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2013年12月25日
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ
>国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。
↓＾＾
海外の日本人向け放送の拡充は急務だ。
民放はネットで世界に向けて無料開放して良いのでは？
厳しいのは日本だけ。
これも霞ヶ関の影響力か？
例えばタイ、全チャンネル無料で見られます＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 21, 2013
New NHK president must promote impartiality, fairness in broadcasts
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ（12月21日付・読売社説）
We want NHK’s new president to fulfill his responsibility as the head of the public broadcasting corporation by promoting production of fair and neutral programs.
中立で公正な番組作りを推進することで、公共放送のトップとしての責任を果たしてほしい。
NHK’s Board of Governors has appointed Katsuto Momii to succeed Masayuki Matsumoto as the public broadcaster’s president. After serving as a vice president of Mitsui & Co., Momii has worked in various positions in the business world, including the post of president of Nihon Unisys Ltd., a major player in IT solutions services.
ＮＨＫの経営委員会は松本正之会長の後任に籾井勝人氏を選出した。籾井氏は三井物産で副社長を務めた後、情報システム会社の日本ユニシスで社長などを歴任した経済人だ。
Momii is the third NHK president in a row from the private sector. He should effectively reform the public broadcaster by using the management abilities he cultivated when he worked with private companies.
民間出身の会長は３代連続である。企業で培った経営手腕を存分に発揮し、ＮＨＫ改革の実効を上げることが求められる。
Matsumoto can be credited with such reforms as lowering viewers’ fees and reducing wages for NHK employees.
松本会長が受信料の値下げや職員給与の削減といった改革に取り組んだ点は評価できる。
However, compared with private broadcasters, NHK must do more to cut manpower and production costs. Momii should bring cost-consciousness home to all NHK employees to overhaul the bloated organization.
ただ、民放に比べ、要員削減や制作費の使い方などでＮＨＫの合理化努力はまだ甘い。籾井氏はコスト意識を徹底させ、肥大化した組織の見直しを図るべきだ。
Viewers’ fees account for more than 90 percent of NHK’s revenue, but nearly 30 percent of viewers do not pay the fees.
ＮＨＫの収入の９割超を占める受信料は、支払っていない比率が全国で３割近くに及ぶ。
Raising the fee collection rate will be necessary to help alleviate the people’s sense of unfairness.
国民の不公平感を和らげるためにも、受信料の徴収率をさらに引き上げる必要がある。
Legal compliance is also an important challenge for the new president. NHK’s Science and Technology Research Laboratories was hit by a scandal concerning fictitious orders this autumn. Serious irregularities such as insider trading have been rife in NHK.
法令順守も新会長の重要な課題だ。今秋には放送技術研究所で架空発注問題が起きた。ＮＨＫでは、インサイダー事件など過去にも深刻な不祥事が頻発している。
Enhance awareness
It is essential to enhance employees’ awareness and work toward preventing the recurrence of such incidents.
職員の意識向上を図り、再発防止に努めることが大切になる。
The political and business worlds have increasingly criticized NHK’s programs and reporting as biased, arguing that they took a negative stance in reporting on the maintenance and restart of nuclear power plants and the deployment of new U.S. Osprey military transport aircraft. This could also be a factor behind Matsumoto’s exit from the post of NHK president.
原発の維持・再稼働や米軍輸送機オスプレイの配備に批判的だとして、ＮＨＫの番組・報道には政財界から「偏っている」との批判が高まっていた。これも松本会長退任の背景にあろう。
Also, in regard to reporting on the law on protecting specially-designated state secrets, it seems that NHK failed to present a diverse range of views, inviting mostly experts with negative views of the law as guest commentators on the matter.
特定秘密保護法をめぐる報道でも、論点が多岐にわたらず、登場する識者の人選も、反対する側に傾いていたのではないか。
Momii, who will assume the post to take ultimate responsibility for production of programs, should constantly take care to ensure program contents are impartial while attaching importance to presenting views in a balanced manner when the programs take up subjects on which opinion is divided.
番組制作の最高責任者に就く籾井氏は、見解が分かれる問題を取り上げる場合、バランスを重視し、放送内容が中立かどうか絶えず目配りをしなくてはならない。
NHK’s political neutrality is a major principle stipulated in the Broadcast Law. The relationship of trust with viewers and listeners should be built by providing unbiased programs.
「不偏不党」は、放送法で定められた大原則だ。偏らない番組を提供し続けることで、視聴者との信頼関係を築くべきだろう。
Expanding and improving broadcasting for people overseas is also an urgent task. It will serve the national interest to actively broadcast programs about Japanese policies, culture and tourism resources overseas.
国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。日本の政策や文化、観光資源を積極的に海外に発信していくことは国益にもつながる。
Momii will be pressed to craft an effective strategy to expand business in such fields as sales of programs to foreign cable television companies. High expectations will be placed on him in this regard because of his personal connections and the experience he accumulated working with a major trading house.
外国のケーブルテレビ会社への販売促進などで効果的な戦略を立てることが望まれる。商社出身の籾井氏の人脈やビジネス経験に期待したい。
Focusing on technological innovations such as development of next-generation high-definition broadcasting, dubbed “8K,” and simultaneous provision of programs on the Internet is another mission facing the new president.
次世代高画質放送「８Ｋ」（スーパーハイビジョン）の開発や、番組のインターネットへの同時配信といった技術革新に注力することも新会長の使命と言える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2013)
（2013年12月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
↓＾＾
海外の日本人向け放送の拡充は急務だ。
民放はネットで世界に向けて無料開放して良いのでは？
厳しいのは日本だけ。
これも霞ヶ関の影響力か？
例えばタイ、全チャンネル無料で見られます＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 21, 2013
New NHK president must promote impartiality, fairness in broadcasts
ＮＨＫ新会長 偏りなき番組で責任を果たせ（12月21日付・読売社説）
We want NHK’s new president to fulfill his responsibility as the head of the public broadcasting corporation by promoting production of fair and neutral programs.
中立で公正な番組作りを推進することで、公共放送のトップとしての責任を果たしてほしい。
NHK’s Board of Governors has appointed Katsuto Momii to succeed Masayuki Matsumoto as the public broadcaster’s president. After serving as a vice president of Mitsui & Co., Momii has worked in various positions in the business world, including the post of president of Nihon Unisys Ltd., a major player in IT solutions services.
ＮＨＫの経営委員会は松本正之会長の後任に籾井勝人氏を選出した。籾井氏は三井物産で副社長を務めた後、情報システム会社の日本ユニシスで社長などを歴任した経済人だ。
Momii is the third NHK president in a row from the private sector. He should effectively reform the public broadcaster by using the management abilities he cultivated when he worked with private companies.
民間出身の会長は３代連続である。企業で培った経営手腕を存分に発揮し、ＮＨＫ改革の実効を上げることが求められる。
Matsumoto can be credited with such reforms as lowering viewers’ fees and reducing wages for NHK employees.
松本会長が受信料の値下げや職員給与の削減といった改革に取り組んだ点は評価できる。
However, compared with private broadcasters, NHK must do more to cut manpower and production costs. Momii should bring cost-consciousness home to all NHK employees to overhaul the bloated organization.
ただ、民放に比べ、要員削減や制作費の使い方などでＮＨＫの合理化努力はまだ甘い。籾井氏はコスト意識を徹底させ、肥大化した組織の見直しを図るべきだ。
Viewers’ fees account for more than 90 percent of NHK’s revenue, but nearly 30 percent of viewers do not pay the fees.
ＮＨＫの収入の９割超を占める受信料は、支払っていない比率が全国で３割近くに及ぶ。
Raising the fee collection rate will be necessary to help alleviate the people’s sense of unfairness.
国民の不公平感を和らげるためにも、受信料の徴収率をさらに引き上げる必要がある。
Legal compliance is also an important challenge for the new president. NHK’s Science and Technology Research Laboratories was hit by a scandal concerning fictitious orders this autumn. Serious irregularities such as insider trading have been rife in NHK.
法令順守も新会長の重要な課題だ。今秋には放送技術研究所で架空発注問題が起きた。ＮＨＫでは、インサイダー事件など過去にも深刻な不祥事が頻発している。
Enhance awareness
It is essential to enhance employees’ awareness and work toward preventing the recurrence of such incidents.
職員の意識向上を図り、再発防止に努めることが大切になる。
The political and business worlds have increasingly criticized NHK’s programs and reporting as biased, arguing that they took a negative stance in reporting on the maintenance and restart of nuclear power plants and the deployment of new U.S. Osprey military transport aircraft. This could also be a factor behind Matsumoto’s exit from the post of NHK president.
原発の維持・再稼働や米軍輸送機オスプレイの配備に批判的だとして、ＮＨＫの番組・報道には政財界から「偏っている」との批判が高まっていた。これも松本会長退任の背景にあろう。
Also, in regard to reporting on the law on protecting specially-designated state secrets, it seems that NHK failed to present a diverse range of views, inviting mostly experts with negative views of the law as guest commentators on the matter.
特定秘密保護法をめぐる報道でも、論点が多岐にわたらず、登場する識者の人選も、反対する側に傾いていたのではないか。
Momii, who will assume the post to take ultimate responsibility for production of programs, should constantly take care to ensure program contents are impartial while attaching importance to presenting views in a balanced manner when the programs take up subjects on which opinion is divided.
番組制作の最高責任者に就く籾井氏は、見解が分かれる問題を取り上げる場合、バランスを重視し、放送内容が中立かどうか絶えず目配りをしなくてはならない。
NHK’s political neutrality is a major principle stipulated in the Broadcast Law. The relationship of trust with viewers and listeners should be built by providing unbiased programs.
「不偏不党」は、放送法で定められた大原則だ。偏らない番組を提供し続けることで、視聴者との信頼関係を築くべきだろう。
Expanding and improving broadcasting for people overseas is also an urgent task. It will serve the national interest to actively broadcast programs about Japanese policies, culture and tourism resources overseas.
国外での外国人向け放送の拡充も急務だ。日本の政策や文化、観光資源を積極的に海外に発信していくことは国益にもつながる。
Momii will be pressed to craft an effective strategy to expand business in such fields as sales of programs to foreign cable television companies. High expectations will be placed on him in this regard because of his personal connections and the experience he accumulated working with a major trading house.
外国のケーブルテレビ会社への販売促進などで効果的な戦略を立てることが望まれる。商社出身の籾井氏の人脈やビジネス経験に期待したい。
Focusing on technological innovations such as development of next-generation high-definition broadcasting, dubbed “8K,” and simultaneous provision of programs on the Internet is another mission facing the new president.
次世代高画質放送「８Ｋ」（スーパーハイビジョン）の開発や、番組のインターネットへの同時配信といった技術革新に注力することも新会長の使命と言える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2013)
（2013年12月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
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2013年12月22日
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 20, 2013
Act to protect lives and govt center from major earthquake damage
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか（12月20日付・読売社説）
Paralysis of the nation’s nerve center in a major earthquake is a worst-case scenario that must be prevented.
大震災で日本の中枢機能がマヒする最悪の事態を防がねばならない。
A panel of the government’s Central Disaster Management Council, which has been studying measures to deal with the aftermath of a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, has compiled a report on the scale of a predicted temblor and the damage likely to be caused.
首都直下地震の対策を検討してきた政府の中央防災会議の部会が、予想される地震の規模や、それによる被害予測をまとめた。
The predictions were made based on the assumption of a magnitude-7.3 earthquake occurring with its focus in southern central Tokyo. The panel has adopted this scenario because among the various quakes that might happen in Tokyo and its vicinity, there is a 70-percent possibility that a magnitude-7.3 quake will occur within 30 years and it would strike a direct blow to the nation’s nerve center.
想定したのは、東京都心南部を震源とするマグニチュード７・３の地震だ。首都周辺で起き得る大地震のうち、今後３０年間の発生確率が７０％と高く、国の中枢を直撃する恐れがあるためという。
The anticipated earthquake would cause shaking at an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese scale of seven in central Tokyo, even reaching 7 in some areas. In the worst case, 610,000 buildings and houses are predicted to collapse and be destroyed by fire, causing about 23,000 deaths.
この地震では、震度６強の猛烈な揺れが都心部を襲う。一部地域は震度７になる。最悪の場合、建物６１万棟が倒壊・炎上し、約２万３０００人もの犠牲者が出る。
This reflects the fragility of a gigantic and overpopulated city. Countermeasures must be taken urgently.
巨大過密都市の弱点を反映したものだ。対策は急務である。
Above all, fires are of serious concern. Fires are anticipated to break out in various places simultaneously and spread for about two days. It is feared that disaster victims will not be able to escape and will be engulfed by fire.
特に火災は深刻だ。各所で同時多発し、延焼が２日程度続く。被災者が周囲を火に囲まれ、逃げられない事態も心配される。
Streets will be swamped with people who have lost their homes or are unable to return home. Major roads will become unusable due to the debris while railways and other transport networks will be disrupted.
住宅を失ったり、帰宅できなくなったりした被災者で街はあふれる。がれきで主要道路は不通となり、鉄道など交通網が止まる。
Losses of power, water and telephone connections may continue for about a week.
停電や電話の不通、断水が１週間程度も続くかもしれない。
Disruption of official functions
Of special concern is that the Diet, the Prime Minister’s Office and government offices will cease to function. If central coordination and control are lost, the damage will be compounded.
懸念されるのは、国会や首相官邸、官庁街が機能不全になることだ。震災対応の司令塔が失われれば、被害は一層拡大しよう。
Moreover, if the nerve center for economic activities is destroyed, production and distribution will stagnate, with a major impact across the nation. Economic damage is estimated to total about \95 trillion.
経済活動の中枢が壊滅すれば、生産や流通が滞り、全国に甚大な影響が及ぶ。経済被害の額は、約９５兆円に上るという。
政府や自治体はもちろん、企業や家庭で対策を講じたい。
If the percentage of buildings in Tokyo equipped with earthquake resistance measures is enhanced from the current 87 percent to 94 percent, the death toll would be halved, according to calculations by the panel.
今回、中央防災会議の部会は、東京都内の建物の耐震化率が今の８７％から９４％に上昇すると、死者数は半減すると試算した。
Regarding fires, if earthquake-sensing breakers, which stop power supply immediately upon sensing a temblor, were installed in every household to reduce the likelihood of fire, it is said that the fire death toll would drop by 90 percent.
火災についても、揺れを感知して電気を止める「感震ブレーカー」が全戸に普及し、初期消火できれば、焼死者は９割減るという。
The public and private sectors must cooperate in strengthening such immediately needed countermeasures.
官民が連携し、こうした足元の対策を強化することが肝要だ。
The Cabinet Office, under which the disaster panel exists, has drafted a program to preserve government functions in the aftermath of a disaster, taking into account the panel’s compilation of disaster damage predictions.
内閣府は、今回の被害想定に合わせ、政府の活動が震災時にも停滞しないようにする「事業継続計画」の素案をまとめた。
The program calls for quickly grasping the damage situation to begin rescue and relief activities. It also points out the need to disseminate accurate information both at home and abroad and make all-out efforts to carry out emergency measures on such priority issues as financial stability and public safety. It will be necessary to clarify the roles to be played by the government ministries and agencies concerned so that measures can be implemented without fail.
被災状況の把握を急ぎ、救助救援を展開する。内外への正確な情報発信に努め、金融の安定、治安対策などの非常時優先業務に全力を挙げるという内容だ。関係府省の役割分担を明確にし、確実に実施できるよう備えるべきだ。
A special law was enacted last month to accelerate countermeasures against an earthquake centered directly below Tokyo. Areas will be designated based on the law to accelerate the reinforcement of sewerage and other infrastructure systems with the joint efforts of the central and local governments. Projects must be promoted steadily on a priority basis.
対策の加速を図る首都直下地震対策特措法も先月、成立した。今後、下水道の補強などインフラ整備を急ぐ地域を指定し、政府と自治体が取り組むことになる。優先順位をつけ、着実に進めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2013)
（2013年12月20日01時36分 読売新聞）
Act to protect lives and govt center from major earthquake damage
「首都直下地震」 人命と国の中枢をどう守るか（12月20日付・読売社説）
Paralysis of the nation’s nerve center in a major earthquake is a worst-case scenario that must be prevented.
大震災で日本の中枢機能がマヒする最悪の事態を防がねばならない。
A panel of the government’s Central Disaster Management Council, which has been studying measures to deal with the aftermath of a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, has compiled a report on the scale of a predicted temblor and the damage likely to be caused.
首都直下地震の対策を検討してきた政府の中央防災会議の部会が、予想される地震の規模や、それによる被害予測をまとめた。
The predictions were made based on the assumption of a magnitude-7.3 earthquake occurring with its focus in southern central Tokyo. The panel has adopted this scenario because among the various quakes that might happen in Tokyo and its vicinity, there is a 70-percent possibility that a magnitude-7.3 quake will occur within 30 years and it would strike a direct blow to the nation’s nerve center.
想定したのは、東京都心南部を震源とするマグニチュード７・３の地震だ。首都周辺で起き得る大地震のうち、今後３０年間の発生確率が７０％と高く、国の中枢を直撃する恐れがあるためという。
The anticipated earthquake would cause shaking at an intensity of upper 6 on the Japanese scale of seven in central Tokyo, even reaching 7 in some areas. In the worst case, 610,000 buildings and houses are predicted to collapse and be destroyed by fire, causing about 23,000 deaths.
この地震では、震度６強の猛烈な揺れが都心部を襲う。一部地域は震度７になる。最悪の場合、建物６１万棟が倒壊・炎上し、約２万３０００人もの犠牲者が出る。
This reflects the fragility of a gigantic and overpopulated city. Countermeasures must be taken urgently.
巨大過密都市の弱点を反映したものだ。対策は急務である。
Above all, fires are of serious concern. Fires are anticipated to break out in various places simultaneously and spread for about two days. It is feared that disaster victims will not be able to escape and will be engulfed by fire.
特に火災は深刻だ。各所で同時多発し、延焼が２日程度続く。被災者が周囲を火に囲まれ、逃げられない事態も心配される。
Streets will be swamped with people who have lost their homes or are unable to return home. Major roads will become unusable due to the debris while railways and other transport networks will be disrupted.
住宅を失ったり、帰宅できなくなったりした被災者で街はあふれる。がれきで主要道路は不通となり、鉄道など交通網が止まる。
Losses of power, water and telephone connections may continue for about a week.
停電や電話の不通、断水が１週間程度も続くかもしれない。
Disruption of official functions
Of special concern is that the Diet, the Prime Minister’s Office and government offices will cease to function. If central coordination and control are lost, the damage will be compounded.
懸念されるのは、国会や首相官邸、官庁街が機能不全になることだ。震災対応の司令塔が失われれば、被害は一層拡大しよう。
Moreover, if the nerve center for economic activities is destroyed, production and distribution will stagnate, with a major impact across the nation. Economic damage is estimated to total about \95 trillion.
経済活動の中枢が壊滅すれば、生産や流通が滞り、全国に甚大な影響が及ぶ。経済被害の額は、約９５兆円に上るという。
政府や自治体はもちろん、企業や家庭で対策を講じたい。
If the percentage of buildings in Tokyo equipped with earthquake resistance measures is enhanced from the current 87 percent to 94 percent, the death toll would be halved, according to calculations by the panel.
今回、中央防災会議の部会は、東京都内の建物の耐震化率が今の８７％から９４％に上昇すると、死者数は半減すると試算した。
Regarding fires, if earthquake-sensing breakers, which stop power supply immediately upon sensing a temblor, were installed in every household to reduce the likelihood of fire, it is said that the fire death toll would drop by 90 percent.
火災についても、揺れを感知して電気を止める「感震ブレーカー」が全戸に普及し、初期消火できれば、焼死者は９割減るという。
The public and private sectors must cooperate in strengthening such immediately needed countermeasures.
官民が連携し、こうした足元の対策を強化することが肝要だ。
The Cabinet Office, under which the disaster panel exists, has drafted a program to preserve government functions in the aftermath of a disaster, taking into account the panel’s compilation of disaster damage predictions.
内閣府は、今回の被害想定に合わせ、政府の活動が震災時にも停滞しないようにする「事業継続計画」の素案をまとめた。
The program calls for quickly grasping the damage situation to begin rescue and relief activities. It also points out the need to disseminate accurate information both at home and abroad and make all-out efforts to carry out emergency measures on such priority issues as financial stability and public safety. It will be necessary to clarify the roles to be played by the government ministries and agencies concerned so that measures can be implemented without fail.
被災状況の把握を急ぎ、救助救援を展開する。内外への正確な情報発信に努め、金融の安定、治安対策などの非常時優先業務に全力を挙げるという内容だ。関係府省の役割分担を明確にし、確実に実施できるよう備えるべきだ。
A special law was enacted last month to accelerate countermeasures against an earthquake centered directly below Tokyo. Areas will be designated based on the law to accelerate the reinforcement of sewerage and other infrastructure systems with the joint efforts of the central and local governments. Projects must be promoted steadily on a priority basis.
対策の加速を図る首都直下地震対策特措法も先月、成立した。今後、下水道の補強などインフラ整備を急ぐ地域を指定し、政府と自治体が取り組むことになる。優先順位をつけ、着実に進めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2013)
（2013年12月20日01時36分 読売新聞）
2013年12月21日
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 19, 2013
The long road to full settelment of itai-itai pollution disease cases
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり（12月19日付・読売社説）
As 45 years have passed since itai-itai disease was recognized by the state as a pollution-related disease, it was indeed a long journey for the issue to have been “fully resolved.”
公害病と認定されてから４５年、「全面解決」までの道のりは、あまりに長かった。
The case of itai-itai disease, an affliction caused by pollution in areas along the Jinzugawa river in Toyama Prefecture, reached its resolution when Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.—the company that caused the pollution—and a victims group signed a compensation agreement on Tuesday. The company has also made a formal apology to the victims for the first time.
富山県の神通川流域で発生したイタイイタイ病を巡り、被害者団体と原因企業の三井金属鉱業が被害者救済の合意書に調印した。三井金属鉱業は初めて正式に謝罪した。
The victims have grown old and many victims have died. It appears that the victims and the company responsible for the pollution have mutually conceded and reached a full settlement.
被害者の高齢化が進む。他界した人も少なくない。被害者と原因企業が歩み寄り、全面解決を実現させたことを評価したい。
The main pillar of the agreement is that Mitsui Mining will pay a lump sum of \600,000 per person to those victims of the disease who were not recognized under the Environment Ministry’s criteria as victims of itai-itai disease and so were not eligible for compensation.
環境省の基準でイタイイタイ病と認定されず、救済から漏れていた被害者に、三井金属鉱業が１人当たり６０万円の一時金を支払うのが、合意書の柱だ。
Yet those victims recognized as sufferers by the state were entitled to receive \10 million per person.
認定患者への賠償金１０００万円とは大きな開きがある。
For victims who had sought to have their cases settled early, accepting the compensation proposal must have been a bitter decision.
早期解決を目指してきた被害者たちにとって、解決案の受け入れは苦渋の決断だったろう。
Eligible for the lump sum compensation will be those who meet certain criteria, including a degree of kidney dysfunction that is a symptom developed at a stage leading to itai-itai disease. Nearly 1,000 people are believed to be eligible to receive the payments.
一時金は、イタイイタイ病の前段症状である腎機能低下の度合いなどで、条件を満たした人が対象となる。該当者は１０００人近くに上るとみられる。
Mitsui Mining must compensate as many victims as possible.
三井金属鉱業には、可能な限り多くの人を救済する姿勢で臨むことが求められる。
Recognition difficult
Itai-itai disease is considered to be one of Japan’s four major pollution-related diseases, along with Minamata disease in Kumamoto Prefecture, Minamata disease in Niigata Prefecture, and Yokkaichi asthma in Mie Prefecture.
イタイイタイ病は、水俣病、新潟水俣病、四日市ぜんそくとともに４大公害病に数えられる。
As nephropathy patients suffered from brittle bones, they moaned in pain, crying “Itai, itai (It hurts, it hurts),” which is what gave the disease its name. It was recognized by the state as the country’s first pollution-related disease in 1968.
体の骨が折れやすくなり、患者が「痛い、痛い」と泣き叫んだことから、病名が付いた。１９６８年、日本初の公害病に認定された。
The disease was caused by cadmium, a heavy metal, discharged from the Kamioka mine in Gifu Prefecture. The pollutant spread through the consumption of rice and other things contaminated by cadmium in the river and harvested in the affected areas.
原因は、神岡鉱業所（岐阜県）から排出された重金属のカドミウムだ。汚染流域で収穫されたコメなどを通じて被害が広がった。
Mitsui Mining has cleaned up the polluted soil, in addition to paying compensation to those recognized as victims. The cleanup of soil in the polluted farm land was completed last year.
三井金属鉱業は、認定患者への賠償金支払いに加え、汚染地域の土壌改善などに取り組んできた。汚染された農地の復元事業は昨年、ようやく終了した。
Once pollution has been set off, it takes the polluter many years and hefty sums to provide relief measures to the victims and restore the environment—one lesson to be learned from itai-itai disease.
いったん公害を引き起こすと、被害者救済や環境の回復に長い年月と多くの費用を要する。イタイイタイ病の教訓である。
It can be said the criteria for officially recognizing sufferers of pollution-related diseases, set by the ministry, has blocked many sufferers from receiving compensation in a timely manner. As many sufferers of itai-itai disease were not recognized as sufferers until their cases became so serious that they developed the bone-softening disorder osteomalacia, those with relatively milder cases were left neglected.
環境省の患者認定基準が、早期の幅広い救済を阻んだと言えよう。重症化し、骨軟化症にならないと、イタイイタイ病と認定されないため、比較的、軽症の人が置き去りにされる結果となった。
Minamata disease is similar to itai-itai disease in that the ministry’s criteria for officially recognizing sufferers is rigid.
認定のハードルが極めて高いという点では、水俣病も同様だ。
In April, the Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling that recognized a sufferer who was not recognized under the ministry’s criteria as a victim of Minamata disease. Lawsuits with sufferers of the disease seeking relief measures are still continuing in the country.
最高裁は４月、環境省の基準で認定を退けられたケースについて、水俣病患者と認める判断を示した。被害者救済を巡る争いは、今なお続いている。
It is highly important, first and foremost, for sufferers of Minamata disease and others concerned with it to compromise.
水俣病問題でも、被害者をはじめ、当事者同士の歩み寄りが何よりも求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2013)
（2013年12月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
The long road to full settelment of itai-itai pollution disease cases
イタイイタイ病 「全面解決」までの長い道のり（12月19日付・読売社説）
As 45 years have passed since itai-itai disease was recognized by the state as a pollution-related disease, it was indeed a long journey for the issue to have been “fully resolved.”
公害病と認定されてから４５年、「全面解決」までの道のりは、あまりに長かった。
The case of itai-itai disease, an affliction caused by pollution in areas along the Jinzugawa river in Toyama Prefecture, reached its resolution when Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.—the company that caused the pollution—and a victims group signed a compensation agreement on Tuesday. The company has also made a formal apology to the victims for the first time.
富山県の神通川流域で発生したイタイイタイ病を巡り、被害者団体と原因企業の三井金属鉱業が被害者救済の合意書に調印した。三井金属鉱業は初めて正式に謝罪した。
The victims have grown old and many victims have died. It appears that the victims and the company responsible for the pollution have mutually conceded and reached a full settlement.
被害者の高齢化が進む。他界した人も少なくない。被害者と原因企業が歩み寄り、全面解決を実現させたことを評価したい。
The main pillar of the agreement is that Mitsui Mining will pay a lump sum of \600,000 per person to those victims of the disease who were not recognized under the Environment Ministry’s criteria as victims of itai-itai disease and so were not eligible for compensation.
環境省の基準でイタイイタイ病と認定されず、救済から漏れていた被害者に、三井金属鉱業が１人当たり６０万円の一時金を支払うのが、合意書の柱だ。
Yet those victims recognized as sufferers by the state were entitled to receive \10 million per person.
認定患者への賠償金１０００万円とは大きな開きがある。
For victims who had sought to have their cases settled early, accepting the compensation proposal must have been a bitter decision.
早期解決を目指してきた被害者たちにとって、解決案の受け入れは苦渋の決断だったろう。
Eligible for the lump sum compensation will be those who meet certain criteria, including a degree of kidney dysfunction that is a symptom developed at a stage leading to itai-itai disease. Nearly 1,000 people are believed to be eligible to receive the payments.
一時金は、イタイイタイ病の前段症状である腎機能低下の度合いなどで、条件を満たした人が対象となる。該当者は１０００人近くに上るとみられる。
Mitsui Mining must compensate as many victims as possible.
三井金属鉱業には、可能な限り多くの人を救済する姿勢で臨むことが求められる。
Recognition difficult
Itai-itai disease is considered to be one of Japan’s four major pollution-related diseases, along with Minamata disease in Kumamoto Prefecture, Minamata disease in Niigata Prefecture, and Yokkaichi asthma in Mie Prefecture.
イタイイタイ病は、水俣病、新潟水俣病、四日市ぜんそくとともに４大公害病に数えられる。
As nephropathy patients suffered from brittle bones, they moaned in pain, crying “Itai, itai (It hurts, it hurts),” which is what gave the disease its name. It was recognized by the state as the country’s first pollution-related disease in 1968.
体の骨が折れやすくなり、患者が「痛い、痛い」と泣き叫んだことから、病名が付いた。１９６８年、日本初の公害病に認定された。
The disease was caused by cadmium, a heavy metal, discharged from the Kamioka mine in Gifu Prefecture. The pollutant spread through the consumption of rice and other things contaminated by cadmium in the river and harvested in the affected areas.
原因は、神岡鉱業所（岐阜県）から排出された重金属のカドミウムだ。汚染流域で収穫されたコメなどを通じて被害が広がった。
Mitsui Mining has cleaned up the polluted soil, in addition to paying compensation to those recognized as victims. The cleanup of soil in the polluted farm land was completed last year.
三井金属鉱業は、認定患者への賠償金支払いに加え、汚染地域の土壌改善などに取り組んできた。汚染された農地の復元事業は昨年、ようやく終了した。
Once pollution has been set off, it takes the polluter many years and hefty sums to provide relief measures to the victims and restore the environment—one lesson to be learned from itai-itai disease.
いったん公害を引き起こすと、被害者救済や環境の回復に長い年月と多くの費用を要する。イタイイタイ病の教訓である。
It can be said the criteria for officially recognizing sufferers of pollution-related diseases, set by the ministry, has blocked many sufferers from receiving compensation in a timely manner. As many sufferers of itai-itai disease were not recognized as sufferers until their cases became so serious that they developed the bone-softening disorder osteomalacia, those with relatively milder cases were left neglected.
環境省の患者認定基準が、早期の幅広い救済を阻んだと言えよう。重症化し、骨軟化症にならないと、イタイイタイ病と認定されないため、比較的、軽症の人が置き去りにされる結果となった。
Minamata disease is similar to itai-itai disease in that the ministry’s criteria for officially recognizing sufferers is rigid.
認定のハードルが極めて高いという点では、水俣病も同様だ。
In April, the Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling that recognized a sufferer who was not recognized under the ministry’s criteria as a victim of Minamata disease. Lawsuits with sufferers of the disease seeking relief measures are still continuing in the country.
最高裁は４月、環境省の基準で認定を退けられたケースについて、水俣病患者と認める判断を示した。被害者救済を巡る争いは、今なお続いている。
It is highly important, first and foremost, for sufferers of Minamata disease and others concerned with it to compromise.
水俣病問題でも、被害者をはじめ、当事者同士の歩み寄りが何よりも求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2013)
（2013年12月19日01時33分 読売新聞）
2013年12月20日
国家安保戦略 日本守り抜く体制を構築せよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 18, 2013
Build defensive system with clear policies under ‘proactive pacifism’
国家安保戦略 日本守り抜く体制を構築せよ（12月18日付・読売社説）
◆「積極的平和主義」の具体化が急務
Japan’s security environment situation has rapidly become precarious in recent years. It is therefore significant that the government laid down, for the first time, comprehensive and systematic guiding principles for maintaining peace and security in the East Asian region.
日本の安全保障環境は近年、急速に悪化している。東アジアの平和と安全の確保へ、包括的かつ体系的な指針を初めて定めた意義は大きい。
The government has decided on its national security strategy, a historic set of guidelines that replaces the nation’s Basic Policy for National Defense adopted in 1957.
政府が国家安全保障戦略を決定した。１９５７年の「国防の基本方針」に代わる歴史的文書だ。
The strategy was drawn up by the National Security Council—a Japanese version of the NSC of the United States—launched earlier this month.
今月上旬に発足した国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）が策定した。
It is historic that the government has put into process a motion to defend the national interest by marshaling the collective strength of the country, not only its defense capability but also its diplomatic, economic and technological capabilities.
防衛力だけでなく、外交・経済・技術力など国の総合力を駆使し、国益を守る道筋を描いたことは、画期的だと言える。
The strategy touts “proactive pacifism” as its principle, under which Japan will actively contribute to the peace and stability of the Asia and the broader international community.
戦略は、国際社会とアジアの平和と安定に積極的に寄与するという「積極的平和主義」を基本理念に掲げている。
Defend national interests
◆ＮＳＣ主導で国益守れ
North Korea has repeatedly taken provocative military actions by advancing its nuclear and missile development programs. Meanwhile, China has rapidly built up and modernized its own military capability, while attempting to change the status quo by force in areas near the Senkaku Islands by announcing a new air defense identification zone. We must also remain vigilant against international terrorism and cyber-attack threats.
北朝鮮は核・ミサイル開発を進展させ、軍事的挑発を繰り返す。中国は軍備を急速に増強・近代化し、防空識別圏の設定など、尖閣諸島周辺で「力による現状変更」を試みている。国際テロやサイバー攻撃への警戒も怠れない。
It is difficult to singlehandedly maintain the security of our nation. By contributing to peace in the region and the global community, the situation in areas surrounding Japan will improve, and cooperation with other countries concerned, including the United States, will be strengthened. Such contributions will prove valuable for enhancing Japan’s security.
日本単独で自国の安全を維持するのは難しい。世界と地域の平和に貢献することで、周辺情勢は改善され、米国など関係国との連携が強化される。日本の安全保障にも役立とう。
As long as Japan holds the position of a major player in the international community, it will have a say in drawing up various international rules, concerning, for instance, maritime activities and free trade.
日本が国際社会の主要プレーヤーの地位にあれば、海洋活動や自由貿易など、様々な国際ルール作りで発言権を確保できる。
To this end, the promotion of the proactive pacifism will be key.
そのために重要なのが、「積極的平和主義」の推進だ。
The strategy defines the peace and further prosperity of Japan as its national interests, while citing such challenges as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the rapid rise of China. It also defines strategic defense approaches, such as the formulation of the overall defense system and the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
戦略は、日本の平和、更なる繁栄などを国益と定義し、大量破壊兵器の拡散、中国の台頭といった課題を列挙した。総合的な防衛体制の構築、日米同盟の強化などの戦略的アプローチも明示した。
It is critical that the NSC swiftly takes charge and reflects this strategy appropriately in concrete policies. Efforts must also be made to create a cycle in which the strategy can be changed in accord with fresh developments, enhancing and improving its content.
ＮＳＣが主導し、この戦略を具体的な政策にきちんと反映させることが急務である。情勢の変化に応じて、戦略を修正し、より良い内容に高めていくサイクルを作り出す努力も欠かせない。
We are gratified that the strategy has referred to a policy of fostering respect for other countries and their people, in addition to love for this country and region.
戦略が、安全保障の国内基盤を強化するため、国民が「諸外国に対する敬意を表し、我が国と郷土を愛する心を養う」方針に言及したのは前向きに評価できる。
Regarding new diplomatic and foreign policies, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will clearly present them to the world and to its people.
安倍首相は、新たな外交・安保政策について「国民、海外に対し透明性をもって示す」と語った。
It is important for Japan to give detailed explanations both at home and abroad to distinguish its diplomatic methods from the self-righteous methods of China.
中国の独善的な外交手法との違いを明確化するためにも、内外に丁寧な説明を行うことが大切だ。
Integrated defense capability
◆「統合機動防衛力」整備を
The new version of the National Defense Program Guidelines, which the Cabinet has adopted along with the national security strategy, embraces a concept termed “dynamic joint defense force.” The idea is derived from “dynamic defense power,” a concept framed in the current basic defense program, which was enforced in 2010. The new concept attaches great importance to managing the three arms of the Self-Defense Forces in a flexible and integrated manner.
安保戦略と同時に閣議決定された新しい防衛大綱は、「統合機動防衛力」という概念を打ち出した。２０１０年策定の現大綱の「動的防衛力」を発展させたもので、機動力に加えて陸海空３自衛隊の一体運用を重視するという。
The government has good reason to rework its basic defense framework to shore up our nation’s preparedness to deal with “gray-zone situations” that fall between peace and an emergency, a task that must be complemented by efforts to secure both a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the country’s defense capability.
平時と有事の中間にある「グレーゾーンの事態」への対処を強化し、防衛力の「質」と「量」の両方を確保する方向性は妥当だ。
Japan is witnessing new threats today, even though the end of the Cold War virtually eliminated the danger of foreign armed forces invading the nation. New dangers include the possibility of remote Japanese islands being occupied by other countries, as well as ballistic missile attacks and acts of terrorism. Improving Japan’s defense capacity not only qualitatively but quantitatively is essential to reinforce surveillance efforts aimed at maintaining command of its territorial waters and airspace.
冷戦後、日本本土への着上陸侵攻の恐れはほぼ消滅したが、離島占拠、弾道ミサイル、テロなど、新たな脅威が出現している。警戒監視活動を強化し、制海・制空権を維持するには、「質」と同様、「量」も確保せねばならない。
It is reasonable that the new defense program guidelines call for an increase in SDF destroyers and fighter planes, after a continuous decline in numbers over the years. The government should quickly introduce Global Hawk surveillance drones while also increasing the number of SDF early-warning aircraft.
新大綱が、減少が続いていた護衛艦や戦闘機の数を増加に転じさせたのは適切である。無人偵察機グローバルホークの導入や早期警戒機の増強を急ぎたい。
The latest defense framework emphasizes the need to better defend the territorial integrity of isolated islands. It entails the addition of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to the lineup of Ground Self-Defense Force equipment and creation of an amphibious rapid deployment brigade.
新大綱は、離島防衛の強化に力点を置き、陸上自衛隊への新型輸送機オスプレイの導入や水陸両用部隊の新設を明記した。
To defend remote islands, the SDF must improve its ability to swiftly mobilize troops. It is essential for the SDF to carry out joint exercises with the U.S. forces under various scenarios, while also reexamining the appropriateness of current restrictions on the use of weapons by SDF personnel in gray-zone situations.
離島防衛には、迅速に部隊を動かす機動力の向上が重要だ。様々なシナリオを想定し、米軍との共同訓練を重ねるとともに、グレーゾーンの事態における武器使用のあり方を検討する必要がある。
However, it is questionable whether the number of GSDF personnel should be increased by 5,000 from the current 154,000 as laid out in the new defense program guidelines.
疑問なのは、陸自の定数を現大綱の１５万４０００人から５０００人増やしたことである。
With the fiscal situation in dire straits, it is impossible to expect a large increase in defense budget appropriations. The nation’s defense capabilities should be improved in a manner that will allot funds where they are truly necessary and curtail appropriations where possible. 厳しい国家財政の下、防衛予算の大幅な伸びは期待できず、防衛力整備のメリハリが不可欠だ。
The new defense policy outline is correct in reducing the number of SDF tanks and firearms. Similar cuts should have been sought in areas of lower priority.
新大綱は、戦車・火砲を減らしたように、優先順位の低い分野は合理化すべきだった。
We feel that maintaining the current level of GSDF personnel in Hokkaido may be intended to help alleviate problems arising from the prefecture’s increasing depopulation.
北海道の陸自定数維持は過疎対策ではないか。
Build defensive system with clear policies under ‘proactive pacifism’
国家安保戦略 日本守り抜く体制を構築せよ（12月18日付・読売社説）
◆「積極的平和主義」の具体化が急務
Japan’s security environment situation has rapidly become precarious in recent years. It is therefore significant that the government laid down, for the first time, comprehensive and systematic guiding principles for maintaining peace and security in the East Asian region.
日本の安全保障環境は近年、急速に悪化している。東アジアの平和と安全の確保へ、包括的かつ体系的な指針を初めて定めた意義は大きい。
The government has decided on its national security strategy, a historic set of guidelines that replaces the nation’s Basic Policy for National Defense adopted in 1957.
政府が国家安全保障戦略を決定した。１９５７年の「国防の基本方針」に代わる歴史的文書だ。
The strategy was drawn up by the National Security Council—a Japanese version of the NSC of the United States—launched earlier this month.
今月上旬に発足した国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）が策定した。
It is historic that the government has put into process a motion to defend the national interest by marshaling the collective strength of the country, not only its defense capability but also its diplomatic, economic and technological capabilities.
防衛力だけでなく、外交・経済・技術力など国の総合力を駆使し、国益を守る道筋を描いたことは、画期的だと言える。
The strategy touts “proactive pacifism” as its principle, under which Japan will actively contribute to the peace and stability of the Asia and the broader international community.
戦略は、国際社会とアジアの平和と安定に積極的に寄与するという「積極的平和主義」を基本理念に掲げている。
Defend national interests
◆ＮＳＣ主導で国益守れ
North Korea has repeatedly taken provocative military actions by advancing its nuclear and missile development programs. Meanwhile, China has rapidly built up and modernized its own military capability, while attempting to change the status quo by force in areas near the Senkaku Islands by announcing a new air defense identification zone. We must also remain vigilant against international terrorism and cyber-attack threats.
北朝鮮は核・ミサイル開発を進展させ、軍事的挑発を繰り返す。中国は軍備を急速に増強・近代化し、防空識別圏の設定など、尖閣諸島周辺で「力による現状変更」を試みている。国際テロやサイバー攻撃への警戒も怠れない。
It is difficult to singlehandedly maintain the security of our nation. By contributing to peace in the region and the global community, the situation in areas surrounding Japan will improve, and cooperation with other countries concerned, including the United States, will be strengthened. Such contributions will prove valuable for enhancing Japan’s security.
日本単独で自国の安全を維持するのは難しい。世界と地域の平和に貢献することで、周辺情勢は改善され、米国など関係国との連携が強化される。日本の安全保障にも役立とう。
As long as Japan holds the position of a major player in the international community, it will have a say in drawing up various international rules, concerning, for instance, maritime activities and free trade.
日本が国際社会の主要プレーヤーの地位にあれば、海洋活動や自由貿易など、様々な国際ルール作りで発言権を確保できる。
To this end, the promotion of the proactive pacifism will be key.
そのために重要なのが、「積極的平和主義」の推進だ。
The strategy defines the peace and further prosperity of Japan as its national interests, while citing such challenges as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the rapid rise of China. It also defines strategic defense approaches, such as the formulation of the overall defense system and the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
戦略は、日本の平和、更なる繁栄などを国益と定義し、大量破壊兵器の拡散、中国の台頭といった課題を列挙した。総合的な防衛体制の構築、日米同盟の強化などの戦略的アプローチも明示した。
It is critical that the NSC swiftly takes charge and reflects this strategy appropriately in concrete policies. Efforts must also be made to create a cycle in which the strategy can be changed in accord with fresh developments, enhancing and improving its content.
ＮＳＣが主導し、この戦略を具体的な政策にきちんと反映させることが急務である。情勢の変化に応じて、戦略を修正し、より良い内容に高めていくサイクルを作り出す努力も欠かせない。
We are gratified that the strategy has referred to a policy of fostering respect for other countries and their people, in addition to love for this country and region.
戦略が、安全保障の国内基盤を強化するため、国民が「諸外国に対する敬意を表し、我が国と郷土を愛する心を養う」方針に言及したのは前向きに評価できる。
Regarding new diplomatic and foreign policies, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will clearly present them to the world and to its people.
安倍首相は、新たな外交・安保政策について「国民、海外に対し透明性をもって示す」と語った。
It is important for Japan to give detailed explanations both at home and abroad to distinguish its diplomatic methods from the self-righteous methods of China.
中国の独善的な外交手法との違いを明確化するためにも、内外に丁寧な説明を行うことが大切だ。
Integrated defense capability
◆「統合機動防衛力」整備を
The new version of the National Defense Program Guidelines, which the Cabinet has adopted along with the national security strategy, embraces a concept termed “dynamic joint defense force.” The idea is derived from “dynamic defense power,” a concept framed in the current basic defense program, which was enforced in 2010. The new concept attaches great importance to managing the three arms of the Self-Defense Forces in a flexible and integrated manner.
安保戦略と同時に閣議決定された新しい防衛大綱は、「統合機動防衛力」という概念を打ち出した。２０１０年策定の現大綱の「動的防衛力」を発展させたもので、機動力に加えて陸海空３自衛隊の一体運用を重視するという。
The government has good reason to rework its basic defense framework to shore up our nation’s preparedness to deal with “gray-zone situations” that fall between peace and an emergency, a task that must be complemented by efforts to secure both a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the country’s defense capability.
平時と有事の中間にある「グレーゾーンの事態」への対処を強化し、防衛力の「質」と「量」の両方を確保する方向性は妥当だ。
Japan is witnessing new threats today, even though the end of the Cold War virtually eliminated the danger of foreign armed forces invading the nation. New dangers include the possibility of remote Japanese islands being occupied by other countries, as well as ballistic missile attacks and acts of terrorism. Improving Japan’s defense capacity not only qualitatively but quantitatively is essential to reinforce surveillance efforts aimed at maintaining command of its territorial waters and airspace.
冷戦後、日本本土への着上陸侵攻の恐れはほぼ消滅したが、離島占拠、弾道ミサイル、テロなど、新たな脅威が出現している。警戒監視活動を強化し、制海・制空権を維持するには、「質」と同様、「量」も確保せねばならない。
It is reasonable that the new defense program guidelines call for an increase in SDF destroyers and fighter planes, after a continuous decline in numbers over the years. The government should quickly introduce Global Hawk surveillance drones while also increasing the number of SDF early-warning aircraft.
新大綱が、減少が続いていた護衛艦や戦闘機の数を増加に転じさせたのは適切である。無人偵察機グローバルホークの導入や早期警戒機の増強を急ぎたい。
The latest defense framework emphasizes the need to better defend the territorial integrity of isolated islands. It entails the addition of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to the lineup of Ground Self-Defense Force equipment and creation of an amphibious rapid deployment brigade.
新大綱は、離島防衛の強化に力点を置き、陸上自衛隊への新型輸送機オスプレイの導入や水陸両用部隊の新設を明記した。
To defend remote islands, the SDF must improve its ability to swiftly mobilize troops. It is essential for the SDF to carry out joint exercises with the U.S. forces under various scenarios, while also reexamining the appropriateness of current restrictions on the use of weapons by SDF personnel in gray-zone situations.
離島防衛には、迅速に部隊を動かす機動力の向上が重要だ。様々なシナリオを想定し、米軍との共同訓練を重ねるとともに、グレーゾーンの事態における武器使用のあり方を検討する必要がある。
However, it is questionable whether the number of GSDF personnel should be increased by 5,000 from the current 154,000 as laid out in the new defense program guidelines.
疑問なのは、陸自の定数を現大綱の１５万４０００人から５０００人増やしたことである。
With the fiscal situation in dire straits, it is impossible to expect a large increase in defense budget appropriations. The nation’s defense capabilities should be improved in a manner that will allot funds where they are truly necessary and curtail appropriations where possible. 厳しい国家財政の下、防衛予算の大幅な伸びは期待できず、防衛力整備のメリハリが不可欠だ。
The new defense policy outline is correct in reducing the number of SDF tanks and firearms. Similar cuts should have been sought in areas of lower priority.
新大綱は、戦車・火砲を減らしたように、優先順位の低い分野は合理化すべきだった。
We feel that maintaining the current level of GSDF personnel in Hokkaido may be intended to help alleviate problems arising from the prefecture’s increasing depopulation.
北海道の陸自定数維持は過疎対策ではないか。
2013年12月19日
張成沢氏処刑 失政への不満封じる恐怖政治
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 17, 2013
North Korea’s reign of terror aimed at containing people’s frustrations
張成沢氏処刑 失政への不満封じる恐怖政治（12月17日付・読売社説）
The latest developments in North Korea indicate that the country has become even more unstable since former leader Kim Jong Il died two years ago.
金正日総書記の死から２年を経て、北朝鮮は一段と不安定化しているということだろう。
Jang Song Thaek, vice chairman of the National Defense Commission who was regarded as the No. 2 man in the Kim Jong Un regime, was sentenced to death for allegedly trying to take power by staging a military coup. He was executed the same day, just four days after he was ousted from all his posts and expelled from the Workers’ Party of Korea.
金正恩政権のナンバー２と目されていた張成沢国防委員会副委員長が、解任・党除名処分の４日後、クーデター目的の国家転覆陰謀行為を働いたなどとして死刑判決を言い渡され、即刻処刑された。
These developments illustrate the coldhearted nature of Kim—the ruling party’s first secretary—who is trying to strengthen his dictatorship through a reign of terror that included liquidating his uncle, in the apparent belief that without doing so he would not be able to maintain control of the country.
自身の叔父すら抹殺する「恐怖政治」で独裁体制の強化を図ろうとする金正恩第１書記の冷酷な本性と、そうでもせねば国内を統制できないとの危機感の表れだ。
North Korea’s state-run media reported the sentence, handed down at a special military court of the State Security Department—the country’s secret police—accusing Jang of attempting to bring about the collapse of the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. It also said that if the state was driven to the verge of collapse, Jang believed he could grab the reins of power.
国営メディアは、秘密警察・国家安全保衛部の特別軍事法廷の判決文を伝え、「国の経済と人民生活を破局に追い込もうとした」と張氏を糾弾した。国家が崩壊寸前になれば、政権簒奪(さんだつ)に成功するとの打算があったとしている。
Jang was accused in court of a diverse range of crimes, including an act of treason by cheaply selling off the country’s land with a 50-year lease to a foreign country—land in a special economic and trade zone in Rason near its borders with China and Russia—and triggering tremendous economic confusion with the redenomination of the currency four years ago.
挙げられた罪状は、中露との国境に位置する羅先経済貿易地帯の土地を「５０年期限で外国に売り飛ばす売国行為」や、４年前のデノミによる「途方もない経済的混乱の惹(じゃっ)起(き)」など多岐にわたる。
To what extent these accusations are true is not known. But the issuance of this statement itself is tantamount to North Korea admitting there are cracks in the regime and economic maladministration. Kim’s regime may be trying to lay all the responsibility on Jang to justify its legitimacy.
どこまで事実か疑わしいが、こうした発表自体が体制内の亀裂と経済失政を自認したに等しい。全責任を張氏になすりつけ、政権の正当化を図る狙いではないか。
North Korea, which is reinforcing its state control at home, may adopt a policy of external provocations.
国内統制を強める北朝鮮は、対外的には挑発路線に一層傾斜する可能性がある。
There are strong fears that the country may flaunt its nuclear deterrent by conducting its fourth nuclear test and fire yet another missile under the guise of launching an artificial satellite.
核抑止力の誇示へ、４回目の核実験や、「人工衛星打ち上げ」と称するミサイル発射に踏み切ることへの懸念は強い。
Nuclear missile development
In this respect, it has been learned through analyses of satellite photos that North Korea has restarted a plutonium reactor, while moving ahead with improving nuclear test and missile launch sites. The international community must pay close attention to such developments and cooperate to deal with them.
事実、プルトニウム生産炉の運転再開や、核実験場、ミサイル発射場の整備を進める様子が衛星写真の分析で判明している。国際社会は、今後の動向を鋭意注視し、連携して対応せねばならない。
Now that Jang has been removed from the scene, Kim apparently intends to carry out economic activities under the Cabinet-led leadership.
張氏の勢力一掃後、金第１書記は、内閣主導の名の下で、経済活動を展開する意向のようだ。
There are no signs of the country changing its policy of pursuing, in parallel, both economic reconstruction and the strengthening of its nuclear capability.
経済再建と核戦力強化の二兎(にと)を追う「並進路線」を変える兆しは見られない。
As long as North Korea continues to pursue nuclear and missile development, international economic sanctions against the country will not be relaxed. The country will not be successful in wooing any foreign investment or foreign tourists.
だが、核・ミサイル開発を続ける限り、北朝鮮への経済制裁は緩和されない。外国からの投資や観光客誘致の成果は上がるまい。
The North Korean people’s frustration will grow as economic hardships continue. The danger of the country collapsing from within is growing.
経済の困窮によって、国民の不満は高まる。内部から崩壊に向かうリスクは増すばかりだ。
In its efforts to develop the northeastern part of China by helping stabilize North Korea, Beijing has been urging Pyongyang to carry out reforms and open its market. The execution of Jang, who had assumed the pivotal role in this scheme, is probably a major blow to China’s influence.
中国は、北朝鮮を安定化させて中国東北部の開発につなげようと、改革・開放を促してきた。その中心人物でもあった張氏の処刑は、大きな誤算だろう。
The destabilization of a despotic state developing nuclear weapons could lead to the outbreak of domestic turmoil. This is an important phase when Japan should prepare itself for any emergency by firmly maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance and reinforcing its defense capability.
核武装する独裁国家の不安定化は、内乱など暴発の危険を伴う。日米同盟を堅持し、防衛力を強化して備えるべき重要な局面だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2013)
（2013年12月17日01時35分 読売新聞）
North Korea’s reign of terror aimed at containing people’s frustrations
張成沢氏処刑 失政への不満封じる恐怖政治（12月17日付・読売社説）
The latest developments in North Korea indicate that the country has become even more unstable since former leader Kim Jong Il died two years ago.
金正日総書記の死から２年を経て、北朝鮮は一段と不安定化しているということだろう。
Jang Song Thaek, vice chairman of the National Defense Commission who was regarded as the No. 2 man in the Kim Jong Un regime, was sentenced to death for allegedly trying to take power by staging a military coup. He was executed the same day, just four days after he was ousted from all his posts and expelled from the Workers’ Party of Korea.
金正恩政権のナンバー２と目されていた張成沢国防委員会副委員長が、解任・党除名処分の４日後、クーデター目的の国家転覆陰謀行為を働いたなどとして死刑判決を言い渡され、即刻処刑された。
These developments illustrate the coldhearted nature of Kim—the ruling party’s first secretary—who is trying to strengthen his dictatorship through a reign of terror that included liquidating his uncle, in the apparent belief that without doing so he would not be able to maintain control of the country.
自身の叔父すら抹殺する「恐怖政治」で独裁体制の強化を図ろうとする金正恩第１書記の冷酷な本性と、そうでもせねば国内を統制できないとの危機感の表れだ。
North Korea’s state-run media reported the sentence, handed down at a special military court of the State Security Department—the country’s secret police—accusing Jang of attempting to bring about the collapse of the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. It also said that if the state was driven to the verge of collapse, Jang believed he could grab the reins of power.
国営メディアは、秘密警察・国家安全保衛部の特別軍事法廷の判決文を伝え、「国の経済と人民生活を破局に追い込もうとした」と張氏を糾弾した。国家が崩壊寸前になれば、政権簒奪(さんだつ)に成功するとの打算があったとしている。
Jang was accused in court of a diverse range of crimes, including an act of treason by cheaply selling off the country’s land with a 50-year lease to a foreign country—land in a special economic and trade zone in Rason near its borders with China and Russia—and triggering tremendous economic confusion with the redenomination of the currency four years ago.
挙げられた罪状は、中露との国境に位置する羅先経済貿易地帯の土地を「５０年期限で外国に売り飛ばす売国行為」や、４年前のデノミによる「途方もない経済的混乱の惹(じゃっ)起(き)」など多岐にわたる。
To what extent these accusations are true is not known. But the issuance of this statement itself is tantamount to North Korea admitting there are cracks in the regime and economic maladministration. Kim’s regime may be trying to lay all the responsibility on Jang to justify its legitimacy.
どこまで事実か疑わしいが、こうした発表自体が体制内の亀裂と経済失政を自認したに等しい。全責任を張氏になすりつけ、政権の正当化を図る狙いではないか。
North Korea, which is reinforcing its state control at home, may adopt a policy of external provocations.
国内統制を強める北朝鮮は、対外的には挑発路線に一層傾斜する可能性がある。
There are strong fears that the country may flaunt its nuclear deterrent by conducting its fourth nuclear test and fire yet another missile under the guise of launching an artificial satellite.
核抑止力の誇示へ、４回目の核実験や、「人工衛星打ち上げ」と称するミサイル発射に踏み切ることへの懸念は強い。
Nuclear missile development
In this respect, it has been learned through analyses of satellite photos that North Korea has restarted a plutonium reactor, while moving ahead with improving nuclear test and missile launch sites. The international community must pay close attention to such developments and cooperate to deal with them.
事実、プルトニウム生産炉の運転再開や、核実験場、ミサイル発射場の整備を進める様子が衛星写真の分析で判明している。国際社会は、今後の動向を鋭意注視し、連携して対応せねばならない。
Now that Jang has been removed from the scene, Kim apparently intends to carry out economic activities under the Cabinet-led leadership.
張氏の勢力一掃後、金第１書記は、内閣主導の名の下で、経済活動を展開する意向のようだ。
There are no signs of the country changing its policy of pursuing, in parallel, both economic reconstruction and the strengthening of its nuclear capability.
経済再建と核戦力強化の二兎(にと)を追う「並進路線」を変える兆しは見られない。
As long as North Korea continues to pursue nuclear and missile development, international economic sanctions against the country will not be relaxed. The country will not be successful in wooing any foreign investment or foreign tourists.
だが、核・ミサイル開発を続ける限り、北朝鮮への経済制裁は緩和されない。外国からの投資や観光客誘致の成果は上がるまい。
The North Korean people’s frustration will grow as economic hardships continue. The danger of the country collapsing from within is growing.
経済の困窮によって、国民の不満は高まる。内部から崩壊に向かうリスクは増すばかりだ。
In its efforts to develop the northeastern part of China by helping stabilize North Korea, Beijing has been urging Pyongyang to carry out reforms and open its market. The execution of Jang, who had assumed the pivotal role in this scheme, is probably a major blow to China’s influence.
中国は、北朝鮮を安定化させて中国東北部の開発につなげようと、改革・開放を促してきた。その中心人物でもあった張氏の処刑は、大きな誤算だろう。
The destabilization of a despotic state developing nuclear weapons could lead to the outbreak of domestic turmoil. This is an important phase when Japan should prepare itself for any emergency by firmly maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance and reinforcing its defense capability.
核武装する独裁国家の不安定化は、内乱など暴発の危険を伴う。日米同盟を堅持し、防衛力を強化して備えるべき重要な局面だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2013)
（2013年12月17日01時35分 読売新聞）
2013年12月18日
武器輸出新原則 防衛産業維持にも目を向けよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 16, 2013
Govt must consider how to maintain defense industry, production base
武器輸出新原則 防衛産業維持にも目を向けよ（12月16日付・読売社説）
Japan should reinforce its international cooperation in the area of defense equipment and maintain its defense technology and production base as national security priorities.
防衛装備面での国際連携を強化し、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤を維持するという安全保障の観点を最重視すべきだ。
The government and ruling parties have started drastically reviewing the three principles on arms exports and drawing up new rules on arms exports.
政府・与党が、武器輸出３原則を抜本的に見直し、新たな武器輸出の原則を策定する作業を開始した。
The three principles, confirmed in 1967 by the administration of then Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, prohibit Japan from exporting arms to countries in the Communist bloc, countries to which arms exports are banned by U.N. resolutions and countries involved in conflict.
３原則は、１９６７年に佐藤内閣が共産圏諸国、国連決議による武器禁輸国、紛争当事国向けの武器輸出を禁止したものだ。
In 1976, the administration under then Prime Minister Takeo Miki went so far as to effectively ban all such exports, saying the nation must refrain from exporting arms to even countries not subject to the three principles.
７６年に三木内閣が３原則の対象国以外への輸出も慎むとして、事実上の全面禁輸に踏み込んだ。
Since 1983, however, the government had made one exception after another to the principles, as confirmed in informal remarks made by chief cabinet secretaries, providing the United States with weapons technology, exporting mine detectors and patrol vessels for peace-building efforts and jointly developing and producing missile defense equipment with other countries.
８３年以降、武器技術の対米供与、地雷探知機、巡視船など平和貢献目的の輸出や、ミサイル防衛の国際共同開発・生産について、官房長官談話で次々と例外を設けてきた。
As a result, the whole system has become extremely complex and hard to understand.
その結果、極めて複雑で、分かりづらい制度となっている。
This time, the administration under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to end the total ban and to narrow the list of countries subject to export restrictions, while at the same time making the whole system more consistent. Such efforts to meet the needs of the times are appropriate.
安倍政権が今回、全面禁輸はやめて、禁輸対象国を絞り込むとともに、全体を整合性ある仕組みにするのは、時代の要請に応じたものであり、妥当である。
Enhance national security
The important thing is to create a standard that will enhance Japan’s national security.
重要なのは、日本の安全保障に役立つ基準を作ることだ。
In light of the recent military developments in China and North Korea, the international situation surrounding Japan has become ever harsher.
中国や北朝鮮の最近の軍事動向を踏まえれば、日本の国際情勢は厳しさを増している。
Expanding cooperation in the area of defense equipment with such countries as the United States, an ally of Japan, European countries and Australia will stimulate the improvement of Japan’s defense technology and the reinforcement of international cooperation, thus contributing to the peace and security of Japan.
同盟国の米国や、欧州諸国、豪州などとの装備面の協力を拡大することは、日本の防衛技術の向上や国際連携の強化を促し、日本の平和と安全に寄与しよう。
It is important to expand international cooperation by making it possible for Japan to export finished products, and parts and components of arms, in addition to joint development and production of arms with other countries.
武器の国際共同開発・生産に加えて、武器の完成品や部品の輸出も可能にすることで、国際協力を拡大することが大切である。
It is also necessary to establish procedures appropriately to prevent the arms from being transferred to a third country and to tighten export controls on general-purpose parts that can be used either militarily or commercially.
無論、武器の第三国移転を防止する手続きや、武器に転用されかねない汎用品の輸出管理を厳格化するなどの「歯止め」措置も適切に定める必要がある。
The government and ruling parties must discuss these issues properly and work out a conclusion soon.
政府・与党できちんと議論し、早期に結論を出すべきだ。
It must be kept in mind that because the government’s defense budgets were cut back for 10 years in a row up to fiscal 2012, Japan’s defense technology and domestic production base has been undermined.
留意すべきは、昨年度まで１０年連続で防衛予算が削減されたことで、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤が揺らぎ始めていることだ。
In the past 10 years, nearly 90 private companies have pulled out of the defense industry, making it hard in some areas to secure technicians with specific skills.
ここ１０年で９０社近くの民間企業が防衛分野から撤収し、一部では特殊な熟練技術者の確保が困難になりつつある。
As tanks, destroyers and fighter planes become ever more technologically advanced, the unit price of the equipment rises. Repair and maintenance costs for the equipment have also been rising. As a result, the government has no choice but to reduce the amount of such equipment procured, putting a strain on the management of companies in the defense industry.
戦車や護衛艦、戦闘機の高性能化に伴い、装備の単価は上昇する。装備品の修理や整備費も増えている。その結果、装備の調達数を減らさざるを得なくなり、防衛産業の経営を圧迫している。
The decline in the nation’s defense technology and its production base will directly lead to the decline in the nation’s overall defense capability. The government needs to discuss ways to maintain and foster the nation’s defense industry in earnest under the constraint of limited defense spending.
防衛生産・技術基盤の衰退は、国家の総合的な防衛力の低下に直結する。政府は、限られた予算で防衛産業を維持・育成する方策を真剣に検討する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2013)
（2013年12月16日01時22分 読売新聞）
Govt must consider how to maintain defense industry, production base
武器輸出新原則 防衛産業維持にも目を向けよ（12月16日付・読売社説）
Japan should reinforce its international cooperation in the area of defense equipment and maintain its defense technology and production base as national security priorities.
防衛装備面での国際連携を強化し、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤を維持するという安全保障の観点を最重視すべきだ。
The government and ruling parties have started drastically reviewing the three principles on arms exports and drawing up new rules on arms exports.
政府・与党が、武器輸出３原則を抜本的に見直し、新たな武器輸出の原則を策定する作業を開始した。
The three principles, confirmed in 1967 by the administration of then Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, prohibit Japan from exporting arms to countries in the Communist bloc, countries to which arms exports are banned by U.N. resolutions and countries involved in conflict.
３原則は、１９６７年に佐藤内閣が共産圏諸国、国連決議による武器禁輸国、紛争当事国向けの武器輸出を禁止したものだ。
In 1976, the administration under then Prime Minister Takeo Miki went so far as to effectively ban all such exports, saying the nation must refrain from exporting arms to even countries not subject to the three principles.
７６年に三木内閣が３原則の対象国以外への輸出も慎むとして、事実上の全面禁輸に踏み込んだ。
Since 1983, however, the government had made one exception after another to the principles, as confirmed in informal remarks made by chief cabinet secretaries, providing the United States with weapons technology, exporting mine detectors and patrol vessels for peace-building efforts and jointly developing and producing missile defense equipment with other countries.
８３年以降、武器技術の対米供与、地雷探知機、巡視船など平和貢献目的の輸出や、ミサイル防衛の国際共同開発・生産について、官房長官談話で次々と例外を設けてきた。
As a result, the whole system has become extremely complex and hard to understand.
その結果、極めて複雑で、分かりづらい制度となっている。
This time, the administration under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is set to end the total ban and to narrow the list of countries subject to export restrictions, while at the same time making the whole system more consistent. Such efforts to meet the needs of the times are appropriate.
安倍政権が今回、全面禁輸はやめて、禁輸対象国を絞り込むとともに、全体を整合性ある仕組みにするのは、時代の要請に応じたものであり、妥当である。
Enhance national security
The important thing is to create a standard that will enhance Japan’s national security.
重要なのは、日本の安全保障に役立つ基準を作ることだ。
In light of the recent military developments in China and North Korea, the international situation surrounding Japan has become ever harsher.
中国や北朝鮮の最近の軍事動向を踏まえれば、日本の国際情勢は厳しさを増している。
Expanding cooperation in the area of defense equipment with such countries as the United States, an ally of Japan, European countries and Australia will stimulate the improvement of Japan’s defense technology and the reinforcement of international cooperation, thus contributing to the peace and security of Japan.
同盟国の米国や、欧州諸国、豪州などとの装備面の協力を拡大することは、日本の防衛技術の向上や国際連携の強化を促し、日本の平和と安全に寄与しよう。
It is important to expand international cooperation by making it possible for Japan to export finished products, and parts and components of arms, in addition to joint development and production of arms with other countries.
武器の国際共同開発・生産に加えて、武器の完成品や部品の輸出も可能にすることで、国際協力を拡大することが大切である。
It is also necessary to establish procedures appropriately to prevent the arms from being transferred to a third country and to tighten export controls on general-purpose parts that can be used either militarily or commercially.
無論、武器の第三国移転を防止する手続きや、武器に転用されかねない汎用品の輸出管理を厳格化するなどの「歯止め」措置も適切に定める必要がある。
The government and ruling parties must discuss these issues properly and work out a conclusion soon.
政府・与党できちんと議論し、早期に結論を出すべきだ。
It must be kept in mind that because the government’s defense budgets were cut back for 10 years in a row up to fiscal 2012, Japan’s defense technology and domestic production base has been undermined.
留意すべきは、昨年度まで１０年連続で防衛予算が削減されたことで、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤が揺らぎ始めていることだ。
In the past 10 years, nearly 90 private companies have pulled out of the defense industry, making it hard in some areas to secure technicians with specific skills.
ここ１０年で９０社近くの民間企業が防衛分野から撤収し、一部では特殊な熟練技術者の確保が困難になりつつある。
As tanks, destroyers and fighter planes become ever more technologically advanced, the unit price of the equipment rises. Repair and maintenance costs for the equipment have also been rising. As a result, the government has no choice but to reduce the amount of such equipment procured, putting a strain on the management of companies in the defense industry.
戦車や護衛艦、戦闘機の高性能化に伴い、装備の単価は上昇する。装備品の修理や整備費も増えている。その結果、装備の調達数を減らさざるを得なくなり、防衛産業の経営を圧迫している。
The decline in the nation’s defense technology and its production base will directly lead to the decline in the nation’s overall defense capability. The government needs to discuss ways to maintain and foster the nation’s defense industry in earnest under the constraint of limited defense spending.
防衛生産・技術基盤の衰退は、国家の総合的な防衛力の低下に直結する。政府は、限られた予算で防衛産業を維持・育成する方策を真剣に検討する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2013)
（2013年12月16日01時22分 読売新聞）
2013年12月17日
日・ＡＳＥＡＮ 海と空で対中連携が強まった
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 15, 2013
Japan, ASEAN strengthen ties in bid to counter China in air and at sea
日・ＡＳＥＡＮ 海と空で対中連携が強まった（12月15日付・読売社説）
In a success in his Southeast Asian diplomacy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saw a summit meeting of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agree to jointly urge China to abide by international rules.
中国が国際ルールを順守するよう、連携して働きかけることについては認識を共有できた。安倍首相の東南アジア外交の成果と言える。
At a special summit meeting among Japan and 10 ASEAN nations held in Tokyo, the leaders adopted a joint statement saying it is important to ensure the safety of seas and the freedom of navigation as well as to resolve conflicts in accordance with the “universally recognized principles of international laws.”
日本と東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）１０か国の首脳らが参加した特別首脳会議が東京で開催され、海上の安全、航行の自由及び、国際法の原則に基づく紛争解決などの重要性をうたった共同声明を採択した。
The statement clearly stated the nations will cooperate to ensure the “freedom of overflight” and “civil aviation safety” in air zones over the high seas—with China’s air defense identification zone in mind, although it did not specifically refer to China.
名指しは避けたものの、中国の防空識別圏設定を念頭に、公海上空での「飛行の自由」や「民間航空の安全」を確保するため、協力する方針も明記された。
Some Southeast Asian nations, such as Cambodia and Laos, have close ties with China. Nonetheless, it was significant that Japan and the ASEAN member nations issued the joint statement with the aim of holding China in check, which has heightened tensions not only on the seas but also in the air.
東南アジアにはカンボジアやラオスなど中国と結びつきが強い国もある。だが、海のみならず、空でも緊張を高める中国を牽制(けんせい)する上で、日本とＡＳＥＡＮ各国が共同声明を出した意義は大きい。
Without consulting with its neighbors, China unilaterally set its ADIZ over the East China Sea and threatened to adopt “emergency defensive measures” by the Chinese military against any aircraft that refuses to obey its instructions. It also hinted at setting another ADIZ over the South China Sea.
中国は周辺国と協議せずに一方的に東シナ海に識別圏を設け、全ての航空機を対象に、指示に従わなければ中国軍による緊急措置を取ると威嚇した。南シナ海での識別圏設定も示唆している。
“Without free ocean and air [navigation], we can’t expect to have active trade,” Abe stressed at a press conference.
安倍首相は、記者会見で「自由な海や空がなければ、活発な貿易は期待できない」と強調した。
‘Proactive pacifism’
During his separate meetings with the ASEAN leaders and during the summit sessions, Abe said Japan will contribute to regional stability based on “proactive pacifism” and proposed holding a meeting of defense ministers from Japan and the ASEAN members.
首脳会議や各国首脳との個別会談では、「積極的平和主義」に基づき、地域の安定に貢献すると表明し、日本とＡＳＥＡＮ各国との防衛相会合も呼びかけた。
It is imperative for Japan to deepen cooperative security ties with the ASEAN countries to deal with China and North Korea.
中国や北朝鮮と向き合うためには、東南アジア諸国と安全保障での協力を深める必要がある。
ASEAN and China are considering setting legally binding codes of conduct in the South China Sea, where they have prolonged territorial disputes, but Beijing is reluctant to accept such codes. Japan should cooperate with the United States in backing ASEAN efforts to conclude an early agreement on codes of conduct with China.
ＡＳＥＡＮと中国は、領有権争いの続く南シナ海での行動を法的に拘束する「行動規範」を検討中だが、中国は消極的だ。早期策定に向けて、日本は米国と連携し、ＡＳＥＡＮを後押ししなければならない。
During the special summit meeting, participants also made progress in the area of economic cooperation. They broadly agreed in the two fields of investment and service in negotiations for a Japan-ASEAN economic partnership agreement.
特別首脳会議では経済面での協力も前進した。日・ＡＳＥＡＮの経済連携協定交渉が、投資とサービスの２分野でほぼ合意した。
Abe expressed Japan’s support for an economic community ASEAN aims to create by the end of 2015 and pledged to actively provide official development assistance to the body.
安倍首相は、２０１５年をめどとするＡＳＥＡＮの経済共同体設立を支援する意向を表明し、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）供与も積極的に進めると約束した。
Absorbing the vigor of rapidly growing Southeast Asia will provide a springboard for Japan’s economic growth.
成長著しい東南アジアの活力を取り込むことが、日本の経済成長にも弾みとなる。
The leaders also formulated a mid- and long-term plan for cooperation not only in political and economic fields but also in the area of antidisaster measures. They also plan to have more active exchanges in culture, arts, tourism and sports.
特別首脳会議で中長期ビジョンもまとまった。政治・経済だけでなく、防災面での協力を強化し、文化・芸術、観光、スポーツなどで交流を促進するとしている。
Japan and ASEAN have just observed the 40th anniversary of their friendship this year. It is hoped that they will strengthen their strategic ties even further.
日本とＡＳＥＡＮの友好協力は４０周年を迎えた。戦略的な連携を一層強めていきたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2013)
（2013年12月15日01時25分 読売新聞）
Japan, ASEAN strengthen ties in bid to counter China in air and at sea
日・ＡＳＥＡＮ 海と空で対中連携が強まった（12月15日付・読売社説）
In a success in his Southeast Asian diplomacy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saw a summit meeting of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agree to jointly urge China to abide by international rules.
中国が国際ルールを順守するよう、連携して働きかけることについては認識を共有できた。安倍首相の東南アジア外交の成果と言える。
At a special summit meeting among Japan and 10 ASEAN nations held in Tokyo, the leaders adopted a joint statement saying it is important to ensure the safety of seas and the freedom of navigation as well as to resolve conflicts in accordance with the “universally recognized principles of international laws.”
日本と東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）１０か国の首脳らが参加した特別首脳会議が東京で開催され、海上の安全、航行の自由及び、国際法の原則に基づく紛争解決などの重要性をうたった共同声明を採択した。
The statement clearly stated the nations will cooperate to ensure the “freedom of overflight” and “civil aviation safety” in air zones over the high seas—with China’s air defense identification zone in mind, although it did not specifically refer to China.
名指しは避けたものの、中国の防空識別圏設定を念頭に、公海上空での「飛行の自由」や「民間航空の安全」を確保するため、協力する方針も明記された。
Some Southeast Asian nations, such as Cambodia and Laos, have close ties with China. Nonetheless, it was significant that Japan and the ASEAN member nations issued the joint statement with the aim of holding China in check, which has heightened tensions not only on the seas but also in the air.
東南アジアにはカンボジアやラオスなど中国と結びつきが強い国もある。だが、海のみならず、空でも緊張を高める中国を牽制(けんせい)する上で、日本とＡＳＥＡＮ各国が共同声明を出した意義は大きい。
Without consulting with its neighbors, China unilaterally set its ADIZ over the East China Sea and threatened to adopt “emergency defensive measures” by the Chinese military against any aircraft that refuses to obey its instructions. It also hinted at setting another ADIZ over the South China Sea.
中国は周辺国と協議せずに一方的に東シナ海に識別圏を設け、全ての航空機を対象に、指示に従わなければ中国軍による緊急措置を取ると威嚇した。南シナ海での識別圏設定も示唆している。
“Without free ocean and air [navigation], we can’t expect to have active trade,” Abe stressed at a press conference.
安倍首相は、記者会見で「自由な海や空がなければ、活発な貿易は期待できない」と強調した。
‘Proactive pacifism’
During his separate meetings with the ASEAN leaders and during the summit sessions, Abe said Japan will contribute to regional stability based on “proactive pacifism” and proposed holding a meeting of defense ministers from Japan and the ASEAN members.
首脳会議や各国首脳との個別会談では、「積極的平和主義」に基づき、地域の安定に貢献すると表明し、日本とＡＳＥＡＮ各国との防衛相会合も呼びかけた。
It is imperative for Japan to deepen cooperative security ties with the ASEAN countries to deal with China and North Korea.
中国や北朝鮮と向き合うためには、東南アジア諸国と安全保障での協力を深める必要がある。
ASEAN and China are considering setting legally binding codes of conduct in the South China Sea, where they have prolonged territorial disputes, but Beijing is reluctant to accept such codes. Japan should cooperate with the United States in backing ASEAN efforts to conclude an early agreement on codes of conduct with China.
ＡＳＥＡＮと中国は、領有権争いの続く南シナ海での行動を法的に拘束する「行動規範」を検討中だが、中国は消極的だ。早期策定に向けて、日本は米国と連携し、ＡＳＥＡＮを後押ししなければならない。
During the special summit meeting, participants also made progress in the area of economic cooperation. They broadly agreed in the two fields of investment and service in negotiations for a Japan-ASEAN economic partnership agreement.
特別首脳会議では経済面での協力も前進した。日・ＡＳＥＡＮの経済連携協定交渉が、投資とサービスの２分野でほぼ合意した。
Abe expressed Japan’s support for an economic community ASEAN aims to create by the end of 2015 and pledged to actively provide official development assistance to the body.
安倍首相は、２０１５年をめどとするＡＳＥＡＮの経済共同体設立を支援する意向を表明し、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）供与も積極的に進めると約束した。
Absorbing the vigor of rapidly growing Southeast Asia will provide a springboard for Japan’s economic growth.
成長著しい東南アジアの活力を取り込むことが、日本の経済成長にも弾みとなる。
The leaders also formulated a mid- and long-term plan for cooperation not only in political and economic fields but also in the area of antidisaster measures. They also plan to have more active exchanges in culture, arts, tourism and sports.
特別首脳会議で中長期ビジョンもまとまった。政治・経済だけでなく、防災面での協力を強化し、文化・芸術、観光、スポーツなどで交流を促進するとしている。
Japan and ASEAN have just observed the 40th anniversary of their friendship this year. It is hoped that they will strengthen their strategic ties even further.
日本とＡＳＥＡＮの友好協力は４０周年を迎えた。戦略的な連携を一層強めていきたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2013)
（2013年12月15日01時25分 読売新聞）
2013年12月16日
与党税制大綱 家計と景気への目配り十分か
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 13, 2013
Reduced consumption rate system must be at same time as hike to 10%
与党税制大綱 家計と景気への目配り十分か（12月13日付・読売社説）
◆消費税１０％と同時に軽減税率を
We are concerned that increasing the consumption tax rate to 8 percent from April may dampen personal spending. The latest tax policy agreement between the ruling coalition parties has left unresolved problems regarding measures to shore up business activities.
来年４月に消費税率を８％に引き上げた後、個人消費の失速を招かないか。景気下支えに課題を残したと言えよう。
The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner New Komeito decided Thursday on an outline for tax system revisions for fiscal 2014. The decision signifies the ruling parties’ endorsement of a government budget draft for next fiscal year and a set of tax revision bills to be presented to the Diet early next year.
自民、公明の与党は２０１４年度の税制改正大綱を決めた。政府の来年度の予算案と、税制改正法案を裏付けるものだ。
The LDP-Komeito agreement has fallen short of deciding on a specific date to introduce a reduced consumption tax rate system to curb the tax rate on food and other daily necessities to benefit low-income people. The agreement also has incorporated such items as income and residential tax levies on salaried workers. Steps to impose heavier tax burdens on households are conspicuous in the accord.
低所得者対策として、食料品などの消費税率を低く抑える軽減税率の導入時期の決定を見送ったほか、会社員を対象にした増税などを盛り込んだ。家計の負担を増やすメニューが目立つ。
Specific timing ambiguous
◆導入時期は曖昧なまま
The biggest focus in the tax revision discussions was whether a reduced tax rate system should be introduced at the same time as an increase in the sales tax to 10 percent scheduled for October 2015.
最大の焦点は、政府が１５年１０月に予定通り消費税率を８％から１０％へ上げる場合、同時に軽減税率を導入するかどうかだった。
In January, the ruling coalition reached an agreement to “make efforts to introduce” a tax break on necessities when the planned hike to 10 percent occurs.
与党は今年１月、１０％増税時の「導入を目指す」と合意した。
The ruling parties' accord, this time, however, said a reduced tax rate system “will be introduced at a time when the consumption tax rate is 10 percent, after necessary financial resources and understanding from the public, including businesses, are secured.” It added that the ruling camp will “reach a conclusion on the matter by December 2014.”
だが、今回の大綱は「必要な財源を確保しつつ、事業者を含む国民の理解を得た上で税率１０％時に導入する」と記し、「１４年１２月までに結論を得る」ことにした。
The proviso added to the ruling coalition’s accord, such as “understanding from the public,” will weigh heavily on future discussions on a reduced tax rate, since the wording in the accord can be interpreted as either “at the same time as the hike to 10 percent” or “sometime after” the hike.
導入に「国民の理解」などの条件を付けた意味は重く、「１０％に引き上げと同時」とも「１０％に引き上げ後のいつか」とも解釈できる。
This is the product of compromise between the LDP, which has remained wary of implementing a reduced tax rate, and Komeito, which has strongly insisted the proposed tax break on such items as food and newspapers be introduced when the rate is raised to 10 percent.
導入に慎重姿勢を崩さない自民党と、１０％への増税の時期と合わせて食料品や新聞などを対象に導入すべきだとする公明党との妥協の産物にほかならない。
A reduced tax rate system would mitigate tax burdens on all taxpayers, including lower-income people, helping shore up a broad spectrum of household budgets.
軽減税率は、低所得層を含む国民全体の税負担を幅広く和らげて家計を下支えする。
It is also problematic that the tax system revision outline this time has come short of discussing specifics, such as which items would be eligible for a lower tax rate.
今回の大綱が、軽減税率の対象品目など具体的な検討に踏み込めなかったのも問題である。
Decisions on specific items to be covered and plans to put the reduced rate system into practice must not be postponed unnecessarily. A decision should be made quickly to introduce a reduced tax rate at the same time the rate is increased to 10 percent.
いたずらに対象品目や制度設計などの決定を遅らせてはならない。１０％増税と同時の導入を速やかに決断すべきだろう。
During the ruling camp’s tax discussions, the LDP’s Tax System Research Commission and the Finance Ministry pointed out the introduction of the reduced tax rate system would make it necessary to employ an invoice system to log the tax rates and amounts item by item, leading to complicated clerical work for businesses.
今回、自民党税調と財務省は、軽減税率の導入には、商品ごとに税率や税額を記載したインボイス（税額票）が必要で、企業の事務負担が増すと指摘した。
Given that business deals free from the consumption tax, including land transactions, and those subject to the tax have been in place even under the existing tax system, Komeito refuted that argument in the discussions, noting a reduced tax rate system could be realized without an invoice system. The LDP tax panel and the Finance Ministry should have more aggressively addressed resolving impediments to employing a reduced tax rate.
ただ、今でも土地売買など非課税取引と消費税を課す取引は混在しており、公明党はインボイスは不要だと反論した。自民党税調と財務省は積極的に課題解決へ取り組むべきだったのではないか。
The tax system revision outline also includes steps to reduce the income tax breaks for company employees and other salaried workers, and raising their income and residential taxes. People whose annual income exceeds \12 million will be subject to heavier taxes from 2016, and those whose annual income is more than \10 million will be subject to them from 2017.
大綱は、会社員などの給与所得控除を削減し、所得税や住民税を増税する方針も盛り込んだ。１６年から年収１２００万円超の人を対象とし、１７年からは１０００万円超の人まで拡大する。
According to a trial calculation by the Finance Ministry, people with an annual income of \15 million are estimated to have an additional tax burden of \70,000 to \110,000 a year. There are fears this will dampen their motivation to spend in anticipation of an increase in the burden on household budgets.
財務省の試算では、年収１５００万円の場合、年７万〜１１万円の負担増となる見込みだ。将来の家計の負担増を見越し、消費意欲は減退する恐れがある。
As the planned consumption tax hike is expected to increase the perceived burden on low-income earners, the ruling parties seem to have tried to alleviate the sense of unfairness by imposing increased tax burdens on high-income earners.
消費増税で低所得者の負担感が増すため、与党は、高所得者への課税強化で不公平感を和らげることを狙ったようだ。
Fast and sloppy
◆拙速な所得控除見直し
However, full-scale discussions on the reexamination of tax deductions were conducted for merely a week. It cannot be helped if the ruling parties are criticized for targeting company employees, whose income can be easily ascertained, unlike that of the self-employed, to ensure tax revenue.
だが、控除見直しを巡る本格的な議論は、わずか１週間だった。自営業者と違い、収入を把握しやすい会社員を狙い撃ちするのでは「取りやすいところから取る」と批判されても仕方がない。
Quite a few people are increasingly dissatisfied over the fact that the ruling parties quickly decided on a tax hike for salaried workers while not presenting a time frame for introducing the reduced consumption tax rates.
軽減税率の導入時期を示さない一方で、サラリーマン増税を即決したことに、不満を募らせる人も少なくないだろう。
In the case of taxation on automobiles, the tax hike for light motor vehicles was incorporated into the outline of tax system revisions as a measure to secure fiscal resources needed to phase out the automobile acquisition tax from next fiscal year.
自動車課税では、購入時に課す自動車取得税を来年度から段階的に縮小・廃止するための財源確保策として、軽自動車税の増税などを盛り込んだ。
The tax on light vehicles is less than that on compact cars. As long as light vehicles also impose burdens on roads and the environment, it is unavoidable for the light vehicle tax to be raised in line with the beneficiary-to-pay principle.
軽自動車税は、小型車の税金に比べて納税者の負担が軽い。軽自動車も道路や環境に負荷をかける以上、受益者負担として引き上げられるのはやむを得まい。
In regard to lowering the corporate tax, which was regarded as a centerpiece of the government’s growth strategy, the outline said merely that the matter will “continue to be studied.” Discussions on concrete measures such as the timing and margin for a tax cut have not deepened.
成長戦略の目玉とされた法人税率の引き下げは、「引き続き検討を進める」と記しただけで、減税の時期や引き下げ幅などの具体論は深まらなかった。
Japan’s corporate tax rates—even if excluding the special corporate tax for reconstruction from the 2011 disaster, which is planned to be abolished at the end of fiscal 2013, one year ahead of schedule as an economic measure—are higher than those in Europe and many other Asian countries.
しかし、経済対策で１年前倒し廃止が決まった復興特別法人税を除いても、日本の法人税は欧州やアジアの多くの国より高い。
Reduced consumption rate system must be at same time as hike to 10%
与党税制大綱 家計と景気への目配り十分か（12月13日付・読売社説）
◆消費税１０％と同時に軽減税率を
We are concerned that increasing the consumption tax rate to 8 percent from April may dampen personal spending. The latest tax policy agreement between the ruling coalition parties has left unresolved problems regarding measures to shore up business activities.
来年４月に消費税率を８％に引き上げた後、個人消費の失速を招かないか。景気下支えに課題を残したと言えよう。
The Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner New Komeito decided Thursday on an outline for tax system revisions for fiscal 2014. The decision signifies the ruling parties’ endorsement of a government budget draft for next fiscal year and a set of tax revision bills to be presented to the Diet early next year.
自民、公明の与党は２０１４年度の税制改正大綱を決めた。政府の来年度の予算案と、税制改正法案を裏付けるものだ。
The LDP-Komeito agreement has fallen short of deciding on a specific date to introduce a reduced consumption tax rate system to curb the tax rate on food and other daily necessities to benefit low-income people. The agreement also has incorporated such items as income and residential tax levies on salaried workers. Steps to impose heavier tax burdens on households are conspicuous in the accord.
低所得者対策として、食料品などの消費税率を低く抑える軽減税率の導入時期の決定を見送ったほか、会社員を対象にした増税などを盛り込んだ。家計の負担を増やすメニューが目立つ。
Specific timing ambiguous
◆導入時期は曖昧なまま
The biggest focus in the tax revision discussions was whether a reduced tax rate system should be introduced at the same time as an increase in the sales tax to 10 percent scheduled for October 2015.
最大の焦点は、政府が１５年１０月に予定通り消費税率を８％から１０％へ上げる場合、同時に軽減税率を導入するかどうかだった。
In January, the ruling coalition reached an agreement to “make efforts to introduce” a tax break on necessities when the planned hike to 10 percent occurs.
与党は今年１月、１０％増税時の「導入を目指す」と合意した。
The ruling parties' accord, this time, however, said a reduced tax rate system “will be introduced at a time when the consumption tax rate is 10 percent, after necessary financial resources and understanding from the public, including businesses, are secured.” It added that the ruling camp will “reach a conclusion on the matter by December 2014.”
だが、今回の大綱は「必要な財源を確保しつつ、事業者を含む国民の理解を得た上で税率１０％時に導入する」と記し、「１４年１２月までに結論を得る」ことにした。
The proviso added to the ruling coalition’s accord, such as “understanding from the public,” will weigh heavily on future discussions on a reduced tax rate, since the wording in the accord can be interpreted as either “at the same time as the hike to 10 percent” or “sometime after” the hike.
導入に「国民の理解」などの条件を付けた意味は重く、「１０％に引き上げと同時」とも「１０％に引き上げ後のいつか」とも解釈できる。
This is the product of compromise between the LDP, which has remained wary of implementing a reduced tax rate, and Komeito, which has strongly insisted the proposed tax break on such items as food and newspapers be introduced when the rate is raised to 10 percent.
導入に慎重姿勢を崩さない自民党と、１０％への増税の時期と合わせて食料品や新聞などを対象に導入すべきだとする公明党との妥協の産物にほかならない。
A reduced tax rate system would mitigate tax burdens on all taxpayers, including lower-income people, helping shore up a broad spectrum of household budgets.
軽減税率は、低所得層を含む国民全体の税負担を幅広く和らげて家計を下支えする。
It is also problematic that the tax system revision outline this time has come short of discussing specifics, such as which items would be eligible for a lower tax rate.
今回の大綱が、軽減税率の対象品目など具体的な検討に踏み込めなかったのも問題である。
Decisions on specific items to be covered and plans to put the reduced rate system into practice must not be postponed unnecessarily. A decision should be made quickly to introduce a reduced tax rate at the same time the rate is increased to 10 percent.
いたずらに対象品目や制度設計などの決定を遅らせてはならない。１０％増税と同時の導入を速やかに決断すべきだろう。
During the ruling camp’s tax discussions, the LDP’s Tax System Research Commission and the Finance Ministry pointed out the introduction of the reduced tax rate system would make it necessary to employ an invoice system to log the tax rates and amounts item by item, leading to complicated clerical work for businesses.
今回、自民党税調と財務省は、軽減税率の導入には、商品ごとに税率や税額を記載したインボイス（税額票）が必要で、企業の事務負担が増すと指摘した。
Given that business deals free from the consumption tax, including land transactions, and those subject to the tax have been in place even under the existing tax system, Komeito refuted that argument in the discussions, noting a reduced tax rate system could be realized without an invoice system. The LDP tax panel and the Finance Ministry should have more aggressively addressed resolving impediments to employing a reduced tax rate.
ただ、今でも土地売買など非課税取引と消費税を課す取引は混在しており、公明党はインボイスは不要だと反論した。自民党税調と財務省は積極的に課題解決へ取り組むべきだったのではないか。
The tax system revision outline also includes steps to reduce the income tax breaks for company employees and other salaried workers, and raising their income and residential taxes. People whose annual income exceeds \12 million will be subject to heavier taxes from 2016, and those whose annual income is more than \10 million will be subject to them from 2017.
大綱は、会社員などの給与所得控除を削減し、所得税や住民税を増税する方針も盛り込んだ。１６年から年収１２００万円超の人を対象とし、１７年からは１０００万円超の人まで拡大する。
According to a trial calculation by the Finance Ministry, people with an annual income of \15 million are estimated to have an additional tax burden of \70,000 to \110,000 a year. There are fears this will dampen their motivation to spend in anticipation of an increase in the burden on household budgets.
財務省の試算では、年収１５００万円の場合、年７万〜１１万円の負担増となる見込みだ。将来の家計の負担増を見越し、消費意欲は減退する恐れがある。
As the planned consumption tax hike is expected to increase the perceived burden on low-income earners, the ruling parties seem to have tried to alleviate the sense of unfairness by imposing increased tax burdens on high-income earners.
消費増税で低所得者の負担感が増すため、与党は、高所得者への課税強化で不公平感を和らげることを狙ったようだ。
Fast and sloppy
◆拙速な所得控除見直し
However, full-scale discussions on the reexamination of tax deductions were conducted for merely a week. It cannot be helped if the ruling parties are criticized for targeting company employees, whose income can be easily ascertained, unlike that of the self-employed, to ensure tax revenue.
だが、控除見直しを巡る本格的な議論は、わずか１週間だった。自営業者と違い、収入を把握しやすい会社員を狙い撃ちするのでは「取りやすいところから取る」と批判されても仕方がない。
Quite a few people are increasingly dissatisfied over the fact that the ruling parties quickly decided on a tax hike for salaried workers while not presenting a time frame for introducing the reduced consumption tax rates.
軽減税率の導入時期を示さない一方で、サラリーマン増税を即決したことに、不満を募らせる人も少なくないだろう。
In the case of taxation on automobiles, the tax hike for light motor vehicles was incorporated into the outline of tax system revisions as a measure to secure fiscal resources needed to phase out the automobile acquisition tax from next fiscal year.
自動車課税では、購入時に課す自動車取得税を来年度から段階的に縮小・廃止するための財源確保策として、軽自動車税の増税などを盛り込んだ。
The tax on light vehicles is less than that on compact cars. As long as light vehicles also impose burdens on roads and the environment, it is unavoidable for the light vehicle tax to be raised in line with the beneficiary-to-pay principle.
軽自動車税は、小型車の税金に比べて納税者の負担が軽い。軽自動車も道路や環境に負荷をかける以上、受益者負担として引き上げられるのはやむを得まい。
In regard to lowering the corporate tax, which was regarded as a centerpiece of the government’s growth strategy, the outline said merely that the matter will “continue to be studied.” Discussions on concrete measures such as the timing and margin for a tax cut have not deepened.
成長戦略の目玉とされた法人税率の引き下げは、「引き続き検討を進める」と記しただけで、減税の時期や引き下げ幅などの具体論は深まらなかった。
Japan’s corporate tax rates—even if excluding the special corporate tax for reconstruction from the 2011 disaster, which is planned to be abolished at the end of fiscal 2013, one year ahead of schedule as an economic measure—are higher than those in Europe and many other Asian countries.
しかし、経済対策で１年前倒し廃止が決まった復興特別法人税を除いても、日本の法人税は欧州やアジアの多くの国より高い。
2013年12月15日
マンデラ氏死去 今こそ継承したい寛容の精神
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 12, 2013
World must learn from, carry on Mandela’s legacy of forgiveness
マンデラ氏死去 今こそ継承したい寛容の精神（12月12日付・読売社説）
About 100 heads of state and other world leaders mourned the death of Nelson Mandela at a memorial service for the former South African president in Johannesburg on Tuesday, showing how Mandela was revered all around the world.
約１００人の国家元首や首脳級の要人が集い、その死を悼んだ。世界中で尊敬される指導者だった証しである。
Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate honored for his strenuous fight against apartheid and eventual success in ending his country’s system of racial segregation, died last Thursday. He was 95.
南アフリカで、アパルトヘイト（人種隔離政策）を撤廃に導いて、ノーベル平和賞を受けたネルソン・マンデラ元大統領が、９５歳で死去した。
The global dignitaries at the national memorial service held for Mandela at a stadium in South Africa’s largest city included Crown Prince Naruhito and former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. In a memorial address, U.S. President Barack Obama praised the anti-apartheid icon’s achievements, describing him as “a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice and in the process moved billions around the world.”
ヨハネスブルクで行われた追悼式には、皇太子さまが、福田康夫元首相とともに参列された。オバマ米大統領は演説で、マンデラ氏を「歴史上の巨人だった。国家を正義に導き、世界の何十億の人々を揺り動かした」と称賛した。
During the second half of the 20th century, Afrikaner whites, the South African minority that ruled the country, repressed the black majority under legislation based on the apartheid policy. Black members of the population did not possess the right to vote and were even restricted in where they could live.
２０世紀後半の南アでは、支配権を握る少数派の白人が、アパルトヘイトに基づき、多数派の黒人を法的に抑圧した。黒人には参政権がなく、居住地も制限された。
A lawyer, Mandela fought racial discrimination in his country after joining the anti-apartheid activities of the African National Congress, then a political party struggling for the freedom of black South Africans. Mandela’s adherence to his cause despite 27 years in prison for treason provokes amazement.
弁護士だったマンデラ氏は、黒人解放組織、アフリカ民族会議（ＡＮＣ）の反アパルトヘイト活動に参加して、人種差別と闘った。反逆罪で、２７年間も獄中生活を強いられたにもかかわらず、節を曲げなかったのは、驚嘆に値する。
The true worth of Mandela’s political leadership was demonstrated when and after he was asked by his nation’s white government to help end apartheid. By that time, the South African government could no longer endure the international sanctions imposed on the country.
マンデラ氏が政治指導者としての真骨頂を発揮したのは、国際社会の制裁に耐えかねた白人政権から、アパルトヘイト撤廃への協力を求められて以降だ。
The power of forgiveness
Mandela ended the ANC’s pursuit of an armed struggle and negotiated with the white government, which resulted in an end to apartheid and a national election open to all races. This enabled the ANC to take the reins of government, with Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president. However, he urged the black majority not to retaliate against whites.
ＡＮＣの武力闘争路線を終わらせ、政権との交渉で、アパルトヘイト廃止と全人種参加選挙にこぎつけた。ＡＮＣが政権を掌握したのに伴い、黒人として初の大統領に選出されたが、白人に対する報復を強く戒めた。
In his inaugural address as South African president in 1994, Mandela pledged to “build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts.” In fact, the position of vice president was assumed by Mandela’s predecessor, a white president.
１９９４年の大統領就任演説で「黒人や白人ら全ての国民が、胸を張って歩ける社会を建設する」と約束し、副大統領には白人の前大統領が就いた。
Mandela’s spirit of tolerance—with which he sought to transform South Africa into a nation in which all ethnic groups could live in harmony—deeply affected people around the world.
多人種共存を目指す寛容の精神が、世界の人々に深い感銘を与えたと言える。
In 1995, South Africa hosted the rugby World Cup. Mandela cheered for his country’s national team, which comprised mostly white players—an episode that helped create a sense of unity among South Africans. The story was later made into an American film that became known to many people around the world.
南アで開催されたラグビー・ワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）で、白人主体の代表チームを自ら応援し、国民の一体感を育んだ逸話は、映画化され、よく知られている。
Mandela’s achievements also included his successful post-apartheid economic policies, which included efforts to skillfully utilize the vitality of white industrialists instead of depriving them of management rights. He did not persist in his own view that his country’s mines should be placed under state control. All this contributed to economic growth.
白人の企業家から経営権を奪わず、むしろその活力を生かした経済政策も実績である。持論だった鉱山国有化などには固執せず、南アの経済成長につなげた。
However, today South Africa seems to be experiencing what may be regarded as the adverse effects of the ANC’s prolonged rule, including corruption within its administration and abuse of privilege. Little progress has been made in narrowing economic disparities between the white minority and the black majority.
だが、現在の南アでは、ＡＮＣ政権が長期化するに伴い、政権内で腐敗や特権乱用の傾向が目立っている。白人と黒人の間の経済格差の解消も進まない。
Ethnic conflicts and bloodshed attributable to religious differences continue to rage in many parts of the world. Not only South Africans but also people around the world must remind themselves of the precious lessons taught by Mandela.
世界各地では、民族や宗教の違いに根ざす流血が続く。南アに限らず、国際社会全体で、マンデラ氏の残した教訓を改めてかみしめる必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 12, 2013)
（2013年12月12日01時27分 読売新聞）
World must learn from, carry on Mandela’s legacy of forgiveness
マンデラ氏死去 今こそ継承したい寛容の精神（12月12日付・読売社説）
About 100 heads of state and other world leaders mourned the death of Nelson Mandela at a memorial service for the former South African president in Johannesburg on Tuesday, showing how Mandela was revered all around the world.
約１００人の国家元首や首脳級の要人が集い、その死を悼んだ。世界中で尊敬される指導者だった証しである。
Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate honored for his strenuous fight against apartheid and eventual success in ending his country’s system of racial segregation, died last Thursday. He was 95.
南アフリカで、アパルトヘイト（人種隔離政策）を撤廃に導いて、ノーベル平和賞を受けたネルソン・マンデラ元大統領が、９５歳で死去した。
The global dignitaries at the national memorial service held for Mandela at a stadium in South Africa’s largest city included Crown Prince Naruhito and former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. In a memorial address, U.S. President Barack Obama praised the anti-apartheid icon’s achievements, describing him as “a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice and in the process moved billions around the world.”
ヨハネスブルクで行われた追悼式には、皇太子さまが、福田康夫元首相とともに参列された。オバマ米大統領は演説で、マンデラ氏を「歴史上の巨人だった。国家を正義に導き、世界の何十億の人々を揺り動かした」と称賛した。
During the second half of the 20th century, Afrikaner whites, the South African minority that ruled the country, repressed the black majority under legislation based on the apartheid policy. Black members of the population did not possess the right to vote and were even restricted in where they could live.
２０世紀後半の南アでは、支配権を握る少数派の白人が、アパルトヘイトに基づき、多数派の黒人を法的に抑圧した。黒人には参政権がなく、居住地も制限された。
A lawyer, Mandela fought racial discrimination in his country after joining the anti-apartheid activities of the African National Congress, then a political party struggling for the freedom of black South Africans. Mandela’s adherence to his cause despite 27 years in prison for treason provokes amazement.
弁護士だったマンデラ氏は、黒人解放組織、アフリカ民族会議（ＡＮＣ）の反アパルトヘイト活動に参加して、人種差別と闘った。反逆罪で、２７年間も獄中生活を強いられたにもかかわらず、節を曲げなかったのは、驚嘆に値する。
The true worth of Mandela’s political leadership was demonstrated when and after he was asked by his nation’s white government to help end apartheid. By that time, the South African government could no longer endure the international sanctions imposed on the country.
マンデラ氏が政治指導者としての真骨頂を発揮したのは、国際社会の制裁に耐えかねた白人政権から、アパルトヘイト撤廃への協力を求められて以降だ。
The power of forgiveness
Mandela ended the ANC’s pursuit of an armed struggle and negotiated with the white government, which resulted in an end to apartheid and a national election open to all races. This enabled the ANC to take the reins of government, with Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president. However, he urged the black majority not to retaliate against whites.
ＡＮＣの武力闘争路線を終わらせ、政権との交渉で、アパルトヘイト廃止と全人種参加選挙にこぎつけた。ＡＮＣが政権を掌握したのに伴い、黒人として初の大統領に選出されたが、白人に対する報復を強く戒めた。
In his inaugural address as South African president in 1994, Mandela pledged to “build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts.” In fact, the position of vice president was assumed by Mandela’s predecessor, a white president.
１９９４年の大統領就任演説で「黒人や白人ら全ての国民が、胸を張って歩ける社会を建設する」と約束し、副大統領には白人の前大統領が就いた。
Mandela’s spirit of tolerance—with which he sought to transform South Africa into a nation in which all ethnic groups could live in harmony—deeply affected people around the world.
多人種共存を目指す寛容の精神が、世界の人々に深い感銘を与えたと言える。
In 1995, South Africa hosted the rugby World Cup. Mandela cheered for his country’s national team, which comprised mostly white players—an episode that helped create a sense of unity among South Africans. The story was later made into an American film that became known to many people around the world.
南アで開催されたラグビー・ワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）で、白人主体の代表チームを自ら応援し、国民の一体感を育んだ逸話は、映画化され、よく知られている。
Mandela’s achievements also included his successful post-apartheid economic policies, which included efforts to skillfully utilize the vitality of white industrialists instead of depriving them of management rights. He did not persist in his own view that his country’s mines should be placed under state control. All this contributed to economic growth.
白人の企業家から経営権を奪わず、むしろその活力を生かした経済政策も実績である。持論だった鉱山国有化などには固執せず、南アの経済成長につなげた。
However, today South Africa seems to be experiencing what may be regarded as the adverse effects of the ANC’s prolonged rule, including corruption within its administration and abuse of privilege. Little progress has been made in narrowing economic disparities between the white minority and the black majority.
だが、現在の南アでは、ＡＮＣ政権が長期化するに伴い、政権内で腐敗や特権乱用の傾向が目立っている。白人と黒人の間の経済格差の解消も進まない。
Ethnic conflicts and bloodshed attributable to religious differences continue to rage in many parts of the world. Not only South Africans but also people around the world must remind themselves of the precious lessons taught by Mandela.
世界各地では、民族や宗教の違いに根ざす流血が続く。南アに限らず、国際社会全体で、マンデラ氏の残した教訓を改めてかみしめる必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 12, 2013)
（2013年12月12日01時27分 読売新聞）
2013年12月13日
12月5日産経新聞が特報を発行 和食が無形文化遺産に登録される
カスピ海に面したアゼルバイジャンという美しい国をご存知ですか？
12月初旬ですが、アゼルバイジャンの首都バクーで、ユネスコによる世界の無形文化遺産登録に関する会議が開催されました。
情報に寄りますと、韓国のあの有名なキムチなどを抑えて、今回、日本の和食が見事、世界の無形文化遺産に登録されました。
これは大変に素晴らしいことで、前（前回）の歌舞伎や能楽に続いた受賞となり、和食で22件目の受賞となるということなのです。
日本人として誇らしく思いました。
あれから数日が経過しましたので、また、あの日の感動が味わいたくって記事を読み返しましたが電子版でも簡単に閲覧できるんです。
日本の格調高いおせち料理などが高い評価を受けた所以（せい）ではないかと、巷（ちまた）では噂されています。
和食は健康食としても世界各国でヒット商品となっています。
私は仕事の関係で世界各国を飛び回りましたが、アメリカでもアジアでも和食ブームは大変なものがあります。
和食としては、お寿司やお刺身が飛び抜けて有名なんですが、今後は伝統的な美しい和食が世界各国で繁盛（はんじょう）されることを願っています。
今回、記事作成に以下のリンクを参照いたしました。
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/131205/edc13120511290004-n1.htm
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/131205/edc13120500270001-n1.htm
レビューブログからの情報です