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• China shouldn't stir up anti-Japanese sentiment

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 17, 2010)China shouldn't stir up anti-Japanese sentiment尖閣沖漁船衝突　中国は「反日」沈静化に努めよ（9月16日付・読売社説）China has taken a strikingly hard line over Japan's handling of the recent collisions of a Chinese fishing trawler with two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.　尖閣諸島沖の中国漁船衝突事件で、中国の強硬姿勢が目立っている。China has protested five times to Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa over the arrest of the trawler's captain. China also unilaterally canceled talks on a pact covering joint gas field development in the East China Sea and a scheduled visit to Japan by Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.　中国人船長の逮捕に対し、丹羽宇一郎駐中国大使への中国側の抗議は５度にわたった。東シナ海のガス田共同開発に向けた条約交渉や、全国人民代表大会副委員長の訪日も一方的にとりやめた。In particular, the summons of Niwa by Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a deputy prime minister-level official, in the middle of the night on a holiday flies in the face of diplomatic protocol.　特に、副首相級の戴秉国国務委員が休日の未明に大使を呼び出したのは、外交儀礼的に問題のある対応だ。China's postponement of the gas field talks, which has no direct link with the ship collisions, is an overreaction. We strongly urge China to exercise self-restraint.事件と直接関係のないガス田交渉まで絡めることも行き過ぎである。中国には自制した対応を強く求めたい。Japan in the rightThe collisions occurred in Japanese waters off the Senkaku Islands, which are inherently Japanese. It is quite reasonable for Japan to deal with illegal activities in these waters in accordance with domestic law.　事件が起きた海域は、日本固有の領土である尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内だ。違法行為を日本の国内法で裁くのは当然である。China is mistaken if it thinks Japan will buckle to China's demands if it plays hardball.　中国が、強い態度に出れば日本側が折れてくると考えているのなら、それは誤りだ。Since the 1970s, China has claimed the Senkaku Islands belong to China. It has instilled this belief among its people through "anti-Japanese patriotism" education since the 1990s.　中国は、１９７０年代から尖閣諸島を中国の領土だと主張し、それを９０年代からの「反日・愛国」教育で国民に浸透させてきた。If Chinese people get the impression that their government is "weak-kneed," it could ignite simmering public discontent over the country's economic disparities and other ills, which could escalate into anger directed at the Chinese Communist Party leadership.　尖閣問題で「政府は弱腰」との印象を与えれば、国内経済格差などへの不平や不満に“引火”し、中国国民の矛先が共産党指導部に向けられかねない――。This fear has apparently driven the Chinese government to take a high-handed stance toward Japan over the collisions. But we think Beijing is barking up the wrong tree.　そんな懸念もあって、中国政府は今回、日本に高圧的な態度をとっているのだろう。だが、それは明らかに筋が違う話だ。Online bulletin boards in China have been increasingly used to post extreme messages encouraging retaliatory attacks on Japan. Japanese living in China have been harassed, and small metallic balls were fired at a Japanese school building in Tianjin.　インターネット上では、日本への報復攻撃を促すなど過激な書き込みが増えている。天津市の日本人学校では、パチンコ玉状の金属球が撃ち込まれるなど、在留邦人への嫌がらせも起き始めた。Level heads neededThe Japanese government on Monday sent members of the fishing boat crew, except for the captain, back to China, together with the vessel.　日本政府は１３日、船長以外の船員を帰国させ、漁船も返した。We hoped China would applaud this attempt by the Japanese government to take some of the sting out of the situation. However, China has proclaimed the crew and vessel were returned "due to the united action taken by the Chinese government and its people." Beijing has used Japan's gesture to earn brownie points with the public.そうした抑制的な対応を評価するならともかく、中国は「政府と国民の一体行動の成果」と喧伝(けんでん)し、国内世論対策に利用している。This will only inflame "anti-Japanese" sentiment among Chinese people. We urge the Chinese government to defuse such sentiment and prevent a recurrence of the 2005 "anti-Japanese riots."　これでは、「反日」世論は過熱するばかりだ。中国は、２００５年の「反日」暴動を再来させることのないよう、国内世論の沈静化に努めるべきだ。We also hope the Japanese side will continue to keep a level head. That being said, the government must not hesitate to refute inaccurate Chinese media reports, such as the claim that JCG patrol vessels "crashed into the fishing boat from behind."　日本側は冷静な対応に徹してほしい。ただ、海上保安庁の巡視船が「漁船に追突した」と、中国メディアが事実を曲げて報じていることには反論する必要がある。The JCG videotaped the fishing boat intentionally colliding with two patrol vessels. However, the JCG has not released the tapes because it might need to submit them as evidence in court should the incident become a criminal case.　海保は、漁船が故意に衝突させた場面をビデオ撮影している。刑事裁判になれば証拠資料として提出する可能性があるため、公表を控えている。If it becomes apparent that the captain was at fault, it may soothe public anger in China. Perhaps making the videotape public would be one way to achieve this.　だが、船長に非があることが明白になれば、中国国内世論を落ち着かせるのに役立とう。ビデオを公開するのも一案ではないか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2010)（2010年9月16日01時27分 読売新聞）

  Sep 17, 2010

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• 

  unwelcoming fx intervention

  こんな無法が許されてよいものだろうか。これ一発でトヨタとホンダだけで数千億円の利益を計上できるはずだ。非居住者で年金をたよりにつつましやかに生活している世界中の人々は一瞬にして受給額が数パーセントの減額となる厳しい現実。なにより欧米への外交的配慮を全く欠いた今回の奇襲攻撃、やがて手痛いしっぺ返しをうけるのは明白だ。そもそも政府は常々急激な為替変動は健全な経済発展に重大な悪影響を及ぼすと述べていた。これが急激な為替変動でなくてなんであろうか。ひどい話だ。photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンド

  Sep 16, 2010

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• jpy/usd fx prospect

  日本政府日銀の為替介入の効果は一時しのぎにすぎない。円高への加速が多少弱まるだけだ。アジア諸国が日本のまねをして介入の動き。しかしながら円高の真の要因はまったく払拭されていない。今年の末には日本政府の執拗な介入にもかかわらず、80yen/$となる見込み。Japanese FX Intervention Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:53 GMTby Mitul KotechaThe Bank of Japan acting on the behest of the Ministry of Finance intervened to weaken the JPY, the first such action since 2004. The intervention came as the USD was under broad based pressure, with the USD index dropping below its 200-day moving average. USD/JPY dropped to a low of around 82.88 before Japan intervened to weaken the JPY. The move follows weeks of verbal intervention by the Japanese authorities and came on the heels of the DPJ leadership election in which Prime Minister Kan retained his leadership.One thing is for certain that Japanese exporters had become increasingly concerned, pained and vocal about JPY strength at a time when export momentum was waning. However, the move in USD/JPY may simply provide many local corporates with better levels to hedge their exposures.Time will tell whether the intervention succeeds in engineering a sustainable weakening in the JPY but more likely it will only result in smoothing the drop in USD/JPY over coming months along the lines of what has happened with the SNB interventions in EUR/CHF. As many central banks have seen in the past successful intervention is usually helped if the market is turning and in this case USD/JPY remains on a downward trajectory.Although the BoJ Governor Shirakawa said that the action should “contribute to a stable foreign exchange-rate formation” it is far from clear that the BoJ favoured FX intervention. Indeed, the view from the BoJ is that the move in USD/JPY is related less to Japanese fundamentals but more to US problems.Now that the door is open, further intervention is likely over coming days and weeks but for it to be effective it will require 1) doubts about US growth to recede, 2) speculation of Fed QE 2 to dissipate, 3) and consequently interest rate differentials, in particular bond yields between the US and Japan to widen in favour of the USD. This is unlikely to happen quickly, especially given continued speculation of further US quantitative easing. A final prerequisite to a higher USD/JPY which is related to the easing of some of the above concerns is for there to be an improvement in risk appetite as any increase in risk aversion continues to result in JPY buying.When viewed from the perspective of Asian currencies the Japanese intervention has put Japan in line with other Asian central banks which have been intervening to weaken their currencies. However, Asian central bank intervention has merely slowed the appreciation in regional currencies, and Japan may have to be satisfied with a similar result. Japan’s intervention may however, give impetus to Asian central banks to intervene more aggressively but the result will be the same, i.e. slowing rather then stemming appreciation.As for the JPY a further strengthening, with a move to around 80.00 is likely by year end despite the more aggressive intervention stance. Over the short term there will at least be much greater two-way risk, which will keep market nervous, especially if as is likely Japan follows up with further interventions. USD/JPY could test resistance around 85.23, and then 85.92 soon but eventually markets may call Japan’s bluff and the intervention may just end up putting a red flag in front of currency markets to challenge.Published on Wed, Sep 15 2010, 08:54 GMT

  Sep 16, 2010

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• After a bruising battle, Kan faces tough tasks

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 16, 2010)After a bruising battle, Kan faces tough tasks菅代表再選　円高と景気対策に挙党態勢を（9月15日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan defeated Ichiro Ozawa, former secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, by a significant margin in the party presidential election Tuesday following a hard-fought battle that has opened a rift in the party.　党内を二分する激戦となった民主党代表選は、菅首相が小沢一郎前幹事長を大差で破った。The confusion in the party, which followed the major defeat it suffered in the House of Councillors election in July, has effectively created a political vacuum in the nation. It cannot be denied that the situation has caused national policies to stagnate and has smothered the nation's politics in a sense of helplessness.　７月の参院選敗北に続く民主党内の混乱は、事実上の政治空白を生み、国政全体に停滞と閉塞(へいそく)感をもたらしてきたことは間違いない。During the intraparty struggle, the government fell one step behind in dealing with the yen's rapid appreciation and the flagging economy. This was widely noticed.　この間、円高・経済対策では政府の対応が後手に回り、反応の鈍さも目立った。Kan should immediately form his new Cabinet, appoint new party executives and exert leadership in implementing economic stimulus measures and drafting the fiscal 2011 budget.　菅首相は、すみやかに内閣・党役員人事を断行して態勢を整え、景気対策や来年度予算編成に全力をあげねばならない。Scandal held Ozawa back　◆資金疑惑響いた小沢氏◆Kan's victory, however, owes a lot to the "weak points" of his opponent, Ozawa.　菅首相の勝利は、対立候補の小沢氏が抱えていた多くの「弱点」に救われた面が大きい。In connection with scandals involving his political funds management organization, his former secretaries were arrested and indicted. He resigned as party secretary general right before the upper house election.　自らの資金管理団体の政治資金規正法違反事件で元秘書らが逮捕・起訴された小沢氏は、参院選前に幹事長を辞職したばかりだ。In the party leadership race, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who was also involved in a politics-and-money scandal and had resigned as prime minister, threw his support behind the DPJ heavyweight. It was a renewed challenge by the Ozawa-Hatoyama duo toward the party leadership, a move that most observers found hard to understand. It was natural that many non-lawmaker party members and registered supporters did not accept them.　今回の代表選は、同じく「政治とカネ」の問題を抱えて辞任した鳩山前首相の支援を受けての「小鳩」による不可解な再挑戦だった。多くの党員・サポーターが受け入れなかったのは当然だろう。In connection with the scandal, an inquest of prosecution committee is scheduled to decide in October--for the second time--whether Ozawa should be indicted in connection with a suspicious land purchase by his political funds management group. 　小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題では、１０月にも検察審査会が再度の議決を行う予定だ。When Ozawa was asked what he would do if the independent panel decides that he merits the indictment and he is prosecuted, he clearly stated he would neither leave the party nor resign as Diet member, indicating that he planned to fight the charges in court.そこで「起訴すべき」との議決が出され、強制起訴になった場合、小沢氏は「離党も辞職もしない」と明言し、司法の場で争う考えを示した。However, Ozawa has failed to fulfill his responsibility to explain his politics-and-money problems. His remarks undoubtedly aroused opposition and doubt among many party members.　しかし、「政治とカネ」の問題で説明責任を果たそうとしてこなかった小沢氏のこの発言には、多くの党員が、反発や疑問を抱いたに相違ない。In the end, one factor behind Ozawa's defeat in the presidential election was the possibility that the country might have ended up with a prime minister who was on trial in a criminal case.　結局、「刑事被告人の首相」になる可能性があったことも、小沢氏敗北の一因といえる。

  Sep 16, 2010

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• To be the first lady in Japan

  女が出しゃばるとき民主党代表選で菅首相が再選されました。再選された以上この青年のような熱き志を持つ人に日本の運命を託しましょう。雇用促進、社会保障制度の確立に重点を置いた政索を期待します。で、ちょっと気になる記事を発見。江青女史の出しゃばりが毛沢東の偉業を破壊させたように、今回もこの点がちょっと気になります。大の酒好きで夜な夜な飲み狂っていると言う噂も気になるところです。女は男の調教次第で天女にも魔物にもなり得ます。菅首相には厳しい調教をお願いしたい。ちなみにスラチャイはどうかというと、これはもう完全に調教されてしまっています。（平和＾＾）cite from lovedoor news度を越した女の出しゃばりは、目に障るし、鼻につくものだ↓http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/5008230/

  Sep 15, 2010

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• Japanese banks must bolster core capital ratios

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2010)Japanese banks must bolster core capital ratios銀行新規制　邦銀は自己資本の充実を急げ（9月14日付・読売社説）The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, comprised of central bankers and supervisors from major countries, agreed Sunday on a new framework for calculating minimum core capital requirements for leading financial institutions.　主要国の金融監督当局で構成するバーゼル銀行監督委員会が、世界の主要銀行に義務づける新たな自己資本規制の基準を決めた。The new regulations decided on by the Switzerland-based committee are meant to compel banks to ensure sounder management, to prevent any repeat of the international financial crisis.　金融危機の再発を防ぐため、銀行に経営の健全性向上を求める措置だ。Based on the new rules known as Basel III, Japan's three megabanks will have to increase their core capital as soon as possible.日本の３大メガバンクなども、新しいルールに沿い、資本増強を急ぐ必要があろう。A bank's capital adequacy ratio indicates the amount of core capital it has to cushion potential losses, as a percentage of loans and other assets. A higher capital adequacy ratio means a bank has a greater capability to deal with risk.　銀行の自己資本比率は、融資などの「資産」に対し、損失処理に充てられる自前の資金である「自己資本」がどれだけあるかを示した数字だ。数値が高いほど、リスクへの対応力が高い。The new rules require banks to increase the core tier 1 capital, such as common stock and retained earnings, that they must hold in reserve, to at least 4.5 percent of assets, from the current 2 percent.They also have to build a separate capital conservation buffer equivalent to 2.5 percent of assets. This makes the total top-quality capital requirement even higher--at least 7 percent of assets.　新規制は、普通株や利益剰余金などの内部留保による「中核的自己資本」の最低基準を現行の２％から４・５％に引き上げたうえ、２・５％分の上乗せも求めている。実質的に「７％以上」を確保させる厳しい内容となった。The new rules will be phased in from 2013 and take full effect in January 2019.　実施時期は、２０１３年から段階的に適用し、１９年１月に完全実施するとしている。===Early proposals too strictProposals were initially floated in the committee that the minimum core tier 1 capital ratio be set between 6 and 8 percent and introduced in 2012 because the United States and Britain, which have suffered greatly from the credit crisis, demanded stricter requirements.　金融危機の痛手が大きかった米国と英国が、より厳格な規制を求めたため、バーゼル委では当初、中核的自己資本比率を６～８％に引き上げ、１２年から実施するとの案も浮上していた。However, Japan, Germany and some other countries opposed this, saying that tightening regulations too quickly would cause a credit squeeze and negatively affect the real economy.　しかし、日本とドイツなどは、急激な規制強化は金融の収縮を招いて、実体経済に悪影響を与えかねないと反対した。Although the worst of the financial crisis is over, the future of the global economy is still uncertain. The U.S. economy is quickly slowing down and Europe is still suffering from the financial crisis.　金融危機は最悪期を脱したが、米国経済の急減速や欧州危機など世界経済の先行きは不透明だ。If regulations on bank capitalization had been tightened quickly as the United States and Britain demanded, banks might have started forcibly calling in loans and lowering loan assets to improve their capital adequacy ratios.　ここで米英の主張通りに規制強化を急げば、銀行は自己資本比率の引き上げを目指して、貸し出し資産圧縮につながる貸しはがしなどに走り出す恐れがあった。We think it an appropriate conclusion that the tighter requirements initially proposed were relaxed and that banks were given longer-than-expected transition periods before the new rules will be implemented.　最終的に、当初案が緩和され、実施時期も先延ばしになったのは妥当な結論と言えよう。It was a bitter lesson when banks in the United States and some European countries fell on tough times due to the credit crisis and were bailed out with taxpayers' money. With the introduction of the more stringent rules, banks must improve their own strength to weather business crises, and not casually depend on taxpayer bailouts.　金融危機で米欧などの銀行が経営不安に陥り、公的資金で救済されたのは苦い教訓だ。規制強化を機に、銀行は安易に公的資金に頼ることなく、自らの体力強化で危機を乗り切らねばなるまい。===Tough road aheadAttention is now focused on how Japanese banks, including the three megabanks, will deal with the new rules. 　今後の焦点は、３大メガバンクなどの邦銀の対応である。The core tier 1 capital ratios of Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group are said to be between 5 and 7 percent. The Financial Services Agency said Japanese banks will be able to meet the new international rules before the requirements are tightened.　今年６月末時点で、みずほ、三井住友、三菱ＵＦＪのメガバンクの中核的自己資本比率は約５～７％とされる。金融庁は「規制強化の期限までに、十分に対応は可能だ」と見ている。However, there is no easy way for Japanese banks to meet the requirements while competing fiercely with gigantic foreign rivals. They must increase their core capital ratios by reviewing management strategies and steadily making profits.　しかし、巨大な外資との激しい競争を戦いながら、新規制策を達成する道は容易ではない。各行は経営戦略を練り直し、着実に利益を上げて、自己資本を増強する努力が求められよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2010)（2010年9月14日01時25分 読売新聞）

  Sep 15, 2010

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• 防衛白書　中国軍増強は国際社会の懸念

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2010)China's military buildup worries intl community防衛白書　中国軍増強は国際社会の懸念（9月12日付・読売社説）China's military buildup, as well as the activities of its navy and air force, are a common concern among many countries in the region. Japan must repeatedly hold constructive talks with China, and strongly and tenaciously call on that country to dispel such concerns.　中国の軍備増強と海空軍の活動には、多くの周辺国が「懸念」を共有している。日本は、中国との建設的な対話を重ね、懸念を解消するよう粘り強く求めることが肝要である。The 2010 white paper on defense explicitly says that the opaqueness of China's defense policy and military power is a matter of concern to Japan and other countries in this part of the world and in the larger international community. It also states the need to meticulously analyze China's activities.　２０１０年版防衛白書は、中国の「国防政策の不透明性や軍事力の動向」が「わが国を含む地域・国際社会にとっての懸念事項」と明記し、「慎重に分析していく必要がある」と指摘した。China's military might has been an important theme in defense white papers in recent years, but the level of concern expressed in this year's report is greater than before. This is very natural in view of the rapid modernization of China's military forces and the expansion of the range of its military activities.　中国の軍事力は近年の白書の重要テーマだったが、今年は、より明確に「懸念」を打ち出した。その急速な近代化や活動範囲の拡大を踏まえれば、当然だろう。In the South China Sea, friction between China and Southeast Asian countries has been increasing. There were a number of threatening moves this spring: A fleet of 10 Chinese warships, including destroyers, entered an area west of Japan's southernmost island, Okinotorishima, and a ship-based helicopter flew extremely close to a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on two occasions.　南シナ海では、東南アジア各国との摩擦が増えている。今春には中国海軍の駆逐艦など１０隻が沖ノ鳥島西方まで進出し、艦載ヘリが海上自衛隊の護衛艦に異常接近する示威的行動を繰り返した。The Chinese Navy's activities are considered to be part of its "anti-access strategy" to hamper the engagement of the U.S. military in regional conflicts, such as an emergency involving China and Taiwan. The United States, as a result, is increasingly vigilant toward Chinese naval moves.　中国海軍の一連の活動は、中台有事など紛争への米軍の関与を阻む「接近拒否戦略」の一環と見られ、米国も警戒を強めている。===China's expanding 'core' China has begun to apply the expression "core interests," which it has used regarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Taiwan, to the South China Sea as well. A similar phrase is certain to be used in the future to describe China's efforts to secure its maritime interests in the East China Sea.　中国は最近、台湾問題などに使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を南シナ海に使い始めた。将来は、東シナ海の海洋権益確保についても、同様の表現を使う日が来ることも否定できない。How should Japan deal with such Chinese moves?　日本はどう対応すべきか。First and foremost, Japan must reconstruct a system in which the Japan-U.S. alliance can function properly. It is essential to restore the relationship of trust with Washington, which has been damaged by the immature diplomacy of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government.　まず日米同盟がきちんと機能する体制を再構築することだ。民主党政権の未熟な外交で傷ついた信頼関係の回復が欠かせない。The peacetime warning and surveillance activities of the Self-Defense Forces must be bolstered. Such efforts are intended to strengthen "active deterrence" through troop operations, as opposed to "passive deterrence" through only the possession of military units and equipment.　自衛隊は、平時の警戒監視活動を強める必要がある。単なる部隊と装備の保有による「静的抑止力」でなく、部隊運用を通じた「動的抑止力」を強化するものだ。For this reason, it is problematic that Japan's defense spending has declined 5 percent in the past decade. China's military expenditures approximately quadrupled during the same period, and those of the United States and South Korea more than doubled.　その観点で、中国の国防費は過去１０年で約４倍、米国や韓国も２倍以上になったのに、日本だけが５％減っている現状は問題だ。It is also important to make efforts--through defense exchange programs and security dialogue--to have Beijing enhance the transparency of its military spending and activities, and comply with international rules.　中国との防衛交流や安保対話を通じて、国防費や軍の活動の透明性の向上や、国際ルールの順守を働きかけることも重要となる。===No concrete resultsRecent years saw progress in exchanging visits by defense ministers, officers and warships between Japan and China. But those activities did not bring about such concrete results as the establishment of a mechanism for maritime communications to prevent accidents and joint training for search and rescue operations.　近年は、防衛相や制服組幹部、艦船の相互訪問など交流は進んでいるが、事故防止のための海上連絡メカニズムの構築や、捜索・救難の共同訓練の実施といった具体的成果にはつながっていない。The defense white paper was supposed to be released in late July, as usual. But publication was postponed until last week on the pretext of adding the moves of the United Nations concerning the sinking of a South Korean warship.　防衛白書は本来、７月末に発表される予定だったが、韓国哨戒艦沈没事件に関する国連の動きを追加するとの名目で延期された。But the additional portion accounts for a mere one paragraph in the main text and a sidebar. The real reason for the postponement was obviously excessive consideration to South Korea ahead of the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula in August.　だが、その追加部分は本文１段落とコラムにすぎない。真の延期理由が日韓併合１００年を控えた韓国への過剰な配慮だったのは明らかだ。The government should avoid such a poor approach based on a principle of peace at any price.こうした稚拙な事なかれ主義の対応は厳に慎むべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2010)（2010年9月12日01時08分 読売新聞）

  Sep 14, 2010

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  バンコク楽宮ホテル

  北京飯店はタイフリークの間ではかなり有名な店です。小さな決して清潔とは言えない店ですが、スワニーさんがいつもいつも笑顔で対応してくれるのが救いでした。バンコクはヨーロッパや西アジア、インドなどを旅行するバックパッカーの中継地点でした。インドやパキスタンを旅行してヘトヘトになった旅行者たちが帰国の途中でここに立ち寄り久しぶりの日本食を味わったのです。味噌汁、焼き魚、冷奴、納豆、豚肉の生姜焼き、トンカツ、チャーハン、等々は長旅で疲れ果てた旅人たちの心を休めてくれました。場末でもこれだけ美味しく感じるというのが実感です。狭い店の中には小さなテーブルが三つほどしかありませんが、テーブルの上に小さな本棚があり旅人が残していった週刊誌や漫画、文庫本等々が置かれてあります。旅人はこれらの雑誌を懐かしそうに眺めながら、ビールを飲んだり、食事をしたり、雑談したり…、当時は日本人貧乏旅行者の溜まり場だったのです。スワニーさんは日本人のくだらない話を真面目に聞いてくれる数少ない人でした。タイフリークでスワニーさんのお世話になった人は結構多いのではないでしょうか。私もその末席を汚しています。昨年の６月スワニーさんを久しぶりに訪ねましたが、もはやあの厚化粧もされていなくて別人かと思いました。時の流れっていうものは本当に非情なものですね。（スラチャイ記）北京飯店（店の左側の鉄製スライド式扉をくぐり２Fの楽宮ホテル受付へ）photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンドスワニーさん（２０年くらい前の写真）photo by srachai from OCNフォトフレンド

  Sep 13, 2010

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• 米国とコーラン―寛容を取り戻すとき

  2010/09/11--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 10 EDITORIAL: Koran-burning in U.S..米国とコーラン―寛容を取り戻すときA small Christian church in Florida called for the burning of the Koran, the sacred book of Muslims, on Sept. 11, the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. 　米フロリダ州の小さなキリスト教会が、イスラム教の聖典コーランを焼こうと呼びかけている。According to the church, the plan is aimed at alerting the world to the dangers of Islam, which it says "is of the Devil." 今年の９・１１の日に「邪悪な宗教」であるイスラムの危険性を知らせるのだそうだ。 Anyone can imagine how much antipathy such an act would incur among people who believe in the Koran. 　コーランの教えを信ずる人たちからどれほどの反発を招き寄せるか。だれもが想像できることだ。 News about the plan made headlines around the world. In Afghanistan, where U.S. and European troops are stationed, residents staged protests. The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan warned that the book burning could put his troops in further danger. Such reactions are natural. 　ニュースは世界を駆けめぐり、欧米軍が駐留するアフガニスタンで住民の抗議行動があった。駐留米軍の司令官は米兵への危険が高まると心配した。当然だろう。 The building of a free and tolerant society is the foundation of the United States. First U.S. President George Washington wrote that the United States "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." It is clear the church's plan would run counter to this philosophy. 　自由で寛容な社会の構築は、米国の建国の原点である。初代のワシントン大統領は「米国は偏狭な価値観を認めず、迫害を助長することもない」との言葉を残している。教会の計画がこの理念に反するのは明らかだ。 Everything must be done to prevent the rift between the United States and the Islamic world from widening. We urge the church to immediately cancel its plans. 　米国とイスラム世界との亀裂が広がることは避けねばならない。教会は今すぐ計画を撤回してもらいたい。 The image of passenger planes hijacked by terrorists crashing into the World Trade Center towers in New York nine years ago is still fresh in our minds. In the background of that attack was Muslim extremists' antagonism and distrust against the United States, which holds much of the world's wealth and power. 　今から９年前、テロリストの乗っ取った旅客機が、ニューヨークの世界貿易センターに突っ込んだ光景はなお記憶に新しい。背景にあったのは、世界の富と権力の多くを手にする超大国米国に対するイスラム過激主義者の敵意と不信だった。 The George W. Bush administration, which plunged into war in Afghanistan and Iraq, could not alleviate such anti-U.S. sentiments. 　アフガンとイラクでの戦争に突き進んだブッシュ前政権は、この反米感情を静められなかった。Signs of change appeared after President Barack Obama, who advocates reconciliation with the Islamic world, took over. He embarked on mediating Middle East peace and reached a decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq. 変化が見えたのは、イスラム世界との和解を掲げるオバマ大統領が就任してからだ。中東和平への仲介に乗り出し、イラクからの米軍撤退にようやくこぎつけた。 What has become clear now is the bitter conflict and agony within the United States over peaceful coexistence with Islam. 　しかしいま露呈しているのは、イスラムとの共存をめぐって対立し、苦悩する米国内部の苦い現実である。 A plan to build a mosque near the site where the World Trade Center stood has reached a deadlock in the face of opposition by residents. While the plan is aimed at promoting understanding toward different cultures, some families of victims of 9/11 say it is an affront to the memories of their loved ones. 　世界貿易センター近くにイスラム教のモスクを建設する計画が住民の反対で暗礁に乗り上げている。異文化への理解を進める計画だが、９・１１テロの被害者家族からは「息子の思い出への侮辱だ」という声が上がっている。 The number of Muslims around the world centering on the Middle East and West Asia is estimated at between 1 billion and 2 billion. The United States, a society of immigrants, is also home to millions of Muslims, and many mosques exist across the country. People of different religious faiths live in the same society. 　中東や西アジアを中心に、イスラム教徒は世界に十数億人いるとされる。移民社会の米国にも数百万人が住み、数多くのモスクがある。宗教は異なるが、同じ社会に住んでいるのだ。 In Europe, moves to exclude Islamic immigrants and ban women from wearing veils are emerging. Growing anxiety over the increase in jobless people and other issues is apparently behind the rising trend to cast a wary eye against social minorities. 　欧州でも、イスラム系移民排斥や女性のベール着用禁止の動きが起きている。社会の少数者への視線が厳しさを増す背景には、失業者の増加といった社会不安の増大もあるのだろう。 But now, security and prosperity of not only the United States but also the entire world cannot be maintained without coexistence with Islam. 　いまやイスラムとの共存なしには、米国はもちろん、世界の安全や繁栄はありえない。 Last year, in a speech at Cairo University, President Obama quoted the Koran, the Talmud, the compendium of Jewish law, and the Bible, saying, "The people of the world can live together in peace." 　オバマ大統領は昨年、カイロ大学での演説で、コーランとユダヤ教の律法タルムード、キリスト教の聖書を引用し、「世界の人々はともに平和に暮らすことができる」と呼びかけた。 We want U.S. society to eliminate narrow-minded thinking and recover its tradition of showing tolerance and magnanimity to accept different cultures. 　狭量な考えを排し、異なる文化を受け入れる寛容と度量をもつ。米社会はそんな伝統を取り戻してほしい。

  Sep 12, 2010

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• バンコク楽宮ホテル

  バンコク楽宮ホテル｢バンコク楽宮ホテル｣は谷恒生が１９８０年代に書き下ろした徳間文庫の小説である。一等航海士として、世界中の海を渡り歩いていたころの経験をもとにして、バンコク中華街ヤワラーのはずれにある「楽宮ホテル」に出入りする不思議な日本人の生態、ホテルに居住する笑顔の娼婦などとの交流などが描写されている。80年代の貧乏旅行者たちが楽宮ホテルの一室の壁にこう書き残している。「金の北米、女の南米、耐えてアフリカ、歴史のアジア、何もないのがヨーロッパ、問題外のオセアニア」、「豊かな青春、惨めな老後」、等々。２０年前私が楽宮ホテルを訪ねたときには落書きされた部屋を特定することも出来なかった。多分消されてしまったのであろう。部屋には多くの娼婦たちが寝泊りしていた。ここは日本人貧乏旅行者の言わば溜まり場であったが、そのあまりの汚さに、その地位をすぐ近くのジュライホテルに奪われていた。どのくらい汚いかといえば昭和初期の公衆便所の小便器の脇に大きなベッドだけがむなしく横たわっていると表現できる。パスポートや現金は拠点ホテルのセイフティーボックスに納めて、とりあえず必要な現金のみズボンのポケットに押し込んでここに数日滞在した。部屋は窓の無い階段下の狭い部屋で一泊５０バーツ、日本人が泊まれる明るい窓のついた広い部屋は一泊１２０バーツだった。狭い部屋は居心地が悪いので娼婦たちは夕方になるとラジカセを片手に私の部屋まで押しかけて来た。毎晩集まる娼婦たちの人数は１０名を超えていた。私は小額のお金を渡してビールやウイスキー、また屋台の軽食をパックしてもらったものを買ってきてもらい部屋で毎夜パーティーをした。楽しかった。深夜の２時頃には一人あたり５０バーツのチップを渡して、それでやっと眠りにつくことができた。やがて、女を買わない変な日本人が有名になり、あぶれた街娼たちが集まりだしたので、潮時だと感じて拠点ホテルに戻った。ちょっと淋しかった。ホテルの一階はタイフリークの間では有名な場末の北京飯店、経営者はスワニーさん。昨年の6月にここを訪れたときにもまだ元気で小さな汚いお店を一生懸命切り盛りしていた。スワニーさんとは長い間の顔見知り、私はビールを1本注文しておつまみは日本式冷奴、料理の素早さがこの店の信条である。スワニーさんとしばしの間世間話をして、それから私はタクシーでバンコク北バスターミナル（モーチット）まで戻り、すぐにコンケン行きのバスに飛び乗った。（スラチャイ記）

  Sep 11, 2010

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• 成長実現会議　経済再生に民間の知恵生かせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 11, 2010)Govt growth panel must draw on private expertise成長実現会議　経済再生に民間の知恵生かせ（9月10日付・読売社説）The vast wisdom accumulated by private-sector experts should be fully utilized to help restore the growth potential of the Japanese economy.　日本経済の成長を取り戻すため、民間の知恵を大いに活用すべきだ。On Thursday, a key government panel on new growth strategies held its inaugural meeting. 　政府の「新成長戦略実現会議」が９日、初会合を開き議論を始めた。During the meeting, Prime Minister Naoto Kan instructed Cabinet members to study ways to realize his administration's new growth strategy.One issue on the table is a cut in the effective rate of corporate taxation--the ratio of the corporate sector's national and local tax payments to its taxable income. This nation's effective corporate tax rate is much higher than those in many other countries.The prime minister also told his Cabinet to consider tax reductions aimed at helping create more corporate jobs.　菅首相はさっそく、国際的に高い法人税の実効税率の引き下げや、雇用確保に役立つ減税措置の検討などを指示した。Chaired by the prime minister, the growth strategy council includes Cabinet ministers involved with the economy and top academics and experts, as well as the Bank of Japan governor and the chiefs of the nation's three main business organizations. The blue-ribbon panel will spearhead government efforts to devise and implement specific policies in line with the growth strategy adopted in June.　実現会議は、菅首相を議長に主な経済閣僚、日銀総裁、有識者、経済団体のトップがメンバーとなっており、６月に決めた新成長戦略を具体化する司令塔となる。Go beyond growth strategyThe council--a mix of talented figures from various sectors--should not be limited just to addressing topics related to the growth strategy.　せっかく多彩な人材が集結するのに、成長戦略だけをテーマとするのではもったいない。The defunct Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy may be illuminating in this respect. This panel took the lead in crafting and implementing government polices under the then ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.The growth strategy council needs to serve as a forum for discussions on a wide range of issues, including the urgent matter of how to rectify the recent upsurge in the value of the yen. Other topics include such fiscal and financial policies as medium- and long-term reform of the fiscal and social security systems.　自公政権時代に政策決定を主導した経済財政諮問会議などを参考に、当面の円高対策から、中長期をにらんだ財政・社会保障改革まで、財政・金融政策を幅広く議論する会議とする必要があろう。The government's new growth strategy seeks a swift resolution to the ongoing deflationary crisis while also ensuring that the nation's average annual growth rate in the next decade reaches a hefty 3 percent in nominal terms and 2 percent in real terms.　政府の成長戦略は、早期にデフレを克服し、今後１０年の平均成長率を名目で３％、実質では２％にする高い目標を掲げている。The Kan administration also has said it will strive to generate new demand worth more than 120 trillion yen and create about 5 million jobs through government support for environmental protection, health care and other growth fields, combined with efforts to encourage investment in other Asian markets.環境や健康など成長分野や、アジア向け投資などにテコ入れし、１２０兆円を超す新規需要と、５００万人の雇用を創出するという。High hurdles must be cleared to achieve these targets. 　これを達成するハードルはかなり高い。The growth strategy council will work to smooth differences among the various policies formulated by different ministries, while also issuing instructions to each office concerning specific measures to be implemented.実現会議は、府省ごとにバラバラの政策を調整し、具体策を指示する役回りだ。We hope the new panel will work to end the bureaucratic turf battle among government offices seeking greater authority, and remedy the lack of coordination among them in implementing government policies. These hurdles only serve to undercut workable policies. 　有効な政策の障害となる官僚の権限争いや縦割り行政を排除してほしい。Also, the respective roles of the growth strategy panel and the National Policy Unit must be clearly defined.国家戦略室との役割分担も整理しておく必要があろう。The important thing is to marshal conflicting positions among the ministries, and facilitate a consensus on each divisive issue.　重要なのは、府省や業界ごとに対立する主張を整理し、どう意見集約していくかだ。Lend ear to business worldDivided opinions can be seen, for example, on the issue of lowering the corporate tax rate. The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and the Finance Ministry are sharply divided over this matter--the former wants to reduce the rate, but the latter fears doing so could lessen tax revenue. Kan will be tested as to whether his administration can lead the way to reducing the tax rate as soon as possible.　首相が指示した法人税率の引き下げでも、積極的な経済産業省と、税収減を懸念する財務省との温度差は大きい。早期実現に向け、政治の指導力が問われよう。Indications are the growth strategy panel will make its presence strongly felt as a vehicle for reflecting the opinions of the business community in government policy.　今後、実現会議は経済界の主張を政策に反映していく場として、重要な存在になりそうだ。The government of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama alienated itself from financial circles, hammering out various policies that could dampen the economy. 　鳩山内閣時代は、政治と経済界が疎遠になり、景気の足を引っ張るような政策が次々に打ち出された。The economy is still suffering from the aftereffects of the unsatisfactory relationship between the Hatoyama administration and the business community.いまだその後遺症が残る。The Kan administration must listen to financial circles' and experts' opinions about the debatable policies adopted by his predecessor, including a ban on temporary workers being dispatched to manufacturing companies and a self-imposed goal for a large cut in greenhouse gas emissions. If necessary, the government must reconsider such policies.　製造業への派遣労働禁止や温室効果ガスの大幅削減など、異論の多い政策は、専門家の意見も聞きつつ、経済界の声に耳を傾けて見直さねばなるまい。The market is experiencing a rapid rise in the yen's value and a sharp fall in stock prices. 　市場では急速に円高・株安が進んでいる。There has been no government forum that included both the prime minister and the central bank governor, because of the Hatoyama administration's decision to abolish the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy.鳩山内閣が経済財政諮問会議を廃止してしまったことで、首相と日銀総裁が同席する会議は途絶えていた。We hope the launch of the growth strategy council will smooth policy coordination between the government and the central bank.　実現会議の発足で、政府・日銀の政策協調が、より円滑になるよう期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 10, 2010)（2010年9月10日01時21分 読売新聞）

  Sep 11, 2010

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• 尖閣沖衝突事件　中国人船長の逮捕は当然だ（9月9日付・読売社説）

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 10, 2010)Chinese fishing boat captain's arrest reasonable尖閣沖衝突事件　中国人船長の逮捕は当然だ（9月9日付・読売社説）There is no question that the Senkaku Islands belong to Japan both historically and under international law.　尖閣諸島が日本の領土であることは、歴史的にも国際法的にも自明のことである。On Wednesday, the Japan Coast Guard arrested the captain of a Chinese trawler allegedly fishing illegally in Japanese waters off the islands for trying to prevent JCG officers from conducting an inspection.　海上保安庁が、尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内で違法に操業し、立ち入り検査を妨害した中国漁船の中国人船長を逮捕した。The arrest is reasonable. The government should take criminal procedures strictly in accordance with domestic laws. 当然の対応だ。政府は国内法にのっとって、厳正に刑事手続きを進めればよい。The Chinese boat on Tuesday allegedly ignored orders by JCG patrol vessels to halt and in an attempt to flee collided with two of the JCG vessels. Believing that the fishing boat's actions were deliberate, the JCG took the captain into custody on suspicion of obstructing official duties of marine safety officers.　中国漁船は７日、海保の巡視船の停船命令に従わずに逃走し、その際、船体を巡視船２隻に衝突させた。海保は、意図的な妨害行為と判断し、公務執行妨害容疑で船長を拘束した。We hope the JCG will clarify the circumstances surrounding the trawler's collision with the two patrol vessels as well as illegal fishing by Chinese vessels.　海保には、衝突行為の経緯や違法操業の実態について徹底解明を望みたい。Senkaku claims made in '70sThe Chinese government asserts that the Senkakus belong to China and that, therefore, the trawler was not fishing illegally in Japanese waters. It also protested the captain's arrest through diplomatic channels.　中国政府は、尖閣諸島を「中国の領土だ」と主張し、今回も違法操業にはあたらないと反論している。船長の逮捕にも外交ルートを通じて抗議してきた。However, no country protested when the Meiji government incorporated the islands into Japanese territory in 1895. Under the San Francisco Peace Treaty signed in 1951, the islands were not included among those territories abandoned by Japan.　しかし、尖閣諸島は、明治政府が１８９５年に日本の領土に編入して以来、いかなる国も異議を唱えてこなかった。１９５１年に調印したサンフランシスコ平和条約でも、日本が放棄した領土には含まれていない。China and Taiwan did not claim the islands until the early 1970s, when petroleum and natural gas reserves were found under the ocean floor around the islands in the East China Sea. It is obvious that China's claim is unreasonable.　中国や台湾が領有権を主張し始めたのは、７０年代初頭からに過ぎない。尖閣諸島近海の東シナ海に石油や天然ガスが埋蔵されていることが明らかになった直後のことだ。中国の領有権の主張に無理があるのは明らかである。On the Internet in China, anti-Japan sentiment and patriotism are growing, with Japan being denounced and the trawler's captain held up as a hero.　中国のインターネット上では、日本を非難し、船長を英雄視する「反日・愛国」世論が盛り上がりをみせている。Calm approach neededWe should avoid a recurrence of the massive anti-Japan protests that took place five years ago in China, with public opinion on the Internet keeping the pot boiling. We hope China will take a level-headed approach on the latest development.　ネット世論が混乱を煽(あお)った５年前の「反日」暴動を再現させるようなことがあってはなるまい。中国側に冷静な対応を求めたい。Japan-China negotiations on an agreement to jointly develop gas fields in the East China Sea began at the end of July. It is important not to upset bilateral relations, and that negotiations proceed calmly.　日中間では、東シナ海のガス田共同開発に向けた条約交渉が、７月末にようやく始まったばかりである。交渉は粛々と進めるなど、日中関係全般を悪化させないことが大切だ。At the time of the collisions, about 160 Chinese vessels were illegally operating off the Senkaku Islands.　尖閣諸島沖では衝突事件当時、約１６０隻もの中国漁船が違法操業していたという。The Chinese Navy is dispatching warships on the pretext of protecting Chinese fishing vessels in the South China Sea, increasing tensions with Southeast Asian nations.　中国海軍は南シナ海で、自国の漁船保護を名目に艦船を派遣し、東南アジア諸国と緊張を高めている。If China is trying to increase its influence in the East China Sea by sending fishing vessels as an "advance guard," it will affect the national security of Japan.東シナ海でも、漁船を“先兵”に影響力拡大を図るつもりだとしたら、日本の安全保障にかかわる問題である。While the JCG will continue to monitor the illegal operations of Chinese fishing boats in the area, the Maritime Self-Defense Force should cooperate closely with the JCG by collecting and sharing relevant information.　違法操業などの取り締まりは海保が対応するとしても、海上自衛隊も情報収集に努め、得られた情報を共有するなど、海保との連携を緊密に図ってほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2010)（2010年9月9日01時22分 読売新聞）

  Sep 9, 2010

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• チャイヤプームの自宅にて

  ９月１日～５日までの５日間チャイヤプームの自宅に戻っていました。チャイヤプーム滞在中に書いたミニエッセイです。教え子がやって来た：７年前までここチャイヤプームの超僻地村バーンノーンヤーコーンで生活していた。毎年２回、子供達の学校が休みになる時期、スラチャイは自宅で子供達の学習を手助けしていた。学習科目は英語と数学、生徒は１０名くらい集まっていた。ここは貧しい農村、無償で奉仕した。今日の午後、教え子の一人がうわさを聞きつけてスラチャイの自宅まで押しかけてやって来た。当時小学校４年生だった娘も今では１６才、見違えるような美しさをしている。身長１６０ｃｍ、体重は３５ｋｇくらいであろうか、スラリとした肢体に美しさが宿っている。スラチャイは息を呑んでこの娘の成長を見つめていた。娘がなつかしそうに挨拶してきた。私は娘の美しさに飲まれて生半可な返事を返すことしかできなかった。娘の名前はタック、数学が苦手で、当時スラチャイがどんなに一生懸命に教えても理解できなくて泣き出すこともしばしばであった。当時は気軽に抱っこしてあげた娘も、もはや私の手の届かない世界まで到達しているのを実感させられて少しだけ淋しい思いをさせられた。わずか７年されど７年、歳月の重さを実感しました。楽園の王様：ここはタイでも気候が涼しくてとても過ごしやすい。ここではエアコンは不必要だ。NHKの朝の連続ドラマ｢ゲゲゲの女房｣で水木しげるが楽園の間というのを自宅に作っている様子が放送されているが、ここはスラチャイにとってまさしく楽園の間、心休まる場所ではある。難点は超僻地ゆえに携帯電話の無線がここまでまだ到達していないこと。７ｋｍ離れた隣村まで電波は届いているので、ここにもやがて電波は到達するものと思われる。短気なスラチャイは無線のアンテナを購入、ここでインターネットができるように準備を行っている。次の休みにはここでインターネットができるはずだ。１０００坪の敷地に囲まれて庭一面は果樹園と化している。庭には放し飼いの鶏たち、朝は生みたての卵とアツアツのご飯で卵ご飯。最高の贅沢、幸せですね。娘たちが成長したら夫婦はここに戻り余生を楽しむ積もりです。スラチャイはこの楽園の王様の地位をなんとか堅持できています。

  Sep 9, 2010

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• 自衛官武器使用　国際活動強化へ権限拡大を

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 9, 2010)Better rules needed for SDF weapons use自衛官武器使用　国際活動強化へ権限拡大を（9月8日付・読売社説）The use of weapons by Self-Defense Forces personnel is an issue that needs to be discussed for Japan to more actively participate in international peacekeeping activities and fulfill roles commensurate with its national power.　日本が今後、国際平和活動に一層積極的に参加し、国力に応じた役割を果たすには、避けて通れない課題と言えよう。The government recently decided not to dispatch a Ground Self-Defense Force unit to Sudan for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the southern part of the country.　政府は今夏、スーダン南部における国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）への陸上自衛隊の部隊派遣を見送った。The government cited the difficulty of overland travel and transportation in Africa as grounds for the decision. But it actually was made against a backdrop of the Defense Ministry's increasing wariness of sending SDF members to the area out of security concerns in light of the significant restrictions on the use of weapons by SDF personnel.　直接の理由は、アフリカでの陸上移動や輸送の困難さなどとされた。だが、背景には、自衛隊員の武器使用の制約が大きいため、防衛省が安全性を懸念し、派遣に慎重になっていることがある。Working with hands tiedUnder current law, SDF personnel are allowed to use weapons during overseas missions, including peacekeeping activities, solely for self-defense when their own lives or the lives of other SDF personnel are threatened. 　自衛隊員は現在、ＰＫＯなどの海外任務の際、法律上、自分や同僚などの正当防衛目的に限ってしか、武器が使用できない。SDF members are thus prohibited even from firing a warning shot if hostile local forces should obstruct them when they are traveling by car, leaving them no choice but to make detours. When troops of other countries are attacked and seek help from SDF personnel, they will not even be allowed to provide covering fire.　このため、道路を車で移動中、現地の反対勢力から妨害を受けても、警告射撃さえできず、別の道に迂回(うかい)するしかない。他国の部隊が襲撃され、自衛隊に救援を要請してきても、援護に駆け付けることは許されない。As it stands, the SDF will not be able to sufficiently carry out many activities or build relationships of trust with units from other countries. In addition, SDF members' lives may be put at risk because of the legal restriction that prevents them from using weapons unless their lives come under immediate threat.　これでは、効率的な活動ができないし、他国の部隊との信頼関係も築けない。自らの身が危うくならない限り、武器が使用できないという法的制限は、隊員の生命を危険にさらす恐れもある。The government must review SDF personnel's rights on the use of weapons in line with international standards so as to enable them to use weapons for the purpose of fulfilling their duties.　自衛隊員の武器使用権限を国際標準に合わせて見直し、任務遂行目的の使用を認めるべきだ。Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada raised the issue in Diet deliberations and at a press conference in mid-March, saying that it may be acceptable to change the conditions under which SDF personnel may use weapons in U.N.-authorized peacekeeping activities.　岡田外相は３月中旬、国会答弁と記者会見で、「国連で認められたＰＫＯであれば、武器使用が許される範囲を変えていいのではないか」と問題提起した。Despite his proposal, the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan stopped short of reviewing the SDF members' right to use weapons in consideration of its now former junior coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party, which is cautious about sending SDF members overseas.　だが、自衛隊の海外派遣に慎重な社民党が連立政権に参加していたことが大きな制約となり、権限見直しは具体化しなかった。Consider new rulesIn October last year, Okada called for reviewing the government's five conditions on SDF participation in peacekeeping operations under the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law. The five conditions include the right to use weapons, the existence of a truce agreed to by all parties in a conflict and the agreement by the parties in a conflict to the SDF's participation in the peacekeeping mission.　外相は昨年１０月にも、ＰＫＯ協力法の参加５原則の見直しを提唱している。５原則は、武器使用権限のほか、「紛争当事者間の停戦合意」「自衛隊参加への紛争当事者の同意」などである。In recent years, however, it has become difficult to identify the parties involved in a conflict in an increasing number of cases. Given this, it can be said that the five principles are out of touch with current realities.　最近は、紛争当事者の特定が困難な例が増え、５原則が実態に合わなくなっているとされる。In its election pledges for the House of Councillors election in July, the DPJ proposed considering what forms international contributions by the SDF and Japanese civilians should take to enable Japan to play a greater role in building international peace. The pledge was made with an eye toward reviewing the five principles on peacekeeping activities.　民主党は、今年７月の参院選公約に「平和構築に役割を果たすため、自衛隊および文民の国際貢献活動のあり方について検討する」と明記した。ＰＫＯ５原則の見直しを念頭に置いたものだ。An expert panel on the National Defense Program Guidelines also proposed at the end of August expanding the SDF's right to use weapons and reviewing the five conditions on peacekeeping missions.　防衛大綱改定に関する有識者懇談会も８月末、武器使用権限の拡大と５原則見直しを提言した。Because the SDP has left the coalition, the government has been freed from one problem. In the divided Diet, in which the ruling bloc controls the House of Representatives while the opposition camp holds a majority in the upper house, the DPJ should seriously consider joining hands with the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, which is positive about reviewing the SDF personnel's right to use of weapons.　社民党の連立離脱により、一つのハードルはなくなっている。衆参ねじれ国会の下、民主党は、武器使用権限の見直しに前向きな自民党と連携することを真剣に検討してはどうか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2010)（2010年9月8日00時46分 読売新聞）

  Sep 8, 2010

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• Hull note （ハルノート）

  ノートというにはあまりにも小さな数行のメモ、これが日本に開戦を決断させるとは。当時、外交戦術においてはアメリカは日本の数段先を進んでいました。日本はとうとう痺れを切らして負け戦に引きずり込まれた訳です。それでも４年間ほど持ちこたえた日本軍の底力は相当なものであったと推察されます。（スラチャイ記）cite from wikkipedia （日本語翻訳　by srachai)Hull noteハルノートFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia無料百科事典ウィキペディアより The Hull note or officially Outline of Proposed Basis for Agreement Between the United States and Japan was the final proposal delivered to the Empire of Japan by the United States before the attack on Pearl Harbor and the declaration of war between the two nations. The note was delivered on November 26, 1941; it is named for Secretary of State Cordell Hull.ハルノートは日本と米国との外交関係の基本的合意事項に関する米側の案で日本のパールハーバー奇襲、引き続き行われた両国の戦闘開始宣言に先立って米国より日本帝国に提出された最後の通達となっている。このメモ（ハルノート）は１９４１年１１月２６日に提出されているが、作成者の米国秘書官コーデルハルにちなんでその名前が刻み込まれている。 Background:背景：The United States objected to the Second Sino-Japanese War and the occupation of part of China by Japanese troops. In protest, the United States sent support to the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek. In July 1941, Japanese military units occupied southern French Indochina, violating a gentlemens' agreement. Japanese bombers quickly moved into bases in Saigon and Cambodia, from where they could attack British Malaya. As a result, immediately after the Japanese military occupation, the US government imposed trade sanctions on Japan, including the freezing of Japanese assets in the United States, and an embargo of oil exports to Japan.米国は日本軍の（日清戦争に次ぐ）第二次日中戦争の開始と中国を部分的に占有するのを快しとしなかった。それで米国は蒋介石率いる国民党を支援していた。１９４１年７月、日本軍は仏領インドシナの南部を占領したが、これは各国間で結ばれている紳士協定に違反するものであった。日本軍の爆撃機はすぐに（仏領インドシナ南部の）サイゴンとカンボジアの基地に移送された。これらの基地から英領マラヤに出撃できる体制にあった。その結果、日本軍のこの（仏領インドシナ南部）占領直後に米国は日本に対して貿易禁止の措置をとった。この措置には米国内の日本の資産の差し押さえや日本に対する化石燃料の輸出禁止が盛り込まれていた。On 5 November 1941, Emperor Hirohito approved, in Imperial Conference, the plan for the attack on Pearl Harbor. At the same time, his government made a last effort to arrive at a diplomatic solution of their differences with the United States. Ambassador Kichisabur? Nomura presented two proposals to the American government.1941年１１月５日、昭和天皇は帝国議会にて真珠湾奇襲作戦を敢行することを決定した。同時に、この時期帝国議会は米国との意見の食い違いについて外交政策で解決する道を模索していた。当時の米国駐在大使kitchisaburo nomuraが米国との和解に向けて米国議会に二種類の和解案を提示していた。The first, proposal A, he presented on November 6, 1941. It proposed making a final settlement of the Sino-Japanese War with a partial withdrawal of Japanese troops. United States military intelligence had deciphered some of Japan's diplomatic codes, so they knew that there was a second, follow-up proposal in case proposal A failed. The United States government stalled and then rejected proposal A on November 14, 1941.第一の提案、提案Aは１９４１年１１月６日に米国議会に提出された。侵攻中の中国からの日本軍の部分的撤退がその和解案には記されていた。当時の米国軍事示唆機関は外交文書に固有の印を見破っていた。それで彼らはこの和解案Aが受け入れられないときには次の和解案Bの提示があるのを見破っていた。米国議会は和解案Aへの返事を引き延ばしやがて拒否することになった。１９４１年１１月１４日のことだ。On November 20, 1941, Nomura presented proposal B, which proposed that Japan stop further military action in return for one million gallons (3,800 m3) of aviation fuel from the United States. The United States was about to make a counteroffer to this plan which included a monthly supply of fuel for civilian use. However, President Franklin D. Roosevelt received a leak of Japan's war plan and news that Japanese troopships were on their way to Indochina. He decided the Japanese were not being sincere in their negotiations and instructed Secretary Hull to drop the counter-proposal.１９４１年１１月２０日、nomura大使は和解案Bを提出した。和解案Bには米国からの飛行機の燃料１００万ガロン (3,800 m3) 相当の日本への輸出を条件としてさらなる軍事活動を停止する旨が記されていた。そのとき米国では和解案Bに対する返答をしたためているところであった。この返答には民間使用を目的とする化石燃料の日本への輸出月間スケジュールが記載されていた。ところが、当時の米国大統領フランクリンルーズベルトは別ルートで日本政府の戦争の計画とインドネシアに向けて日本軍が侵攻している情報を得てしまった。大統領は日本との一連の和解交渉の過程で日本が誠実でないことを見破って、秘書官のHull氏に和解案Bに対する回答をしたためるように以来した。こうして出来上がったのがHull Noteである。The note:ハルノート：On November 25 Henry L. Stimson, United States Secretary of War noted in his diary that he had discussed with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt the severe likelihood that Japan was about to launch a surprise attack, and that the question had been "how we should maneuver them [the Japanese] into the position of firing the first shot without allowing too much danger to ourselves.'"1941年１１月２５日、米国の戦争担当大臣ヘンリースチムソンは彼の日記の中にこう記録している。日本がまもなく米国に対する奇襲攻撃をかけてくることをルーズベルト大統領に伝えた。｢問題はどうやって日本に最初の攻撃を誘発させるのか、願わくは我方に最小の被害で。｣On the following day, November 26, 1941, Hull presented the Japanese ambassador with the Hull note, which as one of its conditions demanded the complete withdrawal of all Japanese troops from French Indochina and China. It did not refer to Manchukuo, in which hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians were already living. Japanese Prime Minister Tojo Hideki said to his cabinet, "this is an ultimatum."次の日１９４９年１１月２６日、ハル氏は駐米日本大使にハルノートと呼ばれるメモを手渡した。ハルノートには日本軍のインドシナ半島と中国からの完全撤退が条件の一つとして明記されていた。だが、満州国については何も条件が示されていなかった。当時満州国には数十万人の日本の民間人が入植して生活していた。日本国首相、東条英機は、このハルノートに記載されている事項は米国からの最終通告であると帝国議会で述べた。The strike force which attacked Pearl Harbor had set sail the day before, on the morning of November 26, 1941, Japan time. It could have been recalled along the way, but no further diplomatic progress was made and on 1 December, Emperor Hirohito approved, in Imperial Conference, the war against United States, Britain, and the Netherlands, which began by the attack on Pearl Harbor, Malaya, and the Philippines.日本軍による真珠湾奇襲艦隊は帝国議会の開催日の前日（日本時間１９４９年１１月２６日早朝）には日本を出発していた。途中で引き返すよう指示することもできたはずだがそうはしなかった。それから（ハルノート受諾日）より目立った外交上の進捗はまったくなかった。そして１９４９年１２月１日、昭和天皇が帝国議会で米国､英国､オランダに対する宣戦布告を許諾した。それから直ちに真珠湾、マラヤ、フィリピンの攻撃を開始した。Jonathan Daniels, President Roosevelt's administrative assistant at the time, noted Roosevelt's subsequent reaction to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor - "The blow was heavier than he had hoped it would necessarily be. ... But the risks paid off; even the loss was worth the price. ..."当時ルーズベルト大統領の顧問をしていたジョナサンダニエル氏は次のように記録している。日本軍の真珠湾攻撃に対する報復に関して次のように記録している。｢日本軍の真珠湾奇襲攻撃による損害はルーズベルト大統領の予想をはるかに超えるものではあった。この償いは日本にしてもらう、今回米国が真珠湾奇襲攻撃で受けた被害にみあうほどに。｣Some modern Japanese commentators say the note was designed to draw Japan into war and thus claim Japan was not the aggressor nation in the Pacific War. Toshio Tamogami, who was the Japan Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff, was sacked by the Japanese government in 2008 for taking this position.日本の記者の中にはハルノートは日本を戦争に引き込むために意図的に作成された、それで太平洋戦争の中では日本はアジアの侵略国としては描かれていない（アメリカが意図的に引きずり込んだので）と主張している。航空自衛隊の士官Toshio Tamogamiは２００８年に日本政府によりこの問題で罷免されている。

  Sep 8, 2010

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• 外国人看護師　試験の見直しはまだ不十分だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 8, 2010)National nursing exam needs more revision外国人看護師　試験の見直しはまだ不十分だ（9月7日付・読売社説）Having accepted foreign nurses through agreements with other countries, this nation's government has a responsibility to rectify the current situation in which their inability to understand difficult kanji prevents them from passing Japan's licensing exam for nurses.　国と国の約束で受け入れを決めた以上、漢字を読めないことが障壁となっている現状は、政府の責任で改めなければならない。The government should do more to resolve the problem.引き続き改善策を探るべきだ。An expert panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry last month drew up a guideline to revise the national exam so foreign applicants can better understand its questions, which are written in Japanese.　厚生労働省の検討会が、外国人の受験者でも試験問題を理解できるようにと、看護師の国家試験を見直す指針をまとめた。The government decided to review the annual exam because its pass rate was extremely low among the would-be nurses Japan has accepted from Indonesia and the Philippines based on economic partnership agreements with those countries. 　見直しのきっかけは、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づいてインドネシアとフィリピンから受け入れた看護師希望者の試験合格率が、極端に低かったことだ。None of the trainees passed the exam in the first year of the program, and only 1 percent were successful in the second year.１年目は１人も合格せず、２年目の合格率もわずか１％だった。The extremely low pass rate has led to criticism that it is unfair to reject examinees based on their ability to read kanji. The ministry has taken this under consideration and has been reviewing the exam system since March.　このため、「漢字の読解能力で不合格というのはおかしい」という批判が高まり、厚労省が３月から見直しを進めていた。Help needed with jargonThe new guideline calls for disease names to be written in both Japanese and English on the exam, and for some technical terms to be expressed with internationally recognized abbreviations, such as Ca for karushiumu (calcium). The foreign applicants who come to Japan under the EPA program are licensed nurses in their own countries, and it will be a great help to them if terms are also written in English and with abbreviations.　新たな指針では、病名には英語を併記し、カルシウムは「Ｃａ」などと、国際的に認定されている略語を記載する。ＥＰＡで来日した人たちは、母国で看護師の資格を持っている人たちだ。英語や略語の併記は助けとなるだろう。The guideline also allows kana to be printed beside or above difficult kanji to aid reading. But it has not applied this measure to medical and nursing jargon, such as jokuso and gyogai, which mean bedsores and lying on one's back, respectively. Those terms cannot be replaced with easier words, either.　指針は難解な漢字にルビを振ることも容認したが、床ずれの意味の「褥瘡(じょくそう)」や、あおむけの「仰(ぎょう)臥(が)位(い)」など、医療・看護の専門用語は対象外とした。平易な表現への言い換えも見送った。The Japan Nursing Association has said foreign nurses must be able to understand technical terms written in kanji and communicate accurately with their Japanese counterparts to prevent serious medical errors. The ministry's expert panel apparently compiled the guideline based on this opinion.　日本看護協会が、重大な医療事故を防ぐには、日本人スタッフとの意思疎通のために専門用語の漢字読解能力が不可欠と主張し、検討会もこれに沿った形だ。Of course safety in medical treatments must be ensured. But can't kana readings be printed next to difficult kanji that even native Japanese could not immediately read?　医療上の安全を確保するのは当然だが、日本人でも読めないような漢字にルビを振ることも、許されないのだろうか。The new guideline will be reflected in the nursing exam beginning with the test scheduled for February. Under the rules of the program, however, nearly 100 foreign nurses will have to return home if they fail it.　新指針は、来年２月の試験から適用される。問題は、これに不合格なら帰国を余儀なくされる人たちが１００人近くいることだ。The guideline should have been applied to the actual test only after it had been proven to be sufficiently effective in alleviating the problem. We believe preferential measures for foreign applicants, such as allowing them to take another test the year after next, should be considered.　本来なら、見直しが十分かどうか検証してから実施すべきところだ。再来年も受験可能とするなど特例措置の検討も必要だろう。Boost to medical tourismThe shortage of nurses and nursing care workers is still very serious in Japan. We do not think the kanji barrier should block motivated and capable people from these professions.　医療や介護の人手不足は依然、深刻である。意欲も能力もある人材を、「漢字の壁」を設けて締め出すべきではない。The government is working hard to attract more foreigners wishing to receive examinations for cancer and other medical conditions at Japanese hospitals. Filipino nurses with good English will be able to help Japanese medical staff communicate more smoothly with such foreign patients.　政府は、がん検診などの分野で外国人患者を日本の病院に積極的に受け入れていく方針だ。英語を話せるフィリピン人看護師などは外国人患者とコミュニケーションを図る上で役立つに違いない。Vietnam and Thailand also have been asking Japan to accept nurses and nursing care workers from their countries. These countries will eventually propose revisions of their EPAs with Tokyo over the issue.　看護師や介護福祉士の受け入れはベトナムやタイも求めており、いずれＥＰＡ改定の議論が出てくる。We do not want to see this program fail at the outset. The government should try to improve the environment for accepting caregivers from other countries.最初の受け入れでつまずくことのないよう、政府は受け入れ環境の整備に努めてほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2010)（2010年9月7日01時20分 読売新聞）

  Sep 7, 2010

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• 新卒就職対策　成長戦略こそ最大の支援策だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 7, 2010)Growth strategy key to creating jobs新卒就職対策　成長戦略こそ最大の支援策だ（9月6日付・読売社説）The economic package the government compiled recently includes measures to help new university graduates find jobs.　政府が先に取りまとめた、「経済対策の基本方針」の一つに、新卒者の就職支援がある。Just 91.8 percent of this spring's university graduates received tentative job offers, the lowest figure in a decade. With deflation and the stronger yen dimming economic prospects, businesses expect to hire fewer new recruits next spring, further worsening the employment situation.　この春の大卒の就職内定率は９１・８％で、この１０年で最低だった。デフレや円高の進行など、経済情勢の不透明化で企業の来春の採用予定者数はさらに減少し、就職戦線は一段と厳しさを増している。Prime Minister Naoto Kan has been bringing up employment at every opportunity, saying, "Employment comes first, second and third [in the government's priorities]." But the public wants to see results. Regardless of who wins the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential race, the government must urgently ensure stable employment for young people, especially new university graduates.　菅首相も、「一に雇用、二に雇用、三に雇用だ」と強調しているが、求められるのは結果だ。民主党代表選の行方にかかわらず、新卒者を中心に、若者の安定した雇用の場をいかに確保するかは、緊急の課題である。The core of the government's support policy for new university grads is to promote employment at small and midsize companies willing to recruit staff.　政府が打ち出した新卒者支援策の柱は、採用意欲の高い中小企業への就職促進だ。===Incentives neededThe government initially plans to increase the number of job counselors at universities and HelloWork job placement offices, and generate job offers from small and midsize firms through close coordination among these counselors. The plan also calls for raising awareness among new university graduates of the advantages of working at small and midsize companies, thereby expanding employment at such firms.　まず、大学やハローワークの就職相談員を増員し、両者が緊密に連携することで中小企業の求人を開拓する。同時に中小企業の魅力を新卒者に発信し、就職につなげていくという。If many fresh university graduates land jobs at small and midsize firms possessing significant growth potential, it will revitalize the nation's industries.　多くの新卒者が、成長の可能性を秘めた中小企業で働くようになれば、産業界全体の活性化にもなるのではないか。Another plan will provide financial incentives to businesses that take on, as trial recruits and trainees, people who fail to find jobs after graduation or repeat a year at university. Money also will be paid to companies that hire people who graduated within the past three years as part of their intake of new graduates.　さらに、卒業後も就職先のない人や留年生を対象に、体験雇用や職場実習を受け入れた企業に奨励金を支給する。卒業後３年以内の既卒者を新卒枠で採用した企業にも、奨励金を支給する。The employment situation remains grim. Providing these financial incentives could be necessary to encourage corporate recruitment. By the same token, it is essential to correct the situation in which people's chances for employment evaporate if a year or more passes after their graduation from university.　深刻な就職状況下では、奨励金で採用を促す工夫も必要なのだろう。いったん卒業したら就職の窓口が極端に狭くなる現状は、改めていかなければならない。===No time to wasteIn the meantime, an increasing number of firms have been transferring their production overseas to deal with falling domestic demand caused by the stronger yen and the declining birthrate and aging population. This structural change cannot be solved fundamentally simply by increasing the number of job counselors and offering companies cash incentives.　ただ、円高や少子高齢化による国内需要の減少を背景に、製造拠点を海外に移す企業が相次いでいる。こうした構造的変化には、就職相談員の増員や奨励金の導入では根本的な解決にならない。The "new growth strategy," which the government decided on in June, calls for quickly ending deflation and putting the national economy on the road to full-scale recovery.　６月に決定した政府の「新成長戦略」では、速やかにデフレを終結させ、日本経済を本格的な回復軌道に乗せる、としている。Undoubtedly, a strategy to heighten corporate desire for recruitment is indispensable, but the government has been slow to take action to achieve this goal.　まさに企業の採用意欲を高める戦略が欠かせないが、目標実現に向けた政府の動きは鈍い。In the economic package compiled recently, the government called for assisting technological development by small and midsize companies, regulatory and institutional reforms and tax incentives aimed at stimulating domestic investment.　今回の「基本方針」には、中小企業の技術開発支援や規制・制度改革、国内への投資を促す税制上の措置も掲げられた。こうした施策もスピードが肝心である。Recent surveys have shown many university students lack professionalism and have poor communication skills. When hiring staff, however, more and more companies prize attributes such as specialized skills and expertise that could enable their employees to work globally.　学生の職業意識の欠如やコミュニケーション能力の低下を指摘する調査結果がある。海外でも通用する人材など、専門性を重視する企業が増えてきた。We urge the government, universities and students themselves to face up to--and adapt to--this reality.　政府や大学、そして大学生自身も、こうした現実に目を向けた対応が求められよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2010)（2010年9月6日01時02分 読売新聞）

  Sep 7, 2010

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• タイの花売り娘詐欺にご用心

  花売り娘詐欺にご用心。これからタイ旅行を計画されているかたは詐欺にひっかからないようにご用心ください。最初の一言、No（ノー）が詐欺を逃れる唯一の方法です。この他、タイ式三輪自動車トゥクトゥクやタイ式力車サムロ－なども要注意です。先に料金を確実に交渉して置かなければ必ずぼられます。英語は通用しません。交渉はタイ語で。安全なタイ式タクシー、タクシーメーターをお勧めします。車の屋根の上にTAXI METERの表示が大きくなされています。トゥクトゥクやサムロ－などに比べて確実に安く移動できます。(スラチャイ）cite from 在タイ日本国大使館メールマガジン↓【大使館からのお知らせ】バンコクの観光スポット（エラワン・プーム）における献花（供物）代金の高額請求事案に関する注意喚起（2010年9月2日現在）１．最近，日本人旅行者から，「エラワン・プーム（バンコク都内の観光名所のひとつである通称エラワンの祠。ラチャプラソン交差点近く）に参拝したが，敷地外にいた花売り（屋台）から献花用の花束（又は供物）を法外な値段で売りつけられた。」といった報告が相次いで寄せられています。　事例は概ね次のようなものです。（１） 参拝前に，入り口付近で人々の参拝の様子などをうかがっていると，そばにいた花屋（屋台の売り子）から，「代金は（参拝の）あとでいいから，この花を持ってまずお参りしなさい。」などと声を掛けられ，花束を手渡される。（２）参拝を終えると上記（１）の売り子が近づいてくる。代金を尋ねると、5,000～8,000バーツ（当館注：市価は数十バーツ～200バーツと見込まれる）を請求される。（３）高額すぎるのではないかと訴え，交渉を試みると少しずつ値を下げるが，多くの場合，市価の10～20倍の金額でまとめられてしまう。２．エラワン・プームは，タイの中でも有数の観光スポットとして，また霊験あらたかな信仰の対象として日々参拝者が絶えない場所であるだけに，その周辺では，多くの観光客を狙い詐欺まがいの商売を繰り返す行商人があとを絶たず，今後，同種の被害が増加することも懸念されます。３．つきましては、同寺院付近で献花用の花や供物を購入する場合は、購入前に料金を確認する等、被害にあわない様ご注意ください。（問い合わせ先）海外より、○在タイ日本国大使館領事部　電話：（66-2）207-8502、696-3002（邦人援護）　FAX ：（66-2）207-8511＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊ ＊　＊　＊　＊ ＊　＊ ＊　タイ国内より、在タイ日本国大使館領事部 177 WITTHAYU ROAD, LUMPHINI, PATHUMWAN, BANGKOK. 10330 TEL : 0-2207-8502, 0-2696-3002 FAX : 0-2207-8511

  Sep 6, 2010

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• 我が家のライブ

  チャイヤプームの自宅では人を雇い庭の草刈と掃除を行いました。それから屋根の一部が雨漏りしていたので村の大工さんに修理を依頼、ついでに雨水で腐りかかっている台所の扉を交換しました。家族でチュラポーンダムに出かけ、動物園で楽しく過ごすことができました。我が家のライブです。↓http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9atddBeJAj4

  Sep 6, 2010

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• 我が家のライブ

  チャイヤプームの自宅では人を雇い庭の草刈と掃除を行いました。それから屋根の一部が雨漏りしていたので村の大工さんに修理を依頼、ついでに雨水で腐りかかっている台所の扉を交換しました。家族でチュラポーンダムに出かけ、動物園で楽しく過ごすことができました。我が家のライブです。↓http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9atddBeJAj4

  Sep 6, 2010

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• 代表選の投票権　外国人にも認めるのは問題だ

  法は悪法であっても守らなければならない、と言って自ら毒をあおって命を絶ったソクラテス。やはり憲法の条項に違反するようなことは慎まなければならないと思いました。（スラチャイ）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 6, 2010)Foreigner suffrage in DPJ poll a problem代表選の投票権　外国人にも認めるのは問題だ（9月5日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan presidential election will choose the head of a Japanese political party. Extending voting rights in this poll to non-Japanese residents obviously goes too far.　民主党代表選は日本の政党の党首選びである。在日外国人にまで投票権を認めるのは、明らかに行き過ぎだ。The DPJ allows lawmakers, local assembly members, rank-and-file party members and supporters to vote in its presidential election. Among the 1,224 points up for grabs, rank-and-file party members and supporters together account for 300 points, about a quarter of the total.　民主党は、国会議員、地方議員、党員・サポーターに代表選の投票資格を与えている。その合計の１２２４ポイントのうち、党員・サポーター票は３００ポイントと約４分の１の重みを持つ。Some people say the votes of the about 50,000 party members and 290,000 supporters could be decisive if the election campaign heats up. 　選挙戦が激しくなれば、約５万人の党員、約２９万人のサポーターの１票が、勝敗を決する可能性もあると指摘されている。However, it is problematic that the DPJ's internal regulations explicitly state that those qualified to be party members and supporters "include foreigners living in Japan."　問題は、民主党の規約が党員とサポーターの資格を「在日外国人を含む」と定めている点だ。===Embrace spirit, letter of lawThe Constitution grants the right to select and dismiss civil servants only to Japanese nationals, and the Public Offices Election Law gives voting rights only to Japanese nationals. Meanwhile, the Political Funds Control Law bans political parties and organizations from receiving donations from foreign individuals and corporations.　憲法は公務員選定・罷免の権利を、公職選挙法は選挙権を「日本国民」にのみ認めている。政治資金規正法は、政党や政治団体が外国人や外国法人から寄付を受けることを禁じている。All these legal principles are intended to prevent foreign interference in Japan's political and electoral processes. Given the regulations' intent, it is extremely questionable for a political party, regardless of whether it is a ruling or opposition party, to grant foreigners the right to vote for its leader.　いずれも、日本の政治や選挙が外国からの干渉を受けるのを防ぐための規定だ。この趣旨に照らせば、政権党であれ、野党であれ、党首選の投票権を外国人に認めることは、きわめて疑問である。Political parties determine their own requirements for party membership and presidential elections. The DPJ says it opens doors to non-Japanese living in Japan under the philosophy of being an "open party."　党員などの要件や代表選の仕組みは、政党自身が決めることではある。民主党は「開かれた政党」という考えの下、在日外国人にも門戸を開いていると説明する。However, political parties assume a public character because they receive taxpayer money in the form of subsidies. The parties must not, of course, deviate from the letter of the Constitution and other laws, but likewise they should never distort their spirit and intent.　しかし、政党は、国民の税金である政党交付金を受ける公的な存在だ。憲法や法律から逸脱することは無論、その趣旨を歪(ゆが)めるようなことがあってはならない。The DPJ does not even know how many foreigners living in Japan are included among its rank-and-file party members and supporters. The party's election administration is far too sloppy.　民主党は、党員・サポーターの中にどのぐらい在日外国人が含まれているかも把握していない。選挙管理があまりに杜撰(ずさん)過ぎる。DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano said at a press conference last month: "We must discuss many things in the future. The requirements to participate in national politics should be based on nationality." The direct connection between the DPJ presidential election and the selection of the nation's prime minister seems to have finally opened Edano's eyes to the seriousness of the matter.　枝野幹事長は先月、記者会見で「将来的にいろいろ検討しないといけない。国政に参加する要件は国籍で判断するべきだ」と述べている。代表選が首相選びに直結してようやく、この問題の重大性に気づいたのだろう。===Nationality should come 1stThe Liberal Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party require party members to have Japanese nationality. Likewise, the DPJ should limit its rank-and-file party members and supporters to those with Japanese nationality.　自民党や共産党などは、日本国籍を党員の要件としている。民主党も、党員・サポーターの資格を日本国籍の者に限るべきだ。Among the DPJ's rank-and-file party members and supporters, there appear to be many South Korean residents in Japan who want to see foreigners with permanent residence status given local suffrage.　党員・サポーターには、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与を期待する在日韓国人が少なからずいるとみられている。Prime Minister Naoto Kan and former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa are staging a battle in the presidential election that could split the party. The nation's foundations will be damaged if they and the lawmakers supporting them compete with promises to pass a pending foreign suffrage bill, with the aim of garnering votes of DPJ members and supporters in the party's presidential election.　菅首相と小沢一郎・前幹事長が党を二分する選挙戦を演じる中、党員・サポーター票の獲得を目当てに、両氏やその支持議員が、この法案の成立を競って約束するといった展開になれば、国の基本を損ねることにもなる。The DPJ should promptly take measures to correct the situation.　民主党は、早期に是正措置を講じるべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2010)（2010年9月5日01時11分 読売新聞）

  Sep 6, 2010

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• 代表選の投票権　外国人にも認めるのは問題だ

  法は悪法であっても守らなければならない、と言って自ら毒をあおって命を絶ったソクラテス。やはり憲法の条項に違反するようなことは慎まなければならないと思いました。（スラチャイ）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 6, 2010)Foreigner suffrage in DPJ poll a problem代表選の投票権　外国人にも認めるのは問題だ（9月5日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan presidential election will choose the head of a Japanese political party. Extending voting rights in this poll to non-Japanese residents obviously goes too far.　民主党代表選は日本の政党の党首選びである。在日外国人にまで投票権を認めるのは、明らかに行き過ぎだ。The DPJ allows lawmakers, local assembly members, rank-and-file party members and supporters to vote in its presidential election. Among the 1,224 points up for grabs, rank-and-file party members and supporters together account for 300 points, about a quarter of the total.　民主党は、国会議員、地方議員、党員・サポーターに代表選の投票資格を与えている。その合計の１２２４ポイントのうち、党員・サポーター票は３００ポイントと約４分の１の重みを持つ。Some people say the votes of the about 50,000 party members and 290,000 supporters could be decisive if the election campaign heats up. 　選挙戦が激しくなれば、約５万人の党員、約２９万人のサポーターの１票が、勝敗を決する可能性もあると指摘されている。However, it is problematic that the DPJ's internal regulations explicitly state that those qualified to be party members and supporters "include foreigners living in Japan."　問題は、民主党の規約が党員とサポーターの資格を「在日外国人を含む」と定めている点だ。===Embrace spirit, letter of lawThe Constitution grants the right to select and dismiss civil servants only to Japanese nationals, and the Public Offices Election Law gives voting rights only to Japanese nationals. Meanwhile, the Political Funds Control Law bans political parties and organizations from receiving donations from foreign individuals and corporations.　憲法は公務員選定・罷免の権利を、公職選挙法は選挙権を「日本国民」にのみ認めている。政治資金規正法は、政党や政治団体が外国人や外国法人から寄付を受けることを禁じている。All these legal principles are intended to prevent foreign interference in Japan's political and electoral processes. Given the regulations' intent, it is extremely questionable for a political party, regardless of whether it is a ruling or opposition party, to grant foreigners the right to vote for its leader.　いずれも、日本の政治や選挙が外国からの干渉を受けるのを防ぐための規定だ。この趣旨に照らせば、政権党であれ、野党であれ、党首選の投票権を外国人に認めることは、きわめて疑問である。Political parties determine their own requirements for party membership and presidential elections. The DPJ says it opens doors to non-Japanese living in Japan under the philosophy of being an "open party."　党員などの要件や代表選の仕組みは、政党自身が決めることではある。民主党は「開かれた政党」という考えの下、在日外国人にも門戸を開いていると説明する。However, political parties assume a public character because they receive taxpayer money in the form of subsidies. The parties must not, of course, deviate from the letter of the Constitution and other laws, but likewise they should never distort their spirit and intent.　しかし、政党は、国民の税金である政党交付金を受ける公的な存在だ。憲法や法律から逸脱することは無論、その趣旨を歪(ゆが)めるようなことがあってはならない。The DPJ does not even know how many foreigners living in Japan are included among its rank-and-file party members and supporters. The party's election administration is far too sloppy.　民主党は、党員・サポーターの中にどのぐらい在日外国人が含まれているかも把握していない。選挙管理があまりに杜撰(ずさん)過ぎる。DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano said at a press conference last month: "We must discuss many things in the future. The requirements to participate in national politics should be based on nationality." The direct connection between the DPJ presidential election and the selection of the nation's prime minister seems to have finally opened Edano's eyes to the seriousness of the matter.　枝野幹事長は先月、記者会見で「将来的にいろいろ検討しないといけない。国政に参加する要件は国籍で判断するべきだ」と述べている。代表選が首相選びに直結してようやく、この問題の重大性に気づいたのだろう。===Nationality should come 1stThe Liberal Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party require party members to have Japanese nationality. Likewise, the DPJ should limit its rank-and-file party members and supporters to those with Japanese nationality.　自民党や共産党などは、日本国籍を党員の要件としている。民主党も、党員・サポーターの資格を日本国籍の者に限るべきだ。Among the DPJ's rank-and-file party members and supporters, there appear to be many South Korean residents in Japan who want to see foreigners with permanent residence status given local suffrage.　党員・サポーターには、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与を期待する在日韓国人が少なからずいるとみられている。Prime Minister Naoto Kan and former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa are staging a battle in the presidential election that could split the party. The nation's foundations will be damaged if they and the lawmakers supporting them compete with promises to pass a pending foreign suffrage bill, with the aim of garnering votes of DPJ members and supporters in the party's presidential election.　菅首相と小沢一郎・前幹事長が党を二分する選挙戦を演じる中、党員・サポーター票の獲得を目当てに、両氏やその支持議員が、この法案の成立を競って約束するといった展開になれば、国の基本を損ねることにもなる。The DPJ should promptly take measures to correct the situation.　民主党は、早期に是正措置を講じるべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2010)（2010年9月5日01時11分 読売新聞）

  Sep 6, 2010

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• 鳩山調停失敗　投票で決着を図るのは当然だ

  本日の英字新聞は特別号です。タイのプミポン国王が建設されたチュラポンダムよりお送りしています。スラチャイの自宅はチュラポンダムを含む広大な保存林に隣接しています。自宅からダムまで２０ｋｍのドライブです。自宅の区域にはまだ携帯電話の電波が届いていませんのでインターネットできません。このダムはプミポン国王がここを頻繁に訪れるのでここではインターネットも可能なのです。（srachai from Chulaporn Dam, Chiyaphum)The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 2, 2010)DPJ on right course with open showdown鳩山調停失敗　投票で決着を図るのは当然だ（9月1日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan and former Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa on Tuesday formally announced they would run in the upcoming DPJ presidential race. The race is set to be a head-to-head battle between the two.　菅首相と小沢一郎・前幹事長は民主党代表選への立候補を正式に表明し、代表選は両氏の一騎打ちが確定した。Importantly, it will be an open battle. It is more reasonable to settle things squarely in a party race rather than behind closed doors in the name of so-called party unity. Openness must be what many people want.　挙党態勢を名目に「密室談合」で決着させるよりも、代表選で堂々と勝敗を決めるのが筋だ。これこそ多くの国民が求めているものだろう。Few conditions setPrior to their separate announcements of their candidacies, Kan and Ozawa held talks and basically agreed that they would cooperate regardless of who wins the race and try to prevent the party from splitting up after the election.　これに先立って両氏は会談し、代表選後も、勝敗にかかわりなくお互いに協力し、党の分裂を避けることで基本的に一致した。The talks were held with the mediation of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and several others who were concerned that a head-on battle between Kan and Ozawa would seriously divide the party.　菅首相と小沢氏の会談は、両氏が全面対決すれば、党に決定的な亀裂が入ることを懸念する鳩山前首相らが仲介した。But apparently no concessions were made over whether Ozawa would be granted a post if he were to give up running in the race, or whether anti-Ozawa figures Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku and DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano would retain their posts.　しかし結局、小沢氏の処遇ポストや、反小沢色の強い仙谷官房長官、枝野幹事長らを引き続き起用するかどうかで、折り合えなかったものとみられている。During talks a day earlier with Hatoyama, Kan accepted that a so-called troika of Kan, Hatoyama and Ozawa would steer the DPJ-led administration.　菅首相は、３０日の鳩山氏との会談で、菅、鳩山、小沢３氏の「トロイカ体制」で政権運営にあたる方針を受け入れた。But if Kan had offered Ozawa inducements to withdraw from the race, which would have allowed Kan to be reelected without a vote, he certainly would have faced criticism that such a process was no different from the old faction-based closed-door politics of the Liberal Democratic Party.　だが、そのまま小沢氏との間で妥協し、無投票で再選を固めるようなことをしたら、自民党の古い派閥談合政治と同じ、との批判は免れなかったろう。Ozawa, for his part, must not have wanted to drop out of the race because doing so would make it look as if he had backed down due to the lack of public support for him as shown in various opinion polls.　一方の小沢氏も、ここで一転、撤退すれば、各種世論調査での不人気にたじろいだと受け止められたに違いない。Hatoyama, who mediated between the two, bears grave responsibility.　調停に乗り出した鳩山氏の責任は大きい。He resigned as prime minister only a few months ago after causing confusion over a number of domestic and foreign policy issues. Such a person should have been kept well away from the center of the political stage.　内政・外交で迷走を重ね、首相を辞任して間もない鳩山氏は、本来、謹慎の身であるはずだ。To make matters worse, Hatoyama had initially expressed support for Kan to remain in the top post but later shifted his backing to Ozawa. It is strange that Hatoyama backed Ozawa, who has yet to clear up the "politics and money" suspicions swirling around him, as the former prime minister called for a "clean party" when he stepped down from the post.　しかも、鳩山氏は、初めは菅首相続投を支持しながら、中途から小沢氏支持へと変わった。辞任の際、「クリーンな政党を」と言い残しながら、「政治とカネ」の疑惑を抱えたままの小沢氏を推すのもおかしい。We consider Hatoyama unqualified to act as go-between, as his words and actions have been full of contradictions.　矛盾に満ちた言動を繰り返している鳩山氏は、調停役として不適格だったのではないか。A chance to air issuesIf the DPJ did not hold a party presidential race, it would have lost a chance to deepen discussions on the responsibility for the party's humiliating defeat in July's House of Councillors election. The intraparty election is an opportunity to review the party manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election, an envisaged increase in the consumption tax rate and basic state policies.　今回、代表選そのものが見送られたりしていれば、参院選の責任問題はもとより、衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）の見直し、消費税率引き上げ問題、国の基本政策についての議論を深める機会が失われただろう。During the official campaigning over the next two weeks, Kan and Ozawa must frankly speak about their visions of the nation's future and how government affairs should be handled.　２週間にわたって行われる代表選で、菅、小沢の両氏は、国家ビジョンや政権運営のあり方について、自らの見解を率直に語らなければならない。As the DPJ is no longer an opposition party, the race for its presidency also is a race for the prime ministership. DPJ lawmakers as well as registered party members and supporters must take this to heart when they cast their ballots in the election.　今回の代表選びは、野党時代と違って首相を選ぶ選挙だ。民主党議員や党員・サポーターは、その点を強く自覚して１票を投じてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2010)（2010年9月1日01時17分 読売新聞）

  Sep 2, 2010

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• 政府・日銀協調　「次の一手」も視野に入れよ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 1, 2010)BOJ should consider next step to curb high yen政府・日銀協調　「次の一手」も視野に入れよ（8月31日付・読売社説）The government and the Bank of Japan have finally begun working in a coordinated manner to stop the sharp appreciation of the yen.　急激な円高に歯止めをかけようと、政府と日銀が、ようやく協調して動き始めた。The central bank decided at an extraordinary Policy Board meeting Monday to take new steps for further quantitative monetary easing. It will increase lending to the market by 10 trillion yen, to a total of 30 trillion yen, at an extremely low interest rate of 0.1 percent a year.　日銀が３０日、臨時の金融政策決定会合で、量的金融緩和の追加策を決めた。年０・１％の超低利による資金供給を１０兆円拡大し、総額３０兆円とする。Also Monday, Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa met Prime Minister Naoto Kan in person to discuss the current state of the economy. Later in the day, the government decided on an outline of additional measures to create jobs and stimulate consumption. Kan stressed that the government will flexibly implement both economic and financial measures to deal with the slowdown in the economy.　この日は、菅首相と白川方明日銀総裁が直接会い、経済情勢について協議した。政府も、雇用や消費の促進を柱とした追加経済対策の基本方針をまとめ、首相は「経済対策と金融政策を２本柱に機動的な対応を取る」と強調した。In the meantime, we would like to praise the government and the Bank of Japan for working on economic policy in a coordinated manner.　政府・日銀が、経済政策で足並みをそろえて行動したことを、ひとまず歓迎したい。===Nothing unexpectedHowever, the content of the further monetary easing and other measures they announced did not go further than what might have been expected, and left more to be desired. We also have to say the government and the Bank of Japan took action rather late. They should implement policy management with a stronger sense of urgency.　とはいえ、追加緩和などの内容自体は想定の域を超えず、物足りなかった。タイミングも遅きに失したと言わざるを得ない。政府・日銀は強い危機感を持って、政策運営にあたるべきだ。Even after the central bank announced further monetary easing in the early afternoon, the yen's appreciation continued. The Nikkei Stock Average recovered to the 9,000 mark in the morning, on expectations for new financial steps, but trimmed earlier gains in afternoon trading.　昼過ぎに追加緩和が発表された後も、為替市場で円高傾向が続いた。東京市場の平均株価は、朝から政策期待で９０００円台を回復していたが、午後の取引では逆に上昇幅が縮小した。Many market players apparently doubt the central bank's commitment to further monetary easing. Certainly, there is a strong impression that the central bank has unwillingly implemented measures piecemeal under pressure from the government and the market.　市場関係者の多くが、日銀の本気度を疑っているのだろう。確かに市場や政府にせっつかれ、政策を小出しにした印象が強い。The central bank's measures also lost some of their impact because U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke took the preemptive action last week of announcing that the U.S. central bank was ready for further monetary easing steps.　先週末、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）のバーナンキ議長が講演で、追加緩和の用意があると表明し、先手を打たれた形になったことも、効果をそいだ。The market is now becoming more and more interested in what steps the Bank of Japan will take next. The central bank should consider the outright purchase of more long-term government bonds and other new monetary easing steps so that speculators will never again capitalize on its delay in taking action and the yen's appreciation will not accelerate as a result.　もはや市場の関心は日銀の「次の一手」に向き始めている。対応の遅れを再び投機筋に突かれ、円高を加速させぬよう、長期国債の買い入れ増額など、新たな緩和策も視野に入れるべきだろう。The strong yen eats into the profits of exporters and their subcontractors, such as parts manufacturers, dampening their enthusiasm for capital spending.　円高は輸出企業や下請けの部品メーカーなどの利益を減らし、設備投資の意欲を冷え込ませる。About 40 percent of manufacturing companies reportedly said they will move factories, and research and development centers from Japan to other countries if the yen stays at its current level of 85 yen to the dollar. We must not allow domestic industry to be hollowed out, thereby weakening the Japanese economy.　仮に、１ドル＝８５円という現在の円高水準が定着すると、製造業の４割が、工場や開発拠点を海外に移転する考えだという。産業空洞化が日本経済を弱体化させる事態は、避けねばならない。The government and the Bank of Japan must demonstrate their firm resolve not to allow the current level of the yen's appreciation by considering the option of yen-selling intervention in the exchange market.　政府・日銀は、円売りの市場介入も選択肢に、現在の円高水準を容認しないとの決意を、断固として示すべきである。===Watch political movesThe government also must pay attention to the influence of political developments on the market. Long-term interest rates last week temporarily rose sharply, caused by the market's concern that handout measures might increase in the near future, depending on the outcome of the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election in September.　政治の動きが、市場に与える影響にも注意したい。先週来、民主党代表選の展開次第でバラマキ政策が増えるとの懸念から、長期金利が急上昇する場面があった。The market is greatly influenced by a variety of factors. We expect the DPJ, as the major party in the ruling coalition, to listen carefully to voices of the market.　市場はさまざまな要因で激しく動く。政権与党として、市場の声によく耳を傾けてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2010)（2010年8月31日01時27分 読売新聞）

  Sep 1, 2010

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• クール・ジャパン　海外の人気を成長に生かせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 31, 2010)Time to capitalize on 'Cool Japan' boomクール・ジャパン　海外の人気を成長に生かせ（8月30日付・読売社説）Japanese pop culture--widely referred to as "Cool Japan"--has taken off overseas. The government should take advantage of this boom in all things Japanese to push domestic businesses' advance into foreign markets.　海外での日本ブームは「クール（かっこいい）・ジャパン」と呼ばれている。これを企業の海外進出につなげることに、もっと知恵を絞りたい。Japanese anime and manga have become immensely popular among young people overseas. Japanese fashion grabs plenty of headlines, and foods such as sushi are a hit with health-conscious diners.　日本のアニメや漫画は海外の若者から絶大な人気を得ている。ファッションの注目度も高い。すしなどの和食は「健康にいい」と好評だ。But this popularity has not necessarily led to overseas expansion by domestic companies involved in these industries. The domestic animation industry remains dominated by small and midsize companies, and exports of textiles have slackened. Japanese restaurants have been mushrooming the world over, but many are operated by non-Japanese.　しかし、その人気が、必ずしも日本の関連産業の海外展開に結びついていない。アニメ産業は中小零細企業が圧倒的で、繊維産業の輸出も伸びていない。世界で急増する和食レストランも、その多くが日本人以外の経営だ。While Japan fails to transform its overseas popularity into economic growth, South Korea has been increasing its presence in other Asian countries.　日本がせっかくの人気を経済成長に生かせないのとは対照的に、アジア各地で存在感を増しているのが韓国である。According to a report by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, CD and DVD stores in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore brim with South Korean dramas and K-pop albums by South Korean singers. In China, the sales of a South Korean apparel maker often compared with Japan's Uniqlo brand operator are going through the roof.　経済産業省の報告書によると、香港、バンコク、シンガポールなどのＣＤ・ＤＶＤ売り場は、韓国ドラマや韓国人歌手らのＫポップがあふれている。中国では「韓国のユニクロ」と言われるファッション企業が売り上げを急速に伸ばしている。Public-private sales modelAs Korean dramas gain popularity, South Korean makers follow up by promoting fashion brands worn by actors and actresses starring in the programs. The South Korean private and public sectors seem to be jointly building a business model that uses Korean brands to expand sales in targeted countries.　韓国ドラマが人気を得ると、韓流スターの着こなすファッションを売り込み、「韓国ブランド」の向上をテコに、韓国製品の売り上げにつなげる――というビジネススタイルを、官民挙げて築きつつあるようだ。The government seems content for Japan to just be extolled overseas as "cool." However, we think the government has not tried hard enough, or been imaginative enough, in taking advantage of this popularity for the benefit of business expansion.　日本は、海外で「クール」ともてはやされることに満足して、ビジネスに生かす発想と努力を欠いていたのではないか。In June, the trade ministry released its "strategy to promote a culture-oriented industry." This plan to harness "Cool Japan" to revitalize the national economy seemingly reflects an awareness that more must be done to tap this industry.　経産省が６月、クール・ジャパンを日本経済活性化の起爆剤の一つと位置づける「文化産業立国戦略」を策定したのも、そうした反省に立ったものだろう。The strategy calls for an integrated support system--from product development to the signing of overseas sales contracts--for small and midsize companies that lack the expertise and funds needed to develop their business abroad. We hope the ministry's strategy will be steadily implemented.　戦略では、海外展開に必要なノウハウも資金も不足している中小企業を対象に、商品開発から海外での販売契約まで一貫して支援する仕組みを整えることを盛り込んだ。着実に実施してほしい。Get on same pageThe government's administration of overseas activities has been divided among its ministries--the trade ministry fosters "Cool Japan" industries, the Foreign Ministry looks after cultural exchanges and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry promotes Japanese foods.　政府は従来、クール・ジャパンの関連産業の育成は経産省、文化交流は外務省、和食の海外ＰＲは農林水産省という具合に、各省庁が縦割りで対応してきた。South Korean products could dominate rapidly growing Asian markets, but they are less likely to do so in European and U.S. markets, where Japanese brands' reputation for high quality is well entrenched.　これでは、「日本製イコール高品質」というブランドイメージが確立する欧米市場はまだしも、成長著しいアジア市場は韓国勢に席巻されかねない。Japan should emulate the Korean formula of ensuring cooperation transcends fields such as fashion, movies, food and manga, instead of promoting business through separate government ministries and agencies. If the "fences" between these government offices remain too high, the Cabinet minister and other politicians who head each ministry must step up and exercise leadership to make this cooperation a reality.　韓国に倣い、省庁別でなく、ファッションと映画、食文化と漫画といった分野横断型の連携を強化すべきだ。省庁の“垣根”が依然高いなら、閣僚など政務三役が政治主導で進める必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2010)（2010年8月30日01時26分 読売新聞）

  Aug 30, 2010

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• 日韓併合１００年　協調と競争の未来へ向けて

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 30, 2010)Japan, ROK must partner, compete for future日韓併合１００年　協調と競争の未来へ向けて（8月29日付・読売社説）People of the Korean Peninsula, who were ruled by a different people, must regret the fact that their country was taken away and their pride was trampled upon. These feelings apparently are a source of the Korean people's strong sense of rivalry with and resentment against Japan.　異民族に支配された朝鮮半島の人々には、国を奪われ、誇りを踏みにじられた無念の思いがあるだろう。それが日本への強烈な対抗心や反発をうむ源泉となっている。Without Japan truly understanding these sentiments, its good-neighbor diplomacy will never come to fruition.　その気持ちを理解せずして、日本の善隣外交は成り立つまい。The Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty became effective 100 years ago, on Aug. 29, 1910. The world was in an age of imperialism at the time and Japan, like other imperialist countries, kept up with the tide of the times and colonized the peninsula.　日韓併合条約が発効したのは、今から１００年前の１９１０年８月２９日である。当時は帝国主義の時代であり、日本もその流れに乗って朝鮮半島を植民地にした。It is an undeniable fact that Japan's 35-year colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula, until Japan's World War II defeat, still casts a shadow over the present-day Japan-South Korea relationship.　敗戦まで３５年間の植民地統治が今日の日韓関係に影を落としているのは、否定しえない事実だ。Earlier this month, ahead of the Aug. 29 centenary, Prime Minister Naoto Kan issued a statement expressing "deep remorse and heartfelt apology." This is because he places importance on the Japan-Korea relationship.　菅首相が日韓併合１００年の談話で、「痛切な反省と心からのおわびの気持ち」を表明したのも日韓関係を重視してのことだ。Japan must build a relationship with South Korea in which the two countries cooperate and compete each other.韓国とは、協調し競争しあう関係を築いていかなければならない。===Impressive postwar growthWhen Japan and South Korea normalized diplomatic ties in 1965, the two countries confirmed the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty to be "already null and void" and thereby entered a new relationship.　１９６５年の日韓国交正常化の際、日韓併合条約を「もはや無効である」としたことによって、両国は新たな関係に入った。Using funds provided by Japan, South Korea built dams, ironworks and expressways, and threw its energy into exports. 　韓国は、日本からの資金を使ってダムや製鉄所、高速道路を建設し、輸出に力を注いだ。South Korea has transformed into an economically advanced country, achieving political democratization and affluence. Its society has diversified, and the now wealthy nation has changed from being a recipient of assistance to a country that provides it to others.いまや経済先進国に変貌(へんぼう)し、政治の民主化も果たした。社会も多様化し、豊かになった韓国は援助される国から援助する国になっている。Japan and South Korea are trade partners, and each maintains an alliance with the United States as its main axis of national security. The two countries also share values such as the market economy and democracy.　日韓両国は、それぞれが米国との同盟を安全保障の軸に、互いを主要な貿易相手国とする、また市場経済や民主主義などの価値観を共有する関係にある。===International leadershipIn November, South Korea will host a Group of 20 summit meeting while Japan will host a summit gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. 　１１月には、韓国が世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議を、日本がアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を主宰する。Tokyo and Seoul play increasingly greater roles and have larger responsibilities when it comes to ensuring the world's stability and prosperity. 　世界の安定と繁栄のために、日韓が担う役割と責任は大きくなっている。The two countries should never miss mutual opportunities and should strengthen their cooperation.この機を逃さず、日韓協力を強化すべきだ。How to establish a stable relationship with economic and military superpower China is a heavy task for both Japan and South Korea. 　経済・軍事大国となった中国とどう向き合い、安定した関係を作っていくかということも日韓共通の重い課題である。The two countries also must appropriately respond to North Korea--a destabilizing factor in the region.地域の不安定要因である北朝鮮には適切に対処していかなければならない。It appears increasingly necessary that Japan and South Korea build a future-oriented bilateral relationship that is not mired in the past.　過去にとらわれない「未来志向の日韓関係」を構築していく必然性は高まっている。However, difficulties remain. Japan and South Korea, because they are neighbors, have deep relations rooted in history, and their sentiment toward each other tends to be complex. Japanese people feel increasingly more kinship with South Korea every year, but South Koreans still have a deep-seated distrust of Japan.　だが、難題もある。日韓は隣り合うだけに歴史的なかかわりは深く、感情ももつれがちだ。日本国民の韓国への親近感は年々強まっているが、韓国にはまだ日本への根強い不信感がある。In fact, pending issues between Japan and South Korea such as the territorial dispute over the Takeshima islets remain unresolved and a source of repeated diplomatic tension between the two countries.　事実、竹島問題などの２国間の懸案は、解決しないまま衝突が繰り返されてきた。Overcoming those difficulties is an assignment for both Japan and South Korea as they head into the next 100 years of their relationship.　その難しさを克服していくことが、新たな１００年に向けての日韓両国の宿題だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2010)（2010年8月29日01時19分 読売新聞）

  Aug 29, 2010

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• 死刑刑場公開　まだ開示すべき情報は多い

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 29, 2010)More death penalty info should be disclosed死刑刑場公開　まだ開示すべき情報は多い（8月28日付・読売社説）The execution chamber at the Tokyo Detention House was shown to the media for the first time Friday.　死刑が執行される東京拘置所の刑場が報道機関に初めて公開された。With the introduction of the lay judge system, ordinary citizens now have a chance of being called to participate in the process of sentencing someone to death. The Justice Ministry, which had been reluctant to disclose information related to executions, has likely realized the need to change its earlier stance.　裁判員制度が始まり、国民が死刑判決にかかわる可能性がある時代になった。これまで情報公開に消極的だった法務省も、姿勢を転換する必要性を認めたのだろう。The ministry should make further efforts to disclose information on the death penalty.　今後も死刑に関する情報の開示に努めるべきだ。Media organizations were allowed to film or photograph certain areas, such as the room in which hangings take place, and the button control room, where prison officers push buttons to activate the trapdoor.　報道機関には撮影も許可され、密室の様子が初めて外部に知らされた。絞首刑が行われる執行室や刑務官が執行ボタンを押す部屋などが公開された。Debate requires dataJustice Minister Keiko Chiba this month set up a study panel within the ministry to discuss the death penalty system. Chiba, who had been calling for the abolition of capital punishment, expressed her intention to start discussions on whether the system should be maintained and stressed the need for national debate on the issue.　千葉法相は今月、死刑制度のあり方を議論する勉強会を省内に作った。もともと死刑廃止論者だった法相は、制度の存廃論議を始める方針も示し、国民的な議論の必要性を強調している。But the public in fact has been given little information that would help people think about the death penalty.　しかし、国民には死刑制度を考える材料が、ほとんど明らかにされていないのが現状だ。An execution must be carried out within six months after a death sentence is finalized, according to the Criminal Procedure Code. But this rule has not been followed. Over the past decade, the period from the finalization of a sentence to actual execution stood at five years and 11 months on average. Some death row inmates have been detained for more than two decades since their sentences were finalized. What has caused this situation?　刑事訴訟法で定められている、死刑確定から６か月以内の刑の執行は守られていない。過去１０年の執行までの期間は平均で５年１１か月だ。確定から２０年以上拘置されている死刑囚もいる。なぜこうした事態が生じるのか。In 1998, the Justice Ministry began to publicly announce when it had carried out executions and how many inmates were executed on each occasion. In 2007, it also began disclosing the names of the inmates who were executed. But it has not provided information on how decisions are made about which inmates are to be executed.　１９９８年以降、執行の事実と人数のみを公表していた法務省は、０７年から死刑囚の氏名も公表するようになった。だが、執行順の決定過程は説明していない。It also is hard to know anything about how death row inmates live in their cells and whether they regret what they have done.　死刑囚が独房でどのような生活を送り、反省しているかどうかを知ることも難しい。The Penal Code stipulates that executions are to be carried out by hanging. But we wonder whether arguments on this point have ever been raised.　執行方法は刑法で絞首と定められているが、これに対する議論は一度もなかったのだろうか。In the United Sates, where the death penalty exists in 35 of the 50 states, members of the media and relatives of crime victims can be present to watch executions. They also can be briefed by authorities about developments before actual executions.　７割の州に死刑制度がある米国では、被害者遺族やメディアが執行に立ち会える。当局から執行までの経緯の説明も受けられる。We think the Justice Ministry should provide as much information as possible while giving consideration to the privacy of death row inmates and the wishes of victims.　法務省は死刑囚のプライバシーに配慮しつつ、被害者側の意向も踏まえた上で、可能な限り説明を尽くすべきではないか。Some in the ministry were cautious about releasing detailed information on the final moments death row inmates face, being concerned that discussions of how executions are carried out and how inmates are treated would eventually lead to arguments supporting the abolition of the death penalty.　法務省の内部には、死刑囚の最後の局面に関する詳細な情報を公開すると、執行方法や処遇などを巡る議論が、いずれ死刑廃止論議に結びついてしまうという警戒感があった。It is necessary for the ministry to provide the public with information about the actual situation regarding the death penalty and to allow discussions as to whether practical details of the death penalty system, including the execution method, should be reviewed.　死刑の現状を国民に知らせ、執行方法や制度の運用に見直すべき点がないのかどうか、問題提起する姿勢も必要だろう。Seek the best systemAn opinion survey conducted by the Cabinet Office showed that more than 80 percent of respondents were in favor of the death penalty. Many victims' relatives demand capital punishment as a penalty matching the seriousness of the crimes committed.　内閣府の世論調査では、死刑制度容認派が８割を超えている。罪に見合う処罰として極刑を求める被害者遺族は多い。We do not advocate rushing discussions on whether the death penalty should be maintained or abolished. Rather, we hope that discussions are held from the viewpoint of improving the existing system's operation.　「存続か廃止か」の議論を急ぐのではなく、現行制度の運用を改善する視点の議論が望まれる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 28, 2010)（2010年8月28日01時13分 読売新聞）

  Aug 28, 2010

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• 小沢氏出馬表明　日本の針路を競う代表選に

  to fend off a barrage of questions from the opposition camp＝野党側の厳しい追及を乗り切っていく英語はほとんど大丈夫、理解できる。理解不能の日本語発見。右顧左眄(うこさべん) =右を見たり左を見たりして迷うこと。左顧右眄。Kokugo Dai Jiten Dictionary. Shinsou-ban (Revised edition) ｩ Shogakukan 1988/国語大辞典（新装版）ｩ小学館 1988（スラチャイ）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 28, 2010)DPJ election should be battle over policy小沢氏出馬表明　日本の針路を競う代表選に（8月27日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan's upcoming presidential election is almost certain to be a two-man race between Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is seeking reelection as DPJ chief, and former party Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa.　民主党代表選は、再選をめざす菅首相と小沢一郎前幹事長との、事実上の一騎打ちになることが固まった。Selecting the leader of the largest ruling party is effectively synonymous with choosing the next prime minister. 　与党第１党の党首選は首相選びに直結する。We hope the DPJ will choose the winner of the race through a serious battle of words concerning the course this country should take. The election should not be reduced to a race in which its two opposing camps struggle to win party members over to their respective sides, thus determining which can seize power: the bloc that wants Ozawa removed from the center of the party and the government, or the side that supports him.「脱小沢」か「親小沢」かという権力争奪の多数派工作に堕することなく、あるべき日本の針路を論じ合って雌雄を決してほしい。　◆分裂、政界再編の芽も◆Ozawa has expressed his intention to run in the Sept. 14 election, campaigning for which will start Wednesday. 　小沢氏は、９月１日告示、１４日投開票の党代表選に出馬する意向を表明した。His move comes after he secured the support of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama; Ozawa had been considering entering the race if he could receive support from a wide range of DPJ lawmakers.　党内の幅広い支持を得られることを前提に出馬を検討していた小沢氏は、鳩山前首相の支持をとりつけた上で立候補に踏み切った。However, this does not mean Ozawa has been guaranteed support from most DPJ members.だが、支持の大勢が固まっているわけではない。Attempt at truce failedA key factor behind the Kan-Ozawa showdown is the bitter discord between the former DPJ secretary general and senior party leaders seeking to eliminating his influence within the party, including the prime minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku and party Secretary General Yukio Edano.　今回の対決の背景には、小沢氏と、「脱小沢」を掲げる菅首相や仙谷官房長官、枝野幹事長らとの強い軋轢(あつれき)がある。Ozawa's announcement of his decision to run was preceded by Hatoyama's attempt to broker a compromise between Kan and Ozawa, in the hope of averting a deepening schism among intraparty groups. 　鳩山氏は、党の亀裂が深まる事態を避けるため、菅首相と小沢氏との仲介に動いた。However, Kan was reluctant to accept Hatoyama's request to ensure key figures from each intraparty group, including Ozawa, were represented in the party's leadership and the Cabinet, in what could be called a whole-party approach. だが、鳩山氏が小沢氏の要職起用を含む挙党態勢の構築を求めたのに対して、菅首相は難色を示した。This bitterly antagonized Ozawa.A decision by Ozawa not to run would have enabled Kan to win unopposed, a development that would cost the veteran DPJ kingpin support among a number of party members. Ozawa's decision to run can be seen as a last-resort measure to avoid this.　小沢氏は反発し、菅首相の無投票再選を容認すれば、党内で孤立しかねず、窮余の決断になったものとみられる。Kan's rejection of Hatoyama's request caused the former prime minister to shift his support from Kan to Ozawa. Hatoyama earlier said he would back Kan's bid to be reelected as DPJ president, provided he adopts a whole-party approach.　挙党態勢を条件に「菅氏支持」を表明していた鳩山氏は、一転して「小沢氏支持」に変わった。Hatoyama's obvious change of heart must be criticized as unacceptable. It is disconcerting that he has endorsed Ozawa's bid to become DPJ leader--we should remember that Hatoyama stepped down as party head and prime minister before the House of Councillors election in July to take the blame for the turmoil arising from his poorly thought-out approach to politically divisive issues, at the same time urging Ozawa to resign as party secretary general.参院選前、政局混迷の責任をとってともに辞任した小沢氏を代表に推すのは、納得し難い行動だ。Ozawa's decision to run in the wake of Hatoyama's failed peacemaking means he has concluded that taking the DPJ's top post will be the best way for him to escape the damned-if-he-does-and-damned-if-he-doesn't situation he is in. All this likely will turn the upcoming election into a battle that will divide the ruling party. The DPJ could be broken up into different groups and this could eventually result in a new round of political realignment--that is, new splits and mergers among both ruling and opposition parties.　鳩山氏の調停失敗を受け、小沢氏が正面突破を図ったことで、代表選は党を二分する争いになる見込みだ。党分裂含みの展開も予想され、今後、野党を巻き込んだ政界再編の動きも出てこよう。

  Aug 28, 2010

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• 円高加速　政府・日銀は具体策を急げ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 27, 2010)Govt, BOJ should move on yen--now円高加速　政府・日銀は具体策を急げ（8月26日付・読売社説）There seem to be no brakes on the rise of the yen as speculators apparently take advantage of the sluggish response of the government and the Bank of Japan to the yen's appreciation.　政府・日銀の対応の鈍さに投機筋が付け込み、円高に歯止めがかからなくなっている。The yen is surging, hitting a 15-year high in the 83 yen range against the U.S. dollar on foreign markets Tuesday. There are whispers in the markets that the yen could soon even reach a record high in the 79 yen range versus the dollar.　２４日の海外市場で、１５年ぶりに１ドル＝８３円台をつけるなど、急ピッチで円が上昇している。市場には、やがて史上最高値の７９円台が視野に入るとの見方もある。With the yen's surge set to batter the Japanese economy, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped below the 9,000 mark Wednesday to close at the year's low of 8,845.39.　日本経済への打撃を見越して、東京市場の平均株価は９０００円を割り、２５日の終値は今年最安値の８８４５円となった。Unless the sharp appreciation of the yen is checked, business sentiment and the willingness of households to spend may cool, stalling the economy.　円の急騰を止めないと、企業や家計の心理が冷え込み、景気が腰折れしかねない。The government and the central bank should resolutely act to deal with this worrying situation, and consider intervening in the market to stem the yen's rise.　政府・日銀は、円高阻止に向け市場介入も選択肢に、断固たる姿勢で臨むべきである。The recent responses of the government and the Bank of Japan have been missing the mark.　このところ、政府と日銀の対応は、誤算が続いている。On Aug. 10, the central bank held off adding measures to expand liquidity. Soon after, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board took additional money-easing steps, triggering the latest rise in the yen.　今月１０日、日銀は追加の金融緩和を見送ったが、その直後に米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が追加の緩和策を実施した。それが今回の円急騰につながった。Talks fall flatA discussion over the telephone between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa on Monday, which set tongues wagging that steps would be taken to deal with the yen's rise, ended in just 15 minutes.　円高対策で注目された菅首相と白川方明日銀総裁の２３日の会談は、１５分間の電話会談に終わった。Contrary to what policymakers had intended, the talks ended with little substance and led to a further advance of the yen and offloading of stocks as disappointment spread among market players.内容も乏しかったため、政策当局の狙いに反し、一層の円高と株の失望売りを誘った。There have been striking inconsistencies in messages sent by Cabinet members to the market.　閣僚らによる「市場との対話」も、ちぐはぐさが目立つ。At a hastily arranged press conference Tuesday evening, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda indicated he would closely watch the market. He failed to offer any concrete response to the situation, which only fueled the yen's rise.　野田財務相が２４日夕に開いた緊急記者会見は、市場を注視する考えを示しただけで具体策がなく、むしろ円高に拍車をかけた。On Wednesday, Noda finally hinted the government might intervene in the market, saying, "When necessary, we will take appropriate measures."　財務相は２５日、「必要な時は適切な対応を取る」と、やっと市場介入の可能性を示唆した。During meetings with Democratic Party of Japan members of the House of Representatives the same day, Kan said, "We'll respond properly in the not-so-distant future."菅首相もこの日、民主党衆院議員らとの会合で、「そう遠くない時期にちゃんと対応する」と述べた。None of this changed the tide in the financial markets.　だが、いずれも流れを変える材料にならなかった。The halfhearted response by policymakers probably has speculators believing the government will not take any specific action to stem the yen's rise for the time being.　これまでの及び腰の姿勢から、「日本政府はまだ動かない」と、投機筋は踏んでいるのだろう。No time to wasteThe government could be keeping an ace up its sleeve, which it will play when the yen stands on the brink of rising above 80 yen to the dollar. But this is no time for the government to be sitting on its hands. We think the government should discuss in earnest the possibility of going it alone in intervening in the currency market.　政府は、円がさらに上昇し、１ドル＝８０円突破をうかがうまで「奥の手」を温存したい気持ちもあろうが、そろそろ潮時ではないか。日本単独での市場介入を、真剣に検討すべき段階と言えよう。The United States and European countries embrace the depreciation of their currencies against the yen. But it is difficult to put a finger on why only the yen is rising against other major currencies, despite the fact that Japan is plagued by deflation and sluggish growth.　米欧は自国通貨安を容認しているが、デフレと成長鈍化に悩む日本の円が独歩高なのは説明がつかない。Japan will probably not be strongly criticized by other nations even if it moves to correct the yen's excessive appreciation.日本が円高修正に動いても海外から強い批判は受けまい。The Bank of Japan is reportedly considering taking additional money easing measures ahead of the next Monetary Policy Meeting set for early September. We hope the central bank will both check the yen's rise and stimulate the economy.　日銀も、９月上旬の金融政策決定会合に向け、追加金融緩和の検討に入ったという。円高阻止、景気浮揚の両面で期待したい。Depending on market developments, the central bank should promptly ease the money supply by holding an extraordinary meeting, rather than wait until the regular policy meeting.　市場動向によっては、定例会合を待たずに臨時会合を開き、金融緩和を急ぐべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2010)（2010年8月26日01時03分 読売新聞）

  Aug 26, 2010

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• 企業の国際化　英語が社内公用語となる時代

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 26, 2010)English necessary to cope with globalization企業の国際化　英語が社内公用語となる時代（8月25日付・読売社説）The United Nations has six specified official languages: English, French, Russian, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic; but in the world of business, English has effectively established itself as the common language. 　国連では英語、仏語、ロシア語、中国語、スペイン語、アラビア語の６言語が公用語として定められている。　しかし、ビジネスの世界に限って言えば、英語が事実上の共通語としての地位を既に確立している。Recently, some Japanese firms have decided to make English their official language. 　日本では、英語を社内共通言語とする企業が相次いでいる。Internet company Rakuten Inc. announced it will adopt English as its official language by the end of 2012. 　インターネットサービス大手の楽天は、２０１２年中に、英語を「社内公用語」にするという。Fast Retailing Co., operator of Uniqlo, the nation's largest clothing chain, and with several outlets around the world, also announced a policy of using English at meetings where non-Japanese staff are present.　世界各地にユニクロの店舗を展開しているファーストリテイリングも、外国人社員を交えた会議は原則英語で統一する計画だ。Both companies are aggressively expanding their global operations by increasing overseas bases and taking other steps. They are also reportedly planning to drastically increase their number of non-Japanese employees.　両社とも、海外拠点を増やすなど、国際事業を積極的に展開している。外国人社員の採用も大幅に増やしていくという。Such moves are vital to make best use of a workforce with diverse mother tongues and enable smooth communication. 　様々な言語を母語とする社員の能力を引き出し、コミュニケーションを円滑にするためにも、そのような措置は避けて通れまい。English ability will be an important attribute for employees of global firms so they can share the latest information instantly through e-mail and efficiently take part in negotiations with clients.　電子メールで取得した世界の最新情報を社員が瞬時に共有し、商談をスピーディーに進めていく上でも、社員の英語力は重要だ。===Adapt to a changing worldAs society becomes more globalized, Japanese companies must respond to the changing world by using English as their official language. Such efforts are needed to meet the needs of the times.　グローバル化が進む中で、日本企業が必要に応じて英語を社内の共通言語とするのは、時代の要請と受け止めるべきだ。Rakuten said it will ask Japanese employees to use English when communicating about work-related matters. 　楽天の場合は、日本人社員同士のビジネス上のやりとりも、すべて英語にするという。At a press conference earlier this month to release its midterm financial report, Rakuten President Hiroshi Mikitani spoke in English to reporters and analysts from around the globe. Simultaneous interpretation was provided.　今月開かれた楽天の決算会見でも、国内外の記者やアナリストに対し英語で説明が行われ、同時通訳が付けられた。The company is making a thorough effort to promote the use of English inside the company, with even its cafeteria menu written in English.さらに、社員食堂のメニューまでが、英語で表示されるほどの徹底ぶりである。===A wake-up callHowever, some people have criticized the language policies as going too far, saying, "It's absurd to force people working in Japan to use English."　「日本国内で英語使用を強いるなんて」と、“行き過ぎ”を批判する声も上がっている。 It is, of course, necessary to treasure the Japanese language, which represents our sensibility as a people and is the basis of our culture.　無論、日本人の感性を表し、文化の基本でもある日本語は、大切にしなければならない。Attempts to make English the official language of a company may seem like an extremely radical idea. But it can be looked at as a kind of "shock therapy," to completely change employees' state of mind.　ただ、ある意味で極端とも言える「英語公用語化」は、社員の意識改革を徹底させる“ショック療法”と見ることも出来る。How much English needs to be used at each firm is debatable, but individual companies should be left to make this decision in consideration of their specific circumstances.　果たしてどこまで英語を社内言語として導入すべきかは、それぞれの企業が、状況に応じて判断していくべき事柄だろう。Apart from Rakuten and Fast Retailing, more than a few companies use English at board meetings and other occasions to cope with the growing diversity of their board members. 　楽天やユニクロ以外でも、役員の国籍の多様化に伴い、役員会などで英語を使用する日本企業は少なくない。Companies trying to access the global market likely have no choice but to introduce English, or some other foreign tongue, as an official language.　国際展開する企業は、今後ますます、英語などの外国語を企業の共通言語として導入していかざるを得なくなるのではないか。Rakuten's moves to make English its official language is symbolic of the changing environment Japanese companies face.　楽天の英語公用語化は、日本企業を取り巻く環境の変化を示す象徴的な出来事だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 25, 2010)（2010年8月25日01時31分 読売新聞）

  Aug 25, 2010

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• 菅・白川会談　政策協調で景気の失速防げ

  日本はもうそろそろ米国主導の経済市場原理主義の呪縛より解き放たれたほうが良い。現在日本が置かれている経済状態を素直に認めることから出発したい。団塊の世代がどんどん退職して行き、日本の労働人口にかげりが見え始めてしまっている。景気の減速は当り前のことだ。円高に一方的に罪をなすりつけようとする理論にも無理がある。為替の変動は国の経済にプラス・マイナスの両面をもたらす。新聞の報道は円高にすこしでも振れると大騒ぎ、政府・日銀の為替介入をうながす記事を書く。これは間違っていると思う。円高で不利益を被る人（企業）がいれば、逆に円高で利益を受ける人（庶民）もいる。ガソリンや電気代さらに輸入品の価格が下がることは庶民にとってはありがたいことだ。いつまでもアメリカンドリームにすがっている場合ではない。本家のアメリカでも最近アメリカンドリームの発想に批判的な投稿が増えてきている。（スラチャイ記）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 25, 2010)Coordinate policy to ward off slowdown菅・白川会談　政策協調で景気の失速防げ（8月24日付・読売社説）What policy measures will the government and the Bank of Japan take to deal with the sharp slowdown in the economy and the overvaluation of the yen? Their capabilities are being put to the test.　景気の急激な減速や、経済の実力以上に進んだ円高にどう手を打つか。政府・日銀の政策が問われている。Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa spoke on the phone Monday morning. They reportedly exchanged views on the recent economic situation, including currency exchange rates, for 15 minutes and agreed that it was important to maintain close communications with each other.　菅首相と白川日銀総裁が２３日午前、電話で会談した。為替を含め、経済情勢について１５分間ほど意見交換し、「緊密なコミュニケーションが重要」との認識で一致したという。The government is planning to compile additional economic measures soon. To boost their effectiveness, the government apparently tried to trumpet its coordination with the central bank by arranging the talks between Kan and Shirakawa.　政府は近く追加経済対策をまとめる方針で、その効果を高めるため、日銀との連携をアピールする狙いがあるのだろう。Unfortunately, however, exchange rates and stock prices hardly reacted to their dialogue. The markets apparently decided it lacked substance.　だが、為替も株価もほとんど反応しなかった。実質的な内容が乏しいと市場は判断したようだ。Rethink unhelpful policiesThe strong yen and deflation are depriving the Japanese economy of its vitality. The government and the central bank must pursue policy coordination in a flexible manner to prevent the economy from slowing down further.　円高とデフレが日本経済の体力を奪っている。政府・日銀は機動的に政策協調し、景気の失速を防がねばならない。The real economic growth rate in the April-June quarter was almost flat and the nominal rate, which is closer to the public mood, went into the negative. More and more economists believe the Japanese economy has entered a temporary stagnant period.　４～６月の経済成長率は実質でほぼ横ばい、実感に近い名目ではマイナスとなり、景気が足踏みする「踊り場」入りしたとの見方が強まっている。To deal with the situation, the government has decided to use reserve funds and other spare money in this fiscal year's budget to continue its eco-point program for housing and to help jobless people find new jobs.　このため政府は、今年度予算の予備費などを活用し、住宅版エコポイント制度の延長や失業者の就職支援などを行うことにした。We think that stimulation of consumption and job placement assistance are appropriate measures to prevent the economy from losing its momentum. However, the scale of these measures is likely to be a little less than 2 trillion yen.　消費喚起や雇用対策は、景気の腰折れを防ぐ妥当な政策だろう。だが、対策の規模は２兆円足らずにとどまると見られる。Though some members of the ruling coalition parties have called for larger economic measures, the government should avoid issuing additional government bonds for that purpose, given the nation's tough fiscal condition. It is also not realistic to suddenly raise tax rates.　与党内に対策の規模拡大を望む声はあるが、厳しい財政事情に照らせば国債増発は避けるべきだ。急な増税も現実的ではない。Under such circumstances, the only possible course for the government is to eke out the necessary funds by scaling down low-priority policy projects. The government and the ruling coalition parties should screen policy measures with dubious economic effects, including child-rearing allowances, based strictly on their impact on the economy, and make a zero-based review of how to use the budget more wisely.　ならば、優先度の低い政策を縮小し、財源をひねり出すほかあるまい。子ども手当をはじめ、経済効果に疑問のある政策を「景気優先」の物差しで仕分けし、もっと賢い予算の使い方はないか、ゼロベースで見直すべきである。No talk of intervention?An even more pressing issue is the yen's appreciation, which will not only reduce the volume of exports but also harm a wide variety of other areas. It will accelerate the drain of domestic companies from Japan to other countries and further worsen deflation.　さらに緊急の課題が、円高だ。弊害は輸出の減少にとどまらず、企業の海外流出やデフレの悪化など広範に及ぶ。During their recent telephone conversation, Kan and Shirakawa did not discuss a currency intervention to stem the yen's rise against other major currencies, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku. But we are not sure if this is true.　今回の電話会談で、為替介入に関する話題は「全く出なかった」（仙谷官房長官）というが、真偽のほどはわからない。If Japan is viewed as acting weak in currency intervention, speculators will try to capitalize on that. If the yen rises further in the near future, the prime minister should meet the central bank governor in person to discuss countermeasures.　日本が為替介入に弱腰と見られれば、投機筋につけ込まれかねない。今後、さらに円高が進むようなら、首相は日銀総裁と直接会談し、対策を協議すべきだろう。A key factor in dealing with the rising yen is what action the Bank of Japan will take. The central bank should introduce further quantitative monetary easing because monetary relaxation not only helps alleviate the upward pressure on interest rates caused by increased public spending, it also promotes the depreciation of the yen.　カギを握るのが日銀の対応である。金融緩和は、財政出動による金利上昇圧力を抑え、円安を促す効果もある。日銀は一段の量的金融緩和に踏み切るべきだ。The Bank of Japan should consider a method that has worked well in the past--heightening the effects of monetary easing by not absorbing funds the government funnels into the market as yen-selling intervention.　政府が円売り介入で市場に放出した資金を日銀が吸い上げず、緩和効果を高める手法も、過去に実績がある。検討に値しよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 24, 2010)（2010年8月24日01時00分 読売新聞）

  Aug 25, 2010

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• 米軍のイラク撤兵―重い教訓に向き合うとき

  2010/08/24--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 23 EDITORIAL: U.S. pullout from Iraq.米軍のイラク撤兵―重い教訓に向き合うときU.S. President Barack Obama has set the end of 2011 as the deadline for the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. The midterm goal of the plan is to end combat operations in the country by Aug. 31. In line with the schedule, the last U.S. combat unit left Iraq to move into neighboring Kuwait last week. 　米国のオバマ大統領は２０１１年末までに、イラク駐留米軍の完全撤退をめざす。中間目標は、今月末までの戦闘任務終了だ。この方針に沿い、戦闘部隊が隣国クウェートに撤兵した。 The number of U.S. troops remaining in Iraq will be reduced to 50,000, about one-third of the peak level, at the end of this month. Their main mission will be training Iraqi security forces that will take over the role of the U.S. troops. 　米軍は今月末、ピーク時の約３分の１の５万人に減り、後を引き継ぐイラク治安部隊の訓練が主な任務となる。 The death toll of American troops in Iraq has surpassed 4,400, while estimates put the number of Iraqi civilians killed at more than 100,000. 　すでに、イラクでの米軍の死者は４４００人を超え、イラクの民間人の死者は１０万人以上とも言われる。 Answering to an embedded foreign journalist, a U.S. soldier who has left Iraq said the best thing would be for no one to get hurt anymore. The U.S. forces have just done their duties, but many of them probably have mixed feelings, wondering if they fought a just war. 　イラクを離れた兵士が外国の従軍記者に答えた。「何がいいかって？　第一に、もう誰も傷つかないこと」。この戦争は正しかったのか。任務とはいえ、兵士たちにも複雑な思いが去来したのではないだろうか。 Immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States, many countries and people around the world supported U.S. plans for a war against terrorism. But the U.S. government's push to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein bitterly divided the world and provoked deep anger within the Islamic world. As a result, terrorism has spread widely both within and outside Iraq. 　同時多発テロが起きた時、多くの国々、人々がテロに立ち向かう米国を後押しした。だが、強引にサダム・フセイン政権打倒に突き進む米国のやり方は世界を分裂させ、イスラム世界の反発も強めることになり、むしろテロはイラク内外に拡散した。 What was the meaning of the Iraq war? It is time for both the United States, which started the war, and Japan, which supported the U.S. action, to ask themselves some serious questions about what they did. 　この戦争は何だったのか。開戦した米国も、戦争を支持した日本も、深く自問自答すべきときだ。 A 'preventive war' ■「予防戦争」の深い傷 Let us look back. 　少し振り返ってみよう。 Suspicions arose that Iraq had a secret cache of weapons of mass destruction. If these weapons found their way into the hands of terrorists, the U.S. administration of President George W. Bush argued, they would pose a serious security threat. The Bush administration used these concerns as justification for starting the war against Iraq despite a lack of definite evidence to support these claims. 　イラクが大量破壊兵器を隠し持っている疑いがある。テロ組織に渡ると大きな脅威になる。それが、時のブッシュ米大統領が戦端を開く「大義」だったが、決定的な証拠を欠いていた。The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq started with willing allies, such as Britain and Italy, flying in the face of opposition from Germany, France and other countries. The U.N. Security Council did not issue a resolution that clearly sanctioned the use of armed forces against Iraq. それでも、独仏などの反対を押し切り、英伊などとの有志連合で攻撃を始めた。武力行使を明確に容認する国連安保理決議はないままだった。 A "preventive war" to nip a potential threat in the bud by a country solely on its own judgment violates the U.N. Charter, which permits a country's use of force only for self-defense against an imminent security threat to the country or when the Security Council has passed a resolution to approve military action. 　脅威の芽を独断的に先に摘みとる「予防戦争」は、差し迫った脅威への自衛と国連安保理決議に基づく武力行使しか認めない国連憲章に反する。 The international community struggled to persuade the United States to restrain itself from heading into a preventive war. Before the Iraq war began, a French diplomat said it was a U.S. problem, not an Iraq problem. 　「予防戦争」へと進む米国にどう自制を促すか。国際社会は腐心した。仏外交官は開戦前に語っていた。「これはイラク問題ではなく米国問題だ」 The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the president that invading Iraq would be very costly for both the United States and the world. He pointed out that occupying Iraq would mean the United States would have to own the hopes, aspirations and problems of all Iraqi people. Still, Bush decided to start the attack, true to his pledge to combat terrorism by all possible measures. 　米国務長官だったパウエル氏は大統領に、イラク侵攻は米国にも世界にも「高くつく」と直言したという。占領すればイラク国民の希望も問題も、すべて引き受けなければならない、と。それでも大統領は開戦に動いた。「あらゆる手段でテロを根絶する」というブッシュ流を持ち込んだ戦争、それがイラク戦争であった。 Lack of support The U.S. administration was apparently driven by the shock of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was, however, difficult for Washington to win support from people in Iraq or the international community for a fight against terrorism when it was actually an attempt to use force to upset an anti-U.S. regime without offering any clear rationale. 　同時多発テロの衝撃に突き動かされたのだろう。だが、いくら米国の意に沿わない国でも、あいまいな根拠に基づいて武力行使で政権転覆するやり方では、イラクの人心も国際世論も「対テロ」での結束は困難だ。But the Bush administration couldn't understand this obvious truth. そんな自明のことにさえ理解が及ばなかった。 The search after the collapse of the Saddam regime found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, making the war even more questionable. 　侵攻後に調べてみると大量破壊兵器などなく、戦争への疑問はさらに拡大した。The U.S. billed the overthrow of Saddam as part of its fight against terrorism and continued operations to eliminate the remnants and supporters of the regime. This provoked strong anti-American sentiment and a wave of terrorist attacks in Iraq. The U.S. invasion gave extremist groups like al-Qaida a justification for jihad in Iraq, setting off an endless chain of violence. 米国が政権打倒を「対テロ戦争」と同一視し、旧政権の残党や支持勢力の根絶作戦を続けたことはイラク内で強い反米意識とテロを誘発した。アルカイダなど過激派にイラクでの聖戦実施という「大義」を与え、暴力の連鎖をまねく事態ともなった。

  Aug 24, 2010

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• 取り調べ可視化　海外調査を論議の出発点に

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 24, 2010)Open discussion needed on taping interrogations取り調べ可視化　海外調査を論議の出発点に（8月23日付・読売社説）The Justice Ministry will send prosecutors overseas to study the feasibility of introducing a system to make audio and video recordings of investigators' interrogations of suspects. The prosecutors will conduct research for a year on how recording systems function in the countries they visit.　捜査官が容疑者を取り調べる過程を録音・録画する可視化について研究するため、法務省が今後１年かけて欧米を中心に検事を派遣し、実情を調査することになった。The mission represents this nation's first comprehensive overseas research of such systems. Prosecutors will visit countries including the United States, Britain and France, as well as Germany, which has yet to adopt a recording system, and South Korea, which just introduced one.　国による初の本格的な海外調査だ。対象は米国、英国、フランスなどのほか、可視化を取り入れていないドイツ、開始まもない韓国も含まれる。The ministry should widely publicize the results of the research and consider what would be the most desirable form of recording system for this country.　調査結果を広く国民に公表し、可視化の望ましいあり方などを考えていく必要がある。Police and prosecutors have begun making partial audio and video recordings of interrogations conducted in connection with criminal cases tried jointly by lay and professional judges. Such records are meant to prove that confessions are not forced but voluntary.　警察・検察は、裁判員裁判の対象事件で、部分的な録音・録画を始めている。自白が強制されたものではないことを裁判員に立証する目的からだ。As of June, DVD recordings of interrogations had been shown in six cases tried under the lay judge system.６月までに６件の裁判員裁判の法廷で実際に録画したＤＶＤが再生されている。The Japan Federation of Bar Associations is calling for the entire interrogation process to be recorded, to prevent false charges from being brought. The Democratic Party of Japan called for the adoption of a full recording system in its campaign platform for the general election last August, and since the launch in September of the DPJ-led government, it has urged the ministry and the National Police Agency to look further into the feasibility of adopting such a system.　これに対し、日本弁護士連合会は冤罪(えんざい)を防止するには取り調べの一部ではなく、全過程の可視化が必要だと主張している。全面可視化を公約とした民主党政権の誕生で、法務省と警察庁はさらなる検討を迫られているのが現状だ。===Different situation overseasBut the situation in Japan is different from that of the countries where recording systems are in place.　ただ、可視化が定着している諸外国の事情は、日本と異なる。In Britain, suspects are usually interrogated once after being arrested and the questioning is said to finish within 30 minutes in many cases. Defendants also have a good chance of being acquitted in jury trials.　英国では逮捕後の取り調べ回数は１回程度で、３０分以内で終わることが多いという。陪審裁判で無罪になる確率も高い。Furthermore, there is a plea bargain system under which suspects can receive lighter sentences if they admit crimes at early stages of investigations. Wiretapping and undercover operations are also permitted.一方、早い時期に罪を認めると刑を軽減する司法取引があり、通信傍受やおとり捜査も認められている。Plea bargains are common in the United States, where about one-third of the states record interrogations.　約３分の１の州が可視化を取り入れている米国でも、司法取引は活発に行われている。In Japan, investigators face suspects for long hours in investigation rooms, to conduct detailed questioning that spans from suspects' childhoods to the motives for their alleged crimes. In cases involving organized crime syndicates, investigators try to win over suspects and obtain statements implicating gang leaders.　日本では捜査官が取調室で長時間にわたり容疑者と向き合いながら、生い立ちから犯行の動機に至るまで詳細に調べる。暴力団などがかかわる組織犯罪では、容疑者を説得して上層部の関与の供述を引き出すこともする。===Give investigators more toolsMany investigators have expressed concern about making audio and video recordings of the entire interrogation process.　取り調べの全過程を録音・録画することに対する懸念は、捜査関係者に多い。It is important to prevent false charges. But at the same time, public safety should not be threatened because criminal cases are left unsettled with authorities unable to indict the real culprits. It is essential to reconcile these two goals when considering the introduction of a recording system.　冤罪を防ぐことは大切だ。同時に、真犯人を起訴できず事件が未解決に終わるなどして、治安が揺らぐことがあってはならない。可視化を考える上で、その両立をどう図るかが重要になる。Before the full-scale adoption of such a system, it may be necessary to consider the introduction of a new investigative process that facilitates such methods as court-approved wiretapping and sting operations, so police and investigators can collect material evidence in addition to statements from suspects.　可視化を本格導入する場合、例えば裁判所の許可に基づき、通信傍受やおとり捜査などを用いやすくして、警察・検察が供述以外の物的証拠を集められるようにするなど、新たな捜査手法を検討する必要もあるだろう。As the lay judge system is now in its second year of operation, public interest in the judiciary has been increasing. Discussions about the introduction of an interrogation recording system should be conducted in the public eye.　裁判員裁判が２年目を迎え、司法に対する国民の関心は高まっている。国民の目に見える形で、可視化論議を重ねてほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2010)（2010年8月23日01時18分 読売新聞）

  Aug 24, 2010

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• 海保ヘリ墜落　原因究明を阻む悪質な隠蔽だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 23, 2010)JCG's cover-up obstructs investigation海保ヘリ墜落　原因究明を阻む悪質な隠蔽だ（8月22日付・読売社説）The outrageous cover-up by the Japan Coast Guard over a recent fatal helicopter accident is nothing but an attempt to obstruct the investigation.　海上保安庁の言語道断の隠蔽(いんぺい)行為が明るみに出た。原因調査の妨害行為にほかならない。The 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters' helicopter Akizuru hit power lines and crashed in the Seto Inland Sea off Kagawa Prefecture on Wednesday afternoon, killing all five aboard.　第６管区海上保安本部のヘリコプターが瀬戸内海上空で送電線に触れて墜落、乗員５人が死亡する事故が起きたのは、１８日午後のことだった。For more than a day after the accident, the coast guard concealed the fact that one of the purposes of the helicopter's flight was a demonstration for a group of legal trainees who were aboard a JCG patrol boat to experience coast guard missions at sea.　それからまる１日以上も、飛行目的の一つが、海保の巡視艇に体験乗船している司法修習生向けのデモンストレーション飛行だったことを隠していたのだ。The JCG initially said the helicopter was on a patrol flight and only changed its story when the media brought up the demonstration flights.　それまではパトロールのためとだけ説明し、報道機関からの指摘を受けてデモ飛行を公表した。It is not surprising that Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara strongly criticized the JCG, saying, "The coast guard's concealment is serious, and it should reflect deeply on its conduct."　前原国土交通相が「隠していたことは問題だ。厳しく反省してもらわないといけない」と強く批判したのも当然である。There is nothing wrong with carrying out demonstration flights. It is meaningful to give legal trainees an opportunity to observe the JCG's activities to help them understand the coast guard's mission.　デモ飛行そのものが悪いのではない。海保の業務を理解してもらうために、司法修習生などに見学してもらうことは意味がある。However, the coast guard even concealed the demonstration flights from an official of the ministry's Japan Transport Safety Board who visited the crash site. In a broad sense, the JCG's conduct appears to be an attempt to destroy evidence related to the crash.　しかし、デモ飛行は事故の原因調査のため現地に出向いた国交省運輸安全委員会の調査官にも伏せられていた。広い意味で証拠の隠滅のようなものだろう。Systematic deceptionWhat makes the latest case heinous is that senior JCG officials, including the chief of the 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, systematically decided not to disclose the demonstration flights.　さらに今回のケースが悪質なのは、６管の本部長ら幹部が集まって、デモ飛行は公表しないと組織ぐるみで決めていたことだ。In addition, when the JCG first acknowledged conducting the demonstration flights, the chief of the headquarters' general affairs division said, "I intentionally decided it was better not to disclose [the demonstration flights]," indicating that it was his decision. The coast guard covered up another fact by saying the head of the headquarters and other senior JCG officials were not involved in the decision.　しかも、最初にデモ飛行を認めた際には、総務課長が「自分が意図的に判断して発表しない方がいいと考えた」と、個人の判断であることを強調していた。これでは本部長らは無関係だったとする二重の隠蔽である。The coast guard would never have acted in this manner if it had considered those who lost their lives in the line of duty and their bereaved families. The ministry should closely question the headquarters' chief and other senior JCG officials to lay the blame at the right door.　任務遂行中に殉職した職員や遺族のことを考えれば、決してできない行為である。国交省としても６管の本部長以下の責任を厳しく問うべきだろう。Commenting on the cover-up, the headquarters explained it did not mention the demonstration flights "because the site of the accident and the [area of the] demonstration flights were 17 kilometers apart and, therefore, they were unrelated."　隠蔽について６管は「デモ飛行の場所と事故現場は１７キロ離れており、事故と関係なかったため」と釈明している。Problem with flight plan?However, the accident occurred between two demonstration flights when the helicopter was investigating an abandoned ship. Was there some problem with the helicopter's flight plan? A thorough investigation must be carried out before deciding on the relationship between the demonstration flights and the accident.　しかし、事故はデモ飛行の合間の廃船調査中に起きた。飛行計画に無理はなかったのか。デモ飛行と事故との関係も、調査を尽くしたうえで結論づけることだ。The transport safety board needs to look into the case thoroughly to determine the real reason behind the cover-up and the cause of the accident.　運輸安全委は、隠蔽の理由や事故の真相を徹底的に解明する必要がある。In investigating the 2005 JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment accident, a member of the then Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission, a predecessor of the board, leaked information related to its investigation to West Japan Railway Co. before the commission compiled a report on the accident--a monstrous mistake that investigative authorities should have prevented.ＪＲ西日本の脱線事故の調査では、調査情報をＪＲ西に事前に漏らすという、調査機関にあるまじき失態があった。The transport safety board will lose public trust if it treats the coast guard with kid gloves during its investigation simply because the board and the JCG are organizations under the same ministry.　海保と同じ国交省内の組織だからといって、少しでも手加減するようでは信頼は地に落ちる。Merely keeping an eye on the piloting of aircraft is not enough to prevent such an accident from recurring. The board must investigate the JCG and the headquarters from all possible angles, including flight safety.　再発防止のためには乗務員の操縦にだけ目を向けず、飛行の安全体制など、海保や６管に対する調査も厳正に行うべきである。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 22, 2010)（2010年8月22日01時20分 読売新聞）

  Aug 23, 2010

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• パキスタン洪水　対テロ前線国に支援を急げ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 22, 2010)Japan must lose no time in getting aid to Pakistanパキスタン洪水　対テロ前線国に支援を急げ（8月21日付・読売社説）Pakistan has been hit by devastating floods said to be the worst in 80 years.　パキスタンが８０年ぶりという甚大な洪水被害に見舞われている。It is feared flood damage will continue to spread as monsoon rains are expected to continue through the end of this month.　雨を降らせるモンスーン（季節風）は今月末まで続き、今後も被害の拡大が懸念される。In a special meeting Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging member nations to extend emergency relief to the flood-ravaged nation. The meeting was called as international assistance had been insufficient despite the wide extent of the disaster-stricken areas and the seriousness of damage there.　国連総会が特別会合を開催し、加盟国にパキスタン支援を促す決議を満場一致で採択した。被災地域が広範囲に及び、深刻な被害になっているにもかかわらず、国際的な支援が集まらないためだ。The United States, which pressed for the U.N. meeting and had already extended 100 million dollars (about 8.5 billion yen) in relief funds for Pakistan, announced that it would contribute an additional 60 million dollars.　国連会合の開催を主導した米国は、拠出済みの１億ドル（約８５億円）に加え、６０００万ドル（約５１億円）の追加支援をすると表明した。Pakistan has been at the forefront of the war on terrorism. Islamist militant terrorist groups operating there are trying to seize the opportunity to increase their influence under the guise of disaster relief efforts. The international community must offer immediate relief to prevent this natural disaster from helping the terrorists flourish.　パキスタンは対テロ戦争の最前線国だ。国内のイスラム系武装テロ組織は、災害支援を口実に影響力を拡大しようと動いている。自然災害がテロを助長することのないよう、国際社会の早急な支援が求められる。Millions affectedThe flood damage was caused by torrential rain that hit the Indus River basin in northwestern Pakistan in late July. Mud slides and flash floods washed away houses and bridges, and roads were submerged across the affected area.　水害は、パキスタン北西部のインダス川流域を７月下旬に襲った集中豪雨が原因だった。土砂崩れや鉄砲水で、家屋や橋などが流され、道路は各地で水没した。Damage spread to the middle and lower reaches of the river, killing more than 1,500 people and affecting 20 million people. This means that more than 10 percent of Pakistan's population has been hit by the floods.　影響は中流や下流域にも及び、死者は１５００人余り、被災者は全体で２０００万人に上る。国民の１割超が被災した勘定だ。Three weeks after the initial damage, more than 8 million people still need emergency relief as they have lost their homes and possessions.　発生から３週間を経た今も、全国で８００万人余りが住まいを失うなど支援を必要としている。Evacuees reportedly are having difficulty obtaining enough food, water and tents. Besides having to endure hot and humid weather, many--especially children and the elderly--are suffering from cholera caused by worsening sanitary conditions. Many are also suffering from malaria.　避難民は食料や水、テントなどが十分に届かないと訴えている。高温多湿に加え、悪化した衛生状態のため、子供や老人らにコレラやマラリアが発生している。Given the scale of damage, the United Nations is calling on member nations and relief organizations to extend 460 million dollars in aid. But a number of nations, with their ailing economies, are slow to respond. Aid money offered by the United States, Europe, Australia and some others totals only half the targeted amount.　国連は今回の被災規模から、４億６０００万ドル（約３９１億円）の支援を各国・機関に呼びかけている。しかし、経済不況のもと、各国とも反応は鈍い。米国、欧州、豪州などを合わせても半分にしかならない。GSDF to helpJapan's state secretary for foreign affairs, Osamu Fujimura, announced at the meeting that Japan would not only extend 14.4 million dollars but also dispatch a helicopter unit of the Ground Self-Defense Force.　日本は、国連会合で藤村修外務副大臣が１４４０万ドル（約１２億３０００万円）の支援に加え、陸上自衛隊のヘリコプター部隊を派遣することを表明した。The helicopter mission is expected to transport relief materials and rescue people isolated in areas where transport systems have been cut off. This aid measure probably will be the best match for the needs in the disaster-hit areas.　救援物資の輸送や、交通網の寸断で孤立した被災者の救助が期待できる。被災地のニーズに最も合致した支援策といえよう。The problem is that SDF personnel cannot carry arms with them as the mission is based on the law governing the dispatch of the disaster relief teams. Given the security situation in Pakistan, it cannot be said there is no risk at all for SDF personnel to carry out their mission there.　課題は国際緊急援助隊派遣法に基づく派遣のため、自衛隊員が武器を携行できないことだ。パキスタンの治安状況を考えれば、全く危険がないとは言い切れない。We consider it problematic that the law is based on the idea that weapons are unnecessary for natural disaster relief activities. In cooperation with the Liberal Democratic Party, which had been calling for revision of the law in this regard, and others, the government should revise the law so SDF personnel could carry weapons with them during any mission in which security concerns exist.　「自然災害での支援だから武器は不要のはず」という発想の援助隊法に問題がある。以前から法改正を主張している自民党などと協力し、治安の悪い場所には武器を携行できるよう改めるべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,Aug. 21, 2010)（2010年8月21日01時33分 読売新聞）

  Aug 22, 2010

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• 民主党代表選　「小鳩」の総括と政策論が先だ

  (Aug. 21, 2010)DPJ should debate policy, shun politicking民主党代表選　「小鳩」の総括と政策論が先だ（8月20日付・読売社説）With less than two weeks until campaigning for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election gets underway on Sept. 1, each DPJ group has been engaged in an increasing amount of intraparty wheeling and dealing.　来月１日の民主党代表選の告示まで２週間を切り、各グループの駆け引きが活発化している。On Thursday, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a seminar for members of his group. The meeting was attended by former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who heads the ruling party's largest segment.　１９日には鳩山前首相がグループ研修会を開き、党内最大勢力を率いる小沢一郎・前幹事長も出席した。Ozawa is reportedly considering running in the presidential race, provided he can receive support from a wide range of DPJ members, including those of the Hatoyama group. This has given rise to speculation that Ozawa's attendance at the Thursday meeting may have been part of his preparations for the election.　小沢氏は、鳩山グループなど党内の幅広い支持が得られることを条件に、出馬を検討しているという。研修会への出席も、そのための布石とみられている。The seminar, which attracted about 150 DPJ lawmakers, served to display Hatoyama's continuing influence within the party. After stepping down as prime minister in early June, Hatoyama at one time expressed his intention to retire from politics. 　一時は政界引退を表明していた鳩山氏も、約１５０人の国会議員を研修会に集め、党内への影響力を誇示した。Hatoyama's move could be seen as an attempt to regain his lost political privileges, by taking advantage of the obvious advances being made toward him by both Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Ozawa. Kan is apparently trying to woo Hatoyama to his side, in the hope of ensuring his reelection as DPJ chief and consequently prime minister. Ozawa is behaving in a similar fashion as he explores the possibility of running in the Sept. 14 election.　再選をめざす菅首相、出馬の可能性を探る小沢氏の双方から秋波を送られる状況を利用し、政治的復権を果たすつもりなのだろう。DPJ chiefs must fulfill dutiesDuring Thursday's seminar, Hatoyama reiterated his assertion that the DPJ must be firmly united in running the country as the ruling party. He has said he will support Kan's bid to win reelection as DPJ leader if all the party's groups close ranks with each other.挙党一致を条件に首相続投を支持している鳩山氏は、研修会でも、挙党態勢の構築を求めた。However, we believe both Ozawa and Hatoyama must look squarely at their respective must-do lists, instead of engaging in calculated activities tied to their party's election.　しかし、小沢氏も鳩山氏も、代表選をにらんで動く前に、なすべきことがあるのではないか。Hatoyama bears a heavy responsibility for the rift created in the Japan-U.S. relationship as a result of the turmoil that arose from his inconsistent approach to the dispute over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Both Hatoyama and Ozawa have yet to fulfill their duty to fully explain about their connections with politics-and-money scandals.　鳩山氏には、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の迷走で、日米関係に亀裂を生じさせた重い責任がある。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題では、両氏とも十分な説明責任を果たしていない。How do Hatoyama and Ozawa appear to the public in these circumstances? These DPJ heavyweights are obviously resorting to an alliance as a political expedient, instead of reflecting on the scandals that erupted when the former was head of the DPJ and the latter was the party's secretary general.　「小鳩」政権時代への反省と厳しい総括をしないまま、合従連衡に走る姿が、国民の目にどう映るだろうか。Ozawa deserves particular reproach as a Tokyo inquest of prosecution panel continues to reconsider the pros and cons of prosecutors' earlier decision not to indict him over the politics-and-money scandal. If Ozawa enters the DPJ election, he should explain what he will do to settle the dispute over the scandal politically, morally and otherwise.　特に小沢氏の場合、「政治とカネ」の問題で検察審査会の審議が継続中だ。代表選に出馬するなら、どうけじめをつけるのか、具体的に語る必要があろう。Use election opportunityMeanwhile, Kan's attitude is no less problematic. 　一方、菅首相の対応も、問題なしとは言えない。During a press conference in late July, he said the list of pledges he would prepare for the DPJ race would not include a rise in the consumption tax rate. Is it acceptable for Kan to use his party's setback in the last House of Councillors election as a reason for retracting his promise to restore fiscal health?　先月末の記者会見で、消費税率引き上げを代表選の公約に掲げないとの考えを示したが、参院選で敗北したからといって、財政健全化の旗まで降ろしてよいのか。We believe the prime minister should more actively use the DPJ race as an opportunity to deepen intraparty discussions about the controversy over the consumption tax rate.　むしろ代表選を機に、消費税問題の党内論議を深めるぐらいの攻めの姿勢が求められよう。Another important issue to be taken up in campaigning for the race is how to treat the DPJ manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election.　昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）をどう扱うかも重要な論点である。It is easy to see the DPJ-led government will be unable to continue such lavish handouts as child-rearing allowances and toll-free services on expressways, when one considers the need to raise a massive amount of funds for such measures.　子ども手当の支給や高速道路無料化といったバラマキ政策を続けることが財政的に不可能であることは明らかだ。The DPJ government cannot avoid fundamentally reconsidering the electoral manifesto, given its year-end budget compilation.年末の予算編成を考えれば、政権公約の大胆な見直しは避けて通れない。Last year's change in administration means the DPJ race is comparable to the Liberal Democratic Party's earlier presidential elections in that the winner will, in effect, gain a passport to the premiership.　昨年の政権交代で民主党代表選は、かつての自民党総裁選のように首相選びに直結する。The DPJ should take this to heart. The upcoming presidential race must provide its candidates with an opportunity to compete to discuss what shape our country should take and present policies that would affect people's lives.　民主党はそれを強く自覚し、今回の党首選びを、国家ビジョンや国民生活にかかわる政策を競う場としなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2010)（2010年8月20日01時25分 読売新聞）

  Aug 21, 2010

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• 日韓ＦＴＡ　未来志向で早期妥結をめざせ

  農家への個別所得補償制度には反対です。農産物の貿易自由化の足かせとなるからです。結局は国民の税金から負担される訳ですから。農産物の貿易自由化は世界の潮流です。日本だけ特別扱いは許されないでしょう。所得補償制度を漁業や他の産業に拡大する動きに対しても同じ理由で反対します。(srachai from khonkaen, thailand)The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 20, 2010)Get wheels turning on S. Korea trade talks日韓ＦＴＡ　未来志向で早期妥結をめざせ（8月19日付・読売社説）Japanese and South Korean industrial circles both hope talks between their governments over a free trade agreement will be concluded soon, according to a recent survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun and a leading South Korean business daily.　日本と韓国の産業界は共に、自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）に関する交渉の早期妥結を望んでいることがわかった。Responding to the poll taken by the Yomiuri and The Korea Economic Daily, more than 80 percent of 200 major Japanese and South Korean corporations said they thought a free trade accord between the two countries was "necessary." However, bilateral negotiations on a trade deal have been suspended since 2004.　読売新聞社と韓国経済新聞社が実施したアンケート調査で、双方の主要企業２００社の８割超が、２００４年から交渉が中断している日韓ＦＴＡについて、「必要だ」と答えている。We welcome the readiness expressed by these corporations to deepen relations in a future-oriented manner while competing yet coexisting in observing this year's centennial of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula.　日韓併合１００年という節目を迎え、両国の企業が未来志向で関係を深め、競争と共存を図ろうとする姿勢を歓迎したい。A free trade agreement is a treaty between two or more nations and territories seeking to reduce or abolish tariffs on industrial, agricultural and other products. Such an accord can do much to expand trade.　ＦＴＡは、特定の国や地域間で鉱工業品や農産物の関税を引き下げたり、撤廃したりすることだ。貿易を拡大する効果がある。The current round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organization has been stalled due to conflicting interests among WTO member nations. This has given rise to a sharp increase in the number of free trade pacts and economic partnership agreements aimed at expanding the scope of cooperation to include increased investment and other activities. In fact, about 200 FTA and EPA accords have come into effect around the world.　世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）の多国間の貿易自由化交渉は、利害の対立で暗礁に乗り上げた。そこで世界で急増しているのが、ＦＴＡや投資拡大などに協力分野を広げた経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）で、すでに約２００が発効した。Japan lagging othersHowever, free trade agreement negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul have been left behind by the trend of the times. The gridlock in bilateral talks can be attributed to Japan's objection to market liberalization targeting farm and marine products, as well as South Korea's concern that its trade deficit with Japan could widen.　ところが、日韓交渉はそうした流れに取り残され、行き詰まっている。日本が農水産物の市場開放に抵抗し、韓国は対日赤字全体の拡大を警戒しているためだ。A six-year hiatus in bilateral talks is too long. The Japanese and South Korean governments should live up to the expectations of their respective industrial circles when they meet for working-level talks aimed at resuming the negotiations, probably in September.　約６年にも及ぶ中断は余りにも長い。両国は９月にも、交渉再開に向けた実務協議を開くが、産業界の期待に応える必要がある。Japan's slowness in forming economic partnerships with other countries is exemplified not only by its failure to break the impasse in trade talks with South Korea. This lack of progress is also evident in Tokyo's delay in forming similar ties with other nations and territories.　日本の経済連携の動きは、対韓国ばかりでなく、他国・地域との間でも出遅れが目立つ。Japan has signed economic partnership agreements with 11 economies, including Singapore and Mexico, that have already taken effect. This nation is struggling to make headway in striking EPA deals with such agricultural powers as Australia and India. It is unknown whether or when the Japanese government will be able to sit at the negotiating table for trade pact talks with the United States and the European Union.　ＥＰＡ発効・署名国は、シンガポール、メキシコなど１１か国・地域にとどまり、農業大国の豪州やインドとの交渉も難航中だ。米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）については、交渉のメドさえたたない。DPJ policy won't helpDogged resistance from the domestic agricultural sector has been a stumbling block to efforts to open this country's market for farm imports.　農業分野の市場開放について、日本国内の抵抗が強いことが、いつも足かせになっている。The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has introduced an income compensation system for individual rice farming households. However, this lavish handout policy will do nothing to increase the nation's agricultural competitiveness in preparation for trade liberalization.　民主党政権は、コメ農家を対象にした戸別所得補償制度を導入した。しかし、バラマキ政策では、貿易自由化に備えた農業の競争力強化にはつながらない。The government likely will expand the income compensation program to include fishermen and other workers. This kind of protective policy must be wisely used to help pry open the domestic market.　政府は所得補償制度を漁業などにも拡充する方針だが、こうした保護策を市場開放に向けて活用する道を探らねばなるまい。Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa, an envoy chosen from the private sector, has expressed a desire to kick off free trade talks between Tokyo and Beijing. Progress in negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul could jump-start similar talks between Japan and China--and even free trade talks involving all three nations.　民間出身の丹羽中国大使は、日中ＦＴＡ交渉の開始に意欲を表明した。日韓ＦＴＡを前進できれば、日中や「日中韓」のＦＴＡ交渉の足がかりにもなる。South Korea has reached free trade agreements with the United States and the EU. If Seoul gets a head start on Tokyo in starting talks with China, it would deal a blow to Japan.　韓国は米国やＥＵとＦＴＡで合意した。韓国が中国とのＦＴＡで先行すれば、日本には痛手だ。The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has put together a new growth strategy that would utilize the vitality of emerging economies in Asia. If it truly seeks to accomplish that aim, the government should expedite free trade talks.　菅政権は、アジアの活力を取り込む新成長戦略をまとめた。それならば、自由貿易を加速する政治的な行動が求められよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2010)（2010年8月19日01時59分 読売新聞）

  Aug 19, 2010

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• 南シナ海　中国進出の抑止は国際連携で

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 19, 2010)Intl cooperation vital in South China Sea南シナ海　中国進出の抑止は国際連携で（8月18日付・読売社説）China is using its powerful navy to aggressively advance into the South China Sea, a key junction of international sea-lanes. The United States and countries in Asia are increasingly wary of China's moves.　国際的な海上輸送の要衝である南シナ海で、中国が海軍力を背景に高圧的な姿勢で進出しつつあり、米国やアジア諸国が警戒感を強めている。The U.S. Defense Department said Monday in its annual report to Congress that "current trends in China's military capabilities are a major factor in changing East Asian military balances," referring to its moves in the South China Sea.　米国防総省は１６日に発表した年次報告書で、南シナ海などでの中国の軍事力拡大を「東アジアの軍事バランスを変える主要な要因」と位置づけた。Japan also cannot overlook China's moves given the fact that it relies on marine transportation for imports of 90 percent of its energy and 60 percent of its food. The government must deepen cooperation with the United States, Vietnam, India and other countries concerned to resolve the problem.　エネルギーの９割、食糧の６割を海上輸送に依存する日本にとっても、看過できない動きだ。政府は、問題解決に向けて米国やベトナム、インドなど関係各国と連携を深めるべきだ。Territorial disputesThe South China Sea, dotted with more than 200 islands and reefs, including the Spratly Islands, is the stage for several territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries.　南シナ海は、スプラトリー（南沙）諸島を中心に、２００を超える島や岩礁が点在し、中国やベトナム、フィリピン、マレーシアなどが領有権を主張している。In recent years, China has been causing friction with other countries by dispatching its warships in the area on the pretext of protecting its fishing boats.　ところが、中国が近年、自国の漁船保護を名目に海軍艦艇をこの海域に派遣するなど、各国と摩擦を繰り返している。China is currently building a large submarine base on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. A recent series of such moves can be interpreted as the country's attempt to bring the entire South China Sea under its control, not only for the sake of protecting its interests in oil and maritime resources but also for military reasons, such as to deter any possible intervention by U.S. forces in the event of an emergency involving Taiwan.　海南島では、大規模な潜水艦基地を建設中だ。石油などの海洋権益の確保だけでなく、台湾有事の際に米軍の介入を阻止するなど、軍事的な理由からも、南シナ海全域を中国の勢力下に置こうとしているとみるべきだろう。China has used the expression "core interests" in regard to its sovereignty and territorial integrity when it refers to Taiwan and Tibet. Recently, the country said it considered the South China Sea part of its "core interests" as well, a move that underlines concerns over China's possible intentions behind its latest moves.　中国が、台湾やチベット問題で使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を、最近は南シナ海にも使い始めたことも、そうした懸念を裏付けるものだ。The South China Sea is crossed by vital international sea-lanes that connect the Middle East with the Northeast Asia. No country can be allowed to make exclusive moves in the area. We strongly urge China to restrain itself.　南シナ海は、中東と北東アジアを結ぶ海上交通路（シーレーン）である。この海域で排他的な動きを取ることは認められない。中国には強く自制を求めたい。Multilateralism a mustVietnam and other Asian countries are calling on China to resolve territorial disputes through multinational negotiations. But China is unwilling to relax its position that countries claiming sovereignty should separately hold bilateral negotiations.　ベトナムなどアジア各国は、多国間協議で問題解決を図るよう求めている。これに対し中国は、領有権を主張する国同士が２国間協議で話し合うべきだ、という立場を崩していない。However, if territorial disputes develop into military conflicts, they would significantly affect all countries that use the area's sea-lanes. Given that, it will be reasonable to hold multinational negotiations among countries with interests in the area to discuss ways to ease tensions and measures to build trust.　領有権争いが軍事的な衝突などに発展すれば、この海域をシーレーンとして利用する国々にも甚大な影響が及ぶ。懸念を共有する国も参加する多国間協議で、緊張緩和策や信頼醸成措置を検討するのが筋だろう。It may also be a good idea to take up the issue at the East Asia Summit, which the United States also plans to join.　新たに米国も加わる予定の東アジア首脳会議（ＥＡＳ）で討議するのも一案ではないか。In order to persuade China to sit down for multinational negotiations, it will be essential for countries sharing concerns to cooperate with each other.　多国間協議に中国を呼び込むためには、懸念を共有する国が相互に協力し合うことが肝要だ。The Japanese government launched dialogues on a strategic partnership with India at the end of last year and with Vietnam last month, with the participation of both foreign and defense authorities. We urge the government to proactively take advantage of such dialogues and promote joint actions to alleviate tensions in the South China Sea.　政府は昨年末にはインド、先月にはベトナムとの間で、外務、防衛両省が参加する戦略対話を発足させた。こうした協議の場を積極的に活用し、緊張緩和に向けた共同行動を進めてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 18, 2010)（2010年8月18日01時43分 読売新聞）

  Aug 18, 2010

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• ＧＤＰ急減速　景気腰折れへ警戒を強めよ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 18, 2010)Govt must prevent economic slowdownＧＤＰ急減速　景気腰折れへ警戒を強めよ（8月17日付・読売社説）The Japanese economy, which has been recovering thanks to external demand and the effects of the government's economic stimulus measures, has suddenly slowed. The government must ensure that the adverse effects of this do not prevent economic growth. 　外需と政策効果を支えに回復してきた景気が急減速した。成長を腰折れさせぬよう、警戒を怠ってはならない。The nation's real gross domestic product increased in the April-June quarter by 0.1 percent from the previous period. This represents the third consecutive quarter of growth, but the annualized growth rate is extremely low--only 0.4 percent.　４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は、前期比０・１％増と、３四半期連続でプラスだった。だが、成長率は年換算で０・４％と、極めて低い。Although domestic demand has shrunk, growth in the GDP had finally been maintained through exports and other forms of external demand. But the future of external demand is uncertain because of the rising yen and fears of economic downturns in other countries. In their policy management, the government and the Bank of Japan should give priority to stimulating the economy.　内需はマイナスに転じ、輸出などの外需で、やっとプラス成長を維持した。円高や、海外経済の減速懸念で、外需の先行きも不透明である。政府・日銀は景気最優先で政策運営すべきだ。Sharp drops fearedThe sluggish domestic demand is the result of previously robust personal consumption that slumped in the April-June quarter to an almost flat level. Government measures such as eco points for purchases of energy-saving home electrical appliances and subsidies for buying environmentally friendly cars seem to be finally losing their impact.　内需低迷の主因は、これまで堅調だった個人消費が、４～６月期はほぼ横ばいまで減速したことにある。省エネ家電のエコポイントやエコカー補助金もさすがに効果が薄れてきたようだ。These are only a few economic stimulus measures, but the government is planning to terminate its subsidies for eco-friendly cars at the end of September. Car dealers and auto parts manufacturers are concerned about possible declines in sales and production as a result. Many predict that a sharp decrease in orders cannot be avoided from October.　とはいえ、数少ない下支え役である。政府は９月末でエコカー補助金を打ち切るという。自動車の販売店や部品工場などは、「１０月からは受注の大幅減が避けられない」などと、販売や生産の落ち込みを心配している。This summer's heat wave is boosting sales of air conditioners and other summer-related products. However, more than a few electronics retail stores fear sales will drop sharply in reaction after the end of the seasonal demand caused by the blazing temperatures.　夏の猛暑でエアコンなどは売れている。だが、“猛暑特需”の後に厳しい反動減がこないか、恐れる家電量販店も少なくない。The government has said that its child-rearing allowances, which began in June, and other measures will eventually stimulate the economy. However, past handout policies such as the flat-sum allowance show that a significant economic boost cannot be expected from such steps.　政府は、給付の始まった子ども手当などが、いずれ景気を刺激するというが、定額給付金など過去のばらまき政策の例から見て、大きな効果は期待できまい。Instead, the government should use the reserve fund of this fiscal year's budget to implement measures to prevent the economy from slowing down, such as continuing part of the government subsidy program for purchases of eco-friendly cars.　今年度予算の予備費を使って、エコカー補助金の一部を継続するなど、景気の減速を避ける手を打つべきだ。Block further yen riseLower budget allocations for public works projects are apparently affecting the economy. Public investments dropped by a drastic 3.4 percent in the April-June quarter from the previous period. This in particular will deal a heavy blow to regional economies that lack powerful local industries.　公共事業削減の影響も鮮明だ。４～６月期の公共投資は、前期比３・４％減と大きく落ち込んだ。有力な地場産業のない地方などでは、特に打撃となろう。Apart from the reserve fund, the budget contains 1 trillion yen as a special allocation for future economic measures. Couldn't this money be used efficiently now to improve the economy?　予備費とは別に、将来の景気対策に備えた、１兆円の予算枠もある。うまく活用できないか。External demand maintained growth, but the growth rate has slowed. Domestic industries are affected significantly by the yen's appreciation--if it rises by just 1 yen against the dollar, Toyota Motor Corp. will lose 30 billion yen in annual profits and Honda Motor Co. will lose 17 billion yen. This may dampen recovering investment on plant and equipment.　一方、外需はプラスを維持したが、伸びが鈍った。足もとでは円高の影響が大きい。円高が１円進めば、トヨタ自動車で年３００億円、ホンダも１７０億円の利益が減るという。回復してきた設備投資にも、水をさしかねない。The latest appreciation of the yen was triggered by additional steps taken by the U.S. government to ease the supply of money. To alleviate this influence, this nation's central bank must adopt a more proactive stance toward monetary relaxation.　今回の円高は、アメリカの追加金融緩和がきっかけだ。その影響を和らげるには、日銀も金融緩和の姿勢を強める必要があろう。A strong yen lowers the prices of imported goods and fuels deflation. Sharp appreciation must be avoided.　円高は輸入物価を下げて、デフレにも拍車をかける。急激な進行は避けねばならない。If the yen soars toward 80 yen to the dollar, the government should stress its willingness to intervene in foreign exchange, if necessary, to prevent further appreciation.　円相場が８０円に向けて急騰するようなら、政府は円高阻止に向けて、為替介入も辞さない強い姿勢を見せるべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 17, 2010)（2010年8月17日01時22分 読売新聞）

  Aug 18, 2010

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• 港の国際競争　上海や釜山が遠くに見える

  albeit 発音注意、アルバイトではなくてオールビートと発音される。=although, even thoughalbeit belatedly 遅ればせながらThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 17, 2010)Give hub ports the tools they need港の国際競争　上海や釜山が遠くに見える（8月16日付・読売社説）The government plans to enhance the allure of Japanese ports, which have been increasingly bypassed by gigantic containerships in recent years, so they can recapture cargo currently heading straight for rival ports in neighboring countries, such as Shanghai and Busan, South Korea.　世界の巨大コンテナ船が素通りしている日本の港の魅力を高め、上海や釜山など周辺国のライバル港に奪われた荷物を取り戻す――。The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry will promote a plan to build "international container strategic ports." The plan has designated the Keihin and Hanshin port areas as candidates to become major hubs that will receive priority investment to transform them into two of Asia's five major shipping centers by 2020. Keihin consists of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaski ports, and Hanshin covers Osaka and Kobe ports.　こんな目標を掲げ、国土交通省が、「国際コンテナ戦略港湾」に京浜港（東京、横浜、川崎）と阪神港（大阪、神戸）の２地域を指定した。重点投資で２０２０年にはアジアで五指に入る物流拠点に育てるという。Boosting Japanese ports' competitiveness by lowering transport charges and offering around-the-clock service would cheer domestic manufacturers, whose profitability often hinges on shipment costs. It would not be a bad idea to flexibly divert the limited state budget for ports to priority projects.　低料金や２４時間サービスなどで港の競争力を高めることは、物流コストが収益を左右する日本の製造業にとって大きな恩恵となる。限られた港湾予算にメリハリを付けるのは悪くない。However, we doubt that reinforcing port facilities alone will increase the freight volume passing through Japanese ports. Rather, the entire operation of Japanese ports, which have been shunned by the international shipping industry as "costly and slow," needs to be overhauled.　しかし、施設整備を優先するだけで荷物が増えるとは思えない。世界の海運界から「コストが高く、搬出入に時間もかかる」と敬遠されてきた港の運営全般を改革することが重要である。Japan falling behindThree decades ago, Kobe, Tokyo and Yokohama stood among the world's top 20 ports in terms of volume of freight containers handled. In 2009, Tokyo was the top Japanese port in this category, but ranked 26th in the world. The world's top five ports were all in Asia--Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Busan.　３０年前、世界のコンテナ取扱量の上位２０港には神戸、東京、横浜が名を連ねていたが、０９年は最上位の東京でも２６位だ。トップ５はシンガポール、上海、香港、深セン、釜山とアジア勢が独占した。（深センの「セン」は土ヘンに「川」）Large containers transporting auto parts and machine products account for a large portion of international shipments. 　自動車部品や機械製品などを運搬する大型のコンテナが、国際物流の主役を担うようになった。Consequently, ports with piers capable of mooring ultralarge containerships and low entry and usage charges and convenient access to key land routes have become indispensable.　それに対応して、多数のコンテナを一度に運ぶ超大型船が横付けできる岸壁があり、入港料や施設使用料が安く、陸路との連絡もよい港が不可欠となっている。Japan lags other Asian countries that have heavily invested in ports boasting such characteristics. Instead, Japan has continued pork-barrel investments in ports across the country to meet local needs, a strategy that has done little to improve the ports' convenience.　アジア各国がこうした要素を取り込んだ特定港湾に集中投資する間、日本は完全に出遅れた。地方の意向に配慮してばらまき型の港湾投資を続けた結果、使い勝手の悪さが改善されないまま放置されてしまった。Even Japanese cargo owners are opting for shipping routes from domestic ports to U.S. and European destinations via hub ports in other Asian countries. Transshipment costs at Busan Port, for example, are 40 percent cheaper than those charged by some Japanese ports. It is little wonder that an increasing number of shipping companies sail past Japanese ports.　今では、日本の荷主でさえ地方港からアジアの巨大港に運び、欧米航路に乗せている。釜山を使えば、積み替えのコストは日本より４割も安くて済むという。これでは日本に寄港しない海運会社が増えるのも無理はない。No easy taskThe so-called strategic port plan calls, albeit belatedly, for integrating and privatizing port terminal corporations to streamline port operations.　戦略港湾は、遅ればせながら、埠頭(ふとう)公社の統合、民営化などで港の効率運営を目指す方針だ。But as long as port operations are conducted separately by shipping and cargo handling companies through their vertical administrations, improving the ports' efficiency will be easier said than done.　だが、港湾作業が船会社や荷役会社ごとの縦割りとなっている現状では、効率化を図ろうとしても容易にはいかない。In 2004, the infrastructure ministry designated six ports, including Yokohama and Kobe, as "super hub ports." But the plan was half-baked. This time, too, the ministry did not select just one hub port, possibly to avoid upsetting one of the two major urban areas.　国交省は０４年に「スーパー中枢港湾」として横浜や神戸など６港を指定したが、中途半端な整備に終わった。今回も２大都市圏に配慮し、１地域に絞り込めなかったのが実態だろう。This latest port reform plan should go the extra step by learning from rival ports.　今度こそ、ライバル港に学んで大胆に改革すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 16, 2010)（2010年8月16日01時34分 読売新聞）

  Aug 17, 2010

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• 終戦の日　平和な未来を築く思い新たに

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 16, 2010)Renewing our pledge for peace in the future終戦の日　平和な未来を築く思い新たに（8月15日付・読売社説）Once again, Aug. 15 has arrived. It is the day on which the nation commemorates its war dead and renews its pledge for peace.　今年も８月１５日を迎えた。戦没者を追悼し平和への誓いを新たにする日である。Sixty-five years have passed since the end of World War II. However, wars and regional conflicts continue around the world despite efforts by the United Nations and others for nuclear disarmament and peace negotiations. We have yet to see a clear path to global peace.　第２次世界大戦が終わってから６５年。国連を中心に核軍縮や紛争調停の努力が続けられているが、戦争や地域紛争は絶えることがなく、平和への道筋はなかなか見えてこない。Looking back on the end of the war in the summer of 1945 means reflecting on the origins of postwar Japan, which pledged to follow the path of international cooperation.　１９４５年の終戦の夏を顧みることは、国際協調の道を歩むことを誓った戦後日本の原点を問い直してみることでもあろう。Today, the idea that the end of the war on Aug. 15 brought immediate peace to people's lives seems to have taken root in society.　終戦と言えば、８月１５日を区切りに平和な日々が始まったというイメージが定着している。Last-minute aggressionHowever, the Soviet troops that had invaded Japanese-held Manchuria in northeastern China just a week earlier on Aug. 9, in violation of a neutrality pact with Japan, continued their combat operations even after Aug. 15.　しかし、８月９日に日ソ中立条約を破って満州（現中国東北部）に侵攻を始めたソ連軍は、１５日以降も進撃を続けた。On Aug. 18, Soviet troops landed on Shumushu Island, the northernmost island in the Chishima group of islets, turning the island into a fierce battlefield between a garrison of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Soviet forces. Author Jiro Asada recently published a novel based on the battle, titled "Owarazaru Natsu" (Never-ending summer). The work helped the incident become more widely known to the public.　１８日には千島列島最北の占守(しゅむしゅ)島にソ連軍が上陸、日本軍守備隊との間で激しい戦闘が行われた。最近、これを素材にした浅田次郎氏の小説「終わらざる夏」が刊行されて、一般にも広く知られるようになった。In Maokacho, a town in Sakhalin under Japanese rule, nine female telephone operators, who stayed on until the bitter end to maintain communications, killed themselves. A film called "Hyosetsu no Mon" (Gate of ice and snow), which is based on the tragedy and takes its title from the name of a monument in Hokkaido, has just been rereleased for the first time in 36 years.　樺太（サハリン）の真岡町では、最後まで通信業務に携わっていた女性交換手９人が自決した。この悲劇を伝える映画「氷雪の門」も今夏、３６年ぶりに劇場公開されている。Under international law, Japan formally surrendered to the Allied Powers on Sept. 2, 1945, with a signing ceremony aboard the U.S. battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. However, U.S. forces and most others stopped their attacks against Japan immediately after the Japanese government expressed its intention to accept the Potsdam Declaration on Aug. 14.　国際法上は、日本が降伏文書に調印した９月２日に降伏は成立した。しかし、日本政府が８月１４日にポツダム宣言の受諾を表明したのを受けて、アメリカ軍などはすみやかに攻撃を停止している。However, the Soviet troops continued their invasion and occupied four islands off Hokkaido, including Kunashiri Island, that are historically an integral part of Japan.　ソ連軍は侵攻を続け、日本固有の領土である国後島など北方４島を占拠した。About 600,000 Japanese officers, soldiers and others were captured and sent to concentration camps in Siberia and other parts of the Soviet Union as prisoners of war and forced to engage in harsh labor. About 60,000 of them are believed to have died in concentration camps due to hunger and cold.　日本軍将兵ら約６０万人が捕虜としてシベリアなどの収容所に送られ、過酷な強制労働を強いられた。約６万人が飢えや寒さにより死亡した。After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1993 offered an apology for the detention in Siberia, calling it an "inhumane" act.　シベリア抑留については、旧ソ連崩壊後の９３年、ロシアのエリツィン大統領が「非人間的」な行為だったとして謝罪している。Last month, however, Russia designated Sept. 2 as the anniversary of the end of World War II, effectively stipulating it as the day the former Soviet Union triumphed over Japan. The Russian move is seen as a response to Japan's demand that Russia return the four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.　しかし、ロシアは先月、日本が降伏文書に調印した９月２日を第２次世界大戦終結の記念日に定めた。事実上の「対日戦勝記念日」で、日本の北方領土返還要求をけん制したものでもあろう。In light of such a move, Japan must be persistent in demanding that Russia return the islands.　政府は、北方４島の返還を今後とも粘り強く要求していかなければならない。

  Aug 16, 2010

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• 円急騰　政府・日銀は為替安定へ動け

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 14, 2010)Govt, BOJ must do more to stem yen's rise円急騰　政府・日銀は為替安定へ動け（8月13日付・読売社説）There has been no sign of an end to the strong yen and weak dollar, due to widespread concerns about a possible slowdown in the U.S. economy in recent days. The government and the Bank of Japan should increase their cooperation in taking flexible steps to stabilize the yen's value.　米国の景気減速懸念から、円高・ドル安に歯止めがかからない。為替安定へ、政府と日銀が連携を強化し、機動的に対応すべきだ。In early Thursday trading, the U.S. dollar temporarily dropped to the 84 yen level in Tokyo, its lowest against the yen since 1995. The yen's value reached an all-time high in that year, with the U.S. currency traded in the 79 yen range.The rapid surge in the yen's value, if it continues unabated, could bring it close to yet another record high. As things stand today, the yen is the sole major currency whose value has not stopped increasing, as illustrated by its continued rise against the euro.　円相場は１ドル＝８４円台に上昇した。１９９５年以来、１５年ぶりの水準だ。この年に７９円台の史上最高値を記録したが、このまま円高が進めば、最高値をうかがう展開もあり得る。対ユーロでも円が上昇し、円独歩高といえよう。The yen's sharp advance could undermine the slight recovery in the economy, diminishing profits gained by carmakers, electronic manufacturers and other exporting companies whose business performance is beginning to improve at long last.　円急騰は、ようやく業績が好転し始めた自動車、電機などの輸出企業の収益を圧迫し、景気回復に悪影響を与えかねない。There are concerns that the fall in import prices that inevitably accompanies a strong yen could further prolong this country's deflation.　円高に伴う輸入価格の下落により、日本のデフレがさらに長期化することも懸念される。Fed move sends stocks downOn Thursday, Tokyo stocks sharply fell as investors were unnerved by the accelerated appreciation of the yen. The exchange rate fluctuations that may follow must be vigilantly watched.　円高加速が嫌気され、１２日の東京株式市場の株価は急落した。今後の為替相場の動きを警戒しなければならない。The rapid rise in the yen's value can be attributed to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board's decision Tuesday to effectively conduct additional monetary easing after significantly lowering its forecast for the U.S. economy.　円高が進んだきっかけは、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が１０日、景気判断を大幅に下方修正し、事実上の追加金融緩和策に踏み切ったことである。The Fed's decision seeks to underpin the economy through measures aimed at lowering long-term interest rates but not reducing the money supply to the market. The latest move also may signify an attempt by the Fed to preemptively contain growing deflationary concerns in the United States.　市場への資金供給量を減らさずに、長期金利の低下を促し、景気を下支えする狙いだ。米国でも台頭し始めたデフレ懸念に対し、先手を打つ思惑もあろう。However, the market has become even more cautious about an anticipated business slowdown, as indicated by the worsening employment situation and slumping personal consumption. Combined with speculation that the drop in U.S. interest rates will reduce the gap between Japanese and U.S. interest rates, this has encouraged dollar selling.　しかし、市場ではむしろ、雇用悪化と個人消費の低迷など、景気減速への警戒感が一段と高まったといえる。米国の金利低下で、日米金利差が縮小するという見方も重なり、ドルが売られている。Market players are apparently buying the yen after weighing the stability of each major currency and concluding the yen is relatively stable and therefore the best buy once potentially precarious currencies are eleminated from the list of viable choices.　比較的安定した通貨と受け止められた円が、“消去法”で買われている事情もある。The Fed's new easy credit policy is not without concerns. Many market players feel there is a limit to what can be accomplished to shore up the U.S. economy through the additional monetary easing.　気がかりなのは、ＦＲＢの追加策による景気テコ入れ効果が限定的とみられる点だろう。U.S. seems at impassePresident Barack Obama's administration has good reason to feel hesitant about implementing a new economy-boosting package if it stops to think about the nation's federal deficit. The U.S. government seems to find itself at an impasse, not knowing what kind of measures should be implemented to overcome the situation.財政赤字を抱えたオバマ政権も、新たな景気刺激策を実施しにくい。政策に手詰まり感がみえる。With these problems in mind, U.S. authorities are poised to allow the weak dollar--an obvious boost for the U.S. export drive--to continue for the foreseeable future. They hope U.S. exports will prop up the country's economy.　そこで米当局は、当面は輸出で景気を下支えしようと、輸出促進にプラスになるドル安の進行を容認する構えのようだ。Such is also the case with European nations, some of which are experiencing fiscal crises. These countries seem to rely on drops in their currencies' values as a means of underpinning their respective economies.財政危機問題を抱えた欧州も事情は同じで、通貨安頼みがうかがえる。All this is in stark contrast to the failure of the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan to take appropriate measures.　そんな中、円急騰に無策ぶりが目立つのが日本政府と日銀だ。On Tuesday, the central bank decided to maintain its current monetary policy. However, we believe there is a pressing need to consider additional measures to deal with the ongoing situation, including the expansion of its quantitative relaxation. The bank lacks a sense of urgency.　日銀は１０日、金融政策の現状維持を決めたばかりだが、量的緩和策の拡充を含め、追加策の検討が急務ではないか。あまりにも危機感が足りない。The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has said it will put together a report detailing how the strong yen has affected corporations it will survey by the end of the month. However, the ministry has been slow to make this decision.　経済産業省は円高が経営などに与える影響について、企業調査を月内にまとめるという。しかし、これも緩慢すぎる。The government and the Bank of Japan should not hesitate to intervene in the exchange market and stem the sharp rise in the yen's value.　政府・日銀は、円高阻止の為替介入をためらうべきでない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 13, 2010)（2010年8月13日01時32分 読売新聞）

  Aug 14, 2010

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• 御巣鷹２５年　墜落の悲劇を風化させるな

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 13, 2010)Never let memories of tragic JAL crash fade御巣鷹２５年　墜落の悲劇を風化させるな（8月12日付・読売社説）Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of the Japan Airlines plane crash on Osutaka Ridge in Uenomura, Gunma Prefecture, that claimed the lives of 520 passengers and crew members.　日本航空のジャンボ機が群馬県上野村の御巣鷹の尾根に墜落し、乗員乗客５２０人が犠牲となった惨事から、きょう１２日で２５年になる。The jumbo jet, bound for Osaka after leaving Haneda Airport at dusk, carried businessmen returning home, holidaymakers and people heading to their hometowns for the Bon Festival. In an instant, all these lives were lost.　羽田空港を夕方に離陸し、大阪に向かう便だった。出張帰りのビジネスマンや夏休み中の家族がいた。お盆で帰省する人もいた。そうした人たちの人生が一瞬のうちに断ち切られた。Bereaved families and JAL officials climb to the crash site on the ridge every year on Aug. 12 to pray for the souls of the dead. However, there have been frequent reports of vandalism around the monument for the victims. Such actions are outrageous.　遺族や日航関係者らは毎年、８月１２日に御巣鷹の尾根への慰霊登山を行ってきた。その慰霊碑の周辺を荒らす行為が続いているという。許し難いことだ。Many people working in aviation, including JAL employees, started working in the industry after the crash. They should be constantly reminded of the seriousness of the tragedy so that memories of the disaster do not fade.　日航社員を含め、一線で働く航空関係者の多くは事故以降の世代になったが、この悲劇を風化させることなく、起きたことの深刻さを語り継がなければならない。JAL has repeatedly said: "Osutaka is the starting point for our aviation safety." Safe operations are fundamental to the aviation industry as a whole.　「御巣鷹は安全の原点」と、日航は繰り返してきた。日々、安全の徹底に努める。それは航空業界全体の基本でもある。The JAL crash is the world's worst single-aircraft accident in terms of the number of victims. Since then, not one major Japanese carrier has experienced a fatal accident involving passengers, either at home or abroad.　単独機の犠牲者数では最大の事故として、今も世界の航空史に記録をとどめる。その後は、日本の大手航空会社は内外で乗客が死亡する事故を起こしていない。Human errorHowever, it is true problems have frequently occurred that could have triggered a major accident, making passengers uneasy.　しかし、惨事につながりかねないミスやトラブルは絶えないのが現状だ。そのたびに利用客を不安にさせてきた。In 2001, JAL jetliners were nearly involved in a midair collision over Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture. This was caused by air traffic controllers issuing the wrong instructions.　２００１年には静岡県焼津市上空で、あわや空中衝突という日航機同士の異常接近があったが、これは管制官の誤った指示が原因だった。There also have been a number of human errors committed by cockpit crew, such as starting a takeoff run without permission.逆に、管制官の許可なく離陸滑走を始めるなど、運航乗務員の人為的ミスも少なくない。Following the Osutaka Ridge accident, investigative authorities and the government's investigation commission concluded that it was caused by a fracture in the plane's rear pressure bulkhead, due to improper repairs carried out by Boeing Co. of the United States.　御巣鷹事故では、捜査当局や事故調査委員会が、米ボーイング社の修理ミスによる、後部圧力隔壁の破断が原因と認定した。If there are problems with the aircraft, due to improper repairs, poor maintenance or design flaws, the captain and other cockpit crew members will be unable to avert accidents no matter what they do.　このような修理ミスや、整備不良、設計ミスなど、機体に欠陥があっては、いくら機長らが最善を尽くしても事故は防げない。Increase in passenger trafficThe number of passengers flying on domestic routes has increased from 44 million to 95 million over the past 25 years. Maintaining air traffic safety has become even more important.　国内の航空旅客数は、この２５年で約４４００万人から約９５００万人に膨らんだ。航空交通の重要性は格段に増している。Every sector of the aviation industry, including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and aircraft manufacture, should thoroughly ensure safety so as to build a completely safe system and avoid a recurrence of such a tragedy that befell the JAL plane.　運航や整備部門、管制、航空機メーカーなどが、それぞれ安全を徹底させることで、二度と悲劇を起こさない万全の体制を築いていかなければならない。JAL, which once boasted it had become the world's No. 1 airline in terms of international traffic volume, has watched its business performance deteriorate since the Osutaka Ridge crash. The airline's management is now rebuilding itself under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.　かつては国際線の輸送実績で世界一になった日航も、御巣鷹事故を境に業績が悪化し始める。ついに経営に行き詰まり、現在は会社更生法に基づき再建中だ。The airline is implementing various corporate restructuring measures, including wage and workforce cuts. But we hope the company will remember to place safety at the top of its priority list.　社員の賃金カットや大規模な人員削減などのリストラも進めているが、安全最優先の大前提だけは崩さないでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 12, 2010)（2010年8月12日01時03分 読売新聞）

  Aug 13, 2010

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• 日韓併合談話　未来志向の両国関係に弾みを

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 12, 2010)Kan statement a fillip for Japan-S. Korea ties日韓併合談話　未来志向の両国関係に弾みを（8月11日付・読売社説）The government adopted a statement by the prime minister at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, ahead of the Aug. 29 centenary of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula.　政府は、日韓併合１００年の「首相談話」を閣議決定した。In the statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for "the tremendous damage and suffering caused during the period of colonial rule." The statement was basically in line with one then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama made to Asian countries in 1995 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.　談話は「植民地支配がもたらした多大の損害と苦痛」に対し「痛切な反省と心からのお詫(わ)びの気持ち」を表明した。戦後５０年に当たる１９９５年に発表された村山首相談話の内容を踏襲したものだ。Kan's statement touched on the 1919 Samil independence movement on the peninsula, saying the Korean people's "ethnic pride was deeply scarred by the colonial rule which was imposed against their will"--an expression that went further than previous statements.　三・一独立運動にも言及し、韓国の人々は「その意に反して行われた植民地支配」により「民族の誇りを深く傷付けられ」たと、踏み込んだ表現も盛り込まれた。However, Kan made no mention of compensation, making clear the government's position that this issue has already been resolved remains unchanged. We think the government's stance is correct.　補償問題には一切触れられておらず、この問題を決着済みとする従来の政府の立場に変更はない。当然のことだ。===Looking aheadMeanwhile, the statement stressed the need to build a future-oriented relationship between Japan and South Korea. This was an appropriate proposal.　その上で、未来志向の日韓関係の構築を強調するなど、妥当な内容と言えよう。Kan later telephoned South Korean President Lee Myung Bak to explain the details of the statement. Lee reportedly welcomed the statement, saying it would help strengthen bilateral cooperation.　菅首相から電話で談話の説明を受けた李明博大統領は、「より強い協力関係を築くことが出来る」と歓迎の意向を示したという。An attached accord to the Japan-South Korea Basic Relations Treaty signed in 1965 stipulated that both governments would waive their right to demand compensation and that Japan would provide South Korea with loan assistance and grants-in-aid worth 500 million dollars in total.　１９６５年の日韓基本条約締結の際、日韓両政府は共に請求権を放棄し、日本が韓国に有償・無償５億ドルの経済支援を行う旨を定めた協定を結んだ。Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku said at a press conference that Kan's statement was written on the premise that individual compensation claims and the right to demand compensation for Japan's colonial rule have been settled.　仙谷官房長官は記者会見で、首相談話について「個人補償、請求権については決着済みという前提に立って作成した」と述べた。Last month, Sengoku stirred up the compensation issue when he said the government should draw up political principles by which to make decisions on the matter.　だが、先月には補償に関して、「政治的な方針を作り、判断しなければならない」などと含みのある発言をしていた。Members of ruling and opposition parties quickly jumped down Sengoku's throat. They argued it was inappropriate for the government's top spokesperson to make such a statement on the compensation issue, which was settled decades ago.　これに対し、両国間で解決済みの補償にかかわる談話を出すのは問題だとして、与野党内から強い反発や不満が出ていた。Sengoku should not have made these inconsiderate remarks, which could have opened the door to misunderstanding at home and abroad.仙谷長官は、内外に誤解を招くような不用意な発言は慎むべきだった。===Govt must stand firmKan's statement could rekindle calls in South Korea for compensation for Koreans forced to work as so-called comfort women and laborers by the Imperial Japanese Army during the colonial period.　今回の首相談話により、韓国国内で元「従軍慰安婦」などに対する補償を要求する声が再燃する可能性もある。However, the Japanese government should firmly maintain its position that South Korea no longer has the right to demand compensation. We urge the South Korean side to react calmly.　しかし、新たな請求権は認めないとする日本政府の立場は堅持すべきだ。韓国側には冷静な対応を求めたい。Kan's statement also proposed that several precious documents brought from the Korean Peninsula to Japan during the period of Japanese rule be transferred back. The Japanese government has such documents as the Joseon Wangsil Uigwe (Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty).　植民地時代に日本に渡り、日本政府が保管する朝鮮王朝ゆかりの「朝鮮王朝儀軌」などの図書を韓国に引き渡すことも決まった。About 60,000 cultural properties were confirmed to have been brought to Japan from the Korean Peninsula during the period of colonial rule.　植民地時代に朝鮮から日本に渡った文化財は、確認されただけでも約６万点に上る。Japan has no obligation to transfer these artifacts. But the government apparently hopes handing over cultural properties sought by South Korea will help reconcile old wounds between the two nations.　日本側に引き渡す義務はないが、韓国側から要望のあった文化財を譲渡することで、和解を進める狙いがあると見られる。The government should take Japan-South Korea relations to the next level, including in the fields of economy and culture as well as personnel exchanges. Kan's statement is a golden opportunity to make a fresh start.　首相談話を契機にして、経済、文化、人的交流などを含め、今後の日韓関係に弾みをつけることが肝要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 11, 2010)（2010年8月11日01時14分 読売新聞）

  Aug 12, 2010

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• 改正移植法適用　生かされた臓器提供の意思

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 11, 2010)Family honored wish of man to donate organs改正移植法適用　生かされた臓器提供の意思（8月10日付・読売社説）A person who had not expressed in writing his wish to donate his organs was declared brain dead this week with his family's consent, and organs including his heart and lungs were to be transplanted.　臓器提供の意思を書面では示していなかった人が、家族の承諾によって脳死と判定され、心臓や肺が他の人に移植されることになった。The transplant operations using the organs taken from this man represent the first of their kind under the revised Organ Transplant Law, which is aimed at expanding transplant medicine.　移植医療の拡大をめざした改正臓器移植法に基づく、初の移植手術である。The donor is a man in his 20s who was involved in a traffic accident. He was not carrying an organ donor card, but reportedly had told his family he wanted to donate his organs if such a situation occurred.　提供者は交通事故に遭った２０代の男性だ。意思表示カードは持っていなかったが、かねて家族に、脳死になった時には臓器提供したい、と話していたという。His family respected his wishes, but it was certainly an extremely grave and painful decision to make.　家族はその意思を尊重した。しかし極めて重く、つらい決断だっただろう。This man will save a number of other people's lives, with his heart going to a man in his 20s in Osaka Prefecture, his lungs to another man in his 20s in Okayama, his liver to a woman in her 60s in Tokyo and his kidney to a teenage boy in Gunma Prefecture. This is a relay of precious human life.　この男性は多くの人を救う。心臓は大阪で２０代の男性に、肺は岡山でやはり２０代の男性に、肝臓は東京で６０代の女性に、腎臓は群馬で１０代の男の子に。尊い命のリレーである。More lives to be savedBefore the revised law took effect July 17, organ transplants could not be conducted unless a person expressed his or her intention to donate organs through a donor card or other written declaration.　先月１７日に改正法が施行される以前は、本人が意思表示カードなど、書面で提供の意思を示していなければ、臓器移植は認められなかった。In the United States and Europe, organ transplants can be made at the discretion of a person's family, as long as that person had not expressed an intention not to donate. This system has allowed thousands of organ transplants from brain-dead donors to be conducted every year in the United States and several hundred in major European nations.　欧米などでは、本人が提供拒否の意思を示していない限り、家族の判断で臓器の提供ができる。このため、米国では年に数千例、欧州の主要国でも年間数百例の脳死移植が実施されている。The revised law has made it possible for the family of a would-be donor in this country to have that discretion, just as in the United States and Europe.　改正法は欧米と同様、家族の判断で臓器提供を可能にした。Over the 13 years since the original Organ Transplant Law took effect in 1997, and before the latest case, organ transplants were performed involving 86 brain-dead donors. Under the revised law, there are expected to be as many as 30 cases or more every year. 　１９９７年に臓器移植法が施行されてからの１３年間で８６例にとどまっていた脳死移植は、今後、毎年３０例以上に増えると予測されている。Since the revised law also allows transplants between young children, including infants, such operations also are likely to take place eventually.いずれは、今回の改正で認められた乳幼児間の臓器移植も行われるだろう。Safeguards must be ensuredTo ensure organ transplants involving brain-dead donors are properly handled, it is important to thoroughly examine the latest case.　臓器提供を着実に生かすには、今回のケースをきっちり検証することが重要だ。Was the man provided with all possible treatment? Were procedures strictly followed in the pronouncement of brain death? Did his family give their consent with sufficient confidence in their decision? It is essential to strictly check all relevant points to nurture public trust in organ transplants.　治療は完全に尽くされたか。脳死判定は厳密に行われたか。家族は十分に納得して提供に同意したか。あらゆる点を厳しく確認することは、脳死移植の信頼を培うために欠かせない。In the latest case, the man is said to have orally expressed to his family his intention to donate his organs. It is unlikely, however, that this will commonly occur.　今回は、本人が口頭で家族に提供意思を示していた。しかし、実際にはそうしたケースばかりではないだろう。If a donor has not expressed his or her intentions, family members will face enormous pressure as they are asked to decide whether brain death should be declared and organs donated.　その場合は、脳死判定の実施と臓器提供の判断を求められる家族の側に相当な負担がかかる。Whether a potential donor explicitly expressed his or her intention is of primary importance even under the revised law.　本人の意思がはっきりしていれば、それが第一だ。この点は改正法でも変わりはない。There is space to make a written declaration on new driver's licenses and health insurance cards. Everyone should seriously consider whether to agree to donate organs should something leave him or her in a state of brain death.　新たな運転免許証や健康保険証には、臓器提供意思の記入欄が設けられている。万が一、脳死に陥った時に、臓器提供を承諾するのか、拒否するのか。皆が真剣に考えておきたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 10, 2010)（2010年8月10日01時15分 読売新聞）

  Aug 11, 2010

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• 航空機民間転用　防衛基盤維持へ着実に進めよ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 10, 2010)Japan could better exploit its defense technology航空機民間転用　防衛基盤維持へ着実に進めよ（8月8日付・読売社説）Transfers of military technology--on a limited scale--could be an effective way to maintain the nation's vital defense technology while also supporting defense-related companies.　日本に欠かせない防衛技術と関連企業を維持していくうえで有効な手法と言えよう。The Defense Ministry is studying a plan to transfer aircraft it developed to private use. The plan includes converting the Maritime Self-Defense Force's US-2 search-and-rescue seaplane to a firefighting flying boat and also converting the XC-2 next-generation transport plane now being developed by the Air Self-Defense Force to a large civilian cargo airplane.　防衛省が、自ら開発した自衛隊機の民間転用を検討している。海上自衛隊の救難飛行艇ＵＳ２は消防飛行艇などに、航空自衛隊が開発中の次期輸送機ＸＣ２は大型貨物機にそれぞれ転用する構想だ。The transfer of military technology to civilian use is unprecedented in this country. But search-and-rescue and transport planes are not really armaments in the first place. Adapting them for civilian use would have no effect on Japan's ideal as a "pacifist nation."　民間転用は前例がないが、救難機や輸送機はそもそも武器ではない。民間機に転用しても、日本が大切にする「平和国家」の理念には何の影響もあるまい。The government would be able to recoup some of its development costs by collecting usage fees from private companies. The procurement costs for Self-Defense Forces planes could also be reduced through the efficiencies of mass production. Manufacturers, for their part, could expect certain levels of earnings because the global demand for firefighting flying boats and cargo airplanes is large.　政府は、企業から利用料を受け取り、開発費の一部を回収できる。量産効果によって自衛隊機の調達費も縮減できる。世界的に消防飛行艇や貨物機の需要は大きく、企業も一定の収益を期待できる。Widespread benefitsTransfer of SDF technology to private use would benefit both the private and public sectors. The practice should have been promoted much earlier.　民間転用は、官民双方にメリットがある。もっと早く取り組めば良かったのではないか。Recent years saw an increasing number of companies withdraw from the military equipment industry due to the continued decrease in defense budgets. The loss of the high-level engineers and specialized manufacturers that are indispensable for the development, production and improvement of such equipment undermines the bedrock of national security.　近年、防衛予算の減少傾向が続く中、この分野から撤退する企業が増えている。装備の開発・生産・整備に不可欠な専門企業や高度な技術者がいなくなることは、国の安全保障の根幹にかかわる。But at the same time, the security environment surrounding Japan has become grimmer. Under such circumstances, it is essential to maintain a foundation for defense technology even while making more efficient use of defense budgets.　日本の安全保障環境は逆に、厳しさを増している。中長期的な視点で、防衛技術基盤の維持と、防衛予算の一層の効率化を両立させていく必要がある。In line with the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines scheduled within this year, it is important to make a drastic review of the arms export ban.　年内に予定される「防衛計画の大綱」の改定作業に合わせて、武器輸出３原則の見直しにも本格的に取り組むことが重要だ。Regarding military equipment that entails huge development costs, such as the F-35 next-generation fighter jet candidate, joint development involving two or more countries is a global trend. Japan cannot take part in such multinational projects because its principles only allow participation in such projects to be undertaken with the United States.　次期戦闘機（ＦＸ）の候補Ｆ３５のように巨額の開発費を要する装備品は、複数の国による共同開発が国際的潮流だが、日本は参加できない。米国以外の国との共同開発が認められていないからだ。Review export ban principleJapan's ban on arms exports applies to almost all nations other than the United States. The government must study limiting the ban to countries involved in international conflicts and those supporting terrorism. We suggest that Japan be at least permitted to undertake joint development of military weapons with ordinary countries and that a system be introduced to screen arms exports on a case-by-case basis.　現在は、米国以外のほとんどの国に及ぶ武器の禁輸を、紛争当事国やテロ支援国などに限定することを検討すべきだ。最低でも、一般の国との武器の共同開発を認め、武器輸出を個別に審査する方式を導入してはどうか。Allowing the export of purely defensive materiel, such as mine detectors and bulletproof vests, would not harm Japan's image as a pacifist nation.　地雷探知機、防弾チョッキなど防御的武器を禁輸の対象外としても、日本の「平和国家」のイメージが損なわれることはない。Both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party called for transfers of military equipment to private use in their campaign platforms for the House of Councillors election in July. There could be room for cooperation beyond the framework of ruling and opposition parties on the issue of reexamining the export ban.　民主、自民両党はそろって参院選公約に防衛装備品の民間転用を掲げた。武器輸出３原則の見直しでも、与野党の枠を超えて協調する余地があるのではないか。In the previous Cabinet under former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa expressed positive thoughts about revising the arms export ban. But the review could not take any concrete shape due to opposition from the Social Democratic Party, which was then a member of the ruling coalition. 　鳩山前内閣では、北沢防衛相が３原則見直しに前向きな考えを示したが、与党の社民党などが反対し、具体化しなかった。Now that the SDP has defected from the coalition government, the political barriers to transfers of military technology appear to have been lowered drastically.社民党の連立離脱で、政治的なハードルはかなり低くなったはずだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 8, 2010)（2010年8月8日01時48分 読売新聞）

  Aug 10, 2010

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• 熱く燃える心

  熱く燃える心今朝日経の社説を読んでいて痛く感じてしまった。私も活動の一助になりたい。英語はそこそこ、中国語も挨拶程度はしゃべれる。ガスタービン発電所は横浜で建設を担当させられたことがある。日揮は昔からプラント輸出の最大手で憧れの的ではあった。同僚がサウジの石油精製プラント工事に派遣され、妙な響きのアラビア語をしゃべっていた。あれこれ、思いをめぐらせているうちに、無性に仕事がしたくなった。プラント建設工事のやり方は熟知しているし、この技術はまだ完全にさび付いてはいない。少なくとも、今やっている株式投資よりはやりがいがあるような気がする。夢よもう一度！スラチャイ６１歳。（スラチャイ記）cite from Nikkei,（ニッポンを一歩前に）ソフト面に知恵絞り新興国需要を拓け 2010/8/8付 　新興国のインフラ受注競争が激しさを増している。日本企業の技術への評価は高いが、ものづくりの力があっても受注に結びつけられなければ意味はない。インフラ需要を拓（ひら）くには、現地の要望に合わせたソフト面に知恵を絞るときだ。　アジア開発銀行によれば2010年から20年までにアジア域内だけで８兆ドル（約680兆円）のインフラ投資が必要になる。中心は新興国と途上国である。人材育成に力を入れよ　日本としては、まず新興国や途上国が何を求めているか見定め、応えることが必要だ。自国の産業を担う技術者の養成はニーズが高い。　この点で台頭してきた韓国勢の手法は注目に値する。アブダビの原子力発電所の商戦に勝った後も、６月にトルコ政府と原発事業で協力する覚書を結び受注が有力になった。　アブダビのケースでは60年にわたる原発の運転保証が受注の決め手になったが、相手国の人材育成を積極的に手助けする点も韓国の強みのひとつだ。原発受注の中心となる韓国電力公社は来年、原子力技術を教える大学院を釜山に設け、アジア、中東などから学生を受け入れる。　アブダビへは理工系大学の韓国科学技術院が現地大学に原子力工学の講座を開き、教員を送った。今年１～６月の韓国の海外発電所・プラント受注額は前年同期の4.9倍だ。　日本ではプラント建設会社、日揮のサウジアラビアでの活動が好例だ。08年に現地に天然ガスなどの中小規模のプラント工事会社、ＪＧＣガルフインターナショナルを設立。サウジアラビア人社員に配管の設計や電気・機械技術を教えている。　サウジは石油以外の産業振興を急ぎ、技術者育成の協力要請に日揮が応えた。ＪＧＣガルフ社には約100人の大卒技術系社員が在籍し、今後増員する。日揮は支援を通じ国営石油会社サウジアラムコとの関係を深め、プラント商談を活発にした。　15年後には世界の原子力技術者の半数が高齢のため第一線を退く。新興国では自前で技術者を育てる必要性が高まる。原子力分野の人材養成へも、もっとかかわるべきだ。　多くの新興国では設備の運転や修理の技術を十分に身につけていない。それらを設備と一緒に提供するのが重要である。　上下水道設備など水関連のインフラは新興国需要が増え、経済産業省によると20年の世界市場は07年の36兆円から72兆円へと２倍になる。設備の運営・管理サービスが32兆円を占め、ソフトの需要が急増する。　そこで東洋エンジニアリングなどはベトナム・ホーチミン市での上水道施設の商戦で、水道を運営する大阪市と組む。設備の運営も請け負って受注をめざす。公共サービスを営む自治体との連携も役立つ。　技術革新がすすむなか、設備の保守や修理にも専門技能が要る。サービス面の要望も強まっている。　三菱重工業は、発電機を動かす力をつくり、発電所の中核設備となるガスタービンの保守管理体制をこの10年で整えた。設備を点検し部品を取り換えるサービス拠点を南北米州、欧州・中東にも設け、域内に常駐の技師を置いた。　ガスタービンは発電機に伝える力を大きくするため以前より高温高圧の設備になり、部品は十分に保守点検しないといけない。三菱重工は電力事業者を日本に招き、故障時の応急対策などのセミナーも開催。ガスタービンではメキシコで５割、インドネシアで４割のシェアを握る。現地企業とも連携を　その国の事情に通じた現地企業と組む必要もある。中国政府は11年までの３年間に、電子カルテシステムなど医療分野の情報化に8500億元（約10兆７千億円）を投資する。同時に主要な医薬品を保険の対象にするなどの医療制度改革を進める。　この情報インフラ需要を獲得するには中国の医療保険制度に熟知することが欠かせない。ＮＥＣは中国の有力な医療情報システム会社、重慶中聯信息産業（重慶市）と提携した。電子カルテや医療事務のシステムを設計・提案する要員として中聯社の社員を中心に現在30人を確保し、12年には100人に増やす計画だ。　インドでは４カ所で次世代送電網や水道の建設などの大型プロジェクトを日本の企業連合が優先的に取れることが内定している。デリー―ムンバイ間の貨物専用鉄道の建設に日本政府が資金面で協力する見返りだ。インド西部のグジャラート州では三菱重工などが太陽光発電や都市交通の整備を計画している。　日本企業が勝つため経済外交は重要だ。そのうえで継続して受注できるかどうかのカギは、企業が現地のニーズに応え信頼を得られるかだ。

  Aug 9, 2010

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• 原爆投下６５年―連帯し核廃絶のゴールへ　新しい風が吹いてきた。

  --The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 6 EDITORIAL: 65 years after Hiroshima.原爆投下６５年―連帯し核廃絶のゴールへ　新しい風が吹いてきた。 2010/08/07U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos attended the peace memorial ceremony Friday in Hiroshima to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the city's atomic bombing. 　今日、広島市である平和記念式にルース駐日米大使が出席する。 This is the first time for the ambassador of the country that dropped atomic bombs to attend the ceremony. Two other nuclear powers, Britain and France, sent their acting ambassadors to the ceremony for the first time. 　原子爆弾を投下した当事国の大使の出席は初めてだ。核保有国の英、仏臨時代理大使も初めて顔をそろえる。 After visiting Nagasaki the previous day, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also attended the ceremony in Hiroshima, marking the first attendance by the head of the world body. 　来日中の国連の潘基文（パン・ギムン）事務総長も、昨日長崎を訪れた後、広島の式典に歴代事務総長として初めて出席する。 The Hiroshima municipal government has been sending invitations to the ceremony to nuclear powers for 12 years. At long last, its efforts are bearing fruit. 　広島市は１２年前から核保有国に式典への招待状を送りつづけてきた。やっと小さな実を結んだ。 Invitation to Obama ■オバマ氏の広島訪問を In a speech delivered in Prague in April 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his determination to create "a world without nuclear weapons." Never before has the momentum for nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation been as great as it is now. 　昨年４月、オバマ米大統領がプラハで「核兵器のない世界」に向けて行動すると表明した。核軍縮・核不拡散の機運はこれまでになく高まっている。 We must take advantage of the trend to encourage moves for the abolition of nuclear weapons. 　これを核兵器廃絶の動きへと結びつけなければならない。 A hibakusha survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima has been sending letters to Obama. 　広島にはオバマ大統領に手紙を送りつづけている被爆者がいる。 In January 2009, Akihiro Takahashi, a former director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, sent a letter to the president soon after his inauguration. "Please visit Hiroshima ... we should make your visit to Hiroshima the beginning of a new age of reconciliation for all humankind," it read. 　元広島平和記念資料館長の高橋昭博さんは昨年１月、就任まもない大統領への手紙につづった。「ぜひ広島にお越しください。新たな時代の始まりとなります」。Under the George W. Bush administration, moves toward nuclear disarmament stopped. Takahashi sent the letter expecting the new president to take a different course. ブッシュ前政権では核軍縮の歩みが途絶えた。その方針転換を期待してのことだった。 After the Prague speech, Obama took steps to advance nuclear disarmament. He led the Group of Eight summit to issue a statement on nuclear disarmament in July 2009. In April, the United States released the Nuclear Posture Review, signed a new treaty on nuclear arms reduction with Russia and hosted the first Nuclear Security Summit. Each time Takahashi learned of the developments, he wrote a letter. So far, he has written four letters. 　プラハ演説のあと、オバマ氏は主要国首脳会議（Ｇ８）の核声明、米核戦略の見直し、米ロ核軍縮条約の署名、初の核保安サミットの開催と、次々に手を打った。動きを知るたびに高橋さんは手紙を書いた。すでに計４通。 "What hibakusha want is not nuclear disarmament. What we want is absolute denial and abolition of nuclear weapons," he wrote. 　「被爆者が願っているのは核軍縮ではありません。核兵器絶対否定であり、核兵器廃絶です」 On Aug. 6, 1945, Takahashi, then a second-year student at a secondary school in the prewar schooling system, was in the schoolyard 1.4 kilometers from ground zero. He suffered severe burns on more than one-third of his body, including the back of his head, the back, both hands and feet. A shard of glass stuck in his finger, causing his nail to grow deformed and turn black. The nail is displayed in the museum. 　６５年前のこの日、旧制中学の２年だった高橋さんは爆心地から１．４キロの校庭で被爆した。後頭部や背中、両手、両足など全身の３分の１以上に大やけどを負った。ガラス片が指先に突き刺さり、変形して生えつづけた「黒いつめ」は資料館に展示されている。 Takahashi wants Obama to visit Hiroshima and see what happens after a nuclear weapon is used. Takahashi believes a visit by Obama would be a step forward in abolishing nuclear weapons. 　オバマ氏の広島訪問を望むのは、「核兵器を使用したあとに何が起きたのか。自分の目で見てほしい。そうすれば、核廃絶に向けてさらに一歩進む」と信じるからだ。 This feeling must be shared by the 220,000 hibakusha across Japan whose average age is 76. 　平均年齢７６歳、全国に約２２万人いる被爆者に共通した思いだろう。 If Obama stands on the site where many lives were instantly lost, it would be the strongest message toward building "a world without nuclear weapons." 　多くの命が一瞬に消えた地にオバマ氏が立てば、「核なき世界」に向けてこの上なく強いメッセージとなる。

  Aug 9, 2010

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• 臨時国会閉幕　ねじれ打開へ政権公約見直せ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 8, 2010)DPJ, opposition must rise above divided Diet臨時国会閉幕　ねじれ打開へ政権公約見直せ（8月7日付・読売社説）As the so-called divided Diet threatens to paralyze national politics, it is necessary for ruling and opposition parties to overcome the impasse and build consensus on policy issues. But, regrettably, we saw no movement in that direction during the extraordinary Diet session that closed Friday.　日本政治の停滞を避けるには、衆参ねじれ国会の難局を打開し、与野党の合意を形成する必要がある。だが、今国会では残念ながら、その道筋は見えてこなかった。The focal point of the eight-day Diet session, the first since the House of Councillors election last month, was how the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan and opposition parties would behave in a divided Diet, in which the ruling camp controls the House of Representatives while the opposition controls the upper house.　参院選後初めての臨時国会が８日間の日程を終えた。焦点は、新たなねじれ状況に菅政権と野党がどう対応するかだった。Do as we say, not as we didDuring question-and-answer sessions of the budget committees of each chamber, which were held for four days in total, Kan sought the opposition's cooperation, saying, "I'd like to ask you to have discussions in a way that will enable necessary policies to be implemented."　菅首相は、衆参計４日間の予算委員会質疑で、「必要な政策が実行できるような議論をお願いしたい」と野党に協力を要請した。Regarding the previous divided Diet, under which the then opposition Democratic Party of Japan obstructed the then ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on such issues as the appointment of a Bank of Japan governor, Kan said, "We'd like to reflect on what should be reflected on." He thus maintained a humble attitude.　民主党が野党時代、ねじれ国会で日銀総裁人事などをめぐって自公政権を揺さぶったことについても、「反省すべきは反省したい」と語り、低姿勢に終始した。But such perfunctory statements alone do not make the situation better. As the LDP and other parties insist, a drastic modification of the DPJ's policy pledges is inevitable.　だが、通り一遍の発言だけでは無論、事態の改善は望めない。自民党などが要求するように、やはり民主党の政権公約の抜本的修正に踏み込むことが欠かせない。It now has become apparent that revenue sources for child-rearing allowances and other handout policies stipulated in the DPJ manifesto cannot be secured simply by rearranging the state budget. These policies now are in a state of collapse.　子ども手当など、政権公約のバラマキ政策は、予算の組み替えでは財源を確保できないことが明白になり、今や破綻(はたん)状態にある。Given that Kan seeks to hold on to his position as DPJ president in an intraparty election next month, he probably does not want to drastically change the policy pledges as it would ignite opposition within the party. But he won't be able to obtain the opposition's cooperation if the situation remains unchanged.　９月の党代表選で再選を目指す菅首相とすれば、公約の大幅修正は党内の反発を招き、決断しづらい事情もあろうが、現状のままでは野党の協力は得られまい。During the latest extraordinary Diet session, a bill to enable lawmakers to return part of their salary should they not serve for an entire month was enacted. Another bill to allow an organization to continue operating social insurance hospitals also was enacted. But these achievements alone do not make us think the ruling and opposition parties have started cooperating.　臨時国会では、議員歳費の一部自主返納と、社会保険病院の運営法人の存続を可能にする法律が成立したが、これだけでは、与野党協調の糸口とは言えない。Because of disarray among opposition parties, they dropped a plan to submit censure motions against some Cabinet members, including Justice Minister Keiko Chiba, who failed to be reelected in the upper house election. But the opposition camp likely will press the ruling camp hard on such issues as the politics and money scandals involving former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa during an extraordinary Diet session scheduled for autumn.　参院選で落選した千葉法相らに対する問責決議案は、野党の足並みがそろわず、提出が見送られた。だが、秋の臨時国会では、民主党の小沢一郎前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題などを中心に、野党の追及が本格化しよう。The opposition parties blasted the Kan administration for giving up a plan to create a national strategy bureau, saying it would be a step backward in efforts to enhance politicians' power in the handling of government affairs. A bill to set up such a bureau has been carried over for continued deliberations.　菅政権が国家戦略局の創設を断念したことについて、野党は「政治主導が後退する」などと一斉に批判した。戦略局を設置するための政治主導確立法案は現在、継続審議になっている。We suggest the prime minister call for discussions between the ruling and opposition camps to modify the bill. In doing so, it would be beneficial to bring up the idea of creating a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, as earlier proposed by the LDP-New Komeito ruling coalition.　首相は、この法案の修正に関する与野党協議を呼びかけてはどうか。その際、自公政権がかつて提案した日本版ＮＳＣ（国家安全保障会議）の創設を持ちかけることが有益となろう。Focus on shared goalsSince both the ruling and opposition camps wish to implement plans to strengthen politicians' control of government affairs and expand the functions of the Prime Minister's Office, it should be possible for them to start deliberations on these issues.　政治主導や首相官邸機能の強化については、与野党とも異論はなく、協議入りは可能だろう。It is not an easy task for one party to win a majority in upper house elections. The divided Diet may continue for some time. If the Diet fails to make any important decisions or fails to respond quickly to an economic or diplomatic crisis, Japan will face a further decline in its standing. 　参院選で一党が単独過半数を得るのは簡単でなく、ねじれは長期化する恐れがある。政治が何も決められず、経済や外交の危機に機敏に対応できなくては、日本は一層地盤沈下する。The ruling and opposition camps should seriously search for a way to build consensus.与野党は真剣に合意形成の道を探るべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2010)（2010年8月7日01時18分 読売新聞）

  Aug 8, 2010

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• インフラ輸出　オールジャパンで巻き返せ

  from construction to management=建設からその後の運用まで何も新しい手法ではない。我々が初めて海外事業に手を染めた３０年以上前から、この手法を使ってプロジェクトを受注しようとしていた。工事完成後のメンテ（メインテナンス）期間における保証（通常1年間）もきわめて常識的に契約実践されてきた。それよりも、日本国政府の強いバックアップが頼りになる。英国のスリランカビクトリアダムの竣工式にはマーガレットサッチャー首相自ら出席、労をねぎらった。我々のプロジェクト、スリランカのJ.R.Jawawardena大統領が竣工式に出席されたのに、日本から政府の関係者は一人も出席しなかった。今後は変わって行くべきでしょう。（スラチャイ記）The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 7, 2010)Public, private efforts key to winning intl dealsインフラ輸出　オールジャパンで巻き返せ（8月6日付・読売社説）What should be done to ensure that Japanese corporations win contracts for infrastructure improvement projects in newly emerging nations that enjoy continued economic growth? This nation's public and private sectors must jointly step up their efforts to achieve this goal.　経済成長を続ける新興国のインフラ（社会基盤）整備事業を日本企業がいかに受注していくか。官民挙げて取り組みを強化する必要があろう。Demand for infrastructure worldwide, including that for nuclear power stations and rapid transit railway systems, is expected to total 41 trillion dollars, or about 3,600 trillion yen, by the end of 2030.　原子力発電所や高速鉄道など、世界のインフラ需要は２０３０年までに４１兆ドル（約３６００兆円）に達すると推定されている。This is an extremely enticing market for this nation's corporate sector, as it continues to face insufficient demand. However, Japanese corporations need to win out in cutthroat competition with foreign rivals to obtain contracts for infrastructure projects.　国内の需要不足に悩む日本企業にとってきわめて魅力的な市場だが、受注につなげるには激しい国際競争を勝ち抜く必要がある。There is good reason to expect the government to play an active role in accomplishing this goal. Admittedly, success--or the lack thereof--in securing infrastructure improvement projects depends on whether each aspiring corporation possesses the required level of technology. The fact remains, however, that newly emerging countries tend to regard government-to-government talks as a key element in determining winners.There is therefore a limit to what can be gained just through domestic companies' efforts in this regard.　そこで期待されるのが、政府の積極的な関与だ。もちろん受注を左右するのは企業の技術力だが、新興国は政府間交渉を重視する傾向が強く、企業の自助努力には限界があるのも事実だ。Govt sales pitches keyIn December, Japan lost contracts to Russia to construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam, and Japanese and other competitors were beaten by a South Korean consortium for a deal to build nuclear reactors for the United Arab Emirates the same month.　日本は昨年末、ベトナムの原発の第１期計画でロシアに、アラブ首長国連邦（ＵＡＥ）の原発計画で韓国に競り負けた。The presidents of Russia and South Korea are believed to have made sales pitches to Vietnam and the UAE, respectively, thus strongly supporting their domestic firms' bids to receive the contracts.それぞれの大統領のトップセールスが強力に後押ししたとみられる。The Japanese government has learned a bitter lesson from the failed bids of companies from this country. It is encouraging to note that the government is increasing its efforts to aid domestic firms on this issue, with some Cabinet members setting out to lobby prospective clients.　この反省に立って、日本も閣僚レベルではあるが、トップセールスに力を入れ出したことは、大いに歓迎できよう。In May, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara and Yoshito Sengoku, then state minister in charge of national policy, paid successive visits to Vietnam, where progress is being made in the second stage of the country's nuclear reactor project and its high-speed railway system plan.　原発の第２期計画と高速鉄道計画を進めるベトナムには、５月に前原国土交通相と仙谷国家戦略相（当時）が相次ぎ訪れた。In late July, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada visited Vietnam and asked the government for its cooperation in helping Japanese corporations win contracts for the projects involved.先月下旬も岡田外相が訪問して、ベトナム側に日本企業の受注について協力を要請した。Vietnam is not alone in constructing nuclear power stations. India, Thailand, Indonesia and some other nations are also pursuing similar plans. Brazil is scheduled to select the winner for a high-speed railway construction project, probably by the end of the year. We hope the government will continue its politician-lead efforts to help domestic corporations win such contracts.　原発の建設計画はインド、タイ、インドネシアなどにもある。ブラジルは年内にも高速鉄道建設の発注先を決める予定だ。政府は政治主導による取り組みを継続してもらいたい。Back investment, financingThe government's new growth strategy, adopted in June, includes a plan to end the current freeze on foreign investment and loan programs sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to help domestic companies win overseas infrastructure improvement projects.　政府が６月に決定した新成長戦略は、インフラ輸出の振興策として、現在は凍結されている国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）による海外投融資の再開を盛り込んだ。Doing so will involve risk, but it can help win contracts for overseas projects that would do much to improve the domestic economy. With this in mind, the government should steadily carry out such investment and financing programs.　リスクはあるが、経済効果の大きいプロジェクトの受注に役立つだろう。着実に実施すべきだ。It is also essential to boost cooperation between private companies in this country. 　民間企業同士の「民民連携」の強化も欠かせない。One of the decisive factors behind the South Korean consortium's success in securing the UAE nuclear power project is believed to be its efforts to emphasize that the consortium would handle all aspects of the project, from reactor construction to management.　ＵＡＥで韓国企業連合が受注に成功したのは、原子炉の建設からその後の運用まで、丸ごと請け負うことをアピールしたことが決め手となったとされる。Japan is working out various arrangements similar to those adopted by South Korea to win overseas infrastructure improvement projects. Under the initiative of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, a new corporation will be established in autumn, with three builders of nuclear reactors set to acquire stakes in the envisaged firm along with three electric power companies experienced in operating nuclear power stations.　日本も韓国を倣って、同様の体制を整えつつある。経済産業省が音頭をとり、原子炉メーカー３社と、原発の運転ノウハウを持つ電力会社３社が出資する新会社が、今秋設立される予定だ。This nation must combine the efforts of both the public and private sectors to recover from its late start in international competition for overseas infrastructure improvement projects.　海外インフラをめぐる受注獲得競争に「オールジャパン」で取り組み、これまでの出遅れを取り戻さねばなるまい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2010)（2010年8月6日01時08分 読売新聞）

  Aug 7, 2010

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