野田外交の責務 日本の存在高める戦略を持て

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 11, 2012)
Noda must pursue diplomacy that will enhance nation's presence
野田外交の責務　日本の存在高める戦略を持て（1月10日付・読売社説）

It has been pointed out for years that Japan's diplomatic standing is deteriorating, a condition likened to "ground subsidence."
　日本外交の地盤沈下が指摘されて久しい。

With the prime minister being changed annually for six years in a row, international awareness of this country's existence has further declined.
６年連続で首相が交代し、国際社会での日本の存在感は一層薄まっている。

Last year, we received heartwarming help from all over the world after the country suffered the disastrous Great East Japan Earthquake.
　昨年は、東日本大震災に対し世界中から温かい支援を受けた。

This international bond made us recognize afresh the importance of diplomacy.
国際的な連帯は外交の重要性を再認識させた。

This year, Japan must drop its inward-looking stance and advance an active diplomacy to improve the nation's presence in the world.
　日本は今年、内向き姿勢を排し、自らの存在を高める能動的な外交を展開することが肝要だ。

To this end, the top priority should be the deepening of the Japan-U.S. alliance, which Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has described as the "cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy."
　優先して取り組むべきは、野田首相が「日本外交の基軸」と強調する日米同盟の深化である。

　◆首相訪米で同盟深化を◆

Both the Japanese and U.S. governments are now planning an official visit by Noda to the United States this year.
　日米両政府は今年、野田首相の公式訪米を検討している。

Originally, the governments planned a U.S. visit in 2010 by the then prime minister and an announcement of a joint document aimed at deepening the bilateral alliance to mark the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.
However, the plan has been continuously postponed due to political upheaval in Japan and other reasons.
　本来は、日米安全保障条約改定５０周年の２０１０年に首相訪米と同盟深化の共同文書の発表を計画していたが、日本の政局の混乱などで先送りされ続けてきた。

The plan should be realized this year.
今年こそ、実現せねばなるまい。

===

Speed up Futenma relocation

To realize the plan, it is important for the government to advance the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
　米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題を前進させることが大切だ。

In late December, the government submitted to the Okinawa prefectural government an environmental impact assessment for an alternative facility to be constructed in the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture.
　政府は昨年末、名護市辺野古に建設する代替施設の環境影響評価書を沖縄県に提出した。

The most difficult hurdle for realizing the relocation plan is to obtain permission to reclaim land in offshore waters from Okinawa Gov.
Hirokazu Nakaima, who stressed "relocation of the air station functions outside the prefecture" as one of his election campaign pledges.
最大の関門は、「県外移設」を公約した仲井真弘多知事から公有水面埋め立ての許可を得ることだ。

Noda must seek a comprehensive agreement with the Okinawa prefectural government on the Futenma issue, the relocation of marine corps personnel stationed in the prefecture to Guam and the prefecture's economic development programs, among other issues.
　野田首相は、普天間問題や在沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転、沖縄振興などに関する沖縄県との包括的な合意を目指さねばならない。

It will also be important for him to repeatedly have strategic dialogues with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which has made clear its diplomatic position of focusing on Asia.
These joint discussions are necessary to cope with China, which has been expanding its military and economic presence.
　「アジア重視」路線を鮮明にしたオバマ政権と、膨張する中国に共同で対処するための戦略対話を重ねることも重要となる。

To guide China toward the observation of international rules for settling economic problems and maritime territorial issues, Japan and the United States should closely cooperate in the use of frameworks for multilateral discussions, including the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional Forum, as well as Japan-U.S.-South Korea, Japan-U.S.-India and Japan-U.S.-Australia trilateral frameworks.
　経済や海洋問題で国際ルールを順守する方向に中国を誘導するには、日米が緊密に連携し、東アジア首脳会議やＡＳＥＡＮ地域フォーラム（ＡＲＦ）などの多国間会議や、日米韓、日米印、日米豪の枠組みを活用する必要がある。

　◆「拉致」前進へ連携強化◆

The situation on the Korean Peninsula has become increasingly opaque due to the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
　北朝鮮の金正日総書記の死去で朝鮮半島情勢は不透明になった。

To prepare for unforeseen contingencies, it is indispensable for our nation not only to cooperate with the United States, but also to closely share information and coordinate policies with both China and South Korea.
不測の事態に備えるため、日米だけでなく、中韓両国との緊密な情報共有と政策調整が不可欠だ。

===

Expand trilateral ties

We also need to expand trilateral defense cooperation with the United States and South Korea by formulating operational plans to deal with contingencies and participating in joint exercises and other activities.
　有事を想定した作戦計画の策定や共同演習の実施など、日米韓の防衛協力も拡充したい。

In December, South Korea brought up the issue of the so-called comfort women, but Japan should not budge on its stance that all compensation issues have been settled.
　韓国は昨年１２月、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題を提起してきたが、日本は、請求権問題は解決済みとの立場を一切変更すべきではない。

At the same time, our nation should develop future-oriented relations with Seoul.
同時に、日韓関係を未来志向で発展させることも求められよう。

As for North Korea, the leadership change there should be exploited to break the stalemate on the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to that country.
　北朝鮮の指導者交代を、膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある日本人拉致問題を前進させる契機とする発想が必要だ。

Late last month, the government decided to reinforce the abduction issue countermeasures headquarters.
　政府は先月末、拉致問題対策本部の体制を強化する方針を決定した。

In close cooperation with the United States, China, South Korea and Russia, the government must devise a strategy to try to resolve the North Korean nuclear and abduction issues at the same time.
米中韓露各国との連携を密にし、核問題と拉致問題を同時に動かす戦略を練らねばならない。

In Russia, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will almost certainly return to the Kremlin after winning a presidential election in March.
　ロシアでは、３月の大統領選を経てプーチン首相が大統領に復帰することが確実視されている。

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev takes the stand of not recognizing the 1956 Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration that pledged to return two islands off Hokkaido to Japan after conclusion of a peace treaty.
　メドベージェフ大統領は、北方領土の２島返還を明記した１９５６年の日ソ共同宣言さえ認めない立場で、国後島訪問を強行し、日露関係は冷却化した。

He visited Kunashiri Island in November 2010 despite Japan's opposition, thereby cooling bilateral relations. Russia's expected presidential change must be used to improve the relations.
大統領交代を関係改善の機会としたい。

Russia will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's summit meeting in Vladivostok in September.
　ロシアは今年９月、ウラジオストクでアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）を主催する予定で、

The country seeks our nation's cooperation in energy development.
日本にエネルギー協力を求めている。

Japan needs strategic diplomacy that will respond flexibly depending on Moscow's behavior.
ロシアの出方に応じた柔軟かつ戦略的な外交が求められる。

Many international conferences will be held in Japan this year.
　日本では今年、多くの国際会議が開かれる。

They include the 6th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting set for May in Okinawa Prefecture, a ministerial conference on large-scale disasters in summer, a general meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in October and a ministerial conference on nuclear safety in December.
５月には沖縄で太平洋・島サミットを開く。夏に大規模災害の閣僚級会議、１０月に国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）・世界銀行総会、年末に原子力安全に関する閣僚級会議が予定されている。

Based on the lessons learned from the March 11 disaster and subsequent reconstruction efforts, Japan must focus on the new roles it can play in disaster countermeasures, the world economy and nuclear power generation. 　大震災からの日本の復興と、震災の教訓を踏まえた防災、世界経済、原子力の各分野における日本の新たな役割をアピールすべきだ。

This would serve to repay the assistance offered by foreign countries in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
それが各国からの震災支援に対する恩返しともなろう。

===

ODA skid must be halted
　◆ＯＤＡ削減に歯止めを◆

For Japan to secure a voice on the world stage, the continual cuts in budgetary outlays for official development assistance must be halted.
　日本が国際的な発言力を確保するには、外交の「武器」である政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）予算の削減に歯止めをかけねばならない。

ODA spending has fallen year on year for 13 consecutive years and now stands at about half its peak level. 　ＯＤＡは１３年連続で減少し、今はピーク時の約半分にすぎない。

Japan's ranking has dropped to fifth on the world's list of ODA donors.
支出額は世界５位に後退した。

Through the effective use of ODA, the government must build strategic relationships with countries in Southeastern, Southwestern and Central Asia as a check against China's rising presence in these areas.
　ＯＤＡの効果的な活用で、中国の台頭をにらんだ東南・南西・中央アジア諸国との戦略的関係を構築すべきだ。

We also hope that ODA to resource-rich African countries will be expanded.
資源が豊富なアフリカ各国への援助も拡充したい。

It is also important for Japan to take part more in international cooperation activities such as U.N. peacekeeping operations.
　国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）などの国際協力に、より積極的に参加することも大切である。

The government will soon send an advance team of the Ground Self-Defense Force that will take part in U.N. peacekeeping operations in the Republic of South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan last year.
　政府は、昨年独立した南スーダンでのＰＫＯに近く陸上自衛隊の先遣隊を派遣する。

About 240 GSDF personnel in charge of construction of facilities will be sent by late March.
３月下旬までに施設部隊約２４０人を送り、

They plan to engage in construction and maintenance of roads and bridges in the suburbs of the capital city of Juba.
首都ジュバ近郊で道路や橋の整備を行う予定だ。

It is very significant for Japan to contribute to the nation-building of the newly independent African nation.
南スーダンの国造りに貢献する意義は大きい。

Local security is stable at present.
　現地の治安は現在、安定しているが、

But the possibility remains that the situation will change.
情勢が変化する可能性もある。

To ensure the safety of GSDF personnel, it is necessary to expand the rules of engagement for the use of arms to international standards, allowing GSDF personnel to use arms for the purpose of carrying out their missions.
自衛隊員の安全確保には、武器使用基準を国際標準並みに拡大し、任務遂行目的の使用を可能にする必要がある。

The issue has been left pending for a long time, but now is the time to resolve it politically.
　この長年の懸案を、そろそろ政治の責任で解決すべき時だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 10, 2012)
（2012年1月10日01時15分 読売新聞）

不安な世界経済 欧州危機の早期収束がカギだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 10, 2012)
Resolving European crisis key to buoying global economy
不安な世界経済　欧州危機の早期収束がカギだ（1月9日付・読売社説）

A somber new year has begun for the global economy, with no victory in sight in the battle to solve the financial crisis that started in Europe.
　欧州発の金融危機を克服するメドが立たないまま、世界経済の重苦しい新年がスタートした。

Can we prevent the crisis from spreading further and stave off a rapid slowdown in the global economy?
　危機拡大を防ぎ、世界景気の急減速を回避できるか。

Many hurdles lie ahead, and rough going is expected for the global economy.
いくつものハードルが待ち構え、波乱含みだ。

Last autumn, the International Monetary Fund forecast the global economy as a whole would grow 4 percent in real terms in 2012.
But it is highly likely the IMF will revise this projection downward to the mid-3 percent range as early as this month.
　国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は昨秋、２０１２年の世界経済について全体で実質４％成長と予想したが、１月中にも、３％台半ば程度に下方修正する公算が大きい。

The eurozone economy could log negative growth due to its financial crisis and fiscal austerity policy.
　金融危機と緊縮財政などに伴い、ユーロ圏はマイナス成長に陥りかねない。

The flagging economies in eurozone countries are expected to weigh down not only the United States and Japan but also emerging economies, including China, that have been enjoying robust growth.
An economic slowdown in those countries is considered unavoidable.
それが米国や日本だけでなく、好調だった中国など新興国の足も引っ張り、景気減速は不可避とみられている。

===

Prevent economy from stalling
　◆景気失速を回避せよ

However, we must avoid a stall that could cause the global economy to nosedive.
　だが、世界景気が急激に落ち込むような失速は回避しなければならない。

To do so, it is critical to resolve the European crisis soon.
そのためには、欧州危機の早期収束が重要だ。

Last year, credit uncertainty triggered by Greece's lax fiscal management spread to countries such as Italy and Spain, which are saddled with massive fiscal deficits.
The market was unsettled and stock prices remained low.
　昨年は、放漫財政のギリシャが発端になり、巨額の財政赤字を抱えたイタリアやスペインなどに信用不安が飛び火した。市場は動揺し、株価が低迷した。

The euro became mired in its most serious crisis since its introduction in 1999.
　１９９９年の導入以来、最大のピンチに陥ったのが通貨ユーロだ。

The depreciation of the euro accelerated and it fell below 100 yen around the change of the year.
ユーロ安が加速し、年末から年明けにかけ、１ユーロ＝１００円を割り込んでいる。

In December, a summit meeting of the European Union, including countries that use the euro such as Germany and France, finally agreed on countermeasures whose main pillars include strengthening fiscal discipline in the respective countries.
　独仏などのユーロ導入国を含む欧州連合（ＥＵ）の首脳会議は昨年１２月、ようやく、財政規律の強化などを柱にした対策を決めた。

It is praiseworthy that Europe, which has always been reactive in dealing with the crisis, began taking action.
対応が後手に回ってきた欧州が動き出したことは評価できる。

However, bondholders continue to unload Italian and other European bonds, and their yields continue to rise. 　しかし、その後も、イタリアなどの国債が売られ、国債流通利回りは上昇傾向にある。

The Italian and Spanish governments will redeem a large amount of bonds.
イタリアとスペインが大量の国債償還を控えている。

The market appears to be increasingly wary over whether the two countries can get through the redemption.
それを乗り越えることができるかどうか、市場は警戒を強めているのだろう。

Major credit-rating agencies may downgrade the bonds of France and further cut their assessments of bonds of other European countries.
　大手格付け会社が、フランスなども含め、欧州各国の国債を一段と格下げする恐れもある。

There seems to be no end to the turmoil.
混乱の火種は消えない。

The EU's crisis countermeasures are still not powerful enough to dispel the financial concerns.
　ＥＵの危機対策は、金融不安の払拭にはまだ力不足である。

It is essential that European countries strengthen their solidarity and seriously work on crisis countermeasures.
欧州各国が結束を強め、危機対策に本気で取り組むことが肝要だ。

First and foremost, eurozone countries should steadily implement measures to support Greece, for which it would be unrealistic to drop the euro.
Countries such as Germany and France must fully support the country.
　ユーロ導入国はまず、ギリシャ支援策を着実に実行すべきだ。ギリシャのユーロ離脱は非現実的といえる。独仏などが全力で支えねばならない。

As a safety net, it is also urgent to expand the financial foundations of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which was agreed on at the summit meeting.
　安全網として、首脳会議が合意した欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）の資金基盤拡充も急務だ。

There is no time to waste in increasing the capital of banks that hold bonds of Italy and other European countries.
イタリア国債などを保有する銀行の資本増強も待ったなしである。

The role of the European Central Bank, known as the "guardian of the euro," is certain to grow.
　“ユーロの番人”の欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）の役割は増す。

We hope to see the ECB study the advisability of taking drastic steps such as expanded purchases of Italian government bonds.
イタリアの国債購入拡大など、大胆な策を検討してもらいたい。

The most fundamental problem with Europe is that individual European countries have been handling their fiscal policies separately, while employing a common currency.
　通貨は一つだが、財政はバラバラということが、欧州の根本的な問題だ。

European leaders have properly agreed on the need to beef up their countries' fiscal discipline, and on their mutual monitoring of fiscal conditions.
首脳たちが財政規律を強化し、互いに監視する方針で合意したのは妥当だ。

Now the question is whether Germany and France will be able to take concerted action to deepen European integration.
独仏両国が足並みを乱さず、欧州統合を深化させる行動力が問われよう。

===

U.S. also on tightrope
　◆米国経済も綱渡り

Although the U.S. economy has begun to pick up slowly, it is still not on track toward a full recovery.
　米国経済は緩やかに持ち直しているが、本格回復は遅れている。

The high jobless rate in the United States is still hovering at about 9 percent, and it is unclear whether personal spending will continue growing in the new year.
失業率は約９％に高止まりし、個人消費の持続力は不透明だ。

If the United States is affected by a deterioration of the European economies, it could raise fears that U.S. business conditions will worsen.
　今後、欧州経済の悪化が波及すると、景気低迷も懸念される。

Furthermore, there are signs of a looming stalemate in the handling of U.S. fiscal and financial policy.
加えて、財政、金融の両政策とも手詰まり感が目立つ。

As the confrontation continues unabated between the ruling and opposition parties over ways to reduce fiscal deficits, a focus of attention in the U.S. political arena, additional business stimulus by President Barack Obama's administration seems hardly possible.
　焦点の財政赤字削減を巡る与野党の対立が続き、オバマ大統領の追加景気対策の実施は、事実上、困難になっている。

While it is urgently necessary for the United States to reduce its colossal fiscal deficits, excessive belt-tightening measures could dampen business activity.
　巨額財政赤字を抱える米国の財政再建も必要だが、過度な緊縮財政には、景気を冷やし過ぎる副作用もある。

As political maneuvering intensifies with the presidential election drawing near, Obama should give full play to his leadership in pursuit of a compromise plan with Congress over the fiscal woes.
大統領選に向け、与野党の駆け引きが激しくなる中、大統領は議会と妥協策を探る手腕を発揮してほしい。

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve Board has decided on the extraordinary policy of keeping its interest rate near zero until the end of the first half of 2013, but its effect on shoring up business activity is considered limited.
　一方で、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）は、異例のゼロ金利政策を２０１３年半ばまで継続する方針を決めたが、景気下支えの効果は限定的とみられる。

The Fed should watch carefully how things evolve in the European debt crisis and the world's financial markets, as well as changes in the currently unstable U.S. economy, and should not hesitate to flexibly invoke new financial policies, such as further quantitative monetary easing.
　ＦＲＢは、欧州危機と金融市場の推移、不安定な米国景気などを注視し、一段の量的緩和策を含めて、機動的な金融政策の発動をためらうべきではない。

===

Great hopes pinned on China
　◆中国への期待大きい

There are growing calls for solidarity among the Group of 20 economies, comprised of industrially advanced countries including Japan, the United States and European nations, and such emerging economies as China, India and Brazil.
　日米欧の先進国に、中国、インド、ブラジルなど新興国を加えた主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）の結束も、改めて求められる。

In the wake of the 2008 bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the G-20 successfully mobilized its members to coordinate fiscal and financial policy and ride out the global financial crisis that followed the U.S. investment bank's failure.
　０８年のリーマン・ショック後、Ｇ２０がそろって、財政と金融政策を総動員し、世界不況を克服した。

In particular, China should be given credit for playing a great role in overcoming the crisis by implementing a huge business stimulus program.
とくに巨額の景気対策を実施した中国の役割は大きかった。

The international community is now focused on how China, which has become the world's No. 2 economy, will contribute to coping with the current European debt crisis.
　焦点は、今や、世界第２位の経済大国になった中国が、今回の欧州危機に対し、どんな貢献ができるかだ。

One idea would be for it to buy a significant amount of bonds issued by the EFSF.
欧州のＥＦＳＦ債の積極的な購入は一案だろう。

The world is also placing hopes on China's steps to buoy its domestic economy, which has begun to show signs of a slowdown due to such factors as drops in exports to Europe.
　欧州向け輸出減などが原因で、減速傾向がでてきた中国経済の景気テコ入れ策も期待される。

Compared with Japan, the United States and European countries, China has considerably more room to hammer out fiscal stimulus measures and additional monetary easing.
　日米欧に比べると、中国は財政刺激策や、一段の金融緩和に踏み切る余地がある。

By maintaining stable economic growth with a flexible range of policies, China could help prop up the global economy.
機動的な政策で安定成長を維持することが、世界経済の下支えに役立つ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 9, 2012)
（2012年1月9日01時24分 読売新聞）

香山リカのココロの万華鏡：まず目の前を大切に ／東京

(Mainichi Japan) January 8, 2012
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Doing things in your own way a good enough goal for 2012
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：まず目の前を大切に　／東京

At the end of last year, I was interviewed by a magazine and was asked for my goals and words to live by in the year 2012.
　昨年末に雑誌の取材を受けて、「来年のご自身の目標やキーワードは何ですか」と聞かれたのでこう答えた。　

"Well, I don't have any particular goals, and I guess I'd live by the words 'for the time being' and 'in my own way,'" I answered.
「えーと、目標はとくになくて、キーワードは“とりあえず”と“それなりに”ですね」

The magazine editor there looked at me with an expression that said, "What? Are you joking?" but I was just being honest.
　それを聞いた編集者は、「はあ？　冗談でしょう？」と言いたげな顔をしたのだが、私としては、正直な気持ちを話しただけだ。

At the end of last year, many of my patients mentioned things being a certain way "for the time being" and that they'd done something or another "in their own way."
　診察室でも年末には、この「それなりに」「とりあえず」という言葉を何度も聞いた。

They all had plenty to deal with, since they faced illness in addition to the earthquake disasters and the long-continuing recession that affected the entire country.
大震災、長引く不況、その上、患者さんたちにとっては病気との闘いもあるわけだから、誰もがいわゆる“いっぱいいっぱい”。

As the end of such an eventful year approached, it was only natural for my discussions with patients to turn to how far they'd made it -- in their own way, and how they hoped to make similar progress -- for the time being.
その中で迎えた年末に、「まあ、自分なりになんとかがんばって、ようやくここまで来た感じですね」「とりあえず来年も、いまのペースでゆっくりやっていきますよ」という会話になるのは、ごく自然のことだろう。

And that's no easy feat. Under such unfavorable conditions, making it to the end of one year and welcoming the next even if it is "in one's own way" is actually a grueling task.
　いや、それどころではない。この苦難の状況の中、たとえ「とりあえず」であっても年末までこぎつけ、そして新しい年を迎えるというのは、実はたいへんなことなのだ。

"Doing things in your own way, at least for the time being, to get by is an incredible achievement," I might say to a patient. "It's because you've been working so hard at your day-to-day life and treatment that you've come this far."
　「とりあえず、それなりにやってきた。それって、とてもすごいことじゃないですか。あなたが一生懸命、生活や治療に取り組んできたからこそ、そう言えるんですよ」

In normal conversation, the possible subtext of the phrases "in my own way" and "for the time being" is that whatever has been accomplished is sufficient only according to a subjective yardstick, and that any achievement is temporary.
　ふだんの会話の中では、「とりあえず」や「それなりに」という言葉は、決して良い意味では使われない。

They have the negative implication that things have been left unfinished and people have been left unsatisfied.
なんだか中途半端で終わったとか、不満足なままだった、といったあいまいな感じがするときに使われることがほとんどだ。

But in these times, it's especially hard to attain high ideals or perfect success.
　とはいえこの時代、高いところにある理想とか完璧な成功だとかを追い求めても、そこにはなかなか到達しない。

On the contrary, we are sometimes treated to unpredictable incidents and unexpected sources of stress.
それどころか、私たちの毎日には、いろいろなアクシデントも起これば思わぬ悩みごとがわいてくることもある。

Amidst all that, we have to do what we can to take on a day at a time while not giving up, at least for the time being.
　そんな中、すべてを「もうダメだ」と投げ出すことなく、「とりあえず、今日一日」と自分に言い聞かせながら目の前にあることに取り組む。

Keeping that up is no simple task.
　その積み重ねは、決して簡単なことではない。

I expect there are many others who, like me, have yet to set up a particular goal for this year.
　私に限らず、これといった今年の目標がまだ立っていない、という人もたくさんいるだろう。

To those people I recommend that for the time being, you just try doing things in your own way.
そういう人に私はおすすめしたい。
「まずは、とりあえず今日だけ、自分なりにやれることをやってみる、というのはどうでしょう」。

I, too, hope to move forward this year not by chasing after goals too high or too far, but by first of all treasuring those things and people directly in front of me, and taking each step slowly.
私も遠くや高いところはあまり見ずに、まずは目の前の人やものを大切にしながら、ゆっくりと生きていきたい。今年もよろしくお願いします。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2012年1月4日　地方版

米新国防戦略 「アジア重視」に日本も呼応を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 8, 2012)
Japan should play role in new U.S. defense policy
米新国防戦略　「アジア重視」に日本も呼応を（1月7日付・読売社説）

U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a new defense strategy in line with the country's planned cuts in defense spending.
　オバマ米大統領が、国防予算の削減に伴う新国防戦略を発表した。

While reducing the overall size of ground forces, the strategy aims to expand the U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, an area to which the country attaches increasing importance.
　地上戦力の全体的な規模は縮小する一方、米国が重視するアジア太平洋地域では、今後、部隊展開を強化する方針を打ち出した。

We will have to wait and see whether these programs will be fully implemented.
その通り実行されるのかを注視したい。

Obama expressed his intention to accelerate efforts to make U.S. forces more efficient and rely more on state-of-the-art technology.
"Our military will be leaner but the world must know--the United States is going to maintain our military superiority with armed forces that are agile, flexible and ready for the full range of contingencies and threats," he said.
　オバマ大統領は、「米軍はスリムになっても、あらゆる有事や脅威に機敏で柔軟に対応できる軍事的優位性は維持する」と述べ、今後一層の効率化やハイテク化を進めていく考えを表明した。

Given the United States' dire fiscal situation, the strategy is appropriate.
　米国の深刻な財政事情を考えれれば、妥当な戦略である。

The United States must reduce defense spending by nearly 500 billion dollars (38 trillion yen) in the coming decade, as part of deficit-cutting measures the U.S. Congress legislated last summer along with a debt-ceiling deal.
　昨年夏、米議会が債務上限引き上げとセットで法制化した財政赤字削減策の一環で、国防予算を今後１０年間に５０００億ドル（約３８兆円）近く減らさねばならない。

===

Review of 2-front strategy

It is essential to determine the order of priority to deal with various threats under a limited budget, and then choose the necessary military equipment and determine what troop reductions can be made.
　予算の制約の中で、様々な脅威に対応するため、優先順位を決めて、それに応じた部隊縮小や装備を選択するのは当然だ。

In essence, the new strategy reviewed the United States' two-front strategy, which has served as the country's fundamental defense policy since the end of the Cold War. The review made it clear that the U.S. military would focus on one large conflict, rather than maintain sufficient troops to fight two major regional conflicts at the same time.
　新戦略は、冷戦後の米国防政策の基本となってきた「二正面戦略」を基本的に見直し、同時発生した二つの地域紛争に勝つための大量の戦力維持を前提とせず、大規模紛争への対処は１か所に集中する方向性を改めて示した。

The new strategy also focused on new threats, such as terrorist activities, unconventional conflicts and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
　新戦略が重点を置くのは、テロや非正規戦、大量破壊兵器拡散など、新たな脅威への対処だ。

What was particularly noteworthy in the review was that the United States expressed a profound wariness over China and Iran by naming them. It predicted that the two nations would probably increase their "anti-access/area denial capabilities" to block the forward deployment of U.S. forces using ballistic and cruise missiles and through cyberwarfare.
　注目されるのは、中国とイランを名指しして、弾道ミサイルや巡航ミサイル、サイバー攻撃など、米軍の前方展開を阻止する「接近拒否」能力を向上させるだろう、と強い警戒を表明したことだ。

===

Joint air-sea battle concept

To counter such moves, the United States is expected to step up efforts to develop a "joint air-sea battle" concept, under which long-range attacks can be carried out through joint air and maritime operations.
　米国は、その対抗策として、空と海の兵力の一体運用を通して長距離攻撃を行う「統合海空戦闘」（ジョイント・エア・シー・バトル）構想を、今後、具体化していくものと見られる。

The United States' new defense strategy also called on its allies to boost their military roles in the years ahead.
　米国の新国防戦略は、同盟国がより大きな役割を果たすことを期待している。

Japan needs to consider the strategic review in a positive light and reflect it in its future defense policy, such as by strengthening its "dynamic defense force," a concept focusing on the operational flexibility of the Self-Defense Forces.
日本も、この新戦略を前向きに受け止め、「動的防衛力」の強化など今後の防衛政策に反映させていく必要がある。

Japan's defense budget will decline for the 10th straight year in fiscal 2012, seriously affecting the training of SDF personnel and the repair of equipment.
　日本の防衛予算は来年度で１０年連続の減少となり、自衛隊の訓練や装備の修繕などに歪(ひず)みを生んでいる。

Given the tough security environment surrounding the country in recent years, the government must stop slashing defense spending and reverse the trend.
厳しい安全保障環境を踏まえれば、予算削減に歯止めをかけ、反転させることが急務だ。

Enhancing defense cooperation between the SDF and U.S. forces also is extremely important.
　自衛隊と米軍の防衛協力を拡充することも重要である。

When U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited Japan in October, the two countries agreed to bolster joint warning and surveillance activity, carry out more joint exercises and have the SDF and U.S. troops share bases.
　昨年１０月のパネッタ米国防長官の来日時には、日米共同の警戒監視活動や共同訓練、基地の共同使用を拡大することで合意した。

The two countries should steadily implement this agreement to maintain and enhance the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
日米同盟の抑止力を維持・強化するため着実に実施に移したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 7, 2012)
（2012年1月7日01時32分 読売新聞）

指導者交代の年―国際社会の構想をきそえ

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 4
EDITORIAL: World leaders need philosophy of coexistence
指導者交代の年―国際社会の構想をきそえ

The year 2012 may see some comings and goings among familiar world leaders.
　２０１２年は、おなじみの世界の指導者が、かなり入れ替わる年になるかもしれない。

U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking re-election.
　米国は、オバマ大統領が２期目にいどむ。

In China, Xi Jinping, currently a high-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, is expected to become party secretary-general.
中国で、共産党総書記に習近平（シー・チンピン）・党政治局常務委員が選ばれる見通しだ。

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is aiming for a presidential comeback, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to seek another term.
ロシアは、プーチン首相が大統領返り咲きを目指す。サルコジ仏大統領は再選期を迎える。

And in South Korea, where presidents may serve only one term, voters will be electing President Lee Myung-bak's successor.
大統領再選が禁じられている韓国は、李明博（イ・ミョンバク）氏の後継を選挙する年だ。

Each country has its own set of complex issues.
　各国とも内情は複雑である。

Pitfalls of turning inward
■内向きへの落とし穴

Polarization between conservatism and liberalism is accelerating in the United States.
　米国は、保守とリベラルの二極化がますます進む。

Economic disparities are growing in China.
中国では経済格差が広がった。

The Russian public is becoming increasingly critical of authoritarian government of the last 12 years.
ロシアは１２年間にわたる強権政治への反発が強まっている。

In France, the deteriorating economy is giving rise to xenophobic tendencies, while citizens' groups are gaining political prominence in South Korea, poised to sideline the nation's established political parties that are fast losing popular support.
フランスでは経済悪化が排外的な動きを誘発している。韓国では既成政党が批判され、市民派が政治の主役に躍り出ようとしている。

The waves of reform are lapping in each of these countries.
　どの国も変革の波に洗われている。

Serial economic crises have destroyed traditional social ties, and the Internet has opened up a whole new forum of discourse.
経済危機の連鎖が社会の絆をたち切り、インターネットが開いた言論空間が、既存の秩序をゆさぶり始めた。

With the existing order now standing on shaky ground, no incumbent can be certain of re-election, while a change of government may spell further political chaos.
現職が再選されるかは不透明であり、指導者の交代が政治をいっそう混迷させる可能性もある。

In an election year or when a leadership change is imminent, politicians focus on domestic issues, and the whole nation tends to turn inward.
　選挙や政権交代の時期は、国内へのアピールに力を入れるため、内向きになりやすい。

We are concerned that this tendency may become even more pronounced this year because of the generally unstable state of the world.
混乱の時代に、その傾向がいっそう強まらないか心配だ。

Twenty years have passed since the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
　冷戦が終わり、旧ソ連が崩壊してから２０年がたつ。

Seen from the economic and information-related perspectives, the world has become one.
経済や情報の流れでみると、世界はひとつになった。

As is obvious from global warming and the European debt crisis triggered by Greece, our world is saddled with problems that cannot be resolved by any single country.
　ギリシャ発の経済危機や地球温暖化が示すように、国家単位では解決できない課題が山積している。

Even economic recession and unemployment, which used to be domestic issues just for the nations concerned, now require collective action.
従来は国内で完結していた不況や失業への対応も、一国では限りがある。

Traditional policy packages are no longer viable today.
できあいの政策パッケージに頼ることは不可能となった。

An era is definitely ending, but we cannot see a new era at all.
　ひとつの時代が終わろうとしているのに、新しい時代はいっこうに見えてこない。

We are caught in a deep historic crisis.
深い歴史的危機のなかに私たちはある。

We must first understand that there are no simple solutions to the problems confronting us now.
　まずは、目下の問題に簡単な解決策などないことを、理解しよう。

And this is just the sort of time in history when political forces coalesce to create and attack an easy-to-identify "enemy."
こういう時代には、わかりやすい「敵」をつくって、攻撃する政治がはびこる。

New philosophy of coexistence
■新しい共存の論理を

In the United States, the federal government is the target of attack of the conservative and populist Tea Party movement that is gaining support in certain sectors.
　米国では、保守の大衆運動である茶会（ティーパーティー）が、連邦政府そのものを敵対視し、支持をのばしている。

In China, there are young people who go wild with excitement when the government or the military play hardball on territorial and naval issues.
中国では、領土問題や海洋戦略で政府や軍が強硬姿勢を取ると、熱狂する若者たちがいる。

Hate-filled words fly.
　憎しみをあおる言葉が飛びかう。

"Nationalism" is used as an excuse for taking people's attention away from domestic problems.
内から目をそらすためにナショナリズムが使われる。

Hatred and fear are contagious.
憎しみと恐怖は伝わりやすい。

We must guard against this sort of negative chain reaction.
負の連鎖に警戒せねばならない。

The world does not need to hear irresponsible words that only appeal to the emotional masses.
　世界が必要としているのは、沸騰する国民感情に迎合する甘言ではない。

What the world does need to hear is a philosophy of coexistence that is appropriate to this transitional period in history.
歴史の転機にふさわしい共存の論理のはずだ。

How has humanity overcome crises in the past?
　人類は過去の危機をどう乗り越えただろうか。

The world's great imperial powers clashed in World War I. Toward the end of this "war to end all wars," U.S. President Woodrow Wilson delivered the "Fourteen Points" address, in which he presented a postwar blueprint for ethnic self-determination, the establishment of an international peace organ, and so on.
　帝国主義の列強が衝突した第１次世界大戦では、大戦末期にウィルソン米大統領が青写真を描いた。民族自決や、国際平和機構の設立などを掲げた「１４カ条」を打ち出した。

During World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt co-drafted the Atlantic Charter, which called for no territorial aggrandizement, reduction of trade restrictions and other ideals and became the basis of the postwar global order.
　第２次大戦では、ルーズベルト米大統領とチャーチル英首相が「大西洋憲章」を発表した。領土不拡大、貿易の機会均等などの柱は、戦後構想の礎石となった。

History proves that a new order cannot be brought into being by armed force alone.
　新しい秩序は、力だけでは生まれない。

A philosophical blueprint of the world is indispensable.
あるべき世界の姿を描く論理が不可欠なことを歴史は示している。

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. who died last year, was called a "visionary" for his extraordinary foresight and ability to create a future.
　昨年亡くなったアップルの創業者、スティーブ・ジョブズは「ビジョナリー」と呼ばれた。
　未来を予見し、構築する人という意味である。

He captured the hearts of people by giving form to his innovative ideas.
魅力的なアイデアを新しい商品に具現化し、人々の心をつかんだ。

Ability to realize ideals
■思考を現実化する力

World leaders should be visionaries, too.
　領域は違うが、世界の指導者に求められるのも、同じ資質ではないだろうか。

All over the world, there are certain things people seek, wherever they may be living.
　地球上のどこに住もうとも、人々が求めるものがある。

They include the minimum standards of life to maintain human dignity, freedom of speech, freedom from racial and religious discrimination, and not being killed in war or acts of violence.
　人間らしい最低限の生活、言論の自由、人種や宗教で差別されないこと、戦争や暴力で命を奪われないこと。

People in all countries know that these goals cannot be attained by their efforts alone, and that they share their fate with the entire world.
　どの国の人々も、自分たちの力だけではそういう目標が達成されないこと、世界の運命が分かちがたく結びついていることを知っている。

Their collective yearning must not go unanswered, and a blueprint for a new international community must be drawn up.
　人々のこうした願いをたばねて、新しい国際社会の構想を示す必要がある。

Specific steps have already been shown.
　すでに個別の対処法は、あれこれ出ている。

One is to bolster a framework for multilateral coordination to better deal with today's new realities, and there are signs that the G-20 is addressing this.
　たとえば、主要２０カ国・地域サミット（Ｇ２０）にその兆しが見られるような、新しい現実に対応した多国間の調整枠組みを充実させること。

Another is to set up a crisis control system that will prevent the eruption of international animosity over nuclear proliferation and territorial disputes.
核兵器の拡散や領土問題が、国と国との憎しみに火をつけない危機管理の仕組みを整えること。

Many countries concur that such steps must be taken.
　このような対策が必要なことに多くの国の合意がある。

But what is lacking is the ability of world leaders to communicate the need to seek these goals in easy-to-understand words and in a well-reasoned manner, and convince people in their countries.
　欠けているのは、こうした目標に向かって進むべきことを、魅力的な言葉とわかりやすい論理で説明し、国民を説得する指導者の力なのである。

A political visionary is someone who can do this.
　それが政治で求められるビジョナリーではないか。

We would like the incumbents and challengers alike in this year's elections or planned transfers of power to compete with one another on their visionary ideas.
　今年、世界の選挙や指導者の交代で、そういう構想を競い合ってほしい。

混迷の日本政治 「消費税」を政争の具にするな

付録＾＾：

記事のコメントではなくって朝日新聞社の英文記事力作のご紹介です。
新聞社は各社とも北京に駐在員を置いているようですね。
そういえば昔、毎日新聞北京特派員の今田先生と知り合い、銀座のバーで飲ませてもらったことがあります＾＾。

北京で中国人HIV患者たちの置かれている実態を秘密裏に（？）取材した朝日新聞の力作。
この記者は朝日新聞の北京駐在員みたいですが、多分、事前に中国当局の許可をとっての取材ではないかと思います。いきなりこの記事を掲載したら中国を追放されるかも知れないからです。
英文はスラチャイと同じ中学生レベルで大変読みやすいです。
内容がしっかりとしているので、それは十分にカバーされているのです。
新聞記事の命はそのコンテンツ（内容）ですからね。
↓
http://kiyoshimatforklog.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2012/01/beijing-tragedy.html

（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 6, 2012)
Don't let consumption tax become political football
混迷の日本政治　「消費税」を政争の具にするな（1月5日付・読売社説）

Japan finds itself facing various difficult problems that must be resolved immediately. There is not a second to lose.
　日本が直面しているのは一刻の猶予も許されない課題ばかりである。

These issues include reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, dealing with the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, increasing the consumption tax rate and reforming the social security system, participation in talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, and rebuilding the country's diplomatic and security systems.
　震災復興や原子力発電所事故の対応、消費税率引き上げと社会保障制度改革、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加、外交・安全保障体制の立て直し……。

However, this country's politicians, who are supposed to play vital roles in resolving such issues, remain unable to implement necessary policies in the current divided Diet, under which the opposition bloc controls the House of Councillors.
　肝心の政治は、衆参ねじれ国会の下、必要な政策を実現できない。

Under these circumstances, the public increasingly feels the situation is stalemated.
国民の閉塞感は強まっている。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's tenure as president of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and Sadakazu Tanigaki's term as president of the Liberal Democratic Party will expire in September.
　今年は、９月に野田民主党代表と谷垣自民党総裁が任期切れを迎える。

Internal power struggles within the two major parties are certain to intensify as the leadership elections draw near, leaving domestic politics more vulnerable to the influence of short-term interests.
それに向けて２大政党で党内の権力抗争が強まり、政治は一層目先の利益に左右されよう。

Even so, the DPJ and the LDP must act with a broad viewpoint and strategy in mind.
　だが、そうであっても、民主、自民両党は、大局観と戦略を忘れずに行動すべきである。

===

Break with failed pledges
　◆破綻した公約と決別を◆

At his first press conference of the year Wednesday, Noda said integrated reform of the social security and tax systems cannot be put off any longer and stressed his intention to submit related bills to the Diet at the end of March.
　野田首相は４日の年頭記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革について、「これ以上先送りできない」と述べ、３月末に関連法案を国会に提出する意向を強調した。

It is apparent that the current social security system, which asks the working generation to share an ever-increasing burden, will become unable to support the elderly sooner or later.
　現役世代の負担に頼る現行制度では高齢者を支え切れなくなるのは明らかだ。

Unless the system is funded by revenue from the consumption tax, which imposes an equal burden on all generations, the possibility that Japan will sink into a fiscal crisis--like the current one in Europe--will become very real.
すべての世代が負担を分かち合う消費税で財源を賄わないと、欧州のような財政危機さえ現実味を帯びてくる。

Nonetheless, former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and some other DPJ members are openly opposed to the proposed consumption tax hike.
　それなのに、小沢一郎元代表や鳩山元首相ら民主党議員の一部は、消費税率の引き上げに公然と反旗を翻している。

Their actions reveal from time to time their logic of self-preservation, which centers on the fear they will not be able to win elections unless they propose populist policies.
　「世論受けしない政策を掲げると選挙で勝てない」という保身の論理が見え隠れする。

But it will be a betrayal of the public if they insist on adhering to the failed manifesto the DPJ put forward for the 2009 House of Representatives election.
破綻した政権公約（マニフェスト）の墨守をいまだに主張するのは、国民を欺く行為にほかならない。

In the discussion over the consumption tax hike within the DPJ at the end of last year, opponents strongly sought "reforms in which the government as well as Diet members share the pain," such as reducing the number of Diet seats and cutting the salaries of central government officials.
　昨年末、消費税を巡る民主党内の論議で、反対派は議員定数削減や国家公務員給与の削減など「自ら身を切る改革」を強く求めた。

The prime minister showed his willingness in this regard, saying he wants to realize such reforms as quickly as possible during the ordinary Diet session that will be convened later this month.
首相も、「通常国会のなるべく早い時期に実現させたい」と積極的な姿勢を示している。

Political and administrative reforms are of course necessary.
　無論、政治改革、行政改革は必要である。

But the agreement on these reforms must not be made a prerequisite to the submission of bills related to the consumption tax.
だが、これを消費税の関連法案提出の前提条件としてはなるまい。

In that case, opponents may try to use them as an excuse to put off the consumption tax hike.
反対派の狙う増税先送りの口実になりかねない。

The prime minister must do everything in his power to convince not only DPJ members but also the public about his policies.
　首相は、党内はもとより国民を渾身(こんしん)の力で説得すべきである。

He still lacks the ability to make his ideas well understood and coordinate opinion with other parties so his "unwavering resolve" can be put into practice.
　「不退転の覚悟」を実行に移すための発信力と調整力が、まだまだ足りない。

Noda expressed his intention to call on the opposition parties next week to hold talks on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
　野田首相は、社会保障と税の一体改革について、来週、野党に協議を呼びかける考えを明らかにした。

But to do so, the prime minister must improve relationships with opposition parties.
それには、野党との関係を改善しなければならない。

===

Boycott must be avoided
　◆野党も責任を免れない◆

During the extraordinary Diet session last month the upper house passed censure motions against Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa and consumer affairs minister Kenji Yamaoka.
The LDP, New Komeito and some other opposition parties are set to boycott Diet deliberations attended by the two ministers.
　臨時国会で参院の問責決議が可決された一川防衛相、山岡消費者相について自民、公明両党などは両氏の出席する審議を拒否する構えだ。

This is essentially a strategy that should not be taken.
本来は、採ってはならない戦術である。

However, the opposition bloc's cooperation will be vital if the government and the DPJ are to pass budget-related bills--including a bill to enable the government to issue deficit-covering government bonds totaling 38 trillion yen--during the ordinary Diet session.
　だが、通常国会で、３８兆円もの赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案など予算関連法案を成立させるには、野党の協力が欠かせない。

Noda must do more to break the impasse by taking necessary steps, such as replacing the two ministers in question in a Cabinet reshuffle.
野田首相は、内閣改造で閣僚を入れ替えるなど、事態の打開を図る必要がある。

Commenting on Noda's call for talks on the consumption tax between the ruling and opposition parties, Tanigaki said at a press conference Wednesday that the DPJ's manifesto does not presuppose a consumption tax rate hike and therefore "the DPJ-led administration is not qualified to propose this issue."
　自民党の谷垣総裁は４日、記者会見し、首相が消費税問題で協議を呼びかけたことに関連し、民主党のマニフェストは消費税率の引き上げを前提としておらず、「民主党政権にこの問題を発議する資格はない」と述べた。

Tanigaki then called again for the dissolution of the lower house for a general election at an early date.
　その上で、改めて早期の衆院解散・総選挙を求めている。

The LDP and Komeito should not turn the consumption tax issue into a political football.
　消費税を政争の具にすべきではない。

If a lower house election is held before tax-related bills are submitted to the Diet, the consumption tax hike would become a contested election issue and tax reform could get shunted on to the back burner.
法案提出前の衆院選となれば、増税の是非が争点となり、制度改革は先送りされかねない。

Tanigaki also referred to his party's pledge during the 2010 upper house election to raise the consumption tax rate to 10 percent and said he will advance this policy.
　谷垣氏は消費税率１０％への引き上げを２０１０年参院選で公約したことにも言及し、この方針は推し進めると語った。

The government and the DPJ--as the LDP insisted--changed their policy and leaned toward raising the consumption tax rate. However, the LDP is putting the cart before the horse if it hinders the government and the DPJ from realizing this tax increase.
　その自民党の主張通り、政府・民主党が税率引き上げに政策を転換したのに、実現を妨害するのは、本末転倒である。

===

Opposition also to blame
　◆「話し合い解散」目指せ◆

The LDP and Komeito, which held power for many years, also have a grave responsibility for Japan's lapsing into a critical fiscal situation.
　日本が危機的な財政状況に陥ったのは、長年政権を担当してきた自公両党の責任も大きい。

Reconstructing the nation's tattered public finances is an unavoidable task for whichever administration is in power.
　財政再建は、どの政権も避けて通れない。

Even if the LDP wins the next lower house election, the LDP and Komeito together do not hold a majority in the upper house.
They would have no choice but to ask the DPJ for cooperation.
自民党が仮に次期衆院選で勝っても、参院は自公両党でも過半数を得ておらず、民主党に協力を求めざるを得ないのだ。

The LDP and Komeito should join negotiations with the DPJ on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems.
　自公両党は、民主党と、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する協議のテーブルにつくべきだろう。

We urge the LDP and Komeito to help pass the consumption tax-related bills at an early date and effectively agree with the DPJ through dialogue to dissolve the lower house.
　与野党は、消費税の関連法案を早期に成立させて、事実上の「話し合い解散」に持ち込むことを模索してはどうか。

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori said the ruling and opposition parties should first make progress on such issues as the consumption tax rate hike and electoral reform and then seek the people's mandate in the next lower house election, asking which party worked hard.
　森元首相も、消費税率引き上げや選挙制度改革などで与野党が成果を上げてから、次期衆院選で「どの党が頑張ったか」を国民に問えばいい、と語っている。

Do the LDP and Komeito intend to just sit by and watch when it comes to the TPP comprehensive trade and economic framework and the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture? 　自公両党は、ＴＰＰや米軍普天間飛行場移設の問題では傍観するのか。

Rather than simply taking potshots at Noda's administration, the two parties should encourage political debate by clearly spelling out their own policies, and deepen discussions on those issues.
政権を批判するだけでなく、自ら明確な方針を掲げて論戦を挑み、議論を深めてもらいたい。

We strongly believe this process would help build a powerful and stable political framework, including a rearrangement of the coalition.
　そうしたプロセスが、連立の組み替えなど、強力かつ安定した政治体制の構築を目指す動きにもつながるはずである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 5, 2012)
（2012年1月5日01時51分 読売新聞）

社説：２０１２激動の年 財政再建で成長支えよ

英語版を出すのだったら英訳抜けは許されません。
読売や朝日に比べると、毎日は英訳抜けが多いのです。
過去の経験からそれが言えます。
完全に英訳して欲しいなって思いました。
記事の内容は充実しています。
惜しいですね＾＾。
（スラチャイ）

(Mainichi Japan) January 4, 2012
Editorial: Financial world faces a year of tests in 2012
社説：２０１２激動の年　財政再建で成長支えよ

On Jan. 1, 2002, Europe was in a festive mood.
　２００２年１月、欧州はお祭りムードに高揚していた。

The year marked the first time for 300 million people in countries which had in the past fought terrible wars against each other to have the same currency -- the euro.
過去に幾度も戦火を交えた国々の３億を超える人々が、初めて同じ通貨を手にしたのである。

Who would have thought that the new currency people welcomed as a symbol of unity, stability and prosperity would 10 years later become a source of opposition, insecurity and turmoil?
結束と安定と繁栄の象徴として迎えた新通貨が１０年後、対立と不安と混迷の種になっていようとは、どれほどの人が予想しただろう。

The euro now stands in a precarious position.
　ユーロは今、崖っぷちにある。

Will trust in the currency be revived, or will the euro fail and fall?
信用を取り戻すのか、転落し瓦解（がかい）するのか。

This year is an extremely important one for financial markets, with the fate of the euro likely to be the biggest influencing factor in the financial world in 2012.
極めて重大な年となる。その行方は２０１２年の世界経済を左右する最大の要素にもなりそうだ。

　◇ユーロの解体を防げ

Several tests lie ahead.
　いくつもの試練が待ち受けている。

Italy, which holds the key to the euro's fate, will have to borrow about 440 billion euros (about 45 trillion yen) from financial markets this year through government bond issues.
カギを握るイタリアは今年、約４４００億ユーロ（約４５兆円）もの資金を国債発行により市場から借り入れる必要がある。

But with interest rates remaining high, just how much will the Italian government be able to raise by itself?
金利が高止まりする中、どこまで自力の資金調達が可能なのか。

As things stand, a series of balancing acts await the country.
このままでは綱渡りの連続となりかねない。

Italy's economy is the third biggest in the Eurozone after the economies of Germany and France, but if Italy seeks financial assistance like Greece and Portugal have done, European countries won't be able to handle the bailout plans they have already agreed upon.
　ユーロ圏で独仏に次ぐ３番目の経済規模を持ったイタリアが、ギリシャやポルトガルのように支援を仰ぐことになると、欧州諸国がこれまでに合意した救済策では、対応できまい。

Before reaching such a stage, members of the Eurozone must hammer out drastic measures and restore trust in the euro; otherwise the previously unimaginable prospect of the euro's demise could edge closer to reality.
その前に、加盟国全体で抜本策を打ち出し、信用を回復しなければ、ユーロ解体という、かつて想定外だった事態が一気に現実味を帯びる恐れがある。

（英訳抜け＾＾）
　国債や株が売り込まれてから、一時しのぎの対策を決める、という従来パターンは限界だ。統合の拡大と深化を通じ、戦争のない安定した欧州を築くという理想に立ち返り、果敢な政治決断を下してもらいたい。

（英訳抜け＾＾）
　債務危機の影響はすでに欧州を越え、太い貿易のパイプでつながった中国など新興国の経済にも及んでいる。時間との勝負である。日米に新興国を加えた主要国はもっと強く、欧州に迅速な行動を迫らなければならない。解決できるのは欧州だが、解決できなかった時の打撃は世界に及ぶのだ。欧州以外のＧ２０（主要２０カ国・地域）諸国は結束して欧州に圧力をかけ続ける必要がある。

（英訳抜け＾＾）
　１０月には東京で国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）と世界銀行の年次総会が開かれ、世界の財務相や中央銀行総裁が集まる。日本での開催は東京オリンピックが開かれた１９６４年以来で、２度目だ。震災からの復興を印象づける機会にしたいものだが、開催国が先進国一重い借金に何ら手を打てないでいるというのでは、影響力どころではない。

In Japan, meanwhile, the basic prescription for reforming the nation's finances and social security system in an integrated manner has already been prepared. The differences between the ruling party and the largest opposition party are not that great. What remains to be done is to make decisions, steadily implement those decisions, and send a message to financial markets that Japan has finally put its back into resolving difficult economic issues.
　財政と社会保障制度を一体的に改革するための基本的な処方箋はできている。最大野党との違いも大きくない。あとは決断し、着実に実行し、日本がやっと困難な課題の解決に本腰を入れたというメッセージを市場に送ることである。

It is often said that growth strategies should take precedence over revitalizing finances through tax increases.
　「増税による財政再建ではなく、成長戦略が最優先だ」との主張をよく耳にする。

But the idea that categorizing certain industries as growth industries and allocating more funds to them will boost Japan's growth potential is mere wishful thinking.
だが、特定の業種を成長産業と位置づけ、そこに予算を重点配分することが日本の成長力向上につながるということであれば、それは幻想に過ぎない。

Looking to the government for insight into identifying what constitutes a growth industry, and furnishing such industries with large helpings of financial assistance are now outdated concepts.
何が成長産業かを特定する眼力を政府に期待することも、そうした産業にまとまった財政支援をすることも、もはや時代遅れの発想だ。

What we need the government to do now is to remove as many obstacles to financial growth as possible while individuals and companies display their potential.
　今、政府に求めたいのは、個人や企業が潜在力を発揮するうえで妨げとなりうるものをできる限り取り除くことだ。

Ultimately, financial collapse must be avoided.
その最たるものが、財政破綻の回避である。

But if government bond prices plunge, resulting in a surge in interest rates and steep inflation, then there will be no prospects for economic growth.
国債暴落で金利の急騰や激しいインフレが起きれば、経済成長など望みようがない。

　◇もっと発想の転換を

To boost growth, companies and individuals need to adapt their way of thinking.
　一方、企業や個人は発想の転換が求められる。

More effort needs to be put into marketing products that have not been sold outside Japan and services that have targeted only specific customers, so that new markets can be opened.
国内でしか売ってこなかった物、特定の顧客しか想定していないサービスをもっと工夫し、新しい市場の開拓に結びつけたい。

Japan has been outranked by China in terms of gross domestic product, and now stands as the world's third largest economy. People may lament the nation's decline, but third place is still an important position.
　国内総生産が中国に抜かれ、世界３位になったと嘆きがちだが、３位でも大変なものだ。

We must not undervalue the high-quality goods and services that have received a seal of approval in Japan's massive market.
巨大市場で認められた質の高い物やサービスを過小評価してはいけない。

When we think of Japanese exports, vehicles and electronics are usually the first things that come to mind, but there are many other things that Japanese take for granted which remain unknown in other countries.
輸出といえば、自動車や電機を思い浮かべがちだが、日本人が当たり前のように利用しているのに世界では知られていない、というものが数多くある。

Take food products, for example. Obesity is a serious problem in the United States and other developed countries.
　例えば、米国など先進国では肥満が深刻な問題となっている。

Surely there is room to introduce or expand the range of processed Japanese food products and bento boxes -- which are not only well presented but also low in calories -- in those countries.
低カロリーでありながら栄養のバランスが取れていて、見た目にも美しい日本の加工食品や弁当が参入・拡大する余地は大きいのではないか。

In addition to food, Japan can offer music, video games, movies and other forms of entertainment, as well as delivery services, and items such as fashion and beauty products.
The industries with growth potential in Asia are not necessarily limited to manufacturing.
　食だけでなく、音楽やゲーム、映画といった娯楽から宅配サービス、ファッションや美容など、アジア市場で今後成長が期待できそうな「輸出産業」は必ずしも製造業ではない。

However, our preconceived ideas are putting a ceiling on growth.
成長の天井をこしらえているのは、私たちの既成概念だ。

Last year, Japanese companies' purchases of foreign firms reached an all-time high.
　元気付けられるデータもある。昨年、日本企業による海外企業の買収件数が過去最高となった。

This is the flipside of the strong yen that carries a predominantly negative image in Japan.
マイナスの印象が強い円高を味方に付けた動きだ。

Recently small- and medium-sized companies are also said to be boosting overseas purchases.
最近は中小企業も海外での買収を活発化させているという。

For those companies, this helps offset declining proceeds from the domestic market, but the benefits do not stop at boosted profits.
　企業にとって、縮小する国内市場を補う意味があるが、メリットは直接的な収益拡大にとどまらない。

By participating in other markets, companies can gain knowledge of new products and management methods, and get new ideas.
異質の市場とかかわることでまた新しい商品や経営ノウハウ、発想が生まれ得る。

This, in turn, stimulates the domestic market.
それが翻って国内市場の活性化にもつながるだろう。

For the possibilities to materialize, there must be a stable economic and social foundation free of chaos.
　そうした可能性の開花も、混乱のない安定した経済・社会基盤が大前提だ。

Providing such conditions is the greatest role of the political world, and this will be a year in which the political world will face its greatest tests.
それを提供するのが、政治の最大の役割であり、今年はそれが最も試される年となろう。

毎日新聞　2012年1月4日　0時01分

若者と高齢者と政治―世代をつなぐ分かちあいを

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 3
EDITORIAL: Dialogue on burden sharing needed between young, old
若者と高齢者と政治―世代をつなぐ分かちあいを

Last year, young people played the leading role in various movements that changed the world.
　昨年、世界を動かした主役は若者たちだった。

The young generation was in the vanguard of both the "Arab Spring," a wave of pro-democracy demonstrations that toppled long-standing dictatorships in the Arab world, and the "Occupy" protests against income and wealth inequality that started on Wall Street and spread to many parts of the world.
　独裁体制を倒した「アラブの春」も、米ウォール街の占拠から世界に広がった「格差社会」への抗議行動も、若い世代が先頭にいた。

Indeed, these are times of tribulation for young people across the globe.
　なにせ、どこも若者受難の時代なのである。

The number of the world's jobless workers belonging to the 15-24 age group hit an all-time high in 2009, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).
　国際労働機関（ＩＬＯ）によれば、世界の１５歳から２４歳の失業者数は０９年、過去最多を記録した。

The unemployment ratio for young people has remained far higher than those for other age groups.
その後も失業率は、他の世代を大きく上回る。

The ILO thinks high unemployment among the young is the main factor behind the worldwide protests.
それが「世界中でみられた抗議の要因だ」とＩＬＯは分析している。

In Japan, the latest job data puts the unemployment rate for the 15-24-year-old demographic at around 9 percent, nearly double the average for all other groups.
　日本でも直近の統計で、この世代の失業率は約９％で、全世代平均の２倍近い。

Since the figure is still lower than in many Western countries like Spain, where more than 40 percent of young workers are without jobs, Japanese youth may be less disgruntled than their counterparts in other industrial countries.
　４０％を超すスペインなど欧米諸国よりは低いから、現状への「不満」はまだ少ないのかもしれない。

But young Japanese are probably no less worried about the future.
だが将来への「不安」は、おそらくひけをとるまい。

Young people are also becoming more vocal and assertive in expressing their feelings in Japan.
　日本でも若い力が動き出している。

In last year's mayoral election in Osaka, for instance, more young voters went to the polls than in the previous election, according to an exit poll by The Asahi Shimbun.
たとえば、昨年の大阪市長選だ。

As many as 70 percent of voters in their 20s and 30s cast their votes for Toru Hashimoto, the leader of Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), a local reformist party, who was elected as the new mayor of the city.
朝日新聞社の出口調査では、前回の選挙より投票所に足を運んだ若者が増え、２０代、３０代の７割は大阪維新の会の橋下徹氏に一票を投じていた。

Young Japanese and the nation's plight
■若者と日本の窮地

Hiroshi Ichihashi, the 23-year-old leader of Gakusei Osaka Ishin no Kai, the student group supporting Hashimoto's party, has voiced anxiety about the future of the nation in his blog. "I'm terribly scared when I imagine what Japan will look like 10 years, 20 years from now."
　「学生・大阪維新の会」の市橋拓代表（２３）はブログにつづった。「１０年後、２０年後、日本はどうなってるんやろと考えると、すごい怖い」

The principal source of their anxiety is the deteriorating job picture.
　不安の源は働く環境だろう。

Fierce global competition is putting relentless pressure on Japanese companies to cut costs for survival as well as in other industrial nations. Furthermore, there are some unique factors that are complicating the situation in Japan.
　グローバル競争に生き残るためのコスト削減は先進国共通の厳しさだが、日本なりの事情もある。

The tradition of lifetime employment is not yet dead in Japan, although it has become less prevalent. Many Japanese companies still hire mainly new graduates and keep them on their payrolls until retirement.
緩んだとはいえ、新卒で一括採用し、終身雇用する慣行がまだ残っている。

Under this system, companies tend to reduce new full-time hires during economic hard times to protect the livelihoods of their current employees.
　この仕組みだと、会社は社員の暮らしを守るため、新たな正社員の採用を絞る。

Unless young people can find full-time jobs when they graduate when jobs are scarce, they are likely to have difficulty developing their skills and building careers.
「狭き門」をくぐれなければ、能力を磨く機会を逃しがちだ。

One study found that young Japanese who enter the job market during a recession are more likely to remain low-income earners for a longer period than their counterparts in countries like the United States.
　だから日本では、不況期に社会に出た人たちが長期にわたって収入が低くなる傾向が、米国などよりも著しいという研究結果もある。

Compounding Japan's problems is the rapid aging of its population and its low birthrate.
　加えて、少子高齢化だ。

There were once many Japanese workers to support each elderly dependent.
　日本はかつて、多くの現役世代で高齢者を支える「胴上げ型」の社会だった。

Now, there are about three or so workers for every pensioner. In the future, there will be only one.
いまは「騎馬戦型」であり、将来は「肩車型」になる。

That's why Japan needs a consumption tax hike, argues Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
　だから消費増税が必要だと、野田首相は説く。

He is right. But his argument is based on a basic premise that must not be forgotten.
　その通りなのだが、忘れてはならない前提がある。

If young workers cannot pay taxes and premiums for social security programs, the entire system will collapse.
若い世代が税や保険料を納められなければ、社会保障は成り立たない。

Low-income earners cannot contribute to the support of retirees.
担う側がやせ細っていては、肩車は、お年寄りもろとも崩れてしまうという現実だ。

Politicians need to persuade the public
■説得が政治の責務

As the nation is shifting from a growth-oriented society to a mature society, the most important thing is to energize young generations.
　成長社会から成熟社会へ移行するいま、何より大切なのは、若い世代を強くすることだ。

It is vital to make it easier to receive education, create more jobs and improve the environment for child rearing. These should be top policy priorities.
　教育を受けやすくする。雇用の機会を広げる。子どもを生み育てる環境を整える。それが、政治の最優先課題である。

It is also necessary to narrow the gap in pay between full-time and part-time workers and figure out ways to share jobs and wages between young people and older workers who have finished raising their children.
　正社員と非正規の待遇格差を縮め、子育てが終わった世代と仕事や賃金を分かちあう方策も考えるべきだ。

But how about the reality in Japan?
　だが、現実はどうか。

The ratio of Japan's expenditures for children and young people to its overall public spending was the second lowest among 39 countries, mostly members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to data for 2007.
　子ども・若者向けの公的支出の比率を、経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟国など３９カ国で比べたところ、日本はなんと３８位（０７年データ）だった。

The government has promised to reform the social security system to expand benefits for children and younger generations.
　政府も、子どもを含む「全世代対応型」社会保障への転換を掲げている。

But there has been little progress toward that goal because the government has been unable to persuade the public to accept cuts in other expenditures to finance the reform.
それでも思うように進まないのは、財源を生み出すために、他の支出を我慢してもらう説得ができないからだ。

The government has long postponed reducing pension benefits in response to falling prices as required by the program for fear of antagonizing elderly voters.
　年金を本来の水準に引き下げることさえ、お年寄りの反発が怖くて先送りを重ねてきた。

It is the duty of politicians to convince the public that the proposed social security reform will be good for future generations and benefit all generations over the long term.
　しかし、これは子や孫のためだ。長い目でみれば、すべての世代の利益になる。そう説得するのが、政治の責務だ。

Dialogue between citizens of different generations needed
■かぎは市民の対話

Politicians, however, not wanting to face angry voters in elections, are avoiding their duty.
　ただ、選挙で有権者に嫌われたくない政治家は責務から逃げようとする。

That's why Japanese politics has been unable to deal effectively with many pressing challenges confronting the nation.
政治が迷走続きなのは、そのせいだといっていい。

Democracy, by its nature, is not quite good at fresh burden sharing.
民主主義は、新たな負担の分かちあいが苦手なのだ。

Our challenge is how to overcome this weakness and move politics forward.
　この弱点を乗り越え、どうやって政治を動かすか。

Things are not so simple as to allow us to solve the problem by simply entrusting the mission to a capable leader.
頼もしそうなリーダーに任せれば解決するほど、ことは簡単ではない。

Politicians should first mend their ways and improve their performance. But voters also need to change themselves.
　まずは政治家が進化すべきだが、同時に有権者も変わらなければならない。

One good starting point is serious policy dialogue among citizens with conflicting interests.
　たとえば、利害が異なる人々が、もっと対話したらどうか。

Are both elderly and young people content with the current state of the social security system, which is designed mainly for old people?
高齢者に手厚い社会保障の現状を、お年寄りと若者はこのままでいいと納得しているのか。

During the Osaka mayoral election, Ichihashi, the student activist, made speeches in the streets urging young people generally indifferent to politics to get involved in his movement as "participants, not as supporters."
　大阪の市橋さんは市長選で街頭に立ち、「応援者ではなく、当事者として参加してほしい」と、政治に関心を抱く機会が少ない同じ世代に呼びかけた。

A wrong choice now could cause the social security system to break down by the time today's young people have grown old.
　いま選択を誤れば、若者が高齢者になるとき、社会保障は壊れているかもしれない。

A real fiscal collapse would deliver immeasurable damage to the people's lives and the nation's economy.
もし財政が破綻（はたん）すれば、暮らしや経済への打撃は計り知れない。

Young people won't be able to run away from the consequences of their choices.
そして若者は、選択の結果から逃れられない。

How can we create a society where different generations are willing to support each other?
　世代をつないで分かちあう社会を、どうすれば実現できるのか。

What is necessary to leave such a society to future generations?
それを先々の世代に引き継ぐには何が必要なのか。

These are questions that all Japanese voters, including young people, should ponder.
　若者はもちろん、より多くの有権者が当事者として考える。

Then, there would be a powerful force to move politics.
それが政治を動かす原動力になるに違いない。

ポスト成長の年明け―すべて将来世代のために

昨日の読売新聞新年早々の社説と比較すると面白いです。
新聞社により力点が異なるのが面白いですね。
これも新聞を読む醍醐味のひとつでしょう。
毎日新聞はまだ発表していないようですね＾＾。
毎日のは多分反原発主体ではないでしょうか。
（スラチャイ）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 1
EDITORIAL: Painful choices needed for sake of future generations
ポスト成長の年明け―すべて将来世代のために

The new year has arrived, but Japan continues to grapple with a wide range of formidable challenges.
　新しい年も難問が続く。

Besides dealing with all the intractable problems created by last year’s Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the government also needs to tackle the political challenge of raising the consumption tax in line with a draft plan finally announced by the ruling Democratic Party of Japan at the end of last year.
　東日本大震災、福島の原発事故への対応はもちろん、年末に民主党がやっと素案を決めた消費税率の引き上げもある。

The sovereign debt crisis in Europe, which has been threatening to knock the world economy off the growth track, is also demanding close attention and monitoring.
世界経済を脅かした欧州の財政金融危機からも目が離せない。

It is certainly a coincidence that all these challenges have emerged to confront the nation at the same time. But there seems to be a common thread.
　難問が織り重なったのは偶然だが、なにか共通した問題を暗示しているように思う。

All these challenges appear to indicate that the age of continuous economic growth in industrial nations that began soon after the end of World War II is now coming to an end.
　それは、戦後ずっと続いてきた「成長の時代」が、先進国ではいよいよ終わろうとしているということだ。

Huge deficits from financial bubbles
■バブルで財政赤字に

The accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and its dire consequences have forced us to reflect seriously on the reality that an energy source that has been supporting our affluent society is in fact standing on very shaky ground.
　原発の惨状は、豊かな生活を支えてきた潤沢なエネルギーがじつは危うい上げ底だったとの反省を迫っている。

The towering budget deficits in Japan, the United States and Europe are the prices of their reckless efforts to stoke economic growth.
　日米欧の赤字財政は、成長を無理に追い求めたツケだ。

World history is littered with grim episodes about aggressive monetary expansion to revitalize a sputtering economy ending up creating bubbles with serious consequences.
　世界の歴史を振り返れば、経済成長が行き詰まると、成長を取り戻そうとして金融を拡大し、バブルを生んできた。

Japan also produced speculative bubbles after the end of its fast economic growth and piled on debt to deal with the consequences of the bursting of these bubbles.
　日本も高度成長が終わってバブルをつくりだし、その後処理のために財政赤字を積み上げてしまった。

The Japanese government sank deeper into the budget morass as it kept issuing huge amounts of bonds to finance measures to stimulate economic growth.
成長を諦めきれずに国債を乱発したからでもある。

The United States and Europe, where housing bubbles popped in a global recession triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, are now following the same path as Japan, struggling with huge budget deficits.
　住宅バブルがリーマン・ショックで破裂した欧米も、財政赤字をふくらませ日本が来た道をたどっている。

Industrial nations, which have built more or less affluent societies, are now having a hard time finding a new powerful engine of economic and job growth.
　それなりに豊かな社会を実現した先進各国はいま、新たな成長のタネを探しあぐね、雇用の確保に苦しむ。

Economic growth is indeed a magic wand to solve many problems.
　経済成長は多くの問題を解決してくれる魔法の杖には違いないが、

But many industrial nations have gotten themselves in an awful bind as they have failed to discover new seeds of growth and turned to fiscal and monetary stimulants to re-energize their economies.
そのタネを見つけられぬまま財政と金融に頼って成長の夢を追った結果、各国とも難問を抱えこんでしまっている。

It has become clear that the traditional policy approach to stimulating economic growth no longer works.
　従来の手法が経済成長を生まない。

The world is obviously at a major turning point in history.
そんな歴史の大きなトレンドが変わりつつある。

"Herbivores" a byproduct of society's adjustment
■進化が生んだ草食系

Various signs of profound changes are already visible.
　すでに変化の芽は、さまざまな形で見えている。

Last autumn, Japanese people eagerly welcomed Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema when they visited Japan.
　昨秋、ブータンから来日したワンチュク国王夫妻を人々は大歓迎した。

Japanese were not just charmed by the royal couple’s amiable and unassuming characters. They also saw one possible future for their country in the Himalayan kingdom’s unique policy focus on spiritual fulfillment rather than on material wealth.
This is symbolized by the “Gross National Happiness,” an indicator invented and espoused by the Buddhist country to measure the quality of life among people.
その清新な人柄の魅力もあったが、物質的な充足よりも心の豊かさを求めてＧＮＨ（国民総幸福）を掲げるブータンの国是に、ひとつの未来を見いだしたからだろう。

Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward has been working to develop its own indicator of happiness for seven years by learning from Bhutan’s experience. Similar efforts are also under way in other parts of Japan.
　ブータンにならい、幸福の指標を７年前から研究してきた東京の荒川区をはじめ、各地で同じような模索が始まっている。

The emergence of Japan’s “herbivores”--mild-tempered young men who are passive in building relationships with the opposite sex and don’t have strong worldly desires or ambitions--is a sign that Japanese have started adapting to social and economic changes due to their nation’s shift to a post-growth era, according to a theory proposed by Mizuho Research Institute.
　草食系の若者たちが登場したのは、ポスト成長の環境変化に適応して進化したからではないか――。みずほ総合研究所がこんな新説を唱えている。

Herbivore men don’t have strong expectations or complaints about the world around them but seek mild bonds with other people.
　過大な期待は抱かず、ほどほどの現状のなかで人々との絆を求める。

Many young people who rushed to help victims of the March 11 disaster appear to fit the mold.
震災のボランティアに駆けつける若者たちと、どこか重なるものがある。

Given the growing concerns about the destruction of the environment and depletion of resources on our planet, it is good for people to adapt to low growth.
　地球大での環境や資源の限界を考えても、低成長に適応していくことは好ましい。

The question, however, is whether Japan will be able to deal with the problem of gargantuan public debt and overcome the effects of the rapidly aging population amid low birthrates without achieving economic growth.
　だがしかし、経済成長をしないで、巨額の財政赤字を処理しつつ、急激に進む少子高齢化を乗り切っていけるのか。

This question brings us to another colossal challenge.
　ここで、次なる難問に突き当たる。

In this age of global competition, when emerging countries are fiercely increasing their economic might to catch up with industrial nations, Japan, with its shrinking population, cannot afford to take it easy.
　新興国が激しく追い上げてくる大競争の時代、人口が減りだした日本は、のんきに構えてはいられない。

It will be difficult for Japan even to maintain the status quo unless it makes strenuous efforts.
よほど努力しないと現状維持すら難しい。

Reality dictates that Japan needs to open itself more to the world and make more aggressive moves to capitalize on the growth potential of emerging countries while developing young people who can compete globally.
　だから、国をもっと開いて打って出て、新興国の成長力を取り込み、世界に伍（ご）していける若い人材を育てていかねばならない。

If we fail to do so, our future will be in jeopardy.
それを怠れば、この国の将来が危うくなる。

From growth to maturity
■成長から成熟社会へ

How can we deal with two conflicting challenges: adapting to zero growth and striving to stoke growth?
　「ゼロ成長への適応」と「成長への努力」という相反するような二つの課題を、同時にどう達成するのか。

This is undoubtedly the hardest economic trial this nation has experienced in its history.
　歴史的にみて、経験したことのない困難な道である。

We propose that sustainability has to be the cardinal guiding principle for our efforts to achieve these goals.
　そのさい、「持続可能性」を大原則とすることを提案する。

That’s because we should put top priority on the well-being of future generations.
何よりも、将来世代のことを考えるためだ。

We should stop trying to inflate economic growth with fiscal and monetary expansion.
　財政支出や金融拡大に頼った「成長の粉飾」はもうしない。

The debt we run up today will have to be paid back by future generations decades down the road. But they have yet to be born.
いま増やした国の借金は何十年も先の世代が返済するが、彼らはまだ生まれてもいない。

That means these future generations will be forced to bear the onerous consequences of decisions they have not made themselves.
決定権のないまま負担だけを背負わされる。

This is a serious defect in democracy.
民主主義の欠陥である。

We must stop repeating this folly now.
この愚をこれ以上繰り返してはならない。

What we need to do is to lay a solid foundation for a matured society by pushing through integrated tax and social security reform.
　取り組むべきは、社会保障と税の一体改革を実現させて、成熟社会の基盤をつくることだ。

Rebuilding social services like health and nursing care and education would help create a new society not driven by economic expansion.
医療・介護や教育といった社会的サービスを再建することが、量的拡大に代わる新たな経済社会につながっていく。

Tax increases and spending cuts inevitably cause pain.
　増税や政府支出のカットはつらい。

Such austerity measures tend to slow the nation’s economic growth. But the painful effects of these efforts must be accepted for the sake of future generations.
成長率の押し下げ要因になるが、将来世代のことを考え甘受しなくてはいけない。

It is also necessary to phase out as soon as possible nuclear power generation, which produces radioactive waste that will remain a serious health hazard for thousands of years.
　また、何万年もの後代まで核のゴミを残す原発は、できるだけ早くゼロにする。

It is also important to promote the use of renewable energy sources and make the economy more environment friendly.
自然エネルギーを発展させ、環境重視の経済に組み替える。

“Silver” markets for products aimed at the elderly and “green” industries that produce and sell eco-friendly products could be new sources of sustainable economic growth.
　シルバー（高齢化）とグリーン（環境）が、次の活力ある経済をつくるタネになり得る。

The government’s policy efforts should be focused on these areas.
ここに力を注ぐべきだ。

Such a policy shift would also mean reorienting society from growth to maturity.
　それは成長から成熟へ、社会を切り替えることでもある。

We have been reveling in the age of steady economic growth for far too long.
　成長の時代を享受してきた私たちは、

We must now take a hard, long-term look at the changes that are taking place and the direction history is following, and then start carrying out steadily what we need to do now.
変化していく歴史の行方を長い目で見つめながら、いまやるべきことを着実に実行していかねばならない。

「危機」乗り越える統治能力を ポピュリズムと決別せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan. 1, 2012)
Japan faces many challenges in 2012
「危機」乗り越える統治能力を　ポピュリズムと決別せよ（1月1日付・読売社説）

The world is in a nearly continuous state of crisis.
　世界的に「危機」が常態化しつつある。

In Europe, a sovereign debt crisis has ballooned into a financial crisis that is shaking the world economy.
　欧州では、財政危機が金融危機に拡大し、世界経済を揺るがしている。

The United States is beset by huge budget deficits.
米国も巨大な財政赤字に苦しんでいる。

These problems have slowed down the economies of China and India.
その影響で中国やインドでも景気が減速し始めた。

Despite warnings from economists that the value of government bonds could nosedive unless state finances are put on a surer footing, politicians have been unable to persuade their constituents to shoulder additional burdens.
　財政再建に努めないと国債が暴落しかねないと指摘されても、政治は負担増を嫌う国民を説得できていない。

Flagging markets and leaders at the mercy of the popular will are stuck in a dangerous embrace that is only serving to amplify the crisis.
混迷を深める市場と、民意に翻弄される政治が、相互に危機を増幅している。

The debt problems of a few European countries are at the bottom of the crisis, and urgently need to be solved. 　危機の根源にある欧州債務問題を鎮めることが、喫緊の課題だ。

The governments of these states must act by any means possible to reduce their fiscal deficits and prevent their bonds from losing value.
欧州は、財政赤字を削減し、国債の下落を抑えるよう、万策を講じなければならない。

===

Revitalize economy
　経済活性化は復興から

Today marks the first New Year's Day since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, 2011.
　日本は、東日本大震災から初めての正月を迎えた。

The unprecedented natural disaster left deep scars on the national psyche and on society.
　未曽有の震災は人々の心と社会に深い傷痕を残している。

Cleaning up the debris left behind by the earthquake and tsunami has not proceeded smoothly, and the reconstruction of disaster-hit communities is just beginning.
がれきの処理が進まず、新しいまちづくりはこれからだ。

The catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has not been settled completely, and people who fled their homes to escape the nuclear crisis are scattered around the country.
東京電力福島第一原子力発電所は、いまだに事故を完全に収束できず、全国各地での避難生活も続いている。

Our nation's economy is suffering from the dual blows of a super-strong yen and low stock prices caused by the financial confusion in the United States and Europe. Furthermore, the transfer of manufacturing facilities overseas is accelerating--exacerbating the hollowing-out of the nation's industrial base.
　日本経済は、欧米の混乱に伴う超円高と株安に苦しみ、企業の生産拠点の海外移転による産業空洞化も加速している。

We hope the economy can return to a growth track through full-fledged reconstruction of the areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.
復興を進めて経済を成長軌道に乗せたい。

To realize this, the nation's political world must recover from its state of dysfunction.
　それには、政治が機能不全から脱却する必要がある。

The people are questioning the capability of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government to govern the country.
民主党政権の統治能力も問われている。

We call on Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to set a course toward raising the consumption tax rate so social security programs can be adequately funded.
Noda also must promote free trade, a key to economic growth, and establish a realistic energy policy.
　野田首相は、社会保障の財源としての消費税率引き上げに道筋をつけ、成長のカギを握る自由貿易を推進し、現実的なエネルギー政策を確立しなければならない。

The only way political progress can be made in the divided Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors, is through agreements among the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　衆参ねじれ国会では、民主、自民、公明３党の合意があって、初めて政治が前に進む。

To ensure the government runs smoothly, the DPJ must talk with the other parties and build consensus on issues.
政権を円滑に運営するには、政党間協議で合意を積み重ねる必要がある。

===

Fiscal collapse looms
　財政破綻もあり得る

There is no magic wand that will move politics forward.
　政治を動かす「魔法の杖(つえ)」はない。

The next House of Representatives election could be held this year, but this should not stop the DPJ, LDP and Komeito from transcending party interests to find common ground.
次期衆院選が年内にも予想されるが、民自公３党は、党利党略を超え、合意を目指すべきだ。

In today's political world, a leader needs unflagging resolve, the ability to build consensus and enough persuasiveness to convince the public to bear the necessary pain.
　今の政治に必要なのは、リーダーの不退転の覚悟と合意形成に向けた努力、国民に痛みを受容してもらう説得力である。

The European financial crisis, triggered by Greece's sovereign debt crisis, is not "a fire on the other side of the river."
　ギリシャの財政危機に端を発した欧州危機は、日本にとって「対岸の火事」ではない。

Our own nation is in the worst fiscal shape among developed countries, with nearly 900 trillion yen in combined national and local government debt--twice the gross domestic product.
　日本は、先進国の中で最も厳しい財政事情にある。国と地方を合わせた公的債務は９００兆円弱に膨らみ、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）のほぼ２倍にも上っている。

Japanese government bonds have so far been seen as less risky than those of European countries, which depend heavily on foreign investment.
On the contrary, the Japanese people have personal financial assets worth nearly 1.5 yen quadrillion, and more than 90 percent of government bonds are owned by domestic institutional and individual investors.
　これまで、日本には１５００兆円近くの個人金融資産があり、日本の国債は９割以上が国内の機関投資家や個人投資家に保有されているため、国債の消化を海外に頼る欧米諸国と比べて危険度が比較的小さい、とされてきた。

However, in real terms the value of the nation's personal financial assets is only 1.1 yen quadrillion after subtracting personal debts such as housing loans.
　しかし、個人金融資産は、住宅ローンなどの債務を差し引いた実体では１１００兆円になる。

This is only 200 trillion yen more than the amount of public debt.
公的債務との差は２００兆円程度だ。

If the issuance of government bonds continues to increase at the current pace, and the aging population begins withdrawing their savings to live on, the financial assets of the Japanese public will no longer be able to cover government bonds.
今後、国債発行がこれまでのペースで増える一方、高齢化による貯蓄の取り崩しによって金融資産が目減りすれば、国民の資産だけでは国債を吸収できなくなる。

Despite the fiscal problems and the damage to the economy by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese yen still enjoys strong international confidence.
　財政状況が深刻化し、大震災に見舞われながらも、円に対する国際的信認はなお厚い。

Many believe Japan has room to raise its consumption tax rate into the 15 percent to 25 percent range, similar to the rates in many countries in Europe.
日本には欧州並みに消費税率を１５～２５％に引き上げる「余地」があると思われているからだろう。

However, if investors begin fleeing Japanese bonds, their interest rates will rise and the increased debt-servicing costs would further bloat the government's debt.
　しかし、日本の国債がいったん売られると、金利が上昇して利払い費が膨らみ、債務が拡大する。

If Japan were to fall into a vicious cycle of economic doldrums and reduced tax revenue, such as a drop in corporate capital spending caused by consumers tightening their purse strings, the nightmare scenario--fiscal collapse of the government--could become reality.
消費が冷え込み、設備投資の減少など景気低迷と税収減の悪循環に陥れば、財政破綻という悪夢のシナリオが現実になりかねない。

This is why the government must quickly return to fiscal health by increasing the consumption tax rate.
　消費税率引き上げによる財政再建を急ぐ理由は、ここにある。

Noda has pledged the consumption tax rate would be "raised to 8 percent in April 2014 and to 10 percent in October 2015."
　野田首相は、消費税率について「２０１４年４月に８％、１５年１０月に１０％へ引き上げる」と言明している。

He plans to submit bills related to this purpose to the Diet at the end of March.
３月末に、税制関連法案を国会に提出する方針だ。

We expect the prime minister to seek the understanding of the public by explaining to them carefully that a consumption tax hike is the only way to achieve a sustainable social security system, which includes public pensions, as well as medical and nursing care programs.
　首相は、年金や医療、介護などの社会保障制度を持続可能にするには、消費税率引き上げによるしかないことを、国民に丁寧に説明し、理解を求めてもらいたい。

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Regional tensions

Integrated reform of the social security and tax systems is a significant policy issue that can only be carried out with cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties, no matter what party is running the government.
　社会保障と税の一体改革は、どの政党が政権を取っても、与野党で協力して実施に移さなければならないテーマだ。

The LDP and Komeito should cooperate to pass the reforms through the Diet, locking their sights on taking back control of the government afterward.
自民、公明両党も政権復帰の可能性を見据え、法案成立に協力すべきだろう。

To overcome the crisis, lawmakers must make a clean break from populism, no longer bowing to the public's wishes for reduced burdens and increased benefits.
　負担減と給付増を求めるような大衆に迎合する政治（ポピュリズム）と決別することが、危機を克服する道である。

　中国にどう向き合う
In the Asia-Pacific region, the seas are only getting rougher.
　アジア太平洋地域で、荒波がその高さを増している。

China has been continuing its military expansion and has deployed ballistic missiles able to strike Japan and other countries, and is hurrying to develop a next-generation fighter jet.
　軍事的膨張を続ける中国は、日本や他国を射程に収めた弾道ミサイルを配備し、次世代戦闘機の開発を急いでいる。

In the South China Sea and the East China Sea, China has repeatedly tangled with Japan, the United States and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states.
南シナ海や東シナ海では、日米両国、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）との軋轢(あつれき)を繰り返している。

Added to this, North Korea is in the middle of a transfer of power, raising the possibility of political turbulence.
　北朝鮮は、権力継承の過程で政情が不穏になる可能性がある。

Japan must choose the path of deepening its alliance with the United States, which has shifted its foreign policy focus to Asia, and improve defense capabilities in the Nansei Islands, which include the Okinawa Islands.
　日本の取るべき道は、アジア重視の姿勢に転じた米国との同盟を一層深化させ、南西方面の防衛力を向上させることである。

Thus, it is vital for the government to solve problems related to Okinawa Prefecture.
　そのためには、沖縄問題の解決が避けて通れない。

Japan and the United States have agreed to transfer the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture. To realize the agreement, the government must regain the trust of the prefecture by lessening its burden in hosting U.S. military bases through noise reduction and other measures, as well as adopting regional development programs.
　米軍普天間飛行場を名護市辺野古に移設するという日米合意を実現するには、沖縄振興策、騒音など基地負担の軽減を通じた、沖縄県との信頼回復が不可欠だ。

Cabinet ministers concerned, and of course Noda himself, must fly to the prefecture to persuade Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima and others to agree to the transfer.
　担当閣僚はもちろん、野田首相も沖縄に出向き、仲井真弘多(ひろかず)知事らを本気で説得すべきである。

===

Revive farm sector
　農業再生へのチャンス

Promoting economic partnership relations will also greatly contribute to reinforcing the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　日米同盟の強化には、経済連携を進めることも寄与する。

Noda has already announced his intention to enter into discussions with other countries concerned toward participation in negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multinational trade agreement.
　野田首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加に向け、関係国との協議に入るとの意向を示している。

This framework would harness the economic vitality of Asia, and is indispensable for Japan's growth strategy.
　アジアの活力を取り込む枠組みは日本の成長戦略に不可欠だ。

If it is approved to participate in the negotiations, Japan will be able to commit itself to the formulation of new trade rules.
　事前交渉などを経て、ＴＰＰへの参加が認められれば、新たな通商ルールづくりに関与できる。

The government will need to take a strategic approach to the negotiations so the new rules will strengthen Japan's national interests.
日本の国益増進に資するよう、戦略的に交渉しなくてはならない。

Farmers and other people related to the agricultural industry have opposed Japan's participation in the TPP talks.
　交渉参加には、農業関係者らが反発している。

The basic principle of the framework is the abolition of tariffs without exceptions, and opponents say such a situation would leave the nation's agriculture sector unprotected.
原則が「例外なき関税撤廃」では、日本の農業を守れない、という理由からだ。

However, the nation's farm industry will deteriorate for certain if the situation is left untouched.
　だが、農業はこのままでは衰退必至だ。

Participation in the TPP talks raises the possibility of agricultural reforms such as farmland integration and providing aid to people who wish to take part in the industry.
ＴＰＰへの参加こそ農地の大規模化、就農支援など農業改革に取り組む契機になる。

If Japan strengthens its international agricultural competitiveness, not only will the rice market expand, but growth will occur in the markets for other high-quality farm products.
国際競争力が増せば、コメに限らず、高品質の農産物の輸出も拡大しよう。

We must see the TPP not as a "pinch," but rather a "chance" for revival.
　ＴＰＰはピンチではなく、再生へのチャンスと捉えたい。

　安全な原発に更新せよ
The nation's energy policy, including power generation, will play a central role in Japan's reconstruction and economic growth.
　日本の復興、経済成長で中心的役割を果たすのが電力などのエネルギー政策である。

Amid the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, other nuclear reactors around the country have been unable to restart even after finishing regularly scheduled inspections.
　福島原発の事故の影響で、各地の原発が定期検査を終えた後も再稼働できず、電力不足が深刻化している。

This has caused serious power shortages, and it is now feared that all of the nation's 54 nuclear reactors will be idled by May.
５月までには全原発５４基が停止する恐れがある。

Such a situation--the loss of 30 percent of the nation's electricity generation capacity--should be avoided at all costs.
　総発電量の３割が失われる事態を回避しなければならない。

===

Ensure nuclear safety

Power companies have been managing to cope with the situation through expanding thermal power generation, but rising prices of fuel, such as natural gas, have influenced power generation costs.
　電力会社は火力発電で急場をしのいでいるが、燃料の天然ガスなどが高騰し、発電コストが上昇している。

The generation of electricity through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind only account for 1 percent of total supply, and it will take years until these industries become mature enough to replace nuclear power.
太陽光や風力の再生可能エネルギーによる発電は、総発電量の１％しかない。原発に代わる事業に育つには長年を要する。

It is necessary for nuclear reactors to be restarted quickly after they have been confirmed safe.
　安全が十分に確認できた原発から再稼働していくことが必要だ。

To achieve this, the government must make efforts to win the cooperation of local governments that host nuclear plants.
政府は地元自治体の理解を得るよう尽力しなければならない。

Delaying the resumption of reactor operations will prompt businesses to move production bases overseas to avoid risks such as blackouts and power shortages, thereby spurring the hollowing-out of the industrial sector.
　再稼働が進まないと、停電や電力不足のリスクを避けるために、企業が海外移転を図り、産業空洞化に拍車を掛けることになる。

In contrast to former Prime Minister Naoto Kan's irresponsible attempt to break with nuclear power, Noda has encouraged practical energy policies such as promoting exports of nuclear power plants and technology. This is an appropriate course of action.
　菅前首相の無責任な「脱原発」路線と一線を画し、野田首相が原発輸出を推進するなど、現実を踏まえたエネルギー政策に乗り出したのは、当然である。

China and other emerging economies have not abandoned plans to build new nuclear power plants.
　中国など新興国では、原発新設の計画が維持されている。

If Japanese firms can develop new and safer reactors and export them in packages bundled with technology and expertise in the form of specialized training programs, some of the confidence Japan lost in the aftermath of the nuclear crisis can be regained.
より安全な新型原発を開発し、技術提供や専門家育成のノウハウと合わせて輸出することは、事故を起こした日本の信頼回復に役立つ。

However, if Japan pursues a policy of eliminating its domestic nuclear plants, its ability to export nuclear technology will be harmed, which could lead to a brain drain in engineers.
　「原発ゼロ」を標榜(ひょうぼう)すれば、原発輸出力は低下し、技術者の海外流出にもつながりかねない。

The crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was declared under control in December, but it will take 30 to 40 years to fully decommission the reactors.
　福島原発では、事故収束から廃炉まで３０～４０年を要する。

Along with this challenging work, personnel need to be fostered who can preserve and build on Japan's nuclear technology and expertise.
並行して、原発技術を継承する人材を確保、育成しなければならない。

Even if sun and wind power play larger roles, the option of replacing obsolete nuclear plants with safer and higher-performing models should not be ruled out.
　太陽光や風力などの電源に占める比率を高めていくにしても、国内で古くなった原発を高性能で安全な原発に更新する、という選択肢を排除すべきではない。

The optimal combination of power sources should be decided based on an overall judgment concerning supply stability, costs, environmental impact and other factors.
　電力の安定供給、コスト、環境への影響などを総合的に判断し、電源の最適な組み合わせを見いだすべきだ。

Such efforts will help avoid future power crises.
それが今後の電力危機を回避することに結びつこう。

Japan must not allow any of the above issues--the consumption tax, Okinawa, TPP and nuclear power--to remain undealt with.
　消費税、沖縄、ＴＰＰ、原発の各課題は、いずれも先送りできない。

The world is watching to see whether Japan will move forward toward peace and prosperity after overcoming the scars left by the March 11 disaster.
日本が「３・１１」を克服し、平和と繁栄の方向に歩を進められるか。世界が注目している。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2012)
（2012年1月1日00時56分 読売新聞）