鮮に厳しい姿勢をとっていることもある。As part of her special spy training, Kim received lessons she said were "designed to transform her into a perfect Japanese" between 1981 and 1983 in North Korea. Kim's instructor was Yaeko Taguchi, who was abducted from Tokyo in 1978. 金元工作員は、特殊訓練の一環として８１年から８３年にかけて「完全な日本人になりきる」教育を北朝鮮で受けた。その時の教師役が７８年に東京から拉致された田口八重子さんだった。During questioning by Japanese and South Korean authorities, and in her autobiography, Kim gave detailed accounts on the lead-up to and execution of the KAL bombing. In March last year, she met with Taguchi's relatives in Busan, South Korea. 金元工作員は、爆破事件までの過程を、日韓当局の聴取や手記の中で詳細に語っている。田口さんの家族との面会は、昨年３月に韓国・釜山で実現している。=== Little room for optimism Kim later told Japanese officials she had met with Megumi Yokota, a Japanese abducted by Pyongyang's agents from Niigata in 1977. We do not hold much hope that Kim will provide any new information that might shed light on the fate of the abductees. その後、拉致被害者の横田めぐみさんとも「北朝鮮で会ったことがある」と、新たな証言をしたものの、拉致被害者の安否にかかわる決定的な情報が明かされることは、期待しにくい。Nevertheless, we hope Kim will sincerely engage with abductees' family members, who are desperate for any crumb of information about how their loved ones lived after being snatched away. それでも、拉致後の消息を少しでも知りたいと思う拉致被害者の家族の気持ちに、金元工作員は誠実に応えるべきだ。The South Korean government has concluded a torpedo fired by a North Korean submarine sank a South Korean Navy ship in March. This incident encapsulates just how North Korea's nature as a terrorist state has not changed one jot. 哨戒艦沈没事件で、韓国政府が「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」と断定するなど、北朝鮮のテロ国家の本質は何も変わっていない。North Korea has promised it would reinvestigate the fate of Japanese abductees that Tokyo believes could still be alive. However, Pyongyang has made no tangible progress on the reinvestigation, so bilateral negotiations on the issue have been locked in a stalemate for nearly two years. 拉致問題でも拉致被害者の再調査の約束を実行しないまま、日朝間協議は２年近く進展がない。Kim's visit to Japan is partly intended to demonstrate that the Democratic Party of Japan-led government is seriously tackling the abduction issue. However, we believe it is even more important to bring to light the entire picture of the abductions by North Korean agents and step up pressure on Pyongyang to return the abductees to Japan. 金元工作員の来日は、民主党政権が拉致問題に真剣に取り組んでいる姿勢を示す狙いもあるのだろう。しかし、拉致の真相究明や被害者の帰国に向けた北朝鮮への働きかけを強めていくことこそ、重要である。=== Political decision Kim's visit has not been without its problems. 今回の来日には問題もある。Firstly, Kim is a former death row inmate. She was sentenced to death in South Korea in 1989 for her role in the airliner bombing, but was freed by a presidential pardon in 1990. 金元工作員は韓国で死刑判決を受け、その後、特別赦免となった元死刑囚だ。From Japan's perspective, Kim is a suspect in a case involving a forged official document. She allegedly traveled with a fake Japanese passport under the name of Mayumi Hachiya in the airliner bombing. 同時に、日本からすれば、大韓機を爆破した際に日本人名義の偽造旅券を使った偽造公文書行使の容疑者である。The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law bars foreign nationals who have been sentenced to one year or more in jail from entering Japan, with political prisoners as exceptions. 出入国管理・難民認定法は、政治犯を除き、国の内外で１年以上の懲役・禁固刑を受けた外国人の入国を認めていない。Justice Minister Keiko Chiba issued a special permit for Kim to enter Japan in line with a special provision under the immigration law. 今回は同法の特例の規定に基づき、千葉法相が特別に上陸許可を出した。Japanese police would normally be expected to question Kim as a suspect, but they plan to forgo questioning her this time. 警察は本来なら金元工作員を容疑者として事情聴取すべきなのだが、それも見送る方針だ。The government may have made a political decision it believes best serves the national interest. But we think the government should give the public a detailed explanation of the reasoning behind its decision. こうした措置が国益にかなうという政治判断はあり得るが、その理由については、政府として詳しく説明すべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 21, 2010) （2010年7月21日01時36分 読売新聞）
Jul 21, 2010
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明と暗
１００名以上の犠牲者を出した大韓航空爆破事件、主犯格の一人金賢姫（キム・ヒョンヒ）の犯した罪は消えない。北朝鮮の強い要望で韓国政府から恩赦を受け死刑囚から一般人に復帰している。マスコミも金賢姫（キム・ヒョンヒ）元死刑囚に同情的で彼女の犯罪を仕方がなかったと受け入れる認識だが、なんだか割り切れない気分がするのは私一人だけであろうか。昨日金賢姫元死刑囚が来日、拉致被害者と面会を果たした。彼女は拉致被害者の気持ちを考えて少しでも手助けをしたいのだろう。けれどもあの大きな衝撃の事件を忘れ去って良いものだろうか。明と暗、今朝、金賢姫元死刑囚来日の記事を読みながら、そんなことを考えていた。罪は許されたと言うのでしょうか？srachai from khonkaen, thailandcite from Mainichi Jp＜金賢姫元死刑囚＞田口さん絶対生きている…長男らと面会 初来日した北朝鮮の元工作員、金賢姫（キム・ヒョンヒ）元死刑囚（４８）が２０日、拉致被害者の田口八重子さん（行方不明時２２歳）の長男、飯塚耕一郎さん（３３）と兄で拉致被害者家族会代表の飯塚繁雄さん（７２）と、長野県軽井沢町の鳩山由紀夫前首相の別荘で面会した。昨年３月に韓国で初めて会って以来の再会。繁雄さんは会見で「金さんは改めて『（田口さんは）絶対生きている。そのうち帰ってくる』と言ってくれた。大事な生き証人として今後も（交流を）つなげていきたい」と述べた。【合田月美、袴田貴行】cite from wikipedia2010年7月20日早朝、政府のチャーター機で来日が実現。23日まで日本に滞在し、拉致被害者家族と面会する予定である。滞在の場所として鳩山由紀夫元総理大臣の軽井沢別荘が警備上等の理由で選ばれている。日本政府は元来、死刑囚の入国は出入国管理及び難民認定法の規定で認めていないが、法務大臣が出入国管理及び難民認定法の12条特例条項を適用して入国を認め、日本の警察も旅券偽造容疑による事情聴取も今回来日中は見送る方針である。1987年11月29日 - 平壌の順安飛行場から、モスクワ・オーストリア・ベオグラードを経てバグダッドに到着し、ここからKAL858号機に乗り込んだ。アブダビでパナソニックのAM/FMラジオRF-082型（実際にラジオとして動作する）に偽装した時限爆弾と、酒瓶に詰めた液体爆弾を青のビニール製ショッピングバッグに詰め、座席 (7B、7C) の上の棚に置いたまま二人は飛行機を降り、バーレーンに向かう。大韓航空858便（ボーイング707、登録記号HL7406）は、イラクのバグダッドを出発し、アラブ首長国連邦のアブダビ、タイ王国のバンコクを経由して韓国のソウルに向かうフライトプランであった。この便の乗客のほとんどは中近東への出稼ぎから帰る韓国人労働者だった。パイロットは緊急信号や地上の管制塔に緊急事態を宣言する間もなく、爆発の衝撃で即死した[2]と見られる。乗客・乗員115人全員が行方不明（12月19日に全員死亡と認定）となった。
Jul 21, 2010
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日中間Ｍ＆Ａ―強みを生かす融合の時代
2010/07/20--The Asahi Shimbun, July 19 EDITORIAL: Closer Japan-China ties.日中間Ｍ＆Ａ―強みを生かす融合の時代Chinese companies are increasingly eyeing mergers and acquisitions (M&As) with Japanese companies. High-end clothing maker Renown Inc. becoming an affiliate of a large Chinese textiles company is but one example. These moves symbolize the coming of an era of increased business management fusion between China and Japan. 日本企業に対する中国企業の合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）の動きが活発化してきた。高級衣料のレナウンが中国の大手繊維メーカーの傘下に入ることもその一例で、日中間の経営融合が進む時代の到来を象徴している。 Renown, which is now restructuring its management, will hold an extraordinary shareholders' meeting to decide whether to accept a 40-percent injection of capital investment from Shandong Ruyi Science and Technology Group. 経営再建中のレナウンは、山東如意科技集団から４割の出資を仰ぐことなどを臨時株主総会で決める。 Renown has been suffering under the onslaught of new competition, unable to move out of its old business model that relied on department store sales. Renown has famous brand products and the company has strong management skills. レナウンは百貨店依存の古いビジネスモデルから脱却できず、新興勢力に押しまくられてきたが、有名ブランドや優れた品質管理力をもつ。 Shangdon Ruyi, on the other hand, is strong in high-end wool textiles, courtesy of its unique spinning technology. But it is still weak in terms of merchandising and brand-development strategies. 一方の山東如意は、独自の紡績技術を基に高級毛織物で強みを持つ半面、衣料の製品企画力やブランド戦略のノウハウではなお弱さを抱える。 The heads of the two companies said they will try to nurture a cooperative relationship "like brothers" and become a shining example of a new kind of M&A between Japan and China, where each company complements the other. This will help to advance both the development of the Chinese market and business innovation in Japan. 双方が補い合い、中国市場の開拓と日本でのビジネス変革を進める。「兄弟のような」と両社トップが語る協力関係を築き、日中間の新しいＭ＆Ａの良き先例となってほしい。 Previously, it was a one-way street with Japanese companies buying Chinese businesses. The collapse of Lehman Brothers in fall 2008 changed the tide. Chinese enterprises, which continue to grow, have begun buying Japanese companies even though they have particular skills and business know-how. More management fusion between Japan and China via M&As should occur. 以前は日本企業が中国企業を買う一方だったが、リーマン・ショックで流れが変わった。成長を続ける中国企業が、技術やノウハウを持ってはいるが経営難にある日本企業を買うようになった。Ｍ＆Ａを通じた日中の経営融合は、もっと起きていい。 Some people fear there will be an outflow of Japanese technology. But if this is in a specific area that Japan simply cannot let go, then there are ways to prevent a skills drain, with the cooperation of business partners and, if necessary, government support. 「日本の技術が流出する」との警戒感もあるが、本当に譲れない分野なら取引先の連帯や、場合によっては政府の支援などで守ればいい。 Rather, in order to open up a path whereby Japanese companies can better utilize their accumulated skills and know-how, perhaps they should approach M&A proposals more aggressively. むしろ日本企業が蓄えてきた技術やノウハウをもっと生かす道を切り開くためには、Ｍ＆Ａに前向きに取り組むべきではないだろうか。 To help blend into the Chinese market, Japanese companies should consider how to get more people in China to understand Japanese business practices. M&As are one way of removing national barriers within management. It would be the quickest way to enhance Chinese appreciation of Japanese technology and tastes and demonstrate that these qualities will work to increase China's prosperity. とりわけ中国市場に溶け込むには、経営の中から国境を取り除く効果が期待できるＭ＆Ａを通じて、中国側に理解者を増やすことを考えてはどうか。日本の技術や感性の「良さ」への評価を広げ、中国の豊かさにも役立つことを示すのが近道だ。 In the case of golf club maker Honma Golf Co., which was absorbed by a conglomerate of Chinese retailers, it was the Chinese who admired Honma's high-grade artisan club sets, which cost millions of yen. Now, they are planning to market the clubs to China's new rich class. 中国の小売業などの連合体の傘下に入った本間ゴルフでは、職人技で作られた数百万円もする高級クラブセットに中国側が惚（ほ）れ込み、富裕層に向けて売ろうとしている。 The winds of fusion are bringing change to Japanese enterprises, too. The business style of Japanese electronics retailer Laox Co. changed markedly during the past year or so after Suning Appliance Co. of Nanjing took over. 「融合」は日本での事業にも新風を吹き込む。家電量販店ラオックスの経営は、南京市の蘇寧電器集団の傘下に入ったこの１年余で激変した。 Its flagship shop in Akihabara, Tokyo, is at the forefront of international retail. Of the 116 sales clerks, 60 percent are not Japanese, but Chinese, Russian, Brazilian and so on. Staff can handle inquiries in 23 languages. This turned the tide, which had been constantly on the decline. 東京・秋葉原にある本店は国際化の最先端を行く。１１６人の店員の６割は中国、ロシア、ブラジルなどの外国人。２３の言語で顧客対応できる。縮小一辺倒だった流れを逆転した。 Japanese companies that have entered into business ventures in China are also appointing more Chinese to top executive positions, so fusion is progressing. 中国に進出した日本企業の間でも、中国人を経営上層部に登用する動きが広がり、融合は進みつつある。 In the Chinese classic "Yi Jing," there is a passage that goes as follows: "When hard-pressed, things will change; when things change, a path will open; when a path opens, it will last." Thus, in order to adapt to change and open up a vision for the future, it is important to pursue the path of fusion that utilizes each other's strong points. 中国の古典「易経」に「窮すれば変ず、変ずれば通ず、通ずれば久し」とある。変化に対応して未来への展望を開くには、互いの長所を生かした「融合」の道を極めることが大切だ。
Jul 21, 2010
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マニラの日本大使館の職員が自殺した事件の真相
私のお友達マニラの棟朝淳州（むねともあつくに）さんのブログです。http://manilaboy.blog66.fc2.com/blog-entry-19.html#cm下の一節はそのブログより引用しました。↓その後のことだが、自民党のある代議士（名前をだすと問題かな）が、フィリピンでご法度の蝶々探しに大使館員が参加。運悪く その中の一人が高圧電線にふれて死亡。それをアレンジした大使館員もその後自殺。という不幸な出来事があったが、住職はその亡くなられた方のお嬢様の面倒を見られている。今度日本の大学からフィリピンの大学に英語教育のために転向させるとのこと住職のお心には頭が下がります。(このご住職は浄土宗本願寺、東京調布の延浄寺のご住職網代氏です）私はこの事件が気になり、コメントをしました。↓しばらく前に｢フィリピンで大使館員が自殺｣という新聞の見出しを見た覚えがありますが、私の覚え違いでしょうか。単なる事故ではすまされないと思いますが、問題の代議士は処分されたのでしょうか。 それにしても立派な住職もいるものですね。 日本人として誇りに思います。 今日まったく偶然にフィリピン通らしき人のブログでこの事件を再確認できました。長く喉につかえていたものがとれて、ようやく真相に一歩近づくことができました。↓http://bartolina.blog4.fc2.com/blog-entry-253.html#more鳩山邦夫元法務大臣、人間じゃない。人間として全く許しがたい悪鬼の所業です。日向氏の長女と名乗る方からからの上記ブログへのコメント↓『 日向博美の長女です。ちっちゃなシジミチョウを好むということで、それを捕まえに父は行き、そして、鳩山氏一行がチョウの隠れる草むらをパタパタさせていたのをみて、俺に任せな！って感じで父は竿を振り上げていたそうです。軽いからいつも使う竿はカーボンな父でした。父が病院へ運ばれたときには直ぐにホテルに帰る。そして次の日以降も蝶取り。こんな人の為にクリスマスを、命を犠牲にした父が一番憎たらしいです。 』
Jul 20, 2010
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財政健全化 来年度予算の編成が試金石だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 20, 2010)Drawing up next year's budget a touchstone財政健全化 来年度予算の編成が試金石だ（7月19日付・読売社説）The Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan faces difficulty managing policy due to his party's debilitating defeat in the House of Councillors election. Whatever the effects of the poll, the fact that Japan faces a serious fiscal crisis remains unchanged. 参院選での敗北で、菅内閣は難しい政策運営を迫られているが、日本が深刻な財政危機に直面する状況に変化はない。The fiscal 2011 budget, compilation of which will start soon, must be the first step Kan takes toward putting state finances back on sound footing. 首相は、編成作業が間もなくスタートする２０１１年度予算を、財政健全化の一歩としなければならない。Of the 92 trillion yen in spending in the fiscal 2010 budget, a mere 37 trillion yen can be covered by tax revenue. After including nontax revenue, the 44 trillion yen shortfall must be made up for by issuing government bonds. 歳出総額９２兆円のうち、税収で賄えるのは３７兆円だけ。税外収入をかき集めても不足する４４兆円は国債発行頼み――。これが１０年度予算の実態である。Moreover, the combined long-term debt of the central and local governments adds up to a staggering 862 trillion yen, the worst among industrialized nations. 加えて、国と地方を合わせた長期債務は８６２兆円と、先進国で最悪の水準だ。Because of the concern that Japan will follow Greece on a path of fiscal meltdown, Kan called for raising the consumption tax rate and restraining government spending. この状況を放置すればギリシャの二の舞いになるとして、菅首相が訴えたのが消費税率引き上げであり、歳出の抑制である。== Spending-cut framework The government has already established a framework for curbing spending. そのうち、歳出抑制については大枠が設定済みだ。In the fiscal management strategy approved by the Cabinet last month, the government decided to cap expenditures, which consist of general-account spending and tax grants allocated to local governments, at 71 trillion yen, the figure for fiscal 2010, in the fiscal 2011 to fiscal 2013 budgets. Government bond issuance was set at no more than 44 trillion yen for fiscal 2011. 先月閣議決定した「財政運営戦略」で、１１年度～１３年度予算では地方交付税と一般歳出を合わせた支出を、１０年度と同じ７１兆円以下にすることが決められた。また、１１年度の国債発行額は、４４兆円を上限とすることも明記された。However, the proposed plan to cut government spending is insufficient because what was used as a reference, the fiscal 2010 budget, was a typical example of a bloated budget. だが、放漫財政の典型とされた１０年度予算と同じ規模では、歳出削減策として不十分だ。The government must seriously reexamine the handout policies based on the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto for last summer's House of Representatives election. 昨年の衆院選で民主党が掲げた政権公約（マニフェスト）に基づくバラマキ政策を、大胆に見直すことが肝要である。The budget for the current fiscal year includes a large portion of allocations to cover child-rearing allowances, for income compensation for farming households, and to make some expressway portions toll-free. １０年度予算には、子ども手当や農家への戸別所得補償、高速道路の一部無料化などに、多額の予算が計上されている。In its campaign platform for the recent upper house poll, the DPJ pledged to maintain and expand these handout policies, raising the fear that government spending will increase further. Given the dire fiscal situation, the government cannot afford to continue such spending policies. 民主党は参院選で、こうした政策の継続・拡大を公約しており、歳出がさらに膨らむ恐れがある。財政難のおり、こうした施策を続ける余裕はないはずだ。With this in mind, a ceiling on budgetary requests made by government ministries and agencies becomes indispensable. その意味で、予算要求の段階で縛りをかける概算要求基準（シーリング）が重要となる。=== Secure revenue sources first In compiling the current fiscal budget, the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama eliminated the ceiling established by the previous government formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner New Komeito. This led to government offices making unlimited budgetary requests and eventually to bloated government spending. １０年度予算では、自公政権が設定したシーリングを鳩山内閣が撤廃したため、各省庁から要求が際限なく出され、結局、削減しきれずに歳出が大きく膨らんだ。Reflecting on this, the Kan Cabinet was scheduled to reinstate the ceiling by approving it at a Cabinet meeting Friday. その反省から菅内閣はシーリングを復活させ、７月２３日にも閣議了解する予定だった。However, discussions on the reinstatement of the ceiling have not made any headway because some Cabinet ministers raised objections. Given the deadlock, it looks less likely that the Kan administration will be able to halt the increase in government spending. だが、一部閣僚から一律にシーリングをかけることに異論が出るなど、議論は進んでいない。これでしっかり歯止めをかけることが出来るのだろうか。The government's fiscal management strategy incorporates the principle that a revenue source must be secured before a new policy is implemented. Cabinet ministers must comply with this principle when making budgetary requests for fiscal 2011. 財政運営戦略には、新政策を実施する場合は、それに見合う財源を確保してから、という原則が盛り込まれた。各閣僚は、１１年度予算の要求に当たって、この原則を順守すべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 19, 2010) （2010年7月19日01時32分 読売新聞）
Jul 20, 2010
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天国へ旅立ったおじいさん、どうぞ安らかに
昨日、団地のお隣さんが交通事故で死亡しました。このおじいさんはアルコール依存症で片時もアルコールを切り離せない。酔っ払って気が大きくなり、バイクで大通りへ乗り出した直後に大型車と接触、ヘルメットもかぶってなかったので頭部を損傷、病院で息を引き取りました。病院からそのまま村のお寺に運ばれ通夜が行われました。団地の住人はこぞって参加し、このおじいさんをしのびました。タイの役所の退職者でタイ人としてはきれいな英語もしゃべっていましたが、毎日大声で団地の住民に迷惑をかけていました。最後まで酒を断たず、迷惑をかけっぱなしのこのおじいさんですが、さびしかったですね。通夜の席でおじいさんの奥さんから、よく出席してくれましたと抱きしめられましたが涙が出そうになりました。私は１０年目にしてタイの住民に受け入れられたのを実感させられました。本日もお寺へ出向き火葬の準備とうお手伝いします。
Jul 19, 2010
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大相撲改革 世間の常識が通用する協会に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 19, 2010)Sumo body must shed closed culture大相撲改革 世間の常識が通用する協会に（7月18日付・読売社説）Stamping out evil practices that have taken deep root in the Japan Sumo Association is the only way to rebuild the national sport, which has lost public trust due to illegal gambling by sumo wrestlers and officials on pro baseball. 野球賭博問題で信頼が地に落ちた大相撲を立て直すには、日本相撲協会に染み付いた悪弊を排除するしかない。We hope the "independent committee concerning improvement of governance," which was inaugurated with 11 third-party members to reform the JSA, will present a road map toward the sumo body's rebirth that can fully satisfy sumo fans. 相撲協会を改革するため、外部のメンバー１１人で発足した「ガバナンス（統治能力）の整備に関する独立委員会」には、ファンが納得する再生の道筋を示してもらいたい。The committee, which held its first meeting Friday, is mostly discussing ways to eliminate the involvement of organized crime syndicates, prevent the recurrence of scandals and strengthen the JSA's crisis management methods, before the panel comes up with a reform proposal. These are unavoidable and important tasks for drastically overhauling the JSA. １６日に初会合を開いた独立委は今後、暴力団の排除、不祥事の再発防止、危機管理の強化などについて重点的に協議し、改革案をまとめる。いずれも、相撲協会の抜本改革には避けて通れない重要な課題である。As the committee's name suggests, there is no doubt that the JSA, which is run by former sumo wrestlers, is remarkably incapable of governing its own affairs. 独立委の名称に表れているように、力士出身者が運営する相撲協会が著しく統治能力を欠いていたことは間違いない。=== JSA's faulty logic at issue The thinking that "only people in the sumo world can understand sumo" has led to the JSA's closed culture. Logic that does not hold water in the world at large has put a brake on the body's own reform efforts. This is the source of the saying, "Common sense in the sumo world equals thoughtlessness in the wider world." 「相撲のことは角界の者にしか分からない」という意識が閉鎖的な体質につながり、一般には通用しない論理が改革にブレーキをかけてきた。「角界の常識は世間の非常識」と言われるゆえんだ。Some stablemasters opposed the appointment of Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former chief of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office, to the post of acting chairman, despite the fact that the gambling scandal led to unprecedented consequences such as the dismissal of the ozeki wrestler Kotomitsuki. 野球賭博問題では、大関琴光喜の解雇など前例のない事態を招きながらも、外部の村山弘義・元東京高検検事長が理事長代行に就くことに一部の親方は抵抗した。What first must be eliminated is this inward-looking logic. まず排除しなくてはならないのは、この内向きの論理である。Two of the current JSA directors who decide important matters for the association come from outside sumo. The JSA finally opened its doors to the outside world after the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry requested the body appoint outsiders to its board following the 2007 case in which a teenage sumo wrestler was fatally abused by fellow wrestlers in the Tokitsukaze stable. 相撲協会の重要事項を決定する１２人の理事のうち、外部のメンバーは２人だ。時津風部屋の暴行死事件を受け、文部科学省に外部からの登用を求められて、ようやく門戸を開いた経緯がある。=== Reform requires outside push However, such efforts to date have been far from satisfactory. To steadily move forward with reform at the JSA, it is necessary to increase the number of directors from outside sumo. We hope the independent committee will compile a sweeping proposal that includes increasing the number of outside JSA directors to a majority. だが、これでは不十分だ。改革を着実に進めるためには、外部の理事はさらに増やす必要があろう。独立委には、外部理事を全体の過半数にまで増員するなど、踏み込んだ改革案を期待したい。The gambling scandal will not be brought to a close just because stablemasters and sumo wrestlers stopped gambling. It is said that organized crime syndicates run the gambling on pro baseball games. It is crucial and paramount that the sumo world completely cut its ties with mobsters. 野球賭博問題は、親方や力士が賭博をやめれば一件落着というわけではない。野球賭博を仕切っているのは暴力団だとされる。大切なのは、角界が暴力団とのかかわりを完全に断つことである。It is essential to apply stern punishment, up to and including dismissal, to stablemasters and sumo wrestlers who had relationships with organized crime syndicates. 暴力団との付き合いを持った親方や力士には、解雇などの厳罰で臨むことが肝要だ。The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament--which is being held under the extraordinary circumstances of NHK declining to broadcast live coverage of the tourney and six wrestlers in the top makuuchi division having been suspended--has entered its middle phase. ＮＨＫの中継中止、幕内だけで６人の力士が謹慎休場という異例の状況で開かれている名古屋場所は、中盤戦に入った。Vacant seats are noticeable at the 15-day tourney and prize money has fallen sharply. These factors indicate the depth of the wound suffered by the JSA as a result of the recent gambling scandal. 会場では空席が目立ち、懸賞金も激減している。今回の問題で相撲協会が負った傷がいかに深いかを物語っている。The JSA never will be able to restore the public trust it has lost unless the body is reborn as an open organization and resolutely carries out bold reforms. 開かれた組織へと生まれ変わり、大胆な改革を断行する――。それができなければ、相撲協会の信頼は回復しない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 18, 2010) （2010年7月18日01時06分 読売新聞）
Jul 19, 2010
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豪雨被害 的確な情報で早めの避難を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 18, 2010)In 'guerrilla rain' fight, the key weapon is data豪雨被害 的確な情報で早めの避難を（7月17日付・読売社説）Torrential rains caused by a seasonal rain front have brought death and destruction to the nation, mainly in western Japan. 西日本を中心に、梅雨前線の影響による集中豪雨の被害が相次ぐ。A number of people have been killed or are missing. The victims were crushed in their homes by mudslides or swept away by rain-swollen rivers. 土砂崩れで倒壊した家屋の下敷きになったり、増水した河川に流されたりして、大勢の死者・行方不明者が出ている。In the past month, there have been over 350 reported landslides. In Matsue, a mudslide on the slope behind a private house caused two huge rocks, each measuring four meters in diameter, to strike the building, killing two residents. In Yaotsucho, Gifu Prefecture, a mudslide crushed a private house, killing three residents. とりわけ土砂災害は、このひと月余りで３５０件を超えた。 松江市では、住宅裏の斜面が崩れて、直径４メートルの岩２個が民家を直撃、２人が死亡した。岐阜県八百津町でも民家が押しつぶされ、住人が死亡した。=== Landslides must be studied In recent years, experts have attributed large-scale mudslides to the so-called deep-seated landslide mechanism. Heavy rain soaks into cracks in the bedrock, which has been weakened over time, and when the bedrock collapses downhill, it takes a large volume of upper soil with it. 近年、専門家からは、大規模な土砂崩れについて「深層崩壊」というメカニズムが指摘されている。長い間に風化した岩盤の亀裂に大雨がしみこみ、脆弱(ぜいじゃく)化した岩盤ごと大量の土砂が崩落する。Unlike shallow landslides, which can be prevented to a certain degree through good forestry practices, there are no known measures to prevent the occurrence of deep-seated landslides. We consider it necessary to urgently study what steps could be taken. 森林保全で一定の予防ができる表層崩壊と違い、発生を防ぐ手だては今のところないという。対応策の研究を急ぐ必要がある。Meanwhile, the phenomenon of so-called guerrilla rain--sudden downpours into relatively narrow zones, mainly in urban areas--has attracted attention in recent years. Such rain is caused mainly by cumulonimbus clouds that form in a clash of warm and cold air. But some experts think the urban heat island phenomenon and global warming trends have a causal relationship to the sudden downpours. 一方、都市部を中心に、狭い地域を突然襲う「ゲリラ豪雨」も近年の特徴だ。冷たい空気と暖かい空気がぶつかってできる積乱雲が主な原因だが、ヒートアイランド現象や地球温暖化との関係を指摘する専門家もいる。Guerrilla rain is frightening in that it is difficult to predict and the damage it causes occurs all at once. 襲来予測が難しく、被害が一気に発生するのが怖いところだ。In the summer of 2008, five workers died in Tokyo after being washed away by a surge in sewer water while working underground. Also that summer, a swollen river killed five people, including primary school children, in Kobe. 一昨年夏には都内でマンホール内の水が急増して作業員５人が死亡。神戸市内でも川が増水して小学生ら５人が死亡した。On July 5 this year, an intense rainfall of 107 millimeters per hour was recorded in Tokyo's Itabashi Ward. 東京・板橋では５日、１時間に１０７ミリという猛烈な雨が観測されている。To prevent damage from heavy rain, it is essential to have highly accurate weather forecasts and to issue appropriate warnings. Such information must be adequately conveyed by local governments to residents in affected areas. It is imperative that those residents be advised to evacuate if necessary as soon as possible. 豪雨被害の防止には、精度の高い気象予測と警報の発令、それを自治体が的確に住民に伝え、早めの避難を勧めることが大切だ。The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has started introducing advanced radar systems capable of accurately measuring the strength of precipitation mainly in major cities. Such radar can also be used to predict situations in wide areas affected by heavy rain. There also are private-sector services offering guerrilla rain forecasts on mobile phone sites. 国土交通省は大都市を中心に、雨の強さが正確に計測できる高性能レーダーの導入を進めている。集中豪雨の広範な周辺状況まで観測できる。民間でも携帯電話サイトを使ったゲリラ豪雨の予報サービスが登場している。Since late May, the Meteorological Agency has issued warnings and advisories on heavy rain and floods in a much more detailed manner as it increased the number of forecasting areas from 375 to 1,777 to correspond to each municipality. 気象庁は５月末から、大雨や洪水などの警報・注意報を、従来の全国３７５地域から市町村単位（１７７７地域）に細分化して発表するようにした。=== Stay alert to stay safe We urge each municipal government to effectively use such information to issue advisories and instructions for evacuations of local residents. It also is important that local governments regularly conduct disaster drills and establish systems to provide local residents with necessary information via community wireless services and other means in the event of an emergency. 市町村には、これらの情報を住民避難の勧告や指示に、有効に生かしてもらいたい。日ごろから避難訓練を実施し、いざという時には防災無線などを使って必要な情報が確実に住民に届く体制作りをしておくことも重要だ。As the rainy season winds down across the nation, summer vacations will soon start for schoolchildren. We are entering a holiday season during which people flock to beaches, mountains and rivers. People must not forget to take precautions against rain and flood disasters wherever they go. 列島は南から順次、梅雨が明ける。子供たちの夏休みも始まる。海・山・川がにぎわうシーズンだ。どこへ行っても雨と水への警戒を怠らないようにしたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 17, 2010) （2010年7月17日01時49分 読売新聞）
Jul 18, 2010
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第１検察審議決 小沢氏不起訴にまた疑問符
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 17, 2010)Prosecutors should keep Ozawa in sights第１検察審議決 小沢氏不起訴にまた疑問符（7月16日付・読売社説）A panel for the inquest of prosecution has again pointed out shortcomings in the investigations into former Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa over a scandal involving his political funds management organization. Prosecutors must take this situation gravely. 民主党の小沢前幹事長に対する捜査の不十分さが、検察審査会から改めて指摘された。検察は重く受け止めるべきだ。Public attention is focused on whether the Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution will recommend for the second time that Ozawa should be indicted. The Tokyo No. 1 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution made a separate conclusion Thursday that it was "unjust" for prosecutors not to have indicted Ozawa over the funds body's alleged falsification of its 2007 political funds report. 東京第５検察審が小沢氏の強制起訴につながる２度目の議決を出すかどうかが注目される中、これとは別に、東京第１検察審が「不起訴不当」の議決をした。Three of Ozawa's former secretaries, including House of Representatives member Tomohiro Ishikawa, have been indicted on suspicion of making false entries into political funds reports for 2004, 2005 and 2007 to hide a shady transfer of 400 million yen the funds management body, Rikuzan-kai, used for the purchase of a plot of land in Tokyo. 小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」が都内の土地を購入する際に使った４億円を隠蔽(いんぺい)するため、２００４年、０５年、０７年分の収支報告書に虚偽記入をしたとして、石川知裕衆院議員ら小沢氏の元秘書３人が起訴された。=== Waiting for 2nd conclusion However, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict Ozawa due to lack of evidence. Because civilians dissatisfied with this decision filed for a review of the case, the No. 5 panel has been reexamining whether the prosecutors' decision was appropriate regarding the false entries for 2004 and 2005, while the No. 1 panel did likewise for the 2007 report. しかし検察は、小沢氏については嫌疑不十分で不起訴とした。これを不服とする市民らの申し立てを受け、０４年分と０５年分の虚偽記入については第５検察審、０７年分については第１検察審が処分の妥当性を審査してきた。The No. 5 committee in late April concluded Ozawa "merits indictment." This panel is now reviewing the case for the second time after the prosecutors office again said it would not indict Ozawa. If the No. 5 panel again concludes Ozawa should be indicted, the ruling party bigwig will face mandatory indictment. 第５検察審は４月末、１度目の「起訴相当」の結論を出し、検察の再度の不起訴処分を受けて２度目の審査段階にある。次に「起訴すべき」との議決が出れば、小沢氏は強制起訴される。A DPJ presidential election is scheduled for September. As such, the timing of the No. 5 panel's second conclusion has become a focus of mounting concern, especially among politicians with a stake in the race and its outcome. ９月には民主党代表選が予定されており、再議決の時期は政治的にも関心が高まっている。If prosecutors decide not to indict Ozawa after their investigation despite the No. 1 committee's "unjust" decision, there will be no second review of the case by the panel. 今回の「不起訴不当」議決に対しては、検察が再捜査で不起訴とすると、２度目の審査はない。Nevertheless, the panel flatly stated that Ozawa's explanation to the prosecutors--that he left the entry of data into the reports entirely to his secretaries--was "unnatural" and demanded prosecutors conduct a more exhaustive investigation. とはいえ、第１検察審は、「秘書に任せていた」という小沢氏の弁明を「不自然である」と言い切り、検察に、これまで以上に徹底した捜査を迫っている。Regarding false entries in the political funds reports, the panel concluded that confessions by Ishikawa and another former secretary--they claim they told Ozawa they would not enter the 400 million yen transaction into the reports and received Ozawa's approval for the omission--are credible. The panel said they could not escape the belief that the prosecutors' questioning of Ozawa "did not go far enough." 報告書への不記載について、小沢氏に報告し、了承を得たという石川議員や別の元秘書の供述を信用できるとした上で、小沢氏に対する検察の聴取を「追及不足の印象は免れない」と批判した。=== Unusual demands The panel also demanded the prosecutors ask Ozawa and the former secretaries to submit pocketbooks and notes in which they recorded their activities and check them against the facts. It is quite unusual for members of the panel, who are chosen from the public, to make such demands on investigation methods to prosecutors. 元秘書や小沢氏から、行動を記録しているはずの手帳やメモを提出させ、事実関係の裏付けをとるよう求めている。市民から選ばれた審査員が、捜査方法にまで注文を付けるのは異例のことだ。The panel has implicitly warned the prosecutors not to simply go through the motions by deciding the outcome before even starting their investigation. We urge the prosecutors to leave no stone unturned in their investigation. 検察が結論ありきの形式的な再捜査をすることに、クギを刺したということだろう。検察は捜査を尽くすべきである。Ozawa appeared emboldened by the prosecutors' decision not to indict him and has refused to give any explanation about the scandal at the Diet. The possibility that Ozawa might take the stand at the House of Representatives Deliberative Council on Political Ethics has been left up in the air. 小沢氏は、検察の不起訴処分を自らに有利に解釈し、国会でも一切の説明を拒んできた。衆院政治倫理審査会への出席も、うやむやになってしまった。The Tokyo No. 1 panel's conclusion was a resounding "no" to Ozawa's refusal to clear up this matter. We again urge Ozawa to fulfill his responsibility to clearly explain to the public his involvement--if any--in the alleged wrongdoing. 第１検察審の議決は、小沢氏のこうした姿勢にも「ノー」を突きつけたものだ。小沢氏に重ねて求められるのは、国民への説明責任を果たすことである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 16, 2010) （2010年7月16日01時17分 読売新聞）
Jul 17, 2010
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振興銀首脳逮捕 “改革派”の仮面がはがれた
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 16, 2010)Arrest of ex-bank head debunks reformist mask振興銀首脳逮捕 “改革派”の仮面がはがれた（7月15日付・読売社説）Former Incubator Bank of Japan Chairman Takeshi Kimura, incumbent President Tatsuya Nishino and three other former and current executives have been arrested on suspicion of violating the Banking Law by obstructing an audit of the Financial Services Agency. 日本振興銀行の木村剛前会長や西野達也社長ら５人が、銀行法違反（検査忌避）の疑いで警視庁に逮捕された。As financial inspections by the agency loomed last year, the then executives deleted--on Kimura's orders--280 e-mails likely to have been of interest to the inspectors. 金融庁の検査の際、見られては都合の悪い電子メール２８０通を、木村前会長の指示で削除していたという。Suspicions of other shady behavior by the bank have since emerged. We hope the Metropolitan Police Department uncovers the whole truth of the case through an exhaustive investigation. 振興銀をめぐっては、検査忌避以外にも様々な疑惑が浮上している。警視庁は徹底した捜査で全容を解明してほしい。Kimura, who started his business career as a Bank of Japan official, served as a brain truster of Heizo Takenaka, who was state minister in charge of economic, fiscal and financial policy in Junichiro Koizumi's administration. Later, Kimura established the Incubator Bank of Japan with like-minded comrades at the Junior Chamber International Tokyo. The bank's motto was to support small and midsize enterprises. 木村前会長は日銀出身で、小泉政権時代に竹中平蔵元金融相のブレーンを務めた。その後、東京青年会議所の有志らと、中小企業支援を掲げ振興銀を旗揚げした。Against the backdrop of structural reform pushed by Koizumi's administration, market fundamentalism and the "profit-comes-first" principle based on the law-of-the-jungle philosophy had many strong followers among young entrepreneurs. 小泉政権時代、構造改革路線を背景に、市場原理主義や弱肉強食の利益最優先の風潮が若手起業家らの間に強まった。This excessive worship of money was exemplified by the window-dressing case that battered Livedoor Co., including its former president, Takafumi Horie, and insider trading committed by the so-called Murakami Fund, whose president was Yoshiaki Murakami. その中で、堀江貴文・ライブドア元社長の粉飾決算や、村上世彰元代表のファンドによるインサイダー取引など拝金主義を象徴する事件が起きた。=== Unjustifiable actions During this period, Kimura prided himself as being a standard-bearer of financial reform. In the end, however, he betrayed himself--just like Horie and Murakami did. 同時期に金融改革の旗手を自任した木村前会長も、結局、彼らと同様に馬脚をあらわした。Despite once being deeply involved in financial administration, Kimura now is a suspect in a criminal case. His alleged actions cannot be justified. 金融行政に深く関与した経験がありながら、自ら事件を起こすとは、言語道断と言わざるを得ない。Writer Go Egami, who was one of the bank's outside directors, has been appointed as the bank's new president. 逮捕された西野社長の後任には振興銀の社外取締役を務める作家の江上剛氏が就く。Egami has written about his days as a banker at the defunct Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank. In one memorable episode, he pressed the Dai-Ichi Kangyo management to terminate its ties with sokaiya corporate racketeers. The management environment at Incubator Bank is severe. As president, Egami must tread a thorny path. 旧第一勧業銀行の行員時代、総会屋との決別を経営陣に迫った逸話は有名だが、振興銀の経営環境は極めて厳しく、江上新社長は茨(いばら)の道を歩むことになろう。It has become apparent that the bank put profit-making before all else, while projecting itself as "the friend of small and midsize enterprises." 中小企業の味方という振興銀の看板の裏には、利益のためなら手段を選ばぬ実態があった。The bank allegedly charged a hefty commission when asking major moneylender SFCG Co. to buy back loan claims. This, in effect, was the equivalent of imposing an illegally high interest rate of about 46 percent, far above the upper limit stipulated in the Investment Deposit and Interest Rate Law, according to investigation sources. SFCG, which earned an unsavory reputation for its strong-arm loan collection methods, is undergoing bankruptcy procedures. The bank disguised the transactions as legitimate trades of loan claims. However, a healthy bank would not make such moves that took away proceeds from a loan shark facing difficulties raising funds. 強引な取り立てで問題になった商工ローン「ＳＦＣＧ」（破産手続き中）に、出資法の上限を上回る年４６％の暴利で融資した。表向きは適法な債権売買を装い、資金繰りに窮した高利貸しの上前をはねる取引と言える。=== More suspicions remain Incubator Bank also allegedly recommended a person affiliated with the bank be appointed as an executive to a company that had applied for a loan, and pressed the applicant firm to accept the plan. The person consequently took control of the firm's management. The bank thus had shades of a corporate raider. 融資を頼んできた会社に、振興銀の息のかかった人物を役員に推薦して受け入れを強要し、経営の主導権を奪うなど、乗っ取りまがいの行為もあった。The FSA inspections that began last year exposed the bank's illegal activities. But we wonder if the agency could have detected the bank's true nature--and penchant for breaking the rules--much earlier. 金融庁は昨年からの検査で違法行為を暴いたが、ルール無視に染まった銀行の実態を、もっと早くつかめなかったのか。Investigators will try to trace the inner workings of a group of the bank's client companies, a network established under Kimura's presidency. The bank extended loans to these member firms, which in turn accepted requests to boost the bank's capital. 木村前会長を中心に、取引先の中小企業で結成したグループの実態解明も焦点だ。振興銀が会員企業に融資する一方で、会員企業は振興銀の増資に応じていた。We wonder whether such loans and capital increases were legal. The MPD should get to the bottom of this matter, too. 融資や増資は適正だったのか、警視庁はこうした点についても真相を明らかにすべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 15, 2010) （2010年7月15日01時01分 読売新聞）
Jul 16, 2010
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税制抜本改革 ひるまず消費税論議を進めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 15, 2010)Get cracking on consumption tax talks税制抜本改革 ひるまず消費税論議を進めよ（7月14日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan's crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election has raised concern that discussions on far-reaching tax reform, including a possible consumption tax hike, will be put on the back burner. 参院選で民主党が敗北し、消費税率引き上げを含む税制改革論議が後退する懸念が出ている。DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano has indicated his intention not to stick to Prime Minister Naoto Kan's plan of formulating concrete plans on tax reform by the end of fiscal 2010. "We won't necessarily adhere to the initial deadline," Edano said. 民主党の枝野幹事長は「必ずしも当初想定していた期限にこだわらない」と語り、菅首相が目指していた２０１０年度内の具体案のとりまとめに固執しない意向を示した。However, the government cannot put off discussions on consumption tax any longer. The nation is mired in an extraordinary fiscal condition in which tax revenue is less than the amount of new government bonds issued. Furthermore, the increasingly creaky social security system needs urgent repair. しかし、税収が新規国債発行額を下回る異常な財政事情や、将来不安が高まる社会保障制度の現状を直視すれば、消費税論議を先送りする余裕はないはずだ。The Kan Cabinet must swiftly resuscitate the economy, which in turn will boost tax revenue, and knuckle down to reform the tax system--including consumption, corporate and income taxes. 菅内閣は、税収増につながる日本経済の再生を急ぎ、消費税、法人税、所得税など税制全般の改革にも取り組まねばならない。The election defeat has stung Kan. But the prime minister must dust himself off and start full-fledged efforts to coordinate intraparty opinions on consumption tax and continue inviting opposition parties to start suprapartisan discussions on the issue. 首相は選挙の敗北にひるまず、消費税についての党内調整を本格化させると同時に、野党に対し、引き続き超党派の協議を呼びかける必要がある。We urge the opposition camp to take up the prime minister's offer of discussions on a new consumption tax system. 野党側も、これに応じ、制度設計に踏み込んだ議論を進めるべきである。=== Tax not reason for defeat ◆消費税が敗因ではないAt Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Kan suggested the consumption tax dispute contributed to the ruling bloc's failure to retain its majority in the upper house, saying his remarks on the issue just before the election likely caught the public by surprise. 首相は１３日の閣議で、参院選での与党の過半数割れについて「唐突な感じを与えてしまった」と述べ、消費税問題が敗因につながったとの認識を示した。However, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party increased its number of upper chamber seats, despite proposing raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent in its election platform. だが、「消費税率１０％」を参院選公約に明記した自民党は議席を伸ばした。A Yomiuri Shimbun survey taken after Sunday's election showed more than 60 percent of the public believe a consumption tax hike will be necessary. This figure barely changed from a similar survey conducted before the election. 読売新聞が参院選後に実施した世論調査では、消費税率の引き上げが必要と答えた人は６割以上に上っている。消費税率アップの必要性についての意識は、今回の選挙の前後で全く変化がない。In the election, voters did not give a verdict on a consumption tax hike per se, but rather on Kan's inconsistent remarks on the matter. 有権者が問題にしたのは、消費税率引き上げそのものではなく、一貫性を欠いた首相の言動だ。During the campaign, Kan failed to present clear principles on fundamental questions about a consumption tax hike, such as why an increase is necessary and how the extra tax revenue it brings in would be used. 首相は、なぜ消費税率を上げるのか、増税分を何に使うのか、といった根本的な問題に明確な方針を示すことができなかった。When Kan found himself being boxed in by criticism over the consumption tax issue, he tweaked his previous statement, saying he would not raise "even yen1" in consumption tax until the next general election. This gave the impression that Kan was uncertain what to do. 増税批判で苦境に立たされると「次の総選挙まで１円たりとも上げない」と発言を修正するなど、最後まで軸が定まっていない印象も与えた。===
Jul 15, 2010
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菅首相続投 経済再生へ政治の機能回復を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 14, 2010)Restore Diet function to revive economy菅首相続投 経済再生へ政治の機能回復を（7月13日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election. The result has created a serious problem for his government--a so-called divided Diet, in which the opposition parties control the upper house and the ruling parties the lower house. 参院選で敗北した菅政権にとって、新たな衆参ねじれ国会の状況は深刻だ。Given this situation, the prime minister should drastically review the handout measures contained in the manifesto created by the Democratic Party of Japan last year and seek cooperation from the opposition parties. 昨年の民主党政権公約のバラマキ政策を大胆に見直し、野党に協力を求めることが肝要である。The results of the upper house election, which was a chance for voters to give their interim assessment of the change of administration, were more severe than expected for the ruling coalition parties. 政権交代の中間評価の機会となった参院選の結果は、事前の予想以上に厳しかった。The DPJ won only 44 seats, 10 seats less than its preelection strength, and the People's New Party, the DPJ's junior coalition partner, could not obtain any seats at all. Consequently, the coalition parties--including an independent who was backed by the coalition parties--now hold a total of 110 seats, 12 short of 122, a majority in the upper house. 民主党は改選前に比べ１０減の４４議席で、連立与党の国民新党は１議席も獲得できなかった。与党全体でも、過半数の１２２議席に１２議席も足りない状況に至った。=== High-handedness backfired ◆バラマキ政策を見直せ◆The Kan administration has postponed making changes to the Cabinet and the DPJ leadership until the DPJ presidential election is held in September, when Kan's term as party president will expire. But the road ahead is rocky. 菅政権は内閣改造・党役員人事を９月の党代表選後に先送りしたが、その前途は多難だ。At an extra Diet session to be convened at the end of this month, the prime minister is planning only to elect the president and vice president of the upper house. However, if his administration fails to cooperate with any opposition party before the next extraordinary Diet session in autumn, the prime minister will not be able to pass any important bills and will have difficulty managing the government. 今月末召集の臨時国会は、参院の正副議長の選出などにとどめる予定だ。だが、どの野党とも連携できないまま、秋の臨時国会を迎えれば、重要法案が成立せず、政権運営は行き詰まるだろう。After a major victory in the 2007 election, the DPJ and other opposition parties controlled the upper house. The DPJ employed hard-nosed tactics as it faced off against the Liberal Democratic Party-led government and its ruling coalition regarding the appointment of a Bank of Japan governor and other important issues, focusing on creating a favorable political situation for itself. 民主党は２００７年参院選後のねじれ国会で、野党として日銀総裁の同意人事などで政府・与党と徹底的に対決する「政局至上主義」とも言える戦術をとった。Even after becoming the ruling party, the DPJ repeatedly used its numerical strength to ignore traditional practices concerning Diet deliberations during this year's ordinary Diet session. The party used high-handed methods worse than those the LDP had employed to steer Diet business and deepened its split with the opposition parties. 与党になった後も、今年の通常国会では、衆院の「数の力」を頼みに国会審議の慣例を再三無視するなど、かつての自民党以上に強引な国会運営を行い、野党との亀裂を深めた。Now that the opposition controls the upper house, however, the Kan administration will have to acknowledge that the opposition parties may seek "revenge," so he must manage Diet affairs in a nonconfrontational manner based on reaching consensus. 菅政権は今後、野党から“意趣返し”を受ける可能性も自覚し、合意重視の円満な国会運営を心がける必要がある。In the latest upper house election, voters decided to prevent the DPJ from running wild rather than support the DPJ-led coalition government. However, that does not mean they want a lame-duck government unable to pass important bills in a divided Diet. 今回の参院選で、有権者は、もっぱら民主党が主導する政権ではなく、民主党の“独走”に歯止めをかける道を選択した。だが、ねじれ国会の下で法案が成立せず、政治が機能不全に陥る事態を決して容認しているわけではない。===
Jul 14, 2010
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参院選民主敗北 バラマキと迷走に厳しい審判
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 13, 2010)Voters give DPJ policy the thumbs-down参院選民主敗北 バラマキと迷走に厳しい審判（7月12日付・読売社説）Voters have passed a stinging judgment on the Democratic Party of Japan's 10 months in government since it came to power following last summer's general election. 昨年夏の衆院選で政権交代を果たし、その後の政権運営の評価を問う民主党に対し、有権者は厳しい審判を下した。The DPJ suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election and fell far short of the 54 seats targeted by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also is DPJ president. Justice Minister Keiko Chiba lost her seat. The DPJ and its tiny coalition partner, the People's New Party, failed to hold their majority in the 242-seat upper house, including uncontested seats. １１日投開票の参院選で民主党は、菅首相が目標に掲げた改選５４議席を大きく下回り、敗北した。千葉法相も落選した。連立与党の議席も、非改選を含め過半数に届かなかった。The election has led to a divided Diet in which the House of Representatives is controlled by the ruling camp and the upper chamber by opposition parties. To gain a majority in the upper house, the DPJ has no alternative but to stitch together a coalition with one or more opposition parties. この結果、衆参両院で多数派が異なる「ねじれ国会」になる。民主党は、参院の過半数を確保するため、野党との連立を模索せざるを得ない状況だ。At a news conference after the election, Kan insisted he would stay on, saying, "I would like to continue to responsibly manage the government." However, Kan's political clout has undeniably been weakened. Political chaos is all but certain as moves grow within the DPJ demanding the party leadership--including Kan--take responsibility for the election loss. 菅首相は記者会見で「責任ある政権運営を続けたい」と、続投の意向を表明したが、求心力の低下は否めない。首相を含めた党執行部の責任問題が浮上する可能性もあり、混乱は避けられまい。Kan's handling of the consumption tax issue was the biggest factor behind the DPJ's setback. 民主党の最大の敗因は、菅首相の消費税問題への対応だ。Kan hinted the rate could be lifted to 10 percent, a move echoing the Liberal Democratic Party's campaign pledge. But Kan failed to properly explain the purpose of the tax increase and how the revenue would be used. He compounded his problems by making inconsistent remarks on tax refunds for low-income earners. 自民党の消費税率１０％への引き上げ公約に乗る形で税率引き上げに言及したが、税率アップの狙いや使途などについて十分説明を尽くさず、低所得者対策に関する発言も揺らいだ。The DPJ was not unified on the consumption tax. Some party members openly opposed Kan's tax policy. 首相の方針に対して、民主党内から公然と批判が出るなど、党内不一致も露呈した。Of course, other factors also contributed to the election defeat, including political funding scandals that tainted former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and former party Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa; the Hatoyama administration's bumbling of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture; and deadlock over handout policies such as child-rearing allowances. 無論、鳩山前首相、小沢一郎・前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題をはじめ、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題の迷走、子ども手当などバラマキ政策の行き詰まりなど、前政権の失政も響いた。=== LDP's strategy successful ◆自民が改選第１党に◆The LDP won the most seats contested Sunday, topping the number snared by the DPJ. The LDP's election tactics, such as fielding rookie candidates handpicked from public applicants, proved successful. 自民党は、今回の改選議席では民主党を上回った。公募による新人候補の擁立など選挙戦術も功を奏したとみられる。Nevertheless, it is premature to conclude the LDP has made a full recovery. もっとも、自民党が本格的に復調したと考えるのは早計だ。The LDP rode to victory largely thanks to the DPJ's shortcomings. The LDP fared worse than the DPJ in the proportional representation bloc elections. Many voters probably were counting on the LDP to prevent the DPJ from "running wild." 民主党の敵失に乗じた面が大きく、比例選では民主党に及ばなかった。有権者は、民主党の“独走”を阻む役割を自民党に期待したのではないか。Your Party made major gains by attracting voters disillusioned with both major parties. The party called for slashing the number of government employees and abolishing amakudari--a practice in which high-ranking government officials parachute into cushy jobs after retirement. みんなの党は、公務員の大幅削減や天下り根絶などを唱えて、２大政党にあきたらない人々の票を吸い上げ、躍進した。The party now has a responsibility to act in a manner befitting the number of seats it holds. The party might have to rethink some of its policies and behavior that smack of populism. しかし、今後は、その議席数にふさわしい責任を果たさねばならない。ポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）的な政策や言動は、改めざるを得ないだろう。Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, who had set the goal of positioning his party to hold a decisive say in the Diet, should not whip up political turmoil by taking advantage of the seats his party gained in Sunday's election. キャスチングボートを握ることを目指していた渡辺代表は、今回の獲得議席を基に、政局を混乱させることがあってはなるまい。===
Jul 13, 2010
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安保理議長声明 北朝鮮への警戒を怠るな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 12, 2010)Maintain vigilance against North Korea安保理議長声明 北朝鮮への警戒を怠るな（7月11日付・読売社説）The U.N. Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a presidential statement that condemned "an attack that led to the sinking" of the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan in March. 韓国海軍の哨戒艦沈没事件について、国連安全保障理事会が、「沈没につながった攻撃」を非難する議長声明を全会一致で採択した。South Korea referred the incident to the Security Council early last month. Although long overdue, it was a welcome development that the Security Council was unanimous in expressing its will to thwart any attack or other hostile action that would further aggravate the situation. 韓国がこの問題を安保理に付託したのは先月初めのことだった。やや遅きに失した感はあるが、安保理が結束して、これ以上、事態を悪化させる攻撃や敵対行為を阻止する意思を表明したのは歓迎できる。However, diplomatic bargaining rendered the presidential statement unsatisfactory because of its opacity on the crucial point of who attacked the South Korean vessel. だが、声明の内容には不満がある。だれが攻撃したのかという肝心な点が、外交的な駆け引きの末にぼかされてしまったからだ。The presidential statement expressed "deep concern" over the incident following South Korea's investigation into it that found North Korea responsible for the sinking. At the same time, the statement also "took note" of North Korea's assertion stating "it had nothing to do with the incident." 議長声明は、北朝鮮に責任があるとした韓国の調査結果を受けて「深い懸念」を表明した。同時に「事件と無関係」とする北朝鮮などの主張にも「留意」した。=== Equivocal statement Behind the presidential statement is the assumption that China would not have given its approval unless the document incorporated the opinions of both sides. 両論併記でなければ中国が支持しなかったという事情がある。South Korea's joint military-civilian investigation team concluded that the cause of the Cheonan sinking was a torpedo attack by North Korea. Based on that conclusion, Japan and the United States have given full support to South Korea, which has denounced North Korea's responsibility. 事件をめぐり、韓国の軍民合同調査団は、「沈没の原因は北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」と断定した。それを踏まえ、日本と米国は、北朝鮮の責任を糾弾する韓国政府を全面的に支持してきた。In response, China, which has deep relations with North Korea, rejected the investigation's conclusion and was cautious over the Security Council's handling of the issue. これに対し、北朝鮮とつながりが深い中国は、調査団の結論を受け入れず、安保理で扱うこと自体に慎重な姿勢だった。China reportedly was strongly opposed to condemning North Korea by name, saying such a move could provoke Pyongyang militarily. There also is no doubt that China took a negative view of a planned joint naval exercise by the United States and South Korea on the Yellow Sea as a reaction against North Korea. 安保理で中国は、北朝鮮を名指しして非難すれば暴発する恐れがある、と強く反対したという。北朝鮮に対抗して、米韓が黄海で合同訓練を予定していることへの拒否感もあったに違いない。The problem now is North Korea's next move. Soon after the Security Council's unanimous adoption of a presidential statement condemning North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile last year, an enraged Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test since 2006. 問題は今後の北朝鮮の出方だ。昨年、安保理が北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射を非難する議長声明を全会一致で採択するや、北朝鮮は激高し再度の核実験を強行した。If North Korea takes another provocative action that threatens regional safety in response to the current situation, Japan, South Korea and the United States will need to further strengthen their coordination in a determined, resolute manner to block such action. China and Russia also should act in concert with Tokyo, Seoul and Washington. 今回も、北朝鮮が地域の安全を脅かす挑発に出るようなら、日米韓はこれを断固阻止する決意で連携を一層強化する必要がある。中国とロシアも協調すべきだ。=== North Korea at crossroads Conversely, if North Korea chooses the road toward abolishing its nuclear weapons, the international community will cooperate in rehabilitating Pyongyang's economy. First and foremost, North Korea unconditionally must return to the six-party talks on scrapping its nuclear ambitions. 北朝鮮が逆に核廃棄への道を選択するなら、経済再建へ国際社会も協力できる。無条件で６か国協議に復帰することが先決だ。North Korea has been rocked by anxiety over the declining health of its leader Kim Jong Il and the country's economic collapse. 北朝鮮は金正日総書記の健康不安や経済破綻(はたん)で揺らいでいる。In May, Kim Il Chol, former minister of the North Korean People's Armed Forces, suddenly was dismissed from the country's National Defense Commission and as first vice minister of the People's Armed Forces. Last month, during a session of the Supreme People's Assembly, which is normally held only once a year but was convened twice this year, Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law was promoted to a powerful position in the leadership. Also, in September, North Korea plans to hold a meeting of delegates of its ruling communist Workers' Party of Korea for the first time in 44 years. The moves apparently are related to the eventual transfer of power from Kim Jong Il. 最近も、前人民武力相が突然要職を解任された。異例の年内２度招集の最高人民会議では総書記の義弟が昇進した。９月には４４年ぶりに労働党代表者会を開く。いずれも権力継承に絡む動きだ。The sinking of the South Korean naval vessel occurred in the context of these dangerous times. Given North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles, we must never omit precautions for unexpected contingencies. Now is the time for Japan, South Korea and the United States to first start discussions on contingency planning. この危険な時期に哨戒艦事件は起きた。核兵器とミサイルを持つ北朝鮮だけに、この先も不測の事態へ警戒を怠ってはならない。まず日米韓の３か国が有事を想定した協議を始める時ではないか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2010) （2010年7月11日01時09分 読売新聞）
Jul 12, 2010
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参院のあり方 「政局の府」から脱する時だ
House of Councillors needs clearer roleThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 11, 2010)参院のあり方 「政局の府」から脱する時だ（7月10日付・読売社説）Voters cast ballots Sunday in the House of Councillors election. 参院選は、あす投開票が行われる。Most major parties proposed in their campaign platforms that the number of lawmakers be reduced, a proposal that strongly smacks of populism. But the more substantial issue of the role of the upper house was hardly discussed. 各党の公約はこぞって大衆迎合色の強い議員定数削減を掲げたが、より本質的な参院の役割に関する議論はまるで低調だった。Once considered "the chamber of wisdom," the upper house is now dubbed "the chamber of political maneuvers" because it has become a venue for power struggles between parties. Originally, the upper house was expected to have "restraining" and "supplementary" functions in relation to the House of Representatives. But we have witnessed in recent years confusion arising from interparty confrontation in the upper chamber just as is seen in the lower house. 参院は最近、「良識の府」でなく「政局の府」と言われる。本来は、衆院に対する「抑制」や「補完」の機能が期待されながら、衆院と同様の政党間対立が持ち込まれ、混乱する例が目立つからだ。Since the Liberal Democratic Party's major setback in the 1989 upper house election, no single party has secured a majority in the chamber, causing political instability. To control the upper house, it has become a common practice since the late 1990s to form a coalition government. １９８９年参院選での自民党大敗以来、どの政党も参院で単独過半数を獲得できず、政局の不安定要因となっている。９０年代末以降は参院での多数確保のために連立政権を組むことが恒常化した。=== Needless confrontations A divided Diet from 2007 to 2009 resulted in dysfunctional politics as we continually witnessed needless confrontation over such matters as the appointment of the Bank of Japan governor and the extension of the provisionally higher gasoline tax rate. ２００７～０９年の衆参ねじれ国会では、日銀総裁人事やガソリン税の暫定税率などをめぐり、不毛な対立が繰り返され、政治の機能不全ぶりを露呈した。Reform of the upper house is not a new issue. It has been nearly 40 years since Kenzo Kono, who held the post of upper house president, raised the issue in 1971, saying, "The upper house is now merely a carbon copy of the lower house." 参院改革は、古くて新しいテーマだ。７１年に河野謙三議長が「参院の現状は、衆院のカーボンコピーに過ぎない」と問題提起してから４０年近くが経過している。Since then, a variety of reform plans have been floated, such as one that would drop the requirement for party members to vote along party lines and another under which upper house members would be elected through a new regional representation system. 投票時の党議拘束を外すとか、参院議員を地域代表制にするとか、様々な改革案が浮上した。In an attempt to make the upper house "the chamber of reconsideration," a panel of experts suggested in a report it compiled in 2000 that the chamber be stripped of the right to vote for the nomination of prime minister and that its functions to monitor administrative affairs be strengthened. But these proposals failed to take form. ００年には、参院を「再考の府」とするため、首相指名権を廃止する一方、行政監視機能を強化するという有識者会議の報告書がまとまったが、具体化しなかった。Only some changes have been implemented. For example, an electronic push-button voting system was introduced, and budget auditing processes were improved and expedited. 結局、実現したのは、押しボタン式投票や、決算審査の充実・迅速化などにとどまっている。Given that the lower house has final say in budget deliberations, it is not a bad idea to let the upper house focus on budget auditing and ensuring that audit results are reflected in budget compilation. 衆院は予算審議で優越権を持つため、参院は決算審査を重視し、その結果を予算編成にきちんと反映する、との狙いは悪くない。=== End duplication of functions If the upper house continues to claim "distinctive" roles for itself but only repeats deliberations held in the lower house, it will ignite stronger calls to eliminate it because it is unnecessary. The roles of the upper house must be distinguished from those of the lower house. 「参院の独自性」の名の下、衆院と同様の審議を繰り返すだけでは、参院無用論が強まろう。重要なのは衆院との役割分担だ。For example, the upper house could be stripped of its right to vote to appoint prime ministers. Also, legislation from the lower house that is rejected by the upper house currently becomes law only if it receives a two-thirds majority in a revote in the lower house; this requirement could also be eased. But at the same time, the power of the upper house to audit budgets should be enhanced, and the upper chamber should be given the right to first deliberate legislation in certain areas. Considering which powers should be curtailed or expanded could lead to a new shape of the upper house. 例えば、参院の首相指名権を廃止し、衆院の再議決要件を緩和する。一方で、参院の決算審査権を拡充し、特定分野の法案の先議権を認める――。どの権限を縮小し、どの権限を拡大するかによって、新たな参院像が見えてくる。Little progress would be made if the upper house were left to itself to reduce its own powers. To come up with concrete measures to this end, it would be appropriate to appoint a deliberative panel that includes third-party members. 参院に自らの権限縮小を委ねても、成果は期待できない。具体策の検討は、第三者を含めた審議会で検討するのが適切だろう。In doing so, it is imperative to separate mid- to long-term issues, which would require constitutional revisions such as easing the requirement for revoting, from others that could be handled only through revisions of laws. その際、再議決要件の緩和など憲法改正を要する中長期的課題と法律改正で可能な課題を分けて、取り組むことが大切となる。Ruling and opposition parties intend to review proposed changes to the election system to be applied from the next upper house election in 2013 to correct the disparity in the value of votes. How the upper house should function is linked to its election system. Deep and comprehensive discussions are called for in this regard. 参院各党は、「１票の格差」是正のため、１３年の次回選挙から選挙制度を見直す方針だ。参院のあり方は選挙制度とも関連する。一体で議論を深めてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 10, 2010) （2010年7月10日01時19分 読売新聞）
Jul 11, 2010
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ゆうパック遅配 顧客第一の視点を忘れるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 9, 2010)Japan Post Service must put customers firstゆうパック遅配 顧客第一の視点を忘れるな（7月8日付・読売社説）If a door-to-door delivery company cannot deliver parcels to customers on the promised delivery day, it has little prospect of survival amid the fierce competition in the industry. 荷物を約束の期日に届けられないようでは、宅配業界の厳しい競争を勝ち残るのは難しい。Major delivery delays have occurred in the operations of Yu-Pack, a nationwide home delivery service offered by Japan Post Group. 日本郵政グループが全国展開する宅配便「ゆうパック」で、大規模な配達の遅れが発生した。Japan Post Service Co. integrated its Yu-Pack program with the Pelican parcel delivery service of Nippon Express Co. on July 1. But mishaps involving the operation of newly introduced information processing terminals occurred frequently, due to employees' inexperience in using the devices, among other reasons. Since it is the summer gift-giving season, parcel deliveries were peaking, further complicating the problem. ７月１日に日本通運のペリカン便と統合したが、新たに導入した情報処理端末などに不慣れなため操作ミスが多発した。お中元のシーズンで、荷物が多かったことも混乱に拍車をかけた。Consequently, more than 300,000 parcels were delayed by periods ranging from 12 hours to more than two days. It took a full week for Japan Post Service to bring the situation almost under control. 結局、３０万個を超える荷物が予定より半日から２日以上も遅れ、混乱がほぼ収拾するまでに１週間もかかった。=== Unforgivable blunder This is a major blunder by a professional distributor that cannot be easily overlooked. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi summoned Japan Post Service President Shinichi Nabekura to the ministry to express disappointment over the delays. Haraguchi demanded Nabekura submit a report outlining the hows and whys of the problem and specifying actions the company will take to improve the situation. 物流のプロとして、あまりの失態である。原口総務相も郵便事業会社の鍋倉真一社長を呼んで遺憾の意を伝え、経緯や今後の対応などを報告するよう求めた。Japan Post Service must thoroughly investigate why these problems happened and take all necessary steps to prevent their recurrence. 郵便事業会社は、原因を徹底解明し、再発防止に万全を期さねばならない。Japan Post Service planned to catch and surpass Yamato Transport Co. and Sagawa Express Co., the two giants in the industry, by integrating Yu-Pack and Pelican services to boost earning capacity. Yet Japan Post Service's plan fell apart from the beginning. ゆうパックはペリカン便との統合で収益力を高め、ヤマト運輸と佐川急便という業界の２強を追撃する構えだったが、出足からつまずいた形となった。Japan Post Service had stated that its preparations were more than sufficient. However, there is no question the company failed to properly train its employees in the new work process. 会社側は、準備は万全だったと釈明しているが、研修による作業手順の徹底など、備えが足りなかった面は否めない。It has been reported that Japan Post Service proceeded with the July 1 integration, fully aware it was in a busy season, to speed streamlining of the deficit-plagued Pelican service. Thus, the company deserves criticism for lacking a "customer-first" perspective. 赤字続きのペリカン便の合理化を急ぐため、繁忙期を承知で７月の事業統合を強行したとされる。「顧客第一」の視点が欠けていたと言われても仕方あるまい。Japan Post Service management took lightly the problems that began on July 1 and did not even acknowledge them until Sunday. This attitude has resulted in the loss of consumer trust. It is important the company strictly examine where the blame lies as it assesses the problems. That will be the first step to enable the company to make a fresh start. １日に始まったトラブルを軽視し、４日まで発表しなかった経営陣の姿勢も信頼を損なった。こうした判断のどこに問題があったのか、厳しく検証することが、出直しの第一歩となる。=== Establish stable system Due to the delays, some catalog retailers were forced to change from using Yu-Pack to other home delivery services to send their goods to customers. The high degree of accuracy--delivering parcels to the minute--is the hallmark of the home delivery business. 遅配をきっかけに、商品の配送をゆうパックから別の宅配便に切り替えた通販業者もある。時間通りに配達する精度の高さが、宅配便の命である。To prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere, Japan Post Service must establish a stable collection and delivery system as soon as possible. It is also important the company take sincere steps to compensate customers for damages brought about by the delays, such as for the costs of parcel reshipment. 顧客離れを防ぐため、安定した集配体制の確立を急がねばならない。商品の再発送など、遅配によって生じた被害への誠実な対応も重要である。With the wide use of e-mail, the use of postcards and letters has decreased, causing dwindling revenue for the postal business. Amid this backdrop, we see no end to postal service-related scandals such as a large quantity of undelivered mail. 電子メールの普及で、はがきや手紙の利用が減って、郵便事業はじり貧になりつつある。にもかかわらず、郵便物の放置など不祥事が後を絶たない。The Yu-Pack delays took place under these circumstances. Some analysts point out the problems might greatly damage the operations of Japan Post Service. その中で起きた今回の遅配問題だ。経営に大きなダメージを与える恐れも指摘されている。Not only Japan Post Service management, but all its employees, should be fully aware of their responsibility to unerringly operate the important distribution network and redouble efforts to tighten up their corporate discipline. 経営陣はもとより、全社員が大事なネットワークを担う責任を改めて自覚し、緩んだタガを締め直してほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2010) （2010年7月8日01時58分 読売新聞）
Jul 9, 2010
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大相撲中継中止 ファンの落胆に再生で応えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 8, 2010)Sumo's fight to regain fans' trust starts now大相撲中継中止 ファンの落胆に再生で応えよ（7月7日付・読売社説）Public broadcaster NHK has decided it will not broadcast live coverage of the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after revelations of widespread illegal gambling on professional baseball games by sumo wrestlers and officials, a scandal that has rocked this country's traditional sport. 野球賭博問題で揺れる大相撲名古屋場所について、ＮＨＫは中継放送をしないことを決めた。This will be the first time NHK has dropped live broadcasts of sumo tournaments since it began the service on TV in 1953 and on radio in 1928, except for a period during World War II. The decision will certainly disappoint many sumo fans. テレビは１９５３年から、ラジオは２８年から続く中継が戦時中を除き、初めて中止になる。がっかりした相撲ファンは多いことだろう。NHK will air daily wrapups after each day's action has finished. However, this will offer viewers little of the excitement that comes with watching a live broadcast. 取組終了後にダイジェスト番組を放送するというが、生放送の醍醐(だいご)味とはほど遠い。Knowing their bouts were being aired live greatly encouraged sumo wrestlers as they put themselves through grueling practice to prepare for each tournament. Wrestlers who had nothing to do with the gambling scandal will undoubtedly be extremely frustrated by NHK's decision. 日々稽古(けいこ)に汗を流す力士たちにとっても中継は大きな励みだったろう。賭博問題とかかわりのない力士たちは、さぞ悔しい思いをしているに違いない。NHK President Shigeo Fukuchi said two factors led to the station's decision: The Japan Sumo Association has yet to present concrete steps to reform itself; and more than 60 percent of 12,000 viewers who contacted NHK about the gambling scandal wanted the plug pulled on live broadcasts. 中止の理由についてＮＨＫの福地茂雄会長は、日本相撲協会の改革の取り組みに「具体的な道筋が見えていない」こと、１万２０００件に上る視聴者からの意見の６割以上が「中継をやめるべきだ」と言っていることを挙げた。=== Viewers split But many other people felt strongly that the tournament should be broadcast live, and the majority of wrestlers were not involved in the gambling. Given these factors, NHK certainly had the option of broadcasting the tournament live. 一方で、中継を強く望む声があり、賭博と無縁の力士も多いことを考えれば、中継に踏み切る選択肢もあったはずだ。NHK nevertheless has made a decision that reflects its position as a public broadcaster, as it cannot ignore viewers' strict opinions and given the fact that the JSA's efforts to reform itself remain tenuous at best. それでも中止を決めたのは、相撲協会の改革の姿勢になお疑念が残り、視聴者の厳しい声を無視できない、公共放送としてのやむを得ない判断だったのだろう。The JSA must be held responsible for allowing such a disturbing situation to happen. この事態を招いた責任は、言うまでもなく相撲協会にある。The association has dismissed ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake (former sekiwake Takatoriki). The Nagoya tournament will start under extraordinary circumstances--six other wrestlers in the top makuuchi division as well as JSA Chairman Musashigawa and several other stablemasters have been suspended. 相撲協会は、大関琴光喜と大嶽親方（元関脇貴闘力）を解雇処分にした。幕内だけでも、琴光喜以外に６人の力士が出場停止、武蔵川理事長ら多数の親方も謹慎という異常な事態の中で名古屋場所を迎えることになった。With these punitive measures, the JSA appeared to have made efforts to resolve the problem. When appointing an acting chairman, however, some stablemasters reportedly were opposed to naming Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office chief, to the post. They insisted the acting chairman should have a sumo background. 相撲協会として一定のけじめをつけた格好だが、理事長代行の人選では、村山弘義・元東京高検検事長の就任に難色を示し、あくまで角界内部からの選出を求める声が一部の親方から上がった。We are disappointed with the association's inability to shed its self-centered nature in a situation like this. この期に及んでも、内向きの論理を捨てきれない体質には、あきれるばかりだ。=== Not the 1st time The JSA has been battered by a string of scandals in recent years, including the fatal assault of a junior sumo wrestler by fellow wrestlers, illegal drug use, and, most recently, gangsters being broadcast on TV while sitting in prime ringside seats after allegedly receiving tickets from a stablemaster. Each time, the association promised to clean up its act. Unfortunately, it has failed to do so. 力士暴行死や大麻事件、土俵近くの特別席に座る暴力団関係者が中継に映った問題など、不祥事の度に相撲協会は再発防止を誓ってきたものの、自浄能力は発揮できなかった。The JSA will set up a reform committee tasked with reviewing the organization. The committee reportedly will consider ways to sever sumo's ties with organized crime syndicates and improve the association's crisis management. We hope the committee will be formed from third-party members and exert strong leadership in overhauling sumo's governing body. 相撲協会は、組織の見直しを進める改革委員会の設置を決めた。暴力団との決別や危機管理のあり方などを検討するという。改革委は外部メンバーで構成し、強力なリーダーシップを発揮して抜本改革に取り組んでほしい。The sumo world must quickly start trying to revive itself. Sumo wrestlers will only be able to satisfy sumo fans by competing hard in the ring. 大相撲再生の第一歩を踏み出すために、改革の推進は待ったなしだ。土俵でもファンが納得する熱戦を繰り広げるしかない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2010) （2010年7月7日01時51分 読売新聞）
Jul 8, 2010
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著作権の制限 知的財産は厳格に守るべきだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 7, 2010)Copyrights must be strictly protected著作権の制限 知的財産は厳格に守るべきだ（7月6日付・読売社説）We are concerned that a proposal by a government panel may destroy the basic premise of the Copyright Law that intellectual property rights must be strictly protected. 知的財産権は厳格に守る、という著作権法の大前提が崩れていくのではないか。そんな懸念を抱かせる提言だ。A subcommittee of the Cultural Affairs Council of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has proposed in an interim report the introduction of general provisions that would limit the exclusive rights of copyright holders--a Japanese version of the so-called fair use doctrine. 文化審議会の小委員会は、著作者の権利を制約する「権利制限の一般規定」（日本版フェアユース規定）の導入を求める「中間まとめ」を発表した。Japan's Copyright Law stipulates cases in which copyrighted materials may be used without the permission of the rights holders, such as the copying of materials by an individual for private use or citing them for reporting or research purposes. 著作権法は、許諾を得ずに著作物を利用できる事例として、個人が私的目的で行う複製や、報道・研究目的での引用などを具体的に列挙している。=== For the greater good? Under U.S. law, however, copyrighted materials can be used freely as long as it is considered fair use. This system is based on the idea that it will be of greater benefit to society if the abridgment and other utilization of copyrighted materials are allowed as fair use. これに対し米国では、「公正な利用」ならば、著作物を自由に利用することができる。いわゆるフェアユースの制度だ。著作物の要約などを公正な利用として許容することが、社会のより大きな利益になるとの考えが根底にある。Whether a certain type of use is fair is decided by courts based on a comprehensive analysis of four factors, including the purpose of the utilization and its effect upon the potential market for the copyrighted work. There are more than 100 years of judicial precedents on fair use in the United States. 公正か否かは、裁判所が著作物の使用目的や市場への影響などから総合的に判断する。１００年以上に及ぶ判例の蓄積もある。For instance, Google Inc. has begun digitizing publications based on the fair use doctrine without acquiring permission from their copyright holders. The Authors Guilds and the Association of American Publishers in the United States have filed a lawsuit against this digital database project. 例えばグーグル社は、フェアユースを根拠に、無断で書籍のデジタル複製を進めた。全米作家組合などが裁判に訴え、一時は日本の著作者への影響も懸念された。There were fears initially that the project might infringe on the rights of Japanese authors and publishers, but Google later excluded Japan publications from its database. The fair use system is disadvantageous to copyright holders. 権利者には不利な制度である。The development of Internet technology is quickly changing how copyrighted materials are utilized. Some experts have said the introduction of U.S.-type general provisions would facilitate the use of copyrighted materials more than revising relevant provisions as needed would. ネット技術の発展により、著作物の利用形態は急速に変化している。必要に応じて個別規定を改正するよりも、米国型の一般規定を設けた方が、著作物の利用が円滑に進むとの意見もある。=== Abstract language risky In the latest interim report, the subcommittee rejected the introduction of U.S.-style provisions on fair use. At the same time, it urged the introduction of general provisions to ease copyrights, so as to allow such practices as the inclusion of artwork in the background of portrait photos or the copying of musical works as needed to develop better technology for music reproduction. 今回の「中間まとめ」は、米国型フェアユース規定の導入は退けた。一方で、人物写真の背景に美術作品が写り込む場合や、音楽再生技術の開発の際に必要な複製などに限って認める「権利制限の一般規定」を設けることとした。The subcommittee is apparently envisioning provisions stated in abstract terms, such as allowing "incidental" use of copyrighted works, and probably aims to first introduce general provisions in fields where it is possible. 例えば、著作物の「付随的」利用を認めるといった、抽象的表現の規定を想定しているようだ。可能な分野から一般規定を導入するということなのだろう。However, provisions that can be interpreted in various ways risk leading to infringement of intellectual property rights. しかし、様々に解釈されかねない規定は、知的財産権の侵害につながる恐れがある。We believe that the use of copyrighted materials without acquiring the permission of the copyright holders should be limited in principle only to highly public fields such as education or journalism. It is reasonable to first acquire permission from copyright holders if something is to be used for business purposes. やはり、著作物の利用は学校教育や報道など公共性の高い分野に原則として限られるべきだ。ビジネスのための利用なら、まず権利者の了解を得るのが筋だろう。If the contents of the Copyright Law do not correspond to reality, each provision should be revised as necessary. Laws can be revised quickly these days. 著作権法の内容が現実に合わなければ、必要に応じ個別規定を改めればよい。近年は、法改正も迅速に行われるようになった。Among European countries, Germany and France have not introduced general provisions on limitations of copyrights. 欧州の独仏なども「権利制限の一般規定」は導入していない。Intellectual property rights are a boon for the creative activities of human beings. Legal revisions that could facilitate infringement of that will lead to serious problems in the future. 知的財産は人間の創造活動の賜物(たまもの)でもある。その侵害を助長するような法改正は、将来に大きな禍根を残しかねない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 6, 2010) （2010年7月6日01時43分 読売新聞）
Jul 7, 2010
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雇用対策 意欲ある若者や女性に仕事を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 6, 2010)Job security essential for growth strategy雇用対策 意欲ある若者や女性に仕事を（7月5日付・読売社説）The growth of the elderly population and contraction of the working-age population of people aged 15 to 64 are progressing at an alarming pace. 高齢者の増加と１５歳から６４歳までの生産年齢人口の減少が、猛烈な勢いで進んでいる。To boost domestic consumption and ensure sustainable economic growth, society must enable young people and women who are keen to work to do so--and under fair conditions, including regarding payment. 消費を盛り上げ、経済の持続的な成長を可能とするためには、若者や女性が意欲的に働き、賃金面などでも適切に処遇されるような社会にしていくことが重要だ。The employment situation is still grim, with the jobless rate staying stubbornly around the 5 percent level. ところが、失業率が５％台で高止まりするなど、足元の雇用情勢は依然として厳しい。Faced with ferocious competition and intense price wars, many companies have opted not to increase their number of regular workers, but instead to hire nonregular workers and pile more overtime work on regular workers. This trend has become prevalent in various industries. 過当競争、値下げ競争の激化から、正社員は増やさず、従業員の残業や非正規雇用で対応する傾向も様々な業界で広がっている。Given the seriousness of the situation, it is natural that political parties--in their campaign platforms for the forthcoming House of Councillors election--have devised growth strategies aimed at creating jobs. こうした問題の深刻さを踏まえれば、参院選公約で各政党が成長戦略による雇用創出策を打ち出したのは、当然のことだ。The Democratic Party of Japan aims to pursue a "third way" that does not center on public works projects nor lean too far toward overly free market principles. In concrete terms, the ruling party plans to create about 5 million new jobs in the coming decade by resolving pressing issues, thereby generating economic growth. 民主党は、「公共事業中心」でも「偏った市場原理主義」に基づく政策でもない「第三の道」に取り組むという。具体的には、喫緊の課題の解決策を通じて１０年間に約５００万人の雇用を創出し、成長につなげるとしている。=== Fresh perspective lacking The DPJ plans to increase employment in the environment/energy and medical/nursing care fields. However, this policy is nothing new. It echoes many measures churned out by Liberal Democratic Party-led administrations whenever an employment crisis loomed. 要は、環境・エネルギーや、医療・介護サービスの分野で新たな雇用を増やそうというのだが、雇用危機のたびに打ち出されてきた自民党政権時代の対策と大同小異で、新味に乏しい。The DPJ has failed to spell out a clear path to growth. The party has worked out measures to be implemented in the current and next fiscal years, but this will not be enough. The DPJ should explain more precisely the job creation effect each measure will bring for each fiscal year, as well as how the measures will be funded. 成長への道筋も曖昧(あいまい)だ。一応、今年度や来年度に実施すべき施策を定めてはいるが、それぞれの施策が生み出す単年度ごとの雇用創出効果や財源の裏づけなどを、もっと具体的に示すべきだ。The government's growth strategy includes a goal of raising the nation's lowest minimum hourly wage to 800 yen as quickly as possible, thereby boosting the national average minimum hourly wage to 1,000 yen. These are lofty targets when considering that the lowest hourly wage is currently 629 yen and the national average 713 yen. 政府の成長戦略には、最低賃金について、時間給で「できる限り早期に全国最低８００円を確保し全国平均１０００円を目指す」ことも盛り込まれた。現在の最低６２９円、全国平均７１３円からみれば、極めて高い目標だ。In some regions, people on the minimum wage earn less than people receiving welfare benefits. With the number of nonregular workers increasing, the minimum wage needs to be raised. But if a minimum wage increase is introduced without due consideration of the conditions in different regions and industries, the additional costs could hurt employers to the extent that the workers lose their jobs. 最低賃金の方が生活保護より低い地域がある。非正規労働者も増加する中で、賃金の底上げは必要だが、地域や業界の実態を顧みずに強行すれば、かえって雇用の場が失われてしまう。=== Drop dispatch law revision Only through harnessing growth industries and overhauling its industrial structure can this nation come close to attaining the goals laid out by the government. 成長産業を育て、産業構造の転換を進めてこそ、目標に近づくこともできるのではないか。A bill to revise the Worker Dispatch Law, which would prohibit temporary workers in the manufacturing industry, has been carried over to the next Diet session from the ordinary session that ended in mid-June. However, we suggest the revision be called off altogether. Introducing such a ban could spell disaster for many workers. If the dispatch ban deals a blow to the management of small and midsize companies, the damage could be irreparable. 製造業派遣などを禁じる労働者派遣法改正案は、先の通常国会で継続審議となったが、もう白紙に戻してはどうか。雇用への悪影響が懸念されている。中小企業の経営にも打撃を与える事態になっては取り返しがつかない。The government must craft economic measures by looking more squarely at the circumstances of each industry. The government and industrial circles should work in concert to improve the quantity and quality of jobs available. 政府は、各産業の置かれた状況をもっと直視して対策を考えるべきだ。量と質の両面で雇用を改善するには、政府と産業界の一致協力が不可欠だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 5, 2010) （2010年7月5日01時35分 読売新聞）
Jul 6, 2010
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安保・憲法 脅威を直視して議論を深めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 5, 2010)Deepen talks on security, constitutional revision安保・憲法 脅威を直視して議論を深めよ（7月4日付・読売社説）Japan is surrounded by security concerns including North Korea's nuclear missile development and its sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship, China's military buildup, friction with neighboring countries and the threat of international terrorism. 北朝鮮による核ミサイル開発や韓国哨戒艦の沈没事件、中国の軍備増強や周辺国との摩擦、国際テロの脅威――。Each political party must squarely face these situations and use the opportunity of the House of Councillors election to deepen discussions about the future of our country's security. こうした日本を取り巻く状況を直視すれば、各政党は参院選を機に、我が国の安全保障のあり方について、もっと議論を深める必要がある。In its manifesto for the upper house poll, the Democratic Party of Japan has touted its intention to continue Japan's antipiracy activities and draw up, within this year, National Defense Program Guidelines and a midterm defense buildup program based on the international situation. 民主党は参院選公約に、海賊対処活動の継続や、国際情勢を踏まえた防衛計画の大綱と中期防衛力整備計画の年内策定を掲げた。Each of these tasks must be performed as a matter of course. However, the manifesto of the DPJ is not entirely satisfactory, as it is the party in power and responsible for the country's security. The DPJ should at least present the general direction--specifically, what kind of National Defense Program Guidelines it will pursue. いずれも当然のことだが、日本の安全保障に責任を持つ政権党の公約としては物足りない。最低でもどんな防衛大綱を目指すのか、その方向性を示すべきだろう。=== DPJ election vows too abstract The DPJ has mentioned its intention to review the five principles governing Japan's participation in peacekeeping operations, saying it "will discuss future international contributions of the Self-Defense Forces and civilians." However, the expression is abstract, making it difficult to understand what the party specifically means. 「自衛隊および文民の国際貢献活動のあり方について検討する」として、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）参加５原則の見直しを視野に入れているというが、抽象的な表現のため、分かりづらい。The Liberal Democratic Party's campaign pledges on national security policy go substantially deeper, stipulating for example the resumption of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. They also promise the establishment of a basic law on national security that would include a review of the government's interpretation of the Constitution concerning the right of collective self-defense, and the establishment of a permanent law on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces overseas. 自民党の公約は、インド洋での給油活動の再開、集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しを含む安全保障基本法や、自衛隊の海外派遣に関する恒久法の制定を明記するなど、相当踏み込んだ内容となった。The direction in which the LDP is heading--strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and steadily fulfilling Japan's obligations as a member of international society--is correct. 日米同盟を強化し、日本が国際社会の一員としての責務を着実に果たすという方向性は正しい。However, it must be asked: Why did the LDP never actively work to develop the legislation when it was a ruling party? The LDP will not be able to gain the people's support if, as an opposition party, it so easily incorporates such items in its manifesto. だが、なぜ与党時代にこれらの法整備に積極的に取り組まなかったのか。野党の立場で気楽に公約に盛り込んだのだとしたら、国民の支持は得られまい。New Komeito's platform meshes international pacifism with action, while the People's New Party is calling for strengthening the nation's autonomous defense capability. 公明党は「行動する国際平和主義」を訴え、国民新党は自主防衛力の強化を主張している。It is desirable that the ruling and opposition parties should have a common understanding of national security policy. We hope all the parties will engage in a more active debate on these matters. 安全保障政策は本来、与野党の垣根を越えて、共通認識を形成することが望ましい。もっと活発な論議を期待したい。=== Charter reform top LDP priority Meanwhile, it is indispensible that national security policy be debated against the backdrop of constitutional revision. 安全保障を論じる際に欠かせないのが、憲法改正の視点だ。It is worth noting the LDP gave top priority in its manifesto to activating the Deliberative Council on the Constitution in each chamber of the Diet to work, as well as submitting draft constitutional revisions to the legislature. 自民党が公約のトップに、衆参両院の憲法審査会の始動と、「憲法改正原案」の国会提出を据えたのは、注目すべきことだ。The PNP, the Sunrise Party of Japan and the New Renaissance Party also are favorably disposed toward revising the Constitution. New Komeito's campaign platform called for adding new clauses to the Constitution while maintaining the charter's existing provisions. The Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party oppose any constitutional amendment. 国民新党やたちあがれ日本、新党改革も憲法改正に前向きだ。公明党は、現在の条項を維持したうえで新たな条項を追加する「加憲」を掲げている。共産、社民両党は憲法改正に反対の立場だ。What we wonder is why the DPJ, which holds the reins of government, mentioned nothing about constitutional issues. In its manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election, the DPJ stipulated it would cautiously and positively discuss constitutional revisions, which is nonsensical. It can only be said the DPJ has backed away further from tackling the issue ahead of the impending upper house poll. 疑問なのは、政権を担う民主党が公約で、憲法問題に何も言及していないことだ。昨年の政権公約も「慎重かつ積極的に検討」と意味不明だったが、さらに後退したと言わざるを得ない。The DPJ's attitude, in which it avoids debate on the Constitution, is all the more irresponsible given that the National Referendum Law, which clarifies the procedures for implementing a special plebiscite to revise the Constitution, came into effect in May. 憲法改正の手続きを定めた国民投票法が今年５月に施行されたのに、憲法論議を回避する姿勢はあまりに無責任だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 4, 2010) （2010年7月4日01時19分 読売新聞）
Jul 5, 2010
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消費税引き上げ 首相発言には一貫性が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 4, 2010)Kan's consumption tax remarks lack consistency消費税引き上げ 首相発言には一貫性が必要だ（7月3日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan's remarks on a possible hike in the consumption tax rate have been inconsistent, and some in the Democratic Party of Japan have openly criticized his wavering stance. 消費税増税をめぐる菅首相の発言が、揺れ動いている。民主党内からは首相の方針を公然と批判する声もある。This is bound to leave voters confused. The prime minister and the DPJ should clarify the party's views on the consumption tax and present them to the public. これでは有権者は戸惑ってしまう。首相と民主党は、消費税に関する党の見解をしっかりと整理し、国民に示すべきである。The prime minister initially said that considering raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent was a campaign pledge. Later, however, Kan changed his stance, saying the pledge only went as far as calling for suprapartisan discussions on the issue. 首相は当初、「１０％」への消費税率引き上げ検討を「公約」と明言していた。その後、公約は「超党派協議を呼びかけるところまで」と軌道修正した。Because a consumption tax is regressive by nature, the prime minister also proposed the introduction of a refund system for people with low incomes, as they bear a heavier burden than higher earners in terms of the tax-to-income ratio. 消費税増税によって低所得者の負担が過重になるとされる逆進性の問題への対策として、還付制度の導入も表明した。=== Who gets tax relief? But regarding the income levels of households to be eligible for such a refund system, the prime minister has been inconsistent, referring to levels as low as 2 million yen and as high as 4 million yen. だが、対象世帯の所得水準について、首相の発言は、年収２００万円から４００万円の幅でくるくる変わった。Households with an annual income of less than 4 million yen account for nearly half of the national total. If refunds are given to such a wide range of taxpayers, the intended revenue boost from a tax hike would be lost. It also would undermine the fair distribution of tax burdens. 年収４００万円未満の世帯は全世帯の半数近くに達する。そんな広い範囲で還付を実施すれば、税収増の効果が失われるうえ、税負担の公平性も損なわれる。Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said Kan was simply offering a basis for discussions on the issue. But we consider the prime minister's words to have grave importance. It is detrimental if the prime minister carelessly refers to figures that are not backed up by sufficient discussion. 仙谷官房長官は「議論の材料」を提供しただけと説明するが、首相の発言は重い。十分な議論の裏付けもないまま、腰だめの数字を軽々に口にされても困る。In the first place, Kan has yet to present a clear overall vision for tax system reform. He must clarify such basic matters as why the consumption tax rate should be raised from the current 5 percent to 10 percent and for what purpose the increased tax revenues would be used. そもそも首相は、税制改革全体のビジョンをいまだに明らかにしていない。なぜ、１０％なのか。増収分は何に使うのか。そんな基本的なこともはっきりしない。Critics in opposition parties have said that the DPJ's handout programs, if continued, would eat up the new revenue. Kan needs to provide a clear response on this point, too. 野党は、民主党のバラマキ政策が維持されれば、そちらに増収分が回ると批判している。これにもしっかり答える必要がある。=== DPJ must put house in order The discord seen within the DPJ is an even more serious problem that cannot be overlooked. さらに見過ごせないのが、民主党内の不協和音だ。Former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has openly criticized the stance of current party executives, saying: "[The party] pledged not to raise the consumption tax rate for four years during the House of Representatives election last year. That pledge should be kept." 小沢一郎・前幹事長は「昨年の衆院選で、４年間は消費税は上げないと言ってきた。約束はやり遂げるべきだ」などと、執行部の方針を真っ向から批判している。As the party in power, the DPJ must not leave intraparty discord unresolved regarding tax and fiscal issues that concern the very foundation of the nation. 政権党として、国の根幹にかかわる税財政問題での党内不一致を放置してはなるまい。A hike in the consumption tax rate is an issue that successive administrations have avoided tackling. More than a few voters praised Kan when he put a tax increase on the table out of concern about social security revenues and worsening fiscal conditions, and asked the public to share the burden. 消費税増税は、歴代政権が避けてきたテーマだ。社会保障財源の確保と財政悪化への危機感から、首相が増税に言及し、国民に負担の分かち合いを求めたことを評価する有権者は、少なくない。But if such a prime minister begins to equivocate, questions could be raised about how resolute he is in seeking to raise the consumption tax rate. その肝心の首相が、発言をぐらつかせては、消費税率引き上げを目指す首相の決意に疑問符がつきかねない。In the House of Councillors election in 1998, then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto flip-flopped on the issue of permanent tax cuts. That triggered voters' distrust and led the Liberal Democratic Party to a humiliating defeat. １９９８年の参院選で、当時の橋本首相が、恒久減税に関する発言を二転三転させ、それが有権者の不信を招いて、自民党惨敗につながった例もある。A prime minister must be consistent in his or her remarks. 首相に求められるのは、発言の一貫性である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 3, 2010) （2010年7月3日01時09分 読売新聞）
Jul 4, 2010
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景況感プラス 円高・株安への警戒を怠るな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 3, 2010)Stay vigilant against yen's rise, stock falls景況感プラス 円高・株安への警戒を怠るな（7月2日付・読売社説）Although corporate sentiment about business conditions seems to be improving, evidence the economy has regained its vigor remains sketchy at best. 企業の景気認識は改善しているようだが、日本経済が元気になったという手応えがない。Stock prices have tumbled, the yen has appreciated again, and the nation is still unable to shake off deflation. デフレから脱出できないまま、再び株価下落や円高が進んでいるからだ。The campaign for the July 11 House of Councillors election is well under way. Each party has pledged to attain high economic growth. 参院選で各党は、高成長の実現を公約に掲げている。However, rather than competing over who can set the highest target, the parties should focus more on how realistic their measures for achieving these goals are. だが、競うべきなのは、目標の高さではなく達成への具体策だ。The first task for the government after the election is to put the economy on track for a full recovery. We hope political parties will engage in reasoned debate on this issue. それにはまず景気を本格回復させることが先決である。説得力のある経済論議を展開してほしい。The Bank of Japan announced Thursday its Tankan short-term economic survey of enterprises for June. The diffusion index for business confidence among corporations greatly improved. The index now stands at plus 1 among major manufacturers, a vast improvement from minus 14 logged in March. The index has entered positive territory for the first time in two years. It is the fifth straight quarterly improvement, and the index is now almost at the same level as it was just before the so-called Lehman shock of 2008. 日銀が１日に発表した６月の企業短期経済観測調査（短観）は、企業の景気認識を示す業況判断指数が大幅に改善し、大企業の製造業でプラス１となった。 プラスへの浮上は２年ぶりである。５四半期連続の改善で、リーマン・ショックの直前とほぼ同じ水準に戻した。=== Recovery seems steady The improved performance of exporting companies led the uptick. In addition, major nonmanufacturers, as well as small and midsize manufacturers and nonmanufacturers, also stayed on their recovery path. 輸出関連企業の業績回復が先導したが、大企業の非製造業や、中小企業の製造業、非製造業も改善を維持している。Capital investment--which holds the key to a full-scale recovery--for this fiscal year also finally turned positive for major companies. We can safely say the improvement is spreading to the wider economy. 本格成長のカギをにぎる今年度の設備投資計画も、ようやくプラスに転じた。景気回復のすそ野は広がってきたと見ていい。Despite the favorable Tankan figures, the Nikkei Stock Average fell for the second straight day to close at a fresh low for the year. Uncertainty over the strength of the global economy remains and market players seem to be on tenterhooks over the yen's appreciation. だが、短観の好調さをよそに、東京市場の平均株価はこの日、今年の最安値を更新した。海外経済の変調と、円高に対する警戒感が強まってきたためだ。In the United States and Europe, worries linger over aggravated fiscal deterioration and the economic downturn caused by the Greek debt crisis. The Dow Jones industrial average at the New York Stock Exchange has been on a downward spiral and dipped below 10,000 this week. 欧米では、ギリシャ危機に始まった財政悪化や景気減速の懸念がくすぶっている。ニューヨーク市場の平均株価は下げが続き、今週は１万ドルの大台を割り込んだ。A downturn in overseas markets increases pressure on the yen to appreciate, which in turn causes stocks in Japan to plunge. This vicious circle has apparently taken root. 海外市況の悪化で円高圧力が高まり、円高が日本の株安を招く悪循環もはっきりしてきた。Many companies forecast the exchange rate this fiscal year will hover around 90 yen to the dollar. However, the yen this week appreciated to the 88 yen level against the greenback. If the yen rises further, it will knock the stuffing out of export-related businesses that are showing signs of slowing growth. 企業の多くは、今年度の為替相場を１ドル＝９０円程度と想定している。８８円台に進んだ円高がさらに加速すれば、伸び悩みの兆候もある輸出に打撃となるだろう。=== What's the reality? The Tankan also showed the bearish sentiment of companies that are not confident the recovery will be sustainable. The diffusion index for automobile companies in the major business category improved greatly, but they forecast a major decline three months down the road. Their sentiment stems partially from the fading effects of government measures to support domestic vehicle sales, such as tax breaks for purchases of eco-cars. 短観には、回復の持続に自信を持てない企業の弱気も見える。大企業の自動車は今回、業況が大きく改善したが、３か月後は大幅な低下を予想している。エコカー減税など国内販売の支援策の効果が薄れてきた影響もありそうだ。As about 70 percent to 80 percent of companies surveyed for the Tankan submitted their responses to the Bank of Japan by or in early June, the report does not fully incorporate recent worrying developments such as the yen's appreciation and fall in stock prices. All observers will be carefully watching to see if actual business sentiment is more pessimistic than the Tankan indicated. 短観は６月上旬までに７～８割の企業が回答を済ませており、最近の円高・株安を十分に織り込んでいない問題もある。実際の企業心理は短観より冷えていないか、注意深く見ねばならない。Including the Democratic Party of Japan, which advocates building a "strong economy" as a central campaign pledge, each political party has promised annual economic growth ranging from 3 percent to 5 percent. We welcome the trend of putting priority on economic growth. However, before anything else, the parties must present prescriptions that will unfailingly bring about an economic recovery and departure from deflation. 「強い経済」を掲げる民主党をはじめ、各党の選挙公約は３～５％の高成長を約束している。成長重視は歓迎だが、最優先で示すべきなのは、景気回復とデフレ脱却を着実に果たす処方箋(せん)である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 2, 2010) （2010年7月2日00時56分 読売新聞）
Jul 3, 2010
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Ｗ杯日本敗退 選手の奮闘に元気をもらった
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 2, 2010)Samurai Blue lost, but they gave so muchＷ杯日本敗退 選手の奮闘に元気をもらった（7月1日付・読売社説）Japan has missed out on making the quarterfinals at the soccer World Cup in South Africa. Takeshi Okada's side fell one hurdle short of the last eight--a stage Japan has never reached at a World Cup. Despite this, the Samurai Blue displayed their skill and never-say-die attitude on soccer's grandest stage. We applaud the players' brave efforts. 日本のサッカー史上、初めてとなるベスト８には、またしても手が届かなかった。しかし、日本代表の選手たちは、最高峰の舞台で、力を存分に発揮した。健闘をたたえたい。In the first round of the knockout stage, Paraguay defeated Japan in a penalty shootout. Japan's campaign ended at the same stage as it did in the 2002 World Cup, when Japan and South Korea cohosted the event. サッカーのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）南アフリカ大会の決勝トーナメント１回戦で、日本はＰＫ戦の末、パラグアイに敗れた。２００２年の日韓大会と同じ成績で、日本のＷ杯挑戦は終わった。The Japanese players played with a steely determination. Japan did not give an inch to Paraguay, a team known for strong defense and rapid counterattacks. Defenders such as Yuji Nakazawa and Yuichi Komano were outstanding at keeping the Paraguayans at bay. 堅守速攻が身上のパラグアイに対し、日本は、中沢佑二選手、駒野友一選手ら守備陣の体を張った守りでわたりあった。It was a down-to-the-wire defeat in a game that ended in a goalless draw after 120 minutes, including 30 minutes of extra time. Komano, who missed his penalty kick in the shootout, must feel extremely disappointed, but we hope he comes back to Japan with his head held high. 延長戦を含め１２０分を戦った末の紙一重の敗戦だ。ＰＫを外した駒野選手は悔しいだろうが、胸を張って帰国してほしい。=== Confidence after each game The Samurai Blue seemed to grow in confidence with each of the four matches they played in South Africa. Their teamwork and willingness to work for one another helped them knock over some of soccer's leading nations, and gave off an aura of reliability. Ｗ杯の計４戦、日本代表は１戦ごとに自信を得て、強くなった。チーム一丸となって強豪国に挑む姿には、頼もしさを感じた。Okada's tactics successfully squeezed every drop of ability from his players. 選手の持ち味を引き出した岡田武史監督の采配(さいはい)も奏功した。We think the team made Japan's presence felt in the soccer world. 日本の存在感を、世界に向かって十分に示したといえる。However, Japan's valiant efforts were still not quite enough. Okada said after the loss to Paraguay, "I think this tells you it's still not easy to advance further [at the World Cup]." だが、世界の壁は、やはり高かった。岡田監督は、「まだまだ、そんな簡単じゃないよと言われているんだと思う」と語った。Japan's defensive organization proved effective at the World Cup, but the team's evident inability to score was their undoing. The players could not convert the few chances that came their way. A cure for this lack of killer instinct in front of goal will need to be found before the next World Cup rolls around in four years. 日本の守備力は、Ｗ杯でも通用したが、明らかに足りないのは得点力だ。少ないチャンスをものにすることができなかった。４年後の次回大会までの宿題である。The entire nation was swept up in a wave of excitement whenever Japan played. The viewer rating peaked at 64.9 percent during the Japan-Paraguay game. 日本代表の試合の度に、列島は大いに盛り上がった。パラグアイ戦のテレビ中継の瞬間最高視聴率は６４・９％に達した。Many people must have enjoyed the sense of unity that comes from cheering for the national team with others, and been energized by the players. We felt once again the great power that sports can provide. みんなで日本代表を応援する一体感を味わい、選手たちから元気をもらった人も多いのでないか。スポーツが持つ力の大きさを改めて実感する。=== Hard work finally pays off In the four years since being bundled out at the group stage in Germany in 2006, the Japan team failed to reach any great heights. Many people lost interest in a team they thought lacked "star" players. Vacant seats stood out at stadiums during international friendlies. 前回のドイツ大会で惨敗して以降、日本代表の戦績は上がらず、スター不在の代表チームへの関心も薄れがちだった。海外チームとの親善試合でも、スタンドには空席が目立った。But as the Samurai Blue started to play well, the public began to get behind the team. Some players such as Keisuke Honda will now be known in soccer circles around the world after their sparkling World Cup performances. しかし、代表チームが強ければ、注目度も高くなる。本田圭佑選手らの名は、Ｗ杯を通して一気に知れ渡ったはずだ。Japan is bidding to host the World Cup in 2022. Japan's efforts in South Africa could boost sentiment in favor of this bid. 日本は２２年のＷ杯招致に名乗りを上げているが、今回のＷ杯は、機運を高めるきっかけになるかもしれない。We hope the players will use their experiences in the World Cup to further hone their skills in the J.League and overseas to raise the overall level of Japanese soccer. 選手たちは、この経験を糧に、Ｊリーグや海外のチームでさらに技を磨き、日本サッカーのレベルアップにつなげてほしい。Let us set aside the dream of making the last eight in the World Cup--or even the semifinals as Okada had targeted this time--for four years. Ｗ杯でのベスト８、さらに、今回の目標だったベスト４の夢は、４年後までとっておこう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2010) （2010年7月1日02時09分 読売新聞）
Jul 2, 2010
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成長と財政再建 Ｇ２０で首相が負った重い宿題
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 1, 2010)G-20 meet leaves Kan with a difficult task成長と財政再建 Ｇ２０で首相が負った重い宿題（6月30日付・読売社説）Industrialized countries and emerging economies alike have been shouldered with the two difficult tasks of maintaining economic growth while steadily promoting fiscal reconstruction. 経済成長を維持しながら財政再建も着実に進める――。先進国と新興国がそれぞれ背負わされた難題である。The key point of the joint declaration adopted by leaders of the Group of 20 major developed and emerging countries in their meeting in Toronto was their agreement on carrying out "growth-friendly fiscal consolidation." カナダ・トロントで開かれた世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議（サミット）が採択した首脳宣言のポイントは、「成長に配慮した財政健全化」を打ち出したことだ。At the meeting, Prime Minister Naoto Kan explained Japan's new economic growth and fiscal management strategies, which were worked out shortly before the summit meeting, effectively making the strategies international pledges. 菅首相は、首脳会議の直前にまとめた新経済成長戦略と財政運営戦略を説明し、この二つの戦略が事実上の国際公約になった。This means that Japan will have to simultaneously pursue two goals--playing a leading role in the world economy by achieving sustainable growth and realizing fiscal reconstruction that will be recognized by the market. 日本も、持続的成長で世界経済の牽引(けんいん)役を果たしつつ、市場に評価される財政再建を実現するという、二兎(にと)を同時に追わざるを得なくなった。Starting now, Kan's competence in economic management will be put to the test. 菅首相の経済運営の手腕が、今後、問われることになろう。The global economy at present is poised to leave behind the worldwide recession that began with the financial crisis sparked by the collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. However, the fiscal turmoil in Greece is slowing down a weakened Europe, leaving the global economy's future prospects uncertain. 現在の世界経済は、リーマン・ショック後の金融危機と同時不況を脱しつつある。しかし、ギリシャ危機で欧州経済がもたつき、先行きはまだ不透明だ。The G-20 statement was correct in pointing out the need to "follow through on fiscal stimulus plans," based on such assessments. こうした判断から、首脳宣言が「景気刺激策の継続が必要」と指摘したのは当然である。=== Calls for debt reduction The statement, on the other hand, stressed the need for countries burdened with heavy public debts to accelerate efforts to shore up their fiscal condition. 一方で、宣言は、「深刻な財政赤字国は、財政健全化を加速する必要がある」とも強調した。It was particularly significant that the statement presented numerical targets, saying "advanced economies have committed to at least halve deficits by 2013." However, the leaders took the extraordinary step of agreeing to treat Japan, which has by far the largest outstanding debt among industrialized countries, as an exception. 特に、「先進国は２０１３年までに財政赤字を少なくとも半減させる」などと、数値目標を明示した意義は大きい。ただ、財政悪化が最も深刻な日本は異例の「例外扱い」となった。The G-20 meeting witnessed a sharp rift between European countries, which put priority on fiscal reconstruction, and the United States, which attaches importance to economic growth. Ｇ２０では、財政再建を優先する欧州と、景気重視の米国が対立した。However, if countries adopt belt-tightening policies all at once, the risk of an economic slowdown will increase. For this reason, European nations and the United States are believed to have reached a compromise, saying "measures need to be put into action at the national level and tailored to individual countries' conditions" to restore their public finances. だが、一斉に緊縮財政に走れば景気失速のリスクが高まる。このため欧米は妥協を図り、各国の状況に応じ財政立て直しを求めることで収拾したのだろう。=== A tight spot for Japan But the decision has put Japan in a bind. Japan was left out of the fiscal reconstruction goals for Europe and the United States while at the same time it was subjected to calls to further expand its domestic demand as an economy with a current account surplus. これで難しい立場に追い込まれたのが日本だ。欧米の財政再建目標から置き去りにされたうえ、経常黒字国として、さらなる内需拡大も要求されたからだ。The upcoming House of Councillors election will be followed by discussions for the compilation of the fiscal 2011 budget. The government must expedite efforts to flesh out the so-called Kan strategy, which aims at realizing growth and tax hikes at the same time. 参院選後は来年度予算編成に向けた議論が始まる。増税しながら成長を実現するという「菅戦略」の肉付けを急がねばならない。The revaluation of the Chinese yuan was another key item on the G-20 agenda. Though the declaration did not single out the yuan by name and simply called for greater exchange rate flexibility in some emerging markets, China is certain to be asked to approve the yuan's rise against other currencies. Ｇ２０では、中国通貨・人民元の切り上げも重要テーマだった。宣言は人民元を名指しせず、「為替レートの柔軟性」を指摘したが、中国が今後、人民元の上昇容認を迫られるのは確実だ。The G-20 summit meeting once again exposed the difficulty of putting together opinions on themes about which participating countries have sharply conflicting interests. 今回のＧ２０サミットでも、利害が鋭く対立するテーマでは、意見集約する難しさが改めて浮き彫りになった。Japan should draw up clear strategies on how to make effective use of the Group of Eight and the G-20 meetings. 主要８か国（Ｇ８）と、Ｇ２０をどう使い分けていくか。日本は明確な戦略を練らねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 30, 2010) （2010年6月30日01時57分 読売新聞）
Jul 1, 2010
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