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2012年03月22日
アフガン混迷 性急な国際部隊撤収は危険だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 21, 2012)
Hasty troop withdrawal from Afghanistan risky
アフガン混迷 性急な国際部隊撤収は危険だ（3月20日付・読売社説）
The relationship of trust built up steadily by the United States and Europe with Afghanistan could break down at a moment's notice through thoughtless actions or unexpected incidents.
地道に積み重ねてきた米欧とアフガニスタンとの信頼関係も、心ない行為や突発的な事件によって一瞬に崩れ去る。
Many lives have been lost in retaliatory actions in Afghanistan, making the country's security situation more uncertain. This is the reality of Afghanistan as a battlefield.
報復行為との悪循環で多くの命が奪われ、治安の先行きは一層不透明になっていく。これが戦地アフガンの現状だ。
The Afghan situation has deteriorated since the turn of the year.
今年に入り、アフガン情勢は悪化するばかりである。
In January, a video clip of four U.S. marines urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters was hosted on a website.
１月、米海兵隊員が旧支配勢力タリバンの兵士の遺体に放尿する動画が投稿サイトで流れた。
An angry Afghan soldier killed four French soldiers belonging to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Immediately after this, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said French troops would complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of 2013, one year earlier than scheduled.
怒ったアフガン軍兵士が、国際治安支援部隊（ＩＳＡＦ）傘下の仏軍兵士４人を殺害するや、サルコジ仏大統領は、仏軍戦闘部隊の撤収を予定より１年早め、「２０１３年末に完了」と発表した。
In February, it was revealed that Korans were among trash burned by ISAF members at a U.S. base. A furious Afghan killed two U.S. officers, who served as advisers to the Afghan Interior Ministry. All advisers to Afghan ministries were withdrawn from the ministries immediately.
２月には、ＩＳＡＦ要員がゴミと一緒にイスラム教の聖典コーランを燃やしたことが発覚した。反発したアフガン人が内務省顧問の米軍士官２人を殺害したため、各省顧問団は一斉に引き揚げた。
===
Distrust increasing
The series of incidents has increased distrust between Afghanistan and the United States and Europe. The schism yawned even wider on March 11 when civilians were massacred in the southern province of Kandahar.
アフガン政府と米欧の間で不信の溝が広がったと言える。それをさらに決定的にしたのが、今月１１日、南部カンダハル州で起きた民間人虐殺事件だ。
There is no excuse for a U.S. staff sergeant to indiscriminately kill 16 civilians, including nine children. The U.S. government must investigate the case thoroughly in the hope of regaining Afghanistan's trust.
子供９人を含む１６人を無差別殺害した米軍２等軍曹の行為は釈明の余地がない。米政府は、事件を徹底的に究明し、容疑者を訴追して、信頼回復に努めるべきだ。
Following the massacre, the Taliban called off behind-the-scenes peace talks with Washington. This development is a cause for concern.
懸念されるのは、タリバンが、米政府と水面下で進めていた和平交渉を、民間人虐殺事件後、一方的に打ち切ったことだ。
U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
オバマ米大統領は、米軍戦闘部隊をアフガンから１４年末までに撤収させる、と公約している。
To realize a "responsible withdrawal," the Obama administration wants to promote peace and political reconciliation talks with the Taliban, which has its roots in the south of the country, while fostering and strengthening Afghanistan's security forces so the country can deal with its own public security.
「責任ある撤収」を実現するため、アフガン治安部隊を育成・強化して自立を促す一方で、南部に根を張るタリバンとの政治的な和解・和平を進める計画だ。
===
Bring Taliban back to talks
New ideas are needed to bring the Taliban back to the negotiating table.
タリバンを再び対話の場に戻す上で新たな工夫が必要だろう。
A U.S. public opinion survey shows a majority of Americans want the troop withdrawal advanced because of the intensification of anti-U.S. sentiment and the increase in the number of U.S. soldiers killed and injured in Afghanistan.
米世論調査では、アフガンでの反米感情の高まりと米兵の死傷者増加に嫌気がさして、撤収の前倒しを求める声が多数を占める。
But if the United States impulsively pulls out its troops, it only will lead to the Taliban stepping up its military offensive to regain power. The international community must unite to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hotbed for terrorism once again.
だが、性急に戦闘部隊撤収に動けば、タリバンは政権奪還へ軍事攻勢を強めるだけである。アフガンを再びテロの温床に戻さぬよう国際社会の連携が求められる。
Due to the series of incidents by U.S. troops, the Afghan situation is on the brink of a serious crisis. To stop the Afghan security situation from deteriorating, Washington must redouble its military and diplomatic efforts.
相次ぐ米軍の失態で、アフガン情勢は大きな危機に瀕(ひん)している。治安の悪化を食い止めるため、軍事、外交両面での努力を倍加させる責任が米国にはある。
In July, Japan will host an international conference on assistance to Afghanistan, at which Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be invited to attend as a guest. Tokyo must step up its indirect and nonmilitary support to help stabilize the Afghan situation.
日本は７月にアフガン支援の国際会議を主催し、カルザイ大統領を招待している。アフガン安定化への側面支援も強めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 20, 2012)
（2012年3月20日01時25分 読売新聞）
Hasty troop withdrawal from Afghanistan risky
アフガン混迷 性急な国際部隊撤収は危険だ（3月20日付・読売社説）
The relationship of trust built up steadily by the United States and Europe with Afghanistan could break down at a moment's notice through thoughtless actions or unexpected incidents.
地道に積み重ねてきた米欧とアフガニスタンとの信頼関係も、心ない行為や突発的な事件によって一瞬に崩れ去る。
Many lives have been lost in retaliatory actions in Afghanistan, making the country's security situation more uncertain. This is the reality of Afghanistan as a battlefield.
報復行為との悪循環で多くの命が奪われ、治安の先行きは一層不透明になっていく。これが戦地アフガンの現状だ。
The Afghan situation has deteriorated since the turn of the year.
今年に入り、アフガン情勢は悪化するばかりである。
In January, a video clip of four U.S. marines urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters was hosted on a website.
１月、米海兵隊員が旧支配勢力タリバンの兵士の遺体に放尿する動画が投稿サイトで流れた。
An angry Afghan soldier killed four French soldiers belonging to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Immediately after this, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said French troops would complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of 2013, one year earlier than scheduled.
怒ったアフガン軍兵士が、国際治安支援部隊（ＩＳＡＦ）傘下の仏軍兵士４人を殺害するや、サルコジ仏大統領は、仏軍戦闘部隊の撤収を予定より１年早め、「２０１３年末に完了」と発表した。
In February, it was revealed that Korans were among trash burned by ISAF members at a U.S. base. A furious Afghan killed two U.S. officers, who served as advisers to the Afghan Interior Ministry. All advisers to Afghan ministries were withdrawn from the ministries immediately.
２月には、ＩＳＡＦ要員がゴミと一緒にイスラム教の聖典コーランを燃やしたことが発覚した。反発したアフガン人が内務省顧問の米軍士官２人を殺害したため、各省顧問団は一斉に引き揚げた。
===
Distrust increasing
The series of incidents has increased distrust between Afghanistan and the United States and Europe. The schism yawned even wider on March 11 when civilians were massacred in the southern province of Kandahar.
アフガン政府と米欧の間で不信の溝が広がったと言える。それをさらに決定的にしたのが、今月１１日、南部カンダハル州で起きた民間人虐殺事件だ。
There is no excuse for a U.S. staff sergeant to indiscriminately kill 16 civilians, including nine children. The U.S. government must investigate the case thoroughly in the hope of regaining Afghanistan's trust.
子供９人を含む１６人を無差別殺害した米軍２等軍曹の行為は釈明の余地がない。米政府は、事件を徹底的に究明し、容疑者を訴追して、信頼回復に努めるべきだ。
Following the massacre, the Taliban called off behind-the-scenes peace talks with Washington. This development is a cause for concern.
懸念されるのは、タリバンが、米政府と水面下で進めていた和平交渉を、民間人虐殺事件後、一方的に打ち切ったことだ。
U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
オバマ米大統領は、米軍戦闘部隊をアフガンから１４年末までに撤収させる、と公約している。
To realize a "responsible withdrawal," the Obama administration wants to promote peace and political reconciliation talks with the Taliban, which has its roots in the south of the country, while fostering and strengthening Afghanistan's security forces so the country can deal with its own public security.
「責任ある撤収」を実現するため、アフガン治安部隊を育成・強化して自立を促す一方で、南部に根を張るタリバンとの政治的な和解・和平を進める計画だ。
===
Bring Taliban back to talks
New ideas are needed to bring the Taliban back to the negotiating table.
タリバンを再び対話の場に戻す上で新たな工夫が必要だろう。
A U.S. public opinion survey shows a majority of Americans want the troop withdrawal advanced because of the intensification of anti-U.S. sentiment and the increase in the number of U.S. soldiers killed and injured in Afghanistan.
米世論調査では、アフガンでの反米感情の高まりと米兵の死傷者増加に嫌気がさして、撤収の前倒しを求める声が多数を占める。
But if the United States impulsively pulls out its troops, it only will lead to the Taliban stepping up its military offensive to regain power. The international community must unite to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hotbed for terrorism once again.
だが、性急に戦闘部隊撤収に動けば、タリバンは政権奪還へ軍事攻勢を強めるだけである。アフガンを再びテロの温床に戻さぬよう国際社会の連携が求められる。
Due to the series of incidents by U.S. troops, the Afghan situation is on the brink of a serious crisis. To stop the Afghan security situation from deteriorating, Washington must redouble its military and diplomatic efforts.
相次ぐ米軍の失態で、アフガン情勢は大きな危機に瀕(ひん)している。治安の悪化を食い止めるため、軍事、外交両面での努力を倍加させる責任が米国にはある。
In July, Japan will host an international conference on assistance to Afghanistan, at which Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be invited to attend as a guest. Tokyo must step up its indirect and nonmilitary support to help stabilize the Afghan situation.
日本は７月にアフガン支援の国際会議を主催し、カルザイ大統領を招待している。アフガン安定化への側面支援も強めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 20, 2012)
（2012年3月20日01時25分 読売新聞）
2012年03月21日
春闘回答 景気と賃金の悪循環を断とう
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 19, 2012)
Vicious cycle of low pay, business slump must end
春闘回答 景気と賃金の悪循環を断とう（3月18日付・読売社説）
The outcome of this year's spring labor offensive, known as "shunto," has been bleak, with major companies in such key industrial sectors as automobiles and electronics not offering any pay increases. Offers regarding biannual bonuses have also been harsh, falling below last year's levels at most companies.
今年の春闘は、自動車や電機など主要企業が賃上げを見送り、一時金も軒並み前年割れという厳しい結果となった。
Because of the historic appreciation of the yen and the deterioration of economic conditions overseas, the business performance of the nation's companies has been stagnant.
歴史的な円高と海外経済の悪化で、企業業績は低迷している。
Under the circumstances, many major trade unions had to abandon the idea of demanding a uniform pay scale increase, a base pay raise referred to as "base-up" in Japanese, to prioritize job security instead.
このため、主要労組の多くが賃金改善を図るベースアップを要求せず、雇用確保を優先せざるを得なかった。
Curbs on wage hikes meant to keep companies in business and workers employed tend to dampen domestic demand, thus further worsening the national economy. This vicious cycle must be brought to an end at all costs.
だが、会社と雇用を守るために賃金を切りつめた影響で内需が冷え、景気がさらに悪化する。そんな悪循環を断ち切らなければならない。
All businesses have a pile of knotty problems that have been left unresolved in this respect.
企業各社に難しい宿題が残されたと言えよう。
===
Pay cuts looming large
In this year's shunto, labor came to the negotiating table intending to achieve regular pay raises based on employees' age and length of employment, known as "teiki shokyu" or "teisho."
今春闘で労働側は、年齢や勤続年数に応じて賃金を増やす定期昇給の維持だけは譲れないとして、交渉に臨んだ。
The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the country's largest employers' organization, expressed caution, saying it was no longer possible to consider implementation of teisho raises as a matter of course.
Most major companies, however, have managed to accept labor demands for the teisho portion of pay raises.
経団連は「定期昇給の実施を当然視できなくなっている」と、強い危機感を示していたが、大半の大手企業が定昇確保に応じた。
Salaried people in the prime of their lives have seen their living expenses increase year after year, especially for the rearing and education of their children. It is reasonable and proper for management to have paid due attention to such realities.
働き盛りのサラリーマンは、育児や教育などの出費が毎年増えていく。労働者の実情に、経営側が配慮したことは妥当だろう。
The pay hikes offered by some companies in this year's shunto likely reflect corporate managers' desire to reward, even slightly, their employees' dedicated efforts to rebuild factories struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake and their perseverance in working late at night and early in the morning to save electricity.
東日本大震災で被災した工場の復旧作業や、節電のための深夜・早朝勤務で無理を重ねた社員に、少しでも報いようとした気持ちもうかがえる。
However, corporate managers are naturally limited in what they can do.
とはいえ、企業努力には限界がある。
Electronics giant NEC Corp. presented in a meeting with its trade union on Thursday a set of proposals to cut ordinary employees' wages, including a 4 percent cut in monthly salaries for nine months.
電機大手のＮＥＣは１５日の労使協議で、９か月間の４％賃下げなど、一般社員の給与削減策を提案した。
Another major electronics firm, Sharp Corp., is also said to be considering a freeze on teisho raises for a certain period of time.
シャープも定昇の一時凍結を検討中という。
Although the uptrend in the yen's exchange rate has paused in recent days, the Japanese currency is still too high from the perspective of export industries.
円相場の急騰は一服したが、輸出企業にとっては依然として厳しい円高水準だ。
The economies of Europe are expected to log negative growth this year, while the swift growth of such emerging economies as China seems to be weakening. The future of overseas demand is increasingly shrouded with uncertainty.
今年は欧州でマイナス成長が見込まれ、中国など新興国の高成長にも陰りが見える。外需の先行きには不透明感が強い。
===
China, ROK formidable rivals
In addition, manufacturers in China and South Korea have become increasingly formidable rivals for their Japanese counterparts, in terms of price competitiveness and product quality. International competition is bound to keep intensifying.
中国や韓国のメーカーは、価格の安さだけでなく品質面でも強力なライバルになった。国際競争はさらに激しさを増すだろう。
However, positive signs have begun to emerge. The Nikkei Stock Average at the Tokyo Stock Exchange's First Section has climbed back above 10,000, spurred by such factors as improvement in the U.S. economy.
一方、明るい材料も出てきた。米国景気の好転などを背景に、東京市場の平均株価は、１万円の大台を回復した。
Major Japanese companies are recovering from the serious blow dealt by the March 11 disaster and are expected to post higher profits in fiscal 2012, compared to huge drops in revenues for this fiscal year that ends on March 31.
大震災の打撃を克服し、主要企業の業績は、今年度の大幅減益から、来年度は増益に転じる見込みだ。
We strongly hope they will have the momentum for a come-from-behind surge in business activity.
反転攻勢に弾みをつけることが期待される。
It is critically important for businesses to carve out private-sector fields with high growth potential to ensure greater corporate profitability. Now is a good time to create new demand on the strength of recovery projects from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster, such as new energy-saving businesses and transportation systems.
何よりも、民間の創意工夫で成長分野を開拓し、企業の収益力を高めることが大切だ。震災復興は省エネや新交通など、新規需要を発掘する好機でもある。
The government, for its part, must flexibly support corporate endeavors, through such means as low-interest loans as part of industrial policy and tax breaks on capital investments.
政府は、低利の政策融資や投資減税などで、企業の努力に機動的な支援をしてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2012)
（2012年3月18日01時40分 読売新聞）
Vicious cycle of low pay, business slump must end
春闘回答 景気と賃金の悪循環を断とう（3月18日付・読売社説）
The outcome of this year's spring labor offensive, known as "shunto," has been bleak, with major companies in such key industrial sectors as automobiles and electronics not offering any pay increases. Offers regarding biannual bonuses have also been harsh, falling below last year's levels at most companies.
今年の春闘は、自動車や電機など主要企業が賃上げを見送り、一時金も軒並み前年割れという厳しい結果となった。
Because of the historic appreciation of the yen and the deterioration of economic conditions overseas, the business performance of the nation's companies has been stagnant.
歴史的な円高と海外経済の悪化で、企業業績は低迷している。
Under the circumstances, many major trade unions had to abandon the idea of demanding a uniform pay scale increase, a base pay raise referred to as "base-up" in Japanese, to prioritize job security instead.
このため、主要労組の多くが賃金改善を図るベースアップを要求せず、雇用確保を優先せざるを得なかった。
Curbs on wage hikes meant to keep companies in business and workers employed tend to dampen domestic demand, thus further worsening the national economy. This vicious cycle must be brought to an end at all costs.
だが、会社と雇用を守るために賃金を切りつめた影響で内需が冷え、景気がさらに悪化する。そんな悪循環を断ち切らなければならない。
All businesses have a pile of knotty problems that have been left unresolved in this respect.
企業各社に難しい宿題が残されたと言えよう。
===
Pay cuts looming large
In this year's shunto, labor came to the negotiating table intending to achieve regular pay raises based on employees' age and length of employment, known as "teiki shokyu" or "teisho."
今春闘で労働側は、年齢や勤続年数に応じて賃金を増やす定期昇給の維持だけは譲れないとして、交渉に臨んだ。
The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the country's largest employers' organization, expressed caution, saying it was no longer possible to consider implementation of teisho raises as a matter of course.
Most major companies, however, have managed to accept labor demands for the teisho portion of pay raises.
経団連は「定期昇給の実施を当然視できなくなっている」と、強い危機感を示していたが、大半の大手企業が定昇確保に応じた。
Salaried people in the prime of their lives have seen their living expenses increase year after year, especially for the rearing and education of their children. It is reasonable and proper for management to have paid due attention to such realities.
働き盛りのサラリーマンは、育児や教育などの出費が毎年増えていく。労働者の実情に、経営側が配慮したことは妥当だろう。
The pay hikes offered by some companies in this year's shunto likely reflect corporate managers' desire to reward, even slightly, their employees' dedicated efforts to rebuild factories struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake and their perseverance in working late at night and early in the morning to save electricity.
東日本大震災で被災した工場の復旧作業や、節電のための深夜・早朝勤務で無理を重ねた社員に、少しでも報いようとした気持ちもうかがえる。
However, corporate managers are naturally limited in what they can do.
とはいえ、企業努力には限界がある。
Electronics giant NEC Corp. presented in a meeting with its trade union on Thursday a set of proposals to cut ordinary employees' wages, including a 4 percent cut in monthly salaries for nine months.
電機大手のＮＥＣは１５日の労使協議で、９か月間の４％賃下げなど、一般社員の給与削減策を提案した。
Another major electronics firm, Sharp Corp., is also said to be considering a freeze on teisho raises for a certain period of time.
シャープも定昇の一時凍結を検討中という。
Although the uptrend in the yen's exchange rate has paused in recent days, the Japanese currency is still too high from the perspective of export industries.
円相場の急騰は一服したが、輸出企業にとっては依然として厳しい円高水準だ。
The economies of Europe are expected to log negative growth this year, while the swift growth of such emerging economies as China seems to be weakening. The future of overseas demand is increasingly shrouded with uncertainty.
今年は欧州でマイナス成長が見込まれ、中国など新興国の高成長にも陰りが見える。外需の先行きには不透明感が強い。
===
China, ROK formidable rivals
In addition, manufacturers in China and South Korea have become increasingly formidable rivals for their Japanese counterparts, in terms of price competitiveness and product quality. International competition is bound to keep intensifying.
中国や韓国のメーカーは、価格の安さだけでなく品質面でも強力なライバルになった。国際競争はさらに激しさを増すだろう。
However, positive signs have begun to emerge. The Nikkei Stock Average at the Tokyo Stock Exchange's First Section has climbed back above 10,000, spurred by such factors as improvement in the U.S. economy.
一方、明るい材料も出てきた。米国景気の好転などを背景に、東京市場の平均株価は、１万円の大台を回復した。
Major Japanese companies are recovering from the serious blow dealt by the March 11 disaster and are expected to post higher profits in fiscal 2012, compared to huge drops in revenues for this fiscal year that ends on March 31.
大震災の打撃を克服し、主要企業の業績は、今年度の大幅減益から、来年度は増益に転じる見込みだ。
We strongly hope they will have the momentum for a come-from-behind surge in business activity.
反転攻勢に弾みをつけることが期待される。
It is critically important for businesses to carve out private-sector fields with high growth potential to ensure greater corporate profitability. Now is a good time to create new demand on the strength of recovery projects from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster, such as new energy-saving businesses and transportation systems.
何よりも、民間の創意工夫で成長分野を開拓し、企業の収益力を高めることが大切だ。震災復興は省エネや新交通など、新規需要を発掘する好機でもある。
The government, for its part, must flexibly support corporate endeavors, through such means as low-interest loans as part of industrial policy and tax breaks on capital investments.
政府は、低利の政策融資や投資減税などで、企業の努力に機動的な支援をしてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2012)
（2012年3月18日01時40分 読売新聞）
2012年03月20日
北朝鮮発射予告 「衛星」でも看過はできない
日本は観測衛星や通信衛星をたくさんうちあげていますが、北や中国は、それらに対して文句は言って来ないようです。北が地球観測衛星を打ち上げるのに、こんなに大騒ぎされるのは、やはり過去の行いがわざわいしているのかもしれません。純粋に観測衛星ならば、多国にその打ち上げの是非を問われることはないと考えましたが。
スラチャイ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 18, 2012)
North Korea's 'satellite' launch a threat to Japan
北朝鮮発射予告 「衛星」でも看過はできない（3月17日付・読売社説）
North Korea has announced it will launch a rocket carrying a "Kwangmyongsong-3" earth observation satellite between April 12 and 16.
北朝鮮が、４月１２日から１６日の間に地球観測衛星「光明星３号」を打ち上げると発表した。
Friday's surprise announcement came only about two weeks after the United States and North Korea reached a deal under which Pyongyang agreed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile launches as well as uranium enrichment activities in Yongbyon.
約２週間前、「核実験と長距離ミサイルの発射、寧辺でのウラン濃縮活動の一時停止」で、米国と合意したと明らかにしたばかりだ。
The satellite launch notice is tantamount to North Korea saying yes and no in the same breath. We think North Korea has exploited loopholes left open by the Washington-Pyongyang deal.
その舌の根も乾かぬうちの衛星発射予告である。米朝合意の詰めの甘さを突いた、と言える。
North Korea says it will launch a "rocket." Although Pyongyang may want to avoid saying it will launch a "missile," the technological principles underpinning both are the same. The planned liftoff is presumably aimed at enhancing the performance of North Korea's missiles.
北朝鮮は、発射するのはロケットと称している。ミサイルではない、と言いたいのだろうが、原理は同じだ。発射にはミサイルの性能向上を図る狙いがあろう。
April 15, a date that falls during the planned five-day period for the launch, marks the centenary of the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung. If North Korea successfully launches a domestically manufactured satellite before South Korea does, it would be a major achievement credited to Kim Jong Un, North Korea's young, third-generation hereditary leader. The satellite launch is unmistakably designed with this political objective in mind.
打ち上げ予告期間中の４月１５日は、故金日成主席の生誕１００年にあたる。韓国に先んじて、自力で人工衛星打ち上げに成功すれば、３代世襲の若い指導者、正恩氏の大きな功績となる。そんな政治的な目的もあるに違いない。
===
Breach of U.N. resolution
Iran, which North Korea closely worked with on missile development, has successfully launched three satellites since 2009. With technological assistance from Iran, North Korea's upcoming launch has a chance of success.
ミサイル開発で深い関係にあるイランが２００９年以来、３回も衛星打ち上げを成功させている。その技術協力を得て、今回初めて成功する可能性もなくはない。
Even a satellite launch would violate the U.N. resolution banning North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology. We strongly urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint and cancel the planned launch.
衛星打ち上げであっても、弾道ミサイル技術を使っての発射を禁じた国連決議に違反する。発射の自制を北朝鮮に強く求めたい。
Pyongyang may believe the rocket launch would not equate to reneging on the latest U.S.-North Korean deal.
北朝鮮は、米朝合意は反古(ほご)にならないと思っているのだろう。
It appears North Korea may have arrogantly calculated that the United States would not raise a fuss about the rocket launch and it will get the U.S. food aid as agreed, as long as Pyongyang quickly allows International Atomic Energy Agency officials to monitor the suspension of uranium enrichment activities at the Yongbyon nuclear facility.
寧辺でウラン濃縮活動の停止を監視する国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）要員を早期に受け入れれば、米国は打ち上げを問題にはせず、食糧支援も得られる、との身勝手な計算があるのではないか。
Three years ago, after North Korea gave notice that it was preparing to launch a "satellite," it went ahead with the plan while ignoring warnings from countries including Japan, the United States and South Korea.
北朝鮮は３年前に「衛星」打ち上げを予告した時も、日本や米国、韓国などの警告を無視して発射を強行した。
Pyongyang will most likely carry out the launch unless bad weather intervenes. It will be a huge step forward for North Korea's missile development program.
今回も天候不順でない限り、中止はするまい。ミサイル開発は大きく進むことになる。
===
Accurate missiles a menace
The United States has been nervous about the risk of North Korea possessing a long-range missile capable of reaching U.S. soil and expanding the range of its arsenal. For Japan, which already falls within range of North Korea's medium-range Rodong missiles, increased precision of their weapons is a huge menace.
米国が神経をとがらせるのは、本土に届く長距離ミサイルの開発であり、射程延伸だ。一方、すでに中距離ミサイル・ノドンの射程内にある日本にとっては、精度向上が大きな脅威だ。
It is critical that Japan and the United States strongly demand North Korea put into force a moratorium on launches not only of long-range missiles but also of its medium-range ones.
北朝鮮に対し、長距離ミサイルに限らず中距離ミサイルの発射も一時停止するよう強く求めることが、日米両国には重要である。
Three years ago, North Korea fired a missile toward the Japanese archipelago from a missile base on the Sea of Japan coast. To deal with the situation, Japan set up a crisis management task force to prepare for a contingency in which the missile fell on Japanese territory, and went on high alert by deploying Aegis-equipped destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and SDF ground-to-air missile defense units.
３年前、北朝鮮は日本海側の基地から日本列島に向けてミサイルを発射した。日本は国内に落下する万一の事態に備えて、自衛隊のイージス艦や地対空誘導弾部隊を展開させる警戒体制を敷いた。
North Korea has said the upcoming launch will be aimed southward from a base on the Yellow Sea. The rocket will probably not pass over the Japanese archipelago, but the government must stay alert and vigilant against North Korea's moves.
今回、北朝鮮は、黄海側の基地から南に向けて発射するという。日本列島の上空は飛行しないはずだが、政府は北朝鮮の動きを注視し、警戒を怠ってはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2012)
（2012年3月17日01時21分 読売新聞）
スラチャイ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 18, 2012)
North Korea's 'satellite' launch a threat to Japan
北朝鮮発射予告 「衛星」でも看過はできない（3月17日付・読売社説）
North Korea has announced it will launch a rocket carrying a "Kwangmyongsong-3" earth observation satellite between April 12 and 16.
北朝鮮が、４月１２日から１６日の間に地球観測衛星「光明星３号」を打ち上げると発表した。
Friday's surprise announcement came only about two weeks after the United States and North Korea reached a deal under which Pyongyang agreed to a moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile launches as well as uranium enrichment activities in Yongbyon.
約２週間前、「核実験と長距離ミサイルの発射、寧辺でのウラン濃縮活動の一時停止」で、米国と合意したと明らかにしたばかりだ。
The satellite launch notice is tantamount to North Korea saying yes and no in the same breath. We think North Korea has exploited loopholes left open by the Washington-Pyongyang deal.
その舌の根も乾かぬうちの衛星発射予告である。米朝合意の詰めの甘さを突いた、と言える。
North Korea says it will launch a "rocket." Although Pyongyang may want to avoid saying it will launch a "missile," the technological principles underpinning both are the same. The planned liftoff is presumably aimed at enhancing the performance of North Korea's missiles.
北朝鮮は、発射するのはロケットと称している。ミサイルではない、と言いたいのだろうが、原理は同じだ。発射にはミサイルの性能向上を図る狙いがあろう。
April 15, a date that falls during the planned five-day period for the launch, marks the centenary of the birth of North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung. If North Korea successfully launches a domestically manufactured satellite before South Korea does, it would be a major achievement credited to Kim Jong Un, North Korea's young, third-generation hereditary leader. The satellite launch is unmistakably designed with this political objective in mind.
打ち上げ予告期間中の４月１５日は、故金日成主席の生誕１００年にあたる。韓国に先んじて、自力で人工衛星打ち上げに成功すれば、３代世襲の若い指導者、正恩氏の大きな功績となる。そんな政治的な目的もあるに違いない。
===
Breach of U.N. resolution
Iran, which North Korea closely worked with on missile development, has successfully launched three satellites since 2009. With technological assistance from Iran, North Korea's upcoming launch has a chance of success.
ミサイル開発で深い関係にあるイランが２００９年以来、３回も衛星打ち上げを成功させている。その技術協力を得て、今回初めて成功する可能性もなくはない。
Even a satellite launch would violate the U.N. resolution banning North Korea's use of ballistic missile technology. We strongly urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint and cancel the planned launch.
衛星打ち上げであっても、弾道ミサイル技術を使っての発射を禁じた国連決議に違反する。発射の自制を北朝鮮に強く求めたい。
Pyongyang may believe the rocket launch would not equate to reneging on the latest U.S.-North Korean deal.
北朝鮮は、米朝合意は反古(ほご)にならないと思っているのだろう。
It appears North Korea may have arrogantly calculated that the United States would not raise a fuss about the rocket launch and it will get the U.S. food aid as agreed, as long as Pyongyang quickly allows International Atomic Energy Agency officials to monitor the suspension of uranium enrichment activities at the Yongbyon nuclear facility.
寧辺でウラン濃縮活動の停止を監視する国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）要員を早期に受け入れれば、米国は打ち上げを問題にはせず、食糧支援も得られる、との身勝手な計算があるのではないか。
Three years ago, after North Korea gave notice that it was preparing to launch a "satellite," it went ahead with the plan while ignoring warnings from countries including Japan, the United States and South Korea.
北朝鮮は３年前に「衛星」打ち上げを予告した時も、日本や米国、韓国などの警告を無視して発射を強行した。
Pyongyang will most likely carry out the launch unless bad weather intervenes. It will be a huge step forward for North Korea's missile development program.
今回も天候不順でない限り、中止はするまい。ミサイル開発は大きく進むことになる。
===
Accurate missiles a menace
The United States has been nervous about the risk of North Korea possessing a long-range missile capable of reaching U.S. soil and expanding the range of its arsenal. For Japan, which already falls within range of North Korea's medium-range Rodong missiles, increased precision of their weapons is a huge menace.
米国が神経をとがらせるのは、本土に届く長距離ミサイルの開発であり、射程延伸だ。一方、すでに中距離ミサイル・ノドンの射程内にある日本にとっては、精度向上が大きな脅威だ。
It is critical that Japan and the United States strongly demand North Korea put into force a moratorium on launches not only of long-range missiles but also of its medium-range ones.
北朝鮮に対し、長距離ミサイルに限らず中距離ミサイルの発射も一時停止するよう強く求めることが、日米両国には重要である。
Three years ago, North Korea fired a missile toward the Japanese archipelago from a missile base on the Sea of Japan coast. To deal with the situation, Japan set up a crisis management task force to prepare for a contingency in which the missile fell on Japanese territory, and went on high alert by deploying Aegis-equipped destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and SDF ground-to-air missile defense units.
３年前、北朝鮮は日本海側の基地から日本列島に向けてミサイルを発射した。日本は国内に落下する万一の事態に備えて、自衛隊のイージス艦や地対空誘導弾部隊を展開させる警戒体制を敷いた。
North Korea has said the upcoming launch will be aimed southward from a base on the Yellow Sea. The rocket will probably not pass over the Japanese archipelago, but the government must stay alert and vigilant against North Korea's moves.
今回、北朝鮮は、黄海側の基地から南に向けて発射するという。日本列島の上空は飛行しないはずだが、政府は北朝鮮の動きを注視し、警戒を怠ってはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2012)
（2012年3月17日01時21分 読売新聞）
2012年03月19日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：ＳＯＳの声をあげて ／東京
都会では自殺する若者が増えている・・・は井上陽水の｢笠が無い｣の一節ですが、あの頃はたしか1万人か、せいぜい２万人の自殺者を数えていたと記憶していますが、それが、いまは３万人超。問題だと思います。
人はひとたび生を得れば必ず死にます。自殺する必要はないのです。だまっていてもお迎えは誰にもやってきます。
どんなに苦しくっても生を貫くことこそ尊いのではないでしょうか。私はそのように考えています。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 18, 2012
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't be afraid to seek help when you feel desperate
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：ＳＯＳの声をあげて ／東京
The number of suicides in 2011 stood at over 30,000, according to National Police Agency statistics. Although this figure marked a slight decline on the previous year, it remains alarming. Of particular note is the increase of suicides among students.
警察庁の統計によると、昨年の自殺者は減少傾向にあるものの、依然として３万人を超えていたことがわかった。とくに目立つのは、「学生・生徒」に分類される若い人の自殺の増加だ。
In comparison to the preceding year, in 2011 some 101 more young people took their own lives. For the first time since authorities began keeping records in 1978, the number of suicides committed by young people surpassed 1,000.
前年より１０１人も増え、統計を取り始めた１９７８年以降、初めて１０００人を超えた。
This is extremely regrettable. I am aware that in each of these cases those young people must have had various concerns. However, I believe that regardless of the circumstances, if they had sought help from those around them and if they had spent more time on their problems, they would have been able to resolve the grave issues that had been eating them up inside.
本当に残念だ。それぞれに事情はあったのだろう。でも、どんな問題でもまわりの人の力も借りながら、時間をかけて取り組めば、必ず解決できたはずなのに、と思う。
What exactly is missing with these young people? Is it an ability to face problems? I don't think so.
では、何が欠けていたのだろう。本人の「問題に向き合う力」なのか。それは違うはずだ。
I believe that all youth have the power to overcome difficulties and to somehow find their way. However, if there's no support from other people, it is somewhat difficult to access this power.
どんな若者にも、困難な状況に立ち向かい、自分なりの道を見つける力が必ず備わっている。ただそれは周囲からのサポートがなければ、なかなか発揮されないものなのだ。
Children and young people have the general tendency to think that whenever something bad happens to them, it is mostly their fault.
子どもや若者は、一般的に自分に問題が起きたとき、「自分が悪いからこうなった」と思い込む傾向がある。
For example, it is very common for small children to think something along the lines of "I haven't been a good child and that is why mom and dad decided to separate" when their parents decide on a divorce -- based on their personal issues. There are some children who go as far as to think that it is better for them to be gone, believing that it is all their fault.
たとえば親どうしが自分たちの事情で離婚しても、幼い子どもは「ボクがいい子じゃないからパパとママは別れた」と信じていることがよくある。中には、「悪い子のボクなんか、いなくなったほうがいいんだ」と考えるようになる子どももいる。
In such cases, adults should continuously tell the children that it is not their fault and that they are needed.
おとなは、「あなたのせいじゃない」「君はみんなから必要とされているんだよ」と言い続けてフォローしなければならない。
However, recently there have been cases in which adults have failed to offer such words, based on the belief that children should not be spoiled. There are some who not only refrain from comforting children or young people, but would even try to do the opposite -- make them feel personally responsible for the problems that are happening.
ところが、最近は「子どもを甘やかすな」という考えのもと、そのフォローがない場合がある。それどころか、「これはあなたの責任だ」と子どもや若者にも自己責任を突きつけるおとなもいる。
Needless to say, if a child or a young person is clearly responsible for a situation, adults need to maintain a firm stance toward them. However, in other cases, telling children and youth to deal with the situation by themselves and emotionally pushing them away will do nothing but push them to the edge.
もちろん、問題の原因がはっきりしている場合は毅然（きぜん）とした態度で接することも必要だが、そうでない場合にまで「自分で何とかしなさい」と若い人たちを突き放すのは、彼らを追い込むことにしかならない。
Every child and every young person is important, not only for their families but also for society as a whole. Adults should be ready to support them in a variety of ways.
どの子どももどの若者も、家族にとっても社会にとっても、宝物のように大切な存在だ。おとなは彼らのために、あらゆるサポートをする準備がある。
When youth feel they need help, they should not be afraid to ask for help. This message, however, never reached the over 1,000 young people who took their own lives last year.
困ったときには遠慮なく、ＳＯＳの声をあげてほしい。そういうメッセージが、自分で命を絶った１０００人を超える「学生・生徒」たちには届かなかったのだ。
If there is a child or a young person among you who feels helpless, please do not hesitate to seek help from an adult near you.
そして、いま「自分じゃどうにもならない」と思っている子どもや若者がいたら、となりのおとなに「助けて」と声をかけてみてください。
If that person refuses to help you, don't give up and try a second and third person.
最初のおとながこたえてくれなくても、あきらめないでふたり目、３人目にも助けを求めてほしい。
At some point, I am sure, there will be someone who will hear you and help you figure out a solution to your problems.
必ずあなたの声に耳を傾け、いっしょに考えてくれるおとながいるはずだから。
毎日新聞 2012年3月13日 地方版
人はひとたび生を得れば必ず死にます。自殺する必要はないのです。だまっていてもお迎えは誰にもやってきます。
どんなに苦しくっても生を貫くことこそ尊いのではないでしょうか。私はそのように考えています。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 18, 2012
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't be afraid to seek help when you feel desperate
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：ＳＯＳの声をあげて ／東京
The number of suicides in 2011 stood at over 30,000, according to National Police Agency statistics. Although this figure marked a slight decline on the previous year, it remains alarming. Of particular note is the increase of suicides among students.
警察庁の統計によると、昨年の自殺者は減少傾向にあるものの、依然として３万人を超えていたことがわかった。とくに目立つのは、「学生・生徒」に分類される若い人の自殺の増加だ。
In comparison to the preceding year, in 2011 some 101 more young people took their own lives. For the first time since authorities began keeping records in 1978, the number of suicides committed by young people surpassed 1,000.
前年より１０１人も増え、統計を取り始めた１９７８年以降、初めて１０００人を超えた。
This is extremely regrettable. I am aware that in each of these cases those young people must have had various concerns. However, I believe that regardless of the circumstances, if they had sought help from those around them and if they had spent more time on their problems, they would have been able to resolve the grave issues that had been eating them up inside.
本当に残念だ。それぞれに事情はあったのだろう。でも、どんな問題でもまわりの人の力も借りながら、時間をかけて取り組めば、必ず解決できたはずなのに、と思う。
What exactly is missing with these young people? Is it an ability to face problems? I don't think so.
では、何が欠けていたのだろう。本人の「問題に向き合う力」なのか。それは違うはずだ。
I believe that all youth have the power to overcome difficulties and to somehow find their way. However, if there's no support from other people, it is somewhat difficult to access this power.
どんな若者にも、困難な状況に立ち向かい、自分なりの道を見つける力が必ず備わっている。ただそれは周囲からのサポートがなければ、なかなか発揮されないものなのだ。
Children and young people have the general tendency to think that whenever something bad happens to them, it is mostly their fault.
子どもや若者は、一般的に自分に問題が起きたとき、「自分が悪いからこうなった」と思い込む傾向がある。
For example, it is very common for small children to think something along the lines of "I haven't been a good child and that is why mom and dad decided to separate" when their parents decide on a divorce -- based on their personal issues. There are some children who go as far as to think that it is better for them to be gone, believing that it is all their fault.
たとえば親どうしが自分たちの事情で離婚しても、幼い子どもは「ボクがいい子じゃないからパパとママは別れた」と信じていることがよくある。中には、「悪い子のボクなんか、いなくなったほうがいいんだ」と考えるようになる子どももいる。
In such cases, adults should continuously tell the children that it is not their fault and that they are needed.
おとなは、「あなたのせいじゃない」「君はみんなから必要とされているんだよ」と言い続けてフォローしなければならない。
However, recently there have been cases in which adults have failed to offer such words, based on the belief that children should not be spoiled. There are some who not only refrain from comforting children or young people, but would even try to do the opposite -- make them feel personally responsible for the problems that are happening.
ところが、最近は「子どもを甘やかすな」という考えのもと、そのフォローがない場合がある。それどころか、「これはあなたの責任だ」と子どもや若者にも自己責任を突きつけるおとなもいる。
Needless to say, if a child or a young person is clearly responsible for a situation, adults need to maintain a firm stance toward them. However, in other cases, telling children and youth to deal with the situation by themselves and emotionally pushing them away will do nothing but push them to the edge.
もちろん、問題の原因がはっきりしている場合は毅然（きぜん）とした態度で接することも必要だが、そうでない場合にまで「自分で何とかしなさい」と若い人たちを突き放すのは、彼らを追い込むことにしかならない。
Every child and every young person is important, not only for their families but also for society as a whole. Adults should be ready to support them in a variety of ways.
どの子どももどの若者も、家族にとっても社会にとっても、宝物のように大切な存在だ。おとなは彼らのために、あらゆるサポートをする準備がある。
When youth feel they need help, they should not be afraid to ask for help. This message, however, never reached the over 1,000 young people who took their own lives last year.
困ったときには遠慮なく、ＳＯＳの声をあげてほしい。そういうメッセージが、自分で命を絶った１０００人を超える「学生・生徒」たちには届かなかったのだ。
If there is a child or a young person among you who feels helpless, please do not hesitate to seek help from an adult near you.
そして、いま「自分じゃどうにもならない」と思っている子どもや若者がいたら、となりのおとなに「助けて」と声をかけてみてください。
If that person refuses to help you, don't give up and try a second and third person.
最初のおとながこたえてくれなくても、あきらめないでふたり目、３人目にも助けを求めてほしい。
At some point, I am sure, there will be someone who will hear you and help you figure out a solution to your problems.
必ずあなたの声に耳を傾け、いっしょに考えてくれるおとながいるはずだから。
毎日新聞 2012年3月13日 地方版
2012年03月18日
重慶トップ解任 次期体制作りへの権力闘争だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 17, 2012)
Downfall of Chongqing head a sign of China's power struggle
重慶トップ解任 次期体制作りへの権力闘争だ（3月16日付・読売社説）
On Thursday, the day after the close of the annual session of China's legislature, the National People's Congress, it was announced via the official Xinhua News Agency that Communist Party Politburo member Bo Xilai had been removed from his office as party secretary for Chongqing, the top post in the nation's most populous municipality.
中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）閉幕翌日の１５日、新華社通信が中国最大の都市・重慶市のトップ、薄煕来・共産党政治局員の市党委員会書記解任を報じた。
Bo, whose father was formerly a vice premier, is known as an influential leader among his fellow "princelings," children of past or current high-ranking party officials.
元副首相を父に持つ薄氏は、党の高級幹部の子女グループ「太子党」の有力指導者だ。
In the past Bo had assumed such key posts as head of the northeastern province of Liaoning and commerce minister. He was therefore seen as a favorite for promotion to a seat on the Politburo's Standing Committee, China's highest decision-making body, at the National Congress of the Communist Party late this autumn.
東北部の遼寧省長や商務相などの要職を歴任し、今秋の共産党大会で政治局常務委員へ昇格して、最高指導部入りすると取り沙汰されていた。
Close attention should be paid to the impact of Bo's removal on the formulation of new leadership under Vice President Xi Jinping, another prominent princeling, who is expected to be elected to the posts of party general secretary and president.
今回の人事が、同じ太子党の中心人物で、次の党総書記・国家主席に選出される予定の習近平国家副主席の体制作りに、どう影響するのかを注視したい。
The direct reason for Bo's axing is believed to be his supervisory responsibility for an incident in which his close associate, a former police chief of Chongqing, fled to the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in early February and was then detained by state security officers.
薄氏の解任は、直接的には、腹心の前公安局長が四川省成都市の米国総領事館に駆け込み、その後中国当局に拘束された事件で、監督責任を問われたといえる。
Bo had used the police chief to carry out a large-scale crackdown on organized crime in Chongqing. He attracted strong attention nationwide because of his anticorruption stance, relentlessly punishing high-ranking officials of Chongqing's Public Security Bureau and others for their cozy relations with the city's gangs.
この腹心を使って、薄氏は重慶で、組織暴力団の大々的な摘発を行った。暴力団と癒着していた公安局幹部ら当局者も容赦せず、腐敗一掃に取り組む姿勢が全国的に注目を集めていた。
===
Echoes of historic conflict?
It was rumored, however, that his drives against organized crime and corruption were motivated chiefly by his desire to oust his political rivals under the guise of eradicating corruption. Bo's high-handed political style also reportedly provoked adverse reactions from within the leadership of President Hu Jintao.
だが、汚職根絶を口実にした政敵の追い落としではないかとのうわさや、薄氏の強引ともいわれる政治手法が、胡錦濤政権内で反発を招いていたとされる。
Premier Wen Jiabao, in a press conference at the end of the latest National People's Congress, made reference to the Chongquing incident, noting, "Lessons must be drawn seriously," hinting that Bo would be responsible.
温家宝首相は、全人代の閉幕にあたっての記者会見で重慶事件に触れ、「真剣に事件の教訓をくみ取るべきだ」と、薄氏の責任を追及する姿勢を見せていた。
Wen went on to say, "Without reform of the political system, there will be no prospect for thorough reform of the economic system, possibly creating the danger of a recurrence of a historic tragedy like the Cultural Revolution."
温首相は「政治体制改革の成功がなければ、経済体制改革も徹底できず、文化大革命のような歴史的悲劇が再び起きる恐れもある」とも語った。
Although what Wen meant to convey by such remarks is not yet clear, it was extraordinary for the premier to refer to the days of the Cultural Revolution.
真意は不明だが、文革への言及は極めて異例だ。
This could indicate signs are emerging of a power struggle within the party leadership, somewhat similar to the days of the Cultural Revolution. Ahead of the transition in which the makeup of China's top leadership will be reconfigured at the coming party convention, backstage maneuvering between princelings and such factions as the Communist Youth League, led by President Hu, may be under way. There may also be a schism among the princelings themselves.
当時のような権力闘争の兆しが党指導部にあることをうかがわせる。指導部が入れ替わる党大会を前に、胡総書記率いる「共産主義青年団」派と太子党などの駆け引きがあるのだろう。太子党内の対立といった側面もある。
===
Mountain of hard tasks
At the threshold of an important generational changeover in China's leadership, the latest session of the National People's Congress approved lowering the country's growth target to 7.5 percent from a longstanding annual growth goal of 8 percent, signifying that China is now in favor of shifting its key economic policy away from continuation of high growth to balanced, sustainable growth.
世代交代の重要な転換期にあたり、今回の全人代では、経済成長率目標を従来の８％から７・５％へと引き下げ、高度成長から安定成長路線へとかじを切った。
From the standpoint of Japan, it is definitely desirable to see the Chinese economy maintain growth and achieve stability without losing steam.
日本にとっても、中国経済が失速せず成長を維持し、安定することが望ましい。
Difficulties in China's domestic politics, however, have kept deepening, including widening disparities between rich and poor.
だが、貧富の格差の拡大をはじめ内政の困難さは増す一方である。
The Chinese administration has been narrowly managing to suppress the violent upheaval that has frequently broken out in various regions of the country.
各地で多発する暴動を政権は力で抑え込んでいるのが現状だ。
How should Beijing build a framework conducive to pushing ahead with its political and economic reform tasks?
政治や経済の改革を推進するための体制をどう構築するのか。
This is the challenge of utmost significance that must be addressed by China's new leadership to be headed by Xi.
それが習氏の直面する重い課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2012)
（2012年3月16日01時22分 読売新聞）
Downfall of Chongqing head a sign of China's power struggle
重慶トップ解任 次期体制作りへの権力闘争だ（3月16日付・読売社説）
On Thursday, the day after the close of the annual session of China's legislature, the National People's Congress, it was announced via the official Xinhua News Agency that Communist Party Politburo member Bo Xilai had been removed from his office as party secretary for Chongqing, the top post in the nation's most populous municipality.
中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）閉幕翌日の１５日、新華社通信が中国最大の都市・重慶市のトップ、薄煕来・共産党政治局員の市党委員会書記解任を報じた。
Bo, whose father was formerly a vice premier, is known as an influential leader among his fellow "princelings," children of past or current high-ranking party officials.
元副首相を父に持つ薄氏は、党の高級幹部の子女グループ「太子党」の有力指導者だ。
In the past Bo had assumed such key posts as head of the northeastern province of Liaoning and commerce minister. He was therefore seen as a favorite for promotion to a seat on the Politburo's Standing Committee, China's highest decision-making body, at the National Congress of the Communist Party late this autumn.
東北部の遼寧省長や商務相などの要職を歴任し、今秋の共産党大会で政治局常務委員へ昇格して、最高指導部入りすると取り沙汰されていた。
Close attention should be paid to the impact of Bo's removal on the formulation of new leadership under Vice President Xi Jinping, another prominent princeling, who is expected to be elected to the posts of party general secretary and president.
今回の人事が、同じ太子党の中心人物で、次の党総書記・国家主席に選出される予定の習近平国家副主席の体制作りに、どう影響するのかを注視したい。
The direct reason for Bo's axing is believed to be his supervisory responsibility for an incident in which his close associate, a former police chief of Chongqing, fled to the U.S. consulate in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in early February and was then detained by state security officers.
薄氏の解任は、直接的には、腹心の前公安局長が四川省成都市の米国総領事館に駆け込み、その後中国当局に拘束された事件で、監督責任を問われたといえる。
Bo had used the police chief to carry out a large-scale crackdown on organized crime in Chongqing. He attracted strong attention nationwide because of his anticorruption stance, relentlessly punishing high-ranking officials of Chongqing's Public Security Bureau and others for their cozy relations with the city's gangs.
この腹心を使って、薄氏は重慶で、組織暴力団の大々的な摘発を行った。暴力団と癒着していた公安局幹部ら当局者も容赦せず、腐敗一掃に取り組む姿勢が全国的に注目を集めていた。
===
Echoes of historic conflict?
It was rumored, however, that his drives against organized crime and corruption were motivated chiefly by his desire to oust his political rivals under the guise of eradicating corruption. Bo's high-handed political style also reportedly provoked adverse reactions from within the leadership of President Hu Jintao.
だが、汚職根絶を口実にした政敵の追い落としではないかとのうわさや、薄氏の強引ともいわれる政治手法が、胡錦濤政権内で反発を招いていたとされる。
Premier Wen Jiabao, in a press conference at the end of the latest National People's Congress, made reference to the Chongquing incident, noting, "Lessons must be drawn seriously," hinting that Bo would be responsible.
温家宝首相は、全人代の閉幕にあたっての記者会見で重慶事件に触れ、「真剣に事件の教訓をくみ取るべきだ」と、薄氏の責任を追及する姿勢を見せていた。
Wen went on to say, "Without reform of the political system, there will be no prospect for thorough reform of the economic system, possibly creating the danger of a recurrence of a historic tragedy like the Cultural Revolution."
温首相は「政治体制改革の成功がなければ、経済体制改革も徹底できず、文化大革命のような歴史的悲劇が再び起きる恐れもある」とも語った。
Although what Wen meant to convey by such remarks is not yet clear, it was extraordinary for the premier to refer to the days of the Cultural Revolution.
真意は不明だが、文革への言及は極めて異例だ。
This could indicate signs are emerging of a power struggle within the party leadership, somewhat similar to the days of the Cultural Revolution. Ahead of the transition in which the makeup of China's top leadership will be reconfigured at the coming party convention, backstage maneuvering between princelings and such factions as the Communist Youth League, led by President Hu, may be under way. There may also be a schism among the princelings themselves.
当時のような権力闘争の兆しが党指導部にあることをうかがわせる。指導部が入れ替わる党大会を前に、胡総書記率いる「共産主義青年団」派と太子党などの駆け引きがあるのだろう。太子党内の対立といった側面もある。
===
Mountain of hard tasks
At the threshold of an important generational changeover in China's leadership, the latest session of the National People's Congress approved lowering the country's growth target to 7.5 percent from a longstanding annual growth goal of 8 percent, signifying that China is now in favor of shifting its key economic policy away from continuation of high growth to balanced, sustainable growth.
世代交代の重要な転換期にあたり、今回の全人代では、経済成長率目標を従来の８％から７・５％へと引き下げ、高度成長から安定成長路線へとかじを切った。
From the standpoint of Japan, it is definitely desirable to see the Chinese economy maintain growth and achieve stability without losing steam.
日本にとっても、中国経済が失速せず成長を維持し、安定することが望ましい。
Difficulties in China's domestic politics, however, have kept deepening, including widening disparities between rich and poor.
だが、貧富の格差の拡大をはじめ内政の困難さは増す一方である。
The Chinese administration has been narrowly managing to suppress the violent upheaval that has frequently broken out in various regions of the country.
各地で多発する暴動を政権は力で抑え込んでいるのが現状だ。
How should Beijing build a framework conducive to pushing ahead with its political and economic reform tasks?
政治や経済の改革を推進するための体制をどう構築するのか。
This is the challenge of utmost significance that must be addressed by China's new leadership to be headed by Xi.
それが習氏の直面する重い課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2012)
（2012年3月16日01時22分 読売新聞）
2012年03月17日
記者の目：震災１年 脱原発後の地域の具体像を＝柳楽未来
専門用語：
raison d'etre レイゾンデトラ 存在意義、理由
使用済み燃料の保管は１０万年なのでその間にかかる維持管理費は天文学的数字に達するでしょう。
モンゴルを最終処分地として狙っているとの情報を得ましたがとんでもないことです。
日本人として政府関係者が米国と共謀してそのような動きをしていることに失望させられました。
モンゴルの人たちにもその危険性につき知らせる必要があります。
若狭湾は当面使用済み燃料の保管管理で食べてはいけれるのではないでしょうか。
原発はやはり金食い虫だと考えます。１０万年！
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 15, 2012
The future of nuclear industry-dependent towns is now
記者の目：震災１年 脱原発後の地域の具体像を＝柳楽未来
◇全国最多の「原発地域」若狭湾
There are 14 nuclear reactors on the shores of Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture, the largest concentration in the country. Until Feb. 21, when the last of the 14 reactors still running was shut down for regular maintenance, this clutch of reactors supplied half the electricity used by the entire Kansai region.
福島第１原発事故直後の昨年３月下旬、全国最多の原発１４基が立地する福井県の若狭湾岸に赴任した。先月２１日で１４基全てが停止するまで、関西の消費電力の半分を供給した地域だ。
Across Japan, the anti-nuclear winds are blowing strong. In the areas around the plants themselves, however, there are equally vehement voices calling for the continuation of nuclear power. Meanwhile, anti-nuclear citizens' groups near the power stations have begun to hunt for a "realistic route" to a post-nuclear power economy in their communities.
全国的に原発への逆風が強まるなか、地元では原発維持を望む声が圧倒的に強い。脱原発を求める地元の市民団体も、将来の町づくりを視野に「現実路線」を模索し始めた。
However, if we see the pro-nuclear faction as simple "nuclear money" addicts, hungry for the jobs and subsidies that come with hosting a plant, then all useful discussion on the issue comes to a grinding halt.
だが、原発維持を望む声を単純に「雇用や交付金などの“原発マネー”目当て」と見ると、原発を巡る議論は止まってしまう。
I was dispatched to the Wakasa Bay area in late March 2011, soon after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. What I want people to understand about this debate is that, behind local calls for nuclear power's continuation are deep misgivings over the future of the community. In fact, it is hard for many of these people to see any future at all.
「原発維持」を望む背景には、脱原発後の地域の姿が描けない現状があることを知ってほしい。
◇財政規模巨大化、繁栄の光景なく
Some 10 kilometers from the center of Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, and 1 kilometer from Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama nuclear plant, is the district of Takenami, home to a cluster of guest houses frequented mostly by plant workers. When I first visited the area, I was taken aback by how close the Miyama plant's three reactors were, their looming bulk weighing down the landscape between the homes and the sea.
同県美浜町中心部から約１０キロ、関西電力美浜原発からは約１キロ。同町竹波地区には、主に原発作業員を泊める民宿が点在する。初めて訪れた時、円柱形の原子炉３基が海を挟んですぐ目の前に見え、その、あまりの存在感の大きさに驚いた。
"Nuclear workers come and stay at the guest houses, and young people were employed by the power company," says one 75-year-old local farmer. "This place used to be a backwater, but thanks to the nuclear plant it really developed."
農業を営む元町議の山本善昭さん（７５）は「民宿には作業員が泊まり、若者は電力会社に就職した。ここはへき地だったが、原発のおかげで地域が発展した」と話す。
Until I took up my position in Fukui Prefecture, I had always seen communities around power stations as just getting fat off nuclear money. Certainly, the nuclear subsidies for Mihama have made an enormous difference to the town's finances, perhaps best represented by its new, 2.7 billion yen town hall.
赴任まで、原発がある「立地自治体」には「原発マネーで潤う地域」というイメージがあった。確かに、巨額の交付金で町の財政は巨大化し、美浜町中心部には総工費約２７億円の美浜町役場もできた。
Mihama's Takenami district, however, does not look like it has seen much of that supposed river of nuclear cash. The two-lane prefectural road linking the district to the center of town is often cut by landslides. The community center designated a temporary shelter in case of a nuclear accident is the district's only reinforced concrete building, but it is beginning to show its age, and has also never been earthquake-proofed. Many of the locals are elderly, and the district looks no different than any other sparsely populated rural area. The population of Mihama as a whole has dropped by about 20 percent over the last 40 years.
だが、竹波地区が栄えているようには見えない。地区と町中心部を結ぶ片側１車線の県道は、土砂崩れで頻繁に通行止めになる。原発事故時に一時避難場所となる公民館は地区で唯一の鉄筋造りだが、老朽化し耐震工事もされていない。高齢者が多く、集落の風景は他の過疎地と変わらない。町全体の人口もこの４０年で約２割減少した。
So, has the nuclear plant actually helped Mihama develop?
原発で本当に地域は発展したのか。
"It's true the population has fallen," says the 75-year-old farmer. "So I have to admit I've wondered whether the plant really gave us explosive advantages."
山本さんは「確かに人口は減った。果たして原発が地域振興の起爆剤になったのかという思いはある」と複雑な胸中を語った。
In January this year, the central government laid down a 40-year maximum service life for nuclear reactors. If this limit is strictly applied, the Mihama plant's three reactors will all be shuttered within five years. For a town benefiting so much from nuclear industry-related subsidies and employment, this would mean a complete shift in the very nature of Mihama's existence. However, the town has yet to stir itself in search of an alternative future, and local calls for the continuation of nuclear power roll on unchanged.
政府は１月、「原発の寿命」を４０年とする原則を打ち出した。厳格に適用されれば、美浜町の原発３基は５年以内に廃炉になる。原発関連の交付金や雇用が多い同町にとっては、町のあり方を変えざるを得ない状況だ。だが、新たな地域の姿を模索する動きはほとんどなく、「原発維持」を求める姿勢は変わらない。
At a January meeting between local residents and Kansai Electric representatives, Mihama residents expressed mixed feelings about nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima meltdowns.
「原発がある不安、なくなる不安の両面がある」。１月、関電と地元の懇談会で、住民側は福島の事故後の複雑な心境を吐露した。
"We're worried about nuclear energy, but at the same time we're worried about losing it," some said. The Fukushima nuclear disaster spread radioactive materials far and wide, contaminating fields and doing severe damage to the agricultural sector. The farming representative in the local delegation expressed deep misgivings over the dangers of nuclear power, but at the same time, "Mihama's farms earn very little income, and about 30 percent of farming family members work at the plants. So we hope very much that the reactors will go back on-line," he said.
福島では、田畑にも放射性物質が飛来し、農業が甚大な被害を受けた。懇談会に参加した地元農協の代表は原発の危険性に不安を示しながらも、「農業所得の少ない町だから、農家の３０％は原発に働きに出ている。できるだけ原発を再稼働してほしい」と訴えた。
◇温度差広がる都市部と地元
Currently, petitions against nuclear energy are proliferating across Japan's urban centers, and millions of signatures have been collected so far. Anti-nuclear activism in local areas, however, has been much weaker. When I asked people in around Mihama about the issue, many told me that "nuclear power is scary, but I have family and neighbors working in nuclear-related jobs, so it's difficult for me to say I'm for abandoning nuclear energy."
今、都市部を中心に脱原発を求める署名活動が広がり、そこでは、数百万人分の署名が集まる。一方、立地地域での動きは低調だ。地元で取材をしていると「原発は怖いが、親族や近所に原発関連の仕事をしている人が多く、脱原発とは言いにくい」という声もよく聞く。
The No. 1 reactor at the Mihama plant is just over 40 years old, and in that time nuclear power has become deeply entwined with the lives and livelihoods of the townspeople. Even if Japan gives up on nuclear power generation, neither the plant buildings themselves nor the locals' connections to the industry will disappear overnight. Then there is all that spent nuclear fuel still stored at the facilities. The gap in sentiment about nuclear power between cities and the countryside is growing ever wider.
美浜原発１号機の運転開始から４０年あまり。原発は人々の暮らしに密接に結びついてきた。脱原発が実現しても、原発の施設そのものや、原発と暮らしとの結びつきがすぐ消せるわけではない。原発から出た使用済み核燃料も敷地内に残る。「脱原発」という理念だけでは、都市部と地元との温度差は広がる一方だ。
raison d'etre レイゾンデトラ 存在意義、理由
使用済み燃料の保管は１０万年なのでその間にかかる維持管理費は天文学的数字に達するでしょう。
モンゴルを最終処分地として狙っているとの情報を得ましたがとんでもないことです。
日本人として政府関係者が米国と共謀してそのような動きをしていることに失望させられました。
モンゴルの人たちにもその危険性につき知らせる必要があります。
若狭湾は当面使用済み燃料の保管管理で食べてはいけれるのではないでしょうか。
原発はやはり金食い虫だと考えます。１０万年！
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 15, 2012
The future of nuclear industry-dependent towns is now
記者の目：震災１年 脱原発後の地域の具体像を＝柳楽未来
◇全国最多の「原発地域」若狭湾
There are 14 nuclear reactors on the shores of Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture, the largest concentration in the country. Until Feb. 21, when the last of the 14 reactors still running was shut down for regular maintenance, this clutch of reactors supplied half the electricity used by the entire Kansai region.
福島第１原発事故直後の昨年３月下旬、全国最多の原発１４基が立地する福井県の若狭湾岸に赴任した。先月２１日で１４基全てが停止するまで、関西の消費電力の半分を供給した地域だ。
Across Japan, the anti-nuclear winds are blowing strong. In the areas around the plants themselves, however, there are equally vehement voices calling for the continuation of nuclear power. Meanwhile, anti-nuclear citizens' groups near the power stations have begun to hunt for a "realistic route" to a post-nuclear power economy in their communities.
全国的に原発への逆風が強まるなか、地元では原発維持を望む声が圧倒的に強い。脱原発を求める地元の市民団体も、将来の町づくりを視野に「現実路線」を模索し始めた。
However, if we see the pro-nuclear faction as simple "nuclear money" addicts, hungry for the jobs and subsidies that come with hosting a plant, then all useful discussion on the issue comes to a grinding halt.
だが、原発維持を望む声を単純に「雇用や交付金などの“原発マネー”目当て」と見ると、原発を巡る議論は止まってしまう。
I was dispatched to the Wakasa Bay area in late March 2011, soon after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and the ensuing meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. What I want people to understand about this debate is that, behind local calls for nuclear power's continuation are deep misgivings over the future of the community. In fact, it is hard for many of these people to see any future at all.
「原発維持」を望む背景には、脱原発後の地域の姿が描けない現状があることを知ってほしい。
◇財政規模巨大化、繁栄の光景なく
Some 10 kilometers from the center of Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, and 1 kilometer from Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Mihama nuclear plant, is the district of Takenami, home to a cluster of guest houses frequented mostly by plant workers. When I first visited the area, I was taken aback by how close the Miyama plant's three reactors were, their looming bulk weighing down the landscape between the homes and the sea.
同県美浜町中心部から約１０キロ、関西電力美浜原発からは約１キロ。同町竹波地区には、主に原発作業員を泊める民宿が点在する。初めて訪れた時、円柱形の原子炉３基が海を挟んですぐ目の前に見え、その、あまりの存在感の大きさに驚いた。
"Nuclear workers come and stay at the guest houses, and young people were employed by the power company," says one 75-year-old local farmer. "This place used to be a backwater, but thanks to the nuclear plant it really developed."
農業を営む元町議の山本善昭さん（７５）は「民宿には作業員が泊まり、若者は電力会社に就職した。ここはへき地だったが、原発のおかげで地域が発展した」と話す。
Until I took up my position in Fukui Prefecture, I had always seen communities around power stations as just getting fat off nuclear money. Certainly, the nuclear subsidies for Mihama have made an enormous difference to the town's finances, perhaps best represented by its new, 2.7 billion yen town hall.
赴任まで、原発がある「立地自治体」には「原発マネーで潤う地域」というイメージがあった。確かに、巨額の交付金で町の財政は巨大化し、美浜町中心部には総工費約２７億円の美浜町役場もできた。
Mihama's Takenami district, however, does not look like it has seen much of that supposed river of nuclear cash. The two-lane prefectural road linking the district to the center of town is often cut by landslides. The community center designated a temporary shelter in case of a nuclear accident is the district's only reinforced concrete building, but it is beginning to show its age, and has also never been earthquake-proofed. Many of the locals are elderly, and the district looks no different than any other sparsely populated rural area. The population of Mihama as a whole has dropped by about 20 percent over the last 40 years.
だが、竹波地区が栄えているようには見えない。地区と町中心部を結ぶ片側１車線の県道は、土砂崩れで頻繁に通行止めになる。原発事故時に一時避難場所となる公民館は地区で唯一の鉄筋造りだが、老朽化し耐震工事もされていない。高齢者が多く、集落の風景は他の過疎地と変わらない。町全体の人口もこの４０年で約２割減少した。
So, has the nuclear plant actually helped Mihama develop?
原発で本当に地域は発展したのか。
"It's true the population has fallen," says the 75-year-old farmer. "So I have to admit I've wondered whether the plant really gave us explosive advantages."
山本さんは「確かに人口は減った。果たして原発が地域振興の起爆剤になったのかという思いはある」と複雑な胸中を語った。
In January this year, the central government laid down a 40-year maximum service life for nuclear reactors. If this limit is strictly applied, the Mihama plant's three reactors will all be shuttered within five years. For a town benefiting so much from nuclear industry-related subsidies and employment, this would mean a complete shift in the very nature of Mihama's existence. However, the town has yet to stir itself in search of an alternative future, and local calls for the continuation of nuclear power roll on unchanged.
政府は１月、「原発の寿命」を４０年とする原則を打ち出した。厳格に適用されれば、美浜町の原発３基は５年以内に廃炉になる。原発関連の交付金や雇用が多い同町にとっては、町のあり方を変えざるを得ない状況だ。だが、新たな地域の姿を模索する動きはほとんどなく、「原発維持」を求める姿勢は変わらない。
At a January meeting between local residents and Kansai Electric representatives, Mihama residents expressed mixed feelings about nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima meltdowns.
「原発がある不安、なくなる不安の両面がある」。１月、関電と地元の懇談会で、住民側は福島の事故後の複雑な心境を吐露した。
"We're worried about nuclear energy, but at the same time we're worried about losing it," some said. The Fukushima nuclear disaster spread radioactive materials far and wide, contaminating fields and doing severe damage to the agricultural sector. The farming representative in the local delegation expressed deep misgivings over the dangers of nuclear power, but at the same time, "Mihama's farms earn very little income, and about 30 percent of farming family members work at the plants. So we hope very much that the reactors will go back on-line," he said.
福島では、田畑にも放射性物質が飛来し、農業が甚大な被害を受けた。懇談会に参加した地元農協の代表は原発の危険性に不安を示しながらも、「農業所得の少ない町だから、農家の３０％は原発に働きに出ている。できるだけ原発を再稼働してほしい」と訴えた。
◇温度差広がる都市部と地元
Currently, petitions against nuclear energy are proliferating across Japan's urban centers, and millions of signatures have been collected so far. Anti-nuclear activism in local areas, however, has been much weaker. When I asked people in around Mihama about the issue, many told me that "nuclear power is scary, but I have family and neighbors working in nuclear-related jobs, so it's difficult for me to say I'm for abandoning nuclear energy."
今、都市部を中心に脱原発を求める署名活動が広がり、そこでは、数百万人分の署名が集まる。一方、立地地域での動きは低調だ。地元で取材をしていると「原発は怖いが、親族や近所に原発関連の仕事をしている人が多く、脱原発とは言いにくい」という声もよく聞く。
The No. 1 reactor at the Mihama plant is just over 40 years old, and in that time nuclear power has become deeply entwined with the lives and livelihoods of the townspeople. Even if Japan gives up on nuclear power generation, neither the plant buildings themselves nor the locals' connections to the industry will disappear overnight. Then there is all that spent nuclear fuel still stored at the facilities. The gap in sentiment about nuclear power between cities and the countryside is growing ever wider.
美浜原発１号機の運転開始から４０年あまり。原発は人々の暮らしに密接に結びついてきた。脱原発が実現しても、原発の施設そのものや、原発と暮らしとの結びつきがすぐ消せるわけではない。原発から出た使用済み核燃料も敷地内に残る。「脱原発」という理念だけでは、都市部と地元との温度差は広がる一方だ。
2012年03月16日
社説：原子力規制庁 実質的な議論を早く
専門用語：
NSC＝Nuclear security agency 原子力安全委員会
NISA＝Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency 原子力保安院
ここまできて既得権を死守しようというかまえでしょうか。情けない話です。
名前の変更は米国の影響だと思います。
米国は同種の委員会にsecurityということばをつかっているからです。
名前を変えただけでは意味がありません。
その実体が改善されないといけませんね。実効性のある組織へと。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 14, 2012
Editorial: Creation of new nuclear regulatory agency no stage for political grandstanding
社説：原子力規制庁 実質的な議論を早く
It is now looking much more likely that the establishment of a new nuclear regulatory agency will be delayed. The Democratic Party of Japan-led administration had planned to get the new body off the ground on April 1, but opposition parties have indicated they will fight the passage of bills underpinning the agency when they come up for debate in the Diet.
「原子力規制庁」の設置が遅れる見通しが強くなってきた。政府は４月１日の発足をめざしてきたが、野党が関連法案の審議入りに難色を示しているためだ。
The new agency's predecessor is the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), a part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry -- a ministry directly involved in the promotion of nuclear power. After the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant meltdowns in March last year, the government decided that NISA's position under the industry ministry was a serious flaw in Japan's nuclear safety regime and moved to abolish it in favor of the new regulatory agency.
規制庁は東京電力福島第１原発の重大事故を教訓に政府が設置を決めた。原発事故の背景には原子力の安全規制を担う原子力安全・保安院が原発推進の立場にある経済産業省に属していた弊害がある。
Surely anyone would admit that splitting NISA from the industry ministry and combining its brief with other regulatory duties is an important step. Not only is the conflict of interest inherent in the current state of affairs obvious, it also goes without saying that a new regulatory body must be put in place as soon as possible.
保安院を経産省から分離し、他の規制業務とともに一元化することの重要性は誰もが認めるところだ。問題が明らかになっている以上、新しい規制組織をできるだけ速やかに発足させる必要があることは論をまたない。
The real issue is how that body will be set up. The Cabinet has decided on a bill to establish it as an external bureau of the Ministry of the Environment. Some members of the opposition, however, have argued strongly for the agency to be a separate committee, which would have a great deal of independence under Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law.
問題はその組織の位置づけだ。政府は環境省の外局として設置する法案を閣議決定している。これに対し野党の中には、国家行政組織法第３条に基づく独立性の高い３条委員会にすべきだ、との声がある。
The government has made much of the merits of putting the new agency under the environment ministry, saying that crisis management would be much easier than if the body was set up as an independent committee. On the other hand, there are valid worries over whether an agency under the ministry could, when needed, make truly independent, objective judgments contrary to government expectations. The government needs to address this concern in a concrete manner.
政府は環境省に置くことのメリットとして、委員会形式に比べ緊急時の危機管理がしやすいという点を挙げている。ただ、環境省に置かれた規制庁が、いかに政府の思惑から独立した客観的判断を下せるか、懸念があるのは確かだ。政府はより具体的に説明する必要がある。
There is also a pressing need to focus on how a revamped Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan (NSC) will help guarantee the incipient regulatory agency's independence. It must furthermore be noted that the environment ministry has no crisis management experience, which is a source of some worry.
新たに設ける「原子力安全調査委員会」についても、独立性の確保にどのように寄与できるのか、さらに詰める必要がある。危機管理についても、環境省には経験がなく、不安は残る。
On the other hand, we must not jump to the conclusion that setting up the new agency, as the opposition suggests, as an Article 3 committee like the Fair Trade Commission would necessarily guarantee absolute independence. Whether an external bureau of the environment ministry or a separate commission, the points truly at issue are how it is built, how it is managed, and how it will retain important staff.
一方で、野党側が主張するように公正取引委員会のような３条委員会にすれば無条件で独立性が確保されると考えるのも短絡だろう。どちらにしても大事なのは、人材の確保と組織の運営だ。
We also call on the opposition not just to try and slow debate on the bills underpinning the new agency, but to initiate substantive discussion on this important issue. Opposition parties must explain how the Article 3 committee they favor would be put together, and how that would safeguard the new body's independence of action. They must also tell us in definite terms what structure they see for the committee that would allow it to overrule government policy in a crisis.
野党側も、単に審議入りを遅らせるのではなく、実質的な議論を進めてほしい。３条委員会にした場合にどのような組織によって真の独立性を担保するのか。緊急時の危機管理についても政府案より優れた組織をどう構築するのか、具体的に示してもらいたい。
It is also possible that the delay in creating the new regulatory agency will also affect decisions on restarting nuclear reactors idled for regular maintenance. On March 13, the NSC completed approval of the results of stress tests on the No. 3 and 4 reactors at the Oi nuclear plant -- conducted by NISA, which we have already seen has a direct conflict of interest.
規制庁の設置の遅れは原発の再稼働の判断にも影響を与える可能性がある。原子力安全委員会の検討会は１３日、大飯原発３、４号機のストレステスト（安全評価）を妥当とした保安院の審査結果の確認作業を終えた。
Of course, under the stress test process, the decision on restarting reactors can be made at the political level. However, it's just impossible at this point to ask us to trust NISA and the incumbent version of the NSC.
手続き上は、規制庁の発足前でも再稼働を政治判断することができる。しかし、旧来の保安院や原子力安全委の判断を信頼せよというのは無理な注文だ。
At this moment, faced with the frankly nerve-wracking technology of nuclear power, deliberations and decisions on its future must not be delayed by political gamesmanship. We call on the governing and opposition parties together to move deliberations on this issue forward.
今も不安を抱える原発を前に政治的な取引で審議が遅れることがあってはならない。与野党共に審議を進めるために最善を尽くすべきだ。
毎日新聞 2012年3月14日 2時30分
NSC＝Nuclear security agency 原子力安全委員会
NISA＝Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency 原子力保安院
ここまできて既得権を死守しようというかまえでしょうか。情けない話です。
名前の変更は米国の影響だと思います。
米国は同種の委員会にsecurityということばをつかっているからです。
名前を変えただけでは意味がありません。
その実体が改善されないといけませんね。実効性のある組織へと。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 14, 2012
Editorial: Creation of new nuclear regulatory agency no stage for political grandstanding
社説：原子力規制庁 実質的な議論を早く
It is now looking much more likely that the establishment of a new nuclear regulatory agency will be delayed. The Democratic Party of Japan-led administration had planned to get the new body off the ground on April 1, but opposition parties have indicated they will fight the passage of bills underpinning the agency when they come up for debate in the Diet.
「原子力規制庁」の設置が遅れる見通しが強くなってきた。政府は４月１日の発足をめざしてきたが、野党が関連法案の審議入りに難色を示しているためだ。
The new agency's predecessor is the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), a part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry -- a ministry directly involved in the promotion of nuclear power. After the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant meltdowns in March last year, the government decided that NISA's position under the industry ministry was a serious flaw in Japan's nuclear safety regime and moved to abolish it in favor of the new regulatory agency.
規制庁は東京電力福島第１原発の重大事故を教訓に政府が設置を決めた。原発事故の背景には原子力の安全規制を担う原子力安全・保安院が原発推進の立場にある経済産業省に属していた弊害がある。
Surely anyone would admit that splitting NISA from the industry ministry and combining its brief with other regulatory duties is an important step. Not only is the conflict of interest inherent in the current state of affairs obvious, it also goes without saying that a new regulatory body must be put in place as soon as possible.
保安院を経産省から分離し、他の規制業務とともに一元化することの重要性は誰もが認めるところだ。問題が明らかになっている以上、新しい規制組織をできるだけ速やかに発足させる必要があることは論をまたない。
The real issue is how that body will be set up. The Cabinet has decided on a bill to establish it as an external bureau of the Ministry of the Environment. Some members of the opposition, however, have argued strongly for the agency to be a separate committee, which would have a great deal of independence under Article 3 of the National Government Organization Law.
問題はその組織の位置づけだ。政府は環境省の外局として設置する法案を閣議決定している。これに対し野党の中には、国家行政組織法第３条に基づく独立性の高い３条委員会にすべきだ、との声がある。
The government has made much of the merits of putting the new agency under the environment ministry, saying that crisis management would be much easier than if the body was set up as an independent committee. On the other hand, there are valid worries over whether an agency under the ministry could, when needed, make truly independent, objective judgments contrary to government expectations. The government needs to address this concern in a concrete manner.
政府は環境省に置くことのメリットとして、委員会形式に比べ緊急時の危機管理がしやすいという点を挙げている。ただ、環境省に置かれた規制庁が、いかに政府の思惑から独立した客観的判断を下せるか、懸念があるのは確かだ。政府はより具体的に説明する必要がある。
There is also a pressing need to focus on how a revamped Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan (NSC) will help guarantee the incipient regulatory agency's independence. It must furthermore be noted that the environment ministry has no crisis management experience, which is a source of some worry.
新たに設ける「原子力安全調査委員会」についても、独立性の確保にどのように寄与できるのか、さらに詰める必要がある。危機管理についても、環境省には経験がなく、不安は残る。
On the other hand, we must not jump to the conclusion that setting up the new agency, as the opposition suggests, as an Article 3 committee like the Fair Trade Commission would necessarily guarantee absolute independence. Whether an external bureau of the environment ministry or a separate commission, the points truly at issue are how it is built, how it is managed, and how it will retain important staff.
一方で、野党側が主張するように公正取引委員会のような３条委員会にすれば無条件で独立性が確保されると考えるのも短絡だろう。どちらにしても大事なのは、人材の確保と組織の運営だ。
We also call on the opposition not just to try and slow debate on the bills underpinning the new agency, but to initiate substantive discussion on this important issue. Opposition parties must explain how the Article 3 committee they favor would be put together, and how that would safeguard the new body's independence of action. They must also tell us in definite terms what structure they see for the committee that would allow it to overrule government policy in a crisis.
野党側も、単に審議入りを遅らせるのではなく、実質的な議論を進めてほしい。３条委員会にした場合にどのような組織によって真の独立性を担保するのか。緊急時の危機管理についても政府案より優れた組織をどう構築するのか、具体的に示してもらいたい。
It is also possible that the delay in creating the new regulatory agency will also affect decisions on restarting nuclear reactors idled for regular maintenance. On March 13, the NSC completed approval of the results of stress tests on the No. 3 and 4 reactors at the Oi nuclear plant -- conducted by NISA, which we have already seen has a direct conflict of interest.
規制庁の設置の遅れは原発の再稼働の判断にも影響を与える可能性がある。原子力安全委員会の検討会は１３日、大飯原発３、４号機のストレステスト（安全評価）を妥当とした保安院の審査結果の確認作業を終えた。
Of course, under the stress test process, the decision on restarting reactors can be made at the political level. However, it's just impossible at this point to ask us to trust NISA and the incumbent version of the NSC.
手続き上は、規制庁の発足前でも再稼働を政治判断することができる。しかし、旧来の保安院や原子力安全委の判断を信頼せよというのは無理な注文だ。
At this moment, faced with the frankly nerve-wracking technology of nuclear power, deliberations and decisions on its future must not be delayed by political gamesmanship. We call on the governing and opposition parties together to move deliberations on this issue forward.
今も不安を抱える原発を前に政治的な取引で審議が遅れることがあってはならない。与野党共に審議を進めるために最善を尽くすべきだ。
毎日新聞 2012年3月14日 2時30分
2012年03月15日
盲点「核のゴミ」問う
すばらしい。素直に感動させられました。
久しぶりに新聞記者の記者魂をみせてもらいました。
こんな新聞記者もいるのですね。
普通は英文、和文で文節ごとに対応させて掲載するのですが、今回はそれをしませんでした。
英文は平易です。和文より分かりやすいくらいのものなのですが、ネイティブには違和感があるのかも知れません。
なによりすばらしい内容に打たれました。
原発の使用済み燃料の最終処分地とてモンゴリアが目をつけられたということですが、日本人として恥ずかしく思いました。
自国の使用済み燃料は自国で最終処分するのが道理ではないでしょうか。たとえ１０万年の間安全に保管する必要があるにしても。
米国と日本が仕組んだ、このような陰謀は、モンゴリアの人々に広く紹介されるべきだと思いました。
日本は使用済み核燃料の保有量が世界で３番目の核大国なのです。
第一位はアメリカ、第二位はカナダ、そして、日本が第三位なのです。
日本は恥を知るべきだと感じました。
スラチャイ
Mainichi scoop on Mongolia's nuclear plans highlights problems in dealing with waste
特集：ボーン・上田記念国際記者賞、毎日新聞・会川晴之記者に 盲点「核のゴミ」問う
Coverage on a secret document detailing an international nuclear waste disposal site that Japan and the United States had planned to build in Mongolia, for which I won the Vaughan-Ueda Memorial Prize for 2011, has highlighted the difficulties in dealing with radioactive waste.
The secret plan surfaced as the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has stirred controversy over the pros and cons of nuclear power.
I learned that the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and the U.S. Department of Energy had been secretly negotiating the plan with Mongolia since the autumn of 2010 when I interviewed a U.S. nuclear expert on the phone on April 9, 2011.
"Would you please help the Mongolian people who know nothing about the plan. Mongolia is friendly to Japan, Japanese media certainly has influence on the country," the expert said.
I flew to Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, on April 22, and met with then Ambassador Undraa Agvaanluvsan with the Mongolian Foreign Ministry in charge of negotiations on the plan, at the VIP room of a cafe.
Before I asked the ambassador some questions getting to the heart of the plan, we asked my interpreter to leave the room just as we had agreed in advance. The way the ambassador talked suddenly became more flexible after I stopped the recorder and began asking her questions in English. She explained the process and the aim of the negotiations and even mentioned candidate sites for the disposal facility.
After the interview that lasted for more than two hours, the ambassador said she heard of a similar plan in Australia and asked me to provide Mongolia with any information on it, highlighting the Mongolian government's enthusiasm about overcoming competition with Australia in hosting the disposal facility.
I subsequently visited three areas where the Mongolian government was planning to build nuclear power stations. Japan and the United States were to provide nuclear power technology to Mongolia in return for hosting the disposal facility. I relied on a global positioning system for driving in the vast, grassy land to head to the sites. All the three candidate sites, including a former air force base about 200 kilometers southeast of Ulan Bator, are all dry land. No source of water indispensable for cooling down nuclear reactors, was found at any of these sites and a lake at one of the sites had dried up.
Experts share the view that nuclear plants cannot be built in areas without water. I repeatedly asked Mongolian officials responsible for nuclear power policy how they can build nuclear plants at the sites without water. However, they only emphasized that all the three sites meet the safety standards for nuclear plants set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
An Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry official, who is familiar with Mongolian affairs, said, "Mongolians are smart but their knowledge of atomic energy isn't that good ..."
In other words, Japan and the United States proposed to build a spent nuclear waste disposal facility in Mongolia, a country that has little knowledge of nuclear energy.
In 2010, the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan released a new growth strategy with special emphasis on exports of nuclear power plants. However, there is no facility in Japan that can accept spent nuclear fuel, putting itself at a disadvantage in its competition with Russia, France and other countries that have offered to sell nuclear plants and accept radioactive waste as a package.
A Japanese negotiator said, "The plan to build a disposal facility in Mongolia was aimed at making up for our disadvantage in selling nuclear power stations."
The United States wanted to find another country that will accept spent nuclear fuel that can be converted to materials to develop nuclear weapons in a bid to promote its nuclear non-proliferation policy.
Both the Japanese and U.S. ideas are understandable. However, as Mongolia has just begun developing uranium mines and has not benefited from atomic energy, I felt that it would be unreasonable to shift radioactive waste to Mongolia without explaining the plan to the Mongolian people.
During my stay in Mongolia, I learned that many people there donated money equal to their daily wages to victims of the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. I was also present when the Mongolian people invited disaster evacuees from Miyagi Prefecture to their country. I could not help but shed tears when seeing the Mongolian people's goodwill. My interpreter even joked, "You cry too much."
I did not feel a sense of exaltation from learning the details of the secret negotiations on the disposal site. I rather felt ashamed of being a citizen of Japan, which was promoting the plan.
The Fukushima nuclear crisis that broke out following the March 11, 2011 quake and tsunami has sparked debate on overall energy policy. Some call for an immediate halt to nuclear plants while others insist that such power stations are indispensable for Japan's overall energy, industrial and security policies.
"The matter isn't limited to nuclear energy. Our generations have consumed massive amounts of oil and coal," a Finish government official said.
The Mainichi scoop on the secret plan sparked campaigns in Mongolia to demand that the plan on a spent nuclear fuel disposal facility be scrapped and that relevant information be fully disclosed.
Bowing to the opposition, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj declared in the U.N. General Assembly session in September last year that the country can never host a radioactive waste disposal facility.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the IAEA, which is dubbed a "nuclear watchdog," says, "Those who generate radioactive waste must take responsibility for disposing of it. It's unfair to expect someone else to take care of it."
However, human beings have yet to find a solution to problems involving nuclear waste.
(By Haruyuki Aikawa, Europe General Bureau)
(Mainichi Japan) March 13, 2012
特集：ボーン・上田記念国際記者賞、毎日新聞・会川晴之記者に 盲点「核のゴミ」問う
国際報道で優れた成果を上げた記者に贈られる今年度のボーン・上田記念国際記者賞に、欧州総局（ロンドン）の会川（あいかわ）晴之記者（５２）が選ばれた。昨年３月１１日の東京電力福島第１原発事故を受けて世界中で原発を巡る議論が起きる中、日本と米国がモンゴルで進めた国際的な核廃棄物処分場計画の秘密交渉を特報。原子力利用の盲点である「核のゴミ」の問題を追い続けた会川記者の取材の軌跡を紹介し、「核」を考える機会としたい。
◇被災地思い、取材没入
「何も知らないモンゴルの人たちを助けてあげてくれませんか。モンゴルは親日国だから、日本のメディアは影響力があるはずだ」
日米が主導したモンゴルでの使用済み核燃料の貯蔵・処分場計画。１０年秋から経済産業省、米エネルギー省などが秘密裏に始めた交渉を知ったのは昨年４月９日、米国の核専門家への電話取材がきっかけだった。
そのほぼ１カ月前の東日本大震災発生以来、居ても立ってもいられない日が続いていた。私は８７年に岩手県で記者生活をスタートさせた。被災した東北地方への思いが募り、自分ができることを問い続けた。遠いロンドンで勤務しながら、焦燥感だけが募っていた。
そんな時、被災者支援の活動を始めた高校時代の友人から「餅は餅屋」とのアドバイスを受けた。心は定まった。高校時代に興味を持って以来、自分が最も得意とする分野、そして、今求められている「核」の話を徹底的に書くしかない、と。原子力産業や国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）など、長年の取材で知り合った人たちに、つかれたように電話をかけ始めた。米国の核専門家はその一人だった。
◇「押しつけ」に違和感
４月２２日、モンゴルの首都ウランバートルに入った。カフェのＶＩＰルームで会ったのが、モンゴル外務省のオンダラー交渉担当大使（当時）だった。
取材がヤマ場に入る直前、打ち合わせ通り、モンゴル人通訳に部屋から出るよう指示した。録音機を止め、英語での質問に切り替えると、しゃくし定規だった彼女の応対に変化が表れ始めた。交渉の経緯や狙い、処分場予定地にも話が及んだ。
２時間を超す取材の最後には「オーストラリアにも同様の計画があると聞く。どんな情報でもいい。連絡してほしい」と頼まれた。誘致で後れをとりたくない、というモンゴル政府の意気込みが伝わってきた。
取材後、モンゴル政府が計画する３カ所の原発候補地も訪ねた。処分場の受け入れと引き換えに、日米は原子力技術をモンゴルに提供することになっていた。全地球測位システム（ＧＰＳ）を頼りに草原の道なき道を車でひた走った。だが、ウランバートルから東南２００キロの元空軍基地をはじめ、候補地はいずれも乾いた大地だった。原子炉冷却に不可欠な水源が見当たらず、地図には明示されている湖は枯れていた。
「水が無い場所に原発建設は無理」というのが専門家の常識だ。疑問に思い、モンゴルの原子力関係者に何度も尋ねたが「ＩＡＥＡの安全基準を満たした場所だ」と力説するのみ。モンゴルの事情をよく知る経産省幹部は「モンゴル人は極めて優秀だが、原子力の知識はちょっと……」と言葉を濁した。
久しぶりに新聞記者の記者魂をみせてもらいました。
こんな新聞記者もいるのですね。
普通は英文、和文で文節ごとに対応させて掲載するのですが、今回はそれをしませんでした。
英文は平易です。和文より分かりやすいくらいのものなのですが、ネイティブには違和感があるのかも知れません。
なによりすばらしい内容に打たれました。
原発の使用済み燃料の最終処分地とてモンゴリアが目をつけられたということですが、日本人として恥ずかしく思いました。
自国の使用済み燃料は自国で最終処分するのが道理ではないでしょうか。たとえ１０万年の間安全に保管する必要があるにしても。
米国と日本が仕組んだ、このような陰謀は、モンゴリアの人々に広く紹介されるべきだと思いました。
日本は使用済み核燃料の保有量が世界で３番目の核大国なのです。
第一位はアメリカ、第二位はカナダ、そして、日本が第三位なのです。
日本は恥を知るべきだと感じました。
スラチャイ
Mainichi scoop on Mongolia's nuclear plans highlights problems in dealing with waste
特集：ボーン・上田記念国際記者賞、毎日新聞・会川晴之記者に 盲点「核のゴミ」問う
Coverage on a secret document detailing an international nuclear waste disposal site that Japan and the United States had planned to build in Mongolia, for which I won the Vaughan-Ueda Memorial Prize for 2011, has highlighted the difficulties in dealing with radioactive waste.
The secret plan surfaced as the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has stirred controversy over the pros and cons of nuclear power.
I learned that the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and the U.S. Department of Energy had been secretly negotiating the plan with Mongolia since the autumn of 2010 when I interviewed a U.S. nuclear expert on the phone on April 9, 2011.
"Would you please help the Mongolian people who know nothing about the plan. Mongolia is friendly to Japan, Japanese media certainly has influence on the country," the expert said.
I flew to Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, on April 22, and met with then Ambassador Undraa Agvaanluvsan with the Mongolian Foreign Ministry in charge of negotiations on the plan, at the VIP room of a cafe.
Before I asked the ambassador some questions getting to the heart of the plan, we asked my interpreter to leave the room just as we had agreed in advance. The way the ambassador talked suddenly became more flexible after I stopped the recorder and began asking her questions in English. She explained the process and the aim of the negotiations and even mentioned candidate sites for the disposal facility.
After the interview that lasted for more than two hours, the ambassador said she heard of a similar plan in Australia and asked me to provide Mongolia with any information on it, highlighting the Mongolian government's enthusiasm about overcoming competition with Australia in hosting the disposal facility.
I subsequently visited three areas where the Mongolian government was planning to build nuclear power stations. Japan and the United States were to provide nuclear power technology to Mongolia in return for hosting the disposal facility. I relied on a global positioning system for driving in the vast, grassy land to head to the sites. All the three candidate sites, including a former air force base about 200 kilometers southeast of Ulan Bator, are all dry land. No source of water indispensable for cooling down nuclear reactors, was found at any of these sites and a lake at one of the sites had dried up.
Experts share the view that nuclear plants cannot be built in areas without water. I repeatedly asked Mongolian officials responsible for nuclear power policy how they can build nuclear plants at the sites without water. However, they only emphasized that all the three sites meet the safety standards for nuclear plants set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
An Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry official, who is familiar with Mongolian affairs, said, "Mongolians are smart but their knowledge of atomic energy isn't that good ..."
In other words, Japan and the United States proposed to build a spent nuclear waste disposal facility in Mongolia, a country that has little knowledge of nuclear energy.
In 2010, the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan released a new growth strategy with special emphasis on exports of nuclear power plants. However, there is no facility in Japan that can accept spent nuclear fuel, putting itself at a disadvantage in its competition with Russia, France and other countries that have offered to sell nuclear plants and accept radioactive waste as a package.
A Japanese negotiator said, "The plan to build a disposal facility in Mongolia was aimed at making up for our disadvantage in selling nuclear power stations."
The United States wanted to find another country that will accept spent nuclear fuel that can be converted to materials to develop nuclear weapons in a bid to promote its nuclear non-proliferation policy.
Both the Japanese and U.S. ideas are understandable. However, as Mongolia has just begun developing uranium mines and has not benefited from atomic energy, I felt that it would be unreasonable to shift radioactive waste to Mongolia without explaining the plan to the Mongolian people.
During my stay in Mongolia, I learned that many people there donated money equal to their daily wages to victims of the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. I was also present when the Mongolian people invited disaster evacuees from Miyagi Prefecture to their country. I could not help but shed tears when seeing the Mongolian people's goodwill. My interpreter even joked, "You cry too much."
I did not feel a sense of exaltation from learning the details of the secret negotiations on the disposal site. I rather felt ashamed of being a citizen of Japan, which was promoting the plan.
The Fukushima nuclear crisis that broke out following the March 11, 2011 quake and tsunami has sparked debate on overall energy policy. Some call for an immediate halt to nuclear plants while others insist that such power stations are indispensable for Japan's overall energy, industrial and security policies.
"The matter isn't limited to nuclear energy. Our generations have consumed massive amounts of oil and coal," a Finish government official said.
The Mainichi scoop on the secret plan sparked campaigns in Mongolia to demand that the plan on a spent nuclear fuel disposal facility be scrapped and that relevant information be fully disclosed.
Bowing to the opposition, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj declared in the U.N. General Assembly session in September last year that the country can never host a radioactive waste disposal facility.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the IAEA, which is dubbed a "nuclear watchdog," says, "Those who generate radioactive waste must take responsibility for disposing of it. It's unfair to expect someone else to take care of it."
However, human beings have yet to find a solution to problems involving nuclear waste.
(By Haruyuki Aikawa, Europe General Bureau)
(Mainichi Japan) March 13, 2012
特集：ボーン・上田記念国際記者賞、毎日新聞・会川晴之記者に 盲点「核のゴミ」問う
国際報道で優れた成果を上げた記者に贈られる今年度のボーン・上田記念国際記者賞に、欧州総局（ロンドン）の会川（あいかわ）晴之記者（５２）が選ばれた。昨年３月１１日の東京電力福島第１原発事故を受けて世界中で原発を巡る議論が起きる中、日本と米国がモンゴルで進めた国際的な核廃棄物処分場計画の秘密交渉を特報。原子力利用の盲点である「核のゴミ」の問題を追い続けた会川記者の取材の軌跡を紹介し、「核」を考える機会としたい。
◇被災地思い、取材没入
「何も知らないモンゴルの人たちを助けてあげてくれませんか。モンゴルは親日国だから、日本のメディアは影響力があるはずだ」
日米が主導したモンゴルでの使用済み核燃料の貯蔵・処分場計画。１０年秋から経済産業省、米エネルギー省などが秘密裏に始めた交渉を知ったのは昨年４月９日、米国の核専門家への電話取材がきっかけだった。
そのほぼ１カ月前の東日本大震災発生以来、居ても立ってもいられない日が続いていた。私は８７年に岩手県で記者生活をスタートさせた。被災した東北地方への思いが募り、自分ができることを問い続けた。遠いロンドンで勤務しながら、焦燥感だけが募っていた。
そんな時、被災者支援の活動を始めた高校時代の友人から「餅は餅屋」とのアドバイスを受けた。心は定まった。高校時代に興味を持って以来、自分が最も得意とする分野、そして、今求められている「核」の話を徹底的に書くしかない、と。原子力産業や国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）など、長年の取材で知り合った人たちに、つかれたように電話をかけ始めた。米国の核専門家はその一人だった。
◇「押しつけ」に違和感
４月２２日、モンゴルの首都ウランバートルに入った。カフェのＶＩＰルームで会ったのが、モンゴル外務省のオンダラー交渉担当大使（当時）だった。
取材がヤマ場に入る直前、打ち合わせ通り、モンゴル人通訳に部屋から出るよう指示した。録音機を止め、英語での質問に切り替えると、しゃくし定規だった彼女の応対に変化が表れ始めた。交渉の経緯や狙い、処分場予定地にも話が及んだ。
２時間を超す取材の最後には「オーストラリアにも同様の計画があると聞く。どんな情報でもいい。連絡してほしい」と頼まれた。誘致で後れをとりたくない、というモンゴル政府の意気込みが伝わってきた。
取材後、モンゴル政府が計画する３カ所の原発候補地も訪ねた。処分場の受け入れと引き換えに、日米は原子力技術をモンゴルに提供することになっていた。全地球測位システム（ＧＰＳ）を頼りに草原の道なき道を車でひた走った。だが、ウランバートルから東南２００キロの元空軍基地をはじめ、候補地はいずれも乾いた大地だった。原子炉冷却に不可欠な水源が見当たらず、地図には明示されている湖は枯れていた。
「水が無い場所に原発建設は無理」というのが専門家の常識だ。疑問に思い、モンゴルの原子力関係者に何度も尋ねたが「ＩＡＥＡの安全基準を満たした場所だ」と力説するのみ。モンゴルの事情をよく知る経産省幹部は「モンゴル人は極めて優秀だが、原子力の知識はちょっと……」と言葉を濁した。
2012年03月14日
３・１１の誓い 日本人の国民性が試される
>>The government received donations totaling 17.5 billion yen from 126 countries, territories and organizations. Relief money sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society totaled a massive 57.5 billion yen.
>> 政府には１２６の国・地域・機関から１７５億円の寄付金が寄せられた。日本赤十字社への海外救援金も５７５億円にのぼる。
カフェ友よりの情報によれば日本政府は今年に入ってから９兆円もの米国債を買っているということです。
莫大な金額なのです。上記の世界中の寄付金合計金額５７５億円の２００倍くらいの金額に相当しますね。
それで、今回の不自然な円安の動きが理解できました。
それは通常の動きとはかけ離れたものでした。張り付いて監視していたら、おかげで睡眠不足になりました＾＾。
トヨタや日産、ホンダの決算を助けるだけのあからさまな手法には少々うんざりさせられました。
事前に情報を入手できた一部の官僚たちはFXで大もうけができたはずですね。
ま、官僚も概ね人格者が多いですから、そういうことの出来る人はほんの一握りなのかもしれませんが。
えっ、テレビの観すぎだって？
すみません＾＾。
スラチャイ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 13, 2012)
Debris disposal tests national character
３・１１の誓い 日本人の国民性が試される（3月12日付・読売社説）
On Sunday, the nation mourned the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and huge tsunami a year ago.
日本中が哀悼の祈りに包まれた１日だった。
A government-sponsored memorial service held in Tokyo was attended by the Emperor, even though he is recuperating from last month's heart surgery.
東京での政府主催の追悼式には、先月、心臓手術を受けたばかりの天皇陛下が出席された。
At the ceremony, the Emperor expressed deep appreciation for the relief efforts in disaster-stricken areas and to those dealing with the crisis caused by the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. He also expressed profound gratitude to other countries that dispatched rescue teams and engaged in other activities following the disaster.
陛下は、被災地の支援活動や原発事故対応に尽力してきた人々の労をねぎらい、救助隊の派遣など世界各地から寄せられた厚情に感謝の意を表された。
"It is important for us to never forget this disaster and hand down the lessons we learned to future generations, and foster the proper attitude towards disaster prevention, with the aim of making our country a safer place," the Emperor said. We probably all share his thoughts.
「大震災の記憶を忘れることなく、子孫に伝え、防災に対する心がけを育み、安全な国土を目指して進んでいくことが大切」というおことばに、だれもが共通の思いを抱いたことだろう。
In his speech, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made "three promises," including reconstructing the affected areas as soon as possible. Referring to assistance from other countries, he said, "Japan must return the favor by contributing actively to the international community."
野田首相も、一日も早い復興など「三つの誓い」を立てる中で、海外からの支援に言及し、「恩返しするためにも、国際社会への積極的な貢献に努めていかなければならない」と述べた。
Foreign rescue and relief teams arrived in Japan immediately after the March 11 disaster to work in the affected areas. Operation Tomodachi, conducted jointly by U.S. troops and the Self-Defense Forces, was immensely helpful in searching for missing people and removing debris.
震災直後、世界各国から続々と救援隊が到着、被災地に入った。米軍と自衛隊による「トモダチ作戦」は、行方不明者の捜索やがれき除去などに成果を上げた。
===
Historic mission
The government received donations totaling 17.5 billion yen from 126 countries, territories and organizations. Relief money sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society totaled a massive 57.5 billion yen.
政府には１２６の国・地域・機関から１７５億円の寄付金が寄せられた。日本赤十字社への海外救援金も５７５億円にのぼる。
Japan has the historic mission of disseminating the lessons and knowledge learned from the disaster around the world, so they can be used in working out measures to deal with large-scale disasters and prevent crises at nuclear power plants.
震災から得た教訓や知見を世界に発信し、大規模災害への対応策や原発事故防止に役立てることは日本の歴史的使命である。
The government plans to hold a high-level international conference on large-scale natural disasters in a city in the Tohoku region in summer.
政府は今夏、東北で「大規模自然災害に関するハイレベル国際会議」を開催する計画だ。
While sharing their experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other natural disasters, the participants will discuss how to prevent or reduce disaster damage, respond in times of emergency, and recover and reconstruct after a disaster.
東日本大震災や、世界各地で起きた大規模災害の経験を共有し、防災・減災のほか、緊急時の対応策、復旧・復興などのテーマで議論を交わす。
The government hopes to reflect the results of the Tohoku conference in the 2015 U.N. World Conference on Disaster Reduction that Japan has expressed its intention of hosting. As these conferences would be significant in strengthening Japan's ties with other countries, they must be held without fail.
その成果を日本が招致する意向を表明している２０１５年の国連防災世界会議につなげる構想だ。世界との連携を強化する意義は大きい。ぜひ実現させたい。
===
Obstacle to rebuilding
As the disposal of debris in disaster-hit areas hampers full-scale rebuilding efforts, Noda said at a news conference "the government must move one or two steps forward" to deal with this problem. His desire to take a more active stance on the disposal of the debris is natural.
野田首相が記者会見で、本格的な復興の妨げとなっている被災地のがれき処理について、「国は一歩も二歩も前に出ていかないといけない」と積極的に取り組む姿勢を打ち出したのは当然だ。
Noda then unveiled a plan to seek the cooperation of local governments and private corporations to dispose of the debris, saying, "The character of Japan as a nation is being put to the test again."
その上で、首相は「日本人の国民性が再び試されている」として、自治体や民間企業に、がれきの広域処理への協力を強く要請する方針を表明した。
It is extremely disappointing that only Tokyo and some municipalities in two prefectures have accepted debris for disposal.
引き受け自治体が、東京都のほか２県の一部自治体にとどまっているのは極めて問題である。
The coolheaded actions and patience of people in the affected areas has impressed people the world over. We suggest the Japanese people join together to address the issue of debris removal.
震災後の混乱の中、被災者たちの冷静な行動と忍耐強さが世界中を驚かせた。がれき処理の問題でも、日本人の結束力を、改めて海外に示すときではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2012)
（2012年3月12日01時20分 読売新聞）
>> 政府には１２６の国・地域・機関から１７５億円の寄付金が寄せられた。日本赤十字社への海外救援金も５７５億円にのぼる。
カフェ友よりの情報によれば日本政府は今年に入ってから９兆円もの米国債を買っているということです。
莫大な金額なのです。上記の世界中の寄付金合計金額５７５億円の２００倍くらいの金額に相当しますね。
それで、今回の不自然な円安の動きが理解できました。
それは通常の動きとはかけ離れたものでした。張り付いて監視していたら、おかげで睡眠不足になりました＾＾。
トヨタや日産、ホンダの決算を助けるだけのあからさまな手法には少々うんざりさせられました。
事前に情報を入手できた一部の官僚たちはFXで大もうけができたはずですね。
ま、官僚も概ね人格者が多いですから、そういうことの出来る人はほんの一握りなのかもしれませんが。
えっ、テレビの観すぎだって？
すみません＾＾。
スラチャイ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 13, 2012)
Debris disposal tests national character
３・１１の誓い 日本人の国民性が試される（3月12日付・読売社説）
On Sunday, the nation mourned the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and huge tsunami a year ago.
日本中が哀悼の祈りに包まれた１日だった。
A government-sponsored memorial service held in Tokyo was attended by the Emperor, even though he is recuperating from last month's heart surgery.
東京での政府主催の追悼式には、先月、心臓手術を受けたばかりの天皇陛下が出席された。
At the ceremony, the Emperor expressed deep appreciation for the relief efforts in disaster-stricken areas and to those dealing with the crisis caused by the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. He also expressed profound gratitude to other countries that dispatched rescue teams and engaged in other activities following the disaster.
陛下は、被災地の支援活動や原発事故対応に尽力してきた人々の労をねぎらい、救助隊の派遣など世界各地から寄せられた厚情に感謝の意を表された。
"It is important for us to never forget this disaster and hand down the lessons we learned to future generations, and foster the proper attitude towards disaster prevention, with the aim of making our country a safer place," the Emperor said. We probably all share his thoughts.
「大震災の記憶を忘れることなく、子孫に伝え、防災に対する心がけを育み、安全な国土を目指して進んでいくことが大切」というおことばに、だれもが共通の思いを抱いたことだろう。
In his speech, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda made "three promises," including reconstructing the affected areas as soon as possible. Referring to assistance from other countries, he said, "Japan must return the favor by contributing actively to the international community."
野田首相も、一日も早い復興など「三つの誓い」を立てる中で、海外からの支援に言及し、「恩返しするためにも、国際社会への積極的な貢献に努めていかなければならない」と述べた。
Foreign rescue and relief teams arrived in Japan immediately after the March 11 disaster to work in the affected areas. Operation Tomodachi, conducted jointly by U.S. troops and the Self-Defense Forces, was immensely helpful in searching for missing people and removing debris.
震災直後、世界各国から続々と救援隊が到着、被災地に入った。米軍と自衛隊による「トモダチ作戦」は、行方不明者の捜索やがれき除去などに成果を上げた。
===
Historic mission
The government received donations totaling 17.5 billion yen from 126 countries, territories and organizations. Relief money sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society totaled a massive 57.5 billion yen.
政府には１２６の国・地域・機関から１７５億円の寄付金が寄せられた。日本赤十字社への海外救援金も５７５億円にのぼる。
Japan has the historic mission of disseminating the lessons and knowledge learned from the disaster around the world, so they can be used in working out measures to deal with large-scale disasters and prevent crises at nuclear power plants.
震災から得た教訓や知見を世界に発信し、大規模災害への対応策や原発事故防止に役立てることは日本の歴史的使命である。
The government plans to hold a high-level international conference on large-scale natural disasters in a city in the Tohoku region in summer.
政府は今夏、東北で「大規模自然災害に関するハイレベル国際会議」を開催する計画だ。
While sharing their experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other natural disasters, the participants will discuss how to prevent or reduce disaster damage, respond in times of emergency, and recover and reconstruct after a disaster.
東日本大震災や、世界各地で起きた大規模災害の経験を共有し、防災・減災のほか、緊急時の対応策、復旧・復興などのテーマで議論を交わす。
The government hopes to reflect the results of the Tohoku conference in the 2015 U.N. World Conference on Disaster Reduction that Japan has expressed its intention of hosting. As these conferences would be significant in strengthening Japan's ties with other countries, they must be held without fail.
その成果を日本が招致する意向を表明している２０１５年の国連防災世界会議につなげる構想だ。世界との連携を強化する意義は大きい。ぜひ実現させたい。
===
Obstacle to rebuilding
As the disposal of debris in disaster-hit areas hampers full-scale rebuilding efforts, Noda said at a news conference "the government must move one or two steps forward" to deal with this problem. His desire to take a more active stance on the disposal of the debris is natural.
野田首相が記者会見で、本格的な復興の妨げとなっている被災地のがれき処理について、「国は一歩も二歩も前に出ていかないといけない」と積極的に取り組む姿勢を打ち出したのは当然だ。
Noda then unveiled a plan to seek the cooperation of local governments and private corporations to dispose of the debris, saying, "The character of Japan as a nation is being put to the test again."
その上で、首相は「日本人の国民性が再び試されている」として、自治体や民間企業に、がれきの広域処理への協力を強く要請する方針を表明した。
It is extremely disappointing that only Tokyo and some municipalities in two prefectures have accepted debris for disposal.
引き受け自治体が、東京都のほか２県の一部自治体にとどまっているのは極めて問題である。
The coolheaded actions and patience of people in the affected areas has impressed people the world over. We suggest the Japanese people join together to address the issue of debris removal.
震災後の混乱の中、被災者たちの冷静な行動と忍耐強さが世界中を驚かせた。がれき処理の問題でも、日本人の結束力を、改めて海外に示すときではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2012)
（2012年3月12日01時20分 読売新聞）
2012年03月13日
鎮魂の日 重い教訓を明日への備えに
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 12, 2012)
Utilize lessons of March 11 to better prepare for disasters
鎮魂の日 重い教訓を明日への備えに（3月11日付・読売社説）
We have reached a day of remembrance, one year after the major disaster on March 11. A memorial service is to be held by the central government in Tokyo, and similar ceremonies are scheduled to take place in the affected regions as well.
大震災から１年、鎮魂の日を迎えた。政府主催の追悼式が東京で行われるほか、被災地でも式典が予定されている。
To pray for the repose of victims' souls, we will offer at 2:46 p.m. a silent prayer from the bottom of our hearts for those who died in the disaster.
午後２時４６分、亡くなられた方々のご冥福を祈り、心からの黙とうを捧(ささ)げたい。
The death toll is now 15,854, while more than 3,100 people are listed as missing. The people who are still looking for their beloved relatives must be filled with sorrow. Our hearts ache for them.
犠牲者は１万５８５４人にのぼる。行方不明のままの人も３１００人を超す。いまだに肉親を捜し求める人たちの悲しみはいかばかりか。胸が痛む。
◆被災地の復興に「落差」◆
===
Gaps in degree of recovery
In a coastal district of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, a seawall destroyed by the tsunami stands in horrible condition. Huge piles of debris and a vast number of abandoned automobiles can be seen.
宮城県石巻市の沿岸部。津波で破壊された防潮堤が無残な姿をさらし、巨大ながれきの山と、無数の廃車の集積地が目に入る。
A factory area facing the sea and residential areas that stretched inland were almost completely washed away by tsunami. Only a fraction of these areas have finally managed to start post-disaster reconstruction.
海に面した工場地帯と、内陸側に続く住宅街は、ほとんどが津波にさらわれた。再建にこぎつけたところはほんのわずかである。
Part of the quay at a nearby fishing port sank into the sea. Local fishermen have resumed fishing but say pieces of debris occasionally get caught in their nets.
近くの漁港は岸壁の一部が海に沈んでいた。漁は再開できたが、網にはしばしば、がれきがかかるという。
"If processors resumed their business operations at our port, it would regain its vitality," the skipper of a fishing boat said hopefully.
漁船の船長は「港で加工業者が営業を再開すれば、活気も戻る」と、望みをつなぐ。
A senior official of a local economic organization said: "There are large gaps in the degree of recovery among industries, business firms and families. It's a far cry from post-disaster recovery for the whole region.
地元経済団体の幹部は「復興状況は産業、企業ごと、家族ごとに大きな落差がある。地域全体の復興にはほど遠い」と語る。
"But everyone strongly wants to keep hanging in there."
「ただ、誰もが『がんばろう』という強い思いを持っている」
We support such feelings. Local governments must respond more carefully than ever.
その気持ちを支えたい。自治体には、これまで以上にきめ細かな対応が求められる。
Offering mental care to people affected by the disaster is also an important task. Many people have complained about sleeplessness, anxiety and frustration since immediately after the disaster.
心のケアも重要な課題だ。震災の直後から不眠や不安、イライラを訴える人は多かった。
Even after they moved into makeshift houses or housing units leased by local governments, the number of people suffering emotionally has shown no sign of declining. Rather, there has reportedly been a sharp increase in the number of people who have become addicted to heavy drinking or gambling, or quit their jobs for emotional reasons.
それが、仮設住宅や自治体の借り上げ住宅などに移った後も一向に減らない。むしろ、過度の飲酒やギャンブルにのめり込む人、精神的理由で勤め先を辞める人が急増しているという。
A local psychiatrist believes many are suffering because their unemployment benefits will end soon, they cannot find jobs despite their growing concern, or they have no prospect of ever returning home.
地元の精神科医は「雇用保険の支給が終わる。不安は募るが仕事は見つからない。帰宅のメドもたたない」ことが原因と見る。
The psychiatrist said many people's mental anguish could likely be eased if authorities provided a clear picture of the future.
行政が将来の見通しを明確に示すことで、精神的な痛みが緩和される人は多いはず、と指摘した。
It is important for both the central and local governments to present and implement visibly a post-disaster reconstruction plan through which affected people can find hope for their future lives. We hope the Reconstruction Agency helps them with all its power.
政府と自治体が、今後の生活に希望を見いだせる復興計画を示し、目に見える形で実現していくことが重要だ。復興庁は全力で支援してもらいたい。
◆「想定外」を想定し直す◆
The lessons learned from the catastrophe must be utilized to enhance the nation's readiness for a future major disaster.
教訓を、次の大災害への備えに生かさねばならない。
The March 11 tsunami, which was said to be on a scale "beyond expectation," triggered the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power station.
「想定外」の津波が甚大な被害をもたらしたのが、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故だった。
The spread of large amounts of radioactive substances wreaked havoc on agricultural, fisheries and other industries in the disaster-struck areas. Along with the resulting public anxiety over food safety and human health, harmful rumors about the threat of radiation have lingered, casting a shadow all over the country.
放射性物質の拡散が農業、漁業など産業に大打撃を与え、食品や健康への不安、風評被害も広がって、日本中に暗い影を落としている。
More than 62,000 people from Fukushima Prefecture are still living outside the prefecture.
今も６万２０００人以上が福島県外に避難している。
===
Review standard assumptions
An expert panel of the government's Central Disaster Prevention Council chaired by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda came out with a set of proposals in autumn. The panel called for a thorough review of the conventional assumptions about earthquakes and tsunami as well as antidisaster countermeasures "on the premise of the maximum possible earthquake and tsunami and taking each and every conceivable possibility into account."
政府の中央防災会議の専門調査会は昨秋、「あらゆる可能性を考慮した最大級の巨大地震・津波」を前提に従来の地震・津波想定と防災対応の見直しを提言した。
Regarding major earthquakes anticipated in the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai regions on the Pacific coast, a study team of the Cabinet Office is scheduled to soon make public its estimations about the maximum intensities of temblors and largest possible heights of tsunami.
東海・東南海・南海地震については、内閣府の検討会が近く、最大級震度分布、津波高などの推計結果を明らかにする。
A study group of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry recently announced research findings regarding a Tokyo metropolitan epicentral earthquake, in which the focus would be just beneath the metropolitan area.
The findings showed that extensive areas of the metropolitan area could be subject to an earthquake more powerful than previously forecast, a quake with the strongest intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale.
首都直下地震では文部科学省研究班が、従来想定より大きい震度７の揺れが広範囲で予想される、との研究結果を公表した。
The 11,000 fatalities and economic damage of 112 trillion yen previously forecast for a metropolitan epicentral earthquake must be reviewed, the study group has said.
死者１万１０００人、経済被害１１２兆円の被害想定は見直される。
The central government and local governments must study and implement specific measures on the basis of these disaster risk evaluations by public bodies.
こうした公的リスク評価を踏まえ、具体的な対策を検討し実施するのが政府と自治体の役目だ。
Plans for enhancing earthquake resistance should be promoted further for such public facilities as schools and hospitals, as well as buildings on arterial roads.
学校、病院といった公共施設や、幹線道路に面したビルの耐震化をさらに進めたい。
In coastal regions, it is vitally important to work out tsunami countermeasures combining such "hardware" efforts as strengthening seawalls with "software" aspects centering on effective evacuation, such as the improvement of hazard maps.
沿岸部では、防潮堤などを強化するハード面と、ハザードマップ整備といった避難を中心とするソフト面を組み合わせて、津波対策を立てる必要がある。
Also of utmost significance is that residents of every community be more prepared for disasters. At the very least, residents must confirm hazard maps and participate in antidisaster drills.
肝心なのは、住民が防災意識を高めることである。ハザードマップを確認し、防災訓練に参加するのは最低限の務めだ。
Residents should draw up evacuation plans for their communities on their own initiative. They should consult expert opinion to secure evacuation routes and evacuation sites such as earthquake-resistant buildings of about five stories, and higher ground.
地域の避難計画を、住民が主体となって作成しておくことも求められる。専門家の意見を聞き、避難ルートや安全な中層ビル、高台などの避難場所を確保したい。
Recently, large-scale exercises have been conducted in such big cities as Tokyo and Osaka for commuters who will have difficulty returning home in the event of a major disaster. It is important to scrutinize what is effective in such drills and also consider what should be improved to make subsequent drills more effective.
最近は東京、大阪などで大規模な帰宅困難者対策訓練が実施されている。成果と反省点を検証し、それを次の訓練の充実につなげることが大事だ。
Utilize lessons of March 11 to better prepare for disasters
鎮魂の日 重い教訓を明日への備えに（3月11日付・読売社説）
We have reached a day of remembrance, one year after the major disaster on March 11. A memorial service is to be held by the central government in Tokyo, and similar ceremonies are scheduled to take place in the affected regions as well.
大震災から１年、鎮魂の日を迎えた。政府主催の追悼式が東京で行われるほか、被災地でも式典が予定されている。
To pray for the repose of victims' souls, we will offer at 2:46 p.m. a silent prayer from the bottom of our hearts for those who died in the disaster.
午後２時４６分、亡くなられた方々のご冥福を祈り、心からの黙とうを捧(ささ)げたい。
The death toll is now 15,854, while more than 3,100 people are listed as missing. The people who are still looking for their beloved relatives must be filled with sorrow. Our hearts ache for them.
犠牲者は１万５８５４人にのぼる。行方不明のままの人も３１００人を超す。いまだに肉親を捜し求める人たちの悲しみはいかばかりか。胸が痛む。
◆被災地の復興に「落差」◆
===
Gaps in degree of recovery
In a coastal district of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, a seawall destroyed by the tsunami stands in horrible condition. Huge piles of debris and a vast number of abandoned automobiles can be seen.
宮城県石巻市の沿岸部。津波で破壊された防潮堤が無残な姿をさらし、巨大ながれきの山と、無数の廃車の集積地が目に入る。
A factory area facing the sea and residential areas that stretched inland were almost completely washed away by tsunami. Only a fraction of these areas have finally managed to start post-disaster reconstruction.
海に面した工場地帯と、内陸側に続く住宅街は、ほとんどが津波にさらわれた。再建にこぎつけたところはほんのわずかである。
Part of the quay at a nearby fishing port sank into the sea. Local fishermen have resumed fishing but say pieces of debris occasionally get caught in their nets.
近くの漁港は岸壁の一部が海に沈んでいた。漁は再開できたが、網にはしばしば、がれきがかかるという。
"If processors resumed their business operations at our port, it would regain its vitality," the skipper of a fishing boat said hopefully.
漁船の船長は「港で加工業者が営業を再開すれば、活気も戻る」と、望みをつなぐ。
A senior official of a local economic organization said: "There are large gaps in the degree of recovery among industries, business firms and families. It's a far cry from post-disaster recovery for the whole region.
地元経済団体の幹部は「復興状況は産業、企業ごと、家族ごとに大きな落差がある。地域全体の復興にはほど遠い」と語る。
"But everyone strongly wants to keep hanging in there."
「ただ、誰もが『がんばろう』という強い思いを持っている」
We support such feelings. Local governments must respond more carefully than ever.
その気持ちを支えたい。自治体には、これまで以上にきめ細かな対応が求められる。
Offering mental care to people affected by the disaster is also an important task. Many people have complained about sleeplessness, anxiety and frustration since immediately after the disaster.
心のケアも重要な課題だ。震災の直後から不眠や不安、イライラを訴える人は多かった。
Even after they moved into makeshift houses or housing units leased by local governments, the number of people suffering emotionally has shown no sign of declining. Rather, there has reportedly been a sharp increase in the number of people who have become addicted to heavy drinking or gambling, or quit their jobs for emotional reasons.
それが、仮設住宅や自治体の借り上げ住宅などに移った後も一向に減らない。むしろ、過度の飲酒やギャンブルにのめり込む人、精神的理由で勤め先を辞める人が急増しているという。
A local psychiatrist believes many are suffering because their unemployment benefits will end soon, they cannot find jobs despite their growing concern, or they have no prospect of ever returning home.
地元の精神科医は「雇用保険の支給が終わる。不安は募るが仕事は見つからない。帰宅のメドもたたない」ことが原因と見る。
The psychiatrist said many people's mental anguish could likely be eased if authorities provided a clear picture of the future.
行政が将来の見通しを明確に示すことで、精神的な痛みが緩和される人は多いはず、と指摘した。
It is important for both the central and local governments to present and implement visibly a post-disaster reconstruction plan through which affected people can find hope for their future lives. We hope the Reconstruction Agency helps them with all its power.
政府と自治体が、今後の生活に希望を見いだせる復興計画を示し、目に見える形で実現していくことが重要だ。復興庁は全力で支援してもらいたい。
◆「想定外」を想定し直す◆
The lessons learned from the catastrophe must be utilized to enhance the nation's readiness for a future major disaster.
教訓を、次の大災害への備えに生かさねばならない。
The March 11 tsunami, which was said to be on a scale "beyond expectation," triggered the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power station.
「想定外」の津波が甚大な被害をもたらしたのが、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故だった。
The spread of large amounts of radioactive substances wreaked havoc on agricultural, fisheries and other industries in the disaster-struck areas. Along with the resulting public anxiety over food safety and human health, harmful rumors about the threat of radiation have lingered, casting a shadow all over the country.
放射性物質の拡散が農業、漁業など産業に大打撃を与え、食品や健康への不安、風評被害も広がって、日本中に暗い影を落としている。
More than 62,000 people from Fukushima Prefecture are still living outside the prefecture.
今も６万２０００人以上が福島県外に避難している。
===
Review standard assumptions
An expert panel of the government's Central Disaster Prevention Council chaired by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda came out with a set of proposals in autumn. The panel called for a thorough review of the conventional assumptions about earthquakes and tsunami as well as antidisaster countermeasures "on the premise of the maximum possible earthquake and tsunami and taking each and every conceivable possibility into account."
政府の中央防災会議の専門調査会は昨秋、「あらゆる可能性を考慮した最大級の巨大地震・津波」を前提に従来の地震・津波想定と防災対応の見直しを提言した。
Regarding major earthquakes anticipated in the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai regions on the Pacific coast, a study team of the Cabinet Office is scheduled to soon make public its estimations about the maximum intensities of temblors and largest possible heights of tsunami.
東海・東南海・南海地震については、内閣府の検討会が近く、最大級震度分布、津波高などの推計結果を明らかにする。
A study group of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry recently announced research findings regarding a Tokyo metropolitan epicentral earthquake, in which the focus would be just beneath the metropolitan area.
The findings showed that extensive areas of the metropolitan area could be subject to an earthquake more powerful than previously forecast, a quake with the strongest intensity of 7 on the Japanese seismic scale.
首都直下地震では文部科学省研究班が、従来想定より大きい震度７の揺れが広範囲で予想される、との研究結果を公表した。
The 11,000 fatalities and economic damage of 112 trillion yen previously forecast for a metropolitan epicentral earthquake must be reviewed, the study group has said.
死者１万１０００人、経済被害１１２兆円の被害想定は見直される。
The central government and local governments must study and implement specific measures on the basis of these disaster risk evaluations by public bodies.
こうした公的リスク評価を踏まえ、具体的な対策を検討し実施するのが政府と自治体の役目だ。
Plans for enhancing earthquake resistance should be promoted further for such public facilities as schools and hospitals, as well as buildings on arterial roads.
学校、病院といった公共施設や、幹線道路に面したビルの耐震化をさらに進めたい。
In coastal regions, it is vitally important to work out tsunami countermeasures combining such "hardware" efforts as strengthening seawalls with "software" aspects centering on effective evacuation, such as the improvement of hazard maps.
沿岸部では、防潮堤などを強化するハード面と、ハザードマップ整備といった避難を中心とするソフト面を組み合わせて、津波対策を立てる必要がある。
Also of utmost significance is that residents of every community be more prepared for disasters. At the very least, residents must confirm hazard maps and participate in antidisaster drills.
肝心なのは、住民が防災意識を高めることである。ハザードマップを確認し、防災訓練に参加するのは最低限の務めだ。
Residents should draw up evacuation plans for their communities on their own initiative. They should consult expert opinion to secure evacuation routes and evacuation sites such as earthquake-resistant buildings of about five stories, and higher ground.
地域の避難計画を、住民が主体となって作成しておくことも求められる。専門家の意見を聞き、避難ルートや安全な中層ビル、高台などの避難場所を確保したい。
Recently, large-scale exercises have been conducted in such big cities as Tokyo and Osaka for commuters who will have difficulty returning home in the event of a major disaster. It is important to scrutinize what is effective in such drills and also consider what should be improved to make subsequent drills more effective.
最近は東京、大阪などで大規模な帰宅困難者対策訓練が実施されている。成果と反省点を検証し、それを次の訓練の充実につなげることが大事だ。