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(Mainichi Japan) March 9, 2012
Japan should decrease dependence on nuclear power instead of trying to reactivate reactors
記者の目：再稼働急ぐ前に「脱原発」探れ＝西川拓
The government's pledge to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants following the outbreak of the disaster at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is hardly mentioned in today's political world.
東京電力福島第１原発事故を受けて菅直人・前首相が表明し、野田佳彦・現首相も「引き継ぐ」と言ったはずの「脱・原発依存」だが、その後ほとんど政治の話題に上らなくなった。
In his policy speech at the outset of the ongoing Diet session, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who appears to be preoccupied with raising the 5 percent consumption tax, did not show strong enthusiasm for decreasing Japan's dependence on nuclear plants.
This is despite the fact that following the outbreak of the nuclear disaster, then Prime Minister Naoto Kan declared that he would seek to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power and Noda has promised to take over that policy.
野田首相の頭の中は消費税増税で占められているのか、今国会の施政方針演説でも強い決意が感じられなかった。
An opinion poll that the Mainichi Shimbun has conducted shows that over 70 percent of the public are in favor of relying less on nuclear power. Therefore, the government has a responsibility to show specific ways to achieve this goal, such as the development of alternative energy sources.
毎日新聞が実施した世論調査などでは７割が脱原発路線を支持している。ならば、代替エネルギーの積極的開発を表明するなど、原発後への具体的な道筋を早く国民に示すのが政治の責任だ。
◇技術は不完全
Another survey that the Mainichi conducted on the mayors of municipalities situated within 30 kilometers from the crippled nuclear plant in February has produced interesting results. Over half -- or 57 percent -- of the mayors surveyed support the resumption of operations at nuclear power stations stopped for regular inspections with some conditions attached.
毎日新聞が２月に実施した、原発から半径３０キロ圏内に位置する自治体の首長へのアンケートでは興味深い結果が出た。定期検査で停止した原発の再稼働を「条件付きで認める」首長は５７％。
Still, 76 percent of them said they are in favor of less reliance on nuclear energy. Even the mayors of some municipalities that host nuclear plants and have received subsidies from the national government in return called for a decrease in the country's dependence on nuclear plants.
One of them, Hideo Kishimoto, mayor of the Saga Prefecture town of Genkai, which hosts Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Genkai Nuclear Power Plant, said in the survey, "Japan should decrease its reliance on nuclear power while going ahead with the technological development of renewable energy."
だが、そのうち７６％は脱・原発に賛意を示したのだ。原発を受け入れ、交付金などの恩恵を受けてきた自治体であっても「再生可能エネルギーの技術開発を進めながら原発の依存度を減らしていくべきだ」（岸本英雄・佐賀県玄海町長）などの声が上がったのだ。
A total of 60 percent of the people surveyed by the Mainichi in September 2011 said that the number of nuclear power stations should be decreased on a step-by-step basis over a long period of time. The figure rises to 72 percent if those who call for an early suspension of operations at nuclear plants are included. A majority of the Japanese public share the hope that nuclear plants should be decreased in the long run.
一般の市民を対象にした昨年９月の毎日新聞の世論調査でもこの傾向は顕著だった。「時間をかけて原発を減らすべきだ」との回答が６０％を占め、「できるだけ早くすべて停止すべきだ」を合わせると７２％に達した。将来的には原発を減らしていきたいという思いは、今、多くの国民が共有している。
Until the outbreak of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March last year, I had believed, as a journalist who had covered issues relating to nuclear energy for many years, that nuclear power stations were indispensable for Japan, which is poor in natural resources.
実は原発問題を長く担当してきた私自身、福島第１原発事故が起こるまで、使用済み核燃料の処分が決まらない問題を抱えてはいるものの、資源小国の日本にとって原発は必要だと考えていた。
I coolly responded when Germany shifted its policy toward getting rid of nuclear power plants in the late 1990s, believing that "it is possible because European countries can buy power from neighboring countries when they are short of power." Above all, I did not think that a catastrophic accident would ever happen at any nuclear power station in Japan.
９０年代末にドイツが脱原発に転じた時も「欧州では、足りない時は他の国から電気を買えるから可能なんだろう」と、冷ややかに見ていた。何より日本の原発がここまで壊滅的な事故を起こすとは思っていなかった。
However, my thoughts changed drastically as I observed irreparable damage to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant and local communities through my coverage of the ongoing crisis.
だが福島第１原発事故の取材を通じて、取り返しのつかない被害の大きさに触れ考えが変わった。
Nuclear power should be deemed as faulty technology as two extremely serious accidents occurred -- one at Chernobyl in 1986 and the other at Fukushima in 2011 -- and devastated local communities less than about a half century since nuclear plants were first put into commercial use.
実用化されて半世紀の間に、チェルノブイリ（８６年、旧ソ連）、福島と、２度にわたり地域社会を崩壊させる大事故を起こした原発は、やはり不完全な技術と言わざるを得ない。
Aging and dangerous reactors should be shut down first, and then all Japan's nuclear plants should be abolished in the long run.
老朽化したものや危険なものから止めていき、最終的にはなくすべきだ。
However, as many mayors pointed out in the Mainichi survey last month, it is indispensable to secure substitute energy sources to make up for a decrease in Japan's reliance on nuclear power. A shortage of electric power is a serious blow particularly to the socially vulnerable.
ただし、アンケートで多くの首長が指摘したように、脱原発を進めるには代替電力の確保が不可欠だ。電力不足はまず社会的弱者を直撃する。
Following the outbreak of the crisis, escalators at railway stations and traffic lights stopped in the Tokyo metropolitan area because of efforts to save electric power consumption and rolling power blackouts occurred, causing trouble to the elderly and physically handicapped. If companies are forced to downsize their operations due to power shortages, non-regular workers will be the first to lose their jobs.
震災直後、計画停電や節電を強いられた首都圏で駅のエスカレーターや信号機などが止まり、高齢者や身体障害者が困っている姿を何度も見た。電力不足で企業活動が停滞すれば、非正規雇用の人たちが真っ先に解雇されるだろう。
The government, which has pledged to reduce Japan's reliance on nuclear power, should shift its energy policy toward developing renewable energy and energy-saving technologies. Moreover, it should clearly show how many years it will take before all nuclear plants are decommissioned as well as how electric power can be secured and what kind of lifestyles members of the public should adopt until that goal is achieved.
「脱・原発依存」を掲げた政治がすべきことは、再生可能エネルギーや省エネ技術の研究開発に思い切ってかじを切ることではないか。そして、何年後なら原発をゼロにできるか、それまでは電力をどのように確保し、国民がどういう生活を送ることになるかを具体的に提示することだ。
◇「責任感見えぬ」
However, the government appears to be hastily trying to reactivate nuclear reactors that have been suspended for regular inspections.
だが、ここのところ政府には、原発の再稼働を急ごうとする姿勢ばかりが目立つ。
Currently, only two nuclear reactors are in operation in Japan, and all the nation's 54 reactors will have been stopped by as early as mid-May if none of those suspended for regular inspections are reactivated. As a precondition for resuming operations at nuclear reactors, the government demands that safety evaluations clearly show how far they can withstand larger than anticipated earthquakes and tsunami.
国内の原発は次々と定期検査で止まり、現在稼働中なのは２基。このままいけば５月初めにも５４基すべてが停止する。政府は再稼働への関門として、想定を超えた地震や津波で炉心溶融が起きるまでにどの程度の余裕があるかを見る安全評価（ストレステスト）を義務づけた。
The government appears desperate. "Unless nuclear reactors are reactivated, it'll be inevitable that electric power charges will rise drastically," warns Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano.
手続きを急ぐため、簡便な「１次評価」で可としたが、目算通りにはいかず、メドは立っていない。「再稼働がなければ、電気料金が大幅に上がるのは必然」（枝野幸男経済産業相）など、閣内から焦りにも似た発言も出始めた。
Professor Hitoshi Yoshioka, vice president of Kyushu University who is an expert in nuclear power policy, says, "It's only natural that a majority of the members of the public are in favor of decreasing the country's reliance on nuclear energy for electricity supply, considering the massive damage caused by the nuclear crisis to Fukushima. Regardless of what kind of policy the government adopts, no progress can be made on any policy based on the promotion of nuclear power."
原子力政策に詳しい吉岡斉・九州大副学長は「福島の被害を真剣に受け止めれば、国民の多くが脱原発を是とするのは当然。政府がどう決めようと、原発推進を前提とした政策は前に進まない」と指摘する。
Tatsuya Murakami, mayor of the Ibaraki Prefecture village of Tokai that hosts many nuclear facilities including a nuclear power plant, criticized the government and the power industry for lacking a sense of responsibility for the nuclear disaster.
"The Fukushima nuclear crisis is deep-rooted in Japan's distorted energy policy. The government and the nuclear industry do not appear to feel a sense of responsibility toward those who have lost their hometowns to the crisis," Murakami said in response to the Mainichi survey.
また、原発や原子力関連施設を抱える茨城県東海村の村上達也村長は、毎日新聞のアンケートにこう答える。
「福島原発事故は（原発偏重など）、ゆがんだエネルギー政策が生んだものだ。故郷を喪失した者たちに、政府や業界は責任を感じているのか。全く見えない」
The government will adopt its new energy policy at the Energy and Environment Council comprised of Cabinet ministers concerned by this coming summer.
政府は、関係閣僚らで作る「エネルギー・環境会議」で夏までに新たなエネルギー政策を決める。
One cannot help but wonder how the prime minister will respond to these opinions voiced by communities that host nuclear power stations, as well as members of the general public.
首相はこれらの意見に、どう答えるつもりなのだろうか。
The government's attempt to hastily reactivate nuclear reactors without clearly showing a path toward decreasing Japan's reliance on nuclear power stations runs counter to the will of the public.
脱原発への道筋を示さないまま目先の再稼働を急ぐのは、国民の意思に逆行していると思う。
（東京科学環境部）
("As I see it" by Taku Nishikawa, Tokyo Science and Environment News Department)
毎日新聞 2012年3月9日 1時45分（最終更新 3月9日 1時51分）
Japan should decrease dependence on nuclear power instead of trying to reactivate reactors
記者の目：再稼働急ぐ前に「脱原発」探れ＝西川拓
The government's pledge to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants following the outbreak of the disaster at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is hardly mentioned in today's political world.
東京電力福島第１原発事故を受けて菅直人・前首相が表明し、野田佳彦・現首相も「引き継ぐ」と言ったはずの「脱・原発依存」だが、その後ほとんど政治の話題に上らなくなった。
In his policy speech at the outset of the ongoing Diet session, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who appears to be preoccupied with raising the 5 percent consumption tax, did not show strong enthusiasm for decreasing Japan's dependence on nuclear plants.
This is despite the fact that following the outbreak of the nuclear disaster, then Prime Minister Naoto Kan declared that he would seek to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power and Noda has promised to take over that policy.
野田首相の頭の中は消費税増税で占められているのか、今国会の施政方針演説でも強い決意が感じられなかった。
An opinion poll that the Mainichi Shimbun has conducted shows that over 70 percent of the public are in favor of relying less on nuclear power. Therefore, the government has a responsibility to show specific ways to achieve this goal, such as the development of alternative energy sources.
毎日新聞が実施した世論調査などでは７割が脱原発路線を支持している。ならば、代替エネルギーの積極的開発を表明するなど、原発後への具体的な道筋を早く国民に示すのが政治の責任だ。
◇技術は不完全
Another survey that the Mainichi conducted on the mayors of municipalities situated within 30 kilometers from the crippled nuclear plant in February has produced interesting results. Over half -- or 57 percent -- of the mayors surveyed support the resumption of operations at nuclear power stations stopped for regular inspections with some conditions attached.
毎日新聞が２月に実施した、原発から半径３０キロ圏内に位置する自治体の首長へのアンケートでは興味深い結果が出た。定期検査で停止した原発の再稼働を「条件付きで認める」首長は５７％。
Still, 76 percent of them said they are in favor of less reliance on nuclear energy. Even the mayors of some municipalities that host nuclear plants and have received subsidies from the national government in return called for a decrease in the country's dependence on nuclear plants.
One of them, Hideo Kishimoto, mayor of the Saga Prefecture town of Genkai, which hosts Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Genkai Nuclear Power Plant, said in the survey, "Japan should decrease its reliance on nuclear power while going ahead with the technological development of renewable energy."
だが、そのうち７６％は脱・原発に賛意を示したのだ。原発を受け入れ、交付金などの恩恵を受けてきた自治体であっても「再生可能エネルギーの技術開発を進めながら原発の依存度を減らしていくべきだ」（岸本英雄・佐賀県玄海町長）などの声が上がったのだ。
A total of 60 percent of the people surveyed by the Mainichi in September 2011 said that the number of nuclear power stations should be decreased on a step-by-step basis over a long period of time. The figure rises to 72 percent if those who call for an early suspension of operations at nuclear plants are included. A majority of the Japanese public share the hope that nuclear plants should be decreased in the long run.
一般の市民を対象にした昨年９月の毎日新聞の世論調査でもこの傾向は顕著だった。「時間をかけて原発を減らすべきだ」との回答が６０％を占め、「できるだけ早くすべて停止すべきだ」を合わせると７２％に達した。将来的には原発を減らしていきたいという思いは、今、多くの国民が共有している。
Until the outbreak of the Fukushima nuclear crisis in March last year, I had believed, as a journalist who had covered issues relating to nuclear energy for many years, that nuclear power stations were indispensable for Japan, which is poor in natural resources.
実は原発問題を長く担当してきた私自身、福島第１原発事故が起こるまで、使用済み核燃料の処分が決まらない問題を抱えてはいるものの、資源小国の日本にとって原発は必要だと考えていた。
I coolly responded when Germany shifted its policy toward getting rid of nuclear power plants in the late 1990s, believing that "it is possible because European countries can buy power from neighboring countries when they are short of power." Above all, I did not think that a catastrophic accident would ever happen at any nuclear power station in Japan.
９０年代末にドイツが脱原発に転じた時も「欧州では、足りない時は他の国から電気を買えるから可能なんだろう」と、冷ややかに見ていた。何より日本の原発がここまで壊滅的な事故を起こすとは思っていなかった。
However, my thoughts changed drastically as I observed irreparable damage to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant and local communities through my coverage of the ongoing crisis.
だが福島第１原発事故の取材を通じて、取り返しのつかない被害の大きさに触れ考えが変わった。
Nuclear power should be deemed as faulty technology as two extremely serious accidents occurred -- one at Chernobyl in 1986 and the other at Fukushima in 2011 -- and devastated local communities less than about a half century since nuclear plants were first put into commercial use.
実用化されて半世紀の間に、チェルノブイリ（８６年、旧ソ連）、福島と、２度にわたり地域社会を崩壊させる大事故を起こした原発は、やはり不完全な技術と言わざるを得ない。
Aging and dangerous reactors should be shut down first, and then all Japan's nuclear plants should be abolished in the long run.
老朽化したものや危険なものから止めていき、最終的にはなくすべきだ。
However, as many mayors pointed out in the Mainichi survey last month, it is indispensable to secure substitute energy sources to make up for a decrease in Japan's reliance on nuclear power. A shortage of electric power is a serious blow particularly to the socially vulnerable.
ただし、アンケートで多くの首長が指摘したように、脱原発を進めるには代替電力の確保が不可欠だ。電力不足はまず社会的弱者を直撃する。
Following the outbreak of the crisis, escalators at railway stations and traffic lights stopped in the Tokyo metropolitan area because of efforts to save electric power consumption and rolling power blackouts occurred, causing trouble to the elderly and physically handicapped. If companies are forced to downsize their operations due to power shortages, non-regular workers will be the first to lose their jobs.
震災直後、計画停電や節電を強いられた首都圏で駅のエスカレーターや信号機などが止まり、高齢者や身体障害者が困っている姿を何度も見た。電力不足で企業活動が停滞すれば、非正規雇用の人たちが真っ先に解雇されるだろう。
The government, which has pledged to reduce Japan's reliance on nuclear power, should shift its energy policy toward developing renewable energy and energy-saving technologies. Moreover, it should clearly show how many years it will take before all nuclear plants are decommissioned as well as how electric power can be secured and what kind of lifestyles members of the public should adopt until that goal is achieved.
「脱・原発依存」を掲げた政治がすべきことは、再生可能エネルギーや省エネ技術の研究開発に思い切ってかじを切ることではないか。そして、何年後なら原発をゼロにできるか、それまでは電力をどのように確保し、国民がどういう生活を送ることになるかを具体的に提示することだ。
◇「責任感見えぬ」
However, the government appears to be hastily trying to reactivate nuclear reactors that have been suspended for regular inspections.
だが、ここのところ政府には、原発の再稼働を急ごうとする姿勢ばかりが目立つ。
Currently, only two nuclear reactors are in operation in Japan, and all the nation's 54 reactors will have been stopped by as early as mid-May if none of those suspended for regular inspections are reactivated. As a precondition for resuming operations at nuclear reactors, the government demands that safety evaluations clearly show how far they can withstand larger than anticipated earthquakes and tsunami.
国内の原発は次々と定期検査で止まり、現在稼働中なのは２基。このままいけば５月初めにも５４基すべてが停止する。政府は再稼働への関門として、想定を超えた地震や津波で炉心溶融が起きるまでにどの程度の余裕があるかを見る安全評価（ストレステスト）を義務づけた。
The government appears desperate. "Unless nuclear reactors are reactivated, it'll be inevitable that electric power charges will rise drastically," warns Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano.
手続きを急ぐため、簡便な「１次評価」で可としたが、目算通りにはいかず、メドは立っていない。「再稼働がなければ、電気料金が大幅に上がるのは必然」（枝野幸男経済産業相）など、閣内から焦りにも似た発言も出始めた。
Professor Hitoshi Yoshioka, vice president of Kyushu University who is an expert in nuclear power policy, says, "It's only natural that a majority of the members of the public are in favor of decreasing the country's reliance on nuclear energy for electricity supply, considering the massive damage caused by the nuclear crisis to Fukushima. Regardless of what kind of policy the government adopts, no progress can be made on any policy based on the promotion of nuclear power."
原子力政策に詳しい吉岡斉・九州大副学長は「福島の被害を真剣に受け止めれば、国民の多くが脱原発を是とするのは当然。政府がどう決めようと、原発推進を前提とした政策は前に進まない」と指摘する。
Tatsuya Murakami, mayor of the Ibaraki Prefecture village of Tokai that hosts many nuclear facilities including a nuclear power plant, criticized the government and the power industry for lacking a sense of responsibility for the nuclear disaster.
"The Fukushima nuclear crisis is deep-rooted in Japan's distorted energy policy. The government and the nuclear industry do not appear to feel a sense of responsibility toward those who have lost their hometowns to the crisis," Murakami said in response to the Mainichi survey.
また、原発や原子力関連施設を抱える茨城県東海村の村上達也村長は、毎日新聞のアンケートにこう答える。
「福島原発事故は（原発偏重など）、ゆがんだエネルギー政策が生んだものだ。故郷を喪失した者たちに、政府や業界は責任を感じているのか。全く見えない」
The government will adopt its new energy policy at the Energy and Environment Council comprised of Cabinet ministers concerned by this coming summer.
政府は、関係閣僚らで作る「エネルギー・環境会議」で夏までに新たなエネルギー政策を決める。
One cannot help but wonder how the prime minister will respond to these opinions voiced by communities that host nuclear power stations, as well as members of the general public.
首相はこれらの意見に、どう答えるつもりなのだろうか。
The government's attempt to hastily reactivate nuclear reactors without clearly showing a path toward decreasing Japan's reliance on nuclear power stations runs counter to the will of the public.
脱原発への道筋を示さないまま目先の再稼働を急ぐのは、国民の意思に逆行していると思う。
（東京科学環境部）
("As I see it" by Taku Nishikawa, Tokyo Science and Environment News Department)
毎日新聞 2012年3月9日 1時45分（最終更新 3月9日 1時51分）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 9, 2012)
Close Republican race helps Obama's reelection chances
米大統領選 オバマ氏助ける共和党の混戦（3月8日付・読売社説）
The campaign to select the Republican Party's nominee to run in the U.S. presidential race in autumn has become a prolonged contest. This development appears to work in favor of President Barack Obama of the Democratic Party, who is aiming at reelection.
秋の米大統領選に向けて、共和党の候補者指名争いが長期戦の様相を見せている。再選を目指す民主党のオバマ大統領には有利に働こう。
This week's Super Tuesday was the busiest day of the intraparty contest, with primaries and caucuses held in 10 states, including Ohio. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a conservative, had a very tight race, so the struggle to choose the presidential nominee did not reach a conclusion.
オハイオなど１０州の予備選・党員集会が集中した６日のスーパーチューズデーで、共和党穏健派のロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事と、保守派サントラム元上院議員が接戦を演じ、本命争いの決着は持ち越された。
The contest has become such a close fight this year mainly because the Republicans changed the formula for allocating convention delegates among contestants in accordance with the results of each state's primaries and caucuses.
候補者選びが混戦となった要因は、共和党が今年、予備選・党員集会の結果に基づく州代議員の配分方式を変更したことにある。
Under the conventional formula, the candidate who won a primary or caucus in a state was entitled to all of that state's delegates, so that clear differences would emerge among the contenders' numerical results.
従来は、予備選・党員集会で勝利した候補がその州の代議員すべてを獲得する「総取り」方式で、差がつきやすかった。
This year, until the end of March in principle, the party is using a formula that awards delegates to candidates in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
今年は、３月までは原則として得票率に応じた「比例配分」方式を採用する。
Under this formula, the differences among candidates' delegate counts tend to be smaller than under the former method, making it less easy for any one candidate to win a majority of the delegates needed to win the nomination at the party's national convention. Thus, the contest drags on.
差が開きにくく、指名に必要な過半数にはなかなか達しないため、競り合いが続く。
===
History not repeating itself
In the presidential election four years ago, Democratic candidates Obama and Hillary Clinton, both senators at the time, fought a fiercely contested race to become their party's presidential nominee, the momentum from which apparently helped Obama win the presidential race.
４年前の大統領選では、民主党のオバマ、クリントン両氏が白熱の指名争いを展開して勢いづき、そのまま本選で勝利した。
The Republicans probably intended to attract media attention to an intense nomination race that would give their party a similar surge in popularity.
共和党も、手に汗握る指名争いでニュースを独占し、上げ潮に乗せたい思惑があろう。
Yet so far the results have been the opposite of what the party hoped for.
だが、共和党の狙いは今のところ裏目に出ている。
The race has prolonged as just what the party calculated it would. But the contest seems to have descended into mudslinging, with candidates pointing out the shortcomings and weak points of their rivals, rather than waging a battle of words to compete over their respective policies. There have also been television ads in which rivals blast one another so often as to disgust voters.
長期戦になったのは計算通りだが、政策の優劣を競う論戦ではなく、相手候補の欠点、弱点をあげつらう中傷合戦が目立つ。互いを誹謗(ひぼう)するテレビＣＭも有権者がうんざりするほど流されている。
===
Many cooks stirring the pot
Financially supporting these negative campaigns are political action committees called super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts of money for political advertising, and whose financing actions were approved by a Supreme Court ruling in 2010.
そうした個人攻撃キャンペーンを資金面で支えるのは、集める政治資金額に制限がないスーパーＰＡＣ（特別政治活動委員会）と呼ばれる政治団体だ。２年前の連邦最高裁判決で認められた。
Conservative grassroots political activists such as those in the tea party movement, who harshly criticize moderates within the Republican Party, are quite energetic. This deepens the intraparty conflict further.
党内穏健派を激しく批判するティーパーティー（茶会）運動など保守派の草の根活動も盛んで、党内対立は深まるばかりだ。
As things stand now, the Republicans can hardly expect to orchestrate the type of outcome the Democrats achieved when Obama and Clinton joined hands and displayed their solidarity following the end of the presidential nomination race.
このままでは共和党は、指名争い終了後にオバマ、クリントン両氏が手を組んで一致団結ぶりを誇示した民主党のような演出は、とてもできそうにない。
This is quite a favorable development for the Obama camp. Improvement in the jobless rate will also be a favorable wind for Obama.
オバマ陣営には、具合がいい展開だ。失業率が改善しているのも再選への追い風となろう。
Yet the U.S. economy still remains dismal. Any president, whoever it may be, will have to tackle the thorny issues of buoying up the economy and slashing the fiscal deficit.
だが、米国経済は依然、厳しい。だれが大統領になっても、景気浮揚と財政赤字削減の難題に取り組まなくてはならない。
In the presidential race, tax system reform is an important point of contention. Regarding the corporate tax rate, Obama and leading Republican candidates agree on the need to reduce it. In the United States, too, the issue of how to reinforce the international competitiveness of its business corporations is an issue of the highest priority.
大統領選で税制改革は重要な争点だ。法人税率を巡っては、オバマ氏も共和党の有力候補も「引き下げ」で共通する。米国でも国際競争力の強化が最優先課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 8, 2012)
（2012年3月8日01時16分 読売新聞）
Close Republican race helps Obama's reelection chances
米大統領選 オバマ氏助ける共和党の混戦（3月8日付・読売社説）
The campaign to select the Republican Party's nominee to run in the U.S. presidential race in autumn has become a prolonged contest. This development appears to work in favor of President Barack Obama of the Democratic Party, who is aiming at reelection.
秋の米大統領選に向けて、共和党の候補者指名争いが長期戦の様相を見せている。再選を目指す民主党のオバマ大統領には有利に働こう。
This week's Super Tuesday was the busiest day of the intraparty contest, with primaries and caucuses held in 10 states, including Ohio. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a moderate Republican, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a conservative, had a very tight race, so the struggle to choose the presidential nominee did not reach a conclusion.
オハイオなど１０州の予備選・党員集会が集中した６日のスーパーチューズデーで、共和党穏健派のロムニー前マサチューセッツ州知事と、保守派サントラム元上院議員が接戦を演じ、本命争いの決着は持ち越された。
The contest has become such a close fight this year mainly because the Republicans changed the formula for allocating convention delegates among contestants in accordance with the results of each state's primaries and caucuses.
候補者選びが混戦となった要因は、共和党が今年、予備選・党員集会の結果に基づく州代議員の配分方式を変更したことにある。
Under the conventional formula, the candidate who won a primary or caucus in a state was entitled to all of that state's delegates, so that clear differences would emerge among the contenders' numerical results.
従来は、予備選・党員集会で勝利した候補がその州の代議員すべてを獲得する「総取り」方式で、差がつきやすかった。
This year, until the end of March in principle, the party is using a formula that awards delegates to candidates in proportion to the number of votes they receive.
今年は、３月までは原則として得票率に応じた「比例配分」方式を採用する。
Under this formula, the differences among candidates' delegate counts tend to be smaller than under the former method, making it less easy for any one candidate to win a majority of the delegates needed to win the nomination at the party's national convention. Thus, the contest drags on.
差が開きにくく、指名に必要な過半数にはなかなか達しないため、競り合いが続く。
===
History not repeating itself
In the presidential election four years ago, Democratic candidates Obama and Hillary Clinton, both senators at the time, fought a fiercely contested race to become their party's presidential nominee, the momentum from which apparently helped Obama win the presidential race.
４年前の大統領選では、民主党のオバマ、クリントン両氏が白熱の指名争いを展開して勢いづき、そのまま本選で勝利した。
The Republicans probably intended to attract media attention to an intense nomination race that would give their party a similar surge in popularity.
共和党も、手に汗握る指名争いでニュースを独占し、上げ潮に乗せたい思惑があろう。
Yet so far the results have been the opposite of what the party hoped for.
だが、共和党の狙いは今のところ裏目に出ている。
The race has prolonged as just what the party calculated it would. But the contest seems to have descended into mudslinging, with candidates pointing out the shortcomings and weak points of their rivals, rather than waging a battle of words to compete over their respective policies. There have also been television ads in which rivals blast one another so often as to disgust voters.
長期戦になったのは計算通りだが、政策の優劣を競う論戦ではなく、相手候補の欠点、弱点をあげつらう中傷合戦が目立つ。互いを誹謗(ひぼう)するテレビＣＭも有権者がうんざりするほど流されている。
===
Many cooks stirring the pot
Financially supporting these negative campaigns are political action committees called super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts of money for political advertising, and whose financing actions were approved by a Supreme Court ruling in 2010.
そうした個人攻撃キャンペーンを資金面で支えるのは、集める政治資金額に制限がないスーパーＰＡＣ（特別政治活動委員会）と呼ばれる政治団体だ。２年前の連邦最高裁判決で認められた。
Conservative grassroots political activists such as those in the tea party movement, who harshly criticize moderates within the Republican Party, are quite energetic. This deepens the intraparty conflict further.
党内穏健派を激しく批判するティーパーティー（茶会）運動など保守派の草の根活動も盛んで、党内対立は深まるばかりだ。
As things stand now, the Republicans can hardly expect to orchestrate the type of outcome the Democrats achieved when Obama and Clinton joined hands and displayed their solidarity following the end of the presidential nomination race.
このままでは共和党は、指名争い終了後にオバマ、クリントン両氏が手を組んで一致団結ぶりを誇示した民主党のような演出は、とてもできそうにない。
This is quite a favorable development for the Obama camp. Improvement in the jobless rate will also be a favorable wind for Obama.
オバマ陣営には、具合がいい展開だ。失業率が改善しているのも再選への追い風となろう。
Yet the U.S. economy still remains dismal. Any president, whoever it may be, will have to tackle the thorny issues of buoying up the economy and slashing the fiscal deficit.
だが、米国経済は依然、厳しい。だれが大統領になっても、景気浮揚と財政赤字削減の難題に取り組まなくてはならない。
In the presidential race, tax system reform is an important point of contention. Regarding the corporate tax rate, Obama and leading Republican candidates agree on the need to reduce it. In the United States, too, the issue of how to reinforce the international competitiveness of its business corporations is an issue of the highest priority.
大統領選で税制改革は重要な争点だ。法人税率を巡っては、オバマ氏も共和党の有力候補も「引き下げ」で共通する。米国でも国際競争力の強化が最優先課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 8, 2012)
（2012年3月8日01時16分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 8, 2012)
Despite historical differences, Japan, China must boost ties
河村氏南京発言 日中の歴史認識共有は難しい（3月7日付・読売社説）
Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura's remarks on the Nanjing Incident have cast a shadow over Japan-China relations.
名古屋市の河村たかし市長の南京事件を巡る発言が、日中関係に影を落とし始めている。
During a courtesy call last month by a Chinese Communist Party leader from Nanjing, a sister city of Nagoya, Kawamura said, "I doubt whether what you call the Nanjing Massacre took place [in the way it has been described]."
友好都市である南京市の共産党幹部が２月に表敬に訪れた際、河村氏は「いわゆる南京事件はなかったのではないか」と述べた。
Nanjing immediately suspended exchange programs with Nagoya in protest. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the mayor's comment by saying, "Irresponsible remarks that distort historical facts deeply hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."
反発した南京市は、名古屋市との交流を中止した。中国外務省も、「歴史を歪曲(わいきょく)した無責任な言論が中国国民の感情を深刻に傷つけた」と発言を批判した。
Cultural exchange events scheduled to begin in Nanjing on Friday under the sponsorship of the Japanese government have been postponed. The decision is believed to have been made out of consideration for the safety of performers. However, it was regrettable.
今月９日から日本政府が南京で予定していた文化交流行事は延期が決まった。出演者の安全などを考慮しての判断とされるが、残念な事態である。
Various kinds of events are scheduled this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations. The two countries should deal with the current situation in a coolheaded manner to prevent the bilateral relationship from being strained further and impacting adversely on diplomatic and economic ties.
今年は日中国交正常化４０周年にあたり、数多くの交流行事が計画されている。日中関係がこれ以上こじれ、外交や経済に悪影響が出ることがないよう、互いに冷静に対処していくことが必要だ。
===
Claims vary over death toll
The Nanjing Incident occurred in December 1937 when the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Nanjing, which was China's capital at the time. Prisoners of war were executed and civilians were raped by Japanese soldiers. But there are differing views on how many Chinese died.
南京事件は１９３７年１２月、日本軍が当時の中国の首都南京を占領した際に起きた。日本軍による捕虜などの処刑や民間人への暴行が多発したが、その死亡者数を巡っては様々な説がある。
In 2006, Japan and China launched a joint study of historical issues from the academic standpoint, rather than the political. But discussions failed to accomplish much because of Chinese political constraints.
歴史問題を政治と切り離して学術的に議論するために、日中両国政府が２００６年にスタートさせたのが日中歴史共同研究だった。しかし、中国側の政治的制約の中で議論は深まらなかった。
A report released by the joint research committee two years ago presented the views of academicians from both countries.
共同研究委員会が２年前に発表した報告書は、日中双方の学者の主張を併記した。
The Japanese side said, "Various figures, for example 20,000 and 40,000, have been presented, with a maximum number of victims put at 200,000." However, the Chinese side repeated Beijing's official view that 300,000 people were killed in Nanjing.
南京事件の犠牲者数について日本側は「２０万人を上限として、４万人、２万人など様々な推計がなされている」とした。中国側は、政府公式見解の３０万人虐殺説を繰り返すのみだった。
In clarifying his remarks, Kawamura said he had meant that no organized massacre occurred that claimed the lives of 300,000 people. We can sympathize with his remarks if he really meant that. But there is no denying he was indiscreet.
河村氏は自らの発言について、３０万人とされるような組織的な大虐殺はなかったという趣旨だったと釈明した。そういう趣旨なら理解できるが、不用意な発言であったことは否めない。
===
Views unlikely to change
Kawamura said he wanted to visit Nanjing to discuss the Nanjing Incident. He insisted that resolving a thorny historical issue through frank discussions between the two countries would contribute to improving bilateral friendship.
河村氏は、自身が南京を訪れて南京事件を巡る討論会を開催したいとも述べた。日中間で率直に議論し、歴史問題という「ノドのトゲ」を抜くことが日中友好につながると主張している。
But is such a discussion possible in China today? Even if talks are held in China, where freedom of speech is not guaranteed, it is hard to imagine the Chinese supporting his view and rejecting the government's official claim that 300,000 people died.
しかし、そのような議論が現在の中国で可能だろうか。言論の自由が保障されない中国で討論会を開いても、政府公式見解の３０万人虐殺説を否定する議論に、中国側参加者が与(くみ)するとは思えない。
It will be extremely difficult for the two countries to agree on historical matters. After taking this into consideration, it is necessary to work toward building a constructive bilateral relationship.
日中間の歴史認識の共有は極めて難しい。そのことを十分踏まえた上で、建設的な両国関係を築いていく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 7, 2012)
（2012年3月7日01時27分 読売新聞）
Despite historical differences, Japan, China must boost ties
河村氏南京発言 日中の歴史認識共有は難しい（3月7日付・読売社説）
Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura's remarks on the Nanjing Incident have cast a shadow over Japan-China relations.
名古屋市の河村たかし市長の南京事件を巡る発言が、日中関係に影を落とし始めている。
During a courtesy call last month by a Chinese Communist Party leader from Nanjing, a sister city of Nagoya, Kawamura said, "I doubt whether what you call the Nanjing Massacre took place [in the way it has been described]."
友好都市である南京市の共産党幹部が２月に表敬に訪れた際、河村氏は「いわゆる南京事件はなかったのではないか」と述べた。
Nanjing immediately suspended exchange programs with Nagoya in protest. The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the mayor's comment by saying, "Irresponsible remarks that distort historical facts deeply hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."
反発した南京市は、名古屋市との交流を中止した。中国外務省も、「歴史を歪曲(わいきょく)した無責任な言論が中国国民の感情を深刻に傷つけた」と発言を批判した。
Cultural exchange events scheduled to begin in Nanjing on Friday under the sponsorship of the Japanese government have been postponed. The decision is believed to have been made out of consideration for the safety of performers. However, it was regrettable.
今月９日から日本政府が南京で予定していた文化交流行事は延期が決まった。出演者の安全などを考慮しての判断とされるが、残念な事態である。
Various kinds of events are scheduled this year to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations. The two countries should deal with the current situation in a coolheaded manner to prevent the bilateral relationship from being strained further and impacting adversely on diplomatic and economic ties.
今年は日中国交正常化４０周年にあたり、数多くの交流行事が計画されている。日中関係がこれ以上こじれ、外交や経済に悪影響が出ることがないよう、互いに冷静に対処していくことが必要だ。
===
Claims vary over death toll
The Nanjing Incident occurred in December 1937 when the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Nanjing, which was China's capital at the time. Prisoners of war were executed and civilians were raped by Japanese soldiers. But there are differing views on how many Chinese died.
南京事件は１９３７年１２月、日本軍が当時の中国の首都南京を占領した際に起きた。日本軍による捕虜などの処刑や民間人への暴行が多発したが、その死亡者数を巡っては様々な説がある。
In 2006, Japan and China launched a joint study of historical issues from the academic standpoint, rather than the political. But discussions failed to accomplish much because of Chinese political constraints.
歴史問題を政治と切り離して学術的に議論するために、日中両国政府が２００６年にスタートさせたのが日中歴史共同研究だった。しかし、中国側の政治的制約の中で議論は深まらなかった。
A report released by the joint research committee two years ago presented the views of academicians from both countries.
共同研究委員会が２年前に発表した報告書は、日中双方の学者の主張を併記した。
The Japanese side said, "Various figures, for example 20,000 and 40,000, have been presented, with a maximum number of victims put at 200,000." However, the Chinese side repeated Beijing's official view that 300,000 people were killed in Nanjing.
南京事件の犠牲者数について日本側は「２０万人を上限として、４万人、２万人など様々な推計がなされている」とした。中国側は、政府公式見解の３０万人虐殺説を繰り返すのみだった。
In clarifying his remarks, Kawamura said he had meant that no organized massacre occurred that claimed the lives of 300,000 people. We can sympathize with his remarks if he really meant that. But there is no denying he was indiscreet.
河村氏は自らの発言について、３０万人とされるような組織的な大虐殺はなかったという趣旨だったと釈明した。そういう趣旨なら理解できるが、不用意な発言であったことは否めない。
===
Views unlikely to change
Kawamura said he wanted to visit Nanjing to discuss the Nanjing Incident. He insisted that resolving a thorny historical issue through frank discussions between the two countries would contribute to improving bilateral friendship.
河村氏は、自身が南京を訪れて南京事件を巡る討論会を開催したいとも述べた。日中間で率直に議論し、歴史問題という「ノドのトゲ」を抜くことが日中友好につながると主張している。
But is such a discussion possible in China today? Even if talks are held in China, where freedom of speech is not guaranteed, it is hard to imagine the Chinese supporting his view and rejecting the government's official claim that 300,000 people died.
しかし、そのような議論が現在の中国で可能だろうか。言論の自由が保障されない中国で討論会を開いても、政府公式見解の３０万人虐殺説を否定する議論に、中国側参加者が与(くみ)するとは思えない。
It will be extremely difficult for the two countries to agree on historical matters. After taking this into consideration, it is necessary to work toward building a constructive bilateral relationship.
日中間の歴史認識の共有は極めて難しい。そのことを十分踏まえた上で、建設的な両国関係を築いていく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 7, 2012)
（2012年3月7日01時27分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 6
EDITORIAL: China’s lower economic growth target a wise move
中国経済成長―「７．５％」を歓迎する
China’s economy has been growing rapidly over the years, but it has created a raft of unwanted by-products as well, such as economic disparity, corruption and environmental destruction.
格差や腐敗、環境破壊という負の副産物をまき散らしながら高度成長してきた中国。
Now, China has finally decided to shift its policy priorities toward economic growth more focused on social stability. We welcome the move.
それがようやく、社会の安定を重視する成長へと転換をめざすことになった。歓迎したい。
The annual meeting of China’s National People’s Congress began in Beijing on March 5. In his work report to parliament, Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the government has set a policy target of 7.5-percent economic growth for 2012, down from the 8-percent goal the country pursued for seven consecutive years since 2005.
中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代）が５日、北京で始まった。温家宝（ウェン・チアパオ）首相は、１２年の経済成長率目標を７．５％とすると表明し、０５年から７年続けて掲げてきた「８％前後の成長」の旗を取り換えた。
Wen said the government has lowered the growth target to “achieve higher-level, higher-quality development over a longer period of time.”
温首相は成長目標を下げた理由として「長期にわたって一層高水準で、より良質な発展につなげるためである」と述べた。
China’s Hu-Wen administration, led by President Hu Jintao and Wen, is slated to pass the baton to a new leadership through a power transition to be approved at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China scheduled for autumn this year and at next year’s gathering of the National People’s Congress.
胡錦濤（フー・チンタオ）国家主席と温首相が率いる「胡温体制」は、今年秋の共産党大会と来春の全人代を経て、次の体制と交代する。
This year’s meeting of the legislature serves as the platform for the current leadership to start the final phase of its efforts to achieve policy goals.
今年の全人代は、総仕上げの政策を決める場となった。
The size of the Chinese economy has quadrupled over the 10-year period in which the country has been under the current leadership.
中国の経済規模は現体制の約１０年間で、４倍に急拡大した。
But the rapid economic expansion has created various problems, including a widening gap between rich and poor, real estate market bubbles and the deterioration of the environment.
しかし、その一方で、貧富の格差の拡大や不動産バブル、環境の悪化などを招いた。
The fiscal stimulus measures the government introduced to protect the economy from the effects of the global financial crisis that started in the United States in 2008 led to a wave of public works projects of dubious worth. The public spending spree has left local governments with massive bad assets.
米国金融危機の影響を避けるために始めた景気刺激策は、必ずしも必要ではない公共工事ラッシュを招き、今は地方政府の不良債権となっている。
Wen stated that Beijing will lower its target for growth in the value of total exports and imports to “around 10 percent” from more than 20 percent last year as a step to correct such distortions in the economy.
そういったゆがみを正すために、温首相は輸出入の伸び率の目標を昨年の２割超から「１０％程度」に下げると明言した。
The premier also said the government will aim at economic growth driven mainly by domestic demand through policy efforts to increase people’s income and thereby stoke consumer spending. To do so, he said, the government will try to increase the nation’s per-capita income at the same pace as its economic growth rate.
そして、人々の収入増で消費を拡大し内需主導の成長をめざすため、経済成長率と同じペースで１人あたりの収入を増やす方針を確認した。
All these decisions represent welcome steps to guide the economy away from the high-speed but unbalanced growth in recent years.
いずれも、いびつな高成長路線から抜け出す策として評価できる。
But the growth-oriented economic policy is not the only cause of the problems plaguing the nation.
ただし、中国のひずみは成長政策だけが原因ではない。
Another contributing factor is the government’s tight control on the yuan’s exchange rates.
たとえば、当局が管理する人民元相場である。
Although major Western countries have been urging Beijing to allow the Chinese currency to appreciate, Wen only said the government will increase “flexibility of the managed floating exchange rate system.”
欧米からは切り上げを求める声が相次ぐが、温首相は「管理変動相場制の柔軟性を強める」と述べるにとどまった。
A cheap yuan could make the Chinese economy even more dependent on exports for growth and increase the risk of asset bubbles by creating excessive liquidity.
人民元安は輸出依存を強めかねないし、資金があふれ資産バブルの恐れも増す。
Chinese leaders should not forget that their country would suffer most from the bursting of such bubbles.
はじけて最大の被害を受けるのは中国であることを忘れてはならない。
Meanwhile, there is no end to stories about party seniors’ intervention in economic affairs, such as bidding for construction projects.
一方で、幹部が工事の入札などの経済活動に介入する例があとを絶たない。
Wen pledged to step up efforts to crack down on such acts. But that will not be enough.
温首相は取り締まりを強めると表明したが、それだけでは足りない。
Behind this problem is the policy system that gives the Communist Party the power to make all policy decisions. It is imperative for China to reform the system.
背景には党がすべてを決めるという政治体制があり、その改革が急がれる。
There may be concerns that Beijing’s move to lower its growth target could have a negative impact on the economies of countries with close ties with China, including Japan.
成長目標を下げたことで、日本など関係の深い国の経済に悪影響を与えるのでは、という心配もあるだろう。
In the long run, however, the world economy would be better served by more stable and balanced development of Chinese society.
しかし、中国社会が安定した成長を続けることが、長期的には国際経済に好影響を与えるはずである。
EDITORIAL: China’s lower economic growth target a wise move
中国経済成長―「７．５％」を歓迎する
China’s economy has been growing rapidly over the years, but it has created a raft of unwanted by-products as well, such as economic disparity, corruption and environmental destruction.
格差や腐敗、環境破壊という負の副産物をまき散らしながら高度成長してきた中国。
Now, China has finally decided to shift its policy priorities toward economic growth more focused on social stability. We welcome the move.
それがようやく、社会の安定を重視する成長へと転換をめざすことになった。歓迎したい。
The annual meeting of China’s National People’s Congress began in Beijing on March 5. In his work report to parliament, Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the government has set a policy target of 7.5-percent economic growth for 2012, down from the 8-percent goal the country pursued for seven consecutive years since 2005.
中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代）が５日、北京で始まった。温家宝（ウェン・チアパオ）首相は、１２年の経済成長率目標を７．５％とすると表明し、０５年から７年続けて掲げてきた「８％前後の成長」の旗を取り換えた。
Wen said the government has lowered the growth target to “achieve higher-level, higher-quality development over a longer period of time.”
温首相は成長目標を下げた理由として「長期にわたって一層高水準で、より良質な発展につなげるためである」と述べた。
China’s Hu-Wen administration, led by President Hu Jintao and Wen, is slated to pass the baton to a new leadership through a power transition to be approved at the National Congress of the Communist Party of China scheduled for autumn this year and at next year’s gathering of the National People’s Congress.
胡錦濤（フー・チンタオ）国家主席と温首相が率いる「胡温体制」は、今年秋の共産党大会と来春の全人代を経て、次の体制と交代する。
This year’s meeting of the legislature serves as the platform for the current leadership to start the final phase of its efforts to achieve policy goals.
今年の全人代は、総仕上げの政策を決める場となった。
The size of the Chinese economy has quadrupled over the 10-year period in which the country has been under the current leadership.
中国の経済規模は現体制の約１０年間で、４倍に急拡大した。
But the rapid economic expansion has created various problems, including a widening gap between rich and poor, real estate market bubbles and the deterioration of the environment.
しかし、その一方で、貧富の格差の拡大や不動産バブル、環境の悪化などを招いた。
The fiscal stimulus measures the government introduced to protect the economy from the effects of the global financial crisis that started in the United States in 2008 led to a wave of public works projects of dubious worth. The public spending spree has left local governments with massive bad assets.
米国金融危機の影響を避けるために始めた景気刺激策は、必ずしも必要ではない公共工事ラッシュを招き、今は地方政府の不良債権となっている。
Wen stated that Beijing will lower its target for growth in the value of total exports and imports to “around 10 percent” from more than 20 percent last year as a step to correct such distortions in the economy.
そういったゆがみを正すために、温首相は輸出入の伸び率の目標を昨年の２割超から「１０％程度」に下げると明言した。
The premier also said the government will aim at economic growth driven mainly by domestic demand through policy efforts to increase people’s income and thereby stoke consumer spending. To do so, he said, the government will try to increase the nation’s per-capita income at the same pace as its economic growth rate.
そして、人々の収入増で消費を拡大し内需主導の成長をめざすため、経済成長率と同じペースで１人あたりの収入を増やす方針を確認した。
All these decisions represent welcome steps to guide the economy away from the high-speed but unbalanced growth in recent years.
いずれも、いびつな高成長路線から抜け出す策として評価できる。
But the growth-oriented economic policy is not the only cause of the problems plaguing the nation.
ただし、中国のひずみは成長政策だけが原因ではない。
Another contributing factor is the government’s tight control on the yuan’s exchange rates.
たとえば、当局が管理する人民元相場である。
Although major Western countries have been urging Beijing to allow the Chinese currency to appreciate, Wen only said the government will increase “flexibility of the managed floating exchange rate system.”
欧米からは切り上げを求める声が相次ぐが、温首相は「管理変動相場制の柔軟性を強める」と述べるにとどまった。
A cheap yuan could make the Chinese economy even more dependent on exports for growth and increase the risk of asset bubbles by creating excessive liquidity.
人民元安は輸出依存を強めかねないし、資金があふれ資産バブルの恐れも増す。
Chinese leaders should not forget that their country would suffer most from the bursting of such bubbles.
はじけて最大の被害を受けるのは中国であることを忘れてはならない。
Meanwhile, there is no end to stories about party seniors’ intervention in economic affairs, such as bidding for construction projects.
一方で、幹部が工事の入札などの経済活動に介入する例があとを絶たない。
Wen pledged to step up efforts to crack down on such acts. But that will not be enough.
温首相は取り締まりを強めると表明したが、それだけでは足りない。
Behind this problem is the policy system that gives the Communist Party the power to make all policy decisions. It is imperative for China to reform the system.
背景には党がすべてを決めるという政治体制があり、その改革が急がれる。
There may be concerns that Beijing’s move to lower its growth target could have a negative impact on the economies of countries with close ties with China, including Japan.
成長目標を下げたことで、日本など関係の深い国の経済に悪影響を与えるのでは、という心配もあるだろう。
In the long run, however, the world economy would be better served by more stable and balanced development of Chinese society.
しかし、中国社会が安定した成長を続けることが、長期的には国際経済に好影響を与えるはずである。
(Mainichi Japan) March 5, 2012
Osaka Mayor Hashimoto's boldness and rudeness
風知草：果断さについて＝山田孝男
The essence of events and their backgrounds have become increasingly indistinct, though a growing number of media outlets are showing ever-sharper images and offer more detailed commentaries on them.
以前より報道媒体が増え、以前より鮮明な映像が撮れ、以前より長々と手の込んだ解説がなされているにもかかわらず、物ごとの本質や背景が以前より見えにくくなった。
This is particularly the case with the coverage of 42-year-old Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. TV stations are enthusiastic about provoking belligerent Hashimoto and air images of him in a sensational way, though they have failed to explain the background behind his remarks or judge whether his assertions are appropriate.
橋下徹大阪市長（４２）をめぐる報道がそうだ。テレビはケンカ上手の風雲児を挑発し、ファイトを映し出すことには熱心だが、背景説明や是非、善悪の判定は中途半端に終わる。
TV broadcasters tend to focus excessively on the roles that this "monster" mayor will play in political realignment and reform of the country, apparently out of mere curiosity, but have forgotten the most basic part of the issue: that his position derives from the autonomous choice of the people of Osaka.
怪物市長が政界再編なり国家改造なりでどういう役割を担うかということが、津々浦々、興味本位に論じられ、主な問題は住民自治に属するという基本が見失われていく。
Last month, Hashimoto began a survey of all municipal government workers about their union and political activities. The survey asked 22 questions, including, "Did you participate in any activity to support any particular politician?" In a high-handed manner, Hashimoto ordered all Osaka city workers to fill out the questionnaires, including their names, and submit the responses to him as part of their official duties.
橋下は先月、市の全職員を対象に労働組合と政治活動に関するアンケートを実施した。「特定の政治家を応援する活動に参加しましたか」など２２問。業務命令につき、記名して回答せよと高飛車に出た。
Naturally, his action stirred controversy. Critics have asserted the mayor's action is a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of thought and conscience; Article 28, providing for the right of workers to organize; and Clause 3, Article 7 of the Labor Union Act, which bans employers from controlling and interfering with unions.
当然、批判が噴き出した。憲法１９条（思想・良心の自由）および２８条（勤労者の団結権）に違反、労働組合法７条３（労組に対する支配・介入の禁止）に違反していると。
The Osaka Municipal Government has suspended its analysis of the questionnaire results after the Osaka Prefectural Labor Relations Commission recommended that the survey be called off.
大阪府労働委員会（労使紛争の調停機関）が調査の中断を勧告、既に職員が記入・提出した回答の開封・集計は凍結された。
Discussions are now going on nationwide about whether Hashimoto is a dangerous figure. However, an opinion poll by the Asahi Shimbun national daily and the Osaka-based Asahi Broadcasting Corp. while Hashimoto was implementing his questionnaire showed that his approval rating was 70 percent among prefectural residents, and 71 percent of Osaka city residents.
かくして全国レベルでは、橋下は危険人物かどうかというせんさくが続いているが、アンケート騒動のさなかに実施された大阪府民世論調査（朝日新聞・朝日放送）によれば、橋下の支持率は７０％（大阪市民に限れば７１％）に達した。
"If employees (the unions) have a say in the appointment of the president (mayor), administrative reform can't be carried out," Hashimoto told reporters on Jan. 6. This is why he has confronted the city worker unions. Hashimoto was elected mayor in November last year by beating an incumbent backed by Osaka city worker unions.
橋下が職員組合と対決するのは「従業員（組合）が社長（市長）の人事を握っていては行革などできない」（１月６日の記者団とのやりとりなど）からである。昨年１１月、橋下は職員組合が支援した現職市長を選挙で破って当選した。
Workers have the right to be protected from unfair suppression by their employers. I feel odd about Hashimoto's character, which combines boldness with rudeness. I also feel disgusted by prominent figures in various circles cozying up to the mayor.
労働者は雇い主の不当な圧迫から守られて当然だ。あえて言えば、私は、果断と無礼が結びついた橋下の特質に違和感を覚える。草木もなびく各界の橋下詣でにイヤな感じをぬぐえずにいる一人である。
Therefore, it is important to confirm the principle that a mayor should be evaluated by the people he or she represents. In other words, residents should be responsible for electing their mayor. There is no need for people across the country to pay close attention to Hashimoto's words and deeds and make such a fuss.
だが、だからこそ、市長の評価は地域の住民が決めるという原則を確認したい。選んだ責任は住民が負うという原理を大事にしたい。橋下の一挙手一投足を全国民が見つめ、毎回大騒ぎする必要はない。
The coverage of Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka's words and deeds are another example of news organizations losing sight of the essence of a politician's actions despite repeatedly splashing their images all over TVs and front pages.
鮮明な映像が示され、批判が集中したにもかかわらず、いつの間にか本質が見失われた例をもう一つ挙げる。田中直紀防衛相の進退である。
Statements Tanaka has made since he assumed the post in January have revealed his ignorance on basic defense issues, such as the Self-Defense Forces' consistency with the war-renouncing Constitution and the principles of Japan's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
田中は１月の就任以来、自衛隊の憲法理論、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の現状など基本的知識の欠如を露呈。
Moreover, he came under fire for leaving the House of Councillors Budget Committee while it was in session to have a cup of coffee, and declared in the Diet later that he was "determined not to drink coffee," astonishing the public.
揚げ句、参院予算委を勝手に中座してコーヒーを飲みに行き、「コーヒーは飲まない決意」を答弁して議員も世間も仰天した。
There is no question that Tanaka is less than qualified to serve as defense minister at a time when North Korea's nuclear capabilities and China's military buildup pose an increasing threat to Japan. Nevertheless, he still stays in his position.
北朝鮮の核攻撃の脅威増大と中国軍拡の折、田中防衛相が適任か、答えは明らかだが、進退は不問のままだ。
In February 1980, the defense agency chief in the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira resigned after telling a House of Representatives Budget Committee session, "Since this is an important issue, I'll have the bureau director general (who is a bureaucrat) answer your question."
大平内閣の８０年２月、衆院予算委で「重要な問題なので局長（役人）から答弁させます」と口を滑らせ辞任した防衛庁長官（現防衛相）がいた。
The official reason for his resignation was a scandal involving agency bureaucrats. No articles directly criticizing his absurd remark can be found in newspapers from the time. In that age, TV stations did not compete by constantly replaying politicians' gaffes and making public sport of them. Still, the prime minister had the defense agency chief step down to take responsibility for his miscue.
辞任の表向きの理由は、以前からくすぶっていた役人不祥事の引責。当時の新聞にズッコケ答弁を正面から批判した記事は見えない。ましてテレビが失言映像を垂れ流し、コケにして競う時代ではなかったが、首相はけじめをつけた。
Ironically, a national political arena that lacks boldness -- particularly the stagnant ruling Democratic Party of Japan the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party -- is what has given rise to the Hashimoto phenomenon. 「橋下現象」は、果断さのカケラもない現在の中央政界、とりわけ民主、自民両党の停滞から生まれた皮肉だ。
（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）
(By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
毎日新聞 2012年3月5日 東京朝刊
Osaka Mayor Hashimoto's boldness and rudeness
風知草：果断さについて＝山田孝男
The essence of events and their backgrounds have become increasingly indistinct, though a growing number of media outlets are showing ever-sharper images and offer more detailed commentaries on them.
以前より報道媒体が増え、以前より鮮明な映像が撮れ、以前より長々と手の込んだ解説がなされているにもかかわらず、物ごとの本質や背景が以前より見えにくくなった。
This is particularly the case with the coverage of 42-year-old Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. TV stations are enthusiastic about provoking belligerent Hashimoto and air images of him in a sensational way, though they have failed to explain the background behind his remarks or judge whether his assertions are appropriate.
橋下徹大阪市長（４２）をめぐる報道がそうだ。テレビはケンカ上手の風雲児を挑発し、ファイトを映し出すことには熱心だが、背景説明や是非、善悪の判定は中途半端に終わる。
TV broadcasters tend to focus excessively on the roles that this "monster" mayor will play in political realignment and reform of the country, apparently out of mere curiosity, but have forgotten the most basic part of the issue: that his position derives from the autonomous choice of the people of Osaka.
怪物市長が政界再編なり国家改造なりでどういう役割を担うかということが、津々浦々、興味本位に論じられ、主な問題は住民自治に属するという基本が見失われていく。
Last month, Hashimoto began a survey of all municipal government workers about their union and political activities. The survey asked 22 questions, including, "Did you participate in any activity to support any particular politician?" In a high-handed manner, Hashimoto ordered all Osaka city workers to fill out the questionnaires, including their names, and submit the responses to him as part of their official duties.
橋下は先月、市の全職員を対象に労働組合と政治活動に関するアンケートを実施した。「特定の政治家を応援する活動に参加しましたか」など２２問。業務命令につき、記名して回答せよと高飛車に出た。
Naturally, his action stirred controversy. Critics have asserted the mayor's action is a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of thought and conscience; Article 28, providing for the right of workers to organize; and Clause 3, Article 7 of the Labor Union Act, which bans employers from controlling and interfering with unions.
当然、批判が噴き出した。憲法１９条（思想・良心の自由）および２８条（勤労者の団結権）に違反、労働組合法７条３（労組に対する支配・介入の禁止）に違反していると。
The Osaka Municipal Government has suspended its analysis of the questionnaire results after the Osaka Prefectural Labor Relations Commission recommended that the survey be called off.
大阪府労働委員会（労使紛争の調停機関）が調査の中断を勧告、既に職員が記入・提出した回答の開封・集計は凍結された。
Discussions are now going on nationwide about whether Hashimoto is a dangerous figure. However, an opinion poll by the Asahi Shimbun national daily and the Osaka-based Asahi Broadcasting Corp. while Hashimoto was implementing his questionnaire showed that his approval rating was 70 percent among prefectural residents, and 71 percent of Osaka city residents.
かくして全国レベルでは、橋下は危険人物かどうかというせんさくが続いているが、アンケート騒動のさなかに実施された大阪府民世論調査（朝日新聞・朝日放送）によれば、橋下の支持率は７０％（大阪市民に限れば７１％）に達した。
"If employees (the unions) have a say in the appointment of the president (mayor), administrative reform can't be carried out," Hashimoto told reporters on Jan. 6. This is why he has confronted the city worker unions. Hashimoto was elected mayor in November last year by beating an incumbent backed by Osaka city worker unions.
橋下が職員組合と対決するのは「従業員（組合）が社長（市長）の人事を握っていては行革などできない」（１月６日の記者団とのやりとりなど）からである。昨年１１月、橋下は職員組合が支援した現職市長を選挙で破って当選した。
Workers have the right to be protected from unfair suppression by their employers. I feel odd about Hashimoto's character, which combines boldness with rudeness. I also feel disgusted by prominent figures in various circles cozying up to the mayor.
労働者は雇い主の不当な圧迫から守られて当然だ。あえて言えば、私は、果断と無礼が結びついた橋下の特質に違和感を覚える。草木もなびく各界の橋下詣でにイヤな感じをぬぐえずにいる一人である。
Therefore, it is important to confirm the principle that a mayor should be evaluated by the people he or she represents. In other words, residents should be responsible for electing their mayor. There is no need for people across the country to pay close attention to Hashimoto's words and deeds and make such a fuss.
だが、だからこそ、市長の評価は地域の住民が決めるという原則を確認したい。選んだ責任は住民が負うという原理を大事にしたい。橋下の一挙手一投足を全国民が見つめ、毎回大騒ぎする必要はない。
The coverage of Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka's words and deeds are another example of news organizations losing sight of the essence of a politician's actions despite repeatedly splashing their images all over TVs and front pages.
鮮明な映像が示され、批判が集中したにもかかわらず、いつの間にか本質が見失われた例をもう一つ挙げる。田中直紀防衛相の進退である。
Statements Tanaka has made since he assumed the post in January have revealed his ignorance on basic defense issues, such as the Self-Defense Forces' consistency with the war-renouncing Constitution and the principles of Japan's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
田中は１月の就任以来、自衛隊の憲法理論、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の現状など基本的知識の欠如を露呈。
Moreover, he came under fire for leaving the House of Councillors Budget Committee while it was in session to have a cup of coffee, and declared in the Diet later that he was "determined not to drink coffee," astonishing the public.
揚げ句、参院予算委を勝手に中座してコーヒーを飲みに行き、「コーヒーは飲まない決意」を答弁して議員も世間も仰天した。
There is no question that Tanaka is less than qualified to serve as defense minister at a time when North Korea's nuclear capabilities and China's military buildup pose an increasing threat to Japan. Nevertheless, he still stays in his position.
北朝鮮の核攻撃の脅威増大と中国軍拡の折、田中防衛相が適任か、答えは明らかだが、進退は不問のままだ。
In February 1980, the defense agency chief in the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira resigned after telling a House of Representatives Budget Committee session, "Since this is an important issue, I'll have the bureau director general (who is a bureaucrat) answer your question."
大平内閣の８０年２月、衆院予算委で「重要な問題なので局長（役人）から答弁させます」と口を滑らせ辞任した防衛庁長官（現防衛相）がいた。
The official reason for his resignation was a scandal involving agency bureaucrats. No articles directly criticizing his absurd remark can be found in newspapers from the time. In that age, TV stations did not compete by constantly replaying politicians' gaffes and making public sport of them. Still, the prime minister had the defense agency chief step down to take responsibility for his miscue.
辞任の表向きの理由は、以前からくすぶっていた役人不祥事の引責。当時の新聞にズッコケ答弁を正面から批判した記事は見えない。ましてテレビが失言映像を垂れ流し、コケにして競う時代ではなかったが、首相はけじめをつけた。
Ironically, a national political arena that lacks boldness -- particularly the stagnant ruling Democratic Party of Japan the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party -- is what has given rise to the Hashimoto phenomenon. 「橋下現象」は、果断さのカケラもない現在の中央政界、とりわけ民主、自民両党の停滞から生まれた皮肉だ。
（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）
(By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
毎日新聞 2012年3月5日 東京朝刊
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 5, 2012)
Talks on revising Constitution should focus on emergencies
自民新憲法原案 「緊急事態」を軸に改正論議を（3月4日付・読売社説）
The ruling and opposition parties should take this opportunity to resume discussion on what shape the nation should take.
与野党が、「国のかたち」の論議を再開する契機とすべきである。
The Liberal Democratic Party's Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision to the Constitution has finalized a draft of its second set of proposals for rewriting the Constitution. The draft is a revised version of proposals the LDP announced in 2005.
It will work out a definite plan in April through discussions within the party.
自民党の憲法改正推進本部が、第２次憲法改正草案の原案を決定した。２００５年に発表した新憲法草案の改訂版だ。党内論議を経て、４月に成案をまとめる。
We strongly praise the party's proactive stance toward revision of the Constitution.
自民党の憲法改正に積極的な姿勢を、まずは高く評価したい。
Noteworthy in the draft is a new provision concerning times of emergency that gives the prime minister the authority to declare a state of emergency in such cases as an armed attack on the country, terrorism or a massive natural disaster.
原案で目を引くのは、緊急事態条項を新設したことだ。武力攻撃やテロ、大規模災害などの際、首相は「緊急事態」を宣言できる。
The new provision would also enable the cabinet to create ordinances that have the same force and effect as laws, and enable the prime minister to issue orders to the heads of local governments accordingly during emergencies.
法律と同じ効力を持つ政令の制定や、地方自治体の首長に対する首相の指示なども可能になる。
This provision also is meant to prevent such extrajudicial measures from violating people's fundamental human rights without justification.
この条項には、超法規的措置によって基本的人権が無原則に侵害されることを防ぐ意味もある。
It had been pointed out as problematic that the Constitution does not contain provisions about dealing with emergencies. Most countries have such clauses in their constitutions.
ほとんどの国の憲法に規定されている緊急事態への対処に関する条文が、現行憲法にないことは以前から問題視されていた。
===
Learn from March disaster
Taking into account the lesson of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the government's crisis-control capabilities must be enhanced. It is an appropriate judgment to include stipulations about states of emergency.
東日本大震災の教訓を踏まえ、政府の危機対処能力を高めねばならない。緊急事態条項を盛り込むのは、当然の判断である。
With regard to national security, the draft preserves the war-renouncing Article 9, while adding one sentence that states the first paragraph of Article 9 "shall not prevent Japan from invoking the right to self-defense."
Concerning the Self-Defense Forces, the draft says a military will be maintained for self-defense.
安全保障に関しては、９条の「戦争放棄」は堅持し、「自衛権の発動を妨げるものではない」との一文を加えた。自衛隊は「自衛軍」として保持するとした。
On the subject of collective self-defense, the draft appears to clarify the position that the Constitution can be interpreted to allow the nation to exercise its collective self-defense.
集団的自衛権について「解釈上は、行使できる」との立場を明確にしたものと言えよう。
The government's odd interpretation of the current Constitution as saying the nation "possesses the right to collective-self-defense but cannot wield it" has long been a major hindrance to boosting the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
「集団的自衛権は保持しているが、行使できない」という政府のおかしな現行憲法の解釈が、日米同盟の実効性を強化する上で大きな足かせになってきた。
It is a matter of urgency to enable the nation to wield its right to collective self-defense, without waiting for the Constitution to be revised.
憲法改正を待たずとも、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることは急務だ。
It is disappointing that the draft lacks a provision calling for a review of the two-chamber system of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
衆参の二院制を見直す条文がない点は物足りない。
===
Diet system causes turmoil
The presence of the "too powerful upper house," which has almost the same functions as the lower house, has prevented the passage of bills and caused disarray in the divided Diet, as seen in the frequent submissions of censure resolutions.
衆院とほぼ同様の権能を持つ「強すぎる参院」の存在が、ねじれ国会では、法案成立を妨げ、問責決議の連発などの混乱も招いている。
Under the current Constitution, bills that have passed the lower house but failed to pass the upper house need to pass the lower house a second time with at least a two-thirds majority. Paralysis of the Diet's functions must be prevented by easing the requirement, for instance, from two-thirds to a simple majority.
衆院の再議決要件を「３分の２以上の多数」から「過半数」に緩和することなどで、国会が機能不全に陥らないようにすべきだ。
The draft also said the number of seats in electoral districts for both houses of the Diet shall be fixed by "considering comprehensively" not only the population but also such factors as geography and transportation infrastructure. Depending on its interpretation, it might allow further widening of gaps in the value of a vote among constituencies.
原案は、選挙に関して各選挙区の定数を人口だけでなく地勢、交通などを「総合的に勘案」して定めるとしている。その解釈によっては、「１票の格差」の拡大を許すことにならないか。
In the Diet, both houses' deliberative councils on the Constitution began discussions last autumn. The Democratic Party of Japan's research panel on the Constitution also said it would discuss the state-of-emergency stipulations and the ideal form of the two-chamber system.
国会では、憲法改正を審議する衆参の憲法審査会が昨秋、活動を始めた。民主党の憲法調査会も緊急事態条項や二院制のあり方などを検討するという。
There should be more than a few points of discussion on which the ruling and opposition parties can compromise. We hope they will discuss the issues vigorously.
与野党が歩み寄れる論点は、決して少なくないはずだ。精力的に議論を重ねてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2012)
（2012年3月4日01時14分 読売新聞）
Talks on revising Constitution should focus on emergencies
自民新憲法原案 「緊急事態」を軸に改正論議を（3月4日付・読売社説）
The ruling and opposition parties should take this opportunity to resume discussion on what shape the nation should take.
与野党が、「国のかたち」の論議を再開する契機とすべきである。
The Liberal Democratic Party's Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision to the Constitution has finalized a draft of its second set of proposals for rewriting the Constitution. The draft is a revised version of proposals the LDP announced in 2005.
It will work out a definite plan in April through discussions within the party.
自民党の憲法改正推進本部が、第２次憲法改正草案の原案を決定した。２００５年に発表した新憲法草案の改訂版だ。党内論議を経て、４月に成案をまとめる。
We strongly praise the party's proactive stance toward revision of the Constitution.
自民党の憲法改正に積極的な姿勢を、まずは高く評価したい。
Noteworthy in the draft is a new provision concerning times of emergency that gives the prime minister the authority to declare a state of emergency in such cases as an armed attack on the country, terrorism or a massive natural disaster.
原案で目を引くのは、緊急事態条項を新設したことだ。武力攻撃やテロ、大規模災害などの際、首相は「緊急事態」を宣言できる。
The new provision would also enable the cabinet to create ordinances that have the same force and effect as laws, and enable the prime minister to issue orders to the heads of local governments accordingly during emergencies.
法律と同じ効力を持つ政令の制定や、地方自治体の首長に対する首相の指示なども可能になる。
This provision also is meant to prevent such extrajudicial measures from violating people's fundamental human rights without justification.
この条項には、超法規的措置によって基本的人権が無原則に侵害されることを防ぐ意味もある。
It had been pointed out as problematic that the Constitution does not contain provisions about dealing with emergencies. Most countries have such clauses in their constitutions.
ほとんどの国の憲法に規定されている緊急事態への対処に関する条文が、現行憲法にないことは以前から問題視されていた。
===
Learn from March disaster
Taking into account the lesson of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the government's crisis-control capabilities must be enhanced. It is an appropriate judgment to include stipulations about states of emergency.
東日本大震災の教訓を踏まえ、政府の危機対処能力を高めねばならない。緊急事態条項を盛り込むのは、当然の判断である。
With regard to national security, the draft preserves the war-renouncing Article 9, while adding one sentence that states the first paragraph of Article 9 "shall not prevent Japan from invoking the right to self-defense."
Concerning the Self-Defense Forces, the draft says a military will be maintained for self-defense.
安全保障に関しては、９条の「戦争放棄」は堅持し、「自衛権の発動を妨げるものではない」との一文を加えた。自衛隊は「自衛軍」として保持するとした。
On the subject of collective self-defense, the draft appears to clarify the position that the Constitution can be interpreted to allow the nation to exercise its collective self-defense.
集団的自衛権について「解釈上は、行使できる」との立場を明確にしたものと言えよう。
The government's odd interpretation of the current Constitution as saying the nation "possesses the right to collective-self-defense but cannot wield it" has long been a major hindrance to boosting the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
「集団的自衛権は保持しているが、行使できない」という政府のおかしな現行憲法の解釈が、日米同盟の実効性を強化する上で大きな足かせになってきた。
It is a matter of urgency to enable the nation to wield its right to collective self-defense, without waiting for the Constitution to be revised.
憲法改正を待たずとも、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることは急務だ。
It is disappointing that the draft lacks a provision calling for a review of the two-chamber system of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
衆参の二院制を見直す条文がない点は物足りない。
===
Diet system causes turmoil
The presence of the "too powerful upper house," which has almost the same functions as the lower house, has prevented the passage of bills and caused disarray in the divided Diet, as seen in the frequent submissions of censure resolutions.
衆院とほぼ同様の権能を持つ「強すぎる参院」の存在が、ねじれ国会では、法案成立を妨げ、問責決議の連発などの混乱も招いている。
Under the current Constitution, bills that have passed the lower house but failed to pass the upper house need to pass the lower house a second time with at least a two-thirds majority. Paralysis of the Diet's functions must be prevented by easing the requirement, for instance, from two-thirds to a simple majority.
衆院の再議決要件を「３分の２以上の多数」から「過半数」に緩和することなどで、国会が機能不全に陥らないようにすべきだ。
The draft also said the number of seats in electoral districts for both houses of the Diet shall be fixed by "considering comprehensively" not only the population but also such factors as geography and transportation infrastructure. Depending on its interpretation, it might allow further widening of gaps in the value of a vote among constituencies.
原案は、選挙に関して各選挙区の定数を人口だけでなく地勢、交通などを「総合的に勘案」して定めるとしている。その解釈によっては、「１票の格差」の拡大を許すことにならないか。
In the Diet, both houses' deliberative councils on the Constitution began discussions last autumn. The Democratic Party of Japan's research panel on the Constitution also said it would discuss the state-of-emergency stipulations and the ideal form of the two-chamber system.
国会では、憲法改正を審議する衆参の憲法審査会が昨秋、活動を始めた。民主党の憲法調査会も緊急事態条項や二院制のあり方などを検討するという。
There should be more than a few points of discussion on which the ruling and opposition parties can compromise. We hope they will discuss the issues vigorously.
与野党が歩み寄れる論点は、決して少なくないはずだ。精力的に議論を重ねてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2012)
（2012年3月4日01時14分 読売新聞）
英訳版を発行するのだったら和文の全文を翻訳してほしいなって感じました。
で、今日は和文、英文の順序に変更しました。
和文を省略すると全体の意味が薄れると感じたからです。
タイムリーに英語版を出版するには、相当の苦労が要求されます。
がんばってください。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 3, 2012
Editorial: Lessons learned 1 year after March 2011 disasters
社説：震災１年／１爪痕と再出発 私たちは何を学んだか
海岸線が迫った１５メートルほどの高台に上がると、そこからは広々とした農地が望めた。福島県相馬、南相馬両市にまたがる八沢浦干拓地だ。
東日本大震災の大津波はここでも猛威をふるった。平地の集落を押し流しただけではない。緊急避難場所に指定されていたこの高台にまで到達、退避中の住民３０人余の命を奪い、干拓地の鎮守として大事にされていた山田神社も社殿ごと流失した。
そんな破壊の傷痕を少しでも癒やそうという被災地支援の試みが２月下旬にあった。全国でも珍しい宮大工を養成する熊本県立球磨工業高校が山田神社の仮社殿を寄贈したのだ。昨年この地でボランティア活動した熊本県の宮司さんが仲介した。
◇地域、世代超えた絆
高さ２メートルのミニ社殿だが、氏子１８９戸の総代長を務める但野幸一さん（５９）は「農業を復興させようという意欲が出てきた」と感謝を伝え、社殿設置作業に訪れた専攻科１年の平識（へしき）有希乃さん（１９）は「津波で家が流され、土台だけ残されているのを見て、心が苦しくなりました。みなさんに元気になってほしい。神社が、住民の心の支えになるとうれしい」とエールを交換した。
南相馬から海岸線を北上して約１００キロの宮城県石巻市の牡鹿半島。入り江ごとにあるカキ養殖の集落の一つ、小網倉浜で漁師の阿部亮一さん（５１）に出会った。
あの日はちょうど出漁中で、沖へ出て津波から逃れた。
Ryoichi Abe, 51, a fisherman from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, was operating off the Ojika Peninsula when a massive tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake hit his neighborhood on March 11, 2011.
だが、２日後に浜に戻り惨禍に衝撃を受けた。５０世帯、１２０人の集落で１６人が亡くなり、漁船も漁具もごっそりやられていた。
Two days after the tsunami, he returned to his home port and was shocked by the devastation wrought by the disaster. Sixteen of the 120 residents in his neighborhood died. Many of his fellow fishermen lost their fishing boats and equipment.
やる気を失っていた阿部さんたちに刺激を与えたのが、都会から来たボランティアだった。網やロープでがんじがらめになっていた漁具のかたまりを忍耐強く一つ一つほぐして使えるものを取り出してくれた。半信半疑だった阿部さんたちもいつの間にか浜に出て共同作業をしていた。夏にはカキの稚苗をホタテのカラに植え付け海につるすところまでいった。
It was volunteers from urban areas who encouraged Abe and other fishermen who had lost enthusiasm about fishing to resume their business. The volunteers carefully unraveled ropes and nets that had become tangled in fishing devices, and recovered usable equipment. Abe and other fishermen joined the volunteers in their work. In the summer, the fishermen were able to resume oyster farming.
「ここまできたのもボランティアのおかげ。すごい力だっちゃ。これは忘れねえ」
"We got to this point thanks to the volunteers. They have incredible power. I'll never forget what they did for us," Abe says.
早ければ今年秋にも最初の収穫を迎えることができる、という。
He says he and his fellow fishermen will be able to ship the oysters in autumn this year if things go smoothly.
被災した地域を歩いてみると、あちこちでこういったエピソードと出合うことができる。何とか復興に向けて前に進もうとする被災者と、少しでも役に立ちたい、と支援の手を差し伸べる側と、地域と世代を超えた絆の世界が今なお広がっている。災害の爪痕は残るものの、再出発の動きもまた始まりつつあるのだ。
Close bonds between disaster survivors who are trying hard to move toward recovery and those who are lending a helping hand can be observed throughout disaster-ravaged areas.
３・１１から１年。私たちは何を失い、何を学んだのか。これを機に考えてみたい。
We would like to take this opportunity as we approach the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami to think about what we have lost -- and learned -- from the disasters.
失ったものは、あまりにも大きかった。約２万人の尊い人命と、数十万人のかけがえのない財産と生活、生産現場や雇用も奪われた。福島の原発被災地域では、ふるさとに住み続ける自由さえ失われている。
The losses are enormous: the lives of some 20,000 people, the assets and the peace of hundreds of thousands of people and numerous jobs. Residents of areas heavily affected by the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant have also been deprived of the freedom to live in their hometowns.
得たものはあったのか。逆境に負けずたくましく生活を再建させていく日本人の強さを世界に再認識させた。人の痛みを自ら引き受けようとする「絆」や連帯意識の強さが改めてクローズアップされた。南相馬や牡鹿半島で私たちが見てきたものもその一コマであった。
Yet amid such hardships, Japanese people have shown to the world that they have a strong will to restore their livelihoods. Close bonds and solidarity between victims and those who have shown willingness to share their pain have shone through the disaster.
◇政治の解決力強化を
では、何を学んだのか。ここでは二つのことを取り上げてみよう。
We would like to cite two things we have learned from the March 2011 quake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis.
一つは、政治の重要性である。これはこの１年間政治がうまく機能していなかったことの逆説的総括である。今振り返っても３・１１後の日本政治は混迷を極めた。
One of them is the importance of politics. The government's response to the disasters has demonstrated that politics has not functioned properly and has been in chaos since March 11, 2011.
いくつもの対策本部は設置されたが、政治家が責任を持って決断し官僚がその専門的能力をフルに出し切る、という本来の意味での政治主導を実現するには至らなかった。
Even though the government set up several task forces to handle disaster countermeasures, its system of political leadership -- having politicians being responsible for decisions on policy while bureaucrats put their expertise to work to implement these measures -- has failed to function as far as the government's response to the disasters is concerned.
与野党が一致協力して短期集中的に問題解決を図る、という政治のダイナミズムが発揮されることもなかった。与党内の足並みの乱れが政局の混乱を加速させた。 このため、政治にしか解決できない問題の処理が軒並み遅れた。The ruling and opposition parties have also failed to cooperate closely to solve problems with speed and focus. On the contrary, a conflict within the ruling bloc has contributed to confusion in the political situation, and delayed solutions to problems that require political-level decisions.
４兆円の第１次補正予算が成立したのが５月２日。復興期間、規模、財源、特区など復興の基本的方向性を定めた「復興基本方針」策定は地震から４カ月半後の７月２９日までずれこんだ。
The 4 trillion yen initial supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 -- designed to finance disaster recovery efforts -- did not become law until May 2, 2011. Furthermore, the government's compilation of the principles for disaster recovery, which provide direction during the recovery period and cover the scale and length of recovery measures, the financial resources required and the designation of special restoration zones, did not come until July 29 -- 4 1/2 months after the disasters.
帝都復興院が関東大震災後４週間で設置されたのに比べ、復興庁の発足は発生１１カ月後の２月１０日を待たなければならなかった。
The government finally set up the Reconstruction Agency on Feb. 10 -- 11 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is in stark contrast to the establishment of a similar body only four weeks after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that devastated Tokyo and its environs.
政治の問題解決能力を強化すること。これは、これから起こりうる災害に対し私たちが自分を守るためにも重要だし、３・１１以外の日本が抱えるさまざまな懸案事項を前進させるためにも必要不可欠である。
Enhancing political ability to solve problems is important as a means to protect ourselves from future disasters and indispensable when the government tackles other outstanding issues.
二つ目に、原発・エネルギー政策の根源的見直しの必然性である。私たちは、原発の安全神話にあまりにも安直にのっかってきた。原発依存をどう解消していくか。その穴を代替エネルギーでどう埋めていくのか。いわゆる核のゴミ問題をどう解決するのか。いずれも難しい課題だが、日本がこれらの解決先進国になれれば、世界に対して貢献できる。
Our second lesson is the inevitability of a fundamental review of Japan's energy policy -- including nuclear power. We were overconfident of the safety of nuclear power plants. The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has raised such questions as how to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants, how to secure substitute energy sources and how to solve problems involving radioactive waste. Even though these are extremely difficult questions, Japan can make an important contribution to global society by solving them and setting an example through reduced reliance on nuclear energy.
学んだことを将来にいかしたい。そのために私たちはこの「震災１年」シリーズで３・１１をいくつかのテーマに切り分け、提言する。
We would like to make good use of the lessons learned from the disasters in the future. To that end, we would like to make specific proposals in this series, "One year after March 11, 2011."
毎日新聞 2012年3月3日 2時30分
で、今日は和文、英文の順序に変更しました。
和文を省略すると全体の意味が薄れると感じたからです。
タイムリーに英語版を出版するには、相当の苦労が要求されます。
がんばってください。
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) March 3, 2012
Editorial: Lessons learned 1 year after March 2011 disasters
社説：震災１年／１爪痕と再出発 私たちは何を学んだか
海岸線が迫った１５メートルほどの高台に上がると、そこからは広々とした農地が望めた。福島県相馬、南相馬両市にまたがる八沢浦干拓地だ。
東日本大震災の大津波はここでも猛威をふるった。平地の集落を押し流しただけではない。緊急避難場所に指定されていたこの高台にまで到達、退避中の住民３０人余の命を奪い、干拓地の鎮守として大事にされていた山田神社も社殿ごと流失した。
そんな破壊の傷痕を少しでも癒やそうという被災地支援の試みが２月下旬にあった。全国でも珍しい宮大工を養成する熊本県立球磨工業高校が山田神社の仮社殿を寄贈したのだ。昨年この地でボランティア活動した熊本県の宮司さんが仲介した。
◇地域、世代超えた絆
高さ２メートルのミニ社殿だが、氏子１８９戸の総代長を務める但野幸一さん（５９）は「農業を復興させようという意欲が出てきた」と感謝を伝え、社殿設置作業に訪れた専攻科１年の平識（へしき）有希乃さん（１９）は「津波で家が流され、土台だけ残されているのを見て、心が苦しくなりました。みなさんに元気になってほしい。神社が、住民の心の支えになるとうれしい」とエールを交換した。
南相馬から海岸線を北上して約１００キロの宮城県石巻市の牡鹿半島。入り江ごとにあるカキ養殖の集落の一つ、小網倉浜で漁師の阿部亮一さん（５１）に出会った。
あの日はちょうど出漁中で、沖へ出て津波から逃れた。
Ryoichi Abe, 51, a fisherman from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, was operating off the Ojika Peninsula when a massive tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake hit his neighborhood on March 11, 2011.
だが、２日後に浜に戻り惨禍に衝撃を受けた。５０世帯、１２０人の集落で１６人が亡くなり、漁船も漁具もごっそりやられていた。
Two days after the tsunami, he returned to his home port and was shocked by the devastation wrought by the disaster. Sixteen of the 120 residents in his neighborhood died. Many of his fellow fishermen lost their fishing boats and equipment.
やる気を失っていた阿部さんたちに刺激を与えたのが、都会から来たボランティアだった。網やロープでがんじがらめになっていた漁具のかたまりを忍耐強く一つ一つほぐして使えるものを取り出してくれた。半信半疑だった阿部さんたちもいつの間にか浜に出て共同作業をしていた。夏にはカキの稚苗をホタテのカラに植え付け海につるすところまでいった。
It was volunteers from urban areas who encouraged Abe and other fishermen who had lost enthusiasm about fishing to resume their business. The volunteers carefully unraveled ropes and nets that had become tangled in fishing devices, and recovered usable equipment. Abe and other fishermen joined the volunteers in their work. In the summer, the fishermen were able to resume oyster farming.
「ここまできたのもボランティアのおかげ。すごい力だっちゃ。これは忘れねえ」
"We got to this point thanks to the volunteers. They have incredible power. I'll never forget what they did for us," Abe says.
早ければ今年秋にも最初の収穫を迎えることができる、という。
He says he and his fellow fishermen will be able to ship the oysters in autumn this year if things go smoothly.
被災した地域を歩いてみると、あちこちでこういったエピソードと出合うことができる。何とか復興に向けて前に進もうとする被災者と、少しでも役に立ちたい、と支援の手を差し伸べる側と、地域と世代を超えた絆の世界が今なお広がっている。災害の爪痕は残るものの、再出発の動きもまた始まりつつあるのだ。
Close bonds between disaster survivors who are trying hard to move toward recovery and those who are lending a helping hand can be observed throughout disaster-ravaged areas.
３・１１から１年。私たちは何を失い、何を学んだのか。これを機に考えてみたい。
We would like to take this opportunity as we approach the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami to think about what we have lost -- and learned -- from the disasters.
失ったものは、あまりにも大きかった。約２万人の尊い人命と、数十万人のかけがえのない財産と生活、生産現場や雇用も奪われた。福島の原発被災地域では、ふるさとに住み続ける自由さえ失われている。
The losses are enormous: the lives of some 20,000 people, the assets and the peace of hundreds of thousands of people and numerous jobs. Residents of areas heavily affected by the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant have also been deprived of the freedom to live in their hometowns.
得たものはあったのか。逆境に負けずたくましく生活を再建させていく日本人の強さを世界に再認識させた。人の痛みを自ら引き受けようとする「絆」や連帯意識の強さが改めてクローズアップされた。南相馬や牡鹿半島で私たちが見てきたものもその一コマであった。
Yet amid such hardships, Japanese people have shown to the world that they have a strong will to restore their livelihoods. Close bonds and solidarity between victims and those who have shown willingness to share their pain have shone through the disaster.
◇政治の解決力強化を
では、何を学んだのか。ここでは二つのことを取り上げてみよう。
We would like to cite two things we have learned from the March 2011 quake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis.
一つは、政治の重要性である。これはこの１年間政治がうまく機能していなかったことの逆説的総括である。今振り返っても３・１１後の日本政治は混迷を極めた。
One of them is the importance of politics. The government's response to the disasters has demonstrated that politics has not functioned properly and has been in chaos since March 11, 2011.
いくつもの対策本部は設置されたが、政治家が責任を持って決断し官僚がその専門的能力をフルに出し切る、という本来の意味での政治主導を実現するには至らなかった。
Even though the government set up several task forces to handle disaster countermeasures, its system of political leadership -- having politicians being responsible for decisions on policy while bureaucrats put their expertise to work to implement these measures -- has failed to function as far as the government's response to the disasters is concerned.
与野党が一致協力して短期集中的に問題解決を図る、という政治のダイナミズムが発揮されることもなかった。与党内の足並みの乱れが政局の混乱を加速させた。 このため、政治にしか解決できない問題の処理が軒並み遅れた。The ruling and opposition parties have also failed to cooperate closely to solve problems with speed and focus. On the contrary, a conflict within the ruling bloc has contributed to confusion in the political situation, and delayed solutions to problems that require political-level decisions.
４兆円の第１次補正予算が成立したのが５月２日。復興期間、規模、財源、特区など復興の基本的方向性を定めた「復興基本方針」策定は地震から４カ月半後の７月２９日までずれこんだ。
The 4 trillion yen initial supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 -- designed to finance disaster recovery efforts -- did not become law until May 2, 2011. Furthermore, the government's compilation of the principles for disaster recovery, which provide direction during the recovery period and cover the scale and length of recovery measures, the financial resources required and the designation of special restoration zones, did not come until July 29 -- 4 1/2 months after the disasters.
帝都復興院が関東大震災後４週間で設置されたのに比べ、復興庁の発足は発生１１カ月後の２月１０日を待たなければならなかった。
The government finally set up the Reconstruction Agency on Feb. 10 -- 11 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is in stark contrast to the establishment of a similar body only four weeks after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that devastated Tokyo and its environs.
政治の問題解決能力を強化すること。これは、これから起こりうる災害に対し私たちが自分を守るためにも重要だし、３・１１以外の日本が抱えるさまざまな懸案事項を前進させるためにも必要不可欠である。
Enhancing political ability to solve problems is important as a means to protect ourselves from future disasters and indispensable when the government tackles other outstanding issues.
二つ目に、原発・エネルギー政策の根源的見直しの必然性である。私たちは、原発の安全神話にあまりにも安直にのっかってきた。原発依存をどう解消していくか。その穴を代替エネルギーでどう埋めていくのか。いわゆる核のゴミ問題をどう解決するのか。いずれも難しい課題だが、日本がこれらの解決先進国になれれば、世界に対して貢献できる。
Our second lesson is the inevitability of a fundamental review of Japan's energy policy -- including nuclear power. We were overconfident of the safety of nuclear power plants. The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has raised such questions as how to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants, how to secure substitute energy sources and how to solve problems involving radioactive waste. Even though these are extremely difficult questions, Japan can make an important contribution to global society by solving them and setting an example through reduced reliance on nuclear energy.
学んだことを将来にいかしたい。そのために私たちはこの「震災１年」シリーズで３・１１をいくつかのテーマに切り分け、提言する。
We would like to make good use of the lessons learned from the disasters in the future. To that end, we would like to make specific proposals in this series, "One year after March 11, 2011."
毎日新聞 2012年3月3日 2時30分
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 3, 2012)
Suspension of uranium enrichment by N. Korea must be confirmed
米朝核合意 ウラン濃縮停止を見極めたい（3月2日付・読売社説）
Will the latest agreement really bring about a suspension of North Korea's nuclear weapons development program? The important thing is to see that country steadily carry out actions that were agreed upon.
北朝鮮の核開発に歯止めをかけることにつながるのか。重要なのは、合意した措置を確実に実行することである。
The United States and North Korea have announced they agreed during last week's bilateral talks that North Korea will temporarily halt its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, while the United States will extend 240,000 tons of food assistance to North Korea.
米国と北朝鮮が、先週、北京で行った協議について、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮活動などを一時停止する一方、米国は２４万トンの食糧支援を実施することで合意した、と発表した。
It took about a week until Wednesday's announcement because it is believed to have been necessary to check the contents of the agreement and coordinate among countries concerned.
発表まで約１週間たったのは、合意内容の点検や関係国との調整が必要だったためと見られる。
===
Limited, but important, progress
According to the U.S. government, North Korea will stop nuclear and related activities in Yongbyon, including nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and the launching of long-range missiles. North Korea also agreed to accept verification and confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the halt of its nuclear activities.
米政府によると、北朝鮮が停止するのは、長距離ミサイル発射、核実験、ウラン濃縮活動を含む寧辺での核活動だ。北朝鮮は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）による核活動停止の検証、確認を受け入れることも同意した。
Three years ago North Korea ejected IAEA inspectors from Yongbyon and carried out a second nuclear test. Declaring it would use all the plutonium it possesses for weapons and start uranium enrichment, it has been continuing its nuclear program.
北朝鮮は３年前、ＩＡＥＡ要員を寧辺から強制退去させ、２度目の核実験を強行した。保有するプルトニウム全量を「兵器化」し、ウラン濃縮活動を開始する、と宣言して核開発を続けている。
If the situation is left untouched, it will only be a matter of time until North Korea deploys nuclear missiles. Considering the danger, the agreement this time is "important, if limited, progress," as the U.S. government put it.
このままでは、北朝鮮の核ミサイル配備も時間の問題だ。その危険を考えれば、今回の合意は、米政府が言う通り「限定的ながらも重要な進展」には違いない。
The problem is whether North Korea will surely halt its uranium enrichment program. Past events have shown the country has scrapped international agreements a number of times. The United States must seriously discuss with North Korea the procedures for implementing the agreement so as not to allow loopholes for the reclusive country.
問題は、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を確実に停止するのかどうかだ。北朝鮮は、幾度も合意を反古(ほご)にしてきた経緯がある。合意履行の手順について、米国は、抜け道を許さぬよう厳しく詰めるべきだ。
Food assistance from the United States will be mainly nutritional assistance to infants and small children as well as pregnant women, including dietary supplements. The U.S. government has left open the prospect of additional assistance depending on necessity.
米国からの食糧支援は乳幼児や妊婦向けの栄養補助食品で、必要に応じて追加支援する可能性もあるという。
We think North Korea will perform concrete steps such as suspending uranium enrichment and accepting the IAEA's verification team, while closely watching the progress of the food assistance.
北朝鮮はこの食糧支援の状況を見定めながら、ウラン濃縮停止や検証受け入れなどの具体的措置を講じるのではないか。
===
When will actual halt take place?
According to the original plan, the United States will provide 20,000 tons of food per month over a 12-month period. Will North Korea actually take steps toward stopping uranium enrichment when the first shipment of food aid arrives or after a considerable amount arrives? It is important to clarify this point before actual shipments begin.
米国の当初の計画では、２万トンずつ１年かけて提供する予定だ。北朝鮮がウラン濃縮停止に動くのは、最初の食糧の到着時か、それとも相当量が到着した時なのか。明確にしておく必要がある。
Even if the agreement is implemented as stated, it is still dangerous to heave a premature sigh of relief.
合意が履行されたとしても、安心するのは危険だ。
Concerning suspension of uranium enrichment, the agreement targets only the Yongbyon facility that was previously opened to U.S. nuclear experts. Basically, the agreement is merely a partial "suspension" of North Korea's entire nuclear development activities. Therefore, the possibility remains that North Korea will continue uranium enrichment at secret nuclear facilities elsewhere.
ウラン濃縮の停止について、合意は、北朝鮮が米国の核専門家に公開した寧辺の施設だけを対象にした。合意は、あくまで核活動の部分的な「停止」に過ぎず、秘密の核施設で北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を続ける可能性は十分に残る。
Since the death of longtime leader Kim Jong Il, North Korea has been hurriedly trying to consolidate the regime that succeeded him, with his young son Kim Jong Un at the center of the country's administration.
金正日総書記の死去後、北朝鮮は若い正恩氏を中心とする後継体制固めを急いでいる。
The more vulnerable the regime feels, the more it will stick to its nuclear program and missiles, dubbed the "heritage of revolution," and will never give up them.
その体制が脆弱(ぜいじゃく)であればあるほど、「革命の遺産」である核とミサイルにしがみつき、手放すはずはない。
The fundamental threat of North Korea has not been lessened. We must stay alert.
北朝鮮の根本的な脅威は減じておらず、警戒は怠れない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2012)
（2012年3月2日01時16分 読売新聞）
Suspension of uranium enrichment by N. Korea must be confirmed
米朝核合意 ウラン濃縮停止を見極めたい（3月2日付・読売社説）
Will the latest agreement really bring about a suspension of North Korea's nuclear weapons development program? The important thing is to see that country steadily carry out actions that were agreed upon.
北朝鮮の核開発に歯止めをかけることにつながるのか。重要なのは、合意した措置を確実に実行することである。
The United States and North Korea have announced they agreed during last week's bilateral talks that North Korea will temporarily halt its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, while the United States will extend 240,000 tons of food assistance to North Korea.
米国と北朝鮮が、先週、北京で行った協議について、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮活動などを一時停止する一方、米国は２４万トンの食糧支援を実施することで合意した、と発表した。
It took about a week until Wednesday's announcement because it is believed to have been necessary to check the contents of the agreement and coordinate among countries concerned.
発表まで約１週間たったのは、合意内容の点検や関係国との調整が必要だったためと見られる。
===
Limited, but important, progress
According to the U.S. government, North Korea will stop nuclear and related activities in Yongbyon, including nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and the launching of long-range missiles. North Korea also agreed to accept verification and confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the halt of its nuclear activities.
米政府によると、北朝鮮が停止するのは、長距離ミサイル発射、核実験、ウラン濃縮活動を含む寧辺での核活動だ。北朝鮮は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）による核活動停止の検証、確認を受け入れることも同意した。
Three years ago North Korea ejected IAEA inspectors from Yongbyon and carried out a second nuclear test. Declaring it would use all the plutonium it possesses for weapons and start uranium enrichment, it has been continuing its nuclear program.
北朝鮮は３年前、ＩＡＥＡ要員を寧辺から強制退去させ、２度目の核実験を強行した。保有するプルトニウム全量を「兵器化」し、ウラン濃縮活動を開始する、と宣言して核開発を続けている。
If the situation is left untouched, it will only be a matter of time until North Korea deploys nuclear missiles. Considering the danger, the agreement this time is "important, if limited, progress," as the U.S. government put it.
このままでは、北朝鮮の核ミサイル配備も時間の問題だ。その危険を考えれば、今回の合意は、米政府が言う通り「限定的ながらも重要な進展」には違いない。
The problem is whether North Korea will surely halt its uranium enrichment program. Past events have shown the country has scrapped international agreements a number of times. The United States must seriously discuss with North Korea the procedures for implementing the agreement so as not to allow loopholes for the reclusive country.
問題は、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を確実に停止するのかどうかだ。北朝鮮は、幾度も合意を反古(ほご)にしてきた経緯がある。合意履行の手順について、米国は、抜け道を許さぬよう厳しく詰めるべきだ。
Food assistance from the United States will be mainly nutritional assistance to infants and small children as well as pregnant women, including dietary supplements. The U.S. government has left open the prospect of additional assistance depending on necessity.
米国からの食糧支援は乳幼児や妊婦向けの栄養補助食品で、必要に応じて追加支援する可能性もあるという。
We think North Korea will perform concrete steps such as suspending uranium enrichment and accepting the IAEA's verification team, while closely watching the progress of the food assistance.
北朝鮮はこの食糧支援の状況を見定めながら、ウラン濃縮停止や検証受け入れなどの具体的措置を講じるのではないか。
===
When will actual halt take place?
According to the original plan, the United States will provide 20,000 tons of food per month over a 12-month period. Will North Korea actually take steps toward stopping uranium enrichment when the first shipment of food aid arrives or after a considerable amount arrives? It is important to clarify this point before actual shipments begin.
米国の当初の計画では、２万トンずつ１年かけて提供する予定だ。北朝鮮がウラン濃縮停止に動くのは、最初の食糧の到着時か、それとも相当量が到着した時なのか。明確にしておく必要がある。
Even if the agreement is implemented as stated, it is still dangerous to heave a premature sigh of relief.
合意が履行されたとしても、安心するのは危険だ。
Concerning suspension of uranium enrichment, the agreement targets only the Yongbyon facility that was previously opened to U.S. nuclear experts. Basically, the agreement is merely a partial "suspension" of North Korea's entire nuclear development activities. Therefore, the possibility remains that North Korea will continue uranium enrichment at secret nuclear facilities elsewhere.
ウラン濃縮の停止について、合意は、北朝鮮が米国の核専門家に公開した寧辺の施設だけを対象にした。合意は、あくまで核活動の部分的な「停止」に過ぎず、秘密の核施設で北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を続ける可能性は十分に残る。
Since the death of longtime leader Kim Jong Il, North Korea has been hurriedly trying to consolidate the regime that succeeded him, with his young son Kim Jong Un at the center of the country's administration.
金正日総書記の死去後、北朝鮮は若い正恩氏を中心とする後継体制固めを急いでいる。
The more vulnerable the regime feels, the more it will stick to its nuclear program and missiles, dubbed the "heritage of revolution," and will never give up them.
その体制が脆弱(ぜいじゃく)であればあるほど、「革命の遺産」である核とミサイルにしがみつき、手放すはずはない。
The fundamental threat of North Korea has not been lessened. We must stay alert.
北朝鮮の根本的な脅威は減じておらず、警戒は怠れない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2012)
（2012年3月2日01時16分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 29
EDITORIAL: Elpida’s bankruptcy is a warning against easy government bailouts
エルピーダ倒産―安易な救済への警鐘だ
Elpida Memory Inc., the world’s No. 3 maker of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips used to store data in personal computers and other devices, has filed for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
パソコンなどでデータを記憶する半導体ＤＲＡＭで世界３位のエルピーダメモリが、会社更生法の適用を申請して倒産した。
Elpida’s collapse under the weight of 448 billion yen ($5.6 billion) in liabilities represents the largest-ever corporate bankruptcy in Japan’s manufacturing sector.
負債総額は４４８０億円。製造業では過去最大だ。
Elpida is Japan’s sole remaining maker of DRAMs, created by integrating the DRAM manufacturing operations of NEC Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
ＮＥＣと日立製作所、三菱電機の事業を集約した日本で唯一のＤＲＡＭメーカーである。
Elpida received an injection of 30 billion yen in capital from the government-owned Development Bank of Japan in 2009 following the global economic downturn triggered by the fall 2008 collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. The unusual bailout committed the government to absorb losses incurred by the company.
リーマン・ショック後の０９年には日本政策投資銀行から３００億円の出資を仰ぎ、損失は政府が補填（ほてん）する異例の公的支援を受けていた。
Elpida’s downfall was caused by a confluence of factors, including the heavy blow delivered to its bottom line by the yen’s sharp appreciation and a slump in global personal computer sales due partly to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.
急激な円高による採算悪化、欧州危機を一因とするパソコンの世界的な販売不振など、様々な要因が重なった。
The fundamental cause of Elpida’s predicament, however, concerned structural challenges posed by competition from South Korean and Taiwanese rivals, led by Samsung Electronics Co., which have expanded their shares in the global DRAM market in recent years.
しかし、根本には、サムスン電子をはじめとする韓国、台湾勢に市場を奪われる構造的な苦境がある。
In the 1980s, Japanese makers controlled 70 percent of the world DRAM market.
ＤＲＡＭでは、８０年代に日本メーカーが世界市場の７割を占めた。
But the competitive landscape changed dramatically while Japanese chip makers were hamstrung by the export restrictions imposed on them as a result of a semiconductor trade dispute between Japan and the United States.
しかし、日米半導体摩擦に伴う輸出規制で日本勢が動きを封じられているうちに、様相は一変した。
Attaining leadership in the DRAM market requires continuing massive investments in technology and equipment.
ＤＲＡＭ事業で主導権を握るには、巨額の投資を続けることが不可欠だ。
South Korea’s Samsung has various other businesses that support its great financial strength. Elpida, which is dedicated to the DRAM business, apparently fought against hopeless odds when it challenged Samsung’s market leadership.
サムスンはほかにも様々な事業を持ち、財務基盤が厚い。エルピーダがＤＲＡＭ専業で対抗しようとしたことに無理があった。
Of the 30 billion yen of taxpayer money injected into Elpida, up to 28 billion yen may prove to be unrecoverable, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
経済産業省によると、公的資金のうち最大で２８０億円が戻ってこない恐れがある。
For all its importance, the DRAM industry, unlike the financial and energy sectors, is not part of the social infrastructure that supports people’s everyday lives.
ＤＲＡＭ事業が重要だとはいえ、金融やエネルギーなど、日々の生活を支える社会インフラではない。
A direct injection of public funds into an ordinary private-sector company is regarded as unacceptable, except in very special cases.
一般の事業会社に公的資金を直接投入することは、よほどのことがない限り禁じ手だ。
The industry ministry should engage in serious soul-searching about its misguided and failed efforts to save Elpida, which also set the stage for an insider trading scandal that led to the indictment of a senior official at the ministry.
エルピーダ再建にかかわるインサイダー取引事件で幹部職員が起訴されたことを含め、経産省は猛省すべきだ。
What is troubling is the fact that there are other cases of potentially excessive government involvement in private-sector business affairs.
心配なのは、「官」が出過ぎているのでは、と思える事例がほかにもあることだ。
In the liquid-crystal display industry, which, like the semiconductor industry, is facing a harsh business environment, Toshiba Corp., Sony Corp. and Hitachi have agreed to set up a new company to integrate their operations to manufacture small- and medium-sized LCDs.
半導体と同じく厳しい環境が続く液晶業界では、東芝とソニー、日立製作所が中小型液晶事業を統合して新会社を立ち上げる。
The deal was struck under the leadership of the Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ), a government-backed investment fund set up to promote innovations. Most of the entity’s capital has been provided by the government, with the rest coming from private-sector companies.
音頭をとったのは、政府を中心に民間が一部出資する産業革新機構だ。
The INCJ will acquire a 70-percent stake in the new LCD company by purchasing 200 billion yen worth of its shares.
機構は、新会社に２千億円を出資し、株式の７割を握るという。
While the market for small- and medium-sized LCDs is expected to grow, fierce price competition in the market means quick and flexible decision-making is essential for success. Will the government-led consolidation work?
中小型液晶は市場の拡大は期待できるが、価格競争が激しく、機敏な経営判断が欠かせない。官主導の再編でうまくいくだろうか。
During the era when Japan was pursuing a clear goal of catching up with Western industrial nations, the government was able to provide effective leadership for the growth of Japanese industries. But that era is long gone.
欧米に追いつき、追い越すという明確な目標があり、政府が旗を振れた時代はとうに過ぎた。
Now, the private sector should be left to tackle the challenge of creating and nurturing new growth industries by using its own intellectual and other resources.
新産業をどう切り開いていくのかは、民間の知恵に任せるべきだろう。
The government’s role should be limited to supporting private-sector initiatives by improving the environment for corporate activities.
政府の役割は企業が活動しやすい環境を整え、後方支援に徹することだ。
EDITORIAL: Elpida’s bankruptcy is a warning against easy government bailouts
エルピーダ倒産―安易な救済への警鐘だ
Elpida Memory Inc., the world’s No. 3 maker of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips used to store data in personal computers and other devices, has filed for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
パソコンなどでデータを記憶する半導体ＤＲＡＭで世界３位のエルピーダメモリが、会社更生法の適用を申請して倒産した。
Elpida’s collapse under the weight of 448 billion yen ($5.6 billion) in liabilities represents the largest-ever corporate bankruptcy in Japan’s manufacturing sector.
負債総額は４４８０億円。製造業では過去最大だ。
Elpida is Japan’s sole remaining maker of DRAMs, created by integrating the DRAM manufacturing operations of NEC Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
ＮＥＣと日立製作所、三菱電機の事業を集約した日本で唯一のＤＲＡＭメーカーである。
Elpida received an injection of 30 billion yen in capital from the government-owned Development Bank of Japan in 2009 following the global economic downturn triggered by the fall 2008 collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. The unusual bailout committed the government to absorb losses incurred by the company.
リーマン・ショック後の０９年には日本政策投資銀行から３００億円の出資を仰ぎ、損失は政府が補填（ほてん）する異例の公的支援を受けていた。
Elpida’s downfall was caused by a confluence of factors, including the heavy blow delivered to its bottom line by the yen’s sharp appreciation and a slump in global personal computer sales due partly to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.
急激な円高による採算悪化、欧州危機を一因とするパソコンの世界的な販売不振など、様々な要因が重なった。
The fundamental cause of Elpida’s predicament, however, concerned structural challenges posed by competition from South Korean and Taiwanese rivals, led by Samsung Electronics Co., which have expanded their shares in the global DRAM market in recent years.
しかし、根本には、サムスン電子をはじめとする韓国、台湾勢に市場を奪われる構造的な苦境がある。
In the 1980s, Japanese makers controlled 70 percent of the world DRAM market.
ＤＲＡＭでは、８０年代に日本メーカーが世界市場の７割を占めた。
But the competitive landscape changed dramatically while Japanese chip makers were hamstrung by the export restrictions imposed on them as a result of a semiconductor trade dispute between Japan and the United States.
しかし、日米半導体摩擦に伴う輸出規制で日本勢が動きを封じられているうちに、様相は一変した。
Attaining leadership in the DRAM market requires continuing massive investments in technology and equipment.
ＤＲＡＭ事業で主導権を握るには、巨額の投資を続けることが不可欠だ。
South Korea’s Samsung has various other businesses that support its great financial strength. Elpida, which is dedicated to the DRAM business, apparently fought against hopeless odds when it challenged Samsung’s market leadership.
サムスンはほかにも様々な事業を持ち、財務基盤が厚い。エルピーダがＤＲＡＭ専業で対抗しようとしたことに無理があった。
Of the 30 billion yen of taxpayer money injected into Elpida, up to 28 billion yen may prove to be unrecoverable, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
経済産業省によると、公的資金のうち最大で２８０億円が戻ってこない恐れがある。
For all its importance, the DRAM industry, unlike the financial and energy sectors, is not part of the social infrastructure that supports people’s everyday lives.
ＤＲＡＭ事業が重要だとはいえ、金融やエネルギーなど、日々の生活を支える社会インフラではない。
A direct injection of public funds into an ordinary private-sector company is regarded as unacceptable, except in very special cases.
一般の事業会社に公的資金を直接投入することは、よほどのことがない限り禁じ手だ。
The industry ministry should engage in serious soul-searching about its misguided and failed efforts to save Elpida, which also set the stage for an insider trading scandal that led to the indictment of a senior official at the ministry.
エルピーダ再建にかかわるインサイダー取引事件で幹部職員が起訴されたことを含め、経産省は猛省すべきだ。
What is troubling is the fact that there are other cases of potentially excessive government involvement in private-sector business affairs.
心配なのは、「官」が出過ぎているのでは、と思える事例がほかにもあることだ。
In the liquid-crystal display industry, which, like the semiconductor industry, is facing a harsh business environment, Toshiba Corp., Sony Corp. and Hitachi have agreed to set up a new company to integrate their operations to manufacture small- and medium-sized LCDs.
半導体と同じく厳しい環境が続く液晶業界では、東芝とソニー、日立製作所が中小型液晶事業を統合して新会社を立ち上げる。
The deal was struck under the leadership of the Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ), a government-backed investment fund set up to promote innovations. Most of the entity’s capital has been provided by the government, with the rest coming from private-sector companies.
音頭をとったのは、政府を中心に民間が一部出資する産業革新機構だ。
The INCJ will acquire a 70-percent stake in the new LCD company by purchasing 200 billion yen worth of its shares.
機構は、新会社に２千億円を出資し、株式の７割を握るという。
While the market for small- and medium-sized LCDs is expected to grow, fierce price competition in the market means quick and flexible decision-making is essential for success. Will the government-led consolidation work?
中小型液晶は市場の拡大は期待できるが、価格競争が激しく、機敏な経営判断が欠かせない。官主導の再編でうまくいくだろうか。
During the era when Japan was pursuing a clear goal of catching up with Western industrial nations, the government was able to provide effective leadership for the growth of Japanese industries. But that era is long gone.
欧米に追いつき、追い越すという明確な目標があり、政府が旗を振れた時代はとうに過ぎた。
Now, the private sector should be left to tackle the challenge of creating and nurturing new growth industries by using its own intellectual and other resources.
新産業をどう切り開いていくのかは、民間の知恵に任せるべきだろう。
The government’s role should be limited to supporting private-sector initiatives by improving the environment for corporate activities.
政府の役割は企業が活動しやすい環境を整え、後方支援に徹することだ。
一昔前までは日本の電化製品が幅をきかせていました。
学校では日本語は人気の学習課目でした。
現在では大きく景色の様変わりが見受けられます。
タイの大型スーパーマーケット市場で人気家電はサムスンとLG、いずれも韓国勢。
日本語は北京語にその人気をされわれてしまっています。
冷ややかな現実はしっかり受け止める必要があるのかも知れません。
頑張れニッポン！
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) February 29, 2012
Fully utilize private-sector wisdom to bail out failed Elpida Memory Inc.
社説：エルピーダ破綻 民間の知恵で再建を
Private-sector wisdom should be fully utilized to bail out the failed semiconductor manufacturer Elpida Memory Inc., which has gone under and applied for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
エルピーダメモリが会社更生法の適用を申請した。
Elpida, which is the world's third largest manufacturer of semiconductors for memory, fell into a financial crisis following a sharp plunge in the market prices of such products and the yen's steep appreciation. It attempted to rehabilitate itself through a capital alliance with another company, but gave up after failing to raise sufficient operating funds. Its liabilities total 448 billion yen, the largest amount ever incurred by a failed manufacturer.
世界３位の記憶用半導体メーカーだが、価格の急落に円高などが重なり、資本提携で活路を探ったものの、資金繰りに窮し、自力再建を断念した。４４８０億円の負債総額は製造業の破綻では過去最大だ。
Japan had once been dominant in the international semiconductor market, and it became a focus of attention in Japan-U.S. trade friction. In the 1990s, however, manufacturers in South Korea and other emerging economies went on the offensive, causing Japanese manufacturers' market share to decline constantly. Many Japanese manufacturers were forced to merge their semiconductor divisions, and the business of semiconductors for memory was integrated into Elpida.
半導体は一時、日本が世界を席巻し、日米貿易摩擦の焦点ともなった分野だった。しかし、９０年代に入ると韓国などのメーカーの攻勢を受けて国内メーカーはシェアを落とし続けた。事業の統合を進めざるを得なくなり、記憶用半導体はエルピーダに集約された。
Fierce competition for investment in such semiconductor businesses continued. Whenever there was an excess of supply, the market prices of such products plummeted, threatening Elpida's business activity.
激しい投資競争はその後も続き、供給過剰に陥るたびに市況は急落し、エルピーダの経営を揺さぶった。
Following the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in 2008, Elpida became the first company to receive an infusion of public funds to rehabilitate itself under the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization.
リーマン・ショック後には、国が公的資金を投入して企業再生を目指す改正産業活力再生特別措置法（産活法）の適用第１号となり、経営の立て直しを進めてきた。
However, its business performance worsened rapidly due to a sharp plunge in market prices and the steep appreciation of the yen, and the period of its rehabilitation under the special measures law is due to end at the end of March.
しかし、市況の急落と円高により業績が急速に悪化する中で、３月末には産活法の適用期限を迎える。
Elpida sought to delay the deadline for repaying the public funds and obtain loans from private financial institutions to repay the taxpayers' money it had borrowed under the law. However, its negotiations on fundamentally rehabilitating itself, which is a prerequisite for such measures, did not proceed smoothly.
公的資金の返済延期や、金融機関からの融資の借り換えを模索したものの、その前提となる、抜本的な再建策をめぐる交渉は難航した。
Efforts to rehabilitate Elpida under the special measures law, which were led by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, have come to a deadlock. The government must take it seriously that the failure of Elpida could cost taxpayers a total of 28 billion yen.
一方、産活法を適用して経済産業省主導で進められてきた再建策は、行き詰まったことになる。破綻によって最大２８０億円の国民負担が生じる可能性があるという。この点を重く受け止めねばならない。
The government led the rehabilitation of Elpida on the grounds that the semiconductors for memory sector is an industry indispensable for Japan. However, decisions on what industries are necessary for Japan should be left to the discretion of the private sector that invests funds in various businesses.
記憶用半導体は日本になくてはならない産業だというのが官主導の再建策につながった。しかし、何が必要なのかは、自らの資金を投じる民間の判断に委ねるというのが本来の姿だ。
New products, such as smartphones and tablet computers, will continue to hit the market. Those in the private sector are urged to discuss how to ensure that Japanese businesses retain their ability to develop semiconductors for memory that are suitable for such new products and that Japanese companies can utilize them.
パソコンなど汎用（はんよう）化したものは別として、多機能電話のスマートフォンやタブレット型端末のような新製品はこれからも登場する。そうした新製品に適した記憶用半導体の開発能力を保持し、日本企業が活用できるようにするにはどのようにしたらいいのか。民間同士の話し合いの中で知恵を出してもらいたい。
Elpida will aim to rehabilitate itself after its debt workout is completed. However, the failure of the company is expected to contribute to a realignment of the semiconductors for memory industry on a global scale.
破綻処理による債務整理でエルピーダは身軽になり、再建を目指すことになるが、同時に記憶用半導体の世界的な再編にさらに拍車をかけることになるだろう。
It is possible that an overseas manufacturer will place Elpida under its umbrella. However, South Korean manufacturers that have continued making massive amounts of investments are enjoying an overwhelming share on the global market. We should keep in mind that South Korean manufacturers may become the only suppliers of such semiconductors.
海外のメーカーがスポンサーになることも考えられる。ただ、巨額の投資を続ける韓国勢のシェアが今でも群を抜いており、場合によっては韓国勢以外に調達先がなくなる事態も想定しなければならないという状況にあることも忘れてはならない。
It is necessary to prevent fair competition from being restrained in realigning the industry.
健全な競争が阻害されぬようにということも、記憶用半導体の再編にあたって押さえておくべき点だ。
毎日新聞 2012年2月29日 2時35分
学校では日本語は人気の学習課目でした。
現在では大きく景色の様変わりが見受けられます。
タイの大型スーパーマーケット市場で人気家電はサムスンとLG、いずれも韓国勢。
日本語は北京語にその人気をされわれてしまっています。
冷ややかな現実はしっかり受け止める必要があるのかも知れません。
頑張れニッポン！
スラチャイ
(Mainichi Japan) February 29, 2012
Fully utilize private-sector wisdom to bail out failed Elpida Memory Inc.
社説：エルピーダ破綻 民間の知恵で再建を
Private-sector wisdom should be fully utilized to bail out the failed semiconductor manufacturer Elpida Memory Inc., which has gone under and applied for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
エルピーダメモリが会社更生法の適用を申請した。
Elpida, which is the world's third largest manufacturer of semiconductors for memory, fell into a financial crisis following a sharp plunge in the market prices of such products and the yen's steep appreciation. It attempted to rehabilitate itself through a capital alliance with another company, but gave up after failing to raise sufficient operating funds. Its liabilities total 448 billion yen, the largest amount ever incurred by a failed manufacturer.
世界３位の記憶用半導体メーカーだが、価格の急落に円高などが重なり、資本提携で活路を探ったものの、資金繰りに窮し、自力再建を断念した。４４８０億円の負債総額は製造業の破綻では過去最大だ。
Japan had once been dominant in the international semiconductor market, and it became a focus of attention in Japan-U.S. trade friction. In the 1990s, however, manufacturers in South Korea and other emerging economies went on the offensive, causing Japanese manufacturers' market share to decline constantly. Many Japanese manufacturers were forced to merge their semiconductor divisions, and the business of semiconductors for memory was integrated into Elpida.
半導体は一時、日本が世界を席巻し、日米貿易摩擦の焦点ともなった分野だった。しかし、９０年代に入ると韓国などのメーカーの攻勢を受けて国内メーカーはシェアを落とし続けた。事業の統合を進めざるを得なくなり、記憶用半導体はエルピーダに集約された。
Fierce competition for investment in such semiconductor businesses continued. Whenever there was an excess of supply, the market prices of such products plummeted, threatening Elpida's business activity.
激しい投資競争はその後も続き、供給過剰に陥るたびに市況は急落し、エルピーダの経営を揺さぶった。
Following the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in 2008, Elpida became the first company to receive an infusion of public funds to rehabilitate itself under the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization.
リーマン・ショック後には、国が公的資金を投入して企業再生を目指す改正産業活力再生特別措置法（産活法）の適用第１号となり、経営の立て直しを進めてきた。
However, its business performance worsened rapidly due to a sharp plunge in market prices and the steep appreciation of the yen, and the period of its rehabilitation under the special measures law is due to end at the end of March.
しかし、市況の急落と円高により業績が急速に悪化する中で、３月末には産活法の適用期限を迎える。
Elpida sought to delay the deadline for repaying the public funds and obtain loans from private financial institutions to repay the taxpayers' money it had borrowed under the law. However, its negotiations on fundamentally rehabilitating itself, which is a prerequisite for such measures, did not proceed smoothly.
公的資金の返済延期や、金融機関からの融資の借り換えを模索したものの、その前提となる、抜本的な再建策をめぐる交渉は難航した。
Efforts to rehabilitate Elpida under the special measures law, which were led by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, have come to a deadlock. The government must take it seriously that the failure of Elpida could cost taxpayers a total of 28 billion yen.
一方、産活法を適用して経済産業省主導で進められてきた再建策は、行き詰まったことになる。破綻によって最大２８０億円の国民負担が生じる可能性があるという。この点を重く受け止めねばならない。
The government led the rehabilitation of Elpida on the grounds that the semiconductors for memory sector is an industry indispensable for Japan. However, decisions on what industries are necessary for Japan should be left to the discretion of the private sector that invests funds in various businesses.
記憶用半導体は日本になくてはならない産業だというのが官主導の再建策につながった。しかし、何が必要なのかは、自らの資金を投じる民間の判断に委ねるというのが本来の姿だ。
New products, such as smartphones and tablet computers, will continue to hit the market. Those in the private sector are urged to discuss how to ensure that Japanese businesses retain their ability to develop semiconductors for memory that are suitable for such new products and that Japanese companies can utilize them.
パソコンなど汎用（はんよう）化したものは別として、多機能電話のスマートフォンやタブレット型端末のような新製品はこれからも登場する。そうした新製品に適した記憶用半導体の開発能力を保持し、日本企業が活用できるようにするにはどのようにしたらいいのか。民間同士の話し合いの中で知恵を出してもらいたい。
Elpida will aim to rehabilitate itself after its debt workout is completed. However, the failure of the company is expected to contribute to a realignment of the semiconductors for memory industry on a global scale.
破綻処理による債務整理でエルピーダは身軽になり、再建を目指すことになるが、同時に記憶用半導体の世界的な再編にさらに拍車をかけることになるだろう。
It is possible that an overseas manufacturer will place Elpida under its umbrella. However, South Korean manufacturers that have continued making massive amounts of investments are enjoying an overwhelming share on the global market. We should keep in mind that South Korean manufacturers may become the only suppliers of such semiconductors.
海外のメーカーがスポンサーになることも考えられる。ただ、巨額の投資を続ける韓国勢のシェアが今でも群を抜いており、場合によっては韓国勢以外に調達先がなくなる事態も想定しなければならないという状況にあることも忘れてはならない。
It is necessary to prevent fair competition from being restrained in realigning the industry.
健全な競争が阻害されぬようにということも、記憶用半導体の再編にあたって押さえておくべき点だ。
毎日新聞 2012年2月29日 2時35分
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 ]
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中国語会話基礎（北京語）
タイ日辞典（単語帳）
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スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
初歩の中国語
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