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2010年12月03日
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。＞
何だか子供のないものねだりと同じ発想に唖然とさせられました。
努力しても出来ないので問題となっているのです。
問題を解決するには、
１）増税して年金制度を維持する
２）増税せずに年金制度を廃止する
くらいしかないでしょう。
６０才以上の老人たちにも広く雇用の枠を広げるべきです。
そうしないと近い将来老人たちは、ご飯が食べられなくなってしまいます。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/02
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 1
EDITORIAL: Pension funding
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
When there is no choice but to rely on debt to cover budgetary revenue shortfalls, the government must not hide this from the public. In the meantime, the government should make every effort to reduce its reliance on deficit-covering bonds.
財源が確保できないので借金に頼らざるを得ないというのなら、その実態を隠してはならない。国民に知らせ、国債という借金を減らしていく努力につなげることが大切だ。
With the government now studying how best to allocate pension funds in the fiscal 2011 budget, we cannot stress the importance of total transparency enough.
来年度予算の編成で検討が進む年金のような問題は、とりわけそうであり、小細工は禁物である。
The government has known for years that supporting the nation's pension system would require more than one-third of basic pension funding to be borne by the state. When the pension system was reformed in 2004, it was written into law that the state's burden would be raised to 50 percent in fiscal 2009.
年金制度を支えるには、基礎年金の３分の１だった国庫負担の割合を引き上げることが長年の課題とされてきた。２００４年の制度改革のさい、０９年度から２分の１に引き上げることが法律に明記された。
A tax hike was necessary to secure the 2.5 trillion yen ($29.8 billion) in permanent revenues necessary to foot the bigger bill, but the government kept putting it off. As a result, the government is still unable to secure the necessary funding.
だが、そのための増税を先送りしてきた結果、２．５兆円の恒久財源を確保できない状況が続いている。
In fiscal 2009 and 2010, the government made do by dipping into reserve funds in the fiscal investment and loan special account. For fiscal 2011, the government is considering appropriating 128 trillion yen from the pension special account reserve fund.
０９、１０両年度は財政投融資特別会計の積立金という「埋蔵金」の取り崩しでつじつまを合わせた。来年度に向け検討されているのが、年金特別会計の積立金１２８兆円の流用だ。
This particular fund has been used in the past for fiscal juggling. While temporarily suspending the transfer of funds from the general account, the government spent an equivalent amount from the fund, reducing bond issues. Theoretically, the procedure was in keeping with fiscal discipline. However, in practice, this was no different from issuing deficit-covering bonds.
この積立金は、過去にも財政のやりくりで使われた。一般会計からの繰り入れを一時的に停止し、その分だけ積立金を取り崩して給付した。国債発行額は圧縮され、うわべは財政規律を保ったかに見えたが、実質的には赤字国債の発行と同じである。
The reserve fund in the pension special account exists for the purpose of covering future payouts. It may look as if there is ample money lying around, but that is not true.
年金特会では、将来の給付に備えて積立金を確保している。お金の山があるように見えても、余っているわけではないのだ。
If the appropriation of funds is temporary, it will not directly lead to a pension cut or pension premium hike. But reviving what is dubbed "hidden borrowing" enables a casual appropriation of funds, which in turn will blur the true state of indebtedness.
流用が一時的なら、年金給付の減額や保険料の値上げに直結するわけではない。だが、「隠れ借金」とも呼ばれてきた手法の復活は安易な流用の横行につながりやすく、借金の実態を見えにくくする点も問題だ。
Issuing deficit-covering bonds is preferable to resorting to cheap tricks, as we will at least be able to see the size of the fiscal shortfall.
こそくな手段に頼らず、むしろ赤字国債を発行したほうが、不足分が目に見えるだけ、ましだと言えよう。
In June, the Naoto Kan Cabinet itself approved a fiscal management strategy that cautioned strongly against any form of fiscal management "that relies on transfer of funds between accounts or shifting deficits around." Should the Kan administration break its own rule in this regard, it would further undermine its own credibility.
何よりも、菅政権自身が今年６月「会計間の資金移転や赤字の付け替えなどに依存した財政運営は厳に慎む」との財政運営戦略を閣議決定していることを忘れてはならない。
On the other hand, should it decide to issue deficit-covering bonds to enable the government to bear its share of basic pension funds, it would be out of the question for borrowing to exceed the 44-trillion-yen limit which the administration has set for itself.
自ら定めた規律を破るとなれば、政権への信認はますます落ちる。もちろん、基礎年金の国庫負担を維持するために国債を発行する結果、政権が設けた「国債発行は４４兆円まで」という枠を破るようなことも許されない。
We know it won't be easy, but the administration must make every effort to stay within that limit by cutting other expenses.
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。
By now, it should be crystal clear that a tax hike is the only option left for the government to secure the 2.5 trillion yen revenue it needs annually. Failing to act will only revive the same problem every year.
もはや明らかなはずだ。毎年２．５兆円もの金額をまかなうための選択肢は増税しかない。さもないと、毎年の予算編成のたびにこの問題が立ちふさがるだけである。
Ever since the Upper House election loss, the prime minister and his Democratic Party of Japan have shelved the crucial task of overhauling the tax system and the key issue of a higher consumption tax rate. Unless Kan and his party change their attitude, there can be no real solution to the problem.
菅直人首相も民主党も、参院選の敗北を機に、消費税を中心とする税制の抜本改革という重要課題を先送りしてしまった。その姿勢を改めない限り、真の解決策は見えてこない。
何だか子供のないものねだりと同じ発想に唖然とさせられました。
努力しても出来ないので問題となっているのです。
問題を解決するには、
１）増税して年金制度を維持する
２）増税せずに年金制度を廃止する
くらいしかないでしょう。
６０才以上の老人たちにも広く雇用の枠を広げるべきです。
そうしないと近い将来老人たちは、ご飯が食べられなくなってしまいます。
（スラチャイ記）
2010/12/02
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 1
EDITORIAL: Pension funding
年金の国庫負担―借金頼みの実態を隠すな
When there is no choice but to rely on debt to cover budgetary revenue shortfalls, the government must not hide this from the public. In the meantime, the government should make every effort to reduce its reliance on deficit-covering bonds.
財源が確保できないので借金に頼らざるを得ないというのなら、その実態を隠してはならない。国民に知らせ、国債という借金を減らしていく努力につなげることが大切だ。
With the government now studying how best to allocate pension funds in the fiscal 2011 budget, we cannot stress the importance of total transparency enough.
来年度予算の編成で検討が進む年金のような問題は、とりわけそうであり、小細工は禁物である。
The government has known for years that supporting the nation's pension system would require more than one-third of basic pension funding to be borne by the state. When the pension system was reformed in 2004, it was written into law that the state's burden would be raised to 50 percent in fiscal 2009.
年金制度を支えるには、基礎年金の３分の１だった国庫負担の割合を引き上げることが長年の課題とされてきた。２００４年の制度改革のさい、０９年度から２分の１に引き上げることが法律に明記された。
A tax hike was necessary to secure the 2.5 trillion yen ($29.8 billion) in permanent revenues necessary to foot the bigger bill, but the government kept putting it off. As a result, the government is still unable to secure the necessary funding.
だが、そのための増税を先送りしてきた結果、２．５兆円の恒久財源を確保できない状況が続いている。
In fiscal 2009 and 2010, the government made do by dipping into reserve funds in the fiscal investment and loan special account. For fiscal 2011, the government is considering appropriating 128 trillion yen from the pension special account reserve fund.
０９、１０両年度は財政投融資特別会計の積立金という「埋蔵金」の取り崩しでつじつまを合わせた。来年度に向け検討されているのが、年金特別会計の積立金１２８兆円の流用だ。
This particular fund has been used in the past for fiscal juggling. While temporarily suspending the transfer of funds from the general account, the government spent an equivalent amount from the fund, reducing bond issues. Theoretically, the procedure was in keeping with fiscal discipline. However, in practice, this was no different from issuing deficit-covering bonds.
この積立金は、過去にも財政のやりくりで使われた。一般会計からの繰り入れを一時的に停止し、その分だけ積立金を取り崩して給付した。国債発行額は圧縮され、うわべは財政規律を保ったかに見えたが、実質的には赤字国債の発行と同じである。
The reserve fund in the pension special account exists for the purpose of covering future payouts. It may look as if there is ample money lying around, but that is not true.
年金特会では、将来の給付に備えて積立金を確保している。お金の山があるように見えても、余っているわけではないのだ。
If the appropriation of funds is temporary, it will not directly lead to a pension cut or pension premium hike. But reviving what is dubbed "hidden borrowing" enables a casual appropriation of funds, which in turn will blur the true state of indebtedness.
流用が一時的なら、年金給付の減額や保険料の値上げに直結するわけではない。だが、「隠れ借金」とも呼ばれてきた手法の復活は安易な流用の横行につながりやすく、借金の実態を見えにくくする点も問題だ。
Issuing deficit-covering bonds is preferable to resorting to cheap tricks, as we will at least be able to see the size of the fiscal shortfall.
こそくな手段に頼らず、むしろ赤字国債を発行したほうが、不足分が目に見えるだけ、ましだと言えよう。
In June, the Naoto Kan Cabinet itself approved a fiscal management strategy that cautioned strongly against any form of fiscal management "that relies on transfer of funds between accounts or shifting deficits around." Should the Kan administration break its own rule in this regard, it would further undermine its own credibility.
何よりも、菅政権自身が今年６月「会計間の資金移転や赤字の付け替えなどに依存した財政運営は厳に慎む」との財政運営戦略を閣議決定していることを忘れてはならない。
On the other hand, should it decide to issue deficit-covering bonds to enable the government to bear its share of basic pension funds, it would be out of the question for borrowing to exceed the 44-trillion-yen limit which the administration has set for itself.
自ら定めた規律を破るとなれば、政権への信認はますます落ちる。もちろん、基礎年金の国庫負担を維持するために国債を発行する結果、政権が設けた「国債発行は４４兆円まで」という枠を破るようなことも許されない。
We know it won't be easy, but the administration must make every effort to stay within that limit by cutting other expenses.
苦しくとも他の歳出を削るなどの工夫をこらして、４４兆円枠を守るよう努力してほしい。
By now, it should be crystal clear that a tax hike is the only option left for the government to secure the 2.5 trillion yen revenue it needs annually. Failing to act will only revive the same problem every year.
もはや明らかなはずだ。毎年２．５兆円もの金額をまかなうための選択肢は増税しかない。さもないと、毎年の予算編成のたびにこの問題が立ちふさがるだけである。
Ever since the Upper House election loss, the prime minister and his Democratic Party of Japan have shelved the crucial task of overhauling the tax system and the key issue of a higher consumption tax rate. Unless Kan and his party change their attitude, there can be no real solution to the problem.
菅直人首相も民主党も、参院選の敗北を機に、消費税を中心とする税制の抜本改革という重要課題を先送りしてしまった。その姿勢を改めない限り、真の解決策は見えてこない。
2010年12月02日
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
2010/12/01
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 30
EDITORIAL: Korean Peninsula crisis
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
Addressing the nation Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak denounced North Korea for responding to South Korea's offer of dialogue, collaboration and unstinting humanitarian assistance with a series of provocative acts, including nuclear development programs, the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan and the shelling of Daeyeonpyeongdo island.
「対話と協力を通じて努力し、人道支援も惜しまなかったのに、返ってきたのは、核開発と哨戒艦爆沈に続いて島への砲撃だった」
Lee's ire is fully understandable.
韓国の李明博大統領が昨日、国民向け演説でそう憤ったのも無理ない。
Forty-six South Korean crew members died in the Cheonan incident, while the bombardment of the island killed four South Koreans, including two civilians, and reduced many homes to charred rubble.
哨戒艦事件で兵士４６人が犠牲になった。今回の砲撃は民間人を含む４人の命を奪い、多くの民家を焼いた。
The most important thing now is to avert any further incident and ease tensions. Not only the two Koreas, but also all related nations must work hard to reach these goals.
いま最も大切なのは、更なる衝突を回避し、緊張を和らげることだ。当事者はむろん、関係国はそのための知恵を絞らねばならない。
Beijing on Sunday proposed an emergency meeting of the heads of delegation to the six-party talks in early December.
中国政府が、６者協議の代表による緊急の会合を呼びかけた。
The six-party talks are designed for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States to discuss North Korea's denuclearization and normalization of its ties with the United States and Japan.
６者協議は本来、南北朝鮮と日米中ロが参加し、北朝鮮の非核化、米朝や日朝の関係正常化をめざすものだ。
But the emergency meeting proposed by Beijing will not address the North Korean nuclear issue. The delegates will exchange views on "complex factors that have recently emerged with respect to Korean Peninsula affairs," according to Beijing.
中国が提案したのは、核問題を扱う正式な協議ではない。「最近、半島情勢に複雑な要素が現れている」といい、６者で意見を交換したいという。
China has been under pressure from the international community to exert its influence on North Korea. As host of the six-party talks, China probably figured that proposing an emergency meeting should be seen as evidence of how seriously it is taking its responsibility, which in turn should keep North Korea reined in.
北朝鮮に影響力を及ぼすよう求められている中国が、真剣に動いていることを世界に示す。対話を提案しているとき、北朝鮮は新たな挑発をしづらくなるだろう――。６者協議の議長国である中国が、そう期待しての提案かもしれない。
We can well appreciate Beijing's attempt to seize any opportunity to bring the situation under control. However, we are skeptical of this hastily proposed meeting producing any tangible results.
事態好転の糸口を探ろうという狙いはわかる。だが、今いきなり６者代表が集まって、現実的な成果をあげられようか。
In fact, Seoul's response to the proposal was that now is not the time to talk about six-party talks. Washington, too, asserted that North Korea must first change its attitude.
韓国は「まだその時期ではない」と反応している。米国も、北朝鮮が「態度の変化」をはっきり示すことが先決だとする立場を明らかにした。
Tokyo's stance is the same--that Pyongyang must first acknowledge responsibility for its own actions, among other things.
日本もそれに同調している。北朝鮮は行為の責任を認めるなど、先にすべきことがある、という姿勢だ。
But Pyongyang blames Seoul's provocations for the shelling of the island. And the reclusive country recently revealed its uranium enrichment facility and announced the planned construction of a light water reactor, both spelling the advancement of its nuclear development program.
In addition, there are moves that show Pyongyang could be gearing up for another nuclear test.
北朝鮮は、韓国の挑発が砲撃の原因だと反論している。新たな核開発につながるウラン濃縮施設の公表や軽水炉の建設のほか、核実験の準備ととられかねない動きも見せている。
Given the situation, the proposed six-party meeting is unlikely to achieve anything. But doing nothing will only prolong the tense standoff. Something needs to be done eventually to get to the bottom of the North Korean nuclear problem.
これでは、６者が顔を合わせたところで平行線に終わる。だが、何もしないままでは、緊張と膠着（こうちゃく）状態が続く。北朝鮮の核をどうするかも、いずれ本格的に打開する必要がある。
Ultimately, the United States and China are the only countries that have the power to turn around the situation. 局面を転換させる大きな力を持っているのは、やはり米国と中国だ。
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday spoke on the phone with China's state councilor, Dai Bingguo, who oversees foreign policies. Dai reportedly told Clinton that China and the United States must actively play constructive roles in these crucial times.
一昨日、クリントン米国務長官と、中国外交を統括する戴秉国国務委員が電話で話し合った。戴氏は「重要なときに中米が建設的役割を積極的に果たさねばならない」と語った。
We fully agree. We hope Washington and Beijing will work together to pave the way for dialogue among related nations.
その通りである。両国が対話の環境づくりに協力して努めてもらいたい。
Clinton intends to meet with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts. Beijing is expected to send a high-ranking official to Pyongyang.
米国は日韓との外相会談を開く意向だ。中国は近く高官を訪朝させると観測されている。
The groundwork can be laid for the next six-party talks only with the United States and China taking the lead in coordinating the member nations and persuading North Korea to come to the table. Japan should follow this strategy and contribute to detente on the Korean Peninsula.
北朝鮮を説得し、各国を調整する。米中のそんな取り組みがあってこそ、６者が会える素地ができる。この戦略にそって日本も、朝鮮半島の緊張緩和に貢献すべきである。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 30
EDITORIAL: Korean Peninsula crisis
朝鮮半島―米中が対話の環境作りを
Addressing the nation Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak denounced North Korea for responding to South Korea's offer of dialogue, collaboration and unstinting humanitarian assistance with a series of provocative acts, including nuclear development programs, the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan and the shelling of Daeyeonpyeongdo island.
「対話と協力を通じて努力し、人道支援も惜しまなかったのに、返ってきたのは、核開発と哨戒艦爆沈に続いて島への砲撃だった」
Lee's ire is fully understandable.
韓国の李明博大統領が昨日、国民向け演説でそう憤ったのも無理ない。
Forty-six South Korean crew members died in the Cheonan incident, while the bombardment of the island killed four South Koreans, including two civilians, and reduced many homes to charred rubble.
哨戒艦事件で兵士４６人が犠牲になった。今回の砲撃は民間人を含む４人の命を奪い、多くの民家を焼いた。
The most important thing now is to avert any further incident and ease tensions. Not only the two Koreas, but also all related nations must work hard to reach these goals.
いま最も大切なのは、更なる衝突を回避し、緊張を和らげることだ。当事者はむろん、関係国はそのための知恵を絞らねばならない。
Beijing on Sunday proposed an emergency meeting of the heads of delegation to the six-party talks in early December.
中国政府が、６者協議の代表による緊急の会合を呼びかけた。
The six-party talks are designed for North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States to discuss North Korea's denuclearization and normalization of its ties with the United States and Japan.
６者協議は本来、南北朝鮮と日米中ロが参加し、北朝鮮の非核化、米朝や日朝の関係正常化をめざすものだ。
But the emergency meeting proposed by Beijing will not address the North Korean nuclear issue. The delegates will exchange views on "complex factors that have recently emerged with respect to Korean Peninsula affairs," according to Beijing.
中国が提案したのは、核問題を扱う正式な協議ではない。「最近、半島情勢に複雑な要素が現れている」といい、６者で意見を交換したいという。
China has been under pressure from the international community to exert its influence on North Korea. As host of the six-party talks, China probably figured that proposing an emergency meeting should be seen as evidence of how seriously it is taking its responsibility, which in turn should keep North Korea reined in.
北朝鮮に影響力を及ぼすよう求められている中国が、真剣に動いていることを世界に示す。対話を提案しているとき、北朝鮮は新たな挑発をしづらくなるだろう――。６者協議の議長国である中国が、そう期待しての提案かもしれない。
We can well appreciate Beijing's attempt to seize any opportunity to bring the situation under control. However, we are skeptical of this hastily proposed meeting producing any tangible results.
事態好転の糸口を探ろうという狙いはわかる。だが、今いきなり６者代表が集まって、現実的な成果をあげられようか。
In fact, Seoul's response to the proposal was that now is not the time to talk about six-party talks. Washington, too, asserted that North Korea must first change its attitude.
韓国は「まだその時期ではない」と反応している。米国も、北朝鮮が「態度の変化」をはっきり示すことが先決だとする立場を明らかにした。
Tokyo's stance is the same--that Pyongyang must first acknowledge responsibility for its own actions, among other things.
日本もそれに同調している。北朝鮮は行為の責任を認めるなど、先にすべきことがある、という姿勢だ。
But Pyongyang blames Seoul's provocations for the shelling of the island. And the reclusive country recently revealed its uranium enrichment facility and announced the planned construction of a light water reactor, both spelling the advancement of its nuclear development program.
In addition, there are moves that show Pyongyang could be gearing up for another nuclear test.
北朝鮮は、韓国の挑発が砲撃の原因だと反論している。新たな核開発につながるウラン濃縮施設の公表や軽水炉の建設のほか、核実験の準備ととられかねない動きも見せている。
Given the situation, the proposed six-party meeting is unlikely to achieve anything. But doing nothing will only prolong the tense standoff. Something needs to be done eventually to get to the bottom of the North Korean nuclear problem.
これでは、６者が顔を合わせたところで平行線に終わる。だが、何もしないままでは、緊張と膠着（こうちゃく）状態が続く。北朝鮮の核をどうするかも、いずれ本格的に打開する必要がある。
Ultimately, the United States and China are the only countries that have the power to turn around the situation. 局面を転換させる大きな力を持っているのは、やはり米国と中国だ。
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday spoke on the phone with China's state councilor, Dai Bingguo, who oversees foreign policies. Dai reportedly told Clinton that China and the United States must actively play constructive roles in these crucial times.
一昨日、クリントン米国務長官と、中国外交を統括する戴秉国国務委員が電話で話し合った。戴氏は「重要なときに中米が建設的役割を積極的に果たさねばならない」と語った。
We fully agree. We hope Washington and Beijing will work together to pave the way for dialogue among related nations.
その通りである。両国が対話の環境づくりに協力して努めてもらいたい。
Clinton intends to meet with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts. Beijing is expected to send a high-ranking official to Pyongyang.
米国は日韓との外相会談を開く意向だ。中国は近く高官を訪朝させると観測されている。
The groundwork can be laid for the next six-party talks only with the United States and China taking the lead in coordinating the member nations and persuading North Korea to come to the table. Japan should follow this strategy and contribute to detente on the Korean Peninsula.
北朝鮮を説得し、各国を調整する。米中のそんな取り組みがあってこそ、６者が会える素地ができる。この戦略にそって日本も、朝鮮半島の緊張緩和に貢献すべきである。
2010年12月01日
農業開国 攻めの農政へ体質転換を急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 1, 2010)
Japan's farm sector must change itself
農業開国 攻めの農政へ体質転換を急げ（11月30日付・読売社説）
How should Japan's agricultural sector be resuscitated?
日本の農業をどう再生していくか――。
Intensifying discussions over the nation's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement shed light on the need for the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan to drastically reform agricultural policies.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題をきっかけに、農政の抜本改革が菅内閣の大きな課題に浮上している。
Agricultural organizations and others are fanning a sense of crisis, insisting that TPP participation will cause the collapse of Japan's agricultural sector. However, before discussing the advisability of participating in the agreement, we all have to be aware that Japan's farming industry is clearly following a course of decline.
農業団体などは「参加すれば、農業は壊滅する」と危機感をあおっているが、ＴＰＰを云々(うんぬん)する以前に、日本の農業が衰退の一途をたどりつつあるのは明らかだ。
The foundations of Japan's farming industry have become extremely vulnerable as a result of years of overly generous protection through various domestic and international measures, such as massive subsidies and high tariffs.
日本の農業は長い間、巨額の補助金や高関税という内外の手厚い保護によって守られ、すっかり足腰が弱くなってしまった。
It is time for the government to squarely face this reality and change the course of its policy so that the agricultural industry will be able to transform itself into one that is highly productive and internationally competitive. This will be a prerequisite for Japan to participate in the TPP agreement.
政府は、その現実を直視し、今こそ生産性が高く国際競争力を持つ農業に生まれ変われるよう政策転換すべきだ。それがＴＰＰ参加の前提条件となろう。
The government held the first meeting of its headquarters on promoting the revitalization of the food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries Tuesday to start considering concrete measures to achieve the goal. The headquarters reportedly plans to draw up basic principles in June and an action plan in October next year, but we wonder whether this will be too late.
政府は３０日、「食と農林漁業の再生推進本部」の初会合を開き、具体的な対策の検討に着手する。来年６月に基本方針、１０月に行動計画を策定するというが、それではあまりに遅すぎないか。
===
Farm maladies can be cured
The domestic farming industry is in a critical situation. Currently, the nation's gross agricultural production totals a little over 8 trillion yen, a decline of 30 percent from its peak. The workforce in the sector has halved in the past two decades, and its average age has climbed to 66. In addition, the acreage of untended farmland continues to increase.
国内農業は危機的状況にある。農業総産出額は８兆円あまりで、ピーク時より３割減少した。農業人口は２０年間で半減し、平均年齢は６６歳に達した。耕作放棄地も増大する一方だ。
To break the grip of these trends, the government must firstly foster an environment in which motivated farmers will be able to exercise their business sense and promote profitable agriculture.
窮状を打開するには、まず意欲のある農家が経営感覚を発揮し、ビジネスとして成り立つ農業を展開できる環境を整えることだ。
Farmland could be consolidated to promote large-scale farming to reduce production costs. The bond between farmers and consumers could be strengthened through reform of the distribution system to enable farmers to more easily purchase equipment and supplies and expand their sales routes. Foreign markets could be targeted, taking advantage of the high quality of Japan's farm products. These are just a few ideas.
農地を集約して大規模化を進め、生産コストを下げる。資材購入や販路拡大を容易にする流通改革で、農家と消費者の結びつきを強める。高品質を武器に輸出を目指す。
There must be a variety of ways to give the farm sector vitality.
たくましい農業の実現に向け、様々な方策があろう。
The government's fiscal burdens will be the focus of attention in promoting such measures. A certain amount of government spending will be unavoidable, but it will be important to limit the spending to projects that will lead to structural reforms of the agricultural sector.
焦点となるのは、こうした対策に伴う財政負担だ。一定の財政支出はやむを得ないにせよ、農業構造改革につながる事業に対象を限定することが重要である。
Following the Uruguay Round agreement on agriculture in the 1990s, the government spent more than 6 trillion yen to help farmers deal with the effects of the accord.
１９９０年代のウルグアイ・ラウンド合意では、総額６兆円を上回る対策費がつぎ込まれた。
===
Spend money thoughtfully
However, a large amount of the money ended up wastefully spent on useless projects, such as the construction of various facilities in farming villages and hot spring resorts. Even airports were built, along with expanding agricultural roads, as a way to promote the industry by transporting farm products by air. The spending could hardly be called effective.
しかし、農村の各種施設や温泉ランド、農道空港など無駄な事業に浪費された面が強く、効果を上げたとは言い難い。
The government also needs to review the income compensation program for all rice farming households, a system launched this year. Sixty percent of farming households have side jobs that provide them with a stable income. Unless the government's assistance is focused on full-time farming households, which play a central role in the industry, it will not strengthen the agriculture sector's foundations.
すべてのコメ農家を対象に今年から始まった戸別所得補償制度も見直す必要がある。農家の６割は農業以外に安定した収入がある兼業農家だ。中核的な専業農家に支援を絞り込まなければ、農業の体質強化にはつながるまい。
Every time the farming industry has emerged as an issue of contention, agricultural organizations and Diet members with vested interests in the industry, who have an eye on future elections, have perverted policies and hampered reforms.
農業が課題に上がるたび、選挙を意識した族議員や農業団体が政策をねじ曲げ、改革を阻んできた。
Policymakers must remember to keep the nation's interests at heart, as they should encourage growth in "fields of rice" rather than pander to farmers as a way to cultivate "fields of votes."
政治が重視すべきは「水田」であり、「票田」ではない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 30, 2010)
（2010年11月30日01時31分 読売新聞）
Japan's farm sector must change itself
農業開国 攻めの農政へ体質転換を急げ（11月30日付・読売社説）
How should Japan's agricultural sector be resuscitated?
日本の農業をどう再生していくか――。
Intensifying discussions over the nation's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement shed light on the need for the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan to drastically reform agricultural policies.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加問題をきっかけに、農政の抜本改革が菅内閣の大きな課題に浮上している。
Agricultural organizations and others are fanning a sense of crisis, insisting that TPP participation will cause the collapse of Japan's agricultural sector. However, before discussing the advisability of participating in the agreement, we all have to be aware that Japan's farming industry is clearly following a course of decline.
農業団体などは「参加すれば、農業は壊滅する」と危機感をあおっているが、ＴＰＰを云々(うんぬん)する以前に、日本の農業が衰退の一途をたどりつつあるのは明らかだ。
The foundations of Japan's farming industry have become extremely vulnerable as a result of years of overly generous protection through various domestic and international measures, such as massive subsidies and high tariffs.
日本の農業は長い間、巨額の補助金や高関税という内外の手厚い保護によって守られ、すっかり足腰が弱くなってしまった。
It is time for the government to squarely face this reality and change the course of its policy so that the agricultural industry will be able to transform itself into one that is highly productive and internationally competitive. This will be a prerequisite for Japan to participate in the TPP agreement.
政府は、その現実を直視し、今こそ生産性が高く国際競争力を持つ農業に生まれ変われるよう政策転換すべきだ。それがＴＰＰ参加の前提条件となろう。
The government held the first meeting of its headquarters on promoting the revitalization of the food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries Tuesday to start considering concrete measures to achieve the goal. The headquarters reportedly plans to draw up basic principles in June and an action plan in October next year, but we wonder whether this will be too late.
政府は３０日、「食と農林漁業の再生推進本部」の初会合を開き、具体的な対策の検討に着手する。来年６月に基本方針、１０月に行動計画を策定するというが、それではあまりに遅すぎないか。
===
Farm maladies can be cured
The domestic farming industry is in a critical situation. Currently, the nation's gross agricultural production totals a little over 8 trillion yen, a decline of 30 percent from its peak. The workforce in the sector has halved in the past two decades, and its average age has climbed to 66. In addition, the acreage of untended farmland continues to increase.
国内農業は危機的状況にある。農業総産出額は８兆円あまりで、ピーク時より３割減少した。農業人口は２０年間で半減し、平均年齢は６６歳に達した。耕作放棄地も増大する一方だ。
To break the grip of these trends, the government must firstly foster an environment in which motivated farmers will be able to exercise their business sense and promote profitable agriculture.
窮状を打開するには、まず意欲のある農家が経営感覚を発揮し、ビジネスとして成り立つ農業を展開できる環境を整えることだ。
Farmland could be consolidated to promote large-scale farming to reduce production costs. The bond between farmers and consumers could be strengthened through reform of the distribution system to enable farmers to more easily purchase equipment and supplies and expand their sales routes. Foreign markets could be targeted, taking advantage of the high quality of Japan's farm products. These are just a few ideas.
農地を集約して大規模化を進め、生産コストを下げる。資材購入や販路拡大を容易にする流通改革で、農家と消費者の結びつきを強める。高品質を武器に輸出を目指す。
There must be a variety of ways to give the farm sector vitality.
たくましい農業の実現に向け、様々な方策があろう。
The government's fiscal burdens will be the focus of attention in promoting such measures. A certain amount of government spending will be unavoidable, but it will be important to limit the spending to projects that will lead to structural reforms of the agricultural sector.
焦点となるのは、こうした対策に伴う財政負担だ。一定の財政支出はやむを得ないにせよ、農業構造改革につながる事業に対象を限定することが重要である。
Following the Uruguay Round agreement on agriculture in the 1990s, the government spent more than 6 trillion yen to help farmers deal with the effects of the accord.
１９９０年代のウルグアイ・ラウンド合意では、総額６兆円を上回る対策費がつぎ込まれた。
===
Spend money thoughtfully
However, a large amount of the money ended up wastefully spent on useless projects, such as the construction of various facilities in farming villages and hot spring resorts. Even airports were built, along with expanding agricultural roads, as a way to promote the industry by transporting farm products by air. The spending could hardly be called effective.
しかし、農村の各種施設や温泉ランド、農道空港など無駄な事業に浪費された面が強く、効果を上げたとは言い難い。
The government also needs to review the income compensation program for all rice farming households, a system launched this year. Sixty percent of farming households have side jobs that provide them with a stable income. Unless the government's assistance is focused on full-time farming households, which play a central role in the industry, it will not strengthen the agriculture sector's foundations.
すべてのコメ農家を対象に今年から始まった戸別所得補償制度も見直す必要がある。農家の６割は農業以外に安定した収入がある兼業農家だ。中核的な専業農家に支援を絞り込まなければ、農業の体質強化にはつながるまい。
Every time the farming industry has emerged as an issue of contention, agricultural organizations and Diet members with vested interests in the industry, who have an eye on future elections, have perverted policies and hampered reforms.
農業が課題に上がるたび、選挙を意識した族議員や農業団体が政策をねじ曲げ、改革を阻んできた。
Policymakers must remember to keep the nation's interests at heart, as they should encourage growth in "fields of rice" rather than pander to farmers as a way to cultivate "fields of votes."
政治が重視すべきは「水田」であり、「票田」ではない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 30, 2010)
（2010年11月30日01時31分 読売新聞）