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2012年06月15日
スペイン支援 欧州危機の連鎖を食い止めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2012)
Eurozone must act quickly to halt financial crisis
スペイン支援 欧州危機の連鎖を食い止めよ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The Spanish economy, the fourth largest in the eurozone, has deteriorated because of a business slump that followed the collapse of a property bubble. This forced the country to seek a financial bailout.
ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模であるスペインが、不動産バブル崩壊後の経済不振で、金融支援を仰ぐ事態に発展した。
Spain is the fourth eurozone nation following Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek financial help since the European sovereign debt crisis began in 2009.
２００９年に欧州債務危機が表面化してから、ギリシャ、アイルランド、ポルトガルに次いで４か国目である。
If the Spanish crisis spreads, it may trigger further chaos in world stock markets, including those in United States, Europe and Japan, and the yen will continue strengthening against the euro. These developments will deal a serious blow to the world economy.
スペイン危機が拡大すれば、欧米や日本など世界の株式市場は一段と混乱し、ユーロ安・円高にも歯止めがかからなくなる。世界経済に深刻な打撃を与えよう。
The debt crisis has repeatedly affected Europe because of its failure to take prompt action. The current crisis must be contained quickly.
欧州は対応が後手に回り、危機を繰り返してきた。今度こそ、危機を早急に封じ込めるべきだ。
Seventeen eurozone countries have agreed to lend up to 100 billion euros (about 10 trillion yen) to Spanish banks, which are beset by huge bad debts. Loans from the European Financial Stability Facility, among other entities, will be used to help recapitalize struggling Spanish banks to halt credit uncertainty.
ユーロを導入している１７か国は巨額の不良債権を抱えたスペインの銀行に最大１０００億ユーロ（約１０兆円）を支援する。欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）などの資金で銀行の資本を増強し、信用不安の収束を目指す方針である。
===
Preemptive measure
Bankia S.A., a major Spanish bank mired in a management crisis, had asked the Spanish government to bail it out by injecting public funds. But the government, already struggling to fix its fiscal mess, could not afford to provide funds.
経営危機に陥った大手銀行バンキアは公的資金注入をスペイン政府に要請したが、財政が火の車の政府には救済する余裕はない。
Realizing the Spanish government would not be able to rescue Bankia and other Spanish banks by itself, the 17-member eurozone decided to provide financial aid as a preemptive measure. We consider this decision reasonable.
その他の問題銀行を含め、政府による自力救済は難しいとユーロ圏が判断し、「予防的措置」として支援を決めたのは妥当だ。
Greece, which triggered the European debt crisis, will hold another election Sunday. If an antiausterity leftist party joins a new government after the election, it cannot be ruled out that Greece will break away from the eurozone. This would inevitably cause turmoil.
１７日には、欧州危機の震源地・ギリシャで再選挙が行われる。財政緊縮に反対する左派が新政権入りすれば、ギリシャのユーロ離脱も現実になりかねない。そうなると大混乱は必至だろう。
Ahead of the Greek election, the eurozone joined hands to address the Spanish crisis to prevent it from disrupting financial markets.
ギリシャの再選挙前に、ユーロ圏は結束してスペイン問題に対処する方針を打ち出し、市場の動揺を防ぐことを狙ったようだ。
===
Outlook uncertain
However, uncertain prospects lie ahead.
だが、先行きは不透明だ。
The eurozone has agreed on a broad framework of bailout plans for Spain but concrete details and the exact amount of rescue loans have been left pending. Besides working out concrete measures quickly and implementing them promptly, the eurozone also must tackle the realignment of financial institutions.
ユーロ圏による支援の大枠が決まったとは言え、支援方法や金額は未定である。具体策を急ぎ、迅速に実行すべきだ。金融機関の再編にも取り組んでもらいたい。
While it still grapples with the bursting of the property bubble, Spain is expected to record minus economic growth this year and next. The amount of Spanish banks' nonperforming loans is expected to balloon further due to the protracted business slump. It remains to be seen whether the size of the eurozone's financial assistance will be adequate for dealing with the Spanish crisis.
バブル崩壊の後遺症に苦しむスペインは、今年、来年とマイナス成長に低迷する見込みだ。不況の長期化に伴って、銀行の不良債権額がさらに膨らむだろう。ユーロ圏が想定する支援規模で十分かどうかは予断できない。
Assistance to Spain will be limited to the banking sector. Therefore, the country probably will not be asked by the eurozone to work out additional fiscal reconstruction measures.
スペインへの支援は銀行部門に限定されるため、ギリシャのように、ユーロ圏から追加的な財政再建策は要求されない見通しだ。
But fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth are both indispensable for economic rejuvenation. Spain faces a tough challenge.
ただし、経済再生には財政再建と経済成長の両立が欠かせない。スペインにとっては難題だ。
The European financial crisis will be a major item on the agenda of a summit meeting of the Group of 20 economies to be held in Mexico next week. Pressure is expected to mount on Germany and France, among other countries, to display leadership and unity to end the crisis.
欧州問題は、来週メキシコで開かれる主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議の最大の焦点となる。独仏両国などに対し、危機収束の実行力と結束を求める圧力が強まることは避けられまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 13, 2012)
（2012年6月13日01時02分 読売新聞）
Eurozone must act quickly to halt financial crisis
スペイン支援 欧州危機の連鎖を食い止めよ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The Spanish economy, the fourth largest in the eurozone, has deteriorated because of a business slump that followed the collapse of a property bubble. This forced the country to seek a financial bailout.
ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模であるスペインが、不動産バブル崩壊後の経済不振で、金融支援を仰ぐ事態に発展した。
Spain is the fourth eurozone nation following Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek financial help since the European sovereign debt crisis began in 2009.
２００９年に欧州債務危機が表面化してから、ギリシャ、アイルランド、ポルトガルに次いで４か国目である。
If the Spanish crisis spreads, it may trigger further chaos in world stock markets, including those in United States, Europe and Japan, and the yen will continue strengthening against the euro. These developments will deal a serious blow to the world economy.
スペイン危機が拡大すれば、欧米や日本など世界の株式市場は一段と混乱し、ユーロ安・円高にも歯止めがかからなくなる。世界経済に深刻な打撃を与えよう。
The debt crisis has repeatedly affected Europe because of its failure to take prompt action. The current crisis must be contained quickly.
欧州は対応が後手に回り、危機を繰り返してきた。今度こそ、危機を早急に封じ込めるべきだ。
Seventeen eurozone countries have agreed to lend up to 100 billion euros (about 10 trillion yen) to Spanish banks, which are beset by huge bad debts. Loans from the European Financial Stability Facility, among other entities, will be used to help recapitalize struggling Spanish banks to halt credit uncertainty.
ユーロを導入している１７か国は巨額の不良債権を抱えたスペインの銀行に最大１０００億ユーロ（約１０兆円）を支援する。欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）などの資金で銀行の資本を増強し、信用不安の収束を目指す方針である。
===
Preemptive measure
Bankia S.A., a major Spanish bank mired in a management crisis, had asked the Spanish government to bail it out by injecting public funds. But the government, already struggling to fix its fiscal mess, could not afford to provide funds.
経営危機に陥った大手銀行バンキアは公的資金注入をスペイン政府に要請したが、財政が火の車の政府には救済する余裕はない。
Realizing the Spanish government would not be able to rescue Bankia and other Spanish banks by itself, the 17-member eurozone decided to provide financial aid as a preemptive measure. We consider this decision reasonable.
その他の問題銀行を含め、政府による自力救済は難しいとユーロ圏が判断し、「予防的措置」として支援を決めたのは妥当だ。
Greece, which triggered the European debt crisis, will hold another election Sunday. If an antiausterity leftist party joins a new government after the election, it cannot be ruled out that Greece will break away from the eurozone. This would inevitably cause turmoil.
１７日には、欧州危機の震源地・ギリシャで再選挙が行われる。財政緊縮に反対する左派が新政権入りすれば、ギリシャのユーロ離脱も現実になりかねない。そうなると大混乱は必至だろう。
Ahead of the Greek election, the eurozone joined hands to address the Spanish crisis to prevent it from disrupting financial markets.
ギリシャの再選挙前に、ユーロ圏は結束してスペイン問題に対処する方針を打ち出し、市場の動揺を防ぐことを狙ったようだ。
===
Outlook uncertain
However, uncertain prospects lie ahead.
だが、先行きは不透明だ。
The eurozone has agreed on a broad framework of bailout plans for Spain but concrete details and the exact amount of rescue loans have been left pending. Besides working out concrete measures quickly and implementing them promptly, the eurozone also must tackle the realignment of financial institutions.
ユーロ圏による支援の大枠が決まったとは言え、支援方法や金額は未定である。具体策を急ぎ、迅速に実行すべきだ。金融機関の再編にも取り組んでもらいたい。
While it still grapples with the bursting of the property bubble, Spain is expected to record minus economic growth this year and next. The amount of Spanish banks' nonperforming loans is expected to balloon further due to the protracted business slump. It remains to be seen whether the size of the eurozone's financial assistance will be adequate for dealing with the Spanish crisis.
バブル崩壊の後遺症に苦しむスペインは、今年、来年とマイナス成長に低迷する見込みだ。不況の長期化に伴って、銀行の不良債権額がさらに膨らむだろう。ユーロ圏が想定する支援規模で十分かどうかは予断できない。
Assistance to Spain will be limited to the banking sector. Therefore, the country probably will not be asked by the eurozone to work out additional fiscal reconstruction measures.
スペインへの支援は銀行部門に限定されるため、ギリシャのように、ユーロ圏から追加的な財政再建策は要求されない見通しだ。
But fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth are both indispensable for economic rejuvenation. Spain faces a tough challenge.
ただし、経済再生には財政再建と経済成長の両立が欠かせない。スペインにとっては難題だ。
The European financial crisis will be a major item on the agenda of a summit meeting of the Group of 20 economies to be held in Mexico next week. Pressure is expected to mount on Germany and France, among other countries, to display leadership and unity to end the crisis.
欧州問題は、来週メキシコで開かれる主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議の最大の焦点となる。独仏両国などに対し、危機収束の実行力と結束を求める圧力が強まることは避けられまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 13, 2012)
（2012年6月13日01時02分 読売新聞）
2012年06月14日
丹羽大使発言 「尖閣」で対中配慮は無用だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 13, 2012)
No need to pander to China over Senkaku Islands
丹羽大使発言 「尖閣」で対中配慮は無用だ（6月12日付・読売社説）
Japan has many pressing political issues with China. Was it wise to appoint a former executive of a trading house, which has business interests in China, as ambassador to that country? Such concerns have turned out to be well-founded.
政治的案件を多く抱える中国の大使に、ビジネスで利害関係がある商社出身者を起用して大丈夫なのか。そうした不安が的中したと言える。
At Monday's hearing at the House of Representatives Audit and Oversight of Administration Committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government's plan to purchase some of the Senkaku Islands was on the agenda.
衆院決算行政監視委員会で、東京都による尖閣諸島の購入問題が取り上げられた。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara attended the meeting as an unsworn witness. He argued that Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, who opposed the purchase plan, should be dismissed because his statements contravene the government's intentions.
参考人として出席した東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、丹羽宇一郎中国大使が購入に異議を唱えたことについて、「政府の意向と違う発言をする大使を更迭すべきだ」と主張した。
Irrespective of whether Niwa should be fired or not, his remarks have certainly opened up a can of worms.
更迭する、しないは別として、丹羽氏の発言には問題がある。
In an interview published in Thursday's issue of the British paper Financial Times, Niwa said, "It will result in an extremely grave crisis in relations between Japan and China" if the Tokyo government purchases some of the Senkaku Islands.
７日の英紙「フィナンシャル・タイムズ」によると、丹羽氏は都が尖閣諸島を購入すれば「日中関係は極めて重大な危機に陥る」と語った。
The proposal puts at risk the progress achieved since the countries normalized relations in 1972, he added.
「１９７２年の国交正常化以降達成してきた進展を危険にさらしかねない」とも述べた。
===
Envoy must be careful
As the Senkaku purchase initiative is being spearheaded by Ishihara, a hawk on China, Niwa apparently feared Beijing would only become more agitated by the plan.
中国に批判的な石原氏が主導していることから、中国のさらなる反発を恐れたのだろう。
However, his remarks raise doubts about his insights as an ambassador. A nation's territories are essential elements of that country. Giving such self-centered consideration to China is unpardonable.
だが、大使としての見識が疑われる発言だ。領土という国の根幹に関わる問題で身勝手な配慮は許されない。
It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura denied Niwa's comments represented the government's position. "It is his personal view and was absolutely not an announcement of the government's standpoint," Fujimura said.
藤村官房長官が「個人的見解であり、政府の立場を表明したものでは全くない」と否定したのは当然である。
The purchase of the islands is a domestic business transaction. It is fundamentally wrong to regard it as a diplomatic issue between Japan and China. Turning the Senkaku Islands, which are owned by private citizens, into public property would ensure foreign countries cannot purchase them and increase the stability of their legal status as a national territory.
尖閣諸島の売買は国内の商取引であり、日中間の外交問題と見なすこと自体、間違っている。民間所有の尖閣諸島が公有地となれば、外国による買収を防ぐことができ、法的安定性は高まろう。
Niwa, after being rebuked by the Foreign Ministry over his remarks, said he would not make such comments again and apologized. Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Niwa would retain his post. However, if an ambassador who embraces a view different from the government's on an important policy matter is going to stay on, the government must explain clearly to the public its reasons for keeping him in this position.
外務省から注意を受けた丹羽氏は「もう一切、このようなコメントはしない」と回答し、謝罪した。玄葉外相は続投させるという。重要政策で政府と違う見解を持つ大使を続投させるなら、理由を明確に国民に説明する必要がある。
===
Govt needs to do more
Ishihara also used the hearing to take a swipe at the national government's lax handling of Senkaku issues, and warned, "Japan's national interests could be lost." We can understand his sentiment.
一方、石原氏が委員会で、政府の尖閣問題への対処が甘いとし、「国益を失うことになる」と批判したのは理解できる。
Ishihara also emphasized that the purchase of the islands should, essentially, be made by the state.
都の尖閣諸島購入に関し、「本来は国がやるべきだ」とも主張した。
We hope the government will cooperate with the Tokyo government and come up with measures to stably maintain and administer the Senkakus. It is worth studying the possibility of nationalizing the islands in the future.
政府は、都と連携し、尖閣諸島を安定的に維持、管理する方策を打ち出してもらいたい。将来の国有化も検討に値しよう。
China has frequently made provocations such as sending patrol boats to waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and even intruding into Japan's territorial waters. These actions appear to be intended to change the status quo.
中国は巡視船を尖閣周辺に派遣し、領海侵入などの挑発を繰り返すなど、現状変更を意図するかのような行動をしている。
All things considered, Japan must galvanize its effective control of the islands. It needs to consider steadily reinforcing the equipment and manpower of the Japan Coast Guard.
そうである以上、日本は実効支配をより確かなものにすべきだ。海上保安庁の装備や人員の着実な拡充を検討する必要がある。
A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law to enable JCG officers to control illegal activities on remote islands also needs to urgently be passed by the Diet.
海上保安官が離島での違法行為を検挙できるようにする海上保安庁法改正案の成立も急務だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2012)
（2012年6月12日01時16分 読売新聞）
No need to pander to China over Senkaku Islands
丹羽大使発言 「尖閣」で対中配慮は無用だ（6月12日付・読売社説）
Japan has many pressing political issues with China. Was it wise to appoint a former executive of a trading house, which has business interests in China, as ambassador to that country? Such concerns have turned out to be well-founded.
政治的案件を多く抱える中国の大使に、ビジネスで利害関係がある商社出身者を起用して大丈夫なのか。そうした不安が的中したと言える。
At Monday's hearing at the House of Representatives Audit and Oversight of Administration Committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government's plan to purchase some of the Senkaku Islands was on the agenda.
衆院決算行政監視委員会で、東京都による尖閣諸島の購入問題が取り上げられた。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara attended the meeting as an unsworn witness. He argued that Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, who opposed the purchase plan, should be dismissed because his statements contravene the government's intentions.
参考人として出席した東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、丹羽宇一郎中国大使が購入に異議を唱えたことについて、「政府の意向と違う発言をする大使を更迭すべきだ」と主張した。
Irrespective of whether Niwa should be fired or not, his remarks have certainly opened up a can of worms.
更迭する、しないは別として、丹羽氏の発言には問題がある。
In an interview published in Thursday's issue of the British paper Financial Times, Niwa said, "It will result in an extremely grave crisis in relations between Japan and China" if the Tokyo government purchases some of the Senkaku Islands.
７日の英紙「フィナンシャル・タイムズ」によると、丹羽氏は都が尖閣諸島を購入すれば「日中関係は極めて重大な危機に陥る」と語った。
The proposal puts at risk the progress achieved since the countries normalized relations in 1972, he added.
「１９７２年の国交正常化以降達成してきた進展を危険にさらしかねない」とも述べた。
===
Envoy must be careful
As the Senkaku purchase initiative is being spearheaded by Ishihara, a hawk on China, Niwa apparently feared Beijing would only become more agitated by the plan.
中国に批判的な石原氏が主導していることから、中国のさらなる反発を恐れたのだろう。
However, his remarks raise doubts about his insights as an ambassador. A nation's territories are essential elements of that country. Giving such self-centered consideration to China is unpardonable.
だが、大使としての見識が疑われる発言だ。領土という国の根幹に関わる問題で身勝手な配慮は許されない。
It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura denied Niwa's comments represented the government's position. "It is his personal view and was absolutely not an announcement of the government's standpoint," Fujimura said.
藤村官房長官が「個人的見解であり、政府の立場を表明したものでは全くない」と否定したのは当然である。
The purchase of the islands is a domestic business transaction. It is fundamentally wrong to regard it as a diplomatic issue between Japan and China. Turning the Senkaku Islands, which are owned by private citizens, into public property would ensure foreign countries cannot purchase them and increase the stability of their legal status as a national territory.
尖閣諸島の売買は国内の商取引であり、日中間の外交問題と見なすこと自体、間違っている。民間所有の尖閣諸島が公有地となれば、外国による買収を防ぐことができ、法的安定性は高まろう。
Niwa, after being rebuked by the Foreign Ministry over his remarks, said he would not make such comments again and apologized. Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Niwa would retain his post. However, if an ambassador who embraces a view different from the government's on an important policy matter is going to stay on, the government must explain clearly to the public its reasons for keeping him in this position.
外務省から注意を受けた丹羽氏は「もう一切、このようなコメントはしない」と回答し、謝罪した。玄葉外相は続投させるという。重要政策で政府と違う見解を持つ大使を続投させるなら、理由を明確に国民に説明する必要がある。
===
Govt needs to do more
Ishihara also used the hearing to take a swipe at the national government's lax handling of Senkaku issues, and warned, "Japan's national interests could be lost." We can understand his sentiment.
一方、石原氏が委員会で、政府の尖閣問題への対処が甘いとし、「国益を失うことになる」と批判したのは理解できる。
Ishihara also emphasized that the purchase of the islands should, essentially, be made by the state.
都の尖閣諸島購入に関し、「本来は国がやるべきだ」とも主張した。
We hope the government will cooperate with the Tokyo government and come up with measures to stably maintain and administer the Senkakus. It is worth studying the possibility of nationalizing the islands in the future.
政府は、都と連携し、尖閣諸島を安定的に維持、管理する方策を打ち出してもらいたい。将来の国有化も検討に値しよう。
China has frequently made provocations such as sending patrol boats to waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and even intruding into Japan's territorial waters. These actions appear to be intended to change the status quo.
中国は巡視船を尖閣周辺に派遣し、領海侵入などの挑発を繰り返すなど、現状変更を意図するかのような行動をしている。
All things considered, Japan must galvanize its effective control of the islands. It needs to consider steadily reinforcing the equipment and manpower of the Japan Coast Guard.
そうである以上、日本は実効支配をより確かなものにすべきだ。海上保安庁の装備や人員の着実な拡充を検討する必要がある。
A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law to enable JCG officers to control illegal activities on remote islands also needs to urgently be passed by the Diet.
海上保安官が離島での違法行為を検挙できるようにする海上保安庁法改正案の成立も急務だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2012)
（2012年6月12日01時16分 読売新聞）
2012年06月13日
関越道バス事故 ずさんな運行実態を見逃すな
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 12, 2012)
Sloppy operations of tour buses must not be overlooked
関越道バス事故 ずさんな運行実態を見逃すな（6月10日付・読売社説）
Accidents involving tour buses using expressways should be prevented by all means.
高速ツアーバスの事故の再発を防がねばならない。
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has started studies toward reinforcing regulations on bus companies. This is an appropriate action.
国土交通省が、バス会社の規制強化に向けた検討に着手したのは、妥当と言えよう。
More than one month has passed since the Kanetsu Expressway accident in which seven passengers died. We are appalled by the bus company's careless management of bus operations.
関越自動車道で乗客７人が死亡した事故から１か月以上経過した。バス会社のお粗末な運行管理にはあきれるほかない。
The ministry will rescind the bus company's business license and suspend the business of the travel agency that planned the bus tour. These punishments are only natural.
国交省は、バス会社の事業許可を取り消し、ツアーを企画した旅行会社に業務停止の処分を下す方針だ。当然の措置である。
The direct cause of the accident was the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel, but the companies' awareness that they held people's lives in their hands was lacking.
直接的な原因は運転手の居眠りだったが、会社側はツアー参加者の人命を預かるという自覚を欠いていたのではないか。
The ministry also has a grave responsibility for its delayed response. Both the public and private sectors must work together to implement thorough safety measures.
対応が後手に回った国交省の責任も重い。官民が連携して安全対策を徹底しなければならない。
===
Too many violations
The driver who caused the accident was hired on a daily basis, which is prohibited by law. The company did not perform health checks on the driver, as required by the ministry's rules, before he was allowed to drive a bus, or give him written instructions including bus operation routes. Operations on the day of the accident were left in the hands of the driver, who had little experience in long-distance driving.
事故を起こした運転手は、禁止された日雇い勤務で、乗務前に義務付けられた健康チェックを怠っていた。バス会社は、ルートなどを定めた指示書を作成せず、事故当日の運行は、長距離業務の経験が浅い運転手任せだった。
The bus company has committed 28 law violations but did not fix the problems involved in past violations. Also, the national administration neglected follow-up checks.
法令違反は２８項目に及んだ。過去の違反も改善されておらず、行政は事後チェックを怠った。
The most important problem is that this is hardly an exceptional case.
問題なのは、これが特異なケースとは言い切れないことだ。
Due to deregulation of the requirements for entry into the business in 2000, the number of tour bus companies has sharply increased to about 4,500. The competition to win orders from travel agencies has intensified, making excessive workloads a normal situation for drivers.
２０００年の参入規制緩和によって、ツアーバス会社は約４５００社まで急増した。受注競争は激化し、過労運転が常態化している。
According to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, about 90 percent of chartered bus drivers have fallen asleep or felt drowsy while working.
総務省の調査では、運転手の９割が運転中に居眠りや睡魔の経験があると答えている。
According to transport ministry standards, the upper limit for one driver to drive a bus in a single day is 670 kilometers.
国交省の基準では、１人の運転手が１日に運転できる距離の上限は６７０キロ・メートルだ。
Since the accident, the tour bus industry has independently formulated guidelines, including assigning an alternative driver if a bus is operated for 450 kilometers or more at night. This was a step foward in the right direction, but the guidelines are not legally binding.
ツアーバス業界は事故後、夜間に４５０キロ・メートル以上走る場合は交代運転手を用意するなどの独自指針を策定した。一歩前進と言えるが、指針には拘束力がない。
===
Responsibility of travel firms
Many travel agencies that plan bus tours leave safety measures completely to the bus companies. This is also a problem.
ツアーを手がける旅行会社の多くが、安全対策をバス会社に任せ切りにしている点も問題だ。
The transport ministry decided last week to formulate guidelines to require travel agencies dealing with bus tours using expressways to disclose safety information. The ministry will oblige the companies to clarify the number of alternative drivers in tour advertisements, for instance. We would like the ministry to enforce the guidelines immediately after they are formulated.
国交省は先週、高速バスツアーを扱う旅行会社に安全情報の開示を求めるガイドラインを策定することを決めた。ツアーの募集広告などに交代運転手の人数などを表示するよう義務付ける方針だ。速やかに運用してもらいたい。
The ministry plans to make travel agencies get permission for bus operations by next summer. The travel agencies will have heavier responsibility in terms of bus operation, which will help improve the situation.
来夏までに、旅行会社にバスの運行許可を取得させることにしている。旅行会社の運行責任が重くなる。これも有益だろう。
The Kanetsu Expressway accident was so serious partly because there was a space between the noise-blocking wall on the side of the road and the guardrail, and the wall pierced the bus' body when it hit the wall. Such spaces exist at 5,100 locations throughout the country. It is an urgent task to rectify this.
事故の被害が甚大だったのは、道路脇の防音壁とガードレールの間に隙間があり、衝突時に壁が車体にめり込んだことが一因だ。こうした隙間は全国５１００か所に上る。改修工事が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2012)
（2012年6月10日01時18分 読売新聞）
Sloppy operations of tour buses must not be overlooked
関越道バス事故 ずさんな運行実態を見逃すな（6月10日付・読売社説）
Accidents involving tour buses using expressways should be prevented by all means.
高速ツアーバスの事故の再発を防がねばならない。
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has started studies toward reinforcing regulations on bus companies. This is an appropriate action.
国土交通省が、バス会社の規制強化に向けた検討に着手したのは、妥当と言えよう。
More than one month has passed since the Kanetsu Expressway accident in which seven passengers died. We are appalled by the bus company's careless management of bus operations.
関越自動車道で乗客７人が死亡した事故から１か月以上経過した。バス会社のお粗末な運行管理にはあきれるほかない。
The ministry will rescind the bus company's business license and suspend the business of the travel agency that planned the bus tour. These punishments are only natural.
国交省は、バス会社の事業許可を取り消し、ツアーを企画した旅行会社に業務停止の処分を下す方針だ。当然の措置である。
The direct cause of the accident was the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel, but the companies' awareness that they held people's lives in their hands was lacking.
直接的な原因は運転手の居眠りだったが、会社側はツアー参加者の人命を預かるという自覚を欠いていたのではないか。
The ministry also has a grave responsibility for its delayed response. Both the public and private sectors must work together to implement thorough safety measures.
対応が後手に回った国交省の責任も重い。官民が連携して安全対策を徹底しなければならない。
===
Too many violations
The driver who caused the accident was hired on a daily basis, which is prohibited by law. The company did not perform health checks on the driver, as required by the ministry's rules, before he was allowed to drive a bus, or give him written instructions including bus operation routes. Operations on the day of the accident were left in the hands of the driver, who had little experience in long-distance driving.
事故を起こした運転手は、禁止された日雇い勤務で、乗務前に義務付けられた健康チェックを怠っていた。バス会社は、ルートなどを定めた指示書を作成せず、事故当日の運行は、長距離業務の経験が浅い運転手任せだった。
The bus company has committed 28 law violations but did not fix the problems involved in past violations. Also, the national administration neglected follow-up checks.
法令違反は２８項目に及んだ。過去の違反も改善されておらず、行政は事後チェックを怠った。
The most important problem is that this is hardly an exceptional case.
問題なのは、これが特異なケースとは言い切れないことだ。
Due to deregulation of the requirements for entry into the business in 2000, the number of tour bus companies has sharply increased to about 4,500. The competition to win orders from travel agencies has intensified, making excessive workloads a normal situation for drivers.
２０００年の参入規制緩和によって、ツアーバス会社は約４５００社まで急増した。受注競争は激化し、過労運転が常態化している。
According to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, about 90 percent of chartered bus drivers have fallen asleep or felt drowsy while working.
総務省の調査では、運転手の９割が運転中に居眠りや睡魔の経験があると答えている。
According to transport ministry standards, the upper limit for one driver to drive a bus in a single day is 670 kilometers.
国交省の基準では、１人の運転手が１日に運転できる距離の上限は６７０キロ・メートルだ。
Since the accident, the tour bus industry has independently formulated guidelines, including assigning an alternative driver if a bus is operated for 450 kilometers or more at night. This was a step foward in the right direction, but the guidelines are not legally binding.
ツアーバス業界は事故後、夜間に４５０キロ・メートル以上走る場合は交代運転手を用意するなどの独自指針を策定した。一歩前進と言えるが、指針には拘束力がない。
===
Responsibility of travel firms
Many travel agencies that plan bus tours leave safety measures completely to the bus companies. This is also a problem.
ツアーを手がける旅行会社の多くが、安全対策をバス会社に任せ切りにしている点も問題だ。
The transport ministry decided last week to formulate guidelines to require travel agencies dealing with bus tours using expressways to disclose safety information. The ministry will oblige the companies to clarify the number of alternative drivers in tour advertisements, for instance. We would like the ministry to enforce the guidelines immediately after they are formulated.
国交省は先週、高速バスツアーを扱う旅行会社に安全情報の開示を求めるガイドラインを策定することを決めた。ツアーの募集広告などに交代運転手の人数などを表示するよう義務付ける方針だ。速やかに運用してもらいたい。
The ministry plans to make travel agencies get permission for bus operations by next summer. The travel agencies will have heavier responsibility in terms of bus operation, which will help improve the situation.
来夏までに、旅行会社にバスの運行許可を取得させることにしている。旅行会社の運行責任が重くなる。これも有益だろう。
The Kanetsu Expressway accident was so serious partly because there was a space between the noise-blocking wall on the side of the road and the guardrail, and the wall pierced the bus' body when it hit the wall. Such spaces exist at 5,100 locations throughout the country. It is an urgent task to rectify this.
事故の被害が甚大だったのは、道路脇の防音壁とガードレールの間に隙間があり、衝突時に壁が車体にめり込んだことが一因だ。こうした隙間は全国５１００か所に上る。改修工事が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2012)
（2012年6月10日01時18分 読売新聞）
2012年06月12日
東電ＯＬ殺害 検察を敗北に導いた新証拠
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 9, 2012)
Prosecutors defeated by new evidence in Mainali case
東電ＯＬ殺害 検察を敗北に導いた新証拠（6月8日付・読売社説）
"There is suspicion another person might have murdered the woman."
「第三者が女性を殺害した疑いがある」
As long as a court makes a judgment like this, it is only natural for a case to be retried. It was a complete defeat for prosecutors.
裁判所がこう認定した以上、裁判をやり直すのは当然と言えよう。検察の完敗である。
The Tokyo High Court on Thursday decided to grant a retrial and stay of execution for Govinda Prasad Mainali, a Nepalese national, at a hearing over his request for a retrial for the murder of a female employee of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
東京電力女性社員殺害事件の再審請求審で、東京高裁はネパール国籍のゴビンダ・プラサド・マイナリ元被告に対し、再審開始と刑の執行停止を決定した。
The high court's decision said, "Reasonable doubt has emerged" regarding the finalized conviction that sentenced Mainali to life in prison. The judgment is in line with a cardinal rule of criminal trials--give the accused the benefit of the doubt (when in doubt, for the accused).
決定は、無期懲役とした確定判決について「合理的な疑いが生じている」と断じた。「疑わしきは被告の利益に」という刑事裁判の鉄則に沿った判断である。
In 1997, a female employee of TEPCO was murdered in an apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and robbed of about 40,000 yen in cash. Mainali has denied committing the crime throughout his trials.
The Tokyo District Court handed down a not-guilty ruling but the Tokyo High Court overturned the decision and ruled Mainali was guilty. The guilty ruling was finalized by the Supreme Court in 2003.
東京都渋谷区のアパートで１９９７年、東電の女性社員が殺害され、現金約４万円を奪われたのが、この事件だ。マイナリ元被告は一貫して犯行を否認し、１審は無罪、２審で逆転有罪となり、最高裁で２００３年に確定した。
===
New DNA analysis key
A point of issue in the high court hearing over the request for a retrial was the results of a fresh DNA analysis. The new analysis showed the DNA type of semen collected from inside the woman's body did not match that of Mainali but did match that in the body hair of another person left at the crime scene.
再審請求審で争点になったのは、新たに行われた鑑定の結果だ。女性の体内から採取された精液のＤＮＡ型がマイナリ元被告とは異なり、現場に落ちていた別人の体毛のＤＮＡ型と一致する、というものだった。
This evidence suggests there may have been another person at the crime scene. The high court's decision said it was likely Mainali would not have been convicted if the results of this analysis had been presented.
殺害現場に第三者がいたことをうかがわせる新証拠だ。決定は、「この鑑定結果があれば、公判での有罪認定には至らなかったと考えられる」と指摘した。
It is said that a DNA analysis could have been conducted with the technology available at the time of the crime. It cannot be helped that police and prosecutors have come under fire for not thoroughly investigating the case.
事件当時の技術でも、ＤＮＡ鑑定は可能だったとされる。警察・検察は、捜査を尽くさなかったと批判されても仕方がない。
Prosecutors have lodged an objection to the high court's decision, so the high court will again hear the case to consider whether to grant a retrial for Mainali.
検察が、決定に対する異議を申し立てたため、東京高裁が再び再審開始の可否を審理する。
On the other hand, the high court rejected the prosecutors' request to keep Mainali behind bars. Mainali, who was illegally staying in the country, was released Thursday and is expected to be deported to Nepal.
一方で高裁は、服役の継続を求めた検察の申し立てを退けた。不法残留していたマイナリ元被告は釈放され、本国に強制送還される見通しだ。
The high court's judgment on the latter point was unusual but considerate.
裁判所としては異例であり、配慮のある判断だと言える。
===
Future hearing may lack defendant
The high court may have decided that prolonging Mainali's imprisonment any longer must be avoided, a nod to the fact that there are serious doubts about the guilty ruling. It is highly likely the high court's future hearing of the case will be conducted without Mainali.
有罪判決が揺らいだことを重視し、これ以上、懲役を長引かせるのは避けねばならないと考えたのだろう。今後の審理は、本人不在で行われる公算が大きい。
Fifteen years have already passed since Mainali's arrest. It is necessary to accelerate the high court hearing.
マイナリ元被告の逮捕からすでに１５年が過ぎている。審理のスピードアップが必要だ。
Prosecutors should quickly accept a retrial if they are unable to present evidence that could reverse the high court's decision to approve a retrial for Mainali.
検察は、今回の再審開始決定を覆すような証拠を示すことができなければ、速やかに再審開始に応じるべきであろう。
There is much criticism against the current system, which is complicated and takes time before a retrial begins. Some people say a retrial should be started first and evidence then examined in detail at the court to uncover the truth.
再審開始に至るまでの、複雑で時間がかかる現行制度への批判は多い。まずは再審を開始し、その法廷で詳しい証拠調べをして真相解明すべきだとの声もある。
It is probably time to review the system.
制度のあり方を再検討する時期に来ているのではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2012)
（2012年6月8日01時44分 読売新聞）
Prosecutors defeated by new evidence in Mainali case
東電ＯＬ殺害 検察を敗北に導いた新証拠（6月8日付・読売社説）
"There is suspicion another person might have murdered the woman."
「第三者が女性を殺害した疑いがある」
As long as a court makes a judgment like this, it is only natural for a case to be retried. It was a complete defeat for prosecutors.
裁判所がこう認定した以上、裁判をやり直すのは当然と言えよう。検察の完敗である。
The Tokyo High Court on Thursday decided to grant a retrial and stay of execution for Govinda Prasad Mainali, a Nepalese national, at a hearing over his request for a retrial for the murder of a female employee of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
東京電力女性社員殺害事件の再審請求審で、東京高裁はネパール国籍のゴビンダ・プラサド・マイナリ元被告に対し、再審開始と刑の執行停止を決定した。
The high court's decision said, "Reasonable doubt has emerged" regarding the finalized conviction that sentenced Mainali to life in prison. The judgment is in line with a cardinal rule of criminal trials--give the accused the benefit of the doubt (when in doubt, for the accused).
決定は、無期懲役とした確定判決について「合理的な疑いが生じている」と断じた。「疑わしきは被告の利益に」という刑事裁判の鉄則に沿った判断である。
In 1997, a female employee of TEPCO was murdered in an apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and robbed of about 40,000 yen in cash. Mainali has denied committing the crime throughout his trials.
The Tokyo District Court handed down a not-guilty ruling but the Tokyo High Court overturned the decision and ruled Mainali was guilty. The guilty ruling was finalized by the Supreme Court in 2003.
東京都渋谷区のアパートで１９９７年、東電の女性社員が殺害され、現金約４万円を奪われたのが、この事件だ。マイナリ元被告は一貫して犯行を否認し、１審は無罪、２審で逆転有罪となり、最高裁で２００３年に確定した。
===
New DNA analysis key
A point of issue in the high court hearing over the request for a retrial was the results of a fresh DNA analysis. The new analysis showed the DNA type of semen collected from inside the woman's body did not match that of Mainali but did match that in the body hair of another person left at the crime scene.
再審請求審で争点になったのは、新たに行われた鑑定の結果だ。女性の体内から採取された精液のＤＮＡ型がマイナリ元被告とは異なり、現場に落ちていた別人の体毛のＤＮＡ型と一致する、というものだった。
This evidence suggests there may have been another person at the crime scene. The high court's decision said it was likely Mainali would not have been convicted if the results of this analysis had been presented.
殺害現場に第三者がいたことをうかがわせる新証拠だ。決定は、「この鑑定結果があれば、公判での有罪認定には至らなかったと考えられる」と指摘した。
It is said that a DNA analysis could have been conducted with the technology available at the time of the crime. It cannot be helped that police and prosecutors have come under fire for not thoroughly investigating the case.
事件当時の技術でも、ＤＮＡ鑑定は可能だったとされる。警察・検察は、捜査を尽くさなかったと批判されても仕方がない。
Prosecutors have lodged an objection to the high court's decision, so the high court will again hear the case to consider whether to grant a retrial for Mainali.
検察が、決定に対する異議を申し立てたため、東京高裁が再び再審開始の可否を審理する。
On the other hand, the high court rejected the prosecutors' request to keep Mainali behind bars. Mainali, who was illegally staying in the country, was released Thursday and is expected to be deported to Nepal.
一方で高裁は、服役の継続を求めた検察の申し立てを退けた。不法残留していたマイナリ元被告は釈放され、本国に強制送還される見通しだ。
The high court's judgment on the latter point was unusual but considerate.
裁判所としては異例であり、配慮のある判断だと言える。
===
Future hearing may lack defendant
The high court may have decided that prolonging Mainali's imprisonment any longer must be avoided, a nod to the fact that there are serious doubts about the guilty ruling. It is highly likely the high court's future hearing of the case will be conducted without Mainali.
有罪判決が揺らいだことを重視し、これ以上、懲役を長引かせるのは避けねばならないと考えたのだろう。今後の審理は、本人不在で行われる公算が大きい。
Fifteen years have already passed since Mainali's arrest. It is necessary to accelerate the high court hearing.
マイナリ元被告の逮捕からすでに１５年が過ぎている。審理のスピードアップが必要だ。
Prosecutors should quickly accept a retrial if they are unable to present evidence that could reverse the high court's decision to approve a retrial for Mainali.
検察は、今回の再審開始決定を覆すような証拠を示すことができなければ、速やかに再審開始に応じるべきであろう。
There is much criticism against the current system, which is complicated and takes time before a retrial begins. Some people say a retrial should be started first and evidence then examined in detail at the court to uncover the truth.
再審開始に至るまでの、複雑で時間がかかる現行制度への批判は多い。まずは再審を開始し、その法廷で詳しい証拠調べをして真相解明すべきだとの声もある。
It is probably time to review the system.
制度のあり方を再検討する時期に来ているのではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2012)
（2012年6月8日01時44分 読売新聞）
2012年06月11日
大飯再稼働へ 国民生活を守る首相の決断
金曜日、野田首相のスピーチを録画で2回みました。
誠実そうな人柄で、スピーチには心がこもっていました。
ですが、これは日本式だと思います。
アメリカでは物事を決めるためにスピーチを致します。
これに対して日本は、物事がほぼ決まった後で、その発表をする傾向があります。
出来ればアメリカ式にしてもらって、世論が盛り上がった後で最終決定して欲しかったですね。
野田首相は人物だと思います。
菅前首相や鳩山首相に比べると、格段に良いような気がしました。
スピーチには人間性が出るのです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2012)
Restart of Oi nuclear plant important for people's livelihoods
大飯再稼働へ 国民生活を守る首相の決断（6月9日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday expressed his strong determination to restart the idled Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
野田首相が福井県にある大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働に強い決意を表明した。
Noda said at a press conference: "Japanese society cannot be sustained with its nuclear power plants kept idle. The nuclear power plants are important sources of electricity."
首相は記者会見で「原発を止めたままでは、日本の社会は立ちゆかない。
"It is my judgment that they should be reactivated to protect the livelihoods of people in the nation," the prime minister stressed.
原発は重要な電源だ」とし、「国民の生活を守るため再稼働すべきというのが私の判断だ」と強調した。
It is significant that the prime minister has clearly defined nuclear power plants as power sources essential for Japan. This will keep the nation's energy policy temporarily from veering in the direction of having no nuclear power plants at all.
首相が原発を日本に欠かせない電源だと、明確に位置づけた意味は大きい。当面のエネルギー政策で、「原発ゼロ」の路線は回避される方向となろう。
Issei Nishikawa, governor of Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the Oi plant, requested that the prime minister explain to the public the necessity of nuclear power plants as a condition to agreeing to the restart. Noda's statement appears to have created an environment in which Fukui Prefecture can approve reactivation of the suspended reactors at the Oi plant.
福井県の西川一誠知事は、再稼働に同意する条件として、首相が原発の必要性を国民に説明することを求めていた。福井県が了承する環境は整ったと言える。
We expect the governments of both Fukui Prefecture and Oi, a town in the prefecture where the reactors are located, to express their official approval of the restart quickly and help accelerate the central government's procedures toward that end.
福井県とおおい町が早期に再稼働に同意し、手続きが加速するよう期待したい。
===
Safety secured at Oi
Of course, it is important to secure the safety of the reactors before the reactivation. The government has already taken measures against tsunami at nuclear plants around the country.
The Oi plant has finished its stress tests, the results of which have been approved by the government's Nuclear Safety Commission.
もちろん再稼働には、原発の安全確保が重要である。政府は全国の原発で津波対策を実施し、大飯原発はストレステスト（耐性検査）も終えた。原子力安全委員会がテスト結果を了承している。
On top of that, when it is reactivated, the government will establish a special monitoring system that would see government officials, including a senior vice minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, stationed at the Oi plant.
大飯原発を再稼働する際は、経済産業副大臣らが現地に常駐する特別な監視体制も敷く。
"In fact, safety has already been secured," Noda said.
首相は「実質的には安全は確保されている」と述べた。
The government has spent more than a year implementing safety measures at the plant. That fact should be appreciated.
政府が１年以上をかけて安全対策を講じてきた点は、評価すべきだ。
Nishikawa has been hesitant to give his approval for the restart apparently because he objects to the attitudes of local governments around his prefecture.
西川知事が同意を見送っている背景には、周辺自治体の姿勢への反発があるのだろう。
In particular, Nishikawa has strongly criticized an option to allow reactivation of the Oi plant "only during summer." The option was proposed by the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures along with Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, a city that receives electric power from Fukui Prefecture.
特に、福井県から電力供給を受ける大阪市の橋下徹市長や、京都府と滋賀県の知事が提案している「夏季限定」の再稼働案を、西川知事は強く批判している。
It is purely opportunistic to demand the operation of nuclear power plants only when electricity runs short.
電気が足りない時期だけ原発の運転を求めるのは、ご都合主義にほかならない。
We think Noda understands this properly. "Reactivation only during summer cannot protect the livelihood of the public," the prime minister said.
この点について首相が、「夏限定の再稼働では国民生活は守れない」と述べたのは、妥当な認識である。
===
Blackouts risk people's lives
Another problem is that 117 lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan signed a petition urging the prime minister and other government leaders to take a more cautious approach to the restart. They said this summer's anticipated power shortages should be dealt with by saving electricity.
政権党である民主党の国会議員１１７人が、「今年の夏は節電で乗り切る」などとして、首相らに再稼働への慎重な対応を求める署名を提出したことも問題だ。
"If a sudden blackout happens, some people's lives could be jeopardized," said the prime minister.
首相は「突発的な停電が起これば、命の危険にさらされる人もいる」とした。
Noda also expressed his concern over the hollowing out of Japanese industry and employment losses. Why can't all DPJ lawmakers share the prime minister's crisis mentality?
産業空洞化や雇用喪失への懸念も示した。なぜこうした危機感を共有できないのか。
Signers of the petition include many DPJ lawmakers who oppose the consumption tax rate hike, such as members of intraparty groups supporting former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
署名には、小沢一郎元代表のグループなど、消費増税に反対する議員が多く加わっている。
They are apparently trying, in a roundabout way, to undermine the current administration, which is promoting comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革を進める政権を、からめ手からゆさぶる狙いだろう。
The Oi plant's restart is needed to avert an imminent power crisis. They should not turn it into a political football match.
目の前の電力危機を回避する再稼働を、政争の具にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2012)
（2012年6月9日01時31分 読売新聞）
誠実そうな人柄で、スピーチには心がこもっていました。
ですが、これは日本式だと思います。
アメリカでは物事を決めるためにスピーチを致します。
これに対して日本は、物事がほぼ決まった後で、その発表をする傾向があります。
出来ればアメリカ式にしてもらって、世論が盛り上がった後で最終決定して欲しかったですね。
野田首相は人物だと思います。
菅前首相や鳩山首相に比べると、格段に良いような気がしました。
スピーチには人間性が出るのです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2012)
Restart of Oi nuclear plant important for people's livelihoods
大飯再稼働へ 国民生活を守る首相の決断（6月9日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday expressed his strong determination to restart the idled Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
野田首相が福井県にある大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働に強い決意を表明した。
Noda said at a press conference: "Japanese society cannot be sustained with its nuclear power plants kept idle. The nuclear power plants are important sources of electricity."
首相は記者会見で「原発を止めたままでは、日本の社会は立ちゆかない。
"It is my judgment that they should be reactivated to protect the livelihoods of people in the nation," the prime minister stressed.
原発は重要な電源だ」とし、「国民の生活を守るため再稼働すべきというのが私の判断だ」と強調した。
It is significant that the prime minister has clearly defined nuclear power plants as power sources essential for Japan. This will keep the nation's energy policy temporarily from veering in the direction of having no nuclear power plants at all.
首相が原発を日本に欠かせない電源だと、明確に位置づけた意味は大きい。当面のエネルギー政策で、「原発ゼロ」の路線は回避される方向となろう。
Issei Nishikawa, governor of Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the Oi plant, requested that the prime minister explain to the public the necessity of nuclear power plants as a condition to agreeing to the restart. Noda's statement appears to have created an environment in which Fukui Prefecture can approve reactivation of the suspended reactors at the Oi plant.
福井県の西川一誠知事は、再稼働に同意する条件として、首相が原発の必要性を国民に説明することを求めていた。福井県が了承する環境は整ったと言える。
We expect the governments of both Fukui Prefecture and Oi, a town in the prefecture where the reactors are located, to express their official approval of the restart quickly and help accelerate the central government's procedures toward that end.
福井県とおおい町が早期に再稼働に同意し、手続きが加速するよう期待したい。
===
Safety secured at Oi
Of course, it is important to secure the safety of the reactors before the reactivation. The government has already taken measures against tsunami at nuclear plants around the country.
The Oi plant has finished its stress tests, the results of which have been approved by the government's Nuclear Safety Commission.
もちろん再稼働には、原発の安全確保が重要である。政府は全国の原発で津波対策を実施し、大飯原発はストレステスト（耐性検査）も終えた。原子力安全委員会がテスト結果を了承している。
On top of that, when it is reactivated, the government will establish a special monitoring system that would see government officials, including a senior vice minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, stationed at the Oi plant.
大飯原発を再稼働する際は、経済産業副大臣らが現地に常駐する特別な監視体制も敷く。
"In fact, safety has already been secured," Noda said.
首相は「実質的には安全は確保されている」と述べた。
The government has spent more than a year implementing safety measures at the plant. That fact should be appreciated.
政府が１年以上をかけて安全対策を講じてきた点は、評価すべきだ。
Nishikawa has been hesitant to give his approval for the restart apparently because he objects to the attitudes of local governments around his prefecture.
西川知事が同意を見送っている背景には、周辺自治体の姿勢への反発があるのだろう。
In particular, Nishikawa has strongly criticized an option to allow reactivation of the Oi plant "only during summer." The option was proposed by the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures along with Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, a city that receives electric power from Fukui Prefecture.
特に、福井県から電力供給を受ける大阪市の橋下徹市長や、京都府と滋賀県の知事が提案している「夏季限定」の再稼働案を、西川知事は強く批判している。
It is purely opportunistic to demand the operation of nuclear power plants only when electricity runs short.
電気が足りない時期だけ原発の運転を求めるのは、ご都合主義にほかならない。
We think Noda understands this properly. "Reactivation only during summer cannot protect the livelihood of the public," the prime minister said.
この点について首相が、「夏限定の再稼働では国民生活は守れない」と述べたのは、妥当な認識である。
===
Blackouts risk people's lives
Another problem is that 117 lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan signed a petition urging the prime minister and other government leaders to take a more cautious approach to the restart. They said this summer's anticipated power shortages should be dealt with by saving electricity.
政権党である民主党の国会議員１１７人が、「今年の夏は節電で乗り切る」などとして、首相らに再稼働への慎重な対応を求める署名を提出したことも問題だ。
"If a sudden blackout happens, some people's lives could be jeopardized," said the prime minister.
首相は「突発的な停電が起これば、命の危険にさらされる人もいる」とした。
Noda also expressed his concern over the hollowing out of Japanese industry and employment losses. Why can't all DPJ lawmakers share the prime minister's crisis mentality?
産業空洞化や雇用喪失への懸念も示した。なぜこうした危機感を共有できないのか。
Signers of the petition include many DPJ lawmakers who oppose the consumption tax rate hike, such as members of intraparty groups supporting former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
署名には、小沢一郎元代表のグループなど、消費増税に反対する議員が多く加わっている。
They are apparently trying, in a roundabout way, to undermine the current administration, which is promoting comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革を進める政権を、からめ手からゆさぶる狙いだろう。
The Oi plant's restart is needed to avert an imminent power crisis. They should not turn it into a political football match.
目の前の電力危機を回避する再稼働を、政争の具にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2012)
（2012年6月9日01時31分 読売新聞）
2012年06月10日
南シナ海―中国は力をたのむな
フィリピンが魚泥棒を取り締まるのは当り前。
尖閣列島沖漁船衝突事故も同じ構図。
中国は数千年の歴史と伝統を誇る大国。
泥棒が英雄になる現在の社会的構図はおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 5
EDITORIAL: U.S., China really need to talkPrevious ArticleEDITORIAL: Summit of 2 main parties seems the obvious way to go
南シナ海―中国は力をたのむな
TweetChina, with its growing economic and military might, is becoming more aggressive in asserting its maritime interests in the region.
経済力とともに軍事力を伸ばす中国が、海洋権益で強い姿勢に出ている。
China needs to stop its saber-rattling and make serious efforts to improve the climate for cool-headed international talks over sensitive issues that involve its neighbors.
力を振りかざすのはやめ、冷静に対話する環境づくりに努めるべきだ。
In recent weeks, tensions have been running high between China and the Philippines over the issue of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea.
南シナ海・スカボロー礁（中国名・黄岩島）で、領有権をめぐり、フィリピンとの緊張が続いている。
The Chinese media increasingly has been arguing for the use of military force to solve the territorial dispute. This view seems to reflect opinions in military circles.
中国では、軍事力行使を求める主張が、軍関係者や当局と結びついたメディアから出ている。
There is a huge gap in the naval power of each country. China has been racing to build up its military might and is now close to deploying its first aircraft carrier, while the Philippines doesn’t even have a vessel armed with missiles.
軍拡路線をひた走り、空母の正式配備が近づく中国と、ミサイル搭載の艦船も持たないフィリピンの軍事力の差は歴然としている。
However, the Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States. The territorial dispute threatens to escalate into a dangerous confrontation that could involve the United States.
だがフィリピンには米国と結ぶ相互防衛条約がある。このままでは米国も巻き込んだ緊張が高まりかねない。
The waters around the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of rocks and reefs located some 230 kilometers off the western coast of Luzon island in the Philippines, are rich fishing grounds that draw fishermen from a number of countries.
フィリピンのルソン島から西約２３０キロにあるこの海域は、各国の漁民が入り乱れる漁場だった。
Tensions flared in April after the Philippines sent a frigate to the area to chase off Chinese fishing vessels operating there.
４月にフィリピン海軍の軍艦が中国漁船を取り締まろうとして、対立に火がついた。
Two months on, patrol boats from both countries remain stationed around the shoal in a continuing standoff.
以来２カ月、両国の監視船がにらみあっている。
Beijing’s hard-nosed attitude reflects a growing sense of national greatness among Chinese.
中国の強硬姿勢の裏にあるのは、大国意識の強まりだ。
“A small country should not at will encroach on (the territory of) or provoke a large country,” China’s vice foreign minister, Fu Ying, wrote in a recent article in Lianhe Zaobao, a major Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore. Although she didn’t name any specific country, she was evidently referring to the Philippines.
「小国は意のままに大国を侵害したり、挑発したりしてはならない」
シンガポールの有力中国語紙「聯合早報」に先日、中国の傅瑩（フー・イン）外務次官の投稿が載った。名指しはしていないが、フィリピンを念頭に置いていることは明らかだ。
“A large country doesn’t belittle a small country,” Fu said.
But such remarks inevitably make China’s neighbors jittery.
「大国は小国を軽視しない」という下りもあったが、これでは周辺の国々が不安を抱くのは無理もない。
If it is a great power, China should act like one and exercise more self-control.
大国ならば大国らしく、中国は自制を利かせてはどうか。
China’s rise is disturbing the established order in the region. Thus, the presence of U.S. forces is assuming increasing importance as a stabilizing factor.
中国の台頭で地域の秩序が揺らぎを見せるとき、安定の要素として、これまで以上に重みをますのが、米軍の存在だ。
During a recent international conference held in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined Washington’s strategy to expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States will reconfigure its naval forces from a 50-50 split between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans so that 60 percent of the fleet is assigned to the Asia-Pacific region by 2020.
シンガポールで開かれた国際会議でパネッタ米国防長官は、アジア太平洋に米軍を重点的に配置する方針を示した。太平洋と大西洋に半々で置いていた海軍の兵力を、２０２０年までに６対４の割合に変える。
The Obama administration, under strong political pressure to cut back on its defense spending, is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq while placing greater security policy priority on Asia, a region which has massive trade flows with the United States and directly affects the country’s economic fortunes.
大幅な国防費削減を迫られ、アフガニスタンやイラクから兵力を撤退しつつ、貿易量が多くて米国の繁栄に直結するアジアを重視する。
Washington has made clear the United States has a clear national interest in maintaining the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
米政府は「南シナ海の航行の自由は米国の国益」との立場をとる。
Any U.S. action that could be construed by Beijing as ganging up on China is bound to cause alarm. Regional tensions will become inflamed if the United States draws its allies into a network to contain China.
ただ、「対中包囲網」の色合いが強まりすぎれば、中国の過度な警戒を呼び起こし、かえって緊張を招きかねない。
The United States and China should take every opportunity to explore ways of working together to build up a new order in the region that provides the necessary reassurance to neighboring countries.
米中両国は、あらゆる機会をとらえて互いの理解を図り、周辺の国が安心できる秩序を作ることが求められる。
Such efforts would help promote the prosperity of the nations concerned.
それが各国の繁栄につながる。
尖閣列島沖漁船衝突事故も同じ構図。
中国は数千年の歴史と伝統を誇る大国。
泥棒が英雄になる現在の社会的構図はおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 5
EDITORIAL: U.S., China really need to talkPrevious ArticleEDITORIAL: Summit of 2 main parties seems the obvious way to go
南シナ海―中国は力をたのむな
TweetChina, with its growing economic and military might, is becoming more aggressive in asserting its maritime interests in the region.
経済力とともに軍事力を伸ばす中国が、海洋権益で強い姿勢に出ている。
China needs to stop its saber-rattling and make serious efforts to improve the climate for cool-headed international talks over sensitive issues that involve its neighbors.
力を振りかざすのはやめ、冷静に対話する環境づくりに努めるべきだ。
In recent weeks, tensions have been running high between China and the Philippines over the issue of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea.
南シナ海・スカボロー礁（中国名・黄岩島）で、領有権をめぐり、フィリピンとの緊張が続いている。
The Chinese media increasingly has been arguing for the use of military force to solve the territorial dispute. This view seems to reflect opinions in military circles.
中国では、軍事力行使を求める主張が、軍関係者や当局と結びついたメディアから出ている。
There is a huge gap in the naval power of each country. China has been racing to build up its military might and is now close to deploying its first aircraft carrier, while the Philippines doesn’t even have a vessel armed with missiles.
軍拡路線をひた走り、空母の正式配備が近づく中国と、ミサイル搭載の艦船も持たないフィリピンの軍事力の差は歴然としている。
However, the Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States. The territorial dispute threatens to escalate into a dangerous confrontation that could involve the United States.
だがフィリピンには米国と結ぶ相互防衛条約がある。このままでは米国も巻き込んだ緊張が高まりかねない。
The waters around the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of rocks and reefs located some 230 kilometers off the western coast of Luzon island in the Philippines, are rich fishing grounds that draw fishermen from a number of countries.
フィリピンのルソン島から西約２３０キロにあるこの海域は、各国の漁民が入り乱れる漁場だった。
Tensions flared in April after the Philippines sent a frigate to the area to chase off Chinese fishing vessels operating there.
４月にフィリピン海軍の軍艦が中国漁船を取り締まろうとして、対立に火がついた。
Two months on, patrol boats from both countries remain stationed around the shoal in a continuing standoff.
以来２カ月、両国の監視船がにらみあっている。
Beijing’s hard-nosed attitude reflects a growing sense of national greatness among Chinese.
中国の強硬姿勢の裏にあるのは、大国意識の強まりだ。
“A small country should not at will encroach on (the territory of) or provoke a large country,” China’s vice foreign minister, Fu Ying, wrote in a recent article in Lianhe Zaobao, a major Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore. Although she didn’t name any specific country, she was evidently referring to the Philippines.
「小国は意のままに大国を侵害したり、挑発したりしてはならない」
シンガポールの有力中国語紙「聯合早報」に先日、中国の傅瑩（フー・イン）外務次官の投稿が載った。名指しはしていないが、フィリピンを念頭に置いていることは明らかだ。
“A large country doesn’t belittle a small country,” Fu said.
But such remarks inevitably make China’s neighbors jittery.
「大国は小国を軽視しない」という下りもあったが、これでは周辺の国々が不安を抱くのは無理もない。
If it is a great power, China should act like one and exercise more self-control.
大国ならば大国らしく、中国は自制を利かせてはどうか。
China’s rise is disturbing the established order in the region. Thus, the presence of U.S. forces is assuming increasing importance as a stabilizing factor.
中国の台頭で地域の秩序が揺らぎを見せるとき、安定の要素として、これまで以上に重みをますのが、米軍の存在だ。
During a recent international conference held in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined Washington’s strategy to expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States will reconfigure its naval forces from a 50-50 split between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans so that 60 percent of the fleet is assigned to the Asia-Pacific region by 2020.
シンガポールで開かれた国際会議でパネッタ米国防長官は、アジア太平洋に米軍を重点的に配置する方針を示した。太平洋と大西洋に半々で置いていた海軍の兵力を、２０２０年までに６対４の割合に変える。
The Obama administration, under strong political pressure to cut back on its defense spending, is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq while placing greater security policy priority on Asia, a region which has massive trade flows with the United States and directly affects the country’s economic fortunes.
大幅な国防費削減を迫られ、アフガニスタンやイラクから兵力を撤退しつつ、貿易量が多くて米国の繁栄に直結するアジアを重視する。
Washington has made clear the United States has a clear national interest in maintaining the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
米政府は「南シナ海の航行の自由は米国の国益」との立場をとる。
Any U.S. action that could be construed by Beijing as ganging up on China is bound to cause alarm. Regional tensions will become inflamed if the United States draws its allies into a network to contain China.
ただ、「対中包囲網」の色合いが強まりすぎれば、中国の過度な警戒を呼び起こし、かえって緊張を招きかねない。
The United States and China should take every opportunity to explore ways of working together to build up a new order in the region that provides the necessary reassurance to neighboring countries.
米中両国は、あらゆる機会をとらえて互いの理解を図り、周辺の国が安心できる秩序を作ることが求められる。
Such efforts would help promote the prosperity of the nations concerned.
それが各国の繁栄につながる。
2012年06月09日
人口減少本格化 次世代支援にもっと知恵を
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 8, 2012)
More efforts, money needed to stop population decline
人口減少本格化 次世代支援にもっと知恵を（6月7日付・読売社説）
Japan has finally entered a period in which the population is decreasing substantially each year.
日本はいよいよ、本格的な人口減少時代に入った。
How can the nation deal with this unprecedented situation and maintain social vitality? We need to realize Japan has entered a critical stage.
史上例を見ない深刻な状況に、どのように対処し、活力を維持していくか。日本社会にとっての正念場であろう。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has released the nation's vital demographic statistics for 2011. The number of babies born last year hit a postwar low of about 1.05 million, while the number of deaths was about 1.25 million.
厚生労働省が２０１１年の人口動態統計を公表した。昨年は、生まれた赤ちゃんが１０５万人で戦後最少となる一方、１２５万人が亡くなった。
It was the first time since the survey started that a natural decrease in population exceeded 200,000, and the decrease is expected to grow year by year. This means that a population equivalent to core local cities such as Kofu and Matsue disappears every year.
日本の人口の自然減が２０万人を超えたのは初めてのことだ。減少規模は年々拡大する。甲府市、松江市といった中核都市が、毎年一つずつ消えていくに等しい。
The total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime, was 1.39, the same as the previous year. The rate was on an upward trend after bottoming out in 2005, but it seems to have leveled off.
１人の女性が産む子の数に近い「合計特殊出生率」は前年と同じ１・３９だった。０５年以来、徐々に回復する傾向にあったが、頭打ちの感が強い。
===
People hesitate to start families
The average age at which first-time mothers gave birth was 30.1 in 2011, exceeding the age of 30 for the first time--demonstrating the current tendency for women to have babies later.
第１子出産時の母親の平均年齢が３０・１歳と、初めて３０歳を超えたことは、出産高齢化の進行を象徴している。
The number of marriages last year was 662,000, another postwar low. This illustrates the growing trend for people to delay marriage, or not marry at all.
婚姻件数は６６万２０００組で最少だった。非婚・晩婚の傾向も強まっている。
Of course, it is each individual's choice whether to marry or have children. However, the current situation gives people few options but to give up or delay marriage as well as delay having children.
無論、結婚するか否か、子どもを産むかどうかは、個人の自由だが、非婚、晩婚、出産先送りを選択せざるを得ない状況がある。
Young people now hesitate to start families of their own due to various concerns, including difficulties in finding work, anxiety about the nation's social security system--particularly regarding the future of the pension system--and the underdeveloped environment for raising children when both parents work.
若者の就職状況の厳しさ、年金をはじめとする社会保障制度への不安、共働きをしながら子どもを育てる環境の未整備――といった様々な懸念が、家庭を持つことをためらわせている。
It is urgent to change the current social security system, which emphasizes elderly people, by implementing measures that will cover all generations and making sure financial resources are distributed more evenly.
高齢者を重視した現行の社会保障制度の施策と財源を「全世代型」に改めることが急務であろう。
===
Take steps now
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has announced a new program to reduce the number of children on waiting lists to enter day care centers--dubbed the new system to support children and households raising children--as part of its integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
The government has also revealed its plan to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the employment situation of young people.
政府・与党は、社会保障・税一体改革の一環として、「子ども・子育て新システム」という待機児童解消策を掲げるとともに、若者の雇用環境を改善する総合戦略の策定を打ち出している。
Although there are differences in the details, the ruling and opposition parties have taken the same approach of combining the wisdom of various people to draw up measures that will help young people--who will lead Japan in the future--and allocate more money to such measures. Looking at the vital demographic statistics, it is clear lawmakers must speed up their efforts to achieve integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
細部では与野党間に相違もあるが、日本の将来を担う次世代を支援する政策に、財源と知恵をもっと振り向けるという方向性では一致している。人口動態の数字を見れば、一体改革の実現を急ぐ必要があるのは明らかだ。
If the government fails to take appropriate measures while the population is declining at a growing rate, the economy will suffer from a shrinking labor force and society will lose its vitality.
人口減が進む中で手をこまぬいていれば、労働力人口は不足し、社会の活力が衰えていく。
To avoid such a situation, the government must take multiple steps to maintain a dynamic society.
そうした事態を避けるために、政府は重層的な活力維持策を講じていく責任がある。
Above all, the government must create better social and corporate environments to help women find jobs more easily and work more comfortably, to maintain a sufficient labor force.
労働力人口を確保するには、女性が就業しやすい企業・社会環境を整えることが第一だ。
The government should also enable people to work in more diverse ways, which would help motivated elderly people work longer. Furthermore, it is important for politicians to discuss whether to beef up the nation's efforts to accept foreign workers.
意欲ある高齢者にも長く活躍してもらえるよう、働き方の多様化も進めるべきだ。外国人を積極的に受け入れることも、政治の検討課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2012)
（2012年6月7日01時13分 読売新聞）
More efforts, money needed to stop population decline
人口減少本格化 次世代支援にもっと知恵を（6月7日付・読売社説）
Japan has finally entered a period in which the population is decreasing substantially each year.
日本はいよいよ、本格的な人口減少時代に入った。
How can the nation deal with this unprecedented situation and maintain social vitality? We need to realize Japan has entered a critical stage.
史上例を見ない深刻な状況に、どのように対処し、活力を維持していくか。日本社会にとっての正念場であろう。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has released the nation's vital demographic statistics for 2011. The number of babies born last year hit a postwar low of about 1.05 million, while the number of deaths was about 1.25 million.
厚生労働省が２０１１年の人口動態統計を公表した。昨年は、生まれた赤ちゃんが１０５万人で戦後最少となる一方、１２５万人が亡くなった。
It was the first time since the survey started that a natural decrease in population exceeded 200,000, and the decrease is expected to grow year by year. This means that a population equivalent to core local cities such as Kofu and Matsue disappears every year.
日本の人口の自然減が２０万人を超えたのは初めてのことだ。減少規模は年々拡大する。甲府市、松江市といった中核都市が、毎年一つずつ消えていくに等しい。
The total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime, was 1.39, the same as the previous year. The rate was on an upward trend after bottoming out in 2005, but it seems to have leveled off.
１人の女性が産む子の数に近い「合計特殊出生率」は前年と同じ１・３９だった。０５年以来、徐々に回復する傾向にあったが、頭打ちの感が強い。
===
People hesitate to start families
The average age at which first-time mothers gave birth was 30.1 in 2011, exceeding the age of 30 for the first time--demonstrating the current tendency for women to have babies later.
第１子出産時の母親の平均年齢が３０・１歳と、初めて３０歳を超えたことは、出産高齢化の進行を象徴している。
The number of marriages last year was 662,000, another postwar low. This illustrates the growing trend for people to delay marriage, or not marry at all.
婚姻件数は６６万２０００組で最少だった。非婚・晩婚の傾向も強まっている。
Of course, it is each individual's choice whether to marry or have children. However, the current situation gives people few options but to give up or delay marriage as well as delay having children.
無論、結婚するか否か、子どもを産むかどうかは、個人の自由だが、非婚、晩婚、出産先送りを選択せざるを得ない状況がある。
Young people now hesitate to start families of their own due to various concerns, including difficulties in finding work, anxiety about the nation's social security system--particularly regarding the future of the pension system--and the underdeveloped environment for raising children when both parents work.
若者の就職状況の厳しさ、年金をはじめとする社会保障制度への不安、共働きをしながら子どもを育てる環境の未整備――といった様々な懸念が、家庭を持つことをためらわせている。
It is urgent to change the current social security system, which emphasizes elderly people, by implementing measures that will cover all generations and making sure financial resources are distributed more evenly.
高齢者を重視した現行の社会保障制度の施策と財源を「全世代型」に改めることが急務であろう。
===
Take steps now
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has announced a new program to reduce the number of children on waiting lists to enter day care centers--dubbed the new system to support children and households raising children--as part of its integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
The government has also revealed its plan to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the employment situation of young people.
政府・与党は、社会保障・税一体改革の一環として、「子ども・子育て新システム」という待機児童解消策を掲げるとともに、若者の雇用環境を改善する総合戦略の策定を打ち出している。
Although there are differences in the details, the ruling and opposition parties have taken the same approach of combining the wisdom of various people to draw up measures that will help young people--who will lead Japan in the future--and allocate more money to such measures. Looking at the vital demographic statistics, it is clear lawmakers must speed up their efforts to achieve integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
細部では与野党間に相違もあるが、日本の将来を担う次世代を支援する政策に、財源と知恵をもっと振り向けるという方向性では一致している。人口動態の数字を見れば、一体改革の実現を急ぐ必要があるのは明らかだ。
If the government fails to take appropriate measures while the population is declining at a growing rate, the economy will suffer from a shrinking labor force and society will lose its vitality.
人口減が進む中で手をこまぬいていれば、労働力人口は不足し、社会の活力が衰えていく。
To avoid such a situation, the government must take multiple steps to maintain a dynamic society.
そうした事態を避けるために、政府は重層的な活力維持策を講じていく責任がある。
Above all, the government must create better social and corporate environments to help women find jobs more easily and work more comfortably, to maintain a sufficient labor force.
労働力人口を確保するには、女性が就業しやすい企業・社会環境を整えることが第一だ。
The government should also enable people to work in more diverse ways, which would help motivated elderly people work longer. Furthermore, it is important for politicians to discuss whether to beef up the nation's efforts to accept foreign workers.
意欲ある高齢者にも長く活躍してもらえるよう、働き方の多様化も進めるべきだ。外国人を積極的に受け入れることも、政治の検討課題である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2012)
（2012年6月7日01時13分 読売新聞）
2012年06月08日
パワーストーンの持つ不思議な力 あなたもおひとつ如何ですか？
今朝は、パワーストーンの通販ショップ4976堂のご紹介をいたします。
私は現実主義者で、あまり迷信などは信じませんがそれでも神社のお守りなどは大切に財布の中にしまっています。それでどうなるわけでもありませんが、強いて言えば心の支えといったところでしょうか。
私が、かつて持っていたことがある“金運”のアイテムかアクセサリーを一つあげるとすれば、安物ですが銀製の指輪です。この指輪を身につけている間には、悪いことは起こらなかったように記憶しています。いわば、私の守り神なのです。
あの指輪は、日本の妻と知り合ったときに、ダイヤモンドの婚約指輪を買うお金がなかったので、ある国民宿舎の売店で購入した安物の指輪なのです。
金運アップのお守りとして「4976堂 金運 パワーストーンアクセサリー一覧」の中から身につけたいアイテムを二つだけ選びました。下に写真を掲載しています。
それは、
１） タイガーアイ・金龍タイガーアイ パワーストーン ブレスレット
２） タイガーアイ・地球 パワーストーンネックレス
です。
１）番は仏教の本場、タイで使われてる数珠のように美しいですね。
２）番は、我々の地球を象徴しているような気がしました。
金運 パワーストーン の持つ不思議な力 あなたもおひとつ如何ですか？
１） タイガーアイ・金龍タイガーアイ パワーストーンブレスレット 
２） タイガーアイ・地球 パワーストーンネックレス 
レビューブログからの紹介です。
日本の製造業 成長市場の攻略で巻き返しを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 7, 2012)
Japan's manufacturers should focus on growth markets
日本の製造業 成長市場の攻略で巻き返しを（6月6日付・読売社説）
Japan's manufacturing sector faces serious challenges. The nation must urgently review its strategies to regain the industries' overall competitiveness.
日本の製造業は、厳しい試練に直面している。競争力を回復する戦略の練り直しが急務だ。
The government has compiled this year's White Paper on Manufacturing Industries, which examines the pressing issues of a sector often described as "losing in business projects despite winning in technological prowess."
政府は今年のものづくり白書をまとめ、「技術で勝って事業で負ける」という製造業の現状と課題を分析した。
Panasonic Corp., Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. have all posted record deficits primarily because of poor results in their flat-panel television businesses, while semiconductor manufacturer Elpida Memory, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. Automakers have been lagging behind their U.S. and European rivals in China, the world's largest market.
パナソニック、ソニー、シャープは、テレビの不振で過去最大の赤字を計上し、半導体のエルピーダメモリは経営危機に陥った。自動車各社も世界最大の中国市場で欧米メーカーに出遅れている。
It is a serious situation in which Japan's entire manufacturing sector--once the nation's forte--has nearly crumbled due to the yen's hyperappreciation.
超円高が逆風となり、「お家芸」だった製造業が、ほぼ総崩れという深刻な状況だ。
Why have Japanese manufacturers lost their competitiveness so rapidly?
なぜ、日本企業の競争力は急速に低下したのだろうか。
It is primarily because they "responded slowly to international structural changes," as the white paper put it.
白書が指摘している通り、「国際的な構造変化への対応が遅れた」のが主因である。
===
Time to shift from all-in-one system
Japanese companies used to enjoy the advantage of a system in which they covered the entire production process from planning and developing to manufacturing.
日本企業のこれまでの強みは、製品の企画・開発から製造まで一貫して取り組む体制だった。
But today, companies in emerging countries have boosted their competitiveness as they have become able to mass-produce goods at low cost. Many overseas firms--with Apple Inc. of the United States as a good example--focus only on planning and developing products, while commissioning their assembly to manufacturers in emerging countries.
ところが、今では、新興国企業も低コストで大量生産が可能になり、競争力を強化した。米アップルのように、製品の企画や開発に集中し、製品組み立ては新興国企業に委託するケースも多い。
Japanese manufacturers' lack of similar focus has them trapped--they cannot make profits despite their technological advantages because their indecisive stances have caused them to lose global market share.
日本企業は技術力はあるのに、どっちつかずで世界の販売シェアを落とし、利益を稼げない。そんな隘路(あいろ)に陥っている。
To make matters worse, Japanese companies have been failing to promptly respond to changes in demand in emerging markets, which have an exploding number of middle-income households.
一方、中間所得層が爆発的に増加している新興国市場の変化に対しても日本企業の対応は鈍い。
The white paper poses a question: "Whom should manufacturing serve?" This seems to encourage manufacturers to discover needs in growth markets and apply their management resources to meeting such needs.
「誰のためのものづくりか」という白書の問いかけは、成長市場のニーズを発掘し、経営資源を投入することを促したものだ。
We urge Japanese makers to accelerate their efforts to develop low- and mid-priced products for emerging markets, such as other Asian countries. They also should establish an appropriate system of international division of labor to quickly assemble products in places close to target markets.
アジアなどの新興国市場向けの低・中価格の製品開発を加速するとともに、市場に近い現地で迅速に製造する最適な国際分業体制の構築を進めてもらいたい。
It is surely important for Japanese manufacturers to select business projects and concentrate their resources on them. It is difficult, however, for them to turn their fortunes around if they only focus on downsizing their operations. These firms should keep a sharp eye out to identify fields in which they can demonstrate competitiveness.
「事業の選択と集中」は大事だが、単なる事業縮小では活路を見いだせない。自社の競争力を発揮できる目利き力が問われる。
===
Strengthen advantages
If Japanese companies relocate more and more of their manufacturing functions overseas, however, it will accelerate the hollowing-out of domestic industries and declining employment. There is also concern that Japanese industrial culture--characterized by achieving goals and solving problems--will deteriorate.
ただ、生産拠点の海外移転が加速すると、国内の空洞化が進み、雇用が減少する。日本の強みである現場力の低下も懸念される。
In this regard, it is appropriate for the white paper to call for the nation's manufacturing sector to strengthen its "mother factory" function to support overseas production sites. We urge manufacturers to establish strategies to boost their research and development divisions, as well as their flagship factories.
白書が、海外拠点を支援する国内の「マザー機能」の強化を求めたのは妥当だ。各社は、日本での研究開発部門や基幹工場を充実させる戦略を工夫してほしい。
The government also has an important role to play in reviving the nation's manufacturing industry. It should overcome its delay in signing bilateral economic partnership agreements. It should also decide to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade framework as soon as possible.
製造業の復活へ、政府の役割も重要だ。経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の出遅れを挽回し、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）の早期参加も決断しなければならない。
To maintain domestic manufacturing functions, moreover, it is crucial for the government to ensure a stable electric power supply by accelerating efforts to reactivate idled nuclear reactors.
国内生産の維持には、原子力発電所の再稼働を急ぎ、電力の安定供給を図ることも不可欠だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2012)
（2012年6月6日01時29分 読売新聞）
Japan's manufacturers should focus on growth markets
日本の製造業 成長市場の攻略で巻き返しを（6月6日付・読売社説）
Japan's manufacturing sector faces serious challenges. The nation must urgently review its strategies to regain the industries' overall competitiveness.
日本の製造業は、厳しい試練に直面している。競争力を回復する戦略の練り直しが急務だ。
The government has compiled this year's White Paper on Manufacturing Industries, which examines the pressing issues of a sector often described as "losing in business projects despite winning in technological prowess."
政府は今年のものづくり白書をまとめ、「技術で勝って事業で負ける」という製造業の現状と課題を分析した。
Panasonic Corp., Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. have all posted record deficits primarily because of poor results in their flat-panel television businesses, while semiconductor manufacturer Elpida Memory, Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. Automakers have been lagging behind their U.S. and European rivals in China, the world's largest market.
パナソニック、ソニー、シャープは、テレビの不振で過去最大の赤字を計上し、半導体のエルピーダメモリは経営危機に陥った。自動車各社も世界最大の中国市場で欧米メーカーに出遅れている。
It is a serious situation in which Japan's entire manufacturing sector--once the nation's forte--has nearly crumbled due to the yen's hyperappreciation.
超円高が逆風となり、「お家芸」だった製造業が、ほぼ総崩れという深刻な状況だ。
Why have Japanese manufacturers lost their competitiveness so rapidly?
なぜ、日本企業の競争力は急速に低下したのだろうか。
It is primarily because they "responded slowly to international structural changes," as the white paper put it.
白書が指摘している通り、「国際的な構造変化への対応が遅れた」のが主因である。
===
Time to shift from all-in-one system
Japanese companies used to enjoy the advantage of a system in which they covered the entire production process from planning and developing to manufacturing.
日本企業のこれまでの強みは、製品の企画・開発から製造まで一貫して取り組む体制だった。
But today, companies in emerging countries have boosted their competitiveness as they have become able to mass-produce goods at low cost. Many overseas firms--with Apple Inc. of the United States as a good example--focus only on planning and developing products, while commissioning their assembly to manufacturers in emerging countries.
ところが、今では、新興国企業も低コストで大量生産が可能になり、競争力を強化した。米アップルのように、製品の企画や開発に集中し、製品組み立ては新興国企業に委託するケースも多い。
Japanese manufacturers' lack of similar focus has them trapped--they cannot make profits despite their technological advantages because their indecisive stances have caused them to lose global market share.
日本企業は技術力はあるのに、どっちつかずで世界の販売シェアを落とし、利益を稼げない。そんな隘路(あいろ)に陥っている。
To make matters worse, Japanese companies have been failing to promptly respond to changes in demand in emerging markets, which have an exploding number of middle-income households.
一方、中間所得層が爆発的に増加している新興国市場の変化に対しても日本企業の対応は鈍い。
The white paper poses a question: "Whom should manufacturing serve?" This seems to encourage manufacturers to discover needs in growth markets and apply their management resources to meeting such needs.
「誰のためのものづくりか」という白書の問いかけは、成長市場のニーズを発掘し、経営資源を投入することを促したものだ。
We urge Japanese makers to accelerate their efforts to develop low- and mid-priced products for emerging markets, such as other Asian countries. They also should establish an appropriate system of international division of labor to quickly assemble products in places close to target markets.
アジアなどの新興国市場向けの低・中価格の製品開発を加速するとともに、市場に近い現地で迅速に製造する最適な国際分業体制の構築を進めてもらいたい。
It is surely important for Japanese manufacturers to select business projects and concentrate their resources on them. It is difficult, however, for them to turn their fortunes around if they only focus on downsizing their operations. These firms should keep a sharp eye out to identify fields in which they can demonstrate competitiveness.
「事業の選択と集中」は大事だが、単なる事業縮小では活路を見いだせない。自社の競争力を発揮できる目利き力が問われる。
===
Strengthen advantages
If Japanese companies relocate more and more of their manufacturing functions overseas, however, it will accelerate the hollowing-out of domestic industries and declining employment. There is also concern that Japanese industrial culture--characterized by achieving goals and solving problems--will deteriorate.
ただ、生産拠点の海外移転が加速すると、国内の空洞化が進み、雇用が減少する。日本の強みである現場力の低下も懸念される。
In this regard, it is appropriate for the white paper to call for the nation's manufacturing sector to strengthen its "mother factory" function to support overseas production sites. We urge manufacturers to establish strategies to boost their research and development divisions, as well as their flagship factories.
白書が、海外拠点を支援する国内の「マザー機能」の強化を求めたのは妥当だ。各社は、日本での研究開発部門や基幹工場を充実させる戦略を工夫してほしい。
The government also has an important role to play in reviving the nation's manufacturing industry. It should overcome its delay in signing bilateral economic partnership agreements. It should also decide to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade framework as soon as possible.
製造業の復活へ、政府の役割も重要だ。経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の出遅れを挽回し、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）の早期参加も決断しなければならない。
To maintain domestic manufacturing functions, moreover, it is crucial for the government to ensure a stable electric power supply by accelerating efforts to reactivate idled nuclear reactors.
国内生産の維持には、原子力発電所の再稼働を急ぎ、電力の安定供給を図ることも不可欠だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2012)
（2012年6月6日01時29分 読売新聞）
2012年06月07日
野田再改造内閣 日本の命運かかる６月政局
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 6, 2012)
Noda must play commanding role on social security, tax reform
野田再改造内閣 日本の命運かかる６月政局（6月5日付・読売社説）
◆首相は一体改革へ陣頭指揮を
The new Cabinet lineup is obviously aimed at placing top priority on passing bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is to raise the consumption tax rate.
消費税率引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法案の成立を最優先にする布陣であることは明らかだ。
With the current Diet session approaching its end on June 21, the rereshuffled Noda Cabinet was launched Monday. In creating an environment to move integrated reform forward, the reshuffle can be termed "defense-oriented" to ensure smooth Diet deliberations.
国会の会期末が２１日に迫る中、野田再改造内閣が４日発足した。一体改革を前進させるための環境整備であり、国会審議を円滑にする「守り」重視の改造人事にほかならない。
To pass the bills through the Diet, Democratic Party of Japan executives must make strenuous efforts to realize negotiations with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to revise the bills and vote on them in the House of Representatives.
法案を成立させるには、民主党執行部が、自民党など野党との法案修正協議から採決に至る具体策を講じることが欠かせない。
◆修正協議への環境整備
The European credit crisis has flared up again with fiscally suffering Greece at the core. For Japan, this is not a fire on the other side of the river. Fiscal rehabilitation and social security reform are problems the government must not continue to leave untouched. The ruling and opposition parties should not confront each other merely to serve their own interests.
財政危機のギリシャを震源地に、欧州の信用不安が再燃している。日本にとって、対岸の火事ではない。財政再建や社会保障改革は、もはや不可避の課題である。与野党が党利党略で争っている場合ではなかろう。
===
Start talks on bills' revisions
The primary object of the reshuffle was to "dismiss" Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka and Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Takeshi Maeda, who were both censured in the House of Councillors. This was to help start negotiations with the opposition parties on revising the bills.
改造人事の眼目は、参院で問責決議が可決された田中防衛相と前田国土交通相を更迭し、野党と修正協議に臨む点にある。
Noda chose Prof. Satoshi Morimoto of Takushoku University as the new defense minister. In speaking of his expectations of Morimoto, Noda said, "He is one of the top experts in the security field in the country."
野田首相は、後任の防衛相に拓殖大の森本敏教授を起用し、「安全保障分野の我が国の第一人者の一人」と期待を示した。
His two immediate predecessors--Yasuo Ichikawa and Tanaka--have been criticized by opposition parties as "amateurs," calling into question Noda's personnel management ability.
防衛相は、一川保夫氏、田中直紀氏と２代続けて「素人」と野党から批判を浴び、首相の人事能力にも疑問符がついていた。
For that reason, Noda apparently selected a "professional," who has considerable insight and accountability. Morimoto, a former Air Self-Defense Force member, has also served as a Foreign Ministry bureaucrat. In the administration of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, he was appointed to the post of special adviser to the defense minister.
それだけに見識、説明能力ともに難のない「玄人」を充てたのだろう。森本氏は自衛官出身で外務官僚などを経て、麻生政権で防衛相補佐官を務めた実績もある。
===
Nonpolitician in defense post
This is the first time a nonpolitician has been given the defense portfolio since the Defense Agency, the ministry's predecessor, debuted in 1954. The LDP and other opposition parties criticized the appointment, saying only politicians chosen through elections are able to take responsibility for defense issues. Some observers said the appointment was proof the DPJ lacks suitable human resources.
ただ、１９５４年の防衛庁発足以来、防衛閣僚の民間人起用は初めてだ。自民党などから「国防上の問題で責任を取れるのは、選挙で選ばれた政治家しかない」との批判も出ている。民主党の人材不足を証明したとの見方もある。
There are many problems awaiting the new defense minister, such as relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, the transfer of marines in the prefecture to bases overseas, China's expanding naval and other maritime activities and North Korea's missile and nuclear development programs. As a defense expert, Morimoto must demonstrate his ability to handle all these tasks.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題や在沖縄海兵隊の海外移転、中国の海洋進出、北朝鮮のミサイル・核開発など直面する課題は多い。森本氏には、専門家としての力量を発揮することが求められよう。
Among ministers who were replaced were Maeda, who was criticized over a possible violation of the Public Offices Election Law; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano, who reportedly had connections with a Chinese diplomat questionably involved in a program to promote agricultural exports to China; and Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa, who was observed viewing an Internet horse racing site on his cell phone in a Diet committee room.
公職選挙法に抵触する疑いが生じた前田国交相のほか、農産物の対中輸出促進事業に関与した中国人外交官との関係が取り沙汰される鹿野農相、国会で競馬サイトを見ていた小川法相が交代した。
Former senior vice farm minister Akira Gunji, who assumed the post of agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, is a senior member of a DPJ group that does not favor Japan's participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks. We hope Gunji will not try to apply the brakes if the prime minister decides on official participation in the TPP talks.
農相に就いた郡司彰・元農水副大臣は、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加に否定的な民主党内のグループの幹部だ。首相が今後、正式参加を決断する際にブレーキをかける存在とならないようにしてもらいたい。
Now that the two censured Cabinet ministers have been replaced, the LDP should abandon its tactics of rejecting Diet deliberations and move Diet business along in the upper house where sessions have been stalled.
自民党は、問責２閣僚の交代が実現した以上、審議拒否戦術をやめ、“開店休業”の参院を中心に国会審議を動かすべきだ。
===
Building trust with LDP
◆輿石氏も腹をくくれ
In the reshuffle, Noda left the DPJ leadership lineup intact. The main point is whether Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi and other party executives will be prepared to join Noda in building cooperative relations with the LDP.
今回の改造では、民主党執行部の役員人事は手つかずだった。問題は、輿石幹事長らが首相と同様に腹をくくり、自民党との協力関係を構築できるかどうかだ。
Koshiishi, the No. 2 man in the ruling party, seems to be determined to put off the vote on the bills to raise the consumption tax because of fears that former party President Ichiro Ozawa and other opponents of the tax hike will vote against the bills if a vote is taken at this juncture.
輿石氏は、小沢一郎元代表グループら反対派が造反する恐れがあるとし、法案の採決先送りを狙っているように見える。
If this is the case, it will be impossible to win the trust of the LDP. The DPJ leadership must initiate negotiations with the LDP on revising the consumption tax bills as early as possible by presenting a deadline of June 15 for a vote on the bills in the House of Representatives. Ozawa and members of his group are firmly resolved to oppose the bills. Preparations for the vote should be made on the assumption that it will be difficult to reverse their stance.
だが、それでは自民党の信頼は得られまい。民主党執行部は、１５日という事実上の衆院採決目標を示して修正協議入りを急ぐべきである。小沢氏らの反対の意向は固い。翻意は難しいことを前提に採決に備える必要がある。
At a news conference Monday, Noda said he had directed the party executives to keep him informed of the situation on a daily basis and would make a final decision whenever he thought necessary.
野田首相は４日の記者会見で、民主党幹部に毎日、的確な情報を上げるよう指示したことを明らかにし、「必要な判断は私がする」と明言した。
This illustrates his firm determination to spearhead talks with the LDP.
陣頭指揮をとる覚悟なのだろう。
One compelling option Noda should consider is one-on-one talks with LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki to break the stalemate.
自民党の谷垣総裁との党首会談によって、困難な局面を打開することも有力な選択肢だ。
===
Bold concessions vital
To ensure results from negotiations on the revision of the tax hike bills, the DPJ should shelve its signature policies put forth in its campaign pledge for the 2009 general election, including establishment of a new pension system with a minimum pension benefit and its plan to abolish the special medical service system for people aged 75 or older.
民主党は、修正協議で成果を得るため、政権公約（マニフェスト）に掲げた最低保障年金を柱とする新年金制度創設や、後期高齢者医療制度廃止という看板政策を棚上げしなければならない。
Noda must play commanding role on social security, tax reform
野田再改造内閣 日本の命運かかる６月政局（6月5日付・読売社説）
◆首相は一体改革へ陣頭指揮を
The new Cabinet lineup is obviously aimed at placing top priority on passing bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is to raise the consumption tax rate.
消費税率引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法案の成立を最優先にする布陣であることは明らかだ。
With the current Diet session approaching its end on June 21, the rereshuffled Noda Cabinet was launched Monday. In creating an environment to move integrated reform forward, the reshuffle can be termed "defense-oriented" to ensure smooth Diet deliberations.
国会の会期末が２１日に迫る中、野田再改造内閣が４日発足した。一体改革を前進させるための環境整備であり、国会審議を円滑にする「守り」重視の改造人事にほかならない。
To pass the bills through the Diet, Democratic Party of Japan executives must make strenuous efforts to realize negotiations with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to revise the bills and vote on them in the House of Representatives.
法案を成立させるには、民主党執行部が、自民党など野党との法案修正協議から採決に至る具体策を講じることが欠かせない。
◆修正協議への環境整備
The European credit crisis has flared up again with fiscally suffering Greece at the core. For Japan, this is not a fire on the other side of the river. Fiscal rehabilitation and social security reform are problems the government must not continue to leave untouched. The ruling and opposition parties should not confront each other merely to serve their own interests.
財政危機のギリシャを震源地に、欧州の信用不安が再燃している。日本にとって、対岸の火事ではない。財政再建や社会保障改革は、もはや不可避の課題である。与野党が党利党略で争っている場合ではなかろう。
===
Start talks on bills' revisions
The primary object of the reshuffle was to "dismiss" Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka and Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Takeshi Maeda, who were both censured in the House of Councillors. This was to help start negotiations with the opposition parties on revising the bills.
改造人事の眼目は、参院で問責決議が可決された田中防衛相と前田国土交通相を更迭し、野党と修正協議に臨む点にある。
Noda chose Prof. Satoshi Morimoto of Takushoku University as the new defense minister. In speaking of his expectations of Morimoto, Noda said, "He is one of the top experts in the security field in the country."
野田首相は、後任の防衛相に拓殖大の森本敏教授を起用し、「安全保障分野の我が国の第一人者の一人」と期待を示した。
His two immediate predecessors--Yasuo Ichikawa and Tanaka--have been criticized by opposition parties as "amateurs," calling into question Noda's personnel management ability.
防衛相は、一川保夫氏、田中直紀氏と２代続けて「素人」と野党から批判を浴び、首相の人事能力にも疑問符がついていた。
For that reason, Noda apparently selected a "professional," who has considerable insight and accountability. Morimoto, a former Air Self-Defense Force member, has also served as a Foreign Ministry bureaucrat. In the administration of former Prime Minister Taro Aso, he was appointed to the post of special adviser to the defense minister.
それだけに見識、説明能力ともに難のない「玄人」を充てたのだろう。森本氏は自衛官出身で外務官僚などを経て、麻生政権で防衛相補佐官を務めた実績もある。
===
Nonpolitician in defense post
This is the first time a nonpolitician has been given the defense portfolio since the Defense Agency, the ministry's predecessor, debuted in 1954. The LDP and other opposition parties criticized the appointment, saying only politicians chosen through elections are able to take responsibility for defense issues. Some observers said the appointment was proof the DPJ lacks suitable human resources.
ただ、１９５４年の防衛庁発足以来、防衛閣僚の民間人起用は初めてだ。自民党などから「国防上の問題で責任を取れるのは、選挙で選ばれた政治家しかない」との批判も出ている。民主党の人材不足を証明したとの見方もある。
There are many problems awaiting the new defense minister, such as relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, the transfer of marines in the prefecture to bases overseas, China's expanding naval and other maritime activities and North Korea's missile and nuclear development programs. As a defense expert, Morimoto must demonstrate his ability to handle all these tasks.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題や在沖縄海兵隊の海外移転、中国の海洋進出、北朝鮮のミサイル・核開発など直面する課題は多い。森本氏には、専門家としての力量を発揮することが求められよう。
Among ministers who were replaced were Maeda, who was criticized over a possible violation of the Public Offices Election Law; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano, who reportedly had connections with a Chinese diplomat questionably involved in a program to promote agricultural exports to China; and Justice Minister Toshio Ogawa, who was observed viewing an Internet horse racing site on his cell phone in a Diet committee room.
公職選挙法に抵触する疑いが生じた前田国交相のほか、農産物の対中輸出促進事業に関与した中国人外交官との関係が取り沙汰される鹿野農相、国会で競馬サイトを見ていた小川法相が交代した。
Former senior vice farm minister Akira Gunji, who assumed the post of agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, is a senior member of a DPJ group that does not favor Japan's participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks. We hope Gunji will not try to apply the brakes if the prime minister decides on official participation in the TPP talks.
農相に就いた郡司彰・元農水副大臣は、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加に否定的な民主党内のグループの幹部だ。首相が今後、正式参加を決断する際にブレーキをかける存在とならないようにしてもらいたい。
Now that the two censured Cabinet ministers have been replaced, the LDP should abandon its tactics of rejecting Diet deliberations and move Diet business along in the upper house where sessions have been stalled.
自民党は、問責２閣僚の交代が実現した以上、審議拒否戦術をやめ、“開店休業”の参院を中心に国会審議を動かすべきだ。
===
Building trust with LDP
◆輿石氏も腹をくくれ
In the reshuffle, Noda left the DPJ leadership lineup intact. The main point is whether Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi and other party executives will be prepared to join Noda in building cooperative relations with the LDP.
今回の改造では、民主党執行部の役員人事は手つかずだった。問題は、輿石幹事長らが首相と同様に腹をくくり、自民党との協力関係を構築できるかどうかだ。
Koshiishi, the No. 2 man in the ruling party, seems to be determined to put off the vote on the bills to raise the consumption tax because of fears that former party President Ichiro Ozawa and other opponents of the tax hike will vote against the bills if a vote is taken at this juncture.
輿石氏は、小沢一郎元代表グループら反対派が造反する恐れがあるとし、法案の採決先送りを狙っているように見える。
If this is the case, it will be impossible to win the trust of the LDP. The DPJ leadership must initiate negotiations with the LDP on revising the consumption tax bills as early as possible by presenting a deadline of June 15 for a vote on the bills in the House of Representatives. Ozawa and members of his group are firmly resolved to oppose the bills. Preparations for the vote should be made on the assumption that it will be difficult to reverse their stance.
だが、それでは自民党の信頼は得られまい。民主党執行部は、１５日という事実上の衆院採決目標を示して修正協議入りを急ぐべきである。小沢氏らの反対の意向は固い。翻意は難しいことを前提に採決に備える必要がある。
At a news conference Monday, Noda said he had directed the party executives to keep him informed of the situation on a daily basis and would make a final decision whenever he thought necessary.
野田首相は４日の記者会見で、民主党幹部に毎日、的確な情報を上げるよう指示したことを明らかにし、「必要な判断は私がする」と明言した。
This illustrates his firm determination to spearhead talks with the LDP.
陣頭指揮をとる覚悟なのだろう。
One compelling option Noda should consider is one-on-one talks with LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki to break the stalemate.
自民党の谷垣総裁との党首会談によって、困難な局面を打開することも有力な選択肢だ。
===
Bold concessions vital
To ensure results from negotiations on the revision of the tax hike bills, the DPJ should shelve its signature policies put forth in its campaign pledge for the 2009 general election, including establishment of a new pension system with a minimum pension benefit and its plan to abolish the special medical service system for people aged 75 or older.
民主党は、修正協議で成果を得るため、政権公約（マニフェスト）に掲げた最低保障年金を柱とする新年金制度創設や、後期高齢者医療制度廃止という看板政策を棚上げしなければならない。