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2015年06月20日
香港長官選法案 「高度な自治」は看板倒れか
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Was China’s offer of ‘high degree of autonomy’ for Hong Kong a facade?
香港長官選法案 「高度な自治」は看板倒れか
Will the “high degree of autonomy” China promised to Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” formula turn out to be a mere facade?
「一国二制度」の名の下に、中国が約束している香港の「高度な自治」は、結局、看板倒れになるのか。
An electoral reform package for the poll to choose Hong Kong’s next chief executive in 2017 has been voted down by a majority of pro-democracy lawmakers.
２０１７年の次期香港行政長官選挙に向けた選挙制度改革法案が議会で、民主派議員の反対多数で否決された。
With this, a “normal election” in which Hong Kong’s voters directly select their leader will not go ahead. Instead, the current indirect election system − in which the leader is chosen by a committee comprised of industry group representatives and others − looks set to continue.
有権者が直接投票する「普通選挙」は次期選挙では実施されず、業界団体代表らによる現行の間接選挙が続く見通しとなった。
Although the reform bills offered the prospect of one vote for each eligible voter, only pro-China candidates would have been allowed to run in the race. We can understand why pro-democracy lawmakers voted to oppose this proposal, which they denounced as offering a “fake direct election.”
法案は「１人１票」の直接選挙とはいえ、親中派しか立候補できない仕組みである。「ニセの普通選挙」と抗議する民主派が反対票を投じたのは、理解できる。
Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, ending British control there. The Chinese government accepted that Hong Kong would retain a high degree of autonomy and set the goal of holding a normal election rooted in universal suffrage as espoused by Hong Kong’s Basic Law, which equates to its Constitution.
１９９７年に英国から返還された香港では、中国政府が「高度な自治」を認め、憲法に当たる基本法で「普通選挙」実施を目標に掲げたのである。
In August 2014, the Chinese government decided to introduce an electoral system in which Hong Kong residents could choose their leader in a “normal election” based on the Basic Law. However, all candidates were required to secure the support of more than 50 percent of a newly formed nominating committee that was dominated by pro-Beijing members. The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping obviously intended to block the emergence of an anti-China democratic-minded chief executive.
昨年８月、基本法に基づき、「普通選挙」の導入を決めたのだが、親中派主体の「指名委員会」を新設し、その半数以上の支持を立候補の要件とした。習近平政権の狙いが反中的な「民主派長官」の誕生の阻止であるのは、明白だ。
For 2½ months, students and activists angered by this decision staged protests and camped in the streets. Despite this, Hong Kong’s government ignored the protesters’ demands and drew up legislation that faithfully adhered to the wishes of the Chinese government. This also became a problem.
決定に反発する学生らが２か月半、道路占拠デモを行った。にもかかわらず、香港政府がその要求を無視し、中国の意向を忠実に踏まえた法案にしたのも問題だ。
Don’t misinterpret protests
At a regularly scheduled press conference after the bills were voted down, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “That the chief executive of the special administrative region’s government should not be chosen as such in 2017 is a result we are unwilling to see.” This comment also has somewhat of a hollow ring to it.
中国外務省報道官は定例記者会見で、法案の否決について、「１７年に香港で行政長官の『普通選挙』が行われないという結果は、目にしたくなかった」と語った。どこか空々しさもうかがえる。
Protests by students and activists ahead of this week’s vote did not reach the scale of the demonstrations held during last year’s “umbrella revolution.” This appears to be because many Hong Kong residents felt deep resentment toward the prolonged demonstrations, which created traffic congestion and economic losses.
今回、採決を巡る学生らの抗議デモは、昨年の「雨傘革命」ほどの規模には広がらなかった。デモの長期化による交通渋滞や経済的損害に対する一般住民の嫌悪感が強かったためとみられる。
The media manipulation and propaganda of the Xi administration − which has sought to isolate the students by portraying them as disrupting Hong Kong’s social stability − has been effective in this regard.
社会の安定を乱しているとして学生側を孤立させる習政権の世論工作も、奏功したのだろう。
It would be most unwise for the Xi administration to decide that this has quieted the voices demanding democracy in Hong Kong.
これを、香港の民主化を求める声が小さくなったと、習政権が判断しているなら、あまりにも浅慮ではないか。
Abandoning the reform process as it stands now is unacceptable.
改革プロセスをこのまま放棄することは認められない。
We are concerned that the more the Xi administration comes down with an iron fist, the more the backlash from pro-democracy activists and students will intensify. This deepening rift could harm Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. In the end, China will likely pay the price for this.
懸念されるのは、習政権が強権的手法をとればとるほど、民主派や学生の反発が先鋭化することだろう。深まる溝は香港の安定と繁栄を損ないかねない。そのツケはやがて中国にも回るはずだ。
The Xi administration must respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and push ahead with dialogue with the students and pro-democracy activists. Unless progress continues to be made toward holding genuine normal elections, the Xi administration will not gain the wide trust of the international community.
習政権には、香港の「自治」を尊重し、民主派や学生らと対話を進めることが求められている。真の「普通選挙」実現へ、歩みを続けなければ、国際社会の幅広い信頼を得ることはできまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 19, 2015)
Was China’s offer of ‘high degree of autonomy’ for Hong Kong a facade?
香港長官選法案 「高度な自治」は看板倒れか
Will the “high degree of autonomy” China promised to Hong Kong under the “one country, two systems” formula turn out to be a mere facade?
「一国二制度」の名の下に、中国が約束している香港の「高度な自治」は、結局、看板倒れになるのか。
An electoral reform package for the poll to choose Hong Kong’s next chief executive in 2017 has been voted down by a majority of pro-democracy lawmakers.
２０１７年の次期香港行政長官選挙に向けた選挙制度改革法案が議会で、民主派議員の反対多数で否決された。
With this, a “normal election” in which Hong Kong’s voters directly select their leader will not go ahead. Instead, the current indirect election system − in which the leader is chosen by a committee comprised of industry group representatives and others − looks set to continue.
有権者が直接投票する「普通選挙」は次期選挙では実施されず、業界団体代表らによる現行の間接選挙が続く見通しとなった。
Although the reform bills offered the prospect of one vote for each eligible voter, only pro-China candidates would have been allowed to run in the race. We can understand why pro-democracy lawmakers voted to oppose this proposal, which they denounced as offering a “fake direct election.”
法案は「１人１票」の直接選挙とはいえ、親中派しか立候補できない仕組みである。「ニセの普通選挙」と抗議する民主派が反対票を投じたのは、理解できる。
Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, ending British control there. The Chinese government accepted that Hong Kong would retain a high degree of autonomy and set the goal of holding a normal election rooted in universal suffrage as espoused by Hong Kong’s Basic Law, which equates to its Constitution.
１９９７年に英国から返還された香港では、中国政府が「高度な自治」を認め、憲法に当たる基本法で「普通選挙」実施を目標に掲げたのである。
In August 2014, the Chinese government decided to introduce an electoral system in which Hong Kong residents could choose their leader in a “normal election” based on the Basic Law. However, all candidates were required to secure the support of more than 50 percent of a newly formed nominating committee that was dominated by pro-Beijing members. The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping obviously intended to block the emergence of an anti-China democratic-minded chief executive.
昨年８月、基本法に基づき、「普通選挙」の導入を決めたのだが、親中派主体の「指名委員会」を新設し、その半数以上の支持を立候補の要件とした。習近平政権の狙いが反中的な「民主派長官」の誕生の阻止であるのは、明白だ。
For 2½ months, students and activists angered by this decision staged protests and camped in the streets. Despite this, Hong Kong’s government ignored the protesters’ demands and drew up legislation that faithfully adhered to the wishes of the Chinese government. This also became a problem.
決定に反発する学生らが２か月半、道路占拠デモを行った。にもかかわらず、香港政府がその要求を無視し、中国の意向を忠実に踏まえた法案にしたのも問題だ。
Don’t misinterpret protests
At a regularly scheduled press conference after the bills were voted down, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said, “That the chief executive of the special administrative region’s government should not be chosen as such in 2017 is a result we are unwilling to see.” This comment also has somewhat of a hollow ring to it.
中国外務省報道官は定例記者会見で、法案の否決について、「１７年に香港で行政長官の『普通選挙』が行われないという結果は、目にしたくなかった」と語った。どこか空々しさもうかがえる。
Protests by students and activists ahead of this week’s vote did not reach the scale of the demonstrations held during last year’s “umbrella revolution.” This appears to be because many Hong Kong residents felt deep resentment toward the prolonged demonstrations, which created traffic congestion and economic losses.
今回、採決を巡る学生らの抗議デモは、昨年の「雨傘革命」ほどの規模には広がらなかった。デモの長期化による交通渋滞や経済的損害に対する一般住民の嫌悪感が強かったためとみられる。
The media manipulation and propaganda of the Xi administration − which has sought to isolate the students by portraying them as disrupting Hong Kong’s social stability − has been effective in this regard.
社会の安定を乱しているとして学生側を孤立させる習政権の世論工作も、奏功したのだろう。
It would be most unwise for the Xi administration to decide that this has quieted the voices demanding democracy in Hong Kong.
これを、香港の民主化を求める声が小さくなったと、習政権が判断しているなら、あまりにも浅慮ではないか。
Abandoning the reform process as it stands now is unacceptable.
改革プロセスをこのまま放棄することは認められない。
We are concerned that the more the Xi administration comes down with an iron fist, the more the backlash from pro-democracy activists and students will intensify. This deepening rift could harm Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity. In the end, China will likely pay the price for this.
懸念されるのは、習政権が強権的手法をとればとるほど、民主派や学生の反発が先鋭化することだろう。深まる溝は香港の安定と繁栄を損ないかねない。そのツケはやがて中国にも回るはずだ。
The Xi administration must respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and push ahead with dialogue with the students and pro-democracy activists. Unless progress continues to be made toward holding genuine normal elections, the Xi administration will not gain the wide trust of the international community.
習政権には、香港の「自治」を尊重し、民主派や学生らと対話を進めることが求められている。真の「普通選挙」実現へ、歩みを続けなければ、国際社会の幅広い信頼を得ることはできまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 19, 2015)
2015年06月19日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：「患者さん」に救われた ／東京
June 07, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Illness does not erase a person's intrinsic qualities
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：「患者さん」に救われた ／東京
While I was seeing a patient the other day, we were hit by an earthquake. Earthquake alerts blared simultaneously from people's mobile phones. The quake registered a 4 in Tokyo on the seven-point Japanese seismic intensity scale.
先日、外来診療中に地震があった。東京は震度４、携帯電話の緊急地震速報があちこちでけたたましく鳴り響いた。
I half rose from my chair, saying, "This one's pretty big, isn't it?"
私は思わず、「あ、地震。けっこう大きいですね」と椅子から立ち上がりかけてしまった。
The patient in my consulting room smiled. "I've long worked in construction," he said, "and I can tell this building will be just fine in an earthquake this size."
診察室にいたのは、そのとき診療中だった男性の患者さん。彼はまったく動じることなく、「先生、大丈夫ですよ。私は建設現場で長らく仕事をしていたのでわかりますが、これくらいの地震じゃこの建物はびくともしません」と笑顔で話してくれたのだ。
Relieved, I finally sat back down. From that point on, the patient told me stories about his past with a sense of humor, like about the time he experienced an earthquake while he was high off the ground on scaffolding. He was probably trying to relax me, seeing that my face was still ashen from fear.
その言葉に私もほっとして、「そうですか、よかった」と腰を落ち着けることができた。それからひとしきり、その男性の患者さんは「昔、高い足場の上にいるときに地震が来たことがあって」などと昔ばなしをユーモアを交えて披露してくれた。おそらくまだ私の顔が青ざめていたので、気をつかってくれたのだろう。
Thanks to the man's kindness, I was able to finish the rest of my consultations that day without any problems. When I said goodbye to the nurses and left the hospital, I thought to myself, "That man saved me today."
その男性の気配りのおかげで、その後の診察も滞りなく終えることができた。看護師さんたちに「お疲れさまでした」と告げて病院を出るとき、私は「今日はあの人に救われたな」としみじみ思った。
Until the earthquake, the man had been talking about the various symptoms that he was suffering, and I had been the one giving him advice. But in the moment the earthquake occurred, our positions flipped. I was now the troubled one, and he gently calmed me down. You could say that as a human being, my patient had far more poise than me.
思い返してみると、地震が起きるまではその男性の患者さんが体の不調をあれこれ訴えて、私のほうが「困りましたね。ちょっと外出のトレーニングなどをしてはどうですか」などとアドバイスする立場だったのだ。それが、あの揺れの瞬間、立場が逆転して、私のほうがオロオロして、彼が私をやさしくなだめてくれた。人間としてはその人のほうがよほど落ち着いている、と言ってもよいだろう。
I am merely a doctor by occupation, and that does not make me more mature than anyone else. But it's possible that being addressed as "Doctor" all the time, giving advice and prescribing medications, has gotten me fooled into believing subconsciously that I'm more mature and composed than I actually am.
もちろん、私は職業として医者をやっているだけで、決して人格的にすぐれているわけではないことは言うまでもない。しかし、いつも「先生」と呼ばれ、助言したり薬を出したりしているといつの間にか自分でもカン違いし、どこかで「私はしっかりした人間だ」などと思い込んでいる可能性もある。
At the same time, I was reminded that people who are in the position of "patient" may suffer from a range of ailments, but that doesn't mean they've lost their intrinsic kindness and strength.
そして同時に、日ごろは体調不良や気持ちの落ち込みに悩み、“患者さん”と呼ばれる立場にいる人も、当然のことだがもともとのやさしさ、強さなどまで失っているわけではないことにも改めて気づいた。
A person is uniquely that person regardless of illness.
いくら病に陥っていても、その人はその人。
Their strong suits are still there.
持ち前の良さはそのままなのだ。
The earthquake made me reflect upon a lot of things.
地震の一件は、私にいろいろなことを考えさせてくれた。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月02日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Illness does not erase a person's intrinsic qualities
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：「患者さん」に救われた ／東京
While I was seeing a patient the other day, we were hit by an earthquake. Earthquake alerts blared simultaneously from people's mobile phones. The quake registered a 4 in Tokyo on the seven-point Japanese seismic intensity scale.
先日、外来診療中に地震があった。東京は震度４、携帯電話の緊急地震速報があちこちでけたたましく鳴り響いた。
I half rose from my chair, saying, "This one's pretty big, isn't it?"
私は思わず、「あ、地震。けっこう大きいですね」と椅子から立ち上がりかけてしまった。
The patient in my consulting room smiled. "I've long worked in construction," he said, "and I can tell this building will be just fine in an earthquake this size."
診察室にいたのは、そのとき診療中だった男性の患者さん。彼はまったく動じることなく、「先生、大丈夫ですよ。私は建設現場で長らく仕事をしていたのでわかりますが、これくらいの地震じゃこの建物はびくともしません」と笑顔で話してくれたのだ。
Relieved, I finally sat back down. From that point on, the patient told me stories about his past with a sense of humor, like about the time he experienced an earthquake while he was high off the ground on scaffolding. He was probably trying to relax me, seeing that my face was still ashen from fear.
その言葉に私もほっとして、「そうですか、よかった」と腰を落ち着けることができた。それからひとしきり、その男性の患者さんは「昔、高い足場の上にいるときに地震が来たことがあって」などと昔ばなしをユーモアを交えて披露してくれた。おそらくまだ私の顔が青ざめていたので、気をつかってくれたのだろう。
Thanks to the man's kindness, I was able to finish the rest of my consultations that day without any problems. When I said goodbye to the nurses and left the hospital, I thought to myself, "That man saved me today."
その男性の気配りのおかげで、その後の診察も滞りなく終えることができた。看護師さんたちに「お疲れさまでした」と告げて病院を出るとき、私は「今日はあの人に救われたな」としみじみ思った。
Until the earthquake, the man had been talking about the various symptoms that he was suffering, and I had been the one giving him advice. But in the moment the earthquake occurred, our positions flipped. I was now the troubled one, and he gently calmed me down. You could say that as a human being, my patient had far more poise than me.
思い返してみると、地震が起きるまではその男性の患者さんが体の不調をあれこれ訴えて、私のほうが「困りましたね。ちょっと外出のトレーニングなどをしてはどうですか」などとアドバイスする立場だったのだ。それが、あの揺れの瞬間、立場が逆転して、私のほうがオロオロして、彼が私をやさしくなだめてくれた。人間としてはその人のほうがよほど落ち着いている、と言ってもよいだろう。
I am merely a doctor by occupation, and that does not make me more mature than anyone else. But it's possible that being addressed as "Doctor" all the time, giving advice and prescribing medications, has gotten me fooled into believing subconsciously that I'm more mature and composed than I actually am.
もちろん、私は職業として医者をやっているだけで、決して人格的にすぐれているわけではないことは言うまでもない。しかし、いつも「先生」と呼ばれ、助言したり薬を出したりしているといつの間にか自分でもカン違いし、どこかで「私はしっかりした人間だ」などと思い込んでいる可能性もある。
At the same time, I was reminded that people who are in the position of "patient" may suffer from a range of ailments, but that doesn't mean they've lost their intrinsic kindness and strength.
そして同時に、日ごろは体調不良や気持ちの落ち込みに悩み、“患者さん”と呼ばれる立場にいる人も、当然のことだがもともとのやさしさ、強さなどまで失っているわけではないことにも改めて気づいた。
A person is uniquely that person regardless of illness.
いくら病に陥っていても、その人はその人。
Their strong suits are still there.
持ち前の良さはそのままなのだ。
The earthquake made me reflect upon a lot of things.
地震の一件は、私にいろいろなことを考えさせてくれた。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月02日 地方版
2015年06月18日
国立大学改革 人文系を安易に切り捨てるな
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Do not abandon humanities studies in reforming national universities
国立大学改革 人文系を安易に切り捨てるな
It is important for national universities to promote their own reforms so they serve as centers of knowledge.
「知の拠点」としての役割を果たせるよう、国立大学が自ら改革を進めることが重要だ。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has sent a notice to 86 national universities urging them to reexamine their overall organization and operations. In line with the notice, universities will be expected to draw up six-year plans of their operational targets, starting next fiscal year.
文部科学省が、８６の国立大学に対し、組織や業務の全般的な見直しを求める通知を出した。各大学は通知を踏まえて、来年度から６年間の運営目標と計画を作成する。
National universities have been granted a greater degree of freedom in operational and financial management under legislation designed to transform them into incorporated institutions in fiscal 2004. Nevertheless, there is no denying that some national universities are lackluster and lack distinctiveness.
２００４年度の国立大学法人化により、大学の運営や財務は自由度が高まった。にもかかわらず、依然として魅力や個性に乏しい大学があるのも否めない。
Colleges and universities are expected to function as institutions tasked with producing people who can work and act internationally or have the ability to vitalize regional communities. Therefore, we find it reasonable for the education ministry to issue such a notice, which calls on universities to clarify the strengths and distinctive features they possess.
大学が、グローバルに活躍する人材や地方創生の担い手を育成する機能への期待は大きい。文科省が今回の通知で、各大学に改めて、強みや特色を明確に打ち出すよう促したのは理解できる。
Last year’s amendment to the School Education Law has made it easier for university presidents to exercise leadership in administering their institutions of higher learning. It is essential that they provide a better environment for educational and research activities at their institutions, a task requiring them to appropriately exercise their vested authority in dealing with personnel and budgetary matters in a way that serves their strategic purposes.
昨年の学校教育法改正で、学長はリーダーシップを発揮しやすくなった。学長が人事や予算の権限を適切に行使し、戦略性を持って、教育・研究の環境整備を図ることが欠かせない。
But one feature of the ministry’s notice is open to question. This concerns the proposed reform at university departments and postgraduate schools devoted to literature, humanities and social science studies as well as teacher training. Universities covered by this reform have been urged to abolish some of their departments or convert them into ones dedicated to the exploration of fields in high social demand.
疑問なのは、文科省通知が、文学部など人文社会科学系や教員養成系の学部・大学院について、組織の廃止や社会的要請の高い分野への転換を迫った点だ。
Admittedly, one aspect of humanities and social science studies is that it is not easy to see what has been accomplished over the short term. In fact, the results of studies in these disciplines seem to be less tangible than those of science and technology studies, which are conducive to the creation of new industries, as well as medical courses that lead to progress in medical technology. In many cases, graduates from humanities and social science faculties land jobs that have nothing to do with their major fields of study.
確かに人文社会系は、研究結果が新産業の創出や医療技術の進歩などに結びつく理工系や医学系に比べて、短期では成果が見えにくい側面がある。卒業生が専攻分野と直接かかわりのない会社に就職するケースも少なくない。
Proper balance required
With an increasing number of corporations saying they cannot afford to train employees, industrial circles are strongly pressing colleges and universities to have their students acquire practical skills helpful to them when they enter the workplace after graduation. Some people even go so far as to say it would be more profitable for students to be trained to gain high scores in English proficiency tests, rather than being taught English literature.
社内教育のゆとりが持てない企業が増える中、産業界には、仕事で役立つ実践力を大学で磨くべきだとの声が強まっている。英文学を教えるより、英語検定試験で高得点をとらせる指導をした方が有益だという極論すら聞こえる。
However, it should be noted that students who explore classical works, philosophy and history will be able to acquire viewpoints that will allow them to look at things from different perspectives. Such students can also expect to develop a mental attitude marked by a respect for different values. We believe one important task for colleges and universities is to help students gain a broad range of general knowledge and deep insight.
だが、古典や哲学、歴史などの探究を通じて、物事を多面的に見る眼めや、様々な価値観を尊重する姿勢が養われる。大学は、幅広い教養や深い洞察力を学生に身に付けさせる場でもあるはずだ。
What is needed is to make sure colleges and universities conduct educational and research activities in a manner that ensures a proper balance between humanities and social science studies and those of science and technology.
必要なのは、人文社会系と理工系のバランスが取れた教育と研究を行うことだろう。
Beginning next fiscal year, the education ministry plans to grant universities larger subsidies to help cover operational expenses if they are willing to promote organizational reforms. In assessing the degree of each university’s success in such endeavors, the ministry reportedly will use such yardsticks as the outcome of students’ job hunting activities and university-launched venture activities. Another yardstick will be the extent to which progress has been made in putting intellectual property into practical use.
文科省は来年度以降、積極的に組織改革を進める大学に、運営費交付金を重点的に配分する方針だ。学生の就職実績や、大学発ベンチャーの活動、知的財産の実用化の状況といった指標を基に、評価するという。
With the government’s dire fiscal situation in mind, it also will be necessary to allocate more budgetary resources where truly necessary, and less elsewhere. However, our nation’s university education could eventually lack depth if mistakes are made in judging what society really wants from institutions of higher learning, a move that could lead to abandoning humanities and social science studies.
厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、メリハリをつけた予算配分も大切だろう。ただ、「社会的要請」を読み誤って、人文社会系の学問を切り捨てれば、大学教育が底の浅いものになりかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2015)
Do not abandon humanities studies in reforming national universities
国立大学改革 人文系を安易に切り捨てるな
It is important for national universities to promote their own reforms so they serve as centers of knowledge.
「知の拠点」としての役割を果たせるよう、国立大学が自ら改革を進めることが重要だ。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has sent a notice to 86 national universities urging them to reexamine their overall organization and operations. In line with the notice, universities will be expected to draw up six-year plans of their operational targets, starting next fiscal year.
文部科学省が、８６の国立大学に対し、組織や業務の全般的な見直しを求める通知を出した。各大学は通知を踏まえて、来年度から６年間の運営目標と計画を作成する。
National universities have been granted a greater degree of freedom in operational and financial management under legislation designed to transform them into incorporated institutions in fiscal 2004. Nevertheless, there is no denying that some national universities are lackluster and lack distinctiveness.
２００４年度の国立大学法人化により、大学の運営や財務は自由度が高まった。にもかかわらず、依然として魅力や個性に乏しい大学があるのも否めない。
Colleges and universities are expected to function as institutions tasked with producing people who can work and act internationally or have the ability to vitalize regional communities. Therefore, we find it reasonable for the education ministry to issue such a notice, which calls on universities to clarify the strengths and distinctive features they possess.
大学が、グローバルに活躍する人材や地方創生の担い手を育成する機能への期待は大きい。文科省が今回の通知で、各大学に改めて、強みや特色を明確に打ち出すよう促したのは理解できる。
Last year’s amendment to the School Education Law has made it easier for university presidents to exercise leadership in administering their institutions of higher learning. It is essential that they provide a better environment for educational and research activities at their institutions, a task requiring them to appropriately exercise their vested authority in dealing with personnel and budgetary matters in a way that serves their strategic purposes.
昨年の学校教育法改正で、学長はリーダーシップを発揮しやすくなった。学長が人事や予算の権限を適切に行使し、戦略性を持って、教育・研究の環境整備を図ることが欠かせない。
But one feature of the ministry’s notice is open to question. This concerns the proposed reform at university departments and postgraduate schools devoted to literature, humanities and social science studies as well as teacher training. Universities covered by this reform have been urged to abolish some of their departments or convert them into ones dedicated to the exploration of fields in high social demand.
疑問なのは、文科省通知が、文学部など人文社会科学系や教員養成系の学部・大学院について、組織の廃止や社会的要請の高い分野への転換を迫った点だ。
Admittedly, one aspect of humanities and social science studies is that it is not easy to see what has been accomplished over the short term. In fact, the results of studies in these disciplines seem to be less tangible than those of science and technology studies, which are conducive to the creation of new industries, as well as medical courses that lead to progress in medical technology. In many cases, graduates from humanities and social science faculties land jobs that have nothing to do with their major fields of study.
確かに人文社会系は、研究結果が新産業の創出や医療技術の進歩などに結びつく理工系や医学系に比べて、短期では成果が見えにくい側面がある。卒業生が専攻分野と直接かかわりのない会社に就職するケースも少なくない。
Proper balance required
With an increasing number of corporations saying they cannot afford to train employees, industrial circles are strongly pressing colleges and universities to have their students acquire practical skills helpful to them when they enter the workplace after graduation. Some people even go so far as to say it would be more profitable for students to be trained to gain high scores in English proficiency tests, rather than being taught English literature.
社内教育のゆとりが持てない企業が増える中、産業界には、仕事で役立つ実践力を大学で磨くべきだとの声が強まっている。英文学を教えるより、英語検定試験で高得点をとらせる指導をした方が有益だという極論すら聞こえる。
However, it should be noted that students who explore classical works, philosophy and history will be able to acquire viewpoints that will allow them to look at things from different perspectives. Such students can also expect to develop a mental attitude marked by a respect for different values. We believe one important task for colleges and universities is to help students gain a broad range of general knowledge and deep insight.
だが、古典や哲学、歴史などの探究を通じて、物事を多面的に見る眼めや、様々な価値観を尊重する姿勢が養われる。大学は、幅広い教養や深い洞察力を学生に身に付けさせる場でもあるはずだ。
What is needed is to make sure colleges and universities conduct educational and research activities in a manner that ensures a proper balance between humanities and social science studies and those of science and technology.
必要なのは、人文社会系と理工系のバランスが取れた教育と研究を行うことだろう。
Beginning next fiscal year, the education ministry plans to grant universities larger subsidies to help cover operational expenses if they are willing to promote organizational reforms. In assessing the degree of each university’s success in such endeavors, the ministry reportedly will use such yardsticks as the outcome of students’ job hunting activities and university-launched venture activities. Another yardstick will be the extent to which progress has been made in putting intellectual property into practical use.
文科省は来年度以降、積極的に組織改革を進める大学に、運営費交付金を重点的に配分する方針だ。学生の就職実績や、大学発ベンチャーの活動、知的財産の実用化の状況といった指標を基に、評価するという。
With the government’s dire fiscal situation in mind, it also will be necessary to allocate more budgetary resources where truly necessary, and less elsewhere. However, our nation’s university education could eventually lack depth if mistakes are made in judging what society really wants from institutions of higher learning, a move that could lead to abandoning humanities and social science studies.
厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、メリハリをつけた予算配分も大切だろう。ただ、「社会的要請」を読み誤って、人文社会系の学問を切り捨てれば、大学教育が底の浅いものになりかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2015)
2015年06月15日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：仕事切り上げる勇気も ／東京
June 14, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Have the courage to leave work early
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：仕事切り上げる勇気も ／東京
I am dispatched from the hospital where I work to a number of companies to check on the health of their employees. In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act, I do as many interviews with employees working over 80 or more hours of overtime a month as I can.
勤務している病院から派遣され、いくつかの企業の健康管理室で産業医という業務についている。企業サイドにも立ちながら、働く人たちの健康管理に携わるのが役目だ。労働安全衛生法に従って、月８０時間以上残業している従業員の面接もできる限り行っている。
If long work hours and abnormal living habits go on for a long time, they are said to lead to a buildup of exhaustion, higher risk of depression and problems with the heart or blood vessels in the brain. With that in mind, I conduct my interviews and offer lifestyle guidance, but sometimes I feel powerless. A typical conversation with an employee goes like:
長時間労働やその結果としての不規則な生活が続くと、疲労が蓄積し、脳血管や心臓疾患、うつ病などのメンタル疾患のリスクが高まると言われる。面接ではその観点に基づいて健康チェックをし、生活指導を行うが、ときどきむなしい気持ちに襲われる。
"Are you tired?"
「疲れてますか？」
"I'm tired."
「疲れてます」
"Do you eat meals regularly?"
「食事は規則的に食べてますか？」
"I always eat dinner late at night."
「いつも夕食は深夜です」
"Do you play any sports on your days off?"
「休日にスポーツなどは」
"I don't. I just sleep."
「してません。寝てるだけです」といった会話が続くのだ。
Often, it ends with me asking, "Can you do anything to change your way of working?" and them saying, "That would be difficult."
そして最後は、「その働き方、どうにかなりませんかね」「うーん、むずかしいですね」で終わることが多い。
Lately, perhaps because of the improved economy, many people say their workloads have increased. Companies may be happy with this, but not necessarily employees. Some men tell me that due to their long work hours, they cannot help with house chores or child-raising and are on bad terms with their wives.
とくに最近は景気が上向きになってきたせいもあってか、業務量が増えたという人も少なくない。会社としてはうれしいかもしれないが、働く側にとってはそうとも言えない。長時間労働の結果、家事や育児にもまったく参加できず、妻と険悪になっていると話してくれる男性もいる。
From Japan's period of rapid economic growth through to its bubble period, many people in Japan worked overtime until late at night, believing a myth that "the harder you work, the happier you and your family and society will be." However, this led to a sharp increase in the number of suicides and depressed patients, a fallen birthrate and a lack of international competitiveness. Everyone lost out, yet once again we might be on the cusp of entering an overworking society.
高度成長期からバブル時代にかけて、日本社会は「働けば働くほど自分も家族も世の中も幸せになる」という幻想を多くの人が信じ、深夜までの残業もいとわず誰もが働き続けてきた。しかしその後、自殺者やうつ病患者は激増、少子化には歯止めがかからず、国際競争力も上がらず、誰もが損をするような結果になったのである。それなのに、また私たちは「働きすぎ社会」に突入しようとしているのだろうか。
I often tell companies' personnel divisions, "It's good that employees are working, but if they fall ill, take sick leave or quit, that is a big blow to the firm, right? Instead, I think it will benefit the company and them to let them take time off, have a good family life, and work with their body and mind at peak condition."
私は企業の人事課には、よくこんなことを言っている。「どんどん働いてもらうのはいいけれど、その人が倒れて休んだり辞めてしまったりするのは、会社にも大きな損失ですよね。それより休むときはきちんと休んでもらって、家庭も円満、心身ともベストな状態で力を発揮してもらうのが、会社のためにもなると思いますよ」
An upturn in the economy is a wonderful thing, but if more work brings better company results, hardworking people will always want to push themselves harder, putting aside their exhaustion and working until late at night.
景気が好転するのはおおいにけっこうなこと。働けば働くだけ業績が上がれば、まじめな人はどうしても「もっとがんばりたい」と疲れも気にせず遅い時間まで仕事をしてしまう。
However, studies show that that will not make you or your family happy. It is necessary to have the courage to end your day's work while you still have energy left.
しかし、それが自分や家族をハッピーにしないことは、調査結果などが明らかにしている。余力を残しながら仕事を切り上げる。そんな“勇気”も必要だろう。
（精神科医）
(Answers by Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月09日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Have the courage to leave work early
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：仕事切り上げる勇気も ／東京
I am dispatched from the hospital where I work to a number of companies to check on the health of their employees. In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act, I do as many interviews with employees working over 80 or more hours of overtime a month as I can.
勤務している病院から派遣され、いくつかの企業の健康管理室で産業医という業務についている。企業サイドにも立ちながら、働く人たちの健康管理に携わるのが役目だ。労働安全衛生法に従って、月８０時間以上残業している従業員の面接もできる限り行っている。
If long work hours and abnormal living habits go on for a long time, they are said to lead to a buildup of exhaustion, higher risk of depression and problems with the heart or blood vessels in the brain. With that in mind, I conduct my interviews and offer lifestyle guidance, but sometimes I feel powerless. A typical conversation with an employee goes like:
長時間労働やその結果としての不規則な生活が続くと、疲労が蓄積し、脳血管や心臓疾患、うつ病などのメンタル疾患のリスクが高まると言われる。面接ではその観点に基づいて健康チェックをし、生活指導を行うが、ときどきむなしい気持ちに襲われる。
"Are you tired?"
「疲れてますか？」
"I'm tired."
「疲れてます」
"Do you eat meals regularly?"
「食事は規則的に食べてますか？」
"I always eat dinner late at night."
「いつも夕食は深夜です」
"Do you play any sports on your days off?"
「休日にスポーツなどは」
"I don't. I just sleep."
「してません。寝てるだけです」といった会話が続くのだ。
Often, it ends with me asking, "Can you do anything to change your way of working?" and them saying, "That would be difficult."
そして最後は、「その働き方、どうにかなりませんかね」「うーん、むずかしいですね」で終わることが多い。
Lately, perhaps because of the improved economy, many people say their workloads have increased. Companies may be happy with this, but not necessarily employees. Some men tell me that due to their long work hours, they cannot help with house chores or child-raising and are on bad terms with their wives.
とくに最近は景気が上向きになってきたせいもあってか、業務量が増えたという人も少なくない。会社としてはうれしいかもしれないが、働く側にとってはそうとも言えない。長時間労働の結果、家事や育児にもまったく参加できず、妻と険悪になっていると話してくれる男性もいる。
From Japan's period of rapid economic growth through to its bubble period, many people in Japan worked overtime until late at night, believing a myth that "the harder you work, the happier you and your family and society will be." However, this led to a sharp increase in the number of suicides and depressed patients, a fallen birthrate and a lack of international competitiveness. Everyone lost out, yet once again we might be on the cusp of entering an overworking society.
高度成長期からバブル時代にかけて、日本社会は「働けば働くほど自分も家族も世の中も幸せになる」という幻想を多くの人が信じ、深夜までの残業もいとわず誰もが働き続けてきた。しかしその後、自殺者やうつ病患者は激増、少子化には歯止めがかからず、国際競争力も上がらず、誰もが損をするような結果になったのである。それなのに、また私たちは「働きすぎ社会」に突入しようとしているのだろうか。
I often tell companies' personnel divisions, "It's good that employees are working, but if they fall ill, take sick leave or quit, that is a big blow to the firm, right? Instead, I think it will benefit the company and them to let them take time off, have a good family life, and work with their body and mind at peak condition."
私は企業の人事課には、よくこんなことを言っている。「どんどん働いてもらうのはいいけれど、その人が倒れて休んだり辞めてしまったりするのは、会社にも大きな損失ですよね。それより休むときはきちんと休んでもらって、家庭も円満、心身ともベストな状態で力を発揮してもらうのが、会社のためにもなると思いますよ」
An upturn in the economy is a wonderful thing, but if more work brings better company results, hardworking people will always want to push themselves harder, putting aside their exhaustion and working until late at night.
景気が好転するのはおおいにけっこうなこと。働けば働くだけ業績が上がれば、まじめな人はどうしても「もっとがんばりたい」と疲れも気にせず遅い時間まで仕事をしてしまう。
However, studies show that that will not make you or your family happy. It is necessary to have the courage to end your day's work while you still have energy left.
しかし、それが自分や家族をハッピーにしないことは、調査結果などが明らかにしている。余力を残しながら仕事を切り上げる。そんな“勇気”も必要だろう。
（精神科医）
(Answers by Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月09日 地方版
2015年06月03日
南シナ海情勢 人工島を合法と強弁する中国
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Unity key to dealing with China’s construction of artificial island
南シナ海情勢 人工島を合法と強弁する中国
China’s provocative stance toward Asian security has been brought into sharp focus at a recent international conference. The countries concerned must bolster unity to regain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
アジアの安全保障秩序に挑戦する中国の姿が浮き彫りになった。南シナ海の平和と安定を取り戻すために、関係国は結束しなければならない。
Defense ministers and military experts from Asia and elsewhere exchanged views on security issues during a recent Asia Security Summit meeting in Singapore. It was a natural development that the focus of the conference was China’s accelerated reclamation efforts around rock reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
アジア諸国などの国防相や軍事専門家らが議論を交わすアジア安全保障会議がシンガポールで開かれた。中国が南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で急ぐ岩礁の埋め立てが焦点になったのは、当然の流れである。
In a speech at the meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter criticized China over its reclamation project, saying it “has become a source of tension in the region” and “the United States is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation.” Carter thus demanded that China halt its reclamation immediately.
カーター米国防長官は講演で、埋め立てについて、「地域の緊張の原因だ。その速度や規模を深く懸念する」と中国を非難しつつ、即時中止するよう強く迫った。
His demand is based on the belief that sea-lanes might be threatened due to the rapid transformation of a reclaimed artificial island into a military base.
埋め立てた人工島の軍事基地化が加速し、海上輸送路（シーレーン）が脅かされかねない、との判断からだろう。
On the sidelines of the security conference, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews and Carter held trilateral talks and issued a joint statement, expressing their “serious concern” over the Chinese land reclamation work. This was extremely significant.
会議に合わせて、中谷防衛相と、カーター国防長官、アンドリューズ豪国防相が会談し、埋め立てに対する「深刻な懸念」を共同声明で示した意義は大きい。
It is necessary to disseminate widely China’s unilateral moves to alter the status quo, thereby ramping up international pressure on Beijing.
中国の一方的な現状変更の実態を幅広く訴え、国際社会の対中圧力を高めることにつなげたい。
Antagonism toward U.S.
One matter of concern is China’s blatant antagonistic stance toward the United States.
問題なのは、中国が米国に対峙たいじしようとする姿勢を露骨に表したことである。
Adm. Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the general staff department of Chinese Military, rejected the U.S. demand for halting reclamation work, insisting obstinately that it “falls well within the scope of China’s sovereignty and are legitimate, justified and reasonable,”“[the reclamation work] do not ... affect the freedom of navigation.”
中国軍の孫建国副総参謀長は会議での講演で、埋め立ては「完全に主権の範囲内であり、合法で道理にかなったものだ。航行の自由には影響しない」と強弁し、米国の中止要求を拒否した。
Concerning the construction of the artificial island, Sun declared that it was for military purposes. Asked about the possibility of China setting an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea, Sun did not deny this, saying his country “will decide on the matter after making an overall assessment on how the aerial safety of the region is threatened.”
人工島の造成についても、孫氏は軍事目的であると公言した。南シナ海での防空識別圏設定の可能性を問われて、「上空での安全がどの程度脅かされているかなどを総合的に判断する」と述べ、否定はしなかった。
His statement can be taken to indicate China’s secret intention to enclose the South China Sea as “a Chinese sea” without being based on any international law, thereby eliminating U.S. influence in the region.
国際法の根拠がないまま、南シナ海を「中国の海」として囲い込み、米国の影響力を排除しようという底意がうかがえる。
Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to lead the move to build a security order in Asia through a new concept of “Asian peoples maintaining Asia’s security.” But isn’t it China that has been destabilizing the region with its self-righteous moves?
習近平国家主席は「アジアの安全はアジアの人々が守る」とする新たな構想「アジア安全観」を掲げ、安保秩序の構築を主導しようとしている。しかし、独善的な行動で地域を不安定化させているのは、中国自身ではないか。
Nakatani said during his speech, “It is extremely important to improve the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” This was an indication Japan would augment assistance to the military and maritime security organizations of such countries as the Philippines and Vietnam, which face Chinese threats.
中谷防衛相は「東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の警戒監視能力を向上させることは極めて重要だ」と講演した。中国の脅威に直面するフィリピンやベトナムなどの軍や海上保安機関への支援を拡充する考えを示したものだ。
Enhancing the defense capabilities of these Asian nations is indispensable to ensure the security of the South China Sea. In cooperation with the United States, the Philippines and other countries, Japan needs to press China to exercise self-restraint.
各国の能力向上は南シナ海の安定に欠かせない。日本は米国やフィリピンなどと連携し、中国に自制を促していく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2015)
Unity key to dealing with China’s construction of artificial island
南シナ海情勢 人工島を合法と強弁する中国
China’s provocative stance toward Asian security has been brought into sharp focus at a recent international conference. The countries concerned must bolster unity to regain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
アジアの安全保障秩序に挑戦する中国の姿が浮き彫りになった。南シナ海の平和と安定を取り戻すために、関係国は結束しなければならない。
Defense ministers and military experts from Asia and elsewhere exchanged views on security issues during a recent Asia Security Summit meeting in Singapore. It was a natural development that the focus of the conference was China’s accelerated reclamation efforts around rock reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
アジア諸国などの国防相や軍事専門家らが議論を交わすアジア安全保障会議がシンガポールで開かれた。中国が南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で急ぐ岩礁の埋め立てが焦点になったのは、当然の流れである。
In a speech at the meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter criticized China over its reclamation project, saying it “has become a source of tension in the region” and “the United States is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation.” Carter thus demanded that China halt its reclamation immediately.
カーター米国防長官は講演で、埋め立てについて、「地域の緊張の原因だ。その速度や規模を深く懸念する」と中国を非難しつつ、即時中止するよう強く迫った。
His demand is based on the belief that sea-lanes might be threatened due to the rapid transformation of a reclaimed artificial island into a military base.
埋め立てた人工島の軍事基地化が加速し、海上輸送路（シーレーン）が脅かされかねない、との判断からだろう。
On the sidelines of the security conference, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews and Carter held trilateral talks and issued a joint statement, expressing their “serious concern” over the Chinese land reclamation work. This was extremely significant.
会議に合わせて、中谷防衛相と、カーター国防長官、アンドリューズ豪国防相が会談し、埋め立てに対する「深刻な懸念」を共同声明で示した意義は大きい。
It is necessary to disseminate widely China’s unilateral moves to alter the status quo, thereby ramping up international pressure on Beijing.
中国の一方的な現状変更の実態を幅広く訴え、国際社会の対中圧力を高めることにつなげたい。
Antagonism toward U.S.
One matter of concern is China’s blatant antagonistic stance toward the United States.
問題なのは、中国が米国に対峙たいじしようとする姿勢を露骨に表したことである。
Adm. Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the general staff department of Chinese Military, rejected the U.S. demand for halting reclamation work, insisting obstinately that it “falls well within the scope of China’s sovereignty and are legitimate, justified and reasonable,”“[the reclamation work] do not ... affect the freedom of navigation.”
中国軍の孫建国副総参謀長は会議での講演で、埋め立ては「完全に主権の範囲内であり、合法で道理にかなったものだ。航行の自由には影響しない」と強弁し、米国の中止要求を拒否した。
Concerning the construction of the artificial island, Sun declared that it was for military purposes. Asked about the possibility of China setting an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea, Sun did not deny this, saying his country “will decide on the matter after making an overall assessment on how the aerial safety of the region is threatened.”
人工島の造成についても、孫氏は軍事目的であると公言した。南シナ海での防空識別圏設定の可能性を問われて、「上空での安全がどの程度脅かされているかなどを総合的に判断する」と述べ、否定はしなかった。
His statement can be taken to indicate China’s secret intention to enclose the South China Sea as “a Chinese sea” without being based on any international law, thereby eliminating U.S. influence in the region.
国際法の根拠がないまま、南シナ海を「中国の海」として囲い込み、米国の影響力を排除しようという底意がうかがえる。
Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to lead the move to build a security order in Asia through a new concept of “Asian peoples maintaining Asia’s security.” But isn’t it China that has been destabilizing the region with its self-righteous moves?
習近平国家主席は「アジアの安全はアジアの人々が守る」とする新たな構想「アジア安全観」を掲げ、安保秩序の構築を主導しようとしている。しかし、独善的な行動で地域を不安定化させているのは、中国自身ではないか。
Nakatani said during his speech, “It is extremely important to improve the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” This was an indication Japan would augment assistance to the military and maritime security organizations of such countries as the Philippines and Vietnam, which face Chinese threats.
中谷防衛相は「東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の警戒監視能力を向上させることは極めて重要だ」と講演した。中国の脅威に直面するフィリピンやベトナムなどの軍や海上保安機関への支援を拡充する考えを示したものだ。
Enhancing the defense capabilities of these Asian nations is indispensable to ensure the security of the South China Sea. In cooperation with the United States, the Philippines and other countries, Japan needs to press China to exercise self-restraint.
各国の能力向上は南シナ海の安定に欠かせない。日本は米国やフィリピンなどと連携し、中国に自制を促していく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2015)