読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の社説を学習研究
×
[PR]上記の広告は3ヶ月以上新規記事投稿のないブログに表示されています。新しい記事を書く事で広告が消えます。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 18, 2012)
Restart remaining N-reactors to prevent power shortages
大飯再稼働決定 着実な発電開始に万全を期せ（6月17日付・読売社説）
The government has decided to restart the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
政府が、関西電力大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働を決めた。
"The [Oi] reactors will be reactivated--this is the government's final decision. We'll take further steps toward restoring public trust in nuclear administration," Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said at a meeting with ministers in charge of the nation's nuclear policy on Saturday.
野田首相は１６日の関係閣僚会合で、「再稼働することを政府の最終判断とする。原子力行政の信頼回復に向け、さらに取り組みを進めていく」と述べた。
We want to praise the prime minister highly for taking the responsibility of restarting the nuclear reactors to prevent the nation from facing a power crisis.
電力危機を回避するため、首相が責任を持って再稼働を決断したことを高く評価したい。
The government has confirmed the safety of the Oi reactors based on its criteria for restarting suspended nuclear reactors. It took more than a year for the government to draw up the criteria, taking into account the lessons learned from the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
政府は、福島第一原発事故の教訓を反映した判断基準を１年以上かけてまとめ、その基準に沿って大飯原発の安全性を確認した。
Noda made the restart decision also after obtaining approval from the heads of Fukui Prefecture and the town of Oi.
地元の福井県と、おおい町の同意も得られた上での決定だ。
===
Haste makes mistakes
However, the crucial moment has yet to come. It will take about six weeks for the Oi power plant's Nos. 3 and 4 reactors to fully resume operations. Preparatory work needs to be conducted thoroughly, as the reactors were suspended for a longer period than they would have been for ordinary periodic checkups.
肝心なのはこれからである。大飯原発の２基がフル稼働するまで約６週間かかる見込みという。通常の定期検査より運転停止の期間が長かったため、念入りに整備する必要がある。
It would be ideal if the restart of the nuclear reactors was in time for the nation's hottest season, when electricity consumption peaks, but doing things in haste often causes trouble. We urge KEPCO to work carefully and make thorough preparations to restart the Oi reactors.
再稼働を電力需要がピークとなる猛暑に間に合わせたいが、「急(せ)いては事を仕損じる」ことになっては大変だ。関電は慎重に作業を進め、発電再開に万全を期してもらいたい。
Needless to say, ensuring the safety of the nuclear reactors should be the top priority. If the power company overemphasizes keeping to its schedule, the pressure may lead to human errors. The government and the utility should prepare for a scenario in which the restart of the reactors falls behind schedule and continue implementing measures against possible power shortages for the time being.
むろん、安全確保が最重要である。日程優先では焦りがミスを誘いかねない。稼働時期が遅れる事態も想定し、当面は電力不足への対策を続けるべきだ。
From July 2, KEPCO will ask its customers to cut power use by at least 15 percent from the same period in 2010. Companies are now busy making plans to comply with the request, such as increasing the amount of electricity produced by their in-house power generators and shifting the operation times of their factories.
関電管内では７月２日から１５％の節電が予定される。企業の間で自家発電の増強や操業時間変更などの対策が練られている。
To avoid discouraging the companies' efforts, the power company should not reduce the 15 percent reduction target until the operations of the Oi reactors are fully stabilized.
努力に水を差さぬよう、大飯原発の運転がしっかり安定するまで、節電目標の引き下げは避けるべきだ。
Even if the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors begin operating smoothly, the power supply in the Kansai region will remain precarious. The nation has become more dependent on thermal power plants, but they now face higher risks of mechanical trouble due to overuse. The government and the utility should stay vigilant against possible power failures.
大飯原発２基が順調に稼働したとしても、関西の電力需給は綱渡りが続く。頼みの火力発電所は、これまで酷使した影響で故障のリスクが高まっている。停電への警戒を怠ってはならない。
===
Overreliance on thermal power
Even if the nation is able to avoid power shortages this summer, important problems will remain unresolved.
今夏の電力不足を何とか乗り切った後も、課題は残る。
If most of the nation's nuclear reactors remain idle, power companies have to pay extra fuel costs for thermal power plants, estimated at about 3 trillion yen a year. In addition to Tokyo Electric Power Co., which plans to raise electricity charges for households this summer, it will be unavoidable for other electric companies to raise their fees if the situation continues. The price hike may accelerate the nation's economic downturn, especially the trend of domestic companies moving their production bases abroad.
ほとんどの原発が停止したままでは、火力発電の燃料費は全国で年３兆円も余計にかかる。東京電力以外も、電力料金の値上げは避けられまい。景気悪化と産業空洞化を加速させる恐れがある。
The government has a pressing need to restart the other suspended nuclear reactors--after confirming their safety--to resolve the nationwide power shortages.
大飯以外の原発も安全を確認したうえで再稼働し、全国的な電力不足を解消することが急務だ。
However, due to a delay in establishing a new administrative body in charge of regulating nuclear power, the government's efforts to restart suspended nuclear reactors have virtually stopped.
しかし、原子力規制組織の発足が遅れ、大飯に続く再稼働手続きは事実上、ストップしている。
A bill to establish the nuclear regulatory committee is expected to pass the Diet soon, but more time will be wasted if the government takes too long to appoint committee members. The government should launch the regulatory committee as soon as possible and put evaluations for restarting the suspended nuclear reactors on track.
原子力規制委員会の設置法案は近く成立する見通しだが、委員の人選などに手間取れば時間を空費する。政府は速やかに規制委を発足させ、再稼働の審査体制を軌道に乗せることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2012)
（2012年6月17日01時48分 読売新聞）
Restart remaining N-reactors to prevent power shortages
大飯再稼働決定 着実な発電開始に万全を期せ（6月17日付・読売社説）
The government has decided to restart the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
政府が、関西電力大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働を決めた。
"The [Oi] reactors will be reactivated--this is the government's final decision. We'll take further steps toward restoring public trust in nuclear administration," Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said at a meeting with ministers in charge of the nation's nuclear policy on Saturday.
野田首相は１６日の関係閣僚会合で、「再稼働することを政府の最終判断とする。原子力行政の信頼回復に向け、さらに取り組みを進めていく」と述べた。
We want to praise the prime minister highly for taking the responsibility of restarting the nuclear reactors to prevent the nation from facing a power crisis.
電力危機を回避するため、首相が責任を持って再稼働を決断したことを高く評価したい。
The government has confirmed the safety of the Oi reactors based on its criteria for restarting suspended nuclear reactors. It took more than a year for the government to draw up the criteria, taking into account the lessons learned from the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
政府は、福島第一原発事故の教訓を反映した判断基準を１年以上かけてまとめ、その基準に沿って大飯原発の安全性を確認した。
Noda made the restart decision also after obtaining approval from the heads of Fukui Prefecture and the town of Oi.
地元の福井県と、おおい町の同意も得られた上での決定だ。
===
Haste makes mistakes
However, the crucial moment has yet to come. It will take about six weeks for the Oi power plant's Nos. 3 and 4 reactors to fully resume operations. Preparatory work needs to be conducted thoroughly, as the reactors were suspended for a longer period than they would have been for ordinary periodic checkups.
肝心なのはこれからである。大飯原発の２基がフル稼働するまで約６週間かかる見込みという。通常の定期検査より運転停止の期間が長かったため、念入りに整備する必要がある。
It would be ideal if the restart of the nuclear reactors was in time for the nation's hottest season, when electricity consumption peaks, but doing things in haste often causes trouble. We urge KEPCO to work carefully and make thorough preparations to restart the Oi reactors.
再稼働を電力需要がピークとなる猛暑に間に合わせたいが、「急(せ)いては事を仕損じる」ことになっては大変だ。関電は慎重に作業を進め、発電再開に万全を期してもらいたい。
Needless to say, ensuring the safety of the nuclear reactors should be the top priority. If the power company overemphasizes keeping to its schedule, the pressure may lead to human errors. The government and the utility should prepare for a scenario in which the restart of the reactors falls behind schedule and continue implementing measures against possible power shortages for the time being.
むろん、安全確保が最重要である。日程優先では焦りがミスを誘いかねない。稼働時期が遅れる事態も想定し、当面は電力不足への対策を続けるべきだ。
From July 2, KEPCO will ask its customers to cut power use by at least 15 percent from the same period in 2010. Companies are now busy making plans to comply with the request, such as increasing the amount of electricity produced by their in-house power generators and shifting the operation times of their factories.
関電管内では７月２日から１５％の節電が予定される。企業の間で自家発電の増強や操業時間変更などの対策が練られている。
To avoid discouraging the companies' efforts, the power company should not reduce the 15 percent reduction target until the operations of the Oi reactors are fully stabilized.
努力に水を差さぬよう、大飯原発の運転がしっかり安定するまで、節電目標の引き下げは避けるべきだ。
Even if the Nos. 3 and 4 reactors begin operating smoothly, the power supply in the Kansai region will remain precarious. The nation has become more dependent on thermal power plants, but they now face higher risks of mechanical trouble due to overuse. The government and the utility should stay vigilant against possible power failures.
大飯原発２基が順調に稼働したとしても、関西の電力需給は綱渡りが続く。頼みの火力発電所は、これまで酷使した影響で故障のリスクが高まっている。停電への警戒を怠ってはならない。
===
Overreliance on thermal power
Even if the nation is able to avoid power shortages this summer, important problems will remain unresolved.
今夏の電力不足を何とか乗り切った後も、課題は残る。
If most of the nation's nuclear reactors remain idle, power companies have to pay extra fuel costs for thermal power plants, estimated at about 3 trillion yen a year. In addition to Tokyo Electric Power Co., which plans to raise electricity charges for households this summer, it will be unavoidable for other electric companies to raise their fees if the situation continues. The price hike may accelerate the nation's economic downturn, especially the trend of domestic companies moving their production bases abroad.
ほとんどの原発が停止したままでは、火力発電の燃料費は全国で年３兆円も余計にかかる。東京電力以外も、電力料金の値上げは避けられまい。景気悪化と産業空洞化を加速させる恐れがある。
The government has a pressing need to restart the other suspended nuclear reactors--after confirming their safety--to resolve the nationwide power shortages.
大飯以外の原発も安全を確認したうえで再稼働し、全国的な電力不足を解消することが急務だ。
However, due to a delay in establishing a new administrative body in charge of regulating nuclear power, the government's efforts to restart suspended nuclear reactors have virtually stopped.
しかし、原子力規制組織の発足が遅れ、大飯に続く再稼働手続きは事実上、ストップしている。
A bill to establish the nuclear regulatory committee is expected to pass the Diet soon, but more time will be wasted if the government takes too long to appoint committee members. The government should launch the regulatory committee as soon as possible and put evaluations for restarting the suspended nuclear reactors on track.
原子力規制委員会の設置法案は近く成立する見通しだが、委員の人選などに手間取れば時間を空費する。政府は速やかに規制委を発足させ、再稼働の審査体制を軌道に乗せることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2012)
（2012年6月17日01時48分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 17, 2012)
Noda should get DPJ members on board to support tax bills
一体改革合意 首相は民主党内説得に全力を（6月16日付・読売社説）
We would like to praise the agreement reached among the three major parties as substantial progress toward realization of comprehensive reform of the tax and social security systems, a long-time concern for Japan.
長年の懸案である社会保障と税の一体改革の実現に向けて、大きな前進と、歓迎したい。
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on Friday agreed to modify and pass bills on the comprehensive reform.
民主、自民、公明３党が、一体改革関連法案の修正協議で合意した。
As initially scheduled, they will try to pass the bills in the House of Representatives before the current Diet session ends on Thursday.
当初の予定通り、今国会会期末の２１日までの法案の衆院通過を目指す。
Negotiations among the three parties ran into rough waters since there are gaps in their opinions, especially regarding social security.
They deserve praise for making concessions with one another to form a consensus. We hope the parties will make this an important first step toward "decisive politics."
社会保障分野に関する各党の主張に隔たりがあり、交渉は難航したが、各党が譲り合い、合意を形成したことは高く評価できる。これを「決められる政治」に転じる貴重な一歩としてもらいたい。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told DPJ negotiators to hammer out an agreement based on the LDP's counterproposal involving social security system reform. He decided to make drastic concessions to the opposition parties in policies on the pension system and child-rearing support.
野田首相は、自民党の対案を基本に合意をまとめるよう民主党の交渉当事者に指示し、年金制度や子育て支援策で大幅に野党に歩み寄る決断をした。
===
LDP plays important role
Meanwhile, the LDP responded to Noda's decision and made concessions to the DPJ by retracting its demand that its draft proposal be accepted without any modifications. Though an opposition party, the LDP played a very important role.
自民党も、これに呼応し、自民案の「丸のみ」という要求を取り下げて譲歩した。野党ながら、自民党が果たした役割は大きい。
According to its 2009 lower house election manifesto, the DPJ aims to launch a minimum-guaranteed pension system and scrap a special health insurance system for people aged 75 or older. The LDP had initially demanded that the DPJ withdraw these plans from the manifesto. But the LDP did not continue to insist on that and instead agreed with the DPJ to shelve the issues temporarily and let an envisaged national council on social security reform discuss and reach conclusions on them later.
焦点だった最低保障年金の創設と後期高齢者医療制度の廃止については、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）の撤回にこだわらず、一時棚上げして、「社会保障制度改革国民会議」で結論を出すことで折り合った。
If the LDP had remained unyielding on this point, DPJ centrists as well as those who oppose the consumption tax rate hike might have reacted against it, driving the DPJ to the brink of a split and making it difficult to hold a vote on the bills.
自民党が撤回に固執すれば、民主党の増税反対派に加え、中間派も反発して党分裂含みになり、採決が困難になる恐れがあった。
Komeito, which had also strongly insisted that the DPJ drop the issues from the manifesto, decided to support the agreement because its opinions were sufficiently reflected in it. That is significant.
民主党の公約撤回に強くこだわっていた公明党も、３党合意に自党の主張が一定程度反映されたことを評価し、最終的に合意に加わった。この意義は大きい。
===
Broad consensus vital for long term
The comprehensive reform is a medium- and long-term issue that must be tackled by whatever party holds power. It is hoped that the bills can be passed with the support of as many parties as possible.
一体改革は、どの党が政権を取っても取り組まざるを得ない中長期的な重要課題である。できるだけ多くの党が賛成して、法案を成立させることが望ましい。
Though a conclusion on social security system reform was put off, this should not be criticized too quickly as prioritizing the tax increase.
社会保障改革の結論が先送りされたことを、単純に「増税先行」と批判するのは間違いである。
The tax hike will be implemented in April 2014. It is not a bad idea to compile a better policy after the national council spends a year discussing the social security system reform, compared to making a conclusion under duress with only one week of negotiations on the modifications.
増税の実施は再来年４月だ。１週間の修正協議で強引に結論を出すのと比べて、１年間かけて国民会議で議論し、より良い政策をまとめることは悪くない。
From now on, attention will be focused on whether members of the DPJ will accept the contents of this tripartite agreement and become ready to vote on the bills.
今後は、民主党が今回の合意内容を了承して採決に臨めるかどうかが、最大の焦点となる。
Former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and others have said there are things that must be done before raising the tax. With the same old irresponsible rhetoric, they are playing an intraparty numbers game by using DPJ lawmakers opposing the tax hike and rattling the prime minister.
小沢一郎元代表らは、「増税より前にやるべきことがある」との相変わらず無責任な論法で、増税反対勢力の多数派工作を展開し、野田首相を揺さぶっている。
Now that the DPJ, LDP and Komeito have reached the agreement, members of the ruling party can no longer be allowed to march to a different drum and try to prevent a vote on the bills.
民自公３党が合意したのに、政権党の足並みが乱れ、採決ができないような事態は許されない。
This is a critical phase that will determine the success or failure of the comprehensive reform. Noda should put his political life on the line to convince members of his party to minimize the intraparty opposition.
一体改革の成否がかかる正念場だ。首相は、党内の反対を最小限に抑えるため、まさに政治生命を懸けて党内を説得すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2012)
（2012年6月16日01時17分 読売新聞）
Noda should get DPJ members on board to support tax bills
一体改革合意 首相は民主党内説得に全力を（6月16日付・読売社説）
We would like to praise the agreement reached among the three major parties as substantial progress toward realization of comprehensive reform of the tax and social security systems, a long-time concern for Japan.
長年の懸案である社会保障と税の一体改革の実現に向けて、大きな前進と、歓迎したい。
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on Friday agreed to modify and pass bills on the comprehensive reform.
民主、自民、公明３党が、一体改革関連法案の修正協議で合意した。
As initially scheduled, they will try to pass the bills in the House of Representatives before the current Diet session ends on Thursday.
当初の予定通り、今国会会期末の２１日までの法案の衆院通過を目指す。
Negotiations among the three parties ran into rough waters since there are gaps in their opinions, especially regarding social security.
They deserve praise for making concessions with one another to form a consensus. We hope the parties will make this an important first step toward "decisive politics."
社会保障分野に関する各党の主張に隔たりがあり、交渉は難航したが、各党が譲り合い、合意を形成したことは高く評価できる。これを「決められる政治」に転じる貴重な一歩としてもらいたい。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told DPJ negotiators to hammer out an agreement based on the LDP's counterproposal involving social security system reform. He decided to make drastic concessions to the opposition parties in policies on the pension system and child-rearing support.
野田首相は、自民党の対案を基本に合意をまとめるよう民主党の交渉当事者に指示し、年金制度や子育て支援策で大幅に野党に歩み寄る決断をした。
===
LDP plays important role
Meanwhile, the LDP responded to Noda's decision and made concessions to the DPJ by retracting its demand that its draft proposal be accepted without any modifications. Though an opposition party, the LDP played a very important role.
自民党も、これに呼応し、自民案の「丸のみ」という要求を取り下げて譲歩した。野党ながら、自民党が果たした役割は大きい。
According to its 2009 lower house election manifesto, the DPJ aims to launch a minimum-guaranteed pension system and scrap a special health insurance system for people aged 75 or older. The LDP had initially demanded that the DPJ withdraw these plans from the manifesto. But the LDP did not continue to insist on that and instead agreed with the DPJ to shelve the issues temporarily and let an envisaged national council on social security reform discuss and reach conclusions on them later.
焦点だった最低保障年金の創設と後期高齢者医療制度の廃止については、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）の撤回にこだわらず、一時棚上げして、「社会保障制度改革国民会議」で結論を出すことで折り合った。
If the LDP had remained unyielding on this point, DPJ centrists as well as those who oppose the consumption tax rate hike might have reacted against it, driving the DPJ to the brink of a split and making it difficult to hold a vote on the bills.
自民党が撤回に固執すれば、民主党の増税反対派に加え、中間派も反発して党分裂含みになり、採決が困難になる恐れがあった。
Komeito, which had also strongly insisted that the DPJ drop the issues from the manifesto, decided to support the agreement because its opinions were sufficiently reflected in it. That is significant.
民主党の公約撤回に強くこだわっていた公明党も、３党合意に自党の主張が一定程度反映されたことを評価し、最終的に合意に加わった。この意義は大きい。
===
Broad consensus vital for long term
The comprehensive reform is a medium- and long-term issue that must be tackled by whatever party holds power. It is hoped that the bills can be passed with the support of as many parties as possible.
一体改革は、どの党が政権を取っても取り組まざるを得ない中長期的な重要課題である。できるだけ多くの党が賛成して、法案を成立させることが望ましい。
Though a conclusion on social security system reform was put off, this should not be criticized too quickly as prioritizing the tax increase.
社会保障改革の結論が先送りされたことを、単純に「増税先行」と批判するのは間違いである。
The tax hike will be implemented in April 2014. It is not a bad idea to compile a better policy after the national council spends a year discussing the social security system reform, compared to making a conclusion under duress with only one week of negotiations on the modifications.
増税の実施は再来年４月だ。１週間の修正協議で強引に結論を出すのと比べて、１年間かけて国民会議で議論し、より良い政策をまとめることは悪くない。
From now on, attention will be focused on whether members of the DPJ will accept the contents of this tripartite agreement and become ready to vote on the bills.
今後は、民主党が今回の合意内容を了承して採決に臨めるかどうかが、最大の焦点となる。
Former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and others have said there are things that must be done before raising the tax. With the same old irresponsible rhetoric, they are playing an intraparty numbers game by using DPJ lawmakers opposing the tax hike and rattling the prime minister.
小沢一郎元代表らは、「増税より前にやるべきことがある」との相変わらず無責任な論法で、増税反対勢力の多数派工作を展開し、野田首相を揺さぶっている。
Now that the DPJ, LDP and Komeito have reached the agreement, members of the ruling party can no longer be allowed to march to a different drum and try to prevent a vote on the bills.
民自公３党が合意したのに、政権党の足並みが乱れ、採決ができないような事態は許されない。
This is a critical phase that will determine the success or failure of the comprehensive reform. Noda should put his political life on the line to convince members of his party to minimize the intraparty opposition.
一体改革の成否がかかる正念場だ。首相は、党内の反対を最小限に抑えるため、まさに政治生命を懸けて党内を説得すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 16, 2012)
（2012年6月16日01時17分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 16, 2012)
Central govt must have role in setting up Osaka metropolis
「大阪都」法案 財政調整に国の関与は必要だ（6月15日付・読売社説）
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan and its coalition partner the People's New Party apparently want to avoid turning the Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, into an enemy as they eye the next House of Representatives election.
次期衆院選をにらみ、橋下徹大阪市長が率いる地域政党・大阪維新の会を敵に回したくないとの思惑があるのだろう。
To create the Osaka metropolis that Hashimoto has pushed for, the parties have submitted a bill to the Diet that would enable the establishment of "special administrative wards" similar to Tokyo's 23 wards.
橋下氏が提唱する「大阪都」構想の実現に向け、民主、国民新両党は、東京２３区のような「特別区」の設置を可能にする特例法案を国会に共同提出した。
To the same end, opposition parties including the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and Your Party have submitted two bills to revise the Local Government Law. The ruling and opposition parties have said they intend to integrate these three bills as quickly as possible.
自民、公明、みんなの党なども同じ目的の地方自治法改正案を出している。各党は、与野党の計３案を早期に一本化する方向だ。
Making the necessary legal arrangements to allow local governments to choose autonomous systems appropriate to their conditions is consistent with the aim of decentralization. However, the parties appear to be speeding up the task as if they were trying to cater to Hashimoto. We view this as questionable. Passing this legislation is not an urgent matter, and we urge the parties to discuss the issue thoroughly so the seeds of future problems are not sown.
地域事情に応じて自治制度を選択できる法整備は、地方分権の趣旨に合致する。だが、各党が橋下氏の意向に沿うように結論を急ぐのは疑問だ。緊急性がある法案でもない。将来に禍根を残さぬよう慎重に議論してもらいたい。
===
State involvement at odds
The major difference between the bills of the ruling and opposition parties concerns the level of central government involvement. The bill formulated by the ruling camp would require the consent of the internal affairs and communications minister when legal arrangements are needed to distribute tax revenue or enact fiscal control in the envisioned special wards.
与党案と二つの野党案で最大の違いは、国の関与の程度だ。与党案は、特別区の税源配分や財政調整に法整備を必要とする場合、総務相の同意を求めている。
The creation of an Osaka metropolis would require substantial legal revisions, such as to the Local Tax Law and the Local Allocation Tax Law. To make sure the shift to a new system is smooth and does not disrupt people's lives, the central government must be committed from the formulation stage.
都構想の実現には、地方税法や地方交付税法など、多くの法改正が必要になる。住民生活に支障がないよう円滑に新制度へ移行するには、国が制度設計の段階から関与するのは当然のことだ。
The bills compiled by the opposition parties would see less central government involvement, only allowing the state to provide local governments with information and receive explanations from them.
野党案は国の関与が薄い。情報提供や説明を受ける程度だ。
For example, the central government may not be able to say no when local governments ask for increased tax grants in conjunction with the establishment of the special wards. In such cases, the central government might have to cut tax grants to other regions, which would shake its role in the fundamental governance of the nation.
たとえば、自治体が特別区への移行に併せて地方交付税の増額などを国に求めた場合、国はそれを拒めない可能性がある。他地域の交付税が減額され、国の統治のあり方も揺らぎかねない。
We believe the parties should come to a solution based on the ruling bloc's bill.
与党の特例法案を軸に調整を図るべきだろう。
===
Local govts face grave tasks
The bills differ widely on the issue of population. The ruling bloc says more than 2 million residents would be needed to create a special administrative ward, while Your Party has set the threshold at 700,000.
特別区を設置するための人口要件でも、与党の「２００万人以上」から、みんなの党の「７０万人以上」まで開きがある。
Without a certain number of residents, local governments will find it difficult to independently provide welfare and other basic services, even with the cities divided into special wards. We are concerned that the initiative will prove ineffective and only increase costs, such as those for establishing ward assemblies, which is at odds with the purpose of the idea.
一定の人口規模がなければ、市を分割して特別区を設けても、福祉など基本的な住民サービスを独自に担うのは難しい。かえって区議会設置などのコストが膨らみ、非効率にならないか。
The bills merely stipulate the procedures required to create the special wards, but what is really important is whether local governments will be able to create adequate systems on their own.
ただ、法案は、特別区設置の手続きを定めているに過ぎない。肝心なのは、地方の側がしっかりとした制度を作れるかどうかだ。
Discussions over the specifics of the Osaka metropolis have only begun in Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka. How should Osaka be divided? How much authority should the special wards be allowed over governance and finances? There are many issues left to consider.
都構想の具体像を巡る議論は、大阪府・市で始まったばかりだ。大阪市をどう分割するか、特別区にどこまで権限・財源を持たせるか、検討すべき課題は多い。
Some members of the Osaka prefectural and city assemblies have voiced opposition to the metropolis, with one saying, "Osaka would lose its vitality if the city was split," and another saying, "We could eliminate administrative overlap in the prefectural and city governments under the current system."
府議会や市議会には、「大阪市の分割によって活力がそがれる」「現状でも二重行政の解消は可能だ」という反対意見もある。
Hashimoto should make his plans based on a variety of views. After all, he is also fully accountable to residents.
橋下氏は、多様な意見を踏まえて立案すべきだ。住民にも丁寧に説明する責務があるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2012)
（2012年6月15日02時25分 読売新聞）
Central govt must have role in setting up Osaka metropolis
「大阪都」法案 財政調整に国の関与は必要だ（6月15日付・読売社説）
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan and its coalition partner the People's New Party apparently want to avoid turning the Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, into an enemy as they eye the next House of Representatives election.
次期衆院選をにらみ、橋下徹大阪市長が率いる地域政党・大阪維新の会を敵に回したくないとの思惑があるのだろう。
To create the Osaka metropolis that Hashimoto has pushed for, the parties have submitted a bill to the Diet that would enable the establishment of "special administrative wards" similar to Tokyo's 23 wards.
橋下氏が提唱する「大阪都」構想の実現に向け、民主、国民新両党は、東京２３区のような「特別区」の設置を可能にする特例法案を国会に共同提出した。
To the same end, opposition parties including the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and Your Party have submitted two bills to revise the Local Government Law. The ruling and opposition parties have said they intend to integrate these three bills as quickly as possible.
自民、公明、みんなの党なども同じ目的の地方自治法改正案を出している。各党は、与野党の計３案を早期に一本化する方向だ。
Making the necessary legal arrangements to allow local governments to choose autonomous systems appropriate to their conditions is consistent with the aim of decentralization. However, the parties appear to be speeding up the task as if they were trying to cater to Hashimoto. We view this as questionable. Passing this legislation is not an urgent matter, and we urge the parties to discuss the issue thoroughly so the seeds of future problems are not sown.
地域事情に応じて自治制度を選択できる法整備は、地方分権の趣旨に合致する。だが、各党が橋下氏の意向に沿うように結論を急ぐのは疑問だ。緊急性がある法案でもない。将来に禍根を残さぬよう慎重に議論してもらいたい。
===
State involvement at odds
The major difference between the bills of the ruling and opposition parties concerns the level of central government involvement. The bill formulated by the ruling camp would require the consent of the internal affairs and communications minister when legal arrangements are needed to distribute tax revenue or enact fiscal control in the envisioned special wards.
与党案と二つの野党案で最大の違いは、国の関与の程度だ。与党案は、特別区の税源配分や財政調整に法整備を必要とする場合、総務相の同意を求めている。
The creation of an Osaka metropolis would require substantial legal revisions, such as to the Local Tax Law and the Local Allocation Tax Law. To make sure the shift to a new system is smooth and does not disrupt people's lives, the central government must be committed from the formulation stage.
都構想の実現には、地方税法や地方交付税法など、多くの法改正が必要になる。住民生活に支障がないよう円滑に新制度へ移行するには、国が制度設計の段階から関与するのは当然のことだ。
The bills compiled by the opposition parties would see less central government involvement, only allowing the state to provide local governments with information and receive explanations from them.
野党案は国の関与が薄い。情報提供や説明を受ける程度だ。
For example, the central government may not be able to say no when local governments ask for increased tax grants in conjunction with the establishment of the special wards. In such cases, the central government might have to cut tax grants to other regions, which would shake its role in the fundamental governance of the nation.
たとえば、自治体が特別区への移行に併せて地方交付税の増額などを国に求めた場合、国はそれを拒めない可能性がある。他地域の交付税が減額され、国の統治のあり方も揺らぎかねない。
We believe the parties should come to a solution based on the ruling bloc's bill.
与党の特例法案を軸に調整を図るべきだろう。
===
Local govts face grave tasks
The bills differ widely on the issue of population. The ruling bloc says more than 2 million residents would be needed to create a special administrative ward, while Your Party has set the threshold at 700,000.
特別区を設置するための人口要件でも、与党の「２００万人以上」から、みんなの党の「７０万人以上」まで開きがある。
Without a certain number of residents, local governments will find it difficult to independently provide welfare and other basic services, even with the cities divided into special wards. We are concerned that the initiative will prove ineffective and only increase costs, such as those for establishing ward assemblies, which is at odds with the purpose of the idea.
一定の人口規模がなければ、市を分割して特別区を設けても、福祉など基本的な住民サービスを独自に担うのは難しい。かえって区議会設置などのコストが膨らみ、非効率にならないか。
The bills merely stipulate the procedures required to create the special wards, but what is really important is whether local governments will be able to create adequate systems on their own.
ただ、法案は、特別区設置の手続きを定めているに過ぎない。肝心なのは、地方の側がしっかりとした制度を作れるかどうかだ。
Discussions over the specifics of the Osaka metropolis have only begun in Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka. How should Osaka be divided? How much authority should the special wards be allowed over governance and finances? There are many issues left to consider.
都構想の具体像を巡る議論は、大阪府・市で始まったばかりだ。大阪市をどう分割するか、特別区にどこまで権限・財源を持たせるか、検討すべき課題は多い。
Some members of the Osaka prefectural and city assemblies have voiced opposition to the metropolis, with one saying, "Osaka would lose its vitality if the city was split," and another saying, "We could eliminate administrative overlap in the prefectural and city governments under the current system."
府議会や市議会には、「大阪市の分割によって活力がそがれる」「現状でも二重行政の解消は可能だ」という反対意見もある。
Hashimoto should make his plans based on a variety of views. After all, he is also fully accountable to residents.
橋下氏は、多様な意見を踏まえて立案すべきだ。住民にも丁寧に説明する責務があるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 15, 2012)
（2012年6月15日02時25分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 15, 2012)
China's military vehicle export to North Korea cannot be ignored
ミサイル運搬車 見過ごせぬ中国の対「北」輸出（6月14日付・読売社説）
The international community must not ignore the current situation in which U.N. sanctions against North Korea are virtually toothless.
国連の対北朝鮮制裁が骨抜き同然になっている現状を、国際社会は看過してはならない。
It has recently been learned that China exported specialized vehicles that can be converted to transport and launch ballistic missiles to North Korea in August last year.
中国が昨年８月、弾道ミサイルの運搬・発射に転用可能な特殊車両を、北朝鮮に輸出していたことが明らかになった。
It is strongly suspected that the export of such vehicles violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit, among other actions, exports of goods contributing to North Korea's programs to develop weapons of mass destruction.
北朝鮮の大量破壊兵器開発計画に資する物資の輸出などを禁じた国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議に違反した疑いが濃厚である。
In cooperation with countries including the United States, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Japan should ask China exactly how and why those vehicles were exported to North Korea and again strongly call for strict enforcement of the sanctions against that country.
日本政府は、安保理常任理事国の米国などと連携し、輸出の経緯などを中国にただして、制裁の徹底を改めて強く求めるべきだ。
The export of the vehicles to North Korea was discovered when the Japan Coast Guard, in an action based on the Security Council resolutions, inspected a Cambodian-registered vessel in Osaka Port in October. According to sources, a record of the vehicles having been exported from China to the port of Nampo in North Korea was found.
今回の特殊車両輸出は、昨年１０月、海上保安庁が決議に基づき大阪港で行ったカンボジア船籍の貨物船への立ち入り検査で発覚した。中国から北朝鮮の南浦港への輸出記録が見つかったという。
North Korea itself presented smoking-gun evidence by unveiling large special-purpose vehicles carrying "new ballistic missiles" during a military parade in April. This is because the vehicles closely resemble those manufactured by a Chinese defense contractor.
今年４月、北朝鮮が軍事パレードで、「新型弾道ミサイル」を載せた大型特殊車両を公開したことが、動かぬ“証拠”となった。中国の国防企業が製造する車両とそっくりだったからだ。
===
'Timber' excuse just a fig leaf
The Japanese government has avoided explaining the matter, but it made inquiries to China via the U.S. government, according to the sources. Beijing reportedly said the vehicles were "for carrying timber" and therefore the export does not violate the Security Council resolutions.
政府は説明を避けているが、米政府を通じて照会したところ、中国は「木材運搬用」で決議違反ではないと釈明したとされる。
Even if the export was merely of truck chassis for civilian use, the vehicles were originally developed for military use. It must have been easy for North Korea to convert them into missile transporters.
たとえ車台だけの民生用輸出だったとしても、本来が軍事用に開発した車両である。北朝鮮にとってミサイル運搬用への改造は容易だったに違いない。
North Korea probably wanted to flaunt the extended range of its missiles and improvements in its capability to fire missiles from mobile launch vehicles. We must not lower our guard against Pyongyang's development of ballistic missiles, which is being promoted in parallel with a nuclear weapons development program.
北朝鮮は、ミサイルの長射程化や移動発射能力の向上を誇示したかったのだろう。核開発と並行して弾道ミサイル開発を進めている点に警戒を怠ってはならない。
If North Korea conducts its third nuclear test, its full development of nuclear warheads will only be a matter of time. Japan, already within reach of the Rodong medium-range missile, will come under a dramatically increased threat. Stability in the East Asian region will be seriously undermined.
北朝鮮が３度目の核実験に踏み切れば、核弾頭開発は時間の問題だ。中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンの射程内にある日本にとって、脅威は格段に高まる。東アジア地域の安定は大きく損なわれよう。
===
International unity needed
To stop North Korea's nuclear and missile development, the international community must make efforts to thoroughly implement sanctions against Pyongyang based on the Security Council resolutions.
北朝鮮の核・ミサイルの開発に歯止めをかけるため、国際社会は安保理決議に基づく対北朝鮮制裁の徹底に努めねばならない。
Cooperation from China, North Korea's neighbor and its biggest trading partner, is indispensable to this end, but a problem is that there seems to be no end to suspicious cases in which Pyongyang smuggles in goods via China. A report by an expert panel that advises the Security Council's sanctions committee points this out.
北朝鮮の隣国で最大の貿易相手国・中国の協力は不可欠だが、問題は、北朝鮮の密輸行為が中国経由で行われる疑惑事例が後を絶たないことだ。安保理の制裁委員会を補佐する専門家パネルの報告がそう指摘してきた。
China denies the allegation and has claimed that it strictly implements Security Council resolutions. This time again, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared that China "doesn't export goods banned by the resolutions or Chinese law."
中国は、こうした疑惑を否定するとともに、自ら決議を厳格に履行していると主張してきた。今回も外務省報道官は「決議と中国の法律が禁止しているものは輸出していない」と弁明した。
If that is so, China should give a full account of the export of the vehicles to North Korea.
そうだとすれば、車両輸出の全容をきちんと説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2012)
（2012年6月14日01時21分 読売新聞）
China's military vehicle export to North Korea cannot be ignored
ミサイル運搬車 見過ごせぬ中国の対「北」輸出（6月14日付・読売社説）
The international community must not ignore the current situation in which U.N. sanctions against North Korea are virtually toothless.
国連の対北朝鮮制裁が骨抜き同然になっている現状を、国際社会は看過してはならない。
It has recently been learned that China exported specialized vehicles that can be converted to transport and launch ballistic missiles to North Korea in August last year.
中国が昨年８月、弾道ミサイルの運搬・発射に転用可能な特殊車両を、北朝鮮に輸出していたことが明らかになった。
It is strongly suspected that the export of such vehicles violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit, among other actions, exports of goods contributing to North Korea's programs to develop weapons of mass destruction.
北朝鮮の大量破壊兵器開発計画に資する物資の輸出などを禁じた国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議に違反した疑いが濃厚である。
In cooperation with countries including the United States, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Japan should ask China exactly how and why those vehicles were exported to North Korea and again strongly call for strict enforcement of the sanctions against that country.
日本政府は、安保理常任理事国の米国などと連携し、輸出の経緯などを中国にただして、制裁の徹底を改めて強く求めるべきだ。
The export of the vehicles to North Korea was discovered when the Japan Coast Guard, in an action based on the Security Council resolutions, inspected a Cambodian-registered vessel in Osaka Port in October. According to sources, a record of the vehicles having been exported from China to the port of Nampo in North Korea was found.
今回の特殊車両輸出は、昨年１０月、海上保安庁が決議に基づき大阪港で行ったカンボジア船籍の貨物船への立ち入り検査で発覚した。中国から北朝鮮の南浦港への輸出記録が見つかったという。
North Korea itself presented smoking-gun evidence by unveiling large special-purpose vehicles carrying "new ballistic missiles" during a military parade in April. This is because the vehicles closely resemble those manufactured by a Chinese defense contractor.
今年４月、北朝鮮が軍事パレードで、「新型弾道ミサイル」を載せた大型特殊車両を公開したことが、動かぬ“証拠”となった。中国の国防企業が製造する車両とそっくりだったからだ。
===
'Timber' excuse just a fig leaf
The Japanese government has avoided explaining the matter, but it made inquiries to China via the U.S. government, according to the sources. Beijing reportedly said the vehicles were "for carrying timber" and therefore the export does not violate the Security Council resolutions.
政府は説明を避けているが、米政府を通じて照会したところ、中国は「木材運搬用」で決議違反ではないと釈明したとされる。
Even if the export was merely of truck chassis for civilian use, the vehicles were originally developed for military use. It must have been easy for North Korea to convert them into missile transporters.
たとえ車台だけの民生用輸出だったとしても、本来が軍事用に開発した車両である。北朝鮮にとってミサイル運搬用への改造は容易だったに違いない。
North Korea probably wanted to flaunt the extended range of its missiles and improvements in its capability to fire missiles from mobile launch vehicles. We must not lower our guard against Pyongyang's development of ballistic missiles, which is being promoted in parallel with a nuclear weapons development program.
北朝鮮は、ミサイルの長射程化や移動発射能力の向上を誇示したかったのだろう。核開発と並行して弾道ミサイル開発を進めている点に警戒を怠ってはならない。
If North Korea conducts its third nuclear test, its full development of nuclear warheads will only be a matter of time. Japan, already within reach of the Rodong medium-range missile, will come under a dramatically increased threat. Stability in the East Asian region will be seriously undermined.
北朝鮮が３度目の核実験に踏み切れば、核弾頭開発は時間の問題だ。中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンの射程内にある日本にとって、脅威は格段に高まる。東アジア地域の安定は大きく損なわれよう。
===
International unity needed
To stop North Korea's nuclear and missile development, the international community must make efforts to thoroughly implement sanctions against Pyongyang based on the Security Council resolutions.
北朝鮮の核・ミサイルの開発に歯止めをかけるため、国際社会は安保理決議に基づく対北朝鮮制裁の徹底に努めねばならない。
Cooperation from China, North Korea's neighbor and its biggest trading partner, is indispensable to this end, but a problem is that there seems to be no end to suspicious cases in which Pyongyang smuggles in goods via China. A report by an expert panel that advises the Security Council's sanctions committee points this out.
北朝鮮の隣国で最大の貿易相手国・中国の協力は不可欠だが、問題は、北朝鮮の密輸行為が中国経由で行われる疑惑事例が後を絶たないことだ。安保理の制裁委員会を補佐する専門家パネルの報告がそう指摘してきた。
China denies the allegation and has claimed that it strictly implements Security Council resolutions. This time again, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared that China "doesn't export goods banned by the resolutions or Chinese law."
中国は、こうした疑惑を否定するとともに、自ら決議を厳格に履行していると主張してきた。今回も外務省報道官は「決議と中国の法律が禁止しているものは輸出していない」と弁明した。
If that is so, China should give a full account of the export of the vehicles to North Korea.
そうだとすれば、車両輸出の全容をきちんと説明すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 14, 2012)
（2012年6月14日01時21分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2012)
Eurozone must act quickly to halt financial crisis
スペイン支援 欧州危機の連鎖を食い止めよ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The Spanish economy, the fourth largest in the eurozone, has deteriorated because of a business slump that followed the collapse of a property bubble. This forced the country to seek a financial bailout.
ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模であるスペインが、不動産バブル崩壊後の経済不振で、金融支援を仰ぐ事態に発展した。
Spain is the fourth eurozone nation following Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek financial help since the European sovereign debt crisis began in 2009.
２００９年に欧州債務危機が表面化してから、ギリシャ、アイルランド、ポルトガルに次いで４か国目である。
If the Spanish crisis spreads, it may trigger further chaos in world stock markets, including those in United States, Europe and Japan, and the yen will continue strengthening against the euro. These developments will deal a serious blow to the world economy.
スペイン危機が拡大すれば、欧米や日本など世界の株式市場は一段と混乱し、ユーロ安・円高にも歯止めがかからなくなる。世界経済に深刻な打撃を与えよう。
The debt crisis has repeatedly affected Europe because of its failure to take prompt action. The current crisis must be contained quickly.
欧州は対応が後手に回り、危機を繰り返してきた。今度こそ、危機を早急に封じ込めるべきだ。
Seventeen eurozone countries have agreed to lend up to 100 billion euros (about 10 trillion yen) to Spanish banks, which are beset by huge bad debts. Loans from the European Financial Stability Facility, among other entities, will be used to help recapitalize struggling Spanish banks to halt credit uncertainty.
ユーロを導入している１７か国は巨額の不良債権を抱えたスペインの銀行に最大１０００億ユーロ（約１０兆円）を支援する。欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）などの資金で銀行の資本を増強し、信用不安の収束を目指す方針である。
===
Preemptive measure
Bankia S.A., a major Spanish bank mired in a management crisis, had asked the Spanish government to bail it out by injecting public funds. But the government, already struggling to fix its fiscal mess, could not afford to provide funds.
経営危機に陥った大手銀行バンキアは公的資金注入をスペイン政府に要請したが、財政が火の車の政府には救済する余裕はない。
Realizing the Spanish government would not be able to rescue Bankia and other Spanish banks by itself, the 17-member eurozone decided to provide financial aid as a preemptive measure. We consider this decision reasonable.
その他の問題銀行を含め、政府による自力救済は難しいとユーロ圏が判断し、「予防的措置」として支援を決めたのは妥当だ。
Greece, which triggered the European debt crisis, will hold another election Sunday. If an antiausterity leftist party joins a new government after the election, it cannot be ruled out that Greece will break away from the eurozone. This would inevitably cause turmoil.
１７日には、欧州危機の震源地・ギリシャで再選挙が行われる。財政緊縮に反対する左派が新政権入りすれば、ギリシャのユーロ離脱も現実になりかねない。そうなると大混乱は必至だろう。
Ahead of the Greek election, the eurozone joined hands to address the Spanish crisis to prevent it from disrupting financial markets.
ギリシャの再選挙前に、ユーロ圏は結束してスペイン問題に対処する方針を打ち出し、市場の動揺を防ぐことを狙ったようだ。
===
Outlook uncertain
However, uncertain prospects lie ahead.
だが、先行きは不透明だ。
The eurozone has agreed on a broad framework of bailout plans for Spain but concrete details and the exact amount of rescue loans have been left pending. Besides working out concrete measures quickly and implementing them promptly, the eurozone also must tackle the realignment of financial institutions.
ユーロ圏による支援の大枠が決まったとは言え、支援方法や金額は未定である。具体策を急ぎ、迅速に実行すべきだ。金融機関の再編にも取り組んでもらいたい。
While it still grapples with the bursting of the property bubble, Spain is expected to record minus economic growth this year and next. The amount of Spanish banks' nonperforming loans is expected to balloon further due to the protracted business slump. It remains to be seen whether the size of the eurozone's financial assistance will be adequate for dealing with the Spanish crisis.
バブル崩壊の後遺症に苦しむスペインは、今年、来年とマイナス成長に低迷する見込みだ。不況の長期化に伴って、銀行の不良債権額がさらに膨らむだろう。ユーロ圏が想定する支援規模で十分かどうかは予断できない。
Assistance to Spain will be limited to the banking sector. Therefore, the country probably will not be asked by the eurozone to work out additional fiscal reconstruction measures.
スペインへの支援は銀行部門に限定されるため、ギリシャのように、ユーロ圏から追加的な財政再建策は要求されない見通しだ。
But fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth are both indispensable for economic rejuvenation. Spain faces a tough challenge.
ただし、経済再生には財政再建と経済成長の両立が欠かせない。スペインにとっては難題だ。
The European financial crisis will be a major item on the agenda of a summit meeting of the Group of 20 economies to be held in Mexico next week. Pressure is expected to mount on Germany and France, among other countries, to display leadership and unity to end the crisis.
欧州問題は、来週メキシコで開かれる主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議の最大の焦点となる。独仏両国などに対し、危機収束の実行力と結束を求める圧力が強まることは避けられまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 13, 2012)
（2012年6月13日01時02分 読売新聞）
Eurozone must act quickly to halt financial crisis
スペイン支援 欧州危機の連鎖を食い止めよ（6月13日付・読売社説）
The Spanish economy, the fourth largest in the eurozone, has deteriorated because of a business slump that followed the collapse of a property bubble. This forced the country to seek a financial bailout.
ユーロ圏第４位の経済規模であるスペインが、不動産バブル崩壊後の経済不振で、金融支援を仰ぐ事態に発展した。
Spain is the fourth eurozone nation following Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek financial help since the European sovereign debt crisis began in 2009.
２００９年に欧州債務危機が表面化してから、ギリシャ、アイルランド、ポルトガルに次いで４か国目である。
If the Spanish crisis spreads, it may trigger further chaos in world stock markets, including those in United States, Europe and Japan, and the yen will continue strengthening against the euro. These developments will deal a serious blow to the world economy.
スペイン危機が拡大すれば、欧米や日本など世界の株式市場は一段と混乱し、ユーロ安・円高にも歯止めがかからなくなる。世界経済に深刻な打撃を与えよう。
The debt crisis has repeatedly affected Europe because of its failure to take prompt action. The current crisis must be contained quickly.
欧州は対応が後手に回り、危機を繰り返してきた。今度こそ、危機を早急に封じ込めるべきだ。
Seventeen eurozone countries have agreed to lend up to 100 billion euros (about 10 trillion yen) to Spanish banks, which are beset by huge bad debts. Loans from the European Financial Stability Facility, among other entities, will be used to help recapitalize struggling Spanish banks to halt credit uncertainty.
ユーロを導入している１７か国は巨額の不良債権を抱えたスペインの銀行に最大１０００億ユーロ（約１０兆円）を支援する。欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）などの資金で銀行の資本を増強し、信用不安の収束を目指す方針である。
===
Preemptive measure
Bankia S.A., a major Spanish bank mired in a management crisis, had asked the Spanish government to bail it out by injecting public funds. But the government, already struggling to fix its fiscal mess, could not afford to provide funds.
経営危機に陥った大手銀行バンキアは公的資金注入をスペイン政府に要請したが、財政が火の車の政府には救済する余裕はない。
Realizing the Spanish government would not be able to rescue Bankia and other Spanish banks by itself, the 17-member eurozone decided to provide financial aid as a preemptive measure. We consider this decision reasonable.
その他の問題銀行を含め、政府による自力救済は難しいとユーロ圏が判断し、「予防的措置」として支援を決めたのは妥当だ。
Greece, which triggered the European debt crisis, will hold another election Sunday. If an antiausterity leftist party joins a new government after the election, it cannot be ruled out that Greece will break away from the eurozone. This would inevitably cause turmoil.
１７日には、欧州危機の震源地・ギリシャで再選挙が行われる。財政緊縮に反対する左派が新政権入りすれば、ギリシャのユーロ離脱も現実になりかねない。そうなると大混乱は必至だろう。
Ahead of the Greek election, the eurozone joined hands to address the Spanish crisis to prevent it from disrupting financial markets.
ギリシャの再選挙前に、ユーロ圏は結束してスペイン問題に対処する方針を打ち出し、市場の動揺を防ぐことを狙ったようだ。
===
Outlook uncertain
However, uncertain prospects lie ahead.
だが、先行きは不透明だ。
The eurozone has agreed on a broad framework of bailout plans for Spain but concrete details and the exact amount of rescue loans have been left pending. Besides working out concrete measures quickly and implementing them promptly, the eurozone also must tackle the realignment of financial institutions.
ユーロ圏による支援の大枠が決まったとは言え、支援方法や金額は未定である。具体策を急ぎ、迅速に実行すべきだ。金融機関の再編にも取り組んでもらいたい。
While it still grapples with the bursting of the property bubble, Spain is expected to record minus economic growth this year and next. The amount of Spanish banks' nonperforming loans is expected to balloon further due to the protracted business slump. It remains to be seen whether the size of the eurozone's financial assistance will be adequate for dealing with the Spanish crisis.
バブル崩壊の後遺症に苦しむスペインは、今年、来年とマイナス成長に低迷する見込みだ。不況の長期化に伴って、銀行の不良債権額がさらに膨らむだろう。ユーロ圏が想定する支援規模で十分かどうかは予断できない。
Assistance to Spain will be limited to the banking sector. Therefore, the country probably will not be asked by the eurozone to work out additional fiscal reconstruction measures.
スペインへの支援は銀行部門に限定されるため、ギリシャのように、ユーロ圏から追加的な財政再建策は要求されない見通しだ。
But fiscal rehabilitation and economic growth are both indispensable for economic rejuvenation. Spain faces a tough challenge.
ただし、経済再生には財政再建と経済成長の両立が欠かせない。スペインにとっては難題だ。
The European financial crisis will be a major item on the agenda of a summit meeting of the Group of 20 economies to be held in Mexico next week. Pressure is expected to mount on Germany and France, among other countries, to display leadership and unity to end the crisis.
欧州問題は、来週メキシコで開かれる主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議の最大の焦点となる。独仏両国などに対し、危機収束の実行力と結束を求める圧力が強まることは避けられまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 13, 2012)
（2012年6月13日01時02分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 13, 2012)
No need to pander to China over Senkaku Islands
丹羽大使発言 「尖閣」で対中配慮は無用だ（6月12日付・読売社説）
Japan has many pressing political issues with China. Was it wise to appoint a former executive of a trading house, which has business interests in China, as ambassador to that country? Such concerns have turned out to be well-founded.
政治的案件を多く抱える中国の大使に、ビジネスで利害関係がある商社出身者を起用して大丈夫なのか。そうした不安が的中したと言える。
At Monday's hearing at the House of Representatives Audit and Oversight of Administration Committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government's plan to purchase some of the Senkaku Islands was on the agenda.
衆院決算行政監視委員会で、東京都による尖閣諸島の購入問題が取り上げられた。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara attended the meeting as an unsworn witness. He argued that Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, who opposed the purchase plan, should be dismissed because his statements contravene the government's intentions.
参考人として出席した東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、丹羽宇一郎中国大使が購入に異議を唱えたことについて、「政府の意向と違う発言をする大使を更迭すべきだ」と主張した。
Irrespective of whether Niwa should be fired or not, his remarks have certainly opened up a can of worms.
更迭する、しないは別として、丹羽氏の発言には問題がある。
In an interview published in Thursday's issue of the British paper Financial Times, Niwa said, "It will result in an extremely grave crisis in relations between Japan and China" if the Tokyo government purchases some of the Senkaku Islands.
７日の英紙「フィナンシャル・タイムズ」によると、丹羽氏は都が尖閣諸島を購入すれば「日中関係は極めて重大な危機に陥る」と語った。
The proposal puts at risk the progress achieved since the countries normalized relations in 1972, he added.
「１９７２年の国交正常化以降達成してきた進展を危険にさらしかねない」とも述べた。
===
Envoy must be careful
As the Senkaku purchase initiative is being spearheaded by Ishihara, a hawk on China, Niwa apparently feared Beijing would only become more agitated by the plan.
中国に批判的な石原氏が主導していることから、中国のさらなる反発を恐れたのだろう。
However, his remarks raise doubts about his insights as an ambassador. A nation's territories are essential elements of that country. Giving such self-centered consideration to China is unpardonable.
だが、大使としての見識が疑われる発言だ。領土という国の根幹に関わる問題で身勝手な配慮は許されない。
It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura denied Niwa's comments represented the government's position. "It is his personal view and was absolutely not an announcement of the government's standpoint," Fujimura said.
藤村官房長官が「個人的見解であり、政府の立場を表明したものでは全くない」と否定したのは当然である。
The purchase of the islands is a domestic business transaction. It is fundamentally wrong to regard it as a diplomatic issue between Japan and China. Turning the Senkaku Islands, which are owned by private citizens, into public property would ensure foreign countries cannot purchase them and increase the stability of their legal status as a national territory.
尖閣諸島の売買は国内の商取引であり、日中間の外交問題と見なすこと自体、間違っている。民間所有の尖閣諸島が公有地となれば、外国による買収を防ぐことができ、法的安定性は高まろう。
Niwa, after being rebuked by the Foreign Ministry over his remarks, said he would not make such comments again and apologized. Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Niwa would retain his post. However, if an ambassador who embraces a view different from the government's on an important policy matter is going to stay on, the government must explain clearly to the public its reasons for keeping him in this position.
外務省から注意を受けた丹羽氏は「もう一切、このようなコメントはしない」と回答し、謝罪した。玄葉外相は続投させるという。重要政策で政府と違う見解を持つ大使を続投させるなら、理由を明確に国民に説明する必要がある。
===
Govt needs to do more
Ishihara also used the hearing to take a swipe at the national government's lax handling of Senkaku issues, and warned, "Japan's national interests could be lost." We can understand his sentiment.
一方、石原氏が委員会で、政府の尖閣問題への対処が甘いとし、「国益を失うことになる」と批判したのは理解できる。
Ishihara also emphasized that the purchase of the islands should, essentially, be made by the state.
都の尖閣諸島購入に関し、「本来は国がやるべきだ」とも主張した。
We hope the government will cooperate with the Tokyo government and come up with measures to stably maintain and administer the Senkakus. It is worth studying the possibility of nationalizing the islands in the future.
政府は、都と連携し、尖閣諸島を安定的に維持、管理する方策を打ち出してもらいたい。将来の国有化も検討に値しよう。
China has frequently made provocations such as sending patrol boats to waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and even intruding into Japan's territorial waters. These actions appear to be intended to change the status quo.
中国は巡視船を尖閣周辺に派遣し、領海侵入などの挑発を繰り返すなど、現状変更を意図するかのような行動をしている。
All things considered, Japan must galvanize its effective control of the islands. It needs to consider steadily reinforcing the equipment and manpower of the Japan Coast Guard.
そうである以上、日本は実効支配をより確かなものにすべきだ。海上保安庁の装備や人員の着実な拡充を検討する必要がある。
A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law to enable JCG officers to control illegal activities on remote islands also needs to urgently be passed by the Diet.
海上保安官が離島での違法行為を検挙できるようにする海上保安庁法改正案の成立も急務だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2012)
（2012年6月12日01時16分 読売新聞）
No need to pander to China over Senkaku Islands
丹羽大使発言 「尖閣」で対中配慮は無用だ（6月12日付・読売社説）
Japan has many pressing political issues with China. Was it wise to appoint a former executive of a trading house, which has business interests in China, as ambassador to that country? Such concerns have turned out to be well-founded.
政治的案件を多く抱える中国の大使に、ビジネスで利害関係がある商社出身者を起用して大丈夫なのか。そうした不安が的中したと言える。
At Monday's hearing at the House of Representatives Audit and Oversight of Administration Committee, the Tokyo metropolitan government's plan to purchase some of the Senkaku Islands was on the agenda.
衆院決算行政監視委員会で、東京都による尖閣諸島の購入問題が取り上げられた。
Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara attended the meeting as an unsworn witness. He argued that Ambassador Uichiro Niwa, who opposed the purchase plan, should be dismissed because his statements contravene the government's intentions.
参考人として出席した東京都の石原慎太郎知事は、丹羽宇一郎中国大使が購入に異議を唱えたことについて、「政府の意向と違う発言をする大使を更迭すべきだ」と主張した。
Irrespective of whether Niwa should be fired or not, his remarks have certainly opened up a can of worms.
更迭する、しないは別として、丹羽氏の発言には問題がある。
In an interview published in Thursday's issue of the British paper Financial Times, Niwa said, "It will result in an extremely grave crisis in relations between Japan and China" if the Tokyo government purchases some of the Senkaku Islands.
７日の英紙「フィナンシャル・タイムズ」によると、丹羽氏は都が尖閣諸島を購入すれば「日中関係は極めて重大な危機に陥る」と語った。
The proposal puts at risk the progress achieved since the countries normalized relations in 1972, he added.
「１９７２年の国交正常化以降達成してきた進展を危険にさらしかねない」とも述べた。
===
Envoy must be careful
As the Senkaku purchase initiative is being spearheaded by Ishihara, a hawk on China, Niwa apparently feared Beijing would only become more agitated by the plan.
中国に批判的な石原氏が主導していることから、中国のさらなる反発を恐れたのだろう。
However, his remarks raise doubts about his insights as an ambassador. A nation's territories are essential elements of that country. Giving such self-centered consideration to China is unpardonable.
だが、大使としての見識が疑われる発言だ。領土という国の根幹に関わる問題で身勝手な配慮は許されない。
It was only natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura denied Niwa's comments represented the government's position. "It is his personal view and was absolutely not an announcement of the government's standpoint," Fujimura said.
藤村官房長官が「個人的見解であり、政府の立場を表明したものでは全くない」と否定したのは当然である。
The purchase of the islands is a domestic business transaction. It is fundamentally wrong to regard it as a diplomatic issue between Japan and China. Turning the Senkaku Islands, which are owned by private citizens, into public property would ensure foreign countries cannot purchase them and increase the stability of their legal status as a national territory.
尖閣諸島の売買は国内の商取引であり、日中間の外交問題と見なすこと自体、間違っている。民間所有の尖閣諸島が公有地となれば、外国による買収を防ぐことができ、法的安定性は高まろう。
Niwa, after being rebuked by the Foreign Ministry over his remarks, said he would not make such comments again and apologized. Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Niwa would retain his post. However, if an ambassador who embraces a view different from the government's on an important policy matter is going to stay on, the government must explain clearly to the public its reasons for keeping him in this position.
外務省から注意を受けた丹羽氏は「もう一切、このようなコメントはしない」と回答し、謝罪した。玄葉外相は続投させるという。重要政策で政府と違う見解を持つ大使を続投させるなら、理由を明確に国民に説明する必要がある。
===
Govt needs to do more
Ishihara also used the hearing to take a swipe at the national government's lax handling of Senkaku issues, and warned, "Japan's national interests could be lost." We can understand his sentiment.
一方、石原氏が委員会で、政府の尖閣問題への対処が甘いとし、「国益を失うことになる」と批判したのは理解できる。
Ishihara also emphasized that the purchase of the islands should, essentially, be made by the state.
都の尖閣諸島購入に関し、「本来は国がやるべきだ」とも主張した。
We hope the government will cooperate with the Tokyo government and come up with measures to stably maintain and administer the Senkakus. It is worth studying the possibility of nationalizing the islands in the future.
政府は、都と連携し、尖閣諸島を安定的に維持、管理する方策を打ち出してもらいたい。将来の国有化も検討に値しよう。
China has frequently made provocations such as sending patrol boats to waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands and even intruding into Japan's territorial waters. These actions appear to be intended to change the status quo.
中国は巡視船を尖閣周辺に派遣し、領海侵入などの挑発を繰り返すなど、現状変更を意図するかのような行動をしている。
All things considered, Japan must galvanize its effective control of the islands. It needs to consider steadily reinforcing the equipment and manpower of the Japan Coast Guard.
そうである以上、日本は実効支配をより確かなものにすべきだ。海上保安庁の装備や人員の着実な拡充を検討する必要がある。
A bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law to enable JCG officers to control illegal activities on remote islands also needs to urgently be passed by the Diet.
海上保安官が離島での違法行為を検挙できるようにする海上保安庁法改正案の成立も急務だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2012)
（2012年6月12日01時16分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 12, 2012)
Sloppy operations of tour buses must not be overlooked
関越道バス事故 ずさんな運行実態を見逃すな（6月10日付・読売社説）
Accidents involving tour buses using expressways should be prevented by all means.
高速ツアーバスの事故の再発を防がねばならない。
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has started studies toward reinforcing regulations on bus companies. This is an appropriate action.
国土交通省が、バス会社の規制強化に向けた検討に着手したのは、妥当と言えよう。
More than one month has passed since the Kanetsu Expressway accident in which seven passengers died. We are appalled by the bus company's careless management of bus operations.
関越自動車道で乗客７人が死亡した事故から１か月以上経過した。バス会社のお粗末な運行管理にはあきれるほかない。
The ministry will rescind the bus company's business license and suspend the business of the travel agency that planned the bus tour. These punishments are only natural.
国交省は、バス会社の事業許可を取り消し、ツアーを企画した旅行会社に業務停止の処分を下す方針だ。当然の措置である。
The direct cause of the accident was the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel, but the companies' awareness that they held people's lives in their hands was lacking.
直接的な原因は運転手の居眠りだったが、会社側はツアー参加者の人命を預かるという自覚を欠いていたのではないか。
The ministry also has a grave responsibility for its delayed response. Both the public and private sectors must work together to implement thorough safety measures.
対応が後手に回った国交省の責任も重い。官民が連携して安全対策を徹底しなければならない。
===
Too many violations
The driver who caused the accident was hired on a daily basis, which is prohibited by law. The company did not perform health checks on the driver, as required by the ministry's rules, before he was allowed to drive a bus, or give him written instructions including bus operation routes. Operations on the day of the accident were left in the hands of the driver, who had little experience in long-distance driving.
事故を起こした運転手は、禁止された日雇い勤務で、乗務前に義務付けられた健康チェックを怠っていた。バス会社は、ルートなどを定めた指示書を作成せず、事故当日の運行は、長距離業務の経験が浅い運転手任せだった。
The bus company has committed 28 law violations but did not fix the problems involved in past violations. Also, the national administration neglected follow-up checks.
法令違反は２８項目に及んだ。過去の違反も改善されておらず、行政は事後チェックを怠った。
The most important problem is that this is hardly an exceptional case.
問題なのは、これが特異なケースとは言い切れないことだ。
Due to deregulation of the requirements for entry into the business in 2000, the number of tour bus companies has sharply increased to about 4,500. The competition to win orders from travel agencies has intensified, making excessive workloads a normal situation for drivers.
２０００年の参入規制緩和によって、ツアーバス会社は約４５００社まで急増した。受注競争は激化し、過労運転が常態化している。
According to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, about 90 percent of chartered bus drivers have fallen asleep or felt drowsy while working.
総務省の調査では、運転手の９割が運転中に居眠りや睡魔の経験があると答えている。
According to transport ministry standards, the upper limit for one driver to drive a bus in a single day is 670 kilometers.
国交省の基準では、１人の運転手が１日に運転できる距離の上限は６７０キロ・メートルだ。
Since the accident, the tour bus industry has independently formulated guidelines, including assigning an alternative driver if a bus is operated for 450 kilometers or more at night. This was a step foward in the right direction, but the guidelines are not legally binding.
ツアーバス業界は事故後、夜間に４５０キロ・メートル以上走る場合は交代運転手を用意するなどの独自指針を策定した。一歩前進と言えるが、指針には拘束力がない。
===
Responsibility of travel firms
Many travel agencies that plan bus tours leave safety measures completely to the bus companies. This is also a problem.
ツアーを手がける旅行会社の多くが、安全対策をバス会社に任せ切りにしている点も問題だ。
The transport ministry decided last week to formulate guidelines to require travel agencies dealing with bus tours using expressways to disclose safety information. The ministry will oblige the companies to clarify the number of alternative drivers in tour advertisements, for instance. We would like the ministry to enforce the guidelines immediately after they are formulated.
国交省は先週、高速バスツアーを扱う旅行会社に安全情報の開示を求めるガイドラインを策定することを決めた。ツアーの募集広告などに交代運転手の人数などを表示するよう義務付ける方針だ。速やかに運用してもらいたい。
The ministry plans to make travel agencies get permission for bus operations by next summer. The travel agencies will have heavier responsibility in terms of bus operation, which will help improve the situation.
来夏までに、旅行会社にバスの運行許可を取得させることにしている。旅行会社の運行責任が重くなる。これも有益だろう。
The Kanetsu Expressway accident was so serious partly because there was a space between the noise-blocking wall on the side of the road and the guardrail, and the wall pierced the bus' body when it hit the wall. Such spaces exist at 5,100 locations throughout the country. It is an urgent task to rectify this.
事故の被害が甚大だったのは、道路脇の防音壁とガードレールの間に隙間があり、衝突時に壁が車体にめり込んだことが一因だ。こうした隙間は全国５１００か所に上る。改修工事が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2012)
（2012年6月10日01時18分 読売新聞）
Sloppy operations of tour buses must not be overlooked
関越道バス事故 ずさんな運行実態を見逃すな（6月10日付・読売社説）
Accidents involving tour buses using expressways should be prevented by all means.
高速ツアーバスの事故の再発を防がねばならない。
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has started studies toward reinforcing regulations on bus companies. This is an appropriate action.
国土交通省が、バス会社の規制強化に向けた検討に着手したのは、妥当と言えよう。
More than one month has passed since the Kanetsu Expressway accident in which seven passengers died. We are appalled by the bus company's careless management of bus operations.
関越自動車道で乗客７人が死亡した事故から１か月以上経過した。バス会社のお粗末な運行管理にはあきれるほかない。
The ministry will rescind the bus company's business license and suspend the business of the travel agency that planned the bus tour. These punishments are only natural.
国交省は、バス会社の事業許可を取り消し、ツアーを企画した旅行会社に業務停止の処分を下す方針だ。当然の措置である。
The direct cause of the accident was the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel, but the companies' awareness that they held people's lives in their hands was lacking.
直接的な原因は運転手の居眠りだったが、会社側はツアー参加者の人命を預かるという自覚を欠いていたのではないか。
The ministry also has a grave responsibility for its delayed response. Both the public and private sectors must work together to implement thorough safety measures.
対応が後手に回った国交省の責任も重い。官民が連携して安全対策を徹底しなければならない。
===
Too many violations
The driver who caused the accident was hired on a daily basis, which is prohibited by law. The company did not perform health checks on the driver, as required by the ministry's rules, before he was allowed to drive a bus, or give him written instructions including bus operation routes. Operations on the day of the accident were left in the hands of the driver, who had little experience in long-distance driving.
事故を起こした運転手は、禁止された日雇い勤務で、乗務前に義務付けられた健康チェックを怠っていた。バス会社は、ルートなどを定めた指示書を作成せず、事故当日の運行は、長距離業務の経験が浅い運転手任せだった。
The bus company has committed 28 law violations but did not fix the problems involved in past violations. Also, the national administration neglected follow-up checks.
法令違反は２８項目に及んだ。過去の違反も改善されておらず、行政は事後チェックを怠った。
The most important problem is that this is hardly an exceptional case.
問題なのは、これが特異なケースとは言い切れないことだ。
Due to deregulation of the requirements for entry into the business in 2000, the number of tour bus companies has sharply increased to about 4,500. The competition to win orders from travel agencies has intensified, making excessive workloads a normal situation for drivers.
２０００年の参入規制緩和によって、ツアーバス会社は約４５００社まで急増した。受注競争は激化し、過労運転が常態化している。
According to a survey by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, about 90 percent of chartered bus drivers have fallen asleep or felt drowsy while working.
総務省の調査では、運転手の９割が運転中に居眠りや睡魔の経験があると答えている。
According to transport ministry standards, the upper limit for one driver to drive a bus in a single day is 670 kilometers.
国交省の基準では、１人の運転手が１日に運転できる距離の上限は６７０キロ・メートルだ。
Since the accident, the tour bus industry has independently formulated guidelines, including assigning an alternative driver if a bus is operated for 450 kilometers or more at night. This was a step foward in the right direction, but the guidelines are not legally binding.
ツアーバス業界は事故後、夜間に４５０キロ・メートル以上走る場合は交代運転手を用意するなどの独自指針を策定した。一歩前進と言えるが、指針には拘束力がない。
===
Responsibility of travel firms
Many travel agencies that plan bus tours leave safety measures completely to the bus companies. This is also a problem.
ツアーを手がける旅行会社の多くが、安全対策をバス会社に任せ切りにしている点も問題だ。
The transport ministry decided last week to formulate guidelines to require travel agencies dealing with bus tours using expressways to disclose safety information. The ministry will oblige the companies to clarify the number of alternative drivers in tour advertisements, for instance. We would like the ministry to enforce the guidelines immediately after they are formulated.
国交省は先週、高速バスツアーを扱う旅行会社に安全情報の開示を求めるガイドラインを策定することを決めた。ツアーの募集広告などに交代運転手の人数などを表示するよう義務付ける方針だ。速やかに運用してもらいたい。
The ministry plans to make travel agencies get permission for bus operations by next summer. The travel agencies will have heavier responsibility in terms of bus operation, which will help improve the situation.
来夏までに、旅行会社にバスの運行許可を取得させることにしている。旅行会社の運行責任が重くなる。これも有益だろう。
The Kanetsu Expressway accident was so serious partly because there was a space between the noise-blocking wall on the side of the road and the guardrail, and the wall pierced the bus' body when it hit the wall. Such spaces exist at 5,100 locations throughout the country. It is an urgent task to rectify this.
事故の被害が甚大だったのは、道路脇の防音壁とガードレールの間に隙間があり、衝突時に壁が車体にめり込んだことが一因だ。こうした隙間は全国５１００か所に上る。改修工事が急務である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2012)
（2012年6月10日01時18分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 9, 2012)
Prosecutors defeated by new evidence in Mainali case
東電ＯＬ殺害 検察を敗北に導いた新証拠（6月8日付・読売社説）
"There is suspicion another person might have murdered the woman."
「第三者が女性を殺害した疑いがある」
As long as a court makes a judgment like this, it is only natural for a case to be retried. It was a complete defeat for prosecutors.
裁判所がこう認定した以上、裁判をやり直すのは当然と言えよう。検察の完敗である。
The Tokyo High Court on Thursday decided to grant a retrial and stay of execution for Govinda Prasad Mainali, a Nepalese national, at a hearing over his request for a retrial for the murder of a female employee of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
東京電力女性社員殺害事件の再審請求審で、東京高裁はネパール国籍のゴビンダ・プラサド・マイナリ元被告に対し、再審開始と刑の執行停止を決定した。
The high court's decision said, "Reasonable doubt has emerged" regarding the finalized conviction that sentenced Mainali to life in prison. The judgment is in line with a cardinal rule of criminal trials--give the accused the benefit of the doubt (when in doubt, for the accused).
決定は、無期懲役とした確定判決について「合理的な疑いが生じている」と断じた。「疑わしきは被告の利益に」という刑事裁判の鉄則に沿った判断である。
In 1997, a female employee of TEPCO was murdered in an apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and robbed of about 40,000 yen in cash. Mainali has denied committing the crime throughout his trials.
The Tokyo District Court handed down a not-guilty ruling but the Tokyo High Court overturned the decision and ruled Mainali was guilty. The guilty ruling was finalized by the Supreme Court in 2003.
東京都渋谷区のアパートで１９９７年、東電の女性社員が殺害され、現金約４万円を奪われたのが、この事件だ。マイナリ元被告は一貫して犯行を否認し、１審は無罪、２審で逆転有罪となり、最高裁で２００３年に確定した。
===
New DNA analysis key
A point of issue in the high court hearing over the request for a retrial was the results of a fresh DNA analysis. The new analysis showed the DNA type of semen collected from inside the woman's body did not match that of Mainali but did match that in the body hair of another person left at the crime scene.
再審請求審で争点になったのは、新たに行われた鑑定の結果だ。女性の体内から採取された精液のＤＮＡ型がマイナリ元被告とは異なり、現場に落ちていた別人の体毛のＤＮＡ型と一致する、というものだった。
This evidence suggests there may have been another person at the crime scene. The high court's decision said it was likely Mainali would not have been convicted if the results of this analysis had been presented.
殺害現場に第三者がいたことをうかがわせる新証拠だ。決定は、「この鑑定結果があれば、公判での有罪認定には至らなかったと考えられる」と指摘した。
It is said that a DNA analysis could have been conducted with the technology available at the time of the crime. It cannot be helped that police and prosecutors have come under fire for not thoroughly investigating the case.
事件当時の技術でも、ＤＮＡ鑑定は可能だったとされる。警察・検察は、捜査を尽くさなかったと批判されても仕方がない。
Prosecutors have lodged an objection to the high court's decision, so the high court will again hear the case to consider whether to grant a retrial for Mainali.
検察が、決定に対する異議を申し立てたため、東京高裁が再び再審開始の可否を審理する。
On the other hand, the high court rejected the prosecutors' request to keep Mainali behind bars. Mainali, who was illegally staying in the country, was released Thursday and is expected to be deported to Nepal.
一方で高裁は、服役の継続を求めた検察の申し立てを退けた。不法残留していたマイナリ元被告は釈放され、本国に強制送還される見通しだ。
The high court's judgment on the latter point was unusual but considerate.
裁判所としては異例であり、配慮のある判断だと言える。
===
Future hearing may lack defendant
The high court may have decided that prolonging Mainali's imprisonment any longer must be avoided, a nod to the fact that there are serious doubts about the guilty ruling. It is highly likely the high court's future hearing of the case will be conducted without Mainali.
有罪判決が揺らいだことを重視し、これ以上、懲役を長引かせるのは避けねばならないと考えたのだろう。今後の審理は、本人不在で行われる公算が大きい。
Fifteen years have already passed since Mainali's arrest. It is necessary to accelerate the high court hearing.
マイナリ元被告の逮捕からすでに１５年が過ぎている。審理のスピードアップが必要だ。
Prosecutors should quickly accept a retrial if they are unable to present evidence that could reverse the high court's decision to approve a retrial for Mainali.
検察は、今回の再審開始決定を覆すような証拠を示すことができなければ、速やかに再審開始に応じるべきであろう。
There is much criticism against the current system, which is complicated and takes time before a retrial begins. Some people say a retrial should be started first and evidence then examined in detail at the court to uncover the truth.
再審開始に至るまでの、複雑で時間がかかる現行制度への批判は多い。まずは再審を開始し、その法廷で詳しい証拠調べをして真相解明すべきだとの声もある。
It is probably time to review the system.
制度のあり方を再検討する時期に来ているのではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2012)
（2012年6月8日01時44分 読売新聞）
Prosecutors defeated by new evidence in Mainali case
東電ＯＬ殺害 検察を敗北に導いた新証拠（6月8日付・読売社説）
"There is suspicion another person might have murdered the woman."
「第三者が女性を殺害した疑いがある」
As long as a court makes a judgment like this, it is only natural for a case to be retried. It was a complete defeat for prosecutors.
裁判所がこう認定した以上、裁判をやり直すのは当然と言えよう。検察の完敗である。
The Tokyo High Court on Thursday decided to grant a retrial and stay of execution for Govinda Prasad Mainali, a Nepalese national, at a hearing over his request for a retrial for the murder of a female employee of Tokyo Electric Power Co.
東京電力女性社員殺害事件の再審請求審で、東京高裁はネパール国籍のゴビンダ・プラサド・マイナリ元被告に対し、再審開始と刑の執行停止を決定した。
The high court's decision said, "Reasonable doubt has emerged" regarding the finalized conviction that sentenced Mainali to life in prison. The judgment is in line with a cardinal rule of criminal trials--give the accused the benefit of the doubt (when in doubt, for the accused).
決定は、無期懲役とした確定判決について「合理的な疑いが生じている」と断じた。「疑わしきは被告の利益に」という刑事裁判の鉄則に沿った判断である。
In 1997, a female employee of TEPCO was murdered in an apartment in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, and robbed of about 40,000 yen in cash. Mainali has denied committing the crime throughout his trials.
The Tokyo District Court handed down a not-guilty ruling but the Tokyo High Court overturned the decision and ruled Mainali was guilty. The guilty ruling was finalized by the Supreme Court in 2003.
東京都渋谷区のアパートで１９９７年、東電の女性社員が殺害され、現金約４万円を奪われたのが、この事件だ。マイナリ元被告は一貫して犯行を否認し、１審は無罪、２審で逆転有罪となり、最高裁で２００３年に確定した。
===
New DNA analysis key
A point of issue in the high court hearing over the request for a retrial was the results of a fresh DNA analysis. The new analysis showed the DNA type of semen collected from inside the woman's body did not match that of Mainali but did match that in the body hair of another person left at the crime scene.
再審請求審で争点になったのは、新たに行われた鑑定の結果だ。女性の体内から採取された精液のＤＮＡ型がマイナリ元被告とは異なり、現場に落ちていた別人の体毛のＤＮＡ型と一致する、というものだった。
This evidence suggests there may have been another person at the crime scene. The high court's decision said it was likely Mainali would not have been convicted if the results of this analysis had been presented.
殺害現場に第三者がいたことをうかがわせる新証拠だ。決定は、「この鑑定結果があれば、公判での有罪認定には至らなかったと考えられる」と指摘した。
It is said that a DNA analysis could have been conducted with the technology available at the time of the crime. It cannot be helped that police and prosecutors have come under fire for not thoroughly investigating the case.
事件当時の技術でも、ＤＮＡ鑑定は可能だったとされる。警察・検察は、捜査を尽くさなかったと批判されても仕方がない。
Prosecutors have lodged an objection to the high court's decision, so the high court will again hear the case to consider whether to grant a retrial for Mainali.
検察が、決定に対する異議を申し立てたため、東京高裁が再び再審開始の可否を審理する。
On the other hand, the high court rejected the prosecutors' request to keep Mainali behind bars. Mainali, who was illegally staying in the country, was released Thursday and is expected to be deported to Nepal.
一方で高裁は、服役の継続を求めた検察の申し立てを退けた。不法残留していたマイナリ元被告は釈放され、本国に強制送還される見通しだ。
The high court's judgment on the latter point was unusual but considerate.
裁判所としては異例であり、配慮のある判断だと言える。
===
Future hearing may lack defendant
The high court may have decided that prolonging Mainali's imprisonment any longer must be avoided, a nod to the fact that there are serious doubts about the guilty ruling. It is highly likely the high court's future hearing of the case will be conducted without Mainali.
有罪判決が揺らいだことを重視し、これ以上、懲役を長引かせるのは避けねばならないと考えたのだろう。今後の審理は、本人不在で行われる公算が大きい。
Fifteen years have already passed since Mainali's arrest. It is necessary to accelerate the high court hearing.
マイナリ元被告の逮捕からすでに１５年が過ぎている。審理のスピードアップが必要だ。
Prosecutors should quickly accept a retrial if they are unable to present evidence that could reverse the high court's decision to approve a retrial for Mainali.
検察は、今回の再審開始決定を覆すような証拠を示すことができなければ、速やかに再審開始に応じるべきであろう。
There is much criticism against the current system, which is complicated and takes time before a retrial begins. Some people say a retrial should be started first and evidence then examined in detail at the court to uncover the truth.
再審開始に至るまでの、複雑で時間がかかる現行制度への批判は多い。まずは再審を開始し、その法廷で詳しい証拠調べをして真相解明すべきだとの声もある。
It is probably time to review the system.
制度のあり方を再検討する時期に来ているのではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2012)
（2012年6月8日01時44分 読売新聞）
金曜日、野田首相のスピーチを録画で2回みました。
誠実そうな人柄で、スピーチには心がこもっていました。
ですが、これは日本式だと思います。
アメリカでは物事を決めるためにスピーチを致します。
これに対して日本は、物事がほぼ決まった後で、その発表をする傾向があります。
出来ればアメリカ式にしてもらって、世論が盛り上がった後で最終決定して欲しかったですね。
野田首相は人物だと思います。
菅前首相や鳩山首相に比べると、格段に良いような気がしました。
スピーチには人間性が出るのです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2012)
Restart of Oi nuclear plant important for people's livelihoods
大飯再稼働へ 国民生活を守る首相の決断（6月9日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday expressed his strong determination to restart the idled Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
野田首相が福井県にある大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働に強い決意を表明した。
Noda said at a press conference: "Japanese society cannot be sustained with its nuclear power plants kept idle. The nuclear power plants are important sources of electricity."
首相は記者会見で「原発を止めたままでは、日本の社会は立ちゆかない。
"It is my judgment that they should be reactivated to protect the livelihoods of people in the nation," the prime minister stressed.
原発は重要な電源だ」とし、「国民の生活を守るため再稼働すべきというのが私の判断だ」と強調した。
It is significant that the prime minister has clearly defined nuclear power plants as power sources essential for Japan. This will keep the nation's energy policy temporarily from veering in the direction of having no nuclear power plants at all.
首相が原発を日本に欠かせない電源だと、明確に位置づけた意味は大きい。当面のエネルギー政策で、「原発ゼロ」の路線は回避される方向となろう。
Issei Nishikawa, governor of Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the Oi plant, requested that the prime minister explain to the public the necessity of nuclear power plants as a condition to agreeing to the restart. Noda's statement appears to have created an environment in which Fukui Prefecture can approve reactivation of the suspended reactors at the Oi plant.
福井県の西川一誠知事は、再稼働に同意する条件として、首相が原発の必要性を国民に説明することを求めていた。福井県が了承する環境は整ったと言える。
We expect the governments of both Fukui Prefecture and Oi, a town in the prefecture where the reactors are located, to express their official approval of the restart quickly and help accelerate the central government's procedures toward that end.
福井県とおおい町が早期に再稼働に同意し、手続きが加速するよう期待したい。
===
Safety secured at Oi
Of course, it is important to secure the safety of the reactors before the reactivation. The government has already taken measures against tsunami at nuclear plants around the country.
The Oi plant has finished its stress tests, the results of which have been approved by the government's Nuclear Safety Commission.
もちろん再稼働には、原発の安全確保が重要である。政府は全国の原発で津波対策を実施し、大飯原発はストレステスト（耐性検査）も終えた。原子力安全委員会がテスト結果を了承している。
On top of that, when it is reactivated, the government will establish a special monitoring system that would see government officials, including a senior vice minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, stationed at the Oi plant.
大飯原発を再稼働する際は、経済産業副大臣らが現地に常駐する特別な監視体制も敷く。
"In fact, safety has already been secured," Noda said.
首相は「実質的には安全は確保されている」と述べた。
The government has spent more than a year implementing safety measures at the plant. That fact should be appreciated.
政府が１年以上をかけて安全対策を講じてきた点は、評価すべきだ。
Nishikawa has been hesitant to give his approval for the restart apparently because he objects to the attitudes of local governments around his prefecture.
西川知事が同意を見送っている背景には、周辺自治体の姿勢への反発があるのだろう。
In particular, Nishikawa has strongly criticized an option to allow reactivation of the Oi plant "only during summer." The option was proposed by the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures along with Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, a city that receives electric power from Fukui Prefecture.
特に、福井県から電力供給を受ける大阪市の橋下徹市長や、京都府と滋賀県の知事が提案している「夏季限定」の再稼働案を、西川知事は強く批判している。
It is purely opportunistic to demand the operation of nuclear power plants only when electricity runs short.
電気が足りない時期だけ原発の運転を求めるのは、ご都合主義にほかならない。
We think Noda understands this properly. "Reactivation only during summer cannot protect the livelihood of the public," the prime minister said.
この点について首相が、「夏限定の再稼働では国民生活は守れない」と述べたのは、妥当な認識である。
===
Blackouts risk people's lives
Another problem is that 117 lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan signed a petition urging the prime minister and other government leaders to take a more cautious approach to the restart. They said this summer's anticipated power shortages should be dealt with by saving electricity.
政権党である民主党の国会議員１１７人が、「今年の夏は節電で乗り切る」などとして、首相らに再稼働への慎重な対応を求める署名を提出したことも問題だ。
"If a sudden blackout happens, some people's lives could be jeopardized," said the prime minister.
首相は「突発的な停電が起これば、命の危険にさらされる人もいる」とした。
Noda also expressed his concern over the hollowing out of Japanese industry and employment losses. Why can't all DPJ lawmakers share the prime minister's crisis mentality?
産業空洞化や雇用喪失への懸念も示した。なぜこうした危機感を共有できないのか。
Signers of the petition include many DPJ lawmakers who oppose the consumption tax rate hike, such as members of intraparty groups supporting former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
署名には、小沢一郎元代表のグループなど、消費増税に反対する議員が多く加わっている。
They are apparently trying, in a roundabout way, to undermine the current administration, which is promoting comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革を進める政権を、からめ手からゆさぶる狙いだろう。
The Oi plant's restart is needed to avert an imminent power crisis. They should not turn it into a political football match.
目の前の電力危機を回避する再稼働を、政争の具にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2012)
（2012年6月9日01時31分 読売新聞）
誠実そうな人柄で、スピーチには心がこもっていました。
ですが、これは日本式だと思います。
アメリカでは物事を決めるためにスピーチを致します。
これに対して日本は、物事がほぼ決まった後で、その発表をする傾向があります。
出来ればアメリカ式にしてもらって、世論が盛り上がった後で最終決定して欲しかったですね。
野田首相は人物だと思います。
菅前首相や鳩山首相に比べると、格段に良いような気がしました。
スピーチには人間性が出るのです＾＾。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2012)
Restart of Oi nuclear plant important for people's livelihoods
大飯再稼働へ 国民生活を守る首相の決断（6月9日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday expressed his strong determination to restart the idled Nos. 3 and 4 reactors of the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
野田首相が福井県にある大飯原子力発電所３、４号機の再稼働に強い決意を表明した。
Noda said at a press conference: "Japanese society cannot be sustained with its nuclear power plants kept idle. The nuclear power plants are important sources of electricity."
首相は記者会見で「原発を止めたままでは、日本の社会は立ちゆかない。
"It is my judgment that they should be reactivated to protect the livelihoods of people in the nation," the prime minister stressed.
原発は重要な電源だ」とし、「国民の生活を守るため再稼働すべきというのが私の判断だ」と強調した。
It is significant that the prime minister has clearly defined nuclear power plants as power sources essential for Japan. This will keep the nation's energy policy temporarily from veering in the direction of having no nuclear power plants at all.
首相が原発を日本に欠かせない電源だと、明確に位置づけた意味は大きい。当面のエネルギー政策で、「原発ゼロ」の路線は回避される方向となろう。
Issei Nishikawa, governor of Fukui Prefecture, which hosts the Oi plant, requested that the prime minister explain to the public the necessity of nuclear power plants as a condition to agreeing to the restart. Noda's statement appears to have created an environment in which Fukui Prefecture can approve reactivation of the suspended reactors at the Oi plant.
福井県の西川一誠知事は、再稼働に同意する条件として、首相が原発の必要性を国民に説明することを求めていた。福井県が了承する環境は整ったと言える。
We expect the governments of both Fukui Prefecture and Oi, a town in the prefecture where the reactors are located, to express their official approval of the restart quickly and help accelerate the central government's procedures toward that end.
福井県とおおい町が早期に再稼働に同意し、手続きが加速するよう期待したい。
===
Safety secured at Oi
Of course, it is important to secure the safety of the reactors before the reactivation. The government has already taken measures against tsunami at nuclear plants around the country.
The Oi plant has finished its stress tests, the results of which have been approved by the government's Nuclear Safety Commission.
もちろん再稼働には、原発の安全確保が重要である。政府は全国の原発で津波対策を実施し、大飯原発はストレステスト（耐性検査）も終えた。原子力安全委員会がテスト結果を了承している。
On top of that, when it is reactivated, the government will establish a special monitoring system that would see government officials, including a senior vice minister of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, stationed at the Oi plant.
大飯原発を再稼働する際は、経済産業副大臣らが現地に常駐する特別な監視体制も敷く。
"In fact, safety has already been secured," Noda said.
首相は「実質的には安全は確保されている」と述べた。
The government has spent more than a year implementing safety measures at the plant. That fact should be appreciated.
政府が１年以上をかけて安全対策を講じてきた点は、評価すべきだ。
Nishikawa has been hesitant to give his approval for the restart apparently because he objects to the attitudes of local governments around his prefecture.
西川知事が同意を見送っている背景には、周辺自治体の姿勢への反発があるのだろう。
In particular, Nishikawa has strongly criticized an option to allow reactivation of the Oi plant "only during summer." The option was proposed by the governors of Kyoto and Shiga prefectures along with Toru Hashimoto, mayor of Osaka, a city that receives electric power from Fukui Prefecture.
特に、福井県から電力供給を受ける大阪市の橋下徹市長や、京都府と滋賀県の知事が提案している「夏季限定」の再稼働案を、西川知事は強く批判している。
It is purely opportunistic to demand the operation of nuclear power plants only when electricity runs short.
電気が足りない時期だけ原発の運転を求めるのは、ご都合主義にほかならない。
We think Noda understands this properly. "Reactivation only during summer cannot protect the livelihood of the public," the prime minister said.
この点について首相が、「夏限定の再稼働では国民生活は守れない」と述べたのは、妥当な認識である。
===
Blackouts risk people's lives
Another problem is that 117 lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan signed a petition urging the prime minister and other government leaders to take a more cautious approach to the restart. They said this summer's anticipated power shortages should be dealt with by saving electricity.
政権党である民主党の国会議員１１７人が、「今年の夏は節電で乗り切る」などとして、首相らに再稼働への慎重な対応を求める署名を提出したことも問題だ。
"If a sudden blackout happens, some people's lives could be jeopardized," said the prime minister.
首相は「突発的な停電が起これば、命の危険にさらされる人もいる」とした。
Noda also expressed his concern over the hollowing out of Japanese industry and employment losses. Why can't all DPJ lawmakers share the prime minister's crisis mentality?
産業空洞化や雇用喪失への懸念も示した。なぜこうした危機感を共有できないのか。
Signers of the petition include many DPJ lawmakers who oppose the consumption tax rate hike, such as members of intraparty groups supporting former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
署名には、小沢一郎元代表のグループなど、消費増税に反対する議員が多く加わっている。
They are apparently trying, in a roundabout way, to undermine the current administration, which is promoting comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems.
社会保障と税の一体改革を進める政権を、からめ手からゆさぶる狙いだろう。
The Oi plant's restart is needed to avert an imminent power crisis. They should not turn it into a political football match.
目の前の電力危機を回避する再稼働を、政争の具にしてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2012)
（2012年6月9日01時31分 読売新聞）
フィリピンが魚泥棒を取り締まるのは当り前。
尖閣列島沖漁船衝突事故も同じ構図。
中国は数千年の歴史と伝統を誇る大国。
泥棒が英雄になる現在の社会的構図はおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 5
EDITORIAL: U.S., China really need to talkPrevious ArticleEDITORIAL: Summit of 2 main parties seems the obvious way to go
南シナ海―中国は力をたのむな
TweetChina, with its growing economic and military might, is becoming more aggressive in asserting its maritime interests in the region.
経済力とともに軍事力を伸ばす中国が、海洋権益で強い姿勢に出ている。
China needs to stop its saber-rattling and make serious efforts to improve the climate for cool-headed international talks over sensitive issues that involve its neighbors.
力を振りかざすのはやめ、冷静に対話する環境づくりに努めるべきだ。
In recent weeks, tensions have been running high between China and the Philippines over the issue of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea.
南シナ海・スカボロー礁（中国名・黄岩島）で、領有権をめぐり、フィリピンとの緊張が続いている。
The Chinese media increasingly has been arguing for the use of military force to solve the territorial dispute. This view seems to reflect opinions in military circles.
中国では、軍事力行使を求める主張が、軍関係者や当局と結びついたメディアから出ている。
There is a huge gap in the naval power of each country. China has been racing to build up its military might and is now close to deploying its first aircraft carrier, while the Philippines doesn’t even have a vessel armed with missiles.
軍拡路線をひた走り、空母の正式配備が近づく中国と、ミサイル搭載の艦船も持たないフィリピンの軍事力の差は歴然としている。
However, the Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States. The territorial dispute threatens to escalate into a dangerous confrontation that could involve the United States.
だがフィリピンには米国と結ぶ相互防衛条約がある。このままでは米国も巻き込んだ緊張が高まりかねない。
The waters around the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of rocks and reefs located some 230 kilometers off the western coast of Luzon island in the Philippines, are rich fishing grounds that draw fishermen from a number of countries.
フィリピンのルソン島から西約２３０キロにあるこの海域は、各国の漁民が入り乱れる漁場だった。
Tensions flared in April after the Philippines sent a frigate to the area to chase off Chinese fishing vessels operating there.
４月にフィリピン海軍の軍艦が中国漁船を取り締まろうとして、対立に火がついた。
Two months on, patrol boats from both countries remain stationed around the shoal in a continuing standoff.
以来２カ月、両国の監視船がにらみあっている。
Beijing’s hard-nosed attitude reflects a growing sense of national greatness among Chinese.
中国の強硬姿勢の裏にあるのは、大国意識の強まりだ。
“A small country should not at will encroach on (the territory of) or provoke a large country,” China’s vice foreign minister, Fu Ying, wrote in a recent article in Lianhe Zaobao, a major Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore. Although she didn’t name any specific country, she was evidently referring to the Philippines.
「小国は意のままに大国を侵害したり、挑発したりしてはならない」
シンガポールの有力中国語紙「聯合早報」に先日、中国の傅瑩（フー・イン）外務次官の投稿が載った。名指しはしていないが、フィリピンを念頭に置いていることは明らかだ。
“A large country doesn’t belittle a small country,” Fu said.
But such remarks inevitably make China’s neighbors jittery.
「大国は小国を軽視しない」という下りもあったが、これでは周辺の国々が不安を抱くのは無理もない。
If it is a great power, China should act like one and exercise more self-control.
大国ならば大国らしく、中国は自制を利かせてはどうか。
China’s rise is disturbing the established order in the region. Thus, the presence of U.S. forces is assuming increasing importance as a stabilizing factor.
中国の台頭で地域の秩序が揺らぎを見せるとき、安定の要素として、これまで以上に重みをますのが、米軍の存在だ。
During a recent international conference held in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined Washington’s strategy to expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States will reconfigure its naval forces from a 50-50 split between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans so that 60 percent of the fleet is assigned to the Asia-Pacific region by 2020.
シンガポールで開かれた国際会議でパネッタ米国防長官は、アジア太平洋に米軍を重点的に配置する方針を示した。太平洋と大西洋に半々で置いていた海軍の兵力を、２０２０年までに６対４の割合に変える。
The Obama administration, under strong political pressure to cut back on its defense spending, is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq while placing greater security policy priority on Asia, a region which has massive trade flows with the United States and directly affects the country’s economic fortunes.
大幅な国防費削減を迫られ、アフガニスタンやイラクから兵力を撤退しつつ、貿易量が多くて米国の繁栄に直結するアジアを重視する。
Washington has made clear the United States has a clear national interest in maintaining the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
米政府は「南シナ海の航行の自由は米国の国益」との立場をとる。
Any U.S. action that could be construed by Beijing as ganging up on China is bound to cause alarm. Regional tensions will become inflamed if the United States draws its allies into a network to contain China.
ただ、「対中包囲網」の色合いが強まりすぎれば、中国の過度な警戒を呼び起こし、かえって緊張を招きかねない。
The United States and China should take every opportunity to explore ways of working together to build up a new order in the region that provides the necessary reassurance to neighboring countries.
米中両国は、あらゆる機会をとらえて互いの理解を図り、周辺の国が安心できる秩序を作ることが求められる。
Such efforts would help promote the prosperity of the nations concerned.
それが各国の繁栄につながる。
尖閣列島沖漁船衝突事故も同じ構図。
中国は数千年の歴史と伝統を誇る大国。
泥棒が英雄になる現在の社会的構図はおかしい。
（スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 5
EDITORIAL: U.S., China really need to talkPrevious ArticleEDITORIAL: Summit of 2 main parties seems the obvious way to go
南シナ海―中国は力をたのむな
TweetChina, with its growing economic and military might, is becoming more aggressive in asserting its maritime interests in the region.
経済力とともに軍事力を伸ばす中国が、海洋権益で強い姿勢に出ている。
China needs to stop its saber-rattling and make serious efforts to improve the climate for cool-headed international talks over sensitive issues that involve its neighbors.
力を振りかざすのはやめ、冷静に対話する環境づくりに努めるべきだ。
In recent weeks, tensions have been running high between China and the Philippines over the issue of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea.
南シナ海・スカボロー礁（中国名・黄岩島）で、領有権をめぐり、フィリピンとの緊張が続いている。
The Chinese media increasingly has been arguing for the use of military force to solve the territorial dispute. This view seems to reflect opinions in military circles.
中国では、軍事力行使を求める主張が、軍関係者や当局と結びついたメディアから出ている。
There is a huge gap in the naval power of each country. China has been racing to build up its military might and is now close to deploying its first aircraft carrier, while the Philippines doesn’t even have a vessel armed with missiles.
軍拡路線をひた走り、空母の正式配備が近づく中国と、ミサイル搭載の艦船も持たないフィリピンの軍事力の差は歴然としている。
However, the Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States. The territorial dispute threatens to escalate into a dangerous confrontation that could involve the United States.
だがフィリピンには米国と結ぶ相互防衛条約がある。このままでは米国も巻き込んだ緊張が高まりかねない。
The waters around the Scarborough Shoal, a triangular chain of rocks and reefs located some 230 kilometers off the western coast of Luzon island in the Philippines, are rich fishing grounds that draw fishermen from a number of countries.
フィリピンのルソン島から西約２３０キロにあるこの海域は、各国の漁民が入り乱れる漁場だった。
Tensions flared in April after the Philippines sent a frigate to the area to chase off Chinese fishing vessels operating there.
４月にフィリピン海軍の軍艦が中国漁船を取り締まろうとして、対立に火がついた。
Two months on, patrol boats from both countries remain stationed around the shoal in a continuing standoff.
以来２カ月、両国の監視船がにらみあっている。
Beijing’s hard-nosed attitude reflects a growing sense of national greatness among Chinese.
中国の強硬姿勢の裏にあるのは、大国意識の強まりだ。
“A small country should not at will encroach on (the territory of) or provoke a large country,” China’s vice foreign minister, Fu Ying, wrote in a recent article in Lianhe Zaobao, a major Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore. Although she didn’t name any specific country, she was evidently referring to the Philippines.
「小国は意のままに大国を侵害したり、挑発したりしてはならない」
シンガポールの有力中国語紙「聯合早報」に先日、中国の傅瑩（フー・イン）外務次官の投稿が載った。名指しはしていないが、フィリピンを念頭に置いていることは明らかだ。
“A large country doesn’t belittle a small country,” Fu said.
But such remarks inevitably make China’s neighbors jittery.
「大国は小国を軽視しない」という下りもあったが、これでは周辺の国々が不安を抱くのは無理もない。
If it is a great power, China should act like one and exercise more self-control.
大国ならば大国らしく、中国は自制を利かせてはどうか。
China’s rise is disturbing the established order in the region. Thus, the presence of U.S. forces is assuming increasing importance as a stabilizing factor.
中国の台頭で地域の秩序が揺らぎを見せるとき、安定の要素として、これまで以上に重みをますのが、米軍の存在だ。
During a recent international conference held in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta outlined Washington’s strategy to expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States will reconfigure its naval forces from a 50-50 split between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans so that 60 percent of the fleet is assigned to the Asia-Pacific region by 2020.
シンガポールで開かれた国際会議でパネッタ米国防長官は、アジア太平洋に米軍を重点的に配置する方針を示した。太平洋と大西洋に半々で置いていた海軍の兵力を、２０２０年までに６対４の割合に変える。
The Obama administration, under strong political pressure to cut back on its defense spending, is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq while placing greater security policy priority on Asia, a region which has massive trade flows with the United States and directly affects the country’s economic fortunes.
大幅な国防費削減を迫られ、アフガニスタンやイラクから兵力を撤退しつつ、貿易量が多くて米国の繁栄に直結するアジアを重視する。
Washington has made clear the United States has a clear national interest in maintaining the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
米政府は「南シナ海の航行の自由は米国の国益」との立場をとる。
Any U.S. action that could be construed by Beijing as ganging up on China is bound to cause alarm. Regional tensions will become inflamed if the United States draws its allies into a network to contain China.
ただ、「対中包囲網」の色合いが強まりすぎれば、中国の過度な警戒を呼び起こし、かえって緊張を招きかねない。
The United States and China should take every opportunity to explore ways of working together to build up a new order in the region that provides the necessary reassurance to neighboring countries.
米中両国は、あらゆる機会をとらえて互いの理解を図り、周辺の国が安心できる秩序を作ることが求められる。
Such efforts would help promote the prosperity of the nations concerned.
それが各国の繁栄につながる。
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）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
日ラオ辞書
最新記事
(02/09)
(01/22)
(01/22)
(01/09)
(01/08)
(01/01)
(06/21)
(06/12)
(06/10)
(06/06)
カテゴリー
アーカイブ
リンク
家族、リンク、多言語、タイ語
スラチャイの家族紹介
私の家族
スラチャイの手作りリンク集
スラチャイタイ在住９年目
中国語会話基礎（北京語）
タイ日辞典（単語帳）
タイ語の子音
タイ語の母音
スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
初歩の中国語
初歩のラオス語
初歩のビルマ語
初歩のシンハリ語
初歩のタガログ語
タイ語の基礎
タイ文字
タイ日辞書
タイ語の副詞
タイ語の前置詞
タイ語の助動詞
タイ語の接続詞
基礎タイ語
基礎タイ語一覧（タイ文字、ローマ字）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
タイの文化、１４の戒律
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律