原発ゼロ方針 「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 21, 2012)
Govt must retract zero nuclear target for good of economy
原発ゼロ方針　「戦略」の練り直しが不可欠だ（9月20日付・読売社説）

What was the conclusion of the recent Cabinet meeting on the government's "zero nuclear" target? It is unclear whether the government has decided to review the policy or push it through.
　こんな決着では、「原子力発電ゼロ」を見直すのか、それとも強行するのか、あいまいだ。

The government should clearly retract the zero nuclear target, which could deal a serious blow to the economy and employment if implemented, and instead come up with a feasible energy strategy.
　政府は、日本経済や雇用に多大な打撃を与えかねない「原発ゼロ」を明確に撤回し、現実的なエネルギー戦略を練り直すべきである。

The Cabinet refrained from approving the government's "innovative energy and environmental strategy," which sets a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s, at the meeting Wednesday.
　政府が、２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目指すとした「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」の閣議決定を見送った。

Instead, the Cabinet merely approved the government's policy to "conduct responsible discussions with related local governments and the international community based on the strategy" and implement future energy and environmental policies "while making tireless efforts to examine and revise them."
　代わりに「戦略を踏まえて、関係自治体や国際社会と責任ある議論を行い、不断の検証と見直しを行いながら遂行する」という対応方針のみを閣議決定した。

The new energy strategy has drawn angry reactions from the business community as well as local governments that host nuclear power plants. The United States, which concluded a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Japan, has also expressed strong concerns over the plan.
　今回のエネルギー戦略には、経済界や原発立地自治体が反発し、原子力協定を結んでいる米国も強い懸念を示している。

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Economic losses 'unavoidable'

Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, heads of the nation's top three business organizations--the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Japan Association of Corporate Executives--held a joint emergency press conference Tuesday to demand the government retract the zero nuclear target.
　閣議前日の１８日には、経団連、日本商工会議所、経済同友会の財界トップ３人が共同で緊急記者会見を開き、「原発ゼロ」の撤回を政府に求めた。

It was unusual for the heads of the three top business organizations to jointly express their dissatisfaction with government policy. The demand reflected their fears that electricity charges may double if the government implements a zero nuclear policy, and unavoidably force companies to relocate production overseas, leading to massive employment losses.
　経済３団体の長がそろって政府に注文をつける異例の対応をとったのは、「原発ゼロ」では電気料金が２倍に跳ね上がり、産業空洞化や大量の雇用喪失が避けられないという危機感からだ。

The government has so far failed to work out how to secure viable alternatives to nuclear energy, such as methods to further utilize renewable energy, mainly solar and wind power. The zero nuclear target may threaten the country's ability to secure a stable supply of electricity.
　太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの普及をはじめ、原発の代替電源を確保するメドは立っておらず、電力の安定供給が揺らぐ恐れもある。

Considering these concerns, it was entirely appropriate for the Cabinet to refrain from quickly approving the new energy strategy.
　こうした懸念に配慮し、政府がエネルギー戦略をそのまま閣議決定しなかったのは当然である。

However, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister in charge of national policy, said at a press conference that the Cabinet meeting "did not change the decisions made regarding the strategy." It was problematic for him to make remarks that can be interpreted as the government maintaining the zero nuclear target.
　ただ、古川国家戦略相は記者会見で「戦略の決定内容を変えたものではない」と説明した。「原発ゼロ」の方針を堅持しているともとれる発言は問題だ。

Without assuaging the deep resentment of the business community, it will be almost impossible for the government to implement its energy strategy smoothly. The government should sincerely listen to the opinions of businesses and improve soured relationships with them soon.
　経済界が猛反発したままでは、エネルギー戦略を円滑に推進できるはずがない。政府は、経済界の意見に真摯(しんし)に耳を傾け、関係修復を急ぐべきである。

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Energy policies not political tool

Energy policies should not be made to please voters in the upcoming general election--far-sighted initiatives concerning the nation's future are necessary.
　エネルギー政策は、目先の選挙目当てではなく、日本の将来を見据えた対応が求められる。

All candidates of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race have carefully avoided expressing opinions in favor of the zero nuclear target. We believe they made appropriate decisions.
　自民党総裁選の全候補が、「原発ゼロ」の方針を打ち出すことに慎重な見解を示しているのは、妥当と言えよう。

Meanwhile, during the election campaign for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential race, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said: "The public has expressed its resolve [to abolish all nuclear power plants]. Based on the wishes of the people, the government has also made its decision."
　一方、民主党代表選の論戦で野田首相は、「（原発ゼロは）国民の覚悟だ。それを踏まえて政府も覚悟を決めた」と述べた。

However, we doubt whether there is a sufficient number of people who understand the risks of a zero nuclear policy--such as unemployment and poverty--and would be willing to undergo the hardships involved.
　だが、「原発ゼロ」に伴う失業や貧困のリスクを理解し、苦難を受け入れる覚悟を固めている国民がどれほどいるだろうか。

The government has a responsibility to choose the best national policy. It is a mistake for the government to pass the responsibility to the public and justify it as the "will of the people."
　国策選択の責任を、国民の「覚悟」に丸投げするのは誤りだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 20, 2012)
（2012年9月20日01時21分 読売新聞）