2012年10月の記事
全30件 (30件中 1-30件目)
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電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 30, 2012)Carmakers shouldn't fight over EV charging systems電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く（10月29日付・読売社説）It now seems inevitable that conflict will emerge between Japanese and Western automakers over charging systems for electric vehicles. 電気自動車（ＥＶ）の充電規格を巡り、日本と欧米メーカーの対立が決定的になった。The difficulties are a blow to the Japanese auto industry, which had aimed to make its battery charging system a global standard. Domestic carmakers are now being urged to review their strategy so they can further promote their electric models. 日本方式の国際標準化を狙った日本勢には痛手だ。ＥＶの本格的な普及を目指し、戦略の見直しを迫られよう。EVs are regarded as the ultimate eco-friendly vehicle because they emit no carbon dioxide, while their major disadvantage is a range of only about 200 kilometers per charge. ＥＶは走行中に二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を出さない究極のエコカーとして期待される。ただ、１回のフル充電で走行できる距離が約２００キロ・メートルと短いのが難点だ。Automakers have been competing over improvements in the quality of the lithium-ion batteries EVs run on, as well as over fast-charging technology. 搭載するリチウムイオン電池の性能と、急速に充電できる技術を各社が競っている。The Japanese auto industry--including Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Co., both of which mass-produce EVs--has successfully implemented its CHAdeMo system and has called for European and U.S. automakers to adopt it. 「チャデモ方式」と言われるＥＶの急速充電器を実用化したのはＥＶを量産している日産自動車や三菱自動車など日本の業界だ。欧米にも採用を呼びかけた。===Incompatible systemsHowever, the U.S. auto industry has decided on a different system, called Combo, which is being promoted mainly by General Motors Co. of the United States and Germany's Volkswagen AG. しかし、米国の業界団体は、米ゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）や独フォルクスワーゲン（ＶＷ）などが推進する「コンボ方式」という別の規格の採用を決めた。The two schemes use different charging connectors and are incompatible with each other. 双方で使われる充電コネクタは異なり、互換性がない。Although Combo is still in development (it is expected to be ready in 2013 or later), the U.S. auto industry rejected a proposal from the Japanese auto industry apparently out of fear the EV market would come to be dominated by Japanese firms. コンボはまだ机上プランに過ぎず、実用化は２０１３年以降とされる。にもかかわらず、米業界が日本の提案を退けたのは、ＥＶ市場で日本に主導権を握られることを警戒したからだろう。If the Combo system becomes standard in the West and other markets, Japanese automakers, despite currently being ahead in developing a charging system, would instead find themselves isolated. 将来、欧米市場などでコンボが標準化されると、先行していた日本勢が逆に孤立化する。Automakers should make customer convenience their top priority. Having two different systems would confuse people, which could negatively effect EV sales. 自動車業界が最優先すべきは、ユーザーの利便性向上である。二つの規格が併存すれば、混乱を招き、ＥＶの販売にもブレーキがかかりかねない。In sales terms, EVs are less popular than hybrid vehicles, which use both gasoline and electric motors. Thus a global tussle over a vital EV technology is highly unwelcome. エコカー競争では、ガソリンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車が人気を集め、ＥＶの普及は遅れている。それだけに世界の業界が基盤技術の規格で対立することは好ましくない。===Adopt flexible approachWe believe Japanese automakers should not only try to promote CHAdeMo, but should undertake initiatives to develop technology to make the two systems compatible. 日本メーカーは、チャデモの利用拡大を狙うとともに、二つの規格に互換性をもたせる技術開発も主導すべきではないか。It is also important for Japanese makers to accommodate China--the world's largest auto market--which is developing its own EV charging system. 独自規格を作ろうとする動きが出ている世界最大の市場である中国を取り込むことも重要だ。Further, installing many more charging stations and other necessary EV facilities both in Japan and abroad is important to make EVs more popular. ＥＶ普及に弾みをつけるためには、急速充電できるスタンドなどを国内外で急増させるべきだ。Despite its technological prowess, Japan has sometimes failed to make its technologies the global standard--typical examples being its analog high-definition broadcasting system and mobile phone technology. No more such failures should be allowed. これまでも日本は、アナログハイビジョン放送や携帯電話などの技術開発で先行したのに、世界標準化できなかった。こうした失敗を繰り返してはなるまい。It is reasonable that the government decided in its strategy for promoting intellectual property to prioritize making Japanese technologies into global standards. The government and the private sector should work together to find ways to achieve this goal so Japanese companies can increase their industrial competitiveness. 政府が知的財産推進計画で国際標準化を重視する方針を掲げているのは妥当だ。産業競争力を強化するには、標準化を獲得する方策を官民で検討する必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 29, 2012)（2012年10月29日01時53分 読売新聞）
Oct 31, 2012
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公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 29, 2012)FTC chairman's empty seat must be filled--now公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ（10月28日付・読売社説）The Fair Trade Commission chairman's seat has been empty for more than a month. 公正取引委員会の委員長ポストの空席が、１か月以上に及んでいる。The government must submit a proposal to fill this vacancy in the coming extraordinary Diet session and obtain approval from both houses of the Diet to resolve this irregularity. 政府は臨時国会で人事案を示し、衆参両院の同意を得て、異常事態を解消せねばならない。Kazuhiko Takeshima retired as FTC chairman on Sept. 26 after completing his second five-year term. However, the government did not submit a proposal to fill the vacancy to the ordinary Diet session. 竹島一彦前委員長は９月２６日、２期１０年の任期を満了し、退任した。だが、政府は通常国会で後任の人事案を提示しなかった。The five-member FTC board now lacks two members as one of the members died before Takeshima retired. It is the first time since the FTC was inaugurated for the board to have only three members. 急逝した別の委員と合わせて２人の欠員が生じ、５人で構成する公取委は初の３人体制を余儀なくされている。This means that if a single member is unable to attend a meeting, the FTC will lack a quorum. If this situation continues, it may affect the operations of the commission.委員が１人欠けても委員会は開くことができず、このままでは、公取委の業務に支障をきたしかねない。The FTC plays a leading role in keeping competition fair through such activities as clamping down on price cartels, bid rigging and illicit activities of administrative organizations as well as by approving corporate mergers. 公取委は、企業のカルテルや談合、行政組織の不正などにメスを入れ、企業合併にお墨付きを与える競争政策の司令塔である。Needless to say, the responsibility of the chairman is especially heavy. It is extremely problematic to leave the seat vacant for a prolonged period. 委員長の責任は特に重い。そのポストを長期間、不在のまま放置するのは問題だ。Democratic Party of Japan-led administrations have a bad habit of lightheartedly shelving decisions on important policies and personnel appointments and placing the blame squarely on the divided Diet, in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors. The party should break this habit immediately. 衆参ねじれ国会を言い訳に重要な政策や人事の決定を安易に先送りするのは、民主党政権の悪癖である。早急に改めるべきだ。===Commission's functions strongerRecently, the FTC has been steadily strengthening its functions as a "guardian of the market." 公取委はこのところ、「市場の番人」としての機能強化を着々と進めている。Drastic revisions to the Antimonopoly Law gave the FTC authority to launch legally binding investigations. Financial penalties for companies violating the Antimonopoly Law were raised, while a system was adopted to reduce or exempt surcharges on companies voluntarily reporting bid rigging. 独占禁止法の抜本改正で、強制調査権を手にした。違反企業への課徴金を引き上げる一方、談合を自己申告した企業の課徴金を減免する制度も取り入れた。Such changes enabled the FTC board to take a more effective carrot-and-stick approach, leading to a number of serious violations being uncovered. The amount of financial penalties imposed on companies reached a record 72 billion yen in fiscal 2010. こうした「アメとムチ」を駆使する執行体制の下で、大型事件を相次いで摘発した。２０１０年度の課徴金総額は、過去最高の７２０億円に達した。Still, illegal business practices show no sign of declining significantly. Bid rigging involving officials of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and the Defense Ministry were revealed recently. それでも、不正取引は後を絶たない。最近は、国土交通省や防衛省の官製談合が表面化した。Also noteworthy is the practice of companies abusing their status to "oppress" subcontractors, such as by demanding lower prices or delaying payment. The public places high hopes on the FTC as a watchdog to prevent illegal practices. 親会社が優先的地位を乱用し、代金の値下げや支払いを遅らせるといった「下請けいじめ」も目立つ。不正に目を光らせる公取委への期待は大きい。===Bigger role in corporate mergersThe FTC's role of approving corporate mergers is also gaining weight as the number of mergers that influence the global market is increasing, due to the rapid globalization of the economy. グローバル経済の進展で世界的な企業統合が相次ぎ、合併審査も重要度を増している。The commission recently revised its methods in approving corporate mergers, such as by paying more attention to the global market share of the merging companies as well as simplifying the approval process. 最近では、世界の市場占有率を重視し、時間がかかると不評だった手続きを迅速化するなど、新たな手法を取り入れた。The revision has enabled the FTC to more rapidly complete its examination of huge mergers, such as that between Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. and the management integration of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange. 新日本製鉄と住友金属工業の合併、東京証券取引所と大阪証券取引所の経営統合といった大型案件で、従来よりスピード審査ができたのもこのためだ。Considering the importance of the FTC role, its leadership must be returned to good working order as soon as possible. やはり、公取委の体制を早急に整えるべきである。The Diet also has not yet approved the government's personnel appointments for the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the NHK Board of Governors. It is time to put an end to the prolonged turmoil caused by the Diet's failure to approve the government's appointments, which is the result of political maneuvering. 原子力規制委員やＮＨＫ経営委員などの国会同意も遅れている。政局が招く国会同意人事の混乱を長引かせてはならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 28, 2012)（2012年10月28日01時25分 読売新聞）
Oct 30, 2012
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石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 27, 2012)Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか（10月26日付・読売社説）Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor. 東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election. 新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の５人らが参加する。While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. 石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第３極」を狙っている。Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties? 「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。===Factors behind his decisionRegarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government. 今回の新党構想について、石原氏は４月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP. 自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health. ８０歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government." 石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics. 国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。===Clearer vision neededHowever, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking. ただ、かつて２５年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年４選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple. たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies. 橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public. 石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions." これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion. 石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)（2012年10月26日01時41分 読売新聞）
Oct 29, 2012
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石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 27, 2012)Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか（10月26日付・読売社説）Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor. 東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election. 新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の５人らが参加する。While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. 石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第３極」を狙っている。Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties? 「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。===Factors behind his decisionRegarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government. 今回の新党構想について、石原氏は４月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP. 自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health. ８０歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government." 石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics. 国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。===Clearer vision neededHowever, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking. ただ、かつて２５年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年４選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple. たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies. 橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public. 石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions." これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion. 石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)（2012年10月26日01時41分 読売新聞）
Oct 28, 2012
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防衛予算 将来見据えて削減に歯止めを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 26, 2012)Stop defense budget cuts, keep eye on future防衛予算 将来見据えて削減に歯止めを（10月25日付・読売社説）Improvement of defense capabilities cannot be achieved overnight. It is time to stop slashing defense-related spending and start strengthening the Self-Defense Forces in earnest with an eye to Japan's security environment five to 10 years from now. 防衛力の整備は一朝一夕にはできない。５年後、１０年後の日本の安全保障環境を見据えて、防衛関係費の削減に歯止めをかけ、自衛隊の態勢強化に本格的に着手する時である。The Defense Ministry has requested 4,585.1 billion yen in budget appropriations for next fiscal year, down 1.3 percent from the previous fiscal year. Is it all right for the defense budget in fiscal 2013 to fall for the 11th year in a row? ２０１３年度予算の防衛費の概算要求は前年度比１・３％減の４兆５８５１億円となった。このまま来年度予算が１１年連続のマイナスになっても良いのだろうか。If part of a request for budget appropriations from the special account for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake is included, the defense budget will mark an increase from the previous fiscal year. However, that includes funds to restore damaged defense-related facilities and equipment. 東日本大震災の復興特別会計の分を含めれば、前年度比プラスだが、それには被災した施設や装備の復旧分も含まれている。The defense budget in the initial fiscal 2012 budget dropped by about 300 billion yen from its peak in fiscal 2002. The total decline over the past 10 years comes to as much as 1.8 trillion yen. 防衛費は今年度当初予算で、ピークの０２年度から約３０００億円減少し、１０年間の減少額は累積約１兆８０００億円にも上る。Defense spending cuts have caused many problems. The maintenance costs currently necessary to extend the life of ships and aircraft exceed the cost of procuring new equipment, causing equipment procurement to be delayed and the defense industry to decline. Twenty percent of SDF facilities are obsolete, aged 50 years or older. 防衛費削減は数々の弊害を生んでいる。艦船や航空機の寿命を延ばすため、装備の整備維持費が新規調達費を上回る事態となり、調達の遅延や、防衛産業の衰退を招いている。築５０年以上の老朽施設も全施設の２割を占める。===Russia and China bulking upThe fact that Russia and China increased their defense spending by 5.3 times and 3.4 times, respectively, over the past 10 years cannot be overlooked. While countries such as the United States, South Korea and Australia have increased their defense spending substantially, only Japan has cut it, due to financial difficulty and other reasons. 見過ごせないのは、この１０年間、ロシアが国防費を５・３倍、中国が３・４倍に伸ばしたことだ。米国、韓国、豪州などもこぞって大幅に増やす中、日本だけが財政難などを理由に減らしてきた。In particular, vigilance must be exercised regarding the Chinese military's buildup of its equipment and expansion of its activities. 特に、中国軍の装備増強と活動範囲の拡大は警戒を要する。In September, an aircraft carrier was commissioned into the navy of the People's Liberation Army. On Oct. 16, seven Chinese naval vessels passed through the contiguous zone near Yonagunijima island. On Oct. 19, Chinese naval ships staged joint exercises with vessels from the State Oceanic Administration and other organizations in the East China Sea on the premise of trouble around the Senkaku Islands. 海軍は９月、空母を就役させた。艦船７隻が今月１６日、与那国島近くの接続水域を通過した。１９日には東シナ海で、尖閣諸島周辺でのトラブルを想定した国家海洋局などとの合同演習を実施した。In light of China's recent high-handed attitude over the Senkakus, the nation must be prepared for Beijing to expand its activities to make its presence felt in the medium and long terms. 尖閣諸島をめぐる中国の最近の高圧的な姿勢を見れば、中国軍の示威活動は中長期的に拡大していくと覚悟せざるを得ない。The Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Air Self-Defense Force have strengthened their vigilance and surveillance activities against the Chinese military. However, because patrol planes stationed in Okinawa Prefecture are insufficient, the MSDF and ASDF are only able to engage in those activities by redeploying resources from other parts of the country. 海上・航空自衛隊は中国軍への警戒監視活動を強化しているが、沖縄駐在の哨戒機では足りず、全国からの応援で対応している。China's defense spending is currently more than 50 percent greater than that of Japan. If its defense spending continues to increase at the current pace, this gap will widen to 500 percent 10 years from now. The situation is extremely grave. 中国の国防費は現在、日本の１・５倍強だ。今の増額ペースが続けば、１０年後にはその差が５倍に広がる。極めて深刻な事態だ。===Make SDF bigger, more dynamicIt is essential to use the defense budget efficiently and review the SDF's current setup. To prioritize a buildup of "dynamic defense capabilities" in the southwestern region of the country, it is necessary to further reduce the number of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel, garrisons, tanks and artillery in other areas, mainly Hokkaido. 防衛予算を効率的に使い、自衛隊の態勢を見直すことが大切だ。海自や空自など、南西方面の「動的防衛力」の強化を優先するには、北海道を中心に、陸上自衛隊の定数や駐屯地、戦車・火砲の削減を一層進める必要がある。Since the end of the Cold War, Japan has beefed up Japan-U.S. defense cooperation by continually improving defense capabilities with a focus on quality rather than quantity. But from now on, Japan must seriously consider reinforcing the SDF while giving consideration to its quantity as well. 日本は冷戦終結後、量より質を重視した防衛力整備を続け、日米の防衛協力を強化してきた。今後は、量にも配慮した自衛隊の拡充を真剣に考えねばなるまい。Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he will protect the nation's territorial land and sea "with unwavering resolve." He should reflect that resolve in the budget. 野田首相は「不退転の覚悟で」領土・領海を守ると言う以上、その覚悟を予算に反映すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 25, 2012)（2012年10月25日02時03分 読売新聞）
Oct 27, 2012
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米大統領選 対中圧力で一致した外交討論
Obama, Romney agree on applying pressure on ChinaThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 25, 2012)米大統領選 対中圧力で一致した外交討論（10月24日付・読売社説）Which candidate will win the closely contested U.S. presidential election? 接戦の米大統領選を制するのはどちらか。President Barack Obama, a Democratic candidate seeking reelection, and Republican candidate Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, crossed swords in a heated third and final nationally televised debate Monday. 再選に挑む民主党のオバマ大統領と、政権奪還を目指す共和党候補のロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事が、最後のテレビ討論会で熱の入った論戦を展開した。Polls taken immediately after the debate suggested Obama won the verbal joust. This, combined with the unemployment rate's recent fall to 7.8 percent, could provide Obama with a tailwind. 終了直後の世論調査ではオバマ勝利と見る結果が出た。失業率が７・８％に改善されたのと合わせオバマ氏に追い風となろう。But the two candidates remain locked in a dead heat in public support rates. The fierce battle will certainly continue until Election Day on Nov. 6. だが、支持率は拮抗(きっこう)している。１１月６日の投開票まで、激しい競り合いが続くのは間違いない。The topics for the final debate were diplomatic and security issues. 討論会のテーマは、外交・安全保障問題だった。The Middle East situation has become chaotic in the aftermath of the Arab Spring revolutionary movement and as the civil war in Syria intensifies. In Asia, North Korea forges ahead with its development of nuclear weapons and China has expanded its military presence in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. How will the next U.S. president handle these issues? The attention of Japan and many other countries was focused on the debate in this respect. 「アラブの春」やシリア内戦で混沌(こんとん)とする中東情勢、北朝鮮の核武装問題、東シナ海や南シナ海における中国の軍事的膨張などに、超大国・米国の次期大統領はどう対処していくのか。日本はじめ世界中が注目した。===Is U.S. power ebbing?Romney criticized Obama's diplomacy as weak-kneed, saying that "nowhere in the world is America's influence greater today than it was four years ago." ロムニー氏は「この４年間に米国の影響力は世界で弱体化した」と“弱腰”外交を攻撃した。Obama, who gave a lackluster performance in the first debate on the economy, was more eloquent as he discussed diplomatic issues. オバマ氏は、経済をテーマとした討論会では精彩を欠いたが、外交問題では雄弁だった。The president boasted of his diplomatic achievements such as ending the war in Iraq, paving the way for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan and listing the effects of tough sanctions imposed on Iran to check its nuclear development program. Citing these points to refute Romney's contention, Obama said the United States "is stronger now than when I came into office." イラクでの戦争を終わらせ、アフガニスタンでも米軍撤収に道筋をつけた。イラン核開発の阻止へ制裁強化が効果をあげている。こうした実績を示しながら、「米国は強くなった」と反論した。However, Romney was correct in the sense that U.S. influence has declined in relative terms due to the rise of China and other newly emerging countries. だが、中国など新興国の台頭によって相対的に米国の影響力が弱まっているという意味では、ロムニー氏の指摘は正しい。Obama said China is "both an adversary, but also a potential partner in the international community if it's following the rules." その中国を巡り、オバマ氏は、「敵であると同時に、ルールに従うなら国際社会でのパートナーになり得る」と述べた。Beijing is a principal trade partner for Washington. The United States is running the biggest trade deficit with that country among its trade partners. China is now the nation holding the most U.S. Treasury bonds after it overtook Japan. Therefore, China must be closely watched by the United States, but at the same time their relationship is interdependent. 米国にとって中国は、主要な貿易相手国であり最大の貿易赤字相手国である。米国債の保有残高では日本を抜き世界最大の債権国となった。警戒すべき相手であると同時に相互依存の関係にある。===Compliance with rulesObama stressed his policy line of pressuring Beijing to conduct economic activities based on international standards and bolstering cooperation with allies in carrying out security policies. オバマ氏は、経済では国際基準に従うよう圧力をかけ、安全保障政策では同盟国などと連携を強化する路線を強調したと言える。Romney, for his part, stated he would deal with China strictly if it violated international rules, declaring he would label China "a currency manipulator" on his first day in office. He displayed a harder line toward Beijing than Obama did. ロムニー氏も、中国のルール違反には厳しく対処し、「就任当日に為替操作国に指定する」と明言した。オバマ政権より強硬な対中姿勢を示したものだ。Obama reconfirmed that the United States, as a Pacific Rim nation, would attach importance to Asia. Romney basically shared this stance. This was welcome news to Japan. オバマ氏は、米国が太平洋国家としてアジアを重視することを再確認した。ロムニー氏も基本的な認識は一致している。日本としては、歓迎できる。Japan, together with the United States, should urge China to comply with international rules. Japan needs to make all-out efforts to maintain its territorial integrity and ensure the freedom of navigation and trade. 日本は、米国と共に、中国に国際ルールを順守するよう求め、領土の保全や、航海、貿易の自由の確保に万全を期す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 24, 2012)（2012年10月24日01時33分 読売新聞）
Oct 26, 2012
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危ない自転車 運転マナー欠如が事故を招く
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 24, 2012)Rising tide of bicycle accidents calls for education, enforcement危ない自転車 運転マナー欠如が事故を招く（10月23日付・読売社説）Bicycling through gaps between pedestrians at high speed. Furiously ringing a bell at people walking ahead. Such dangerous and reckless behavior by bicyclists continues without end. 歩行者の間を猛スピードですり抜ける。前を歩く人に向かって、ベルを激しく鳴らす。自転車の危険で無謀な運転が後を絶たない。Urgent measures must be taken to make bicycle riders obey traffic rules. 自転車の利用者が交通ルールをきちんと守るよう、有効な対策を講じることが急務だ。There were about 140,000 accidents involving bicycles last year, accounting for 20 percent of all road traffic accidents and reflecting a recent uptrend in the percentage of such accidents. 自転車がかかわった事故は昨年１年間で約１４万件に上った。全交通事故に占める割合は増加傾向にあり、昨年は２割に達した。Accidents include those between bicycles and automobiles, bicycles and pedestrians and bicycles and bicycles. Showing a remarkable increase are accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians. Last year saw 2,800 such accidents, a 50 percent rise over the past decade. 自転車と自動車、自転車と歩行者、自転車同士という事故パターンがあるが、増加が著しいのは、自転車が歩行者に衝突する事故だ。昨年は２８００件に上り、この１０年で１・５倍に増えた。According to the National Police Agency, accidents in which bicycle riders are at fault have been significant. Behind such accidents are reckless cycling on walkways, ignoring traffic signals, drunk riding, riding with a passenger and bicycling while talking on a mobile phone. 警察庁によると、歩道での暴走、信号無視、飲酒運転、２人乗り、携帯電話で話をしながらの運転など、自転車側に落ち度のある事故が目立っている。===Pedestrian-first rules vitalLack of riding manners, it can be said, cause accidents. 運転マナーの欠如が事故を誘発していると言えよう。Bicycles are vehicles that are easily available. But they are classified as light vehicles by law and riders are obliged to observe the Road Traffic Law. The law makes it mandatory for bicycles to run on the road. But as an exception, bicycles are permitted to use sidewalks when riding on roads is deemed dangerous, as in the case of thoroughfares. 自転車は手軽な乗り物だが、法令上は軽車両とされ、利用者は道路交通法を守る義務がある。道交法上、自転車は車道走行が原則だ。ただ、幹線道路などで車道走行が危険な場合には、例外として歩道走行が認められている。Speeding on sidewalks is prohibited. Pedestrian-first rules must be thoroughly driven home. 歩道では、スピードの出し過ぎはご法度だ。歩行者優先の運転を徹底したい。Police launched a crackdown on dangerous bicycle riding in October last year. Almost a full year has passed since then but the number of accidents has not shown the hoped-for decline. 全国の警察では昨年１０月から、危険運転の摘発強化に乗り出した。間もなく１年になるが、事故は思うように減っていない。As for traffic violations by bicycle riders, there is no system in place to impose fines on violators, as there is for violations by drivers of automobiles. Even if violators are caught, punishment is no more than a caution in almost all cases. For this reason, simply strengthening enforcement would not deter dangerous riding. 自転車の交通違反には、自動車のように反則金を科す制度が存在せず、摘発されても、注意にとどまるケースがほとんどだ。このため、取り締まりの強化だけでは、危険運転の抑止にはつながりにくいのではないか。===Seminars eyed for violatorsThe NPA established an expert panel earlier this month to begin studying a system that would make it mandatory for violators to attend safety seminars. 警察庁は今月、有識者会議を設置し、違反者に安全講習を課す制度の検討を始めた。The proposed seminars would teach that bicycles are vehicles that may pose threats to pedestrians. The seminars would introduce cases in which people died after being hit by bicycles and the riders ended up paying damages. If the seminars serve as an opportunity to learn the danger of bicycle riding, they will contribute to enhancing riders' awareness of safety. 講習では、自転車が歩行者の脅威となる乗り物であることを教える方針だ。自転車で人をはねて死亡させ、多額の賠償金を請求された事例なども紹介する。自転車の危険性を学ぶ機会になれば、安全運転の意識も高まるだろう。A system has been introduced in Mitaka and Musashino, both in Tokyo, to give preference in the allocation of rights to bicycle parking spots to those who voluntarily take part in safety seminars. The response to these offers exceeded the capacity of the seminars. The number of bicycle accidents has reportedly dropped by 30 percent in the two cities since the system was introduced. 東京の三鷹市と武蔵野市では、自転車利用者の講習会に参加すれば、駐輪場の利用権を優先的に割り当てる制度を導入した。定員を上回るほどの参加者が集まり、両市内では自転車事故数が実施後に３割減少したという。With the Mitaka and Musashino cases as a reference point, we suggest that police and local governments cooperate in studying measures to prevent dangerous riding. 講習に参加したいと思わせる、こうした取り組みを参考に、警察と自治体が連携し、危険運転の抑止策を検討してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 23, 2012)（2012年10月23日01時21分 読売新聞）
Oct 25, 2012
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ＥＵ首脳会議 危機克服へ統合を深化せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 23, 2012)EU must deepen integration to overcome crisisＥＵ首脳会議 危機克服へ統合を深化せよ（10月22日付・読売社説）The European Union has hammered out a policy of boosting solidarity and deepening its unity in a bid to weather its fiscal crisis. This is one step forward in solving the crisis. However, the EU's ability to quickly realize its plans has yet to be tested. 財政・金融危機の克服に向け、欧州が結束を強めて統合を深化する方針を打ち出した。一歩前進だが、問われるのは、迅速な行動である。At a summit meeting, EU leaders agreed to have the supervision of eurozone banks--presently carried out by each member country--carried out unitarily under the European Central Bank, starting next year and continuing in stages. It can be said that the accord came in line with the plan of pushing the eurozone toward a "banking union," which would integrate the financial administration of EU members. 欧州連合（ＥＵ）の首脳会議は、各国に委ねていた銀行監督を来年から段階的に欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）に一元化することで合意した。金融行政を統合する「銀行同盟」構想に沿った措置と言える。Although European countries have been unified in their use of the euro, financial administration has been handled by each member country. 欧州は通貨ユーロで統一されたが、金融行政や財政はバラバラという弱点がある。Bank supervision has been lax, allowing fiscal deficits of some member countries to expand. Learning from this, the European countries have taken a step forward in deepening its integrity. This is quite appropriate.銀行監督が甘く、財政赤字を拡大させた要因となった。その反省から欧州が統合深化に踏み出したのは妥当だ。To provide a permanent financial stability net, the European Stability Mechanism was inaugurated on Oct. 8. 恒久的な金融安定網として、欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）が８日に発足した。For the ESM to shore up banks in financial difficulties through a direct capital injection, it is a prerequisite for the ESM to precisely grasp the management condition of banks.ＥＳＭが経営悪化の銀行に直接資本注入して支援するには、銀行の経営状況を正確に把握することが前提になる。With a single supervisor overseeing banks, the way will be opened to utilize the ESM to assist shaky banks. The supervision by one body is expected to stop a "negative chain reaction," whereby a member country rescues its banks through public funds, deteriorating its fiscal health and sending the market into disarray. 銀行監督の一元化によって、ＥＳＭを銀行支援に活用する道が開かれる。各国が銀行を公的資金で救済して財政が悪化し、市場が混乱するという「負の連鎖」を断ち切る効果が期待されよう。===EU countries must act quicklyYet it remains uncertain as to when the single supervisor for banks will be created. ただ、銀行監督がいつ一元化されるか曖昧な点も残る。For the eurozone to complete the banking union, it is necessary to work out a deposit insurance system for the EU countries as a whole and measures for the disposal of failed banks.銀行同盟を完成させるには、欧州全体の預金保険制度や、銀行が破綻した場合の処理策も必要となる。Although Germany, wary of an increase in its financial burden, remains cautious over the creation of the supervisor, EU countries must seek a point of compromise swiftly.負担増を警戒するドイツは慎重だが、早急に妥協点を探るべきだ。At the summit meeting, EU leaders also agreed to discuss measures for fiscal integration, including the introduction of a "common budget for eurozone countries" designed to shore up members in fiscal crisis, with the discussions to continue at their next summit slated for December. We hope they expedite their effort in working out a concrete action schedule. 首脳会議は、財政危機国を支える「ユーロ圏共通予算」の導入など、財政統合の方策も協議し、１２月の次回会議まで議論を重ねることになった。具体的な行程表作りを急いでもらいたい。===Woes continue in Spain, GreeceA matter of concern is that EU leaders have deferred assistance measures for Spain, a key issue at the moment. This is because the Spanish government, which is in a serious fiscal crisis, has not sought assistance from EU authorities. 懸念されるのは、当面の焦点であるスペインへの支援策が見送られたことだ。深刻な財政危機に陥ったスペインがまだ欧州当局に支援要請していないためだ。Even though the yields on Spanish government bonds have been relatively stable lately, it is too early to relax. It is vital to work out assistance measures for the country and tackle fiscal reconstruction quickly. スペイン国債の利回りが最近、比較的落ち着いているからと言って、油断してはなるまい。速やかに支援策をまとめ、財政再建に取り組むことが肝要である。Also worrisome is the outlook for the fiscal reconstruction of Greece, the epicenter of the European fiscal crisis. EU leaders at the summit talks put off a decision on whether they should agree to postpone the target date for putting that country's fiscal house in order, as Greece had requested. 危機の震源地ギリシャの財政再建の先行きも懸念される。首脳会議は、ギリシャが求めた財政再建目標の先送りに応じるかどうかについて決着を持ち越した。The EU won the Nobel Peace Prize this year for its role in contributing to the peace and reconciliation of Europe and the promotion of democracy and human rights. ＥＵは今年のノーベル平和賞の栄誉に輝いた。授賞理由は「欧州の平和と和解、民主主義と人権の促進への貢献」である。The prolonged European financial crisis has been slowing down the global economy. The award is probably meant as a morale booster for the EU as it struggles to deepen its integration to overcome the crisis. Each member country must fulfill its responsibilities. 長びく欧州危機が、世界経済の減速を招いている。平和賞は危機克服に向け、統合を深化させようと苦闘するＥＵへのエールの意味合いがあろう。欧州各国が責任を果たすことが求められている。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 22, 2012)（2012年10月22日01時19分 読売新聞）
Oct 24, 2012
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中国ＧＤＰ 景気減速をどう食い止める
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 22, 2012)Can China rise to the challenge of stemming GDP slowdown?中国ＧＤＰ 景気減速をどう食い止める（10月21日付・読売社説）With the impact of the European debt crisis still being felt and Japan-China ties remaining chilled, there is little sign of a reversal in the slowdown of China's economy. All eyes are on what policies the Chinese government will hammer out to get its economy sizzling again. 欧州危機の影響や、日中関係の冷え込みなどから、中国経済の減速に歯止めがかからない。中国政府の景気テコ入れ策が焦点になってきた。China's gross domestic product slowed for a seventh straight quarter in the July to September period, growing 7.4 percent after inflation from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data. Growth for the July-September quarter fell below the government-set target of 7.5 percent for the full year. 中国の２０１２年７～９月期の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の速報値は実質で前年同期比７・４％増となり、７四半期連続で減速した。政府が掲げてきた今年の成長目標７・５％を下回った。Economists say 8 percent annual economic expansion is the "minimum requirement" for China to ensure its economic health and generate enough jobs for its workers. However, it is difficult to tell when China's falling growth will bottom out. Indications are that growth through 2012 will likely dip under 8 percent for the first time in 13 years. 中国にとって、８％成長は経済や雇用を維持する「最低ライン」とされる。だが、景気底入れの見通しは立たず、１２年通年の成長率も１３年ぶりに８％を割る公算が大きくなったと言えよう。The slowdown of China's economy, which has been a locomotive of the global economy as one of the world's key growth centers, must be closely watched because it could hurt the economies of Japan and other nations. 成長センターとして世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済のもたつきで、日本などに悪影響が広がることを警戒しなければならない。=== Risk factors surgingChina's downturn can be attributed mainly to falling exports to Europe, its biggest export market, where financial uncertainty has spread. Consequently, the output of China's export industries and related sectors has been sluggish. 中国の景気減速は、最大の輸出相手である欧州の信用不安が拡大し、欧州向け輸出が不振だったことが主因だ。このため、輸出企業などの生産が停滞している。The deterioration of ties between Tokyo and Beijing over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture also has contributed to China's slowdown. Boycotts of Japanese-made products, including motor vehicles, spread across China, hitting sales of Japanese goods. In addition, personal consumption--an engine of China's growth--has been losing steam. 沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って日中関係が悪化している影響もある。中国で自動車などの日本製品の不買運動が広がって販売が落ち込んだ。エンジン役である個人消費の勢いも鈍っている。Due to the surge in such risk factors in China, many Japanese companies have decided to cut production there. Cracks have started to emerge in the production framework based on a division of labor in which Japan exports parts to China, where they are assembled into finished products. 中国リスクの高まりで、多くの日本企業が中国での減産を決めた。日本から部品を輸出し、中国で完成品に組み立てるという分業体制にも支障が出始めている。If these trends spread, in addition to the tepid production of Japanese firms in China, employment and income conditions of Chinese workers at Japanese factories and other places will deteriorate. This could spell even more bad news for China's economy. こうした動きが広がれば、生産低迷に加え、日系工場などで働く中国人の雇用や所得環境が悪化し、景気は一段と冷え込もう。After Lehman Brothers collapsed four years ago, the Chinese government implemented a massive stimulus package that generated, albeit temporarily, a V-shaped recovery. The stimulus measures created several downsides, such as leading to a real estate bubble. As a result, Chinese authorities are reportedly circumspect about launching a similar large-scale package to deal with the latest slowdown. 中国政府は４年前のリーマン・ショック後、大型景気対策でＶ字回復をいったん達成した。反面、不動産バブルなどの副作用を招いたため、当局は今回、同じような大型対策には慎重とされる。=== Boost Japan-China tradeAmid all this, China is in an unstable period as it prepares for a transition of power. Vice President Xi Jinping is set to take the helm of a new government in November. If the business slowdown cannot be halted, the very foundation of the government could be shaken. ただ、中国は来月、習近平国家副主席が最高指導部を率いる新体制に移行する不安定な時期にある。景気減速を食い止めないと、政府の基盤が揺らぎかねない。Widening income disparities between urban and rural regions and increasing unemployment among young people have become serious social problems in China. Under these circumstances, maintaining China's stable growth could be the most urgent task for its leaders. 都市と農村の経済格差や、若者の失業増大なども社会問題化している。安定成長を維持することが何よりも求められよう。Specifically, front-loading and accelerating projects to improve infrastructure such as expressways, in tandem with steps to boost personal spending, will be indispensable. 具体的には、すでに進めている高速道路などインフラ整備の前倒しを加速するとともに、個人消費の活性化策が欠かせない。Additional monetary easing measures may be another option. We hope China promptly takes steps to lift its economic growth while preventing a reemergence of the bubble economy. 追加の金融緩和策も選択肢となる。成長とバブル再燃阻止を両にらみし、迅速に対応してもらいたい。China needs to expand trade with Japan and encourage more investment by Japanese companies. Chinese authorities should change their hard-line policy toward Japan and quickly bring bilateral ties back to normal. 日中貿易を拡大し、日本からの投資を呼び込むことが必要だ。中国当局は対日強硬姿勢を改め、関係正常化を急ぐべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 21, 2012)（2012年10月21日01時30分 読売新聞）
Oct 23, 2012
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民自公党首会談 首相が守り一辺倒では困る
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 21, 2012)Prime minister should compromise on dissolution民自公党首会談 首相が守り一辺倒では困る（10月20日付・読売社説）The three major political parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito--finally held a summit meeting Friday, but it quickly broke down. The three parties should seriously try to find common ground to resolve a mountain of issues. ようやく開催された民主、自民、公明３党の党首会談は、あっさりと物別れに終わった。山積する課題を解決するため、３党は、もっと積極的に妥協点を探るべきだ。During the meeting with LDP President Shinzo Abe and New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda asked them for their cooperation to tackle key issues such as the passage of a bill allowing the government to issue deficit-covering bonds. 野田首相が自民党の安倍総裁、公明党の山口代表と会談し、赤字国債発行を可能にする特例公債法案の成立などへ協力要請した。However, Noda was coy about the timing of a dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election, saying only, "It's a grave matter" that must be considered. During three-party talks in August, Noda said the dissolution of the lower house would be carried out "sometime soon." The opposition party leaders urged him to specify the timing Friday as a condition for their cooperation, but he did not do so. 首相は焦点の衆院解散・総選挙について、８月の３党首会談での「近いうち」との自らの発言を「重たい確認事項」と述べるにとどめた。安倍氏らは政権への協力の前提として解散時期の明示を求めたが、首相は応じなかった。=== Discuss issues in DietIt is understandable that Abe and Yamaguchi argued Noda's "sometime soon" statement concerning dissolution of the lower house is a pledge to the people. 首相が明言した「近いうち」の解散は「国民との約束」だとする安倍氏らの主張は理解できる。The opposition party leaders said they would not cooperate in passing the legislation without a definite pledge to dissolve the lower house and would boycott Diet deliberations after submitting to the House of Councillors a censure motion against Noda. This stance is unlikely to win public support for their parties. ただ、衆院解散の確約なしでは法案成立に協力しないとか、参院の首相問責決議を理由に国会審議を拒否する、といった姿勢では、国民の理解は得られまい。An extraordinary Diet session is expected to start on Oct. 29. We think the opposition parties should grill the government about problems, such as what appears to be misuse of the budget for disaster reconstruction, through Diet discussions. 臨時国会は２９日に召集される方向だ。むしろ論戦を通じて、震災復興予算の「転用」など、政府の問題点を追及する方が、自公両党にとっても得策のはずである。Meanwhile, we view the maneuvers currently taken by the Noda side as more problematic. More than three weeks have been wasted between the time Noda met with the then LDP leader and the three-party talks Friday. This apparently resulted from Noda's stance of placing priority on delaying a decision on a general election to buy time. より問題なのが、野田首相側の対応だ。民主、自民両党の党首選から党首会談の開催まで３週間以上が無為に経過した。苦戦が予想される衆院選の先送りを優先し、“時間稼ぎ”を続けた結果だ。His instruction to his Cabinet members to draw up a new economic stimulus package by the end of November is also a tepid move. This is no doubt part of his strategy to put off the dissolution of the lower house. １１月中の緊急経済対策の策定も中途半端で、解散先送り策の一環だろう。If he wants to effectively stave off an economic slowdown, the prime minister should ensure the extraordinary Diet session is long enough to formulate and then pass a more substantial supplementary budget, instead of tapping budget reserves.景気減速に本格的に歯止めをかけるのなら、予備費の活用でなく、臨時国会の会期を十分確保し、実効性のある補正予算を編成・成立させるのが筋だ。=== Noda's 3 proposalsDuring the meeting Friday, Noda proposed the opposition leaders work together with him on three issues to pave the way for the lower house dissolution: drawing up rules for handling a draft budget and a deficit bond bill together; correcting the wide disparity in the value of votes in lower house elections; and setting up a national council for debate on social security system reforms. 野田首相は会談で、衆院解散に向けた「環境整備」として、特例公債法案と予算案の一体処理のルール作り、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正、社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置の３点を挙げた。The idea of making rules on the deficit bond bill is praiseworthy as it seems to be a constructive proposal that could avert blocking the issuance of deficit-covering bonds in the divided Diet. 特例公債法案に関するルール作りは、衆参ねじれ国会の下、赤字国債が発行できない事態を回避する建設的な提案と評価できる。As for the vote disparity, Noda only proposed that the issue, which includes reducing the number of lawmakers, be discussed again by party secretaries general. Can such discussions lead to an agreement between the DPJ and the opposition parties? だが、「１票の格差」是正では、定数削減問題も含めて幹事長協議に再び委ねるという提案にとどまった。これで野党と合意できるのか。The ruling party should give the nod to the proposal by the LDP and other opposition parties to reduce five single-seat constituencies of the lower house as a first step for electoral reforms. 自民党などの主張する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行処理に同意すべきである。After Friday's talks, Abe expressed his disappointment with Noda for his failure to present a new proposal on the timing for the lower house dissolution. Noda will not be able to break the current deadlock if he remains defensive. 安倍氏は会談後、衆院解散の時期に関する「新提案」がなかったことについて「失望した」と語った。首相も、守りの姿勢一辺倒では今の局面を打開できまい。The government and ruling party cannot fulfill their responsibility as long as they regard pushing back the dissolution as the best answer. 「解散先送りが第一」では、政府・与党の責任を果たせない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 20, 2012)（2012年10月20日01時52分 読売新聞）
Oct 22, 2012
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参院１票の格差 抜本改革へ最高裁の強い警告
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 19, 2012)Top court sternly warns Diet over electoral system reform参院１票の格差 抜本改革へ最高裁の強い警告（10月18日付・読売社説）It was a strong warning from the Supreme Court to the Diet, which is not working on fundamentally rectifying the vote-value disparity. 「１票の格差」の抜本的な是正に取り組まない国会に対する最高裁の強い警告である。The top court's Grand Bench ruled Wednesday that the 2010 House of Councillors election, which had a maximum vote-value disparity of five times, "was in a state of unconstitutionality." １票の格差が最大５・００倍となった２０１０年の参院選について、最高裁大法廷は「違憲状態にあった」との判決を言い渡した。Twelve of the 15 justices so concluded, while the remaining three judged the election "unconstitutional," which is a stricter term. １５人の裁判官のうち１２人の意見で、残る３人は、より厳しい「違憲」判断を示した。The Supreme Court pointed out, as it has done before, that it is "extremely difficult to meet a request to ensure equality of the value of votes" under the current system based on 47 prefectural constituencies while populations have become concentrated in urban areas. 最高裁は、都市部への人口集中が進む中で、４７都道府県を単位とする選挙区制度のままでは、「投票価値の平等という要求に応えるのは、もはや著しく困難」と改めて指摘した。This is because, under the current system, two seats must be allotted even to Tottori Prefecture, the prefecture with the smallest population. 現行制度では、人口が最も少ない鳥取県にも定数２を割り振らざるを得ないからだ。===Pending bills not bold enoughA bill to revise the Public Offices Election Law submitted to the Diet by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party in the last ordinary Diet session will not change this prefecture-based electoral system. Instead, it calls for a two-seat increase in each of two prefectural constituencies and a two-seat reduction in each of two other prefectural constituencies. 民主、自民両党が先の通常国会に提出した公職選挙法改正案は、この制度に手を付けず、選挙区定数を「４増４減」するものだ。Wednesday's ruling also said simply increasing or reducing the number of seats for some prefectural constituencies will not solve the disparity. In other words, the top court apparently meant to raise doubt that "a state of unconstitutionality" would be eliminated even if the bill to introduce the "plus-four, minus-four" plan were enacted. 判決は、一部の選挙区の定数を増減させるだけでは解決にならない、との見解も示した。仮に「４増４減」案が成立しても、違憲状態は解消されないとの疑義が示されたとも言える。If the upper house election is held in summer next year with only such a cosmetic measure taken, there is no doubt that a wave of lawsuits over the number of seats allotted to prefectural constituencies will be filed after the election. It is even possible that a court in the future may rule an election "unconstitutional," invalidating part of it. こんな弥縫(びほう)策だけで来夏の参院選を迎えれば、選挙後、定数訴訟が相次いで起こされるのは間違いないだろう。裁判所が違憲と判断し、一部選挙を無効とする判決を出す可能性すら排除できない。We think the ruling and opposition parties should quickly discuss another plan, one bolder than the "plus-four, minus-four" plan, to correct the number of seats allotted to constituencies. 与野党は、「４増４減」よりも踏み込んだ定数是正案をまずは検討すべきではないか。The drastic electoral reform urged by the top court should also be quickly implemented. 最高裁が求める抜本的な制度改革も急ぐべきである。===A better plan fizzledIn debates over reform of the upper house electoral system that started in 2010, the ruling and opposition parties took up for discussion a plan to change constituencies from prefecture-based to bloc-based. This is because the bloc-based system has an advantage--it would make it easier to narrow disparities. １０年からの与野党の参院選制度改革論議では、選挙区を、都道府県単位からブロック制に改める案なども俎(そ)上(じょう)に載せた。格差を縮小しやすい利点があるからだ。The plan fizzled out after the death of Takeo Nishioka, the former upper house president who took the initiative in introducing the change. However, we think the plan should be discussed again. 旗振り役の西岡武夫前参院議長の死去で立ち消えになったが、検討し直すべきではないか。The Diet response has always been too late. This may make people think Diet members lack the ability to handle the problem, only increasing public distrust in politics. 国会の対応はこれまで、常に後手に回ってきた。これでは、国会議員には当事者能力がない、ということになり、国民の政治不信を高めるだけである。The top court previously ruled that the 2009 House of Representatives election was also "in a state of unconstitutionality." It is unusual for judicial authorities to judge both chambers to be in a situation violating the Constitution, which stipulates equality under the law. 最高裁は０９年衆院選でも、「違憲状態」との判断を示している。両院ともに、法の下の平等を定めた憲法に違反した状態にあると司法が断じる異例の事態だ。The electoral system for the upper house is a dual system that combines proportional representation and constituencies. It resembles that of the lower house. It is indispensable, then, to have discussions with an eye on the division of roles of the lower and upper houses. 参院選の制度は比例代表と選挙区の２本立てで、衆院選と類似している。衆参の役割分担も視野に入れた論議が不可欠である。The ruling and opposition parties must quickly convene an extraordinary Diet session and take necessary measures to solve the state of unconstitutionality in time for the next elections. 与野党は、次回の選挙に間に合うよう、早急に臨時国会を開き、違憲状態から脱するための措置を講じなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 18, 2012)（2012年10月18日01時20分 読売新聞）
Oct 21, 2012
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ソフトバンク 吉と出るか米携帯会社の買収
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 18, 2012)Will SoftBank's purchase of Sprint be a ringing success?ソフトバンク 吉と出るか米携帯会社の買収（10月17日付・読売社説）SoftBank Corp. President Masayoshi Son is again making a big gamble with his pursuit of a policy of aggressive business expansion. 強気の拡大路線を続けるソフトバンクの孫正義社長が、再び大きな賭けに出た。Whether his company's investment in a U.S. mobile phone carrier will prove fruitful is sure to receive much attention. 巨額買収の成否が注目されよう。SoftBank, the third-largest wireless carrier in Japan, announced Monday plans to purchase Sprint Nextel Corp., the No. 3 mobile operator in the United States. SoftBank plans to buy about 70 percent of Sprint's shares for 20.1 billion dollars (1.57 trillion yen) to make the U.S. firm its subsidiary. 国内携帯電話３位のソフトバンクが、米３位のスプリント・ネクステルを買収すると発表した。スプリント株の約７０％を２０１億ドル（約１兆５７００億円）で買い取って子会社化する。With the purchase, SoftBank would jump to more than 90 million subscriptions in Japan and the United States combined, far exceeding the domestic number of Japan's largest carrier, NTT Docomo Inc. Its sales are expected to rank third in the world if the deal goes through. 契約数は、日米合わせて９０００万件を超え、国内最大手ＮＴＴドコモをはるかに上回る。売上高では世界３位に浮上する。The domestic mobile phone market has reached a saturation point, with no room for further growth. Under the circumstances, SoftBank has decided to expand its business to North America through the purchase of the U.S. mobile carrier. 国内の携帯電話契約数は飽和状態で、伸びは見込めない。スプリント買収を契機に、北米などで事業を拡大する狙いだろう。===Era of realignmentThe telecommunications industry has changed dramatically recently with the spread of smartphones and next-generation high-speed networks, such as the Long-Term Evolution. As international competition to provide goods and services at universal standards is now fully under way, the industry has entered an era of realignment that will take it beyond national borders. 通信業界は次世代高速通信「ＬＴＥ」や、スマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）の普及で激変している。世界標準のサービスや商品を提供する国際的な競争時代が本格化し、国境を超えた業界再編に踏み込んだと言える。SoftBank and Sprint both sell Apple Inc.'s iPhone as their flagship product. SoftBank seems to think its planned expansion would put it in a position where it can negotiate better prices from Apple. ソフトバンクとスプリントはともに、米アップルのｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）を主力商品としている。規模拡大によって、アップルとの価格交渉を有利に進めることも見込んでいるようだ。Ultra-low interest rates and a historically high yen provided a tailwind for the deal. Other domestic companies can look to SoftBank's strategy of pushing ahead with international mergers and acquisitions as an example. 今回の買収は、超低金利と歴史的な超円高も追い風となった。国際的な合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）を仕掛けるソフトバンクの戦略は、他企業の参考になろう。SoftBank has used corporate acquisitions as an engine to drive the growth of its business. It previously purchased Japan Telecom Co. and Vodafone Japan, the Japanese arm of British company Vodafone, and only earlier this month agreed to acquire eAccess Ltd., the fourth-largest domestic wireless carrier. ソフトバンクは、買収攻勢による事業拡張を成長の源泉としてきた。日本テレコム、英ボーダフォン日本法人などを買収し、今月には国内４位のイー・アクセス買収でも合意したばかりだ。===Areas of concernNevertheless, there are some causes for concern regarding SoftBank's planned purchase of Sprint. ただし、今回の買収には、懸念材料が少なくない。First, Sprint lags far behind its two biggest U.S. competitors in terms of subscribers, and has suffered a loss for five straight years. It remains to be seen whether SoftBank can synergistically improve the U.S. company's business performance. スプリントは契約数でライバルの米２強に離され、５期連続の赤字だ。ソフトバンクがスプリントの経営を再建し、相乗効果を発揮できるかどうかは未知数だ。SoftBank's financial standing is expected to deteriorate considerably through the deal. The firm plans to raise cash for the purchase through bank loans, which would boost the firm's interest-bearing debt to about 4 trillion yen. This could prove to be a heavy financial burden. The radical moves by SoftBank's stock price after the acquisition deal was announced indicate the market is watching the deal warily. ソフトバンクの財務体質も大幅に悪化する。買収資金は銀行融資などで賄うとしているが、有利子負債は約４兆円に膨らみ、経営の重荷になりかねない。株価が乱高下しているのも、市場が不安視していることをうかがわせる。Troubles with communication networks have been unceasing as telecommunication capacity has failed to keep up with the market's demands, which has been exacerbated by the spread of smartphones. Japan's complex and expensive rate system, the highest in the world, has also been the subject of much criticism. 国内の携帯電話市場では、スマートフォン普及で増大した通信量をさばけず、通信障害が後を絶たない。複雑で世界一高いとされる料金体系への批判も多い。There have also been persistent complaints over poor connections, especially among SoftBank subscribers. We hope the firm remembers to improve service for domestic subscribers, such as by expanding its communication infrastructure to provide a better transmission environment, and lowering rates. とくにソフトバンクは「つながりにくい」との声が根強い。電波環境の改善に向けた通信インフラの整備や、料金引き下げなど、国内利用者のサービス向上にしっかり取り組んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 17, 2012)（2012年10月17日01時32分 読売新聞）
Oct 20, 2012
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３党幹事長会談 いつまで条件闘争をするのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 17, 2012)When will 3 parties stop squabbling over Diet session?３党幹事長会談 いつまで条件闘争をするのか（10月16日付・読売社説）Talks between the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over the next extraordinary Diet session are a mess. 臨時国会を巡る民主、自民、公明３党の話し合いが難航している。How long will they continue to put their party interests before everything else? 一体いつまで党利党略の駆け引きに明け暮れるつもりなのか。DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said he wanted to convene an extraordinary Diet session late this month when he held talks Monday with his LDP counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and Komeito counterpart Yoshihisa Inoue. The secretaries general will meet again Thursday, and a meeting between the leaders of the three parties will likely be held by the end of this week. 民主党の輿石幹事長は自民党・石破、公明党・井上の両幹事長との会談で、臨時国会を月末にも開く考えを示した。１８日に再度会談した上で、週内にも３党首会談を行うという。Such a sluggish approach to the talks is appalling. In particular, the DPJ has a heavy responsibility for delaying the convening of an extraordinary Diet session. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda should announce the policies of his reshuffled Cabinet at this session. スローテンポにはあきれるばかりだ。特に、これまで臨時国会の召集を先送りしてきた民主党の責任は重い。野田首相は、臨時国会で、改造内閣の所信を表明しなければならない。A mountain of problems, including the confrontation between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands, and energy issues, await action. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties are failing to fulfill their responsibilities by not debating these issues in the Diet. 尖閣諸島を巡る日中対立やエネルギー問題など課題は山積している。与野党議員は国会論戦もせず、職責を果たしていない。The qualifications of Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka also must be taken up. It was recently revealed that the justice minister, who is at the center of a scandal over donations from a foreign national, had ties with an organized crime syndicate. There is no doubt these entanglements are inappropriate for a justice minister. 田中法相の資質をただす必要もある。外国人献金問題を抱える法相には、暴力団との過去の交際も発覚した。法相として不適切であるのは、間違いない。===Resolve vote disparityOne issue the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito should immediately resolve is the vote-value disparity in House of Representatives elections. 民自公３党間で直ちに解決すべき課題の一つは、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正である。On an NHK program Sunday, Koshiishi hinted at the possibility the DPJ may accept a plan to first reduce the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five. However, he also told reporters that "unanimity among all opposition parties" is a condition to carrying out the plan. 輿石氏は１４日のＮＨＫ番組で、小選挙区の「０増５減」先行実施に応じる可能性を示唆した。だが、記者団には「全野党の一致」を条件とする意向も示している。The DPJ's adherence to its plan to simultaneously correct the vote-value disparity by cutting the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five and reduce the number of lower house seats complicates the issue and has delayed correcting the vote-value disparity. If the DPJ sets this new condition now, we cannot help but wonder if the party is serious about tackling the issue. 民主党が「０増５減」と定数削減の同時実施に固執してきたことで問題がこじれ、是正が遅れている。ここに及んで民主党が新たな条件をつけるようでは、格差是正に本気で取り組む考えがあるのか、疑わざるを得ない。Enactment of a bill to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds is also a pressing issue. 赤字国債発行を認める特例公債法案の成立も喫緊の課題だ。During the meeting of secretaries general Monday, the LDP and Komeito demanded that Noda promise to dissolve the lower house for a general election by the end of this year. "If [the prime minister] is so insincere, there will be no meeting of leaders [of the three parties]," Ishiba was quoted as saying. 自公両党は会談で、年内の衆院解散・総選挙を首相が明示するよう求めた。石破氏は、首相が「あまりに不誠実なら党首会談が開かれることはない」とも述べた。===Financial resources at riskIf the current stalemate continues, the passage of the bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds will be delayed and, as a result, the government's financial resources in the fiscal 2012 budget will be exhausted. The DPJ, LDP and Komeito should quickly reach a compromise on the issue so people's livelihoods will not be adversely affected. このまま膠着(こうちゃく)状態が続けば、法案の成立がずれ込み、今年度予算の財源が底をつく。民自公３党は、国民生活に悪影響を及ぼすことのないよう妥協を急ぐべきだ。The LDP has called for a delay in the establishment of a national council to revamp the social security system--which the three parties already have agreed on--until after the lower house election. We urge the three parties to come to terms on this issue. ３党がすでに合意している社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置について、自民党は衆院選後への先送りを唱えている。この点でも折り合いをつけてもらいたい。The opposition-controlled House of Councillors passed a censure motion against the prime minister during the last ordinary Diet session. If the opposition parties plan to stall the Diet session for this reason, there is no point in convening an extraordinary Diet session. This will only increase public distrust in political parties. 参院は先の通常国会で首相問責決議を可決した。これを理由に国会を空転させるのなら、臨時国会を開く意味がない。既成政党への国民の不信感が高まるだけだ。The ruling and opposition parties should agree not to carry over the censure motion into the next Diet session and make it a general rule of the divided Diet not to do this in future. 与野党は、衆参ねじれ国会の新たなルールとして、問責決議を次の国会にまで引きずらないことで合意すべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 16, 2012)（2012年10月16日01時29分 読売新聞）
Oct 18, 2012
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ＩＭＦ世銀総会 世界経済の減速に懸念高まる
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 16, 2012)Fears mounting over global economic slowdownＩＭＦ世銀総会 世界経済の減速に懸念高まる（10月14日付・読売社説）The slowdown of the global economy due to the protracted European debt crisis is becoming increasingly conspicuous. Countries around the world must work together to stop a negative chain reaction. 欧州危機の長期化で、世界経済の減速が鮮明になってきた。各国が協調して「負の連鎖」を食い止めねばならない。The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were held in Tokyo for the first time in 48 years, with 188 countries taking part. The meetings were a good opportunity for Japan to demonstrate its recovery from the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011. １８８か国が参加した国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会が、東京で４８年ぶりに開かれた。日本にとっては、東日本大震災からの復興をアピールする機会となったと言える。A focus of attention at the annual meetings was how the world economy can overcome the challenges it faces. 総会の主要議題は、世界経済の試練をどう乗り切るかだった。In its global economic forecast, the IMF has revised downward the 2012 growth rate of the world's real gross domestic product to 3.3 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than its projection in July. ＩＭＦが発表した世界経済見通しは、２０１２年の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率を３・３％増と予測し、７月時点から０・２ポイント下方修正した。Countries in the eurozone have failed to extricate themselves from their negative growth patterns due to the fiscal and banking crises they are facing. The harmful effects are spreading to the rest of the world. The economic slowdown in China, India, Brazil and other emerging countries has become more pronounced. 財政・金融危機でユーロ圏はマイナス成長から抜け出せず、世界に悪影響を広げている。世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国、インド、ブラジルなど新興国の景気減速も目立ち始めた。===Uncertainty on riseIt was a matter of course for IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde to warn at a press conference ahead of the annual meetings that the "level of uncertainty" weighing down global economic growth was increasing. ＩＭＦのラガルド専務理事が、「不確実性が高まっている」と危機感を示したのは当然だろう。Terminating this vicious cycle of global economic malaise is not easy. A major challenge is to determine how to achieve fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth at the same time. 世界経済の悪循環を断ち切るのは容易ではない。財政再建と成長を両立させる方策が問われる。Attention should be focused first on how to resolve the European crisis, the root cause for the global economic downturn. まず、震源地の欧州危機をいかに収束させるかが焦点だ。We highly regard the European Central Bank's decision to buy the bonds of fiscally troubled countries and the eurozone's launching of the European Stability Mechanism on Oct. 8 as a new permanent safety net for banks. 欧州中央銀行が財政危機国の国債購入策を決め、ユーロ圏が恒久的な金融安全網である欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）を８日に発足させたことは評価できる。Spain, a focal point of the fiscal crisis, is still hesitant in asking assistance from the ESM, and its government bond rating has been downgraded by two levels. Greece, meanwhile, has called on its creditors to extend its fiscal reform deadline by two years. The request has not yet been granted due to Germany's opposition and other factors. しかし、焦点のスペインは支援要請を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)しており、国債格付けが２段階引き下げられた。ギリシャが財政再建達成の２年先延ばしを求めている問題は、ドイツの反対などで未決着だ。If appropriate countermeasures are not taken promptly, the crisis will become even worse again. Based on a series of points made in Tokyo, the eurozone countries should take quick action to contain the spread of credit uncertainty. They also need to realize fiscal integration as soon as possible. またしても対応が遅れれば、事態は一段と深刻化する。東京で相次いだ指摘を踏まえ、欧州各国は迅速に行動し、信用不安の拡大を封じ込めるべきだ。財政統合も急ぐ必要がある。===End friction with ChinaIt is feared in the United States that drastic cuts in federal spending--the so-called fiscal cliff--will be made early next year. We hope both the ruling and opposition parties in the United States take appropriate measures to deal with this immediately after the U.S. presidential election. 米国では来年初めに、「財政の崖」と呼ばれる急激な財政引き締めが起きることが懸念される。与野党は大統領選後、速やかに事態打開を目指してもらいたい。Japan is on the brink of entering an economic downturn due to the slowdown of economies abroad and the superstrong yen. The country will be required to take additional measures to stimulate the economy and to get out of deflation. 海外経済の減速や超円高で景気後退局面入りの瀬戸際にある日本も、景気テコ入れとデフレ脱却を図る追加策が求められよう。Lagarde criticized China for not sending its finance minister and central bank officials to the IMF-World Bank annual meetings because of Beijing's confrontation with Tokyo over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. We think her remark was important as it emphasized the necessity of normalizing Japan-China relations at an early date. 尖閣諸島を巡る日本との対立を背景に財務相らのＩＭＦ・世銀総会出席を見合わせた中国を、ラガルド専務理事が批判した。日中関係の早期正常化の必要性を強調した発言は重要である。Protracted deterioration of bilateral ties will also damage the global economy. Beijing will not benefit if such confusion applies downward pressure on the Chinese economy. 関係悪化が長期化すれば世界経済に打撃を与える。そうした混乱が中国景気を冷やすことは、中国にも得策ではないはずだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 14, 2012)（2012年10月14日02時03分 読売新聞）
Oct 17, 2012
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香山リカのココロの万華鏡:タレントと比べないで ／東京
October 14, 2012(Mainichi Japan)Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't compare yourselves with celebrities香山リカのココロの万華鏡:タレントと比べないで ／東京Books on how to lose weight after giving birth have recently been selling well. 「産後ダイエット」の本が大はやりだ。These books typically feature female celebrities who have given birth. 本に登場するのは、出産を経験した女性タレントたち。Specifically, they introduce exercise and dietary tips that helped celebrities -- whose weight increased by more than 10 kilograms after getting pregnant -- restore their body shape to that before they became pregnant. 妊娠して１０キロ以上、体重が増加したけれど、産後数カ月で以前の体形に元通り。These stories are often accompanied by "before" and "after" pictures.そのために役立ったのがこの体操や食事法なんです、と写真つきで紹介している本も多い。Looking at these books out of curiosity, I find that they feature celebrities with brilliant smiles. 興味本位でながめてみると、そこにはおなじみのタレントが輝くばかりの笑顔で写っている。As someone who has never given birth, I become envious, wondering whether it's really true that women are the most beautiful shortly after giving birth.「へえ、独身時代よりむしろきれいになったみたい。やっぱり子どもを産んだ直後の女性は最高に美しいってホントなのかな」と子どもを持ったことのない私はちょっぴりうらやましくなる。However, this is not apparently the case with every woman. でも、これは万人に当てはまるわけではないようだ。A woman who has two children aged three and one lamented in my consultation room, "I can't restore my body shape to what it was before I gave birth. 診察室で１歳と３歳の子どもを持つ女性が言っていた。「出産後、体形も戻らないし、I have no time or the emotional space to think about my own beauty in the first place.だいたい美容になんか気をつかう時間も気持ちのゆとりもないですよ。Look at my worn-out skin and messy hair."見てください、肌もボロボロだし髪もバサバサ……。She added, "The other day, my husband was watching TV and said, 'That celebrity is beautiful even though she has three children,' and looked at me as if he were comparing her with me, so I became furious."このあいだ夫がテレビを見ながら“このタレント、子どもが３人もいるのにきれいだなあ”と言って、比べるような目でこっちを見たので、キレて怒鳴ってしまいました」She said her husband was usually busy with work and hardly helped with the kids, forcing her to take care of everything at home. ふだん夫は仕事に追われてほとんど育児にも協力してくれず、女性はひとりですべてをこなさなければならない。It must be intolerable to have to be compared with celebrities on top of that.その上、タレントと自分とを比べられては、たまったものではないだろう。It is true that I meet far more women who have been depressed from stress and fatigue after childbirth than those who remain beautiful and luminous after having children. For those exhausted women, books featuring celebrities who remain beautiful after giving birth are nothing but an eyesore.そういう女性たちにとっては、「こんなに美しくなりました！」という出産タレントたちの本は、かえって目に毒だと言えるかもしれない。I told a woman who complained she was worn out, "Celebrities have people who help them look after their children. 「自分はボロボロ」と嘆く女性には、こう声をかけた。「考えてみてくださいよ、タレントさんたちには子育てを手伝ってくれる人もいるでしょうし、In a sense, dieting and looking beautiful are part of their work, so they get advice from lots of experts. ダイエットや美容法を実践するのがある意味、仕事なのだから、専門家が大勢ついているわけでしょう。You don't have to take them at face value and compare them with yourself. うのみにして自分と比べる必要なんてないですよ。Tell your husband that I said so."夫にも、私がそう言っていたと伝えてください」It is natural that many women are envious of those who maintain their body shape and beauty even after giving birth and handle their work as energetically as before. 出産しても抜群のスタイルと美貌、生き生きと前と同じように仕事をこなす女性は、たしかにあこがれの的ではあるが、But those women shouldn't be made into subjects of comparison that make you feel depressed.自分と比較して落ち込む対象ではない。It is wiser to look at such women with a cool eye saying to yourself, "They must have the support of so many people to be who they are." 「へえ、こうなるためにはずいぶん多くの人がサポートしてるんでしょうね」とちょっとナナメに見るくらいが、ちょうどいいのではないだろうか。(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)毎日新聞 2012年10月09日 地方版〔都内版〕
Oct 16, 2012
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ミャンマー支援 民主化と経済再建に弾みを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 14, 2012)Myanmar reforms need wholehearted supportミャンマー支援 民主化と経済再建に弾みを（10月13日付・読売社説）We welcome moves by the international community to build a system to underpin Myanmar's reform efforts toward democratization. The country needs help in boosting its political reform and economic rebuilding efforts. 民主化改革を進めるミャンマーに対し、国際社会が支援体制を整えたことを歓迎したい。改革と経済再建に弾みをつける必要がある。A meeting on Myanmar was held in Tokyo on Thursday, with the participation of developed countries and international organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. 先進国と世界銀行、アジア開発銀行によるミャンマー支援国会合が東京で開かれた。During the meeting, creditors agreed to write off Myanmar's outstanding debts in January and resume financial aid to the country after an interval of more than 20 years. ミャンマーが抱える延滞債務を来年１月に免除し、国際社会が２０年以上も中止してきた金融支援を再開する方針で合意した。Japan, Myanmar's largest creditor, said it will forgive most of the 500 billion yen debt owed to this country and resume yen loans for the first time in 26 years at the earliest possible date next year. 約５０００億円という最大の貸し手である日本は、大半の債権を放棄したうえ、円借款を来年早い時期に２６年ぶりに再開する。To enable the World Bank and the ADB to extend new loans to Myanmar, Japan also decided to provisionally shoulder the country's arrears to help it repay its creditors. 世銀とアジア開銀が新規融資を行えるよう、世銀などに対するミャンマーの借金を日本がいったん肩代わりする協力も決めた。It is significant that Japan, which has been proactive in improving its relations with Myanmar, took the initiative in paving the way for the international community to provide full-fledged support to the country. ミャンマーとの関係修復に積極的な日本が主導し、国際的な支援策をまとめた意義は大きい。Developed countries imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar for many years, citing such reasons as human rights abuses under the military junta. As a result, the country lags other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is the poorest country in the region. ミャンマーは軍事政権下の人権弾圧などを理由に、先進国側から長年にわたり経済制裁を受けてきた。そのため、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の中で取り残されてきた最貧国である。=== Country's great potentialHowever, Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in 2010, and the country saw a power shift from the military to a civilian government in the spring of 2011. Since then, the government led by President Thein Sein has promoted democratization. しかし、２０１０年に民主化運動指導者のアウン・サン・スー・チー氏が軟禁を解かれ、昨春には民政移管を果たし、テイン・セイン政権が民主化を進めている。This significant change was hailed by the international community, and Myanmar managed to win pledges for a resumption of international aid. こうした大きな変化を国際社会が評価して、ようやく支援再開にこぎつけた。Myanmar has a population of more than 60 million and is rich in natural resources. Hopes are high that Myanmar, the so-called last frontier in Asia, will achieve rapid economic growth. ミャンマーは人口が６０００万人を超え、天然資源なども豊富だ。「アジア最後のフロンティア」として急成長が期待される。ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said that if the country makes sufficient progress in domestic reforms, it could catch up with other ASEAN countries in the next five to 10 years. アジア開銀の黒田東彦総裁も、「国内改革が進めば、今後５～１０年で他のＡＳＥＡＮ諸国に追いつける」と予想している。With the backing of financial aid and investment from developed countries and other lenders, Myanmar's economic development should accelerate. 先進国などの金融支援と投資拡大をテコに、経済発展を加速させることが肝要だ。=== Building infrastructure is keyThe main challenges the country faces are its abysmal infrastructure, such as electricity and railway systems, and its inadequate educational, medical and other social services. Japan aims to use yen loans to provide materials and expertise to develop the country's infrastructure. 課題は、電力、鉄道などのインフラや、医療、教育などの整備が遅れていることである。日本は円借款供与によって、インフラ輸出の拡大も目指したい。Major trading houses and other companies have already launched projects in Myanmar. The government plans to fully cooperate with these companies to develop Myanmar's special economic zones. すでに大手商社などがミャンマーでの事業に乗り出している。経済特区の整備でも、政府と企業が全面的に協力する方向だ。For Japanese companies, Myanmar is highly likely to become a new production base in Asia. Cooperation between the public and private sectors must be strengthened. 日系企業にとって、ミャンマーは、アジアの新たな生産拠点となる可能性が高い。官民連携を一層強化すべきである。Although Myanmar has strong ties with China, its major trading partner, it apparently harbors concern about Beijing's clout. ミャンマーは中国と近接し、貿易量は多いが、中国の影響力に対する警戒感もうかがえる。In light of this, Japan's wholehearted support for Myanmar could put a brake on China, which is attempting to increase its presence in the region. 日本の積極的なミャンマー支援は、地域での存在感を強めようとする中国への牽制(けんせい)にもなる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 13, 2012)（2012年10月13日02時14分 読売新聞）
Oct 15, 2012
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ｉＰＳ細胞 医療応用へ支援体制を整えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 13, 2012)Build a system to support clinical use of iPS cellsｉＰＳ細胞 医療応用へ支援体制を整えよ（10月12日付・読売社説）The race to put induced pluripotent stem cells into practical use will likely intensify soon as iPS cells are expected to play a pivotal role in regenerative medicine. 再生医療の切り札として、様々な種類の細胞に変化が可能なｉＰＳ細胞（新型万能細胞）の実用化に向けた競争がこれから本格化しそうだ。Countries are already competing to research and develop iPS cells, which can be grown into different body cells, in hopes that iPS cells can be applied to various fields including regenerative medicine. ｉＰＳ細胞は、再生医療を始め多様な用途への利用が期待できるだけに、各国が研究開発にしのぎを削っている。Japan must not miss the boat--the government should take the initiative to improve the support system for clinical applications of iPS cells. There is no time to waste. 日本としても、政府が主導し、臨床応用への支援体制を早急に充実させる必要がある。The aim of regenerative medicine is to replace or repair organs and tissues damaged by disease or injury with new cells. 再生医療は、病気や事故で傷ついた臓器や組織を、新しい細胞で作り直す治療だ。The fact that Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, the creator of iPS cells, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine shows that Japan is leading the world in the basic research of regenerative medicine. ｉＰＳ細胞の作製に成功した山中伸弥・京都大教授のノーベル生理学・医学賞受賞が示すように、日本は再生医療の基礎研究では世界のトップレベルにある。The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has decided to subsidize Yamanaka's iPS research with about 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen over about 10 years, to provide him with a stable research environment with long-term assistance. 文部科学省は、山中教授のｉＰＳ細胞研究の支援に、１０年程度で総額２００億～３００億円の助成を行うことを決めた。長期的な助成によって安定した研究環境を整えるのが目的だ。It is crucial for the government to continue implementing such measures based on a strategic vision. こうした戦略的な政策を継続していくことが必要である。===Delays in therapeutic applicationHowever, there is a big problem in Japan's regenerative medicine--although the nation has a remarkable record in basic research, it lags behind other countries in therapeutic application. This problem is not limited to iPS cells research. 問題なのは、ｉＰＳ細胞に限らず、基礎では優れている日本の再生医療が、治療への応用で後れをとっていることだ。Sheets of laboratory-grown skin cells have already been used to treat burns. However, domestically, only one other regenerative treatment--for cartilage tissue--is approved by the government, while about 50 treatments have been approved globally. 既に皮膚の細胞を培養して作った皮膚シートが、やけど治療に使われている。日本ではこのほか、軟骨組織１件が承認されているだけだが、海外では、約５０件もの製品が承認されている。One of the underlying reasons why Japan lags behind other countries in therapeutic application is said to be a problem with clinical tests. The efficacy and safety of treatments and drugs are confirmed through clinical tests conducted on patients. However, many of the nation's hospitals are relatively small, making it difficult for them to find patients willing to participate in clinical tests. 治療への応用が進まない背景には、臨床試験を巡る問題がある。実際に患者に使って有効性や安全性を確かめる試験だが、国内には小規模な病院が多く、参加する患者を集めにくい。It is necessary for the government to establish hospitals that will play a leading role in the nation's clinical tests. Other medical institutions must cooperate with such hospitals to effectively conduct clinical trials. Establishing such a system is important. 臨床試験の中核となる病院を整備し、医療機関が協力して試験を進める体制が求められる。===Improve quality of clinical studiesThe quality of clinical studies conducted should also be improved. 医師が行う臨床研究のレベルアップも必要である。Looking at the number of articles carried in major U.S. and European medical journals, Japan ranked high in basic research, but ranked 25th in clinical research. The number of Japanese clinical research articles carried in such journals is about one-fortieth of the number of U.S. articles, which led the rankings. 例えば、欧米の一流医学誌に掲載される論文数を比較すると、日本の国別順位は、基礎研究で上位を占めている反面、臨床研究では２５位に甘んじている。臨床研究の論文数は、首位の米国の４０分の１程度しかない。This example shows Japan's weakness in clinical research and lower-than-expected achievements in the field. 研究体制が手薄で、成果も上がっていない現状を反映していると言えよう。It is also essential to speed up the governmental approval process for regenerative medicine treatments. 再生医療に関する政府の承認審査をスピードアップさせることも欠かせないだろう。Earlier this month, the Democratic Party of Japan agreed with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to establishing a basic law concerning clinical applications of regenerative medicine. The parties should pass a bill on establishing the basic law as soon as possible to prepare guidelines on promoting practical implementation of the technology. 民主、自民、公明３党は今月、再生医療の臨床応用に向けた基本法を制定することで合意した。早期に成立させ、実用化を推進する指針作りを急ぐべきだ。(From the Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 12, 2012)（2012年10月12日01時44分 読売新聞）
Oct 14, 2012
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尖閣国有１か月 長期化する対日圧力に備えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 12, 2012)Prepare for prolonged pressure from China over Senkakus尖閣国有１か月 長期化する対日圧力に備えよ（10月11日付・読売社説）One month has passed since the government put three of the Senkaku Islands under state control. There is no sign that China's pressure on Japan will wane. The government should make necessary preparations on the assumption that the confrontation over the islands will lengthen. 尖閣諸島の国有化から１か月経過した。中国の対日圧力は弱まる気配がない。政府は対立の長期化を前提に、体制を整えるべきである。China decided not to send its finance minister or the governor of the People's Bank of China to the plenary session of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which are scheduled to open in Tokyo on Friday. The decision apparently aims at demonstrating to the world its protest against Japan over the Senkaku issue. 中国は、東京で１２日に開幕する国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会への財務相と中国人民銀行総裁の出席を見送った。尖閣問題で日本への抗議の意思をアピールするのが狙いだろう。The world's second-largest economy is behaving as if it is showing little regard for a venue for the discussion of global economic issues. Such an attitude will never win the understanding of the international community. 世界２位の経済大国が、グローバルな経済問題を協議する場を軽視するかのように振る舞う。国際社会の理解は得られまい。Following anti-Japan demonstrations that spread across China, the Chinese government allowed people to stage a campaign to boycott Japanese products. Unit sales of Japanese carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., substantially dropped in China in September. Adverse impacts on Japanese companies' business are spreading. 一時拡大した反日デモに続き、中国政府は日本製品の不買運動も容認した。トヨタ自動車など日系自動車メーカーの９月の販売台数は大幅に減った。日本企業のビジネスに悪影響が広がっている。Also, many Chinese tourists have canceled visits to Japan, dealing a serious blow to airline companies and the tourism industry. 観光客の訪日中止などで航空会社や観光業への打撃も大きい。===Avoid risky compromiseUnder tangible and intangible pressure from China, Japanese business circles are asking the government to quickly resolve the situation. Referring to Japan's diplomacy toward China, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said, "We can't concede what we can't concede, but we want to explore what is possible." 中国による有形無形の圧力を受け、日本の経済界は、政府に事態の早期打開を求めている。玄葉外相も対中外交に関して、「譲れないものは譲れないが、何が可能か模索したい」と述べた。However, the government must not improvise its policies on the fly. ただし、拙速は禁物だ。If the government easily compromises on the issue, Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands itself could be put in danger. 安易に妥協すれば、尖閣諸島に関する日本の主権そのものが危うくなりかねない。For years, China has made it a national policy to expand its territorial and maritime interests. Its goal for the time being is that Japan admit the existence of a territorial dispute over the islets and agree to sit at the negotiating table to discuss it. Beijing is expected to relentlessly apply pressure by various means until it extracts concessions from Japan. 中国は長年、領土・海洋権益の拡大を国策としてきた。当面の目標は、日本が領有権問題を認め、領土を巡る交渉に応じることである。日本の譲歩を引き出すまで、執拗(しつよう)に、様々な圧力をかけてくるだろう。However, the amount of international trust that China will lose by unilaterally continuing its diplomacy of pressure against Japan must be substantial. だが、中国が一方的な圧力外交を続けることで失う国際的な信用も大きいはずだ。The government has unofficially decided to appoint Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Masato Kitera as the new ambassador to China to succeed Shinichi Nishimiya, who died before leaving for China to start his official duties as envoy. We urge the government to use the replacement of the ambassador to China as an opportunity to carefully seek common ground between Tokyo and Beijing. 政府は、赴任前に死去した西宮伸一中国大使の後任に木寺昌人官房副長官補を内定している。大使交代を契機に、日中双方の接点を慎重に探ってもらいたい。===China held at bay for nowChina is continuing to make its presence felt by sending surveillance ships to waters near the Senkaku Islands. 尖閣諸島近海で、中国は監視船による示威行動を続けている。However, Beijing has refrained from taking any action that could further escalate tension. This must be linked to recent moves the United States took to keep Chinese forces in check, such as dispatching two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Western Pacific and showing the news media a joint landing exercise by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Ground Self-Defense Force in Guam last month. ただ、緊張感をエスカレートさせる行為は控えている。米国が先月、西太平洋に二つの空母部隊を派遣したり、グアムでの米海兵隊と陸上自衛隊の上陸訓練を公開したりするなど、中国軍をけん制したことと無縁ではあるまい。It is clear that the Japan-U.S. alliance is functioning to deter China's provocation. 日米同盟が中国の挑発を抑止していることは明らかである。The Japan Coast Guard, meanwhile, is forced to engage in vigilance and surveillance activities on a 24-hour basis. It has sent its patrol ships and boats from across the country to areas around the Senkaku Islands. 海上保安庁は、全国の巡視船艇をやり繰りして尖閣周辺海域に派遣し、２４時間態勢の警戒監視活動を余儀なくされている。As long as it is necessary to maintain this preparedness for the long term, the government must take all possible measures, such as securing the necessary number of JCG personnel. こうした態勢を長期間堅持する必要がある以上、政府は、要員の確保などに万全の策を講じなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 11, 2012) （2012年10月11日01時27分 読売新聞）
Oct 13, 2012
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復興予算「転用」 被災地支援が後回しでは困る
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 11, 2012)Aid to disaster-stricken areas must be given priority復興予算「転用」 被災地支援が後回しでは困る（10月10日付・読売社説）Fiscal allocations for the reconstruction of areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake have been used for projects not directly related to disaster-stricken areas. 東日本大震災の復興予算が、被災地の再建とはかけ離れた事業に使われている。This diversion of funds cannot be ignored. これでは、予算の「転用」であり、看過できない。Under pressure from the Liberal Democratic Party at the House of Representatives Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration, the Finance Ministry and other ministries listed projects under way. Many of the projects are suspected of not being essential to reconstruction. 自民党の追及を受け、財務省などが衆院決算行政監視委員会の関係議員に示した。その中には、「果たして復興関連なのか」と首をかしげたくなる事業が少なからず盛り込まれていた。The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry earmarked the cost for dealing with Sea Shepherd, an antiwhaling organization, as part of its reconstruction budget. Its reasoning is that unless antiwhaling protests can be halted, it will affect the reconstruction of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, which has whale processing facilities. 農林水産省は、反捕鯨団体シー・シェパードへの対策費を計上した。抗議活動を阻止しなければ、鯨肉加工施設がある宮城県石巻市の再建に影響するとの理屈だ。The Justice Ministry allocated funds for vocational training programs at prisons in Saitama Prefecture and elsewhere on the grounds that inmates may work in disaster-stricken areas after being released. This argument is hardly persuasive. 埼玉県などの刑務所での職業訓練費について、法務省は「出所者が被災地で働くかもしれない」としているが、説得力を欠く。The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has provided a subsidy to a contact lens manufacturing plant in Gifu Prefecture because the plant procures materials from the disaster-stricken region. 被災地から材料を調達しているから、として岐阜県のコンタクトレンズ工場などへの経済産業省の補助金もあった。===Okada's lame excuseDeputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada explained at a news conference that "because we had to compile a huge budget within a short period, we didn't have time to go into details." 岡田副総理は記者会見で、「短期間に大きな予算を組まなければならず、細部まで目が届かなかった」と釈明した。Based on its basic reconstruction policy, the government originally estimated 19 trillion yen would be required for reconstruction in the first five years. A total of 18 trillion yen was allocated in the first to third supplementary budgets for fiscal 2011 and in the initial budget for fiscal 2012. 復興予算は、復興基本方針で、必要な費用を当初５年間で１９兆円と見積もり、２０１１年度１～３次補正予算と１２年度当初予算で計１８兆円を計上した。The budgets are aimed at decontaminating areas affected by the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the earthquake-triggered tsunami and disposing of debris. 原発事故に伴う除染作業や津波被害で生じた社会資本の復旧、がれき処理などに充てられる。Under the pretext of using tax hikes as a major resource to carry out reconstruction, the residential tax and income tax will be increased over 10- and 25-year periods, respectively.主な財源は、１０～２５年間に及ぶ住民税や所得税などの復興増税だ。The government offices insisted on the validity of their budget allocations, arguing that the basic reconstruction policy includes such wording as "antidisaster measures will be carried out across the nation" and "reconstruction of the disaster-devastated areas will be impossible without revival of the national economy." 各府省は復興基本方針に「全国的に防災施策を行う」、「日本経済の再生なくして被災地の復興はない」といった文言があることから、予算の正当性を主張する。It is true that measures also must be taken in other areas to prepare for disasters and prevent the hollowing out of industry.確かに、被災地以外でも防災や産業空洞化対策は必要だ。===Significant delaysHowever, an anything-goes budget cannot be tolerated given the significant delays in the key reconstruction projects. しかし、肝心の復興が大幅に遅れている中で、「何でもあり」のような予算は許されまい。If government offices earmark spending even for projects that should be dealt with normally by the state budget because the reconstruction budget does not have a strict ceiling, it will invite a strong backlash from people who cooperated in the government's tax increase plans. 厳しい上限が設定されていない復興予算に目を付け、本来なら通常予算で対応すべき事業まで計上したのでは、増税に協力する国民から反発が強まるだろう。On this matter, the LDP is calling for screening the projects although the Diet is not in session. The Diet must scrutinize whether the reconstruction budget is being used appropriately. 自民党はこの問題について、閉会中審査を求めている。復興予算が適切に使われているかどうか、国会は十分に精査すべきだ。Implementation of the budget has been delayed in disaster-stricken areas. Only 60 percent of the 15 trillion yen earmarked for fiscal 2011 was used before the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2012. Concerns have been voiced about the differences between what is in the budget and what is needed. 被災地では予算執行が遅れている。１１年度分に計上した１５兆円のうち、年度内の消化は６割にとどまった。予算メニューとニーズの食い違いも指摘されている。Tatsuo Hirano, state minister for disaster reconstruction, said, "We want to compile a budget for next fiscal year that will give priority to disaster-stricken areas." The government must make arrangements quickly so that the necessary funds can be allocated to these areas. 平野復興相は「来年度はできるだけ被災地に特化した予算を作りたい」との意向を表明した。政府は、被災地に必要な資金が行き渡るよう迅速に手当てすべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 10, 2012)（2012年10月10日01時09分 読売新聞）
Oct 12, 2012
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ノーベル賞 山中氏への支援体制を手厚く
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 10, 2012)Beef up support for research of Nobel laureate Yamanakaノーベル賞 山中氏への支援体制を手厚く（10月9日付・読売社説）Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka has been awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. 山中伸弥・京都大教授に、今年のノーベル生理学・医学賞が贈られることになった。We offer our heartiest congratulations to him for winning this prestigious prize. その栄誉を称(たた)え、心から喜びたい。It is the first time in 25 years that a Japanese won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The only other Japanese laureate in this field was Susumu Tonegawa, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in 1987. 日本人が生理学・医学賞を受賞するのは、１９８７年の利根川進博士以来、２５年ぶりである。Yamanaka won the prize for developing a technology to reprogram somatic cells--a technology to return somatic cells such as skin cells to a state immediately after fertilization--the beginning of life. He was awarded the prize jointly with British scientist John Gurdon. 山中教授の授賞理由は、皮膚などの体細胞を、生命の始まりである受精直後の真っさらな状態に戻す「体細胞初期化」技術を開発したことだ。同じ分野の先達である英国のジョン・ガードン博士との共同受賞となる。After fertilization, cells develop into specific cells of various tissues and organs as they grow and gradually age. Yamanaka's research reversed this process, which previously went in only one direction. 受精した細胞は、成長するにつれ、様々な組織や臓器の細胞に分化し、次第に老いてゆく。一方向にしか進まないこの過程を逆戻りさせたのが山中教授の研究だ。It was an epoch-making achievement. Since Yamanaka announced results of his studies in 2006, his name has been at the top of the list of front-running Nobel candidates every year. 画期的な業績である。山中教授は、２００６年に成果を発表した後、毎年、ノーベル賞受賞者予想で筆頭に挙げられてきた。===Reprogramming cellsYamanaka won the prize only six years after the announcement of his findings, probably due to the high expectations for the application of the technology in the medical field. ６年でのスピード受賞となったのは、医療への応用に高い期待があるからだろう。Cells reprogrammed using Yamanaka's technology are called induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. Organs and tissues damaged by diseases and injuries could theoretically be replaced with cells made from iPS cells. Such "regenerative medicine" is not just a dream anymore. 山中教授の技術で初期化された細胞は「ｉＰＳ細胞（新型万能細胞）」と呼ばれる。病気やケガで傷んだ臓器や組織を、ｉＰＳ細胞で作った細胞で置き換える「再生医療」も、もはや夢ではない。For instance, the technology could be used to treat a patient paralyzed from the waist down due to a damaged spinal cord. Injecting nerve cells developed from iPS cells made from the patient's skin cells might regenerate his nerves and enable him to walk. 例えば、脊髄が損傷し下半身マヒとなった患者の治療だ。本人の皮膚細胞から作製したｉＰＳ細胞由来の神経細胞を注入すれば、拒絶反応なしに神経を再生でき、歩行が可能になるかもしれない。Although Yamanaka's studies are still at the basic research stage, the technology has the potential to completely innovate medical technologies in the future. まだ基礎研究ながら、将来的には医療を一新する可能性を秘めていると言えよう。Kyoto University, where Yamanaka works, has obtained international patents on iPS cells as part of its efforts to stay at the top of research and development in this field. 山中教授の所属する京大は、ｉＰＳ細胞の作製法で国際特許も取得し、研究開発でトップを維持しようと努めている。===Japan lags other nationsHowever, the United States and some European countries, for instance, have jumped ahead in research aimed at actually putting the technology to practical use. Yamanaka has repeatedly sounded the alarm about this development, saying, "The United States and Europe are way ahead in terms of research funds and human resources." しかし、実用化を目指す研究は欧米の方が先行している。山中教授は、「欧米は研究資金も人材もはるかに潤沢」と、繰り返し警鐘を鳴らしている。In these nations, major pharmaceutical companies have been spending huge funds to advance iPS research. A shortage of researchers is not a problem for them. 欧米では、大手製薬企業が巨費を投じて研究を進めている。研究者の層も厚い。Japan lags behind, not only in the field of iPS cells, but also in research systems for new drugs and treatment techniques. これに対し日本では、ｉＰＳ細胞に限らず、新薬、新治療法の研究体制で後れを取っている。Yamanaka's Nobel Prize success is a prime opportunity for the whole nation to reinforce efforts to energize research labs. 今回の受賞決定を契機に、国を挙げて、研究現場を活性化する取り組みを強化せねばならない。Yamanaka's technology has also generated a new problem. Some observers have raised concerns that in research that fertilizes eggs with sperm, both created using iPS cell technology, a new life would be born through an abnormal reproduction process. 山中教授の技術は、新たな問題も生んでいる。精子や卵子を作って受精させる研究では、通常の生殖を経ない生命誕生になる、との懸念が指摘されている。Consideration of this issue from a bioethics viewpoint should not be neglected. 生命倫理面での検討も、なおざりにはできない問題である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 9, 2012)（2012年10月9日01時27分 読売新聞）
Oct 11, 2012
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シニア消費 日本経済を牽引する団塊世代
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 9, 2012)Baby boomers' consumption could be driving force for economyシニア消費 日本経済を牽引する団塊世代（10月8日付・読売社説）Consumption by elderly people has been picking up recently. 高齢者層の消費が活発だ。We hope their purchasing power will give the nation's economy a shot in the arm. この勢いを経済の活性化につなげたい。Annual consumption by elderly people--mainly those aged 60 and older, including postwar baby boomers--topped 100 trillion yen for the first time in 2011. It accounted for 40 percent of domestic consumption. 団塊世代など６０歳以上を中心としたシニア層の消費は、２０１１年に初めて１００兆円を超え、国内消費の４割を占めた。Monthly consumption expenditure per household whose head is aged 65 to 69 has been on an upward trend. The growth rate of expenditure for this age group is above the average for all demographics. ６５～６９歳の１世帯当たりの月間消費支出も増加基調で、伸び率は全世代平均を上回っている。After retiring, elderly people tend to withdraw savings they squirreled away while they were working to spend on products they need or want. In economics, this is known as the "life-cycle hypothesis" (LCH). シニア層は、現役時代の貯蓄を引退後に取り崩して消費に回す傾向がある。経済学では「ライフサイクル仮説」として知られる。In addition to this special characteristic, many baby boomers, who are happy to spend their money and have led their generation, started turning 65 this year. The baby boomers have apparently been adding momentum to unconventional patterns of consumption. そうした特性だけでなく、消費意欲が旺盛で時代をリードしてきた団塊世代が６５歳を迎え、従来のパターンとは違う消費行動に弾みがついているのだろう。===Elderly population growingThe proportion of people 65 and older has reached 24 percent of the population. This figure is expected to top 30 percent in 2030. It is important to maintain the consumption trend of senior citizens as an engine supporting the economy. 人口に占める６５歳以上の割合は２４％に達し、３０年には３０％を超える見込みだ。景気を支えるエンジン役として、シニア消費を持続させることが重要と言える。Already business activities targeting seniors with time and money on their hands, such as supermarkets that open early in the morning and around-the-world cruises, have become popular. すでに、時間と経済にゆとりを持つ高齢者を狙ったスーパーの早朝開店や世界一周クルーズなどが人気を集めている。However, many companies seem unable to shake off their traditional mindsets. Today's senior citizens are not all modest old folks. They are very active and quite a few are willing to splash out for things they feel are significant, even if they usually closely watch their pennies in everyday life. しかし、多くの企業は従来の発想から抜け出せていないのではないか。今のシニア層は、控えめな高齢者に限らない。活動的で、日常の支出は抑えても、自分が有意義と感じるこだわりの消費には出費を惜しまぬ人が少なくない。It is not only consumption of tangible objects that is thriving, but also courses at culture schools and music schools, such as piano lessons. This suggests elderly people value spending time or having experiences that provide psychological satisfaction. モノの消費だけでなく、カルチャースクールや、ピアノなど音楽教室の盛況が示すように、心の満足を得る時間や体験を大切にする傾向がうかがえる。They are enthusiastic about staying healthy and favor items that help slow the aging process, which has been a boon for sports clubs and cosmetics that keep them looking younger. 健康の維持やアンチエイジングへの関心が高く、スポーツクラブや若々しさを保つ化粧品などの人気も高まっている。===Think outside the boxPotential money-spinners can be found in areas that many businesspeople assume would appeal more to young people. For instance, many elderly men are interested in sports cars. Many are accustomed to using personal computers and smartphones. The Internet is a familiar part of their daily life. They could contribute to the expansion of e-commerce. 若者向けと考えがちな分野にも商機は広がる。スポーツカーに関心を持つシニア男性は多い。パソコンやスマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）の扱いに慣れ、インターネットは身近な存在だ。電子商取引の拡大にも貢献しよう。We hope every corporation will sniff out the needs of elderly people and use their wisdom to develop or provide innovative products and services as well as cultivate new markets. 各企業は、こうしたシニア層のニーズを掘り起こし、斬新な商品やサービスの提供、新市場の開拓に知恵を絞ってもらいたい。When baby boomers turned 60 in 2007 through 2009, consumption did not pick up as much as expected. Factors behind this included growing concern over whether these baby boomers could keep working until they reached 65, and sluggish stock prices after the so-called Lehman shock. 団塊世代が６０歳に達した０７～０９年は、期待されたほどには消費が盛り上がらなかった。リーマン・ショック後の株価低迷に加え、６５歳までの雇用確保への懸念が広がったことが要因とみられる。The government must help erase elderly people's worries for the future by, for instance, implementing policies that will ensure social security systems can be stably maintained. 社会保障制度を安定的に維持するなど、将来の不安を解消する政策の後押しも必要だ。If the willingness to spend among the elderly encourages greater consumption among working generations, the Japanese economy would undoubtedly have a bonanza. シニア消費が牽引(けんいん)し、現役世代の消費も活発になれば、日本経済に好影響を及ぼすに違いない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 8, 2012)（2012年10月8日01時27分 読売新聞）
Oct 10, 2012
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首都高速道路 東京再生につながる改修を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 8, 2012)Revamping Tokyo's expressways could give capital a boost首都高速道路 東京再生につながる改修を（10月7日付・読売社説）How should a large-scale renovation be undertaken on Tokyo's aging expressway system? 老朽化が進む首都高速道路の大規模改修をどう進めるか。This is a crucial task that will affect disaster prevention preparations, redevelopment projects and distribution networks in the metropolitan area.首都圏の防災や再開発、流通網にも影響する重要な課題だ。An expert panel of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has compiled a package of recommendations that call for the elevated Inner Circular Route to be shifted underground and for other routes of the weblike network to be revamped. We can understand why the recommendations go further than simply proposing an upgrade of the expressways and instead urge that Tokyo's shutoko tollways be radically overhauled. 国土交通省の有識者会議が、都心環状線の地下移設やルート変更などを柱とする提言をまとめた。単なる設備更新にとどまらず、首都高の抜本再生を求めた点は理解できる。We hope the ministry will launch studies with the Tokyo metropolitan government and Metropolitan Express Co., the operator of the network, about specifics of the envisioned changes. 国交省は東京都や首都高会社と具体策の検討に入ってほしい。Tokyo's expressways extend across the capital and three neighboring prefectures, making the network a major transport artery for the entire national economy. １都３県にまたがる首都高は、日本経済を支える大動脈だ。===Dangerous curves, junctionsThis year marks the 50th year since the first section of the expressway system opened. About 30 percent of the network's 300 kilometers was built at least 40 years ago. しかし、最初の区間が開通してから今年で５０年を迎え、総延長３００キロのうち３割は完成後４０年以上が経過した。The expressways need repairs at nearly 100,000 locations, a threefold increase from seven years ago. Temporary fixes are approaching the limit of their usefulness. 補修が必要な損傷箇所は１０万近く、７年間で３倍に増えた。応急処置も限界だ。To build as many expressways as possible in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, most were constructed above existing roads and waterways to avoid land procurement problems. The result is that 95 percent of expressways are elevated or in tunnels, making it an unusual network by global standards. 東京五輪に間に合わせるため、用地買収が不要な道路や水路の上の空間を利用した結果、全体の９５％が高架橋やトンネルという世界でも特異な道路となっている。The ministry panel focused its discussions on the Inner Circular Route because it has many tight curves and hazardous junctions on roads threading their way through densely built-up areas. Traffic accidents and congestion occur frequently. In addition, making expressways more earthquake-resistant is urgently needed in preparation for an expected powerful epicentral quake with its focus below Tokyo. 有識者会議が都心環状線を問題視したのは、建物の間を縫う急カーブや無理な合流地点が多く、事故や渋滞が多発しているからだ。首都直下型地震に備えるため、耐震強化は急務だろう。One of the panel's recommendations was to dismantle elevated sections that spoil Tokyo's landscape and hang ominously over areas and people below. This could be a good option for a new expressway system. 東京の景観を損ね、周囲に圧迫感を与えている高架橋を撤去し、地下化を進める案は選択肢になりうるのではないか。The biggest problem, of course, will be coming up with the more than 4 trillion yen that would be needed for this massive project. だが、最大の問題は、４兆円を超えるともされる巨額の建設費をどう確保するかである。Considering the increasingly stringent government finances, the panel quite rightly pointed out that restructuring the expressways "should be funded not by counting on government money as much as possible, but instead mainly by toll revenues." 厳しい財政事情を考えれば、有識者会議が「税金に極力頼らず、料金収入を中心に対応すべきだ」と指摘したのは当然と言える。===Draw lessons from overseasHowever, a large jump in tolls could earn the ire of expressway users. Harnessing private-sector funds as much as possible by such means as selling land that will become vacant in prime locations after elevated sections are dismantled should be scrutinized. ただし、通行料金の大幅な値上げは、利用者の反発を招きかねない。高架の撤去後に空いた一等地の売却などで、できるだけ民間資金を活用する工夫が要る。About 60 percent of vehicles that use the Inner Circular Route simply drive through the heart of Tokyo. This is a major cause of the chronic traffic jams, a situation that must be taken into account in remodeling the expressways. 都心環状線に流入する車の６割は通過するだけで、それが慢性的な渋滞の原因となっている現状も併せて改善したい。Some observers argue that the Inner Circular Route could be done away with by improving routes that form a concentric pattern in outer areas of the Inner Circular Route, such as the Central Circular Route and Tokyo Outer Ring Road, or Gaikando. 首都圏の迂回(うかい)ルートとして、都心環状線の外側に同心円状に位置する中央環状線や、東京外郭環状道路の整備が進めば、都心環状線は不要だとする意見もある。The reconstruction of expressways has rejuvenated the central part of many major cities, such as Seoul, Seattle, Duesseldorf and Paris. We hope these cities provide useful references for Tokyo's case. 世界では近年、ソウル、シアトル、デュッセルドルフ、パリなど都心部の高速道路改修を都市再生につなげた事例が多い。大いに参考にしてもらいたい。The Tokyo metropolitan expressway system is not alone in nearing the end of its expected service life. Many roads, bridges and water and sewerage systems built by the central and local governments across the country during Japan's high-growth days also are becoming decrepit. 首都高に限らず、全国各地で高度成長期に国や自治体が整備した道路や橋、上下水道などが軒並み耐用年数を迎えている。Renovating Tokyo's expressway network, if done successfully, could be a good model for upgrading aging infrastructure throughout the country.首都高改修への取り組みは、老朽インフラ再生のモデルになるはずだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 7, 2012)（2012年10月7日01時27分 読売新聞）
Oct 9, 2012
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秋の臨時国会 先送りは政権の責任放棄だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 7, 2012)Govt must convene Diet swiftly and not abdicate responsibility秋の臨時国会 先送りは政権の責任放棄だ（10月6日付・読売社説）Moves are afoot that may lead to postponement of talks between the leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the two major opposition parties, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, as well as delay the convocation of an extraordinary Diet session that was scheduled for this autumn. 民主、自民、公明３党の党首会談と秋の臨時国会が先送りされるような動きが強まってきた。This undoubtedly runs contrary to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's stated goal of realizing "politics capable of making resolute decisions." 野田首相が掲げる「決断する政治」に、明らかに逆行している。The LDP's new president, Shinzo Abe, met Komeito chief Natsuo Yamaguchi on Friday, and they agreed to pressure Noda to dissolve the House of Representatives for a general election this year, based on the prime minister's pledge in August to do so "sometime soon." 自民党の安倍総裁と公明党の山口代表が会談し、「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙という首相の約束に基づき、「年内の解散」を要求する方針で一致した。In the meeting, Yamaguchi said voting and vote counting for a general election should be completed no later than Dec. 9, a date he considered a "commonsense" time limit.山口氏は１２月９日投開票が「常識的なリミット（期限）」と指摘した。The heads of the two major opposition parties also confirmed they would press the prime minister in a meeting of the three parties' chiefs to clearly explain how he would pass a bill submitted by the government to enable the issuance of deficit-covering bonds. 両氏は、赤字国債発行を可能にする特例公債法案の成立への「解決策」を首相が３党首会談で示すよう求めることも確認した。===Govt, DPJ bear more blameNoda's pledge to dissolve the lower house soon was part of the three-party agreement reached over comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems. We see the demand made by the LDP and Komeito for this pledge to be fulfilled as reasonable. 「近いうち」の解散は、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民自公３党合意に含まれる。自公両党が履行を求めるのは理解できる。A delay in passing the bond bill would force the government to cut back on spending called for in the state budget, which could adversely impact local government finances and people's lives. The opposition camp, therefore, should not make approval of the bond bill contingent on dissolving the lower house. ただ、特例公債法案成立が遅れれば、政府予算の執行抑制により地方財政や国民生活に一層の悪影響を及ぼす。野党は、解散を法案成立の条件にすべきではない。However, more problematic by far is how the government and the DPJ have dealt with these matters. 無論、より問題が大きいのは政府・民主党の対応である。It should be noted that it was Noda's idea to hold a meeting of the leaders of the three parties, as he wanted to "reconfirm the three-party agreement" on social security and tax reform. そもそも「一体改革の３党合意を再確認したい」と３党首会談を言い出したのは、野田首相だ。However, the prime minister and his party have failed even to sound out the LDP and Komeito about the feasibility of a meeting of the heads of the three parties, despite a full week having passed since Abe became LDP president. We feel the DPJ sorely lacks the sense of responsibility required of a ruling party.安倍氏の総裁選出後、既に１週間以上になるのに、会談の打診さえしていないのは、政権党の自覚を欠いているのではないか。Moves by DPJ lawmakers to leave the party have continued even after the party's leadership election last month. If eight more DPJ Diet members were to bolt, the ruling bloc would lose its majority in the lower house. 民主党は代表選後も離党の動きが収まらない。あと８人が離党すれば与党全体でも衆院の過半数を割る。The party also fears that if an extraordinary Diet session were convened without an agreement in place with the LDP and Komeito on key issues, the ruling camp would be unable to defeat a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, thus forcing the prime minister to dissolve the lower house.自公両党との合意もなしで臨時国会を開けば、内閣不信任決議案を否決できず、解散に追い込まれかねないとの懸念がある。===No excuse for procrastinationThe revelation that a prefectural DPJ chapter headed by Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka received donations from a company run by a Taiwan national has dealt a fresh blow to the Noda administration. 田中法相が代表を務める党総支部が、在日台湾人の経営する会社から政治献金を受けていたことも政権への新たな打撃となった。Earlier, the DPJ faced two similar scandals where political donations from foreign nationals, which are banned by the Political Funds Control Law, were accepted by former Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Seiji Maehara, the current state minister in charge of national policy. 民主党では、菅前首相や前原国家戦略相にも外国人献金が発覚している。The fact that Tanaka was appointed to the Cabinet without sufficient investigation into whether he was free of such problems makes us question the DPJ's capacity to govern.同様の問題がないか、事前に十分確認することなく、田中氏を入閣させたこと自体、党の統治能力に疑問符が付く。The government choosing not to convene a Diet session for fear of being brought to task by the opposition over these issues would be a grave mistake in terms of priorities. こうした問題などを追及されることを恐れて、国会を開かないというなら、本末転倒である。No time must be wasted in passing the bill to allow deficit-covering bonds to be issued, as well as legislation to rectify vote-value disparities in lower house elections. These urgent political tasks must be accomplished through an extraordinary Diet session as early as possible. 特例公債法案や衆院選の「１票の格差」是正は、もはや先送りができない。早急に臨時国会を開き、優先的に処理すべきだ。The Noda Cabinet should not be allowed to put off convening the Diet while trying to shift the blame for being unable to issue deficit-covering bonds to the opposition and asserting the lower house cannot be dissolved because of the "state of unconstitutionality" of the electoral system. 野田政権が国会召集を先延ばしする一方で、赤字国債が発行できない責任を野党に押しつけ、「違憲状態」では解散できないと主張するのは、許されない。It is questionable whether any administration that fails to address policy matters and attempts to delay dissolution of the lower house is fit to survive. 政策に取り組まず、解散を遅らせることを目標とするような政権は、存在意義が問われる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2012)（2012年10月6日01時06分 読売新聞）
Oct 8, 2012
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米大統領選討論 ロムニー善戦でオバマ守勢に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 6, 2012)Romney's good fight put Obama on the defensive米大統領選討論 ロムニー善戦でオバマ守勢に（10月5日付・読売社説）Democratic incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican nominee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney had a face-to-face confrontation Wednesday in Denver in their first televised debate ahead of the U.S. presidential election to be held on Nov. 6. １１月６日の米大統領選投開票に向け、民主党候補のオバマ大統領と共和党候補のロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事が直接対決する、第１回テレビ討論会が行われた。Presidential debates, three of which will be held this year, are important events that give voters a chance to evaluate the candidates based on aspects of how they look on TV, such as their expressions and demeanor, as well as what they debate. 計３回行われる討論会は、討論の中身は無論、表情や態度などテレビ映りの良さが有権者の判断材料となる重要なイベントだ。The debates are critical for Romney to turn the tables on his rival as he sees the voters' support for him remain sluggish partly due to his own verbal lapses. As his approval ratings have been plummeting in closely contested states, there will be no hope for Romney to win the race if he fails in the debates. 自らの失言で支持率がなかなか伸びないロムニー氏にとって、劣勢を挽回する重要な機会である。激戦州で支持率が急落していただけに失敗すれば勝ち目はない。In polls taken right after the debate, Romney appeared to be viewed as the winner, probably because his going aggressively on the offensive proved effective. It can be said the ultimate outcome of the race has become uncertain again. 終了直後の世論調査でロムニー氏に軍配が上がったのは、積極的に攻めに出たのが功を奏した結果だろう。選挙戦の行方は再び混沌(こんとん)としてきたと言える。===Romney was in his elementEconomic and domestic issues, the focus of the first debate, were where Romney, who has succeeded as a corporate executive, is at his strongest. 第１回討論のテーマ「経済・内政」は、経営者として成功したロムニー氏の得意分野だった。The U.S. economy is in a critical state. It has been unable to pull itself out of its slowdown, and the jobless rate remains high. No president has ever been reelected since the end of World War II with the jobless rate hovering in the 8-percent range. 米経済の状況は厳しい。景気減速から抜け出せず、失業率は高止まりしている。第２次世界大戦後、失業率８％台で再選された米大統領はいない。The first debate proved advantageous for Romney as he criticized Obama's misadministration in the past four years, while Obama, aiming to be reelected, was forced onto the defensive. ４年間の「失政」を攻撃するロムニー氏には有利で、再選を目指すオバマ氏は防戦に追われた。Both candidates are being tested as to how they would realize a robust economic recovery and whether each can present any effective prescriptions to that end. In the debate, the differences in their policies have come to light once again. 両候補に問われているのは、力強い景気回復をどう実現していくのか、実効性ある処方箋を示すことである。討論では、政策の違いが改めて浮かび上がった。Obama's stance attaches great importance to the role of the federal government in creating jobs. He put forward his cherished ideas, such as tax cuts for middle-income taxpayers; the rehiring of former teachers; investment in schools, roads and other public infrastructure; and expanded use of renewable energy. オバマ氏は、雇用を創出するため、連邦政府の役割を重視する立場だ。中間所得層向け減税、教員の再雇用、学校や道路など公共投資、再生エネルギーの拡大などの持論を展開した。Romney criticized Obama's budget policies as fiscal expansion, while emphasizing the need to enhance the private sector's vitality by making sizable tax cuts, including ones for upper-income households, and deregulation. He also renewed his public pledges to promote the nation's energy independence and create 12 million jobs. ロムニー氏は財政膨張だと批判し、富裕層を含む大幅減税と規制撤廃で民間の活力を高める必要性を強調した。エネルギー自給の推進や１２００万人の雇用創出を改めて公約した。===Details needed on both sidesHow can financial resources be secured? Or how can such a large-scale job creation be realized without economic stimulus measures through more government spending? In the economic stimulus measures put forward by the two candidates, there are more than a few that need to be worked out in detail. 財源をどう確保するのか。財政出動による景気刺激策なしに大規模な雇用を創出できるのか。両候補の景気浮揚策には、詰めるべき点が少なくない。U.S. fiscal deficits have topped the 1 trillion dollars mark for four fiscal years in a row. The challenge of putting the fiscal house in order is an important task on which no time can be wasted. 財政赤字は、４年続けて１兆ドルを超えている。財政再建は待ったなしの重要な課題だ。In his budget-cutting plan to trim the deficit, Obama does not treat national defense spending as an exception. But Romney opposes cuts in such spending. How will fiscal rehabilitation affect future U.S. military strategy, which attaches importance to Asia? This is also an issue that is related to the national security of Japan. そのために必要な歳出削減で、オバマ氏は国防費も例外扱いにしないが、ロムニー氏は反対だ。財政再建が今後、アジアを重視する米国の軍事戦略にどう影響してくるのか。日本の安全保障にもかかわる問題である。Diplomatic issues will be one of the topics covered in the second and third debates. U.S. policy toward China will probably become a major issue. We would like to pay close attention to how the debates turn out, as they may decide which side will win in the closely contested presidential race. ２回目、３回目の討論では外交もテーマとなる。対中政策が大きな争点となろう。接戦の帰趨(きすう)を決める論戦の行方を注視したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 5, 2012)（2012年10月5日01時15分 読売新聞）
Oct 7, 2012
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生活保護改革 自立促す就労支援に本腰を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 5, 2012)Govt must do more to help welfare recipients find jobs生活保護改革 自立促す就労支援に本腰を（10月4日付・読売社説）The number of people receiving welfare benefits in Japan has reached a new record of 2.11 million, and they are expected to receive a total of 3.7 trillion yen this fiscal year. 生活保護の受給者は、２１１万人と過去最多を更新し、今年度の給付額は３兆７０００億円にのぼると見込まれる。The government must knuckle down to help people who need financial help become self-reliant.政府は、生活困窮者の自立支援に本腰を入れるべきだ。The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has drafted a set of measures to help people who need financial help. The measures--the first of their kind--focus on job assistance. The ministry plans to compile a livelihood support strategy by the end of this year and submit related bills during an ordinary Diet session next year. 厚生労働省は、就労支援に力点を置いた初の生活困窮者政策案をまとめた。年内に「生活支援戦略」として策定し、来年の通常国会で関連法案を提出する方針だ。About 300,000 welfare recipients are working-age people who have no jobs despite being capable of working. The proportion of such recipients has more than doubled over the past decade. 生活保護受給者の中には、働けるにもかかわらず、職のない現役世代が約３０万人いる。受給者に占める割合は、過去１０年で２倍以上に増えた。This is apparently the result of the nation's prolonged economic malaise. An increase in the number of nonregular employees who have no employment insurance has become a major contributing factor to this trend. 背景には、景気低迷の長期化がうかがえる。雇用保険に未加入の非正規雇用者が増えたことの影響が大きいと言えよう。According to the draft, the ministry would provide welfare recipients with opportunities to try light work in collaboration with local governments, companies and other organizations. This aims to help them restore their life rhythm, thus encouraging them to secure stable jobs. 厚労省案では、自治体や企業などと連携して、軽作業の労働体験の場を提供する。生活リズムを取り戻させて、安定的な就労につなげる狙いがある。===Rent assistance neededThe draft also proposes a scheme under which a portion of income a welfare recipient earns from work would be accumulated and given in a lump sum when they get off welfare. 生活保護受給中に就労で得た収入の一部を積み立て、保護から脱した時にまとめて受け取る制度も提案した。It calls for establishing such a framework because welfare recipients have their benefits reduced if they have an income.現在は、収入があると保護費が削られるからだ。We believe it is crucial to introduce measures like this one that motivate welfare recipients to join the workforce. こうした勤労意欲を促進する仕組みの導入は欠かせない。It also is important to help them find places to live. The draft calls for providing in-kind benefits by having local governments pay their rent to landlords. 住居の確保も重要な支援である。家賃は、自治体が直接払う現物給付とする方向だ。This would encourage landlords to rent rooms to welfare recipients because they would no longer have to worry about nonpayment of rent.家賃滞納の恐れがなくなり、大家が安心して貸すことが期待できよう。While encouraging welfare recipients to help themselves, it is also important to prevent low-income earners from reaching the point where they require welfare benefits. 受給者の自立を促す一方で、低所得者が生活保護受給に至らないよう支援することが大切だ。There have been reports that 25 percent of welfare recipients had parents who also received benefits. They must be helped to break the chain of poverty being passed from parents to children. 生活保護受給者の２５％は、その親も受給していたとの報告がある。親から子への「貧困の連鎖」を断ち切らねばならない。Many of these recipients graduated only from middle school or dropped out of high school. This clearly shows that people from families receiving welfare benefits often have fewer education opportunities than people from households not on welfare. 中卒、高校中退の人も多く、一般家庭との教育格差は否めない。The nation's small public expenditure on education has been blamed as a major factor for this trend.教育への公的支出が少ないことが一つの要因とも指摘される。===Families also have responsibilityThe ministry draft calls for providing learning support to children from households receiving welfare benefits, such as collaborating with the private sector to offer remedial classes to meet the needs of their families and local communities. 厚労省案によると、民間との連携で、家庭や地域の事情に応じて補習塾を開くなど、子どもたちの学習を支援する。It is natural that relatives should be asked to explain why they do not support a family member facing financial difficulties even though they have a duty to do so. Even the mother of a popular comedian was recently found to have received welfare benefits. お笑いタレントの母親が生活保護を受けていた問題もあり、扶養義務のある親族が扶養を断った際には、その理由の説明を求めることにしたのは当然だ。Of course, it is also necessary to ensure people do not illegally receive welfare benefits. 無論、生活保護費の不正受給対策も徹底する必要がある。Nevertheless, the elderly are the fastest growing group among welfare recipients due to the rapid graying of society and an increasing number of senior citizens who receive low pensions. ただ、受給者のうち、最も増えているのは高齢者だ。急速な高齢化と、低年金者の増加による。People who receive only basic pension payments have to get by on just 49,000 yen per month on average.基礎年金だけの受給者は、平均額が月４万９０００円に過ぎない。Reforming the welfare system should be conducted comprehensively along with overhauls in other fields, including employment, education and pensions. 生活保護制度の改革は雇用、教育、年金などの分野も合わせて包括的に進めなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 4, 2012)（2012年10月4日01時39分 読売新聞）
Oct 6, 2012
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「尖閣」外交 領有の正当性示す広報戦略を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 4, 2012)Govt should counter China's propaganda on Senkakus「尖閣」外交 領有の正当性示す広報戦略を（10月3日付・読売社説）China's propaganda campaign over the Senkaku Islands has run rampant, conveying false and improper messages to the world. 尖閣諸島に関して不当な主張を展開する中国の攻勢が激しい。The Japanese government should counter China's campaign by demonstrating the legitimacy of Japan's territorial claim on the islands to the international community. 政府は、日本の領有権の正当性を国際社会に訴えて対抗すべきだ。The newly reshuffled Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has approved the government's basic policy over the Senkaku Islands, which stipulated that the government will "fulfill its duties of defending the nation's land and territorial waters, including isolated islands, in accordance with international law." 野田内閣は改造に合わせ、「離島を含む領土・領海を守る責務を国際法に則(のっと)って果たす」との基本方針を閣議決定した。The government should redouble its efforts to tell the world that the Senkaku Islands are an integral part of Japan's territory.尖閣諸島が日本固有の領土であることを一層アピールしなければならない。This is necessary to cope with China's tactics over the islands--on top of flexing its muscles by sending surveillance ships to the waters around the islands, it has also been striving to control the direction of international public opinion. China has launched a propaganda campaign against Japan in the United States and Europe, such as by running ads in major U.S. newspapers claiming that the islands "belong to China." 中国が、監視船を尖閣諸島周辺海域に送り込んで示威行動を続けるだけでなく、「情報戦」にも力を入れているからだ。例えば、尖閣諸島は「中国のものだ」との広告を米主要紙に掲載するなど、欧米での宣伝工作に乗り出した。===Don't let China get the upper handJapan has maintained a consistent stance over the issue that "there is no territorial dispute over the islands" based on the facts that the nation's territorial rights over the islands have already been established under international law and Japan has effective control over the islands. 政府は尖閣諸島について、国際法上、日本の領有権は確立し、実効支配もしていることから、「領土問題は一切存在しない」との立場を一貫して取っている。Of course, there is no need for the government to change this policy, but if the nation continues ignoring China's claims, those claims may spread across the world. At a recent press conference, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said, "The nation's stance [over the islands] will remain unchanged, but we need to present our stance to the international community in an easy-to-understand manner." We regard Gemba's remarks as appropriate. 無論、その立場は堅持すべきだが、超然と構えるだけでは中国の言い分が広がりかねない。玄葉外相は記者会見で「わが国の立場は変わらないが、国際社会に分かりやすく訴える必要がある」との認識を示した。もっともである。The home page of the Foreign Ministry's website has a new banner labeled "Japan-China relations: Current situation of the Senkaku Islands," which links directly to a page explaining its view on the islands. For next fiscal year, the ministry has requested about 600 million yen for public relations, investigation and research over the nation's territorial integrity, including such work for the Senkaku Islands. 外務省はホームページに「日中関係（尖閣諸島をめぐる情勢）」と題したバナーを新設した。来年度概算要求にも尖閣諸島を含む領土保全のための情報発信や調査研究などに約６億円計上した。It is essential for the nation to conduct public relations activities tenaciously and with a clear strategic vision. 粘り強く戦略的な対外広報活動を続けることが肝要である。It is also important to swiftly respond to China's actions at diplomatic events. 外交の場で迅速かつ適切に対処することも欠かせない。Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi recently made remarks on the Senkaku Islands at the U.N. General Assembly. He claimed that Japan "stole" the islands in 1895 at the end of the Sino-Japanese War, and forced the Chinese government to sign an unequal treaty to cede the islands. 先の国連総会で、中国の楊潔チ(ヤンジエチー)外相は尖閣諸島について、「１８９５年、日本は日清戦争の末期に盗み取り、不平等条約で割譲させた」と訴えた。Yang's remarks were a distortion of historical facts. It was totally appropriate for Kazuo Kodama, Japan's deputy U.N. ambassador, to exercise Japan's right to reply in General Assembly debate. 歴史的事実を歪曲(わいきょく)した発言であり、日本の児玉和夫国連次席大使が直ちに反論したのは当然だ。===China's claims distort historyBased on international law, the Japanese government incorporated the Senkaku Islands into Japan's territory in January 1895 after confirming that the islands were not under Chinese control. The islands were thus clearly Japanese territory when the two nations signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the Sino-Japanese War, in April that year. Kodama explained the facts to the assembly and concluded that China's claims were untenable. 日本は９５年１月、国際法に沿って、尖閣諸島に中国の支配が及んでいないことを確認し、領土に編入した。この手続きは、日清戦争を終結させた同年４月の下関条約の調印前であり、「中国の主張は成り立たない」と強調した。It was only since the 1970s that the Chinese government began claiming territorial sovereignty over the islands, after the existence of an oil deposit was confirmed beneath the nearby seafloor. Before then, Beijing had never objected to Japan's possession of the Senkaku Islands. This fact clearly supports Japan's claims. 中国が尖閣諸島の領有権を唱え始めたのは周辺海域で石油埋蔵が判明した後の１９７０年代だ。それ以前、中国は日本の尖閣領有に異議を一切唱えていない。日本の主張を補強する材料と言える。The Chinese government has demanded that Japan admit the existence of a territorial dispute over the islands and settle it through dialogue. 中国は日本に対し、領土問題の存在を認め、「対話を通した問題解決」をするよう迫っている。It is important for Japan to have discussions with China to improve the strained relations with the country. However, efforts to advance discussions must never undermine Japan's stance over sovereignty. 日中関係改善のための協議は大切だが、主権に関する日本の立場が揺らいではならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 3, 2012)（2012年10月3日01時17分 読売新聞）
Oct 5, 2012
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野田内閣改造 日本の再生を託し得る布陣か
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 3, 2012)Can Noda's new Cabinet be entrusted to revive Japan?野田内閣改造 日本の再生を託し得る布陣か（10月2日付・読売社説） ◆「発信力」で田中文科相起用の愚◆Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has given favorable treatment to lawmakers seeking cabinet posts and obviously wanted to prevent more members from leaving his party ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election. The new lineup is characterized by such an inward-looking approach. 衆院選を控え、入閣を待望していた議員の処遇を図るとともに、これ以上の離党者を防ぎたいという「内向き」な姿勢の目立つ布陣である。Noda launched his third reshuffled Cabinet on Monday. The purpose of the reshuffle, he said, was "to further deepen cooperation between the government and the ruling parties and to strengthen the Cabinet's functions." 野田第３次改造内閣が、発足した。野田首相はその目的を「政府与党の連携を一層深め、内閣の機能を強化する」と述べた。The prime minister used a certain amount of ingenuity in the reshuffle by retaining core ministers, such as Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, and appointing lawmakers who held executive posts in the Democratic Party of Japan to key posts. 岡田副総理ら要の閣僚を留任させて、民主党の役職経験者を重要閣僚に配置するなど工夫は見られる。However, concern cannot be dispelled over whether the reshuffle will serve its purpose.だが、果たして狙い通りになるのか、懸念を拭えない。===Rework nuclear plant policy ◆原発政策の立て直しを◆When considering future national strategy and revival of Japan's economy, we wonder, first of all, why Noda retained Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano, who was responsible for allowing the nation's nuclear power plant and energy policy to stray off course. 今後の国家戦略や日本経済の再生を考えると、まず、疑問なのは原発・エネルギー政策を迷走させてきた枝野経済産業相を留任させたことである。Edano played a central role when the government drew up its innovative energy and environmental strategy, which set a target of zero nuclear power plants operating in the 2030s. 枝野氏は、政府が２０３０年代に原発の稼働ゼロを目指す「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」を策定した際、中心的役割を担った。Concerning this target, Edano was optimistic, saying, "As long as it's not done the wrong way, it will have a positive impact on the economy." 枝野氏は、原発ゼロについて「やり方を間違わなければ、むしろ経済にプラスだ」と楽観的な見解も示している。His remark seems to ignore the various issues that concern business circles, such as the impact mothballing nuclear power plants would have on the Japanese economy, job losses caused by the hollowing-out of industry and a decrease in the number of nuclear power engineers. こうした言動は、脱原発がもたらす日本経済への打撃や、産業空洞化に伴う雇用喪失、原子力関連の技術者減少など、経済界が懸念を示す様々な課題について軽視しているように見える。Under the circumstances, Edano can only be accused of irresponsibility as the economy, trade and industry minister has to ensure a stable supply of electricity as well as industrial development. これでは電力の安定供給と産業振興に責任を負う経産相として、無責任のそしりを免れない。A wide range of cooperation from the business world is essential in developing technological innovations for renewable energy. 再生可能エネルギーの技術革新を実現するには、経済界の幅広い協力が必要だ。Former DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Seiji Maehara, who assumed the position of state minister for national policy, and economic and fiscal policy, pushed the government to decide on the zero nuclear power policy as head of the party's Energy and Environment Research Committee. 国家戦略・経済財政相に就任した前原誠司前政調会長も、これまで民主党のエネルギー・環境調査会をリードし、「原発ゼロ」の方針決定を後押ししてきた。At a press conference after assuming his new post, Maehara said, "I'll promote a strategy to increase the nation's power, and work out plans for it." However, how will he overcome deflation and ensure the nation's growth while pushing for a zero nuclear power policy? 前原氏は、就任後の記者会見で「いかに国力を上げるかという国家戦略を推進し、企画立案する」と述べたが、「原発ゼロ」を推進する一方で、デフレ克服と成長促進をどう実現するのか。Mapping out a mid- and long-term basic energy plan will be a huge task. 中長期的なエネルギー基本計画の策定が大きな課題になる。In addition to opposition from the business community, the United States, which concluded a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Japan, has also expressed strong concern over Japan's nuclear power plant policy. It is crucial for Japan to improve its relationship with the United States. 経済界が反発していることに加えて、日本と原子力協定を結ぶ米国も日本の原発政策に強い懸念を示している。関係を改善することが欠かせない。Maehara, who once served as foreign minister, will find his ability to coordinate policy tested again. 外相経験もある前原氏の政策調整力が、改めて問われる。===Tanaka's appointment strange ◆党内不協和音収まらず◆The appointment of Makiko Tanaka as education, culture, sports, science and technology minister is mystifying. 田中真紀子元外相の文部科学相起用は、およそ理解し難い。Tanaka assumed the post of foreign minister during the administration of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, but it soon became apparent she lacked even a fundamental knowledge of diplomacy. Her frequent aberrant behavior in dealing with the ministry's bureaucrats led to diplomacy becoming totally dysfunctional. 田中氏は小泉内閣で外相に就いたが、外交の基本的認識さえ欠く始末だった。外務官僚との確執から常軌を逸した行動を繰り返し、外交を機能不全に陥らせた。It is obvious she lacks what it takes to serve as a cabinet minister. Of great concern is that she will lose control again and cause national politics to become chaotic. Noda said he placed great expectations on her communication skills. But if Tanaka's appointment is intended to help the DPJ in its campaign for the next general election, it would be like treating the general public with derision. 閣僚としての資質に乏しいことは明らかである。またもや暴走して国政を混乱させないか、大いに懸念される。首相は「発信力」を期待しているというが、仮にも選挙対策を考えたのなら、国民を愚弄する話ではないか。An analysis of the list of Cabinet members who were named for the first time indicates their appointments were made as rewards for supporting Noda's reelection as DPJ president and aimed at promoting intraparty unity. 新任閣僚の顔ぶれには代表選で首相再選を支持した議員への論功行賞、党内融和もうかがえる。Keishu Tanaka, one of the party's vice presidents and a former member of the now defunct Democratic Socialist Party, was appointed justice minister, while Wakio Mitsui and Ikko Nakatsuka, who both had close connections with former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, were named health, labor and welfare minister and state minister for financial services, respectively. 旧民社党系グループの田中慶秋副代表を法相に起用し、小沢一郎元代表に近かった三井辨雄氏を厚生労働相、中塚一宏氏を金融相に充てている。Noda's three rivals in the DPJ presidential election and their supporters received no cabinet posts. It seems likely that consideration will be given to their groups in appointing senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries. 代表選で争った陣営からの入閣はなかったが、副大臣、政務官人事で配慮するようだ。===Intraparty discordHowever, intraparty discord shows no sign of dissipating, and Noda will continue to be pressured over his management of the party. だが、党内の不協和音が収まる気配はない。引き続き難しい党運営を迫られよう。The prime minister stressed the need for cooperation between the government and ruling parties. His naming of former DPJ Diet Affairs Committee Chairman Koriki Jojima as finance minister is symbolic in this respect. 首相の強調する政府と与党との連携という観点では、財務相に城島光力前国会対策委員長を起用したことが象徴的だ。The appointment could serve as an indication that Jojima's connections with the opposition parties will be used to help pass through the Diet a special bill to enable the issuance of deficit-covering government bonds and steadily promote integrated reform of social security and tax systems. 野党とのパイプを生かして、赤字国債発行を可能にするための特例公債法案の成立や、社会保障と税の一体改革を着実に進めるというメッセージにはなる。Jojima's capabilities as finance minister will be put to the test during a meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank scheduled in Tokyo next week. 東京で来週開かれる国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会で財務相としての能力が試される。
Oct 4, 2012
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人生９０年時代 高齢者も社会の「支え手」に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 2, 2012)Help elderly people support themselves, others人生９０年時代 高齢者も社会の「支え手」に（10月1日付・読売社説）With many baby boomers turning 65 this year, the number of Japanese aged 65 or older has topped 30 million for the first time, accounting for 24 percent of the population. 「団塊の世代」が６５歳を迎える今年、６５歳以上の高齢者人口が初めて３０００万人を超え、全人口の２４％となった。Society as a whole must quickly make preparations to cope with the population's ever-accelerating pace of aging. 一段と加速する高齢化への備えを、社会全体で急がねばならない。In 2050, the average life expectancy is projected to be 83 for men and 90 for women, up from 79 and 86, respectively, at present. 平均寿命は、男性が今の７９歳から２０５０年には８３歳に、女性が同じく８６歳から９０歳に延びると予測されている。The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recently decided on a new outline of measures to cope with the aging society, which took a hard look at the arrival of an era in which more people will live to the age of 90. 「人生９０年時代」の到来を見据え、政府は、新たな高齢社会対策大綱を閣議決定した。The outline's key feature was a call for elderly people, who have been "supported" under the social security system, to become more capable of "supporting" themselves and others if they are willing and able to do so.従来は社会保障制度の下で「支えられる」側だった高齢者が、意欲と能力があれば「支える」側に回るよう求めたのが特徴だ。Indeed, elderly people today look far more youthful than they once did. 確かに、今の高齢者は、かつてのお年寄りに比べ、はるかに若々しいと言える。Men aged 65 can expect to live an average of another 19 years, while women likely will live for 24 more years--both about twice as long as people that age shortly after the end of World War II. ６５歳の人の平均余命は、男性１９年、女性２４年だ。それぞれ終戦直後の約２倍に延びた。===Many want to keep workingIn physical fitness tests conducted by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the physical strength of elderly people has been improving year after year.文部科学省による体力テストでも、高齢者の体力は年々向上している。It may be necessary to change conventional thinking that lumps all elderly people under the label of "weak." 高齢者を一律に弱者とみてきた旧来の意識を、変えていくことは必要だろう。Many people in their golden years are willing to work. A Cabinet Office survey found that more than 70 percent of men and women aged 60 or older want to work even after turning 65. 働く意欲が高い高齢者は多い。６０歳以上の男女を対象にした内閣府の調査では、６５歳を超えても働きたい人は７割を超える。The new outline also set a target of creating "a society that ensures people have the opportunity to work and participate in society throughout their lives." 高齢社会対策大綱でも、「生涯にわたって就業や社会参加の機会が確保される社会」を目指すことを掲げた。If elderly people can work and increase their income, consumption and tax revenues will increase. This would not only help rejuvenate the economy but also secure financial sources for social security programs. 高齢者が職に就くことで収入が増えれば、消費や税収が増える。経済の活性化はもちろん、社会保障の財源確保にもつながる。To achieve this, more companies will have to employ people aged 70 or older. It is also necessary to provide places where elderly people can volunteer to help with child rearing or nursing care. それには、７０歳以上の人を雇用する企業が、今以上に増える必要がある。高齢者が子育てや介護のボランティアとして活躍できる場を確保することも求められる。===Next decade will be crucialOn the other hand, the number of elderly people requiring support from others also will increase. The demand for nursing care and medical care will continue rising sharply until about 2025, when baby boomers turn 75 or older. The coming decade or so will be crucial for determining how society can build a sustainable nursing care system for the elderly. 一方で、支えが必要な高齢者も増えていく。団塊世代が７５歳以上になる２０２５年ごろまで、介護や医療の需要は急増し続ける。介護体制をどう整えるか、これからの１０年余が正念場となろう。While the elderly population will increase, people of working age will continue decreasing in step with the declining birthrate. At present, there are about three people of working age to support each elderly person; this figure is forecast to fall to about one 50 years from now. 高齢者が増える反面、少子化に伴って、現役世代の人口は減り続ける。１人の高齢者を支える現役世代の数は、現在の約３人から、５０年後にはほぼ１人となる。It is obvious that the current social security system will not be able to withstand such developments. 現行の社会保障制度では持ちこたえられないのが、明らかだ。A national council for social security system reform, scheduled to be established in line with an accord reached among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, must hold in-depth discussions on how to make the social security system sustainable. 民主、自民、公明３党の合意に基づき設置される予定の社会保障制度改革国民会議で、持続可能な社会保障制度について議論を深めるべきだ。Each and every member of Japanese society needs to consider how they should live a life lasting 90 years, so they can support themselves as much as possible even when they reach an advanced age. 高齢期も可能な限り自立できるよう、一人ひとりが「人生９０年時代」の生き方を考えたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 1, 2012)（2012年10月1日01時14分 読売新聞）
Oct 3, 2012
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シャープ再建策 「液晶の雄」挫折は重い教訓だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 1, 2012)Other firms must learn from Sharp's setbackシャープ再建策 「液晶の雄」挫折は重い教訓だ（9月30日付・読売社説）Even a company with cutting-edge technology and a strong brand will founder if it makes a mistake in the selection and concentration of its business. The setback of Sharp Corp., dubbed a giant of liquid crystal display panels, is a warning for the Japanese manufacturing industry. 最先端技術やブランド力があっても、事業の選択と集中を誤ると行き詰まる。「液晶の雄」の挫折は、日本の産業界に警鐘を鳴らしている。Amid a financial crisis, Sharp has compiled a rehabilitation plan centering on cutting more than 10,000 jobs and selling its television factories abroad. Highly evaluating the plan, Sharp's main financing banks have decided to extend a total of 360 billion yen in loans to the electrical appliance company. 経営危機に陥ったシャープが、１万人超の人員削減や海外のテレビ工場売却などを柱にした再建策をまとめた。これを評価した主力取引銀行が総額３６００億円の巨額融資を決めた。This has temporarily settled Sharp's cash-flow concerns and helped it move a step closer to overcoming its management crisis. 懸念されたシャープの資金繰りにひとまずメドがつき、危機克服に前進したと言える。Until several years ago, Sharp enjoyed outstanding business results because of the popularity of its LCD television sets manufactured at its Kameyama plant in Mie Prefecture, known as Kameyama models. シャープは、三重県の亀山工場で製造する液晶テレビが「亀山モデル」と呼ばれて人気を集め、数年前まで業績は絶好調だった。However, amid the yen's soaring appreciation and the weak won, South Korean companies have become more competitive and captured the global market of LCD panels and TV sets, displacing Sharp as the world's leading manufacturer of those products. The marked decline in prices of LCD panels and other products also hurt Sharp. ところが、超円高やウォン安が続く中、競争力をつけた韓国企業などに主力の液晶パネルやテレビで市場を奪われ、パネルなどの価格急落も打撃となった。===Overconfidence causes mistakeSharp spent a huge amount of money three years ago on construction of a state-of-the-art factory in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, to manufacture large LCD panels. But sales did not grow as much as expected, and the factory only worsened earnings results. 約３年前、大型液晶パネルを製造する最新鋭の大阪・堺工場を巨費で建設したが、販売が伸びずに業績悪化に拍車をかけた。The firm declared record losses in its consolidated financial settlement for the business year ending in March, and huge losses are expected in the current term, too. ２０１２年３月期連結決算で過去最大の赤字を計上し、今期も大幅赤字が見込まれる。Success of the Kameyama plant apparently led to overconfidence, causing Sharp to go astray in planning its business strategy. 亀山での成功が過信につながり、戦略を誤ったのだろう。This shows the grim reality that even a prestigious company with a history of 100 years can be forced to drastically restructure its business. 創業１００年を迎えた老舗企業ですら、抜本的な事業再構築を迫られる厳しい現実だ。First, Sharp must quickly enhance areas of its speciality including small and midsize LCD panels for smartphones, the market of which is expected to grow, and home electric appliances and copying machines. Another key factor in profitability is whether the firm can capture markets in emerging economies. まず、成長が期待できるスマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）向けの中小型液晶や、白物家電、複写機といった得意分野の強化を急がねばならない。新興国市場の攻略も収益確保のカギを握る。Optimism is out of the question for Sharp, and speed will be a decisive factor in overhauling the company. 先行きは楽観できない。経営刷新のスピードが問われる。Attention will now turn to partnership negotiations between Sharp and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a major contracted manufacturer in Taiwan. In March, Hon Hai agreed to maintain a ratio of investment in Sharp of 9.9 percent. After the price of Sharp's stock plunged, the companies began renegotiating the partnership, but the talks have made little headway. 焦点は、台湾の受託製造大手、鴻海(ホンハイ)精密工業との提携交渉の行方だ。鴻海は３月、シャープに１０％弱出資することでいったん合意したが、シャープ株価の急落に伴う再交渉が難航している。===Competition in global marketSharp desperately needs measures to further enhance its financial foundation through a partnership with Hon Hai and boost global sales of small and midsize LCD panels and other products. We hope Sharp will sign an agreement with Hon Hai as soon as possible. However, Sharp must be very wary of the outflow of its most advanced technology. シャープにとっては、鴻海との提携で財務基盤をさらに強化し、中小型液晶などの世界販売を増やす方策が不可欠だ。早期合意を目指してもらいたい。ただ、最先端技術の流出には要警戒である。Japan's manufacturing industry, including electrical appliance manufacturers, are facing the yen's soaring appreciation and intensified global competition. Japanese firms must learn a lesson from Sharp's case and strengthen their competitiveness by developing strategic products that anticipate changing market demand and exploiting growing markets. 電機業界など日本の製造業は、超円高と激しい国際競争に直面している。シャープを教訓とし、市場の変化を先取りした戦略商品の開発や、成長市場の開拓で競争力を強化せねばならない。The government also has an important role to play in supporting the nation's industry. The government must curb the yen's appreciation and try to secure a stable supply of electricity by reactivating nuclear power reactors around the country. It also must initiate active trade policies such as Japan's early participation in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact. 産業を支える政府の役割も重要だ。超円高を阻止し、原子力発電所の再稼働で電力の安定供給を図るとともに、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への早期参加など積極的な通商政策が求められる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 30, 2012)（2012年9月30日01時36分 読売新聞）
Oct 2, 2012
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日韓外相会談 対話継続で未来志向の関係を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 30, 2012)Govt must continue dialogue with South Korea日韓外相会談 対話継続で未来志向の関係を（9月29日付・読売社説）Although discussions on territorial issues have ended without progress, it is significant that both sides reconfirmed the need to improve bilateral relations. 領土問題は平行線だったが、２国間関係を改善する方針を確認した意義は小さくない。Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan, meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session in New York, agreed on the importance of trying to build "stable, future-oriented" relations between Japan and South Korea. The two sides also agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in such fields as the economy, human and cultural exchanges and security. 玄葉外相と韓国の金星煥外交通商相が国連本部で会談し、「安定的で未来志向」の日韓関係の構築に向けて努力することで一致した。経済、人的・文化交流、安全保障などの分野で協力することでも合意した。After South Korean President Lee Myung Bak made an unprecedented visit on Aug. 10 to Takeshima, the disputed islets in the Sea of Japan, a sequence of overly emotional actions taken by South Korea led to an angry round of finger-pointing between Tokyo and Seoul. ８月１０日の李明博大統領の竹島訪問後、韓国側の一連の対応はあまりに感情的で、日韓両国は一時、非難合戦に陥った。We are pleased to see the two countries at last beginning to move toward repairing bilateral ties from a broader point of view. ようやく大局的な観点から、関係の立て直しに動き始めたことを歓迎したい。Bilateral discord is certain to benefit North Korea in connection with such problems as its nuclear weapons development programs and abductions of Japanese and South Korean nationals. 日韓の足並みが乱れては、核や拉致の問題で北朝鮮を利するだけだ。===No progress on Takeshima As the main ally of both Tokyo and Seoul, the United States has expressed concern over the Japan-South Korea discord and encouraged Tokyo and Seoul to improve their relations. 日韓の対立については、同盟国の米国も懸念を隠さず、関係改善を働きかけていた。Stabilization of relations with South Korea is very important for Japan, which has become embroiled in a major row with China over the government purchase of three of the Senkaku Islands from a private Japanese citizen. 日本にとっては、尖閣諸島の国有化をめぐり対中関係が悪化している時だけに、対韓関係を安定化させる意味は大きい。However, rapprochement between Japan and South Korea may be limited while South Korean President Lee is in office. For the moment, the Japanese government, by taking into account the inauguration of a new government in South Korea scheduled for February next year, must continue dialogue with Seoul at the foreign ministerial and other levels. 李大統領の在任中の関係改善は限定的なものとなろうが、来年２月の韓国新政権発足後も視野に入れ、当面は、外相級などで対話を重ねることが重要である。Concerning the islets of Takeshima, Gemba and Kim could do nothing in their talks but reiterate their countries' territorial arguments. 竹島問題では、双方が従来の主張を繰り返すにとどまった。In his speech in the United Nations, Kim stated, "No country should take advantage of international legal procedures for political purposes." 金外相は国連演説で、「どの国も政治的目的のために国際法の手続きを利用すべきでない」などと語ったが、There should be no problem at all, however, for any country to argue its case based on internationally accepted rules.国際ルールに基づいて自国の主張を展開・実現することに何も問題はあるまい。Because South Korea has rejected Japan's idea of jointly taking the dispute over the islets to the International Court of Justice, Japan must calmly prepare to unilaterally take the case to the U.N. court. 韓国が国際司法裁判所（ＩＣＪ）への共同提訴を拒否した以上、日本は、単独提訴に向けて、準備を粛々と進める必要がある。Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in his U.N. speech emphasized the importance of "the rule of law," declaring Japan's position of "upholding the principle of solving territorial disputes peacefully by complying with international law." 野田首相は国連演説で、「法の支配」を重視し、領土紛争を「国際法に従い、平和的に解決する原則を堅持する」と宣言した。Noda also prodded all member nations of the world body to accept compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ.ＩＣＪに訴えられた際の応訴を義務づける「義務的管轄権」を各国が受諾することも呼びかけた。===China's high-handed diplomacySince 1958, Japan has recognized the authority of the ICJ, but a number of countries--including China and South Korea--do not accept the court's jurisdiction. 日本は１９５８年から義務的管轄権を受諾しているが、中韓両国などは受諾していない。As long as South Korea argues its claim to Takeshima, known as Dokdo in South Korea, is legitimate, it should hold its head high and fight out the issue at the ICJ. 韓国も、竹島の領有権の正当性を主張するなら、本来、ＩＣＪで堂々と争えば良いはずだ。Japan's appeal to the international community about its position of resolving territorial conflicts based on international law will distinguish it from China, which has been staging one-sided, high-handed diplomacy on the issue of sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. 日本が国際法に基づき領土紛争を解決する姿勢をアピールすることは、尖閣問題で一方的で高圧的な外交を展開する中国との違いを鮮明にする効果もあろう。In the meeting with Gemba, the South Korean foreign minister raised the issue of so-called comfort women, reportedly calling on Japan to take "measures at state level." いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題については、金外相が提起し、「国家的次元の措置」を求めたという。However, the issue between Japan and South Korea of wartime claims for compensation has been "fully and finally resolved" under the 1965 treaty for normalization of bilateral relations. 日韓間の請求権問題は、６５年の国交正常化時に「完全かつ最終的に解決」している。The government must steadfastly refrain from an easy compromise over this matter. 日本は、安易な妥協は厳に慎むべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2012)（2012年9月29日01時32分 読売新聞）
Oct 1, 2012
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