新規記事の投稿を行うことで、非表示にすることが可能です。
2010年12月13日
WikiLeaks' information
This is exactly the same as what I wanted to say.
私のウィキリークス問題に対する考えを代弁してくれました。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/10
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 9
EDITORIAL: WikiLeaks' information
ウィキリークス―公益の重みで判断したい
WikiLeaks, a website dedicated to disclosing secret information about governments and corporations, has been releasing U.S. diplomatic cables.
内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」による米国の外交公電の暴露が続いている。
Meanwhile, Julian Assange, the founder and editor in chief of WikiLeaks, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of sex offenses in Sweden amid growing hostility from the governments of many countries.
多くの国の政府から敵視されるなかで、創設者で編集長のアサンジュ容疑者が英警察に逮捕された。スウェーデンでの強姦（ごうかん）容疑である。
Whether his arrest is appropriate or not can only be determined by the results of the authorities' investigation.
逮捕の当否は捜査の行方を待つほかない。
But the evaluation of WikiLeaks' disclosure activities should be separated from the charges against Assange and made from the viewpoint of whether the information it publishes ultimately serves the interests of citizens. In other words, is the information important for the public interest?
けれども、ウィキリークスの情報発信活動への評価は、編集長の容疑とは切り離し、公開する情報が最終的に市民の利益になるか、つまり公益の重さを中心に判断すべきである。
In April this year, WikiLeaks received international attention by posting video footage of a 2007 incident in Iraq in which U.S. military helicopter crew mistakenly shot and killed civilians, including reporters for the Reuters news agency.
イラクで米軍ヘリがロイター通信記者ら民間人をテロリストとみて誤射、殺害した映像を、ウィキリークスは今年４月に暴露し注目された。
The website then exposed other disturbing facts about the Iraq war, including that civilians account for 66,000 of the 109,000 casualties of the conflict.
ついで、イラク戦争の犠牲者約１０万９千人のうち、民間人が約６万６千人にのぼっていることなどを明らかにした。
All these revelations have cast fresh light on the harrowing realities of the war the U.S. government has been concealing. As a member of the journalistic community, we applaud WikiLeaks for these achievements.
いずれも米政府が隠してきた戦争の悲惨な実態であり、功績はジャーナリズムに関わる者として評価したい。
The publication of a cache of a quarter million confidential U.S. diplomatic cables that started late last month has revealed views and concerns about the future of the Korean Peninsula secretly held by countries and exposed North Korea's exports of ballistic missiles.
先月末に始まった２５万通におよぶ外交公電の公開も、朝鮮半島の将来像をめぐる各国の思惑や、北朝鮮による弾道ミサイル輸出などを明らかにした。
The Western newspapers and magazines that received in advance the diplomatic documents, including the Guardian of Britain and Le Monde of France, published reports on the material after independently assessing the content and credibility of the documents.
外交公電の大量公開では、ウィキリークスから情報提供を受けた英ガーディアンや仏ルモンドなど欧米の新聞や雑誌は、それぞれが文書の内容と信頼性を吟味したうえで報道した。
It can be said that so far this cooperation between the online site and news media has struck readers as an effort to serve the public interest and played a positive role in disseminating information that helps serve democracy.
現時点までこのネットとメディアの協業は、読者に公益性を感じさせ、民主主義に資する情報を流通させる役割を果たしているのではないか。
There is no denying that the publication will make it harder for officials of many countries to carry out their missions and gather information in their traditional ways.
各国政府の担当者がこれまでのやり方での外交や情報収集をしづらくなるのは事実だろう。
There are also concerns that the disclosure of sensitive information not meant for publication could provoke strong reactions from the public of a nation, making it difficult for the country to take reasonable diplomatic actions.
また、公開を前提としていなかった情報が国内世論をあおり、その結果、理にかなった外交政策の遂行が難しくなる恐れはある。
Making the important truths about international relations known to the public, however, is crucial for democracy, which means citizens determine the stance and course of their country.
だが、国際関係の真相を知ることは市民が国のあり方や針路を決める民主主義に欠かせない。
History is littered with examples of politically powerful people and institutions concealing inconvenient facts under the pretext of national interests. Just remember how hard the governments concerned tried to protect secrets about the Vietnam War and talks between Japan and the United States over the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty.
政治権力が国益を盾にして都合の悪いことを隠してきた歴史は、ベトナム戦争や沖縄返還交渉を思い出すだけでもきりがない。
On the other hand, it creates serious risks to publish on the Internet huge amounts of classified documents containing national secrets.
一方で、国家機密を大量に入手してネットを通して世界中にばらまく手法には、危険も大きい。
Negotiations for the settlement of a conflict could collapse if the secret aims and thoughts of the countries involved are disclosed during the process. Information sources and cooperators may fall into danger.
紛争を収める交渉のさなかに、当事国の思惑が暴露されればまとまる和解も壊れかねない。情報源や協力者に危害が加えられる恐れもある。
WikiLeaks has also published a list of facilities around the world regarded by the U.S. government as critically important for national security. But such information could be used by terrorists deciding what targets to attack.
米政府が安全保障上で重視する世界の施設の一覧も明らかにされたが、テロリストに重要度を知らせることにもなりかねない。
Material related to private-sector organizations and activities could violate the privacy of the people involved.
民間におよぶ情報は市民のプライバシー侵害の恐れもある。
When something illegal is going on in secret, there can be ways to expose it through a narrowly focused publication of related information to avoid collateral damage.
不正行為が存在するならば、その点だけを選んで告発する手法がとれる局面もあろう。
Both the whistle-blowers and news media should always carefully guard against the danger that exposing secrets could deviate from the cause of information disclosure for the public interest.
暴露そのものが自己目的になって情報公開という大義から逸脱する危険を、発信者もそれを伝えるメディアも、常に細心に警戒する必要がある。
私のウィキリークス問題に対する考えを代弁してくれました。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/10
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 9
EDITORIAL: WikiLeaks' information
ウィキリークス―公益の重みで判断したい
WikiLeaks, a website dedicated to disclosing secret information about governments and corporations, has been releasing U.S. diplomatic cables.
内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」による米国の外交公電の暴露が続いている。
Meanwhile, Julian Assange, the founder and editor in chief of WikiLeaks, has been arrested by British police on suspicion of sex offenses in Sweden amid growing hostility from the governments of many countries.
多くの国の政府から敵視されるなかで、創設者で編集長のアサンジュ容疑者が英警察に逮捕された。スウェーデンでの強姦（ごうかん）容疑である。
Whether his arrest is appropriate or not can only be determined by the results of the authorities' investigation.
逮捕の当否は捜査の行方を待つほかない。
But the evaluation of WikiLeaks' disclosure activities should be separated from the charges against Assange and made from the viewpoint of whether the information it publishes ultimately serves the interests of citizens. In other words, is the information important for the public interest?
けれども、ウィキリークスの情報発信活動への評価は、編集長の容疑とは切り離し、公開する情報が最終的に市民の利益になるか、つまり公益の重さを中心に判断すべきである。
In April this year, WikiLeaks received international attention by posting video footage of a 2007 incident in Iraq in which U.S. military helicopter crew mistakenly shot and killed civilians, including reporters for the Reuters news agency.
イラクで米軍ヘリがロイター通信記者ら民間人をテロリストとみて誤射、殺害した映像を、ウィキリークスは今年４月に暴露し注目された。
The website then exposed other disturbing facts about the Iraq war, including that civilians account for 66,000 of the 109,000 casualties of the conflict.
ついで、イラク戦争の犠牲者約１０万９千人のうち、民間人が約６万６千人にのぼっていることなどを明らかにした。
All these revelations have cast fresh light on the harrowing realities of the war the U.S. government has been concealing. As a member of the journalistic community, we applaud WikiLeaks for these achievements.
いずれも米政府が隠してきた戦争の悲惨な実態であり、功績はジャーナリズムに関わる者として評価したい。
The publication of a cache of a quarter million confidential U.S. diplomatic cables that started late last month has revealed views and concerns about the future of the Korean Peninsula secretly held by countries and exposed North Korea's exports of ballistic missiles.
先月末に始まった２５万通におよぶ外交公電の公開も、朝鮮半島の将来像をめぐる各国の思惑や、北朝鮮による弾道ミサイル輸出などを明らかにした。
The Western newspapers and magazines that received in advance the diplomatic documents, including the Guardian of Britain and Le Monde of France, published reports on the material after independently assessing the content and credibility of the documents.
外交公電の大量公開では、ウィキリークスから情報提供を受けた英ガーディアンや仏ルモンドなど欧米の新聞や雑誌は、それぞれが文書の内容と信頼性を吟味したうえで報道した。
It can be said that so far this cooperation between the online site and news media has struck readers as an effort to serve the public interest and played a positive role in disseminating information that helps serve democracy.
現時点までこのネットとメディアの協業は、読者に公益性を感じさせ、民主主義に資する情報を流通させる役割を果たしているのではないか。
There is no denying that the publication will make it harder for officials of many countries to carry out their missions and gather information in their traditional ways.
各国政府の担当者がこれまでのやり方での外交や情報収集をしづらくなるのは事実だろう。
There are also concerns that the disclosure of sensitive information not meant for publication could provoke strong reactions from the public of a nation, making it difficult for the country to take reasonable diplomatic actions.
また、公開を前提としていなかった情報が国内世論をあおり、その結果、理にかなった外交政策の遂行が難しくなる恐れはある。
Making the important truths about international relations known to the public, however, is crucial for democracy, which means citizens determine the stance and course of their country.
だが、国際関係の真相を知ることは市民が国のあり方や針路を決める民主主義に欠かせない。
History is littered with examples of politically powerful people and institutions concealing inconvenient facts under the pretext of national interests. Just remember how hard the governments concerned tried to protect secrets about the Vietnam War and talks between Japan and the United States over the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty.
政治権力が国益を盾にして都合の悪いことを隠してきた歴史は、ベトナム戦争や沖縄返還交渉を思い出すだけでもきりがない。
On the other hand, it creates serious risks to publish on the Internet huge amounts of classified documents containing national secrets.
一方で、国家機密を大量に入手してネットを通して世界中にばらまく手法には、危険も大きい。
Negotiations for the settlement of a conflict could collapse if the secret aims and thoughts of the countries involved are disclosed during the process. Information sources and cooperators may fall into danger.
紛争を収める交渉のさなかに、当事国の思惑が暴露されればまとまる和解も壊れかねない。情報源や協力者に危害が加えられる恐れもある。
WikiLeaks has also published a list of facilities around the world regarded by the U.S. government as critically important for national security. But such information could be used by terrorists deciding what targets to attack.
米政府が安全保障上で重視する世界の施設の一覧も明らかにされたが、テロリストに重要度を知らせることにもなりかねない。
Material related to private-sector organizations and activities could violate the privacy of the people involved.
民間におよぶ情報は市民のプライバシー侵害の恐れもある。
When something illegal is going on in secret, there can be ways to expose it through a narrowly focused publication of related information to avoid collateral damage.
不正行為が存在するならば、その点だけを選んで告発する手法がとれる局面もあろう。
Both the whistle-blowers and news media should always carefully guard against the danger that exposing secrets could deviate from the cause of information disclosure for the public interest.
暴露そのものが自己目的になって情報公開という大義から逸脱する危険を、発信者もそれを伝えるメディアも、常に細心に警戒する必要がある。
2010年12月12日
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
2010/12/11
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
2010年12月11日
武器輸出３原則 将来に禍根残す緩和見送り
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 11, 2010)
Foolish short-term view on arms exports
武器輸出３原則 将来に禍根残す緩和見送り（12月10日付・読売社説）
Has the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration already forgotten about the abysmal failure of its previous coalition government involving a political party that held a conflicting basic policy?
基本政策が異なる政党と連立政権を組んだ致命的な失敗の教訓を、もう忘れてしまったのか。
The government has decided not to clearly stipulate the three principles on weapons exports--which effectively ban arms deals with other countries--will be eased in the new National Defense Program Guidelines it will approve next week. Prime Minister Naoto Kan made the decision in consideration of the opposition Social Democratic Party, which he had asked for cooperation in steering the Diet. The SDP opposes any relaxation of the three principles.
政府は、来週決定する「防衛計画の大綱」に武器輸出３原則の緩和を明記しない方針を決めた。菅首相が国会運営での協力を求めた野党・社民党が、３原則緩和に反対していることに配慮したものだ。
The government had been leaning toward lifting the ban on weapons that would be exported for peace-building operations and to combat terrorism and piracy. It also planned to approve the joint development of weapons with Europe, South Korea and Australia as an extension of defense cooperation between Japan and the United States, and because appropriate export controls are firmly in place.
政府は、平和構築やテロ・海賊対策などが目的の武器輸出を解禁する方向で調整していた。欧州や韓国、豪州などとの武器の共同開発も、日米両国との防衛協力や適切な輸出管理が実施されている観点から、認める見通しだった。
===
Appropriate policy
Such a policy shift would still fit nicely with the philosophy of "a pacifist nation." We think reviewing the weapons export ban policy is appropriate.
こうした政策は、「平和国家」の理念と十分両立する。本来は妥当な見直しである。
The export of weapons for other nations' peace-building efforts and to combat terrorism and piracy could contribute to global peace and stability. In addition, joining development programs of cutting-edge jet fighters and other weapons will be indispensable for maintaining domestic defense technologies and this nation's production base.
他国の平和構築やテロ・海賊対策を支援するための武器輸出は、世界の平和と安定に寄与する。最新鋭戦闘機などの共同開発への参加は、国内の防衛技術・生産基盤の維持に欠かせない。
Cabinet ministers involved in defense matters and senior DPJ members were on the same page on this issue. However, the government got cold feet and made a political decision to put the handling of government affairs ahead of an important policy.
関係閣僚や民主党幹部も同じ認識だったが、政策よりも政権運営を優先する政治判断から、３原則緩和を見送ってしまった。
The Kan administration decided that in addition to the support of coalition partner People's New Party, it needs the SDP's cooperation to help pass key bills into law in the divided Diet. Having both parties onside will make it possible for the DPJ to pass bills into law with a second vote at the House of Representatives by overriding any rejection by the House of Councillors because the three parties will hold at least two-thirds of the members present.
衆参ねじれ国会で重要法案を成立させるには、国民新党に加え社民党の協力を得て、衆院の３分の２以上の賛成による再可決を可能にする必要があるとの判断だ。
However, cozying up the SDP could come back to haunt the Kan administration. The SDP's foreign and security policies bear little in common with those of the DPJ. This will certainly lead to serious problems in the future.
だが、外交・安保政策で相いれない社民党との連携は、菅政権の政策遂行に大きな足かせとなる。将来に禍根を残すのは確実だ。
The SDP left the coalition government in disgust at the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture. The SDP's position remains unchanged.
社民党は米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設に反対し、連立政権を離脱した。今も同じ立場だ。
===
SDP vs Japan-U.S. alliance
We wonder how Kan can strike a balance between working with the SDP and deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance with his visit to the United States next spring and a bilateral joint statement to be issued during his trip.
首相は、社民党との連携と、来春の訪米と日米共同声明による同盟深化をどう両立させるつもりなのか。
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima has gone so far as to say Japan will be a "merchant of death" if it softens the weapons exports principles. Her remark is nothing but an irrational, hot-button outburst.
社民党の福島党首は、３原則を緩和すれば日本が「死の商人」になるかのような主張までしている。感情的な暴論と言うほかない。
Japan's security situation has become increasingly severe. This nation must face up to reality of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program and missiles, as well as that country's military provocations, including the recent shelling of a South Korean island, and China's military buildup and overbearing approach to securing marine resources and expanding its territory.
日本の安全保障環境は厳しさを増している。北朝鮮による核・ミサイルの脅威や、韓国への砲撃などの軍事的挑発、中国の軍備増強と海洋権益・領土拡張への強引な手法を直視せねばなるまい。
With only a limited defense budget, Japan's security policy urgently needs to be revised and the Self-Defense Forces transformed into more effective units. Relaxing the weapons exports principles would be a major pillar of this overhaul.
限られた防衛予算の中、日本の安保政策と自衛隊の体制をより実効性あるものに見直すことが急務で、３原則緩和はその柱だ。
We think cooperative ties between the DPJ-led administration and the SDP are doomed to crumble before long.
民主党政権と社民党の協力関係は、政策面の矛盾によって遠からず破綻が避けられないだろう。
The government should take this into consideration. Even if the government shies away from clearly saying in the new defense guidelines that the three principles will be eased, it should at the very least mention problems inherent in the current principles and leave the door open to easing the ban in the future.
その事態を視野に入れて、新防衛大綱では、３原則緩和の明記は見送っても、現行の３原則の問題点を列挙し、緩和の余地を残しておくことが最低限必要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 10, 2010)
（2010年12月10日01時45分 読売新聞）
Foolish short-term view on arms exports
武器輸出３原則 将来に禍根残す緩和見送り（12月10日付・読売社説）
Has the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration already forgotten about the abysmal failure of its previous coalition government involving a political party that held a conflicting basic policy?
基本政策が異なる政党と連立政権を組んだ致命的な失敗の教訓を、もう忘れてしまったのか。
The government has decided not to clearly stipulate the three principles on weapons exports--which effectively ban arms deals with other countries--will be eased in the new National Defense Program Guidelines it will approve next week. Prime Minister Naoto Kan made the decision in consideration of the opposition Social Democratic Party, which he had asked for cooperation in steering the Diet. The SDP opposes any relaxation of the three principles.
政府は、来週決定する「防衛計画の大綱」に武器輸出３原則の緩和を明記しない方針を決めた。菅首相が国会運営での協力を求めた野党・社民党が、３原則緩和に反対していることに配慮したものだ。
The government had been leaning toward lifting the ban on weapons that would be exported for peace-building operations and to combat terrorism and piracy. It also planned to approve the joint development of weapons with Europe, South Korea and Australia as an extension of defense cooperation between Japan and the United States, and because appropriate export controls are firmly in place.
政府は、平和構築やテロ・海賊対策などが目的の武器輸出を解禁する方向で調整していた。欧州や韓国、豪州などとの武器の共同開発も、日米両国との防衛協力や適切な輸出管理が実施されている観点から、認める見通しだった。
===
Appropriate policy
Such a policy shift would still fit nicely with the philosophy of "a pacifist nation." We think reviewing the weapons export ban policy is appropriate.
こうした政策は、「平和国家」の理念と十分両立する。本来は妥当な見直しである。
The export of weapons for other nations' peace-building efforts and to combat terrorism and piracy could contribute to global peace and stability. In addition, joining development programs of cutting-edge jet fighters and other weapons will be indispensable for maintaining domestic defense technologies and this nation's production base.
他国の平和構築やテロ・海賊対策を支援するための武器輸出は、世界の平和と安定に寄与する。最新鋭戦闘機などの共同開発への参加は、国内の防衛技術・生産基盤の維持に欠かせない。
Cabinet ministers involved in defense matters and senior DPJ members were on the same page on this issue. However, the government got cold feet and made a political decision to put the handling of government affairs ahead of an important policy.
関係閣僚や民主党幹部も同じ認識だったが、政策よりも政権運営を優先する政治判断から、３原則緩和を見送ってしまった。
The Kan administration decided that in addition to the support of coalition partner People's New Party, it needs the SDP's cooperation to help pass key bills into law in the divided Diet. Having both parties onside will make it possible for the DPJ to pass bills into law with a second vote at the House of Representatives by overriding any rejection by the House of Councillors because the three parties will hold at least two-thirds of the members present.
衆参ねじれ国会で重要法案を成立させるには、国民新党に加え社民党の協力を得て、衆院の３分の２以上の賛成による再可決を可能にする必要があるとの判断だ。
However, cozying up the SDP could come back to haunt the Kan administration. The SDP's foreign and security policies bear little in common with those of the DPJ. This will certainly lead to serious problems in the future.
だが、外交・安保政策で相いれない社民党との連携は、菅政権の政策遂行に大きな足かせとなる。将来に禍根を残すのは確実だ。
The SDP left the coalition government in disgust at the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture. The SDP's position remains unchanged.
社民党は米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設に反対し、連立政権を離脱した。今も同じ立場だ。
===
SDP vs Japan-U.S. alliance
We wonder how Kan can strike a balance between working with the SDP and deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance with his visit to the United States next spring and a bilateral joint statement to be issued during his trip.
首相は、社民党との連携と、来春の訪米と日米共同声明による同盟深化をどう両立させるつもりなのか。
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima has gone so far as to say Japan will be a "merchant of death" if it softens the weapons exports principles. Her remark is nothing but an irrational, hot-button outburst.
社民党の福島党首は、３原則を緩和すれば日本が「死の商人」になるかのような主張までしている。感情的な暴論と言うほかない。
Japan's security situation has become increasingly severe. This nation must face up to reality of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program and missiles, as well as that country's military provocations, including the recent shelling of a South Korean island, and China's military buildup and overbearing approach to securing marine resources and expanding its territory.
日本の安全保障環境は厳しさを増している。北朝鮮による核・ミサイルの脅威や、韓国への砲撃などの軍事的挑発、中国の軍備増強と海洋権益・領土拡張への強引な手法を直視せねばなるまい。
With only a limited defense budget, Japan's security policy urgently needs to be revised and the Self-Defense Forces transformed into more effective units. Relaxing the weapons exports principles would be a major pillar of this overhaul.
限られた防衛予算の中、日本の安保政策と自衛隊の体制をより実効性あるものに見直すことが急務で、３原則緩和はその柱だ。
We think cooperative ties between the DPJ-led administration and the SDP are doomed to crumble before long.
民主党政権と社民党の協力関係は、政策面の矛盾によって遠からず破綻が避けられないだろう。
The government should take this into consideration. Even if the government shies away from clearly saying in the new defense guidelines that the three principles will be eased, it should at the very least mention problems inherent in the current principles and leave the door open to easing the ban in the future.
その事態を視野に入れて、新防衛大綱では、３原則緩和の明記は見送っても、現行の３原則の問題点を列挙し、緩和の余地を残しておくことが最低限必要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 10, 2010)
（2010年12月10日01時45分 読売新聞）
2010年12月10日
国際学力調査 応用力を鍛えて向上めざせ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 10, 2010)
Kids' academic ability can be improved more
国際学力調査 応用力を鍛えて向上めざせ（12月9日付・読売社説）
The decline in Japanese children's academic ability has seemingly been stopped.
日本の子どもたちの学力低下傾向に歯止めがかかったようだ。
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday released the results of academic aptitude tests it conducted last year under the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）が昨年実施した国際学習到達度調査（ＰＩＳＡ）の結果が公表された。
The PISA tests have been conducted every three years since 2000, and the latest tests were given to 15-year-old students in 65 countries and regions who had finished their compulsory education. These tests assess how students apply their knowledge in real life.
義務教育を終えた１５歳を対象に、２０００年から３年ごとに行われ、昨年は６５の国と地域が参加した。知識を実生活でどれだけ生かせるかを測る調査である。
In the first PISA tests, Japanese students ranked top in mathematical literacy, second in science and eighth in reading.
日本は第１回調査で「数学的応用力」１位、「科学的応用力」２位、「読解力」８位の成績だった。
Since then, however, Japanese students had been slipping down the ladder. They ranked 15th in reading in the 2006 tests, a result that shocked Japanese educators.
ところが、その後低下の一途をたどり、前回の０６年は「読解力」が１５位に低迷するなど、教育関係者に衝撃を与えていた。
In the latest tests, Japanese students ranked eighth in reading, ninth in mathematics and fifth in science, showing improvement in every field.
今回、読解力は８位に、数学、科学もそれぞれ９位、５位へと順位を上げた。
The improvement apparently stemmed from changes made to the so-called cram-free education policy of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, and schools' efforts to encourage students to read more. The education ministry must have breathed a sigh of relief at the latest findings.
ゆとり教育路線の見直しや、読書活動の普及などに取り組んできた成果だろう。文部科学省は胸をなでおろしている。
The next academic year will usher in the full implementation of new teaching guidelines that require more content to be taught in classrooms. We hope teachers will unswervingly try to improve students' academic ability even further.
来年度以降、教える内容を増やす新学習指導要領が全面実施される。学校現場は気を緩めず、学力の向上を図ってもらいたい。
Don't celebrate yet
However, the latest results also revealed some disturbing problems.
ただ課題も浮かびあがった。
More than 10 percent of Japanese students were among the lowest achievers in all three academic categories. Students in this group are considered likely to have difficulty living as members of society. These figures were strikingly high among the top 10 countries and regions.
「社会生活を営む上で支障があるレベル」とされる低学力層の割合が、日本は三つの分野とも１割を超えていた。上位１０か国・地域の中では目立って高い。
Are any students being left behind because they do not understand what is being taught? It is important that teachers give meticulous attention to these students to help them learn and overcome their difficulties.
授業内容を理解できないままの子どもはいないか。先生が細かく目を配り、つまずきを克服するまで指導することが大切である。
In exam questions that required written answers, many Japanese students simply left blank spaces.
記述式の問題で日本は無解答が多かった。
Schools and parents need to get creative in helping children learn to express themselves. Getting children into the habit of regularly reading books and newspapers and organizing their thoughts would be one way of doing this.
日頃から本や新聞を読んで自分の考えをまとめる習慣をつけさせるなど、学校や家庭で表現力を育てる工夫を重ねたい。
Teaching methods need to be verified and improved to ensure children's academic ability improves. In this respect, the National Achievement Exams in which children are tested on their ability to apply their scholastic skills--just like the PISA tests--would be quite effective.
学力向上には指導方法の検証と改善が欠かせない。その意味でＰＩＳＡと同じ応用力を問う問題が出される全国学力テストは有効だろう。
To cut costs, the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan only had students at schools chosen at random take these national tests from fiscal 2010. We think this policy should be dropped and the tests should be taken by all public schools, as they were in the past.
民主党政権はコスト削減を理由に抽出方式に変えたが、全員参加方式に戻すべきだ。
Shanghai top of the class
Asian countries and regions made eye-catching jumps in the rankings. Students from Shanghai, which participated in the tests for the first time as a region, topped all three fields.
目を引くのはアジア勢の台頭だ。地域として初参加した中国の上海が全分野で１位となった。
Although the figures of Shanghai students cannot be easily compared with those of their counterparts who participated as a country, their high scores stood out. Curriculums at Shanghai schools reportedly focus on helping students improve their ability to apply their knowledge and academic skills, and they are closely linked with university entrance exams there.
他の国と単純に比べられまいが、得点の高さは際立っている。応用力重視のカリキュラムを組み、大学入試とも連動しているという。
Students from Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea also generally eclipsed Japanese students.
シンガポールや香港、韓国も総じて日本を上回っている。
Meanwhile, head offices of some Japanese companies have begun hiring excellent Asian students. This is an age in which young Japanese now find themselves competing with rivals from foreign countries to get a job.
アジアの優秀な学生を日本の本社で採用する企業も現れ始めた。日本の若者が各国のライバルと就業を競う時代に入っている。
Students also need to polish their ability to express themselves and communicate with others. The government has a responsibility to ensure Japan's youth can acquire academic abilities that will not be put to shame by students in other countries.
自己表現力や対話能力も問われる。見劣りしない能力をつけさせることは国の責務だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 9, 2010)
（2010年12月9日00時58分 読売新聞）
Kids' academic ability can be improved more
国際学力調査 応用力を鍛えて向上めざせ（12月9日付・読売社説）
The decline in Japanese children's academic ability has seemingly been stopped.
日本の子どもたちの学力低下傾向に歯止めがかかったようだ。
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday released the results of academic aptitude tests it conducted last year under the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）が昨年実施した国際学習到達度調査（ＰＩＳＡ）の結果が公表された。
The PISA tests have been conducted every three years since 2000, and the latest tests were given to 15-year-old students in 65 countries and regions who had finished their compulsory education. These tests assess how students apply their knowledge in real life.
義務教育を終えた１５歳を対象に、２０００年から３年ごとに行われ、昨年は６５の国と地域が参加した。知識を実生活でどれだけ生かせるかを測る調査である。
In the first PISA tests, Japanese students ranked top in mathematical literacy, second in science and eighth in reading.
日本は第１回調査で「数学的応用力」１位、「科学的応用力」２位、「読解力」８位の成績だった。
Since then, however, Japanese students had been slipping down the ladder. They ranked 15th in reading in the 2006 tests, a result that shocked Japanese educators.
ところが、その後低下の一途をたどり、前回の０６年は「読解力」が１５位に低迷するなど、教育関係者に衝撃を与えていた。
In the latest tests, Japanese students ranked eighth in reading, ninth in mathematics and fifth in science, showing improvement in every field.
今回、読解力は８位に、数学、科学もそれぞれ９位、５位へと順位を上げた。
The improvement apparently stemmed from changes made to the so-called cram-free education policy of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, and schools' efforts to encourage students to read more. The education ministry must have breathed a sigh of relief at the latest findings.
ゆとり教育路線の見直しや、読書活動の普及などに取り組んできた成果だろう。文部科学省は胸をなでおろしている。
The next academic year will usher in the full implementation of new teaching guidelines that require more content to be taught in classrooms. We hope teachers will unswervingly try to improve students' academic ability even further.
来年度以降、教える内容を増やす新学習指導要領が全面実施される。学校現場は気を緩めず、学力の向上を図ってもらいたい。
Don't celebrate yet
However, the latest results also revealed some disturbing problems.
ただ課題も浮かびあがった。
More than 10 percent of Japanese students were among the lowest achievers in all three academic categories. Students in this group are considered likely to have difficulty living as members of society. These figures were strikingly high among the top 10 countries and regions.
「社会生活を営む上で支障があるレベル」とされる低学力層の割合が、日本は三つの分野とも１割を超えていた。上位１０か国・地域の中では目立って高い。
Are any students being left behind because they do not understand what is being taught? It is important that teachers give meticulous attention to these students to help them learn and overcome their difficulties.
授業内容を理解できないままの子どもはいないか。先生が細かく目を配り、つまずきを克服するまで指導することが大切である。
In exam questions that required written answers, many Japanese students simply left blank spaces.
記述式の問題で日本は無解答が多かった。
Schools and parents need to get creative in helping children learn to express themselves. Getting children into the habit of regularly reading books and newspapers and organizing their thoughts would be one way of doing this.
日頃から本や新聞を読んで自分の考えをまとめる習慣をつけさせるなど、学校や家庭で表現力を育てる工夫を重ねたい。
Teaching methods need to be verified and improved to ensure children's academic ability improves. In this respect, the National Achievement Exams in which children are tested on their ability to apply their scholastic skills--just like the PISA tests--would be quite effective.
学力向上には指導方法の検証と改善が欠かせない。その意味でＰＩＳＡと同じ応用力を問う問題が出される全国学力テストは有効だろう。
To cut costs, the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan only had students at schools chosen at random take these national tests from fiscal 2010. We think this policy should be dropped and the tests should be taken by all public schools, as they were in the past.
民主党政権はコスト削減を理由に抽出方式に変えたが、全員参加方式に戻すべきだ。
Shanghai top of the class
Asian countries and regions made eye-catching jumps in the rankings. Students from Shanghai, which participated in the tests for the first time as a region, topped all three fields.
目を引くのはアジア勢の台頭だ。地域として初参加した中国の上海が全分野で１位となった。
Although the figures of Shanghai students cannot be easily compared with those of their counterparts who participated as a country, their high scores stood out. Curriculums at Shanghai schools reportedly focus on helping students improve their ability to apply their knowledge and academic skills, and they are closely linked with university entrance exams there.
他の国と単純に比べられまいが、得点の高さは際立っている。応用力重視のカリキュラムを組み、大学入試とも連動しているという。
Students from Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea also generally eclipsed Japanese students.
シンガポールや香港、韓国も総じて日本を上回っている。
Meanwhile, head offices of some Japanese companies have begun hiring excellent Asian students. This is an age in which young Japanese now find themselves competing with rivals from foreign countries to get a job.
アジアの優秀な学生を日本の本社で採用する企業も現れ始めた。日本の若者が各国のライバルと就業を競う時代に入っている。
Students also need to polish their ability to express themselves and communicate with others. The government has a responsibility to ensure Japan's youth can acquire academic abilities that will not be put to shame by students in other countries.
自己表現力や対話能力も問われる。見劣りしない能力をつけさせることは国の責務だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 9, 2010)
（2010年12月9日00時58分 読売新聞）
2010年12月09日
日米韓外相会談 中国と連携し対北圧力強めよ
Nations should present united front on N. Korea
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 9, 2010)
日米韓外相会談 中国と連携し対北圧力強めよ（12月8日付・読売社説）
In dealing with North Korea, an important task for Japan, South Korea and the United States will be to cooperate with China and Russia in rebuilding a framework in which to bring both diplomatic and military pressure to bear on the reclusive state's regime.
日米韓３か国は今後、中国、ロシアとも連携して北朝鮮包囲網を再構築し、北朝鮮に外交、軍事両面で圧力を強めることが重要となろう。
On Monday, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan met in Washington to discuss the North Korean problem. Their joint statement, issued after their talks at the U.S. State Department, condemned North Korea for its recent artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, while also urging Pyongyang to take specific steps toward scrapping its nuclear weapons program.
前原外相、クリントン米国務長官、金星煥韓国外交通商相が米国務省で会談し、北朝鮮問題に関する共同声明を発表した。北朝鮮の韓国・延坪(ヨンピョン)島(ド)砲撃を非難するとともに、核放棄に向けた具体的な行動を求めている。
North Korea's artillery shelling, combined with its revelation of new uranium enrichment efforts, has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Given this, the latest meeting of the three foreign ministers to reconfirm unity among their nations bears a great deal of significance.
北朝鮮による砲撃とウラン濃縮活動の公表で、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。日米韓の外相が一堂に会し、３か国の結束を確認した意義は小さくない。
The three foreign ministers had good reason when they demanded that North Korea "take concrete steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to...denuclearization" in exchange for resuming six-party talks over that country's nuclear program. China has called for convening a meeting of the chief negotiators from the six nations.
３外相が、中国が提案した６か国協議再開の条件として、「非核化に真に取り組んでいることを示す具体的な措置」を北朝鮮が取るよう求めたのは、当然だ。
===
An old Pyongyang ploy
North Korea should not be allowed to enjoy impunity after its reckless military action, which even killed and injured South Korean civilians.
無謀な軍事行動で韓国民間人の犠牲者まで出しながら、何の罰則もなしで済ますべきではない。
It would be unwise to readily respond to an old ploy adopted by North Korea--that is, playing a carefully calibrated game of provocations, including nuclear and missile threats, to coax other nations into diplomatic negotiations and eventually gain a reward in return.
核やミサイルで挑発し、外交交渉に持ち込んで見返りを得る――そうした北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段に安易に乗るのは禁物だ。
Under the circumstances, it is North Korea--not the other participants in the six-party talks--that should make concessions to defuse a crisis of its own making, despite prospects that the parties will eventually return to the negotiating table at the talks in any case.
いずれは６か国協議を開くとしても、今、歩み寄るべきは北朝鮮である。
China is the key to determining what will evolve from the status quo. Beijing must assume even greater responsibility to fulfill its role as the chair of the six-party negotiations.
今後のカギは中国だ。６か国協議議長国として、より大きな役割を担わせなければならない。
China's current priority is to ensure North Korea is not provoked, while also wielding a certain degree of clout on the cash-strapped nation through food and energy assistance. However, it will be indispensable for China to persuade North Korea that it must take "concrete steps" to overcome the current gridlock.
中国は、食糧・エネルギー供給を通じて北朝鮮へ一定の影響力を有しながら、今は北朝鮮を刺激しないことを最優先している。だが、事態の打開には、「具体的な措置」を取るよう中国が真剣に北朝鮮を説得することが不可欠だ。
The meeting of the three foreign ministers was preceded by a telephone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. Obama reportedly urged the Chinese leader to send North Korea a clear message that acts of provocation will not be tolerated.
日米韓外相会談に先立ち、オバマ大統領は胡錦濤国家主席に電話し、「北朝鮮に対し、挑発は容認できないとの明確なメッセージを送るよう迫った」という。
Washington is believed to be working in a similar vein behind the scenes, telling Beijing that a planned visit to the United States by the Chinese president in January will not be fruitful unless progress is made in resolving the North Korean problem. It is important for Japan and South Korea to lend the United States a helping hand as it seeks to accomplish the goal.
米国は水面下でも、「北朝鮮問題が前進しなければ、来年１月の胡主席訪米は成功しない」と中国に強く働きかけているとされる。この動きを、日本と韓国が最大限、側面支援することが大切だ。
===
Military readiness a must
No less essential is smooth cooperation among the three nations in dealing with military affairs. On Friday, the Self-Defense Forces commenced an eight-day joint exercise with the U.S. military in waters around this country. The South Korean military has dispatched observers to the Japan-U.S. joint drill, one of the largest of its kind.
軍事面の日米韓協力も欠かせない。自衛隊と米軍は３日から、日本近海で過去最大規模の共同統合演習を実施中で、韓国軍もオブザーバーを派遣している。
To prevent further acts of provocation by North Korea, it is essential that Japan, the United States and South Korea should build a greater deterrent to the unpredictable country, combined with efforts to ensure their joint actions fully serve their purposes.
北朝鮮のさらなる軍事的挑発を防ぐには、日米韓３か国の抑止力を高め、その実効性を確保する作業が肝要である。
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, has started a trip to Japan and South Korea. マレン米統合参謀本部議長が日韓両国訪問を開始した。
His visit to Tokyo and Seoul should be used as an initial step toward discussing what specific roles should be played by Japan, South Korea and the United States in coping with possible military contingencies on the peninsula, drawing up and improving a joint operational plan to be implemented in that event--a task that goes beyond joint military exercises.
共同演習にとどまらず、朝鮮半島有事における日米韓の具体的な役割分担を協議し、共同作戦計画を作成・充実させる一歩とすべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 8, 2010)
（2010年12月8日00時57分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 9, 2010)
日米韓外相会談 中国と連携し対北圧力強めよ（12月8日付・読売社説）
In dealing with North Korea, an important task for Japan, South Korea and the United States will be to cooperate with China and Russia in rebuilding a framework in which to bring both diplomatic and military pressure to bear on the reclusive state's regime.
日米韓３か国は今後、中国、ロシアとも連携して北朝鮮包囲網を再構築し、北朝鮮に外交、軍事両面で圧力を強めることが重要となろう。
On Monday, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan met in Washington to discuss the North Korean problem. Their joint statement, issued after their talks at the U.S. State Department, condemned North Korea for its recent artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, while also urging Pyongyang to take specific steps toward scrapping its nuclear weapons program.
前原外相、クリントン米国務長官、金星煥韓国外交通商相が米国務省で会談し、北朝鮮問題に関する共同声明を発表した。北朝鮮の韓国・延坪(ヨンピョン)島(ド)砲撃を非難するとともに、核放棄に向けた具体的な行動を求めている。
North Korea's artillery shelling, combined with its revelation of new uranium enrichment efforts, has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Given this, the latest meeting of the three foreign ministers to reconfirm unity among their nations bears a great deal of significance.
北朝鮮による砲撃とウラン濃縮活動の公表で、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。日米韓の外相が一堂に会し、３か国の結束を確認した意義は小さくない。
The three foreign ministers had good reason when they demanded that North Korea "take concrete steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to...denuclearization" in exchange for resuming six-party talks over that country's nuclear program. China has called for convening a meeting of the chief negotiators from the six nations.
３外相が、中国が提案した６か国協議再開の条件として、「非核化に真に取り組んでいることを示す具体的な措置」を北朝鮮が取るよう求めたのは、当然だ。
===
An old Pyongyang ploy
North Korea should not be allowed to enjoy impunity after its reckless military action, which even killed and injured South Korean civilians.
無謀な軍事行動で韓国民間人の犠牲者まで出しながら、何の罰則もなしで済ますべきではない。
It would be unwise to readily respond to an old ploy adopted by North Korea--that is, playing a carefully calibrated game of provocations, including nuclear and missile threats, to coax other nations into diplomatic negotiations and eventually gain a reward in return.
核やミサイルで挑発し、外交交渉に持ち込んで見返りを得る――そうした北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段に安易に乗るのは禁物だ。
Under the circumstances, it is North Korea--not the other participants in the six-party talks--that should make concessions to defuse a crisis of its own making, despite prospects that the parties will eventually return to the negotiating table at the talks in any case.
いずれは６か国協議を開くとしても、今、歩み寄るべきは北朝鮮である。
China is the key to determining what will evolve from the status quo. Beijing must assume even greater responsibility to fulfill its role as the chair of the six-party negotiations.
今後のカギは中国だ。６か国協議議長国として、より大きな役割を担わせなければならない。
China's current priority is to ensure North Korea is not provoked, while also wielding a certain degree of clout on the cash-strapped nation through food and energy assistance. However, it will be indispensable for China to persuade North Korea that it must take "concrete steps" to overcome the current gridlock.
中国は、食糧・エネルギー供給を通じて北朝鮮へ一定の影響力を有しながら、今は北朝鮮を刺激しないことを最優先している。だが、事態の打開には、「具体的な措置」を取るよう中国が真剣に北朝鮮を説得することが不可欠だ。
The meeting of the three foreign ministers was preceded by a telephone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. Obama reportedly urged the Chinese leader to send North Korea a clear message that acts of provocation will not be tolerated.
日米韓外相会談に先立ち、オバマ大統領は胡錦濤国家主席に電話し、「北朝鮮に対し、挑発は容認できないとの明確なメッセージを送るよう迫った」という。
Washington is believed to be working in a similar vein behind the scenes, telling Beijing that a planned visit to the United States by the Chinese president in January will not be fruitful unless progress is made in resolving the North Korean problem. It is important for Japan and South Korea to lend the United States a helping hand as it seeks to accomplish the goal.
米国は水面下でも、「北朝鮮問題が前進しなければ、来年１月の胡主席訪米は成功しない」と中国に強く働きかけているとされる。この動きを、日本と韓国が最大限、側面支援することが大切だ。
===
Military readiness a must
No less essential is smooth cooperation among the three nations in dealing with military affairs. On Friday, the Self-Defense Forces commenced an eight-day joint exercise with the U.S. military in waters around this country. The South Korean military has dispatched observers to the Japan-U.S. joint drill, one of the largest of its kind.
軍事面の日米韓協力も欠かせない。自衛隊と米軍は３日から、日本近海で過去最大規模の共同統合演習を実施中で、韓国軍もオブザーバーを派遣している。
To prevent further acts of provocation by North Korea, it is essential that Japan, the United States and South Korea should build a greater deterrent to the unpredictable country, combined with efforts to ensure their joint actions fully serve their purposes.
北朝鮮のさらなる軍事的挑発を防ぐには、日米韓３か国の抑止力を高め、その実効性を確保する作業が肝要である。
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, has started a trip to Japan and South Korea. マレン米統合参謀本部議長が日韓両国訪問を開始した。
His visit to Tokyo and Seoul should be used as an initial step toward discussing what specific roles should be played by Japan, South Korea and the United States in coping with possible military contingencies on the peninsula, drawing up and improving a joint operational plan to be implemented in that event--a task that goes beyond joint military exercises.
共同演習にとどまらず、朝鮮半島有事における日米韓の具体的な役割分担を協議し、共同作戦計画を作成・充実させる一歩とすべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 8, 2010)
（2010年12月8日00時57分 読売新聞）
2010年12月08日
内閣支持率２５％ 「有言不実行」へのいらだちだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 8, 2010)
Kan must change tack to regain public support
内閣支持率２５％ 「有言不実行」へのいらだちだ（12月7日付・読売社説）
The public approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has sunk rapidly to alarming levels.
菅内閣の支持率が、見る間に低下し、「危険水域」に入った。
The ebbing popular support apparently reflects the people's irritation over the Cabinet's failure to deal with domestic and diplomatic issues properly.
外交、内政の課題をきちんと処理できないことに対する国民のいらだちの表れではないか。
According to the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, the approval rating has declined to 25 percent. In other words, only one out of four people support the Cabinet. The disapproval rating, on the other hand, has shot up to 65 percent.
読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率が２５％に下落した。４人に１人の支持しかないことになる。不支持率は６５％と跳ね上がった。
The primary reason for nonsupport is "lack of leadership by the prime minister"--chosen by 36 percent of the respondents. The results raise a big question over whether the Cabinet will be able to deliver on its promise made six months ago at the time of its inauguration to become a "true-to-its-word cabinet."
不支持の理由の第一が「首相に指導力がない」で３６％だった。発足後半年を迎える「有言実行内閣」に大きな疑問符がついた形だ。
Public discontent over the government's economic policy is deep-seated.
経済政策への不満も根強い。
The Diet has passed the 4.8 trillion yen supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which incorporates measures to deal with the strong yen and deflation. But a staggering 83 percent answered "no" in response to a question on whether the Cabinet "has dealt with the current economic situation appropriately."
円高・デフレ対策を盛り込んだ４兆８０００億円超の補正予算は成立したものの、「今の経済情勢に適切に対応していない」と答えた人が８３％にも上った。
===
Lack of leadership
Public dissatisfaction is not due to the sluggish economy alone. It reflects criticism of the government over its failure to come up with effective policies to tackle the dire fiscal condition and social security issues. Thus, the survey clearly showed the public wants the government to promptly carry out drastic measures on these issues.
景気低迷への不満だけではあるまい。財政の危機的状況や社会保障政策の問題を放置していることへの批判だ。抜本的な手を早く打つ必要があるという国民の意思が示されたとも言えよう。
Opinion is divided within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan over whether the country should take part in the multilateral negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement on free trade. But the survey showed a strong majority--60 percent--wanted the country to make a bid to join the TPP framework.
政治問題化しつつある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加については、与党内で賛否が分かれている。だが、国民の６割はＴＰＰ参加に賛成だ。
If Kan succeeds in unifying intraparty opinion in favor of participation in TPP negotiations based on the public will as shown in the survey, he will be able to halt the skid of his Cabinet's support rate.
こうした声を背に首相が民主党を一本化できれば、支持率低下に歯止めがかかるのではないか。
His lack of leadership is viewed by the public as a reason that little progress has been made in addressing the political funding scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. An overwhelming 86 percent of the respondents answered that the Cabinet "fails to deal with the matter appropriately."
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」の問題が進展しなかったことも指導力不足が原因と見られている。民主党が適切に対応していないという人は、実に８６％だった。
An analysis of the results of surveys taken since the inception of the Cabinet in June shows that the approval rating moved upward when Kan took a clear stance to distance himself from Ozawa. Whether he can move ahead on the Ozawa issue could be the key to restoring the Cabinet's approval ratings.
菅内閣発足後の世論調査の推移をみると、首相が「脱小沢」路線を鮮明にした時、支持率は上向く傾向がある。小沢氏の問題を早急に前進させることが、支持率回復のカギとなろう。
Asked whether the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture can move toward a solution under the Kan administration, a resounding 85 percent responded negatively. Kan and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama bear heavy responsibility for having compounded the issue to the extent of the deadlock we face today.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題が、菅内閣で解決に向かうと思わないという人は８５％にも達した。ここまで問題をこじらせた鳩山、菅両首相の責任は極めて重い。
===
Wrong choice
To help reconstruct diplomacy vis-a-vis China and Russia, it is urgent to bolster the Japan-U.S. alliance. Despite this, Kan is seeking the Social Democratic Party's cooperation in the Diet although the SDP opposes the Japan-U.S. agreement on Futenma relocation. It is really unreasonable for him to do so.
中国、ロシアとの外交を立て直すためにも、日米同盟の強化が急務である。それなのに、普天間問題の日米合意に反対する社民党に協力を求めるのは筋違いだ。
Asked which party they would vote for in the proportional representation bloc if a House of Representatives election were held now, 26 percent picked the Liberal Democratic Party, surpassing the 22 percent who chose the DPJ.
衆院選が行われた場合の比例選での投票先については、自民党と答えた人が、民主党より多かった。
The two major parties last saw such a reversal in their relative popularity levels in a similar survey taken during the sunset days of the Hatoyama administration. The situation surrounding the Kan Cabinet has thus become similar to that of the previous administration.
逆転したのは、鳩山政権の末期以来だ。状況が似てきている。
Kan will face tough challenges such as budget compilation for fiscal 2011 and tax reform. How can he deal with them? His leadership is being put to the test in this regard.
菅首相は、これから予算編成、税制改革など指導力が問われる難問に直面する。どう打開するのか。
Making steady efforts to resolve the issues one by one could be the only way to regain the people's confidence. Kan must recognize this anew in steering his administration.
一つ一つ地道に課題を解決していくことが、国民の信頼を取り戻す唯一の道だ。そう再認識して、政権運営に当たるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 7, 2010)
（2010年12月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
Kan must change tack to regain public support
内閣支持率２５％ 「有言不実行」へのいらだちだ（12月7日付・読売社説）
The public approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has sunk rapidly to alarming levels.
菅内閣の支持率が、見る間に低下し、「危険水域」に入った。
The ebbing popular support apparently reflects the people's irritation over the Cabinet's failure to deal with domestic and diplomatic issues properly.
外交、内政の課題をきちんと処理できないことに対する国民のいらだちの表れではないか。
According to the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, the approval rating has declined to 25 percent. In other words, only one out of four people support the Cabinet. The disapproval rating, on the other hand, has shot up to 65 percent.
読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率が２５％に下落した。４人に１人の支持しかないことになる。不支持率は６５％と跳ね上がった。
The primary reason for nonsupport is "lack of leadership by the prime minister"--chosen by 36 percent of the respondents. The results raise a big question over whether the Cabinet will be able to deliver on its promise made six months ago at the time of its inauguration to become a "true-to-its-word cabinet."
不支持の理由の第一が「首相に指導力がない」で３６％だった。発足後半年を迎える「有言実行内閣」に大きな疑問符がついた形だ。
Public discontent over the government's economic policy is deep-seated.
経済政策への不満も根強い。
The Diet has passed the 4.8 trillion yen supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which incorporates measures to deal with the strong yen and deflation. But a staggering 83 percent answered "no" in response to a question on whether the Cabinet "has dealt with the current economic situation appropriately."
円高・デフレ対策を盛り込んだ４兆８０００億円超の補正予算は成立したものの、「今の経済情勢に適切に対応していない」と答えた人が８３％にも上った。
===
Lack of leadership
Public dissatisfaction is not due to the sluggish economy alone. It reflects criticism of the government over its failure to come up with effective policies to tackle the dire fiscal condition and social security issues. Thus, the survey clearly showed the public wants the government to promptly carry out drastic measures on these issues.
景気低迷への不満だけではあるまい。財政の危機的状況や社会保障政策の問題を放置していることへの批判だ。抜本的な手を早く打つ必要があるという国民の意思が示されたとも言えよう。
Opinion is divided within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan over whether the country should take part in the multilateral negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement on free trade. But the survey showed a strong majority--60 percent--wanted the country to make a bid to join the TPP framework.
政治問題化しつつある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加については、与党内で賛否が分かれている。だが、国民の６割はＴＰＰ参加に賛成だ。
If Kan succeeds in unifying intraparty opinion in favor of participation in TPP negotiations based on the public will as shown in the survey, he will be able to halt the skid of his Cabinet's support rate.
こうした声を背に首相が民主党を一本化できれば、支持率低下に歯止めがかかるのではないか。
His lack of leadership is viewed by the public as a reason that little progress has been made in addressing the political funding scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. An overwhelming 86 percent of the respondents answered that the Cabinet "fails to deal with the matter appropriately."
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」の問題が進展しなかったことも指導力不足が原因と見られている。民主党が適切に対応していないという人は、実に８６％だった。
An analysis of the results of surveys taken since the inception of the Cabinet in June shows that the approval rating moved upward when Kan took a clear stance to distance himself from Ozawa. Whether he can move ahead on the Ozawa issue could be the key to restoring the Cabinet's approval ratings.
菅内閣発足後の世論調査の推移をみると、首相が「脱小沢」路線を鮮明にした時、支持率は上向く傾向がある。小沢氏の問題を早急に前進させることが、支持率回復のカギとなろう。
Asked whether the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture can move toward a solution under the Kan administration, a resounding 85 percent responded negatively. Kan and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama bear heavy responsibility for having compounded the issue to the extent of the deadlock we face today.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題が、菅内閣で解決に向かうと思わないという人は８５％にも達した。ここまで問題をこじらせた鳩山、菅両首相の責任は極めて重い。
===
Wrong choice
To help reconstruct diplomacy vis-a-vis China and Russia, it is urgent to bolster the Japan-U.S. alliance. Despite this, Kan is seeking the Social Democratic Party's cooperation in the Diet although the SDP opposes the Japan-U.S. agreement on Futenma relocation. It is really unreasonable for him to do so.
中国、ロシアとの外交を立て直すためにも、日米同盟の強化が急務である。それなのに、普天間問題の日米合意に反対する社民党に協力を求めるのは筋違いだ。
Asked which party they would vote for in the proportional representation bloc if a House of Representatives election were held now, 26 percent picked the Liberal Democratic Party, surpassing the 22 percent who chose the DPJ.
衆院選が行われた場合の比例選での投票先については、自民党と答えた人が、民主党より多かった。
The two major parties last saw such a reversal in their relative popularity levels in a similar survey taken during the sunset days of the Hatoyama administration. The situation surrounding the Kan Cabinet has thus become similar to that of the previous administration.
逆転したのは、鳩山政権の末期以来だ。状況が似てきている。
Kan will face tough challenges such as budget compilation for fiscal 2011 and tax reform. How can he deal with them? His leadership is being put to the test in this regard.
菅首相は、これから予算編成、税制改革など指導力が問われる難問に直面する。どう打開するのか。
Making steady efforts to resolve the issues one by one could be the only way to regain the people's confidence. Kan must recognize this anew in steering his administration.
一つ一つ地道に課題を解決していくことが、国民の信頼を取り戻す唯一の道だ。そう再認識して、政権運営に当たるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 7, 2010)
（2010年12月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
2010年12月07日
電気自動車 技術革新促すエコカー競争
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 7, 2010)
Innovation key to winning eco-car race
電気自動車 技術革新促すエコカー競争（12月6日付・読売社説）
Competition among makers of electric vehicles, which do not discharge carbon dioxide, is heating up.
走行中に二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を出さない電気自動車（ＥＶ）の競争に火ぶたが切られた。
Many problems have to be overcome before these vehicles can become more popular, but the landscape of the automobile manufacturing industry will hinge on the outcome of the carmakers' battle for domination.
本格的な普及にはまだ課題も多いが、競争の結果次第で、業界の勢力図が激変する可能性がある。
Nissan Motor Co. recently announced it will start delivery of its Leaf five-seater electric vehicle in Japan and the United States this month. Sales in Europe are scheduled for early next year.
日産自動車が５人乗りＥＶの「リーフ」を発表した。日米で近く販売し、欧州でも売り出す。
Powered by lithium ion batteries, the Leaf can travel about 200 kilometers per charge. The zero-emission vehicle is priced at about 3.76 million yen, but buyers will pay less than 3 million yen once government subsidies are factored in.
リーフはリチウムイオン電池を搭載し、１回の充電で約２００キロ・メートル走行できる。価格は約３７６万円で、政府の補助金を利用すると３００万円を下回る計算だ。
Toyota Motor Corp. got a jump on the market for energy-efficient eco-cars in 1997, when it began selling its Prius gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Honda Motor Co. soon followed suit, and these two auto giants now hold the lion's share of the hybrid car market.
燃費が良いエコカーの商戦では、トヨタ自動車が１９９７年、ガソリンエンジンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車（ＨＶ）のプリウスを発売して先行した。ホンダもすぐに追随し、２社が市場を牽引(けんいん)してきた形だ。
Latecomer Nissan hopes its Leaf will grab a slice of the eco-car market.
大きく出遅れた日産は、リーフで巻き返す狙いだろう。
Battle for supremacy
Nissan is the second domestic carmaker to mass-produce electric vehicles, after Mitsubishi Motors Corp. started marketing its i-MiEV in summer last year.
国内メーカーのＥＶの量産化はアイ・ミーブを昨夏発売した三菱自動車に続いて２社目だ。
Venture businesses in the United States and China have been lining up to join the electric vehicle fray. General Motors Co., which has recovered from bankruptcy, plans to put its Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on the market.
世界では、米国や中国のベンチャー企業が次々とＥＶ市場に参入している。経営破綻から復活したゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）もシボレー・ボルトを発売する。
The global auto industry has entered a period of major upheaval as early participants and latecomers scrap it out to become king of the car market.
エコカーの先行組と、後発のＥＶ勢が覇権を争う業界の大変革期を迎えたと言えよう。
Toyota and Honda have decided to launch electric vehicles in 2012. A major German maker also is scheduled to join the electric car market, heralding a new era for the vehicles.
トヨタとホンダも対抗上、２０１２年にＥＶを売り出す方針を決めた。独企業も投入予定で、ＥＶ新時代を予感させる。
Tighter domestic controls on exhaust gas emissions in U.S. and European markets have prompted many carmakers to accelerate development of electric vehicles--the poster boys for eco-friendly cars.
欧米では排ガス規制が強化されることから、各社が温暖化対策の“優等生”とされるＥＶの開発を急いでいる。
But electric vehicles still face many potholes on the road to mainstream use. They cost considerably more than hybrids--many of which now cost less than 2 million yen--and can only travel relatively short distances per charge. Few charging facilities are available at present, a major inconvenience for users.
しかし、ＥＶには課題も山積する。２００万円弱まで値下がりしてきたＨＶに比べて割高で、１回の充電で走行できる距離が短いことだ。充電設備もまだ少なく、ユーザーには不便だ。
Still room for improvement
Making lithium ion batteries more waterproof should be among improvements made to ensure electric vehicles can run safely under severe weather conditions.
リチウム電池の防水対策や、どんな厳しい気象条件でも走行できる安全対策も求められよう。
Hybrid vehicles likely will stay front and center among eco-cars for the time being. It remains to be seen whether electric vehicles will eventually take over this role. Carmakers need to make technological innovations to improve electric vehicle performance.
エコカーの主役は当面、ＨＶとみられるが、いずれＥＶに移行するのかどうか。各社は性能を向上させる技術革新を競う必要がある。
Furthermore, installing more charging facilities across the nation is an urgent task. Government assistance will be indispensable for this.
充電設備の拡充も急務で、政府の支援も欠かせない。
Demand for electric vehicles will grow if they become more convenient to drive. This will make it possible for carmakers to cut electric vehicle prices, thereby giving momentum to their spread.
様々な課題を克服して利便性を高めれば需要が伸びる。メーカーも値下げが可能になり、普及に弾みがつくだろう。
The crux of the competition among electric vehicles actually boils down to lithium ion batteries. Panasonic Corp. and Sony Corp., which are competing with South Korean makers, face a crucial moment in this regard.
ＥＶはリチウム電池の競争でもある。韓国企業と争うパナソニックやソニーなども正念場だ。
We hope Japanese companies will flex their muscles and take the lead in this new market.
日本企業が競争力を発揮し、新市場を主導することが期待される。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 6, 2010)
（2010年12月6日01時08分 読売新聞）
Innovation key to winning eco-car race
電気自動車 技術革新促すエコカー競争（12月6日付・読売社説）
Competition among makers of electric vehicles, which do not discharge carbon dioxide, is heating up.
走行中に二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を出さない電気自動車（ＥＶ）の競争に火ぶたが切られた。
Many problems have to be overcome before these vehicles can become more popular, but the landscape of the automobile manufacturing industry will hinge on the outcome of the carmakers' battle for domination.
本格的な普及にはまだ課題も多いが、競争の結果次第で、業界の勢力図が激変する可能性がある。
Nissan Motor Co. recently announced it will start delivery of its Leaf five-seater electric vehicle in Japan and the United States this month. Sales in Europe are scheduled for early next year.
日産自動車が５人乗りＥＶの「リーフ」を発表した。日米で近く販売し、欧州でも売り出す。
Powered by lithium ion batteries, the Leaf can travel about 200 kilometers per charge. The zero-emission vehicle is priced at about 3.76 million yen, but buyers will pay less than 3 million yen once government subsidies are factored in.
リーフはリチウムイオン電池を搭載し、１回の充電で約２００キロ・メートル走行できる。価格は約３７６万円で、政府の補助金を利用すると３００万円を下回る計算だ。
Toyota Motor Corp. got a jump on the market for energy-efficient eco-cars in 1997, when it began selling its Prius gas-electric hybrid vehicle. Honda Motor Co. soon followed suit, and these two auto giants now hold the lion's share of the hybrid car market.
燃費が良いエコカーの商戦では、トヨタ自動車が１９９７年、ガソリンエンジンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車（ＨＶ）のプリウスを発売して先行した。ホンダもすぐに追随し、２社が市場を牽引(けんいん)してきた形だ。
Latecomer Nissan hopes its Leaf will grab a slice of the eco-car market.
大きく出遅れた日産は、リーフで巻き返す狙いだろう。
Battle for supremacy
Nissan is the second domestic carmaker to mass-produce electric vehicles, after Mitsubishi Motors Corp. started marketing its i-MiEV in summer last year.
国内メーカーのＥＶの量産化はアイ・ミーブを昨夏発売した三菱自動車に続いて２社目だ。
Venture businesses in the United States and China have been lining up to join the electric vehicle fray. General Motors Co., which has recovered from bankruptcy, plans to put its Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle on the market.
世界では、米国や中国のベンチャー企業が次々とＥＶ市場に参入している。経営破綻から復活したゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）もシボレー・ボルトを発売する。
The global auto industry has entered a period of major upheaval as early participants and latecomers scrap it out to become king of the car market.
エコカーの先行組と、後発のＥＶ勢が覇権を争う業界の大変革期を迎えたと言えよう。
Toyota and Honda have decided to launch electric vehicles in 2012. A major German maker also is scheduled to join the electric car market, heralding a new era for the vehicles.
トヨタとホンダも対抗上、２０１２年にＥＶを売り出す方針を決めた。独企業も投入予定で、ＥＶ新時代を予感させる。
Tighter domestic controls on exhaust gas emissions in U.S. and European markets have prompted many carmakers to accelerate development of electric vehicles--the poster boys for eco-friendly cars.
欧米では排ガス規制が強化されることから、各社が温暖化対策の“優等生”とされるＥＶの開発を急いでいる。
But electric vehicles still face many potholes on the road to mainstream use. They cost considerably more than hybrids--many of which now cost less than 2 million yen--and can only travel relatively short distances per charge. Few charging facilities are available at present, a major inconvenience for users.
しかし、ＥＶには課題も山積する。２００万円弱まで値下がりしてきたＨＶに比べて割高で、１回の充電で走行できる距離が短いことだ。充電設備もまだ少なく、ユーザーには不便だ。
Still room for improvement
Making lithium ion batteries more waterproof should be among improvements made to ensure electric vehicles can run safely under severe weather conditions.
リチウム電池の防水対策や、どんな厳しい気象条件でも走行できる安全対策も求められよう。
Hybrid vehicles likely will stay front and center among eco-cars for the time being. It remains to be seen whether electric vehicles will eventually take over this role. Carmakers need to make technological innovations to improve electric vehicle performance.
エコカーの主役は当面、ＨＶとみられるが、いずれＥＶに移行するのかどうか。各社は性能を向上させる技術革新を競う必要がある。
Furthermore, installing more charging facilities across the nation is an urgent task. Government assistance will be indispensable for this.
充電設備の拡充も急務で、政府の支援も欠かせない。
Demand for electric vehicles will grow if they become more convenient to drive. This will make it possible for carmakers to cut electric vehicle prices, thereby giving momentum to their spread.
様々な課題を克服して利便性を高めれば需要が伸びる。メーカーも値下げが可能になり、普及に弾みがつくだろう。
The crux of the competition among electric vehicles actually boils down to lithium ion batteries. Panasonic Corp. and Sony Corp., which are competing with South Korean makers, face a crucial moment in this regard.
ＥＶはリチウム電池の競争でもある。韓国企業と争うパナソニックやソニーなども正念場だ。
We hope Japanese companies will flex their muscles and take the lead in this new market.
日本企業が競争力を発揮し、新市場を主導することが期待される。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 6, 2010)
（2010年12月6日01時08分 読売新聞）
2010年12月06日
警察資料流出 経路解明と再発防止が急務だ
二節目は英文と和文との齟齬があったので追加の和文翻訳を添付しました。
英文のほうが報道内容が充実しています。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 6, 2010)
MPD must admit leak, prevent recurrence
警察資料流出 経路解明と再発防止が急務だ（12月5日付・読売社説）
More than a month after documents related to international terrorism investigations were apparently leaked onto the Internet, the Metropolitan Police Department on Friday seized personal information and access information about subscribers of two Internet service providers.
国際テロ捜査に関する資料がインターネット上に流出してから１か月余りたって、警視庁が国内のプロバイダー２社の契約者情報と接続記録を差し押さえた。
The MPD has not yet said the documents in question are real, but it has launched an official investigation on the suspicion that obstruction of its operations has occurred.
The data leak, which took place immediately before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Yokohama, affected security arrangements for the summit and related conferences, as the MPD had to assign some personnel who would have worked on event security and other duties to instead conduct internal research into the leak.
容疑は、アジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の開催直前に資料を流出させたことで、会議の警備に支障を生じさせたという偽計業務妨害である。
(警視庁はまだリークした情報が本物であるということを認めていない by srachai)
(本来であればＡＰＥＣの警備等に割り当てられる人員がこのリークを調査するために振り分けられた by srachai)
Now, the MPD has probably judged its internal probe to have been too limited to find out who responsible for the leak.
流出元を特定するには、これまでの任意の調査では限界があると判断したのだろう。
The launch of the "official investigation" seems a bit late, but the MPD has to learn the full story of the leak as soon as possible.
遅すぎた感のある「捜査開始」だが、警視庁は全容解明を急がねばならない。
Information still on Net
The leaked data is spreading over the Internet even now. It has been reported that more than 10,000 people in more than 20 countries and territories all over the world have so far obtained it using file-sharing software.
流出資料は今もネット上で拡散し続けている。ファイル共有ソフトを通じて資料を入手したのは、これまでに２０以上の国や地域で１万人を超えるという。
Great personal damage has been suffered by the people whose names and photos are displayed on the Internet with "target of investigation" or other labels attached.
「捜査対象者」などとして、実名や顔写真をネット上にさらされている人の被害は甚大である。
After the leak came to light, a book that included all the data in its original form was released by a Tokyo-based publisher. The Tokyo District Court issued two provisional injunctions to the publisher to stop the publication and sale of the book, based on demands from Muslim residents of Japan whose personal information was carried in it.
この間、問題の資料をそのまま掲載した本まで作られた。東京地裁は、個人情報を載せられたイスラム教徒らの申し立てを受け、都内の出版社に対し、本の出版を差し止める仮処分決定をした。
The court's decisions were based on the judgment that the publication violates those people's privacy. Suspension of publication is approved only in exceptional cases since such an action may violate the freedom of expression guaranteed in the Constitution. We think the court made an appropriate decision because the damage should be kept from multiplying.
出版がプライバシーの侵害にあたるという判断だ。出版の差し止めは、憲法の定める「表現の自由」を侵す恐れがあるため例外的に認められるべきものだが、地裁の判断は被害をこれ以上拡大させない意味でも妥当と言えよう。
However, we really do not understand why the MPD still does not admit that the data is a collection of internal police documents.
理解しがたいのは、警視庁がいまだに流出資料を警察の内部文書と認めようとしないことだ。
International implications
The leaked documents include information believed to have been given to the MPD by foreign investigative organizations. So the MPD seems to be worrying that Japan will lose the trust of the international community and be viewed as "a country that cannot preserve confidentiality" if the MPD admits that official documents got out.
外国捜査機関から寄せられた情報も含まれていたことから、内部文書と公式に認めると、他国から「日本は秘密保持ができない国だ」と思われ、信頼を失うことを懸念しているようだ。
Probably for this reason, the MPD has not demanded that the administrators of Web sites carrying the leaked data delete the information. It kept silent even when it learned the book was going to be published and remained silent when it was actually published.
このため警視庁は、資料が転載されたサイトの管理者に削除要請もしていない。問題の本の出版に際しても沈黙したままだった。
However, the MPD should not be allowed to remain passively silent in the face of the ever-expanding damage from the leak.
しかし、これ以上、被害の拡大に手をこまねいていることは許されないだろう。
The MPD needs to immediately admit the leaked documents are genuine and apologize to people whose personal information was leaked. It is a matter of course that the MPD must secure the safety of its informants in investigations.
警視庁はすみやかに内部文書であると認め、個人情報を流された人たちに謝罪する必要がある。捜査協力者らについて、安全確保に万全を期すのは当然である。
Reportedly, the possibility remains that an MPD insider used his or her own external memory device to smuggle out investigation data from MPD computers. If this is what actually happened, the MPD's information management is too sloppy, and the organization must urgently correct the situation.
内部の人間が私有の外部記憶媒体を使って、警視庁のコンピューターから捜査資料を持ち出した可能性も捨てきれないという。だとすれば、あまりにずさんな情報管理であり、見直しは急務だ。
The MPD must trace the route of the leak and devise measures to prevent similar incidents as soon as possible. Otherwise, the country cannot regain the international confidence it has lost.
一刻も早く流出経路を解明し、再発防止に取り組まないと、国際的な信用は回復できまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 5, 2010)
（2010年12月5日01時14分 読売新聞）
英文のほうが報道内容が充実しています。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 6, 2010)
MPD must admit leak, prevent recurrence
警察資料流出 経路解明と再発防止が急務だ（12月5日付・読売社説）
More than a month after documents related to international terrorism investigations were apparently leaked onto the Internet, the Metropolitan Police Department on Friday seized personal information and access information about subscribers of two Internet service providers.
国際テロ捜査に関する資料がインターネット上に流出してから１か月余りたって、警視庁が国内のプロバイダー２社の契約者情報と接続記録を差し押さえた。
The MPD has not yet said the documents in question are real, but it has launched an official investigation on the suspicion that obstruction of its operations has occurred.
The data leak, which took place immediately before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Yokohama, affected security arrangements for the summit and related conferences, as the MPD had to assign some personnel who would have worked on event security and other duties to instead conduct internal research into the leak.
容疑は、アジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の開催直前に資料を流出させたことで、会議の警備に支障を生じさせたという偽計業務妨害である。
(警視庁はまだリークした情報が本物であるということを認めていない by srachai)
(本来であればＡＰＥＣの警備等に割り当てられる人員がこのリークを調査するために振り分けられた by srachai)
Now, the MPD has probably judged its internal probe to have been too limited to find out who responsible for the leak.
流出元を特定するには、これまでの任意の調査では限界があると判断したのだろう。
The launch of the "official investigation" seems a bit late, but the MPD has to learn the full story of the leak as soon as possible.
遅すぎた感のある「捜査開始」だが、警視庁は全容解明を急がねばならない。
Information still on Net
The leaked data is spreading over the Internet even now. It has been reported that more than 10,000 people in more than 20 countries and territories all over the world have so far obtained it using file-sharing software.
流出資料は今もネット上で拡散し続けている。ファイル共有ソフトを通じて資料を入手したのは、これまでに２０以上の国や地域で１万人を超えるという。
Great personal damage has been suffered by the people whose names and photos are displayed on the Internet with "target of investigation" or other labels attached.
「捜査対象者」などとして、実名や顔写真をネット上にさらされている人の被害は甚大である。
After the leak came to light, a book that included all the data in its original form was released by a Tokyo-based publisher. The Tokyo District Court issued two provisional injunctions to the publisher to stop the publication and sale of the book, based on demands from Muslim residents of Japan whose personal information was carried in it.
この間、問題の資料をそのまま掲載した本まで作られた。東京地裁は、個人情報を載せられたイスラム教徒らの申し立てを受け、都内の出版社に対し、本の出版を差し止める仮処分決定をした。
The court's decisions were based on the judgment that the publication violates those people's privacy. Suspension of publication is approved only in exceptional cases since such an action may violate the freedom of expression guaranteed in the Constitution. We think the court made an appropriate decision because the damage should be kept from multiplying.
出版がプライバシーの侵害にあたるという判断だ。出版の差し止めは、憲法の定める「表現の自由」を侵す恐れがあるため例外的に認められるべきものだが、地裁の判断は被害をこれ以上拡大させない意味でも妥当と言えよう。
However, we really do not understand why the MPD still does not admit that the data is a collection of internal police documents.
理解しがたいのは、警視庁がいまだに流出資料を警察の内部文書と認めようとしないことだ。
International implications
The leaked documents include information believed to have been given to the MPD by foreign investigative organizations. So the MPD seems to be worrying that Japan will lose the trust of the international community and be viewed as "a country that cannot preserve confidentiality" if the MPD admits that official documents got out.
外国捜査機関から寄せられた情報も含まれていたことから、内部文書と公式に認めると、他国から「日本は秘密保持ができない国だ」と思われ、信頼を失うことを懸念しているようだ。
Probably for this reason, the MPD has not demanded that the administrators of Web sites carrying the leaked data delete the information. It kept silent even when it learned the book was going to be published and remained silent when it was actually published.
このため警視庁は、資料が転載されたサイトの管理者に削除要請もしていない。問題の本の出版に際しても沈黙したままだった。
However, the MPD should not be allowed to remain passively silent in the face of the ever-expanding damage from the leak.
しかし、これ以上、被害の拡大に手をこまねいていることは許されないだろう。
The MPD needs to immediately admit the leaked documents are genuine and apologize to people whose personal information was leaked. It is a matter of course that the MPD must secure the safety of its informants in investigations.
警視庁はすみやかに内部文書であると認め、個人情報を流された人たちに謝罪する必要がある。捜査協力者らについて、安全確保に万全を期すのは当然である。
Reportedly, the possibility remains that an MPD insider used his or her own external memory device to smuggle out investigation data from MPD computers. If this is what actually happened, the MPD's information management is too sloppy, and the organization must urgently correct the situation.
内部の人間が私有の外部記憶媒体を使って、警視庁のコンピューターから捜査資料を持ち出した可能性も捨てきれないという。だとすれば、あまりにずさんな情報管理であり、見直しは急務だ。
The MPD must trace the route of the leak and devise measures to prevent similar incidents as soon as possible. Otherwise, the country cannot regain the international confidence it has lost.
一刻も早く流出経路を解明し、再発防止に取り組まないと、国際的な信用は回復できまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 5, 2010)
（2010年12月5日01時14分 読売新聞）
2010年12月05日
衆参「ねじれ」 機能不全見せつけた臨時国会
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 5, 2010)
Diet session reveals Kan govt failures
衆参「ねじれ」 機能不全見せつけた臨時国会（12月4日付・読売社説）
The nearly-two-month extraordinary Diet session ended Friday.
ほぼ２か月にわたった臨時国会が３日、閉幕した。
However, no deep deliberations on policy issues were held in the session. Instead, only the malfunctioning of Prime Minister Naoto Kan's government was exposed. Without rethinking its strategy completely, the Kan Cabinet will not be able to survive the ordinary Diet session to be convened early next year.
「熟議」どころか、政権の機能不全を露呈した国会だった。戦略を抜本的に練り直さない限り、菅内閣は来年の通常国会を到底乗り切れまい。
The government was able to pass only about 30 percent of the bills it sponsored in the session. This demonstrates the Kan Cabinet's shortcomings in implementing policies.
政府提出法案の成立率が過去最低水準の３割台にとどまったことは、菅内閣の政策実現能力の低さを物語っている。
In the so-called divided Diet in which the opposition controls the House of Councillors, the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan initially looked for "a partial coalition" in which they hoped to cooperate with opposition parties depending on the policy and the bill.
政府・民主党は当初、参院で野党が多数を占める「ねじれ国会」で、法案・政策ごとに野党と連携する部分連合を模索した。
However, the Kan Cabinet's approval rate dropped substantially after it mishandled foreign affairs such as its responses to the collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol boats off the Senkaku Islands, and the nation's relations with Russia over the northern territories issue. It was natural that the Kan Cabinet was forsaken by New Komeito, whose cooperation it had asked for over the fiscal 2010 supplementary budget and other issues.
だが、尖閣諸島沖での中国漁船衝突事件の対応、北方領土問題など外交で大きくつまずき、内閣支持率が大幅に下落した。補正予算などで協力を求めた公明党から見放されたのも当然だ。
Ozawa scandal lingers
The politics-and-money scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa is no closer to resolution, either. The bottom line is that the prime minister has never exercised his leadership over the issue. This has just reinforced the public impression that the DPJ is unable to clean its own house.
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題も全く進展しなかった。菅首相は結局、リーダーシップを発揮せず、民主党には自浄能力がないとの印象を一層強める結果となった。
Though he once declared he would support the party as a foot soldier, Ozawa kept refusing requests by DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada to attend the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics in the House of Representatives. Not only that, Ozawa is trying to pressure the DPJ leadership by showing off the solidarity of party members supporting him.
小沢氏は「一兵卒」として党を支えると公言しながら、岡田幹事長が衆院政治倫理審査会への出席を再三にわたって要請しても、拒否し続けた。それどころか、小沢氏支持派の結束を誇示して執行部を牽制(けんせい)する動きも見せている。
The government's 2009 report on political funds revealed that Rikuzan-kai, Ozawa's political funds management organization, collected the largest amount of funds that year among political organizations. In addition, it is suspected that funds of the defunct Japan Renewal Party flowed into Rikuzan-kai, which allegedly used them to pay off a loan from Ozawa.
小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」については、２００９年の政治資金収支報告書で突出した資金集めの実態が明らかになった。加えて、旧新生党の資金が「陸山会」に流れ込み、小沢氏からの借入金返済に充てられたと見られている。
We believe this only makes Ozawa's accountability even heavier.
小沢氏の説明責任は、一段と重くなったと言わざるを得ない。
Ozawa is soon to face mandatory indictment based on the decision of a Tokyo inquest of prosecution committee. This will be a heavy drag for the DPJ as nationwide local government elections scheduled next spring approach.
小沢氏は検察審査会の議決により、強制起訴される運びだ。民主党にとっては来春の統一地方選に向けての重い足かせとなる。
Impact of censure motions
A new focus of attention is how much impact censure motions against Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, a linchpin of the Kan Cabinet, and Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Sumio Mabuchi will have on the political situation.
今後の焦点は、内閣の要である仙谷官房長官と、馬淵国土交通相に対する問責決議の影響がどこまで及ぶかだ。
The opposition Liberal Democratic Party will adopt a stern posture against the DPJ at the upcoming ordinary Diet session. For one thing, the main opposition party will not consider Sengoku and Mabuchi as cabinet members, said Ichiro Aisawa, the LDP's Diet affairs chief.
自民党は仙谷、馬淵両氏を「閣僚として受け付けない」（逢沢一郎国会対策委員長）とし、通常国会での対決姿勢を強めている。
The prime minister will sooner or later reach a deadlock in the Diet unless he hangs tight and works very hard to break the impasse.
菅首相は、よほど腰を据えて局面打開を図らなければ、早晩行き詰まってしまうだろう。
The Kan administration is facing a variety of policy issues such as a hike of the consumption tax rate, relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture and Japan's participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade initiatives.
菅政権は、消費税率引き上げや普天間飛行場移設、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加など数々の政策課題に直面している。
It must construct a new political framework to solve these problems by considering a bold partnership with an opposition party. To make this happen, the government and the DPJ need to quickly change policies based on election pledges the party had made for the 2009 House of Representatives election, which have already fallen by the wayside anyway.
野党との大胆な連携も視野に課題解決への枠組みを構築しなければならない。そのためにも、破綻をきたしている政権公約からの政策転換を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 4, 2010)
（2010年12月4日01時47分 読売新聞）
Diet session reveals Kan govt failures
衆参「ねじれ」 機能不全見せつけた臨時国会（12月4日付・読売社説）
The nearly-two-month extraordinary Diet session ended Friday.
ほぼ２か月にわたった臨時国会が３日、閉幕した。
However, no deep deliberations on policy issues were held in the session. Instead, only the malfunctioning of Prime Minister Naoto Kan's government was exposed. Without rethinking its strategy completely, the Kan Cabinet will not be able to survive the ordinary Diet session to be convened early next year.
「熟議」どころか、政権の機能不全を露呈した国会だった。戦略を抜本的に練り直さない限り、菅内閣は来年の通常国会を到底乗り切れまい。
The government was able to pass only about 30 percent of the bills it sponsored in the session. This demonstrates the Kan Cabinet's shortcomings in implementing policies.
政府提出法案の成立率が過去最低水準の３割台にとどまったことは、菅内閣の政策実現能力の低さを物語っている。
In the so-called divided Diet in which the opposition controls the House of Councillors, the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan initially looked for "a partial coalition" in which they hoped to cooperate with opposition parties depending on the policy and the bill.
政府・民主党は当初、参院で野党が多数を占める「ねじれ国会」で、法案・政策ごとに野党と連携する部分連合を模索した。
However, the Kan Cabinet's approval rate dropped substantially after it mishandled foreign affairs such as its responses to the collisions between a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol boats off the Senkaku Islands, and the nation's relations with Russia over the northern territories issue. It was natural that the Kan Cabinet was forsaken by New Komeito, whose cooperation it had asked for over the fiscal 2010 supplementary budget and other issues.
だが、尖閣諸島沖での中国漁船衝突事件の対応、北方領土問題など外交で大きくつまずき、内閣支持率が大幅に下落した。補正予算などで協力を求めた公明党から見放されたのも当然だ。
Ozawa scandal lingers
The politics-and-money scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa is no closer to resolution, either. The bottom line is that the prime minister has never exercised his leadership over the issue. This has just reinforced the public impression that the DPJ is unable to clean its own house.
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題も全く進展しなかった。菅首相は結局、リーダーシップを発揮せず、民主党には自浄能力がないとの印象を一層強める結果となった。
Though he once declared he would support the party as a foot soldier, Ozawa kept refusing requests by DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada to attend the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics in the House of Representatives. Not only that, Ozawa is trying to pressure the DPJ leadership by showing off the solidarity of party members supporting him.
小沢氏は「一兵卒」として党を支えると公言しながら、岡田幹事長が衆院政治倫理審査会への出席を再三にわたって要請しても、拒否し続けた。それどころか、小沢氏支持派の結束を誇示して執行部を牽制(けんせい)する動きも見せている。
The government's 2009 report on political funds revealed that Rikuzan-kai, Ozawa's political funds management organization, collected the largest amount of funds that year among political organizations. In addition, it is suspected that funds of the defunct Japan Renewal Party flowed into Rikuzan-kai, which allegedly used them to pay off a loan from Ozawa.
小沢氏の資金管理団体「陸山会」については、２００９年の政治資金収支報告書で突出した資金集めの実態が明らかになった。加えて、旧新生党の資金が「陸山会」に流れ込み、小沢氏からの借入金返済に充てられたと見られている。
We believe this only makes Ozawa's accountability even heavier.
小沢氏の説明責任は、一段と重くなったと言わざるを得ない。
Ozawa is soon to face mandatory indictment based on the decision of a Tokyo inquest of prosecution committee. This will be a heavy drag for the DPJ as nationwide local government elections scheduled next spring approach.
小沢氏は検察審査会の議決により、強制起訴される運びだ。民主党にとっては来春の統一地方選に向けての重い足かせとなる。
Impact of censure motions
A new focus of attention is how much impact censure motions against Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, a linchpin of the Kan Cabinet, and Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Sumio Mabuchi will have on the political situation.
今後の焦点は、内閣の要である仙谷官房長官と、馬淵国土交通相に対する問責決議の影響がどこまで及ぶかだ。
The opposition Liberal Democratic Party will adopt a stern posture against the DPJ at the upcoming ordinary Diet session. For one thing, the main opposition party will not consider Sengoku and Mabuchi as cabinet members, said Ichiro Aisawa, the LDP's Diet affairs chief.
自民党は仙谷、馬淵両氏を「閣僚として受け付けない」（逢沢一郎国会対策委員長）とし、通常国会での対決姿勢を強めている。
The prime minister will sooner or later reach a deadlock in the Diet unless he hangs tight and works very hard to break the impasse.
菅首相は、よほど腰を据えて局面打開を図らなければ、早晩行き詰まってしまうだろう。
The Kan administration is facing a variety of policy issues such as a hike of the consumption tax rate, relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture and Japan's participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade initiatives.
菅政権は、消費税率引き上げや普天間飛行場移設、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加など数々の政策課題に直面している。
It must construct a new political framework to solve these problems by considering a bold partnership with an opposition party. To make this happen, the government and the DPJ need to quickly change policies based on election pledges the party had made for the 2009 House of Representatives election, which have already fallen by the wayside anyway.
野党との大胆な連携も視野に課題解決への枠組みを構築しなければならない。そのためにも、破綻をきたしている政権公約からの政策転換を急ぐ必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 4, 2010)
（2010年12月4日01時47分 読売新聞）
2010年12月04日
ＣＯＰ１６ 京都議定書の単純延長は論外
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 4, 2010)
Don't extend Kyoto pact just for the sake of it
ＣＯＰ１６ 京都議定書の単純延長は論外（12月3日付・読売社説）
To cut global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and establish a society not dependent on fossil fuels, the world needs new international rules on emission controls that are fair to industrially advanced and developing nations.
世界の温室効果ガスの排出量を減らし、化石燃料に頼らない社会を築くためには、先進国と途上国の対立を解いて、新たな国際ルールを策定する必要がある。
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) is being held in Cancun, Mexico. The main item on the agenda is the establishment of new rules to replace the current Kyoto Protocol whose commitment period for achieving emission targets ends in 2012.
気候変動枠組み条約の第１６回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１６）がメキシコで開かれている。主要議題は、対象期間が２０１２年に終了する現在の「京都議定書」に代わる、新しいルール作りだ。
The main problem boils down to whether participating nations can craft a fair, effective framework acceptable to an entanglement of interests.
問われているのは、参加国の思惑が絡み合う中で、公平で実効性のある枠組みを構築できるかどうか、である。
Discussions at the conference quickly ran into trouble. Developing countries are strongly resisting new rules that would require them to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, which they fear would slow their economic growth. They want the Kyoto Protocol extended to 2013 and beyond.
討議は序盤から難航している。経済成長の足かせになるとして、新ルールで削減義務を負うことに強く抵抗している途上国側が、１３年以降も京都議定書を延長するよう主張しているためだ。
Get U.S., China on board
Under the Kyoto Protocol, only industrially advanced countries are required to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is advantageous to developing countries. China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, is a developing country and therefore not obliged by the pact to cut its emissions.
京都議定書は先進国だけに削減義務を課しており、途上国に都合のよいルールになっている。排出量が最も多い中国も、途上国として削減義務を負っていない。
The United States, the second-biggest gas emitter, has not ratified the Kyoto pact. These two countries together spew out more than 40 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
中国に次ぐ排出量の米国は、議定書を離脱したままだ。中国と米国を合わせた排出量は、世界全体の４割以上を占める。
Greenhouse gas emissions by signatories with obligations under the pact, such as Japan and the European Union, produce only 27 percent of global emissions. This suggests the Kyoto framework is ineffective.
一方で、削減義務が課されている日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）などの排出量は、世界の２７％に過ぎない。京都議定書が実効性を欠く枠組みと言われるゆえんだろう。
We believe any framework that replaces the Kyoto Protocol must ensure that China and the United States also live up to their responsibility to cut their emissions. Merely extending the Kyoto Protocol would plainly run counter to this. Accordingly, it is quite reasonable for the Japanese government to have decided to oppose extension of the pact.
必要なのは、中国と米国も排出削減に応分の責任を果たすような枠組みである。京都議定書の単純延長は、明らかにそれに逆行するものだ。日本政府が議定書の延長に反対する方針を決めたのは、当然と言えよう。
25% goal not set in stone
Worryingly, the EU has shown a willingness to extend the protocol. EU nations probably assume it would be advantageous for them to keep in place the EU emissions trading system that was introduced to help the region achieve reduction targets.
ただ、ＥＵにも京都議定書の延長を容認する動きがあるのは懸念材料だ。削減目標達成の手段の一つとして実施している域内の排出量取引制度を、今後も続ける方が得策との思惑からだろう。
Japanese delegates will undoubtedly face some tense negotiations at the conference.
日本が厳しい交渉を迫られることは間違いない。
The previous administration under Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama came out with a lofty target of cutting Japan's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from the 1990 level by 2020. The government attached several preconditions to this goal, including the establishment of a fair emissions reduction architecture that involves all major greenhouse gas emitters, and an agreement on ambitious targets.
鳩山前政権は、２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減という極めて高い目標を打ち出した。これに取り組むにあたっては、「すべての主要排出国による公平な枠組みの構築」と「意欲的な目標の合意」という前提条件も付けている。
We think Japan should stick by these conditions. If the 25 percent reduction goal takes on a life of its own, this nation alone could end up being obliged to achieve a distinctly disadvantageous reduction target.
この条件は堅持せねばならない。「２５％削減」が独り歩きすれば、日本だけが不利な削減義務を負うことにつながりかねない。
Opposition to the 25 percent reduction is strong in Japan due to concerns that excessive emissions controls would hurt the economy. On this occasion, Japan should start reviewing this target and set a more realistic one.
過度の排出抑制は経済に悪影響を及ぼすとして、国内でも「２５％削減」への反発は強い。この際、現実的な目標への見直しにも着手すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 3, 2010)
（2010年12月3日01時25分 読売新聞）
Don't extend Kyoto pact just for the sake of it
ＣＯＰ１６ 京都議定書の単純延長は論外（12月3日付・読売社説）
To cut global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and establish a society not dependent on fossil fuels, the world needs new international rules on emission controls that are fair to industrially advanced and developing nations.
世界の温室効果ガスの排出量を減らし、化石燃料に頼らない社会を築くためには、先進国と途上国の対立を解いて、新たな国際ルールを策定する必要がある。
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16) is being held in Cancun, Mexico. The main item on the agenda is the establishment of new rules to replace the current Kyoto Protocol whose commitment period for achieving emission targets ends in 2012.
気候変動枠組み条約の第１６回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１６）がメキシコで開かれている。主要議題は、対象期間が２０１２年に終了する現在の「京都議定書」に代わる、新しいルール作りだ。
The main problem boils down to whether participating nations can craft a fair, effective framework acceptable to an entanglement of interests.
問われているのは、参加国の思惑が絡み合う中で、公平で実効性のある枠組みを構築できるかどうか、である。
Discussions at the conference quickly ran into trouble. Developing countries are strongly resisting new rules that would require them to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, which they fear would slow their economic growth. They want the Kyoto Protocol extended to 2013 and beyond.
討議は序盤から難航している。経済成長の足かせになるとして、新ルールで削減義務を負うことに強く抵抗している途上国側が、１３年以降も京都議定書を延長するよう主張しているためだ。
Get U.S., China on board
Under the Kyoto Protocol, only industrially advanced countries are required to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is advantageous to developing countries. China, the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter, is a developing country and therefore not obliged by the pact to cut its emissions.
京都議定書は先進国だけに削減義務を課しており、途上国に都合のよいルールになっている。排出量が最も多い中国も、途上国として削減義務を負っていない。
The United States, the second-biggest gas emitter, has not ratified the Kyoto pact. These two countries together spew out more than 40 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
中国に次ぐ排出量の米国は、議定書を離脱したままだ。中国と米国を合わせた排出量は、世界全体の４割以上を占める。
Greenhouse gas emissions by signatories with obligations under the pact, such as Japan and the European Union, produce only 27 percent of global emissions. This suggests the Kyoto framework is ineffective.
一方で、削減義務が課されている日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）などの排出量は、世界の２７％に過ぎない。京都議定書が実効性を欠く枠組みと言われるゆえんだろう。
We believe any framework that replaces the Kyoto Protocol must ensure that China and the United States also live up to their responsibility to cut their emissions. Merely extending the Kyoto Protocol would plainly run counter to this. Accordingly, it is quite reasonable for the Japanese government to have decided to oppose extension of the pact.
必要なのは、中国と米国も排出削減に応分の責任を果たすような枠組みである。京都議定書の単純延長は、明らかにそれに逆行するものだ。日本政府が議定書の延長に反対する方針を決めたのは、当然と言えよう。
25% goal not set in stone
Worryingly, the EU has shown a willingness to extend the protocol. EU nations probably assume it would be advantageous for them to keep in place the EU emissions trading system that was introduced to help the region achieve reduction targets.
ただ、ＥＵにも京都議定書の延長を容認する動きがあるのは懸念材料だ。削減目標達成の手段の一つとして実施している域内の排出量取引制度を、今後も続ける方が得策との思惑からだろう。
Japanese delegates will undoubtedly face some tense negotiations at the conference.
日本が厳しい交渉を迫られることは間違いない。
The previous administration under Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama came out with a lofty target of cutting Japan's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from the 1990 level by 2020. The government attached several preconditions to this goal, including the establishment of a fair emissions reduction architecture that involves all major greenhouse gas emitters, and an agreement on ambitious targets.
鳩山前政権は、２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減という極めて高い目標を打ち出した。これに取り組むにあたっては、「すべての主要排出国による公平な枠組みの構築」と「意欲的な目標の合意」という前提条件も付けている。
We think Japan should stick by these conditions. If the 25 percent reduction goal takes on a life of its own, this nation alone could end up being obliged to achieve a distinctly disadvantageous reduction target.
この条件は堅持せねばならない。「２５％削減」が独り歩きすれば、日本だけが不利な削減義務を負うことにつながりかねない。
Opposition to the 25 percent reduction is strong in Japan due to concerns that excessive emissions controls would hurt the economy. On this occasion, Japan should start reviewing this target and set a more realistic one.
過度の排出抑制は経済に悪影響を及ぼすとして、国内でも「２５％削減」への反発は強い。この際、現実的な目標への見直しにも着手すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 3, 2010)
（2010年12月3日01時25分 読売新聞）