2014年02月の記事
全28件 (28件中 1-28件目)
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徳田議員辞職 政界去っても説明責任は残る
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 26, 2014Resignation is a start, but Tokuda is still accountable for an explanation徳田議員辞職 政界去っても説明責任は残る（2月26日付・読売社説）It is only reasonable that lawmaker Takeshi Tokuda has chosen to resign from the Diet, given the seriousness of the recent scandal concerning his relatives’ alleged involvement in massive election irregularities. We feel that his decision comes too late. 大がかりな選挙違反に親族が関わった以上、辞職は当然である。むしろ、遅すぎた決断だったと言えよう。On Monday, House of Representatives member Tokuda submitted a letter of resignation in connection with the scandal over violations of the Public Offices Election Law by people tied to the Tokushukai hospital group. His move comes after he left the Liberal Democratic Party in November. 医療グループ「徳洲会」の公職選挙法違反事件で、自民党を離党した徳田毅衆院議員が、議員辞職願を提出した。Since the scandal came to light last autumn, Tokuda has been frequently absent from plenary sessions of the lower house and committee meetings of the chamber. In this respect, he should be criticized as an extremely irresponsible Diet member. 事件が発覚した昨秋以降、徳田氏は衆院の本会議や委員会を繰り返し欠席している。国会議員として無責任に過ぎる。Shortly after tendering his resignation as a lawmaker, Tokuda gave a press conference in which he issued an apology for the first time in the ongoing scandal. However, he should have sought accountability when investigators first delved into suspicions surrounding individuals involved in his election campaign.今回、初めて記者会見で謝罪したが、自らの陣営に司直のメスが入った時点で、説明責任を果たすべきだった。The Tokushukai group is believed to have put more than ¥200 million to use bribing election campaigners and in efforts aimed at securing Tokuda’s win in the December 2012 lower house election. 徳洲会は一昨年１２月の衆院選で、総額２億円超の資金を運動員らの買収に充てたとみられている。Prosecutors arrested and indicted his mother, two of his sisters and some other figures in connection with the case, though his father, Tokushukai founder Torao Tokuda, has not yet been charged due to his suffering from an intractable illness. The elder Tokuda formerly served as a lower house member as well.グループ創業者で、徳田氏の父の虎雄元衆院議員は、難病のため立件されていないが、母親と２人の姉らが逮捕、起訴された。The sentencing session in the trial of one of Takeshi Tokuda’s sisters is scheduled for Wednesday. During the prosecution’s probe into the case, the sister, the family’s second daughter, acknowledged her involvement in the alleged electoral irregularities. 捜査段階で事件への関与を認めた次姉の判決公判が、３月５日に迫っている。Tokuda’s resignation comes just as he was set to be stripped of his seat on the basis of the election law’s guilt-by-association provisions. It is believed that the legislator timed his resignation announcement in consideration of the hearing of his sister’s trial.公選法の連座制の規定により、徳田氏の失職は避けられない状況になっていた。 辞職表明は、親族の公判日程をにらんでのことだろう。Tokuda’s selfish hopesDuring Monday’s press conference, Tokuda said, “I’d appreciate it if [the judicial authorities] acted with leniency [in passing judgment on the case].” The remark apparently reflected a desire on Tokuda’s part that his voluntary resignation from the Diet would encourage authorities to consider extenuating circumstances surrounding his relatives and other indicted figures in their sentencing decisions. We find this an extremely self-serving attitude. 記者会見で、徳田氏は「寛大な措置をお願いしたい」と述べ、自発的に議員辞職することで親族らの情状酌量を求めた。虫が良すぎると言うほかはない。The special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is investigating the case of the questionable transfer of ¥50 million in cash from Tokuda to former Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose. The focus of the probe, led by the prosecution’s special investigation squad, is whether the cash was intended to help finance Inose’s campaign for the Tokyo governorship in late 2012. 東京地検特捜部は、現金５０００万円が徳田氏から猪瀬直樹・前東京都知事に渡った問題について捜査を進めている。現金の趣旨が都知事選の選挙資金だったかどうかが、捜査の焦点だ。If the money was offered to Inose to fund his election campaign, he and his election staff could be accused of neglecting to write the fund into a report on income and expenditures incurred through his electoral bid. 仮に選挙資金であったのなら、選挙運動費用収支報告書に記載していなかった猪瀬氏側の刑事責任が問われる可能性もある。At the press conference, Tokuda declined to comment on the purpose for which the cash was intended, despite having admitted that he and Inose discussed the gubernatorial election when they dined together. “I cannot talk [about the nature of the money],” he said. 徳田氏は「猪瀬氏との会食で都知事選の話が出た」と述べたが、使途に関しては「私からはお話しできない」と明言を避けた。Tokuda also declined to speak about the details of his conversation with Inose. He defended his refusal to comment, saying the scandal is under investigation. However, Inose’s acceptance of ¥50 million in cash from Tokuda is already known to the public. Given this, Tokuda, as a key figure in the case, should provide an appropriate explanation of the nature of the money transfer. 捜査中であることなどを理由に、猪瀬氏とのやり取りも具体的には語らなかった。だが、５０００万円の授受は公知の事実だ。徳田氏は一方の当事者として、きちんと説明すべきである。The press conference also brought to light discrepancies in the explanations given by Tokuda and Inose about the funds. When asked whether Inose had asked him for the loan, Tokuda said, “I think so.” 猪瀬氏の説明との食い違いも明らかになった。「猪瀬氏から貸してほしいとの依頼があったのか」との質問に、徳田氏は「そのように認識している」と答えた。However, Inose has asserted that Tokuda himself made the offer to loan the money. 猪瀬氏は、逆に徳田氏からの申し出だったと主張している。Once again, we want Tokuda to explain his position on issues relevant to the scandal, including the Tokushukai group’s failed attempt to buy a hospital owned by the struggling Tokyo Electric Power Co. 徳洲会が取得に動いた東京電力病院の売却問題も含め、徳田氏の詳細な説明を改めて聞きたい。Tokuda’s resignation will mandate a by-election for his lower house seat in Kagoshima Constituency No. 2 in April. We hope the lessons learned from this scandal will be put into practice in how the election is conducted. 徳田氏辞職に伴う衆院鹿児島２区の補選は４月に行われる。事件の反省に立った選挙にしたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 26, 2014)（2014年2月26日01時31分 読売新聞）
Feb 28, 2014
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ウクライナ政変 安定回復へ欧露の責任は重い
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 25, 2014EU, Russia have grave responsibility to help Ukraine regain stability ウクライナ政変 安定回復へ欧露の責任は重い（2月25日付・読売社説）International cooperation is needed to help Ukraine regain its stability, a country beset by the rival influences of the European Union and Russia. 欧州とロシアのはざまで揺れるウクライナの安定を回復させるため、国際的な協力が必要だ。The administration of President Viktor Yanukovych has effectively collapsed, and Yanukovych was forced to leave Kiev in the face of fierce antigovernment protests. ウクライナのヤヌコビッチ政権が事実上崩壊した。大統領は、激しい反政府デモの中で、首都キエフからの退去を余儀なくされた。The parliament has approved opposition leader Oleksandr Turchinov as acting head of state and decided to hold a presidential election in May. Yet, how the current chaotic situation will unfold remains uncertain. 議会は、野党のトゥルチノフ氏を大統領代行として承認し、５月に大統領選を実施すると決議したが、混乱の行方は不透明だ。Yanukovych’s downfall was triggered when he reneged on plans to sign an agreement with the EU in November, centering on a free-trade pact. ヤヌコビッチ氏失脚のきっかけは、欧州連合（ＥＵ）と、自由貿易を柱とする協定で合意したにもかかわらず、昨年１１月、署名の段階で見送りを決めたことだ。Wary of seeing Ukraine move closer to the EU, Russia is believed to have made blatant approaches to the country by promising large-scale economic assistance in return for postponing conclusion of the EU accord. ウクライナとＥＵの接近を警戒するロシアが、協定締結延期の見返りに大規模な経済支援を約束するなど、露骨な働きかけを行ったためと見られている。The opposition and its supporters strongly protested and launched antigovernment demonstrations. Fighting between the opposition and security forces, which left more than 80 people dead this month, doomed the administration. 野党とその支持者は強く反発し、反政府デモを始めた。今月に入り、治安部隊との衝突で、８０人以上が死亡したことが、政権の命取りとなったと言えよう。Historically, Ukraine’s western region has been strongly influenced by the West, while the eastern region looks toward Moscow. Ever since its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, pro-Russian groups have attached great importance to the country’s ties with Russia, while pro-EU factions have been trying to bring the country closer to the EU. The rivalry between the two groups resulted in repeated changes in administration. ウクライナは、歴史的に、西部は欧州、東部はロシアの強い影響を受けてきた。１９９１年の旧ソ連からの独立以降も、ロシアとの関係を重視する親露派と、ＥＵとの接近を図る親欧州派が拮抗(きっこう)し、政権交代を繰り返した。Shift to West likelyYanukovych, seen as pro-Russian, was forced from power by pro-EU groups, and these groups, including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who had been imprisoned, seized power. Ukraine is likely to shift further toward the EU. 親露派と見なされたヤヌコビッチ氏が権力の座から追われ、服役中だったチモシェンコ元首相ら親欧州派が実権を握ったことで、ウクライナは今後、ＥＵへの傾斜を強めることになるだろう。Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hopes to use the success of the Sochi Olympics to move forward with the economic reintegration of the former Soviet bloc, probably feels as if he has been doused with cold water. ソチ冬季五輪の成功で、旧ソ連圏の経済的再統合に弾みを付けたいプーチン大統領は、冷水を浴びせられた思いではないか。If Putin, in an attempt to influence Ukraine, takes such hard-line measures as restricting supplies of natural gas to Ukraine, as Russia has in the past, the current turmoil will only worsen. We hope Russia will be prudent. プーチン氏が、ウクライナに影響力を行使しようとして、過去に行った天然ガス供給制限のような強硬措置をとるようなことがあれば、混乱は深刻化するだけだ。自重を求めたい。The EU should coordinate its views with Russia to prevent the situation in Ukraine from deteriorating. We highly appreciate German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s telephone conversation with Putin in which they agreed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be upheld. They also concurred that splitting Ukraine into eastern and western regions should be avoided. ＥＵは、事態悪化を防ぐため、ロシアとも調整しつつ関与すべきである。メルケル独首相が、プーチン氏と電話会談し、ウクライナの「領土の一体性維持」の必要性で一致し、東西分裂の回避で足並みをそろえたのは評価できる。With its massive external debt, Ukraine is said to be in danger of default. Assistance from the international community, including the EU, is the key to the country regaining stability. ウクライナは、巨額の対外債務を抱え、債務不履行の危険さえ指摘されている。ＥＵを始めとする国際社会の支援が、安定回復の鍵を握っている。Ukraine, which experienced the devastating Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, has inked an accord with Japan on nuclear issues, exchanging information and experts. We should keep a keen eye on how developments will turn out in the days ahead. チェルノブイリの原子力発電所事故を経験したウクライナは、日本と協定を結んで情報交換や専門家交流を行っている。政権崩壊の行方を注視したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 25, 2014)（2014年2月25日01時24分 読売新聞）
Feb 27, 2014
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Ｇ２０共同声明 世界成長２％底上げへ結束を
２０１３年に無謀とも思われる異次元金融緩和を実施した結果、円はあっという間にその価値を３０％も下げてしまいました。輸入品価格の高騰を考慮すれば、実質的な生活は苦しくなっているか、良くても横ばいだと思います。自国の通貨の価値が下がって喜んでいるのは世界で日本だけじゃないでしょうか。安部首相、三本目の矢はからぶりになる可能性が大です。一番大切なのが三本目の矢なんですが、ない矢は放てないといったところではないでしょうか。こちらは、ない袖は振れない状態ですが。お互い、がんばりましょう＾＾。（スラチャイ）The Yomiuri Shimbun February 24, 2014G-20 economies must stand together to attain 2% global growth targetＧ２０共同声明 世界成長２％底上げへ結束を（2月24日付・読売社説）Amid such concerns as the declining values of currencies of emerging economies, Japan, the United States and Europe should strengthen their cooperation with such emerging economies as China and Brazil to help accelerate the growth of the global economy. 新興国通貨安などへの懸念がくすぶる中、世界の成長加速に向けて、日米欧と、中国、ブラジルなど新興国の連携強化が問われよう。With both industrially advanced nations and emerging market economies taking part, the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors adopted a joint communique at the close of a two-day meeting in Sydney on Sunday. 先進国と新興国が参加し、シドニーで開かれた主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）財務相・中央銀行総裁会議は共同声明を採択した。The communique said, “Despite these recent improvements [in such countries as the United States, Britain and Japan], the global economy remains far from achieving strong, sustainable and balanced growth.” 共同声明は「世界経済は改善しているが、力強く持続的で均衡の取れた成長にはほど遠い」と分析した。It went on to declare a new target for raising global growth “with the aim to lift our collective GDP by more than 2 percent...over the coming five years,” a potent message for the future of the world economy.その上で、「今後５年間で世界全体の成長率を２％以上引き上げる」という新目標を明記したことは強いメッセージである。The G-20 meeting confirmed that each of its member economies will work out an action plan in time for a G-20 summit scheduled to be held in Brisbane, Australia, in November. Ｇ２０は、１１月に豪ブリスベーンで開く首脳会議までに「行動計画」をまとめる方針を示した。This is the first time the G-20 has set a numerical target for global growth. Ｇ２０が成長率引き上げの数値目標を設定するのは初めてだ。The establishment of this target comes as not all is well with the global economy, although there are some bright signs. It seems the participants in the meeting agreed on the need to demonstrate their resolve to work together for sustainable growth by laying down a numerical goal. その背景には、明るさが出てきたとは言え、世界経済への警戒感を拭えないことが指摘できる。２％という数値目標を設け、持続的成長を目指す決意を示す必要があると一致したのだろう。The International Monetary Fund has released its global economic outlook, forecasting a year-on-year global growth of 3.7 percent in real terms for 2014 and 3.9 percent for 2015. 国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）の世界経済見通しによると、２０１４～１５年の世界成長率は実質３・７～３・９％が見込まれる。Fears over ‘Fragile Five’The U.S. economy is clearly on its way to recovery, while business activities in the eurozone have become positive at last. Japan’s economy, too, is continuing to gradually recover. 米国の景気回復が鮮明になり、欧州経済もようやくマイナスからプラス成長に転じた。日本の景気も回復基調が続いている。What is worrying is that the slowdown of emerging economies, which replaced the industrial economies in propping up the global economy after the 2008 world financial crisis, has become increasingly conspicuous. 一方、０８年の金融危機後に先進国に代わって世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた新興国経済の減速が最近目立っていることが懸念材料だ。With the U.S. Federal Reserve Board having launched its “exit strategy” by tapering its quantitative monetary easing, the value of the currencies of the so-called Fragile Five emerging economies, including Turkey and India, are under increasing downward pressure. 米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が量的緩和策を縮小する「出口戦略」に踏み出したのを機に、トルコ、インドなど「フラジャイル５（脆弱(ぜいじゃく)な５か国）」と呼ばれる新興国で通貨安が加速した。The depreciation of these currencies has been caused by the fact that the massive amounts of cash, which flowed into from abroad while the Fed’s extraordinary monetary easing policy was in place, are now flowing out of them. It is essential to stem the vicious cycle of the global market being pummeled by erratic situations in emerging economies and slides in their currencies. 新興国に流れ込んでいた緩和マネーが引き揚げているのが要因で、新興国経済の変調や通貨安によって世界の市場が動揺する悪循環を食い止める必要がある。Apparently focusing on emerging economies affected by the weakening of their currencies, the G-20 communique this time has rightly noted the need to “further strengthen...macroeconomic, structural and financial policy frameworks.” We hope to see them step up efforts to address such challenges as swelling current account deficits and runaway inflation. Ｇ２０声明が通貨安に見舞われた新興国を念頭に、「経済政策や構造改革を強化すべきだ」と指摘したのは妥当だろう。巨額の経常赤字や高インフレといった課題の克服を加速してもらいたい。Also incorporated in the communique is a passage to the effect that the United States should consider the effects of the handling of its financial policy on the global economy. 声明は米金融政策に関連し「世界経済に与える影響に配慮する」との文言も盛り込んだ。In tapering its monetary easing policy, the Fed should exercise ingenuity in its “dialogue with the market” by noting changes in emerging economies.ＦＲＢは金融緩和策縮小に当たって、新興国経済への目配りなど「市場との対話」の工夫が求められる。High expectations are placed on Japan’s role in accelerating the pace of global growth. 世界経済の成長を加速するため日本への期待も大きい。No time should be wasted in beefing up the third pillar of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policy—growth strategy.安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の３本目の矢である成長戦略の強化を急がねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 24, 2014)（2014年2月24日01時27分 読売新聞）
Feb 26, 2014
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竹島の日 内外に訴えよ韓国の不法占拠
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 23, 2014Japan should present case abroad, at home on Takeshima occupation 竹島の日 内外に訴えよ韓国の不法占拠（2月23日付・読売社説）The Takeshima islands in Shimane Prefecture are an inherent part of Japanese territory, but South Korea has been illegally occupying them. It is important that many more Japanese people share this understanding. 竹島は日本固有の領土であるのに、現在は、韓国が不法占拠している。この認識を、より多くの国民が共有することが肝要である。The Shimane prefectural government has held its ninth “Takeshima Day” ceremony. Yoshitami Kameoka, parliamentary secretary of the Cabinet Office, represented the government at the ceremony and said in a speech, “The government will do its best to solve the Takeshima issue rationally and peacefully.” 島根県が第９回「竹島の日」記念式典を開催した。政府代表の亀岡偉民内閣府政務官は、「竹島問題の冷静かつ平和的な解決に全力で取り組む」とあいさつした。Feb. 22 is the day that Japan incorporated the Takeshima islands into Shimane Prefecture in 1905. The prefecture enacted the “Takeshima Day” ordinance in 2005 and has been organizing the ceremony on the day every year since 2006. It is highly praiseworthy that the prefecture has steadily continued its Takeshima awareness campaign. ２月２２日は、１９０５年に竹島が島根県に編入された日だ。島根県は「竹島の日」条例を制定し、２００６年以降、毎年、この日に式典を開いている。竹島に関する啓発活動を地道に実施してきたことを高く評価したい。Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government last year sent the parliamentary secretary of the Cabinet Office to the ceremony for the first time. Of course, resolving the territorial dispute is not easy and will take a long time, but the persistence of such awareness activities is important. 昨年、安倍政権が初めて内閣府政務官を派遣した。無論、領土問題の解決は簡単でなく、時間を要するだろうが、こうした活動を着実に継続することが大切だ。In the past, Japan used Takeshima as a transit point of maritime traffic and a fishing base, and established sovereignty over the islands in the mid-17th century. After the end of World War II, South Korea demanded the United States include Takeshima among territories Japan should give up, but Washington refused. 日本は、竹島を海上交通の中継地や漁業に利用し、１７世紀半ばには領有権を確立した。韓国は第２次大戦後、日本が放棄すべき領土に竹島を含めるよう米国に要請したが、拒否された。However, Seoul unilaterally established the “Syngman Rhee Line” in 1952 to demarcate the limits of its waters, including the Takeshima islands within its extended territory. It then illegally occupied the islands. South Korea has refused Tokyo’s proposal to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice. ところが、韓国は５２年に一方的に李承晩ラインを設定し、その内側の竹島の不法占拠を始めた。国際司法裁判所に付託するという日本の提案も拒否している。Raise awareness on islandsResults of a Cabinet Office survey released in August showed that 63 percent of Japanese polled knew that South Korea has illegally occupied the islands, and 61 percent realized they were an inherent part of Japanese territory. It is regrettable to say that these figures are not necessarily high. The government must make a greater effort to spread the correct understanding of the issue among the public. 昨年８月発表の内閣府世論調査で、韓国の不法占拠を知っている人は６３％、竹島を我が国固有の領土と認識している人は６１％だった。残念ながら高い数字ではない。政府は、竹島に関する正しい理解を広げる努力が求められる。In January, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry revised instruction manuals for its course of study for middle and high schools to stipulate for the first time that the Takeshima and Senkaku islands are inherent territories of Japan. This should help improve the public’s awareness of the government’s views on the Takeshima and Senkaku islands. 文部科学省は今年１月、中学と高校の学習指導要領の解説書に竹島や尖閣諸島を日本の領土と初めて明記する改定を行った。こうした領土教育は、政府見解の認知度を高める効果を持とう。It is also important to disseminate Japan’s views on the territorial issues among other countries in the world. The Foreign Ministry last year uploaded to its website video footage explaining the government views on the territories in 12 languages, which attracted more than 1 million hits. 世界への情報発信も重要だ。外務省が昨年１０月、１２か国語で政府見解を説明する動画をホームページに掲載したところ、計１００万件超の視聴があったという。South Korea objected to the observance of “Takeshima Day” and demanded Tokyo stop sending a parliamentary secretary to the ceremony. However, its claim lacks legitimacy and is nothing but intervention in internal affairs. 韓国は「竹島の日」に反発し、政務官派遣の中止を求めている。だが、その主張に正当性はなく、内政干渉にほかならない。Tokyo decided not to organize a government ceremony to mark the day as the Liberal Democratic Party had stipulated in its policy pledges for the last House of Representatives elections. It also did not send the prime minister or other ministers to the ceremony, though Shimane Prefecture invited them. We think these are appropriate diplomatic considerations made with the South Korean government in mind. 政府は、自民党が衆院選政策集に掲げた政府式典の開催や、島根県の求める首相や閣僚の式典出席を見送っている。韓国に対する十分な外交上の配慮と言える。There are many other issues Japan and South Korea should work on together, such as North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord. The foreign ministries of both countries should carefully handle the dispute over the Takeshima islands so it does not become a major factor to hinder improvement of their bilateral relations. 一方で、北朝鮮の核問題や環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）など、日韓が協力して対処すべき課題は多い。竹島をめぐる日韓対立が、両国関係改善の決定的な障害とならないよう、双方の外交当局は慎重に対応すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 23, 2014)（2014年2月23日01時41分 読売新聞）
Feb 25, 2014
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河野談話 慰安婦証言を検証・公開せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 22, 2014Govt should publicize comfort women testimony cited in Kono statement河野談話 慰安婦証言を検証・公開せよ（2月22日付・読売社説）The government should thoroughly get to the bottom of the manner in which a 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on so-called comfort women came to be. いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題をめぐる河野官房長官談話がどのように作成されたのか。政府はしっかり解明すべきだ。At a Thursday meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, current Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he would study whether a government team should be established to examine the process of preparing the Kono statement. 菅官房長官が、衆院予算委員会で、河野談話の作成過程を検証する政府チームの設置を検討する考えを示した。The Kono statement expressed “apologies and remorse” to former comfort women. However, it has become clear that testimony by 16 former comfort women from South Korea—on which the statement was based—was not backed up by documents or other evidence. 河野談話は、元慰安婦に対する「おわびと反省の気持ち」を表明したもので、１９９３年に発表された。だが、河野談話の根拠となる元韓国人慰安婦１６人の証言に、なんら資料的裏付けがないことは、既に明らかになっている。Suga also said it was desirable to study the issue from academic points of view. It would thus be necessary to make public the transcripts of the former comfort women’s testimony—which are now classified—so historians and other experts can examine their contents. 菅長官は学術的観点からの検討が望ましいとも述べた。歴史学者らが内容をチェックできるよう、機密扱いになっている元慰安婦の証言録は公開すべきだろう。Thursday’s meeting was also attended by Nobuo Ishihara, deputy chief cabinet secretary when the statement was issued in 1993. 委員会には、９３年当時に官房副長官だった石原信雄氏も参考人として出席した。Ishihara, serving as an unsworn witness, said the government conducted interviews with the former comfort women at the urging of South Korea. “The atmosphere would not allow us to demand investigations to back up their testimony,” Ishihara told the committee. 石原氏は、韓国側の強い要請を受け、元慰安婦から聞き取りを行ったと述べたうえ、「証言の裏付け調査を要求できる雰囲気はなかった」と明かした。As the statement was issued without solid evidence, the Imperial Japanese Army has been viewed by the world as having forced young women to serve as comfort women. だが、確たる証拠もなく談話を発表したため、日本軍が強制的に若い女性を慰安婦にしたという形で世界に受け止められている。Statement spawns problemsIt is undeniable that the Kono statement has spawned many problems. 河野談話が禍根を残したことは間違いない。For example, a group of Americans with South Korean roots spearheaded a campaign to erect a statute of a girl symbolizing comfort women last year in Glendale, Calif. An inscription beside the statue says, “In memory of more than 200,000 Asian and Dutch women who were removed from their homes...to be coerced into sexual slavery...” Such a campaign has started spreading across the United States. 例えば、韓国系米国人が中心となって米国のグレンデール市に慰安婦像が設置され、碑文には「２０万人以上の女性が性奴隷にされた」と記された。米国各地にそうした運動が広がりつつある。Japan has been unable to wage effective counterarguments against South Korean campaigns, as the Kono statement included expressions that can be construed as acknowledgment by Japan of the forcible recruitment of women. 河野談話の中に強制連行を認めたかのような表現があるために、日本側は韓国側の主張に有効な反論を展開できない。As a questioner at the committee meeting, Hiroshi Yamada, a lawmaker from Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restration Party), asked Ishihara to clarify whether the government at that time coordinated the wording of the statement with South Korea while preparing it. 委員会で質問に立った日本維新の会の山田宏氏は、談話作成の段階で韓国側と文章をすり合わせたのではないかとただした。“It can naturally be assumed that the wording was coordinated,” Ishihara said, though he said he did not personally confirm it. It is extremely problematic if the core part of the statement—saying that “at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments”—reflected the wishes of the South Korean side. 石原氏は、直接確認していないが、「すり合わせは当然行ったと推定される」と応じた。談話の核心部分である「官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」との表現に、韓国側の意向が働いたとすれば極めて問題だ。The South Korean government, which had not raised comfort women issues for a while after the Kono statement was released, has brought them up again and again in recent years. South Korean President Park Geun-hye is seeking new solutions from the Japanese government. 韓国政府は、河野談話が発表された後、しばらくは慰安婦問題を提起することはなかったが、近年、蒸し返している。朴槿恵(パククネ)大統領も、日本政府に対し新たな解決策を求めている。The government issued the Kono statement to show “good will” toward South Korea in the interest of building a forward-looking relationship between Japan and South Korea. However, it became clear that its intention was never understood. The government must expedite work to examine the Kono statement and correct errors as soon as possible. 政府は、未来志向の日韓関係を築くために、韓国側に「善意」を示して、河野談話を発表したが、結局は通用しなかったということだ。河野談話の検証作業を急ぎ、誤りを正さねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 22, 2014)（2014年2月22日01時22分 読売新聞）
Feb 24, 2014
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集団的自衛権 憲法解釈の変更に問題はない
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 21, 2014Constitutional reinterpretation of collective defense right not problematic集団的自衛権 憲法解釈の変更に問題はない（2月21日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his willingness to review the government’s current constitutional interpretation to enable the country to exercise its right of collective self-defense. 安倍首相が、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするため政府の憲法解釈を見直すことに意欲を示している。The envisaged reinterpretation is undoubtedly necessary to ensure peace and security for the nation, and we throw our support afresh behind the prime minister’s thinking.日本の平和と安全の確保に必要であり、首相の考えを改めて支持したい。In Thursday’s House of Representatives Budget Committee session, Abe indicated his intention to seek Cabinet approval of a new constitutional interpretation of the right of collective self-defense after holding discussions with the ruling camp. The discussions will follow a government feasibility study of the reinterpretation focusing on the Cabinet Legislation Bureau and releasing a report by a government-appointed expert panel in April, he said. Abe also told the committee that his administration will subsequently address such tasks as revising the Self-Defense Forces Law. 首相は２０日の衆院予算委員会で４月に予定される有識者会議の報告後、政府が内閣法制局を中心に解釈変更を検討し、与党との調整を経て、新たな解釈を閣議決定する意向を示した。その後、自衛隊法改正などに取り組むという。Given such developments as advances in military technology and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the time has come when it is difficult for the country to fully ensure the integrity of its land and territorial waters single-handedly. 軍事技術の進歩や大量破壊兵器の拡散などにより、日本が単独で領土・領海を守り抜くのは難しい時代を迎えている。In light of such realities as China’s military buildup and maritime expansionism as well as the threat of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles, it is urgent and essential that Japan beef up its alliance with the United States, as well as other aspects of international cooperation, through changes to the government’s interpretation of the Constitution. 中国の軍備増強や海洋進出、北朝鮮の核ミサイルの脅威などを踏まえれば、解釈変更による日米同盟と国際連携の強化が急務だ。In response to an interpellation in a Budget Committee session last week, Abe said: “I am the one who is ultimately responsible [for a Cabinet decision on constitutional reinterpretation]. I, not the head of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, am also the one who will be evaluated by the people [regarding the reinterpretation issue] in an election.” His remarks, however, elicited objections even from some members of his own Liberal Democratic Party. 首相は先週、予算委で「（憲法解釈の）最高責任者は私だ。選挙で国民から審判を受けるのは法制局長官でなく、私だ」と答弁し、自民党内からも異論が出た。Since the government’s interpretation of the supreme law is statutorily up to the judgment of the cabinet as a whole based on advice from the Legislation Bureau, the prime minister’s statement is not wrong. It is regrettable, however, that his remarks seem to have created the misunderstanding that the prime minister can change the constitutional interpretation on his own as long as he can win an electoral victory. The prime minister is urged to be more scrupulous about providing convincing explanations. 憲法解釈は、法制局の助言を受けて、内閣全体で判断するもので、首相発言は間違っていない。ただ、選挙に勝てば首相が自由に解釈を変えられるかのような誤解を招いたのは残念である。首相には、より丁寧な説明が求められよう。Examining constitutionalityOn the other hand, some parties including the Democratic Party of Japan are far off the mark in lambasting Abe’s acknowledgement of the exercise of Japan’s right of collective self-defense through a constitutional reinterpretation as being tantamount to violating “constitutionalism.” 一方で、民主党などが、解釈変更による集団的自衛権の行使の容認を「立憲主義」の否定だ、と批判しているのは、的外れだ。Constitutionalism comprises two key elements: the guarantee of basic human rights and the separation of the three powers of state—executive, legislative and judicial. It places importance on governance in accordance with a constitution. Though a constitution places the government under constraints, it should not be considered the only thing that may be said about the top law. 立憲主義の基本的指標は、人権の保障と三権分立にある。憲法に従った統治に主眼がある。憲法の役割は権力者を縛るものだ、という考え方がすべてではない。The process through which the cabinet comes up with a new interpretation of the Constitution, the Diet approves legislation endorsing the reinterpretation and the judiciary adjudicates the legislation’s constitutionality explicitly conforms to constitutionalism. 内閣が新たな解釈を示し、国会がそれを裏付ける法律を整備し、司法が違憲立法審査を行うのは、立憲主義にも沿っている。What the government is now considering is a change of constitutional interpretation for the sake of maintaining the nation’s peace and prosperity in the face of a fast-changing security environment by ensuring a degree of logical consistency with the past government views on the matter. 政府が検討しているのは、過去の政府見解とも一定の論理的な整合性を保ちつつ、安全保障環境の変化に対応して日本の平和と繁栄を維持するための解釈変更だ。Yusuke Yokobatake, deputy director general of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, who has been said to be wary of altering constitutional interpretation, has said, “If the conclusion is reached that a reinterpretation of the Constitution should be deemed just and proper, it can no longer be said that no changes of interpretation are ever permissible.” 解釈変更に慎重とされた横畠裕介内閣法制次長も、「解釈変更が至当だとの結論が得られた場合、変更がおよそ許されないものではない」と指摘している。Changes of constitutional interpretation, as a matter of course, must not be allowed without limits. Should there be a danger of crossing such bounds, it would be more appropriate to revise the Constitution itself rather than its interpretation. 無論、解釈変更が無制限に許されるわけではない。限界を超える場合は、解釈変更でなく、憲法を改正するのが適切である。New Komeito, which has so far been reluctant to acknowledge exercise of the right of collective self-defense, has recently begun to indicate readiness to engage in discussions on the reinterpretation of the top law. Komeito Secretary General Yoshihisa Inoue has said on the record that his party does not “entirely oppose” discussing the issue. 集団的自衛権の行使容認に慎重な公明党も最近、解釈変更の議論に応じる意向を示し始めた。井上幹事長は「真正面から否定するわけではない」と語った。To increase public understanding on the matter, the prime minister should advocate the Constitution’s reinterpretation as important and necessary with his head held high.首相は、解釈変更の意義と必要性を堂々と論じ、理解を広げるべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 21, 2014)（2014年2月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
Feb 23, 2014
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オバマ外交 アジア重視へ日米韓の連携を
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 20, 2014Ties between Japan, U.S., ROK essential for Obama’s diplomacyオバマ外交 アジア重視へ日米韓の連携を（2月20日付・読売社説）To maintain peace and stability in Asia, the United States and its allies, including Japan and South Korea, must deepen their cooperative relations. アジアの平和と安定を維持するためには、米国と、同盟国である日本や韓国などが協力関係を深化させねばならない。U.S. President Barack Obama has started to reshape his administration’s “pivot to Asia” diplomacy in an effort to restructure the currently shaken cooperative relationship among Japan, the United States and South Korea. オバマ米大統領が「アジア重視」の外交政策立て直しに乗り出した。揺らいでいる日米韓の連携再構築が重要な課題だ。Earlier this month, after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, he visited South Korea, China and Indonesia. In late April, Obama is scheduled to make a tour of Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. ケリー米国務長官は今月、ワシントンで岸田外相と会談した後、韓国と中国、インドネシアを訪問した。４月下旬には、オバマ氏の日本、韓国、マレーシア、フィリピン歴訪が予定されている。Within Asia, China has made such conspicuous moves toward expansionism as the declaration of an air defense identification zone. The ongoing instability in North Korea has only heightened the nuclear threat. We believe Obama must have concluded that he ought to place greater emphasis on U.S. engagement with Asia. アジアでは、防空識別圏の設定など中国の拡張主義的な行動が顕著になった。北朝鮮では不安定な情勢が続き、核の脅威は増大している。オバマ氏は関与に本腰を入れるべきだと考えたのだろう。In a meeting with Kerry, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his desire to shape a “new type of major country relationship” with the United States. While the United States would like to discourage China from going too far militarily, the two countries’ relationship of mutual economic dependence has served to further increase China’s importance. 習近平国家主席はケリー氏に、「新しいタイプの大国関係」の構築を再び求めた。米国は中国を軍事的に牽制(けんせい)したい一方で、経済面では中国との相互依存関係が一段と高まっている。With complicated interests at stake, how can the two countries shape a “major country relationship”? It is indeed a difficult issue. 複雑な思惑が交錯する両国がどのような「大国関係」を築くのか。難しい課題となろう。In light of such circumstances, it is all the more indispensable for the United States to beef up cooperative ties with its allies. それだけに、米国にとっては同盟国との協力強化が不可欠だ。Crisis felt by U.S.Kerry has strongly urged the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers to improve their nations’ relationship. The U.S. administration must have felt a heightened sense of crisis over the deterioration of unity among Japan, South Korea and the United States, a cornerstone of its Asia strategy, due to Japan-South Korea confrontations over historical and other issues. ケリー氏は、日韓両外相に両国関係の改善を強く要請した。アジア戦略の要となる日米韓の結束が歴史問題などを巡る日韓対立によって損なわれていることに、危機感を募らせたからに違いない。At a joint press conference with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se, Kerry said, “We urge both of them [Japan and South Korea] to work with us together” to find a solution. His statement is regarded as an announcement that the United States will serve as a mediator between Japan and South Korea. 韓国外相との共同記者会見では「日韓が米国と共に取り組むことを求める」と述べた。日韓の仲裁に乗り出す方針の表明である。However, remedying the situation will not be easy. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wishes to hold a summit meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye with no preconditions. However, Park has put forth various conditions, including that Japan yield to South Korea over the so-called wartime comfort women issue. だが、事態打開は容易でない。日韓首脳会談について、安倍首相は無条件で開催する意向だが、韓国の朴槿恵大統領は、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題での譲歩など日本に様々な条件を付けている。We are also concerned that the Japan-U.S. relationship has been on the rocks since the United States announced its “disappointment” over Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine in late December. 昨年末の安倍首相の靖国神社参拝に米国が「失望」を表明して以来、日米関係がぎくしゃくしているのも気がかりだ。On the Yasukuni issue, Kerry said at the press conference, “I don’t think we need to dwell on it now.” However, the tone of some U.S. media outlets suggests distrust toward Japan. 靖国問題について、ケリー氏は会見で「これ以上こだわる必要はない」と強調したが、米国内には対日不信を示す論調もある。The Japanese side has also expressed dissatisfaction. On a video sharing site, Seiichi Eto, a special adviser to the prime minister, made a public statement criticizing the United States, saying, “It was we who were disappointed that the United States said it was disappointed.” Although he later deleted the upload, his actions caused controversy. 日本側にも不満が残る。衛藤晟一首相補佐官は、その後取り消したものの、ネット上で「我々の方が失望した」と米国を批判する発言を公開して、物議を醸した。Japanese Ambassador to the United States Kenichiro Sasae made a local plea for the U.S. government to clarify its stance. “We also want to see the United States make clear” who its friends and allies are, and who the troublemakers are, he said. 佐々江賢一郎駐米大使も米国で「米国は誰が友人で、誰をトラブルメーカーと考えているのかはっきりさせてほしい」と訴えた。We ask Obama, who is strengthening his administration’s commitment to Asia, to adopt an attitude that recognizes afresh the importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship. 日米関係の重要性を再認識する姿勢が、アジアへの関与を強めるオバマ氏に問われよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 20, 2014)（2014年2月20日01時37分 読売新聞）
Feb 22, 2014
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国連人権委報告 認定された北朝鮮「国家犯罪」
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 19, 2014U.N. inquiry finds systematic state-sponsored crimes by N. Korea国連人権委報告 認定された北朝鮮「国家犯罪」（2月19日付・読売社説）The United Nations has issued a stern accusation of state crimes committed by North Korea, including abductions of Japanese nationals. The organization’s condemnation is likely to stoke strong international pressure on North Korea, and it will be important to use this international pressure as leverage to bring a resolution to the abduction issue. 日本人拉致などの北朝鮮の国家犯罪に対する国連の厳しい告発である。北朝鮮には、強い国際的圧力となろう。 その圧力をテコに、拉致問題の解決につなげていくことが肝要だ。The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has issued its report on the state of human rights in North Korea. 北朝鮮の人権に関する国連調査委員会が報告書を公表した。The report acknowledges “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” and concludes that these behaviors are “based on state policies.” The report finds that the violations constitute “crimes against humanity,” and the investigation panel recommends that the U.N. Security Council refer the domestic situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court for action. 報告書は、北朝鮮による「組織的で広範かつ深刻な人権侵害」の存在を認め、「国家政策に基づくもの」と断定した。これらが「人道に対する罪」にあたるとして、国際刑事裁判所に付託するよう国連安全保障理事会に勧告した。The investigation panel was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in March last year, the product of a unanimous vote. The panel’s denunciation of state-sponsored crimes by North Korea is of great significance. The international community should not stand as an impassive observer, watching historic and ongoing human rights violations in North Korea. 昨年３月に国連人権理事会が全会一致で設置した専門家による調査委が、北朝鮮の国家ぐるみの犯罪を糾弾した意味は大きい。国際社会は、今なお続く北朝鮮の人権侵害を座視してはならない。The report is based on a massive quantity of testimonies made by many protected victims, witnesses and government officials in various countries. The document provided the entire picture of human rights violations in the country in a comprehensive manner. 報告書は、多数の被害者や目撃者、各国政府関係者らによる膨大な証言に基づいており、人権侵害の全体像を包括的に立証した。It details the chilling reality of human rights violations including prison camps, arbitrary detention, torture, public executions, starvation as a policy implement, suppression of freedom and discrimination. The report points out, quite persuasively: “The gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.” 強制収容所、恣意(しい)的な拘束や拷問、公開処刑、政策に起因する飢餓、自由の抑圧や差別など人権侵害のおぞましい実態を詳述している。「これほどの人権侵害がまかり通る国は、現代では類を見ない」との指摘には説得力がある。In particular, the report states unambiguously that abductions of foreign nationals including Japanese “were approved at the level of the Supreme Leader” under the three-generation dynastic regime of “Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un.” Michael Kirby, the inquiry panel’s chair, spoke of the possibility of examining the responsibility of Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea’s ruling party. 特に、日本人を含む外国人拉致は「金日成―金正日―金正恩」の３代世襲の体制下、「最高指導者の承認」で実行されたと明記した。調査委員長は金正恩第１書記の責任を問う可能性にも言及した。Seeking end to abduction issueNorth Korea provided no cooperation at all to the inquiry panel. It reacted strongly against the report, saying that the country “categorically and totally rejects the report.” However, North Korea cannot expect improved relations with the international community, indispensable to the rebuilding of its economy, unless it reverses the current woeful state of human rights in the country. 北朝鮮は調査委に一切、協力せず、今回の報告書にも「全面的に拒否する」と強く反発した。だが、人権状況を改めない限り、経済再建に不可欠な国際社会との関係改善は望むべくもあるまい。North Korea must, for example, take very seriously the report’s recommendations calling for the disclosure of complete information on abduction victims and the immediate return of surviving abductees to their home countries. 北朝鮮は、拉致被害者に関するすべての情報提供や、生存者の速やかな帰国などを求めた報告書の勧告を重く受け止めるべきだ。The report demonstrated that the abduction issue is a problem not only for Japan, but also a matter of grave concern for the international community as a whole. The panel’s findings can also be seen as one fruit of the diplomatic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who proactively engaged in the establishment of the inquiry panel. 報告書は、拉致が日本だけの問題ではなく、国際社会の重大な懸念事項であることを示した。調査委設置に積極的に関わってきた安倍首相の外交成果でもある。We hope the government will seize the opportunity presented by heightened international concern over North Korea’s human rights situation. It must urge North Korea to resume bilateral talks and do its best to realize the immediate return of all abduction victims, the hand-over of the perpetrators of the abductions and the uncovering of the full truth behind the abductions. 政府は、国際的懸念の高まりを背景に政府間協議の再開を北朝鮮に促し、拉致被害者全員の即時帰国、真相究明、犯人引き渡しの実現に全力を挙げてもらいたい。There is no end of defectors from North Korea who have been forcibly returned to the country after entering China, and there have been cases in which defectors living in China were abducted by North Korean agents as well. 中国に入国後、強制送還される脱北者も後を絶たない。中国に居住する脱北者を北朝鮮の工作員が拉致する事件も起きている。As a major power with influence over North Korea, China has a responsibility of its own to cooperate with the international community to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including helping to resolve the abduction issue. 北朝鮮に影響力を持つ大国として、中国には、拉致問題の解決を含めた北朝鮮の人権状況の改善に協力する責任がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2014)（2014年2月19日01時39分 読売新聞）
Feb 21, 2014
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米債務上限問題 不毛な対立の棚上げは前進だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 16, 2014U.S. Congress takes step forward by shelving showdown over borrowing米債務上限問題 不毛な対立の棚上げは前進だ（2月16日付・読売社説）With the turmoil in the U.S. Congress over government finances having been settled at last, the danger of President Barack Obama’s administration plunging into a debt default—the inability to service government bonds—has been averted, at least for the time being. 米国財政を巡る議会の対立が収束し、政府が国債の元利払いができない債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥る事態は当面回避されることになった。The ruling Democratic Party and the opposition Republican Party have repeatedly clashed over the debt cap issue, and the resolution for now of the thorny problem that has shackled the U.S. political system can be called a step forward. We welcome the congressional agreement. 与党・民主党と野党・共和党は混乱を繰り返してきたが、足かせとなってきた難題をひとまず棚上げできたのは前進である。合意の成立を歓迎したい。The House of Representatives approved by a majority vote last Tuesday and the Senate approved by a majority vote Wednesday an increase in the federal debt limit, with no conditions attached, on the statutory ceiling on government borrowing through March 15, 2015. The ceiling is currently set at about $17.2 trillion. 議会上下両院は、政府が借金できる限度額を示す法定の債務上限（約１７・２兆ドル）について、来年３月１５日まで無条件で引き上げる法律を賛成多数で可決した。Congressional approval was made possible by major concessions from the Republican Party at the initiative of senior Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner, that were in line with the assertions of Obama and his Democratic Party. オバマ大統領と民主党の主張に沿って、共和党が、ベイナー下院議長ら幹部の主導で大幅譲歩したのがポイントである。In October last year, a Democrat-Republican standoff prevented the enactment of the federal budget for fiscal 2014, leading to a partial shutdown of government organizations. Government liabilities subsequently reached the maximum allowed, threatening to cause the United States to default on its debts. Republicans came under particularly heavy fire from the public for continuing to take a hard-line attitude. 昨年１０月、民主、共和両党の対立で２０１４会計年度予算が成立せず、政府機関の一部閉鎖に追い込まれた。連邦債務も上限に達し、デフォルト寸前に陥った。特に厳しい批判を浴びたのが、強硬姿勢を続けた共和党だった。The ruling and opposition parties later agreed to temporarily nullify the debt ceiling up until Feb. 7 this year, but they failed to reach an accord to raise the ceiling in time for the deadline. 与野党はその後、今年２月７日までは債務上限を一時無効とすることで合意したが、期限内に引き上げられなかった。The congressional impasse came against Republican conservatives’ insistence that any increase in the debt ceiling should be met by spending cuts equivalent to the rise in the limit. その背景には、共和党の保守派を中心に、債務上限を引き上げる場合には、それに見合う歳出削減を求めるべきだという強硬論が出ていたことがある。Republicans under fireTreasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned that the government, even if making the best of budgetary handling, would default on its debts as early as toward the end of February. It seems that renewed turmoil over the debt ceiling would likely intensify public criticism against Republicans. ルー財務長官は財政のやり繰りでしのぐとしても、２月末にもデフォルトに陥ると警告していた。混乱が再燃すれば、共和党に対する国民の批判が一層高まるのは避けられなかったのでないか。Midterm elections will take place in November. Taking public opinion into account, the Republican Party may have found it advisable to lay down its arms at this stage. １１月には議会中間選挙がある。共和党は世論を意識し、この段階では矛を収めるのが得策と考えたのだろう。Toward the end of last year, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to set the budget for policy implementation at $1 trillion each in the coming two fiscal years, thus averting the risk of another government shutdown due to failure to pass budget legislation. 与野党は昨年末、２年間の予算の政策経費をそれぞれ１兆ドルとすることで一致し、予算不成立に伴って政府機関が再び閉鎖されるリスクも回避した。The settlement of these two issues, which should help stabilize stock and other financial markets, should serve as a tailwind for the U.S. economy, for which signs of recovery have been becoming brighter. 二つの懸案の決着によって株式市場などの不安要因が解消できたことは、景気回復が鮮明になってきた米国経済にも追い風だ。Arguments of the ruling and opposition parties, however, have remained wide apart over how the government should steer its fiscal policy. There are said to be people in the Republican Party who still criticize Boehner for being “weak-kneed” toward Democrats. ただし、財政政策を巡る与野党の主張は大きく食い違う。共和党内では、ベイナー議長に「弱腰」と反発する声もくすぶる。As a result, partisan confrontation may intensify all the more toward the midterm elections and the 2016 presidential election. このため、中間選挙や１６年の大統領選に向け、むしろ党派対立が一段と激化する可能性がある。Conservatives in the Republican Party, holding up the goal of “small government,” have remained steadfastly opposed to Obama’s health care programs for the elderly and poor. 「小さな政府」を掲げる共和党保守派では、大統領が推進する医療保険改革（オバマケア）への抵抗が根強い。We hope to see Democrats and Republicans constructively engaging in policy discussions over a wide range of issues, including measures to the benefit of middle-income families and steps for rectifying economic disparities in the United States. 中間所得層向け施策や経済格差是正策なども含め、建設的な政策論争を期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 16, 2014)（2014年2月16日00時04分 読売新聞）
Feb 20, 2014
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保険金不払い 顧客軽視の悪弊を断ち切れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 17, 2014Irresponsible practices of insurance firms must be thoroughly addressed 保険金不払い 顧客軽視の悪弊を断ち切れ（2月17日付・読売社説）It is a problem if practices of making light of customers still remain in corporate culture in a leading nonlife insurer. 顧客軽視の企業体質が根強く残っているとすれば問題である。It came to light recently that Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. had failed to partially pay out automobile insurance benefits that policyholders were entitled to over a period of more than 10 years. 損害保険大手の東京海上日動火災保険が、自動車保険の保険金の一部を契約者に支払わず、１０年以上も放置していたことが判明した。The unpaid cases concerned special benefits in auto insurance to cover extra costs, such as consolatory money to be paid to victims injured in accidents or otherwise. According to the insurer, there may be more than 100,000 special benefit policies left unpaid. 不払いが見つかったのは、交通事故でけがをさせた相手への見舞金などを補償する特約で、１０万件を超える可能性もあるという。Through an inspection of the life and nonlife insurance sectors led by the Financial Services Agency in 2005, nonpayment cases were discovered on an alarmingly large scale. The agency imposed a series of administrative punishments, resulting in a wave of corporate manager resignations. 生命保険と損害保険では、２００５年の金融庁検査で大規模な不払いが発覚し、行政処分や経営トップの辞任が相次いだ。With costly lessons learned, the insurance companies involved have taken measures to prevent a recurrence of nonpayments in the future. これを教訓に、保険各社は再発防止策を講じ、新たな不払いは起きにくくなっている。However, it is a problem that Tokio Marine has decided to exclude the special benefits contracts when the company conducted internal inspections in 2005 and 2006. 問題なのは、東京海上日動が０５～０６年に行った社内調査の対象から、これらの特約を除外していたことである。Claiming that the company had applied the corporate rules of paying out the special benefits only if claims were made, Tokio Marine has still insisted that the company’s previous actions did not constitute nonpayment. However, this argument suggests that the company places the logic within its own circles rather than interests of its customers. 当時は請求があった分だけに保険金を支払う社内ルールを適用していたとして、今も「不払いにあたらない」との説明を繰り返している。顧客の利益より、内輪の論理を優先した解釈と言えよう。Some policyholders unfamiliar with insurance contracts failed to claim special benefits, which are in themselves quite diverse. 保険に詳しくない契約者が、多種多様な特約の請求を忘れることもあろう。Insurers must explainResponsibility lies with an insurance company to clearly explain the contract to policyholders, ensuring they do not fail to make their claims when they are most likely to be in a state of confusion after being involved in an accident. 突然の事故に動揺する契約者に丁寧に説明し、請求漏れを防ぐことは、保険会社本来のサービスである。Tokio Marine said the company changed its policy in July 2003 so that it would pay insurance benefits even if claims are not made. But the company failed to brief policyholders with the change in rules, at a time when they should have solved the nonpayment cases retrospectively. 東京海上日動は０３年７月、請求がなくても保険金を支払うよう対応を変えたという。この時にルールの変更を対外的に説明し、過去の契約にさかのぼって不払いの解消を図るべきだった。At a press conference, Tsuyoshi Nagano, president of Tokio Marine, said, “We did all we could at the time,” justifying the company’s actions in the past. It is not surprising that the policyholders who were unable to claim their insurance benefits may be left unconvinced with such an explanation. 東京海上日動の永野毅社長は記者会見で「当時としては最善を尽くした」などと述べ、過去の対応を正当化した。この説明では保険金を受け取れなかった契約者は、納得がいかないのではないか。Many of them are just as skeptical about the stance of the Financial Services Agency, which considers the insurer’s actions as “not being a problem.” 金融庁が当時の対応を「問題なし」としている点も、不可解に感じる人は多いだろう。Consumers may grow more distrustful of insurers that, while they have people sign insurance contracts by capitalizing on various kinds of special benefits, are unwilling to pay insurance benefits when accidents occur. To prevent such feelings, expectations are rising for Tokio Marine to explain itself and sincerely respond to policyholders. 盛りだくさんの特約を売り物に契約させておいて、事故が起きると保険金を出し渋る――。そんな消費者の保険不信が高まらないよう、東京海上日動には、誠意のある説明と対応を求めたい。Nagano has said that the company will flexibly deal with benefit payouts if claims are made from now on. But uncertainty hangs in the air because the company stores relevant data for nine years, meaning most of the data related to the unpaid special benefits have already been destroyed. 永野社長はこれから請求があれば支払いに柔軟に応じる方針を示したが、実効性は不透明である。東京海上日動のデータ保管期間は９年で、当時の記録の大半が破棄されてしまったからだ。Tokio Marine should do all in its power to remedy the situation by consolidating what details can be gleaned from memory of its employees and examining any remaining copies of relevant documents with great care. 社員の記憶や書類のコピーなどを丹念に調べ、適正な支払いに全力を挙げねばならない。Other nonlife insurance companies would do well to heed Tokio Marine’s case not just as “someone else’s misfortune” but as a wake-up call to look out for and address any outstanding nonpayment cases. 他の損保各社も「対岸の火事」とせず、類似の不払いがないか、念入りに点検してほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 17, 2014)（2014年2月17日00時04分 読売新聞）
Feb 19, 2014
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高速有料の延長 安全確保にはやむを得ない
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 17, 2014Expressway toll system must be continued to ensure safety 高速有料の延長 安全確保にはやむを得ない（2月17日付・読売社説）With an extension of up to 15 years, or up until 2065, eyed for the expressway toll-collection system, the government has submitted a bill to the current Diet session for revising the Special Measures Law Concerning Road Construction and Improvement. 政府は、高速道路の有料期間を最長１５年延長して２０６５年までとする道路整備特別措置法改正案を国会に提出した。The rebuilding and repair of aging expressways is urgently needed to ensure the safety of their users. 利用者の安全を守るため、老朽化した高速道路の造り替えや補修は急務だ。About 40 percent of all expressway sections have been in use for 30 years or longer. 全国の高速道路のうち、開通から３０年以上経過した区間が約４割を占める。In December 2012, ceiling panels in the Sasago Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture collapsed apparently due to aging, an incident that created many victims.山梨県の中央自動車道・笹子トンネルでは、老朽化が原因とみられる天井板崩落事故が起き、多数の犠牲者が出た。Because of its financial woes, the government can hardly afford to invest huge amounts of public funds into maintaining expressways. Extending the toll-collecting period is unavoidable as the expenses involved in renovations and repairs must be covered mainly by toll revenues. 財政難で巨額の国費を投じる余裕が乏しい中、有料期間の延長で得られる料金収入を更新・修繕費に充てるのはやむを得ない。Six expressway operators, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Co., have recently estimated their renovation and repair costs to total ¥4 trillion in the next dozen years or so. 首都高速道路など高速道路６社は先ごろ、今後十数年で総額４兆円規模の更新・修繕費がかかるという試算をまとめた。When privatizing then Japan Highway Public Corp. in 2005, the government came up with a projection to make expressways toll-free by having the public corporation’s debt of about ¥40 trillion repaid through toll revenues up until 2050. 政府は０５年の道路公団民営化の際、５０年までの料金収入で約４０兆円の債務を返済した後、高速道路を無料にする計画を立てた。The projection, however, failed to fully take into account the colossal expenses of repairs and related work in the future. There can be no denying that the projection was based on overly optimistic estimates. しかし、当時は、将来の道路補修などに巨額の費用がかかる事態を十分に想定していなかった。見通しが甘かった点は否めない。All expressway companies must do their utmost to keep a tight rein on road renovation and repair costs so that expressway users in the future are not forced to shoulder excessively heavy burdens. 道路各社には今後、将来の利用者の負担が過度に重くならないよう、更新・修繕費を可能な限り抑制することが求められる。End toll-free policyThe expressway companies also should use their ingenuity for tapping private-sector funds through such measures as selling or renting the rights to use the space above expressways and the ground below elevated ones. 高速道路の上空や高架下の使用権を企業に売却・賃貸して費用の一部を賄うなど、民間資金の活用に工夫を凝らしてもらいたい。Another issue of high importance is the renovation of expressways to make them easier and safer to use, such as by making them wider and reducing the number of tight curves, instead of simply rebuilding aged expressways with few design improvements. 単なる造り替えではなく、車線拡張や急カーブの解消など、道路の使いやすさや安全性を高めるための改修も大切である。Thus we cannot help but find it questionable that the government has been continuing to uphold the goal of making expressways free of charge in the future. 疑問なのは、政府が依然として高速道路を将来、無料化する計画を掲げ続けていることだ。Given that expressways will certainly remain in use regardless of whether they become toll-free, it is evident that additional expenses will be necessary to fund renovation and repair projects in the future. The problem of how to secure new sources of revenue to take the place of tolls is bound to be raised. 高速道路を利用し続ける以上、将来的に追加の更新・修繕費が必要になる。新たな財源問題が浮上するのは必至だろう。In light of this, it is unavoidable to thoroughly review the current expressway policy, which is premised on abolishing expressway tolls in the future. It may be a feasible option to continue to levy low tolls for many years to come. 無料化を前提とする現行計画の再検討は避けられまい。将来にわたって低廉な料金を徴収し続けるのも一つの選択肢ではないか。It is reasonable that the government has now decided to reduce toll discounts for motor vehicles equipped with electronic toll-collection systems starting in April. 政府が、自動料金収受システム（ＥＴＣ）の搭載車を対象にした割引制度を４月から縮小するのは妥当な措置である。Since 2008, about ¥3 trillion of taxpayers’ money in the aggregate has been used for the toll discount system. Discounts, however, should be carried out as part of expressway operators’ services offered through their business management efforts. 割引には０８年以降、総額３兆円の国費が投入されてきた。だが、道路各社が経営努力の範囲内で実施するのが、割引サービスの本来の姿のはずだ。The specifics of toll discounts have been changed with every change of administration, and they have become highly complicated and unintelligible in the eyes of drivers. 割引制度は政権が代わる度に変更され、利用者には複雑で分かりにくい仕組みになっている。The current discount system should be scrutinized in terms of its effectiveness and be revamped into a new system to make the discounts more useful for such purposes as revitalizing distribution systems and alleviating traffic congestion on ordinary roads.これまでの効果を検証し、物流の活性化や一般道の渋滞緩和などに、より役立つ制度へ改善すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 17, 2014)（2014年2月17日00時04分 読売新聞）
Feb 18, 2014
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中国漁船長提訴 尖閣の主権を内外に明示した
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 15, 2014JCG collision lawsuit is logical response to China’s actions over Senkakus中国漁船長提訴 尖閣の主権を内外に明示した（2月15日付・読売社説）The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a logical response to China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. 安倍政権が、尖閣諸島を巡る中国への対応について、筋を通したということだろう。The Japan Coast Guard has filed a lawsuit with the Naha District Court against the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that was operating in Japan’s territorial waters off the Senkakus when he intentionally rammed JCG patrol boats in defiance of a JCG order to stop in September 2010. 中国漁船が２０１０年９月、尖閣諸島沖の領海内で操業し、海上保安庁の停船命令を無視して巡視船に体当たりした事件で、海保は漁船の船長を相手取り、損害賠償を求める訴訟を那覇地裁に起こした。The government has repeatedly asked the Chinese side to cover the cost of repairing the JCG boats, but to no avail. It decided to file the lawsuit because the statute of limitations on damages will expire soon. 政府は、巡視船の修繕費などの支払いを再三求めてきたが、中国側は応じなかった。このままでは法に基づく賠償請求の時効を迎えるため、提訴に踏み切った。It is natural for the government to seek a judicial judgment based on domestic laws regarding an illegal act committed in Japan’s territorial waters. 領海で起きた違法行為について、日本の国内法に基づき司法判断を求めるのは当然である。It is also hugely significant that the lawsuit once again underscores Japan’s sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands. 尖閣諸島に日本の主権が及んでいることを、改めて明確にする意義も大きい。When the incident occurred, the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan was subjected to outrageous protests from China. The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office released the arrested captain of the fishing boat—a difficult decision the Democratic Party of Japan administration was forced to make following a series of events, including the detention of Japanese citizens by Chinese authorities in an apparent tit-for-tat. 事件当時の菅政権は中国の理不尽な抗議を受けた。那覇地検は、逮捕した船長を釈放した。事実上の報復措置とみられる中国当局による邦人拘束もあり、民主党政権は難しい判断を迫られた。But the government’s excessively conciliatory stance weakened Japan’s assertions of sovereignty, leading China to trumpet its irrelevant claims. This is a lesson Japan should heed. しかし、行き過ぎた融和姿勢は日本の主張を弱め、中国が筋違いの言い分を喧伝(けんでん)することにもつながった。教訓とすべきだ。Since the ramming, China has been escalating its attempts to change the status quo regarding the Senkakus by force. The Abe administration must convey Japan’s assertions abroad to disseminate them widely in the international community. Maritime surveillance activities around the Senkaku Islands should not be neglected. 漁船衝突事件後も、尖閣諸島を巡って、中国の力による現状変更の試みは勢いを増している。安倍政権は今後も日本の主張を国際社会に発信し、浸透させていく必要がある。尖閣周辺の警戒監視活動も、怠ってはならない。Video to back claim“In filing the suit, we will submit video records to prove that the government’s claim is justified,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said, indicating that the JCG will make the video available to the general public upon request. 菅官房長官は「提訴にあたって、政府の主張の正しさを立証するための映像記録を提出する」と述べた。海保で、求めがあれば映像を一般にも公開するという。The video has been widely viewed after a JCG officer posted it on the video-sharing site YouTube and other developments. 映像は元海上保安官が、動画投稿サイト「ユーチューブ」に流出させたことなどから、今では広く知れ渡っている。But officially releasing the video to the public is intended to demonstrate to people both at home and abroad how just the Japanese government’s legal action is. だが、映像公開は、日本政府の取った措置の正当性を内外にアピールする狙いがある。Viewing the video will make it clear that the Chinese captain was at fault for intentionally ramming the JCG boats.映像を見れば、強引に船を衝突させた船長に非があるのは明らかだ。Furthermore, the latest release of the video is apparently aimed at underscoring the significance of the law on protecting specially designated state secrets enacted last year. 今回の映像公開には、昨年成立した特定秘密保護法の意義を示す狙いもあるようだ。The Kan administration deemed the leak of the video by the JCG official unpardonable, which prompted it to consider establishing a legal system to protect state secrets. However, Abe has said that the video showing the ramming should not be categorized as a specially designated secret.菅政権は、保安官の映像漏えいを許し難い行為とし、これを契機に秘密保護法制を検討した経緯がある。Instead, as he has emphasized, the enactment of the law will prevent administrations from arbitrarily concealing information as they see fit. 安倍首相は、衝突時の映像は特定秘密に当たらないと指摘し、秘密保護法の制定により、むしろ、政権の都合で情報が隠蔽されることはなくなると強調してきた。The government is expected to appropriately distinguish between classified information connected to state security and information that does not cause harm when released to the public. 安全保障にかかわる機密情報と、公開しても支障のない情報をいかに峻別(しゅんべつ)するか、政府には適切な判断が求められる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 15, 2014)（2014年2月15日00時13分 読売新聞）
Feb 17, 2014
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中台閣僚級会談 歴史的な一歩にはなったが
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 14, 2014Beijing-Taipei ties mark historic advance, but much remains uncertain中台閣僚級会談 歴史的な一歩にはなったが（2月14日付・読売社説）Relations between China and Taiwan have entered a new chapter with the recent commencement of direct government-to-government dialogue. 中国と台湾の関係は、当局同士が直接交流する新たな段階に入った。We should keep a close eye on whether this latest development will boost stability in East Asia by helping ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait.これが、台湾海峡の緊張緩和を促し、東アジアの安定に寄与するのかを注視したい。The chiefs of the highest-level governmental offices in charge of cross-strait affairs—Zhang Zhijun, director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and Wang Yu-chi, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council—met in Nanjing on Tuesday and agreed to establish a permanent channel of communication between the two sides. 中台関係の主管官庁トップである、中国の張志軍・国務院台湾事務弁公室主任と、台湾の王郁●・大陸委員会主任委員が、南京で会談し、恒常的な相互連絡ルートを設けることで合意した。（●は王ヘンに奇）This is the first time a ministerial-level meeting between officials tasked with policies on China-Taiwan affairs has taken place since the 1949 split. １９４９年の中台分断後、中台政策担当の閣僚級会談が行われたのは初めてだ。There has so far been no framework for dialogue between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities, with Beijing and Taipei refusing to acknowledge the other’s sovereignty. Talks on such subjects as bilateral economic cooperation have been conducted via “quasi-official” organizations on both sides. 互いに相手の主権を認めていない中台間には、これまで当局同士の対話の枠組みはなく、経済協力などの話し合いは、「民間」の窓口機関を通じて行われてきた。From now, various forms of direct cross-strait interchanges between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities will be considered, including exchanging permanent representative offices. 今後、当局間では、出先事務所の相互設置をはじめ、様々な形の直接交流が模索される。It seems, however, there are major differences in the Chinese and Taiwan governments’ intentions in bringing about the historic ministerial-level talks. ただ、歴史的な閣僚級会談を実現させた中台首脳の思惑には大きな食い違いがあると見てよい。President Ma Ying-jeou may primarily seek to gain China’s agreement to ease its trade regulations so as to expand Taiwan’s business opportunities in China, while pushing for China to acknowledge Taiwan’s status as a party to international economic agreements. 台湾の馬英九総統の狙いは、対中ビジネス拡大につながる規制緩和を中国当局から引き出したり、国際的な経済協定の当事者としての地位を中国に認めさせたりすることだろう。Can Xi-Ma talks take place?Ma may have placed his hopes on restoring his popular support by realizing such outcomes. With unified local elections scheduled for toward the end of the year, the Ma administration’s popularity ratings have been painfully low due to reasons including the slowdown in Taiwan’s economic growth, widening economic disparities, corruption scandals involving Ma’s close aides and internal strife in his governing Nationalist Party (Kuomintang). そうした成果を上げられれば、支持回復につながるとの読みがあるのではないか。年末の統一地方選を控えて、経済成長の鈍化や所得格差、側近の汚職、与党・国民党の内紛などにより、馬政権の支持率は低迷したままである。Chinese President Xi Jinping, in contrast, must have certainly considered the cross-strait talks as a launching point for political consultations for China-Taiwan unification. これに対して、中国の習近平国家主席は、今回の会談を中台統一に向けた政治協議への足がかりとみなしているに違いない。However, Taiwan is wary of having political consultations with China, as a great majority of Taiwan’s residents support the status quo and reject the idea of unification with China. だが、台湾側は政治協議には消極的だ。台湾住民の大多数は、現状維持を望んでおり、中国との統一は拒んでいる。The current focus of attention is on whether a meeting between Ma and Xi can be held at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting scheduled for this coming autumn in Beijing. 当面の焦点は、北京で今秋開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際に、馬氏と習氏による会談が実現するかどうかだ。Wheeling and dealing will continue between Taiwan, which places priority on gaining practical benefits, and China, which sees a direct cross-strait channel of communication as a foothold for political consultations for unification.実益重視の台湾と、統一協議につなげたい中国との駆け引きが続くことになろう。In spite of the creation of full-scale interchanges between Chinese and Taiwan authorities, there has been no change at all in the basic security situation surrounding Taiwan. China has not given up its long-standing option of eventually taking back Taiwan, by force if necessary. Taiwan, for its part, is dependent on the backing by the United States for such matters as purchasing weapons. 中台当局間の交流が本格化しても、台湾周辺の安全保障の構図には、依然変化がない。中国は武力統一の選択肢を放棄していない。台湾は、武器購入などで米国からの支援に依存している。For Japan, Taiwan is most certainly an important neighbor for restraining China’s acts of hegemony in such areas as the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands. 日本にとって、台湾は、尖閣諸島周辺を含む東シナ海などでの中国の覇権的行動をけん制する上でも重要な隣人である。While watching closely what impact closer China-Taiwan ties will have on the future of the regional situation, Japan should make efforts to further boost its friendly relations with Taiwan.中台接近が地域情勢に及ぼす影響を見極めながら、台湾との関係を密にしていくべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 14, 2014)（2014年2月14日01時44分 読売新聞）
Feb 16, 2014
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診療報酬改定 「病院依存」から転換できるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 13, 2014Steer patients toward home-based care through revision of medical fees list診療報酬改定 「病院依存」から転換できるか（2月13日付・読売社説）Will the latest proposal from a key health ministry panel trigger a retreat from excessive reliance on hospital-based treatment and attach greater importance to home health-care services? 病院偏重の医療から、在宅ケア重視に転換する契機となるだろうか。On Wednesday, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council adopted a set of recommendations for revising the list of medical treatment fees. These medical service payments constitute a portion of the income earned by medical institutions. 医療機関の収入となる診療報酬の改定内容が、中央社会保険医療協議会（中医協）で決まった。The advisory panel’s proposal calls for tightening requirements for medical care involving the use of beds designated as equipment for patients in the acute stage, a practice that can incur higher bills for seriously ill patients. Meanwhile, the proposal would pay higher fees for services involving beds that are used to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation so patients can leave the hospital at an early date. 重症者を受け入れる急性期病床の要件を厳しくする一方で、早期退院のためにリハビリを重点的に行う病床の報酬を手厚くする。The average number of days spent in hospitals by patients in this country is greater than in the United States and Europe. This has contributed to an enormous increase in national medical care expenditures. 日本の病院は、患者の平均入院日数が欧米に比べて長い。それが医療費の膨張も招いている。The graying of Japanese society is expected to accelerate. A number of older people suffer from chronic diseases that can be managed with home-based treatment. In light of this situation, it was a sound decision for the advisory panel to call for a reduction in the number of beds for acute stage treatments and for efforts to encourage patients to leave the hospital at an early date. 高齢化はさらに加速する。高齢者の多くが、在宅医療で対応できる慢性病を患っている現状を考えれば、急性期病床を減らし、早期退院を促す狙いは理解できる。The question is how to move forward in consolidating hospital beds that are classified by curative purpose. 問題は、いかに病床の再編を効率的に進めるかだ。Previous revisions to the schedule of medical treatment fees by the health ministry have caused significant confusion among medical institutions. 厚生労働省のこれまでの診療報酬改定は、少なからず医療現場に混乱をもたらしてきた。Revisions made to fees involving beds used to treat acutely ill patients in fiscal 2006 exacerbated this potential for confusion. The revisions set fees for medical services involving acute treatment beds at a higher level, which encouraged many hospitals to set up more of these beds than necessary and contributed to a surplus of them. 急性期病床についても、２００６年の診療報酬改定を機に過剰になった。報酬を高く設定したため、多くの病院が必要以上に急性期病床を設けた結果だ。This resulted in medical institutions scrambling for nurses, because the use of such beds requires more nurses to provide appropriate care for acutely ill patients. The situation also fostered a tendency among nurses to prefer to work in urban areas, leading to an uneven distribution of such medical workers. 看護師を多く配置する必要があるため、医療機関の間で奪い合いが生じた。都会に看護師が偏在する傾向も強まった。Negative impact clearThe adverse impact of the 2006 revisions was also evident in the many hospitals providing elderly people with treatments using beds designated for critically ill patients. However, the fact is that many of them are placed in such beds despite improvements in their conditions. 急性期病床なのに、入院しているのは病状の落ち着いた高齢者が大半という病院も少なくない。The ministry needs to acknowledge that it should have been more thorough in designing a new system for medical treatment fees in 2006. 厚労省は、制度設計が甘かったことを反省すべきである。There also is cause for apprehension about the latest proposed revisions. If fees for services involving beds for patients undergoing rehabilitation are set at a higher compensation level, it could create a spike in the number of hospitals seeking to take advantage of that. It seems likely that an excessive number of rehabilitation-designated beds could encourage patients to stay in the hospital, despite their ailments being treatable through home-based health services. 今回の改定でも、同様の懸念は拭えない。リハビリ用病床の報酬を高くすれば、これに転換を図る病院が急増するだろう。リハビリ用病床が多過ぎると、本来は在宅ケアで済む患者が、病院にとどまることにつながらないか。It is essential that the ministry take adequate measures to prevent a large surplus in beds for rehabilitation treatments. リハビリ用病床が過剰にならないよう、厚労省はしっかりとした対策を講じることが肝要だ。The latest proposal would expand the pricing schedule to include fees for practicing doctors’ management of patients receiving home-based care. The plan is intended to ensure stability in the conditions of older patients receiving home-based treatment. However, because there is a perceived preference among older patients for large hospitals, it is unclear whether they would desire treatment from outpatient doctors as their regular physicians. 今回の改定では、在宅ケアの患者の主治医となる開業医への報酬も新設される。在宅療養する高齢者の病状を安定させることが目的だが、大病院志向が強いとされる患者が、開業医をかかりつけ医とするかどうかは不透明だ。Consolidating purpose-classified hospital beds requires more than revisions to the fee schedule. It will also be necessary to accurately determine the number of beds needed in each region for acutely ill patients and patients in rehabilitation. 病床再編には、診療報酬改定だけでなく、地域ごとに必要な急性期病床やリハビリ用病床数を正確に算出することが大切である。In fiscal 2015 or later, the national government intends to require Tokyo and all prefectural governments to put together new community-based health care plans that must include the number of rehabilitation beds needed by each community. The move is aimed at improving the quality of current community-based care schemes, which were prepared by the local governments. The national government is seeking to establish relevant legislation during the current Diet session. 政府は、現在の地域医療計画を充実させるために、必要なリハビリ用病床数を盛り込んだ「地域医療ビジョン」を１５年度以降、都道府県に策定させる方針だ。関連法案の今国会成立を目指す。Given the authority possessed by each municipality to supervise medical institutions in its area, Tokyo and all prefectural governments have a significant role to play in achieving a good balance in the consolidation of hospital beds. 医療機関への指導権限を持つ都道府県が、均衡の取れた病床再編に果たすべき役割は大きい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 13, 2014)（2014年2月13日01時15分 読売新聞）
Feb 15, 2014
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アラブの春３年 新たな政治体制へ模索が続く
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 12, 2014Nations groping for new political systems 3 years after Arab Springアラブの春３年 新たな政治体制へ模索が続く（2月12日付・読売社説）Three years have already passed since the Arab Spring democracy movements that saw people rising up in search of freedom. 自由を求めて民衆が蜂起した「アラブの春」から３年が経過した。In Middle Eastern countries where long-reigning dictatorial regimes were brought down, moves to seek new systems of governance have been ongoing. 長期独裁政権を倒した中東の国々では、新たな統治体制を模索する動きが続いている。Egypt and Tunisia have managed to establish new constitutions that stipulate democratic procedures. We can safely say these nations took a step forward toward enhanced freedom and the establishment of a rule of law. エジプトとチュニジアは、民主主義的な手続きを定めた憲法の制定にこぎつけた。自由の拡大と、法の支配確立への一歩を踏み出したと言えよう。In Egypt, there was a prolonged state of confusion after the administration of Hosni Mubarak was brought down. Although Mohamed Morsi from the Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood was elected as president, he was dismissed by the military as he lost the confidence of the people because he overzealously tried to expand the influence of Muslim Brotherhood. エジプトでは、ムバラク政権が打倒された後も、混乱状態が続いた。イスラム主義組織「ムスリム同胞団」のモルシ氏が大統領に選ばれたものの、もっぱら同胞団の勢力拡大を図ったため、国民の信頼を失い、軍に解任された。Even under such circumstances, countries such as Japan and the United States, as well as European nations, have continued providing assistance to the provisional military-backed government. These actions were based on the common interest of avoiding a situation in which Egypt, a strategically important country in the Middle East region, will be destabilized again. こうした状況でも欧米や日本は、軍を後ろ盾とする暫定政府への支援を続けてきた。地域の要のエジプトが再び不安定化する事態は避けたいという認識がある。The turning point for resolving the disorderly situation was the approval of the revised Constitution, drafted by a committee comprising representatives from various sectors, in a national referendum in January. 混乱収拾の転機は、各界代表により起草された改正憲法が１月、国民投票で承認されたことだ。Compared with the previous Constitution, which had strong Islamist elements, the current Constitution is distinguished by its consideration of an appropriate balance between the teachings of Islam and secularism. The new top law retained an article to respect Islamic laws, while it clearly stipulates new human rights protections including “gender equality.” イスラム色の強かったこれまでの憲法に比べ、世俗主義とのバランスに配慮したのが特徴である。イスラム法を尊重する規定は残す一方で、「男女平等」など、新たな人権保護規定を明記した。Countries strugglingThe revised Constitution also has an article that requires approval by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in appointing the defense minister for eight years from now. This means veto power is given to the military when the government forms a cabinet. We believe the people of Egypt approved the revised Constitution as many of them thought it would be impossible to prevent confusion without dependence on the military. 改正憲法には今後８年間、国防相人事に軍の同意を必要とする規定も盛り込まれた。軍に組閣の拒否権を与えたものだ。改正憲法が承認されたのは、軍に頼らなければ混乱は防げない、と多くの国民が考えた結果ではないか。In the coming spring, a fresh presidential election will be held and a full-fledged administration will be launched. Still, we are afraid a situation in which part of Muslim Brotherhood, labeled by the provisional government as a “terror organization” and suppressed, will resort to radical action. 今春には改めて大統領選が行われ、本格政権が誕生する。ただ、暫定政府に「テロ組織」と認定され、弾圧されている同胞団の一部が過激化しないか、心配だ。In reactivating its economy, it may be indispensable for the country to improve public safety and get foreign tourists and investment back to the country. 治安が改善し、外国からの観光客や投資が戻ることが、経済の立て直しには不可欠だろう。In Tunisia, the first country where a dictatorial administration collapsed due to public demonstrations and protests, the National Constituent Assembly recently adopted a new Constitution. Including human rights protection articles such as freedom of religion, the content of the new charter is much more progressive than that of Egypt. The freedom sought by the country's general public was then realized in a form of the Constitution. 民衆のデモで最初に独裁政権が崩壊したチュニジアでも、新憲法が制憲議会で採択された。信教の自由など人権保護条項が盛られ、エジプト以上に先進的な内容だ。民衆の求めた自由が、憲法の形で結実したと言える。Yemen and Libya—where dictators were driven away from power—are still in the process of establishing a new top law, while the two countries must deal with tribal and regional hostility. 独裁者が権力の座から追われたイエメン、リビアは、部族・地域間対立に悩みつつ、新憲法制定のプロセスが続いている。The situation is most serious in Syria, where the civil uprising turned into a civil war. Dictator Bashar Assad still sits in the seat of president, holding on to power. Although an international peace conference was held, there appears to be no prospect for a ceasefire. 最も状況が深刻なのは、民衆蜂起が内戦に転化したシリアだ。独裁者アサド大統領が権力の座に居座り、国際和平会議が開かれたが、停戦への道はまだ見えない。The Arab Spring has brought about complicated changes in the Middle East. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for most of its imported crude oil, also needs to keep a close eye on the country. 「アラブの春」は中東に複雑な変革を引き起こした。原油輸入を中東に依存する日本も、この地域から目を離せない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 12, 2014)（2014年2月12日01時11分 読売新聞）
Feb 14, 2014
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タクシン、アピシット、インラック wikipedia で比較してみました
Thaksin Shinawatra２００１年～２００６年http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_ShinawatraAbhisit Vejjajiva２００８年～２０１１年http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhisit_VejjajivaYingluck Shinawatra２０１１年～２０１３年http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yingluck_Shinawatra断然タクシンですね。まるでリフォームの申し子みたいに、精力的に様々な政治改革をやりました。それが反対勢力の怒りを買ったのでしょう。凄まじい実行力なんです。スワナプームの入札では、直前に日本よりの援助を断り、その後格安で入札するといった、したたかなビジネスマンぶりを発揮しています。日本大使が驚いておっとり刀でタクシンに合いに来たということです。医療補助一回あたり３０バーツは貧困層から絶大なる賛辞を受けました。なんと私のような外国人でもＯＫだったんです。助かりました＾＾。そのぶん、病院やドクターは現金収入のタイミングが遅れたわけで、これらの組織から猛反発を受けました。全国に数え切れないくらいの低所得者住宅を開発したのもタクシンです。販売価格が一戸あたり４０万バーツほど。（住宅のグレードは低いです）私の団地の横もタクシンの開発した低所得者向け住宅地が広がっています。５００戸くらいの大規模な住宅建設なんですが、販売されたのはアピシット政権となってからでした。それでもタクシンの貧困層に対する思いは維持されたのですね。これもバンコク富裕層がタクシンを嫌う理由のひとつです。犬（貧困層）に住宅は必要ないといったところでしょうか。アピシット政権では失業率を増大させたくらいの成果しか見ありません。２年くらいの在任期間中に、財産を２００万バーツ増やしてます＾＾。２０１１年には大洪水にみまわれました。インラックにもさしたる政治改革はありませんね。内閣改造をやったくらいでしょうか。それと、世界の外交で華やかに活躍したくらいでしょう。ライススキームの不透明な仕組みと、農民への不払いが命取りなのです。
Feb 13, 2014
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日露首脳会談 信頼醸成を「領土」につなげよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 11, 2014Abe-Putin confidence-building must lead to resolving territorial dispute日露首脳会談 信頼醸成を「領土」につなげよ（2月11日付・読売社説）The confidence-building relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin has deepened, but now it is being put to the test. 首脳間の信頼関係の深まりを、どう成果につなげるかが問われよう。Abe met with Putin Saturday after attending the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics for the fifth bilateral summit with the Russian leader since the prime minister returned to the post in December 2012. ソチ五輪の開会式に出席した安倍首相が、ロシアのプーチン大統領と会談した。第２次安倍内閣の発足後、首脳会談は５回目だ。Even though leaders of the United States and major European countries did not attend the opening ceremony citing Russia’s human rights record, Abe decided to visit Sochi on a tight three-day schedule. ロシアの人権状況を問題視する欧米の主要国の首脳が開会式を欠席する中、安倍首相はあえて１泊３日の強行日程で訪露した。Putin gave Abe a warm reception, saying, “I’m very grateful for your attendance at the opening ceremony,” and he hosted a luncheon for the prime minister. The meeting is believed to have been effective in building confidence between the two leaders, as seen by the fact that they called each other by their first names. プーチン大統領は、首相に「五輪への配慮に心からお礼したい」と述べ、昼食会を催して厚遇した。互いにファーストネームで呼び合うなど、首脳間の信頼醸成に効果があったと言える。Putin’s visit to Japan this autumn was decided during the meeting. Hailing the recent expansion of bilateral trade, the Russian leader said he would dispatch his Cabinet ministers in charge of agriculture, railways and energy to Japan, plus top company executives. 会談では、大統領の今秋の来日が決まった。大統領は、最近の日露間の貿易拡大を歓迎し、農業や鉄道、エネルギーを担当する閣僚と関連企業のトップを日本に派遣する意向を示した。Development of the Russian Far East and East Siberia is regarded by Putin as “a national project to be undertaken by the country on a priority basis in the 21st century.” Offering cooperation in the development of natural gas and other resources is expected to prove beneficial also for Japan, because of this country’s scarcity of fossil fuels. 大統領は、極東・東シベリア開発を「２１世紀のロシアの国家的な優先課題」としている。天然ガス開発などの協力は、資源の乏しい日本にとってもプラスだろう。The thing is that negotiations on the return of four Russian-occupied islands off Hokkaido, a major concern for Japan, have made little headway. 問題は、肝心の北方領土交渉が実質的に進まないことだ。Resolution remains remoteAbe reportedly said he “wants to carry out talks in concrete terms.” In response, Putin was quoted as saying, “Efforts will be made toward a solution.” However, a political decision on the matter is a long way off. 首相が「交渉を具体的に進めたい」と切り出したのに対し、大統領は「解決に向けてしっかりと努力したい」と応じ、双方の意欲は確認された。だが、政治決断への環境は整っていない。In vice foreign ministerial talks in Tokyo late last month, the two countries failed to iron out their differences. Russia has repeated its conventional stance that the four northern islands became part of its territory as a result of World War II. 先月末、東京で行われた日露の外務次官級協議では、双方の主張が平行線のままだった。ロシアは第２次大戦の結果、北方４島は自国の領土になったとする従来通りの主張を繰り返している。Japan should insist that Russia’s claim is not based on historical facts. 日本は、それが歴史的事実に基づかないと強く訴えるべきだ。The former Soviet Union reneged on the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and declared war on Japan in the closing days of World War II. It invaded the Kuril Islands after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration and it occupied the four islands, which it then unilaterally integrated into its territory. The four islands are not included in the Kuril Islands that Japan relinquished when it signed the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty. 旧ソ連は大戦末期に日ソ中立条約を無視して宣戦布告し、日本のポツダム宣言受諾後、千島列島に侵攻して４島を占領、一方的に自国に編入した。サンフランシスコ講和条約で日本が放棄した千島列島に、北方４島は含まれない。Russia’s internal politics are also a matter of concern. To ward off public discontent, Putin has come up with populist policies. The situation does not seem ripe yet for Russia to make a concession on the northern territories. ロシアの内政も懸念材料だ。大統領は、国民の不満をかわすため、大衆迎合的な政策を打ち出している。領土問題で譲歩できる政治状況ではないのではないか。Prior to his summit with Abe, Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and confirmed that the two countries would jointly sponsor events in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of their victory in World War II. Japan must realize that Beijing and Moscow are acting in concert in dealing with an issue involving Japan’s history. 日露首脳会談に先立ち、大統領は、中国の習近平国家主席と会談し、第２次大戦終結７０年の２０１５年に戦勝祝賀記念行事を共催することを確認した。中露が日本を巡る歴史問題で歩調を合わせている点は警戒すべきだ。To make progress in resolving the territorial issue, it is imperative to closely examine the true intentions of Putin administration’s domestic and foreign policies, while reinforcing Japan-Russia relations from a wide perspective. 領土問題を進展させるには、日露関係を幅広く強化する一方、プーチン政権の内政・外交の内実も見極めていかねばなるまい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 11, 2014)（2014年2月11日01時35分 読売新聞）
Feb 13, 2014
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東京都知事選 無責任な「原発ゼロ」信任されず
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 10, 2014Voters in Tokyo gubernatorial election spurn irresponsible antinuclear drive東京都知事選 無責任な「原発ゼロ」信任されず（2月10日付・読売社説） ◆舛添氏は謙虚に政策を推進せよThe outcome of Sunday’s Tokyo gubernatorial election can be said to attest to the strongly negative reaction by the majority of Tokyo residents to unrealistic arguments for an immediate end to nuclear power generation. 非現実的な「原発即時ゼロ」の主張に、多くの都民が拒否反応を示したと言えるだろう。Former Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe won an overwhelming victory in the race for the top post of the nation’s capital. 東京都知事選で、元厚生労働相の舛添要一氏が圧勝した。Masuzoe pledged in the campaign to make Tokyo the world’s No. 1 metropolis, stressing his resolve to do his utmost regarding Tokyo’s social welfare services, antidisaster measures and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympics. 「東京を世界一の街にする」と述べ、福祉や防災、五輪に全力を尽くすと強調した。Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Kenji Utsunomiya were the two other major candidates in the Tokyo contest, and campaigned against reactivation of nuclear plants by calling for nuclear power generation to be immediately reduced to zero. Utsunomiya finished a distant second to Masuzoe and Hosokawa a distant third. 原発の再稼働を認めず、即時ゼロを掲げた元首相の細川護熙氏や、前日本弁護士連合会長の宇都宮健児氏は及ばなかった。Their electoral tactics focused on nuclear and energy issues, which should be dealt with primarily in the arena of national politics. Wasn’t this off the mark in the gubernatorial race, which is a local election? 国政に関わる原発・エネルギー問題を首長選で争うのは、無理があったのではないか。‘Single-issue’ campaign ◆「単一争点」は奏功せずHosokawa’s decision to run immediately before the official announcement of the election dramatically changed the nature of the election drives for a new Tokyo governor. In tandem with fellow former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose popularity is still markedly high, Hosokawa focused his campaign efforts on the choice between whether to eliminate nuclear power plants or not. 都知事選の性格を一変させたのは、告示直前になって細川氏が出馬表明し、人気の高い小泉元首相と二人三脚で、原発ゼロか否かと訴えたことである。There is precedent of an election campaign focused on a single issue: While in office, former Prime Minister Koizumi led the Liberal Democratic Party to a sweeping triumph in a House of Representatives election by focusing on the pros and cons of postal privatization. However, similar tactics failed to work this time. 単一の争点を掲げる選挙では、小泉氏が首相時代、衆院選で郵政民営化を訴え、自民党を大勝させた例がある。だが、今回、そうした戦術は奏功しなかった。According to voting day exit polls by The Yomiuri Shimbun, voters gave considerably less weight to issues related to nuclear plants and energy policy than they did to medical services and social welfare, and business growth and employment. 読売新聞の出口調査では、有権者の重視した政策として「原発などエネルギー問題」は「医療や福祉」や「景気や雇用」を下回った。Hosokawa asserted, “There will be little difference in policies regarding anything but the nuclear power problem no matter who is elected to the governorship,” but failed to refer to any specific measures to secure renewable energy sources that would serve as the pillar to replace nuclear power generation. There is no choice but to call that way of campaigning extremely irresponsible. 細川氏は「原発以外の政策は、誰が知事でもそんなに変わらない」として原発を主要争点に位置づけながら、代替電源の柱とする再生可能エネルギーの確保策について具体的に語らなかった。無責任に過ぎる。Fuel costs for the thermal power generation currently taking the place of idled nuclear plants have kept ballooning, causing electricity charges to rise repeatedly. Anxiety is also on the rise over the environmental impact of the increasing carbon dioxide emissions resulting from thermal power generation. 原発を代替している火力発電の燃料費がかさみ、電気料金の上昇が続く。二酸化炭素の排出増による環境への影響も心配だ。Arguing in abstract terms in favor of reducing nuclear power to zero, without taking these problems into account, can never be convincing.こうした点を考慮せず、観念的に原発ゼロを唱えても説得力はない。Masuzoe, in contrast, expressed his belief that energy policy should be handled primarily by the central government, pledging that he would make efforts to enhance the percentage of renewable energy in Tokyo’s total power consumption. In addition, his campaign placed high importance on issues close to Tokyo residents’ daily lives, such as improving the metropolitan government’s support for child rearing. これに対し、舛添氏は、エネルギーは国の政策との認識を示しつつ、都の再生可能エネルギーの割合を高めると主張した。同時に、子育て支援など身近な課題に力点を置いた選挙戦を展開した。Many Tokyo residents may have high hopes regarding Masuzoe’s stance, which was well geared to the realities of their day-to-day lives. 現実的な姿勢に、都民は期待を寄せたのではないか。War between Koizumi, Abe ◆小泉ＶＳ安倍の代理戦争Earlier on there were some within the LDP who were wary of throwing the party’s support behind Masuzoe, who was expelled from the party for criticizing it. In response to the moves by Hosokawa and Koizumi, however, the LDP eventually embarked on full-scale support of Masuzoe. 自民党には当初、党を批判して除名された舛添氏を支援することへの慎重論もあった。だが、細川、小泉両氏の動向を受け、全面支援に乗り出した。Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba and other party leaders made campaign speeches for Masuzoe. They probably concluded that if Hosokawa gained more votes than expected, it could adversely affect the envisaged restart of nuclear power plants or even the growth strategy championed by the Abe administration. 安倍首相や石破幹事長らも応援演説に立った。細川氏の得票が伸びれば、原発の再稼働、ひいては成長戦略に影響しかねないとの判断も働いたのだろう。Koizumi, who can be referred to in a sense as the protagonist on the stage of Tokyo election, has been a political mentor to Abe, and has urged the prime minister since last year to make a political decision to halt nuclear power generation immediately. 影の主役ともいえる小泉氏は、安倍首相の「政治の師」であり、昨年来、首相に原発ゼロへの政治決断を促してきた。But Abe did not comply with Koizumi’s call, causing a rift between the two. It cannot be denied that the Tokyo gubernatorial election also became a proxy war between Abe and Koizumi.だが、首相は受け入れず、両氏の間に溝ができていた。都知事選が、両氏の代理戦争となったことも否めない。At the Diet, Abe said there was no way for his administration to say, “We will end nuclear power generation now,” citing the possible adverse effects on people’s lives and economic activity. 安倍首相は、国会で「『原発はもうやめる』というわけにはいかない」と述べ、国民生活や経済活動への悪影響を指摘した。His administration should consider nuclear power as an important source of electricity in the government’s basic energy plan, which is to be decided on shortly, and squarely tackle the issue of restarting nuclear power plants.近く決定するエネルギー基本計画で原発を重要電源と位置づけ、再稼働に正面から取り組むべきである。The stance of the Democratic Party of Japan is questionable. The party initially indicated it would support Masuzoe but later shifted its stance to back Hosokawa. 疑問なのは民主党の姿勢だ。舛添氏を推す構えを見せていたが、細川氏に乗り換えた。The DPJ has advocated halting nuclear power generation sometime in the 2030s, so its stance is actually different from Hosokawa’s desire to halt nuclear power generation immediately. This is nothing less than an ad-hoc response.民主党は、２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロを主張しており、細川氏の「即時ゼロ」とは、本来は相いれない。場当たり的な対応と言うほかない。With the crushing defeat of Hosokawa in the election, the scheme of reorganizing opposition parties, which some within the DPJ have been advocating and centers on the idea of breaking away from nuclear power generation, will stall. 細川氏の大敗で、民主党の一部にあった脱原発を軸とする野党再編構想も失速しよう。There is a mountain of issues that the metropolitan government has to tackle, including how to deal with the aging society and low birthrate, which Masuzoe mentioned in his campaign speeches. 都政の課題は山積している。舛添氏が演説で時間を割いた少子高齢化対策はその一つだ。
Feb 12, 2014
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日米外相会談 強固な同盟をアジアに示そう
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 10, 2014Japan, U.S. should show strength of their alliance to rest of Asia 日米外相会談 強固な同盟をアジアに示そう（2月9日付・読売社説）Strained relations between Japan and the United States will only benefit China and North Korea. Tokyo and Washington must show the strength of their alliance to the whole Asian region. 日米関係がぎくしゃくすることは、中国や北朝鮮を利するだけだ。強固な同盟関係をアジア全体に示すことが肝要だ。Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida visited the United States and held separate talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. They agreed that Japan and the United States will deal jointly with China without accepting the Chinese-claimed air defense identification zone over the East China Sea. 岸田外相が訪米し、ケリー国務長官、ヘーゲル国防長官らと個別に会談した。中国による東シナ海上空の防空識別圏の設定は受け入れず、日米が連携して対応することで合意した。“We will deal calmly but resolutely with China’s attempts to change the status quo with force,” said Kishida. Kerry reiterated the U.S. position that the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands, is covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty that stipulates the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. 岸田外相は、「中国の力による現状変更の試みには、冷静かつ毅然(きぜん)として対応する」と語った。ケリー長官は、尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海が、日米安保条約に基づく米国の対日防衛義務の対象になるとの見解を改めて強調した。Washington expressed its disappointment over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine late last year, revealing its position to be different from Tokyo’s. At the first foreign ministerial meeting since then, however, it is significant that Kishida and Kerry clearly confirmed enhancement of the Japan-U.S. alliance and coordination of their policies vis-a-vis China. 昨年末の安倍首相の靖国神社参拝に米政府が「失望」を表明し、双方の立場の違いを露呈して以来初の日米外相会談で、同盟関係の強化や、対中外交での連携をきちんと確認した意義は大きい。Building strong and stable relations between Japan and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration with its emphasis on Asia will greatly contribute to peace and prosperity in the whole Asian region. Japan should make Obama’s visit to Japan, scheduled for April, an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance to the rest of the international community. 「アジア重視」戦略を掲げるオバマ政権と日本が強固で安定した関係を構築することは、アジア全体の平和と繁栄に寄与する。４月に予定されるオバマ大統領の来日を、日米同盟の力強さを国際社会にアピールする機会としたい。Kishida and Kerry agreed that the cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea is important to deal with North Korea’s nuclear ambition and other issues. Kishida indicated his intention to improve Japan-South Korea ties by accumulating successes in working-level, tangible cooperation between the two countries. 両外相は、北朝鮮の核問題などに対応するため、日米韓３か国の連携が重要との認識で一致した。岸田外相は、「実務に基づく具体的な協力」を積み重ね、日韓関係の改善に努める考えを示した。Fix Japan-S. Korea tiesIt is not clear what North Korea will do next. Pyongyang has shown its emphasis on a willingness to participate in dialogue by agreeing with South Korea to allow reunions of families separated by the Korean War, while strongly opposing the U.S.-South Korea military exercises scheduled late this month. 北朝鮮の今後の出方は、不透明だ。韓国と朝鮮戦争の離散家族の再会で合意し、対話重視の姿勢を示す一方で、今月下旬の米韓軍事演習には強く反発している。To urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions, Japan, the United States and South Korea should not march to different drummers. Mutual efforts by both Japan and South Korea are indispensable to repair their bilateral relations, which have become ice-cold due to disputes over the Takeshima islands and the issue of the so-called comfort women. 北朝鮮に核放棄を迫るには日米韓の足並みを乱さないことが重要だ。竹島やいわゆる従軍慰安婦の問題で冷え切った日韓関係の修復へ、双方の努力が欠かせない。The Japanese and U.S. foreign ministers also agreed to proceed steadily with the transfer of functions of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district in Okinawa Prefecture, and to start negotiations on a new bilateral treaty to allow environmental field studies at U.S. bases in Japan that are scheduled to be returned to the Japanese government. 外相会談では、米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設の着実な進展や、返還予定の在日米軍基地内の環境調査などを可能にする新しい日米協定の交渉の開始で一致した。The envisaged new treaty is expected to smooth the way for the planned return of U.S. bases in Japan. We hope both governments will reach a conclusion as soon as possible to make stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, a foundation of their deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region, sustainable. 新協定は、基地返還をより円滑に進める効果が期待される。米軍の抑止力の根幹である日本駐留を持続可能なものにするため、早期の合意を目指したい。Kishida and Kerry also agreed to accelerate bilateral talks in an effort to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact as soon as possible. The negotiations on the trade agreement are now deadlocked. 膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について両外相は、早期妥結に向けて日米協議を加速させることを確認した。Tokyo and Washington have differing opinions over whether to abolish tariffs on five Japanese farm products. It may be time for the United States to review its commitment to a hard-line policy and demonstrate some flexibility from a common strategic viewpoint shared by Japan and the United States to create a new free trade system in the Asia-Pacific region. 日本の農産品５項目の関税撤廃をめぐる日米対立が続いている。アジア太平洋地域に新たな自由貿易体制を作るという日米共通の戦略的観点から、米国もそろそろ強硬一辺倒の姿勢を見直し、一定の柔軟性を示してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 9, 2014)（2014年2月9日00時23分 読売新聞）
Feb 11, 2014
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「東海」併記問題 座視できぬ米国での反日活動
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 08, 2014Govt must do more to make stance known amid anti-Japan movements「東海」併記問題 座視できぬ米国での反日活動（2月8日付・読売社説）With anti-Japan activities by Americans of South Korean ancestry expanding, the Japanese government must be tenacious in making strong counterarguments and taking appropriate responses. 韓国系米国人による反日的な動きがさらに拡大した。日本政府は、粘り強く反論し、適切な対応を取らねばならない。The Virginia state assembly has approved a bill requiring public school textbooks in the state to refer to the Sea of Japan also as the East Sea, the name the South Korean government insists be used. The bill, which will be enacted after it is signed by the governor, is scheduled to take effect on July 1. 米南部バージニア州の議会が、公立学校の教科書の中で「日本海」と表記する場合には、韓国政府が主張する「東海」を併記するよう求める法案を可決した。州知事の署名で成立し７月１日に発効する見通しだ。The Sea of Japan is an internationally established name that has also been approved by the U.S. government. In a show of displeasure, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga naturally called the developments in Virginia “extremely regrettable.” 日本海の名称は、国際的に確立され、米政府も認めている。菅官房長官が、「極めて残念」と不快感を表明したのは当然である。The population of Americans of South Korean ancestry residing in Virginia is the fifth largest among the 50 U.S. states. The state assembly’s move was probably the result of strong lobbying of lawmakers by South Korean-related private organizations. バージニア州に居住する韓国系米国人の数は、全米５０州の中で５番目に多い。韓国系民間団体が州議会議員らに法案成立への強い圧力をかけた結果なのだろう。In the 1990s, the South Korean government started to urge the international community to call the body of water the “East Sea,” saying the name “Sea of Japan” became widely used during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. At present, Seoul asserts that both names should be used. 韓国政府は１９９０年代から、国際社会に対して、日本海は日本の植民地支配の過程で広がった名称だとし、東海への改称を求め始めた。現在では、両方の名称を併記すべきだと主張している。However, “Sea of Japan” did not become an international standard because of Japan’s colonial rule. According to the Foreign Ministry, a large majority of maps in European nations and the United States were using the Sea of Japan in the first half of the 19th century, before the Meiji Restoration. It is, therefore, impossible to accept South Korea’s unreasonable assertion, which is clearly an attempt to make the rest of the world dance to its tune. だが、日本海の名称が国際的に定着したのは、植民地支配によるものではない。日本外務省によると、明治維新以前の１９世紀前半の時点で、欧米の地図の大多数が日本海と記している。韓国の言い分は牽強(けんきょう)付会(ふかい)で容認できない。‘Sea of Japan’ commonly usedOnly the “Sea of Japan” is used in a collection of nautical charts by the International Hydrographic Organization, and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has it as the sole name for the sea. 日本海は、国際水路機関（ＩＨＯ）の海図集では唯一の名称として使われており、米地名委員会も単独名称と定めている。Of course, some in the Virginia General Assembly opposed the bill, saying state governments should not be involved in debates over the historical geographical names of other nations. 州議会の中にも、州政治が他国の歴史的地名を巡る議論に関わるべきではないと反対する意見があったのはもっともだ。The Japanese government was by no means standing idle in the face of the movement at the state assembly. 州法案を巡る動きを、日本政府も座視していたわけではない。Kenichiro Sasae, Japanese ambassador to the United States, has sent a letter to the Virginia governor, expressing concern that the move could hinder economic relations with Japan, and met with him in person to urge him not to enact the bill. Japan also used lobbyists to try to sway the assembly to its side, but to no avail. 佐々江賢一郎駐米大使は、州知事に、日本との経済関係を損ねる恐れがあると懸念する書簡を送ったり、直接面談したりして、法案の成立阻止を図った。ロビイストを使って、州議会にも工作したものの、結果が伴わなかった。Across the United States, campaigns targeting Japan by South Korean-related private organizations pose a serious concern. 憂慮されるのは、韓国系民間団体が、日本を狙い撃ちする活動を全米で展開していることだ。There is also a movement in the state of Maryland urging the use of both the Sea of Japan and the East Sea. In California, which has a large population of residents with South Korean origins, a statue dedicated to the so-called comfort women was erected last year. The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, who is from California, has since visited the statue to offer flowers. 「東海」併記を求める動きは、メリーランド州にもある。韓国系の多いカリフォルニア州では、いわゆる従軍慰安婦の少女像が昨年設置され、州内選出の連邦下院外交委員長が献花に訪れた。As the history of South Korean immigration to the United States is relatively short, such groups still have some allegiance to their origins. If they gain greater political say in the United States, they will be able to back the South Korean government, which is criticizing Japan over historical issues. 韓国系米国人は移民の歴史が浅く、韓国への帰属意識が強い。米国内で政治的発言力を強めれば、歴史問題で日本を非難する韓国政府を後押しすることになる。The Japanese government, for its part, must make further efforts to make its stance known to the U.S. Congress and public. 日本政府は、米国の議会や世論に対し、自らの立場を主張していく一層の努力が必要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2014)（2014年2月8日01時55分 読売新聞）
Feb 10, 2014
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ソチ五輪開幕 平和の祭典でテロを許すな
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 07, 2014Russia should do its utmost to ensure safe Olympic Gamesソチ五輪開幕 平和の祭典でテロを許すな（2月7日付・読売社説）The Sochi Winter Olympics has kicked off under the threat of potential terrorism. We hope the Games will be held without incident. テロの脅威にさらされる中での開幕である。大会が無事に行われることを願いたい。The opening ceremony was set to take place Friday, with athletes from more than 80 countries and territories competing for 98 gold medals in seven sports through Feb. 23. ソチ冬季五輪は７日、開会式を迎える。２３日までの期間中、８０以上の国・地域から集うアスリートが、７競技９８種目で熱戦を繰り広げる。In contrast to the glowing touches put into place for the opening of the sports event, the Sochi Olympics has been overshadowed by an Islamist radical group announcing its intention to disrupt the Games through terrorist attacks. It is extraordinary that an Olympics has been made the target of such attacks. 華やかなスポーツの祭典のスタートとは裏腹に、今回の五輪は、重苦しい雰囲気に覆われている。イスラム過激派がテロを予告しているからだ。五輪が標的にされる異例の事態である。This is the second Olympics that Russia has hosted, following the 1980 Moscow Summer Games during the former Soviet Union days. ロシアでの五輪開催は、旧ソ連時代のモスクワ夏季五輪（１９８０年）以来、２度目となる。The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan the previous year, and Japan, the United States and many other countries boycotted the Games in protest. モスクワ五輪の前年、ソ連はアフガニスタンに侵攻した。これに抗議した日米など多くの国が、五輪をボイコットした。For Russia, which was humiliated by the boycotts at that time, the Sochi Olympics also serve as a major political event. By making the event successful, Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently aims to show that Russia has overcome the confusion following the collapse of the Soviet Union and has revived itself as a major power. 屈辱を味わったロシアにとって、ソチ五輪は威信回復をかけた一大政治イベントと言える。プーチン大統領は、五輪を成功させることで、ロシアがソ連崩壊後の混乱を克服し、大国として復活したとアピールしたいのだろう。Russia spent about ¥5 trillion for the Winter Games—the most ever in the history of the Olympics—in building event venues and related facilities in Sochi, a resort in the south of the country on the Black Sea coast. 黒海に面した南部の保養地ソチでの競技会場建設などに、五輪史上最大の約５兆円を投じた。Threat of terrorismIslamist groups based in neighboring areas, however, oppose the Putin administration’s high-handed political stance toward ethnic minorities. The group that has announced its intention to carry out terrorist attacks has also claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks that hit Volgograd, northeast of Sochi, in December. これに対し、ソチの近隣地域を拠点とするイスラム過激派は、プーチン政権の強権的な少数民族政策に反発している。五輪テロを予告した一派は、昨年１２月にボルゴグラードで起きた連続自爆テロへの関与も認めた。The tight security surrounding Sochi is proof of the tense situation facing these Olympics. About 40,000 officers have been dispatched from police and other security organizations, while the navy has been put on high alert. Surveillance from the air has also been reinforced. ソチに敷かれた厳戒態勢が、緊迫した状況を物語る。警察など治安機関から約４万人が動員され、沖合には海軍艦艇が展開する。空からの監視も強化した。Visitors to the Olympic Village, in which about 6,000 athletes are staying, have to go through stringent ID checks. 約６０００人が滞在する選手村では、徹底した身元チェックや所持品検査が行われている。Asked about concerns over possible terrorist attacks against the Sochi Games, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has expressed full confidence in the Russian authorities. 国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）のバッハ会長は、テロへの懸念について、「ロシアを全面的に信頼している」と語った。For athletes, the Sochi Olympics will certainly test their mental strength to see how well they can focus on their performances while under such tight security. 選手にとって、ソチ五輪は、ものものしい警備の中で、いかに競技に集中するかという精神力も問われる大会となるだろう。Japan has sent a delegation of 113 athletes to Sochi, including 65 women. This is the first Winter Games for Japan to send more women athletes than men. 今回、出場する日本選手は１１３人に上る。このうち６５人が女子選手で、冬季五輪では初めて女子選手数が男子を上回った。In terms of medals, the Japanese team has set a target of surpassing its results at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where Japan won five gold medals and five silver or bronze medals. The latest squad includes some gold medal hopefuls, such as figure skaters Mao Asada and Yuzuru Hanyu, in addition to Sara Takanashi, who will compete in the Olympics’ first women’s ski jumping event. 目標は、金５個を含む計１０個のメダルを獲得した長野五輪（１９９８年）以上の成績だ。新種目のスキージャンプ女子の高梨沙羅選手、フィギュアスケートの浅田真央、羽生結弦両選手ら金メダルを狙えるメンバーを擁している。We hope the Japanese athletes fully display their abilities in Sochi. 選手団が実力を存分に発揮することを期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 7, 2014)（2014年2月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
Feb 9, 2014
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４Ｋテレビ 日本メーカー復活の原動力に
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 06, 20144K TVs could power revival of Japanese manufacturing４Ｋテレビ 日本メーカー復活の原動力に（2月6日付・読売社説）Market competition over so-called 4K ultrahigh-resolution TVs has grown fierce. 画像がより繊細な「４Ｋテレビ」を巡る競争が激しくなってきた。We hope Japanese manufacturers, with their technological prowess, will lead this growth market and make it a driving force for the recovery of their TV businesses. 日本メーカーは技術力を生かして成長市場を牽(けん)引(いん)し、テレビ事業の復活の起爆剤にしてもらいたい。The main feature of 4K TVs is their greater number of pixels, which influence the brightness and clarity of images. 4K TVs have as many as about 8 million pixels, four times more than full high-vision TVs. ４Ｋテレビは、画像の明暗や鮮明さを左右する画素数が、フルハイビジョンの４倍の約８００万もあり、高解像度が売り物だ。The 4K models that Japanese makers began marketing two to three years ago were mainly large models measuring nearly 80 inches, costing as much as about ¥1 million. As a result, 4K TVs remained far from popular, with global shipments in 2012 below 10,000 units. メーカー各社が２～３年前から売り出した機種は、８０型に近い大型が中心で、価格も約１００万円と割高だった。２０１２年の世界出荷台数は１万台弱にとどまり、普及にはほど遠かった。However, the atmosphere has changed markedly as manufacturers dubbed 2014 the “first year of 4K TVs” and put out new models to fully promote 4K TVs. Their offensive stance has become ever more apparent. ムードが一変したのは、各社が本格普及に向け、今年を「４Ｋテレビ元年」と位置づけて、新製品を発表しているためだ。攻めの姿勢が目立ってきたと言える。Sony Corp. will expand its 4K TV lineup from five models last year to nine this year, ranging from 49-inch to 85-inch TVs. Panasonic Corp., Sharp Corp. and Toshiba Corp. have also put their latest models on the market. ソニーは４Ｋテレビを４９～８５型の９機種とし、昨年より倍増させる。パナソニック、シャープ、東芝も最新機種を発表した。There are expectations within the TV industry that 4K models will account for more than 40 percent of 50-inch and larger models in fiscal 2015. The development of new models that are smaller and more reasonably priced will boost promotion of 4K TVs. 業界には、１５年度は５０型以上での４Ｋテレビ比率が４割を超えると期待する声がある。より小型で手頃な価格の新商品の開発が、普及への後押しとなるだろう。Futuristic technologySony will shortly put on the U.S. market a small, lightweight 4K video camera for home use. Panasonic has announced a small video camera capable of recording 4K ultrahigh-resolution images as a wearable terminal. ソニーは近く、米国で小型軽量の家庭用４Ｋビデオカメラを発売する。パナソニックも、身に着けて利用できる「ウエアラブル端末」として、４Ｋ画質で録画可能な小型ビデオカメラを発表した。Wearable terminals are expected to record sharp growth among next-generation home appliances. If highly innovative mobile devices featuring 4K ultrahigh-resolution and wearable technology hit the market one after another, the home appliance market is certain to be invigorated further. 次世代家電の中で、ウエアラブル端末は急成長が見込まれる。４Ｋ技術を生かしたユニークな派生商品が次々と誕生すれば、市場が一段と活気づくに違いない。South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co. and Chinese rivals have also announced new models, including 4K models. Even though Japanese makers currently lead the 4K market, they need to be on the alert for a war of attrition in which price-cutting competition will intensify. 韓国サムスン電子や中国企業などライバルも、４Ｋテレビをはじめとした新製品を発表している。今は日本各社がリードしていても、値下げ競争が激しくなる消耗戦には要警戒である。Japanese makers were overtaken by their South Korean rivals in the sales battle over flat-panel TVs, the primary factor that sent their TV businesses into the red. They should avoid allowing that to happen again. 薄型液晶テレビ商戦では、日本各社は韓国勢に追い抜かれ、テレビ事業が赤字に陥る主因となった。その二の舞いは避けたい。How can they retain their technological superiority and develop such products in anticipation of consumers’ needs, while at the same time enhancing their production efficiency? Japanese manufacturers must apply all their brainpower to win out in the international rivalry. 技術優位を維持し、消費者ニーズを先取りした商品を開発するとともに、生産効率化をどう図るか。競争を勝ち抜く知恵が要る。To promote 4K TVs in this country, it is essential to improve the related software, including TV programs that utilize ultrahigh-resolution images. もちろん、国内で４Ｋテレビを普及させるには、画質を生かす番組などソフトの充実が必須だ。Test broadcasting compatible with 4K ultrahigh-resolution is expected to start within the year, but there is a shortage of visual content. TV makers and broadcasting stations need to cooperate to create programs and image software appealing to consumers. ４Ｋ対応の試験放送が年内にも始まる予定だが、映像コンテンツは不足している。魅力ある番組やソフト作りで、メーカーと放送局などは連携する必要がある。There is a wide range of supporting industries for the home appliances sector. If Japanese home appliance makers can take the lead in this growth market by wielding their competitiveness, it will also help rejuvenate the Japanese economy. 家電業界は産業の裾野が広い。日本の各社が競争力を発揮し、成長市場で主導権を握れば、経済再生にも好影響を与えよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 6, 2014)（2014年2月6日01時16分 読売新聞）
Feb 8, 2014
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北陸新幹線談合 官民癒着の徹底解明が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 5, 2014Possible collusion in Shinkansen bid-rigging case must be clarified北陸新幹線談合 官民癒着の徹底解明が必要だ（2月5日付・読売社説）Do the new allegations over bid-rigging on Shinkansen-related engineering work mean that competitive bidding on infrastructure improvement projects essential for the safety of bullet train services was derailed through a collusive relationship between entities in the public and private sectors? Investigating authorities must uncover the full truth. 新幹線の安全運行に欠かせないインフラ工事の入札が、官民の癒着でゆがめられていたのか。捜査当局には徹底解明が求められる。The allegations have arisen over projects to prevent snow damage along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. On Tuesday, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Fair Trade Commission searched offices linked to the case on suspicion of a violation of the Antimonopoly Law. The locations searched by the prosecution’s special investigative squad and the FTC included equipment installation companies that participated in the bidding, as well as the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), a government-affiliated independent administrative institution that placed orders for the projects. 北陸新幹線の雪害対策工事で談合の疑いが浮上した。東京地検特捜部と公正取引委員会は入札に参加した設備工事会社と、発注元の独立行政法人「鉄道建設・運輸施設整備支援機構」を独占禁止法違反容疑で捜索した。The projects under investigation cover a route that is being constructed to connect Nagano and Kanazawa along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. The Nagano-Kanazawa route is scheduled to open late in fiscal 2014. 捜査の対象は、２０１４年度末に開業予定の長野―金沢間の工事だ。The cost of the projects is to be covered by such resources as national government subsidies and contributions from local governments affected by these plans. If prices tendered for construction projects are exorbitant due to bid-rigging, the corporations involved in the scheme will reap unlawful profits, thus requiring excessive public expenditures.工事費は、国の補助金や自治体の負担金などで賄う。談合で入札価格がつり上がれば、業者が不正な利益を獲得し、その分、余計な公費が支出される。Given the seriousness of the latest bid-rigging case, the special investigation team and the FTC had every reason to embark on a probe aimed at establishing the criminal responsibility of the corporations involved and JRTT. 談合の悪質性を考えれば、特捜部と公取委が刑事責任の追及に乗り出したのは当然と言える。It will be particularly disconcerting if the case is found to involve collusive bidding at the initiative of such a government-affiliated institution as JRTT. 特に問題なのは、官製談合だった可能性が高い点だ。However, this seems likely as bidding on the projects included more than one case in which the price of a successful bid on a construction project was equivalent to 99 percent or more of the price anticipated by JRTT. It is apparent that the prices must have been leaked to potential contractors as the bids on the projects were accepted at prices nearly equal to those JRTT anticipated. 工事の入札では、予定価格に対する落札額の割合を示す落札率が９９％を超える複数のケースがあった。予定価格にほぼ等しい落札が相次げば、価格が漏洩(ろうえい)されていたと見るのが自然だろう。Tough penaltiesPossible irregularities have been brought to light through the investigative squad’s questioning of some company employees responsible for the bidding procedures. They reportedly told investigators that JRTT officials, who held positions comparable to section chief, gave them hints as to anticipated prices ahead of the bidding sessions. これまでの特捜部の任意の事情聴取に対し、一部業者の担当者が、入札前に支援機構支社の課長クラスから予定価格を示唆されたと供述しているという。Another probable factor behind the latest case is that JRTT wanted to smooth progress in the bidding process so it could complete the construction projects in time for the opening of the Nagano-Kanazawa route. If no bidder had won a contract for a project, it would have taken about two months for a new bidding session to take place. This would have led to delays in the JRTT projects. 機構側には、北陸新幹線開業に間に合わせるため、入札を円滑に進めたいとの思惑があったとされる。入札が不調に終わると、再入札までに２か月程度かかり、工事の遅れにつながるからだ。If JRTT put its own convenience ahead of everything else by becoming involved in bid-rigging and accommodating bidders’ interests, it would undermine the essential nature of competitive bidding. It would also impair people’s trust in public works projects. こうした自らの都合で、機構が談合に手を染め、業者側に便宜を図れば、入札は骨抜きになる。公共事業に対する信頼も損なう。In December 2006, the Public Sector Bid-Rigging Prevention Law was revised to impose criminal penalties on public service employees and others. The law would apply to employees at JRTT, an institution wholly financed by the government. We hope the investigative team will carry out a thorough probe into all aspects of the case, including whether top-ranking JRTT officials were involved in the affair. 官製談合防止法は２００６年１２月の改正で、公務員ら個人への刑事罰が導入された。政府が１００％出資する機構の職員にも適用される。特捜部は、機構上層部の関与の有無を含め、厳正に捜査を進めてもらいたい。JRTT’s undertakings include construction work on new Shinkansen lines in Hokkaido and Kyushu in addition to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Prompt measures should be taken to determine whether there were any suspicions about bidding for projects on these lines. It is also essential to confirm whether JRTT is properly managing information about its anticipated prices. 支援機構は、北陸新幹線のほかにも、北海道や九州の整備新幹線の建設工事を手がけている。不自然な入札はなかったか、予定価格の情報管理は適正に行われているか。早急に再点検すべきだ。The latest case has highlighted the depth of industry-wide collusion. The targets of Tuesday’s search included a large corporation that has expertise in installing snow-melting equipment. 業界ぐるみの談合体質の根深さも浮き彫りになった。捜索を受けた会社には、融雪設備工事のノウハウを持つ大手が含まれる。The latest bid-rigging case is not an isolated one in the engineering industry. In 2006, action was taken in a case involving an order placed by the now-defunct Defense Facilities Administration Agency for air-conditioning equipment installation work. この業界では、０６年にも当時の防衛施設庁発注の空調設備工事で、談合が摘発された。All corporations in the engineering industry need to eliminate collusive relationships and comply with the law. 業界全体で馴(な)れ合いを排し、法令順守を徹底する必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 5, 2014)（2014年2月5日01時37分 読売新聞）
Feb 7, 2014
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タイ総選挙 依然見えない混乱収拾への道
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 4, 2014No end in sight to chaos in Thailand as situation continues to deteriorate タイ総選挙 依然見えない混乱収拾への道（2月4日付・読売社説）The political situation has been deteriorating in Thailand, and it is not easy to find even a clue as to how to end the current crisis. タイ政治の混迷は一層深まっている。局面打開の糸口を探るのは容易ではない。Amid antigovernment protests, a general election was held on Sunday. There were no large-scale clashes between protesters and government supporters, as had been feared, but due to disruptions by protesters, the voting was canceled in about 20 percent of the electoral districts. 反政府デモが続くタイで総選挙が行われた。懸念された大規模な衝突はなかったものの、デモ隊の妨害により、全体の約２割にあたる選挙区で、投票が中止された。As things stand now, there will not be enough elected parliamentarians to convene parliament. And in those electoral districts where the voting was canceled, there is no clear prospect for holding another vote. このままでは、国会を開会するのに必要な議員数を選出できない。投票中止になった選挙区では、再投票の見通しも不透明だ。Still calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, protesters continue occupying major intersections in Bangkok. It is imperative to be on the lookout for worsening discord. デモ隊は依然インラック首相の辞任を求め、バンコク市内で座り込みを続けている。混乱拡大を引き続き警戒する必要がある。In the latest election, the Yingluck administration took its case to the voters by dissolving parliament, a move that took place amid overwhelming support from farmers and poor people—a group of supporters Yingluck inherited from Thaksin Shinawatra, her brother and former premier, who now is in self-imposed exile. 今回の選挙は、首相が、兄のタクシン元首相から受け継いだ農民や貧困層における圧倒的支持を背景に、議会を解散し、国民に信を問うたものだ。Meanwhile, Thaksin’s opponents, comprising the wealthy and urban-based middle-class, have called for an unelected council to govern as an interim government, as they are overwhelmed by Thaksin’s supporters in terms of number. これに対して、富裕層や都市中間層などからなる反タクシン派は、支持者数ではタクシン派に遠く及ばないこともあり、選挙を経ない暫定統治を要求してきた。The major opposition Democratic Party, which supports Thaksin’s opponents, has boycotted the vote, in step with the voting disruption by protesters. 反タクシン派の最大野党・民主党は、デモ隊の選挙妨害に合わせて、選挙をボイコットした。As voting was canceled in a number of electoral districts, the party has shown its readiness to appeal to the Constitutional Court to invalidate the vote on the grounds it counters the constitutional stipulation requiring elections to be held on one day. 多くの選挙区が投票中止になったことを巡り、今回の選挙は、「全国で同じ日に行う」とする憲法の規定に違反したとして、憲法裁判所に無効を申し立てる構えも見せている。Legal overthrow?Thaksin’s opponents may be aiming to lawfully overthrow the government outside the election. 反タクシン派が目指しているのは、このような選挙以外の合法的手段による政権打倒だろう。Under the Constitution, enacted in 2007, the Constitutional Court and the National Anticorruption Commission have strong authority over parliament and public administrative organizations. というのも、２００７年制定の憲法では、憲法裁や国家汚職防止委員会などが、国会や行政に対し強い権限を有しているからだ。Thaksin’s opponents have a majority in all such organizations. Some years ago, the Constitutional Court caused the pro-Thaksin administration to collapse by ruling that electoral fraud rendered an election unconstitutional. いずれの組織も反タクシン派が多数を占め、なかでも憲法裁は、違憲判決などでタクシン派政権を崩壊に追い込んだ例もある。The dynamics of the political conflict are expected to remain for the time being, with Thaksin supporters calling for the principle of majority rule in running the country, while Thaksin’s opponents who attach importance to the “rule of law” by such entities as the Constitutional Court. 統治方法を巡り、多数決で決着を図るべきだとするタクシン派と憲法裁などによる「法の支配」を重視する反タクシン派が対立する状況が当面続くとみられる。Meanwhile, the 86-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has often served as a mediator in times of political instability in the past, has been receiving medical treatment. There is a limit to his influence over the current turmoil. 過去の政情不安で調停役を果たしてきたプミポン国王も８６歳となり、療養生活を送っている。影響力行使には限界があろう。It is also worrisome that adverse effects on the economy have become apparent. The tourism industry, the country’s major industry, has been hit hard by the political unrest, with Thailand’s central bank revising downward this year’s projected national growth rate from 4.8 percent to 3 percent. 経済への悪影響が目立ち始めたことも懸念される。主要産業の観光業は大打撃を受け、タイ中央銀行は今年の成長率見通しを４・８％から３％に引き下げた。Under the current caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck, the government cannot compile a fiscal budget or approve any large-scale investment. 選挙管理内閣のインラック現政権下では、予算編成や、新規の大型投資認可は行えない。As Japanese-affiliate companies are expected to shy away from investing in the country, Thai authorities will continue to face a severe ordeal. 日系企業などが投資を控える動きも予想され、タイ当局にとっては、厳しい試練が続くだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 4, 2014)（2014年2月4日01時00分 読売新聞）
Feb 6, 2014
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相撲協会改革 公益法人に恥じぬ組織運営を
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 3, 2014Sumo association must work hard as new entity to win support of public 相撲協会改革 公益法人に恥じぬ組織運営を（2月3日付・読売社説）Now that it has become a public interest incorporated foundation, the Japan Sumo Association must make the most of this opportunity to transform itself into an organization with a self-purifying power. 公益財団法人への移行を機に、自浄能力を持つ組織に生まれ変わることが求められる。The Cabinet Office has certified the association as a public interest incorporated foundation, and the association has officially registered itself as the new type of legal entity. 内閣府は、日本相撲協会を公益財団法人に認定した。協会は登記手続きを行い、新法人に移行した。The sumo world was rocked by a series of scandals, including the fatal assault of a sumo wrestler by stablemates, gambling on baseball, and bout-fixing. The association has been told by such entities as the sports ministry, which has jurisdiction over the JSA, to implement organizational reform, greatly delaying the procedures for the transformation into the new incorporated foundation. 相撲界は、力士の暴行死事件や野球賭博、八百長問題など、相次ぐ不祥事に揺れた。相撲協会は所管の文部科学省などから組織改革を求められ、移行への手続きが大幅に遅れていた。With its new status, the JSA will continue to be entitled to preferential tax treatment, and revenue from the grand tournaments and tournaments in provinces will remain tax-exempt. 従来、公益法人だった相撲協会は、新制度に基づく公益財団法人に認定されたことで、今後も税の優遇措置を受けられる。本場所や巡業の収入は非課税扱いだ。While taking to heart its responsibility of carrying on the tradition of sumo wrestling, the JSA had to make an effort to enhance the transparency of its businesses. 大相撲の伝統を継承していく責務を肝に銘じ、事業の透明性向上に努めねばならない。The most typical example of its opaqueness is the issue of how to deal with the JSA’s “elder shares.” 不透明な実態の最たる例が、年寄名跡の扱いだ。At present, there are 107 elder shares. Unless a sumo wrestler obtains an elder share upon retirement, he cannot become a stablemaster.現在、１０７の年寄名跡がある。これを保有しなければ、力士引退後、親方になることはできない。Trade of elder sharesElder shares have been traded for huge amounts of money. There are said to have been such deals involving several hundred millions of yen. Generally speaking, the trading of rights to gain income from the association as a stablemaster is a custom hard to understand. 年寄名跡は高額で売買されてきた。億単位の金銭のやり取りもあったとされる。親方として協会から収入を得る権利の売買は、一般的には理解し難い慣習だ。In its switch to a public interest incorporated foundation, the JSA has stipulated, in its articles of association, that the elder shares are to be placed under its centralized control. Elders who are to retire are able to recommend their replacement, but the transfer of money is prohibited at the time of succession. Those who violate the rule will be severely punished. 公益財団法人への移行にあたり、相撲協会は年寄名跡を協会で一括管理することを定款に明記した。退任する年寄は、後継者を推薦できる一方で、継承に際し、金銭の授受は禁止される。違反者は厳重処分を受ける。This is a step forward, but a concern remains. Those who succeed to an elder’s name can pay a “guidance fee” to a former elder for advice on how to manage a stable, on condition of notifying the JSA. 一歩前進であるが、懸念は残る。名跡の襲名者は、部屋運営のノウハウなどを学ぶため、協会に申告するのを条件に、前親方に指導料を支払うことができる。Will the trade of elder shares effectively continue under the guise of guidance fees? The JSA must develop a strict system to scrutinize this possibility. 指導料が隠れみのとなって、名跡売買が実質的に続くことになりはしないか。協会の厳格なチェック体制の整備が必要である。It is praiseworthy that the relationship between the JSA and each stable has been clarified. With regards to the training of sumo wrestlers, the association will conclude a commission contract with stablemasters. 協会と各部屋の関係を明確にした点は評価できる。力士の養成に関し、協会は、部屋の親方と委託契約を結ぶ仕組みになる。When irregularities occurred in the past, the association often tried to put an end to scandals by blaming the stables, saying, for instance, “The stablemaster’s way of nurturing the wrestler was wrong.” From now on, the association’s responsibility to consign training of wrestlers outside stables will be put to the test. 不祥事の際、協会は「親方の教育が悪い」などと、各部屋の責任にして幕引きを図ることが多かった。今後は契約上の委託元として、協会の責任も問われよう。The form of the JSA’s council of the board of trustees, the highest decision-making organization for the incorporated foundation, will also change. The majority of the five- to seven-member council will comprise outside experts. It is important to respect the opinions of those outside the sumo world to correct long-standing evils. 最高意思決定機関である評議員会の形態も変わる。５～７人のメンバーの過半数が外部有識者となる。角界外の意見を尊重し、旧弊を改善することが肝要だ。For the JSA to win public support as an entity to operate the “national sport,” sumo wrestlers must give performances to meet the public expectations. Hopes are growing for the advent of a Japanese yokozuna. We hope both the JSA and sumo stables will make further efforts in fostering strong sumo wrestlers. 「国技」の運営母体として、協会が国民から支持されるには、土俵の充実が欠かせない。日本人横綱を待望する声は高まっている。協会と各部屋は、強い力士の養成に一層、力を注いでほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 3, 2014)（2014年2月3日01時48分 読売新聞）
Feb 5, 2014
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大型企業買収 国際化に布石打つサントリー
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 2, 2014Suntory shows remarkable ambition by making huge acquisition abroad大型企業買収 国際化に布石打つサントリー（2月2日付・読売社説）While waging a war of attrition in the shrinking domestic market, a company relying mainly on domestic demand has gone on the offensive abroad in an effort to boost growth. 縮小する国内市場で消耗戦を展開している内需型企業が、海外での成長に活路を見いだす「攻めの戦略」を決断した。Suntory Holdings Ltd. has announced it will purchase Beam Inc., the largest spirits company in the United States, for $16 billion (about ¥1.6 trillion). It is the biggest overseas acquisition undertaken in Japan’s food industry. サントリーホールディングスが米蒸留酒最大手のビーム社を１６０億ドル（約１・６兆円）で買収し、完全子会社化すると発表した。食品業界では、過去最大規模の海外企業買収である。Beam is known for a broad lineup of products, including such famous bourbon whiskeys as Jim Beam, as well as vodka and tequila. The company’s sales outlets have spread extensively around the world, including Russia and Brazil. ビーム社は、「ジムビーム」などの有名ウイスキーのほか、ウオツカやテキーラなど品ぞろえが豊富だ。ロシアやブラジルなどにも販路を広げている。The takeover will make Suntory the world’s third-largest maker of distilled drinks in terms of revenue, up from 10th place. 買収によってサントリーは、蒸留酒の売り上げで世界１０位から３位の企業に浮上する。It seems Suntory has taken the acquisition action to strengthen its business operations in the United States and emerging economies by making effective use of Beam’s high brand recognition and international marketing networks. ビーム社の高いブランド力と、国際的な販売網を活用し、米国や新興国への事業展開を一気に強化する狙いがあるのだろう。The earnings potential of domestic beverage firms has been dwindling because of intensifying price competition in addition to a shrinking market due to the nation’s graying society and low birthrate. 少子高齢化に伴う市場の縮小に加え、価格競争の激化で国内の収益環境は厳しい。In contrast, the number of middle-income consumers has been on the rise in China and the emerging economies in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Prospects for expanding sales in these areas are bright for whiskey and other relatively high-priced alcoholic drinks. 対照的に海外市場では、中国や東南アジア諸国などの新興国で中間所得層が増加している。ウイスキーなど比較的高額なアルコール飲料の販売拡大が見込まれる。Suntory’s strategy of pursuing the goal of morphing into a global company by swiftly building a foothold overseas by putting a powerful foreign firm under its control can be said to be in line with the needs of the times. 有力企業を傘下に置いて海外進出の足場を迅速に築き、グローバル企業への脱皮を目指そうという戦略は時代の要請だろう。The cash needed for the takeover, ¥1.6 trillion, is massive enough to be close to the Suntory group’s annual sales. ただ、１・６兆円は、サントリー・グループ全体の年間売上高に迫る金額である。Promising optionA number of market analysts point out that the huge corporate acquisition may prove to be a bad bargain, saying Suntory’s management has taken a major gamble.市場では、巨額買収は「割高な買い物だ」として、今回の経営判断を大きな賭けと見る向きも少なくない。To prevent its investment from becoming a gigantic burden, Suntory must further enhance its operational efficiency and boost profitability. サントリーは、大規模投資が重荷とならぬよう、一層の経営効率化や増収を図る必要がある。All member firms of the Suntory group must act together to craft a marketing strategy by taking the global market into account, while at the same time exercising ingenuity to develop new products and reduce distribution costs. These efforts are essential to take full advantage of the acquisition. グループ一体で世界市場をにらんだ販売戦略を練り、商品開発や物流コストの削減を進めるべきだ。それが買収メリットを最大限に引き出すことになる。On the strength of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s business expansion policy, signs are emerging that the national economy is picking up. All businesses have been thinking hard about how to expand markets for their key merchandise. 安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」によって日本経済は上向いてきた。戦略商品の販路拡大に各企業が知恵を絞っている。In the eyes of companies seeking to grow, the purchase of overseas firms like that by Suntory is one of the most promising options. 成長を目指す企業にとって、サントリーのような海外企業の買収は有力な選択肢となろう。We hope to see companies in such sectors as the food industry and distribution services accelerating their moves to tap demand abroad, particularly in other Asian countries. 食品や流通業界は、アジアなどの外需取り込みを狙った動きをさらに加速することが求められる。As the yen is likely to remain weak, there are concerns that the cost of corporate acquisitions may swell. Because of the effects of the Bank of Japan’s monetary easing policy, however, companies are favorably positioned to secure funding from financial institutions. 円安定着で円建ての買収金額が膨らむことが懸念されるものの、日本銀行による大胆な金融緩和の効果により、企業が金融機関から資金を調達しやすい環境にあることも追い風である。Companies should consider the current state of affairs a good opportunity to improve their operations by breaking away from their inward-looking mode of thinking and make a leap forward in the global arena. 企業は事業拡大の好機ととらえ、内向き志向から脱し、グローバルに飛躍してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 2, 2014)（2014年2月2日01時25分 読売新聞）
Feb 4, 2014
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ＳＴＡＰ細胞 理系女子の発想が常識覆した
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 1, 2014Female researcher’s innovative idea leads to breakthrough discoveryＳＴＡＰ細胞 理系女子の発想が常識覆した（2月1日付・読売社説）An international research team’s discovery of a new method for obtaining pluripotent cells represents an epoch-making achievement that may defy well-established theories in biology. 生物学の常識を覆す画期的な発見である。The team, led by Haruko Obokata of the Kobe-based Riken Center for Developmental Biology and including researchers from Harvard University in the United States, has successfully produced pluripotent cells that can grow into mature tissues or organs of any sort. 理化学研究所の小保方晴子さんのほか、米ハーバード大などのチームが新たな手法で、様々な組織や臓器の細胞に育つ「万能細胞」を作り出すことに成功した。Lymphocytes collected from mice were bathed in acid solution to produce the cells. They were also created through another method of applying stimulus to mouse lymphocytes by exposing them to toxins or passing them through a narrow glass tube. マウスの細胞（リンパ球）を弱い酸性の液に漬けた。毒素を加えたり、細いガラス管に通したりと別の刺激でも作製できた。If the new method proves successful for human cells, it could be applied for regenerative medicine to bring damaged tissue or organs back to health. We want to laud the new discovery for opening up a wide array of possibilities. ヒトの細胞でも成功すれば、傷んだ組織や臓器を蘇(よみがえ)らせる再生医療に応用できる。幅広い可能性を開く成果を称(たた)えたい。The team calls the new method “stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP)” and the cells it produces “STAP cells.” 研究チームは、こうして作り出した万能細胞を「ＳＴＡＰ細胞」と呼んでいる。ＳＴＡＰとは、「刺激によって引き起こされた多能性の獲得」という意味だ。Many living things start with fertilized eggs that differentiate into tissues and organs. It was conventionally believed that differentiated tissues could not return to the undifferentiated state of a fertilized egg. So it is no wonder that STAP cells have captured the world’s attention. 生物は、受精卵から始まり、組織や臓器に分化していく。分化後は受精卵に逆戻りしないとされてきただけに、ＳＴＡＰ細胞に世界が注目するのはうなずける。The team contributed the initial version of its research paper to a science journal last year. But thanks to highly unexpected method for producing pluripotent cells, the publisher swiftly sent it back, reportedly saying that the paper mocked the history of cell biology. Undaunted, team leader Obokata and other researchers tenaciously pushed on with experiments to reinforce the data, thereby realizing the publication of their discovery in the journal. 意外な手法に、研究チームが一昨年、科学誌に論文を初投稿した時は「細胞生物学の歴史を愚弄している」と突き返された。だが、研究リーダーの小保方さんたちは粘り強く実験を重ね、データを補強して発表にこぎ着けた。There are two other well-known types of such versatile cells: embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Production of these two types of pluripotent cells requires going through a complicated process, including gene manipulation. 万能細胞には、ＥＳ細胞（胚性幹細胞）やｉＰＳ細胞（人工多能性幹細胞）がある。作製には遺伝子操作など複雑な工程を経る。The STAP cell, which is a third type of pluripotent cell, can be produced by utilizing the latent potential inherent in living cells. これに対し、「第３の万能細胞」であるＳＴＡＰ細胞は、生物の細胞にもともと備わった能力を生かして作られる。Fleshing out the processWhat happens to the cells after they are stimulated? A detailed elucidation of the mechanisms behind the process is an important task to tackle in the future. Such findings could be expected to contribute to research into the mechanisms that cause the growing and aging of living things as well as diseases. 刺激を加えたことで細胞に何が起きたか。その詳しい仕組みの解明が今後の重要課題だ。生物の成長と老化、病気の仕組みの探求にも貢献するだろう。Behind this breakthrough discovery is the priority assistance given to research on regenerative medicine by the government. The Riken Center for Developmental Biology, to which Obokata belongs, is a research center for regenerative medicine established with such government aid. 今回の成果の背景には、政府が再生医療研究を重点支援してきたことがある。小保方さんが所属している理研発生・再生科学総合研究センター（神戸市）も政府が整備した再生医療の研究拠点だ。International competition in the field is fierce, and the government’s continued assistance will be a must. この分野の国際競争は激しい。引き続き支援が必要だ。At 30, Obokata is still a young researcher. She will be a role model for young researchers in displaying creative power and building cooperative relationships with veteran researchers. 小保方さんはまだ３０歳の若い研究者だ。発想力に加え、ベテラン研究者と協力関係を築く行動力など若手研究者の模範となろう。Her achievement may encourage other female researchers and women majoring in the sciences who aspire to become researchers. 女性研究者や、研究者を目指している理系女子「リケジョ」の励みになるかもしれない。Women account for a mere 14 percent of researchers in Japan today, the lowest ratio among industrialized countries. The government’s basic plan for science and technology targets boosting that figure to 30 percent, but many women still leave work in research laboratories after having children and for other reasons. 日本の女性研究者の比率は１４％にすぎず、先進国で最低だ。政府の科学技術基本計画は３０％を目標に掲げるが、出産などを機に研究現場を去る女性は多い。Needless to say, family support is crucial to female researchers. So are good government policies to aid them.家族の協力はもちろん、リケジョの活躍を後押しする政策が重要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 1, 2014)（2014年2月1日01時37分 読売新聞）
Feb 3, 2014
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オバマ氏演説 そっけなかった「アジア重視」
The Yomiuri Shimbun January 30, 2014Obama makes only brief reference to Asia in State of Union addressオバマ氏演説 そっけなかった「アジア重視」（1月30日付・読売社説）U.S. President Barack Obama stressed on Tuesday night that he would put priority on supporting middle-class Americans, and promised to create more jobs and alleviate income disparities between rich and poor. It was apparently a speech aimed at restoring his floundering approval rate ahead of midterm elections in November. 中間所得層への支援を優先課題に掲げ、雇用創出や所得格差是正の実現を約束した。１１月の中間選挙に向け、低迷する支持率の回復を意識した演説と言えるだろう。In his annual State of the Union address, a policy speech for the year, Obama expressed his strong determination to make 2014 “a year of action.” オバマ米大統領が、１年間の施政方針を示す一般教書演説を行って、今年を「行動の年」と位置づけた。固い決意がうかがえる。Obama last year had a harsh confrontation with the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives, which resulted in a partial shutdown of government functions. He had a series of failures in both domestic and foreign affairs that temporarily sunk his approval rate to its lowest level since his inauguration. オバマ氏は、下院を支配する共和党と激しく対立し、政府機能の一部停止という事態を招いた。内政、外交とも失点続きで、支持率が一時は、就任以来最低の水準にまで落ち込んだ。If his Democratic Party slips to a minority in both houses of Congress in this year’s mid-term elections, the Obama administration is certain to be rendered ineffectual for the remainder of its term. The question is what strategy he will use to recoup the lost ground. 中間選挙で、民主党が上下両院で少数党に転落すれば、政権のレームダック化は決定的だ。巻き返しへの戦略が問われている。Obama stressed in the speech what he has accomplished regarding the recovery of the U.S. economy after the financial crisis. He then proposed minimum wage hikes in consideration of low-income earners who have not yet benefited from the economic recovery. He also referred to the expansion of job opportunities with the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and immigration reform. オバマ氏は演説で、金融危機後の経済再生の成果を強調した上で景気回復の恩恵を得ていない低所得者層に配慮し、最低賃金引き上げを提案した。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）に伴う雇用拡大や移民制度改革も表明した。All of these are policies that would help cement the support base for Democrats. いずれも、民主党の支持基盤固めにつながる政策だ。Confrontation with GOPIt is noteworthy that Obama said he would use executive orders if his bills are not passed in Congress. Even if Republicans refuse to raise minimum wages, Obama stressed he would issue an executive order to raise the wages of some federal contract workers. 特に注目されるのは、議会で法案が可決されない場合、大統領令を発すると述べたことだ。最低賃金引き上げを共和党が拒んでも、連邦政府契約職員に限っては、大統領令で引き上げるという。This illustrates a point of conflict between his party and Republicans. But the GOP has reacted sharply against Obama, criticizing him for disrespecting Congress. There is concern that confrontation between the two parties will intensify. 共和党との対立軸を鮮明にした形だが、共和党は早くも「議会軽視」と強く反発した。対立はかえって先鋭化する恐れがある。Obama made relatively fewer references to foreign and security policies, as compared to domestic issues, as this is an election year. The president stressed U.S. combat troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of this year and the U.S. war against terrorism “will finally be over.” But we hope Obama will maintain all possible measures against terrorism even after U.S. forces leave the country. 選挙の年だけに、内政が重視され、外交・安全保障政策への言及は比較的少なかった。 アフガニスタンに駐留する米軍戦闘部隊が今年末に撤収し、テロとの戦いが「ようやく終わる」と強調した。撤収後もテロ対策には万全を期してもらいたい。Apparently with the so-called shale gas revolution in mind, the president also stressed “America is closer to energy independence.” But it would be a problem if this makes the United States less interested in Middle East affairs. エネルギー問題では、「シェールガス革命」を念頭に、「エネルギー自給に近づいた」と述べた。これが、中東への米国の関心の減退につながっては困る。Obama also said: “We will continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific, where we support our allies [and] shape a future of greater security and prosperity.” The president clearly said he maintains a foreign policy with emphasis on Asia, but his reference to the region remained brief and dry. アジア太平洋については「引き続き、重視し、同盟国を支え、より安全で繁栄した未来を形作っていく」と主張した。「アジア重視」政策の継続は言明したものの、そっけない表現にとどまった。For the second straight year, Obama did not attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting. We wonder how he will realize the United States’ “focus” on the region. オバマ氏はアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を２年続けて欠席した。「重視」をどう具体化していくのだろうか。With the rise of China, closer unity among the United States and its Asian allies, including Japan, is now needed more than ever before. 中国の台頭を受け、米国と、日本など同盟国との結束が今ほど必要なときはない。Obama should demonstrate his leadership more clearly during his tour of Asian countries scheduled for this spring.オバマ氏は今春のアジア歴訪で、指導力を一層発揮することが求められる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 30, 2014)（2014年1月30日01時35分 読売新聞）
Feb 1, 2014
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