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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 5, 2012)
Osaka Ishin no Kai's populist pledges a cause of concern
大阪維新の会 大衆迎合的な公約が気になる（9月4日付・読売社説）
The question of whether the election pledges of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) are feasible cannot be dispelled.
実現可能な公約なのか疑問は拭えない。
The group recently unveiled the final version of its policy statement for the next House of Representatives election. The policy statement is dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy platform).
大阪維新の会が、次期衆院選公約「維新八策」の最終版を公表した。
Osaka Ishin no Kai plans to form a new party in the middle of this month with participation of at least five incumbent Diet members. Sixteen percent of respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey said they would vote for Osaka Ishin no Kai in proportional representation contests of the next lower house election, following the largest group--21 percent--who said they would vote for the Liberal Democratic Party. Osaka Ishin no Kai is likely to be at the eye of the storm in the election.
維新の会は、現職国会議員５人以上の参加を得て今月半ばに新党を結成する方針だ。読売新聞の世論調査では次期衆院選比例選の投票先で、維新の会は１位の自民党２１％に次ぐ１６％だった。“台風の目”となりそうだ。
Some points of Osaka Ishin no Kai's election pledges are commendable. For example, it says Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.
維新八策は環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を打ち出すなど、評価できる点もある。
On the other hand, some pledges that seem to have come off the top of their heads are conspicuous. "Halving the number of seats in the lower house" is one example. Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads Osaka Ishin no Kai, said it is necessary to make lawmakers think about the country as a whole, including foreign policies and security, by expanding electoral districts through integration of single-seat constituencies.
一方で、思いつきのように見える公約も目立つ。たとえば「衆院議員定数の半減」だ。維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長は、小選挙区を統合して拡大し、国会議員が外交・安全保障など国全体を考えるようにする必要があると言う。
===
Seat cuts easier said than done
However, it would be extremely difficult politically to realize this idea under the current divided Diet. In fact, the Democratic Party of Japan still has not been able to fulfill its pledge to eliminate 80 lower house seats allocated under proportional representation. It is understandable if Osaka Ishin no Kai's ideas are mid- and long-term proposals, but it should be cautious about making the ideas campaign pledges.
だが、衆参ねじれ国会の下で実現するには大きな政治的コストがかかる。現に民主党は衆院比例選定数８０削減を公約しながら、依然実現できないままだ。中長期の問題提起ならわかるが、公約にすることは慎重であるべきだろう。
Making the consumption tax a local tax and abolishing distribution of tax revenues to local governments, which is entailed by the former, are also open to question.
消費税の地方税化とそれに伴う地方交付税の廃止も疑問だ。
Given the harsh reality of state finances, how could it be possible, if consumption tax revenues are allocated to local governments, to cover social security costs, which are increasing by as much as about 1 trillion yen every year?
財政事情が厳しい中、消費税収を地方財源に回して、一体どうやって毎年１兆円前後も増加する国の社会保障費を賄うのか。
Osaka Ishin no Kai also needs to clarify whether it supports laws for integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, which were enacted based on an agreement between the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
民主、自民、公明３党の合意をもとに成立した社会保障と税の一体改革関連法に対する賛否も、明らかにする必要がある。
Tax revenues allocated to local governments help adjust the disparities among local governments' finances. Hashimoto said how to handle the situation after tax allocations to local governments are abolished will be left to coordination among local governments and a third-party committee. However, it will not be so easy.
地方交付税には、自治体の財政格差を調整する役割がある。橋下氏は、廃止後の対応を自治体間や第三者委員会の調整に委ねると言うが、そう簡単にはいくまい。
===
Nuclear power stand dubious
As for economic policies, Osaka Ishin no Kai stresses "strengthening competitiveness" and calls for "building a system to end dependence on nuclear power generation." However, if the country moves away from nuclear power, energy costs will surge, and this could accelerate the hollowing-out of domestic industries. It should be explained how a growth strategy and an end to dependence on nuclear power generation can be compatible.
経済政策では、「競争力の強化」を強調し、「脱原発依存体制の構築」も訴えている。脱原発依存を進めればエネルギー費用は増大し、産業の空洞化が加速しかねない。成長戦略と脱原発依存をどう両立させるか、説明が要る。
As a basic policy, Osaka Ishin no Kai stipulated in its policy statement the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which requires a constitutional amendment.
基本方針として、憲法改正が必要な首相公選制を明記した。
Israel once introduced this system but eventually abolished it after politics were thrown into turmoil. Osaka Ishin no Kai said it will prevent the system from becoming something like a popularity vote, but we doubt whether this is possible.
ただ、この制度に関しては、一度導入したイスラエルで政治が混迷した末に撤廃されている。「人気投票的になることは防ぐ」というが、そんなことが可能なのか、疑問符を付けざるをえない。
It is worrisome that Osaka Ishin no Kai, which claims it "will change Japan's system," presents these pledges in a highly populist tone.
「日本の国の仕組みを変える」と訴える維新の会が、こうした大衆迎合色の濃い公約を提起している点は、気がかりだ。
In the previous lower house election in 2009, the DPJ set out an array of policies aimed at appealing to the public and pledging that it would be able to squeeze out a hefty 16.8 trillion yen in fiscal resources by rearranging the state budget. This has since caused considerable confusion and should be taken as a lesson.
前回衆院選で、民主党が国民受けを狙った政策を並べ、予算を組み替えれば１６・８兆円もの財源を作れると公約して大混乱を招いたことを教訓とすべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 4, 2012)
（2012年9月4日01時19分 読売新聞）
Osaka Ishin no Kai's populist pledges a cause of concern
大阪維新の会 大衆迎合的な公約が気になる（9月4日付・読売社説）
The question of whether the election pledges of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group) are feasible cannot be dispelled.
実現可能な公約なのか疑問は拭えない。
The group recently unveiled the final version of its policy statement for the next House of Representatives election. The policy statement is dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy platform).
大阪維新の会が、次期衆院選公約「維新八策」の最終版を公表した。
Osaka Ishin no Kai plans to form a new party in the middle of this month with participation of at least five incumbent Diet members. Sixteen percent of respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey said they would vote for Osaka Ishin no Kai in proportional representation contests of the next lower house election, following the largest group--21 percent--who said they would vote for the Liberal Democratic Party. Osaka Ishin no Kai is likely to be at the eye of the storm in the election.
維新の会は、現職国会議員５人以上の参加を得て今月半ばに新党を結成する方針だ。読売新聞の世論調査では次期衆院選比例選の投票先で、維新の会は１位の自民党２１％に次ぐ１６％だった。“台風の目”となりそうだ。
Some points of Osaka Ishin no Kai's election pledges are commendable. For example, it says Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework.
維新八策は環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を打ち出すなど、評価できる点もある。
On the other hand, some pledges that seem to have come off the top of their heads are conspicuous. "Halving the number of seats in the lower house" is one example. Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, who heads Osaka Ishin no Kai, said it is necessary to make lawmakers think about the country as a whole, including foreign policies and security, by expanding electoral districts through integration of single-seat constituencies.
一方で、思いつきのように見える公約も目立つ。たとえば「衆院議員定数の半減」だ。維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長は、小選挙区を統合して拡大し、国会議員が外交・安全保障など国全体を考えるようにする必要があると言う。
===
Seat cuts easier said than done
However, it would be extremely difficult politically to realize this idea under the current divided Diet. In fact, the Democratic Party of Japan still has not been able to fulfill its pledge to eliminate 80 lower house seats allocated under proportional representation. It is understandable if Osaka Ishin no Kai's ideas are mid- and long-term proposals, but it should be cautious about making the ideas campaign pledges.
だが、衆参ねじれ国会の下で実現するには大きな政治的コストがかかる。現に民主党は衆院比例選定数８０削減を公約しながら、依然実現できないままだ。中長期の問題提起ならわかるが、公約にすることは慎重であるべきだろう。
Making the consumption tax a local tax and abolishing distribution of tax revenues to local governments, which is entailed by the former, are also open to question.
消費税の地方税化とそれに伴う地方交付税の廃止も疑問だ。
Given the harsh reality of state finances, how could it be possible, if consumption tax revenues are allocated to local governments, to cover social security costs, which are increasing by as much as about 1 trillion yen every year?
財政事情が厳しい中、消費税収を地方財源に回して、一体どうやって毎年１兆円前後も増加する国の社会保障費を賄うのか。
Osaka Ishin no Kai also needs to clarify whether it supports laws for integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, which were enacted based on an agreement between the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
民主、自民、公明３党の合意をもとに成立した社会保障と税の一体改革関連法に対する賛否も、明らかにする必要がある。
Tax revenues allocated to local governments help adjust the disparities among local governments' finances. Hashimoto said how to handle the situation after tax allocations to local governments are abolished will be left to coordination among local governments and a third-party committee. However, it will not be so easy.
地方交付税には、自治体の財政格差を調整する役割がある。橋下氏は、廃止後の対応を自治体間や第三者委員会の調整に委ねると言うが、そう簡単にはいくまい。
===
Nuclear power stand dubious
As for economic policies, Osaka Ishin no Kai stresses "strengthening competitiveness" and calls for "building a system to end dependence on nuclear power generation." However, if the country moves away from nuclear power, energy costs will surge, and this could accelerate the hollowing-out of domestic industries. It should be explained how a growth strategy and an end to dependence on nuclear power generation can be compatible.
経済政策では、「競争力の強化」を強調し、「脱原発依存体制の構築」も訴えている。脱原発依存を進めればエネルギー費用は増大し、産業の空洞化が加速しかねない。成長戦略と脱原発依存をどう両立させるか、説明が要る。
As a basic policy, Osaka Ishin no Kai stipulated in its policy statement the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which requires a constitutional amendment.
基本方針として、憲法改正が必要な首相公選制を明記した。
Israel once introduced this system but eventually abolished it after politics were thrown into turmoil. Osaka Ishin no Kai said it will prevent the system from becoming something like a popularity vote, but we doubt whether this is possible.
ただ、この制度に関しては、一度導入したイスラエルで政治が混迷した末に撤廃されている。「人気投票的になることは防ぐ」というが、そんなことが可能なのか、疑問符を付けざるをえない。
It is worrisome that Osaka Ishin no Kai, which claims it "will change Japan's system," presents these pledges in a highly populist tone.
「日本の国の仕組みを変える」と訴える維新の会が、こうした大衆迎合色の濃い公約を提起している点は、気がかりだ。
In the previous lower house election in 2009, the DPJ set out an array of policies aimed at appealing to the public and pledging that it would be able to squeeze out a hefty 16.8 trillion yen in fiscal resources by rearranging the state budget. This has since caused considerable confusion and should be taken as a lesson.
前回衆院選で、民主党が国民受けを狙った政策を並べ、予算を組み替えれば１６・８兆円もの財源を作れると公約して大混乱を招いたことを教訓とすべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 4, 2012)
（2012年9月4日01時19分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 4, 2012)
Is Mitt Romney the answer to U.S. economic, fiscal problems?
米大統領選 ロムニー氏の再生策は本物か（9月3日付・読売社説）
There are just over two months left until the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6.
米大統領選は、１１月６日の投開票まで、あと２か月余りに迫った。
The Republican Party, aiming to reclaim the office after a four-year absence, held its national convention in the state of Florida last week and officially nominated former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as its president and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as its vice president.
４年ぶりの政権奪還を目指す共和党がフロリダ州で党大会を開き、ロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事とライアン下院予算委員長を正副大統領候補にそれぞれ指名した。
In his acceptance speech, Romney sharply criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's administration for its mismanagement of the country. He pledged to rebuild the struggling U.S. economy to "restore the promise of America," an apparent dig at Obama.
ロムニー氏は、指名受諾演説で、オバマ政権の失政を厳しく批判し、経済を立て直して「米国を再生させる」と公約した。対決色を鮮明にしたと言える。
Romney is a "small government" advocate, a policy line that would attempt to boost the economy with a variety of tax cuts and regulatory easing while drastically cutting back on federal spending, including social security programs.
社会保障など連邦政府の歳出は大幅に削減する一方、幅広い減税策や規制緩和によって、民間活力を通じた景気浮揚を図ろうとする「小さな政府」路線である。
For instance, he pledged to make the United States energy self-sufficient, expand trade, create 12 million jobs through assistance to small and midsize businesses, slash the nation's huge fiscal deficit, oppose cuts to the defense budget and abolish Obama's reform of the health care system.
具体的には、エネルギー自給の推進や貿易拡大、中小企業支援を通じた１２００万人の雇用創出計画、巨額の債務削減、国防予算の削減反対、オバマ政権の医療保険制度改革の撤廃などを挙げた。
===
Obama under pressure
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party does not see defense spending as untouchable when cutting expenditures to rebuild government finances.
民主党は、財政再建に必要な歳出削減では国防費も例外扱いにしていない。
The party has staked out a position that, as much as possible, will not cut federal spending for the underprivileged, including low-income earners and senior citizens, and emphasize correcting income disparities.
格差是正を重視し、低所得者や高齢者など弱者への政府支出は極力削らない立場だ。
However, the U.S. economy has been stuck in slow gear, and reverberations from the debt crisis in Europe have made its future uncertain. The U.S. unemployment rate has never gone below the 7.8 percent mark it stood at when Obama took office. Recently, it has hovered between 8 percent and 8.5 percent.
米国は、景気減速が続いており、欧州債務危機の影響を受けて、先行きも不透明だ。
失業率はオバマ大統領の就任時の７・８％を下回ることなく、８％台前半に高止まりしている。
The U.S. fiscal deficit has exceeded 1 trillion dollars for four straight years. Obama needs effective policies to quickly boost the economy, as well as restore the health of government finances in the medium- and long-term.
財政赤字は４年連続で１兆ドルを超えた。当面の景気浮揚と中長期的な財政再建で、実効性ある政策が求められよう。
Although Romney claims he could do both, simultaneously cutting taxes drastically and reducing the country's huge debt seems incompatible. He needs to clearly state what steps he would take to cut the federal deficit without losing tax revenue. This will undoubtedly be a major issue in the remainder of the campaign.
ロムニー氏の唱える、大幅減税と巨額の財政赤字減らしは、両立し難く見える。歳入を減らさずに赤字は減らせるという道筋を具体的に明示する必要がある。選挙戦で争点になるのは間違いない。
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is scheduled to kick off its national convention in the state of North Carolina on Tuesday, where it is expected to stress party unity during the march toward Obama's reelection.
民主党は４日からノースカロライナ州で党大会を開き、大統領再選へ挙党態勢をアピールする。
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Parties agree on Asian issues
Recent polls have shown Obama and Romney in a dead heat. The three debates between the presidential candidates to be held in October will be major opportunities to determine the course of this close contest. We hope Obama and Romney have frank and heated discussions on the economy, diplomacy and defense policy.
世論調査では、オバマ、ロムニー両氏の支持率は拮抗(きっこう)している。１０月に３回にわたって行われる大統領候補討論会が、接戦の帰趨(きすう)を決する重要な機会となる。経済や外交・安保政策を巡り、大いに論戦を展開してもらいたい。
Both parties call the United States a Pacific nation and value its relations with Asian countries, and both agree the United States should work toward completing negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.
共和党も民主党も、ともに「米国は太平洋国家」とアジア重視を唱えている。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉を完了させるという主張でも一致している。
The two parties also share the view that the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region should be maintained under U.S. leadership. This is an ideal course also for Japan as a U.S. ally.
米国主導によるアジア太平洋地域の安定と繁栄の維持を図る狙いがあろう。同盟国の日本にとっても望ましい方向だ。
The result of the U.S. presidential election will affect Japan's domestic and foreign policies. We will keep a close eye on Obama and Romney's battle over policies.
米大統領選は、日本の内政、外交にも影響する。両候補の政策対決の行方を注視したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 3, 2012)
（2012年9月3日01時17分 読売新聞）
Is Mitt Romney the answer to U.S. economic, fiscal problems?
米大統領選 ロムニー氏の再生策は本物か（9月3日付・読売社説）
There are just over two months left until the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6.
米大統領選は、１１月６日の投開票まで、あと２か月余りに迫った。
The Republican Party, aiming to reclaim the office after a four-year absence, held its national convention in the state of Florida last week and officially nominated former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as its president and House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan as its vice president.
４年ぶりの政権奪還を目指す共和党がフロリダ州で党大会を開き、ロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事とライアン下院予算委員長を正副大統領候補にそれぞれ指名した。
In his acceptance speech, Romney sharply criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's administration for its mismanagement of the country. He pledged to rebuild the struggling U.S. economy to "restore the promise of America," an apparent dig at Obama.
ロムニー氏は、指名受諾演説で、オバマ政権の失政を厳しく批判し、経済を立て直して「米国を再生させる」と公約した。対決色を鮮明にしたと言える。
Romney is a "small government" advocate, a policy line that would attempt to boost the economy with a variety of tax cuts and regulatory easing while drastically cutting back on federal spending, including social security programs.
社会保障など連邦政府の歳出は大幅に削減する一方、幅広い減税策や規制緩和によって、民間活力を通じた景気浮揚を図ろうとする「小さな政府」路線である。
For instance, he pledged to make the United States energy self-sufficient, expand trade, create 12 million jobs through assistance to small and midsize businesses, slash the nation's huge fiscal deficit, oppose cuts to the defense budget and abolish Obama's reform of the health care system.
具体的には、エネルギー自給の推進や貿易拡大、中小企業支援を通じた１２００万人の雇用創出計画、巨額の債務削減、国防予算の削減反対、オバマ政権の医療保険制度改革の撤廃などを挙げた。
===
Obama under pressure
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party does not see defense spending as untouchable when cutting expenditures to rebuild government finances.
民主党は、財政再建に必要な歳出削減では国防費も例外扱いにしていない。
The party has staked out a position that, as much as possible, will not cut federal spending for the underprivileged, including low-income earners and senior citizens, and emphasize correcting income disparities.
格差是正を重視し、低所得者や高齢者など弱者への政府支出は極力削らない立場だ。
However, the U.S. economy has been stuck in slow gear, and reverberations from the debt crisis in Europe have made its future uncertain. The U.S. unemployment rate has never gone below the 7.8 percent mark it stood at when Obama took office. Recently, it has hovered between 8 percent and 8.5 percent.
米国は、景気減速が続いており、欧州債務危機の影響を受けて、先行きも不透明だ。
失業率はオバマ大統領の就任時の７・８％を下回ることなく、８％台前半に高止まりしている。
The U.S. fiscal deficit has exceeded 1 trillion dollars for four straight years. Obama needs effective policies to quickly boost the economy, as well as restore the health of government finances in the medium- and long-term.
財政赤字は４年連続で１兆ドルを超えた。当面の景気浮揚と中長期的な財政再建で、実効性ある政策が求められよう。
Although Romney claims he could do both, simultaneously cutting taxes drastically and reducing the country's huge debt seems incompatible. He needs to clearly state what steps he would take to cut the federal deficit without losing tax revenue. This will undoubtedly be a major issue in the remainder of the campaign.
ロムニー氏の唱える、大幅減税と巨額の財政赤字減らしは、両立し難く見える。歳入を減らさずに赤字は減らせるという道筋を具体的に明示する必要がある。選挙戦で争点になるのは間違いない。
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is scheduled to kick off its national convention in the state of North Carolina on Tuesday, where it is expected to stress party unity during the march toward Obama's reelection.
民主党は４日からノースカロライナ州で党大会を開き、大統領再選へ挙党態勢をアピールする。
===
Parties agree on Asian issues
Recent polls have shown Obama and Romney in a dead heat. The three debates between the presidential candidates to be held in October will be major opportunities to determine the course of this close contest. We hope Obama and Romney have frank and heated discussions on the economy, diplomacy and defense policy.
世論調査では、オバマ、ロムニー両氏の支持率は拮抗(きっこう)している。１０月に３回にわたって行われる大統領候補討論会が、接戦の帰趨(きすう)を決する重要な機会となる。経済や外交・安保政策を巡り、大いに論戦を展開してもらいたい。
Both parties call the United States a Pacific nation and value its relations with Asian countries, and both agree the United States should work toward completing negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.
共和党も民主党も、ともに「米国は太平洋国家」とアジア重視を唱えている。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉を完了させるという主張でも一致している。
The two parties also share the view that the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region should be maintained under U.S. leadership. This is an ideal course also for Japan as a U.S. ally.
米国主導によるアジア太平洋地域の安定と繁栄の維持を図る狙いがあろう。同盟国の日本にとっても望ましい方向だ。
The result of the U.S. presidential election will affect Japan's domestic and foreign policies. We will keep a close eye on Obama and Romney's battle over policies.
米大統領選は、日本の内政、外交にも影響する。両候補の政策対決の行方を注視したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 3, 2012)
（2012年9月3日01時17分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 3, 2012)
China shouldn't treat suspects in car attack like heroes
中国大使車襲撃 容疑者の「英雄」扱いを憂える（9月2日付・読売社説）
We hope the Chinese government will take appropriate actions to prevent the recurrence of an incident that insulted Japan.
日本を侮辱するような事件が再発しないよう、中国政府に適切な対応を望みたい。
An official car carrying Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa was attacked recently in Beijing, and the Japanese national flag on it was stolen. Chinese authorities have identified four suspects, including one woman, but the authorities have just been questioning them without detention.
丹羽宇一郎・中国大使が乗った車が襲撃されて国旗を奪われた事件で、中国当局は容疑者が男女４人であることを突き止めた。拘束せず、事情を聞いているという。
This incident seems to have been caused by rising anti-Japanese sentiment within China, which was ignited by Hong Kong activists illegally landing on the Senkaku Islands. Stealing the Japanese national flag is nothing but a blatant insult to this country.
今回の事件は、香港の活動家による尖閣諸島への不法上陸事件を契機に中国国内で反日機運が高まっていることが原因だろう。国旗を狙ったのは、日本を冒涜(ぼうとく)する行為にほかならない。
Responding to a protest by the Japanese government, Beijing said the incident was extremely regrettable, and it would do its best to prevent similar incidents in the future and take stern actions as required by its laws.
日本政府の抗議に対して、中国側は「極めて遺憾だ。再発防止に全力を尽くし、法に基づき厳正に対処したい」と応えている。
===
Effects of patriotic education
However, an opinion survey conducted by a Chinese portal site on the Internet showed that 80 percent of respondents supported the attack on the Japanese ambassador's car. It is alarming for Japan that many people praised the attack, calling the suspects "heroes."
ただ、中国のインターネットのポータルサイトが実施した世論調査では、大使車襲撃を支持する回答が８割に達した。容疑者を「英雄」として、事件を称賛する声が多いことは、日本にとって憂慮すべき事態だ。
There is a slogan in China that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime. However, it is certainly a problem that the destruction of Japanese cars and restaurants by anti-Japan demonstrators is virtually permitted in that nation.
中国にはもともと、愛国的行為なら罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」というスローガンがある。日本車や日本料理店などを壊す反日行動が、事実上容認されているのは問題である。
We must point out that the strong effects on young people of the patriotic education by Chinese authorities are behind the radicalization of the opinions they express on the Internet due to anti-Japanese sentiment.
反日で若者のネット世論が過激化する背景として、中国当局による愛国教育の強い影響を指摘しないわけにはいかない。
Both Japan and China should understand that they are close neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, and that they are very important partners not only economically but also in many other fields. It should be stressed that the latest incident and repeated anti-Japanese demonstrations are simply unproductive.
一衣帯水の日中は、経済をはじめ、極めて重要なパートナーであることを認識すべきだ。今回の事件や繰り返される反日デモは、不毛と言うしかない。
We also cannot overlook the fact that many friendship events scheduled to be held in China had to be postponed or canceled due to rising tensions over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島を巡って緊張が高まっていることから、中国で開催予定の友好行事が延期や中止に追い込まれているのも看過できない。
===
Mutually beneficial relations
To improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recently sent a personal letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao. Parliamentary Senior Foreign Vice Minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi met Friday in Beijing with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a political heavyweight in charge of foreign affairs who is close to Hu, and handed Noda's letter to him.
このため、野田首相は胡錦濤国家主席に親書を出した。山口壮外務副大臣が北京で、胡主席に近い外交担当の実力者、戴秉国・国務委員と会談して手渡した。
In the letter, Noda stressed that Japan and China should deepen their strategic and mutually beneficial relations. To develop relations further, it is important to have close communications between high-level government officials, the letter also said.
親書は、日中両国が戦略的互恵関係を深化させることが重要だとし、関係発展のためにハイレベルで緊密な意思疎通を行っていくことが有意義だと訴えている。
Noda apparently sees improvement of the bilateral relationship as a matter of urgency. How will Hu respond to Noda's letter?
首相は両国関係の改善が急務と考えているのだろう。胡主席はどう対応するだろうか。
Japan and China will mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations at the end of this month. Tokyo and Beijing are considering arranging talks between their leaders on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled to be held in Vladivostok early this month.
日中両国は今月末で国交正常化４０周年の節目を迎える。両国政府は、今月上旬に開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議に合わせて、首脳会談を行うことを検討している。
Japanese and Chinese leaders must try to rebuild the relations between their nations by holding numerous discussions from a broader perspective and in a calm manner.
日中双方の首脳が大局的かつ冷静に対話を重ね、両国関係の再構築に努めることが重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2012)
（2012年9月2日01時45分 読売新聞）
China shouldn't treat suspects in car attack like heroes
中国大使車襲撃 容疑者の「英雄」扱いを憂える（9月2日付・読売社説）
We hope the Chinese government will take appropriate actions to prevent the recurrence of an incident that insulted Japan.
日本を侮辱するような事件が再発しないよう、中国政府に適切な対応を望みたい。
An official car carrying Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa was attacked recently in Beijing, and the Japanese national flag on it was stolen. Chinese authorities have identified four suspects, including one woman, but the authorities have just been questioning them without detention.
丹羽宇一郎・中国大使が乗った車が襲撃されて国旗を奪われた事件で、中国当局は容疑者が男女４人であることを突き止めた。拘束せず、事情を聞いているという。
This incident seems to have been caused by rising anti-Japanese sentiment within China, which was ignited by Hong Kong activists illegally landing on the Senkaku Islands. Stealing the Japanese national flag is nothing but a blatant insult to this country.
今回の事件は、香港の活動家による尖閣諸島への不法上陸事件を契機に中国国内で反日機運が高まっていることが原因だろう。国旗を狙ったのは、日本を冒涜(ぼうとく)する行為にほかならない。
Responding to a protest by the Japanese government, Beijing said the incident was extremely regrettable, and it would do its best to prevent similar incidents in the future and take stern actions as required by its laws.
日本政府の抗議に対して、中国側は「極めて遺憾だ。再発防止に全力を尽くし、法に基づき厳正に対処したい」と応えている。
===
Effects of patriotic education
However, an opinion survey conducted by a Chinese portal site on the Internet showed that 80 percent of respondents supported the attack on the Japanese ambassador's car. It is alarming for Japan that many people praised the attack, calling the suspects "heroes."
ただ、中国のインターネットのポータルサイトが実施した世論調査では、大使車襲撃を支持する回答が８割に達した。容疑者を「英雄」として、事件を称賛する声が多いことは、日本にとって憂慮すべき事態だ。
There is a slogan in China that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime. However, it is certainly a problem that the destruction of Japanese cars and restaurants by anti-Japan demonstrators is virtually permitted in that nation.
中国にはもともと、愛国的行為なら罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」というスローガンがある。日本車や日本料理店などを壊す反日行動が、事実上容認されているのは問題である。
We must point out that the strong effects on young people of the patriotic education by Chinese authorities are behind the radicalization of the opinions they express on the Internet due to anti-Japanese sentiment.
反日で若者のネット世論が過激化する背景として、中国当局による愛国教育の強い影響を指摘しないわけにはいかない。
Both Japan and China should understand that they are close neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, and that they are very important partners not only economically but also in many other fields. It should be stressed that the latest incident and repeated anti-Japanese demonstrations are simply unproductive.
一衣帯水の日中は、経済をはじめ、極めて重要なパートナーであることを認識すべきだ。今回の事件や繰り返される反日デモは、不毛と言うしかない。
We also cannot overlook the fact that many friendship events scheduled to be held in China had to be postponed or canceled due to rising tensions over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島を巡って緊張が高まっていることから、中国で開催予定の友好行事が延期や中止に追い込まれているのも看過できない。
===
Mutually beneficial relations
To improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda recently sent a personal letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao. Parliamentary Senior Foreign Vice Minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi met Friday in Beijing with Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo, a political heavyweight in charge of foreign affairs who is close to Hu, and handed Noda's letter to him.
このため、野田首相は胡錦濤国家主席に親書を出した。山口壮外務副大臣が北京で、胡主席に近い外交担当の実力者、戴秉国・国務委員と会談して手渡した。
In the letter, Noda stressed that Japan and China should deepen their strategic and mutually beneficial relations. To develop relations further, it is important to have close communications between high-level government officials, the letter also said.
親書は、日中両国が戦略的互恵関係を深化させることが重要だとし、関係発展のためにハイレベルで緊密な意思疎通を行っていくことが有意義だと訴えている。
Noda apparently sees improvement of the bilateral relationship as a matter of urgency. How will Hu respond to Noda's letter?
首相は両国関係の改善が急務と考えているのだろう。胡主席はどう対応するだろうか。
Japan and China will mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations at the end of this month. Tokyo and Beijing are considering arranging talks between their leaders on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled to be held in Vladivostok early this month.
日中両国は今月末で国交正常化４０周年の節目を迎える。両国政府は、今月上旬に開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議に合わせて、首脳会談を行うことを検討している。
Japanese and Chinese leaders must try to rebuild the relations between their nations by holding numerous discussions from a broader perspective and in a calm manner.
日中双方の首脳が大局的かつ冷静に対話を重ね、両国関係の再構築に努めることが重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 2, 2012)
（2012年9月2日01時45分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 2, 2012)
Govt should press N. Korea's new leader on abductions
日朝予備協議 金正恩体制に「拉致」打開促せ（9月1日付・読売社説）
Can preliminary talks between Japan and North Korea become a step toward resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea? The government should patiently deepen a dialogue with the country to break the stalemate on the issue.
日本人拉致問題を解決するための一歩になるだろうか。政府は膠着(こうちゃく)状態の打開へ、粘り強く対話を重ねるべきだ。
During division chief-level preliminary consultations in Beijing on Friday, the two countries agreed to discuss a "broad range of issues that interest both sides," and bureau chief-level talks are scheduled to be held in the Chinese capital later this month.
北京で開かれていた日本と北朝鮮の課長級による予備協議は、「双方が関心を持つ事項」について幅広く協議することで一致した。今月中にも、北京で局長級の本協議が行われる。
Although the countries did not explicitly agree on it, it stands to reason that the abduction issue, which Japan has called on North Korea to discuss, will be put on the agenda in the higher-level talks.
明示されてはいないが、日本が要求した拉致問題が議題になることは、当然である。
Such abductions are criminal acts by a state and violate human rights and national sovereignty. North Korea's claim that the abduction issue has already been resolved is totally unacceptable. The government should do everything in its power to enable all the abductees to return home.
拉致は、人権と国家主権を侵害する国家的な犯罪だ。「拉致問題は解決済み」といった北朝鮮の従来の主張は、到底受け入れられない。政府は、拉致被害者全員の早期帰国に全力を挙げるべきだ。
In August 2008, North Korea agreed during working-level bilateral talks in Shenyang, China, to launch a committee to reinvestigate the abductions "soon." But Pyongyang unilaterally put off the reinvestigation, and the bilateral talks on the matter were suspended.
拉致問題については、２００８年８月に中国・瀋陽で行った日朝の実務者協議で、北朝鮮が拉致被害者再調査のための委員会を早期に設置することで合意した。ところが、北朝鮮は一方的に再調査を見送り、協議は中断していた。
However, the issue of repatriating the remains of about 21,600 Japanese who died in North Korea in the closing days of or shortly after World War II prompted the two governments to hold talks for the first time in four years. North Korea has showed a positive attitude toward visits to the graves of such people by their Japanese families.
４年ぶりに政府間協議が実現した直接のきっかけは、終戦前後に北朝鮮で死亡した約２万１６００人分の日本人の遺骨返還問題である。北朝鮮側は、遺族の墓参についても積極的な姿勢を見せた。
===
Kim seen asserting own style
Such developments appear to be partly attributable to North Korea's new regime under Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. The chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, regarded as a key mentor to the young leader, was removed from all posts. The move fueled speculation that Kim dismissed him to assert his own style of leadership.
金正恩第１書記の新体制と無縁ではない。後見役と目されていた軍総参謀長が解任され、統治スタイルにも独自性がうかがえる。
We suspect Kim is trying to persuade Japan and other countries to lift economic sanctions against his nation and provide economic assistance to alleviate its food crisis.
金正恩氏は、食料問題を解決するため、日本をはじめ国際社会から経済制裁の解除や経済支援を引き出したいのではないか。
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has reportedly obtained various kinds of information on the abductees through unofficial channels.
政府は、北朝鮮側との非公式な接触で拉致被害者に関して様々な生存情報を得ているという。
Jin Matsubara, state minister in charge of the abduction issue, takes North Korea's recent moves positively.
松原拉致問題相は、北朝鮮側の動きを前向きにとらえている。
Kenji Fujimoto, who was a chef for late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, reportedly mentioned Megumi Yokota, one of the abductees, and directly asked Kim Jong Un to allow her and other abductees to return home when he visited Pyongyang in July and August at the invitation of the young leader. Matsubara said raising the abduction issue with the leader is very significant.
金正日総書記の専属料理人だった藤本健二氏が金正恩氏の招きで７～８月に訪朝した際、横田めぐみさんの名を挙げて解決を正恩氏に直訴したことについても、「極めて重い」と期待感を示した。
===
Develop momentum
The challenge now is how to link such developments to the resolution of issues of concern, such as the abductions and the repatriation of remains.
問題は、こうした変化を、拉致や遺骨返還など懸案の解決にどう結びつけるかである。
At the three-day preliminary meeting this week, Japanese and North Korean government officials reportedly touched upon the fact that Sept. 17 will mark the 10th anniversary of summit talks between then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il.
３日間にわたった今回の予備協議の中では、小泉首相と金正日総書記の日朝首脳会談から９月１７日でちょうど１０年を迎えることも話題になったという。
During the meeting, the late North Korean leader admitted his country had abducted Japanese people and apologized for the first time. And we should not forget that North Korea signed the Pyongyang Declaration in which both sides confirmed they would abide by international agreements related to the nuclear issue.
この首脳会談で、総書記は初めて拉致を認めて謝罪した。北朝鮮は、核問題解決のため国際的合意の順守を確認した平壌宣言に署名したことも忘れてはならない。
The government needs to elicit sincere responses from North Korea. To this end, we urge the government to devise a thorough strategy.
政府は、北朝鮮から誠意ある対応を引き出す必要がある。綿密な戦略を立ててもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2012)
（2012年9月1日01時27分 読売新聞）
Govt should press N. Korea's new leader on abductions
日朝予備協議 金正恩体制に「拉致」打開促せ（9月1日付・読売社説）
Can preliminary talks between Japan and North Korea become a step toward resolving the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea? The government should patiently deepen a dialogue with the country to break the stalemate on the issue.
日本人拉致問題を解決するための一歩になるだろうか。政府は膠着(こうちゃく)状態の打開へ、粘り強く対話を重ねるべきだ。
During division chief-level preliminary consultations in Beijing on Friday, the two countries agreed to discuss a "broad range of issues that interest both sides," and bureau chief-level talks are scheduled to be held in the Chinese capital later this month.
北京で開かれていた日本と北朝鮮の課長級による予備協議は、「双方が関心を持つ事項」について幅広く協議することで一致した。今月中にも、北京で局長級の本協議が行われる。
Although the countries did not explicitly agree on it, it stands to reason that the abduction issue, which Japan has called on North Korea to discuss, will be put on the agenda in the higher-level talks.
明示されてはいないが、日本が要求した拉致問題が議題になることは、当然である。
Such abductions are criminal acts by a state and violate human rights and national sovereignty. North Korea's claim that the abduction issue has already been resolved is totally unacceptable. The government should do everything in its power to enable all the abductees to return home.
拉致は、人権と国家主権を侵害する国家的な犯罪だ。「拉致問題は解決済み」といった北朝鮮の従来の主張は、到底受け入れられない。政府は、拉致被害者全員の早期帰国に全力を挙げるべきだ。
In August 2008, North Korea agreed during working-level bilateral talks in Shenyang, China, to launch a committee to reinvestigate the abductions "soon." But Pyongyang unilaterally put off the reinvestigation, and the bilateral talks on the matter were suspended.
拉致問題については、２００８年８月に中国・瀋陽で行った日朝の実務者協議で、北朝鮮が拉致被害者再調査のための委員会を早期に設置することで合意した。ところが、北朝鮮は一方的に再調査を見送り、協議は中断していた。
However, the issue of repatriating the remains of about 21,600 Japanese who died in North Korea in the closing days of or shortly after World War II prompted the two governments to hold talks for the first time in four years. North Korea has showed a positive attitude toward visits to the graves of such people by their Japanese families.
４年ぶりに政府間協議が実現した直接のきっかけは、終戦前後に北朝鮮で死亡した約２万１６００人分の日本人の遺骨返還問題である。北朝鮮側は、遺族の墓参についても積極的な姿勢を見せた。
===
Kim seen asserting own style
Such developments appear to be partly attributable to North Korea's new regime under Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. The chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, regarded as a key mentor to the young leader, was removed from all posts. The move fueled speculation that Kim dismissed him to assert his own style of leadership.
金正恩第１書記の新体制と無縁ではない。後見役と目されていた軍総参謀長が解任され、統治スタイルにも独自性がうかがえる。
We suspect Kim is trying to persuade Japan and other countries to lift economic sanctions against his nation and provide economic assistance to alleviate its food crisis.
金正恩氏は、食料問題を解決するため、日本をはじめ国際社会から経済制裁の解除や経済支援を引き出したいのではないか。
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has reportedly obtained various kinds of information on the abductees through unofficial channels.
政府は、北朝鮮側との非公式な接触で拉致被害者に関して様々な生存情報を得ているという。
Jin Matsubara, state minister in charge of the abduction issue, takes North Korea's recent moves positively.
松原拉致問題相は、北朝鮮側の動きを前向きにとらえている。
Kenji Fujimoto, who was a chef for late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, reportedly mentioned Megumi Yokota, one of the abductees, and directly asked Kim Jong Un to allow her and other abductees to return home when he visited Pyongyang in July and August at the invitation of the young leader. Matsubara said raising the abduction issue with the leader is very significant.
金正日総書記の専属料理人だった藤本健二氏が金正恩氏の招きで７～８月に訪朝した際、横田めぐみさんの名を挙げて解決を正恩氏に直訴したことについても、「極めて重い」と期待感を示した。
===
Develop momentum
The challenge now is how to link such developments to the resolution of issues of concern, such as the abductions and the repatriation of remains.
問題は、こうした変化を、拉致や遺骨返還など懸案の解決にどう結びつけるかである。
At the three-day preliminary meeting this week, Japanese and North Korean government officials reportedly touched upon the fact that Sept. 17 will mark the 10th anniversary of summit talks between then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il.
３日間にわたった今回の予備協議の中では、小泉首相と金正日総書記の日朝首脳会談から９月１７日でちょうど１０年を迎えることも話題になったという。
During the meeting, the late North Korean leader admitted his country had abducted Japanese people and apologized for the first time. And we should not forget that North Korea signed the Pyongyang Declaration in which both sides confirmed they would abide by international agreements related to the nuclear issue.
この首脳会談で、総書記は初めて拉致を認めて謝罪した。北朝鮮は、核問題解決のため国際的合意の順守を確認した平壌宣言に署名したことも忘れてはならない。
The government needs to elicit sincere responses from North Korea. To this end, we urge the government to devise a thorough strategy.
政府は、北朝鮮から誠意ある対応を引き出す必要がある。綿密な戦略を立ててもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 1, 2012)
（2012年9月1日01時27分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 1, 2012)
Take Takeshima row to ICJ despite South Korea's refusal
韓国提訴拒否 竹島はやはり国際裁判が筋だ（8月31日付・読売社説）
It is crucial for the government to persist in its attempt to resolve the dispute with South Korea over the Takeshima islands at the International Court of Justice.
あくまで国際司法裁判所（ＩＣＪ）の法廷での決着を追求し続けることが重要である。
South Korea recently delivered a letter to Japan officially refusing Tokyo's proposal to jointly refer the two nations' territorial dispute over the islands, which are a part of Shimane Prefecture, to the ICJ.
島根県・竹島の領有権問題を日韓両国がＩＣＪに共同付託するとの日本政府の提案について、韓国政府は拒否する口上書を日本側に渡した。
In a statement, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said he was "extremely disappointed" with Seoul's reply. The Japanese government is now moving toward unilaterally filing a suit with the ICJ, and the Foreign Ministry has begun drafting a petition to that end.
玄葉外相は、韓国側回答に「極めて失望」したとする談話を発表した。外務省は、ＩＣＪへの日本単独の提訴に向けて、訴状の作成などの準備作業を始めている。
The government previously asked South Korea to take the Takeshima dispute to the ICJ in 1954 and 1962, but gave up on the idea after Seoul rejected both requests. If Japan alone files suit with the ICJ, it will be the first time the territorial row is brought before the U.N. court.
政府は１９５４年と６２年にＩＣＪ提訴を韓国に提案したが、韓国に拒否された段階で断念した。単独提訴を行えば、初めてだ。
Since Japan's requests were made before it normalized diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1965, we presume Japanese governments at the time gave up on taking the dispute to the ICJ because it hoped to keep friction with South Korea from reaching a critical stage.
当時は６５年の国交正常化前であり、韓国との決定的対立を避ける外交的配慮があったのだろう。
However, South Korean President Lee Myung Bak went beyond acceptable limits recently by ignoring Japan's requests and visiting the Takeshima islands, a move aimed mainly at boosting his administration's flagging popularity. This act cannot be overlooked, and we see it as entirely appropriate for Japan to take the matter to the ICJ on its own.
だが、李明博大統領が政権浮揚の思惑などから竹島訪問を強行し、重大な一線を越えた事実は重い。単独提訴は当然の対応である。
===
South Korea's far-fetched claims
If South Korea believes its territorial claim to the Takeshima islands is sound, it should agree with Japan's request to bring the dispute to the ICJ and state its views openly before the international tribunal.
韓国は、自らの領有権が正当だと考えるなら、ＩＣＪ提訴に応じ、法廷で堂々と主張すべきだ。
South Korea had not yet joined the United Nations when Japan made its two previous requests, but the nation is now a key member of the organization, touting itself as "Global Korea." Such a country should not hesitate to use international means of dispute resolution.
過去の日本の提訴提案時は、国連未加盟だったが、今は主要な加盟国で「グローバル・コリア」を標榜(ひょうぼう)しているのだから、なおさらだ。
In its written reply to Japan's request, the South Korean government stated that the Takeshima islands are "an integral part of the territory of South Korea, a fact that is unequivocal from historical and geographical standpoints, as well as under international law."
The reply also stated that "no territorial dispute exists" over the islands.
韓国側は口上書で、竹島は「歴史的、地理的、国際法的に明白な韓国の不可分の領土」「いかなる紛争もない」などと強弁した。
Sources close to the matter said South Korean government representatives told their Japanese counterparts that the islands "first fell victim to Japan when the Korean Peninsula was invaded and pillaged as a result of Japanese imperialism."
"[The islands] returned to South Korea through the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Declaration and Japan's unconditional surrender" in World War II, the South Korean representatives were quoted as saying.
竹島が「日本帝国主義の韓半島侵奪の過程で初めて犠牲になった」「カイロ宣言、ポツダム宣言及び日本の無条件降伏を通じて韓国領土に回復した」とも、日本側に口頭で伝えたという。
However, Japan's dominion over the Takeshima islands was established by the 17th century when the islands were used for fishing and other purposes. After World War II, the South Korean government asked the United States to grant the islands to South Korea, but the United States refused. South Korea later unilaterally established the Syngman Rhee Line border and illegally occupied the islands.
だが、日本は１７世紀には竹島を漁場などに利用し、領有権を確立した。大戦後、韓国は竹島を韓国領とするよう米国に要請したが、拒否されたため、一方的に「李承晩ライン」を設定し、不法占拠した。
===
Show world legitimacy of claim
Even if Japan files suit with the ICJ, a trial will not be held if South Korea continues to refuse to participate. However, the action would have no small impact, as it would be a precious opportunity for Japan to make its case for the legitimacy of its territorial claims before the global community, and history will note South Korea's refusal to allow the matter to be heard by the international court.
日本が単独提訴しても、韓国が裁判を拒否し続けた場合、公判は開かれない。それでも、日本が国際社会に竹島の領有権の正当性をアピールするとともに、日本の提訴を韓国が拒否した事実を歴史に残す意義は小さくあるまい。
It is undeniable that past Japanese administrations, including those when the Liberal Democratic Party was in power, avoided focusing too much on the Takeshima issue, worrying it would sour Japan's relationship with South Korea. We think the Japanese government should make a first step toward rectifying its past weakness by taking the suit to the ICJ.
日本は、自民党政権時代を含め、日韓関係の悪化を懸念して、竹島問題で主張を抑制してきたことは否めない。単独提訴をその対応を改める一歩とすべきだ。
However, South Korea's position as an important neighbor to Japan will not change. The two countries need to continue to cooperate on various issues, such as North Korea and further economic partnership.
一方で、韓国が重要な隣国であることに変わりはない。北朝鮮問題、経済連携など、日韓両国が取り組むべき案件は多い。
It will probably be difficult to improve the Japan-South Korea relationship before Lee's term expires in February, but we urge the government to make proper efforts to maintain a dialogue with South Korea.
来年２月までの李大統領在任中に日韓関係を改善するのは難しいとしても、対話や協議はきちんと継続することが大切である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2012)
（2012年8月31日01時19分 読売新聞）
Take Takeshima row to ICJ despite South Korea's refusal
韓国提訴拒否 竹島はやはり国際裁判が筋だ（8月31日付・読売社説）
It is crucial for the government to persist in its attempt to resolve the dispute with South Korea over the Takeshima islands at the International Court of Justice.
あくまで国際司法裁判所（ＩＣＪ）の法廷での決着を追求し続けることが重要である。
South Korea recently delivered a letter to Japan officially refusing Tokyo's proposal to jointly refer the two nations' territorial dispute over the islands, which are a part of Shimane Prefecture, to the ICJ.
島根県・竹島の領有権問題を日韓両国がＩＣＪに共同付託するとの日本政府の提案について、韓国政府は拒否する口上書を日本側に渡した。
In a statement, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said he was "extremely disappointed" with Seoul's reply. The Japanese government is now moving toward unilaterally filing a suit with the ICJ, and the Foreign Ministry has begun drafting a petition to that end.
玄葉外相は、韓国側回答に「極めて失望」したとする談話を発表した。外務省は、ＩＣＪへの日本単独の提訴に向けて、訴状の作成などの準備作業を始めている。
The government previously asked South Korea to take the Takeshima dispute to the ICJ in 1954 and 1962, but gave up on the idea after Seoul rejected both requests. If Japan alone files suit with the ICJ, it will be the first time the territorial row is brought before the U.N. court.
政府は１９５４年と６２年にＩＣＪ提訴を韓国に提案したが、韓国に拒否された段階で断念した。単独提訴を行えば、初めてだ。
Since Japan's requests were made before it normalized diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1965, we presume Japanese governments at the time gave up on taking the dispute to the ICJ because it hoped to keep friction with South Korea from reaching a critical stage.
当時は６５年の国交正常化前であり、韓国との決定的対立を避ける外交的配慮があったのだろう。
However, South Korean President Lee Myung Bak went beyond acceptable limits recently by ignoring Japan's requests and visiting the Takeshima islands, a move aimed mainly at boosting his administration's flagging popularity. This act cannot be overlooked, and we see it as entirely appropriate for Japan to take the matter to the ICJ on its own.
だが、李明博大統領が政権浮揚の思惑などから竹島訪問を強行し、重大な一線を越えた事実は重い。単独提訴は当然の対応である。
===
South Korea's far-fetched claims
If South Korea believes its territorial claim to the Takeshima islands is sound, it should agree with Japan's request to bring the dispute to the ICJ and state its views openly before the international tribunal.
韓国は、自らの領有権が正当だと考えるなら、ＩＣＪ提訴に応じ、法廷で堂々と主張すべきだ。
South Korea had not yet joined the United Nations when Japan made its two previous requests, but the nation is now a key member of the organization, touting itself as "Global Korea." Such a country should not hesitate to use international means of dispute resolution.
過去の日本の提訴提案時は、国連未加盟だったが、今は主要な加盟国で「グローバル・コリア」を標榜(ひょうぼう)しているのだから、なおさらだ。
In its written reply to Japan's request, the South Korean government stated that the Takeshima islands are "an integral part of the territory of South Korea, a fact that is unequivocal from historical and geographical standpoints, as well as under international law."
The reply also stated that "no territorial dispute exists" over the islands.
韓国側は口上書で、竹島は「歴史的、地理的、国際法的に明白な韓国の不可分の領土」「いかなる紛争もない」などと強弁した。
Sources close to the matter said South Korean government representatives told their Japanese counterparts that the islands "first fell victim to Japan when the Korean Peninsula was invaded and pillaged as a result of Japanese imperialism."
"[The islands] returned to South Korea through the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Declaration and Japan's unconditional surrender" in World War II, the South Korean representatives were quoted as saying.
竹島が「日本帝国主義の韓半島侵奪の過程で初めて犠牲になった」「カイロ宣言、ポツダム宣言及び日本の無条件降伏を通じて韓国領土に回復した」とも、日本側に口頭で伝えたという。
However, Japan's dominion over the Takeshima islands was established by the 17th century when the islands were used for fishing and other purposes. After World War II, the South Korean government asked the United States to grant the islands to South Korea, but the United States refused. South Korea later unilaterally established the Syngman Rhee Line border and illegally occupied the islands.
だが、日本は１７世紀には竹島を漁場などに利用し、領有権を確立した。大戦後、韓国は竹島を韓国領とするよう米国に要請したが、拒否されたため、一方的に「李承晩ライン」を設定し、不法占拠した。
===
Show world legitimacy of claim
Even if Japan files suit with the ICJ, a trial will not be held if South Korea continues to refuse to participate. However, the action would have no small impact, as it would be a precious opportunity for Japan to make its case for the legitimacy of its territorial claims before the global community, and history will note South Korea's refusal to allow the matter to be heard by the international court.
日本が単独提訴しても、韓国が裁判を拒否し続けた場合、公判は開かれない。それでも、日本が国際社会に竹島の領有権の正当性をアピールするとともに、日本の提訴を韓国が拒否した事実を歴史に残す意義は小さくあるまい。
It is undeniable that past Japanese administrations, including those when the Liberal Democratic Party was in power, avoided focusing too much on the Takeshima issue, worrying it would sour Japan's relationship with South Korea. We think the Japanese government should make a first step toward rectifying its past weakness by taking the suit to the ICJ.
日本は、自民党政権時代を含め、日韓関係の悪化を懸念して、竹島問題で主張を抑制してきたことは否めない。単独提訴をその対応を改める一歩とすべきだ。
However, South Korea's position as an important neighbor to Japan will not change. The two countries need to continue to cooperate on various issues, such as North Korea and further economic partnership.
一方で、韓国が重要な隣国であることに変わりはない。北朝鮮問題、経済連携など、日韓両国が取り組むべき案件は多い。
It will probably be difficult to improve the Japan-South Korea relationship before Lee's term expires in February, but we urge the government to make proper efforts to maintain a dialogue with South Korea.
来年２月までの李大統領在任中に日韓関係を改善するのは難しいとしても、対話や協議はきちんと継続することが大切である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2012)
（2012年8月31日01時19分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 31, 2012)
LDP should put responsibilities ahead of party politics
首相問責可決 自らを貶めた自民党の「賛成」（8月30日付・読売社説）
The submission of a censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda can serve no meaningful purpose.
野田首相への問責決議に一体、どんな意味があるというのか。
Censure motions do not have the power to force prime ministers to dissolve the House of Representatives. It is shocking to witness the opposition camp putting party interests first, with members abandoning their legislative responsibilities.
首相を衆院解散に追い込めるわけではない。立法府の一員としての責任を放棄し、党利党略に走る野党の姿勢には、あきれるばかりだ。
On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled House of Councillors passed a censure motion against Noda. The motion was jointly submitted by seven political groups, including People's Life First and Your Party. Most opposition groups, including the Liberal Democratic Party, approved the motion, outnumbering the ruling parties.
国民の生活が第一、みんなの党など参院の野党７会派が提出した首相問責決議案は２９日、野党の賛成多数により、可決された。自民党は賛成票を投じた。
The censure motion denounced the enactment of the consumption tax hike bills, saying it disregarded public opinion. The motion also criticized the Democratic Party of Japan, LDP and New Komeito for cooperating to pass the bills, saying they "acted against the spirit of parliamentary democracy."
問責決議は、消費税率引き上げは国民の声に背くとし、関連法を成立させた民主、自民、公明の３党協議も「議会制民主主義が守られていない」と非難している。
However, this accusation seems strange, considering that about 80 percent of all lower and upper house members--including those from the LDP--voted in favor of the bills.
だが、これはおかしい。自民党を含め、衆参両院議員の約８割が賛成した法律である。
How could the LDP support such a censure motion at this stage? Through its members' actions, the LDP has demeaned itself as a political party. On the other hand, Komeito stayed consistent with its pro-tax hike stance by abstaining from voting on the censure motion.
自民党が今更、こんな決議に賛成したことは到底、理解できない。政党として自らを貶(おとし)める行為だ。公明党は採決で棄権して、筋を通したではないか。
===
Time to cooperate on crucial issues
LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki explained the party's reason for approving the censure motion, saying, "The Noda administration has reached the limit of its ability to run the country, both in regards to domestic and foreign affairs."
自民党の谷垣総裁は、問責の理由について、「内政、外交の両面にわたって今の野田政権が国政を進めることは限界だ」と述べた。
"The foundation of Japan's diplomacy is now crumbling," Tanigaki added.
「日本外交の基礎がガタガタになっている」とも批判した。
However, Tanigaki's remarks are not convincing reasons for censuring the prime minister.
だが、首相を問責する根拠としては説得力に欠ける。
The LDP cannot deny its role in longstanding territorial issues, such as the dispute over the Takeshima islands, as the party held the reins of government for so many years before the DPJ took power.
竹島など領土問題では、長年政権を担当してきた自民党も責任を免れない。
Now is the time for the ruling and opposition parties to join forces to deal with the threat of China, South Korea and Russia encroaching on Japan's territory and waters. An act such as the censure motion is akin to shooting the prime minister in the back, and could undermine national interests.
領土・領海に対する中国や韓国、ロシアの攻勢に、与野党は結束して対応すべきなのに、首相に、後ろから弾を撃つような行為は国益を損ねよう。
Regarding domestic affairs, the DPJ, LDP and Komeito succeeded in joining hands to realize integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, as each party agreed that the nation must rebuild its finances.
内政では、民自公３党が財政再建の必要性に対する認識を共有し、社会保障と税の一体改革の実現へ連携したばかりである。
The DPJ has been criticized for its high-handed management of the Diet, apparently a major problem in the party, which was demonstrated in cases such as the handling of bills to reform the lower house's electoral system. Still, the censure motion could destroy the cooperative relationship developed among the three parties. In the worst-case scenario, the agreement between the leaders of the DPJ, LDP and Komeito to dissolve the lower house "sometime soon" could be scrapped.
衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案の扱いなど民主党の強引な国会運営に大きな問題があるとはいえ、問責決議は、民自公３党の協調路線を壊す。「近いうち」という衆院解散の民自公の党首合意さえ反古(ほご)になりかねない。
===
'Chamber of political maneuvering'
From now on, the LDP plans to refuse to participate in Diet deliberations except for the approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission and certain bills drafted by individual lawmakers. This means that the legislature will remain paralyzed on important issues.
今後、自民党は原子力規制委員会の国会同意人事や一部の議員立法を除いて審議拒否する方針だ。「決められない政治」が続く。
Pressing legislation such as a bill to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds, bills on the introduction of a personal identification numbering system, and a bill asking the Diet to approve Japan's joining the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, are still undecided in the Diet.
国会では、赤字国債の発行を可能にする特例公債法案をはじめ、共通番号制度関連法案（マイナンバー法案）、ハーグ条約承認案など重要案件が積み残された。
Unlike no-confidence motions passed against the Cabinet by the lower house, censure motions in the upper house do not create legal grounds for ousting Cabinet ministers. However, opposition parties have been using censure motions as a tool to attack the government and the ruling parties by refusing to participate in Diet deliberations and demanding the resignation of the prime minister and other Cabinet ministers.
衆院の内閣不信任決議と違い、参院の問責決議には法的根拠がない。それを政府・与党攻撃の手段にして審議を拒否し、首相・閣僚の交代を迫る。
How long will this malicious practice continue? We should not let the upper house become "the chamber of political maneuvering."
こんな悪習をいつまで繰り返すのか。参院を「政局の府」にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2012)
（2012年8月30日01時38分 読売新聞）
LDP should put responsibilities ahead of party politics
首相問責可決 自らを貶めた自民党の「賛成」（8月30日付・読売社説）
The submission of a censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda can serve no meaningful purpose.
野田首相への問責決議に一体、どんな意味があるというのか。
Censure motions do not have the power to force prime ministers to dissolve the House of Representatives. It is shocking to witness the opposition camp putting party interests first, with members abandoning their legislative responsibilities.
首相を衆院解散に追い込めるわけではない。立法府の一員としての責任を放棄し、党利党略に走る野党の姿勢には、あきれるばかりだ。
On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled House of Councillors passed a censure motion against Noda. The motion was jointly submitted by seven political groups, including People's Life First and Your Party. Most opposition groups, including the Liberal Democratic Party, approved the motion, outnumbering the ruling parties.
国民の生活が第一、みんなの党など参院の野党７会派が提出した首相問責決議案は２９日、野党の賛成多数により、可決された。自民党は賛成票を投じた。
The censure motion denounced the enactment of the consumption tax hike bills, saying it disregarded public opinion. The motion also criticized the Democratic Party of Japan, LDP and New Komeito for cooperating to pass the bills, saying they "acted against the spirit of parliamentary democracy."
問責決議は、消費税率引き上げは国民の声に背くとし、関連法を成立させた民主、自民、公明の３党協議も「議会制民主主義が守られていない」と非難している。
However, this accusation seems strange, considering that about 80 percent of all lower and upper house members--including those from the LDP--voted in favor of the bills.
だが、これはおかしい。自民党を含め、衆参両院議員の約８割が賛成した法律である。
How could the LDP support such a censure motion at this stage? Through its members' actions, the LDP has demeaned itself as a political party. On the other hand, Komeito stayed consistent with its pro-tax hike stance by abstaining from voting on the censure motion.
自民党が今更、こんな決議に賛成したことは到底、理解できない。政党として自らを貶(おとし)める行為だ。公明党は採決で棄権して、筋を通したではないか。
===
Time to cooperate on crucial issues
LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki explained the party's reason for approving the censure motion, saying, "The Noda administration has reached the limit of its ability to run the country, both in regards to domestic and foreign affairs."
自民党の谷垣総裁は、問責の理由について、「内政、外交の両面にわたって今の野田政権が国政を進めることは限界だ」と述べた。
"The foundation of Japan's diplomacy is now crumbling," Tanigaki added.
「日本外交の基礎がガタガタになっている」とも批判した。
However, Tanigaki's remarks are not convincing reasons for censuring the prime minister.
だが、首相を問責する根拠としては説得力に欠ける。
The LDP cannot deny its role in longstanding territorial issues, such as the dispute over the Takeshima islands, as the party held the reins of government for so many years before the DPJ took power.
竹島など領土問題では、長年政権を担当してきた自民党も責任を免れない。
Now is the time for the ruling and opposition parties to join forces to deal with the threat of China, South Korea and Russia encroaching on Japan's territory and waters. An act such as the censure motion is akin to shooting the prime minister in the back, and could undermine national interests.
領土・領海に対する中国や韓国、ロシアの攻勢に、与野党は結束して対応すべきなのに、首相に、後ろから弾を撃つような行為は国益を損ねよう。
Regarding domestic affairs, the DPJ, LDP and Komeito succeeded in joining hands to realize integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, as each party agreed that the nation must rebuild its finances.
内政では、民自公３党が財政再建の必要性に対する認識を共有し、社会保障と税の一体改革の実現へ連携したばかりである。
The DPJ has been criticized for its high-handed management of the Diet, apparently a major problem in the party, which was demonstrated in cases such as the handling of bills to reform the lower house's electoral system. Still, the censure motion could destroy the cooperative relationship developed among the three parties. In the worst-case scenario, the agreement between the leaders of the DPJ, LDP and Komeito to dissolve the lower house "sometime soon" could be scrapped.
衆院選挙制度改革に関する法案の扱いなど民主党の強引な国会運営に大きな問題があるとはいえ、問責決議は、民自公３党の協調路線を壊す。「近いうち」という衆院解散の民自公の党首合意さえ反古(ほご)になりかねない。
===
'Chamber of political maneuvering'
From now on, the LDP plans to refuse to participate in Diet deliberations except for the approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission and certain bills drafted by individual lawmakers. This means that the legislature will remain paralyzed on important issues.
今後、自民党は原子力規制委員会の国会同意人事や一部の議員立法を除いて審議拒否する方針だ。「決められない政治」が続く。
Pressing legislation such as a bill to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds, bills on the introduction of a personal identification numbering system, and a bill asking the Diet to approve Japan's joining the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, are still undecided in the Diet.
国会では、赤字国債の発行を可能にする特例公債法案をはじめ、共通番号制度関連法案（マイナンバー法案）、ハーグ条約承認案など重要案件が積み残された。
Unlike no-confidence motions passed against the Cabinet by the lower house, censure motions in the upper house do not create legal grounds for ousting Cabinet ministers. However, opposition parties have been using censure motions as a tool to attack the government and the ruling parties by refusing to participate in Diet deliberations and demanding the resignation of the prime minister and other Cabinet ministers.
衆院の内閣不信任決議と違い、参院の問責決議には法的根拠がない。それを政府・与党攻撃の手段にして審議を拒否し、首相・閣僚の交代を迫る。
How long will this malicious practice continue? We should not let the upper house become "the chamber of political maneuvering."
こんな悪習をいつまで繰り返すのか。参院を「政局の府」にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2012)
（2012年8月30日01時38分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 30, 2012)
Kono's 'comfort women' statement must be reviewed
河野談話 「負の遺産」の見直しは当然だ（8月29日付・読売社説）
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's recent visit to the Takeshima islands has reignited the so-called comfort women issue.
韓国の李明博大統領の竹島訪問に関連し、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題が再燃している。
It is undeniable that a 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono is the root cause of the controversy. The government should review this statement, prepare a new concept concerning the issue and convey it to the public and the international community.
その根底には、慰安婦問題に関する１９９３年の河野官房長官談話があることは否定できない。政府は、これを見直し、新たな見解を内外に表明すべきである。
At a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said his administration would adhere to the Kono statement. However, Noda added that the government "was not able to confirm the forcible recruitment [of comfort women] from documents, so the [Kono] statement was based on interviews with comfort women."
野田首相は参院予算委員会で、河野談話を踏襲するとしながらも「強制連行の事実を文書で確認できず、慰安婦への聞き取りから談話ができた」と説明した。
Jin Matsubara, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, proposed that ministers should debate the comfort women issue from the standpoint of reviewing the Kono statement.
松原国家公安委員長は談話を見直す観点から閣僚間の議論を提起した。
The 1993 statement said: "The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to a request from the military.
河野談話は、慰安婦の募集について「軍の要請を受けた業者が主として当たった」とした上で、
"In many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing, coercion, and so on, and that, at times, administrative and military personnel directly took part in the recruitments."
「本人たちの意思に反して集められた事例が数多くあり、更に、官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」と記した。
===
No verification
However, the government could find no documents proving the military or other government authorities forcibly recruited comfort women. The Kono statement was based solely on the statements of former comfort women and there were no investigations to verify their remarks.
しかし、軍や官憲が慰安婦を強制的に連行したことを示す資料は発見できなかった。元慰安婦の証言のみが根拠とされ、これを裏付ける調査も行われていない。
At the time, several South Korean women identified themselves as former comfort women and demanded an apology from the Japanese government. We assume the government took into account Japan's diplomatic relations with South Korea when it issued the Kono statement.
当時、韓国の元慰安婦らが名乗り出て日本政府に謝罪などを求めていた。談話の背景には、外交的配慮もあったのだろう。
However, as a result of the statement, the international community came to believe things that were not true, such as the Imperial Japanese Army systematically and forcibly recruiting women to make them "sex slaves."
結果として、旧日本軍が女性を組織的に強制連行して「性奴隷」にしたといった誤解が、世界に定着した。
The U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament adopted resolutions condemning Japan on the comfort women issue, and called on the Japanese government to apologize.
米下院や欧州議会などは慰安婦問題で日本政府の謝罪を求める対日批判決議を採択した。
Up to now, however, no evidence proving the forcible recruitment of comfort women has been found.
だが、その後も、旧日本軍による慰安婦の強制連行を証明する資料は見つかっていない。
When the U.S. House of Representatives was discussing the comfort women issue in March 2007, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a written reply to a question posed by a Diet member on the issue. The reply said "descriptions directly indicating forcible recruitments by the military and other government authorities had not been found in documents" unearthed by the government.
米下院で慰安婦問題が取り上げられていた２００７年３月、安倍内閣は「資料には軍や官憲によるいわゆる強制連行を直接示すような記述も見当たらなかった」とする政府答弁書を閣議決定した。
The response clarified the government's stance that documents supporting the Kono statement did not exist, although at the same time it adhered to the statement.
河野談話を継承しつつ、その根拠となる資料は存在しないという立場を明確にしたものだ。
===
'Negative legacy' of LDP
However, if the situation is left unchanged, it will be difficult to dispel the international community's misunderstandings on the comfort women issue.
だが、このままでは国際社会の誤解を払拭することは難しい。
It was reasonable for Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto to call on the government to review the contents of the Kono statement after saying the statement--which was not authorized by the Cabinet--and the 2007 written reply contradict each other. He also said the statement was the "main cause" of Japan-South Korea friction.
大阪市の橋下徹市長が、閣議決定もされていない河野談話と０７年の閣議決定は矛盾しており、河野談話の内容を見直すべきだと述べたのは、もっともである。橋下氏は河野談話を日韓の紛争の「最大の元凶」とも批判している。
The government must take measures to prevent misunderstandings on the comfort women issue from spreading further.
政府は、誤解の拡散を招かぬよう手立てを講じる必要がある。
As there is no conclusive evidence that the Imperial Japanese Army forcibly recruited comfort women, the Noda Cabinet should review the Kono statement--a "negative legacy" of Liberal Democratic Party administrations--and explain the government's stance on the issue to the public and the world in a manner easy to understand.
野田内閣は、旧日本軍による慰安婦強制連行の確証がないことを踏まえ、河野談話という自民党政権時代の「負の遺産」を見直し、日本政府の立場を内外に分かりやすく説明しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2012)
（2012年8月29日01時18分 読売新聞）
Kono's 'comfort women' statement must be reviewed
河野談話 「負の遺産」の見直しは当然だ（8月29日付・読売社説）
South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's recent visit to the Takeshima islands has reignited the so-called comfort women issue.
韓国の李明博大統領の竹島訪問に関連し、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題が再燃している。
It is undeniable that a 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono is the root cause of the controversy. The government should review this statement, prepare a new concept concerning the issue and convey it to the public and the international community.
その根底には、慰安婦問題に関する１９９３年の河野官房長官談話があることは否定できない。政府は、これを見直し、新たな見解を内外に表明すべきである。
At a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said his administration would adhere to the Kono statement. However, Noda added that the government "was not able to confirm the forcible recruitment [of comfort women] from documents, so the [Kono] statement was based on interviews with comfort women."
野田首相は参院予算委員会で、河野談話を踏襲するとしながらも「強制連行の事実を文書で確認できず、慰安婦への聞き取りから談話ができた」と説明した。
Jin Matsubara, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, proposed that ministers should debate the comfort women issue from the standpoint of reviewing the Kono statement.
松原国家公安委員長は談話を見直す観点から閣僚間の議論を提起した。
The 1993 statement said: "The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to a request from the military.
河野談話は、慰安婦の募集について「軍の要請を受けた業者が主として当たった」とした上で、
"In many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing, coercion, and so on, and that, at times, administrative and military personnel directly took part in the recruitments."
「本人たちの意思に反して集められた事例が数多くあり、更に、官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」と記した。
===
No verification
However, the government could find no documents proving the military or other government authorities forcibly recruited comfort women. The Kono statement was based solely on the statements of former comfort women and there were no investigations to verify their remarks.
しかし、軍や官憲が慰安婦を強制的に連行したことを示す資料は発見できなかった。元慰安婦の証言のみが根拠とされ、これを裏付ける調査も行われていない。
At the time, several South Korean women identified themselves as former comfort women and demanded an apology from the Japanese government. We assume the government took into account Japan's diplomatic relations with South Korea when it issued the Kono statement.
当時、韓国の元慰安婦らが名乗り出て日本政府に謝罪などを求めていた。談話の背景には、外交的配慮もあったのだろう。
However, as a result of the statement, the international community came to believe things that were not true, such as the Imperial Japanese Army systematically and forcibly recruiting women to make them "sex slaves."
結果として、旧日本軍が女性を組織的に強制連行して「性奴隷」にしたといった誤解が、世界に定着した。
The U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament adopted resolutions condemning Japan on the comfort women issue, and called on the Japanese government to apologize.
米下院や欧州議会などは慰安婦問題で日本政府の謝罪を求める対日批判決議を採択した。
Up to now, however, no evidence proving the forcible recruitment of comfort women has been found.
だが、その後も、旧日本軍による慰安婦の強制連行を証明する資料は見つかっていない。
When the U.S. House of Representatives was discussing the comfort women issue in March 2007, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a written reply to a question posed by a Diet member on the issue. The reply said "descriptions directly indicating forcible recruitments by the military and other government authorities had not been found in documents" unearthed by the government.
米下院で慰安婦問題が取り上げられていた２００７年３月、安倍内閣は「資料には軍や官憲によるいわゆる強制連行を直接示すような記述も見当たらなかった」とする政府答弁書を閣議決定した。
The response clarified the government's stance that documents supporting the Kono statement did not exist, although at the same time it adhered to the statement.
河野談話を継承しつつ、その根拠となる資料は存在しないという立場を明確にしたものだ。
===
'Negative legacy' of LDP
However, if the situation is left unchanged, it will be difficult to dispel the international community's misunderstandings on the comfort women issue.
だが、このままでは国際社会の誤解を払拭することは難しい。
It was reasonable for Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto to call on the government to review the contents of the Kono statement after saying the statement--which was not authorized by the Cabinet--and the 2007 written reply contradict each other. He also said the statement was the "main cause" of Japan-South Korea friction.
大阪市の橋下徹市長が、閣議決定もされていない河野談話と０７年の閣議決定は矛盾しており、河野談話の内容を見直すべきだと述べたのは、もっともである。橋下氏は河野談話を日韓の紛争の「最大の元凶」とも批判している。
The government must take measures to prevent misunderstandings on the comfort women issue from spreading further.
政府は、誤解の拡散を招かぬよう手立てを講じる必要がある。
As there is no conclusive evidence that the Imperial Japanese Army forcibly recruited comfort women, the Noda Cabinet should review the Kono statement--a "negative legacy" of Liberal Democratic Party administrations--and explain the government's stance on the issue to the public and the world in a manner easy to understand.
野田内閣は、旧日本軍による慰安婦強制連行の確証がないことを踏まえ、河野談話という自民党政権時代の「負の遺産」を見直し、日本政府の立場を内外に分かりやすく説明しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2012)
（2012年8月29日01時18分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 29, 2012)
Failure to address election system reform deplorable
与野党の対立 衆院選改革の放置にあきれる（8月28日付・読売社説）
The current ordinary Diet session closes in less than two weeks and many legislative issues are still pending. Both the ruling and opposition camps must work tirelessly to reach accords on them until the last minute.
通常国会は会期末まで２週間足らずとなった。なお、数多くの懸案が残っている。与野党は、最後まで合意への努力を続けるべきだ。
The biggest concern is that the Diet has yet to realize the House of Representatives' electoral system reform, although the Supreme Court has ruled the current disparity in the weight of votes between the most- and least- represented constituencies is "in a state of unconstitutionality."
最大の懸念は、「違憲状態」と司法が判断した衆院選挙制度の改革が実現しないことである。
The Democratic Party of Japan voted on a DPJ-sponsored election system reform bill in a special lower house committee on Monday in the absence of opposition parties. The DPJ is poised to pass the bill in a plenary session of the lower house on Tuesday.
民主党は、衆院特別委員会で自らが提出した法案を全野党欠席のまま単独で採決し、可決した。２８日に衆院を通過させる構えだ。
The opposition bloc, as a matter of course, has opposed the DPJ's actions.
無論、野党は反発している。
Given that the DPJ will be unable to obtain approval from the opposition that controls the House of Councillors, it is certain the bill will be scrapped when it fails in the upper house. This will leave the state of unconstitutionality unresolved.
参院で多数を占める野党の協力を見込めず、法案の廃案は確実だ。違憲状態を放置するに等しい。
===
DPJ out to put off election
Having the bill hastily approved by the committee is presumably motivated by a desire to shift the blame for failing to achieve electoral reform to the opposition.
それでも民主党が突っ走ったのは、改革が実現しない責任を野党に押しつけたいからだろう。
DPJ Acting Secretary General Shinji Tarutoko has lambasted the opposition parties for "taking a stand even against rectifying the gap in the weight of votes."
実際、樽床伸二幹事長代行は、審議を拒否した野党を「『１票の格差』是正さえやりたくない態度だ」と批判している。
The DPJ, however, has persistently spurned the idea of cutting five single-seat electoral districts before other election system issues. This is the only option the DPJ and the major opposition parties, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, agreed to on the election reform issue. The DPJ should be held responsible for stalling this reform.
だが、民主党は、民自公３党が唯一折り合える格差是正の小選挙区「０増５減」の先行実施を拒み、制度改革を停滞させてきた。
In light of the irresponsibility of the DPJ, the party is not qualified to criticize the opposition. The DPJ has employed the tactic of delaying the legislation in a bid to postpone the lower house dissolution and a general election.
無責任な民主党に野党を批判する資格はない。結局、衆院解散・総選挙の先送り戦術ではないのか。
The DPJ-sponsored bill entails not only a five single-seat constituency cut, but also the reduction of 40 proportional representation seats. It also includes the partial adoption of a seat allocation formula in proportional representation contests favorable to small and midsize parties, which Komeito has demanded.
そもそも民主党の法案は、「０増５減」や比例選定数の４０削減、公明党が主張した比例代表連用制の部分導入を盛り込んでいる。
Electoral system reform based on such a hodgepodge of arguments backed by different parties is unintelligible to the public. Introduction of a seat allocation formula designed to give disproportionately preferential treatment to small and midsize parties may be a constitutional violation, according to some analysts.
各党の言い分をつなぎ合わせた制度は、極めて分かりにくい。中小政党を過剰に優遇する連用制には憲法上の疑義も指摘される。
===
Opposition equally at fault
The LDP is set to submit a censure motion in the upper house against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda as early as Wednesday.
一方、自民党は２９日にも、野田首相問責決議案を参院に提出する方針だ。
The censure motion will likely pass the upper house by an opposition majority. If the opposition boycotts all Diet deliberations after that, the current session could end with many issues unaddressed.
決議案は野党の賛成多数で可決される見通しで、野党がその後、審議を一切拒否すれば、国会は多くの案件を積み残したまま事実上閉幕することになる。
Citing reasons to censure the prime minister, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki claims Noda's ability to tackle the problems facing the country "has reached its limit."
自民党の谷垣総裁は首相問責の理由として「日本の課題に対応する能力が限界に来ている」と言う。
However, the opposition is just as responsible for the turmoil in the nation's politics.
ただ、国政の混迷を招いた責任については野党も同罪だろう。
A case in point is a government plan for a bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds.
例えば、赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案だ。
Should the bill fail to pass, it would become impossible, at some point, to implement the state budget. The opposition parties have continued to assert they will not cooperate unless the DPJ commits to an exact date for the dissolution of the lower house.
成立しないと、いずれ予算執行は不可能となる。野党は衆院解散と引き換えでなければ協力しないという。
Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada has said, "There is a possibility of a power change [in the next general election] and the opposition should stop these maneuvers."
岡田副総理は、「与野党が代わることもある。こんなやり方はいいかげんにやめた方がいい」と指摘した。
While Okada is right, the DPJ should remember that, when it sat in opposition, it also used budget-related bills, including one to issue deficit-covering bonds, as bargaining chips.
その通りだが、民主党こそ野党時代に特例公債法案など予算関連法案を駆け引きの材料としたことを忘れてはならない。
If the censure motion is passed by the LDP, Komeito and other opposition parties, the relationship of trust between the DPJ and the two major opposition parties would almost certainly collapse.
自公両党などによって問責決議案が可決されれば、これまで構築してきた民自公路線は崩壊する。
A censure motion, which has no binding power, must never be exploited in a power struggle.
法的効力のない問責決議を政争に使うべきではない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 28, 2012)
（2012年8月28日01時45分 読売新聞）
Failure to address election system reform deplorable
与野党の対立 衆院選改革の放置にあきれる（8月28日付・読売社説）
The current ordinary Diet session closes in less than two weeks and many legislative issues are still pending. Both the ruling and opposition camps must work tirelessly to reach accords on them until the last minute.
通常国会は会期末まで２週間足らずとなった。なお、数多くの懸案が残っている。与野党は、最後まで合意への努力を続けるべきだ。
The biggest concern is that the Diet has yet to realize the House of Representatives' electoral system reform, although the Supreme Court has ruled the current disparity in the weight of votes between the most- and least- represented constituencies is "in a state of unconstitutionality."
最大の懸念は、「違憲状態」と司法が判断した衆院選挙制度の改革が実現しないことである。
The Democratic Party of Japan voted on a DPJ-sponsored election system reform bill in a special lower house committee on Monday in the absence of opposition parties. The DPJ is poised to pass the bill in a plenary session of the lower house on Tuesday.
民主党は、衆院特別委員会で自らが提出した法案を全野党欠席のまま単独で採決し、可決した。２８日に衆院を通過させる構えだ。
The opposition bloc, as a matter of course, has opposed the DPJ's actions.
無論、野党は反発している。
Given that the DPJ will be unable to obtain approval from the opposition that controls the House of Councillors, it is certain the bill will be scrapped when it fails in the upper house. This will leave the state of unconstitutionality unresolved.
参院で多数を占める野党の協力を見込めず、法案の廃案は確実だ。違憲状態を放置するに等しい。
===
DPJ out to put off election
Having the bill hastily approved by the committee is presumably motivated by a desire to shift the blame for failing to achieve electoral reform to the opposition.
それでも民主党が突っ走ったのは、改革が実現しない責任を野党に押しつけたいからだろう。
DPJ Acting Secretary General Shinji Tarutoko has lambasted the opposition parties for "taking a stand even against rectifying the gap in the weight of votes."
実際、樽床伸二幹事長代行は、審議を拒否した野党を「『１票の格差』是正さえやりたくない態度だ」と批判している。
The DPJ, however, has persistently spurned the idea of cutting five single-seat electoral districts before other election system issues. This is the only option the DPJ and the major opposition parties, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, agreed to on the election reform issue. The DPJ should be held responsible for stalling this reform.
だが、民主党は、民自公３党が唯一折り合える格差是正の小選挙区「０増５減」の先行実施を拒み、制度改革を停滞させてきた。
In light of the irresponsibility of the DPJ, the party is not qualified to criticize the opposition. The DPJ has employed the tactic of delaying the legislation in a bid to postpone the lower house dissolution and a general election.
無責任な民主党に野党を批判する資格はない。結局、衆院解散・総選挙の先送り戦術ではないのか。
The DPJ-sponsored bill entails not only a five single-seat constituency cut, but also the reduction of 40 proportional representation seats. It also includes the partial adoption of a seat allocation formula in proportional representation contests favorable to small and midsize parties, which Komeito has demanded.
そもそも民主党の法案は、「０増５減」や比例選定数の４０削減、公明党が主張した比例代表連用制の部分導入を盛り込んでいる。
Electoral system reform based on such a hodgepodge of arguments backed by different parties is unintelligible to the public. Introduction of a seat allocation formula designed to give disproportionately preferential treatment to small and midsize parties may be a constitutional violation, according to some analysts.
各党の言い分をつなぎ合わせた制度は、極めて分かりにくい。中小政党を過剰に優遇する連用制には憲法上の疑義も指摘される。
===
Opposition equally at fault
The LDP is set to submit a censure motion in the upper house against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda as early as Wednesday.
一方、自民党は２９日にも、野田首相問責決議案を参院に提出する方針だ。
The censure motion will likely pass the upper house by an opposition majority. If the opposition boycotts all Diet deliberations after that, the current session could end with many issues unaddressed.
決議案は野党の賛成多数で可決される見通しで、野党がその後、審議を一切拒否すれば、国会は多くの案件を積み残したまま事実上閉幕することになる。
Citing reasons to censure the prime minister, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki claims Noda's ability to tackle the problems facing the country "has reached its limit."
自民党の谷垣総裁は首相問責の理由として「日本の課題に対応する能力が限界に来ている」と言う。
However, the opposition is just as responsible for the turmoil in the nation's politics.
ただ、国政の混迷を招いた責任については野党も同罪だろう。
A case in point is a government plan for a bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds.
例えば、赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案だ。
Should the bill fail to pass, it would become impossible, at some point, to implement the state budget. The opposition parties have continued to assert they will not cooperate unless the DPJ commits to an exact date for the dissolution of the lower house.
成立しないと、いずれ予算執行は不可能となる。野党は衆院解散と引き換えでなければ協力しないという。
Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada has said, "There is a possibility of a power change [in the next general election] and the opposition should stop these maneuvers."
岡田副総理は、「与野党が代わることもある。こんなやり方はいいかげんにやめた方がいい」と指摘した。
While Okada is right, the DPJ should remember that, when it sat in opposition, it also used budget-related bills, including one to issue deficit-covering bonds, as bargaining chips.
その通りだが、民主党こそ野党時代に特例公債法案など予算関連法案を駆け引きの材料としたことを忘れてはならない。
If the censure motion is passed by the LDP, Komeito and other opposition parties, the relationship of trust between the DPJ and the two major opposition parties would almost certainly collapse.
自公両党などによって問責決議案が可決されれば、これまで構築してきた民自公路線は崩壊する。
A censure motion, which has no binding power, must never be exploited in a power struggle.
法的効力のない問責決議を政争に使うべきではない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 28, 2012)
（2012年8月28日01時45分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 28, 2012)
Japan needs to gain voice in Arctic Ocean development
北極海開発 日本の発言権をどう確保する（8月27日付・読売社説）
Countries such as Russia and Canada are maneuvering more actively to stake out advantageous positions in using the Arctic Ocean for shipping routes and in developing natural resources there. Japan also should become actively engaged in drafting rules on developing the Arctic Ocean.
北極海の航路利用や資源開発を巡って、ロシアやカナダなどの駆け引きが活発化している。日本も、北極海のルール作りに積極的に関与していくことが必要だ。
Though long covered with thick ice, the Arctic Ocean recently has attracted attention as its ice is rapidly melting due to global warming.
厚い氷に閉ざされていた北極海は、地球温暖化に伴う海氷の融解で注目を集めるようになった。
The ocean's shipping routes, possible only in summer, have elicited interest as they are the shortest way to link Asian countries--the world's growth center--and Europe. Not only oil and natural gas but also gold, copper, nickel and other minerals are believed to be in abundance below the Arctic seabed.
夏場に利用が可能となる北極海航路は、世界の成長センターのアジアと欧州をつなぐ最短輸送路として期待される。さらに北極海の海底には、石油・天然ガスのほか、金や銅、ニッケルなどの鉱物も豊富に眠っているとされる。
The Antarctic Treaty has frozen territorial claims in the Antarctic continent and surrounding seas and prohibits military use of the area, but there is no such treaty for the Arctic Ocean.
北極海には各国の領有権主張の凍結と軍事利用禁止を定めた南極条約のような取り決めがない。
Due to the lack of an international treaty, eight countries--the United States, Russia and other coastal nations--and indigenous minorities make up the Arctic Council, a forum to discuss rules on use of the Arctic Ocean.
このため、米露など沿岸諸国を中心とする８か国と少数先住民団体で構成する協議機関「北極評議会」が、北極海の利用に関するルールを話し合う場になる。
===
Blatant moves by China
Meanwhile, China's moves are a cause of concern. Like Japan, China does not border the Arctic Ocean. Nonetheless, China considers shipping routes and natural resources there among its maritime interests and is trying to increase its influence over the ocean as a national strategy.
目が離せないのは、中国の動きだ。日本と同様に非沿岸国でありながら、北極海の航路や資源などの利用を自国の「海洋権益」と位置づけ、国家戦略として影響力拡大を図っているからだ。
China's large icebreaker Xuelong has been on a research voyage in the ocean since early July. It took a shipping route north of Russia and in mid-August became the first Chinese ship to traverse the Arctic Ocean.
今年は７月初めから、大型の砕氷船「雪竜号」で調査航海に出航し、８月中旬には、中国として初めて、ロシア北側の北極海航路の横断に成功した。
Beijing is also actively undertaking summit diplomacy with member nations of the council. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Sweden, which currently chairs the council, and Iceland in April, while President Hu Jintao visited Denmark in June. They were able to reach agreements with leaders of those countries to enhance bilateral relations.
評議会加盟国に対する首脳外交も活発だ。温家宝首相が４月に、現議長国スウェーデンとアイスランドを歴訪した。胡錦濤国家主席も６月にデンマークを訪れ、それぞれ関係強化で一致した。
However, the efforts by China, which has a massive military force, to promote its maritime interests in the ocean are so blatant that other countries have become vigilant.
強大な軍事力をもつ中国の露骨な権益獲得の動きは、関係国に警戒感を抱かせるのに十分だ。
Utilization of the Arctic Ocean also is essential for the growth of the Japanese economy. Nonetheless, it is apparent Japan has started out late in the game.
北極海の利用は日本経済の発展にとっても欠かせない。にもかかわらず、日本の出遅れが目立っているのはどういうことか。
===
Join Arctic Council
Three years ago, the Japanese government applied to the Arctic Council to obtain observer status. China and South Korea completed such applications ahead of this country.
日本政府は３年前、北極評議会にオブザーバー参加することを申請した。中国や韓国は日本に先駆けて申請済みだ。
How much a country contributes to the council's activities is said to determine approval as an observer. We think the government first should join the council as an observer and then enhance its information gathering activities to secure a voice there. The nation must accelerate its preparations to deal with issues concerning the Arctic Ocean.
評議会の活動への貢献度がオブザーバー承認のカギを握っているとされる。政府はまず、オブザーバー加盟を果たして情報収集を強化し、発言権の確保に力を入れるべきだ。北極海に取り組む態勢整備を急がねばならない。
The government also must promote summit diplomacy to strengthen Japan's relations with Russia and northern European countries. Japan also needs to undertake full-fledged research activities in the ocean.
首脳外交の推進によるロシアや北欧諸国との関係強化も重要だ。北極海の調査活動に本格的に乗り出す必要がある。
It is unavoidable that the Chinese and Russian navies will become more active in seas north of Japan. The government will need to discuss with the United States how to build up Japan's defenses against them.
日本の北方で中露海軍の活動が活発化するのは必至だ。防衛態勢をどう構築するか、米国との調整も今後の検討課題となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2012)
（2012年8月27日01時27分 読売新聞）
Japan needs to gain voice in Arctic Ocean development
北極海開発 日本の発言権をどう確保する（8月27日付・読売社説）
Countries such as Russia and Canada are maneuvering more actively to stake out advantageous positions in using the Arctic Ocean for shipping routes and in developing natural resources there. Japan also should become actively engaged in drafting rules on developing the Arctic Ocean.
北極海の航路利用や資源開発を巡って、ロシアやカナダなどの駆け引きが活発化している。日本も、北極海のルール作りに積極的に関与していくことが必要だ。
Though long covered with thick ice, the Arctic Ocean recently has attracted attention as its ice is rapidly melting due to global warming.
厚い氷に閉ざされていた北極海は、地球温暖化に伴う海氷の融解で注目を集めるようになった。
The ocean's shipping routes, possible only in summer, have elicited interest as they are the shortest way to link Asian countries--the world's growth center--and Europe. Not only oil and natural gas but also gold, copper, nickel and other minerals are believed to be in abundance below the Arctic seabed.
夏場に利用が可能となる北極海航路は、世界の成長センターのアジアと欧州をつなぐ最短輸送路として期待される。さらに北極海の海底には、石油・天然ガスのほか、金や銅、ニッケルなどの鉱物も豊富に眠っているとされる。
The Antarctic Treaty has frozen territorial claims in the Antarctic continent and surrounding seas and prohibits military use of the area, but there is no such treaty for the Arctic Ocean.
北極海には各国の領有権主張の凍結と軍事利用禁止を定めた南極条約のような取り決めがない。
Due to the lack of an international treaty, eight countries--the United States, Russia and other coastal nations--and indigenous minorities make up the Arctic Council, a forum to discuss rules on use of the Arctic Ocean.
このため、米露など沿岸諸国を中心とする８か国と少数先住民団体で構成する協議機関「北極評議会」が、北極海の利用に関するルールを話し合う場になる。
===
Blatant moves by China
Meanwhile, China's moves are a cause of concern. Like Japan, China does not border the Arctic Ocean. Nonetheless, China considers shipping routes and natural resources there among its maritime interests and is trying to increase its influence over the ocean as a national strategy.
目が離せないのは、中国の動きだ。日本と同様に非沿岸国でありながら、北極海の航路や資源などの利用を自国の「海洋権益」と位置づけ、国家戦略として影響力拡大を図っているからだ。
China's large icebreaker Xuelong has been on a research voyage in the ocean since early July. It took a shipping route north of Russia and in mid-August became the first Chinese ship to traverse the Arctic Ocean.
今年は７月初めから、大型の砕氷船「雪竜号」で調査航海に出航し、８月中旬には、中国として初めて、ロシア北側の北極海航路の横断に成功した。
Beijing is also actively undertaking summit diplomacy with member nations of the council. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Sweden, which currently chairs the council, and Iceland in April, while President Hu Jintao visited Denmark in June. They were able to reach agreements with leaders of those countries to enhance bilateral relations.
評議会加盟国に対する首脳外交も活発だ。温家宝首相が４月に、現議長国スウェーデンとアイスランドを歴訪した。胡錦濤国家主席も６月にデンマークを訪れ、それぞれ関係強化で一致した。
However, the efforts by China, which has a massive military force, to promote its maritime interests in the ocean are so blatant that other countries have become vigilant.
強大な軍事力をもつ中国の露骨な権益獲得の動きは、関係国に警戒感を抱かせるのに十分だ。
Utilization of the Arctic Ocean also is essential for the growth of the Japanese economy. Nonetheless, it is apparent Japan has started out late in the game.
北極海の利用は日本経済の発展にとっても欠かせない。にもかかわらず、日本の出遅れが目立っているのはどういうことか。
===
Join Arctic Council
Three years ago, the Japanese government applied to the Arctic Council to obtain observer status. China and South Korea completed such applications ahead of this country.
日本政府は３年前、北極評議会にオブザーバー参加することを申請した。中国や韓国は日本に先駆けて申請済みだ。
How much a country contributes to the council's activities is said to determine approval as an observer. We think the government first should join the council as an observer and then enhance its information gathering activities to secure a voice there. The nation must accelerate its preparations to deal with issues concerning the Arctic Ocean.
評議会の活動への貢献度がオブザーバー承認のカギを握っているとされる。政府はまず、オブザーバー加盟を果たして情報収集を強化し、発言権の確保に力を入れるべきだ。北極海に取り組む態勢整備を急がねばならない。
The government also must promote summit diplomacy to strengthen Japan's relations with Russia and northern European countries. Japan also needs to undertake full-fledged research activities in the ocean.
首脳外交の推進によるロシアや北欧諸国との関係強化も重要だ。北極海の調査活動に本格的に乗り出す必要がある。
It is unavoidable that the Chinese and Russian navies will become more active in seas north of Japan. The government will need to discuss with the United States how to build up Japan's defenses against them.
日本の北方で中露海軍の活動が活発化するのは必至だ。防衛態勢をどう構築するか、米国との調整も今後の検討課題となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2012)
（2012年8月27日01時27分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 27, 2012)
Don't take results of nuclear power surveys too seriously
エネルギー選択 「意識調査」はあくまで参考に（8月26日付・読売社説）
It is problematic to decide the nation's energy strategy, which affects the fate of Japan, through an approach that resembles a popularity contest.
国の命運を左右するエネルギー戦略を、人気投票のような手法で決めるのは問題である。
Since the outbreak of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, a considerable number of people are demanding the nation break away from its dependence on nuclear energy.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受け、「脱原発」を求める声は少なくない。
Securing the safety of nuclear power plants is of course important. However, factors such as economic efficiency and a stable energy supply are also important in deciding the nation's energy policy. As a country poor in natural resources, Japan needs to have various sources of electricity, including nuclear power plants, to ensure a stable power supply.
だが、エネルギー政策では、原発の安全性に加えて、経済性や安定供給なども重要だ。資源小国の日本が電力を安定確保するには、原発を含む多様な電源が要る。
Thus the government should promote a realistic energy policy of utilizing nuclear power plants from a mid- and long-term standpoint.
政府は、原発を中長期的に活用するという現実的なエネルギー政策を推進すべきである。
The government recently released the results of multiple surveys that asked the public to choose from three scenarios on the percentage of nuclear power generation in 2030: zero percent of all power generation, 15 percent, and 20 percent to 25 percent.
２０３０年の電源に占める原子力発電の比率を「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする三つの選択肢について、政府が行った複数の意識調査の結果がまとまった。
The government conducted 11 public hearings, solicited public comments and held a deliberative opinion poll. In all three methods, those who chose the zero percent scenario outnumbered those who selected the other two.
１１回の「意見聴取会」と「パブリックコメント（意見公募）」、新たな手法の「討論型世論調査」は、いずれの調査も「原発０％」の支持が最多だった。
===
Avoid slipping into populism
However, it is too early to conclude that the results truly reflect public opinion on the nation's nuclear energy policy.
ただし、この結果をもって原発政策に関する“世論”が示されたと考えるのは早計だろう。
Many people who participate in public hearings and submit comments are eager to express their opinions on the nuclear power plant issue. They tend to prefer a nuclear-free future.
意見聴取会やパブリックコメントの参加者は、原発問題で積極的に意見を言いたい人が多いため、脱原発に偏る傾向がある。
A random telephone survey was conducted in the first stage of the deliberative opinion poll, and respondents were asked if they wished to participate in the following discussion stage. Only about 300 people participated in the second stage.
討論型世論調査も、最初の電話調査は無作為抽出だが、その後の討論会は希望者参加で、人数も約３００人と少なかった。
It is important for politicians to listen to the voices of the people. However, there is a risk that politicians may slip into populism, depending on how much they rely on public opinion.
政治が国民の意見を聴くのは大切だが、受け止め方によっては、場当たり的な大衆迎合主義（ポピュリズム）に陥る恐れがある。
A member of an expert panel tasked with analyzing the results of the surveys said, "We don't need politics if opinion polls decide everything."
調査結果を分析する政府の有識者会議では、「世論調査だけで物事が決まるなら、政治は不要だ」といった意見も出た。
The results of the surveys should be used as one element in discussing the nation's nuclear policy. The government should avoid having the results directly influence its energy policy.
これらの調査結果はあくまで参考にとどめ、政策へのダイレクトな反映は避けるべきだろう。
===
Risks of zero percent scenario
Meanwhile, the surveys also highlighted a problem the government has to tackle. In the deliberative opinion poll, 41 percent of respondents supported the zero percent scenario before the discussion, but the figure increased to 47 percent after the discussion.
一方、政府にとっての課題も判明した。討論型世論調査で「原発０％」の支持は、討論前の４１％から討論後は４７％に上昇した。
At the same time, the percentage of people who gave top priority to "securing safety" in the nation's energy policy increased after the discussion to about 80 percent. This change seems to be the reason why the number of people who chose the zero percent scenario increased.
エネルギー政策で、「安全の確保」を最重視する人が、討論前より増え、最終的に８割に達したことが影響したようだ。
However, everyone is highly concerned about the safety of the energy supply. We assume that was the reason only a low percentage of respondents chose "stable energy supply" and "prevention of global warming."
ただ、誰しも「安全」への関心が高いため、「安定供給」や「地球温暖化防止」を選ぶ比率が低くなったのではないか。
If all nuclear power plants were abolished in the nation, it would slow down the economy, resulting in higher unemployment and poverty. Ordinary citizens would be hit hardest, but strangely, understanding of this fact has yet to spread among the public.
原発ゼロでは、日本経済が失速し、失業増や貧困拡大を招く。最大の被害者は国民だが、なぜかこうした認識は浸透していない。
Along with beefing up its efforts to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants, the government must provide information to citizens that helps them choose appropriate scenarios for the nation's future energy policy.
政府は原発の安全性向上に一層努めるとともに、的確なエネルギー選択に資する情報を、国民に提供することが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2012)
（2012年8月26日01時28分 読売新聞）
Don't take results of nuclear power surveys too seriously
エネルギー選択 「意識調査」はあくまで参考に（8月26日付・読売社説）
It is problematic to decide the nation's energy strategy, which affects the fate of Japan, through an approach that resembles a popularity contest.
国の命運を左右するエネルギー戦略を、人気投票のような手法で決めるのは問題である。
Since the outbreak of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, a considerable number of people are demanding the nation break away from its dependence on nuclear energy.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受け、「脱原発」を求める声は少なくない。
Securing the safety of nuclear power plants is of course important. However, factors such as economic efficiency and a stable energy supply are also important in deciding the nation's energy policy. As a country poor in natural resources, Japan needs to have various sources of electricity, including nuclear power plants, to ensure a stable power supply.
だが、エネルギー政策では、原発の安全性に加えて、経済性や安定供給なども重要だ。資源小国の日本が電力を安定確保するには、原発を含む多様な電源が要る。
Thus the government should promote a realistic energy policy of utilizing nuclear power plants from a mid- and long-term standpoint.
政府は、原発を中長期的に活用するという現実的なエネルギー政策を推進すべきである。
The government recently released the results of multiple surveys that asked the public to choose from three scenarios on the percentage of nuclear power generation in 2030: zero percent of all power generation, 15 percent, and 20 percent to 25 percent.
２０３０年の電源に占める原子力発電の比率を「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする三つの選択肢について、政府が行った複数の意識調査の結果がまとまった。
The government conducted 11 public hearings, solicited public comments and held a deliberative opinion poll. In all three methods, those who chose the zero percent scenario outnumbered those who selected the other two.
１１回の「意見聴取会」と「パブリックコメント（意見公募）」、新たな手法の「討論型世論調査」は、いずれの調査も「原発０％」の支持が最多だった。
===
Avoid slipping into populism
However, it is too early to conclude that the results truly reflect public opinion on the nation's nuclear energy policy.
ただし、この結果をもって原発政策に関する“世論”が示されたと考えるのは早計だろう。
Many people who participate in public hearings and submit comments are eager to express their opinions on the nuclear power plant issue. They tend to prefer a nuclear-free future.
意見聴取会やパブリックコメントの参加者は、原発問題で積極的に意見を言いたい人が多いため、脱原発に偏る傾向がある。
A random telephone survey was conducted in the first stage of the deliberative opinion poll, and respondents were asked if they wished to participate in the following discussion stage. Only about 300 people participated in the second stage.
討論型世論調査も、最初の電話調査は無作為抽出だが、その後の討論会は希望者参加で、人数も約３００人と少なかった。
It is important for politicians to listen to the voices of the people. However, there is a risk that politicians may slip into populism, depending on how much they rely on public opinion.
政治が国民の意見を聴くのは大切だが、受け止め方によっては、場当たり的な大衆迎合主義（ポピュリズム）に陥る恐れがある。
A member of an expert panel tasked with analyzing the results of the surveys said, "We don't need politics if opinion polls decide everything."
調査結果を分析する政府の有識者会議では、「世論調査だけで物事が決まるなら、政治は不要だ」といった意見も出た。
The results of the surveys should be used as one element in discussing the nation's nuclear policy. The government should avoid having the results directly influence its energy policy.
これらの調査結果はあくまで参考にとどめ、政策へのダイレクトな反映は避けるべきだろう。
===
Risks of zero percent scenario
Meanwhile, the surveys also highlighted a problem the government has to tackle. In the deliberative opinion poll, 41 percent of respondents supported the zero percent scenario before the discussion, but the figure increased to 47 percent after the discussion.
一方、政府にとっての課題も判明した。討論型世論調査で「原発０％」の支持は、討論前の４１％から討論後は４７％に上昇した。
At the same time, the percentage of people who gave top priority to "securing safety" in the nation's energy policy increased after the discussion to about 80 percent. This change seems to be the reason why the number of people who chose the zero percent scenario increased.
エネルギー政策で、「安全の確保」を最重視する人が、討論前より増え、最終的に８割に達したことが影響したようだ。
However, everyone is highly concerned about the safety of the energy supply. We assume that was the reason only a low percentage of respondents chose "stable energy supply" and "prevention of global warming."
ただ、誰しも「安全」への関心が高いため、「安定供給」や「地球温暖化防止」を選ぶ比率が低くなったのではないか。
If all nuclear power plants were abolished in the nation, it would slow down the economy, resulting in higher unemployment and poverty. Ordinary citizens would be hit hardest, but strangely, understanding of this fact has yet to spread among the public.
原発ゼロでは、日本経済が失速し、失業増や貧困拡大を招く。最大の被害者は国民だが、なぜかこうした認識は浸透していない。
Along with beefing up its efforts to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants, the government must provide information to citizens that helps them choose appropriate scenarios for the nation's future energy policy.
政府は原発の安全性向上に一層努めるとともに、的確なエネルギー選択に資する情報を、国民に提供することが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2012)
（2012年8月26日01時28分 読売新聞）
プロフィール
ＨＮ：
srachai
ＨＰ：
性別：
男性
職業：
civil engineer
趣味：
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）
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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
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初歩のタガログ語
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タイ語の副詞
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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