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2009年03月11日
海賊対処法案 早期成立へ与野党は協力せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun
(Mar. 11, 2009)
Opposition camp must help pass antipiracy bill
海賊対処法案 早期成立へ与野党は協力せよ（3月11日付・読売社説）
A bill aimed at protecting commercial vessels from pirates and securing the safety of sea-lanes is indispensable to enable Japan, a maritime power, to carry out these vital functions. The ruling and opposition parties should cooperate to pass the bill as soon as possible.
民間船舶を海賊から守り、海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全を確保する。海洋国家として当然の活動を行うのに不可欠な法案である。与野党が協力し、早期成立を図るべきだ。
The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, on Tuesday endorsed the government's bill for the antipiracy mission, which sets penalties for acts of piracy and permits the deployment of Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel to repel pirates. The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the Diet this week.
海賊罪の新設や「海賊対処行動」への海上自衛隊の活用を柱とする政府の海賊対処法案がまとまり、自民、公明両党に了承された。週内に国会に提出される。
This weekend, two MSDF vessels will be dispatched to waters off Somalia in line with the maritime police action provision of the Self-Defense Forces Law.
週末には、海自艦船２隻が自衛隊法の海上警備行動に基づき、ソマリア沖に派遣される。
But the execution of the MSDF dispatch under the current law is merely an ad hoc measure. A sound legal footing for the mission must be established quickly.
だが、現行法での対応は、あくまで当面の応急措置だ。より明確な根拠法の制定を急ぐ必要がある。
Under the maritime policing clause, the MSDF may only protect Japanese-registered vessels and other ships connected with Japan from pirates. The new bill, however, will enable the MSDF to help safeguard all ships, including foreign-registered civilian vessels without Japanese connections.
海上警備行動が警護対象を日本関係船舶に限っているのに対し、海賊対処法案では、他国の民間船舶を守ることも可能になる。
More than 2,000 Japanese-registered vessels or other ships with Japanese links sail in waters off Somalia each year. It is obviously impossible to protect all this shipping with the two MSDF vessels that will be dispatched. Therefore, it is vital for the MSDF vessels to share information and closely cooperate with foreign vessels and patrol planes during the antipiracy mission.
ソマリア沖を航行する日本関係船舶は年間２０００隻以上にも上る。２隻の艦船で全部を警護するのは不可能だ。いかに他国の艦船や哨戒機と情報を共有し、緊密に連携するかが重要となる。
If the MSDF safeguards foreign civilian vessels, as may be necessary, international cooperation will be expanded, and the effectiveness of the MSDF's activities will be heightened.
海自が必要に応じて他国の船舶も守れば、国際協力の幅が広がるし、活動の実効性も高まろう。
===
Bill unties MSDF's hands
The new bill expands the rules of engagement to allow the MSDF to fire directly at pirate vessels that approach civilian ships.
新法案は、武器使用権限を拡大し、船舶に接近する海賊船などへの船体射撃も可能にする。
Under the current law, the MSDF is allowed to fire warning shots. But except for acts of self-defense, the MSDF is not allowed to harm others. If the MSDF injures or kills pirates, it will bear the burden of proving that the action was carried out in self-defense. Under such circumstances, we fear officers in command may be unable to make quick decisions, meaning that the MSDF's responses to contingencies could be tardy.
現行法では、警告射撃はできるが、正当防衛などを除き、相手に危害を与えてはならない。仮に海賊を負傷させた場合、正当防衛の挙証責任は海自側が負う。これでは、指揮官が瞬時の判断に迷い、対応が遅れる恐れがある。
The new bill stipulates that the MSDF may use lethal force by firing directly at a pirate vessel if the vessel moves toward a civilian vessel in a threatening manner, hangs around it or blocks its nautical course. We believe the new bill will enable the MSDF vessels to perform their mission effectively.
新法案は、海賊船が民間船舶に「著しく接近し、つきまとい、その進行を妨げ」た場合などは、船体射撃で危害を与えることを認めている。海自艦船のより効果的な活動が期待できる。
The bill does not permit the MSDF to provide fuel for foreign vessels engaged in antipiracy missions or fire at fleeing pirate vessels. Those activities and a further loosening of the rules of engagement can be examined in the future if they are found to be necessary in the course of the forthcoming dispatch.
海賊対策に従事する他国艦船への給油や、逃走する海賊船への射撃は今回、見送られた。今後、実際の活動を通じて、必要と判断されれば、こうした任務や武器使用の追加も検討していいだろう。
===
Legislation has public backing
Although the Democratic Party of Japan holds the key to getting the bill passed soon, quite a few DPJ members have voiced opposition to it, together with other those of opposition parties, such as the Social Democratic Party, which opposes the dispatch of MSDF personnel overseas.
新法案の早期成立のカギは民主党だが、党内には、海自派遣に反対する社民党などとの野党共闘を重視する声も少なくない。
But the antipiracy legislation is aimed at protecting the lives and property of Japanese citizens. Playing politics with this issue will not wash. A recent survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun showed that more than 60 percent of respondents approved the dispatch of MSDF personnel to waters off Somalia and the establishment of a related law.
しかし、海賊対策は、国民の生命や財産を守るのが目的である。政局の具にすることは許されない。読売新聞の世論調査でも、海自派遣と新法制定にいずれも６割超が賛成している。
We hope the DPJ will display courage and flexibility by agreeing proactively to the government's proposal, which is supported by a majority of the public. The party's cooperation on this issue would also be a vote-winner in the upcoming House of Representatives election.
民主党は、国民多数の支持する政府案には積極的に賛成する勇気と柔軟性を示してほしい。それが、次期衆院選に向けて、有権者の信頼を高める道でもある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 11, 2009)
（2009年3月11日01時52分 読売新聞）
(Mar. 11, 2009)
Opposition camp must help pass antipiracy bill
海賊対処法案 早期成立へ与野党は協力せよ（3月11日付・読売社説）
A bill aimed at protecting commercial vessels from pirates and securing the safety of sea-lanes is indispensable to enable Japan, a maritime power, to carry out these vital functions. The ruling and opposition parties should cooperate to pass the bill as soon as possible.
民間船舶を海賊から守り、海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全を確保する。海洋国家として当然の活動を行うのに不可欠な法案である。与野党が協力し、早期成立を図るべきだ。
The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, on Tuesday endorsed the government's bill for the antipiracy mission, which sets penalties for acts of piracy and permits the deployment of Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel to repel pirates. The bill is scheduled to be submitted to the Diet this week.
海賊罪の新設や「海賊対処行動」への海上自衛隊の活用を柱とする政府の海賊対処法案がまとまり、自民、公明両党に了承された。週内に国会に提出される。
This weekend, two MSDF vessels will be dispatched to waters off Somalia in line with the maritime police action provision of the Self-Defense Forces Law.
週末には、海自艦船２隻が自衛隊法の海上警備行動に基づき、ソマリア沖に派遣される。
But the execution of the MSDF dispatch under the current law is merely an ad hoc measure. A sound legal footing for the mission must be established quickly.
だが、現行法での対応は、あくまで当面の応急措置だ。より明確な根拠法の制定を急ぐ必要がある。
Under the maritime policing clause, the MSDF may only protect Japanese-registered vessels and other ships connected with Japan from pirates. The new bill, however, will enable the MSDF to help safeguard all ships, including foreign-registered civilian vessels without Japanese connections.
海上警備行動が警護対象を日本関係船舶に限っているのに対し、海賊対処法案では、他国の民間船舶を守ることも可能になる。
More than 2,000 Japanese-registered vessels or other ships with Japanese links sail in waters off Somalia each year. It is obviously impossible to protect all this shipping with the two MSDF vessels that will be dispatched. Therefore, it is vital for the MSDF vessels to share information and closely cooperate with foreign vessels and patrol planes during the antipiracy mission.
ソマリア沖を航行する日本関係船舶は年間２０００隻以上にも上る。２隻の艦船で全部を警護するのは不可能だ。いかに他国の艦船や哨戒機と情報を共有し、緊密に連携するかが重要となる。
If the MSDF safeguards foreign civilian vessels, as may be necessary, international cooperation will be expanded, and the effectiveness of the MSDF's activities will be heightened.
海自が必要に応じて他国の船舶も守れば、国際協力の幅が広がるし、活動の実効性も高まろう。
===
Bill unties MSDF's hands
The new bill expands the rules of engagement to allow the MSDF to fire directly at pirate vessels that approach civilian ships.
新法案は、武器使用権限を拡大し、船舶に接近する海賊船などへの船体射撃も可能にする。
Under the current law, the MSDF is allowed to fire warning shots. But except for acts of self-defense, the MSDF is not allowed to harm others. If the MSDF injures or kills pirates, it will bear the burden of proving that the action was carried out in self-defense. Under such circumstances, we fear officers in command may be unable to make quick decisions, meaning that the MSDF's responses to contingencies could be tardy.
現行法では、警告射撃はできるが、正当防衛などを除き、相手に危害を与えてはならない。仮に海賊を負傷させた場合、正当防衛の挙証責任は海自側が負う。これでは、指揮官が瞬時の判断に迷い、対応が遅れる恐れがある。
The new bill stipulates that the MSDF may use lethal force by firing directly at a pirate vessel if the vessel moves toward a civilian vessel in a threatening manner, hangs around it or blocks its nautical course. We believe the new bill will enable the MSDF vessels to perform their mission effectively.
新法案は、海賊船が民間船舶に「著しく接近し、つきまとい、その進行を妨げ」た場合などは、船体射撃で危害を与えることを認めている。海自艦船のより効果的な活動が期待できる。
The bill does not permit the MSDF to provide fuel for foreign vessels engaged in antipiracy missions or fire at fleeing pirate vessels. Those activities and a further loosening of the rules of engagement can be examined in the future if they are found to be necessary in the course of the forthcoming dispatch.
海賊対策に従事する他国艦船への給油や、逃走する海賊船への射撃は今回、見送られた。今後、実際の活動を通じて、必要と判断されれば、こうした任務や武器使用の追加も検討していいだろう。
===
Legislation has public backing
Although the Democratic Party of Japan holds the key to getting the bill passed soon, quite a few DPJ members have voiced opposition to it, together with other those of opposition parties, such as the Social Democratic Party, which opposes the dispatch of MSDF personnel overseas.
新法案の早期成立のカギは民主党だが、党内には、海自派遣に反対する社民党などとの野党共闘を重視する声も少なくない。
But the antipiracy legislation is aimed at protecting the lives and property of Japanese citizens. Playing politics with this issue will not wash. A recent survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun showed that more than 60 percent of respondents approved the dispatch of MSDF personnel to waters off Somalia and the establishment of a related law.
しかし、海賊対策は、国民の生命や財産を守るのが目的である。政局の具にすることは許されない。読売新聞の世論調査でも、海自派遣と新法制定にいずれも６割超が賛成している。
We hope the DPJ will display courage and flexibility by agreeing proactively to the government's proposal, which is supported by a majority of the public. The party's cooperation on this issue would also be a vote-winner in the upcoming House of Representatives election.
民主党は、国民多数の支持する政府案には積極的に賛成する勇気と柔軟性を示してほしい。それが、次期衆院選に向けて、有権者の信頼を高める道でもある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 11, 2009)
（2009年3月11日01時52分 読売新聞）
2009年03月10日
西松違法献金 厳しさ増す小沢氏の責任問題
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 10, 2009)
Pressure on Ozawa builds over donations
西松違法献金 厳しさ増す小沢氏の責任問題（3月10日付・読売社説）
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa is facing an increasingly tough situation over his responsibility in an alleged Political Funds Control Law violation involving his state-funded secretary.
公設秘書の政治資金規正法違反事件をめぐる民主党の小沢代表の責任問題が、一段と厳しさを増している。
A recent Yomiuri Shimbun opinion poll found that 81 percent of respondents said they were not satisfied with Ozawa's explanation of the matter. More than 50 percent believed that he should step down as party leader. These figures should be of great concern to Ozawa.
読売新聞の全国世論調査で、小沢代表による説明が「納得できない」と答えた人が８割に達した。小沢代表が「辞任すべきだ」との回答も５割を超している。極めて重い数字だ。
Explaining about how donations from two political associations related to Nishimatsu Construction Co. were provided, Ozawa repeatedly said he had left the matter to his secretary and that he did not know anything about specifics. As for where the money for the donations in question came from, he only said that there was no way for him to know about it and that he would never inquire into it.
小沢代表は、西松建設関連の２政治団体からの献金の経緯について「秘書に任せており、具体的なことは分からない」と繰り返す。献金の出所に関しても、「知るすべもないし、詮索(せんさく)することはあり得ない」と言うばかりだ。
According to sources, however, his arrested secretary held direct negotiations with a former Nishimatsu executive to decide the size of donations the firm would make as well as how much each of the three Ozawa-related political organizations would get from the two dummy political associations.
しかし、逮捕された秘書は、西松建設幹部と相談し、２政治団体からの献金額や献金先の割り振りを決めていたことが、関係者の証言などで判明している。
===
Mistake or malfeasance?
This indicates that Ozawa's secretary was actively involved in disguising the donations from Nishimatsu as those from the political associations. If this is true, such an excuse--that the alleged misconduct is merely an unintentional minor technical violation of the law--will no longer hold water.
西松建設の企業献金を関連団体の献金と偽る行為に秘書が積極的に関与したことを示すものだ。事実ならば、「単なる形式犯」という言い訳は通用しない。
Ozawa has so far given no explanation about the nitty-gritty of the scandal. It is therefore quite natural that the public are not satisfied with what he said. Ozawa is responsible for investigating the matter himself and clarifying the truth.
この事件の核心部分に関する小沢代表の説明は一切ない。国民が納得できないのは当然だろう。小沢代表は自ら調査し、真相を明らかにする責任がある。
The atmosphere within the DPJ has apparently changed. Initially, most party members appeared to have faith in Ozawa, but criticism of the leader and questions over his responsibility are spreading.
民主党内の空気も明らかに変化してきた。当初は、小沢代表の説明を信用するとの声が大勢だったが、最近は小沢代表への批判や責任論が広がっている。
How will the DPJ handle this problem? The party's ability to manage a crisis will be tested ahead of the next House of Representatives election. Although the main opposition party saw a relatively minor fall in its support rate in the latest Yomiuri poll, the DPJ is expected to suffer more serious damage if it continues to deal with the matter in a way that deviates from common sense.
民主党は、この問題にどう対応するのか。次期衆院選に向けて危機管理能力が試される。今回の世論調査では、民主党の支持率低下は比較的軽微だったが、国民の常識とずれた対応を続ければ、より大きな影響が出るだろう。
===
Bad news for both parties
On the other hand, the government and Liberal Democratic Party also need to take the results of the Yomiuri poll seriously.
一方で、政府・自民党も、今回の世論調査を深刻に受け止める必要がある。
The support rate for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso and for the LDP dropped again from the previous poll last month. Asked which is more suitable for the position of prime minister, more people still favored Ozawa over Aso, although the difference between the preferences narrowed from the previous poll.
麻生内閣と自民党の支持率はそろって続落した。麻生首相と小沢代表のどちらが首相にふさわしいか、という質問でも、両者の差は縮まったものの、依然、小沢代表の方が上回っている。
This implies that the government and LDP are under heavy public scrutiny.
政府・自民党に対する国民の視線の厳しさがうかがえる。
The prosecutors' probe into donations by Nishimatsu likely will widen to reach political organizations tied to Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai. However, Nikai has said only that donations were properly reported based on the Political Funds Control Law. Nikai's way of dealing with the matter is just about the same as Ozawa's.
二階経済産業相の政治団体も、西松事件の捜査対象とされる。だが、二階経産相は「きっちりと政治資金規正法に基づいて報告している」などと語るだけだ。小沢代表の対応とあまり変わらない。
The Yomiuri poll also found that about 43 percent of the respondents, up about seven percentage points from the previous poll, said they did not support any party. Public distrust in politics will only grow if the LDP and DPJ fail to take action to purify themselves over politics and money.
世論調査では、無党派層が前月比７ポイント増の４３％となった。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題に、自民、民主両党がこのまま自浄能力を発揮できないようでは、国民の政治不信は募るばかりだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 10, 2009)
（2009年3月10日01時52分 読売新聞）
Pressure on Ozawa builds over donations
西松違法献金 厳しさ増す小沢氏の責任問題（3月10日付・読売社説）
Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa is facing an increasingly tough situation over his responsibility in an alleged Political Funds Control Law violation involving his state-funded secretary.
公設秘書の政治資金規正法違反事件をめぐる民主党の小沢代表の責任問題が、一段と厳しさを増している。
A recent Yomiuri Shimbun opinion poll found that 81 percent of respondents said they were not satisfied with Ozawa's explanation of the matter. More than 50 percent believed that he should step down as party leader. These figures should be of great concern to Ozawa.
読売新聞の全国世論調査で、小沢代表による説明が「納得できない」と答えた人が８割に達した。小沢代表が「辞任すべきだ」との回答も５割を超している。極めて重い数字だ。
Explaining about how donations from two political associations related to Nishimatsu Construction Co. were provided, Ozawa repeatedly said he had left the matter to his secretary and that he did not know anything about specifics. As for where the money for the donations in question came from, he only said that there was no way for him to know about it and that he would never inquire into it.
小沢代表は、西松建設関連の２政治団体からの献金の経緯について「秘書に任せており、具体的なことは分からない」と繰り返す。献金の出所に関しても、「知るすべもないし、詮索(せんさく)することはあり得ない」と言うばかりだ。
According to sources, however, his arrested secretary held direct negotiations with a former Nishimatsu executive to decide the size of donations the firm would make as well as how much each of the three Ozawa-related political organizations would get from the two dummy political associations.
しかし、逮捕された秘書は、西松建設幹部と相談し、２政治団体からの献金額や献金先の割り振りを決めていたことが、関係者の証言などで判明している。
===
Mistake or malfeasance?
This indicates that Ozawa's secretary was actively involved in disguising the donations from Nishimatsu as those from the political associations. If this is true, such an excuse--that the alleged misconduct is merely an unintentional minor technical violation of the law--will no longer hold water.
西松建設の企業献金を関連団体の献金と偽る行為に秘書が積極的に関与したことを示すものだ。事実ならば、「単なる形式犯」という言い訳は通用しない。
Ozawa has so far given no explanation about the nitty-gritty of the scandal. It is therefore quite natural that the public are not satisfied with what he said. Ozawa is responsible for investigating the matter himself and clarifying the truth.
この事件の核心部分に関する小沢代表の説明は一切ない。国民が納得できないのは当然だろう。小沢代表は自ら調査し、真相を明らかにする責任がある。
The atmosphere within the DPJ has apparently changed. Initially, most party members appeared to have faith in Ozawa, but criticism of the leader and questions over his responsibility are spreading.
民主党内の空気も明らかに変化してきた。当初は、小沢代表の説明を信用するとの声が大勢だったが、最近は小沢代表への批判や責任論が広がっている。
How will the DPJ handle this problem? The party's ability to manage a crisis will be tested ahead of the next House of Representatives election. Although the main opposition party saw a relatively minor fall in its support rate in the latest Yomiuri poll, the DPJ is expected to suffer more serious damage if it continues to deal with the matter in a way that deviates from common sense.
民主党は、この問題にどう対応するのか。次期衆院選に向けて危機管理能力が試される。今回の世論調査では、民主党の支持率低下は比較的軽微だったが、国民の常識とずれた対応を続ければ、より大きな影響が出るだろう。
===
Bad news for both parties
On the other hand, the government and Liberal Democratic Party also need to take the results of the Yomiuri poll seriously.
一方で、政府・自民党も、今回の世論調査を深刻に受け止める必要がある。
The support rate for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso and for the LDP dropped again from the previous poll last month. Asked which is more suitable for the position of prime minister, more people still favored Ozawa over Aso, although the difference between the preferences narrowed from the previous poll.
麻生内閣と自民党の支持率はそろって続落した。麻生首相と小沢代表のどちらが首相にふさわしいか、という質問でも、両者の差は縮まったものの、依然、小沢代表の方が上回っている。
This implies that the government and LDP are under heavy public scrutiny.
政府・自民党に対する国民の視線の厳しさがうかがえる。
The prosecutors' probe into donations by Nishimatsu likely will widen to reach political organizations tied to Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai. However, Nikai has said only that donations were properly reported based on the Political Funds Control Law. Nikai's way of dealing with the matter is just about the same as Ozawa's.
二階経済産業相の政治団体も、西松事件の捜査対象とされる。だが、二階経産相は「きっちりと政治資金規正法に基づいて報告している」などと語るだけだ。小沢代表の対応とあまり変わらない。
The Yomiuri poll also found that about 43 percent of the respondents, up about seven percentage points from the previous poll, said they did not support any party. Public distrust in politics will only grow if the LDP and DPJ fail to take action to purify themselves over politics and money.
世論調査では、無党派層が前月比７ポイント増の４３％となった。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題に、自民、民主両党がこのまま自浄能力を発揮できないようでは、国民の政治不信は募るばかりだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 10, 2009)
（2009年3月10日01時52分 読売新聞）
2009年03月08日
給付金支給開始 税金を使うことを忘れるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 8, 2009)
Planning, caution key to cash handout success
給付金支給開始 税金を使うことを忘れるな（3月8日付・読売社説）
The government has started an unprecedented operation to distribute flat-sum cash handouts, worth 2 trillion yen in total, to every resident of Japan.
総額２兆円のお金を、国民全員に配るという前代未聞の作業になる。
On Thursday, a village in Hokkaido and another in Aomori Prefecture became the first municipal governments to implement the measure. But nearly half of the nation's municipalities will only begin distributing the handout from late April. Residents of such municipalities have called for the payments to be expedited.
北海道と青森県の村から、定額給付金の支給が始まった。全国の市区町村のうち、半数近くが４月下旬以降に支給を始める。これらの自治体の住民からは、前倒しを望む声が出されている。
It is natural that people who are struggling to make a living due to the current recession are eager to receive the cash benefit as soon as possible. However, since it took longer than expected for the Diet to approve the laws related to the cash payment, not all the municipal governments are completely ready to proceed with distribution.
不況で生活が苦しい中、１日でも早く受け取りたい気持ちは当然だ。だが、関連法案の成立が遅れたこともあって、自治体の準備はまだ必ずしも十分ではない。
Distributing the cash handout without sufficient preparation could lead to confusion and problems. We hope both the central and local governments will work to prioritize a fair and sure-fire distribution of the money.
支給を焦れば、かえって混乱を招きかねない。国と自治体は、公正かつ確実な支給を第一に心がけてほしい。
The cash handout program is funded with surplus reserves held in the Fiscal Investment and Loan Program Special Account. The reserves should have been used to tackle central government debts. At the end of the day, the 2 trillion yen to be distributed to the public as cash handouts comes from taxpayers' pockets.
給付金の財源となるのは特別会計の積立金で、本来は国の借金返済に回すべき資金だ。支給される２兆円は、最終的には国民の税金で穴埋めされる。
===
Questions left unanswered
The cash handout distribution system looks unsettled in many respects, despite the fact that it deals with a mountain of tax funds. Concerns linger that the payments might be claimed illegally, or that those receiving payments could be targeted by swindlers.
巨額の税金を使うのに、支給の仕組みには心もとない面が多い。給付金が不正受給や詐欺の標的になることも懸念されている。
The cash handout is to be distributed based on the Basic Resident Register, but many homeless people and so-called Net cafe refugees have not registered a home address with their local government. Some municipalities are therefore studying ways to distribute the cash handout to people of no fixed address by treating the places they usually stay as a registered residence.
給付金は住民基本台帳をもとに支給されるが、ホームレスや“ネットカフェ滞在者”には住民登録のない人も多い。仮の住み家を居住地と見なし、これらの人に支給を検討している自治体もある。
Schemes are needed to ensure the cash handout is distributed to the most vulnerable in society.
社会的弱者にも給付金が行き渡る工夫は必要だ。
Some observers have warned, however, that a lack of appropriate checks on applicants for the handout program will allow illegal reception of the money, such as double dipping, to flourish--mediated by crime syndicates.
しかし、支給時のチェックが不十分になれば、暴力団の介在などで、二重取りなど不正受給が横行しかねないと指摘されている。
Local governments should at least retain the rule that every handout applicant must be registered as a resident.
最低限、住民登録を条件とする原則は守るべきだ。
===
Swindlers eyeing windfall
The current rules also state that every household head must represent his or her household when applying to the program. But if the head of a household is absent from home for a long time or cannot make an application for other reasons, an agent can be nominated to apply to the program on behalf of the household. In such cases, it will be vital to carefully confirm if a household head has actually delegated an agent to make the application.
給付金は世帯主の申請が原則だが、世帯主が長期間不在の場合などは、代理人による申請も認められる。世帯主が本当に申請を委任したのかどうか、念入りに確認することも重要になろう。
Each municipal government has chosen or will choose a start date and draw up procedures for the distribution of the benefits.
支給開始日や手続きは自治体ごとに異なる。
In an apparent attempt to take advantage of the complicated distribution system and varying start dates, suspicious telephone calls, thought to be bank transfer scams, have already been made to homes around the country.
これにつけ込んだ振り込め詐欺とみられる不審な電話が、すでに全国各地の家庭にかかってきている。
Municipal governments, police and banking institutions must now cooperate closely to prevent such crimes.
これまで以上に、自治体や警察、金融機関の連携が欠かせまい。
The cash handout will be paid by the municipality where each recipient lived as of Feb. 1, the base date for the program. The distribution process might, however, fall behind the schedule in some municipalities with huge populations since a large number of people are expected to have left or taken up residence in the areas after the base date.
給付金は、基準日の２月１日に住んでいた市区町村から支給される。基準日以降の転出入などで、人口の多い自治体では支給手続きが滞ることも予想される。
The central government should not only pay administrative fees to local governments, but also try its best to prevent distribution problems occurring right up until the time the last payment is made.
国は事務費を出すだけでなく、最後まで混乱の防止に努めねばならない。
If you do not apply for the program, you will be automatically considered to have rejected the payment. Some municipalities are asking such people to allow them to spend such unwanted payments on environmental and social welfare projects. Why don't you spend some time with your family to discuss ways to use your cash handout?
給付金は申請しなければ辞退したと見なされる。環境対策や社会福祉に使わせてほしい、と寄付を呼びかける自治体もある。家族で話し合う時間を持ち、使い道をじっくり考えてはどうだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 8, 2009)
（2009年3月8日01時48分 読売新聞）
Planning, caution key to cash handout success
給付金支給開始 税金を使うことを忘れるな（3月8日付・読売社説）
The government has started an unprecedented operation to distribute flat-sum cash handouts, worth 2 trillion yen in total, to every resident of Japan.
総額２兆円のお金を、国民全員に配るという前代未聞の作業になる。
On Thursday, a village in Hokkaido and another in Aomori Prefecture became the first municipal governments to implement the measure. But nearly half of the nation's municipalities will only begin distributing the handout from late April. Residents of such municipalities have called for the payments to be expedited.
北海道と青森県の村から、定額給付金の支給が始まった。全国の市区町村のうち、半数近くが４月下旬以降に支給を始める。これらの自治体の住民からは、前倒しを望む声が出されている。
It is natural that people who are struggling to make a living due to the current recession are eager to receive the cash benefit as soon as possible. However, since it took longer than expected for the Diet to approve the laws related to the cash payment, not all the municipal governments are completely ready to proceed with distribution.
不況で生活が苦しい中、１日でも早く受け取りたい気持ちは当然だ。だが、関連法案の成立が遅れたこともあって、自治体の準備はまだ必ずしも十分ではない。
Distributing the cash handout without sufficient preparation could lead to confusion and problems. We hope both the central and local governments will work to prioritize a fair and sure-fire distribution of the money.
支給を焦れば、かえって混乱を招きかねない。国と自治体は、公正かつ確実な支給を第一に心がけてほしい。
The cash handout program is funded with surplus reserves held in the Fiscal Investment and Loan Program Special Account. The reserves should have been used to tackle central government debts. At the end of the day, the 2 trillion yen to be distributed to the public as cash handouts comes from taxpayers' pockets.
給付金の財源となるのは特別会計の積立金で、本来は国の借金返済に回すべき資金だ。支給される２兆円は、最終的には国民の税金で穴埋めされる。
===
Questions left unanswered
The cash handout distribution system looks unsettled in many respects, despite the fact that it deals with a mountain of tax funds. Concerns linger that the payments might be claimed illegally, or that those receiving payments could be targeted by swindlers.
巨額の税金を使うのに、支給の仕組みには心もとない面が多い。給付金が不正受給や詐欺の標的になることも懸念されている。
The cash handout is to be distributed based on the Basic Resident Register, but many homeless people and so-called Net cafe refugees have not registered a home address with their local government. Some municipalities are therefore studying ways to distribute the cash handout to people of no fixed address by treating the places they usually stay as a registered residence.
給付金は住民基本台帳をもとに支給されるが、ホームレスや“ネットカフェ滞在者”には住民登録のない人も多い。仮の住み家を居住地と見なし、これらの人に支給を検討している自治体もある。
Schemes are needed to ensure the cash handout is distributed to the most vulnerable in society.
社会的弱者にも給付金が行き渡る工夫は必要だ。
Some observers have warned, however, that a lack of appropriate checks on applicants for the handout program will allow illegal reception of the money, such as double dipping, to flourish--mediated by crime syndicates.
しかし、支給時のチェックが不十分になれば、暴力団の介在などで、二重取りなど不正受給が横行しかねないと指摘されている。
Local governments should at least retain the rule that every handout applicant must be registered as a resident.
最低限、住民登録を条件とする原則は守るべきだ。
===
Swindlers eyeing windfall
The current rules also state that every household head must represent his or her household when applying to the program. But if the head of a household is absent from home for a long time or cannot make an application for other reasons, an agent can be nominated to apply to the program on behalf of the household. In such cases, it will be vital to carefully confirm if a household head has actually delegated an agent to make the application.
給付金は世帯主の申請が原則だが、世帯主が長期間不在の場合などは、代理人による申請も認められる。世帯主が本当に申請を委任したのかどうか、念入りに確認することも重要になろう。
Each municipal government has chosen or will choose a start date and draw up procedures for the distribution of the benefits.
支給開始日や手続きは自治体ごとに異なる。
In an apparent attempt to take advantage of the complicated distribution system and varying start dates, suspicious telephone calls, thought to be bank transfer scams, have already been made to homes around the country.
これにつけ込んだ振り込め詐欺とみられる不審な電話が、すでに全国各地の家庭にかかってきている。
Municipal governments, police and banking institutions must now cooperate closely to prevent such crimes.
これまで以上に、自治体や警察、金融機関の連携が欠かせまい。
The cash handout will be paid by the municipality where each recipient lived as of Feb. 1, the base date for the program. The distribution process might, however, fall behind the schedule in some municipalities with huge populations since a large number of people are expected to have left or taken up residence in the areas after the base date.
給付金は、基準日の２月１日に住んでいた市区町村から支給される。基準日以降の転出入などで、人口の多い自治体では支給手続きが滞ることも予想される。
The central government should not only pay administrative fees to local governments, but also try its best to prevent distribution problems occurring right up until the time the last payment is made.
国は事務費を出すだけでなく、最後まで混乱の防止に努めねばならない。
If you do not apply for the program, you will be automatically considered to have rejected the payment. Some municipalities are asking such people to allow them to spend such unwanted payments on environmental and social welfare projects. Why don't you spend some time with your family to discuss ways to use your cash handout?
給付金は申請しなければ辞退したと見なされる。環境対策や社会福祉に使わせてほしい、と寄付を呼びかける自治体もある。家族で話し合う時間を持ち、使い道をじっくり考えてはどうだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 8, 2009)
（2009年3月8日01時48分 読売新聞）
アキレスLMXシューズ
お母さんの本音としては子供に元気で安全に遊んでほしい。
でも、靴を長く使って欲しい、汚さないでほしい、これもお母さん
の本音だと思います。
「瞬足」でお馴染みのアキレスから、お母さんにもうれしいＬＭＸ
（エル・エム・エックス）が登場しました。
でも、靴を長く使って欲しい、汚さないでほしい、これもお母さん
の本音だと思います。
「瞬足」でお馴染みのアキレスから、お母さんにもうれしいＬＭＸ
（エル・エム・エックス）が登場しました。
2009年03月07日
中国全人代 社会安定へ高成長は可能か
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 7, 2009)
Can China maintain high growth, stability?
中国全人代 社会安定へ高成長は可能か（3月7日付・読売社説）
China, recognized for its high economic growth, is now facing an unusually harsh year.
高成長をもてはやされた中国にとって、かつてない試練の年である。
If the economic slowdown there continues, the employment situation will worsen, triggering social unrest so great that it could severely test the backbone of the Communist Party regime.
景気減速が今後も続けば、雇用情勢が悪化し、社会不安が一層増大するだろう。そうなれば共産党政権の屋台骨を揺るがすような事態も起きかねない。
In June, the government will have to deal with the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, and in October it will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the communist regime.
今年は１０月に建国６０周年、６月に民主化弾圧の天安門事件から２０年の節目を迎える。
China's leaders are understandably eager to maintain stability by putting the nation's economy back on a recovery track.
中国指導部は、何としても経済を成長軌道に戻し、安定を維持したいようだ。
A Chinese government report unveiled at the National People's Congress set an 8 percent gross domestic product growth target for this year. This is the minimum level of growth necessary to absorb the 9 million people who enter the nation's workforce every year.
開会中の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）の政府活動報告は、今年の経済成長の目標を「国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）８％程度」とした。毎年生まれる新規労働者９００万人を吸収するためには最低限必要な成長率である。
The Chinese economy, which boasted two-digit growth for the five years through 2007, slid to 9 percent growth last year. The growth rate stood at 6.8 percent for the October-December period, the quarter that came on the heels of the start of the global financial crisis. A yellow warning light is flashing.
一昨年まで５年間、２ケタ成長を誇った中国経済も昨年は９％に転落、世界的な金融危機発生後の昨年１０〜１２月は６・８％となり、“黄信号”がともった状態だ。
===
Public works spending up
Following economic stimulus measures introduced in China in autumn, which totaled 4 trillion yuan (about 57.4 trillion yen), the budget for this year allocates funds for public works projects such as railways, expressways and housing construction for low-income earners, as well as energy-saving and environmental measures.
昨秋公表された４兆元（約５７兆４０００億円）の景気刺激策を受け、今年は、鉄道や高速道路、低所得者向け住宅建設などの公共事業、省エネ・環境対策などに予算が大きく傾斜配分された。
Government bonds that will serve as a source of finance for local administrations also will be issued.
地方財政の財源にするための国債も発行する見通しだ。
Meanwhile, a number of tax-relief measures aimed at reducing the burden of the economic downturn on citizens have been hammered out. The measures include discounts on the purchase of home electrical appliances for people living in rural villages and a reduction in the purchase tax on cars.
一方で、農村地区に限定した家電製品購入の際の割引補助や、乗用車購入税の減税など国民の負担軽減を目指した各種の減税策が打ち出された。
Because of these and other measures requiring increased public spending, the report estimates China's deficit will grow to a record 950 billion yuan (about 13.63 trillion yen).
こうした財政出動のために、９５００億元（約１３兆６３２５億円）の過去最大の赤字を計上する予算となった。
===
Europe, U.S. imports falling
At this time when the economies of Japan, the United States and Europe are being weighed down by the global economic downturn, China likely intends to show a steely determination to achieve economic recovery through an expansion of domestic demand spurred by a bold budget.
欧米諸国や日本が同時不況に陥っている時期だけに、大胆な予算を編成することで、内需拡大による景気回復へ強い意思を示したいのだろう。
Due to the closure of factories and other reasons, 20 million migrant workers from rural areas are out of work. The rate of new university graduates who cannot find jobs has risen to 12 percent. It is vital that the Chinese government secures jobs and prevents mass unemployment.
工場閉鎖などで、出稼ぎ農民２０００万人が失業状態にあり、大学新卒者の未就職率も１２％に達している。雇用を確保し、失業者の大量発生を防ぐことが大きな課題である。
Exports, which drove China's economic growth, have been sluggish since autumn, and as the effect of the recession on the United States and Europe--major markets for China--has been serious, there is no prospect for a quick recovery of exports to those nations. This has massively destabilized China's growth strategy.
高成長を支えてきた輸出は、昨秋以降、不振が続いている。主要な相手だった欧米諸国の不況は深刻だ。簡単に輸出が回復する見通しはない。成長戦略の大きな不安定要因だ。
Despite the large deficit set in the budget, spending on defense rose. It has seen a 14.9 percent increase from last year, marking a two-digit increase for 21 consecutive years.
大幅な赤字予算の中でも、国防費だけは特別扱いだった。対前年比で１４・９％増と、２１年間連続の２ケタ増加である。
There is no explanation provided for the increase, which outpaces the economic growth rate. As long as China aims to seek "peaceful development," it must explain this move in a convincing way.
経済成長率をしのぐ伸びとなった説明が見当たらない。中国が「平和的発展」を目指す国であるなら、合理的な説明が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 7, 2009)
（2009年3月7日02時12分 読売新聞）
Can China maintain high growth, stability?
中国全人代 社会安定へ高成長は可能か（3月7日付・読売社説）
China, recognized for its high economic growth, is now facing an unusually harsh year.
高成長をもてはやされた中国にとって、かつてない試練の年である。
If the economic slowdown there continues, the employment situation will worsen, triggering social unrest so great that it could severely test the backbone of the Communist Party regime.
景気減速が今後も続けば、雇用情勢が悪化し、社会不安が一層増大するだろう。そうなれば共産党政権の屋台骨を揺るがすような事態も起きかねない。
In June, the government will have to deal with the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, and in October it will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the communist regime.
今年は１０月に建国６０周年、６月に民主化弾圧の天安門事件から２０年の節目を迎える。
China's leaders are understandably eager to maintain stability by putting the nation's economy back on a recovery track.
中国指導部は、何としても経済を成長軌道に戻し、安定を維持したいようだ。
A Chinese government report unveiled at the National People's Congress set an 8 percent gross domestic product growth target for this year. This is the minimum level of growth necessary to absorb the 9 million people who enter the nation's workforce every year.
開会中の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）の政府活動報告は、今年の経済成長の目標を「国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）８％程度」とした。毎年生まれる新規労働者９００万人を吸収するためには最低限必要な成長率である。
The Chinese economy, which boasted two-digit growth for the five years through 2007, slid to 9 percent growth last year. The growth rate stood at 6.8 percent for the October-December period, the quarter that came on the heels of the start of the global financial crisis. A yellow warning light is flashing.
一昨年まで５年間、２ケタ成長を誇った中国経済も昨年は９％に転落、世界的な金融危機発生後の昨年１０〜１２月は６・８％となり、“黄信号”がともった状態だ。
===
Public works spending up
Following economic stimulus measures introduced in China in autumn, which totaled 4 trillion yuan (about 57.4 trillion yen), the budget for this year allocates funds for public works projects such as railways, expressways and housing construction for low-income earners, as well as energy-saving and environmental measures.
昨秋公表された４兆元（約５７兆４０００億円）の景気刺激策を受け、今年は、鉄道や高速道路、低所得者向け住宅建設などの公共事業、省エネ・環境対策などに予算が大きく傾斜配分された。
Government bonds that will serve as a source of finance for local administrations also will be issued.
地方財政の財源にするための国債も発行する見通しだ。
Meanwhile, a number of tax-relief measures aimed at reducing the burden of the economic downturn on citizens have been hammered out. The measures include discounts on the purchase of home electrical appliances for people living in rural villages and a reduction in the purchase tax on cars.
一方で、農村地区に限定した家電製品購入の際の割引補助や、乗用車購入税の減税など国民の負担軽減を目指した各種の減税策が打ち出された。
Because of these and other measures requiring increased public spending, the report estimates China's deficit will grow to a record 950 billion yuan (about 13.63 trillion yen).
こうした財政出動のために、９５００億元（約１３兆６３２５億円）の過去最大の赤字を計上する予算となった。
===
Europe, U.S. imports falling
At this time when the economies of Japan, the United States and Europe are being weighed down by the global economic downturn, China likely intends to show a steely determination to achieve economic recovery through an expansion of domestic demand spurred by a bold budget.
欧米諸国や日本が同時不況に陥っている時期だけに、大胆な予算を編成することで、内需拡大による景気回復へ強い意思を示したいのだろう。
Due to the closure of factories and other reasons, 20 million migrant workers from rural areas are out of work. The rate of new university graduates who cannot find jobs has risen to 12 percent. It is vital that the Chinese government secures jobs and prevents mass unemployment.
工場閉鎖などで、出稼ぎ農民２０００万人が失業状態にあり、大学新卒者の未就職率も１２％に達している。雇用を確保し、失業者の大量発生を防ぐことが大きな課題である。
Exports, which drove China's economic growth, have been sluggish since autumn, and as the effect of the recession on the United States and Europe--major markets for China--has been serious, there is no prospect for a quick recovery of exports to those nations. This has massively destabilized China's growth strategy.
高成長を支えてきた輸出は、昨秋以降、不振が続いている。主要な相手だった欧米諸国の不況は深刻だ。簡単に輸出が回復する見通しはない。成長戦略の大きな不安定要因だ。
Despite the large deficit set in the budget, spending on defense rose. It has seen a 14.9 percent increase from last year, marking a two-digit increase for 21 consecutive years.
大幅な赤字予算の中でも、国防費だけは特別扱いだった。対前年比で１４・９％増と、２１年間連続の２ケタ増加である。
There is no explanation provided for the increase, which outpaces the economic growth rate. As long as China aims to seek "peaceful development," it must explain this move in a convincing way.
経済成長率をしのぐ伸びとなった説明が見当たらない。中国が「平和的発展」を目指す国であるなら、合理的な説明が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 7, 2009)
（2009年3月7日02時12分 読売新聞）
2009年03月06日
北朝鮮テポドン 発射阻止へ包囲網を強めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 6, 2009)
北朝鮮テポドン 発射阻止へ包囲網を強めよ（3月6日付・読売社説）
Consolidate coalition over DPRK missile plan
North Korea reportedly is preparing to test-fire a Taepodong missile, a dangerous move that will increase tensions and pose a growing threat in and around Northeast Asia. This issue cannot be brushed aside.
北朝鮮が、テポドン・ミサイルの発射準備を進めている。地域内外の緊張を高め、脅威を増大させる危険な動きだ。看過することはできない。
Pyongyang is exhibiting the same kind of behavior seen prior to its past two missile launches, in August 1998 and July 2006, respectively, from a base facing the Sea of Japan, according to sources.
北朝鮮は、日本海に面した基地で、１９９８年８月と０６年７月の過去２回の発射時と同様の動きを見せているという。
North Korea claims it is preparing to launch a satellite using a rocket. Whether it is a ballistic missile or a rocket, the fundamental principle remains the same. Replacing a satellite with a nuclear warhead would create a nuclear missile.
人工衛星をロケットで打ち上げる準備活動だと、北朝鮮は主張している。だが、弾道ミサイルであれロケットであれ、基本的な原理は同じだ。人工衛星でなく核弾頭を載せれば核ミサイルとなる。
Unlike space development undertaken by nonnuclear countries such as Japan, North Korea is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons, while its national economy is in a shambles. No matter how North Korea tries to dress up the situation as a launch of a satellite for peaceful use, it is clear that the country is aiming to develop a nuclear missile.
日本のような非核国の宇宙開発とは異なり、北朝鮮は、国民経済が破綻(はたん)する中で核兵器開発を進めている国だ。いくら「平和利用」の人工衛星打ち上げを強調しようとも、狙いが核ミサイルの開発にあるのは明らかだ。
===
China's help essential
This would be the first launch of a Taepodong missile since North Korea conducted a nuclear test in October 2006.
ましてや今度は、０６年１０月の核実験後、初めてのテポドン発射となる。
If Pyongyang is allowed to improve its nuclear and missile capabilities, it would seriously affect Japan's safety. Japan should issue North Korea with a stern warning to prevent any missile launch.
核とミサイルの能力向上を許せば、日本の安全に深刻な影響が及ぶ。発射阻止に向け、北朝鮮に厳しく警告すべきだ。
The Japanese government, together with South Korea and the United States, has asked North Korea to stop the missile, as it would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a halt to all actions related to ballistic missile programs. This is entirely reasonable.
日本政府は、米国や韓国とともに、ミサイル発射は、「弾道ミサイル計画関連のすべての活動停止」などを求めた国連安保理の制裁決議に違反するとして、中止を求めている。当然のことだ。
China is of one mind with Japan, South Korea and the United States in that a North Korean missile launch is not desirable. We hope that China, which has a huge influence on North Korea, will strongly urge the country to abandon its plan to launch a missile.
中国は「発射は望ましくない」とする点で日米韓と一致する。北朝鮮へ大きな影響力を持つ中国には、発射を断念させるよう、強く働きかけてもらいたい。
If North Korea test-fires the missile in defiance of these warnings, Japan, South Korea and the United States intend to strengthen sanctions against North Korea. But sanctions would lack effectiveness if China--North Korea's largest benefactor--does not participate. It is necessary to consolidate an international coalition that includes China against North Korea's missile plans.
警告を無視して北朝鮮が発射した場合、日米韓は制裁を強化する方針だ。だが、北朝鮮への最大支援国である中国が加わらねば実効性を欠く。中国を含めて国際的包囲網を強めておく必要がある。
===
Consequences far-reaching
There are fears that North Korea could lose control of the missile and that it might land on Japanese territory. It is crucial that Japan prepares for intercepting the missile using its missile defense system.
北朝鮮が制御できず、日本に飛来する懸念もある。ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）システムで迎撃する準備を進めることも不可欠だ。
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is still in its infancy. North Korea may be aiming to attract U.S. attention by launching a Taepodong missile with a range capable of reaching Alaska, thereby establishing an advantage in future six-party talks.
米国でオバマ政権が発足して間もない時期である。北朝鮮には、アラスカ州までの射程を持つテポドンを発射することで、米国の関心をひきつけ、６か国協議での交渉を優位に進めたいとの狙いもあるのだろう。
Domestically, North Korea may be seeking to boost its national prestige and recover clout for the regime of leader Kim Jong Il, which has been shaken by worries about his health.
国内的には、衛星打ち上げで国威を発揚し、健康不安で揺らぐ金正日体制の求心力を回復させる意図があるのかもしれない。
However, if Pyongyang test-fires a missile, it would only deepen its isolation within the international community.
だが、発射すれば、国際社会からの孤立を深めるだけだ。
Meanwhile, Iran continues its nuclear development with technical cooperation from North Korea and succeeded in launching its first domestically produced satellite into orbit in early February. The proliferation of nuclear arms and missile technologies has entered a new and dangerous phase.
北朝鮮が技術協力してきたイランは、核開発を継続する中、２月初め、自前の人工衛星打ち上げに成功した。核とミサイルの拡散は新たな危険水域に入っている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2009)
（2009年3月6日01時38分 読売新聞）
北朝鮮テポドン 発射阻止へ包囲網を強めよ（3月6日付・読売社説）
Consolidate coalition over DPRK missile plan
North Korea reportedly is preparing to test-fire a Taepodong missile, a dangerous move that will increase tensions and pose a growing threat in and around Northeast Asia. This issue cannot be brushed aside.
北朝鮮が、テポドン・ミサイルの発射準備を進めている。地域内外の緊張を高め、脅威を増大させる危険な動きだ。看過することはできない。
Pyongyang is exhibiting the same kind of behavior seen prior to its past two missile launches, in August 1998 and July 2006, respectively, from a base facing the Sea of Japan, according to sources.
北朝鮮は、日本海に面した基地で、１９９８年８月と０６年７月の過去２回の発射時と同様の動きを見せているという。
North Korea claims it is preparing to launch a satellite using a rocket. Whether it is a ballistic missile or a rocket, the fundamental principle remains the same. Replacing a satellite with a nuclear warhead would create a nuclear missile.
人工衛星をロケットで打ち上げる準備活動だと、北朝鮮は主張している。だが、弾道ミサイルであれロケットであれ、基本的な原理は同じだ。人工衛星でなく核弾頭を載せれば核ミサイルとなる。
Unlike space development undertaken by nonnuclear countries such as Japan, North Korea is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons, while its national economy is in a shambles. No matter how North Korea tries to dress up the situation as a launch of a satellite for peaceful use, it is clear that the country is aiming to develop a nuclear missile.
日本のような非核国の宇宙開発とは異なり、北朝鮮は、国民経済が破綻(はたん)する中で核兵器開発を進めている国だ。いくら「平和利用」の人工衛星打ち上げを強調しようとも、狙いが核ミサイルの開発にあるのは明らかだ。
===
China's help essential
This would be the first launch of a Taepodong missile since North Korea conducted a nuclear test in October 2006.
ましてや今度は、０６年１０月の核実験後、初めてのテポドン発射となる。
If Pyongyang is allowed to improve its nuclear and missile capabilities, it would seriously affect Japan's safety. Japan should issue North Korea with a stern warning to prevent any missile launch.
核とミサイルの能力向上を許せば、日本の安全に深刻な影響が及ぶ。発射阻止に向け、北朝鮮に厳しく警告すべきだ。
The Japanese government, together with South Korea and the United States, has asked North Korea to stop the missile, as it would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a halt to all actions related to ballistic missile programs. This is entirely reasonable.
日本政府は、米国や韓国とともに、ミサイル発射は、「弾道ミサイル計画関連のすべての活動停止」などを求めた国連安保理の制裁決議に違反するとして、中止を求めている。当然のことだ。
China is of one mind with Japan, South Korea and the United States in that a North Korean missile launch is not desirable. We hope that China, which has a huge influence on North Korea, will strongly urge the country to abandon its plan to launch a missile.
中国は「発射は望ましくない」とする点で日米韓と一致する。北朝鮮へ大きな影響力を持つ中国には、発射を断念させるよう、強く働きかけてもらいたい。
If North Korea test-fires the missile in defiance of these warnings, Japan, South Korea and the United States intend to strengthen sanctions against North Korea. But sanctions would lack effectiveness if China--North Korea's largest benefactor--does not participate. It is necessary to consolidate an international coalition that includes China against North Korea's missile plans.
警告を無視して北朝鮮が発射した場合、日米韓は制裁を強化する方針だ。だが、北朝鮮への最大支援国である中国が加わらねば実効性を欠く。中国を含めて国際的包囲網を強めておく必要がある。
===
Consequences far-reaching
There are fears that North Korea could lose control of the missile and that it might land on Japanese territory. It is crucial that Japan prepares for intercepting the missile using its missile defense system.
北朝鮮が制御できず、日本に飛来する懸念もある。ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）システムで迎撃する準備を進めることも不可欠だ。
The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is still in its infancy. North Korea may be aiming to attract U.S. attention by launching a Taepodong missile with a range capable of reaching Alaska, thereby establishing an advantage in future six-party talks.
米国でオバマ政権が発足して間もない時期である。北朝鮮には、アラスカ州までの射程を持つテポドンを発射することで、米国の関心をひきつけ、６か国協議での交渉を優位に進めたいとの狙いもあるのだろう。
Domestically, North Korea may be seeking to boost its national prestige and recover clout for the regime of leader Kim Jong Il, which has been shaken by worries about his health.
国内的には、衛星打ち上げで国威を発揚し、健康不安で揺らぐ金正日体制の求心力を回復させる意図があるのかもしれない。
However, if Pyongyang test-fires a missile, it would only deepen its isolation within the international community.
だが、発射すれば、国際社会からの孤立を深めるだけだ。
Meanwhile, Iran continues its nuclear development with technical cooperation from North Korea and succeeded in launching its first domestically produced satellite into orbit in early February. The proliferation of nuclear arms and missile technologies has entered a new and dangerous phase.
北朝鮮が技術協力してきたイランは、核開発を継続する中、２月初め、自前の人工衛星打ち上げに成功した。核とミサイルの拡散は新たな危険水域に入っている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2009)
（2009年3月6日01時38分 読売新聞）
2009年03月05日
小沢代表会見 疑惑はまだ晴れていない
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 5, 2009)
Ozawa must come clean on dubious donations
小沢代表会見 疑惑はまだ晴れていない（3月5日付・読売社説）
The secretary was, in fact, aware he was committing a crime when he received the donations--this suspicion was not allayed at any point during the 40-minute press conference held by Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa on Wednesday.
秘書は、やはり違法性を認識しながら、企業献金を受け取っていたのではないか。約４０分に及んだ民主党の小沢代表の記者会見で、その疑惑は最後まで晴れなかった。
Ozawa's state-funded first secretary was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Control Law by listing donations from two political organizations connected with scandal-tainted Nishimatsu Construction Co. in account books despite knowing that the donations actually came from the firm.
逮捕された小沢代表の公設第１秘書の容疑は、実際は西松建設からの企業献金と知りつつ、同社関連の２政治団体からの寄付として、政治資金規正法に違反する帳簿上の処理をしていたことだ。
During the press conference, Ozawa said: "My political fund-management organization accepted donations as [the] political organizations [in question] offered to make them. If we'd known the money was corporate donations from Nishimatsu itself, we could have received it at a DPJ branch office [as a donation to the party], which wouldn't have caused any problems."
小沢代表は会見で、「政治団体が寄付するというので、資金管理団体で受領した。企業献金なら政党支部で受領すれば何の問題も起きなかった」と反論した。
Ozawa thus maintained that his fund-management organization received the donations as they were not considered to have been made by a company. Corporate donations are permissible if they are made to political parties' branches. On the face of it, Ozawa's claim seemed to make sense, but we were not so easily convinced.
企業献金と認識していなかったため、企業献金を受領できる政党支部でなく、資金管理団体で受け取った、という理屈だ。一見、つじつまが合っているようだが、そうとは言い切れない。
===
Buck stops with politicians
The construction firm likely used the political organizations so the donations could not be regarded as having originated from the company. It is possible that after consulting with the company, Ozawa's side listed the donations as being from the political organizations rather than directly from the company in political fund reports made by Ozawa's fund-management organization.
そもそも西松建設は、企業献金を隠したい意図があり、政治団体を利用していた。小沢代表側が、同社と相談したうえで、政治資金収支報告書の体裁を整えた可能性もあるからだ。
No comment Ozawa made during the press conference served to rule out such a possibility. Regarding where the donations came from, Ozawa failed to provide detailed explanations, merely saying he had no intention of prying into the provenance of the donations, and that it was impossible for him to check where every single donation came from.
小沢代表の発言には、その可能性を否定する材料がない。献金の出所についても、「そうした詮索(せんさく)をすることはない」「知るすべがない」と語るばかりで、具体的な説明は一切なかった。
Certainly, it may not be feasible for politicians themselves to check the origin of all of the large number of political donations they receive individually. Nonetheless, it is the job of politicians' secretaries to know who has made donations and the nature of the relationships between their political masters and donors. And the ultimate responsibility for secretaries' actions lies with politicians.
確かに、政治家本人が数多くの政治献金を一件ずつ点検するのは無理としても、秘書は献金者の身元や政治家との関係を把握するのが仕事だ。そして、秘書の仕事の最終責任は政治家にある。
Ozawa must provide more sincere and detailed explanations to the public regarding such unresolved questions as the nature of the relationship between his side and the construction firm, and how donations were made every year.
小沢代表側と西松建設は、どんな関係にあったのか。毎年の献金の経緯はどうだったのか。小沢代表は、こうした未解明の疑問について、引き続き国民の前で、より丁寧に説明すべきだ。
===
DPJ should probe case
Ozawa, meanwhile, slammed the prosecutors' investigation, saying, "Politically and legally, it's a really unfair exercise of state power and prosecutors' power."
一方で、小沢代表は、「政治的にも法律的にも、非常に不公正な国家権力、検察権力の行使だ」などと検察批判を展開した。
His remark expressed anger that he had become the sole target of the prosecutors' compulsory investigation although donations funneled through Nishimatsu's political organizations were made to many lawmakers, both in the ruling and opposition camps. But it is an undeniable fact that the amount of donations made to Ozawa's side was far higher than those to other politicians.
西松建設の政治団体の献金先には多数の与野党議員がいるのに、自分だけが強制捜査されたことなどに対する反発だろう。だが、小沢代表側への献金額が突出していた事実は否定できない。
The incident has dealt a serious blow to the DPJ, which aims to seize power in the next House of Representatives election. It also is likely to have a significant impact on the course of Diet business and political power struggles.
今回の事件は、次期衆院選で政権奪取を目指す民主党にとって、痛烈な打撃となった。今後の国会や政局に与える影響も大きい。
Given such a situation, the DPJ should not resort to characterizing the investigation as a plot staged by those currently in power. To restore public trust, the party needs to make efforts to clarify the facts of the case through, for example, an internal investigation.
そうであればこそ、民主党は、「政権の仕組んだ陰謀」といった批判に終始すべきではあるまい。国民の信頼回復に向け、党独自の調査の実施など、事実関係を明らかにする努力が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 5, 2009)
（2009年3月5日01時55分 読売新聞）
Ozawa must come clean on dubious donations
小沢代表会見 疑惑はまだ晴れていない（3月5日付・読売社説）
The secretary was, in fact, aware he was committing a crime when he received the donations--this suspicion was not allayed at any point during the 40-minute press conference held by Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa on Wednesday.
秘書は、やはり違法性を認識しながら、企業献金を受け取っていたのではないか。約４０分に及んだ民主党の小沢代表の記者会見で、その疑惑は最後まで晴れなかった。
Ozawa's state-funded first secretary was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Control Law by listing donations from two political organizations connected with scandal-tainted Nishimatsu Construction Co. in account books despite knowing that the donations actually came from the firm.
逮捕された小沢代表の公設第１秘書の容疑は、実際は西松建設からの企業献金と知りつつ、同社関連の２政治団体からの寄付として、政治資金規正法に違反する帳簿上の処理をしていたことだ。
During the press conference, Ozawa said: "My political fund-management organization accepted donations as [the] political organizations [in question] offered to make them. If we'd known the money was corporate donations from Nishimatsu itself, we could have received it at a DPJ branch office [as a donation to the party], which wouldn't have caused any problems."
小沢代表は会見で、「政治団体が寄付するというので、資金管理団体で受領した。企業献金なら政党支部で受領すれば何の問題も起きなかった」と反論した。
Ozawa thus maintained that his fund-management organization received the donations as they were not considered to have been made by a company. Corporate donations are permissible if they are made to political parties' branches. On the face of it, Ozawa's claim seemed to make sense, but we were not so easily convinced.
企業献金と認識していなかったため、企業献金を受領できる政党支部でなく、資金管理団体で受け取った、という理屈だ。一見、つじつまが合っているようだが、そうとは言い切れない。
===
Buck stops with politicians
The construction firm likely used the political organizations so the donations could not be regarded as having originated from the company. It is possible that after consulting with the company, Ozawa's side listed the donations as being from the political organizations rather than directly from the company in political fund reports made by Ozawa's fund-management organization.
そもそも西松建設は、企業献金を隠したい意図があり、政治団体を利用していた。小沢代表側が、同社と相談したうえで、政治資金収支報告書の体裁を整えた可能性もあるからだ。
No comment Ozawa made during the press conference served to rule out such a possibility. Regarding where the donations came from, Ozawa failed to provide detailed explanations, merely saying he had no intention of prying into the provenance of the donations, and that it was impossible for him to check where every single donation came from.
小沢代表の発言には、その可能性を否定する材料がない。献金の出所についても、「そうした詮索(せんさく)をすることはない」「知るすべがない」と語るばかりで、具体的な説明は一切なかった。
Certainly, it may not be feasible for politicians themselves to check the origin of all of the large number of political donations they receive individually. Nonetheless, it is the job of politicians' secretaries to know who has made donations and the nature of the relationships between their political masters and donors. And the ultimate responsibility for secretaries' actions lies with politicians.
確かに、政治家本人が数多くの政治献金を一件ずつ点検するのは無理としても、秘書は献金者の身元や政治家との関係を把握するのが仕事だ。そして、秘書の仕事の最終責任は政治家にある。
Ozawa must provide more sincere and detailed explanations to the public regarding such unresolved questions as the nature of the relationship between his side and the construction firm, and how donations were made every year.
小沢代表側と西松建設は、どんな関係にあったのか。毎年の献金の経緯はどうだったのか。小沢代表は、こうした未解明の疑問について、引き続き国民の前で、より丁寧に説明すべきだ。
===
DPJ should probe case
Ozawa, meanwhile, slammed the prosecutors' investigation, saying, "Politically and legally, it's a really unfair exercise of state power and prosecutors' power."
一方で、小沢代表は、「政治的にも法律的にも、非常に不公正な国家権力、検察権力の行使だ」などと検察批判を展開した。
His remark expressed anger that he had become the sole target of the prosecutors' compulsory investigation although donations funneled through Nishimatsu's political organizations were made to many lawmakers, both in the ruling and opposition camps. But it is an undeniable fact that the amount of donations made to Ozawa's side was far higher than those to other politicians.
西松建設の政治団体の献金先には多数の与野党議員がいるのに、自分だけが強制捜査されたことなどに対する反発だろう。だが、小沢代表側への献金額が突出していた事実は否定できない。
The incident has dealt a serious blow to the DPJ, which aims to seize power in the next House of Representatives election. It also is likely to have a significant impact on the course of Diet business and political power struggles.
今回の事件は、次期衆院選で政権奪取を目指す民主党にとって、痛烈な打撃となった。今後の国会や政局に与える影響も大きい。
Given such a situation, the DPJ should not resort to characterizing the investigation as a plot staged by those currently in power. To restore public trust, the party needs to make efforts to clarify the facts of the case through, for example, an internal investigation.
そうであればこそ、民主党は、「政権の仕組んだ陰謀」といった批判に終始すべきではあるまい。国民の信頼回復に向け、党独自の調査の実施など、事実関係を明らかにする努力が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 5, 2009)
（2009年3月5日01時55分 読売新聞）
2009年03月04日
世界同時株安 ３月危機回避に全力挙げよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 4, 2009)
Try everything to avoid a March market crisis
世界同時株安 ３月危機回避に全力挙げよ（3月4日付・読売社説）
With the crisis affecting European and U.S. companies having taken yet another turn for the worse, stock markets are sliding globally.
欧米金融機関の経営危機が再び深刻さを増し、世界同時株安の様相となっている。
The government and the Bank of Japan should draw on every available policy tool to avoid a so-called March crisis--a situation in which stock prices plunge toward the end of the fiscal year, when most Japanese companies close their books.
政府・日銀は政策を総動員し、年度末に向けて株価が急落する「３月危機」の回避に手を尽くすべきである。
The latest fall in the stock markets was triggered by the U.S. government's decision to inject more money into U.S. insurance giant American International Group Inc., which posted more than 60 billion dollars losses in the October-December quarter.
米保険大手ＡＩＧが１０〜１２月期に６００億ドルを超える巨額赤字を出し、米政府の追加支援を受けることになったのがきっかけだ。
On Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 299.64 to 6,763.29, its first drop below 7,000 in about 12 years. Major European stock markets also tumbled.
２日のニューヨーク市場でダウ平均株価は７０００ドルを下回り、１２年ぶりの安値となった。欧州の主要市場も大幅安だった。
In Tokyo on Tuesday, sellers led buyers, pushing down the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average to just above the 7,000 level at one point.
これを受けた３日の東京市場は売りが先行し、平均株価は一時、７０００円割れをうかがう水準まで下げた。
Stock prices are now about 40 percent lower than at the end of the midterm period in September. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies, which own a large amount of stocks, likely will post huge losses in their account settlements at the end of this month should stock markets remain in the doldrums.
株価は、９月中間期末より４割も安い。このまま３月期決算を迎えれば、株式を大量に保有する銀行や証券、保険会社などで大きな損失が出る。
A further decline in stock prices likely will lead to a vicious cycle in which financial institutions become reluctant to extend loans, and the real economy worsens as a result.
さらに株価が下がれば、金融機関が融資を絞り、実体経済が悪化する「負の連鎖」となろう。
===
No time to lose
Although the Nikkei rebounded from its earlier fall to end at slightly lower than Monday's close amid expectations that the government's measures will buoy the flagging stock market, a failure to quickly turn such expectations into reality could trigger a new wave of selling by disappointed investors.
結局、３日の東京市場は、株価対策への期待などで小幅安に持ち直したが、早急に「期待」を「現実」にしないと、失望売りを招きかねない。
The government and ruling parties are discussing a variety of ideas to prop up the stock market, including setting up a new organization to buy stocks and the expansion of stocks to be purchased by the Banks' Shareholdings Purchase Corporation. However, neither move is likely to be realized by the end of this month due to delays in revising relevant legislation.
政府・与党内では、株式買い取り機関の新設や、銀行等保有株式取得機構による買い取り対象の拡大など、様々なアイデアが検討されている。だが、法改正などに手間取り、肝心の３月末に間に合いそうにないという。
The government should stop dragging its feet and carry out policies in timely manner. Its failure to do so would risk accelerating the economic downturn.
これ以上、政策対応が後手に回り、経済の落ち込みを加速させる事態は避けねばなるまい。
We hope the government and the Bank of Japan will coordinate their policies by combining measures on equity supply and demand, such as outright purchases of stocks, with macroeconomic measures to prop up the entire economy.
政府・日銀には、株式買い取りなどの株式需給対策と、経済全体を下支えするマクロ経済政策を組み合わせた対処を求めたい。
For instance, steps to arrest the fall in stock prices that can be carried out immediately should be promoted positively, such as the purchase of bank-held stocks by the BSPC and central bank.
取得機構や日銀による銀行保有株の買い入れなど、すぐに実施できる株価対策を、積極的に進めねばならない。
===
Govt, BOJ must act in concert
Though it is now certain that the fiscal 2009 budget will pass the Diet within the current fiscal year, it is crucial that bills related to the budget, which are needed to implement job-creation measures and mortgage tax cuts, are drafted within the current fiscal year.
２００９年度予算は年度内の成立が確実だが、雇用対策や住宅ローン減税の実施に必要な予算関連法案も年度内に成立させることが欠かせない。
The domestic economy saw a demand shortfall of about 20 trillion yen in the October-December period. Some private organization estimates say this will snowball to 40 trillion yen-50 trillion yen. Since deflation caused by the demand shortfall has now become a real possibility, the government must formulate and implement additional pump-priming measures to follow the fiscal 2009 budget as soon as possible.
１０〜１２月期の日本経済は、約２０兆円の需要不足だった。これがさらに４０〜５０兆円に膨らむとする民間の試算もある。需要不足によるデフレが現実味を増しており、０９年度予算に続く追加景気対策の具体化を急がねばならない。
As overseas factors have played a major role in causing the stock market plunge and the economic downturn, it is very difficult for Japan to cope with the situation alone.
今回の株安や景気悪化は、海外要因も大きく、日本単独で対処するのは難しい面もある。
At this juncture, international coordination of policies to prevent the global financial crisis from expanding is vitally important.
危機拡大を防ぐ国際協調が一段と重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2009)
（2009年3月4日01時18分 読売新聞）
Try everything to avoid a March market crisis
世界同時株安 ３月危機回避に全力挙げよ（3月4日付・読売社説）
With the crisis affecting European and U.S. companies having taken yet another turn for the worse, stock markets are sliding globally.
欧米金融機関の経営危機が再び深刻さを増し、世界同時株安の様相となっている。
The government and the Bank of Japan should draw on every available policy tool to avoid a so-called March crisis--a situation in which stock prices plunge toward the end of the fiscal year, when most Japanese companies close their books.
政府・日銀は政策を総動員し、年度末に向けて株価が急落する「３月危機」の回避に手を尽くすべきである。
The latest fall in the stock markets was triggered by the U.S. government's decision to inject more money into U.S. insurance giant American International Group Inc., which posted more than 60 billion dollars losses in the October-December quarter.
米保険大手ＡＩＧが１０〜１２月期に６００億ドルを超える巨額赤字を出し、米政府の追加支援を受けることになったのがきっかけだ。
On Monday, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 299.64 to 6,763.29, its first drop below 7,000 in about 12 years. Major European stock markets also tumbled.
２日のニューヨーク市場でダウ平均株価は７０００ドルを下回り、１２年ぶりの安値となった。欧州の主要市場も大幅安だった。
In Tokyo on Tuesday, sellers led buyers, pushing down the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average to just above the 7,000 level at one point.
これを受けた３日の東京市場は売りが先行し、平均株価は一時、７０００円割れをうかがう水準まで下げた。
Stock prices are now about 40 percent lower than at the end of the midterm period in September. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies, which own a large amount of stocks, likely will post huge losses in their account settlements at the end of this month should stock markets remain in the doldrums.
株価は、９月中間期末より４割も安い。このまま３月期決算を迎えれば、株式を大量に保有する銀行や証券、保険会社などで大きな損失が出る。
A further decline in stock prices likely will lead to a vicious cycle in which financial institutions become reluctant to extend loans, and the real economy worsens as a result.
さらに株価が下がれば、金融機関が融資を絞り、実体経済が悪化する「負の連鎖」となろう。
===
No time to lose
Although the Nikkei rebounded from its earlier fall to end at slightly lower than Monday's close amid expectations that the government's measures will buoy the flagging stock market, a failure to quickly turn such expectations into reality could trigger a new wave of selling by disappointed investors.
結局、３日の東京市場は、株価対策への期待などで小幅安に持ち直したが、早急に「期待」を「現実」にしないと、失望売りを招きかねない。
The government and ruling parties are discussing a variety of ideas to prop up the stock market, including setting up a new organization to buy stocks and the expansion of stocks to be purchased by the Banks' Shareholdings Purchase Corporation. However, neither move is likely to be realized by the end of this month due to delays in revising relevant legislation.
政府・与党内では、株式買い取り機関の新設や、銀行等保有株式取得機構による買い取り対象の拡大など、様々なアイデアが検討されている。だが、法改正などに手間取り、肝心の３月末に間に合いそうにないという。
The government should stop dragging its feet and carry out policies in timely manner. Its failure to do so would risk accelerating the economic downturn.
これ以上、政策対応が後手に回り、経済の落ち込みを加速させる事態は避けねばなるまい。
We hope the government and the Bank of Japan will coordinate their policies by combining measures on equity supply and demand, such as outright purchases of stocks, with macroeconomic measures to prop up the entire economy.
政府・日銀には、株式買い取りなどの株式需給対策と、経済全体を下支えするマクロ経済政策を組み合わせた対処を求めたい。
For instance, steps to arrest the fall in stock prices that can be carried out immediately should be promoted positively, such as the purchase of bank-held stocks by the BSPC and central bank.
取得機構や日銀による銀行保有株の買い入れなど、すぐに実施できる株価対策を、積極的に進めねばならない。
===
Govt, BOJ must act in concert
Though it is now certain that the fiscal 2009 budget will pass the Diet within the current fiscal year, it is crucial that bills related to the budget, which are needed to implement job-creation measures and mortgage tax cuts, are drafted within the current fiscal year.
２００９年度予算は年度内の成立が確実だが、雇用対策や住宅ローン減税の実施に必要な予算関連法案も年度内に成立させることが欠かせない。
The domestic economy saw a demand shortfall of about 20 trillion yen in the October-December period. Some private organization estimates say this will snowball to 40 trillion yen-50 trillion yen. Since deflation caused by the demand shortfall has now become a real possibility, the government must formulate and implement additional pump-priming measures to follow the fiscal 2009 budget as soon as possible.
１０〜１２月期の日本経済は、約２０兆円の需要不足だった。これがさらに４０〜５０兆円に膨らむとする民間の試算もある。需要不足によるデフレが現実味を増しており、０９年度予算に続く追加景気対策の具体化を急がねばならない。
As overseas factors have played a major role in causing the stock market plunge and the economic downturn, it is very difficult for Japan to cope with the situation alone.
今回の株安や景気悪化は、海外要因も大きく、日本単独で対処するのは難しい面もある。
At this juncture, international coordination of policies to prevent the global financial crisis from expanding is vitally important.
危機拡大を防ぐ国際協調が一段と重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2009)
（2009年3月4日01時18分 読売新聞）
2009年03月03日
自動車不況 新興市場と環境技術がカギ
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Carmakers facing long road to recovery
自動車不況 新興市場と環境技術がカギ（3月3日付・読売社説）
The nation's auto industry, which has been a driving force in the Japanese economy's high growth, continues to decline.
日本経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた自動車産業の落ち込みが止まらない。
Domestic sales of new vehicles, excluding minivehicles, plunged about 32 percent in February from the figure one year ago, the largest drop in 35 years since the first oil shock affected vehicle sales in May 1974.
軽自動車を除く２月の国内新車販売台数は、前年同月より３２％も減り、第１次石油危機に見舞われた１９７４年５月以来、３５年ぶりの大きな下落幅になった。
The number of exported vehicles declined by 59 percent in January, while domestic production dropped by 41 percent in the same month, the largest single-month declines ever recorded in the industry.
１月の輸出台数は５９％、国内生産台数は４１％も減った。単月ではともに過去最大のマイナスだ。
The nation is experiencing a vicious cycle in which production cutbacks due to slumping global sales aggravate the employment environment, which in turn reduces consumption. All domestic automakers plan to boost production from spring, but they will still be a long way from recovery and are facing unprecedented challenges.
世界的な販売不振による減産が雇用を悪化させ、さらに消費を縮小させる悪循環が起きている。各社は春以降、減産幅を圧縮する方針だが、回復を実感するにはほど遠い。これまでにない試練に直面していると言えるだろう。
The auto industry's recovery is indispensable to Japan's economic revitalization. To secure new sources of revenues it is necessary to shift management resources to emerging markets--where certain growth is expected from now on--and environmental technology.
日本経済が立ち直るには、自動車産業の回復が欠かせない。新たな収益源を確保するため、今後も一定の成長が見込める新興国市場と環境技術に、経営資源をシフトさせる必要が指摘されている。
===
Massive rollback in production
The production cut by domestic automakers, including reductions to overseas production, reached 4.14 million units in fiscal 2008. The combined figure equals Honda Motor Co.'s total annual production.
０８年度の海外生産を含む日本メーカーの減産台数は４１４万台にのぼる。ホンダ１社分の年間生産台数が消える計算だ。
Between 10,000 and 30,000 auto parts are used to make one vehicle. About 5 million people, or 8 percent of the nation's employed workers, are engaged in jobs related to the auto industry. Automakers' production cuts affect other industries, dragging down the real economy.
１台の車には、１万〜３万点の部品が使われている。日本の就業者の８％、約５００万人が自動車関連の仕事をしている。車の減産は他産業にも波及し、実体経済の足を引っ張っている。
China, which has not suffered much decline, became the world's largest vehicle market, surpassing the United States for the first time, in monthly auto sales in January.
１月の国別の販売台数では、落ち込みが小さかった中国が、初めて米国を上回って世界首位になった。
From now on, emphasizing the development of low-priced mass-market cars will be vital to gaining a foothold in the emerging markets.
今後、新興国市場に食い込むには、低価格の大衆車に開発の力点を置くことが大切だろう。
Amid the continuing sales slump, Honda received three times the targeted number of orders for its hybrid vehicle that began selling in February. Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also are scheduled to start selling new hybrid and electric cars by summer.
販売不振が続く中で、２月に発売されたホンダのハイブリッド車が、目標の３倍の受注を集めた。トヨタ自動車や三菱自動車工業も夏までにハイブリッド車や電気自動車を相次いで発売する。
===
Catering to demand
Honda's hybrid Insight is popular due to its price of less than 2 million yen. If an automaker produces an environment-friendly, affordable car, there is bound to be considerable demand.
ホンダのハイブリッド車は、２００万円を切る価格が人気を呼んだ。環境に優しく、手頃な車をつくれば十分、需要はある。
Japanese cars have been synonymous with fuel efficiency. It is vital that Japanese automakers get back to their roots and develop their strengths.
「低燃費」は、日本車の代名詞だった。原点に戻り、強みに磨きをかけることが肝要だ。
General Motors Corp. and other struggling U.S. and European automakers have been seeking financial assistance from their governments. Carlos Ghosn, president of Nissan Motor Co., recently remarked that his company would seek the Japanese government's assistance.
ゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）をはじめ、苦境に陥った欧米メーカーは、続々と政府に金融支援を求めている。日産自動車のカルロス・ゴーン社長も「日本政府の支援を求める」と発言している。
However, direct support by the government will damp an automaker's self-reliance, and if it goes too far, may invite protectionism.
だが、政府による直接支援は各社の自助努力を鈍らせ、行き過ぎれば保護主義的傾向を招く。
Direct financial support by the government will not necessarily benefit Japanese automakers, which are internationally competitive. Governmental assistance should be limited to encouraging innovation and improvement by the automakers, such as expansion of tax breaks for fuel-efficient vehicles.
国際競争力を持つ日本メーカーには、必ずしもプラスではない。政府の支援は、低燃費車への税制優遇措置の拡大など、日本車の特長を伸ばすものに限るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 3, 2009)
（2009年3月3日01時31分 読売新聞）
Carmakers facing long road to recovery
自動車不況 新興市場と環境技術がカギ（3月3日付・読売社説）
The nation's auto industry, which has been a driving force in the Japanese economy's high growth, continues to decline.
日本経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた自動車産業の落ち込みが止まらない。
Domestic sales of new vehicles, excluding minivehicles, plunged about 32 percent in February from the figure one year ago, the largest drop in 35 years since the first oil shock affected vehicle sales in May 1974.
軽自動車を除く２月の国内新車販売台数は、前年同月より３２％も減り、第１次石油危機に見舞われた１９７４年５月以来、３５年ぶりの大きな下落幅になった。
The number of exported vehicles declined by 59 percent in January, while domestic production dropped by 41 percent in the same month, the largest single-month declines ever recorded in the industry.
１月の輸出台数は５９％、国内生産台数は４１％も減った。単月ではともに過去最大のマイナスだ。
The nation is experiencing a vicious cycle in which production cutbacks due to slumping global sales aggravate the employment environment, which in turn reduces consumption. All domestic automakers plan to boost production from spring, but they will still be a long way from recovery and are facing unprecedented challenges.
世界的な販売不振による減産が雇用を悪化させ、さらに消費を縮小させる悪循環が起きている。各社は春以降、減産幅を圧縮する方針だが、回復を実感するにはほど遠い。これまでにない試練に直面していると言えるだろう。
The auto industry's recovery is indispensable to Japan's economic revitalization. To secure new sources of revenues it is necessary to shift management resources to emerging markets--where certain growth is expected from now on--and environmental technology.
日本経済が立ち直るには、自動車産業の回復が欠かせない。新たな収益源を確保するため、今後も一定の成長が見込める新興国市場と環境技術に、経営資源をシフトさせる必要が指摘されている。
===
Massive rollback in production
The production cut by domestic automakers, including reductions to overseas production, reached 4.14 million units in fiscal 2008. The combined figure equals Honda Motor Co.'s total annual production.
０８年度の海外生産を含む日本メーカーの減産台数は４１４万台にのぼる。ホンダ１社分の年間生産台数が消える計算だ。
Between 10,000 and 30,000 auto parts are used to make one vehicle. About 5 million people, or 8 percent of the nation's employed workers, are engaged in jobs related to the auto industry. Automakers' production cuts affect other industries, dragging down the real economy.
１台の車には、１万〜３万点の部品が使われている。日本の就業者の８％、約５００万人が自動車関連の仕事をしている。車の減産は他産業にも波及し、実体経済の足を引っ張っている。
China, which has not suffered much decline, became the world's largest vehicle market, surpassing the United States for the first time, in monthly auto sales in January.
１月の国別の販売台数では、落ち込みが小さかった中国が、初めて米国を上回って世界首位になった。
From now on, emphasizing the development of low-priced mass-market cars will be vital to gaining a foothold in the emerging markets.
今後、新興国市場に食い込むには、低価格の大衆車に開発の力点を置くことが大切だろう。
Amid the continuing sales slump, Honda received three times the targeted number of orders for its hybrid vehicle that began selling in February. Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also are scheduled to start selling new hybrid and electric cars by summer.
販売不振が続く中で、２月に発売されたホンダのハイブリッド車が、目標の３倍の受注を集めた。トヨタ自動車や三菱自動車工業も夏までにハイブリッド車や電気自動車を相次いで発売する。
===
Catering to demand
Honda's hybrid Insight is popular due to its price of less than 2 million yen. If an automaker produces an environment-friendly, affordable car, there is bound to be considerable demand.
ホンダのハイブリッド車は、２００万円を切る価格が人気を呼んだ。環境に優しく、手頃な車をつくれば十分、需要はある。
Japanese cars have been synonymous with fuel efficiency. It is vital that Japanese automakers get back to their roots and develop their strengths.
「低燃費」は、日本車の代名詞だった。原点に戻り、強みに磨きをかけることが肝要だ。
General Motors Corp. and other struggling U.S. and European automakers have been seeking financial assistance from their governments. Carlos Ghosn, president of Nissan Motor Co., recently remarked that his company would seek the Japanese government's assistance.
ゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）をはじめ、苦境に陥った欧米メーカーは、続々と政府に金融支援を求めている。日産自動車のカルロス・ゴーン社長も「日本政府の支援を求める」と発言している。
However, direct support by the government will damp an automaker's self-reliance, and if it goes too far, may invite protectionism.
だが、政府による直接支援は各社の自助努力を鈍らせ、行き過ぎれば保護主義的傾向を招く。
Direct financial support by the government will not necessarily benefit Japanese automakers, which are internationally competitive. Governmental assistance should be limited to encouraging innovation and improvement by the automakers, such as expansion of tax breaks for fuel-efficient vehicles.
国際競争力を持つ日本メーカーには、必ずしもプラスではない。政府の支援は、低燃費車への税制優遇措置の拡大など、日本車の特長を伸ばすものに限るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 3, 2009)
（2009年3月3日01時31分 読売新聞）
2009年03月02日
日中外相会談 「互恵関係」の内実が問われる
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 2, 2009)
China's bilateral deeds not living up to words
日中外相会談 「互恵関係」の内実が問われる（3月2日付・読売社説）
To what extent can Japan and China cooperate in tackling various issues the two nations are facing? At this juncture, questions are being asked about whether the push for "strategic and mutually beneficial relations" touted by both governments is sincere.
日中両国が直面する諸課題でどこまで連携できるか。両政府が唱える「戦略的互恵関係」の内実が問われる局面だ。
At their meeting in Beijing, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, agreed to cooperate closely in meeting economic challenges ahead of the Group of 20 financial summit to be held in April, in which both nations will participate. They also agreed to oppose any protectionist moves.
北京で行われた日中外相会談で、両外相は、中国も参加する４月の金融サミット（Ｇ２０）に向け、両国の緊密な連携を確認した。保護主義の動きに反対していくことでも一致した。
The two foreign ministers apparently acknowledged that cooperation between Japan and China is indispensable if the two nations want to prevent the global financial crisis from further deteriorating and overcome the deepening global recession.
金融危機の悪化阻止と世界不況克服へ、日中両国の協力が不可欠との認識からだろう。
Nakasone and Yang also agreed to urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint over its reported preparations to launch a long-range ballistic missile.
北朝鮮が準備を進めている長距離弾道ミサイルの発射問題については、北朝鮮に自制を求めていくことで合意した。
In a series of meetings with Chinese leaders over the weekend, Nakasone made it clear that Tokyo will regard the launch of what Pyongyang says is a satellite as a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution banning North Korea from missile or nuclear programs. We agree wholeheartedly with Nakasone on this point.
とくに中曽根外相は、中国側との一連の会談で、北朝鮮が「人工衛星」と主張しようと、発射されれば、国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議に違反するとの見解を表明した。当然のことだ。
===
Stand firm against N. Korea
North Korea has made no secret of its planned "satellite" launch because of its apparent resentment at the stance of Japan, South Korea and the United States to take joint action toward North Korea, which was confirmed during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Asian tour last month.
今回、北朝鮮が発射予告をしているのは、クリントン米国務長官のアジア歴訪で確認された北朝鮮に対する「日米韓」共同対処への反発があるのだろう。
But such saber-rattling by North Korea should not be tolerated.
しかし、こんな揺さぶりを許すわけにはいかない。
Japan and China have clearly different notions about the degree of threat posed by North Korean missiles. It is essential that Japan continues to prod China to exercise its influence over North Korea.
中国と日本では、ミサイルへの「脅威」感は明らかに異なる。日本は、中国が北朝鮮に影響力を行使するよう引き続き求めていくことが重要だ。
A mutually beneficial relationship must be strengthened not only in tackling international challenges, but also in addressing bilateral issues.
国際的な課題に関する互恵関係の強化は、日中２国間でも追求されなければならない。
During the ministerial meeting, however, Yang reiterated China's claim to sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
ところが会談で楊潔(ようけつ)チ・中国外相は、尖閣諸島問題を提起し、中国の領有権を主張したという。（「チ」は竹かんむりに「褫」のつくり）
This came despite Prime Minister Taro Aso lodging a protest with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the intrusion of a Chinese marine research ship in Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in December.
昨年１２月、中国の海洋調査船が尖閣諸島周辺の日本領海に侵入し、麻生首相が温家宝・中国首相に対して抗議したばかりだ。
===
Senkakus not up for debate
The Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory both historically and under international law. China started claiming sovereignty over the islands only in the 1970s when studies pointed to the possible existence of deposits of oil and other undersea resources near the islands.
尖閣諸島は、歴史的にも国際法上も日本固有の領土である。中国が領有権を主張し始めたのは、石油など海底資源が取りざたされた１９７０年代以降に過ぎない。
Of course, Nakasone rebuffed China's claim. The government should continue to take a tough stance against China's claims.
中曽根外相は、もちろん反論したが、中国側の主張には、今後も毅然(きぜん)として対処すべきだ。
China, meanwhile, was reluctant to agree to start formal negotiations for a treaty over joint gas exploration in the East China Sea, saying there were still "delicate and complicated problems" to be resolved.
その一方で、中国側は、東シナ海のガス田開発をめぐる正式な条約交渉開始では、「敏感で複雑な問題」があるとして、消極姿勢のままだった。
If China continues to act like this, the agreement made between then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chinese President Hu Jintao in May last year to work to establish "strategic and mutually beneficial relations" will become almost completely devoid of substance.
これでは、日中首脳の合意が空文化されてしまうことにならないか。
Furthermore, no specific action was pledged to resolve the food poisoning cases involving chemical-tainted Chinese-made frozen gyoza dumplings in Japan, although they occurred more than a year ago.
さらに懸案の中国製冷凍ギョーザの中毒事件は、発生から１年がたったのに、解決へ向けた具体的な動きはみられなかった。
Chinese leaders have repeatedly vowed to make efforts to get to the bottom of the gyoza cases. Solving this problem will be a milestone in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
これも中国首脳が、再三、真相究明への努力を表明してきた。この問題の解決こそ、互恵協力進展への一里塚である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2009)
（2009年3月2日01時35分 読売新聞）
China's bilateral deeds not living up to words
日中外相会談 「互恵関係」の内実が問われる（3月2日付・読売社説）
To what extent can Japan and China cooperate in tackling various issues the two nations are facing? At this juncture, questions are being asked about whether the push for "strategic and mutually beneficial relations" touted by both governments is sincere.
日中両国が直面する諸課題でどこまで連携できるか。両政府が唱える「戦略的互恵関係」の内実が問われる局面だ。
At their meeting in Beijing, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, agreed to cooperate closely in meeting economic challenges ahead of the Group of 20 financial summit to be held in April, in which both nations will participate. They also agreed to oppose any protectionist moves.
北京で行われた日中外相会談で、両外相は、中国も参加する４月の金融サミット（Ｇ２０）に向け、両国の緊密な連携を確認した。保護主義の動きに反対していくことでも一致した。
The two foreign ministers apparently acknowledged that cooperation between Japan and China is indispensable if the two nations want to prevent the global financial crisis from further deteriorating and overcome the deepening global recession.
金融危機の悪化阻止と世界不況克服へ、日中両国の協力が不可欠との認識からだろう。
Nakasone and Yang also agreed to urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint over its reported preparations to launch a long-range ballistic missile.
北朝鮮が準備を進めている長距離弾道ミサイルの発射問題については、北朝鮮に自制を求めていくことで合意した。
In a series of meetings with Chinese leaders over the weekend, Nakasone made it clear that Tokyo will regard the launch of what Pyongyang says is a satellite as a violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution banning North Korea from missile or nuclear programs. We agree wholeheartedly with Nakasone on this point.
とくに中曽根外相は、中国側との一連の会談で、北朝鮮が「人工衛星」と主張しようと、発射されれば、国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議に違反するとの見解を表明した。当然のことだ。
===
Stand firm against N. Korea
North Korea has made no secret of its planned "satellite" launch because of its apparent resentment at the stance of Japan, South Korea and the United States to take joint action toward North Korea, which was confirmed during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Asian tour last month.
今回、北朝鮮が発射予告をしているのは、クリントン米国務長官のアジア歴訪で確認された北朝鮮に対する「日米韓」共同対処への反発があるのだろう。
But such saber-rattling by North Korea should not be tolerated.
しかし、こんな揺さぶりを許すわけにはいかない。
Japan and China have clearly different notions about the degree of threat posed by North Korean missiles. It is essential that Japan continues to prod China to exercise its influence over North Korea.
中国と日本では、ミサイルへの「脅威」感は明らかに異なる。日本は、中国が北朝鮮に影響力を行使するよう引き続き求めていくことが重要だ。
A mutually beneficial relationship must be strengthened not only in tackling international challenges, but also in addressing bilateral issues.
国際的な課題に関する互恵関係の強化は、日中２国間でも追求されなければならない。
During the ministerial meeting, however, Yang reiterated China's claim to sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
ところが会談で楊潔(ようけつ)チ・中国外相は、尖閣諸島問題を提起し、中国の領有権を主張したという。（「チ」は竹かんむりに「褫」のつくり）
This came despite Prime Minister Taro Aso lodging a protest with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the intrusion of a Chinese marine research ship in Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands in December.
昨年１２月、中国の海洋調査船が尖閣諸島周辺の日本領海に侵入し、麻生首相が温家宝・中国首相に対して抗議したばかりだ。
===
Senkakus not up for debate
The Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory both historically and under international law. China started claiming sovereignty over the islands only in the 1970s when studies pointed to the possible existence of deposits of oil and other undersea resources near the islands.
尖閣諸島は、歴史的にも国際法上も日本固有の領土である。中国が領有権を主張し始めたのは、石油など海底資源が取りざたされた１９７０年代以降に過ぎない。
Of course, Nakasone rebuffed China's claim. The government should continue to take a tough stance against China's claims.
中曽根外相は、もちろん反論したが、中国側の主張には、今後も毅然(きぜん)として対処すべきだ。
China, meanwhile, was reluctant to agree to start formal negotiations for a treaty over joint gas exploration in the East China Sea, saying there were still "delicate and complicated problems" to be resolved.
その一方で、中国側は、東シナ海のガス田開発をめぐる正式な条約交渉開始では、「敏感で複雑な問題」があるとして、消極姿勢のままだった。
If China continues to act like this, the agreement made between then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chinese President Hu Jintao in May last year to work to establish "strategic and mutually beneficial relations" will become almost completely devoid of substance.
これでは、日中首脳の合意が空文化されてしまうことにならないか。
Furthermore, no specific action was pledged to resolve the food poisoning cases involving chemical-tainted Chinese-made frozen gyoza dumplings in Japan, although they occurred more than a year ago.
さらに懸案の中国製冷凍ギョーザの中毒事件は、発生から１年がたったのに、解決へ向けた具体的な動きはみられなかった。
Chinese leaders have repeatedly vowed to make efforts to get to the bottom of the gyoza cases. Solving this problem will be a milestone in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.
これも中国首脳が、再三、真相究明への努力を表明してきた。この問題の解決こそ、互恵協力進展への一里塚である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2009)
（2009年3月2日01時35分 読売新聞）