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2014年04月05日
最高裁新長官 違憲審査権の適切な行使を
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 03, 2014
Top court under new chief must use power of judicial review appropriately
最高裁新長官 違憲審査権の適切な行使を
In realizing a judiciary that can be trusted by the people, the new chief justice has his work cut out for him.
国民に信頼される司法の実現に向けて、新長官の手腕が問われよう。
Itsuro Terada has become the 18th chief justice of the Supreme Court. His father, Jiro Terada, was the 10th chief justice. It marks the first time for a father and son to have both assumed the post.
最高裁の第１８代長官に寺田逸郎・最高裁判事が就任した。父親の治郎氏も第１０代長官を務めた。初の親子２代の長官就任である。
Terada, a former judge, worked for many years at the Justice Ministry and on tasks such as the development of legal systems related to the Civil Code. He has likely been appointed as the chief justice due to his knowledge of not only the judiciary, but also the legislative process and public administration.
寺田氏は裁判官出身だが、法務省勤務が長く、民事関係の法整備などに携わった経歴を持つ。司法だけでなく、立法や行政の分野にも精通している点が評価されての起用と言えるだろう。
What is expected from the new chief justice, among other things, is firmly establishing reforms in the justice system within society, an ongoing process that Terada was involved in when he was at the Justice Ministry.
新長官にまず期待されるのは、寺田氏自身が法務省時代に関与した司法制度改革の定着だ。
The reforms, which aimed to create a justice system that the public would feel close to and find useful, have achieved tangible results.
身近で使い勝手の良い司法を目指す改革は、一定の成果を上げている。
The lay judge system, one of the reforms’ key features, will have been in force for five years in May. Although the system was implemented without major confusion, it is a cause of concern that among those who have served as lay judges, the number of people who say that the trial process is “easily comprehensible” has been declining.
改革の目玉だった裁判員制度は５月で施行５年を迎える。大きな混乱もなく実施されているが、「審理が理解しやすかった」という裁判員経験者の声が減少傾向にあるのは気がかりだ。
In implementing the lay judge system, the court intended to improve the level of interaction within the judiciary during the trial, such as during witness examination. But there has been much criticism that trials have often been conducted on the basis of written documentation, mainly with records of pretrial interrogation being read out.
制度施行にあたっては、証人尋問など公判でのやりとりを充実させるはずだった。ところが、調書を読み上げる書面中心の審理が目立つとの批判が多い。
We hope the new chief justice will exercise his leadership so that trials are conducted in an easy-to- understand manner.
わかりやすい審理を徹底するよう、寺田氏は指導力を発揮してほしい。
Respect other branches
The court has the power of judicial review to evaluate the constitutionality of laws and administrative procedures, with the final judgment to be made by the Supreme Court.
裁判所は、法律や行政手続きが憲法に適合するかどうかを監視する違憲審査権を持つ。
最終判断を担うのが最高裁だ。
Trials involving constitutional judgments are examined by all 15 justices on the grand bench, with Terada serving as chief judge.
憲法判断が絡む裁判は、１５人の裁判官全員による大法廷で審理され、寺田氏が裁判長を務める。
The power of judicial review is an important source of authority in a nation ruled by law. But from the viewpoint of the separation of administrative, legislative and judiciary powers, it is essential to heed the discretion of the legislative and executive branches when exercising the power.
違憲審査権は法治国家における重要な権限だが、行使には、三権分立の立場から、国会や行政の裁量権への目配りが欠かせない。
The top court’s stance has been deemed questionable in this respect, as indicated by its ruling on vote-value disparity.
その観点で疑問なのは、「１票の格差」を巡る判決の中で示された最高裁の姿勢である。
In a ruling that described the 2009 House of Representatives election to have been in “a state of unconstitutionality,” the grand bench said that the vote-value disparity primarily stems from the current seat-distribution system. The system allots one seat to each prefecture as a quota before deciding the number of seats that should be allocated to its single-seat section of the election in proportion to its population. The court called for an immediate abolition of the distribution formula.
２００９年の衆院選を「違憲状態」とした判決で、大法廷は、まず各都道府県に小選挙区の１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因だと指摘し、速やかな廃止を求めた。
In a ruling that also stated the 2012 lower house election to have been in “a state of unconstitutionality,” the top court said structural problems in the distribution of the quota of seats for single-seat constituencies had not been resolved.
１２年衆院選を違憲状態とした判決でも、別枠方式の構造問題は解決されていないと言及した。
It can be said that the top court has gone so far as to step into the legislative branch’s sphere of discretion, going beyond making a judgment on the constitutionality of a vote-value disparity.
格差が合憲か違憲かの判断にとどまらず、立法府の裁量の範囲にまで踏み込んだと言える。
The issue of whether a framework concerning Diet seat distribution should be abolished is one that must be judged by the Diet. The top court must exercise its power of judicial review appropriately.
議席配分に関する仕組みの存廃は、国会が判断すべき事柄だろう。最高裁には、違憲審査権の適切な行使が求められる。
The Supreme Court is the “last bastion” in the three-tiered system of justice.
最高裁は、３審制における「最後の砦とりで」でもある。
It is vital that, under the new chief justice, each justice on the top court properly evaluates the conclusions reached by lower courts, so that there are no more victims of false accusation.
万が一にも冤罪えんざいの被害者を出さぬよう、寺田新長官の下、最高裁の各裁判官は、下級審の結論をしっかりチェックすることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 3, 2014)
Top court under new chief must use power of judicial review appropriately
最高裁新長官 違憲審査権の適切な行使を
In realizing a judiciary that can be trusted by the people, the new chief justice has his work cut out for him.
国民に信頼される司法の実現に向けて、新長官の手腕が問われよう。
Itsuro Terada has become the 18th chief justice of the Supreme Court. His father, Jiro Terada, was the 10th chief justice. It marks the first time for a father and son to have both assumed the post.
最高裁の第１８代長官に寺田逸郎・最高裁判事が就任した。父親の治郎氏も第１０代長官を務めた。初の親子２代の長官就任である。
Terada, a former judge, worked for many years at the Justice Ministry and on tasks such as the development of legal systems related to the Civil Code. He has likely been appointed as the chief justice due to his knowledge of not only the judiciary, but also the legislative process and public administration.
寺田氏は裁判官出身だが、法務省勤務が長く、民事関係の法整備などに携わった経歴を持つ。司法だけでなく、立法や行政の分野にも精通している点が評価されての起用と言えるだろう。
What is expected from the new chief justice, among other things, is firmly establishing reforms in the justice system within society, an ongoing process that Terada was involved in when he was at the Justice Ministry.
新長官にまず期待されるのは、寺田氏自身が法務省時代に関与した司法制度改革の定着だ。
The reforms, which aimed to create a justice system that the public would feel close to and find useful, have achieved tangible results.
身近で使い勝手の良い司法を目指す改革は、一定の成果を上げている。
The lay judge system, one of the reforms’ key features, will have been in force for five years in May. Although the system was implemented without major confusion, it is a cause of concern that among those who have served as lay judges, the number of people who say that the trial process is “easily comprehensible” has been declining.
改革の目玉だった裁判員制度は５月で施行５年を迎える。大きな混乱もなく実施されているが、「審理が理解しやすかった」という裁判員経験者の声が減少傾向にあるのは気がかりだ。
In implementing the lay judge system, the court intended to improve the level of interaction within the judiciary during the trial, such as during witness examination. But there has been much criticism that trials have often been conducted on the basis of written documentation, mainly with records of pretrial interrogation being read out.
制度施行にあたっては、証人尋問など公判でのやりとりを充実させるはずだった。ところが、調書を読み上げる書面中心の審理が目立つとの批判が多い。
We hope the new chief justice will exercise his leadership so that trials are conducted in an easy-to- understand manner.
わかりやすい審理を徹底するよう、寺田氏は指導力を発揮してほしい。
Respect other branches
The court has the power of judicial review to evaluate the constitutionality of laws and administrative procedures, with the final judgment to be made by the Supreme Court.
裁判所は、法律や行政手続きが憲法に適合するかどうかを監視する違憲審査権を持つ。
最終判断を担うのが最高裁だ。
Trials involving constitutional judgments are examined by all 15 justices on the grand bench, with Terada serving as chief judge.
憲法判断が絡む裁判は、１５人の裁判官全員による大法廷で審理され、寺田氏が裁判長を務める。
The power of judicial review is an important source of authority in a nation ruled by law. But from the viewpoint of the separation of administrative, legislative and judiciary powers, it is essential to heed the discretion of the legislative and executive branches when exercising the power.
違憲審査権は法治国家における重要な権限だが、行使には、三権分立の立場から、国会や行政の裁量権への目配りが欠かせない。
The top court’s stance has been deemed questionable in this respect, as indicated by its ruling on vote-value disparity.
その観点で疑問なのは、「１票の格差」を巡る判決の中で示された最高裁の姿勢である。
In a ruling that described the 2009 House of Representatives election to have been in “a state of unconstitutionality,” the grand bench said that the vote-value disparity primarily stems from the current seat-distribution system. The system allots one seat to each prefecture as a quota before deciding the number of seats that should be allocated to its single-seat section of the election in proportion to its population. The court called for an immediate abolition of the distribution formula.
２００９年の衆院選を「違憲状態」とした判決で、大法廷は、まず各都道府県に小選挙区の１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因だと指摘し、速やかな廃止を求めた。
In a ruling that also stated the 2012 lower house election to have been in “a state of unconstitutionality,” the top court said structural problems in the distribution of the quota of seats for single-seat constituencies had not been resolved.
１２年衆院選を違憲状態とした判決でも、別枠方式の構造問題は解決されていないと言及した。
It can be said that the top court has gone so far as to step into the legislative branch’s sphere of discretion, going beyond making a judgment on the constitutionality of a vote-value disparity.
格差が合憲か違憲かの判断にとどまらず、立法府の裁量の範囲にまで踏み込んだと言える。
The issue of whether a framework concerning Diet seat distribution should be abolished is one that must be judged by the Diet. The top court must exercise its power of judicial review appropriately.
議席配分に関する仕組みの存廃は、国会が判断すべき事柄だろう。最高裁には、違憲審査権の適切な行使が求められる。
The Supreme Court is the “last bastion” in the three-tiered system of justice.
最高裁は、３審制における「最後の砦とりで」でもある。
It is vital that, under the new chief justice, each justice on the top court properly evaluates the conclusions reached by lower courts, so that there are no more victims of false accusation.
万が一にも冤罪えんざいの被害者を出さぬよう、寺田新長官の下、最高裁の各裁判官は、下級審の結論をしっかりチェックすることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 3, 2014)
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2014年04月04日
ＳＴＡＰ問題 再発防止へ全体像を解明せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 02, 2014
Truth about STAP fabrication case must be uncovered
ＳＴＡＰ問題 再発防止へ全体像を解明せよ
The controversy over two articles written by an international team led by a RIKEN researcher, about what it calls stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP), must be regarded as a situation that seriously affects this nation’s scientific research. Japan’s scientific efforts are at risk of losing international confidence.
日本の科学研究に対する国際的な信用を損なうゆゆしき事態である。
On Tuesday, RIKEN’s investigative committee published a final report that concluded the papers in question contained “deliberate alterations and fabrication.”
ＳＴＡＰ細胞の論文について、理化学研究所の調査委員会が「意図的な改ざんと捏造ねつぞうがあった」とする最終報告書を発表した。
RIKEN has said it will urge the team led by Haruko Obokata, the lead author of the theses, to retract them.
理研は、論文の筆頭著者である小保方晴子ユニットリーダーらに論文撤回を勧告するという。
RIKEN’s authority has been dealt a serious blow, only two months after the team drew international attention to papers claiming success in creating the STAP cell as “a third kind of pluripotent cell.” What were the factors behind this? We hope RIKEN will keep trying to uncover the whole truth, including whether the STAP cell truly exists.
「第３の万能細胞」として世界的に注目を集めた発表から、わずか２か月で、理研の権威は大きく傷ついた。なぜこのようなことになったのか。理研は引き続き、ＳＴＡＰ細胞の存在の真偽も含め、全容解明に努めてもらいたい。
Through fact-finding interviews with people involved with the papers in question, the investigative panel has declared that Obokata was solely responsible for misconduct that included alterations to an image used in the articles.
調査委は、関係者からの聞き取り調査などを行い、画像の加工などについて、小保方氏単独の不正行為があったと断定した。
The RIKEN committee has concluded that several photos used in the articles were “fabricated.” This conclusion is particularly disconcerting in that the images in question were claimed by the team as evidence proving the pluripotency of STAP cells. The authenticity of the papers has been fundamentally shaken.
特に深刻なのは、ＳＴＡＰ細胞の万能性を示す証拠とされた画像を「捏造に当たる」と結論づけた点だ。論文の信ぴょう性が根底から揺らいだと言えよう。
The panel also mentioned inadequacies attributable to figures with ties to RIKEN, whose names were included in the list of the papers’ coauthors. Its report said these people had not done enough to fulfill their duties related to the articles, including the examination of the data presented by Obokata.
調査委は、論文の共著者の理研関係者について、小保方氏が示したデータのチェックなどに不十分な点があったとも指摘した。
When the papers about the STAP method were published in January, RIKEN officials spoke with a unified voice in praising the achievement claimed by Obokata’s team. They emphasized the discovery had been made possible as a result of veteran scientists supporting the innovative ideas generated by such a young researcher.
論文の発表時に理研は、若手の斬新なアイデアをベテランの共著者が支えたと強調し、研究所一丸となった成果を誇っていた。
Ignored rules
However, the results of the panel’s investigation brought to light the carelessness evident in the process of putting the papers together, as the scientists involved failed to properly communicate with each other.
だが、調査結果から浮き彫りになったのは、研究者間の意思疎通を欠いたまま進められたずさんな論文作成の実態だ。
RIKEN has kept in place a set of regulations aimed at preventing its staff from conducting dishonest research activities. The rules include an obligation to ensure procedures, facts and data related to experiments are appropriately written into laboratory notebooks, while also properly preserving these records. Also included in the rules is to thoroughly confirm what kind of responsibility is to be assumed by each coauthor of an article.
理研は、不正な研究を防ぐため、実験手順やデータを記録する実験ノートの適切な記載と保管、論文の著者間の責任分担確認などを徹底させる規定を設けている。
Obokata was found to have retained such records only in two notebooks over the past three years. It has also been discovered that the notebooks only contained fragmentary and undated facts and data.
それにもかかわらず、小保方氏の実験ノートは、３年間で２冊だけで、日付も記入されていない断片的な内容だったという。
In a statement issued about the results of the investigation, she has called the report totally unacceptable. Obokata also said she would file a complaint against Riken. However, if she wants to rebut the results of the investigation, Obokata must appear in public and explain the grounds on which her assertion is based.
小保方氏は調査結果について「とても承服できない」とのコメントを発表した。理研に不服申し立てを行うという。反論があるのなら、小保方氏は公の場できちんと根拠を説明せねばならない。
The dispute over the papers is believed to affect a government plan to name RIKEN as a specified national research and development corporation under a new designation system.
理研を「特定国立研究開発法人」に指定する政府の方針にも影響が出よう。
Large salaries would be paid to attract excellent researchers. RIKEN needs, first and foremost, to enhance its governance as a research institution while also implementing steps to prevent a similar incident from taking place again.
優秀な研究者を高給で集める新制度だが、理研がガバナンス（組織統治）を確立し、再発防止を図ることがまずは必要だ。
The STAP case has raised questions about reporting news on scientific discoveries.
今回の問題は、科学報道のあり方に課題を突きつけた。
Any science paper that has just been published is to be regarded as showing that theories and advancements documented therein are in the process of being verified.
Such theories often prove to be misconceived.
論文発表は、「仮説」の検証過程であり、後に誤認が判明することも多い。
Even an achievement that scientists claim can overturn long-held beliefs has the possibility of turning out to be false.
常識を覆すとされる成果でも、その可能性はある。
We must all be reminded of the importance of reporting scientific news objectively and calmly.
客観的で冷静な報道の重要性を改めて肝に銘じたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 2, 2014)
Truth about STAP fabrication case must be uncovered
ＳＴＡＰ問題 再発防止へ全体像を解明せよ
The controversy over two articles written by an international team led by a RIKEN researcher, about what it calls stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP), must be regarded as a situation that seriously affects this nation’s scientific research. Japan’s scientific efforts are at risk of losing international confidence.
日本の科学研究に対する国際的な信用を損なうゆゆしき事態である。
On Tuesday, RIKEN’s investigative committee published a final report that concluded the papers in question contained “deliberate alterations and fabrication.”
ＳＴＡＰ細胞の論文について、理化学研究所の調査委員会が「意図的な改ざんと捏造ねつぞうがあった」とする最終報告書を発表した。
RIKEN has said it will urge the team led by Haruko Obokata, the lead author of the theses, to retract them.
理研は、論文の筆頭著者である小保方晴子ユニットリーダーらに論文撤回を勧告するという。
RIKEN’s authority has been dealt a serious blow, only two months after the team drew international attention to papers claiming success in creating the STAP cell as “a third kind of pluripotent cell.” What were the factors behind this? We hope RIKEN will keep trying to uncover the whole truth, including whether the STAP cell truly exists.
「第３の万能細胞」として世界的に注目を集めた発表から、わずか２か月で、理研の権威は大きく傷ついた。なぜこのようなことになったのか。理研は引き続き、ＳＴＡＰ細胞の存在の真偽も含め、全容解明に努めてもらいたい。
Through fact-finding interviews with people involved with the papers in question, the investigative panel has declared that Obokata was solely responsible for misconduct that included alterations to an image used in the articles.
調査委は、関係者からの聞き取り調査などを行い、画像の加工などについて、小保方氏単独の不正行為があったと断定した。
The RIKEN committee has concluded that several photos used in the articles were “fabricated.” This conclusion is particularly disconcerting in that the images in question were claimed by the team as evidence proving the pluripotency of STAP cells. The authenticity of the papers has been fundamentally shaken.
特に深刻なのは、ＳＴＡＰ細胞の万能性を示す証拠とされた画像を「捏造に当たる」と結論づけた点だ。論文の信ぴょう性が根底から揺らいだと言えよう。
The panel also mentioned inadequacies attributable to figures with ties to RIKEN, whose names were included in the list of the papers’ coauthors. Its report said these people had not done enough to fulfill their duties related to the articles, including the examination of the data presented by Obokata.
調査委は、論文の共著者の理研関係者について、小保方氏が示したデータのチェックなどに不十分な点があったとも指摘した。
When the papers about the STAP method were published in January, RIKEN officials spoke with a unified voice in praising the achievement claimed by Obokata’s team. They emphasized the discovery had been made possible as a result of veteran scientists supporting the innovative ideas generated by such a young researcher.
論文の発表時に理研は、若手の斬新なアイデアをベテランの共著者が支えたと強調し、研究所一丸となった成果を誇っていた。
Ignored rules
However, the results of the panel’s investigation brought to light the carelessness evident in the process of putting the papers together, as the scientists involved failed to properly communicate with each other.
だが、調査結果から浮き彫りになったのは、研究者間の意思疎通を欠いたまま進められたずさんな論文作成の実態だ。
RIKEN has kept in place a set of regulations aimed at preventing its staff from conducting dishonest research activities. The rules include an obligation to ensure procedures, facts and data related to experiments are appropriately written into laboratory notebooks, while also properly preserving these records. Also included in the rules is to thoroughly confirm what kind of responsibility is to be assumed by each coauthor of an article.
理研は、不正な研究を防ぐため、実験手順やデータを記録する実験ノートの適切な記載と保管、論文の著者間の責任分担確認などを徹底させる規定を設けている。
Obokata was found to have retained such records only in two notebooks over the past three years. It has also been discovered that the notebooks only contained fragmentary and undated facts and data.
それにもかかわらず、小保方氏の実験ノートは、３年間で２冊だけで、日付も記入されていない断片的な内容だったという。
In a statement issued about the results of the investigation, she has called the report totally unacceptable. Obokata also said she would file a complaint against Riken. However, if she wants to rebut the results of the investigation, Obokata must appear in public and explain the grounds on which her assertion is based.
小保方氏は調査結果について「とても承服できない」とのコメントを発表した。理研に不服申し立てを行うという。反論があるのなら、小保方氏は公の場できちんと根拠を説明せねばならない。
The dispute over the papers is believed to affect a government plan to name RIKEN as a specified national research and development corporation under a new designation system.
理研を「特定国立研究開発法人」に指定する政府の方針にも影響が出よう。
Large salaries would be paid to attract excellent researchers. RIKEN needs, first and foremost, to enhance its governance as a research institution while also implementing steps to prevent a similar incident from taking place again.
優秀な研究者を高給で集める新制度だが、理研がガバナンス（組織統治）を確立し、再発防止を図ることがまずは必要だ。
The STAP case has raised questions about reporting news on scientific discoveries.
今回の問題は、科学報道のあり方に課題を突きつけた。
Any science paper that has just been published is to be regarded as showing that theories and advancements documented therein are in the process of being verified.
Such theories often prove to be misconceived.
論文発表は、「仮説」の検証過程であり、後に誤認が判明することも多い。
Even an achievement that scientists claim can overturn long-held beliefs has the possibility of turning out to be false.
常識を覆すとされる成果でも、その可能性はある。
We must all be reminded of the importance of reporting scientific news objectively and calmly.
客観的で冷静な報道の重要性を改めて肝に銘じたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 2, 2014)
2014年04月03日
習氏「南京」発言 一方的な主張は看過できない
The Yomiuri Shimbun April 01, 2014
Xi’s unilateral claims on history issues must not go unanswered
習氏「南京」発言 一方的な主張は看過できない
While visiting another country, Chinese President Xi Jinping made assertions on history issues as if they were cut-and-dried facts, even though these issues are perceived differently by Japan. His remarks cannot be ignored.
中国の習近平国家主席が、日中で見解の異なる歴史問題を巡り、自らの一方的主張を客観的事実であるかのように第三国で訴えた。看過できない行為である。
In a recent lecture meeting in Germany, Xi stated that “more than 300,000 people were massacred” in the 1937 Nanjing Incident perpetrated by the former Imperial Japanese Army. He emphasized to the international community that China was a “victim” by mentioning only the figure claimed by his government.
習氏はドイツでの講演で、旧日本軍による１９３７年の南京事件について、「３０万人以上が虐殺された」と述べた。中国政府の主張する数字だけを示して、中国の「被害者」としての立場を国際社会に強調したものだ。
The Japanese government has admitted that the Nanjing Incident took place and the victims included noncombatants, but takes the stand that it is difficult to determine how many people died.
日本政府は、南京事件で非戦闘員の殺害などがあったことを認めている。だが、犠牲者数の確定は難しいとしている。
Xi’s statement in Germany disregarded Japan’s position, and it is reasonable to assume that his remarks were aimed at denigrating Japan’s image.
習氏の発言は、こうした日本の立場を無視しており、日本のイメージダウンを狙ったプロパガンダと言われても仕方あるまい。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized Xi’s statement, saying, “Amid a situation in which opinion differs [between the two countries] over the number of victims [in the Nanjing Incident], it is extremely unproductive for a Chinese leader to make such a statement in another country.” Suga’s criticism is a natural response.
菅官房長官が「（南京事件の）犠牲者数などで意見が分かれている中、中国の指導者が第三国で、あのような発言をしたことは極めて非生産的だ」と批判したのは、当然である。
The dominant view in Japan is that “over 300,000 victims” claimed by China is far in excess of the actual figure when the demographic statistics of Nanjing and other factors at that time are taken into consideration.
日本では、中国政府の言う「３０万人以上」は、当時の南京の人口動態などから、実際の犠牲者数とはかけ離れているのではないかとの見方が支配的だ。
Even in a report published by the Japan-China joint research committee on history in 2010, which was established based on an agreement by the two governments, the Japanese side pointed out that “there are various estimates of victim numbers ranging from 20,000 or 40,000 to 200,000.”
日中両政府の合意で発足した日中歴史共同研究委員会が２０１０年に発表した報告書でも、日本側は「２０万人を上限として、４万人、２万人などの様々な推計がなされている」と指摘している。
Differing victim numbers
Even John Rabe, a German who has been praised by Xi for protecting refugees at the time of Nanjing Incident, put the number of victims at “50,000 to 60,000” in a report he submitted to Adolf Hitler.
南京事件当時、避難民を保護したとして、習氏から称賛されたドイツ人ジョン・ラーベ氏も、ヒトラーへの上申書に、犠牲者は「５万〜６万人」と記している。
Xi also said, “More than 35 million Chinese were killed and injured in the war of aggression committed under Japanese militarism,” but he failed to provide any evidence to support his claim.
習氏は「日本軍国主義による侵略戦争で中国人３５００万人以上が死傷した」とも述べたが、明確な拠より所は示されていない。
Xi’s hard-line stance is stronger than that of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who demonstrated his anti-Japan position repeatedly in words and actions, leading to a deterioration of bilateral relations.
習氏の強硬姿勢は、反日的言動を繰り返し、対日関係を悪化させた、かつての江沢民国家主席を上回るものと言えよう。
The German government reportedly declined Xi’s request to visit the Holocaust Memorial during his visit to the country. This apparently was because of Berlin’s wariness about becoming involved in a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
今回、ドイツ政府は、習氏のホロコースト（ユダヤ人大虐殺）記念碑への訪問を断ったと伝えられている。日中間の対立に巻き込まれることを警戒したのだろう。
Efforts must be made to prevent erroneous information about historical perceptions from spreading in the international community. The New York Times, in a recent online edition, carried an editorial saying that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asserted the Nanjing Incident did not happen.
歴史認識に関する誤った情報が国際社会に流布するのは阻止せねばならない。米紙ニューヨーク・タイムズ電子版は最近、安倍首相が南京事件は起きなかったと主張しているとの社説を掲載した。
To prevent such misapprehensions from prevailing, it is crucial for Tokyo to sincerely present its stance on the issue of historical perceptions and continuously and resolutely rebuff China’s anti-Japan propaganda campaign.
こうした誤解を広めないためにも、日本政府は、歴史認識問題への真摯しんしな姿勢をアピールするとともに、中国の反日宣伝に毅然きぜんと反論し続けることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 1, 2014)
Xi’s unilateral claims on history issues must not go unanswered
習氏「南京」発言 一方的な主張は看過できない
While visiting another country, Chinese President Xi Jinping made assertions on history issues as if they were cut-and-dried facts, even though these issues are perceived differently by Japan. His remarks cannot be ignored.
中国の習近平国家主席が、日中で見解の異なる歴史問題を巡り、自らの一方的主張を客観的事実であるかのように第三国で訴えた。看過できない行為である。
In a recent lecture meeting in Germany, Xi stated that “more than 300,000 people were massacred” in the 1937 Nanjing Incident perpetrated by the former Imperial Japanese Army. He emphasized to the international community that China was a “victim” by mentioning only the figure claimed by his government.
習氏はドイツでの講演で、旧日本軍による１９３７年の南京事件について、「３０万人以上が虐殺された」と述べた。中国政府の主張する数字だけを示して、中国の「被害者」としての立場を国際社会に強調したものだ。
The Japanese government has admitted that the Nanjing Incident took place and the victims included noncombatants, but takes the stand that it is difficult to determine how many people died.
日本政府は、南京事件で非戦闘員の殺害などがあったことを認めている。だが、犠牲者数の確定は難しいとしている。
Xi’s statement in Germany disregarded Japan’s position, and it is reasonable to assume that his remarks were aimed at denigrating Japan’s image.
習氏の発言は、こうした日本の立場を無視しており、日本のイメージダウンを狙ったプロパガンダと言われても仕方あるまい。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized Xi’s statement, saying, “Amid a situation in which opinion differs [between the two countries] over the number of victims [in the Nanjing Incident], it is extremely unproductive for a Chinese leader to make such a statement in another country.” Suga’s criticism is a natural response.
菅官房長官が「（南京事件の）犠牲者数などで意見が分かれている中、中国の指導者が第三国で、あのような発言をしたことは極めて非生産的だ」と批判したのは、当然である。
The dominant view in Japan is that “over 300,000 victims” claimed by China is far in excess of the actual figure when the demographic statistics of Nanjing and other factors at that time are taken into consideration.
日本では、中国政府の言う「３０万人以上」は、当時の南京の人口動態などから、実際の犠牲者数とはかけ離れているのではないかとの見方が支配的だ。
Even in a report published by the Japan-China joint research committee on history in 2010, which was established based on an agreement by the two governments, the Japanese side pointed out that “there are various estimates of victim numbers ranging from 20,000 or 40,000 to 200,000.”
日中両政府の合意で発足した日中歴史共同研究委員会が２０１０年に発表した報告書でも、日本側は「２０万人を上限として、４万人、２万人などの様々な推計がなされている」と指摘している。
Differing victim numbers
Even John Rabe, a German who has been praised by Xi for protecting refugees at the time of Nanjing Incident, put the number of victims at “50,000 to 60,000” in a report he submitted to Adolf Hitler.
南京事件当時、避難民を保護したとして、習氏から称賛されたドイツ人ジョン・ラーベ氏も、ヒトラーへの上申書に、犠牲者は「５万〜６万人」と記している。
Xi also said, “More than 35 million Chinese were killed and injured in the war of aggression committed under Japanese militarism,” but he failed to provide any evidence to support his claim.
習氏は「日本軍国主義による侵略戦争で中国人３５００万人以上が死傷した」とも述べたが、明確な拠より所は示されていない。
Xi’s hard-line stance is stronger than that of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who demonstrated his anti-Japan position repeatedly in words and actions, leading to a deterioration of bilateral relations.
習氏の強硬姿勢は、反日的言動を繰り返し、対日関係を悪化させた、かつての江沢民国家主席を上回るものと言えよう。
The German government reportedly declined Xi’s request to visit the Holocaust Memorial during his visit to the country. This apparently was because of Berlin’s wariness about becoming involved in a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing.
今回、ドイツ政府は、習氏のホロコースト（ユダヤ人大虐殺）記念碑への訪問を断ったと伝えられている。日中間の対立に巻き込まれることを警戒したのだろう。
Efforts must be made to prevent erroneous information about historical perceptions from spreading in the international community. The New York Times, in a recent online edition, carried an editorial saying that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asserted the Nanjing Incident did not happen.
歴史認識に関する誤った情報が国際社会に流布するのは阻止せねばならない。米紙ニューヨーク・タイムズ電子版は最近、安倍首相が南京事件は起きなかったと主張しているとの社説を掲載した。
To prevent such misapprehensions from prevailing, it is crucial for Tokyo to sincerely present its stance on the issue of historical perceptions and continuously and resolutely rebuff China’s anti-Japan propaganda campaign.
こうした誤解を広めないためにも、日本政府は、歴史認識問題への真摯しんしな姿勢をアピールするとともに、中国の反日宣伝に毅然きぜんと反論し続けることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 1, 2014)
2014年04月02日
あす消費税８％ 社会保障安定への大きな一歩
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 31, 2014
Raising consumption tax rate to 8% big step for social welfare stability
あす消費税８％ 社会保障安定への大きな一歩
◆景気失速の回避に全力尽くせ◆
On April 1, the consumption tax rate will be raised from 5 percent to 8 percent. The extra income the government accrues from this increase will be a source of revenue for the nation’s social welfare system.
消費税率があす１日、５％から８％に引き上げられる。増税分は社会保障費の財源になる。
In addition to providing a robust social welfare system, the government must mitigate any negative impact the tax hike may have on the economy to ensure that the recovery does not lose steam this spring and beyond.
政府は、社会保障制度を充実させるとともに、増税の打撃を緩和し、春以降の景気失速を回避しなければならない。
The effects of the Abenomics policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration have helped the economy get back on its feet. However, the work to shake off the shackles of deflation and generate genuine economic growth is not complete. Japan’s economy now faces a moment of truth.
安倍政権の経済政策、アベノミクスの効果で景気は回復してきたが、デフレ脱却や、本格的な経済成長は道半ばである。日本経済は正念場を迎えよう。
The Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan signed off on the higher consumption tax rate as part of a three-party agreement on unified reform of the social security and tax systems. After the rate is increased to 8 percent, it is scheduled to be jacked up to 10 percent in October 2015.
消費増税は、自民、公明、民主の３党が合意した社会保障と税の一体改革で決まった。８％に続き、２０１５年１０月には１０％へ引き上げる予定になっている。
Give future generations a break
◆次世代につけを回すな◆
Japan’s national debt exceeds \1 quadrillion. Its fiscal situation is the gloomiest among advanced nations. The chronically low birthrate and aging population, combined with a declining working population, have conspicuously resulted in snowballing social welfare expenses for medical, pension, nursing care and child-rearing costs.
国の借金は１０００兆円を超え、先進国最悪の財政状況だ。少子高齢化や、働く世代の減少などにより、特に膨張しているのが、医療、年金、介護、子育て支援などの社会保障費である。
Social welfare expenditures have already reached \30 trillion annually and are expected to go up by an additional \1 trillion each year.
年３０兆円に達している社会保障費はさらに毎年１兆円程度も増える見通しだ。
Meeting these costs through a massive issuance of debt-covering government bonds, which leaves future generations with the bill, must not continue any longer.
巨額の赤字国債発行で、将来世代へのつけ回しを続けるべきではない。
By increasing the consumption tax, which can be collected widely from all consumers, the government can ensure a steady tax revenue stream for maintaining and improving Japan’s social welfare system. The significance of this point should not be underestimated.
消費者全体で幅広く負担する消費税の増税によって、安定的な税収を確保し、社会保障制度を維持・充実する意義は大きい。
The government plans to spend the extra revenue generated by the tax increase mainly on strengthening medical and nursing care services that support the elderly, assistance for people raising children, and steps to combat the low birthrate.
政府は増税分の使途について、高齢者を支える医療と介護の連携体制の強化、子育て支援、少子化対策などに充てる方針だ。
Given that each citizen will be required to shoulder an extra financial burden, the government in turn must implement effective policies to help them. It needs to quickly consider additional steps, including curbing medical, nursing care and pension benefits to help stabilize the social welfare system.
国民に一層の負担を求める以上、効果的な施策を実施しなければならない。社会保障制度を安定させるため、医療、年金、介護の給付費抑制も含めて、政府はさらなる検討を急ぐ必要がある。
In the months before the tax hike went into effect, many consumers splashed out on durable goods such as bicycles and home appliances, and stocked up on a wide range of foods and household goods. This boosted demand and expanded consumption.
消費増税に先立ち、消費者の間では、自動車、家電といった耐久消費財をはじめ、食品、家庭用品など幅広い商品で駆け込み需要が高まり、消費が拡大してきた。
As a result, Japan’s economic growth rate is predicted to be about 5 percent in January-March this year. The big question will be what happens to the economy after the consumption tax hike kicks in.
それにより、今年１〜３月期の成長率は５％前後の伸びが見込まれているが、問題は、増税後の日本経済の動向といえる。
Learn from previous hikes
◆成長戦略で基盤強化を◆
Japan’s economy tanked after the consumption tax rate was increased from 3 percent to 5 percent in April 1997. The situation was exacerbated by the Asian currency and financial crisis as well as financial insecurity.
１９９７年４月に消費税率が３％から５％に引き上げられた際、アジア通貨危機や金融不安も重なり、景気は急激に悪化した。
Most analysts expect that Japan’s economy will also experience negative growth in the April-June quarter, partly due to the likely drop in demand after last-minute shopping sprees before the tax increase. Growth is forecast to return to positive territory in the July-September quarter, but the outlook does not warrant unbridled optimism.
今回も、駆け込み需要の反動減による販売の落ち込みなどで、増税後の４〜６月期にマイナス成長に陥るとの予測が大勢を占める。７〜９月期以降、再びプラス成長に回復するとみられるが、先行きは楽観できない。
Abe said, “We will do everything we can to minimize any negative effects of the consumption tax rise, and quickly get the economy back on a growth path.” His comment is absolutely right.
安倍首相が、「増税の悪影響を最小限に抑え、速やかに景気が回復軌道に戻るよう万全を期す」と強調しているのはもっともだ。
The aces up the government’s sleeve for buoying the economy are the \5.5 trillion fiscal 2013 supplementary budget, which centered on public works projects, and the initial general account budget for fiscal 2014, which will total a record-high \95.9 trillion.
政府が景気下支えの「切り札」としているのが、公共投資を柱とした５・５兆円の１３年度補正予算と一般会計総額が過去最大の９５・９兆円の１４年度当初予算だ。
The government wants this earmarked money spent ahead of schedule. To achieve this, it has set the numerical target of implementing “at least 60 percent” of budget spending on public works projects and other outlays in the fiscal 2014 budget before the end of September.
予算が前倒しで使われるよう、政府は新年度予算の公共事業などの執行率を「９月末に６割以上」とする数値目標を設けた。
By quickly carrying out these projects, the government expects to avoid strangling the economic recovery. However, it is worrisome that a labor shortage at construction sites and rising building material costs have caused some projects to attract few bidders.
迅速な執行を通じ、景気の腰折れを防ぐ効果が期待される。ただ、建設現場の人手不足や建材価格の値上がりで、入札が不調となる例が目立つのは気がかりだ。
Corporate investment in equipment and exports are major drivers of economic growth, but these still lack oomph.
景気の牽引けんいん役である企業の設備投資と輸出は依然、力強さを欠いている。
Companies will need to brace for a dip in sales and other unfavorable conditions in April and beyond. It seems the ability of private-sector demand to orchestrate a robust economic recovery will be tested for some time to come.
企業各社は、４月以降の販売減などの逆風も覚悟しなければなるまい。民需が主導する力強い景気回復に向け、試練が続きそうだ。
All this makes the second round of the government’s economic growth strategy, which will be unveiled in June, even more important. We hope the new strategy will shore up the foundations of the economy by incorporating a significant cut in the corporate tax rate, and regulatory reforms that stimulate business activity and encourage the development of new industries.
それだけに重要なのが、政府が６月にまとめる成長戦略の第２弾である。企業活力を引き出したり、新産業の育成に弾みをつけたりする規制改革や、大胆な法人税率引き下げなどを打ち出し、経済の基盤を強化してもらいたい。
It also is important that the government and local authorities step up their monitoring to ensure that businesses can smoothly pass on the full tax rise to customers through higher retail prices.
消費増税分を円滑に販売価格に転嫁できるよう、政府や自治体が監視を強めることも大切だ。
Pass on hike through prices
◆価格への転嫁は着実に◆
Steps must be taken to prevent large companies from exploiting their advantageous position to force suppliers to absorb the tax increase while freezing their own purchase prices.
大企業が有利な立場を利用し、納入業者に価格据え置きを強いる買いたたきを防ぐ必要がある。
At the same time, it is problematic that government efforts to assist households whose budgets will be stretched by the higher consumption tax rate remain insufficient. The government has decided to provide low-income earners with a special cash benefit.
一方、消費増税で負担が増す家計への対策が不十分な点は問題だ。政府は低所得者に給付金を支給することにした。
However, this will be a one-off payment to selected recipients, so it will have only a limited effect on reducing their economic burden.
だが、対象者を絞った１回限りの給付では、負担軽減の効果は限定的だろう。
Abe plans to decide at the end of this year whether to go ahead and lift the consumption tax rate to 10 percent in October 2015. His decision will undoubtedly hinge on the economic growth rate logged in the July-September quarter.
首相は、今年末に１５年１０月に消費税率を１０％に引き上げるかどうか決定する方針だ。今年７〜９月期の経済成長率が決断のポイントになるに違いない。
If the consumption tax rate is indeed bumped up to 10 percent, we think the government should introduce a reduced tax rate for some daily necessities. The LDP and Komeito have restarted talks on such a reduced rate. The two parties should quickly decide to introduce a lower levy when the rate is increased to 10 percent, and select which items should qualify for it.
１０％とする場合は、生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率の導入が不可欠だ。軽減税率の協議を再開した自民、公明両党は、１０％と同時の導入を決断し、対象品目の選定を急ぐべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 31, 2014)
Raising consumption tax rate to 8% big step for social welfare stability
あす消費税８％ 社会保障安定への大きな一歩
◆景気失速の回避に全力尽くせ◆
On April 1, the consumption tax rate will be raised from 5 percent to 8 percent. The extra income the government accrues from this increase will be a source of revenue for the nation’s social welfare system.
消費税率があす１日、５％から８％に引き上げられる。増税分は社会保障費の財源になる。
In addition to providing a robust social welfare system, the government must mitigate any negative impact the tax hike may have on the economy to ensure that the recovery does not lose steam this spring and beyond.
政府は、社会保障制度を充実させるとともに、増税の打撃を緩和し、春以降の景気失速を回避しなければならない。
The effects of the Abenomics policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration have helped the economy get back on its feet. However, the work to shake off the shackles of deflation and generate genuine economic growth is not complete. Japan’s economy now faces a moment of truth.
安倍政権の経済政策、アベノミクスの効果で景気は回復してきたが、デフレ脱却や、本格的な経済成長は道半ばである。日本経済は正念場を迎えよう。
The Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan signed off on the higher consumption tax rate as part of a three-party agreement on unified reform of the social security and tax systems. After the rate is increased to 8 percent, it is scheduled to be jacked up to 10 percent in October 2015.
消費増税は、自民、公明、民主の３党が合意した社会保障と税の一体改革で決まった。８％に続き、２０１５年１０月には１０％へ引き上げる予定になっている。
Give future generations a break
◆次世代につけを回すな◆
Japan’s national debt exceeds \1 quadrillion. Its fiscal situation is the gloomiest among advanced nations. The chronically low birthrate and aging population, combined with a declining working population, have conspicuously resulted in snowballing social welfare expenses for medical, pension, nursing care and child-rearing costs.
国の借金は１０００兆円を超え、先進国最悪の財政状況だ。少子高齢化や、働く世代の減少などにより、特に膨張しているのが、医療、年金、介護、子育て支援などの社会保障費である。
Social welfare expenditures have already reached \30 trillion annually and are expected to go up by an additional \1 trillion each year.
年３０兆円に達している社会保障費はさらに毎年１兆円程度も増える見通しだ。
Meeting these costs through a massive issuance of debt-covering government bonds, which leaves future generations with the bill, must not continue any longer.
巨額の赤字国債発行で、将来世代へのつけ回しを続けるべきではない。
By increasing the consumption tax, which can be collected widely from all consumers, the government can ensure a steady tax revenue stream for maintaining and improving Japan’s social welfare system. The significance of this point should not be underestimated.
消費者全体で幅広く負担する消費税の増税によって、安定的な税収を確保し、社会保障制度を維持・充実する意義は大きい。
The government plans to spend the extra revenue generated by the tax increase mainly on strengthening medical and nursing care services that support the elderly, assistance for people raising children, and steps to combat the low birthrate.
政府は増税分の使途について、高齢者を支える医療と介護の連携体制の強化、子育て支援、少子化対策などに充てる方針だ。
Given that each citizen will be required to shoulder an extra financial burden, the government in turn must implement effective policies to help them. It needs to quickly consider additional steps, including curbing medical, nursing care and pension benefits to help stabilize the social welfare system.
国民に一層の負担を求める以上、効果的な施策を実施しなければならない。社会保障制度を安定させるため、医療、年金、介護の給付費抑制も含めて、政府はさらなる検討を急ぐ必要がある。
In the months before the tax hike went into effect, many consumers splashed out on durable goods such as bicycles and home appliances, and stocked up on a wide range of foods and household goods. This boosted demand and expanded consumption.
消費増税に先立ち、消費者の間では、自動車、家電といった耐久消費財をはじめ、食品、家庭用品など幅広い商品で駆け込み需要が高まり、消費が拡大してきた。
As a result, Japan’s economic growth rate is predicted to be about 5 percent in January-March this year. The big question will be what happens to the economy after the consumption tax hike kicks in.
それにより、今年１〜３月期の成長率は５％前後の伸びが見込まれているが、問題は、増税後の日本経済の動向といえる。
Learn from previous hikes
◆成長戦略で基盤強化を◆
Japan’s economy tanked after the consumption tax rate was increased from 3 percent to 5 percent in April 1997. The situation was exacerbated by the Asian currency and financial crisis as well as financial insecurity.
１９９７年４月に消費税率が３％から５％に引き上げられた際、アジア通貨危機や金融不安も重なり、景気は急激に悪化した。
Most analysts expect that Japan’s economy will also experience negative growth in the April-June quarter, partly due to the likely drop in demand after last-minute shopping sprees before the tax increase. Growth is forecast to return to positive territory in the July-September quarter, but the outlook does not warrant unbridled optimism.
今回も、駆け込み需要の反動減による販売の落ち込みなどで、増税後の４〜６月期にマイナス成長に陥るとの予測が大勢を占める。７〜９月期以降、再びプラス成長に回復するとみられるが、先行きは楽観できない。
Abe said, “We will do everything we can to minimize any negative effects of the consumption tax rise, and quickly get the economy back on a growth path.” His comment is absolutely right.
安倍首相が、「増税の悪影響を最小限に抑え、速やかに景気が回復軌道に戻るよう万全を期す」と強調しているのはもっともだ。
The aces up the government’s sleeve for buoying the economy are the \5.5 trillion fiscal 2013 supplementary budget, which centered on public works projects, and the initial general account budget for fiscal 2014, which will total a record-high \95.9 trillion.
政府が景気下支えの「切り札」としているのが、公共投資を柱とした５・５兆円の１３年度補正予算と一般会計総額が過去最大の９５・９兆円の１４年度当初予算だ。
The government wants this earmarked money spent ahead of schedule. To achieve this, it has set the numerical target of implementing “at least 60 percent” of budget spending on public works projects and other outlays in the fiscal 2014 budget before the end of September.
予算が前倒しで使われるよう、政府は新年度予算の公共事業などの執行率を「９月末に６割以上」とする数値目標を設けた。
By quickly carrying out these projects, the government expects to avoid strangling the economic recovery. However, it is worrisome that a labor shortage at construction sites and rising building material costs have caused some projects to attract few bidders.
迅速な執行を通じ、景気の腰折れを防ぐ効果が期待される。ただ、建設現場の人手不足や建材価格の値上がりで、入札が不調となる例が目立つのは気がかりだ。
Corporate investment in equipment and exports are major drivers of economic growth, but these still lack oomph.
景気の牽引けんいん役である企業の設備投資と輸出は依然、力強さを欠いている。
Companies will need to brace for a dip in sales and other unfavorable conditions in April and beyond. It seems the ability of private-sector demand to orchestrate a robust economic recovery will be tested for some time to come.
企業各社は、４月以降の販売減などの逆風も覚悟しなければなるまい。民需が主導する力強い景気回復に向け、試練が続きそうだ。
All this makes the second round of the government’s economic growth strategy, which will be unveiled in June, even more important. We hope the new strategy will shore up the foundations of the economy by incorporating a significant cut in the corporate tax rate, and regulatory reforms that stimulate business activity and encourage the development of new industries.
それだけに重要なのが、政府が６月にまとめる成長戦略の第２弾である。企業活力を引き出したり、新産業の育成に弾みをつけたりする規制改革や、大胆な法人税率引き下げなどを打ち出し、経済の基盤を強化してもらいたい。
It also is important that the government and local authorities step up their monitoring to ensure that businesses can smoothly pass on the full tax rise to customers through higher retail prices.
消費増税分を円滑に販売価格に転嫁できるよう、政府や自治体が監視を強めることも大切だ。
Pass on hike through prices
◆価格への転嫁は着実に◆
Steps must be taken to prevent large companies from exploiting their advantageous position to force suppliers to absorb the tax increase while freezing their own purchase prices.
大企業が有利な立場を利用し、納入業者に価格据え置きを強いる買いたたきを防ぐ必要がある。
At the same time, it is problematic that government efforts to assist households whose budgets will be stretched by the higher consumption tax rate remain insufficient. The government has decided to provide low-income earners with a special cash benefit.
一方、消費増税で負担が増す家計への対策が不十分な点は問題だ。政府は低所得者に給付金を支給することにした。
However, this will be a one-off payment to selected recipients, so it will have only a limited effect on reducing their economic burden.
だが、対象者を絞った１回限りの給付では、負担軽減の効果は限定的だろう。
Abe plans to decide at the end of this year whether to go ahead and lift the consumption tax rate to 10 percent in October 2015. His decision will undoubtedly hinge on the economic growth rate logged in the July-September quarter.
首相は、今年末に１５年１０月に消費税率を１０％に引き上げるかどうか決定する方針だ。今年７〜９月期の経済成長率が決断のポイントになるに違いない。
If the consumption tax rate is indeed bumped up to 10 percent, we think the government should introduce a reduced tax rate for some daily necessities. The LDP and Komeito have restarted talks on such a reduced rate. The two parties should quickly decide to introduce a lower levy when the rate is increased to 10 percent, and select which items should qualify for it.
１０％とする場合は、生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率の導入が不可欠だ。軽減税率の協議を再開した自民、公明両党は、１０％と同時の導入を決断し、対象品目の選定を急ぐべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 31, 2014)
2014年04月01日
高松塚壁画 現地復元より劣化防止優先だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 30, 2014
Takamatsuzuka ancient murals must be preserved at all costs
高松塚壁画 現地復元より劣化防止優先だ
A delicate issue has been brought to the fore again regarding how to ensure that a cultural property of immeasurable value is handed down to posterity while guaranteeing its integrity.
かけがえのない文化遺産を損なわずに後世へ継承する。その難しい課題を改めて問いかけたと言えるだろう。
After studying preservation methods for such brightly colored murals as “Asuka beauties”−which depicts a group of female figures−at the Takamatsuzuka ancient burial mound in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, an expert panel of the Cultural Affairs Agency has decided to take care of the wall paintings outside the mound for the time being, even after the current preservation work on them is complete.
「飛鳥美人」に代表される高松塚古墳（奈良県明日香村）の極彩色壁画の保存法を検討してきた文化庁の有識者会議は、壁画修復後も当分の間、古墳外で管理する方針を決めた。
In 2007, the murals were dismantled along with the stone chamber housing them, and their restoration has been under way outside the mounded tomb. As the mural paintings were initially scheduled to be returned to the Takamatsuzuka burial mound once the preservation work is completed, which will be as early as fiscal 2017, the panel’s decision effectively marks a change in its basic preservation policy.
壁画は、２００７年に石室ごと解体され、外部で修復が続いている。１７年度にも古墳に戻す予定だった。事実上の方針転換だ。
According to the panel, the reason for the policy change is that the murals, if returned to the stone chamber, “could not be prevented, without question, from being subject again to damage from microorganisms like mold due to a lack of established technology.” The panel has also said the strength of the Takamatsuzuka stonework and the condition of the wall plaster in the stone chamber would be unlikely to withstand a major earthquake in their current state.
有識者会議は、その理由として、石室内に戻した場合に、「現在の技術では再びカビ等の生物被害が間違いなく生じる」ことを挙げている。石材の強度や漆喰しっくいの状態についても、大地震が発生した際に耐えられないと指摘した。
If it is technically impossible to safely restore the murals within the stone chamber, the change in preservation policy is unavoidable.
石室内にきちんと復元できないというのであれば、方針を変えるのは、やむを得まい。
At the time of their discovery 42 years ago, the murals, which date back to the early eighth century, were deemed “one of the most important discoveries” in the history of the nation’s archaeological research, setting off an ancient history scholarship craze. They have been designated a national treasure.
４２年前、「考古学最大の発見」と言われ、古代史ブームを巻き起こした８世紀初めの壁画である。国宝にも指定されている。
To ensure the murals do not deteriorate further, finding a fail-safe preservation method must be made top priority.
再び劣化せぬよう、確実に残すことを最優先すべきだ。
But how did the murals fall into such a state in the first place?
そもそも、なぜこんな事態に至ったのか。
No mention of specifics
This is primarily because the way the Cultural Affairs Agency handled the task of the murals’ preservation was extremely sloppy.
壁画保存に関する文化庁の対応が、ずさんだったからにほかならない。
Following the murals’ discovery, the environment inside the stone chamber was drastically changed due to such factors as the use of chemical substances to repair the murals and a large volume of human traffic moving in and out of the stone chamber, which eventually led to the growth of a massive amount of fungi inside.
壁画発見後、修理に伴う薬剤や石室内への多数の人の出入りなどの影響で環境が変化し、大量のカビ発生を招いた。
Despite being aware of the growth of mold and fading of the wall paintings in an early stage, agency officials in charge of the conservation work continued to neglect the need to implement adequate countermeasures. It was even brought to light that they had covered up an accident in which the murals were damaged.
現場は、早くからカビや退色に気づきながら、十分対策を講じなかった。壁画損傷事故を隠していたことまで明るみに出た。
The government must take this series of lessons to heart in the future administration of cultural properties.
一連の教訓を、政府は文化財保護行政に生かさねばならない。
The report by the expert panel, however, does not make reference to specific steps that should be taken to preserve and maintain the wall paintings and stone chamber, as well as how and where they should be shown to the public.
壁画・石室の保存管理・公開の方法、場所について、有識者会議は具体的に言及していない。
During the course of discussions, an argument was reportedly made that called for the murals and stone chamber to be preserved in a facility in the vicinity of the Takamatsuzuka burial mound.
会議の中では、高松塚古墳の近くの施設に保存することが望ましいとの主張もあった。
Regarding archaeological finds in ruins, there is a notion that they should in principle be restored on site. It is easier to understand the historical background and significance of ruins by visiting the site where the discoveries were actually made. Opinions during the discussions of the expert panel may have stemmed from a perspective that gave this principle as much weight as possible.
遺跡には、現地保存の原則がある。訪れる人は現地だからこそ、その存在する歴史的な背景や意義に思いをはせることができる。こうした考え方を、できるだけ大事にしたいからだろう。
Colorful wall paintings from the ancient Kitora tomb, about one kilometer south of the Takamatsuzuka tomb, which are also being repaired outside the tomb, are scheduled to be shown to the public at an exhibition facility to be built near the ancient tomb, starting from fiscal 2016. The murals will not be returned to the tomb.
たとえば、高松塚古墳から約１キロ南のキトラ古墳の極彩色壁画も外部で補修されているが、当面、墳丘には戻さない代わりに、１６年度から古墳付近に展示施設を設けて公開する方針だ。
It may be a good idea for the Takamatsuzuka wall paintings to likewise be made accessible to the public in a way that expands opportunities for exposure to our cultural heritage of historical importance.
高松塚古墳の壁画についても、こうした形で、国民が歴史的な文化遺産に触れる機会を広げるのは一案である。
Due attention should also be paid to the custom of showing cultural properties to the public while specifying an end date, on the premise of taking solid measures to ensure their preservation.
しっかり保存することを前提に、期限を区切っての公開なども考えていい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 30, 2014)
2014年03月30日 01時32分 Copyright
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Takamatsuzuka ancient murals must be preserved at all costs
高松塚壁画 現地復元より劣化防止優先だ
A delicate issue has been brought to the fore again regarding how to ensure that a cultural property of immeasurable value is handed down to posterity while guaranteeing its integrity.
かけがえのない文化遺産を損なわずに後世へ継承する。その難しい課題を改めて問いかけたと言えるだろう。
After studying preservation methods for such brightly colored murals as “Asuka beauties”−which depicts a group of female figures−at the Takamatsuzuka ancient burial mound in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, an expert panel of the Cultural Affairs Agency has decided to take care of the wall paintings outside the mound for the time being, even after the current preservation work on them is complete.
「飛鳥美人」に代表される高松塚古墳（奈良県明日香村）の極彩色壁画の保存法を検討してきた文化庁の有識者会議は、壁画修復後も当分の間、古墳外で管理する方針を決めた。
In 2007, the murals were dismantled along with the stone chamber housing them, and their restoration has been under way outside the mounded tomb. As the mural paintings were initially scheduled to be returned to the Takamatsuzuka burial mound once the preservation work is completed, which will be as early as fiscal 2017, the panel’s decision effectively marks a change in its basic preservation policy.
壁画は、２００７年に石室ごと解体され、外部で修復が続いている。１７年度にも古墳に戻す予定だった。事実上の方針転換だ。
According to the panel, the reason for the policy change is that the murals, if returned to the stone chamber, “could not be prevented, without question, from being subject again to damage from microorganisms like mold due to a lack of established technology.” The panel has also said the strength of the Takamatsuzuka stonework and the condition of the wall plaster in the stone chamber would be unlikely to withstand a major earthquake in their current state.
有識者会議は、その理由として、石室内に戻した場合に、「現在の技術では再びカビ等の生物被害が間違いなく生じる」ことを挙げている。石材の強度や漆喰しっくいの状態についても、大地震が発生した際に耐えられないと指摘した。
If it is technically impossible to safely restore the murals within the stone chamber, the change in preservation policy is unavoidable.
石室内にきちんと復元できないというのであれば、方針を変えるのは、やむを得まい。
At the time of their discovery 42 years ago, the murals, which date back to the early eighth century, were deemed “one of the most important discoveries” in the history of the nation’s archaeological research, setting off an ancient history scholarship craze. They have been designated a national treasure.
４２年前、「考古学最大の発見」と言われ、古代史ブームを巻き起こした８世紀初めの壁画である。国宝にも指定されている。
To ensure the murals do not deteriorate further, finding a fail-safe preservation method must be made top priority.
再び劣化せぬよう、確実に残すことを最優先すべきだ。
But how did the murals fall into such a state in the first place?
そもそも、なぜこんな事態に至ったのか。
No mention of specifics
This is primarily because the way the Cultural Affairs Agency handled the task of the murals’ preservation was extremely sloppy.
壁画保存に関する文化庁の対応が、ずさんだったからにほかならない。
Following the murals’ discovery, the environment inside the stone chamber was drastically changed due to such factors as the use of chemical substances to repair the murals and a large volume of human traffic moving in and out of the stone chamber, which eventually led to the growth of a massive amount of fungi inside.
壁画発見後、修理に伴う薬剤や石室内への多数の人の出入りなどの影響で環境が変化し、大量のカビ発生を招いた。
Despite being aware of the growth of mold and fading of the wall paintings in an early stage, agency officials in charge of the conservation work continued to neglect the need to implement adequate countermeasures. It was even brought to light that they had covered up an accident in which the murals were damaged.
現場は、早くからカビや退色に気づきながら、十分対策を講じなかった。壁画損傷事故を隠していたことまで明るみに出た。
The government must take this series of lessons to heart in the future administration of cultural properties.
一連の教訓を、政府は文化財保護行政に生かさねばならない。
The report by the expert panel, however, does not make reference to specific steps that should be taken to preserve and maintain the wall paintings and stone chamber, as well as how and where they should be shown to the public.
壁画・石室の保存管理・公開の方法、場所について、有識者会議は具体的に言及していない。
During the course of discussions, an argument was reportedly made that called for the murals and stone chamber to be preserved in a facility in the vicinity of the Takamatsuzuka burial mound.
会議の中では、高松塚古墳の近くの施設に保存することが望ましいとの主張もあった。
Regarding archaeological finds in ruins, there is a notion that they should in principle be restored on site. It is easier to understand the historical background and significance of ruins by visiting the site where the discoveries were actually made. Opinions during the discussions of the expert panel may have stemmed from a perspective that gave this principle as much weight as possible.
遺跡には、現地保存の原則がある。訪れる人は現地だからこそ、その存在する歴史的な背景や意義に思いをはせることができる。こうした考え方を、できるだけ大事にしたいからだろう。
Colorful wall paintings from the ancient Kitora tomb, about one kilometer south of the Takamatsuzuka tomb, which are also being repaired outside the tomb, are scheduled to be shown to the public at an exhibition facility to be built near the ancient tomb, starting from fiscal 2016. The murals will not be returned to the tomb.
たとえば、高松塚古墳から約１キロ南のキトラ古墳の極彩色壁画も外部で補修されているが、当面、墳丘には戻さない代わりに、１６年度から古墳付近に展示施設を設けて公開する方針だ。
It may be a good idea for the Takamatsuzuka wall paintings to likewise be made accessible to the public in a way that expands opportunities for exposure to our cultural heritage of historical importance.
高松塚古墳の壁画についても、こうした形で、国民が歴史的な文化遺産に触れる機会を広げるのは一案である。
Due attention should also be paid to the custom of showing cultural properties to the public while specifying an end date, on the premise of taking solid measures to ensure their preservation.
しっかり保存することを前提に、期限を区切っての公開なども考えていい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 30, 2014)
2014年03月30日 01時32分 Copyright
The Yomiuri Shimbun
2014年03月31日
巨大地震防災 強化地域の対策推進が急務だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 29, 2014
Designated quake areas must implement safety precautions immediately
巨大地震防災 強化地域の対策推進が急務だ（3月29日付・読売社説）
Countermeasures to deal with possible gigantic earthquakes and tsunami must be implemented without delay. It is hoped that the government’s designation of municipalities for boosting preparations for huge earthquakes will serve as an earnest step toward the local adoption of antiquake measures.
巨大地震・津波対策は待ったなしだ。自治体が本腰を入れて取り組む一歩としたい。
The government’s Central Disaster Management Council on Friday designated a total of 1,017 cities, towns and villages in Tokyo and 31 other prefectures for boosting measures against projected huge earthquakes with focuses in the Nankai Trough or the surface of Tokyo.
南海トラフ巨大地震、首都直下地震について、中央防災会議は、対策を強化する地域として、３２都府県の延べ１０１７市区町村を指定した。
A Nankai Trough earthquake is projected to result in more than 300,000 fatalities and more than \200 trillion in damage. A massive temblor with a focus directly under Tokyo, meanwhile, is projected to leave more than 20,000 people dead and put the city at risk of losing its functions as the capital. Thus, countermeasures to prepare for disasters and reduce damage are extremely important tasks of fundamental concern to the nation.
南海トラフ地震では、死者が３０万人以上、被害額は２００兆円超と予測されている。首都直下地震の死者は２万人以上とされ、首都機能の維持が危ぶまれている。防災・減災対策は、日本の根幹に関わる重要課題と言えよう。
Designated municipalities will each compile and implement a disaster management plan based on the special measures law for dealing with the two projected earthquakes, which was enforced late last year.
対象の市区町村は、昨年末に施行された両地震の特別措置法に基づき、今後、地域の防災計画を策定し、対策を進める。
But municipalities with weak financial foundations will find limitations in pursuing countermeasures on their own. It is necessary for the government to effectively provide support by putting priority on their projects.
ただ、財政基盤の弱い市町村は単独での対策推進に限界がある。事業に優先順位をつけ、政府が効率的に支援することが大切だ。
Under the terms of the special measures law, the government will shoulder two-thirds of the costs when municipalities designated for a Nankai Trough earthquake establish shelters to escape tsunami. It will also pay three-fourths of the cost for purchasing land to relocate primary and middle schools.
特措法の規定では、南海トラフ地震の対象市町村が津波避難施設を整備する際、政府が費用の３分の２を補助する。小中学校の移転については、用地取得費の４分の３が政府負担になる。
In the heart of Tokyo, where a major earthquake is expected to cause major damage, the procedures to approve work to widen roads and to construct or improve parks have been simplified.
首都直下地震の被害が想定される都心部でも、道路拡幅や公園整備の認可が簡素化されている。
It is hoped that such means of government support will be used effectively.
こうした政府の支援策を有効に活用してもらいたい。
Local govts unprepared
Those municipalities must tackle a mountain of challenges. For example, only slightly more than 10 percent of cities, towns and villages required to take measures against tsunami have created hazard maps. Nearly 20 percent of the designated municipalities do not have a disaster management radio system for the local government to use.
取り組むべき課題は山積している。例えば、津波対策が必要な地域で、ハザードマップを作成している市町村は１割強に過ぎない。防災行政無線も、指定された地域の２割近くで未整備だ。
A serious concern is that a number of areas are reluctant to take countermeasures, saying that they cannot possibly take steps when the projected damage is too great to handle.
予測される被害が大き過ぎるため、対策の立てようがないと、取り組みに消極的な地域があることも深刻な問題である。
In Nagoya, where vast areas are expected to be inundated by tsunami, work to make houses earthquake-resistant has not progressed as hoped. Many residents say they cannot bear the expenses of renovating their houses when they know their homes will be washed away by tsunami.
津波による広域浸水が予測されている名古屋市では、住宅の耐震化が進まない。住民の間には「津波で流されると分かっていて改修費は出せない」との声がある。
In parts of Shikoku, where tsunami measuring as high as 30 meters would hit as early as four minutes after the quake, some residents have given up all hope of escaping.
最短４分後に津波が襲来し、最高３０メートル超になると予測される四国の一部地域では、「逃げられない」とあきらめる住民もいる。
Whether residents can survive a disaster hinges upon the steady implementation of countermeasures. The central and local governments should explain the basic principles of disaster management to residents to win their cooperation in this regard.
着実な対策の実行が、万が一の際の生死を分ける。政府と自治体は防災の基本原則を住民に説明し、協力を得る必要がある。
The Central Disaster Management Council also compiled outlines for taking action against all possible huge earthquakes that could hit various areas across Japan, including the Nankai Trough region and Tokyo.
中央防災会議は今回、南海トラフ、首都直下地震を含め、各地で起こり得る巨大地震の対策を網羅した大綱もまとめた。
The outlines call for, among others, precautions in the event that the transportation network is paralyzed, dealing with people facing difficulties returning home, and making facilities to be used for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games earthquake-resistant.
交通網のマヒを防ぐ対策、帰宅困難者への対応、２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックに向けた関連施設の耐震性確保などを挙げている。
The central and local governments should act in concert to fully meet such requirements.
政府と自治体が連携し、しっかりと対処せねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29, 2014)
（2014年3月29日01時35分 読売新聞）
Designated quake areas must implement safety precautions immediately
巨大地震防災 強化地域の対策推進が急務だ（3月29日付・読売社説）
Countermeasures to deal with possible gigantic earthquakes and tsunami must be implemented without delay. It is hoped that the government’s designation of municipalities for boosting preparations for huge earthquakes will serve as an earnest step toward the local adoption of antiquake measures.
巨大地震・津波対策は待ったなしだ。自治体が本腰を入れて取り組む一歩としたい。
The government’s Central Disaster Management Council on Friday designated a total of 1,017 cities, towns and villages in Tokyo and 31 other prefectures for boosting measures against projected huge earthquakes with focuses in the Nankai Trough or the surface of Tokyo.
南海トラフ巨大地震、首都直下地震について、中央防災会議は、対策を強化する地域として、３２都府県の延べ１０１７市区町村を指定した。
A Nankai Trough earthquake is projected to result in more than 300,000 fatalities and more than \200 trillion in damage. A massive temblor with a focus directly under Tokyo, meanwhile, is projected to leave more than 20,000 people dead and put the city at risk of losing its functions as the capital. Thus, countermeasures to prepare for disasters and reduce damage are extremely important tasks of fundamental concern to the nation.
南海トラフ地震では、死者が３０万人以上、被害額は２００兆円超と予測されている。首都直下地震の死者は２万人以上とされ、首都機能の維持が危ぶまれている。防災・減災対策は、日本の根幹に関わる重要課題と言えよう。
Designated municipalities will each compile and implement a disaster management plan based on the special measures law for dealing with the two projected earthquakes, which was enforced late last year.
対象の市区町村は、昨年末に施行された両地震の特別措置法に基づき、今後、地域の防災計画を策定し、対策を進める。
But municipalities with weak financial foundations will find limitations in pursuing countermeasures on their own. It is necessary for the government to effectively provide support by putting priority on their projects.
ただ、財政基盤の弱い市町村は単独での対策推進に限界がある。事業に優先順位をつけ、政府が効率的に支援することが大切だ。
Under the terms of the special measures law, the government will shoulder two-thirds of the costs when municipalities designated for a Nankai Trough earthquake establish shelters to escape tsunami. It will also pay three-fourths of the cost for purchasing land to relocate primary and middle schools.
特措法の規定では、南海トラフ地震の対象市町村が津波避難施設を整備する際、政府が費用の３分の２を補助する。小中学校の移転については、用地取得費の４分の３が政府負担になる。
In the heart of Tokyo, where a major earthquake is expected to cause major damage, the procedures to approve work to widen roads and to construct or improve parks have been simplified.
首都直下地震の被害が想定される都心部でも、道路拡幅や公園整備の認可が簡素化されている。
It is hoped that such means of government support will be used effectively.
こうした政府の支援策を有効に活用してもらいたい。
Local govts unprepared
Those municipalities must tackle a mountain of challenges. For example, only slightly more than 10 percent of cities, towns and villages required to take measures against tsunami have created hazard maps. Nearly 20 percent of the designated municipalities do not have a disaster management radio system for the local government to use.
取り組むべき課題は山積している。例えば、津波対策が必要な地域で、ハザードマップを作成している市町村は１割強に過ぎない。防災行政無線も、指定された地域の２割近くで未整備だ。
A serious concern is that a number of areas are reluctant to take countermeasures, saying that they cannot possibly take steps when the projected damage is too great to handle.
予測される被害が大き過ぎるため、対策の立てようがないと、取り組みに消極的な地域があることも深刻な問題である。
In Nagoya, where vast areas are expected to be inundated by tsunami, work to make houses earthquake-resistant has not progressed as hoped. Many residents say they cannot bear the expenses of renovating their houses when they know their homes will be washed away by tsunami.
津波による広域浸水が予測されている名古屋市では、住宅の耐震化が進まない。住民の間には「津波で流されると分かっていて改修費は出せない」との声がある。
In parts of Shikoku, where tsunami measuring as high as 30 meters would hit as early as four minutes after the quake, some residents have given up all hope of escaping.
最短４分後に津波が襲来し、最高３０メートル超になると予測される四国の一部地域では、「逃げられない」とあきらめる住民もいる。
Whether residents can survive a disaster hinges upon the steady implementation of countermeasures. The central and local governments should explain the basic principles of disaster management to residents to win their cooperation in this regard.
着実な対策の実行が、万が一の際の生死を分ける。政府と自治体は防災の基本原則を住民に説明し、協力を得る必要がある。
The Central Disaster Management Council also compiled outlines for taking action against all possible huge earthquakes that could hit various areas across Japan, including the Nankai Trough region and Tokyo.
中央防災会議は今回、南海トラフ、首都直下地震を含め、各地で起こり得る巨大地震の対策を網羅した大綱もまとめた。
The outlines call for, among others, precautions in the event that the transportation network is paralyzed, dealing with people facing difficulties returning home, and making facilities to be used for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games earthquake-resistant.
交通網のマヒを防ぐ対策、帰宅困難者への対応、２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックに向けた関連施設の耐震性確保などを挙げている。
The central and local governments should act in concert to fully meet such requirements.
政府と自治体が連携し、しっかりと対処せねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29, 2014)
（2014年3月29日01時35分 読売新聞）
2014年03月30日
渡辺代表借入金 「もろもろ」で８億円が通るか
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 28, 2014
Watanabe must give solid, believable account of how \800 million was used
渡辺代表借入金 「もろもろ」で８億円が通るか（3月28日付・読売社説）
What on earth did an opposition party leader use the \800 million he borrowed for? Providing an answer to this question is his duty as the leader of a political party.
８億円もの借入金を一体何に使ったのか。公党の党首として国民の疑問に答えてもらいたい。
It has come to light that Yoshiaki Yoshida, chairman of the cosmetics company DHC Corp. and a supporter of Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, loaned the politician \300 million about two weeks before the 2010 House of Councillors election and another \500 million a month before the 2012 vote for the House of Representatives.
みんなの党の渡辺代表を支援していた化粧品販売会社ディーエイチシーの吉田嘉明会長が、２０１０年参院選の直前に３億円、１２年衆院選の直前に５億円を渡辺氏に貸していたことが明らかになった。
Yoshida said he loaned \800 million to Watanabe as “election funds.” But neither reports on Watanabe’s campaign finances nor income and expenditure statements for his political funds mention the loans. It is possible Watanabe will be suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Law and the Political Funds Control Law.
吉田会長は「選挙資金として貸した」と証言した。だが、渡辺氏の選挙運動費用や政治資金の収支報告書に８億円の記載はない。公職選挙法や政治資金規正法に違反する可能性がある。
In a news conference Thursday, Watanabe claimed the money he borrowed was “purely intended for my personal support.”
渡辺氏は記者会見で、「純粋に渡辺個人を応援してもらう」趣旨で借りたものだと強調した。
Asked what he used the money for, Watanabe said it had been spent “for various purposes deemed necessary for a politician” and said some of the money had been used to finance conference and travel expenses. He spoke with no apparent awareness of the possible illegality of his behavior, even pointing out that he had repaid part of the loans.
使途の内訳は「政治家として生きていく上で必要なもろもろ」とし、会議費や旅費などに充てたと語った。違法性の認識はなく、一部は返済したとも弁明した。
It seems that Watanabe hopes to ride out the scandal by insisting that the loans were for his personal use.
あくまで個人の借り入れだとして、切り抜けたいのだろう。
Parallel with Inose case
But there are parallels between the Watanabe loans and the money scandal surrounding former Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose, in that both received a huge sum of money in the immediate run-up to an election. If Watanabe argues that the money was not for use in election campaigns, then it falls to him to explain in specific terms just how he spent it.
しかし、選挙を間近に控えた時期に巨額の資金提供を受けたという点では、猪瀬直樹・前東京都知事を巡る不祥事と似た構図である。渡辺氏が、選挙目的ではないと言うのなら、何に使ったのか具体的に説明する必要がある。
Even if the money was strictly a personal loan, many factors remain that cannot be overlooked.
仮に、個人の借入金としても看過できない点が少なくない。
The loans from Yoshida are not included in the outstanding loans detailed in a mandatory report of his personal assets. He said it was “a clerical error” and that he “wants to correct it,” but it is unlikely the public will accept it if he shrugs off the transfer of such an enormous sum as a simple clerical mistake.
自らの資産等報告書の借入金残高に吉田会長からの借入金がきちんと反映されていない。渡辺氏は「事務的なミスで訂正したい」と釈明したが、これほどの巨額なやり取りを単なるミスというのでは国民には理解されまい。
It is hard to accept that Watanabe did not prepare documents acknowledging a loan of \500 million.
５億円を借りながら、借用書を作らなかったのも不可解だ。
Watanabe said he would have the chairman of the party’s ethics committee probe any potential illegality in association with the borrowed money. But it is questionable whether suspicions can be eliminated solely through an in-house investigation.
渡辺氏は、借入金に法に触れる部分がないかなどについて、党の倫理委員長に調査をゆだねるというが、身内だけで疑惑を十分晴らすことができるだろうか。
Your Party has faced criticism for some time that its management is not democratic, with the party strongly characterized as a “private shop” that defers to Watanabe for all decisions on party matters.
みんなの党はかねて、渡辺氏が党務を仕切る「個人商店」的な色彩が強く、党運営が民主的ではないと批判されてきたからだ。
Kenji Eda, who broke with Your Party due to a feud with Watanabe and formed the Yui no To party, said that Watanabe managed state subsidies paid to the party and legislation expenses alone, without consulting other party executives.
渡辺氏との確執で離党し、結いの党を結成した江田憲司氏は、政党交付金や立法事務費を渡辺氏が差配し、幹部との協議はなかったと指摘している。
By taking advantage of personal ties with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Watanabe has promoted a stance of serving as a “responsible opposition party” by cooperating with the Abe administration on a policy-by-policy basis. Watanabe actively promotes changes to the interpretation of the Constitution that would make it possible to exercise the right to collective self-defense, a move backed by Abe.
渡辺氏は、安倍首相とのパイプを生かし、個別の政策で安倍政権と協力する「責任野党」を標榜ひょうぼうしてきた。首相が進める集団的自衛権行使を可能にする憲法解釈の見直しにも前向きだ。
Whether Watanabe will be able to maintain his political leadership is a matter of concern to Abe as well.
渡辺氏が今後も求心力を維持できるかどうかは、首相にとっても関心事だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2014)
（2014年3月28日01時26分 読売新聞）
Watanabe must give solid, believable account of how \800 million was used
渡辺代表借入金 「もろもろ」で８億円が通るか（3月28日付・読売社説）
What on earth did an opposition party leader use the \800 million he borrowed for? Providing an answer to this question is his duty as the leader of a political party.
８億円もの借入金を一体何に使ったのか。公党の党首として国民の疑問に答えてもらいたい。
It has come to light that Yoshiaki Yoshida, chairman of the cosmetics company DHC Corp. and a supporter of Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, loaned the politician \300 million about two weeks before the 2010 House of Councillors election and another \500 million a month before the 2012 vote for the House of Representatives.
みんなの党の渡辺代表を支援していた化粧品販売会社ディーエイチシーの吉田嘉明会長が、２０１０年参院選の直前に３億円、１２年衆院選の直前に５億円を渡辺氏に貸していたことが明らかになった。
Yoshida said he loaned \800 million to Watanabe as “election funds.” But neither reports on Watanabe’s campaign finances nor income and expenditure statements for his political funds mention the loans. It is possible Watanabe will be suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Law and the Political Funds Control Law.
吉田会長は「選挙資金として貸した」と証言した。だが、渡辺氏の選挙運動費用や政治資金の収支報告書に８億円の記載はない。公職選挙法や政治資金規正法に違反する可能性がある。
In a news conference Thursday, Watanabe claimed the money he borrowed was “purely intended for my personal support.”
渡辺氏は記者会見で、「純粋に渡辺個人を応援してもらう」趣旨で借りたものだと強調した。
Asked what he used the money for, Watanabe said it had been spent “for various purposes deemed necessary for a politician” and said some of the money had been used to finance conference and travel expenses. He spoke with no apparent awareness of the possible illegality of his behavior, even pointing out that he had repaid part of the loans.
使途の内訳は「政治家として生きていく上で必要なもろもろ」とし、会議費や旅費などに充てたと語った。違法性の認識はなく、一部は返済したとも弁明した。
It seems that Watanabe hopes to ride out the scandal by insisting that the loans were for his personal use.
あくまで個人の借り入れだとして、切り抜けたいのだろう。
Parallel with Inose case
But there are parallels between the Watanabe loans and the money scandal surrounding former Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose, in that both received a huge sum of money in the immediate run-up to an election. If Watanabe argues that the money was not for use in election campaigns, then it falls to him to explain in specific terms just how he spent it.
しかし、選挙を間近に控えた時期に巨額の資金提供を受けたという点では、猪瀬直樹・前東京都知事を巡る不祥事と似た構図である。渡辺氏が、選挙目的ではないと言うのなら、何に使ったのか具体的に説明する必要がある。
Even if the money was strictly a personal loan, many factors remain that cannot be overlooked.
仮に、個人の借入金としても看過できない点が少なくない。
The loans from Yoshida are not included in the outstanding loans detailed in a mandatory report of his personal assets. He said it was “a clerical error” and that he “wants to correct it,” but it is unlikely the public will accept it if he shrugs off the transfer of such an enormous sum as a simple clerical mistake.
自らの資産等報告書の借入金残高に吉田会長からの借入金がきちんと反映されていない。渡辺氏は「事務的なミスで訂正したい」と釈明したが、これほどの巨額なやり取りを単なるミスというのでは国民には理解されまい。
It is hard to accept that Watanabe did not prepare documents acknowledging a loan of \500 million.
５億円を借りながら、借用書を作らなかったのも不可解だ。
Watanabe said he would have the chairman of the party’s ethics committee probe any potential illegality in association with the borrowed money. But it is questionable whether suspicions can be eliminated solely through an in-house investigation.
渡辺氏は、借入金に法に触れる部分がないかなどについて、党の倫理委員長に調査をゆだねるというが、身内だけで疑惑を十分晴らすことができるだろうか。
Your Party has faced criticism for some time that its management is not democratic, with the party strongly characterized as a “private shop” that defers to Watanabe for all decisions on party matters.
みんなの党はかねて、渡辺氏が党務を仕切る「個人商店」的な色彩が強く、党運営が民主的ではないと批判されてきたからだ。
Kenji Eda, who broke with Your Party due to a feud with Watanabe and formed the Yui no To party, said that Watanabe managed state subsidies paid to the party and legislation expenses alone, without consulting other party executives.
渡辺氏との確執で離党し、結いの党を結成した江田憲司氏は、政党交付金や立法事務費を渡辺氏が差配し、幹部との協議はなかったと指摘している。
By taking advantage of personal ties with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Watanabe has promoted a stance of serving as a “responsible opposition party” by cooperating with the Abe administration on a policy-by-policy basis. Watanabe actively promotes changes to the interpretation of the Constitution that would make it possible to exercise the right to collective self-defense, a move backed by Abe.
渡辺氏は、安倍首相とのパイプを生かし、個別の政策で安倍政権と協力する「責任野党」を標榜ひょうぼうしてきた。首相が進める集団的自衛権行使を可能にする憲法解釈の見直しにも前向きだ。
Whether Watanabe will be able to maintain his political leadership is a matter of concern to Abe as well.
渡辺氏が今後も求心力を維持できるかどうかは、首相にとっても関心事だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2014)
（2014年3月28日01時26分 読売新聞）
2014年03月29日
核安全サミット テロ防止に問われる管理強化
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 27, 2014
Reinforced management of nuclear materials needed to prevent terrorism
核安全サミット テロ防止に問われる管理強化（3月27日付・読売社説）
In confronting the threat of nuclear terrorism, it is essential for countries to cooperate to thoroughly manage nuclear materials.
核テロの脅威に立ち向かうには、各国が連携して核物質の管理を徹底することが欠かせない。
The Nuclear Security Summit, attended by leaders of over 50 countries, including major industrial nations and emerging economies, was held in The Hague, and the leaders adopted a joint communique.
核安全サミットが、オランダ・ハーグで、先進国や新興国など５０か国以上の首脳らを集めて開かれ、共同声明を採択した。
The joint communique places the highest priority on preventing nuclear materials from being acquired by terrorists. It urges countries to accept the guidance mapped out by the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the protection of their nuclear materials and facilities.
共同声明は、テロリストによる核物質入手の阻止を最重要課題に掲げている。その上で国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）が策定した核物質や核関連施設の防護に関する指針の受け入れを各国に促した。
According to the IAEA, in 2013 alone there were 146 cases in which nuclear materials or other radioactive materials were traded illegally, stolen or lost. As we cannot deny the possibility of nuclear terrorism, countries concerned must take effective measures in line with the IAEA guidance.
ＩＡＥＡによると、核物質や放射性物質の違法取引や盗難、紛失は昨年だけで１４６件に上る。核テロが起きる可能性は否定できず、各国には指針に沿った実効性ある対応が求められよう。
It is also important that the communique encourages countries to minimize their stocks of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and of separated plutonium, both of which can be used in nuclear weapons. This call is aimed at getting countries to hold down their stockpile of such materials and prevent nuclear materials from going into the hands of terrorists.
声明が、各国に対し、核兵器への転用可能な高濃縮ウランやプルトニウムの保有量を最小限とするよう要請したことも重要である。それぞれの保有量を抑えて、テロリストへの流出を防ぐ狙いだ。
Any excess nuclear materials should be transported out of those countries and placed under the control of such nations as the United States, which is capable of disposing of such material responsibly.
過剰な核物質は国外に搬出し、責任を持って処理する能力のある米国のような国の管理下に置くことが望ましい。
In line with the purport of the communique, Italy, Belgium, South Korea and other countries have expressed their willingness to remove unnecessary plutonium and HEU from their countries.
声明の趣旨に沿って、イタリアやベルギー、韓国などが、不要なプルトニウムや高濃縮ウランの国内からの撤去を表明した。
Abe demonstrates resolve
Japan, for its part, has announced a bilateral agreement with the United States under which it will remove several hundred kilograms of HEU and plutonium used for the fast critical assembly at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and hand them over to the United States.
日本も、日本原子力研究開発機構が高速炉臨界実験装置で使ってきた高濃縮ウランとプルトニウム数百キロを撤去し、米国に引き渡すことで合意したと発表した。
Such measures can be said to be in accord with the principles of the government, which has said the country “will not own plutonium for which no purpose has been set.”
「利用する目的のないプルトニウムは持たない」との日本政府の原則にかなう措置とも言える。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has shown his determination at the summit, saying “Japan has a responsibility to lead efforts to strengthen nuclear security” in light of its experience with the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
今回のサミットで、安倍首相は東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の経験を踏まえ、「日本には核安全の強化を主導する責任がある」との決意を示した。
As Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in wartime and is also one with advanced technology in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, our country should take a proactive role in this field, too.
唯一の戦争被爆国であり、原子力の平和利用で先進的な技術を持つ日本は、この分野でも積極的に役割を果たすべきだ。
The Nuclear Security Summit started four years ago when U.S. President Barack Obama advocated a goal of realizing a nuclear-free world. Since then, the summit has borne definite fruit, for instance, in the prevention of nuclear terrorism. Yet it is problematic that there has been little progress in the reduction of nuclear arms themselves.
核安全サミットは、「核のない世界」の実現を目標に掲げたオバマ米大統領の提唱で４年前に始まり、核テロ防止などに一定の成果を上げてきた。ただ、核兵器そのものの削減が遅々として進んでいないのは問題である。
It is worrisome that among the five countries allowed to possess nuclear arms under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty−the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia−only China is believed to be increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons.
気がかりなのは、核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）で核兵器の保有を認められた米英中仏露５か国のうち中国だけが核兵器の保有量を増やしているとされることだ。
China must stop its military buildup with nuclear arms, which has been a destabilizing factor for the world’s nuclear security environment, and reduce its nuclear arms together with other nuclear powers.
中国は、世界の安全保障環境の不安定要因となっている核軍拡をやめ、他の保有国とともに核兵器を削減していかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2014)
（2014年3月27日01時29分 読売新聞）
Reinforced management of nuclear materials needed to prevent terrorism
核安全サミット テロ防止に問われる管理強化（3月27日付・読売社説）
In confronting the threat of nuclear terrorism, it is essential for countries to cooperate to thoroughly manage nuclear materials.
核テロの脅威に立ち向かうには、各国が連携して核物質の管理を徹底することが欠かせない。
The Nuclear Security Summit, attended by leaders of over 50 countries, including major industrial nations and emerging economies, was held in The Hague, and the leaders adopted a joint communique.
核安全サミットが、オランダ・ハーグで、先進国や新興国など５０か国以上の首脳らを集めて開かれ、共同声明を採択した。
The joint communique places the highest priority on preventing nuclear materials from being acquired by terrorists. It urges countries to accept the guidance mapped out by the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the protection of their nuclear materials and facilities.
共同声明は、テロリストによる核物質入手の阻止を最重要課題に掲げている。その上で国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）が策定した核物質や核関連施設の防護に関する指針の受け入れを各国に促した。
According to the IAEA, in 2013 alone there were 146 cases in which nuclear materials or other radioactive materials were traded illegally, stolen or lost. As we cannot deny the possibility of nuclear terrorism, countries concerned must take effective measures in line with the IAEA guidance.
ＩＡＥＡによると、核物質や放射性物質の違法取引や盗難、紛失は昨年だけで１４６件に上る。核テロが起きる可能性は否定できず、各国には指針に沿った実効性ある対応が求められよう。
It is also important that the communique encourages countries to minimize their stocks of highly enriched uranium (HEU) and of separated plutonium, both of which can be used in nuclear weapons. This call is aimed at getting countries to hold down their stockpile of such materials and prevent nuclear materials from going into the hands of terrorists.
声明が、各国に対し、核兵器への転用可能な高濃縮ウランやプルトニウムの保有量を最小限とするよう要請したことも重要である。それぞれの保有量を抑えて、テロリストへの流出を防ぐ狙いだ。
Any excess nuclear materials should be transported out of those countries and placed under the control of such nations as the United States, which is capable of disposing of such material responsibly.
過剰な核物質は国外に搬出し、責任を持って処理する能力のある米国のような国の管理下に置くことが望ましい。
In line with the purport of the communique, Italy, Belgium, South Korea and other countries have expressed their willingness to remove unnecessary plutonium and HEU from their countries.
声明の趣旨に沿って、イタリアやベルギー、韓国などが、不要なプルトニウムや高濃縮ウランの国内からの撤去を表明した。
Abe demonstrates resolve
Japan, for its part, has announced a bilateral agreement with the United States under which it will remove several hundred kilograms of HEU and plutonium used for the fast critical assembly at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and hand them over to the United States.
日本も、日本原子力研究開発機構が高速炉臨界実験装置で使ってきた高濃縮ウランとプルトニウム数百キロを撤去し、米国に引き渡すことで合意したと発表した。
Such measures can be said to be in accord with the principles of the government, which has said the country “will not own plutonium for which no purpose has been set.”
「利用する目的のないプルトニウムは持たない」との日本政府の原則にかなう措置とも言える。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has shown his determination at the summit, saying “Japan has a responsibility to lead efforts to strengthen nuclear security” in light of its experience with the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
今回のサミットで、安倍首相は東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の経験を踏まえ、「日本には核安全の強化を主導する責任がある」との決意を示した。
As Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in wartime and is also one with advanced technology in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, our country should take a proactive role in this field, too.
唯一の戦争被爆国であり、原子力の平和利用で先進的な技術を持つ日本は、この分野でも積極的に役割を果たすべきだ。
The Nuclear Security Summit started four years ago when U.S. President Barack Obama advocated a goal of realizing a nuclear-free world. Since then, the summit has borne definite fruit, for instance, in the prevention of nuclear terrorism. Yet it is problematic that there has been little progress in the reduction of nuclear arms themselves.
核安全サミットは、「核のない世界」の実現を目標に掲げたオバマ米大統領の提唱で４年前に始まり、核テロ防止などに一定の成果を上げてきた。ただ、核兵器そのものの削減が遅々として進んでいないのは問題である。
It is worrisome that among the five countries allowed to possess nuclear arms under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty−the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia−only China is believed to be increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons.
気がかりなのは、核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）で核兵器の保有を認められた米英中仏露５か国のうち中国だけが核兵器の保有量を増やしているとされることだ。
China must stop its military buildup with nuclear arms, which has been a destabilizing factor for the world’s nuclear security environment, and reduce its nuclear arms together with other nuclear powers.
中国は、世界の安全保障環境の不安定要因となっている核軍拡をやめ、他の保有国とともに核兵器を削減していかねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2014)
（2014年3月27日01時29分 読売新聞）
2014年03月28日
Ｇ７ＶＳロシア クリミア編入を前例にするな
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 27, 2014
Crimea must not become a precedent for stealing land from another country
Ｇ７ＶＳロシア クリミア編入を前例にするな（3月26日付・読売社説）
Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula must not become a precedent for one nation stealing another nation’s land by force. The international community should reinforce its united front against Moscow.
ロシアによるクリミア半島編入が、他国の領土を力で奪うあしき前例とならぬよう、国際社会は一層結束すべきだ。
Leaders of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations−Japan, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada−recently met in The Hague over the upheaval in Ukraine, denouncing Russia’s annexation as a “clear violation of international law.” The leaders decided to suspend their participation in the Group of Eight summit meeting to be held in Sochi until Moscow changes course.
日米欧の先進７か国（Ｇ７）は、ウクライナ情勢を巡りハーグで首脳会議を開き、編入を「国際法違反」と改めて非難した。ロシアが方向転換するまで、Ｇ８サミット（主要国首脳会議）への参加を停止すると決めた。
The G-7 leaders also warned they will impose tough economic sanctions on Russia if the nation further escalates its actions, on top of penalties they have already imposed.
ロシアが状況を悪化させるなら、現在の制裁に加え、厳しい経済制裁を科すとも警告した。
The success of the G-7 nations in building a united front and showing their resolve against Russia will undeniably strengthen the pressure they have put on the country.
Ｇ７が団結して強い意思を示したことは、ロシアに対するさらなる圧力となろう。
At the meeting, Japan pledged up to \150 billion in aid to Ukraine, which now faces the risk of default. It is essential for Japan to join hands with the United States and European countries to support Ukraine, to stabilize the situation.
首脳会議で日本は、ウクライナに対して、最大約１５００億円の支援を表明した。ウクライナ経済は債務不履行（デフォルト）も懸念される事態だ。情勢安定化のためにも、米国や欧州と共に支援を行うことが不可欠である。
In reaction to the decisions of the G-7, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is not clinging to the G-8 format. He suggested putting more focus on the U.N. Security Council and the summit meetings of the Group of 20 nations.
Ｇ７の決定に対し、ロシアのラブロフ外相は、「Ｇ８に固執しない」と述べ、国連安全保障理事会や、主要２０か国・地域によるサミットを重視する意向を示した。
‘Russianization’ progressing
The reason behind Lavrov maintaining his assertive stance is the overwhelming public support in Russia for the annexation of Crimea.
外相が強気の姿勢を崩さない背景には、クリミア編入に対するロシア国民の圧倒的支持がある。
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apparently concluded that his strategy to annex the Crimean Peninsula was successful. It is unlikely that receiving some condemnation from the international community will be an incentive for Putin to give up Crimea. Ukraine has decided to withdraw its troops from Crimea, and the “Russianization” of the region, such as the circulation of the ruble, has begun.
プーチン大統領は、自らの編入戦略が奏功したと受け止め、国際的に多少非難されても、クリミアを手放さないつもりなのだろう。クリミアでは、ウクライナ軍の撤収が決まり、ルーブルが流通し始めるなど「ロシア化」が進む。
There is one worrying move from Russia−the nation is now concentrating its troops on the southern and eastern borders of Ukraine.
懸念されるのは、ロシアがウクライナの東部や南部の国境周辺に軍を集結させていることだ。
If Russia begins a military intervention against Ukraine in regions other than Crimea, there is no doubt the United States and other G-7 nations will impose full-scale economic sanctions on Russia. The sanctions will not only hit the Russian economy, but they will also cause enormous repercussions to the global economy.
ロシアが、クリミア以外のウクライナ国内に軍事的に介入した場合、米国始めＧ７各国は本格的な経済制裁に乗り出すに違いない。ロシアだけでなく、世界経済に甚大な影響が及ぶのは確実だ。
It is crucial that the international observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe enter Ukraine as soon as possible, and begin monitoring the security situation there to prevent tensions with Ukrainian citizens of Russian descent, which would give Russia the pretext for directly intervening in Ukraine.
ロシア系住民の動揺を防ぎ、ロシアに介入の口実を与えないためにも、全欧安保協力機構（ＯＳＣＥ）による国際監視団が一刻も早く、ウクライナに赴き、治安情勢の監視を始めることが必要だ。
The Crimea issue has massive implications for Japan, which faces China’s repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters in areas near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
クリミア問題は、沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺で中国による領海侵入を繰り返し受けている日本にとっても重要な意味を持つ。
During the G-7 meeting, Abe told other leaders that Japan will not tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force. He then went on to say that the Ukranian issue is a problem for the entire international community, including Asia, and multiple nations reportedly agreed with his remarks.
今回のＧ７首脳会議で安倍首相が、力を背景とした現状変更は許せない、と踏み込んだ上で、「アジアなど国際社会全体の問題だ」と指摘したところ、複数の国から賛同意見が寄せられたという。
It will be important for Japan to assert the legitimacy of its position on the Senkaku issue to the international community, and obtain the understanding of other nations over the issue.
尖閣諸島についても、日本の立場の正当性を主張し、国際的理解を得ていくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2014)
（2014年3月26日01時47分 読売新聞）
Crimea must not become a precedent for stealing land from another country
Ｇ７ＶＳロシア クリミア編入を前例にするな（3月26日付・読売社説）
Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula must not become a precedent for one nation stealing another nation’s land by force. The international community should reinforce its united front against Moscow.
ロシアによるクリミア半島編入が、他国の領土を力で奪うあしき前例とならぬよう、国際社会は一層結束すべきだ。
Leaders of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations−Japan, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada−recently met in The Hague over the upheaval in Ukraine, denouncing Russia’s annexation as a “clear violation of international law.” The leaders decided to suspend their participation in the Group of Eight summit meeting to be held in Sochi until Moscow changes course.
日米欧の先進７か国（Ｇ７）は、ウクライナ情勢を巡りハーグで首脳会議を開き、編入を「国際法違反」と改めて非難した。ロシアが方向転換するまで、Ｇ８サミット（主要国首脳会議）への参加を停止すると決めた。
The G-7 leaders also warned they will impose tough economic sanctions on Russia if the nation further escalates its actions, on top of penalties they have already imposed.
ロシアが状況を悪化させるなら、現在の制裁に加え、厳しい経済制裁を科すとも警告した。
The success of the G-7 nations in building a united front and showing their resolve against Russia will undeniably strengthen the pressure they have put on the country.
Ｇ７が団結して強い意思を示したことは、ロシアに対するさらなる圧力となろう。
At the meeting, Japan pledged up to \150 billion in aid to Ukraine, which now faces the risk of default. It is essential for Japan to join hands with the United States and European countries to support Ukraine, to stabilize the situation.
首脳会議で日本は、ウクライナに対して、最大約１５００億円の支援を表明した。ウクライナ経済は債務不履行（デフォルト）も懸念される事態だ。情勢安定化のためにも、米国や欧州と共に支援を行うことが不可欠である。
In reaction to the decisions of the G-7, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is not clinging to the G-8 format. He suggested putting more focus on the U.N. Security Council and the summit meetings of the Group of 20 nations.
Ｇ７の決定に対し、ロシアのラブロフ外相は、「Ｇ８に固執しない」と述べ、国連安全保障理事会や、主要２０か国・地域によるサミットを重視する意向を示した。
‘Russianization’ progressing
The reason behind Lavrov maintaining his assertive stance is the overwhelming public support in Russia for the annexation of Crimea.
外相が強気の姿勢を崩さない背景には、クリミア編入に対するロシア国民の圧倒的支持がある。
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apparently concluded that his strategy to annex the Crimean Peninsula was successful. It is unlikely that receiving some condemnation from the international community will be an incentive for Putin to give up Crimea. Ukraine has decided to withdraw its troops from Crimea, and the “Russianization” of the region, such as the circulation of the ruble, has begun.
プーチン大統領は、自らの編入戦略が奏功したと受け止め、国際的に多少非難されても、クリミアを手放さないつもりなのだろう。クリミアでは、ウクライナ軍の撤収が決まり、ルーブルが流通し始めるなど「ロシア化」が進む。
There is one worrying move from Russia−the nation is now concentrating its troops on the southern and eastern borders of Ukraine.
懸念されるのは、ロシアがウクライナの東部や南部の国境周辺に軍を集結させていることだ。
If Russia begins a military intervention against Ukraine in regions other than Crimea, there is no doubt the United States and other G-7 nations will impose full-scale economic sanctions on Russia. The sanctions will not only hit the Russian economy, but they will also cause enormous repercussions to the global economy.
ロシアが、クリミア以外のウクライナ国内に軍事的に介入した場合、米国始めＧ７各国は本格的な経済制裁に乗り出すに違いない。ロシアだけでなく、世界経済に甚大な影響が及ぶのは確実だ。
It is crucial that the international observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe enter Ukraine as soon as possible, and begin monitoring the security situation there to prevent tensions with Ukrainian citizens of Russian descent, which would give Russia the pretext for directly intervening in Ukraine.
ロシア系住民の動揺を防ぎ、ロシアに介入の口実を与えないためにも、全欧安保協力機構（ＯＳＣＥ）による国際監視団が一刻も早く、ウクライナに赴き、治安情勢の監視を始めることが必要だ。
The Crimea issue has massive implications for Japan, which faces China’s repeated intrusions into Japanese territorial waters in areas near the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
クリミア問題は、沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺で中国による領海侵入を繰り返し受けている日本にとっても重要な意味を持つ。
During the G-7 meeting, Abe told other leaders that Japan will not tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force. He then went on to say that the Ukranian issue is a problem for the entire international community, including Asia, and multiple nations reportedly agreed with his remarks.
今回のＧ７首脳会議で安倍首相が、力を背景とした現状変更は許せない、と踏み込んだ上で、「アジアなど国際社会全体の問題だ」と指摘したところ、複数の国から賛同意見が寄せられたという。
It will be important for Japan to assert the legitimacy of its position on the Senkaku issue to the international community, and obtain the understanding of other nations over the issue.
尖閣諸島についても、日本の立場の正当性を主張し、国際的理解を得ていくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2014)
（2014年3月26日01時47分 読売新聞）
2014年03月27日
中韓首脳会談 鮮明になった「反日共闘」路線
The Yomiuri Shimbun March 25, 2014
China-South Korea summit clearly shows ‘united front against Japan’
中韓首脳会談 鮮明になった「反日共闘」路線（3月25日付・読売社説）
It seems fair to say that China and South Korea have demonstrated clearly their “united front against Japan” on history-related issues.
中国と韓国が、歴史問題で「反日共闘」路線をますます鮮明にしてきたと言えよう。
Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Park Geun-hye met for talks in a suburb of The Hague where they highlighted the significance of a memorial hall dedicated to Korean independence activist Ahn Jung Geun in a train station in Harbin, China.
中国の習近平国家主席と、韓国の朴槿恵大統領がオランダ・ハーグ郊外で会談し、中国黒竜江省のハルビン駅に開設した朝鮮独立運動家・安重根の記念館の意義を強調した。
According to South Korean officials, Xi told Park he had given “direct instructions” for building the hall, while Park responded that the hall would strengthen ties between the two peoples.
韓国側によると、記念館開設について、習氏は「私が直接指示した」と語り、朴氏も「両国民の結び付きを強める」と応じた。
We believe that what Xi offered Park was a united front in taking a hard-line policy against Japan, a policy that has support of the South Korean people, in a bid to draw the attention of the Seoul government.
習氏は、朴氏に対して、韓国民が支持する対日強硬路線で共闘を持ちかけて、韓国を引きつけようとしているのではないか。
Ahn Jung Geun assassinated Hirobumi Ito, Japan’s first prime minister. For Japan, the two nations’ praise for the opening of a hall dedicated to such a person is unacceptable.
安重根は、初代首相の伊藤博文を暗殺した人物であり、記念館開設を称賛するのは、日本にとって受け入れ難い。
Xi appears to have sought to drive a wedge in cooperative ties among Japan, South Korea and the United States ahead of their tripartite summit scheduled for Tuesday on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit. The Xi-Park talks threw cold water on the much-anticipated summit, which comes against a backdrop of deteriorating Japan-South Korea relations−a summit made possible through U.S. mediation efforts.
習氏には、２５日に予定される日米韓首脳会談をにらみ、３国連携にくさびを打ち込む狙いがあったに違いない。日韓関係が悪化する中で、米国の仲介努力によってようやく実現する日米韓首脳会談に冷や水を浴びせる形になった。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga described the exchanges between Xi and Park and the praise Beijing and Seoul have expressed for Ahn as “founded on one-sided assessment” of history. He also pointed out quite reasonably that such public statements do not help to build peace and cooperation in the region.
菅官房長官が、こうした中韓のやり取りを「一方的評価に基づく主張」と断じて、地域の平和と協力の構築にとってマイナスだと指摘したのも、もっともである。
A new anti-Japan symbol
During their talks, Xi also told Park of a “memorial stone” that China is constructing in Xian in Shaanxi Province, the city where a Korean anti-Japanese resistance force known as the “Korean Liberation Army” was based during the period of Japanese colonial rule. Park reportedly asked Xi to erect the memorial. Although there are few details about the resistance force, the memorial is certain to become a new symbol for anti-Japan sentiment.
中韓首脳会談で習氏は、日本の植民地統治期に「光復軍」と呼ばれる朝鮮の抗日部隊が駐屯したという陝西省西安に石碑を建設中だと述べた。朴氏が要望したものだ。光復軍の実態は定かではないが、反日の新たな象徴となろう。
There is also cause for concern that Park has been keeping step with China. Although she has not yet held talks with Japanese leaders, Park has met with Xi four times since her inauguration. She probably thinks stronger relations with China are important for her country’s North Korea policy and economic cooperation.
朴氏が、中国と足並みをそろえているのも気がかりだ。日本を差し置いて習氏とは何度も会談している。中国との関係強化が、対北朝鮮政策や、経済協力でも重要であると考えているのだろう。
In contrast, she has effectively rejected Japan-South Korea summit meetings by imposing conditions concerning so-called comfort women and other areas of contention.
これと対照的に、日本に対しては、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題などで条件を付けて、日韓首脳会談の開催を事実上拒んでいる。
It is quite clear that neither the Japan-U.S. alliance nor the U.S.-South Korean alliance−both partnerships in which United States is the keystone−will function effectively without good Japan-South Korean relations.
良好な日韓関係なしには、米国を要とする日米及び米韓同盟が有効に機能しないのは明らかだ。
The prospect of further strengthening Seoul-Beijing ties over history issues is worrisome.
歴史を巡る中韓連携は、今後さらに強まることが懸念される。
Late last month, a Chinese court for the first time accepted a lawsuit in which former Chinese workers who were forcibly brought to Japan to work in Japanese companies during World War II are demanding apologies and compensation from the companies. Similar lawsuits have been filed in South Korea by former forced laborers.
中国の裁判所は先に、戦時中、強制連行された中国人元労働者らが日本企業を相手取り、謝罪と損害賠償を求めた訴状を初めて受理した。韓国でも元徴用工が同様の裁判を起こしている。
This type of suit threatens to undermine the foundation of pledges made by Japan and by the two nations upon the normalization of diplomatic relations, and cannot be accepted.
いずれも、日本との国交正常化の際の約束を根底から揺るがす恐れがあり、容認できない。
It is important for Japan to make its case and demonstrate the legitimacy of its legal stance, not only to China and South Korea, but to the international community as a whole.
日本は、中韓両国だけでなく国際社会に対しても、法的な正当性を主張していくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 25, 2014)
（2014年3月25日01時45分 読売新聞）
China-South Korea summit clearly shows ‘united front against Japan’
中韓首脳会談 鮮明になった「反日共闘」路線（3月25日付・読売社説）
It seems fair to say that China and South Korea have demonstrated clearly their “united front against Japan” on history-related issues.
中国と韓国が、歴史問題で「反日共闘」路線をますます鮮明にしてきたと言えよう。
Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Park Geun-hye met for talks in a suburb of The Hague where they highlighted the significance of a memorial hall dedicated to Korean independence activist Ahn Jung Geun in a train station in Harbin, China.
中国の習近平国家主席と、韓国の朴槿恵大統領がオランダ・ハーグ郊外で会談し、中国黒竜江省のハルビン駅に開設した朝鮮独立運動家・安重根の記念館の意義を強調した。
According to South Korean officials, Xi told Park he had given “direct instructions” for building the hall, while Park responded that the hall would strengthen ties between the two peoples.
韓国側によると、記念館開設について、習氏は「私が直接指示した」と語り、朴氏も「両国民の結び付きを強める」と応じた。
We believe that what Xi offered Park was a united front in taking a hard-line policy against Japan, a policy that has support of the South Korean people, in a bid to draw the attention of the Seoul government.
習氏は、朴氏に対して、韓国民が支持する対日強硬路線で共闘を持ちかけて、韓国を引きつけようとしているのではないか。
Ahn Jung Geun assassinated Hirobumi Ito, Japan’s first prime minister. For Japan, the two nations’ praise for the opening of a hall dedicated to such a person is unacceptable.
安重根は、初代首相の伊藤博文を暗殺した人物であり、記念館開設を称賛するのは、日本にとって受け入れ難い。
Xi appears to have sought to drive a wedge in cooperative ties among Japan, South Korea and the United States ahead of their tripartite summit scheduled for Tuesday on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit. The Xi-Park talks threw cold water on the much-anticipated summit, which comes against a backdrop of deteriorating Japan-South Korea relations−a summit made possible through U.S. mediation efforts.
習氏には、２５日に予定される日米韓首脳会談をにらみ、３国連携にくさびを打ち込む狙いがあったに違いない。日韓関係が悪化する中で、米国の仲介努力によってようやく実現する日米韓首脳会談に冷や水を浴びせる形になった。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga described the exchanges between Xi and Park and the praise Beijing and Seoul have expressed for Ahn as “founded on one-sided assessment” of history. He also pointed out quite reasonably that such public statements do not help to build peace and cooperation in the region.
菅官房長官が、こうした中韓のやり取りを「一方的評価に基づく主張」と断じて、地域の平和と協力の構築にとってマイナスだと指摘したのも、もっともである。
A new anti-Japan symbol
During their talks, Xi also told Park of a “memorial stone” that China is constructing in Xian in Shaanxi Province, the city where a Korean anti-Japanese resistance force known as the “Korean Liberation Army” was based during the period of Japanese colonial rule. Park reportedly asked Xi to erect the memorial. Although there are few details about the resistance force, the memorial is certain to become a new symbol for anti-Japan sentiment.
中韓首脳会談で習氏は、日本の植民地統治期に「光復軍」と呼ばれる朝鮮の抗日部隊が駐屯したという陝西省西安に石碑を建設中だと述べた。朴氏が要望したものだ。光復軍の実態は定かではないが、反日の新たな象徴となろう。
There is also cause for concern that Park has been keeping step with China. Although she has not yet held talks with Japanese leaders, Park has met with Xi four times since her inauguration. She probably thinks stronger relations with China are important for her country’s North Korea policy and economic cooperation.
朴氏が、中国と足並みをそろえているのも気がかりだ。日本を差し置いて習氏とは何度も会談している。中国との関係強化が、対北朝鮮政策や、経済協力でも重要であると考えているのだろう。
In contrast, she has effectively rejected Japan-South Korea summit meetings by imposing conditions concerning so-called comfort women and other areas of contention.
これと対照的に、日本に対しては、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題などで条件を付けて、日韓首脳会談の開催を事実上拒んでいる。
It is quite clear that neither the Japan-U.S. alliance nor the U.S.-South Korean alliance−both partnerships in which United States is the keystone−will function effectively without good Japan-South Korean relations.
良好な日韓関係なしには、米国を要とする日米及び米韓同盟が有効に機能しないのは明らかだ。
The prospect of further strengthening Seoul-Beijing ties over history issues is worrisome.
歴史を巡る中韓連携は、今後さらに強まることが懸念される。
Late last month, a Chinese court for the first time accepted a lawsuit in which former Chinese workers who were forcibly brought to Japan to work in Japanese companies during World War II are demanding apologies and compensation from the companies. Similar lawsuits have been filed in South Korea by former forced laborers.
中国の裁判所は先に、戦時中、強制連行された中国人元労働者らが日本企業を相手取り、謝罪と損害賠償を求めた訴状を初めて受理した。韓国でも元徴用工が同様の裁判を起こしている。
This type of suit threatens to undermine the foundation of pledges made by Japan and by the two nations upon the normalization of diplomatic relations, and cannot be accepted.
いずれも、日本との国交正常化の際の約束を根底から揺るがす恐れがあり、容認できない。
It is important for Japan to make its case and demonstrate the legitimacy of its legal stance, not only to China and South Korea, but to the international community as a whole.
日本は、中韓両国だけでなく国際社会に対しても、法的な正当性を主張していくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 25, 2014)
（2014年3月25日01時45分 読売新聞）