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2012年10月23日
中国ＧＤＰ 景気減速をどう食い止める
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 22, 2012)
Can China rise to the challenge of stemming GDP slowdown?
中国ＧＤＰ 景気減速をどう食い止める（10月21日付・読売社説）
With the impact of the European debt crisis still being felt and Japan-China ties remaining chilled, there is little sign of a reversal in the slowdown of China's economy. All eyes are on what policies the Chinese government will hammer out to get its economy sizzling again.
欧州危機の影響や、日中関係の冷え込みなどから、中国経済の減速に歯止めがかからない。中国政府の景気テコ入れ策が焦点になってきた。
China's gross domestic product slowed for a seventh straight quarter in the July to September period, growing 7.4 percent after inflation from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data. Growth for the July-September quarter fell below the government-set target of 7.5 percent for the full year.
中国の２０１２年７〜９月期の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の速報値は実質で前年同期比７・４％増となり、７四半期連続で減速した。政府が掲げてきた今年の成長目標７・５％を下回った。
Economists say 8 percent annual economic expansion is the "minimum requirement" for China to ensure its economic health and generate enough jobs for its workers. However, it is difficult to tell when China's falling growth will bottom out. Indications are that growth through 2012 will likely dip under 8 percent for the first time in 13 years.
中国にとって、８％成長は経済や雇用を維持する「最低ライン」とされる。だが、景気底入れの見通しは立たず、１２年通年の成長率も１３年ぶりに８％を割る公算が大きくなったと言えよう。
The slowdown of China's economy, which has been a locomotive of the global economy as one of the world's key growth centers, must be closely watched because it could hurt the economies of Japan and other nations.
成長センターとして世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済のもたつきで、日本などに悪影響が広がることを警戒しなければならない。
===
Risk factors surging
China's downturn can be attributed mainly to falling exports to Europe, its biggest export market, where financial uncertainty has spread. Consequently, the output of China's export industries and related sectors has been sluggish.
中国の景気減速は、最大の輸出相手である欧州の信用不安が拡大し、欧州向け輸出が不振だったことが主因だ。このため、輸出企業などの生産が停滞している。
The deterioration of ties between Tokyo and Beijing over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture also has contributed to China's slowdown. Boycotts of Japanese-made products, including motor vehicles, spread across China, hitting sales of Japanese goods. In addition, personal consumption--an engine of China's growth--has been losing steam.
沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って日中関係が悪化している影響もある。中国で自動車などの日本製品の不買運動が広がって販売が落ち込んだ。エンジン役である個人消費の勢いも鈍っている。
Due to the surge in such risk factors in China, many Japanese companies have decided to cut production there. Cracks have started to emerge in the production framework based on a division of labor in which Japan exports parts to China, where they are assembled into finished products.
中国リスクの高まりで、多くの日本企業が中国での減産を決めた。日本から部品を輸出し、中国で完成品に組み立てるという分業体制にも支障が出始めている。
If these trends spread, in addition to the tepid production of Japanese firms in China, employment and income conditions of Chinese workers at Japanese factories and other places will deteriorate. This could spell even more bad news for China's economy.
こうした動きが広がれば、生産低迷に加え、日系工場などで働く中国人の雇用や所得環境が悪化し、景気は一段と冷え込もう。
After Lehman Brothers collapsed four years ago, the Chinese government implemented a massive stimulus package that generated, albeit temporarily, a V-shaped recovery. The stimulus measures created several downsides, such as leading to a real estate bubble. As a result, Chinese authorities are reportedly circumspect about launching a similar large-scale package to deal with the latest slowdown.
中国政府は４年前のリーマン・ショック後、大型景気対策でＶ字回復をいったん達成した。反面、不動産バブルなどの副作用を招いたため、当局は今回、同じような大型対策には慎重とされる。
===
Boost Japan-China trade
Amid all this, China is in an unstable period as it prepares for a transition of power. Vice President Xi Jinping is set to take the helm of a new government in November. If the business slowdown cannot be halted, the very foundation of the government could be shaken.
ただ、中国は来月、習近平国家副主席が最高指導部を率いる新体制に移行する不安定な時期にある。景気減速を食い止めないと、政府の基盤が揺らぎかねない。
Widening income disparities between urban and rural regions and increasing unemployment among young people have become serious social problems in China. Under these circumstances, maintaining China's stable growth could be the most urgent task for its leaders.
都市と農村の経済格差や、若者の失業増大なども社会問題化している。安定成長を維持することが何よりも求められよう。
Specifically, front-loading and accelerating projects to improve infrastructure such as expressways, in tandem with steps to boost personal spending, will be indispensable.
具体的には、すでに進めている高速道路などインフラ整備の前倒しを加速するとともに、個人消費の活性化策が欠かせない。
Additional monetary easing measures may be another option. We hope China promptly takes steps to lift its economic growth while preventing a reemergence of the bubble economy.
追加の金融緩和策も選択肢となる。成長とバブル再燃阻止を両にらみし、迅速に対応してもらいたい。
China needs to expand trade with Japan and encourage more investment by Japanese companies. Chinese authorities should change their hard-line policy toward Japan and quickly bring bilateral ties back to normal.
日中貿易を拡大し、日本からの投資を呼び込むことが必要だ。中国当局は対日強硬姿勢を改め、関係正常化を急ぐべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 21, 2012)
（2012年10月21日01時30分 読売新聞）
Can China rise to the challenge of stemming GDP slowdown?
中国ＧＤＰ 景気減速をどう食い止める（10月21日付・読売社説）
With the impact of the European debt crisis still being felt and Japan-China ties remaining chilled, there is little sign of a reversal in the slowdown of China's economy. All eyes are on what policies the Chinese government will hammer out to get its economy sizzling again.
欧州危機の影響や、日中関係の冷え込みなどから、中国経済の減速に歯止めがかからない。中国政府の景気テコ入れ策が焦点になってきた。
China's gross domestic product slowed for a seventh straight quarter in the July to September period, growing 7.4 percent after inflation from a year earlier, according to preliminary government data. Growth for the July-September quarter fell below the government-set target of 7.5 percent for the full year.
中国の２０１２年７〜９月期の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の速報値は実質で前年同期比７・４％増となり、７四半期連続で減速した。政府が掲げてきた今年の成長目標７・５％を下回った。
Economists say 8 percent annual economic expansion is the "minimum requirement" for China to ensure its economic health and generate enough jobs for its workers. However, it is difficult to tell when China's falling growth will bottom out. Indications are that growth through 2012 will likely dip under 8 percent for the first time in 13 years.
中国にとって、８％成長は経済や雇用を維持する「最低ライン」とされる。だが、景気底入れの見通しは立たず、１２年通年の成長率も１３年ぶりに８％を割る公算が大きくなったと言えよう。
The slowdown of China's economy, which has been a locomotive of the global economy as one of the world's key growth centers, must be closely watched because it could hurt the economies of Japan and other nations.
成長センターとして世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国経済のもたつきで、日本などに悪影響が広がることを警戒しなければならない。
===
Risk factors surging
China's downturn can be attributed mainly to falling exports to Europe, its biggest export market, where financial uncertainty has spread. Consequently, the output of China's export industries and related sectors has been sluggish.
中国の景気減速は、最大の輸出相手である欧州の信用不安が拡大し、欧州向け輸出が不振だったことが主因だ。このため、輸出企業などの生産が停滞している。
The deterioration of ties between Tokyo and Beijing over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture also has contributed to China's slowdown. Boycotts of Japanese-made products, including motor vehicles, spread across China, hitting sales of Japanese goods. In addition, personal consumption--an engine of China's growth--has been losing steam.
沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って日中関係が悪化している影響もある。中国で自動車などの日本製品の不買運動が広がって販売が落ち込んだ。エンジン役である個人消費の勢いも鈍っている。
Due to the surge in such risk factors in China, many Japanese companies have decided to cut production there. Cracks have started to emerge in the production framework based on a division of labor in which Japan exports parts to China, where they are assembled into finished products.
中国リスクの高まりで、多くの日本企業が中国での減産を決めた。日本から部品を輸出し、中国で完成品に組み立てるという分業体制にも支障が出始めている。
If these trends spread, in addition to the tepid production of Japanese firms in China, employment and income conditions of Chinese workers at Japanese factories and other places will deteriorate. This could spell even more bad news for China's economy.
こうした動きが広がれば、生産低迷に加え、日系工場などで働く中国人の雇用や所得環境が悪化し、景気は一段と冷え込もう。
After Lehman Brothers collapsed four years ago, the Chinese government implemented a massive stimulus package that generated, albeit temporarily, a V-shaped recovery. The stimulus measures created several downsides, such as leading to a real estate bubble. As a result, Chinese authorities are reportedly circumspect about launching a similar large-scale package to deal with the latest slowdown.
中国政府は４年前のリーマン・ショック後、大型景気対策でＶ字回復をいったん達成した。反面、不動産バブルなどの副作用を招いたため、当局は今回、同じような大型対策には慎重とされる。
===
Boost Japan-China trade
Amid all this, China is in an unstable period as it prepares for a transition of power. Vice President Xi Jinping is set to take the helm of a new government in November. If the business slowdown cannot be halted, the very foundation of the government could be shaken.
ただ、中国は来月、習近平国家副主席が最高指導部を率いる新体制に移行する不安定な時期にある。景気減速を食い止めないと、政府の基盤が揺らぎかねない。
Widening income disparities between urban and rural regions and increasing unemployment among young people have become serious social problems in China. Under these circumstances, maintaining China's stable growth could be the most urgent task for its leaders.
都市と農村の経済格差や、若者の失業増大なども社会問題化している。安定成長を維持することが何よりも求められよう。
Specifically, front-loading and accelerating projects to improve infrastructure such as expressways, in tandem with steps to boost personal spending, will be indispensable.
具体的には、すでに進めている高速道路などインフラ整備の前倒しを加速するとともに、個人消費の活性化策が欠かせない。
Additional monetary easing measures may be another option. We hope China promptly takes steps to lift its economic growth while preventing a reemergence of the bubble economy.
追加の金融緩和策も選択肢となる。成長とバブル再燃阻止を両にらみし、迅速に対応してもらいたい。
China needs to expand trade with Japan and encourage more investment by Japanese companies. Chinese authorities should change their hard-line policy toward Japan and quickly bring bilateral ties back to normal.
日中貿易を拡大し、日本からの投資を呼び込むことが必要だ。中国当局は対日強硬姿勢を改め、関係正常化を急ぐべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 21, 2012)
（2012年10月21日01時30分 読売新聞）
2012年10月22日
民自公党首会談 首相が守り一辺倒では困る
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 21, 2012)
Prime minister should compromise on dissolution
民自公党首会談 首相が守り一辺倒では困る（10月20日付・読売社説）
The three major political parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito--finally held a summit meeting Friday, but it quickly broke down. The three parties should seriously try to find common ground to resolve a mountain of issues.
ようやく開催された民主、自民、公明３党の党首会談は、あっさりと物別れに終わった。山積する課題を解決するため、３党は、もっと積極的に妥協点を探るべきだ。
During the meeting with LDP President Shinzo Abe and New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda asked them for their cooperation to tackle key issues such as the passage of a bill allowing the government to issue deficit-covering bonds.
野田首相が自民党の安倍総裁、公明党の山口代表と会談し、赤字国債発行を可能にする特例公債法案の成立などへ協力要請した。
However, Noda was coy about the timing of a dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election, saying only, "It's a grave matter" that must be considered. During three-party talks in August, Noda said the dissolution of the lower house would be carried out "sometime soon." The opposition party leaders urged him to specify the timing Friday as a condition for their cooperation, but he did not do so.
首相は焦点の衆院解散・総選挙について、８月の３党首会談での「近いうち」との自らの発言を「重たい確認事項」と述べるにとどめた。安倍氏らは政権への協力の前提として解散時期の明示を求めたが、首相は応じなかった。
===
Discuss issues in Diet
It is understandable that Abe and Yamaguchi argued Noda's "sometime soon" statement concerning dissolution of the lower house is a pledge to the people.
首相が明言した「近いうち」の解散は「国民との約束」だとする安倍氏らの主張は理解できる。
The opposition party leaders said they would not cooperate in passing the legislation without a definite pledge to dissolve the lower house and would boycott Diet deliberations after submitting to the House of Councillors a censure motion against Noda. This stance is unlikely to win public support for their parties.
ただ、衆院解散の確約なしでは法案成立に協力しないとか、参院の首相問責決議を理由に国会審議を拒否する、といった姿勢では、国民の理解は得られまい。
An extraordinary Diet session is expected to start on Oct. 29. We think the opposition parties should grill the government about problems, such as what appears to be misuse of the budget for disaster reconstruction, through Diet discussions.
臨時国会は２９日に召集される方向だ。むしろ論戦を通じて、震災復興予算の「転用」など、政府の問題点を追及する方が、自公両党にとっても得策のはずである。
Meanwhile, we view the maneuvers currently taken by the Noda side as more problematic. More than three weeks have been wasted between the time Noda met with the then LDP leader and the three-party talks Friday. This apparently resulted from Noda's stance of placing priority on delaying a decision on a general election to buy time.
より問題なのが、野田首相側の対応だ。民主、自民両党の党首選から党首会談の開催まで３週間以上が無為に経過した。苦戦が予想される衆院選の先送りを優先し、“時間稼ぎ”を続けた結果だ。
His instruction to his Cabinet members to draw up a new economic stimulus package by the end of November is also a tepid move. This is no doubt part of his strategy to put off the dissolution of the lower house.
１１月中の緊急経済対策の策定も中途半端で、解散先送り策の一環だろう。
If he wants to effectively stave off an economic slowdown, the prime minister should ensure the extraordinary Diet session is long enough to formulate and then pass a more substantial supplementary budget, instead of tapping budget reserves.
景気減速に本格的に歯止めをかけるのなら、予備費の活用でなく、臨時国会の会期を十分確保し、実効性のある補正予算を編成・成立させるのが筋だ。
===
Noda's 3 proposals
During the meeting Friday, Noda proposed the opposition leaders work together with him on three issues to pave the way for the lower house dissolution: drawing up rules for handling a draft budget and a deficit bond bill together; correcting the wide disparity in the value of votes in lower house elections; and setting up a national council for debate on social security system reforms.
野田首相は会談で、衆院解散に向けた「環境整備」として、特例公債法案と予算案の一体処理のルール作り、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正、社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置の３点を挙げた。
The idea of making rules on the deficit bond bill is praiseworthy as it seems to be a constructive proposal that could avert blocking the issuance of deficit-covering bonds in the divided Diet.
特例公債法案に関するルール作りは、衆参ねじれ国会の下、赤字国債が発行できない事態を回避する建設的な提案と評価できる。
As for the vote disparity, Noda only proposed that the issue, which includes reducing the number of lawmakers, be discussed again by party secretaries general. Can such discussions lead to an agreement between the DPJ and the opposition parties?
だが、「１票の格差」是正では、定数削減問題も含めて幹事長協議に再び委ねるという提案にとどまった。これで野党と合意できるのか。
The ruling party should give the nod to the proposal by the LDP and other opposition parties to reduce five single-seat constituencies of the lower house as a first step for electoral reforms.
自民党などの主張する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行処理に同意すべきである。
After Friday's talks, Abe expressed his disappointment with Noda for his failure to present a new proposal on the timing for the lower house dissolution. Noda will not be able to break the current deadlock if he remains defensive.
安倍氏は会談後、衆院解散の時期に関する「新提案」がなかったことについて「失望した」と語った。首相も、守りの姿勢一辺倒では今の局面を打開できまい。
The government and ruling party cannot fulfill their responsibility as long as they regard pushing back the dissolution as the best answer.
「解散先送りが第一」では、政府・与党の責任を果たせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 20, 2012)
（2012年10月20日01時52分 読売新聞）
Prime minister should compromise on dissolution
民自公党首会談 首相が守り一辺倒では困る（10月20日付・読売社説）
The three major political parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito--finally held a summit meeting Friday, but it quickly broke down. The three parties should seriously try to find common ground to resolve a mountain of issues.
ようやく開催された民主、自民、公明３党の党首会談は、あっさりと物別れに終わった。山積する課題を解決するため、３党は、もっと積極的に妥協点を探るべきだ。
During the meeting with LDP President Shinzo Abe and New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda asked them for their cooperation to tackle key issues such as the passage of a bill allowing the government to issue deficit-covering bonds.
野田首相が自民党の安倍総裁、公明党の山口代表と会談し、赤字国債発行を可能にする特例公債法案の成立などへ協力要請した。
However, Noda was coy about the timing of a dissolution of the House of Representatives for a general election, saying only, "It's a grave matter" that must be considered. During three-party talks in August, Noda said the dissolution of the lower house would be carried out "sometime soon." The opposition party leaders urged him to specify the timing Friday as a condition for their cooperation, but he did not do so.
首相は焦点の衆院解散・総選挙について、８月の３党首会談での「近いうち」との自らの発言を「重たい確認事項」と述べるにとどめた。安倍氏らは政権への協力の前提として解散時期の明示を求めたが、首相は応じなかった。
===
Discuss issues in Diet
It is understandable that Abe and Yamaguchi argued Noda's "sometime soon" statement concerning dissolution of the lower house is a pledge to the people.
首相が明言した「近いうち」の解散は「国民との約束」だとする安倍氏らの主張は理解できる。
The opposition party leaders said they would not cooperate in passing the legislation without a definite pledge to dissolve the lower house and would boycott Diet deliberations after submitting to the House of Councillors a censure motion against Noda. This stance is unlikely to win public support for their parties.
ただ、衆院解散の確約なしでは法案成立に協力しないとか、参院の首相問責決議を理由に国会審議を拒否する、といった姿勢では、国民の理解は得られまい。
An extraordinary Diet session is expected to start on Oct. 29. We think the opposition parties should grill the government about problems, such as what appears to be misuse of the budget for disaster reconstruction, through Diet discussions.
臨時国会は２９日に召集される方向だ。むしろ論戦を通じて、震災復興予算の「転用」など、政府の問題点を追及する方が、自公両党にとっても得策のはずである。
Meanwhile, we view the maneuvers currently taken by the Noda side as more problematic. More than three weeks have been wasted between the time Noda met with the then LDP leader and the three-party talks Friday. This apparently resulted from Noda's stance of placing priority on delaying a decision on a general election to buy time.
より問題なのが、野田首相側の対応だ。民主、自民両党の党首選から党首会談の開催まで３週間以上が無為に経過した。苦戦が予想される衆院選の先送りを優先し、“時間稼ぎ”を続けた結果だ。
His instruction to his Cabinet members to draw up a new economic stimulus package by the end of November is also a tepid move. This is no doubt part of his strategy to put off the dissolution of the lower house.
１１月中の緊急経済対策の策定も中途半端で、解散先送り策の一環だろう。
If he wants to effectively stave off an economic slowdown, the prime minister should ensure the extraordinary Diet session is long enough to formulate and then pass a more substantial supplementary budget, instead of tapping budget reserves.
景気減速に本格的に歯止めをかけるのなら、予備費の活用でなく、臨時国会の会期を十分確保し、実効性のある補正予算を編成・成立させるのが筋だ。
===
Noda's 3 proposals
During the meeting Friday, Noda proposed the opposition leaders work together with him on three issues to pave the way for the lower house dissolution: drawing up rules for handling a draft budget and a deficit bond bill together; correcting the wide disparity in the value of votes in lower house elections; and setting up a national council for debate on social security system reforms.
野田首相は会談で、衆院解散に向けた「環境整備」として、特例公債法案と予算案の一体処理のルール作り、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正、社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置の３点を挙げた。
The idea of making rules on the deficit bond bill is praiseworthy as it seems to be a constructive proposal that could avert blocking the issuance of deficit-covering bonds in the divided Diet.
特例公債法案に関するルール作りは、衆参ねじれ国会の下、赤字国債が発行できない事態を回避する建設的な提案と評価できる。
As for the vote disparity, Noda only proposed that the issue, which includes reducing the number of lawmakers, be discussed again by party secretaries general. Can such discussions lead to an agreement between the DPJ and the opposition parties?
だが、「１票の格差」是正では、定数削減問題も含めて幹事長協議に再び委ねるという提案にとどまった。これで野党と合意できるのか。
The ruling party should give the nod to the proposal by the LDP and other opposition parties to reduce five single-seat constituencies of the lower house as a first step for electoral reforms.
自民党などの主張する小選挙区の「０増５減」の先行処理に同意すべきである。
After Friday's talks, Abe expressed his disappointment with Noda for his failure to present a new proposal on the timing for the lower house dissolution. Noda will not be able to break the current deadlock if he remains defensive.
安倍氏は会談後、衆院解散の時期に関する「新提案」がなかったことについて「失望した」と語った。首相も、守りの姿勢一辺倒では今の局面を打開できまい。
The government and ruling party cannot fulfill their responsibility as long as they regard pushing back the dissolution as the best answer.
「解散先送りが第一」では、政府・与党の責任を果たせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 20, 2012)
（2012年10月20日01時52分 読売新聞）
2012年10月21日
参院１票の格差 抜本改革へ最高裁の強い警告
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 19, 2012)
Top court sternly warns Diet over electoral system reform
参院１票の格差 抜本改革へ最高裁の強い警告（10月18日付・読売社説）
It was a strong warning from the Supreme Court to the Diet, which is not working on fundamentally rectifying the vote-value disparity.
「１票の格差」の抜本的な是正に取り組まない国会に対する最高裁の強い警告である。
The top court's Grand Bench ruled Wednesday that the 2010 House of Councillors election, which had a maximum vote-value disparity of five times, "was in a state of unconstitutionality."
１票の格差が最大５・００倍となった２０１０年の参院選について、最高裁大法廷は「違憲状態にあった」との判決を言い渡した。
Twelve of the 15 justices so concluded, while the remaining three judged the election "unconstitutional," which is a stricter term.
１５人の裁判官のうち１２人の意見で、残る３人は、より厳しい「違憲」判断を示した。
The Supreme Court pointed out, as it has done before, that it is "extremely difficult to meet a request to ensure equality of the value of votes" under the current system based on 47 prefectural constituencies while populations have become concentrated in urban areas.
最高裁は、都市部への人口集中が進む中で、４７都道府県を単位とする選挙区制度のままでは、「投票価値の平等という要求に応えるのは、もはや著しく困難」と改めて指摘した。
This is because, under the current system, two seats must be allotted even to Tottori Prefecture, the prefecture with the smallest population.
現行制度では、人口が最も少ない鳥取県にも定数２を割り振らざるを得ないからだ。
===
Pending bills not bold enough
A bill to revise the Public Offices Election Law submitted to the Diet by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party in the last ordinary Diet session will not change this prefecture-based electoral system. Instead, it calls for a two-seat increase in each of two prefectural constituencies and a two-seat reduction in each of two other prefectural constituencies.
民主、自民両党が先の通常国会に提出した公職選挙法改正案は、この制度に手を付けず、選挙区定数を「４増４減」するものだ。
Wednesday's ruling also said simply increasing or reducing the number of seats for some prefectural constituencies will not solve the disparity. In other words, the top court apparently meant to raise doubt that "a state of unconstitutionality" would be eliminated even if the bill to introduce the "plus-four, minus-four" plan were enacted.
判決は、一部の選挙区の定数を増減させるだけでは解決にならない、との見解も示した。仮に「４増４減」案が成立しても、違憲状態は解消されないとの疑義が示されたとも言える。
If the upper house election is held in summer next year with only such a cosmetic measure taken, there is no doubt that a wave of lawsuits over the number of seats allotted to prefectural constituencies will be filed after the election. It is even possible that a court in the future may rule an election "unconstitutional," invalidating part of it.
こんな弥縫(びほう)策だけで来夏の参院選を迎えれば、選挙後、定数訴訟が相次いで起こされるのは間違いないだろう。裁判所が違憲と判断し、一部選挙を無効とする判決を出す可能性すら排除できない。
We think the ruling and opposition parties should quickly discuss another plan, one bolder than the "plus-four, minus-four" plan, to correct the number of seats allotted to constituencies.
与野党は、「４増４減」よりも踏み込んだ定数是正案をまずは検討すべきではないか。
The drastic electoral reform urged by the top court should also be quickly implemented.
最高裁が求める抜本的な制度改革も急ぐべきである。
===
A better plan fizzled
In debates over reform of the upper house electoral system that started in 2010, the ruling and opposition parties took up for discussion a plan to change constituencies from prefecture-based to bloc-based. This is because the bloc-based system has an advantage--it would make it easier to narrow disparities.
１０年からの与野党の参院選制度改革論議では、選挙区を、都道府県単位からブロック制に改める案なども俎(そ)上(じょう)に載せた。格差を縮小しやすい利点があるからだ。
The plan fizzled out after the death of Takeo Nishioka, the former upper house president who took the initiative in introducing the change. However, we think the plan should be discussed again.
旗振り役の西岡武夫前参院議長の死去で立ち消えになったが、検討し直すべきではないか。
The Diet response has always been too late. This may make people think Diet members lack the ability to handle the problem, only increasing public distrust in politics.
国会の対応はこれまで、常に後手に回ってきた。これでは、国会議員には当事者能力がない、ということになり、国民の政治不信を高めるだけである。
The top court previously ruled that the 2009 House of Representatives election was also "in a state of unconstitutionality." It is unusual for judicial authorities to judge both chambers to be in a situation violating the Constitution, which stipulates equality under the law.
最高裁は０９年衆院選でも、「違憲状態」との判断を示している。両院ともに、法の下の平等を定めた憲法に違反した状態にあると司法が断じる異例の事態だ。
The electoral system for the upper house is a dual system that combines proportional representation and constituencies. It resembles that of the lower house. It is indispensable, then, to have discussions with an eye on the division of roles of the lower and upper houses.
参院選の制度は比例代表と選挙区の２本立てで、衆院選と類似している。衆参の役割分担も視野に入れた論議が不可欠である。
The ruling and opposition parties must quickly convene an extraordinary Diet session and take necessary measures to solve the state of unconstitutionality in time for the next elections.
与野党は、次回の選挙に間に合うよう、早急に臨時国会を開き、違憲状態から脱するための措置を講じなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 18, 2012)
（2012年10月18日01時20分 読売新聞）
Top court sternly warns Diet over electoral system reform
参院１票の格差 抜本改革へ最高裁の強い警告（10月18日付・読売社説）
It was a strong warning from the Supreme Court to the Diet, which is not working on fundamentally rectifying the vote-value disparity.
「１票の格差」の抜本的な是正に取り組まない国会に対する最高裁の強い警告である。
The top court's Grand Bench ruled Wednesday that the 2010 House of Councillors election, which had a maximum vote-value disparity of five times, "was in a state of unconstitutionality."
１票の格差が最大５・００倍となった２０１０年の参院選について、最高裁大法廷は「違憲状態にあった」との判決を言い渡した。
Twelve of the 15 justices so concluded, while the remaining three judged the election "unconstitutional," which is a stricter term.
１５人の裁判官のうち１２人の意見で、残る３人は、より厳しい「違憲」判断を示した。
The Supreme Court pointed out, as it has done before, that it is "extremely difficult to meet a request to ensure equality of the value of votes" under the current system based on 47 prefectural constituencies while populations have become concentrated in urban areas.
最高裁は、都市部への人口集中が進む中で、４７都道府県を単位とする選挙区制度のままでは、「投票価値の平等という要求に応えるのは、もはや著しく困難」と改めて指摘した。
This is because, under the current system, two seats must be allotted even to Tottori Prefecture, the prefecture with the smallest population.
現行制度では、人口が最も少ない鳥取県にも定数２を割り振らざるを得ないからだ。
===
Pending bills not bold enough
A bill to revise the Public Offices Election Law submitted to the Diet by the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party in the last ordinary Diet session will not change this prefecture-based electoral system. Instead, it calls for a two-seat increase in each of two prefectural constituencies and a two-seat reduction in each of two other prefectural constituencies.
民主、自民両党が先の通常国会に提出した公職選挙法改正案は、この制度に手を付けず、選挙区定数を「４増４減」するものだ。
Wednesday's ruling also said simply increasing or reducing the number of seats for some prefectural constituencies will not solve the disparity. In other words, the top court apparently meant to raise doubt that "a state of unconstitutionality" would be eliminated even if the bill to introduce the "plus-four, minus-four" plan were enacted.
判決は、一部の選挙区の定数を増減させるだけでは解決にならない、との見解も示した。仮に「４増４減」案が成立しても、違憲状態は解消されないとの疑義が示されたとも言える。
If the upper house election is held in summer next year with only such a cosmetic measure taken, there is no doubt that a wave of lawsuits over the number of seats allotted to prefectural constituencies will be filed after the election. It is even possible that a court in the future may rule an election "unconstitutional," invalidating part of it.
こんな弥縫(びほう)策だけで来夏の参院選を迎えれば、選挙後、定数訴訟が相次いで起こされるのは間違いないだろう。裁判所が違憲と判断し、一部選挙を無効とする判決を出す可能性すら排除できない。
We think the ruling and opposition parties should quickly discuss another plan, one bolder than the "plus-four, minus-four" plan, to correct the number of seats allotted to constituencies.
与野党は、「４増４減」よりも踏み込んだ定数是正案をまずは検討すべきではないか。
The drastic electoral reform urged by the top court should also be quickly implemented.
最高裁が求める抜本的な制度改革も急ぐべきである。
===
A better plan fizzled
In debates over reform of the upper house electoral system that started in 2010, the ruling and opposition parties took up for discussion a plan to change constituencies from prefecture-based to bloc-based. This is because the bloc-based system has an advantage--it would make it easier to narrow disparities.
１０年からの与野党の参院選制度改革論議では、選挙区を、都道府県単位からブロック制に改める案なども俎(そ)上(じょう)に載せた。格差を縮小しやすい利点があるからだ。
The plan fizzled out after the death of Takeo Nishioka, the former upper house president who took the initiative in introducing the change. However, we think the plan should be discussed again.
旗振り役の西岡武夫前参院議長の死去で立ち消えになったが、検討し直すべきではないか。
The Diet response has always been too late. This may make people think Diet members lack the ability to handle the problem, only increasing public distrust in politics.
国会の対応はこれまで、常に後手に回ってきた。これでは、国会議員には当事者能力がない、ということになり、国民の政治不信を高めるだけである。
The top court previously ruled that the 2009 House of Representatives election was also "in a state of unconstitutionality." It is unusual for judicial authorities to judge both chambers to be in a situation violating the Constitution, which stipulates equality under the law.
最高裁は０９年衆院選でも、「違憲状態」との判断を示している。両院ともに、法の下の平等を定めた憲法に違反した状態にあると司法が断じる異例の事態だ。
The electoral system for the upper house is a dual system that combines proportional representation and constituencies. It resembles that of the lower house. It is indispensable, then, to have discussions with an eye on the division of roles of the lower and upper houses.
参院選の制度は比例代表と選挙区の２本立てで、衆院選と類似している。衆参の役割分担も視野に入れた論議が不可欠である。
The ruling and opposition parties must quickly convene an extraordinary Diet session and take necessary measures to solve the state of unconstitutionality in time for the next elections.
与野党は、次回の選挙に間に合うよう、早急に臨時国会を開き、違憲状態から脱するための措置を講じなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 18, 2012)
（2012年10月18日01時20分 読売新聞）
2012年10月20日
ソフトバンク 吉と出るか米携帯会社の買収
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 18, 2012)
Will SoftBank's purchase of Sprint be a ringing success?
ソフトバンク 吉と出るか米携帯会社の買収（10月17日付・読売社説）
SoftBank Corp. President Masayoshi Son is again making a big gamble with his pursuit of a policy of aggressive business expansion.
強気の拡大路線を続けるソフトバンクの孫正義社長が、再び大きな賭けに出た。
Whether his company's investment in a U.S. mobile phone carrier will prove fruitful is sure to receive much attention.
巨額買収の成否が注目されよう。
SoftBank, the third-largest wireless carrier in Japan, announced Monday plans to purchase Sprint Nextel Corp., the No. 3 mobile operator in the United States. SoftBank plans to buy about 70 percent of Sprint's shares for 20.1 billion dollars (1.57 trillion yen) to make the U.S. firm its subsidiary.
国内携帯電話３位のソフトバンクが、米３位のスプリント・ネクステルを買収すると発表した。スプリント株の約７０％を２０１億ドル（約１兆５７００億円）で買い取って子会社化する。
With the purchase, SoftBank would jump to more than 90 million subscriptions in Japan and the United States combined, far exceeding the domestic number of Japan's largest carrier, NTT Docomo Inc. Its sales are expected to rank third in the world if the deal goes through.
契約数は、日米合わせて９０００万件を超え、国内最大手ＮＴＴドコモをはるかに上回る。売上高では世界３位に浮上する。
The domestic mobile phone market has reached a saturation point, with no room for further growth. Under the circumstances, SoftBank has decided to expand its business to North America through the purchase of the U.S. mobile carrier.
国内の携帯電話契約数は飽和状態で、伸びは見込めない。スプリント買収を契機に、北米などで事業を拡大する狙いだろう。
===
Era of realignment
The telecommunications industry has changed dramatically recently with the spread of smartphones and next-generation high-speed networks, such as the Long-Term Evolution. As international competition to provide goods and services at universal standards is now fully under way, the industry has entered an era of realignment that will take it beyond national borders.
通信業界は次世代高速通信「ＬＴＥ」や、スマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）の普及で激変している。世界標準のサービスや商品を提供する国際的な競争時代が本格化し、国境を超えた業界再編に踏み込んだと言える。
SoftBank and Sprint both sell Apple Inc.'s iPhone as their flagship product. SoftBank seems to think its planned expansion would put it in a position where it can negotiate better prices from Apple.
ソフトバンクとスプリントはともに、米アップルのｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）を主力商品としている。規模拡大によって、アップルとの価格交渉を有利に進めることも見込んでいるようだ。
Ultra-low interest rates and a historically high yen provided a tailwind for the deal. Other domestic companies can look to SoftBank's strategy of pushing ahead with international mergers and acquisitions as an example.
今回の買収は、超低金利と歴史的な超円高も追い風となった。国際的な合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）を仕掛けるソフトバンクの戦略は、他企業の参考になろう。
SoftBank has used corporate acquisitions as an engine to drive the growth of its business. It previously purchased Japan Telecom Co. and Vodafone Japan, the Japanese arm of British company Vodafone, and only earlier this month agreed to acquire eAccess Ltd., the fourth-largest domestic wireless carrier.
ソフトバンクは、買収攻勢による事業拡張を成長の源泉としてきた。日本テレコム、英ボーダフォン日本法人などを買収し、今月には国内４位のイー・アクセス買収でも合意したばかりだ。
===
Areas of concern
Nevertheless, there are some causes for concern regarding SoftBank's planned purchase of Sprint.
ただし、今回の買収には、懸念材料が少なくない。
First, Sprint lags far behind its two biggest U.S. competitors in terms of subscribers, and has suffered a loss for five straight years. It remains to be seen whether SoftBank can synergistically improve the U.S. company's business performance.
スプリントは契約数でライバルの米２強に離され、５期連続の赤字だ。ソフトバンクがスプリントの経営を再建し、相乗効果を発揮できるかどうかは未知数だ。
SoftBank's financial standing is expected to deteriorate considerably through the deal. The firm plans to raise cash for the purchase through bank loans, which would boost the firm's interest-bearing debt to about 4 trillion yen. This could prove to be a heavy financial burden. The radical moves by SoftBank's stock price after the acquisition deal was announced indicate the market is watching the deal warily.
ソフトバンクの財務体質も大幅に悪化する。買収資金は銀行融資などで賄うとしているが、有利子負債は約４兆円に膨らみ、経営の重荷になりかねない。株価が乱高下しているのも、市場が不安視していることをうかがわせる。
Troubles with communication networks have been unceasing as telecommunication capacity has failed to keep up with the market's demands, which has been exacerbated by the spread of smartphones. Japan's complex and expensive rate system, the highest in the world, has also been the subject of much criticism.
国内の携帯電話市場では、スマートフォン普及で増大した通信量をさばけず、通信障害が後を絶たない。複雑で世界一高いとされる料金体系への批判も多い。
There have also been persistent complaints over poor connections, especially among SoftBank subscribers. We hope the firm remembers to improve service for domestic subscribers, such as by expanding its communication infrastructure to provide a better transmission environment, and lowering rates.
とくにソフトバンクは「つながりにくい」との声が根強い。電波環境の改善に向けた通信インフラの整備や、料金引き下げなど、国内利用者のサービス向上にしっかり取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 17, 2012)
（2012年10月17日01時32分 読売新聞）
Will SoftBank's purchase of Sprint be a ringing success?
ソフトバンク 吉と出るか米携帯会社の買収（10月17日付・読売社説）
SoftBank Corp. President Masayoshi Son is again making a big gamble with his pursuit of a policy of aggressive business expansion.
強気の拡大路線を続けるソフトバンクの孫正義社長が、再び大きな賭けに出た。
Whether his company's investment in a U.S. mobile phone carrier will prove fruitful is sure to receive much attention.
巨額買収の成否が注目されよう。
SoftBank, the third-largest wireless carrier in Japan, announced Monday plans to purchase Sprint Nextel Corp., the No. 3 mobile operator in the United States. SoftBank plans to buy about 70 percent of Sprint's shares for 20.1 billion dollars (1.57 trillion yen) to make the U.S. firm its subsidiary.
国内携帯電話３位のソフトバンクが、米３位のスプリント・ネクステルを買収すると発表した。スプリント株の約７０％を２０１億ドル（約１兆５７００億円）で買い取って子会社化する。
With the purchase, SoftBank would jump to more than 90 million subscriptions in Japan and the United States combined, far exceeding the domestic number of Japan's largest carrier, NTT Docomo Inc. Its sales are expected to rank third in the world if the deal goes through.
契約数は、日米合わせて９０００万件を超え、国内最大手ＮＴＴドコモをはるかに上回る。売上高では世界３位に浮上する。
The domestic mobile phone market has reached a saturation point, with no room for further growth. Under the circumstances, SoftBank has decided to expand its business to North America through the purchase of the U.S. mobile carrier.
国内の携帯電話契約数は飽和状態で、伸びは見込めない。スプリント買収を契機に、北米などで事業を拡大する狙いだろう。
===
Era of realignment
The telecommunications industry has changed dramatically recently with the spread of smartphones and next-generation high-speed networks, such as the Long-Term Evolution. As international competition to provide goods and services at universal standards is now fully under way, the industry has entered an era of realignment that will take it beyond national borders.
通信業界は次世代高速通信「ＬＴＥ」や、スマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）の普及で激変している。世界標準のサービスや商品を提供する国際的な競争時代が本格化し、国境を超えた業界再編に踏み込んだと言える。
SoftBank and Sprint both sell Apple Inc.'s iPhone as their flagship product. SoftBank seems to think its planned expansion would put it in a position where it can negotiate better prices from Apple.
ソフトバンクとスプリントはともに、米アップルのｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）を主力商品としている。規模拡大によって、アップルとの価格交渉を有利に進めることも見込んでいるようだ。
Ultra-low interest rates and a historically high yen provided a tailwind for the deal. Other domestic companies can look to SoftBank's strategy of pushing ahead with international mergers and acquisitions as an example.
今回の買収は、超低金利と歴史的な超円高も追い風となった。国際的な合併・買収（Ｍ＆Ａ）を仕掛けるソフトバンクの戦略は、他企業の参考になろう。
SoftBank has used corporate acquisitions as an engine to drive the growth of its business. It previously purchased Japan Telecom Co. and Vodafone Japan, the Japanese arm of British company Vodafone, and only earlier this month agreed to acquire eAccess Ltd., the fourth-largest domestic wireless carrier.
ソフトバンクは、買収攻勢による事業拡張を成長の源泉としてきた。日本テレコム、英ボーダフォン日本法人などを買収し、今月には国内４位のイー・アクセス買収でも合意したばかりだ。
===
Areas of concern
Nevertheless, there are some causes for concern regarding SoftBank's planned purchase of Sprint.
ただし、今回の買収には、懸念材料が少なくない。
First, Sprint lags far behind its two biggest U.S. competitors in terms of subscribers, and has suffered a loss for five straight years. It remains to be seen whether SoftBank can synergistically improve the U.S. company's business performance.
スプリントは契約数でライバルの米２強に離され、５期連続の赤字だ。ソフトバンクがスプリントの経営を再建し、相乗効果を発揮できるかどうかは未知数だ。
SoftBank's financial standing is expected to deteriorate considerably through the deal. The firm plans to raise cash for the purchase through bank loans, which would boost the firm's interest-bearing debt to about 4 trillion yen. This could prove to be a heavy financial burden. The radical moves by SoftBank's stock price after the acquisition deal was announced indicate the market is watching the deal warily.
ソフトバンクの財務体質も大幅に悪化する。買収資金は銀行融資などで賄うとしているが、有利子負債は約４兆円に膨らみ、経営の重荷になりかねない。株価が乱高下しているのも、市場が不安視していることをうかがわせる。
Troubles with communication networks have been unceasing as telecommunication capacity has failed to keep up with the market's demands, which has been exacerbated by the spread of smartphones. Japan's complex and expensive rate system, the highest in the world, has also been the subject of much criticism.
国内の携帯電話市場では、スマートフォン普及で増大した通信量をさばけず、通信障害が後を絶たない。複雑で世界一高いとされる料金体系への批判も多い。
There have also been persistent complaints over poor connections, especially among SoftBank subscribers. We hope the firm remembers to improve service for domestic subscribers, such as by expanding its communication infrastructure to provide a better transmission environment, and lowering rates.
とくにソフトバンクは「つながりにくい」との声が根強い。電波環境の改善に向けた通信インフラの整備や、料金引き下げなど、国内利用者のサービス向上にしっかり取り組んでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 17, 2012)
（2012年10月17日01時32分 読売新聞）
2012年10月18日
３党幹事長会談 いつまで条件闘争をするのか
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 17, 2012)
When will 3 parties stop squabbling over Diet session?
３党幹事長会談 いつまで条件闘争をするのか（10月16日付・読売社説）
Talks between the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over the next extraordinary Diet session are a mess.
臨時国会を巡る民主、自民、公明３党の話し合いが難航している。
How long will they continue to put their party interests before everything else?
一体いつまで党利党略の駆け引きに明け暮れるつもりなのか。
DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said he wanted to convene an extraordinary Diet session late this month when he held talks Monday with his LDP counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and Komeito counterpart Yoshihisa Inoue. The secretaries general will meet again Thursday, and a meeting between the leaders of the three parties will likely be held by the end of this week.
民主党の輿石幹事長は自民党・石破、公明党・井上の両幹事長との会談で、臨時国会を月末にも開く考えを示した。１８日に再度会談した上で、週内にも３党首会談を行うという。
Such a sluggish approach to the talks is appalling. In particular, the DPJ has a heavy responsibility for delaying the convening of an extraordinary Diet session. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda should announce the policies of his reshuffled Cabinet at this session.
スローテンポにはあきれるばかりだ。特に、これまで臨時国会の召集を先送りしてきた民主党の責任は重い。野田首相は、臨時国会で、改造内閣の所信を表明しなければならない。
A mountain of problems, including the confrontation between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands, and energy issues, await action. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties are failing to fulfill their responsibilities by not debating these issues in the Diet.
尖閣諸島を巡る日中対立やエネルギー問題など課題は山積している。与野党議員は国会論戦もせず、職責を果たしていない。
The qualifications of Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka also must be taken up. It was recently revealed that the justice minister, who is at the center of a scandal over donations from a foreign national, had ties with an organized crime syndicate. There is no doubt these entanglements are inappropriate for a justice minister.
田中法相の資質をただす必要もある。外国人献金問題を抱える法相には、暴力団との過去の交際も発覚した。法相として不適切であるのは、間違いない。
===
Resolve vote disparity
One issue the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito should immediately resolve is the vote-value disparity in House of Representatives elections.
民自公３党間で直ちに解決すべき課題の一つは、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正である。
On an NHK program Sunday, Koshiishi hinted at the possibility the DPJ may accept a plan to first reduce the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five. However, he also told reporters that "unanimity among all opposition parties" is a condition to carrying out the plan.
輿石氏は１４日のＮＨＫ番組で、小選挙区の「０増５減」先行実施に応じる可能性を示唆した。だが、記者団には「全野党の一致」を条件とする意向も示している。
The DPJ's adherence to its plan to simultaneously correct the vote-value disparity by cutting the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five and reduce the number of lower house seats complicates the issue and has delayed correcting the vote-value disparity. If the DPJ sets this new condition now, we cannot help but wonder if the party is serious about tackling the issue.
民主党が「０増５減」と定数削減の同時実施に固執してきたことで問題がこじれ、是正が遅れている。ここに及んで民主党が新たな条件をつけるようでは、格差是正に本気で取り組む考えがあるのか、疑わざるを得ない。
Enactment of a bill to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds is also a pressing issue.
赤字国債発行を認める特例公債法案の成立も喫緊の課題だ。
During the meeting of secretaries general Monday, the LDP and Komeito demanded that Noda promise to dissolve the lower house for a general election by the end of this year. "If [the prime minister] is so insincere, there will be no meeting of leaders [of the three parties]," Ishiba was quoted as saying.
自公両党は会談で、年内の衆院解散・総選挙を首相が明示するよう求めた。石破氏は、首相が「あまりに不誠実なら党首会談が開かれることはない」とも述べた。
===
Financial resources at risk
If the current stalemate continues, the passage of the bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds will be delayed and, as a result, the government's financial resources in the fiscal 2012 budget will be exhausted. The DPJ, LDP and Komeito should quickly reach a compromise on the issue so people's livelihoods will not be adversely affected.
このまま膠着(こうちゃく)状態が続けば、法案の成立がずれ込み、今年度予算の財源が底をつく。民自公３党は、国民生活に悪影響を及ぼすことのないよう妥協を急ぐべきだ。
The LDP has called for a delay in the establishment of a national council to revamp the social security system--which the three parties already have agreed on--until after the lower house election. We urge the three parties to come to terms on this issue.
３党がすでに合意している社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置について、自民党は衆院選後への先送りを唱えている。この点でも折り合いをつけてもらいたい。
The opposition-controlled House of Councillors passed a censure motion against the prime minister during the last ordinary Diet session. If the opposition parties plan to stall the Diet session for this reason, there is no point in convening an extraordinary Diet session. This will only increase public distrust in political parties.
参院は先の通常国会で首相問責決議を可決した。これを理由に国会を空転させるのなら、臨時国会を開く意味がない。既成政党への国民の不信感が高まるだけだ。
The ruling and opposition parties should agree not to carry over the censure motion into the next Diet session and make it a general rule of the divided Diet not to do this in future.
与野党は、衆参ねじれ国会の新たなルールとして、問責決議を次の国会にまで引きずらないことで合意すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 16, 2012)
（2012年10月16日01時29分 読売新聞）
When will 3 parties stop squabbling over Diet session?
３党幹事長会談 いつまで条件闘争をするのか（10月16日付・読売社説）
Talks between the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over the next extraordinary Diet session are a mess.
臨時国会を巡る民主、自民、公明３党の話し合いが難航している。
How long will they continue to put their party interests before everything else?
一体いつまで党利党略の駆け引きに明け暮れるつもりなのか。
DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi said he wanted to convene an extraordinary Diet session late this month when he held talks Monday with his LDP counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and Komeito counterpart Yoshihisa Inoue. The secretaries general will meet again Thursday, and a meeting between the leaders of the three parties will likely be held by the end of this week.
民主党の輿石幹事長は自民党・石破、公明党・井上の両幹事長との会談で、臨時国会を月末にも開く考えを示した。１８日に再度会談した上で、週内にも３党首会談を行うという。
Such a sluggish approach to the talks is appalling. In particular, the DPJ has a heavy responsibility for delaying the convening of an extraordinary Diet session. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda should announce the policies of his reshuffled Cabinet at this session.
スローテンポにはあきれるばかりだ。特に、これまで臨時国会の召集を先送りしてきた民主党の責任は重い。野田首相は、臨時国会で、改造内閣の所信を表明しなければならない。
A mountain of problems, including the confrontation between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands, and energy issues, await action. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties are failing to fulfill their responsibilities by not debating these issues in the Diet.
尖閣諸島を巡る日中対立やエネルギー問題など課題は山積している。与野党議員は国会論戦もせず、職責を果たしていない。
The qualifications of Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka also must be taken up. It was recently revealed that the justice minister, who is at the center of a scandal over donations from a foreign national, had ties with an organized crime syndicate. There is no doubt these entanglements are inappropriate for a justice minister.
田中法相の資質をただす必要もある。外国人献金問題を抱える法相には、暴力団との過去の交際も発覚した。法相として不適切であるのは、間違いない。
===
Resolve vote disparity
One issue the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito should immediately resolve is the vote-value disparity in House of Representatives elections.
民自公３党間で直ちに解決すべき課題の一つは、衆院選の「１票の格差」是正である。
On an NHK program Sunday, Koshiishi hinted at the possibility the DPJ may accept a plan to first reduce the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five. However, he also told reporters that "unanimity among all opposition parties" is a condition to carrying out the plan.
輿石氏は１４日のＮＨＫ番組で、小選挙区の「０増５減」先行実施に応じる可能性を示唆した。だが、記者団には「全野党の一致」を条件とする意向も示している。
The DPJ's adherence to its plan to simultaneously correct the vote-value disparity by cutting the number of lower house single-seat constituencies by five and reduce the number of lower house seats complicates the issue and has delayed correcting the vote-value disparity. If the DPJ sets this new condition now, we cannot help but wonder if the party is serious about tackling the issue.
民主党が「０増５減」と定数削減の同時実施に固執してきたことで問題がこじれ、是正が遅れている。ここに及んで民主党が新たな条件をつけるようでは、格差是正に本気で取り組む考えがあるのか、疑わざるを得ない。
Enactment of a bill to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds is also a pressing issue.
赤字国債発行を認める特例公債法案の成立も喫緊の課題だ。
During the meeting of secretaries general Monday, the LDP and Komeito demanded that Noda promise to dissolve the lower house for a general election by the end of this year. "If [the prime minister] is so insincere, there will be no meeting of leaders [of the three parties]," Ishiba was quoted as saying.
自公両党は会談で、年内の衆院解散・総選挙を首相が明示するよう求めた。石破氏は、首相が「あまりに不誠実なら党首会談が開かれることはない」とも述べた。
===
Financial resources at risk
If the current stalemate continues, the passage of the bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds will be delayed and, as a result, the government's financial resources in the fiscal 2012 budget will be exhausted. The DPJ, LDP and Komeito should quickly reach a compromise on the issue so people's livelihoods will not be adversely affected.
このまま膠着(こうちゃく)状態が続けば、法案の成立がずれ込み、今年度予算の財源が底をつく。民自公３党は、国民生活に悪影響を及ぼすことのないよう妥協を急ぐべきだ。
The LDP has called for a delay in the establishment of a national council to revamp the social security system--which the three parties already have agreed on--until after the lower house election. We urge the three parties to come to terms on this issue.
３党がすでに合意している社会保障制度改革国民会議の設置について、自民党は衆院選後への先送りを唱えている。この点でも折り合いをつけてもらいたい。
The opposition-controlled House of Councillors passed a censure motion against the prime minister during the last ordinary Diet session. If the opposition parties plan to stall the Diet session for this reason, there is no point in convening an extraordinary Diet session. This will only increase public distrust in political parties.
参院は先の通常国会で首相問責決議を可決した。これを理由に国会を空転させるのなら、臨時国会を開く意味がない。既成政党への国民の不信感が高まるだけだ。
The ruling and opposition parties should agree not to carry over the censure motion into the next Diet session and make it a general rule of the divided Diet not to do this in future.
与野党は、衆参ねじれ国会の新たなルールとして、問責決議を次の国会にまで引きずらないことで合意すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 16, 2012)
（2012年10月16日01時29分 読売新聞）
2012年10月17日
ＩＭＦ世銀総会 世界経済の減速に懸念高まる
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 16, 2012)
Fears mounting over global economic slowdown
ＩＭＦ世銀総会 世界経済の減速に懸念高まる（10月14日付・読売社説）
The slowdown of the global economy due to the protracted European debt crisis is becoming increasingly conspicuous. Countries around the world must work together to stop a negative chain reaction.
欧州危機の長期化で、世界経済の減速が鮮明になってきた。各国が協調して「負の連鎖」を食い止めねばならない。
The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were held in Tokyo for the first time in 48 years, with 188 countries taking part. The meetings were a good opportunity for Japan to demonstrate its recovery from the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011.
１８８か国が参加した国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会が、東京で４８年ぶりに開かれた。日本にとっては、東日本大震災からの復興をアピールする機会となったと言える。
A focus of attention at the annual meetings was how the world economy can overcome the challenges it faces.
総会の主要議題は、世界経済の試練をどう乗り切るかだった。
In its global economic forecast, the IMF has revised downward the 2012 growth rate of the world's real gross domestic product to 3.3 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than its projection in July.
ＩＭＦが発表した世界経済見通しは、２０１２年の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率を３・３％増と予測し、７月時点から０・２ポイント下方修正した。
Countries in the eurozone have failed to extricate themselves from their negative growth patterns due to the fiscal and banking crises they are facing. The harmful effects are spreading to the rest of the world. The economic slowdown in China, India, Brazil and other emerging countries has become more pronounced.
財政・金融危機でユーロ圏はマイナス成長から抜け出せず、世界に悪影響を広げている。世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国、インド、ブラジルなど新興国の景気減速も目立ち始めた。
===
Uncertainty on rise
It was a matter of course for IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde to warn at a press conference ahead of the annual meetings that the "level of uncertainty" weighing down global economic growth was increasing.
ＩＭＦのラガルド専務理事が、「不確実性が高まっている」と危機感を示したのは当然だろう。
Terminating this vicious cycle of global economic malaise is not easy. A major challenge is to determine how to achieve fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth at the same time.
世界経済の悪循環を断ち切るのは容易ではない。財政再建と成長を両立させる方策が問われる。
Attention should be focused first on how to resolve the European crisis, the root cause for the global economic downturn.
まず、震源地の欧州危機をいかに収束させるかが焦点だ。
We highly regard the European Central Bank's decision to buy the bonds of fiscally troubled countries and the eurozone's launching of the European Stability Mechanism on Oct. 8 as a new permanent safety net for banks.
欧州中央銀行が財政危機国の国債購入策を決め、ユーロ圏が恒久的な金融安全網である欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）を８日に発足させたことは評価できる。
Spain, a focal point of the fiscal crisis, is still hesitant in asking assistance from the ESM, and its government bond rating has been downgraded by two levels. Greece, meanwhile, has called on its creditors to extend its fiscal reform deadline by two years. The request has not yet been granted due to Germany's opposition and other factors.
しかし、焦点のスペインは支援要請を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)しており、国債格付けが２段階引き下げられた。ギリシャが財政再建達成の２年先延ばしを求めている問題は、ドイツの反対などで未決着だ。
If appropriate countermeasures are not taken promptly, the crisis will become even worse again. Based on a series of points made in Tokyo, the eurozone countries should take quick action to contain the spread of credit uncertainty. They also need to realize fiscal integration as soon as possible.
またしても対応が遅れれば、事態は一段と深刻化する。東京で相次いだ指摘を踏まえ、欧州各国は迅速に行動し、信用不安の拡大を封じ込めるべきだ。財政統合も急ぐ必要がある。
===
End friction with China
It is feared in the United States that drastic cuts in federal spending--the so-called fiscal cliff--will be made early next year. We hope both the ruling and opposition parties in the United States take appropriate measures to deal with this immediately after the U.S. presidential election.
米国では来年初めに、「財政の崖」と呼ばれる急激な財政引き締めが起きることが懸念される。与野党は大統領選後、速やかに事態打開を目指してもらいたい。
Japan is on the brink of entering an economic downturn due to the slowdown of economies abroad and the superstrong yen. The country will be required to take additional measures to stimulate the economy and to get out of deflation.
海外経済の減速や超円高で景気後退局面入りの瀬戸際にある日本も、景気テコ入れとデフレ脱却を図る追加策が求められよう。
Lagarde criticized China for not sending its finance minister and central bank officials to the IMF-World Bank annual meetings because of Beijing's confrontation with Tokyo over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. We think her remark was important as it emphasized the necessity of normalizing Japan-China relations at an early date.
尖閣諸島を巡る日本との対立を背景に財務相らのＩＭＦ・世銀総会出席を見合わせた中国を、ラガルド専務理事が批判した。日中関係の早期正常化の必要性を強調した発言は重要である。
Protracted deterioration of bilateral ties will also damage the global economy. Beijing will not benefit if such confusion applies downward pressure on the Chinese economy.
関係悪化が長期化すれば世界経済に打撃を与える。そうした混乱が中国景気を冷やすことは、中国にも得策ではないはずだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 14, 2012)
（2012年10月14日02時03分 読売新聞）
Fears mounting over global economic slowdown
ＩＭＦ世銀総会 世界経済の減速に懸念高まる（10月14日付・読売社説）
The slowdown of the global economy due to the protracted European debt crisis is becoming increasingly conspicuous. Countries around the world must work together to stop a negative chain reaction.
欧州危機の長期化で、世界経済の減速が鮮明になってきた。各国が協調して「負の連鎖」を食い止めねばならない。
The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were held in Tokyo for the first time in 48 years, with 188 countries taking part. The meetings were a good opportunity for Japan to demonstrate its recovery from the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March 2011.
１８８か国が参加した国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会が、東京で４８年ぶりに開かれた。日本にとっては、東日本大震災からの復興をアピールする機会となったと言える。
A focus of attention at the annual meetings was how the world economy can overcome the challenges it faces.
総会の主要議題は、世界経済の試練をどう乗り切るかだった。
In its global economic forecast, the IMF has revised downward the 2012 growth rate of the world's real gross domestic product to 3.3 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than its projection in July.
ＩＭＦが発表した世界経済見通しは、２０１２年の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の伸び率を３・３％増と予測し、７月時点から０・２ポイント下方修正した。
Countries in the eurozone have failed to extricate themselves from their negative growth patterns due to the fiscal and banking crises they are facing. The harmful effects are spreading to the rest of the world. The economic slowdown in China, India, Brazil and other emerging countries has become more pronounced.
財政・金融危機でユーロ圏はマイナス成長から抜け出せず、世界に悪影響を広げている。世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた中国、インド、ブラジルなど新興国の景気減速も目立ち始めた。
===
Uncertainty on rise
It was a matter of course for IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde to warn at a press conference ahead of the annual meetings that the "level of uncertainty" weighing down global economic growth was increasing.
ＩＭＦのラガルド専務理事が、「不確実性が高まっている」と危機感を示したのは当然だろう。
Terminating this vicious cycle of global economic malaise is not easy. A major challenge is to determine how to achieve fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth at the same time.
世界経済の悪循環を断ち切るのは容易ではない。財政再建と成長を両立させる方策が問われる。
Attention should be focused first on how to resolve the European crisis, the root cause for the global economic downturn.
まず、震源地の欧州危機をいかに収束させるかが焦点だ。
We highly regard the European Central Bank's decision to buy the bonds of fiscally troubled countries and the eurozone's launching of the European Stability Mechanism on Oct. 8 as a new permanent safety net for banks.
欧州中央銀行が財政危機国の国債購入策を決め、ユーロ圏が恒久的な金融安全網である欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）を８日に発足させたことは評価できる。
Spain, a focal point of the fiscal crisis, is still hesitant in asking assistance from the ESM, and its government bond rating has been downgraded by two levels. Greece, meanwhile, has called on its creditors to extend its fiscal reform deadline by two years. The request has not yet been granted due to Germany's opposition and other factors.
しかし、焦点のスペインは支援要請を躊躇(ちゅうちょ)しており、国債格付けが２段階引き下げられた。ギリシャが財政再建達成の２年先延ばしを求めている問題は、ドイツの反対などで未決着だ。
If appropriate countermeasures are not taken promptly, the crisis will become even worse again. Based on a series of points made in Tokyo, the eurozone countries should take quick action to contain the spread of credit uncertainty. They also need to realize fiscal integration as soon as possible.
またしても対応が遅れれば、事態は一段と深刻化する。東京で相次いだ指摘を踏まえ、欧州各国は迅速に行動し、信用不安の拡大を封じ込めるべきだ。財政統合も急ぐ必要がある。
===
End friction with China
It is feared in the United States that drastic cuts in federal spending--the so-called fiscal cliff--will be made early next year. We hope both the ruling and opposition parties in the United States take appropriate measures to deal with this immediately after the U.S. presidential election.
米国では来年初めに、「財政の崖」と呼ばれる急激な財政引き締めが起きることが懸念される。与野党は大統領選後、速やかに事態打開を目指してもらいたい。
Japan is on the brink of entering an economic downturn due to the slowdown of economies abroad and the superstrong yen. The country will be required to take additional measures to stimulate the economy and to get out of deflation.
海外経済の減速や超円高で景気後退局面入りの瀬戸際にある日本も、景気テコ入れとデフレ脱却を図る追加策が求められよう。
Lagarde criticized China for not sending its finance minister and central bank officials to the IMF-World Bank annual meetings because of Beijing's confrontation with Tokyo over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. We think her remark was important as it emphasized the necessity of normalizing Japan-China relations at an early date.
尖閣諸島を巡る日本との対立を背景に財務相らのＩＭＦ・世銀総会出席を見合わせた中国を、ラガルド専務理事が批判した。日中関係の早期正常化の必要性を強調した発言は重要である。
Protracted deterioration of bilateral ties will also damage the global economy. Beijing will not benefit if such confusion applies downward pressure on the Chinese economy.
関係悪化が長期化すれば世界経済に打撃を与える。そうした混乱が中国景気を冷やすことは、中国にも得策ではないはずだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 14, 2012)
（2012年10月14日02時03分 読売新聞）
2012年10月16日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:タレントと比べないで ／東京
October 14, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't compare yourselves with celebrities
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:タレントと比べないで ／東京
Books on how to lose weight after giving birth have recently been selling well.
「産後ダイエット」の本が大はやりだ。
These books typically feature female celebrities who have given birth.
本に登場するのは、出産を経験した女性タレントたち。
Specifically, they introduce exercise and dietary tips that helped celebrities -- whose weight increased by more than 10 kilograms after getting pregnant -- restore their body shape to that before they became pregnant.
妊娠して１０キロ以上、体重が増加したけれど、産後数カ月で以前の体形に元通り。
These stories are often accompanied by "before" and "after" pictures.
そのために役立ったのがこの体操や食事法なんです、と写真つきで紹介している本も多い。
Looking at these books out of curiosity, I find that they feature celebrities with brilliant smiles.
興味本位でながめてみると、そこにはおなじみのタレントが輝くばかりの笑顔で写っている。
As someone who has never given birth, I become envious, wondering whether it's really true that women are the most beautiful shortly after giving birth.
「へえ、独身時代よりむしろきれいになったみたい。やっぱり子どもを産んだ直後の女性は最高に美しいってホントなのかな」と子どもを持ったことのない私はちょっぴりうらやましくなる。
However, this is not apparently the case with every woman.
でも、これは万人に当てはまるわけではないようだ。
A woman who has two children aged three and one lamented in my consultation room, "I can't restore my body shape to what it was before I gave birth.
診察室で１歳と３歳の子どもを持つ女性が言っていた。「出産後、体形も戻らないし、
I have no time or the emotional space to think about my own beauty in the first place.
だいたい美容になんか気をつかう時間も気持ちのゆとりもないですよ。
Look at my worn-out skin and messy hair."
見てください、肌もボロボロだし髪もバサバサ……。
She added, "The other day, my husband was watching TV and said, 'That celebrity is beautiful even though she has three children,' and looked at me as if he were comparing her with me, so I became furious."
このあいだ夫がテレビを見ながら“このタレント、子どもが３人もいるのにきれいだなあ”と言って、比べるような目でこっちを見たので、キレて怒鳴ってしまいました」
She said her husband was usually busy with work and hardly helped with the kids, forcing her to take care of everything at home.
ふだん夫は仕事に追われてほとんど育児にも協力してくれず、女性はひとりですべてをこなさなければならない。
It must be intolerable to have to be compared with celebrities on top of that.
その上、タレントと自分とを比べられては、たまったものではないだろう。
It is true that I meet far more women who have been depressed from stress and fatigue after childbirth than those who remain beautiful and luminous after having children.
For those exhausted women, books featuring celebrities who remain beautiful after giving birth are nothing but an eyesore.
そういう女性たちにとっては、「こんなに美しくなりました！」という出産タレントたちの本は、かえって目に毒だと言えるかもしれない。
I told a woman who complained she was worn out, "Celebrities have people who help them look after their children.
「自分はボロボロ」と嘆く女性には、こう声をかけた。
「考えてみてくださいよ、タレントさんたちには子育てを手伝ってくれる人もいるでしょうし、
In a sense, dieting and looking beautiful are part of their work, so they get advice from lots of experts.
ダイエットや美容法を実践するのがある意味、仕事なのだから、専門家が大勢ついているわけでしょう。
You don't have to take them at face value and compare them with yourself.
うのみにして自分と比べる必要なんてないですよ。
Tell your husband that I said so."
夫にも、私がそう言っていたと伝えてください」
It is natural that many women are envious of those who maintain their body shape and beauty even after giving birth and handle their work as energetically as before.
出産しても抜群のスタイルと美貌、生き生きと前と同じように仕事をこなす女性は、たしかにあこがれの的ではあるが、
But those women shouldn't be made into subjects of comparison that make you feel depressed.
自分と比較して落ち込む対象ではない。
It is wiser to look at such women with a cool eye saying to yourself, "They must have the support of so many people to be who they are."
「へえ、こうなるためにはずいぶん多くの人がサポートしてるんでしょうね」とちょっとナナメに見るくらいが、ちょうどいいのではないだろうか。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年10月09日 地方版
〔都内版〕
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Don't compare yourselves with celebrities
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:タレントと比べないで ／東京
Books on how to lose weight after giving birth have recently been selling well.
「産後ダイエット」の本が大はやりだ。
These books typically feature female celebrities who have given birth.
本に登場するのは、出産を経験した女性タレントたち。
Specifically, they introduce exercise and dietary tips that helped celebrities -- whose weight increased by more than 10 kilograms after getting pregnant -- restore their body shape to that before they became pregnant.
妊娠して１０キロ以上、体重が増加したけれど、産後数カ月で以前の体形に元通り。
These stories are often accompanied by "before" and "after" pictures.
そのために役立ったのがこの体操や食事法なんです、と写真つきで紹介している本も多い。
Looking at these books out of curiosity, I find that they feature celebrities with brilliant smiles.
興味本位でながめてみると、そこにはおなじみのタレントが輝くばかりの笑顔で写っている。
As someone who has never given birth, I become envious, wondering whether it's really true that women are the most beautiful shortly after giving birth.
「へえ、独身時代よりむしろきれいになったみたい。やっぱり子どもを産んだ直後の女性は最高に美しいってホントなのかな」と子どもを持ったことのない私はちょっぴりうらやましくなる。
However, this is not apparently the case with every woman.
でも、これは万人に当てはまるわけではないようだ。
A woman who has two children aged three and one lamented in my consultation room, "I can't restore my body shape to what it was before I gave birth.
診察室で１歳と３歳の子どもを持つ女性が言っていた。「出産後、体形も戻らないし、
I have no time or the emotional space to think about my own beauty in the first place.
だいたい美容になんか気をつかう時間も気持ちのゆとりもないですよ。
Look at my worn-out skin and messy hair."
見てください、肌もボロボロだし髪もバサバサ……。
She added, "The other day, my husband was watching TV and said, 'That celebrity is beautiful even though she has three children,' and looked at me as if he were comparing her with me, so I became furious."
このあいだ夫がテレビを見ながら“このタレント、子どもが３人もいるのにきれいだなあ”と言って、比べるような目でこっちを見たので、キレて怒鳴ってしまいました」
She said her husband was usually busy with work and hardly helped with the kids, forcing her to take care of everything at home.
ふだん夫は仕事に追われてほとんど育児にも協力してくれず、女性はひとりですべてをこなさなければならない。
It must be intolerable to have to be compared with celebrities on top of that.
その上、タレントと自分とを比べられては、たまったものではないだろう。
It is true that I meet far more women who have been depressed from stress and fatigue after childbirth than those who remain beautiful and luminous after having children.
For those exhausted women, books featuring celebrities who remain beautiful after giving birth are nothing but an eyesore.
そういう女性たちにとっては、「こんなに美しくなりました！」という出産タレントたちの本は、かえって目に毒だと言えるかもしれない。
I told a woman who complained she was worn out, "Celebrities have people who help them look after their children.
「自分はボロボロ」と嘆く女性には、こう声をかけた。
「考えてみてくださいよ、タレントさんたちには子育てを手伝ってくれる人もいるでしょうし、
In a sense, dieting and looking beautiful are part of their work, so they get advice from lots of experts.
ダイエットや美容法を実践するのがある意味、仕事なのだから、専門家が大勢ついているわけでしょう。
You don't have to take them at face value and compare them with yourself.
うのみにして自分と比べる必要なんてないですよ。
Tell your husband that I said so."
夫にも、私がそう言っていたと伝えてください」
It is natural that many women are envious of those who maintain their body shape and beauty even after giving birth and handle their work as energetically as before.
出産しても抜群のスタイルと美貌、生き生きと前と同じように仕事をこなす女性は、たしかにあこがれの的ではあるが、
But those women shouldn't be made into subjects of comparison that make you feel depressed.
自分と比較して落ち込む対象ではない。
It is wiser to look at such women with a cool eye saying to yourself, "They must have the support of so many people to be who they are."
「へえ、こうなるためにはずいぶん多くの人がサポートしてるんでしょうね」とちょっとナナメに見るくらいが、ちょうどいいのではないだろうか。
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2012年10月09日 地方版
〔都内版〕
2012年10月15日
ミャンマー支援 民主化と経済再建に弾みを
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 14, 2012)
Myanmar reforms need wholehearted support
ミャンマー支援 民主化と経済再建に弾みを（10月13日付・読売社説）
We welcome moves by the international community to build a system to underpin Myanmar's reform efforts toward democratization. The country needs help in boosting its political reform and economic rebuilding efforts.
民主化改革を進めるミャンマーに対し、国際社会が支援体制を整えたことを歓迎したい。改革と経済再建に弾みをつける必要がある。
A meeting on Myanmar was held in Tokyo on Thursday, with the participation of developed countries and international organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
先進国と世界銀行、アジア開発銀行によるミャンマー支援国会合が東京で開かれた。
During the meeting, creditors agreed to write off Myanmar's outstanding debts in January and resume financial aid to the country after an interval of more than 20 years.
ミャンマーが抱える延滞債務を来年１月に免除し、国際社会が２０年以上も中止してきた金融支援を再開する方針で合意した。
Japan, Myanmar's largest creditor, said it will forgive most of the 500 billion yen debt owed to this country and resume yen loans for the first time in 26 years at the earliest possible date next year.
約５０００億円という最大の貸し手である日本は、大半の債権を放棄したうえ、円借款を来年早い時期に２６年ぶりに再開する。
To enable the World Bank and the ADB to extend new loans to Myanmar, Japan also decided to provisionally shoulder the country's arrears to help it repay its creditors.
世銀とアジア開銀が新規融資を行えるよう、世銀などに対するミャンマーの借金を日本がいったん肩代わりする協力も決めた。
It is significant that Japan, which has been proactive in improving its relations with Myanmar, took the initiative in paving the way for the international community to provide full-fledged support to the country.
ミャンマーとの関係修復に積極的な日本が主導し、国際的な支援策をまとめた意義は大きい。
Developed countries imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar for many years, citing such reasons as human rights abuses under the military junta. As a result, the country lags other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is the poorest country in the region.
ミャンマーは軍事政権下の人権弾圧などを理由に、先進国側から長年にわたり経済制裁を受けてきた。そのため、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の中で取り残されてきた最貧国である。
===
Country's great potential
However, Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in 2010, and the country saw a power shift from the military to a civilian government in the spring of 2011. Since then, the government led by President Thein Sein has promoted democratization.
しかし、２０１０年に民主化運動指導者のアウン・サン・スー・チー氏が軟禁を解かれ、昨春には民政移管を果たし、テイン・セイン政権が民主化を進めている。
This significant change was hailed by the international community, and Myanmar managed to win pledges for a resumption of international aid.
こうした大きな変化を国際社会が評価して、ようやく支援再開にこぎつけた。
Myanmar has a population of more than 60 million and is rich in natural resources. Hopes are high that Myanmar, the so-called last frontier in Asia, will achieve rapid economic growth.
ミャンマーは人口が６０００万人を超え、天然資源なども豊富だ。「アジア最後のフロンティア」として急成長が期待される。
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said that if the country makes sufficient progress in domestic reforms, it could catch up with other ASEAN countries in the next five to 10 years.
アジア開銀の黒田東彦総裁も、「国内改革が進めば、今後５〜１０年で他のＡＳＥＡＮ諸国に追いつける」と予想している。
With the backing of financial aid and investment from developed countries and other lenders, Myanmar's economic development should accelerate.
先進国などの金融支援と投資拡大をテコに、経済発展を加速させることが肝要だ。
===
Building infrastructure is key
The main challenges the country faces are its abysmal infrastructure, such as electricity and railway systems, and its inadequate educational, medical and other social services. Japan aims to use yen loans to provide materials and expertise to develop the country's infrastructure.
課題は、電力、鉄道などのインフラや、医療、教育などの整備が遅れていることである。日本は円借款供与によって、インフラ輸出の拡大も目指したい。
Major trading houses and other companies have already launched projects in Myanmar. The government plans to fully cooperate with these companies to develop Myanmar's special economic zones.
すでに大手商社などがミャンマーでの事業に乗り出している。経済特区の整備でも、政府と企業が全面的に協力する方向だ。
For Japanese companies, Myanmar is highly likely to become a new production base in Asia. Cooperation between the public and private sectors must be strengthened.
日系企業にとって、ミャンマーは、アジアの新たな生産拠点となる可能性が高い。官民連携を一層強化すべきである。
Although Myanmar has strong ties with China, its major trading partner, it apparently harbors concern about Beijing's clout.
ミャンマーは中国と近接し、貿易量は多いが、中国の影響力に対する警戒感もうかがえる。
In light of this, Japan's wholehearted support for Myanmar could put a brake on China, which is attempting to increase its presence in the region.
日本の積極的なミャンマー支援は、地域での存在感を強めようとする中国への牽制(けんせい)にもなる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 13, 2012)
（2012年10月13日02時14分 読売新聞）
Myanmar reforms need wholehearted support
ミャンマー支援 民主化と経済再建に弾みを（10月13日付・読売社説）
We welcome moves by the international community to build a system to underpin Myanmar's reform efforts toward democratization. The country needs help in boosting its political reform and economic rebuilding efforts.
民主化改革を進めるミャンマーに対し、国際社会が支援体制を整えたことを歓迎したい。改革と経済再建に弾みをつける必要がある。
A meeting on Myanmar was held in Tokyo on Thursday, with the participation of developed countries and international organizations, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
先進国と世界銀行、アジア開発銀行によるミャンマー支援国会合が東京で開かれた。
During the meeting, creditors agreed to write off Myanmar's outstanding debts in January and resume financial aid to the country after an interval of more than 20 years.
ミャンマーが抱える延滞債務を来年１月に免除し、国際社会が２０年以上も中止してきた金融支援を再開する方針で合意した。
Japan, Myanmar's largest creditor, said it will forgive most of the 500 billion yen debt owed to this country and resume yen loans for the first time in 26 years at the earliest possible date next year.
約５０００億円という最大の貸し手である日本は、大半の債権を放棄したうえ、円借款を来年早い時期に２６年ぶりに再開する。
To enable the World Bank and the ADB to extend new loans to Myanmar, Japan also decided to provisionally shoulder the country's arrears to help it repay its creditors.
世銀とアジア開銀が新規融資を行えるよう、世銀などに対するミャンマーの借金を日本がいったん肩代わりする協力も決めた。
It is significant that Japan, which has been proactive in improving its relations with Myanmar, took the initiative in paving the way for the international community to provide full-fledged support to the country.
ミャンマーとの関係修復に積極的な日本が主導し、国際的な支援策をまとめた意義は大きい。
Developed countries imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar for many years, citing such reasons as human rights abuses under the military junta. As a result, the country lags other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is the poorest country in the region.
ミャンマーは軍事政権下の人権弾圧などを理由に、先進国側から長年にわたり経済制裁を受けてきた。そのため、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の中で取り残されてきた最貧国である。
===
Country's great potential
However, Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in 2010, and the country saw a power shift from the military to a civilian government in the spring of 2011. Since then, the government led by President Thein Sein has promoted democratization.
しかし、２０１０年に民主化運動指導者のアウン・サン・スー・チー氏が軟禁を解かれ、昨春には民政移管を果たし、テイン・セイン政権が民主化を進めている。
This significant change was hailed by the international community, and Myanmar managed to win pledges for a resumption of international aid.
こうした大きな変化を国際社会が評価して、ようやく支援再開にこぎつけた。
Myanmar has a population of more than 60 million and is rich in natural resources. Hopes are high that Myanmar, the so-called last frontier in Asia, will achieve rapid economic growth.
ミャンマーは人口が６０００万人を超え、天然資源なども豊富だ。「アジア最後のフロンティア」として急成長が期待される。
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said that if the country makes sufficient progress in domestic reforms, it could catch up with other ASEAN countries in the next five to 10 years.
アジア開銀の黒田東彦総裁も、「国内改革が進めば、今後５〜１０年で他のＡＳＥＡＮ諸国に追いつける」と予想している。
With the backing of financial aid and investment from developed countries and other lenders, Myanmar's economic development should accelerate.
先進国などの金融支援と投資拡大をテコに、経済発展を加速させることが肝要だ。
===
Building infrastructure is key
The main challenges the country faces are its abysmal infrastructure, such as electricity and railway systems, and its inadequate educational, medical and other social services. Japan aims to use yen loans to provide materials and expertise to develop the country's infrastructure.
課題は、電力、鉄道などのインフラや、医療、教育などの整備が遅れていることである。日本は円借款供与によって、インフラ輸出の拡大も目指したい。
Major trading houses and other companies have already launched projects in Myanmar. The government plans to fully cooperate with these companies to develop Myanmar's special economic zones.
すでに大手商社などがミャンマーでの事業に乗り出している。経済特区の整備でも、政府と企業が全面的に協力する方向だ。
For Japanese companies, Myanmar is highly likely to become a new production base in Asia. Cooperation between the public and private sectors must be strengthened.
日系企業にとって、ミャンマーは、アジアの新たな生産拠点となる可能性が高い。官民連携を一層強化すべきである。
Although Myanmar has strong ties with China, its major trading partner, it apparently harbors concern about Beijing's clout.
ミャンマーは中国と近接し、貿易量は多いが、中国の影響力に対する警戒感もうかがえる。
In light of this, Japan's wholehearted support for Myanmar could put a brake on China, which is attempting to increase its presence in the region.
日本の積極的なミャンマー支援は、地域での存在感を強めようとする中国への牽制(けんせい)にもなる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 13, 2012)
（2012年10月13日02時14分 読売新聞）
2012年10月14日
ｉＰＳ細胞 医療応用へ支援体制を整えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 13, 2012)
Build a system to support clinical use of iPS cells
ｉＰＳ細胞 医療応用へ支援体制を整えよ（10月12日付・読売社説）
The race to put induced pluripotent stem cells into practical use will likely intensify soon as iPS cells are expected to play a pivotal role in regenerative medicine.
再生医療の切り札として、様々な種類の細胞に変化が可能なｉＰＳ細胞（新型万能細胞）の実用化に向けた競争がこれから本格化しそうだ。
Countries are already competing to research and develop iPS cells, which can be grown into different body cells, in hopes that iPS cells can be applied to various fields including regenerative medicine.
ｉＰＳ細胞は、再生医療を始め多様な用途への利用が期待できるだけに、各国が研究開発にしのぎを削っている。
Japan must not miss the boat--the government should take the initiative to improve the support system for clinical applications of iPS cells. There is no time to waste.
日本としても、政府が主導し、臨床応用への支援体制を早急に充実させる必要がある。
The aim of regenerative medicine is to replace or repair organs and tissues damaged by disease or injury with new cells.
再生医療は、病気や事故で傷ついた臓器や組織を、新しい細胞で作り直す治療だ。
The fact that Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, the creator of iPS cells, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine shows that Japan is leading the world in the basic research of regenerative medicine.
ｉＰＳ細胞の作製に成功した山中伸弥・京都大教授のノーベル生理学・医学賞受賞が示すように、日本は再生医療の基礎研究では世界のトップレベルにある。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has decided to subsidize Yamanaka's iPS research with about 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen over about 10 years, to provide him with a stable research environment with long-term assistance.
文部科学省は、山中教授のｉＰＳ細胞研究の支援に、１０年程度で総額２００億〜３００億円の助成を行うことを決めた。長期的な助成によって安定した研究環境を整えるのが目的だ。
It is crucial for the government to continue implementing such measures based on a strategic vision.
こうした戦略的な政策を継続していくことが必要である。
===
Delays in therapeutic application
However, there is a big problem in Japan's regenerative medicine--although the nation has a remarkable record in basic research, it lags behind other countries in therapeutic application. This problem is not limited to iPS cells research.
問題なのは、ｉＰＳ細胞に限らず、基礎では優れている日本の再生医療が、治療への応用で後れをとっていることだ。
Sheets of laboratory-grown skin cells have already been used to treat burns. However, domestically, only one other regenerative treatment--for cartilage tissue--is approved by the government, while about 50 treatments have been approved globally.
既に皮膚の細胞を培養して作った皮膚シートが、やけど治療に使われている。日本ではこのほか、軟骨組織１件が承認されているだけだが、海外では、約５０件もの製品が承認されている。
One of the underlying reasons why Japan lags behind other countries in therapeutic application is said to be a problem with clinical tests. The efficacy and safety of treatments and drugs are confirmed through clinical tests conducted on patients. However, many of the nation's hospitals are relatively small, making it difficult for them to find patients willing to participate in clinical tests.
治療への応用が進まない背景には、臨床試験を巡る問題がある。実際に患者に使って有効性や安全性を確かめる試験だが、国内には小規模な病院が多く、参加する患者を集めにくい。
It is necessary for the government to establish hospitals that will play a leading role in the nation's clinical tests. Other medical institutions must cooperate with such hospitals to effectively conduct clinical trials. Establishing such a system is important.
臨床試験の中核となる病院を整備し、医療機関が協力して試験を進める体制が求められる。
===
Improve quality of clinical studies
The quality of clinical studies conducted should also be improved.
医師が行う臨床研究のレベルアップも必要である。
Looking at the number of articles carried in major U.S. and European medical journals, Japan ranked high in basic research, but ranked 25th in clinical research. The number of Japanese clinical research articles carried in such journals is about one-fortieth of the number of U.S. articles, which led the rankings.
例えば、欧米の一流医学誌に掲載される論文数を比較すると、日本の国別順位は、基礎研究で上位を占めている反面、臨床研究では２５位に甘んじている。臨床研究の論文数は、首位の米国の４０分の１程度しかない。
This example shows Japan's weakness in clinical research and lower-than-expected achievements in the field.
研究体制が手薄で、成果も上がっていない現状を反映していると言えよう。
It is also essential to speed up the governmental approval process for regenerative medicine treatments.
再生医療に関する政府の承認審査をスピードアップさせることも欠かせないだろう。
Earlier this month, the Democratic Party of Japan agreed with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to establishing a basic law concerning clinical applications of regenerative medicine. The parties should pass a bill on establishing the basic law as soon as possible to prepare guidelines on promoting practical implementation of the technology.
民主、自民、公明３党は今月、再生医療の臨床応用に向けた基本法を制定することで合意した。早期に成立させ、実用化を推進する指針作りを急ぐべきだ。
(From the Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 12, 2012)
（2012年10月12日01時44分 読売新聞）
Build a system to support clinical use of iPS cells
ｉＰＳ細胞 医療応用へ支援体制を整えよ（10月12日付・読売社説）
The race to put induced pluripotent stem cells into practical use will likely intensify soon as iPS cells are expected to play a pivotal role in regenerative medicine.
再生医療の切り札として、様々な種類の細胞に変化が可能なｉＰＳ細胞（新型万能細胞）の実用化に向けた競争がこれから本格化しそうだ。
Countries are already competing to research and develop iPS cells, which can be grown into different body cells, in hopes that iPS cells can be applied to various fields including regenerative medicine.
ｉＰＳ細胞は、再生医療を始め多様な用途への利用が期待できるだけに、各国が研究開発にしのぎを削っている。
Japan must not miss the boat--the government should take the initiative to improve the support system for clinical applications of iPS cells. There is no time to waste.
日本としても、政府が主導し、臨床応用への支援体制を早急に充実させる必要がある。
The aim of regenerative medicine is to replace or repair organs and tissues damaged by disease or injury with new cells.
再生医療は、病気や事故で傷ついた臓器や組織を、新しい細胞で作り直す治療だ。
The fact that Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka, the creator of iPS cells, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine shows that Japan is leading the world in the basic research of regenerative medicine.
ｉＰＳ細胞の作製に成功した山中伸弥・京都大教授のノーベル生理学・医学賞受賞が示すように、日本は再生医療の基礎研究では世界のトップレベルにある。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has decided to subsidize Yamanaka's iPS research with about 20 billion yen to 30 billion yen over about 10 years, to provide him with a stable research environment with long-term assistance.
文部科学省は、山中教授のｉＰＳ細胞研究の支援に、１０年程度で総額２００億〜３００億円の助成を行うことを決めた。長期的な助成によって安定した研究環境を整えるのが目的だ。
It is crucial for the government to continue implementing such measures based on a strategic vision.
こうした戦略的な政策を継続していくことが必要である。
===
Delays in therapeutic application
However, there is a big problem in Japan's regenerative medicine--although the nation has a remarkable record in basic research, it lags behind other countries in therapeutic application. This problem is not limited to iPS cells research.
問題なのは、ｉＰＳ細胞に限らず、基礎では優れている日本の再生医療が、治療への応用で後れをとっていることだ。
Sheets of laboratory-grown skin cells have already been used to treat burns. However, domestically, only one other regenerative treatment--for cartilage tissue--is approved by the government, while about 50 treatments have been approved globally.
既に皮膚の細胞を培養して作った皮膚シートが、やけど治療に使われている。日本ではこのほか、軟骨組織１件が承認されているだけだが、海外では、約５０件もの製品が承認されている。
One of the underlying reasons why Japan lags behind other countries in therapeutic application is said to be a problem with clinical tests. The efficacy and safety of treatments and drugs are confirmed through clinical tests conducted on patients. However, many of the nation's hospitals are relatively small, making it difficult for them to find patients willing to participate in clinical tests.
治療への応用が進まない背景には、臨床試験を巡る問題がある。実際に患者に使って有効性や安全性を確かめる試験だが、国内には小規模な病院が多く、参加する患者を集めにくい。
It is necessary for the government to establish hospitals that will play a leading role in the nation's clinical tests. Other medical institutions must cooperate with such hospitals to effectively conduct clinical trials. Establishing such a system is important.
臨床試験の中核となる病院を整備し、医療機関が協力して試験を進める体制が求められる。
===
Improve quality of clinical studies
The quality of clinical studies conducted should also be improved.
医師が行う臨床研究のレベルアップも必要である。
Looking at the number of articles carried in major U.S. and European medical journals, Japan ranked high in basic research, but ranked 25th in clinical research. The number of Japanese clinical research articles carried in such journals is about one-fortieth of the number of U.S. articles, which led the rankings.
例えば、欧米の一流医学誌に掲載される論文数を比較すると、日本の国別順位は、基礎研究で上位を占めている反面、臨床研究では２５位に甘んじている。臨床研究の論文数は、首位の米国の４０分の１程度しかない。
This example shows Japan's weakness in clinical research and lower-than-expected achievements in the field.
研究体制が手薄で、成果も上がっていない現状を反映していると言えよう。
It is also essential to speed up the governmental approval process for regenerative medicine treatments.
再生医療に関する政府の承認審査をスピードアップさせることも欠かせないだろう。
Earlier this month, the Democratic Party of Japan agreed with the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito to establishing a basic law concerning clinical applications of regenerative medicine. The parties should pass a bill on establishing the basic law as soon as possible to prepare guidelines on promoting practical implementation of the technology.
民主、自民、公明３党は今月、再生医療の臨床応用に向けた基本法を制定することで合意した。早期に成立させ、実用化を推進する指針作りを急ぐべきだ。
(From the Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 12, 2012)
（2012年10月12日01時44分 読売新聞）
2012年10月13日
尖閣国有１か月 長期化する対日圧力に備えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 12, 2012)
Prepare for prolonged pressure from China over Senkakus
尖閣国有１か月 長期化する対日圧力に備えよ（10月11日付・読売社説）
One month has passed since the government put three of the Senkaku Islands under state control. There is no sign that China's pressure on Japan will wane. The government should make necessary preparations on the assumption that the confrontation over the islands will lengthen.
尖閣諸島の国有化から１か月経過した。中国の対日圧力は弱まる気配がない。政府は対立の長期化を前提に、体制を整えるべきである。
China decided not to send its finance minister or the governor of the People's Bank of China to the plenary session of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which are scheduled to open in Tokyo on Friday. The decision apparently aims at demonstrating to the world its protest against Japan over the Senkaku issue.
中国は、東京で１２日に開幕する国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会への財務相と中国人民銀行総裁の出席を見送った。尖閣問題で日本への抗議の意思をアピールするのが狙いだろう。
The world's second-largest economy is behaving as if it is showing little regard for a venue for the discussion of global economic issues. Such an attitude will never win the understanding of the international community.
世界２位の経済大国が、グローバルな経済問題を協議する場を軽視するかのように振る舞う。国際社会の理解は得られまい。
Following anti-Japan demonstrations that spread across China, the Chinese government allowed people to stage a campaign to boycott Japanese products. Unit sales of Japanese carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., substantially dropped in China in September. Adverse impacts on Japanese companies' business are spreading.
一時拡大した反日デモに続き、中国政府は日本製品の不買運動も容認した。トヨタ自動車など日系自動車メーカーの９月の販売台数は大幅に減った。日本企業のビジネスに悪影響が広がっている。
Also, many Chinese tourists have canceled visits to Japan, dealing a serious blow to airline companies and the tourism industry.
観光客の訪日中止などで航空会社や観光業への打撃も大きい。
===
Avoid risky compromise
Under tangible and intangible pressure from China, Japanese business circles are asking the government to quickly resolve the situation. Referring to Japan's diplomacy toward China, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said, "We can't concede what we can't concede, but we want to explore what is possible."
中国による有形無形の圧力を受け、日本の経済界は、政府に事態の早期打開を求めている。玄葉外相も対中外交に関して、「譲れないものは譲れないが、何が可能か模索したい」と述べた。
However, the government must not improvise its policies on the fly.
ただし、拙速は禁物だ。
If the government easily compromises on the issue, Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands itself could be put in danger.
安易に妥協すれば、尖閣諸島に関する日本の主権そのものが危うくなりかねない。
For years, China has made it a national policy to expand its territorial and maritime interests. Its goal for the time being is that Japan admit the existence of a territorial dispute over the islets and agree to sit at the negotiating table to discuss it. Beijing is expected to relentlessly apply pressure by various means until it extracts concessions from Japan.
中国は長年、領土・海洋権益の拡大を国策としてきた。当面の目標は、日本が領有権問題を認め、領土を巡る交渉に応じることである。日本の譲歩を引き出すまで、執拗(しつよう)に、様々な圧力をかけてくるだろう。
However, the amount of international trust that China will lose by unilaterally continuing its diplomacy of pressure against Japan must be substantial.
だが、中国が一方的な圧力外交を続けることで失う国際的な信用も大きいはずだ。
The government has unofficially decided to appoint Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Masato Kitera as the new ambassador to China to succeed Shinichi Nishimiya, who died before leaving for China to start his official duties as envoy. We urge the government to use the replacement of the ambassador to China as an opportunity to carefully seek common ground between Tokyo and Beijing.
政府は、赴任前に死去した西宮伸一中国大使の後任に木寺昌人官房副長官補を内定している。大使交代を契機に、日中双方の接点を慎重に探ってもらいたい。
===
China held at bay for now
China is continuing to make its presence felt by sending surveillance ships to waters near the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島近海で、中国は監視船による示威行動を続けている。
However, Beijing has refrained from taking any action that could further escalate tension. This must be linked to recent moves the United States took to keep Chinese forces in check, such as dispatching two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Western Pacific and showing the news media a joint landing exercise by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Ground Self-Defense Force in Guam last month.
ただ、緊張感をエスカレートさせる行為は控えている。米国が先月、西太平洋に二つの空母部隊を派遣したり、グアムでの米海兵隊と陸上自衛隊の上陸訓練を公開したりするなど、中国軍をけん制したことと無縁ではあるまい。
It is clear that the Japan-U.S. alliance is functioning to deter China's provocation.
日米同盟が中国の挑発を抑止していることは明らかである。
The Japan Coast Guard, meanwhile, is forced to engage in vigilance and surveillance activities on a 24-hour basis. It has sent its patrol ships and boats from across the country to areas around the Senkaku Islands.
海上保安庁は、全国の巡視船艇をやり繰りして尖閣周辺海域に派遣し、２４時間態勢の警戒監視活動を余儀なくされている。
As long as it is necessary to maintain this preparedness for the long term, the government must take all possible measures, such as securing the necessary number of JCG personnel.
こうした態勢を長期間堅持する必要がある以上、政府は、要員の確保などに万全の策を講じなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 11, 2012)
（2012年10月11日01時27分 読売新聞）
Prepare for prolonged pressure from China over Senkakus
尖閣国有１か月 長期化する対日圧力に備えよ（10月11日付・読売社説）
One month has passed since the government put three of the Senkaku Islands under state control. There is no sign that China's pressure on Japan will wane. The government should make necessary preparations on the assumption that the confrontation over the islands will lengthen.
尖閣諸島の国有化から１か月経過した。中国の対日圧力は弱まる気配がない。政府は対立の長期化を前提に、体制を整えるべきである。
China decided not to send its finance minister or the governor of the People's Bank of China to the plenary session of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, which are scheduled to open in Tokyo on Friday. The decision apparently aims at demonstrating to the world its protest against Japan over the Senkaku issue.
中国は、東京で１２日に開幕する国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会への財務相と中国人民銀行総裁の出席を見送った。尖閣問題で日本への抗議の意思をアピールするのが狙いだろう。
The world's second-largest economy is behaving as if it is showing little regard for a venue for the discussion of global economic issues. Such an attitude will never win the understanding of the international community.
世界２位の経済大国が、グローバルな経済問題を協議する場を軽視するかのように振る舞う。国際社会の理解は得られまい。
Following anti-Japan demonstrations that spread across China, the Chinese government allowed people to stage a campaign to boycott Japanese products. Unit sales of Japanese carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp., substantially dropped in China in September. Adverse impacts on Japanese companies' business are spreading.
一時拡大した反日デモに続き、中国政府は日本製品の不買運動も容認した。トヨタ自動車など日系自動車メーカーの９月の販売台数は大幅に減った。日本企業のビジネスに悪影響が広がっている。
Also, many Chinese tourists have canceled visits to Japan, dealing a serious blow to airline companies and the tourism industry.
観光客の訪日中止などで航空会社や観光業への打撃も大きい。
===
Avoid risky compromise
Under tangible and intangible pressure from China, Japanese business circles are asking the government to quickly resolve the situation. Referring to Japan's diplomacy toward China, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said, "We can't concede what we can't concede, but we want to explore what is possible."
中国による有形無形の圧力を受け、日本の経済界は、政府に事態の早期打開を求めている。玄葉外相も対中外交に関して、「譲れないものは譲れないが、何が可能か模索したい」と述べた。
However, the government must not improvise its policies on the fly.
ただし、拙速は禁物だ。
If the government easily compromises on the issue, Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands itself could be put in danger.
安易に妥協すれば、尖閣諸島に関する日本の主権そのものが危うくなりかねない。
For years, China has made it a national policy to expand its territorial and maritime interests. Its goal for the time being is that Japan admit the existence of a territorial dispute over the islets and agree to sit at the negotiating table to discuss it. Beijing is expected to relentlessly apply pressure by various means until it extracts concessions from Japan.
中国は長年、領土・海洋権益の拡大を国策としてきた。当面の目標は、日本が領有権問題を認め、領土を巡る交渉に応じることである。日本の譲歩を引き出すまで、執拗(しつよう)に、様々な圧力をかけてくるだろう。
However, the amount of international trust that China will lose by unilaterally continuing its diplomacy of pressure against Japan must be substantial.
だが、中国が一方的な圧力外交を続けることで失う国際的な信用も大きいはずだ。
The government has unofficially decided to appoint Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Masato Kitera as the new ambassador to China to succeed Shinichi Nishimiya, who died before leaving for China to start his official duties as envoy. We urge the government to use the replacement of the ambassador to China as an opportunity to carefully seek common ground between Tokyo and Beijing.
政府は、赴任前に死去した西宮伸一中国大使の後任に木寺昌人官房副長官補を内定している。大使交代を契機に、日中双方の接点を慎重に探ってもらいたい。
===
China held at bay for now
China is continuing to make its presence felt by sending surveillance ships to waters near the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島近海で、中国は監視船による示威行動を続けている。
However, Beijing has refrained from taking any action that could further escalate tension. This must be linked to recent moves the United States took to keep Chinese forces in check, such as dispatching two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Western Pacific and showing the news media a joint landing exercise by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Ground Self-Defense Force in Guam last month.
ただ、緊張感をエスカレートさせる行為は控えている。米国が先月、西太平洋に二つの空母部隊を派遣したり、グアムでの米海兵隊と陸上自衛隊の上陸訓練を公開したりするなど、中国軍をけん制したことと無縁ではあるまい。
It is clear that the Japan-U.S. alliance is functioning to deter China's provocation.
日米同盟が中国の挑発を抑止していることは明らかである。
The Japan Coast Guard, meanwhile, is forced to engage in vigilance and surveillance activities on a 24-hour basis. It has sent its patrol ships and boats from across the country to areas around the Senkaku Islands.
海上保安庁は、全国の巡視船艇をやり繰りして尖閣周辺海域に派遣し、２４時間態勢の警戒監視活動を余儀なくされている。
As long as it is necessary to maintain this preparedness for the long term, the government must take all possible measures, such as securing the necessary number of JCG personnel.
こうした態勢を長期間堅持する必要がある以上、政府は、要員の確保などに万全の策を講じなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 11, 2012)
（2012年10月11日01時27分 読売新聞）