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2013年09月04日
防衛省改革 まずは混合組織化が現実的だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun September 3, 2013
Promote personnel amalgamation in Defense Ministry as 1st priority
防衛省改革 まずは混合組織化が現実的だ（9月2日付・読売社説）
It is important for civilian officials of the Defense Ministry and uniformed officers of the Self-Defense Forces to cooperate closely as an inseparable combination and build a system to support the defense minister.
文官の背広組と自衛官の制服組が「車の両輪」として緊密に連携し、防衛相を支える体制を構築することが重要だ。
The ministry has announced a plan to restructure its organization. The main change is to expand the joint deployment of civilian officials and uniformed officers to the ministry’s internal bureaus and units of the Self-Defense Forces, while abolishing the Operational Policy Bureau and integrating its functions into the Joint Staff, so as to centralize the operation of the SDF units.
防衛省が省改革の組織改編案を発表した。文官と自衛官の相互配置を拡大するとともに、部隊運用の一元化に向けて、内局の運用企画局を廃止し、統合幕僚監部に統合することが柱だ。
Civilian bureaucrats at the ministry’s bureaus will be tasked with drawing up laws and ordinances, formulating policies and coordinating views with political parties and other government ministries, while uniformed officers will be expected to keep their military expertise current by maintaining their connections with their counterparts abroad. Naturally, it is desirable for both to give full play to their natural abilities and cooperate with each other.
背広組の防衛官僚は、法令作成や政策立案、政党・他省庁との調整を専門とする。制服組は豊富な軍事的知見や他国軍とのパイプを持つ。当然、双方が持ち味を生かし、協力することが望ましい。
Currently, personnel exchanges between the ministry’s internal bureaus and SDF units are limited. Only 32 majors or lieutenant colonels of the Air or Ground Self-Defense Forces and lieutenant commanders or commanders of the Maritime Self-Defense Force have been assigned to ministry’s internal bureaus, while five young civilian officials are working in units of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
現在は、２、３佐級の自衛官３２人が内局で、若手の文官５人が陸上自衛隊部隊でそれぞれ勤務するだけで、人事交流は限定的だ。
From next fiscal year, the number of SDF officers assigned to the ministry’s internal bureaus will be increased to 56, with the number to be formally fixed, while the number of civilian officials assigned to SDF units will be increased to 22. This course of action, which is aimed at promoting the intermingling of civilian officials and uniformed officers, is reasonable.
来年度から、内局勤務の自衛官を５６人に増やし、正式に定員化する。自衛隊勤務の文官も２２人に増員する。防衛省の混合組織化を進める方向性は妥当である。
We can also expect positive effects in the field of manpower development if civilian officials who may one day become senior ministry officials and uniformed officers who may become senior SDF officers learn about the administrative organization and the real state of the SDF units and broaden their vision.
将来、幹部となる文官や自衛官が行政組織や部隊の実態を知り、視野を広めることは、人材育成面の効果も期待できよう。
The organizational amalgamation should be expanded, including the manpower exchange of even higher-ranking officials, in the middle and long term.
中長期的に、より高官の人事交流も含め、混合組織化を拡大すべきだ。
Merger may not by practical
On the other hand, it is questionable whether the idea of integrating the Operational Policy Bureau into the Joint Staff is practical.
一方で、運用企画局を統幕に統合する案は、果たしてうまく機能するのか、疑問である。
When a major disaster occurs or when North Korea launches a ballistic missile, both cilivian officials and SDF officers gather at the central command center in the basement of the Defense Ministry building and respond promptly. In ordinary times, the Operational Policy Bureau and the Joint Staff cooperate with each other, and there is no particular problem with this.
現状でも、大規模災害や北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射の際は、防衛省地下の中央指揮所に文官と自衛官が集結し、迅速に対応している。平時は運用企画局と統幕が連携しており、特に問題はない。
In the operation of the SDF units, not only wise military decisions must be made but the government must make policy decisions and situation assessments, making the presence of civilian officials all the more meaningful.
部隊運用には、軍事的合理性だけでなく、政府としての政策・情勢判断が重要な要素となる。そこに文官の存在意義がある。
For the prime minister and the defense minister to properly maintain civilian control, it is necessary to maintain those internal bureaus, which would gather information and assist the defense minister and other officials, separately from the Joint Staff.
首相や防衛相が的確な文民統制（シビリアンコントロール）を行うには、統幕とは別に、情報を集約し、防衛相らを補佐する内局組織を維持することが必要だ。
As medium- and long-term challenges, the reorganizational plan includes the idea of integrating the procurement of defense equipment under a tentatively named “defense equipment agency.”
中期的課題では、防衛装備品の調達を「防衛装備庁」（仮称）に一元化することも盛り込んだ。
The ratio of the defense equipment budget allocated to the three SDF branches has remained fixed for a long time, which some have said encourages bureaucratic sectionalism.
陸海空３自衛隊の装備予算の比率は長年、ほぼ固定化しており、縦割りの弊害が指摘されている。
It is important to promote an organizational restructuring that would increase the equipment budget for maritime and air defense units, which should be given a higher priority.
より優先度の高い海・空の装備予算の拡大につなげる方向で、組織改編を進めることが大切だ。
Any large-scale organizational reform would entail the risk of causing organizational disarray and lowering morale. Now that the ministry is beset with many important issues, including a revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines, there is little need to press the ministry’s reform plan now, which may only bring about a leadership struggle between civilian officials and SDF officers.
大規模な改革は組織の混乱や士気低下を招くリスクを伴う。防衛大綱の改定など、多くの重要案件を抱える今、文官と自衛官の主導権争いを招きかねない省改革をあえて進める必要性は乏しい。
A realistic approach would be to first promote the integration of civilian bureaucrats and uniformed officers, and, while examining its merits and demerits, the ministry should prudently move ahead with its organizational restructuring.
まずは混合組織化を進め、その功罪を検証しつつ、組織改編を慎重に進めるのが現実的だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2013)
（2013年9月2日01時03分 読売新聞）
Promote personnel amalgamation in Defense Ministry as 1st priority
防衛省改革 まずは混合組織化が現実的だ（9月2日付・読売社説）
It is important for civilian officials of the Defense Ministry and uniformed officers of the Self-Defense Forces to cooperate closely as an inseparable combination and build a system to support the defense minister.
文官の背広組と自衛官の制服組が「車の両輪」として緊密に連携し、防衛相を支える体制を構築することが重要だ。
The ministry has announced a plan to restructure its organization. The main change is to expand the joint deployment of civilian officials and uniformed officers to the ministry’s internal bureaus and units of the Self-Defense Forces, while abolishing the Operational Policy Bureau and integrating its functions into the Joint Staff, so as to centralize the operation of the SDF units.
防衛省が省改革の組織改編案を発表した。文官と自衛官の相互配置を拡大するとともに、部隊運用の一元化に向けて、内局の運用企画局を廃止し、統合幕僚監部に統合することが柱だ。
Civilian bureaucrats at the ministry’s bureaus will be tasked with drawing up laws and ordinances, formulating policies and coordinating views with political parties and other government ministries, while uniformed officers will be expected to keep their military expertise current by maintaining their connections with their counterparts abroad. Naturally, it is desirable for both to give full play to their natural abilities and cooperate with each other.
背広組の防衛官僚は、法令作成や政策立案、政党・他省庁との調整を専門とする。制服組は豊富な軍事的知見や他国軍とのパイプを持つ。当然、双方が持ち味を生かし、協力することが望ましい。
Currently, personnel exchanges between the ministry’s internal bureaus and SDF units are limited. Only 32 majors or lieutenant colonels of the Air or Ground Self-Defense Forces and lieutenant commanders or commanders of the Maritime Self-Defense Force have been assigned to ministry’s internal bureaus, while five young civilian officials are working in units of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
現在は、２、３佐級の自衛官３２人が内局で、若手の文官５人が陸上自衛隊部隊でそれぞれ勤務するだけで、人事交流は限定的だ。
From next fiscal year, the number of SDF officers assigned to the ministry’s internal bureaus will be increased to 56, with the number to be formally fixed, while the number of civilian officials assigned to SDF units will be increased to 22. This course of action, which is aimed at promoting the intermingling of civilian officials and uniformed officers, is reasonable.
来年度から、内局勤務の自衛官を５６人に増やし、正式に定員化する。自衛隊勤務の文官も２２人に増員する。防衛省の混合組織化を進める方向性は妥当である。
We can also expect positive effects in the field of manpower development if civilian officials who may one day become senior ministry officials and uniformed officers who may become senior SDF officers learn about the administrative organization and the real state of the SDF units and broaden their vision.
将来、幹部となる文官や自衛官が行政組織や部隊の実態を知り、視野を広めることは、人材育成面の効果も期待できよう。
The organizational amalgamation should be expanded, including the manpower exchange of even higher-ranking officials, in the middle and long term.
中長期的に、より高官の人事交流も含め、混合組織化を拡大すべきだ。
Merger may not by practical
On the other hand, it is questionable whether the idea of integrating the Operational Policy Bureau into the Joint Staff is practical.
一方で、運用企画局を統幕に統合する案は、果たしてうまく機能するのか、疑問である。
When a major disaster occurs or when North Korea launches a ballistic missile, both cilivian officials and SDF officers gather at the central command center in the basement of the Defense Ministry building and respond promptly. In ordinary times, the Operational Policy Bureau and the Joint Staff cooperate with each other, and there is no particular problem with this.
現状でも、大規模災害や北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射の際は、防衛省地下の中央指揮所に文官と自衛官が集結し、迅速に対応している。平時は運用企画局と統幕が連携しており、特に問題はない。
In the operation of the SDF units, not only wise military decisions must be made but the government must make policy decisions and situation assessments, making the presence of civilian officials all the more meaningful.
部隊運用には、軍事的合理性だけでなく、政府としての政策・情勢判断が重要な要素となる。そこに文官の存在意義がある。
For the prime minister and the defense minister to properly maintain civilian control, it is necessary to maintain those internal bureaus, which would gather information and assist the defense minister and other officials, separately from the Joint Staff.
首相や防衛相が的確な文民統制（シビリアンコントロール）を行うには、統幕とは別に、情報を集約し、防衛相らを補佐する内局組織を維持することが必要だ。
As medium- and long-term challenges, the reorganizational plan includes the idea of integrating the procurement of defense equipment under a tentatively named “defense equipment agency.”
中期的課題では、防衛装備品の調達を「防衛装備庁」（仮称）に一元化することも盛り込んだ。
The ratio of the defense equipment budget allocated to the three SDF branches has remained fixed for a long time, which some have said encourages bureaucratic sectionalism.
陸海空３自衛隊の装備予算の比率は長年、ほぼ固定化しており、縦割りの弊害が指摘されている。
It is important to promote an organizational restructuring that would increase the equipment budget for maritime and air defense units, which should be given a higher priority.
より優先度の高い海・空の装備予算の拡大につなげる方向で、組織改編を進めることが大切だ。
Any large-scale organizational reform would entail the risk of causing organizational disarray and lowering morale. Now that the ministry is beset with many important issues, including a revision of the National Defense Program Guidelines, there is little need to press the ministry’s reform plan now, which may only bring about a leadership struggle between civilian officials and SDF officers.
大規模な改革は組織の混乱や士気低下を招くリスクを伴う。防衛大綱の改定など、多くの重要案件を抱える今、文官と自衛官の主導権争いを招きかねない省改革をあえて進める必要性は乏しい。
A realistic approach would be to first promote the integration of civilian bureaucrats and uniformed officers, and, while examining its merits and demerits, the ministry should prudently move ahead with its organizational restructuring.
まずは混合組織化を進め、その功罪を検証しつつ、組織改編を慎重に進めるのが現実的だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2013)
（2013年9月2日01時03分 読売新聞）
2013年09月03日
速い速い、新幹線みたいに速いフレッツ光
最近あるサイトを見て衝撃を受けました。
それはあるフレッツ光のお勧めサイトなんです。
何気なくサイトを上から下までブラウズしていたのですが、中段にある画面に目が釘付けになりました。
小さな同じテレビの画面が6種類並んでおり、全部同じ形をしています。
メモを取っておけば良かったのですが今ではその記憶のみが残っています。
それはある同一の動画を立ち上げるスピードを競うシミュレーションなんです。
一番右側が主人公のフレッツ光、そのひとつおいてお隣がADSL、それからWiFi通信、一番左側が３G通信でした。
スタートボタンを押すと一番右側の光フレッツでは驚異の0.4秒で動画が現れました。
そのお隣も速いのですが1秒を少しだけ超していました。
巷で通信速度が速いと評判の３Gなんですが、画像が現れるまで30秒以上掛かってしまいました。
目から鱗が落ちるとはまさにこのことなのでしょうね。
私は断然フレッツ光に決めました。
フレッツ光の申し込み は、お近くのフレッツ光受付センターで簡単に出来ます。
防災の日 被災地の声を対策に生かそう
The Yomiuri Shimbun September 2, 2013
Better national strategy needed to prepare for major disasters
防災の日 被災地の声を対策に生かそう（9月1日付・読売社説）
◆緊急事態に備える国家戦略を
Sept. 1 is Disaster Prevention Day. Disaster drills and related events are scheduled around the country. On this occasion, the government should conduct a full review of its antidisaster measures.
９月１日は、防災の日だ。全国各地で防災訓練や関連行事が予定されている。災害対策を総点検する必要がある。
Reconstruction work from the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake has only been half completed. Torrential rain caused extensive damage in various parts of the country this summer. The government must conduct simulations of various kinds of disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, torrential rain and volcanic eruptions, and work on measures to minimize damage.
東日本大震災からの復興は道半ばだ。今夏は記録的な豪雨による被害も各地で相次いだ。地震や津波、豪雨、火山噴火……。様々な事態を想定し、「減災」に取り組まねばならない。
◆関東大震災から９０年に
Today is the 90th anniversary of Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed 100,000 people.
きょうは、１０万人もの犠牲者を出した関東大震災からちょうど９０年の節目でもある。
The earthquake occurred shortly before lunchtime, when many families used fire for cooking. The collapse of houses and strong winds spread the flames. Many administrative offices and bridges were razed, obstructing evacuation and rescue efforts. Water supplies were cut, hampering firefighting crews. Fire reportedly killed 90 percent of the victims. This shows the importance of making buildings earthquake-resistant and developing towns where fire cannot spread easily.
発生時は昼食の少し前で、火を使っていた家庭が少なくなかった。家屋倒壊と強風で火の手が広がった。行政施設や橋も多くが焼失し、避難や救援を妨げた。断水のため、消火活動も遅れた。
犠牲者の９割が火災で亡くなったという。建造物の耐震化と、火災が起きても容易に延焼しない街づくりの大切さを物語る。
Nonetheless, urban areas still have many districts where wooden houses are clustered together. The alleys in some areas are too narrow for fire trucks to enter.
だが、いまだに都市部に木造住宅の密集地が多い。路地が狭く、消防車が入れない地区もある。
Japan needs resilience
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet has established an office under the Cabinet Secretariat tasked with making the nation more resilient through planning and coordinating measures to prevent or reduce damage from disasters. The Cabinet wants to have a bill passed through the next Diet session on a basic law to make Japan more resilient against disasters.
安倍内閣は、内閣官房に「国土強靱(きょうじん)化推進室」を設け、防災・減災策の立案や調整をしている。国土強靱化基本法案も次期国会で成立を図る方針だ。
The Cabinet is also scheduled to draw up a bill on special measures to deal with a possible huge quake with a focus directly under the Tokyo metropolitan area and a massive Nankai Trough earthquake that could affect a very wide area ranging from Shizuoka Prefecture to Kyushu. We expect the Diet to enact them as soon as possible.
首都直下地震と、静岡県沖から九州までを襲う南海トラフ巨大地震については、特別措置法を制定し、対策を特に充実させる予定だ。立法を急いでもらいたい。
What would make local communities more resilient against disasters? It is important to plan countermeasures to help people unable to return home from work or school if a disaster paralyzes public transportation systems. As many as 5 million people were stranded in the metropolitan area when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck in March 2011.
災害に強い街をどう作るか。東日本大震災の際、首都圏で５００万人に上った帰宅困難者対策も重要だ。
The government must work on effective countermeasures, rather than throw a lot of money around on public works projects. In this regard, it is essential for the central government to coordinate actions with local governments and private companies.
政府は、公共事業のバラマキにならぬよう、効率的に対策を講じねばなるまい。自治体や民間事業者との連携も欠かせない。
Bigger role for govt
◆国の役割強めた災対法
The Disaster Countermeasures Basic Law, the basis for other laws on natural disasters, stipulates that municipal governments are primarily responsible for disaster preparedness in areas under their jurisdiction. Municipal governments are assisted by prefectural governments that are supported by the central government, according to the basic law. However, this system failed to function after the Great East Japan Earthquake devastated municipalities over a wide area.
災害法制の根幹である災害対策基本法（災対法）は、災害対策の一義的な責務は市町村にあると規定している。都道府県は市町村を支援し、国がさらに補う。広範囲に市町村が壊滅した東日本大震災では機能しない構造だった。
After the March 2011 earthquake, the government revised the basic law twice, mainly to enhance the central government’s role. According to the revisions, the central government would take emergency measures instead of municipal governments if the local governments were unable to function after a major disaster. The central and prefectural governments also would be able to supply relief materials to victims in disaster-hit municipalities without waiting for requests from municipal governments.
政府は大震災後、災対法を２度改正した。ポイントは国の役割を強めたことにある。市町村が機能しない場合、国が応急措置を代行する。国や都道府県は、被災自治体の要請を待たずに、独自の判断で救援物資を供給できる。
The revisions have also enhanced evacuation measures in case of a disaster. Municipal governments are obliged to make lists of residents needing assistance when forced to evacuate by collecting personal information on the aged, disabled and other people considered vulnerable in a disaster.
災害時の避難対策も強化した。市町村に対し、高齢者、障害者など災害弱者の個人情報を集めた「避難行動要支援者名簿」の作成を義務づけた。
Even though such lists have been drawn up, their effectiveness has been questioned because the ratio of those disaster-susceptible people who have been listed compared with the total is often low.
名簿は、作成されていても名前の掲載率が低いなど、有効性に疑問符がついていた。
This is due mainly to the tendency of local entities to overemphasize the Personal Information Protection Law, under which listing the names of individuals is supposed to require their consent. Instead of sticking rigidly to the law’s provisions, local governments should place priority on drawing up lists that are useful at times of emergency.
自治体が名簿掲載に本人同意を求める個人情報保護条例を配慮し過ぎるからだ。緊急時に役立つ名簿にしたい。
The Disaster Relief Law, meanwhile, calls for prefectural governments to abide by the “principle of in-kind benefits,” under which disaster victims are to be provided with such facilities as evacuation centers and temporary housing.
一方、災害救助法には、都道府県が避難所、仮設住宅などを提供する「現物給付の原則」がある。
In disaster-struck regions, however, this principle has been criticized because it is a major impediment to local governments in their efforts to make use of housing units rented from the private sector as “equivalent temporary housing.”
被災地では、民間から借り上げた「みなし仮設」住宅を活用するうえで、この原則こそが障害になっているとの不満が強い。
Since this includes houses or apartments rented by the victims, administrative procedures concerning their eligibility under the in-kind benefit principle are cumbersome and complex, as they include the need to have the rental agreements concluded afresh in the name of the local governments concerned. This principle should be flexibly implemented.
みなし仮設の対象には独力で住宅を借りた場合も含まれるが、契約を結び直すなど、行政手続きは煩雑だ。運用を柔軟にすることにも配慮すべきだろう。
Studies should also be made in response to wishes from disaster-hit areas to make it easier to obtain certification of disaster victims and approve government cash assistance to rehabilitate their livelihoods.
被災地の要望を踏まえ、罹災(りさい)判定、生活再建支援金といった支援制度が使いやすくなるよう見直してほしい。
Are these arrangements under existing laws sufficient for the government to cope promptly and effectively when an immense disaster occurs?
こうした現行法の枠組みだけで、未曽有の巨大災害にも、政府は迅速かつ的確に対処できるのだろうか。
Compiling its final report in July last year, the government council for the promotion of antidisaster measures said additional steps must be worked out “to ensure the country’s existence as a state.”
政府の防災対策推進検討会議は昨年７月、「国家として存立していくための対策が不可欠」とする最終報告書をまとめた。
The antidisaster basic law allows the prime minister to declare a state of emergency after a disaster. The issuance of this declaration is limited to when the Diet is in recess, while issuance of emergency ordinances following the declaration is restricted to such things as the rationing of daily necessities and controlling commodity prices.
災対法には、首相が「災害緊急事態」を布告できるとの規定がある。国会閉会中などに限られ、緊急政令も生活必需物資の配給や物価統制などに限定されている。
The council’s report also referred to the need to expand emergency measures for such purposes as protecting commuters unable to return home and ensure public order in the aftermath of a massive earthquake. In addition, the panel urged the government to make preparations in case the Diet was unable to function after a powerful earthquake beneath the capital.
報告書は、帰宅困難者対策や治安維持にも緊急措置を拡大することの必要性に言及した。首都直下地震で国会が動かない状況下での対応も検討を促している。
Better national strategy needed to prepare for major disasters
防災の日 被災地の声を対策に生かそう（9月1日付・読売社説）
◆緊急事態に備える国家戦略を
Sept. 1 is Disaster Prevention Day. Disaster drills and related events are scheduled around the country. On this occasion, the government should conduct a full review of its antidisaster measures.
９月１日は、防災の日だ。全国各地で防災訓練や関連行事が予定されている。災害対策を総点検する必要がある。
Reconstruction work from the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake has only been half completed. Torrential rain caused extensive damage in various parts of the country this summer. The government must conduct simulations of various kinds of disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, torrential rain and volcanic eruptions, and work on measures to minimize damage.
東日本大震災からの復興は道半ばだ。今夏は記録的な豪雨による被害も各地で相次いだ。地震や津波、豪雨、火山噴火……。様々な事態を想定し、「減災」に取り組まねばならない。
◆関東大震災から９０年に
Today is the 90th anniversary of Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed 100,000 people.
きょうは、１０万人もの犠牲者を出した関東大震災からちょうど９０年の節目でもある。
The earthquake occurred shortly before lunchtime, when many families used fire for cooking. The collapse of houses and strong winds spread the flames. Many administrative offices and bridges were razed, obstructing evacuation and rescue efforts. Water supplies were cut, hampering firefighting crews. Fire reportedly killed 90 percent of the victims. This shows the importance of making buildings earthquake-resistant and developing towns where fire cannot spread easily.
発生時は昼食の少し前で、火を使っていた家庭が少なくなかった。家屋倒壊と強風で火の手が広がった。行政施設や橋も多くが焼失し、避難や救援を妨げた。断水のため、消火活動も遅れた。
犠牲者の９割が火災で亡くなったという。建造物の耐震化と、火災が起きても容易に延焼しない街づくりの大切さを物語る。
Nonetheless, urban areas still have many districts where wooden houses are clustered together. The alleys in some areas are too narrow for fire trucks to enter.
だが、いまだに都市部に木造住宅の密集地が多い。路地が狭く、消防車が入れない地区もある。
Japan needs resilience
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet has established an office under the Cabinet Secretariat tasked with making the nation more resilient through planning and coordinating measures to prevent or reduce damage from disasters. The Cabinet wants to have a bill passed through the next Diet session on a basic law to make Japan more resilient against disasters.
安倍内閣は、内閣官房に「国土強靱(きょうじん)化推進室」を設け、防災・減災策の立案や調整をしている。国土強靱化基本法案も次期国会で成立を図る方針だ。
The Cabinet is also scheduled to draw up a bill on special measures to deal with a possible huge quake with a focus directly under the Tokyo metropolitan area and a massive Nankai Trough earthquake that could affect a very wide area ranging from Shizuoka Prefecture to Kyushu. We expect the Diet to enact them as soon as possible.
首都直下地震と、静岡県沖から九州までを襲う南海トラフ巨大地震については、特別措置法を制定し、対策を特に充実させる予定だ。立法を急いでもらいたい。
What would make local communities more resilient against disasters? It is important to plan countermeasures to help people unable to return home from work or school if a disaster paralyzes public transportation systems. As many as 5 million people were stranded in the metropolitan area when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck in March 2011.
災害に強い街をどう作るか。東日本大震災の際、首都圏で５００万人に上った帰宅困難者対策も重要だ。
The government must work on effective countermeasures, rather than throw a lot of money around on public works projects. In this regard, it is essential for the central government to coordinate actions with local governments and private companies.
政府は、公共事業のバラマキにならぬよう、効率的に対策を講じねばなるまい。自治体や民間事業者との連携も欠かせない。
Bigger role for govt
◆国の役割強めた災対法
The Disaster Countermeasures Basic Law, the basis for other laws on natural disasters, stipulates that municipal governments are primarily responsible for disaster preparedness in areas under their jurisdiction. Municipal governments are assisted by prefectural governments that are supported by the central government, according to the basic law. However, this system failed to function after the Great East Japan Earthquake devastated municipalities over a wide area.
災害法制の根幹である災害対策基本法（災対法）は、災害対策の一義的な責務は市町村にあると規定している。都道府県は市町村を支援し、国がさらに補う。広範囲に市町村が壊滅した東日本大震災では機能しない構造だった。
After the March 2011 earthquake, the government revised the basic law twice, mainly to enhance the central government’s role. According to the revisions, the central government would take emergency measures instead of municipal governments if the local governments were unable to function after a major disaster. The central and prefectural governments also would be able to supply relief materials to victims in disaster-hit municipalities without waiting for requests from municipal governments.
政府は大震災後、災対法を２度改正した。ポイントは国の役割を強めたことにある。市町村が機能しない場合、国が応急措置を代行する。国や都道府県は、被災自治体の要請を待たずに、独自の判断で救援物資を供給できる。
The revisions have also enhanced evacuation measures in case of a disaster. Municipal governments are obliged to make lists of residents needing assistance when forced to evacuate by collecting personal information on the aged, disabled and other people considered vulnerable in a disaster.
災害時の避難対策も強化した。市町村に対し、高齢者、障害者など災害弱者の個人情報を集めた「避難行動要支援者名簿」の作成を義務づけた。
Even though such lists have been drawn up, their effectiveness has been questioned because the ratio of those disaster-susceptible people who have been listed compared with the total is often low.
名簿は、作成されていても名前の掲載率が低いなど、有効性に疑問符がついていた。
This is due mainly to the tendency of local entities to overemphasize the Personal Information Protection Law, under which listing the names of individuals is supposed to require their consent. Instead of sticking rigidly to the law’s provisions, local governments should place priority on drawing up lists that are useful at times of emergency.
自治体が名簿掲載に本人同意を求める個人情報保護条例を配慮し過ぎるからだ。緊急時に役立つ名簿にしたい。
The Disaster Relief Law, meanwhile, calls for prefectural governments to abide by the “principle of in-kind benefits,” under which disaster victims are to be provided with such facilities as evacuation centers and temporary housing.
一方、災害救助法には、都道府県が避難所、仮設住宅などを提供する「現物給付の原則」がある。
In disaster-struck regions, however, this principle has been criticized because it is a major impediment to local governments in their efforts to make use of housing units rented from the private sector as “equivalent temporary housing.”
被災地では、民間から借り上げた「みなし仮設」住宅を活用するうえで、この原則こそが障害になっているとの不満が強い。
Since this includes houses or apartments rented by the victims, administrative procedures concerning their eligibility under the in-kind benefit principle are cumbersome and complex, as they include the need to have the rental agreements concluded afresh in the name of the local governments concerned. This principle should be flexibly implemented.
みなし仮設の対象には独力で住宅を借りた場合も含まれるが、契約を結び直すなど、行政手続きは煩雑だ。運用を柔軟にすることにも配慮すべきだろう。
Studies should also be made in response to wishes from disaster-hit areas to make it easier to obtain certification of disaster victims and approve government cash assistance to rehabilitate their livelihoods.
被災地の要望を踏まえ、罹災(りさい)判定、生活再建支援金といった支援制度が使いやすくなるよう見直してほしい。
Are these arrangements under existing laws sufficient for the government to cope promptly and effectively when an immense disaster occurs?
こうした現行法の枠組みだけで、未曽有の巨大災害にも、政府は迅速かつ的確に対処できるのだろうか。
Compiling its final report in July last year, the government council for the promotion of antidisaster measures said additional steps must be worked out “to ensure the country’s existence as a state.”
政府の防災対策推進検討会議は昨年７月、「国家として存立していくための対策が不可欠」とする最終報告書をまとめた。
The antidisaster basic law allows the prime minister to declare a state of emergency after a disaster. The issuance of this declaration is limited to when the Diet is in recess, while issuance of emergency ordinances following the declaration is restricted to such things as the rationing of daily necessities and controlling commodity prices.
災対法には、首相が「災害緊急事態」を布告できるとの規定がある。国会閉会中などに限られ、緊急政令も生活必需物資の配給や物価統制などに限定されている。
The council’s report also referred to the need to expand emergency measures for such purposes as protecting commuters unable to return home and ensure public order in the aftermath of a massive earthquake. In addition, the panel urged the government to make preparations in case the Diet was unable to function after a powerful earthquake beneath the capital.
報告書は、帰宅困難者対策や治安維持にも緊急措置を拡大することの必要性に言及した。首都直下地震で国会が動かない状況下での対応も検討を促している。
2013年09月02日
消費税率 「来春の８％」は見送るべきだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun September 1, 2013
Govt should shelve sales tax hike to 8% in April to guard recovery
消費税率 「来春の８％」は見送るべきだ（8月31日付・読売社説）
◆デフレからの脱却を最優先に
The most imperative issue for the Japanese economy is to overcome deflation. If an increase in the consumption tax rate dampens the economy, which has finally begun to recover, it will ruin the whole situation.
日本経済の最重要課題は、デフレからの脱却である。消費税率引き上げで、ようやく上向いてきた景気を腰折れさせてしまえば元も子もない。
The government should shelve the planned hike in the consumption tax rate to 8 percent in April next year. Rather, it would be a realistic choice to raise the tax rate from the current 5 percent to 10 percent in October 2015 after achieving a full economic recovery.
政府は、２０１４年４月に予定される消費税率の８％への引き上げは見送るべきだ。景気の本格回復を実現したうえで、１５年１０月に５％から１０％へ引き上げることが現実的な選択と言えよう。
The government has been holding intensive discussion sessions to hear a wide range of opinions from experts and others over the advisibility of the planned increase in the consumption tax rate.
消費増税を巡って、有識者らから幅広く意見を聴く政府の集中点検会合が開かれている。
Achieve growth, fiscal health
◆成長と財政再建両立を
It was a matter of course for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is expected to make a decision on the tax hike this autumn, to say: “I’ll ultimately decide on my own responsibility. After getting the results of the discussions, I’ll try to make a proper judgment taking into account a variety of economic indicators.”
安倍首相が今秋の決断へ、「最終的に私の責任で決める。会合の結果報告を受け、様々な経済指標を踏まえて適切に判断したい」と述べているのは妥当だ。
Japan has been suffering from deflation for 15 years and running huge fiscal deficits. If economic stagnation continues for a prolonged period, Japan’s strength might be further weakened.
日本は、１５年間もデフレが継続し、巨額の財政赤字を抱える。景気低迷がさらに長期化すれば国力の低下が進みかねない。
How can the nation defeat deflation and achieve both economic growth and fiscal reconstruction? What is required for Japan are concrete measures to tackle these difficult problems.
デフレを克服し、経済成長と財政再建の両立をいかに図るか。日本に求められているのは、この難題に取り組む方策である。
The Yomiuri Shimbun has insisted on the necessity of raising the consumption tax from the standpoint that the nation needs to secure fiscal resources for social security expenditures, which are growing year by year, and get its fiscal condition in sound shape in the medium term. We maintain this stance.
読売新聞は年々増える社会保障費の財源を確保し、中期的に財政健全化を図るべきだとの立場から、消費増税の必要性を主張してきた。考えは変わらない。
Many of the experts and others participating in the discussions have argued in favor of raising the tax rate next spring as planned, but the question is whether that is the right time to raise the tax.
有識者らの多くは、来春に予定通り引き上げるよう主張したが、問題は、来春が増税するのに適切な時期かどうかだ。
The nation’s real gross domestic product for April-June rose only 2.6 percent on an annualized basis. Although the effects of the Abe administration’s Abenomics economic policies have begun to be seen, it is far from what we could call a self-sustaining recovery led by private-sector demand.
今年４〜６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は、年率換算で２・６％増にとどまった。
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の効果が見え始めてきたものの、民需主導の自律的回復というにはほど遠い。
It is a cause for concern that the nation has not yet achieved a virtuous cycle of Abenomics in which growth results in higher wages and more employment.
懸念されるのは、成長に伴って賃金が上昇し、雇用も拡大するというアベノミクスの好循環が実現していないことだ。
Next April will be a crucial time, particularly as companies may decide to increase wages after the annual spring labor offensive and may decide to expand their recruitment of new graduates for 2015. Cold water must not be thrown on progress leading toward a virtuous cycle.
来年４月は、春闘による賃上げや新卒採用の拡大などが見込まれる重要な時期である。好循環への動きに冷水を浴びせたくない。
Surely, a consumption tax rate hike alone will not help the nation achieve fiscal reconstruction. There are fears that if the economy loses steam with the tax hike, it could mean that tax revenues from such sources as corporate and income taxes will not increase as much as expected. Such a scenario would rather push fiscal reconstruction further into the distance.
もちろん、消費増税だけで財政は再建できない。増税で景気が失速すれば、法人税や所得税などの税収も期待したほどは増えない恐れがある。それではかえって財政健全化が遠のくだろう。
Although the government this autumn plans to hammer out additional economic measures, including a tax cut to stimulate investment, as part of its growth strategy, it will take time for these policy measures to produce tangible results.
政府は今秋、成長戦略として投資減税などの追加策を打ち出す方針だが、そうした政策効果が表れるまでには時間がかかる。
Aim for 10% in ’15
◆１５年の１０％を目指せ
If the consumption tax rate cannot be raised to 10 percent in 2015 as a result of adhering to the plan to increase it to 8 percent next April, that will be an inversion of Japan’s priorities.
８％への引き上げに固執した結果、景気が落ち込み、１０％への引き上げを実現できなくなれば、本末転倒である。
Some people, on the other hand, have expressed concern that if the tax hike is postponed, confidence in Japanese government bonds will drop, leading to a rise in long-term interest rates.
他方、消費増税を先送りした場合には、日本国債の信認が損なわれ、長期金利が上昇すると懸念する声が出ている。
What matters is whether the government can send a strong message that will dispel such fears. The government is urged to seek understanding both at home and abroad by announcing that postponing the rate increase to 8 percent is the result of its giving top priority to ending deflation and that its committ-ment to fiscal reconstruction will not falter in the least.
重要なのは、不安を払拭する政府の強いメッセージである。８％見送りはデフレ脱却を最優先した結果であり、財政再建の決意はいささかも揺るがないと表明し、内外の理解を求めてもらいたい。
A matter to be tackled in this connection is how to secure fiscal funds to make up for tax revenue that will be lost by putting off the tax hike. It will be necessary to curtail nonurgent spending while considering all possible measures.
増税先送りに伴う消費税収分をカバーする財政資金の確保も課題になる。まず緊急性の低い歳出は削減し、併せて、あらゆる政策を検討する必要がある。
One policy could be to make effective use of untapped household assets by issuing government bonds that do not bear interest but are exempt from inheritance tax on their face value. The funds to be collected widely could be used on a priority basis for social security programs and measures to prevent and reduce disasters.
利子が付かない代わりに、国債の額面分に相続税を課さない無利子非課税国債を発行し、家計に眠る貯蓄を有効活用することは政策メニューの一つだ。
広く集めた資金を社会保障や防災・減災対策などに重点配分することが考えられる。
Govt should shelve sales tax hike to 8% in April to guard recovery
消費税率 「来春の８％」は見送るべきだ（8月31日付・読売社説）
◆デフレからの脱却を最優先に
The most imperative issue for the Japanese economy is to overcome deflation. If an increase in the consumption tax rate dampens the economy, which has finally begun to recover, it will ruin the whole situation.
日本経済の最重要課題は、デフレからの脱却である。消費税率引き上げで、ようやく上向いてきた景気を腰折れさせてしまえば元も子もない。
The government should shelve the planned hike in the consumption tax rate to 8 percent in April next year. Rather, it would be a realistic choice to raise the tax rate from the current 5 percent to 10 percent in October 2015 after achieving a full economic recovery.
政府は、２０１４年４月に予定される消費税率の８％への引き上げは見送るべきだ。景気の本格回復を実現したうえで、１５年１０月に５％から１０％へ引き上げることが現実的な選択と言えよう。
The government has been holding intensive discussion sessions to hear a wide range of opinions from experts and others over the advisibility of the planned increase in the consumption tax rate.
消費増税を巡って、有識者らから幅広く意見を聴く政府の集中点検会合が開かれている。
Achieve growth, fiscal health
◆成長と財政再建両立を
It was a matter of course for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is expected to make a decision on the tax hike this autumn, to say: “I’ll ultimately decide on my own responsibility. After getting the results of the discussions, I’ll try to make a proper judgment taking into account a variety of economic indicators.”
安倍首相が今秋の決断へ、「最終的に私の責任で決める。会合の結果報告を受け、様々な経済指標を踏まえて適切に判断したい」と述べているのは妥当だ。
Japan has been suffering from deflation for 15 years and running huge fiscal deficits. If economic stagnation continues for a prolonged period, Japan’s strength might be further weakened.
日本は、１５年間もデフレが継続し、巨額の財政赤字を抱える。景気低迷がさらに長期化すれば国力の低下が進みかねない。
How can the nation defeat deflation and achieve both economic growth and fiscal reconstruction? What is required for Japan are concrete measures to tackle these difficult problems.
デフレを克服し、経済成長と財政再建の両立をいかに図るか。日本に求められているのは、この難題に取り組む方策である。
The Yomiuri Shimbun has insisted on the necessity of raising the consumption tax from the standpoint that the nation needs to secure fiscal resources for social security expenditures, which are growing year by year, and get its fiscal condition in sound shape in the medium term. We maintain this stance.
読売新聞は年々増える社会保障費の財源を確保し、中期的に財政健全化を図るべきだとの立場から、消費増税の必要性を主張してきた。考えは変わらない。
Many of the experts and others participating in the discussions have argued in favor of raising the tax rate next spring as planned, but the question is whether that is the right time to raise the tax.
有識者らの多くは、来春に予定通り引き上げるよう主張したが、問題は、来春が増税するのに適切な時期かどうかだ。
The nation’s real gross domestic product for April-June rose only 2.6 percent on an annualized basis. Although the effects of the Abe administration’s Abenomics economic policies have begun to be seen, it is far from what we could call a self-sustaining recovery led by private-sector demand.
今年４〜６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は、年率換算で２・６％増にとどまった。
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の効果が見え始めてきたものの、民需主導の自律的回復というにはほど遠い。
It is a cause for concern that the nation has not yet achieved a virtuous cycle of Abenomics in which growth results in higher wages and more employment.
懸念されるのは、成長に伴って賃金が上昇し、雇用も拡大するというアベノミクスの好循環が実現していないことだ。
Next April will be a crucial time, particularly as companies may decide to increase wages after the annual spring labor offensive and may decide to expand their recruitment of new graduates for 2015. Cold water must not be thrown on progress leading toward a virtuous cycle.
来年４月は、春闘による賃上げや新卒採用の拡大などが見込まれる重要な時期である。好循環への動きに冷水を浴びせたくない。
Surely, a consumption tax rate hike alone will not help the nation achieve fiscal reconstruction. There are fears that if the economy loses steam with the tax hike, it could mean that tax revenues from such sources as corporate and income taxes will not increase as much as expected. Such a scenario would rather push fiscal reconstruction further into the distance.
もちろん、消費増税だけで財政は再建できない。増税で景気が失速すれば、法人税や所得税などの税収も期待したほどは増えない恐れがある。それではかえって財政健全化が遠のくだろう。
Although the government this autumn plans to hammer out additional economic measures, including a tax cut to stimulate investment, as part of its growth strategy, it will take time for these policy measures to produce tangible results.
政府は今秋、成長戦略として投資減税などの追加策を打ち出す方針だが、そうした政策効果が表れるまでには時間がかかる。
Aim for 10% in ’15
◆１５年の１０％を目指せ
If the consumption tax rate cannot be raised to 10 percent in 2015 as a result of adhering to the plan to increase it to 8 percent next April, that will be an inversion of Japan’s priorities.
８％への引き上げに固執した結果、景気が落ち込み、１０％への引き上げを実現できなくなれば、本末転倒である。
Some people, on the other hand, have expressed concern that if the tax hike is postponed, confidence in Japanese government bonds will drop, leading to a rise in long-term interest rates.
他方、消費増税を先送りした場合には、日本国債の信認が損なわれ、長期金利が上昇すると懸念する声が出ている。
What matters is whether the government can send a strong message that will dispel such fears. The government is urged to seek understanding both at home and abroad by announcing that postponing the rate increase to 8 percent is the result of its giving top priority to ending deflation and that its committ-ment to fiscal reconstruction will not falter in the least.
重要なのは、不安を払拭する政府の強いメッセージである。８％見送りはデフレ脱却を最優先した結果であり、財政再建の決意はいささかも揺るがないと表明し、内外の理解を求めてもらいたい。
A matter to be tackled in this connection is how to secure fiscal funds to make up for tax revenue that will be lost by putting off the tax hike. It will be necessary to curtail nonurgent spending while considering all possible measures.
増税先送りに伴う消費税収分をカバーする財政資金の確保も課題になる。まず緊急性の低い歳出は削減し、併せて、あらゆる政策を検討する必要がある。
One policy could be to make effective use of untapped household assets by issuing government bonds that do not bear interest but are exempt from inheritance tax on their face value. The funds to be collected widely could be used on a priority basis for social security programs and measures to prevent and reduce disasters.
利子が付かない代わりに、国債の額面分に相続税を課さない無利子非課税国債を発行し、家計に眠る貯蓄を有効活用することは政策メニューの一つだ。
広く集めた資金を社会保障や防災・減災対策などに重点配分することが考えられる。
2013年09月01日
悪ふざけ投稿 ネット交流に潜む危険な誘惑
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 31, 2013
Prank Internet postings can have serious consequences
悪ふざけ投稿 ネット交流に潜む危険な誘惑（8月30日付・読売社説）
It is deplorable that young people are causing serious problems by taking photos of themselves playing pranks and posting them on Twitter and other social media.
実に嘆かわしい事態である。若者が悪ふざけで撮った写真がツイッターなどＳＮＳ（ソーシャル・ネットワーキング・サービス）に投稿され、重大な問題を引き起こしている。
At a convenience store in Kochi, a male employee took a photo of himself lying in a refrigerated case for ice cream and posted it online. The head office of the chain store was inundated with complaints such as “your education of employees is problematic” and “your management of sanitation is doubtful.” The store ended up having its franchise contract terminated.
高知市のコンビニエンスストアでは、男性店員がアイスクリームの冷凍ケース内に身を横たえた姿を撮影し、投稿した。
本部には「店員の教育がなっていない」「衛生管理はできているのか」といった苦情が殺到した。この店はフランチャイズ契約を解除された。
At a ramen shop in Osaka where two female employees posted photos of one of them on Twitter with the shop’s frozen ingredients in her mouth, the shop was forced to dispose of the foodstuffs and suspend its business.
冷凍庫の食材をくわえた店員の写真がツイッターに公開された大阪のラーメン店は、食材廃棄ばかりか、休業に追い込まれた。
Due to rash acts by their employees, stores and franchise management companies lost the confidence of the public. It is not unreasonable for the shops to ask such employees to pay damages in addition to being fired.
店員の軽はずみな行為により、店や経営企業は信用低下というダメージを受けた。店員は解雇のみならず、店側から損害賠償を請求されてもおかしくはない。
This recent series of pranks includes one that developed into a criminal case. Two 19-year-old boys who posted a photo of themselves on the roof of a parked police car in Hokkaido were arrested on suspicion of damaging property.
刑事事件に発展したケースもある。北海道で駐車中のパトカーの屋根に乗った場面を投稿した１９歳の少年２人が、器物損壊容疑で逮捕された。
Stern action against such malicious acts cannot be avoided.
悪質な行為を抑止するためには厳しい対処もやむを得まい。
Exhibitionism a factor
The young people who caused these problems seem to be exhibitionists who want to attract others’ attention in cyberspace. The boys involved in the Hokkaido incident posted a message saying, “We trampled a patrol car.”
一連の問題を引き起こした若者たちからは、ネット空間で他の人から注目されたいという自己顕示欲がうかがえる。北海道の少年は「パトカー荒らしてきたぜ」という書き込みをしていた。
Social media are tools for increasing social contacts by making connections through individuals. If the services are used well, it will be possible to communicate with many people. Some young people may want to show off to get others’ attention, but the problem is how they go about it.
ＳＮＳは友だちの輪を広げる道具だ。うまく利用すれば、多くの人と交流することができる。関心を引くために、自分をアピールしたいという若者もいるだろうが、問題はその手段だ。
If they had considered the consequences of their acts, the incidents would not have occurred.
自らの行為がもたらす結果に思いを及ぼすことができれば、一連の騒動は起きなかったはずだ。
Why have actions by young people displaying a considerable lack of common sense become rampant?
なぜ、著しく常識を欠いた若者の行為が目立つのだろうか。
Some experts say that people immersed in the Internet world tend to lose normal judgment. They are preoccupied with what they should say and post on the Internet even at work and are tempted to do things that will attract the attention of friends on the Internet.
専門家の中には、ネットの世界に浸ると、正常な判断力を失いがちになるとの指摘がある。働いている最中でも、ネット上でどんな会話や投稿をするかが頭から離れず、ネット仲間にうける行動に走ってしまうのだという。
The incidents all happened within a short period, possibly because messages on the Internet encouraged others to follow suit. This could represent a facet of the situation underscored by the recent survey showing that 520,000 middle and high school students are addicted to the Internet.
騒動が短期間のうちに集中したのは、他の人の投稿を見て刺激を受けた結果だろう。
中高生だけでも約５２万人に達するとされるネット依存問題の一つの側面と言える。
With the rapid spread of smartphones, the number of users of social media and other Internet services is expected to continue rising. It is necessary to instruct people how to properly interact with the Internet world both at school and in employee training.
スマートフォンが急速に普及し、ＳＮＳなどのネット利用者は今後も増え続けるとみられる。学校だけでなく、社員教育の中でも、ネットとの適切な関わり方を指導していくことが必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2013)
（2013年8月30日01時28分 読売新聞）
Prank Internet postings can have serious consequences
悪ふざけ投稿 ネット交流に潜む危険な誘惑（8月30日付・読売社説）
It is deplorable that young people are causing serious problems by taking photos of themselves playing pranks and posting them on Twitter and other social media.
実に嘆かわしい事態である。若者が悪ふざけで撮った写真がツイッターなどＳＮＳ（ソーシャル・ネットワーキング・サービス）に投稿され、重大な問題を引き起こしている。
At a convenience store in Kochi, a male employee took a photo of himself lying in a refrigerated case for ice cream and posted it online. The head office of the chain store was inundated with complaints such as “your education of employees is problematic” and “your management of sanitation is doubtful.” The store ended up having its franchise contract terminated.
高知市のコンビニエンスストアでは、男性店員がアイスクリームの冷凍ケース内に身を横たえた姿を撮影し、投稿した。
本部には「店員の教育がなっていない」「衛生管理はできているのか」といった苦情が殺到した。この店はフランチャイズ契約を解除された。
At a ramen shop in Osaka where two female employees posted photos of one of them on Twitter with the shop’s frozen ingredients in her mouth, the shop was forced to dispose of the foodstuffs and suspend its business.
冷凍庫の食材をくわえた店員の写真がツイッターに公開された大阪のラーメン店は、食材廃棄ばかりか、休業に追い込まれた。
Due to rash acts by their employees, stores and franchise management companies lost the confidence of the public. It is not unreasonable for the shops to ask such employees to pay damages in addition to being fired.
店員の軽はずみな行為により、店や経営企業は信用低下というダメージを受けた。店員は解雇のみならず、店側から損害賠償を請求されてもおかしくはない。
This recent series of pranks includes one that developed into a criminal case. Two 19-year-old boys who posted a photo of themselves on the roof of a parked police car in Hokkaido were arrested on suspicion of damaging property.
刑事事件に発展したケースもある。北海道で駐車中のパトカーの屋根に乗った場面を投稿した１９歳の少年２人が、器物損壊容疑で逮捕された。
Stern action against such malicious acts cannot be avoided.
悪質な行為を抑止するためには厳しい対処もやむを得まい。
Exhibitionism a factor
The young people who caused these problems seem to be exhibitionists who want to attract others’ attention in cyberspace. The boys involved in the Hokkaido incident posted a message saying, “We trampled a patrol car.”
一連の問題を引き起こした若者たちからは、ネット空間で他の人から注目されたいという自己顕示欲がうかがえる。北海道の少年は「パトカー荒らしてきたぜ」という書き込みをしていた。
Social media are tools for increasing social contacts by making connections through individuals. If the services are used well, it will be possible to communicate with many people. Some young people may want to show off to get others’ attention, but the problem is how they go about it.
ＳＮＳは友だちの輪を広げる道具だ。うまく利用すれば、多くの人と交流することができる。関心を引くために、自分をアピールしたいという若者もいるだろうが、問題はその手段だ。
If they had considered the consequences of their acts, the incidents would not have occurred.
自らの行為がもたらす結果に思いを及ぼすことができれば、一連の騒動は起きなかったはずだ。
Why have actions by young people displaying a considerable lack of common sense become rampant?
なぜ、著しく常識を欠いた若者の行為が目立つのだろうか。
Some experts say that people immersed in the Internet world tend to lose normal judgment. They are preoccupied with what they should say and post on the Internet even at work and are tempted to do things that will attract the attention of friends on the Internet.
専門家の中には、ネットの世界に浸ると、正常な判断力を失いがちになるとの指摘がある。働いている最中でも、ネット上でどんな会話や投稿をするかが頭から離れず、ネット仲間にうける行動に走ってしまうのだという。
The incidents all happened within a short period, possibly because messages on the Internet encouraged others to follow suit. This could represent a facet of the situation underscored by the recent survey showing that 520,000 middle and high school students are addicted to the Internet.
騒動が短期間のうちに集中したのは、他の人の投稿を見て刺激を受けた結果だろう。
中高生だけでも約５２万人に達するとされるネット依存問題の一つの側面と言える。
With the rapid spread of smartphones, the number of users of social media and other Internet services is expected to continue rising. It is necessary to instruct people how to properly interact with the Internet world both at school and in employee training.
スマートフォンが急速に普及し、ＳＮＳなどのネット利用者は今後も増え続けるとみられる。学校だけでなく、社員教育の中でも、ネットとの適切な関わり方を指導していくことが必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2013)
（2013年8月30日01時28分 読売新聞）