（社説）原発事故原因 究明求める声を聴け

August 01, 2014
EDITORIAL: Public demands the truth about Fukushima accident
（社説）原発事故原因　究明求める声を聴け

What is the whole truth about the nuclear disaster that hit this nation three years ago? We have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to this question.
　３年前の原発事故は何だったのか。私たちは納得いく答えをまだ得ていないではないか。

Public discontent about this fact was clearly reflected in a recent decision by an independent judicial panel of citizens concerning the criminal liability of three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. for the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　そんな国民の不満が反映された議決とみるべきだろう。

The Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution said July 31 that the three should be indicted over the 2011 disaster, rejecting a decision by prosecutors against prosecuting them.
　福島第一原発の事故をめぐり検察審査会が、東京電力の元幹部３人について、「起訴相当」とする議決書を公表した。

The panel’s action forces the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office to reconsider its decision to drop the case against the three former executives of the electric utility, which operates the stricken nuclear power plant.
　いったん不起訴処分とした東京地検は、起訴するかどうか改めて判断することになった。

Regardless of whether the three are actually indicted, there is no doubt that the panel’s call is a sign of public exasperation about the lack of serious efforts to get to the bottom of the nuclear disaster on the part of the government, the Diet and the utility.
　刑事責任の追及がどうなるかはさておき、この議決には、事故について徹底究明しようとしない政府と国会、東電に対する社会のいらだちが映し出されているのは確かだろう。

Both the government and the Diet have the power and ability to gather huge amounts of information about the accident and glean lessons from what happened. The authority is vested in the two institutions by the people.
　政府と国会には、事故に関する膨大な情報を集めて、教訓を引き出す権限と能力がある。国民が与えているのである。

But both the government and the Diet have failed to make a serious response to the people’s calls for a clarification of the causes of the accident.
　にもかかわらず、政府も国会も、原因究明を求める国民の思いにまったく応えていない。

This discontent has also been indicated by a recent opinion poll.
　その不満は、世論調査からも読み取れる。

In a national poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun in July, 59 percent of the respondents voiced opposition to the plan to restart reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, against 23 percent who supported it.
朝日新聞社による７月の全国世論調査では、九州電力川内（せんだい）原発（鹿児島県）の再稼働について「賛成」が２３％、「反対」が５９％だった。

When asked whether they thought that the lessons from the Fukushima accident had been incorporated into Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s energy policies, only 19 percent of the respondents said “yes,” while 61 percent answered negatively.
　安倍首相の政策に事故の教訓が生かされていると思うかとの問いには、そう思う人が１９％、否定が６１％だった。

The committees set up separately by the government and the Diet to investigate the accident both ended their inquiries after about one year of work. Both panels called for continued efforts to reveal the whole truth about the triple meltdown at the Fukushima plant. But virtually no specific step has been taken to do so.
　政府と国会が事故直後、別々につくった事故調査委員会は、いずれも１年前後で活動を終えた。どちらも引き続き究明を求めたが、今に至るまで具体的な動きはないに等しい。

Given the scale and severity of the accident, it is obvious that the hasty investigations conducted by the two panels are far from sufficient. The records of testimonies and the massive materials produced by their inquiries have not been made available for wide use.
　これだけの事故を起こしながら、駆け足の調査で済ませていいわけがない。両事故調が集めた証言録や資料も死蔵されたままである。

A full-scale probe into the accident should be resumed to make clear the lessons that should be learned before the relevant memories of people involved begin to fade.
　関係者の記憶が薄れぬ前に、早く本格的な調査を再開して教訓をきちんと示すべきだ。

The three former executives at TEPCO are facing possible charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. Legal action has been taken against them by survivors of the accident in Fukushima Prefecture and others. The plaintiffs are seeking to hold the three liable for damage caused by the disaster, such as the deaths of hospitalized patients and the exposure of local residents to radiation during evacuations.
　東電元幹部が問われている容疑は、業務上過失致死傷罪である。事故の避難途中に入院患者が死亡し、住民が被曝（ひばく）したなどとして、福島県内の被災者らが告訴・告発したものだ。

Important for proving their criminal liability are issues like whether the possibility of a powerful earthquake and huge tsunami triggering such a severe accident could be foreseen.
　刑事責任を問ううえでは、地震や津波の予見可能性などの立証が重みをもつ。

But efforts to draw lessons from the accident should not be focused only on such judicial viewpoints. The probe should be done from a broader perspective.
だが、教訓を引き出すうえでは、そうした司法の視点だけでなく、幅広い視野からの検証も重要である。

Whether local residents can be safely evacuated in nuclear emergencies is one of the key questions for the decision on whether to restart an idled nuclear power plant. But the criteria for deciding on whether to bring a reactor back online do not include the existence of an effective and workable evacuation plan.
　住民が安全に避難できるかどうかは、原発を再び動かすかどうかをめぐる最大の焦点のひとつだ。なのに、再稼働の前提となる基準には今も、避難態勢の整備は含まれていない。

What happened to local residents during the nuclear crisis? How did the electric utility respond to the crisis?
　あのとき、住民に何が起きたのか、電力会社の対応はどうだったのか。

In order to answer these and other key questions, it is vital to examine afresh the accident in an exhaustive manner from all possible angles.
あらゆる角度から、事故の徹底検証を進めることが不可欠である。

--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 1

最低賃金上げ 中小企業への目配りも大切だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Spare a thought for smaller firms in light of minimum wage hike
最低賃金上げ　中小企業への目配りも大切だ

To shore up consumption and help the economy finally shake off the shackles of deflation, it is vital that wages are raised.
　消費を下支えし、デフレを脱却するには、賃金の底上げが重要だ。

The Central Minimum Wages Council, a panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, has agreed to recommend that Japan’s minimum hourly wages for fiscal 2014 be increased by ¥16 on average from the previous year.
　厚生労働省の中央最低賃金審議会が、今年度の最低賃金（時給）の引き上げ幅を全国平均で１６円とする目安を決めた。

This would be a double-digit increase for the second consecutive year, and is expected to bump up the average minimum hourly wage to ¥780. In response to this recommendation, committees in prefectures across the nation will make final decisions on the increase to ensure the minimum wage fairly reflects local conditions. The new standards will be adopted in or around October.
　２年連続で２桁の大幅アップとなり、最低賃金は平均７８０円に上昇する見込みだ。この目安を参考に、各都道府県の審議会が地域の実情を踏まえて金額を決め、１０月ごろに改定される。

Currently, after-tax income earned by a worker on the minimum wage is less than they would receive in welfare benefits in Tokyo, Hokkaido and three other prefectures. This so-called reversal phenomenon, in which welfare benefits exceed the minimum wage, can deflate a worker’s incentive to keep working, a development that is rightly viewed as problematic.
　最低賃金を巡っては、生活保護の給付水準を下回る「逆転現象」が、労働意欲を損なうとして問題視されてきた。現在も５都道県で生じている。

The latest hike in the minimum wage is forecast to resolve this problem in all five prefectures—a development we warmly welcome.
　今回の引き上げで、それがすべて解消される見通しとなったことは、評価できよう。

The monthly income of a full-time worker earning the minimum wage will rise by an average of ¥2,500. With the increase of nonpermanent workers in recent years, many households whose breadwinner is on the minimum wage are barely making ends meet. The value of lifting the minimum wage is considerable.
　最低賃金でフルタイム働いた場合の月収は、平均で２５００円程度増える。非正規労働者の増加で、一家の担い手が最低賃金ぎりぎりで働くケースも多い。引き上げの意義は小さくない。

It is a fact that Japan’s minimum wage is among the lowest of advanced nations.
　日本の最低賃金が、先進国の中で低い水準にあるのも事実だ。

Buoyed by increasing signs of an economic recovery, this year’s shunto spring labor-management wage negotiations generated a wave of wage hikes, mainly for regular employees of major companies. However, amid rising prices and April’s increase in the consumption tax rate, the income for household budgets is effectively shrinking.
　景気の回復傾向を受け、今春闘で大企業を中心に賃上げが相次いだ。しかし、物価上昇に消費増税の影響も加わり、家計の実質的な収入は目減りしている。

For nonregular workers and employees at small and midsize companies, moves toward wage increases have been lukewarm.
　非正規労働者や、中小・零細企業では、賃上げの動きは鈍い。

Share the benefits around

There is growing frustration that the benefits of Abenomics, the bold economic policies of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, are not reaching every corner of society.
　安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の恩恵が及んでいないとの不満も強まっている。

The proposed hefty minimum wage increase appears to reflect the strong desire of the administration to haul the economy out of deflation. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura had called for an increase in minimum wage “equivalent to last year’s rise, or higher.”
　今回の大幅アップは、デフレ脱却を軌道に乗せたい政権の強い意向を反映したものと言えよう。田村厚労相は「昨年並みか、それより良い成果」を求めていた。

In recent years, more young people have been working in nonregular jobs and earning minimum wage. There has been a noticeable increase in people giving up on getting married and having children due to their financial situations. This has been a major factor in the accelerating decline in the population due to the nation’s low birth rate.
　若年層に低賃金の非正規雇用が増え、結婚や子育てをあきらめる人も目立つ。少子化を加速させる大きな要因となっている。

Raising the minimum wage is thus also vital from the perspective of countering the falling population.
最低賃金の引き上げは、人口減対策の観点からも重要である。

The public and private sectors should make efforts to ensure higher wages also spread to nonregular workers and other employees.
　非正規労働者などにも賃上げが波及するよう、官民を挙げた取り組みが求められる。

There are concerns that raising the minimum wage could put a squeeze on the management of small and midsize businesses. Many of these companies are already enduring tough financial conditions as they bear the brunt of soaring fuel and raw material costs due to the weaker yen.
　心配なのは、最低賃金の引き上げが、中小・零細企業の経営を圧迫しないかという点だ。多くの企業が、円安による原材料価格や燃料費の高騰に直面し、厳しい経営状況にある。

Simply telling these companies to boost wages could worsen their business performance even further. There are also fears that negative consequences, such as companies laying off employees, could escalate.
　賃金の引き上げを求めるだけでは、さらなる業績の悪化を招きかねない。従業員の解雇など弊害が拡大する恐れもある。

We think the government should keep a close eye on the actual state of small and midsize companies and prepare effective assistance for them, such as supporting their moves into sectors where growth is anticipated.
　政府は、中小企業の実情に目配りし、成長分野への進出を後押しするなど、効果的な支援策に取り組むべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2014)

（社説）子どもの貧困 ひとり親世帯を救おう

July 30, 2014
EDITORIAL: Labor reforms for single mothers needed to alleviate child poverty
（社説）子どもの貧困　ひとり親世帯を救おう

The government needs to first tackle the here-and-now problems of poverty if any improvements are to be made in the situation.
　事態を打開するため、まずは今そこにある貧困の解消に力を注いでほしい。

Japan’s child poverty rate hit a record high of 16.3 percent in 2012. This translates into one in six children living in households with incomes lower than half of the average.
　子どもの貧困率が、過去最悪の１６・３％（２０１２年）に達した。子どもの６人に１人が、平均的な所得の半分を下回る世帯に暮らしている。

The rate is among the worst in the developed world. In addition, Japan has been unable to curb the rise for nearly 30 years.
　この数字は、先進国の中では最悪クラスだ。しかも、この３０年近く、率の悪化に歯止めがかからずにいる。

The government is working on establishing guidelines to combat child poverty, but the question is what to put in the guidelines.
　政府は「子どもの貧困」対策の大綱づくりを進めている。そこに何を盛り込むか。

A panel of experts recommends a broad range of measures, with special emphasis on providing education-related support.
　有識者による検討会の提言には多岐にわたる対策が並んだ。とくに、教育支援策が充実している。

Education, which gives youngsters the skills to be self-supportive, is a vital tool for severing the cycle of poverty from generation to generation.
　教育は子どもに自立できる力をつける。親から子への貧困の連鎖を断つために大切だ。

But to save children who are struggling in poverty now, the poverty of their parents or guardians needs to be addressed first. And the gravest cases are single-parent families--especially single-mother families--half of which live below the poverty line.
　ただ、今すでに貧困にあえぐ子を救うには、まず保護者の貧困を改善する必要がある。深刻なのは貧困率が５割に及ぶひとり親世帯、とくに母子家庭だ。

About 80 percent of single mothers are working, but their average annual income is a measly 1.8 million yen ($17,600). About 10 percent of single mothers live on welfare. The root of the problems faced by these women lies deep; working does not get them out of poverty.
　母子世帯の母の８割は働いているが、仕事による年収は平均で１８０万円にすぎない。生活保護を受けているのは１割ほどだ。働いても貧しさを抜け出せないところに根深さがある。

One major factor that keeps them in poverty is that half of these women are working unstable, part-time jobs. One bold step the government could consider to correct this situation would be to subsidize companies that hire low-income single mothers for full-time positions.
　大きな要因は、不安定な非正規雇用が半数に及ぶことだ。たとえば、収入の低いシングルマザーを正規で雇い入れた企業には助成をする、といった思い切った手を打てないか。

Basically, the problems stem from the nation’s employment structure. Unless efforts are made to enable part-time workers to switch to full-time jobs, the poor will always remain poor. And the working conditions of part-time workers need to be improved, too.
　根本的には、雇用の構造から生じている問題だ。非正規雇用を正規にかえていく努力をしなければ、貧困に苦しむ人はなくならない。非正規の待遇改善も必要だ。

During a meeting of the experts panel, a demand was made for bigger child-support checks for low-income single-parent families. The demand came from such families themselves and their supporters. This should rate a high priority.
　検討会では「収入の低いひとり親家庭に支給される児童扶養手当を増額してほしい」との声が、当事者や支援者から上がった。優先順位は高いだろう。

The elimination of poverty is a long-term challenge. This is obvious from the fact that Japan has been unable to curb its child poverty rate for decades. Obviously, the government must not think its work is done once it establishes the guidelines for combating child poverty.
　貧困の根絶には息の長い取り組みが要る。それは貧困率に長年歯止めがかからなかったことからも明らかだ。大綱を作って終わりにしてはならない。

In fact, to ensure that the efficacy of the recommended measures is closely examined down the road, the guidelines should spell out numerical targets for lowering the poverty rate and raising the rates of youngsters advancing to higher education and finding jobs afer graduation.
　政策の効果を検証できるように、大綱には貧困率や進学率、就職率などを改善する数値目標を定めておくべきだ。

Private organizations around the nation provide teaching and food aid to children from poor families, and they are proving quite helpful. But the reality is that such organizations are struggling financially and must rely heavily on the goodwill of their dedicated members.
　生活の苦しい家庭の子どもに学習や食事を支援する民間組織は各地にあり、効果をあげている。ただ、どこもメンバーの献身的な努力に支えられているのが実情で、運営は厳しい。

At the meeting of the experts panel, a proposal was made to create a fund, sponsored by both the public and private sectors, to finance the activities of those goodwill organizations.
　検討会では、こうした活動の支援にも使える官民基金の創設が提案された。

We certainly support such a fund, as it is the responsibility of society at large to raise the next generation. We believe in individual citizens providing whatever help they can, not only to their own children and grandchildren.
わが子や孫だけでなく、よその子にも出来る範囲で手をさしのべる。社会で子どもを育てるために、そういう仕組みがあっていい。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 30

（社説）ミサイル発射 日朝協議でも説得を

July 29, 2014
EDITORIAL: Japan must tell North Korea that its provocations are pointless
（社説）ミサイル発射　日朝協議でも説得を

North Korea has kept up a series of provocative missile launches this year. In its latest test, apparently a political gesture, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan off its eastern coast on July 26.
　北朝鮮がミサイルやロケット砲の発射実験を繰り返している。先週末も日本海に向けて短距離ミサイルを１発撃った。

North Korea's history of reckless tests of nuclear weapons and missiles caused the U.N. Security Council to tighten international sanctions against the secretive regime.
　北朝鮮は、これまでも核やミサイルの無謀な実験を重ね、国連安全保障理事会から制裁を強められてきた。

Even a short-range missile test is enough to antagonize the international community and deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation. It's time that North Korea came to grips with the absurdity of its actions.
　短距離であってもミサイル発射は国際社会への挑戦であり、自国の孤立を深みに追い込む。その愚かさを悟るべきだ。

Politically, North Korea appears to be trying to exert pressure on the government of South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
　発射の政治的なねらいは、まず韓国の朴槿恵（パククネ）政権を意識したものとみられる。

The Park administration has been beset by a string of serious accidents, crimes and scandals at home, and North Korea seems intent on gaining the upper hand ahead of talks it must have with South Korea sooner or later.
　事件事故や不祥事など国内事情で苦境に立つ朴大統領を圧迫し、いずれ始まる南北協議を有利なかたちで始めたい、とみるのが妥当だろう。

The Park administration has pledged to make efforts to improve the North-South relationship but maintained a hard-line stance toward Pyongyang. This policy has not gone down well in North Korea and blighted prospects for dialogue between the two countries.
　朴政権は対北関係の改善を掲げてはいるが、実際には強硬姿勢を崩していない。そのため、北朝鮮は反発を強めており、対話は軌道に乗っていない。

North Korea has shown that its missiles can reach any part of South Korea. In the meantime, it has announced its intention to send athletes and cheerleaders to the Asian Games in September. The multisport event is slated to be held in South Korea's northwestern city of Incheon.
　北朝鮮は韓国を射程に収めるミサイルを撃ち続ける半面、９月に韓国・仁川で始まるスポーツ行事、アジア大会への選手や応援団の派遣を表明した。

The North has said a “peaceful environment” needs to be created for its participation, implying that it wants scheduled joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea in August to be called off. The North Korean regime is trying to put pressure on the Park administration by using both a hard and a soft approach.
　だが、そのためには「平和的な環境が整えられるべきだ」とも訴える。来月予定される米韓合同軍事演習の中止を暗に求めるなど、硬軟織り交ぜて朴政権を揺さぶっている。

As it is pursues this diplomatic strategy, North Korea may be seeking to make tactical use of its talks with Japan over Pyongyang’s past abductions of Japanese citizens and other issues.
　そうした対外戦術をめぐらすなかで北朝鮮は、日本人拉致問題などをめぐる日朝協議も利用しようとしている恐れがある。

Pyongyang’s recent missile tests should be considered also as a tactical move to achieve certain diplomatic objectives concerning relations among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul.
　最近のミサイルの発射にも、日米韓をにらんだ思惑がにじんでいるとみるべきだろう。

The Japanese government lodged a protest against the missile tests, but intends to continue holding talks with the North after concluding that they did not pose any immediate threat to Japanese territory or the general population.
But the North’s actions have different security implications for South Korea.
　日本政府は発射に抗議しつつも、日朝協議は続ける意向だ。「ただちに日本の領土や国民に重要な影響をおよぼさない」などとの理由だが、そうした影響評価は韓国とは当然ずれる。

That is why both the United States and South Korea are casting a wary eye on Japan’s plan to continue talks with Pyongyang. At the same time, they have expressed their understanding of Tokyo’s motive.
　日本の協議継続の姿勢に米韓が理解を示しながらも、不安なまなざしを向けるゆえんだ。

The relationship between Japan and South Korea remains deeply strained mainly over differences in their views about history-related issues and a territorial dispute. If the two countries fail to put up a united front in dealing with North Korea, they risk playing right into Pyongyang’s hands.
　ただでさえ歴史認識などで関係が悪い日韓が、北朝鮮政策でも足並みを乱せば、それこそ北朝鮮の思うつぼだろう。

Viewed from another angle, it can be said that Japan is currently the only country that is able to engage in direct, head-on diplomatic talks with the secluded regime in Pyongyang. In the bilateral talks on trying to resolve the abduction issue, Tokyo should keep urging Pyongyang to stop provocative acts like missile launches.
　見方をかえれば、北朝鮮と今、正面から向き合えるパイプを持つのは日本だけだ。拉致問題と並行して、直接対話でミサイルなどの挑発行動をやめるよう求め続けるべきである。

There is speculation that North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Myanmar next month. The conference may offer a rare opportunity for Japan to communicate with a high-level official of North Korea.
　来月にミャンマーである東南アジア諸国連合の会合には、北朝鮮の李洙ヨン（リスヨン）外相が出席する可能性が取りざたされる。北朝鮮の高いレベルと意思を交わす機会になるかもしれない。

Japan needs to use its official talks with North Korea wisely in its tenacious efforts to make the regime realize that military provocation is not in its best interest.
　日本は政府間協議の継続をてこに、軍事挑発は北朝鮮のためにならないことをねばり強く説く必要がある。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 29

（社説）再エネと地域 「主権」育てる好機に

EDITORIAL: Renewable energy promotion a good opportunity to nurture local ‘sovereignty’
（社説）再エネと地域　「主権」育てる好機に

A recent survey jointly conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and Hitotsubashi University has found that 80 percent of municipalities throughout the country that responded to the questionnaire are willing to promote renewable energies for regional development.
　朝日新聞と一橋大学が共同で実施したアンケートで、回答した全国の自治体の８割が再生可能エネルギーの推進に意欲的で、地域振興に役立てようとしていることがわかった。

More than three years have passed since the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. During the period, the local governments have been “deepening” their efforts from moves to review power sources to attempts to reconstruct their areas by themselves.
　福島第一原発の事故から３年以上。発電の方法を見直す動きから、地域を自分たちの手で再構築する試みへと深化しつつある様子がうかがえる。

For example, some municipalities are using the revenue earned from the sale of electricity to electric power companies to operate welfare facilities. Others are increasing local employment by setting up companies to maintain power generation facilities. The number of power plants established by collecting funds from citizens and others in their local areas apparently exceeds 500.
　例えば、電力会社に電気を売って得た収益を福祉施設の運営に回したり、発電設備を維持し保守する会社をつくって雇用創出につなげたり。地域で資金を募って設立する市民共同型の発電所も増え、５００を超える勢いだ。

If electricity sales are liberalized in the future, consumers will be able to choose their electric power company or sources of the electricity when they purchase it. To prepare for such a time, some producers in the agricultural, fishery or forestry industries are considering selling electricity directly to consumers in distant areas along with their products.
　いずれ電力が自由化されれば、電力会社や電源を選んで電気を買えるようになる。そんな将来をにらんで、農業や漁業、林業の生産者が遠隔地の消費者とつながり、直売する地場産品の中に、電気も組み込もうという構想も生まれている。

There are also some moves that go beyond conventional economic activities.
　経済活動の枠組みには収まりきらない動きも現れている。

In Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, an organization is operating not only a solar power plant but also a vegetable farm using electricity from the plant. In addition, it is offering learning opportunities to children in those facilities.
　原発被災地となった福島県南相馬市では、太陽光発電所とそこでできた電力を使った植物工場を運営しながら、子どもたちが体験学習できる場がある。

The organization’s representative director, Eiju Hangai, is a former director of Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Minami-Soma is his hometown. Reflecting on the nuclear accident, he started the project. His purpose is to nurture people who think and act for themselves through learning of the mechanism of electricity and how to use it.
　代表理事の半谷栄寿さんは地元出身で東京電力の元役員。事故の反省から事業を起こした。目標とするのは電気の仕組みや活用法の学習を通じて「自分で考え行動する」人材を育てることだという。

So far, the development of electricity sources has tended to separate “people who generate electricity” from “those who use it.” In particular, nuclear power has been generated for urban areas where large amounts of electricity are consumed. Places that can serve as good locations to host nuclear power plants have been limited. Therefore, municipalities that can receive benefits from those plants have also been limited.
　これまでの電源開発は「つくる人」と「使う人」が分かれがちだった。とりわけ原発は、大量に電力を消費する都会向けにつくられてきた。立地条件も限られ、恩恵を受ける「地元」も一部にとどまった。

As for regional development, local governments have so far asked big companies to set up factories in their areas or implemented public works projects with subsidies. One of the typical cases was to ask for construction of nuclear power plants.
　地域振興にしても、これまでは大企業を誘致したり補助金でハコモノをつくったりという他力本願型。その面でも原発誘致は典型だった。

Renewable energies have a technical problem from the standpoint of a stable electricity supply. The feed-in-tariff system, in which electric power companies have to buy electricity from renewable energy producers at fixed prices, also has a defect because consumers have to pay higher electricity rates unless costs to develop electricity sources decline.
　確かに、安定的な電力供給という面では、再生可能エネルギーに技術的な課題は残る。固定価格での買い取り制度も、電源の開発費用が下がらないと料金負担が大きくなる欠点がある。

In spite of that, renewable energies that can be obtained easily in local areas will become catalysts to nurture “sovereignty” in those areas by changing the traditional way of thinking.
　それでも、地域に普通にある資源をいかす再生可能エネルギーは、従来の発想を転換させて、地域に「主権」を育むきっかけになる。

If municipalities promote renewable energy projects, they will face various problems and differences of opinions among residents. How will they overcome those difficulties and obtain understanding from them? It will be testing sites for “small democracies.”
　自分たちで事業を進めれば難題や意見の相違にもぶつかる。どう乗り越え、いかに納得するか。小さな民主主義の実践が積み重なる。

A growing number of people are thinking about energies from the context of their areas and lives. We want to support such a move.
　自分たちの町や生活と関連づけてエネルギーをとらえる機運を歓迎したい。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27

ガザ流血拡大 本格停戦への道筋を探りたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Concessions needed on both sides to secure durable Gaza ceasefire
ガザ流血拡大　本格停戦への道筋を探りたい

The United States, European countries and the United Nations should act in concert with Middle East nations capable of exercising influence over the warring parties to bring about a long-lasting cessation to ongoing hostilities.
　米国や欧州、国連は、紛争当事者に影響力を持つ中東諸国と連携し、本格的な停戦への道筋をつけてもらいたい。

The shedding of blood has been escalating in the conflict between Hamas, the militant Islamic group that dominates the Gaza Strip, which is part of the Palestine autonomous territories, and Israel. Although both sides temporarily reached a brief ceasefire in the fighting, there are no immediate prospects at all for an end to the conflict.
　パレスチナ自治区ガザを実効支配するイスラム主義組織ハマスとイスラエルの軍事衝突で流血が拡大している。両者は一時的には停戦したが、事態が収拾する見通しは立っていない。

In addition to air strikes, Israeli troops have launched a ground offensive in Gaza. This operation is aimed at finding and destroying Hamas’ large number of underground tunnels crisscrossing the Gaza border. This is because the tunnel network has been exploited for firing rockets and across-the-border assaults by Hamas militants against Israel.
　イスラエル軍は、空爆に加えてガザへの地上侵攻に踏み切った。ガザに張り巡らされた多数の地下トンネルの全面的な破壊を目標としている。トンネル網が、イスラエルへのロケット弾の発射や越境攻撃に利用されているためだ。

As many tunnels have been constructed beneath residential and other civilian facilities, a large number of civilians have been killed. This is a matter of grave concern. The number of people who have been killed on both sides since Israel began its offensive on July 8 has reportedly passed 1,000.
　トンネルは、住宅や民間施設の地下にもあるため、多くの民間人の犠牲者を生んでいる。ゆゆしき事態である。双方の死者は計１０００人を超えたという。

The United Nations has strongly condemned the Israeli offensive in which hospitals, schools and evacuation facilities have been attacked, as well as the despicable means Hamas has of employing civilians as human shields in the conflict, as both possibly “amounting to war crimes.”
　国連は、病院や学校、退避施設も対象とするイスラエル軍の攻撃と、民間人を「人間の盾」に使うハマスの卑劣な手段を「戦争犯罪となり得る」と強く非難した。

Israel, which has a firepower overwhelmingly superior to that of Hamas, justifies its offensive as “exercising our right of self-defense.” This is hardly reasonable. At the very least, Israel must avoid attacking civilian facilities. Hamas, for its part, must promptly stop responses that treat human life lightly.
　火力で圧倒的に勝るイスラエルが自国の攻撃を「自衛権の行使」などと正当化する説明には、無理がある。少なくとも、民間施設に対する攻撃は回避すべきだ。ハマスも、人命を軽んじる対応を早急にやめる必要がある。

More efforts essential

Such figures as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon have continued to mediate the situation. On top of their efforts, cooperation not only from the two Arab countries with diplomatic relations with Israel—Egypt and Jordan—but also from countries with influence over Hamas, such as Qatar and Turkey, is indispensable for resolving the crisis.
　ケリー米国務長官や国連の潘基文事務総長が、仲介外交を続けている。イスラエルと国交のあるエジプトやヨルダンに加え、ハマスに影響力を持つカタールやトルコなどの協力が欠かせない。

With many regions in the Middle East being thrown into turmoil because of the civil wars in Syria and Iraq, countries in the environs of Israel and the Gaza Strip have been unable to unite in halting the Gaza conflict. The influence of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah-Sissi, who has regarded Hamas with hostility for years, is considered limited.
　シリアやイラクの内戦などで中東各地が混乱する中、周辺の関係国が結束できずにいる。ハマスを長年敵視してきたエジプトのシシ大統領の影響力も限定的だ。

Prior to the latest 12-hour humanitarian truce, Kerry came out with a proposal for a seven-day lull in fighting so consultations could be held to realize a full-fledged accord on a prolonged ceasefire.
　ケリー長官は、戦闘を１週間停止し、その間に本格停戦に向けた協議を行うとの案を提示した。

Both Israel and Hamas turned down the proposal, but the United States and other countries concerned should persevere. They should tenaciously consider ways to work out a plan acceptable to both Israel and Hamas.
　イスラエルとハマスは提案を拒否したが、米欧や関係国はあきらめず、双方が受け入れ可能な案を粘り強く探ってほしい。

To put a full-scale truce in place, concessions on both sides are essential, with a guarantee of Israel’s security on one hand and steps to help rebuild Gaza, a chronically impoverished region because of a seven-year-long economic blockade by Israel, on the other. The impasse can never be resolved by military power alone.
　本格停戦には、イスラエルに対する安全の保証や、７年に及ぶ経済封鎖で慢性的な困窮状態に置かれたガザの再建に向けた、双方の歩み寄りが欠かせない。軍事力だけでは問題は解決しない。

The fact that Israel and Hamas reached an accord on the truce from a humanitarian viewpoint is praiseworthy, even though it is only for 12 hours. The pause in fighting makes it possible for Gaza residents, including those who have been wounded, to evacuate to safer areas and stock up on such supplies as food and medicine.
　イスラエルとハマスが、１２時間の時限的措置とはいえ、人道的観点から戦闘を中断したことは評価できる。これにより、負傷者を含むガザ住民の避難や、食料や医薬品などの搬入が可能になった。

Although there is little room for optimism over what lies ahead, the mutual concessions Israel and Hamas demonstrated this time should be made the first step toward a breakthrough for resolving the Gaza crisis.
　停戦工作の前途は楽観できないが、今回の歩み寄りを問題解決への一歩としなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2014)

朴・舛添会談 国民の心を遠ざけたのは誰か

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Who caused alienation in hearts of Japanese, South Korean people?
朴・舛添会談　国民の心を遠ざけたのは誰か

It was regrettable to see South Korean President Park Geun-hye continue her anti-Japan position of unilaterally criticizing this nation when she met Tokyo Gov.
　歴史問題で一方的に日本を非難する反日姿勢に変化がなかったことは、残念である。

Yoichi Masuzoe for talks in Seoul on Friday.
　韓国の朴槿恵大統領がソウルで、東京都の舛添要一知事と会談した。

Park stressed that the deterioration in Japan-South Korean relations stemmed from the “words and acts of some politicians,” and added that it was necessary for the two nations to share a correct perception of history if they want their relationship to develop. These comments are a repetition of her pet opinion critical of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s historical perception.
　朴氏は、日韓関係の悪化について「一部政治家の言動」が原因だと強調した。関係発展には「正しい歴史認識」の共有が必要だとも語った。安倍首相の歴史観を批判する持論を繰り返したものだ。

Park also indicated that she would put top priority on solving the issue of so-called comfort women, which she said was “a matter related to universal human rights.”
　朴氏は、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題について「普遍的な人権に関する問題だ」と述べ、その解決を最優先する考えも示した。

Ahead of Masuzoe’s talks with Park, Abe asked him to convey a message to the president. The message said, “The door for dialogue is always open,” indicating his desire to hold a bilateral summit meeting. Park’s comments, however, can be taken to show her continued determination to make the settlement of the comfort women issue and other issues a precondition for meeting with Abe.
　今回の会談に先立ち、安倍首相は「対話のドアは常に開いている」と日韓首脳会談を望むメッセージを舛添氏に託していた。だが、朴氏の発言は、慰安婦問題の解決などを首脳会談の前提条件とし続けたものと受け止められよう。

Park did hail an exchange project under consideration between Tokyo and Seoul and supported a plan for parties concerned to cooperate in hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
　朴氏は、東京・ソウルの自治体交流構想を評価し、東京と平昌の日韓双方の五輪開催に向けて関係者が協力することも支持した。

But such exchanges will inevitably be limited under this abnormal situation, in which Park has been refusing to meet Abe ever since she was inaugurated nearly 1½ years ago.
　しかし、朴氏が就任後、１年半近くも首脳会談を拒否している異常な状況下では、こうした交流にも限界があるだろう。

Park part of the problem

“It’s regrettable that a difficult political situation seems to be alienating [Japanese and South Korean] people’s hearts from each other,” Park said during her talk with Masuzoe. We found it odd for her to speak as if she were not a party to this problem.
　朴氏が会談で、「政治的に困難な状況になり、（日韓の）国民の心まで遠くなっていくようで残念に思う」と人ごとのように語ったことには違和感を覚える。

Her backbiting diplomacy of criticizing Japan in front of foreign dignitaries has provoked ire in Japan. What does she think about her own responsibility for this?
　他国要人の前で日本を批判する朴氏の「告げ口外交」は、日本で強い反発を招いている。自らの責任をどう考えているのか。

After the March summit meeting among Japan, the United States and South Korea, which was mediated by U.S. President Barack Obama, Tokyo and Seoul started talks by foreign affairs officials at the director general level.
　オバマ米大統領の仲介による３月の日米韓首脳会談を受けて、日韓の局長級協議が始まった。

The South Korean officials are seeking concessions from their Japanese counterparts over the comfort women issue, while the Japanese side took up the issue of lawsuits filed by South Koreans conscripted to work in factories in Japan during World War II. No progress has been made in their talks.
　韓国側は、慰安婦問題で日本の譲歩を求め、日本側は、韓国人元徴用工の訴訟問題などを取り上げたが、議論は進んでいない。

Early this month, a Seoul hotel abruptly refused to provide a venue for an event commemorating the inauguration of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, in response to a flood of protests it received after an influential South Korean newspaper blasted the event.
　今月上旬には、ソウルのホテルが突然、自衛隊創設記念行事の開催を拒否する事態が起きた。韓国有力紙が行事を批判したのがきっかけで、ホテルに抗議が殺到したためだという。

This was a result of Park spreading anti-Japanese sentiment throughout South Korean society.
　朴氏が韓国社会に反日ムードを蔓延まんえんさせた結果だろう。

What should not be overlooked is her stance of joining forces with China’s leadership over historical issues. During her talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Park and Xi jointly expressed alarm over recent progress in Japan-North Korean talks.
　看過できないのは、朴氏が歴史問題などで、中国との共闘姿勢を見せていることだ。習近平国家主席との会談では、最近の日本と北朝鮮の協議進展を警戒する点でも、足並みをそろえた。

In addition to North Korean issues, there are many issues that require cooperation between Japan and South Korea, including the conclusion of a bilateral economic partnership agreement and the implementation of measures to deal with air pollution from China. We wonder if Park believes no efforts are necessary to break the impasse over bilateral relations.
　日韓が連携すべき課題は、対北朝鮮政策のほか、日韓自由貿易協定、中国からの大気汚染対策など、数多い。朴氏はこのまま、日韓関係停滞の打開策を探らなくてもいいと考えているのだろうか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2014)

中国期限切れ肉 外資企業にも及んだ背信行為

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Expired meat scandal in China a betrayal of Japan’s safety efforts
中国期限切れ肉　外資企業にも及んだ背信行為

Yet again, a problem that greatly damages the trustworthiness of Chinese-made food products has been exposed. This is a matter of enormous concern.
　中国製食品の信頼性を著しく損なう事件が、またも起こった。ゆゆしき事態である。

Shanghai Husi Food Co., a Shanghai-based subsidiary of a major U.S. food processing company, was revealed to have shipped meat products that had passed their expiration dates.
　中国・上海にある米食品加工大手の子会社「上海福喜食品」が、品質保持期限を過ぎた肉製品を出荷していたことが発覚した。

As a result, McDonald’s Co. (Japan) and leading convenience store chain FamilyMart Co., both of which had imported chicken meat from Husi Food, have been forced to suspend sales of some of their products.
　この会社から鶏肉製品を輸入していた日本マクドナルドとファミリーマートが、一部商品の販売中止に追い込まれた。

Chinese police authorities have concluded that the selling of meat past its sell-by date was the result of illegal production led by Husi Food’s management. They detained five people, including the factory’s quality manager. The full scope of the situation must be elucidated promptly.
　中国当局は、上海福喜食品による組織的な違法生産と断定し、工場責任者ら５人を拘束した。実態解明を急いでもらいたい。

According to the Chinese TV reports that revealed the meat shipping irregularities, the Husi Food factory repackaged meat products that had been returned unsold by turning them into ground meat. The chicken meat, which investigators said required frozen storage, was handled in a warehouse at room temperature.
　問題を暴露した中国のテレビ報道によると、工場では、返品された商品をミンチにして再利用していた。冷凍保存が必要な鶏肉は、常温の倉庫に置かれていた。

Regarding the mixing of out-of-date meat into ordinary ground meat, one factory employee was quoted as making the remarkable assertion, “People won’t die from consuming expired foods.” That sentiment is emblematic of the many words and deeds pointing to the total moral failure at food-processing facilities, where the safety of consumers should have been the absolute top priority.
　従業員は、期限切れの肉を混ぜることについて、「食べても死なない」と言い放った。消費者の安全を最優先すべき食品製造現場のモラル崩壊を象徴する言動だ。

In a 2008 incident in China, baby formula was tainted with a toxic chemical, affecting the health of about 300,000 babies and toddlers. There has been a seemingly uninterrupted stream of food-related problems in China, including the revelation last year of the distribution of rice contaminated with cadmium.
　中国では２００８年、粉ミルクに有害物質が混入し、乳幼児約３０万人に健康被害が出た。昨年にはカドミウム汚染米の流通が発覚するなど、問題が後を絶たない。

The tendency to disregard consumers’ health and put profits ahead of all else is likely behind this succession of problems.
　金儲もうけを優先し、消費者の健康を軽視する風潮が背景にあるのは間違いあるまい。

Dependence on China foods

The Chinese public is extremely dissatisfied with this state of affairs, in which the need for safe food receives little scrutiny. The leadership of the Chinese Communist Party administration, eager to ensure the stability of society, may have found it necessary to hurriedly launch law enforcement investigations into the latest food scandal, aiming to demonstrate the government’s intent to clamp down rigorously on such wrongdoing.
　食の安全がおろそかにされている現状に対し、中国国民の不満は強い。社会の安定に腐心する共産党政権は、不正に厳しく対処する姿勢を示すため、素早く強制捜査に乗り出したのだろう。

What cannot be ignored in the Husi Food case is that the illegal production occurred at the factory of a foreign-capitalized company—one generally believed to operate in a relatively safe manner compared to Chinese-run firms.
　看過できないのは、比較的安全とされた外資企業で違法生産が行われていたことである。

A deliberate poisoning incident in 2008, in which an employee at a Chinese food firm laced frozen gyoza dumplings with pesticide, spurred food processing companies affiliated with Japanese food firms and trading houses to redouble their efforts to enforce strong quality control and ensure the maintenance of a high standard of food safety. In recent years, food imports to Japan from China have been steadily growing.
　従業員が殺虫剤を混入させた０８年の中国製冷凍ギョーザ中毒事件を契機に、日系のメーカーや商社は品質管理に一層努め、安全水準を維持してきた。中国からの食品輸入額も回復しつつある。

This incident at Husi Food is an unmistakable betrayal of the work of many on the Japanese side and throws cold water on their food quality crusade.
　今回の事件は、日本側のこうした取り組みに冷や水を浴びせる背信行為と言わざるを得ない。

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has ordered the suspension of food imports from Shanghai Husi Food. Over the past year, Japan’s chicken meat imports from the company totaled 6,000 tons. Thorough probes must be conducted to determine whether the firm had previously shipped expired meat, to help alleviate customers’ anxiety.
　厚生労働省は、上海福喜食品からの輸入を差し止めた。過去１年間に輸入された鶏肉製品は６０００トンに上る。消費者の不安を軽減するため、期限切れのものがなかったか、徹底調査が必要だ。

The continued existence of Japan’s food industries relies on low-priced ingredients produced in China.
　日本の食産業は今や、中国産の安価な食材なしには成り立たない状況にある。

Companies importing Chinese goods must strengthen their inspection and supervision systems, working from the assumption that people should be deemed dishonest by nature when it comes to food processing in China. These companies may have to take such measures as arranging regular factory visits by officials from Japan for safety checks and installing security cameras in factories.
　輸入企業に求められるのは、中国側の生産工程では不正が起こり得るという性悪説に立った監督・検査体制の強化だ。防犯カメラの設置や、現地に出向いての定期的なチェックは欠かせまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 25, 2014)

撃墜非難決議 国際調査にはまだ障害がある

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Despite UNSC resolution, investigation of MH17 downing still faces obstacles
撃墜非難決議　国際調査にはまだ障害がある

To ensure that the truth behind this tragic incident can be quickly determined, all parties involved in the conflict and other nations that have a stake in the matter, including Russia, should positively cooperate with an international investigation team.
　悲惨な事件の真相を早期に究明するため、ロシアなど関係国と紛争当事者は国際調査団に積極的に協力すべきだ。

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane over eastern Ukraine last week.
　ウクライナ東部で発生したマレーシア航空旅客機の撃墜事件について、国連安全保障理事会が、強く非難する決議を全会一致で採択した。

The resolution called on all states to cooperate fully with efforts to ensure that those responsible for this incident will be held to account. It demanded that pro-Russian militant groups that control the area where the plane came down immediately provide international investigators “safe, secure, full and unrestricted access to the site” and “refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site.”
　決議は、事件の責任者を追及するよう国際社会に呼びかけた。現場を支配する親ロシア派武装集団に対しては、「調査団の安全、完全かつ無制限の立ち入り」と「現場の保存」を要求している。

In the days after the airliner was shot down, armed rebels brazenly interfered with investigators’ efforts to examine the crash site and removed bodies of the victims. Some of their actions appeared to constitute tampering with evidence, such as their quick retrieval of the black boxes that contain flight data and records of communications between the flight crew and others.
　武装集団は事件後、調査団の立ち入りや犠牲者の遺体の搬出を公然と妨害した。飛行データや通信内容を記録した「ブラックボックス」をいち早く現場から回収するなど、証拠隠滅と見られる動きもしてきた。

The Security Council’s adoption of a legally binding resolution demanding the correction of these actions is significant.
　国連安保理が、法的拘束力を持つ決議によって、その行動の是正を求めた意味は小さくない。

The militants accepted the resolution and have handed two black boxes to Malaysian authorities. They have also relented on their initial refusal to hand over the victims’ bodies. Although this has come far too late, they are steps in the right direction.
　武装集団は決議を受け、２個のブラックボックスをマレーシア当局に引き渡した。犠牲者の遺体搬出にも応じた。遅きに失した対応だが、一歩前進ではある。

Ukraine and the United States have criticized the Russian military’s involvement in this incident, including its provision of surface-to-air missiles to the pro-Russian militants. Their accusations are backed by evidence, including satellite images of the missile launch and intercepted conversations and communications between the militants after the plane was shot down.
　ウクライナや米国は、親露派に対する地対空ミサイル供与など、ロシア軍の事件への関与を非難してきた。ミサイル発射の衛星画像や、撃墜後の武装集団の会話傍受記録などを根拠としたものだ。

Onus on Moscow

As the main supporter of the rebels, Russia has an important role to play in the investigation.
　武装集団の後ろ盾であるロシアが果たすべき役割は大きい。

Moscow supported the resolution in an apparent bid to avoid becoming internationally isolated at a time when Britain, France and Germany are considering tightening sanctions on Russia as anti-Russia sentiment grows in Europe, where most of the passengers on Flight MH17 came from.
　ロシアが決議に賛成したのは、多くの犠牲者を出した欧州で反露感情が高まり、英独仏が対露制裁強化を検討する中で、国際的な孤立を回避する狙いからだろう。

However, there is no guarantee efforts to unravel the truth will progress smoothly. Russia continues to say one thing while it does another.
　しかし、真相究明が円滑に進む保証はない。ロシアが言行不一致を続けているためだ。

Although Moscow has indicated its willingness to cooperate with the investigation, it still denies involvement in the incident. It has lambasted Ukraine for permitting civilian aircraft to fly through airspace over a conflict zone as “criminal,” and also has been trying to shift the blame for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane.
　ロシアは、調査に協力する姿勢を示しながら、事件への関与を否定している。ウクライナが戦闘地域上空での民間機航行を認めていたことを「犯罪的だ」などと批判し、責任転嫁も図っている。

We think Russian President Vladimir Putin has a responsibility to exercise the influence he wields over the armed groups and supply whatever information he possesses to ensure the international investigation team can get to the bottom of what really happened.
　プーチン露大統領には、国際調査団による真相究明が前進するよう、自らが保有する情報を提供するとともに、武装集団への影響力を行使する責任がある。

The investigation will clarify whether the claims made by Washington and Moscow have reason on their side. The International Civil Aviation Organization and nations caught up in this incident must ensure that a fair, transparent investigation can be conducted.
　米露どちらの主張に理があるかは、調査が明らかにするだろう。関係国や国際民間航空機関（ＩＣＡＯ）は、公平かつ透明な形で調査を進めなければならない。

The Security Council resolution also demanded that all military activities immediately cease in the area surrounding the crash site. Using this opportunity, the Ukrainian military and the pro-Russian armed groups should refrain from hostilities and work toward an immediate ceasefire.
　安保理決議は、現場周辺での軍事活動の停止も訴えた。これを機に、ウクライナ軍と親露派武装集団は戦闘行動を自制し、早期停戦に動くことが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 23, 2014)

ＢＲＩＣＳ開銀 欧米主導への対抗軸となるか

note:
Q:
What are the Bretton Woods Institutions?
A:
The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944.
(srachai)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Can BRICS bank be counterweight to current intl financial order?
ＢＲＩＣＳ開銀　欧米主導への対抗軸となるか

A recent announcement by the BRICS countries, which have grown in economic stature, can be considered a demonstration of a stance that rivals the international financial order led by the United States and European countries.
　経済力を増した新興国が、欧米主導の国際金融秩序に対抗姿勢を示したと言えよう。

The BRICS emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—decided at a recent group summit to create a new development bank.
　ブラジル、ロシア、インド、中国、南アフリカの新興５か国（ＢＲＩＣＳ）首脳会議は、「新開発銀行」を創設することを決定した。

The new bank is intended to fund infrastructure projects in emerging economies and developing countries, with each of the five countries contributing $10 billion. The bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, and its first president will be from India.
　新興国や途上国による社会基盤（インフラ）整備などを支援するのが目的で、５か国が１００億ドルずつ出資する。中国の上海に本部を置き、初代総裁はインドの出身者が務めることになった。

In addition to the planned development bank, the BRICS countries have also agreed to create a joint foreign reserve fund of $100 billion. The fund will assist these countries, by providing a well of foreign currency at the time of a future financial crisis.
　新開銀とは別に、金融危機の際に外貨融通などの支援を行えるようにするため、１０００億ドルを共同で積み立てる外貨準備基金を設けることでも合意した。

With their growing presence, the attempt by these economies to take on important roles in assisting developing countries and maintaining the international financial order warrants recognition.
　存在感を増す新興国が、途上国支援や国際金融秩序の維持に一定の役割を果たそうとしていることは評価できる。

Behind the creation of the new development bank lies a strong sense of discontent among emerging and developing countries over the current U.S.- and Europe-led international financial order.
　新開銀設立の背景には、欧米の主導する現在の国際金融秩序に、新興・途上国が強い不満を持っているという事情がある。

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have long contributed to the world’s economic system, such as by assisting developing countries and working to check financial crises.
　国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）や世界銀行は長年、途上国の支援や危機回避に貢献してきた。

Yet in crucial times, such as Asia’s currency crisis in the 1990s, the two institutions imposed fiscal austerity and other strict conditions on developing countries, which led these countries to feel strongly dissatisfied over the institutions’ lack of consideration for their particular circumstances.
　しかし、１９９０年代のアジア通貨危機などの際に緊縮財政など厳しい条件を課したことから、途上国では各国の事情への配慮が足りないとする批判が根強い。

Lack of weight

The BRICS powers have grown to account for about 20 percent of the global economy, and for around 40 percent of the world’s population. Yet their combined contributions to the IMF, which reflect the force of their voices in the institution, constitute only 11 percent of the IMF’s total funding. The BRICS have also expressed opposition to the lack of weight they carry in the IMF.
　ＢＲＩＣＳは経済規模で世界の約２割、人口で約４割を占めるまでに成長したが、ＩＭＦでの発言力を示す出資比率は、ＢＲＩＣＳ全体で１１％にとどまる。これにも新興国は反発している。

The IMF has compiled a reform plan to raise the contribution ratio of the BRICS to 14 percent, but, due to opposition from the United States and other countries, this plan has yet to be realized.
　ＩＭＦは比率を１４％に引き上げる改革案をまとめたが、米国などの反対で実現していない。

It is necessary to promote IMF reform from the viewpoint of allowing the emerging economies to assume responsibility proportional to their economic might.
　新興国に応分の責任を果たしてもらうためにも、ＩＭＦ改革を進展させる必要がある。

It remains to be seen whether these two new multilateral institutions can function as the Bretton Woods institutions have been doing.
　ただ、新開銀などがＩＭＦ体制のような機能を発揮できるかどうかは未知数だ。

The BRICS countries have not specified when these institutions will be established, and uncertainty remains over the concrete frameworks through which they will extend financial assistance.
　設立時期さえ明示されず、金融支援などの具体的な枠組みも、あいまいである。

It would be troublesome if the new development bank were to attach importance solely to expanding the natural resource interests or corporate profits of contributing countries, and to extend financial assistance without careful consideration.
　新開銀が出資国の資源権益や企業利益の拡大ばかり重視し、安易に支援するようでは困る。

There is also a likelihood that lax screening on loans and investments by the bank could lead to a massive increase of irrecoverable loans and investments, which would upset the international financial system.
甘い審査が原因で巨額の投融資が焦げ付き、国際金融システムを混乱させることにもなりかねない。

No assistance should be extended to countries beset with records of suppressing human rights and overdevelopment of natural resources. Highly transparent management is a must for the new bank.
　人権弾圧や乱開発など問題の多い国への援助も避けるべきだ。透明性の高い運営が求められる。

The BRICS countries are by no means a monolithic group.
The territory dispute between China and India is just one example of their differences.
　中国とインドが領土問題を抱えるなど、ＢＲＩＣＳ諸国は一枚岩ではない。

It is also questionable whether the members can deal with financial crises and other problems through close cooperation.
金融危機などの緊急事態に、緊密に連携して対処できるかどうかも疑問である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 22, 2014)