新規記事の投稿を行うことで、非表示にすることが可能です。
2011年05月07日
記者の目：福島第１原発事故と産業優先
このまま原発に依存し続けるのか。
リスクの高い原子炉から順に廃止するのか。
一気に全廃を目指すのか。
廃止に伴う不便は甘受できるのか。
今度こそ国民一人一人が自らの胸に問い、答えを出し、そして行動を起こさねばならない。
「お上任せ」がいかに危ういか、私たちはもう十分に学んだはずだ。
(cite from Mainichi Shinbun)
(Mainichi Japan) May 6, 2011
Disastrous pattern of academic-gov't collusion must not be allowed to continue
記者の目：福島第１原発事故と産業優先＝福岡賢正（西部報道部）
◇繰り返された水俣病の構図
I am struck with a sense of deja vu as the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant continues.
東京電力福島第１原発で進行中の危機に、私は既視感を覚えている。
National policy founded on a thirst for economic growth that has put the interests of industry first, and actions taken by politicians who have only lent their ears to experts whose views support their goals, has caused much irreparable damage over the years.
経済成長を追い求め、産業の利益を最優先する国策の下で、その意思を代弁する学者の意見だけに政治が耳を傾け続けた結果、この国は取り返しのつかない被害を何度も生じさせてきたからだ。
If this destructive chain of action is not stopped, we are bound to face further tragedy.
その連鎖を止めない限り、再び悲劇が起きるだろう。
A group of 16 pro-nuclear scientists led by a former president of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan (AESJ) and former members of the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) of Japan held a press conference on April 1.
日本原子力学会の元会長や原子力安全委員会の元委員など原子力を先頭に立って推進した学者１６人が連名で３月末、「緊急建言」をまとめた。
In it, they said that the amount of radioactive material stored in the reactors at the Fukushima plant far exceeds that which was stored at Chernobyl, and that even if we are to avoid immediate dangers, the Fukushima plant would require close monitoring for many years to come.
４月１日に行った会見で彼らは、福島の原子炉内に蓄えられている放射性物質の量はチェルノブイリをはるかに上回ることを指摘し、たとえ危機を脱しても極めて長い歳月、厳重な管理を続ける必要があると語った。
These remarks, which were coming not from anti-nuclear activists but from pro-nuclear experts, were evidence that nuclear energy proponents were finally acknowledging the seriousness of the current situation.
反原発側ではなく、推進側の学者がようやく、現状の深刻さを認めた。
◇１４年前の警告、班目氏らは無視
It was 14 years ago that Kobe University professor emeritus and seismologist Katsuhiko Ishibashi wrote a paper warning of the possibility of a nuclear accident, like the current one, triggered by a massive quake or tsunami.
今回のような大地震・大津波による原発事故を、地震学者の石橋克彦・神戸大名誉教授が「原発震災」と名付け１４年前に論文で警告していたことを、３月２９日にコラム「発信箱」で書いた。
In the May issue of the monthly magazine Sekai, Ishibashi mentions how NSC Chair Haruki Madarame and Toshisho Kosako -- a radiation expert and professor at the University of Tokyo who resigned from his post as a senior nuclear advisor to the government on April 30 over the government's handling of the crisis -- reacted to his paper at the time.
その石橋論文に対し、現在の原子力安全委員長である班目（まだらめ）春樹氏や今回の事故発生５日後に内閣参与に任じられた小佐古敏荘（こさことしそう）・東大大学院教授（４月３０日内閣参与辞任）が当時、どんな見解を示していたのか。石橋氏が雑誌「世界」５月号に書いている。
According to Ishibashi, Madarame disputed the various concerns that were raised, and characterized Ishibashi as a nuclear layperson, saying, "We've never heard of Ishibashi at the AESJ."
班目氏はあらゆる懸念を打ち消した上で「石橋氏は原子力学会では聞いたことがない人である」と素人扱いした。
Kosako also lambasted Ishibashi's claims, saying, "There is absolutely no possibility of massive amounts of radiation being released... When publishing papers, it is common for academics to be cautious about covering subjects on which they lack expertise.
小佐古氏も「多量な放射能の外部放出は全く起こり得ない」とし、「論文掲載にあたって学者は、専門的でない項目には慎重になるのが普通である。
In his paper, Ishibashi makes unfounded statements about a topic outside his specialty."
石橋論文は、明らかに自らの専門外の事項についても論拠なく言及している」と批判したという。
There are countless examples of seals of approval given to scientists' views that support the implementation of government policy, while those challenging the government are dismissed and silenced.
国の施策遂行にあたって、都合のよい学者の意見を「お墨付き」にして、不都合な他の意見を封じ込めてしまった例は過去にいくらでもある。
Take the case of Minamata disease. In 1956, a research team at Kumamoto University determined that the disease afflicting local residents was caused by ingesting heavy metals that had accumulated in seafood from Minamata Bay.
Three years later, a research team at the then Ministry of Welfare compiled a report concluding that the disease was caused by eating seafood tainted with methylmercury.
水俣病では、１９５６年に熊本大の研究班が水俣湾の魚介類に蓄積された重金属による中毒と指摘し、５９年には厚生省（当時）の研究部会も魚介類の有機水銀が原因と報告した。
The government, however, citing scientists who offered various theories on the cause of the disease, including spoiled fish, refused to acknowledge that environmental pollution was the culprit.
しかし、国は腐った魚原因説などを発表した学者の見解を盾に公害と認めず、その後もチッソのアセトアルデヒド工場からの廃液の垂れ流しが放置された。
This allowed chemical company Chisso Corp.'s acetaldehyde factory to continue releasing toxic effluvia into local waters, while Minamata Bay area residents continued to eat poisoned fish, giving rise to an explosion of Minamata Disease patients.
その結果、湾周辺の人々は汚染された魚を食べ続け、膨大な数の新しい患者が生まれ続けた。
In 1965, a similar factory operated by Showa Denko Corp. in Niigata Prefecture caused a "second Minamata Disease crisis."
６５年には新潟にあった昭和電工の同型工場の廃水による「第二水俣病」も見つかった。
The government officially admitted in September 1968 that the disease was caused by methylmercury, but by then factories similar to the ones in Kumamoto and Niigata were already obsolete and out of operation. In other words, Minamata disease was recognized as the cause of the tragedy only after industry no longer had any use for the factories emitting the toxins.
国は６８年９月の政府見解で、この公害の原因を有機水銀と正式に認めたが、その４カ月前までに、技術革新によって国内の同型工場はすべて生産を終えていた。公害と認定されたのは、産業界にとって用済みとなった後だった。
The time when asbestos contamination was making headlines all over the country fits the same pattern.
The Environment Ministry appointed an academic to chair an asbestos health hazard committee -- an academic found later to have served as an advisor to the Japan Asbestos Association for 13 years, during which time he'd questioned restrictions on asbestos use in a promotional video.
He subsequently stepped down from the committee post.
アスベスト問題でも、被害の拡大が明らかになった後、環境省が設けた健康被害問題検討会の座長に就いた学者が、日本石綿協会の顧問を１３年間務め、ＰＲビデオで石綿規制に疑問を呈していた事実が発覚し、座長を辞めている。
It was also not too far in the past that major public works projects such as the construction of a small dam at the mouth of the Nagara River and the Isahaya Bay reclamation project were promoted by the government citing backing of experts who claimed the environmental impacts of such projects would be "minimal," only to see major destruction being wreaked on the ecosystem.
長良川河口堰（ぜき）や諫早湾干拓事業などの大型公共事業が、「環境に与える影響は軽微」との学者の見立てを口実に推進され、深刻な環境破壊を招いたのも記憶に新しい。
The crisis we currently face with the Fukushima power plant is the direct result of the collusive relationship between industry, government and academia.
そんな産官学の癒着の果てに、私たちは今、福島の事態に直面している。
◇「お上任せ」脱し、自ら考え行動を
Mitsuhiko Tanaka, a science journalist and former nuclear engineer, points out in Sekai that based on data of the Fukushima plant's water levels and pressure, it is possible the No. 1 reactor lost its coolant due to quake damage to pipes in the pressure vessel.
公開された福島第１原発の水位や圧力のデータから、元原子炉製造技術者でサイエンスライターの田中三彦氏は、１号機では激しい地震動によって原子炉圧力容器の配管が破損して冷却材喪失が起きた可能性を「世界」５月号で指摘している。
Tanaka also speculates that the reason for the explosion at the No. 2 reactor after hydrogen accumulated near the pressure suppression pool at the bottom of the reactor building -- despite the gas being lighter than oxygen -- is that hydrogen leaked into the pool through pressure-suppression pipes, and was released through cracks in the pool caused by the quake, eventually reacting with surrounding oxygen.
同様に２号機についても、圧力容器内で発生した水素が、空気より軽いのに原子炉建屋の最下部にある圧力抑制プール近くにたまって爆発した理由として、水素が圧力調整用の配管を伝ってプールに流れ込み、地震でプールに生じた亀裂から外に漏れて周辺の酸素と反応した−−と推論している。
In other words, Tanaka believes the nuclear reactor had suffered major damage even before the tsunami hit.
つまり、津波の前に原子炉は地震によって深刻なダメージを受けていたというのだ。
While nothing has been done to verify or dispel such possibilities, there already have been murmurs within the industrial community that Japanese nuclear power plants will be safe as long as anti-tsunami measures are implemented.
こうした点の検証も行われていないのに、産業界などからは早くも「津波対策を万全にすれば日本の原発は安全」との声が漏れ始めている。
リスクの高い原子炉から順に廃止するのか。
一気に全廃を目指すのか。
廃止に伴う不便は甘受できるのか。
今度こそ国民一人一人が自らの胸に問い、答えを出し、そして行動を起こさねばならない。
「お上任せ」がいかに危ういか、私たちはもう十分に学んだはずだ。
(cite from Mainichi Shinbun)
(Mainichi Japan) May 6, 2011
Disastrous pattern of academic-gov't collusion must not be allowed to continue
記者の目：福島第１原発事故と産業優先＝福岡賢正（西部報道部）
◇繰り返された水俣病の構図
I am struck with a sense of deja vu as the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant continues.
東京電力福島第１原発で進行中の危機に、私は既視感を覚えている。
National policy founded on a thirst for economic growth that has put the interests of industry first, and actions taken by politicians who have only lent their ears to experts whose views support their goals, has caused much irreparable damage over the years.
経済成長を追い求め、産業の利益を最優先する国策の下で、その意思を代弁する学者の意見だけに政治が耳を傾け続けた結果、この国は取り返しのつかない被害を何度も生じさせてきたからだ。
If this destructive chain of action is not stopped, we are bound to face further tragedy.
その連鎖を止めない限り、再び悲劇が起きるだろう。
A group of 16 pro-nuclear scientists led by a former president of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan (AESJ) and former members of the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) of Japan held a press conference on April 1.
日本原子力学会の元会長や原子力安全委員会の元委員など原子力を先頭に立って推進した学者１６人が連名で３月末、「緊急建言」をまとめた。
In it, they said that the amount of radioactive material stored in the reactors at the Fukushima plant far exceeds that which was stored at Chernobyl, and that even if we are to avoid immediate dangers, the Fukushima plant would require close monitoring for many years to come.
４月１日に行った会見で彼らは、福島の原子炉内に蓄えられている放射性物質の量はチェルノブイリをはるかに上回ることを指摘し、たとえ危機を脱しても極めて長い歳月、厳重な管理を続ける必要があると語った。
These remarks, which were coming not from anti-nuclear activists but from pro-nuclear experts, were evidence that nuclear energy proponents were finally acknowledging the seriousness of the current situation.
反原発側ではなく、推進側の学者がようやく、現状の深刻さを認めた。
◇１４年前の警告、班目氏らは無視
It was 14 years ago that Kobe University professor emeritus and seismologist Katsuhiko Ishibashi wrote a paper warning of the possibility of a nuclear accident, like the current one, triggered by a massive quake or tsunami.
今回のような大地震・大津波による原発事故を、地震学者の石橋克彦・神戸大名誉教授が「原発震災」と名付け１４年前に論文で警告していたことを、３月２９日にコラム「発信箱」で書いた。
In the May issue of the monthly magazine Sekai, Ishibashi mentions how NSC Chair Haruki Madarame and Toshisho Kosako -- a radiation expert and professor at the University of Tokyo who resigned from his post as a senior nuclear advisor to the government on April 30 over the government's handling of the crisis -- reacted to his paper at the time.
その石橋論文に対し、現在の原子力安全委員長である班目（まだらめ）春樹氏や今回の事故発生５日後に内閣参与に任じられた小佐古敏荘（こさことしそう）・東大大学院教授（４月３０日内閣参与辞任）が当時、どんな見解を示していたのか。石橋氏が雑誌「世界」５月号に書いている。
According to Ishibashi, Madarame disputed the various concerns that were raised, and characterized Ishibashi as a nuclear layperson, saying, "We've never heard of Ishibashi at the AESJ."
班目氏はあらゆる懸念を打ち消した上で「石橋氏は原子力学会では聞いたことがない人である」と素人扱いした。
Kosako also lambasted Ishibashi's claims, saying, "There is absolutely no possibility of massive amounts of radiation being released... When publishing papers, it is common for academics to be cautious about covering subjects on which they lack expertise.
小佐古氏も「多量な放射能の外部放出は全く起こり得ない」とし、「論文掲載にあたって学者は、専門的でない項目には慎重になるのが普通である。
In his paper, Ishibashi makes unfounded statements about a topic outside his specialty."
石橋論文は、明らかに自らの専門外の事項についても論拠なく言及している」と批判したという。
There are countless examples of seals of approval given to scientists' views that support the implementation of government policy, while those challenging the government are dismissed and silenced.
国の施策遂行にあたって、都合のよい学者の意見を「お墨付き」にして、不都合な他の意見を封じ込めてしまった例は過去にいくらでもある。
Take the case of Minamata disease. In 1956, a research team at Kumamoto University determined that the disease afflicting local residents was caused by ingesting heavy metals that had accumulated in seafood from Minamata Bay.
Three years later, a research team at the then Ministry of Welfare compiled a report concluding that the disease was caused by eating seafood tainted with methylmercury.
水俣病では、１９５６年に熊本大の研究班が水俣湾の魚介類に蓄積された重金属による中毒と指摘し、５９年には厚生省（当時）の研究部会も魚介類の有機水銀が原因と報告した。
The government, however, citing scientists who offered various theories on the cause of the disease, including spoiled fish, refused to acknowledge that environmental pollution was the culprit.
しかし、国は腐った魚原因説などを発表した学者の見解を盾に公害と認めず、その後もチッソのアセトアルデヒド工場からの廃液の垂れ流しが放置された。
This allowed chemical company Chisso Corp.'s acetaldehyde factory to continue releasing toxic effluvia into local waters, while Minamata Bay area residents continued to eat poisoned fish, giving rise to an explosion of Minamata Disease patients.
その結果、湾周辺の人々は汚染された魚を食べ続け、膨大な数の新しい患者が生まれ続けた。
In 1965, a similar factory operated by Showa Denko Corp. in Niigata Prefecture caused a "second Minamata Disease crisis."
６５年には新潟にあった昭和電工の同型工場の廃水による「第二水俣病」も見つかった。
The government officially admitted in September 1968 that the disease was caused by methylmercury, but by then factories similar to the ones in Kumamoto and Niigata were already obsolete and out of operation. In other words, Minamata disease was recognized as the cause of the tragedy only after industry no longer had any use for the factories emitting the toxins.
国は６８年９月の政府見解で、この公害の原因を有機水銀と正式に認めたが、その４カ月前までに、技術革新によって国内の同型工場はすべて生産を終えていた。公害と認定されたのは、産業界にとって用済みとなった後だった。
The time when asbestos contamination was making headlines all over the country fits the same pattern.
The Environment Ministry appointed an academic to chair an asbestos health hazard committee -- an academic found later to have served as an advisor to the Japan Asbestos Association for 13 years, during which time he'd questioned restrictions on asbestos use in a promotional video.
He subsequently stepped down from the committee post.
アスベスト問題でも、被害の拡大が明らかになった後、環境省が設けた健康被害問題検討会の座長に就いた学者が、日本石綿協会の顧問を１３年間務め、ＰＲビデオで石綿規制に疑問を呈していた事実が発覚し、座長を辞めている。
It was also not too far in the past that major public works projects such as the construction of a small dam at the mouth of the Nagara River and the Isahaya Bay reclamation project were promoted by the government citing backing of experts who claimed the environmental impacts of such projects would be "minimal," only to see major destruction being wreaked on the ecosystem.
長良川河口堰（ぜき）や諫早湾干拓事業などの大型公共事業が、「環境に与える影響は軽微」との学者の見立てを口実に推進され、深刻な環境破壊を招いたのも記憶に新しい。
The crisis we currently face with the Fukushima power plant is the direct result of the collusive relationship between industry, government and academia.
そんな産官学の癒着の果てに、私たちは今、福島の事態に直面している。
◇「お上任せ」脱し、自ら考え行動を
Mitsuhiko Tanaka, a science journalist and former nuclear engineer, points out in Sekai that based on data of the Fukushima plant's water levels and pressure, it is possible the No. 1 reactor lost its coolant due to quake damage to pipes in the pressure vessel.
公開された福島第１原発の水位や圧力のデータから、元原子炉製造技術者でサイエンスライターの田中三彦氏は、１号機では激しい地震動によって原子炉圧力容器の配管が破損して冷却材喪失が起きた可能性を「世界」５月号で指摘している。
Tanaka also speculates that the reason for the explosion at the No. 2 reactor after hydrogen accumulated near the pressure suppression pool at the bottom of the reactor building -- despite the gas being lighter than oxygen -- is that hydrogen leaked into the pool through pressure-suppression pipes, and was released through cracks in the pool caused by the quake, eventually reacting with surrounding oxygen.
同様に２号機についても、圧力容器内で発生した水素が、空気より軽いのに原子炉建屋の最下部にある圧力抑制プール近くにたまって爆発した理由として、水素が圧力調整用の配管を伝ってプールに流れ込み、地震でプールに生じた亀裂から外に漏れて周辺の酸素と反応した−−と推論している。
In other words, Tanaka believes the nuclear reactor had suffered major damage even before the tsunami hit.
つまり、津波の前に原子炉は地震によって深刻なダメージを受けていたというのだ。
While nothing has been done to verify or dispel such possibilities, there already have been murmurs within the industrial community that Japanese nuclear power plants will be safe as long as anti-tsunami measures are implemented.
こうした点の検証も行われていないのに、産業界などからは早くも「津波対策を万全にすれば日本の原発は安全」との声が漏れ始めている。
2011年05月06日
再び「浜岡原発」を問う
浜岡原発は立地条件が最悪。
なぜこんなところに原発をつくったのか。
東海地震の震源は予測されていた。
震度８でも大丈夫だという過信、おごりがあったのは間違いない。
仮に浜岡原発を閉鎖するにしても長い時間がかかる。
福島だってリアクター停止状態で水素爆発をおこしたのだ。
議論の余地はないと思う。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) May 5, 2011
Gov't intervention necessary if Hamaoka nuke plant can't make decision to shut down
風知草：再び「浜岡原発」を問う＝山田孝男
"The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant should be stopped," said a participant in a meeting on the state of the economy, where Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Cabinet members were among those present.
４月２８日朝、首相と関係閣僚が顔をそろえる「経済情勢に関する検討会合」で、出席者の一人が「浜岡原発（中部電力）は止めるべきだ」と発言した。
Banri Kaieda, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that oversees the power industry, refrained from making a rebuttal.
電気事業を所管する経済産業相は反論を避けた。
Taken aback by the sudden introduction of the issue, others at the meeting maintained their silence.
その他の出席者も、不意の問題提起に応答をためらい、沈黙をまもった。
While debate was avoided, the fact that a government official called for the shutdown of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant sent shockwaves through the various ministries and the power industry.
議論は回避されたが、政府要人による浜岡原発停止要求は、この問題に敏感な霞が関と電力業界に強い衝撃を与えた。
While it may appear as though the government is not considering the possibility of closing down any nuclear power plant besides the one in Fukushima, that is not the case.
いま、政府は、福島以外の原発の制御は考えていないように見えるが、実情は違う。
Behind the scenes, there have been sporadic discussions along the following lines:
楽屋裏では、散発的に次のような会話が交わされている。
"The Hamaoka plant is dangerous."
「浜岡はあぶない」
"But there's no legal basis on which to differentiate the Hamaoka plant from the others and stop just that one while others keep running."
「そうは言っても、他の原発と区別して止める（法令上の）根拠がないでしょう」
"Isn't it politicians' job to prevent foreseeable danger?"
「予見しうる危険を防ぐのが政治では」
"If we make any ill-planned moves, we'll provoke local governments, the call to stop the plant will extend to all nuclear power plants, and things will get out of control."
「不用意に踏み込めば自治体を刺激し、全原発に波及して収拾がつかなくなりますぞ」−−。
We've finally reached a tricky state of affairs where we may see the push to stop the Hamaoka plant spread throughout the administration -- or not.
政府内でも、ついに浜岡原発停止論が広がるか、そうは問屋が卸さぬか、まさしく微妙な段階にさしかかった。
So what exactly is the problem with the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant?
浜岡原発は静岡県御前崎市にある。何が問題か。
First, it is located in the Shizuoka Prefecture city of Omaezaki, right atop the predicted epicenter of a great Tokai earthquake that experts have been warning for years will strike.
まず、東海地震の予想震源域の真上に建っている。
According to Katsuhiko Ishibashi, a seismologist and professor emeritus at Kobe University, the surface of the fault where the quake is predicted to originate is located close to the surface of the ground, where the soil is soft, so if a major quake were to occur, severe ground upheaval cannot be avoided.
地震学者の石橋克彦神戸大名誉教授（６６）に聞けば、揺れを生む断層面が真下の浅い所にあり、地盤が軟弱。
This makes the site of the Hamaoka plant an unusually bad one for a nuclear power station.
巨大地震がくれば激しい地盤隆起が避けられず、立地条件の悪さという点で突出している。
In 2008, the government's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion predicted that there was an 87-percent chance that a magnitude-8 range Tokai earthquake will occur in the next 30 years, and stepped up anti-disaster measures particularly in the Tokai region.
一方、政府の地震調査研究推進本部は「今後３０年間にマグニチュード（Ｍ）８クラスの東海地震が起きる確率は８７％」と予測（０８年）、東海を最重点に地震防災を進めてきた。
And yet, the Hamaoka plant has continued to run and has even been expanded, coming out victorious in lawsuits that sought to stop its operation, with the judge accepting the argument that the plant is capable of withstanding a magnitude-8 temblor. What about a magnitude-9 quake, then, like the one that struck on March 11?
それでも浜岡原発は動き、増設され、運転差し止め請求訴訟でも原発行政が勝った。「Ｍ８に見合う耐震安全性は十分」という司法判断だが、３・１１並みのＭ９ならどうか。
A former chief of the Science and Technology Agency's Atomic Energy Bureau is of the opinion that stopping the Hamaoka plant because of "potential risks" is a shortsighted response. He was quoted in the April 29 issue of the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper as saying that the external power source that controls operations at the Hamaoka plant is far more reliable than the system at the Fukushima No. 1 plant.
浜岡は、制御設備の「外部電源の信頼性が福島より格段に高い」から、福島と同じにはならないと元科学技術庁原子力局長が主張している（東京新聞４月２９日朝刊）。この人は「潜在的リスクがあるから停止」は短絡という意見である。
Meanwhile, one of two bureaucrats with technical expertise -- not in atomic energy -- interviewed last week criticized the economics-first, safety-second mentality of atomic energy bureaucrats in a surprisingly harsh tone: 筆者は先週、霞が関の技術系官僚２人（いずれも専門は原子力以外）に取材したが、うち１人は、こちらが驚くほど強い調子で原子力官僚の経済優先・安全軽視を批判した。
"All they talk about is the external power source. It's been 50 days since they said that things would improve at Fukushima, too, once external power was restored, but nothing has changed. They're only looking at the facility itself. They lack the imagination and the focus on safety crucial in considering the possibility of nature destroying their systems.
「彼らは外部電源としか言わないですね。福島も『電源さえつながれば』と言って５０日たつけど、何も変わらない。結局プラント（機械設備）の中しか見ていない。自然によってガードを崩されるという想像力、安全思想が欠けている」
Both bureaucrats hold high positions, and while their lamentation of the current administration's lack of leadership was not at all shocking, the fact that both called for the Hamaoka plant to be stopped was surprising indeed.
２人とも要職を占めるベテラン。政権の司令塔不在を嘆いたあたりは予想通りだが、「浜岡は止めるべきです」と異口同音に語った点が意外だった。
In the past 50 years, five magnitude-9 quakes have rattled the Pacific Rim, of which three have taken place in the past seven years. People try to quell concerns over the Hamaoka plant by pointing out the 10-meter sand dunes on the coast nearby and referring to talk of constructing a new 12-meter breakwater. But the Fukushima plant was overcome by waves between 10 and 20 meters high.
環太平洋地域では過去５０年にＭ９クラスの巨大地震が５回起き、うち３回は最近７年間に集中している。浜岡の海岸には高さ１０メートルの砂丘があるとか、１２メートルの防波壁を新設するとかいうけれども、福島原発は十数メートルの津波に洗われている。
It is under such a state of affairs that Chubu Electric Power Co., which runs the Hamaoka plant, announced that it wanted to resume operations of the No. 3 reactor at Hamaoka in July.
折も折、中部電力は、点検休止中の浜岡原発３号機を７月に再開したいと言い出した。
This is likely a desperate attempt to avoid a possible energy shortage in the summer, which could lead to chaos. 真夏の電力不足による混乱回避へ布石を打ったのだろうが、
Regardless, if private corporations can't look at the big picture, there is no choice but for the government to step in.
民間企業に大局判断は無理というなら、政府が出るしかない。
To prove the nation's commitment to safety and renew its politics, and to wipe away international distrust of Japanese technology, first of all the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant must be stopped.
安全を守る国家意思を明確にして政治をリセットするためにも、日本の技術に対する国際的不信をぬぐうためにも、まず浜岡原発を止めてもらいたい。
(By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
（毎週月曜日掲載）
毎日新聞 2011年5月2日 東京朝刊
なぜこんなところに原発をつくったのか。
東海地震の震源は予測されていた。
震度８でも大丈夫だという過信、おごりがあったのは間違いない。
仮に浜岡原発を閉鎖するにしても長い時間がかかる。
福島だってリアクター停止状態で水素爆発をおこしたのだ。
議論の余地はないと思う。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) May 5, 2011
Gov't intervention necessary if Hamaoka nuke plant can't make decision to shut down
風知草：再び「浜岡原発」を問う＝山田孝男
"The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant should be stopped," said a participant in a meeting on the state of the economy, where Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Cabinet members were among those present.
４月２８日朝、首相と関係閣僚が顔をそろえる「経済情勢に関する検討会合」で、出席者の一人が「浜岡原発（中部電力）は止めるべきだ」と発言した。
Banri Kaieda, head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) that oversees the power industry, refrained from making a rebuttal.
電気事業を所管する経済産業相は反論を避けた。
Taken aback by the sudden introduction of the issue, others at the meeting maintained their silence.
その他の出席者も、不意の問題提起に応答をためらい、沈黙をまもった。
While debate was avoided, the fact that a government official called for the shutdown of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant sent shockwaves through the various ministries and the power industry.
議論は回避されたが、政府要人による浜岡原発停止要求は、この問題に敏感な霞が関と電力業界に強い衝撃を与えた。
While it may appear as though the government is not considering the possibility of closing down any nuclear power plant besides the one in Fukushima, that is not the case.
いま、政府は、福島以外の原発の制御は考えていないように見えるが、実情は違う。
Behind the scenes, there have been sporadic discussions along the following lines:
楽屋裏では、散発的に次のような会話が交わされている。
"The Hamaoka plant is dangerous."
「浜岡はあぶない」
"But there's no legal basis on which to differentiate the Hamaoka plant from the others and stop just that one while others keep running."
「そうは言っても、他の原発と区別して止める（法令上の）根拠がないでしょう」
"Isn't it politicians' job to prevent foreseeable danger?"
「予見しうる危険を防ぐのが政治では」
"If we make any ill-planned moves, we'll provoke local governments, the call to stop the plant will extend to all nuclear power plants, and things will get out of control."
「不用意に踏み込めば自治体を刺激し、全原発に波及して収拾がつかなくなりますぞ」−−。
We've finally reached a tricky state of affairs where we may see the push to stop the Hamaoka plant spread throughout the administration -- or not.
政府内でも、ついに浜岡原発停止論が広がるか、そうは問屋が卸さぬか、まさしく微妙な段階にさしかかった。
So what exactly is the problem with the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant?
浜岡原発は静岡県御前崎市にある。何が問題か。
First, it is located in the Shizuoka Prefecture city of Omaezaki, right atop the predicted epicenter of a great Tokai earthquake that experts have been warning for years will strike.
まず、東海地震の予想震源域の真上に建っている。
According to Katsuhiko Ishibashi, a seismologist and professor emeritus at Kobe University, the surface of the fault where the quake is predicted to originate is located close to the surface of the ground, where the soil is soft, so if a major quake were to occur, severe ground upheaval cannot be avoided.
地震学者の石橋克彦神戸大名誉教授（６６）に聞けば、揺れを生む断層面が真下の浅い所にあり、地盤が軟弱。
This makes the site of the Hamaoka plant an unusually bad one for a nuclear power station.
巨大地震がくれば激しい地盤隆起が避けられず、立地条件の悪さという点で突出している。
In 2008, the government's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion predicted that there was an 87-percent chance that a magnitude-8 range Tokai earthquake will occur in the next 30 years, and stepped up anti-disaster measures particularly in the Tokai region.
一方、政府の地震調査研究推進本部は「今後３０年間にマグニチュード（Ｍ）８クラスの東海地震が起きる確率は８７％」と予測（０８年）、東海を最重点に地震防災を進めてきた。
And yet, the Hamaoka plant has continued to run and has even been expanded, coming out victorious in lawsuits that sought to stop its operation, with the judge accepting the argument that the plant is capable of withstanding a magnitude-8 temblor. What about a magnitude-9 quake, then, like the one that struck on March 11?
それでも浜岡原発は動き、増設され、運転差し止め請求訴訟でも原発行政が勝った。「Ｍ８に見合う耐震安全性は十分」という司法判断だが、３・１１並みのＭ９ならどうか。
A former chief of the Science and Technology Agency's Atomic Energy Bureau is of the opinion that stopping the Hamaoka plant because of "potential risks" is a shortsighted response. He was quoted in the April 29 issue of the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper as saying that the external power source that controls operations at the Hamaoka plant is far more reliable than the system at the Fukushima No. 1 plant.
浜岡は、制御設備の「外部電源の信頼性が福島より格段に高い」から、福島と同じにはならないと元科学技術庁原子力局長が主張している（東京新聞４月２９日朝刊）。この人は「潜在的リスクがあるから停止」は短絡という意見である。
Meanwhile, one of two bureaucrats with technical expertise -- not in atomic energy -- interviewed last week criticized the economics-first, safety-second mentality of atomic energy bureaucrats in a surprisingly harsh tone: 筆者は先週、霞が関の技術系官僚２人（いずれも専門は原子力以外）に取材したが、うち１人は、こちらが驚くほど強い調子で原子力官僚の経済優先・安全軽視を批判した。
"All they talk about is the external power source. It's been 50 days since they said that things would improve at Fukushima, too, once external power was restored, but nothing has changed. They're only looking at the facility itself. They lack the imagination and the focus on safety crucial in considering the possibility of nature destroying their systems.
「彼らは外部電源としか言わないですね。福島も『電源さえつながれば』と言って５０日たつけど、何も変わらない。結局プラント（機械設備）の中しか見ていない。自然によってガードを崩されるという想像力、安全思想が欠けている」
Both bureaucrats hold high positions, and while their lamentation of the current administration's lack of leadership was not at all shocking, the fact that both called for the Hamaoka plant to be stopped was surprising indeed.
２人とも要職を占めるベテラン。政権の司令塔不在を嘆いたあたりは予想通りだが、「浜岡は止めるべきです」と異口同音に語った点が意外だった。
In the past 50 years, five magnitude-9 quakes have rattled the Pacific Rim, of which three have taken place in the past seven years. People try to quell concerns over the Hamaoka plant by pointing out the 10-meter sand dunes on the coast nearby and referring to talk of constructing a new 12-meter breakwater. But the Fukushima plant was overcome by waves between 10 and 20 meters high.
環太平洋地域では過去５０年にＭ９クラスの巨大地震が５回起き、うち３回は最近７年間に集中している。浜岡の海岸には高さ１０メートルの砂丘があるとか、１２メートルの防波壁を新設するとかいうけれども、福島原発は十数メートルの津波に洗われている。
It is under such a state of affairs that Chubu Electric Power Co., which runs the Hamaoka plant, announced that it wanted to resume operations of the No. 3 reactor at Hamaoka in July.
折も折、中部電力は、点検休止中の浜岡原発３号機を７月に再開したいと言い出した。
This is likely a desperate attempt to avoid a possible energy shortage in the summer, which could lead to chaos. 真夏の電力不足による混乱回避へ布石を打ったのだろうが、
Regardless, if private corporations can't look at the big picture, there is no choice but for the government to step in.
民間企業に大局判断は無理というなら、政府が出るしかない。
To prove the nation's commitment to safety and renew its politics, and to wipe away international distrust of Japanese technology, first of all the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant must be stopped.
安全を守る国家意思を明確にして政治をリセットするためにも、日本の技術に対する国際的不信をぬぐうためにも、まず浜岡原発を止めてもらいたい。
(By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
（毎週月曜日掲載）
毎日新聞 2011年5月2日 東京朝刊
2011年05月05日
涙の是非
(Mainichi Japan) May 4, 2011
Gov't, experts must release criteria for radiation safety around nuke plant
発信箱：涙の是非＝永山悦子（科学環境部）
"Resigning was the worst choice, wasn't it?" says an e-mail I received from one of my colleagues late last week.
「辞任というのは、最悪の行動じゃないでしょうか」
先週末、同僚から届いたメールの一文だ。
It referred to the resignation of University of Tokyo professor and radiation expert Toshiso Kosako as an adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat.
内閣官房参与だった小佐古敏荘・東京大教授の話題だ。
小佐古さんは、放射線の健康影響の専門家。
Kosako tearfully criticized the government for what he calls its "lax" response to the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant when he announced his departure at a news conference.
その人が「政府の対応は甘すぎる」と訴え、泣きながら会見した。
My colleague fears that Kosako's abrupt and emotional announcement could fuel local residents' concern about radiation leaks from the crippled power station.
原発事故の地元では、ただでさえ放射性物質への不安が高まっている。小佐古さんの辞任劇は「あまりに感情的で唐突な行動のため、混乱に拍車をかける」というのだ。
There are two kinds of health hazards that radioactive material can cause -- immediate tissue damage from high levels of radiation, and chromosomal damage that increases the risk of cancer in the future even if the amount of radioactive material is small.
放射性物質の健康影響には、２種類ある。強い放射線で体の組織が傷つく確定的影響と、被ばくによって染色体が傷つき、将来がんになるリスクが高まる確率的影響だ。
Radiation in areas dozens of kilometers away from the plant is far below the level that could immediately damage tissues. Therefore, the government asserts that the radiation "will not pose an immediate threat to human health."
原発から数十キロ離れれば、確定的影響が起きる線量より大幅に低く、「ただちに影響はない」との説明になる。
On the other hand, if people are exposed to even a small amount of radiation, experts say it will slightly increase the risk of cancer in the future.
一方、将来のがんリスクは、被ばく量が少なくても、わずかに高まるとされる。
Children in particular are vulnerable to radioactive substances.
中でも、子どもは放射性物質の影響を受けやすい。
This is what residents of Fukushima Prefecture are worried about.
福島県の親たちが心配するのは、その点だ。
However, if children living in Fukushima Prefecture suffer from cancer in the future, it will be impossible to prove a causal relationship between their exposure to radiation and the disease.
ただし、将来、福島県の子どもががんになったとしても、生活習慣など他の要因との見分けはつかず、今回の放射性物質が原因かどうかは医学的に分からない。
Even experts are divided over whether and how far the Chernobyl nuclear crisis will affect the health of nearby populations from a long-term perspective.
チェルノブイリ事故の長期的な健康影響についても、専門家の間で意見が分かれる。
In short, health hazards that radiation can cause have not been clarified.
実は、はっきりしないことが多いのだ。
We need to consider how to deal with such a slight rise in health hazards caused by radiation, but there is too little information available to make that judgment.
わずかにでも上がるリスクと、どう向き合うか。明確な根拠がない中で私たちは考えねばならないが、今は判断材料が少なすぎる。
Professor Kosako voiced objections to the government's repeated assertions that the situation is safe. However, his warning that the situation is dangerous without showing clear evidence also fuels the public's anxiety.
小佐古さんの行動はただ「安全」を連呼する政府に一石を投じたが、単に「危ない」と言われても困る。
Both the government and experts like Kosako are required to show the public clear criteria for judging whether the situation is safe or dangerous.
政府も小佐古さんのような専門家も、「不確実性がある」と認めたうえで、きちんと判断材料を示してほしい。
It is Fukushima Prefecture residents, rather than Kosako, who really want to cry over the ongoing nuclear crisis. 本当に泣きたいのは、福島の人たちなのだ。
(By Etsuko Nagayama, Tokyo Science and Environment News Department)
毎日新聞 2011年5月4日 0時08分
Gov't, experts must release criteria for radiation safety around nuke plant
発信箱：涙の是非＝永山悦子（科学環境部）
"Resigning was the worst choice, wasn't it?" says an e-mail I received from one of my colleagues late last week.
「辞任というのは、最悪の行動じゃないでしょうか」
先週末、同僚から届いたメールの一文だ。
It referred to the resignation of University of Tokyo professor and radiation expert Toshiso Kosako as an adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat.
内閣官房参与だった小佐古敏荘・東京大教授の話題だ。
小佐古さんは、放射線の健康影響の専門家。
Kosako tearfully criticized the government for what he calls its "lax" response to the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant when he announced his departure at a news conference.
その人が「政府の対応は甘すぎる」と訴え、泣きながら会見した。
My colleague fears that Kosako's abrupt and emotional announcement could fuel local residents' concern about radiation leaks from the crippled power station.
原発事故の地元では、ただでさえ放射性物質への不安が高まっている。小佐古さんの辞任劇は「あまりに感情的で唐突な行動のため、混乱に拍車をかける」というのだ。
There are two kinds of health hazards that radioactive material can cause -- immediate tissue damage from high levels of radiation, and chromosomal damage that increases the risk of cancer in the future even if the amount of radioactive material is small.
放射性物質の健康影響には、２種類ある。強い放射線で体の組織が傷つく確定的影響と、被ばくによって染色体が傷つき、将来がんになるリスクが高まる確率的影響だ。
Radiation in areas dozens of kilometers away from the plant is far below the level that could immediately damage tissues. Therefore, the government asserts that the radiation "will not pose an immediate threat to human health."
原発から数十キロ離れれば、確定的影響が起きる線量より大幅に低く、「ただちに影響はない」との説明になる。
On the other hand, if people are exposed to even a small amount of radiation, experts say it will slightly increase the risk of cancer in the future.
一方、将来のがんリスクは、被ばく量が少なくても、わずかに高まるとされる。
Children in particular are vulnerable to radioactive substances.
中でも、子どもは放射性物質の影響を受けやすい。
This is what residents of Fukushima Prefecture are worried about.
福島県の親たちが心配するのは、その点だ。
However, if children living in Fukushima Prefecture suffer from cancer in the future, it will be impossible to prove a causal relationship between their exposure to radiation and the disease.
ただし、将来、福島県の子どもががんになったとしても、生活習慣など他の要因との見分けはつかず、今回の放射性物質が原因かどうかは医学的に分からない。
Even experts are divided over whether and how far the Chernobyl nuclear crisis will affect the health of nearby populations from a long-term perspective.
チェルノブイリ事故の長期的な健康影響についても、専門家の間で意見が分かれる。
In short, health hazards that radiation can cause have not been clarified.
実は、はっきりしないことが多いのだ。
We need to consider how to deal with such a slight rise in health hazards caused by radiation, but there is too little information available to make that judgment.
わずかにでも上がるリスクと、どう向き合うか。明確な根拠がない中で私たちは考えねばならないが、今は判断材料が少なすぎる。
Professor Kosako voiced objections to the government's repeated assertions that the situation is safe. However, his warning that the situation is dangerous without showing clear evidence also fuels the public's anxiety.
小佐古さんの行動はただ「安全」を連呼する政府に一石を投じたが、単に「危ない」と言われても困る。
Both the government and experts like Kosako are required to show the public clear criteria for judging whether the situation is safe or dangerous.
政府も小佐古さんのような専門家も、「不確実性がある」と認めたうえで、きちんと判断材料を示してほしい。
It is Fukushima Prefecture residents, rather than Kosako, who really want to cry over the ongoing nuclear crisis. 本当に泣きたいのは、福島の人たちなのだ。
(By Etsuko Nagayama, Tokyo Science and Environment News Department)
毎日新聞 2011年5月4日 0時08分
2011年04月28日
復興構想会議 首相の指針が見えない
(Mainichi Japan) April 27, 2011
Kan needs to display leadership, show clear vision for disaster relief policy
社説：復興構想会議 首相の指針が見えない
A newly established advisory committee to Prime Minister Naoto Kan, tasked to work out a vision on countermeasures for the Great East Japan Earthquake, is divided over how to secure financial resources for these procedures and other important topics. It is highly doubtful whether the panel, headed by National Defense Academy President Makoto Iokibe, will work out effective and efficient countermeasures.
東日本大震災の復興ビジョンを提言する菅直人首相の諮問機関「復興構想会議」（五百旗頭真議長）が早くも迷走気味だ。財源問題で意見が割れるなど、実効性ある構想を打ち出せるかが危ぶまれている。
The panel is comprised of prominent figures, but its discussions will be too abstract unless the government coordinates views between the committee and ministries and agencies concerned and facilitates the panel's communications with local governments and residents of disaster-hit areas and its discussions with experts from various fields. The prime minister should clarify the purpose and mission of the panel to map out a clear vision.
メンバーはそうそうたる顔ぶれだが中央省庁との調整、被災地との意思疎通、各分野での専門家との議論に万全を期さないと会議の存在自体が宙に浮きかねない。百家争鳴の議論に終始しないためにも、首相は会議の目的と使命をより明確に示すべきである。
Iokibe's proposal at the outset of the panel's first meeting that a disaster-relief tax be created stirred controversy between members, forcing the group to shelve the issue of financial resources for the time being.
復興構想会議でまず論議を呼んだのは五百旗頭氏が初会合で「震災復興税」の創設を提言したことだ。結局、会議内でも意見が分かれたため、財源問題は当面棚上げされる方向となった。
It is true that Iokibe's proposal triggered much needed discussions between ruling and opposition parties on how to secure financial resources for quake-relief and restoration measures. However, the panel's primary mission is to show a vision on disaster countermeasures that can persuade taxpayers to accept tax hikes. Kan is to blame for the confusion within the panel because the prime minister, who set up the group, has failed to show his clear policy on the issue in the first place.
五百旗頭氏の発言を受けてようやく財源問題が与野党で議論になり始めたのも事実だが、増税に値する説得力のあるビジョンをまず描くのが構想会議の役割だ。そもそも設置した首相からの指針が明確でない点が混乱を生んだと言えよう。
Concern has been raised that the panel could be isolated within the government. Since no bureaucrat is on the panel, ministries and agencies concerned could question the effectiveness of disaster-relief and restoration measures worked out by the panel and reject it. Although the governors of three quake-hit prefectures in the Tohoku region are members of the committee, it is highly questionable how far they can represent opinions and requests by local municipalities and residents.
構想会議が孤立する懸念もある。有識者メンバーに官僚出身者がいないため青写真を描いた段階で中央省庁に実現性を疑問視され、拒否されるおそれがある。被災した東北３県の知事が参加しているが、地元市町村や住民から出ている意見をどこまで吸収できるかも気がかりだ。
On the other hand, a subcommittee on specific measurers is comprised of many experts in disaster prevention and regional revitalization.
一方で構想会議の下部機関として置かれた検討部会には防災、地域おこしなど実務に通じた人材も多い。
It is feared that the two entities' discussions will overlap as the division of their roles remains unclear.
役割分担があいまいなまま議論が重複することになりはしないか。
In order to prevent the committee from falling apart, it is necessary for the government to not only clarify its role in relevant legislation but also steer it in an appropriate manner. The panel, deputy chief Cabinet secretaries who represent a liaison council between ministries and agencies and top officials of the subcommittee should regularly consult with each other to facilitate their communications and share their common objectives.
空中分解を避けるには復興基本法案など法律で構想会議の位置づけを明確にするだけでなく、運営にも工夫がいる。構想会議、各府省連絡会議を代表する官房副長官、検討部会の代表らがひんぱんに協議し意思疎通や目的の共有に努めるべきだ。
Some constructive discussions are under way, including those on a proposal by Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai on a specific vision on the restoration of disaster-ravaged areas. The situation varies depending on each disaster-hit area -- from coastal regions and the plains to areas where residents have been evacuated following the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. Panel members as well as government officials are required to reflect these communities' requests and opinions on the disaster's countermeasures.
宮城県の村井嘉浩知事が具体的な被災地再生ビジョンを提起するなど建設的な議論も起きている。被災地は沿岸、平野部、原発事故による住民避難地域などかなり事情が違う。地元の多様な声を構想に反映させる意識が求められる。
The government will draft a second supplementary budget as early as this summer to finance the disaster countermeasures. The committee says it will make proposals on such measures by the end of June, but it is highly doubtful whether it is in time for the government's compilation of the extra budget draft.
政府は今夏にも震災対策の第２弾となる２次補正予算案を編成する予定だ。構想会議は６月末までに提言をまとめるというが２次補正に本当に間に合うのか、現状の体制とスケジュールではこころもとない。
An advisory panel on relief and restoration measures set up following the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995 that devastated Kobe and surrounding areas made its first set of proposals less than two weeks after its first meeting.
９５年の阪神大震災の際に置かれた提言機関「阪神・淡路復興委員会」は初会合から１２日足らずで最初の提言をしている。
Prime Minister Kan must be aware of his responsibility to clearly show the scope and the order of priority of themes that the committee should discuss in order to help it propose effective and efficient countermeasures.
首相は取り組むテーマの範囲や優先順位を示し、構想会議を機動的に活用する責任を自覚しなければならない。
毎日新聞 2011年4月27日 2時32分
Kan needs to display leadership, show clear vision for disaster relief policy
社説：復興構想会議 首相の指針が見えない
A newly established advisory committee to Prime Minister Naoto Kan, tasked to work out a vision on countermeasures for the Great East Japan Earthquake, is divided over how to secure financial resources for these procedures and other important topics. It is highly doubtful whether the panel, headed by National Defense Academy President Makoto Iokibe, will work out effective and efficient countermeasures.
東日本大震災の復興ビジョンを提言する菅直人首相の諮問機関「復興構想会議」（五百旗頭真議長）が早くも迷走気味だ。財源問題で意見が割れるなど、実効性ある構想を打ち出せるかが危ぶまれている。
The panel is comprised of prominent figures, but its discussions will be too abstract unless the government coordinates views between the committee and ministries and agencies concerned and facilitates the panel's communications with local governments and residents of disaster-hit areas and its discussions with experts from various fields. The prime minister should clarify the purpose and mission of the panel to map out a clear vision.
メンバーはそうそうたる顔ぶれだが中央省庁との調整、被災地との意思疎通、各分野での専門家との議論に万全を期さないと会議の存在自体が宙に浮きかねない。百家争鳴の議論に終始しないためにも、首相は会議の目的と使命をより明確に示すべきである。
Iokibe's proposal at the outset of the panel's first meeting that a disaster-relief tax be created stirred controversy between members, forcing the group to shelve the issue of financial resources for the time being.
復興構想会議でまず論議を呼んだのは五百旗頭氏が初会合で「震災復興税」の創設を提言したことだ。結局、会議内でも意見が分かれたため、財源問題は当面棚上げされる方向となった。
It is true that Iokibe's proposal triggered much needed discussions between ruling and opposition parties on how to secure financial resources for quake-relief and restoration measures. However, the panel's primary mission is to show a vision on disaster countermeasures that can persuade taxpayers to accept tax hikes. Kan is to blame for the confusion within the panel because the prime minister, who set up the group, has failed to show his clear policy on the issue in the first place.
五百旗頭氏の発言を受けてようやく財源問題が与野党で議論になり始めたのも事実だが、増税に値する説得力のあるビジョンをまず描くのが構想会議の役割だ。そもそも設置した首相からの指針が明確でない点が混乱を生んだと言えよう。
Concern has been raised that the panel could be isolated within the government. Since no bureaucrat is on the panel, ministries and agencies concerned could question the effectiveness of disaster-relief and restoration measures worked out by the panel and reject it. Although the governors of three quake-hit prefectures in the Tohoku region are members of the committee, it is highly questionable how far they can represent opinions and requests by local municipalities and residents.
構想会議が孤立する懸念もある。有識者メンバーに官僚出身者がいないため青写真を描いた段階で中央省庁に実現性を疑問視され、拒否されるおそれがある。被災した東北３県の知事が参加しているが、地元市町村や住民から出ている意見をどこまで吸収できるかも気がかりだ。
On the other hand, a subcommittee on specific measurers is comprised of many experts in disaster prevention and regional revitalization.
一方で構想会議の下部機関として置かれた検討部会には防災、地域おこしなど実務に通じた人材も多い。
It is feared that the two entities' discussions will overlap as the division of their roles remains unclear.
役割分担があいまいなまま議論が重複することになりはしないか。
In order to prevent the committee from falling apart, it is necessary for the government to not only clarify its role in relevant legislation but also steer it in an appropriate manner. The panel, deputy chief Cabinet secretaries who represent a liaison council between ministries and agencies and top officials of the subcommittee should regularly consult with each other to facilitate their communications and share their common objectives.
空中分解を避けるには復興基本法案など法律で構想会議の位置づけを明確にするだけでなく、運営にも工夫がいる。構想会議、各府省連絡会議を代表する官房副長官、検討部会の代表らがひんぱんに協議し意思疎通や目的の共有に努めるべきだ。
Some constructive discussions are under way, including those on a proposal by Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai on a specific vision on the restoration of disaster-ravaged areas. The situation varies depending on each disaster-hit area -- from coastal regions and the plains to areas where residents have been evacuated following the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. Panel members as well as government officials are required to reflect these communities' requests and opinions on the disaster's countermeasures.
宮城県の村井嘉浩知事が具体的な被災地再生ビジョンを提起するなど建設的な議論も起きている。被災地は沿岸、平野部、原発事故による住民避難地域などかなり事情が違う。地元の多様な声を構想に反映させる意識が求められる。
The government will draft a second supplementary budget as early as this summer to finance the disaster countermeasures. The committee says it will make proposals on such measures by the end of June, but it is highly doubtful whether it is in time for the government's compilation of the extra budget draft.
政府は今夏にも震災対策の第２弾となる２次補正予算案を編成する予定だ。構想会議は６月末までに提言をまとめるというが２次補正に本当に間に合うのか、現状の体制とスケジュールではこころもとない。
An advisory panel on relief and restoration measures set up following the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995 that devastated Kobe and surrounding areas made its first set of proposals less than two weeks after its first meeting.
９５年の阪神大震災の際に置かれた提言機関「阪神・淡路復興委員会」は初会合から１２日足らずで最初の提言をしている。
Prime Minister Kan must be aware of his responsibility to clearly show the scope and the order of priority of themes that the committee should discuss in order to help it propose effective and efficient countermeasures.
首相は取り組むテーマの範囲や優先順位を示し、構想会議を機動的に活用する責任を自覚しなければならない。
毎日新聞 2011年4月27日 2時32分
2011年04月26日
「原子力ムラ」の閉鎖的体質
(Mainichi Japan) April 25, 2011
How did Japan's nuclear industry become so arrogant?
記者の目：「原子力ムラ」の閉鎖的体質＝日野行介（大阪社会部）
◇事故の背景に、批判拒む傲慢さ
What has stood out at the countless press conferences by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) of Japan that I've attended in covering the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant, is the rampant use of cliches such as "unanticipated state of affairs" and "unprecedented natural disaster."
東京電力福島第１原発の事故の取材応援で、東電や経済産業省原子力安全・保安院、内閣府原子力安全委員会の記者会見に何度も出席した。そこで強く疑問に感じたのは、「想定外の事態」や「未曽有の天災」という決まり文句を盾に、決して非を認めようとしない専門家たちの無反省ぶりだ。
The excuses made by the organizations involved go to show that so-called nuclear power experts have no intention to self reflect or admit their shortcomings.
It was this self-righteousness -- evidenced over the years in the industry's suppression of unfavorable warnings and criticisms, as well as in their imposition of the claim that the safety of nuclear energy was self evident -- that lay down the groundwork for the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.
これまで不都合な警告や批判を封じ込め、「安全」を自明のものとして押し付けてきた業界の独善的体質が今回の事故の背景にあると思える。
◇言葉は丁寧だが決して非認めず
At press conferences, TEPCO officials repeatedly express their "deep apologies" for the trouble caused to the Japanese people. However, as soon as reporters' questions turn to the actual safety of nuclear power stations -- about which they had long boasted a multilayered safety system referred to as "defense in depth" -- they begin to act coolly. Their speech may feign civility, but they never admit to any wrongdoing and merely keep insisting the righteousness of their own claims. When particularly unflattering questions are posed to them, some TEPCO executives glower at the reporters who dared to ask and give only a brusque response.
「大変なご心配をおかけして申し訳ありません」。東電の記者会見は必ずと言っていいほど謝罪の言葉が出る。だが、「多重防護」を誇ってきたはずの原発の安全性自体に疑問が及ぶと、会見する幹部の態度は途端に硬くなる。言葉は丁寧だが、非は決して認めず、自分たちの言い分だけを強調する。都合の悪い質問には、記者をにらみつけながら木で鼻をくくったような対応をする幹部もいる。
Video footage of these press conferences, accessible via television broadcasts and the Internet, combined with disappointment with the government for its mishandling of the disaster, has fed the public's skepticism about the reliability and honesty of industry and political leaders.
こうした会見の模様はテレビやインターネット動画でそのまま報道され、政府の対応への不信とも相まって、国民は「本当に大丈夫なのか」「うそをついているのではないか」と疑念を募らせている。
Between 2002 and 2005, I was posted to the Fukui Prefecture city of Tsuruga, which hosts 15 nuclear reactors along Wakasa Bay. The area is dubbed Genpatsu Ginza (Nuclear Ginza) -- after the upscale Tokyo shopping district that is home to many shops and department stores -- for the its abundance of nuclear power plants, and a lot of the bureau's important reporting has concerned the nuclear power plants.
私は０２年から３年間、若狭湾に原発１５基が林立する福井県敦賀市に勤務した。「原発銀座」と称される地域で、取材の最重要テーマが原発だった。
The many nuclear power engineers and researchers I met while based in Tsuruga did not leave a good impression on me. They generally did not provide sufficient answers to questions that could put them and nuclear energy in a negative light, and were arrogant enough to turn a deaf ear to any criticism that may be aimed at them.
取材で接した原子力の技術者・研究者たちの印象は決して芳しいものではない。都合の悪い問いにまともに答えず、批判的な意見に耳を貸さない尊大ぶりが印象に残った。
When the Kanazawa branch of the Nagoya High Court handed down a ruling in January 2003 nullifying permission that had previously been given for the construction of the prototype Monju fast breeder reactor (FBR), electrical power companies and researchers involved in the power industry were up in arms. At a debate about the court ruling, a university professor who was a proponent of nuclear energy employed his knowledge of specialized terminology to talk down an opposition-party Diet member. Later on, I witnessed the professor and some cronies smirk in the corner of the room as they muttered, "Take that, you amateurs."
高速増殖原型炉「もんじゅ」（敦賀市）の設置許可を無効とした名古屋高裁金沢支部判決（０３年１月）の際には、電力会社や研究者が業界を挙げて判決を攻撃した。判決に関する討論会で、推進派の大学教授が専門用語を駆使して野党の国会議員をやり込めた後、会場の片隅で「素人のくせに」と仲間内で笑い合っているのを見た。
Several years ago, a regional television broadcaster that featured a researcher critical of nuclear energy in a documentary drew strong protest from a local utility firm, which argued that the show was based on a misunderstanding of nuclear energy. Although the program did not directly criticize the utility firm, the broadcaster was unable to ignore the claims of the company, one of its major sponsors. It was made to promise to dispatch reporters to nuclear power plants on a regular basis.
ある地方テレビ局が数年前、原子力に批判的な研究者をドキュメンタリー番組で取り上げたところ、地元電力会社が「原子力を理解していない」と猛烈に抗議した。番組はこの電力会社を直接批判する内容ではなかったが、テレビ局は広告主の抗議を無視できず、記者による定期的な原発見学を約束した。
An executive at the power company whom I interviewed about the case said, "An understanding of how safe nuclear power stations are was lacking. What we wanted was repentance (from the broadcaster)." TEPCO officials that I've recently been observing at press conferences remind me of that pompous power company executive.
この件について取材した私に、電力会社の役員は「（原発が）いかに安全か理解していない。『反省しろ』ということだ」と言い放った。その傲慢な態度は、今回の事故を巡る会見で見た東電幹部と重なり合う。
◇官民にまたがる狭い人脈社会
So how did the industry become what it is now?
なぜ、こんな体質が醸成されるのだろうか。
Tetsunari Iida, a former nuclear engineer who currently heads the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, says that the industry is dominated by a closely-knit nuclear establishment. Those who graduate from universities and graduate from schools with degrees in nuclear power engineering go on to work at power companies, energy-related manufacturers, or municipalities that host nuclear power stations. Everything comes down to personal networks, and who the graduating students go on to work for is largely influenced by the connections and interests of the students' professors. Regardless of whether the employers are public or private organizations, the newly inducted engineers are raised to become full-fledged members of the nuclear establishment.
原子力の技術者だった飯田哲也・環境エネルギー政策研究所長は、業界の実態を「原子力村（ムラ）」と名付けた。大学や大学院で原子力を学んだ学生は、電力会社やメーカーに就職したり、国や立地自治体の技官になる。就職先は担当教官の意向で決まることが多い人脈社会で、彼らは官民に分かれても「ムラ」の一員として育っていく。
Accidents involving nuclear power plants are widely covered by the press, and are subject to intense criticism from citizens' groups. Because the nuclear establishment takes on a victim mentality when subjected to such pressure, it one-sidedly labels criticism from opponents as "opinions of mere laypersons," further reinforcing its self-righteous opinion of itself as the experts.
原発関係の事故はメディアで大きく報じられる。市民団体などの批判にさらされることも多い。“被害者意識”から、彼らは批判を「素人の意見」だと一方的に決めつけ、独善的な専門家意識を強めていくのだろう。
Nuclear safety regulation in Japan is ostensibly covered under a "double-check" system, but in practice, the system has not functioned sufficiently. Since both those in a position to be checked and those in a position to do the checking come from the same establishment, they are motivated to take action that will protect their common interests. As for NISA, there's a fundamental structural problem in that it is but an arm of METI, the government ministry in charge of promoting nuclear power generation.
原発の安全規制は、保安院と原子力安全委員会による「ダブルチェック」体制とされる。しかし現実には十分機能していない。チェックする方も、される方も、同じ「ムラ」の構成員なので、業界全体の利益を守ろうという意識が働く。保安院に至っては、原発を推進する経産省に属するという構造的問題を抱えている。
A comparison of the agencies overseeing nuclear energy in Japan and the U.S., respectively, is also telling. While the U.S. agency is called the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), its Japanese counterpart is called the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). The conclusion we can reach from this is that by focusing so much on promoting the "safety" of nuclear energy, "regulation" and "supervision" have been left on the back burner.
組織の名称にしても、米国は「原子力規制委員会（ＮＲＣ）」なのに、日本の機関には「規制」ではなく「安全」が使われている。「原子力は安全」という宣伝を優先するあまり、規制や監視という視点が欠落していたとしか思えない。
The ongoing disaster in Fukushima has finally built momentum behind a discussion to split NISA from METI. There is no question that such a measure is necessary, but mere reshuffling cannot change the fundamental nature of those involved.
今回の事故を受け、保安院を経産省から分離する組織改革がようやく検討される見通しとなった。必要なことだとは思うが、組織いじりだけでは専門家たちの体質を変えていくことはできない。
How did Japan's nuclear industry become so arrogant?
記者の目：「原子力ムラ」の閉鎖的体質＝日野行介（大阪社会部）
◇事故の背景に、批判拒む傲慢さ
What has stood out at the countless press conferences by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) of Japan that I've attended in covering the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant, is the rampant use of cliches such as "unanticipated state of affairs" and "unprecedented natural disaster."
東京電力福島第１原発の事故の取材応援で、東電や経済産業省原子力安全・保安院、内閣府原子力安全委員会の記者会見に何度も出席した。そこで強く疑問に感じたのは、「想定外の事態」や「未曽有の天災」という決まり文句を盾に、決して非を認めようとしない専門家たちの無反省ぶりだ。
The excuses made by the organizations involved go to show that so-called nuclear power experts have no intention to self reflect or admit their shortcomings.
It was this self-righteousness -- evidenced over the years in the industry's suppression of unfavorable warnings and criticisms, as well as in their imposition of the claim that the safety of nuclear energy was self evident -- that lay down the groundwork for the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant.
これまで不都合な警告や批判を封じ込め、「安全」を自明のものとして押し付けてきた業界の独善的体質が今回の事故の背景にあると思える。
◇言葉は丁寧だが決して非認めず
At press conferences, TEPCO officials repeatedly express their "deep apologies" for the trouble caused to the Japanese people. However, as soon as reporters' questions turn to the actual safety of nuclear power stations -- about which they had long boasted a multilayered safety system referred to as "defense in depth" -- they begin to act coolly. Their speech may feign civility, but they never admit to any wrongdoing and merely keep insisting the righteousness of their own claims. When particularly unflattering questions are posed to them, some TEPCO executives glower at the reporters who dared to ask and give only a brusque response.
「大変なご心配をおかけして申し訳ありません」。東電の記者会見は必ずと言っていいほど謝罪の言葉が出る。だが、「多重防護」を誇ってきたはずの原発の安全性自体に疑問が及ぶと、会見する幹部の態度は途端に硬くなる。言葉は丁寧だが、非は決して認めず、自分たちの言い分だけを強調する。都合の悪い質問には、記者をにらみつけながら木で鼻をくくったような対応をする幹部もいる。
Video footage of these press conferences, accessible via television broadcasts and the Internet, combined with disappointment with the government for its mishandling of the disaster, has fed the public's skepticism about the reliability and honesty of industry and political leaders.
こうした会見の模様はテレビやインターネット動画でそのまま報道され、政府の対応への不信とも相まって、国民は「本当に大丈夫なのか」「うそをついているのではないか」と疑念を募らせている。
Between 2002 and 2005, I was posted to the Fukui Prefecture city of Tsuruga, which hosts 15 nuclear reactors along Wakasa Bay. The area is dubbed Genpatsu Ginza (Nuclear Ginza) -- after the upscale Tokyo shopping district that is home to many shops and department stores -- for the its abundance of nuclear power plants, and a lot of the bureau's important reporting has concerned the nuclear power plants.
私は０２年から３年間、若狭湾に原発１５基が林立する福井県敦賀市に勤務した。「原発銀座」と称される地域で、取材の最重要テーマが原発だった。
The many nuclear power engineers and researchers I met while based in Tsuruga did not leave a good impression on me. They generally did not provide sufficient answers to questions that could put them and nuclear energy in a negative light, and were arrogant enough to turn a deaf ear to any criticism that may be aimed at them.
取材で接した原子力の技術者・研究者たちの印象は決して芳しいものではない。都合の悪い問いにまともに答えず、批判的な意見に耳を貸さない尊大ぶりが印象に残った。
When the Kanazawa branch of the Nagoya High Court handed down a ruling in January 2003 nullifying permission that had previously been given for the construction of the prototype Monju fast breeder reactor (FBR), electrical power companies and researchers involved in the power industry were up in arms. At a debate about the court ruling, a university professor who was a proponent of nuclear energy employed his knowledge of specialized terminology to talk down an opposition-party Diet member. Later on, I witnessed the professor and some cronies smirk in the corner of the room as they muttered, "Take that, you amateurs."
高速増殖原型炉「もんじゅ」（敦賀市）の設置許可を無効とした名古屋高裁金沢支部判決（０３年１月）の際には、電力会社や研究者が業界を挙げて判決を攻撃した。判決に関する討論会で、推進派の大学教授が専門用語を駆使して野党の国会議員をやり込めた後、会場の片隅で「素人のくせに」と仲間内で笑い合っているのを見た。
Several years ago, a regional television broadcaster that featured a researcher critical of nuclear energy in a documentary drew strong protest from a local utility firm, which argued that the show was based on a misunderstanding of nuclear energy. Although the program did not directly criticize the utility firm, the broadcaster was unable to ignore the claims of the company, one of its major sponsors. It was made to promise to dispatch reporters to nuclear power plants on a regular basis.
ある地方テレビ局が数年前、原子力に批判的な研究者をドキュメンタリー番組で取り上げたところ、地元電力会社が「原子力を理解していない」と猛烈に抗議した。番組はこの電力会社を直接批判する内容ではなかったが、テレビ局は広告主の抗議を無視できず、記者による定期的な原発見学を約束した。
An executive at the power company whom I interviewed about the case said, "An understanding of how safe nuclear power stations are was lacking. What we wanted was repentance (from the broadcaster)." TEPCO officials that I've recently been observing at press conferences remind me of that pompous power company executive.
この件について取材した私に、電力会社の役員は「（原発が）いかに安全か理解していない。『反省しろ』ということだ」と言い放った。その傲慢な態度は、今回の事故を巡る会見で見た東電幹部と重なり合う。
◇官民にまたがる狭い人脈社会
So how did the industry become what it is now?
なぜ、こんな体質が醸成されるのだろうか。
Tetsunari Iida, a former nuclear engineer who currently heads the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies, says that the industry is dominated by a closely-knit nuclear establishment. Those who graduate from universities and graduate from schools with degrees in nuclear power engineering go on to work at power companies, energy-related manufacturers, or municipalities that host nuclear power stations. Everything comes down to personal networks, and who the graduating students go on to work for is largely influenced by the connections and interests of the students' professors. Regardless of whether the employers are public or private organizations, the newly inducted engineers are raised to become full-fledged members of the nuclear establishment.
原子力の技術者だった飯田哲也・環境エネルギー政策研究所長は、業界の実態を「原子力村（ムラ）」と名付けた。大学や大学院で原子力を学んだ学生は、電力会社やメーカーに就職したり、国や立地自治体の技官になる。就職先は担当教官の意向で決まることが多い人脈社会で、彼らは官民に分かれても「ムラ」の一員として育っていく。
Accidents involving nuclear power plants are widely covered by the press, and are subject to intense criticism from citizens' groups. Because the nuclear establishment takes on a victim mentality when subjected to such pressure, it one-sidedly labels criticism from opponents as "opinions of mere laypersons," further reinforcing its self-righteous opinion of itself as the experts.
原発関係の事故はメディアで大きく報じられる。市民団体などの批判にさらされることも多い。“被害者意識”から、彼らは批判を「素人の意見」だと一方的に決めつけ、独善的な専門家意識を強めていくのだろう。
Nuclear safety regulation in Japan is ostensibly covered under a "double-check" system, but in practice, the system has not functioned sufficiently. Since both those in a position to be checked and those in a position to do the checking come from the same establishment, they are motivated to take action that will protect their common interests. As for NISA, there's a fundamental structural problem in that it is but an arm of METI, the government ministry in charge of promoting nuclear power generation.
原発の安全規制は、保安院と原子力安全委員会による「ダブルチェック」体制とされる。しかし現実には十分機能していない。チェックする方も、される方も、同じ「ムラ」の構成員なので、業界全体の利益を守ろうという意識が働く。保安院に至っては、原発を推進する経産省に属するという構造的問題を抱えている。
A comparison of the agencies overseeing nuclear energy in Japan and the U.S., respectively, is also telling. While the U.S. agency is called the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), its Japanese counterpart is called the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). The conclusion we can reach from this is that by focusing so much on promoting the "safety" of nuclear energy, "regulation" and "supervision" have been left on the back burner.
組織の名称にしても、米国は「原子力規制委員会（ＮＲＣ）」なのに、日本の機関には「規制」ではなく「安全」が使われている。「原子力は安全」という宣伝を優先するあまり、規制や監視という視点が欠落していたとしか思えない。
The ongoing disaster in Fukushima has finally built momentum behind a discussion to split NISA from METI. There is no question that such a measure is necessary, but mere reshuffling cannot change the fundamental nature of those involved.
今回の事故を受け、保安院を経産省から分離する組織改革がようやく検討される見通しとなった。必要なことだとは思うが、組織いじりだけでは専門家たちの体質を変えていくことはできない。
2011年04月25日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災前の自分に戻る
(Mainichi Japan) April 24, 2011
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Returning to our pre-earthquake selves
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災前の自分に戻る ／東京
Since the earthquake, I have called for people to live their lives like they did before the disaster as much as possible. I recently thought about how I myself have done on that front.
震災以来、「なるべくいつも通りの生活を」と呼びかけてきたが、私自身、どうだろうとふと考えてみた。
Thinking about it, I realized a few things. One is that when I've gone to bookstores recently, I haven't been buying novels or medical books like usual. Instead I end up buying nothing but magazines related to the earthquake or the nuclear plant disaster. Another thing I realized was that, even though I've been telling people to "distract themselves for even a little while with a movie or music," I myself haven't set foot in a movie theater.
そういえば、本屋さんに寄ってもなかなか小説や医学の専門書を手に取る気にならず、気がつけば地震や原発について書かれた雑誌ばかり買っている。「映画や音楽でひとときでも気をまぎらわせて」と言っているのに、映画館にも行っていない。
And, I realized that when my job at the hospital is over and I get myself ready to write an article like this, I end up writing about the earthquake disaster even if I didn't plan on it. It all showed me that my life is not back to its predisaster ways.
病院での仕事が終わってこうして原稿を書こうとすると、つい震災のことを書いてしまう。「なんだ、私もまだ平常通りの生活に戻ってないじゃないか」とちょっと反省した。
Last week I had a chance to go to Sendai, one month having passed since the earthquake. I met a friend from my high-school years who is now working as a researcher. She said that since the earthquake, she has been busy checking on the safety of her students and getting her lab equipment back in order. Keeping a cheerful mood, she said she was borrowing the bath of her friend's house because the gas line at her own house was still out.
先週、震災から１カ月を経た仙台に行く機会があり、現地の大学で研究生活を送る高校の同級生に会った。彼女は学生の安否確認やめちゃめちゃになった実験設備の修復に追われている、と言う。「ガスもまだ復旧してないから、お風呂は友だちの家で借りてるんだけどね」と明るく笑う彼女に、私は尋ねてみた。
I asked her, "Has your life completely changed because of the earthquake? These days, how much of your time is spent dealing with things like the aftermath of the earthquake and preparing for aftershocks? Around 80 percent or so?"
「震災で生活も一変しちゃった？ 今って、地震の後始末や余震への対応が毎日の何割くらいを占めてるの？ ８割くらいがそんな感じ？」
"Hmm," she thought for a second, tilting her head. Then came an unexpected answer: "Maybe around 20 percent."
すると、「うーん」と一瞬、首をひねった彼女から返ってきた答えは、意外なものだった。「２割くらいかな」
She said that, yes, there were lots of earthquake-related things to take care of, but she was also going to international academic conferences and running experiments, just as usual. Her life had not been completely turned upside-down.
たしかに震災に関した用事も多いが、その一方でいつも通り、国際学会に出かけたり実験をしたりもしているという。そうか、すべてが変わってしまったわけじゃないんだ、と私は納得した。
Just because the earthquake happened doesn't mean that we no longer like the food we once did, that the job we took pride in is now meaningless, or that a person with a kind, humor-loving personality must change. Thinking back to who we were before the earthquake, we can try to slowly get back into the things we were interested in, and restart the things we had begun. By doing so, we should be able to feel how our pre- and post-earthquake selves are a continuation of the same existence, and our feelings should change for the better.
これまで好きだった食べものが、震災が起きたからといってきらいになるわけじゃない。やっていた仕事が、突然、無意味なものに変わるわけじゃない。やさしい、ユーモアが好き、といった性格の特徴も同じはず。「震災の前の私はどうだっけ」と思い出して、そのときにハマっていたもの、手がけていたものを、できればまた少しずつ始めてみる。そうして「自分や心は震災前も後も連続しているんだ」と確認するだけで、気分はずいぶん違うのではないだろうか。
For my part, I've recently started to read a book I bought before the earthquake but had been leaving untouched since. It has been as interesting as I hoped, and it made me feel that my pre-disaster self had returned.
私も、震災前に「読もう」と思って買ったままになっている本を読み始めた。それは期待通りの面白さで、３月以前の自分が戻ってくるような気がした。
Aftershocks will continue for some time, and many people will continue to be occupied with the results of the disaster, but I would like people to try saying to themselves, "Be it last year or this year, the person called 'me' is the same." (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
余震も続きまだまだ落ち着かない生活を送る人も多いが、「私という人間は、去年も今年もちっとも変わってないんだ」とつぶやいてみてほしい。
毎日新聞 2011年4月19日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Returning to our pre-earthquake selves
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災前の自分に戻る ／東京
Since the earthquake, I have called for people to live their lives like they did before the disaster as much as possible. I recently thought about how I myself have done on that front.
震災以来、「なるべくいつも通りの生活を」と呼びかけてきたが、私自身、どうだろうとふと考えてみた。
Thinking about it, I realized a few things. One is that when I've gone to bookstores recently, I haven't been buying novels or medical books like usual. Instead I end up buying nothing but magazines related to the earthquake or the nuclear plant disaster. Another thing I realized was that, even though I've been telling people to "distract themselves for even a little while with a movie or music," I myself haven't set foot in a movie theater.
そういえば、本屋さんに寄ってもなかなか小説や医学の専門書を手に取る気にならず、気がつけば地震や原発について書かれた雑誌ばかり買っている。「映画や音楽でひとときでも気をまぎらわせて」と言っているのに、映画館にも行っていない。
And, I realized that when my job at the hospital is over and I get myself ready to write an article like this, I end up writing about the earthquake disaster even if I didn't plan on it. It all showed me that my life is not back to its predisaster ways.
病院での仕事が終わってこうして原稿を書こうとすると、つい震災のことを書いてしまう。「なんだ、私もまだ平常通りの生活に戻ってないじゃないか」とちょっと反省した。
Last week I had a chance to go to Sendai, one month having passed since the earthquake. I met a friend from my high-school years who is now working as a researcher. She said that since the earthquake, she has been busy checking on the safety of her students and getting her lab equipment back in order. Keeping a cheerful mood, she said she was borrowing the bath of her friend's house because the gas line at her own house was still out.
先週、震災から１カ月を経た仙台に行く機会があり、現地の大学で研究生活を送る高校の同級生に会った。彼女は学生の安否確認やめちゃめちゃになった実験設備の修復に追われている、と言う。「ガスもまだ復旧してないから、お風呂は友だちの家で借りてるんだけどね」と明るく笑う彼女に、私は尋ねてみた。
I asked her, "Has your life completely changed because of the earthquake? These days, how much of your time is spent dealing with things like the aftermath of the earthquake and preparing for aftershocks? Around 80 percent or so?"
「震災で生活も一変しちゃった？ 今って、地震の後始末や余震への対応が毎日の何割くらいを占めてるの？ ８割くらいがそんな感じ？」
"Hmm," she thought for a second, tilting her head. Then came an unexpected answer: "Maybe around 20 percent."
すると、「うーん」と一瞬、首をひねった彼女から返ってきた答えは、意外なものだった。「２割くらいかな」
She said that, yes, there were lots of earthquake-related things to take care of, but she was also going to international academic conferences and running experiments, just as usual. Her life had not been completely turned upside-down.
たしかに震災に関した用事も多いが、その一方でいつも通り、国際学会に出かけたり実験をしたりもしているという。そうか、すべてが変わってしまったわけじゃないんだ、と私は納得した。
Just because the earthquake happened doesn't mean that we no longer like the food we once did, that the job we took pride in is now meaningless, or that a person with a kind, humor-loving personality must change. Thinking back to who we were before the earthquake, we can try to slowly get back into the things we were interested in, and restart the things we had begun. By doing so, we should be able to feel how our pre- and post-earthquake selves are a continuation of the same existence, and our feelings should change for the better.
これまで好きだった食べものが、震災が起きたからといってきらいになるわけじゃない。やっていた仕事が、突然、無意味なものに変わるわけじゃない。やさしい、ユーモアが好き、といった性格の特徴も同じはず。「震災の前の私はどうだっけ」と思い出して、そのときにハマっていたもの、手がけていたものを、できればまた少しずつ始めてみる。そうして「自分や心は震災前も後も連続しているんだ」と確認するだけで、気分はずいぶん違うのではないだろうか。
For my part, I've recently started to read a book I bought before the earthquake but had been leaving untouched since. It has been as interesting as I hoped, and it made me feel that my pre-disaster self had returned.
私も、震災前に「読もう」と思って買ったままになっている本を読み始めた。それは期待通りの面白さで、３月以前の自分が戻ってくるような気がした。
Aftershocks will continue for some time, and many people will continue to be occupied with the results of the disaster, but I would like people to try saying to themselves, "Be it last year or this year, the person called 'me' is the same." (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
余震も続きまだまだ落ち着かない生活を送る人も多いが、「私という人間は、去年も今年もちっとも変わってないんだ」とつぶやいてみてほしい。
毎日新聞 2011年4月19日 地方版
2011年04月22日
原発作業員 工程表に「人」の支援も
(Mainichi Japan) April 21, 2011
TEPCO should incorporate measures to support workers in nuke plant roadmap
社説：原発作業員 工程表に「人」の支援も
The Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, hit hard by a massive tsunami generated by the March 11 earthquake, has managed to avoid catastrophe thanks to the efforts of workers who are trying hard to place the power station under control.
福島第１原発がなんとか事態の悪化を免れているのは、現場で必死の作業をしている人々のおかげだ。
More than 40 days have passed since the plant was hit by the disaster, and workers' fatigue and stress have certainly reached an alarming level.
事故発生から４０日を過ぎ、彼らの疲れもストレスも、ぎりぎりのところまで高まっているに違いない。
It is expected to take six to nine months before the plant can be placed under control, according to a roadmap released earlier this week by its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).
東電が今週公表した工程表では、原発が一定の安定を保つ「冷温停止」までに６〜９カ月かかるという。
However, it is feared that the work will actually take far longer.
しかし、実際にはもっと長期間かかる可能性が高い。
Photos taken by remote-controlled robots illustrate severe conditions in the buildings housing the crippled reactors.
ロボットを使った建屋の撮影などでも厳しい環境が改めて明らかになっている。
Many of the workers are crying out for help.
こうした状況の中で一歩ずつ歩みを進めていくには、現場で作業する人々への支援がなにより大事だ。
しかし、現場から聞こえてくるのは胸の痛むような実態だ。
It is extremely important for TEPCO and the government to step up support for employees who are working hard under such severe conditions.
東京電力や政府は、もっと強力な支援体制作りを急がなくてはいけない。
A doctor who inspected TEPCO employees working at the plant has revealed that they are forced to sleep at a gymnasium attached to the Fukushima No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant after working at the No. 1 plant.
東電社員を現場で診察した産業医によると、福島第１で作業を終えた人は第２原発の体育館で雑魚寝している。
They cannot take a bath everyday and eat mostly canned and instant food.
入浴できる日も限られ、食事は缶詰やレトルトが中心だという。
Furthermore, many of them have been evacuated from their home situated in disaster-hit areas or had their residences damaged, and are mentally distressed.
自らが被災者の人も多く、精神的にも厳しい状況に置かれている。
TEPCO subcontract workers are also engaged in efforts to place the crippled plant under control.
現場では下請け会社の人々も働く。
The company should ensure that all its workers have proper food and can take a bath on a daily basis, and that they can receive mental care.
すべての人に、食事や入浴といった基本的生活に加え、心理面のケアを提供してほしい。
A system should be created to allow workers to receive treatment from mental health specialists.
誰もが産業医の診察を受けられる体制も必要だ。
The severity of the labor that the workers are engaged in while being dressed in sealed-up protective gear is beyond imagination.
目張りした防護服に身を包んでの作業の厳しさも並大抵ではない。
The rainy season will begin in June, which will be followed by summer.
これから梅雨に入り、その後には夏がくる。
An urgent task is to consider how work can be carried out in a suitable manner that reflects the climate and seasons.
気候に合わせた作業の在り方の検討も急を要する。
It is the job of TEPCO management as well as its task force to implement measures to improve the working environment for the workers.
こうした体制作りは、東電本社や対策本部の仕事だ。
They must promptly take action before the workers start making demands.
現場からの要求を待つのではなく、先回りして手を打っていかなくてはいけない。
The lack of management's understanding of the working environment at the plant could lead to a blunder or a delay in the work.
現場に対する想像力の欠如は、作業のミスや停滞につながる。
Even after TEPCO manages to place the plant under control, it does not mean an end to the work.
原発を冷温停止に持ち込めても、作業は終わらない。
It will take many years to decontaminate the facility and remove radioactive substances and fuel from the plant.
施設の除染や放射性廃棄物の撤去、燃料の取り出しなどに長い年月がかかる。
Similar work lasted for 14 years following the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant crisis that occurred in the United States in 1979.
７９年に米国で起きたスリーマイル島原発事故では、こうした作業が終わるまでに１４年かかった。
It is anticipated the work at the Fukushima plant will take longer.
福島第１ではさらに長くかかるだろう。
Considering the need to secure help from skilled workers, it is necessary to monitor the level of radiation exposure.
長期にわたって熟練した作業員の力を借りる必要があることを思えば、放射線管理も注意深く行わなくてはいけない。
It must be ensured that all workers carry dosimeters.
被ばく量を測る線量計が個人個人に行きわたらないようなことがあってはならない。
If the work is prolonged, the power supplier will be forced to suspend workers at the plant one after another to prevent them from being exposed to radiation in excess of the legal limit, causing a serious shortage of personnel. 作業が長引けば、被ばく量が限度を超える人が続出し、人手が足りなくなることもありうる。
To avoid such a situation, TEPCO must work out a plan on personnel management from a long-term perspective. そうしたことがないよう、長期的視点で計画を立てるべきだ。
It may also have to train new workers.
新たに人材を育成する必要もあるかもしれない。
TEPCO's roadmap only mentions equipment at the plant.
工程表には設備のことしか書かれていない。
However, it is human resources that will place the plant under control.
しかし、事故を収束させるのは人だ。
Therefore, measures to extend support for workers should be incorporated in the roadmap.
作業員の支援は工程表に盛り込んでしかるべきだ。
毎日新聞 2011年4月21日 東京朝刊
TEPCO should incorporate measures to support workers in nuke plant roadmap
社説：原発作業員 工程表に「人」の支援も
The Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, hit hard by a massive tsunami generated by the March 11 earthquake, has managed to avoid catastrophe thanks to the efforts of workers who are trying hard to place the power station under control.
福島第１原発がなんとか事態の悪化を免れているのは、現場で必死の作業をしている人々のおかげだ。
More than 40 days have passed since the plant was hit by the disaster, and workers' fatigue and stress have certainly reached an alarming level.
事故発生から４０日を過ぎ、彼らの疲れもストレスも、ぎりぎりのところまで高まっているに違いない。
It is expected to take six to nine months before the plant can be placed under control, according to a roadmap released earlier this week by its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).
東電が今週公表した工程表では、原発が一定の安定を保つ「冷温停止」までに６〜９カ月かかるという。
However, it is feared that the work will actually take far longer.
しかし、実際にはもっと長期間かかる可能性が高い。
Photos taken by remote-controlled robots illustrate severe conditions in the buildings housing the crippled reactors.
ロボットを使った建屋の撮影などでも厳しい環境が改めて明らかになっている。
Many of the workers are crying out for help.
こうした状況の中で一歩ずつ歩みを進めていくには、現場で作業する人々への支援がなにより大事だ。
しかし、現場から聞こえてくるのは胸の痛むような実態だ。
It is extremely important for TEPCO and the government to step up support for employees who are working hard under such severe conditions.
東京電力や政府は、もっと強力な支援体制作りを急がなくてはいけない。
A doctor who inspected TEPCO employees working at the plant has revealed that they are forced to sleep at a gymnasium attached to the Fukushima No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant after working at the No. 1 plant.
東電社員を現場で診察した産業医によると、福島第１で作業を終えた人は第２原発の体育館で雑魚寝している。
They cannot take a bath everyday and eat mostly canned and instant food.
入浴できる日も限られ、食事は缶詰やレトルトが中心だという。
Furthermore, many of them have been evacuated from their home situated in disaster-hit areas or had their residences damaged, and are mentally distressed.
自らが被災者の人も多く、精神的にも厳しい状況に置かれている。
TEPCO subcontract workers are also engaged in efforts to place the crippled plant under control.
現場では下請け会社の人々も働く。
The company should ensure that all its workers have proper food and can take a bath on a daily basis, and that they can receive mental care.
すべての人に、食事や入浴といった基本的生活に加え、心理面のケアを提供してほしい。
A system should be created to allow workers to receive treatment from mental health specialists.
誰もが産業医の診察を受けられる体制も必要だ。
The severity of the labor that the workers are engaged in while being dressed in sealed-up protective gear is beyond imagination.
目張りした防護服に身を包んでの作業の厳しさも並大抵ではない。
The rainy season will begin in June, which will be followed by summer.
これから梅雨に入り、その後には夏がくる。
An urgent task is to consider how work can be carried out in a suitable manner that reflects the climate and seasons.
気候に合わせた作業の在り方の検討も急を要する。
It is the job of TEPCO management as well as its task force to implement measures to improve the working environment for the workers.
こうした体制作りは、東電本社や対策本部の仕事だ。
They must promptly take action before the workers start making demands.
現場からの要求を待つのではなく、先回りして手を打っていかなくてはいけない。
The lack of management's understanding of the working environment at the plant could lead to a blunder or a delay in the work.
現場に対する想像力の欠如は、作業のミスや停滞につながる。
Even after TEPCO manages to place the plant under control, it does not mean an end to the work.
原発を冷温停止に持ち込めても、作業は終わらない。
It will take many years to decontaminate the facility and remove radioactive substances and fuel from the plant.
施設の除染や放射性廃棄物の撤去、燃料の取り出しなどに長い年月がかかる。
Similar work lasted for 14 years following the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant crisis that occurred in the United States in 1979.
７９年に米国で起きたスリーマイル島原発事故では、こうした作業が終わるまでに１４年かかった。
It is anticipated the work at the Fukushima plant will take longer.
福島第１ではさらに長くかかるだろう。
Considering the need to secure help from skilled workers, it is necessary to monitor the level of radiation exposure.
長期にわたって熟練した作業員の力を借りる必要があることを思えば、放射線管理も注意深く行わなくてはいけない。
It must be ensured that all workers carry dosimeters.
被ばく量を測る線量計が個人個人に行きわたらないようなことがあってはならない。
If the work is prolonged, the power supplier will be forced to suspend workers at the plant one after another to prevent them from being exposed to radiation in excess of the legal limit, causing a serious shortage of personnel. 作業が長引けば、被ばく量が限度を超える人が続出し、人手が足りなくなることもありうる。
To avoid such a situation, TEPCO must work out a plan on personnel management from a long-term perspective. そうしたことがないよう、長期的視点で計画を立てるべきだ。
It may also have to train new workers.
新たに人材を育成する必要もあるかもしれない。
TEPCO's roadmap only mentions equipment at the plant.
工程表には設備のことしか書かれていない。
However, it is human resources that will place the plant under control.
しかし、事故を収束させるのは人だ。
Therefore, measures to extend support for workers should be incorporated in the roadmap.
作業員の支援は工程表に盛り込んでしかるべきだ。
毎日新聞 2011年4月21日 東京朝刊
2011年04月18日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災から１カ月
香山リカさんは精神科医師としては心が優しすぎるなって感じました。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) April 17, 2011
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Emotions on the one-month anniversary of the earthquake
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災から１カ月 ／東京
More than one month has now passed since the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
震災から１カ月。
We have all spent the time since then in our own ways, but there may be those who recently found themselves vividly remembering that day one month ago, once again being assaulted by fear or sadness.
それぞれの人が、それぞれのすごし方をしたはずだ。
中には、１カ月前のあの日のことが生々しく思い出され、恐怖、悲しみが再び襲ってきた、という人もいるのではないだろうか。
There may even be those who have become physically ill, even as they were just getting their lives back on track.
生活がやっと元のリズムに戻りつつあったのに、また体調が悪くなったという人もいるかもしれない。
A person's emotional state becoming highly unsettled on the weekly, monthly, or yearly anniversary of some big event is a known phenomenon in psychiatry, and it in itself is neither a disease nor is it abnormal.
大きなできごとから１週間、１カ月、１年など節目節目のときに、感情が激しく揺れてしまう。これは、精神医学の世界で「記念日反応」と呼ばれる現象で、それ自体は異常でも病気でもない。
One cause of it can be emphasis placed on such anniversaries by television programs and newspapers.
テレビや新聞が「あれから１カ月」と強調するのも、この反応の引き金になることがある。
However, as much as one tells oneself that "this is not abnormal," the emotional disturbance itself can be very hard to bear, and some people may take a further emotional hit by seeing a reversal in themselves after they thought they had made progress in recovering.
ただ、いくら「異常ではないのだ」と思っても、それ自体はとてもつらく、「少しは立ち直ったはずだったのに」と感情の揺り戻しにショックを受ける人もいるだろう。
In the case of the recent disasters, the continuing aftershocks and developments at the nuclear power plant may have aggravated this anniversary phenomenon.
とくに、繰り返す余震や原発事故への不安が、１カ月目の心の反応をよりシビアなものにしているおそれがある。
Preventing the occurrence of this anniversary reaction might not be possible.
この記念日反応自体が起こらないようにするのは、正直言ってむずかしい。
However, just knowing of its existence should take away some of the emotional burden of those experiencing it.
ただ、そういうものがあると知っておくだけでも、心は少しラクになるはずだ。
If you find yourself thinking, "Lately, I feel somehow anxious, and I'm often crying," you can then think, "Ah wait, this may be my reaction to the one-month anniversary.
It can happen to anyone, and it's OK," and it may become easier to let those bad feelings pass.
「最近、なんだかまた心がざわつくな。涙もよくこぼれるし。そうか、これが１カ月目あたりの記念日反応なのか」と思うと、「誰でもなることなんだから、だいじょうぶ」とやり過ごしやすくなるのではないか。
Furthermore, if one intentionally makes oneself aware of anniversaries and then passes them with an activity like offering a silent prayer, then I think one can reduce the feelings of uneasiness.
また節目の時を自分であえて「あれから半年か」などと意識して、静かに祈りの時をすごすなどすれば、えたいの知れない感情による動揺を減らせると思う。
Thinking about it, after a disaster this huge, it is only natural that the path to recovery will not be a simple and straight one.
考えてみれば、これだけの大災害なのだから、立ち直りの道のりが一直線でないのも、あたり前。
It is extremely normal that people would feel anxiety during anniversary periods, going from having somewhat positive attitudes back to gloomy ones, and from having energy to losing it.
節目の時期に気持ちが揺れるのは、ごく自然のことだ。少し前向きになったかと思うとまた落ち込み、やる気があふれてきたはずなのに突然、無気力になる。
Even if there are ups and downs, as long as the end result is recovery, there is no problem.
山あり谷ありでだんだん、元気になっていけばそれでいいのだ。
No one should feel bad about themselves if they experience stalls or setbacks on their road to recovery.
復興の歩みの中で、停滞したりまた心が逆戻りしたりすることを、後ろめたく思わないでほしい。
In fact, I worry about those who have made themselves consistently positive and optimistic since the disaster, and whether built up exhaustion won't at some point overcome them, coming out all at once.
むしろ、発生直後から一貫して前向きで元気いっぱい、という人のほうが、いつかその疲れが一気に出るのでは、と心配だ。
Amidst all of this, I don't expect that anyone can completely be their normal selves, and it's no mystery if something happens to our emotional states.
こんな中、誰もがいつもの自分でなんかいられるはずがない。
Without being surprised or caught off-guard by any changes we find in ourselves, we should move forward, doing what we can, while not trying to do the impossible.
心にも何が起きても不思議ではない。驚かずうろたえず、自分の変化を受けとめながら、できることをできる分だけやっていく。できないときには無理をしない。
There is nothing wrong with such a path to recovery, even if it's a bit of a zigzag. (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
そんなジグザグの歩みでいいはずだ。
毎日新聞 2011年4月12日 地方版
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) April 17, 2011
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Emotions on the one-month anniversary of the earthquake
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：震災から１カ月 ／東京
More than one month has now passed since the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
震災から１カ月。
We have all spent the time since then in our own ways, but there may be those who recently found themselves vividly remembering that day one month ago, once again being assaulted by fear or sadness.
それぞれの人が、それぞれのすごし方をしたはずだ。
中には、１カ月前のあの日のことが生々しく思い出され、恐怖、悲しみが再び襲ってきた、という人もいるのではないだろうか。
There may even be those who have become physically ill, even as they were just getting their lives back on track.
生活がやっと元のリズムに戻りつつあったのに、また体調が悪くなったという人もいるかもしれない。
A person's emotional state becoming highly unsettled on the weekly, monthly, or yearly anniversary of some big event is a known phenomenon in psychiatry, and it in itself is neither a disease nor is it abnormal.
大きなできごとから１週間、１カ月、１年など節目節目のときに、感情が激しく揺れてしまう。これは、精神医学の世界で「記念日反応」と呼ばれる現象で、それ自体は異常でも病気でもない。
One cause of it can be emphasis placed on such anniversaries by television programs and newspapers.
テレビや新聞が「あれから１カ月」と強調するのも、この反応の引き金になることがある。
However, as much as one tells oneself that "this is not abnormal," the emotional disturbance itself can be very hard to bear, and some people may take a further emotional hit by seeing a reversal in themselves after they thought they had made progress in recovering.
ただ、いくら「異常ではないのだ」と思っても、それ自体はとてもつらく、「少しは立ち直ったはずだったのに」と感情の揺り戻しにショックを受ける人もいるだろう。
In the case of the recent disasters, the continuing aftershocks and developments at the nuclear power plant may have aggravated this anniversary phenomenon.
とくに、繰り返す余震や原発事故への不安が、１カ月目の心の反応をよりシビアなものにしているおそれがある。
Preventing the occurrence of this anniversary reaction might not be possible.
この記念日反応自体が起こらないようにするのは、正直言ってむずかしい。
However, just knowing of its existence should take away some of the emotional burden of those experiencing it.
ただ、そういうものがあると知っておくだけでも、心は少しラクになるはずだ。
If you find yourself thinking, "Lately, I feel somehow anxious, and I'm often crying," you can then think, "Ah wait, this may be my reaction to the one-month anniversary.
It can happen to anyone, and it's OK," and it may become easier to let those bad feelings pass.
「最近、なんだかまた心がざわつくな。涙もよくこぼれるし。そうか、これが１カ月目あたりの記念日反応なのか」と思うと、「誰でもなることなんだから、だいじょうぶ」とやり過ごしやすくなるのではないか。
Furthermore, if one intentionally makes oneself aware of anniversaries and then passes them with an activity like offering a silent prayer, then I think one can reduce the feelings of uneasiness.
また節目の時を自分であえて「あれから半年か」などと意識して、静かに祈りの時をすごすなどすれば、えたいの知れない感情による動揺を減らせると思う。
Thinking about it, after a disaster this huge, it is only natural that the path to recovery will not be a simple and straight one.
考えてみれば、これだけの大災害なのだから、立ち直りの道のりが一直線でないのも、あたり前。
It is extremely normal that people would feel anxiety during anniversary periods, going from having somewhat positive attitudes back to gloomy ones, and from having energy to losing it.
節目の時期に気持ちが揺れるのは、ごく自然のことだ。少し前向きになったかと思うとまた落ち込み、やる気があふれてきたはずなのに突然、無気力になる。
Even if there are ups and downs, as long as the end result is recovery, there is no problem.
山あり谷ありでだんだん、元気になっていけばそれでいいのだ。
No one should feel bad about themselves if they experience stalls or setbacks on their road to recovery.
復興の歩みの中で、停滞したりまた心が逆戻りしたりすることを、後ろめたく思わないでほしい。
In fact, I worry about those who have made themselves consistently positive and optimistic since the disaster, and whether built up exhaustion won't at some point overcome them, coming out all at once.
むしろ、発生直後から一貫して前向きで元気いっぱい、という人のほうが、いつかその疲れが一気に出るのでは、と心配だ。
Amidst all of this, I don't expect that anyone can completely be their normal selves, and it's no mystery if something happens to our emotional states.
こんな中、誰もがいつもの自分でなんかいられるはずがない。
Without being surprised or caught off-guard by any changes we find in ourselves, we should move forward, doing what we can, while not trying to do the impossible.
心にも何が起きても不思議ではない。驚かずうろたえず、自分の変化を受けとめながら、できることをできる分だけやっていく。できないときには無理をしない。
There is nothing wrong with such a path to recovery, even if it's a bit of a zigzag. (By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
そんなジグザグの歩みでいいはずだ。
毎日新聞 2011年4月12日 地方版
2011年04月17日
地震国の原発 政策の大転換を図れ
(Mainichi Japan) April 16, 2011
Japan should change energy policy following nuclear power plant crisis
社説：震災後 地震国の原発 政策の大転換を図れ
Events that have occurred since the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake have reminded us of the reality Japan faces -- another powerful earthquake could occur anytime and anywhere, and we have no way to predict it.
いつ、どこで、どれほど大きな地震や津波が起きても不思議はない。しかも、それを予測するすべを私たちは持たない。
日本列島の現実を改めて思い知らされる１カ月だった。
予測不能な大地震だけでも日本が抱える大きなリスクである。
Fifty-four nuclear reactors are situated in coastal areas of Japan. Many experts have repeatedly pointed out how difficult it is to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants in this earthquake-prone country.
その海岸沿いに５４基の原発が建ち並ぶ。地震と原発の共存がいかにむずかしいか。警告は何度も発せられてきた。
Some scientists had predicted that radiation could leak from a nuclear power plant if it was damaged by a powerful quake and ensuing tsunami. One of them, Kobe University professor emeritus Katsuhiko Ishibashi, called such a potential accident an "earthquake-triggered nuclear power plant disaster."
石橋克彦・神戸大名誉教授のように「原発震災」という言葉で惨事を予見してきた科学者もいる。
However, electric power suppliers as well as the government had dismissed such warnings as a "minority opinion." The consequences of this attitude are the serious crisis at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).
しかし、電力会社も政府も「少数派」として退けてきた。その帰結が今、私たちが直面する東京電力福島第１原発の深刻な事故である。
◇「想定外」許されぬ
The distortion of the earth's crust caused by the powerful quake has had a huge impact on various areas of Japan. No optimism can be justified for future seismic activity in the Japanese archipelago.
大地震がもたらした地殻のゆがみは各地に影響を与えている。今後の地震活動は、予断を許さない。
The government has no choice but to seriously consider whether quake-prone Japan can coexist with nuclear power stations, take prompt countermeasures and drastically change its nuclear energy policy.
地震国日本は原発と共存できるのか。真摯（しんし）に検証した上で、早急に打つべき手を打ちながら、原発政策の大転換を図るしかない。
The biggest problem with nuclear power plants is their lack of measures against tsunami. Measures to protect nuclear plants from tsunami are incorporated in the government's guidelines for the quake-resistance of nuclear power plants that were revised in 2006, but priority has not been given to anti-tsunami measures. Moreover, power suppliers have been slow to re-examine their nuclear plants in accordance with the amended guidelines. TEPCO has not even completed its re-examination.
まず、誰もが問題だと思うのは津波対策の不備だ。０６年に改定された原発耐震指針に盛り込まれているが、扱いは非常に軽い。新指針に基づく再点検も後回しにされ、東電は点検を終えていない。
On the other hand, some electric power companies strengthened measures to protect their nuclear plants from tsunami following the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake in Niigata Prefecture in 2007. One of them is the Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant in central Japan.
一方で、東海第２原発のように新潟県中越沖地震の後に津波対策を一部強化していたところもある。
It is not permissible to conclude that the crisis at the Fukushima plant was caused by an unexpected massive tsunami.
「想定外の津波」という言葉で事故を総括することは許されない。
TEPCO's responses to the crisis are highly questionable. TEPCO was unprepared for a situation in which all external power sources were lost and it became impossible to cool down nuclear reactors for a long time. This is despite the fact that following the 1979 crisis at the Three Mile Island nuclear power station in the United States, countermeasures against serious nuclear power plant accidents were worked out in Japan to cope with the possibility of more catastrophic nuclear plant disasters.
事故対応にも疑問は多い。７９年の米スリーマイル島原発事故をきっかけに、設計の想定を超える事態への対応として「過酷事故対策」が日本でも用意された。
ところが、今回のようにすべての電源が失われ、原子炉が長期間にわたって冷却不能に陥った場合の具体的備えが東電にはなかった。
Initial responses to a nuclear power station accident are extremely crucial. Nevertheless, TEPCO was slow in introducing power-supply vehicles to the crippled plant, ventilating the reactors and pouring sea water into the reactors to cool them down. This shows that TEPCO was unprepared to implement serious accident countermeasures.
事故対応には初動が何より大事だ。にもかかわらず、電源車の用意や、原子炉の換気、海水注入などに手間取った。過酷事故対策を運用する準備があったとは思えない。
Power suppliers should put priority on securing electric power sources at their nuclear power stations in case of emergency. Guidelines for measures to protect nuclear plants from tsunami and their quake-resistance need to be promptly reviewed.
当面の課題は、全国の原発で電源確保を確実にすることだ。津波対策や耐震強化の見直しも急がねばならない。
The government has also come under mounting pressure to review its regulations on nuclear power plants and the system to supervise them.
国の規制や監視体制も改革を迫られている。
We have repeatedly pointed out that it is contradictory that the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency that regulates and supervises nuclear power plants comes under the umbrella of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry that is promoting nuclear power generation. The government's responses to the accident have illustrated this contradiction. Furthermore, the accident has called into question the raison d'etre of the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC). The government should reorganize these bodies into a completely independent regulatory organization.
監督官庁である原子力安全・保安院が原発推進の立場にある経済産業省に属する矛盾はこれまでも指摘してきた。今回の対応にもその矛盾を感じる。原子力安全委の存在意義も問われている。完全に独立した規制機関を再構築すべきだ。
But the implementation of these measures alone is not enough.
ただし、こうした「手当て」を施して良しとするわけにはいかない。
Following the crisis at the Fukushima plant, NSC Chairman Haruki Madarame remarked, "Nuclear power stations can't be designed without discarding the potential for some problems, but the accident shows the way the potential problems were disregarded was wrong."
事故発生後、原子力安全委の班目春樹委員長は「割り切らなければ原発は設計できないが、割り切り方が正しくなかった」と述べた。安全委員長の発言として納得できないが、それに加えて疑問が浮かぶ。
His remarks have raised questions as to whether a catastrophic accident can be prevented if problems are conveniently disregarded and whether it is enough to strengthen safety regulations, improve equipment and work out measures to respond to any emergency situation.
割り切り方を間違えなければ大事故は起きないのか。安全規制を厳しくし、設備や緊急時の対応策を整えれば、事足りるのかという点だ。
Both the government and power suppliers had emphasized for many years that nuclear power plants are safe because they are protected by multiple safety devices. However, the latest crisis has illustrated the fragileness of the multiple protective devices.
これまで、電力会社も政府も、原発は安全装置を何重にも重ねた「多重防護」に守られ、安全だと強調してきた。しかし、今回の事故で多重防護のもろさがわかった。
In other words, the accident has demonstrated that complete safety can not be achieved even if far more protective devices are installed at nuclear plants, and that serious accident countermeasures, implemented following the Three Mile Island disaster, have been unable to quickly bring the potential for nuclear disaster under control.
どこまで安全装置を重ねても絶対の安全はなく、過酷事故対策も事故を収拾できなかったというのが現実だ。
Japan should change energy policy following nuclear power plant crisis
社説：震災後 地震国の原発 政策の大転換を図れ
Events that have occurred since the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake have reminded us of the reality Japan faces -- another powerful earthquake could occur anytime and anywhere, and we have no way to predict it.
いつ、どこで、どれほど大きな地震や津波が起きても不思議はない。しかも、それを予測するすべを私たちは持たない。
日本列島の現実を改めて思い知らされる１カ月だった。
予測不能な大地震だけでも日本が抱える大きなリスクである。
Fifty-four nuclear reactors are situated in coastal areas of Japan. Many experts have repeatedly pointed out how difficult it is to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants in this earthquake-prone country.
その海岸沿いに５４基の原発が建ち並ぶ。地震と原発の共存がいかにむずかしいか。警告は何度も発せられてきた。
Some scientists had predicted that radiation could leak from a nuclear power plant if it was damaged by a powerful quake and ensuing tsunami. One of them, Kobe University professor emeritus Katsuhiko Ishibashi, called such a potential accident an "earthquake-triggered nuclear power plant disaster."
石橋克彦・神戸大名誉教授のように「原発震災」という言葉で惨事を予見してきた科学者もいる。
However, electric power suppliers as well as the government had dismissed such warnings as a "minority opinion." The consequences of this attitude are the serious crisis at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).
しかし、電力会社も政府も「少数派」として退けてきた。その帰結が今、私たちが直面する東京電力福島第１原発の深刻な事故である。
◇「想定外」許されぬ
The distortion of the earth's crust caused by the powerful quake has had a huge impact on various areas of Japan. No optimism can be justified for future seismic activity in the Japanese archipelago.
大地震がもたらした地殻のゆがみは各地に影響を与えている。今後の地震活動は、予断を許さない。
The government has no choice but to seriously consider whether quake-prone Japan can coexist with nuclear power stations, take prompt countermeasures and drastically change its nuclear energy policy.
地震国日本は原発と共存できるのか。真摯（しんし）に検証した上で、早急に打つべき手を打ちながら、原発政策の大転換を図るしかない。
The biggest problem with nuclear power plants is their lack of measures against tsunami. Measures to protect nuclear plants from tsunami are incorporated in the government's guidelines for the quake-resistance of nuclear power plants that were revised in 2006, but priority has not been given to anti-tsunami measures. Moreover, power suppliers have been slow to re-examine their nuclear plants in accordance with the amended guidelines. TEPCO has not even completed its re-examination.
まず、誰もが問題だと思うのは津波対策の不備だ。０６年に改定された原発耐震指針に盛り込まれているが、扱いは非常に軽い。新指針に基づく再点検も後回しにされ、東電は点検を終えていない。
On the other hand, some electric power companies strengthened measures to protect their nuclear plants from tsunami following the Chuetsu Offshore Earthquake in Niigata Prefecture in 2007. One of them is the Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Plant in central Japan.
一方で、東海第２原発のように新潟県中越沖地震の後に津波対策を一部強化していたところもある。
It is not permissible to conclude that the crisis at the Fukushima plant was caused by an unexpected massive tsunami.
「想定外の津波」という言葉で事故を総括することは許されない。
TEPCO's responses to the crisis are highly questionable. TEPCO was unprepared for a situation in which all external power sources were lost and it became impossible to cool down nuclear reactors for a long time. This is despite the fact that following the 1979 crisis at the Three Mile Island nuclear power station in the United States, countermeasures against serious nuclear power plant accidents were worked out in Japan to cope with the possibility of more catastrophic nuclear plant disasters.
事故対応にも疑問は多い。７９年の米スリーマイル島原発事故をきっかけに、設計の想定を超える事態への対応として「過酷事故対策」が日本でも用意された。
ところが、今回のようにすべての電源が失われ、原子炉が長期間にわたって冷却不能に陥った場合の具体的備えが東電にはなかった。
Initial responses to a nuclear power station accident are extremely crucial. Nevertheless, TEPCO was slow in introducing power-supply vehicles to the crippled plant, ventilating the reactors and pouring sea water into the reactors to cool them down. This shows that TEPCO was unprepared to implement serious accident countermeasures.
事故対応には初動が何より大事だ。にもかかわらず、電源車の用意や、原子炉の換気、海水注入などに手間取った。過酷事故対策を運用する準備があったとは思えない。
Power suppliers should put priority on securing electric power sources at their nuclear power stations in case of emergency. Guidelines for measures to protect nuclear plants from tsunami and their quake-resistance need to be promptly reviewed.
当面の課題は、全国の原発で電源確保を確実にすることだ。津波対策や耐震強化の見直しも急がねばならない。
The government has also come under mounting pressure to review its regulations on nuclear power plants and the system to supervise them.
国の規制や監視体制も改革を迫られている。
We have repeatedly pointed out that it is contradictory that the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency that regulates and supervises nuclear power plants comes under the umbrella of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry that is promoting nuclear power generation. The government's responses to the accident have illustrated this contradiction. Furthermore, the accident has called into question the raison d'etre of the Cabinet Office's Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC). The government should reorganize these bodies into a completely independent regulatory organization.
監督官庁である原子力安全・保安院が原発推進の立場にある経済産業省に属する矛盾はこれまでも指摘してきた。今回の対応にもその矛盾を感じる。原子力安全委の存在意義も問われている。完全に独立した規制機関を再構築すべきだ。
But the implementation of these measures alone is not enough.
ただし、こうした「手当て」を施して良しとするわけにはいかない。
Following the crisis at the Fukushima plant, NSC Chairman Haruki Madarame remarked, "Nuclear power stations can't be designed without discarding the potential for some problems, but the accident shows the way the potential problems were disregarded was wrong."
事故発生後、原子力安全委の班目春樹委員長は「割り切らなければ原発は設計できないが、割り切り方が正しくなかった」と述べた。安全委員長の発言として納得できないが、それに加えて疑問が浮かぶ。
His remarks have raised questions as to whether a catastrophic accident can be prevented if problems are conveniently disregarded and whether it is enough to strengthen safety regulations, improve equipment and work out measures to respond to any emergency situation.
割り切り方を間違えなければ大事故は起きないのか。安全規制を厳しくし、設備や緊急時の対応策を整えれば、事足りるのかという点だ。
Both the government and power suppliers had emphasized for many years that nuclear power plants are safe because they are protected by multiple safety devices. However, the latest crisis has illustrated the fragileness of the multiple protective devices.
これまで、電力会社も政府も、原発は安全装置を何重にも重ねた「多重防護」に守られ、安全だと強調してきた。しかし、今回の事故で多重防護のもろさがわかった。
In other words, the accident has demonstrated that complete safety can not be achieved even if far more protective devices are installed at nuclear plants, and that serious accident countermeasures, implemented following the Three Mile Island disaster, have been unable to quickly bring the potential for nuclear disaster under control.
どこまで安全装置を重ねても絶対の安全はなく、過酷事故対策も事故を収拾できなかったというのが現実だ。
2011年04月15日
世界の支援 はげましを忘れない
タイはお正月の真っ最中。
今年は飲酒運転で例年以上に多くの人々が命を落としている。
昨夜はソレントラストランで夕食の後、そのままローマホテルに宿泊した。（タクシーも休みだった＾＾）
久しぶりのモーニングバフェー（ビュッフェ形式の朝食）に娘たちは大喜び。
英字新聞を発行するために帰宅したところ、タイのアピシット首相が日本を支援するために緊急支援予算を組んだという記事に遭遇、感動した。
アピシット首相は震災直後にも日本にガスタービン発電設備を貸与してくれている。
タイは人口６０００万人でそのうち５０００万人が農業に従事している。
税金を納めることができている人はわずか１５００人程度だと聞く。
それでタイは税収面では大変厳しい状況。
金額の大小で比較して欲しくない。
純粋にありがたいなって感じました。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) April 15, 2011
Japan eternally grateful for international support following disaster
社説：世界の支援 はげましを忘れない
Kenji Miyazawa, a poet and author of children's books, was born in Iwate Prefecture in 1896, the year when the Meiji Sanriku earthquake and tsunami hit, and died at the age of 37 in 1933, the year the Showa Sanriku earthquake and tsunami struck.
岩手出身の詩人・童話作家、宮沢賢治は明治三陸大津波の年（１８９６）に生まれ、昭和三陸大津波の年（１９３３）に３７歳の生涯を閉じた。
Miyazawa loved the Tohoku region and heaped infinite love on his poor and humble countrymen and women.
東北の大地に住む、貧しくつつましい人たちに、限りない愛情を注いだ賢治。
In his masterpiece "Night on the Milky Way Train," Giovanni, the lead character of the book, lowers his head and murmurs, "What should I do for the sake of that person's happiness."
代表作「銀河鉄道の夜」には、主人公の心やさしい少年ジョバンニが「ぼくはそのひとのさいわいのためにいったいどうしたらいいのだろう」と、こうべをたれてつぶやく場面がある。
Many people from around the world have supported Japan since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The U.S. military implemented "Operation Tomodachi," a mission in which 20,000 personnel delivered supplies and engaged in search and rescue efforts. Other foreigners provided materials such as canned food and underwear for people at shelters.
東日本大震災が起きてから、世界中が日本を支えてくれた。２万人態勢の「トモダチ作戦」で物資輸送、救助・捜索にあたった米軍をはじめ、缶詰や下着など避難生活に必要な物資を送ったり、医療活動などにあたった多くの国。
Foreign governments were not alone in providing support and offered words of encouragement. Kenyan girls sang a song together mourning the victims of the tsunami. Nurse and nursing care candidates in Jakarta donated 140,000 yen out of their own pockets despite their less well-off lives.
涙を流しながら、津波犠牲者を悼む歌を合唱したケニアの少女たち。決して裕福ではない生活の中から１４万円を寄付してくれた、ジャカルタの看護師・介護福祉士候補者のみなさん。
We want to say a big thank you to the numerous tender-hearted Giovannis who sympathized with disaster victims and did all these things for the sake of their happiness. We will not forget your acts of kindness.
遠い異国の被災者のつらさをわがものと受け止め、他者のしあわせを自分のしあわせに置きかえる無数のやさしいジョバンニに、私たちはこう伝えたい。ありがとう、あなたがたの気持ちは忘れません、と。
Foreign residents in Japan also prepared meals and removed debris in the battered areas. Goodwill and consideration beyond national borders and nationalities has encouraged the Japanese who have been absorbed in grief.
日本に住む外国人も、被災地に行って炊き出しなどのボランティアをしている。震災で悲しみに沈む日本人にとり、国境や国籍を超えた思いやりは大きなはげましだった。
After the big earthquake, the huge tsunami and the nuclear power plant catastrophe, we had been at a loss as to what to do over the series of unmitigated disasters but are now feeling firsthand the bonds of friendship.
大地震と大津波と原発事故。容赦ない災害の連鎖にぼうぜんとなりながらも、私たちは今、世界との絆を感じている。
Japan is not alone. We firmly believe this as we face a long road to reconstruction and revival.
日本は一人じゃない。復興と再生への遠い道のりを前にしながら、そう思う。
Until this recent disaster, Japan had been a provider of support. We are now on the receiving end of support from around the world.
私たちはこれまで、支援を与える側にいた。その私たちが、支援を受ける側に立った。
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who mapped out an emergency support budget worth as much as 550 million yen said, "Japan has played an important role in the development of Thailand over the last 50 years. This is an opportunity to return the favor."
約５億５０００万円の緊急支援予算を組んだタイのアピシット首相は「日本はこの５０年間、タイの発展に重要な役割を担ってきた。タイが恩に報いるのはこの機会だ」と語った。
Many countries and international organizations say this is their turn to help Japan, which has long helped them.
多くの国や国際機関が、いままで助けてくれた日本を今度は私たちが助ける番だ、と言ってくれる。
International support, coexistence, co-prosperity, global citizens... we are touched by these words, which we had long just used like a recital. We recognize anew that goodwill beyond national borders is so heart-warming on the receiving side.
国際支援、共存共栄、地球市民。お題目のように使ってきたこうした言葉が、抽象的ではなく、生き生きとした実感を伴って、私たちの胸に響く。外国から寄せられる善意が、困難な環境にいる人たちにとって、どれほど心温まるものかを、私たちは今さらながらに知った。
Big aftershocks continue and it is not clear as to when the hardship of disaster victims will end. There are no estimates as to when the nuclear accident will be under control.
大きな余震が続き、震災被災者たちの苦境は、いつ終わるともしれない。原発事故が収束するかどうかもなお、予測がつかない。
It will take a little more time before a fully vibrant Japanese society will re-emerge. But we will come back as a strong and striking nation to respond to the encouragement from the international community and transform ourselves into a nation that can host many visitors from abroad once again.
再び活力あふれる日本社会が戻ってくるまでには、もう少し時間がかかるだろう。だが私たちは、強じんで魅力ある国として、必ず復活する。国際社会からの温かいエールに応えるためにも。世界中からまた、たくさんの人がやってくる国にするためにも。
Japan is not alone. At the same time, it means Japan cannot live alone. We are a nation that is destined to depend on other countries for energy resources and food and live on as a trading nation. A peaceful existence is essential for Japan's survival.
日本は一人じゃない。それは、同時に、日本は一人では生きられないということでもある。エネルギー資源や食料を海外に依存し、外国と交易しながら生きていくことを、運命づけられた国である。平和な日常は、日本の生存にとって不可欠である。
Accordingly, we want to be a compassionate country -- more than ever considerate of others' pain. There are many people in the world who have lost their jobs and families and live in poverty and suffer from diseases due to unjust external forces such as natural disasters and conflicts.
であればこそ私たちは、他者の痛みに、よりいっそう敏感な国でありたい。自然災害や紛争など、不条理な外部からの力によって仕事や家族や大切な人を失い、貧困や疾病に苦しむ人たちが、世界にはおおぜいいるのだから。
We will place the utmost importance on the opening of our eyes to the world and the protection of individual dignity. That is the path we will take to show our appreciation for the support from the international community during this devastating disaster.
外に目を開き、この地球に住む一人一人の人間の尊厳を守ることを何よりも大切にする−−。それが、震災でいただいた世界の支援に、私たちが応える道ではないだろうか。
毎日新聞 2011年4月15日 東京朝刊
今年は飲酒運転で例年以上に多くの人々が命を落としている。
昨夜はソレントラストランで夕食の後、そのままローマホテルに宿泊した。（タクシーも休みだった＾＾）
久しぶりのモーニングバフェー（ビュッフェ形式の朝食）に娘たちは大喜び。
英字新聞を発行するために帰宅したところ、タイのアピシット首相が日本を支援するために緊急支援予算を組んだという記事に遭遇、感動した。
アピシット首相は震災直後にも日本にガスタービン発電設備を貸与してくれている。
タイは人口６０００万人でそのうち５０００万人が農業に従事している。
税金を納めることができている人はわずか１５００人程度だと聞く。
それでタイは税収面では大変厳しい状況。
金額の大小で比較して欲しくない。
純粋にありがたいなって感じました。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) April 15, 2011
Japan eternally grateful for international support following disaster
社説：世界の支援 はげましを忘れない
Kenji Miyazawa, a poet and author of children's books, was born in Iwate Prefecture in 1896, the year when the Meiji Sanriku earthquake and tsunami hit, and died at the age of 37 in 1933, the year the Showa Sanriku earthquake and tsunami struck.
岩手出身の詩人・童話作家、宮沢賢治は明治三陸大津波の年（１８９６）に生まれ、昭和三陸大津波の年（１９３３）に３７歳の生涯を閉じた。
Miyazawa loved the Tohoku region and heaped infinite love on his poor and humble countrymen and women.
東北の大地に住む、貧しくつつましい人たちに、限りない愛情を注いだ賢治。
In his masterpiece "Night on the Milky Way Train," Giovanni, the lead character of the book, lowers his head and murmurs, "What should I do for the sake of that person's happiness."
代表作「銀河鉄道の夜」には、主人公の心やさしい少年ジョバンニが「ぼくはそのひとのさいわいのためにいったいどうしたらいいのだろう」と、こうべをたれてつぶやく場面がある。
Many people from around the world have supported Japan since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The U.S. military implemented "Operation Tomodachi," a mission in which 20,000 personnel delivered supplies and engaged in search and rescue efforts. Other foreigners provided materials such as canned food and underwear for people at shelters.
東日本大震災が起きてから、世界中が日本を支えてくれた。２万人態勢の「トモダチ作戦」で物資輸送、救助・捜索にあたった米軍をはじめ、缶詰や下着など避難生活に必要な物資を送ったり、医療活動などにあたった多くの国。
Foreign governments were not alone in providing support and offered words of encouragement. Kenyan girls sang a song together mourning the victims of the tsunami. Nurse and nursing care candidates in Jakarta donated 140,000 yen out of their own pockets despite their less well-off lives.
涙を流しながら、津波犠牲者を悼む歌を合唱したケニアの少女たち。決して裕福ではない生活の中から１４万円を寄付してくれた、ジャカルタの看護師・介護福祉士候補者のみなさん。
We want to say a big thank you to the numerous tender-hearted Giovannis who sympathized with disaster victims and did all these things for the sake of their happiness. We will not forget your acts of kindness.
遠い異国の被災者のつらさをわがものと受け止め、他者のしあわせを自分のしあわせに置きかえる無数のやさしいジョバンニに、私たちはこう伝えたい。ありがとう、あなたがたの気持ちは忘れません、と。
Foreign residents in Japan also prepared meals and removed debris in the battered areas. Goodwill and consideration beyond national borders and nationalities has encouraged the Japanese who have been absorbed in grief.
日本に住む外国人も、被災地に行って炊き出しなどのボランティアをしている。震災で悲しみに沈む日本人にとり、国境や国籍を超えた思いやりは大きなはげましだった。
After the big earthquake, the huge tsunami and the nuclear power plant catastrophe, we had been at a loss as to what to do over the series of unmitigated disasters but are now feeling firsthand the bonds of friendship.
大地震と大津波と原発事故。容赦ない災害の連鎖にぼうぜんとなりながらも、私たちは今、世界との絆を感じている。
Japan is not alone. We firmly believe this as we face a long road to reconstruction and revival.
日本は一人じゃない。復興と再生への遠い道のりを前にしながら、そう思う。
Until this recent disaster, Japan had been a provider of support. We are now on the receiving end of support from around the world.
私たちはこれまで、支援を与える側にいた。その私たちが、支援を受ける側に立った。
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who mapped out an emergency support budget worth as much as 550 million yen said, "Japan has played an important role in the development of Thailand over the last 50 years. This is an opportunity to return the favor."
約５億５０００万円の緊急支援予算を組んだタイのアピシット首相は「日本はこの５０年間、タイの発展に重要な役割を担ってきた。タイが恩に報いるのはこの機会だ」と語った。
Many countries and international organizations say this is their turn to help Japan, which has long helped them.
多くの国や国際機関が、いままで助けてくれた日本を今度は私たちが助ける番だ、と言ってくれる。
International support, coexistence, co-prosperity, global citizens... we are touched by these words, which we had long just used like a recital. We recognize anew that goodwill beyond national borders is so heart-warming on the receiving side.
国際支援、共存共栄、地球市民。お題目のように使ってきたこうした言葉が、抽象的ではなく、生き生きとした実感を伴って、私たちの胸に響く。外国から寄せられる善意が、困難な環境にいる人たちにとって、どれほど心温まるものかを、私たちは今さらながらに知った。
Big aftershocks continue and it is not clear as to when the hardship of disaster victims will end. There are no estimates as to when the nuclear accident will be under control.
大きな余震が続き、震災被災者たちの苦境は、いつ終わるともしれない。原発事故が収束するかどうかもなお、予測がつかない。
It will take a little more time before a fully vibrant Japanese society will re-emerge. But we will come back as a strong and striking nation to respond to the encouragement from the international community and transform ourselves into a nation that can host many visitors from abroad once again.
再び活力あふれる日本社会が戻ってくるまでには、もう少し時間がかかるだろう。だが私たちは、強じんで魅力ある国として、必ず復活する。国際社会からの温かいエールに応えるためにも。世界中からまた、たくさんの人がやってくる国にするためにも。
Japan is not alone. At the same time, it means Japan cannot live alone. We are a nation that is destined to depend on other countries for energy resources and food and live on as a trading nation. A peaceful existence is essential for Japan's survival.
日本は一人じゃない。それは、同時に、日本は一人では生きられないということでもある。エネルギー資源や食料を海外に依存し、外国と交易しながら生きていくことを、運命づけられた国である。平和な日常は、日本の生存にとって不可欠である。
Accordingly, we want to be a compassionate country -- more than ever considerate of others' pain. There are many people in the world who have lost their jobs and families and live in poverty and suffer from diseases due to unjust external forces such as natural disasters and conflicts.
であればこそ私たちは、他者の痛みに、よりいっそう敏感な国でありたい。自然災害や紛争など、不条理な外部からの力によって仕事や家族や大切な人を失い、貧困や疾病に苦しむ人たちが、世界にはおおぜいいるのだから。
We will place the utmost importance on the opening of our eyes to the world and the protection of individual dignity. That is the path we will take to show our appreciation for the support from the international community during this devastating disaster.
外に目を開き、この地球に住む一人一人の人間の尊厳を守ることを何よりも大切にする−−。それが、震災でいただいた世界の支援に、私たちが応える道ではないだろうか。
毎日新聞 2011年4月15日 東京朝刊