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2015年08月01日
北京冬季五輪 雪不足の地では不安が大きい
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Great anxiety as un-snowy Beijing picked to host ’22 Winter Olympics
北京冬季五輪 雪不足の地では不安が大きい
The International Olympic Committee has chosen Beijing as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）が、２０２２年冬季五輪の開催都市を北京に決めた。
It will be the first city in Olympic history to host both summer and winter Games since Beijing already hosted the 2008 Summer Games. We hope Beijing will expend all possible efforts in making perfect preparations.
０８年の夏季五輪に続く史上初の夏冬開催だ。準備に万全を期してもらいたい。
Beijing won a one-to-one duel with Kazakhstan’s Almaty by stressing the stability of its financial resources supported by the Chinese government and a wealth of experience in organizing international athletic events.
北京は、中国政府の支援を受けた安定した財源や、国際大会の豊富な運営経験などをアピールし、アルマトイ（カザフスタン）との一騎打ちを制した。
Hosting the Winter Olympics has a public approval rating of 92 percent in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping apparently intends to maintain his government’s leadership and boost the nation’s prestige by hosting an Olympiad again.
冬季五輪開催に対する中国国民の支持率は、９２％に上っている。再度の五輪開催を勝ち取ることで、政権への求心力を維持し、国威発揚につなげようという習近平国家主席の意図は明白だろう。
Meanwhile, there are many worries about Beijing’s plan to host the Olympics. First, Beijing receives only light snow each winter. Competitions to be held within the city will mainly be skating events. Skiing and other events are planned to be held in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, located next to Beijing. However, Zhangjiakou has to rely on artificial snow that is inferior in quality to natural snow.
一方で、北京の開催計画には不安が多い。そもそも、北京は降雪量が少ない。市内では主にスケート競技が行われる。スキー競技などは隣接する河北省張家口で実施する予定だが、ここでも雪質が劣る人工雪に頼らざるを得ない。
To make a huge amount of artificial snow, water from a reservoir will be used. Though the delegation from Beijing stressed at the IOC plenary meeting that it will hardly have an impact on the environment, some experts pointed out the possibility of negative effects on water resources.
貯水池の水で大量の人工雪を作ることについて、北京の代表団は、ＩＯＣ総会で「環境には、ほとんど影響がない」と強調したが、水資源への悪影響が指摘される。
Many problems ahead
Also, deep concerns are expressed over Beijing’s air pollution.
大気汚染への懸念も強い。
When it hosted the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city decided to enforce heavy-handed traffic controls and to suspend operations of factories to show the world a blue sky.
北京は０８年の五輪当時、青空を見せるために、強引な交通規制や工場の稼働停止に踏み切った。
Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun told IOC members this time that the city is working hard to be a clean-energy city. But, it remains a question how much the air pollution will be reduced in the next seven years.
王安順・北京市長は今回、「クリーンエネルギー型都市へ邁進まいしんしている」と、ＩＯＣ委員に訴えた。あと７年で汚染がどこまで改善するのだろうか。
Though the city has various problems, the right to host the 2022 Games has rolled into Beijing because other promising cities, such as Oslo, pulled out of the bidding race one after another.
様々な問題点を抱えながらも、オスロなどの有力都市が次々と招致レースから撤退したため、北京に開催権が転がり込んだ形だ。
A huge financial burden is the main reason why more and more cities are becoming hesitant to bid to host a Winter Olympics. Russia spent a huge amount of money, said to be \5 trillion, on the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This no doubt has made more cities back away from bidding to host a Winter Games.
冬季五輪開催に尻込みする都市が増えている最大の要因は、重い財政負担だ。１４年ソチ五輪に、ロシアが５兆円と言われる巨費を投じたことが、敬遠ムードに拍車をかけたのは間違いない。
The costs of building a ski jump and courses for sledding events such as bobsledding for a Winter Games are huge. They are likely to be a negative legacy because fewer users are expected at them after the Olympics compared to venues for a Summer Games.
冬季五輪では、スキーのジャンプ台やボブスレーといったそり競技のコース整備などに費用がかさむ。夏季五輪の競技場に比べ、五輪後の利用者は限られるため、負の遺産になりかねない。
But the Summer Games are also growing expensive. For instance, Boston decided to exit the bidding to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.
夏季五輪についても、２４年の開催を目指していた米国のボストンが撤退した。
The IOC has naturally become concerned over the situation and launched an Olympic reform urging utilization of existing facilities to reduce financial burdens on host cities.
ＩＯＣが危機感を持ち、開催都市の負担軽減のために、既存施設の活用などを促す五輪改革に乗り出したのは、必然の流れだ。
Asian cities are now set to host two Winter Olympic Games in a row, with Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018 and Beijing in 2022. Sapporo has already announced its bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. If it is named an official candidate of Japan, Sapporo will need to make strategic bidding efforts.
１８年冬季五輪は韓国の平昌、２２年は北京と、アジアでの開催が続くことになった。２６年五輪の招致には、札幌が名乗りを上げている。正式に国内候補地となれば、戦略的な招致活動が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2015)
Great anxiety as un-snowy Beijing picked to host ’22 Winter Olympics
北京冬季五輪 雪不足の地では不安が大きい
The International Olympic Committee has chosen Beijing as the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）が、２０２２年冬季五輪の開催都市を北京に決めた。
It will be the first city in Olympic history to host both summer and winter Games since Beijing already hosted the 2008 Summer Games. We hope Beijing will expend all possible efforts in making perfect preparations.
０８年の夏季五輪に続く史上初の夏冬開催だ。準備に万全を期してもらいたい。
Beijing won a one-to-one duel with Kazakhstan’s Almaty by stressing the stability of its financial resources supported by the Chinese government and a wealth of experience in organizing international athletic events.
北京は、中国政府の支援を受けた安定した財源や、国際大会の豊富な運営経験などをアピールし、アルマトイ（カザフスタン）との一騎打ちを制した。
Hosting the Winter Olympics has a public approval rating of 92 percent in China. Chinese President Xi Jinping apparently intends to maintain his government’s leadership and boost the nation’s prestige by hosting an Olympiad again.
冬季五輪開催に対する中国国民の支持率は、９２％に上っている。再度の五輪開催を勝ち取ることで、政権への求心力を維持し、国威発揚につなげようという習近平国家主席の意図は明白だろう。
Meanwhile, there are many worries about Beijing’s plan to host the Olympics. First, Beijing receives only light snow each winter. Competitions to be held within the city will mainly be skating events. Skiing and other events are planned to be held in Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, located next to Beijing. However, Zhangjiakou has to rely on artificial snow that is inferior in quality to natural snow.
一方で、北京の開催計画には不安が多い。そもそも、北京は降雪量が少ない。市内では主にスケート競技が行われる。スキー競技などは隣接する河北省張家口で実施する予定だが、ここでも雪質が劣る人工雪に頼らざるを得ない。
To make a huge amount of artificial snow, water from a reservoir will be used. Though the delegation from Beijing stressed at the IOC plenary meeting that it will hardly have an impact on the environment, some experts pointed out the possibility of negative effects on water resources.
貯水池の水で大量の人工雪を作ることについて、北京の代表団は、ＩＯＣ総会で「環境には、ほとんど影響がない」と強調したが、水資源への悪影響が指摘される。
Many problems ahead
Also, deep concerns are expressed over Beijing’s air pollution.
大気汚染への懸念も強い。
When it hosted the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the city decided to enforce heavy-handed traffic controls and to suspend operations of factories to show the world a blue sky.
北京は０８年の五輪当時、青空を見せるために、強引な交通規制や工場の稼働停止に踏み切った。
Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun told IOC members this time that the city is working hard to be a clean-energy city. But, it remains a question how much the air pollution will be reduced in the next seven years.
王安順・北京市長は今回、「クリーンエネルギー型都市へ邁進まいしんしている」と、ＩＯＣ委員に訴えた。あと７年で汚染がどこまで改善するのだろうか。
Though the city has various problems, the right to host the 2022 Games has rolled into Beijing because other promising cities, such as Oslo, pulled out of the bidding race one after another.
様々な問題点を抱えながらも、オスロなどの有力都市が次々と招致レースから撤退したため、北京に開催権が転がり込んだ形だ。
A huge financial burden is the main reason why more and more cities are becoming hesitant to bid to host a Winter Olympics. Russia spent a huge amount of money, said to be \5 trillion, on the 2014 Sochi Olympics. This no doubt has made more cities back away from bidding to host a Winter Games.
冬季五輪開催に尻込みする都市が増えている最大の要因は、重い財政負担だ。１４年ソチ五輪に、ロシアが５兆円と言われる巨費を投じたことが、敬遠ムードに拍車をかけたのは間違いない。
The costs of building a ski jump and courses for sledding events such as bobsledding for a Winter Games are huge. They are likely to be a negative legacy because fewer users are expected at them after the Olympics compared to venues for a Summer Games.
冬季五輪では、スキーのジャンプ台やボブスレーといったそり競技のコース整備などに費用がかさむ。夏季五輪の競技場に比べ、五輪後の利用者は限られるため、負の遺産になりかねない。
But the Summer Games are also growing expensive. For instance, Boston decided to exit the bidding to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.
夏季五輪についても、２４年の開催を目指していた米国のボストンが撤退した。
The IOC has naturally become concerned over the situation and launched an Olympic reform urging utilization of existing facilities to reduce financial burdens on host cities.
ＩＯＣが危機感を持ち、開催都市の負担軽減のために、既存施設の活用などを促す五輪改革に乗り出したのは、必然の流れだ。
Asian cities are now set to host two Winter Olympic Games in a row, with Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018 and Beijing in 2022. Sapporo has already announced its bid to host the 2026 Winter Olympics. If it is named an official candidate of Japan, Sapporo will need to make strategic bidding efforts.
１８年冬季五輪は韓国の平昌、２２年は北京と、アジアでの開催が続くことになった。２６年五輪の招致には、札幌が名乗りを上げている。正式に国内候補地となれば、戦略的な招致活動が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2015)
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2015年07月30日
（社説）参院選挙改革 大きな汚点を残した
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 29
EDITORIAL: Common sense lacking in Upper House electoral reform
（社説）参院選挙改革 大きな汚点を残した
The revised Public Offices Election Law was enacted on July 28, clearing the way for the implementation of a “plus 10, minus 10” formula to reform the Upper House electoral system. Under this formula for seat redistribution, the Shimane and Tottori constituencies are being merged, as are the Tokushima and Kochi constituencies.
鳥取と島根、徳島と高知をそれぞれ「合区」するなどして、参院の定数を「１０増１０減」する改正公職選挙法が成立した。
For the first time in the history of Upper House elections, prefectural voting districts are being merged.
都道府県単位の選挙区が統合されるのは、参院選が始まって以来初めてのことだ。
Thanks to the legal revision, Japan will at least not commit the folly of going ahead with the Upper House election next summer in disregard of the Supreme Court’s ruling in November 2014 that the 2013 poll in the chamber was held “in a state of unconstitutionality” due to disparity in vote value.
最高裁に「違憲状態」だと指摘されたまま、来年夏の参院選に突入する愚だけはかろうじて避けられた。
However, the revised law was approved in the Upper House plenary session on July 24 by a narrow margin of 131 to 103. And six Liberal Democratic Party legislators representing the four above-mentioned prefectures walked out before balloting, even though the amendment bill had been under deliberation for nearly two years.
しかし、参院本会議での採決は、賛成１３１、反対１０３という小差。合区対象となる４県選出の自民党議員６人は退席した。
２年近くかけて議論してきたにもかかわらず、である。
It is fundamental to democratic procedures that the people’s elected representatives deliberate on issues thoroughly, coordinate conflicting opinions and reach a consensus that serves the public interest. And especially when the subject of discussion is the nation’s election system--which forms the basis of representative democracy--whatever decision that is reached must have broad, suprapartisan support.
議論を尽くし、意見の違いを調整して、公共の利益にかなう結論を出す。それが民主主義的手続きの基本である。とりわけ代表民主制の基礎となる選挙制度は、党派を超えた幅広い合意のうえで決めるのが筋だ。
But what stood out this time was the indolence of the ruling LDP that should have been leading the deliberations. Reacting only haphazardly to developments, the party presented a “plus 6, minus 6” formula that would have resulted in a vote-disparity ratio of more than 4 to 1. The LDP waited until there was only about one year left before the next Upper House election before going along, albeit reluctantly, with the “plus 10, minus 10” formula proposed by four opposition parties, including the Japan Innovation Party.
それなのに、際だったのは議論を主導すべき自民党の怠慢である。最大格差が４倍を上回る「６増６減」案を示すなど、場当たり的な対応を重ねたあげく、来年の参院選が約１年後に迫るなか、維新の党など野党４党が出した「１０増１０減」の「助け舟」にしぶしぶ乗った。
But even with this formula, the maximum vote-disparity ratio is 2.97 to 1. The grave question remains as to whether this really meets the constitutional requirement that all ballots be equal in value.
それでも一票の最大格差は、２・９７倍もある。憲法が求める「投票価値の平等」にこたえ得るか、深刻な疑問符がつく。
Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, co-sponsored with the opposition Democratic Party of Japan and others a bill calling for the creation of “10 merged constituencies.” With a vote-disparity ratio of 1.95 to 1 at most, this was obviously a better choice than the “plus 10, minus 10” formula in terms of reducing the vote-disparity ratio. But even though the Komeito-DPJ formula should be used at least for the Upper House election next summer, it was hardly discussed in the Diet.
一方、民主、公明両党などが共同提出した「１０合区」案は、最大格差が１・９５倍。一票の不平等を正すという点では自民党案よりはましである。少なくとも来年の参院選はこちらで行うべきだったが、国会ではほとんど議論されなかった。
In short, we, the sovereign people, were not even given a chance to get to know and think about this alternative. We were simply forced to accept the Diet’s decision.
主権者である国民は考える機会も材料も与えられないまま、結論だけが押しつけられた形だ。
The revised Public Offices Election Law comes with this supplementary provision: “Studies shall continue to fundamentally review the election system, and a conclusion shall be reached at all costs.” But except for the expression “at all costs,” this provision is merely a rehash of the supplementary provision that was attached to the election law revised three years ago, when the current election system was adopted under a “plus 4, minus 4” formula.
今回、改正法の付則にはこんな一文が盛り込まれた。「選挙制度の抜本的な見直しについて引き続き検討を行い、必ず結論を得るものとする」。しかしこれは３年前、「４増４減」して現行制度に改めた時の付則に「必ず」が加わっただけだ。
Whether the merging of constituencies is the best solution is subject to debate. Assuming Japan’s population will continue to shrink and people will keep moving to the big cities, the electoral map will have to be redrawn time and again, necessitating a series of stopgap mergers.
合区が最善かには議論の余地がある。日本の人口減少と都市への人口集中が進めば、今後も同じような小手先の数字合わせが繰り返され、ずるずる合区を重ねる事態になりかねない。
Is that really what this nation needs? To answer this question, we must discuss the fundamental question: What is the role of the Upper House?
それでいいのか？ その答えを探るためにも、「参院の役割とは何か」を根本から議論する必要がある。
But through all these years, Upper House members have failed to answer the question every time, and merely resorted to stopgap measures. When will those legislators ever realize how much they have damaged their own credibility and the image of the Upper House as “the seat of common sense and decency”?
ところが毎回、答えを出せないまま、弥縫（びほう）策でお茶を濁す。その繰り返しが、自らの正統性と「良識の府」の看板をどれだけ傷つけてきたか、参院議員はいつになったら気づくのか。
EDITORIAL: Common sense lacking in Upper House electoral reform
（社説）参院選挙改革 大きな汚点を残した
The revised Public Offices Election Law was enacted on July 28, clearing the way for the implementation of a “plus 10, minus 10” formula to reform the Upper House electoral system. Under this formula for seat redistribution, the Shimane and Tottori constituencies are being merged, as are the Tokushima and Kochi constituencies.
鳥取と島根、徳島と高知をそれぞれ「合区」するなどして、参院の定数を「１０増１０減」する改正公職選挙法が成立した。
For the first time in the history of Upper House elections, prefectural voting districts are being merged.
都道府県単位の選挙区が統合されるのは、参院選が始まって以来初めてのことだ。
Thanks to the legal revision, Japan will at least not commit the folly of going ahead with the Upper House election next summer in disregard of the Supreme Court’s ruling in November 2014 that the 2013 poll in the chamber was held “in a state of unconstitutionality” due to disparity in vote value.
最高裁に「違憲状態」だと指摘されたまま、来年夏の参院選に突入する愚だけはかろうじて避けられた。
However, the revised law was approved in the Upper House plenary session on July 24 by a narrow margin of 131 to 103. And six Liberal Democratic Party legislators representing the four above-mentioned prefectures walked out before balloting, even though the amendment bill had been under deliberation for nearly two years.
しかし、参院本会議での採決は、賛成１３１、反対１０３という小差。合区対象となる４県選出の自民党議員６人は退席した。
２年近くかけて議論してきたにもかかわらず、である。
It is fundamental to democratic procedures that the people’s elected representatives deliberate on issues thoroughly, coordinate conflicting opinions and reach a consensus that serves the public interest. And especially when the subject of discussion is the nation’s election system--which forms the basis of representative democracy--whatever decision that is reached must have broad, suprapartisan support.
議論を尽くし、意見の違いを調整して、公共の利益にかなう結論を出す。それが民主主義的手続きの基本である。とりわけ代表民主制の基礎となる選挙制度は、党派を超えた幅広い合意のうえで決めるのが筋だ。
But what stood out this time was the indolence of the ruling LDP that should have been leading the deliberations. Reacting only haphazardly to developments, the party presented a “plus 6, minus 6” formula that would have resulted in a vote-disparity ratio of more than 4 to 1. The LDP waited until there was only about one year left before the next Upper House election before going along, albeit reluctantly, with the “plus 10, minus 10” formula proposed by four opposition parties, including the Japan Innovation Party.
それなのに、際だったのは議論を主導すべき自民党の怠慢である。最大格差が４倍を上回る「６増６減」案を示すなど、場当たり的な対応を重ねたあげく、来年の参院選が約１年後に迫るなか、維新の党など野党４党が出した「１０増１０減」の「助け舟」にしぶしぶ乗った。
But even with this formula, the maximum vote-disparity ratio is 2.97 to 1. The grave question remains as to whether this really meets the constitutional requirement that all ballots be equal in value.
それでも一票の最大格差は、２・９７倍もある。憲法が求める「投票価値の平等」にこたえ得るか、深刻な疑問符がつく。
Komeito, the LDP’s junior coalition partner, co-sponsored with the opposition Democratic Party of Japan and others a bill calling for the creation of “10 merged constituencies.” With a vote-disparity ratio of 1.95 to 1 at most, this was obviously a better choice than the “plus 10, minus 10” formula in terms of reducing the vote-disparity ratio. But even though the Komeito-DPJ formula should be used at least for the Upper House election next summer, it was hardly discussed in the Diet.
一方、民主、公明両党などが共同提出した「１０合区」案は、最大格差が１・９５倍。一票の不平等を正すという点では自民党案よりはましである。少なくとも来年の参院選はこちらで行うべきだったが、国会ではほとんど議論されなかった。
In short, we, the sovereign people, were not even given a chance to get to know and think about this alternative. We were simply forced to accept the Diet’s decision.
主権者である国民は考える機会も材料も与えられないまま、結論だけが押しつけられた形だ。
The revised Public Offices Election Law comes with this supplementary provision: “Studies shall continue to fundamentally review the election system, and a conclusion shall be reached at all costs.” But except for the expression “at all costs,” this provision is merely a rehash of the supplementary provision that was attached to the election law revised three years ago, when the current election system was adopted under a “plus 4, minus 4” formula.
今回、改正法の付則にはこんな一文が盛り込まれた。「選挙制度の抜本的な見直しについて引き続き検討を行い、必ず結論を得るものとする」。しかしこれは３年前、「４増４減」して現行制度に改めた時の付則に「必ず」が加わっただけだ。
Whether the merging of constituencies is the best solution is subject to debate. Assuming Japan’s population will continue to shrink and people will keep moving to the big cities, the electoral map will have to be redrawn time and again, necessitating a series of stopgap mergers.
合区が最善かには議論の余地がある。日本の人口減少と都市への人口集中が進めば、今後も同じような小手先の数字合わせが繰り返され、ずるずる合区を重ねる事態になりかねない。
Is that really what this nation needs? To answer this question, we must discuss the fundamental question: What is the role of the Upper House?
それでいいのか？ その答えを探るためにも、「参院の役割とは何か」を根本から議論する必要がある。
But through all these years, Upper House members have failed to answer the question every time, and merely resorted to stopgap measures. When will those legislators ever realize how much they have damaged their own credibility and the image of the Upper House as “the seat of common sense and decency”?
ところが毎回、答えを出せないまま、弥縫（びほう）策でお茶を濁す。その繰り返しが、自らの正統性と「良識の府」の看板をどれだけ傷つけてきたか、参院議員はいつになったら気づくのか。
2015年07月29日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：人間を楽しもう ／東京
July 05, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Living life to its fullest as a human being
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：人間を楽しもう ／東京
As an ice-breaker at the beginning of a seminar, I often ask my students to introduce themselves by telling the class what they'd want to be if they could be anything. Without fail, at least a few students say they would choose to be a cat, bird or fish. Some students name other animals and even plants. But the reasons they cite for these choices are all the same: they want to be "free."
大学のゼミの始まりで緊張をほぐすためによく「何にでもなれるとしたら何がよいか」のテーマで自己紹介してもらう。すると必ず何人かは「ネコ」「トリ」「サカナ」と答える。ほかの動物や植物の名前もよくあがる。理由はいずれも「自由になりたいから」。
From my point of view, students have an abundance of freedom in their college years, but they themselves don't see it that way. They apparently live very hectic lives. They find that receiving instruction and at times reprimands in extracurricular activities and part-time jobs is stressful. Interpersonal relationships require that they be considerate. Many students commute from their parents' homes if possible, which means they may have long trips to and from school. Completely exhausted, it's no wonder that students wish they could simply lie in the sun like a cat, soar through the sky like a bird, or swim deep in the ocean like a fish.
私から見ると大学生活など自由そのものだが、学生たちは「そうじゃない」と言う。授業に課題その他で目の回る忙しさなのだそうだ。サークル活動やアルバイトでは、先輩に指導されたり叱られたりで緊張の連続。友人とのつき合いにも何かと気をつかうという。さらに最近は「通えるなら実家から」という学生が多く、通学に長い時間がかかる。疲れきってふと、「ネコになってのんびり寝転んでいたい」「トリやサカナになって空や海でゆったりしたい」と思う学生がいても決して不思議ではない。
But it feels to me like a waste to go through life as a human being while wishing one were a cat or a bird. That's why I remind my students that the animals they've named can't read or write, or that some animals live in constant fear of being devoured by predators. But the response I get is usually some version of, "That's fine. I wouldn't mind," or "There'd be no point in resisting."
せっかく人間に生まれたのに「ネコやサカナがよかった」というのも、なんだかもったいなく思える。そういう学生には、必ず「でも本を読んだり文章を書いたりできないよ」「天敵に食われちゃうかもしれないよ」ときいてみる。返ってくる答えもだいたい決まっていて「それでもいいです」「仕方ないので気にしません」。
Are they just aloof? Maybe. Regardless, I feel sorry for students who are willing to risk their lives in order to "be free" or take it easy. I had a patient some years ago, a high school student, who told me, "I think I've already experienced all the fun there is to be had in life. Everything from here on out will be boring." I was flabbergasted.
あっさりしているといえばそれまでだが、人間らしさや命の危険と引き換えにしてでも「ゆっくりしたい」と思っている学生たちがなんだか気の毒になってくる。何年か前には「人生の楽しいことはだいたいすべて経験しちゃったと思います。あとはつまらないことだけ」と話す高校生に診察室で出会い、あぜんとしたこともある。
It's true. Not everything in life as a grown-up is fun. Adults usually have little free time but more responsibilities at work and at home. Adults have to deal with making mistakes at work and saying goodbye to more and more loved ones. Some days can be really tough. I, too, wonder at times what it would be like to go back to my junior high school years. But I still have moments where I feel I've achieved something significant in my career, or that I've made an important decision at a turning point in my life.
たしかにおとなになれば、ますます時間の自由はきかなくなるし、職場や家庭での責任も重くなり、仕事でミスをしたり親しい人との別れが増えたりと、決して楽しいことばかりではない。私もときどき、「中学生くらいに戻れたらな」などと空想することもある。しかし、そんなしんどい毎日の中にも、「自分がやりたかった仕事で成果を出せた」とか「人生の岐路に立ち自分なりの答えを見つけた」とか、手ごたえを感じる瞬間もある。
To all the young people who wish they could be a cat: Your school years -- as well as the years following school -- may be difficult, but we as human beings are able to make decisions in our lives to try and make them into what we choose. So let's enjoy it.
「ネコになりたい」などという若い人たちには、こう言いたい。「たしかに学生もたいへん、その後はもっとたいへんかもしれないけれど、自分の人生を自分で決めて切り開けるのが人間だよ。もっと人間であることを楽しもうよ」。
For this message to be convincing, however, we adults must first demonstrate that we are happy in our own lives.
そのためにも、私たちおとながもっと楽しそうな顔で暮らさなければ、とも思うのだ。（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月30日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Living life to its fullest as a human being
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：人間を楽しもう ／東京
As an ice-breaker at the beginning of a seminar, I often ask my students to introduce themselves by telling the class what they'd want to be if they could be anything. Without fail, at least a few students say they would choose to be a cat, bird or fish. Some students name other animals and even plants. But the reasons they cite for these choices are all the same: they want to be "free."
大学のゼミの始まりで緊張をほぐすためによく「何にでもなれるとしたら何がよいか」のテーマで自己紹介してもらう。すると必ず何人かは「ネコ」「トリ」「サカナ」と答える。ほかの動物や植物の名前もよくあがる。理由はいずれも「自由になりたいから」。
From my point of view, students have an abundance of freedom in their college years, but they themselves don't see it that way. They apparently live very hectic lives. They find that receiving instruction and at times reprimands in extracurricular activities and part-time jobs is stressful. Interpersonal relationships require that they be considerate. Many students commute from their parents' homes if possible, which means they may have long trips to and from school. Completely exhausted, it's no wonder that students wish they could simply lie in the sun like a cat, soar through the sky like a bird, or swim deep in the ocean like a fish.
私から見ると大学生活など自由そのものだが、学生たちは「そうじゃない」と言う。授業に課題その他で目の回る忙しさなのだそうだ。サークル活動やアルバイトでは、先輩に指導されたり叱られたりで緊張の連続。友人とのつき合いにも何かと気をつかうという。さらに最近は「通えるなら実家から」という学生が多く、通学に長い時間がかかる。疲れきってふと、「ネコになってのんびり寝転んでいたい」「トリやサカナになって空や海でゆったりしたい」と思う学生がいても決して不思議ではない。
But it feels to me like a waste to go through life as a human being while wishing one were a cat or a bird. That's why I remind my students that the animals they've named can't read or write, or that some animals live in constant fear of being devoured by predators. But the response I get is usually some version of, "That's fine. I wouldn't mind," or "There'd be no point in resisting."
せっかく人間に生まれたのに「ネコやサカナがよかった」というのも、なんだかもったいなく思える。そういう学生には、必ず「でも本を読んだり文章を書いたりできないよ」「天敵に食われちゃうかもしれないよ」ときいてみる。返ってくる答えもだいたい決まっていて「それでもいいです」「仕方ないので気にしません」。
Are they just aloof? Maybe. Regardless, I feel sorry for students who are willing to risk their lives in order to "be free" or take it easy. I had a patient some years ago, a high school student, who told me, "I think I've already experienced all the fun there is to be had in life. Everything from here on out will be boring." I was flabbergasted.
あっさりしているといえばそれまでだが、人間らしさや命の危険と引き換えにしてでも「ゆっくりしたい」と思っている学生たちがなんだか気の毒になってくる。何年か前には「人生の楽しいことはだいたいすべて経験しちゃったと思います。あとはつまらないことだけ」と話す高校生に診察室で出会い、あぜんとしたこともある。
It's true. Not everything in life as a grown-up is fun. Adults usually have little free time but more responsibilities at work and at home. Adults have to deal with making mistakes at work and saying goodbye to more and more loved ones. Some days can be really tough. I, too, wonder at times what it would be like to go back to my junior high school years. But I still have moments where I feel I've achieved something significant in my career, or that I've made an important decision at a turning point in my life.
たしかにおとなになれば、ますます時間の自由はきかなくなるし、職場や家庭での責任も重くなり、仕事でミスをしたり親しい人との別れが増えたりと、決して楽しいことばかりではない。私もときどき、「中学生くらいに戻れたらな」などと空想することもある。しかし、そんなしんどい毎日の中にも、「自分がやりたかった仕事で成果を出せた」とか「人生の岐路に立ち自分なりの答えを見つけた」とか、手ごたえを感じる瞬間もある。
To all the young people who wish they could be a cat: Your school years -- as well as the years following school -- may be difficult, but we as human beings are able to make decisions in our lives to try and make them into what we choose. So let's enjoy it.
「ネコになりたい」などという若い人たちには、こう言いたい。「たしかに学生もたいへん、その後はもっとたいへんかもしれないけれど、自分の人生を自分で決めて切り開けるのが人間だよ。もっと人間であることを楽しもうよ」。
For this message to be convincing, however, we adults must first demonstrate that we are happy in our own lives.
そのためにも、私たちおとながもっと楽しそうな顔で暮らさなければ、とも思うのだ。（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月30日 地方版
2015年07月28日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：傷つけたら謝る ／東京
July 12, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: If you've hurt someone, go ahead and apologize
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：傷つけたら謝る ／東京
Recent comments made by lawmakers and a lecturer during a study session of the Liberal Democratic Party have been brought into question, including those demeaning two newspapers in Okinawa and the Okinawan public.
自民党の勉強会に出席した議員や講師の発言が問題になっている。沖縄の新聞や住民をおとしめるような内容と言ってよいだろう。
While those who made the comments explained that they had been "joking," and that what they had said "did not constitute suppression of speech," there is no denying the fact that these statements resulted in people feeling hurt.
発言者は「冗談だった」「言論の弾圧ではない」と釈明しているが、傷ついた人たちがいることはたしかだ。
In my view, there does not exist a single individual who does not end up hurting others in some way or another throughout the course of daily living. Even comments that were made without any malicious intent on the part of the speaker may end up making someone else feel saddened or angered.
毎日を生きる中で、まったく人を傷つけずにいることは誰もできない、と私は考えている。悪気がない言葉でも、聞いた人によっては悲しくなったり怒りを感じたりする。
For some time after my father had passed away, for example, hearing other people my age say things like, "My father is making efforts to take care of his health, so he is really doing great," would make me wonder, "Does this mean that my own father had been neglecting his health?" which would in turn cause me to feel despondent.
たとえば私も、父親を亡くしてしばらくの間は、同世代の人が「うちの父は健康のために努力しているので元気そのもの」などと言うのを聞くと、「私の父は努力を怠ったのかな」などと落ち込んでいた。
In other words, even if we understand that someone may not have meant a particular statement in a certain way, we may still perceive it in a negative manner.
頭では「相手はそんなつもりもなく言ったのだから」とわかっていても、どうしてもマイナスに受け取ってしまうことがあるのだ。
Naturally, I assume that I too say things from time to time that end up causing painful feelings for others. The people who come to visit my office are particularly vulnerable to being hurt, since they are experiencing mental and physical difficulties. And on those occasions when I do end up saying something insensitive, rather than protesting with something like "Please don't say that!" they normally do nothing beyond managing a weak laugh. On numerous occasions, I have gone pale-faced when years later those same people have come back and told me, "What you said to me back then was really shocking."
もちろん、私が何気ない言葉で誰かを傷つける側にまわることもあるだろう。とくに、診察の場にやって来る人たちは、心身の不調を抱えているのだからよけいに傷つきやすくなっている。しかも、その人たちはたとえ私が心ない言葉を発しても、その場では力なく笑うだけで「先生、そんなこと言わないでください」などと抗議することもない。何年もたってから「先生のあのときの言葉、とてもショックでした」と言われ、顔が青ざめたことも何度かある。
How can we address this problem, then? If we put too many restrictions on ourselves in terms of what we are permitted to say, we will end up not being able to say anything at all. At the same time, however, we must always keep in mind the fact that even our innocently expressed speech has the power to inadvertently cause pain for others -- particularly those who are in vulnerable positions or members of marginalized groups.
では、どうすればよいのか。これもダメ、あれもいけない、と気をつかいすぎると、何も言えなくなってしまう。ただ、自分の悪気のない言葉も、思わぬ人たち、とくに弱い立場や少数者の立場にいる人を傷つける場合もある、ということは、いつも頭の片すみにとめておくべきだ。
And if someone then confronts us by saying, "I really wish that you wouldn't have said that," we must immediately apologize for having caused hurt with our words, rather than deflect their criticism by saying something like "I didn't mean anything negative, so what's the harm?" or "You're the one who's in the wrong for getting upset."
もし相手が「それは言ってほしくなかったな」などと言ったら、すぐに「傷つけたならごめんなさい」と謝ることも必要だろう。「悪意はなかったんだからいいじゃない」「こんなことを気にするあなたが悪い」などと開きなおるのはよくない。
Finally, while this is most definitely not an easy thing to do, we must also practice gathering the strength to say "please stop" when others bring up a topic or say something that makes us feel uncomfortable. At such times, we should not worry about disturbing the positive atmosphere. Rather, we should firmly express our own feelings -- even if it is done by speaking quietly.
また、これはとてもむずかしいが、相手が言ってほしくない話題や言葉を話した場合、「やめてください」と伝える“練習”もしておきたい。「せっかく場が盛り上がっているから」などと気配りをしすぎず、小さな声でも、しっかりと自分の意思を伝えるのだ。
Of course, the ideal situation is one whereby we never say things that end up hurting others. Realistically speaking, however, this is something that we human beings are unable to avoid.
傷つけあう言葉を言わないのがいちばんだが、生きている限り、それは避けられない。
At such times, then, we must apologize as soon as we realize what has occurred, and we must then make efforts to take better care the next time. This is a fundamental truth, and it is applicable in any and all types of situations.
だとしたら、気づいた段階で謝って、次からは気をつける。これがどんな場合でも基本だと思う。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月07日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: If you've hurt someone, go ahead and apologize
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：傷つけたら謝る ／東京
Recent comments made by lawmakers and a lecturer during a study session of the Liberal Democratic Party have been brought into question, including those demeaning two newspapers in Okinawa and the Okinawan public.
自民党の勉強会に出席した議員や講師の発言が問題になっている。沖縄の新聞や住民をおとしめるような内容と言ってよいだろう。
While those who made the comments explained that they had been "joking," and that what they had said "did not constitute suppression of speech," there is no denying the fact that these statements resulted in people feeling hurt.
発言者は「冗談だった」「言論の弾圧ではない」と釈明しているが、傷ついた人たちがいることはたしかだ。
In my view, there does not exist a single individual who does not end up hurting others in some way or another throughout the course of daily living. Even comments that were made without any malicious intent on the part of the speaker may end up making someone else feel saddened or angered.
毎日を生きる中で、まったく人を傷つけずにいることは誰もできない、と私は考えている。悪気がない言葉でも、聞いた人によっては悲しくなったり怒りを感じたりする。
For some time after my father had passed away, for example, hearing other people my age say things like, "My father is making efforts to take care of his health, so he is really doing great," would make me wonder, "Does this mean that my own father had been neglecting his health?" which would in turn cause me to feel despondent.
たとえば私も、父親を亡くしてしばらくの間は、同世代の人が「うちの父は健康のために努力しているので元気そのもの」などと言うのを聞くと、「私の父は努力を怠ったのかな」などと落ち込んでいた。
In other words, even if we understand that someone may not have meant a particular statement in a certain way, we may still perceive it in a negative manner.
頭では「相手はそんなつもりもなく言ったのだから」とわかっていても、どうしてもマイナスに受け取ってしまうことがあるのだ。
Naturally, I assume that I too say things from time to time that end up causing painful feelings for others. The people who come to visit my office are particularly vulnerable to being hurt, since they are experiencing mental and physical difficulties. And on those occasions when I do end up saying something insensitive, rather than protesting with something like "Please don't say that!" they normally do nothing beyond managing a weak laugh. On numerous occasions, I have gone pale-faced when years later those same people have come back and told me, "What you said to me back then was really shocking."
もちろん、私が何気ない言葉で誰かを傷つける側にまわることもあるだろう。とくに、診察の場にやって来る人たちは、心身の不調を抱えているのだからよけいに傷つきやすくなっている。しかも、その人たちはたとえ私が心ない言葉を発しても、その場では力なく笑うだけで「先生、そんなこと言わないでください」などと抗議することもない。何年もたってから「先生のあのときの言葉、とてもショックでした」と言われ、顔が青ざめたことも何度かある。
How can we address this problem, then? If we put too many restrictions on ourselves in terms of what we are permitted to say, we will end up not being able to say anything at all. At the same time, however, we must always keep in mind the fact that even our innocently expressed speech has the power to inadvertently cause pain for others -- particularly those who are in vulnerable positions or members of marginalized groups.
では、どうすればよいのか。これもダメ、あれもいけない、と気をつかいすぎると、何も言えなくなってしまう。ただ、自分の悪気のない言葉も、思わぬ人たち、とくに弱い立場や少数者の立場にいる人を傷つける場合もある、ということは、いつも頭の片すみにとめておくべきだ。
And if someone then confronts us by saying, "I really wish that you wouldn't have said that," we must immediately apologize for having caused hurt with our words, rather than deflect their criticism by saying something like "I didn't mean anything negative, so what's the harm?" or "You're the one who's in the wrong for getting upset."
もし相手が「それは言ってほしくなかったな」などと言ったら、すぐに「傷つけたならごめんなさい」と謝ることも必要だろう。「悪意はなかったんだからいいじゃない」「こんなことを気にするあなたが悪い」などと開きなおるのはよくない。
Finally, while this is most definitely not an easy thing to do, we must also practice gathering the strength to say "please stop" when others bring up a topic or say something that makes us feel uncomfortable. At such times, we should not worry about disturbing the positive atmosphere. Rather, we should firmly express our own feelings -- even if it is done by speaking quietly.
また、これはとてもむずかしいが、相手が言ってほしくない話題や言葉を話した場合、「やめてください」と伝える“練習”もしておきたい。「せっかく場が盛り上がっているから」などと気配りをしすぎず、小さな声でも、しっかりと自分の意思を伝えるのだ。
Of course, the ideal situation is one whereby we never say things that end up hurting others. Realistically speaking, however, this is something that we human beings are unable to avoid.
傷つけあう言葉を言わないのがいちばんだが、生きている限り、それは避けられない。
At such times, then, we must apologize as soon as we realize what has occurred, and we must then make efforts to take better care the next time. This is a fundamental truth, and it is applicable in any and all types of situations.
だとしたら、気づいた段階で謝って、次からは気をつける。これがどんな場合でも基本だと思う。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月07日 地方版
2015年07月27日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：やらざるをえないもの ／東京
July 26, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the heart: Things that we feel compelled to do
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：やらざるをえないもの ／東京
The Akutagawa Prize, which is awarded twice yearly, is an extremely prestigious honor among writers. The winners of the most recent competition -- the 153rd in its history -- were "Scrap and Build" by Keisuke Hada, and "Hibana" by Naoki Matayoshi.
小説家にとってはあこがれの賞、芥川賞。選考は年に２回だが、第１５３回となる今回は羽田圭介さんの「スクラップ・アンド・ビルド」、そして又吉直樹さんの「火花」が選ばれた。
Matayoshi is one-half of the comedy duo "Peace," and he may often be seen on television. The main character in his novel is similarly a comedian, who undertakes a quest to advance to a full-fledged master of humor under a comedy mentor.
又吉さんは、テレビでもよく見かけるお笑い芸人コンビ「ピース」のひとりだ。受賞作の主人公もやはり芸人。
The novel portrays the dedication with which the performer strives to become a star -- efforts that are so extreme, in fact, that what begins as a light story gradually becomes quite intense for the reader.
先輩格を師匠とあおぎ、人気者を目指して必死にがんばるその心もようが描かれ、楽しく読んでいるうちに主人公らのあまりの真剣さにだんだん息が苦しくなってくるような作品だ。
Author Amy Yamada, an Akutagawa Prize judge, spoke on behalf of the selection committee during a press conference -- and I found her description of Matayoshi's novel striking. "The work seems to be portraying a poignant story that the author felt compelled to tell," she commented. "While the novel does have its faults, it left me with an overall feeling that was quite strong."
選考委員を代表して作家の山田詠美さんが記者会見で話をした。又吉さんの作品を講評しての言葉がとても印象的だった。「どうしても書かざるをえない切実なものが迫ってくる感じで、欠点も多々あるんですけど、何か強いものを感じて」
This phrase "felt compelled to..." is one that I had not heard for a very long time -- and it represents a feeling that I had long forgotten.
「どうしてもやらざるをえない」。私は、その言葉を久しぶりに聞いた気がした。最近はそんな気持ちをすっかり忘れていた。
I leave every morning for the university or for my office, where I then give lectures or see patients. When deadlines approach, I write my columns. Although I do attempt to give my best efforts for such pursuits, I find myself feeling very relieved on my days off. And on some days, I find myself thinking, "Truthfully, I would just rather not go in to work today."
朝、時間が来れば病院や大学に出かけ、診察や授業をする。締め切りが来ると原稿を書く。もちろんどれもそれなりに真剣にやっているつもりだが、休みの日が来るとほっとする。「今日は正直言って仕事に行きたくない」と思う日もある。
In other words, the phrase "compelled to..." represents a strong feeling from which I have become alienated. Without realizing it, I suppose that I have taken on the attitude of simply doing things "because it is my job."
「どうしてもやらざるをえない」といった強い思いからは、ずいぶん遠ざかってしまっていた。知らないうちに、どこか「仕事だから」と割り切ってこなしていたのかもしれない。
As for my young students at university, they are involved with their studies, club activities, and part-time jobs. While I am sure that these are all activities they enjoy doing, it is my guess that they rarely feel so strongly about something that they are "compelled" to do it.
大学で出会う若い学生たちは、どうなのだろう。勉強、部活、アルバイトに遊び。どれもやりたいからやっているのだろうが、「どうしてもやらざるをえない」とまで感じることは少ないのではないか。
When handing in reports, my students sometimes include their own opinions, prefaced with something like this: "I know this is not directly related to the subject at hand, but I really felt like I had to write it." It is precisely this type of feeling that I hope these students will continue to cultivate.
たまにリポートに「課題とは直接、関係ないけれど、これだけはどうしても言っておきたくて」と自分の意見を書いてくる学生もいるが、そういう気持ちを大切にしてもらいたい、と思う。
Matayoshi works as a comedian, but he additionally penned a novel because he "felt compelled" to do so -- even though it might have been more beneficial for him as a performer to have spent that time appearing on television or doing comedy shows. In order to engage in this novel-writing endeavor, I'm sure that he must have also gained the understanding of his comedy partner and others around him.
又吉さんはお笑い芸人として活躍しているが、それでも「どうしても書かざるをえない」という気持ちに動かされるようにして小説を書いた。もしかするとそんな時間があったらテレビに出たりお笑いライブをしたりしたほうが芸人としてはプラスかもしれないが、コンビの相方や周囲の人たちも理解してくれたのだろう。
I would love to once again engage in something because I felt compelled to do so -- even if it meant pushing myself beyond my own limits in the process. And it is none other than Matayoshi's work that has inspired me with this feeling.
私ももう一度、「これだけはやらざるをえないんです」と無理してでも何かをやってみたい。そんな気持ちにさせてくれた又吉さんの受賞だった。（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月22日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the heart: Things that we feel compelled to do
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：やらざるをえないもの ／東京
The Akutagawa Prize, which is awarded twice yearly, is an extremely prestigious honor among writers. The winners of the most recent competition -- the 153rd in its history -- were "Scrap and Build" by Keisuke Hada, and "Hibana" by Naoki Matayoshi.
小説家にとってはあこがれの賞、芥川賞。選考は年に２回だが、第１５３回となる今回は羽田圭介さんの「スクラップ・アンド・ビルド」、そして又吉直樹さんの「火花」が選ばれた。
Matayoshi is one-half of the comedy duo "Peace," and he may often be seen on television. The main character in his novel is similarly a comedian, who undertakes a quest to advance to a full-fledged master of humor under a comedy mentor.
又吉さんは、テレビでもよく見かけるお笑い芸人コンビ「ピース」のひとりだ。受賞作の主人公もやはり芸人。
The novel portrays the dedication with which the performer strives to become a star -- efforts that are so extreme, in fact, that what begins as a light story gradually becomes quite intense for the reader.
先輩格を師匠とあおぎ、人気者を目指して必死にがんばるその心もようが描かれ、楽しく読んでいるうちに主人公らのあまりの真剣さにだんだん息が苦しくなってくるような作品だ。
Author Amy Yamada, an Akutagawa Prize judge, spoke on behalf of the selection committee during a press conference -- and I found her description of Matayoshi's novel striking. "The work seems to be portraying a poignant story that the author felt compelled to tell," she commented. "While the novel does have its faults, it left me with an overall feeling that was quite strong."
選考委員を代表して作家の山田詠美さんが記者会見で話をした。又吉さんの作品を講評しての言葉がとても印象的だった。「どうしても書かざるをえない切実なものが迫ってくる感じで、欠点も多々あるんですけど、何か強いものを感じて」
This phrase "felt compelled to..." is one that I had not heard for a very long time -- and it represents a feeling that I had long forgotten.
「どうしてもやらざるをえない」。私は、その言葉を久しぶりに聞いた気がした。最近はそんな気持ちをすっかり忘れていた。
I leave every morning for the university or for my office, where I then give lectures or see patients. When deadlines approach, I write my columns. Although I do attempt to give my best efforts for such pursuits, I find myself feeling very relieved on my days off. And on some days, I find myself thinking, "Truthfully, I would just rather not go in to work today."
朝、時間が来れば病院や大学に出かけ、診察や授業をする。締め切りが来ると原稿を書く。もちろんどれもそれなりに真剣にやっているつもりだが、休みの日が来るとほっとする。「今日は正直言って仕事に行きたくない」と思う日もある。
In other words, the phrase "compelled to..." represents a strong feeling from which I have become alienated. Without realizing it, I suppose that I have taken on the attitude of simply doing things "because it is my job."
「どうしてもやらざるをえない」といった強い思いからは、ずいぶん遠ざかってしまっていた。知らないうちに、どこか「仕事だから」と割り切ってこなしていたのかもしれない。
As for my young students at university, they are involved with their studies, club activities, and part-time jobs. While I am sure that these are all activities they enjoy doing, it is my guess that they rarely feel so strongly about something that they are "compelled" to do it.
大学で出会う若い学生たちは、どうなのだろう。勉強、部活、アルバイトに遊び。どれもやりたいからやっているのだろうが、「どうしてもやらざるをえない」とまで感じることは少ないのではないか。
When handing in reports, my students sometimes include their own opinions, prefaced with something like this: "I know this is not directly related to the subject at hand, but I really felt like I had to write it." It is precisely this type of feeling that I hope these students will continue to cultivate.
たまにリポートに「課題とは直接、関係ないけれど、これだけはどうしても言っておきたくて」と自分の意見を書いてくる学生もいるが、そういう気持ちを大切にしてもらいたい、と思う。
Matayoshi works as a comedian, but he additionally penned a novel because he "felt compelled" to do so -- even though it might have been more beneficial for him as a performer to have spent that time appearing on television or doing comedy shows. In order to engage in this novel-writing endeavor, I'm sure that he must have also gained the understanding of his comedy partner and others around him.
又吉さんはお笑い芸人として活躍しているが、それでも「どうしても書かざるをえない」という気持ちに動かされるようにして小説を書いた。もしかするとそんな時間があったらテレビに出たりお笑いライブをしたりしたほうが芸人としてはプラスかもしれないが、コンビの相方や周囲の人たちも理解してくれたのだろう。
I would love to once again engage in something because I felt compelled to do so -- even if it meant pushing myself beyond my own limits in the process. And it is none other than Matayoshi's work that has inspired me with this feeling.
私ももう一度、「これだけはやらざるをえないんです」と無理してでも何かをやってみたい。そんな気持ちにさせてくれた又吉さんの受賞だった。（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月22日 地方版
2015年07月26日
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：介護マーク、本気で考えて ／東京
July 19, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Giving priority treatment to caregivers
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：介護マーク、本気で考えて ／東京
These days, certain considerate gestures have become fairly commonplace: things like giving up a "priority seat" to a pregnant woman or to a cane-wielding elderly person, or pushing the button to keep an elevator door open for someone in a wheelchair who is trying to get off.
バスや電車で「おなかに赤ちゃんがいます」というマタニティーマークを身につけた女性やつえをついた高齢者が前に立ったら席をゆずる。エレベーターで車いす使用者と乗り合わせたら、降りるときに「開」ボタンを押すなどしてサポートする。こんな助け合いの行動が、完璧とは言えないまでもかなり世の中に浸透してきた。
But a woman who came to my consultation room said that, "people don't understand the stress of caregivers and won't give you their seat on a train."
「でもね」とあるとき、診察室で女性が話してくれた。「介護疲れはまわりの人になかなかわかってもらえないし、電車で席をゆずってもらったりもできないですよね」
This woman is a single person in her 50s. She has a job and lives with her elderly parents, who both need care. During the day she uses the services of home helpers and care facilities, but at night she cares for them herself. While she believes in supporting her parents, she can feel the toll of the stress on her body and mind. When she sought medical help to reduce her stress, she was recommended counseling and came to see me. After talking with her for a while, I saw that she was close to suffering from "caregiver depression."
彼女は独身の５０代。高齢の両親と同居しながら働いている。ふたりとも「要介護」で、日中はヘルパーやデイサービスを活用しているが、夜は彼女がひとりで世話をする。「親なので当然」とは思っているが、心身ともにくたくたになっているのを感じている。「なんとか疲れを取る方法はないか」と内科を受診したらカウンセリングを勧められ、私の診察室にやって来たのだ。話をしてみると、いわゆる「介護うつ」に近い状態であった。
The woman said that on the train to go home after finishing her day's work, she thinks about what she will need to do when she gets home, and that alone brings a wave of exhaustion upon her. If she could only sit, she could rest before arriving home, but usually it is crowded and she has to stand. She can't very well say to someone, "I'm going to be doing care work, so can you give me your seat?"
彼女は仕事が終わって帰りの電車に乗った瞬間、「うちに着いたらあれしてこれして」とその夜にやることを考えるという。それだけでどっと疲労感が押し寄せる。そのときに座っていられたら「よし、家に着くまでひと休みしよう」と思えるが、たいていは混んでいて立ちっぱなし。まさか「すみません、これから介護が待っているので席をゆずってもらえませんか」と頼むわけにもいかない。
I suggested, half-jokingly at the time, "It might be good if there was a charm you could wear that would inform others that you're a caregiver" like the key chains given to pregnant women that encourages other passengers to give up their seats for them, but she nodded and said seriously, "You're right."
「疲れた。誰かにやさしくしてもらいたい。でも無理」と考えているだけでストレスはどんどん高まっていくのだろう。私は「『いま介護してます』という介護マークでもあればいいかもしれませんね」と半ば冗談のつもりで言ったのだが、彼女は真剣な表情で「本当に」とうなずいた。
There are many workplaces that do not give enough consideration to pregnant and child-raising employees, but the lack of consideration for caregivers is greater still.
妊娠や子育てにもまだ配慮の足りない職場は多いが、介護への理解不足はそれ以上。
Of course, more and more nursing care services have become available, but with the falling birth rate and fewer people getting married, it is thought that there will be more cases of people caring for their parents alone, just like this woman.
もちろん、介護保険でいろいろなサービスが使えるようになってはきたが、少子化や非婚化が進む中、この女性のように「ひとりで両親ふたりを介護」というケースも増えてくると思われる。
Some people, with no other option, leave their jobs to focus on care giving, but that is neither good for them nor society, and if they fall into "caregiver depression," it will take a long time for them to recover.
やむをえず仕事をやめる「介護離職」に踏みきる人もいるが、社会にとっても本人にとっても望ましいことではない。「介護うつ」にまでなってしまうと、回復までに長い時間がかかる。
This is why I hope that someone will seriously think about creating some kind of symbol to identify caregivers so they can receive priority seating on public transport.
マタニティーマークならぬ介護マーク。誰か本気で考えてみてくれないだろうか。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月14日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Giving priority treatment to caregivers
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：介護マーク、本気で考えて ／東京
These days, certain considerate gestures have become fairly commonplace: things like giving up a "priority seat" to a pregnant woman or to a cane-wielding elderly person, or pushing the button to keep an elevator door open for someone in a wheelchair who is trying to get off.
バスや電車で「おなかに赤ちゃんがいます」というマタニティーマークを身につけた女性やつえをついた高齢者が前に立ったら席をゆずる。エレベーターで車いす使用者と乗り合わせたら、降りるときに「開」ボタンを押すなどしてサポートする。こんな助け合いの行動が、完璧とは言えないまでもかなり世の中に浸透してきた。
But a woman who came to my consultation room said that, "people don't understand the stress of caregivers and won't give you their seat on a train."
「でもね」とあるとき、診察室で女性が話してくれた。「介護疲れはまわりの人になかなかわかってもらえないし、電車で席をゆずってもらったりもできないですよね」
This woman is a single person in her 50s. She has a job and lives with her elderly parents, who both need care. During the day she uses the services of home helpers and care facilities, but at night she cares for them herself. While she believes in supporting her parents, she can feel the toll of the stress on her body and mind. When she sought medical help to reduce her stress, she was recommended counseling and came to see me. After talking with her for a while, I saw that she was close to suffering from "caregiver depression."
彼女は独身の５０代。高齢の両親と同居しながら働いている。ふたりとも「要介護」で、日中はヘルパーやデイサービスを活用しているが、夜は彼女がひとりで世話をする。「親なので当然」とは思っているが、心身ともにくたくたになっているのを感じている。「なんとか疲れを取る方法はないか」と内科を受診したらカウンセリングを勧められ、私の診察室にやって来たのだ。話をしてみると、いわゆる「介護うつ」に近い状態であった。
The woman said that on the train to go home after finishing her day's work, she thinks about what she will need to do when she gets home, and that alone brings a wave of exhaustion upon her. If she could only sit, she could rest before arriving home, but usually it is crowded and she has to stand. She can't very well say to someone, "I'm going to be doing care work, so can you give me your seat?"
彼女は仕事が終わって帰りの電車に乗った瞬間、「うちに着いたらあれしてこれして」とその夜にやることを考えるという。それだけでどっと疲労感が押し寄せる。そのときに座っていられたら「よし、家に着くまでひと休みしよう」と思えるが、たいていは混んでいて立ちっぱなし。まさか「すみません、これから介護が待っているので席をゆずってもらえませんか」と頼むわけにもいかない。
I suggested, half-jokingly at the time, "It might be good if there was a charm you could wear that would inform others that you're a caregiver" like the key chains given to pregnant women that encourages other passengers to give up their seats for them, but she nodded and said seriously, "You're right."
「疲れた。誰かにやさしくしてもらいたい。でも無理」と考えているだけでストレスはどんどん高まっていくのだろう。私は「『いま介護してます』という介護マークでもあればいいかもしれませんね」と半ば冗談のつもりで言ったのだが、彼女は真剣な表情で「本当に」とうなずいた。
There are many workplaces that do not give enough consideration to pregnant and child-raising employees, but the lack of consideration for caregivers is greater still.
妊娠や子育てにもまだ配慮の足りない職場は多いが、介護への理解不足はそれ以上。
Of course, more and more nursing care services have become available, but with the falling birth rate and fewer people getting married, it is thought that there will be more cases of people caring for their parents alone, just like this woman.
もちろん、介護保険でいろいろなサービスが使えるようになってはきたが、少子化や非婚化が進む中、この女性のように「ひとりで両親ふたりを介護」というケースも増えてくると思われる。
Some people, with no other option, leave their jobs to focus on care giving, but that is neither good for them nor society, and if they fall into "caregiver depression," it will take a long time for them to recover.
やむをえず仕事をやめる「介護離職」に踏みきる人もいるが、社会にとっても本人にとっても望ましいことではない。「介護うつ」にまでなってしまうと、回復までに長い時間がかかる。
This is why I hope that someone will seriously think about creating some kind of symbol to identify caregivers so they can receive priority seating on public transport.
マタニティーマークならぬ介護マーク。誰か本気で考えてみてくれないだろうか。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年07月14日 地方版
2015年07月25日
（社説）中国ガス田 不信の連鎖に陥るな
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 24
EDITORIAL: Tokyo, Beijing must avert cycle of mutual distrust in East China Sea
（社説）中国ガス田 不信の連鎖に陥るな
China is developing gas fields in wide areas on the Chinese side of the median line between its shoreline and that of Japan in the East China Sea.
中国が、東シナ海の日本と中国の中間線近くの中国側海域でガス田開発を進めている。
The Japanese government has released aerial photos of 16 offshore gas drilling platforms, including 12 structures that have been detected since June 2013.
日本政府は１３年６月以降に１２基の施設を確認したとして、それを含む計１６基の写真を公開した。
In June 2008, the governments of Japan and China agreed to pursue joint development of gas fields in areas around disputed waters. Although bilateral negotiations for joint gas development have been suspended because of a flare-up over the Senkaku Islands, the agreement has not been abrogated.
日中両政府は０８年６月、ガス田の共同開発をめざすことで合意している。交渉は尖閣問題などで中断しているが、合意が破棄されたわけではない。
China’s unilateral moves to change the status quo are totally unacceptable. The Japanese government needs to demand that Beijing call off the development of gas fields and return to the negotiation table for joint gas development.
中国の一方的な現状変更は、断じて容認できない。日本政府は中国に対し、開発の中止と共同開発に向けた交渉再開を求めていく必要がある。
Japan and China have been locked in a bitter diplomatic row over the extent of their respective exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea.
東シナ海は、排他的経済水域の境界をめぐり日中間に争いがある。
The two countries were supposed to have agreed to develop gas fields together while avoiding provocative actions until a border demarcation accord is reached.
線引きが画定するまで互いに配慮しながら、ガス田の共同開発を進めるはずだった。
But China’s activities in the region indicate that it is trying to accumulate fait accomplis for its naval expansion as it is doing in the South China Sea, where it has been reclaiming disputed reefs.
しかし現状は、中国が岩礁の埋め立てを進めてきた南シナ海と同様、既成事実を積み重ね、海洋進出をはかる動きにも見える。
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani pointed out the possibility that the platforms China has built in the East China Sea could be used to install military facilities like radars and heliports. China may use them “for security purposes,” he said.
中谷防衛相は東シナ海の施設について「（中国が）安全保障の観点から利用する可能性がある」と述べ、レーダーやヘリポートなど軍事目的で使用される可能性を指摘している。
There may be a political motive behind the Japanese government’s decision to publish information about Beijing’s gas development activities in the region at this time. The move may be aimed at winning greater public support for the security legislation it is seeking to enact by stressing the security threat posed by China.
日本政府がこの時期に公表したのは、中国の脅威を強調し、安全保障関連法案への理解を求める意図もありそうだ。
But Japan should avoid taking actions that could heighten military tension in the East China Sea. The only way to solve the situation is through diplomatic efforts.
だが、東シナ海の軍事的な緊張を高めることは避けなければならない。外交的に解決する以外に道はない。
It is difficult to understand why the Japanese government has not disclosed the information about the Chinese gas operations until now. Since China has clearly violated the bilateral agreement on gas development, Tokyo should have published the facts to broad audiences at home and abroad as soon as it became aware of them to obtain international understanding of Japan’s concerns.
一方で、日本政府がこれまで中国側の動きを公表してこなかったのは理解に苦しむ。日中合意違反であり、把握した段階で広く内外に公表し、国際社会に理解を求めるべきだった。
What the two countries need to do most urgently is to make effective efforts to regain a certain degree of mutual trust.
何よりも急務なのは、両国が一定の信頼を取り戻すことだ。
It is vital for their leaders to discuss the issue from a broad perspective and set basic principles for how the two nations should deal with the situation.
首脳同士が大局を見据えて話し合い、大きな方向性を打ち出すことが重要である。
In a bilateral summit held in 2008, the leaders of Japan and China at that time, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and President Hu Jintao, signed a joint statement pledging to make the East China Sea “a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.”
０８年の日中首脳会談では当時の福田首相と胡錦濤（フーチンタオ）国家主席が「東シナ海を平和・協力・友好の海とする」ことを盛り込んだ日中共同声明に署名した。
Tokyo and Beijing are now considering a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping when the Japanese leader visits China in early September.
日中両政府は、安倍首相が９月初旬に中国を訪問し、習近平（シーチンピン）国家主席と会談することを検討している。
The two governments should make that summit happen to create a diplomatic environment in which it is possible for their leaders to confirm basic principles.
これを実現させ、両首脳が継続的に話し合える環境を整えるべきだ。
In its statement about Japan’s move to publish photos showing China’s gas development activities, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it has not changed its policy of putting importance on taking actions in line with “shared recognitions concerning the East China Sea problem.” This passage could be interpreted as a signal that Beijing doesn’t want to close the door on cooperation with Japan.
今回の日本の公表後、中国外務省は談話の中で「東シナ海問題での共通認識の履行を重視する立場は変わらない」とした。日本との協力に応じる余地を残したとも取れる。
Allowing the problem to trigger a cycle of mutual distrust would be detrimental to the interests of both countries.
不信の連鎖に陥ることは日中双方の利益にならない。
Instead of doing what could cause the bilateral security confrontation to intensify, the two countries should use the situation as an opportunity to start moving toward expanded bilateral cooperation in the future.
安全保障上の対立をあおるより、今後の協力関係を発展させる糸口としなければならない。
EDITORIAL: Tokyo, Beijing must avert cycle of mutual distrust in East China Sea
（社説）中国ガス田 不信の連鎖に陥るな
China is developing gas fields in wide areas on the Chinese side of the median line between its shoreline and that of Japan in the East China Sea.
中国が、東シナ海の日本と中国の中間線近くの中国側海域でガス田開発を進めている。
The Japanese government has released aerial photos of 16 offshore gas drilling platforms, including 12 structures that have been detected since June 2013.
日本政府は１３年６月以降に１２基の施設を確認したとして、それを含む計１６基の写真を公開した。
In June 2008, the governments of Japan and China agreed to pursue joint development of gas fields in areas around disputed waters. Although bilateral negotiations for joint gas development have been suspended because of a flare-up over the Senkaku Islands, the agreement has not been abrogated.
日中両政府は０８年６月、ガス田の共同開発をめざすことで合意している。交渉は尖閣問題などで中断しているが、合意が破棄されたわけではない。
China’s unilateral moves to change the status quo are totally unacceptable. The Japanese government needs to demand that Beijing call off the development of gas fields and return to the negotiation table for joint gas development.
中国の一方的な現状変更は、断じて容認できない。日本政府は中国に対し、開発の中止と共同開発に向けた交渉再開を求めていく必要がある。
Japan and China have been locked in a bitter diplomatic row over the extent of their respective exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea.
東シナ海は、排他的経済水域の境界をめぐり日中間に争いがある。
The two countries were supposed to have agreed to develop gas fields together while avoiding provocative actions until a border demarcation accord is reached.
線引きが画定するまで互いに配慮しながら、ガス田の共同開発を進めるはずだった。
But China’s activities in the region indicate that it is trying to accumulate fait accomplis for its naval expansion as it is doing in the South China Sea, where it has been reclaiming disputed reefs.
しかし現状は、中国が岩礁の埋め立てを進めてきた南シナ海と同様、既成事実を積み重ね、海洋進出をはかる動きにも見える。
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani pointed out the possibility that the platforms China has built in the East China Sea could be used to install military facilities like radars and heliports. China may use them “for security purposes,” he said.
中谷防衛相は東シナ海の施設について「（中国が）安全保障の観点から利用する可能性がある」と述べ、レーダーやヘリポートなど軍事目的で使用される可能性を指摘している。
There may be a political motive behind the Japanese government’s decision to publish information about Beijing’s gas development activities in the region at this time. The move may be aimed at winning greater public support for the security legislation it is seeking to enact by stressing the security threat posed by China.
日本政府がこの時期に公表したのは、中国の脅威を強調し、安全保障関連法案への理解を求める意図もありそうだ。
But Japan should avoid taking actions that could heighten military tension in the East China Sea. The only way to solve the situation is through diplomatic efforts.
だが、東シナ海の軍事的な緊張を高めることは避けなければならない。外交的に解決する以外に道はない。
It is difficult to understand why the Japanese government has not disclosed the information about the Chinese gas operations until now. Since China has clearly violated the bilateral agreement on gas development, Tokyo should have published the facts to broad audiences at home and abroad as soon as it became aware of them to obtain international understanding of Japan’s concerns.
一方で、日本政府がこれまで中国側の動きを公表してこなかったのは理解に苦しむ。日中合意違反であり、把握した段階で広く内外に公表し、国際社会に理解を求めるべきだった。
What the two countries need to do most urgently is to make effective efforts to regain a certain degree of mutual trust.
何よりも急務なのは、両国が一定の信頼を取り戻すことだ。
It is vital for their leaders to discuss the issue from a broad perspective and set basic principles for how the two nations should deal with the situation.
首脳同士が大局を見据えて話し合い、大きな方向性を打ち出すことが重要である。
In a bilateral summit held in 2008, the leaders of Japan and China at that time, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and President Hu Jintao, signed a joint statement pledging to make the East China Sea “a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.”
０８年の日中首脳会談では当時の福田首相と胡錦濤（フーチンタオ）国家主席が「東シナ海を平和・協力・友好の海とする」ことを盛り込んだ日中共同声明に署名した。
Tokyo and Beijing are now considering a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping when the Japanese leader visits China in early September.
日中両政府は、安倍首相が９月初旬に中国を訪問し、習近平（シーチンピン）国家主席と会談することを検討している。
The two governments should make that summit happen to create a diplomatic environment in which it is possible for their leaders to confirm basic principles.
これを実現させ、両首脳が継続的に話し合える環境を整えるべきだ。
In its statement about Japan’s move to publish photos showing China’s gas development activities, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it has not changed its policy of putting importance on taking actions in line with “shared recognitions concerning the East China Sea problem.” This passage could be interpreted as a signal that Beijing doesn’t want to close the door on cooperation with Japan.
今回の日本の公表後、中国外務省は談話の中で「東シナ海問題での共通認識の履行を重視する立場は変わらない」とした。日本との協力に応じる余地を残したとも取れる。
Allowing the problem to trigger a cycle of mutual distrust would be detrimental to the interests of both countries.
不信の連鎖に陥ることは日中双方の利益にならない。
Instead of doing what could cause the bilateral security confrontation to intensify, the two countries should use the situation as an opportunity to start moving toward expanded bilateral cooperation in the future.
安全保障上の対立をあおるより、今後の協力関係を発展させる糸口としなければならない。
2015年07月24日
中国ガス田開発 実態公開して自制を促したい
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan reveals truth to stop China from accelerating maritime advance
中国ガス田開発 実態公開して自制を促したい
China’s self-serving moves to develop marine resources in violation of a bilateral agreement with Japan cannot be allowed. Japan must persistently urge Beijing to refrain from such actions.
日中間の合意に反して海洋資源を開発する中国の独善的な行為は容認できない。日本は、中国に粘り強く自制を促さねばならない。
The government announced Wednesday that China has been constructing a total of 12 new offshore platforms and related structures since June 2013 for the development of gas fields in the East China Sea, where Japan and China have yet to demarcate the boundaries.
政府は、日中の境界が画定していない東シナ海で、中国がガス田開発のため、２０１３年６月以降、新たに１２基の海洋プラットホーム（海上施設）などを建設していると発表した。
The government also posted aerial photos of the structures and a map showing their locations on the Foreign Ministry’s website.
施設の航空写真や地図も、外務省のホームページで公開した。
“It is extremely regrettable that China is unilaterally developing resources,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference Wednesday.
菅官房長官は記者会見で、「一方的な資源開発は極めて遺憾だ」と述べた。
It is appropriate for the government to convey the actual nature of China’s maritime advances to the international community, and try to restrain such actions.
中国の海洋進出の実態を国際社会に幅広く訴え、中国をけん制する狙いは適切である。
Suga said the government decided to release the map and the photos because the Chinese government has accelerated its development of natural resources in recent years, while refusing to resume negotiations on the implementation of an accord in which Japan and China agreed to cooperate on the development of natural resources in the East China Sea.
公開した理由について、中国政府が日本との共同開発の交渉に応じない一方、開発を近年、加速させていることを挙げた。
Some within the government had called for caution about releasing the photos and the map, saying it would only cause China to take a tougher line. But Japan’s taking an excessively conciliatory stance would only benefit China, which is trying to secure its interests by accumulating a number of faits accomplis.
中国が態度を硬化させるとして、政府には公開に慎重な意見があった。だが、過度の融和姿勢は既成事実を積み重ね、権益確保を狙う中国を利するだけだろう。
China’s foreign ministry responded to Japan’s criticism Wednesday by stressing that China’s development of gas fields in the East China Sea is “completely justified and legitimate.”
中国外務省は、ガス田開発について「開発活動は完全に正当で、合法だ」と強弁した。
China’s reasoning flawed
As long as the bilateral boundaries have yet to be demarcated, the development sites are within disputed waters. It is illogical for China to try to justify its actions with the reasoning that the gas fields are on the Chinese side of the Japan-China median line.
境界が未画定な以上、開発地点は、係争中の海域である。ガス田が日中中間線の中国側海域にあるという理由なら、筋が違う。
Japan and China agreed in 2008 that both countries will jointly develop the Shirakaba gas field located near the median line. Both countries also agreed to designate specific waters stretching over the median line as the joint development area.
日中は０８年、中間線に隣接する白樺ガス田を共同開発し、中間線をまたぐ特定海域を共同開発区域とすることで合意した。
In 2010, China postponed treaty negotiations on the implementation of the 2008 accord, and the talks have been suspended ever since.
中国は１０年に合意実現への条約交渉を延期し、中断したままだ。
Japan needs to demand that China stop its unilateral development and call again for China to resume the talks at an early date.
日本は、中国に開発の中止と、交渉の早期再開を改めて求める必要がある。
The possibility that China will utilize the offshore facilities for military purposes is worrying.
懸念されるのは、海上施設の軍事利用である。
China has been conducting reclamation work on rock reefs in the South China Sea and moving ahead with making these reclaimed reefs into military strongholds.
中国は南シナ海で岩礁を埋め立て、軍事拠点化を進めている。
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has pointed out the possibility of Chinese forces also utilizing the offshore facilities in the East China Sea to deploy radar and serve as operational bases for reconnaissance helicopters.
中谷防衛相は、東シナ海の海上施設についても、中国軍がレーダーを配備したり、偵察のためのヘリコプターの活動拠点として利用したりする可能性を指摘する。
China unilaterally announced in November 2013 the establishment of an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, a zone that includes the airspace over the Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture.
中国は１３年１１月、沖縄県の尖閣諸島上空を含む防空識別圏（ＡＤＩＺ）の設定を一方的に発表した。
Deploying radar near the median line would make it possible for China to cover areas that the radar on its mainland cannot.
中間線付近でのレーダー配備が実現すれば、中国本土のレーダーでカバーできなかった隙間を埋めることが可能になる。
Japan must heighten its vigilance by closely cooperating with the United States. It is also urgent to introduce a bilateral maritime liaison mechanism to avoid accidental clashes between aircraft or vessels of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese forces.
日本は米国と緊密に連携し、警戒を強化しなければならない。自衛隊と中国軍の航空機や艦船の偶発的な衝突を防ぐ「海上連絡メカニズム」の実現も急ぎたい。
It is likewise important for Japan to improve bilateral relations from the viewpoint of a strategically reciprocal relationship with China, while also continuing to assert its position regarding Japan’s sovereignty.
日本の主権に関わる主張は守りつつ、戦略的互恵の観点から日中関係を改善することも大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 23, 2015)
Japan reveals truth to stop China from accelerating maritime advance
中国ガス田開発 実態公開して自制を促したい
China’s self-serving moves to develop marine resources in violation of a bilateral agreement with Japan cannot be allowed. Japan must persistently urge Beijing to refrain from such actions.
日中間の合意に反して海洋資源を開発する中国の独善的な行為は容認できない。日本は、中国に粘り強く自制を促さねばならない。
The government announced Wednesday that China has been constructing a total of 12 new offshore platforms and related structures since June 2013 for the development of gas fields in the East China Sea, where Japan and China have yet to demarcate the boundaries.
政府は、日中の境界が画定していない東シナ海で、中国がガス田開発のため、２０１３年６月以降、新たに１２基の海洋プラットホーム（海上施設）などを建設していると発表した。
The government also posted aerial photos of the structures and a map showing their locations on the Foreign Ministry’s website.
施設の航空写真や地図も、外務省のホームページで公開した。
“It is extremely regrettable that China is unilaterally developing resources,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference Wednesday.
菅官房長官は記者会見で、「一方的な資源開発は極めて遺憾だ」と述べた。
It is appropriate for the government to convey the actual nature of China’s maritime advances to the international community, and try to restrain such actions.
中国の海洋進出の実態を国際社会に幅広く訴え、中国をけん制する狙いは適切である。
Suga said the government decided to release the map and the photos because the Chinese government has accelerated its development of natural resources in recent years, while refusing to resume negotiations on the implementation of an accord in which Japan and China agreed to cooperate on the development of natural resources in the East China Sea.
公開した理由について、中国政府が日本との共同開発の交渉に応じない一方、開発を近年、加速させていることを挙げた。
Some within the government had called for caution about releasing the photos and the map, saying it would only cause China to take a tougher line. But Japan’s taking an excessively conciliatory stance would only benefit China, which is trying to secure its interests by accumulating a number of faits accomplis.
中国が態度を硬化させるとして、政府には公開に慎重な意見があった。だが、過度の融和姿勢は既成事実を積み重ね、権益確保を狙う中国を利するだけだろう。
China’s foreign ministry responded to Japan’s criticism Wednesday by stressing that China’s development of gas fields in the East China Sea is “completely justified and legitimate.”
中国外務省は、ガス田開発について「開発活動は完全に正当で、合法だ」と強弁した。
China’s reasoning flawed
As long as the bilateral boundaries have yet to be demarcated, the development sites are within disputed waters. It is illogical for China to try to justify its actions with the reasoning that the gas fields are on the Chinese side of the Japan-China median line.
境界が未画定な以上、開発地点は、係争中の海域である。ガス田が日中中間線の中国側海域にあるという理由なら、筋が違う。
Japan and China agreed in 2008 that both countries will jointly develop the Shirakaba gas field located near the median line. Both countries also agreed to designate specific waters stretching over the median line as the joint development area.
日中は０８年、中間線に隣接する白樺ガス田を共同開発し、中間線をまたぐ特定海域を共同開発区域とすることで合意した。
In 2010, China postponed treaty negotiations on the implementation of the 2008 accord, and the talks have been suspended ever since.
中国は１０年に合意実現への条約交渉を延期し、中断したままだ。
Japan needs to demand that China stop its unilateral development and call again for China to resume the talks at an early date.
日本は、中国に開発の中止と、交渉の早期再開を改めて求める必要がある。
The possibility that China will utilize the offshore facilities for military purposes is worrying.
懸念されるのは、海上施設の軍事利用である。
China has been conducting reclamation work on rock reefs in the South China Sea and moving ahead with making these reclaimed reefs into military strongholds.
中国は南シナ海で岩礁を埋め立て、軍事拠点化を進めている。
Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has pointed out the possibility of Chinese forces also utilizing the offshore facilities in the East China Sea to deploy radar and serve as operational bases for reconnaissance helicopters.
中谷防衛相は、東シナ海の海上施設についても、中国軍がレーダーを配備したり、偵察のためのヘリコプターの活動拠点として利用したりする可能性を指摘する。
China unilaterally announced in November 2013 the establishment of an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, a zone that includes the airspace over the Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture.
中国は１３年１１月、沖縄県の尖閣諸島上空を含む防空識別圏（ＡＤＩＺ）の設定を一方的に発表した。
Deploying radar near the median line would make it possible for China to cover areas that the radar on its mainland cannot.
中間線付近でのレーダー配備が実現すれば、中国本土のレーダーでカバーできなかった隙間を埋めることが可能になる。
Japan must heighten its vigilance by closely cooperating with the United States. It is also urgent to introduce a bilateral maritime liaison mechanism to avoid accidental clashes between aircraft or vessels of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese forces.
日本は米国と緊密に連携し、警戒を強化しなければならない。自衛隊と中国軍の航空機や艦船の偶発的な衝突を防ぐ「海上連絡メカニズム」の実現も急ぎたい。
It is likewise important for Japan to improve bilateral relations from the viewpoint of a strategically reciprocal relationship with China, while also continuing to assert its position regarding Japan’s sovereignty.
日本の主権に関わる主張は守りつつ、戦略的互恵の観点から日中関係を改善することも大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 23, 2015)
2015年07月23日
（社説）防衛白書 法制を急ぐ必要はない
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 22
EDITORIAL: Defense white paper shows that security legislation can wait
（社説）防衛白書 法制を急ぐ必要はない
Where, really, was the urgency to railroad national security bills through the Lower House in the absence of public support?
国民の納得がえられないままで、安全保障関連法案の採決を強行する切迫性があったのか。
This was the question we had to ask anew upon reading the Defense Ministry's 2015 white paper, submitted to the Cabinet on July 21.
きのう閣議報告された１５年版の防衛白書を読むと、改めてそんな疑問を禁じえない。
The annual report serves to show the direction of Japan's defense policy for both domestic and overseas readerships. Predictably, this year's main topic was Japan's relations with China.
防衛白書は、日本の防衛政策の方向性を内外に示す役割がある。多くのページを割いたのはやはり中国との関係だ。
With regard to the activities of Chinese government vessels in waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands, the white paper stated, "There is a trend toward routinization, and it is possible that rules such as guidelines on the operation of the vessels have been set in place." The report also noted that "larger vessels are coming into use."
尖閣諸島周辺の中国公船の活動について、白書は「ルーチン（日常業務）化の傾向が見られる。運用要領などの基準が定まった可能性も考えられる」「公船は大型化が図られている」と分析した。
According to the Defense Ministry, Chinese government vessels are entering Japanese waters at regular intervals of three times a month--early in the month, mid-month and late in the month. The usual pattern is that two or three ships would arrive in the morning, and then leave after about two hours.
防衛省によると、中国公船が日本領海に侵入する回数は毎月３回で、上旬、中旬、下旬に１回ずつ。２、３隻が午前中に入って約２時間で出ていくパターンになっているという。
This suggests that the ships could be under Beijing's control to some degree.
だとすれば、中国当局の一定のコントロール下にあるとの見方もできる。
The Japan Coast Guard is responsible for dealing with Chinese government vessels in Japanese waters. Given that larger vessels are coming into use, discussions of a nonmilitary nature are called for, such as with respect to prioritized allocation of the defense budget to the Japan Coast Guard.
中国公船への対応は海上保安庁が担っている。公船の大型化に対しても、海上保安庁への予算の重点配分など軍事だけでない議論が必要だ。
As for clarifying the division of roles between the Japan Coast Guard and the Maritime Self-Defense Force, a package of maritime policing bills, sponsored by opposition parties, warrants discussion. However, there has been little progress on this to date.
海保と自衛隊との役割分担を明確にする点では、野党提出の領域警備法案の議論も大事だが、なお生煮えのままだ。
What the nation needs most is a crisis management policy to prevent accidental military encounters. It can be appreciated that Tokyo-Beijing talks are advancing on the early opening of a communication mechanism, such as a special hotline, between officials in the naval and air forces of the two nations. In addition, creating an environment where the leaders of the two nations can talk candidly to each other is vital to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
最も重要なのは、偶発的な軍事衝突を回避する危機管理策であり、「日中海空連絡メカニズム」の運用開始に向けて協議が進んでいることは評価できる。さらに首脳同士が率直に語り合える環境をつくることこそ、地域の平和と安定につながる。
While China's military expansion and aggressive maritime advancement cannot be overlooked, nothing can be resolved by just harping on about the perceived threat posed by China. Diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions are urgently needed.
中国の軍事力の拡大や強引な海洋進出は見過ごせないが、脅威をあおるだけで解決はできない。緊張を下げる外交努力を急がねばならない。
Another major security-related challenge concerns extremist Islamic State militants and other international terrorist organizations. The white paper stated: "A situation has arisen that can never be considered irrelevant to Japan."
もうひとつ、安全保障上の大きな課題は、過激派組織「イスラム国」（ＩＳ）をはじめとする国際テロへの対応だ。白書では「わが国も無縁とは決して言えない状況が起きている」と警戒感を示した。
But it is generally agreed that there are limits to the effectiveness of military action against acts of international terrorism that are not state sponsored. In this sense, there is no denying that the nation's proposed security legislation, which leans heavily toward the use of armed force, comes across as "behind the times."
ただ、非国家の国際テロに対しては軍事力の限界を指摘する声が一般的である。軍事に偏った安保法案は「周回遅れ」の印象がぬぐえない。
Japan is in its element when it makes nonmilitary contributions such as measures to combat poverty and contagious diseases and providing education. Japan definitely needs to hold more realistic discussions on how best to make use of its "pacifist nation" brand that has been cultivated over the last 70 years since the end of World War II.
貧困対策や感染症対策、教育支援などテロの根を断つ非軍事の貢献こそ日本にふさわしい。戦後７０年かけて培ってきた「平和国家日本」のブランドをどう生かしていくか、現実的な議論をもっと深める必要がある。
The defense white paper is read closely by China and other neighboring nations. We would like it to become more of a vehicle for conveying constructive messages that will foster greater mutual trust with each nation.
防衛白書は中国をはじめ近隣諸国も注目している。白書の記述を通じて、各国と信頼醸成をはかる。そんな建設的な発信ができないものか。
EDITORIAL: Defense white paper shows that security legislation can wait
（社説）防衛白書 法制を急ぐ必要はない
Where, really, was the urgency to railroad national security bills through the Lower House in the absence of public support?
国民の納得がえられないままで、安全保障関連法案の採決を強行する切迫性があったのか。
This was the question we had to ask anew upon reading the Defense Ministry's 2015 white paper, submitted to the Cabinet on July 21.
きのう閣議報告された１５年版の防衛白書を読むと、改めてそんな疑問を禁じえない。
The annual report serves to show the direction of Japan's defense policy for both domestic and overseas readerships. Predictably, this year's main topic was Japan's relations with China.
防衛白書は、日本の防衛政策の方向性を内外に示す役割がある。多くのページを割いたのはやはり中国との関係だ。
With regard to the activities of Chinese government vessels in waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands, the white paper stated, "There is a trend toward routinization, and it is possible that rules such as guidelines on the operation of the vessels have been set in place." The report also noted that "larger vessels are coming into use."
尖閣諸島周辺の中国公船の活動について、白書は「ルーチン（日常業務）化の傾向が見られる。運用要領などの基準が定まった可能性も考えられる」「公船は大型化が図られている」と分析した。
According to the Defense Ministry, Chinese government vessels are entering Japanese waters at regular intervals of three times a month--early in the month, mid-month and late in the month. The usual pattern is that two or three ships would arrive in the morning, and then leave after about two hours.
防衛省によると、中国公船が日本領海に侵入する回数は毎月３回で、上旬、中旬、下旬に１回ずつ。２、３隻が午前中に入って約２時間で出ていくパターンになっているという。
This suggests that the ships could be under Beijing's control to some degree.
だとすれば、中国当局の一定のコントロール下にあるとの見方もできる。
The Japan Coast Guard is responsible for dealing with Chinese government vessels in Japanese waters. Given that larger vessels are coming into use, discussions of a nonmilitary nature are called for, such as with respect to prioritized allocation of the defense budget to the Japan Coast Guard.
中国公船への対応は海上保安庁が担っている。公船の大型化に対しても、海上保安庁への予算の重点配分など軍事だけでない議論が必要だ。
As for clarifying the division of roles between the Japan Coast Guard and the Maritime Self-Defense Force, a package of maritime policing bills, sponsored by opposition parties, warrants discussion. However, there has been little progress on this to date.
海保と自衛隊との役割分担を明確にする点では、野党提出の領域警備法案の議論も大事だが、なお生煮えのままだ。
What the nation needs most is a crisis management policy to prevent accidental military encounters. It can be appreciated that Tokyo-Beijing talks are advancing on the early opening of a communication mechanism, such as a special hotline, between officials in the naval and air forces of the two nations. In addition, creating an environment where the leaders of the two nations can talk candidly to each other is vital to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
最も重要なのは、偶発的な軍事衝突を回避する危機管理策であり、「日中海空連絡メカニズム」の運用開始に向けて協議が進んでいることは評価できる。さらに首脳同士が率直に語り合える環境をつくることこそ、地域の平和と安定につながる。
While China's military expansion and aggressive maritime advancement cannot be overlooked, nothing can be resolved by just harping on about the perceived threat posed by China. Diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions are urgently needed.
中国の軍事力の拡大や強引な海洋進出は見過ごせないが、脅威をあおるだけで解決はできない。緊張を下げる外交努力を急がねばならない。
Another major security-related challenge concerns extremist Islamic State militants and other international terrorist organizations. The white paper stated: "A situation has arisen that can never be considered irrelevant to Japan."
もうひとつ、安全保障上の大きな課題は、過激派組織「イスラム国」（ＩＳ）をはじめとする国際テロへの対応だ。白書では「わが国も無縁とは決して言えない状況が起きている」と警戒感を示した。
But it is generally agreed that there are limits to the effectiveness of military action against acts of international terrorism that are not state sponsored. In this sense, there is no denying that the nation's proposed security legislation, which leans heavily toward the use of armed force, comes across as "behind the times."
ただ、非国家の国際テロに対しては軍事力の限界を指摘する声が一般的である。軍事に偏った安保法案は「周回遅れ」の印象がぬぐえない。
Japan is in its element when it makes nonmilitary contributions such as measures to combat poverty and contagious diseases and providing education. Japan definitely needs to hold more realistic discussions on how best to make use of its "pacifist nation" brand that has been cultivated over the last 70 years since the end of World War II.
貧困対策や感染症対策、教育支援などテロの根を断つ非軍事の貢献こそ日本にふさわしい。戦後７０年かけて培ってきた「平和国家日本」のブランドをどう生かしていくか、現実的な議論をもっと深める必要がある。
The defense white paper is read closely by China and other neighboring nations. We would like it to become more of a vehicle for conveying constructive messages that will foster greater mutual trust with each nation.
防衛白書は中国をはじめ近隣諸国も注目している。白書の記述を通じて、各国と信頼醸成をはかる。そんな建設的な発信ができないものか。
2015年07月22日
（社説）弁護士拘束 中国国民の権利損なう
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 19
EDITORIAL: 1.3 billion Chinese lose in Xi’s crackdown on human rights lawyers
（社説）弁護士拘束 中国国民の権利損なう
July 10 is now known as “Black Friday” by people concerned about human rights in China.
中国の人権問題に関心を寄せる人々の間で７月１０日は「暗黒の金曜日」と呼ばれている。
On that day, police detained human rights lawyers and activists in various parts of the nation in a large-scale concerted crackdown on people working for the cause.
各地で人権派の弁護士、活動家が警察によって一斉に連行された。その後も摘発が続き、取り調べの対象者は２００人を超えた。見過ごせない暴挙である。
Chinese authorities have continued the roundup in the ensuing days, interrogating more than 200 people so far. This is an outrageous act that cannot be overlooked.
The main target of the crackdown is Fengrui, a law firm in Beijing. People linked to Fengrui are still being held in custody.
主な標的となったのは北京の弁護士事務所で、その関係者は拘束されたままだ。
Those who were rounded up in other parts of the nation, such as Hunan province, Shanghai and Henan province, are suspected to have links to Fengrui.
ほかに湖南省、上海、河南省など各地で取り調べを受けた人々は、この事務所と関係があると見なされたようだ。
These civil-rights lawyers have been acting as defenders of the rights of ordinary people petitioning the authorities in various cases, including forced evictions from their homes.
弁護士らは、立ち退きなど様々な問題に巻き込まれて役所に陳情する庶民に寄り添ってきた。
The lawyers play an important role for improving the human rights situation in China, and such an attack on these lawyers and activists could cause serious damage to the rights of the entire Chinese public.
中国社会の人権を巡る状況を改善していくうえで貴重な担い手である。彼らを狙い撃ちにする行為は、ひろく国民の権利全体を損なうことにつながる。
Beijing has used the state-controlled media to demonize the law firm as “a criminal organization that has disturbed social order.”
中国政府は国営メディアを通じ、この弁護士事務所に「社会秩序を乱す犯罪集団」のレッテル貼りをしている。
The accusation refers to Fengrui’s use of the Internet to draw public attention to cases of civil rights violations concerning disputes between police and local residents.
住民と警官とのトラブルを問題としてことさらに取り上げ、ネットで広めた行為などを指している。
According to the government’s logic, all protests against the actions of authorities qualify as “anti-government” activities.
政府の主張に沿えば、異議申し立てはすべて「反政府」になってしまう。
The latest move against civil-rights lawyers came just about two months after Pu Zhiqiang, a widely known human rights lawyer, was formally indicted in May.
５月には良心的弁護士として広く知られた浦志強氏が起訴されたばかりだ。
Nearly 1,000 human rights activists were detained in China last year, according to some reports.
昨年中国で拘束された人権活動家は１千人近くに上ると言われる。
The administration of President Xi Jinping has been suppressing, with unprecedented harshness, people working for the protection of human rights in the country.
習近平（シーチンピン）政権になってからの弾圧ぶりはかつてない厳しさだ。
Since China started reforming its economy and opening its door to the outside world, two main forces have been fighting each other for dominance.
改革開放以後、中国では二つの力がせめぎ合っている。
One is the newfound power of citizens supported by the rising standards of living and education. While they certainly have a conservative side, Chinese citizens have grown increasingly conscious of their life-related rights and have acquired the ability to take action.
一つは生活水準や教育水準の向上を背景とする、市民の力だ。彼らは保守的な一面を持ちながらも、生活にかかわる権利意識があり、行動する力量を備えてきている。
Pitted against the power of citizens is the Communist Party’s political power to suppress dissenting voices in order to protect its one-party rule. This political power has been asserted aggressively by the Xi administration.
これに対するものが、一党支配を守ろうと異論を抑え込む力だ。習政権に顕著なものだ。
China’s 2004 constitutional amendments added a provision stipulating, “The state respects and preserves human rights.” The Constitution also guarantees freedom of speech, assembly and association.
中国は０４年の憲法改正で「国家は人権を尊重し、保障する」という条項を加えた。もとより言論や集会、結社の自由も規定されている。
But there is no system in place to ensure that these constitutional provisions are enforced. As a result, they are effectively dead provisions.
だが、実効あるものにする制度はなく、空文に等しい。
Meanwhile, a sweeping new national security law that came into force on July 1 could only reinforce the government’s inclination to restrict the rights of citizens under the pretext of national security. In early July, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein expressed concern about the human rights implications of the new security law.
逆に、今月１日に施行された国家安全法は、安全の名のもとに市民の権利を制限する傾向を助長しかねず、さきに国連人権高等弁務官も懸念を表明した。
In a key party conference held last autumn, the Xi administration pledged to promote wholeheartedly national governance based on law.
習政権は昨年秋、共産党の会議で「法にもとづく国家統治の全面的推進」を打ち出した。
If what is happening in China is any indication, however, the law here actually means a stick to suppress citizens rather than a shield to protect them.
起きていることを見る限り、そこで言う法とは、市民の権利を守る盾ではなく、市民を抑え込むこん棒である。
We are deeply concerned about the prospect that China’s 1.3 billion people will remain trapped in a miserable human rights situation that is far from the rule of law.
１３億人が法治にほど遠い状況に置かれ続けることを深く憂慮する。
EDITORIAL: 1.3 billion Chinese lose in Xi’s crackdown on human rights lawyers
（社説）弁護士拘束 中国国民の権利損なう
July 10 is now known as “Black Friday” by people concerned about human rights in China.
中国の人権問題に関心を寄せる人々の間で７月１０日は「暗黒の金曜日」と呼ばれている。
On that day, police detained human rights lawyers and activists in various parts of the nation in a large-scale concerted crackdown on people working for the cause.
各地で人権派の弁護士、活動家が警察によって一斉に連行された。その後も摘発が続き、取り調べの対象者は２００人を超えた。見過ごせない暴挙である。
Chinese authorities have continued the roundup in the ensuing days, interrogating more than 200 people so far. This is an outrageous act that cannot be overlooked.
The main target of the crackdown is Fengrui, a law firm in Beijing. People linked to Fengrui are still being held in custody.
主な標的となったのは北京の弁護士事務所で、その関係者は拘束されたままだ。
Those who were rounded up in other parts of the nation, such as Hunan province, Shanghai and Henan province, are suspected to have links to Fengrui.
ほかに湖南省、上海、河南省など各地で取り調べを受けた人々は、この事務所と関係があると見なされたようだ。
These civil-rights lawyers have been acting as defenders of the rights of ordinary people petitioning the authorities in various cases, including forced evictions from their homes.
弁護士らは、立ち退きなど様々な問題に巻き込まれて役所に陳情する庶民に寄り添ってきた。
The lawyers play an important role for improving the human rights situation in China, and such an attack on these lawyers and activists could cause serious damage to the rights of the entire Chinese public.
中国社会の人権を巡る状況を改善していくうえで貴重な担い手である。彼らを狙い撃ちにする行為は、ひろく国民の権利全体を損なうことにつながる。
Beijing has used the state-controlled media to demonize the law firm as “a criminal organization that has disturbed social order.”
中国政府は国営メディアを通じ、この弁護士事務所に「社会秩序を乱す犯罪集団」のレッテル貼りをしている。
The accusation refers to Fengrui’s use of the Internet to draw public attention to cases of civil rights violations concerning disputes between police and local residents.
住民と警官とのトラブルを問題としてことさらに取り上げ、ネットで広めた行為などを指している。
According to the government’s logic, all protests against the actions of authorities qualify as “anti-government” activities.
政府の主張に沿えば、異議申し立てはすべて「反政府」になってしまう。
The latest move against civil-rights lawyers came just about two months after Pu Zhiqiang, a widely known human rights lawyer, was formally indicted in May.
５月には良心的弁護士として広く知られた浦志強氏が起訴されたばかりだ。
Nearly 1,000 human rights activists were detained in China last year, according to some reports.
昨年中国で拘束された人権活動家は１千人近くに上ると言われる。
The administration of President Xi Jinping has been suppressing, with unprecedented harshness, people working for the protection of human rights in the country.
習近平（シーチンピン）政権になってからの弾圧ぶりはかつてない厳しさだ。
Since China started reforming its economy and opening its door to the outside world, two main forces have been fighting each other for dominance.
改革開放以後、中国では二つの力がせめぎ合っている。
One is the newfound power of citizens supported by the rising standards of living and education. While they certainly have a conservative side, Chinese citizens have grown increasingly conscious of their life-related rights and have acquired the ability to take action.
一つは生活水準や教育水準の向上を背景とする、市民の力だ。彼らは保守的な一面を持ちながらも、生活にかかわる権利意識があり、行動する力量を備えてきている。
Pitted against the power of citizens is the Communist Party’s political power to suppress dissenting voices in order to protect its one-party rule. This political power has been asserted aggressively by the Xi administration.
これに対するものが、一党支配を守ろうと異論を抑え込む力だ。習政権に顕著なものだ。
China’s 2004 constitutional amendments added a provision stipulating, “The state respects and preserves human rights.” The Constitution also guarantees freedom of speech, assembly and association.
中国は０４年の憲法改正で「国家は人権を尊重し、保障する」という条項を加えた。もとより言論や集会、結社の自由も規定されている。
But there is no system in place to ensure that these constitutional provisions are enforced. As a result, they are effectively dead provisions.
だが、実効あるものにする制度はなく、空文に等しい。
Meanwhile, a sweeping new national security law that came into force on July 1 could only reinforce the government’s inclination to restrict the rights of citizens under the pretext of national security. In early July, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein expressed concern about the human rights implications of the new security law.
逆に、今月１日に施行された国家安全法は、安全の名のもとに市民の権利を制限する傾向を助長しかねず、さきに国連人権高等弁務官も懸念を表明した。
In a key party conference held last autumn, the Xi administration pledged to promote wholeheartedly national governance based on law.
習政権は昨年秋、共産党の会議で「法にもとづく国家統治の全面的推進」を打ち出した。
If what is happening in China is any indication, however, the law here actually means a stick to suppress citizens rather than a shield to protect them.
起きていることを見る限り、そこで言う法とは、市民の権利を守る盾ではなく、市民を抑え込むこん棒である。
We are deeply concerned about the prospect that China’s 1.3 billion people will remain trapped in a miserable human rights situation that is far from the rule of law.
１３億人が法治にほど遠い状況に置かれ続けることを深く憂慮する。