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2009年06月18日
党首討論 首相の「郵政」弁明は苦しい
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 18, 2009)
Aso unconvincing on Japan Post plans
党首討論 首相の「郵政」弁明は苦しい（6月18日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Taro Aso and Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama faced off Wednesday in the Diet in their second head-to-head debate as ruling and opposition party leaders. The debate mainly focused on the disputed reappointment of Yoshifumi Nishikawa as president of Japan Post Holdings Co. and the fiscal resources needed to meet social security and other costs.
麻生首相と鳩山民主党代表による２度目の党首討論は、日本郵政の西川善文社長の再任問題と社会保障費などの財源問題を軸に展開された。
Though the two talked at cross-purposes at times, the debate seemed to shed light on contentious policy issues in the run-up to the House of Representatives election.
議論にかみ合わない部分はあったものの、衆院選に向けて政策上の論点が浮かび上がってきたのではないか。
In connection with the dispute over Nishikawa's reappointment, Hatoyama harshly criticized Aso on his handling of a series of problems involving Japan Post Holdings, saying the prime minister "can't reach judgements, is inconsistent and makes mistakes."
西川社長の再任問題では、鳩山代表が首相の一連の対応について「判断ができない。ぶれる。間違える」と酷評した。
Aso was accused of being incapable of good judgement because he had left a series of Japan Post-related scandals unaddressed, such as the proposed bundled sale of the firm's Kampo no Yado inns.
The charge of inconsistency apparently referred to the fact that the prime minister had handed over a list of potential candidates to take over from Nishikawa as Japan Post Holdings president to then Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama on the premise Nishikawa would be replaced.
「判断ができない」は、かんぽの宿の売却問題など不祥事が続発しても事態を放置したこと、「ぶれる」は、首相が社長交代を前提に後継候補のリストを鳩山前総務相に渡していたことを指すのだろう。
The mistake referred to Aso's de facto dismissal of Hatoyama while keeping Nishikawa in his post.
「間違える」は、前総務相だけを更迭したことだ。
===
Pressed to fire Nishikawa
In the Diet debate, Yukio Hatoyama pressed Aso to fire Nishikawa, saying the DPJ is ready to replace the president if it takes power.
鳩山代表は、「民主党が政権を取れば社長を交代させる」と断言し、首相に社長更迭を迫った。
Regrettably, Aso's response to Hatoyama's demand was far from convincing.
これに対する首相の弁明は、いかにも苦しいものだった。
The prime minister simply repeated his previous explanation that the government needs to be cautious about intervening in personnel affairs regarding the private sector. He also said he had decided to dismiss only the communications minister because the prime minister's authority to make personnel changes covers only Cabinet members, not employees such as Japan Post Holdings staff.
「民間に対する政府の人事介入は慎重であるべきだ」と従来の見解を繰り返し、前総務相だけを更迭したのも、首相の人事権が及ぶのは閣僚で、日本郵政には直接及ばないから、と説明した。
Yet, Japan Post Holdings is virtually a state-owned company, as all of the firm's shares are held by the government. The law stipulates that the internal affairs and communications minister holds the right to approve or veto personnel decisions taken by the company.
日本郵政は、政府が全株式を保有する「国有企業」である。法律にも人事の認可権を総務相が持つと明記されている。
If the company fails to respond appropriately to a business improvement order it was given by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the government should not allow Nishikawa to stay on as the firm's president.
業務改善命令に対する対応が不十分なら、認可しなければよい。
To act in this way is the administrative body's "responsibility," rather than an "intervention."
それは「介入」どころか、行政の「責務」であろう。
We urge the prime minister to put his foot down regarding Nishikawa's managerial responsibilities.
首相は西川社長の経営責任に明確なけじめをつけるべきだ。
===
DPJ head branded irresponsible
The prime minister did, however, take the lead in the debate on fiscal resources for key projects.
一方、財源を巡る議論は首相がリードした。
In response to Hatoyama's calls for improved medical services, Aso called the DPJ leader's proposal irresponsible unless clear fiscal-resource options were presented. Aso also stressed that debate on a consumption tax hike could not be avoided.
医療の充実を掲げる鳩山代表に「財源の話がなければ無責任だ」と切り返し、「消費税の論議は避けて通れない」と強調した。
Hatoyama stated clearly that his party would not raise the consumption tax rate for at least four years. He explained that the 20 trillion yen that would be needed to achieve his party's policies would be generated from general and special accounts totaling 210 trillion yen by eliminating wasteful spending in the budget.
鳩山代表は、４年間は消費税は上げないと明言した。その代わりに、予算の無駄遣いを徹底的に排除し、民主党の政策を実現するための２０兆円は、一般・特別会計を合わせた２１０兆円から捻出(ねんしゅつ)すると説明したが、説得力のあるものとは言えなかった。
Hatoyama's argument, however, was not persuasive. Of the 210 trillion yen he would target, debt-servicing costs and other expenses that would prove hard to trim total 180 trillion yen.
２１０兆円のうち、国債費など削減が困難な費目は計１８０兆円に上る。
Aso criticized the proposal, saying it would be unrealistic to squeeze 20 trillion yen out of the remaining 30 trillion yen.
We find the prime minister quite right on this point.
残り３０兆円から２０兆円を出すとの主張は非現実的、と首相が批判したのは当然だろう。
At Aso's behest, it was decided that the two leaders will hold another Diet debate, with the focus to be on tax and fiscal policies, and diplomatic and security issues.
首相の提案で、税財政や外交・安全保障に絞って党首討論を改めて開催することが決まった。
If the two leaders frequently lock horns in the Diet, it will help clarify contentious issues prior to the next lower house election. We welcome this development.
党首同士の論戦が頻繁に行われれば、おのずと衆院選の争点も明確になろう。この流れを歓迎したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 18, 2009)
（2009年6月18日01時32分 読売新聞）
Aso unconvincing on Japan Post plans
党首討論 首相の「郵政」弁明は苦しい（6月18日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Taro Aso and Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama faced off Wednesday in the Diet in their second head-to-head debate as ruling and opposition party leaders. The debate mainly focused on the disputed reappointment of Yoshifumi Nishikawa as president of Japan Post Holdings Co. and the fiscal resources needed to meet social security and other costs.
麻生首相と鳩山民主党代表による２度目の党首討論は、日本郵政の西川善文社長の再任問題と社会保障費などの財源問題を軸に展開された。
Though the two talked at cross-purposes at times, the debate seemed to shed light on contentious policy issues in the run-up to the House of Representatives election.
議論にかみ合わない部分はあったものの、衆院選に向けて政策上の論点が浮かび上がってきたのではないか。
In connection with the dispute over Nishikawa's reappointment, Hatoyama harshly criticized Aso on his handling of a series of problems involving Japan Post Holdings, saying the prime minister "can't reach judgements, is inconsistent and makes mistakes."
西川社長の再任問題では、鳩山代表が首相の一連の対応について「判断ができない。ぶれる。間違える」と酷評した。
Aso was accused of being incapable of good judgement because he had left a series of Japan Post-related scandals unaddressed, such as the proposed bundled sale of the firm's Kampo no Yado inns.
The charge of inconsistency apparently referred to the fact that the prime minister had handed over a list of potential candidates to take over from Nishikawa as Japan Post Holdings president to then Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama on the premise Nishikawa would be replaced.
「判断ができない」は、かんぽの宿の売却問題など不祥事が続発しても事態を放置したこと、「ぶれる」は、首相が社長交代を前提に後継候補のリストを鳩山前総務相に渡していたことを指すのだろう。
The mistake referred to Aso's de facto dismissal of Hatoyama while keeping Nishikawa in his post.
「間違える」は、前総務相だけを更迭したことだ。
===
Pressed to fire Nishikawa
In the Diet debate, Yukio Hatoyama pressed Aso to fire Nishikawa, saying the DPJ is ready to replace the president if it takes power.
鳩山代表は、「民主党が政権を取れば社長を交代させる」と断言し、首相に社長更迭を迫った。
Regrettably, Aso's response to Hatoyama's demand was far from convincing.
これに対する首相の弁明は、いかにも苦しいものだった。
The prime minister simply repeated his previous explanation that the government needs to be cautious about intervening in personnel affairs regarding the private sector. He also said he had decided to dismiss only the communications minister because the prime minister's authority to make personnel changes covers only Cabinet members, not employees such as Japan Post Holdings staff.
「民間に対する政府の人事介入は慎重であるべきだ」と従来の見解を繰り返し、前総務相だけを更迭したのも、首相の人事権が及ぶのは閣僚で、日本郵政には直接及ばないから、と説明した。
Yet, Japan Post Holdings is virtually a state-owned company, as all of the firm's shares are held by the government. The law stipulates that the internal affairs and communications minister holds the right to approve or veto personnel decisions taken by the company.
日本郵政は、政府が全株式を保有する「国有企業」である。法律にも人事の認可権を総務相が持つと明記されている。
If the company fails to respond appropriately to a business improvement order it was given by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the government should not allow Nishikawa to stay on as the firm's president.
業務改善命令に対する対応が不十分なら、認可しなければよい。
To act in this way is the administrative body's "responsibility," rather than an "intervention."
それは「介入」どころか、行政の「責務」であろう。
We urge the prime minister to put his foot down regarding Nishikawa's managerial responsibilities.
首相は西川社長の経営責任に明確なけじめをつけるべきだ。
===
DPJ head branded irresponsible
The prime minister did, however, take the lead in the debate on fiscal resources for key projects.
一方、財源を巡る議論は首相がリードした。
In response to Hatoyama's calls for improved medical services, Aso called the DPJ leader's proposal irresponsible unless clear fiscal-resource options were presented. Aso also stressed that debate on a consumption tax hike could not be avoided.
医療の充実を掲げる鳩山代表に「財源の話がなければ無責任だ」と切り返し、「消費税の論議は避けて通れない」と強調した。
Hatoyama stated clearly that his party would not raise the consumption tax rate for at least four years. He explained that the 20 trillion yen that would be needed to achieve his party's policies would be generated from general and special accounts totaling 210 trillion yen by eliminating wasteful spending in the budget.
鳩山代表は、４年間は消費税は上げないと明言した。その代わりに、予算の無駄遣いを徹底的に排除し、民主党の政策を実現するための２０兆円は、一般・特別会計を合わせた２１０兆円から捻出(ねんしゅつ)すると説明したが、説得力のあるものとは言えなかった。
Hatoyama's argument, however, was not persuasive. Of the 210 trillion yen he would target, debt-servicing costs and other expenses that would prove hard to trim total 180 trillion yen.
２１０兆円のうち、国債費など削減が困難な費目は計１８０兆円に上る。
Aso criticized the proposal, saying it would be unrealistic to squeeze 20 trillion yen out of the remaining 30 trillion yen.
We find the prime minister quite right on this point.
残り３０兆円から２０兆円を出すとの主張は非現実的、と首相が批判したのは当然だろう。
At Aso's behest, it was decided that the two leaders will hold another Diet debate, with the focus to be on tax and fiscal policies, and diplomatic and security issues.
首相の提案で、税財政や外交・安全保障に絞って党首討論を改めて開催することが決まった。
If the two leaders frequently lock horns in the Diet, it will help clarify contentious issues prior to the next lower house election. We welcome this development.
党首同士の論戦が頻繁に行われれば、おのずと衆院選の争点も明確になろう。この流れを歓迎したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 18, 2009)
（2009年6月18日01時32分 読売新聞）
2009年06月17日
内閣支持率下落 日本郵政人事で誤断したツケ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 17, 2009)
Aso must act to resolve Nishikawa issue
内閣支持率下落 日本郵政人事で誤断したツケ（6月17日付・読売社説）
The results of The Yomiuri Shimbun's latest survey might have come as a shock to Prime Minister Taro Aso--it indicates he has been driven into a ditch.
麻生首相も驚く数字だったのではないか。まさに進退窮まると言えるような状況だ。
In the snap survey, the approval rating for the Aso Cabinet was shown to have dropped to 22.9 percent, down 6.6 percentage points from a similar survey conducted just a week ago. Opinion polls by other newspapers show a similar dive.
読売新聞の緊急世論調査で、麻生内閣の支持率が２２・９％に下落した。１週間前の調査と比べて、６・６ポイントも低下した。他紙の世論調査でも、同様の傾向である。
One key cause for the decline in public support is apparent. It is the dismissal of Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama who was opposed to allowing Yoshifumi Nishikawa staying on as president of Japan Post Holdings Co.
原因は明らかだ。日本郵政の西川善文社長の続投に異を唱えていた鳩山前総務相の更迭にある。
Sixty-five percent of those surveyed by The Yomiuri Shimbun said it had been unnecessary to oust Hatoyama.
本紙の調査では、「更迭する必要はなかった」が６５％に上った。
It means the prime minister must now make a clear judgment on management responsibility at Japan Post Holdings if he is to get out of this pinch.
とすれば、首相がこの窮地から脱するには、まず、日本郵政の経営責任について明確なけじめをつけることである。
Aso said he had dismissed Hatoyama because the minister had caused confusion for the government in its dealings with Japan Post Holdings, and because the government should avoid intervening directly in the personnel affairs of a private company.
更迭の理由について首相は、政府と日本郵政との間に混乱が生じたこと、民間会社の人事に国が直接介入するのは避けるべきことを挙げていた。
But the public evidently is not satisfied with this explanation.
だが、世論はこれに納得していない。
===
Lack of leadership
According to the Yomiuri survey, many of the respondents attributed the confusion over whether Nishikawa should continue as president to a lack of leadership on Aso's behalf. The prime minister bears a great weight of responsibility for delaying judgment on this issue while seeking a replacement for Nishikawa.
本紙調査では、今回の人事がこれほど混乱したのは、「首相の指導力不足」にあるとみている人が多い。首相が西川社長交代を模索しながら、ずるずると判断を先延ばしした責任は大きい。
The prime minister's delay in reaching a judgment appears to have worsened the already poor political situation spanning many other issues. Aso should take a long hard look at himself concerning this state of affairs.
今回に限らず、首相の判断の遅れが政治の停滞に輪をかけているケースが目立つ。大いに反省してもらいたい。
However, the latest political confusion cannot be attributed solely to the prime minister, since the real substance of this problem relates to the management responsibility of Japan Post Holdings, particularly its president, Nishikawa.
しかし混迷の原因を首相だけに帰すわけにはいかない。問題の本質は、日本郵政とりわけ西川社長の経営責任にあるからである。
The company has been tainted by several scandals including its questionable attempt to sell its Kampo no Yado resort facilities, the nonpayment of Kampo postal life insurance benefits and abuse of a direct-mail discount system meant only for disabled people's organizations.
保養宿泊施設「かんぽの宿」売却問題はもとより、簡易生命保険の保険金不払い、障害者団体向け郵便料金割引制度を悪用した事件などが相次いでいる。
===
67% want Nishikawa to go
According to the survey, 80 percent of the respondents said there were problems with the attempted bundled sale of the Kampo no Yado hotels, and 67 percent said it was not acceptable for Nishikawa to remain in his position. The figures indicate there is a great sense of dissatisfaction that action has not been taken against those responsible for the above scandals.
国民の８割が「かんぽの宿」の一括売却には「問題があった」とみている。６７％が西川社長の続投について「納得できない」と答えている。不祥事に対する責任が不問に付されていることに、釈然としないのだろう。
"Based on severe self-criticism, it's my duty to accelerate the necessary reforms," Nishikawa said. But, his remark is not sufficient to bring down the curtain on this issue.
西川社長は、「厳しい反省の上に立って必要な改革を加速していくのが私の責務」と語っている。だが、ちょっと待ってほしい。
Why were the Kampo no Yado facilities, public property in a sense, nearly sold at throwaway prices? Can Japan Post Holdings recover public confidence under the current management?
なぜ、国民の共有財産といえる施設が二束三文で売られようとしたのか。現体制のままで、日本郵政は、国民の信頼を回復することができるのか。
First of all, Nishikawa has a responsibility to clearly answer these questions.
西川社長には、何よりも、これに明確に答える責任がある。
Aso said he would make a final judgment on what to do with Nishikawa based on how Japan Post Holdings responds to an operational improvement order it received from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry. After carefully examining the response, the prime minister must settle this matter once and for all.
麻生首相は、西川社長の処遇に関し、総務省の業務改善命令に対する日本郵政の回答に基づいて、最終判断すると言ってきた。きちんと吟味して、この問題に決着をつけねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2009)
（2009年6月17日01時34分 読売新聞）
Aso must act to resolve Nishikawa issue
内閣支持率下落 日本郵政人事で誤断したツケ（6月17日付・読売社説）
The results of The Yomiuri Shimbun's latest survey might have come as a shock to Prime Minister Taro Aso--it indicates he has been driven into a ditch.
麻生首相も驚く数字だったのではないか。まさに進退窮まると言えるような状況だ。
In the snap survey, the approval rating for the Aso Cabinet was shown to have dropped to 22.9 percent, down 6.6 percentage points from a similar survey conducted just a week ago. Opinion polls by other newspapers show a similar dive.
読売新聞の緊急世論調査で、麻生内閣の支持率が２２・９％に下落した。１週間前の調査と比べて、６・６ポイントも低下した。他紙の世論調査でも、同様の傾向である。
One key cause for the decline in public support is apparent. It is the dismissal of Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama who was opposed to allowing Yoshifumi Nishikawa staying on as president of Japan Post Holdings Co.
原因は明らかだ。日本郵政の西川善文社長の続投に異を唱えていた鳩山前総務相の更迭にある。
Sixty-five percent of those surveyed by The Yomiuri Shimbun said it had been unnecessary to oust Hatoyama.
本紙の調査では、「更迭する必要はなかった」が６５％に上った。
It means the prime minister must now make a clear judgment on management responsibility at Japan Post Holdings if he is to get out of this pinch.
とすれば、首相がこの窮地から脱するには、まず、日本郵政の経営責任について明確なけじめをつけることである。
Aso said he had dismissed Hatoyama because the minister had caused confusion for the government in its dealings with Japan Post Holdings, and because the government should avoid intervening directly in the personnel affairs of a private company.
更迭の理由について首相は、政府と日本郵政との間に混乱が生じたこと、民間会社の人事に国が直接介入するのは避けるべきことを挙げていた。
But the public evidently is not satisfied with this explanation.
だが、世論はこれに納得していない。
===
Lack of leadership
According to the Yomiuri survey, many of the respondents attributed the confusion over whether Nishikawa should continue as president to a lack of leadership on Aso's behalf. The prime minister bears a great weight of responsibility for delaying judgment on this issue while seeking a replacement for Nishikawa.
本紙調査では、今回の人事がこれほど混乱したのは、「首相の指導力不足」にあるとみている人が多い。首相が西川社長交代を模索しながら、ずるずると判断を先延ばしした責任は大きい。
The prime minister's delay in reaching a judgment appears to have worsened the already poor political situation spanning many other issues. Aso should take a long hard look at himself concerning this state of affairs.
今回に限らず、首相の判断の遅れが政治の停滞に輪をかけているケースが目立つ。大いに反省してもらいたい。
However, the latest political confusion cannot be attributed solely to the prime minister, since the real substance of this problem relates to the management responsibility of Japan Post Holdings, particularly its president, Nishikawa.
しかし混迷の原因を首相だけに帰すわけにはいかない。問題の本質は、日本郵政とりわけ西川社長の経営責任にあるからである。
The company has been tainted by several scandals including its questionable attempt to sell its Kampo no Yado resort facilities, the nonpayment of Kampo postal life insurance benefits and abuse of a direct-mail discount system meant only for disabled people's organizations.
保養宿泊施設「かんぽの宿」売却問題はもとより、簡易生命保険の保険金不払い、障害者団体向け郵便料金割引制度を悪用した事件などが相次いでいる。
===
67% want Nishikawa to go
According to the survey, 80 percent of the respondents said there were problems with the attempted bundled sale of the Kampo no Yado hotels, and 67 percent said it was not acceptable for Nishikawa to remain in his position. The figures indicate there is a great sense of dissatisfaction that action has not been taken against those responsible for the above scandals.
国民の８割が「かんぽの宿」の一括売却には「問題があった」とみている。６７％が西川社長の続投について「納得できない」と答えている。不祥事に対する責任が不問に付されていることに、釈然としないのだろう。
"Based on severe self-criticism, it's my duty to accelerate the necessary reforms," Nishikawa said. But, his remark is not sufficient to bring down the curtain on this issue.
西川社長は、「厳しい反省の上に立って必要な改革を加速していくのが私の責務」と語っている。だが、ちょっと待ってほしい。
Why were the Kampo no Yado facilities, public property in a sense, nearly sold at throwaway prices? Can Japan Post Holdings recover public confidence under the current management?
なぜ、国民の共有財産といえる施設が二束三文で売られようとしたのか。現体制のままで、日本郵政は、国民の信頼を回復することができるのか。
First of all, Nishikawa has a responsibility to clearly answer these questions.
西川社長には、何よりも、これに明確に答える責任がある。
Aso said he would make a final judgment on what to do with Nishikawa based on how Japan Post Holdings responds to an operational improvement order it received from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry. After carefully examining the response, the prime minister must settle this matter once and for all.
麻生首相は、西川社長の処遇に関し、総務省の業務改善命令に対する日本郵政の回答に基づいて、最終判断すると言ってきた。きちんと吟味して、この問題に決着をつけねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2009)
（2009年6月17日01時34分 読売新聞）
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2009年06月16日
「安心会議」報告 提言を建設的議論の出発点に
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 16, 2009)
Use proposals as basis for social peace of mind
「安心会議」報告 提言を建設的議論の出発点に（6月16日付・読売社説）
The direction Japan's social security system should take has been sorted out to a large degree.
日本が目指す社会保障の方向性が、かなり整理されたのではないか。
A government panel, which has been discussing ways to realize a society that feels secure about its future, came out with its final report Monday.
政府の「安心社会実現会議」が１５日、最終報告をまとめた。
The final report was worked out through discussions on Japan's future among experts in a variety of fields. It presented a set of goals that a future administration, whatever its political framework, should tackle.
幅広い顔ぶれで日本の将来像を議論し、練り上げたものだ。今後、政権がどのような枠組みになったとしても取り組むべき基本線を示したと言えよう。
The report takes as its foundation the idea of "realizing both peace of mind and vitality" in Japanese society.
最終報告が根底に据えたものは「安心と活力の両立」という考え方である。
Although the structural reform spearheaded by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had some successes, including the disposal of bad loans held by financial institutions, its policy management, which is characterized as market fundamentalism, caused various institutions, including the social security system, to fray around the edges and fall into disarray. The report suggested that these problems be corrected in a balanced manner.
小泉構造改革は不良債権処理に成果を上げるなどしたものの、市場原理主義的な政策運営により、社会保障など、さまざまな分野で綻(ほころ)びや混乱を生じさせた。これをバランスよく軌道修正する、ということだろう。
The report discusses social security with a slightly wider concept it describes as "peace-of-mind security."
報告書は、社会保障の概念をもう少し幅広くした「安心保障」という造語を用いている。
The new concept stresses that the people's sense of security must be pursued in five fields--employment, child-raising, education, health care and retirement--which should be linked seamlessly. In particular, it puts employment security at the center.
雇用、子育て、教育、医療、老後の５分野で、国民の安心を追求し、切れ目なく連動させる。中心には「雇用の安心」を置く。
===
Steady jobs mean stable society
A stable household economy leads to security in the other four fields and they will all in turn create a foundation that supports the country's economic vitality. There can be no objection to this understanding.
家計の安定が他の４分野の安心につながり、経済の活力を支える土台となる。この認識に異論はあるまい。
The panel also lists 10 urgently needed measures, which should be implemented by fiscal 2011, a symbolic year that marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the universal public health insurance and public pension systems.
安心社会実現会議は、２０１１年度を国民皆保険・皆年金の実現から５０年の象徴的節目ととらえ、それまでに行うべき、１０の緊急施策も挙げた。
The panel also made various proposals, including, financial assistance to families with small children, expansion of application of social insurance to nonregular workers, improvement of scholarship, guaranteeing of housing for the elderly, introduction of a social security number system, and reorganization of administrative bodies to carry out reforms.
子育て世帯への経済支援、非正規労働者への社会保険適用拡大、奨学金の充実、高齢者に対する住宅保障、社会保障番号の導入、改革に取り組むための行政組織の再編などが提言されている。
It is necessary to secure funds to implement these urgently required measures on a permanent basis and improve them even further.
===
Covering costs
The report presents a method for transforming the consumption tax into a tax to support social security in which a social security account would be created in the national budget and funded with all the revenues from the consumption tax. The report says such a method is worth discussing.
こうした緊急施策を恒久化し、さらに充実していくには確固とした財源が必要だ。
報告書は、国の予算に「社会保障勘定」を作り、そこに消費税をすべて繰り入れて社会保障目的税化する方法を示した上で、「検討に値する」とした。
The problem is whether there exists the political will to make such changes. In this respect, the report proposes establishment of "a roundtable council" in which the ruling and opposition party members discuss the matter in a suprapartisan fashion and reach consensus.
問題は、実現させる政治の意思である。この点については、与野党が党派を超えて議論と合意形成をすすめるための「円卓会議」の設置を提唱している。
The Diet established a similar joint council of both chambers to discuss social security reform four years ago. Suprapartisan lawmakers at the council attempted to carry out the reform, but failed to hold fruitful discussions, apparently because they simply insisted on their positions without sorting out a compromise they could agree upon.
国会は４年前にも社会保障改革のための衆参合同会議を設置し、超党派による改革を試みたが、実りある議論にならなかった。一致できる基本線がまったく整理されないまま、主張をぶつけ合ったからではないか。
The latest proposals by the panel could promote constructive discussions on the matter in politics and serve as a starting point for building national consensus. We hope deeper discussions will be held based on these proposals.
安心社会実現会議の提言は、政治に建設的議論を促し、国民的な合意を形成するための出発点となりうる。これをたたき台に議論を深めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2009)
（2009年6月16日01時33分 読売新聞）
Use proposals as basis for social peace of mind
「安心会議」報告 提言を建設的議論の出発点に（6月16日付・読売社説）
The direction Japan's social security system should take has been sorted out to a large degree.
日本が目指す社会保障の方向性が、かなり整理されたのではないか。
A government panel, which has been discussing ways to realize a society that feels secure about its future, came out with its final report Monday.
政府の「安心社会実現会議」が１５日、最終報告をまとめた。
The final report was worked out through discussions on Japan's future among experts in a variety of fields. It presented a set of goals that a future administration, whatever its political framework, should tackle.
幅広い顔ぶれで日本の将来像を議論し、練り上げたものだ。今後、政権がどのような枠組みになったとしても取り組むべき基本線を示したと言えよう。
The report takes as its foundation the idea of "realizing both peace of mind and vitality" in Japanese society.
最終報告が根底に据えたものは「安心と活力の両立」という考え方である。
Although the structural reform spearheaded by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had some successes, including the disposal of bad loans held by financial institutions, its policy management, which is characterized as market fundamentalism, caused various institutions, including the social security system, to fray around the edges and fall into disarray. The report suggested that these problems be corrected in a balanced manner.
小泉構造改革は不良債権処理に成果を上げるなどしたものの、市場原理主義的な政策運営により、社会保障など、さまざまな分野で綻(ほころ)びや混乱を生じさせた。これをバランスよく軌道修正する、ということだろう。
The report discusses social security with a slightly wider concept it describes as "peace-of-mind security."
報告書は、社会保障の概念をもう少し幅広くした「安心保障」という造語を用いている。
The new concept stresses that the people's sense of security must be pursued in five fields--employment, child-raising, education, health care and retirement--which should be linked seamlessly. In particular, it puts employment security at the center.
雇用、子育て、教育、医療、老後の５分野で、国民の安心を追求し、切れ目なく連動させる。中心には「雇用の安心」を置く。
===
Steady jobs mean stable society
A stable household economy leads to security in the other four fields and they will all in turn create a foundation that supports the country's economic vitality. There can be no objection to this understanding.
家計の安定が他の４分野の安心につながり、経済の活力を支える土台となる。この認識に異論はあるまい。
The panel also lists 10 urgently needed measures, which should be implemented by fiscal 2011, a symbolic year that marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the universal public health insurance and public pension systems.
安心社会実現会議は、２０１１年度を国民皆保険・皆年金の実現から５０年の象徴的節目ととらえ、それまでに行うべき、１０の緊急施策も挙げた。
The panel also made various proposals, including, financial assistance to families with small children, expansion of application of social insurance to nonregular workers, improvement of scholarship, guaranteeing of housing for the elderly, introduction of a social security number system, and reorganization of administrative bodies to carry out reforms.
子育て世帯への経済支援、非正規労働者への社会保険適用拡大、奨学金の充実、高齢者に対する住宅保障、社会保障番号の導入、改革に取り組むための行政組織の再編などが提言されている。
It is necessary to secure funds to implement these urgently required measures on a permanent basis and improve them even further.
===
Covering costs
The report presents a method for transforming the consumption tax into a tax to support social security in which a social security account would be created in the national budget and funded with all the revenues from the consumption tax. The report says such a method is worth discussing.
こうした緊急施策を恒久化し、さらに充実していくには確固とした財源が必要だ。
報告書は、国の予算に「社会保障勘定」を作り、そこに消費税をすべて繰り入れて社会保障目的税化する方法を示した上で、「検討に値する」とした。
The problem is whether there exists the political will to make such changes. In this respect, the report proposes establishment of "a roundtable council" in which the ruling and opposition party members discuss the matter in a suprapartisan fashion and reach consensus.
問題は、実現させる政治の意思である。この点については、与野党が党派を超えて議論と合意形成をすすめるための「円卓会議」の設置を提唱している。
The Diet established a similar joint council of both chambers to discuss social security reform four years ago. Suprapartisan lawmakers at the council attempted to carry out the reform, but failed to hold fruitful discussions, apparently because they simply insisted on their positions without sorting out a compromise they could agree upon.
国会は４年前にも社会保障改革のための衆参合同会議を設置し、超党派による改革を試みたが、実りある議論にならなかった。一致できる基本線がまったく整理されないまま、主張をぶつけ合ったからではないか。
The latest proposals by the panel could promote constructive discussions on the matter in politics and serve as a starting point for building national consensus. We hope deeper discussions will be held based on these proposals.
安心社会実現会議の提言は、政治に建設的議論を促し、国民的な合意を形成するための出発点となりうる。これをたたき台に議論を深めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2009)
（2009年6月16日01時33分 読売新聞）
2009年06月15日
戦国史跡：「歴女」急増中 武将の男らしさに…
(Mainichi Japan) June 14, 2009
New wave of 'history girls' wooed by warlords' masculinity
戦国史跡：「歴女」急増中 武将の男らしさに…
Young women are flocking to significant landmarks from the Warring States period, and college girls are buying up samurai-themed products. Sales of historical books are up, and there have been efforts to revive the publication of paperbacks on warlords. Behind this craze is the surge in "reki-jo" or "history girls." But why now?
歴史をテーマにした書店「時代屋」には「歴女」と呼ばれる女性たちが足を運ぶ＝東京都千代田区で２００９年５月２６日午後、佐々木順一撮影 戦国時代の史跡が若い女性たちでにぎわい、武将をテーマにしたグッズも女子大生らに人気だ。背景にあるのは、歴史好きの女性「レキジョ」（歴女）の増加。歴史を扱う本の売れ行きも好調で、武将を取り上げた文庫本を復刊する動きも出ている。なぜ、いまレキジョなのか。【田村彰子、遠藤拓】
On weekends, Jidai Shobo, a bookstore specializing in historical books in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, is packed with groups of young women. Most of the shop's customers were men when it first opened in February 2006, but by last year, half were women, of which around 90 percent are in their 20s and 30s.
０６年２月に開店した書店「歴史時代書房・時代屋」（東京都千代田区）は、週末になると若い女性のグループであふれかえる。開店当初は男性客が中心だったが、昨年は男女ほぼ同数に。女性客の９割は２０〜３０代という。
Stationery and mobile phone accessories with family crests of feudal lords line the shelves, with figurines of Sanada Yukimura, the most popular of the warlords, and others also for sale. "I like Kato Kiyomasa," says customer Izumi Sekine, 34, of a warlord who served the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. "There's an almost picture-perfect masculinity about him."
店内には、大名家の家紋をあしらった文具やストラップなどがズラリ。武将の中で一番人気という真田幸村などのフィギュアも人気を集める。江東区の会社員、関根いずみさん（３４）は「加藤清正が好き。絵に描いたような男らしさにひかれます」と笑顔を見せた。
In August 2008, the Kojuro Plaza opened in the city of Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture, home of Katakura Kojuro, a senior retainer of the 17th century warlord Date Masamune. Sales of Kojuro-related goods subsequently exceeded 100,000 yen on some days. Visitors to Shiroishi Castle during the week-long holiday in May jumped to 135 percent compared to the previous year, and most recent visitors have been young women, according to city officials. The tourist center in Ueda, Sanada Yukimura's hometown in Nagano Prefecture, has also enjoyed a jump in sales.
一方、伊達政宗の側近、片倉小十郎の地元・宮城県白石市。昨年８月、ＪＲ白石駅前に小十郎プラザを開設したところ、グッズの売り上げが１０万円以上に達した日もある。白石城の大型連休の入場者数は前年比１３５％。市によると、若い女性ばかりが訪れているという。幸村の地元・長野県上田市の市観光会館でも、関連グッズの売れ行きが好調だ。
The publishing business has felt the effects of this boom as well. Monthly magazine "Rekishi kaido" ("History way") had a circulation of less than 70,000 copies five years ago; now it sees sales of 120,000 copies.
出版界でも影響が広がる。月刊誌「歴史街道」は５年前には７万部未満だったが、１２万部に伸びた。
"The proportion of female readers has gone up from 15 percent of total readers to 40 percent," says editor-in-chief Kiyotaka Tatsumoto. The magazine's publisher, PHP Institute, revived publication of the biographies of warlords Date Masamune (1567-1636) and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578) in late March this year, and plans to revive publication of the biographies of Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646) and Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) due to popular demand.
辰本清隆編集長は「読者の女性比率が１５％から４０％に上がった」。ＰＨＰ研究所は絶版となっていた「伊達政宗」や「上杉謙信」などの伝記を今年３月末に復刊。好評のため「細川忠興（ただおき）」「蒲生氏郷（がもううじさと）」なども近く復刊する。
More unorthodox products have seen a boost in sales as well. There is a constant shortage in stock of Sido brand underwear or men's "armor" underwear, which cost a considerable 9,240 a pair. According to Tokyo-based manufacturer Rogin, about 80 percent of buyers are women.
"As a result of the history boom, our underwear seems to have gained popularity as gifts," says Rogin president Shiro Nogi. "We're planning to come out with a women's line, too."
変わったものも売れる。男性用の「甲冑（かっちゅう）パンツ」。９２４０円もするが常に品薄状態で、客の８割は女性だという。制作・販売会社「ログイン」（東京都）の野木志郎社長は「ブームの影響もあり、贈答用で人気が出たらしい。今後は女性用も手がける予定です」。
◇生き様のかっこよさ求める女性たち
So how do "reki-jo" differ from the original history buffs, who were mostly middle-aged men?
"In general, men relate battles and the management styles of warlords back to their own corporate environments, and try to use whatever they lessons they can to improve their own work lives," says Tetsuo Owada, a professor emeritus at Shizuoka University who has written over 100 books on the Warring States period.
"But for women, it's more about the admiration they feel towards the warlords' approach to their lives." Owada adds that this may be a backlash against what they see as the selfishness of political and financial leaders today.
歴女は元祖・歴史ファンの中高年男性とはどう違うのか。ＮＨＫ大河ドラマ「天地人」で時代考証を担当、戦国時代を巡る著書が１００冊を超える静岡大名誉教授、小和田哲男さんは言う。
「一般的に、男性は合戦や人の使い方を企業社会に結びつけて理解し、実際に役立てようとする。女性は武将の生き様のかっこよさに焦点を当てていく」
歴女が歴史上の人物に首ったけになる理由について、小和田さんはこうみる。
「政界でも財界でも、現代の指導者といわれる人々は、自分さえよければとの考えを持った人々が多い。女性たちはそこを嫌っているのかもしれない」
Meanwhile, researcher Tetsuaki Higashida from the Dentsu Communication Institute suggests that women are attracted to the masculinity of these warlords, compared to the more passive modern men that they know. "Gender role reversals have been taking place, with men cooking and women playing golf," he says. "It's not unacceptable nowadays for women to take an interest in warlords, which used to be an area of interest reserved for men."
一方、電通総研の東田哲明リサーチャーは「男性が『草食化』していると言われ、反動で女性たちは『力強さ』などを持つ戦国武将にひかれるのでは」と分析。「男性が料理をする、女性がゴルフをするなど『男女の逆転現象』も起きている。昔は男性の領域だった戦国武将を女性が趣味にしても、世間に受け入れられやすいことも背景にあるのでは」と話している。
毎日新聞 2009年6月9日 11時46分（最終更新 6月9日 13時03分）
New wave of 'history girls' wooed by warlords' masculinity
戦国史跡：「歴女」急増中 武将の男らしさに…
Young women are flocking to significant landmarks from the Warring States period, and college girls are buying up samurai-themed products. Sales of historical books are up, and there have been efforts to revive the publication of paperbacks on warlords. Behind this craze is the surge in "reki-jo" or "history girls." But why now?
歴史をテーマにした書店「時代屋」には「歴女」と呼ばれる女性たちが足を運ぶ＝東京都千代田区で２００９年５月２６日午後、佐々木順一撮影 戦国時代の史跡が若い女性たちでにぎわい、武将をテーマにしたグッズも女子大生らに人気だ。背景にあるのは、歴史好きの女性「レキジョ」（歴女）の増加。歴史を扱う本の売れ行きも好調で、武将を取り上げた文庫本を復刊する動きも出ている。なぜ、いまレキジョなのか。【田村彰子、遠藤拓】
On weekends, Jidai Shobo, a bookstore specializing in historical books in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, is packed with groups of young women. Most of the shop's customers were men when it first opened in February 2006, but by last year, half were women, of which around 90 percent are in their 20s and 30s.
０６年２月に開店した書店「歴史時代書房・時代屋」（東京都千代田区）は、週末になると若い女性のグループであふれかえる。開店当初は男性客が中心だったが、昨年は男女ほぼ同数に。女性客の９割は２０〜３０代という。
Stationery and mobile phone accessories with family crests of feudal lords line the shelves, with figurines of Sanada Yukimura, the most popular of the warlords, and others also for sale. "I like Kato Kiyomasa," says customer Izumi Sekine, 34, of a warlord who served the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. "There's an almost picture-perfect masculinity about him."
店内には、大名家の家紋をあしらった文具やストラップなどがズラリ。武将の中で一番人気という真田幸村などのフィギュアも人気を集める。江東区の会社員、関根いずみさん（３４）は「加藤清正が好き。絵に描いたような男らしさにひかれます」と笑顔を見せた。
In August 2008, the Kojuro Plaza opened in the city of Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture, home of Katakura Kojuro, a senior retainer of the 17th century warlord Date Masamune. Sales of Kojuro-related goods subsequently exceeded 100,000 yen on some days. Visitors to Shiroishi Castle during the week-long holiday in May jumped to 135 percent compared to the previous year, and most recent visitors have been young women, according to city officials. The tourist center in Ueda, Sanada Yukimura's hometown in Nagano Prefecture, has also enjoyed a jump in sales.
一方、伊達政宗の側近、片倉小十郎の地元・宮城県白石市。昨年８月、ＪＲ白石駅前に小十郎プラザを開設したところ、グッズの売り上げが１０万円以上に達した日もある。白石城の大型連休の入場者数は前年比１３５％。市によると、若い女性ばかりが訪れているという。幸村の地元・長野県上田市の市観光会館でも、関連グッズの売れ行きが好調だ。
The publishing business has felt the effects of this boom as well. Monthly magazine "Rekishi kaido" ("History way") had a circulation of less than 70,000 copies five years ago; now it sees sales of 120,000 copies.
出版界でも影響が広がる。月刊誌「歴史街道」は５年前には７万部未満だったが、１２万部に伸びた。
"The proportion of female readers has gone up from 15 percent of total readers to 40 percent," says editor-in-chief Kiyotaka Tatsumoto. The magazine's publisher, PHP Institute, revived publication of the biographies of warlords Date Masamune (1567-1636) and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578) in late March this year, and plans to revive publication of the biographies of Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563-1646) and Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) due to popular demand.
辰本清隆編集長は「読者の女性比率が１５％から４０％に上がった」。ＰＨＰ研究所は絶版となっていた「伊達政宗」や「上杉謙信」などの伝記を今年３月末に復刊。好評のため「細川忠興（ただおき）」「蒲生氏郷（がもううじさと）」なども近く復刊する。
More unorthodox products have seen a boost in sales as well. There is a constant shortage in stock of Sido brand underwear or men's "armor" underwear, which cost a considerable 9,240 a pair. According to Tokyo-based manufacturer Rogin, about 80 percent of buyers are women.
"As a result of the history boom, our underwear seems to have gained popularity as gifts," says Rogin president Shiro Nogi. "We're planning to come out with a women's line, too."
変わったものも売れる。男性用の「甲冑（かっちゅう）パンツ」。９２４０円もするが常に品薄状態で、客の８割は女性だという。制作・販売会社「ログイン」（東京都）の野木志郎社長は「ブームの影響もあり、贈答用で人気が出たらしい。今後は女性用も手がける予定です」。
◇生き様のかっこよさ求める女性たち
So how do "reki-jo" differ from the original history buffs, who were mostly middle-aged men?
"In general, men relate battles and the management styles of warlords back to their own corporate environments, and try to use whatever they lessons they can to improve their own work lives," says Tetsuo Owada, a professor emeritus at Shizuoka University who has written over 100 books on the Warring States period.
"But for women, it's more about the admiration they feel towards the warlords' approach to their lives." Owada adds that this may be a backlash against what they see as the selfishness of political and financial leaders today.
歴女は元祖・歴史ファンの中高年男性とはどう違うのか。ＮＨＫ大河ドラマ「天地人」で時代考証を担当、戦国時代を巡る著書が１００冊を超える静岡大名誉教授、小和田哲男さんは言う。
「一般的に、男性は合戦や人の使い方を企業社会に結びつけて理解し、実際に役立てようとする。女性は武将の生き様のかっこよさに焦点を当てていく」
歴女が歴史上の人物に首ったけになる理由について、小和田さんはこうみる。
「政界でも財界でも、現代の指導者といわれる人々は、自分さえよければとの考えを持った人々が多い。女性たちはそこを嫌っているのかもしれない」
Meanwhile, researcher Tetsuaki Higashida from the Dentsu Communication Institute suggests that women are attracted to the masculinity of these warlords, compared to the more passive modern men that they know. "Gender role reversals have been taking place, with men cooking and women playing golf," he says. "It's not unacceptable nowadays for women to take an interest in warlords, which used to be an area of interest reserved for men."
一方、電通総研の東田哲明リサーチャーは「男性が『草食化』していると言われ、反動で女性たちは『力強さ』などを持つ戦国武将にひかれるのでは」と分析。「男性が料理をする、女性がゴルフをするなど『男女の逆転現象』も起きている。昔は男性の領域だった戦国武将を女性が趣味にしても、世間に受け入れられやすいことも背景にあるのでは」と話している。
毎日新聞 2009年6月9日 11時46分（最終更新 6月9日 13時03分）
財政再建新目標 消費税引き上げから逃げるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 14, 2009)
Consumption tax hike is elephant in the room
財政再建新目標 消費税引き上げから逃げるな（6月14日付・読売社説）
Japan's serious fiscal deficits are in the spotlight again.
日本が抱える財政赤字の深刻さが、改めて浮き彫りになった形だ。
A new target for fiscal reconstruction was included in a draft of basic policies for economic and fiscal reform in 2009.
政府の経済財政運営の指針となる「骨太の方針２００９」原案に、財政再建に関する新しい目標が盛り込まれた。
The pillar of the new target is achieving a surplus in the primary balance at both central and local government levels by the end of fiscal 2019, according to the draft of the government's annual fiscal policy guidelines.
財政の健全度を示す国と地方の基礎的財政収支を、１９年度に黒字化するのが新目標の柱である。
The government earlier said it would try to attain the goal during fiscal 2011. But as the deficit in the primary balance likely will have swollen to about 40 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2009, mainly due to repeated implementation of fiscal stimulus measures, the government has been forced to put off the target year for realizing the goal to fiscal 2019.
これまでは１１年度での実現を目指していた。だが、度重なる財政出動などで、基礎的財政収支の赤字が０９年度末で４０兆円近くに膨らむ見通しとなり、一気に８年後へ先送りせざるを得なくなった。
An official estimate showed that it would be impossible to achieve a surplus in the primary balance on the back of a yearly economic growth rate of 1 to 2 percent or by resorting to conventional methods of reining in government spending. This means, according to the estimate, that the government needs to hike the consumption tax to 12 percent from the current 5 percent by raising the rate by a total of seven percentage points--one percentage point every year from fiscal 2011--to accomplish its goal.
しかも黒字化は、年１〜２％の経済成長や従来の歳出削減努力だけでは不可能で、消費税率を１１年度から毎年１％ずつ合計７％引き上げて、１２％にする必要があるとの試算が公表された。
Another estimate showed that if the rate is raised by only five percentage points, to 10 percent, the government will have to wait until fiscal 2021 to see its goal achieved.
税率を５％引き上げて１０％にするだけでは、黒字化は２１年度にずれ込んでしまうという。
Although these are estimates, in the face of such a stern reality, neither the ruling nor the opposition parties can afford to put off any longer discussing the issue of raising the consumption tax rate.
試算とはいえ、これだけ厳しい現実が明らかになった以上、消費税率の引き上げから、与野党とも逃げるわけにはいくまい。
===
Public debt skyrocketing
Under such critical national fiscal conditions, the government has no choice but to require the public to shoulder heavier burdens in the future.
将来的に重い負担を国民に求めざるを得ない背景には、危機的なわが国の財政事情がある。
In the fiscal 2009 main and supplementary budgets, the government set bond issuances totaling 44 trillion yen. This almost matches the amount of yearly tax revenues. The outstanding balance of national bonds will approach 600 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2009.
０９年度の国の予算は、補正を合わせ４４兆円もの国債を発行する計画だ。年間税収に匹敵する規模である。０９年度末の国債残高は６００兆円に近づく。
Outstanding public debt at both national and local levels is about 170 percent of gross domestic product, far higher than the level in other advanced nations, such as United States and European countries, where it lies between 60 and 80 percent.
国と地方を合わせた債務残高の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）比は約１７０％に及ぶ。欧米の主要国が６０〜８０％にとどまっているのに比べ、際だって高い。
If this situation is left unresolved, it could cause a plunge in government bond prices and rising interest rates, shaking the foundations of the economy. It is a matter of course for the government to propose a new target for fiscal rehabilitation and work toward realizing it.
この状況を放置すれば、国債の暴落と金利上昇を招き、経済的な大混乱を引き起こしかねない。新しい目標を立て、財政再建に向けて努力するのは当然のことだ。
===
DPJ should face reality
The government and ruling parties should begin paving the way for raising the consumption tax rate soon if the economy recovers, while carefully watching the economic trends.
政府・与党は、景気の動向を注視しながら、景気が回復すればすぐ消費税率の引き上げに取りかかれるよう、今から準備を進める必要がある。
Meanwhile, if the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan touts itself as ready to take over the administration of the nation, it should realize anew the nation's harsh fiscal conditions and face head-on the issue of raising the consumption tax.
民主党も、政権奪取を標榜(ひょうぼう)する以上、財政の厳しさを再認識し、消費税率引き上げに、正面から向き合うべきではないか。
The consumption tax is increasingly seen not only as a means for fiscal reconstruction, but also as an indispensable financial resource to cover ballooning social security costs resulting from the declining birthrate and the growing population of elderly people.
消費税に焦点が当たるのは、財政再建のためばかりではない。少子高齢化の進展で膨らみ続ける社会保障費を賄う財源として欠かせないからだ。
The key to simultaneously undertaking fiscal reconstruction and reinforcing the social security framework lies in the consumption tax. The public should keep in mind the fact that a hike in the consumption tax will stabilize their livelihood.
財政再建と社会保障充実という二つの問題を同時に解くカギは、消費税が握っている。税率の引き上げが、むしろ生活の安定につながることを、国民は頭に入れておく必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2009)
（2009年6月14日01時41分 読売新聞）
Consumption tax hike is elephant in the room
財政再建新目標 消費税引き上げから逃げるな（6月14日付・読売社説）
Japan's serious fiscal deficits are in the spotlight again.
日本が抱える財政赤字の深刻さが、改めて浮き彫りになった形だ。
A new target for fiscal reconstruction was included in a draft of basic policies for economic and fiscal reform in 2009.
政府の経済財政運営の指針となる「骨太の方針２００９」原案に、財政再建に関する新しい目標が盛り込まれた。
The pillar of the new target is achieving a surplus in the primary balance at both central and local government levels by the end of fiscal 2019, according to the draft of the government's annual fiscal policy guidelines.
財政の健全度を示す国と地方の基礎的財政収支を、１９年度に黒字化するのが新目標の柱である。
The government earlier said it would try to attain the goal during fiscal 2011. But as the deficit in the primary balance likely will have swollen to about 40 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2009, mainly due to repeated implementation of fiscal stimulus measures, the government has been forced to put off the target year for realizing the goal to fiscal 2019.
これまでは１１年度での実現を目指していた。だが、度重なる財政出動などで、基礎的財政収支の赤字が０９年度末で４０兆円近くに膨らむ見通しとなり、一気に８年後へ先送りせざるを得なくなった。
An official estimate showed that it would be impossible to achieve a surplus in the primary balance on the back of a yearly economic growth rate of 1 to 2 percent or by resorting to conventional methods of reining in government spending. This means, according to the estimate, that the government needs to hike the consumption tax to 12 percent from the current 5 percent by raising the rate by a total of seven percentage points--one percentage point every year from fiscal 2011--to accomplish its goal.
しかも黒字化は、年１〜２％の経済成長や従来の歳出削減努力だけでは不可能で、消費税率を１１年度から毎年１％ずつ合計７％引き上げて、１２％にする必要があるとの試算が公表された。
Another estimate showed that if the rate is raised by only five percentage points, to 10 percent, the government will have to wait until fiscal 2021 to see its goal achieved.
税率を５％引き上げて１０％にするだけでは、黒字化は２１年度にずれ込んでしまうという。
Although these are estimates, in the face of such a stern reality, neither the ruling nor the opposition parties can afford to put off any longer discussing the issue of raising the consumption tax rate.
試算とはいえ、これだけ厳しい現実が明らかになった以上、消費税率の引き上げから、与野党とも逃げるわけにはいくまい。
===
Public debt skyrocketing
Under such critical national fiscal conditions, the government has no choice but to require the public to shoulder heavier burdens in the future.
将来的に重い負担を国民に求めざるを得ない背景には、危機的なわが国の財政事情がある。
In the fiscal 2009 main and supplementary budgets, the government set bond issuances totaling 44 trillion yen. This almost matches the amount of yearly tax revenues. The outstanding balance of national bonds will approach 600 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2009.
０９年度の国の予算は、補正を合わせ４４兆円もの国債を発行する計画だ。年間税収に匹敵する規模である。０９年度末の国債残高は６００兆円に近づく。
Outstanding public debt at both national and local levels is about 170 percent of gross domestic product, far higher than the level in other advanced nations, such as United States and European countries, where it lies between 60 and 80 percent.
国と地方を合わせた債務残高の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）比は約１７０％に及ぶ。欧米の主要国が６０〜８０％にとどまっているのに比べ、際だって高い。
If this situation is left unresolved, it could cause a plunge in government bond prices and rising interest rates, shaking the foundations of the economy. It is a matter of course for the government to propose a new target for fiscal rehabilitation and work toward realizing it.
この状況を放置すれば、国債の暴落と金利上昇を招き、経済的な大混乱を引き起こしかねない。新しい目標を立て、財政再建に向けて努力するのは当然のことだ。
===
DPJ should face reality
The government and ruling parties should begin paving the way for raising the consumption tax rate soon if the economy recovers, while carefully watching the economic trends.
政府・与党は、景気の動向を注視しながら、景気が回復すればすぐ消費税率の引き上げに取りかかれるよう、今から準備を進める必要がある。
Meanwhile, if the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan touts itself as ready to take over the administration of the nation, it should realize anew the nation's harsh fiscal conditions and face head-on the issue of raising the consumption tax.
民主党も、政権奪取を標榜(ひょうぼう)する以上、財政の厳しさを再認識し、消費税率引き上げに、正面から向き合うべきではないか。
The consumption tax is increasingly seen not only as a means for fiscal reconstruction, but also as an indispensable financial resource to cover ballooning social security costs resulting from the declining birthrate and the growing population of elderly people.
消費税に焦点が当たるのは、財政再建のためばかりではない。少子高齢化の進展で膨らみ続ける社会保障費を賄う財源として欠かせないからだ。
The key to simultaneously undertaking fiscal reconstruction and reinforcing the social security framework lies in the consumption tax. The public should keep in mind the fact that a hike in the consumption tax will stabilize their livelihood.
財政再建と社会保障充実という二つの問題を同時に解くカギは、消費税が握っている。税率の引き上げが、むしろ生活の安定につながることを、国民は頭に入れておく必要があろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2009)
（2009年6月14日01時41分 読売新聞）
2009年06月09日
対「北」船舶検査 決議実施へ法の不備を正せ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 9, 2009)
Fix laws to implement U.N. resolution
対「北」船舶検査 決議実施へ法の不備を正せ（6月9日付・読売社説）
While calling on all U.N. member nations to inspect the cargo of vessels plying to and from North Korea, Japan itself faces a legal barrier to doing so. This is not logical.
北朝鮮に出入りする船舶などの貨物検査を全国連加盟国に求めながら、日本自身は法の不備で対応できない――。これでは筋が通らない。
A revised draft resolution expected to be adopted soon by the U.N. Security Council in response to North Korea's second nuclear test likely will incorporate such cargo inspections.
Under the new resolution, U.N. member nations would stop vessels plying to and from North Korea and conduct inspections to check whether they are carrying arms and other embargoed goods at sea.
北朝鮮の核実験を受け国連安全保障理事会が近く採択する制裁決議案に、貨物検査の実施が盛り込まれる見通しとなった。海上では、北朝鮮に出入りする船舶が武器など禁輸品を積んでいないか、船舶を止めて検査する。
The United States is calling for such cargo inspections and Japan supports the measure. On the high seas, however, the new resolution likely will require U.N. member nations to obtain approval from the flag state of the vessels being searched out of consideration for China, which is cautious toward compulsory inspections.
米国が実施を求め、日本も支持している。ただ、中国の慎重姿勢に配慮し、公海では、船舶の所属する「旗国」の同意が実施の条件となりそうだ。
Japan's Ship Inspection Operations Law is related to the law to deal with contingencies in areas surrounding the country and can only be applied in instances that could develop into a situation under which Japan comes under attack.
日本の船舶検査活動法は、周辺事態法の関連法であり、武力攻撃に発展する恐れがある「周辺事態」の認定時しか適用できない。
A law on restrictions of maritime transportation of foreign military supplies is limited to being applied in situations where Japan is under military attack, while the Japan Coast Guard Law limits areas in which the JCG can operate to Japan's territorial waters only.
外国軍用品等海上輸送規制法は武力攻撃事態に限られ、海上保安庁法は活動範囲が領海に限定される。
===
Difficult to meet legal threshold
Among those laws, the Ship Inspection Operations Law is relatively easy to apply for cargo inspections on the high seas, but it is a little far-fetched to conclude that the current situation regarding North Korea is a contingency in areas surrounding Japan. The law needs to be revised to enable Japan to conduct the inspections in situations other than contingencies.
公海で検査活動するなら船舶検査活動法が適用しやすいが、現在の北朝鮮情勢を周辺事態と言い切るのはやや無理があろう。法改正し、周辺事態以外でも活動できるようにする必要がある。
There are other problems.
ほかにも問題点がある。
The law to deal with contingencies in areas surrounding Japan is designed to provide logistic support to the U.S. military and therefore Japan is currently unable to conduct inspections in cooperation with countries other than the United States. The use of weapons by Self-Defense Force personnel during such inspections is strictly limited to self-defense and even firing a warning shot is not permitted.
周辺事態法は米軍の後方支援を目的とした法律であるため、米国以外の国と共同して検査活動を行うことができない。武器の使用も自己防衛目的に限られ、警告射撃さえ認められていない。
These restrictions obviously make it difficult for Japan to act in cooperation with other countries. Establishing a new law is an option that could fix all these problems.
これでは、各国と協調して行動するのは困難だ。これらの問題点をすべて是正するには、新法制定も一つの方法だ。
===
Problem put off
The Japanese government discussed cargo inspections based on the U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea after Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked into a plan to participate in inspection activities by acknowledging the situation at the time as a contingency in areas surrounding Japan. Former Democratic Party of Japan leader Seiji Maehara and other DPJ members insisted that establishment of a new law be discussed.
北朝鮮制裁決議に基づく船舶検査は、２００６年の核実験の際にも議論された。当時の安倍内閣は、周辺事態と認定して活動に参加することを模索した。民主党でも、前原誠司・元代表らが新法制定を検討すべきだと主張した。
However, those initiatives later faded away after North Korea returned to the six-party talks on its nuclear program.
だが、その後、北朝鮮が６か国協議に復帰したこともあって、立ち消えになった。
Pointing out that it is still uncertain whether cargo inspections will be conducted under the new resolution, some people say there is no rush for Japan to deal with the matter.
今回の決議について、実際に公海で船舶検査を実施するかどうかは流動的で、対応を急ぐ必要はない、という声がある。
However, North Korea is once again poised to launch a ballistic missile. There is a possibility that the U.N. Security Council may adopt a resolution that stipulates even stricter enforcement of the embargo against North Korea, depending on Pyongyang's next move. Fixing the legal pitfall should not be delayed.
しかし、北朝鮮は弾道ミサイルを再発射する構えをみせている。北朝鮮の出方次第で、より厳格な禁輸執行決議が採択される可能性もある。法的不備の手当てを先延ばしすべきではない。
Implementing effective sanctions against North Korea is the objective. In light of this, the ruling parties and the DPJ should cooperate in formulating a new law. Given that the Diet session has been extended by a significant amount, there should be ample time to take on this task.
北朝鮮に効果的な制裁を実施することが目的だ。この際、与党と民主党は協力して法案づくりに入るべきだ。国会も長期間延長された。法案を成立させるための時間は十分あるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2009)
（2009年6月9日01時37分 読売新聞）
Fix laws to implement U.N. resolution
対「北」船舶検査 決議実施へ法の不備を正せ（6月9日付・読売社説）
While calling on all U.N. member nations to inspect the cargo of vessels plying to and from North Korea, Japan itself faces a legal barrier to doing so. This is not logical.
北朝鮮に出入りする船舶などの貨物検査を全国連加盟国に求めながら、日本自身は法の不備で対応できない――。これでは筋が通らない。
A revised draft resolution expected to be adopted soon by the U.N. Security Council in response to North Korea's second nuclear test likely will incorporate such cargo inspections.
Under the new resolution, U.N. member nations would stop vessels plying to and from North Korea and conduct inspections to check whether they are carrying arms and other embargoed goods at sea.
北朝鮮の核実験を受け国連安全保障理事会が近く採択する制裁決議案に、貨物検査の実施が盛り込まれる見通しとなった。海上では、北朝鮮に出入りする船舶が武器など禁輸品を積んでいないか、船舶を止めて検査する。
The United States is calling for such cargo inspections and Japan supports the measure. On the high seas, however, the new resolution likely will require U.N. member nations to obtain approval from the flag state of the vessels being searched out of consideration for China, which is cautious toward compulsory inspections.
米国が実施を求め、日本も支持している。ただ、中国の慎重姿勢に配慮し、公海では、船舶の所属する「旗国」の同意が実施の条件となりそうだ。
Japan's Ship Inspection Operations Law is related to the law to deal with contingencies in areas surrounding the country and can only be applied in instances that could develop into a situation under which Japan comes under attack.
日本の船舶検査活動法は、周辺事態法の関連法であり、武力攻撃に発展する恐れがある「周辺事態」の認定時しか適用できない。
A law on restrictions of maritime transportation of foreign military supplies is limited to being applied in situations where Japan is under military attack, while the Japan Coast Guard Law limits areas in which the JCG can operate to Japan's territorial waters only.
外国軍用品等海上輸送規制法は武力攻撃事態に限られ、海上保安庁法は活動範囲が領海に限定される。
===
Difficult to meet legal threshold
Among those laws, the Ship Inspection Operations Law is relatively easy to apply for cargo inspections on the high seas, but it is a little far-fetched to conclude that the current situation regarding North Korea is a contingency in areas surrounding Japan. The law needs to be revised to enable Japan to conduct the inspections in situations other than contingencies.
公海で検査活動するなら船舶検査活動法が適用しやすいが、現在の北朝鮮情勢を周辺事態と言い切るのはやや無理があろう。法改正し、周辺事態以外でも活動できるようにする必要がある。
There are other problems.
ほかにも問題点がある。
The law to deal with contingencies in areas surrounding Japan is designed to provide logistic support to the U.S. military and therefore Japan is currently unable to conduct inspections in cooperation with countries other than the United States. The use of weapons by Self-Defense Force personnel during such inspections is strictly limited to self-defense and even firing a warning shot is not permitted.
周辺事態法は米軍の後方支援を目的とした法律であるため、米国以外の国と共同して検査活動を行うことができない。武器の使用も自己防衛目的に限られ、警告射撃さえ認められていない。
These restrictions obviously make it difficult for Japan to act in cooperation with other countries. Establishing a new law is an option that could fix all these problems.
これでは、各国と協調して行動するのは困難だ。これらの問題点をすべて是正するには、新法制定も一つの方法だ。
===
Problem put off
The Japanese government discussed cargo inspections based on the U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea after Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
The Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked into a plan to participate in inspection activities by acknowledging the situation at the time as a contingency in areas surrounding Japan. Former Democratic Party of Japan leader Seiji Maehara and other DPJ members insisted that establishment of a new law be discussed.
北朝鮮制裁決議に基づく船舶検査は、２００６年の核実験の際にも議論された。当時の安倍内閣は、周辺事態と認定して活動に参加することを模索した。民主党でも、前原誠司・元代表らが新法制定を検討すべきだと主張した。
However, those initiatives later faded away after North Korea returned to the six-party talks on its nuclear program.
だが、その後、北朝鮮が６か国協議に復帰したこともあって、立ち消えになった。
Pointing out that it is still uncertain whether cargo inspections will be conducted under the new resolution, some people say there is no rush for Japan to deal with the matter.
今回の決議について、実際に公海で船舶検査を実施するかどうかは流動的で、対応を急ぐ必要はない、という声がある。
However, North Korea is once again poised to launch a ballistic missile. There is a possibility that the U.N. Security Council may adopt a resolution that stipulates even stricter enforcement of the embargo against North Korea, depending on Pyongyang's next move. Fixing the legal pitfall should not be delayed.
しかし、北朝鮮は弾道ミサイルを再発射する構えをみせている。北朝鮮の出方次第で、より厳格な禁輸執行決議が採択される可能性もある。法的不備の手当てを先延ばしすべきではない。
Implementing effective sanctions against North Korea is the objective. In light of this, the ruling parties and the DPJ should cooperate in formulating a new law. Given that the Diet session has been extended by a significant amount, there should be ample time to take on this task.
北朝鮮に効果的な制裁を実施することが目的だ。この際、与党と民主党は協力して法案づくりに入るべきだ。国会も長期間延長された。法案を成立させるための時間は十分あるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2009)
（2009年6月9日01時37分 読売新聞）
2009年06月07日
生物多様性 我々の暮らしの源を守りたい
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 7, 2009)
Biodiversity supports people's daily lives
生物多様性 我々の暮らしの源を守りたい（6月7日付・読売社説）
We must keep in mind that preventing species from going extinct and maintaining ecosystems helps humanity thrive.
動植物の絶滅を防ぎ、生態系を維持する。それは人間の豊かな暮らしにもつながるという意識を持つことが大切だ。
The government recently compiled a white paper on biodiversity, the first of its kind. The report sounds an alarm over the extinction of animals and plants taking place globally due to deforestation and other factors.
政府は、初めてとなる生物多様性白書をまとめた。森林の伐採などにより、動植物の絶滅が世界的に進んでいることに警鐘を鳴らしている。
The natural world could not exist without a rich variety of living creatures. Ecosystems are maintained through myriad links, such as the food chain, in which frogs eat insects and snakes eat frogs.
自然界は、多種多様な生き物がいるからこそ成り立っている。昆虫はカエルに、カエルは蛇に食べられるといった食物連鎖などでつながりを持ちながら、生態系は維持されている。
If more and more species become extinct and the ecological balance is lost, the lives of human beings will be significantly affected because we count on nature to provide our food. The white paper should serve as a catalyst for people to think about the importance of protecting biodiversity.
種の絶滅が進み、生態系のバランスが崩れれば、自然界から食物を得ている人間の生活にも大きな影響が及ぶ。白書を契機に、生物の多様性を守っていくことの重要性を考えたい。
Destruction of the natural environment due to rapid land development became noticeable in the nation in the past. But in recent years, development projects that place importance on protection of the natural environment have become common. A pressing issue now seems to be the conservation and revitalization of areas called satoyama--woodlands near human habitats.
日本でもかつて、国土の開発が急速に進み、自然破壊が顕在化したが、近年は自然保護に配慮した開発が一般化したといえよう。喫緊の課題は、里山の保全・再生ではないだろうか。
===
Satoyama being neglected
Satoyama symbolize the coexistence of people and nature. People living in satoyama areas have used the natural bounty there to support their lives by, for example, making charcoal with trees they cut down and using fallen leaves as fertilizer.
樹木を伐採して炭にする。落ち葉を肥料に活用する。日本人は人里近くの野山に手を加え、生活に役立ててきた。里山は人間と自然の共生の象徴といえる。
But in recent years, depopulation in mountainous areas and other factors have resulted in the neglect of satoyama. Many satoyama areas have become overrun with bamboo. Satoyama also serve as habitats for indigenous animals and plants. The desolation of satoyama has had a significant impact on ecosystems.
だが、近年、山間部の過疎化などで里山の手入れが行き届かなくなった。竹に侵食された里山も少なくない。里山は、日本固有の動植物の生息の場でもある。その荒廃は、生態系に大きな影響を及ぼしている。
The Environment Ministry has been conducting research on which satoyama areas require conservation and restoration work, and what kind of restoration work has already been conducted in satoyama. Imaginative efforts are needed to widely promote effective restoration projects.
環境省は、保全・再生が必要な里山のリストアップと再生事業の事例調査を進めている。効果のある再生事業を広く推し進めていく工夫が求められる。
The proliferation of black bass and other creatures of foreign origin also is a major problem. There have been many cases reported of nonnative species kept as pets breeding after they were abandoned by their owners.
ブラックバスなど、外来種の繁殖も大きな問題である。ペットとして飼われていた外来種が捨てられ、繁殖するケースも多い。
It is costly to exterminate nonnative species, but discontinuation of such work means returning to the original, problematic state. It will be no easy task to find a good solution to this problem.
外来種を駆除するには費用がかかる。駆除をやめると元の状態に戻ってしまう。有効な解決策を見つけるのは容易でない。
===
Global perspective needed
This nation is heavily dependent on imported food. Seafood, meat and grain put on the table are harvested from a variety of natural life-forms from around the world. A global perspective is needed when it comes to thinking about how to maintain ecosystems.
日本は食料の多くを輸入に頼っている。食卓に上る魚介類や肉、穀物などは、世界各地の多様な生物の恵みそのものといえる。世界的な視点で生態系の維持を考える必要がある。
Signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which Japan has ratified, set a goal of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. A conference of parties to the convention is scheduled to be held in October 2010 in Nagoya.
「２０１０年までに生物多様性の損失速度を顕著に減少させる」――。日本も批准している生物多様性条約の締約国は、この目標を掲げている。来年１０月には、名古屋市で締約国会議が開かれる。
International cooperation is essential to protect biodiversity. Strategies and steps must be found to tackle the issue.
生物の多様性を守っていくには国際協調が欠かせない。その方策を探っていかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2009)
（2009年6月7日01時53分 読売新聞）
Biodiversity supports people's daily lives
生物多様性 我々の暮らしの源を守りたい（6月7日付・読売社説）
We must keep in mind that preventing species from going extinct and maintaining ecosystems helps humanity thrive.
動植物の絶滅を防ぎ、生態系を維持する。それは人間の豊かな暮らしにもつながるという意識を持つことが大切だ。
The government recently compiled a white paper on biodiversity, the first of its kind. The report sounds an alarm over the extinction of animals and plants taking place globally due to deforestation and other factors.
政府は、初めてとなる生物多様性白書をまとめた。森林の伐採などにより、動植物の絶滅が世界的に進んでいることに警鐘を鳴らしている。
The natural world could not exist without a rich variety of living creatures. Ecosystems are maintained through myriad links, such as the food chain, in which frogs eat insects and snakes eat frogs.
自然界は、多種多様な生き物がいるからこそ成り立っている。昆虫はカエルに、カエルは蛇に食べられるといった食物連鎖などでつながりを持ちながら、生態系は維持されている。
If more and more species become extinct and the ecological balance is lost, the lives of human beings will be significantly affected because we count on nature to provide our food. The white paper should serve as a catalyst for people to think about the importance of protecting biodiversity.
種の絶滅が進み、生態系のバランスが崩れれば、自然界から食物を得ている人間の生活にも大きな影響が及ぶ。白書を契機に、生物の多様性を守っていくことの重要性を考えたい。
Destruction of the natural environment due to rapid land development became noticeable in the nation in the past. But in recent years, development projects that place importance on protection of the natural environment have become common. A pressing issue now seems to be the conservation and revitalization of areas called satoyama--woodlands near human habitats.
日本でもかつて、国土の開発が急速に進み、自然破壊が顕在化したが、近年は自然保護に配慮した開発が一般化したといえよう。喫緊の課題は、里山の保全・再生ではないだろうか。
===
Satoyama being neglected
Satoyama symbolize the coexistence of people and nature. People living in satoyama areas have used the natural bounty there to support their lives by, for example, making charcoal with trees they cut down and using fallen leaves as fertilizer.
樹木を伐採して炭にする。落ち葉を肥料に活用する。日本人は人里近くの野山に手を加え、生活に役立ててきた。里山は人間と自然の共生の象徴といえる。
But in recent years, depopulation in mountainous areas and other factors have resulted in the neglect of satoyama. Many satoyama areas have become overrun with bamboo. Satoyama also serve as habitats for indigenous animals and plants. The desolation of satoyama has had a significant impact on ecosystems.
だが、近年、山間部の過疎化などで里山の手入れが行き届かなくなった。竹に侵食された里山も少なくない。里山は、日本固有の動植物の生息の場でもある。その荒廃は、生態系に大きな影響を及ぼしている。
The Environment Ministry has been conducting research on which satoyama areas require conservation and restoration work, and what kind of restoration work has already been conducted in satoyama. Imaginative efforts are needed to widely promote effective restoration projects.
環境省は、保全・再生が必要な里山のリストアップと再生事業の事例調査を進めている。効果のある再生事業を広く推し進めていく工夫が求められる。
The proliferation of black bass and other creatures of foreign origin also is a major problem. There have been many cases reported of nonnative species kept as pets breeding after they were abandoned by their owners.
ブラックバスなど、外来種の繁殖も大きな問題である。ペットとして飼われていた外来種が捨てられ、繁殖するケースも多い。
It is costly to exterminate nonnative species, but discontinuation of such work means returning to the original, problematic state. It will be no easy task to find a good solution to this problem.
外来種を駆除するには費用がかかる。駆除をやめると元の状態に戻ってしまう。有効な解決策を見つけるのは容易でない。
===
Global perspective needed
This nation is heavily dependent on imported food. Seafood, meat and grain put on the table are harvested from a variety of natural life-forms from around the world. A global perspective is needed when it comes to thinking about how to maintain ecosystems.
日本は食料の多くを輸入に頼っている。食卓に上る魚介類や肉、穀物などは、世界各地の多様な生物の恵みそのものといえる。世界的な視点で生態系の維持を考える必要がある。
Signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which Japan has ratified, set a goal of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. A conference of parties to the convention is scheduled to be held in October 2010 in Nagoya.
「２０１０年までに生物多様性の損失速度を顕著に減少させる」――。日本も批准している生物多様性条約の締約国は、この目標を掲げている。来年１０月には、名古屋市で締約国会議が開かれる。
International cooperation is essential to protect biodiversity. Strategies and steps must be found to tackle the issue.
生物の多様性を守っていくには国際協調が欠かせない。その方策を探っていかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2009)
（2009年6月7日01時53分 読売新聞）
2009年06月06日
日本郵政人事 核心は不祥事の経営責任だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 6, 2009)
The buck stops with Japan Post management
日本郵政人事 核心は不祥事の経営責任だ（6月6日付・読売社説）
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama has been making waves with his increasingly vocal opposition to Japan Post Holdings Co.'s
plan to reappoint Yoshifumi Nishikawa as its president.
日本郵政の西川善文社長の再任に鳩山総務相が反対姿勢を強め、波紋を広げている。
Some are supportive of Hatoyama, saying he has every right to state his position on the issue because as internal affairs and communications minister he has approval authority over personnel affairs. Hatoyama has been upping the ante on the issue, saying he will stick to his position even at the cost of his job.
人事の認可権を持つ総務相が判断するのは当然とする擁護論がある一方、批判も多い。総務相の発言も「閣僚を罷免されても反対を貫く」とエスカレートしている。
But the fuss serves only to derail discussion over the reappointment. If political considerations color the debate, the essential point of the discussion will be lost.
これでは議論が拡散するばかりだ。議論に政局的な思惑が重なると事の本質を見失いかねない。
The thrust of the criticism against Hatoyama is that politicians should not interfere in decisions made by private corporations.
総務相への批判で多いのが「民間の決定に政治が介入すべきではない」というものだ。
But Japan Post Holdings is a special case, in that all its shares are held by the government. In this regard, it would be problematic if the government were
to remain silent at a time when questions have emerged over the operation of Japan Post Holdings.
だが、日本郵政は政府が全株式を保有する特殊会社だ。業務内容に疑義があるのに何も口を挟まないようでは、かえって問題だろう。
There is also an argument that the process of postal privatization will be set back if Nishikawa, who led preparations for the establishment of the company, is ousted as its president.
But this argument is illogical. The fact is that Hatoyama has repeatedly said he wants to see Nishikawa replaced precisely because he wishes to speed up the privatization.
「郵政民営化を後退させる」という指摘も、論理に飛躍がある。総務相は「社長交代は民営化推進のため」と繰り返している。
===
Sale of inns was opaque
The main bone of contention in the wrangling over Nishikawa's reappointment is the lack of transparency in the process of Japan Post Holdings deciding to sell Kanpo no Yado inns to an Orix Group company.
この問題の核心は、「かんぽの宿」をオリックスに売却しようとした手続きに不明朗な部分があったことだ。
An investigation by the communications ministry found a large number of irregular practices in the process of selecting the Orix real estate company, including verbal reporting of important matters. A third-party panel set up at the request of Japan Post Holdings also identified a long list of problems in connection with the sale of the Kanpo no Yado inns, including inadequate safekeeping of documents related to the bidding for the inns. The panel criticized these failings as "extremely inappropriate."
総務省の調査で、重要事項が口頭で伝達されていたなど数多くの不備が明るみに出ている。日本郵政が設置した第三者検討委員会も文書管理の杜撰(ずさん)さなどを列挙し、「著しく不適切」と断じた。
Those who call for Nishikawa's reappointment point out that the investigations did not uncover any illegalities.
But putting to one side the question of whether there was any illegality in the process of selling the Kanpo no Yado inns, the buck stops with Nishikawa, the top manager of Japan Post.
西川社長の再任を支持する人たちは、これらの調査で違法行為がはっきりしなかったことを理由に挙げるが、違法行為の有無とは別に、経営者としての責任は厳然として残る。
The Democratic Party of Japan and two other opposition parties have filed a criminal complaint against Nishikawa, claiming he was complicit in the sale of the Kanpo no Yado inns at knockdown prices. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has accepted the complaint. Debates over whether there is evidence of illegality in the process of deciding on the sale of the inns can wait until the prosecutors conclude their investigation.
民主党など野党３党が「売却額が不当に廉価だった」として西川社長を刑事告発し、東京地検が受理している。違法性の有無は今後の捜査を見守ればよい。
===
Firm must put house in order
In addition to the controversy over the sale of the inns, the Japan Post group has become engulfed in other scandals, including the abuse of the postal discount system for disabled people and Japan Post's delayed investigation into the nonpayment of postal life insurance when it was a public corporation.
If such scandals surfaced in an ordinary company, the top manager would be forced to resign.
ほかにも障害者向け割引制度を悪用した不正ダイレクトメール事件や、簡易生命保険金の不払い調査を放置した問題など、不祥事が次々と発覚している。普通の企業なら、経営者は引責辞任に追い込まれているところだ。
Japan Post Holdings has not yet responded to a business improvement order issued by the communications ministry. Deciding on the reappointment of Nishikawa at such a time is mixing up business priorities. At its own initiative, Japan Post Holdings should take the logical step of putting the presidential
appointment issue on the back burner and respond quickly to the business improvement order.
総務省の業務改善命令にも、日本郵政は回答していない。そんな段階で西川社長再任の人事案を決めたのは、手順としておかしいのではないか。人事案は自発的に白紙に戻すのが筋だろう。
業務改善命令に対する回答を急ぐのも当然のことである。
In its response to the order, will the company answer all the questions the ministry posed? Will the response present effective ways to prevent a recurrence of similar problems? Most importantly, will the response earn the understanding and acceptance of the public, who are effectively shareholders of Japan Post Holdings?
回答は、総務省から指摘された様々な疑問点にきちんと答えているか。実効性の上がる再発防止策が含まれているか。何より、実質株主である国民の納得を得られる内容となっているか――。
The debate over who should assume the presidency of Japan Post Holdings can start afresh after we see how Japan Post Holdings responds to the business improvement order.
回答を見て、議論を整理し直すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2009)
（2009年6月6日01時38分 読売新聞）
The buck stops with Japan Post management
日本郵政人事 核心は不祥事の経営責任だ（6月6日付・読売社説）
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama has been making waves with his increasingly vocal opposition to Japan Post Holdings Co.'s
plan to reappoint Yoshifumi Nishikawa as its president.
日本郵政の西川善文社長の再任に鳩山総務相が反対姿勢を強め、波紋を広げている。
Some are supportive of Hatoyama, saying he has every right to state his position on the issue because as internal affairs and communications minister he has approval authority over personnel affairs. Hatoyama has been upping the ante on the issue, saying he will stick to his position even at the cost of his job.
人事の認可権を持つ総務相が判断するのは当然とする擁護論がある一方、批判も多い。総務相の発言も「閣僚を罷免されても反対を貫く」とエスカレートしている。
But the fuss serves only to derail discussion over the reappointment. If political considerations color the debate, the essential point of the discussion will be lost.
これでは議論が拡散するばかりだ。議論に政局的な思惑が重なると事の本質を見失いかねない。
The thrust of the criticism against Hatoyama is that politicians should not interfere in decisions made by private corporations.
総務相への批判で多いのが「民間の決定に政治が介入すべきではない」というものだ。
But Japan Post Holdings is a special case, in that all its shares are held by the government. In this regard, it would be problematic if the government were
to remain silent at a time when questions have emerged over the operation of Japan Post Holdings.
だが、日本郵政は政府が全株式を保有する特殊会社だ。業務内容に疑義があるのに何も口を挟まないようでは、かえって問題だろう。
There is also an argument that the process of postal privatization will be set back if Nishikawa, who led preparations for the establishment of the company, is ousted as its president.
But this argument is illogical. The fact is that Hatoyama has repeatedly said he wants to see Nishikawa replaced precisely because he wishes to speed up the privatization.
「郵政民営化を後退させる」という指摘も、論理に飛躍がある。総務相は「社長交代は民営化推進のため」と繰り返している。
===
Sale of inns was opaque
The main bone of contention in the wrangling over Nishikawa's reappointment is the lack of transparency in the process of Japan Post Holdings deciding to sell Kanpo no Yado inns to an Orix Group company.
この問題の核心は、「かんぽの宿」をオリックスに売却しようとした手続きに不明朗な部分があったことだ。
An investigation by the communications ministry found a large number of irregular practices in the process of selecting the Orix real estate company, including verbal reporting of important matters. A third-party panel set up at the request of Japan Post Holdings also identified a long list of problems in connection with the sale of the Kanpo no Yado inns, including inadequate safekeeping of documents related to the bidding for the inns. The panel criticized these failings as "extremely inappropriate."
総務省の調査で、重要事項が口頭で伝達されていたなど数多くの不備が明るみに出ている。日本郵政が設置した第三者検討委員会も文書管理の杜撰(ずさん)さなどを列挙し、「著しく不適切」と断じた。
Those who call for Nishikawa's reappointment point out that the investigations did not uncover any illegalities.
But putting to one side the question of whether there was any illegality in the process of selling the Kanpo no Yado inns, the buck stops with Nishikawa, the top manager of Japan Post.
西川社長の再任を支持する人たちは、これらの調査で違法行為がはっきりしなかったことを理由に挙げるが、違法行為の有無とは別に、経営者としての責任は厳然として残る。
The Democratic Party of Japan and two other opposition parties have filed a criminal complaint against Nishikawa, claiming he was complicit in the sale of the Kanpo no Yado inns at knockdown prices. The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has accepted the complaint. Debates over whether there is evidence of illegality in the process of deciding on the sale of the inns can wait until the prosecutors conclude their investigation.
民主党など野党３党が「売却額が不当に廉価だった」として西川社長を刑事告発し、東京地検が受理している。違法性の有無は今後の捜査を見守ればよい。
===
Firm must put house in order
In addition to the controversy over the sale of the inns, the Japan Post group has become engulfed in other scandals, including the abuse of the postal discount system for disabled people and Japan Post's delayed investigation into the nonpayment of postal life insurance when it was a public corporation.
If such scandals surfaced in an ordinary company, the top manager would be forced to resign.
ほかにも障害者向け割引制度を悪用した不正ダイレクトメール事件や、簡易生命保険金の不払い調査を放置した問題など、不祥事が次々と発覚している。普通の企業なら、経営者は引責辞任に追い込まれているところだ。
Japan Post Holdings has not yet responded to a business improvement order issued by the communications ministry. Deciding on the reappointment of Nishikawa at such a time is mixing up business priorities. At its own initiative, Japan Post Holdings should take the logical step of putting the presidential
appointment issue on the back burner and respond quickly to the business improvement order.
総務省の業務改善命令にも、日本郵政は回答していない。そんな段階で西川社長再任の人事案を決めたのは、手順としておかしいのではないか。人事案は自発的に白紙に戻すのが筋だろう。
業務改善命令に対する回答を急ぐのも当然のことである。
In its response to the order, will the company answer all the questions the ministry posed? Will the response present effective ways to prevent a recurrence of similar problems? Most importantly, will the response earn the understanding and acceptance of the public, who are effectively shareholders of Japan Post Holdings?
回答は、総務省から指摘された様々な疑問点にきちんと答えているか。実効性の上がる再発防止策が含まれているか。何より、実質株主である国民の納得を得られる内容となっているか――。
The debate over who should assume the presidency of Japan Post Holdings can start afresh after we see how Japan Post Holdings responds to the business improvement order.
回答を見て、議論を整理し直すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2009)
（2009年6月6日01時38分 読売新聞）
2009年06月05日
足利事件 決め手となったＤＮＡ再鑑定
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 5, 2009)
Fresh DNA test results open can of legal worms
足利事件 決め手となったＤＮＡ再鑑定（6月5日付・読売社説）
Prosecutors have agreed to a retrial for a man serving a life sentence for the 1990 murder of a 4-year-old girl, and who was freed from prison Thursday
afternoon. As the evidence that had led to his conviction had crumbled, this was certainly the right thing to do.
検察が再審の開始を認め、受刑者を釈放した。無期懲役となった根拠が崩れた以上、当然の対応である。
The Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office submitted to the Tokyo High Court a written opinion in which prosecutors unprecedentedly approved a retrial
of the case.
東京高検が、「足利事件」の再審開始を容認する異例の意見書を東京高裁に提出した。
After the high court conducted fresh DNA tests, it was found that Toshikazu Sugaya's DNA did not match that of dried body fluid found on the murdered
girl's shirt. It is becoming increasingly likely that Sugaya, whose life sentence was finalized long ago, is not the culprit.
高裁がＤＮＡの再鑑定を行ったところ、無期懲役が確定した男性の型と、殺害された女児のシャツから検出された型が一致しなかったためだ。男性は犯人では
ない可能性が極めて高くなった。
The prosecutors agreed to halt Sugaya's sentence and released him. This is an unprecedented situation and it indicates that Sugaya will be acquitted.
検察は、男性の刑の執行を停止し、釈放した。前例のない事態である。検察が事実上、無罪を認めたものといえよう。
The court should swiftly decide on the start of a retrial.
裁判所は速やかに男性の再審開始を決定すべきである。
===
Old tests too unreliable
The murder occurred in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, in 1990. The following year, police conducted DNA tests on Sugaya, who had been a presence on
the police's investigative radar. The police concluded the DNA found on the victim's shirt matched that of Sugaya's. When told of the DNA match, Sugaya
confessed to the killing.
事件は１９９０年に栃木県足利市で起きた。警察は翌年、捜査線上に浮かんだ男性のＤＮＡ鑑定を実施した。結論は、女児のシャツから検出されたＤＮＡ型と一
致するというものだった。結果を聞き、男性は犯行を自供していた。
In 2000, the Supreme Court dismissed Sugaya's appeal--the first case in which the Supreme Court acknowledged a DNA test as admissible evidence.
最高裁は２０００年、男性の上告を棄却した。ＤＮＡ鑑定に証拠能力があると認めた初めてのケースだった。
There is no doubt that investigative authorities and courts overestimated the accuracy of the DNA test. There also are doubts regarding the police
interrogations. A thorough probe should be conducted.
捜査当局や裁判所に、ＤＮＡ鑑定への過信があったことは間違いあるまい。取り調べにも疑問が残る。徹底した検証が必要だ。
The murder occurred shortly after DNA testing had been introduced and accuracy was considerably less reliable than it is now. Accuracy was dramatically
improved with the introduction of a new DNA analyzer in 2003. It is thought that more than 4,000 DNA tests were carried out before this new device went
into use.
事件当時は、ＤＮＡ鑑定が導入されて間もないころだった。精度は今より格段に低かった。精度が飛躍的に向上したのは、新たな分析装置が導入された０３年
以降だ。それ以前に実施されたＤＮＡ鑑定は４０００件を超えるという。
===
New precedent set
This case may influence other criminal cases as doubts over the credibility of past DNA tests could surface. Courts and prosecutors should be flexible in
conducting fresh DNA tests and other necessary measures.
今回の問題により、他の事件でも、鑑定の信ぴょう性に疑念が生じることもあるだろう。裁判所や検察は、再鑑定の実施などについて柔軟に対応していくべきだ
。
It remains a fact that DNA tests, with their improved accuracy, serve as an important instrument in criminal investigations. As well as helping to find
suspects, it should not be forgotten that DNA tests also serve as a fail-safe against false convictions.
精度が向上したＤＮＡ鑑定が、捜査の有力な武器であることに変わりはない。犯人の割り出しとともに、冤罪(えんざい)を防ぐ防波堤の役割を持つことも忘れては
ならない。
It is crucial that police incorporate increasingly advanced scientific technology into their investigations with the aim of obtaining definitive evidence.
警察が、決定的な証拠を得るために、進歩する科学技術を捜査に取り入れるのは欠かせない。
However, it is risky to rely excessively on forensic results. In particular, the credibility of a fledgling technology needs to be carefully assessed. Sugaya's
case has taught us this much.
だが、科学捜査の結果に過度に依存するのは危うい。特に、導入間もない技術については、信用性を慎重に判断する必要がある。今回の問題の教訓といえよ
う。
Forensic results have the potential to become points of contention in trials. With the beginning of the lay judge system late last month, lay judges might
be pressed to decide on the credibility of forensic results. Lay judges need to comprehensively weigh all the facts before them without being constrained by
just one form of evidence.
科学捜査による鑑定結果が、公判の争点となることもある。裁判員制度が始まり、裁判員も鑑定結果が信用できるかどうか、判断を迫られる局面があるだろう。
一つの証拠にとらわれず、すべての証拠を総合判断する。裁判員にはそれが求められている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 5, 2009)
（2009年6月5日02時09分 読売新聞）
Fresh DNA test results open can of legal worms
足利事件 決め手となったＤＮＡ再鑑定（6月5日付・読売社説）
Prosecutors have agreed to a retrial for a man serving a life sentence for the 1990 murder of a 4-year-old girl, and who was freed from prison Thursday
afternoon. As the evidence that had led to his conviction had crumbled, this was certainly the right thing to do.
検察が再審の開始を認め、受刑者を釈放した。無期懲役となった根拠が崩れた以上、当然の対応である。
The Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office submitted to the Tokyo High Court a written opinion in which prosecutors unprecedentedly approved a retrial
of the case.
東京高検が、「足利事件」の再審開始を容認する異例の意見書を東京高裁に提出した。
After the high court conducted fresh DNA tests, it was found that Toshikazu Sugaya's DNA did not match that of dried body fluid found on the murdered
girl's shirt. It is becoming increasingly likely that Sugaya, whose life sentence was finalized long ago, is not the culprit.
高裁がＤＮＡの再鑑定を行ったところ、無期懲役が確定した男性の型と、殺害された女児のシャツから検出された型が一致しなかったためだ。男性は犯人では
ない可能性が極めて高くなった。
The prosecutors agreed to halt Sugaya's sentence and released him. This is an unprecedented situation and it indicates that Sugaya will be acquitted.
検察は、男性の刑の執行を停止し、釈放した。前例のない事態である。検察が事実上、無罪を認めたものといえよう。
The court should swiftly decide on the start of a retrial.
裁判所は速やかに男性の再審開始を決定すべきである。
===
Old tests too unreliable
The murder occurred in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, in 1990. The following year, police conducted DNA tests on Sugaya, who had been a presence on
the police's investigative radar. The police concluded the DNA found on the victim's shirt matched that of Sugaya's. When told of the DNA match, Sugaya
confessed to the killing.
事件は１９９０年に栃木県足利市で起きた。警察は翌年、捜査線上に浮かんだ男性のＤＮＡ鑑定を実施した。結論は、女児のシャツから検出されたＤＮＡ型と一
致するというものだった。結果を聞き、男性は犯行を自供していた。
In 2000, the Supreme Court dismissed Sugaya's appeal--the first case in which the Supreme Court acknowledged a DNA test as admissible evidence.
最高裁は２０００年、男性の上告を棄却した。ＤＮＡ鑑定に証拠能力があると認めた初めてのケースだった。
There is no doubt that investigative authorities and courts overestimated the accuracy of the DNA test. There also are doubts regarding the police
interrogations. A thorough probe should be conducted.
捜査当局や裁判所に、ＤＮＡ鑑定への過信があったことは間違いあるまい。取り調べにも疑問が残る。徹底した検証が必要だ。
The murder occurred shortly after DNA testing had been introduced and accuracy was considerably less reliable than it is now. Accuracy was dramatically
improved with the introduction of a new DNA analyzer in 2003. It is thought that more than 4,000 DNA tests were carried out before this new device went
into use.
事件当時は、ＤＮＡ鑑定が導入されて間もないころだった。精度は今より格段に低かった。精度が飛躍的に向上したのは、新たな分析装置が導入された０３年
以降だ。それ以前に実施されたＤＮＡ鑑定は４０００件を超えるという。
===
New precedent set
This case may influence other criminal cases as doubts over the credibility of past DNA tests could surface. Courts and prosecutors should be flexible in
conducting fresh DNA tests and other necessary measures.
今回の問題により、他の事件でも、鑑定の信ぴょう性に疑念が生じることもあるだろう。裁判所や検察は、再鑑定の実施などについて柔軟に対応していくべきだ
。
It remains a fact that DNA tests, with their improved accuracy, serve as an important instrument in criminal investigations. As well as helping to find
suspects, it should not be forgotten that DNA tests also serve as a fail-safe against false convictions.
精度が向上したＤＮＡ鑑定が、捜査の有力な武器であることに変わりはない。犯人の割り出しとともに、冤罪(えんざい)を防ぐ防波堤の役割を持つことも忘れては
ならない。
It is crucial that police incorporate increasingly advanced scientific technology into their investigations with the aim of obtaining definitive evidence.
警察が、決定的な証拠を得るために、進歩する科学技術を捜査に取り入れるのは欠かせない。
However, it is risky to rely excessively on forensic results. In particular, the credibility of a fledgling technology needs to be carefully assessed. Sugaya's
case has taught us this much.
だが、科学捜査の結果に過度に依存するのは危うい。特に、導入間もない技術については、信用性を慎重に判断する必要がある。今回の問題の教訓といえよ
う。
Forensic results have the potential to become points of contention in trials. With the beginning of the lay judge system late last month, lay judges might
be pressed to decide on the credibility of forensic results. Lay judges need to comprehensively weigh all the facts before them without being constrained by
just one form of evidence.
科学捜査による鑑定結果が、公判の争点となることもある。裁判員制度が始まり、裁判員も鑑定結果が信用できるかどうか、判断を迫られる局面があるだろう。
一つの証拠にとらわれず、すべての証拠を総合判断する。裁判員にはそれが求められている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 5, 2009)
（2009年6月5日02時09分 読売新聞）