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2013年07月07日
参院選公示 政治の「復権」へ論争を深めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 6, 2013
Deepen debate on issues to revitalize political system
参院選公示 政治の「復権」へ論争を深めよ（7月5日付・読売社説）
◆経済再生の具体策を吟味したい◆
Can Japan restore its national strength? We have come to a critical time, when we have an opportunity to make a choice with the future course of this country at stake. Voters must listen seriously to what political parties and candidates advocate, to get the measure of their policies and competence.
国力を取り戻すことができるのか。日本の針路を左右する重要な選択の機会である。各政党と候補者の訴えに真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、その政策と能力をしっかりと見極めたい。
Official campaigning for the 23rd election of the House of Councillors began Thursday.
第２３回参院選が公示された。
Japan is now confronted with many grave, difficult-to-solve problems:
日本は今、多くの深刻かつ困難な課題に直面している。
How does it break away from decades of a deflation-plagued economy to make compatible its two goals of economic growth and rebuilding its deficit-ridden government? What steps must be taken to create a solidly sustainable social welfare system in the face of the rapidly aging society with a low birthrate? What should this country do to reconstruct its diplomacy amid the increasingly volatile global and Asian situations to ensure Japan’s national interest?
長年のデフレ経済から脱却し、経済成長と財政健全化を両立させる。少子高齢社会でも持続可能な社会保障制度を構築する。世界・アジア情勢が不安定化する中、日本外交を再建し、国益を守る。
None of these tasks can be accomplished easily.
いずれも簡単には実現できない。
End sense of stagnation
◆閉塞感を打破できるか◆
Furthermore, an abnormal state of affairs has continued in which the prime minister changed every year since 2006.
さらに２００６年以降、首相が毎年交代する異常事態にある。
Because the prime minister and cabinet members changed so frequently up until the House of Representatives election last year, the central govenment’s bureaucratic machinery tended to go on the defensive, leaving the nation unable to build relationships of trust with foreign leaders and conduct full-fledged diplomatic activities.
昨年の衆院選まで、首相や閣僚が短期間で交代し続けたため、官僚は「守り」に陥りがちだった。他国の首脳と信頼関係を築けず、本格的な外交が展開できない。
Because of the divided Diet, in which the opposition controls the upper house, bills of key importance have frequently failed to pass the legislature. As stagnant politics has become commonplace, the public has been enveloped in a sense of stagnation as well.
衆参ねじれ国会で、重要法案が成立しない。政治の停滞が常態化し、国民に閉塞感が漂う。
Whether it is possible to end this situation is the biggest focus of attention in the upper house election.
この状況を打破できるかどうかが参院選の最大の焦点だ。
In his first campaign speech for the upper house contest Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared, “We keenly hope to eliminate the divided Diet, and we ask you, the electorate, to throw your strong support behind us,” stressing his goal of garnering a majority in the upper chamber through the combined strength of the Liberal Democratic Party and its ruling coalition partner, New Komeito.
安倍首相は第一声で、「ねじれを解消したい。大きな力を与えてほしい」と訴え、自民、公明両党で参院の過半数の議席を獲得したい考えを強調した。
To be sure, his government will find it difficult to fully address big policy tasks without stabilizing its power base.
確かに、政権基盤が安定しなければ、大きな政策課題に取り組むのは難しい。
Banri Kaieda, leader of the No. 1 opposition Democratic Party of Japan, emphasized the same day, “We must confront the administration of Prime Minister Abe, which is going to disrupt the livelihood of the people.”
民主党の海江田代表は、「国民の生活を破壊する安倍政権に対峙(たいじ)しなければならない」と力説した。
The opposition camp is determined to stop the ruling coaliton from gaining a majority in the upper house, arguing the importance of the opposition’s role of holding the ruling coalition in check to prevent it from going astray.
野党は、「与党の過半数阻止」を目指し、政権の暴走をチェックする役割の重要性を主張する。
Rating the Abe Cabinet
◆安倍政権をどう評価◆
While a House of Representatives election is a contest in which voters decide which party or parties should take power, an upper house election is an interim evaluation of the ruling parties by voters.
衆院選が政権選択選挙なのに対し、参院選は与党の中間評価の意味を持つ。
In the upper house races in 2007 and 2010, the electorate handed down harsh verdicts against the government in what seemed like a backlash in reaction to the ruling coalition’s unexpectedly hefty victories in the previous lower house elections. This created the divided Diet.
０７年、１０年参院選では、衆院選で勝ちすぎた与党に対し、有権者が「揺り戻し」で厳しい審判を下し、ねじれを招いた。
If the Abe administration can reverse these precedents and put an end to the divided Diet, the administration will be able to establish a decision-making framework to decide on key policy matters swiftly and boldly by the next Diet election. It is likely this will lead to the revitalization of the nation’s political system.
安倍政権が今回、この前例を覆し、衆参ねじれを解消できれば、次の国政選までの間、迅速かつ大胆な政策決定ができる体制を築くことができる。政治の復権につながる可能性があろう。
What voters should bear in mind in making their choice is how to evaluate the achievements of the Abe administration and weigh them against the policies being touted by each political party and candidate in the upper house race.
有権者が投票の判断材料とすべきは、安倍政権の実績の評価と、各政党・候補者の政策である。
Concerning the current administration’s Abenomics economic policies, the LDP has included in its campaign platform an economic growth target of about 3 percent in nominal terms and a policy of tax incentives for investment and drastic corporation tax cuts.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」に関して、自民党は公約に名目３％程度の経済成長目標を掲げ、投資減税と法人税の大胆な引き下げを打ち出した。
It is laudable that the Abe government has brought about such results as the correction of the yen’s strength and higher stock prices, and achieved Japan’s participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
安倍政権が円高是正や株価上昇などの成果を上げ、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加を実現したことは評価できる。
On the other hand, some have said the benefits of Abenomics have only been enjoyed by some of the public.
反面、その恩恵は国民の一部にとどまっていると指摘される。
Criticizing Abenomics as having caused such side effects as price hikes and radical fluctuations in interest rates, the DPJ asserts that it will seek to expand the income of ordinary citizens and middle-class people.
民主党は、物価上昇や金利の乱高下などアベノミクスの「副作用」を批判し、生活者や中間層の所得を増やすと主張する。
However, the party’s growth strategy lacks concrete measures. It leaves something to be desired for a party that has been teetering on the brink after its crushing setback in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.
だが、その成長戦略は具体性を欠く。東京都議選で惨敗し、参院選は２大政党にとどまれるかどうかの瀬戸際なのに物足りない。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) calls for bolstering competitiveness and cuts in income and corporation taxes. Your Party aims to attain a nominal growth rate of 4 percent or more by pushing drastic regulatory reforms.
日本維新の会は競争力強化や所得・法人税の減税を訴える。みんなの党は大胆な規制改革で名目４％以上の成長を目指すという。
No matter how attractive policies are, they will have no persuasive power unless accompanied by fiscal resources and a roadmap for their achievement. We ask the parties to deepen their debate on economic policies.
どんなに魅力的な政策も、財源や実現への道筋が伴わないと、説得力を持たない。各党は経済論戦を深めてもらいたい。
In regard to nuclear policy, the LDP takes a positive view of restarting nuclear reactors after they are judged safe and promoting exports of nuclear power plants. This is consistent with the party’s emphasis on economic growth.
原子力政策について、自民党は、安全と判断された原発の再稼働や原発輸出に前向きだ。成長重視の姿勢と一貫する。
The opposition parties are all in favor of immediately or eventually eliminating all nuclear reactors, including the DPJ’s call for “ending nuclear power generation in the 2030s.” But their stances are vague concerning measures to secure substitute energy sources and in harmonizing their antinuclear positions with measures for economic growth.
野党は、民主党の「２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロ」など、「原発ゼロ」で足並みをそろえた。ただ、代替エネルギーの確保策や経済成長との整合性はあいまいだ。
Probably because of the DPJ’s failure to carry out the policies it presented in its unrealistic campaign platform for the 2009 lower house election, all the parties’ campaign pledges are more like slogans and their abstractness is obvious. They must discuss more concrete measures regarding social security reform and diplomatic and security issues.
民主党が非現実的な０９年衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）で失敗したためか、各党の公約はスローガン的で抽象的内容が目立つ。社会保障改革や外交・安全保障ではもっと具体策を論じるべきだ。
Deepen debate on issues to revitalize political system
参院選公示 政治の「復権」へ論争を深めよ（7月5日付・読売社説）
◆経済再生の具体策を吟味したい◆
Can Japan restore its national strength? We have come to a critical time, when we have an opportunity to make a choice with the future course of this country at stake. Voters must listen seriously to what political parties and candidates advocate, to get the measure of their policies and competence.
国力を取り戻すことができるのか。日本の針路を左右する重要な選択の機会である。各政党と候補者の訴えに真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、その政策と能力をしっかりと見極めたい。
Official campaigning for the 23rd election of the House of Councillors began Thursday.
第２３回参院選が公示された。
Japan is now confronted with many grave, difficult-to-solve problems:
日本は今、多くの深刻かつ困難な課題に直面している。
How does it break away from decades of a deflation-plagued economy to make compatible its two goals of economic growth and rebuilding its deficit-ridden government? What steps must be taken to create a solidly sustainable social welfare system in the face of the rapidly aging society with a low birthrate? What should this country do to reconstruct its diplomacy amid the increasingly volatile global and Asian situations to ensure Japan’s national interest?
長年のデフレ経済から脱却し、経済成長と財政健全化を両立させる。少子高齢社会でも持続可能な社会保障制度を構築する。世界・アジア情勢が不安定化する中、日本外交を再建し、国益を守る。
None of these tasks can be accomplished easily.
いずれも簡単には実現できない。
End sense of stagnation
◆閉塞感を打破できるか◆
Furthermore, an abnormal state of affairs has continued in which the prime minister changed every year since 2006.
さらに２００６年以降、首相が毎年交代する異常事態にある。
Because the prime minister and cabinet members changed so frequently up until the House of Representatives election last year, the central govenment’s bureaucratic machinery tended to go on the defensive, leaving the nation unable to build relationships of trust with foreign leaders and conduct full-fledged diplomatic activities.
昨年の衆院選まで、首相や閣僚が短期間で交代し続けたため、官僚は「守り」に陥りがちだった。他国の首脳と信頼関係を築けず、本格的な外交が展開できない。
Because of the divided Diet, in which the opposition controls the upper house, bills of key importance have frequently failed to pass the legislature. As stagnant politics has become commonplace, the public has been enveloped in a sense of stagnation as well.
衆参ねじれ国会で、重要法案が成立しない。政治の停滞が常態化し、国民に閉塞感が漂う。
Whether it is possible to end this situation is the biggest focus of attention in the upper house election.
この状況を打破できるかどうかが参院選の最大の焦点だ。
In his first campaign speech for the upper house contest Thursday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared, “We keenly hope to eliminate the divided Diet, and we ask you, the electorate, to throw your strong support behind us,” stressing his goal of garnering a majority in the upper chamber through the combined strength of the Liberal Democratic Party and its ruling coalition partner, New Komeito.
安倍首相は第一声で、「ねじれを解消したい。大きな力を与えてほしい」と訴え、自民、公明両党で参院の過半数の議席を獲得したい考えを強調した。
To be sure, his government will find it difficult to fully address big policy tasks without stabilizing its power base.
確かに、政権基盤が安定しなければ、大きな政策課題に取り組むのは難しい。
Banri Kaieda, leader of the No. 1 opposition Democratic Party of Japan, emphasized the same day, “We must confront the administration of Prime Minister Abe, which is going to disrupt the livelihood of the people.”
民主党の海江田代表は、「国民の生活を破壊する安倍政権に対峙(たいじ)しなければならない」と力説した。
The opposition camp is determined to stop the ruling coaliton from gaining a majority in the upper house, arguing the importance of the opposition’s role of holding the ruling coalition in check to prevent it from going astray.
野党は、「与党の過半数阻止」を目指し、政権の暴走をチェックする役割の重要性を主張する。
Rating the Abe Cabinet
◆安倍政権をどう評価◆
While a House of Representatives election is a contest in which voters decide which party or parties should take power, an upper house election is an interim evaluation of the ruling parties by voters.
衆院選が政権選択選挙なのに対し、参院選は与党の中間評価の意味を持つ。
In the upper house races in 2007 and 2010, the electorate handed down harsh verdicts against the government in what seemed like a backlash in reaction to the ruling coalition’s unexpectedly hefty victories in the previous lower house elections. This created the divided Diet.
０７年、１０年参院選では、衆院選で勝ちすぎた与党に対し、有権者が「揺り戻し」で厳しい審判を下し、ねじれを招いた。
If the Abe administration can reverse these precedents and put an end to the divided Diet, the administration will be able to establish a decision-making framework to decide on key policy matters swiftly and boldly by the next Diet election. It is likely this will lead to the revitalization of the nation’s political system.
安倍政権が今回、この前例を覆し、衆参ねじれを解消できれば、次の国政選までの間、迅速かつ大胆な政策決定ができる体制を築くことができる。政治の復権につながる可能性があろう。
What voters should bear in mind in making their choice is how to evaluate the achievements of the Abe administration and weigh them against the policies being touted by each political party and candidate in the upper house race.
有権者が投票の判断材料とすべきは、安倍政権の実績の評価と、各政党・候補者の政策である。
Concerning the current administration’s Abenomics economic policies, the LDP has included in its campaign platform an economic growth target of about 3 percent in nominal terms and a policy of tax incentives for investment and drastic corporation tax cuts.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」に関して、自民党は公約に名目３％程度の経済成長目標を掲げ、投資減税と法人税の大胆な引き下げを打ち出した。
It is laudable that the Abe government has brought about such results as the correction of the yen’s strength and higher stock prices, and achieved Japan’s participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
安倍政権が円高是正や株価上昇などの成果を上げ、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加を実現したことは評価できる。
On the other hand, some have said the benefits of Abenomics have only been enjoyed by some of the public.
反面、その恩恵は国民の一部にとどまっていると指摘される。
Criticizing Abenomics as having caused such side effects as price hikes and radical fluctuations in interest rates, the DPJ asserts that it will seek to expand the income of ordinary citizens and middle-class people.
民主党は、物価上昇や金利の乱高下などアベノミクスの「副作用」を批判し、生活者や中間層の所得を増やすと主張する。
However, the party’s growth strategy lacks concrete measures. It leaves something to be desired for a party that has been teetering on the brink after its crushing setback in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election.
だが、その成長戦略は具体性を欠く。東京都議選で惨敗し、参院選は２大政党にとどまれるかどうかの瀬戸際なのに物足りない。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) calls for bolstering competitiveness and cuts in income and corporation taxes. Your Party aims to attain a nominal growth rate of 4 percent or more by pushing drastic regulatory reforms.
日本維新の会は競争力強化や所得・法人税の減税を訴える。みんなの党は大胆な規制改革で名目４％以上の成長を目指すという。
No matter how attractive policies are, they will have no persuasive power unless accompanied by fiscal resources and a roadmap for their achievement. We ask the parties to deepen their debate on economic policies.
どんなに魅力的な政策も、財源や実現への道筋が伴わないと、説得力を持たない。各党は経済論戦を深めてもらいたい。
In regard to nuclear policy, the LDP takes a positive view of restarting nuclear reactors after they are judged safe and promoting exports of nuclear power plants. This is consistent with the party’s emphasis on economic growth.
原子力政策について、自民党は、安全と判断された原発の再稼働や原発輸出に前向きだ。成長重視の姿勢と一貫する。
The opposition parties are all in favor of immediately or eventually eliminating all nuclear reactors, including the DPJ’s call for “ending nuclear power generation in the 2030s.” But their stances are vague concerning measures to secure substitute energy sources and in harmonizing their antinuclear positions with measures for economic growth.
野党は、民主党の「２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロ」など、「原発ゼロ」で足並みをそろえた。ただ、代替エネルギーの確保策や経済成長との整合性はあいまいだ。
Probably because of the DPJ’s failure to carry out the policies it presented in its unrealistic campaign platform for the 2009 lower house election, all the parties’ campaign pledges are more like slogans and their abstractness is obvious. They must discuss more concrete measures regarding social security reform and diplomatic and security issues.
民主党が非現実的な０９年衆院選政権公約（マニフェスト）で失敗したためか、各党の公約はスローガン的で抽象的内容が目立つ。社会保障改革や外交・安全保障ではもっと具体策を論じるべきだ。
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2013年07月06日
ＡＲＦ閣僚会議 国際的に孤立が極まる北朝鮮
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 5, 2013
North Korea must adjust stance in face of heightened isolation
ＡＲＦ閣僚会議 国際的に孤立が極まる北朝鮮（7月4日付・読売社説）
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the country’s Workers’ Party of Korea, must soberly accept the reality that his country’s isolation under the sanctions of the international community has intensified and shift to a policy of abandoning Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.
国際社会の制裁下で孤立を極める現実を、北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記は厳粛に受け止めて、核放棄へ転換を図るべきだ。
A ministerial meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum, attended by foreign ministers from 26 countries including Japan, the United States and China, as well as the European Union, was held in Brunei and adopted a chairman’s statement.
日本、米国、中国など２７か国・機構をメンバーとする東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）地域フォーラム（ＡＲＦ）閣僚会議がブルネイで開かれ、議長声明を採択した。
The statement stipulates that most ministers urge North Korea to comply with its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions and that most ministers call on North Korea to abide by its commitments under the September 2005 six-party joint statement. The chairman’s statement thus urges North Korea to take action toward abandonment of its nuclear program.
声明は、北朝鮮に対し、国連安全保障理事会の決議や２００５年９月の６か国協議共同声明の「義務を順守するよう大多数の閣僚が求めた」と明記し、核放棄に向けて行動するよう促した。
North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun made a rebuttal to the ARF statement, saying among other things that the deterioration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula stems from the United States’ deep-rooted policy of hostility toward North Korea.
北朝鮮の朴宜春外相は、「朝鮮半島情勢の悪化は、米国の敵視政策による」などと反論した。
No supporters
However, none of North Korea’s comments were included in the statement. This has significant meaning, as it symbolizes the fact that not a single country stands with North Korea.
しかし、そうした北朝鮮の主張が声明に盛り込まれなかった意味は重い。擁護してくれる国もない北朝鮮の現状を象徴している。
The statement is part of a series of international measures to pressure the reclusive country following the U.S.-China summit talks and the Group of Eight summit meeting, both held in June.
今回の声明は、６月の米中首脳会談や主要８か国首脳会議（Ｇ８サミット）に続く、北朝鮮への国際的な圧力の一環だ。
Since last year, North Korea has launched a long-range ballistic missile and conducted a third nuclear test despite international warnings. Each time, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to strengthen sanctions against the country.
北朝鮮は昨年来、長距離弾道ミサイル発射と３回目の核実験を強行し、その都度、安保理は制裁強化決議を全会一致で採択した。
The ARF statement also stipulates that most ministers reconfirmed their nations would “fully implement” UNSC sanction resolutions on North Korea. This can be regarded as a declaration of the participating nations’ determination not to loosen restrictions on Pyongyang.
議長声明は、制裁決議の「全面的な履行」を大多数の閣僚が再確認したことも併記した。北朝鮮への締め付けを緩めはしない、という決意の表明と言える。
North Korea’s recent shift to a policy of dialogue, away from its brinkmanship strategy of creating crises through provocative remarks and actions, must be proof of its struggle to find a way to escape from its current situation, in which it can barely prop up the economy due to the pressure of sanctions.
北朝鮮が最近、挑発的な言動で危機を作り出す瀬戸際戦術から対話路線に転換したのも、制裁圧力で経済立て直しが進まない窮状からの出口を、何とか見いだそうと模索している証しだろう。
Take concrete action
North Korea has been asking the United States to accept its proposal for dialogue without preconditions.
北朝鮮は米国に、前提条件なく対話に応じるよう求めている。
If the United States accepted that by willingly overlooking North Korea’s selfish actions of repeating nuclear tests and missile launches, it would simply be repeating the past. In that sense, it is quite appropriate for Japan, the United States and South Korea to demand North Korea take concrete action toward denuclearization of the country.
核実験やミサイル発射を繰り返した北朝鮮の身勝手な振る舞いを不問に付して対話に応じれば、同じことの繰り返しだ。まず非核化への「具体的な行動」を北朝鮮に求める日米韓の対応は妥当だ。
North Korea’s Pak resorted to deception over the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents, saying that the issue “has been completely resolved.” Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida flatly rejected Pak’s statement as “in contradiction of the facts,” based on the past sequence of events, including North Korea’s promise to reinvestigate the matter. Kishida further called for concerted action by the international community, claiming other countries than Japan have had people abducted. His actions were quite appropriate.
拉致問題を巡り、朴外相は「完全に解決ずみ」と詭弁(きべん)を弄した。岸田外相が、再調査を北朝鮮が約束した過去の経緯などを踏まえて「事実に反する」と一蹴し、日本以外にも被害者がいると国際連帯を呼びかけたのは適切だった。
The chairman’s statement also touches upon the importance of addressing international humanitarian concerns. This indirectly reflects Japan’s strong demand for resolution of the abduction issue.
議長声明は、「国際社会の人道上の懸念事項に対処する重要性」をうたった。拉致問題の解決を強く求める日本の主張が、間接的に反映されたものだ。
There must be no normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea without a comprehensive solution of the latter’s nuclear and missile development programs and the abduction issue. The government needs to firmly maintain this stance and persuade Kim Jong Un to move things forward on the abduction issue, while tightening the noose around North Korea.
核とミサイル、拉致の包括的解決なしに日朝正常化はない。政府はこの立場を堅持し、北朝鮮包囲網を狭めつつ、金第１書記に拉致問題の前進を迫る必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 4, 2013)
（2013年7月4日01時36分 読売新聞）
North Korea must adjust stance in face of heightened isolation
ＡＲＦ閣僚会議 国際的に孤立が極まる北朝鮮（7月4日付・読売社説）
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the country’s Workers’ Party of Korea, must soberly accept the reality that his country’s isolation under the sanctions of the international community has intensified and shift to a policy of abandoning Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.
国際社会の制裁下で孤立を極める現実を、北朝鮮の金正恩第１書記は厳粛に受け止めて、核放棄へ転換を図るべきだ。
A ministerial meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum, attended by foreign ministers from 26 countries including Japan, the United States and China, as well as the European Union, was held in Brunei and adopted a chairman’s statement.
日本、米国、中国など２７か国・機構をメンバーとする東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）地域フォーラム（ＡＲＦ）閣僚会議がブルネイで開かれ、議長声明を採択した。
The statement stipulates that most ministers urge North Korea to comply with its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions and that most ministers call on North Korea to abide by its commitments under the September 2005 six-party joint statement. The chairman’s statement thus urges North Korea to take action toward abandonment of its nuclear program.
声明は、北朝鮮に対し、国連安全保障理事会の決議や２００５年９月の６か国協議共同声明の「義務を順守するよう大多数の閣僚が求めた」と明記し、核放棄に向けて行動するよう促した。
North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun made a rebuttal to the ARF statement, saying among other things that the deterioration of the situation on the Korean Peninsula stems from the United States’ deep-rooted policy of hostility toward North Korea.
北朝鮮の朴宜春外相は、「朝鮮半島情勢の悪化は、米国の敵視政策による」などと反論した。
No supporters
However, none of North Korea’s comments were included in the statement. This has significant meaning, as it symbolizes the fact that not a single country stands with North Korea.
しかし、そうした北朝鮮の主張が声明に盛り込まれなかった意味は重い。擁護してくれる国もない北朝鮮の現状を象徴している。
The statement is part of a series of international measures to pressure the reclusive country following the U.S.-China summit talks and the Group of Eight summit meeting, both held in June.
今回の声明は、６月の米中首脳会談や主要８か国首脳会議（Ｇ８サミット）に続く、北朝鮮への国際的な圧力の一環だ。
Since last year, North Korea has launched a long-range ballistic missile and conducted a third nuclear test despite international warnings. Each time, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution to strengthen sanctions against the country.
北朝鮮は昨年来、長距離弾道ミサイル発射と３回目の核実験を強行し、その都度、安保理は制裁強化決議を全会一致で採択した。
The ARF statement also stipulates that most ministers reconfirmed their nations would “fully implement” UNSC sanction resolutions on North Korea. This can be regarded as a declaration of the participating nations’ determination not to loosen restrictions on Pyongyang.
議長声明は、制裁決議の「全面的な履行」を大多数の閣僚が再確認したことも併記した。北朝鮮への締め付けを緩めはしない、という決意の表明と言える。
North Korea’s recent shift to a policy of dialogue, away from its brinkmanship strategy of creating crises through provocative remarks and actions, must be proof of its struggle to find a way to escape from its current situation, in which it can barely prop up the economy due to the pressure of sanctions.
北朝鮮が最近、挑発的な言動で危機を作り出す瀬戸際戦術から対話路線に転換したのも、制裁圧力で経済立て直しが進まない窮状からの出口を、何とか見いだそうと模索している証しだろう。
Take concrete action
North Korea has been asking the United States to accept its proposal for dialogue without preconditions.
北朝鮮は米国に、前提条件なく対話に応じるよう求めている。
If the United States accepted that by willingly overlooking North Korea’s selfish actions of repeating nuclear tests and missile launches, it would simply be repeating the past. In that sense, it is quite appropriate for Japan, the United States and South Korea to demand North Korea take concrete action toward denuclearization of the country.
核実験やミサイル発射を繰り返した北朝鮮の身勝手な振る舞いを不問に付して対話に応じれば、同じことの繰り返しだ。まず非核化への「具体的な行動」を北朝鮮に求める日米韓の対応は妥当だ。
North Korea’s Pak resorted to deception over the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents, saying that the issue “has been completely resolved.” Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida flatly rejected Pak’s statement as “in contradiction of the facts,” based on the past sequence of events, including North Korea’s promise to reinvestigate the matter. Kishida further called for concerted action by the international community, claiming other countries than Japan have had people abducted. His actions were quite appropriate.
拉致問題を巡り、朴外相は「完全に解決ずみ」と詭弁(きべん)を弄した。岸田外相が、再調査を北朝鮮が約束した過去の経緯などを踏まえて「事実に反する」と一蹴し、日本以外にも被害者がいると国際連帯を呼びかけたのは適切だった。
The chairman’s statement also touches upon the importance of addressing international humanitarian concerns. This indirectly reflects Japan’s strong demand for resolution of the abduction issue.
議長声明は、「国際社会の人道上の懸念事項に対処する重要性」をうたった。拉致問題の解決を強く求める日本の主張が、間接的に反映されたものだ。
There must be no normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea without a comprehensive solution of the latter’s nuclear and missile development programs and the abduction issue. The government needs to firmly maintain this stance and persuade Kim Jong Un to move things forward on the abduction issue, while tightening the noose around North Korea.
核とミサイル、拉致の包括的解決なしに日朝正常化はない。政府はこの立場を堅持し、北朝鮮包囲網を狭めつつ、金第１書記に拉致問題の前進を迫る必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 4, 2013)
（2013年7月4日01時36分 読売新聞）
2013年07月05日
米温暖化対策 シェールガス革命が追い風に
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 4, 2013
Will shale gas revolution help combat global warming?
米温暖化対策 シェールガス革命が追い風に（7月3日付・読売社説）
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced an action plan to increase efforts to combat global warming.
オバマ米大統領が、地球温暖化対策を強化する行動計画を発表した。
The sweeping plan is aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, while also leading greater international efforts to combat climate change, particularly through cooperation with China and India, both major carbon dioxide emitters.
国内で二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出削減を進めるとともに、中国やインドなどとの協力を含めて国際的な温暖化対策を拡充する内容だ。
The world is witnessing a continuous increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Obama’s plan indicates the United States, the world’s second-worst greenhouse gas polluter after China, plans to seriously tackle global warming. This should significantly help international efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
ＣＯ２などの温室効果ガスの排出量は、世界で増加の一途をたどっている。中国に次ぐ排出大国の米国が温暖化対策に本腰を入れることは、世界全体の排出量削減の観点からも、意義は大きい。
However, Obama will be tested whether he will be able to demonstrate leadership in fighting global warming and what he can actually do to achieve his goal.
オバマ氏の指導力と実行力が問われよう。
U.S. plan affirms target
The latest action plan reconfirms an earlier U.S. target for curtailing domestic greenhouse gas emissions by about 17 percent by the end of 2020, compared with 2005 levels. Measures include a plan to impose new and more rigorous emission regulations on existing and envisaged power plants.
行動計画は、２０２０年までに温室効果ガス排出量を０５年比１７％程度削減する、という米国の中期目標を改めて確認している。
The action program also calls for switching to natural gases, an energy source that generates a smaller amount of carbon dioxide than coal and oil.
国内のＣＯ２排出削減対策として、新規及び既存の発電所に新たに厳しい規制を導入するほか、石炭や石油よりもクリーンな天然ガスへの切り替えを促した。
Obama’s plan incorporates the doubling of such renewable energy resources as hydroelectric and solar power. It also includes a plan to maintain and promote nuclear power generation through, for example, the development of small modular reactors with a generating capacity of less than 300,000 kilowatts per unit.
水力や太陽光発電などの再生可能エネルギー倍増計画や、出力３０万キロ・ワット以下の小型モジュラー炉の開発など原子力発電の維持・推進も盛り込んだ。
The outlook for Obama’s action plan is far from promising. In fact, U.S. electric power companies are already alarmed by the possible impact of his program. They fear that tightening the regulations may force them to close coal-fired power plants, which constitute the mainstay of their electricity business. The action plan is also opposed by Republicans and local governments that could be affected by the planned measures. They are concerned that the program would lead to a loss of many jobs. Many twists and turns are foreseen in a tug-of-war over how carbon dioxide emissions should be regulated at power plants.
前途は容易ではあるまい。早くも電力会社は、厳しい規制で主力の石炭火力発電所が閉鎖に追い込まれかねないと警戒し、関連自治体や共和党も、雇用が奪われると反発を強めている。規制基準作りを巡り紆余(うよ)曲折が予想される。
A factor behind Obama’s decision to announce new anti-global warming measures is his desire to address the strong concerns of Americans about the increase in natural disasters due to abnormal weather in recent years, including violent storms and massive tornadoes. The action plan lays out specific measures to be implemented to enable local communities to deal more effectively with the impact of such disasters.
オバマ氏が大胆な温暖化対策の推進を打ち出した背景の一つに、暴風雨や巨大竜巻など異常気象で災害が増加していることへの国民の強い関心がある。行動計画は、災害に耐性の強い地域作りへ具体策を講じることも明記した。
Another significant reason behind the president’s latest move is the fact that the recent increase in natural gas production due to the ongoing shale gas revolution is aiding his battle to reduce greenhouse gases. The U.S. carbon dioxide reduction goal seems to be increasingly realistic due to that country’s drive to shift from coal to natural gas. This is certain to shore up the U.S. position in global negotiations over reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
シェールガス革命による天然ガス生産の増大が追い風になった点も見過ごせない。石炭から天然ガスへの転換で、ＣＯ２削減目標の達成は現実味を帯びてきた。国際交渉で米国の立場も強まろう。
The post-Kyoto Protocol framework is scheduled to take effect in 2020. The primary task facing participants is to ensure that their battle against global warming functions in a manner in which all major carbon dioxide emitters fulfill their share of responsibility in achieving their goals.
京都議定書後の新たな国際枠組みは２０年発効予定だ。すべての主要排出国が応分の責任を負う仕組みにすることが何より重要だ。
Japan role important
The Obama administration will likely seek to lay down a set of loosely defined rules by which each country will set its own reduction target and strive to curtail its carbon dioxide emissions, according to observers. This approach can be regarded as a persuasive method to get newly emerging nations to join the new framework, as they are opposed to reduction obligations that would be imposed on them.
オバマ政権は、各国が自主的に目標を設定し、削減に努める緩やかなルール作りを目指すと見られる。削減義務を負うことに反発する新興国を引き入れるには、有効な手法と言える。
Japan should play an active role in this respect.
日本も積極的に関与したい。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has said it will scrap an unrealistic carbon dioxide reduction target abruptly announced by then Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in 2009. Hatoyama’s plan required this country to achieve a 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels in carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2020.
安倍政権は、鳩山元首相が０９年に唐突に打ち出した「２０年までに１９９０年比２５％削減」という非現実的な目標の撤回を表明している。
It is essential for the Abe administration to replace the 2009 reduction plan with a practical reduction target that would take the nation’s economic activities into consideration, a task that must be complemented by efforts to gain support from other nations for the prime minister’s initiative.
まずは経済活動に目配りした現実的な目標に改め、国際社会の理解を得ていくことが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 3, 2013)
（2013年7月3日01時53分 読売新聞）
Will shale gas revolution help combat global warming?
米温暖化対策 シェールガス革命が追い風に（7月3日付・読売社説）
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced an action plan to increase efforts to combat global warming.
オバマ米大統領が、地球温暖化対策を強化する行動計画を発表した。
The sweeping plan is aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, while also leading greater international efforts to combat climate change, particularly through cooperation with China and India, both major carbon dioxide emitters.
国内で二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出削減を進めるとともに、中国やインドなどとの協力を含めて国際的な温暖化対策を拡充する内容だ。
The world is witnessing a continuous increase in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Obama’s plan indicates the United States, the world’s second-worst greenhouse gas polluter after China, plans to seriously tackle global warming. This should significantly help international efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
ＣＯ２などの温室効果ガスの排出量は、世界で増加の一途をたどっている。中国に次ぐ排出大国の米国が温暖化対策に本腰を入れることは、世界全体の排出量削減の観点からも、意義は大きい。
However, Obama will be tested whether he will be able to demonstrate leadership in fighting global warming and what he can actually do to achieve his goal.
オバマ氏の指導力と実行力が問われよう。
U.S. plan affirms target
The latest action plan reconfirms an earlier U.S. target for curtailing domestic greenhouse gas emissions by about 17 percent by the end of 2020, compared with 2005 levels. Measures include a plan to impose new and more rigorous emission regulations on existing and envisaged power plants.
行動計画は、２０２０年までに温室効果ガス排出量を０５年比１７％程度削減する、という米国の中期目標を改めて確認している。
The action program also calls for switching to natural gases, an energy source that generates a smaller amount of carbon dioxide than coal and oil.
国内のＣＯ２排出削減対策として、新規及び既存の発電所に新たに厳しい規制を導入するほか、石炭や石油よりもクリーンな天然ガスへの切り替えを促した。
Obama’s plan incorporates the doubling of such renewable energy resources as hydroelectric and solar power. It also includes a plan to maintain and promote nuclear power generation through, for example, the development of small modular reactors with a generating capacity of less than 300,000 kilowatts per unit.
水力や太陽光発電などの再生可能エネルギー倍増計画や、出力３０万キロ・ワット以下の小型モジュラー炉の開発など原子力発電の維持・推進も盛り込んだ。
The outlook for Obama’s action plan is far from promising. In fact, U.S. electric power companies are already alarmed by the possible impact of his program. They fear that tightening the regulations may force them to close coal-fired power plants, which constitute the mainstay of their electricity business. The action plan is also opposed by Republicans and local governments that could be affected by the planned measures. They are concerned that the program would lead to a loss of many jobs. Many twists and turns are foreseen in a tug-of-war over how carbon dioxide emissions should be regulated at power plants.
前途は容易ではあるまい。早くも電力会社は、厳しい規制で主力の石炭火力発電所が閉鎖に追い込まれかねないと警戒し、関連自治体や共和党も、雇用が奪われると反発を強めている。規制基準作りを巡り紆余(うよ)曲折が予想される。
A factor behind Obama’s decision to announce new anti-global warming measures is his desire to address the strong concerns of Americans about the increase in natural disasters due to abnormal weather in recent years, including violent storms and massive tornadoes. The action plan lays out specific measures to be implemented to enable local communities to deal more effectively with the impact of such disasters.
オバマ氏が大胆な温暖化対策の推進を打ち出した背景の一つに、暴風雨や巨大竜巻など異常気象で災害が増加していることへの国民の強い関心がある。行動計画は、災害に耐性の強い地域作りへ具体策を講じることも明記した。
Another significant reason behind the president’s latest move is the fact that the recent increase in natural gas production due to the ongoing shale gas revolution is aiding his battle to reduce greenhouse gases. The U.S. carbon dioxide reduction goal seems to be increasingly realistic due to that country’s drive to shift from coal to natural gas. This is certain to shore up the U.S. position in global negotiations over reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
シェールガス革命による天然ガス生産の増大が追い風になった点も見過ごせない。石炭から天然ガスへの転換で、ＣＯ２削減目標の達成は現実味を帯びてきた。国際交渉で米国の立場も強まろう。
The post-Kyoto Protocol framework is scheduled to take effect in 2020. The primary task facing participants is to ensure that their battle against global warming functions in a manner in which all major carbon dioxide emitters fulfill their share of responsibility in achieving their goals.
京都議定書後の新たな国際枠組みは２０年発効予定だ。すべての主要排出国が応分の責任を負う仕組みにすることが何より重要だ。
Japan role important
The Obama administration will likely seek to lay down a set of loosely defined rules by which each country will set its own reduction target and strive to curtail its carbon dioxide emissions, according to observers. This approach can be regarded as a persuasive method to get newly emerging nations to join the new framework, as they are opposed to reduction obligations that would be imposed on them.
オバマ政権は、各国が自主的に目標を設定し、削減に努める緩やかなルール作りを目指すと見られる。削減義務を負うことに反発する新興国を引き入れるには、有効な手法と言える。
Japan should play an active role in this respect.
日本も積極的に関与したい。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government has said it will scrap an unrealistic carbon dioxide reduction target abruptly announced by then Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in 2009. Hatoyama’s plan required this country to achieve a 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels in carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2020.
安倍政権は、鳩山元首相が０９年に唐突に打ち出した「２０年までに１９９０年比２５％削減」という非現実的な目標の撤回を表明している。
It is essential for the Abe administration to replace the 2009 reduction plan with a practical reduction target that would take the nation’s economic activities into consideration, a task that must be complemented by efforts to gain support from other nations for the prime minister’s initiative.
まずは経済活動に目配りした現実的な目標に改め、国際社会の理解を得ていくことが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 3, 2013)
（2013年7月3日01時53分 読売新聞）
2013年07月04日
日韓外相会談 関係再構築へ双方が歩み寄れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 3, 2013
Japan, S. Korea should compromise to reconstruct vital relationship
日韓外相会談 関係再構築へ双方が歩み寄れ（7月2日付・読売社説）
At a time when the situation in East Asia has become increasingly unstable, cooperation between Japan and South Korea is becoming even more important. Both sides should step closer to each other to put bilateral relations back on a more normal footing.
東アジア情勢が不安定化する中、日韓協力は一段と重要になっている。両国関係の正常化へ、双方が歩み寄るべきだ。
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se recently held talks in Brunei and agreed to stably develop a “future-oriented” bilateral relationship.
岸田外相と韓国の尹炳世外交相がブルネイで会談し、「未来志向の日韓関係」を安定的に発展させる方針で一致した。
These were the first such talks between Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers in about nine months. It was extraordinary that the neighoring nations had not held any summit or foreign ministerial meetings since the administration of South Korean President Park Geun Hye was launched in February.
日韓外相会談の開催は約９か月ぶりだ。２月の朴政権発足後、隣国間で首脳・外相会談が一度もなかったのは異常な事態だった。
There are many issues that Japan and South Korea should jointly address, such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs and China’s rise in the military and economic spheres. The stalemate over economic issues, as exemplified by the prolonged suspension of talks for a bilateral free trade agreement, also cannot be overlooked.
北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題や中国の軍事、経済両面での台頭など、日韓が連携して対処すべき課題は多い。自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉中断の長期化など、経済分野の停滞も看過できない。
China playing hardball
Meanwhile, the United States has been indirectly trying to improve Japan-South Korea ties apparently because it believes the deterioration in the bilateral relationship would undermine peace and prosperity in East Asia.
米国が日韓関係の改善を側面支援するのも、両国の関係悪化は東アジアの平和と繁栄の障害だとの問題意識があるためだろう。
China has reportedly stated that it will only hold a Japan-China summit meeting on the condition that Tokyo acknowledges a territorial dispute exists over the Senkaku Islands. Once again, a meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan and China was not held this time. Given the possibility that high-ranking officials of Tokyo and Beijing cannot hold talks for an extended period, the necessity of rebuilding Japan-South Korea relations takes on even greater importance.
中国は、尖閣諸島の領土問題の存在を認めることを日中首脳会談の条件にしているとされる。今回も外相会談は見送られた。日中高官が会談できない状態が長く続く事態も想定すれば、日韓関係を再構築する必要性は一段と高い。
Japan and South Korea have been trading jabs over territorial and historical perception issues involving the Takeshima islands and so-called wartime comfort women. The South Korean foreign minister told his Japanese counterpart that if Japan “fails to carefully deal with the history issue, it will hurt the soul of the [Korean] people.”
日韓間には、竹島、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題など領土や歴史認識をめぐる対立がある。尹外相は、歴史認識の重要性を強調し、「歴史問題を細心に扱えない場合、民族の魂を傷つける」と述べた。
But we believe that an intrinsic role of diplomacy in this context is to ensure both nations have substantive cooperation over North Korea and other issues while keeping their differences to the absolute minimum.
だが、両国が意見の相違を最小限に抑えつつ、北朝鮮問題などで実質的に協力することこそが、外交本来の役割のはずである。
Lee started the chill
The current chilly state of relations between Japan and South Korea was originally caused by a visit by former South Korean President Lee Myung Bak to the Takeshima islands and his demand for “an apology” from the Emperor last summer.
そもそも現在の日韓関係の悪化は、昨年夏の李明博前大統領の竹島訪問と天皇陛下「謝罪」要求発言が発端となっている。
South Korea should resist the temptation to bring up issues regarding differences over historical perception with Japan at such occasions as summit talks with U.S. and Chinese leaders. Japan, for its part, should give some consideration to the impact of visits by Cabinet ministers to Yasukuni Shrine. It is essential that both sides tenaciously engage in dialogue and make efforts in areas in which they disagree and search for common ground.
韓国は、米中両国との首脳会談などで日本との歴史認識の問題を持ち出すのは自制する。日本も、閣僚の靖国神社参拝で一定の配慮を行う。双方が、対立する分野でも粘り強く対話と努力を重ね、接点を探ることが欠かせない。
We urge both nations to make the latest Japan-South Korea foreign ministerial meeting a stepping stone that can expedite coordinations to realize a bilateral summit meeting later this year.
今回の日韓外相会談を足がかりに、今年後半には、首脳会談が実現するよう調整を急ぎたい。
At a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea, which was held prior to the Kishida-Yun talks, the three top diplomats confirmed they would not accept the possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea and would urge it to take concrete actions toward denuclearization.
日韓外相会談に先立つ日米韓外相会談では、北朝鮮の核保有を容認せず、非核化への「具体的な行動」を求める方針を確認した。
North Korea recently has shown a greater willingness to hold dialogues with other nations that have a stake in the nuclear issue. However, more important than resuming six-nation talks and other channels of dialogue is having North Korea take tangible steps to abandon its nuclear weapons.
北朝鮮は最近、関係国との対話に前向きの姿勢を示している。しかし、肝心なのは、６か国協議などの対話の再開ではなく、核放棄を具体化することである。
Japan, the United States and South Korea must hold a series of consultations and maintain their current solidarity to keep pressuring North Korea through Chinese channels to make Pyongyang take substantive actions toward its denuclearization.
非核化に向けて実質的な行動を取るよう、中国を通じて北朝鮮に圧力をかけ続けるためにも、日米韓が協議を重ね、現在の結束を維持しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 2, 2013)
（2013年7月2日01時26分 読売新聞）
Japan, S. Korea should compromise to reconstruct vital relationship
日韓外相会談 関係再構築へ双方が歩み寄れ（7月2日付・読売社説）
At a time when the situation in East Asia has become increasingly unstable, cooperation between Japan and South Korea is becoming even more important. Both sides should step closer to each other to put bilateral relations back on a more normal footing.
東アジア情勢が不安定化する中、日韓協力は一段と重要になっている。両国関係の正常化へ、双方が歩み寄るべきだ。
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung Se recently held talks in Brunei and agreed to stably develop a “future-oriented” bilateral relationship.
岸田外相と韓国の尹炳世外交相がブルネイで会談し、「未来志向の日韓関係」を安定的に発展させる方針で一致した。
These were the first such talks between Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers in about nine months. It was extraordinary that the neighoring nations had not held any summit or foreign ministerial meetings since the administration of South Korean President Park Geun Hye was launched in February.
日韓外相会談の開催は約９か月ぶりだ。２月の朴政権発足後、隣国間で首脳・外相会談が一度もなかったのは異常な事態だった。
There are many issues that Japan and South Korea should jointly address, such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs and China’s rise in the military and economic spheres. The stalemate over economic issues, as exemplified by the prolonged suspension of talks for a bilateral free trade agreement, also cannot be overlooked.
北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題や中国の軍事、経済両面での台頭など、日韓が連携して対処すべき課題は多い。自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉中断の長期化など、経済分野の停滞も看過できない。
China playing hardball
Meanwhile, the United States has been indirectly trying to improve Japan-South Korea ties apparently because it believes the deterioration in the bilateral relationship would undermine peace and prosperity in East Asia.
米国が日韓関係の改善を側面支援するのも、両国の関係悪化は東アジアの平和と繁栄の障害だとの問題意識があるためだろう。
China has reportedly stated that it will only hold a Japan-China summit meeting on the condition that Tokyo acknowledges a territorial dispute exists over the Senkaku Islands. Once again, a meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan and China was not held this time. Given the possibility that high-ranking officials of Tokyo and Beijing cannot hold talks for an extended period, the necessity of rebuilding Japan-South Korea relations takes on even greater importance.
中国は、尖閣諸島の領土問題の存在を認めることを日中首脳会談の条件にしているとされる。今回も外相会談は見送られた。日中高官が会談できない状態が長く続く事態も想定すれば、日韓関係を再構築する必要性は一段と高い。
Japan and South Korea have been trading jabs over territorial and historical perception issues involving the Takeshima islands and so-called wartime comfort women. The South Korean foreign minister told his Japanese counterpart that if Japan “fails to carefully deal with the history issue, it will hurt the soul of the [Korean] people.”
日韓間には、竹島、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題など領土や歴史認識をめぐる対立がある。尹外相は、歴史認識の重要性を強調し、「歴史問題を細心に扱えない場合、民族の魂を傷つける」と述べた。
But we believe that an intrinsic role of diplomacy in this context is to ensure both nations have substantive cooperation over North Korea and other issues while keeping their differences to the absolute minimum.
だが、両国が意見の相違を最小限に抑えつつ、北朝鮮問題などで実質的に協力することこそが、外交本来の役割のはずである。
Lee started the chill
The current chilly state of relations between Japan and South Korea was originally caused by a visit by former South Korean President Lee Myung Bak to the Takeshima islands and his demand for “an apology” from the Emperor last summer.
そもそも現在の日韓関係の悪化は、昨年夏の李明博前大統領の竹島訪問と天皇陛下「謝罪」要求発言が発端となっている。
South Korea should resist the temptation to bring up issues regarding differences over historical perception with Japan at such occasions as summit talks with U.S. and Chinese leaders. Japan, for its part, should give some consideration to the impact of visits by Cabinet ministers to Yasukuni Shrine. It is essential that both sides tenaciously engage in dialogue and make efforts in areas in which they disagree and search for common ground.
韓国は、米中両国との首脳会談などで日本との歴史認識の問題を持ち出すのは自制する。日本も、閣僚の靖国神社参拝で一定の配慮を行う。双方が、対立する分野でも粘り強く対話と努力を重ね、接点を探ることが欠かせない。
We urge both nations to make the latest Japan-South Korea foreign ministerial meeting a stepping stone that can expedite coordinations to realize a bilateral summit meeting later this year.
今回の日韓外相会談を足がかりに、今年後半には、首脳会談が実現するよう調整を急ぎたい。
At a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea, which was held prior to the Kishida-Yun talks, the three top diplomats confirmed they would not accept the possession of nuclear weapons by North Korea and would urge it to take concrete actions toward denuclearization.
日韓外相会談に先立つ日米韓外相会談では、北朝鮮の核保有を容認せず、非核化への「具体的な行動」を求める方針を確認した。
North Korea recently has shown a greater willingness to hold dialogues with other nations that have a stake in the nuclear issue. However, more important than resuming six-nation talks and other channels of dialogue is having North Korea take tangible steps to abandon its nuclear weapons.
北朝鮮は最近、関係国との対話に前向きの姿勢を示している。しかし、肝心なのは、６か国協議などの対話の再開ではなく、核放棄を具体化することである。
Japan, the United States and South Korea must hold a series of consultations and maintain their current solidarity to keep pressuring North Korea through Chinese channels to make Pyongyang take substantive actions toward its denuclearization.
非核化に向けて実質的な行動を取るよう、中国を通じて北朝鮮に圧力をかけ続けるためにも、日米韓が協議を重ね、現在の結束を維持しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 2, 2013)
（2013年7月2日01時26分 読売新聞）
2013年07月03日
中国金融リスク 「影の銀行」を野放しにするな
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 2, 2013
Chinese authorities must control nation’s shadow banking sector
中国金融リスク 「影の銀行」を野放しにするな（7月1日付・読売社説）
The volume of transactions in China’s shadow banking sector, in which financial transactions are handled outside the traditional commercial banks, is growing fast. The potential ill effects of this explosive supply of opaque money in the market are immense. We must remain on the lookout for possible disarray in the Chinese economy.
中国で銀行を介さない金融取引の「シャドーバンキング」（影の銀行）が急拡大している。
不透明なマネー膨張の弊害は大きい。中国経済の混乱に要警戒だ。
The Shanghai Composite Index plunged last week, falling below the 2,000 benchmark for the first time in about half a year. On June 24, it recorded the steepest single-day drop in four years.
上海総合株価指数が先週、急落した。約半年ぶりに２０００の大台を割り込み、２４日は４年ぶりの大幅な下落率だった。
The decline was triggered when the short-term interbank offered rate suddenly spiked to an all-time high, causing concerns over the worsening cash flow of banks and prompting the sell-off of stocks.
きっかけは、中国の銀行同士が資金を融通し合う際の短期金利が一時、過去最高水準に急騰したことだ。銀行の資金繰りの悪化が懸念され、株が売られた。
Despite the decline, the People’s Bank of China, the country’s equivalent of a central bank, did not expand its injection of cash into the market, an unusual case of not helping to lower the interbank offered rate.
にもかかわらず、中央銀行に相当する中国人民銀行が、市場への資金供給を拡大せず、金利低下を促さなかったのは異例だ。
Bubbles forming
For the time being, the bank will apparently allow some increase in the rate, an attempt to apply de facto monetary tightening.
当面は、一定の金利上昇を容認し、事実上の金融引き締めを図ろうとしているのだろう。
Behind the bank’s reaction is the spread of various forms of shadow banking, causing economic bubbles in some sectors.
背景に、シャドーバンキングが蔓延(まんえん)し、一部でバブル現象が起きている事情がある。
For instance, investment firms affiliated with municipal governments have been expanding their real estate development and public works projects by using a massive amount of funds borrowed at high interest rates outside the traditional banking institutions.
例えば、地方政府系の投資会社は銀行を介さずに高金利で借りた巨額の資金を使って、不動産開発や公共事業を拡大している。
Many of those municipal governments are burdened with huge amounts of debt. Their inability to repay their debts could spark repercussions in the management of businesses that have extended loans to them.
多額の債務を抱える地方政府は多い。借入金の返済が滞れば、資金の貸し手である企業などの経営危機に飛び火しかねない。
It is also problematic that loans extended to such entities as local governments are refinanced by bundling them and repackaging them as “small-lot wealth management products,” by offering a much higher rate of return than bank deposits.These products have been massively sold to private business firms and individuals by nonbank institutions. In such cases, there is a risk of a loss of principle.
地方政府向けなどの貸出債権を小口化した「理財商品」と呼ばれる高利回りの財テク商品が、ノンバンクなどから企業や個人に大量販売されていることも問題だ。売り手が償還資金を手当てできず、元本割れするリスクがある。
The current situation resembles the so-called subprime loan crisis that occurred in the United States, sending the world economy into disarray.
かつて世界経済を混乱させた米国のサブプライムローン問題を彷彿(ほうふつ)とさせる状況と言えよう。
The size of the shadow banking sector is estimated at 30 trillion yuan (about 480 trillion yen). But the real scale of off-balance sheet financial transactions of the sector is hardly known. Even the Chinese authorities may not be able to grasp the reality.
シャドーバンキングの規模は総額３０兆元（約４８０兆円）に上るとの推計があるが、取引の実態は見えない。中国当局ですら、正確には把握できていないだろう。
A senior official at the People’s Bank of China said, “Imps must be punished,” suggesting the shadow banking sectors must be dealt with strictly. We can understand the authorities’ policy of curbing excessive growth of the money supply and accelerating moves to stamp out the economic bubble.
人民銀行幹部は、「悪い子供は罰するべきだ」と述べ、厳しく対処する姿勢を示した。マネーの膨張を食い止め、バブル退治を急ごうとする方針は理解できる。
Slowdown continues
If the shadow banking sectors are left uncontrolled, the bubble will eventually burst, raising fears of major havoc triggered by China spreading the world over.
シャドーバンキングを野放しにすれば、膨れたバブルがいずれ崩壊し、世界に波及する「中国発の大混乱」が起きる恐れもある。
Meanwhile, the country’s real economic growth has fallen below 8 percent, and its economic slowdown continues. But it would be a mistake for the authorities to cause the country’s economy to further lose momentum by too rapidly curbing the shadow banking system.
ただ、中国の実質経済成長率は８％を割り、景気減速が続く。当局の急激な締め付けで、景気を失速させては本末転倒だ。
It is indeed a difficult situation. The Chinese authorities must be very careful in steering the economy.
難しい局面だが、中国当局の細心の舵(かじ)取りが求められる。
It would also be serious if the Japanese economic recovery were stalled by such factors as a decline in its exports to China. This is not someone else’s problem. We need to be watchful for any abnormality in China’s economy.
日本も中国向け輸出減少などで景気回復がもたつく事態となれば大変だ。対岸の火事ではない。中国経済の変調に注意したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2013)
（2013年7月1日01時35分 読売新聞）
Chinese authorities must control nation’s shadow banking sector
中国金融リスク 「影の銀行」を野放しにするな（7月1日付・読売社説）
The volume of transactions in China’s shadow banking sector, in which financial transactions are handled outside the traditional commercial banks, is growing fast. The potential ill effects of this explosive supply of opaque money in the market are immense. We must remain on the lookout for possible disarray in the Chinese economy.
中国で銀行を介さない金融取引の「シャドーバンキング」（影の銀行）が急拡大している。
不透明なマネー膨張の弊害は大きい。中国経済の混乱に要警戒だ。
The Shanghai Composite Index plunged last week, falling below the 2,000 benchmark for the first time in about half a year. On June 24, it recorded the steepest single-day drop in four years.
上海総合株価指数が先週、急落した。約半年ぶりに２０００の大台を割り込み、２４日は４年ぶりの大幅な下落率だった。
The decline was triggered when the short-term interbank offered rate suddenly spiked to an all-time high, causing concerns over the worsening cash flow of banks and prompting the sell-off of stocks.
きっかけは、中国の銀行同士が資金を融通し合う際の短期金利が一時、過去最高水準に急騰したことだ。銀行の資金繰りの悪化が懸念され、株が売られた。
Despite the decline, the People’s Bank of China, the country’s equivalent of a central bank, did not expand its injection of cash into the market, an unusual case of not helping to lower the interbank offered rate.
にもかかわらず、中央銀行に相当する中国人民銀行が、市場への資金供給を拡大せず、金利低下を促さなかったのは異例だ。
Bubbles forming
For the time being, the bank will apparently allow some increase in the rate, an attempt to apply de facto monetary tightening.
当面は、一定の金利上昇を容認し、事実上の金融引き締めを図ろうとしているのだろう。
Behind the bank’s reaction is the spread of various forms of shadow banking, causing economic bubbles in some sectors.
背景に、シャドーバンキングが蔓延(まんえん)し、一部でバブル現象が起きている事情がある。
For instance, investment firms affiliated with municipal governments have been expanding their real estate development and public works projects by using a massive amount of funds borrowed at high interest rates outside the traditional banking institutions.
例えば、地方政府系の投資会社は銀行を介さずに高金利で借りた巨額の資金を使って、不動産開発や公共事業を拡大している。
Many of those municipal governments are burdened with huge amounts of debt. Their inability to repay their debts could spark repercussions in the management of businesses that have extended loans to them.
多額の債務を抱える地方政府は多い。借入金の返済が滞れば、資金の貸し手である企業などの経営危機に飛び火しかねない。
It is also problematic that loans extended to such entities as local governments are refinanced by bundling them and repackaging them as “small-lot wealth management products,” by offering a much higher rate of return than bank deposits.These products have been massively sold to private business firms and individuals by nonbank institutions. In such cases, there is a risk of a loss of principle.
地方政府向けなどの貸出債権を小口化した「理財商品」と呼ばれる高利回りの財テク商品が、ノンバンクなどから企業や個人に大量販売されていることも問題だ。売り手が償還資金を手当てできず、元本割れするリスクがある。
The current situation resembles the so-called subprime loan crisis that occurred in the United States, sending the world economy into disarray.
かつて世界経済を混乱させた米国のサブプライムローン問題を彷彿(ほうふつ)とさせる状況と言えよう。
The size of the shadow banking sector is estimated at 30 trillion yuan (about 480 trillion yen). But the real scale of off-balance sheet financial transactions of the sector is hardly known. Even the Chinese authorities may not be able to grasp the reality.
シャドーバンキングの規模は総額３０兆元（約４８０兆円）に上るとの推計があるが、取引の実態は見えない。中国当局ですら、正確には把握できていないだろう。
A senior official at the People’s Bank of China said, “Imps must be punished,” suggesting the shadow banking sectors must be dealt with strictly. We can understand the authorities’ policy of curbing excessive growth of the money supply and accelerating moves to stamp out the economic bubble.
人民銀行幹部は、「悪い子供は罰するべきだ」と述べ、厳しく対処する姿勢を示した。マネーの膨張を食い止め、バブル退治を急ごうとする方針は理解できる。
Slowdown continues
If the shadow banking sectors are left uncontrolled, the bubble will eventually burst, raising fears of major havoc triggered by China spreading the world over.
シャドーバンキングを野放しにすれば、膨れたバブルがいずれ崩壊し、世界に波及する「中国発の大混乱」が起きる恐れもある。
Meanwhile, the country’s real economic growth has fallen below 8 percent, and its economic slowdown continues. But it would be a mistake for the authorities to cause the country’s economy to further lose momentum by too rapidly curbing the shadow banking system.
ただ、中国の実質経済成長率は８％を割り、景気減速が続く。当局の急激な締め付けで、景気を失速させては本末転倒だ。
It is indeed a difficult situation. The Chinese authorities must be very careful in steering the economy.
難しい局面だが、中国当局の細心の舵(かじ)取りが求められる。
It would also be serious if the Japanese economic recovery were stalled by such factors as a decline in its exports to China. This is not someone else’s problem. We need to be watchful for any abnormality in China’s economy.
日本も中国向け輸出減少などで景気回復がもたつく事態となれば大変だ。対岸の火事ではない。中国経済の変調に注意したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 1, 2013)
（2013年7月1日01時35分 読売新聞）
2013年07月02日
幹事長討論会 安易な「原発ゼロ」は無責任だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 1, 2013
Simply calling for end of nuclear power is irresponsible
幹事長討論会 安易な「原発ゼロ」は無責任だ（6月30日付・読売社説）
Full-fledged debates for the House of Councillors election have kicked off before its official campaign period starts on July 4.
参院選は、７月４日の公示を前に本格的な論戦がスタートした。
In Osaka, the Kansai Press Club hosted a meeting on politics with the secretaries general and their equivalents of nine ruling and opposition parties.
大阪では２９日、関西プレスクラブの主催で、９政党の幹事長クラスによる政治討論会が開かれた。
At the meeting, there were striking divergences in opinions on nuclear power plants. Asked if they aim to end the use of nuclear power generation, every attending party except the ruling Liberal Democratic Party replied yes.
目を引いたのは、原子力発電所政策の違いだ。「原発ゼロを目指すか」との質問に対し、自民党以外はすべて賛成した。
To reduce the nation's use of nuclear power to zero, the proportion of electricity generated by alternative sources such as thermal power generation and renewable energy sources such as solar power must be increased drastically. This will require increased imports of fuel for thermal power plants, which will inevitably hollow out domestic industries due to higher production costs.
原発をゼロにするには、代替の火力発電や太陽光など再生可能エネルギーの割合を大幅に増やす必要がある。火力発電の燃料輸入が増大し、生産コスト上昇による産業空洞化も避けられまい。
There also are concerns about the increased carbon dioxide emissions produced by thermal power plants. Japan will be tested on how to overcome global issues, including nuclear nonproliferation, if it chooses the zero nuclear power generation option.
火力発電による二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出量の増大も懸念される。核不拡散など、世界的な課題をどう克服するかも問われよう。
Balance of sources important
Referring to those issues, LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba said at the meeting, “A responsible political party must not consider reducing the nation’s dependence on nuclear power generation without thinking about the balance of its power sources.” We think his view is quite reasonable.
自民党の石破幹事長は、こうした課題に言及し、「バランスを考えたうえで、原発依存度を減らすことを考えなければ、責任ある政治とは言えない」と指摘した。妥当な見解である。
The LDP stipulated in its election pledges that the state should take responsibility for trying to obtain the consent of local governments hosting nuclear power plants, which have been checked and judged safe, so they can be reactivated.
自民党の公約は、「安全と判断された原発の再稼働については、国が責任を持って地元自治体の理解が得られるよう努力する」としている。
We applaud the LDP on this point, but the party also should clarify the prospects for its medium- to long-term nuclear policies.
この点は評価できるが、中長期的な原発政策についても見通しを明らかにすべきだ。
Details on specific steps to deal with nuclear fuel recycling and nuclear waste disposal also need to be discussed.
核燃料サイクルや核廃棄物処理への取り組みに対して、具体的な方策を詰める必要がある。
At the meeting, no party supporting the abolition of nuclear power generation gave a detailed and convincing explanation on the denuclearization process. How can Japan, a nation with few natural resources, end its use of nuclear power generation? Parties supporting zero nuclear power generation must answer this question properly.
「原発ゼロ」を掲げるどの党からも、その道筋について具体的かつ説得力のある説明はなかった。資源の乏しい日本で「原発ゼロ」をどう実現するのか。疑問にきちんと答えてもらいたい。
Exports of nuclear plants
Goshi Hosono, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, criticized efforts led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to promote exports of Japanese nuclear reactors to other countries. “It makes me feel uncomfortable,” Hosono said.
民主党の細野幹事長は首相が率先して原発輸出を推進することに「違和感がある」と批判した。
However, exports of infrastructure, including nuclear reactors, are a pillar of the government’s growth strategy and require partnership between the government and private sectors. What does the DPJ think about the high expectations other nations have for Japanese technology?
だが、原発などインフラ輸出は成長戦略の柱であり、官民の連携が重要だ。国際的にも日本の技術に対する期待が高いことを民主党はどう考えるのか。
In Tokyo, party leaders held a meeting Friday to discuss issues related to the upper house election.
参院選をテーマに２８日、東京では党首討論会が開かれた。
In their discussions, Abe’s remarks on relations between Japan and China, which have been at loggerheads over the Senkaku Islands, attracted considerable attention. “The Chinese side told us it would not agree to have a bilateral summit meeting unless Tokyo accepts a certain condition,” the prime minister revealed.
安倍首相が、尖閣諸島を巡って対立が続く中国との関係について、「中国側は、ある一定の条件をのまなければ首脳会談をしないと言ってきている」と明らかにしたことが、注目された。
Of course, there is no need to hold a summit meeting with Beijing if it comes at the expense of Japan’s national interest. However, it is also true that both Japan and China will lose out if they do not improve bilateral ties.
国益を損なってまでも首脳会談を実現する必要がないのは当然である。ただ、関係改善できないことは、日中ともにマイナスだ。
We expect all political parties to also have constructive discussions on diplomatic and national security strategies, and on measures to handle territorial issues.
外交・安全保障戦略や領土問題の対処についても、各党の建設的な議論を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 30, 2013)
（2013年6月30日01時29分 読売新聞）
Simply calling for end of nuclear power is irresponsible
幹事長討論会 安易な「原発ゼロ」は無責任だ（6月30日付・読売社説）
Full-fledged debates for the House of Councillors election have kicked off before its official campaign period starts on July 4.
参院選は、７月４日の公示を前に本格的な論戦がスタートした。
In Osaka, the Kansai Press Club hosted a meeting on politics with the secretaries general and their equivalents of nine ruling and opposition parties.
大阪では２９日、関西プレスクラブの主催で、９政党の幹事長クラスによる政治討論会が開かれた。
At the meeting, there were striking divergences in opinions on nuclear power plants. Asked if they aim to end the use of nuclear power generation, every attending party except the ruling Liberal Democratic Party replied yes.
目を引いたのは、原子力発電所政策の違いだ。「原発ゼロを目指すか」との質問に対し、自民党以外はすべて賛成した。
To reduce the nation's use of nuclear power to zero, the proportion of electricity generated by alternative sources such as thermal power generation and renewable energy sources such as solar power must be increased drastically. This will require increased imports of fuel for thermal power plants, which will inevitably hollow out domestic industries due to higher production costs.
原発をゼロにするには、代替の火力発電や太陽光など再生可能エネルギーの割合を大幅に増やす必要がある。火力発電の燃料輸入が増大し、生産コスト上昇による産業空洞化も避けられまい。
There also are concerns about the increased carbon dioxide emissions produced by thermal power plants. Japan will be tested on how to overcome global issues, including nuclear nonproliferation, if it chooses the zero nuclear power generation option.
火力発電による二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）排出量の増大も懸念される。核不拡散など、世界的な課題をどう克服するかも問われよう。
Balance of sources important
Referring to those issues, LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba said at the meeting, “A responsible political party must not consider reducing the nation’s dependence on nuclear power generation without thinking about the balance of its power sources.” We think his view is quite reasonable.
自民党の石破幹事長は、こうした課題に言及し、「バランスを考えたうえで、原発依存度を減らすことを考えなければ、責任ある政治とは言えない」と指摘した。妥当な見解である。
The LDP stipulated in its election pledges that the state should take responsibility for trying to obtain the consent of local governments hosting nuclear power plants, which have been checked and judged safe, so they can be reactivated.
自民党の公約は、「安全と判断された原発の再稼働については、国が責任を持って地元自治体の理解が得られるよう努力する」としている。
We applaud the LDP on this point, but the party also should clarify the prospects for its medium- to long-term nuclear policies.
この点は評価できるが、中長期的な原発政策についても見通しを明らかにすべきだ。
Details on specific steps to deal with nuclear fuel recycling and nuclear waste disposal also need to be discussed.
核燃料サイクルや核廃棄物処理への取り組みに対して、具体的な方策を詰める必要がある。
At the meeting, no party supporting the abolition of nuclear power generation gave a detailed and convincing explanation on the denuclearization process. How can Japan, a nation with few natural resources, end its use of nuclear power generation? Parties supporting zero nuclear power generation must answer this question properly.
「原発ゼロ」を掲げるどの党からも、その道筋について具体的かつ説得力のある説明はなかった。資源の乏しい日本で「原発ゼロ」をどう実現するのか。疑問にきちんと答えてもらいたい。
Exports of nuclear plants
Goshi Hosono, secretary general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, criticized efforts led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to promote exports of Japanese nuclear reactors to other countries. “It makes me feel uncomfortable,” Hosono said.
民主党の細野幹事長は首相が率先して原発輸出を推進することに「違和感がある」と批判した。
However, exports of infrastructure, including nuclear reactors, are a pillar of the government’s growth strategy and require partnership between the government and private sectors. What does the DPJ think about the high expectations other nations have for Japanese technology?
だが、原発などインフラ輸出は成長戦略の柱であり、官民の連携が重要だ。国際的にも日本の技術に対する期待が高いことを民主党はどう考えるのか。
In Tokyo, party leaders held a meeting Friday to discuss issues related to the upper house election.
参院選をテーマに２８日、東京では党首討論会が開かれた。
In their discussions, Abe’s remarks on relations between Japan and China, which have been at loggerheads over the Senkaku Islands, attracted considerable attention. “The Chinese side told us it would not agree to have a bilateral summit meeting unless Tokyo accepts a certain condition,” the prime minister revealed.
安倍首相が、尖閣諸島を巡って対立が続く中国との関係について、「中国側は、ある一定の条件をのまなければ首脳会談をしないと言ってきている」と明らかにしたことが、注目された。
Of course, there is no need to hold a summit meeting with Beijing if it comes at the expense of Japan’s national interest. However, it is also true that both Japan and China will lose out if they do not improve bilateral ties.
国益を損なってまでも首脳会談を実現する必要がないのは当然である。ただ、関係改善できないことは、日中ともにマイナスだ。
We expect all political parties to also have constructive discussions on diplomatic and national security strategies, and on measures to handle territorial issues.
外交・安全保障戦略や領土問題の対処についても、各党の建設的な議論を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 30, 2013)
（2013年6月30日01時29分 読売新聞）
2013年07月01日
参院選へ 「ねじれ」に終止符打てるか
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 30, 2013
Can Abe put an end to divided Diet in coming upper house poll?
参院選へ 「ねじれ」に終止符打てるか（6月29日付・読売社説）
◆デフレ脱却へ具体策を競え◆
How will voters judge the performance of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration over the past six months?
安倍政権半年の実績を有権者は、どう審判するだろうか。
The government has formally decided to hold a House of Councillors election on July 21, with official campaigning to start Thursday.
政府は、参院選の日程について７月４日公示、２１日投開票とすることを正式に決定した。
The number of constituencies in which one upper house seat is up for grabs has increased by two to 31 following the implementation of a measure to narrow vote-value disparities. The results of the battles in these constituencies are likely to determine the outcome of the whole election. The upcoming poll will also be closely watched as the nation’s first national election in which the use of the Internet will be allowed for campaigns.
参院の選挙区は「１票の格差」の是正措置により、１人区が従来より２増の３１となった。その勝敗が全体の趨勢(すうせい)を決めるだろう。インターネットを利用した選挙運動が初めて導入されることでも、注目される国政選挙となる。
Abe to face a test
◆安倍政権の実績に審判◆
The key focus of the election is expected to be whether the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito will be able to secure a majority of seats in the upper house and thus put an end to the current divided Diet.
最大の焦点は自民、公明の両党が参院で過半数を制し、衆参のねじれを解消できるかどうかだ。
If the ruling camp achieves this goal, the Abe administration will be on firmer footing, making the nation’s politics more stable. After the July upper house race, a national election will not be held for as long as three years. This would help create an environment in which the Abe administration can tackle issues thoroughly without worrying about elections.
解消できれば安倍首相の政権基盤は強まり、政治が安定する。次の国政選挙まで最大３年あるため、選挙を意識せず、課題にじっくり取り組む環境が生まれる。
Abe was in office when the Diet became divided after his LDP lost in the upper house election held six years ago. Abe said the divided Diet has thrown politics into confusion, significantly weakening Japan’s national power. “We must put an end to the divided Diet,” he said.
安倍首相は、６年前の参院選で敗北して衆参のねじれが生じた時も首相だった。ねじれによる政治の迷走で国力が大きく失われたとし、「衆参のねじれに終止符を打たねばならない」と主張している。
In the meantime, the ruling and opposition parties have repeatedly confronted each other. In light of this, deliberations on bills were often stalled, particularly in the upper house, including when the LDP itself was an opposition party.
この間、与野党は対立を繰り返した。自民党の野党時代も含め、とくに参院では法案審議が滞った。
On Wednesday, the closing day of the ordinary Diet session, the opposition-controlled upper house passed a censure motion against the prime minister. Four key government-sponsored bills, including one to revise the Electricity Business Law, were scrapped as a result. This is a prime example.
通常国会閉会日の２６日、参院の野党が首相問責決議を可決し、その影響で電気事業法改正案など政府提出の重要４法案が廃案になったことは象徴的だ。
The nature and purpose of the upper house should be also addressed in the upcoming election, as the chamber has turned into a stage for political maneuvering.
参院選では「政局の府」と化した参院の在りようも問われる。
For the Democratic Party of Japan, the election is likely to be a battle in which its very existence is at stake. The DPJ is likely to face a test of voter sentiment on efforts by President Banri Kaieda and its other leaders to rebuild the party, as well as on its handling of Diet affairs as the largest opposition party.
民主党は党の存亡をかけた戦いになる。海江田執行部による党再建の現状や、野党第１党としての国会対応を有権者が判断する。
Opposition comeback?
◆民・維の巻き返しは◆
The House of Representatives election last December boosted the presence of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) in the Diet, but the party has since lost strength for reasons such as the controversial remarks on so-called comfort women by its coleader Toru Hashimoto. In the July election, Hashimoto and fellow coleader Shintaro Ishihara will be tested on their ability to solidify its position in the upper house.
日本維新の会は、衆院選後、国会で一定の存在感を示したが、橋下共同代表のいわゆる従軍慰安婦問題を巡る発言などで失速気味だ。石原共同代表との二枚看板で、参院に地歩を築けるかどうか。
Meanwhile, both Your Party and the Japanese Communist Party significantly increased their seats in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. They now aim to expand their public support in a national election.
東京都議選で議席を大幅に伸ばしたみんなの党、共産党は、全国でも支持拡大を狙っている。
The parties likely will clash over Abenomics, a set of economic measures promoted by the Abe administration.
政策で争点になるのは、まず安倍政権が推進している経済政策「アベノミクス」の評価だ。
To get the national economy out of deflation and achieve growth, Abe has emphasized that there is no alternative to carrying out his so-called three-arrow policy package of drastic monetary easing, flexible fiscal measures and a growth strategy.
首相は、デフレから脱却し、日本経済を成長させるには、大胆な金融緩和、機動的な財政政策、民間投資を喚起する成長戦略の「３本の矢」を進める道しかないと強調している。
However, as Abe has acknowledged, the people have yet to feel an economic recovery. So to win public understanding it is necessary to explain to them in detail about the aims and effects of the economic revitalization to be brought on by the full implementation of Abenomics.
首相が言うように、国民が景気回復を実感するまでには至っていない。アベノミクスによる経済再生の狙いと効果を国民に丁寧に説明し、理解を得る必要がある。
The DPJ, on the other hand, has criticized the government’s economic measures, saying they have caused “strong side effects” such as price hikes amid no raise in wages and an increase in housing loan interest rates.
一方、民主党は、賃金が上がらない中での物価上昇、住宅ローン金利の上昇など「強い副作用」が起きていると批判している。
How would the DPJ reconstruct the economy, then? Its argument will lack persuasive power unless it presents concrete measures. The party said it would “take good care of workers, boost income and enrich and expand the middle class.” But such abstract imagery falls short of explanations.
では、民主党ならどのように経済を立て直すのか。具体策を示さねば説得力はない。「働く人を大切にし、所得を増やし、中間層を厚く豊かにする」といった抽象論では、説明不足である。
In its campaign platform, the DPJ points to hikes in electricity and gas rates as “a rash of price increases” under the Abe administration. But these were largely caused by a sharp increase in fuel imports for the operation of thermal power plants that substituted for the nation’s nuclear power plants, most of which had their operations suspended under the DPJ-led administration.
民主党の公約は「値上げラッシュ」として電気やガス料金の値上げを強調しているが、民主党政権でほとんどの原子力発電所が止まり、代替の火力発電用燃料の輸入が急増した影響が大きい。
The DPJ’s criticism of price hikes must be questioned in terms of its consistency with its policy to end reliance on nuclear power generation.
脱原発政策との整合性も問われよう。
Worth watching in the upcoming upper house election will be whether the LDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai and Your Party, which show a keen interest in revising the Constitution, will be able to secure two-thirds or more of the seats. If this threshold is cleared, it will create a political environment in which initiating constitutional revision will be possible for the first time under the current national charter.
参院選では、自民党、日本維新の会、みんなの党など憲法改正に積極的な政党が参院で３分の２以上を確保するかも見所だ。改正の発議が可能となる政治環境が現行憲法下で初めて整うことになるからである。）
Can Abe put an end to divided Diet in coming upper house poll?
参院選へ 「ねじれ」に終止符打てるか（6月29日付・読売社説）
◆デフレ脱却へ具体策を競え◆
How will voters judge the performance of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration over the past six months?
安倍政権半年の実績を有権者は、どう審判するだろうか。
The government has formally decided to hold a House of Councillors election on July 21, with official campaigning to start Thursday.
政府は、参院選の日程について７月４日公示、２１日投開票とすることを正式に決定した。
The number of constituencies in which one upper house seat is up for grabs has increased by two to 31 following the implementation of a measure to narrow vote-value disparities. The results of the battles in these constituencies are likely to determine the outcome of the whole election. The upcoming poll will also be closely watched as the nation’s first national election in which the use of the Internet will be allowed for campaigns.
参院の選挙区は「１票の格差」の是正措置により、１人区が従来より２増の３１となった。その勝敗が全体の趨勢(すうせい)を決めるだろう。インターネットを利用した選挙運動が初めて導入されることでも、注目される国政選挙となる。
Abe to face a test
◆安倍政権の実績に審判◆
The key focus of the election is expected to be whether the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito will be able to secure a majority of seats in the upper house and thus put an end to the current divided Diet.
最大の焦点は自民、公明の両党が参院で過半数を制し、衆参のねじれを解消できるかどうかだ。
If the ruling camp achieves this goal, the Abe administration will be on firmer footing, making the nation’s politics more stable. After the July upper house race, a national election will not be held for as long as three years. This would help create an environment in which the Abe administration can tackle issues thoroughly without worrying about elections.
解消できれば安倍首相の政権基盤は強まり、政治が安定する。次の国政選挙まで最大３年あるため、選挙を意識せず、課題にじっくり取り組む環境が生まれる。
Abe was in office when the Diet became divided after his LDP lost in the upper house election held six years ago. Abe said the divided Diet has thrown politics into confusion, significantly weakening Japan’s national power. “We must put an end to the divided Diet,” he said.
安倍首相は、６年前の参院選で敗北して衆参のねじれが生じた時も首相だった。ねじれによる政治の迷走で国力が大きく失われたとし、「衆参のねじれに終止符を打たねばならない」と主張している。
In the meantime, the ruling and opposition parties have repeatedly confronted each other. In light of this, deliberations on bills were often stalled, particularly in the upper house, including when the LDP itself was an opposition party.
この間、与野党は対立を繰り返した。自民党の野党時代も含め、とくに参院では法案審議が滞った。
On Wednesday, the closing day of the ordinary Diet session, the opposition-controlled upper house passed a censure motion against the prime minister. Four key government-sponsored bills, including one to revise the Electricity Business Law, were scrapped as a result. This is a prime example.
通常国会閉会日の２６日、参院の野党が首相問責決議を可決し、その影響で電気事業法改正案など政府提出の重要４法案が廃案になったことは象徴的だ。
The nature and purpose of the upper house should be also addressed in the upcoming election, as the chamber has turned into a stage for political maneuvering.
参院選では「政局の府」と化した参院の在りようも問われる。
For the Democratic Party of Japan, the election is likely to be a battle in which its very existence is at stake. The DPJ is likely to face a test of voter sentiment on efforts by President Banri Kaieda and its other leaders to rebuild the party, as well as on its handling of Diet affairs as the largest opposition party.
民主党は党の存亡をかけた戦いになる。海江田執行部による党再建の現状や、野党第１党としての国会対応を有権者が判断する。
Opposition comeback?
◆民・維の巻き返しは◆
The House of Representatives election last December boosted the presence of Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) in the Diet, but the party has since lost strength for reasons such as the controversial remarks on so-called comfort women by its coleader Toru Hashimoto. In the July election, Hashimoto and fellow coleader Shintaro Ishihara will be tested on their ability to solidify its position in the upper house.
日本維新の会は、衆院選後、国会で一定の存在感を示したが、橋下共同代表のいわゆる従軍慰安婦問題を巡る発言などで失速気味だ。石原共同代表との二枚看板で、参院に地歩を築けるかどうか。
Meanwhile, both Your Party and the Japanese Communist Party significantly increased their seats in the recent Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. They now aim to expand their public support in a national election.
東京都議選で議席を大幅に伸ばしたみんなの党、共産党は、全国でも支持拡大を狙っている。
The parties likely will clash over Abenomics, a set of economic measures promoted by the Abe administration.
政策で争点になるのは、まず安倍政権が推進している経済政策「アベノミクス」の評価だ。
To get the national economy out of deflation and achieve growth, Abe has emphasized that there is no alternative to carrying out his so-called three-arrow policy package of drastic monetary easing, flexible fiscal measures and a growth strategy.
首相は、デフレから脱却し、日本経済を成長させるには、大胆な金融緩和、機動的な財政政策、民間投資を喚起する成長戦略の「３本の矢」を進める道しかないと強調している。
However, as Abe has acknowledged, the people have yet to feel an economic recovery. So to win public understanding it is necessary to explain to them in detail about the aims and effects of the economic revitalization to be brought on by the full implementation of Abenomics.
首相が言うように、国民が景気回復を実感するまでには至っていない。アベノミクスによる経済再生の狙いと効果を国民に丁寧に説明し、理解を得る必要がある。
The DPJ, on the other hand, has criticized the government’s economic measures, saying they have caused “strong side effects” such as price hikes amid no raise in wages and an increase in housing loan interest rates.
一方、民主党は、賃金が上がらない中での物価上昇、住宅ローン金利の上昇など「強い副作用」が起きていると批判している。
How would the DPJ reconstruct the economy, then? Its argument will lack persuasive power unless it presents concrete measures. The party said it would “take good care of workers, boost income and enrich and expand the middle class.” But such abstract imagery falls short of explanations.
では、民主党ならどのように経済を立て直すのか。具体策を示さねば説得力はない。「働く人を大切にし、所得を増やし、中間層を厚く豊かにする」といった抽象論では、説明不足である。
In its campaign platform, the DPJ points to hikes in electricity and gas rates as “a rash of price increases” under the Abe administration. But these were largely caused by a sharp increase in fuel imports for the operation of thermal power plants that substituted for the nation’s nuclear power plants, most of which had their operations suspended under the DPJ-led administration.
民主党の公約は「値上げラッシュ」として電気やガス料金の値上げを強調しているが、民主党政権でほとんどの原子力発電所が止まり、代替の火力発電用燃料の輸入が急増した影響が大きい。
The DPJ’s criticism of price hikes must be questioned in terms of its consistency with its policy to end reliance on nuclear power generation.
脱原発政策との整合性も問われよう。
Worth watching in the upcoming upper house election will be whether the LDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai and Your Party, which show a keen interest in revising the Constitution, will be able to secure two-thirds or more of the seats. If this threshold is cleared, it will create a political environment in which initiating constitutional revision will be possible for the first time under the current national charter.
参院選では、自民党、日本維新の会、みんなの党など憲法改正に積極的な政党が参院で３分の２以上を確保するかも見所だ。改正の発議が可能となる政治環境が現行憲法下で初めて整うことになるからである。）
2013年06月30日
物言う株主 企業価値向上へ対話の道探れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 29, 2013
Firms, shareholders must pursue dialogue to raise corporate value
物言う株主 企業価値向上へ対話の道探れ（6月28日付・読売社説）
Activist shareholders, including foreign funds that apply pressure on corporate management, have made their presence felt at recent shareholders meetings for the first time in a long time.
企業経営に圧力をかける海外ファンドら「物言う株主」が、久しぶりに存在感を示した。
Through their resurgence, Japanese firms face a heavy challenge regarding how to improve corporate value through management reform.
経営改革によって、企業価値をいかに向上させるか。経営陣は重い課題を突きつけられたと指摘できる。
The annual wave of general shareholders meetings of companies with business terms that ended in March has passed its peak. Activist shareholders were at center stage.
今年３月期決算企業の株主総会がピークを越えた。焦点は「物言う株主」の動向だった。
At a meeting of Seibu Holdings Inc., its largest shareholder, Cerberus Capital Management LP, argued against management policy and proposed eight director candidates of its own. But the U.S. fund failed to gain majority approval for its proposal as all the candidates recommended by Seibu were elected to the board of directors.
西武ホールディングスでは、筆頭株主である米ファンドのサーベラスが経営方針に異を唱え、独自の取締役候補を提案した。しかし、多数の賛成を得られず、会社提案の取締役が選任された。
Before the shareholders meeting, Cerberus had pressed for reform of Seibu’s management through such moves as a takeover bid. Seibu argued against the Cerberus reform plan, leading to deepened confrontation with the U.S. fund. But Seibu appears to have managed to block the Cerberus offensive for the moment.
サーベラスは、株主総会前に株式公開買い付け（ＴＯＢ）も仕掛けるなど経営改革を迫った。西武は反論し、対立が深まったが、攻勢をひとまず退けたといえる。
Nevertheless, Seibu’s reform is still pending as it seeks to be relisted. The company must tackle that difficult challenge while relations with its largest shareholder go unrepaired.
ただし、再上場を目指す西武の改革は途上である。筆頭株主との関係が修復できないまま、難題に取り組まざるをえない。
Questions to answer
Sony Corp. had been asked by a U.S. fund, one of its major shareholders, to spin off its movie and music business and list the new entity on the stock market. But Sony took a wary stance toward dividing up its businesses, arguing that synergistic effects can be expected with the manufacturing of TV sets and other businesses.
ソニーは、大株主の米ファンドから映画・音楽事業の分離と上場を求められたものの、テレビ事業などとの相乗効果が見込めるとして分離に慎重だった。
At its shareholders meeting, however, Sony was pressed on the separation issue by other shareholders. As a result, Sony announced a plan to study the demand. Improving earning capacity through reconstruction of its main line of business, including production of TV sets, has now become an important task for the Sony management.
株主総会では、他の株主からも分離問題を追及され、この要求を検討していく方針を表明した。テレビなどの主力事業を立て直し、収益力を向上させることが重要な経営課題となった。
Stable shareholders, including banks and business customers, account for a majority of shareholders in Japanese firms, so management often lacks a perspective of paying attention to shareholders. Japanese companies tend to put a low priority on earnings power and returning profits to shareholders.
日本の企業では、銀行や取引先など安定株主が多数を占め、株主の声に耳を傾ける意識に乏しい経営陣が多い。収益力や株主への利益還元が物足りない面もある。
More parties heard from
Abenomics, the economic policy pursued by the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has drawn fresh global attention to the Japanese economy. As a result, the ratio of foreign holders of Japanese equities reached a record high of about 30 percent as of the end of March.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」によって日本経済が注目された効果で、外国人株主の日本株保有比率が３月末に過去最高の約３割に達した。
In addition to foreigners, the number of Japanese shareholders who strongly press demands, such as expansion of profits to improve corporate value, is certain to increase. Management must be prepared to listen sincerely to shareholders’ voices.
今後、外国人だけでなく、利益拡大など企業価値の向上に一段と厳しく注文を付ける株主は増えるに違いない。経営陣は株主の声を真摯(しんし)に聞く姿勢が必要である。
It is laudable that Toyota Motor Corp. and many other Japanese firms decided at this year’s shareholders meetings to adopt outside board directors, thereby meeting the requests of shareholders.
今年の総会で、トヨタ自動車など多くの企業が社外取締役の起用を決め、株主の要望に応えた点は評価できよう。
Nonetheless, shareholders’ demands for short-term stock price increases and higher dividends are not always right. Investment in personnel training and research and development is also vital from the viewpoint of enhancing corporate competitiveness in the medium and long term.
無論、短期的な株価上昇や配当増額を求める株主の主張が、必ずしも正しいとは言えない。人材育成や研究開発など、中長期的に競争力を高める投資も重要だ。
Management has a responsibility to present reasonable policy and continue dialogue with shareholders even if it turns down their specific demands.
経営陣が株主の主張を退けるにしても、対話を重ね、合理的な方針を示す「説明責任」が要る。
Improving corporate value is a common goal for firms and shareholders. They will be required to accelerate management reform amid their tense relationship.
企業価値の向上は、企業と株主の共通目標である。互いに緊張関係を保ちながら、経営改革を加速することが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 28, 2013)
（2013年6月28日01時27分 読売新聞）
Firms, shareholders must pursue dialogue to raise corporate value
物言う株主 企業価値向上へ対話の道探れ（6月28日付・読売社説）
Activist shareholders, including foreign funds that apply pressure on corporate management, have made their presence felt at recent shareholders meetings for the first time in a long time.
企業経営に圧力をかける海外ファンドら「物言う株主」が、久しぶりに存在感を示した。
Through their resurgence, Japanese firms face a heavy challenge regarding how to improve corporate value through management reform.
経営改革によって、企業価値をいかに向上させるか。経営陣は重い課題を突きつけられたと指摘できる。
The annual wave of general shareholders meetings of companies with business terms that ended in March has passed its peak. Activist shareholders were at center stage.
今年３月期決算企業の株主総会がピークを越えた。焦点は「物言う株主」の動向だった。
At a meeting of Seibu Holdings Inc., its largest shareholder, Cerberus Capital Management LP, argued against management policy and proposed eight director candidates of its own. But the U.S. fund failed to gain majority approval for its proposal as all the candidates recommended by Seibu were elected to the board of directors.
西武ホールディングスでは、筆頭株主である米ファンドのサーベラスが経営方針に異を唱え、独自の取締役候補を提案した。しかし、多数の賛成を得られず、会社提案の取締役が選任された。
Before the shareholders meeting, Cerberus had pressed for reform of Seibu’s management through such moves as a takeover bid. Seibu argued against the Cerberus reform plan, leading to deepened confrontation with the U.S. fund. But Seibu appears to have managed to block the Cerberus offensive for the moment.
サーベラスは、株主総会前に株式公開買い付け（ＴＯＢ）も仕掛けるなど経営改革を迫った。西武は反論し、対立が深まったが、攻勢をひとまず退けたといえる。
Nevertheless, Seibu’s reform is still pending as it seeks to be relisted. The company must tackle that difficult challenge while relations with its largest shareholder go unrepaired.
ただし、再上場を目指す西武の改革は途上である。筆頭株主との関係が修復できないまま、難題に取り組まざるをえない。
Questions to answer
Sony Corp. had been asked by a U.S. fund, one of its major shareholders, to spin off its movie and music business and list the new entity on the stock market. But Sony took a wary stance toward dividing up its businesses, arguing that synergistic effects can be expected with the manufacturing of TV sets and other businesses.
ソニーは、大株主の米ファンドから映画・音楽事業の分離と上場を求められたものの、テレビ事業などとの相乗効果が見込めるとして分離に慎重だった。
At its shareholders meeting, however, Sony was pressed on the separation issue by other shareholders. As a result, Sony announced a plan to study the demand. Improving earning capacity through reconstruction of its main line of business, including production of TV sets, has now become an important task for the Sony management.
株主総会では、他の株主からも分離問題を追及され、この要求を検討していく方針を表明した。テレビなどの主力事業を立て直し、収益力を向上させることが重要な経営課題となった。
Stable shareholders, including banks and business customers, account for a majority of shareholders in Japanese firms, so management often lacks a perspective of paying attention to shareholders. Japanese companies tend to put a low priority on earnings power and returning profits to shareholders.
日本の企業では、銀行や取引先など安定株主が多数を占め、株主の声に耳を傾ける意識に乏しい経営陣が多い。収益力や株主への利益還元が物足りない面もある。
More parties heard from
Abenomics, the economic policy pursued by the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has drawn fresh global attention to the Japanese economy. As a result, the ratio of foreign holders of Japanese equities reached a record high of about 30 percent as of the end of March.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」によって日本経済が注目された効果で、外国人株主の日本株保有比率が３月末に過去最高の約３割に達した。
In addition to foreigners, the number of Japanese shareholders who strongly press demands, such as expansion of profits to improve corporate value, is certain to increase. Management must be prepared to listen sincerely to shareholders’ voices.
今後、外国人だけでなく、利益拡大など企業価値の向上に一段と厳しく注文を付ける株主は増えるに違いない。経営陣は株主の声を真摯(しんし)に聞く姿勢が必要である。
It is laudable that Toyota Motor Corp. and many other Japanese firms decided at this year’s shareholders meetings to adopt outside board directors, thereby meeting the requests of shareholders.
今年の総会で、トヨタ自動車など多くの企業が社外取締役の起用を決め、株主の要望に応えた点は評価できよう。
Nonetheless, shareholders’ demands for short-term stock price increases and higher dividends are not always right. Investment in personnel training and research and development is also vital from the viewpoint of enhancing corporate competitiveness in the medium and long term.
無論、短期的な株価上昇や配当増額を求める株主の主張が、必ずしも正しいとは言えない。人材育成や研究開発など、中長期的に競争力を高める投資も重要だ。
Management has a responsibility to present reasonable policy and continue dialogue with shareholders even if it turns down their specific demands.
経営陣が株主の主張を退けるにしても、対話を重ね、合理的な方針を示す「説明責任」が要る。
Improving corporate value is a common goal for firms and shareholders. They will be required to accelerate management reform amid their tense relationship.
企業価値の向上は、企業と株主の共通目標である。互いに緊張関係を保ちながら、経営改革を加速することが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 28, 2013)
（2013年6月28日01時27分 読売新聞）
2013年06月29日
通常国会閉幕 首相問責で野党は何を得たか
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 28, 2013
Opposition parties lost more than they gained through censure
通常国会閉幕 首相問責で野党は何を得たか（6月27日付・読売社説）
The ordinary Diet session has closed in a terribly disorganized manner.
あまりにお粗末な通常国会の幕切れである。
On Wednesday, the last day of the Diet session, the House of Councillors adopted a censure motion against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Democratic Party of Japan, Your Party, and other opposition parties voted for the motion in the opposition-dominated chamber.
参院が安倍首相の問責決議を民主党、みんなの党など野党の賛成多数で可決した。
Then the opposition parties refused deliberations of bills in the upper house, behaving as if such refusal was reasonable. Key bills, such as those to revise the Electric Utility Law and the Daily Life Protection Law, were scrapped as a result. A bill to formulate a basic law on the water cycle, which was submitted as lawmaker-initiated legislation to protect water sources, was discarded as well.
参院で野党は、当然のように法案審議を拒み、電気事業法改正案、生活保護法改正案や、水源地を守るための水循環基本法案など議員提出法案が廃案になった。
The censure motion was submitted by the People’s Life Party, Green Wind and the Social Democratic Party. They condemned Abe for his recent skipping of deliberations at the upper house Budget Committee, claiming the act “violates the Constitution.”
問責決議は、生活の党、みどりの風、社民党の３党が提出したもので、参院予算委員会の審議に首相が出席しなかったことを「憲法違反」だと主張していた。
Clear political motive
It is clear the motive of the three parties was to use Abe’s absence from certain Diet deliberations as a tool to launch an offensive against the Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the upcoming upper house election. Do they really think such actions will be welcomed by the public? If so, we have to warn them that they have made a glaring mistake.
参院選を前に、自民党批判の材料にしたいのが見え見えだ。こうした姿勢が国民に評価されると考えるのなら勘違いも甚だしい。
In the first place, were Abe’s actions really worthy of censure? Abe absented himself in response to the unilateral decision by Budget Committee Chairman Hajime Ishii, a DPJ member, to hold intensive deliberations at the committee meetings, using the chairman’s authority to hold such meetings. The ruling parties said a no-confidence motion against upper house President Kenji Hirata, which had been submitted earlier, should be dealt with first, and boycotted the deliberations.
そもそも首相を問責するほどの事態だったのか。参院予算委は民主党の石井一委員長が職権で開会を決め、与党は参院議長不信任案の処理が先だとして欠席した。
That was the reason why Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga defended Abe’s actions, saying that the prime minister had “sound justification” for skipping the deliberations. We believe Suga’s explanation has some validity.
菅官房長官が、首相が出席しないことに「正当な理由がある」と抗弁したのも一理ある。
On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to understand why the DPJ’s upper house caucus decided to vote for the censure motion.
理解できないのは、問責決議に賛成した参院民主党である。
On Tuesday, the DPJ assured the ruling parties that it would prioritize the passage of important bills and thus will not agree with the censure motion.
民主党は２５日、重要法案の処理を優先し、問責決議案は採決しない方針を与党と確認していた。
However, the next morning, the DPJ abruptly changed its attitude, having been persuaded by Your Party and other opposition parties. If the DPJ had kept its initial stance, the key bills would have been able to pass the Diet smoothly.
ところが、２６日午前になると、みんなの党など他党に同調し、対応が一変した。民主党が採決反対を貫いていれば何の問題もなく、重要法案は成立しただろう。
We believe the DPJ itself still has a vivid memory of being distressed by censure motions, which lack legally binding power, when the party held the reins of government. DPJ Secretary General Goshi Hosono defended the party’s action by saying, “The LDP has no enthusiasm for completing the bills.” This remark is a transparent attempt to dodge the DPJ’s responsibility and shift blame to the LDP.
民主党は与党を経験し、法的な効力のない問責決議の理不尽さを十分痛感したはずだ。細野幹事長は「自民党に法案を仕上げる熱意が全くない」と自民党を非難したが、責任転嫁にほかならない。
This Diet session’s top political issue was electoral system reform for the House of Representatives. Regarding that issue, the ruling parties exchanged documents with opposition parties confirming that “once the upper house election finishes, parties will immediately resume negotiations and reach a conclusion” on drastic reform, including a reduction in the number of lower house seats.
今国会での最大の政治課題だった衆院選挙制度改革に関しては、与野党が、定数削減を含む抜本的な見直しについて「参院選後、速やかに各党間の協議を再開し、結論を得る」と文書で確認した。
However, if the parties continue insisting upon only their own ideas for reducing lower house seats and do not compromise, and if they continue their attitude of putting party interest above national interest, making such agreements will be absolutely meaningless.
だが、各党が定数削減にこだわり、党利党略の主張を繰り返すだけであれば、こんな約束を何度交わしても意味がない。
Creating a third-party body
To break the impasse on the issue, Abe revealed a proposal at a press conference held after the end of the Diet session. “I would like to suggest establishing a third-party organization [on electoral system reform], which comprises experts from the private sector, within the Diet,” Abe said. We believe this is a sound proposal.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態を打破するために、首相は国会閉会後の記者会見で、「民間の有識者による第三者機関を国会に設けることを提案する」と言明した。妥当な判断だ。
The organization should have binding power so the parties would comply with the conclusion of experts.
各党が有識者の出した結論を尊重するよう、拘束力をもつ機関とすべきである。
Meanwhile, during the Diet session, the Commission on the Constitution in both the lower and the upper house has vigorously discussed the issue of amending the Constitution, even debating on the specific contents of each amendment. Constitutional amendments are likely to become a major point of contention in the upper house election. We urge parties to make concrete proposals during the election campaign, so that the voters can make informed decisions on the issue.
今国会では、衆参の憲法審査会が、具体的な憲法改正内容にも踏み込んで論議を重ねた。参院選では憲法改正が大きな争点となる。有権者が判断しやすいよう、具体的な論戦を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 27, 2013)
（2013年6月27日01時17分 読売新聞）
Opposition parties lost more than they gained through censure
通常国会閉幕 首相問責で野党は何を得たか（6月27日付・読売社説）
The ordinary Diet session has closed in a terribly disorganized manner.
あまりにお粗末な通常国会の幕切れである。
On Wednesday, the last day of the Diet session, the House of Councillors adopted a censure motion against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Democratic Party of Japan, Your Party, and other opposition parties voted for the motion in the opposition-dominated chamber.
参院が安倍首相の問責決議を民主党、みんなの党など野党の賛成多数で可決した。
Then the opposition parties refused deliberations of bills in the upper house, behaving as if such refusal was reasonable. Key bills, such as those to revise the Electric Utility Law and the Daily Life Protection Law, were scrapped as a result. A bill to formulate a basic law on the water cycle, which was submitted as lawmaker-initiated legislation to protect water sources, was discarded as well.
参院で野党は、当然のように法案審議を拒み、電気事業法改正案、生活保護法改正案や、水源地を守るための水循環基本法案など議員提出法案が廃案になった。
The censure motion was submitted by the People’s Life Party, Green Wind and the Social Democratic Party. They condemned Abe for his recent skipping of deliberations at the upper house Budget Committee, claiming the act “violates the Constitution.”
問責決議は、生活の党、みどりの風、社民党の３党が提出したもので、参院予算委員会の審議に首相が出席しなかったことを「憲法違反」だと主張していた。
Clear political motive
It is clear the motive of the three parties was to use Abe’s absence from certain Diet deliberations as a tool to launch an offensive against the Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the upcoming upper house election. Do they really think such actions will be welcomed by the public? If so, we have to warn them that they have made a glaring mistake.
参院選を前に、自民党批判の材料にしたいのが見え見えだ。こうした姿勢が国民に評価されると考えるのなら勘違いも甚だしい。
In the first place, were Abe’s actions really worthy of censure? Abe absented himself in response to the unilateral decision by Budget Committee Chairman Hajime Ishii, a DPJ member, to hold intensive deliberations at the committee meetings, using the chairman’s authority to hold such meetings. The ruling parties said a no-confidence motion against upper house President Kenji Hirata, which had been submitted earlier, should be dealt with first, and boycotted the deliberations.
そもそも首相を問責するほどの事態だったのか。参院予算委は民主党の石井一委員長が職権で開会を決め、与党は参院議長不信任案の処理が先だとして欠席した。
That was the reason why Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga defended Abe’s actions, saying that the prime minister had “sound justification” for skipping the deliberations. We believe Suga’s explanation has some validity.
菅官房長官が、首相が出席しないことに「正当な理由がある」と抗弁したのも一理ある。
On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to understand why the DPJ’s upper house caucus decided to vote for the censure motion.
理解できないのは、問責決議に賛成した参院民主党である。
On Tuesday, the DPJ assured the ruling parties that it would prioritize the passage of important bills and thus will not agree with the censure motion.
民主党は２５日、重要法案の処理を優先し、問責決議案は採決しない方針を与党と確認していた。
However, the next morning, the DPJ abruptly changed its attitude, having been persuaded by Your Party and other opposition parties. If the DPJ had kept its initial stance, the key bills would have been able to pass the Diet smoothly.
ところが、２６日午前になると、みんなの党など他党に同調し、対応が一変した。民主党が採決反対を貫いていれば何の問題もなく、重要法案は成立しただろう。
We believe the DPJ itself still has a vivid memory of being distressed by censure motions, which lack legally binding power, when the party held the reins of government. DPJ Secretary General Goshi Hosono defended the party’s action by saying, “The LDP has no enthusiasm for completing the bills.” This remark is a transparent attempt to dodge the DPJ’s responsibility and shift blame to the LDP.
民主党は与党を経験し、法的な効力のない問責決議の理不尽さを十分痛感したはずだ。細野幹事長は「自民党に法案を仕上げる熱意が全くない」と自民党を非難したが、責任転嫁にほかならない。
This Diet session’s top political issue was electoral system reform for the House of Representatives. Regarding that issue, the ruling parties exchanged documents with opposition parties confirming that “once the upper house election finishes, parties will immediately resume negotiations and reach a conclusion” on drastic reform, including a reduction in the number of lower house seats.
今国会での最大の政治課題だった衆院選挙制度改革に関しては、与野党が、定数削減を含む抜本的な見直しについて「参院選後、速やかに各党間の協議を再開し、結論を得る」と文書で確認した。
However, if the parties continue insisting upon only their own ideas for reducing lower house seats and do not compromise, and if they continue their attitude of putting party interest above national interest, making such agreements will be absolutely meaningless.
だが、各党が定数削減にこだわり、党利党略の主張を繰り返すだけであれば、こんな約束を何度交わしても意味がない。
Creating a third-party body
To break the impasse on the issue, Abe revealed a proposal at a press conference held after the end of the Diet session. “I would like to suggest establishing a third-party organization [on electoral system reform], which comprises experts from the private sector, within the Diet,” Abe said. We believe this is a sound proposal.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態を打破するために、首相は国会閉会後の記者会見で、「民間の有識者による第三者機関を国会に設けることを提案する」と言明した。妥当な判断だ。
The organization should have binding power so the parties would comply with the conclusion of experts.
各党が有識者の出した結論を尊重するよう、拘束力をもつ機関とすべきである。
Meanwhile, during the Diet session, the Commission on the Constitution in both the lower and the upper house has vigorously discussed the issue of amending the Constitution, even debating on the specific contents of each amendment. Constitutional amendments are likely to become a major point of contention in the upper house election. We urge parties to make concrete proposals during the election campaign, so that the voters can make informed decisions on the issue.
今国会では、衆参の憲法審査会が、具体的な憲法改正内容にも踏み込んで論議を重ねた。参院選では憲法改正が大きな争点となる。有権者が判断しやすいよう、具体的な論戦を望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 27, 2013)
（2013年6月27日01時17分 読売新聞）
2013年06月28日
離島防衛訓練 自衛隊に海兵隊機能が必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 26, 2013
SDF must be equipped with functions like those of U.S. marines
離島防衛訓練 自衛隊に海兵隊機能が必要だ（6月25日付・読売社説）
To bolster the defense of Senkakus and other remote islands, the Self-Defense Forces urgently require upgraded capabilities similar to those of the U.S. Marine Corps, such as the ability to carry out amphibious landings and rapid deployment.
尖閣諸島を含めた離島防衛を強化するには、海からの着上陸や緊急展開の能力などの「海兵隊的機能」を自衛隊に持たせることが急務だ。
The SDF and the U.S. military have been conducting joint exercises in California for the defense of remote islands. This is the first time the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces have all conducted overseas exercises with the U.S. military.
自衛隊と米軍が１０〜２６日に米カリフォルニア州で、離島防衛の共同訓練を実施している。陸海空３自衛隊と米軍による海外での統合訓練は初めてである。
During the training, the U.S. military’s new MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft landed on the deck of an MSDF destroyer. The GSDF’s Western Army Infantry Regiment, which is primarily responsible for the defense of remote islands, was engaged in joint training with U.S. marines to regain remote islands captured by an enemy.
訓練では、米軍の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイが海上自衛隊の護衛艦に着艦した。離島防衛を主任務とする陸上自衛隊の西方普通科連隊は、海兵隊とともに、敵に占領された離島の奪還も行った。
These are practical exercises to meet the needs of the times, as the defense of remote islands is of increased importance.
離島防衛の重要性が増す中、時宜にかなう実戦的な訓練だ。
Chinese expansionism
Training has been conducted with the Chinese military as the supposed enemy. China called for the training to be canceled as its timing overlapped with a U.S.-China summit meeting. It is natural that Tokyo and Washington refused the Chinese request.
訓練は中国軍を対象に想定している。米中首脳会談の時期と重なったため、中国は中止を求めた。日米が拒否したのは当然だ。
Under the banner of making China a maritime power, that country’s navy, air force and State Oceanic Administration have been bolstering their equipment, openly aiming to expand their territorial and national interests in the East and South China seas.
中国は「海洋強国化」の名の下、海空軍や国家海洋局の装備を増強し、公然と東・南シナ海での領土・権益拡大を目指している。
Intrusions by China’s maritime surveillance ships into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands can be dealt with by the Japan Coast Guard. But to deter Chinese special forces from occupying the islands, it will be indispensable to improve the quick reaction capabilities that can be acquired through the joint exercises of the SDF and U.S. military.
海洋監視船による尖閣諸島周辺の領海侵入には海上保安庁が対応するにせよ、中国の特殊部隊による島の占拠などを抑止するには、共同訓練を通じた自衛隊と米軍の即応力の向上が欠かせない。
Military threats to Japan have changed dramatically since the end of the Cold War. Invasions of remote islands can be considered “new threats” along with missile strikes, terrorist attacks and cyber-attacks. SDF personnel allocations, equipment and training must be reexamined in accordance with the changed threats.
冷戦終結後、日本の軍事的脅威は大きく変化した。離島侵攻は、ミサイル、テロ、サイバー攻撃とともに、「新たな脅威」と位置づけられる。脅威の変化に応じて、自衛隊の部隊編成や装備、訓練を見直さなければならない。
Defense of remote islands will be a core of the new National Defense Program Guidelines to be compiled by late December.
今年末に策定する新防衛大綱では離島防衛が一つの柱となる。
It will be essential to augment the GSDF’s Western Army Infantry Regiment, which plays a central role in defense of the Nansei Islands stretching from Kagoshima Prefecture through Okinawa Prefecture, as well as to obtain equipment such as amphibious landing vehicles. To secure naval and air supremacy, it will be necessary to increase the number of MSDF destroyers and ASDF fighter jets and early warning aircraft so as to strengthen warning and surveillance activities.
南西諸島防衛の中核を担う陸自西方普通科連隊を拡充し、水陸両用車など装備を増強すべきだ。制海・制空権の確保へ、海自の護衛艦や航空自衛隊の戦闘機、早期警戒管制機なども増やし、警戒監視活動を強化する必要がある。
New hardware needed
Procurement of the Global Hawk, an unmanned surveillance aircraft, must be accelerated while introduction of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft must be studied earnestly.
無人偵察機グローバルホークの取得を急ぐとともに、オスプレイの導入も真剣に検討したい。
Amphibious vehicles and Osprey aircraft will be useful for rescue operations and relief activities in damaged areas in times of major disasters such as earthquakes.
水陸両用車やオスプレイは、地震など大規模災害時の人命救助や被災地支援にも効果があろう。
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has boosted the defense budget for the current fiscal year, the first increase in 11 years, reversing the trend of year-on-year erosion in defense spending. Given the worsening of the security environment around Japan, defense spending must be increased next fiscal year and onward. But a huge hike cannot be expected in light of stringent fiscal conditions.
安倍政権は今年度、削減が続いていた防衛予算を１１年ぶりに増加させた。日本の安全保障環境が悪化する中、来年度以降も増加すべきだが、厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、大幅な伸びは望めない。
It is essential to allocate defense budgets on a priority basis, such as by expanding allocations for bolstering “dynamic defense capabilities” that emphasize troop mobility, particularly for defense of remote islands, while curtailing spending through cuts in the number of GSDF personnel, consolidation and abolition of bases and efficient procurement of equipment.
離島防衛を含む、部隊の機動力を重視する「動的防衛力」の強化など重点分野は大胆に増やす。一方で、陸自の定員削減や基地の統廃合、装備調達の効率化などで一部の歳出は減らす。防衛予算にメリハリをつけることが大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2013)
（2013年6月25日01時27分 読売新聞）
SDF must be equipped with functions like those of U.S. marines
離島防衛訓練 自衛隊に海兵隊機能が必要だ（6月25日付・読売社説）
To bolster the defense of Senkakus and other remote islands, the Self-Defense Forces urgently require upgraded capabilities similar to those of the U.S. Marine Corps, such as the ability to carry out amphibious landings and rapid deployment.
尖閣諸島を含めた離島防衛を強化するには、海からの着上陸や緊急展開の能力などの「海兵隊的機能」を自衛隊に持たせることが急務だ。
The SDF and the U.S. military have been conducting joint exercises in California for the defense of remote islands. This is the first time the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces have all conducted overseas exercises with the U.S. military.
自衛隊と米軍が１０〜２６日に米カリフォルニア州で、離島防衛の共同訓練を実施している。陸海空３自衛隊と米軍による海外での統合訓練は初めてである。
During the training, the U.S. military’s new MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft landed on the deck of an MSDF destroyer. The GSDF’s Western Army Infantry Regiment, which is primarily responsible for the defense of remote islands, was engaged in joint training with U.S. marines to regain remote islands captured by an enemy.
訓練では、米軍の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイが海上自衛隊の護衛艦に着艦した。離島防衛を主任務とする陸上自衛隊の西方普通科連隊は、海兵隊とともに、敵に占領された離島の奪還も行った。
These are practical exercises to meet the needs of the times, as the defense of remote islands is of increased importance.
離島防衛の重要性が増す中、時宜にかなう実戦的な訓練だ。
Chinese expansionism
Training has been conducted with the Chinese military as the supposed enemy. China called for the training to be canceled as its timing overlapped with a U.S.-China summit meeting. It is natural that Tokyo and Washington refused the Chinese request.
訓練は中国軍を対象に想定している。米中首脳会談の時期と重なったため、中国は中止を求めた。日米が拒否したのは当然だ。
Under the banner of making China a maritime power, that country’s navy, air force and State Oceanic Administration have been bolstering their equipment, openly aiming to expand their territorial and national interests in the East and South China seas.
中国は「海洋強国化」の名の下、海空軍や国家海洋局の装備を増強し、公然と東・南シナ海での領土・権益拡大を目指している。
Intrusions by China’s maritime surveillance ships into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands can be dealt with by the Japan Coast Guard. But to deter Chinese special forces from occupying the islands, it will be indispensable to improve the quick reaction capabilities that can be acquired through the joint exercises of the SDF and U.S. military.
海洋監視船による尖閣諸島周辺の領海侵入には海上保安庁が対応するにせよ、中国の特殊部隊による島の占拠などを抑止するには、共同訓練を通じた自衛隊と米軍の即応力の向上が欠かせない。
Military threats to Japan have changed dramatically since the end of the Cold War. Invasions of remote islands can be considered “new threats” along with missile strikes, terrorist attacks and cyber-attacks. SDF personnel allocations, equipment and training must be reexamined in accordance with the changed threats.
冷戦終結後、日本の軍事的脅威は大きく変化した。離島侵攻は、ミサイル、テロ、サイバー攻撃とともに、「新たな脅威」と位置づけられる。脅威の変化に応じて、自衛隊の部隊編成や装備、訓練を見直さなければならない。
Defense of remote islands will be a core of the new National Defense Program Guidelines to be compiled by late December.
今年末に策定する新防衛大綱では離島防衛が一つの柱となる。
It will be essential to augment the GSDF’s Western Army Infantry Regiment, which plays a central role in defense of the Nansei Islands stretching from Kagoshima Prefecture through Okinawa Prefecture, as well as to obtain equipment such as amphibious landing vehicles. To secure naval and air supremacy, it will be necessary to increase the number of MSDF destroyers and ASDF fighter jets and early warning aircraft so as to strengthen warning and surveillance activities.
南西諸島防衛の中核を担う陸自西方普通科連隊を拡充し、水陸両用車など装備を増強すべきだ。制海・制空権の確保へ、海自の護衛艦や航空自衛隊の戦闘機、早期警戒管制機なども増やし、警戒監視活動を強化する必要がある。
New hardware needed
Procurement of the Global Hawk, an unmanned surveillance aircraft, must be accelerated while introduction of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft must be studied earnestly.
無人偵察機グローバルホークの取得を急ぐとともに、オスプレイの導入も真剣に検討したい。
Amphibious vehicles and Osprey aircraft will be useful for rescue operations and relief activities in damaged areas in times of major disasters such as earthquakes.
水陸両用車やオスプレイは、地震など大規模災害時の人命救助や被災地支援にも効果があろう。
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has boosted the defense budget for the current fiscal year, the first increase in 11 years, reversing the trend of year-on-year erosion in defense spending. Given the worsening of the security environment around Japan, defense spending must be increased next fiscal year and onward. But a huge hike cannot be expected in light of stringent fiscal conditions.
安倍政権は今年度、削減が続いていた防衛予算を１１年ぶりに増加させた。日本の安全保障環境が悪化する中、来年度以降も増加すべきだが、厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、大幅な伸びは望めない。
It is essential to allocate defense budgets on a priority basis, such as by expanding allocations for bolstering “dynamic defense capabilities” that emphasize troop mobility, particularly for defense of remote islands, while curtailing spending through cuts in the number of GSDF personnel, consolidation and abolition of bases and efficient procurement of equipment.
離島防衛を含む、部隊の機動力を重視する「動的防衛力」の強化など重点分野は大胆に増やす。一方で、陸自の定員削減や基地の統廃合、装備調達の効率化などで一部の歳出は減らす。防衛予算にメリハリをつけることが大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2013)
（2013年6月25日01時27分 読売新聞）