政府と沖縄県 分断を埋める協議に

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 24
EDITORIAL: A more sincere attitude needed in new talks on Futenma issue
（社説）政府と沖縄県　分断を埋める協議に

The government and Okinawa Prefecture on March 23 started a fresh round of talks over the plan to relocate the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan, a crowded city in central Okinawa, to the Henoko district of Nago. The two sides held the first of a series of meetings in accordance with a court-mediated agreement they reached earlier in March to stop their legal battle over the plan.
　米軍普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古への移設をめぐる裁判の和解を受け、政府と沖縄県がきのう初めての協議に臨んだ。

The talks should be used to heal the bitter division between the two sides over the issue.
　この協議を両者の分断を埋める機会にしなければならない。

That requires both the Abe administration and the Okinawa prefectural government to offer sincere and straightforward answers to questions posed by the other side as part of serious efforts to find common ground.
そのためには互いの問いかけに正面から答え、接点を見いだす努力が求められる。

Unfortunately, however, the first session ended without any sign of progress toward the goal.
　だが残念ながら、初回の協議はすれ違いに終わった。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga refused to budge on the government’s official position that building a new military facility in Henoko to replace the Futenma base is the “only solution.”
　菅官房長官は「辺野古が唯一の解決策」との姿勢を変えなかった。

Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga later said he had urged the administration to abandon this position and make sincere efforts to bring the negotiations forward.
これに対し、翁長雄志知事は「辺野古が唯一の解決策というかたくなな固定観念に縛られないで、真摯（しんし）に協議を進めるよう求めた」と語った。

What the administration needs to understand is that without solid support and cooperation from the local communities involved, a security architecture would inevitably stand on a fragile foundation.
　考えるべきなのは、地元の理解と協力を欠いた安全保障の基盤は脆弱（ぜいじゃく）にならざるを得ないということである。

Building a new base in Henoko without an agreement with the prefectural government could jeopardize stable operations of U.S. military bases in Okinawa. That could undermine the stability of Japan’s entire national security system.
　県との合意が得られないまま辺野古に新基地を造っても、沖縄の米軍基地は安定的な運用ができなくなる恐れがある。日本の安全保障は、かえって不安定な状況に陥りかねない。

The administration should use the new talks with the Okinawa government to work out specific steps to fulfill an important promise Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made to Onaga’s predecessor, Hirokazu Nakaima.
At the end of 2013, Abe promised Nakaima, who approved land reclamation to build the base in Henoko, that operations of the Futenma air base would be terminated within five years.
　政府がいま、なすべきは、県との協議にかかる期間を生かし、安倍首相が２０１３年末に仲井真弘多・前知事に約束した「普天間の５年以内の運用停止」の実現に向けて、具体的な検討に入ることだ。

Even if the relocation plan is implemented, the envisioned new base will be completed in fiscal 2022 at the earliest. The elimination of the danger posed by the Futenma base to the local communities must not be delayed until then.
　辺野古移設が実現するとしても、どんなに早くても２０２２年度以降。それまでの間、普天間の危険性除去が棚上げされることがあってはならない。

The government has been taking measures to relocate part of the functions of the Futenma base to other places. It should expand the scope of these efforts and start seriously considering dispersing Futenma’s functions to locations outside the prefecture and outside Japan.
　政府はこれまでも普天間の機能の分散を進めてきた。これをさらに進め、県外・国外への分散を真剣に検討すべきだ。

That requires the administration to hold talks not only with local governments in mainland Japan but also with the U.S. government. The administration should show it is committed to making every possible effort to solve the problem.
そのためには、本土の自治体とも話し合い、米国とも協議に入る必要がある。
　そうした姿勢こそ、政府に求めたい。

On March 23, the Abe administration proposed separate talks with Okinawa for an early return of half of the U.S. Marines jungle warfare training area in northern parts of Okinawa island.
　政府はきのう、沖縄本島北部に広がる米軍北部訓練場の半分あまりの早期返還について、県との協議を提案した。

The proposal to return a “major portion” of the training area was included in the final report of the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO), released in 1996. But it has yet to be implemented.
９６年の日米特別行動委員会（ＳＡＣＯ）の最終報告に盛り込まれたが、実現していない案件だ。

The administration has a duty to reduce the burden on Okinawa, but this should not be linked to the Henoko issue.
　沖縄の負担軽減に努めるのは当然だが、辺野古移設とは別問題である。

To avoid creating unnecessary confusion within the local communities, the central government should carefully discuss the idea without trying to link the proposal to negotiations over the Henoko plan.
両者を関連づけ、地元に無用の混乱を招かないよう丁寧な議論をしてほしい。

One move the administration made after the court-mediated agreement was reached on March 4 has raised questions about its posture toward the talks for settling the dispute.
　和解後の政府の姿勢にも疑問がある。

Before the talks began, the administration instructed Onaga to repeal the nullification of his predecessor’s approval of land reclamation in Henoko.
政府は県との協議を開く前に、辺野古埋め立ての承認取り消しを撤回するよう翁長知事に指示した。

Although the administration’s instruction was made according to the terms of the agreement, the move certainly does not signal a serious pursuit of a true settlement of the dispute.
和解条項に盛られた手続きだとはいえ、真の和解を望む態度とは程遠い。

The new talks should not be used to postpone the problem until a final court ruling on a new lawsuit over the issue is handed down.
　今回の協議を、新たな訴訟の判決が確定するまでの問題の先送りに終わらせてはならない。

The administration has a heavy responsibility for ensuring that the talks will finally bring an end to this conflict.
政府の責任は極めて大きい。

ベルギーテロ 「欧州の首都」標的にした蛮行

The Yomiuri Shimbun
World must review antiterrorism measures as ‘capital of Europe’ attacked
ベルギーテロ　「欧州の首都」標的にした蛮行

The “capital of Europe” has become the site of a despicable terrorist act that indiscriminately targeted civilians. Such acts cannot be tolerated.
　「欧州の首都」を舞台に、市民を無差別に狙った卑劣なテロである。断じて許されない。

The international community must tighten the noose further to contain terrorism.
　国際社会は、テロ封じ込めに向けた包囲網を一段と強化せねばなるまい。

A series of terrorist bombings rocked the international airport and a subway station in the Belgian capital of Brussels, where the European Union is headquartered. More than 30 people were killed and over 200 others were injured in the attacks.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）本部があるベルギーの首都ブリュッセルの国際空港と地下鉄駅で、爆破テロが相次いで発生した。３０人以上が死亡し、２００人超が負傷した。

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant group, which is based in Syria and Iraq, has claimed responsibility, denouncing Belgium for participating in the anti-ISIL coalition.
　シリアとイラクに拠点を置く過激派組織「イスラム国」は犯行声明を出し、ベルギーが有志連合による対「イスラム国」攻撃に参加していることを理由に挙げた。

The perpetrators include suicide bombers and a man still at large. Belgian authorities have been urged to speed up their investigation to ascertain the whole picture of the attacks.
　犯行グループには、自爆犯のほか、逃亡した者もいる。ベルギー当局は、事件の捜査を急ぎ、犯行の全容を解明してもらいたい。

French President Francois Hollande said, “The whole of Europe has been struck by these attacks in Brussels.” It is vital for the security authorities of EU countries to enhance intelligence-sharing on terrorism-related matters.
　オランド仏大統領は「ブリュッセルへの攻撃は、欧州全体に対するものだ」と指摘した。ＥＵ各国の治安機関によるテロ関連情報の共有を進めることが重要だ。

With districts that are home to many Muslims, Brussels is known as a hotbed of radical Islamists in Europe. Just four days ago, a key surviving perpetrator of last November’s terrorist attacks on Paris was arrested in such a district, where he was hiding.
　ブリュッセルには、イスラム系住民が多数居住する地区があり、欧州のイスラム過激派の温床という一面も持つ。４日前には、昨年１１月のパリ同時テロで生き残った実行犯が、この地区の潜伏先で逮捕されたばかりだった。

An alarming point is the failure to prevent the terrorist attacks at the airport, a key facility under tight security by Belgian authorities.
　深刻なのは、ベルギー当局の厳戒下にあった空港という重要施設でテロを防げなかったことだ。

Vulnerability highlighted

One of the perpetrators reportedly blew himself up near a check-in counter of an airline company before security screening for baggage. This appears to be a blind point for airport security. A review of measures against terrorism is needed.
　犯人は、手荷物検査場の前にある航空会社のチェックインカウンター付近で自爆したという。警備の盲点だったのではないか。テロ対策の再検討が必要だろう。

A blast in a subway car took place at a station near the EU headquarters. Some observers speculate that the militant group carried out this outrage of mass killing, which has once again shaken Europe, in revenge for the arrest of the Paris attacks’ mastermind.
　地下鉄の車両の爆発は、ＥＵ本部に近い駅で起きた。犯行グループがパリ同時テロ犯の逮捕に反発し、大量殺人で欧州を再び揺さぶる暴挙に出たとの見方もある。

To help suppress terrorist groups, the United States and European countries are being urged to bring an end to the Syrian civil war, which has allowed the rise of ISIL.
　米欧や中東諸国には、「イスラム国」の台頭を許したシリア内戦を収束させ、テロ組織を掃討するさらなる努力が求められよう。

Japanese nationals were also involved in the bombing on the Brussels subway. One suffered serious injury while another was slightly hurt. About 220 Japanese companies have made inroads into Belgium, and about 5,400 Japanese nationals live in the country.
　地下鉄爆破には日本人も巻き込まれ、１人が重傷、１人が軽傷を負った。ベルギーには、日本企業約２２０社が進出し、在留邦人も約５４００人に上る。

As many Japanese expatriates now work overseas, terrorism by radical Islamists is not someone else’s problem for Japan.
　多数の邦人が海外で活動する今日、イスラム過激派のテロは日本にとっても、他人事ではない。

It is natural that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strongly condemned the attacks in Brussels, saying, “We must work together with the international community in responding [to the attacks].”
　安倍首相が今回の事件を強く非難し、「国際社会と連携して対応しなければならない」と述べたのは当然である。

Participants at the Ise-Shima Group of Seven summit meeting to be held in May face the task of working out specific antiterrorism measures, such as ways to cut off terrorist funding. The government should make every possible effort to review airport security and take other steps to prevent terrorist attacks.
　５月に開かれる主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）では、テロ資金源の遮断などの具体策を打ち出すことが課題となる。政府は、空港警備の再点検など、テロ阻止に万全を期すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2016)

省庁移転 骨太の理念が見えない

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 23
EDITORIAL: Government's decentralization policy lacking full commitment
（社説）省庁移転　骨太の理念が見えない

The government on March 22 announced its basic policy on the relocation of central government ministries and agencies to outside the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. Now, we have to wonder how serious the government was in the first place about its relocation plans.
　結局どこまで本気だったのか。疑問が残る。

As part of the Abe administration's much touted regional revitalization initiative, the government had widely called on prefectural governments to host the central government ministries and agencies that were being considered for relocation.
But, as it turned out, only the Agency for Cultural Affairs will be moving from Tokyo to Kyoto for certain in a few years.
　政府が関係機関の地方移転に関する基本方針を決定した。安倍政権の地方創生の目玉で、自治体に広く誘致を呼びかけてきたが、中央省庁では文化庁が数年以内に京都へ移転することだけが本決まりとなった。

The government will conduct further studies and make its final decision by the end of August regarding the relocation of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which have been invited, respectively, by Tokushima and Wakayama prefectures.
　徳島県が誘致した消費者庁と、和歌山県が求めた総務省統計局は検証を重ね、８月末までに結論を出すという。

But as for the relocation of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, the Patent Office, the Japan Tourism Agency and the Japan Meteorological Agency, in which five prefectures have shown interest, the government decided not to pursue the matter any further, noting that "these agencies' functions cannot be expected to be maintained or improved" by moving them out of Tokyo.
だが、５道府県が誘致した中小企業、特許、観光、気象の４庁は「機能の維持・向上が期待できない」などと見送られた。

Also, many local governments had offered to host various research and training institutions that are now in Tokyo, but only one institution will be fully relocating.
研究・研修機関も多くの自治体が誘致したが、全面移転は１機関のみだ。

Japan's declining population renders the decentralization of government functions an urgent matter. Shigeru Ishiba, the minister in charge of regional revitalization, pointed out the symbolic significance of doing so when he said, "The government cannot make any persuasive case (in favor of the relocation of its ministries and agencies) if it doesn't do anything about it and only asks businesses to move out of Tokyo."
But such an argument seems to have petered out.
　人口減少時代に入った日本で、東京一極集中の是正は急務だ。政府機関移転には「自分たちが何もしないで企業に地方移転をお願いしても説得力がない」（石破茂地方創生相）という象徴的な意義があったはずだが、尻すぼみの印象だ。

The biggest problem seems to be that the government lacked any big-picture perspective on how to redefine government functions in their entirety.
　最大の問題は、政府全体のあり方をどう見直すかという視点が欠けていたことではないか。

Without a clear, firm idea of which ministries and agencies should be relocated where, the relocation policy lacks substance.
一極集中を是正するにはどの機関をどこへ再配置すべきか。しっかりした理念がなければ、形だけに終わりかねない。

Ministry and agency officials are kept busy by Diet-related duties, and the adverse effects of forcing them to commute long hours have been discussed for years. Such concerns should have led to discussions on coordinating inter-ministerial responsibilities and transferring functions that do not have to be carried out in Tokyo to outside the capital.
　国会対応に縛られる省庁の職員が、長時間勤務を強いられる弊害は言われて久しい。省庁同士の役割を整理したり、東京で担う必要がない業務を地方に移管したりすることを考えるきっかけにもできたはずだ。

But discussions within the government were effectively limited only to how to maintain the current functions after the ministries or agencies move out of Tokyo, and failed to address broader issues, such as organizational reforms.
　しかし政府内の議論は、省庁を地方に移しても、現状の機能が維持できるかにほぼ終始し、組織や業務のあり方を改革する方向に踏み込まなかった。

The government's just-announced relocation policy includes the reinforcement or even creation of local offices of some of the ministries and agencies. This gives us concern that the government may even be thinking of organizational expansion.
　基本方針には一部の省庁・機関の地方拠点の強化や新設も盛り込まれた。これでは組織肥大化の懸念さえぬぐえない。

The Cultural Affairs Agency, which is the only entity relocating out of Tokyo, is a successful case of the Kyoto business community's persistent efforts to bring the agency there. Kyoto is the heart of Japan's traditional culture. We hope the parties concerned will carefully proceed with the relocation, with close attention to every detail, to ensure that the agency will take advantage of being located in Kyoto and enrich the administration of cultural affairs.
　唯一移転する文化庁は、京都政財界の強い働きかけが実った。京都は伝統文化の集積地だ。現場に身を置くメリットを生かし、移転が豊かな文化行政につながるよう、詳細設計を丁寧に進めてほしい。

Under Minister Taro Kono, the Consumer Affairs Agency is as interested as the Cultural Affairs Agency in moving out of Tokyo. However, its planned relocation to Tokushima Prefecture has been put on the back burner for now "for fear that the move may negatively affect the agency's intended function as a consumer protection organ."
　文化庁と並んで河野太郎消費者相が移転に前向きな消費者庁は、「消費者保護の機能が低下するのでは」という懸念から、徳島移転の結論が持ち越された。

We hope the final decision will be made after thorough debate, not in a top-down manner, so that the public will support the decision.
トップダウンで決めず、国民が納得できるような形で議論を尽くしてもらいたい。

It is unfortunate that the most powerful ministries were never considered for relocation, and there were no offers from regional governments to host them, either.
　残念なのは、特に大きな権限を持つ府省本体が、移転候補にあがらなかったことだ。地方側に誘致の動きもなかった。

The announcement of the government's relocation policy should not be the cue for ending all conversations on the subject. We must continue striving to define the sort of government organizations that meet the needs of our times.
移転論議をこれで終わりにせず、時代に合った政府機構のあり方をしっかり考えていくべきだ。

朝鮮学校補助 子どもらに責任はない

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 21
EDITORIAL: Politicians bully Korean school students for acts of Pyongyang
（社説）朝鮮学校補助　子どもらに責任はない

Korean schools across Japan are attended by Korean residents’ children, who are taught subjects in line with Japan’s official curriculum guidelines and also learn Korean language and culture.
　全国各地にある朝鮮学校は、在日コリアンの子どもたちが通っている。日本の学習指導要領に準じた各教科のほか、民族の言葉や文化も学ぶ。

Almost all of these schools are in financial distress. Many local governments of areas hosting Korean schools provide the institutions with subsidies similar to the financial support received by private Japanese schools and other international schools.
　どの学校も財政的に運営は厳しく、所在地の自治体の多くが他の私学や国際系の学校と同じように、補助金を出している。

But some politicians of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and other parties are calling on the education ministry to terminate public subsidies to Korean schools.
これに対し、自民党などから補助を打ち切るよう文部科学省に求める声が出ている。

These lawmakers are casting their proposal as part of Japan’s sanctions against North Korea, which has failed to respond to Tokyo’s demands concerning Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang decades ago and has refused to stop its provocative actions, such as nuclear tests.
　拉致問題に加え、核実験などを繰り返す北朝鮮への制裁の一環だという。

Some local governments have already suspended their subsidies to Korean schools.
いくつかの自治体はすでに補助を止めている。

But children attending Korean schools are not at all responsible for North Korea’s nuclear weapons program or the abduction issue.
　だが、朝鮮学校に通う子どもたちには、核開発や拉致問題の責任はない。

Punishing schools that educate young Korean residents of Japan for North Korea’s actions is tantamount to bullying of the weak driven by misplaced anger.
北朝鮮の国に問題があるからといって、日本で暮らす子どもの学びの場に制裁を科すのは、お門違いの弱い者いじめというほかない。

It is inappropriate, in the first place, for the education ministry to interfere in the issue, which is under the jurisdiction of local governments concerned.
　そもそも地方自治体が権限を持つこの問題について、文科省が介入するのは適切ではない。

The Japanese government started offering tuition-free high school education six years ago, when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power. But this benefit has not been applied to Korean schools.
　日本では、民主党政権だった６年前から高校の無償化が始まったが、これも朝鮮学校には適用されていない。

The DPJ-led government kept dragging its foot on abolishing tuition fees at Korean schools. And the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which was inaugurated in December 2012, swiftly removed Korean schools from the list of institutions eligible for the program.
民主党政権は適用を保留し続け、その後の安倍政権は発足後すぐに無償化対象からはずしてしまった。

Students at Korean schools and other people concerned have sued the government in Tokyo, Osaka and other cities, arguing that the exclusion of their schools from the program due to political reasons is illegal.
　政治的理由による除外は違法だとして、朝鮮学校の生徒らが国を相手どり、東京や大阪など各地で裁判に訴えている。

In the international arena, some U.N. agencies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, have criticized the Japanese government’s policy concerning the issue. These organizations have recognized the exclusion of Korean schools from tuition-free high school education as a form of discrimination. They have also urged the Japanese government to apply the program to these schools and exhort local governments to continue the subsidies.
　国際的にも、人種差別撤廃委員会など国連の場では、高校無償化の適用除外は「差別だ」と認めたり、日本政府に対し、無償化の適用や、地方自治体に補助の維持を勧めるよう求めたりする見解が相次いでいる。

Last year, the bar association of Saitama Prefecture rebuked Saitama Governor Kiyoshi Ueda for his move to suspend the prefectural government’s subsidies to Korean schools within the prefecture. The association warned that Ueda’s action constitutes an “extremely serious violation of human rights.”
　国内でも、埼玉弁護士会が昨年、補助を止めている埼玉県の上田清司知事に「極めて重大な人権侵害」と警告した。

At many Korean schools, members of the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) are involved in school administration.
　朝鮮学校では、在日本朝鮮人総連合会（朝鮮総連）の関係者が運営にかかわっているケースは多い。

But education should be kept insulated from politics. Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa has continued subsidies to individual Korean students instead of their schools. Kuroiwa has said children are blameless.
だが、政治と教育は別だ。神奈川県の黒岩祐治知事は「子どもたちに罪はない」として、学校ではなく、生徒たち個人への補助を続けている。

Aside from differences in perceptions about history, problems with the curricula at Korean schools, if any, should be solved through talks between the government and the institutions.
　歴史観の違いはともかく、教育内容に問題があれば話し合いで解決すべきだ。

In fact, the content of education at Korean schools has been changing significantly.
実際、朝鮮学校の教育も変化してきている。

The community of Korean residents in Japan has become diversified. At many Korean schools, children of South Korean nationality make up a majority.
　在日コリアンの社会は多様化しており、多くの朝鮮学校で、韓国籍の子どもが過半数となりつつある。

It is wrong to think that Korean schools are attended only by children of people who worship the North Korean regime.
北朝鮮の体制を崇拝している人々の子どもだけが通うと考えるのは誤りだ。

More than anything else, students at Korean schools are also members of our society.
　何より朝鮮学校の子どもたちも私たちの社会の一員だ。

Any attempt to close the door to children who can build bridges between Japan and its neighbors would only increase the number of people who harbor antipathy toward Japan.
日本と隣国の懸け橋になりうる子どもたちを排除しようという思想であれば、逆に日本に反感を持つ人々を増やすだけである。

マイナス金利 弊害広げない方策を

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 20
EDITORIAL: BOJ needs exit strategy for negative interest rate policy
（社説）マイナス金利　弊害広げない方策を

One month has passed since the Bank of Japan took the risky and controversial move to introduce negative interest rates after it had almost run out of policy tools to enhance its aggressive “quantitative” monetary easing program.
　日本銀行がマイナス金利政策を導入して１カ月が経過した。量的緩和のカードをほとんど使い果たした日銀が、新たな緩和手段として賭けに打って出た政策である。

It is hardly possible to claim that this policy gamble has produced the expected positive results overall.
現状では、その賭けが良い結果をもたらしているとはとても言えない。

The BOJ’s action has achieved a further decline in long-term interest rates from their already record-low levels.
　この政策でもともと史上最低水準だった長期金利は一段と下がった。

But the move to push interest rates below zero has given an unexpectedly big jolt to financial markets, causing wild fluctuations in both stock prices and currency exchange rates in the ensuing weeks.
そこまでは日銀の狙い通りだ。ただ、株価や為替相場が乱高下を繰り返したところに金融市場の動揺が見て取れる。

The banking sector has criticized the negative interest rate policy, which is expected to deliver a blow to the earnings of lenders. Commercial banks are facing an increase in costs as the BOJ charges them 0.1 percent for their excess reserves at the central bank.
　この政策で収益悪化が見込まれる金融界からは批判の声があがっている。銀行が日銀に預ける当座預金の一部にマイナス金利がかかるので負担が増える。

Banks have also come under strong pressure to further cut their lending rates, which are already at historical lows.
　歴史的な低さの貸出金利をもう一段下げる必要にも迫られている。

That would be fine as long as lower lending rates goose demand for loans. But that doesn’t seem to be what is happening.
それで融資需要が増えるならいい。だが必ずしもそうではないようだ。

Banks have found that lower-rate mortgages have led to an increase in refinancing but failed to stoke demand for new housing loans.
住宅ローン金利を下げて増えたのは、安いローンに借り換える人たちばかりで新規需要は少ないという。

The monetary easing policy was intended to prompt banks to expand their lending and encourage companies to ramp up their business investments. But the BOJ’s latest move seems counterproductive because it has only made things harder for commercial banks.
　銀行貸し出しを増やし、企業の投資を活発にする。それが金融緩和の目的のはずだった。こうして銀行経営を萎縮させてしまっては逆効果ではないか。

The negative interest rate policy is also beginning to blight the BOJ’s efforts to awaken inflationary expectations among consumers and businesses through its “different dimension” easing.
　日銀が異次元緩和で盛り上げようとした人々の「インフレ期待」にも影響が出ている。

In an Asahi Shimbun opinion poll conducted in February, 60 percent of respondents said they do not expect the negative interest rate policy to lead to economic growth.
朝日新聞が２月に実施した世論調査では、マイナス金利政策による景気回復が「期待できない」と答えた人は６割にのぼった。

Foreign regulators and policymakers have voiced concerns that any expansion of the negative interest rate policies that are in place in Japan and Europe could trigger a global currency war, or competitive devaluations of currencies among major economic powers to gain a trade advantage.
　一方、海外当局からは、日本や欧州のマイナス金利政策が強化されれば、世界的な通貨安競争の引き金にならないかという懸念が示されている。

The biggest beneficiary of the BOJ’s surprise policy move is probably Japan’s public finances. A further decline in long-term rates reduces the debt-servicing costs of the government, which has run up more than 1,000 trillion yen in debts.
　政策の恩恵を最も受けているのは日本の財政だろうか。長期金利の一段の低下で、１千兆円を超える国の借金の利払い費が抑えられるからだ。

As a result, however, there seems to be growing political momentum for relaxing fiscal discipline.
ただ、その結果、財政規律を緩めるムードが強まってはいないか。

Under ordinary circumstances, the central bank should not adopt the extremely radical approach of buying huge amounts of government bonds for monetary expansion.
　日銀による国債の大量買い入れは本来は禁じ手だ。

The BOJ’s unconventional policy, however, has been condoned as a measure to allow the government to buy time to fix its finances.
そこを財政立て直しの時間を稼ぐためだとして許されている面がある。

But some policymakers within the Abe administration are now openly arguing for postponing the consumption tax hike slated for next year. The administration appears to have the wrong idea about what should be the top fiscal policy priority.
ところが、いま政権内で消費増税見送り論が公然と語られているのは本末転倒である。

The BOJ’s monetary policy is now beginning to cause significant harm to the Japanese economy. If the BOJ continues this extraordinary monetary expansion program in a desperate effort to achieve its seemingly unrealistic 2-percent inflation target, the range of challenges confronting the Japanese economy will only become more serious and complicated.
　日銀の金融政策そのものが日本経済に弊害をもたらし始めている。現実的とは思えない２％インフレ目標にこだわり異常な緩和政策をこのまま続ければ、かえって日本経済が抱える問題は大きく複雑になっていく。

The central bank cannot quickly terminate its unprecedented policy even if it wants to because an abrupt end to the program would cause unacceptably large harmful effects on financial markets regarding interest and exchange rates.
　異次元緩和はやめたくなっても、すぐにはやめられない政策である。金利や為替など市場への影響が大きすぎるためだ。

Instead of wading deeper into uncharted waters, the BOJ should start working out a strategy for winding up the program while minimizing the negative consequences.
これ以上、深入りするのをやめ、影響を最小にとどめつつ撤退する方策を練るべきだ。

教科書検定 押しつけは時代遅れだ

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 19
EDITORIAL: Do not impose government’s viewpoints on school textbooks
（社説）教科書検定　押しつけは時代遅れだ

School textbooks are not tools for the government to indoctrinate young people with its views and opinions.
　教科書は、時の政権の言い分を教え込む道具ではない。

The education ministry on March 18 announced the results of its screening of new high school textbooks to be used from spring next year.
　来年春から高校で使う教科書の検定結果が発表された。

This year, the ministry applied, for the first time, new rules about the authorization of textbooks to those used at high schools.
　文部科学省は、新しいルールを高校に初めて適用した。

Besides changing the guidelines for editing textbooks, the ministry also revised its screening standards to require publishers to ensure descriptions on issues about which the government has announced an official position reflect that view.
　教科書編集の指針を変え、検定基準も政府見解があれば、それに基づいて記すよう改めた。

These changes were made in response to demands from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
自民党の意向に沿ったものだ。

The outcome of the screening of high school textbooks reminds us of what happened last year, when new textbooks for junior high schools underwent the process.
　今回も、昨年の中学の検定と同じようなことが起きた。

The ministry instructed the publishers to describe Japan’s territorial disputes with its neighbors in line with the government’s position. In one case, an article in a textbook about war reparations had to be rewritten after the ministry criticized the text for failing to reflect the government’s stance on compensation for wartime forced laborers from China.
　領土問題で、日本政府の立場を記すよう意見をつけた。戦後補償のコラムには、政府見解に基づいて書くよう指摘した。

Notably, the ministry demanded that the descriptions on controversial topics, such as the Self-Defense Forces, the Constitution and nuclear power generation, be in line with the positions of the Abe administration.
　目立ったのは、自衛隊や憲法、原発など賛否の分かれる問題で、安倍政権の姿勢に沿う記述を求めたことだ。

The ministry, for instance, took issue with one textbook’s description about Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “proactive pacifism.” The original text described Abe's foreign policy principle as one that has "changed the government's interpretation of the Constitution" and provides for "the SDF to operate in wider areas."
　例えば「現代社会」で、積極的平和主義の記述がある。原本には「憲法解釈を変更し」「広範な地域で自衛隊の活動を認めようという考え方」とあった。

The ministry contended that the passage could cause a misunderstanding. Since proactive pacifism is a doctrine, the ministry said, the goal it is designed to achieve should also be mentioned.
　ここに「誤解するおそれがある」と意見がついた。「主義」なので、もとになる目的を書くように、というのだ。

Consequently, the text was revised to say that the doctrine is intended to enable Japan to “make active contribution to ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in international society” by changing the interpretation of the Constitution with regard to the SDF’s activities.
　その結果、自衛隊活動をめぐる憲法解釈の変更により、「国際社会の平和と安定および繁栄の確保に、積極的に寄与していこうとするもの」となった。

Acquiring knowledge about the government’s official positions on various issues is not harmful for students. But treating the government’s views as the right answer to think about these issues is tantamount to imposing specific opinions on young people.
　政府の立場を知ることは悪いことではない。ただ、それを唯一の正解として扱うのは押しつけだろう。

The administration’s approach to textbook screening is more and more coming to resemble the prewar system of government-designated textbooks.
戦前の国定教科書に近づいていないか。

The government overestimates the influence of textbooks on young people’s thinking, in the first place.
　国はそもそも教科書の影響力を大きく考えすぎている。

Textbooks are not the only sources of knowledge for children. By visiting a library, for instance, they can easily find written works presenting different opinions and viewpoints from those of the government.
　子どもは教科書だけで学んでいるのではない。図書館で調べれば、反対の見方や違った視点の本を知ることができる。

The education ministry is now working on new official curriculum guidelines.
　文科省は、次の学習指導要領の議論を進めている。

It is planning to create new subjects, including a comprehensive study of modern world history and civics education about the rights and obligations of citizens and voters.
These subjects will be aimed at helping students develop the ability to think about things from diverse viewpoints and angles, according to the ministry.
　高校で「歴史総合」「公共」（ともに仮称）などの科目をつくり、多面的、多角的に考える力を育てようというのだ。

Textbooks for these subjects should be designed to show that the government’s views and opinions are relative to the standpoints of various players, including opposition parties, citizens and other countries.
　こうした科目では、政権の見方、考え方を相対化し、野党や市民、他国など様々な立場を伝える教科書が求められよう。

It is questionable whether the current textbook screening system will be suitable for the goals of the new subjects.
　いまのままの検定の姿勢で、果たして対応できるだろうか。

The current system is based on the assumption that textbooks are traditional printed books.
　現在の検定制度は、紙の教科書を前提にしている。

But an increasing number of textbooks show the addresses of websites that offer good reference materials.
　だが、参考になるサイトのアドレスを書く教科書が増えてきた。

The ministry checks the content in these websites during its textbook screening, but the pages of a website are updated constantly. It is impossible for the government to keep track of all changes in the content of the websites mentioned in textbooks.
検定でもその内容を確認しているが、ページの内容はどんどん変わる。国が中身を吟味し切れるものではない。

The current textbook screening system, which tends to nitpick over specific terms and phrases in the text, is already outdated.
　教科書の一言一句に目くじらを立てる検定は、もはや時代遅れではないか。

The government should shift its education policy to allow a wider range of teaching materials, expand the discretion of teachers in how to teach classes and increase opportunities for children to think from diverse viewpoints. The government should start taking steps to reinvent the textbook screening system in line with these principles.
幅広い教材を認め、教師の指導の裁量を広げ、子どもが多角的に考える機会を増やす。検定も、その方向に踏み出してもらいたい。

北ミサイル発射 国際社会で孤立深める軽挙だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
North Korea’s missile launch a rash act that increases its isolation
北ミサイル発射　国際社会で孤立深める軽挙だ

North Korea apparently wants to flaunt the enhancement of its nuclear capability, but in reality, the country is just intensifying its international isolation.
　「核戦力」の増強を誇示したいのだろうが、実際は国際的な孤立を深めるだけである。

Pyongyang launched a missile believed to be a Nodong medium-range ballistic missile from around Sukchon in the western part of the country. It flew a distance of about 800 kilometers and fell into the Sea of Japan.
　北朝鮮が中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」とみられるミサイルを、西部粛川付近から発射した。約８００キロ飛行して、日本海に落下した。

According to the South Korean military, North Korea fired another missile, but it immediately disappeared from radar. It is possible that it exploded in the air.
　韓国軍によると、もう１発発射したが、直後にレーダーから消えた。空中爆発の可能性がある。

In response to North Korea’s nuclear testing and other incidents, the U.N. Security Council early this month adopted a resolution anew that bans the country from firing ballistic missiles.
　北朝鮮の核実験などを受けて、国連安全保障理事会は今月初旬、改めて弾道ミサイルの発射を禁じる決議を採択している。

Following the launch of short-range ballistic missiles a week ago, North Korea’s latest action clearly violates the resolution.
　北朝鮮の行動は、１週間前の短距離弾道ミサイル発射に続き、明白に決議に違反している。

It was reasonable that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned North Korea and said Japan would respond decisively while working closely with the international community.
　安倍首相が「国際社会と緊密に連携し、毅然きぜんとして対応する」と非難したのは、当然である。

North Korea is reacting more and more furiously against the Security Council’s resolution and U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises that started this month.
　北朝鮮は、安保理決議と、今月始まった米韓合同軍事演習に対して、反発を強めている。

According to the Korean Central News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that he will soon conduct a test explosion of a nuclear warhead and test-fire several types of ballistic missiles that can carry nuclear warheads.
　朝鮮中央通信によると、金正恩第１書記は、「核弾頭の爆発実験」と「核弾頭搭載可能な様々な弾道ミサイルの発射実験」を早期に行うと言い放った。

He also claimed that his country has succeeded in reducing the weight of nuclear warheads, and even suggested the country would become able to make a “preemptive nuclear attack” to counter the United States.
　核弾頭の軽量化に成功したとも主張し、米国に対抗する「核先制攻撃」までも示唆している。

Security concern for Japan

Kim apparently wants to strengthen his leadership in the run-up to the Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which is to be convened in May. However, many observers doubt that North Korea has advanced its miniaturization of nuclear warheads enough to load them on missiles.
　金第１書記は、５月の朝鮮労働党大会に向けて、自らの求心力を高めたいのだろう。しかし、核弾頭の小型化が、ミサイルに搭載できるレベルにまで進んだのは疑わしいとの見方が一般的である。

“If the latest missile launch leads to enhancement of North Korea’s ballistic missile capabilities, it will be a source of strong national security concern for Japan,” said Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.
　中谷防衛相は発射について、「弾道ミサイルの能力増強につながるとすれば、我が国の安全保障上、強く懸念する」と語った。

Pyongyang is said to have already deployed many Nodong missiles that could reach Japan. Because the missiles use mobile launchers, it is difficult to detect advance signs of launches. It remains necessary to keep an eye on North Korea’s attempts to improve the accuracy of its missiles by repeatedly conducting test-firings.
　日本を射程に収めるノドンは多数、実戦配備されているといわれる。移動式発射台を使うため、事前に発射の兆候をつかみにくい。発射を重ねて精度を高めることには警戒が怠れない。

Also, preparations must be made to deal with further military provocations North Korea might engage in to heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
　北朝鮮が朝鮮半島の緊張を高めようと、さらなる軍事的挑発に出ることにも備える必要がある。

The international community must not overlook the reckless attitude of Kim, who does not try to hide his ambition to possess nuclear-armed missiles.
　国際社会は、核ミサイル保有の野心を隠さない金第１書記の暴走を看過してはなるまい。

First, sanctions resolutions adopted by the U.N. Security Council should be strictly implemented. It is essential to enhance an international coalition that is working to shut down the flow of funds and materials necessary for development of nuclear missiles to North Korea.
　まずは、安保理制裁決議を厳格に履行すべきだ。核ミサイル開発の資金や物資を遮断する包囲網を強化することが欠かせない。

The tripartite security partnership of Japan, the United States and South Korea has become even more important for inhibiting North Korea’s reckless actions without being intimidated by its threats.
　北朝鮮の脅しに動じず、その暴発を抑止するには、日米韓３か国の安全保障面での連携がますます重要になっている。

Japan, the United States and South Korea are trying to organize summit talks of their leaders on the sidelines of a Nuclear Security Summit to be held in the United States late this month. We hope concrete measures that would improve the efficacy of sanctions will be discussed while obtaining China’s cooperation.
　今月末に米国で行われる核安全サミットに合わせて、日米韓は首脳会談を開催する方向だ。中国の協力を得つつ、制裁の実効性を高める具体策を協議したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2016)

中国全人代閉幕 「独善」と「強権」が進む一方だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Chinese govt continues headlong with self-serving, authoritarian approach
中国全人代閉幕　「独善」と「強権」が進む一方だ

It appears the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping has further strengthened its self-serving approach to foreign policy, and its authoritarian governance over domestic matters.
　中国の習近平政権の独善的な対外姿勢と内政面の強権統治が一段と強まったと言えよう。

China’s National People’s Congress, its equivalent of the Diet, has closed its annual meeting.
　中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）が閉幕した。

At a press conference after the Congress closed, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was asked about Japan-China ties. He said, “There have been some signs of an improvement in Sino-Japanese ties, but it is not fully established and still fragile.” On issues related to perceptions of history, Li made a request to Japan, saying: “It is important to match one’s words with concrete actions. What I don’t want to see is [the issues] going backwards.”
　李克強首相は記者会見で、日中関係について、「改善の勢いはあるが、強固ではなく、脆弱ぜいじゃくだ」と強調した。歴史問題でも、「言行を一致させるべきだ。元の道に戻るのを目にしたくない」と述べ、日本の対応に注文を付けた。

Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also displayed his distrust of Japan when he said: “On the one hand, the Japanese government and leaders say nice things about wanting to improve relations. On the other hand, they are making trouble for China at every turn.” He then criticized Japan by saying, “This is a typical case of double-dealing.”
　王毅外相も先に、「日本の政府と指導者は関係改善が必要と言う一方で、絶えず中国に対し、面倒を起こしている」と、不信感を示した。日本を「裏表のある人のやり方だ」とも批判していた。

These comments probably stemmed from resentment at such factors as Japan’s moves, in tandem with the United States, to check the expansion of China’s effective control of the South China Sea.
　日本が米国と歩調を合わせて、中国による南シナ海での実効支配の拡大を牽制けんせいすることなどに反発しているのだろう。

However, we think it is China that is being Janus-faced, as it advocates “peaceful development” even while its actions heighten regional tensions. The point China argues is absurd.
　だが、二面性があるのは、「平和発展」を標榜ひょうぼうしながら、地域の緊張を高める中国の言動ではないか。中国の指摘は筋違いだ。

According to the U.S. government, Beijing is expected to complete the establishment of military facilities on manmade islands in the South China Sea at the end of this year or early next year.
　米政府によると、南シナ海の人工島の軍事拠点化は年末か来年初めに完成する見通しだという。

In a swipe aimed at the United States, Wang said: “China cannot be accused of ‘militarization.’ The label is more suited to some other countries.” But no matter how much the Xi administration uses sophistry, it cannot cover up its military expansion.
　王氏は米国を念頭に、「軍事化のレッテルは中国には貼れない。ぴったりの国がある」とも語った。習政権がいくら詭弁きべんを弄しても、軍拡の実態は糊塗ことできまい。

Senkaku ruling inappropriate

It is unacceptable that the Supreme People’s Court (China’s Supreme Court), in a report to the Congress, insisted China had demonstrated “jurisdiction” over waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. It said a Chinese maritime court had mediated a case involving a collision between a Chinese fishing vessel and a Panama-registered freighter in September 2014.
　最高人民法院（最高裁）が全人代の報告で、沖縄県の尖閣諸島海域で「司法管轄権」を示したと主張したことも受け入れられない。一昨年９月の中国漁船とパナマ船籍貨物船の衝突事故を中国の海事裁判所が調停したとしている。

While this aimed to raise the issue of territorial sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, the collision actually happened outside the territorial waters of the islands, so China’s standpoint has no foundation. The Japanese government rightly lodged a protest.
　尖閣諸島に対する領土主権を訴える狙いだろうが、そもそも発生場所は尖閣諸島の領域外であり、中国の見解に根拠はない。日本政府が抗議したのは当然である。

The National People’s Congress also adopted a new five-year plan for economic and social development. Worryingly, a chapter titled “building a national security system” that was added to this blueprint included steps to strengthen the monitoring of opinions expressed on the Internet.
　全人代では、経済・社会政策に関する新５か年計画が採択された。懸念されるのは、「国家安全体制の構築」という項目が計画に追加され、ネット世論の管理強化などが盛り込まれたことだ。

Since the Xi administration was launched, it has stepped up its oppression of human rights lawyers and nongovernmental organizations. It is certain that censorship, such as tighter controls on the media, will be further strengthened in the name of this “national security system.”
　習政権は発足以来、人権派弁護士や民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）に対する抑圧をエスカレートさせてきた。「国家安全体制」を名目に、メディアの締め付けなど言論弾圧をさらに強めるのは確実だ。

The ruling administration’s anxiety over the economic slowdown also is behind its moves to strengthen its control. The string of speakers at the Congress voicing concern over overseas shopping sprees by Chinese was probably another indication of this.
　統制強化の背景には、政権の経済減速への危機感もあろう。中国人による外国での「爆買い」を憂慮する声が全人代で相次いだのは、その表れではないか。

Even if China tries to suppress dissenting opinions by force, its image as an anachronism will only spread through the international community.
　中国が力で異論を抑え込もうとしても、時代錯誤とのイメージが国際社会で広がるだけだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2016)

米大統領選 煽動的言辞が招く社会の亀裂

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Incendiary language by a presidential candidate invites divisiveness in U.S.
米大統領選　煽動的言辞が招く社会の亀裂

Primary elections were held in five U.S. states, including Florida, as candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties chase the nomination to contest the presidential election in November. More than 60 percent of Republican Party delegates have been decided. The party’s race has passed the halfway mark.
　１１月の米大統領選に向けた共和、民主両党の指名候補争いで、フロリダなど５州の予備選が行われた。共和党では、累積代議員数が６割に達し、折り返し点を過ぎた。

Real estate mogul Donald Trump maintained the lead for the Republican nomination. Hard-line conservative Sen. Ted Cruz remains behind in second place. While Trump has kept his dominance in the race, some forecasts suggest he will fall short of the majority of delegates needed to assure him the nomination. It is too early to tell what will happen.
　不動産王ドナルド・トランプ氏が首位を堅持した。保守強硬派のテッド・クルーズ上院議員が２位で追う展開が続く。トランプ氏の優位は揺るがないが、過半数の代議員を獲得できないとの観測もあり、予断を許さない。

Mainstream candidate Sen. Marco Rubio lost in his home state of Florida and announced his withdrawal from the race. John Kasich picked up his first victory in Ohio, where he is the governor. Some pundits believe “anti-Trump” votes flocked to him.
　主流派では、マルコ・ルビオ上院議員が地元フロリダ州で敗れ、撤退を表明した。ジョン・ケーシック氏は知事を務めるオハイオ州で初の勝利を収めた。「反トランプ票」が集まったとみられる。

This likely reflected widening efforts among mainstream Republicans to cooperate to halt Trump’s momentum. They have been concerned by Trump’s frequent off-color remarks.
　トランプ氏の過激な発言への懸念から、党主流派の間で勢いを止めようとする連帯の動きが広がっていることの表れだろう。

Some prominent figures responsible for policies within the Republican Party have even suggested a preference for former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is increasingly likely to be the Democratic nominee.
　共和党内の政策を担う有識者には、民主党候補指名の公算が大きくなったヒラリー・クリントン前国務長官を推す声も出始めた。

Disturbingly, violent incidents have been occurring at Trump’s rallies. As a black audience member who had criticized Trump was being led from a venue, he was punched by a white man in the crowd. Trump himself has ordered protesters to be removed, and lashed out with comments such as they “should have been roughed up.”
　深刻なのは、トランプ氏の集会でトラブルが相次いでいる事態だ。批判した黒人の聴衆が退場させられる際に、客席の白人に殴られた。トランプ氏自ら、抗議者の退場を命じ、「殴られて当然だ」などと暴言も吐いてきた。

A Trump campaign rally was even canceled due to the impact of protest activities by African-Americans and Latinos.
　アフリカ系や中南米系の人たちによる抗議活動の影響で、演説が中止されることもあった。

Japan under fire

The main cause of these confrontations has been Trump’s “pledges,” which could be interpreted as racial discrimination. These include his call to deport all illegal immigrants living in the United States, and to ban all Muslims from entering the country.
　原因は、すべての不法移民の強制送還やイスラム教徒の入国禁止など、人種差別と取られかねないトランプ氏の「公約」にある。

There are a myriad of problems with Trump’s method of boosting his support by branding opposition forces as the enemy to stir up confrontation. People from a diverse variety of races, religions and beliefs coexist in the United States. His comments are fueling feuds between these groups and deepening divisiveness in U.S. society.
　反対勢力に敵のレッテルを貼って対立を煽動せんどうし、支持を高める手法には問題が多い。米国には人種や宗教、信条などの異なる人々が混在する。それらをいがみ合わせ、社会の亀裂を深めている。

The senior leadership of the Republican Party bears a heavy responsibility for these developments. Within the party, a conservative hard-line element, which seeks to minimize the role of the government by largely reducing tax for the wealthy and cutting social security spending, is gaining strength. The mainstream element has been unable to stop this movement, and what is effectively a split inside the party has been left as it is.
　共和党指導部の責任も大きい。党内では、富裕層の大型減税、社会保障費のカットなど政府の役割の最小化を目指す保守強硬派の勢いが増す。主流派は制御できず、事実上の分裂を放置してきた。

By painting himself as an outsider, Trump has exploited this confusion and broadened his support among the moderate element of the party and political independents. He has suggested policies including limiting the scope of tax cuts for the wealthy to make his candidacy more acceptable to middle-income earners.
　アウトサイダーのトランプ氏はこうした混乱に乗じて、党内の穏健派や無党派層にも支持を広げた側面がある。富裕層の減税規模を抑えるなど、中間所得層が受け入れやすい政策も掲げている。

Regarding the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Trump has declared it is unfair that the pact unilaterally obliges the United States to defend Japan and also calls on Japan to accept more of the burden. On the North Korea’s nuclear issue, he stated Washington does not need to lead.
　トランプ氏は、日米安保条約について、米国が日本防衛義務を一方的に課せられるのは不平等だと主張し、日本の負担増を求める。北朝鮮の核問題でも、米国が先頭に立つ必要はないと訴える。

For Japan, Trump-mania cannot be simply overlooked.
　日本にとっても、トランプ旋風は見過ごせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2016)

人工知能 上手に使って住み良い社会に

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Artificial intelligence: Use it well for a society where humans can thrive
人工知能　上手に使って住み良い社会に

The recent feat achieved by AlphaGo was a marvel of striking progress in artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
AlphaGo, an AI-based computer program developed by a British corporation under the umbrella of Google Inc. of the United States, has won against the world’s top Go player, South Korea’s Lee Se Dol, 4-1.
　人工知能の技術が目覚ましい進化を遂げていることに驚かされた。
　米グーグル傘下の英企業が開発した人工知能の「アルファ碁」が、韓国棋院の世界トップ棋士、李世●九段に４勝１敗で勝ち越した。（●＝「石」の下に「乙」）

Previously, AI programs had defeated skilled human players in the fields of chess and shogi. However, it was said that it would take 10 years to see an AI system win against human players in the world of Go.
　チェスや将棋では、人工知能が実力者を破っている。だが、囲碁で勝つには、この先１０年を要すると言われていた。

It was cited as a high hurdle that the surface of a Go board is broad, and that there are an immeasurable number of choices for moves to be made in playing a match.
盤面が広く、着手の選択肢が桁違いに多いことが、高いハードルとされた。

No wonder Japan’s top master of Go, Yuta Iyama, described AlphaGo’s victory as “shocking.”
　日本の第一人者である井山裕太棋聖が「衝撃的」と語ったのも、無理はない。

AlphaGo is able to learn on its own which are the best moves to make in playing a game. The program has read about 30 million images depicting the stages of development in games played by professional and other players. Then it has learned what kinds of patterns are preferred at which stages of development in a game, giving itself a better chance of winning. This has made AlphaGo ever more highly skilled in playing a match.
　アルファ碁は、より良い一手を自ら学ぶ能力を備えている。プロらによる対局の盤面の画像を３０００万枚も読み込み、どのようなパターンになれば勝ちやすいかを学習し、棋力を高めた。

That approach, called “deep learning,” is one of the state-of-the-art AI theories. To put its victory in a human context, AlphaGo has developed “taikyokukan” (broad-based perspective).
　「ディープ・ラーニング（深層学習）」という最新理論だ。人間で言えば、「大局観」を養ったことが勝因だろう。

AI technology has already been put to practical use, such as in image searches. It may be possible that the spread of more advanced AI technology could greatly change our day-to-day life. There also are concerns that the technology could take over clerical work carried out by humans.
　人工知能は、画像検索などで既に実用化されている。より高度な人工知能が普及することで、日常生活が大きく変化する可能性がある。事務などの仕事が取って代わられるといった懸念もある。

It is necessary to live with AI technology and make good use of it.
　人工知能と共存し、活用していくことが求められる。

Myriad potential benefits

The self-driving car system is designed to prevent accidents by perceiving vehicles and pedestrians around an autonomous car and predicting how they would move.
　車の自動運転では、周辺の車両や歩行者を察知し、動きを予測することで、事故を防ぐ。

The use of diagnostic imaging technology will increase the probability of detecting cancer cells. It will also make it possible to predict how the condition of a cancer patient would develop, thereby enabling the patient to receive appropriate treatment.
　画像診断では、がん細胞を発見する確率が高まろう。病状の進行を予測して、適切な治療に結び付けることも可能になる。

Progress is being made in developing the technology to instantly distribute to smartphones information about which route should be taken in evacuating at the time of tsunami and other disasters.
　津波などの災害時に、どのルートで避難すれば安全か、という情報を瞬時にスマートフォンへ配信するための技術開発が進む。

We hope the public and private sectors will join hands in fully tapping into the advantages of AI technology.
　官民が連携し、人工知能のメリットを最大限に引き出したい。

In the United States, Google, IBM and others are fiercely competing with each other in applying AI technology to the analysis of big data, the development of pharmaceutical products and for other purposes.
　米国では、グーグルやＩＢＭなどが、ビッグデータの解析や医薬品開発などへの応用で激しい競争を繰り広げている。

It is disturbing to see that the presence of Japanese corporations is weak in this respect. Because of budgetary constraints and other reasons, these companies have hardly been able to apply their research results to the commercialization of products. Research papers originating in Japan account for a slumping 2 percent to 3 percent of those submitted from around the world.
　これに対し、国内企業の存在感が薄いのが気がかりだ。予算の制約などで、研究成果が、ほとんど製品化につながっていない。世界の中で日本発の論文が占める割合は、２～３％と低迷している。

It is necessary to quickly nurture young researchers and engineers in this country.
　若手の研究者や技術者の育成を急ぐ必要がある。

The main pillar of the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, finalized by the government at a Cabinet meeting in January, is to realize “a supersmart society” through the use of AI technology.
　政府は、１月に閣議決定した第５期科学技術基本計画の柱に、人工知能による「超スマート社会」の実現を据えている。

If robotics technology, Japan’s field of expertise, is combined with AI, a mix of these technologies could be expected to make up for labor shortages in a society whose population is decreasing.
　日本の得意分野であるロボット技術に人工知能を組み合わせれば、人口減社会での労働力不足を補う役割も期待できるだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2016)