英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun August 4, 2013
How can we learn from Nazis about constitutional revision?
麻生財務相発言　ナチスにどう改憲を学ぶのか（8月3日付・読売社説）

Was this something a person who has held the prime minister’s post should say? We cannot help but doubt his qualification to be an important minister in the current administration.
　これが首相経験者の言うことなのか。現在の重要閣僚としての資質も疑わざるを得ない。

Referring to the approach to constitutional revision taken by the former Nazi regime in Germany, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso made remarks to the effect that we should learn from its technique to amend the country’s Constitution.
　麻生副総理・財務相が憲法改正を巡って、ドイツのナチス政権を引き合いに出し、その手法を学べという趣旨の発言をした問題である。

Many people took this statement as expressing a positive view of Nazi Germany. Widespread revulsion was rapidly expressed, not only in Japan but also by parties including a Jewish human rights organization in the United States. China and South Korea have also criticized the statement, linking it to their existing disagreements with the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over recognition of history.
　ナチスを肯定的に語ったものと受け止められ、国内だけでなく、米国のユダヤ人人権団体などにも、反発が広がった。中国や韓国も、安倍政権の歴史認識の問題と重ねて批判している。

Aso retracted his statement, saying: “It was taken differently from my real intent. It is regrettable that I invited a misunderstanding.” However, the situation is so serious that it may even damage Japan’s national interests.
　麻生氏は、「真意と異なり、誤解を招いたことは遺憾」として撤回したものの、日本の国益も損ないかねない事態だ。

The statement came out on Monday during a speech Aso made in Tokyo, in the context of his attempt to describe how cool-headed discussions are necessary for constitutional revision.
　今回の発言は７月２９日、都内の講演会で、憲法改正は冷静な議論が必要という文脈で出てきた。

He referred to the circumstance in which Adolf Hitler emerged under the Weimar Constitution and said: “The Weimar Constitution was changed to the Nazi Constitution before people realized it. Why don’t we learn from that technique?”
　ヒトラーがワイマール憲法の下で台頭したことに言及し、「ワイマール憲法もいつの間にかナチス憲法に変わっていた。あの手口を学んだらどうかね」と述べた。

However, while the Weimar Constitution was rendered a dead letter, nothing called the “Nazi Constitution” ever existed.
　しかし、ワイマール憲法は形骸化されただけで、「ナチス憲法」なるものは存在しない。

Hitler seized the reins of government by legitimate means and built the foundation of his dictatorial regime through such things as the Enabling Act, by which the government was empowered to enact laws without parliamentary deliberation or approval. He sent Jewish people to concentration camps and caused the Holocaust.
　ヒトラーは、合法的手段によって政権を掌握し、政府が国会審議を経ずに立法できる全権委任法などで独裁体制の基礎を築いた。ユダヤ人らを強制収容所に送り込み、大虐殺を引き起こした。

Inappropriate expression

At his press conference Friday, Aso explained: “The Nazis emerged in the midst of an uproar before people realized it. I meant to say we have to learn from that as a bad example.” If it was his real intent, the expression “Learn from the technique” is totally inappropriate.
　麻生氏は、２日の記者会見で、「狂騒の中で、いつの間にか、ナチスが出てきた。悪(あ)しき例で、我々は学ばないといけないと申し上げた」と釈明した。それが真意というなら、「手口に学べ」という表現は全く不適切だ。

It is also not understandable at all why he picked the Nazi Germany case in relation to revision of the Constititution. In Japan a national referendum is needed to amend the Constitution, and that is only after an amendment has been initiated by both houses of the Diet. Therefore, it cannot be amended “before people realize it.”
　憲法改正に絡めて持ち出した意図も全く理解できない。憲法改正には国会の発議だけでなく、国民投票が必要であり、「いつの間にか」改正できるはずがない。

Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda criticized Aso, saying: “Revision of the Constitution is an issue that should be debated in the most vigorous way. His remarks ignore democracy, as he said it’s OK to do it secretly.”
　民主党の海江田代表は、「憲法改正は侃々諤々(かんかんがくがく)の議論をすべき問題だ。こっそりやってしまえばいいなどという、民主主義を無視した発言だ」と批判している。

There is no doubt that Aso’s speech was a serious blow to the Abe administration, which aims at constitutional revision.
　麻生氏の発言が、憲法改正を掲げる安倍政権にとって、打撃となったのは間違いない。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: “Cabinet ministers must fully recognize their positions and should make statements carefully, so as not to be misunderstood.”
　菅官房長官は、「閣僚は立場を十分承知し、慎重に誤解されないよう発言すべきだ」と述べた。

That is something which is too obvious. However, Aso repeatedly made gaffes and irresponsible remarks when he was foreign minister or prime minister such as, “Even people with Alzheimer’s can understand it,” or, “There are many doctors who lack common sense.”
　言うまでもないことである。だが、麻生氏は、外相、首相時代にも「アルツハイマーの人でもわかる」、「医師は社会的常識が欠落している人が多い」といった失言や放言を繰り返している。

Due to the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the recent House of Councillors election, we suspect the the administration has let its hair down. Aso’s remarks also reveal the arrogance of a party winning big.
　参院選での大勝で政権のタガが緩んできたのではないか。麻生氏の発言には傲(おご)りも垣間見える。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2013)
（2013年8月3日01時49分 読売新聞）