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China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化 中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ(9月14日付・読売社説)
China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。
The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。
There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。
Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
中国は、2年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース(希土類)の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。
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No doubt that isles are Japanese
Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。
Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。
The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船2隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。
A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。
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Coast guard must be strengthened
The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。
Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた9月18日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。
Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。
It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化40周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約30人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。
Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
(2012年9月14日01時24分 読売新聞)
Hashimoto's new party lacks road map to reform natl politics
「日本維新の会」 国政改革への道筋が見えない(9月13日付・読売社説)
Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, is poised to become a political force to be reckoned with, but it cannot be denied that its policies and management structure were hastily formulated.
侮れない政治勢力になりつつあるが、政策も運営体制も急ごしらえの感は否めない。
Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), declared the launch of the new party during a fund-raiser in Osaka on Wednesday.
地域政党・大阪維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長が、大阪市で党の政治資金パーティーを開き、新党「日本維新の会」結成を宣言した。
Hashimoto stressed the significance of Osaka Ishin no Kai's foray into national politics. "The nation's systems and laws are barriers we hit when we try to do something," Hashimoto said. "If we carry out Osaka's reform in the true sense, revising the laws is our only choice."
橋下氏は、「何かをやろうとするとぶつかる壁が国の制度と法律だ。本当の意味で大阪の改革をやろうと思えば、法改正しかない」と国政進出の意義を語った。
Hashimoto said the new party will aim to win "a majority" of the 480 seats in the next House of Representatives election.
日本維新は、次期衆院選で「過半数」獲得を目指すという。
However, it is unnecessary for Hashimoto to advance into national politics if all he wants is to realize his Osaka metropolis plan. His rash eagerness, or big talk, is what makes him stand out. But what does he plan to achieve in national politics, and how? He needs to present a convincing vision.
だが、「大阪都」構想を実現するためだけなら、何も国政に進出する必要はない。橋下氏は、“大風呂敷”とも言える意欲ばかりが先走っているように見える。国政で何をどう実現するのか、説得力のある見解を示す必要がある。
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Platform grandiose but vague
Osaka Ishin no Kai has changed its campaign pledges for the next lower house election, dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy statement), to the "platform" of the new party. Hashimoto said this is because the listed points represent the new party's sense of values.
維新側は、これまで次期衆院選の公約としてきた「維新八策」を「綱領」に変更した。党の価値観を示すものだからだという。
Ishin Hassaku contains such phrases as "self-sustaining nation" and "democracy that is capable of making decisions and takes responsibility," but these abstract expressions do not tell what kind of nation the new party will pursue. The ideals should be explained in a more understandable way.
維新八策には「自立する国家」「決定でき、責任を負う民主主義」といった言葉が並んでいるが、こうした抽象的な表現からは、日本維新がどんな国家を目指すのかが伝わってこない。理念はもっとわかりやすく説明すべきだ。
Ishin Hassaku is a mix of slogan-like goals--such as the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which would require a constitutional amendment, and halving the number of lower house seats--and policies for social security, education and employment. The mid- and long-term tasks and immediate policy challenges must be properly sorted out.
維新八策には、憲法改正を伴う首相公選制導入や、衆院の議員定数半減などスローガンのような目標と、社会保障、教育、雇用などの政策が混在している。中長期と当面の政策課題を、きちんと仕分けしなければなるまい。
Hashimoto stressed that elections are the only way to solve problems that cannot be solved by bureaucrats and problems that divide public opinion. If that is so, he should present specifically what pledges the new party will make for the next lower house election.
橋下氏は「役人では解決できない問題、国論を二分する問題は、選挙で解決するしかない」と強調した。それでは、次期衆院選で具体的に何を公約するのか、明示してもらいたい。
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A highly unusual structure
The new party has an extremely peculiar structure. Its headquarters will be in Osaka. Because seven Diet members, including former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno, will join it, the new party will meet a major requirement to be recognized as an official national political party, which must have at least five lawmakers. The party's Diet members and its groups of local assembly members, including Osaka Ishin no Kai, will be on equal terms with each other.
日本維新は、極めて特異な体制をとる。党本部を大阪に置く。松野頼久元官房副長官ら現職国会議員7人が新党に参加するため、政党要件は満たされる。国会議員団と大阪維新の会など地方議員団は、並列の関係にする方針だ。
Hashimoto will double as both Osaka mayor and leader of the new party, and has said he will not run in the upcoming lower house election. This is probably because it has been less than one year since Hashimoto transitioned from Osaka governor to Osaka mayor and his commitment to the Osaka metropolis plan, the biggest item on his political agenda, is expected to enter a difficult phase in which he will work on such tasks as dividing cities into special wards and making relevant financial resource arrangements.
橋下氏は党代表と大阪市長を兼務し、衆院選には立候補しないという。府知事から市長に転身して1年足らずで、最大の政治課題である大阪都構想への取り組みも、これから区割りや財源調整など難しい局面に入るからだろう。
There is widespread speculation over the possibility that Hashimoto's new party will make great strides, becoming the force holding the key to cooperation between political parties after the lower house election.
日本維新は衆院選後、政党間の連携のカギを握る勢力に躍進する可能性もとりざたされている。
Hashimoto said, "I'll cut down the amount of time I spend for myself, and use it for national politics." However, will it really be possible for Hashimoto, in Osaka, to control rookie lawmakers who lack experience in politics?
橋下氏は、「自分の時間を削って国政に充てる」と言うが、政治経験のない新人議員らを大阪からコントロールできるだろうか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
(2012年9月13日01時36分 読売新聞)
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選 「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ(9月12日付・読売社説)
What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。
We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。
LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。
The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。
However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。
Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。
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Tanigaki frozen out
It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
野党第1党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。
In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は21%でトップだ。
Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。
Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。
Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。
Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。
The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。
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Take stand on nuclear power
Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。
The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。
The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。
Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。
Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
(2012年9月12日01時50分 読売新聞)
DPJ presidential candidates must debate revival of Japan
民主代表選告示 日本再生へ責任ある論争を(9月11日付・読売社説)
◆新たな政策課題の旗を掲げよ◆
It is essential that the candidates in the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential election review the DPJ's past three years in power and hold a responsible policy debate to rehabilitate the party and restore public trust.
党の体制を立て直し、国民の信頼を回復するためには、民主党政権の3年間を総括し、責任ある政策論争を展開することが肝要である。
Official campaigning for the DPJ presidential election began Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda; former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu; former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi; and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have thrown their hats into the ring to begin the war of words.
民主党代表選が告示された。再選を目指す野田佳彦首相と、赤松広隆元農相、原口一博元総務相、鹿野道彦前農相の計4人が立候補し、舌戦が始まった。
Noda's lead over the other candidates appears unshakable, making the race a de facto confidence vote. Much focus is being placed on how many anti-Noda votes the other candidates can garner.
首相の優勢は揺るがず、事実上の信任投票の様相を見せている。他の3人がどこまで野田批判票を集めるかも焦点である。
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Ending deflation urgent
◆急がれるデフレ脱却◆
It is important for Noda to win as much support as possible in the party. He needs to restore his political clout, which was weakened after the DPJ split when former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers left the party, and to build a foundation to tackle new policy challenges.
首相にとっても、できるだけ多く党内の支持を集めることが重要だ。小沢一郎元代表らの離党に伴う党分裂で低下した求心力を回復し、新たな政策課題に取り組む基盤を築くことが求められよう。
At a joint press conference of the candidates Monday, Noda stressed his commitment to the agreement between the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over integrated social security and tax system reform. He said his stance will not change even though LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has announced he will not run for reelection.
野田首相は共同記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民主、自民、公明3党合意を堅持する考えを強調した。谷垣自民党総裁が総裁選不出馬を表明したが、その考えは変えないという。
Enacting the reform legislation, the main pillar of which is an increase in the consumption tax rate, has been the Noda administration's historic achievement. It marked a first step away from the "politics incapable of making decisions" under the divided Diet. We commend Noda's stance of maintaining cooperative relations between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito.
消費税率引き上げを柱とする一体改革関連法の成立は、野田政権の歴史的な業績だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、「決められない政治」を脱却する一歩でもあり、首相が民自公路線を継続していく姿勢は評価できる。
Akamatsu and Kano said they would basically stand by the three-party deal, but Haraguchi said the agreement had been negated by the passing of a censure motion against Noda in the House of Councillors.
赤松、鹿野両氏も3党合意を基本的に守る考えを示したのに対し、原口氏は、参院での問責決議可決によって「3党合意は破棄された」との認識を示した。
Haraguchi hopes to capitalize on his ties to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), but we strongly doubt he could turn policy into reality without the cooperation of the LDP and Komeito.
原口氏は、「大阪維新の会」との近さを売り物にしているが、自公両党と連携せずに政策課題を実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。
As a new policy goal, Noda announced he would draw up and implement an emergency plan to break the grip of deflation within one year and restore the country's competitiveness within two years.
首相は、新しい政策目標として経済再生に向けて「1年以内のデフレ脱却と2年以内の競争力回復」を実現する緊急計画を策定・実行する方針も表明した。
It is understandable that he set a specific deadline for beating deflation to create an environment amenable for raising the consumption tax rate. We hope he will put his policy into shape quickly.
消費増税の環境を整えるうえでも、目標期限を明示してデフレ脱却に取り組む方針は理解できる。具体化を急いでもらいたい。
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Explain advantages of TPP
◆TPPの利点を語れ◆
The four candidates differ clearly over whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework. Noda said he will promote participation in the framework, Akamatsu and Kano have been cautious on the issue, and Haraguchi said Japan should not join.
4候補の違いが明確になったのは、環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)参加問題だ。野田首相が「推進」を掲げたのに対し、赤松、鹿野両氏は「慎重」で、原口氏は「不参加」を唱えた。
Japan did not say it would participate in the TPP negotiations at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Russia. However, we believe the nation must join the free-trade framework if it hopes to tap the economic vigor of Asia to further develop the Japanese economy. Noda needs to clearly explain the merits of joining the talks early.
日本はロシアでのアジア太平洋経済協力会議(APEC)首脳会議で参加表明を見送ったが、アジアの活力を取り込み、日本経済を成長させるには、TPP参加が欠かせない。首相は早期参加の利点を具体的に語るべきだ。
In energy policy, all four candidates agree the nation should eventually end its reliance on nuclear power.
エネルギー政策では、4候補が「原子力発電ゼロ」を目指す方針で足並みをそろえた。
We fear the proposed zero option for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the economy by increasing production costs and undermining nuclear technology, among other concerns. We suggest the four candidates reconsider the matter and come to a more realistic solution without pandering to antinuclear opinions.
「原発ゼロ」には、コスト増大による経済への悪影響、原子力技術の衰退など、重大な懸念がある。反原発論に迎合せず、より現実的な政策策定へ再考を求めたい。
In the joint news conference, Kano and two other candidates blamed Noda for causing the DPJ to split, and said the party needs a "political culture of responsibility." Noda rejected their claims, saying, "I can't resuscitate the party by leaving office halfway through."
鹿野氏ら3候補は共同記者会見で、党分裂を招いた首相の責任を追及し、民主党には「責任を取る政治文化」が必要と主張した。首相は、「党再生を図るため、中途半端に政権を投げ出すわけにはいかない」などと反論している。
What would be more problematic than the breakup of the party is if the DPJ, as a ruling party, continued its internal battles while papering over important policy differences. The party needs a political culture in which members comply with what has been decided through policy debates.
政権党が重要政策の違いを内在したまま、内紛を繰り返す方が、党分裂以上に問題は大きい。政策論争を経て、「決定したことはきちんと守る政治文化」こそが、民主党には必要だろう。
The DPJ should use the forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity for a fresh start by learning from its past blunders in running the government.
今回の代表選を、民主党政権の様々な失政を教訓とし、出直しを図る機会とせねばならない。
The failed attempt last week to field Environment Minister Goshi Hosono in the party presidential election laid bare once again the DPJ's tendency to seek easy-sounding popularity-seeking solutions. In the political drama, Hosono's supporters believed that if a young candidate with good name recognition led the party in the next House of Representatives election, they would not have to be so concerned that the party would have to fight an uphill battle.
不発に終わった先週の細野環境相の擁立劇は、安易な人気取りに走ろうとする民主党の体質を露呈した。若く知名度のある党首を担げば、次期衆院選での苦戦が緩和されよう、という発想だ。
In a draft of its manifesto for the next general election, the DPJ advocates the handout policy of increasing child allowances by 50 percent, which is typical of the party's populist inclinations.
民主党の政権公約(マニフェスト)素案が「児童手当の5割増」というバラマキ政策を掲げたのも同様の人気取りの発想である。
===
Realistic pledges crucial
◆現実的な公約が必要だ◆
The DPJ must reexamine the defects of its unrealistic manifesto, which claims it could generate more than 16 trillion yen per year by altering the budget allocation system. The debates of the presidential candidates must lead the party to adopt a convincing campaign platform.
民主党は、予算組み替えで年16兆円超の財源捻出が可能などとした非現実的な現在のマニフェストの欠陥を直視せねばならない。代表選の論戦を踏まえ、説得力のある公約を練り上げるべきだ。
Japan's diplomatic and security policies have followed a sinuous course in recent years, neglecting the Japan-U.S. alliance. Government administrative functions have not worked smoothly due to the DPJ's policy of distancing itself from the bureaucracy in deciding and carrying out policies. The government should also be blamed for haphazardly dealing with the Gtreat East Japan Earthquake and the sebsequent nuclear crisis. Noda has struggled to resolve these negative legacies from the previous two DPJ administrations, led by Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, but he has yet to finish the job.
日米同盟の軽視による外交・安全保障政策の迷走、「脱官僚」路線がもたらした行政の停滞、大震災や原発事故への場当たり的な対応……。野田首相は、鳩山、菅両政権の「負の遺産」の清算に取り組んできたが、まだ道半ばだ。
The DPJ has attempted to blame the opposition for legislative failures in the divided Diet, in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp. But it is clear the DPJ's irresponsible management of Diet business has been a root cause of the indecisive political atmosphere.
ねじれ国会で法案が成立しない原因は与党でなく野党、と言わんばかりの民主党の無責任な国会運営が、「決められない政治」の根本にあったことも否めない。
The question is whether the DPJ as a whole can recognize its responsibilities as the ruling party during the leadership campaign and make a fresh start.
代表選を通じて、民主党全体が政権党の自覚を持ち、生まれ変われるかどうかが問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2012)
(2012年9月11日01時08分 読売新聞)
Japan needs solid strategy for territorial talks with Russia
日露首脳会談 領土交渉への土俵を固めよ(9月9日付・読売社説)
Before holding further territorial talks with Russia, Japan must firstly strengthen the base of its negotiation stance.
まずは交渉の土俵をしっかりと固めていかなければならない。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting in Vladivostok in Far East Russia. The two leaders confirmed talks would continue over the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido.
野田首相とプーチン露大統領がロシア極東のウラジオストクで会談し、北方領土交渉の継続を確認した。
Tokyo and Moscow will deepen talks on the islands at a vice-ministerial meeting scheduled for autumn and when the Japanese prime minister visits Russia in December.
今秋に予定される日露次官級協議、12月をメドとする首相の訪露で議論を深めることになる。
Recent friction with China and South Korea over the Senkaku and Takeshima islands has prompted hard-hitting questions about Japan's stance over its own sovereignty and territory. With Russia also, the government must work persistently to find a solution to the northern territories dispute based on historical facts and documents.
尖閣諸島や竹島の問題を契機に、日本の主権・領土に対する姿勢が厳しく問われている。北方領土問題でも、政府は歴史的な経緯と文書を踏まえ、粘り強く解決を模索しなければならない。
The latest talks between Noda and Putin followed their first meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June, where they agreed to "revive" long-stalled talks on the territorial issue.
野田、プーチン両首脳の会談は、領土交渉の「再活性化」で合意した6月のメキシコ・ロスカボスに続いて2度目だ。
===
Quiet, constructive talks needed
During the talks, Noda told Putin "consideration must be paid to public sentiment" in Japan as a condition for the territorial negotiations. He also requested the Russian leader hold discussions "in a quiet and constructive environment."
今回、野田首相は、交渉の前提として日本の国民感情への配慮が必要と指摘し、「静かで建設的な環境」での議論を求めた。
Noda's remarks apparently were referring to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's provocative landing on Kunashiri--one of the islands in the northern territories--in July. Moscow must not be allowed to "Russianize" the territories by faits accomplis with unilateral development of them, at a time when talks on the islands are poised to resume.
メドベージェフ露首相が7月に国後島に上陸して日本を挑発したことを念頭に置いた発言だ。日露間で交渉しようというのに、北方領土開発の既成事実を積み重ね、一方的に「ロシア化」を進めることは、断じて許されない。
Putin agreed with Noda that the issue should be solved in a quiet atmosphere without stirring up public sentiment. We think Putin should do what he said.
プーチン大統領も「世論を刺激せず、静かな雰囲気の下で解決していきたい」と言明した。言葉通りの行動をとるべきである。
In economic discussions, Noda welcomed Russia's recent entry to the World Trade Organization. He also said Japan will cooperate in the development of Siberia in the Russian Far East if mutual trust is further enhanced.
経済分野では、野田首相がロシアの世界貿易機関(WTO)加盟を歓迎し、極東シベリア開発についても「相互信頼が進めば協力が現実のものとなる」と語った。
Putin expressed his expectation for increased investment from Japan. However, we hope Moscow will first improve Russia's investment climate, including the abolition of trade barriers.
大統領は日本の投資拡大に期待感を表明したが、ロシアには、貿易障壁の撤廃など投資環境を一層改善してもらいたい。
After their talks, the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum on construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Vladivostok, a project that Japanese firms and the Russian energy company Gazprom are working on.
会談後、両首脳は、液化天然ガス(LNG)工場建設に関する覚書の署名式に立ち会った。ウラジオストク近郊で、日本企業とロシア国営のガスプロムが進めているプロジェクトである。
===
Mutual benefits await
Russia is developing natural resources in its Far East region. Japan's demand for LNG has increased since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so ensuring a stable supply of the fuel for thermal power generation and importing the gas from a wider array of countries have become important issues for Japan. Energy cooperation will have huge merits for Japan and Russia.
ロシアは極東の資源開発を進めている。日本では原発事故以来、LNGの需要が増え、火力発電用燃料の安定調達と輸入先の多様化が課題だ。エネルギーに関しては日露双方にメリットが大きい。
Tokyo and Moscow also inked a treaty on measures to control poaching and smuggling of crabs and other marine products in the Okhotsk Sea.
両政府はまた、オホーツク海のカニなど水産物の密漁・密輸入対策に関する協定にも署名した。
These are not the only fields in which Japan and Russia can jointly work and benefit. Bilateral relations have strategic importance for both countries when it comes to dealing with China, which is expanding both economically and militarily.
日露両国が連携し、ともに利益を享受できるのは、こうした分野にとどまらない。経済、軍事の両面で膨張し続ける中国と向き合っていくうえで、日露関係には戦略的な重要性がある。
We think Japan and Russia should deepen their interdependence because it could lead to a solution to the dispute over the northern territories.
北方領土問題を解決する道筋をつけるためにも、日露の相互依存を深めていくべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
(2012年9月9日01時26分 読売新聞)
EDITORIAL: Party elections must not undermine commitment to reform
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな
The Diet session has effectively ended, and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party have started gearing up for their respective leadership elections.
国会が事実上閉幕し、民主、自民の両党首選が本格的に動き出した。
Within the DPJ, Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has decided against running in the party presidential election, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu have announced their candidacies.
民主党では、細野環境相が立候補を見送り、野田首相と原口元総務相、赤松元農林水産相が名乗りを上げた。
In the LDP, President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Nobutaka Machimura, former chief Cabinet secretary, have expressed their intention to run. Nobuteru Ishihara, party secretary-general, Shigeru Ishiba, former party policy chief, and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also showing an interest in joining the contest.
一方、自民党では谷垣総裁と町村元官房長官が立候補の意向を表明した。石原幹事長や石破前政調会長、安倍元首相、林元防衛相も意欲を示している。
The related moves that have been made so far within these two main parties have shown troubling signs that each leadership race is shaping up to be a popularity contest to choose each party's "poster boy" for the upcoming Lower House election.
これまでの両党の動きをみると、遠からず行われる総選挙に向けた「選挙の顔」えらびの側面ばかりが目につく。
That's not good news for the nation.
だが、それでは困るのだ。
One of the two new party heads is likely to lead this nation as prime minister after the Lower House poll. The candidates should make clear their political creeds and policy agendas to make sure that the party elections will be contests over qualifications as party leader.
今回選ばれる両党首のいずれかが、総選挙後の首相として日本のかじ取りを担う可能性が高い。各候補は理念と政策を明確に掲げ、指導者としての資質を競う機会としてもらいたい。
What the candidates should do first is to make a public commitment to follow through with the deal on integrated tax and social security reform struck among the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
まず求めたいのは、民主、自民、公明の3党で合意した、社会保障と税の一体改革を引き継ぐことを明確にすることだ。
Since the enactment of legislation for the integrated reform, relations between the two main parties have become strained, partly because of the passage of a censure motion against Noda through the Upper House, with the support of the LDP.
一体改革関連法の成立後、首相への問責決議の可決などで2大政党の関係は再びきしんでいる。
There is no prospect for the establishment of a new council for social security reform, which, under the agreement among the three parties, is supposed to develop a blueprint for the reform within one year.
1年以内に結論を出すとした、社会保障国民会議の設置もめどが立たない状態だ。
Details of the integrated reform have yet to be worked out, and many key issues remain to be tackled. How should the health-care and pension programs be bolstered, and how should policy efforts to support child care be expanded as the aging of the nation's population continues toward peak levels?
一体改革の肉付けはこれからだ。高齢化のピークに向けて医療や年金制度をどう強化し、子育て支援策をどう充実するか。
The remaining tasks also include developing measures to ease the regressive taxation effects of the scheduled consumption tax hike and to enhance the income and inheritance taxes.
また、消費増税にともなう逆進性の緩和や、所得税や相続税の強化も積み残されている。
The agreement among the three parties has committed them to shield the social security system from partisan warfare and to work together to secure the long-term financial stability of the system even if power changes hands. That's the long and short of the deal.
政権が代わっても、少なくとも社会保障制度は政争の具にせず、安定的に運営できる態勢を民自公3党を中心につくる。それこそが一体改革の眼目だったはずである。
This is a formal agreement among political parties. Breaching it would be tantamount to betraying the public, who are facing an increased tax burden due to the consumption tax raise.
政党間の正式な約束だ。それを反故(ほご)にするようなことになれば、消費増税で負担増となる国民への裏切りにも等しい。
Some politicians within the LDP, including Abe, are apparently maneuvering for a policy alliance with Osaka Ishin no Kai, a local party headed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that is planning to field candidates in the upcoming election, rather than with the DPJ.
ところが、自民党では安倍元首相のように民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携を模索する動きもある。
Osaka Ishin no Kai has proposed transferring the consumption tax revenue to local governments. If the LDP chooses the Hashimoto group over the DPJ, the three-party deal on the integrated reform could fall apart.
その維新の会は「消費税の地方税化」を掲げる。もし自民党が維新の会との連携を優先するなら、民自公の一体改革は空中分解しかねない。
If that happens, the question will be what kind of political framework should be formed to establish a stable and sustainable social security system. The candidates have the political responsibility to offer clear and convincing answers to this question.
その場合、安定的な社会保障制度をどんな政治の枠組みでつくっていくのか。説得力ある方針を示す責任がある。
There is also a long list of other policy challenges confronting this nation. Japan clearly needs to work out a new energy policy by settling the issue of restarting idled nuclear reactors, further liberalize its trade with key trade partners and repair its soured relations with its neighbors.
原発再稼働を含むエネルギー政策、貿易自由化、近隣外交のあり方など、課題は山積している。
Serious disagreements on these issues within both the DPJ and the LDP are hampering the efforts to deal with these challenges.
しかも、それぞれで両党とも党内の意見が割れている。
The two parties should regard their leadership elections as a good opportunity to clarify their platforms and renew their commitments to key policy proposals for their campaigns for the general election.
この党首選を、総選挙に向けて政策の方向性を整理し、公約を固め直す絶好のチャンスととらえてはどうか。
Ruling, opposition blocs must rise above politicking
通常国会閉幕 停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ(9月8日付・読売社説)
The ordinary session of the Diet, which has lasted more than seven months, adjourns on Saturday.
7か月余に及んだ通常国会が8日閉幕する。
Relative to its long duration, the session cannot be considered very productive.
長丁場の割には、非生産的だった。
There is an urgent need for both the ruling and opposition blocs to work out reforms of the legislature to break away from "politics incapable of making decisions."
「決められない政治」から脱却するための国会改革に、与野党で取り組む必要がある。
The most important achievement in this Diet session was the enactment of a set of laws for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems.
It is significant that the long-overdue task of raising the consumption tax rate has been accomplished through cooperation among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
最大の成果は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立である。民主党と自民、公明両党が連携し、長年の懸案であった消費税率引き上げを決めた意義は大きい。
In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared, "The stalemate of politics can surely be surmounted only if we politicians have a strong sense of responsibility and resolve, seeing things from a broad perspective."
野田首相は記者会見で「政治家が使命感と覚悟を持ち、大局に立てば、政治の停滞を打破できる」と強調した。その通りだろう。
He is right to say so.
Cooperation among the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, however, has been limited to a very narrow range, leaving a pile of Diet business unaddressed.
だが、民自公の連携はごく一部に限られ、多くの懸案が残った。
===
DPJ leadership clumsy
The passage rate of fresh government-sponsored bills during this ordinary session was 66 percent, the second-lowest in the past 20 years. Both the ruling and opposition parties must do serious soul-searching about this.
政府が新規提出した法案のうち成立は66%で、この20年間で2番目に低い水準だ。与野党とも大いに反省しなければならない。
The impasse cannot be attributed only to the divided state of the Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives.
国会停滞の原因は、衆参のねじれだけではない。
As LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has pointed out, imbroglios within the DPJ have hampered steering of state affairs.
自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の混乱が国政の遂行を妨げた、と指摘した。
There were some conspicuous instances of poor management of Diet affairs by the DPJ leadership during the session. For instance, the issue of Diet approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission has been left unrealized due to the DPJ's clumsy handling of the matter.
確かに、民主党執行部の稚拙な対応が目立った。例えば、原子力規制委員会人事の国会同意が実現しなかったことである。
After the government decided on candidates for the chairman and other members of the commission, one objection after another arose within the DPJ. The party leadership, fearful of internal rebellion, postponed votes on the candidates in both the lower and upper chambers' plenary sessions. The DPJ should be criticized for lacking awareness of its duty to shore up the government.
政府が決めた委員長と委員の候補に対し、民主党内から異論が相次ぎ、造反を恐れた党執行部は、衆参両院本会議での議決を見送った。民主党には政府を支える自覚が足りないと言えよう。
Delay in launching the nuclear regulatory commission, which is to be in charge of revamping the administration for ensuring nuclear safety, can only raise more obstacles to resuming operations of idled nuclear power plants.
原子力安全行政の立て直しを担う規制委の発足がずれ込めば、原子力発電所の再稼働にも支障が出る。
Under the circumstances, Noda has expressed his intention to appoint the commission's chairman and other members without Diet approval, based on a provision of the law for the establishment of the commission.
野田首相は規制委設置法に基づき、国会同意なしに委員長と委員を任命する考えを表明した。
Such action is inevitable.
やむを得ない措置である。
===
Opposition also culpable
Dealing with the problem of the disparity in the weight of votes in lower house elections, which the Supreme Court has ruled as being in a "state of unconstitutionality," has also been put off.
違憲状態とされている衆院選の「1票の格差」是正も先送りされた。
The DPJ's attempt to focus on a bill that it prepared unilaterally without any effort to obtain support from the opposition has only aggravated the problem.
民主党が、野党の合意を得ず一方的に独自法案の審議を進めたことが事態をこじらせた。
But the opposition, too, should be held heavily responsible for throwing the Diet into confusion.
一方、国会の混乱は野党にも大きな責任がある。
The opposition bloc passed censure motions against the prime minister and two other Cabinet members, subsequently boycotting Diet deliberations and stalling Diet business for a long period.
参院で首相と2閣僚の問責決議を可決し、審議拒否によって国会を長期間空転させた。
What the current opposition has done is much the same as what the DPJ did when it was in opposition. How long will opposition parties continue to engage in such futile showdowns with the government?
野党時代の民主党と同様の手法だ。こんな不毛な対立をいつまで繰り返すのか。
The opposition must refrain from using censure motions, which have no binding power, as means of political maneuvering.
法的拘束力のない問責決議を政争に使うことは慎まねばならない。
The bill for issuing deficit-covering government bonds has been scrapped because of resistance from opposition parties.
赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案は、野党の反対で廃案となった。
As a result, the government has been unable to secure revenue sources for budgetary appropriations and has had to refrain from implementing parts of the budget, including allocation of tax grants to local governments. This is a situation that can adversely affect people's lives.
予算の裏付けとなる財源を担保できず、政府は地方交付税交付金の配分など予算執行の一部抑制に踏み切る。国民生活に悪影響を及ぼしかねない事態だ。
Both the ruling and opposition camps make a point of engaging in politicking for the sake of their own selfish interests. This must stop.
与野党が党利党略で駆け引きにうつつを抜かす。そんな政治に終止符を打ってもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
(2012年9月8日01時45分 読売新聞)
Party presidential candidates must show policy directions
民・自の党首選 「決める政治」への道筋を語れ(9月7日付・読売社説)
Preparations for the presidential elections of both the Democratic Party of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party are gathering pace.
民主党の代表選、自民党の総裁選に向けた動きが加速している。
The president of the DPJ will be prime minister, but the president of the LDP may also take up the post, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election, which is to be held "sometime soon."
民主党代表はすなわち首相ポストだが、自民党総裁も「近いうち」の次期衆院選の結果によっては、首相に就く可能性がある。
Each party race must be fought over candidates' views on the nation as a state, their basic policies and their qualifications as a leader. There will be heated debates in which candidates need to take into account not only the positions of their rivals within their own party but also the positions of candidates in the other party.
国家観、基本政策、リーダーとしての資質が競われなければならない。党内だけでなく、相手の党も意識した論戦になるだろう。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will seek reelection in the DPJ presidential race, while Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, a member of the Noda Cabinet, has hinted at his intention to run, reversing his earlier stance that he would not. It now seems highly likely that the once almost certain prospect of Noda's reelection will be changed.
民主党代表選は、再選を目指す野田首相に対し、閣僚である細野環境相が一転して出馬に意欲を示している。再選確実の構図が変わる公算が大きくなってきた。
The LDP presidential race, meanwhile, appears to be a crowded field with the following figures expected to run: current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
自民党総裁選は、谷垣総裁、安倍元首相、石原幹事長、石破茂・前政調会長、町村信孝・元官房長官、林芳正政調会長代理の名が挙がり乱立気味だ。
Attention has been drawn to factions led by Makoto Koga and Machimura, as they may split over the question of whom to run from these factions.
古賀、町村両派の分裂含みの展開も目を引く。
===
3-party pacts key issue
One focal point in the two parties' elections is whether to maintain agreements reached by the DPJ, LDP and New Komeito over such issues as integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
両党首選の焦点の一つは、社会保障と税の一体改革などで実現した民主、自民、公明の3党による合意路線を今後も維持していくのかどうかである。
Neither the DPJ nor the LDP can change the divided Diet, where the lower house is controlled by the ruling camp and the House of Councillors is held by the opposition, until the next upper house election takes place.
民主、自民両党とも、来年の参院選までは、衆参ねじれ国会を解消することはできない。
Whether to cooperate to pass pending bills will be a point of contention. There is a growing number of tasks to be addressed, such as legislation to allow the issuance of deficit-covering bonds and to reform the lower house election system to rectify the disparity in the value of one vote.
今後の法案処理での連携が問われよう。赤字国債発行のための特例公債法案や、1票の格差を是正する衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案など課題は山積している。
In the DPJ, intraparty confrontation over differences in policy directions has eased since former party leader Ichiro Ozawa and others left the DPJ. If Noda is reelected, he will have no choice but to seek cooperation from the LDP and Komeito to form a consensus on policy.
民主党は、小沢一郎元代表らの離党によって路線対立は緩和された。野田首相は再選されれば、自公両党の協力を得て、合意を形成していくしかないだろう。
Meanwhile, confrontation within the LDP has been increasingly prominent. Although Tanigaki and Ishihara promoted three-party cooperation with the DPJ and Komeito, Abe hopes to join hands with Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) rather than the DPJ.
自民党では、対立が浮き彫りになっている。これまで谷垣、石原両氏が進めてきた民自公3党の協調路線に対し、安倍氏は民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携に意欲を見せる。
Which political forces to cooperate with is a key issue. Other possible candidates also should clarify their stance in this regard.
どの勢力と連携するかは、重要なテーマである。他の立候補予定者も明確にしてもらいたい。
===
Deepen debates
Both parties must deepen their debates on policy issues to tackle the problems they are facing.
無論、両党は直面する課題への政策論議を深めねばならない。
It is an urgent task to set the course for the nation's energy policy, which concerns such issues as restarting idled reactors at nuclear power plants. Whether to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework also will be a major issue.
原子力発電所の再稼働をはじめ、エネルギー政策をどう方向付けるかは喫緊の課題である。環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)参加問題も大きな論点となる。
We want to hear candidates' views on issues related to Japan's sovereignty and territories, as exemplified in the cases of the Senkaku Islands, Takeshima islands and northern territories. We also will pay attention to their views on exercising the right to collective self-defense, which is indispensable to deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance.
尖閣諸島、竹島、北方領土など日本の主権・領土を巡る問題や、日米同盟の深化に欠かせない「集団的自衛権の行使」に関する見解はぜひとも聞きたい。
Rival candidates to Noda and Tanigaki are emerging because their parties need to survive the next lower house election. It cannot be denied that the major focus in the two parties' elections is on who will become the party's face in the lower house election. But it is putting the cart before the horse if policy positions do not serve as the yardstick.
野田、谷垣両氏に対抗馬が出るのは、衆院選での生き残りを懸けているからだ。両党首選の最大の眼目が「選挙の顔」にあることは否めないが、政策が尺度とならないようでは本末転倒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 7, 2012)
(2012年9月7日01時50分 読売新聞)
Govt should work out specifics for stable control of Senkakus
尖閣国有化へ 安定管理への具体的方策を(9月6日付・読売社説)
The government's decision to place the Senkaku Islands under state control is a step toward stably maintaining and controlling the islets.
尖閣諸島を安定的に維持・管理するうえで一歩前進である。
The government reportedly has agreed with the owner of three of the islands--Uotsurijima, Kita-kojima and Minami-kojima--that it will purchase them. The money to buy them, totaling about 2.05 billion yen, is likely to be procured from a reserve fund.
政府が、尖閣諸島の魚釣島と北小島、南小島の3島について、地権者と売買契約を結ぶことで合意した。約20億5000万円の購入費用は予備費から支出する方針だ。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's proactive steps to jump-start the purchase negotiations with the owner apparently prompted the central government, which had been dragging its feet on the issue, to make such a move. Ishihara has expressed his willingness to accept state control of the islands and hand over to the central government more than 1.4 billion yen that was donated to the Tokyo metropolitan government to buy them.
政府が重い腰を上げたのは、東京都の石原慎太郎知事が地権者との買い上げ交渉を進めたからである。石原氏も国有化を容認し、都が募った14億円を超える寄付金を政府に渡す意向を示している。
The central government sold the islands to the private sector 80 years ago, and the ownership has changed hands since then. We highly regard efforts to put the islands back under state control as it will end the current instability connected with private ownership.
尖閣諸島は80年前に政府が民間に払い下げてから、譲渡によって所有者が交代している。国有化で不安定な個人所有からようやく脱することは評価すべきだ。
The government has leased the three islets from the current owner and placed them under its effective control. It has since conducted minimum administrative work for the islets by restricting entry to government officials and other such parties.
政府は現在、3島を地権者から賃借し、管理下に置いている。政府関係者以外の立ち入りを規制して、最低限の管理業務だけを行ってきた。
===
Consideration for China
Such a hesitant stance was taken apparently because the government did not want to provoke China, which also claims sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
領有権を主張する中国を刺激したくないとの配慮からだろう。
However, China's fishery patrol boats have repeatedly engaged in provocative acts near the Senkakus. Public criticism against Japan has also grown in China over the issue.
だが、中国の漁業監視船は、尖閣周辺で挑発行為を繰り返している。中国内の世論でも、尖閣問題で日本批判が強まっている。
Japan needs not only to renovate a lighthouse and protect the environment on the islands but also to draw up measures to protect its sovereignty and further tighten its effective control of the islands.
政府は灯台の改修、環境保護はもとより、領土保全と実効支配を一段と強めるための方策を練っていく必要があろう。
Ishihara and the city government of Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, which has jurisdiction over the islands, have called on the central government to build facilities there, such as port facilities that can shelter fishing boats during bad weather and a radio relay station for fishing vessels. The central government should look into the validity of such calls and, if necessary, consider working out the details.
石原氏や地元の沖縄県石垣市は、荒天時に備えた漁船の避難港や、漁業無線の中継基地の設置などを求めている。政府はその妥当性を判断し、必要なら具体化を検討すべきである。
We believe it would be reasonable for the central government to cooperate with the Tokyo metropolitan government, which has the know-how to manage remote islands such as the Ogasawara Islands.
小笠原諸島などで離島管理のノウハウを持っている都との連携を図ることも一案ではないか。
===
Strengthen sea surveillance
Meanwhile, the nation needs to strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's policing system and its authority to beef up surveillance of the Senkaku Islands. A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law, which was approved during the current Diet session, is part of such efforts.
尖閣諸島の警戒監視を強化するには、海上保安庁の体制と権限の拡充が必要だ。今国会で成立した改正海上保安庁法は、その一つの手立てである。
Previously, when foreigners landed illegally on the Senkakus, police officers had to come all the way from neighboring islets. But under the revised law, JCG officers will be allowed to arrest such intruders.
外国人が不法上陸した場合、従来は近隣の島から警察官を運ぶ必要があったが、施行後は、海上保安官が検挙できるようになる。
Also, we must not forget the importance of the U.S. military's deterrence. If the military's new Osprey transport aircraft is deployed in Okinawa Prefecture, the mobility of U.S. marines will be improved, raising hopes of holding China in check.
米軍の抑止力の重要性も忘れてはならない。新型輸送機オスプレイが沖縄に配備されれば、米海兵隊の機動性は高まり、中国をけん制する効果が期待できる。
Anti-Japan activists based in Hong Kong reportedly have vowed to make an unauthorized landing on the Senkakus again in October. If Hong Kong authorities allow them to set out for the islands, the Japan-China relationship would worsen and the move would go against China's own interests.
香港の反日活動家は10月に再び不法上陸する構えだ。香港当局が尖閣諸島への出航を許せば、日中関係を揺るがし、中国にも不利益をもたらすことになるだろう。
If Japanese and Chinese leaders hold a summit meeting on the sideline of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit talks this weekend, they should discuss the future bilateral relationship from a broad point of view.
週末のアジア太平洋経済協力会議(APEC)首脳会議の際、日中首脳会談が開かれれば、両国首脳は大局的観点に立って日中関係の将来を話し合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 6, 2012)
(2012年9月6日01時33分 読売新聞)
'Zero nuclear' policy would betray Aomori govt on reprocessing plant
再処理稼働へ 「原発ゼロ」は青森への背信だ(9月5日付・読売社説)
Japan is aiming to achieve a nuclear fuel cycle that can reuse the spent fuel generated from nuclear power plants.
日本は、原子力発電所から出る使用済み核燃料を再利用する「核燃料サイクル」政策の実現を目指している。
The reprocessing plant being constructed by Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, would be an essential part of this policy, and one major challenge for starting operations at the plant has been overcome.
日本原燃が青森県六ヶ所村に建設してきた再処理工場は、その要である。稼働へ向け、大きなヤマ場を越えた。
The construction of the plant began in 1993 and has cost more than 2 trillion yen so far.
1993年に着工し、2兆円以上の建設費が投じられてきた。
The process of vitrifying highly radioactive waste to allow for stable storage had been difficult in the final experimental stages, but test operations have finally succeeded and the plant will be finished after the government completes safety checks and other necessary steps have been taken.
高レベル放射性廃棄物を安定保管するため、ガラスで固める工程が最終試験段階で難航していたが、ようやく試運転に成功した。政府の安全確認などを経て完工する。
The plant is meant to contribute to the efficient use of uranium resources and reduce radioactive waste. We believe it should be put into use as soon as possible.
ウラン資源の有効活用や放射性廃棄物の減少に貢献する施設である。早期の稼働が求められる。
However, the meandering discussions occurring in the government and ruling Democratic Party of Japan over the shift away from nuclear power are cause for concern. The question of whether the reprocessing plant will ever be started is now up in the air.
懸念すべきは、政府・民主党の「脱原発」論議の迷走だ。再処理工場を稼働させられるかどうか、それ自体が問題になってきた。
===
Immediate consequences
If the "zero nuclear" policy, currently seen as a leading option in the government's Energy and Environment Council, were adopted, the path to reusing spent nuclear waste would be barred. Operating the reprocessing plant would be meaningless.
政府のエネルギー・環境会議で有力選択肢に浮上している「原発ゼロ」になれば、使用済み核燃料の再利用の道は閉ざされ、工場を動かす意味がなくなる。
The about 3,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel that has already been transferred from nuclear plants around the country to Rokkasho would have no place to go.
再処理工場に全国の原発から搬入された約3000トンの使用済み核燃料は行き場を失うだろう。
The Aomori prefectural government has demanded, in line with a memorandum exchanged with Japan Nuclear Fuel, that if the plant is not made operational, the spent fuel must be taken back by the power companies operating nuclear plants.
青森県は、日本原燃と交わした覚書を踏まえ、工場を稼働させない場合は、すべてを各電力会社が引き取るよう求めている。
If this happened, all of the nation's nuclear plants would be filled to capacity with returned spent fuel, which would leave no room even to bring in new nuclear fuel to run the plants. Under such circumstances, no local government would consent to restarting a suspended nuclear reactor.
そうなれば、各地の原発は戻された使用済み核燃料で満杯となり、交換用の新たな核燃料を持ち込む余地さえなくなる。これでは、立地自治体も、原発を再稼働することに同意はすまい。
This could result in immediate confusion, well ahead of the future goal of "zero nuclear power."
将来の「原発ゼロ」どころか、直ちに混乱しかねない。
Aomori Gov. Shingo Mimura last month submitted a request to the government urging it to show a "realistic and feasible policy course," and questioned the wisdom of the "zero nuclear" option. The governor described the nuclear fuel cycle as "an essential policy to support a nation lacking in natural resources."
青森県の三村申吾知事は先月、政府に対して「現実的に実行可能な方針」を示すよう求める要望書を提出し、「原発ゼロ」に疑問を呈した。核燃料サイクルについても「資源に乏しいわが国を支える重要な政策」と述べた。
===
Govt owes Aomori answer
The governor's requests were apparently aimed at urging the government and the DPJ not to casually adopt the "zero nuclear" policy. We think the governor was quite right to express such views. The government should respond sincerely.
政府・民主党が安直に「原発ゼロ」政策に転換しないよう、クギを刺したものだろう。当然の見解表明と言える。政府は、青森県に誠実に対応すべきだ。
Reprocessing technology is a right granted to Japan as an exception by the United States, which is sensitive about nuclear proliferation, under the Japan-U.S. Nuclear Energy Agreement. This right would be lost with the "zero nuclear" policy.
再処理技術は、核拡散に敏感な米国が日米原子力協定で日本に特別に認めた権利でもある。この権利が「原発ゼロ」で失われる。
Nuclear technologies that have been nurtured would surely wane, and no new human resources in this industry would be developed.
無論、これまで培ってきた原子力の技術が衰退し、新たな人材も育たなくなる。
Recycling spent nuclear fuel under strict controls would also be helpful in preventing the fuel from being converted for military use.
使用済み核燃料を、厳しい管理の下で確実に再利用することは軍事転用を封じるのに役立つ。
China, South Korea and other countries are expanding their use of nuclear power. We believe the "zero nuclear" option would undermine Japan's voice in the international community.
中国、韓国などは原発利用を拡大している。「原発ゼロ」は日本の発言力を低下させるだけだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 5, 2012)
(2012年9月5日01時07分 読売新聞)
■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
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
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