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• 警察白書　国民の「抵抗力」が被害を防ぐ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 11, 2009)Develop immunity to remittance frauds警察白書　国民の「抵抗力」が被害を防ぐ（8月11日付・読売社説）This year's white paper on police published by the National Police Agency has a special section titled "Measures against crimes that threaten people's daily lives." 　今年の警察白書は「日常生活を脅かす犯罪」を特集した。As examples of such crimes, it mentions bank remittance fraud and vicious business scams. It details current police measures against remittance fraud and lists related problems to be tackled. 　具体例として、振り込め詐欺や悪徳商法などを挙げ、特に振り込め詐欺について、警察の取り組みや今後の課題を詳述している。The total number of criminal offense cases has been decreasing in recent years after peaking in 2002. But the white paper points out that the spread of such crimes is "one of the factors preventing people's uneasiness about public security from being allayed." 　刑法犯罪の全体の件数は２００２年をピークに減少している。それでも「治安に対する国民の不安がぬぐえない要因の一つ」に、これらの犯罪の広がりがあると白書は指摘する。If the current economic slump prolongs, new types of crimes that threaten people's daily lives may proliferate. 　経済不況が長引けば、日常生活を脅かす新手の犯罪が次々と増殖する恐れがあるだろう。The police white paper emphasizes that it is important to enhance people's understanding and cooperation when it comes to fighting crime, such as by encouraging members of the public to provide information to police, and to boost people's crime-prevention capability. Indeed, preventing remittance fraud is not something that can be accomplished by police alone. 　白書は、被害防止には情報提供などの「国民の理解と協力」、犯罪に対する「国民の抵抗力」を高めていくことが重要だと強調している。まさに、警察だけで解決できる問題ではない。=== Various ploys used There are a variety of ploys used in the commission of remittance fraud, including the "It's me" type, in which offenders pretend to be a son or grandchild of the targeted victim, and the refund type, in which offenders pass themselves off as workers at social insurance and tax offices. 　息子や孫などを装うオレオレ詐欺、社会保険事務所や税務署の職員を名乗る還付金詐欺など、振り込め詐欺の手口は様々だ。People across the country have been victimized. In many cases, money remitted to criminals is withdrawn from ATMs in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The bank accounts and cell phones used in the crimes belong to third parties or fictitious people. 　被害は全国に及ぶが、被害金の多くは首都圏の現金自動預け払い機（ＡＴＭ）で引き出される。犯行に使われる預貯金口座と携帯電話は他人名義や架空名義だ。The criminals in the groups that run the scams perform different tasks, and it is not easy to gain a clear picture of how the frauds are perpetrated. For instance, a group might consist of a person who dupes victims, one who obtains bank accounts and cell phones, and another who withdraws swindled money. The ratio of arrests to cases of remittance fraud remains slightly more than 20 percent. 　犯行グループは、だまし役、預貯金口座や携帯電話の調達役、詐取した金の引き出し役など役割分担し、全容を見せない。検挙率も２割強にとどまっている。The NPA has been making efforts to combat such crimes, with police forces nationwide alerted to take countermeasures. For instance, it has inputted the modus operandi of all reported remittance fraud cases into a database that can be used in investigations. It also has deployed a special full-time investigation force comprising investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department and prefectural police headquarters in the metropolitan area. 　警察庁は犯行手口をデータベース化して捜査に活用し、都道府県警察の捜査員による専従班を首都圏に投入するなど、全国警察を挙げた取り組みを展開してきた。These were necessary responses to fight a crime that is a threat to people all over the country. 全国的に脅威となっている犯罪に対しては、必要な対応であった。=== Cat-and-mouse game continues After banks limited the amount of cash that may be transferred via ATM to 100,000 yen, cases of money being remitted between accounts increased. Offenders began using a special postal package service to receive money instead of ATMs, which are subject to heightened security measures to counter remittance fraud. 　ＡＴＭによる現金の振り込みを１０万円までに制限したら、口座間送金をさせる手口が増加した。警戒の強いＡＴＭを避けて、郵便の専用封筒で私設私書箱あてに現金を送らせる手口が増えてきた。Police will have to continue their cat-and-mouse game with these wily offenders. To prevent new scams from being devised, it is crucial to prevent criminals from using and coming up with new ways to foil police, including revising related laws and creating new ones. 　犯罪者の悪知恵とのいたちごっこが続く。新たな手口には、法整備を含めて、確実に抜け道をふさいでいくことが大事だ。What can be done to prevent bank accounts, ATMs and cell phones from being used in crimes? Financial institutions and cell phone service operators should think seriously about measures to solve this problem. 　預貯金口座やＡＴＭ、携帯電話を、いかに犯罪に利用されないようにするか。金融機関や携帯電話事業者も真剣に対応すべきだ。The need for cooperation among agencies and ministries concerned--including the Financial Services Agency, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry and the consumer affairs agency that is to be launched as early as autumn--is also increasingly evident. 金融庁、総務省、秋にも発足予定の消費者庁など、関係省庁間の連携の必要性も増している。In its conclusion, the white paper describes the importance of reviving solidarity among people in communities as well as bonds among family members, which are weaker than they used to be, so society as a whole can combat crime. 　白書は最後に、希薄化した地域の連帯や家族の絆(きずな)を再生し、社会全体で犯罪に立ち向かうことの重要さに言及している。What should we do to prevent criminals from cheating us? Steady efforts by individual communities are also now required to combat crime. どうすれば犯罪者につけ入るすきを与えないか。地域ごとの地道な取り組みも求められている。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 11, 2009) （2009年8月11日01時07分 読売新聞）

  Aug 11, 2009

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• 「アニメの殿堂」　文化政策のあり方を問え

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 10, 2009)Parties' cultural policies a focus in election「アニメの殿堂」　文化政策のあり方を問え（8月10日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan is fiercely opposed to a government plan to build a national popular culture center, dubbed the "anime hall of fame," arguing that it would be a wasteful use of the state budget. 　「アニメの殿堂」とも呼ばれる国立メディア芸術総合センターの建設計画について、民主党が予算の無駄遣いだと強く反発している。The Diet passed in an ordinary Diet session a supplementary budget that included 11.7 billion yen for the construction of the comprehensive media arts center. But the DPJ intends to cancel the plan if it takes power after the upcoming House of Representatives election. 　１１７億円のセンター建設費を盛り込んだ補正予算が先の通常国会で成立したが、民主党は政権に就いた場合、センター建設を凍結する方針だ。The issue is more than a disagreement over whether such a center per se should be built--it also highlights each party's policy stance on cultural affairs. 　一文化施設の建設の是非をめぐる対立ではあるが、文化政策のあり方が問われているということでもあろう。We hope, taking this opportunity, that political parties will have active discussions on the issue of cultural affairs. 　この機会に、各党で大いに論じ合ってほしい。The envisaged center is expected to serve as a base for disseminating information on manga, anime and game software to people at home and abroad. Planned projects at the center include the exhibition, collection and preservation of such works, research into pop culture and the nurturing of pop culture creators. 　メディア芸術総合センターは、マンガやアニメ、ゲームなどを内外に発信していく拠点として計画されている。作品の展示、収集保存、調査研究、クリエイターの育成などの事業に取り組む予定だ。Tokyo's Daiba area was at one point considered for the site for the planned facility, but the government now reportedly will have to work from scratch to decide on the location. 　東京・お台場に新施設を建設することも一時検討されたが、現在立地については白紙の状態だ。=== 'Manga kissa' jibe misplaced The DPJ has condemned the planned center, saying it would be a "state-run manga kissa [cafe]." This kind of stance will only foster misunderstanding about the project. 　民主党は「国営マンガ喫茶」と揶揄(やゆ)しているが、これでは誤解が広がるばかりだろう。It is an important task for the government to actively support the production and publicizing of works in this area, which has gained international recognition. A particularly big challenge will be collecting pop culture works, which are said to be widely dispersed. 　国際的評価も高いこの分野の作品の製作や発信を、国が積極的に支援することは大切なことだ。とりわけ、散逸する作品の収集は大きな課題となっている。The point is to create a facility that matches the purposes for which it is built without wasting taxpayers money. 　要は、税金の無駄遣いにならないよう、目的にきちんと見合った施設を造ることだ。It also is important to have cooperation with other facilities across the nation, such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum, set up by a group of entities including Kyoto Seika University. 　京都精華大学などが設立した京都国際マンガミュージアムなど、各地の施設との連携も必要だ。Consideration should also be given to the idea of using existing buildings that could be renovated without necessarily sticking to the idea of constructing a new facility. 　新しい施設の建設にはこだわらず、既存の建造物を改修して利用する方向も探るべきだろう。=== Arts a broad field The Association for Corporate Support of the Arts, comprising companies engaged in cultural support activities, polled political parties about their policies on cultural affairs ahead of the general election. 　文化活動に取り組む企業で組織する企業メセナ協議会は、総選挙を前に各党の文化政策についてアンケート調査を実施している。In its reply to the questionnaire, the Liberal Democratic Party said promotion of culture and arts is a basic plank of its national strategy, and that culture-related budgets need to be drastically increased. 　自民党は、文化芸術の振興を国家戦略の基本と位置づけ、文化関係予算の大幅な拡充が必要との考えを示した。The DPJ, for its part, said it wants to transform the conventional cultural policy centered on construction of facilities into one that makes use of human resources. The party also said it would carefully study culture-related spending in the past and compare it with the situation in the other countries before deciding the scale of its budget for the arts. 　民主党は、従来のハコモノ中心の行政を改め人材を生かす文化政策に転換したいとした。予算規模については、過去の予算を精査して、諸外国の状況とも照らし検討すると慎重な姿勢を見せた。These differences in opinion seem to be reflected in the two parties' positions toward the media arts center project. 　こうした発想の違いが、メディア芸術総合センターへの姿勢にも反映されているのだろう。Cultural administration covers a broad range of issues, including the transmission of traditional culture and the development of cities' cultural assets by taking advantage of their historic landscapes and buildings. We hope political parties will deepen their discussions on cultural policy and come up with concrete policy proposals on the arts. 　文化行政の課題は、伝統文化の継承や、地域の景観や歴史的建造物を生かした文化の街づくりなど多岐にわたっている。政党レベルでも議論を深め、具体的政策を提示していってほしい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 10, 2009) （2009年8月10日01時11分 読売新聞）

  Aug 10, 2009

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• 消費税引き上げ　必要性を率直に国民に説け

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 9, 2009)Parties must explain need for consumption tax hike消費税引き上げ　必要性を率直に国民に説け（8月9日付・読売社説）It is time to answer the question of how to secure the financial resources needed to make the social security system sustainable. 　社会保障制度を持続可能にする財源をどう確保するか、もう答えを出す時ではないか。Most of the public understand that the consumption tax, which spreads the burden on taxpayers broadly and thinly, is the only tax that can be tapped to provide a stable source of financing. 　安定財源となり得るのは、広く薄く負担を求める消費税しかないことは多くの国民が理解している。But deep debate on the consumption tax among the ruling and opposition parties in the run-up to the House of Representatives election is yet to occur. Even if the parties argue that priority should be given to economic recovery or thorough expenditure cuts, they also should try to show how a consumption tax rate hike might be achieved. 　だが、衆院選に向けた与野党の消費税議論は一向に深まっていない。景気回復や歳出削減の徹底が先だとしても、与野党は選挙戦を通じて、将来の引き上げの具体像を示すよう努めるべきだ。The ruling Liberal Democratic Party specifies in its manifesto that it will take the necessary legal steps by fiscal 2011 to implement drastic reform of the taxation system--including consumption tax changes--immediately after the economy turns for the better. 　自民党は消費税を含む税制抜本改革について、「２０１１年度までに必要な法制上の措置を講じ、経済状況の好転後、遅滞なく実施する」と政権公約に明記した。The LDP will designate the consumption tax as a special purpose tax, allowing it to allot all the increased revenue to social security programs, while gradually raising the consumption tax rate. The party also stated a deadline for completion of the preparation stage, which seems to be a responsible attitude for a ruling party. 　増収分の全額を社会保障財源に充てる目的税化を行い、税率を段階的に引き上げる。その準備を終える期限を約束したのは、責任ある姿勢といえるだろう。In the 2005 lower house election, the ruling bloc pledged to implement drastic reform, including consumption tax reform, around fiscal 2007, but failed to fulfill their promise. If it intends to tackle the reform issue seriously this time, it should clearly state what the tax rate will be and when it will be raised. 　与党は０５年の前回衆院選で、０７年度をメドに消費税などの抜本改革を実現すると公約したが、果たせなかった。今回は真剣に取り組むというなら、税率や引き上げ時期をはっきりさせるべきだ。=== DPJ must explain position The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan said in its manifesto that it will not raise the consumption tax rate in the coming four years. In the run-up to the 2005 lower house election, the DPJ said it backed a three percentage point consumption tax rate hike. So far, the party has not sufficiently explained to the public why it has decided there is no need to raise the tax rate this time. 　民主党は、今後４年間は消費税率は引き上げないという。前回衆院選では年金目的消費税として、３％の引き上げを掲げていた。なぜ今回は引き上げを不要としたのか、十分な説明はない。As part of its program for taxation reform announced in December 2008, the DPJ said the importance of the consumption tax would continue to grow and that it intended to draw up a framework for tax reform, including consumption tax changes, during its first term if it gains power. 　昨年暮れの「税制抜本改革アクションプログラム」では、「消費税の重要性はますます高まる」とし、民主党政権の最初の任期中に消費税を含む税制改革の制度設計を進めることを明記した。If the DPJ intends to use the consumption tax as a financial resource to fund the social security system and begin to draw up a plan for drastic taxation reform, little would separate the DPJ and LDP on the issue. The DPJ therefore needs to admit it is necessary to increase the consumption tax burden and frankly explain the reasons why to the public. 　社会保障財源として消費税を活用し、その制度設計を始めるなら、与党が示した道筋と大差はない。ならば、国民に負担増の必要性を率直に説くべきではないか。=== Scope for a rate increase At 25 percent, Sweden has the highest consumption tax rate in Europe, with value-added tax rates in much of the continent, including Britain, France and Germany, ranging from 15 percent to 20 percent. Those of China and South Korea are 17 percent and 10 percent, respectively, making Japan's 5 percent rather exceptional. 　スウェーデンの２５％を筆頭に、イギリス、ドイツ、フランスなど欧州の付加価値税の税率は、１５～２０％が当たり前だ。中国は１７％、韓国でも１０％だ。日本の５％は、むしろ例外的といえる。It is necessary to take into consideration the effect on low-income earners whose burden will become larger if the consumption tax rate is raised. 　引き上げで負担が増える低所得者に対する配慮は必要だ。By allotting some of the increased revenue to the financing of social security programs, the benefits received by low-income earners can be increased. But at the same time, the question of what the reduced tax rate should be on daily necessities will arise. It will be necessary to consider making mandatory an invoicing system in which various taxes would have to be recorded on an itemized bill whenever a purchase is made. 増収分を社会保障に回すことで低所得者への給付は手厚くなるが、同時に生活必需品への軽減税率の適用も課題になる。インボイス（伝票）方式の検討も避けて通れまい。The DPJ is proposing a system that would see low-income earners given payments equivalent to the consumption tax levied on daily necessities, but this leaves key problems unaddressed, including how to accurately assess each low-income earner's income. So, it is more realistic to first consider applying a lower tax rate on daily necessities than on other items. 　民主党は生活必需品の消費税相当額を低所得者に還元する「給付つき消費税額控除」を提唱しているが、実現には所得把握の方法など難題を抱えている。まず軽減税率を考えた方が現実的だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 9, 2009) （2009年8月9日01時19分 読売新聞）

  Aug 9, 2009

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• 政権公約選挙　正しい方向なら変更は当然だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 8, 2009)Parties should be open to revising election vows政権公約選挙　正しい方向なら変更は当然だ（8月8日付・読売社説）Obviously, it is important for politicians to try to stick to election pledges. However, if they treat pledges as if they are set in stone, they may face problems in meeting their political obligations. 　公約を「守る」ことが大切なのは確かだが、金科玉条のごとく「守る」ことだけにこだわれば、現実の政治には不具合が生じよう。The Aug. 30 poll will be the third House of Representatives election for which political parties have announced their policy platforms, along with proposed revenue sources and deadlines for implementation, since the practice began in 2003. 　各政党が政策ごとに財源や実施期限を明示した政権公約を掲げて衆院選を実施するのは、２００３年以来、３度目となる。Academics who proposed such an approach have stressed the need to review previous election pledges each time a lower house election is held. これを提言した学者らは、衆院選のたびに過去の公約を点検することが重要だと説いた。In keeping with this goal, a number of organizations recently held a joint meeting to rate the degree to which the ruling bloc has met manifesto pledges laid out ahead of the 2005 lower house election. 　この提言に沿って、与党の０５年公約の達成度を検証する集会が先日、開かれた。The organizations were critical of the ruling parties, saying that the structural reform drive promoted by the cabinet of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had been gradually adjusted over the past four years. 参加した各団体は「小泉内閣の構造改革路線が、なし崩し的に修正された」と批判した。However, when judging the ruling parties' success, it is dangerous to simply focus on whether the points as laid out in their manifestos four years ago have been attained. 　だが、４年前の公約通りに実践したかどうかだけを判断基準にするのは危険だ。=== Changing realities of reform The negative effects of Koizumi's reform drive, such as widening social and economic disparities, started to become evident after the last lower house election in 2005. In addition, the country later entered a dramatic economic downturn as a result of the global economic crisis that began last autumn. 　格差拡大など小泉改革の「影」の部分が問題化したのは、前回衆院選以降のことだ。経済が急減速したのも、世界同時不況の影響が広がった昨年秋以降である。If cabinets that succeeded the Koizumi administration had continued belt-tightening policies--neglecting economic current conditions and failing to take into account problems resulting from market-based structural reforms, such as widening disparities--the Japanese economy likely would have been thrown into chaos. 　もし「小泉後」の歴代内閣が、格差拡大を生んだ市場原理主義的な構造改革の弊害を省みず、景気動向を無視して緊縮財政路線を続けていれば、日本の経済は今ごろ大混乱していただろう。It is therefore essential to maintain flexibility and a willingness to modify policies in response to changing economic and political realities. 　政治や経済の環境変化に合わせて政策を修正する柔軟さまで否定すべきではない。At the same time, it is important for policymakers to offer a clear explanation to voters of why such adjustments are necessary. ただ、その前提として、変更の理由は有権者にきちんと説明する必要はあろう。However, simply judging the ruling parties' pledges while ignoring the implications of the opposition's proposals also is questionable--the Democratic Party of Japan is battling with the ruling parties for power in the upcoming lower house race, and it is therefore only right that its policy pledges come in for scrutiny. 　与党の公約達成度だけを問題にするのも疑問だ。政権の座を争う以上、民主党の公約も厳しくチェックしないとバランスを欠く。=== DPJ must be flexible The DPJ stated in its 2005 manifesto that the party would "undertake" a revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement with a view to having U.S. bases in Okinawa Prefecture relocated out of the country. 　民主党は０５年の公約に、日米地位協定の改定に「着手」し、在沖縄米軍基地の「国外への移転」を目指すと明記していた。But if the DPJ had seized power in the 2005 election and followed through with its election pledges, cracks would have been created in Japan-U.S. relations. Acceptance of this reality is evident in the DPJ's decision to change the phrasing regarding the bilateral accord from "undertake" to "propose" and drop the reference to relocation overseas in its latest manifesto. 　０５年の衆院選で民主党政権が誕生し、公約通りに行動していれば、日米関係に亀裂が生じる事態に陥っただろう。そのことは、民主党が今回、「着手」を「提起」に改め、国外移転の文言を削除したことが雄弁に物語っている。Of course, it is not right to judge the DPJ's pledges solely on their consistency--if positive changes are made they should be welcomed. 　無論、民主党の公約点検でも、「ぶれた」かどうかを唯一の物差しにするのは誤りだ。望ましい方向への修正なら、むしろ歓迎すべきことだ。The DPJ reportedly plans to modify wording on decentralization and a Japan-U.S. free trade agreement in its election pledges. 　民主党は、地方分権や日米自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の記述で公約の修正を行うという。Apart from this, there are some pledges whose feasibility is doubtful and which are written in an extremely ambiguous way, especially on security and global environment issues, among others. 　ほかにも、安全保障政策や地球環境問題をはじめ、実現可能性を疑われたり、表現が極めて曖昧(あいまい)だったりする公約がある。The party must therefore continue to carefully examine and reflect on its manifesto pledges until the election is officially announced, and it must not hesitate to revise them if necessary. 公示まで精査に努め、必要であれば修正もためらうべきではない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 8, 2009) （2009年8月8日01時23分 読売新聞）

  Aug 8, 2009

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• 裁判員判決　検証の積み重ねが欠かせない

  Lay judge system should be monitored, improvedThe Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 7, 2009)裁判員判決　検証の積み重ねが欠かせない（8月7日付・読売社説）The nation's first lay judge trial has ended. Many more trials in which ordinary citizens participate as lay judges in criminal cases are expected to follow across the country. 　裁判員が関与した初の裁判が終了した。今後も全国で裁判が相次ぐ。It is vital that people in the judicial world look for any shortcomings or problems in lay judge trials, including the one that just ended Thursday, and rectify them so the lay judge system can be improved. 法曹関係者は今回も含め、問題点を洗い出して検証し、裁判員制度を改善していくことが肝要である。The first lay judge trial dealt with a murder that took place on a Tokyo street in May. A 72-year-old man had been accused of stabbing to death his 66-year-old female neighbor with a survival knife. 　審理されたのは、東京で５月に起きた路上殺人事件だった。６６歳の女性をサバイバルナイフで刺殺したとして、近所の７２歳の男が殺人罪に問われた。The Tokyo District Court courtroom where the trial was conducted looked completely different to courtrooms in the past. Three professional judges in robes were flanked by six lay judges wearing their everyday clothes. 　東京地裁の法廷は様変わりした。法服姿の３人の裁判官の両脇に私服の裁判員６人が並んだ。Prosecutors and lawyers showed images on monitors and paraphrased hard-to-comprehend technical terms with plain language. 　検察官と弁護人はモニターに画像を映し、難解な専門用語を平易な言葉に言い換えた。As one example, a prosecutor explained that a "defensive wound"--which was found on the woman's body--is an injury sustained when a victim tries to use their hand, arm or other body part to block an assault by an assailant with a sharp weapon. 　検察官が被害者の「防御創」について、「刃物で刺されそうになった時、とっさに手で受け止めようとしてできる傷のこと」と説明したのは、その典型だ。We welcome such changes because they will help the general public more easily understand what is discussed during trials. 裁判の内容が一般にも分かりやすくなったのは、歓迎すべきことである。=== Heavy burdens The trial focused on determining the punishment for the defendant, who had admitted to killing the woman. The crux of the decision centered on to what degree the defendant had intended to kill the woman. 　被告は犯行を認めていたため、裁判の争点は量刑に絞られていた。どれだけ強い殺意を持って被害者を刺したかが、量刑を決めるポイントだった。One lay judge asked the defendant why he decided to go and fetch a knife while he was quarreling with the victim. Such questions indicated the lay judges' willingness to determine for themselves the degree of the defendant's intent to commit murder. 　裁判員は、「言い争いになった時、なぜナイフを持っていこうと思ったのか」などと被告に問いかけた。殺意の度合いを見極めようという姿勢がうかがえた。While prosecutors demanded a 16-year term of imprisonment, the court sentenced the defendant to 15 years in prison, acknowledging that he stabbed the woman with a strong intent despite being aware that doing so would result in her death. The court handed down a ruling in line with the argument put forward by prosecutors. 　懲役１６年の求刑に対し、判決は懲役１５年だった。「死亡させると分かりながら、強い攻撃意思を持って刺した」と認定した。検察側の主張に沿った判断である。During the four-day trial, a female lay judge averted her eyes when images of the victim's body were shown on a monitor. Another female judge was unable to appear in court on the third day because she was feeling unwell due to a cold. She was replaced with a male "supplementary" lay judge. 　４日間の公判では、遺体の写真をモニターで見た女性裁判員が、目をそらす場面があった。別の女性裁判員は風邪で体調を崩し、男性の補充裁判員に交代した。The daily trial undoubtedly placed a heavy strain on lay judges. In cases when lay judges are asked to make even tougher decisions, such as choosing between the death penalty or an indefinite prison term, they likely will bear an even heavier burden. 　連日の公判が、裁判員にとって大きな負担であったことは間違いあるまい。死刑か無期懲役かの判断などを迫られる裁判では、負担は、さらに増すだろう。In this regard, the Supreme Court must do everything it can to take care of the lay judges' mental condition, such as ensuring the smooth operation of the counseling service counter that has been set up to give advice to lay judges. 　最高裁は、既に設置した電話相談窓口を円滑に機能させるなど、裁判員の心のケア対策に万全を期していく必要がある。=== Weighty responsibility Another issue that needs careful consideration is how to select lay judges. 　裁判員の選考方法も検討課題といえよう。In the Tokyo District Court trial, the six lay judges randomly chosen by the court turned out to be five women and one man. But for trials on cases involving sex offenses, we wonder whether the age and gender balance of the lay judges could subtly affect rulings. 今回、地裁が無作為で選んだ裁判員は、女性５人、男性１人だったが、性犯罪などの裁判で、男女の比率や年齢構成が偏ると、判決内容に微妙な影響が及ぶことはないだろうか。After the ruling Thursday, the six lay judges and a supplementary citizen judge attended a press conference. "I sincerely felt the heavy responsibility I bore in judging a person," one said. 　判決後、裁判員全員が会見に応じ、「人を裁くという重大なことを担わされている思いをひしひしと感じた」などと語った。This comment should be kept in mind, given that any of us could be asked to serve as a lay judge any time soon. いつ自分が選ばれるか分からないだけに、裁判員の生の声は、大いに参考になるはずだ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2009) （2009年8月7日01時15分 読売新聞）

  Aug 7, 2009

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• 原爆忌　オバマ非核演説をどう生かす

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 6, 2009)Obama's nonnuclear goal worthy but difficult原爆忌　オバマ非核演説をどう生かす（8月6日付・読売社説）It has been 64 years since atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and this year a ray of light appeared to illuminate the profound desire of those who experienced the terrible devastation of the atomic bombings to see a world free of nuclear weapons. 　広島、長崎への原爆投下から６４年がたつ。惨禍を経験した人々の核廃絶への切なる願いに、今年は一筋の光明が差しているようにみえる。This light was the speech by U.S. President Barack Obama in Prague in April. 　オバマ米大統領による今年４月のプラハ演説である。In the speech, Obama clarified that "the United States has a moral responsibility" to lead an effort to realize a world without nuclear weapons "as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon." 　大統領は、「核兵器を使用したことがある唯一の核保有国」として、「核兵器のない世界」の実現に向けて「行動する道義的責任」があると明言した。The speech was not an admission of responsibility by Obama over using destructive weapons on Japan, which was unable to continue fighting at the time. 　むろん、当時、継戦能力を失っていた日本に対し、残虐兵器を使ったこと自体の責任を認めたわけではない。However, it is no surprise that this speech by the U.S. president, whose country tends to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs, has brought excitement and hope to people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 　しかし、原爆投下を正当化する風潮が、なお根強く残る米国の大統領のこの発言が、ヒロシマ、ナガサキに感動と希望をもたらしたことは、疑いがない。We hope Obama, without betraying those hopes, exerts leadership by promoting talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia as well as leading the United States to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. 　オバマ大統領は、この気持ちを裏切ることなく、ロシアとの新核軍縮交渉推進や、米国の核実験全面禁止条約（ＣＴＢＴ）批准に、指導力を発揮してもらいたい。=== New treaty for new times We also need to look at another aspect of Obama's speech. 　オバマ演説のもう一つの側面にも、目を向ける必要がある。Obama said of eliminating nuclear weapons: "This goal will not be reached quickly--perhaps not in my lifetime." The current state of the world's nuclear weapons is precarious. 　大統領は演説で、核廃絶は「おそらく私の生きているうちには達成されない」と述べた。世界の核状況はそれだけ厳しい。The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which bans the possession of nuclear weapons except by five nations--Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States--has become a mere facade since India and Pakistan became nuclear powers. And even among the five nations, China has been building up its nuclear arms. 　米露英仏中の５か国以外の核保有を禁じた核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制は、インド、パキスタンの核保有以降、形骸(けいがい)化の一途だ。５か国の中でも、中国のように核軍拡を進めている国もある。There also is a growing risk that nuclear weapons and related materials could fall into the hands of terrorists. 　テロリストの手に核兵器・関連物質が渡る危険も増している。The United States is at last seriously addressing the issue of nuclear disarmament--a responsibility is shoulders as a nuclear power under the NPT--a move being touted as a way to thwart the potential for nuclear terrorism, which the United States fears most. 　核保有国のＮＰＴ上の責務である軍縮に、米国がようやく本腰を入れるのも、最も危惧(きぐ)している「核テロ」を阻止するため、と指摘されている。=== Still under the U.S. umbrella? Japan also faces serious threats from nuclear weapons. 　日本も、深刻な核の脅威の下にある。Earlier this year, North Korea aggressively conducted missile launches and a second nuclear test. 北朝鮮は先にミサイル発射や２度目の核実験を強行した。Japan has to depend on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to be safe from any North Korean nuclear missile and other military threats. After Obama's speech, it is not surprising that the government has tried to reconfirm with the United States the protection of the nuclear umbrella, as Japan fears a weakened nuclear deterrence. 　北朝鮮の核ミサイルなどに対して日本は、米国の「核の傘」に頼らざるを得ない。オバマ演説のあと、日本政府が、核抑止力の低下を懸念して「傘」の再確認に動いているのは当然のことだ。Meanwhile, Katsuya Okada, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, stressed that Japan should make the United States pledge that it will never preemptively use nuclear weapons. 　他方、民主党の岡田幹事長は、米国に核の先制不使用を宣言するよう主張すべきだと言う。He explained that this would not prohibit U.S. retaliations if a hostile nation strikes first, which he said would partly expose Japan from the protection of the nuclear umbrella. But doesn't this render useless the protection afforded by the umbrella? 　敵国の先制使用に対して、米国の報復まで禁止するわけでないから、「核の傘」から半分外れると説明するが、これでは「傘」は役立たないのではないか。While seeking the elimination of nuclear weapons, the grave reality is that we must also depend on the nuclear deterrent. It is vital that nuclear disarmament be tackled without having it threaten Japan's peace and security. 　核廃絶を希求する一方で、核抑止力に依存せねばならぬ重い現実がある。核軍縮も、日本の平和と安全が損なわれないよう、着実に取り組むことが肝要だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2009) （2009年8月6日01時24分 読売新聞）

  Aug 6, 2009

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• 防衛有識者会議　大胆な提言を新大綱に生かせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 5, 2009)New defense guidelines should reflect bold ideas防衛有識者会議　大胆な提言を新大綱に生かせ（8月5日付・読売社説）A report was presented to Prime Minister Taro Aso on Tuesday by a group of experts studying the revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines, which define how to maintain Japan's defense capabilities. The panel's report contains a number of daring and important proposals. 　防衛力整備の指針である「防衛計画の大綱」の改定を検討してきた有識者会議が、報告書を麻生首相に提出した。大胆かつ重要な提言が多数含まれている。To ensure the nation's peace and security amid the changes taking place in the international security environment, it is imperative that traditional taboos be cast aside and that a review takes place of defense policy and the organization of Self-Defense Forces units and the defense equipment available to them. 　国際的な安全保障環境が変化する中、日本の平和と安全を確保し続けるには、従来のタブーを排し、防衛政策や自衛隊の部隊編成・装備を見直すことが肝要だ。Whichever party takes office after the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election, efforts should be made to reflect the group's proposals as much as possible in the new defense guidelines that are due to be formulated by the end of this year. 　衆院選後の政権をどの政党が担うにせよ、年末に策定する予定の新防衛大綱に、この提言を極力反映させるよう努めるべきだ。In the report, the experts said that the ability of the United States to be the driving force of "a free and open global system" has weakened in relative terms. Therefore, Japan and European countries need to make up for the United States' declining influence and try to solve international security problems with a joint approach, according to the panel. 　報告書は、「自由で開かれた国際システム」を牽引(けんいん)してきた米国の力が相対的に低下したとの現状認識を示した。そのため、日本や欧州諸国が共同で米国を補完し、国際的な安全保障問題の解決を目指す必要性を主張する。=== Review PKO participation rules In concrete terms, the report proposed a review of the nation's five principles for participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and a revision of the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law so that SDF troops can more actively participate in peace cooperation activities. 　具体的には、自衛隊が国際平和協力活動に、より積極的に参加するよう、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の参加５原則の見直しやＰＫＯ協力法の改正を提唱した。The threats of international terrorism and piracy in the waters off Somalia symbolize the reality that Japan's security is tied to world peace. The nation has a responsibility to play a part in peace-building efforts by the international community. However, only 39 Japanese were participating in U.N. peacekeeping operations as of June 30, a figure that places Japan only 82nd in the world. 　国際テロや海賊の脅威に象徴されるように、日本の安全は世界の平和と連動している。日本は国際社会による平和構築活動の一翼を担う責任がある。だが、日本の６月末のＰＫＯ参加人数は３９人で、世界８２位にすぎない。To increase the number of SDF members participating in PKOs, it is important to develop a system enabling the dispatch of troops flexibly in line with the actual circumstances of such missions. It is also necessary to relax existing rules on the use of weapons and develop permanent legislation on the dispatch of SDF members abroad. 　自衛隊の参加を増やすには、ＰＫＯの実態に即して、柔軟に部隊を派遣する体制を整えることが大切だ。武器使用権限の拡大と、自衛隊の海外派遣に関する恒久法の整備にも取り組む必要がある。=== How to interpret Constitution? In the report, the panel also urged the government to change its interpretation of the Constitution to enable the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense so that the SDF can intercept ballistic missiles heading toward the United States and protect U.S. Navy ships monitoring missile launches. 　報告書は、集団的自衛権について、米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃や、ミサイルを警戒する米軍艦船の防護を可能にするよう、政府の憲法解釈の変更を求めた。When North Korea fired a ballistic missile in April, the SDF and U.S. forces worked together to deal with the situation. To further strengthen confidence in the Japan-U.S. alliance, the government should change its constitutional interpretation as soon as possible. 　４月の北朝鮮のミサイル発射時に自衛隊と米軍は共同対処した。日米同盟の信頼性を高めるには政府解釈の変更を急ぐべきだ。On the question of whether the nation should possess the capability of attacking bases in enemy territory, the panel stressed in the report that Japan should study the suitability and cost-effectiveness of equipment and operational procedures to this end on the condition that should such contingencies arise Tokyo and Washington would work together to deal with them. 　報告書は、敵基地攻撃能力の保有についても、日米共同対処を前提に、日本として適切な装備体系や運用方法、費用対効果を検討する必要性を強調している。Calmly discussing what responsibilities Tokyo can share with Washington to help supplement the offensive capabilities of U.S. forces has huge significance. 　米国の攻撃力を補完する形で、どんな役割分担が可能かを冷静に議論する意味は大きい。The report said the nation's three principles for banning arms exports were preventing Japan from participating in international research projects for developing and producing weapons and that these should be made exceptions to the rules. They also proposed that the ban on the export of weapons to support efforts against terrorism and piracy should also be lifted. 　武器輸出３原則について、報告書は、日本が装備品の国際的な共同開発・生産に参加できない問題を指摘し、３原則の例外化を求めた。テロ・海賊対策支援目的の輸出の解禁も提唱した。In addition to Japan not being left behind when it comes to state-of-the-art military technology, it should also be a matter of course that Japan allows the export of weapons when this can serve as a contribution to global peace. 　日本が最新の軍事技術から取り残される事態は避けるべきだし、国際平和に寄与する武器輸出は容認するのが当然だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2009) （2009年8月5日02時09分 読売新聞）

  Aug 5, 2009

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• 私大定員割れ　特色作りで活路を見いだせ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 4, 2009)Specialty key to survival of private universities私大定員割れ　特色作りで活路を見いだせ（8月4日付・読売社説）With the shakeout of private universities having finally begun, these institutions must seriously take to heart the fact that those among their number that cannot demonstrate a specialty will no longer be able to survive. 　大学の淘汰(とうた)がいよいよ始まったということだろう。特色を打ち出せない大学は、生き残れない時代だということを肝に銘じなければなるまい。A survey released Thursday by the Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan found that 46.5 percent of four-year private universities were underenrolled at the start of this academic year, almost the same level as last academic year, while 69.1 percent of two-year private junior colleges were in such a situation, a slight increase from last academic year. 　日本私立学校振興・共済事業団が、今年度の大学・短大への入学者数などを発表した。定員割れは昨年度と比べ、４年制大学はほぼ横ばいの４６・５％、短大は微増の６９・１％に上っている。Since the beginning of this year, five private universities, including those run by joint-stock companies, have said they will stop accepting new students from next academic year. 　今年に入り、来年度からの学生募集停止を表明した大学は、株式会社立を含め既に５校ある。Despite the fact that the population of 18-year-olds has been declining due to the low birthrate since academic year 1993, when it fell below 2 million, the number of universities and junior colleges has continued to rise, with the number of four-year private, and state-run and other public universities totaling as many as about 770. It is natural that universities that cannot demonstrate a specialty will be forced to close. 　１８歳人口は、２００万人を切った１９９３年度以降、少子化で減り続けているのに、大学数は増え続け、国公立を含めると、４年制大学だけで約７７０校ある。特色を出せない大学が退場を余儀なくされるのは、当然だろう。=== Students' needs paramount Stable university management will not be ensured merely by contriving to continuously recruit students through recommendation-based admission and interview- and essay-based tests, known as "admission office exams." It is very important that private universities offer attractive courses of study and clearly present their education policy and method of developing human resources so young people will be able to envision their future after they are educated there. 　推薦入試やＡＯ入試で安易な学生集めを続けるだけでは、経営の安定は図れない。進学したいと思わせる教育課程を用意し、その教育を受ければどんな将来像が描けるのか、教育方針と人材育成の方法を明確に示すことが肝要だ。At some private universities, people who have had careers in corporate management serve as president, and faculty and companies in their local community discuss and decide on study goals, textbooks and other educational materials. Other universities have established unique departments, including one specializing in manga. 　企業経営に携わった経験者を学長に据え、教員と地元の企業が協議して授業の目標や教材を決めたり、マンガ学部など独自の学部を設けたりする大学もある。To increase the number of mature students holding down full-time jobs, which accounts for only about 2 percent of the total, private universities must also provide education that meets such students' various needs. 　２％程度しかいない社会人学生が増えるよう、需要に合った教育内容の提供も必要だろう。The government's Central Education Council is currently discussing future university education from a mid- and long-term perspective. We hope the council will thoroughly discuss the appropriate number of universities and students. 　中央教育審議会は、中長期的な大学教育のあり方について審議中だ。大学数や学生数の適正規模もしっかり議論してもらいたい。=== Safety net needed It is noteworthy that the council's first report, compiled in June, emphasizes that the desirable size and nature of universities should be discussed from the perspective of different targets. The report lists seven such targets, including "nurturing professionals in a wide range of fields" and "social contribution." 　６月にまとめた第１次報告で注目されるのは、大学の規模や質のあり方を分野別に考えるよう強調していることだ。この中で、「幅広い職業人の養成」「社会貢献」など７分野を例示している。In their respective proposals on human resources development, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) and the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) also are calling on universities to increase specialization in their areas of expertise. 　大学が得意分野に重点化していくことは、経済同友会や日本経団連がまとめた人材育成に関する提言でも求めている。However, the Central Education Council should spell out in greater detail the targets it believes an ideal university should meet. We hope the council will work out this point before compiling its final report. 　ただ、分野別の例は、もっと具体的に示すべきではないか。最終報告までに練り上げてほしい。The council has also proposed discussions on the establishment of a new higher educational body, specializing in vocational education, other than existing universities and junior colleges. The raison d'etre of junior colleges, whose main objectives include vocational education, therefore comes into question. 　中教審は、大学や短大とは別に職業教育に特化した新高等教育機関の検討も打ち出しており、職業教育を目的の一つとする短大は存在意義が問われている。Cultivating a specialty is necessary, but it may also be a wise option for junior colleges to actively discuss transforming themselves into four-year universities as well as realigning and integrating. 　特色作りも必要だが、４年制大学への転換や再編・統合をもっと積極的に検討してもよい。The population of 18-year-olds is expected to hover around 1.2 million for the next decade. Should private universities remain underenrolled, their management will face an increased danger of collapse. The Education, Science and Technology Ministry should prepare measures to deal with a possible collapse of universities, including a system to protect students enrolled in universities that fail. 　１８歳人口は、今後も１０年間程度は１２０万人前後で推移する。定員割れが続けば、経営破綻(はたん)の危機は高まる。文部科学省は、在学生が保護される仕組みなど破綻処理策を考えておく必要があろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2009) （2009年8月4日00時43分 読売新聞）

  Aug 4, 2009

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• 最低賃金　まだ残る生活保護との逆転

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 3, 2009)Minimum wage should always exceed welfare最低賃金　まだ残る生活保護との逆転（8月3日付・読売社説）The Central Minimum Wages Council, an advisory panel to the health, labor and welfare minister, has proposed to the minister reference increases for the minimum wage in fiscal 2009 that differ from prefecture to prefecture. 　厚生労働省の中央最低賃金審議会が、地域別最低賃金の今年度の引き上げの目安を示した。The proposals are to leave unchanged the minimum wage in the 35 prefectures in which the minimum wage exceeds welfare benefit, and to raise the minimum wage in the remaining 12, including Tokyo, by 2 yen to 30 yen an hour. 　最低賃金が生活保護水準を上回る３５県は据え置き、それ以外の１２都道府県は、時給で２円から３０円の引き上げを求める、という内容である。If the panel's recommendation is adopted, the national average minimum wage would rise by between 7 yen and 9 yen to 710-712 yen an hour, which translates to a net monthly income of about 106,000 yen. Considering current economic conditions, such a hike would be a drastic one. 　この結果、最低賃金は全国平均で７～９円引き上げられ、時給で７１０～７１２円、月収換算すると、税などを控除して約１０万６０００円となる。経済状況からすれば、踏み込んだ決着となった。A year-on-year comparison of the national average minimum wage shows that increases of 14 yen and 16 yen occurred in fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively, representing double-digit growth for two consecutive years. But the rate of wage increases for small companies nationwide, which the advisory panel studies when working out the minimum wage reference increases, fell into negative territory in 2009. 　ここ２年は平均１４円、１６円と２ケタ増が続いたが、目安を審議する際に参考にしている全国の小規模企業の賃上げ率は、今年はマイナスに転じていた。Panel members selected from labor circles sought an increase of 50 yen an hour in the minimum wage last year, but failed to demand a specific figure this year, no doubt in consideration of the severe business environment. 　昨年は時給５０円増を求めた労働側委員も、今回は具体的な上げ幅を示さなかった。経営環境の厳しさを承知していたからだろう。=== Panel's proposal no panacea The Minimum Wages Law, which was revised in July 2008, calls for setting the minimum wage by factoring in employers' ability to pay wages and "harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit." 　最低賃金法が昨年７月に改正され、事業主側の賃金支払い能力などに加え、新たに「生活保護との整合性」にも配慮して最低賃金を定めることが盛り込まれた。Even in the current economic climate, if the panel had abandoned the goal of pursuing "harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit" only two years after the law revision, its raison d'etre would have been called into question. 　景気が悪くても施行２年目でこれを放棄しては、審議会の存在が問われるところでもあった。The problem of the minimum wage being below welfare benefit in the 12 prefectures will not be solved merely through the implementation of the panel's recommendation. In the case of Tokyo, if the minimum wage is raised in line with the panel's proposal, the amount would be increased from the current 766 yen an hour to a maximum 796 yen. But 796 yen an hour is 30 yen less than the amount of welfare benefit paid in the capital, in hourly terms. 　生活保護と逆転している１２都道府県は、今回でそれが解消されるわけではない。東京都の場合、目安どおりアップすれば現状の時給７６６円から最大７９６円になるが、まだ時給で３０円足りない。The amount of welfare benefit is categorized in six ranks according to municipality (cities, towns and villages). The national average minimum wage is compared with the average amount of welfare benefit received by young, single people in each prefecture. In most of the 35 prefectures whose minimum wage the panel proposes be left as is, the amount of welfare benefit paid out in the capitals of those prefectures likely will exceed the minimum wage paid in those cities. 　生活保護は市町村ごとに６ランクに分けて決められている。最低賃金は若年単身者の都道府県別の平均額と比較するが、最低賃金が据え置かれた３５県の多くも、県庁所在地で比べると、生活保護の方が上回るとみられている。The advisory panels responsible for setting the minimum wage in each prefecture will decide how much to raise it based on the reference increases proposed by the central government panel, and the raises will be introduced from October. We hope the minimum wage will exceed welfare benefit in all the areas of each prefecture. 　今後、中央審が示した目安を参考に、都道府県ごとに地方審議会が引き上げ額を決定し、１０月から改定される予定だ。都道府県内のどの地域でも生活保護を上回ることを目標にしてもらいたい。=== Deeper discussions needed If welfare benefit exceeds the minimum wage, workers who receive little more than that amount will lose the motivation to work, while people on welfare will have no incentive to find a job. "Harmonization of the minimum wage and welfare benefit" is an issue that should be seriously discussed next year and after, too. 　生活保護の方が高ければ、最低賃金ぎりぎりで働く人の就労意欲は失われ、生活保護者は職を探す気にならないだろう。「生活保護との整合性」は、来年以降もしっかりと追求していくべきだ。With the increase in the number of nonregular workers, including part-time workers, the importance of the role of the minimum wage system as a social safety net is growing. 　パートなどの非正規労働者が増加し、安全網としての最低賃金制度の役割は増している。The manifestos of each opposition party and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, New Komeito, for the next House of Representatives election propose a minimum wage of 1,000 yen an hour. But it is problematic to treat student part-timers on an equal footing with fatherless families when it comes to setting the minimum wage. 　野党各党や公明党は衆院選の公約で「時給１０００円」の最低賃金を掲げているが、学生アルバイトと母子家庭では同一に論じられないという側面もある。More intensive discussions on a fair minimum wage level and how to set such a level should be held, taking into account how this issue affects corporate management. 　企業経営への影響を含め、最低賃金のあり方や決定方法の議論を深めることが重要だろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2009) （2009年8月3日01時21分 読売新聞）

  Aug 3, 2009

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• ラグビー　Ｗ杯をスポーツ界の活力に

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 2, 2009)2019 Rugby World Cup could give sports fillipラグビー　Ｗ杯をスポーツ界の活力に（8月2日付・読売社説）Japan has won the right to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 　ラグビーの２０１９年ワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）が、日本で開催されることになった。We hope that hosting the event will invigorate not only rugby, but sport more generally in the nation, which has been suffering during the severe economic downturn. 　Ｗ杯開催を、ラグビー界だけでなく、不況の影響で逆風を受けているスポーツ界全体の活性化につなげたい。The Rugby World Cup is said to be the third-biggest sporting event in the world after soccer's World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games. Since it was launched in 1987, the Rugby World Cup has been held every four years. But Japan will be the first Asian nation to host the tournament. 　ラグビーのＷ杯は、サッカーのＷ杯、夏季五輪に次ぐ規模の国際大会と言われている。１９８７年の第１回大会以来、４年に１度、開かれてきたが、アジアでの開催は初めてである。Japan was likely picked in light of the praise it earned for its hosting in June of the Junior World Championship (for players aged 20 or under) among other factors. Also, the International Rugby Board apparently is intent on expanding the rugby business through greater internationalization of the sport. 　日本が選ばれたのは、６月に２０歳以下の世界選手権を開催した実績などが評価された結果だろう。ラグビーの国際化で市場拡大を目指す国際ラグビーボード（ＩＲＢ）の思惑も働いたといえる。=== Long way to go But the reality is that Japan still has many obstacles to overcome ahead of the tournament. 　だが、現実には、大会までの道のりは平坦(へいたん)ではないだろう。First and foremost, it is imperative to raise the standard of the national team--a strong team would likely lead to greater public excitement over the tournament. まず必要なのは、日本チームのレベルアップだ。日本代表が強ければこそ、大会は盛り上がる。Japan has participated in all six rugby World Cups, but has each time failed to progress beyond the group stage--the national team struggles to compete with the world's top teams. 　日本は過去６回のＷ杯のすべてに出場しているが、いずれも１次リーグで敗退している。世界のトップクラスの国と比べると、大きな力の差があるのが現状だ。The Japan Rugby Football Union must therefore work hard to come up with effective measures to improve standards with an eye on the next decade. 　日本ラグビー協会は、１０年後を見据え、しっかりとした強化策を練らなければならない。One way to strengthen the national team would be the fielding of foreign players. Foreign rugby players would be eligible to play for Japan as long as they have not played for any other national team and have played in Japan for at least three years consecutively. 　外国人選手によって日本代表をさらに補強するのも一つの方法であろう。ラグビーの場合、他国での代表経験がなく、日本で３年以上プレーすれば、外国人でも日本代表になれるからだ。However, if there are too many foreign players in the national team, people may feel the thrill of cheering on their country's own players at the World Cup is diminished. 　しかし、他国の選手があまりに多くては、国旗を背負って戦うというＷ杯の醍醐(だいご)味が薄れてしまうと感じる人も少なくあるまい。=== Investing in success It is difficult to argue that rugby is particularly popular in Japan, with many members of the public likely to say they only watch the latter stages of the national university championship early in the New Year on TV. 　国内のラグビー人気は、決して高いとはいえない。テレビで見るのは、年始の大学選手権だけという人も多いのではないか。To broaden the sport's fan base, it is essential that the nation's players improve their skill levels and battle hard in games. ファン層を拡大するためにも、選手がレベルアップして、迫力ある試合を見せることは欠かせない。The Japan Rugby Football Union is due to make an about 15 billion yen host guarantee payment to the International Rugby Board. Meanwhile, the construction and upgrading of venue facilities will require huge investment. 　Ｗ杯開催により、協会は約１５０億円の開催保証金をＩＲＢに支払わねばならない。会場の整備にも巨額の資金が必要となる。A further issue is how attractive rugby will appear to businesses and other groups whose support is being sought. 　ラグビーがビジネスとしても魅力ある競技であると認知されるかどうかが、経済界などからの支援獲得のカギとなるだろう。The nation also has been bidding to host the 2016 Olympic Games and a soccer World Cup. If Tokyo is chosen to host the Games in 2016, a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000 is expected to be built in the city's Harumi district. Using the same stadium for the Rugby World Cup would save on costs. 　日本は、１６年の東京五輪、さらにサッカーのＷ杯招致にも取り組んでいる。東京五輪が実現すれば、東京・晴海に１０万人収容の新スタジアムが建設される予定だ。ここをラグビーＷ杯でも使えば、施設整備費の節約につながる。The host city of the 2016 Games will be announced in October. We hope that Tokyo will win, helped on by the successful bid to host the Rugby World Cup. 　１６年の五輪開催地は１０月に決まる。ラグビーＷ杯を追い風に、東京五輪も実現にこぎ着けたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2009) （2009年8月2日01時46分 読売新聞）

  Aug 2, 2009

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• 自民党政権公約　「責任力」に見合う具体策示せ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 1, 2009)Responsible party needs responsible policies自民党政権公約　「責任力」に見合う具体策示せ（8月1日付・読売社説）The Liberal Democratic Party unveiled its campaign platform for the upcoming House of Representatives election on Friday. 　自民党が衆院選の政権公約を発表した。Although the manifesto contained an unusual phrase lauding the party's "ability to govern responsibly," the LDP was at pains to trumpet that it is a responsible political party and spelled out where it differed from the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan. 　「責任力」という聞き慣れない造語を使ってまで、自民党は責任政党ぶりを強調し、政権交代を訴える民主党への対抗意識を前面に打ち出した。However, sections on how the LDP will carry out its policies are riddled with vague explanation. We think the LDP should describe its policies in far more detail during political debates from now on. 　だが、個々の政策を実現させる道筋には曖昧(あいまい)な部分が目立つ。今後の論戦を通じて、さらに具体的な説明に努める必要がある。The LDP picks up social security system reform and tax system reform from the opening of its manifesto. It says, "We will implement necessary legislative measures by fiscal 2011 in regard to fundamental taxation reform, including a consumption tax rate increase." 　公約の冒頭に社会保障制度改革と税制改革を掲げ、「消費税を含む税制抜本改革について、２０１１年度までに必要な法制上の措置を講じる」としている。The platform then goes on to say the party "will construct a social security system of medium welfare levels and medium burden." The LDP spells out in black and white that it wants the public to bear a fair share of the cost of providing a social security safety net, including through a rise in the consumption tax rate in the future. 　その上で、「『中福祉・中負担』の社会保障制度を構築する」とも記し、将来の消費税率引き上げを含め、国民に応分の負担を求める姿勢を明確にした。=== Finding the funding The LDP tried to pick apart the DPJ platform and cast doubt on whether the DPJ can actually find the resources to bankroll its policies. The LDP should be given some credit for having found the courage to mention a consumption tax increase and prodding the public to shoulder a "medium burden" of social security costs. However, the LDP failed to specify crucial details of these policies. 　財源の裏付けがあやふやな民主党との違いを際立たせよう、という狙いからだろうが、及び腰ながら、消費税や「中負担」に踏み込んだことは一応、評価できる。The centerpiece of the LDP manifesto is a policy to phase out preschool fees for children aged 3 to 5, with these fees eventually being waived in fiscal 2012. The policy is a direct counterproposal to the DPJ pledge to offer a monthly allowance of 26,000 yen per child to households with children of middle school age or younger. 　目玉政策は、幼児教育の負担を段階的に軽減し、２０１２年度に完全無償化することだという。中学生まで１人月額２万６０００円を支給するとした民主党の「子ども手当」に対抗して掲げた。However, the LDP will need to wring an additional about 790 billion yen from somewhere to cover the costs of this policy. Although this is a fraction of the 5.5 trillion yen the DPJ will need for its monthly allowance policy, it is still a hefty price tag. The party manifesto offered no clear answers on how it would finance this plan. 　だが、完全無償化には新たに約７９００億円を捻出(ねんしゅつ)しなければならない。「子ども手当」実現に必要な５・５兆円とは桁(けた)が違うとはいえ、かなりの額だ。財源はどう手当てするのか。その答えは示されていない。If the LDP is serious about extolling its ability to govern responsibly, it should not crank up a skirmish based on pork-barrel spending as it seeks to woo voters. 　「責任力」を強調するのなら、票目当てのばらまき合戦をエスカレートさせるべきではない。=== Security issues In the diplomatic and national security fields, the platform says that, to counter North Korea's ballistic missile threat, the LDP will implement necessary security measures that will enable the interception of ballistic missiles fired toward the United States as well as protect U.S. vessels operating in cooperation with Japan on the ballistic missile defense shield. 　一方、外交・安全保障分野では、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルの脅威に対し、「米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃」「弾道ミサイル防衛で連携する米国艦艇の防護」が可能となるよう、「必要な安全保障上の手当てを行う」としている。If the LDP suggests there could be a change from the current government interpretation on the right to collective self-defense--in which the nation possesses this right but cannot exercise it--we think the party should have come right out and said so. 　集団的自衛権の「権利はあるが、行使できない」とする現行の政府解釈の変更を意味しているのなら、もっと明確に書くべきだったのではないか。The DPJ said in its collection of policies unveiled at the same time as its manifesto that it will not stick to conceptual discussions on whether self-defense is individual or collective. The DPJ's stance can be interpreted as accepting the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, but this lack of clarity makes the party's stance difficult to understand. We think the DPJ needs to flesh out its explanation. 　集団的自衛権について、民主党は公約と一緒に発表した政策集で「個別的・集団的といった概念上の議論に拘泥せず」としている。行使の容認とも読めるが、分かりにくい。補足の説明が必要だ。All the major parties have presented their campaign platforms, so now the cut-and-thrust of a full-fledged election campaign can begin in earnest. We hope each party focuses on spreading their messages and policies on pending domestic and international issues. 　主要政党の政権公約が出揃(そろ)い、論戦はいよいよ本格化する。各党には、内外の懸案に対する具体的な処方箋(せん)を競うことに主眼を置いてもらいたい。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2009) （2009年8月1日01時18分 読売新聞）

  Aug 1, 2009

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• 外交・安保　民主党は「給油」の代案を示せ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 31, 2009)DPJ's troubling stand on refueling mission外交・安保　民主党は「給油」の代案を示せ（7月31日付・読売社説）How should the nation deal with the threats posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles as well as acts of international terrorism? How can Japan's national interests be protected while this nation works in tandem with international society? 　北朝鮮の核・ミサイルや国際テロの脅威にどう備えるのか。国際社会と協調しながら、日本の国益をいかに守るか。We hope political parties will hold animated discussions on what course Japan's diplomatic and security policies should take, during their campaigns for the upcoming House of Representatives election. 　各政党は衆院選を通じて、外交・安全保障政策の方向性を大いに論じてもらいたい。At the moment, the topic on many observers' lips is the Self-Defense Forces' refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. 　目下の焦点は、インド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動だ。In a recent moderation of its foreign and security policy, the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan announced a plan to continue, for the time being, the refueling mission, which the party once decried as violating the Constitution. 　民主党は、かつて「憲法違反」とまで批判していた給油活動を当面継続する新方針を打ち出した。However, DPJ leader Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday his party would not extend the mission once the new Antiterrorism Law expires in January. We find the party's fickle response to this important mission hard to fathom. ところが、鳩山代表は、来年１月の新テロ対策特別措置法の期限切れ後は活動の延長はしないと表明した。分かりにくい対応だ。Why did the DPJ decide to continue the operation for the time being if it believes it violates the Constitution? If the party withdraws the Maritime Self-Defense Force from the Indian Ocean, just what does it plan to contribute to the international fight against terrorism? Does it plan to do nothing at all? 　「憲法違反」の活動を、なぜ当面は継続するのか。仮に海自を撤収させる場合、「テロとの戦い」のために、代わりに何をするのか。それとも何もしないのか。The DPJ has a responsibility to provide clear answers to these questions. 　民主党は衆院選前に、これらの点を明確にする責任がある。=== Afghanistan proposal weak In 2007, the party submitted to the Diet a counterproposal to the ruling bloc's antiterrorism bill. The DPJ's alternative plan called for providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan after a formal ceasefire has been reached in the war-torn country. The grim reality, however, is that there is absolutely no prospect of such an accord being signed. The upshot is that the DPJ proposal practically means that Japan would sit on its hands and offer nothing to the international fight against terrorism. 　一昨年、民主党が国会に提出した新テロ特措法の対案は、アフガニスタンでの武力抗争停止の合意後に人道復興支援を行う内容だった。そんな合意の見通しはなく、事実上は何もしない案だ。Given that, the proposal is unlikely to be warmly supported in foreign capitals. 　同じ案では、国際社会の理解は到底得られまい。The DPJ proposed in its manifesto that Japan will share roles with the United States and proactively fulfill its responsibilities to build an "equal Japan-U.S. relationship." 　民主党の政権公約は、「対等な日米関係」を構築するため、「米国と役割を分担しながら日本の責任を積極的に果たす」と明記した。The expression "equal relationship" suggests the DPJ intends to back away from the path trodden by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, which it claims have been content to follow the lead of the United States. 「対等な関係」とは、自公政権は米国に追従してきたが、民主党政権は違う、という趣旨だろう。The DPJ manifesto says the party plans to propose to the United States that the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement be revised and the realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan be reviewed. 　公約によれば、日米地位協定や米軍再編の見直しを米側に提起するという。But if the DPJ is serious about bringing these pledges to fruition, it must explain what international responsibilities it plans to fulfill. Failure to do so will sink any hopes the party has of building an "equal relationship" with the United States. だが、その実現には、まず、どんな国際的な「責任」を果たすのかを示すことが不可欠だろう。それなしに、「対等な関係」を築けるはずがない。=== Adapting to the real world On the other hand, the party offered forward-looking pledges on the antipiracy mission off Somalia and cargo inspections that form part of the international sanctions imposed on North Korea. These steps indicate the DPJ is open to taking a more realistic approach to foreign and security policy matters. 　一方で、ソマリア沖の海賊対策や、北朝鮮制裁目的の貨物検査に前向きな政策を示したことは現実路線化の表れと評価できる。But we have some niggling doubts, not least the party's plan to form a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party, which opposes the dispatch of SDF personnel on overseas missions. Will the DPJ be able to continue the MSDF antipiracy mission despite the SDP's objections? 　ただ、懸念もある。自衛隊の海外派遣に反対する社民党との連立政権を目指していることだ。社民党の反対を押し切って海自の海賊対処活動を継続できるのか。The right to collective self-defense is another key issue. The LDP plans to incorporate this subject in its election pledges. We welcome this move. 　集団的自衛権の問題も重要な論点である。自民党は政権公約に盛り込む方針だ。歓迎したい。The LDP's election pledge will be based on a proposal by a panel of experts led by former Ambassador to the United States Shunji Yanai. The pledge is expected to state that the government will review its interpretation of the right to collective self-defense, which, according to the government, the nation possesses but is prohibited from exercising under the Constitution. 柳井俊二・元駐米大使が座長を務めた有識者懇談会の提言を基に、集団的自衛権の行使を禁じる政府の憲法解釈の変更を想定している。The threats posed by North Korea amplify the need to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance. Exercising the nation's right to collective self-defense will be an important step to achieving this goal. 　北朝鮮の脅威を踏まえれば、日米同盟を強化する必要性は高まっている。集団的自衛権の行使は、その重要な一歩となろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2009) （2009年7月31日01時21分 読売新聞）

  Jul 31, 2009

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• 米中戦略対話　どう進む新しい時代の「Ｇ２」

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 30, 2009)U.S.-China dialogue exposes responsibilities米中戦略対話　どう進む新しい時代の「Ｇ２」（7月30日付・読売社説）The first round of the ministerial-level U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue ended in Washington on Tuesday with the issuing of a joint statement. 　米中の閣僚級による初めての戦略・経済対話がワシントンで開かれ、共同文書が発表された。The dialogue was a revamp of the talks between the financial chiefs of the two nations that were initiated by the former administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. President Barack Obama's administration has regularized and broadened these discussions to include diplomatic and security dimensions. 　ブッシュ前政権時代に始まった経済対話を、外交・安保なども協議する場に格上げし、定例化する。Obama said in his opening speech Monday, "The relationship between the United States and China will shape the 21st century." There is weighty meaning behind these words. 　オバマ米大統領が「米中が２１世紀を作る」と述べた意味は重い。With the United States and China now being called the "G-2," Obama's remark expresses the determination of the two countries to play an important role for peace and stability in the international community, in addition to the world economy. 　２大主要国「Ｇ２」と呼ばれ始めた米中が、世界経済だけでなく、国際社会の平和と安定に重要な役割を果たしていく決意を表明したものだ。By placing priority on China, which is getting economically stronger, the United States aims to have China share responsibility within the international community. 　米国は、経済力をつけた中国を重視し、責任を共有させることを狙っている。Meanwhile, China seems to be exercising influence on the United States by trumpeting the fact that it has become the largest holder of U.S. Treasury securities. 中国も、米国債の最大の保有国になったことを背景に、米国への影響力を行使しようというのだろう。=== Doing business together It is true that many tasks cannot be solved unless the United States and China--which are strengthening their economic interdependence--act together. However, there is still much diplomatic and military friction between the two. It will be worth watching how the future U.S.-China relationship will unfold against the backdrop of both cooperation and tension. 　経済的に相互依存関係を強める米中が協調しなければ、解決できない課題が多いのも事実だ。しかし、外交・軍事面で、両国は依然、緊張の火種を抱えている。協調と対立の中で、今後の米中関係がどう進むのか注目される。The joint statement said, at first in the economic field, that corrections should be made to the trade imbalance, which sees U.S. deficits against China continuing to balloon, and that cooperation should be aimed at achieving steady growth. 　共同文書はまず、経済分野で、中国に対する米国の赤字が膨らむ貿易不均衡を是正し、着実な成長を図るための協調をうたった。In light of the issues besetting the two countries, it is not surprising that among key tasks for future scrutiny are the United States' overconsumption and China's domestic-demand expansion policies that are being spurred by its own increased consumption. 　米国は過剰消費の見直し、中国が消費拡大による内需拡大策を課題に掲げたのは、両国の抱える問題に照らせば当然のことだ。Also included was the issue of U.S. budget deficit reduction, as China would like to see a restoration of fiscal soundness and a stable U.S. dollar. If the United States reduces its budget deficit, this will help the world economy, including Japan, as it attempts to overcome the financial crisis. 　米国の財政赤字削減も盛り込まれた。中国が財政健全化とドルの安定を求めたためだ。米国が財政赤字を削減することは、金融危機克服を目指す日本など世界経済にも寄与する。=== Other issues on table Regarding global warming, the two nations--the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases--agreed to create a framework of dialogue. It is impossible to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gases unless these two nations work to tackle the issue. 　地球温暖化問題では、温室効果ガスの２大排出国である両国が対話の枠組み創設で合意した。両国が真剣に取り組まねば、温室効果ガスの削減は実現できない。Regarding the suspended six-party talks on North Korea's denuclearization, the two nations affirmed that it is important to see a resumption of the talks and agreed to continue working toward denuclearization. 　中断している北朝鮮の核問題をめぐる６か国協議については、再開の重要性を確認し、非核化に向けた努力の継続で一致した。The United States and China emphasized the importance of implementing the U.N. sanctions resolution against North Korea, which aggressively conducted a nuclear test. The United States appeared to be urging the Chinese side to again implement sanctions on North Korea. 　核実験を強行した北朝鮮に対する国連制裁決議については、「履行の有効性」を強調した。米側は改めて中国側に制裁の実行を促したものと見られる。The two nations also discussed how to handle antiterrorism measures and strengthen cooperation toward nuclear disarmament. 　反テロへの取り組みや核軍縮に向けた連携強化も協議した。Although the issue of human rights was taken up, the statement failed to refer to China's ethnic minority issue, including the bloody violence in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, or issues surrounding Taiwan. 人権問題も取り上げられたが、共同文書はウイグル暴動など少数民族問題に言及せず、「台湾問題」も触れなかった。Such issues as the financial crisis, global warming and North Korea are important tasks directly linked to Japan's national interests. In addition to cooperating closely with the United States, Japan also needs to continuously call on China to play a responsible role. 　金融危機や地球温暖化、北朝鮮問題などは、日本の国益に直結する重要課題だ。日本は米国と緊密に連携するとともに、中国にも責任ある役割を果たすよう、引き続き求めていく必要がある。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2009) （2009年7月30日01時16分 読売新聞）

  Jul 30, 2009

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• 財政再建　先進国最悪の赤字をどうする

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 29, 2009)Parties must show how to deal with deficit財政再建　先進国最悪の赤字をどうする（7月29日付・読売社説）How can Japan, which has the largest deficit among developed countries, rebuild its finances? This is a vital issue to be contested during the House of Representatives election campaign and a theme neither the ruling nor the opposition parties can avoid. 　先進国で最悪の赤字を抱える財政をどう立て直すか――。衆院選の大きな争点の一つであり、与野党とも避けて通れないテーマである。The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito is already armed with a passable proposed solution. The proposal comprises two fiscal reconstruction goals that were incorporated in the fiscal policy guidelines for 2009 approved by the government in June. 　自民、公明の与党側には一応の答えが用意されている。６月に閣議決定された「骨太の方針２００９」に盛り込まれた、財政再建に関する二つの目標だ。The first goal is for the central and local governments to achieve a surplus in their primary balances by fiscal 2019, which indicates a degree of fiscal soundness. The second is to lower the ratio of outstanding debts owed by central and local governments to the gross domestic product by the early 2020s. 　財政の健全度を示す国と地方の基礎的財政収支を１９年度までに黒字化する、というのがまず一点。さらに、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）に対する国と地方の債務残高の比率を２０年代初めまでに引き下げる、というものだ。In the past, the government had planned to achieve a surplus in the primary balance by fiscal 2011, but decided to postpone the target year substantially after the initial plan became impossible due to the recent economic downturn. 　以前は、基礎的財政収支の黒字化を１１年度までに実現するとしていたが、景気悪化で不可能になり、目標年次を大幅に先送りした。=== Govt sticks to goals However, the government still deserves praise for not abandoning its goal of fiscal reconstruction. The central and local governments' combined outstanding debts are estimated to exceed 800 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2009. They have already reached 170 percent of GDP. If the debts are left unattended, the nation is likely to face fiscal catastrophe. 　それでも、財政再建の旗を降ろさなかったことは評価できよう。国と地方の債務残高は、０９年度末に８００兆円を超える見通しだ。ＧＤＰ比は約１７０％に達しており、放置すれば、財政破綻(はたん)国家への道をたどりかねない。One measure to help achieve the two goals is to raise the consumption tax rate. The fiscal policy guidelines informally propose an option of increasing the consumption tax rate by 1 percentage point a year starting from fiscal 2011 until it has been raised by 7 points to 12 percent. 　目標達成の手段の一つが消費税率の引き上げだ。骨太の方針０９は、参考資料としながらも、１１年度から毎年１％ずつ、合計７％引き上げる道筋を描いている。The consumption tax is significant also as a stable resource to finance social security expenses that are ballooning as the nation's population is aging and the declining birthrate indicates the funding from pension contributions will drop. It is reasonable to start preparations now so that the consumption tax rate can be raised as soon as the economy stabilizes. 　消費税は、少子高齢化で膨れあがる社会保障費を安定的に賄う財源としても重要である。景気が安定し次第、素早く引き上げられるよう、今から準備しておくのは当然であろう。Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Japan has not discussed fiscal reconstruction in concrete terms in its manifesto for the lower house election. On the contrary, the opposition party has listed in it a set of policy measures that would require large expenditures. 　一方、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）には、財政再建についての具体的な記述はない。それどころか、多額の歳出が必要な政策が並んでいる。=== Expensive promises They include a child allowance, free public high school education, income guarantees for farming families and elimination of highway tolls. These measures may look like they would lead to a reduction of the public financial burden, but they do not--taxpayers will eventually have to bear the costs. 　子ども手当支給、公立高校教育の無償化、農家への戸別所得補償、高速道路無料化などだ。これらの施策は、国民生活の負担軽減につながるように見えるが、そうではない。いずれ税金で負担せねばならないものばかりだ。The DPJ says that the party would be able to secure financial resources totaling nearly 17 trillion yen by trimming the fat in the budget and using the "buried treasure" that includes investment returns in the Fiscal Investment and Loan Program Special Account and the Foreign Exchange Fund Special Account, but we do not think it possible to find such a huge amount of money through such measures. 　民主党は、予算の無駄を見直したり、いわゆる“埋蔵金”を活用したりして、１７兆円近い財源を確保するという。だが、それほどの額が見いだせるとは思えない。The DPJ said that it would not raise the consumption tax rate for the next four years if the party takes office. DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama once said that his party would not even discuss the issue, but he has lifted such a ban--apparently due to pressure from DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada. 　民主党は消費税率について、今後４年間は引き上げない、としている。鳩山代表は、議論すらしないとの考えを示していたが、岡田幹事長に押される形で、その封印を解いた。If he really means it, as DPJ leader, Hatoyama has a responsibility to thoroughly discuss the possibility of a consumption tax hike during the election campaign and to show voters how his party would handle the consumption tax in the future. 　そうであるなら、選挙戦で大いに議論し、消費税の将来像を示すのが指導者としての責任だ。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2009) （2009年7月29日01時19分 読売新聞）

  Jul 29, 2009

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• 民主党政権公約　現実路線化がまだ不十分だ

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 28, 2009)DPJ's newfound realism fails to convince民主党政権公約　現実路線化がまだ不十分だ（7月28日付・読売社説）The Democratic Party of Japan on Monday announced its manifesto for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election. Though it is commendable that the DPJ has adopted a pragmatic stance in its domestic and foreign policies--obviously with an eye to taking over the reins of government--the policy platform it has unveiled is flawed. 　民主党が衆院選の政権公約を発表した。政権交代を意識し、内政、外交両面で現実路線に踏み出したことは歓迎するが、十分とは言えない。As domestic pledges, the manifesto sets out an array of direct-benefit policies closely connected with people's daily lives, including a child allowance, free high school education and the abolition of the provisional higher gasoline tax rate. 　政権公約は内政面で、子ども手当、高校の無償化、ガソリンの暫定税率の廃止など、国民生活に深くかかわる直接給付型の政策を、ずらりと並べている。But it is impossible to weigh the merits of a policy, no matter how attractive it is, unless its costs and concrete measures to fund it are discussed as part and parcel of the policy in question. 　ただ、どんな魅力的な政策も、必要な費用や具体的な財源措置を一体のものとして検討しなければ、その是非は判断できない。The manifesto presents a time line that has the DPJ implementing the policies in stages over the four years after it comes to power and calculates the total cost necessary to carry out these measures at 16.8 trillion yen annually. 　民主党は、政策を４年間で段階的に実施する工程表を示し、最終的費用を年１６・８兆円と試算した。To fund these policies, the DPJ says it would secure 9.1 trillion yen by cutting public works projects, personnel expenses and government subsidies; 5 trillion yen by using surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure"; and 2.7 trillion yen by reviewing special taxation measures such as the spousal tax deduction. 　財源は、公共事業や人件費、補助金の削減で９・１兆円、埋蔵金の活用などで５兆円、配偶者控除の廃止など税制見直しで２・７兆円を工面し、賄うという。=== Manifesto sums don't add up The latest DPJ manifesto is an improvement on the last one, which was prepared for the 2007 House of Councillors election, as the party has fixed the schedule for the implementation of its stated policies and describes in more detail how it will fund them. Nevertheless, it is questionable whether it is really possible to secure the massive sums required to carry out the DPJ's policies simply by streamlining the overall national budget, which currently stands at about 207 trillion yen, as the DPJ asserts. 　一昨年の参院選公約と比べれば政策の実施時期を特定し、財源も具体的になった点では前進だ。だが、国の総予算２０７兆円の組み替えで巨額の財源を本当に確保できるか、との疑念が依然残る。For example, the manifesto says 1.1 trillion yen will be secured by curtailing about 20 percent of the 5.3 trillion yen in personnel expenses for central government employees. As one method to cut personnel expenses, the DPJ says it will transfer central government employees to local governments as part of decentralization. 　例えば、国家公務員の人件費５・３兆円を約２割削減し、１・１兆円の財源を確保するという。その手法として、地方分権による職員の地方移管などを挙げる。But if central government employees are transferred to local governments, it is only logical that the central government transfers the financial resources to pay their salaries. The DPJ's envisaged method can never be considered cost-saving. After all, the party must achieve a net reduction of 20 percent in the number of central government employees and in their payrolls and allowances. Can the DPJ push this through in defiance of assumed resistance from the labor unions that support the party? 　だが、職員を自治体に移せば、財源は一緒に移すのが筋で、節約にはならない。結局、国家公務員の数と給与・手当の計２割分の純減が必要だが、民主党支持労組の抵抗を排し、断行できるのか。Furthermore, there is a great risk in making permanent use of the "buried treasure," currently totaling 4.3 trillion yen, which includes investment returns in the Fiscal Investment and Loan Program Special Account and the Foreign Exchange Fund Special Account. This is because the investment returns are affected by government bond rates and exchange rate fluctuations. 　国債の金利や為替の変動に左右される財政投融資、外国為替資金の両特別会計の運用益など、埋蔵金４・３兆円の恒久財源化にも、大きなリスクが伴う。=== No mention of MSDF mission As for foreign and national security policies, the manifesto makes no mention of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, which the DPJ opposed. The party has in fact said it would allow the mission to continue for the time being. Also, the language in the latest manifesto is milder with regard to revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement and reviewing the cost of hosting U.S. bases in the country. 　外交・安全保障政策では、反対していたインド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動に言及しなかった。当面は継続する方針という。日米地位協定の改定や在日米軍駐留経費の見直しも表現を緩めた。The DPJ is right to attach importance to the continuity of Japan's foreign policy and the Japan-U.S. relationship, but its policy shift is too abrupt. 　外交の継続性や日米関係を重視する姿勢は間違っていないが、その路線転換は唐突すぎる。Former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa insisted that the MSDF's refueling mission--an issue that throws the DPJ's policy about-face into relief--is "unconstitutional" and waged an all-out battle against the government and ruling parties over the matter, forcing the suspension of the mission for nearly four months. Given this, the DPJ's new stance on the matter can only be regarded as expedient. 　政策変更の象徴である給油活動について、小沢一郎・前代表は「憲法違反」と決めつけ、政府・与党と全面対決の末、４か月近くも中断に追い込んだ。それを思い起こせば、今回の対応がご都合主義と言われても仕方がない。The DPJ should fully explain to the public its position--whether it opposes the refueling mission or conditionally approves it. An equivocal attitude regarding such a fundamental foreign policy issue is unacceptable. 　民主党は、給油活動に反対なのか、条件付き容認なのか、その立場を明確にし、きちんと国民に説明すべきだ。外交の基本部分で、あいまいな態度は許されない。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2009) （2009年7月28日01時19分 読売新聞）

  Jul 28, 2009

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• 社会保障　与野党は「負担」を率直に説け

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 27, 2009)Frank talks over burdens needed to sustain welfare社会保障　与野党は「負担」を率直に説け（7月27日付・読売社説）The nation's social security system surely cannot be sustained if things remain as they are. Such a sense of crisis likely is shared by many voters. 　日本の社会保障は、このままでは必ず立ちゆかなくなる。そんな危機意識を持つ有権者が多いのではないか。The number of elderly people, who form the top layer of the demographic pyramid, is expected to grow rapidly, while the layer comprising the working generations that support elderly people will get steadily thinner due to the declining birthrate. Although social security spending continues to grow at a pace of 1 trillion yen per year, it appears that it will be difficult to secure the fiscal resources necessary to meet this cost. This is the situation we are facing. 　人口ピラミッドの上部にある高齢者層が急速に膨らみ、一方で、支える現役層は少子化によってますます細っていく。社会保障費は年に１兆円ペースで増え続けるのに、必要な財源のめどがつかないのが現状だ。Whichever party takes power after the upcoming House of Representatives election, the population "body" that is growing increasingly obese will cause the social security "outfit" to rip apart unless the system is fixed as soon as possible. 　政権の形がどうなろうとも、社会保障制度という衣を急いで仕立て直さなくては、膨らむ体に耐えきれず、裂けてしまうだろう。=== Parties must cooperate Among a number of related issues to be tackled, a particularly urgent task is securing adequate medical services. As medicine is directly linked to people's lives and health, this issue has been a source of anxiety felt by people in connection with the nation's social security system as a whole. 　山積する課題の中でも、緊急に手を打つべきは医療である。命と健康に直結するだけに、社会保障全体の不安の源になっている。To solve the problem of the shortage of doctors, both the ruling and opposition parties have proposed that the number of medical school students enrolled be increased. But increasing the number alone will not solve the problem. 　医師不足を解消するために、与野党とも医学部定員の増加策を打ち出しているが、人数を増やすだけでは解決しない。The Yomiuri Shimbun last year put forward a comprehensive reform blueprint that includes a systematic allocation of doctors in a carefully planned manner. Using this proposal as a basis for discussion, we hope that parties will compete to hammer out their own medical reform plans--not mere lists of measures, but comprehensive programs. 　読売新聞は昨年、医師を計画的に配置することなど包括的な改革プランを提言した。これもたたき台の一つとして、各党は個別対策の羅列にとどまらない総合的な医療改革案を競ってほしい。The nation cannot afford any further delay in pension system reform, either. The government and ruling parties have proposed that the current systems be improved with an enhanced minimum safeguard function. 　年金改革も先送りできない。政府・与党は現行の社会保険方式を改良して、最低保障機能を強化する方針を打ち出している。The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan also has offered a reform plan to allow, under a unified basic system, pensioners to receive benefits in proportion to their income levels during their working years, with minimum guarantee pension benefits added on. 　民主党も国民共通の所得比例年金をベースとして、最低保障年金を上乗せする改革案を示した。The ruling and opposition parties differ on this issue, but it is still possible for them to search for common ground for discussions. 隔たりはあるが、これならば、議論の接点を探ることも十分に可能ではないか。Rather than merely finding fault with each other's policies, both sides should try to find basic points of agreement on social security policy that they can build on in a suprapartisan manner. 　互いの政策を批判し合うだけでなく、社会保障で一致できる基本線を見いだし、超党派で取り組む素地を作ることも重要だろう。=== Sales tax hike inevitable For policies to be implemented, it is indispensable to have a revenue source. The ruling and opposition parties have mounted different arguments to try to persuade the public of the need to shoulder more burdens. 　政策には財源の裏付けが不可欠である。だが、負担増を説くことには与野党で濃淡がある。The DPJ has said it will not raise the consumption tax rate for four years while suggesting that revenues equivalent to those raised from the current 5 percent consumption tax, irrespective of any future increase in the rate, be used for pension system reform at some stage in the future. Regarding revenue sources for other welfare measures, the DPJ said it would manage to raise the necessary funds by cutting wasteful budget spending and other means. 　民主党は年金改革にいずれ消費税５％分を投入するとしつつも、税率は４年間、引き上げない方針だ。ほかの福祉施策の財源については、予算の無駄の見直しなどで捻出(ねんしゅつ)するという。The Liberal Democratic Party, meanwhile, indicated that it will consider raising the consumption tax rate in three years if the economy recovers. But this proposal has been deemphasized ahead of the general election. 　自民党は、景気回復を前提に３年後の消費税率引き上げを検討するとはしているが、総選挙を前に声が小さくなっている。If lawmakers avoid discussions on the consumption tax, which is the only stable source to finance the social security system, all policy pledges on this issue--no matter how appealing they may sound--likely will be end up being mere slogans. 　安定した社会保障財源として他に選択肢のない消費税の議論から逃げていては、いくら耳に心地よい公約を並べても結局、お題目に終わる可能性が大きい。The extent to which they can honestly and frankly explain to voters the need to assume increased burdens will be a barometer for judging which party or which candidate is responsible. 　有権者に向かって負担増の必要性をどれだけ正直に、率直に説くか。それが責任ある政党、候補者を見極める尺度になるだろう。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2009) （2009年7月27日01時37分 読売新聞）

  Jul 27, 2009

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• 旅行・ホテル案内

  全国旅館・ホテルガイド　１全国シティーホテルガイド 全国リゾートホテルガイド　１ 全国リゾートホテルガイド　２ 全国リゾートホテルガイド　３ 全国リゾートホテルガイド　４ 全国リゾートホテルガイド　５ 全国リゾートホテルガイド　６ 全国旅館・ホテルガイド　２全国優良旅館・ホテルガイド

  Jul 26, 2009

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• 法科大学院　少数精鋭で質の高い教育を

  The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jul. 26, 2009)Law schools must put quality before quantity法科大学院　少数精鋭で質の高い教育を（7月26日付・読売社説）To ensure our judicial system functions as it should, capable judges, prosecutors and lawyers must be nurtured. So it is inevitable that law schools that play an insufficient role in training these much-needed workers in the legal field will be culled. 　信頼される司法制度を構築するには、有能な裁判官、検察官、弁護士の養成が必要だ。その養成機関としての役割を担えない一部の法科大学院の淘汰(とうた)は避けられまい。The number of applicants for the nation's 74 law schools for the 2009 academic year fell 25 percent from the previous year, marking the first time applications have fallen below 30,000. 　今春、法科大学院に入った学生が対象だった２００９年度入試の志願者数は、前年度より２５％減少し、初めて３万人を割った。Out of the total, the ratio of total applicants to successful applicants fell below two to one at 42 schools. At one law school that offered 30 places, only five were filled. 競争倍率は、７４校のうち４２校で２倍未満だった。定員３０人のところ、入学者が５人の大学院もあった。The entrance exam process for law schools for the 2010 academic year will begin soon, but it seems the number of applicants will remain low. Law schools were introduced in 2004 as a key pillar of judicial system reform, but they likely have reached a watershed earlier than expected. 　１０年度入試が間もなく本格化するが、志願者数の低迷は続くとみられる。司法制度改革の柱として０４年に誕生した法科大学院は早くも転換期にあるといえよう。All law school graduates are eligible to sit the national bar examination, for which the pass rate was initially predicted to be about 70 to 80 percent. However, the actual pass rate has fallen far short of this mark, with the rate last year a mere 33 percent. 　法科大学院の修了者には司法試験の受験資格が与えられる。その合格率は当初、７～８割に達するとの見通しだった。　だが、実際の合格率は振るわず、昨年は３３％だった。Under the current circumstances, students who are studying at law school are far from guaranteed a place in the legal field, which inevitably leads to a decline in applicant numbers. 法科大学院に入っても法曹への道が開かれない現状が、志願者減につながっていることは間違いないだろう。=== Vicious circle Law schools are required to teach students the basics of the legal profession, giving them a good grounding in legal theory and practice, and not placing undue weight on preparations for the bar exam. 　法科大学院には、司法試験の受験指導に偏らず、法理論や実務面で、法律家としての基礎を身に着けさせることが望まれている。If law schools cannot attract high-quality applicants, they will have no choice but to accept less capable students. Under such circumstances, students with less aptitude than courses have been designed to accommodate would have to sit the bar exam without receiving sufficient training and, as a result, likely would fail. It really is a vicious circle. 　しかし、質の高い志願者が集まらなければ、大学院は能力的に劣る学生を受け入れざるを得ない。学生は十分な力を身に着けられないまま司法試験に臨み、不合格となる。まさに悪循環である。The Central Council for Education has asked law schools whose ratio of total applicants to successful applicants falls below two to one to cut the number of students allowed to enroll. So far, about 50 law schools have decided to cut their intake quotas. This is to be expected as a way of ensuring the quality of students. 　中央教育審議会は、入試の倍率が２倍未満の法科大学院に対し、定員を減らすよう求めている。これまでに約５０校が定員削減を決めたのは、学生の質の確保の観点から、当然のことといえる。The root cause of this vicious circle is that possibly all 74 of the nation's law schools currently fail to meet the necessary standards. The trend of applicants not enrolling at law school will increase if law schools cannot produce good results. Therefore, a number of law schools will struggle and some are bound to fail. 　悪循環のそもそもの原因は、７４の大学院が乱立していることにある。今後、実績を残せない大学院が敬遠される傾向は、さらに進むだろう。その結果、経営が悪化し、淘汰されるケースが出てくるのもやむを得まい。The government should actively promote the reorganization and integration of law schools. 　大学院同士の統合や再編も積極的に進めるべきだ。=== Quotas to be raised The government plans to increase the number of places on offer to those who sit the bar exam from about 2,000 in 2008 to 3,000 in 2010. This plan should be firmly adhered to as a way of addressing the uneven distribution of lawyers across the nation, brought about largely by the concentration of lawyers in urban areas, as well as other problems. 　政府は、昨年は２０００人余だった司法試験の合格者を、１０年には３０００人に増やす方針だ。都市部に集中する弁護士の偏在解消などのため、この増員計画は堅持していかねばならない。In doing so, the question of how to halt the declining quality of successful applicants will need to be addressed. 　その際、合格者の質の低下をどう抑えるかが課題である。Every law school should be required to implement an advanced education program for a few select, highly capable students. 各大学院が、少数精鋭のきめ細かい教育を実践することが求められる。From the 2011 academic year, a preliminary examination system will be introduced that will ensure that even those who do not graduate from law school can still sit the bar exam if they pass a preliminary exam. If a high number of students choose to sit the preliminary test, the very reason for law schools existing will be called into question. 　１１年度からは、法科大学院を経なくても司法試験を受験できる予備試験が始まる。この受験者が多くなれば、法科大学院は存在意義が問われることになる。(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2009) （2009年7月26日01時20分 読売新聞）

  Jul 26, 2009

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