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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 6, 2012)
Government should review contradictory rice policy
豊作でも高値 矛盾だらけのコメ政策見直せ（11月5日付・読売社説）
At this time of the autumn harvest, when new rice is being marketed, the contradictions of the country's rice policy have become glaringly apparent. There is no time to waste in carrying out agricultural reform.
新米が出回る実りの秋に、コメ政策の矛盾が噴き出している。農業改革は待ったなしだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has forecast a good harvest for this year's rice crop, the first in four years. The harvest is expected to reach about 8.2 million tons, surpassing demand by more than 200,000 tons.
農林水産省が発表した２０１２年産米の作況予想は４年ぶりの豊作で、収穫量は約８２０万トンと需要を２０万トン超も上回る見通しだ。
However, rice prices have gone up despite the surplus. Interdealer rice prices in September were about 10 percent higher than those in the same month last year. This is because the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (Zen-Noh) increased the amount of its advance payments to rice farmers.
ところが、コメ余りなのに価格は上昇した。９月の業者間の取引価格は前年より１０％程度高い。全国農業協同組合連合会（ＪＡ全農）が、農家に払う前渡し金を引き上げたことが要因だ。
Zen-Noh probably aims to maintain its influence over rice farmers by purchasing their grain at high prices because the volume of rice it collects from farmers has been falling as more and more producers sell directly to major consuming areas.
生産地と消費地の直接販売などが増え、全農の集荷量が減少しているため、高値買い取りで影響力維持を狙っているのだろう。
Driving rice prices higher despite a good harvest is logic peculiar to agricultural cooperatives. It will never win the understanding of the public.
豊作で高値を招いているのは、「農協の論理」そのものだ。消費者の理解は得られまい。
===
Imported rice drawing attention
It is also problematic that there is a shortage of reasonably priced rice used by restaurants and bento shops even though there should be enough rice to meet demand. This has made imported rice more attractive. In bidding in September, demand surpassed the 25,000 tons of imported rice to be sold by 3.6 times.
一方、需要は十分まかなえるはずなのに、外食店や弁当業者らの使う手頃な価格のコメが不足していることも問題だ。そこで輸入米が注目され、９月の入札では、２・５万トンの販売数量に対して３・６倍の申し込みがあった。
Due to the deflation that has taken root in the country, demand for cheap rice is becoming stronger year by year. As a result, price competition within the restaurant and bento industries--which currently account for 30 percent of rice demand--has become increasingly fierce. The popularity of imported rice illustrates the reality that domestically produced rice does not meet the market trend toward low-priced rice.
デフレ定着で安いコメを求める動きは年々強まり、需要の３割を占める外食・弁当産業の価格競争は激しさを増している。輸入米人気は、国産米が市場の低価格志向に応えていない実態を示す。
There is also concern over a possible shortage of rice for processing, which is used to make rice snacks and miso, among other things. Despite the fact that the production of rice for livestock feed has jumped, that of rice for processing has not increased. Last year, the production of rice for livestock feed surpassed that of rice for processing.
米菓や味噌(みそ)などの原料となる加工用米の品不足も懸念される。家畜のエサとなる飼料用米は急増しているにもかかわらず、加工用米の生産量は増えない。１１年産は飼料用が加工用を上回った。
As a result, prices of rice for processing surged, and the farm ministry took the emergency measure of marketing about 40,000 tons of old rice produced in 2006 from the government's stockpiled rice. This is an unusual situation.
この結果、加工用米の価格が急騰し、農水省は緊急措置として備蓄米から０６年産の古米を約４万トン放出した。異例の事態である。
===
Subsidies driving crop choices
The government pays rice farmers a subsidy of 80,000 yen for every 0.1 hectare of rice for livestock feed, but only 20,000 yen for rice for processing. This is why planting of rice for livestock feed, which is easy to manage and enables farmers to receive more subsidies, is increasing.
飼料用米は１０アール当たり８万円の補助金が支給されるが、加工用は２万円だ。管理が楽で多額の補助金がもらえる飼料用米の作付けが増えている事情がうかがえる。
Livestock, including cattle and pigs, raised with feed produced overseas is not recognized as having been domestically produced and is therefore not considered in calculating the country's food self-sufficiency rate. The government appears to be trying to raise this rate by giving favorable treatment to rice for livestock feed. However, it is hard to understand why old rice is used for processing and new rice is used as feed for livestock.
外国産飼料で育てた牛や豚などの畜産物は国産と見なされず、食料自給率の計算外だ。政府は飼料用米を優遇し、自給率アップを狙っているようだが、加工用米が古米で、家畜のエサは新米というのは理解しがたい。
What is needed is a rice policy that meets consumer needs. If nothing is done, consumers may shift away from rice even further.
今問われているのは、消費者ニーズに応えるコメ政策である。このままでは、消費者のコメ離れも一段と進みかねない。
A fundamental problem lies in the current system under which the government and agricultural organizations maintain high rice prices through production adjustments and high tariffs on imported rice.
政府と農業団体が生産調整と高関税で、コメ価格を高値で維持する体制に根本的な問題がある。
Simply doling out subsidies to farmers will never strengthen the country's agricultural industry. The government should quickly carry out reform to establish agricultural administration for rice whose policies will focus on farmers.
補助金をばらまく政策では農業の体質強化はできまい。担い手農家に政策を集中するコメ農政への改革を急ぐべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 5, 2012)
（2012年11月5日01時29分 読売新聞）
Government should review contradictory rice policy
豊作でも高値 矛盾だらけのコメ政策見直せ（11月5日付・読売社説）
At this time of the autumn harvest, when new rice is being marketed, the contradictions of the country's rice policy have become glaringly apparent. There is no time to waste in carrying out agricultural reform.
新米が出回る実りの秋に、コメ政策の矛盾が噴き出している。農業改革は待ったなしだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has forecast a good harvest for this year's rice crop, the first in four years. The harvest is expected to reach about 8.2 million tons, surpassing demand by more than 200,000 tons.
農林水産省が発表した２０１２年産米の作況予想は４年ぶりの豊作で、収穫量は約８２０万トンと需要を２０万トン超も上回る見通しだ。
However, rice prices have gone up despite the surplus. Interdealer rice prices in September were about 10 percent higher than those in the same month last year. This is because the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (Zen-Noh) increased the amount of its advance payments to rice farmers.
ところが、コメ余りなのに価格は上昇した。９月の業者間の取引価格は前年より１０％程度高い。全国農業協同組合連合会（ＪＡ全農）が、農家に払う前渡し金を引き上げたことが要因だ。
Zen-Noh probably aims to maintain its influence over rice farmers by purchasing their grain at high prices because the volume of rice it collects from farmers has been falling as more and more producers sell directly to major consuming areas.
生産地と消費地の直接販売などが増え、全農の集荷量が減少しているため、高値買い取りで影響力維持を狙っているのだろう。
Driving rice prices higher despite a good harvest is logic peculiar to agricultural cooperatives. It will never win the understanding of the public.
豊作で高値を招いているのは、「農協の論理」そのものだ。消費者の理解は得られまい。
===
Imported rice drawing attention
It is also problematic that there is a shortage of reasonably priced rice used by restaurants and bento shops even though there should be enough rice to meet demand. This has made imported rice more attractive. In bidding in September, demand surpassed the 25,000 tons of imported rice to be sold by 3.6 times.
一方、需要は十分まかなえるはずなのに、外食店や弁当業者らの使う手頃な価格のコメが不足していることも問題だ。そこで輸入米が注目され、９月の入札では、２・５万トンの販売数量に対して３・６倍の申し込みがあった。
Due to the deflation that has taken root in the country, demand for cheap rice is becoming stronger year by year. As a result, price competition within the restaurant and bento industries--which currently account for 30 percent of rice demand--has become increasingly fierce. The popularity of imported rice illustrates the reality that domestically produced rice does not meet the market trend toward low-priced rice.
デフレ定着で安いコメを求める動きは年々強まり、需要の３割を占める外食・弁当産業の価格競争は激しさを増している。輸入米人気は、国産米が市場の低価格志向に応えていない実態を示す。
There is also concern over a possible shortage of rice for processing, which is used to make rice snacks and miso, among other things. Despite the fact that the production of rice for livestock feed has jumped, that of rice for processing has not increased. Last year, the production of rice for livestock feed surpassed that of rice for processing.
米菓や味噌(みそ)などの原料となる加工用米の品不足も懸念される。家畜のエサとなる飼料用米は急増しているにもかかわらず、加工用米の生産量は増えない。１１年産は飼料用が加工用を上回った。
As a result, prices of rice for processing surged, and the farm ministry took the emergency measure of marketing about 40,000 tons of old rice produced in 2006 from the government's stockpiled rice. This is an unusual situation.
この結果、加工用米の価格が急騰し、農水省は緊急措置として備蓄米から０６年産の古米を約４万トン放出した。異例の事態である。
===
Subsidies driving crop choices
The government pays rice farmers a subsidy of 80,000 yen for every 0.1 hectare of rice for livestock feed, but only 20,000 yen for rice for processing. This is why planting of rice for livestock feed, which is easy to manage and enables farmers to receive more subsidies, is increasing.
飼料用米は１０アール当たり８万円の補助金が支給されるが、加工用は２万円だ。管理が楽で多額の補助金がもらえる飼料用米の作付けが増えている事情がうかがえる。
Livestock, including cattle and pigs, raised with feed produced overseas is not recognized as having been domestically produced and is therefore not considered in calculating the country's food self-sufficiency rate. The government appears to be trying to raise this rate by giving favorable treatment to rice for livestock feed. However, it is hard to understand why old rice is used for processing and new rice is used as feed for livestock.
外国産飼料で育てた牛や豚などの畜産物は国産と見なされず、食料自給率の計算外だ。政府は飼料用米を優遇し、自給率アップを狙っているようだが、加工用米が古米で、家畜のエサは新米というのは理解しがたい。
What is needed is a rice policy that meets consumer needs. If nothing is done, consumers may shift away from rice even further.
今問われているのは、消費者ニーズに応えるコメ政策である。このままでは、消費者のコメ離れも一段と進みかねない。
A fundamental problem lies in the current system under which the government and agricultural organizations maintain high rice prices through production adjustments and high tariffs on imported rice.
政府と農業団体が生産調整と高関税で、コメ価格を高値で維持する体制に根本的な問題がある。
Simply doling out subsidies to farmers will never strengthen the country's agricultural industry. The government should quickly carry out reform to establish agricultural administration for rice whose policies will focus on farmers.
補助金をばらまく政策では農業の体質強化はできまい。担い手農家に政策を集中するコメ農政への改革を急ぐべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 5, 2012)
（2012年11月5日01時29分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 5, 2012)
Education minister's outrageous decision generates chaos
大学新設不認可 文科相の独断が混乱を招いた（11月4日付・読売社説）
It was a baffling decision. What we feared might happen has come to pass.
理解に苦しむ判断である。
危惧していたことが起きてしまった。
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Makiko Tanaka has rejected the applications for government approval to establish three new universities. Tanaka has overturned, on her own judgment, a report by the council for university chartering and school juridical persons--an advisory body to the minister--that favored endorsing the establishment of the three schools. This is apparently the first time in 30 years that an education minister has reversed the council's approval for setting up a university.
田中文部科学相が、３大学の新設申請を不認可とした。文科相の諮問機関である大学設置・学校法人審議会が「新設を認可する」とした答申を独断で覆した。過去３０年で初のケースという。
At a news conference Friday, Tanaka said, "A large number of universities have been established, but the quality of education in universities has been in alarming decline." She added that the approval system for setting up universities needs to be reviewed from top to bottom.
田中文科相は記者会見で、「大学はたくさん作られてきたが、教育の質自体が低下している」と述べ、現行の大学設置認可制度を見直す考えを明らかにした。
Tanaka, however, did not give any explicit reason why the government will not allow approval for the three universities.
だが、なぜ、この３校の新設を認めないのか、という明確な理由は示さなかった。
Some ministry officials said Tanaka "simply made a policy decision as minister." However, we think it can only be described as an outrageous decision stemming from the misguided concept of "politician-led decision-making."
文科省は「大臣の政策的判断」と説明するが、政治主導をはき違えた、あまりに乱暴な判断と言うほかない。
===
Lack of consistency
The council's report was compiled after extensively examining the planned schools' faculty and other education arrangements and their management and financial planning based on university establishment guidelines set by the education ministry.
そもそも、設置審の認可答申は、文科省が定めた大学設置基準などに基づいて、３校の教育体制や財務計画を精査した末に出された結論である。
Admittedly, the minister has the final say when it comes to accepting or rejecting the applications. But Tanaka's refusal to go along with the establishment of three new schools that the council said met the guidelines could be criticized as an abuse of power.
文科相が最終的な認可権限を持つとはいえ、基準を満たした３校の新設を大臣の判断で認めなかったことは、「裁量権の乱用」と批判されても仕方がない。
On top of this, the education minister gave the go-ahead to new departments and postgraduate courses at other universities--as endorsed by the advisory council. Can she clearly explain the inconsistency between these approvals and her rejection of the establishment of the three universities?
しかも、田中文科相は、設置審が認可答申を出した、他大学の学部や大学院の新設については認可している。大学新設だけを不認可としたこととの整合性をきちんと説明できるのだろうか。
The minister's arbitrary decision will unleash immeasurable confusion.
文科相の独断と暴走がもたらす混乱は計り知れない。
The three universities that had been preparing to open next spring had secured teachers and constructed facilities. Mayor Motomu Hozumi of Akita city, which was planning to open one of the schools, to be named Akita Municipal College of Fine Arts, has unsurprisingly expressed his intention to urge Tanaka to rescind her decision.
来春開校予定だった大学側は校舎整備を進め、教員も確保している。３校の一つ、秋田公立美術大の開校を目指す穂積志・秋田市長が、不認可の撤回を求める方針を表明したのは当然と言える。
Understandably, people wishing to enroll at these schools have been caught off guard at being told that the schools have been rejected so soon before they were scheduled to open.
入学希望者から「直前に言われても困る」といった声が上がるのも無理はない。
===
Review of universities needed
Conditions at universities are becoming increasingly stringent.
一方で、大学を取り巻く状況は厳しさを増している。
Despite fewer students due to the chronically low birthrate, new universities have been established one after another since regulations were eased. As a result, the number of universities has swollen 50 percent more than the figure of 20 years ago.
少子化で学生が減少しているにもかかわらず、規制緩和により大学の新設が続き、大学の数は２０年前の１・５倍にまで膨らんだ。
Some universities have been struggling to stay afloat financially as enrollment falls below quotas. Just last month, the education ministry decided to order an education corporation running a university in Gunma Prefecture to be disbanded because of sloppy management.
大学の中には、定員割れで経営難に陥るところもあり、先月には群馬県内で大学を運営する学校法人に文科省が解散命令を発動することを決めたばかりだ。
The government's university policy needs to be reviewed. But this overhaul must be kept separate from the issue of approving or disapproving the establishment of individual universities, and be discussed in detail by such entities as the ministry's Central Council for Education from medium- and long-range perspectives.
大学政策の見直しは必要だが、その際には、個別の大学の認可とは切り離し、中長期的な視点から、中央教育審議会などの場でしっかりと議論すべきである。
That a conclusion reached in line with existing rules on an important matter is reversed because of grandstanding by a trouble-making minister will only deprive the administration of its continuity and generate confusion at education facilities.
問題閣僚のスタンドプレーで現行ルールに沿った結論が覆されるようでは行政の継続性は失われ、教育現場が混乱するだけだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 4, 2012)
（2012年11月4日01時34分 読売新聞）
Education minister's outrageous decision generates chaos
大学新設不認可 文科相の独断が混乱を招いた（11月4日付・読売社説）
It was a baffling decision. What we feared might happen has come to pass.
理解に苦しむ判断である。
危惧していたことが起きてしまった。
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Makiko Tanaka has rejected the applications for government approval to establish three new universities. Tanaka has overturned, on her own judgment, a report by the council for university chartering and school juridical persons--an advisory body to the minister--that favored endorsing the establishment of the three schools. This is apparently the first time in 30 years that an education minister has reversed the council's approval for setting up a university.
田中文部科学相が、３大学の新設申請を不認可とした。文科相の諮問機関である大学設置・学校法人審議会が「新設を認可する」とした答申を独断で覆した。過去３０年で初のケースという。
At a news conference Friday, Tanaka said, "A large number of universities have been established, but the quality of education in universities has been in alarming decline." She added that the approval system for setting up universities needs to be reviewed from top to bottom.
田中文科相は記者会見で、「大学はたくさん作られてきたが、教育の質自体が低下している」と述べ、現行の大学設置認可制度を見直す考えを明らかにした。
Tanaka, however, did not give any explicit reason why the government will not allow approval for the three universities.
だが、なぜ、この３校の新設を認めないのか、という明確な理由は示さなかった。
Some ministry officials said Tanaka "simply made a policy decision as minister." However, we think it can only be described as an outrageous decision stemming from the misguided concept of "politician-led decision-making."
文科省は「大臣の政策的判断」と説明するが、政治主導をはき違えた、あまりに乱暴な判断と言うほかない。
===
Lack of consistency
The council's report was compiled after extensively examining the planned schools' faculty and other education arrangements and their management and financial planning based on university establishment guidelines set by the education ministry.
そもそも、設置審の認可答申は、文科省が定めた大学設置基準などに基づいて、３校の教育体制や財務計画を精査した末に出された結論である。
Admittedly, the minister has the final say when it comes to accepting or rejecting the applications. But Tanaka's refusal to go along with the establishment of three new schools that the council said met the guidelines could be criticized as an abuse of power.
文科相が最終的な認可権限を持つとはいえ、基準を満たした３校の新設を大臣の判断で認めなかったことは、「裁量権の乱用」と批判されても仕方がない。
On top of this, the education minister gave the go-ahead to new departments and postgraduate courses at other universities--as endorsed by the advisory council. Can she clearly explain the inconsistency between these approvals and her rejection of the establishment of the three universities?
しかも、田中文科相は、設置審が認可答申を出した、他大学の学部や大学院の新設については認可している。大学新設だけを不認可としたこととの整合性をきちんと説明できるのだろうか。
The minister's arbitrary decision will unleash immeasurable confusion.
文科相の独断と暴走がもたらす混乱は計り知れない。
The three universities that had been preparing to open next spring had secured teachers and constructed facilities. Mayor Motomu Hozumi of Akita city, which was planning to open one of the schools, to be named Akita Municipal College of Fine Arts, has unsurprisingly expressed his intention to urge Tanaka to rescind her decision.
来春開校予定だった大学側は校舎整備を進め、教員も確保している。３校の一つ、秋田公立美術大の開校を目指す穂積志・秋田市長が、不認可の撤回を求める方針を表明したのは当然と言える。
Understandably, people wishing to enroll at these schools have been caught off guard at being told that the schools have been rejected so soon before they were scheduled to open.
入学希望者から「直前に言われても困る」といった声が上がるのも無理はない。
===
Review of universities needed
Conditions at universities are becoming increasingly stringent.
一方で、大学を取り巻く状況は厳しさを増している。
Despite fewer students due to the chronically low birthrate, new universities have been established one after another since regulations were eased. As a result, the number of universities has swollen 50 percent more than the figure of 20 years ago.
少子化で学生が減少しているにもかかわらず、規制緩和により大学の新設が続き、大学の数は２０年前の１・５倍にまで膨らんだ。
Some universities have been struggling to stay afloat financially as enrollment falls below quotas. Just last month, the education ministry decided to order an education corporation running a university in Gunma Prefecture to be disbanded because of sloppy management.
大学の中には、定員割れで経営難に陥るところもあり、先月には群馬県内で大学を運営する学校法人に文科省が解散命令を発動することを決めたばかりだ。
The government's university policy needs to be reviewed. But this overhaul must be kept separate from the issue of approving or disapproving the establishment of individual universities, and be discussed in detail by such entities as the ministry's Central Council for Education from medium- and long-range perspectives.
大学政策の見直しは必要だが、その際には、個別の大学の認可とは切り離し、中長期的な視点から、中央教育審議会などの場でしっかりと議論すべきである。
That a conclusion reached in line with existing rules on an important matter is reversed because of grandstanding by a trouble-making minister will only deprive the administration of its continuity and generate confusion at education facilities.
問題閣僚のスタンドプレーで現行ルールに沿った結論が覆されるようでは行政の継続性は失われ、教育現場が混乱するだけだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 4, 2012)
（2012年11月4日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 4, 2012)
Easing import restrictions on U.S. beef justifiable
米産牛肉輸入 規制緩和は現実的な判断だ（11月3日付・読売社説）
Although it appears a little belated, a judgment the government has now made can safely be called a realistic approach based on scientific knowledge and international trends in connection with an important issue.
遅きに失した感はあるが、科学的知見と国際動向を踏まえた現実的な判断と言えよう。
The Cabinet Office's Food Safety Commission is in favor of the planned easing of current regulations on imports of U.S.-produced beef, which have been part of measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.
内閣府・食品安全委員会が、ＢＳＥ（牛海綿状脳症）対策で実施されている米国産牛肉の輸入規制を緩和する方針を了承した。
In the proposed regulatory easing, imports will be allowed for beef from cattle "30 months of age or younger," compared to the current maximum age of 20 months.
The commission has reasonably concluded that the easing of import restrictions "will hardly increase the BSE risks and its effect on human health should be considered negligible."
輸入対象を「月齢２０か月以下」から「３０か月以下」に広げる。条件を緩めても「リスクの差は小さく、健康への影響は無視できる」と結論付けたのは妥当だ。
Immediately after the outbreak of BSE-infected cattle was confirmed in 2003 in the United States, Japan suspended imports of U.S. beef.
米国で２００３年にＢＳＥ感染が確認されたのを受け、日本は米国産牛肉の輸入を停止した。
In 2005, the government gave the go-ahead to the resumption of beef imports from the United States on condition that imports would be allowed only for beef from cattle "20 months of age or younger" with the nerve tissues called specific risk material, where BSE-causing prion molecules tend to concentrate, having been removed.
０５年に、「２０か月以下」で原因物質がたまりやすい危険部位を除去した牛に限って再開していた。
===
Linkage with TPP talks
BSE is said to occur when prions, aberrant proteins, accumulate in cattle's brain, spinal cord and other places.
ＢＳＥは、たんぱく質の一種が異常化し、脳や脊髄などに蓄積されて発生する。
The disease has been transmitted primarily through the use of cattle feed that includes meat and bone meal made from other cattle. BSE-infected cattle numbered 37,000 worldwide in the peak year of 1992.
感染牛の肉骨粉を飼料に使ったことから広がり、ピークの１９９２年には世界で３万７０００頭に達した。
The numbers of cattle developing BSE, however, decreased year after year, falling to just 29 in 2011. This is because strict anti-BSE measures adopted by countries concerned produced excellent results.
しかし、発生頭数は年々減少し、昨年は２９頭にとどまった。各国が導入した厳しい飼料規制が効果を上げたのだろう。
The criterion of "cattle 30 months of age or younger" has become a standard part of many major countries' beef import regulations.
主要国の輸入規制は「３０か月以下」が標準だ。
As BSE threats shrink worldwide, there appears to be no necessity for Japan alone to continue to impose stricter regulations.
世界的に沈静化したのに、日本だけが厳しい規制を続ける必要性は薄れている。
Opposition to regulatory easing by some consumer groups on the ground that it will "threaten food safety" is unpersuasive.
一部の消費者団体などが、「食の安全が脅かされる」として緩和に反対しているのは、説得力を欠くのではないか。
The issue of Japan's readiness to ease beef import restrictions has been intertwined with the issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, and Washington has paid close attention to the beef import issue.
牛肉の輸入規制緩和は、日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に関連し、米国が強い関心を示していた問題でもある。
The government should make steady efforts to ease beef import restrictions for the sake of early participation in the TPP talks.
政府は着実に実施することで、交渉参加も急ぐべきだ。
The government at the same time must review the BSE inspection system for domestic beef.
併せて、国産牛の検査体制の見直しも必要である。
===
Review all cattle inspections
Japan's first known occurrence of BSE-stricken cattle was in 2001, and a total of 36 domestically produced cattle have so far been confirmed to be infected with the disease. No outbreak of BSE, however, has been reported after fiscal 2008.
国内では０１年に初めてＢＳＥが発生し、これまで３６頭が確認されたが、０９年度以降はゼロだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry asked the World Health Organization in September to change Japan's BSE risk status from a "country with controlled risk" to that of a "country with negligible risk."
農林水産省は今年９月、日本のＢＳＥ発生リスクの分類を「リスクが管理された国」から「リスクが無視できる国」にするよう国際機関に申請した。
Regarding domestic beef, the Food Safety Commission has approved easing the range of cattle subject to BSE checks from "21 months of age or older" to "31 months of age or older." The regulation should be eased further.
食品安全委員会も、国産牛の検査対象について、「月齢２１か月以上」から「３１か月以上」への緩和を了承したが、もう一段の緩和が求められよう。
Only Japan and the European Union conduct BSE checks in the process of cattle slaughter. Cattle subject to the checks in the EU are those "older than 72 months of age," far less stringent in Japan.
食肉処理時の検査を実施しているのは日本と欧州連合（ＥＵ）のみだ。ＥＵは基本的に「７２か月超」と条件が日本より緩い。
Currently, there is no national legal obligation for domestic beef cattle 20 months of age or younger to undergo BSE checks, but local governments all over the country have continued to make all cattle subject to the inspections at their own discretion.
現在、２０か月以下の牛は検査を義務付けられていないが、全国の自治体が独自に全頭検査を続けている。
Considering the time and expense required to conduct the inspections, the wisdom of local governments continuing to check all cattle should be reconsidered.
費用と労力を考えれば、全頭検査も見直すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 3, 2012)
（2012年11月3日01時30分 読売新聞）
Easing import restrictions on U.S. beef justifiable
米産牛肉輸入 規制緩和は現実的な判断だ（11月3日付・読売社説）
Although it appears a little belated, a judgment the government has now made can safely be called a realistic approach based on scientific knowledge and international trends in connection with an important issue.
遅きに失した感はあるが、科学的知見と国際動向を踏まえた現実的な判断と言えよう。
The Cabinet Office's Food Safety Commission is in favor of the planned easing of current regulations on imports of U.S.-produced beef, which have been part of measures to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.
内閣府・食品安全委員会が、ＢＳＥ（牛海綿状脳症）対策で実施されている米国産牛肉の輸入規制を緩和する方針を了承した。
In the proposed regulatory easing, imports will be allowed for beef from cattle "30 months of age or younger," compared to the current maximum age of 20 months.
The commission has reasonably concluded that the easing of import restrictions "will hardly increase the BSE risks and its effect on human health should be considered negligible."
輸入対象を「月齢２０か月以下」から「３０か月以下」に広げる。条件を緩めても「リスクの差は小さく、健康への影響は無視できる」と結論付けたのは妥当だ。
Immediately after the outbreak of BSE-infected cattle was confirmed in 2003 in the United States, Japan suspended imports of U.S. beef.
米国で２００３年にＢＳＥ感染が確認されたのを受け、日本は米国産牛肉の輸入を停止した。
In 2005, the government gave the go-ahead to the resumption of beef imports from the United States on condition that imports would be allowed only for beef from cattle "20 months of age or younger" with the nerve tissues called specific risk material, where BSE-causing prion molecules tend to concentrate, having been removed.
０５年に、「２０か月以下」で原因物質がたまりやすい危険部位を除去した牛に限って再開していた。
===
Linkage with TPP talks
BSE is said to occur when prions, aberrant proteins, accumulate in cattle's brain, spinal cord and other places.
ＢＳＥは、たんぱく質の一種が異常化し、脳や脊髄などに蓄積されて発生する。
The disease has been transmitted primarily through the use of cattle feed that includes meat and bone meal made from other cattle. BSE-infected cattle numbered 37,000 worldwide in the peak year of 1992.
感染牛の肉骨粉を飼料に使ったことから広がり、ピークの１９９２年には世界で３万７０００頭に達した。
The numbers of cattle developing BSE, however, decreased year after year, falling to just 29 in 2011. This is because strict anti-BSE measures adopted by countries concerned produced excellent results.
しかし、発生頭数は年々減少し、昨年は２９頭にとどまった。各国が導入した厳しい飼料規制が効果を上げたのだろう。
The criterion of "cattle 30 months of age or younger" has become a standard part of many major countries' beef import regulations.
主要国の輸入規制は「３０か月以下」が標準だ。
As BSE threats shrink worldwide, there appears to be no necessity for Japan alone to continue to impose stricter regulations.
世界的に沈静化したのに、日本だけが厳しい規制を続ける必要性は薄れている。
Opposition to regulatory easing by some consumer groups on the ground that it will "threaten food safety" is unpersuasive.
一部の消費者団体などが、「食の安全が脅かされる」として緩和に反対しているのは、説得力を欠くのではないか。
The issue of Japan's readiness to ease beef import restrictions has been intertwined with the issue of Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, and Washington has paid close attention to the beef import issue.
牛肉の輸入規制緩和は、日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に関連し、米国が強い関心を示していた問題でもある。
The government should make steady efforts to ease beef import restrictions for the sake of early participation in the TPP talks.
政府は着実に実施することで、交渉参加も急ぐべきだ。
The government at the same time must review the BSE inspection system for domestic beef.
併せて、国産牛の検査体制の見直しも必要である。
===
Review all cattle inspections
Japan's first known occurrence of BSE-stricken cattle was in 2001, and a total of 36 domestically produced cattle have so far been confirmed to be infected with the disease. No outbreak of BSE, however, has been reported after fiscal 2008.
国内では０１年に初めてＢＳＥが発生し、これまで３６頭が確認されたが、０９年度以降はゼロだ。
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry asked the World Health Organization in September to change Japan's BSE risk status from a "country with controlled risk" to that of a "country with negligible risk."
農林水産省は今年９月、日本のＢＳＥ発生リスクの分類を「リスクが管理された国」から「リスクが無視できる国」にするよう国際機関に申請した。
Regarding domestic beef, the Food Safety Commission has approved easing the range of cattle subject to BSE checks from "21 months of age or older" to "31 months of age or older." The regulation should be eased further.
食品安全委員会も、国産牛の検査対象について、「月齢２１か月以上」から「３１か月以上」への緩和を了承したが、もう一段の緩和が求められよう。
Only Japan and the European Union conduct BSE checks in the process of cattle slaughter. Cattle subject to the checks in the EU are those "older than 72 months of age," far less stringent in Japan.
食肉処理時の検査を実施しているのは日本と欧州連合（ＥＵ）のみだ。ＥＵは基本的に「７２か月超」と条件が日本より緩い。
Currently, there is no national legal obligation for domestic beef cattle 20 months of age or younger to undergo BSE checks, but local governments all over the country have continued to make all cattle subject to the inspections at their own discretion.
現在、２０か月以下の牛は検査を義務付けられていないが、全国の自治体が独自に全頭検査を続けている。
Considering the time and expense required to conduct the inspections, the wisdom of local governments continuing to check all cattle should be reconsidered.
費用と労力を考えれば、全頭検査も見直すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 3, 2012)
（2012年11月3日01時30分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 3, 2012)
Electronics makers must retool with bold new growth strategies
電機大手赤字 大胆な成長戦略で復活目指せ（11月2日付・読売社説）
The performance of leading electronics makers continues to deteriorate. Faced with intensifying competition from South Korean and other overseas rivals, Japanese firms urgently need to retool their corporate comeback strategies.
電機大手の業績悪化に歯止めがかからない。韓国企業などとの競争は激しく、復活に向けた戦略立て直しが急務だ。
Panasonic Corp. has announced it expects to post a consolidated net loss of 765 billion yen in fiscal 2012, a downward revision of its projected business performance. Although the company initially estimated a net profit of 50 billion yen, it now faces a situation as serious as when it posted a colossal loss in fiscal 2011.
パナソニックは、２０１３年３月期連結決算の業績予想を下方修正し、税引き後利益が７６５０億円の赤字になると発表した。当初、５００億円の黒字を見込んでいたが、前期の巨額赤字に匹敵する深刻な事態である。
According to Panasonic President Kazuhiro Tsuga, "In digital consumer electronics, we've been in the losing group. Even though we went through structural reform, things only improved temporarily. It's a highly unusual situation." His remarks underline the firm's grim situation.
津賀一宏社長は、「デジタル家電で負け組となっている。構造改革を実施しても一時的に良くなるだけで普通の状態でない」と述べた。発言に込めた意味は重い。
The primary factor behind Panasonic's sizable loss is poor performance in its main product lines--flat-screen TVs, digital cameras and cell phones.
巨額赤字の主因は、薄型テレビ、デジタルカメラ、携帯電話などの本業が低迷したことだ。
===
Major merger was a misstep
In a major merger in 2009, Panasonic acquired Sanyo Electric Co. as part of its strategy to replace its TV business with solar and lithium-ion batteries as its core sectors. The purchase, however, turned out to be a miscalculation.
パナソニックは０９年に三洋電機を買収した。テレビ事業に代わる中核として太陽電池やリチウムイオン電池事業に期待した戦略だったが、誤算に終わった。
The firm's performance this fiscal year was greatly affected by its decision to make a sizable write-off in sectors including solar batteries. The decision was prompted by the realization that the investment made to acquire Sanyo had been a flop.
三洋買収による巨額投資を事実上、失敗と認め、今期中に太陽電池事業などの減損処理に踏み切ることも業績に大きく響いた。
To rebuild, Panasonic plans to expedite moves away from money-losing product lines, such as by liquidating overseas flat-screen TV factories. Although we see such moves as appropriate, the company's biggest problem is the lack of a clear growth plan.
パナソニックが経営立て直しへ、海外の薄型テレビの組み立て拠点を清算するなど、不採算事業の縮小を急ぐのは妥当だ。最大の問題は、明確な成長シナリオが描けていないことにある。
How will the electronics giant make progress in its strategic shift toward emphasizing profitability over a focus on sales numbers? It also remains to be seen how quickly it can implement managerial reforms.
売り上げ規模の追求ではなく、採算を重視していくという戦略転換をどう進めるか。経営改革のスピードが問われよう。
Meanwhile, the losses continue for Sharp Corp., which is currently going through a corporate rebuilding process.
一方、経営再建途上にあるシャープも、赤字が止まらない。
Sharp has announced it expects to log a record net loss of 450 billion yen in fiscal 2012, a sizable downward revision of its initial projection.
１３年３月期決算の税引き後赤字を過去最大の４５００億円とし、当初見込みから大幅に下方修正した。
The outlook is rocky for the firm's small and midsize liquid crystal display business, which the company has seen as its trump card in its overall corporate reconstruction.
再建の切り札と位置づける中小型の液晶パネル事業は、前途多難だ。
With an urgent need for cash, the company must quickly conclude a capital partnership agreement with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. of Taiwan.
自己資本の増強も必要で、台湾・鴻海(ホンハイ)精密工業との資本提携交渉の早期妥結が求められる。
===
Conditions are tough for all
Sony, on the other hand, is projected to post a profit in the current fiscal year, though its TV business continues to be sluggish. The firm needs to find a new core business that can support continued growth.
ソニーは今期の黒字を確保する見通しだが、テレビ事業の不振は続いており、成長の柱となる新たな事業を求めて模索が続く。
All Japanese manufacturers, not only electronics makers, have been exposed to the adverse winds of economic slowdowns overseas, a strongly appreciating yen, and ever-intensifying competition with foreign rivals.
電機など製造業各社はそろって海外経済の減速、超円高、競争激化などの逆風にさらされている。
Damage has also been done by declining sales in China, a consequence of the diplomatic tension between Japan and China.
日中関係の悪化に伴い、中国での販売減少も打撃になってきた。
The keys to revival appear to be in discerning the needs of emerging markets with strong growth potential and developing strategically important products through originality and ingenuity.
成長が見込まれる新興国市場などのニーズを各社が発掘し、創意工夫で戦略的な商品を開発することが復活のカギを握るだろう。
We find it encouraging that start-up companies producing Japan-made appliances that primarily cater to emerging countries have appeared. These firms possess technological prowess and unique designs.
技術力とデザインを生かし、新興国向けの“日の丸家電”を製造しようとするベンチャー企業がでてきたことは心強い。
We hope Japanese electronics makers large and small can shrug off adversity and wield their latent power.
大手も含めて各社が逆境をはね返し、底力を発揮してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 2, 2012)
（2012年11月2日01時43分 読売新聞）
Electronics makers must retool with bold new growth strategies
電機大手赤字 大胆な成長戦略で復活目指せ（11月2日付・読売社説）
The performance of leading electronics makers continues to deteriorate. Faced with intensifying competition from South Korean and other overseas rivals, Japanese firms urgently need to retool their corporate comeback strategies.
電機大手の業績悪化に歯止めがかからない。韓国企業などとの競争は激しく、復活に向けた戦略立て直しが急務だ。
Panasonic Corp. has announced it expects to post a consolidated net loss of 765 billion yen in fiscal 2012, a downward revision of its projected business performance. Although the company initially estimated a net profit of 50 billion yen, it now faces a situation as serious as when it posted a colossal loss in fiscal 2011.
パナソニックは、２０１３年３月期連結決算の業績予想を下方修正し、税引き後利益が７６５０億円の赤字になると発表した。当初、５００億円の黒字を見込んでいたが、前期の巨額赤字に匹敵する深刻な事態である。
According to Panasonic President Kazuhiro Tsuga, "In digital consumer electronics, we've been in the losing group. Even though we went through structural reform, things only improved temporarily. It's a highly unusual situation." His remarks underline the firm's grim situation.
津賀一宏社長は、「デジタル家電で負け組となっている。構造改革を実施しても一時的に良くなるだけで普通の状態でない」と述べた。発言に込めた意味は重い。
The primary factor behind Panasonic's sizable loss is poor performance in its main product lines--flat-screen TVs, digital cameras and cell phones.
巨額赤字の主因は、薄型テレビ、デジタルカメラ、携帯電話などの本業が低迷したことだ。
===
Major merger was a misstep
In a major merger in 2009, Panasonic acquired Sanyo Electric Co. as part of its strategy to replace its TV business with solar and lithium-ion batteries as its core sectors. The purchase, however, turned out to be a miscalculation.
パナソニックは０９年に三洋電機を買収した。テレビ事業に代わる中核として太陽電池やリチウムイオン電池事業に期待した戦略だったが、誤算に終わった。
The firm's performance this fiscal year was greatly affected by its decision to make a sizable write-off in sectors including solar batteries. The decision was prompted by the realization that the investment made to acquire Sanyo had been a flop.
三洋買収による巨額投資を事実上、失敗と認め、今期中に太陽電池事業などの減損処理に踏み切ることも業績に大きく響いた。
To rebuild, Panasonic plans to expedite moves away from money-losing product lines, such as by liquidating overseas flat-screen TV factories. Although we see such moves as appropriate, the company's biggest problem is the lack of a clear growth plan.
パナソニックが経営立て直しへ、海外の薄型テレビの組み立て拠点を清算するなど、不採算事業の縮小を急ぐのは妥当だ。最大の問題は、明確な成長シナリオが描けていないことにある。
How will the electronics giant make progress in its strategic shift toward emphasizing profitability over a focus on sales numbers? It also remains to be seen how quickly it can implement managerial reforms.
売り上げ規模の追求ではなく、採算を重視していくという戦略転換をどう進めるか。経営改革のスピードが問われよう。
Meanwhile, the losses continue for Sharp Corp., which is currently going through a corporate rebuilding process.
一方、経営再建途上にあるシャープも、赤字が止まらない。
Sharp has announced it expects to log a record net loss of 450 billion yen in fiscal 2012, a sizable downward revision of its initial projection.
１３年３月期決算の税引き後赤字を過去最大の４５００億円とし、当初見込みから大幅に下方修正した。
The outlook is rocky for the firm's small and midsize liquid crystal display business, which the company has seen as its trump card in its overall corporate reconstruction.
再建の切り札と位置づける中小型の液晶パネル事業は、前途多難だ。
With an urgent need for cash, the company must quickly conclude a capital partnership agreement with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. of Taiwan.
自己資本の増強も必要で、台湾・鴻海(ホンハイ)精密工業との資本提携交渉の早期妥結が求められる。
===
Conditions are tough for all
Sony, on the other hand, is projected to post a profit in the current fiscal year, though its TV business continues to be sluggish. The firm needs to find a new core business that can support continued growth.
ソニーは今期の黒字を確保する見通しだが、テレビ事業の不振は続いており、成長の柱となる新たな事業を求めて模索が続く。
All Japanese manufacturers, not only electronics makers, have been exposed to the adverse winds of economic slowdowns overseas, a strongly appreciating yen, and ever-intensifying competition with foreign rivals.
電機など製造業各社はそろって海外経済の減速、超円高、競争激化などの逆風にさらされている。
Damage has also been done by declining sales in China, a consequence of the diplomatic tension between Japan and China.
日中関係の悪化に伴い、中国での販売減少も打撃になってきた。
The keys to revival appear to be in discerning the needs of emerging markets with strong growth potential and developing strategically important products through originality and ingenuity.
成長が見込まれる新興国市場などのニーズを各社が発掘し、創意工夫で戦略的な商品を開発することが復活のカギを握るだろう。
We find it encouraging that start-up companies producing Japan-made appliances that primarily cater to emerging countries have appeared. These firms possess technological prowess and unique designs.
技術力とデザインを生かし、新興国向けの“日の丸家電”を製造しようとするベンチャー企業がでてきたことは心強い。
We hope Japanese electronics makers large and small can shrug off adversity and wield their latent power.
大手も含めて各社が逆境をはね返し、底力を発揮してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 2, 2012)
（2012年11月2日01時43分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 2, 2012)
Key pending issues suffering neglect in new Diet session
衆院代表質問 懸案先送りでは展望開けない（11月1日付・読売社説）
Debate has begun in the Diet. However, it seems that we cannot expect constructive developments in which the ruling and opposition parties actively seek common ground through Diet deliberations and move politics forward.
国会審議を通じて、与野党が積極的に接点を探り、政治を動かす。
そんな前向きの展開は期待できそうにない論戦のスタートである。
Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe faced off with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for the first time Wednesday during interpellations on Noda's policy speech by party representatives in the plenary session of the House of Representatives.
野田首相の所信表明演説に対する各党の代表質問が衆院本会議で行われ、自民党の安倍総裁が首相と初めて対決した。
Concerning Noda's promise to dissolve the lower house for a general election "sometime soon," Abe pressed him to dissolve the lower house by the end of this year, saying Noda "must bear the responsibility for his words."
安倍氏は、首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙について、「その言葉に責任を持たねばならない」として、年内の解散を決断するよう迫った。
Noda only said, "I'll make a decision properly if conditions [for the dissolution] are met." As those conditions, he referred to the enactment of a bill that will allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds and rectification of vote-value disparities in lower house elections.
首相は、赤字国債の発行を認める特例公債法案の成立や衆院選の「１票の格差」是正など、解散の「条件が整えば、きちんと判断をしたい」と語るにとどめた。
With Democratic Party of Japan members leaving the party one after another, the foundation of Noda's administration is crumbling away beneath him.
民主党の離党者が続き、野田政権の基盤は一層揺らいでいる。
The DPJ will inevitably suffer a crushing defeat if it goes into the lower house election amid its current low approval ratings. Noda probably wants to delay the lower house dissolution with an eye out for the timing that would best help the party minimize its loss of seats. However, there is no prospect for that.
支持率が低迷する中で衆院選を迎えた場合、民主党の大敗は免れない。首相にすれば、解散を先延ばしし、議席減少を極力抑えられる時期を模索したいのだろうが、その展望は開けていない。
===
Local govts await bond bill
The delay in the enactment of the bill to issue deficit-covering bonds currently seriously affects local governments' finances. Noda should not shy away from an early dissolution of the lower house and needs to take action on his own to obtain cooperation from the opposition parties.
特例公債法案の成立の遅れは、地方財政に深刻な影響を及ぼしている。首相は、早期解散から逃げることなく、野党の協力取り付けに自ら動く必要がある。
Abe, for his part, should immediately end his party's self-righteous boycott of the current extraordinary Diet session based on a censure resolution against Noda and cooperate in the enactment of the bill to issue deficit-covering bonds since he said he fully realizes the importance of the bill and other key issues.
安倍氏も、特例公債法案などの「重要性は十分認識している」と言う以上、首相問責決議に基づく独善的な審議拒否を早急に撤回して、法案成立に協力すべきだ。
Regarding the rebuilding of Japan's diplomacy, Abe called for changing the government's interpretation of the Constitution so that Japan will be able to exercise the right to collective self-defense, a stance that aims to rebuild the Japan-U.S. alliance. Noda rejected a change in the government's interpretation of the Constitution for the moment, but said, "There should be various discussions."
日本外交の再建に関して安倍氏は、「日米同盟を再構築」するため、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするよう政府の憲法解釈の変更を求めた。首相は、当面の解釈変更を否定しつつ、「様々な議論があってしかるべきだ」と述べた。
Strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance is crucial for protecting the nation's territory and improving relationships with China and South Korea. Because the right to collective self-defense is an issue that concerns the very basis of the nation's security, it is desirable for a cross-party consensus to be formed. We hope the ruling and opposition parties will deepen discussions on the issue to enable the government to exercise the right.
領土を守り、中国、韓国との関係を改善するうえで、日米同盟の強化は欠かせない。集団的自衛権は安全保障の根幹にかかわる問題だけに、超党派の合意形成が望ましい。与野党は、行使を可能にする方向で議論を深めてほしい。
===
Trade deal sadly neglected
As for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, Abe stressed that he "opposes Japan's participation in its negotiations as long as it [the TPP] presupposes the elimination of tariffs with no exceptions." Noda only said he will decide on Japan's official participation in the TPP negotiations based on developments in discussions both within Japan and with countries concerned.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について、安倍氏は、「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする限り、交渉参加に反対する」と強調した。首相も、国内の議論や関係国との協議の進展を踏まえて、正式参加を判断するとだけ語った。
It is regrettable that both Abe and Noda are so reticent on the issue, although Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations is an urgent task for the revitalization of the economy.
経済再生のためにも交渉参加が急務なのに、両者とも消極姿勢だったのは残念である。
It is also problematic that the ruling parties are cautious about convening the Budget Committee, which is normally opened after the interpellations by party representatives. It is said this is because they want to duck the opposition parties' questions on Noda's responsibility in appointing former Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka to the post. Such an attitude only worsens the stagnation of the nation's politics.
問題なのは、代表質問後に通常開かれる予算委員会に与党が慎重なことだ。田中慶秋前法相の任命責任など野党の追及を避けたいためとされる。そんな姿勢では政治が一層停滞してしまう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 1, 2012)
（2012年11月1日08時23分 読売新聞）
Key pending issues suffering neglect in new Diet session
衆院代表質問 懸案先送りでは展望開けない（11月1日付・読売社説）
Debate has begun in the Diet. However, it seems that we cannot expect constructive developments in which the ruling and opposition parties actively seek common ground through Diet deliberations and move politics forward.
国会審議を通じて、与野党が積極的に接点を探り、政治を動かす。
そんな前向きの展開は期待できそうにない論戦のスタートである。
Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe faced off with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for the first time Wednesday during interpellations on Noda's policy speech by party representatives in the plenary session of the House of Representatives.
野田首相の所信表明演説に対する各党の代表質問が衆院本会議で行われ、自民党の安倍総裁が首相と初めて対決した。
Concerning Noda's promise to dissolve the lower house for a general election "sometime soon," Abe pressed him to dissolve the lower house by the end of this year, saying Noda "must bear the responsibility for his words."
安倍氏は、首相が約束した「近いうち」の衆院解散・総選挙について、「その言葉に責任を持たねばならない」として、年内の解散を決断するよう迫った。
Noda only said, "I'll make a decision properly if conditions [for the dissolution] are met." As those conditions, he referred to the enactment of a bill that will allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds and rectification of vote-value disparities in lower house elections.
首相は、赤字国債の発行を認める特例公債法案の成立や衆院選の「１票の格差」是正など、解散の「条件が整えば、きちんと判断をしたい」と語るにとどめた。
With Democratic Party of Japan members leaving the party one after another, the foundation of Noda's administration is crumbling away beneath him.
民主党の離党者が続き、野田政権の基盤は一層揺らいでいる。
The DPJ will inevitably suffer a crushing defeat if it goes into the lower house election amid its current low approval ratings. Noda probably wants to delay the lower house dissolution with an eye out for the timing that would best help the party minimize its loss of seats. However, there is no prospect for that.
支持率が低迷する中で衆院選を迎えた場合、民主党の大敗は免れない。首相にすれば、解散を先延ばしし、議席減少を極力抑えられる時期を模索したいのだろうが、その展望は開けていない。
===
Local govts await bond bill
The delay in the enactment of the bill to issue deficit-covering bonds currently seriously affects local governments' finances. Noda should not shy away from an early dissolution of the lower house and needs to take action on his own to obtain cooperation from the opposition parties.
特例公債法案の成立の遅れは、地方財政に深刻な影響を及ぼしている。首相は、早期解散から逃げることなく、野党の協力取り付けに自ら動く必要がある。
Abe, for his part, should immediately end his party's self-righteous boycott of the current extraordinary Diet session based on a censure resolution against Noda and cooperate in the enactment of the bill to issue deficit-covering bonds since he said he fully realizes the importance of the bill and other key issues.
安倍氏も、特例公債法案などの「重要性は十分認識している」と言う以上、首相問責決議に基づく独善的な審議拒否を早急に撤回して、法案成立に協力すべきだ。
Regarding the rebuilding of Japan's diplomacy, Abe called for changing the government's interpretation of the Constitution so that Japan will be able to exercise the right to collective self-defense, a stance that aims to rebuild the Japan-U.S. alliance. Noda rejected a change in the government's interpretation of the Constitution for the moment, but said, "There should be various discussions."
日本外交の再建に関して安倍氏は、「日米同盟を再構築」するため、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするよう政府の憲法解釈の変更を求めた。首相は、当面の解釈変更を否定しつつ、「様々な議論があってしかるべきだ」と述べた。
Strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance is crucial for protecting the nation's territory and improving relationships with China and South Korea. Because the right to collective self-defense is an issue that concerns the very basis of the nation's security, it is desirable for a cross-party consensus to be formed. We hope the ruling and opposition parties will deepen discussions on the issue to enable the government to exercise the right.
領土を守り、中国、韓国との関係を改善するうえで、日米同盟の強化は欠かせない。集団的自衛権は安全保障の根幹にかかわる問題だけに、超党派の合意形成が望ましい。与野党は、行使を可能にする方向で議論を深めてほしい。
===
Trade deal sadly neglected
As for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, Abe stressed that he "opposes Japan's participation in its negotiations as long as it [the TPP] presupposes the elimination of tariffs with no exceptions." Noda only said he will decide on Japan's official participation in the TPP negotiations based on developments in discussions both within Japan and with countries concerned.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について、安倍氏は、「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする限り、交渉参加に反対する」と強調した。首相も、国内の議論や関係国との協議の進展を踏まえて、正式参加を判断するとだけ語った。
It is regrettable that both Abe and Noda are so reticent on the issue, although Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations is an urgent task for the revitalization of the economy.
経済再生のためにも交渉参加が急務なのに、両者とも消極姿勢だったのは残念である。
It is also problematic that the ruling parties are cautious about convening the Budget Committee, which is normally opened after the interpellations by party representatives. It is said this is because they want to duck the opposition parties' questions on Noda's responsibility in appointing former Justice Minister Keishu Tanaka to the post. Such an attitude only worsens the stagnation of the nation's politics.
問題なのは、代表質問後に通常開かれる予算委員会に与党が慎重なことだ。田中慶秋前法相の任命責任など野党の追及を避けたいためとされる。そんな姿勢では政治が一層停滞してしまう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 1, 2012)
（2012年11月1日08時23分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 1, 2012)
Govt, BOJ must cooperate effectively on monetary policy
追加金融緩和 政府・日銀は効果的な連携を（10月31日付・読売社説）
The government and the Bank of Japan are clearly strengthening their cooperation in tackling deflation. What they must do now is implement effective policies.
デフレ脱却を目指し、政府・日銀が連携を強化する姿勢を明確にした。肝心なのは効果的な政策の実行である。
The central bank has decided to take additional monetary steps, including a boost to 91 trillion yen, up 11 trillion yen, in its fund to buy government bonds and other financial assets. The bank also hammered out a new system to provide funds at low interest rates to banks that have increased lending. It said it would refrain from setting an upper limit on lending to ensure an ample supply of funds.
日銀が国債などを買い入れる基金を１１兆円上積みし、９１兆円とする追加金融緩和策を決めた。貸し出しを増やした銀行に、日銀が低利で資金供給する新制度も打ち出した。総額に上限を設けず、手厚く供給するという。
Due to slowdowns in overseas economies and the deterioration of Japan-China relations, the nation's economy has started to cool off. The Bank of Japan was wise to take additional steps for the second consecutive month to prevent the economy from worsening.
海外経済の減速や日中関係の悪化の影響で、景気は冷え込み始めた。腰折れを防ぐため、日銀が２か月連続で追加策に踏み切ったのは妥当な判断と言えよう。
Previous increases in the central bank's fund have not been effective in pumping sufficient funds into companies and other entities. We hope the new system will be more productive in increasing bank lending.
基金を積み増す従来の手法では企業などに資金が十分に行き渡らない。新制度によって貸し出しが増加することに期待したい。
===
Joint statement important
For the first time, the government and the Bank of Japan issued a joint statement saying they would "work together and make utmost efforts" to overcome deflation.
政府・日銀がデフレ脱却に向けて「一体となって最大限の努力を行う」という、初めての共同文書も発表した。
Seiji Maehara, state minister for economic and fiscal policy, who attended the central bank's monetary policy-setting meeting, stressed at a press conference that the statement was an important step forward in combating deflation. It is essential that the touting of cooperation between the government and the central bank does not end up as empty talk.
金融政策決定会合に出席した前原経済財政相は記者会見で、「重要な一歩になる」と強調した。政府・日銀の協調を「かけ声倒れ」に終わらせないことが大切だ。
The central bank decided to take the additional measures--including introduction of the new system--apparently because it feared its projection of overcoming deflation "as early as fiscal 2014, in the not-too-distant future" was not feasible.
日銀が新制度を含む追加策に動いた背景には、「２０１４年度以降、遠からず」としていたデフレ脱却の時期が遅れることへの危機感があるのだろう。
On the same day as the announcement of additional monetary steps, the Bank of Japan forecast that consumer prices would increase 0.8 percent in fiscal 2014, below the 1 percent yardstick for overcoming deflation.
日銀が追加策とあわせて発表した１４年度の物価上昇率の見込みは「０・８％」で、デフレ脱却のメドとなる「１％」を下回った。
The consumption tax rate is scheduled to be raised to 8 percent in April 2014. Efforts must be accelerated to overcome deflation through all available measures, so no obstacles will be thrown in the way of integrated reform of social security and tax systems.
１４年４月には消費税率が８％に引き上げられる予定である。社会保障・税一体改革に支障の出ないよう、政策を総動員し、デフレ脱却を急がねばならない。
===
Nurture new industries
Some government officials and lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties have called on the Bank of Japan to purchase foreign bonds to correct the yen's appreciation and to introduce an inflation target. The government and central bank should further deepen their discussions on these matters.
政府や与野党には、円高是正を目指した外債購入や、インフレ目標の導入などを日銀に求める声もある。政府と日銀がさらに論議を深めることが求められる。
It is primarily the government's task to address structural problems, such as the shrinking population, declining potential growth rate and industrial hollowing-out. The small emergency economic measures decided by the Cabinet last week are far from satisfactory.
人口減少や潜在成長率の低下、産業空洞化など、構造問題への対応は主として政府の役割である。先週に閣議決定された小規模な緊急経済対策では全く不十分だ。
We hope new industries will be nurtured in such growth areas as nursing care and medicine as well as environment-related industries to accelerate the creation of jobs.
介護・医療や環境などの成長分野で新産業を育成し、雇用の創出も加速させてもらいたい。
It also is necessary to support economic revitalization by securing a stable supply of electricity through the reactivation of nuclear power plants after their safety has been confirmed.
安全を確認できた原子力発電所を再稼働して電力の安定供給を図り、経済再生を後押しする態勢を整える必要もある。
More importantly, a bill to enable the government to issue deficit-covering bonds, which will secure resources for this fiscal year's initial budget, should be passed by the Diet as soon as possible. If state coffers become depleted and administrative functions suspended, sudden and severe deflationary pressures will deal the Japanese economy a deadly blow. Such confusion must be avoided.
何より、今年度当初予算の財源を確保する特例公債法案の成立を急ぐべきだ。国庫が底をつき、行政機能が停止すれば、急激なデフレ圧力で日本経済は致命的な打撃を受ける。こうした混乱は回避しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 31, 2012)
（2012年10月31日01時16分 読売新聞）
Govt, BOJ must cooperate effectively on monetary policy
追加金融緩和 政府・日銀は効果的な連携を（10月31日付・読売社説）
The government and the Bank of Japan are clearly strengthening their cooperation in tackling deflation. What they must do now is implement effective policies.
デフレ脱却を目指し、政府・日銀が連携を強化する姿勢を明確にした。肝心なのは効果的な政策の実行である。
The central bank has decided to take additional monetary steps, including a boost to 91 trillion yen, up 11 trillion yen, in its fund to buy government bonds and other financial assets. The bank also hammered out a new system to provide funds at low interest rates to banks that have increased lending. It said it would refrain from setting an upper limit on lending to ensure an ample supply of funds.
日銀が国債などを買い入れる基金を１１兆円上積みし、９１兆円とする追加金融緩和策を決めた。貸し出しを増やした銀行に、日銀が低利で資金供給する新制度も打ち出した。総額に上限を設けず、手厚く供給するという。
Due to slowdowns in overseas economies and the deterioration of Japan-China relations, the nation's economy has started to cool off. The Bank of Japan was wise to take additional steps for the second consecutive month to prevent the economy from worsening.
海外経済の減速や日中関係の悪化の影響で、景気は冷え込み始めた。腰折れを防ぐため、日銀が２か月連続で追加策に踏み切ったのは妥当な判断と言えよう。
Previous increases in the central bank's fund have not been effective in pumping sufficient funds into companies and other entities. We hope the new system will be more productive in increasing bank lending.
基金を積み増す従来の手法では企業などに資金が十分に行き渡らない。新制度によって貸し出しが増加することに期待したい。
===
Joint statement important
For the first time, the government and the Bank of Japan issued a joint statement saying they would "work together and make utmost efforts" to overcome deflation.
政府・日銀がデフレ脱却に向けて「一体となって最大限の努力を行う」という、初めての共同文書も発表した。
Seiji Maehara, state minister for economic and fiscal policy, who attended the central bank's monetary policy-setting meeting, stressed at a press conference that the statement was an important step forward in combating deflation. It is essential that the touting of cooperation between the government and the central bank does not end up as empty talk.
金融政策決定会合に出席した前原経済財政相は記者会見で、「重要な一歩になる」と強調した。政府・日銀の協調を「かけ声倒れ」に終わらせないことが大切だ。
The central bank decided to take the additional measures--including introduction of the new system--apparently because it feared its projection of overcoming deflation "as early as fiscal 2014, in the not-too-distant future" was not feasible.
日銀が新制度を含む追加策に動いた背景には、「２０１４年度以降、遠からず」としていたデフレ脱却の時期が遅れることへの危機感があるのだろう。
On the same day as the announcement of additional monetary steps, the Bank of Japan forecast that consumer prices would increase 0.8 percent in fiscal 2014, below the 1 percent yardstick for overcoming deflation.
日銀が追加策とあわせて発表した１４年度の物価上昇率の見込みは「０・８％」で、デフレ脱却のメドとなる「１％」を下回った。
The consumption tax rate is scheduled to be raised to 8 percent in April 2014. Efforts must be accelerated to overcome deflation through all available measures, so no obstacles will be thrown in the way of integrated reform of social security and tax systems.
１４年４月には消費税率が８％に引き上げられる予定である。社会保障・税一体改革に支障の出ないよう、政策を総動員し、デフレ脱却を急がねばならない。
===
Nurture new industries
Some government officials and lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties have called on the Bank of Japan to purchase foreign bonds to correct the yen's appreciation and to introduce an inflation target. The government and central bank should further deepen their discussions on these matters.
政府や与野党には、円高是正を目指した外債購入や、インフレ目標の導入などを日銀に求める声もある。政府と日銀がさらに論議を深めることが求められる。
It is primarily the government's task to address structural problems, such as the shrinking population, declining potential growth rate and industrial hollowing-out. The small emergency economic measures decided by the Cabinet last week are far from satisfactory.
人口減少や潜在成長率の低下、産業空洞化など、構造問題への対応は主として政府の役割である。先週に閣議決定された小規模な緊急経済対策では全く不十分だ。
We hope new industries will be nurtured in such growth areas as nursing care and medicine as well as environment-related industries to accelerate the creation of jobs.
介護・医療や環境などの成長分野で新産業を育成し、雇用の創出も加速させてもらいたい。
It also is necessary to support economic revitalization by securing a stable supply of electricity through the reactivation of nuclear power plants after their safety has been confirmed.
安全を確認できた原子力発電所を再稼働して電力の安定供給を図り、経済再生を後押しする態勢を整える必要もある。
More importantly, a bill to enable the government to issue deficit-covering bonds, which will secure resources for this fiscal year's initial budget, should be passed by the Diet as soon as possible. If state coffers become depleted and administrative functions suspended, sudden and severe deflationary pressures will deal the Japanese economy a deadly blow. Such confusion must be avoided.
何より、今年度当初予算の財源を確保する特例公債法案の成立を急ぐべきだ。国庫が底をつき、行政機能が停止すれば、急激なデフレ圧力で日本経済は致命的な打撃を受ける。こうした混乱は回避しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 31, 2012)
（2012年10月31日01時16分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 31, 2012)
After turning Noda away, can upper house justify existence?
演説拒否の参院 不要論を加速させる愚行だ（10月30日付・読売社説）
For the first time in the postwar era, a prime minister has not made a policy speech in the House of Councillors. This leaves an indelible stain on the history of constitutional government.
戦後初の事態である。
憲政史上に汚点を残す愚行と言うほかない。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda delivered his policy speech only in the House of the Representatives plenary session on the opening day of an extraordinary Diet session Monday. He could not do so in the upper house because the opposition parties controlling the chamber refused to comply with a request to hold a plenary session.
野田首相の所信表明演説が衆院本会議だけで行われた。参院では、多数を占める野党が、本会議開会に応じなかったためだ。
Making a policy speech during a plenary session provides an important opportunity for a prime minister to present basic policies on international and domestic issues. In response to the speech, representatives from the ruling and opposition parties interpellate the government as full-scale parliamentary debate is launched. This procedure has been customarily observed in the Diet.
所信表明演説は、首相が外交、内政にわたって基本方針を示す重要な機会だ。これを受けて与野党の代表質問で論戦が本格化するのが国会の慣例となっている。
The upper house caucuses of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, two major opposition parties, insist they refused to have Noda appear in the upper house plenary session because a censure motion against him had been approved in the same chamber during the previous ordinary session of the Diet.
参院の自民、公明両党などは、先の通常国会で野田首相問責決議を可決した以上、首相を本会議場に迎えられないと主張する。
===
Unreasonable excuse
"It was the desire of the upper house caususes not to invite him to make a policy speech," they said. "This does not mean we refuse to enter deliberations." Such sophistry is inexcusable.
「参院の意思で所信表明を求めなかった。審議拒否ではない」と釈明するが、こんな詭弁(きべん)は通らない。
Upper house censure motions against former Prime Ministers Yasuo Fukuda and Taro Aso were approved and they stepped down as a result. But they did so before the next Diet session convened. So Noda is the first prime minister to enter a Diet session after a censure motion had been approved.
過去に問責された福田、麻生両首相は結果的に次の国会審議前に退陣した。問責された首相が次の国会に臨むのは初めてとなる。
The opposition camp must discontinue its pernicious tactics of refusing to enter Diet deliberations following approval of the censure motion and bring to an end its fruitless struggle with the ruling parties.
野党は、問責決議に伴う審議拒否戦術という悪弊を断ち、不毛な応酬に終止符を打つべきだ。
In the first place, a censure motion in the upper house is not legally binding, unlike a no-confidence motion against the cabinet in the lower house. This is because a prime minister is not permitted to take any counteraction in the upper house, while a no-confidence motion in the lower house can lead to dissolution of that chamber. It also runs counter to the constitutional principle that gives the lower house precedence over the upper chamber.
そもそも、参院の問責決議は、衆院の内閣不信任決議と違って、法的な拘束力はない。首相は参院に対し、衆院解散のような対抗手段がなく、衆院の優越を定めた憲法の理念にも反するからだ。
It is natural for the upper house not to be given the means to make a prime minister resign because members of that house serve six-year terms.
６年間の安定した任期がある参院に首相を辞任させる手立てが認められないのは当然である。
===
LDP's move baffling
The LDP's behavior on the matter is incomprehensible.
理解し難いのは自民党だ。
As a reason for submitting the censure motion in question, the opposition parties cited the bill to increase the consumption tax rate as "betraying the will of the people." But the LDP, based on an agreement with the Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, voted for the bill in the Diet. It is appalling that the LDP is brandishing the censure motion approved in the previous Diet session as a political tool in the current extraordinary session to attack the government.
この問責決議は、消費増税法が「国民の声に背く」ことを理由に挙げたが、自民党は民自公３党合意に基づいて法案に賛成し、成立させた当事者である。自己否定する決議を今国会でも振りかざす理不尽さには唖然(あぜん)とさせられる。
Under the divided Diet, the opposition-controlled upper house has abused its powers repeatedly, throwing Diet business into chaos. It is lamentable for the LDP and Komeito to apparently take revenge on the DPJ-led government for the hardships they suffered in the upper house when they formed a coalition government.
衆参ねじれ国会では、野党の制する参院が再三、権限を乱用し、国会を混乱させてきた。与党として参院に苦しめられた自民、公明両党が野党転落後、意趣返しを繰り返しているのは嘆かわしい。
An upper house Budget Committee session is scheduled to be held. This is because the opposition parties want to question the government on scandals involving Cabinet ministers. They plan to ask Noda to attend the session to take him to task for appointing Keishu Tanaka, who resigned as justice minister before the extraordinary Diet session convened.
一方で、参院は予算委員会を開催する方向だ。閣僚の不祥事を追及するとともに、首相の出席を求めて田中慶秋前法相を起用した任命責任をただすためだという。
If they do this, how will the LDP and Komeito explain their inconsistency between refusing to allow the prime minister to deliver a policy speech in the upper house and holding a Budget Committee session with Noda in attendance?
それが事実ならば、本会議での首相演説を拒否したこととの整合性をどう説明するのか。
Moreover, the LDP and Komeito upper house caucuses said they would refuse in principle to enter deliberations on government-proposed bills in other upper house committees. We wonder why the LDP is adopting such an opportunistic and inconsistent policy toward Diet business while it is trying to regain power?
しかも、参院は、他の委員会での政府提出法案審議は原則、拒否するとしている。政権復帰を目指す自民党までが、このようなご都合主義で、ちぐはぐな国会対応を採用するつもりなのか。
If the upper chamber becomes a political football, it will inevitably inflame the smoldering argument under the divided Diet that the upper house is unnecessary.
参院が「政争の府」に堕するようでは、ねじれ国会の下でくすぶる「不要論」が加速するのは避けられないだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 30, 2012)
（2012年10月30日01時18分 読売新聞）
After turning Noda away, can upper house justify existence?
演説拒否の参院 不要論を加速させる愚行だ（10月30日付・読売社説）
For the first time in the postwar era, a prime minister has not made a policy speech in the House of Councillors. This leaves an indelible stain on the history of constitutional government.
戦後初の事態である。
憲政史上に汚点を残す愚行と言うほかない。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda delivered his policy speech only in the House of the Representatives plenary session on the opening day of an extraordinary Diet session Monday. He could not do so in the upper house because the opposition parties controlling the chamber refused to comply with a request to hold a plenary session.
野田首相の所信表明演説が衆院本会議だけで行われた。参院では、多数を占める野党が、本会議開会に応じなかったためだ。
Making a policy speech during a plenary session provides an important opportunity for a prime minister to present basic policies on international and domestic issues. In response to the speech, representatives from the ruling and opposition parties interpellate the government as full-scale parliamentary debate is launched. This procedure has been customarily observed in the Diet.
所信表明演説は、首相が外交、内政にわたって基本方針を示す重要な機会だ。これを受けて与野党の代表質問で論戦が本格化するのが国会の慣例となっている。
The upper house caucuses of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, two major opposition parties, insist they refused to have Noda appear in the upper house plenary session because a censure motion against him had been approved in the same chamber during the previous ordinary session of the Diet.
参院の自民、公明両党などは、先の通常国会で野田首相問責決議を可決した以上、首相を本会議場に迎えられないと主張する。
===
Unreasonable excuse
"It was the desire of the upper house caususes not to invite him to make a policy speech," they said. "This does not mean we refuse to enter deliberations." Such sophistry is inexcusable.
「参院の意思で所信表明を求めなかった。審議拒否ではない」と釈明するが、こんな詭弁(きべん)は通らない。
Upper house censure motions against former Prime Ministers Yasuo Fukuda and Taro Aso were approved and they stepped down as a result. But they did so before the next Diet session convened. So Noda is the first prime minister to enter a Diet session after a censure motion had been approved.
過去に問責された福田、麻生両首相は結果的に次の国会審議前に退陣した。問責された首相が次の国会に臨むのは初めてとなる。
The opposition camp must discontinue its pernicious tactics of refusing to enter Diet deliberations following approval of the censure motion and bring to an end its fruitless struggle with the ruling parties.
野党は、問責決議に伴う審議拒否戦術という悪弊を断ち、不毛な応酬に終止符を打つべきだ。
In the first place, a censure motion in the upper house is not legally binding, unlike a no-confidence motion against the cabinet in the lower house. This is because a prime minister is not permitted to take any counteraction in the upper house, while a no-confidence motion in the lower house can lead to dissolution of that chamber. It also runs counter to the constitutional principle that gives the lower house precedence over the upper chamber.
そもそも、参院の問責決議は、衆院の内閣不信任決議と違って、法的な拘束力はない。首相は参院に対し、衆院解散のような対抗手段がなく、衆院の優越を定めた憲法の理念にも反するからだ。
It is natural for the upper house not to be given the means to make a prime minister resign because members of that house serve six-year terms.
６年間の安定した任期がある参院に首相を辞任させる手立てが認められないのは当然である。
===
LDP's move baffling
The LDP's behavior on the matter is incomprehensible.
理解し難いのは自民党だ。
As a reason for submitting the censure motion in question, the opposition parties cited the bill to increase the consumption tax rate as "betraying the will of the people." But the LDP, based on an agreement with the Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito, voted for the bill in the Diet. It is appalling that the LDP is brandishing the censure motion approved in the previous Diet session as a political tool in the current extraordinary session to attack the government.
この問責決議は、消費増税法が「国民の声に背く」ことを理由に挙げたが、自民党は民自公３党合意に基づいて法案に賛成し、成立させた当事者である。自己否定する決議を今国会でも振りかざす理不尽さには唖然(あぜん)とさせられる。
Under the divided Diet, the opposition-controlled upper house has abused its powers repeatedly, throwing Diet business into chaos. It is lamentable for the LDP and Komeito to apparently take revenge on the DPJ-led government for the hardships they suffered in the upper house when they formed a coalition government.
衆参ねじれ国会では、野党の制する参院が再三、権限を乱用し、国会を混乱させてきた。与党として参院に苦しめられた自民、公明両党が野党転落後、意趣返しを繰り返しているのは嘆かわしい。
An upper house Budget Committee session is scheduled to be held. This is because the opposition parties want to question the government on scandals involving Cabinet ministers. They plan to ask Noda to attend the session to take him to task for appointing Keishu Tanaka, who resigned as justice minister before the extraordinary Diet session convened.
一方で、参院は予算委員会を開催する方向だ。閣僚の不祥事を追及するとともに、首相の出席を求めて田中慶秋前法相を起用した任命責任をただすためだという。
If they do this, how will the LDP and Komeito explain their inconsistency between refusing to allow the prime minister to deliver a policy speech in the upper house and holding a Budget Committee session with Noda in attendance?
それが事実ならば、本会議での首相演説を拒否したこととの整合性をどう説明するのか。
Moreover, the LDP and Komeito upper house caucuses said they would refuse in principle to enter deliberations on government-proposed bills in other upper house committees. We wonder why the LDP is adopting such an opportunistic and inconsistent policy toward Diet business while it is trying to regain power?
しかも、参院は、他の委員会での政府提出法案審議は原則、拒否するとしている。政権復帰を目指す自民党までが、このようなご都合主義で、ちぐはぐな国会対応を採用するつもりなのか。
If the upper chamber becomes a political football, it will inevitably inflame the smoldering argument under the divided Diet that the upper house is unnecessary.
参院が「政争の府」に堕するようでは、ねじれ国会の下でくすぶる「不要論」が加速するのは避けられないだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 30, 2012)
（2012年10月30日01時18分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 30, 2012)
Carmakers shouldn't fight over EV charging systems
電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く（10月29日付・読売社説）
It now seems inevitable that conflict will emerge between Japanese and Western automakers over charging systems for electric vehicles.
電気自動車（ＥＶ）の充電規格を巡り、日本と欧米メーカーの対立が決定的になった。
The difficulties are a blow to the Japanese auto industry, which had aimed to make its battery charging system a global standard. Domestic carmakers are now being urged to review their strategy so they can further promote their electric models.
日本方式の国際標準化を狙った日本勢には痛手だ。ＥＶの本格的な普及を目指し、戦略の見直しを迫られよう。
EVs are regarded as the ultimate eco-friendly vehicle because they emit no carbon dioxide, while their major disadvantage is a range of only about 200 kilometers per charge.
ＥＶは走行中に二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を出さない究極のエコカーとして期待される。ただ、１回のフル充電で走行できる距離が約２００キロ・メートルと短いのが難点だ。
Automakers have been competing over improvements in the quality of the lithium-ion batteries EVs run on, as well as over fast-charging technology.
搭載するリチウムイオン電池の性能と、急速に充電できる技術を各社が競っている。
The Japanese auto industry--including Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Co., both of which mass-produce EVs--has successfully implemented its CHAdeMo system and has called for European and U.S. automakers to adopt it.
「チャデモ方式」と言われるＥＶの急速充電器を実用化したのはＥＶを量産している日産自動車や三菱自動車など日本の業界だ。欧米にも採用を呼びかけた。
===
Incompatible systems
However, the U.S. auto industry has decided on a different system, called Combo, which is being promoted mainly by General Motors Co. of the United States and Germany's Volkswagen AG.
しかし、米国の業界団体は、米ゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）や独フォルクスワーゲン（ＶＷ）などが推進する「コンボ方式」という別の規格の採用を決めた。
The two schemes use different charging connectors and are incompatible with each other.
双方で使われる充電コネクタは異なり、互換性がない。
Although Combo is still in development (it is expected to be ready in 2013 or later), the U.S. auto industry rejected a proposal from the Japanese auto industry apparently out of fear the EV market would come to be dominated by Japanese firms.
コンボはまだ机上プランに過ぎず、実用化は２０１３年以降とされる。にもかかわらず、米業界が日本の提案を退けたのは、ＥＶ市場で日本に主導権を握られることを警戒したからだろう。
If the Combo system becomes standard in the West and other markets, Japanese automakers, despite currently being ahead in developing a charging system, would instead find themselves isolated.
将来、欧米市場などでコンボが標準化されると、先行していた日本勢が逆に孤立化する。
Automakers should make customer convenience their top priority. Having two different systems would confuse people, which could negatively effect EV sales.
自動車業界が最優先すべきは、ユーザーの利便性向上である。二つの規格が併存すれば、混乱を招き、ＥＶの販売にもブレーキがかかりかねない。
In sales terms, EVs are less popular than hybrid vehicles, which use both gasoline and electric motors. Thus a global tussle over a vital EV technology is highly unwelcome.
エコカー競争では、ガソリンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車が人気を集め、ＥＶの普及は遅れている。それだけに世界の業界が基盤技術の規格で対立することは好ましくない。
===
Adopt flexible approach
We believe Japanese automakers should not only try to promote CHAdeMo, but should undertake initiatives to develop technology to make the two systems compatible.
日本メーカーは、チャデモの利用拡大を狙うとともに、二つの規格に互換性をもたせる技術開発も主導すべきではないか。
It is also important for Japanese makers to accommodate China--the world's largest auto market--which is developing its own EV charging system.
独自規格を作ろうとする動きが出ている世界最大の市場である中国を取り込むことも重要だ。
Further, installing many more charging stations and other necessary EV facilities both in Japan and abroad is important to make EVs more popular.
ＥＶ普及に弾みをつけるためには、急速充電できるスタンドなどを国内外で急増させるべきだ。
Despite its technological prowess, Japan has sometimes failed to make its technologies the global standard--typical examples being its analog high-definition broadcasting system and mobile phone technology. No more such failures should be allowed.
これまでも日本は、アナログハイビジョン放送や携帯電話などの技術開発で先行したのに、世界標準化できなかった。こうした失敗を繰り返してはなるまい。
It is reasonable that the government decided in its strategy for promoting intellectual property to prioritize making Japanese technologies into global standards. The government and the private sector should work together to find ways to achieve this goal so Japanese companies can increase their industrial competitiveness.
政府が知的財産推進計画で国際標準化を重視する方針を掲げているのは妥当だ。産業競争力を強化するには、標準化を獲得する方策を官民で検討する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 29, 2012)
（2012年10月29日01時53分 読売新聞）
Carmakers shouldn't fight over EV charging systems
電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く（10月29日付・読売社説）
It now seems inevitable that conflict will emerge between Japanese and Western automakers over charging systems for electric vehicles.
電気自動車（ＥＶ）の充電規格を巡り、日本と欧米メーカーの対立が決定的になった。
The difficulties are a blow to the Japanese auto industry, which had aimed to make its battery charging system a global standard. Domestic carmakers are now being urged to review their strategy so they can further promote their electric models.
日本方式の国際標準化を狙った日本勢には痛手だ。ＥＶの本格的な普及を目指し、戦略の見直しを迫られよう。
EVs are regarded as the ultimate eco-friendly vehicle because they emit no carbon dioxide, while their major disadvantage is a range of only about 200 kilometers per charge.
ＥＶは走行中に二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）を出さない究極のエコカーとして期待される。ただ、１回のフル充電で走行できる距離が約２００キロ・メートルと短いのが難点だ。
Automakers have been competing over improvements in the quality of the lithium-ion batteries EVs run on, as well as over fast-charging technology.
搭載するリチウムイオン電池の性能と、急速に充電できる技術を各社が競っている。
The Japanese auto industry--including Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Co., both of which mass-produce EVs--has successfully implemented its CHAdeMo system and has called for European and U.S. automakers to adopt it.
「チャデモ方式」と言われるＥＶの急速充電器を実用化したのはＥＶを量産している日産自動車や三菱自動車など日本の業界だ。欧米にも採用を呼びかけた。
===
Incompatible systems
However, the U.S. auto industry has decided on a different system, called Combo, which is being promoted mainly by General Motors Co. of the United States and Germany's Volkswagen AG.
しかし、米国の業界団体は、米ゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）や独フォルクスワーゲン（ＶＷ）などが推進する「コンボ方式」という別の規格の採用を決めた。
The two schemes use different charging connectors and are incompatible with each other.
双方で使われる充電コネクタは異なり、互換性がない。
Although Combo is still in development (it is expected to be ready in 2013 or later), the U.S. auto industry rejected a proposal from the Japanese auto industry apparently out of fear the EV market would come to be dominated by Japanese firms.
コンボはまだ机上プランに過ぎず、実用化は２０１３年以降とされる。にもかかわらず、米業界が日本の提案を退けたのは、ＥＶ市場で日本に主導権を握られることを警戒したからだろう。
If the Combo system becomes standard in the West and other markets, Japanese automakers, despite currently being ahead in developing a charging system, would instead find themselves isolated.
将来、欧米市場などでコンボが標準化されると、先行していた日本勢が逆に孤立化する。
Automakers should make customer convenience their top priority. Having two different systems would confuse people, which could negatively effect EV sales.
自動車業界が最優先すべきは、ユーザーの利便性向上である。二つの規格が併存すれば、混乱を招き、ＥＶの販売にもブレーキがかかりかねない。
In sales terms, EVs are less popular than hybrid vehicles, which use both gasoline and electric motors. Thus a global tussle over a vital EV technology is highly unwelcome.
エコカー競争では、ガソリンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車が人気を集め、ＥＶの普及は遅れている。それだけに世界の業界が基盤技術の規格で対立することは好ましくない。
===
Adopt flexible approach
We believe Japanese automakers should not only try to promote CHAdeMo, but should undertake initiatives to develop technology to make the two systems compatible.
日本メーカーは、チャデモの利用拡大を狙うとともに、二つの規格に互換性をもたせる技術開発も主導すべきではないか。
It is also important for Japanese makers to accommodate China--the world's largest auto market--which is developing its own EV charging system.
独自規格を作ろうとする動きが出ている世界最大の市場である中国を取り込むことも重要だ。
Further, installing many more charging stations and other necessary EV facilities both in Japan and abroad is important to make EVs more popular.
ＥＶ普及に弾みをつけるためには、急速充電できるスタンドなどを国内外で急増させるべきだ。
Despite its technological prowess, Japan has sometimes failed to make its technologies the global standard--typical examples being its analog high-definition broadcasting system and mobile phone technology. No more such failures should be allowed.
これまでも日本は、アナログハイビジョン放送や携帯電話などの技術開発で先行したのに、世界標準化できなかった。こうした失敗を繰り返してはなるまい。
It is reasonable that the government decided in its strategy for promoting intellectual property to prioritize making Japanese technologies into global standards. The government and the private sector should work together to find ways to achieve this goal so Japanese companies can increase their industrial competitiveness.
政府が知的財産推進計画で国際標準化を重視する方針を掲げているのは妥当だ。産業競争力を強化するには、標準化を獲得する方策を官民で検討する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 29, 2012)
（2012年10月29日01時53分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 29, 2012)
FTC chairman's empty seat must be filled--now
公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ（10月28日付・読売社説）
The Fair Trade Commission chairman's seat has been empty for more than a month.
公正取引委員会の委員長ポストの空席が、１か月以上に及んでいる。
The government must submit a proposal to fill this vacancy in the coming extraordinary Diet session and obtain approval from both houses of the Diet to resolve this irregularity.
政府は臨時国会で人事案を示し、衆参両院の同意を得て、異常事態を解消せねばならない。
Kazuhiko Takeshima retired as FTC chairman on Sept. 26 after completing his second five-year term. However, the government did not submit a proposal to fill the vacancy to the ordinary Diet session.
竹島一彦前委員長は９月２６日、２期１０年の任期を満了し、退任した。だが、政府は通常国会で後任の人事案を提示しなかった。
The five-member FTC board now lacks two members as one of the members died before Takeshima retired. It is the first time since the FTC was inaugurated for the board to have only three members.
急逝した別の委員と合わせて２人の欠員が生じ、５人で構成する公取委は初の３人体制を余儀なくされている。
This means that if a single member is unable to attend a meeting, the FTC will lack a quorum. If this situation continues, it may affect the operations of the commission.
委員が１人欠けても委員会は開くことができず、このままでは、公取委の業務に支障をきたしかねない。
The FTC plays a leading role in keeping competition fair through such activities as clamping down on price cartels, bid rigging and illicit activities of administrative organizations as well as by approving corporate mergers.
公取委は、企業のカルテルや談合、行政組織の不正などにメスを入れ、企業合併にお墨付きを与える競争政策の司令塔である。
Needless to say, the responsibility of the chairman is especially heavy. It is extremely problematic to leave the seat vacant for a prolonged period.
委員長の責任は特に重い。そのポストを長期間、不在のまま放置するのは問題だ。
Democratic Party of Japan-led administrations have a bad habit of lightheartedly shelving decisions on important policies and personnel appointments and placing the blame squarely on the divided Diet, in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors. The party should break this habit immediately.
衆参ねじれ国会を言い訳に重要な政策や人事の決定を安易に先送りするのは、民主党政権の悪癖である。早急に改めるべきだ。
===
Commission's functions stronger
Recently, the FTC has been steadily strengthening its functions as a "guardian of the market."
公取委はこのところ、「市場の番人」としての機能強化を着々と進めている。
Drastic revisions to the Antimonopoly Law gave the FTC authority to launch legally binding investigations. Financial penalties for companies violating the Antimonopoly Law were raised, while a system was adopted to reduce or exempt surcharges on companies voluntarily reporting bid rigging.
独占禁止法の抜本改正で、強制調査権を手にした。違反企業への課徴金を引き上げる一方、談合を自己申告した企業の課徴金を減免する制度も取り入れた。
Such changes enabled the FTC board to take a more effective carrot-and-stick approach, leading to a number of serious violations being uncovered. The amount of financial penalties imposed on companies reached a record 72 billion yen in fiscal 2010.
こうした「アメとムチ」を駆使する執行体制の下で、大型事件を相次いで摘発した。２０１０年度の課徴金総額は、過去最高の７２０億円に達した。
Still, illegal business practices show no sign of declining significantly. Bid rigging involving officials of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and the Defense Ministry were revealed recently.
それでも、不正取引は後を絶たない。最近は、国土交通省や防衛省の官製談合が表面化した。
Also noteworthy is the practice of companies abusing their status to "oppress" subcontractors, such as by demanding lower prices or delaying payment. The public places high hopes on the FTC as a watchdog to prevent illegal practices.
親会社が優先的地位を乱用し、代金の値下げや支払いを遅らせるといった「下請けいじめ」も目立つ。不正に目を光らせる公取委への期待は大きい。
===
Bigger role in corporate mergers
The FTC's role of approving corporate mergers is also gaining weight as the number of mergers that influence the global market is increasing, due to the rapid globalization of the economy.
グローバル経済の進展で世界的な企業統合が相次ぎ、合併審査も重要度を増している。
The commission recently revised its methods in approving corporate mergers, such as by paying more attention to the global market share of the merging companies as well as simplifying the approval process.
最近では、世界の市場占有率を重視し、時間がかかると不評だった手続きを迅速化するなど、新たな手法を取り入れた。
The revision has enabled the FTC to more rapidly complete its examination of huge mergers, such as that between Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. and the management integration of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange.
新日本製鉄と住友金属工業の合併、東京証券取引所と大阪証券取引所の経営統合といった大型案件で、従来よりスピード審査ができたのもこのためだ。
Considering the importance of the FTC role, its leadership must be returned to good working order as soon as possible.
やはり、公取委の体制を早急に整えるべきである。
The Diet also has not yet approved the government's personnel appointments for the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the NHK Board of Governors. It is time to put an end to the prolonged turmoil caused by the Diet's failure to approve the government's appointments, which is the result of political maneuvering.
原子力規制委員やＮＨＫ経営委員などの国会同意も遅れている。政局が招く国会同意人事の混乱を長引かせてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 28, 2012)
（2012年10月28日01時25分 読売新聞）
FTC chairman's empty seat must be filled--now
公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ（10月28日付・読売社説）
The Fair Trade Commission chairman's seat has been empty for more than a month.
公正取引委員会の委員長ポストの空席が、１か月以上に及んでいる。
The government must submit a proposal to fill this vacancy in the coming extraordinary Diet session and obtain approval from both houses of the Diet to resolve this irregularity.
政府は臨時国会で人事案を示し、衆参両院の同意を得て、異常事態を解消せねばならない。
Kazuhiko Takeshima retired as FTC chairman on Sept. 26 after completing his second five-year term. However, the government did not submit a proposal to fill the vacancy to the ordinary Diet session.
竹島一彦前委員長は９月２６日、２期１０年の任期を満了し、退任した。だが、政府は通常国会で後任の人事案を提示しなかった。
The five-member FTC board now lacks two members as one of the members died before Takeshima retired. It is the first time since the FTC was inaugurated for the board to have only three members.
急逝した別の委員と合わせて２人の欠員が生じ、５人で構成する公取委は初の３人体制を余儀なくされている。
This means that if a single member is unable to attend a meeting, the FTC will lack a quorum. If this situation continues, it may affect the operations of the commission.
委員が１人欠けても委員会は開くことができず、このままでは、公取委の業務に支障をきたしかねない。
The FTC plays a leading role in keeping competition fair through such activities as clamping down on price cartels, bid rigging and illicit activities of administrative organizations as well as by approving corporate mergers.
公取委は、企業のカルテルや談合、行政組織の不正などにメスを入れ、企業合併にお墨付きを与える競争政策の司令塔である。
Needless to say, the responsibility of the chairman is especially heavy. It is extremely problematic to leave the seat vacant for a prolonged period.
委員長の責任は特に重い。そのポストを長期間、不在のまま放置するのは問題だ。
Democratic Party of Japan-led administrations have a bad habit of lightheartedly shelving decisions on important policies and personnel appointments and placing the blame squarely on the divided Diet, in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors. The party should break this habit immediately.
衆参ねじれ国会を言い訳に重要な政策や人事の決定を安易に先送りするのは、民主党政権の悪癖である。早急に改めるべきだ。
===
Commission's functions stronger
Recently, the FTC has been steadily strengthening its functions as a "guardian of the market."
公取委はこのところ、「市場の番人」としての機能強化を着々と進めている。
Drastic revisions to the Antimonopoly Law gave the FTC authority to launch legally binding investigations. Financial penalties for companies violating the Antimonopoly Law were raised, while a system was adopted to reduce or exempt surcharges on companies voluntarily reporting bid rigging.
独占禁止法の抜本改正で、強制調査権を手にした。違反企業への課徴金を引き上げる一方、談合を自己申告した企業の課徴金を減免する制度も取り入れた。
Such changes enabled the FTC board to take a more effective carrot-and-stick approach, leading to a number of serious violations being uncovered. The amount of financial penalties imposed on companies reached a record 72 billion yen in fiscal 2010.
こうした「アメとムチ」を駆使する執行体制の下で、大型事件を相次いで摘発した。２０１０年度の課徴金総額は、過去最高の７２０億円に達した。
Still, illegal business practices show no sign of declining significantly. Bid rigging involving officials of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and the Defense Ministry were revealed recently.
それでも、不正取引は後を絶たない。最近は、国土交通省や防衛省の官製談合が表面化した。
Also noteworthy is the practice of companies abusing their status to "oppress" subcontractors, such as by demanding lower prices or delaying payment. The public places high hopes on the FTC as a watchdog to prevent illegal practices.
親会社が優先的地位を乱用し、代金の値下げや支払いを遅らせるといった「下請けいじめ」も目立つ。不正に目を光らせる公取委への期待は大きい。
===
Bigger role in corporate mergers
The FTC's role of approving corporate mergers is also gaining weight as the number of mergers that influence the global market is increasing, due to the rapid globalization of the economy.
グローバル経済の進展で世界的な企業統合が相次ぎ、合併審査も重要度を増している。
The commission recently revised its methods in approving corporate mergers, such as by paying more attention to the global market share of the merging companies as well as simplifying the approval process.
最近では、世界の市場占有率を重視し、時間がかかると不評だった手続きを迅速化するなど、新たな手法を取り入れた。
The revision has enabled the FTC to more rapidly complete its examination of huge mergers, such as that between Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. and the management integration of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange.
新日本製鉄と住友金属工業の合併、東京証券取引所と大阪証券取引所の経営統合といった大型案件で、従来よりスピード審査ができたのもこのためだ。
Considering the importance of the FTC role, its leadership must be returned to good working order as soon as possible.
やはり、公取委の体制を早急に整えるべきである。
The Diet also has not yet approved the government's personnel appointments for the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the NHK Board of Governors. It is time to put an end to the prolonged turmoil caused by the Diet's failure to approve the government's appointments, which is the result of political maneuvering.
原子力規制委員やＮＨＫ経営委員などの国会同意も遅れている。政局が招く国会同意人事の混乱を長引かせてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 28, 2012)
（2012年10月28日01時25分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 27, 2012)
Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?
石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか（10月26日付・読売社説）
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor.
東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。
He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election.
新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。
Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.
新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の５人らが参加する。
While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。
With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.
自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第３極」を狙っている。
Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties?
「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。
===
Factors behind his decision
Regarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government.
今回の新党構想について、石原氏は４月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。
Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP.
自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。
Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health.
８０歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。
At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government."
石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。
He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.
持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。
We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics.
国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。
===
Clearer vision needed
However, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking.
ただ、かつて２５年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年４選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。
Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple.
たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。
While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies.
橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。
A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public.
石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。
This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions."
これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。
Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.
民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。
We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion.
石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)
（2012年10月26日01時41分 読売新聞）
Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?
石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか（10月26日付・読売社説）
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor.
東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。
He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election.
新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。
Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.
新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の５人らが参加する。
While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。
With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.
自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第３極」を狙っている。
Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties?
「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。
===
Factors behind his decision
Regarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government.
今回の新党構想について、石原氏は４月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。
Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP.
自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。
Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health.
８０歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。
At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government."
石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。
He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.
持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。
We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics.
国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。
===
Clearer vision needed
However, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking.
ただ、かつて２５年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年４選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。
Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple.
たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。
While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies.
橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。
A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public.
石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。
This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions."
これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。
Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.
民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。
We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion.
石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)
（2012年10月26日01時41分 読売新聞）
プロフィール
ＨＮ：
srachai
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性別：
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civil engineer
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子育て
自己紹介：
妻はタイ人、娘ばかり３人も！
■近況
２００９年の９月１５日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)
■自己紹介・リンク
[ はじめに ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはＮＨＫのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・現在タイ国コンケン在住
[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
（NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生）
[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
・英英辞典を活用（英和も）
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
Yomiuri
Mainichi
Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
Newyork Times
Bangkok Post
The Nations
Phuket Gazette
[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
英字新聞（読売）
英字新聞（毎日）
英字新聞（朝日）
英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
タイ日辞書（改訂版）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
日ラオ辞書
最新記事
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カテゴリー
アーカイブ
リンク
家族、リンク、多言語、タイ語
スラチャイの家族紹介
私の家族
スラチャイの手作りリンク集
スラチャイタイ在住９年目
中国語会話基礎（北京語）
タイ日辞典（単語帳）
タイ語の子音
タイ語の母音
スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
初歩の中国語
初歩のラオス語
初歩のビルマ語
初歩のシンハリ語
初歩のタガログ語
タイ語の基礎
タイ文字
タイ日辞書
タイ語の副詞
タイ語の前置詞
タイ語の助動詞
タイ語の接続詞
基礎タイ語
基礎タイ語一覧（タイ文字、ローマ字）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
タイの文化、１４の戒律
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律