英字新聞

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• 成長戦略決定　「絵空事」に終わらせるな

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 22, 2010)Growth strategy needs more substance成長戦略決定　「絵空事」に終わらせるな（6月21日付・読売社説）The government has drawn up its new growth strategy. However, uncertainties remain over whether this strategy can achieve the anticipated economic growth by effectively tapping the vigor of private businesses. 　民間企業の活力をうまく引き出して、期待通りの経済成長を実現できるかどうか、未知数の部分も多い。The strategy is aimed at galvanizing seven fields, such as environment/energy and health, while accelerating moves to help the economy break free from deflation. It contains 21 measures for promoting what have been touted as national strategy projects to establish a strong economy. 　政府が決定した新成長戦略は、デフレからの脱却を急ぎつつ、環境・エネルギーや健康など戦略７分野をテコ入れする。国家戦略プロジェクトと銘打った２１の施策を進めて、「強い経済」の実現を図るという。Implementing these measures, the government calculates, will create more than 120 trillion yen in new demand and about 5 million jobs. This would generate average yearly economic growth of more than 2 percent in real terms and more than 3 percent in nominal terms in the decade to come. 　その結果、１２０兆円を超える新規需要と、約５００万人の雇用が生まれ、今後１０年の経済成長率は、実質で平均２％超、名目では３％超になると見込んでいる。The strategy contains some measures likely to be effective. But there is a question over whether it can bring about the sort of drastic impact the government is banking on. The government should prioritize the measures and enhance their efficacy. 　有効と思われる内容もあるが、果たしてこれほど劇的な効果が上がるかどうかは疑問だ。施策の重点化など、さらに実効性を高める工夫が求められよう。Many of the measures are intended to back up corporate activity and boost the vigor of the private sector. 　成長戦略には、企業活動を後押しして、民間活力を高める施策が多く盛り込まれた。=== Boost corporate activity One pillar of the strategy is to lower the effective corporate tax rate gradually from the current 40 percent or so to 30 percent or about 25 percent--the same level as in many other industrialized nations. This will reinforce the international competitiveness of Japanese firms. 　約４０％の法人税実効税率を、３０％から２０％台半ばにあたる「主要国並み」まで、段階的に引き下げるとした。日本企業の競争力強化に役立つだろう。The strategy calls for establishing a special committee representing both the private and public sectors to promote sales of social infrastructure projects in Asia, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet train networks. If successful, the plan will bring in orders for huge infrastructure projects in the region. 　アジアへ原子力発電所や新幹線など社会基盤（インフラ）を積極的に売り込むため、官民共同で専門委員会を設ける構想もある。うまくいけば、巨額のインフラ投資の受注が期待できる。However, the strategy is not without shortcomings. The practicality of some measures is debatable, such as the project to build an environmentally friendly futuristic city. Since the strategy is making plans for 10 years from now, it contains many rough and vague plans. These plans must be fleshed out in the years to come. 　一方で、環境未来都市の整備など、実現できるかどうか疑問符のつくメニューも並んだ。１０年先を目指した戦略だけに、内容が大ざっぱで、雲をつかむような構想もある。今後、肉付けが必要だ。There are concerns about whether measures to revive forests and forestry will include simple handouts. We want the government to reexamine whether these measures are suitable for inclusion in its growth strategy. 　「森林・林業再生プラン」などは、ばらまき的な施策が紛れ込まないか心配だ。成長戦略として適切かどうか再点検してほしい。=== Devil's in the (lack of) details An overall problem is that the strategy lacked precise figures for the fiscal spending and costs that will be needed to carry out the measures, although it projected concrete figures--such as the demand that will be created--for the fruit of the measures. 　全体の問題として、需要創出など効果の数字は出したのに、必要な財政支出などコストを示していない点を指摘しておきたい。Unless details are spelled out about how to fund these projects at a time when the state finances are in dire straits, none of the plans will get off the ground. A close eye will need to be kept on whether each measure has an effect commensurate with its cost. 　厳しい財政の中、費用をどう工面するのか詰めないと、せっかくのプランも絵空事になる。コストの割に成果が乏しくないかなど、監視の継続も重要である。Another matter of concern is the lack of clarity on how the measures will be carried out. Previous strategies were beset by failures due to conflicts of authority between government ministries involved in the projects. It is necessary to speed up efforts to establish a system that can promote several measures comprehensively and simultaneously. 　実施体制のあいまいさも気がかりだ。過去の成長戦略は、府省の権限争いなどで失敗続きだった。複数の政策を総合的に推進する体制の整備を急がねばならない。The Democratic Party of Japan-led government calls for banning in principle the dispatch of temporary workers to the manufacturing industry and reducing greenhouse gases by 25 percent--measures that could adversely affect corporate activity. These steps do not wash with its new growth strategy designed to help businesses. 　成長戦略の一方で、民主党政権が製造業派遣の原則禁止や、温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動にマイナスになる政策を続けるのは整合性を欠いている。The government should drop its adherence to its campaign pledges for last year's general election and instead devote itself to reviving the economy before all else. 　マニフェスト（政権公約）へのこだわりを捨て、経済優先の姿勢に徹するべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2010) （2010年6月21日01時41分 読売新聞）

  Jun 22, 2010

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• 消費税公約　引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 21, 2010)Parties must stress need for consumption tax hike消費税公約　引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ（6月20日付・読売社説）Ahead of the official announcement of the House of Councillors election on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party recently hammered out drastic tax reform proposals, including raising the consumption tax rate. 　今月２４日公示の参院選に向け、民主、自民両党が消費税率の引き上げを含む税制の抜本改革を打ち出した。It is the wish of many people to rehabilitate this country's state finances, the worst among leading industrialized nations, and make the social security system sustainable. To this end, a consumption tax hike is obviously unavoidable. 　先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直し、社会保障制度を持続可能なものにすることが、多くの国民の願いだろう。それには、消費税率引き上げが避けて通れないことは明らかだ。It is the responsibility of politicians to try to convince the public of the need for a tax increase, even if it is painful. We hope to see the matter actively debated during the upcoming upper house election campaign. 　国民に痛みを伴う増税であっても、必要性を堂々と訴えることが政治の責任である。選挙戦での活発な論争を期待したい。　◆選挙戦術では困る◆At a press conference during which Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the DPJ's campaign pledges, he referred to the consumption tax and said he would try to come up with an appropriate tax rate and tax reform proposals within the current fiscal year. 　菅首相は参院選公約を発表した記者会見で、消費税について「２０１０年度内にあるべき税率や改革案の取りまとめを目指したい」と語った。As for the consumption tax rate, Kan also said that he would use as reference the main opposition LDP's proposal of raising it to 10 percent from the current 5 percent. Kan's comment is a significant change from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy of making the issue of a consumption tax hike a no-go area. 　税率は、自民党が提案している１０％への引き上げを参考にする考えを表明した。消費税の増税を封印してきた鳩山前首相の方針を、大きく転換するものだ。The consumption tax rate, which was introduced in 1989 at 3 percent, was raised to 5 percent in 1997. Since then, past administrations have not squarely addressed the consumption tax issue. Kan should be praised for announcing a policy of raising the consumption tax rate this time. 　１９８９年に３％で導入された消費税は、９７年に５％に引き上げられた。以来、歴代政権は消費税問題に正面から取り組んでこなかった。今回、菅首相が税率引き上げの方針を示したことは、評価してよい。At the press conference, Kan also expressed his intention to seek the people's mandate on the issue in the House of Representatives election before implementing a tax increase. However, an ideal opportunity could be lost if Kan takes things slowly. 　ただ、首相は記者会見で、増税前に衆院選で信を問う意向も示した。こんな悠長な構えでは、せっかくの機運が失われかねない。=== DPJ talk political posturing Some DPJ members have said that if the DPJ proposes raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent as the LDP has done, the issue would not be a point of contention in the upper house election. This is, however, nothing but conventional election posturing. 　民主党には、「税率を自民党の主張と同じ１０％にすれば参院選の争点にはならない」との思惑もあるという。これでは、従来型の選挙戦術と同じだ。Kan's policy was met by a backlash within the DPJ. He should speed up intraparty discussions and establish his party's basic policy on the issue. 　首相の方針に対しては党内から反発も出ている。首相は党内論議を急ぎ、党としての基本的な考え方を固めるべきだ。　◆財政再建は待ったなし◆The nation's debt-laden finances are in a critical situation due to the Hatoyama administration's dole-out policies that stuck to the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election last summer, in addition to lavish economic stimulus measures after the bursting of the economic bubble. 　バブル崩壊後の景気対策の大盤振る舞いに、鳩山政権の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）にこだわったバラマキ政策が加わり、わが国の財政は「借金漬け」の危機的な状況に陥っている。It is estimated that cumulative long-term debts at the central and local governments will rise to 860 trillion yen as of the end of the current fiscal year--1.8 times the country's gross domestic product. 　国と地方の長期債務残高は、今年度末に８６０兆円と国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍に膨らむ見込みだ。The fiscal 2010 budget is abnormal, with tax revenues falling to about 37 trillion yen, lower than the new government bond issuance, which has swollen to 44 trillion yen. 　１０年度予算は、税収が３７兆円余りに落ち込み、４４兆円に膨らんだ新規国債発行額を下回る異常な事態である。Due to the country's graying population, social security costs, which currently total more than 20 trillion yen a year, will increase by 1 trillion yen every year. 　高齢化の進展で年間２０兆円超の社会保障費は、毎年１兆円ずつ自然に増える。In fiscal 2009, the government's share of contributions to the basic pension payments was raised to 50 percent from one-third. However, increased contributions are provisionally funded by surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," and a permanent revenue source of 2.5 trillion yen will be necessary in fiscal 2011 and thereafter. 　０９年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げたが、これは、いわゆる埋蔵金で暫定的に賄っており、１１年度以降、新たに２・５兆円という恒久財源も必要となる。"Integrated economic, fiscal and social security reforms," as touted by the Kan Cabinet, can only be achieved with stable revenue sources. 　菅内閣が掲げる「経済・財政・社会保障の一体改革」を成し遂げるには、安定した財源があってこそである。

  Jun 20, 2010

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• 安保改定５０年　日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 20, 2010)Talks needed to boost Japan-U.S. alliance安保改定５０年　日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を（6月19日付・読売社説）Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the automatic ratification of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty--without the approval of the House of Councillors--amid demonstrators surrounding the Diet building. 　デモ隊が国会議事堂を取り囲む混乱の中、新しい日米安全保障条約が自然承認されてから、１９日で５０年を迎えた。There is no question that the Japan-U.S. alliance has played an important role in ensuring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Japan and the rest of Asia during the past half century. 　この間、日本とアジアが平和と安定を確保し、経済的な繁栄を享受してきたことに、日米同盟が重要な役割を果たしてきたことは論をまたない。Setting aside the way the revised treaty was approved by the Diet, the political decision of the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi to revise the treaty and maintain the bilateral alliance was correct. 　安保条約の国会承認の手法はともかく、安保条約を改定し、日米同盟を堅持するという当時の岸内閣の政治的判断は誤っていなかったと言えよう。　「６０年安保」は、国際的には東西冷戦、国内では保革対決の時代だった。戦後復興から高度成長期に入る直前で、多くの国民には悲惨な戦争体験の記憶が残る中、国論は大きく割れた。The conflicts surrounding the 1960 security treaty mirrored the Cold War between the East and West abroad and a showdown between conservatives and reformists at home. At that time, this country was completing its postwar reconstruction and entering a period of high economic growth. Public opinion was split over the revised security treaty, with memories of tragic war experiences still fresh in many people's minds. === Govt appeals to public 　◆条約改定は正しかった◆The government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which were promoting revision of the security treaty, appealed to the public by promising to correct inequalities of the original security treaty signed in 1951 and clarify the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. A group opposing revision, including the Japan Socialist Party, insisted the pact be abolished, saying it would make it easier for Japan to become embroiled in a war. 　政府・自民党など条約改定推進派は、１９５１年の旧安保条約の不平等性を是正し、米国の日本防衛義務を明確化すると訴えた。社会党など反対派は、「日本が戦争に巻きこまれやすくなる」などと条約破棄を主張していた。Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, spent a huge amount of political energy on the issue. After the LDP steamrolled a bill to ratify the revised security treaty through the House of Representatives on May 19-20, 1960, large-scale demonstrations against the security treaty took place. 　与野党の国会議員から一般国民まで多大な政治的エネルギーが費やされた。５月１９～２０日の自民党の強行採決による条約批准案の衆院通過を受けて、抗議デモ・集会が大規模化していく。In mid-June of the year, Michiko Kanba, a 22-year-old University of Tokyo student, was crushed to death during a clash between demonstrators and riot police, and a planned visit to Japan by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was canceled. The Yomiuri Shimbun and six other Tokyo-based newspaper companies issued a joint appeal to the demonstrators that said, "Abandon violence and protect parliamentarism." 　６月中旬には、東大生・樺美智子さんが圧死し、アイゼンハワー大統領の来日が中止となった。読売新聞など在京新聞７社が「暴力を排し議会主義を守れ」と題する異例の共同宣言を発表した。Kishi announced his resignation right after the security treaty went into effect on June 23, 1960. 　岸首相は、６月２３日の条約発効の直後に退陣を表明した。The Japan-U.S. alliance, which was born after many difficulties were overcome, effectively staved off the military threat posed by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. 　多くの困難を経て生まれた日米同盟は冷戦中、旧ソ連の軍事的脅威への有効な歯止めとなった。In the post-Cold War period, the bilateral alliance functioned as a deterrent to new threats from regional conflicts, including that on the Korean Peninsula, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. By redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan and the United States came to regard their alliance as a kind of public asset to bolster the stability of Asia-Pacific region. 　冷戦後も、朝鮮半島などの地域対立や大量破壊兵器、テロなど新たな脅威の抑止力として機能した。「安保再定義」により、日米同盟はアジア・太平洋の安定を支える「公共財」と位置づけられた。The Japanese and U.S. governments later reviewed the Guideline for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, increasing the effectiveness of the bilateral alliance. 　日米防衛協力指針も見直され、同盟の実効性が高まった。=== Reconsidering relationship South Korea and Southeast Asian nations were now seriously concerned about the deterioration in the Japan-U.S. relationship caused by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's poor diplomacy--evidence that other Asian nations also perceive the Japan-U.S. alliance as a public asset. 　鳩山前首相のお粗末な外交による日米関係の悪化を、韓国や東南アジア各国が本気で懸念していたのは、日米同盟を「公共財」とみなしている証左でもある。Ironically, Hatoyama's words and deeds, which could have been interpreted as distancing Japan from the United States gave many people a good opportunity to reconsider the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is vital for us to think about how to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance based on history and past developments in the relationship between the two countries. 　前首相の「離米」ともとれる言動は皮肉にも、多くの国民が日米関係を再考する機会となった。過去の歴史と経緯を踏まえ、この先、同盟をどう深化、発展させるかを考えることが肝要だろう。

  Jun 20, 2010

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• 参院選公約　民主党の現実路線は本物か

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 19, 2010)Has DPJ really taken realistic turn?参院選公約　民主党の現実路線は本物か（6月18日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties have announced their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11. 　民主、自民など各政党が、７月１１日投開票の参院選の公約を相次いで発表した。A number of issues require deep discussion before the election--not least whether the consumption tax rate should be raised. We hope every party will discuss their policies with gusto. 　消費税論議をはじめ、掘り下げるべき論点は数多い。各党とも、活発な政策論議を展開してほしい。The DPJ manifesto for the upper house poll has a healthier dose of realism than the pledges it made for last year's House of Representatives election. 　民主党の公約は、昨年の衆院選の政権公約に比べ、現実路線に大きく舵(かじ)を切った。However, doubts linger over whether the new DPJ manifesto is merely a political gesture intended to draw votes, or if it is a genuine change of direction based firmly on realistic calculations. 単なる選挙向けのポーズでなく、地に足のついたものかどうかが問われよう。On restoring fiscal health, the DPJ has a goal of achieving a primary balance surplus in the budget 10 years from now. To achieve this objective, the manifesto stipulates the party will start a suprapartisan debate on drastic tax reform--including consumption tax. 　財政健全化については、１０年後に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標を掲げ、そのために「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革」の超党派協議を開始すると明記した。=== Clarify tax reform picture The LDP manifesto says the consumption tax rate should be raised to 10 percent for the time being. The main opposition party came up with this figure based on the costs needed to finance social security. 　自民党は公約で、社会保障分野で要する費用を根拠として示したうえで、消費税率の「当面１０％」引き上げを掲げた。At a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "We'll use the 10 percent proposal contained in the LDP pledges as one reference." As long as the DPJ is calling for suprapartisan debate on tax reform, the party should clarify the whole picture of this reform and what this would entail. 　菅首相は記者会見で、「自民党公約の１０％を参考にしたい」と述べた。超党派協議を呼び掛ける以上、民主党としての税制改革の全体像を明確にすべきである。In its latest manifesto, the DPJ erased the "monthly amount of 26 yen,000" for the child allowance it pledged in last year's manifesto. Instead, the 2010 manifesto says the party will provide "something additional" to the 13,000 yen currently handed out each month. The DPJ has given up trying to provide the promised amount because there is not enough money to fund it--although last year the party insisted the cash would be found. 　民主党は、衆院選公約で示した子ども手当の「月額２万６０００円」支給を削除し、現支給額の月額１万３０００円に「上乗せする」と改めた。財源のめどが立たず、満額支給を断念したものだ。However, the party has retained dole-out measures such as income support for farming households and a plan to abolish expressway tolls. We think the DPJ should review these measures, too. 　しかし、高速道路無料化や農家への戸別所得補償制度など、バラマキ型の施策は、依然として残されている。これらについても、さらなる見直しが必要だろう。In diplomatic and security fields, the party dropped the expression "move in the direction of reexamining" the role of U.S. military bases in Japan. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the party vows to "do its utmost to lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burden based on the Japan-U.S. agreement." 　外交・安全保障分野でも、在日米軍基地について「見直しの方向で臨む」との表現を削除し、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、「日米合意に基づいて、沖縄の負担軽減に全力を尽くす」とした。Last year, the DPJ did not mention China's steady military expansion. This time, however, the manifesto calls for China to be more transparent in its national defense policy. 　衆院選の公約では触れなかった中国の軍拡への懸念にも、「透明性を求める」と言及した。=== Omitting inconveniences It is only natural that the ruling party has shifted its stance after taking into consideration the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan's security environment. 　日米同盟の重要性や、わが国の置かれた安全保障環境を踏まえての路線転換は、政権政党として当然のことである。Notable in the latest DPJ manifesto is the omission of a time schedule for each policy measure in each fiscal year. Last year's manifesto included such information. Similarly, the party did not provide a booklet of policy details; until last year, the party printed such a booklet to go with its pledges for each national election. 　今回の民主党の公約で特徴的なのは、衆院選公約で示した年度ごとの政策工程表が省かれている点だ。公約に合わせて必ず発表してきた「政策集」もない。We assume the DPJ left these items out because it does not want voters to later go back and check which policies the party abandoned or revised. 　どの政策を断念し、どう修正したかを過去にさかのぼって検証されることを嫌ったのだろう。In its "Index 2009," the policy booklet for last year's election, the DPJ included controversial issues including its plan to swiftly introduce local suffrage to permanent foreign residents. The booklet's absence will leave voters unsure if the DPJ still considers these issues as planks of its agenda. 　衆院選の政策集には、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与の早期実現など、問題の多い内容が含まれている。今回、政策集の発表を見合わせた結果、これらの政策が今も生きているのかどうかが、まったくわからない。The DPJ should immediately explain where it stands on these matters. 　民主党は、こうした疑問点について、速やかに説明すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 18, 2010) （2010年6月18日01時05分 読売新聞）

  Jun 19, 2010

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• 通常国会閉幕　「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 18, 2010)DPJ must stop 'cop-out tactics'通常国会閉幕　「逃げ」に終始した菅民主党（6月17日付・読売社説）Public expectations that the latest Diet session would usher in an era of "new politics" following last year's change of government have faded. Instead, the session showed all too clearly the deteriorating state of politics in this country. 　政権交代による「新たな政治」への期待はしぼみ、政治の劣化を見せつけられた国会だった。The ordinary Diet session ended Wednesday. Political parties have now started preparing for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11. 　通常国会が閉幕し、各政党は来月１１日投開票の参院選に向けて走り出した。The Democratic Party of Japan recently withdrew a proposal to hold a budget committee meeting and decided against extending the Diet session. These actions can only be criticized as "cop-outs" and neglecting the party's duty. 　民主党が、予算委員会開催の提案を撤回し、国会会期も延長しなかったのは、「逃げの一手」「責任放棄」との批判を免れない。The two-day session of interpellations by party representatives regarding new Prime Minister Naoto Kan's policy speech was too short. More intensive discussions should have been made at the budget committees of both Diet chambers. 　首相が交代した以上、菅首相の所信表明演説に対する２日間の代表質問だけでは不十分だ。予算委で審議を尽くすべきだった。It also remains unclear how the Kan administration differs from the previous one of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which ended up disappointing many people. 　菅内閣が、多くの国民を失望させた鳩山前内閣とどう違うのかはよく分からない。Although Kan made no secret of the fact that his selection of cabinet ministers and top DPJ leaders were intended to rid the party of the influence of former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, the shape and direction of his policies--a key point for the new administration--remain opaque. 閣僚人事などでは小沢前幹事長の影響力を排除する姿勢をアピールしたが、肝心の政策の具体像は見えてこない。How will the new administration put the fiscal house in order and reform the tax system? How will it soothe strained bilateral ties with the United States? 　財政健全化と税制の抜本改革にどう取り組むのか。日米関係をいかに立て直すか。=== Don't put party 1st In an ideal political world, the administration would face the upper house election only after clarifying--through Diet deliberations--the course for policies the Kan administration hopes to accomplish. 菅内閣の目指す政策の方向性を国会審議の中で明確にしたうえ、参院選に臨むのが政治のあるべき姿だろう。The DPJ avoided budget committee deliberations apparently because it felt the party would have the upper hand in the upcoming election while public approval ratings for the DPJ-led administration, which rose with the new cabinet, remain high. 　民主党が予算委審議を避けたのは、回復した内閣支持率が高いうちに参院選を戦った方が得だ、と判断したためだ。These are tactics that put party interests before all else. Giving the ultimate priority to winning the election speaks volumes of the party's complete disregard for Diet affairs. 「選挙至上主義」とも言うべき党利党略の戦術であり、国会軽視も甚だしい。The DPJ-led coalition government did not hold a meeting of the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, which Ozawa had indicated he would attend to clarify his involvement in a political funds scandal. The government's decision has prevented it from fulfilling its accountability. 　「政治とカネ」をめぐり、小沢氏が出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会を開かず、説明責任を果たさない。When a scandal over questionable office expenses made by a political organization of Satoshi Arai, state minister in charge of national policy and consumer affairs, surfaced, the DPJ-led administration tried to sweep the issue under the carpet. 荒井国家戦略相の事務所費問題が浮上しても、臭いものにフタをし、幕引きを図る。The DPJ must realize that its attempts to conceal swirling suspicions only amplify public distrust of politics. 　こうした「疑惑隠し」の姿勢が国民の政治不信を増幅していることを、民主党は自覚すべきだ。Several bills the government and ruling coalition had considered important did not get passed into law during the Diet session. These bills included one on postal service reforms, measures to combat global warming and one that would establish a decision-making system at the initiative of politicians. 　政府・与党が重要法案としていた郵政改革、地球温暖化対策、政治主導確立などの法案は成立しなかった。=== LDP has lost its bite The DPJ-led administration used its superior weight of numbers to manage Diet affairs even more high-handedly than Liberal Democratic Party-led administrations did. However, it appears disarray within the government and the ruling coalition parties over key policies and the simultaneous resignations of Hatoyama and Ozawa affected the fate of these bills. 　自民党政権以上に「数の力」に頼った強引な国会運営をしながら、政府・連立与党の足並みの乱れや鳩山前首相と小沢氏のダブル辞任が影響したと言えよう。Just 54.7 percent of government-proposed bills passed the Diet during the session--a postwar low. We do not think the DPJ has fulfilled its responsibility as the party in power. 政府提出法案の成立率が戦後最低の５４・７％では、政権党の責任を果たしたと言えない。On the other hand, the LDP failed to make its presence felt as the largest opposition party. The LDP failed to put the government on the defensive and present better counterproposals. LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki's kid-glove questions during Diet debates between the prime minister and opposition party leaders, and the party's tired old tactics of boycotting the Diet session also triggered grumbling within party ranks. 　一方で、自民党も、野党第１党としての存在感を示せなかった。政府を的確に批判し、より良い対案を示すどころか、党首討論での谷垣総裁の追及の甘さや、旧態依然の審議拒否戦術には、党内から非難の声が出るほどだった。A string of new parties have appeared on the scene, such as the Sunrise Party of Japan, New Renaissance Party and the Spirit of Japan Party. Their emergence reflects discontent at the fecklessness of the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP. 　たちあがれ日本、新党改革、日本創新党など新党結成が相次いだのは、民主、自民の２大政党のふがいなさの裏返しでもある。The election is just around the corner. Political parties must try to restore people's trust in politics by discussing responsible and basic policies, rather than competing with one another with claptrap election pledges. 　各政党は、参院選に向けて、人気取りの公約を競うのでなく、責任ある骨太の政策論議を通じて政治の信頼回復を図るべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2010) （2010年6月17日01時43分 読売新聞）

  Jun 18, 2010

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• 野球賭博汚染　暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 17, 2010)Sumo world must sever mobster ties野球賭博汚染　暴力団排除が角界再生の道だ（6月16日付・読売社説）Illegal gambling is rampant among sumo wrestlers. Popular sumo wrestler ozeki Kotomitsuki has admitted to the Japan Sumo Association that he gambled on professional baseball games--a criminal act. Following his admission, he will sit out the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. 　大相撲の力士に賭博が蔓延(まんえん)していることが分かった。看板力士の大関琴光喜も、犯罪行為である野球賭博に手を染めていたことを認め、名古屋場所を休場することになった。Sumo recently has been rocked by a string of scandals. Yokozuna Asashoryu was forced to retire earlier this year following allegations he assaulted a man outside a Tokyo club after a drinking session. The gambling blight even managed to taint an ozeki, sumo's second-highest rank. These extraordinary developments will shake the foundation of the association. 　暴行騒動で横綱朝青龍が引退に追い込まれたばかりの相撲界で、今度は大関の不祥事である。日本相撲協会の屋台骨を揺るがす異常事態といえよう。The JSA recently asked sumo wrestlers, stablemasters and other association members to voluntarily report whether they had been involved in gambling activities. Kotomitsuki and 28 others admitted they had gambled on professional baseball games. Thirty-six others confessed to betting on golf, hanafuda playing cards and mah-jongg. 　相撲協会が、力士、親方らに自己申告させたところ、野球賭博には琴光喜を含む２９人が関与したことを認めた。仲間内での賭けゴルフや花札、マージャンなどには３６人がかかわっていた。The association said it would report its findings to the Metropolitan Police Department and decide what further action to take after the police have completed their investigation. 　相撲協会は、調査結果を警視庁に報告し、捜査の結果を待って対応を決めるという。=== JSA let guard down Association officials initially planned to put the scandal to bed after reprimanding those who voluntarily reported their wrongdoing. However, the association was forced to reverse the policy after the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees the association, stepped in. The ministry warned the association it would be premature to extenuate the misconduct before making a report to the police. 　当初は、申告した者については厳重注意にとどめて幕引きを図る方針だった。しかし、所管の文部科学省から、「警察にも言わない段階で情状酌量は早すぎる」と注意され、方針転換せざるを得なくなったというわけだ。As such, the latest developments have exposed the association's lax way of dealing with serious matters. 　相撲協会の危機管理の甘さが露呈したといえる。Organized crime syndicates are often behind gambling on professional baseball. Money wagered by sumo wrestlers must not be allowed to end up as funds for gang activities. We think the wrestlers involved should be severely punished. 　野球賭博には、暴力団がかかわっているケースが多い。力士の賭け金が暴力団の資金源となるようなことが、あってはならない。関係した力士への厳しい処分は避けられまい。The latest scandal came to light in a report by a weekly magazine that Kotomitsuki had gambled on professional baseball and that gangsters had intimidated him into paying hush money. 　発端となったのは、琴光喜が野球賭博にかかわり、暴力団関係者から口止め料を払うよう脅されたという週刊誌の報道だ。Although Kotomitsuki initially denied any involvement in gambling, he finally seemed to run out of excuses because other sumo wrestlers came forward to admit their misconduct to the sumo association. Regrettably, Kotomitsuki completely lacked the good sense expected of an ozeki, a rank expected to portray sumo values. 　琴光喜は賭博への関与を否定していたが、他の力士たちが申告するに及んで、言い逃れができなくなったということだろう。大相撲を担う大関としての自覚を全く欠いている。=== Money talks Wealthy sumo supporters called tanimachi traditionally have provided financial assistance to wrestlers and stablemasters. Wrestlers and association members are said to sometimes come in contact with gangsters as they socialize with their tanimachi. 　相撲界には、「タニマチ」と呼ばれる後援者が力士や親方を援助する慣習がある。その付き合いの中で、力士らは暴力団関係者と接する機会もあるとされる。There have been reports that criminal organizations have been involved in sumo events, such as tournaments held in local regions. 　地方巡業などの興行面でも、暴力団の介在が指摘されてきた。It recently came to light that a number of gangsters had watched sumo from special ringside seats essentially set aside for the sumo association's financial supporters. A stablemaster who arranged seats for the mobsters has since had his stable disbanded by the association. The stablemaster eventually admitted he had socialized with gangsters. 　土俵近くの特別席で多数の暴力団員が観戦していたことも、問題になったばかりだ。席の確保にかかわっていた親方の部屋は閉鎖処分となり、この親方は、暴力団との交際があったことを認めた。This series of unseemly incidents suggest there are deep-rooted links between sumo and organized crime. 　角界と暴力団との根深い癒着がうかがえる。The JSA is a public-interest corporation, which receives preferential tax treatment, meaning sumo wrestlers and stablemasters belong to an organization supposed to contribute to society. In this respect, it is only natural that they immediately sever all ties with "antisocial forces." 　相撲協会は、税制面で優遇措置を受けている公益法人だ。社会に貢献すべき団体に属する力士や親方が、反社会勢力との関係を断つのは、当然のことである。Freeing itself from unbecoming traditions is the only way the association will be able to survive. 　悪(あ)しき体質の一掃が、相撲協会が存続していく唯一の道だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2010) （2010年6月16日02時00分 読売新聞）

  Jun 17, 2010

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• はやぶさ帰還　歴史的快挙を次に生かそう

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 16, 2010)Hayabusa's achievements should be built onはやぶさ帰還　歴史的快挙を次に生かそう（6月15日付・読売社説）Hayabusa, a space probe of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, has finally returned to Earth. This is a great accomplishment in the history of space exploration. 　宇宙航空研究開発機構の探査機「はやぶさ」が帰ってきた。宇宙開発史に残る快挙と言える。Hayabusa, which means peregrine falcon, left Earth in May 2003. It landed on Itokawa, an asteroid 300 million kilometers from Earth, in November 2005 and attempted to take samples of sand and other surface materials there. The probe's entire space voyage lasted seven years, ending with its homecoming on Sunday. 　２００３年５月に地球を出発した。０５年１１月に３億キロ・メートル離れた小惑星イトカワに着陸し、砂などのサンプル採取を試みた。帰還まで、宇宙の旅は７年の長きに及んだ。Hayabusa is the first space probe to return to Earth after landing on a celestial body other than the moon. 　初めて月以外の天体に探査機が着陸して帰還したことになる。The probe's main body burned up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, but before that it released a capsule, which landed safely in the desert in Australia, that may contain samples from Itokawa. JAXA will bring the capsule back to this country and confirm whether it contains sand or other materials from the asteroid. 　はやぶさ本体は大気圏突入で燃え尽きた。採取したサンプルを収めるカプセルは突入前に分離、豪州の砂漠に着地した。日本に運び内部を確認する。Unlike sand and stones on Earth, which have become oxidized and changed over many years, geologic material on asteroids is believed to have remained as it was in the early stages of the solar system. Such material would give important clues to understanding the history of the solar system. 　小惑星の砂や石は、酸化などが進んだ地球の石と違い、太陽系の初期の状態に近い。太陽系の歴史を探るヒントになるだろう。Unfortunately, however, it is not certain whether the probe actually was able to take samples of surface material, since Hayabusa's gathering device did not work as expected. But JAXA said that sand stirred up when the probe landed on the asteroid may have entered the capsule. 　残念ながら、装置の不調で確実にサンプルが採取できたかどうか分からない。だが、着陸時に舞い上がった砂がカプセル内に入った可能性はある。=== Miraculous engines Needless to say, the return of Hayabusa itself is a miracle. The probe experienced technical and mechanical malfunctions throughout its systems as it traveled a total distance of 6 billion kilometers, 40 times the distance between the sun and Earth. 　そもそも帰還自体が奇跡だ。地球―太陽間の４０倍にあたる約６０億キロ・メートルの飛行で、機体は各所が故障し、満身創痍(そうい)だった。First, fuel leaked from one of Hayabusa's chemical engines after it left the asteroid to return home, which caused JAXA to lose control and later communications. Although the agency fortunately was able to restore communications and put Hayabusa back on its homeward journey in 2006, JAXA had to constantly walk a tightrope for the remainder of the probe's long space flight. 　まずイトカワ離陸後に燃料が漏れた。制御不能になり、通信も途絶した。０６年、幸運にも復旧し帰路についたが、長期の飛行で、ぎりぎりの運用が続いてきた。Almost all the probe's devices malfunctioned, but a new type of engine manufactured by a Japanese company did outstanding work. 　活躍したのは、搭載された日本独自の新型エンジンだ。Called ion engines, these new thrusters have much weaker propulsion than chemical engines, which expel jets of high-pressure gas. The power of an ion engine's thrust could only keep a 1 yen coin aloft on Earth, but it can work for long hours on far less fuel than a chemical engine needs. The ion engines were used for a total of 40,000 hours to control the probe's attitude. 　イオンエンジンと呼ばれる。高圧ガスを噴く化学エンジンなどと比べて推進力は小さい。地上で１円玉を動かす程度の力だが、少ない燃料で長期間動く。これが、のべ４万時間、機体を制御した。This, along with the automatic control technology that made it possible for the probe to land on the asteroid, demonstrates to the world how advanced Japan's technology in space exploration is. We can expect Japanese-made ion engines to be sold to other countries for use in their space probes and satellites. 　小惑星着陸を成功させた自動制御技術とともに、技術の高さを世界に示した。海外の探査機や衛星への売り込みも期待される。=== Don't block progress However, we are concerned with the next project. Development is currently stalled on Hayabusa 2, which is intended to conduct higher-level exploration of another asteroid. Learning from the lessons of Hayabusa's development, which cost 13 billion yen, the new project's budget is set at almost the same amount. 　心配なのは、次の計画だ。開発に約１３０億円をかけた「はやぶさ」の教訓を生かし、ほぼ同じ規模の予算で、別の小惑星の高度な探査を目指す「はやぶさ２」の開発が滞っている。Nonetheless, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry's budget for space exploration was cut drastically, a victim of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government's plan to make high school education free, which costs nearly 400 billion yen. 　民主党が進める高校無償化に４０００億円近くかかり、そのしわ寄せで、文部科学省の宇宙予算が大幅に削られたためだ。Funding this fiscal year for Hayabusa 2 was cut to just 30 million yen, compared with the 1.7 billion yen made in its budgetary request before the DPJ took office from the Liberal Democratic Party. はやぶさ２の今年度予算は、政権交代前の概算要求額１７億円が、３０００万円まで圧縮された。The government should spend money on a meaningful project, rather than on handout measures. 　ばらまき予算よりも、意義のある計画に予算を投じるべきだ。There could be a blank period of more than 10 years until the next space probe project, given the positional relationship between Earth and asteroids. Memories of the successful space mission could fade during this downtime. 　地球と小惑星の位置関係を考えると、次の探査機までに１０年以上の空白期が生じかねない。経験が風化してしまう。There must be no retreat in efforts to pass important technology in space exploration to the next generation of scientists and engineers, so they can improve it further. 貴重な技術を次世代につなぎ、発展させる取り組みを後退させてはならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2010) （2010年6月15日02時04分 読売新聞）

  Jun 16, 2010

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• 日本振興銀捜索　偽りだった「中小企業の味方」

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 15, 2010)Small firms' 'protector' betrayed expectations日本振興銀捜索　偽りだった「中小企業の味方」（6月14日付・読売社説）A bank trumpeted as a "protector" of small and midsize companies when it was established in 2004 has been smeared by allegations of criminal irregularities. 　中小零細企業の味方というふれこみで設立された銀行は、まさに不正まみれだった。The Financial Services Agency recently filed a criminal complaint against Incubator Bank of Japan, which specializes in providing loans to small and midsize firms. This prompted the Metropolitan Police Department to search the bank's head office and other locations last week on suspicion the bank had sabotaged an audit by the FSA, a violation of the Banking Law. 　金融庁が、中小企業向け融資を専門に手がける日本振興銀行を、立ち入り検査を妨害した銀行法違反（検査忌避）の疑いで、刑事告発した。これを受け警視庁が、振興銀の本店などを捜索した。The FSA was quite right to file a complaint. We hope the police will thoroughly investigate the alleged wrongdoing and uncover the whole truth. 　金融庁が、告発に踏み切ったのは当然である。警視庁は徹底した捜査を行い、全容を解明してもらいたい。Last month, the FSA ordered the bank to suspend part of its business for about four months after alleging its operations gravely violated the law. The agency followed this up with its criminal complaint last week. 　金融庁は先月、重大な法令違反があったとして、振興銀に約４か月の一部業務停止を命じた。これに続く告発である。The financial watchdog's additional action suggests it believes the bank's operations were so malicious that an administrative punishment alone would not suffice. 行政処分だけでは不十分と判断するほど悪質ということだろう。Former Bank of Japan official Takeshi Kimura and members of the Tokyo Junior Chamber International established the bank in 2004. 　振興銀は、日銀出身の木村剛氏が２００４年、東京青年会議所のメンバーらと開業した。By setting its interest rates higher than those offered by major commercial banks and providing loans without secured collateral, the bank touted itself as a financial institution catering to startup businesses with high growth potential. 　大手銀行よりは貸付金利が高いが、原則として無担保で、成長性のある新興企業などの金融を担うとしていた。=== Off to a bad start However, the bank quickly ran into trouble. A string of executives resigned one after another due to differences over management policy. 　ところが、路線の違いで役員らの辞任が相次ぐなど、当初から経営は迷走状態に陥った。Kimura became president in 2005 and started overseeing the bank's management by himself. The bank ran a profit for three consecutive business terms starting with the year to March 2007, but fell into the red in the term ended March 2010 with a loss of more than 5 billion yen. Kimura resigned in May to take responsibility for the bank's deteriorating performance. 　０５年には、木村氏が社長に就任して、自ら経営に乗り出した。０７年３月期決算から３年は黒字を出したものの、１０年３月期に５０億円超の赤字に転落したため、木村氏は引責辞任した。Question marks hung over the feasibility of the bank's business model of concentrating on loans to small and midsize firms. On top of that, the FSA investigation has revealed the bank's operations actually differed considerably from the management principles it had put forward. 　中小企業専門というビジネスモデルそのものに無理があったうえに、金融庁の検査で、表向きの経営理念とかけ離れた業務の実情が明るみに出た。For example, the bank allegedly purchased loan claims from financially strapped moneylenders while collecting commissions from them, and then asked these moneylenders to buy the loans back about a month later. 　例えば、資金繰りに困っている貸金業者から手数料を徴収して貸し出し債権を買い取り、約１か月後に買い戻させる取引だ。=== On a par with loan sharks On the surface, this appears to be a simple transaction of loan claims. But the commission--which for all intents and purposes was interest--translated into an annual rate of 46 percent, far above the legally allowable ceiling. This would not be out of place in a loan-shark operation. 　見かけは債権の売買だが、金利にあたる手数料は、年利に換算して４６％と、法律の上限をはるかに超える暴利だ。まるで、貸金業者相手の高利貸しである。Moreover, the bank allegedly tried to dominate management of its clients by pressing them to have a majority of seats on their board of directors occupied by people the bank recommended. If the clients refused, the bank allegedly demanded increased collateral. 　このほか、融資先に対して、取締役の過半数は振興銀が推薦する人を就けるよう迫り、経営の支配を図った。拒否すれば担保の追加を求めたという。The bank also is suspected to have covered up other irregularities, including the deletion of e-mails detailing its business transactions from the bank's server. 　業務に関する電子メールを削除するなど、一連の不正の隠蔽(いんぺい)工作もしていた。Kimura was an adviser to the FSA from October 2002 to August 2003 under Heizo Takenaka during the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He was deeply involved in the nation's financial administration. 　木村氏は、小泉政権の竹中平蔵金融相のもと、金融庁顧問を務めるなど、国の金融行政に深くかかわった人物だ。Kimura has resigned from the bank's management lineup. But he bears heavy responsibility for the alleged misconduct because he was closely involved in the bank's management for years as president and chairman. 　すでに経営陣から退いたとはいえ、社長、会長として長く振興銀を経営した責任は重い。Kimura must cooperate fully with the police in their investigation. We also urge him to come clean in public by holding a press conference or using other avenues to speak about the bank scandals. 捜査への全面協力はもちろん、記者会見などで自ら説明すべきだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2010) （2010年6月14日01時45分 読売新聞）

  Jun 15, 2010

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• 口蹄疫拡大　迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2010)Swift, steady action key to halt foot-and-mouth口蹄疫拡大　迅速で着実な防疫策がカギだ（6月13日付・読売社説）The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture has spread further from its origin and could expand to the entire prefecture. 　宮崎県で発生した家畜の伝染病、口蹄疫(こうていえき)が県内全域に広がりかねない情勢となっている。New infections have been confirmed in cities including Miyakonojo, which is located about 50 kilometers from the epidemic's locus in the eastern part of the prefecture. 　震源地の県東部から約５０キロ離れた都城市などで新たな感染が確認された。The epidemic now has reached a crucial juncture--whether the disease will spread outside the prefecture. Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited the prefecture Saturday and pledged the government would take all possible steps to support affected livestock farmers. The central and prefectural governments must strengthen epidemic prevention measures and do all they can to contain the disease. 　県外に感染が拡大するかどうかの瀬戸際である。菅首相は現地入りし、被害畜産農家の支援に万全を期す方針を示した。国と県は改めて防疫体制を強化し、封じ込めに全力を挙げねばならない。The central and prefectural governments have been trying to prevent further infection by slaughtering and burying cows and pigs on disease-affected livestock farms, as well as by restricting movement and transfer of the livestock in the vicinity. 　これまで国と県は、口蹄疫が発生した農場の牛や豚を殺して埋める処分に加え、周辺地域の家畜の移動や搬出を制限する感染防止策を取ってきた。At farms within a 10-kilometer radius of major outbreak locations, livestock that have not been infected with the disease are being vaccinated to prevent the virus from spreading and then culled. 　主要な発生地から半径１０キロ圏内は、未感染の家畜にもワクチンを接種してウイルスの発生を抑え、処分する対策も進めている。However, infections have been confirmed on farms far from the locations of the disease's initial outbreak about 50 days ago. It must be asked whether there has been any lapse in preventative measures against the disease's spread since then. 　しかし、これまでの多発地区から遠い地域に感染が飛び火した。発生から５０日あまりが経過し、防疫措置に緩みはなかったか。=== Minimize infections' impact What is now necessary is to minimize damage to areas where new infections have been detected. 　今必要なのは、新たに感染が見つかった地域の被害を最小限に食い止めることだ。The city of Ebino in the prefecture successfully contained the disease by slaughtering livestock immediately after infections were confirmed. Learning from its example, the Miyakonojo city government began culling livestock after informing the central government of certain animals' symptoms through photos, without waiting for results of genetic tests conducted by the central government. Such swift responses are necessary to deal with the disease from now on. 　えびの市は、農場で感染が確認された直後に家畜を処分し、封じ込めに成功した。その教訓を生かし、都城市は国による遺伝子検査を待たず、家畜の症例を写真で報告して処分に踏み切った。今後もこうした迅速な対応が必要だ。One of the reasons for the spread of infections seems to be the fact that the cull of cows and pigs has not been conducted smoothly because it is difficult to find people to slaughter the livestock and places to bury the animals. It is possible the virus might have spread from these livestock. Slaughter of the remaining 30,000 cows must be sped up. 　感染が拡大した一因と見られるのは、埋める土地や人の手当てがつかず、処分に手間取っている牛や豚の存在だ。これらからウイルスがまき散らされた可能性がある。残されている３万頭の処分を急がねばならない。A special law on foot-and-mouth disease that took effect June 4 allows the central government to slaughter healthy livestock without farmers' consent if necessary. The legislation aims to prevent new infections by creating a livestock-free "blank area" where animals are culled. 　４日に施行された口蹄疫対策特別措置法では、農家の同意がなくても国が健康な家畜を殺処分できるようになった。予防的に家畜を処分して空白地帯を作り、感染を防ごうという狙いだ。The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry does not plan to apply this law in areas where new infections have been confirmed. However, if infections do expand, it is inevitable that this measure would be taken. 　農林水産省は、今回新たな感染が確認された地域では適用しない方針だが、感染が拡大するようであれば、こうした措置を取ることもやむを得ないだろう。=== Find out how disease spread Also, it is an urgent task to find out why foot-and-mouth disease has spread. One theory holds that people and vehicles that visit livestock farms have slipped through designated sterilization points. Others noted the possibility soil with the virus was carried by the wind. The government should strengthen field studies by epidemic prevention experts. 　拡大の原因解明も急務だ。畜産施設を行き来する人や車などが消毒地点をすり抜けたとの説や、土壌に付着したウイルスが風で運ばれた可能性などが指摘される。防疫専門家による現地調査を強化すべきではないか。Miyakonojo produces some of the best livestock in the country. Neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture is well known for its Berkshire pigs and black cattle. The spread of the disease to Kagoshima Prefecture would immensely impact the country's livestock industry as well as adversely affect people's diets. 　都城市は全国屈指の畜産都市であり、隣接する鹿児島県も黒豚や黒牛で知られる。感染が広がれば日本の畜産業への打撃は計り知れず、国民の食生活にも影響が出よう。We hope the Kan Cabinet will place top priority on tackling foot-and-mouth disease. 菅内閣は口蹄疫問題に最優先で取り組んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 13, 2010) （2010年6月13日01時14分 読売新聞）

  Jun 14, 2010

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• 所信表明演説　超党派で財政再建に取り組め

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 13, 2010)Interparty efforts needed for fiscal reconstruction所信表明演説　超党派で財政再建に取り組め（6月12日付・読売社説）Prime Minister Naoto Kan can be praised for displaying a realistic, down-to-earth approach in his first policy speech to the Diet--unlike his predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, whose words were filled with philosophical ideas that ended up going nowhere. 　理念ばかりが先行し、空回りし続けた鳩山前首相と違って、地に足のついた現実的な政治を目指す姿勢は評価できる。However, Kan's address was short on concrete policy measures, and we have to say it was not enough. ただ、具体的な政策は乏しく、物足りなさは否めない。In Friday's speech, Kan said his most important duty was to overcome the setbacks Hatoyama suffered and regain the public's trust. 　菅首相が初の所信表明演説を行った。前首相の挫折を乗り越え、国民の信頼を回復することを自らの最大の責務と位置づけた。He listed three key items for the new Cabinet's policy agenda: "an exhaustive cleanup of the postwar government," "reviving the economy, rebuilding public finances and turning the social security system around in an integrated manner," and "a foreign and security policy grounded in a sense of responsibility." 　新内閣の政策課題として「戦後行政の大掃除の本格実施」「経済・財政・社会保障の一体的建て直し」「責任感に立脚した外交・安全保障政策」の３項目を挙げた。"An exhaustive cleanup"--referring to the administrative style of the postwar era--is a slogan initially coined by Hatoyama and used by Kan to express his intention to continue with such ongoing efforts as budget screening, elimination of wasteful spending and decentralization of power to local governments. It is not clear, however, exactly what the new administration will do to tackle these issues, or how it will do it. 　「戦後行政の大掃除」は前首相が掲げたスローガンだ。道半ばにある事業仕分けや無駄遣いの根絶、地方分権などを継承する考えを示したものだが、具体的に何にどう取り組むかは明確ではない。=== Seeking a 'third way' Kan has spoken many times recently of reconstructing the economy, public finances and social security system in an integrated manner. It hardly needs to be said that it is vital to put this nation's economy on a stable recovery track and set a course for fiscal reconstruction. 　「経済・財政・社会保障の一体的建て直し」は、菅首相が最近、一貫して主張している。日本経済を安定した回復軌道に乗せるとともに、財政再建に道筋をつけることの重要性は言うまでもない。Kan said he would pursue a "third way" to do so, rather than the "first way" in which the government pours funds into public works projects or the "second way" represented by the drive for structural reforms under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The so-called third way aims to create new demand and employment by channeling government funds raised through tax increases to social security and other areas, thereby achieving growth. 　菅首相は、公共事業中心の「第一の道」や、小泉構造改革に代表される「第二の道」に代えて、増税で得た財政資金を社会保障分野などに投入して新たな需要と雇用を創出し、成長につなげる「第三の道」を追求する、という。It will never be easy, however, to realize a strong economy--one that registers nominal annual growth of more than 3 percent--just through such an approach. 　だが、それだけで、名目成長率３％超という「強い経済」が実現するほど甘くはあるまい。Kan's policy address apparently was drawn up hastily. Nevertheless, a speech that does not establish measures to be given priority in different growth areas and map out how to reflect those measures in budgeting and policy implementation cannot be convincing. 　急造の演説とはいえ、成長分野ごとに優先順位を定め、予算や施策に反映させる方向性を示さなければ、説得力を持たない。=== Parties should join panel Kan's proposal to create a suprapartisan panel to discuss how to restore the nation's fiscal health, with an eye to carrying out drastic reform of the tax system, was appropriate. 　一方で、首相が、税制の抜本改革を視野に入れ、超党派の「財政健全化検討会議」の創設を提案したのは、妥当である。Raising the consumption tax rate is essential for this country to escape from its chronic budget deficits and secure revenue sources for social security. To tackle such important policy issues, the ruling and opposition parties should have a common understanding and build consensus. The Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties should not hesitate to join such an initiative. 　財政の赤字体質からの脱却や社会保障の財源確保には、消費税率の引き上げが欠かせない。こうした重要な政策課題については、与野党が共通の認識・合意を形成することが望ましい。自民党など野党も積極的に応じるべきだ。In the foreign and security policy arena, Kan called for "pragmatism" and said the Japan-U.S. alliance was the cornerstone of this country's diplomacy. He said he plans to visit Okinawa Prefecture on June 23 and is resolved to make progress on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in the prefecture. 　外交・安保分野で、菅首相は、「現実主義」の外交を唱え、日米同盟が「外交の基軸」と明言した。２３日に沖縄を訪問し、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の前進に自ら取り組む考えも示した。Kan apparently learned from his predecessor's negative example, as Hatoyama sought to put Japan-U.S. relations on "an equal footing" and triggered unnecessary friction and confusion. 　「対等な日米関係」を標榜(ひょうぼう)し、無用の摩擦や混乱を招いた前首相を反面教師にしたのだろう。But Kan failed to give details about what he would do to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance and improve relations with China and South Korea. ただ、同盟深化や中韓両国との関係改善のために何をするのか、といった各論への言及はなかった。A summit meeting of Group of Eight major nations is scheduled to be held later this month in Canada. The prime minister must quickly flesh out the specifics of his policy outlines. 　今月下旬にはカナダで主要国首脳会議が開かれる。各論の詰めを急がなければならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2010) （2010年6月12日01時04分 読売新聞）

  Jun 13, 2010

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• 役員報酬　大衆迎合的な個別開示の強行

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 12, 2010)役員報酬　大衆迎合的な個別開示の強行（6月11日付・読売社説）Pay disclosure law goes too farThe rule imposed by the Financial Services Agency on corporations to reveal the salaries paid to their executives must be regarded as excessive. 　役員個人の報酬額まで開示させるのは、行き過ぎだろう。In February, the FSA announced the rule requiring listed companies to disclose the names of senior officials whose annual salaries exceed 100 million yen, as well as how much they were actually paid. This rule took effect in late March. 　金融庁が上場企業に対して、報酬が１億円以上の役員の氏名や報酬額を開示するよう義務付けた。Under the FSA rule, listed corporations must release, by the end of the month, financial statement reports that include these details, if their accounts were closed in March. 　３月期決算企業の場合、該当する役員名と報酬額を記載した有価証券報告書を、今月中に公表しなければならなくなった。Admittedly, it is important to encourage corporations to disclose meaningful information as thoroughly as possible. However, great care must be taken to protect the confidentiality of corporate executives' private information. In fact, business circles, including the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), have strongly objected to the new rule. 　情報開示の充実は大切だ。しかし、プライバシー保護の点で課題も多く、日本経団連など経済界も強く反対している。It is difficult to say that the pros and cons of the rule were fully discussed before it went into effect. We believe the FSA should reconsider the propriety of obliging corporations to disclose their executives' salaries. 実施の是非について事前に論議が尽くされたとは言いがたい。金融庁は開示義務付けを見直すべきだ。=== Following the crowd Before the rule came into force, companies were only required to reveal the total amounts of salaries paid to board members. The FSA has said its decision to oblige corporations to disclose each board member's salary reflects the fact that global financial crises triggered in recent years by turmoil in the United States and some European nations raised questions about the appropriateness of hefty paychecks pocketed by corporate executives in these countries. In defending the disclosure rule, the FSA said the United States and many European nations have introduced similar regulations. 　これまでは、役員全員の報酬総額を開示すればよかった。だが、欧米発の金融危機で、高額な役員報酬が問題視されたことや、欧米ではすでに実施している国が多いことから個別開示に踏み切ったと、金融庁は説明している。The global financial crises were the end result of ill-advised decisions by executives at some U.S. and European financial institutions to carry out high-return, high-risk investment schemes, hoping to pick up large paychecks. These institutions were too extreme in paying their board members salaries in proportion to their performance. This is not the case with the large majority of Japanese corporations. 　欧米の金融機関は、役員が高額報酬欲しさに、利益率は高いがリスクも大きい投資に走り、危機を招いた。役員報酬の業績連動が極端すぎる点が問題だった。こうしたことは、ほとんどの日本企業には当てはまらない。There is a marked difference in the pay levels of Japanese, U.S. and European companies. Chief executive officers at listed corporations in the United States earn an average of 3.9 million dollars annually (about 350 million yen). There are 300 U.S. companies whose CEOs are paid an average of 10 million dollars annually (900 million yen). This is in stark contrast to the state of affairs in this country. Board members of listed corporations here are paid, on average, a modest 25 million yen annually. 　報酬の水準も違う。米国の上場企業の最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）は、平均３９０万ドル（３・５億円）で、１０００万ドル（９億円）を超える企業が３００社もある。日本の上場企業は、役員報酬の平均が２５００万円にすぎない。Shiseido Co. has voluntarily revealed the salaries paid to three board members. The major cosmetics manufacturer's president and another executive receive more than 100 million yen in annual salaries. Shiseido has reason to pay annual salaries on this scale, given its status as a large corporation. 　資生堂が３人の役員報酬を自主開示し、社長ら２人が１億円以上だった。大企業のトップクラスなら１億円以上もいるだろう。=== Privacy concerns A key sticking point in corporate disclosure is whether company shareholders have suffered losses through disproportionately high salaries paid to the firm's executives, compared with the company's size and business performance. This objective could be achieved under the old rule that only required disclosure of the total sum of salaries paid to board members. 　チェックすべきは、会社の規模や業績に比べて報酬が異常に高すぎ、株主の利益を損なっていないかだ。それなら、従来の総額開示で、事は足りる。There are concerns that including personal information, such as individual corporate officials' salaries, in financial statement reports could open the door to wrongdoing. These reports can be easily seen by anyone using the Internet. Access to this information online could encourage crimes targeting these officials. 　報酬額という個人情報を、不特定多数の人がネットで簡単に見られる有価証券報告書に載せることの副作用が心配だ。例えば犯罪などの助長である。Several years ago, the government decided not to disclose a list of the nation's highest taxpayers. This was because a stream of top taxpayers had been singled out as targets of telephone fraud and harassment. We fear the FSA's disclosure rule could spark similar abuses. 　所得税の「長者番付」が廃止されたのは、振り込め詐欺などの犯罪や、嫌がらせの標的にされる例が後を絶たなかったためだ。同じ轍(てつ)は踏まないだろうか。When the FSA proposed the new rule in February, it sought opinions from the public about it. As it turned out, the financial watchdog body received many objections to the rule. However, financial services minister Shizuka Kamei enforced the rule without setting a grace period. "If [a company] doesn't want its [board members'] hefty paychecks made known to the public, they could be reduced," Kamei said. 　金融庁が今年２月、個別開示案を示した際、意見募集に多くの反対意見が寄せられた。だが、亀井金融相は「世間に知れて困るなら報酬を下げればよい」などとして、猶予期間も設けず実施した。The rule has been implemented too forcibly and hastily. The disclosure requirement--apparently intended to play to the gallery by taking a swipe at large corporations--is little more than a form of populism. 　あまりに強引かつ拙速だ。これでは、大企業たたきで喝采(かっさい)を得ようとする、ポピュリズム（大衆迎合）政治そのものではないか。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 11, 2010) （2010年6月11日02時07分 読売新聞）

  Jun 12, 2010

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• 国会延長問題　予算委での政策論争が必要だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 11, 2010)Hold policy debates at budget committees国会延長問題　予算委での政策論争が必要だ（6月10日付・読売社説）With less than a week to go before the end of the ordinary Diet session, the question on many people's lips is: Will it be extended? 　通常国会の会期が残り１週間を切り、会期を延長するかどうかが焦点となっている。The People's New Party, a junior member of the ruling coalition, is pressing the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration to extend the session so the bill on the postal services reform can be passed into law. 　国民新党は、郵政改革法案を今国会で成立させるべきだとして、会期延長を主張している。The opposition parties also want the government to extend the session, but for a different reason. They want the Diet budget committees to discuss such issues as political funds scandals, including one involving former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, and the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 　野党各党も、小沢一郎・民主党前幹事長らの「政治とカネ」の問題や、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などをテーマに、会期を延長してでも予算委員会を開催するよう求めている。However, appeals for an extension of the Diet session are falling on deaf ears as far as the DPJ is concerned. The prevailing view in the party is that Prime Minister Naoto Kan should deliver his policy speech followed by interpellations on that speech by representatives of political parties, and the session should then be closed on June 16 as scheduled. 　これに対し民主党は会期延長に消極的で、党内には、首相の所信表明演説と代表質問だけで国会を閉会すべきだとの意見が強い。This view is based on the belief that it would be advantageous for the party to hold the House of Councillors election on July 11, by closing the Diet on schedule, while the public approval rating of the newly inaugurated Kan Cabinet remains high. 　菅内閣の支持率が高いうちに、１６日に国会を終え、７月１１日投開票の日程で参院選を実施した方が有利、と判断しているようだ。=== Q&A sessions needed It is true the Diet session is nearing its end, but the nation's politics is in an abysmal state with the recent change in prime ministers. 　会期末とはいえ、首相交代という異例の事態である。Kan should first present the policy targets his Cabinet wants to aim for and explain what concrete actions are needed to implement them. 菅首相が真っ先になすべきは、内閣として取り組む政策目標を提示して、それを実施する具体的な道筋を明らかにすることだ。Also, to clarify points of contention in the upper house election, the ruling and opposition parties should debate their policies. 　参院選の争点を明確化するためにも、与野党が積極的に政策論争を行うことが求められる。Interpellations on Kan's policy speech, which would be basically in the form of a "one-way" question-and-answer session, are hardly sufficient in providing a thorough understanding of the prime minister's political stance or diplomatic issues in general. 　質問と答弁が一方通行の代表質問では、首相の政治姿勢や内政・外交全般にわたる考え方は十分わからない。It would be much better to hold budget committee sessions so the views of both sides could be exchanged in a question-and-answer format. やはり予算委を開催して、一問一答形式で双方向の議論をかわすべきだ。A party that only considers its relative advantages in an election deprives its rivals of an opportunity to present their viewpoints. 　論戦の機会を奪い、選挙の得失だけを考える。This reminds us of political developments in the Taisho (1912-1926) and early Showa (1926-1989) eras, when major parties, including Rikken Seiyukai (the Friends of Constitutional Government Party) and Rikken Minseito (the Constitutional Democratic Party), alternately held the reins of government and dissolved the House of Representatives rather than answer questions posed by their rivals. This led the people to lose trust in party politics. そうした姿勢は、大正から昭和初期にかけ、政友会と民政党などが、交互に野党側の質疑をさえぎる形で衆院解散を繰り返し、政党政治への信頼を失墜させたことを想起させる。=== Diet debates will help voters Like the latest development, prime ministers changed during the ordinary Diet session in 2000 with Yoshiro Mori assuming the top post. At that time, however, his policy speech and interpellations were followed by question-and-answer sessions at the budget committees of both houses of the Diet before the lower house was dissolved for a general election. 　今回同様、通常国会中に首相が交代した２０００年の森首相の場合、所信表明演説と代表質問だけでなく、衆参両院の予算委で質疑に応じてから衆院を解散し、総選挙に臨んでいる。With a change in prime ministers, it is only reasonable for an administration to offer voters more information to decide, through Diet debates, how to cast their ballots. The DPJ should support the call for budget committee sessions. 　首相が交代した以上、国会論戦を通じて、有権者が１票を行使するための判断材料を提供するのは当然のことだ。民主党は予算委員会の開催に応じるべきだ。The issue concerning the political funds scandals remains unanswered. 　「政治とカネ」の問題も、置き去りにされている。The Deliberative Council on Political Ethics at the Diet, which Ozawa had earlier showed his intention of attending to clarify the extent of the political funds scandal he is involved in, has yet to be held. 　小沢氏がいったんは出席の意向を示した政治倫理審査会も開催されないままだ。If the Diet closes without the council meeting, the Kan administration will be criticized for keeping everything in the dark. これで国会を閉じれば、「疑惑隠し」のそしりは免れまい。When the DPJ was in the opposition camp, Kan tenaciously questioned the government during budget committee sessions. Kan is an experienced debater and will disgrace himself if he becomes defensive now that he is prime minister. 　菅首相は野党時代、予算委で政府を厳しく追及してきた。首相に就任したとたん、守勢に回るのでは、論客の名が泣くだろう。We hope the prime minister will go on the offensive and exchange verbal blows with representatives from the opposition parties. 攻めの姿勢で野党との論戦に臨んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2010) （2010年6月10日01時23分 読売新聞）

  Jun 11, 2010

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• 菅内閣発足　国家戦略を明確に示す時だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2010)Kan must present clear national strategy菅内閣発足　国家戦略を明確に示す時だ（6月9日付・読売社説）Japan's new administration must not repeat the mistakes of the previous cabinet, which betrayed people's expectations as it lost its way and stumbled from blunder to blunder. The new government must drastically change the policies and policy methods adopted by its predecessor. 　迷走と失政を重ね、国民の期待を失望に変えた前内閣の轍(てつ)を踏んではなるまい。その政策と政治手法を大胆に転換する決断が求められる。Prime Minister Naoto Kan's Cabinet was inaugurated Tuesday. At a press conference the same day, Kan stressed the importance of economic management. "We'll build a strong economy, strong government finances and strong social security programs at the same time," he said. Kan also said that on the diplomatic front, his administration would uphold the principle that the Japan-U.S. alliance forms the foundation of Japan's foreign policy. 　菅内閣が８日、発足した。　菅直人首相は記者会見で、経済運営について「経済、財政、社会保障を一体で強くしていく」と改めて強調した。外交面では「日米同盟を基軸とする原則は、しっかりと続ける」と明言した。However, these explanations still leave unclear what form Kan wants the country to take and what specific measures he plans to implement. As an initial step, he should present a comprehensive national strategy. 　ただ、こうした説明だけでは、菅首相がどういう日本を目指し、そのためにどんな具体策を講じるのかは明確でない。まず、骨太の国家戦略を明示してほしい。=== Boost Prime Minister's Office 　◆首相官邸を機能させよ◆The new prime minister has made no secret of his intention to rid the government of the influence of Ichiro Ozawa, the former Democratic Party of Japan secretary general, through his choices of Cabinet members and key party posts. This has buoyed the party's public support rate and raised expectations the nation could be about to enter a period of "new politics." 　菅首相が閣僚・党役員人事を通じて、「小沢支配」排除の姿勢を打ち出したことは、民主党への支持を回復させ、「新しい政治」への期待を高めている。When Kan was a member of the opposition bloc, he earned a reputation as a skilled polemicist feared by government officials. However, after the DPJ came to power last year, Kan failed to make any substantial achievements as a member of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet, where he served as state minister in charge of national policy and then as finance minister. As prime minister, Kan will have to steadily produce tangible results. Failure to do so will see public support quickly slip away. 　菅首相は野党時代、政府を追及する能力に定評があったが、鳩山内閣の国家戦略相や財務相としての実績は今ひとつだった。今後は首相として、着実に成果を上げなければ、世論の支持も長続きしないだろう。Since 2007, this country has seen prime ministers come and go each year. Such instability makes it impossible to reform key areas, such as fiscal reconstruction, the social security system and decentralization. Japan has been unable to craft relations of trust with leaders of other countries, which could erode this nation's status in the international community. 　２００７年以降、首相が毎年交代している。こんな不安定な状況では、財政再建や社会保障制度見直し、地方分権などの抜本改革は望めない。他国の首脳との信頼関係も築けず、国際社会における日本の存在感は一層低下しかねない。Yoshito Sengoku, state minister in charge of national policy in the Hatoyama Cabinet, has been appointed chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal Cabinet post. 　内閣の要の官房長官には、仙谷由人国家戦略相が起用された。Though the previous Cabinet called for politicians to lead the government, the Prime Minister's Office, which was supposed to spearhead this effort, did not function properly. Hatoyama did not exert leadership, and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano was unable to play his role as a coordinator in the government. 　前内閣は、「政治主導」を標榜(ひょうぼう)しながら、肝心の首相官邸が機能しなかった。鳩山前首相は指導力を発揮せず、平野前官房長官も総合調整役を果たせなかった。Consequently, many bureaucrats have become very self-protective--they do not act until they receive instructions from politicians. 　官僚も、「政治家から指示を受けるまで、自分からは動かない」という守りの姿勢に陥った。Kan and Sengoku must reflect on this point and enable politicians to make good use of the bureaucratic structure while ensuring the Prime Minister's Office still makes decisions on key issues. 　菅・仙谷コンビは、この反省を踏まえ、官僚機構を使いこなし、節目では首相官邸が決断を下す体制を構築する必要がある。Cooperation between the government and ruling parties also will be important. In the previous government, Ozawa often overturned cabinet decisions. In effect, the principle that the Cabinet would uniformly make policy decisions turned out to exist in name only. 　与党との連携も重要だ。前政権では、内閣の方針が小沢一郎前幹事長に覆され、「政策決定の内閣一元化」は有名無実化した。To rectify this situation, Kan and Sengoku will need to keep in close contact with DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano and Policy Research Committee Chairman Koichiro Gemba, who also serves as state minister in charge of civil service reform. 　それを改めるには、首相や仙谷長官と、枝野幹事長や、公務員制度改革相兼務の玄葉政調会長らとの緊密な調整が不可欠だ。The new government's most pressing task is to review the pledges the DPJ made for last year's House of Representatives election. The pledges included a lineup of handout policies, such as child-rearing allowances, and abolition of expressway tolls. 　当面なすべきは、参院選に向けて、昨年の衆院選の政権公約を大幅に修正することだ。政権公約は子ども手当、高速道路の無料化などバラマキ政策に満ちている。===

  Jun 10, 2010

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• 民主党新執行部　「小沢支配」脱し開かれた党に

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 9, 2010)DPJ must eliminate Ozawa's influence民主党新執行部　「小沢支配」脱し開かれた党に（6月8日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan must completely change its culture, which has allegedly been controlled by former Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, to regain the public confidence lost under the regime of Ozawa and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. 　鳩山首相―小沢幹事長の「小鳩」体制で失った民主党の信頼を回復するには、「小沢支配」と言われる党の体質を根本から改める必要がある。New DPJ President and Prime Minister Naoto Kan has chosen his party's new leadership, appointing Yukio Edano, former state minister in charge of government revitalization, to the powerful post of secretary general. Edano has worked with Kan since the days when they both belonged to the now-defunct New Party Sakigake. 　菅・新首相は、党執行部人事を決定した。　幹事長には、新党さきがけ時代から行動を共にしてきた枝野幸男行政刷新相を起用した。Kan also appointed Jun Azumi, chairman of the House of Representatives Security Committee, as head of the party's Election Campaign Committee. Like Edano, Azumi has been critical of Ozawa. 　選挙対策委員長には、枝野氏同様、小沢氏に批判的だった安住淳衆院安全保障委員長を充てた。=== Return power to the govt These appointments seem to indicate that Kan is trying to personally direct election campaign measures and Diet affairs through Edano and Azumi, areas that were controlled by Ozawa. 　小沢氏が掌握してきた選挙と国会対策を、枝野、安住両氏を通じて自ら指揮するためだろう。Many DPJ members have kept silent about the money-and-politics scandal involving the former secretary general because Ozawa had too much authority in selecting the party's official candidates and distributing election campaign funds. 　小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題に多くの民主党議員が沈黙し続けた背景には、公認候補の選定や選挙資金の分配などの権限が小沢氏に集中していたことがある。"I'll drastically increase the transparency of party management," Edano said after being named DPJ secretary general. He will be expected to eliminate Ozawa's influence and get the party back into shape for the House of Councillors election to be held this summer. 　枝野幹事長は「党運営の徹底した透明化を進める」と表明した。小沢氏の影響力を排除しつつ、参院選に向けて党を立て直すことが求められる。Kan resurrected the party's Policy Research Committee, which had been disbanded at Ozawa's initiative, and appointed Koichiro Gemba, chairman of the lower house Financial Affairs Committee, as its chairman. Gemba also has kept his distance from Ozawa. 　菅新首相は、小沢氏主導で廃止された政策調査会の会長ポストを復活させ、小沢氏に距離を置いてきた玄葉光一郎衆院財務金融委員長を起用した。Gemba also was named state minister in charge of civil service reform. This unconventional appointment aims at making Gemba a bridge between the Cabinet and the DPJ and at mending relations between them, which apparently became strained during the Hatoyama administration. 　玄葉氏は公務員改革相も兼務するという。この異例の人事は、玄葉氏を内閣と党の橋渡し役とし、鳩山政権で目立った内閣と与党のギクシャクした関係を再構築する狙いがある。Ozawa dissolved the party's Policy Research Committee and made the secretary general's office the sole window for policy petitions from regions and industries. 　小沢氏は、政調を廃止する一方で、地方や業界からの政策陳情の窓口を幹事長室に一本化した。Ozawa's voice of authority made the government withdraw its plans to abolish provisionally higher gasoline and other tax rates during the compilation of this fiscal year's budget. The DPJ also reversed the policy decided on by the government concerning revision of expressway toll discounts. 　今年度予算編成では、ガソリン税などの暫定税率廃止の撤回が、小沢氏の鶴の一声で決まった。高速道路料金の割引制度見直しでは、政府が決めた方針を党が覆す事態も起きた。This abnormal situation where the DPJ has more power than the government must be corrected. 　異常な「党高政低」を是正することが重要だ。=== Stop high-handed approach Shinji Tarutoko, chairman of the lower house Environment Committee and Kan's sole challenger in Friday's DPJ presidential election, was tapped to be chief of the party's Diet Affairs Committee. 　国会対策委員長には、民主党代表選を争った樽床伸二衆院環境委員長を充てた。On the surface, this appointment may look like a gesture of respect to Tarutoko, who won a certain amount of votes in the presidential election. Its real aim, however, is said to be removing Kenji Yamaoka, who is directly connected to Ozawa, from the post of Diet affairs chief. 代表選で一定の票を獲得した樽床氏を遇した格好だが、実際の狙いは、小沢氏直系の山岡賢次氏を国対委員長から外すことにあるとみられている。Ozawa's high-handed approach to Diet affairs management was also criticized strongly. 　国会運営でも、小沢氏の強引な手法に対する批判は強かった。The DPJ has been neglecting repeated demands by opposition parties to summon Ozawa and others embroiled in the money-and-politics scandal to testify before the Diet. It also refused to hold intensive Diet deliberations on the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, although the opposition parties requested them. 　民主党は、「政治とカネ」の問題について、小沢氏ら関係者の国会招致を野党から重ねて要求されながら、無視してきた。　野党が求める米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などの集中審議にも、応じてこなかった。The DPJ must revise its way of managing Diet affairs, which currently relies on the force of numbers and slights deliberations. 　「数の力」に頼り、審議を軽視するような国会運営のあり方も見直す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2010) （2010年6月8日01時18分 読売新聞）

  Jun 9, 2010

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• 菅・新首相　景気と財政再建の両立を図れ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 8, 2010)Fiscal fix must be part of business recovery菅・新首相　景気と財政再建の両立を図れ（6月6日付・読売社説）Putting the economy on a stable course and rehabilitating the state finances--Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan will have his work cut out as he tries to steer the national economy. 　景気を安定軌道に乗せ財政も立て直す――。　日本経済のかじ取りで菅直人新首相に課せられた使命である。Kan must make growth compatible with fiscal reconstruction by adopting a flexible approach and breaking free from the Hatoyama administration's obsession with giving top priority to delivering on campaign pledges. 　鳩山内閣が陥った政権公約（マニフェスト）至上主義を脱し、柔軟な発想で、成長と財政再建の両立を図るべきだ。At the news conference last week where Kan announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Democratic Party of Japan, he spoke of his intention to improve the nation's fiscal health. "We'll seek to stop state debt from continuing to increase indefinitely," he said. Kan needs to translate this idea into concrete shape--starting with the fiscal 2011 budget. 　新首相は、民主党代表選に向けた会見で、「無限に借金が増えるような方向性は正していく」と、財政健全化に意欲を示した。ならば、２０１１年度予算でさっそく具体化する必要があろう。Kan, as deputy prime minister and finance minister in the Hatoyama Cabinet, has already made moves to fix the huge fiscal deficit. He has spoken, for example, of capping the new issuance of government bonds in the fiscal 2011 budget at less than the 44 trillion yen issued in fiscal 2010. 　副総理・財務相在任当時から、菅新首相はすでに布石を打っていた。１１年度予算における国債の新規発行額を、１０年度の４４兆円以下に抑えたい、と述べたことだ。Unless the government puts the brakes on government bond issuance, long-term debts held by central and local governments--which are predicted to reach a staggering 862 trillion yen as of the end of fiscal 2010--are expected to further swell, thereby eroding confidence in government bonds. 　国債発行に一定の歯止めをかけなければ、１０年度末で８６２兆円に達する国と地方の長期債務の膨張が続き、国債の信用が失われかねないのが現実だ。Having attended several international conferences as finance minister, Kan might have recognized anew the serious fiscal conditions gripping Japan. At any rate, we welcome his statement in favor of "holding down government bond issues to below 44 trillion yen." 　財務相として一連の国際会議に出席し、我が国の財政事情の深刻さを再認識させられたことも背景にある。「国債発行４４兆円以下」発言を一応は評価したい。=== Cut spending first The bond issuance worth about 44 trillion yen for the current fiscal year is the largest ever projected in an initial budget. The most pressing task for the government will be to reduce its bond issuance. 　だが、これでも当初予算の国債発行額としては史上最高だ。４４兆円を上限に、これをどう減額していくかが肝要である。First and foremost, spending should be reined in as much as possible. The fiscal 2010 budget became bloated due to hand-out policies pledged in the DPJ's manifesto for last year's general election. Among them are child-rearing allowances, income compensation for individual farmers and making public high school tuition free. 　最初に取り組むべきは、歳出の抑制だ。１０年度予算は、マニフェストに盛り込まれた政策が歳出を膨らませた。子ども手当、農家に対する戸別所得補償、高校授業料の実質無償化などである。Such pork-barrel measures cannot be allowed to continue. Kan must trim waste and not blindly adhere to policies promised in the party's manifesto. 　こうしたバラマキを続けることは不可能だ。マニフェストへのこだわりを捨て、真の無駄減らしに取り組む必要がある。Raising the consumption tax rate will be a surefire source of revenue. The consumption tax will be indispensable for helping to meet social security costs that have been soaring by nearly 1 trillion yen annually. 　歳入確保の面では、消費税率の引き上げが避けられない。毎年、１兆円規模で増え続ける社会保障費を賄う財源としても、消費税は極めて重要だ。=== Make tax hike a poll issue Some people suggest such a tax increase could adversely affect the economy. Kan, however, has brushed off such concerns, saying the economy will improve if additional revenue accruing from a tax increase is used to improve medical and nursing care treatment, which will create new jobs in these fields. 　増税による景気への影響も懸念されるが、新首相は、増収分を医療・介護の充実などに回せば雇用が創出され、景気は良くなるとの見方を示している。If Kan genuinely believes this, we suggest he seek the people's mandate on the advisability of raising the consumption tax in this summer's House of Councillors election. If voters give their consent to this policy in the election, Kan must start working out concrete measures to implement the tax increase while paying close attention to business trends and conditions. 　そう言う以上、夏の参院選で消費税率引き上げの是非を国民に問うてはどうか。理解を得たと判断すれば、景気動向に目配りしながら、具体案作りに入るべきだ。Equally important will be compilation of guidelines on a "medium-term fiscal framework" and a "fiscal management strategy." The former will set a three-year blueprint for budgets starting with fiscal 2011, while the latter will spell out a longer-term fiscal management strategy. Both are being put together in tandem with compilation of the DPJ's campaign pledges for the forthcoming election. 　参院選の公約取りまとめ作業と並行して進む、「中期財政フレーム」と「財政運営戦略」という二つの指針作りも重要である。　前者は１１年度から３年間の予算の大枠を決め、後者は中長期的な財政運営の道筋を描くものだ。The content of the two guidelines will give us a clear idea of the incoming prime minister's resolve on fiscal reconstruction. 二つの指針の中身次第で、新首相のやる気が判断されよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2010) （2010年6月6日01時43分 読売新聞）

  Jun 8, 2010

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• News Navigator: Why are corporate executives' remunerations disclosed?

  (Mainichi Japan) June 4, 2010News Navigator: Why are corporate executives' remunerations disclosed?質問なるほドリ：なぜ高額の役員報酬が公表されるの？＝回答・中井正裕　＜ＮＥＷＳ　ＮＡＶＩＧＡＴＯＲ＞The Mainichi answers common questions that readers may have about why corporate executives who receive high-level remunerations are identified and their amounts disclosed.（何故高額の役員報酬が公表されるのか毎日新聞がお答えします）　◇不適切な経営判断けん制　基準は米国参考「年１億円以上」　◆なぜ高額の役員報酬が公表されるの？Question: Major cosmetics company Shiseido Co. has recently announced the amount of its president's remuneration. Is it a rare move?　なるほドリ　大手化粧品メーカーの資生堂が、社長の報酬額を発表したけど、珍しいの？Answer: Japanese listed companies are supposed to disclose their business performance and financial situation in their annual financial reports. Even though all listed firms are legally required to announce the total amount of their board members' remunerations, they were not mandated at all to specify the amounts of individual board members' remunerations until recently. Therefore, most of the companies have withheld such information even though some companies, including semiconductor supplier Tokyo Electron Ltd., have voluntarily disclosed their chief executive officers' remuneration in their financial statements.　記者　日本の上場企業は毎年、金融商品取引法に基づき、事業状況や財務内容などを有価証券報告書で公表します。報告書には役員報酬の総額を記載しなくてはなりませんが、それぞれがいくらもらったかの「個別開示」は義務付けられていませんでした。東京エレクトロンなど、報告書で自主的に代表取締役の報酬を明らかにしている企業もありますが、ほとんどの日本企業は個別開示していないのです。Q: How about listed companies in the United States?　Ｑ　米国の上場企業は個別開示しているの？A: They publicize remunerations for their top five board members, who have earned the largest amounts of pay over the previous three years. In Britain, listed firms announce all individual board members' remunerations. Most major industrialized democracies including Canada, Germany, France and Italy have their own regulations on the announcement of individual corporate executives' remunerations. The move is aimed at discouraging companies from paying excessive amounts of compensation to executives when their business performance is slumping.　Ａ　報酬額トップ５人の過去３年間分を開示しています。英国では役員全員の個別報酬を公表しています。そのほか、カナダ、ドイツ、フランス、イタリアなど主要先進国の多くが個別開示のルールを定めています。「業績不振にもかかわらず、トップに巨額報酬を支払ってしまう」などの不適切な経営判断をけん制するのが狙いです。Q: In Western countries, the transparency of board members' remunerations has been encouraged, hasn't it?　Ｑ　欧米各国では、役員報酬の透明化が進んでいるんだね。A: In Japan, too, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) revised regulations on the standards for information to be disclosed in companies' financial statements to obligate firms to identify their board members and auditors who earn at least 100 million yen a year and specify their exact amounts.　Ａ　日本でも金融庁が３月、報告書の公表基準を定める内閣府令を改正し、年間１億円以上の報酬を受けた取締役や監査役の名前と金額の公表を義務付けました。The new rules apply to corporate financial statements for fiscal 2009 that must be submitted to authorities by the end of June, or later. Some business leaders voiced opposition to the move due to privacy concerns, but the FSA justified it on the grounds that listed companies, for which numerous shareholders invest their funds, have a public mission and should publicize their specific information on relations between their business performances and remunerations for their executives.６月末が提出期限となる１０年３月期の有価証券報告書から適用されます。経済界からは、プライバシー保護などを理由に反対の声が上がりましたが、金融庁は「多数の株主が投資する上場会社は、公的存在。業績と報酬の関係について具体的に情報開示すべきだ」と説明しています。Behind the move is the fact that State Minister for Financial Services Shizuka Kamei expressed displeasure at the fact that Shinsei Bank that ran deeply in the red last fiscal year pays huge amounts of compensation to board members who are from a foreign company that holds a stake in the bank. "Its president gets a mere 9 million yen, but each board member from a foreign stakeholder earn a ridiculously high remuneration of 150 million yen," Kamei complained.また、１０年３月期に巨額赤字を計上した新生銀行に対し、亀井静香金融相が「社長は９００万円なのに、外資（出身の役員）が１億５０００万円ぐらいのべらぼうな報酬を取っている」と不快感を表明したことも背景にあるようです。Q: Why are only those who earn over 100 million yen subject to the rules?　Ｑ　なぜ、１億円以上なの？A: The agency made the decision considering that the figure is the average amount of remunerations paid to chief executives officers of listed companies in the United States. However, the levels of remunerations for Japanese listed companies are lower than those in the United States and Europe. Fulltime board members of Japanese listed firms receive approximately 25 million yen on average. Therefore, most of Japanese listed companies will unlikely be required to disclose their individual board members' remunerations.　Ａ　米国の上場企業の最高経営責任者（ＣＥＯ）がもらっている報酬水準を参考にしたそうです。でも、日本の上場企業の役員報酬は欧米企業に比べて低く、常勤の取締役で平均２５００万円程度。日本の場合、ほとんどの企業が「開示対象なし」となる見通しです。It is also notable that the new rules obligate listed companies to disclose their standards for calculating their executives' remunerations and how to determine the amounts. In other words, listed companies are required to fulfill their accountability for how they decide on compensation for their executives. (Answers by Masahiro Nakai, Economic News Department)もう一つ注目したいのが、役員報酬の算定基準や決定方法の公表を新たに義務付けたこと。役員報酬をどのように決めているのかについて、企業側は説明責任を果たさなくてはなりません。（経済部）毎日新聞　2010年6月4日　東京朝刊

  Jun 7, 2010

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• 菅・新首相選出　日米同盟と経済を立て直せ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 6, 2010)Kan must revive economy, restore alliance with U.S.菅・新首相選出　日米同盟と経済を立て直せ（6月5日付・読売社説）It was a very hasty selection of the national leader. Naoto Kan, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, was elected prime minister Friday afternoon, only two days after outgoing Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation. 　いかにもにわか仕立てである。鳩山首相の退陣表明からわずか２日後、後継首相に菅直人・民主党代表が選出された。People may worry about a leader who is elected in such a way. To dispel these concerns, Prime Minister-elect Kan must put all his effort into patching up the strained Japan-U.S. alliance, which is the linchpin of this country's foreign policy and security, as well as turning around the Japanese economy. 　これで大丈夫なのか、そんな懸念を払拭(ふっしょく)するためにも、菅・新首相は、外交・安全保障の基軸である日米同盟関係の修復と、日本経済の立て直しに全力を挙げねばならない。=== Strategic view important 　◆戦略的視点が重要だKan, who entered politics after he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 on the ticket of the now-defunct United Social Democratic Party, has been called a "politician of the people." It is true that the common sense of ordinary people is important. 　社会民主連合から初当選し、政界入りした菅新首相は、「市民派」の政治家と言われてきた。確かに市民感覚も大切である。However, we hope Kan, as national leader, will strive to manage politics from a broad and strategic standpoint that protects people's safety and security and attaches great importance to national interests. 　しかし、今後は、国家指導者として、国民の安全と安心を守り、国益を重視するという大局的、戦略的な視点からの政治運営に努めてほしい。Prior to the prime ministerial votes Friday, Kan beat Shinji Tarutoko, chairman of the lower house Environment Committee, by a wide margin in the DPJ presidential election. 　首相指名選挙に先立つ民主党代表選で、菅新首相は、樽床伸二衆院環境委員長を大差で破った。Kan's turn has finally come round, as Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, with whom Kan formed a troika, have both resigned. 　鳩山、菅、小沢幹事長の３氏による「トロイカ体制」のうち、「小・鳩」の２氏が退陣し、残る菅氏にお鉢が回ってきた。Kan drew public attention when he dealt with the issue of HIV-tainted blood products as health minister in the 1990s. He founded the original DPJ with Hatoyama in 1996 and realized its 2003 merger with the Liberal Party, which was led by Ozawa. 　新首相は、厚相として薬害エイズ問題に取り組んで注目を浴びた。鳩山首相とともに民主党を結党し、小沢氏が党首だった自由党との合併も実現した。Kan garnered broad support from the DPJ in its recent election, probably because of his varied political career and his high name recognition. 　今回、党内の幅広い支持を集めたのも、多彩な政治経歴と高い知名度のためだろう。But the DPJ presidential election lacked policy debates between the two contenders. Does the DPJ really think it will be able to make a fresh start without examining the mistakes made by the Hatoyama administration? 　それにしても党代表選では、政策論議が乏しかった。民主党は鳩山政権の失敗の検証なくして出直しができると、本当に考えているのだろうか。Kan has started working on appointments to the cabinet and to party executive positions. It is important for Kan to eliminate the dual power structure under which someone can pull strings from behind the scenes to control the prime minister, as Ozawa did. 　菅新首相は、内閣・党役員人事に着手した。ここでは、小沢幹事長のように背後から首相をコントロールする「二重権力」構造を排除することが大事だ。===

  Jun 6, 2010

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• 野口さん帰還　フロンティア開拓に生かそう

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 5, 2010)Continue exploring the frontier of space野口さん帰還　フロンティア開拓に生かそう（6月4日付・読売社説）Astronaut Soichi Noguchi has returned to Earth after an extended stay on the International Space Station. He was in orbit for 163 days, the longest mission ever by a Japanese astronaut. 　国際宇宙ステーションに長期滞在していた宇宙飛行士の野口聡一さんが地球に無事帰還した。　宇宙滞在期間は１６３日間にも及ぶ。日本人としてこれまでで最も長い。"The Earth air is refreshing," Noguchi said immediately after his return. He also spoke about Earth's gravity, saying he felt like "something's wrong with my neck." 　帰還直後には「地球の空気はおいしい」と感想を述べた。久々の地球の重力に、「首に違和感がある」とも漏らしていた。The ISS is the front line of humankind's advancement into space, a harsh frontier. We appreciate Noguchi's continued efforts to send footage to the Earth with a smile during his stay in space. 　ステーションは人類の宇宙進出の最前線だ。改めて過酷なフロンティアと思う。それでも宇宙滞在中、笑顔で映像を送り続けた野口さんに、お疲れ様と言いたい。Noguchi carried out numerous experiments that could only be done in space. He cultivated muscle fibers in a weightless environment, for example, to further the study of muscular diseases. He also worked to grow enzyme crystals to help develop new materials. All this produced valuable data. 　宇宙でしかできない実験も多数こなした。筋肉の病気研究のため無重力で筋肉繊維を育てたり、新材料開発のため結晶を作ったりして貴重なデータを得ている。Noguchi's tests also included taking medicine himself. 自ら薬剤を飲む実験もあった。Japanese astronauts are scheduled to stay on the ISS for extended periods next year and the year after that. Will it be possible to conduct advanced tests that would require more time but could produce results that could be used more effectively? 　来年、再来年も日本人の長期滞在が予定されている。　もっと時間はかかるが、より有効利用できる高度な実験はできないものか。The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is involved in the U.S-led ISS project, and should make the best use of Noguchi's experiences to ensure that astronauts staying on the ISS can produce even more fruitful results. 　ステーション計画を担う宇宙航空研究開発機構は、宇宙滞在をさらに実りあるものにするよう、野口さんの経験を生かすべきだ。=== Project's value questioned In recent years, objections have been raised about the ISS project, the operational costs of which include an annual Japanese contribution of 40 billion yen. This is because only a few of the experimental achievements made on the ISS have been used for industrial purposes. 　日本だけで年に４００億円の運営経費を要するステーション計画には、最近、異論が多い。　宇宙実験の成果が産業化につながる例が限られているためだ。Making matters worse, U.S. President Barack Obama said early this year--to the confusion of many--that instead of keeping the station in place until the end of 2015, as initially planned, the ISS operation would likely be extended for at least five years after that. 　加えて、オバマ米大統領が今年初め、２０１５年までとしてきたステーションの運用期間を、最低でも５年延長する方針を打ち出したことが波紋を広げている。Even by simple arithmetic, this would require Japan to increase its contribution by more than 200 billion yen. With this in mind, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has started considering whether to continue our nation's involvement in the ISS project when its operations are extended. 　日本は単純計算でも２０００億円以上のコスト増になる。延長後も継続して参加するか、文部科学省が検討を始めたところだ。Skeptics also note that the aging U.S. space shuttle fleet will be decommissioned by the end of the year, requiring astronauts to rely on Russia for transportation to and from the ISS. 　老朽化した米スペースシャトルが年内で退役し、人の輸送がロシア頼りになることも、懸念材料となっている。=== Russia raising prices The Russian Soyuz spacecraft was used to transport Noguchi to the ISS from Earth and carry him back. It is distinct from U.S. space shuttles in that an astronaut plunges through the atmosphere in a Soyuz capsule, while shuttles sail through the air like winged planes. 　野口さんも今回、行き帰りともロシアのソユーズ宇宙船に搭乗した。翼があり飛行機のように滑空するシャトルとは異なり、ソユーズは、人がカプセルに乗り込んで大気圏に突入する。Russia has proposed an increase in the cost of transport via the Soyuz, a spaceship that has been used since the initial stage of space development and gained international recognition for its safety--as if to take advantage of other ISS participants' weakness in this area. A rise in transport expenditures could increase the costs of the whole ISS project. 　宇宙開発初期から運用され、安全性は高いが、ロシアは、他国の足元を見るかのように、輸送費用の値上げを言い出した。計画全体のコストが上昇しかねない。In response, the government has devised a plan to shore up this country's research and development regarding space exploration, with a view to building its own manned spacecraft. The government has said such a project will require an estimated 90 billion yen. 　そんな中、政府は、日本独自の有人宇宙船開発を視野に基盤となる研究開発を充実させる方針も打ち出した。９００億円の予算が必要と試算している。Building a manned spaceship of Japan's own is an ambitious enterprise. But the question is how to finance such a costly undertaking. We hope the government will step up efforts to consider ways and means of further exploring the frontier of the universe. 　夢はある。だが、財源はどうするのか。宇宙のフロンティアを目指す検討を急ぎたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 4, 2010) （2010年6月4日01時25分 読売新聞）

  Jun 5, 2010

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• 鳩山・小沢退陣　脱「二重権力」で政策転換図れ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 4, 2010)DPJ must shed 'dual power' structure鳩山・小沢退陣　脱「二重権力」で政策転換図れ（6月3日付・読売社説）In the end, he probably concluded he had no other option. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced Wednesday he will step down. 　万事休したということだろう。鳩山首相が退陣を表明した。When the Hatoyama Cabinet was inaugurated in September, nobody could have predicted the ruling coalition government under Hatoyama--comprised of his Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and People's New Party--would turn out to be so short-lived. 　昨年９月、民主、社民、国民新３党による鳩山連立内閣が発足した時、これほどの短命を予測した人は、まずいまい。Yet in just 8-1/2 months, Hatoyama bruised the Japan-U.S. alliance--the cornerstone of this nation's foreign and national security policies--over the issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, and left the nation's politics in disarray. 　だが、わずか８か月半の間、鳩山首相は、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題で、わが国の外交・安全保障の基軸である日米同盟を傷つけ、日本政治を大混乱させた。Hatoyama also could not shake off several scandals, including one in which his mother had given him a sizable amount of money in political funds. 　母親からの巨額資金提供など、「政治とカネ」にまつわる疑惑も払拭(ふっしょく)できなかった。=== Top 2 had to go 　◆２トップ辞任は当然◆Together with Hatoyama, DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa will resign. Their resignations are reasonable; both must take "collective responsibility" for allowing the wheels to come off management of the administration. 　首相とともに小沢民主党幹事長も辞任することになった。２人は政権運営の行き詰まりに「連帯責任」を負わねばならず、辞任は当然のことだ。Hatoyama and the party leadership will resign en masse. The DPJ is due to choose a new leader to succeed Hatoyama at a general meeting of its lawmakers from both Diet chambers Friday. 　民主党は、首相と党執行部の退陣を受け、４日の両院議員総会で「ポスト鳩山」の新代表を選出する運びだ。Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also serves as finance minister, has emerged as one of the possible successors to Hatoyama. 　後継には、菅副総理・財務相らの名があがっている。The new administration will need to commit itself to reconstructing the Japan-U.S. alliance and rejuvenating the economy by overhauling economic policy. 　新政権は、日米同盟関係の再構築と、経済政策の一新による景気の回復に、全力を挙げる体制をつくらなければならない。"The public gradually stopped listening [to me]," Hatoyama gave as one reason for stepping down at the general meeting of DPJ lawmakers. Hatoyama has himself to blame, as his own words and deeds were what turned the public off. 　鳩山首相は両院議員総会で、「国民が徐々に聞く耳をもたなくなってきてしまった」と辞任の理由を述べた。国民がほとんど耳を貸さなくなったのは、首相自らが招いた結果だ。On the Futenma issue, Hatoyama said he would transfer the base's functions "at least" outside Okinawa Prefecture, and he repeatedly said he would settle the issue by the end of May with a plan that would satisfy the United States, the ruling coalition parties and the people of Okinawa. However, he readily broke these promises. 　普天間飛行場の移設問題で、首相は「最低でも県外」と言い、米国、連立与党、沖縄の合意を得るという「５月末決着」を何度も繰り返しながら、いずれも、あっさり反故(ほご)にした。Hatoyama's words and deeds were riddled with inconsistencies. It is only natural the public lost faith in him. 　これだけ言行不一致を重ねれば、国民が首相の言葉を信じなくなるのは当たり前だろう。Meanwhile, Ozawa has made no explanation whatsoever before the Diet regarding a money scandal that embroiled his political funds management organization, including a dubious land purchase in Tokyo. 　小沢氏は、自らの資金管理団体をめぐる土地取引疑惑など「政治とカネ」の問題について、国会で一切説明してこなかった。Ozawa's actions have clearly generated distrust of politics and impeded the Hatoyama administration. 　これが国民の政治不信を招き、鳩山政権の足を引っ張ってきたのは明らかだ。In a recent Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, an overwhelming majority of respondents thought Ozawa should resign. If Ozawa had not taken responsibility and fallen on his sword, criticism of him would have only grown louder. 　本紙の世論調査でも、小沢氏の幹事長辞任を求める声は圧倒的だった。小沢氏が何らけじめをつけなければ、批判は一層強まったに違いない。Ozawa's resignation apparently reflected these circumstances. Yet if the party truly intends to create a "clean DPJ," as Hatoyama claimed during the general meeting Wednesday, Ozawa should explain in detail his involvement--if any--in a spate of alleged funds scandals that have tarnished his political funds management body. 　小沢氏が辞任に至ったのは、こうした事情が背景にあったためとみられる。ただ、首相が強調したように、「クリーンな民主党」を目指すというなら、小沢氏には、一連の疑惑について、詳しい説明が求められよう。===

  Jun 4, 2010

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• 日中首脳会談　戦略的互恵を実のあるものに

  コメント：今度も中国の北朝鮮に対する態度は変わらないでしょう。中国は金日成の時代より盟友でしたからね。米国の言うなりにはならないゾ！ある面では日本より先を走っていますね。経済でも追い抜かれます。頑張れ日本！srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 2, 2010)Build mutually beneficial relations with China日中首脳会談　戦略的互恵を実のあるものに（6月1日付・読売社説）Tension is running high on the Korean Peninsula and a few incidents have recently occurred between Japan and China in the East China Sea and waters off Japan. It is at times like this when Tokyo and Beijing must strive to resolve issues in line with the "Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests" statement they agreed upon in 2008. 　朝鮮半島情勢が緊迫の度を深め、東シナ海などで日中間のトラブルが続いた。こうした時こそ、日中両国は戦略的互恵関係に基づき、課題解決を目ざさなければならない。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Monday agreed with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to start talks as soon as possible on a bilateral pact over exploration of disputed gas fields in the East China Sea. 　鳩山首相は、日本を公式訪問した中国の温家宝首相と会談し、懸案の東シナ海ガス田開発の条約交渉を、できるだけ早期に開始することで合意した。Although the two countries agreed to jointly explore the gas resources in June 2008, China was unwilling to start talks on a formal pact to substantiate the agreement because it said conditions were not yet ready. 　ガス田の共同開発は２００８年６月、両国政府で合意しながら、合意を具体化するための条約交渉は、中国側が「環境が整っていない」と、難色を示していた。During that period, however, China attempted to resume unilateral development of a gas field known as Shirakaba in Japan and Chunxiao in China, prompting Tokyo to express concern. 　その間、中国側はガス田「白樺」（中国名・春暁）で単独開発を再開するかのような動きをみせ、日本側は懸念を表明してきた。Joint exploration of the gas fields is an ideal project to show tangible progress in the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Tokyo and Beijing should draw up a draft treaty they can agree upon as soon as possible. 　ガス田開発は日中の戦略的互恵関係の進展を目に見える形で示す格好の事業だ。両国が納得できる条約案を早急に固めてほしい。=== Unsettled demarcation In April, Chinese Navy helicopters twice flew very close to Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers in the East China Sea and waters off Japan while MSDF ships were monitoring activities of the Chinese fleet there. 　日中間では、今年４月、東シナ海などで中国艦隊の艦載ヘリが２度、監視中の海上自衛隊護衛艦に異常接近した。In early May, a Chinese ship disturbed research activities by a Japan Coast Guard survey ship in the East China Sea. The Japanese government quite rightly protested to China for its infringement on Japanese interests, but Beijing claimed the Chinese ship acted properly and legitimately. 　５月初旬、中国船が海上保安庁測量船の調査活動を妨害した。日本政府が、日本の権益を侵害しているとして抗議したのは当然のことだが、中国側は、正当な活動だと反論している。Observers have said such troubles stem from the unsettled demarcation of the East China Sea, China's eagerness to secure marine resources and the increased blue-water activities of the Chinese Navy. 　こうしたトラブルの背景には、東シナ海の境界線が未画定なことや、海洋資源確保に躍起な中国側の姿勢、中国海軍の遠洋展開の活発化があるとみられている。With such incidents in mind, Hatoyama expressed his concerns to Wen and asked the Chinese side to exercise self-restraint and prevent recurrences. 　鳩山首相はこれらの事件を念頭に中国の行動に懸念を示し、二度と起きないよう自制を求めた。The two leaders also agreed to establish a crisis management system to avoid contingencies at sea and to establish a hotline between them. At least for a while, it is essential to take measures to prevent similar incidents. 　両首脳は、海上での不測の事態を避けるための「危機管理メカニズム」の構築や、両首脳間のホットラインの開設でも一致した。当面は、再発防止策を急ぐことが肝要である。=== Urge China to punish DPRK Referring to the March sinking of a South Korean warship by a North Korean torpedo, Hatoyama said North Korea should be condemned under international law and asked for Beijing's cooperation on the issue. 　北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃による韓国哨戒艦沈没事件について、鳩山首相は、「国際ルールに則(のっと)って北朝鮮は厳しく非難されるべきだ」と、中国側の協力を求めた。However, Wen only said China would like to communicate closely with Japan on the issue. In upcoming weeks, attention will be on diplomatic debates at the U.N. Security Council concerning the fatal sinking of the Cheonan corvette. 　だが温首相は、「日中間で意思疎通を図っていきたい」と、述べるにとどまったという。　今後は国連安全保障理事会を舞台とする外交戦に焦点が移る。Hatoyama has expressed his full support for Seoul's response to the incident at his recent summit meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and at other opportunities. 　鳩山首相は、日韓首脳会談などで、今回の沈没事件に関する韓国の対応に全面的な支持を表明している。Japan, currently a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, should, together with the United States and South Korea, more strongly urge China to join them in concerted efforts toward the adoption of a resolution against North Korea at the Security Council. 日本は国連安保理の非常任理事国でもある。　対北朝鮮決議の採択に向けて、日米韓で緊密な連携を図りつつ、中国が同一歩調をとるよう、働きかけを一層強める必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 1, 2010) （2010年6月1日02時08分 読売新聞）

  Jun 2, 2010

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• 社民党離脱　連立崩壊を招いた首相不決断

  コメント：結果だけをみて鳩山首相をこれでもかこれでもかと批判するのは、あまりいただけない。それよりも経過が大切。新聞社も毎日発行されるわけですから、毎日首相への助言はできたはずです。流れを変えてみませんか。ポジティブな方向へ！The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 1, 2010)Hatoyama's dithering caused coalition crack社民党離脱　連立崩壊を招いた首相不決断（5月31日付・読売社説）The Social Democratic Party's split from the coalition government led by the Democratic Party of Japan arose from the fact that their diplomatic and security policies were as irreconcilable as oil and water. 　「水と油」のように相いれない外交・安全保障政策を持つ政党同士が、連立政権を続けてきたこと自体に、致命的な問題があったと言えよう。The SDP's departure came after Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama dismissed SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima as state minister in charge of consumer affairs, after she refused to sign a document approving the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Despite this breakup, the SDP has not ruled out cooperating with the DPJ in this summer's House of Councillors election. 　社民党が、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題をめぐる福島党首の閣僚罷免を踏まえて、鳩山政権から離脱する方針を決定した。ただ、夏の参院選で民主党との選挙協力を行う可能性はあり得るという。Hatoyama's sacking of Fukushima is understandable in light of her defiance over the Futenma policy--an issue that directly affects national security. The SDP decision to walk out of the tripartite coalition also was a natural reaction. 　国の安全保障問題で政府方針に反対し、閣議での署名を拒否した以上、鳩山首相による福島氏罷免は納得できる。一方で、社民党の政権離脱も当然だろう。Hatoyama largely has himself to blame for the messy split: He repeatedly made concessions on Futenma and other issues as he gave priority to maintaining the coalition with the SDP to ensure smooth Diet management and electoral cooperation. 　問題なのは、首相が、国会運営や選挙協力の観点から社民党との連立維持を優先し、普天間問題などで妥協を重ねてきたことだ。=== History could repeat The Hatoyama administration could repeat its mistake if it concedes to the SDP on policy matters simply to obtain its cooperation in the forthcoming election. The administration should be focusing more on the political realignment looming after the upper house election, as well as forming a "partial coalition" in which ruling and opposition parties cooperate when they agree on specific policies. 　鳩山政権が今後、選挙目当てで社民党の協力を得るため政策面ですり寄れば、再び同じ過ちを犯しかねない。むしろ参院選後の政界再編や、政策ごとに与野党が連携する「部分連合」を視野に入れて行動すべきではないか。In its policy platform declared in 2006, the SDP said it wants to "scale down the Self-Defense Forces that have existed in violation of the Constitution" and "transform the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty into a pact of peace and goodwill." On the Futenma issue, the party insisted on relocating the base overseas--a plan the United States was never likely to accept--and delaying a final decision on the matter while making no effort to find a realistic solution. 　社民党は２００６年の社民党宣言で、「違憲状態にある自衛隊は縮小を図る」「日米安保条約は平和友好条約に転換させる」方針を掲げた。普天間問題でも、米国が到底同意できない国外移設や決着先送りを主張し、現実的な問題解決の努力をしなかった。Hatoyama buckled late last year when the SDP threatened to bolt from the coalition over the Futenma relocation. The prime minister put off settling the issue in line with the 2006 agreement between Tokyo and Washington. This further complicated an already delicate problem. 　鳩山首相は昨年末、政権離脱をちらつかせた社民党に屈して、現行計画での決着を決断できず、問題を一層迷走させた。Had Hatoyama defused the Futenma issue at that time and bitten the bullet by allowing the SDP to break away from the coalition, he would not have ended up straining relations with Washington, as well as with local Okinawa governments and residents, to the detriment of the national interest. 　仮に首相が社民党の離脱を甘受し、問題を決着させておけば、米国や沖縄との関係を壊し、国益を損ねることはなかったろう。Making the tough decision then would have spared the prime minister from devoting so much political energy to the Futenma issue. Instead, he could have turned his attention to other diplomatic and domestic issues, such as deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance. 　その後、普天間問題に膨大な政治的エネルギーを費やす必要もなく、同盟深化の作業など、他の外交・内政案件にもっと真剣に取り組む態勢がとれたはずだ。=== A heavy price to pay A coalition government by its very nature requires all its participants to make concessions. But Hatoyama's unwillingness to openly discuss differences in important policy matters with his coalition partners has blown up in his face with the SDP's breakaway. 　連立政権では政党間の妥協が付き物だが、重要な基本政策の不一致を黙認してきたツケが今回、一気に噴き出したと言える。According to a Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey taken over the weekend, the Hatoyama Cabinet's approval rating has dropped to 19 percent, and nearly 60 percent of respondents think Hatoyama should resign as prime minister. The percentage of respondents who plan to vote for the DPJ in the proportional representation segment of the upper house election dipped below that of the Liberal Democratic Party for the first time since the DPJ came to power in September. 　読売新聞の緊急世論調査で、鳩山内閣の支持率は１９％に続落し、首相は退陣すべきだとの回答が６割近くにも上った。参院比例選の投票先では、政権交代後初めて民主党が自民党を下回った。Public discontent with Hatoyama has been growing over his refusal to take responsibility for his inability to resolve the Futenma issue in line with what he promised the people. 　普天間問題を決着できず、「国民との約束」を破りながら、責任をとらない鳩山首相に対する国民の評価はかつてなく厳しい。Criticism of Hatoyama is finally emerging even within the DPJ. The party should be aware that people are casting a cold eye over the party because of its inability to reform itself from the inside. 　民主党内では、ようやく首相批判の声が出始めた。国民の冷たい視線は、何ら自浄能力を発揮しない民主党にも向けられていることをきちんと自覚すべきだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2010) （2010年5月31日01時42分 読売新聞）

  Jun 1, 2010

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• 貨物検査法成立　海保と海自の連携を密にせよ

  英字新聞でスペルミスは致命傷、気をつけてくださいね。（英語版にはときどきミススペル、米国の新聞ほとんどないですよ）waship→warshipThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 31, 2010)MSDF should join cargo inspections貨物検査法成立　海保と海自の連携を密にせよ（5月30日付・読売社説）The Diet on Friday finally enacted into law a special measures bill to enable inspections of cargo transported on ships to and from North Korea. 　北朝鮮に出入りする船舶に対する貨物検査を可能にする特別措置法が、ようやく成立した。Cargo inspection was part of a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in June last year imposing sanctions on North Korea after Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test despite international disapproval. However, Japan previously did not have a law under which it could conduct cargo inspections, preventing the nation from joining concerted international actions until now. 　貨物検査は、核実験を強行した北朝鮮への制裁措置として、昨年６月の国連安全保障理事会決議に盛り込まれた。ところが、日本は貨物検査を実施できる根拠法がなく、国際協調行動の一翼を担えない状態が続いていた。The establishment of the special measures law solved this legal shortcoming. However, the government should not leave cargo inspection only to the Japan Coast Guard, but should also actively utilize the Maritime Self-Defense Force. 　特措法の制定で、法の不備は解消されたが、貨物検査は海上保安庁だけに任せず、海上自衛隊も積極的に活用すべきだ。The special measures law authorizes the JCG and customs officials to inspect ships to check whether they are carrying weapons and other banned items. If captains of those ships refuse the inspections, the JCG and customs can order the ships to head for a nearby port. 　特措法は、船舶が武器などを積んでいないか検査する権限を海保と税関に与えた。船長が検査に同意しない時は、最寄りの港に向かうよう回航命令を出せる。=== New law's tortuous path The special measures bill was initially submitted to the Diet by the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, but was scrapped because the House of Representatives was dissolved for a general election. 　特措法は、麻生前内閣が国会に提出したものの、衆院解散で廃案になった。The Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama partially revised the bill and resubmitted it to the Diet during its extraordinary session in autumn, but the law's enactment was delayed as the Cabinet placed priority on dealing with other bills. 鳩山内閣は、昨秋の臨時国会に法案を一部修正して再提出したが、他の法案処理を優先させ、成立を先送りしていた。The legislation governing cargo inspections should have been enacted much earlier. 　本来、もっと早く成立させなければならない法律だった。In addition, the revised bill's contents contained a problem. The bill submitted by the Aso Cabinet stipulated the MSDF would be sent out when it became difficult for the JCG to deal with a case alone. The bill promulgated by the Hatoyama Cabinet deleted this provision in consideration of junior coalition partner the Social Democratic Party, which opposes utilizing the MSDF for cargo inspections. 　さらに問題なのは、法案の修正内容だ。麻生前内閣の法案では、海保で対応が困難な場合に海自が出動することを定めていたが、その規定を削除した。自衛隊の活用に否定的な社民党に配慮したためだった。The government said no obstacles exist for the law's smooth implemention even without the provision, noting the government would be able to dispatch the MSDF when ordering a maritime police action based on the Self-Defense Forces Law. 　政府は、この規定がなくても、自衛隊法に基づく海上警備行動を発令すれば、海自を出動させることができるとして、運用上の支障はないと説明している。However, the law's lack of clarity over the MSDF's involvement in the cargo inspection mission could make the government hesitant about sending out the MSDF in times of emergency. 　だが、今回の特措法に海自の関与を明示しなかったことは、非常時に海自の出動をためらわせることにつながるのではないか。We hope the government will exercise ingenuity in the law's operation by ensuring close coordination between the JCG and the MSDF to enable concerted action. 　海保と海自の連絡を密にし、連携して行動が取れるよう、運用上の工夫を凝らしてほしい。=== MSDF strengths needed Even after making use of the MSDF, there are still many problems that need to be solved to improve the effectiveness of cargo inspections. 　海自を活用してもなお、貨物検査の実効性を高めるためには、課題が多い。In the case of North Korean ships and captains, it appears unlikely they would readily accept cargo inspections and orders to head for a nearby port. There might be a case in which ships masquerading as merchant ships are actually heavily armed. In such a scenario, even if the government dispatches the MSDF by ordering a maritime police action, the MSDF vessels are not allowed to fire even warning shots. 　北朝鮮籍の船舶や北朝鮮船長の場合は、貨物検査や回航命令に応じるとは考えにくい。商船を装って重武装しているケースも想定されるが、海上警備行動を発令して海自を出動させても、海自は警告射撃が認められていない。Tension rose on the Korean Peninsula after the March sinking of a South Korean waship that was attributed to North Korea. 　韓国哨戒艦沈没事件を機に、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。During summit talks with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak on Jeju Island in South Korea on Saturday, Hatoyama expressed his intention to actively conduct cargo inspections as the special measures bill was enacted into law the previous day. 　鳩山首相は、韓国・済州島での日韓首脳会談で、特措法の成立に伴い、貨物検査に積極的に取り組む意向を表明した。From now on, information- and role-sharing with the U.S. and South Korean navies will be extremely important. The MSDF is the organization better equipped to undertake smooth coordination. 　今後、米韓海軍との情報共有や役割分担がきわめて大事になる。そうした連携も、海自の方がスムーズにいくだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2010) （2010年5月30日01時34分 読売新聞）

  May 31, 2010

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• 米倉経団連発足　逆風はね返し成長の実現を

  専門用語：the Japan Business Federation 日本経団連コメント：Nippon Keidanrenは英語になりつつありますね。Nikkeiは完全に英語化されています。英語化された日本語たくさんあります。tsunami津波, karaokeカラオケ, karo-shi過労死…（あるアメリカ人は殺しと混同していました）英英辞典についてLongman Eictionary of Contemporary Englishロングマン現代英英辞典2000語の基本単語だけを使用して書かれているので初心者でもすぐに取り組める。渋谷にある英会話学校のインストラクター（米国人）から紹介されました。Oxford Student's Dictionaryオックスフォード学生向け英語辞典学生向けに用語を限定して書かれているのでわかりやすい。初心者向け。The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Languageアメリカン・ヘリエイジ英語辞典今これを使っています。一般のアメリカ人向け。難しい。今でもちょっと敷居が高いです。Answer.com online Dictionary最高です。ネイティブの発音付き。無料。アメリカン・ヘリエイジ英語辞典ほど難しくない。ほぼ完全に理解できます。難しい英英辞典を無理して読んでもまったくおもしろくない。ストレスが溜まり、ひいては自己嫌悪に陥ってしまいます。英英辞典は能力に応じて段階を踏んで使用するのがコツです。The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 29, 2010)New Keidanren chief has tough row to hoe米倉経団連発足　逆風はね返し成長の実現を（5月28日付・読売社説）Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Hiromasa Yonekura has taken office as the new chief of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren). 　日本経団連の会長に、住友化学会長の米倉弘昌氏が就任した。One challenge awaiting the new chairman of the nation's largest business lobby will be to confront the increasingly hostile environment surrounding the Japanese economy. 　新会長を待つのは、日本経済を取り巻く環境の厳しさだ。The domestic economy is shrinking due to deflation. Aggressive business activities in overseas markets by companies from emerging Asian and other economies are putting Japanese corporations' hard-earned international standing at risk. 　国内経済はデフレによる市場の縮小に直面している。海外市場でも、アジアなど新興国企業の攻勢を受け、日本企業は国際的な地位を脅かされつつある。Making matters worse, the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to implement economic policies that could antagonize the corporate sector. Last year's change of government has weakened the relationship between political circles and the business community, contributing to a decline in Nippon Keidanren's influence. 　しかも鳩山政権は、企業を敵対視するような経済政策を続けている。昨年の政権交代で、経済界と政治の関係が希薄になり、経団連の影響力も低下している。With Yonekura at its helm, Nippon Keidanren must overcome these challenges and spearhead efforts to achieve economic growth. 　米倉経団連は、こうした逆風をはね返し、経済成長を実現する先頭に立たねばならない。In April, Nippon Keidanren put forward a growth strategy whose pillars included measures to increase the international competitiveness of domestic corporations and reform the tax and fiscal systems. An immediate task for the economic organization is to ensure its proposals are sufficiently reflected in a growth strategy the government will announce soon. 　経団連は４月、企業の国際競争力強化や税財政改革を柱とした成長戦略を提言した。当面の課題は、この提言内容を、政府が近く打ち出す成長戦略にどこまで反映させることができるかだろう。=== Intl competitiveness falling According to an international competitiveness yearbook compiled by a Swiss management research organ, Japan slumped to 27th this year, down from 17th in 2009. Japan has fallen behind China and South Korea in international corporate competitiveness. 　スイスの調査機関がまとめた今年の国際競争力ランキングで、日本は昨年の１７位から２７位へと大きく順位を落とし、中国や韓国より下位に転落した。The nation's high corporate tax rate, a major factor behind the decline, has done much to undermine domestic companies' vitality. The high-cost structure of the nation's corporate sector, including the high tax rate, could accelerate an "industrial hollowing-out"--the drain of domestic manufacturing bases to other nations. 　その要因の一つである国際的に高い法人税率は、日本企業の活力を損なっている。税金を含む高コスト体質は、生産拠点が海外に流出する「産業空洞化」を加速させかねない。Some members of the Hatoyama administration support Nippon Keidanren's proposal to lower the corporate tax rate. They should urge the government to reduce the tax rate as soon as possible. 　経団連が提言する法人税率の引き下げについて、鳩山政権内にも賛同する声がある。政府に働きかけ、早期に実現を図るべきだ。In some cases, success--or the lack of it--in winning contracts for construction and other infrastructure projects in emerging economies can primarily depend on whether bidders have the support of their governments. Winning contracts for such projects requires public-private cooperation. 　新興国の社会基盤（インフラ）投資の受注などは、政府の後押しが決め手になる場合があり、官民の連携が求められる。Given this fact, the government and business circles in this country have every reason to cooperate in this respect. By the same token, there are times when the business community must resolutely oppose government policies. 　こうした点で政府と経済界が協力するのは当然だ。しかし、経済界は、毅然(きぜん)として政府に異を唱えなければならない時もある。It should persist in urging the government to revamp policies that could weigh on the corporate sector, including a ban on dispatching temporary workers to manufacturers and a far-reaching 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions. 　製造業の派遣労働禁止や温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動の重荷になりかねない政策に対しては、粘り強く修正を求める必要があろう。=== Time for strategy rethink Meanwhile, domestic corporations must reform themselves. Admittedly, there has been a long-awaited improvement in the corporate sector's performance. However, this gradual recovery is mainly attributable to increased profits arising from cuts in production and other costs, and comes despite falling earnings. This is to say the corporate sector has yet to grow out of its defensive mentality when it comes to devising business strategies. 　一方、企業自らの改革も欠かせない。業績はようやく上向きつつあるが、コスト削減による「減収増益」が中心で、守りの経営から脱し切れていない。The corporate sector also should rethink its overseas strategy. It will be impossible to tap expanding middle-income groups in emerging nations if the sector adheres to the formula that has hitherto been successful in overseas markets--that is, high-quality products can sell well even if they have high prices. 　海外戦略の練り直しも重要だ。品質が良ければ高くても売れるといった過去の「成功体験」にすがっていては、拡大する新興国の中間所得層は取り込めまい。Yonekura reportedly said he intends to put together a new growth strategy that will encourage private corporations to go it alone, without relying on the government. We hope the new Nippon Keidanren chief will advance proposals bursting with daring entrepreneurial spirit. 　米倉新会長は、政府に頼らずに民間企業の自立を促す、新たな成長戦略を策定する意向という。攻めの企業家精神にあふれた提言になるよう期待したい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,May 28, 2010) （2010年5月28日01時26分 読売新聞）

  May 29, 2010

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• 産業ビジョン　日本の競争力をどう強化する

  専門用語：economic partnership accords　経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）コメント：自画自賛的記事です。政治家も新聞記事で勉強しているのでしょうか。新聞社に負けて欲しくないと思いました。日本は年間のGDPの年間伸び率が4%を超える見込みで大喜び。タイは12%を越える勢いですよ。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 28, 2010)How should Japan boost competitiveness?産業ビジョン　日本の競争力をどう強化する（5月27日付・読売社説）What can Japan do to find a way out of the stalling economy and boost its international competitiveness? The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has come up with a review of the nation's industrial policy. 　日本経済の行き詰まりを打破し、競争力を強化するにはどうすべきか。経済産業省が産業政策の見直しを打ち出した。The review refers to the ministry's "Industrial Structure Vision," which serves as a guideline for the nation's economic revitalization. The government hopes to make this a major pillar of the new growth strategy that it plans to decide on in June. 　経済再生の指針とする「産業構造ビジョン」のことである。政府が６月中に策定する新成長戦略の柱にしたい考えだ。As such countries as China and South Korea are quickly catching up with Japan, Japan's international competitiveness is on the decline. 　日本は中国や韓国などに猛追され、競争力は相対的に低下している。With the declining population at home, economic expansion will be limited if the nation relies too much on domestic demand. On the other hand, Japanese companies are accelerating their transfer of production abroad, raising the fear of a hollowing out of domestic industries. This sense of alarm underlies the ministry's vision. 人口減少で、内需だけでは先細りだ。一方で、企業の海外移転が加速し、国内産業の空洞化も懸念される――。そうした危機感がビジョンの背景にある。The Yomiuri Shimbun made an emergency proposal in early May, calling on the government to advance bold policies for the nation's economic reconstruction. The ministry's vision contains many points that overlap with those contained in the proposal. Both are probably aiming at similar targets. 　読売新聞社は５月初め、経済再生に向けて大胆な政策展開を求める緊急提言を行った。ビジョンは本紙提言と重なる内容が多い。目指す方向は同じだろう。=== 5% tax cut in works It is noteworthy that the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has for the first time made clear its intention to lower the effective corporate tax rate by about 5 percent in the next fiscal year and lower it further to a range of 25 percent to 30 percent in the future. 　今回、注目されるのは、鳩山政権として初めて、法人税の実効税率を来年度に５％程度引き下げ、将来的に２５～３０％を目指すと明記したことだ。Compared with corporate tax rates of about 30 percent in European countries and 25 percent or less in other Asian countries, Japan's effective corporate tax rate of 40.69 percent is strikingly high. 　欧州の３０％前後、アジアの２５％以下に比べると、日本の実効税率は４０・６９％と突出して高い。Such heavy tax burdens deprive Japanese businesses of their corporate vitality, causing them to curb capital investment and reducing their international competitiveness. 　重い税負担が企業活力を奪い、設備投資などを抑制させて競争力を低下させている。Many foreign companies are apparently reluctant to advance into the Japanese market because of the high corporate tax rate, which might partly explain the sluggish foreign investment in Japan. 日本への進出を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)する外国企業が多く、対日投資が伸びない原因でもある。The Yomiuri Shimbun has proposed that the corporate tax rate be lowered to a range of between 20 and 30 percent. The government should accelerate internal discussion and slash the corporate tax at the earliest possible time. 　本紙は法人税の２０％台への引き下げを提言した。政府内で議論を加速し、税率の大幅引き下げを早期に実現すべきだ。The ministry's vision also points out the need to reinforce the framework of public-private cooperation in promoting the export of such infrastructure-related technologies as nuclear power generation systems and high-speed railways to other Asian countries or elsewhere. 　アジアなど向けに、原子力発電所や新幹線などの社会基盤を売り込む、官民を挙げた体制強化の必要性もビジョンは指摘した。We can expect great demand for social infrastructure abroad, involving a large sum of money. It is important for the government to adopt a strategy to pursue the benefits of expansion in both domestic and foreign demand. 　海外では巨額のインフラ需要が期待できる。内需と外需の二兎(にと)を追う戦略が肝要だ。=== 'All Japan' system needed Nevertheless, the international competition with countries in Europe, the United States and such Asian rivals as South Korea is fierce. For Japan--which has lagged behind these rivals in the export of infrastructure-related systems--to win the market competition, it has to establish an "All Japan" system and promote comprehensive support for the projects. Such support should range from the provision of funds to after-sales services, with the prime minister and concerned ministers showing diplomatic leadership. 　だが、欧米や韓国などとの競争も激しい。出遅れを挽回(ばんかい)するため、資金提供からアフターサービスまで、首相や閣僚を先頭に、オールジャパンで市場を勝ち取らねばなるまい。The ministry's vision also includes the reinforcement of five strategic areas such as the development of next-generation vehicles, as well as the expansion of the economic partnership accords with other countries. 　ビジョンは、次世代自動車など五つの重点戦略分野の強化、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の拡大なども盛り込んだ。The government needs to tackle all these measures expeditiously to boost Japan's competitiveness in the international market. Japanese businesses should not lose business projects despite having superior technological prowess. 　日本の競争力を強化するには、いずれも急いで取り組むべきテーマだ。技術で勝って、ビジネスで負ける事態は望ましくない。Yet the mere presentation of the vision without its realization would be of no practical use. 　ただ、ビジョンを提示しても、実現できなければ絵に描いた餅に終わる。Because the vision may conflict with similar growth strategies being advocated by other ministries including the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the government must coordinate these views and clearly prioritize policies. 国土交通省など他省の成長戦略とも競合するが、政府全体として調整し、政策の優先順位を明確にしなければならない。The speed with which these policies are carried out will be a test for the political leadership in the days ahead. 　日本の成長に弾みをつけるには、政治の指導力と、政策を実行するスピードが問われよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 27, 2010) （2010年5月27日02時04分 読売新聞）

  May 28, 2010

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• 公益法人仕分け　天下りと独占受注を是正せよ

  専門用語：independent administrative institutions 独立法人public-interest corporations 公益法人コメント：東大卒で国家公務員試験をパスしているので天下りで楽をするのはあたりまえだ。こう考えています。第三の暴力、頭脳（知的）暴力だと思います。｢強者は弱者を助けなければならない｣とはテラワーダ仏教の教えです。タイは住みやすい国です。貧しくても。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 27, 2010)Step up the fight against amakudari公益法人仕分け　天下りと独占受注を是正せよ（5月26日付・読売社説）Budget screening by a government panel has underlined the need to sever the cozy relationship between public-interest corporations and former government officials who land lucrative jobs at these organizations--a practice called amakudari. In a typical case, these institutions monopolize government orders for certain operations and use their profits to pay high salaries to the former bureaucrats. 　公益法人が国から事業を独占的に受注し、その利益を天下りしてきた官僚ＯＢの高額な給与に充てる。そんな癒着の構図に、徹底してメスを入れる必要がある。The Government Revitalization Unit has completed the latest round of budget screening aimed at weeding out wasteful spending at public-interest corporations and other entities. Among 82 programs undertaken by 70 corporations, the panel proposed 37 programs be abolished, including management of airport parking lots by the Airport Environment Improvement Foundation, and the Japan Center for Local Autonomy's lottery promotional activities. 　政府の行政刷新会議が、公益法人などを対象とする４日間の事業仕分け作業を終えた。７０法人の８２事業のうち、空港環境整備協会の空港駐車場管理、自治総合センターの宝くじの普及広報など、３７事業を廃止すべきだと判定した。Previous budget screening sessions lacked a strategic perspective and smacked of political grandstanding. During the latest round that lasted four days, however, the unit dealt with a number of issues more familiar to the public and ripe for screening. If the panel's work helps correct problems that have gone unaddressed for years despite getting under the skin of many people, it would be a worthy achievement. 　従来の事業仕分けは、戦略的視点を欠き、政治ショーの色彩が濃かったが、今回は、国民に身近で、仕分け向きのテーマが多かった。長年、多くの人が疑問を感じながら手付かずだった弊害が是正されるなら、成果と言えよう。Currently, the Japan Traffic Safety Association is the sole organization commissioned to give courses to drivers when they renew their licenses. The panel called for this work to no longer be entrusted to a specific institution, and instead recommended the responsibility be shared by organizations chosen through open competition. The proposal aims to cut expenses--including the cost of producing booklets given to each driver--to reduce the cost of renewing a driver's license. 　全日本交通安全協会による運転免許の更新時講習は、実施機関を１団体に任せず、競争的手法で決定するよう求めた。教本の作成を含め、コストを削減し、免許更新者の負担を軽くするためだ。=== Public losing out The panel also questioned the certification program for fire extinguishers and other devices that is the exclusive domain of the Japan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute. The unit called for the program to be reviewed and private firms allowed to enter the business, saying it is problematic that the government has handed the institute a monopoly in this field. 　日本消防検定協会の消火器などの検定業務も、国からの独占的な権限付与は問題だとして、民間参入できるよう見直しを求めた。If the government assigns authority for a specific program to a single institution, its high-cost structure will remain unchanged because there is no competition to encourage it to cut costs. Commissioning programs to public-interest organizations is intended to make these operations more efficient. When the reality runs counter to the original purpose, the public loses out. 　国が１団体だけに権限を与えれば、競争原理が働かず、高コスト体質は避けられない。公益法人への業務委託は、効率化が目的なのに、逆行しているようでは困る。JKA, a public-interest corporation under the jurisdiction of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, provides subsidies funded by proceeds from keirin bicycle races. But the government panel decided the programs should be suspended until JKA tightens its "lenient" screening system. The panel also pointed out that many former ministry officials had slipped into cushy positions at organizations that received subsidies from JKA. 　経済産業省所管の公益法人ＪＫＡは、競輪の売上金の一部を使った補助事業について「審査が甘い」として「審査体制を強化するまでは廃止」と判定された。補助金の交付団体に多数の経産省ＯＢが天下っている問題も指摘された。But the problem with public-interest corporations does not stop there. Taxpayers' money and some of the handling fees charged by the corporations end up paying the huge salaries of retired government officials. This setup grates with the public. 　競輪の売上金に限らず、税金や手数料の一部が、天下り官僚の高額な給与に浪費される構造は、国民の納得が得られない。=== DPJ facing uphill battle A Yomiuri Shimbun survey showed that of 70 public corporations subject to the screening, 69 had accepted a total of 334 former bureaucrats as executives. The survey also showed 27 institutions had received a total of 74.6 billion yen a year in subsidies and commission fees from the central government and independent administrative institutions. 　読売新聞の調査では、仕分け対象の７０法人のうち、６９法人に官僚ＯＢ３３４人が役員として天下りしていた。一方で、国や独立行政法人からの補助金・委託費は、２７法人で年間７４６億円に上る。Reemployment of former bureaucrats should not be ruled out, provided they take positions that require their expertise. However, the government must cut the number of bureaucrats riding the amakudari gravy train, and the subsidies being dished out to public corporations. 　適材適所の再就職までは否定しないとしても、天下りと補助金の双方を減らすことが必要だ。At the same time, the central government should urgently review the current practice of urging its officials to leave their jobs before reaching retirement age, thereby reducing the number of amakudari bureaucrats. This would require the introduction of a new government personnel system that enables bureaucrats to work until retirement age. 　同時に、天下りを減らす前提として、国家公務員の早期勧奨退職の慣行を見直し、公務員が定年まで働ける新しい人事システムの検討・導入を急がねばなるまい。The outcome of budget screening so far suggests the Democratic Party of Japan will have its work cut out to meet its campaign pledge for last year's House of Representatives election to dig up 6.1 trillion yen by cutting subsidies to independent administrative institutions and public-interest corporations, among other measures. 　これまでの事業仕分けの実績を見る限り、独法や公益法人の補助金削減などで「６・１兆円を節約」とした昨年衆院選の民主党の政権公約は到底実現しそうにない。The DPJ will need to clearly explain how it intends to address this shortcoming. 　民主党は、この点について明確な説明が求められる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 26, 2010) （2010年5月26日01時00分 読売新聞）

  May 27, 2010

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• 韓国大統領談話　安保理は北朝鮮の責任を問え

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 26, 2010)UNSC must condemn North Korean attack韓国大統領談話　安保理は北朝鮮の責任を問え（5月25日付・読売社説）South Korean President Lee Myung Bak said Monday in a nationwide speech that the March 26 sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship was "a military provocation by North Korea" and that Seoul would refer the incident to the U.N. Security Council and ask the international community to discuss severe punishment for Pyongyang. 　韓国の李明博大統領が国民向けの談話で、哨戒艦の沈没事件を「北朝鮮の軍事的挑発」だと断定し、国連安全保障理事会に提起して厳しく責任を問う方針を表明した。A multinational team of investigators concluded last week, based on physical evidence, that a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine destroyed the Cheonan corvette, killing 46 sailors near the Koreas' western maritime border. As the South Korean president said, this is nothing but an act of war. 　乗組員４６人の命を奪った沈没事件の原因については、先に国際的な合同調査団が、「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃だった」とする結果を物的証拠とともに明らかにしている。大統領が言うとおり、「戦争行為」以外のなにものでもあるまい。It is a matter of course for the Security Council to condemn North Korea over such an outrage. 　安保理は当然、こうした非道な行為を指弾すべきである。Much of the diplomatic focus is currently on how China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, will respond to this situation. Beijing has so far been very cautious about discussing the sinking in the council, which will make it difficult for the Security Council not only to issue a resolution for additional sanctions but even to issue a presidential statement condemning North Korea. 　焦点は、拒否権を持つ常任理事国の中国の対応だ。事件を安保理で扱うことに慎重で、これでは新たな制裁決議は無論、議長声明すら困難との見方がある。Beijing may be thinking that it would be counterproductive to drive Pyongyang into a corner. 中国は、北朝鮮を追い込むことは逆効果と考えているのかもしれない。=== Attack can't be brushed off In April last year, the Security Council adopted a nonbinding presidential statement condemning North Korea for test-launching a long-range ballistic missile. This angered Pyongyang, which conducted a second nuclear test in spite of international opposition. 　昨年４月、安保理は、長距離弾道ミサイルを発射した北朝鮮を非難する議長声明を採択した。北朝鮮は激高し、２度目の核実験を強行した。It is feared North Korea would conduct a third test and raise tensions on the Korean Peninsula if the Security Council imposes additional sanctions on the communist state. 今回も、安保理が制裁に動けば３度目の核実験を行い、情勢は緊迫するとの懸念がある。However, if the Security Council fails to issue even a presidential statement regarding the sinking, North Korea will take the current sanctions resolution, which demands Pyongyang not conduct nuclear or missile testings, even more lightly. Such a situation would damage not only peace and stability in East Asia but China's national interests as well. 　だが、安保理がこの問題で議長声明すら出せないようでは、北朝鮮は、核実験やミサイル発射をしないよう求めた現行の制裁決議をなおさら軽視しよう。こうした事態は東アジアの平和と安定を損ない、中国のためにもなるまい。Japan, South Korea and the United States should strive to persuade China to work with them so Pyongyang's actions will not be brushed off. The Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the United States and China, which opened Monday in Beijing, would be a significant opportunity for that purpose, as would the China-South Korea and Japan-China-South Korea summit talks to be held after the dialogue. 　日米韓は、北朝鮮の行為を看過しないため共同歩調をとるよう、中国の説得に努めるべきだ。開幕した米中戦略・経済対話、それに続く中韓首脳会談、日中韓首脳会談はそのための重要な機会だ。=== Japan must stand firm As South Korea's own sanction measures, Lee declared all trade and exchanges between the two Koreas would be suspended, except the operations of a joint factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. 　李大統領は、韓国が独自にとる制裁措置として、開城工業団地の操業を除く「南北交易と交流の中断」を宣言した。The South Korean government also will push Washington harder to restore North Korea to its list of terrorism-supporting states so that the international community will impose heavier sanctions on the country. 　韓国は国際的な制裁圧力の強化を狙って、北朝鮮をテロ支援国に再指定するよう、米国への働きかけを強めるだろう。Lee strongly warned North Korea that Seoul would invoke its right of self-defense against any armed invasion. He also said South Korea will play an active role in the Proliferation Security Initiative to prevent weapons of mass destruction and related materials from being redeployed or trafficked, and conduct joint antisubmarine military exercises with the United States. 　李大統領は、「武力侵犯」には自衛権を発動する、と北朝鮮に強く警告した。韓国政府は、大量破壊兵器・関連物資の移転や輸送を防ぐ拡散阻止構想（ＰＳＩ）に積極的に参加し、米韓合同の対潜水艦訓練も実施するという。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told the Security Council of Japan to support South Korea's position and to study what additional sanctions Japan could impose on North Korea. 　日本も、鳩山首相が安全保障会議で、韓国の立場を支持するとともに、独自の追加制裁措置を検討するよう指示した。Japan should adopt a strong line against any North Korean provocation or violation of the Security Council resolution. 　日本は、北朝鮮のいかなる挑発にも、安保理決議の違反にも、断固として対応すべきだ。Japan must immediately review the Self-Defense Forces' warning, surveillance and information-gathering systems to heighten the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance. 自衛隊の警戒・監視や情報収集態勢を再点検し、日米同盟の実効性を強化することは待ったなしの課題だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 25, 2010) （2010年5月25日01時09分 読売新聞）

  May 26, 2010

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• 首相沖縄再訪　決断先送りのツケは大きい

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 25, 2010)Delaying Futenma decision has high price首相沖縄再訪　決断先送りのツケは大きい（5月24日付・読売社説）The government undoubtedly will pay a high price for not resolving the Futenma relocation issue by the end of last year, in line with what Japan and the United States agreed on in 2006. Many difficulties lie ahead. 　昨年末に現行案での決着を図らなかったツケはあまりに大きい、と言わざるを得ない。前途は多難である。Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama visited Okinawa Prefecture again Sunday and told Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima of the government's intention to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago. The visit came after Japan and the United States reached a basic agreement to construct Futenma's replacement facilities off the coast of the marines' Camp Schwab in the district. 　鳩山首相が沖縄県を再び訪問し、米軍普天間飛行場の移設先を名護市辺野古周辺にする意向を仲井真弘多知事に伝えた。辺野古の米軍キャンプ・シュワブ沿岸部に代替施設を建設するとの日米の大筋合意を受けたものだ。Nakaima, however, disapproved of the government plan. The governor said the government's choice was "extremely regrettable" and it would be "exceedingly difficult" to implement the plan. 　だが、知事は、辺野古移設について、「大変遺憾で、極めて厳しい」と難色を示した。Nakaima had originally accepted the 2006 relocation plan to construct Futenma replacement facilities in Henoko. But as Hatoyama dillydallied on the matter and public calls for the base to be shifted outside the prefecture grew louder, Nakaima changed his stance and now believes relocating the Futenma base within the prefecture will be difficult. 　仲井真知事は当初、辺野古に代替施設を建設する現行案を容認していた。だが、首相が決断を先送りし、沖縄で県外移設を求める世論が高まる中、県内移設は困難との立場に転じてしまった。Susumu Inamine, a staunch opponent of the relocation to Henoko, was elected Nago mayor in January. This threw a wrench in the central government's attempts to make a final decision on the relocation issue. 　１月の名護市長選で、移設受け入れに反対する稲嶺進氏が当選したことも状況を厳しくした。=== Buck stops with Hatoyama Had Hatoyama adhered to the 2006 plan last year by overriding the opposition of the Social Democratic Party, the tumultuous to-ing and fro-ing that has occurred this year could have been avoided. Hatoyama bears a heavy responsibility for this politically damaging misjudgment. 　昨年末に首相が社民党の反対を押し切り、現行案での実施を決断していれば、その後の展開は全く違ったはずだ。致命的な判断ミスであり、首相の罪は重い。During his meeting with Nakaima, Hatoyama insisted the government would lessen Okinawa's burden by dispersing U.S. military exercises to other prefectures. He pointed out the deterrent provided by the U.S. military presence in Okinawa is critical as tensions rise on the Korean Peninsula, and sought Nakaima's support for the government plan. 　鳩山首相は会談で、米軍の訓練の県外への分散移転などを通じて沖縄の負担軽減に努める考えを強調した。緊迫する朝鮮半島情勢を踏まえた米軍の抑止力の重要性も指摘し、知事の理解を求めた。To prevent the latest relocation plan from becoming deadlocked due to opposition from the prefectural government and Okinawa residents, the central government must persuade the governor to change his mind. This will not be simple, though. 　日米合意ができても、沖縄県や地元の反対で行き詰まる事態を避けるためには、簡単ではないが、引き続き知事を説得し、翻意するよう求める必要がある。Since its inauguration in September, the Hatoyama administration has been at sixes and sevens over the Futenma relocation because it had no "control tower" overseeing the matter. This strained the trust between the government and the prefectural and Nago municipal governments and residents. Before anything else, the administration must steadily rebuild these relationships. 　鳩山政権発足以来の８か月余、司令塔不在で普天間問題が迷走を重ねる中、政府と沖縄県や名護市との信頼関係は冷え切っている。政府はまず、この関係を地道に立て直さなければなるまい。=== Lay it on the line The 2006 plan calls for moving the Futenma base from a crowded area of Ginowan to the sparsely populated Henoko district in the northern part of prefecture, the transfer of 8,000 marines to Guam, and the return of Futenma and five other U.S. military facilities to Japan's sovereignty. The government needs to honestly explain that implementing the 2006 deal can considerably reduce the burden that hosting the U.S. military places on Okinawa residents. 　住宅密集地にある普天間飛行場を人口の少ない県北部に移す。米海兵隊８０００人をグアムに移転し、普天間など米軍６施設を返還する。一連の日米合意の実施が相当な地元負担軽減になることを丁寧に説明することも大切だ。The SDP's strident opposition to the Futenma transfer to Henoko also has complicated the move. 　普天間飛行場の辺野古移設にはほかにもハードルがある。社民党が強く反対していることだ。Some members of the Democratic Party of Japan want the government's decision on the final relocation plan postponed until after the scheduled end-of-May deadline. But such inconsistency would be an inexcusable repeat of the misjudgment the government made last year regarding a final settlement deadline. 　民主党内には、社民党に配慮して、月末に予定される政府案決定の先送りを求める声もあるが、そんな無定見な対応は許されない。昨年末の二の舞いになる。The DPJ holds more than 400 seats in both houses of the Diet. If the DPJ-led government allows itself to be pushed around by the SDP, a tiny coalition partner with only about 10 Diet seats, and fails to decide on matters that affect national security, it would run counter to the national interest. 　民主党は衆参両院で４００議席超を有する。それが、わずか１０議席余の社民党に振り回され、国の安全保障にかかわる問題が決められないようでは、国益に反する。Resolving this issue will test Hatoyama's resolve and leadership to the limit. 鳩山首相の決断力と指導力が厳しく問われよう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2010) （2010年5月24日01時16分 読売新聞）

  May 25, 2010

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• 裁判員制度　１年間の検証を改善に生かせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 24, 2010)Improve lay judge system by examining past trials裁判員制度　１年間の検証を改善に生かせ（5月23日付・読売社説）One year has passed since the law governing the lay judge system came into effect. Lay judge trials have not faced major troubles so far. 　裁判員法が施行されてから１年が経過した。裁判員裁判は、概(おおむ)ね順調に実施されている。However, some problems have begun to emerge. It is essential to solve these problems by closely examining past lay judge trials. 　だが、一方で課題も見えてきた。これまでの公判の綿密な検証を行い、問題点を改善していくことが大切だ。According to the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, verdicts have been handed down to 530 defendants since the law took effect on May 21 last year. Six citizen judges are chosen per case, meaning more than 3,000 people have served as lay judges nationwide. 　最高検によると、裁判員法が施行された昨年５月２１日からの１年間に、対象事件で５３０人に判決が言い渡された。一つの事件で６人の裁判員が選ばれることから、これまでに全国で３０００人以上が裁判員を務めたことになる。In many cases, trials ended after three to four days. However, one trial for which the Kyoto District Court handed down a ruling on Thursday lasted nine days, which appeared to be the longest lay judge trial so far. This is because quite a bit of time was spent to hear trial testimony, including that of an expert witness who performed a psychiatric examination of a defendant charged with injury resulting in death. 　多くの公判は３～４日間で終了している。だが、京都地裁で２０日に判決が出た事件の公判は、これまでで最長とみられる９日間を要した。傷害致死罪などに問われた被告の精神鑑定医らの証人尋問に多くの時間が割かれたためだ。There likely will be even more prolonged trials in the future, in cases where the application of capital punishment, for example, becomes a major contention. 　今後は死刑の適用などを巡り、より長期化する公判もあろう。It is vital, therefore, that judges as well as prosecutors and lawyers take heed to ensure efficient trial proceedings and fully examine cases, while giving consideration to lay judges to ensure that excessive burdens are not placed on them. 　裁判員に過度の負担がかからないよう配慮しながら、十分に審理を尽くすためには、裁判官はもちろん、検察官、弁護人が効率的な公判の進行に留意することが肝要である。

  May 24, 2010

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• 日米外相会談　現行案軸に「普天間」合意急げ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 23, 2010)Japan-U.S. accord on Futenma an urgent task日米外相会談　現行案軸に「普天間」合意急げ（5月22日付・読売社説）This is no time for Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to be overly concerned about his personal pride. If he aims to reach a Japan-U.S. agreement on the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, he should not cling to superficial revisions but go back to the original plan agreed upon by Japan and the United States in 2006. 　もはや鳩山首相はメンツにこだわっている時ではない。米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題で日米合意を目指すなら、小手先の修正に固執せず、現行案に回帰する決断をすべきだ。U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada during a brief visit to this country Friday, and confirmed that the two nations would continue to work toward the announcement of a bilateral agreement on the Futenma issue within the month. 　来日したクリントン米国務長官が岡田外相と会談し、普天間問題の日米合意を月内にまとめる方向で調整を急ぐ方針を確認した。"I am confident we will resolve this matter in a way that reflects the very best of our alliance, the strength of that alliance," Clinton stressed in a joint press conference with Okada. 長官は記者会見で、「日米同盟の強さを反映する形で解決できると確信している」と強調した。The Hatoyama administration initially rejected the original 2006 plan, which calls for the reclamation of a coastal area in the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, to construct an alternative facility to the Futenma Air Station. 　鳩山政権は当初、沖縄県名護市辺野古の沿岸部を埋め立てて普天間飛行場の代替施設を建設する現行案に否定的だった。However, the administration recently changed its approach to settling the issue by partially revising the 2006 plan on such points as the location of the alternative facility and the construction method. This is because the administration's attempts to obtain the cooperation of new candidate sites for relocation--such as Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture--failed one after another, mainly due to opposition from local governments and residents. 　だが、最近、現行案の代替施設の位置や建設工法を一部修正することで決着を目指す方針に転じた。鹿児島県・徳之島など新たな移設先候補が、地元の反対で次々と頓挫したためだ。=== Too late but practical As there is almost no hope Hatoyama will be able to keep his promise of settling the issue by the end of May, the administration appears to want to demonstrate that the problem has been solved by at least managing to reach a Japan-U.S. agreement. 　鳩山首相が約束した５月末の問題決着が絶望的となる中、せめて日米合意をまとめ、体裁を繕おうという思惑があるようだ。The policy change comes too late, but it is practical and desirable from the viewpoint of lessening the burden on Okinawa Prefecture while at the same time maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance. 　遅すぎた方針転換だが、日米同盟を堅持しつつ、沖縄の負担軽減を実現する観点からは、現実的で望ましい方向と言えよう。As long as the administration is reversing its policy, it should immediately abandon the idea of changing the construction method from reclamation to the quick installation platform method in the name of "giving serious consideration to the environment." 　方針転換した以上、「環境重視」の名目で埋め立てを杭(くい)打ち桟橋方式に変更することなどは、早く断念した方がいい。The government should give more consideration to the fact that an administrative organization of residents in the Henoko district--people who will feel the impact of the relocation most strongly--accepted the 2006 reclamation plan, albeit conditionally. 　代替施設の影響を最も受ける辺野古地区の住民組織が埋め立てによる現行案を容認していることをもっと重視する必要がある。Hatoyama advocated transfer of the Futenma functions to somewhere outside the prefecture due to his lack of understanding of the problem and was unable to make a decision to go forward with the 2006 plan in December last year. He should apologize to the public for these failures in a straightforward manner and ask for the understanding of local governments and residents of Okinawa Prefecture. 　鳩山首相は、普天間問題に関する理解不足から「県外移設」を主張したり、昨年末に現行案での決着を決断できなかったりした自らの過ちを率直に謝罪し、沖縄や地元の理解を求めるべきだ。=== China's cooperation key During the Okada-Clinton talks, the two ministers agreed their countries would support South Korea and cooperate with that nation regarding the March sinking of a South Korean Navy patrol vessel. A multinational team of investigators concluded Thursday the ship sank as the result of a torpedo attack by a North Korean submarine. 　日米外相会談では、「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」が原因と判明した韓国軍哨戒艦沈没事件について、日米両国が韓国の立場を支持し、連携していく方針で一致した。Although it was South Korea that was directly affected by the incident, Japan cannot view it as someone else's problem. We must recognize it as a serious issue that concerns our own security. It is important for Japan to discuss the issue closely and continuously with the United States, a mutual ally of Japan and South Korea. 　被害を受けたのは韓国だが、日本にとっても決して人ごとではない。日本自らの安全保障にかかわる重大な問題と認識したうえ、日韓共通の同盟国である米国と緊密に協議を重ねることが大切だ。If South Korea brings the case to the U.N. Security Council, Japan should naturally extend the utmost cooperation toward adoption of a strict, effective resolution at the council and the formation of an international coalition against North Korea. 　韓国が国連安全保障理事会に事件を提起すれば、実効性のある厳しい決議を採択し、北朝鮮包囲網を構築するよう、日本が最大限協力するのは当然である。The important thing is to win the cooperation of China, which has a certain level of influence over North Korea. In that sense, the talks scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday between the foreign ministers of Japan, China and South Korea will be an important diplomatic forum. Hatoyama must align his steps with those of South Korea in persuading China. 　重要なのは、北朝鮮に一定の影響力を持つ中国の協力を得ることだ。２９、３０両日の日中韓首脳会談が重要な外交の場となる。鳩山首相は、韓国と足並みをそろえ、中国を説得せねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 22, 2010) （2010年5月22日01時16分 読売新聞）

  May 23, 2010

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• May you rest in peace.

  ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????(??????)I would like to express my sincere condolences to the people who died unfortunately in this democratization movement in the Kingdom of Thailand.May everybody rest in peace.(Srachai)このたびタイの民主化運動で犠牲になられた方々に謹んで哀悼の意を捧げます。安らかにお眠りください。(スラチャイ)

  May 22, 2010

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• 韓国哨戒艦沈没　やはり「北」の魚雷攻撃だった

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 22, 2010)Evidence overwhelming of N. Korea torpedo attack韓国哨戒艦沈没　やはり「北」の魚雷攻撃だった（5月21日付・読売社説）A multinational investigation has determined that the sinking on March 26 of a South Korean naval warship in the Yellow Sea was caused by a North Korean torpedo. On Thursday, South Korea's Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group released the results of its investigation into the incident, concluding that an underwater blast caused by a North Korean homing torpedo tore the Cheonan patrol vessel in two in waters west of the Korean Peninsula. 　朝鮮半島の西側の黄海で、３月２６日に起きた韓国海軍哨戒艦「天安」の沈没事件について、韓国の軍・民間合同調査団は「北朝鮮の魚雷攻撃」によるものだった、と結論づける調査報告を発表した。In a swift reaction to the release of the report, Pyongyang called the results "a fabrication," warning that any retaliation would prompt it to "respond with various forceful actions, including all-out war." 　名指しされた北朝鮮は、ただちに「捏造(ねつぞう)だ」と反発し、制裁に対しては「全面戦争を含む各種の強硬措置で応える」と恫喝(どうかつ)した。If circumstances take a turn for the worse, North Korea might resort to further flagrant provocations. Japan, the United States and South Korea must work together closely to prevent the reclusive state from behaving recklessly. China and Russia should also act in concert with the three nations. 　今後の展開次第で、北朝鮮が危険な挑発行為に出る恐れもある。日米韓の３か国は連携を強め、これを断固阻止する決意で臨まなければならない。中露両国も、これに呼応すべきだ。The team of investigators included specialists from the United States, Britain, Australia and Sweden. 　調査団には、米、英、豪、スウェーデンの専門家も加わった。Fragments recovered from the waters where the Cheonan went down--components of a torpedo propulsion device, including a propeller--provided all the evidence needed to determine what happened. The fragments in question matched the schematics of a torpedo included in introductory brochures provided to foreign countries by North Korea for export purposes. 　「北朝鮮の犯行」を裏付ける決め手となったのは、沈没現場の海域で回収したスクリューを含む魚雷用の推進動力部品だった。北朝鮮の輸出兵器カタログに載った魚雷の設計図に示された部品と大きさや形状が合致していた。The investigative team's conclusion, supported by these pieces of material evidence, is convincing. 　そうした物的証拠も公開しての発表は客観的で説得力がある。=== Possible retaliation North Korea continues to deny its involvement in the sinking. It should be remembered, however, that Pyongyang has lied about various criminal actions it has been accused of in the past. These include a spate of kidnappings targeting Japanese and a terrorist bomb explosion that occurred in Yangon 27 years ago, killing a number of people, including four South Korean cabinet ministers. Given this, North Korea's denial of its involvement in the sinking of the warship cannot be taken at face value. 　当の北朝鮮は、事件との関与を否定している。だが、日本人拉致や、韓国の４閣僚らを爆死させた２７年前の爆破テロなどで、ウソを重ねた北朝鮮のことだ。額面通りには受け取れない。The sinking of the Cheonan occurred in waters where repeated clashes between warships from the South and North have occurred. In November, a North Korean warship was damaged in an exchange of fire between South and North Korean ships in the Yellow Sea. Some South Koreans view the torpedo attack as retaliation by North Korea for this exchange of fire. 　事件現場は、韓国と北朝鮮の艦艇が衝突を繰り返してきた一触即発の海域だ。昨年１１月にも、機関砲を撃ち合い、北朝鮮側に損害が出た。魚雷攻撃はその報復だとする見解が韓国内にはある。South Korea is fundamentally reviewing its defense policy in response to the sinking and is expected to further bolster its alliance with the United States. This apparently shows that the South Korean government learned a bitter lesson when it dropped its guard against North Korea as a result of the sunshine policy of engagement with Pyongyang adopted by the preceding left-leaning administration. 　韓国は今回の事件を機に、防衛政策の抜本的見直しに入った。米韓同盟の一層の強化を打ち出す見通しだ。左派政権の対「北」融和政策の結果、北朝鮮への警戒が薄れていたことへの反省がある。=== UNSC may get issue The South Korean government is expected to take the issue of the Cheonan's sinking to the U.N. Security Council. 　韓国政府は、国連安全保障理事会に提訴する方針だ。In separate telephone conversations with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to support South Korea in addressing the issue at the Security Council. Japan and the United States should strive to ensure the council adopts a document that raises harsh questions about North Korea's responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan. 　鳩山首相とオバマ米大統領は、李明博大統領との個別の電話会談で韓国への支援を約束した。安保理では、北朝鮮の責任を厳しく問う文書の採択に尽力すべきだ。Attention will be focused on whether China will choose to condemn North Korea in response to the release of the latest report. We hope the Chinese government will take a firm stance against North Korea. 　中国が、調査結果発表を受けて北朝鮮非難の姿勢を見せるかが、注目される。この際、中国には毅然(きぜん)と対処してもらいたい。Participants in the six-party talks aimed at having North Korea dismantle its nuclear weapons will probably have to postpone a resumption of their negotiations for some time to come. However, doing so will help Pyongyang gain time to further advance its nuclear weapons development program, as it has been unwilling to return to the negotiating table. 　北朝鮮の核廃棄を目指す６か国協議の再開は、今回の事件の影響で、当面ずれ込むと見られる。だが、それは協議復帰を渋る北朝鮮にとって、核兵器開発の時間を稼ぐことにつながる。North Korea's nuclear weapons program--a direct threat to our national security--must not be left unchecked. With this in mind, Japan needs to look for ways to open a new round of six-nation talks at an early date. 　日本の安全を直接脅かす北朝鮮の核開発を野放しにはできない。日本としては、６か国協議の早期再開の道を探る必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 21, 2010) （2010年5月21日01時08分 読売新聞）

  May 22, 2010

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• タイのアピシット首相治安回復宣言を発令

  本日５月２１日午後、アピシット首相はバンコクとタイ全土各県が治安回復した宣言を行いました。これから裁判で首謀者は処罰されることになるでしょうが、それがまた紛争の火種になるのではないかととても心配です。カーフューの解除宣言はまだ出ていません。まだまだ予断を許さない状況です。出頭したUDD首脳陣に対しては特段の温情有る裁きを示して欲しい。タイの民主化はちょっとだけ遅くなりますが、民主主義の魂は人々の心の中で着実に育ってきています。今後のタイ王国の発展を心より願っております。srachai from khonkaen, thailand(extracted from AFP, Bangkok)↓Thailand's PM says order restored after crackdownタイのアピシット首相治安回復宣言を発令BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday that order has been restored in Bangkok and the nation's provinces, after an offensive to shut down anti-government protests."We have restored order in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand," Abhisit said in a nationally televised address, but said there was much work to be done to bring about reconciliation."We will continue to swiftly restore normalcy and we recognise that as we move ahead there are huge challenges ahead of us, particularly the challenge of overcoming the divisions that have occurred in this country," he said.

  May 21, 2010

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• タイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実

  見つけました、英文のオリジナル記事ニューヨークのフリーランスライターSchectmanさんがNewsweek社のために書き下ろしたものです。日本語の訳文はYahoo news より引用しました。訳文はほぼ完璧ですが、出だしと最後の部分は多少脚色されているかもしれません。原文も翻訳もみごとなものです。(extracted from newsweek us & yahoo news jp)Last Best Hopeタイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実ジョエル・シェクトマン（ジャーナリスト）Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was thought to be a populist demagogue. Actually, he was the high-water mark for Thai democracy.タクシン元首相は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ民主主義的だったのだDozens have died since Thailand's security forces started their crackdown last week against antigovernment protesters, known as the red shirts, who have taken over the streets of Bangkok to denounce their disenfranchisement since the exile of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, deposed in a 2006 military coup. 　今月１３日に始まったタイ治安部隊とタクシン・シナワット元首相派勢力との衝突は、４０人近い死者を出す事態に発展している。　いわゆる「赤シャツ隊」のタクシン派は、０６年の軍事クーデターでタクシンが失脚・亡命してから、タクシン派政治家の公民権が停止されていることについて、首都バンコクの市街地を占拠して抗議を続けている。Images from Bangkok show a burgeoning war zone: lines of soldiers firing on packed crowds, unarmed men dead in the streets, burning vehicles, and barricades. 　バンコクからのニュース映像は、戦闘地帯の急拡大を伝えている。居並ぶ治安部隊が群集に向けて発砲し、非武装の市民の死体が道に転がり、車は炎上し、バリケードが築かれている。　抗議活動の中止を条件に政府側は話し合いに応じるとしていたが、治安部隊は１９日にバンコク中心部でデモ隊のバリケードを突破。ロイター通信によれば、タクシンは治安部隊による強制排除が国中でゲリラ戦を引き起こす可能性がある、と述べた。And there's no sign of regret from the nation's rich elite, who engineered Thaksin's ouster. To them, and to much of the world outside Thailand, he was a populist demagogue. 　泥沼化にもかかわらず、タクシンを追放したエリート層が後悔している様子はない。彼らにとって、そしてタイ国外の人々にとって、タクシンはポピュリストのデマゴーグ（大衆迎合主義の扇動政治家）だった。He manipulated the ignorant rural majority for political power, the thinking goes, and he might have been the next Hugo Chavez.タクシンは無教養な農村貧困層の大衆を操って権力を握った。第２のウゴ・チャベスになっていたかもしれない、というのが彼らの見解だ。But for all his failings-and there are many-Thaksin represents the high-water mark of Thailand's crumbling democracy. 　だがタクシンは、砕け散ったタイ民主主義が最も素晴らしかったころを象徴する人物だ。He was undoubtedly cynical and probably corrupt, but his party, Thai Rak Thai, was the first to approach a majority of parliamentary seats-248 out of 500. 確かに不手際は数え切れないほどあった。彼は素直な政治家などでなく、汚職に手を染めたこともほぼ間違いないが、タクシンのタイ愛国党は０１年に下院で初めて５００議席の過半数に迫る２４８議席数を獲得した政党だ。The closest runner-up in that election took 96. Thaksin won this mandate by mobilizing uninitiated voters in the countryside, rendering a record 70 percent turnout. タクシンは農村部の政治に疎い大衆を動員することで、７０％という記録的な投票率も実現した。When the former policeman turned telecom mogul entered politics, he promised to move the base of power from its traditional center-among the rich in Bangkok-to the rural poor, who make up 80 percent of the nation. And he did.　元警察官で実業家のタクシンは政界に進出するにあたり、バンコクの富裕層から国民の８０％を占める農村貧困層へ権力の中心を移す、と約束した。そしてタクシンはその通り約束を実行した。■利益誘導と民主主義は矛盾しないFor much of the last 30 years Thailand has vacillated between the rule of juntas and strongmen. Eventually, the 1997 Asian financial crisis brought to power a prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, who pushed for good-government reforms. But his belt-tightening policies ignored the needs of rural Thais suffering from the downturn.　過去３０年間、タイは軍事政権と独裁者の統治との間で揺れ動いて来た。97年のアジア通貨危機によってチュアン・リークパイ元首相が権力を握り政治改革を推し進めたが、彼の金融引き締め策は景気後退に苦しむ農村貧困層を無視するものだった。So when Thaksin promised to address their needs in 2001, they elected Thailand's first truly representative government. Thaksin pumped billions into rural development-including a $2.3 billion Village Fund that gave $25,000 to each of Thailand's 80,000 villages for microloans and grants to start small businesses and help farmers expand production. 　彼らの要求に耳を傾けることを約束して、０１年に登場したのがタクシンだった。タクシンは農村部の開発に数十億ドルをつぎ込んだ。小口融資や起業支援、あるいは農作物の生産拡大資金として、タイの約８万の村にそれぞれ２万５０００ドルを支給した総額２３億ドルの農村ファンドもその一環だ。

  May 21, 2010

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• タクシンの素顔に迫る

  yahoo news の　newsweek 日本語版でこの記事を発見。今原文（英語）を探しています。日本のマスコミはタクシンが失脚したあと除々に態度を変えタクシンと距離をおくようになりました。アメリカのは違う。Newsweekにはこんな記事も掲載されているのです。ものごとの本質にせまる米国人の熱い気迫を感じました。是非原文（英文）で読んでみたい。以下は翻訳文です。↓タイ動乱「陰の主役」の真実ニューズウィーク日本版5月19日(水) 21時18分配信 / 海外 - 海外総合 タクシン元首相は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ民主主義的だったのだ──ジョエル・シェクトマン（ジャーナリスト）　今月１３日に始まったタイ治安部隊とタクシン・シナワット元首相派勢力との衝突は、４０人近い死者を出す事態に発展している。　いわゆる「赤シャツ隊」のタクシン派は、０６年の軍事クーデターでタクシンが失脚・亡命してから、タクシン派政治家の公民権が停止されていることについて、首都バンコクの市街地を占拠して抗議を続けている。　バンコクからのニュース映像は、戦闘地帯の急拡大を伝えている。居並ぶ治安部隊が群集に向けて発砲し、非武装の市民の死体が道に転がり、車は炎上し、バリケードが築かれている。　抗議活動の中止を条件に政府側は話し合いに応じるとしていたが、治安部隊は１９日にバンコク中心部でデモ隊のバリケードを突破。ロイター通信によれば、タクシンは治安部隊による強制排除が国中でゲリラ戦を引き起こす可能性がある、と述べた。　泥沼化にもかかわらず、タクシンを追放したエリート層が後悔している様子はない。彼らにとって、そしてタイ国外の人々にとって、タクシンはポピュリストのデマゴーグ（大衆迎合主義の扇動政治家）だった。タクシンは無教養な農村貧困層の大衆を操って権力を握った。第２のウゴ・チャベスになっていたかもしれない、というのが彼らの見解だ。　だがタクシンは、砕け散ったタイ民主主義が最も素晴らしかったころを象徴する人物だ。確かに不手際は数え切れないほどあった。彼は素直な政治家などでなく、汚職に手を染めたこともほぼ間違いないが、タクシンのタイ愛国党は０１年に下院で初めて５００議席の過半数に迫る２４８議席数を獲得した政党だ。タクシンは農村部の政治に疎い大衆を動員することで、７０％という記録的な投票率も実現した。　元警察官で実業家のタクシンは政界に進出するにあたり、バンコクの富裕層から国民の８０％を占める農村貧困層へ権力の中心を移す、と約束した。そしてタクシンはその通り約束を実行した。■利益誘導と民主主義は矛盾しない　過去３０年間、タイは軍事政権と独裁者の統治との間で揺れ動いて来た。97年のアジア通貨危機によってチュアン・リークパイ元首相が権力を握り政治改革を推し進めたが、彼の金融引き締め策は景気後退に苦しむ農村貧困層を無視するものだった。　彼らの要求に耳を傾けることを約束して、０１年に登場したのがタクシンだった。タクシンは農村部の開発に数十億ドルをつぎ込んだ。小口融資や起業支援、あるいは農作物の生産拡大資金として、タイの約８万の村にそれぞれ２万５０００ドルを支給した総額２３億ドルの農村ファンドもその一環だ。　警察官時代にアメリカ留学の経験もあるタクシンは、農村部の小規模ビジネスの起業を支援するという自由主義的な手法と、農家への債務支払い猶予や補助金支給といったポピュリスト的政策をない交ぜにして実行した。こうした政策によって、国民１人当たりＧＤＰ（国内総生産）は０１年から０６年の間に７０％も増えた。農村部の住民収入の伸びはそれ以上だった。　０１年にタクシンは貧困層が７５セントで医療を受けられる医療保険制度をつくった。野党はタクシンが票をカネで買っていると非難した。だが貧困ライン（生活に必要な最低限の物を購入することができる最低限の収入水準）以下で暮らす国民は、００年に１２７０万人いたが、４年後には７１０万人まで減少した。　タクシンの大義はほかの政治家と同様だ。すなわち権力を握り、権力を維持すること。それでも彼は得票操作ではなく、正当な選挙と政策によってそれを成し遂げた。利益と統治をうまく結びつけることで、指導者は権力の座にとどまる──機能する民主主義とはそういうものだ。　タイ民主主義においてタクシンが重要なのは、貧困層に奉仕したことばかりが理由ではない。彼には政治家としての能力があった。７６年に軍政が終了してから、４年の任期を最後まで務め上げた首相はタクシンが初めてだった。それ以外はみな、クーデターで転覆されるか辞任させられるか、連立を組むパートナーに見捨てられるかして新たに選挙を迫られた。　王室の陰謀と軍隊の派閥が政治に影響力を持つタイにおいて、エリート層はタクシンのビジネスライクな手法を好まなかった。彼は中央政府のチェックなしに地方の決定権を握ることができる「ＣＥＯ知事」を新設したが、形を変えた縁故主義にすぎないとレッテルを張られた。■バラマキでつくり出したチェック機能　それでも数値目標を設定し、地方当局者に決定権を与えることで、タクシンはタイを経済危機から救うことに成功した。ＩＭＦ（国際通貨基金）からの融資も予定より２年前倒しで返済した。　もちろんタクシンは聖人ではない。反タクシン派が主張する彼の姿の大半は真実だろう。０３年にタクシンが行った麻薬撲滅作戦（３カ月以内に麻薬取引を根こそぎにすると約束した）は、数千人の死者を出した。軍事攻撃によって南部のイスラム教徒の暴力は激化した。　農村融資は単なる票集めの手段に過ぎなかったと批判派は口をそろえる。タクシン自身も融資が返済されることはないと分かっていたはずだと（実際、多くの国々で農業助成は行われているのだが）。　だがタクシンにどんな欠陥があろうと、０１年から０６年にかけて彼が大衆の政治参加を実現し、タイ民主主義の最も輝ける瞬間を実現したのは間違いない。タクシンがエリート層を疎外しようと、一般大衆は彼が自分たちの味方だと考えていた。　どんな国にも利害の対立する階級や派閥は存在する。明らかに現在の衝突は行き過ぎだ。だが農村の有権者を政治に参加させることで、タクシンは都市のエリート層の権力に対するチェック機能をつくり出した。　タクシン政権は民主主義を実現したが国は分裂させた、というのは正しくない。分裂させたからこそ、民主主義的だったのだ。

  May 21, 2010

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• アスベスト判決　国の怠慢が被害を拡大させた

  こうして判決が出てもただ国の責任というだけで当時の担当者は処罰されない。そして判決で勝訴した人々には国民の血税から支払いがなされる。血税の不足分は国債をどんどん発行してそれを補う。裁判所は本当にそう思うのなら当時の担当者も処罰してほしい。ひとまず被害者の苦しみを救った今回の裁定は評価できる。阪神淡路大震災のおり、スラチャイはたまたま日本勤務、すぐに大阪の阪神電車の倒壊した高架橋の復旧工事に派遣された。離婚していて家族のいなくなったスラチャイは危険地区への派遣は適任だと考えられていた。ここは倒壊したビルからアスベストが飛び交い、マスクを支給されてそれをつけて作業をした。いま考えるとあのとき支給されたマスクは安物、アスベストの進入を簡単に許してしまう。数ヶ月で復旧工事は終わったので大丈夫だと思うが…srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 21, 2010)Govt needs to get serious about asbestos, victimsアスベスト判決　国の怠慢が被害を拡大させた（5月20日付・読売社説）Despite being aware of the health risks posed, the government neglected to take the necessary measures to protect the nation's citizens from being exposed to deadly asbestos, leading to an increased number of people suffering from health problems, a court has ruled. 　アスベスト（石綿）の危険性を早くから知りながら、国は必要な対策を怠り、健康被害を拡大させた――。Plaintiffs in this lawsuit against the government claimed they and their families contracted asbestosis and lung cancer after inhaling the poisonous fireproof insulation while working at asbestos spinning and weaving mills in the Sennan district of southern Osaka Prefecture. The Osaka District Court on Wednesday ordered the central government to pay to the plaintiffs damages totaling about 435 million yen. 　大阪府南部・泉南地域の石綿紡織工場で働き、石綿肺（じん肺）や肺がんになった元従業員や家族らが国家賠償を求めた訴訟で、大阪地裁は国に約４億３５００万円の支払いを命じる判決を出した。The judicial ruling recognized for the first time the state's responsibility for health problems caused by exposure to asbestos. This latest ruling is expected to influence the outcomes of similar lawsuits pending in Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe. 　石綿被害をめぐり、国の責任を認めた初の司法判断である。東京、横浜、神戸の各地裁で争われている同種訴訟にも、大きな影響を与えるだろう。The ruling said the government had acted unlawfully by failing to put in place ordinances that would require ventilators in workplaces that deal with asbestos by 1960, when the original pneumoconiosis law was enacted. Such ordinances were designed to reduce health hazards and prevent health problems from spreading. 　判決は、旧じん肺法が成立した１９６０年までに、国として排気装置の設置を義務付けるなど、危険性を減らし、被害の拡大を防ぐための省令を制定しなかったことを、違法と認定した。The ruling also said the government had broken the law by not mandating that such workplaces report asbestos dust density levels and take appropriate action, even after a 1972 revelation that there was a causal link between asbestos and lung cancer and mesothelial tumors. 　７２年には肺がん、中皮腫との因果関係について医学的見解が明らかになったのに、粉じん濃度の測定結果の報告や改善措置を義務付けなかったことも違法とした。"By not using its power [the government] has deviated from its permissible limits and has been grossly irrational, and thus its actions were illegal," the ruling said, harshly criticizing the negligence of the central government. 　「権限の不行使が、許容される限度を逸脱し、著しく合理性を欠き違法」と、判決は国の怠慢を厳しく批判している。=== Ignorance wasn't bliss Since the late Meiji era (1868-1912), the Sennan district has been peppered with asbestos-related factories and mills. These factories were involved in the production of munitions during the years leading up to World War II and underpinned the nation's key industries after the war. 　泉南地域には明治末期から石綿関連の工場が多数集まり、戦前は軍需産業、戦後は国の基幹産業を下支えしてきた。The workers at most of these workplaces--which were run by small businesses--continuously inhaled asbestos, unaware of the danger, and eventually contracted related illnesses. 零細業者がほとんどで、従業員は危険性の認識もないまま石綿を吸い込み続け、病に侵されていった。In regard to this, the court said, "The central government also failed to provide people with the appropriate information concerning asbestos and the health risks linked to it." 　その点を判決は、「国民に対する石綿被害や危険性に関する適切な情報提供についても、やはり国は怠ったと言わざるを得ない」と指摘した。If this information had been made public earlier, fewer people's health would have been adversely affected. 危険情報が早期に伝えられていれば、被害の拡大はもっと抑えられたかもしれない。As asbestos that has been inhaled can lie dormant for a long time before becoming pathogenic, the causal link between disease and asbestos dust has been traditionally difficult to pin down. 　石綿の吸引から病気発症までは長い潜伏期間があり、粉じんと被害の因果関係はわかりにくい。Yet international research and medical and epidemiological studies in the Sennan district have uncovered the causal link. The central government should be held seriously responsible for having made light of these findings. しかし、海外の研究や泉南地域での医学・疫学調査の結果は、因果関係を指摘していた。国がこれらを軽視してきた責任も重大だ。=== State's role greater than ever With regards to nonfeasance on the part of public administrators, there has been a growing trend toward courts ordering the state to pay damages. In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled against the state, ordering it to pay damages to former coal miners who were suffering from black lung disease in the Chikuho district of Fukuoka Prefecture. The same year, the top court also ordered the central government to pay damages to a group of Minamata mercury poisoning victims then living in the Kansai region. 　行政の不作為をめぐっては、筑豊じん肺訴訟や関西水俣病訴訟の最高裁判決（いずれも２００４年）が、国に賠償を命じるなど流れが定着しつつある。The state's responsibility to protect our health has become greater than ever. 国民の健康、安全を守る行政の責任はますます重くなっている。Even after the World Health Organization in 1972 issued an alert on the carcinogenicity of asbestos, the nation continued its mass consumption of asbestos to meet the demand brought about because of the country's high economic growth. 　世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）が石綿の発がん性を警告した７２年以降も、日本では経済成長の波に乗り石綿の大量消費が続いていた。The widespread use is now coming back to haunt us whenever a building or school built at that time is torn down. We hope the central government will be serious in its efforts to eliminate the damage brought on by asbestos. 　それが今、ビルや学校などの解体現場で問題化しつつある。国は石綿被害の解消に真剣に取り組んでもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 20, 2010) （2010年5月20日01時46分 読売新聞）

  May 21, 2010

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• 悪夢のような一日

  昨日は悪夢のような一日だった。バンコクの状況は最悪。現在でも暴動は続いている。アジア第二位の規模を誇るセントラルデパートメントは全焼。タイではセンタンと呼ばれている。ローマ字のLはタイでは音節末尾に現れるときにはNと発音されるためだ。ビクシーやロータスなどの米国系スーパーマーケットも次々と放火された。テレビ局も放火されて、現在放送が中止されている局もある。銀行も放火され、ATMも破壊されているらしい。コンドミニアムも放火されているようだ。バンコクには日本企業の駐在員とその家族が４００００人くらい居住しているはずだ。テレビの画面をみていて大きなショックを受けた。もともと私はバンコクはあまり好きではない。それでもまるで戦場のようなありさまを目の当たりにして大きなショックを受けた。コーンケーンには昨夜、夜間外出禁止令（カーフュー）が発令された。数日前には非常事態宣言の地域に指定されたばかりだ。朝の６時、恐る恐る窓から外を眺める。静かだ。人っ子一人見かけることは出来ない。皆、家の中に引きこもっているようだ。学校からは何の連絡もない。ここは安全のために娘たちは学校を休ませた。テレビの画面をみる。コーンケーンでも、争いはまだ終わっていないようだ。若い娘さんが軍の兵士の前に出て行き、罵っている。７０台とみられる元気のいいおじいさんがプロパンガスボンベを抱えて軍の兵士に向かって罵っている。｢撃ってみろ｣って。昨日コーンケーンでも一人死者が出たようだが報道管制されているらしく情報が伝わってこない。スラチャイの自宅から町まで５ｋｍ。出かけて行って様子をみたい。新聞記事に目を通す。朝日と読売がタイ騒乱の記事を社説として掲載していた。朝日のはかなり真実に近い。読売のは偏見がかなり入っていて読んでいて頭に来る。読売の特色は強者追従型、弱者には容赦なく叱責の鞭をふるう。現政権のとった措置を批判せずにタクシンの批判をしていた。昨日タイ現政権は司法を通じてタクシンに対してテロリストとして逮捕する、いわば逮捕状を発行した。帰国したら間違いなく裁かれて極刑に処される。こんな無法が許されるのか。タクシンが貧しい農民や都市の貧困層に対してどれだけ大きな援助をしたのか人々は忘れていない。タクシンが巨万の富を築いたのは彼の携帯電話事業が成功したからに他ならない。金持ちはたくさんいる。けれどもタクシンのようにひたむきに弱者を救済した金持ちはあまりいない。選挙のためだと言い切る人も多い。例え選挙のためだとしても、ここまで思いつめて弱者を救済する人はかつていなかった。タクシンの心の優しさがそうさせているのに気づかない人も多い。テレビの国会中継で泣きながら答弁していたタクシンがまるで昨日のことのように思い出される。一時帰国したときにはスワナプーム国際空港の入り口の大地にひざまずき、頭を大地につけてタイ国への思い入れを示していた。私は思わず目頭を熱くした。

  May 20, 2010

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• 大手銀行黒字　成長戦略で金融の役割果たせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 20, 2010)Major banks should play role in growth strategy大手銀行黒字　成長戦略で金融の役割果たせ（5月19日付・読売社説）Even though the nation's leading banks have overcome the severe state of affairs they found themselves in, future prospects are far from rosy. Their earnings reports for the business year ending in March clearly indicate the financial sector needs to tackle a number of problems. 　最悪期は乗り切ったものの、今後の展望は開けていない。大手銀行の２０１０年３月期決算を見ると、日本の金融業界が抱える多くの課題が浮かび上がってくる。Consolidated settlement of accounts for the country's six major banking groups showed that they all posted group net profits, which when combined exceeded 1 trillion yen. Their business performances are a significant improvement over the previous year, when four of the groups reported losses. 　大手銀行６グループの連結決算は、税引き後利益がそろって黒字となり、利益の合計は１兆円を超えた。４グループが赤字だった前年から業績は急回復した。This can be attributed to reduced bad debt reserves as the economy has picked up. The business recovery has helped reduce the number of major companies collapsing and improved bank customers' businesses. The rise in stock prices, which plunged sharply in the previous business year, also helped improve the financial health of banks as a result of reduced appraisal losses in stockholdings. 　景気が持ち直し、不良債権の処理費用が少なくなったおかげだ。大企業の倒産が減り、取引先の業績も改善した。前年に大きく下げた株価が回復して、保有する株式の評価損などが縮小したことも幸いした。However, bank profits are only about one-third of what they were before the global financial crisis hit following the collapse of Lehman Brothers. 　ただし、利益の規模はリーマン・ショック前の３分の１ほどの低水準にとどまっている。Using a point system, we can say that although the banks racked up few "minus points," or losses, they still failed to raise their scores sufficiently. 　損失という「減点」は少なかったが、肝心な収益の「得点」は伸び悩んだということだろう。=== Don't restrict lending Four banking groups saw declines in net business profits--those incurred from lendings and other core businesses. Though Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc. chalked up increased profits for the 2009 business year, they were inflated by profits from bond transactions. 　銀行の本業のもうけを示す業務純益は、４グループで前年実績を下回った。増益だった三菱ＵＦＪフィナンシャル・グループと、みずほフィナンシャルグループも、債券売買の運用益などでかさ上げされた面が強い。Major banks are not the only ones affected. Commercial financial institutions as a whole are experiencing declines in outstanding loans and shrinking net interest margin. But banks should not restrict loans by overreacting to risks and depending too much on bond investment and other operations to ensure profits. 　大手行に限らず民間金融機関はこのところ貸出残高が減り、利ざやも縮小傾向にある。過剰にリスクを恐れて融資を絞り、債券投資などに収益を頼り過ぎるのは、銀行本来の姿とは言えまい。After government-affiliated financial institutions have taken steps to deal with the lingering crisis, private-sector banks will need to fulfill their financing functions, including raising funds for small and midsize companies, which are the lifeblood nourishing the Japanese economy. 　公的金融機関による危機対応が一巡した後は、民間の銀行が、中小企業の資金繰りも含め、日本経済の血流である金融機能を、しっかり担う必要がある。It is essential for major banks to contribute to the country's economic growth, which is being adversely affected by deflation. The public and private sectors should cooperate to carry out growth strategies to prevent the economy from going downhill again. 　特に大手行は、新たな経済成長への貢献も重要だ。長期デフレで景気回復はもたついている。官民挙げた成長戦略で、日本経済の衰退を防がねばならない。=== Selecting promising firms Banks should lend funds to companies in promising fields to support the government's growth strategy. 　成長する分野や企業を選ぶ「目利き力」を磨き、融資で成長戦略を後押ししてほしい。Businesses in emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere are highly promising. In this respect, it will become increasingly important to provide appropriate financial services to infrastructure projects and companies that establish branches in such countries. 　アジアなど新興市場のビジネスは有望だ。現地の社会資本（インフラ）整備や海外進出する日本企業に対して、的確な金融サービスを提供していくことが、ますます重要になる。As there are a limited number of financial experts versed in the various laws and customs in such countries, it is crucial to secure and train such human resources. 　国ごとに違う法律や慣行にも詳しい金融のプロは少ない。人材の確保や育成を急ぐべきだろう。Healthy financial conditions are also vital for banks to survive in this competitive world. Stricter international requirements on banks' capital adequacy are scheduled to start at the end of 2012. Major banks contend they have been prepared to comply with this requirement since last year. 　財務の健全性も、国際競争を勝ち抜く条件だ。１２年末には自己資本の充実に関する国際規制の強化が始まる。大手行は、昨年来の増資で備えを固めたとしている。Yet, financial markets around the world are still volatile due partly to global stock price declines that have spread from Europe. Banks must remain alert to possible confusion in the markets. 　だが、欧州発の世界同時株安などで国際市場は荒れ模様だ。波乱への警戒を怠ってはならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 19, 2010) （2010年5月19日01時44分 読売新聞）

  May 20, 2010

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• 命がけ

  昨日の夕刻、バンコクの状態にたまりかねたコーンケーン市民がデモ行進。規模は数千人。赤い文字で（無実の）タイ人民を殺さないで、と書いてありました。本日午後一番でこのデモ隊に警察か軍隊が発砲、多数の死傷者が出ています。現場はカイちゃんの小学校に隣接しています。命がけでお父さん、お母さんたちが子供を守るために学校に殺到、パニック状態です。私もカイちゃんを救出、近くのホテルで様子をみた後帰宅しました。なにしろ銃弾が飛び交っているので…私の娘をこんなにひどい目に合わせる、許せない。命ある限り、この日受けたショックは償ってもらう。携帯電話、テレビ中継、それにインターネットも規制されています。規制しているのは国王の周辺。許しがたい行為です。やっとわかりました。仕組みが。私はこの戦いで命を落としてもくいはありません。間もなく解決するでしょう。でも、私は今回受けた、ひどい仕打ちを一生わすれません。戦い抜きます。srachai from khonkaen, thailand

  May 19, 2010

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• 国民投票法施行　憲法改正に正面から向き合え

  敗戦後日本は米国の価値観を受け入れてここまでやってこれました。アメリカには感謝しなければならないとは思っています。戦後６０年以上経過した今、憲法の見直しを行っても米国は文句は言わない、日本は十分やっていけると思います。憲法審査会(deliberative council)を早急にたてなおし人選をしなければならないですね。人材が選任されていなければ憲法審査会は意味が無い。今後の動きに注目！srachai from khonkaen, thailand The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 19, 2010)Lawmakers must face constitutional change国民投票法施行　憲法改正に正面から向き合え（5月18日付・読売社説）The National Referendum Law, which stipulates procedures for amendment of the Constitution, came into effect Tuesday. 　憲法改正の手続きを定めた国民投票法が、きょう１８日施行される。As a result, lawmakers can now submit draft constitutional amendments to the Diet, a practice that had been frozen for three years since the national voting bill was enacted. This is an epoch-making event in the postwar history of our nation's constitutional politics. 　これにより、同法成立後３年間凍結されてきた憲法改正原案の国会提出が可能になる。戦後の憲政史上、画期的なことだ。If a draft constitutional amendment is approved by both the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives, it will be proposed to the public and then put to a national vote. 　原案が衆参両院で可決されると、国民に改正案が発議され、国民投票で賛否が問われる。Political parties must squarely face the issue of constitutional revision now, when procedures have been established for revising the nation's top law by the hands of the people. 　国民の手による最高法規の改正手順が整備された今こそ、各政党は、憲法改正に正面から向き合わねばならない。According to the procedures, the Deliberative Councils on the Constitution in the upper and lower houses are supposed to study draft amendments. However, neither house has even appointed people to the councils at present, so they have not been able to identify important points concerning constitutional revision for the nearly three years since they were established in 2007. 　憲法改正原案は、衆参両院に設けられた憲法審査会が審査する仕組みだ。だが、両院ともに現在、憲法審査会は委員すら選任されていない。このため過去３年近く、憲法改正の論点整理などに取り組むこともなかった。The councils have been inactive because the Democratic Party of Japan, the leading party in the ruling coalition, is not willing to start them. 　審査会が、こうして開店休業状態にあるのは、民主党がその始動に極めて消極的なためだ。Some members of the major opposition Liberal Democratic Party are trying to submit a draft constitutional amendment to the current Diet session. Even if it is submitted, however, the LDP draft is highly likely to just be shelved and collect dust under the current political situation. 　自民党内には、憲法改正原案を今国会に提出する動きがあるが、仮に提出しても、これではたなざらしにされるだけだろう。=== Tunes have changed Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is a confirmed advocate of constitutional revision. He once claimed Article 9 of the Constitution should stipulate that "land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will be maintained." 　鳩山首相は、かつて憲法９条に「陸海空軍その他の戦力は保持する」と明記するよう唱えるなど、れっきとした改憲論者だ。DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa released his own draft constitutional amendment in the past and criticized supporters of the current Constitution as having stopped thinking. Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also is finance minister, said when he was DPJ president that an extensive campaign to formulate a new constitution was necessary. 　小沢民主党幹事長は以前、「改正試案」を公表し、「『護憲』の実態は思考停止」と批判したりもしていた。菅副総理・財務相も党代表の時、「幅広い憲法制定運動が必要」と訴えていた。There is too much of a gap between these remarks and the current attitude of the DPJ, which has turned its back on discussions of constitutional changes in the deliberative councils. 　これらの発言と、憲法審査会での改憲論議に背を向ける、いまの民主党の姿勢は、あまりに落差が大きすぎる。The National Referendum Law was created from two bills, one submitted by the then ruling LDP and the other by the then opposition DPJ. There were no particular points of contention between the two parties on the issue; neither was the law railroaded through. The DPJ supported the upper house resolution that accompanied enactment of the law. 　国民投票法は、当時の与党・自民党案と、野党・民主党案をあわせて作成されたものだ。先鋭な対立点はなく、強引な採決が行われたわけでもない。参院の付帯決議には民主党も賛成していた。=== Get councils ready As the major ruling party, the DPJ is now responsible for resolving the "illegal condition" that the deliberative councils are currently in. 　民主党は、与党第１党として、審査会をめぐる「違法状態」を解消する責任がある。The National Referendum Law allows people aged 18 or older to vote, and an additional clause calls on the deliberative councils to discuss lowering the voting age in the Public Offices Election Law from 20 or older and lowering the age people become adults to 18 from 20 as currently stipulated in the Civil Code before enforcement. However, this "homework" has not been touched yet. 　国民投票法は、「１８歳以上」に投票権を認めた。　これに伴い、法施行までに、公職選挙法の選挙権年齢「２０歳以上」や民法の成年年齢「２０歳」を、１８歳に引き下げることを検討するよう付則で定めた。だが、これらの「宿題」も手つかずの状態だ。First, the upper house should quickly establish regulations for running its deliberative council and choose its members. The lower house, which already has such regulations, must select people for its own council as soon as possible. 　参院はまず、憲法審査会を運営していくための規程を速やかに制定し、委員を選ぶべきだ。すでに規程のある衆院は、委員の選任を急がねばならない。It is important for both houses to prepare the councils so they can start discussions on draft constitutional amendments whenever they are submitted to the Diet. 　衆参両院ともに、いつ改正原案が提出されても審査に臨めるよう態勢を整えることが大事だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 18, 2010) （2010年5月18日01時05分 読売新聞）

  May 19, 2010

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• 企業決算　本格回復への道は半ばだ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 18, 2010)Further corporate effort needed for full recovery企業決算　本格回復への道は半ばだ（5月17日付・読売社説）After hitting bottom, corporate performance is on the road to recovery, but future prospects are far from certain. The economy seems to be only halfway toward a full-scale recovery. 　企業業績はＶ字回復でどん底を脱した。だが、先行きは不透明で、本格的な回復への道はまだ半ばだろう。Settlements of accounts in March by firms listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange have reached their peak. After-tax profits by all listed firms are expected to turn into the black for the first time in two business years. 　東証１部上場企業の２０１０年３月期決算の発表がピークを迎えた。上場企業全体の税引き後利益は、２期ぶりに黒字に転換する見通しだ。In their settlements of accounts that ended in March 2009, major Japanese companies suffered huge losses when they chalked up their worst postwar performances due to the global recession caused by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in the autumn of the previous year. 　一昨年秋のリーマン・ショックと世界不況に直撃された昨年３月期決算は、主要企業が巨額赤字に転落し、戦後最悪だった。Many firms were prepared for deficits for the second straight business year. However, most of them saw their balance of accounts turn into the black or were able to reduce their deficits drastically. 　２期連続の赤字を覚悟した企業も多かったが、実際には、黒字に転換したり、赤字を大幅圧縮させたりした企業が相次いだ。The after-tax profits of about 30 percent of big businesses returned to levels seen before the Lehman shock. This means they were able to apply the brakes on deteriorating business faster than anticipated and overcome hard times. 　全体の約３割が、リーマン・ショック前の税引き後利益の水準を回復した。予想以上に早く、各企業が業績悪化に歯止めをかけ、試練を乗り切ったと言えよう。=== Trimming fat pays off The primary reason behind their recovery is their restructuring efforts, particularly in cutting personnel and production costs. By trimming the fat, the profits of all listed companies increased despite a drop in sales from a year earlier. 　最大の原動力は、リストラやコスト削減の徹底だ。売り上げが減っても利益が出せるよう、体質を絞った結果、上場企業全体の売上高は前期比で減少しながら、利益が増える減収増益を実現した。Carmakers and electrical appliance manufacturers, which boosted exports to China and other emerging markets that extricated themselves from the global recession ahead of other countries, served as locomotives for the recovery of listed firms. 　業種別では、世界不況からいち早く脱した中国などの新興国市場向けに、輸出を増大させた自動車と電機が牽引(けんいん)役になった。They probably rode on the tails of stimulus measures taken by each country to aid the purchase of automobiles and digital household appliances. 　自動車やデジタル家電の販売を支援する各国政府の景気刺激策も追い風に生かしたのだろう。A case in point is Honda Motor Co., which doubled its profits. Toyota Motor Corp., for its part, chalked up a profit for the first time in two business years. Hitachi, Ltd., which suffered an enormous deficit in fiscal 2009, is recovering sharply and a swing into the black is in sight. 　利益を倍増させたホンダが代表例だ。トヨタ自動車も２期ぶりに黒字を確保し、復活した。前期は巨額赤字の日立製作所も、黒字化が視野に入ってきた。On the other hand, nonmanufacturing industries such as retailing, real estate and trading have fought uphill battles and their degree of recovery varies. 　一方、小売り、不動産、商社などの非製造業は苦戦し、業績の回復にはばらつきがある。Shiseido Co. is strengthening its strategy to find a way out of its predicament by tapping the Asian market. It is vital for domestic demand-oriented firms to take advantage of foreign demand. 　資生堂は、アジア市場に活路を求める戦略強化を打ち出した。内需型の企業も、外需をいかに取り込むかが重要だ。=== Environment still tough But the environment surrounding corporate management is still severe. Therefore, it is natural for many businesses to be circumspect about their performance for the business year ending next March. 　だが、企業の経営環境はまだまだ厳しい。今期の業績に慎重な企業が多いのも当然だろう。Although the global economy has picked up, apprehensions have risen once more in the wake of Greek fiscal crisis. If the business slowdown of Europe is protracted, its effect could spread elsewhere in the world. A radical appreciation of the yen against the euro would cut into the profits of Japanese exporters. 　世界景気は持ち直してきたが、ギリシャ危機をきっかけに不安が再燃した。欧州経済の低迷が長期化すると、世界全体に波及しかねない。日本にとっても、急激な円高・ユーロ安は、輸出企業の採算を悪化させる。The effect of pump-priming measures adopted by various countries has eased off. Another concern is the rise in prices of iron ore and other resources. 　各国政府がとった景気刺激策の効果も剥落(はくらく)しつつあり、鉄鉱石などの値上がりも懸念材料だ。Each firm must further accelerate its "choice and concentration" of business and bolster its financial base. 　各社は、業務の「選択と集中」を一層加速し、財務基盤を強化しなければならない。Recovery efforts based on restructuring have their limit. It is indispensable for companies to be more aggressive in pioneering new growth markets and developing competitive products. 　リストラ主導では限界がある。新たな成長市場を開拓し、競争力ある製品を生み出すなど、「攻め」の姿勢が肝要である。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 17, 2010) （2010年5月17日01時27分 読売新聞）

  May 18, 2010

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• 小沢氏再聴取　検察は改めて真相解明めざせ

  Prosecutors should verify truth in Ozawa caseThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 17, 2010)小沢氏再聴取　検察は改めて真相解明めざせ（5月16日付・読売社説）The Tokyo District Public Prosectors Office's special investigation squad questioned Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa on Saturday. The questioning is part of prosecutors' reinvestigation into Ozawa's fund management body's alleged false reporting of political funds after the Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution decided last month that he merits indictment over the case. 　民主党の小沢幹事長が１５日、東京地検特捜部の事情聴取を受けた。先の検察審査会の「起訴相当」議決を受けた再捜査の一環である。During the questioning, the prosecutors are believed once again to have asked Ozawa whether he was involved in falsifying the political fund report. Ozawa apparently denied involvement, as he did before. 　この日の聴取で特捜部は、改めて政治資金収支報告書虚偽記入への、小沢氏本人の関与の認識などを質(ただ)したようだ。小沢氏はこれまで同様、否定したとみられる。It was the third round of questioning of Ozawa by the special investigation squad. Ozawa was surprisingly quick in responding to the questioning this time compared with the squad's request for its first round of inquiries in January, for which Ozawa refused to appear for more than two weeks, saying he was busy. 　小沢氏に対する特捜部の聴取はこれが３度目だ。１月に最初の聴取要請を受けた際には、多忙などを理由に半月以上も応じなかったのに比べると、驚くほどの対応の早さである。Three days ago, Ozawa expressed his intention to attend the Political Ethics Hearing Committee of the House of Representatives to explain the facts related to the allegations. 　３日前には、衆院政治倫理審査会に出席して事実関係を説明する意向を表明している。=== Ozawa should state his case Since the prosecutors decided not to charge Ozawa in February, citing insufficient evidence, the DPJ heavyweight insisted there was no need for him to offer an explanation in the Diet, saying, "It's become clear that I didn't do anything wrong." 　小沢氏は２月に不起訴（嫌疑不十分）となって以降、「不正をしていないことが明らかになった」として国会での説明は不要との立場を繰り返してきた。Ozawa might consider that declaring his innocence, both during prosecutorial questioning and before the Diet, would provide a good opportunity to fend off criticism that he has heretofore evaded his responsibility to offer an explanation. 　事情聴取と国会の両方で自身の潔白を主張することで、「説明責任を果たせ」との批判をかわす好機ととらえたのかもしれない。From his response, Ozawa's strategy to draw a line under the scandal can be seen as follows: Sooner or later, the prosecutors will decide not to indict him. He then will offer an explanation over the scandal at the Diet's Political Ethics Hearing Committee and insist he has fulfilled his responsibility. At that point, the committee for the inquest of prosecution would not be likely to conclude he should be indicted. 　検察が早晩、再び「不起訴」の結論を出す。政倫審で説明をし、「これで責任は果たした」と主張する。そうすれば、検察審の２度目の議決も「起訴すべき」には至るまい――。そんな小沢氏の“幕引き戦術”が透けて見える。The prosecutors should strongly recognize the significance of this time's questioning of Ozawa. 　検察当局には、今回の聴取の重要性を強く認識してもらいたい。When the independent judicial panel decided that Ozawa merited indictment, some officials within the prosecutors office said the decision not to charge Ozawa would not be overturned unless they obtained new evidence. 「起訴相当」議決の際にも検察内部には「新たな証拠が得られない限り、不起訴の結論は変わらないだろう」という声があった。Finishing the questioning as a mere formality while concluding from the outset Ozawa should not be indicted is an abdication by the prosecutors of their responsibility to verify the truth. Such an attitude also is tantamount to disregarding the committee for the inquest of prosecution, which gathers opinions of the general public. 　すでに結論ありきの形式的聴取に終わらせるなら、それは検察の事実解明責任の放棄であろう。一般市民の意を汲(く)む検察審の軽視にもつながる。=== Public trust undermined Ozawa still bears a heavy political responsibility. 　小沢氏には、依然として重い政治責任がある。Ozawa's own fund management body, Rikuzan-kai, was at the heart of the scandal in relation to which the prosecutors charged three of Ozawa's former secretaries. How does Ozawa view his supervisory responsibility over his secretaries? 　今回の事件では、小沢氏の元秘書ら３人が刑事訴追されている。事件の舞台となったのは、ほかならぬ小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」だ。秘書に対する監督責任をどう受け止めているのか。"A lawmaker is held responsible for a crime committed by his or her secretary." This is what Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said when he pointed the finger of blame at Liberal Democratic Party politicians. The public probably shares the same sensibility. 　「秘書の犯罪は議員の責任」とは、鳩山首相がかつて自民党の政治家を指弾する時に口にした言葉だ。世間の感覚も同じだろう。It is undeniable that the lawmakers' response of "making their inferiors carry the can," in which blame for transgressions is laid only on their secretaries, has increased people's distrust of politics. In opinion surveys, the great majority said Ozawa should resign as DPJ secretary general. 　秘書だけに責任を負わせる「トカゲのシッポ切り」の対応が、国民の政治不信を増幅させたことは否定できない。各種世論調査でも、小沢氏は幹事長を辞任すべきだとの声が圧倒的に多い。If the prosecutors decide again not to indict Ozawa, the committee for the inquest of prosecution will revisit the case. The questioning of Ozawa never ends. 　再度「不起訴」なら検察審の第２幕が開く。小沢氏の追及は終わらない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 16, 2010) （2010年5月16日01時31分 読売新聞）

  May 17, 2010

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• ５月末決着　首相の言葉を誰も信じない

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 16, 2010)No one will believe Hatoyama's words５月末決着　首相の言葉を誰も信じない（5月15日付・読売社説）After breaking his promise to transfer the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to somewhere outside the prefecture, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has effectively violated another promise, this one to settle the Futenma issue by the end of May. 　米軍普天間飛行場移設問題で鳩山首相が約束した「県外移設」に続き、「５月末決着」も事実上反故(ほご)になっている。The prime minister said Thursday that if necessary, he would make efforts to settle the issue "in June and even beyond." He thereby abandoned his end of May deadline, but on the following day, he again expressed his determination to resolve the issue by the end of this month. 　首相は１３日、「６月以降も努力する」として、５月末決着の断念を表明した。それが、また１４日には、月末決着へのこだわりを示したりもしている。Seeing Hatoyama running around in all directions, a great many people must now be unable to believe what he says. There must be practically no one in this country who believes the Futenma issue will be settled by the end of this month. 　こうした右往左往ぶりをみて、首相の言葉を信じられなくなった人も多いだろう。「５月末決着」を信じている国民は、ほとんどいるまい。Hatoyama has maintained that "settling" the Futenma base relocation issue means reaching agreement with all the parties involved, namely the local governments and people of Okinawa Prefecture, the local governments of locations to which the Futenma base's functions would be relocated, the U.S. government and the ruling parties. 　首相は、普天間移設問題の「決着」の意味について、「沖縄、移設先の自治体、米国、与党すべての同意」を挙げてきた。Ultimately, he failed one by one to obtain agreement from each of these parties and finally had to change the definition of settlement. This is the reality of the situation. 　結局は、それぞれの同意取り付けに、ことごとく行き詰まり、「決着」という言葉の定義を変換させざるをえなくなった、というのが実態だろう。=== Premier lacks leadership ability The ability to find solutions to serious problems and the decisiveness to put those solutions into practice are indispensable in a government leader. Hatoyama lacks these resources. 　指導者には、こじれた問題の解を見いだす力や、それを実行に移す決断力が不可欠だ。首相にはこれらの資質が不足している。Hatoyama had a good chance to resolve the Futenma issue in December. However, he quickly postponed the settlement after Mizuho Fukushima--leader of the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of Japan's junior coalition partner--hinted the SDP would leave the coalition if the Cabinet allowed Futenma's functions to be transferred to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. 　昨年１２月、首相は決断の好機を迎えながら、社民党の「連立政権離脱」カードで揺さぶられると、結論をあっさり先延ばしした。Appointing Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano to coordinate the issue, Hatoyama launched a joint government-ruling bloc study panel on the problem of U.S. bases in Okinawa Prefecture, presided over by Hirano. Yet how can the government and the DPJ reach an agreement with the SDP, whose security policy is incompatible with that of the DPJ? 　平野官房長官を仕切り役に、政府・与党の「沖縄基地問題検討委員会」を作ったが、安全保障政策で相いれない社民党との間で合意できるはずもない。=== Poor negotiation tactics The government's handling of negotiations on the Futenma issue with local government heads in Okinawa Prefecture and Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture stands out only because it is primitive and poor. 　沖縄県や鹿児島県・徳之島などとの話し合いの進め方も、稚拙ぶりが際立っている。Anyone could have predicted the Futenma issue would run aground if the candidate who opposed the relocation of Futenma's functions to the city won the Nago mayoral election in January. 　今年１月の名護市長選で移設反対派が勝利すれば、問題が暗礁に乗り上げてしまうことは、誰しもが予測できたことだった。Yet when the relocation opponent was victorious, Hirano said, "We don't have to take [the election results] into consideration," inviting the distrust of residents of the prefecture. 　あげく、反対派の市長が当選すると、平野長官は選挙結果を「斟酌(しんしゃく)する必要はない」と発言し、地元の不信を買った。Like Hatoyama's visit to Okinawa Prefecture, Hirano's visit to Kagoshima Prefecture started from the wrong point and was never corrected. Instead of persuading those concerned with the issue, the visit only strengthened their opposition. 　首相の沖縄訪問と同様、平野長官の鹿児島入りも、初めからボタンを掛け違えたままだった。説得どころか、関係者の反発を増幅させている。Hatoyama also failed to build up a relationship of mutual trust with U.S. President Barack Obama. Unable to have an official diplomatic meeting with the U.S. president as Japanese prime minister, there is no way for Hatoyama to make progress in bilateral negotiations. 　首相は、オバマ米大統領との信頼関係構築に失敗した。大統領とまともな会談も出来ないのでは、交渉が進捗(しんちょく)するわけがない。Meanwhile, it is not appropriate for ministers involved with the Futenma issue to have continuously made remarks on their own. 　関係閣僚が勝手な発言をし続けたのも、いただけない。In addition, the Hatoyama administration did not allow bureaucrats who are knowledgeable about past facts and developments regarding Futenma to be involved in the negotiations, in the name of "politics led by politicians." This too made resolving the issue difficult. 「政治主導」の名の下、過去の経緯に詳しい官僚組織を交渉から外してきたことも、解決を困難にした。Hatoyama himself should of course be held politically responsible for inviting such a serious situation, but Hirano also played a major role. How do they intend to take responsibility? 　こうした深刻な事態を招いた首相はもちろんのこと、平野長官の政治責任も重大である。どう責任をとるつもりなのか。The government and ruling parties will be unable to brighten their prospects on the Futenma issue if they simply continue what they are doing now. 　政府・与党が今の延長線上で作業を続けても展望は開けまい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 15, 2010) （2010年5月15日01時09分 読売新聞）

  May 16, 2010

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• 普天間移設問題―仕切り直すしかあるまい

  沖縄普天間の基地移設問題は自民党政権時、長い時間をかけて検討されたものです。それでも解決できない。鳩山首相は人が良すぎます。人々を幸せにするために良い返事をし続けていたのかも知れません。誰が担当してもこの移設は難しいのです。テレビで大きな顔をして堂々と発言を繰り返している社民党の福島党首。少子化担当よりも普天間移設担当に任命したらどうでしょうか。そうすればこの問題を担当する人の苦しみが少しは理解出来るかも知れない。新聞社は鳩山首相の非難ばかりするのを少し抑えて、解決策の手助けをする方向で記事を書いて欲しい。srachai from khonkaen, thailand2010/05/15--The Asahi Shimbun, May 14 EDITORIAL: Futenma impasse.普天間移設問題―仕切り直すしかあるまいJust two weeks remain before the expiry of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's self-imposed end-of-May deadline for resolving the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture. This was a promise he made not only to the Japanese people, but also to Washington. 　沖縄県の米海兵隊普天間飛行場の移設問題で、鳩山由紀夫首相が内外に約束した「５月末決着」の期限まで残り半月余りとなった。 Hatoyama repeatedly said he would find a solution by working closely with the U.S. government, Okinawa and local communities in deciding the relocation site. But it is now clear that there is no hope for him to honor his promise. 　米国政府、沖縄、移設先の地元のいずれの理解も得た形で決着する。首相はそう繰り返してきたが、もはや絶望的なことは誰の目にも明らかだ。 As things stand, Hatoyama will probably have to start anew from scratch. 　こうなっては、いったん仕切り直すしかないのではないか。 Hatoyama seems to be trying to keep up appearances with a hastily arranged relocation plan. Meantime, his talks with Okinawa and Washington will clearly extend beyond the deadline he set to allow for final adjustments in the policy. 　首相としては、沖縄や米国と６月以降も調整を続けることを前提に、現時点での政府方針をとりまとめ、なお体裁を整えようとしているようだ。 The plan he apparently has in mind will call for building a pier-type runway off the Henoko district of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture. Drills currently conducted at the Futenma airfield in Ginowan would be transferred to Tokunoshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture and Self-Defense Forces bases in other parts of the nation. 　代替滑走路は桟橋方式を念頭に名護市辺野古沿岸に建設し、訓練は鹿児島県徳之島のほか全国の自衛隊基地などに分散することが柱になりそうだ。 In a desperate attempt to avoid being humiliated in the Diet for failing to fulfill his promise, Hatoyama is knocking out a plan that is designed only to gloss over his faults and is supported by nobody. This will achieve nothing. It will only delay reaching consensus and completing the actual relocation. Hatoyama's missteps have thrown the issue into the realm of the "not-in-my-backyard" fight. 　責任の追及から逃れようともがき、短時日のうちに誰からも歓迎されないつじつま合わせの案をまとめても、合意形成も案の実現もかえって遠のこう。問題を基地の押し付け合いにしてしまったのは本末転倒である。 Hatoyama must own up to his political responsibility. He failed, not only on his promise to move the facility "at least" out of the prefecture, but also in settling the issue by his own deadline. 　「最低でも県外」「５月末決着」という二つの公約を果たせない政治責任を、首相は認めなければならない。 Hatoyama should, in point by point fashion, explain how matters reached this stage and apologize to voters, especially those in Okinawa Prefecture. 　ここに至った経緯を丁寧に説明し、沖縄県民をはじめとする有権者に率直におわびするべきである。 No communication between the leaders 　■首脳外交が機能不全 Saturday marks the 38th anniversary of the U.S. reversion of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty. 　折しもあす、沖縄は本土に復帰して３８年になる。 Previously, people in Okinawa didn't openly demand the relocation of U.S. bases out of their prefecture. That's probably because they didn't have the heart to pass on their burden to others. 　沖縄の人々はこれまで、米軍基地を「県外に移せ」と公然と言うことはなかった。自らの痛みを他人に背負わせるのは忍びないとの思いからだろう。 But in the latest Asahi Shimbun survey of residents in Okinawa, 53 percent of the respondents voiced support for moving some of the bases in the prefecture to elsewhere in the nation, up from 38 percent in a poll last year. Public opinion in Okinawa has changed dramatically. 　しかし今回の朝日新聞の世論調査では、県民の５３％が県外移設に賛成と答えた。昨年は３８％にとどまっていたから、民意は大きく変化した。 When Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan took power from the Liberal Democratic Party last year, the Okinawan people had high expectations that the new government would finally ease their burden of hosting the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Those expectations are now unlikely to be fulfilled. 　県内への基地集中と過重な負担が、政権交代でやっと改善されるのではと期待したのに、裏切られようとしている。Bitter disappointment and deep anger have caused them to feel that people on the mainland are discriminating against Okinawa. その失望と怒りが、最近は「沖縄差別」という言葉となって噴き出してもいる。 It is impossible to keep the Japan-U.S. alliance on a stable footing without the support and cooperation of the local communities hosting U.S. bases. From this viewpoint, Hatoyama has done a serious disservice to the nation. His clumsy approach has served only to rub local residents the wrong way. 　基地を提供する地元の理解なしに、日米同盟を安定的に維持していくことができるはずはない。その意味で県民を逆なでする結果を招いた首相の取り運びのまずさは何とも罪深い。 In the meantime, Japan-U.S. summit diplomacy has hardly functioned. During his meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama, Hatoyama should have talked candidly about his decision to reconsider the 2006 bilateral agreement to move Futenma to Henoko and sought the president's understanding. 　この間、日米間の首脳外交の機能不全も目を覆うばかりであった。 　首相はオバマ米大統領との会談で、なぜ日米合意の辺野古移設案を見直そうとしたのかを率直に語り、理解を求めるべきだった。 However, there is nothing to suggest that the two men have had meaningful communication on the Futenma issue since then. This has made it very hard for the Hatoyama administration to offer a convincing explanation to the audience at home about progress in talks with Washington. It has become even more difficult for the government to persuade local communities to accept a fresh burden. 　その後、普天間問題で両首脳間に円滑な意思疎通がなされた形跡はない。これでは、日本国内に対して対米外交の進捗（しんちょく）状況を説明しようがないし、新たな負担を求めることになる移設先の説得などはもとよりおぼつかない。

  May 15, 2010

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• 普天間移設　展望なき窮余の政府最終案

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 14, 2010)Govt's Futenma plan a hopeless hodgepodge普天間移設　展望なき窮余の政府最終案（5月13日付・読売社説）The government has at last decided on its final plan concerning the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 　米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題に関する政府の最終案が、ようやく固まった。However, the plan is fraught with inconsistencies and problems, and has many fluid elements. We harbor grave doubts about whether the government plan will actually get off the ground. 様々な矛盾と課題を抱えており、流動的な要素も多い。果たして実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。The main pillar of this plan is a twist on the plan that has already been agreed to. Instead of constructing a V-shaped pair of runways on land reclaimed from the sea off the marines' Camp Schwab in the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture, the government wants to build an alternative runway on a so-called quick installation platform. Some helicopter troops and training exercises would be transferred to Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture. 　最終案の柱は、沖縄県名護市辺野古の沿岸部を埋め立てる現行計画を修正し、杭(くい)打ち桟橋方式で代替施設を建設する計画だ。鹿児島県・徳之島には、航空部隊の一部または訓練を移転する。The government will study the possibility of transferring flight training conducted at Futenma Air Station and Kadena Air Base to several other areas in the country. The United States could also be asked to return shooting and bombing ranges on two small islands in Okinawa Prefecture. 　普天間飛行場や嘉手納基地での飛行訓練を各地に分散移転したり、沖縄の米軍射爆撃場の返還を求めたりすることも検討する。=== Base to stay in Okinawa The plan, for all intents and purposes, will relocate Futenma Air Station's functions within Okinawa Prefecture. However, this has been fiercely opposed by the people of Nago, three towns on Tokunoshima and the Social Democratic Party, a partner in the Democratic Party of Japan-led coalition government. 　実質的には県内移設であり、移設先の名護市や徳之島３町のほか社民党は強く反対している。The Okinawa prefectural government, which initially approved the relocation within the prefecture as agreed to under the existing plan, has changed tack and is demanding the base's functions be shifted outside the prefecture. 県内移設を容認していた沖縄県も、県外移設の立場に転じた。The bottom line is that the final plan has cobbled together a mishmash of last-ditch ideas that might lesson the burdens on affected communities, in a bid to appease all the parties involved in the matter. 　結局、考えられる限りの地元負担軽減策を並べて、関係者の反発を和らげようという、窮余のつじつま合わせの最終案となった。Although some training exercises that had been conducted at Kadena Air Base have been transferred elsewhere, the number of flights has reportedly remained unchanged. Furthermore, there is little likelihood that the United States will return the shooting and bombing ranges to Japan anytime soon. 　だが、嘉手納基地の訓練移転は一部で実施済みだが、飛行回数は減っていないとされる。米軍施設の返還も、米側がすぐに応じる見通しは立っていない。The absence of a "control tower" overseeing the relocation has resulted in the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama dealing with all the parties involved in an exceedingly ad hoc manner. The government has ended up trumpeting please-all patchy ideas and facing opposition from all sides. Its handling of the issue has been extremely inept. 　司令塔が不在のまま、様々な関係者に場当たり的に配慮するあまり、八方美人的なつぎはぎの案となり、すべての関係者の反対にあう。まさに拙劣な手法だ。The whole point of the relocation was to reduce the burden shouldered by Okinawa Prefecture in hosting U.S. forces, while maintaining their deterrent. If the Hatoyama administration is sincere in achieving this objective, it should not reject the option of admitting it has strayed off course and returning to the original plan. 　米軍の抑止力を維持しつつ、沖縄の負担を軽減する。その移設問題の原点を踏まえれば、迷走の過ちを認め、現行計画に戻る選択肢を排除すべきではあるまい。=== Deadline must be met Several Cabinet members recently suggested a conclusion to the issue should be "put off" until after May 31, a self-imposed deadline by Hatoyama that he called a "promise made to the people." However, this would be tantamount to shifting the goal during a soccer match and would be unlikely to sit well with the public. 　一方、首相が「国民への約束」と語る月内の問題決着について、閣僚からは「先送り」発言が相次いでいる。サッカーの試合中にゴールを移動させるような対応であり、理解は得られまい。Hatoyama holds supreme responsibility for settling this issue. Even with only half a month left before the end of May, the prime minister has insisted almost daily that he would find a solution acceptable to Okinawa, the United States and the ruling coalition parties. 　最高責任者の鳩山首相は、期限までほぼ半月となった今も、毎日のように、沖縄や米国、連立与党の合意を月内に得る、と言い続けている。If Hatoyama fails to achieve this, criticism of the inconsistencies in his deeds and words will only grow shriller. Hatoyama's political responsibility as prime minister is grave. 　これでも実現できない場合、鳩山首相の言行不一致に対する批判は一段と高まろう。首相の政治責任は重大である。Needless to say, the Futenma relocation is not the be-all and end-all of Japan-U.S. ties. However, any delay in settling this issue could have an immense impact on other aspects of the bilateral relationship. 　無論、普天間問題が日米関係のすべてではないとしても、この問題が先送りされた場合の各方面への影響は甚大だ。Particularly disconcerting is the fact that there is no sign all parties with a stake in the matter will agree to the final plan. とりわけ深刻なのは、今の最終案で関係者が合意できる展望がないことだ。In that case, the risk of accidents and the noise problems that the Futenma base poses to densely populated neighboring areas will remain, while the historic burden-lessening transfer of 8,000 U.S. marines to Guam could be stalled. 　その際は、事故の危険や騒音問題を抱える普天間飛行場の現状が固定化するうえ、海兵隊８０００人のグアム移転などの歴史的な負担軽減策が頓挫しかねない。Once again, it will be Hatoyama who is to blame if that happens. その責任もまた、鳩山首相にある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 13, 2010) （2010年5月13日01時14分 読売新聞）

  May 14, 2010

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• 発信箱：「仮面」の人たち＝滝野隆浩（社会部）

  翻訳抜けの部分を補いました。（和文、英文）（　）で示しています。(Mainichi Japan) May 12, 2010Masked social withdrawal linked to Japanese culture発信箱：「仮面」の人たち＝滝野隆浩（社会部）At the Sayama Psychological Institute in Saitama Prefecture stands a collection of sketches. 　(埼玉県狭山市の狭山心理研究所には一冊のスケッチブックが置かれている-by srachai）The first drawing is too hard to make out. It almost looks like an expressionless "umi-bozu," a type of sea monster. 　１枚目は何が描かれているか分からなかった。あえていえば「のっぺらぼうの海ぼうず」のよう。The second shows something like a person's face behind a stream of diagonal lines. ２枚目はぐちゃぐちゃの斜線の向こうに人の顔のようなものが。The third can actually be made out. It is the picture of a woman's head, as seen from behind.３枚目は分かる。後ろから見た女性の頭部。(There is a vivid mole on back of the neck. -by srachai)うなじに鮮やかにホクロがある。These pictures, sketched by reclusive patients at the institute, are of their "mother's face." これが「お母さんの顔」なのだという。One wonders if their mothers ever looked at them when they were young.子供のころ、ママは振り向いてくれなかったか。The institute accommodates a number of patients between their 20s and 50s who have withdrawn from society. 　狭山心理研究所（埼玉県狭山市）には２０～５０歳代の「ひきこもり」たちが通っている。Rather than focusing on cases in which people have shut themselves inside their rooms, facility therapist Yuichi Hattori, 60, has turned his attention toward "underlying social withdrawal" among people who normally appear cheerful. セラピストの服部雄一さん（６０）が気になっているのは部屋に閉じこもるケースより、ふだんは「明るい人」を演じている「潜在的ひきこもり」だ。They come from good families, have good academic backgrounds, and are amiable, but they cannot build relationships with other people. 家柄もよく、学歴も高く、人当たりもいいのに、人間関係が築けない。They are concerned about the masks behind which they are hiding.そんな自らの「仮面」に悩む人たち。When the patients are asked during therapy to draw a picture of their mother on an A4-sized sheet of paper, none of them can draw the face -- this was the case in the dozen or so examples that I was shown.セラピーでＡ４判の紙に母の絵を描かせると、みな顔が描けない。見せてもらった十数枚全部そうだった。Reclusive patients at the institute commonly come from homes that are concerned about social appearances. 　同研究所のひきこもりは、世間体を気にする家に多いという。They are well-off, but the father is absent. 裕福だが、父は不在。The mother cannot express her feelings. 母は感情表現ができない。Children who are brought up in such an environment have no chance of having contact with other people. そんな環境で育った子供たちが他人とかかわれるはずがない。They try to please their mother at home, and when they go out into society, they try to suit those around them. 母に合わせてきたいい子たちは、社会に出ても他人に合わせようとする。But they don't know how to go about love. でも、恋愛の「仕方」はわからない。They think that marriage is impossible and that babies are creepy.結婚なんて無理。赤ちゃんは不気味……。"This is not just the case at our institute," Hattori says. "Social withdrawal is a pathology that has affixed itself to Japanese culture."　「うちだけの話じゃない。ひきこもりは日本文化に固着した病理」と服部さんは断言する。Such a culture values the home and groups over the individual, and approves of a dual nature of an outward and inner self. 個人よりも家や集団を優先し、本音と建前の二面性を容認する。Rather then considering the question of good and evil, homes and society place importance on harmony.善悪より和が大事な家と社会。"The people who have wiped out their own existence can't find themselves. 「自分を消してきた人は、そもそも消す自分が見つけられない。They look like good people but they can't make decisions, and are swayed by the opinions of those around them," Hattori says.いい人にみえるが、実は決断ができず、他人の意見に振り回されてしまう」。A therapist who has turned his face toward the cries of people's hearts from beneath their masks has unexpectedly traced the problem to Japanese culture. 仮面の下の心の叫びに向き合ってきたセラピストが、期せずしてたどり着いた日本文化論。When considering Japan's declining birth rate, the situation is foreboding.少子化が進む現状と考え合わせると、とても怖くなる。 (By Takahiro Takino, City News Department, Mainichi Shimbun)毎日新聞　2010年5月12日　0時11分

  May 13, 2010

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• 携帯情報端末　日本上陸で広がる新たな波紋

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 12, 2010)Will iPad change Japan's content industry?携帯情報端末　日本上陸で広がる新たな波紋（5月11日付・読売社説）SoftBank Mobile Corp. on Monday began taking orders in this country for the iPad tablet computer manufactured by Apple Inc. 　米アップル社の情報端末「ｉＰａｄ（アイパッド）」の、日本での予約受け付けが始まった。The iPad is enjoying astonishing popularity in the United States--it debuted there April 3 and sold 300,000 units on that day alone. Less than one month later, 1 million units had been bought. 　米国では先月３日に発売され、初日だけで３０万台、１か月足らずで１００万台が売れた。すさまじい人気だ。As a result of this higher-than-expected demand, however, the iPad's release was postponed in Japan and other countries outside the United States. 　その余波で、日本など海外での発売が延期されていた。The secret behind its popularity is the public's view of the iPad as a next-generation information terminal, something different from a conventional personal computer or cell phone. 　人気の秘密は、ｉＰａｄが、従来のパソコンや携帯電話とは異なる新世代の情報端末、と受け止められていることだろう。The device looks like a board and is about one-quarter the size of a broadsheet newspaper. It weighs about 700 grams and features an embedded, glass-covered liquid crystal display. 　新聞を四つに畳んだくらいの大きさの板のような形だ。重さは７００グラム前後で、ガラス張りの液晶画面が埋め込んである。Users can carry the iPad like a memo pad and enjoy a variety of content, including photos, videos, electronic books and games, just by touching the display with a fingertip. 　メモ帳（英語でｐａｄ）のように持ち歩くことができ、画面を指先でなぞる簡単な操作で、写真や映像、電子書籍、ゲームなど多彩なコンテンツ（情報内容）を楽しめるのが特徴だ。=== Universal appeal Although it does not have vocal communication functions, iPad users can search for information and send and receive e-mails by connecting it to the Internet. It also has business applications, such as creating documents and spreadsheets. 　携帯電話のような通話機能はない。しかし、インターネットには接続でき、情報を調べたり、メールを送受信したりできる。文書を書いたり、表計算をしたりと、ビジネスにも使える。Unlike a personal computer, there is almost no need for iPad users to learn difficult operations, and unlike a cell phone, they do not have to strain their eyes looking at a small display. In the United States, a broad range of people, irrespective of gender and age, are said to be purchasing iPads. 　パソコンのように難しい操作を覚える必要がほとんどない。携帯電話のように、狭い画面に目を凝らさなくてもいい。米国では老若男女を問わず、幅広い層に売れているという。Will the device have the same popularity here as in the United States? One problem is that it is more difficult in Japan than in the United States to obtain content to watch or read on the iPad, such as videos and e-books. 　日本でも、米国と同様に受け入れられるだろうか。課題は、ｉＰａｄで見る映像や電子書籍といったコンテンツが、米国ほど簡単には入手できないことだ。In the United States, Apple offers services enabling iPad users to watch movies and television programs via the Internet. Users can also purchase a wide variety of e-books from Apple and major online bookstore Amazon.com over the Internet. 　アップル社は、映画やテレビ番組をネット経由で見るサービスを米国内で提供している。ｉＰａｄで読める本も、同社やネット書籍販売大手のアマゾンから、ネット経由でいくつも入手できる。In the education field, moves are growing to digitize textbooks so students can read them on iPads. 　教育現場でも、教科書を電子書籍化してｉＰａｄで読めるようにする動きが拡大している。=== A door to the future? Online sales of videos and e-books in Japan are limited, partly because many copyright holders will not grant permission. 　日本では、著作権者の了解が得られないなどの理由で、映像や電子書籍のネット販売は小規模にとどまる。Is the iPad going to be a breakthrough that will expand such sales, like the 1853 arrival of U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry and his "Black Ships" led to the opening of the nation? ｉＰａｄは、それを拡大する“黒船”になるかどうか。The use of e-books particularly is increasing quickly in the United States and Europe, attracting attention in the publishing industry as a new source of revenue. 　特に電子書籍は欧米で急速に利用が拡大し、出版業界の新たな収益源として注目されている。Japanese people are said to have a special affection for hardbound books. But if digitization creates more diverse means of reading, it might help promote the culture of the printed word. 　日本人は紙の本に愛着があると言われるが、電子化で読書の手段が多様化すれば、「活字文化」振興にもつながるのではないか。It is regrettable, however, that in recent years this country has often fallen behind others in developing these kinds of electronic devices. Japan's technological and industrial capabilities seem to be on the decline. The government and the industrial sector must study ways to correct this. 　それにしても残念なのは、日本が、こうした電子機器の開発で近年、海外の後塵(こうじん)を拝する例が多いことだ。技術力、産業力に陰りが出ていないか。政府、産業界は対策を検討してもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 11, 2010) （2010年5月11日01時37分 読売新聞）

  May 12, 2010

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• 内閣支持率下落　首相は逆風に耐えられるか

  発音注意buffet-バフィット→嵐、風に翻弄される (buffet-バフェイ→　ビュッフェと混同しない)、ややこしいですね。The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 11, 2010)How much longer can Hatoyama hang on?内閣支持率下落　首相は逆風に耐えられるか（5月10日付・読売社説）Public support for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has been on a slippery slope downward. 　鳩山内閣に対する国民の支持離れは、とどまるところを知らない。Can Hatoyama implement policies while his administration is being constantly buffeted by unfavorable winds? 　鳩山首相は世論の逆風に抗し、政策をきちんと遂行していけるのか。According to a Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey conducted over the weekend, the public approval rating for the Cabinet has plunged to 24 percent. This figure represents less than one-third of the 75 percent of respondents who backed the Cabinet in a similar survey taken in September, when the administration was inaugurated. The disapproval rate, on the other hand, has jumped to 67 percent. 　読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率は２４％に下落した。内閣発足当初の、昨年９月調査の７５％に比べ３分の１に減った。不支持率は今回６７％に上った。As a reason for their disapproval, more than 50 percent of respondents chose, "The prime minister lacks leadership." 　支持しない理由として、「首相に指導力がない」を挙げる人は、なんと５割を突破した。Hatoyama asserted last summer the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture "should be relocated at least to a site outside the prefecture." This fanned the expectations of residents in the prefecture. However, Hatoyama backpedaled on this assertion during his visit to the island last week, saying it was "not a campaign pledge" of his Democratic Party of Japan. 　米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題で「最低でも県外」と唱え、期待をあおってきた首相は、沖縄訪問でそれを撤回し、党の公約ではなかったなどと釈明した。Hatoyama visited the prefecture despite there being no prospect of breaking the stalemate over the base relocation. His string of verbal blunders have left many voters' hopes for his government hanging by a thread. 　全く成算のないままに訪問し、失言も重ねた首相に、多くの有権者が、サジを投げたい気分になっているようにみえる。=== Accountability vital One in two respondents to the Yomiuri survey said Hatoyama should step down if the Futenma dispute is not resolved by the end of this month. Undoubtedly, this reflects that many people value result-based accountability--a quality Hatoyama must show as the nation's leader. 　「５月末に決着」しなければ、首相は退陣すべきだ、と答えた人が２人に１人に上る。これも、最高指導者としての結果責任を、重く見ているからに相違ない。Along with the contradictions between his words and actions, the issue of political ethics also has haunted the prime minister and his party. 　こうした言行不一致と同様、問われるのが政治倫理問題だ。It is extraordinary that Hatoyama and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who hold the top two posts of the ruling party, have been embroiled in political funding scandals. 　首相と小沢民主党幹事長という政権のトップ二人が、「政治とカネ」の醜聞にまみれていること自体、極めて異常なことである。The Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution late last month decided Ozawa "merits indictment" in connection with his political fund management organization's alleged falsification of funds reports in violation of the Political Funds Control Law. Asked in the survey whether the civil judicial panel's judgment was "proper" and Ozawa "should resign as party secretary general," about 80 percent of respondents answered affirmatively to each question. 　小沢氏の資金管理団体の政治資金規正法違反事件に絡み、検察審査会は小沢氏に「起訴相当」の議決をした。今回調査で、この議決を「妥当」と考え、小沢氏は辞任すべきだと答えた人は、それぞれ約８割に達した。A similar inquest panel earlier judged the prosecutors' decision not to indict Hatoyama over a funding controversy was "appropriate." But many voters do not believe Hatoyama has fulfilled his accountability over this matter. 　首相についての、検察審査会の議決は「不起訴相当」だったが、有権者の多くは首相が説明責任を果たしたとは思っていない。=== Restore public faith The panel's attached opinion mentioned "it is unthinkable that Hatoyama knew nothing about money provided by his mother" and called into question whether "politicians can be allowed not to take responsibility if they claim they entrust everything to their secretaries." 　「首相が、母親からの資金提供を全く知らなかったとは考えがたい」「秘書に任せていたと言えば政治家本人の責任は問われなくていいのか」These points are common sense to the general public. Hatoyama and Ozawa, as well as DPJ lawmakers, appear to be taking such criticism far too lightly. 　こうした検察審査会の問題提起は、いわば世間の常識だろう。首相も小沢氏も民主党議員も、これを甘く見過ぎていないか。After learning of the inquest panel's decision, Ozawa said he had done "nothing to be ashamed of." If this is indeed so, he has no reason to evade meeting the opposition parties' request to testify at the Diet as a sworn witness over the matter. He should meet this request without hesitation and prove his hands are clean. 　小沢氏は、検察審査会の議決に関して、「何もやましいことはない」と言っている。だとすれば、野党の証人喚問要求から逃げる必要はない。国会招致に堂々と応じて、潔白を証明すべきである。Public support for the DPJ is mired at the 20 percent level. The number of voters who plan to vote for the DPJ in this summer's House of Councillors election has been dropping steadily. 　民主党支持率は、２割台に低迷し、参院比例選の投票先でも、民主党を挙げる人は、減少の一途をたどっている。As indicated in the Analects of Confucius, politics can never be conducted if the people lose faith in it. The government and the DPJ must take this teaching to heart. 　「信なくば立たず」という。国民の信用をなくしたら、政治は成り立たない。今こそ、その言葉を肝に銘じる時だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 10, 2010) （2010年5月10日01時24分 読売新聞）

  May 11, 2010

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• 英総選挙　伝統の２大政党制に試練の時

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 10, 2010)Britain's 2-party system turned on its head英総選挙　伝統の２大政党制に試練の時（5月9日付・読売社説）British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour Party was defeated in the general election on Thursday as the Conservative Party made dramatic gains to become Britain's largest party. The Liberal Democrats, the third-largest party, failed to increase their seats, contrary to earlier expectations. 　英国の総選挙で与党・労働党が敗れ、野党の保守党が第１党に返り咲いた。第３党の自由民主党は事前の予測に反して議席を伸ばせなかった。However, the Conservatives fell short of winning an absolute majority of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, so the shape of the new British government still is undecided. 　しかし、保守党も過半数に届かず、新政権の姿は見通せない。Britain's traditional two-party system, under which one of the two largest parties forms a stable government after securing a majority of seats, has begun to crumble. 　２大政党のいずれかが過半数を制し、即座に単独で強力な政府を樹立する。この伝統ある英国の２大政党制が揺らぎ始めたということだろう。In countries that have adopted a proportional representation system, it is common for no party to secure a majority of seats. However, it is the first time since 1974 for Britain, which has a simple single-seat constituency system, to face a hung parliament. 　過半数に届く政党がないのは、比例代表制を導入している国では何も珍しいことではない。だが、単純小選挙区制を採用する英国では３６年ぶりだ。If either the Conservatives or the Labour Party want to form a stable government, they must both consider the coalition option by making overtures to the Liberal Democratic Party and smaller parties. 　保守、労働党のどちらが政権を担うにせよ、自民党や少数政党との連立工作が必要になる。Whether a new administration can be launched smoothly is a challenge both major parties face. 円滑に新政権を発足させられるか、試練の時と言えるだろう。=== Tories aided by Greece's woes The Conservatives have become the largest party in Britain for the first time in 13 years, partly due to the euro crisis triggered by Greece's fiscal woes. The latest turmoil obviously helped the Tories, who do not want Britain to become a eurozone member and aim to regain the country's policy independence from the European Union. 　今選挙で１３年ぶりに第１党が交代した一因には、ギリシャの財政危機が引き起こしたユーロ危機がある。ユーロ加盟に反対し、欧州連合（ＥＵ）から政策上の独立性を取り戻そうとする保守党の追い風になったのは間違いない。The number of immigrants in Britain has risen to 14 percent of its total working population. The Conservatives' promise to stop the influx of immigrants to prevent the employment situation from worsening apparently appealed to the voters. 　英国の就業年齢人口に占める移民の割合は１４％にまで増加した。保守党が雇用情勢の悪化につながる移民の増加に歯止めをかけると訴えたことも、有権者の不安な心に届いたのだろう。However, besides policies concerning the EU and immigrants, there are no distinctive differences between the two largest parties. 　しかし、対ＥＵ、移民政策を除けば、２大政党には政策上の際だった差異がない。Both Labour and the Conservatives aim to make free competition consistent with social justice. In the general election, the swing in the vote was not significant enough to result in a landslide win. This is because the two parties failed to give the voters a range of options. 　労働党も保守党も、今や自由競争と社会的公正の両立を目指すようになった。今回、一方を大勝させるほど民意が大きく振れなかったのは、２大政党が有権者に「選択の幅」を与えられなかったせいでもあろう。Britain's two largest parties have combined to win more than 90 percent of the vote in most general elections since the end of World War II. But the percentage fell below 70 percent in the general election in 2005 and further dropped in Thursday's general election. With its first-past-the-post system, the diverse will of the people is not reflected in the number of seats won. 　戦後は９割を超えていた２大政党の合計得票率は、前回２００５年の総選挙で７割を切り、今回さらに減った。こうした民意の多様化が議席に反映されにくいのが、単純小選挙区制である。=== Calls for electoral reform As a result, a move calling for electoral reform has begun to emerge. 　このため、選挙制度改革を求める動きも出てきた。The Labour Party has proposed a change to the single-seat constituency system under which people would vote for more than one candidate, marking their ballots in order of preference. The Liberal Democratic Party is calling for a proportional representation system. The coalition talks will probably take up electoral reform. 　労働党は優先順位をつけて複数候補に投票する小選挙区制へ、自民党は比例代表制への転換を主張している。連立協議では、選挙制度改革も議題に上るだろう。During the general election campaign, a U.S.-style television debate was introduced for the first time and Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg soared in popularity at one point. The reason why this failed to lead to good results for his party can be put down to the existing electoral system. 　今選挙戦では米国流のテレビ討論が初めて導入され、自民党党首の人気が一時、急上昇した。それが結果につながらなかったのも、今の選挙制度と無縁ではない。In Japan, a two-party system finally emerged that allowed for a change of government. As Japan's politics is modeled on Britain's, we should closely watch what changes are made in that country. 　政権交代可能な２大政党制の入り口に立ったばかりの日本も、その範とした英国政治の変化をしっかり見つめる必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 9, 2010) （2010年5月9日01時08分 読売新聞）

  May 10, 2010

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• 世界同時株安　ギリシャ危機の飛び火を防げ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 9, 2010)Prevent Greek crisis from spreading further世界同時株安　ギリシャ危機の飛び火を防げ（5月8日付・読売社説）Financial markets around the world are still shaken by the troubles in Greece, even though European countries and the International Monetary Fund have decided to extend financial assistance of up to A110 billion (about 13 trillion yen) to the country, which is struggling with a serious fiscal crisis. 　欧州各国と国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）が、深刻な財政危機にあえぐギリシャに、最大１１００億ユーロ（約１３兆円）の支援を決めたというのに、世界の金融市場で動揺が続いている。Selling ballooned on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, mainly due to fears over the adverse effects of Greece's fiscal deficit. This, coupled with a sudden plunge in the market that is believed to have been caused by a trader who mistyped an order to sell a large block of shares, briefly pushed the Dow Jones industrial average below 10,000. 　６日のニューヨーク市場は、ギリシャなどの財政赤字を懸念する売りが膨らんだ。誤発注による相場急落も重なり、ダウ平均株価は一時、１万ドルの大台を割った。Affected by the New York sentiment, the Tokyo market was down across the board Friday, causing the Nikkei Stock Average to drop more than 400 points at one point. 　これを受けた７日の東京市場は全面安となり、平均株価の下げ幅は一時、４００円を超えた。Other major Asian markets such as Shanghai and Hong Kong also plunged, a situation that could be dubbed a spontaneous global market crash. 　上海や香港など、アジアの主要市場も軒並み下落し、世界同時株安の様相を見せている。=== Not 'fire on the opposite shore' Even for Japan, the European-born trouble for which Greece is basically responsible cannot be considered a "fire on the other side of the river," a Japanese expression for events that can be observed casually. Japan too needs to be on high alert, so as not to be burned by sparks drifting over from the crisis. 　ギリシャから始まった欧州発の混乱は、日本にとって決して「対岸の火事」ではない。危機の飛び火でやけどする恐れはないのか、警戒が必要である。The assistance package from the IMF and the European Union is being extended on the condition that Greece implement measures to rebuild its public finances, including raising the rate of its value-added tax and of its taxes on luxury items, and cutting the salaries of public employees. 　ギリシャに対するＩＭＦなどの支援は、ギリシャ政府が付加価値税と物品税の引き上げや、公務員給与の削減などで、財政を立て直すことが条件だ。However, citizen demonstrations opposing the measures have intensified and even resulted in deaths. The chaos over fiscal rehabilitation within the very country at the center of the problem has been growing serious. 　ところが、これに反対する市民のデモが激化し、死者も出た。肝心のギリシャ国内が、財政再建を巡って混迷を深めている。Within the countries who decided to extend a helping hand, including Germany, prevailing public opinion is against the increased burden expected to result from the aid package. This has begun to fray the unity within the eurozone toward resolving the problem. 　ドイツなど、支援する側の国でも、支援による負担増加に反発する世論が根強く、ユーロ圏の結束がほころび始めている。The Greek crisis has had a ripple effect in markets in Spain and Portugal, which hold huge fiscal debts similar to that of Greece. People strongly fear confidence in the single currency of the euro may be undermined. Such psychological anxiety probably hit the stock markets hard. 　市場では、ギリシャと並んで財政赤字が大きいスペインやポルトガルにも危機が波及して、単一通貨・ユーロの信認が揺らぎかねないとの懸念も強い。こうした不安心理が株価を直撃したようだ。=== G-20 too optimistic The Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors held in April in the United States did not probe deeply into the Greek fiscal problem. 　４月に米国で開かれた世界２０か国・地域財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ２０）は、ギリシャの財政問題にさほど踏み込まなかった。The finance chiefs may have concluded the problem should be left to the IMF and eurozone nations. We think this judgment was too optimistic. 　ＩＭＦとユーロ圏各国に任せておけばいいと判断したようだが、認識が甘かったのではないか。Speculators may have taken advantage of this opportunity. Group of Seven and G-20 nations hereafter need to formulate countermeasures to deal with the situation more seriously. 　こうしたスキを今回、市場の投機筋に突かれたと言える。Ｇ７やＧ２０は今後、真剣に対策を練る必要があろう。Japan, still anxious over its own struggle toward economic recovery, also has a worsening fiscal problem. 　景気に不安を抱える日本は、財政悪化も深刻だ。Ninety-five percent of its national bonds are held in a stable manner by domestic investors, a situation quite different from Greece, where 70 percent of its national bonds are held by overseas investors. 日本の国債は９５％が国内で安定的に消化されており、７割を海外の投資家が所有するギリシャ国債と事情は違う。However, the Greek economic chaos was triggered as its national bond rating was lowered. This country should see the Greek crisis as a valuable lesson to avoid a similar outcome. 　だが、ギリシャの経済混乱は、国債の格付けが引き下げられたことがきっかけだ。日本も二の舞いにならないよう、他山の石としなければならない。What is most hurting the Japanese economy's confidence is the economic policy of the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, which continues to dole out huge funds without showing a clear road map for fiscal rehabilitation. This needs to be addressed first. 　日本経済の信認を最も傷つけているのは、財政再建の道筋も示さず、ばらまきを続ける鳩山政権の経済政策である。まず、ここから改めねばならない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 8, 2010) （2010年5月8日01時07分 読売新聞）

  May 9, 2010

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• 読売経済提言　政策を一新し停滞を打開せよ

  読売新聞の力作(秀作）だと思います。（英語版）インターナショナルクラス。久しぶりに辞書（英英）を多用しました。発音の確認は大切ですね。間違って覚えているものが結構あります。英英と英和を行ったり来たり、まだ英和が手放せなせません。srachai from khonkaen, thailandThe Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 8, 2010)Govt must change economic tack読売経済提言　政策を一新し停滞を打開せよ（5月7日付・読売社説）The administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has only aggravated this nation's fiscal condition through lavish government handouts that will do little to improve the economy. This has been exacerbated by the administration's failure to write proper prescriptions for recovering economic growth. The Hatoyama government's lack of sound economic management policies cannot be overlooked any longer. 　経済効果の少ないばらまきで財政を悪化させ、成長回復に向けた確かな処方箋(せん)もない。鳩山政権による経済運営の無策ぶりは、もはや看過することができない――。This perception is the basis for the emergency proposal advanced by The Yomiuri Shimbun to press the government to fundamentally change its economic policies. 　経済政策を大転換するよう求めた読売新聞の緊急提言は、こうした問題意識に基づいている。The greatest flaw in the Hatoyama administration's political approach lies with the priority it gives to ensuring the Democratic Party of Japan wins elections through policies and programs only aimed at pleasing the public, combined with its implementation at any cost of policies included in the DPJ's manifesto for last year's general election. 　選挙の勝利を優先する大衆迎合政治と、マニフェスト（政権公約）至上主義が、鳩山政治の最大の問題といえよう。The prime minister should carry out responsible economic policies in line with the Yomiuri's latest proposal, to stabilize the nation's economy and society throughout the 21st century and achieve sustainable growth. 　２１世紀を通じて日本の経済社会を安定させ、持続的な成長が可能となるよう、鳩山首相は本社提言に沿った責任ある経済政策を実施すべきである。　◆公約が政治をゆがめる◆This country's economy is finally improving after months of being buffeted by the global recession. However, the nation cannot afford to feel at ease with this nascent economic recovery. 　日本経済は、世界同時不況の荒波を乗り切り、ようやく景気が持ち直してきた。だが、つかの間の明るさに安心してはならない。The nation's current macroeconomic condition is marked by a 30 trillion yen shortfall in demand. There has been downward pressure on prices, giving rise to chronic deflation. 　マクロ経済全体で需要は３０兆円足りない。物価に下落圧力がかかり、デフレが慢性化している。=== Growth to slow A package of pump-priming measures introduced by the preceding government led by the Liberal Democratic Party, including an eco-friendly car purchase incentive program, is losing steam. According to many observers, the current economic improvement likely will slow down in the latter part of the year. 　エコカー減税など、前政権が残した景気対策もそろそろ息切れして、今年半ば以降には成長が減速するとの見方も強い。However, the current government's pump-priming measures are amiss, despite the necessity of doing all it can to underpin the economy. Its "from concrete to humans" slogan is a perfect example of this in that the policy regards public works projects as evil. 　今こそ、景気下支えに万全を期さねばならないのに、肝心の経済政策は的はずれだ。公共事業を罪悪視した「コンクリートから人へ」は、その典型といえる。The government budget for fiscal 2010 entails a hefty 20 percent cut in public works spending, a budget item highly conducive to stimulating the economy. The reduction is certain to deal a blow to regional economies, which rely heavily on public works projects. 　今年度予算で景気刺激効果の高い公共事業を２割も削った。公共事業を頼みとする地方経済への打撃は大きいだろう。Meanwhile, the current fiscal budget incorporates a massive amount of appropriations for dole-out programs, including child-rearing allowances. The Hatoyama government has given priority to honoring promises included in the DPJ manifesto despite being unsure how to secure a permanent source of revenue for the lavish handouts. Furthermore, direct allowances to households often end up being squirreled away, so it is difficult to expect the provision of such benefits will immediately improve the economy. 　反面、子ども手当など、ばらまき型給付に巨額の予算を割いた。家計への直接給付は貯蓄に回り、景気浮揚の即効性は期待しにくいのに、恒久的な財源のあてもないまま、公約実現を優先させた。Increased spending for improving social infrastructure--including transport networks and school buildings and facilities that are earthquake-resistant--would spur economic growth and make people's lives safer. Given this, the government should improve the nation's social infrastructure, instead of regarding such public facilities in the same light as unnecessary buildings and equipment. 　交通網の高度化や学校の耐震化など、インフラ（社会基盤）投資は成長や生活の安全・安心につながる。無駄なハコ物と同一視せず、整備を進める必要がある。=== Govt bonds to the rescue 　◆安心は雇用の安定から◆We propose no-interest bearing, tax-exempt government bonds be issued as a means of securing financial resources for achieving that goal. The issuance of such bonds does not entail new financial burdens in the form of interest payments, though purchasers are entitled to the reduction of and exemption from inheritance taxation. This means there is no threat of the state coffers being further depleted. 　そのための財源確保の一策として、無利子非課税国債の活用はどうか。相続税を減免するものの利払い負担がないため、財政を悪化させることもない。New financial means could be secured by encouraging people to buy such bonds with some of the estimated 30 trillion yen stashed at homes across the nation. Using such resources to carry out necessary projects would make it possible not only to ensure people use a portion of their money saved at home but also make headway in improving the nation's social infrastructure. 約３０兆円とされるタンス預金を吸い上げて必要な事業に使えば、一石二鳥の効果が期待できよう。According to a Cabinet Office opinion survey, the greatest discontent felt by people about their current state of affairs is their lack of economic comfort and their uncertainty about their future. Nearly half of those polled gave this answer. 　国民の最大の不満は「経済的なゆとりと先行きの見通しがない」ことだという。内閣府の世論調査で、ほぼ半数がそう答えた。Giving lavish allowances alone will do nothing to dispel people's anxiety about the future. The first step to be taken in this respect will be to create jobs for people who want to work and enable them to support themselves economically. Employment stability would reinvigorate the economy, for example, in the form of expanded consumption. 　手当をばらまくだけでは、不安は解消しない。働きたい人に仕事を用意し、自ら生計を立てられるようにすることが、安心の第一歩だ。雇用が安定すれば、消費拡大など経済活性化にもつながる。=== Help care workers Chances are high that more jobs will be created in the medical and nursing care fields, given the rising need for these services due to the aging of society. However, many people are quick to leave such jobs because of the strenuous working conditions and low wages. This has caused a chronic shortage of workers in these fields. 　高齢化でニーズの高まる医療・介護分野は、雇用拡大の面でも有望だ。しかし、仕事がきついうえに、給料が安すぎるとして、現場を去る人が多く、慢性的な人手不足に陥っている。Wages and other labor conditions in these sectors need to be improved, thus making sure people find such jobs worthwhile. Public money should be used to help achieve this goal. 　魅力のある仕事にするため、処遇改善が求められる。公費による支援の拡充などを図るべきだ。It is also necessary to hurriedly shore up the social security system to support people who cannot work because of illness or old age. Drawing a blueprint for a new system is pie in the sky if it is not supported by financial means. 　病気や高齢で働けない人を支える社会保障制度の強化も急がねばならない。制度の青写真をきれいに描いても、裏付けの財源がなければ絵に描いたモチだ。The declining birthrate and aging population is forecast to push up the nation's social security costs by about 1 trillion yen each year. To accommodate this increase and transform the social security system into a sustainable scheme, it will be inescapable to raise the consumption tax rate--which stands at 5 percent--as a stable source of revenue. 　少子高齢化のため、黙っていても社会保障費は毎年１兆円ずつ増える。これを賄い、持続可能な制度に改めるには、税収の安定している消費税率の引き上げは避けられない。Hatoyama should retract his earlier pledge to "freeze" the tax rate and start specific discussions on an increase in the rate as soon as possible. As a first step, it is necessary to try and increase the tax rate to 10 percent. 　鳩山首相は「消費税率凍結」を撤回し、早急に具体的な論議を開始すべきだ。税率は現在の５％から、まずは１０％への引き上げを目指す必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 7, 2010) （2010年5月7日03時00分 読売新聞）

  May 8, 2010

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