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2009年12月21日
科学技術戦略 国際競争を勝ち抜くために
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 21, 2009)
Japan can't afford to trail in intl science, tech race
科学技術戦略 国際競争を勝ち抜くために（12月21日付・読売社説）
Without progress in the fields of science and technology, new industries will stagnate, which may put this nation on the road to decline. How then should the government bolster science and technology--a key source of national strength.
科学技術の発展がなければ、新たな産業は育たず、日本は衰退への道をたどりかねない。国力の源泉とも言える科学技術を政府は今後、どうもり立ててゆくべきか。
A new strategy on science and technology has been compiled by a committee belonging to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and headed by Nobel Chemistry Prize winner Ryoji Noyori, president of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken).
ノーベル化学賞受賞者の野依良治・理化学研究所理事長を主査とする文部科学省の委員会が、新たな科学技術戦略をまとめた。
The strategy incorporates measures aimed at promoting effective yet flexible research and development efforts.
研究開発を、これまでより効率的かつ機動的に推進するための方策を盛り込んでいる。
Such measures should form part of a wider growth strategy, which the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to draw up by the end of the year.
新政権が年内にもまとめるという「成長戦略」に、しっかりと位置づけるべきだ。
As the Government Revitalization Unit--tasked with identifying wasteful government spending--has judged many projects in the fields of science and technology should be scrapped or have their budgets cut, concern has arisen both at home and abroad that Japan no longer has a science and technology strategy. Such concerns should quickly be put to rest.
事業仕分けに大なたを振るったことで、科学技術戦略なき日本、との懸念も国内外にある。それを払拭(ふっしょく)したい。
===
Better coordination needed
Under previous government policies, four fields, including life sciences and information and telecommunication, were given priority when compiling budgets. However, the scope of each field was too broad, which meant cooperation among the related ministries and agencies was poorly coordinated. This made it difficult to create an efficient structure for ensuring cooperation among industry, government and academia.
これまでの政策では、「生命科学」「情報通信」など重点４分野を設けて予算を投じていた。だが分野ごとの範囲が広過ぎたため省庁間の連携が弱く、産官学の協力体制を築くのが難しかった。
It was this failing that impeded development of the nation's next-generation supercomputer--a project that attracted much public attention during the Government Revitalization Unit's budgetary screening process.
事業仕分けで注目された「次世代スーパーコンピューター」の開発も、そこが弱点だった。
While the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry took the initiative and threw its weight behind the program, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, which oversees the electronics industry, has kept its distance.
文部科学省が主導したので、電子産業を所管する経済産業省は距離を置いていた。
The development of a supercomputer is tied to the development of related fields. However, the ripple effect turned out to be limited as the project created little momentum.
本来なら、関連産業界の振興につながるはずだが波及効果は限定的で、盛り上がりを欠いていた。
As a result, under the latest strategy, the project has had its goals narrowed down to a dozen, with each to be carefully overseen and implemented.
これを受け、新戦略では、政策課題を十数項目に絞り込み、個別にきめ細かく対応する。
Under the strategy, each selected policy goal will see concerned ministries and agencies as well as certain industry groups closely involved in the process from the initial formulation of strategies through construction and operation of the systems put in place to ensure a successful outcome.
選定した政策課題ごとに、関係省庁と産業界などが、当初の戦略策定から支援体制の構築、運営まで緊密に関与する。
===
Steady investment vital
The new strategy lists possible tasks, including tackling global warming via the development of a highly efficient solar battery and a regenerative medicine project that will see more backing for research into induced pluripotent stem cells--a type of human stem cell that is capable of being developed into various types of human cells.
課題の候補として、高効率の太陽電池開発などを目指す「地球温暖化」や、新型万能細胞（ｉＰＳ細胞）の研究強化を含む「再生医療」といった例を挙げている。
The strategy was drawn up with reference to policies adopted by many European nations.
欧州の政策を参考にした。
The strategy will likely spell out, both its goals and means, and should back research proceed in a flexible manner and in a way that promotes the effective use of budgetary funds.
目標と手段が明確になろう。研究が機動的に進み、予算の効率的な活用にもつながるのではないか。
Obviously, support for fundamental research is essential, as it will help new fields in science and technology to come about.
むろん、基礎研究分野への支援も大切だ。新たな科学技術の芽を生むきっかけになる。
The problem is funding. The new strategy calls for the allocation of 1 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, about 5 trillion yen, as its related budget. Although there should be room for discussion due to the nation's severe financial situation, there is no question that steady investment is of vital importance.
問題は資金だ。新戦略は、関連予算に国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１％（約５兆円）を充てる目標を提示している。厳しい財政の下、議論の余地はあるだろうが、着実な投資の重要性は論をまたない。
However, it also goes without saying that wasteful spending should be eradicated on the condition that necessary funding is allocated. To ensure research and development proceed in an effective manner, it is vital to nurture researchers who are knowledgeable in the operation and management of research organizations.
ただ、予算投入の前提として無駄の排除は当然のことだ。効率的に研究開発を進めるため、研究の組織運用、経営の知識を備えた研究者の育成も大切になる。
As European countries and the United States are already aiming to strengthen their competitiveness in the fields of science and technology by boosting investment, Japan should act promptly.
欧米も、科学技術への投資を増やして競争力の強化を目指している。日本も対応を急ぎたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2009)
（2009年12月21日00時18分 読売新聞）
Japan can't afford to trail in intl science, tech race
科学技術戦略 国際競争を勝ち抜くために（12月21日付・読売社説）
Without progress in the fields of science and technology, new industries will stagnate, which may put this nation on the road to decline. How then should the government bolster science and technology--a key source of national strength.
科学技術の発展がなければ、新たな産業は育たず、日本は衰退への道をたどりかねない。国力の源泉とも言える科学技術を政府は今後、どうもり立ててゆくべきか。
A new strategy on science and technology has been compiled by a committee belonging to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and headed by Nobel Chemistry Prize winner Ryoji Noyori, president of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken).
ノーベル化学賞受賞者の野依良治・理化学研究所理事長を主査とする文部科学省の委員会が、新たな科学技術戦略をまとめた。
The strategy incorporates measures aimed at promoting effective yet flexible research and development efforts.
研究開発を、これまでより効率的かつ機動的に推進するための方策を盛り込んでいる。
Such measures should form part of a wider growth strategy, which the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to draw up by the end of the year.
新政権が年内にもまとめるという「成長戦略」に、しっかりと位置づけるべきだ。
As the Government Revitalization Unit--tasked with identifying wasteful government spending--has judged many projects in the fields of science and technology should be scrapped or have their budgets cut, concern has arisen both at home and abroad that Japan no longer has a science and technology strategy. Such concerns should quickly be put to rest.
事業仕分けに大なたを振るったことで、科学技術戦略なき日本、との懸念も国内外にある。それを払拭(ふっしょく)したい。
===
Better coordination needed
Under previous government policies, four fields, including life sciences and information and telecommunication, were given priority when compiling budgets. However, the scope of each field was too broad, which meant cooperation among the related ministries and agencies was poorly coordinated. This made it difficult to create an efficient structure for ensuring cooperation among industry, government and academia.
これまでの政策では、「生命科学」「情報通信」など重点４分野を設けて予算を投じていた。だが分野ごとの範囲が広過ぎたため省庁間の連携が弱く、産官学の協力体制を築くのが難しかった。
It was this failing that impeded development of the nation's next-generation supercomputer--a project that attracted much public attention during the Government Revitalization Unit's budgetary screening process.
事業仕分けで注目された「次世代スーパーコンピューター」の開発も、そこが弱点だった。
While the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry took the initiative and threw its weight behind the program, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, which oversees the electronics industry, has kept its distance.
文部科学省が主導したので、電子産業を所管する経済産業省は距離を置いていた。
The development of a supercomputer is tied to the development of related fields. However, the ripple effect turned out to be limited as the project created little momentum.
本来なら、関連産業界の振興につながるはずだが波及効果は限定的で、盛り上がりを欠いていた。
As a result, under the latest strategy, the project has had its goals narrowed down to a dozen, with each to be carefully overseen and implemented.
これを受け、新戦略では、政策課題を十数項目に絞り込み、個別にきめ細かく対応する。
Under the strategy, each selected policy goal will see concerned ministries and agencies as well as certain industry groups closely involved in the process from the initial formulation of strategies through construction and operation of the systems put in place to ensure a successful outcome.
選定した政策課題ごとに、関係省庁と産業界などが、当初の戦略策定から支援体制の構築、運営まで緊密に関与する。
===
Steady investment vital
The new strategy lists possible tasks, including tackling global warming via the development of a highly efficient solar battery and a regenerative medicine project that will see more backing for research into induced pluripotent stem cells--a type of human stem cell that is capable of being developed into various types of human cells.
課題の候補として、高効率の太陽電池開発などを目指す「地球温暖化」や、新型万能細胞（ｉＰＳ細胞）の研究強化を含む「再生医療」といった例を挙げている。
The strategy was drawn up with reference to policies adopted by many European nations.
欧州の政策を参考にした。
The strategy will likely spell out, both its goals and means, and should back research proceed in a flexible manner and in a way that promotes the effective use of budgetary funds.
目標と手段が明確になろう。研究が機動的に進み、予算の効率的な活用にもつながるのではないか。
Obviously, support for fundamental research is essential, as it will help new fields in science and technology to come about.
むろん、基礎研究分野への支援も大切だ。新たな科学技術の芽を生むきっかけになる。
The problem is funding. The new strategy calls for the allocation of 1 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, about 5 trillion yen, as its related budget. Although there should be room for discussion due to the nation's severe financial situation, there is no question that steady investment is of vital importance.
問題は資金だ。新戦略は、関連予算に国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１％（約５兆円）を充てる目標を提示している。厳しい財政の下、議論の余地はあるだろうが、着実な投資の重要性は論をまたない。
However, it also goes without saying that wasteful spending should be eradicated on the condition that necessary funding is allocated. To ensure research and development proceed in an effective manner, it is vital to nurture researchers who are knowledgeable in the operation and management of research organizations.
ただ、予算投入の前提として無駄の排除は当然のことだ。効率的に研究開発を進めるため、研究の組織運用、経営の知識を備えた研究者の育成も大切になる。
As European countries and the United States are already aiming to strengthen their competitiveness in the fields of science and technology by boosting investment, Japan should act promptly.
欧米も、科学技術への投資を増やして競争力の強化を目指している。日本も対応を急ぎたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2009)
（2009年12月21日00時18分 読売新聞）
2009年12月20日
ＣＯＰ１５ 懸案先送りで決裂を回避した
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 20, 2009)
COP15 avoids collapse by delaying decision
ＣＯＰ１５ 懸案先送りで決裂を回避した（12月20日付・読売社説）
The latest U.N. Climate Change Conference was successful only in that it avoided complete collapse.
決裂を回避できたことが、国連気候変動枠組み条約の第１５回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１５）が残した唯一の成果といえよう。
Participants at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change approved the Copenhagen Accord drawn up by major developed and developing countries on Saturday.
ＣＯＰ１５は主要国がまとめた政治合意文書である「コペンハーゲン合意」を承認した。
The political agreement, however, made no mention of matters in which the interests of developed nations conflict with those of emerging and developing countries. The fact that the document lacks substance reflects the deep disagreement at the talks. The most important issue at hand--what to do with a new framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012--was left unsettled and postponed for further discussion.
文書は、先進国と新興国・途上国の間で利害が相反する部分をそぎ落としており、乏しい内容が根深い対立を反映している。京都議定書に次ぐ２０１３年以降の枠組みをどうするか、という最重要懸案は先送りとなった。
The 10-day conference proceeded at the pace of emerging and developing countries. In particular, China and India strongly supported extending the 1997 Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012, frustrating the developed countries.
１０日間余の会議は、新興国と途上国のペースで進んだ。特に中国やインドなどが京都議定書を１３年以降も延長する案を強硬に主張し、先進国は振り回された。
The Kyoto Protocol obliges only developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions and as such is a very convenient framework for emerging and developing countries.
京都議定書で、温室効果ガスの排出削減を義務付けられているのは先進国だけだ。新興国・途上国にとって、京都議定書は、非常に好都合な枠組みである。
===
Accord includes all nations
Japan and the European Union have been insisting a new framework involving emerging and developing countries be established, a natural course of action given that China has become the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter.
日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、新興国・途上国をも含めた新たな枠組みが必要だと主張してきた。中国が世界一の排出国になったことなどを考えれば、当然だ。
The Kyoto Protocol, even if it is extended, would have no impact on the United States, which had withdrawn from it. Japan should be relieved at the fact that such a flawed framework was not extended.
米国は京都議定書から離脱しており、仮に延長されても影響は及ばない。こうした欠陥だらけの枠組みである京都議定書が今回は延長されなかったことが、日本にとっての救いである。
The Japanese government must maintain its stance of opposing the extension of the protocol.
日本政府は、今後も延長に反対する姿勢を崩してはならない。
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took part in the conference touting, Japan's midterm goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. The intention of presenting such an extremely aggressive goal was to encourage other countries to raise their own reduction targets.
鳩山首相は、「２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減」という日本としての中期目標を掲げてＣＯＰ１５に臨んだ。極めて高い目標の提示で、他国に削減目標の引き上げを促す戦略だった。
However, the latest climate talks were tough as Hatoyama admitted that other nations had not necessarily presented bold goals. Hatoyama's lack of foresight was exposed.
しかし、首相が、「他の国々が必ずしも大胆な目標を提示してくれない状況だ」と語るほど、交渉は厳しく、首相の見通しの甘さが露呈した。
===
Financial help led to deal
The tangled negotiations eventually made progress after Japan and the United States announced financial assistance to emerging and developing countries to help them mitigate climate change. This clearly shows the reality that emerging and developing countries do move if they see practical benefit--assistance from developed countries.
交渉が進展したのは、日本や米国が新興国・途上国向けの資金支援策を表明してからだ。新興国・途上国は、先進国からの支援という実利によって動くという現実が如実に示された。
The Copenhagen Accord states that developed countries will stipulate their emission reduction targets for 2020 in an appendix to the accord by Jan. 31. It is highly likely that each country will be obliged to achieve these targets under the post-Kyoto Protocol framework.
合意には、「先進国は２０年の削減目標を来年１月３１日までに合意の別表に記載する」という内容が盛り込まれた。この数値が次期枠組みで各国が負う削減義務となる可能性が高い。
Considering the lessons learned from the Kyoto Protocol, under which Japan had to shoulder disadvantageous obligations, the next framework to be established should be fair. The Japanese government will be pressed to make a difficult decision on whether to pledge in the appendix the target of a 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels, which is a substantially tougher figure than those likely to be named by the United States and other countries.
日本が不利な削減義務を負った京都議定書を教訓に、次期枠組みは、公平なものにしなくてはならない。米国などより大幅に厳しい「９０年比２５％減」を記載するのか。日本政府が難しい判断を迫られるのは、これからである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2009)
（2009年12月20日01時02分 読売新聞）
COP15 avoids collapse by delaying decision
ＣＯＰ１５ 懸案先送りで決裂を回避した（12月20日付・読売社説）
The latest U.N. Climate Change Conference was successful only in that it avoided complete collapse.
決裂を回避できたことが、国連気候変動枠組み条約の第１５回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１５）が残した唯一の成果といえよう。
Participants at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change approved the Copenhagen Accord drawn up by major developed and developing countries on Saturday.
ＣＯＰ１５は主要国がまとめた政治合意文書である「コペンハーゲン合意」を承認した。
The political agreement, however, made no mention of matters in which the interests of developed nations conflict with those of emerging and developing countries. The fact that the document lacks substance reflects the deep disagreement at the talks. The most important issue at hand--what to do with a new framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012--was left unsettled and postponed for further discussion.
文書は、先進国と新興国・途上国の間で利害が相反する部分をそぎ落としており、乏しい内容が根深い対立を反映している。京都議定書に次ぐ２０１３年以降の枠組みをどうするか、という最重要懸案は先送りとなった。
The 10-day conference proceeded at the pace of emerging and developing countries. In particular, China and India strongly supported extending the 1997 Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012, frustrating the developed countries.
１０日間余の会議は、新興国と途上国のペースで進んだ。特に中国やインドなどが京都議定書を１３年以降も延長する案を強硬に主張し、先進国は振り回された。
The Kyoto Protocol obliges only developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions and as such is a very convenient framework for emerging and developing countries.
京都議定書で、温室効果ガスの排出削減を義務付けられているのは先進国だけだ。新興国・途上国にとって、京都議定書は、非常に好都合な枠組みである。
===
Accord includes all nations
Japan and the European Union have been insisting a new framework involving emerging and developing countries be established, a natural course of action given that China has become the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter.
日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、新興国・途上国をも含めた新たな枠組みが必要だと主張してきた。中国が世界一の排出国になったことなどを考えれば、当然だ。
The Kyoto Protocol, even if it is extended, would have no impact on the United States, which had withdrawn from it. Japan should be relieved at the fact that such a flawed framework was not extended.
米国は京都議定書から離脱しており、仮に延長されても影響は及ばない。こうした欠陥だらけの枠組みである京都議定書が今回は延長されなかったことが、日本にとっての救いである。
The Japanese government must maintain its stance of opposing the extension of the protocol.
日本政府は、今後も延長に反対する姿勢を崩してはならない。
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took part in the conference touting, Japan's midterm goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. The intention of presenting such an extremely aggressive goal was to encourage other countries to raise their own reduction targets.
鳩山首相は、「２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減」という日本としての中期目標を掲げてＣＯＰ１５に臨んだ。極めて高い目標の提示で、他国に削減目標の引き上げを促す戦略だった。
However, the latest climate talks were tough as Hatoyama admitted that other nations had not necessarily presented bold goals. Hatoyama's lack of foresight was exposed.
しかし、首相が、「他の国々が必ずしも大胆な目標を提示してくれない状況だ」と語るほど、交渉は厳しく、首相の見通しの甘さが露呈した。
===
Financial help led to deal
The tangled negotiations eventually made progress after Japan and the United States announced financial assistance to emerging and developing countries to help them mitigate climate change. This clearly shows the reality that emerging and developing countries do move if they see practical benefit--assistance from developed countries.
交渉が進展したのは、日本や米国が新興国・途上国向けの資金支援策を表明してからだ。新興国・途上国は、先進国からの支援という実利によって動くという現実が如実に示された。
The Copenhagen Accord states that developed countries will stipulate their emission reduction targets for 2020 in an appendix to the accord by Jan. 31. It is highly likely that each country will be obliged to achieve these targets under the post-Kyoto Protocol framework.
合意には、「先進国は２０年の削減目標を来年１月３１日までに合意の別表に記載する」という内容が盛り込まれた。この数値が次期枠組みで各国が負う削減義務となる可能性が高い。
Considering the lessons learned from the Kyoto Protocol, under which Japan had to shoulder disadvantageous obligations, the next framework to be established should be fair. The Japanese government will be pressed to make a difficult decision on whether to pledge in the appendix the target of a 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels, which is a substantially tougher figure than those likely to be named by the United States and other countries.
日本が不利な削減義務を負った京都議定書を教訓に、次期枠組みは、公平なものにしなくてはならない。米国などより大幅に厳しい「９０年比２５％減」を記載するのか。日本政府が難しい判断を迫られるのは、これからである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2009)
（2009年12月20日01時02分 読売新聞）
2009年12月19日
answer.com （オンライン英英辞書）
オンライン英英辞書での学習効果的です。
こんなにすぐれた英英電子辞書が無料で利用できるは驚きです。
インターネットでJapan Times を読んでいてこれを発見しました。
発音注意の単語も確実にものにすることができますね。
例（今朝の英字読売新聞より）
facade ふぁさーど （うわべ、表面上の顔）
indict いんだいと （起訴する）
answers.com top page
↓
http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp?lid=AnswerTip_enable&lpos=ATip_bottom
公設秘書初公判 小沢氏は検察の指摘に答えよ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 19, 2009)
Ozawa must come clean on funds allegations
公設秘書初公判 小沢氏は検察の指摘に答えよ（12月19日付・読売社説）
A lawmaker's aide allegedly collected donations from a general contractor, which expected to receive orders for lucrative public works projects in return, and made false entries in political fund reports to conceal the actual flow of funds.
公共工事の受注を期待するゼネコンから献金を集めながら、実態を隠すため政治資金収支報告書にうそを書いた――。
In the first hearing of the trial of a state-funded secretary to Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law, prosecutors pointed to such a cozy relationship between Ozawa's office and a construction company. If the allegations are proved true, they would certainly be an act of deception that betrayed the public.
政治資金規正法違反に問われた小沢民主党幹事長の公設第１秘書の初公判で、検察側が指摘したのは小沢事務所と業者との癒着の構図だ。事実なら国民の目を欺く行為である。
During Friday's trial, the secretary denied all the claims presented in the indictment as well as the prosecutors' argument that he by himself had "the voice of heaven," or the authority to issue commands, to influence the process of determining winners of contracts for public works projects.
秘書は公判で、起訴事実とともに、受注に影響を与える「天の声」を自ら出していたとする検察側の主張を全面否定した。
Although the secretary denied the allegations, he is on trial as a defendant in a criminal case. Ozawa is a politician with heavy responsibilities as secretary general of the dominant ruling party. We think Ozawa must provide clear explanations on the allegations aired in the trial.
否認しているとはいえ、公設第１秘書が刑事被告人として裁かれている。小沢氏は政権与党の幹事長という重責を担う政治家だ。公判での指摘について、自ら明確に説明しなければなるまい。
===
Shady dealings
It has been found that two political organizations headed by former officials of the general contractor, Nishimatsu Construction Co., donated 35 million yen over four years to Ozawa's political fund management organization and a DPJ local branch headed by Ozawa.
小沢氏の資金管理団体などには西松建設のＯＢを代表にした二つの政治団体から４年間で計３５００万円が献金されていた。
The prosecutors claimed the two organizations were merely dummies and that Nishimatsu Construction was actually the true source of the donations. The prosecution also argued that Ozawa's secretary was well aware of these details.
この政治団体に実体がなく、献金の主体は西松建設であり、公設秘書もそれを認識していた、というのが検察側の主張である。
To support the allegation, the prosecutors presented, during their opening statement and on other occasions, details of a number of instances in which the secretary had spoken with officials of Nishimatsu and other general contractors.
それを裏づける事実として、検察側は冒頭陳述などで、西松建設をはじめゼネコンと公設秘書とのやり取りなどを挙げた。
The secretary allegedly was able to convince the firms to fork over huge donations after taking over from his predecessor the role of "the voice of heaven" regarding the public works contracts.
公設秘書は、前任者から「天の声」を出す役割を引き継ぎ、多額の献金などを要求していた。
A dam construction project that the Iwate prefectural government planned to put up for tender lies at the heart of this case. The secretary allegedly told Nishimatsu officials when they lobbied to receive the order: "Right, I've got it. I'll let Nishimatsu undertake the project." The secretary reportedly wrote down the title of the project as he was talking.
岩手県が発注予定のダム工事では、西松建設から陳情を受けた際に、工事名をメモしながら、「よしわかった、西松にしてやる」と了解を与えていた。
When Nishimatsu officials were reluctant to extend financial support to Ozawa's election campaign, the secretary reportedly brought up the name of another dam, on which the company had received an order. He allegedly told the officials, in an apparent attempt to intimidate them, "Don't forget that it's Ozawa's dam."
また、西松建設が選挙への協力を渋った際には、同社が受注した別のダム名を挙げ、「小沢ダムだということを忘れるな」と脅しまがいの言葉を口にしたという。
===
More scandals rear heads
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Nishimatsu donated 138 million yen over 10 years to the Ozawa side, including donations falsely registered in political fund reports. It is believed another 10 million yen in donations were raked in annually from subcontractors.
冒頭陳述では、西松建設側から小沢氏側への献金は、虚偽記入分も含めて１０年間で１億３８００万円に上り、下請け企業からの献金も年間１０００万円程度あった、とされている。
Adding more fuel to the scandal fire, Ozawa's political fund management organization is under the spotlight over a dubious land purchase.
このほか、小沢氏の資金管理団体には、不動産購入に絡む別の疑惑も浮上している。
We wonder how Ozawa will respond to these allegations.
小沢氏はこうした点について、どう答えるのだろうか。
In another money scandal embroiling a DPJ heavyweight, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's political fund management organization is suspected of having falsified political fund reports. A former state-paid secretary to Hatoyama is expected to be indicted without arrest soon over the case.
民主党では、鳩山首相の資金管理団体でも収支報告書の虚偽記入の疑いがあり、元公設第１秘書が近く在宅起訴される見通しだ。
The DPJ is considering banning political donations from companies and organizations. Ozawa spoke of this plan at a press conference soon after his secretary was arrested. But if Ozawa cannot clear up the troubling allegations against him, such a policy proposal will inevitably be regarded as a mere facade.
民主党は、企業・団体献金の全面禁止を検討している。小沢氏が秘書逮捕後の記者会見で突然表明したものだ。だが、自らに向けられた疑惑を払拭(ふっしょく)できないのであれば、単なる「目くらまし」と受け止められても仕方あるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2009)
（2009年12月19日01時20分 読売新聞）
Ozawa must come clean on funds allegations
公設秘書初公判 小沢氏は検察の指摘に答えよ（12月19日付・読売社説）
A lawmaker's aide allegedly collected donations from a general contractor, which expected to receive orders for lucrative public works projects in return, and made false entries in political fund reports to conceal the actual flow of funds.
公共工事の受注を期待するゼネコンから献金を集めながら、実態を隠すため政治資金収支報告書にうそを書いた――。
In the first hearing of the trial of a state-funded secretary to Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law, prosecutors pointed to such a cozy relationship between Ozawa's office and a construction company. If the allegations are proved true, they would certainly be an act of deception that betrayed the public.
政治資金規正法違反に問われた小沢民主党幹事長の公設第１秘書の初公判で、検察側が指摘したのは小沢事務所と業者との癒着の構図だ。事実なら国民の目を欺く行為である。
During Friday's trial, the secretary denied all the claims presented in the indictment as well as the prosecutors' argument that he by himself had "the voice of heaven," or the authority to issue commands, to influence the process of determining winners of contracts for public works projects.
秘書は公判で、起訴事実とともに、受注に影響を与える「天の声」を自ら出していたとする検察側の主張を全面否定した。
Although the secretary denied the allegations, he is on trial as a defendant in a criminal case. Ozawa is a politician with heavy responsibilities as secretary general of the dominant ruling party. We think Ozawa must provide clear explanations on the allegations aired in the trial.
否認しているとはいえ、公設第１秘書が刑事被告人として裁かれている。小沢氏は政権与党の幹事長という重責を担う政治家だ。公判での指摘について、自ら明確に説明しなければなるまい。
===
Shady dealings
It has been found that two political organizations headed by former officials of the general contractor, Nishimatsu Construction Co., donated 35 million yen over four years to Ozawa's political fund management organization and a DPJ local branch headed by Ozawa.
小沢氏の資金管理団体などには西松建設のＯＢを代表にした二つの政治団体から４年間で計３５００万円が献金されていた。
The prosecutors claimed the two organizations were merely dummies and that Nishimatsu Construction was actually the true source of the donations. The prosecution also argued that Ozawa's secretary was well aware of these details.
この政治団体に実体がなく、献金の主体は西松建設であり、公設秘書もそれを認識していた、というのが検察側の主張である。
To support the allegation, the prosecutors presented, during their opening statement and on other occasions, details of a number of instances in which the secretary had spoken with officials of Nishimatsu and other general contractors.
それを裏づける事実として、検察側は冒頭陳述などで、西松建設をはじめゼネコンと公設秘書とのやり取りなどを挙げた。
The secretary allegedly was able to convince the firms to fork over huge donations after taking over from his predecessor the role of "the voice of heaven" regarding the public works contracts.
公設秘書は、前任者から「天の声」を出す役割を引き継ぎ、多額の献金などを要求していた。
A dam construction project that the Iwate prefectural government planned to put up for tender lies at the heart of this case. The secretary allegedly told Nishimatsu officials when they lobbied to receive the order: "Right, I've got it. I'll let Nishimatsu undertake the project." The secretary reportedly wrote down the title of the project as he was talking.
岩手県が発注予定のダム工事では、西松建設から陳情を受けた際に、工事名をメモしながら、「よしわかった、西松にしてやる」と了解を与えていた。
When Nishimatsu officials were reluctant to extend financial support to Ozawa's election campaign, the secretary reportedly brought up the name of another dam, on which the company had received an order. He allegedly told the officials, in an apparent attempt to intimidate them, "Don't forget that it's Ozawa's dam."
また、西松建設が選挙への協力を渋った際には、同社が受注した別のダム名を挙げ、「小沢ダムだということを忘れるな」と脅しまがいの言葉を口にしたという。
===
More scandals rear heads
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Nishimatsu donated 138 million yen over 10 years to the Ozawa side, including donations falsely registered in political fund reports. It is believed another 10 million yen in donations were raked in annually from subcontractors.
冒頭陳述では、西松建設側から小沢氏側への献金は、虚偽記入分も含めて１０年間で１億３８００万円に上り、下請け企業からの献金も年間１０００万円程度あった、とされている。
Adding more fuel to the scandal fire, Ozawa's political fund management organization is under the spotlight over a dubious land purchase.
このほか、小沢氏の資金管理団体には、不動産購入に絡む別の疑惑も浮上している。
We wonder how Ozawa will respond to these allegations.
小沢氏はこうした点について、どう答えるのだろうか。
In another money scandal embroiling a DPJ heavyweight, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's political fund management organization is suspected of having falsified political fund reports. A former state-paid secretary to Hatoyama is expected to be indicted without arrest soon over the case.
民主党では、鳩山首相の資金管理団体でも収支報告書の虚偽記入の疑いがあり、元公設第１秘書が近く在宅起訴される見通しだ。
The DPJ is considering banning political donations from companies and organizations. Ozawa spoke of this plan at a press conference soon after his secretary was arrested. But if Ozawa cannot clear up the troubling allegations against him, such a policy proposal will inevitably be regarded as a mere facade.
民主党は、企業・団体献金の全面禁止を検討している。小沢氏が秘書逮捕後の記者会見で突然表明したものだ。だが、自らに向けられた疑惑を払拭(ふっしょく)できないのであれば、単なる「目くらまし」と受け止められても仕方あるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2009)
（2009年12月19日01時20分 読売新聞）
2009年12月18日
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これなら初歩の英語学習者でも手軽に利用できますよね。
ちなみにオンラインのJapan Timesは標準で辞書機能をそなえていますが、このanswer.comを利用しているものです。
使用目的に合わせて下記の３種類が用意されています。
あなたのブログやHPに小さなアフィリのバナーを貼り付けることで英英辞書機能が付与されます。
辞書引きは左ダブルクリックで一発検索
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あなたのPCのどのページでも alt+左クリックで一発検索
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習近平氏来日 日中外交の難しさ浮き彫りに
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 18, 2009)
Xi's visit highlights delicate China ties
習近平氏来日 日中外交の難しさ浮き彫りに（12月18日付・読売社説）
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan this week left some bitter feelings among the Japanese public toward China. Most of the irritation can be blamed on both governments' tactless handling of Xi's hastily arranged audience with the Emperor.
中国の習近平国家副主席の日本訪問は、天皇陛下と習氏との会見を巡る日中両国政府の不手際によって、日本国民の対中感情にしこりを残す形になった。
Xi is widely seen as a future Chinese leader. It is regrettable that his visit did not serve as an opportunity for the two nations to move their bilateral relationship toward a new stage.
中国の「次代のリーダー」と目される習氏の来日が、今後の日中関係の展望を切り開く契機にならなかったことは残念だ。
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Xi agreed during their meeting to promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations. As was to be expected, the prime minister called on China to proceed with joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea--a pending issue between the two nations--and to improve its military transparency.
鳩山首相と習氏の会談では、日中の戦略的互恵関係を推進していくことで一致した。首相が、日中間の懸案である東シナ海のガス田共同開発を前進させることや、中国の軍事力の透明性を高めるよう求めたのは当然である。
Xi, for his part, made a point of bringing up the Taiwan issue as well as ethnic minorities in the Tibet and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions. Xi said these matters concern China's core interests.
習氏は台湾問題の重要性とともに、チベット、ウイグルの少数民族問題が「中国の核心的利益」であると指摘、日本側にくぎを刺すのを忘れなかった。
That may be so, but we consider it imperative that China first stop its suppression of ethnic minorities and improve human rights in these regions by holding dialogue with minority representatives.
だが、少数民族問題ではまず、中国側が弾圧行為をやめ、対話を通じて、人権状況を改善することが先決ではないか。
===
Xi's swift rise
Xi is a son of former Chinese Vice Premier Xi Zhongxun. In the autumn of 2007, Xi Jinping was given a special two-rank promotion to become a member of the nine-seat Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. In the spring of 2008, he was elected vice president of China.
習氏は、習仲勲・元副首相を父とする高級幹部の子弟だ。一昨年秋、２階級特進で、党中央政治局常務委員（９人で構成）に抜てきされ、昨春には国家副主席に選出された。
His portfolio also includes serving as the point man of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He thus is seen as the most promising candidate to be the next president of China.
昨夏の北京五輪では運営の責任者を務めるなど、次期国家主席の最有力候補と見られている。
The Prime Minister's Office afforded Xi state head-level treatment, such as specially arranging an audience with the Emperor and holding a state dinner hosted by Hatoyama. Xi's political weight appears to have been taken into consideration in making these arrangements.
首相官邸が天皇陛下との会見を特例として実現したり、首相主催の夕食会を開いたりして国家元首級の扱いをしたのも、習氏の立場を重視したためだろう。
China had pressed Japan hard to set up Xi's meeting with the Emperor. Given that Chinese President Hu Jintao had an audience with the Emperor during his visit to Japan as vice president in 1998, the Chinese government likely wanted the same level of treatment given to Xi.
中国側も天皇陛下との会見実現を強く求めた。胡錦濤国家主席が副主席だった９８年に来日した際に、天皇陛下と会見していたこともあり、習氏に同等の待遇を求めたものと見られる。
China likely believed that a meeting with the Emperor would enhance Xi's authority as a leading figure at home.
中国側は、天皇と会見することが、指導者としての権威付けになると考えたのだろう。
===
Power struggle continues
But the power struggle to determine Hu's successor is rumbling on. While Xi is backed by former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who still wields considerable influence even after his retirement, Hu has thrown his weight behind Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
ただ、中国では、引退後も影響力のある江沢民前国家主席を後ろ盾とする習氏と、胡主席が支持する李克強副首相との後継争いはまだ決着していない。
The arm wrestle to determine the next Chinese president seems set to continue for some time.
習氏に代表される勢力と、李氏を推す勢力の綱引きが、当面続くと見られている。
China heaped praise on the Emperor's visit to that nation in 1992, saying it helped Beijing emerge from its international isolation after the Tiananmen Square incident. This indicates that the Emperor's overseas trips could have political implications.
９２年の天皇陛下の訪中は、天安門事件による国際的孤立からの脱却に効果があった、と中国側は評価している。天皇外遊の政治的側面を示すものだ。
In light of the importance of Japan-China ties, any trouble of the kind that tarnished Xi's visit must not be repeated. Both governments must tread very carefully when handling issues particularly relating to the Emperor's public duties, including holding an audience with him.
日中関係の重要性からも、今回のようなトラブルはあってはならない。天皇の会見など公的行為にかかわる問題には、日中双方に慎重な対応が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2009)
（2009年12月18日01時56分 読売新聞）
Xi's visit highlights delicate China ties
習近平氏来日 日中外交の難しさ浮き彫りに（12月18日付・読売社説）
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan this week left some bitter feelings among the Japanese public toward China. Most of the irritation can be blamed on both governments' tactless handling of Xi's hastily arranged audience with the Emperor.
中国の習近平国家副主席の日本訪問は、天皇陛下と習氏との会見を巡る日中両国政府の不手際によって、日本国民の対中感情にしこりを残す形になった。
Xi is widely seen as a future Chinese leader. It is regrettable that his visit did not serve as an opportunity for the two nations to move their bilateral relationship toward a new stage.
中国の「次代のリーダー」と目される習氏の来日が、今後の日中関係の展望を切り開く契機にならなかったことは残念だ。
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Xi agreed during their meeting to promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations. As was to be expected, the prime minister called on China to proceed with joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea--a pending issue between the two nations--and to improve its military transparency.
鳩山首相と習氏の会談では、日中の戦略的互恵関係を推進していくことで一致した。首相が、日中間の懸案である東シナ海のガス田共同開発を前進させることや、中国の軍事力の透明性を高めるよう求めたのは当然である。
Xi, for his part, made a point of bringing up the Taiwan issue as well as ethnic minorities in the Tibet and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions. Xi said these matters concern China's core interests.
習氏は台湾問題の重要性とともに、チベット、ウイグルの少数民族問題が「中国の核心的利益」であると指摘、日本側にくぎを刺すのを忘れなかった。
That may be so, but we consider it imperative that China first stop its suppression of ethnic minorities and improve human rights in these regions by holding dialogue with minority representatives.
だが、少数民族問題ではまず、中国側が弾圧行為をやめ、対話を通じて、人権状況を改善することが先決ではないか。
===
Xi's swift rise
Xi is a son of former Chinese Vice Premier Xi Zhongxun. In the autumn of 2007, Xi Jinping was given a special two-rank promotion to become a member of the nine-seat Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. In the spring of 2008, he was elected vice president of China.
習氏は、習仲勲・元副首相を父とする高級幹部の子弟だ。一昨年秋、２階級特進で、党中央政治局常務委員（９人で構成）に抜てきされ、昨春には国家副主席に選出された。
His portfolio also includes serving as the point man of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He thus is seen as the most promising candidate to be the next president of China.
昨夏の北京五輪では運営の責任者を務めるなど、次期国家主席の最有力候補と見られている。
The Prime Minister's Office afforded Xi state head-level treatment, such as specially arranging an audience with the Emperor and holding a state dinner hosted by Hatoyama. Xi's political weight appears to have been taken into consideration in making these arrangements.
首相官邸が天皇陛下との会見を特例として実現したり、首相主催の夕食会を開いたりして国家元首級の扱いをしたのも、習氏の立場を重視したためだろう。
China had pressed Japan hard to set up Xi's meeting with the Emperor. Given that Chinese President Hu Jintao had an audience with the Emperor during his visit to Japan as vice president in 1998, the Chinese government likely wanted the same level of treatment given to Xi.
中国側も天皇陛下との会見実現を強く求めた。胡錦濤国家主席が副主席だった９８年に来日した際に、天皇陛下と会見していたこともあり、習氏に同等の待遇を求めたものと見られる。
China likely believed that a meeting with the Emperor would enhance Xi's authority as a leading figure at home.
中国側は、天皇と会見することが、指導者としての権威付けになると考えたのだろう。
===
Power struggle continues
But the power struggle to determine Hu's successor is rumbling on. While Xi is backed by former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who still wields considerable influence even after his retirement, Hu has thrown his weight behind Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
ただ、中国では、引退後も影響力のある江沢民前国家主席を後ろ盾とする習氏と、胡主席が支持する李克強副首相との後継争いはまだ決着していない。
The arm wrestle to determine the next Chinese president seems set to continue for some time.
習氏に代表される勢力と、李氏を推す勢力の綱引きが、当面続くと見られている。
China heaped praise on the Emperor's visit to that nation in 1992, saying it helped Beijing emerge from its international isolation after the Tiananmen Square incident. This indicates that the Emperor's overseas trips could have political implications.
９２年の天皇陛下の訪中は、天安門事件による国際的孤立からの脱却に効果があった、と中国側は評価している。天皇外遊の政治的側面を示すものだ。
In light of the importance of Japan-China ties, any trouble of the kind that tarnished Xi's visit must not be repeated. Both governments must tread very carefully when handling issues particularly relating to the Emperor's public duties, including holding an audience with him.
日中関係の重要性からも、今回のようなトラブルはあってはならない。天皇の会見など公的行為にかかわる問題には、日中双方に慎重な対応が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2009)
（2009年12月18日01時56分 読売新聞）
2009年12月17日
布川事件再審 繰り返された自白偏重の捜査
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 17, 2009)
Forced confessions preclude fair trials
布川事件再審 繰り返された自白偏重の捜査（12月17日付・読売社説）
In a typical example of investigators' overreliance on confessions made by suspects in a criminal case, two men were forced to confess to a crime despite a lack of strong material evidence to support their declarations.
強引に引き出した自白を補強する有力な物証がなく、典型的な自白偏重の立証だったといえる。
In light of the "innocent until proven guilty" principle for criminal trials, it was therefore inevitable that the Supreme Court chose to uphold a lower court decision ordering a retrial of a 1967 murder-robbery in Tonemachi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
「疑わしきは被告人の利益に」という刑事裁判の原則に照らせば、再審決定は当然の結論である。
茨城県利根町で１９６７年に起きた「布川(ふかわ)事件」の再審開始が決まった。
The top court backed a Tokyo High Court decision that raised doubts about the guilty ruling handed to two men convicted of the charges. Forty-two years have elapsed since the incident, which is referred to as the "Fukawa case" after the area in which the crime took place. We hope the truth will quickly come to light during the retrial.
「有罪認定に疑いが生じた」とした東京高裁の決定を、最高裁も支持したためだ。事件から４２年が経過している。再審で速やかに真相を究明してほしい。
In the case, a 62-year-old carpenter who lived alone was murdered and robbed of about 100,000 yen. The two men, who lived in the same town, were indicted for murder and robbery after investigative authorities determined they had committed the crime to obtain cash for bicycle races.
一人暮らしの大工の男性が殺害され、現金１０万円余りが奪われた。競輪の金ほしさに犯行に及んだとして、地元の男性２人が強盗殺人罪で起訴された。
However, no material evidence--such as fingerprints--was found. The authorities established their case based on the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts given by residents of the neighborhood. In 1978, sentences of life imprisonment were finalized after the top court rejected appeals lodged by the two men, who had pleaded not guilty. The men served their time in prison and were subsequently released on parole.
指紋などの物証はなく、立証の支えは２人の自白と近所の住民の目撃証言だった。最高裁は７８年、無罪を主張した２人の上告を退け、無期懲役が確定した。２人は既に服役、仮釈放されている。
===
Inconsistencies pointed out
During court deliberations on their second request for a retrial, the high court flagged inconsistencies between how the carpenter's body was found and the accounts given by the two men about how the man was murdered. The court also noted significant differences in the various confessions given by the men regarding the amount of money that was stolen and from where it was taken.
２人が裁判のやり直しを求めた第２次再審請求の審理で、東京高裁は、殺害方法について、遺体の状況と自白内容に矛盾があると指摘した。現金のあった場所や奪った金額についての自白が、著しく変遷している点も重視した。
The high court concluded that the men's confessions were unnatural and changed over time, likely because they did not actually carry out the acts they claimed.
「実際に（２人が）体験したことではないため、不自然な供述の変遷を重ねた」。これが、高裁の判断だ。
Aggressive interrogations are a common factor in other cases in which false confessions have been obtained, such as the Ashikaga case, in which a man was convicted for murdering a 4-year-old girl in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, but released earlier this year based on DNA test results.
自白を強引に引き出す取り調べは、足利事件など、これまでの冤罪(えんざい)事件と共通している。
In the case of the murdered carpenter, new eyewitness reports have come to light. These reports say the men seen near the murder scene differed from the two convicted men in terms of both physical appearance and clothing. The credibility of two elements that supported the conviction--the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts--were thus considerably undermined.
新たな証言も明らかになった。事件当時、現場付近で目撃された男たちは、容姿や服装の点でこの２人とは異なっていたとの内容だった。立証の両輪の信用性が、大きく揺らいだわけだ。
===
Withheld evidence?
The way prosecutors handled the case was problematic. Many pieces of evidence, such as the new eyewitness accounts--which were pivotal in the decision to hold a retrial--were disclosed for the first time during court deliberations on a petition for a retrial of the case.
この事件で特に問題なのは、検察の対応である。新たな目撃証言など再審開始の決め手となった証拠の多くは、今回の再審請求で検察が初めて出したものだった。
It now appears almost certain that prosecutors in the original trial deliberately withheld pieces of evidence that could have hindered a guilty conviction.
２人を有罪にするため、公判で不利になる証拠は開示しなかった検察の姿勢が透けて見える。
Among the new evidence are audio tapes containing recordings of the men's interrogations. The high court acknowledged that the tapes likely had been tampered with. We suspect that parts of the tapes that would have proved inconvenient for the police and prosecutors were erased.
取り調べを録音したテープも新証拠の一つだった。これについても、高裁は「編集痕が認められる」と認定した。警察や検察にとって都合が悪い部分を消去したということはなかったのだろうか。
Prosecutors control evidence. Therefore, if they intentionally withhold evidence or falsify tapes, a fair trial cannot take place.
証拠を一手に握っているのは検察側だ。証拠を意図的に出さなかったり、テープを改ざんしたりしては、公正な裁判は望めない。
In lay judge trials, in which the number of pieces of evidence is narrowed down in advance to help expedite court deliberations, it is highly likely that arbitrary disclosure of evidence by prosecutors could result in erroneous judgments. This aspect of the system must not be forgotten.
迅速な審理のため、証拠数を事前に絞り込む裁判員裁判では、なおのこと、検察の恣意(しい)的な証拠開示は誤判を招きやすい。そのことを忘れてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2009)
（2009年12月17日01時00分 読売新聞）
Forced confessions preclude fair trials
布川事件再審 繰り返された自白偏重の捜査（12月17日付・読売社説）
In a typical example of investigators' overreliance on confessions made by suspects in a criminal case, two men were forced to confess to a crime despite a lack of strong material evidence to support their declarations.
強引に引き出した自白を補強する有力な物証がなく、典型的な自白偏重の立証だったといえる。
In light of the "innocent until proven guilty" principle for criminal trials, it was therefore inevitable that the Supreme Court chose to uphold a lower court decision ordering a retrial of a 1967 murder-robbery in Tonemachi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
「疑わしきは被告人の利益に」という刑事裁判の原則に照らせば、再審決定は当然の結論である。
茨城県利根町で１９６７年に起きた「布川(ふかわ)事件」の再審開始が決まった。
The top court backed a Tokyo High Court decision that raised doubts about the guilty ruling handed to two men convicted of the charges. Forty-two years have elapsed since the incident, which is referred to as the "Fukawa case" after the area in which the crime took place. We hope the truth will quickly come to light during the retrial.
「有罪認定に疑いが生じた」とした東京高裁の決定を、最高裁も支持したためだ。事件から４２年が経過している。再審で速やかに真相を究明してほしい。
In the case, a 62-year-old carpenter who lived alone was murdered and robbed of about 100,000 yen. The two men, who lived in the same town, were indicted for murder and robbery after investigative authorities determined they had committed the crime to obtain cash for bicycle races.
一人暮らしの大工の男性が殺害され、現金１０万円余りが奪われた。競輪の金ほしさに犯行に及んだとして、地元の男性２人が強盗殺人罪で起訴された。
However, no material evidence--such as fingerprints--was found. The authorities established their case based on the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts given by residents of the neighborhood. In 1978, sentences of life imprisonment were finalized after the top court rejected appeals lodged by the two men, who had pleaded not guilty. The men served their time in prison and were subsequently released on parole.
指紋などの物証はなく、立証の支えは２人の自白と近所の住民の目撃証言だった。最高裁は７８年、無罪を主張した２人の上告を退け、無期懲役が確定した。２人は既に服役、仮釈放されている。
===
Inconsistencies pointed out
During court deliberations on their second request for a retrial, the high court flagged inconsistencies between how the carpenter's body was found and the accounts given by the two men about how the man was murdered. The court also noted significant differences in the various confessions given by the men regarding the amount of money that was stolen and from where it was taken.
２人が裁判のやり直しを求めた第２次再審請求の審理で、東京高裁は、殺害方法について、遺体の状況と自白内容に矛盾があると指摘した。現金のあった場所や奪った金額についての自白が、著しく変遷している点も重視した。
The high court concluded that the men's confessions were unnatural and changed over time, likely because they did not actually carry out the acts they claimed.
「実際に（２人が）体験したことではないため、不自然な供述の変遷を重ねた」。これが、高裁の判断だ。
Aggressive interrogations are a common factor in other cases in which false confessions have been obtained, such as the Ashikaga case, in which a man was convicted for murdering a 4-year-old girl in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, but released earlier this year based on DNA test results.
自白を強引に引き出す取り調べは、足利事件など、これまでの冤罪(えんざい)事件と共通している。
In the case of the murdered carpenter, new eyewitness reports have come to light. These reports say the men seen near the murder scene differed from the two convicted men in terms of both physical appearance and clothing. The credibility of two elements that supported the conviction--the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts--were thus considerably undermined.
新たな証言も明らかになった。事件当時、現場付近で目撃された男たちは、容姿や服装の点でこの２人とは異なっていたとの内容だった。立証の両輪の信用性が、大きく揺らいだわけだ。
===
Withheld evidence?
The way prosecutors handled the case was problematic. Many pieces of evidence, such as the new eyewitness accounts--which were pivotal in the decision to hold a retrial--were disclosed for the first time during court deliberations on a petition for a retrial of the case.
この事件で特に問題なのは、検察の対応である。新たな目撃証言など再審開始の決め手となった証拠の多くは、今回の再審請求で検察が初めて出したものだった。
It now appears almost certain that prosecutors in the original trial deliberately withheld pieces of evidence that could have hindered a guilty conviction.
２人を有罪にするため、公判で不利になる証拠は開示しなかった検察の姿勢が透けて見える。
Among the new evidence are audio tapes containing recordings of the men's interrogations. The high court acknowledged that the tapes likely had been tampered with. We suspect that parts of the tapes that would have proved inconvenient for the police and prosecutors were erased.
取り調べを録音したテープも新証拠の一つだった。これについても、高裁は「編集痕が認められる」と認定した。警察や検察にとって都合が悪い部分を消去したということはなかったのだろうか。
Prosecutors control evidence. Therefore, if they intentionally withhold evidence or falsify tapes, a fair trial cannot take place.
証拠を一手に握っているのは検察側だ。証拠を意図的に出さなかったり、テープを改ざんしたりしては、公正な裁判は望めない。
In lay judge trials, in which the number of pieces of evidence is narrowed down in advance to help expedite court deliberations, it is highly likely that arbitrary disclosure of evidence by prosecutors could result in erroneous judgments. This aspect of the system must not be forgotten.
迅速な審理のため、証拠数を事前に絞り込む裁判員裁判では、なおのこと、検察の恣意(しい)的な証拠開示は誤判を招きやすい。そのことを忘れてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2009)
（2009年12月17日01時00分 読売新聞）
2009年12月16日
普天間移設 展望なき「越年」決定は誤りだ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 16, 2009)
PM gets it wrong on Futenma
普天間移設 展望なき「越年」決定は誤りだ（12月16日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama may go down in history for derailing the reversion of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to Japan. We cannot but hold such a strong feeling of foreboding over this matter.
鳩山首相は、米軍普天間飛行場の返還を頓挫させたことで、歴史に名を残すのではないか。そんな深刻な危惧(きぐ)を抱かざるを得ない。
The Hatoyama government on Tuesday officially announced a policy of postponing a decision on where to relocate the helicopter functions of the Futenma airfield until next year at the earliest. The three ruling parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party--also decided to continue discussing possible new candidate relocation sites for the facility among themselves, eyeing the possibility of reviewing the 2006 deal between Tokyo and Washington regarding the Futenma relocation.
政府が、沖縄県の普天間飛行場の移設問題について、結論を来年以降に先送りする方針を正式決定した。移設先は、現行計画の見直しも視野に入れ、与党３党で協議していくという。
This decision puts party interests before national interests for the sake of maintaining the current three-party coalition. It also means that the Japanese side has unilaterally scrapped an agreement reached at Japan-U.S. summit talks in November that a speedy conclusion on the relocation issue would be made, running the risk of destroying the relationship of mutual trust Japan and the United States have built up over the years.
民主、社民、国民新の３党連立政権を維持するため、国益より党益を優先した結論だ。１１月の日米首脳会談で合意した「迅速な結論」を一方的に反古(ほご)にするもので、長年積み上げてきた日米の信頼関係を崩壊させかねない。
===
Move will hurt Japan-U.S. ties
As Washington has already responded negatively to Tokyo's new policy, future negotiations on the issue between the two countries look sure to sail into rough waters. Besides, the new policy will hinder the start of bilateral talks on deepening Japan-U.S. alliance toward the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty next year. We also are concerned that the bilateral relationship as whole will become bogged down.
米側は日本の新方針に否定的な姿勢を示しており、今後の日米交渉は難航するのが確実だ。来年の日米安保条約改定５０周年に向けて同盟を深化させる協議が開始できないだけでなく、日米関係全体の停滞が懸念される。
A relocation site for the airfield must be close to other marine corps bases so troops can be moved quickly. That is why relocating the base within the prefecture has always been a precondition for the reversion of the Futenma base to Japan since the 1996 Japan-U.S. agreement.
そもそも普天間飛行場の代替施設は部隊運用上、他の海兵隊基地と近接している必要がある。このため、１９９６年の日米合意以来、一貫して県内移設が飛行場返還の前提条件となっていた。
Reviewing this stipulation and proposing the transfer of Futenma's functions to another prefecture or overseas would void 13 years of collaboration by the two governments and even risk undoing the reversion agreement. Did the Hatoyama administration understand the grave significance of the Futenma issue before making its latest decision?
この前提を見直して県外・国外移設を提起する場合、この１３年間の日米の共同作業は無に帰し、返還合意さえ白紙に戻る。鳩山政権は、その重大な意味を理解し、今回の決定をしたのだろうか。
Of course, the prime minister bears the greatest responsibility for creating the current situation. Although he claimed that he himself would make the final decision on the issue, Hatoyama has continued to vacillate.
この事態を招いた最大の責任は無論、「最後は私が決める」と言いつつ、優柔不断な対応に終始してきた鳩山首相にある。
On different occasions, he said the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP were all important--comments intended to appease the respective parties he talked to. That resulted in heightened calls in Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP demanding the transfer of Futenma's functions to outside the prefecture, narrowing the prime minister's options.
首相は、米国も沖縄も社民党も大切だとして、会談相手ごとに都合のいい発言を繰り返してきた。その結果、県外移設論が沖縄や社民党に高まり、自らの選択肢を狭めてしまった。
Hatoyama also made different remarks on the Futenma problem almost every day, confusing those concerned with the issue. It is doubtful whether he has what it takes to be prime minister.
本人の発言も、日替わりのようにぶれ、関係者を混乱させた。首相としての資質が問われる。
===
No realistic alternative
The problem is that no new perspective can be expected on the issue even though the government has put off deciding where to transfer the functions of the airfield until next year. There is no realistic candidate relocation site for the Futenma base outside the prefecture. It will be extremely difficult and will require a huge amount of time and effort to come up with a concrete relocation plan from scratch and obtain approval for it from the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the local government of the new relocation site.
問題は、移設先の決着を来年に先送りしても、何の展望も開けないことだ。県外移設は現実的な候補が見当たらない。一から具体案を検討し、米国と沖縄と移設先の同意を得るのは極めて困難で、膨大な時間と労力を要しよう。
Nevertheless, Hatoyama expressed his intention to seek an option other than the current plan. This apparently contradicts his own government's policy to earmark expenses for the current plan in the fiscal 2010 budget.
それでも、鳩山首相は、現行計画以外の案を模索する考えを表明した。現行計画の実施費を来年度予算案に計上する、という政府方針と明らかに矛盾する。
It is certain that Hatoyama's remark will cause additional confusion. It is highly questionable whether the prime minister really wishes to alleviate the burdens on residents of Okinawa Prefecture linked to hosting U.S. military installations while at the same time firmly maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance.
首相発言が新たな混乱を引き起こすのは避けられまい。首相は本当に、日米同盟を堅持しつつ沖縄の負担軽減を実現したいのか、重大な疑問が残る。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2009)
（2009年12月16日01時13分 読売新聞）
PM gets it wrong on Futenma
普天間移設 展望なき「越年」決定は誤りだ（12月16日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama may go down in history for derailing the reversion of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to Japan. We cannot but hold such a strong feeling of foreboding over this matter.
鳩山首相は、米軍普天間飛行場の返還を頓挫させたことで、歴史に名を残すのではないか。そんな深刻な危惧(きぐ)を抱かざるを得ない。
The Hatoyama government on Tuesday officially announced a policy of postponing a decision on where to relocate the helicopter functions of the Futenma airfield until next year at the earliest. The three ruling parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party--also decided to continue discussing possible new candidate relocation sites for the facility among themselves, eyeing the possibility of reviewing the 2006 deal between Tokyo and Washington regarding the Futenma relocation.
政府が、沖縄県の普天間飛行場の移設問題について、結論を来年以降に先送りする方針を正式決定した。移設先は、現行計画の見直しも視野に入れ、与党３党で協議していくという。
This decision puts party interests before national interests for the sake of maintaining the current three-party coalition. It also means that the Japanese side has unilaterally scrapped an agreement reached at Japan-U.S. summit talks in November that a speedy conclusion on the relocation issue would be made, running the risk of destroying the relationship of mutual trust Japan and the United States have built up over the years.
民主、社民、国民新の３党連立政権を維持するため、国益より党益を優先した結論だ。１１月の日米首脳会談で合意した「迅速な結論」を一方的に反古(ほご)にするもので、長年積み上げてきた日米の信頼関係を崩壊させかねない。
===
Move will hurt Japan-U.S. ties
As Washington has already responded negatively to Tokyo's new policy, future negotiations on the issue between the two countries look sure to sail into rough waters. Besides, the new policy will hinder the start of bilateral talks on deepening Japan-U.S. alliance toward the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty next year. We also are concerned that the bilateral relationship as whole will become bogged down.
米側は日本の新方針に否定的な姿勢を示しており、今後の日米交渉は難航するのが確実だ。来年の日米安保条約改定５０周年に向けて同盟を深化させる協議が開始できないだけでなく、日米関係全体の停滞が懸念される。
A relocation site for the airfield must be close to other marine corps bases so troops can be moved quickly. That is why relocating the base within the prefecture has always been a precondition for the reversion of the Futenma base to Japan since the 1996 Japan-U.S. agreement.
そもそも普天間飛行場の代替施設は部隊運用上、他の海兵隊基地と近接している必要がある。このため、１９９６年の日米合意以来、一貫して県内移設が飛行場返還の前提条件となっていた。
Reviewing this stipulation and proposing the transfer of Futenma's functions to another prefecture or overseas would void 13 years of collaboration by the two governments and even risk undoing the reversion agreement. Did the Hatoyama administration understand the grave significance of the Futenma issue before making its latest decision?
この前提を見直して県外・国外移設を提起する場合、この１３年間の日米の共同作業は無に帰し、返還合意さえ白紙に戻る。鳩山政権は、その重大な意味を理解し、今回の決定をしたのだろうか。
Of course, the prime minister bears the greatest responsibility for creating the current situation. Although he claimed that he himself would make the final decision on the issue, Hatoyama has continued to vacillate.
この事態を招いた最大の責任は無論、「最後は私が決める」と言いつつ、優柔不断な対応に終始してきた鳩山首相にある。
On different occasions, he said the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP were all important--comments intended to appease the respective parties he talked to. That resulted in heightened calls in Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP demanding the transfer of Futenma's functions to outside the prefecture, narrowing the prime minister's options.
首相は、米国も沖縄も社民党も大切だとして、会談相手ごとに都合のいい発言を繰り返してきた。その結果、県外移設論が沖縄や社民党に高まり、自らの選択肢を狭めてしまった。
Hatoyama also made different remarks on the Futenma problem almost every day, confusing those concerned with the issue. It is doubtful whether he has what it takes to be prime minister.
本人の発言も、日替わりのようにぶれ、関係者を混乱させた。首相としての資質が問われる。
===
No realistic alternative
The problem is that no new perspective can be expected on the issue even though the government has put off deciding where to transfer the functions of the airfield until next year. There is no realistic candidate relocation site for the Futenma base outside the prefecture. It will be extremely difficult and will require a huge amount of time and effort to come up with a concrete relocation plan from scratch and obtain approval for it from the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the local government of the new relocation site.
問題は、移設先の決着を来年に先送りしても、何の展望も開けないことだ。県外移設は現実的な候補が見当たらない。一から具体案を検討し、米国と沖縄と移設先の同意を得るのは極めて困難で、膨大な時間と労力を要しよう。
Nevertheless, Hatoyama expressed his intention to seek an option other than the current plan. This apparently contradicts his own government's policy to earmark expenses for the current plan in the fiscal 2010 budget.
それでも、鳩山首相は、現行計画以外の案を模索する考えを表明した。現行計画の実施費を来年度予算案に計上する、という政府方針と明らかに矛盾する。
It is certain that Hatoyama's remark will cause additional confusion. It is highly questionable whether the prime minister really wishes to alleviate the burdens on residents of Okinawa Prefecture linked to hosting U.S. military installations while at the same time firmly maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance.
首相発言が新たな混乱を引き起こすのは避けられまい。首相は本当に、日米同盟を堅持しつつ沖縄の負担軽減を実現したいのか、重大な疑問が残る。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2009)
（2009年12月16日01時13分 読売新聞）
2009年12月15日
日米航空自由化 「空」も大競争時代を迎えた
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 15, 2009)
Age of megacompetition in air markets has arrived
日米航空自由化 「空」も大競争時代を迎えた（12月15日付・読売社説）
More than half a century after the opening of routes over the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the United States, a full liberalization of their civil aviation markets will be achieved at last.
太平洋路線が開設されてから半世紀を経て、日米間の空の完全自由化がようやく実現する。
The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed to liberalize air traffic under a so-called open skies accord.
日米両政府が、航空自由化（オープンスカイ）協定の締結で合意した。
The agreement will be formally signed by October, allowing all Japanese and U.S. carriers to freely decide on the routes and numbers of flights between the two countries, in principle.
正式に協定が結ばれる来秋には、両国のすべての航空会社が日米間の路線や便数を自由に設定できるようになる。
To attract tourists and trade from abroad, the United States, European countries and South Korea have already concluded open skies agreements with one another and are promoting liberalization of their respective civil aviation markets. But Japan has cut such a deal only with eight countries and regions, mainly in Asia.
欧米や韓国は、自国に人やモノを呼び込むため、互いに航空自由化協定を結び、空の自由化を進めている。だが、日本がこれまで自由化協定を結んだのはアジアなど８か国・地域にすぎない。
If Japan falls behind further in this endeavor, it could find itself left out of the world's main aviation networks. The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry should strive to ensure that the Japan-U.S. open skies agreement serves its purpose of revitalizing the aviation industry and improving passengers' convenience. The ministry also must quickly overhaul the administration of air transportation and prepare for the fierce competition in the industry that the agreement will bring about.
これ以上後れをとれば、日本は世界の主要航空網から外されかねない。国土交通省は自由化協定を航空業界の活性化や利用者の利便性向上につなげるとともに、航空行政の転換を急ぎ、業界内の競争激化に備えるべきだ。
===
Too few flight slots available
To increase the routes and numbers of flights under the latest open skies agreement, airports must be able to handle such additional traffic. The liberalization of the civil aviation market has been delayed in Japan mainly because departure and arrival slots at airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area, to which many foreign airlines hope to extend services, have always been fully occupied.
自由化によって路線や便数を増やすには、空港にそれを受け入れる余力がなければならない。日本の航空自由化が遅れたのは、乗り入れ希望が多い首都圏空港の発着枠が恒常的に満杯だったことが大きく影響している。
The Japan-U.S. open skies agreement was realized in response to the extension of Runway B at Narita Airport and the scheduled expansion of Haneda Airport, whose fourth runway will open in October, increasing the departure and arrival slots for international flights operated by the two airports by 20,000 and 30,000 a year, respectively, from next year.
今回の日米合意は、成田、羽田両空港で滑走路が延伸・増設され、来年に国際線の発着枠が成田で年２万回、羽田で年３万回増えることを受けて実現した。
But the two airports are expected to immediately fill these increases in flight slots. To see results from the open skies agreement, it is indispensable that efforts be made to increase the flight slots further.
だが、この程度の発着枠の増加はすぐ使い切ってしまう。自由化の実をあげるため、さらに発着枠を増やす努力が欠かせない。
At the same time, it is important to proceed with the plan to transform Haneda Airport into an international hub airport.
同時に、羽田の国際拠点（ハブ）化も進めることが重要だ。
In the Japan-U.S. negotiations for the open skies agreement, Japan has agreed to grant the United States landing and departure slots at Haneda Airport for up to four round-trip flights daily late at night and early in the morning. Transport minister Seiji Maehara, meanwhile, has expressed his willingness to allow flights to and from the United States and European countries in the daytime at the airport in and after 2011.
今回の日米協議では、深夜・早朝に羽田を発着する米国便を１日８便新設することが決まったが、前原国土交通相は２０１１年以降、昼間にも羽田に欧米便を就航させる考えを示している。
===
JAL tie-up to have big effects
With the liberalization of flight route scheduling, it is possible that airlines could increase the number of flights to and from the United States at Haneda Airport and reduce those at other international airports. Therefore, Narita, Kansai and Chubu airports will have to make more managerial efforts, including lowering their landing fees.
路線設定の自由化によって、航空会社は羽田の米国便を増やす代わりに、他の国際空港の米国便を減らすことも考えられる。成田、関西、中部の国際空港は、着陸料の引き下げなどの経営努力が、さらに必要になろう。
With the liberalization, there is a higher possibility that even if Japanese and U.S. airlines jointly fix prices and sell tickets to fill seats, they could be exempted from the application of the Antimonopoly Law. A reorganization of the Japanese and U.S. aviation industries likely would be accelerated.
自由化によって、日米の航空会社が共同で運賃や座席管理などを進めても独占禁止法の適用除外となる可能性が高まる。日米航空業界の再編が加速しそうだ。
With whom will cash-strapped Japan Airlines conclude a business tie-up--Delta Air Lines or American Airlines? The two U.S. carriers belong to different airline alliances, and JAL's tie-up will have major consequences for the power relationships among the world aviation industries.
経営再建中の日本航空は、米デルタ、アメリカン航空のどちらと提携するのか。両社は異なる航空連合に属し、提携の行方は航空業界の勢力図を大きく変える。
We hope that JAL will decide who to tie up with by taking into account passengers' needs, such as reasonable airfares and transit convenience.
日航は運賃や乗り継ぎの利便性など、利用者の視点も忘れずに、提携相手を決めてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2009)
（2009年12月15日00時50分 読売新聞）
Age of megacompetition in air markets has arrived
日米航空自由化 「空」も大競争時代を迎えた（12月15日付・読売社説）
More than half a century after the opening of routes over the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the United States, a full liberalization of their civil aviation markets will be achieved at last.
太平洋路線が開設されてから半世紀を経て、日米間の空の完全自由化がようやく実現する。
The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed to liberalize air traffic under a so-called open skies accord.
日米両政府が、航空自由化（オープンスカイ）協定の締結で合意した。
The agreement will be formally signed by October, allowing all Japanese and U.S. carriers to freely decide on the routes and numbers of flights between the two countries, in principle.
正式に協定が結ばれる来秋には、両国のすべての航空会社が日米間の路線や便数を自由に設定できるようになる。
To attract tourists and trade from abroad, the United States, European countries and South Korea have already concluded open skies agreements with one another and are promoting liberalization of their respective civil aviation markets. But Japan has cut such a deal only with eight countries and regions, mainly in Asia.
欧米や韓国は、自国に人やモノを呼び込むため、互いに航空自由化協定を結び、空の自由化を進めている。だが、日本がこれまで自由化協定を結んだのはアジアなど８か国・地域にすぎない。
If Japan falls behind further in this endeavor, it could find itself left out of the world's main aviation networks. The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry should strive to ensure that the Japan-U.S. open skies agreement serves its purpose of revitalizing the aviation industry and improving passengers' convenience. The ministry also must quickly overhaul the administration of air transportation and prepare for the fierce competition in the industry that the agreement will bring about.
これ以上後れをとれば、日本は世界の主要航空網から外されかねない。国土交通省は自由化協定を航空業界の活性化や利用者の利便性向上につなげるとともに、航空行政の転換を急ぎ、業界内の競争激化に備えるべきだ。
===
Too few flight slots available
To increase the routes and numbers of flights under the latest open skies agreement, airports must be able to handle such additional traffic. The liberalization of the civil aviation market has been delayed in Japan mainly because departure and arrival slots at airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area, to which many foreign airlines hope to extend services, have always been fully occupied.
自由化によって路線や便数を増やすには、空港にそれを受け入れる余力がなければならない。日本の航空自由化が遅れたのは、乗り入れ希望が多い首都圏空港の発着枠が恒常的に満杯だったことが大きく影響している。
The Japan-U.S. open skies agreement was realized in response to the extension of Runway B at Narita Airport and the scheduled expansion of Haneda Airport, whose fourth runway will open in October, increasing the departure and arrival slots for international flights operated by the two airports by 20,000 and 30,000 a year, respectively, from next year.
今回の日米合意は、成田、羽田両空港で滑走路が延伸・増設され、来年に国際線の発着枠が成田で年２万回、羽田で年３万回増えることを受けて実現した。
But the two airports are expected to immediately fill these increases in flight slots. To see results from the open skies agreement, it is indispensable that efforts be made to increase the flight slots further.
だが、この程度の発着枠の増加はすぐ使い切ってしまう。自由化の実をあげるため、さらに発着枠を増やす努力が欠かせない。
At the same time, it is important to proceed with the plan to transform Haneda Airport into an international hub airport.
同時に、羽田の国際拠点（ハブ）化も進めることが重要だ。
In the Japan-U.S. negotiations for the open skies agreement, Japan has agreed to grant the United States landing and departure slots at Haneda Airport for up to four round-trip flights daily late at night and early in the morning. Transport minister Seiji Maehara, meanwhile, has expressed his willingness to allow flights to and from the United States and European countries in the daytime at the airport in and after 2011.
今回の日米協議では、深夜・早朝に羽田を発着する米国便を１日８便新設することが決まったが、前原国土交通相は２０１１年以降、昼間にも羽田に欧米便を就航させる考えを示している。
===
JAL tie-up to have big effects
With the liberalization of flight route scheduling, it is possible that airlines could increase the number of flights to and from the United States at Haneda Airport and reduce those at other international airports. Therefore, Narita, Kansai and Chubu airports will have to make more managerial efforts, including lowering their landing fees.
路線設定の自由化によって、航空会社は羽田の米国便を増やす代わりに、他の国際空港の米国便を減らすことも考えられる。成田、関西、中部の国際空港は、着陸料の引き下げなどの経営努力が、さらに必要になろう。
With the liberalization, there is a higher possibility that even if Japanese and U.S. airlines jointly fix prices and sell tickets to fill seats, they could be exempted from the application of the Antimonopoly Law. A reorganization of the Japanese and U.S. aviation industries likely would be accelerated.
自由化によって、日米の航空会社が共同で運賃や座席管理などを進めても独占禁止法の適用除外となる可能性が高まる。日米航空業界の再編が加速しそうだ。
With whom will cash-strapped Japan Airlines conclude a business tie-up--Delta Air Lines or American Airlines? The two U.S. carriers belong to different airline alliances, and JAL's tie-up will have major consequences for the power relationships among the world aviation industries.
経営再建中の日本航空は、米デルタ、アメリカン航空のどちらと提携するのか。両社は異なる航空連合に属し、提携の行方は航空業界の勢力図を大きく変える。
We hope that JAL will decide who to tie up with by taking into account passengers' needs, such as reasonable airfares and transit convenience.
日航は運賃や乗り継ぎの利便性など、利用者の視点も忘れずに、提携相手を決めてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2009)
（2009年12月15日00時50分 読売新聞）
2009年12月14日
米朝協議―北朝鮮は６者合意に戻れ
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11(IHT/Asahi: December 12,2009)
EDITORIAL: U.S.-North Korea talks.
米朝協議―北朝鮮は６者合意に戻れ
At long last, negotiations between the United States and North Korea have resumed, with the visit of the first U.S. government envoy to Pyongyang since the administration of President Barack Obama began.
オバマ政権になって初めて米政府代表が北朝鮮を訪問し、ようやく協議の仕切り直しが始まった。
Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's close aide who handles foreign policy.
ボズワース北朝鮮政策特別代表が、金正日総書記の側近で外交を取り仕切る姜錫柱第１外務次官と会談した。
Returning to Seoul from Pyongyang on Thursday, Bosworth said to the effect that the United States reached a "common understanding" with North Korea on the role of the six-party talks.
きのう平壌からソウルに戻った特別代表は、「６者協議の役割」について「北朝鮮と共通の理解に達した」と語った。
However, he also stated that further discussion is needed among the six parties about when and how North Korea would return to the table.
だが北朝鮮が６者協議にいつ、どのように復帰するかは「６者でさらなる協議が必要だ」とも述べた。
It has been a year since the six-party talks were suspended. During this time, as if to test the newly established Obama administration, Pyongyang repeatedly test-fired ballistic missiles and even conducted its second nuclear test in May.
６者協議が途絶えてちょうど１年である。この間、北朝鮮は発足早々のオバマ政権を試すかのように、弾道ミサイルの発射実験を繰り返し、２回目の核実験まで強行した。
North Korea also openly admitted for the first time in June that it embarked on uranium enrichment tests. Furthermore, it reportedly reprocessed used nuclear fuel and extracted plutonium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons. It also declared its withdrawal from the six-party talks.
ウラン濃縮の試験に乗り出したことも初めて公にした。使用済み核燃料を再処理し、核兵器の材料であるプルトニウムを新たに抽出したともいう。６者協議からの離脱も宣言した。
Uranium enrichment must not be tolerated. But even if North Korea tries to advance its uranium program, it would take some time before the program can become fully operational. The first priority must be to stop North Korea from resuming operations of nuclear reactors that can lead to the production of plutonium.
ウラン濃縮は認めるわけにはいかない。だが、北朝鮮が計画を進めようとしても、本格的な活動までにまだ時間がかかるとされる。まずはプルトニウムを生む原子炉を再び稼働させないことを最優先としなければならない。
There are also suspicions that North Korea exported weapons to Africa in violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. Surveillance for executing sanctions against Pyongyang must be strengthened.
北朝鮮が国連安保理の制裁決議に違反してアフリカに武器を輸出した疑惑も浮上している。制裁の履行への監視も強める必要があろう。
Now that U.S.-North Korea talks have resumed, it is important not to allow Pyongyang to act selfishly and aggravate the crisis.
米朝間の協議が再開したばかりのいま大事なのは、こうした危機を高める身勝手な行動をこれ以上、取らせないことである。
For that, we need dialogue to take root and encourage North Korea to sit down at the negotiating table of the six-party talks. Although the future of U.S.-North Korea talks remains uncertain, we urge Washington, which holds the key to the North Korean problem, and Beijing, which chairs the six-party talks, to continue their effort to persuade Pyongyang.
そのためには対話への流れを定着させ、北朝鮮を６者協議の交渉テーブルにつかせないといけない。米朝協議の行方はまだ不透明だが、北朝鮮問題の鍵を握る米国、６者議長国の中国には引き続き説得を重ねてもらいたい。
The purpose is the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
目的は北朝鮮の完全な非核化だ。
There are concerns over Kim's health. In addition, North Korea hopes to open its doors toward becoming "a major power" to commemorate the centennial of the birth of former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung three years from now.
金総書記の健康不安。３年後の故金日成主席生誕１００年に「大国」への扉を開けるという目標。
Because of such time restraints, perhaps North Korea is growing impatient for achievements, such as paving the way to replace the cease-fire agreement of the Korean War with a peace accord through direct negotiations with the United States.
そうした時間の制約から、北朝鮮は米国との直接交渉で、朝鮮戦争の休戦協定から平和協定への転換の道筋をつけるなど、成果を急ぎたいかもしれない。
But what North Korea needs to understand is that the issues of a peace accord, denuclearization and normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States and Japan cannot be resolved by Washington and Pyongyang alone.
だが、北朝鮮が心しておかねばならないのは、平和協定にせよ、非核化や米朝・日朝の国交正常化にせよ、米朝だけで解決できないという現実だ。
Such objectives have already been incorporated into the joint statement of the six-party talks four years ago. North Korea must return to that track.
こうした目標はすべて、４年前の６者協議の共同声明にすでに盛り込まれている。北朝鮮はそのレールに戻ってこなければならない。
North Korea has staged crises to solicit kickbacks from other countries. But it must also seriously accept that Japan, the United States and South Korea have vowed not to allow a repeat of such developments.
北朝鮮が危機を演出し、他の国が見返りを与える。過去のそんな繰り返しはしないと日米韓が強調していることも北朝鮮は重く受け止めるべきだ。
Japan, the United States, South Korea, China and Russia should not easily compromise until they can move North Korea toward denuclearization. They should put the 2005 joint statement into practice. It is vital that they further strengthen their cooperation.
５者は安易に妥協せず北朝鮮を非核化へと動かさねばならない。そして共同声明を実行に移させる。さらなる連携強化が欠かせない。
EDITORIAL: U.S.-North Korea talks.
米朝協議―北朝鮮は６者合意に戻れ
At long last, negotiations between the United States and North Korea have resumed, with the visit of the first U.S. government envoy to Pyongyang since the administration of President Barack Obama began.
オバマ政権になって初めて米政府代表が北朝鮮を訪問し、ようやく協議の仕切り直しが始まった。
Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's close aide who handles foreign policy.
ボズワース北朝鮮政策特別代表が、金正日総書記の側近で外交を取り仕切る姜錫柱第１外務次官と会談した。
Returning to Seoul from Pyongyang on Thursday, Bosworth said to the effect that the United States reached a "common understanding" with North Korea on the role of the six-party talks.
きのう平壌からソウルに戻った特別代表は、「６者協議の役割」について「北朝鮮と共通の理解に達した」と語った。
However, he also stated that further discussion is needed among the six parties about when and how North Korea would return to the table.
だが北朝鮮が６者協議にいつ、どのように復帰するかは「６者でさらなる協議が必要だ」とも述べた。
It has been a year since the six-party talks were suspended. During this time, as if to test the newly established Obama administration, Pyongyang repeatedly test-fired ballistic missiles and even conducted its second nuclear test in May.
６者協議が途絶えてちょうど１年である。この間、北朝鮮は発足早々のオバマ政権を試すかのように、弾道ミサイルの発射実験を繰り返し、２回目の核実験まで強行した。
North Korea also openly admitted for the first time in June that it embarked on uranium enrichment tests. Furthermore, it reportedly reprocessed used nuclear fuel and extracted plutonium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons. It also declared its withdrawal from the six-party talks.
ウラン濃縮の試験に乗り出したことも初めて公にした。使用済み核燃料を再処理し、核兵器の材料であるプルトニウムを新たに抽出したともいう。６者協議からの離脱も宣言した。
Uranium enrichment must not be tolerated. But even if North Korea tries to advance its uranium program, it would take some time before the program can become fully operational. The first priority must be to stop North Korea from resuming operations of nuclear reactors that can lead to the production of plutonium.
ウラン濃縮は認めるわけにはいかない。だが、北朝鮮が計画を進めようとしても、本格的な活動までにまだ時間がかかるとされる。まずはプルトニウムを生む原子炉を再び稼働させないことを最優先としなければならない。
There are also suspicions that North Korea exported weapons to Africa in violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. Surveillance for executing sanctions against Pyongyang must be strengthened.
北朝鮮が国連安保理の制裁決議に違反してアフリカに武器を輸出した疑惑も浮上している。制裁の履行への監視も強める必要があろう。
Now that U.S.-North Korea talks have resumed, it is important not to allow Pyongyang to act selfishly and aggravate the crisis.
米朝間の協議が再開したばかりのいま大事なのは、こうした危機を高める身勝手な行動をこれ以上、取らせないことである。
For that, we need dialogue to take root and encourage North Korea to sit down at the negotiating table of the six-party talks. Although the future of U.S.-North Korea talks remains uncertain, we urge Washington, which holds the key to the North Korean problem, and Beijing, which chairs the six-party talks, to continue their effort to persuade Pyongyang.
そのためには対話への流れを定着させ、北朝鮮を６者協議の交渉テーブルにつかせないといけない。米朝協議の行方はまだ不透明だが、北朝鮮問題の鍵を握る米国、６者議長国の中国には引き続き説得を重ねてもらいたい。
The purpose is the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
目的は北朝鮮の完全な非核化だ。
There are concerns over Kim's health. In addition, North Korea hopes to open its doors toward becoming "a major power" to commemorate the centennial of the birth of former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung three years from now.
金総書記の健康不安。３年後の故金日成主席生誕１００年に「大国」への扉を開けるという目標。
Because of such time restraints, perhaps North Korea is growing impatient for achievements, such as paving the way to replace the cease-fire agreement of the Korean War with a peace accord through direct negotiations with the United States.
そうした時間の制約から、北朝鮮は米国との直接交渉で、朝鮮戦争の休戦協定から平和協定への転換の道筋をつけるなど、成果を急ぎたいかもしれない。
But what North Korea needs to understand is that the issues of a peace accord, denuclearization and normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States and Japan cannot be resolved by Washington and Pyongyang alone.
だが、北朝鮮が心しておかねばならないのは、平和協定にせよ、非核化や米朝・日朝の国交正常化にせよ、米朝だけで解決できないという現実だ。
Such objectives have already been incorporated into the joint statement of the six-party talks four years ago. North Korea must return to that track.
こうした目標はすべて、４年前の６者協議の共同声明にすでに盛り込まれている。北朝鮮はそのレールに戻ってこなければならない。
North Korea has staged crises to solicit kickbacks from other countries. But it must also seriously accept that Japan, the United States and South Korea have vowed not to allow a repeat of such developments.
北朝鮮が危機を演出し、他の国が見返りを与える。過去のそんな繰り返しはしないと日米韓が強調していることも北朝鮮は重く受け止めるべきだ。
Japan, the United States, South Korea, China and Russia should not easily compromise until they can move North Korea toward denuclearization. They should put the 2005 joint statement into practice. It is vital that they further strengthen their cooperation.
５者は安易に妥協せず北朝鮮を非核化へと動かさねばならない。そして共同声明を実行に移させる。さらなる連携強化が欠かせない。