社説：安保転換を問う 集団的自衛権

September 14, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Numerous holes in gov't explanation of right to collective self-defense
社説：安保転換を問う　集団的自衛権

　◇政府の説明は破綻した

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is aiming to make sure that security-related bills which would open the way for Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense become law by the end of this week.
　安倍政権が、安全保障関連法案を今週中に成立させようとしている。

Many experts have pointed out that the bills constitute a violation of the war-renouncing Constitution, while the majority of the public is opposed to enacting them. One cannot help but wonder why the government is making haste to enact the proposed legislation.
　多くの専門家が憲法違反と指摘し、国民の過半数が反対しているのに、なぜ成立を急ごうとするのか。

Prime Minister Abe has emphasized that the legislation is necessary to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people. However, no government officials have provided any explanation during some 200 hours of Diet deliberations that have convinced the public of why Japan cannot defend itself unless the country exercises the right to collective self-defense.
　安倍晋三首相は「国民の命と暮らしを守るため」というが、これまで衆参両院で約２００時間、審議しても、集団的自衛権を行使しなければ国を守れないという説得力ある説明は、政府から聞かれなかった。

Since the House of Councillors began deliberations on the bills following their passage through the House of Representatives, the government has emphasized its concerns about China's military buildup in addition to the threat posed by North Korea. The government apparently aims to gain public understanding of the need for the security legislation by appealing to the public, which harbors a vague anxiety about the security environment surrounding Japan.
　審議が参院に移ってから、政府は北朝鮮の脅威に加え、中国の軍事的台頭への懸念を強調するようになった。国民の間に広がる漠然とした不安に訴えかけ、法案の必要性に理解を得ようという狙いだろう。

　◇ホルムズも邦人輸送も

It is true that China and North Korea's recent moves are worrisome. As such, it is only natural that some people sympathize with the government's questions as to whether it is all right for Japan to sit by and do nothing.
　確かに中国や北朝鮮の動向は心配だ。日本はこのまま手をこまねいていていいのか、という問いかけに共感する人もいるだろう。

However, both legislators, government officials and the public should calmly consider what Japan can do and cannot do to respond to the security situation and what kind of legislation should be developed to make up for shortcomings.
　だが、こういうときだからこそ日本はいま何ができて、何ができないか。足りない点を補うために、どんな法制を整備すべきか、冷静に検討する必要がある。

Let's consider how to defend Okinawa Prefecture's Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan. The Senkakus are part of Japan's territory. Therefore, Japan would exercise the right to individual self-defense to defend the islands in case of an armed attack. The United States would supposedly defend the islands jointly with Japan under Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
　差し迫った課題である沖縄県・尖閣諸島を考えてみる。尖閣は日本の領土だ。この防衛は、日本を守るための個別的自衛権で対処する。米国も日米安保条約５条にもとづき共同で防衛にあたると期待されている。

Therefore, Japan would respond to contingencies on the islands with its own right to individual self-defense and under the Japan-U.S. security arrangement. Such being the case, Japan would not exercise the right to collective self-defense to respond to such contingencies. A country is supposed to exercise the right to collective self-defense to use force to defend another country that has come under armed attack.
　つまり個別的自衛権と日米安保で対処するわけで、他国が攻められたときに日本がそれを守るために反撃する集団的自衛権とは関係がない。

The government has cited minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East and guarding U.S. military vessels transporting Japanese nationals as specific examples of operations that Japan would conduct by exercising the right to collective self-defense.
　政府が、集団的自衛権行使の代表例としたのは「中東・ホルムズ海峡での機雷掃海」と「邦人輸送中の米艦防護」だ。

Government officials have less actively mentioned minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz recently in the face of growing criticism over Japan's exercise of the right to collective self-defense for economic reasons.
　ホルムズ海峡の機雷掃海は、経済的な理由で集団的自衛権を行使することに批判が高まり、政府は最近では積極的に言及しなくなった。

The government assumes that Japan would defend U.S. military ships carrying Japanese evacuees mainly in case of an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula although no geographic restrictions are placed on such operations. Prime Minister Abe places particular importance to such missions as examples of cases in which Japan needs to exercise the right to collective self-defense, which he explained by showing charts and illustrations.
　邦人輸送中の米艦防護は、地域は限定していないが、主に朝鮮半島有事（戦争）を想定している。首相がパネルを使って集団的自衛権行使の必要性を訴えたこだわりの事例だ。

However, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has stated that whether Japanese nationals are aboard U.S. vessels is not an absolute condition for Japan exercising the right to collective self-defense.
　だが、中谷元防衛相は「邦人が乗っているかいないかは、（条件の）絶対的なものではない」と語った。

In regard to guarding U.S. military vessels in case of an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula, discussions were also held on defending U.S. Aegis-equipped vessels engaging in missile defense activities. However, it is unrealistic to assume cases where the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) would need to guard U.S. vessels because such vessels seldom operate individually without forming a fleet with other ships in case of emergency. Government officials' statement wavered over this point.
　朝鮮半島有事の米艦防護では、このほか、ミサイル防衛にあたる米イージス艦を守るケースも議論された。有事に米艦が艦隊を編成せずに単独で行動し、自衛隊に守ってもらう事態は現実には考えにくい。この点でも政府の答弁は揺れ動いた。

Serious questions remain as to whether the government needs to open the way for Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense by arbitrarily changing the interpretation of the war-renouncing Constitution -- the interpretation that the government had upheld for more than four decades. The government failed to show clear examples of missions that Japan can conduct by only exercising this right in a manner that can convince the public. Therefore, the government's explanation of the matter has collapsed.
　４０年以上維持されてきた憲法９条の解釈を強引に変更してまで、なぜ集団的自衛権を行使する必要があるのか。政府は、それに当てはまる事例をついに示せなかった。説明は破綻したと断じざるを得ない。

The government's primary purpose of enacting security legislation is to enable the SDF to support U.S. combat operations on a global scale and make the bilateral alliance more reciprocal by allowing Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense. By doing so, Japan is trying to encourage the United States to side with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and use the reinforced Japan-U.S. alliance to counter China's military buildup.
　政府が法案に込めた狙いは、米軍の戦いを自衛隊が世界規模で支援し、集団的自衛権の行使が可能な国になることで、日米同盟をより双務的にすることだろう。それによって米国をアジア太平洋に引きつけ、強化された日米同盟で中国の軍拡に対応することを目指している。

From the beginning, the government placed priority on opening the way for Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense rather than repeating discussions on bills necessary to respond to changes in the security environment surrounding Japan.
　安全保障環境の変化に対応するため、必要な法案の議論を一つずつ積み上げたというよりも、集団的自衛権の行使容認ありきだった。

　◇あまりに大きいリスク

Therefore, the contents of the bills do not necessarily match specific changes in the actual security environment, making it appear that government officials' explanations have changed frequently.
　だから、必ずしも現実の安保環境の変化と法案の内容が結びつかず、ちぐはぐになり、政府の説明がころころ変わったように見える。

It is necessary to review Japan's legislation regarding security to respond to changes in the security environment. For example, it would be a good idea for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss expanding logistical support that the SDF can extend to U.S. forces in case of an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula under the "emergency-at-periphery" law, while retaining geographical restrictions on such activities and a ban on the provision of ammunition to U.S. forces.
　私たちは、安保環境の変化に対応するため、法制の見直しは必要だと考えている。例えば、現行の周辺事態法は、朝鮮半島有事を想定して米軍への後方支援を定めた法律だが、地理的な制約を維持し、弾薬の提供をしないなどの縛りをかけたまま、与野党で話し合って支援内容の拡充を検討することがあっていい。

However, specific operations that the government claims that the SDF cannot conduct unless the country exercises the right to collective self-defense apparently can be performed by using the right to individual self-defense in principle.
　だが、集団的自衛権の行使が必要と政府が言うものは、基本的に個別的自衛権で対応できると考える。

The three new conditions for using force by exercising the right to collective self-defense, such as a threat to Japan's survival, provided for by the proposed security legislation, are ambiguous, and the executive branch of the government would be allowed to judge whether contingencies meet these conditions in a comprehensive manner.
　集団的自衛権の行使を認めた今回の法案は、「存立危機事態」など行使の新３要件があいまいで、政府が総合的に判断するという仕組みだ。

Specific standards for going ahead with the use of force are the most important matter in SDF operations. Under the bills, however, the executive branch could stretch the interpretation of the standards at its own discretion, and there are fears that Japan's use of force overseas could expand without limits.
　どういう基準で武力行使に踏み切るのかという、自衛隊の運用で最も重要な問題が、国民の目に見えない。政府の裁量次第で拡大解釈が可能であり、海外での武力行使が際限なく広がる恐れがある。

If the government-sponsored bills are to be enforced, it could rather cause security risks, and eventually lead to political risks.
　政府案が実行に移されれば、むしろ安全保障上のリスクとなる。さらには、政治上のリスクも招く可能性がある。

The Cabinet's decision in July 2014 to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense is inconsistent with the government's past interpretation of the Constitution as banning Japan from exercising the right to collective self-defense even though the country is granted this right under international law. Although experts have pointed out that the bills are unconstitutional, the government has been unable to provide any convincing explanation of the bills' constitutionality.
　集団的自衛権の行使を認めた憲法解釈変更は、過去の解釈と論理的な整合性がとれていない。法案は憲法違反だと指摘されても、政府は最後まで納得いく答えを示せなかった。

If the bills are to be passed into law, the stability of the country's legal system, which is headed by the Constitution, would be destroyed. Enactment of the bills would raise concerns that both the government and the Constitution would lose public trust. It could even destabilize Japan's politics.
　法案を成立させれば、憲法を頂点とする法体系の安定性は失われるだろう。憲法も政府も国民から信頼されなくなる懸念がある。政治そのものが不安定になりかねない。

The government claims that the enactment of the proposed security legislation would strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and increase deterrence provided by the alliance. The bills may have such advantages, but there are more risks involving the legislation. Such bills should not be enacted.
　政府は、法整備により日米同盟が強化され抑止力が高まると言う。そういうメリットがあるとしても、リスクのほうがはるかに大きい。そんな法案を成立させてはならない。

毎日新聞　2015年09月13日　02時30分

尖閣国有化３年 領土守り抜く体制を構築せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Warning and surveillance system must be firmly secured to protect territory
尖閣国有化３年　領土守り抜く体制を構築せよ

China’s infringements of Japanese sovereignty have been continuing. The government must build a thorough warning and surveillance system, taking into consideration that it will be a long-term struggle.
　日本の主権に対する中国の侵害が続いている。政府は長期戦も視野に、万全の警戒・監視体制を構築せねばならない。

Friday marked the third anniversary of the nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture.
　沖縄県石垣市の尖閣諸島を国有化してから、１１日で３年を迎えた。

China, which claims sovereignty over the Senkakus, has six to nine of its government vessels intrude into Japanese territorial waters around the islands every month. The number of intruding ships has declined, but their intrusions have become routine. China, building a 10,000-ton-class large patrol boat, clearly intends to continue its saber-rattling activities.
　尖閣諸島の領有権を主張する中国は、今も毎月６～９隻の公船を周辺の領海に侵入させている。当初より隻数は減ったが、常態化した。１万トン級の大型巡視船も建造し、示威活動を続ける構えだ。

Japan Coast Guard boats have been conducting patrols around the Senkakus and ordering Chinese vessels to exit from Japanese waters whenever they intrude.
　侵入の度に海上保安庁の巡視船が監視し、退去を求めている。

It is also necessary to keep an eye on the moves of the Chinese military. China declared in November 2013 the establishment of an air defense identification zone in airspace including that over the Senkakus. Chinese air and maritime forces have bolstered and modernized their military equipment and aim to establish naval and air supremacy in the East and South China seas.
　中国軍の動向も注視が必要だ。２０１３年１１月、尖閣諸島上空を含む空域に防空識別圏の設定を表明した。海空軍の装備を増強、近代化し、東・南シナ海の制海・制空権の確保を狙っている。

It is right for Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama to say, “Realistic threats have been mounting.”
　中山義隆石垣市長の「現実的な脅威が高まっている」との指摘はもっともだ。

The central government and local governments concerned need to share a sense of urgency and work together strategically toward securing territorial integrity.
政府と関係自治体が危機感を共有し、領土保全に戦略的に取り組む必要がある。

The JCG has so far managed to deal with Chinese government vessels by mobilizing patrol boats from around the country, but within the current fiscal year it will also establish a system under which it will be able to operate 12 large patrol boats on a full-time basis. It is necessary to establish as soon as possible a constant aerial monitoring system with the use of three jet planes.
　海保は従来、全国からの巡視船の応援派遣をやり繰りし、中国公船に対応してきたが、今年度中に大型巡視船１２隻の専従体制を整える。ジェット機３機による空からの常時監視体制も、できるだけ早期に整備したい。

It is essential for the JCG and the Self-Defense Forces to cooperate closely in preparing a system capable of ensuring defense seamlessly in anticipation of various scenarios.
　様々なシナリオを想定し、海保と自衛隊が緊密に連携して、切れ目のない対処を可能にしておくことが欠かせない。

Japan-U.S. alliance vital

U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed in spring last year that the Senkakus fall within the scope of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. A firm Japan-U.S. alliance can serve as the greatest deterrence against China.
　オバマ米大統領は昨春、尖閣諸島が日米安全保障条約の適用対象だと確認した。強固な日米同盟が中国への最大の抑止力となる。

If security-related bills pass through the Diet, it would expand greatly the cooperation of the SDF and the U.S. military. They must augment joint drills and surveillance activity.
　安全保障関連法案が成立すれば自衛隊と米軍の協力は大幅に拡大する。共同の訓練や警戒活動を一段と充実させることが大切だ。

The maritime liaison mechanism must be put into operation as early as possible to prevent accidental clashes between the SDF and Chinese forces.
　自衛隊と中国軍の偶発的な衝突を防ぐため、「海上連絡メカニズム」の運用開始も急ぐべきだ。

It is important for the fact that the Senkakus are inherent territories of Japan historically and by international law to be made more widely known and understood overseas.
　尖閣諸島が歴史的にも国際法的にも日本固有の領土であることを国際社会に積極的に発信し、理解を広げることが重要である。

China conducted an anti-Japan propaganda campaign on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this year by linking the event to issues of historical perception. Such moves have caused a drop in Japanese firms’ investment in China and the number of Japanese tourists visiting the country.
　戦後７０年の今年、中国は、歴史認識に絡めた反日宣伝活動を展開している。こうした動きは、日本企業の対中投資や日本人観光客の減少などを招いた。

Japan and China have become increasingly interdependent in economic terms. Even if there are conflicts on territorial claims and over issues of historical perception, we want the two countries to encourage practical cooperation and personnel exchange.
　日中両国は、経済面で相互依存関係を強めている。領土や歴史認識を巡る対立があっても、実務的な協力や人的交流は進めたい。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is exploring the possibility of holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping by taking advantage of such occasions as when he attends a U.N. General Assembly later this month and a Japan-China-South Korea summit likely to be scheduled for late October.
　安倍首相は、今月下旬の国連総会や１０月末にも開かれる日中韓首脳会談などの機会を利用し、中国首脳との会談を模索している。

Abe and Xi must exchange opinions candidly from a comprehensive viewpoint of a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.
　戦略的互恵関係の大局に立ち、率直な意見交換を行うべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2015)

改正派遣法成立 雇用安定の実効性は高まるか

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Will revised worker dispatch law lead to stable employment, better jobs?
改正派遣法成立　雇用安定の実効性は高まるか

The revised worker dispatch law, one of the main issues at the current Diet session, was enacted Friday by a majority vote supported by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its junior coalition partner Komeito and others. The revised law comes into force on Sept. 30.
　今国会の焦点の一つだった改正労働者派遣法が自民、公明両党などの賛成多数で成立した。３０日に施行される。

It is important to use the amendment to steadily achieve stable employment and better working conditions for dispatched workers.
　派遣労働者の雇用安定と処遇改善に着実につなげることが大切だ。

A main feature of the revised law is the removal of the effective time limit on companies’ use of temporary labor.
　改正法は、企業が派遣労働者を受け入れられる期間の制限を事実上なくすことが柱である。

The existing law limits the use of dispatched workers to a maximum of three years, to protect regular employees’ jobs. It excludes 26 job categories, including secretaries, from this rule, but the revised law abolishes these exceptions and allows companies to extend the use of temporary workers in all categories following talks with labor unions and other parties.
　従来は、正社員の仕事を守るため、受け入れ期間を最長３年に制限してきた。秘書など２６の専門業務は例外だったが、改正法では、この区分を廃止し、全業務で労働組合などの意見を聞けば、企業は期間を延ばせるようにした。

However, the revised law also sets a three-year limit on individual dispatched employees working in the same post, in principle, from the viewpoint of having them experience various jobs and improve their skills.
　一方、個々の派遣労働者については、様々な仕事を経験して技能向上を図る観点から、同じ職場で働く期間を原則３年までとする新たな制限を設ける。

The revised law further obliges temporary staffing companies to help temporary workers improve their careers through such measures as training programs, and work to stabilize their employment through such steps as asking companies to hire them directly.
　派遣会社に対しては、計画的な教育訓練など派遣労働者のキャリアアップ支援や、派遣先への直接雇用の依頼といった雇用安定措置を義務づけた。

We think the content of the revised law is appropriate, as it aims to enhance the so-far insufficient protection of dispatched workers, based on the reality that people today work in a variety of ways. It will also make it easier for companies to use dispatched workers.
　働き方の多様化を踏まえ、手薄だった派遣労働者の保護を強化する改正案は、妥当な内容である。企業が派遣労働者を活用しやすくなる利点もある。

However, people doing specialist jobs, who can work longer under the existing law, will have to change their posts every three years under the revised one. Many are afraid that their contracts will be terminated. The government should monitor the activities of companies using dispatched workers and temporary staff agencies, and urge them to try to stabilize employment of temporary workers.
　これまで長く働けた専門業務の人も、３年で職場を変わることになる。「雇い止め」の不安を抱く人は多い。政府は、派遣先や派遣会社の動向を注視し、雇用安定への努力を促すべきだ。

Protection for temp workers

During Diet deliberations, the ruling coalition parties claimed that the amendment would open a way for temporary workers to become regular employees and better their working conditions, but the opposition strongly protested that it would increase the number of people who permanently remain dispatched workers.
　国会審議では、政府・与党が「正社員への道を開き、処遇改善を図るもの」と強調したのに対し、民主など野党は「一生派遣」が増える、と強く反発した。

The House of Councillors passed 39 supplementary resolutions regarding the revised law, reflecting the demands of the opposition parties. This convinced the opposition parties to stop their battle — they had resorted to force, preventing the chair of the Health, Labor and Welfare Committee from entering the conference hall before voting at the House of Representatives.
　改正法には、野党の主張を取り入れた３９項目に上る付帯決議が参院で採択された。その結果、衆院厚生労働委員会で、採決前に委員長の入室を妨害するなど「実力行使」に出た野党も矛を収めた。

The additional resolutions urge the government to restrict the amount temporary staffing companies earn for acting as an intermediary, and give instructions to companies that are unwilling to directly hire dispatched workers. These issues should be studied.
　付帯決議は、派遣会社が得る「マージン」に関する規制や、派遣労働者の直接雇用に消極的な派遣先への指導などを求めている。検討すべき課題だ。

The revised law requires every temporary staffing company to obtain government authorization. Some companies are currently allowed to operate just by registering with authorities concerned.
　改正法では、一部で認めていた派遣会社の届け出制を廃止し、全てを許可制とした。

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will deal strictly with temporary staffing companies that fail to provide their workers with occupational and other training, including rescinding their authorization. Whether the ministry is capable of doing that is key to the viability of the revised law.
　教育訓練などを怠った業者に対し、許可取り消しも含めて厳しく指導監督する。厚生労働省にその能力があるかどうかが、改正法の実効性を確保するカギを握る。

If the authorization system functions effectively, temporary staffing companies that only offer low costs will be eliminated. We hope the fostering of quality temporary staffing companies will cause dispatched work to become established in our society as an opportunity to improve people’s careers.
　許可制が有効に機能すれば、低コストのみが売り物の業者は淘汰とうたされよう。良質な業者を育てることで、派遣労働をキャリアアップの機会として定着させたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2015)

消費税１０％対策 国民への配慮を欠く財務省案

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Shun benefit payment that slights the public / LDP, Komeito should aim for lower tax rate
消費税１０％対策　国民への配慮を欠く財務省案

　◆自公両党は軽減税率の導入貫け

On top of having little effect to alleviate the public’s sense of pain in paying taxes after an increase in the consumption tax rate, the current proposal would most likely force people to bear needless burdens. A system replete with flaws should never be adopted.
　消費増税に伴う痛税感を和らげる効果に乏しい上に、国民に無用の負担を強いる。欠陥だらけの制度を、採用するわけにはいかない。

The Finance Ministry has presented to the ruling coalition parties’ tax system reform consultative council a draft the ministry touts as a plan aimed at easing the public’s burdens when the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent. The scheme is designed to impose a 10 percent tax on all purchases by consumers and pay back benefits to them at a later date an amount worth 2 percentage points of the tax payments levied on food and beverage items, except alcoholic beverages.
　財務省が、消費税率を１０％に引き上げる際の負担緩和策の原案を、与党税制協議会に示した。全品目に１０％の税率を課したうえで、酒類を除く飲食料品については、税率２％相当額を後日、国民に給付する仕組みである。

Under this plan, there could be no lowering of payments at the time of purchases, meaning it would play no role in preventing spending on consumption from falling. The ruling parties should turn down the ministry’s draft, and introduce instead a reduced tax rate system in the true sense of the term to ensure tax rates on daily necessities such as food are kept down.
　これでは、購入時の支払額は減らず、消費の落ち込みを防ぐ役割は果たせまい。与党は財務省案を退け、食料品など生活必需品の税率を低く抑える本来の軽減税率を導入するべきだ。

Shabby dole-out policy
　◆みっともないバラマキ

The Finance Ministry describes its tax burden alleviation measures as a “Japanese version of a reduced tax rate system.”
　財務省は負担緩和策を「日本型軽減税率」と称している。

Skeptical views were voiced one after another at the coalition parties’ consultative panel meeting on Thursday, such as that the idea put forth by the ministry should be deemed at best a “pseudo-reduced rate method.” This is because applying the same tax rate on all goods and paying cash later to the public is nothing but a government benefit measure.
　これに対し、協議会のメンバーから、「軽減税率もどきではないか」などと、疑問の声が相次いだ。全品目に同じ税率を適用し、後からお金を配るのでは、給付金制度にほかならないからだ。

Bunmei Ibuki, who is a former finance minister and an authority on taxation affairs, at a meeting the same day of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Nikai faction — led by party General Council Chairman Toshihiro Nikai — harshly criticized the ministry’s plan, saying it is “an idea disgraceful for the Finance Ministry, as it could amount to a dole-out measure like a welfare benefit.”
　財務相経験者で、税制に詳しい伊吹文明・元衆院議長も自民党二階派の会合で、「財務省にしては、みっともない案だ。福祉給付金のようなバラマキになる」と、厳しく批判した。

In their common electoral pledge for the House of Representatives election in December 2014, the LDP and its ruling coalition partner Komeito did commit to introducing a reduced tax rate system at the time of the consumption tax being hiked to 10 percent. Should the ruling parties adopt the ministry’s draft and insist obstinately that it should be considered a form of reduced tax rate formula, that would be tantamount to duping the public.
　自民、公明両党は２０１４年１２月の衆院選共通公約で、消費税１０％時に軽減税率を導入することを明記した。財務省案を採用し、軽減税率だと強弁すれば、国民を欺くことになる。

The ministry’s draft calls for setting no limits on incomes for eligibility for receiving the benefits, with a view to having the benefits paid to people in all income brackets, including high-income persons. At the same time, the ministry is poised to set a cap on the benefits at around ¥5,000 a year per person.
　財務省案では、所得制限は設けず、高所得者も含めて広く薄く給付金を支給する。一方で、給付額には１人当たり年５０００円程度の上限を設ける方向だ。

When the government raised the consumption tax rate to 8 percent in April 2014, it used what the government referred to as a “plain benefit measure” of lump-sum payouts ranging from ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 per person among low-income people, but that measure failed to produce any tangible effect in shoring up the economy. The ministry-proposed benefit measure would have an even lesser impact.
　政府は１４年４月に消費税率を８％に上げた際、低所得者に１万～１万５０００円を支給する「簡素な給付措置」を実施したが、景気下支え効果はなかった。今回はさらにインパクトが弱い。

Likewise, little effect could be hoped for from the ministry-envisaged plan in mitigating the sense of burden on low-income earners.
　所得が低い人の負担感を緩和する効果も期待薄である。

No help for less well-off
　◆低所得者への恩恵薄く

Many members of the ruling parties’ tax system panel also expressed skepticism about whether it was realistic to use My Number ID cards to calculate the amount of consumption tax on purchases of food and beverages.
　協議会では、飲食料品の消費税額を把握するためにマイナンバー（共通番号）カードを活用することについても、実現性を危ぶむ声が多数上がった。

When making a purchase at a shop, a consumer will hold their card up to an ID card-reading terminal unit. This purchase information will then be collected at a newly established “center for accumulating data on reimbursement.” The consumer will then either go down to the tax office or elsewhere or apply online for the benefit payment.
　買い物の時、店頭の読み取り機にカードをかざすと、新設の「還付ポイント蓄積センター」にデータが集約される。消費者は、税務署などに出向くか、インターネットなどで給付金を請求する。

The consumption tax rate is scheduled to be increased to 10 percent in April 2017. Will it be possible to ensure terminal units are installed at every single one of the estimated 800,000 retailers and food outlets across Japan by then? Even the distribution of My Number cards might not be completed at that stage.
　消費税１０％が予定される１７年４月までに、全国に約８０万もあると見られる小売りや外食の事業者すべてに、読み取り機を設置できるだろうか。マイナンバーカード自体の配布も間に合うまい。

Each terminal is expected to cost tens of thousands of yen to purchase and install. Making sure that the payment system stretches across the entire nation also will entail other costs. Maintaining and managing the new data center, bank transfer fees to be paid when remitting benefit payment, and the labor costs of employees in charge of this work are just some of the factors that will create a new financial burden.
　１台数万円とされる設置費や、全国にシステムを張り巡らせるコストもかかる。センターの維持・管理費や給付金の振込手数料、担当職員の人件費なども新たな財政負担となる。

At the panel meeting, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party who had misgivings about the benefit payment system likened it to the building method that caused the construction costs of the New National Stadium to balloon. “We must not allow this to become a second case of ‘keel arches,’” the member said, referring to the gigantic arches envisaged to support a retractable roof at the stadium.
　協議会では、新国立競技場の建設費増大の原因となった工法になぞらえて、「第２のキールアーチになってはいけない」と危惧する意見も自民党から出た。

Another panel member pointed to the complications involved in getting consumers to use the system, and wondered whether it is realistic to expect every resident to carry their My Number card every time they go shopping.
　このほか、「全国民が買い物のたびにマイナンバーカードを持ち歩くことは、現実味があるのか」と、消費者が制度を利用するために強いられる煩雑さの指摘もあった。

Many people are also concerned that their personal information could be leaked or unlawfully used if the cards are lost or stolen.
　カードの紛失や盗難で、個人情報の流出や悪用による被害が出ることを懸念する向きは多い。

At a press conference, Finance Minister Taro Aso said: “If people don’t want to carry their cards, they don’t have to carry them. They will just miss out on the reduced tax by that much.” It appears Aso does not understand at all the true sentiment of people who are having a tough time managing the household budget.
　麻生財務相は記者会見で、「カードを持っていきたくなければ、持っていかないでいい。その代わり、その分だけの減税はない」と述べた。家計のやりくりに苦心する国民の実情を、全く理解していないのではないか。

Some elderly people and others who would want to get the benefit payment have not mastered the use of personal computers and smartphones. We think a reduced consumption tax rate that does not impose any unnecessary trouble on people would be a fairer, simpler system for everybody.
　給付を受けたくても、パソコンやスマートフォンを使いこなせない高齢者などもいる。余計な手間のかからない軽減税率の方が、全ての国民にとって公平かつ優しい制度である。

Learn from Europe
　◆欧州の先例を見習おう

The Finance Ministry’s reasoning for avoiding the introduction of a lower tax rate on some items is that it would be difficult to draw a line between items subject to the lower rate and those that are not, and that having several rates would generate a heavy administrative burden when compiling invoices where tax amounts are entered for every transaction.
　財務省は、軽減税率の導入を避ける理由として、対象品目の線引きの難しさや、複数税率化によって、取引ごとに税額を記入するインボイス（税額票）作成にかかる事務負担の重さを挙げる。

Selecting items to be subject to a lower tax rate would indeed require considerable time and effort. But adjusting the advantages and disadvantages of the tax system and making it realistic is precisely the primary duty of politics.
　確かに対象品目の選定は手間がかかるが、税制を巡る利害を調整し、実現を図ることこそが、政治本来の責務である。

Major countries in Europe have implemented lower tax rates on some items for more than half a century.
　欧州各国では、半世紀も前から軽減税率を導入している。

These lower rates are imposed on food and also newspapers and books, which are essential for preserving the culture of the printed word. Concerns over invoices have not hindered commercial transactions in any way in these nations.
　食料品をはじめ、活字文化の保護に欠かせない新聞や書籍が対象だ。インボイスも、商取引の障害とはなっていない。

There is no reason why today’s Japan could not implement such a system.
　今の日本で、実施できないわけがあるまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2015)Speech

（社説）参院審議、大詰めへ 「違憲」法案に反対する

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 10
EDITORIAL: 'Unconstitutional' security legislation must be killed
（社説）参院審議、大詰めへ　「違憲」法案に反対する

Upper House deliberations on contentious government-drafted national security legislation are entering the final stage.
　新たな安全保障関連法案の参院審議が大詰めを迎える。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was re-elected Sept. 8 as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, intends to seek a vote on the package of bills for passage next week.
自民党総裁選で再選された安倍首相は来週、法案の採決に持ち込み、成立させる構えだ。

But public opinion remains highly critical of the legislation that would drastically change the overseas role of the Self-Defense Forces.
　だが、法案に対する世論の目は相変わらず厳しい。

In an Asahi Shimbun poll in late August, 30 percent of the respondents expressed support for the legislation and 51 percent were opposed. Asked whether they thought the legislation needed to be enacted during the current Diet session, only 20 percent of those polled said yes, while 65 percent answered no.
　朝日新聞の８月下旬の世論調査では法案に賛成が３０％、反対は５１％。今国会で成立させる必要があると思う人は２０％、必要はないと思う人は６５％だった。

Many experts assert the legislation is unconstitutional. People across Japan have joined demonstrations to protest the bills. It is hard to claim a national consensus has been formed on the need for the legislation.
　多くの専門家が法案を「憲法違反」と指摘し、抗議デモが各地に広がる。国民の合意が形成されたとはとても言えない。

If the LDP-led ruling coalition rams the bills through the Upper House by using its majority in the chamber, the schism between the people and politics will only deepen.
それなのに政府・与党が数の力で押し切れば、国民と政治の分断はいっそう深まるばかりだ。

OPPOSITION ACROSS A BROAD SPECTRUM
　■多様に広がる反対論

We again urge the Abe administration to stop forging ahead with this initiative.
　改めて安倍政権に求める。

Forcing “unconstitutional” legislation through the Diet is unacceptable. The bills should be quashed, and the government should start from scratch.
　「違憲」法案の成立を強行することは許されない。法案は廃案にし、出直すべきだ。

Given China’s rise as a major and assertive military power and other factors, the Abe administration argues that it is necessary to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense in limited situations because the security environment surrounding the nation has changed. Many Japanese agree with this view.
　安倍政権は中国の台頭などを念頭に、日本を取り巻く安全保障環境が変化したのだから「集団的自衛権の限定的な行使容認が必要だ」と主張する。これに賛同する国民も多い。

What is impressive about public opinion with regard to the legislation, on the other hand, is the wide spectrum of arguments against it. Opposition to the legislation has been voiced by people of all ideological stripes, including both those who are for and against constitutional amendments.
　一方で印象深いのは、護憲論から改憲論にまで広がる、反対論の多様性である。

Some people have said Japan must not abandon the pacifist credo which it adopted after serious soul-searching about its actions during World War II and has been maintaining throughout the postwar period.
　「先の大戦を反省し、戦後日本が守ってきた平和主義を捨ててはならない」という指摘。

Members of nongovernment organizations have warned that expanding the scope of SDF activities in regions like the Middle East could stir up antagonism against Japan.
　「中東などで自衛隊の活動を拡大すれば、かえって敵対感情を招きかねない」と懸念するＮＧＯ（非政府組織）関係者。

There are others who think the Constitution should be amended and criticize the way the government has made it possible for Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense simply through a change in the traditional interpretation of the Constitution. This approach, they say, runs against the principle of constitutionalism, which in essence means that the government’s power is defined and limited by the Constitution.
　「憲法を改正すべきだ。解釈改憲で集団的自衛権を認めるのは、憲法が権力を縛る立憲主義に反する」との意見もある。

The administration has turned a deaf ear to all these dissenting voices.
　これらの反対論に、政権は耳を傾けようとはしない。

When former Supreme Court Chief Justice Shigeru Yamaguchi said that the legislation is unconstitutional, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani downplayed the importance of Yamaguchi’s opinion by stating the remarks were uttered by “one private individual who has retired from office.” Nakatani’s comment symbolized the administration’s complete lack of respect for expert opinion.
　法案を「違憲」と断じた最高裁の山口繁・元長官の指摘に対し、中谷防衛相が「現役を引退された一私人の発言」と語ったのは象徴的だ。「専門知」への敬意が決定的に欠けている。

LEGAL STABILITY UNDERMINED
　■欠落する法的安定性

The Abe administration contends there is a policy imperative to make it possible for Japan to use the right to collective self-defense. If so, the logical step the administration should follow is to make its case for this policy change to the public and seek support for the necessary amendment to the Constitution.
　政策上、集団的自衛権の行使を認める必要がある。それが政権の主張だ。だとすれば国民に正面からその必要性を説き、憲法改正を問うのが筋である。

In fact, for a while Abe called for a revision of Article 96 of the Constitution to lower the bar for constitutional amendments, pledging to “get the Constitution back into the hands of the people.” His true aim in making that move was apparently an amendment to the war-renouncing Article 9.
　事実、首相が「憲法を国民の手に取り戻す」と訴え、憲法改正の発議要件を下げる９６条改正を訴えた時期があった。視線の先には９条改憲があった。

After his bid to revise Article 96 was criticized as a violation of the principle of constitutionalism, Abe switched to achieving his security policy goal through a change in the government’s interpretation of the Constitution.
　これが立憲主義に反すると批判を浴びるや、首相は解釈改憲にかじを切る。

The radical reinterpretation of the Constitution was formalized with a Cabinet decision involving only a small number of ministers. The administration is now trying to ram the legislation based on that policy shift through the Diet by taking advantage of the overwhelming parliamentary majority commanded by the ruling alliance for an effective amendment to the Constitution.
　少人数の閣僚だけで閣議決定し、圧倒的な与党の数で法案を通し、実質的な改憲をはかる。

The administration has omitted the process of building consensus among the public and made do with an agreement reached within the government and the ruling camp without participation by the public.
国民の合意形成という手順を省き、政府・与党の閉ざされた合意だけで事を済ます。

Now, the Constitution is being taken away from the hands of the people.
　いま、憲法は国民の手から奪われようとしている。

As a result, legal stability is being undermined in more ways than one.
　その結果、二重三重の意味で法的安定性が揺らいでいる。

No matter what answers the government gives to related questions at the Diet, many Japanese cannot help but suspect that the government could change its position in the future. That’s why people are finding it hard not to be concerned that conscription may someday be adopted, no matter how strongly Abe rules out the possibility.
　政府が国会でどんな答弁をしても、覆される疑念がぬぐえない。首相がいくら否定しようと、いつか徴兵制が導入されるのではという国民の不安が消えないのは、そのためだ。

After the package of security bills is passed into law, there will likely be a wave of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the legislation.
　法案成立後は違憲訴訟が相次ぐ公算が大きい。

It is also possible that the government’s interpretation of the Constitution may be altered again after a regime change.
政権交代があれば、憲法解釈が再び変わる可能性もある。

The Abe administration is poised to push the legislation through the Diet without even clarifying the vague concept of “the crisis of the nation’s survival,” which it says would justify Japan engaging in collective self-defense.
政権は、集団的自衛権の行使ができる「存立危機」の概念すらあいまいなまま押し通す構えだ。

The lack of an effective system to prevent arbitrary enforcement of the law inevitably gives the government even greater discretion in making security policy decisions.
恣意（しい）的な運用に対する歯止めが欠落し、政府の裁量を広げている。

The SDF must not be deployed to dangerous overseas operations under such unstable circumstances.
　こうした不安定な状況で、自衛隊を危険な海外任務に送り出すことがあってはならない。

IMPORTANCE OF ARTICLE 9
　■問われる９条の重み

Another thing the security legislation is threatening to undermine is the importance of Article 9.
　もう一つ、法案が揺さぶっているのは憲法９条の重みだ。

The Abe administration appears to be trying to expand the scope of the tasks and areas for the SDF's overseas operations, enhance the SDF’s cooperation with the forces of the United States and other countries and thereby enhance deterrence against China. It also seems to regard Article 9 as an impediment to Japan’s national security and want to reduce its implications for security policy so that Japan can play a greater military role in the international community.
　自衛隊の海外展開の任務と範囲を拡大し、米軍など他国軍との連携を強め、中国への抑止力を高める。憲法９条を安全保障上の阻害要因とみてその意味を小さくし、国際社会での軍事的な役割を拡大する――。

If the “proactive pacifism” the administration has been advocating means pushing the nation in this direction, it marks a radical departure from the postwar pacifism that has enabled Japan to maintain a distance from direct involvement in overseas conflicts, even if the two may look similar.
　安倍政権の掲げる「積極的平和主義」がそうした方向性だとすれば、海外の紛争への直接的な関与から一定の距離をとってきた戦後日本の平和主義とは、似て非なるものだ。

Let us think afresh about the meaning of Article 9, which states the Japanese people “forever renounce war.”
　もう一度、９条のもつ意味を考えてみたい。

It has helped Japan to maintain a distance from U.S. military actions, which on occasion are staged for a wrong war. It has also helped Japan to build relationships based on mutual trust with its neighbors, including China and South Korea, and avoid the folly of participating in a futile arms race. Japan, as a pacifist nation underpinned by Article 9, can play a useful role as mediator in the Middle East.
　時に誤った戦争にも踏み込む米国の軍事行動と一線を引く。中国や韓国など近隣諸国と基本的な信頼をつなぎ、不毛な軍拡競争に陥る愚を避ける。平和国家として、中東で仲介役を果たすことにも役に立つ。

Article 9 has played no small part in Japan’s pacifist diplomacy in the postwar period, although it has also created challenges under the harsh reality facing the world.
　現実との折り合いに苦しむことはあっても、９条が果たしてきた役割は小さくない。

To be sure, a certain degree of deterrence provided by the U.S. forces and the SDF is necessary for Japan’s security. It is vital to make efforts to bolster the reliability of deterrence.
　確かに、米軍と自衛隊による一定の抑止力は必要であり、その信頼性を高める努力は欠かせない。

That, however, doesn’t mean that enacting the “unconstitutional” security legislation in such a rash manner is the only way to accomplish that.
そうだとしても、唯一の「解」が、「違憲」法案を性急に成立させることではない。

As for expanding Japan’s international contributions, widening the scope of overseas SDF deployments is not the only option.
　国際貢献についても、自衛隊派遣の強化だけが選択肢ではない。

There are a plethora of international challenges Japan should tackle, such as aid to refugees, efforts to deal with infectious diseases and mediation to solve conflicts. There must be ways for Japan to expand and upgrade its diplomatic activities by combining efforts to tackle these challenges in line with its commitment to Article 9.
難民支援や感染症対策、紛争調停など多様な課題が山積みである。９条を生かしつつ、これらの組み合わせで外交力を高める道があるはずだ。

Using the power of numbers to turn the colorful landscape of Japanese people’s views and opinions into a monochrome picture would stifle people’s efforts to envision the future of the nation.
　数の力で、多様な民意を一色に塗りつぶせば、国民が将来の日本の針路を構想する芽まで奪うことになる。

（社説）安倍総裁再選 民意とのねじれを正せ

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 9
EDITORIAL: Re-elected Abe must move closer to the will of the people
（社説）安倍総裁再選　民意とのねじれを正せ

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was re-elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 8 without ballot. Seiko Noda, the only LDP legislator who sought to challenge Abe, failed to secure the recommendations from 20 Diet members required to run.
　自民党総裁選は、安倍首相の無投票再選で終わった。立候補をめざした野田聖子氏は、必要な２０人の推薦人を集めることができなかった。

Noda was chairwoman of the LDP’s General Council in spring 2014, when she voiced “skepticism” about the procedures Abe chose to allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense. Before the Cabinet convened to endorse Abe's intent to change the government’s traditional interpretation of the Constitution, Noda organized an intraparty debate on this matter.
　野田氏は党総務会長だった昨年春、集団的自衛権の行使を認める閣議決定を前に、政府の憲法解釈変更で進めようとする首相のやり方に「違和感」を訴え、党内議論の場をつくったことがある。

At a Sept. 8 news conference where she announced her decision not to run, Noda said, “I wanted to create a situation where people would say there are diverse opinions within the LDP.”
　きのうの出馬断念の記者会見でも「自民党には多様な意見があるんだと言ってもらえる舞台を作りたかった」と述べた。

There are 400-plus LDP legislators, but not even 20 came forward in support of Noda’s wish to create such a situation. This is pathetic.
　情けないのは、４００人を超す国会議員がいるのに、こうした政策論争の場づくりを後押しする議員がたったの２０人も集まらなかったことである。

Her attempt to secure recommendations from 20 lawmakers was hindered by certain party factions and individuals close to the prime minister who did not want her bid for the presidency to negatively affect the progress of Diet deliberations on the controversial national security bills.
　野田氏の推薦人集めに対し、安全保障関連法案の審議への影響を避けたい首相周辺や派閥からの締めつけがあった。

The LDP is losing its traditional flexibility and readiness to accommodate the diverse wishes of the public from the entire political spectrum and reflect them in intraparty discussions. We are not saying we miss the old days of outright factional politics. But we are deeply apprehensive of the current LDP administration that obviously believes in rejecting any controversy to get things done smoothly.
　右から左まで多様な民意をくみ取り、党内の議論に反映させる。今の自民党はそんな姿勢を失いつつある。かつての派閥全盛時代を懐かしむわけではないが、論争を封じ込め、それでよしとする政権党のあり方には大きな危惧を抱かざるを得ない。

In successfully blocking Noda’s candidacy, the bedrock of the Abe administration appears as solid as it could get. But that is not necessarily the case.
　対立候補を封じた安倍氏の政権基盤は盤石にも見えるが、必ずしもそうではない。

From the time Abe returned to power in December 2012, his administration owed its stability and popularity to the economic upturn that raised his Cabinet’s approval ratings. But when the global economy began to falter, so did its popularity, with non-approval ratings exceeding approval ratings.
　政権復帰時から上向いた経済とそれに裏打ちされた内閣支持率の高さが安倍政権を支えてきた。だが、世界経済の先行きにかげりが見え、歩調を合わせるように支持率が不支持率を下回るようになった。

Most importantly, the Abe administration has failed to win the support of the public on crucial policies.
　なによりも、大きな政策で民意の支持が得られていない。

In an Asahi Shimbun opinion poll conducted in late August, Abe’s statement for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II was approved by 40 percent of respondents, as opposed to 31 percent who did not approve. But in the same survey, 65 percent saw “no need” to legislate the national security bills during the current Diet session, and 49 percent considered the restart of the Sendai nuclear reactor a “bad decision.”
　８月下旬の朝日新聞社の世論調査では、戦後７０年の首相談話は「評価する」の４０％が「評価しない」の３１％を上回ったが、安保法案を今国会で成立させる「必要はない」が６５％。川内原発の再稼働も４９％が「よくなかった」と答えた。

With the national security legislation in particular, public opposition has grown in leaps and bounds as Diet deliberations continue. If Abe resorts to strength in numbers to steamroll the bills through the Diet, the gap between the administration’s intent and what the public wants will only widen further.
　とりわけ安保法案には、国会審議が進むほど民意の反対のうねりが起きている。これを数の力で抑え付ければ、政権と民意の溝は広がるばかりだ。

Abe pledged on Sept. 8 to continue to focus on economic growth. That in itself is fine, but he ought to understand that his modus operandi of relying on the robust economy to force divisive policies on the nation is nearing the end of its effectiveness.
　安倍氏はきのう、引き続き経済成長に力を尽くす決意を語った。そのことに異論はないが、経済の好調を推進力に、民意が割れる政策を強引に進める手法は限界に近づいている。

Having secured another term as party president unchallenged, Abe is poised to get the national security legislation passed by the Diet as early as next week.
　総裁選が無投票で終わったことで、安倍政権は来週にも安保法案を成立させる構えだ。

But before anything, he must do everything he can to bridge the divide between his stance and the will of the people. No matter how successful he may be in solidifying his intra-party base, ignoring the will of the people has its limits in politics.
　その前に、まずは民意とのねじれを正すことに、首相は心を砕くべきだ。どんなに党内を固めても、民意を顧みない政治はやがて行き詰まる。

難民大量流入 欧州の結束と人権が問われる

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Refugee crisis tests EU solidarity and human rights principles
難民大量流入　欧州の結束と人権が問われる

There has been a sharp rise in the number of refugees and illegal migrants flowing into Europe from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere, magnifying the turmoil.
　中東やアフリカなどから欧州に流入する難民や不法移民が急増し、混乱が拡大している。

Can the European Union, which emphasizes principles of human rights, organize a mechanism for member states to share the burdens of accepting refugees smoothly? Their solidarity will be put to the test.
　人権重視の理念を掲げる欧州連合（ＥＵ）が加盟国間で重荷を分担し、円滑な受け入れ体制を整えることができるのか。結束が問われよう。

The rapid rise in refugees stems from the ever volatile situation in the Middle East and North African countries as a civil war grinds on in Syria and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) extremist group gains power.
　難民急増の原因は、中東・北アフリカ情勢が不安定になったことだ。シリア内戦の泥沼化や過激派組織「イスラム国」の台頭などが引き起こした。

The total number of refugees and illegal migrants arriving in EU countries by crossing the Mediterranean this year topped the 300,000 mark by the end of last month, already surpassing by far the about 220,000 refugees who reached there in the whole of last year.
　地中海を渡って欧州に到着した難民や不法移民の総数は、今年８月までに３０万人を超えた。昨年の約２２万人を既に大きく上回る。

In many cases, they headed for Europe aboard small vessels arranged by smugglers, with tragic incidents occurring one after another. Large numbers of migrants have lost their lives when their vessels capsized.
　密航業者の仲介により小型船などで欧州に向かうケースが多く、転覆による大量死など惨事が相次いでいる。

The photographs of a dead Syrian toddler washed ashore on a Turkish beach have shocked the world.
トルコの海岸に遺体で漂着したシリア難民の幼児の写真は、世界に衝撃を与えた。

The EU has to cooperate with the relevant countries and quickly take such measures as cracking down on migrant smuggling vessels to prevent such incidents from recurring.
　ＥＵは関係国と協力し、密航船の取り締まりなど再発防止策を早急に講じねばならない。

Most of the refugees and migrants are seeking to be resettled in wealthy countries such as Germany and the Nordic nations. In Budapest, a large number of refugees gathered at a station in an attempt to board trains for Germany, temporarily paralyzing the functions of the station.
　難民らの多くが、経済的に豊かなドイツや北欧を目指している。ブダペストでは、ドイツ行きの列車に乗ろうと、難民が多数集まり、駅の機能が一時マヒした。

Central role for Germany

Holding the key to the EU’s refugee policy is Germany, a country that has accepted the largest number of refugees. This year the number of refugees seeking asylum in Germany from around the world is expected to quadruple from last year to 800,000.
　ＥＵの難民政策のカギを握るのは、最大の受け入れ国であるドイツだ。今年、世界各地からの難民申請の総数は昨年の４倍の８０万人に上ると予測される。

Germany, due to reflection on its persecution of Jews during the Nazi era, has adopted a liberal asylum policy. Its warm treatment, including the provision of living expenses to asylum seekers, has drawn a flood of refugees.
　ドイツは、ナチス時代のユダヤ人迫害への反省から、寛大な難民受け入れ政策をとってきた。申請者への生活費支給など手厚い保護が難民の殺到を招いている。

As a result, friction has surfaced there, with far-right extremist groups attacking refugee shelters.
　その結果、国内では、極右集団が収容所を襲撃するといったあつれきが表面化している。

German Chancellor Angela Merkel showed her strong sense of alarm, saying that for the EU, the refugee issue will have greater importance than the Greek fiscal crisis.
　メルケル首相は「難民問題は、欧州にとってギリシャの財政問題よりも重要になる」と語り、強い危機感を示した。

Merkel asserted that it is necessary to make “fair distribution” of refugees among the EU member countries and intends to realize this with cooperation of France and others.
　首相は、ＥＵ加盟国で難民受け入れの「公平な割り当て」が必要だと主張し、フランスなどの協力を得て実現を図る考えだ。

From September to October, the issue of refugee quotas will be taken up for discussion at an emergency meeting of EU justice and interior ministers and at an EU summit.
今月から来月にかけて、ＥＵ法相・内相理事会と首脳会議で話し合う。

The EU member countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary, are opposed to quotas for refugee relocation among EU countries. In these countries, with less vibrant economies, there is strong anxiety among the people that their jobs will be taken away by refugees.
　ハンガリーなど中東欧諸国は割り当てに反対だ。経済水準が低いため、国民の間で難民に職が奪われることへの不安が強い。

Germany and France need to expedite their efforts to win these countries’ agreement to the quota. It will be necessary to differentiate between refugees seeking protection from persecution and illegal migrants seeking jobs in EU countries.
　独仏は中東欧諸国の説得を急ぐ必要がある。迫害から保護すべき難民と、就労目的の不法移民を選別することが求められる。

For the fundamental solution to the refugee problem, it is vital to improve the situations in the Middle East and Africa. It is important for the international community, including Japan, to reinforce diplomatic efforts and support to achieve regional stability.
　難民問題の根本的な解決には、中東・アフリカ情勢の改善が欠かせない。日本を含む国際社会は、地域安定に向けた外交努力や支援を強化することが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2015)

軽減税率代替策 「面倒くさい」で済まされるか

いつもは一方的に政府の方針を支持する傾向のある読売新聞も、さすがに声を上げました。
読売新聞は、ずっと以前から、新聞は軽減税率対象品目に指定すべきだという主張でしたから、それは理解できます。
麻生財務相の本当の狙いは、軽減税率にすると、それで未来永劫、税収がコンスタントに減るからなんです。
巷では、あほう太郎と蔑視されている麻生財務相ですが、実は、なかなかのしたたかものなんです。


The Yomiuri Shimbun
Giving up on realizing reduced tax rates for being ‘bothersome’ too irresponsible
軽減税率代替策　「面倒くさい」で済まされるか

A policy that takes the easy way out by depending on handout measures would not protect people’s livelihoods from the increasing burden of a future increase in the consumption tax rate.
　安易な給付金のばらまきでは、今後の消費税率引き上げに伴う負担増から、国民生活を守ることはできまい。

The Finance Ministry has drafted measures to alleviate taxpayers’ burdens when the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent.
　財務省が、消費税率を１０％に引き上げる際の負担緩和策の原案をまとめた。

The ministry says a 10 percent tax should be levied on all purchased goods and consumers would later receive “benefit payments” equivalent to two percentage points of the consumption tax on food and beverages.
　全品目に１０％の税率を課した上で、飲食料品の購入で消費者が払った税率２％分の相当額を、後から給付するという。

Although the ministry says the idea is an alternative to a system of reduced tax rates, the proposal is fraught with flaws, and can hardly be called a convincing alternative.
　財務省は軽減税率の代案と位置づけるが、欠陥だらけで、代替策とはなり得ない。

Explaining the ministry’s idea, Finance Minister Taro Aso had the gall to say, “Introducing plural tax rates [reduced tax rates] would be bothersome, so we used our ingenuity to make the matter less of a problem.” This is extremely irresponsible.
　麻生財務相は、「複数税率（軽減税率）を入れることは面倒くさい。それを面倒くさくないようにするところが手口だ」と説明した。あまりに無責任ではないか。

The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito included a consumption tax rate-related agreement in their platforms in the 2014 election of the House of Representatives. In December 2013, the two ruling coalition parties had agreed to introduce lower tax rates on daily necessities.
　自民、公明両党は２０１３年１２月に、生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率導入で合意し、１４年の衆院選公約にも掲げている。

Although the task of determining what items should be eligible for reduced tax rates would undoubtedly be difficult, discarding the result of discussions by the ruling coalition parties merely because the decision is “bothersome” is unforgivable.
　軽減税率の対象品目の線引きが難しいのは事実だが、与党が積み重ねてきた議論を、「面倒くさい」といった理由で投げ出すことは、到底許されない。

The ruling coalition parties should fulfill their political responsibility by ensuring that reduced tax rates are introduced on such daily necessities as food, newspapers and others.
　与党は１０％時に食料品や新聞などの必需品に軽減税率を導入し、政治の責任を果たすべきだ。

Far from being realistic

Under the draft, consumers would have to pay for all goods that include the full 10 percent consumption tax rate, so they would hardly feel any effects of the tax burden alleviation system. There is a possibility that the benefits received later will be put into their savings. Under the circumstances, it is strongly feared that personal consumption will cool off.
　原案では、税率１０％で代金を支払うため、消費者は負担軽減の実感が乏しい。後で受け取った給付金が貯金に回る可能性もある。消費を冷え込ませる恐れが強い。

Other problems involve the ministry-envisioned scheme of figuring out the amounts of benefits by projecting the total amount of consumption according to such criteria as income brackets and family composition. The shoddy way the system has been designed in deciding on benefit payments without considering the reality of what happens when people shop cannot help but give rise to doubts regarding the adequacy and impartiality of the ministry’s plan.
　所得や家族構成などに応じて消費額を推計し、給付額を割り出す仕組みにも問題がある。買い物の実態と関係なく金額を決める粗雑な制度設計には、適正さや公平性への疑念が拭えない。

The Finance Ministry’s draft covers almost all items of food and beverages. Fiscal expenditures for funding the planned benefits, if provided to all households, would run up to a massive ¥1.3 trillion. Should restrictions on the benefit payments be imposed on the basis of income brackets, a sense of unfairness would arise again over where to draw a line in imposing income-based restrictions.
　財務省原案は、ほぼ全ての飲食料品を対象にしている。全世帯に給付すると、財政負担は約１・３兆円と巨額になる。圧縮のために所得制限をかければ、線引きを巡る新たな不公平感を生じよう。

The ministry’s plan has incorporated utilization in the future of the My Number system, but the proposed use of the system for the benefit payments is nothing more than the ministry’s desperation attempt to avert criticism against the benefit system for being a handout measure, so it should be deemed unrealistic.
　共通番号（マイナンバー）の将来的な活用も盛り込まれたが、ばらまき批判をかわすための苦し紛れのアイデアで、非現実的だ。

The draft claims that if information of individuals’ purchases at retailers is read using their My Number card to accumulate their purchase history, the amounts of benefit payments will be calculated accurately.
　原案は、マイナンバーカードの情報を店頭で読み取り、買い物の履歴を蓄積すれば、給付金額を正確に算出できるとしている。

Would it really be possible to build a data management system to have all of the nation’s retailers, including small stores, equipped with scanners and related devices necessary to read purchasing records?
　小さな商店まで、くまなく読み取り機を設置し、データ管理のシステムを構築する。そんなことが可能なのだろうか。

Considering the government’s stringent finances, it will most likely be inevitable for the government to raise the consumption tax rate to a level above 10 percent sometime in the future. For the purpose of building a framework geared to securing steady revenue sources for financing social security outlays while minimizing the adverse impact the social security system would have on personal consumption, introduction of a reduced tax rate system is indispensable.
　厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、消費税率はいずれ、１０％を上回る水準への引き上げが避けがたい。個人消費への悪影響を抑えながら社会保障財源を着実に確保していく枠組みを築くためにも、軽減税率の導入は不可欠である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2015)

防衛費概算要求 安保法制を支える装備調達に

Objection！
アメリカが日本の防衛費を増やせといっているわけではないでしょう。
もしそうならば、日米安保条約などやめてしまえばよい。
日本は敗戦国だがアメリカの奴隷ではない。
防衛費はむしろ削減して社会保障費にまわすべき。
増え続ける国の負債を削減するためにも、防衛費を減額する意味は大きい。
中国は人口が日本の10倍以上もいるのだから、横並びで金額を比較すること自体がナンセンス。
GDPは中国が一番で当たり前だが、アメリカの金融と経済のシステムにやられているだけ。


The Yomiuri Shimbun
Ensure equipment procurement to support new security legislation
防衛費概算要求　安保法制を支える装備調達に

To make the government-envisioned new security legislation truly effective, it is vitally important to steadily fortify the nation’s defense capabilities.
　安全保障法制を実効性あるものとするため、防衛力を着実に整備することが大切である。

The Defense Ministry, in its budget demand estimates for fiscal 2016, has requested ¥5.09 trillion, up 2.2 percent from fiscal 2015’s initial defense budgetary appropriations. This represents the fourth consecutive year-on-year budget increase sought by the ministry.
　防衛省は２０１６年度予算の概算要求で、１５年度当初予算比で２・２％増の５兆９１１億円を計上した。４年連続の増額要求である。

China’s defense spending has been expanding more than 10 percent every year, now amounting to more than three times that of Japan’s. North Korea’s nuclear and missile development and its military provocations also continue unabated. The Defense Ministry’s budget increase requests take into account the markedly severe security environment.
　中国の国防予算は毎年１０％以上伸び、日本の３倍以上に達した。北朝鮮の核・ミサイル開発や軍事的挑発も続く。厳しい安保環境を踏まえた要求増と言える。

The ministry’s budget estimates emphasize beefing up defense of the Nansei Islands to cope with the intensifying activities of Chinese forces in the East China Sea. The ministry for the first time is seeking such defense equipment purchases as 36 maneuver combat vehicles (MCVs) and a new type of aerial refueling aircraft.
　東シナ海での中国軍の活動活発化に対応し、南西諸島防衛の強化に力点を置いている。機動戦闘車３６両、新型空中給油機１機の購入費などを新規に計上した。

MCVs, while having firepower on par with that of tanks, are considerably lighter than tanks and capable of traveling at a maximum speed of about 100 kph. They can be transported by aircraft for such purposes as defending remote islands.
　機動戦闘車は戦車並みの火力を有しながら、軽量で、最高時速が約１００キロと速い。航空機などで輸送し、離島防衛にも使える。

The budget estimates also include expenditures for 12 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft and 11 AAV7 amphibious assault vehicles. Aiming to ramp up warning and surveillance activities, the ministry is set to introduce three Global Hawk drones.
　輸送機オスプレイ１２機、水陸両用車ＡＡＶ７１１両などの購入費も盛り込んだ。警戒・監視活動を強化するため、無人偵察機グローバルホーク３機を導入する。

In addition, the ministry plans to earmark outlays for building an Aegis-equipped vessel for ballistic missile defense and a submarine of the latest model.
　弾道ミサイル防衛対応型のイージス艦１隻と、最新鋭潜水艦１隻の建造費も計上している。

The security-related bills are designed to make it possible for this country to exercise the collective self-defense right to a limited extent, to operate in defense of U.S. military vessels. For the purpose of protecting U.S. vessels and others in peacetime, stipulations concerning “defense of weapons and related equipment” in the Self-Defense Forces Law are to be revised.
　安全保障関連法案は、集団的自衛権を限定行使し、米艦を防護することを可能にした。平時に米艦などを守るため、自衛隊法の「武器等防護」規定も改定する。

Deploy troops broadly

To make it possible to respond rapidly to such “gray-zone contingencies” as the seizure of a remote island by forces from abroad in the guise of fishermen, part of the procedures for mobilizing SDF troops has been simplified through a Cabinet decision.
　偽装漁民による離島占拠などのグレーゾーン事態に迅速に対処できるよう、自衛隊の一部の出動手続きも閣議決定で簡素化した。

To reliably implement a series of such operations, procurement of equipment and garrisoning of troops commensurate with the tasks are indispensable.
　一連の任務を確実に遂行するには、それに見合う装備調達と部隊編成が不可欠である。

Ensuring legal arrangements to empower the SDF to protect U.S. forces in an emergency and equipping the SDF to carry out such missions would beef up the relationship of mutual trust between Japan and the United States, which would in turn make the bilateral alliance even more unshakable.
　緊急時には自衛隊が米軍を守ることができる法制を整備し、その能力を有することが、両者の相互信頼関係を強化し、日米同盟をより揺るぎないものにしよう。

Regarding the garrisoning of troops, the ministry’s budget estimates this time call for expenditures for developing premises and acquiring plots of land for a Ground Self-Defense Force base on Miyakojima island, Okinawa Prefecture, and another somewhere on Amami Oshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture, by the end of fiscal 2018.
　部隊編成では、１８年度までに沖縄県・宮古島と鹿児島県・奄美大島に陸上自衛隊を配備するため、両駐屯地の造成工事費や用地取得費が計上された。

No GSDF troops are currently deployed in the Nansei Islands region except for the Okinawa main island. Around the Okinawa main island, SDF fighter jets were scrambled against an intrusion by Chinese aircraft for two days in a row near the end of July.
　南西諸島では、沖縄本島以外に陸自部隊が駐留していない。沖縄周辺では７月末にも、２日連続で中国機に対する自衛隊の緊急発進（スクランブル）があった。

If the deployment of SDF units with land-to-air and surface-to-sea missiles is materialized, this country’s deterrence in that region will certainly be bolstered significantly.
　地対空、地対艦ミサイルを持つ部隊配備が実現すれば、この地域での抑止力は格段に高まる。

Gaining the consent of local community residents concerned is essential for the envisaged deployment of GSDF troops. The city assembly of Miyakojima island adopted a petition in July calling for early GSDF deployment, while the city mayor expressed his intention to support deployment. The Defense Ministry is also planning to deploy troops on Ishigakijima island. Arrangements to obtain local residents’ agreement should be advanced without delay.
　陸自の配備には、地元の合意形成が欠かせない。宮古島市議会は７月、早期配備を求める陳情を採択し、市長が受け入れを表明した。防衛省は、石垣島への部隊配備も計画している。地元との調整を遅滞なく進めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2015)

石炭火力発電 安定供給と環境対策の両立を

>　安全の確認できた原発を着実に再稼働させ、
まだこんなことをいっているのか！
原発が自然災害に勝てないのは福島で実証されている。
民間活力をそぐような愚策には違和感を覚える。
石炭発電の排出二酸化炭素量を減らす技術開発にお金をかけるほうが、まだまし。


The Yomiuri Shimbun
Coal-powered plants part of balance between stable supply, environment
石炭火力発電　安定供給と環境対策の両立を

How to strike a balance between stable power supply and measures against global warming? The government needs to present a path to this goal.
　電力の安定供給と地球温暖化対策をどう両立させていくか。政府が道筋を示す必要がある。

Environment Minister Yoshio Mochizuki has put holds on private-sector coal-fired power plant construction projects one after another.
　民間の石炭火力発電所の建設計画に、望月環境相が相次いで待ったをかけた。

Regarding projects in Aichi and Chiba prefectures, Mochizuki submitted written opinions to Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoichi Miyazawa on Aug. 14 and 28, respectively, saying that they “cannot be approved” based on the Environmental Impact Assessment Law. Regarding a project in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Mochizuki presented a similar written opinion in June.
　愛知、千葉両県内の建設計画について、８月１４日と２８日に、それぞれ環境影響評価法に基づき、「是認できない」とする意見書を宮沢経済産業相に提出した。山口県での計画に対しても、６月に同様の意見書を出している。

With its low fuel cost, coal-fired thermal power is an effective source of electricity. But it produces twice as much greenhouse gas as power generation using liquefied natural gas.
　石炭火力は燃料費の安い有用な電源だが、液化天然ガスの２倍近い温室効果ガスを排出する。

If new construction projects are approved easily, it will make it difficult to achieve the government’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent from the figure for fiscal 2013 by fiscal 2030. It is no wonder that the environment minister has a heightened sense of crisis as coal-fired thermal power plants are planned in turn.
　安易に新設を認めれば、温室効果ガスの排出量を２０３０年度までに２６％削減する政府目標の達成は困難だ。全国で石炭火力が次々に計画される中、環境相が危機感を強めるのも無理はない。

The government has put forth a policy of lowering the percentage of coal-fired power generation within the nation’s total electricity sources from the current 30 percent to 26 percent in 2030. However, major utility firms and new entrants have shown moves to build additional coal-fired thermal plants.
　政府は３０年の電源構成として、石炭火力の比率を、現在の３０％から２６％に引き下げる方針を示している。だが、大手電力や新規事業者は、コストが安く競争力の高い石炭火力の増設に動いている。

Coal-fired thermal power is a stable baseload electricity source as it can be generated day and night. Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, it has sustained the power supply in the face of a crisis caused by the suspension of all domestic nuclear power plants. It is natural for all utilities to rely on coal-fired power generation under such circumstances.
　石炭火力は、昼夜を問わず発電できる安定したベースロード電源だ。東日本大震災以降、原発不在の危機的な電力供給を支えた。電力各社が石炭火力を頼りにするのは、当然と言えよう。

While newly building up-to-the-minute coal-fired thermal power plants that discharge less greenhouse gas, it is essential to abolish superannuated facilities with poor power generation efficiency one after another.
　温室効果ガス排出量の少ない最新の石炭火力を新設する一方、発電効率の悪い老朽設備を順次、廃棄することが肝心である。

No clear control tower

It is problematic, however, that there is no clear control tower that makes adjustments on new construction and abolition projects to realize the optimal composition of electricity sources.
　問題なのは、新設と廃棄の具体的な計画を調整し、最適な電源構成を実現させるための司令塔が不明確なことだ。

It strikes us as strange that the environment minister puts the brakes on construction of individual coal-fired thermal projects in the name of environmental impact assessments. The industry and environment ministries must coordinate views with major utilities and new entrants in the private sector and present concrete and desirable ways to expand the system to secure electricity sources.
　環境相が、環境影響評価の名目で、個別の建設計画にブレーキをかける手法には違和感がある。経産省と環境省が民間の大手電力や新規事業者と調整し、具体的な電源整備の在り方を示すべきだ。

Also important is the role played by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, which has been established to coordinate power supply and demand on a nationwide basis.
　全国的な電力需給調整を担うために新設された電力広域的運営推進機関の役割も重要である。

It cannot be overlooked that construction plans on coal-fired power plants with a capacity of less than 112,500 kilowatts, which are not subject to the mandatory environmental impact assessment, have emerged at random. But this cannot be helped even if this is regarded as evasion of regulations.
　環境影響評価の対象外である１１・２５万キロ・ワット未満の石炭火力の建設計画が乱立していることは、看過できない。規制逃れとみられても仕方がない。

To prevent the abuse of legal loopholes, the Environment Ministry reportedly plans to expand environmental impact assessments to cover small-scale coal-fired power plants. The industry ministry, for its part, is considering tightening controls with a view to promoting the introduction of highly efficient facilities. Highly practical measures are called for to prevent additional coal-fired power plants from being built too easily.
　環境省は抜け穴を防ぐため、評価対象を小規模施設に拡大する方針という。経産省も高効率な設備の導入を促進するための規制強化を検討している。安易な石炭火力の増設を食い止めるため、実効性の高い対策が求められる。

One way to prevent excessive reliance on coal as an energy source would be for nuclear reactors to be restarted steadily after their safety is confirmed and for the government to present a policy of building new nuclear power stations.
　安全の確認できた原発を着実に再稼働させ、政府が原発新増設の方針を明示することが、過度な石炭依存を防ぐことになる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2015)