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2012年06月06日
ユーロ急落 欧州の努力を促す市場の警告
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 5, 2012)
Markets warning Europe to bring credit crisis under control
ユーロ急落 欧州の努力を促す市場の警告（6月4日付・読売社説）
The credit crisis in Europe has flared up again, and there seems to be no end to the euro's depreciation. To end the crisis, further efforts by European nations are indispensable.
欧州の信用不安が再燃し、ユーロ安に歯止めがかからない。危機を封じ込めるため、欧州の一層の努力が不可欠だ。
Late last week, the euro nosedived in the foreign exchange market, hitting the 95 yen level for the first time in 11-1/2 years. As the yen's value also rose to the 77 yen level against the dollar, it seems to be a matter of one-sided appreciation of the Japanese currency.
外国為替市場で先週末、ユーロが急落し、１１年半ぶりに１ユーロ＝９５円台に突入した。円相場は対ドルでも１ドル＝７７円台に急騰し円の独歩高になってきた。
Meanwhile, shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange have plunged across the board, discouraged by the yen's historic hyperappreciation. Due to factors such as worsening of the U.S. unemployment rate, shares have fallen sharply on the New York Stock Exchange, and stocks continue to fall worldwide.
歴史的な超円高が嫌気され、東京株式市場の株価は大幅に下落した。米国の失業率悪化などで、ニューヨーク市場の株価も急落し、世界同時株安が進んでいる。
This is a serious situation in which violent fluctuations in financial markets could continue.
市場の乱高下が続きかねない深刻な状況と言えよう。
===
No prospective end to debt crisis
The main cause for the sharp fall of the euro and the related stock market declines is that there is no prospect for the European debt crisis to be brought under control.
ユーロ急落と、連鎖株安の主因は、欧州債務危機を収束させる見通しが立たないことだ。
After failing to form a coalition government, Greece will have another election in mid-June. However, depending on results of the election, the country may face further obstacles in its economic rehabilitation and be forced to leave the eurozone. If this happens, major chaos will be inevitable.
今月中旬に再選挙を行うギリシャは、選挙結果によっては、経済再建に行き詰まり、ユーロ圏からの離脱を迫られる恐れがある。そうなれば、大混乱は必至だ。
The Greek credit crisis has spread to Spain, which has experienced a collapse of its real estate bubble, with the situation deteriorating to the point that a major bank has asked for an injection of public funds.
ギリシャの信用不安は、不動産バブルが崩壊したスペインに飛び火し、大手銀行が公的資金の注入を申請する事態に発展した。
However, the Spanish government, which is suffering from fiscal deficits, cannot provide drastic relief measures anytime soon. Due to rising anxieties, holders of Spanish government bonds have gone on a selling spree.
しかし、財政赤字を抱えるスペイン政府はすぐに抜本的な救済ができない。懸念が高まり、スペイン国債が売り込まれている。
The International Monetary Fund and the European Union have already made arrangements to financially assist some nations facing the crisis, but the help is not sufficient to support Spain, which has the fourth-biggest economy in the eurozone.
国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）と欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、欧州の危機国を金融支援する体制を整えたが、ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模のスペインを支えるほど十分ではない。
The world must remain on alert to prevent the European-born crisis from escalating to a level that could deal a major blow to the world economy.
欧州発の危機に拍車がかかり、世界景気に大打撃を与える事態を警戒する必要がある。
===
Franco-German initiative essential
To control the chaos in Spain, cooperation between Germany and France is crucial.
スペインの混乱を乗り切るためにも独仏両国の連携が重要だ。
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who argues for restoring fiscal health, and French President Francois Hollande, who emphasizes economic growth, have made no progress toward narrowing their differences.
財政健全化路線のメルケル独首相と、経済成長をより重視するオランド仏大統領の主張の違いは、まだ調整されていない。
Germany and France should act in close concert to come up with a prescription to revive Europe under which both fiscal health and economic growth can be realized side by side. Eurozone nations must unite behind the initiative of the two countries to study measures to help Spain.
独仏は足並みをそろえ、財政と成長を両立させる欧州再生の処方箋を描くべきだ。両国主導でユーロ圏が結束し、スペイン支援策を検討することが急務である。
In May, a summit meeting of the Group of Eight major countries said Greece should stay in the eurozone. In mid-June, a summit meeting of the Group of 20 will be held in Mexico, and pressure on Europeans to swiftly respond to the situation will further intensify.
ギリシャのユーロ残留を求めた５月の主要８か国（Ｇ８）首脳会議に続き、今月中旬にメキシコで２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議が開かれる。欧州の迅速な対応を促す圧力がさらに強まろう。
The euro crisis will also adversely affect the Japanese economy. The yen's sharp appreciation and the euro's decline will hit export-oriented companies and further cool the economy.
ユーロ危機は日本経済にも悪影響を及ぼす。急激な円高・ユーロ安で輸出企業が打撃を受け、景気に冷や水を浴びせるからだ。
Finance Minister Jun Azumi has said he will resolutely respond to the the yen's hyperappreciation and hinted at a yen-selling intervention. We think his comments are appropriate.
安住財務相が超円高に「断固として対応する」と述べ、円売り介入を示唆したのは妥当だ。
The government and the Bank of Japan need to beef up cooperation with North America and Europe. The central bank may also need to study additional monetary-easing measures.
政府・日銀は、欧米との連携を強化する必要がある。日銀の追加金融緩和策も検討しなければなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2012)
（2012年6月4日01時29分 読売新聞）
Markets warning Europe to bring credit crisis under control
ユーロ急落 欧州の努力を促す市場の警告（6月4日付・読売社説）
The credit crisis in Europe has flared up again, and there seems to be no end to the euro's depreciation. To end the crisis, further efforts by European nations are indispensable.
欧州の信用不安が再燃し、ユーロ安に歯止めがかからない。危機を封じ込めるため、欧州の一層の努力が不可欠だ。
Late last week, the euro nosedived in the foreign exchange market, hitting the 95 yen level for the first time in 11-1/2 years. As the yen's value also rose to the 77 yen level against the dollar, it seems to be a matter of one-sided appreciation of the Japanese currency.
外国為替市場で先週末、ユーロが急落し、１１年半ぶりに１ユーロ＝９５円台に突入した。円相場は対ドルでも１ドル＝７７円台に急騰し円の独歩高になってきた。
Meanwhile, shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange have plunged across the board, discouraged by the yen's historic hyperappreciation. Due to factors such as worsening of the U.S. unemployment rate, shares have fallen sharply on the New York Stock Exchange, and stocks continue to fall worldwide.
歴史的な超円高が嫌気され、東京株式市場の株価は大幅に下落した。米国の失業率悪化などで、ニューヨーク市場の株価も急落し、世界同時株安が進んでいる。
This is a serious situation in which violent fluctuations in financial markets could continue.
市場の乱高下が続きかねない深刻な状況と言えよう。
===
No prospective end to debt crisis
The main cause for the sharp fall of the euro and the related stock market declines is that there is no prospect for the European debt crisis to be brought under control.
ユーロ急落と、連鎖株安の主因は、欧州債務危機を収束させる見通しが立たないことだ。
After failing to form a coalition government, Greece will have another election in mid-June. However, depending on results of the election, the country may face further obstacles in its economic rehabilitation and be forced to leave the eurozone. If this happens, major chaos will be inevitable.
今月中旬に再選挙を行うギリシャは、選挙結果によっては、経済再建に行き詰まり、ユーロ圏からの離脱を迫られる恐れがある。そうなれば、大混乱は必至だ。
The Greek credit crisis has spread to Spain, which has experienced a collapse of its real estate bubble, with the situation deteriorating to the point that a major bank has asked for an injection of public funds.
ギリシャの信用不安は、不動産バブルが崩壊したスペインに飛び火し、大手銀行が公的資金の注入を申請する事態に発展した。
However, the Spanish government, which is suffering from fiscal deficits, cannot provide drastic relief measures anytime soon. Due to rising anxieties, holders of Spanish government bonds have gone on a selling spree.
しかし、財政赤字を抱えるスペイン政府はすぐに抜本的な救済ができない。懸念が高まり、スペイン国債が売り込まれている。
The International Monetary Fund and the European Union have already made arrangements to financially assist some nations facing the crisis, but the help is not sufficient to support Spain, which has the fourth-biggest economy in the eurozone.
国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）と欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、欧州の危機国を金融支援する体制を整えたが、ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模のスペインを支えるほど十分ではない。
The world must remain on alert to prevent the European-born crisis from escalating to a level that could deal a major blow to the world economy.
欧州発の危機に拍車がかかり、世界景気に大打撃を与える事態を警戒する必要がある。
===
Franco-German initiative essential
To control the chaos in Spain, cooperation between Germany and France is crucial.
スペインの混乱を乗り切るためにも独仏両国の連携が重要だ。
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who argues for restoring fiscal health, and French President Francois Hollande, who emphasizes economic growth, have made no progress toward narrowing their differences.
財政健全化路線のメルケル独首相と、経済成長をより重視するオランド仏大統領の主張の違いは、まだ調整されていない。
Germany and France should act in close concert to come up with a prescription to revive Europe under which both fiscal health and economic growth can be realized side by side. Eurozone nations must unite behind the initiative of the two countries to study measures to help Spain.
独仏は足並みをそろえ、財政と成長を両立させる欧州再生の処方箋を描くべきだ。両国主導でユーロ圏が結束し、スペイン支援策を検討することが急務である。
In May, a summit meeting of the Group of Eight major countries said Greece should stay in the eurozone. In mid-June, a summit meeting of the Group of 20 will be held in Mexico, and pressure on Europeans to swiftly respond to the situation will further intensify.
ギリシャのユーロ残留を求めた５月の主要８か国（Ｇ８）首脳会議に続き、今月中旬にメキシコで２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議が開かれる。欧州の迅速な対応を促す圧力がさらに強まろう。
The euro crisis will also adversely affect the Japanese economy. The yen's sharp appreciation and the euro's decline will hit export-oriented companies and further cool the economy.
ユーロ危機は日本経済にも悪影響を及ぼす。急激な円高・ユーロ安で輸出企業が打撃を受け、景気に冷や水を浴びせるからだ。
Finance Minister Jun Azumi has said he will resolutely respond to the the yen's hyperappreciation and hinted at a yen-selling intervention. We think his comments are appropriate.
安住財務相が超円高に「断固として対応する」と述べ、円売り介入を示唆したのは妥当だ。
The government and the Bank of Japan need to beef up cooperation with North America and Europe. The central bank may also need to study additional monetary-easing measures.
政府・日銀は、欧米との連携を強化する必要がある。日銀の追加金融緩和策も検討しなければなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2012)
（2012年6月4日01時29分 読売新聞）
2012年06月05日
シリア情勢 停戦を順守させ流血止めよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 4, 2012)
Intl community must make Syria stop bloodshed
シリア情勢 停戦を順守させ流血止めよ（6月3日付・読売社説）
The U.N. Security Council must prevent further tragedies of bloodshed in Syria.
国連安全保障理事会はシリアにおける流血の惨事を繰り返させてはならない。
A string of massacres Friday and Saturday in the central Syrian town of Houla has pushed former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's ceasefire arbitration plans to the brink of collapse.
中部ホウラでの虐殺事件が、アナン前国連事務総長の停戦調停案を崩壊寸前に追いやっている。
Failure of the plans could plunge Syria into civil war, which in turn could destabilize the entire Middle East. The situation remains extremely tense.
調停が失敗すれば、シリアは内戦状態に陥り、中東全体が不安定になる恐れが強い。事態は極めて緊迫している。
Under the circumstances, the Security Council must waste no time in taking such steps as beefing up the U.N. mission monitoring the ceasefire in Syria. It also must increase pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad to do its best to implement Annan's peace plans.
安保理は直ちに、国連シリア停戦監視団の機能強化などを図り、アサド政権へ圧力を強め、調停案の履行に全力をあげるべきだ。
In Houla, where government forces carried out artillery attacks, more than 100 bodies--including those of many children--were found.
政府軍が砲撃したホウラでは、多数の子供を含む１００以上の遺体が見つかった。
Members of the U.N. monitoring mission who rushed to Houla confirmed that many of the bodies showed the victims had been subject to atrocities such as being gunned down or stabbed to death.
現地を訪れた国連停戦監視団は、多くの遺体に撃たれたり刺されたりした残虐行為があることを確認した。
Anti-Assad dissidents say the massacre was the work of government militiamen, but the truth of the incident remains unknown.
反体制派は、政府側民兵の仕業と見るが、真相は不明だ。
===
Unarmed monitors ineffective
Ever since antigovernment demonstrations began in Syria in March 2011, there has been increasing bloodshed due to a crackdown on dissidents by government forces and clashes with rebels. As a result, fatalities in the violence have surpassed 10,000, according to the United Nations.
昨年３月、シリアで反政府デモが始まって以来、政府側の武力弾圧や反体制勢力との衝突で流血は拡大の一途をたどり、国連によると、死者は１万人を超えた。
The Syrian government once accepted peace arbitration plans that Annan, a joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, worked out in March. It is highly regrettable that Damascus has effectively trashed the plans.
国連とアラブ連盟の共同特使であるアナン氏が今年３月に示した調停案を、シリア政府もいったん受けいれたはずだ。その後、反古(ほご)同然にしたのは遺憾である。
The U.N. mission of fewer than 300 unarmed observers can hardly act effectively considering the situation.
だが、３００人足らずの丸腰の監視団では機能を果たせない。
The United Nations should urgently address the task of realizing measures to bolster the U.N. mission, based on proposals made by such countries as the United States and Britain to provide Syrian antigovernment forces with aircraft and dispatch armed monitors.
航空機供与や武装警護団派遣など、米国や英国の提案を軸に、監視団強化の具体化を急ぐべきだ。
Armed anti-Assad groups have declared they would take unrestrained military actions if the ceasefire accord is broken. Such a worst-case scenario must be averted by all means.
反体制派の武装組織は、停戦合意が崩れれば自由に軍事行動を取ると宣言している。そうした最悪の事態は回避せねばならない。
In the Security Council, the United States and European countries have been seeking measures such as economic sanctions to force President Assad to step down, bringing them into conflict with Russia and China, which oppose such actions.
安保理では、アサド大統領の退陣や経済制裁を求める欧米と、これに反対するロシア、中国が対立している。
===
Russia behind suppression
The opposition put up by Russia, in particular, has been hampering enforcement of anti-Syria sanctions.
特にロシアの抵抗が、対シリア制裁を妨げてきた。
Syria is an important importer of weapons from Russia, and Damascus provides the Russian Navy with supply bases.
背景には、シリアがロシアにとって重要な武器輸出先であり、露海軍に補給拠点も提供していることがある。
In a Russian-French summit meeting on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response to French President Francois Hollande's argument in favor of anti-Syria sanctions, insisted sanctions "could not work," and there were no signs the differences of views could be narrowed.
１日の仏露首脳会談でも、対シリア制裁を主張するオランド仏大統領に対して、プーチン露大統領が「制裁は効果的ではない」と反論し、溝は埋まらなかった。
Given that Russia has long backed the Assad regime, it has a responsibility to firmly press Damascus to bring the bloodshed to an end.
アサド政権を支えてきたロシアには、流血停止をシリアに強く働きかける責任がある。
The United States and European countries have been imposing economic sanctions on Syria on their own.
欧米諸国は、シリアに対して独自の経済制裁を科している。
In the wake of the Houla massacre, they have asked Syrian ambassadors and others to leave. Following suit, Japan has also asked the Syrian ambassador to leave.
ホウラ事件後、シリア大使らに国外退去を求め、日本も同調した。
The Assad regime, whose main power base is the minority Alawis Muslim community, has ruled for years by relentlessly oppressing the people.
少数派のイスラム教アラウィ派を権力基盤とするアサド政権は、国民を抑圧し続けてきた。
The intensified suppression has shaken the legitimacy of the Assad regime even more, leaving no alternative but deeper international isolation.
弾圧強化で統治の正統性は一層揺らぎ、孤立を深めるばかりだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 3, 2012)
（2012年6月3日01時42分 読売新聞）
Intl community must make Syria stop bloodshed
シリア情勢 停戦を順守させ流血止めよ（6月3日付・読売社説）
The U.N. Security Council must prevent further tragedies of bloodshed in Syria.
国連安全保障理事会はシリアにおける流血の惨事を繰り返させてはならない。
A string of massacres Friday and Saturday in the central Syrian town of Houla has pushed former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's ceasefire arbitration plans to the brink of collapse.
中部ホウラでの虐殺事件が、アナン前国連事務総長の停戦調停案を崩壊寸前に追いやっている。
Failure of the plans could plunge Syria into civil war, which in turn could destabilize the entire Middle East. The situation remains extremely tense.
調停が失敗すれば、シリアは内戦状態に陥り、中東全体が不安定になる恐れが強い。事態は極めて緊迫している。
Under the circumstances, the Security Council must waste no time in taking such steps as beefing up the U.N. mission monitoring the ceasefire in Syria. It also must increase pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad to do its best to implement Annan's peace plans.
安保理は直ちに、国連シリア停戦監視団の機能強化などを図り、アサド政権へ圧力を強め、調停案の履行に全力をあげるべきだ。
In Houla, where government forces carried out artillery attacks, more than 100 bodies--including those of many children--were found.
政府軍が砲撃したホウラでは、多数の子供を含む１００以上の遺体が見つかった。
Members of the U.N. monitoring mission who rushed to Houla confirmed that many of the bodies showed the victims had been subject to atrocities such as being gunned down or stabbed to death.
現地を訪れた国連停戦監視団は、多くの遺体に撃たれたり刺されたりした残虐行為があることを確認した。
Anti-Assad dissidents say the massacre was the work of government militiamen, but the truth of the incident remains unknown.
反体制派は、政府側民兵の仕業と見るが、真相は不明だ。
===
Unarmed monitors ineffective
Ever since antigovernment demonstrations began in Syria in March 2011, there has been increasing bloodshed due to a crackdown on dissidents by government forces and clashes with rebels. As a result, fatalities in the violence have surpassed 10,000, according to the United Nations.
昨年３月、シリアで反政府デモが始まって以来、政府側の武力弾圧や反体制勢力との衝突で流血は拡大の一途をたどり、国連によると、死者は１万人を超えた。
The Syrian government once accepted peace arbitration plans that Annan, a joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League, worked out in March. It is highly regrettable that Damascus has effectively trashed the plans.
国連とアラブ連盟の共同特使であるアナン氏が今年３月に示した調停案を、シリア政府もいったん受けいれたはずだ。その後、反古(ほご)同然にしたのは遺憾である。
The U.N. mission of fewer than 300 unarmed observers can hardly act effectively considering the situation.
だが、３００人足らずの丸腰の監視団では機能を果たせない。
The United Nations should urgently address the task of realizing measures to bolster the U.N. mission, based on proposals made by such countries as the United States and Britain to provide Syrian antigovernment forces with aircraft and dispatch armed monitors.
航空機供与や武装警護団派遣など、米国や英国の提案を軸に、監視団強化の具体化を急ぐべきだ。
Armed anti-Assad groups have declared they would take unrestrained military actions if the ceasefire accord is broken. Such a worst-case scenario must be averted by all means.
反体制派の武装組織は、停戦合意が崩れれば自由に軍事行動を取ると宣言している。そうした最悪の事態は回避せねばならない。
In the Security Council, the United States and European countries have been seeking measures such as economic sanctions to force President Assad to step down, bringing them into conflict with Russia and China, which oppose such actions.
安保理では、アサド大統領の退陣や経済制裁を求める欧米と、これに反対するロシア、中国が対立している。
===
Russia behind suppression
The opposition put up by Russia, in particular, has been hampering enforcement of anti-Syria sanctions.
特にロシアの抵抗が、対シリア制裁を妨げてきた。
Syria is an important importer of weapons from Russia, and Damascus provides the Russian Navy with supply bases.
背景には、シリアがロシアにとって重要な武器輸出先であり、露海軍に補給拠点も提供していることがある。
In a Russian-French summit meeting on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in response to French President Francois Hollande's argument in favor of anti-Syria sanctions, insisted sanctions "could not work," and there were no signs the differences of views could be narrowed.
１日の仏露首脳会談でも、対シリア制裁を主張するオランド仏大統領に対して、プーチン露大統領が「制裁は効果的ではない」と反論し、溝は埋まらなかった。
Given that Russia has long backed the Assad regime, it has a responsibility to firmly press Damascus to bring the bloodshed to an end.
アサド政権を支えてきたロシアには、流血停止をシリアに強く働きかける責任がある。
The United States and European countries have been imposing economic sanctions on Syria on their own.
欧米諸国は、シリアに対して独自の経済制裁を科している。
In the wake of the Houla massacre, they have asked Syrian ambassadors and others to leave. Following suit, Japan has also asked the Syrian ambassador to leave.
ホウラ事件後、シリア大使らに国外退去を求め、日本も同調した。
The Assad regime, whose main power base is the minority Alawis Muslim community, has ruled for years by relentlessly oppressing the people.
少数派のイスラム教アラウィ派を権力基盤とするアサド政権は、国民を抑圧し続けてきた。
The intensified suppression has shaken the legitimacy of the Assad regime even more, leaving no alternative but deeper international isolation.
弾圧強化で統治の正統性は一層揺らぎ、孤立を深めるばかりだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 3, 2012)
（2012年6月3日01時42分 読売新聞）
2012年06月04日
円と人民元 日中貿易を拡大する直接取引
>>>上海市場の元の対円相場については、中国当局が毎日提示する基準値の上下３％内に１日当たりの変動幅が制限されている。
長期では市場の流れに従うべきでしょうが、一日当り３％の制限というのは妥当な線のかも。一日で無制限に上下を許すシステムのほうがおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 3, 2012)
Direct yen-yuan exchange expected to boost trade
円と人民元 日中貿易を拡大する直接取引（6月2日付・読売社説）
That the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi, can now be exchanged without going through the U.S. dollar is of major significance.
日本円と中国通貨・人民元を、ドルを介さずに直接交換できる意義は大きい。
Expectations are high that the enhanced convenience in yen-yuan exchanges will give impetus to trade and investment between Japan and China.
利便性の向上により、日中間の貿易や投資に弾みをつけたい。
Based on an agreement between the Japanese and Chinese governments, direct trading in the Japanese and Chinese currencies was launched on Friday on the Tokyo and Shanghai markets.
日中両国政府が合意し、円と元の直接取引が、１日から東京と上海の市場で始まった。
The yen is now the second major currency, after the dollar, to be allowed to directly trade with the yuan.
元との直接交換が認められた主要通貨は、米ドルに次いで円が２番目だ。
In the first day of direct yen-yuan trading on the Tokyo foreign exchange market, the rate closed at around 12.32 yen to the yuan.
初日の東京外国為替市場は、１元＝１２円３２銭前後で取引を終えた。
In Tokyo, it appeared that three megabanks--Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.--took part in the trading. The yen-yuan deals in Shanghai on the initial day were done much the same way as on the Tokyo market.
３メガバンクなどが取引に参加したようだ。上海市場もほぼ同水準で取引が行われた。
The trading volume of the yen-yuan pair was not so large on the first day, marking a quiet start to direct trading. Future growth of the bilateral currency exchange markets is hoped for.
取引量はまだ多くなく、静かなスタートだが、今後、市場の成長が期待される。
The total value of trade between Japan and China, including both imports and exports, has shot up to about triple the level of a decade ago, currently standing at 27.5 trillion yen a year.
輸出と輸入を合わせた日中の貿易額は年間２７・５兆円に上り、１０年前の約３倍に膨らんでいる。
===
Lessening costs and risks
On the strength of direct trading, both the yen and the yuan will likely become more prominent on global foreign exchange markets, with trade and investments between the two countries expanding. It will be meaningful that the currencies of Asia's two biggest economies are likely to thus have a greater influence on the world's monetary system, now based on the dollar as the predominant hard currency.
直接取引をテコに、２国間の貿易や投資が拡大していくに連れ、円と元の存在感が高まるだろう。米ドルを基軸にした世界の通貨体制に、アジアの２大通貨が一石を投じる意味がある。
Until now, exchanges between the yen and the yuan have mostly been conducted by referring to their respective exchange rates against the dollar, the global circulation of which is large.
円と元の交換はこれまで、流通量が多いドルを仲立ちにした間接取引が中心となっている。
When a financial institution converts yen into yuan to provide companies with yuan under the conventional system, it is necessary to first convert yen into dollars before converting the dollars into yuan, a procedure with double the currency transaction costs of direct trading.
金融機関が円を元に交換したり、企業に元を受け渡したりする場合、いったん円をドルに替えた後、元に替えるという手続きが必要で、手数料も２度かかる。
By making use of direct trading, such dual procedures and transaction costs become unnecessary, helping reduce the costs that must be paid by financial institutions and companies engaging in import and export operations. The risk of yen-yuan rates being affected by erratic fluctuations of the dollar will also be mitigated.
直接取引を利用すれば、こうした二重の手続きと手数料が不要になり、金融機関や輸出入を行う企業はコストを削減できる。交換レートがドル相場の変動に左右されるリスクも低下するだろう。
The Japanese government plans to create in the future an "offshore market" dealing with yuan-denominated financial products in Tokyo for the purpose of reinvigorating the Tokyo market. The London and Singapore markets, too, have been keen to realize such offshore markets, and the Japanese government should make the envisioned Tokyo offshore yuan market a reality as early as possible.
日本政府は将来、元建て債券などの金融商品を取引する「オフショア市場」を東京に創設し、市場の活性化を図る考えだ。ロンドンやシンガポールも狙っている。早期実現を目指してほしい。
===
Beijing must ease regulations
China, for its part, has set the goal of expanding international use of the yuan to raise the unit's status as a key international currency. China has said the go-ahead Beijing has given to direct yen-yuan trading is part of efforts to accomplish this goal.
一方、中国は国際通貨として元の利用を拡大する「国際化」を進めようとしており、今回の措置もその一環と位置づけている。
China's foreign exchange reserves have swollen to a level exceeding 3 trillion dollars, a great majority of which is held in dollar form.
中国の外貨準備高は３兆ドル以上に膨らみ、そのうちの大半がドル資産とされる。
By means of the commencement of direct yen-yuan trading, Beijing seems to be placing a curb on the amount of money China receives from Japanese companies in dollars, with a view to lessening its dependence on the greenback in settling international trade.
円と元の直接取引開始で日本企業からのドルの受け取りを抑え、過度なドル依存から脱却する狙いもうかがえる。
There are many problems that have yet to be resolved, however.
ただ、課題は少なくない。
For one thing, the exchange rate of the yuan against the yen in the Shanghai market is allowed to fluctuate only within a limited range of 3 percent above or below a reference rate that is set daily by Chinese monetary authorities.
上海市場の元の対円相場については、中国当局が毎日提示する基準値の上下３％内に１日当たりの変動幅が制限されている。
In order to realize Beijing's goal of further facilitating the yuan's international use, it is imperative for China to have a more flexible stance in favor of accepting a wider range of fluctuations in the exchange rates of the yuan against the dollar and the yen. It is also urged to ease regulations involving financial and capital transactions across national borders as well as investments in China's domestic sectors.
中国が対ドルと対円でより柔軟な為替変動を容認し、国境を越えた金融・資本取引や国内の投資規制も緩和する。それが、元の一層の国際化には不可欠だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2012)
（2012年6月2日01時10分 読売新聞）
長期では市場の流れに従うべきでしょうが、一日当り３％の制限というのは妥当な線のかも。一日で無制限に上下を許すシステムのほうがおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 3, 2012)
Direct yen-yuan exchange expected to boost trade
円と人民元 日中貿易を拡大する直接取引（6月2日付・読売社説）
That the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi, can now be exchanged without going through the U.S. dollar is of major significance.
日本円と中国通貨・人民元を、ドルを介さずに直接交換できる意義は大きい。
Expectations are high that the enhanced convenience in yen-yuan exchanges will give impetus to trade and investment between Japan and China.
利便性の向上により、日中間の貿易や投資に弾みをつけたい。
Based on an agreement between the Japanese and Chinese governments, direct trading in the Japanese and Chinese currencies was launched on Friday on the Tokyo and Shanghai markets.
日中両国政府が合意し、円と元の直接取引が、１日から東京と上海の市場で始まった。
The yen is now the second major currency, after the dollar, to be allowed to directly trade with the yuan.
元との直接交換が認められた主要通貨は、米ドルに次いで円が２番目だ。
In the first day of direct yen-yuan trading on the Tokyo foreign exchange market, the rate closed at around 12.32 yen to the yuan.
初日の東京外国為替市場は、１元＝１２円３２銭前後で取引を終えた。
In Tokyo, it appeared that three megabanks--Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.--took part in the trading. The yen-yuan deals in Shanghai on the initial day were done much the same way as on the Tokyo market.
３メガバンクなどが取引に参加したようだ。上海市場もほぼ同水準で取引が行われた。
The trading volume of the yen-yuan pair was not so large on the first day, marking a quiet start to direct trading. Future growth of the bilateral currency exchange markets is hoped for.
取引量はまだ多くなく、静かなスタートだが、今後、市場の成長が期待される。
The total value of trade between Japan and China, including both imports and exports, has shot up to about triple the level of a decade ago, currently standing at 27.5 trillion yen a year.
輸出と輸入を合わせた日中の貿易額は年間２７・５兆円に上り、１０年前の約３倍に膨らんでいる。
===
Lessening costs and risks
On the strength of direct trading, both the yen and the yuan will likely become more prominent on global foreign exchange markets, with trade and investments between the two countries expanding. It will be meaningful that the currencies of Asia's two biggest economies are likely to thus have a greater influence on the world's monetary system, now based on the dollar as the predominant hard currency.
直接取引をテコに、２国間の貿易や投資が拡大していくに連れ、円と元の存在感が高まるだろう。米ドルを基軸にした世界の通貨体制に、アジアの２大通貨が一石を投じる意味がある。
Until now, exchanges between the yen and the yuan have mostly been conducted by referring to their respective exchange rates against the dollar, the global circulation of which is large.
円と元の交換はこれまで、流通量が多いドルを仲立ちにした間接取引が中心となっている。
When a financial institution converts yen into yuan to provide companies with yuan under the conventional system, it is necessary to first convert yen into dollars before converting the dollars into yuan, a procedure with double the currency transaction costs of direct trading.
金融機関が円を元に交換したり、企業に元を受け渡したりする場合、いったん円をドルに替えた後、元に替えるという手続きが必要で、手数料も２度かかる。
By making use of direct trading, such dual procedures and transaction costs become unnecessary, helping reduce the costs that must be paid by financial institutions and companies engaging in import and export operations. The risk of yen-yuan rates being affected by erratic fluctuations of the dollar will also be mitigated.
直接取引を利用すれば、こうした二重の手続きと手数料が不要になり、金融機関や輸出入を行う企業はコストを削減できる。交換レートがドル相場の変動に左右されるリスクも低下するだろう。
The Japanese government plans to create in the future an "offshore market" dealing with yuan-denominated financial products in Tokyo for the purpose of reinvigorating the Tokyo market. The London and Singapore markets, too, have been keen to realize such offshore markets, and the Japanese government should make the envisioned Tokyo offshore yuan market a reality as early as possible.
日本政府は将来、元建て債券などの金融商品を取引する「オフショア市場」を東京に創設し、市場の活性化を図る考えだ。ロンドンやシンガポールも狙っている。早期実現を目指してほしい。
===
Beijing must ease regulations
China, for its part, has set the goal of expanding international use of the yuan to raise the unit's status as a key international currency. China has said the go-ahead Beijing has given to direct yen-yuan trading is part of efforts to accomplish this goal.
一方、中国は国際通貨として元の利用を拡大する「国際化」を進めようとしており、今回の措置もその一環と位置づけている。
China's foreign exchange reserves have swollen to a level exceeding 3 trillion dollars, a great majority of which is held in dollar form.
中国の外貨準備高は３兆ドル以上に膨らみ、そのうちの大半がドル資産とされる。
By means of the commencement of direct yen-yuan trading, Beijing seems to be placing a curb on the amount of money China receives from Japanese companies in dollars, with a view to lessening its dependence on the greenback in settling international trade.
円と元の直接取引開始で日本企業からのドルの受け取りを抑え、過度なドル依存から脱却する狙いもうかがえる。
There are many problems that have yet to be resolved, however.
ただ、課題は少なくない。
For one thing, the exchange rate of the yuan against the yen in the Shanghai market is allowed to fluctuate only within a limited range of 3 percent above or below a reference rate that is set daily by Chinese monetary authorities.
上海市場の元の対円相場については、中国当局が毎日提示する基準値の上下３％内に１日当たりの変動幅が制限されている。
In order to realize Beijing's goal of further facilitating the yuan's international use, it is imperative for China to have a more flexible stance in favor of accepting a wider range of fluctuations in the exchange rates of the yuan against the dollar and the yen. It is also urged to ease regulations involving financial and capital transactions across national borders as well as investments in China's domestic sectors.
中国が対ドルと対円でより柔軟な為替変動を容認し、国境を越えた金融・資本取引や国内の投資規制も緩和する。それが、元の一層の国際化には不可欠だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2012)
（2012年6月2日01時10分 読売新聞）
2012年06月03日
ドイツの脱原発―素早い行動が生む果実
--The Asahi Shimbun, May 27
EDITORIAL: Japan can learn from Germany's phaseout of nuclear energy
ドイツの脱原発―素早い行動が生む果実
It has been almost a full year since Germany chose to return to the path of phasing out nuclear power.
ドイツが脱原発の道に回帰して、間もなく１年になる。
The country’s goal is to close all of its 17 reactors by 2022. And its industry and society are all moving toward that same goal, creating new jobs and businesses on the way.
１０年後の２２年までに１７基の原発をすべて閉鎖する。そんなゴールを見すえて、産業界や社会が一斉に動き、新たな雇用やビジネスが生まれている。
Japan can learn much from Germany’s example: to act promptly based on a clear-cut government goal and plan, and seize the fruits of those labors.
政府の明確な目標と計画のもと、素早い行動で果実を手にする――。脱原発に向けて、日本が学ぶべきことは多い。
What symbolizes Germany's change is the action taken by its industry.
ドイツの変化を象徴しているのは産業界の動きだ。
Germany's major utilities, E.ON AG and RWE, canceled their participation in Britain's nuclear plant construction project, despite the fact they had already set up a joint venture. The decision was made as they took into account the rising construction costs and the mounting risks involving the nuclear power industry. In line with government policy toward electricity deregulation, they also separated their power distribution sections within Germany.
電力大手のエーオンとＲＷＥは、英国の原発建設計画からの撤退を決めた。すでに合弁会社を設立していたが、今後の建設費増や原発事業のリスクを重視した判断だ。政府の電力自由化策に応じて、ドイツ国内の送電線部門も切り離した。
German electronics titan Siemens has also ceased its involvement in nuclear power. The company is starting to transform itself into a "green" company, investing in R&D for new power grids and power storage, as well as in offshore wind farms. Siemens no doubt decided to pursue these measures on expectations of profits.
電機大手シーメンス社も、原子力事業から完全撤退した。新しい送配電システムや蓄電の研究開発、洋上風力発電所への投資を進め、「グリーン企業」への変身を図りつつある。そこに新たな収益源を期待しているからだろう。
The economic effects of the spread of renewable natural energy, such as wind, solar and biomass, deserve close attention. According to the German government's estimates, natural energy created 380,000 jobs, including work in the manufacturing to distribution services.
注目したいのは、風力や太陽光、バイオマスなどの自然エネルギー普及による経済効果だ。ドイツ政府の推計では、ものづくりから流通サービス業まで約３８万人の雇用が生まれた。
There are also many projects seeking to create communities with high-level energy efficiency by improving insulation in buildings and homes. Measures to save electricity and conserve energy are blended quite naturally into daily life, which then stimulates the economy. There seems to be a positive cycle here.
ビルや住宅の断熱性を向上させて、エネルギー効率の高い街をつくる取り組みも広がっている。節電や省エネが生活に無理なくとけ込み、経済も活性化する好循環がそこに見える。
In the aftermath of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, eight reactors in Germany, mainly old ones, were stopped. As a result, the ratio of nuclear-generated electricity fell to the 10-percent range. The government's goal is to increase the percentage of natural energy, which rose to about 20 percent as a result of the fall in nuclear power, to 35 percent by 2020.
福島第一原発の事故を受け、古い原発を中心に８基の運転が停止された。この結果、原発の発電量は昨年、全体の１０％台に下落した。逆に約２０％まで増えた自然エネルギーの比率を、２０年までに３５％水準に引き上げるのが政府の目標だ。
However, the swift pace of this shift has exceeded expectations and is also causing confusion. One example is the lowering of buyback rates for solar energy.
ただ、予想以上の変化の早さは混乱も生んでいる。太陽光発電の買い取り価格の引き下げはその一例だ。
The spread of solar energy has been buoyed by the buyback program whereby utilities purchase the generated renewable energy at a fixed rate. However, excessive investment has forced consumers to pay higher electricity bills, so the buyback price is due to be cut by more than 20 percent.
自然エネルギーによる発電を固定価格で電力会社に買い取らせる仕組みは、その普及を支えてきた。しかし投資が過熱し、電気料金を通じて消費者の負担増を招いたため、買い取り価格を２割以上引き下げる予定だ。
To spread the use of renewables at a steady pace, it is necessary to stay abreast of the detailed changes in power generation costs and adjust the buyback rates accordingly. This would prove to be a valuable lesson for Japan as its buyback program begins in earnest in July.
自然エネルギーを着実に広げるには、発電コストの変化をきめ細かく把握し、買い取り価格を点検していく必要がある。今年７月から買い取り制度が本格スタートする日本にとっても、他山の石となろう。
Germany is stimulating its economy and society by setting a firm goal for the phaseout of nuclear power and deftly combining that with a support program for renewable energy. That is the kind of invention and action that Japan needs.
脱原発への確固たる目標に自然エネルギーへの支援策をうまく組みあわせて、経済や社会の活性化につなげる。日本に必要なのはそんな発想と行動だ。
EDITORIAL: Japan can learn from Germany's phaseout of nuclear energy
ドイツの脱原発―素早い行動が生む果実
It has been almost a full year since Germany chose to return to the path of phasing out nuclear power.
ドイツが脱原発の道に回帰して、間もなく１年になる。
The country’s goal is to close all of its 17 reactors by 2022. And its industry and society are all moving toward that same goal, creating new jobs and businesses on the way.
１０年後の２２年までに１７基の原発をすべて閉鎖する。そんなゴールを見すえて、産業界や社会が一斉に動き、新たな雇用やビジネスが生まれている。
Japan can learn much from Germany’s example: to act promptly based on a clear-cut government goal and plan, and seize the fruits of those labors.
政府の明確な目標と計画のもと、素早い行動で果実を手にする――。脱原発に向けて、日本が学ぶべきことは多い。
What symbolizes Germany's change is the action taken by its industry.
ドイツの変化を象徴しているのは産業界の動きだ。
Germany's major utilities, E.ON AG and RWE, canceled their participation in Britain's nuclear plant construction project, despite the fact they had already set up a joint venture. The decision was made as they took into account the rising construction costs and the mounting risks involving the nuclear power industry. In line with government policy toward electricity deregulation, they also separated their power distribution sections within Germany.
電力大手のエーオンとＲＷＥは、英国の原発建設計画からの撤退を決めた。すでに合弁会社を設立していたが、今後の建設費増や原発事業のリスクを重視した判断だ。政府の電力自由化策に応じて、ドイツ国内の送電線部門も切り離した。
German electronics titan Siemens has also ceased its involvement in nuclear power. The company is starting to transform itself into a "green" company, investing in R&D for new power grids and power storage, as well as in offshore wind farms. Siemens no doubt decided to pursue these measures on expectations of profits.
電機大手シーメンス社も、原子力事業から完全撤退した。新しい送配電システムや蓄電の研究開発、洋上風力発電所への投資を進め、「グリーン企業」への変身を図りつつある。そこに新たな収益源を期待しているからだろう。
The economic effects of the spread of renewable natural energy, such as wind, solar and biomass, deserve close attention. According to the German government's estimates, natural energy created 380,000 jobs, including work in the manufacturing to distribution services.
注目したいのは、風力や太陽光、バイオマスなどの自然エネルギー普及による経済効果だ。ドイツ政府の推計では、ものづくりから流通サービス業まで約３８万人の雇用が生まれた。
There are also many projects seeking to create communities with high-level energy efficiency by improving insulation in buildings and homes. Measures to save electricity and conserve energy are blended quite naturally into daily life, which then stimulates the economy. There seems to be a positive cycle here.
ビルや住宅の断熱性を向上させて、エネルギー効率の高い街をつくる取り組みも広がっている。節電や省エネが生活に無理なくとけ込み、経済も活性化する好循環がそこに見える。
In the aftermath of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, eight reactors in Germany, mainly old ones, were stopped. As a result, the ratio of nuclear-generated electricity fell to the 10-percent range. The government's goal is to increase the percentage of natural energy, which rose to about 20 percent as a result of the fall in nuclear power, to 35 percent by 2020.
福島第一原発の事故を受け、古い原発を中心に８基の運転が停止された。この結果、原発の発電量は昨年、全体の１０％台に下落した。逆に約２０％まで増えた自然エネルギーの比率を、２０年までに３５％水準に引き上げるのが政府の目標だ。
However, the swift pace of this shift has exceeded expectations and is also causing confusion. One example is the lowering of buyback rates for solar energy.
ただ、予想以上の変化の早さは混乱も生んでいる。太陽光発電の買い取り価格の引き下げはその一例だ。
The spread of solar energy has been buoyed by the buyback program whereby utilities purchase the generated renewable energy at a fixed rate. However, excessive investment has forced consumers to pay higher electricity bills, so the buyback price is due to be cut by more than 20 percent.
自然エネルギーによる発電を固定価格で電力会社に買い取らせる仕組みは、その普及を支えてきた。しかし投資が過熱し、電気料金を通じて消費者の負担増を招いたため、買い取り価格を２割以上引き下げる予定だ。
To spread the use of renewables at a steady pace, it is necessary to stay abreast of the detailed changes in power generation costs and adjust the buyback rates accordingly. This would prove to be a valuable lesson for Japan as its buyback program begins in earnest in July.
自然エネルギーを着実に広げるには、発電コストの変化をきめ細かく把握し、買い取り価格を点検していく必要がある。今年７月から買い取り制度が本格スタートする日本にとっても、他山の石となろう。
Germany is stimulating its economy and society by setting a firm goal for the phaseout of nuclear power and deftly combining that with a support program for renewable energy. That is the kind of invention and action that Japan needs.
脱原発への確固たる目標に自然エネルギーへの支援策をうまく組みあわせて、経済や社会の活性化につなげる。日本に必要なのはそんな発想と行動だ。
2012年06月02日
大飯再稼働―これでは不信ぬぐえぬ
--The Asahi Shimbun, May 31
EDITORIAL: Noda’s premature decision to restart Oi reactors
大飯再稼働―これでは不信ぬぐえぬ
The Noda administration has effectively decided to restart the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear power plant.
野田政権が関西電力大飯原発３、４号機の再稼働を事実上、決めた。
The government concluded that it has obtained the understanding of the Union of Kansai Governments, which has been opposed to the restarts. The association on May 30 called on the government to make an “appropriate judgment” on the assumption that the reactivation is a “limited” response.
再稼働に反対してきた関西広域連合が３０日、「限定的なものとして適切な判断」をするよう求めたことで、理解が得られたと判断した。
We have been opposed to restarting nuclear plants without addressing some important issues. There has been no significant progress in securing the safety of nuclear plants, and we have strong doubts about the Noda administration’s judgment.
私たちは、見切り発車のように原発を再稼働させることに反対してきた。原発の安全性確保をめぐる状況に、大きな変化があったわけではない。野田政権の判断に強い疑問を抱かざるをえない。
In deciding whether to restart nuclear reactors, we believe it is most important to review safety standards and anti-disaster measures based on lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident. Crisis management measures need to be established to minimize damage from an unanticipated disaster.
私たちが再稼働の判断で最も重視したのは、福島の事故を踏まえた安全基準や防災対策の見直しであり、「想定外」のことが起きても減災をはかる危機対応の整備だった。
More than anything, we have asked the government to draw up a road map for moving away from nuclear power and make a clear policy shift. Only a minimum number of nuclear plants required should be in operation.
なにより、脱原発への道筋を明確にし、「必要な数しか動かさない」政策への転換を示すことが不可欠だと指摘してきた。
However, the Noda administration has decided to restart the Oi reactors based on a political judgment, without evaluation by experts.
What it has done only amounts to a stopgap measure, namely introducing stress tests and having the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency compile provisional safety standards.
ところが、野田政権が進めたのは、ストレステストの後、付け焼き刃ともいえる暫定的な安全基準を原子力安全・保安院にまとめさせ、専門家の評価なしに政治判断で再稼働に踏み出すことだった。
The government has not produced concrete measures to reduce Japan’s dependence on nuclear power. People remain concerned that the government may be trying to bring nuclear reactors back online without meaningful debate.
政権から脱原発依存に向けた具体策は示されていない。「なし崩し的に原発を動かそうとしているのではないか」。国民の不信はぬぐえないままだ。
We cannot understand why the Union of Kansai Governments, which has critically pointed out these problems, abruptly changed its stance on May 30.
こうした問題点を厳しく指摘してきた関西広域連合が３０日になって、姿勢を転換したのにも首をかしげる。
At a meeting of the Union of Kansai Governments, nuclear power policy minister Goshi Hosono said, “We will examine (nuclear plants), including the Oi plant, under new safety standards after a new nuclear regulatory agency is set up.” He noted that the Diet has begun discussions on legislation to create the new agency.
関西広域連合の会合に出席した細野原発相は、原子力規制庁の設置法案が国会で審議入りしたことを踏まえ、「規制庁発足後、大飯を含め新たな安全基準で再度精査する」と説明した。
If that is the case, the government should clearly state that it would keep the Oi plant running only this summer and shut it down again once power demand falls.
であれば、大飯を稼働させるにしても、あくまでこの夏に限定した措置とし、電力需要が一段落したところで再度停止することを明言すべきだ。
The government should also announce its policy to decommission aging reactors as well as those vulnerable to major earthquakes. Some examples include the Tsuruga No. 1 reactor and the Mihama No. 1 reactor, both of which started operations more than 40 years ago.
加えて、運転開始からすでに４０年を超える敦賀１号機や美浜１号機をはじめとした老朽化原発や、大地震などのリスクが大きい原発の廃炉を早期に打ち出す必要がある。
The reactivation of the Oi plant should not slacken efforts to have regional utilities supply power to each other or have companies and households save electricity.
大飯原発の再稼働で、電力融通や節電対策の手が緩むことがあってはならない。
There are good chances of power stations having problems, and the western part of Japan is expected to have far from enough electricity. It is important to continue experimenting with a wide-area operation of electricity grids and measures to curb power demand, partly for planning the nation’s future electric power policy.
発電所にトラブルが発生する可能性は十分にあるし、西日本全体では依然として電力は不足気味だ。今後の電力政策を考えるうえでも、送電網の広域運用や需要抑制策の実績を積み重ねていくことが重要である。
The people were preparing themselves for a “summer without nuclear plants” following a third-party review of regional utilities’ electricity demand-supply forecasts. The people’s will should not be defied.
第三者による電力需給見通しの検証を経て、国民は「原発ゼロの夏」への備えを整えつつあった。その意志を無視してはならない。
EDITORIAL: Noda’s premature decision to restart Oi reactors
大飯再稼働―これでは不信ぬぐえぬ
The Noda administration has effectively decided to restart the No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.’s Oi nuclear power plant.
野田政権が関西電力大飯原発３、４号機の再稼働を事実上、決めた。
The government concluded that it has obtained the understanding of the Union of Kansai Governments, which has been opposed to the restarts. The association on May 30 called on the government to make an “appropriate judgment” on the assumption that the reactivation is a “limited” response.
再稼働に反対してきた関西広域連合が３０日、「限定的なものとして適切な判断」をするよう求めたことで、理解が得られたと判断した。
We have been opposed to restarting nuclear plants without addressing some important issues. There has been no significant progress in securing the safety of nuclear plants, and we have strong doubts about the Noda administration’s judgment.
私たちは、見切り発車のように原発を再稼働させることに反対してきた。原発の安全性確保をめぐる状況に、大きな変化があったわけではない。野田政権の判断に強い疑問を抱かざるをえない。
In deciding whether to restart nuclear reactors, we believe it is most important to review safety standards and anti-disaster measures based on lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident. Crisis management measures need to be established to minimize damage from an unanticipated disaster.
私たちが再稼働の判断で最も重視したのは、福島の事故を踏まえた安全基準や防災対策の見直しであり、「想定外」のことが起きても減災をはかる危機対応の整備だった。
More than anything, we have asked the government to draw up a road map for moving away from nuclear power and make a clear policy shift. Only a minimum number of nuclear plants required should be in operation.
なにより、脱原発への道筋を明確にし、「必要な数しか動かさない」政策への転換を示すことが不可欠だと指摘してきた。
However, the Noda administration has decided to restart the Oi reactors based on a political judgment, without evaluation by experts.
What it has done only amounts to a stopgap measure, namely introducing stress tests and having the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency compile provisional safety standards.
ところが、野田政権が進めたのは、ストレステストの後、付け焼き刃ともいえる暫定的な安全基準を原子力安全・保安院にまとめさせ、専門家の評価なしに政治判断で再稼働に踏み出すことだった。
The government has not produced concrete measures to reduce Japan’s dependence on nuclear power. People remain concerned that the government may be trying to bring nuclear reactors back online without meaningful debate.
政権から脱原発依存に向けた具体策は示されていない。「なし崩し的に原発を動かそうとしているのではないか」。国民の不信はぬぐえないままだ。
We cannot understand why the Union of Kansai Governments, which has critically pointed out these problems, abruptly changed its stance on May 30.
こうした問題点を厳しく指摘してきた関西広域連合が３０日になって、姿勢を転換したのにも首をかしげる。
At a meeting of the Union of Kansai Governments, nuclear power policy minister Goshi Hosono said, “We will examine (nuclear plants), including the Oi plant, under new safety standards after a new nuclear regulatory agency is set up.” He noted that the Diet has begun discussions on legislation to create the new agency.
関西広域連合の会合に出席した細野原発相は、原子力規制庁の設置法案が国会で審議入りしたことを踏まえ、「規制庁発足後、大飯を含め新たな安全基準で再度精査する」と説明した。
If that is the case, the government should clearly state that it would keep the Oi plant running only this summer and shut it down again once power demand falls.
であれば、大飯を稼働させるにしても、あくまでこの夏に限定した措置とし、電力需要が一段落したところで再度停止することを明言すべきだ。
The government should also announce its policy to decommission aging reactors as well as those vulnerable to major earthquakes. Some examples include the Tsuruga No. 1 reactor and the Mihama No. 1 reactor, both of which started operations more than 40 years ago.
加えて、運転開始からすでに４０年を超える敦賀１号機や美浜１号機をはじめとした老朽化原発や、大地震などのリスクが大きい原発の廃炉を早期に打ち出す必要がある。
The reactivation of the Oi plant should not slacken efforts to have regional utilities supply power to each other or have companies and households save electricity.
大飯原発の再稼働で、電力融通や節電対策の手が緩むことがあってはならない。
There are good chances of power stations having problems, and the western part of Japan is expected to have far from enough electricity. It is important to continue experimenting with a wide-area operation of electricity grids and measures to curb power demand, partly for planning the nation’s future electric power policy.
発電所にトラブルが発生する可能性は十分にあるし、西日本全体では依然として電力は不足気味だ。今後の電力政策を考えるうえでも、送電網の広域運用や需要抑制策の実績を積み重ねていくことが重要である。
The people were preparing themselves for a “summer without nuclear plants” following a third-party review of regional utilities’ electricity demand-supply forecasts. The people’s will should not be defied.
第三者による電力需給見通しの検証を経て、国民は「原発ゼロの夏」への備えを整えつつあった。その意志を無視してはならない。
2012年06月01日
エジプト情勢 イスラム伸長で進む「二極化」
The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 31, 2012)
Egypt becomes polarized as Islamist forces gain clout
エジプト情勢 イスラム伸長で進む「二極化」（5月30日付・読売社説）
Islamist forces are gaining strength in Egypt. The direction of democratization in the entire Middle East will depend on whether a stable regime can be established in that country.
エジプトでイスラム主義勢力が伸長している。安定したエジプト新体制を築けるかどうかは、中東全体の民主化の行方も左右するだろう。
No candidate won a decisive majority in the first round of Egypt's presidential election, according to results announced Monday. A runoff election will be held in mid-June.
エジプト大統領選は、第１回投票で決着せず、６月中旬、決選投票が行われることになった。
The runoff will be contested by Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization, who placed first in the first round with about 25 percent of the vote, and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, who was runner-up with about 24 percent.
決選投票に臨むのは、得票率約２５％で１位となったイスラム主義組織「ムスリム同胞団」のモルシ候補と、約２４％で２位のシャフィク元首相である。
The contest represents a showdown between Islamist and secular candidates. Shafiq is a former military officer who emerged as a leader under the administration of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
イスラム主義の候補とムバラク前政権で頭角を現した軍出身の世俗派政治家が対決する構図だ。
The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties garnered more than 70 percent of the seats contested in lower house elections held from November to January, impressively cementing their emergence in Egypt's political landscape.
ムスリム同胞団はじめイスラム主義勢力は、昨年１１月から今年１月まで行われた下院選で、全体の７割超の議席を取り、その台頭を強く印象付けた。
In the first round of the presidential election, Islamist forces won more than 40 percent of the vote, indicating they are major political players in the post-Mubarak era.
今回の大統領選でも、４割を超す票を獲得して、「ポスト・ムバラク」時代の政治の主役であることを示したと言える。
===
Fierce campaign ahead
Mursi, who was a latecomer to the presidential race, finished first after pulling in votes from another Islamist candidate who had a head start. The Brotherhood apparently used its organizational might to prevent the two candidates from draining votes from each other and both going down to defeat.
立候補の名乗りが遅れたモルシ氏は、先行していたイスラム主義候補の票を取り込み１位を確保した。共倒れを避けようとする同胞団の組織力も働いたのだろう。
Shafiq finished close behind Mursi after attracting many votes with his campaign pledge to restore public safety. He also was a magnet for voters wary of the rapid emergence of the Islamist forces.
シャフィク氏がモルシ氏とほぼ肩を並べたのは、公約で治安回復を強調したことが大きい。急速なイスラム主義台頭に警戒する有権者を引きつけた面もある。
The runoff election campaign is likely to become heated. We are concerned that Egypt could become polarized in a standoff between Islamism and secularism.
選挙戦は過熱しそうだ。国論が「イスラム主義」と「世俗主義」という二極に分裂することが、懸念される。
Disturbingly, Shafiq's campaign office was set on fire Monday night, hours after the election results were announced.
早くもシャフィク氏の選挙事務所が放火される騒ぎが起きた。
A lower court ruling on Mubarak is scheduled to be announced this weekend. Prosecutors have demanded capital punishment for the former president, who was charged with issuing an order to fire at antigovernment protesters. The court's ruling will likely affect the election campaign.
今週末には、ムバラク前大統領への１審判決も予定されている。前大統領は、反体制デモ参加者への発砲命令が罪に問われ、死刑を求刑されており、その判決は、選挙戦にも影響を与えよう。
===
Gearing up for post-Mubarak era
With the growing emergence of Islamist forces in mind, the U.S. government has started building communication channels with the Muslim Brotherhood as it looks to a post-Mubarak Egypt.
イスラム主義の台頭を念頭に、米国政府は「ポスト・ムバラク」をにらみ、同胞団とのパイプ作りに乗り出した。
Change will be unavoidable in Egypt. But as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed out, this change should not lead to the erosion of the rights of women and minority religious groups.
エジプトの変化は避けられないが、クリントン国務長官が指摘したように、それが、女性や宗教少数派の権利の後退につながるようなことがあってはなるまい。
After a president is elected in the runoff, the interim rule by Egypt's Supreme Military Council is scheduled to end and power will be transferred to civilian control.
決選投票で大統領が決まれば、軍最高評議会による暫定統治は終わり、民政に移行する予定だ。
However, if polarization becomes more deeply entrenched, uncertainty will increase over whether the power transfer will proceed as expected. The biggest variable is how the military, which wields the real power, will react.
だが、二極化がさらに進めば、そのシナリオ通りにいくのかどうか不透明感も増そう。最大の問題は、実権を握る軍の出方だ。
The international community--including Japan--is closely watching how Egypt, a regional power, will achieve stability and help bring democratization in the Middle East and North Africa.
大国エジプトが、中東・北アフリカ地域の安定と民主化の進展を牽引(けんいん)していく役割を日本を含めた国際社会は注視している。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2012)
（2012年5月30日01時40分 読売新聞）
Egypt becomes polarized as Islamist forces gain clout
エジプト情勢 イスラム伸長で進む「二極化」（5月30日付・読売社説）
Islamist forces are gaining strength in Egypt. The direction of democratization in the entire Middle East will depend on whether a stable regime can be established in that country.
エジプトでイスラム主義勢力が伸長している。安定したエジプト新体制を築けるかどうかは、中東全体の民主化の行方も左右するだろう。
No candidate won a decisive majority in the first round of Egypt's presidential election, according to results announced Monday. A runoff election will be held in mid-June.
エジプト大統領選は、第１回投票で決着せず、６月中旬、決選投票が行われることになった。
The runoff will be contested by Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization, who placed first in the first round with about 25 percent of the vote, and former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, who was runner-up with about 24 percent.
決選投票に臨むのは、得票率約２５％で１位となったイスラム主義組織「ムスリム同胞団」のモルシ候補と、約２４％で２位のシャフィク元首相である。
The contest represents a showdown between Islamist and secular candidates. Shafiq is a former military officer who emerged as a leader under the administration of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
イスラム主義の候補とムバラク前政権で頭角を現した軍出身の世俗派政治家が対決する構図だ。
The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist parties garnered more than 70 percent of the seats contested in lower house elections held from November to January, impressively cementing their emergence in Egypt's political landscape.
ムスリム同胞団はじめイスラム主義勢力は、昨年１１月から今年１月まで行われた下院選で、全体の７割超の議席を取り、その台頭を強く印象付けた。
In the first round of the presidential election, Islamist forces won more than 40 percent of the vote, indicating they are major political players in the post-Mubarak era.
今回の大統領選でも、４割を超す票を獲得して、「ポスト・ムバラク」時代の政治の主役であることを示したと言える。
===
Fierce campaign ahead
Mursi, who was a latecomer to the presidential race, finished first after pulling in votes from another Islamist candidate who had a head start. The Brotherhood apparently used its organizational might to prevent the two candidates from draining votes from each other and both going down to defeat.
立候補の名乗りが遅れたモルシ氏は、先行していたイスラム主義候補の票を取り込み１位を確保した。共倒れを避けようとする同胞団の組織力も働いたのだろう。
Shafiq finished close behind Mursi after attracting many votes with his campaign pledge to restore public safety. He also was a magnet for voters wary of the rapid emergence of the Islamist forces.
シャフィク氏がモルシ氏とほぼ肩を並べたのは、公約で治安回復を強調したことが大きい。急速なイスラム主義台頭に警戒する有権者を引きつけた面もある。
The runoff election campaign is likely to become heated. We are concerned that Egypt could become polarized in a standoff between Islamism and secularism.
選挙戦は過熱しそうだ。国論が「イスラム主義」と「世俗主義」という二極に分裂することが、懸念される。
Disturbingly, Shafiq's campaign office was set on fire Monday night, hours after the election results were announced.
早くもシャフィク氏の選挙事務所が放火される騒ぎが起きた。
A lower court ruling on Mubarak is scheduled to be announced this weekend. Prosecutors have demanded capital punishment for the former president, who was charged with issuing an order to fire at antigovernment protesters. The court's ruling will likely affect the election campaign.
今週末には、ムバラク前大統領への１審判決も予定されている。前大統領は、反体制デモ参加者への発砲命令が罪に問われ、死刑を求刑されており、その判決は、選挙戦にも影響を与えよう。
===
Gearing up for post-Mubarak era
With the growing emergence of Islamist forces in mind, the U.S. government has started building communication channels with the Muslim Brotherhood as it looks to a post-Mubarak Egypt.
イスラム主義の台頭を念頭に、米国政府は「ポスト・ムバラク」をにらみ、同胞団とのパイプ作りに乗り出した。
Change will be unavoidable in Egypt. But as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed out, this change should not lead to the erosion of the rights of women and minority religious groups.
エジプトの変化は避けられないが、クリントン国務長官が指摘したように、それが、女性や宗教少数派の権利の後退につながるようなことがあってはなるまい。
After a president is elected in the runoff, the interim rule by Egypt's Supreme Military Council is scheduled to end and power will be transferred to civilian control.
決選投票で大統領が決まれば、軍最高評議会による暫定統治は終わり、民政に移行する予定だ。
However, if polarization becomes more deeply entrenched, uncertainty will increase over whether the power transfer will proceed as expected. The biggest variable is how the military, which wields the real power, will react.
だが、二極化がさらに進めば、そのシナリオ通りにいくのかどうか不透明感も増そう。最大の問題は、実権を握る軍の出方だ。
The international community--including Japan--is closely watching how Egypt, a regional power, will achieve stability and help bring democratization in the Middle East and North Africa.
大国エジプトが、中東・北アフリカ地域の安定と民主化の進展を牽引(けんいん)していく役割を日本を含めた国際社会は注視している。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2012)
（2012年5月30日01時40分 読売新聞）