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2010年12月17日
年金減額―負担を分かち合う時代
2010/12/16
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 15
EDITORIAL: Pension benefit cuts
年金減額―負担を分かち合う時代
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to lower public pension benefit payments in the coming fiscal year, the first such cut in five years. As a measure in line with the rule of fair distribution among different generations, this move can be seen as inevitable.
厚生労働省は、来年度の公的年金の支給額を５年ぶりに引き下げる方針を決めた。世代間の公平な分配のためのルールに沿った措置で、やむをえないといえよう。これを機に、制度のあり方を考えてみたい。
The decision to reduce payouts stems from the forecast that this year's commodity prices will dip below the standard previously set. The move thus reflects the current state of deflation to a certain degree. But even so, this measure will not produce a fair sharing of intergenerational burdens and benefits.
引き下げ決定は、あらかじめ決めておいた基準を今年の物価が下回る見通しとなったためで、デフレの現状をある程度は反映したものだ。だが、これで世代間の負担と給付が公平なものになるわけではない。
Up to now, adjustments have been made in the interest of preventing the value of pension receipts from falling in comparison to prices and wages to the greatest degree possible. Yet in effect, measures aimed at protecting the rights of current recipients have effectively shunted the weight of the system onto the backs of future generations. This aspect of the policy measure begs closer scrutiny.
これまでは、物価や賃金に比べて年金の受取金額がなるべく減らないよう配慮した調整が行われてきた。しかし、こうした受給者の権利を守る措置が、結果的に負担を将来世代に先送りしているという現実がある。こうした側面に、もっと目を向けるべきではないだろうか。
Under the current system, reformed in 2004, a plan known as the "macroeconomic slide" was introduced to stabilize pension finances over the long term.
２００４年に改正された現行制度では、年金財政を長期にわたって安定させるため「マクロ経済スライド」という仕組みが導入された。
The idea was to limit the rise in pension payments to senior citizens, even if the wages of the working generation and commodity prices increased. This was an attempt to curb the increase in premiums if only to a slight degree. In an aging society with a falling birthrate, failure to take such action will place an excessively heavy burden on the younger generation.
現役世代の賃金や物価が上がっても高齢者の年金はあまり増えないようにして、保険料の上昇を少しでも抑えようとしたのだ。少子高齢社会では、そうしないと若い世代の負担が重くなりすぎてしまうからである。
Unfortunately, the impact of the global recession and other developments ensued, while prolonged deflation and price and wage slumps dragged on. As a result, the envisioned automatic adjustment mechanism has yet to kick in.
だが、その後は世界同時不況などの影響もあってデフレが長期化し、物価や賃金の低迷が続いている。このため、自動調整の仕組みは、いまだに発動されていない。
Against this backdrop, there has been a relative rise in the pension level for seniors. According to 2004 estimates, the level of pension benefits as a ratio of take-home pay for the current working generation was expected to decline from 59 percent in 2004 to 57 percent in 2009. An examination of the statistics in 2009, however, shows a rise in that payout level to 62 percent.
その結果、高齢者の年金水準は相対的に上がっている。０４年の推計では、現役世代の会社員の手取り収入に対する厚生年金の給付水準が、０４年の５９％台から０９年には５７％台に下がる見通しだった。ところが、０９年の検証では６２％台に上昇している。
The primary reason for that gain is the failure to reflect past commodity price falls. The sole purpose of the determined benefit cuts, therefore, can be seen in the context of bringing the pension benefits closer to the level of what it should be.
これは、過去に物価下落を反映しなかった分を解消しきれていないことが主な原因だ。今回の引き下げは、年金を本来の水準に近づけるためのものでしかないともいえよう。
Any further delay in such adjustments will prompt a major slide in the next generation's pension benefits. To prevent that, substantial tax and premium hikes will be necessary.
こうした調整の遅れが放置されれば、次世代の年金水準が大きく目減りする。それを避けるには、税金や保険料を大幅に増やす必要がある。
Considerations will naturally be necessary to prevent any sharp drops in payments to elderly people whose only real source of income is their pension. Then again, upsetting the balance with the working generation for that purpose would be a case of putting the proverbial cart before the horse.
もちろん、年金以外に収入がない高齢者のために急激な引き下げが起きないようにする配慮は必要だ。しかし、そのために現役世代とのバランスを崩しては本末転倒である。
This is an issue impossible to sidestep when pondering integrated social security and tax reforms. Pensioners can also be expected to protest any cuts in their benefits.
この問題は、社会保障と税の一体改革を考える際に避けて通れない。減額に反発する受給者は少なくないだろう。
Yet we must also remember that the very foundation of a public pension system lies in mutual assistance between generations. We look forward to an approach conceived in the spirit of sharing the collective burden that will be acceptable to both senior citizens and the younger generation.
だが、年金は世代間の助け合いだ。負担を分かち合う姿勢で、高齢者も若い世代も共に納得できる制度のありようを考えたい。
In the political arena, there is a tendency to grow fainthearted about cutting benefits for senior citizens out of concerns about the impact at the polls. Acting with such timidity, however, will prevent leaders from ever living up to their responsibilities.
政治は、選挙への影響を心配して高齢者の給付の削減には及び腰になりがちだが、それでは責任を果たせない。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 15
EDITORIAL: Pension benefit cuts
年金減額―負担を分かち合う時代
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to lower public pension benefit payments in the coming fiscal year, the first such cut in five years. As a measure in line with the rule of fair distribution among different generations, this move can be seen as inevitable.
厚生労働省は、来年度の公的年金の支給額を５年ぶりに引き下げる方針を決めた。世代間の公平な分配のためのルールに沿った措置で、やむをえないといえよう。これを機に、制度のあり方を考えてみたい。
The decision to reduce payouts stems from the forecast that this year's commodity prices will dip below the standard previously set. The move thus reflects the current state of deflation to a certain degree. But even so, this measure will not produce a fair sharing of intergenerational burdens and benefits.
引き下げ決定は、あらかじめ決めておいた基準を今年の物価が下回る見通しとなったためで、デフレの現状をある程度は反映したものだ。だが、これで世代間の負担と給付が公平なものになるわけではない。
Up to now, adjustments have been made in the interest of preventing the value of pension receipts from falling in comparison to prices and wages to the greatest degree possible. Yet in effect, measures aimed at protecting the rights of current recipients have effectively shunted the weight of the system onto the backs of future generations. This aspect of the policy measure begs closer scrutiny.
これまでは、物価や賃金に比べて年金の受取金額がなるべく減らないよう配慮した調整が行われてきた。しかし、こうした受給者の権利を守る措置が、結果的に負担を将来世代に先送りしているという現実がある。こうした側面に、もっと目を向けるべきではないだろうか。
Under the current system, reformed in 2004, a plan known as the "macroeconomic slide" was introduced to stabilize pension finances over the long term.
２００４年に改正された現行制度では、年金財政を長期にわたって安定させるため「マクロ経済スライド」という仕組みが導入された。
The idea was to limit the rise in pension payments to senior citizens, even if the wages of the working generation and commodity prices increased. This was an attempt to curb the increase in premiums if only to a slight degree. In an aging society with a falling birthrate, failure to take such action will place an excessively heavy burden on the younger generation.
現役世代の賃金や物価が上がっても高齢者の年金はあまり増えないようにして、保険料の上昇を少しでも抑えようとしたのだ。少子高齢社会では、そうしないと若い世代の負担が重くなりすぎてしまうからである。
Unfortunately, the impact of the global recession and other developments ensued, while prolonged deflation and price and wage slumps dragged on. As a result, the envisioned automatic adjustment mechanism has yet to kick in.
だが、その後は世界同時不況などの影響もあってデフレが長期化し、物価や賃金の低迷が続いている。このため、自動調整の仕組みは、いまだに発動されていない。
Against this backdrop, there has been a relative rise in the pension level for seniors. According to 2004 estimates, the level of pension benefits as a ratio of take-home pay for the current working generation was expected to decline from 59 percent in 2004 to 57 percent in 2009. An examination of the statistics in 2009, however, shows a rise in that payout level to 62 percent.
その結果、高齢者の年金水準は相対的に上がっている。０４年の推計では、現役世代の会社員の手取り収入に対する厚生年金の給付水準が、０４年の５９％台から０９年には５７％台に下がる見通しだった。ところが、０９年の検証では６２％台に上昇している。
The primary reason for that gain is the failure to reflect past commodity price falls. The sole purpose of the determined benefit cuts, therefore, can be seen in the context of bringing the pension benefits closer to the level of what it should be.
これは、過去に物価下落を反映しなかった分を解消しきれていないことが主な原因だ。今回の引き下げは、年金を本来の水準に近づけるためのものでしかないともいえよう。
Any further delay in such adjustments will prompt a major slide in the next generation's pension benefits. To prevent that, substantial tax and premium hikes will be necessary.
こうした調整の遅れが放置されれば、次世代の年金水準が大きく目減りする。それを避けるには、税金や保険料を大幅に増やす必要がある。
Considerations will naturally be necessary to prevent any sharp drops in payments to elderly people whose only real source of income is their pension. Then again, upsetting the balance with the working generation for that purpose would be a case of putting the proverbial cart before the horse.
もちろん、年金以外に収入がない高齢者のために急激な引き下げが起きないようにする配慮は必要だ。しかし、そのために現役世代とのバランスを崩しては本末転倒である。
This is an issue impossible to sidestep when pondering integrated social security and tax reforms. Pensioners can also be expected to protest any cuts in their benefits.
この問題は、社会保障と税の一体改革を考える際に避けて通れない。減額に反発する受給者は少なくないだろう。
Yet we must also remember that the very foundation of a public pension system lies in mutual assistance between generations. We look forward to an approach conceived in the spirit of sharing the collective burden that will be acceptable to both senior citizens and the younger generation.
だが、年金は世代間の助け合いだ。負担を分かち合う姿勢で、高齢者も若い世代も共に納得できる制度のありようを考えたい。
In the political arena, there is a tendency to grow fainthearted about cutting benefits for senior citizens out of concerns about the impact at the polls. Acting with such timidity, however, will prevent leaders from ever living up to their responsibilities.
政治は、選挙への影響を心配して高齢者の給付の削減には及び腰になりがちだが、それでは責任を果たせない。
2010年12月14日
平和賞と中国―君子の外交を求めたい
2010/12/14
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11
EDITORIAL: Nobel Peace Prize
平和賞と中国―君子の外交を求めたい
The ceremony in Oslo to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize was not attended by the winner. Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese writer and dissident who won the award, remains imprisoned in China. Even his wife, Liu Xia, could not attend the ceremony because she was under house arrest.
オスロで開かれたノーベル平和賞の授賞式は、主役が不在だった。受賞者である中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏は投獄されたままだ。妻の劉霞さんも軟禁状態で参加できなかった。
No relative or representative was present to accept the award for the first time since 1935, when German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky won the prize. Nazi Germany blocked him and his supporters from attending.
関係者が誰も出席しないのは、１９３０年代にナチス・ドイツに出席を阻まれた平和活動家、オシエツキー氏の受賞以来という。
Liu co-authored "Charter 08," which called for an end to one-party rule by the Communist Party. As a result, he has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the crime of "inciting subversion."
劉氏は共産党独裁の廃止などを求める「０８憲章」を起草した。「国家の転覆を扇動した」として１１年間の実刑判決を受けている。
Beijing continues to crack down on pro-democracy activists and human rights lawyers by house arrest or rigorous monitoring.
中国では民主活動家や人権派弁護士の軟禁や監視が続いている。
The Chinese public is denied access to broadcasts and websites critical of the government, including those related to Liu.
劉氏に関するものをはじめ、政府を批判する放送やネットは遮断されている。
We urge the Chinese government to release all prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned only because of their thoughts and creeds. China should realize that muzzling the press undermines the nation's development in the long term.
思想・信条を理由に投獄している良心の囚人を、一日も早く釈放するよう中国政府に求める。報道規制も、長い目で見れば、中国の発展への力をそいでいることを考えるべきだ。
China has rebuked the Norwegian Nobel Committee and filed a protest against the Norwegian government, which hosts the committee. It has also unilaterally suspended bilateral trade talks with the country.
中国はノーベル賞委員会を非難し、ホスト国のノルウェー政府にも抗議して貿易交渉も一方的に中断した。
Many countries invited to attend the ceremony were absent, apparently in support of China. The list of the absentees seems like a collection of nations with poor track records of freedom of speech, such as Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
授賞式に招待を受けた国のうち少なからぬ国が欠席した。中国に同調したとみられる。その顔ぶれをみると、ロシア、キューバ、サウジアラビア、イランなど、「言論の自由」という点で合格点にほど遠い国が集まった印象を受ける。
It is regrettable that such Asian nations as Pakistan and Vietnam also did not attend the ceremony, expressing views that echoed Beijing's stance toward the issue.
アジアでも、パキスタンやベトナムなどが中国と同じような見解を示して欠席したのは残念である。
It is true that the selections of the Nobel Peace Prize winners have reflected the international situations at the times and have had political implications. There was heated debate on the appropriateness of awarding the prize to U.S. President Barack Obama last year.
ノーベル平和賞が、その時々の国際事情を反映し、政治色を帯びてきたのは事実だ。昨年のオバマ米大統領の受賞も、是非をめぐって議論があった。
But one important role of the prize is to promote common international understanding of the significance of peace by provoking various debates.
だが、様々な論議を通じて、平和の意味について共通の認識を深めていくことに平和賞の意義もあろう。
The list of the past winners include Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the civil right movement in the United States. As a leading power in the 21st century, China is expected to take part in this tradition with a positive attitude.
南アフリカで人種隔離と闘ったネルソン・マンデラ氏や、米国の公民権運動指導者キング牧師らも、歴代の受賞者に含まれている。２１世紀の大国である中国に求められるのは、こうした伝統に前向きに参加していくことだ。
Countries around the world should cherish the Nobel Peace Prize as a valuable legacy built by the international community over years, like the system of international human rights laws.
ノーベル平和賞は国際人権法の体系とともに、国際社会が長年かけて築き上げてきたものとして、各国が大切にしていかなければならない。
The countries that attended the ceremony should also make efforts to promote it.
その努力が求められるのは、授賞式に出席する国も同じである。
President Obama, who has invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States next year, should urge China to take steps toward improving its human rights record.
来年、胡錦濤国家主席を招く米国のオバマ大統領は、人権問題で中国に注文をつけるべきである。
Japan should also seek candid conversations with China over human rights issues at occasions like bilateral summits.
日本も、首脳会談などで率直に意見を交換していこう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan appears to be unwilling to touch on China's human rights problems for fear of straining relations, just as they were by the recent spat over the Senkaku Islands, and inviting unwanted effects on the Japanese economy.
尖閣沖の衝突事件の時のようなあつれきや経済への影響を恐れて、菅直人首相は遠慮してはいないか。
In an apparent bid to undercut the Nobel Peace Prize, China has hastily created its own competing peace prize dubbed the Confucius Peace Prize. In its diplomatic activities, we hope China will practice the teachings of Confucius about how respectable men of virtue should behave and act.
ノーベル平和賞に対抗するかのように、中国は「孔子平和賞」を作ったそうだ。孔子が教えた尊敬される君子の道を、中国は外交で実践してもらいたい。
If China does so, Japan and the United States would have to respond by trying to build relations with China like those among men of virtue.
そして、日本や米国も君子の交わりで応じたいものである。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11
EDITORIAL: Nobel Peace Prize
平和賞と中国―君子の外交を求めたい
The ceremony in Oslo to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize was not attended by the winner. Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese writer and dissident who won the award, remains imprisoned in China. Even his wife, Liu Xia, could not attend the ceremony because she was under house arrest.
オスロで開かれたノーベル平和賞の授賞式は、主役が不在だった。受賞者である中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏は投獄されたままだ。妻の劉霞さんも軟禁状態で参加できなかった。
No relative or representative was present to accept the award for the first time since 1935, when German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky won the prize. Nazi Germany blocked him and his supporters from attending.
関係者が誰も出席しないのは、１９３０年代にナチス・ドイツに出席を阻まれた平和活動家、オシエツキー氏の受賞以来という。
Liu co-authored "Charter 08," which called for an end to one-party rule by the Communist Party. As a result, he has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the crime of "inciting subversion."
劉氏は共産党独裁の廃止などを求める「０８憲章」を起草した。「国家の転覆を扇動した」として１１年間の実刑判決を受けている。
Beijing continues to crack down on pro-democracy activists and human rights lawyers by house arrest or rigorous monitoring.
中国では民主活動家や人権派弁護士の軟禁や監視が続いている。
The Chinese public is denied access to broadcasts and websites critical of the government, including those related to Liu.
劉氏に関するものをはじめ、政府を批判する放送やネットは遮断されている。
We urge the Chinese government to release all prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned only because of their thoughts and creeds. China should realize that muzzling the press undermines the nation's development in the long term.
思想・信条を理由に投獄している良心の囚人を、一日も早く釈放するよう中国政府に求める。報道規制も、長い目で見れば、中国の発展への力をそいでいることを考えるべきだ。
China has rebuked the Norwegian Nobel Committee and filed a protest against the Norwegian government, which hosts the committee. It has also unilaterally suspended bilateral trade talks with the country.
中国はノーベル賞委員会を非難し、ホスト国のノルウェー政府にも抗議して貿易交渉も一方的に中断した。
Many countries invited to attend the ceremony were absent, apparently in support of China. The list of the absentees seems like a collection of nations with poor track records of freedom of speech, such as Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
授賞式に招待を受けた国のうち少なからぬ国が欠席した。中国に同調したとみられる。その顔ぶれをみると、ロシア、キューバ、サウジアラビア、イランなど、「言論の自由」という点で合格点にほど遠い国が集まった印象を受ける。
It is regrettable that such Asian nations as Pakistan and Vietnam also did not attend the ceremony, expressing views that echoed Beijing's stance toward the issue.
アジアでも、パキスタンやベトナムなどが中国と同じような見解を示して欠席したのは残念である。
It is true that the selections of the Nobel Peace Prize winners have reflected the international situations at the times and have had political implications. There was heated debate on the appropriateness of awarding the prize to U.S. President Barack Obama last year.
ノーベル平和賞が、その時々の国際事情を反映し、政治色を帯びてきたのは事実だ。昨年のオバマ米大統領の受賞も、是非をめぐって議論があった。
But one important role of the prize is to promote common international understanding of the significance of peace by provoking various debates.
だが、様々な論議を通じて、平和の意味について共通の認識を深めていくことに平和賞の意義もあろう。
The list of the past winners include Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the civil right movement in the United States. As a leading power in the 21st century, China is expected to take part in this tradition with a positive attitude.
南アフリカで人種隔離と闘ったネルソン・マンデラ氏や、米国の公民権運動指導者キング牧師らも、歴代の受賞者に含まれている。２１世紀の大国である中国に求められるのは、こうした伝統に前向きに参加していくことだ。
Countries around the world should cherish the Nobel Peace Prize as a valuable legacy built by the international community over years, like the system of international human rights laws.
ノーベル平和賞は国際人権法の体系とともに、国際社会が長年かけて築き上げてきたものとして、各国が大切にしていかなければならない。
The countries that attended the ceremony should also make efforts to promote it.
その努力が求められるのは、授賞式に出席する国も同じである。
President Obama, who has invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States next year, should urge China to take steps toward improving its human rights record.
来年、胡錦濤国家主席を招く米国のオバマ大統領は、人権問題で中国に注文をつけるべきである。
Japan should also seek candid conversations with China over human rights issues at occasions like bilateral summits.
日本も、首脳会談などで率直に意見を交換していこう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan appears to be unwilling to touch on China's human rights problems for fear of straining relations, just as they were by the recent spat over the Senkaku Islands, and inviting unwanted effects on the Japanese economy.
尖閣沖の衝突事件の時のようなあつれきや経済への影響を恐れて、菅直人首相は遠慮してはいないか。
In an apparent bid to undercut the Nobel Peace Prize, China has hastily created its own competing peace prize dubbed the Confucius Peace Prize. In its diplomatic activities, we hope China will practice the teachings of Confucius about how respectable men of virtue should behave and act.
ノーベル平和賞に対抗するかのように、中国は「孔子平和賞」を作ったそうだ。孔子が教えた尊敬される君子の道を、中国は外交で実践してもらいたい。
If China does so, Japan and the United States would have to respond by trying to build relations with China like those among men of virtue.
そして、日本や米国も君子の交わりで応じたいものである。
2010年12月13日
WikiLeaks' information
This is exactly the same as what I wanted to say.
私のウィキリークス問題に対する考えを代弁してくれました。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/10
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 9
EDITORIAL: WikiLeaks' information
ウィキリークス―公益の重みで判断したい
WikiLeaks, a website dedicated to disclosing secret information about governments and corporations, has been releasing U.S. diplomatic cables.
内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」による米国の外交公電の暴露が続いている。
Meanwhile, Julian Assange, the founder and editor in chief of WikiLeaks, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of sex offenses in Sweden amid growing hostility from the governments of many countries.
多くの国の政府から敵視されるなかで、創設者で編集長のアサンジュ容疑者が英警察に逮捕された。スウェーデンでの強姦（ごうかん）容疑である。
Whether his arrest is appropriate or not can only be determined by the results of the authorities' investigation.
逮捕の当否は捜査の行方を待つほかない。
But the evaluation of WikiLeaks' disclosure activities should be separated from the charges against Assange and made from the viewpoint of whether the information it publishes ultimately serves the interests of citizens. In other words, is the information important for the public interest?
けれども、ウィキリークスの情報発信活動への評価は、編集長の容疑とは切り離し、公開する情報が最終的に市民の利益になるか、つまり公益の重さを中心に判断すべきである。
In April this year, WikiLeaks received international attention by posting video footage of a 2007 incident in Iraq in which U.S. military helicopter crew mistakenly shot and killed civilians, including reporters for the Reuters news agency.
イラクで米軍ヘリがロイター通信記者ら民間人をテロリストとみて誤射、殺害した映像を、ウィキリークスは今年４月に暴露し注目された。
The website then exposed other disturbing facts about the Iraq war, including that civilians account for 66,000 of the 109,000 casualties of the conflict.
ついで、イラク戦争の犠牲者約１０万９千人のうち、民間人が約６万６千人にのぼっていることなどを明らかにした。
All these revelations have cast fresh light on the harrowing realities of the war the U.S. government has been concealing. As a member of the journalistic community, we applaud WikiLeaks for these achievements.
いずれも米政府が隠してきた戦争の悲惨な実態であり、功績はジャーナリズムに関わる者として評価したい。
The publication of a cache of a quarter million confidential U.S. diplomatic cables that started late last month has revealed views and concerns about the future of the Korean Peninsula secretly held by countries and exposed North Korea's exports of ballistic missiles.
先月末に始まった２５万通におよぶ外交公電の公開も、朝鮮半島の将来像をめぐる各国の思惑や、北朝鮮による弾道ミサイル輸出などを明らかにした。
The Western newspapers and magazines that received in advance the diplomatic documents, including the Guardian of Britain and Le Monde of France, published reports on the material after independently assessing the content and credibility of the documents.
外交公電の大量公開では、ウィキリークスから情報提供を受けた英ガーディアンや仏ルモンドなど欧米の新聞や雑誌は、それぞれが文書の内容と信頼性を吟味したうえで報道した。
It can be said that so far this cooperation between the online site and news media has struck readers as an effort to serve the public interest and played a positive role in disseminating information that helps serve democracy.
現時点までこのネットとメディアの協業は、読者に公益性を感じさせ、民主主義に資する情報を流通させる役割を果たしているのではないか。
There is no denying that the publication will make it harder for officials of many countries to carry out their missions and gather information in their traditional ways.
各国政府の担当者がこれまでのやり方での外交や情報収集をしづらくなるのは事実だろう。
There are also concerns that the disclosure of sensitive information not meant for publication could provoke strong reactions from the public of a nation, making it difficult for the country to take reasonable diplomatic actions.
また、公開を前提としていなかった情報が国内世論をあおり、その結果、理にかなった外交政策の遂行が難しくなる恐れはある。
Making the important truths about international relations known to the public, however, is crucial for democracy, which means citizens determine the stance and course of their country.
だが、国際関係の真相を知ることは市民が国のあり方や針路を決める民主主義に欠かせない。
History is littered with examples of politically powerful people and institutions concealing inconvenient facts under the pretext of national interests. Just remember how hard the governments concerned tried to protect secrets about the Vietnam War and talks between Japan and the United States over the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty.
政治権力が国益を盾にして都合の悪いことを隠してきた歴史は、ベトナム戦争や沖縄返還交渉を思い出すだけでもきりがない。
On the other hand, it creates serious risks to publish on the Internet huge amounts of classified documents containing national secrets.
一方で、国家機密を大量に入手してネットを通して世界中にばらまく手法には、危険も大きい。
Negotiations for the settlement of a conflict could collapse if the secret aims and thoughts of the countries involved are disclosed during the process. Information sources and cooperators may fall into danger.
紛争を収める交渉のさなかに、当事国の思惑が暴露されればまとまる和解も壊れかねない。情報源や協力者に危害が加えられる恐れもある。
WikiLeaks has also published a list of facilities around the world regarded by the U.S. government as critically important for national security. But such information could be used by terrorists deciding what targets to attack.
米政府が安全保障上で重視する世界の施設の一覧も明らかにされたが、テロリストに重要度を知らせることにもなりかねない。
Material related to private-sector organizations and activities could violate the privacy of the people involved.
民間におよぶ情報は市民のプライバシー侵害の恐れもある。
When something illegal is going on in secret, there can be ways to expose it through a narrowly focused publication of related information to avoid collateral damage.
不正行為が存在するならば、その点だけを選んで告発する手法がとれる局面もあろう。
Both the whistle-blowers and news media should always carefully guard against the danger that exposing secrets could deviate from the cause of information disclosure for the public interest.
暴露そのものが自己目的になって情報公開という大義から逸脱する危険を、発信者もそれを伝えるメディアも、常に細心に警戒する必要がある。
私のウィキリークス問題に対する考えを代弁してくれました。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/10
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 9
EDITORIAL: WikiLeaks' information
ウィキリークス―公益の重みで判断したい
WikiLeaks, a website dedicated to disclosing secret information about governments and corporations, has been releasing U.S. diplomatic cables.
内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」による米国の外交公電の暴露が続いている。
Meanwhile, Julian Assange, the founder and editor in chief of WikiLeaks, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of sex offenses in Sweden amid growing hostility from the governments of many countries.
多くの国の政府から敵視されるなかで、創設者で編集長のアサンジュ容疑者が英警察に逮捕された。スウェーデンでの強姦（ごうかん）容疑である。
Whether his arrest is appropriate or not can only be determined by the results of the authorities' investigation.
逮捕の当否は捜査の行方を待つほかない。
But the evaluation of WikiLeaks' disclosure activities should be separated from the charges against Assange and made from the viewpoint of whether the information it publishes ultimately serves the interests of citizens. In other words, is the information important for the public interest?
けれども、ウィキリークスの情報発信活動への評価は、編集長の容疑とは切り離し、公開する情報が最終的に市民の利益になるか、つまり公益の重さを中心に判断すべきである。
In April this year, WikiLeaks received international attention by posting video footage of a 2007 incident in Iraq in which U.S. military helicopter crew mistakenly shot and killed civilians, including reporters for the Reuters news agency.
イラクで米軍ヘリがロイター通信記者ら民間人をテロリストとみて誤射、殺害した映像を、ウィキリークスは今年４月に暴露し注目された。
The website then exposed other disturbing facts about the Iraq war, including that civilians account for 66,000 of the 109,000 casualties of the conflict.
ついで、イラク戦争の犠牲者約１０万９千人のうち、民間人が約６万６千人にのぼっていることなどを明らかにした。
All these revelations have cast fresh light on the harrowing realities of the war the U.S. government has been concealing. As a member of the journalistic community, we applaud WikiLeaks for these achievements.
いずれも米政府が隠してきた戦争の悲惨な実態であり、功績はジャーナリズムに関わる者として評価したい。
The publication of a cache of a quarter million confidential U.S. diplomatic cables that started late last month has revealed views and concerns about the future of the Korean Peninsula secretly held by countries and exposed North Korea's exports of ballistic missiles.
先月末に始まった２５万通におよぶ外交公電の公開も、朝鮮半島の将来像をめぐる各国の思惑や、北朝鮮による弾道ミサイル輸出などを明らかにした。
The Western newspapers and magazines that received in advance the diplomatic documents, including the Guardian of Britain and Le Monde of France, published reports on the material after independently assessing the content and credibility of the documents.
外交公電の大量公開では、ウィキリークスから情報提供を受けた英ガーディアンや仏ルモンドなど欧米の新聞や雑誌は、それぞれが文書の内容と信頼性を吟味したうえで報道した。
It can be said that so far this cooperation between the online site and news media has struck readers as an effort to serve the public interest and played a positive role in disseminating information that helps serve democracy.
現時点までこのネットとメディアの協業は、読者に公益性を感じさせ、民主主義に資する情報を流通させる役割を果たしているのではないか。
There is no denying that the publication will make it harder for officials of many countries to carry out their missions and gather information in their traditional ways.
各国政府の担当者がこれまでのやり方での外交や情報収集をしづらくなるのは事実だろう。
There are also concerns that the disclosure of sensitive information not meant for publication could provoke strong reactions from the public of a nation, making it difficult for the country to take reasonable diplomatic actions.
また、公開を前提としていなかった情報が国内世論をあおり、その結果、理にかなった外交政策の遂行が難しくなる恐れはある。
Making the important truths about international relations known to the public, however, is crucial for democracy, which means citizens determine the stance and course of their country.
だが、国際関係の真相を知ることは市民が国のあり方や針路を決める民主主義に欠かせない。
History is littered with examples of politically powerful people and institutions concealing inconvenient facts under the pretext of national interests. Just remember how hard the governments concerned tried to protect secrets about the Vietnam War and talks between Japan and the United States over the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty.
政治権力が国益を盾にして都合の悪いことを隠してきた歴史は、ベトナム戦争や沖縄返還交渉を思い出すだけでもきりがない。
On the other hand, it creates serious risks to publish on the Internet huge amounts of classified documents containing national secrets.
一方で、国家機密を大量に入手してネットを通して世界中にばらまく手法には、危険も大きい。
Negotiations for the settlement of a conflict could collapse if the secret aims and thoughts of the countries involved are disclosed during the process. Information sources and cooperators may fall into danger.
紛争を収める交渉のさなかに、当事国の思惑が暴露されればまとまる和解も壊れかねない。情報源や協力者に危害が加えられる恐れもある。
WikiLeaks has also published a list of facilities around the world regarded by the U.S. government as critically important for national security. But such information could be used by terrorists deciding what targets to attack.
米政府が安全保障上で重視する世界の施設の一覧も明らかにされたが、テロリストに重要度を知らせることにもなりかねない。
Material related to private-sector organizations and activities could violate the privacy of the people involved.
民間におよぶ情報は市民のプライバシー侵害の恐れもある。
When something illegal is going on in secret, there can be ways to expose it through a narrowly focused publication of related information to avoid collateral damage.
不正行為が存在するならば、その点だけを選んで告発する手法がとれる局面もあろう。
Both the whistle-blowers and news media should always carefully guard against the danger that exposing secrets could deviate from the cause of information disclosure for the public interest.
暴露そのものが自己目的になって情報公開という大義から逸脱する危険を、発信者もそれを伝えるメディアも、常に細心に警戒する必要がある。
2010年12月12日
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
2010/12/11
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
2010年12月03日
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。＞
何だか子供のないものねだりと同じ発想に唖然とさせられました。
努力しても出来ないので問題となっているのです。
問題を解決するには、
１）増税して年金制度を維持する
２）増税せずに年金制度を廃止する
くらいしかないでしょう。
６０才以上の老人たちにも広く雇用の枠を広げるべきです。
そうしないと近い将来老人たちは、ご飯が食べられなくなってしまいます。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/02
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 1
EDITORIAL: Pension funding
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
When there is no choice but to rely on debt to cover budgetary revenue shortfalls, the government must not hide this from the public. In the meantime, the government should make every effort to reduce its reliance on deficit-covering bonds.
財源が確保できないので借金に頼らざるを得ないというのなら、その実態を隠してはならない。国民に知らせ、国債という借金を減らしていく努力につなげることが大切だ。
With the government now studying how best to allocate pension funds in the fiscal 2011 budget, we cannot stress the importance of total transparency enough.
来年度予算の編成で検討が進む年金のような問題は、とりわけそうであり、小細工は禁物である。
The government has known for years that supporting the nation's pension system would require more than one-third of basic pension funding to be borne by the state. When the pension system was reformed in 2004, it was written into law that the state's burden would be raised to 50 percent in fiscal 2009.
年金制度を支えるには、基礎年金の３分の１だった国庫負担の割合を引き上げることが長年の課題とされてきた。２００４年の制度改革のさい、０９年度から２分の１に引き上げることが法律に明記された。
A tax hike was necessary to secure the 2.5 trillion yen ($29.8 billion) in permanent revenues necessary to foot the bigger bill, but the government kept putting it off. As a result, the government is still unable to secure the necessary funding.
だが、そのための増税を先送りしてきた結果、２．５兆円の恒久財源を確保できない状況が続いている。
In fiscal 2009 and 2010, the government made do by dipping into reserve funds in the fiscal investment and loan special account. For fiscal 2011, the government is considering appropriating 128 trillion yen from the pension special account reserve fund.
０９、１０両年度は財政投融資特別会計の積立金という「埋蔵金」の取り崩しでつじつまを合わせた。来年度に向け検討されているのが、年金特別会計の積立金１２８兆円の流用だ。
This particular fund has been used in the past for fiscal juggling. While temporarily suspending the transfer of funds from the general account, the government spent an equivalent amount from the fund, reducing bond issues. Theoretically, the procedure was in keeping with fiscal discipline. However, in practice, this was no different from issuing deficit-covering bonds.
この積立金は、過去にも財政のやりくりで使われた。一般会計からの繰り入れを一時的に停止し、その分だけ積立金を取り崩して給付した。国債発行額は圧縮され、うわべは財政規律を保ったかに見えたが、実質的には赤字国債の発行と同じである。
The reserve fund in the pension special account exists for the purpose of covering future payouts. It may look as if there is ample money lying around, but that is not true.
年金特会では、将来の給付に備えて積立金を確保している。お金の山があるように見えても、余っているわけではないのだ。
If the appropriation of funds is temporary, it will not directly lead to a pension cut or pension premium hike. But reviving what is dubbed "hidden borrowing" enables a casual appropriation of funds, which in turn will blur the true state of indebtedness.
流用が一時的なら、年金給付の減額や保険料の値上げに直結するわけではない。だが、「隠れ借金」とも呼ばれてきた手法の復活は安易な流用の横行につながりやすく、借金の実態を見えにくくする点も問題だ。
Issuing deficit-covering bonds is preferable to resorting to cheap tricks, as we will at least be able to see the size of the fiscal shortfall.
こそくな手段に頼らず、むしろ赤字国債を発行したほうが、不足分が目に見えるだけ、ましだと言えよう。
In June, the Naoto Kan Cabinet itself approved a fiscal management strategy that cautioned strongly against any form of fiscal management "that relies on transfer of funds between accounts or shifting deficits around." Should the Kan administration break its own rule in this regard, it would further undermine its own credibility.
何よりも、菅政権自身が今年６月「会計間の資金移転や赤字の付け替えなどに依存した財政運営は厳に慎む」との財政運営戦略を閣議決定していることを忘れてはならない。
On the other hand, should it decide to issue deficit-covering bonds to enable the government to bear its share of basic pension funds, it would be out of the question for borrowing to exceed the 44-trillion-yen limit which the administration has set for itself.
自ら定めた規律を破るとなれば、政権への信認はますます落ちる。もちろん、基礎年金の国庫負担を維持するために国債を発行する結果、政権が設けた「国債発行は４４兆円まで」という枠を破るようなことも許されない。
We know it won't be easy, but the administration must make every effort to stay within that limit by cutting other expenses.
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。
By now, it should be crystal clear that a tax hike is the only option left for the government to secure the 2.5 trillion yen revenue it needs annually. Failing to act will only revive the same problem every year.
もはや明らかなはずだ。毎年２．５兆円もの金額をまかなうための選択肢は増税しかない。さもないと、毎年の予算編成のたびにこの問題が立ちふさがるだけである。
Ever since the Upper House election loss, the prime minister and his Democratic Party of Japan have shelved the crucial task of overhauling the tax system and the key issue of a higher consumption tax rate. Unless Kan and his party change their attitude, there can be no real solution to the problem.
菅直人首相も民主党も、参院選の敗北を機に、消費税を中心とする税制の抜本改革という重要課題を先送りしてしまった。その姿勢を改めない限り、真の解決策は見えてこない。
何だか子供のないものねだりと同じ発想に唖然とさせられました。
努力しても出来ないので問題となっているのです。
問題を解決するには、
１）増税して年金制度を維持する
２）増税せずに年金制度を廃止する
くらいしかないでしょう。
６０才以上の老人たちにも広く雇用の枠を広げるべきです。
そうしないと近い将来老人たちは、ご飯が食べられなくなってしまいます。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/02
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 1
EDITORIAL: Pension funding
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
When there is no choice but to rely on debt to cover budgetary revenue shortfalls, the government must not hide this from the public. In the meantime, the government should make every effort to reduce its reliance on deficit-covering bonds.
財源が確保できないので借金に頼らざるを得ないというのなら、その実態を隠してはならない。国民に知らせ、国債という借金を減らしていく努力につなげることが大切だ。
With the government now studying how best to allocate pension funds in the fiscal 2011 budget, we cannot stress the importance of total transparency enough.
来年度予算の編成で検討が進む年金のような問題は、とりわけそうであり、小細工は禁物である。
The government has known for years that supporting the nation's pension system would require more than one-third of basic pension funding to be borne by the state. When the pension system was reformed in 2004, it was written into law that the state's burden would be raised to 50 percent in fiscal 2009.
年金制度を支えるには、基礎年金の３分の１だった国庫負担の割合を引き上げることが長年の課題とされてきた。２００４年の制度改革のさい、０９年度から２分の１に引き上げることが法律に明記された。
A tax hike was necessary to secure the 2.5 trillion yen ($29.8 billion) in permanent revenues necessary to foot the bigger bill, but the government kept putting it off. As a result, the government is still unable to secure the necessary funding.
だが、そのための増税を先送りしてきた結果、２．５兆円の恒久財源を確保できない状況が続いている。
In fiscal 2009 and 2010, the government made do by dipping into reserve funds in the fiscal investment and loan special account. For fiscal 2011, the government is considering appropriating 128 trillion yen from the pension special account reserve fund.
０９、１０両年度は財政投融資特別会計の積立金という「埋蔵金」の取り崩しでつじつまを合わせた。来年度に向け検討されているのが、年金特別会計の積立金１２８兆円の流用だ。
This particular fund has been used in the past for fiscal juggling. While temporarily suspending the transfer of funds from the general account, the government spent an equivalent amount from the fund, reducing bond issues. Theoretically, the procedure was in keeping with fiscal discipline. However, in practice, this was no different from issuing deficit-covering bonds.
この積立金は、過去にも財政のやりくりで使われた。一般会計からの繰り入れを一時的に停止し、その分だけ積立金を取り崩して給付した。国債発行額は圧縮され、うわべは財政規律を保ったかに見えたが、実質的には赤字国債の発行と同じである。
The reserve fund in the pension special account exists for the purpose of covering future payouts. It may look as if there is ample money lying around, but that is not true.
年金特会では、将来の給付に備えて積立金を確保している。お金の山があるように見えても、余っているわけではないのだ。
If the appropriation of funds is temporary, it will not directly lead to a pension cut or pension premium hike. But reviving what is dubbed "hidden borrowing" enables a casual appropriation of funds, which in turn will blur the true state of indebtedness.
流用が一時的なら、年金給付の減額や保険料の値上げに直結するわけではない。だが、「隠れ借金」とも呼ばれてきた手法の復活は安易な流用の横行につながりやすく、借金の実態を見えにくくする点も問題だ。
Issuing deficit-covering bonds is preferable to resorting to cheap tricks, as we will at least be able to see the size of the fiscal shortfall.
こそくな手段に頼らず、むしろ赤字国債を発行したほうが、不足分が目に見えるだけ、ましだと言えよう。
In June, the Naoto Kan Cabinet itself approved a fiscal management strategy that cautioned strongly against any form of fiscal management "that relies on transfer of funds between accounts or shifting deficits around." Should the Kan administration break its own rule in this regard, it would further undermine its own credibility.
何よりも、菅政権自身が今年６月「会計間の資金移転や赤字の付け替えなどに依存した財政運営は厳に慎む」との財政運営戦略を閣議決定していることを忘れてはならない。
On the other hand, should it decide to issue deficit-covering bonds to enable the government to bear its share of basic pension funds, it would be out of the question for borrowing to exceed the 44-trillion-yen limit which the administration has set for itself.
自ら定めた規律を破るとなれば、政権への信認はますます落ちる。もちろん、基礎年金の国庫負担を維持するために国債を発行する結果、政権が設けた「国債発行は４４兆円まで」という枠を破るようなことも許されない。
We know it won't be easy, but the administration must make every effort to stay within that limit by cutting other expenses.
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。
By now, it should be crystal clear that a tax hike is the only option left for the government to secure the 2.5 trillion yen revenue it needs annually. Failing to act will only revive the same problem every year.
もはや明らかなはずだ。毎年２．５兆円もの金額をまかなうための選択肢は増税しかない。さもないと、毎年の予算編成のたびにこの問題が立ちふさがるだけである。
Ever since the Upper House election loss, the prime minister and his Democratic Party of Japan have shelved the crucial task of overhauling the tax system and the key issue of a higher consumption tax rate. Unless Kan and his party change their attitude, there can be no real solution to the problem.
菅直人首相も民主党も、参院選の敗北を機に、消費税を中心とする税制の抜本改革という重要課題を先送りしてしまった。その姿勢を改めない限り、真の解決策は見えてこない。
2010年12月02日
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
2010/12/01
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 30
EDITORIAL: Korean Peninsula crisis
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
Addressing the nation Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak denounced North Korea for responding to South Korea's offer of dialogue, collaboration and unstinting humanitarian assistance with a series of provocative acts, including nuclear development programs, the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan and the shelling of Daeyeonpyeongdo island.
「対話と協力を通じて努力し、人道支援も惜しまなかったのに、返ってきたのは、核開発と哨戒艦爆沈に続いて島への砲撃だった」
Lee's ire is fully understandable.
韓国の李明博大統領が昨日、国民向け演説でそう憤ったのも無理ない。
Forty-six South Korean crew members died in the Cheonan incident, while the bombardment of the island killed four South Koreans, including two civilians, and reduced many homes to charred rubble.
哨戒艦事件で兵士４６人が犠牲になった。今回の砲撃は民間人を含む４人の命を奪い、多くの民家を焼いた。
The most important thing now is to avert any further incident and ease tensions. Not only the two Koreas, but also all related nations must work hard to reach these goals.
いま最も大切なのは、更なる衝突を回避し、緊張を和らげることだ。当事者はむろん、関係国はそのための知恵を絞らねばならない。
Beijing on Sunday proposed an emergency meeting of the heads of delegation to the six-party talks in early December.
中国政府が、６者協議の代表による緊急の会合を呼びかけた。
The six-party talks are designed for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States to discuss North Korea's denuclearization and normalization of its ties with the United States and Japan.
６者協議は本来、南北朝鮮と日米中ロが参加し、北朝鮮の非核化、米朝や日朝の関係正常化をめざすものだ。
But the emergency meeting proposed by Beijing will not address the North Korean nuclear issue. The delegates will exchange views on "complex factors that have recently emerged with respect to Korean Peninsula affairs," according to Beijing.
中国が提案したのは、核問題を扱う正式な協議ではない。「最近、半島情勢に複雑な要素が現れている」といい、６者で意見を交換したいという。
China has been under pressure from the international community to exert its influence on North Korea. As host of the six-party talks, China probably figured that proposing an emergency meeting should be seen as evidence of how seriously it is taking its responsibility, which in turn should keep North Korea reined in.
北朝鮮に影響力を及ぼすよう求められている中国が、真剣に動いていることを世界に示す。対話を提案しているとき、北朝鮮は新たな挑発をしづらくなるだろう――。６者協議の議長国である中国が、そう期待しての提案かもしれない。
We can well appreciate Beijing's attempt to seize any opportunity to bring the situation under control. However, we are skeptical of this hastily proposed meeting producing any tangible results.
事態好転の糸口を探ろうという狙いはわかる。だが、今いきなり６者代表が集まって、現実的な成果をあげられようか。
In fact, Seoul's response to the proposal was that now is not the time to talk about six-party talks. Washington, too, asserted that North Korea must first change its attitude.
韓国は「まだその時期ではない」と反応している。米国も、北朝鮮が「態度の変化」をはっきり示すことが先決だとする立場を明らかにした。
Tokyo's stance is the same--that Pyongyang must first acknowledge responsibility for its own actions, among other things.
日本もそれに同調している。北朝鮮は行為の責任を認めるなど、先にすべきことがある、という姿勢だ。
But Pyongyang blames Seoul's provocations for the shelling of the island. And the reclusive country recently revealed its uranium enrichment facility and announced the planned construction of a light water reactor, both spelling the advancement of its nuclear development program.
In addition, there are moves that show Pyongyang could be gearing up for another nuclear test.
北朝鮮は、韓国の挑発が砲撃の原因だと反論している。新たな核開発につながるウラン濃縮施設の公表や軽水炉の建設のほか、核実験の準備ととられかねない動きも見せている。
Given the situation, the proposed six-party meeting is unlikely to achieve anything. But doing nothing will only prolong the tense standoff. Something needs to be done eventually to get to the bottom of the North Korean nuclear problem.
これでは、６者が顔を合わせたところで平行線に終わる。だが、何もしないままでは、緊張と膠着（こうちゃく）状態が続く。北朝鮮の核をどうするかも、いずれ本格的に打開する必要がある。
Ultimately, the United States and China are the only countries that have the power to turn around the situation. 局面を転換させる大きな力を持っているのは、やはり米国と中国だ。
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday spoke on the phone with China's state councilor, Dai Bingguo, who oversees foreign policies. Dai reportedly told Clinton that China and the United States must actively play constructive roles in these crucial times.
一昨日、クリントン米国務長官と、中国外交を統括する戴秉国国務委員が電話で話し合った。戴氏は「重要なときに中米が建設的役割を積極的に果たさねばならない」と語った。
We fully agree. We hope Washington and Beijing will work together to pave the way for dialogue among related nations.
その通りである。両国が対話の環境づくりに協力して努めてもらいたい。
Clinton intends to meet with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts. Beijing is expected to send a high-ranking official to Pyongyang.
米国は日韓との外相会談を開く意向だ。中国は近く高官を訪朝させると観測されている。
The groundwork can be laid for the next six-party talks only with the United States and China taking the lead in coordinating the member nations and persuading North Korea to come to the table. Japan should follow this strategy and contribute to detente on the Korean Peninsula.
北朝鮮を説得し、各国を調整する。米中のそんな取り組みがあってこそ、６者が会える素地ができる。この戦略にそって日本も、朝鮮半島の緊張緩和に貢献すべきである。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 30
EDITORIAL: Korean Peninsula crisis
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
Addressing the nation Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak denounced North Korea for responding to South Korea's offer of dialogue, collaboration and unstinting humanitarian assistance with a series of provocative acts, including nuclear development programs, the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan and the shelling of Daeyeonpyeongdo island.
「対話と協力を通じて努力し、人道支援も惜しまなかったのに、返ってきたのは、核開発と哨戒艦爆沈に続いて島への砲撃だった」
Lee's ire is fully understandable.
韓国の李明博大統領が昨日、国民向け演説でそう憤ったのも無理ない。
Forty-six South Korean crew members died in the Cheonan incident, while the bombardment of the island killed four South Koreans, including two civilians, and reduced many homes to charred rubble.
哨戒艦事件で兵士４６人が犠牲になった。今回の砲撃は民間人を含む４人の命を奪い、多くの民家を焼いた。
The most important thing now is to avert any further incident and ease tensions. Not only the two Koreas, but also all related nations must work hard to reach these goals.
いま最も大切なのは、更なる衝突を回避し、緊張を和らげることだ。当事者はむろん、関係国はそのための知恵を絞らねばならない。
Beijing on Sunday proposed an emergency meeting of the heads of delegation to the six-party talks in early December.
中国政府が、６者協議の代表による緊急の会合を呼びかけた。
The six-party talks are designed for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States to discuss North Korea's denuclearization and normalization of its ties with the United States and Japan.
６者協議は本来、南北朝鮮と日米中ロが参加し、北朝鮮の非核化、米朝や日朝の関係正常化をめざすものだ。
But the emergency meeting proposed by Beijing will not address the North Korean nuclear issue. The delegates will exchange views on "complex factors that have recently emerged with respect to Korean Peninsula affairs," according to Beijing.
中国が提案したのは、核問題を扱う正式な協議ではない。「最近、半島情勢に複雑な要素が現れている」といい、６者で意見を交換したいという。
China has been under pressure from the international community to exert its influence on North Korea. As host of the six-party talks, China probably figured that proposing an emergency meeting should be seen as evidence of how seriously it is taking its responsibility, which in turn should keep North Korea reined in.
北朝鮮に影響力を及ぼすよう求められている中国が、真剣に動いていることを世界に示す。対話を提案しているとき、北朝鮮は新たな挑発をしづらくなるだろう――。６者協議の議長国である中国が、そう期待しての提案かもしれない。
We can well appreciate Beijing's attempt to seize any opportunity to bring the situation under control. However, we are skeptical of this hastily proposed meeting producing any tangible results.
事態好転の糸口を探ろうという狙いはわかる。だが、今いきなり６者代表が集まって、現実的な成果をあげられようか。
In fact, Seoul's response to the proposal was that now is not the time to talk about six-party talks. Washington, too, asserted that North Korea must first change its attitude.
韓国は「まだその時期ではない」と反応している。米国も、北朝鮮が「態度の変化」をはっきり示すことが先決だとする立場を明らかにした。
Tokyo's stance is the same--that Pyongyang must first acknowledge responsibility for its own actions, among other things.
日本もそれに同調している。北朝鮮は行為の責任を認めるなど、先にすべきことがある、という姿勢だ。
But Pyongyang blames Seoul's provocations for the shelling of the island. And the reclusive country recently revealed its uranium enrichment facility and announced the planned construction of a light water reactor, both spelling the advancement of its nuclear development program.
In addition, there are moves that show Pyongyang could be gearing up for another nuclear test.
北朝鮮は、韓国の挑発が砲撃の原因だと反論している。新たな核開発につながるウラン濃縮施設の公表や軽水炉の建設のほか、核実験の準備ととられかねない動きも見せている。
Given the situation, the proposed six-party meeting is unlikely to achieve anything. But doing nothing will only prolong the tense standoff. Something needs to be done eventually to get to the bottom of the North Korean nuclear problem.
これでは、６者が顔を合わせたところで平行線に終わる。だが、何もしないままでは、緊張と膠着（こうちゃく）状態が続く。北朝鮮の核をどうするかも、いずれ本格的に打開する必要がある。
Ultimately, the United States and China are the only countries that have the power to turn around the situation. 局面を転換させる大きな力を持っているのは、やはり米国と中国だ。
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday spoke on the phone with China's state councilor, Dai Bingguo, who oversees foreign policies. Dai reportedly told Clinton that China and the United States must actively play constructive roles in these crucial times.
一昨日、クリントン米国務長官と、中国外交を統括する戴秉国国務委員が電話で話し合った。戴氏は「重要なときに中米が建設的役割を積極的に果たさねばならない」と語った。
We fully agree. We hope Washington and Beijing will work together to pave the way for dialogue among related nations.
その通りである。両国が対話の環境づくりに協力して努めてもらいたい。
Clinton intends to meet with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts. Beijing is expected to send a high-ranking official to Pyongyang.
米国は日韓との外相会談を開く意向だ。中国は近く高官を訪朝させると観測されている。
The groundwork can be laid for the next six-party talks only with the United States and China taking the lead in coordinating the member nations and persuading North Korea to come to the table. Japan should follow this strategy and contribute to detente on the Korean Peninsula.
北朝鮮を説得し、各国を調整する。米中のそんな取り組みがあってこそ、６者が会える素地ができる。この戦略にそって日本も、朝鮮半島の緊張緩和に貢献すべきである。
2010年11月27日
職なき若者―構造的ミスマッチなくせ
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 25
EDITORIAL: 'Ice age' for job-hunters
職なき若者―構造的ミスマッチなくせ
Japanese university students graduating next spring face an extremely frosty job climate that is often described as a "super ice age."
「超氷河期」という言葉さえ聞く。
The ratio of graduating students with job offers has fallen to a record low. This year, one in six students finished their studies to find themselves jobless new graduates. Next year stands to be even worse.
来春卒業予定の大学生の就職内定率が、過去最低に落ち込んでいる。１年上の先輩たちは、６人に１人が進路が決まらぬまま大学を出て新卒未就業者となった。このままゆけば、もっと多くの無業の若者が生まれかねない。
Most students attend university with the hope of finding a worthwhile job to earn a livelihood and establish a foothold in society. The job crunch is blighting their hopes.
大学で様々なことを学んだ後、やりがいのある仕事を見つけ、稼ぎを得て社会に足場を築く。そんな人生の予想図はもろくも崩れつつある。
Companies are tightening their hiring standards and often end their recruitment activities even before meeting their targets. The situation has created a growing inequality in access to employment between the so-called winning and losing groups.
浮かび上がるのは勝ち組、負け組といわれるような就職格差の広がりだ。
企業は厳選採用を進め、予定数に満たなくても採用活動を打ち切る。大企業のメガネにかなう人は奪い合いになる一方、受けては落ちることを繰り返し、追いつめられる学生がいる。
A recent survey of universities by the Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training found that the proportion of students who graduated this spring without a job was 30 percent or higher at many new private universities and smaller institutions.
労働政策研究・研修機構が各大学を調べたところ、今春の新卒未就業者が３割以上を占めたのは、新設の私大や小規模校が目立った。
Officials at university employment counseling centers say students who are having difficulty in finding work often don't know what kind of career they want to pursue and can't write effective job application forms.
大学の就職センター担当者は、「何をしたらいいかわからない」「企業に出すエントリーシートが書けない」といった点を学生の課題に挙げる。
Frustrated, a growing number of students are simply giving up on their job search.
途中で就職活動から降りてしまう学生も増えているという。
The economic downturn is not entirely to blame for the tough job market facing university graduates. These employment woes are an unfortunate combination of several structural factors that should be addressed.
今の就職難を不況だけのせいにするのは間違いだ。それを超えた構造的な不運が学生たちを苦しめている。
The percentage of high school students enrolling in universities now exceeds 50 percent, up from 25 percent two decades ago.
２０年前に２５％だった大学の進学率は５割を超え、多様な若者が学ぶようになった。
Despite this new diversity of students in universities, Japan's job market has not adjusted to the change.
だが、就職市場はそれに見合うものになっていない。
Universities today appear to be failing at their responsibility in educating students to help them identify career aspirations and preparing them to enter the work force.
何をすべきかつかめず、社会に出る準備が整わない若者を大学は無責任に送り出す。
The business community also has failed to devise a more flexible approach to hiring in line with changes in both the quality and quantity of students.
経済界の方も、大卒者の質と量の変化に応じた多様で柔軟な採用のあり方を、示せていない。
A society that cannot offer hope for young people has no future. Every possible effort should be made to fix the problem.
若者が希望を持てぬ社会に未来はない。打てるだけの手を打とう。
Job fairs jointly organized by small and medium-size companies seeking new graduates are gaining popularity.
採用意欲のある中小企業を集めた合同説明会が盛んになってきた。
But have these efforts, intended to widen the perspective of students focused on landing a job at a large company and match them with smaller businesses, really produced the expected effects?
大企業志向の学生の視野を広げさせ、マッチングする試みは成果を上げているか。
Additionally, there has been little attention to fostering cooperation between universities and Hello Work job centers, which tend to be avoided by university students.
学生が敬遠しがちなハローワークと大学の連携は、まだ十分といえない。
How much effort have universities been making to take advantage of the series of job-creation measures adopted by the government to help graduates find work?
政府が矢継ぎ早に繰り出す雇用対策を卒業生につなぐよう、大学はどれだけフォローに努めているか。
Clearly, more should be done at the front line of support for young people in search of employment.
現場の工夫はなお必要だろう。
Then, there should be a society-wide campaign to correct the structural mismatch between school education and the job market.
そのうえで、学校教育と産業社会の間で広がる構造的なミスマッチの是正に、社会を挙げて取り組むべきだ。
Career counseling to enable students to develop the mind-set needed to join the work force should be firmly incorporated into the education system.
職業人となる意識を身につけさせるキャリア教育を、学校体系にきちんと位置づける。
As well, there should be multiple paths from university to the job market.
大学から職業へのコースは複線であるべきだ。
Companies, for their part, need to urgently improve their recruitment processes that undermine the purpose of university education to help students develop their own abilities. These processes have grown longer over years, forcing students to start job-hunting activities earlier in their college life.
Businesses should instead adopt a recruitment approach more focused on the academic achievements of students.
企業は大学の人材育成力を損なう就活の早期化・長期化を正し、学業の成果を問う採用に変える。
They should also break with the tradition of hiring graduates for full-time jobs all at once so that young job-seekers can have more than one chance to get hired.
何度かチャレンジできるよう新卒一括採用からも転換しよう。
The government, academic world and business community have begun discussions over this challenge.
政府と大学、経済界の話し合いが始まった。
Instead of simply keeping up a front by announcing empty agreements or futile ethical codes, they need to come up with truly effective reforms.
守られぬ協定や倫理憲章でお茶を濁すことなく、実効性のある改革を打ち出さねばならない。
EDITORIAL: 'Ice age' for job-hunters
職なき若者―構造的ミスマッチなくせ
Japanese university students graduating next spring face an extremely frosty job climate that is often described as a "super ice age."
「超氷河期」という言葉さえ聞く。
The ratio of graduating students with job offers has fallen to a record low. This year, one in six students finished their studies to find themselves jobless new graduates. Next year stands to be even worse.
来春卒業予定の大学生の就職内定率が、過去最低に落ち込んでいる。１年上の先輩たちは、６人に１人が進路が決まらぬまま大学を出て新卒未就業者となった。このままゆけば、もっと多くの無業の若者が生まれかねない。
Most students attend university with the hope of finding a worthwhile job to earn a livelihood and establish a foothold in society. The job crunch is blighting their hopes.
大学で様々なことを学んだ後、やりがいのある仕事を見つけ、稼ぎを得て社会に足場を築く。そんな人生の予想図はもろくも崩れつつある。
Companies are tightening their hiring standards and often end their recruitment activities even before meeting their targets. The situation has created a growing inequality in access to employment between the so-called winning and losing groups.
浮かび上がるのは勝ち組、負け組といわれるような就職格差の広がりだ。
企業は厳選採用を進め、予定数に満たなくても採用活動を打ち切る。大企業のメガネにかなう人は奪い合いになる一方、受けては落ちることを繰り返し、追いつめられる学生がいる。
A recent survey of universities by the Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training found that the proportion of students who graduated this spring without a job was 30 percent or higher at many new private universities and smaller institutions.
労働政策研究・研修機構が各大学を調べたところ、今春の新卒未就業者が３割以上を占めたのは、新設の私大や小規模校が目立った。
Officials at university employment counseling centers say students who are having difficulty in finding work often don't know what kind of career they want to pursue and can't write effective job application forms.
大学の就職センター担当者は、「何をしたらいいかわからない」「企業に出すエントリーシートが書けない」といった点を学生の課題に挙げる。
Frustrated, a growing number of students are simply giving up on their job search.
途中で就職活動から降りてしまう学生も増えているという。
The economic downturn is not entirely to blame for the tough job market facing university graduates. These employment woes are an unfortunate combination of several structural factors that should be addressed.
今の就職難を不況だけのせいにするのは間違いだ。それを超えた構造的な不運が学生たちを苦しめている。
The percentage of high school students enrolling in universities now exceeds 50 percent, up from 25 percent two decades ago.
２０年前に２５％だった大学の進学率は５割を超え、多様な若者が学ぶようになった。
Despite this new diversity of students in universities, Japan's job market has not adjusted to the change.
だが、就職市場はそれに見合うものになっていない。
Universities today appear to be failing at their responsibility in educating students to help them identify career aspirations and preparing them to enter the work force.
何をすべきかつかめず、社会に出る準備が整わない若者を大学は無責任に送り出す。
The business community also has failed to devise a more flexible approach to hiring in line with changes in both the quality and quantity of students.
経済界の方も、大卒者の質と量の変化に応じた多様で柔軟な採用のあり方を、示せていない。
A society that cannot offer hope for young people has no future. Every possible effort should be made to fix the problem.
若者が希望を持てぬ社会に未来はない。打てるだけの手を打とう。
Job fairs jointly organized by small and medium-size companies seeking new graduates are gaining popularity.
採用意欲のある中小企業を集めた合同説明会が盛んになってきた。
But have these efforts, intended to widen the perspective of students focused on landing a job at a large company and match them with smaller businesses, really produced the expected effects?
大企業志向の学生の視野を広げさせ、マッチングする試みは成果を上げているか。
Additionally, there has been little attention to fostering cooperation between universities and Hello Work job centers, which tend to be avoided by university students.
学生が敬遠しがちなハローワークと大学の連携は、まだ十分といえない。
How much effort have universities been making to take advantage of the series of job-creation measures adopted by the government to help graduates find work?
政府が矢継ぎ早に繰り出す雇用対策を卒業生につなぐよう、大学はどれだけフォローに努めているか。
Clearly, more should be done at the front line of support for young people in search of employment.
現場の工夫はなお必要だろう。
Then, there should be a society-wide campaign to correct the structural mismatch between school education and the job market.
そのうえで、学校教育と産業社会の間で広がる構造的なミスマッチの是正に、社会を挙げて取り組むべきだ。
Career counseling to enable students to develop the mind-set needed to join the work force should be firmly incorporated into the education system.
職業人となる意識を身につけさせるキャリア教育を、学校体系にきちんと位置づける。
As well, there should be multiple paths from university to the job market.
大学から職業へのコースは複線であるべきだ。
Companies, for their part, need to urgently improve their recruitment processes that undermine the purpose of university education to help students develop their own abilities. These processes have grown longer over years, forcing students to start job-hunting activities earlier in their college life.
Businesses should instead adopt a recruitment approach more focused on the academic achievements of students.
企業は大学の人材育成力を損なう就活の早期化・長期化を正し、学業の成果を問う採用に変える。
They should also break with the tradition of hiring graduates for full-time jobs all at once so that young job-seekers can have more than one chance to get hired.
何度かチャレンジできるよう新卒一括採用からも転換しよう。
The government, academic world and business community have begun discussions over this challenge.
政府と大学、経済界の話し合いが始まった。
Instead of simply keeping up a front by announcing empty agreements or futile ethical codes, they need to come up with truly effective reforms.
守られぬ協定や倫理憲章でお茶を濁すことなく、実効性のある改革を打ち出さねばならない。
2010年11月20日
Democracy in Myanmar
2010/11/19
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 18
EDITORIAL: Democracy in Myanmar
スー・チーさん―対話こそが民主化の一歩
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratization movement in Myanmar (Burma), urged pro-democracy forces to unite and called on the military government to agree to dialogue.
ミャンマー（ビルマ）の民主化運動指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんは、民主化勢力に団結を、軍事政権には対話を呼びかけた。
Having been released from house arrest on Nov. 13, she delivered a speech before the public for the first time in seven and a half years. Including her previous time in captivity, Suu Kyi has been deprived of freedom for 15 years without a valid reason.
１３日に自宅軟禁から解放され、７年半ぶりの演説である。それ以前を含めると、不当に自由を奪われていた時間は計１５年に及ぶ。
From now on, the junta must guarantee her freedom of political activities and speech.
軍政は今後、彼女の政治活動や言論の自由を保障しなければならない。
Tens of thousands of people are said to have cried for joy in response to the speech she delivered the day after her release. Suu Kyi remains a star of hope to people calling for democracy and freedom.
解放翌日の演説には数万人の群衆が歓喜の声を上げたという。スー・チーさんは、民主化と自由を求める人々の希望の星であり続けている。
The junta set the date for her release from house arrest immediately after the country's first general election in 20 years. It shows that the junta is still afraid of Suu Kyi's popularity that is deeply rooted among the public.
軍政は軟禁解除の期限を、２０年ぶりの総選挙を終えた直後に設定した。国民の間に根強い彼女の人気をどれだけ恐れていたか、の証しでもある。
In the general election, which was neither free nor fair, a political party supporting the military won nearly 80 percent of the seats. In addition, since a quarter of the seats are allocated to military appointees, the new parliament is dominated by an absolute majority of members affiliated with the military.
自由でも公正でもなかった総選挙で軍の翼賛政党は８割近い議席を得たという。そのほかに軍が議席の４分の１を指名するので、新国会は軍政系の議員が絶対多数を握る。
The National League for Democracy (NLD), which scored an overwhelming victory in the last general election, refused to take part in the election this time and was dissolved. NLD leader Suu Kyi called for a boycott of the election. As a result, a new party formed by some former NLD members could only win a small number of seats.
前回の選挙で圧勝した国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）は今回の選挙に参加することを拒み、解党となった。そのリーダーであるスー・チーさんはボイコットを呼びかけ、ＮＬＤの一部メンバーの結成した新党がわずかな議席しかとれない結果にもつながった。
Some critics say that even if the system was unfair, the NLD should have entered the election to gain seats and voice its opinion in parliament. However, until now, NLD executives have aged and the organization has split and grown weaker.
選挙への不参加について「不公平な制度であっても、議席を得て国会で主張するべきだった」との批判が一部にある。この間、ＮＬＤ幹部らは高齢化し、組織も分裂、弱体化した。
We can understand Suu Kyi's position not to recognize the election, given that the junta arbitrarily overturned the results of the previous election and continued to deprive her of freedom.
前回選挙の結果を一方的に覆され、自由を奪われ続けた経緯を振り返れば、今回の選挙を認めるわけにいかない彼女の思いは理解できる。
From now on, as Suu Kyi said in her first speech after her release, an effort must be made to rebuild and bring together pro-democracy forces that were divided by the military regime.
今後は、スー・チーさんが「第一声」で語ったように、軍政に分断された民主化勢力の立て直しと亀裂の修復に力を注がなければならない。
The opposition says there were many irregularities in the election. If the circle of support for Suu Kyi spreads, some observers say the junta will likely crack down on the "illegal" political activities of the dissolved NLD. That is outrageous.
野党側は今回の選挙で多数の不正があったと訴えている。スー・チーさんへの支援の輪が広がれば、軍政は、解党後のＮＬＤの政治活動を「違法」として取り締まりに乗り出すとの観測もあるが、とんでもないことだ。
Parliament will convene early next year. With the start of a new government, the junta is set to declare the completion of democratization.
来年早々国会が招集される。新たな政府の始動をもって、軍政は民主化が完成したと宣言する段取りだ。
The way to govern the nation is about to change although it may not be sufficient. Depending on the new government's attitude, it may be a good opportunity for reconciliation both at home and abroad.
曲がりなりにも統治の形態が変わるタイミングだ。新政府の姿勢次第では国内外での和解の好機にもなる。
First, the new president must engage in direct dialogue with Suu Kyi. Without her, there can be no reconciliation or democratization. Furthermore, the more than 2,000 political prisoners must also be released without delay. Doing so would open up the possibility of moving a step toward true democracy.
新大統領はまずスー・チーさんとの直接対話を始めることだ。彼女抜きでは和解も民主化もあり得ない。さらに２千人を超す政治犯もただちに解放する。そうすれば真の民主化へ一歩を踏み出す可能性がでてくる。
China has been serving as a breakwater for international public opinion that criticizes the junta. Japan should talk with China, India and neighboring countries and call on them to persistently urge Myanmar to shift gears toward the realization of true democracy.
日本は、軍政を非難する国際世論の防波堤となってきた中国をはじめ、インドや近隣国と話し合い、新政府が真の民主化へ向けてかじを切るよう、粘り強く働きかける道を探るべきだ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 18
EDITORIAL: Democracy in Myanmar
スー・チーさん―対話こそが民主化の一歩
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratization movement in Myanmar (Burma), urged pro-democracy forces to unite and called on the military government to agree to dialogue.
ミャンマー（ビルマ）の民主化運動指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんは、民主化勢力に団結を、軍事政権には対話を呼びかけた。
Having been released from house arrest on Nov. 13, she delivered a speech before the public for the first time in seven and a half years. Including her previous time in captivity, Suu Kyi has been deprived of freedom for 15 years without a valid reason.
１３日に自宅軟禁から解放され、７年半ぶりの演説である。それ以前を含めると、不当に自由を奪われていた時間は計１５年に及ぶ。
From now on, the junta must guarantee her freedom of political activities and speech.
軍政は今後、彼女の政治活動や言論の自由を保障しなければならない。
Tens of thousands of people are said to have cried for joy in response to the speech she delivered the day after her release. Suu Kyi remains a star of hope to people calling for democracy and freedom.
解放翌日の演説には数万人の群衆が歓喜の声を上げたという。スー・チーさんは、民主化と自由を求める人々の希望の星であり続けている。
The junta set the date for her release from house arrest immediately after the country's first general election in 20 years. It shows that the junta is still afraid of Suu Kyi's popularity that is deeply rooted among the public.
軍政は軟禁解除の期限を、２０年ぶりの総選挙を終えた直後に設定した。国民の間に根強い彼女の人気をどれだけ恐れていたか、の証しでもある。
In the general election, which was neither free nor fair, a political party supporting the military won nearly 80 percent of the seats. In addition, since a quarter of the seats are allocated to military appointees, the new parliament is dominated by an absolute majority of members affiliated with the military.
自由でも公正でもなかった総選挙で軍の翼賛政党は８割近い議席を得たという。そのほかに軍が議席の４分の１を指名するので、新国会は軍政系の議員が絶対多数を握る。
The National League for Democracy (NLD), which scored an overwhelming victory in the last general election, refused to take part in the election this time and was dissolved. NLD leader Suu Kyi called for a boycott of the election. As a result, a new party formed by some former NLD members could only win a small number of seats.
前回の選挙で圧勝した国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）は今回の選挙に参加することを拒み、解党となった。そのリーダーであるスー・チーさんはボイコットを呼びかけ、ＮＬＤの一部メンバーの結成した新党がわずかな議席しかとれない結果にもつながった。
Some critics say that even if the system was unfair, the NLD should have entered the election to gain seats and voice its opinion in parliament. However, until now, NLD executives have aged and the organization has split and grown weaker.
選挙への不参加について「不公平な制度であっても、議席を得て国会で主張するべきだった」との批判が一部にある。この間、ＮＬＤ幹部らは高齢化し、組織も分裂、弱体化した。
We can understand Suu Kyi's position not to recognize the election, given that the junta arbitrarily overturned the results of the previous election and continued to deprive her of freedom.
前回選挙の結果を一方的に覆され、自由を奪われ続けた経緯を振り返れば、今回の選挙を認めるわけにいかない彼女の思いは理解できる。
From now on, as Suu Kyi said in her first speech after her release, an effort must be made to rebuild and bring together pro-democracy forces that were divided by the military regime.
今後は、スー・チーさんが「第一声」で語ったように、軍政に分断された民主化勢力の立て直しと亀裂の修復に力を注がなければならない。
The opposition says there were many irregularities in the election. If the circle of support for Suu Kyi spreads, some observers say the junta will likely crack down on the "illegal" political activities of the dissolved NLD. That is outrageous.
野党側は今回の選挙で多数の不正があったと訴えている。スー・チーさんへの支援の輪が広がれば、軍政は、解党後のＮＬＤの政治活動を「違法」として取り締まりに乗り出すとの観測もあるが、とんでもないことだ。
Parliament will convene early next year. With the start of a new government, the junta is set to declare the completion of democratization.
来年早々国会が招集される。新たな政府の始動をもって、軍政は民主化が完成したと宣言する段取りだ。
The way to govern the nation is about to change although it may not be sufficient. Depending on the new government's attitude, it may be a good opportunity for reconciliation both at home and abroad.
曲がりなりにも統治の形態が変わるタイミングだ。新政府の姿勢次第では国内外での和解の好機にもなる。
First, the new president must engage in direct dialogue with Suu Kyi. Without her, there can be no reconciliation or democratization. Furthermore, the more than 2,000 political prisoners must also be released without delay. Doing so would open up the possibility of moving a step toward true democracy.
新大統領はまずスー・チーさんとの直接対話を始めることだ。彼女抜きでは和解も民主化もあり得ない。さらに２千人を超す政治犯もただちに解放する。そうすれば真の民主化へ一歩を踏み出す可能性がでてくる。
China has been serving as a breakwater for international public opinion that criticizes the junta. Japan should talk with China, India and neighboring countries and call on them to persistently urge Myanmar to shift gears toward the realization of true democracy.
日本は、軍政を非難する国際世論の防波堤となってきた中国をはじめ、インドや近隣国と話し合い、新政府が真の民主化へ向けてかじを切るよう、粘り強く働きかける道を探るべきだ。
2010年11月19日
海保映像問題―まだ流出の真相が見えぬ
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 17
EDITORIAL: No arrest in video leak
海保映像問題―まだ流出の真相が見えぬ
2010/11/18
Investigators probing the leak of Japan Coast Guard video footage showing a Chinese trawler ramming two Japanese patrol boats off the Senkaku Islands in September have decided to continue questioning the officer who admitted to uploading the footage on YouTube. But he will not be arrested.
尖閣沖の中国漁船ビデオが流出した事件で、捜査当局は海上保安官を逮捕せずに調べを続ける方針を決めた。
Although the officer voluntarily appeared before investigators, his statements were vague and the storage medium believed to have been used to take the footage from his organization has not been found.
自ら出頭したのに供述にあいまいな部分があり、映像を持ち出したとされる記録媒体も見つかっていない。
Opinions were split among the investigating authorities. But the decision not to arrest the officer was reportedly the result of an overall judgment on various circumstances.
当局内部でも意見は割れたが、様々な事情を総合判断した結果だという。
We must not forget, however, that the foundation of criminal investigations is questioning suspects without arrest unless it would risk the destruction of evidence or flight.
忘れがちだが、捜査の基本は在宅調べで、逮捕は証拠隠滅や逃亡の恐れがある場合の手段だ。
Thus, there is no need to insist upon physical custody. The important thing is to get to the bottom of how the leak occurred.
これに照らせば身柄拘束にこだわる必要はない。肝心なのは流出に至る真相の究明である。
The shoddy information management at the coast guard is stunning.
これまでの捜査で驚かされたのは海上保安庁の情報管理のお粗末さだ。
How was the footage stored and posted on the Internet. What rank of personnel could access it?
映像はどう保管され、ネットとどうつながり、どこまでの職員がアクセスすることができたのか。
It was first explained that the video was rigorously controlled, but subsequent statements have wavered. This is a key issue for a judgment on whether the footage was a secret that should be protected to the point of imposing punishment.
初めは厳重に管理しているという説明だった。その後、二転三転した。映像は刑罰を科してでも守る秘密だったのか否かの判断にも影響する重要な問題だ。
The coast guard is the organization in charge of policing Japan's seas, and it has the authority to make arrests and use weapons. The agency's current state, however, makes us uneasy.
海保は海上の警察組織だ。逮捕や武器使用の権限を与えられている。その機関がこの有り様では不安を覚える。
How are other important materials stored? Besides the obvious need to revamp the data-handling systems and awareness at the coast guard, stern questions remain about the responsibility of those involved in management operations.
ほかの重要資料の保管はどうなっているのか。データを扱う体制と意識の見直しはもちろん、管理業務にかかわる者の責任も厳しく問われよう。
As suspicions toward the coast guard mount, there has also been a swell of support for the officer's actions. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe joined the chorus in an online magazine, commending the officer for his bravery in releasing the images to the public.
海保への疑問が増す一方で、保安官の行為を支持する声が一部に広がっている。安倍晋三元首相がメールマガジンで、「勇気をふるって告発した保安官」を励ましたのはその一例だ。
But this is over the top. What will become of national management if frontline civil servants decide to leak intelligence at their own discretion simply because they disagree with government policy?
だがこれはおかしい。政府の方針が自分の考えと違うからといって、現場の公務員が勝手に情報を外に流し始めたら、国の運営はどうなるか。
The officer's actions also fail to meet the requirements for whistle-blowing protected under the law. Praising him as a hero is a mistake and extremely risky. He stated he wanted people to act on their own ideas and judgments of the matter. We can only wonder what motive he had.
保安官の行いは、法律で保護される内部告発の要件を満たしてもいない。称賛したり英雄視したりするのは間違いだし、危険なこと甚だしい。保安官は「一人ひとりが考え判断し、行動してほしかった」との声明を出したが、いったい何を意図したものか。
The Asahi Shimbun has tirelessly advocated the public's right to know. This does not extend, however, to the immediate release of all sensitive information on foreign relations, defense, security and other intelligence.
朝日新聞は国民の知る権利の大切さを唱えてきた。だが外交、防衛、治安情報をはじめ、すべてを同時進行で公にすることがその中身ではない。
We must share the common awareness that information disclosure and the debate rooted in that issue are an indispensable part of democracy. Then, considering the overall interests for each case, judgments should be rendered on the validity and timing of disclosure. It is the accumulation of such efforts that tempers the very fabric of a society.
情報の公開とそれに基づく討議は民主主義に欠かせぬという認識を互いに持ち、ケースごとに全体の利益を見すえて公開の当否や時期を判断する。この積み重ねこそが社会を鍛える。
At the base of the current confusion lies distrust toward the current administration, which offered no policy consistency on dealing with the trawler incident, thrust the responsibility onto the prosecutor's office and failed to clearly explain its position to the people.
今回の混迷のもとには、漁船事件に対処する方針がぶれたあげく、検察庁に責任を押しつけ、自らの姿勢を国民に丁寧に説明してこなかった政権に対する不信がある。
There has also been a jumble of raw sentiment and nationalism directed at China, a nation that continues to expand its status as a global power, along with the pursuit of partisan politics in Japan. Statements charged with emotion and ulterior motives are rife.
そして、大国化する中国への感情やナショナリズム、党利党略がないまぜになり、感情論や思惑含みの発言が飛び交っている。
Meanwhile, the truth remains hidden. Investigators must shed light on the facts. This will also help promote level-headed discussions on how best to disclose and safeguard important information in the era of the Internet.
まだ真相が見えない。捜査を尽くし事実を解明する。それが、ネット時代の情報の公開や保全のあり方について冷静な議論を進めることにつながる。
2010年11月15日
横浜ＡＰＥＣ―自由貿易圏への一歩に
2010/11/13
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 12
EDITORIAL: Kan's role at APEC forum
横浜ＡＰＥＣ―自由貿易圏への一歩に
As leaders of Pacific Rim countries gather in Yokohama for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, one question is looming over the conference. Will they share as a realistic goal the vision of a huge free trade zone encompassing nations surrounding the Pacific?
The leaders of 21 countries and regions, including the United States, China and Russia, will discuss ways to ensure sustained economic growth in the region during the summit, which starts Saturday.
太平洋を囲む国々による自由貿易圏づくりの「夢」は、現実の「目標」として共有されるか。米国や中国、ロシアなど２１の国や地域の首脳があすから横浜で、持続的な経済発展の道をめぐって話し合う。
The APEC summit was created to link economies that account for a combined 40 percent of the world's population and 50 percent of the global economic output.
このアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議は、人口で世界の４割、経済規模で５割を占める国々をつなぐために設けられた。
U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking to secure future growth of the U.S. economy under a trade strategy centering on a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
オバマ米大統領は、アジア太平洋自由貿易圏（ＦＴＡＡＰ）構想の実現を通商戦略の核にすえて今後の成長を図ろうとしている。
This new regional framework for trade liberalization is also important for Japan, which depends on trade for its economic well-being. Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who chairs the APEC summit in Yokohama, should carry out his responsibility to push this idea.
貿易立国の日本にとっても重要な枠組みだ。横浜ＡＰＥＣで議長を務める菅直人首相には、構想を後押しする責任をしっかりと果たしてもらいたい。
APEC was launched in 1989 under the initiative of Japan and Australia to build a new framework to promote free trade. The two countries were worried about a growing trend toward creating a regional trade bloc in Europe and North America.
１９８９年発足のＡＰＥＣは、欧州や北米のブロック経済化を懸念した日本と豪州が、自由貿易を推進する新たな枠組みを求めたのがきっかけだった。
APEC provided a strong impetus to the Uruguay round of multilateral trade talks, which had stalled, leading to a successful conclusion to the negotiations.
難航していた多角的貿易交渉も突き動かし、成功に導いた。
After that, however, APEC lost steam and made no notable achievement for years. Part of the blame falls on Japan. Fearing a political confrontation at home over the issue of farm trade liberalization, Tokyo has not gone along with the U.S. call for freer trade.
しかしその後のＡＰＥＣは鳴かず飛ばずだった。原因は日本にもある。農業問題での国内対立を恐れ、米国の自由化論についていけなかった。
One important goal set by APEC is achieving "free and open trade and investment" by 2010 among its developed economies.
ＡＰＥＣは２０１０年までに先進国が「自由で開かれた貿易と投資を達成する」との目標を掲げてきた。
But the reality is far from the ideal, and there is no prospect for a new global agreement after nine years of the Doha round of multilateral trade talks. The dismal outlook has prompted many countries to start separate negotiations with their trade partners, ushering in a new era of bilateral free trade agreements.
だが現実は理想に遠く、多角的貿易交渉ドーハ・ラウンドも９年の交渉を経てなお合意のめどが立っていない。
These moves have made some contribution to liberalizing trade. But they have also created some problems. Different trade rules set by many bilateral pacts make things more complicated for companies with global operations. This is a situation sometimes referred to as a "spaghetti bowl phenomenon."
多国間交渉に期待をもてない国々は個別交渉に走り、世界はすっかり二国間のＦＴＡ（自由貿易協定）時代だ。それで曲がりなりにも自由化が進展したが、弊害もある。協定ごとにルールが異なり、世界で活動する企業にとって対応が複雑になることだ。からまっためんのような「スパゲティ・ボール現象」とも言われる。
Against this backdrop, the APEC summit in Yokohama offers a good opportunity for Pacific Rim leaders to acknowledge the importance of a multilateral trade pact.
横浜ＡＰＥＣは、こうした問題を背景に各国首脳らが多国間協定の大切さを改めて認め合う好機である。
There are encouraging signs that the upcoming discussion will be lively. The United States has shown enthusiasm to hold talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a framework that currently involves nine countries and would eliminate tariffs and trade barriers, stimulating fresh debate. Japan has hastily decided to consider its participation in the talks. China has also shown interest.
幸い、議論は活発化しそうだ。関税撤廃をめざす９カ国の環太平洋パートナーシップ協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉に米国が積極姿勢を示したことが刺激剤となっている。日本があわてて交渉参加を検討し、中国も関心を示した。
If Tokyo joins, the TPP would form a vast free trade zone including both the United States and Japan.
ＴＰＰに日本が参加すれば、日米を含む巨大自由貿易圏となる。
Then, the FTAAP would no longer be a simple vision. It would evolve into the next goal. That would also raise hope for a revival of the moribund Doha round.
そのときはＦＴＡＡＰはもはや「夢」ではない。次なる「目標」に進化するだろう。死に体のドーハ・ラウンドが生き返る希望も見えてくる。
With the world economy in a bind, it is all the more important now to expand free trade instead of limiting the scope of trade with protectionist measures.
世界経済が苦境に陥った今こそ、保護主義で貿易を小さく囲い込むのでなく、自由貿易を広げていくことが求められる。
This is a very important lesson from the Great Depression 80 years ago and the subsequent world war.
８０年前の世界恐慌とその後の世界大戦の歴史の教訓である。
The outcome of APEC's efforts to establish a regional free trade zone goes a long way toward determining whether the lesson will be put into good use. As chairman of the Yokohama gathering, Kan has a big role to play.
ＡＰＥＣの自由貿易圏づくりは、その教訓を生かせるかどうかのカギを握る。菅議長の役割は重大だ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 12
EDITORIAL: Kan's role at APEC forum
横浜ＡＰＥＣ―自由貿易圏への一歩に
As leaders of Pacific Rim countries gather in Yokohama for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, one question is looming over the conference. Will they share as a realistic goal the vision of a huge free trade zone encompassing nations surrounding the Pacific?
The leaders of 21 countries and regions, including the United States, China and Russia, will discuss ways to ensure sustained economic growth in the region during the summit, which starts Saturday.
太平洋を囲む国々による自由貿易圏づくりの「夢」は、現実の「目標」として共有されるか。米国や中国、ロシアなど２１の国や地域の首脳があすから横浜で、持続的な経済発展の道をめぐって話し合う。
The APEC summit was created to link economies that account for a combined 40 percent of the world's population and 50 percent of the global economic output.
このアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議は、人口で世界の４割、経済規模で５割を占める国々をつなぐために設けられた。
U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking to secure future growth of the U.S. economy under a trade strategy centering on a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
オバマ米大統領は、アジア太平洋自由貿易圏（ＦＴＡＡＰ）構想の実現を通商戦略の核にすえて今後の成長を図ろうとしている。
This new regional framework for trade liberalization is also important for Japan, which depends on trade for its economic well-being. Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who chairs the APEC summit in Yokohama, should carry out his responsibility to push this idea.
貿易立国の日本にとっても重要な枠組みだ。横浜ＡＰＥＣで議長を務める菅直人首相には、構想を後押しする責任をしっかりと果たしてもらいたい。
APEC was launched in 1989 under the initiative of Japan and Australia to build a new framework to promote free trade. The two countries were worried about a growing trend toward creating a regional trade bloc in Europe and North America.
１９８９年発足のＡＰＥＣは、欧州や北米のブロック経済化を懸念した日本と豪州が、自由貿易を推進する新たな枠組みを求めたのがきっかけだった。
APEC provided a strong impetus to the Uruguay round of multilateral trade talks, which had stalled, leading to a successful conclusion to the negotiations.
難航していた多角的貿易交渉も突き動かし、成功に導いた。
After that, however, APEC lost steam and made no notable achievement for years. Part of the blame falls on Japan. Fearing a political confrontation at home over the issue of farm trade liberalization, Tokyo has not gone along with the U.S. call for freer trade.
しかしその後のＡＰＥＣは鳴かず飛ばずだった。原因は日本にもある。農業問題での国内対立を恐れ、米国の自由化論についていけなかった。
One important goal set by APEC is achieving "free and open trade and investment" by 2010 among its developed economies.
ＡＰＥＣは２０１０年までに先進国が「自由で開かれた貿易と投資を達成する」との目標を掲げてきた。
But the reality is far from the ideal, and there is no prospect for a new global agreement after nine years of the Doha round of multilateral trade talks. The dismal outlook has prompted many countries to start separate negotiations with their trade partners, ushering in a new era of bilateral free trade agreements.
だが現実は理想に遠く、多角的貿易交渉ドーハ・ラウンドも９年の交渉を経てなお合意のめどが立っていない。
These moves have made some contribution to liberalizing trade. But they have also created some problems. Different trade rules set by many bilateral pacts make things more complicated for companies with global operations. This is a situation sometimes referred to as a "spaghetti bowl phenomenon."
多国間交渉に期待をもてない国々は個別交渉に走り、世界はすっかり二国間のＦＴＡ（自由貿易協定）時代だ。それで曲がりなりにも自由化が進展したが、弊害もある。協定ごとにルールが異なり、世界で活動する企業にとって対応が複雑になることだ。からまっためんのような「スパゲティ・ボール現象」とも言われる。
Against this backdrop, the APEC summit in Yokohama offers a good opportunity for Pacific Rim leaders to acknowledge the importance of a multilateral trade pact.
横浜ＡＰＥＣは、こうした問題を背景に各国首脳らが多国間協定の大切さを改めて認め合う好機である。
There are encouraging signs that the upcoming discussion will be lively. The United States has shown enthusiasm to hold talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a framework that currently involves nine countries and would eliminate tariffs and trade barriers, stimulating fresh debate. Japan has hastily decided to consider its participation in the talks. China has also shown interest.
幸い、議論は活発化しそうだ。関税撤廃をめざす９カ国の環太平洋パートナーシップ協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉に米国が積極姿勢を示したことが刺激剤となっている。日本があわてて交渉参加を検討し、中国も関心を示した。
If Tokyo joins, the TPP would form a vast free trade zone including both the United States and Japan.
ＴＰＰに日本が参加すれば、日米を含む巨大自由貿易圏となる。
Then, the FTAAP would no longer be a simple vision. It would evolve into the next goal. That would also raise hope for a revival of the moribund Doha round.
そのときはＦＴＡＡＰはもはや「夢」ではない。次なる「目標」に進化するだろう。死に体のドーハ・ラウンドが生き返る希望も見えてくる。
With the world economy in a bind, it is all the more important now to expand free trade instead of limiting the scope of trade with protectionist measures.
世界経済が苦境に陥った今こそ、保護主義で貿易を小さく囲い込むのでなく、自由貿易を広げていくことが求められる。
This is a very important lesson from the Great Depression 80 years ago and the subsequent world war.
８０年前の世界恐慌とその後の世界大戦の歴史の教訓である。
The outcome of APEC's efforts to establish a regional free trade zone goes a long way toward determining whether the lesson will be put into good use. As chairman of the Yokohama gathering, Kan has a big role to play.
ＡＰＥＣの自由貿易圏づくりは、その教訓を生かせるかどうかのカギを握る。菅議長の役割は重大だ。