世界の安定へ重い日本の責務

The Yomiuri Shimbun
2016: Japan must fulfill its duties to ensure world stability
世界の安定へ重い日本の責務

　◆成長戦略を一層強力に進めたい

How do we restore stability to the international order? The world is now facing a critical challenge.
　国際秩序の安定をどう取り戻すか。世界は今、大きな試練に直面している。

The indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Paris by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) extremist group caused great distress to international community. In reaction to the wave of terrorism and the huge influx of refugees from the Middle East, exclusionary moves are gaining momentum in Europe and in the United States.
　過激派組織「イスラム国」によるパリでの無差別テロは、国際社会に大きな衝撃を与えた。テロの拡散と、中東からの難民の激増を受けて、欧州や米国で排他的な動きが強まっている。

Attempts to change the status quo by force are rampant as Russia’s annexation of Crimea continues and China continues to build military strongholds on artificial islands in the South China Sea.
　ロシアのクリミア併合は長期化し、中国が南シナ海で人工島の軍事拠点化を進めるなど、力による現状変更の試みもやまない。

The world looks as if it is going to fall apart as freedom, equality, rule of law and other values that should be deemed as common falter. If the international order collapses, Japan’s security also will be threatened. We need to be more aware of impending crises and confront the threats squarely.
　自由や平等、法の支配といった共通であるべき価値観が揺らぎ、世界は分断へと向かっているかのようだ。国際秩序が崩壊すれば日本の安全も脅かされる。危機感を強めて向き合わねばならない。

A presidential election will be held in the United States this year. The country’s leadership will be on the wane. Japan, under such circumstances, will host the Group of Seven summit (Ise-Shima summit) and also become a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Responsibilities heavier than ever before will be thrust upon Japan to help unite international community and coordinate varying interests.
　米国が大統領選を迎え、指導力が低下する今年、日本は主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）を主催し、国連安全保障理事会の非常任理事国に就任する。国際社会の結束や利害調整に、これまでにない重い責務が課される。

Domestically, it has the urgent task of boosting economic growth as the population dwindles. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration, along with its initiative to promote “a society that enables the dynamic engagement of all citizens,” will face the judgment of voters in the House of Councillors election in summer. A plan to further ensure economic recovery should be initiated.
　国内では、人口減少が進む中で成長力の底上げが急務だ。「１億総活躍社会」を掲げる安倍政権は、今夏、参院選で有権者の審判を受ける。経済再生をより確かにする道筋を示す必要がある。

To brighten the future of Japan in a tumultuous world, we hope this will be a year of progress.
　鳴動する世界の中で、日本の未来を明るいものにするため、歩を進める年にしたい。

‘Antiterrorism’ unity urgent
　◆「対テロ」連携が急務だ

Young people and others who sympathize with the extremist ideas of ISIL are wounding and killing defenseless people around them. Terrorist acts have spread around the world. Fear is inducing actions to eliminate anything that is foreign.
　「イスラム国」の過激思想に同調した若者らが、周囲の無防備な市民を殺傷するテロが世界に広がった。恐怖が、異質なものを排除する動きにつながっている。

Within the boundaries of the European Union, border inspections are being reinstalled one after another — contrary to the Schengen Agreement, which in principle states that such inspections are unnecessary. The idea of free movement of persons, a cornerstone of European integration, is wavering.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）では、国境検査を不要とするシェンゲン協定の原則に反し、検査を復活する動きが相次ぐ。統合理念である「人の移動の自由」が揺らいでいる。

Even in the United States, a nation of immigrants, an undercurrent of refusing the entry of refugees and Muslims has gained strength.
　移民国家である米国でも、難民やイスラム教徒の受け入れを拒絶する空気が勢いを増した。

If the movement of people, goods and capital across borders is threatened, this could indeed become a destabilizing factor for the world economy.
　人、モノ、資金の国境を越えた移動が脅かされれば、世界経済の不安定要因ともなる。

The world does not have a future unless we are victorious in the “war on terror” to eliminate the threat posed by ISIL and contain acts of violence.
　「イスラム国」の脅威を除去し、暴力行為を封じ込める「テロとの戦い」に勝利しなければ、世界の未来はない。

The Syrian civil war is the epicenter of all this. The United States, European nations, Russia, Turkey and other countries involved should coordinate efforts swiftly with regard to military operations and transition of power.
　震源地であるシリアの内戦終結へ、米欧露、トルコなど関係国は、軍事作戦と体制移行をめぐる協調を急ぐべきだ。

ISIL has declared that Japan is also a terrorism target.
　「イスラム国」は日本もテロの標的だと明言している。

With the upcoming summit in mind, antiterrorist measures within Japan’s boundaries are inadequate. If information-gathering on extremist groups and steps taken to prevent terrorism based on such information are inadequate, Japan will end up as the weakest link in international efforts to fight terrorism.
　サミットを控えた国内テロ対策には不安が残る。過激組織の情報収集や、集めた情報に基づいてテロを未然に防ぐ手だてが不十分では、日本が対テロの国際的連携の空白地帯になってしまう。

The legal system should be inspected for any flaws and revamped to fulfill Japan’s political responsibilities.
　法制度に不備がないか点検し、改善するのが政治の責務だ。

China’s maritime territorial claims in the South China Sea are baseless under international law. However, they are aiming to make these claims a fait accompli. Actions that threaten the safety of the sea line of communication are contrary to the interests of international community.
　中国は南シナ海で、国際法上の根拠のない領海主張の既成事実化を図っている。海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全を脅かす行為は国際社会の利益に反する。

To rein in such moves, the United States has sent warships to areas surrounding the artificial islands and engaged in other operations.
　米国は人工島周辺の艦艇航行などによる牽制けんせいに踏み出した。

It is necessary for Japan, Australia, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to further strengthen cooperation and use every opportunity including international forums to demand that China restrain itself.
日豪印や東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）も連帯を強め、国際会議などあらゆる場面で中国に自制を求める行動を続ける必要がある。

In order to counter Chinese pressure in areas surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the security-related laws must be implemented properly to enhance the deterrent powers of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　尖閣諸島周辺などでの中国の圧力に抗するには、安全保障関連法を適切に運用し、日米同盟の抑止力を高めねばならない。

Make good use of security laws
　◆安保法制の有効運用を

China, the world’s second-largest economic power, is currently experiencing a worsening business slowdown.
　世界２位の経済大国でもある中国の景気は減速を強めている。

The state of affairs could disturb the world due to such factors as a drop in resource prices. Developed nations — including Britain and Germany, both of which are becoming closer to China in economic terms — should make concerted efforts to cope with the situation. In pursuit of that goal, these countries should urge China to trim excessive production capacity and promote other structural reforms.
　資源価格の下落などを通じて世界を混乱させかねない。中国経済への接近を強める英独も含め、先進国が足並みをそろえて、過剰な生産能力の解消など、構造改革を中国に促していくべきだ。

In addressing issues such as those related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles and the Ukraine situation, Japan should also strive to form a consensus among pertinent nations at the summit meeting and U.N. conferences.
　北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題、ウクライナ情勢などをめぐっても、日本はサミットや国連の場で、関係国の合意形成に努めたい。

Three years have passed since the inauguration of the second administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Despite corporations’ improved business performance and higher stock prices, the sentiment that the economy has improved has not prevailed. As circumstances stand now, little headway is being made in efforts to achieve economic revitalization through the Abenomics economic policy.
　第２次安倍政権の発足から３年がたった。企業業績や株価は上昇したが、景気回復の実感は広がらない。「アベノミクス」による経済再生は足踏み状態にある。

The root of this situation is clear. The government’s growth strategy has not yet fully worked to fight a decline in the nation’s potential growth rate due to a population decrease.
　原因は、はっきりしている。人口減少に伴う潜在成長率の低下に対抗する成長戦略が、まだ十分に効果を発揮していないためだ。

The prime minister has unveiled a fresh set of policy targets dubbed the “new three arrows,” the first of which will seek to raise our nation’s gross domestic product to ¥600 trillion in nominal terms. Reinforcing the growth policy is the only way to achieve that goal.
　安倍首相は新政策目標「新３本の矢」を打ち出し、１本目に「名目ＧＤＰ（国内総生産）６００兆円」を掲げた。実現には成長政策を一段と強めるしか道はない。

Required measures include promoting deregulation in the fields of medical and nursing care services, agriculture and others. Efforts should be made to ensure that technological advancement in such fields as information technology and robotics lead to further industrial development. It is also necessary to make the most of a broad agreement reached in multilateral talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact last year.
　医療・介護、農業などの分野で規制緩和を進める。ＩＴ、ロボットなどの技術進歩を産業振興につなげる。昨年、大筋合意に達した環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）を最大限に活用する。

The measures hammered out up to now should be reinforced to ensure that their purposes are better served.
　今までに打ち出された施策を深化させ、実効性を高めたい。

Another case in point is how to make efficient use of such resources as household financial assets totaling a hefty ¥1.7 quadrillion and internal reserves worth ¥350 trillion kept at corporations. The question is whether there are any ways to better use these resources for the pursuit of growth. It is necessary to exercise wisdom in devising bold new policy measures.
　さらに、約１７００兆円に上る家計の金融資産や、３５０兆円に達した企業の内部留保などを、もっと成長に生かすための手段はないか。大胆で新しい政策に知恵を絞ることも重要だ。

It has been about 25 years since the collapse of the bubble economy. Under protracted deflation, households and corporations became strongly negative about spending money, a state of mind that is firmly entrenched among them. Few households are willing to increase consumption, despite expanded employment and higher wages. Meanwhile, corporations remain cautious about investment, notwithstanding their success in generating profits at record high levels.
　バブル経済の崩壊から約２５年。長いデフレ下で家計や企業に染みついた後ろ向きの心理状態は、なお根深いものがある。雇用や賃金が増えても、家計は消費を増やさない。企業は過去最高水準の利益を上げても投資に慎重だ。

Dispel fear of spending
　◆家計と企業の不安除け

To lay such a deflationary mind-set to rest and elicit positive behavior, it is necessary to implement measures aimed at dispelling the anxieties felt by households and corporations.
　そんなデフレマインドを払拭し、前向きな行動を呼び起こすには、家計、企業それぞれの不安を取り除く政策が必要だ。

Nonregular employees account for a considerable 40 percent of the total labor force. Lower wages and unstable employment status leave such workers apprehensive about their future. Therefore, nonregular employees are reluctant to increase consumption despite hikes in their wages.
　雇用者に占める非正規雇用の割合は４割に達する。低賃金で身分が安定しない非正規雇用では、将来に不安が残り、賃金が増えても消費を増やす気にならない。

The second arrow to be released as part of Abe’s new policy package is to achieve the hopeful fertility rate target of 1.8 — a numerical goal that would be accomplished if women had babies as they wished. The third one is to attain the goal of making sure no one must quit his or her job to provide nursing care for relatives.
　新３本の矢の２、３本目の目標は「希望出生率１・８」と「介護離職ゼロ」の実現だ。

We believe the government is on the right track as it seeks to dispel the anxiety felt by people about raising their children and nursing their relatives, combined with efforts to increase the workforce, including women. However, such efforts alone will not be enough to achieve the intended goals.
子育てや介護の不安を解消し、女性を含む労働力の増加を目指す方向は正しいが、それだけでは足りない。

Further efforts are needed to help nonregular workers, who tend to be younger employees, to become regular workers. Companies should reform work methods, such as by reducing long working hours and helping employees develop their skills and abilities, to give people in the workforce a brighter future.
　若年層を中心に非正規から正規雇用への転換を進めねばならない。職業能力開発や長時間労働の改善などの働き方改革で、働く人に明るい未来を提示すべきだ。

Corporate anxiety originates from the view that Japan’s shrinking population will cause domestic markets to shrink, which will make turning a profit impossible even if a company makes investments. It is important to push ahead with ongoing efforts to widely lift the aspirations of businesses, such as by easing regulations in an effort to create new markets.
　企業の不安は、人口減で国内市場が縮小し、投資しても利益が得られないとの見方に起因する。新市場創出を狙う規制緩和などは、企業の要望を広く吸い上げつつ進めることが大事だ。

Discussions between the public and private sectors, namely between the government and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and other entities, resulted in the effective corporate tax rate being trimmed ahead of schedule. We hope both sides will continue to productively use forums in which they can exchange opinions.
　政府と経団連などとの官民対話で、法人実効税率引き下げの前倒しが実現した。今後も意見交換の場として有効活用したい。

In industrial circles, there are demands for a reduction in electricity charges, which have remained at a high level, to help cut operating costs. To achieve this, it will be necessary to restart nuclear power plants that have been confirmed safe to operate, and to steadily construct new plants.
　産業界は、経営コスト低減のため、高止まりした電力料金の引き下げを求めている。安全が確認された原子力発電所の再稼働や新増設を着実に進める必要がある。

To eliminate people’s unease about the future, it will be essential to restore the health of the central government’s finances, which are in a critical state, and to maintain a stable social security system.
　国民の将来不安の解消には、危機的状況にある国の財政の健全化を図り、安定した社会保障制度を維持することも欠かせない。

The government has set a target of achieving a surplus in the primary balance in fiscal 2020. To reach this goal, the government should continue to seek ways to spend its money more efficiently, and not rely too much on recent efforts to increase tax revenue.
　政府は、２０２０年度に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標の実現へ、最近の税収増に気を緩めず、歳出効率化を進めるべきだ。

In April 2017, the consumption tax rate will be hiked to 10 percent. This tax is a source of funds for social security. The rate increase must be implemented smoothly, alongside the introduction of a reduced tax rate.
　社会保障財源である消費税の税率は１７年４月に１０％へ引き上げられる。軽減税率導入を含め、混乱なく実施しなければならない。

Political stability is crucial for dealing with the pile of domestic and international problems facing Japan. A long-term administration that can smoothly communicate with leaders of other nations has major advantages when it comes to enabling Japan to play its role, especially on the international political stage.
　内外に山積する課題をこなしていくには、政治の安定が不可欠だ。とくに国際政治の舞台で日本が役割を果たすには、各国首脳との意思疎通が円滑になる長期政権のメリットは大きい。

Abe govt’s footing depends on poll
　◆政権安定度占う参院選

This summer’s upper house election will portend whether Abe can maintain a stable administration for an even longer period.
　参院選は、安倍首相がより長期で安定した政権を維持できるかどうかを占うものとなる。

If the LDP wins a majority in the upper house on its own, it would be the first time in 27 years. However, the LDP’s recovery in recent years has been strongly supported by the cooperation of its coalition partner, Komeito, in elections. Even if the LDP emerges victorious in this election, it will not be in a position to be completely optimistic about the future.
　自民党が単独過半数を占めれば２７年ぶりだ。しかし、近年の自民党の復調は、連立を組む公明党との選挙協力に支えられている面が強い。勝利しても決して楽観できる情勢ではない。

A major focus of this election will be whether forces positive about revising the Constitution — including the LDP, Komeito, Osaka Ishin no Kai and the Party for Japanese Kokoro — will be able to gain more than two-thirds of the seats.
　参院選では、自民、公明の与党に、おおさか維新の会、日本のこころを大切にする党なども含めた憲法改正に積極的な勢力で、３分の２を上回るかも焦点になる。

Opinion is widely split over whether the Constitution should be revised. Before getting into a confrontation over the merits or otherwise of revising the top law, precisely what the nation wants from the Constitution needs to be debated in detail. Serious consideration should be given to including an emergency-related article that defines preparations to be made to better cope with major disasters.
　憲法改正をめぐっては、賛否が大きく分かれる。だが、改正の是非で対立する以前に、憲法に今、何が求められるのかを具体的に議論する必要がある。大災害が発生した場合に備える緊急事態条項などは、真剣に検討すべきだ。

The planned transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, has been dragged into the courts as a case between the prefectural and central governments. We think shifting the base from its current location in Ginowan in the prefecture to Henoko is the most realistic option for maintaining the deterrent of U.S. forces stationed in Japan while simultaneously easing Okinawa’s burden of hosting U.S. military bases.
　米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古への移設は、沖縄県と政府の法廷闘争に持ち込まれた。在日米軍の抑止力維持と、沖縄の基地負担軽減を両立させるには、辺野古移設が最も現実的な選択肢だ。

The central government needs to steadily move ahead with this plan while continuing efforts to win the understanding of Okinawa residents and authorities.
　地元の理解を得る努力を続け、着実に前進させる必要がある。

Opposition parties and other groups have reacted angrily to the base transfer to Henoko and to last year’s passage of security-related bills. It is vital to debate the specifics of where the problems reside and attempt to form a consensus. This is especially so for issues requiring a long-term perspective, such as constitutional revision.
　辺野古移設や安全保障関連法をめぐっては、野党などの反発も強い。憲法改正もそうだが、長期的視野が必要な問題では特に、具体的に問題の所在を議論し、合意形成を図っていかねばならない。

During last year’s deliberations on the security bills, opposition parties constantly resorted to emotional objections. Using such tactics again would be troublesome. The public demands fruitful policy debates conducted with a sense of urgency.
　野党も、昨年の安全保障法制の審議のように、情緒的な反対論ばかりでは困る。緊張感を持った実のある政策論議が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2016)