読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の社説を学習研究
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2011/03/09
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 8
EDITORIAL: Did 250,000 yen really threaten Japan's national interest?
前原外相辞任―外国人と政治献金 どうにも、もやもやが残る。
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's resignation over donations he received from a foreign national has left us with a vaguely uncomfortable feeling.
The Korean resident who made the donations, the owner of a beef barbecue restaurant, says she has been treating Maehara as if he were her son ever since he moved to her neighborhood after losing his father when he was in the second year of junior high school.
Did her political donations to Maehara--50,000 yen ($610) per year for five years totaling 250,000 yen--really "threaten Japan's national interest?"
焼き肉店を経営する在日韓国人の女性は、中学２年で父親をなくして近所に越してきた前原誠司氏を、息子のように思って付き合ってきたという。彼女からの年５万円、計２５万円の政治献金が「国益が損なわれる」ほどのことだったのか。
The Political Fund Control Law bans in principle Japanese lawmakers from accepting political contributions from foreigners or companies more than half owned by foreigners. The ban is designed to prevent foreign involvement in or influence on Japanese politics.
政治資金規正法は外国人や、外国資本が過半数を占める企業からの政治献金を原則禁じている。日本の政治への外国の関与や影響を防ぐためだ。
A Korean resident in Japan who runs pachinko parlors once talked about his political donations.
パチンコ店を営む在日韓国人の男性は以前、こんな話をしていた。
Because opening pachinko parlors requires permission from the authorities, he has no choice but to build personal relations with various politicians, from Diet lawmakers to members of municipal assemblies.
出店をめぐる問題などで商売柄、国会議員から市議会議員まで、どうしても政治家とはつきあわざるを得ない。
The Korean resident provides financial support to politicians only within the range in which they don't have to disclose the name of the donor. That way, it remains unknown that the money comes from a foreigner. When he buys tickets to a fund-raising party, for instance, the upper limit is 200,000 yen.
The man said this involves subtle cooperation with aides to the politicians based on "aun no kokyu," or the same wavelength.
金の支援は外国人からと分からぬように、献金者の記載義務がない範囲で、たとえばパーティー券なら２０万円までにしておく。秘書とのあうんの呼吸だという。
The Political Fund Control Law was revised in 2006 to ease the ban on political donations by foreign companies, exempting from the rule companies that have been listed on a Japanese stock exchange for five years or more.
外資系企業の献金規制をめぐっては２００６年、国内で上場して５年以上たっていれば可、と規正法が改正された。
The revision has ensured that Japanese companies can continue making political donations even after foreigners have acquired more than half of their shares.
国際化で外資が５０％超になっても企業献金できるようにしたものだ。
The Liberal Democratic Party proposed to lift the ban altogether, but the Democratic Party of Japan expressed concerns that the step would make it possible for a foreign party to influence Japanese politicians for specific purposes. As a result, the requirement concerning stock listing was added to the revision.
自民党は解禁を提案したが、このときは民主党が「外国勢力が特定の意図で政治家に影響を与える懸念がある」といい、上場年数の要件がついた。
Here's another relevant story.
こんな話もある。
When an election draws near, candidates of various parties visit the local offices of Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) to ask the organization affiliated with South Korea for support or recommendations.
在日本大韓民国民団の各地の事務所には、選挙が近づくと、いろんな党の候補者が入れ替わり、あいさつや推薦依頼に来るという。
Foreign residents in Japan, of course, don't have the right to vote in elections.
もちろん、外国籍の人に選挙権はない。
But the children of Korean residents married to a Japanese are Japanese nationals. And Korean business owners employ Japanese workers.
だが日本人と結婚すれば子どもは日本国籍も持ち、事業をしていれば日本人従業員がいる。
In areas where many Korean residents live, they could have a political influence that cannot be safely ignored.
在日の人たちが多く住む街では、無視できない存在だからだ。
These episodes indicate that the border that keeps foreigners from Japanese politics and elections is actually rather fuzzy and subject to the influence of politicians.
いくつかの例から見えてくるのは、日本の政治や選挙と外国人の間の線引きが実はあいまいで、政治家の都合で左右されている現実だ。
In particular, Korean residents affiliated with North or South Korea have been living in this country for three or four generations.
外国人の中でも在日韓国・朝鮮人の人たちは、日本に根を下ろしてすでに３世代、４世代目だ。
They have maintained their foreign nationality because of reasons related to the procedures for obtaining Japanese nationality or their sentiment toward their ethnic roots.
国籍取得の手続きや自身のルーツへの思いから、外国籍を持ち続けている。
On the other hand, these Korean residents have been paying taxes as Japanese taxpayers do and sharing living space with Japanese citizens. They are integral members of local communities, including in terms of politics.
一方で、日本人と同じように税金を納め、生活空間をともにし、政治を含めた地域社会に組みこまれた存在だ。
Korean residents seeking to be recognized as legitimate members of their local communities have been demanding the right to vote in local elections.
きちんと住民の一員として認めてほしいと、地方選挙権を求める運動も起きている。
Receiving political donations from foreign residents in Japan is certainly illegal.
在日外国人の献金は確かに法に触れる。
But a conversation at the Diet or on the street over the money Maehara received from the Korean owner of a barbecue restaurant loses sight of the context. It starts sounding like a discussion about an intelligence war between countries as soon as it becomes a debate on the abstract issue of political donations by foreigners.
だが、国会や街中の議論で「外国人献金問題」と抽象化した瞬間、焼き肉屋のおばちゃんのいきさつは消し飛び、まるで国家間の諜報（ちょうほう）を論じるようだ。
Some important elements that can provoke candid conversations may have been lost in the process.
その間に互いに本音で話しあえる大切なものが落っこちていないか。
Have Maehara's critics made a well-reasoned argument by raising the issue of national interest and asking him which side he would choose if a diplomatic row were to break out between the two countries?
今回、ことさらに「国益」をうんぬんし、「外交問題が起こった時にどちら側に立つか」と問うような批判は、当たっていたのだろうか。
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 8
EDITORIAL: Did 250,000 yen really threaten Japan's national interest?
前原外相辞任―外国人と政治献金 どうにも、もやもやが残る。
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's resignation over donations he received from a foreign national has left us with a vaguely uncomfortable feeling.
The Korean resident who made the donations, the owner of a beef barbecue restaurant, says she has been treating Maehara as if he were her son ever since he moved to her neighborhood after losing his father when he was in the second year of junior high school.
Did her political donations to Maehara--50,000 yen ($610) per year for five years totaling 250,000 yen--really "threaten Japan's national interest?"
焼き肉店を経営する在日韓国人の女性は、中学２年で父親をなくして近所に越してきた前原誠司氏を、息子のように思って付き合ってきたという。彼女からの年５万円、計２５万円の政治献金が「国益が損なわれる」ほどのことだったのか。
The Political Fund Control Law bans in principle Japanese lawmakers from accepting political contributions from foreigners or companies more than half owned by foreigners. The ban is designed to prevent foreign involvement in or influence on Japanese politics.
政治資金規正法は外国人や、外国資本が過半数を占める企業からの政治献金を原則禁じている。日本の政治への外国の関与や影響を防ぐためだ。
A Korean resident in Japan who runs pachinko parlors once talked about his political donations.
パチンコ店を営む在日韓国人の男性は以前、こんな話をしていた。
Because opening pachinko parlors requires permission from the authorities, he has no choice but to build personal relations with various politicians, from Diet lawmakers to members of municipal assemblies.
出店をめぐる問題などで商売柄、国会議員から市議会議員まで、どうしても政治家とはつきあわざるを得ない。
The Korean resident provides financial support to politicians only within the range in which they don't have to disclose the name of the donor. That way, it remains unknown that the money comes from a foreigner. When he buys tickets to a fund-raising party, for instance, the upper limit is 200,000 yen.
The man said this involves subtle cooperation with aides to the politicians based on "aun no kokyu," or the same wavelength.
金の支援は外国人からと分からぬように、献金者の記載義務がない範囲で、たとえばパーティー券なら２０万円までにしておく。秘書とのあうんの呼吸だという。
The Political Fund Control Law was revised in 2006 to ease the ban on political donations by foreign companies, exempting from the rule companies that have been listed on a Japanese stock exchange for five years or more.
外資系企業の献金規制をめぐっては２００６年、国内で上場して５年以上たっていれば可、と規正法が改正された。
The revision has ensured that Japanese companies can continue making political donations even after foreigners have acquired more than half of their shares.
国際化で外資が５０％超になっても企業献金できるようにしたものだ。
The Liberal Democratic Party proposed to lift the ban altogether, but the Democratic Party of Japan expressed concerns that the step would make it possible for a foreign party to influence Japanese politicians for specific purposes. As a result, the requirement concerning stock listing was added to the revision.
自民党は解禁を提案したが、このときは民主党が「外国勢力が特定の意図で政治家に影響を与える懸念がある」といい、上場年数の要件がついた。
Here's another relevant story.
こんな話もある。
When an election draws near, candidates of various parties visit the local offices of Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) to ask the organization affiliated with South Korea for support or recommendations.
在日本大韓民国民団の各地の事務所には、選挙が近づくと、いろんな党の候補者が入れ替わり、あいさつや推薦依頼に来るという。
Foreign residents in Japan, of course, don't have the right to vote in elections.
もちろん、外国籍の人に選挙権はない。
But the children of Korean residents married to a Japanese are Japanese nationals. And Korean business owners employ Japanese workers.
だが日本人と結婚すれば子どもは日本国籍も持ち、事業をしていれば日本人従業員がいる。
In areas where many Korean residents live, they could have a political influence that cannot be safely ignored.
在日の人たちが多く住む街では、無視できない存在だからだ。
These episodes indicate that the border that keeps foreigners from Japanese politics and elections is actually rather fuzzy and subject to the influence of politicians.
いくつかの例から見えてくるのは、日本の政治や選挙と外国人の間の線引きが実はあいまいで、政治家の都合で左右されている現実だ。
In particular, Korean residents affiliated with North or South Korea have been living in this country for three or four generations.
外国人の中でも在日韓国・朝鮮人の人たちは、日本に根を下ろしてすでに３世代、４世代目だ。
They have maintained their foreign nationality because of reasons related to the procedures for obtaining Japanese nationality or their sentiment toward their ethnic roots.
国籍取得の手続きや自身のルーツへの思いから、外国籍を持ち続けている。
On the other hand, these Korean residents have been paying taxes as Japanese taxpayers do and sharing living space with Japanese citizens. They are integral members of local communities, including in terms of politics.
一方で、日本人と同じように税金を納め、生活空間をともにし、政治を含めた地域社会に組みこまれた存在だ。
Korean residents seeking to be recognized as legitimate members of their local communities have been demanding the right to vote in local elections.
きちんと住民の一員として認めてほしいと、地方選挙権を求める運動も起きている。
Receiving political donations from foreign residents in Japan is certainly illegal.
在日外国人の献金は確かに法に触れる。
But a conversation at the Diet or on the street over the money Maehara received from the Korean owner of a barbecue restaurant loses sight of the context. It starts sounding like a discussion about an intelligence war between countries as soon as it becomes a debate on the abstract issue of political donations by foreigners.
だが、国会や街中の議論で「外国人献金問題」と抽象化した瞬間、焼き肉屋のおばちゃんのいきさつは消し飛び、まるで国家間の諜報（ちょうほう）を論じるようだ。
Some important elements that can provoke candid conversations may have been lost in the process.
その間に互いに本音で話しあえる大切なものが落っこちていないか。
Have Maehara's critics made a well-reasoned argument by raising the issue of national interest and asking him which side he would choose if a diplomatic row were to break out between the two countries?
今回、ことさらに「国益」をうんぬんし、「外交問題が起こった時にどちら側に立つか」と問うような批判は、当たっていたのだろうか。
PR
菅直人首相は８日夜、在日外国人からの違法献金問題で辞任した前原誠司前外相の後任に松本剛（たけ）明（あき）外務副大臣（５１）を昇格させる人事を決めた。
９日午後に皇居で認証式が行われる予定。
菅首相、今回は動きが速かった。
副外務大臣を外務大臣に昇格させた。
岡田幹事長のほうが適任ではないか。
重要な国際会議が目白押し。
国際社会ですでに名前の売れている岡田幹事長を選任して欲しかった。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) March 8, 2011
Foreign minister's resignation damages international confidence in Japan's diplomacy
社説：短命「半年」外相 損なわれた外交の信用
The resignation of Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara over his receipt of political donations from a foreign resident has badly damaged the international community's confidence in Japan's diplomacy. He stepped down because accepting political donations from non-Japanese people could constitute a violation of the Law to Regulate Money Used for Political Activities.
前原誠司前外相が就任からわずか半年足らずで辞任したことは、「日本外交の信用性」を大きく傷つける結果となった。
Although his resignation was unavoidable considering the serious deadlock in Diet deliberations, it has poured cold water on the government's efforts to restore its diplomatic power.
厳しい国会運営を考慮すればやむを得ない判断ではあったが、菅内閣、民主党政権にとって急務である「外交力の立て直し」に悪影響を与えたのは間違いない。
Maehara, one of the few legislators from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) who are experts in diplomacy and national security, was the mainstay of diplomatic policy in the government, a field in which Prime Minister Naoto Kan is weak.
民主党内で数少ない外交・安全保障に精通した国会議員の一人である前原氏は、菅直人首相が苦手とする外交分野の大黒柱だった。
In particular, Maehara played a leading role in improving Japan-U.S. relations, which had been strained when former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was in power. He agreed with his U.S. counterpart to hold foreign and defense ministerial talks, known as "two-plus-two," in spring in a bid to set common strategic goals as part of efforts to deepen the bilateral alliance, and break the deadlock over the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture.
鳩山政権時代に揺らいだ日米関係修復の中心になり、１月の外相会談では共通戦略目標策定など日米同盟深化や米軍普天間飛行場移設問題の節目となる外務・防衛担当閣僚による安全保障協議委員会（２プラス２）を今春に開催することで合意し、その後の首脳会談を成功に導く責任者だった。
There is no denying that the resignation of Maehara, who has maintained friendly relations with U.S. officials, could cast a shadow over these bilateral consultations.
米国と良好な関係を築いてきた前原氏の辞任が一連の協議に影響する可能性を否定できない。
Besides hosting talks with Washington, Tokyo's diplomatic schedule is tight from next week to June. A Group of Eight (G8) foreign ministerial conference is scheduled for March 14 and 15, while a meeting between Japanese, Chinese and South Korean foreign ministers is due to be held in Kyoto on March 19 and 20. G8 and Japanese, Chinese and South Korean summit meetings are also expected to be later held. Moreover, Tokyo and Beijing have been considering a visit by the Japanese foreign minister to China to hold talks aimed at improving bilateral ties.
日米関係のみならず、来週から６月にかけて外交日程は目白押しである。さっそく今月１４、１５両日に主要８カ国（Ｇ８）外相会議、１９、２０両日には京都で日中韓外相会談が予定されている。それぞれ首脳会議も控えており、日中関係改善を目指した外相訪中も検討されていた。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, a key member of the Kan Cabinet, is tentatively doubling as foreign minister, but it is Prime Minister Kan's responsibility to appoint a new foreign minister at an early date.
枝野幸男官房長官が外相臨時代理を兼務する態勢を脱し、早急に新外相を任命することは菅首相の責務である。
The DPJ-led government must be reminded that frequent changes of foreign ministers over such a short period of time is a serious concern in that it has damaged the international community's confidence in Japan's diplomacy, and that a steady government is indispensable to create a stable administration, which will serve as a basis for diplomatic power.
今、民主党政権に特に強調しなければならないのは、外相の短命交代劇が外交の信用失墜を招く重大性であり、外交力の基盤となる安定した政権づくりの必要性である。
During a news conference in which he announced his resignation, Foreign Minister Maehara underscored the need for diplomatic consistency.
He said the foreign minister of another country told him, "You're Japan's sixth foreign minister since I became foreign minister."
Maehara added that Japan's political situation should be stabilized so that prime ministers and foreign ministers do not change frequently.
前原氏自身、辞任表明会見で、他国の外相から「自分が外相になってあなたは日本の６人目の外相だ」と言われたことを紹介し、「外交は継続性が大事だ」「首相や外相がコロコロ代わらない政治の安定を作らなくてはならない」と語った。
Japan's diplomatic efforts to nurture mutual trust and improve relations with China, which caused a boat collision off the disputed Senkaku Islands, have come to a crucial stage. The same has happened with Russia, with which Japan currently is involved in a dispute on the sovereignty over the Northern Territories.
尖閣諸島沖事件を引き起こした中国、北方領土問題を抱えるロシアといった大国との信頼構築・関係改善は、日本外交にとって正念場を迎えている。
Since the latter half of last year, China and Russia have undoubtedly taken advantage of the weakened Japan-U.S. alliance, the DPJ-led administration's lack of diplomatic power and the Kan administration's fragile power base to take tough stances toward Japan.
中露両国の昨年後半以来の対日強硬姿勢の背景に、日米同盟の乱れに加えて、民主党政権の外交力の欠如、政権基盤の弱体ぶりがあったことは間違いない。
A short-lived foreign minister cannot nurture mutual trust with his or her counterparts in other countries. Such a foreign minister damages the world's trust in Japan's diplomacy and cannot hold serious diplomatic negotiations. 短命外相の下では、他国の交渉相手との信頼関係が築けず、外交の信用を損ね、真剣な交渉は困難となる。
Other countries take advantage of such a foreign minister's weakness in their diplomatic talks with Japan, which is detrimental to Japan's national interests.
国内政治が不安定であれば、他国に足元を見られ、付け入るスキを与えることになりかねない。国益にはマイナスだ。
If the DPJ-led administration cannot easily bolster its power base, it should prioritize a thorough review of its strategy in an effort to restore its diplomatic power and strengthen the Prime Minister's Office's leadership in working on important diplomatic issues, such as Japan's relations with the United States, China and Russia. 政権基盤強化が簡単でないとすれば、まず、外交力立て直しで必要なのは戦略の練り直しであり、対米、対中、対露など重要課題での首相官邸の指導力強化である。
However, one cannot help but wonder whether Prime Minister Kan still has such power.
菅首相にその力が残されているだろうか。
毎日新聞 2011年3月8日 2時31分
９日午後に皇居で認証式が行われる予定。
菅首相、今回は動きが速かった。
副外務大臣を外務大臣に昇格させた。
岡田幹事長のほうが適任ではないか。
重要な国際会議が目白押し。
国際社会ですでに名前の売れている岡田幹事長を選任して欲しかった。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) March 8, 2011
Foreign minister's resignation damages international confidence in Japan's diplomacy
社説：短命「半年」外相 損なわれた外交の信用
The resignation of Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara over his receipt of political donations from a foreign resident has badly damaged the international community's confidence in Japan's diplomacy. He stepped down because accepting political donations from non-Japanese people could constitute a violation of the Law to Regulate Money Used for Political Activities.
前原誠司前外相が就任からわずか半年足らずで辞任したことは、「日本外交の信用性」を大きく傷つける結果となった。
Although his resignation was unavoidable considering the serious deadlock in Diet deliberations, it has poured cold water on the government's efforts to restore its diplomatic power.
厳しい国会運営を考慮すればやむを得ない判断ではあったが、菅内閣、民主党政権にとって急務である「外交力の立て直し」に悪影響を与えたのは間違いない。
Maehara, one of the few legislators from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) who are experts in diplomacy and national security, was the mainstay of diplomatic policy in the government, a field in which Prime Minister Naoto Kan is weak.
民主党内で数少ない外交・安全保障に精通した国会議員の一人である前原氏は、菅直人首相が苦手とする外交分野の大黒柱だった。
In particular, Maehara played a leading role in improving Japan-U.S. relations, which had been strained when former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was in power. He agreed with his U.S. counterpart to hold foreign and defense ministerial talks, known as "two-plus-two," in spring in a bid to set common strategic goals as part of efforts to deepen the bilateral alliance, and break the deadlock over the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture.
鳩山政権時代に揺らいだ日米関係修復の中心になり、１月の外相会談では共通戦略目標策定など日米同盟深化や米軍普天間飛行場移設問題の節目となる外務・防衛担当閣僚による安全保障協議委員会（２プラス２）を今春に開催することで合意し、その後の首脳会談を成功に導く責任者だった。
There is no denying that the resignation of Maehara, who has maintained friendly relations with U.S. officials, could cast a shadow over these bilateral consultations.
米国と良好な関係を築いてきた前原氏の辞任が一連の協議に影響する可能性を否定できない。
Besides hosting talks with Washington, Tokyo's diplomatic schedule is tight from next week to June. A Group of Eight (G8) foreign ministerial conference is scheduled for March 14 and 15, while a meeting between Japanese, Chinese and South Korean foreign ministers is due to be held in Kyoto on March 19 and 20. G8 and Japanese, Chinese and South Korean summit meetings are also expected to be later held. Moreover, Tokyo and Beijing have been considering a visit by the Japanese foreign minister to China to hold talks aimed at improving bilateral ties.
日米関係のみならず、来週から６月にかけて外交日程は目白押しである。さっそく今月１４、１５両日に主要８カ国（Ｇ８）外相会議、１９、２０両日には京都で日中韓外相会談が予定されている。それぞれ首脳会議も控えており、日中関係改善を目指した外相訪中も検討されていた。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano, a key member of the Kan Cabinet, is tentatively doubling as foreign minister, but it is Prime Minister Kan's responsibility to appoint a new foreign minister at an early date.
枝野幸男官房長官が外相臨時代理を兼務する態勢を脱し、早急に新外相を任命することは菅首相の責務である。
The DPJ-led government must be reminded that frequent changes of foreign ministers over such a short period of time is a serious concern in that it has damaged the international community's confidence in Japan's diplomacy, and that a steady government is indispensable to create a stable administration, which will serve as a basis for diplomatic power.
今、民主党政権に特に強調しなければならないのは、外相の短命交代劇が外交の信用失墜を招く重大性であり、外交力の基盤となる安定した政権づくりの必要性である。
During a news conference in which he announced his resignation, Foreign Minister Maehara underscored the need for diplomatic consistency.
He said the foreign minister of another country told him, "You're Japan's sixth foreign minister since I became foreign minister."
Maehara added that Japan's political situation should be stabilized so that prime ministers and foreign ministers do not change frequently.
前原氏自身、辞任表明会見で、他国の外相から「自分が外相になってあなたは日本の６人目の外相だ」と言われたことを紹介し、「外交は継続性が大事だ」「首相や外相がコロコロ代わらない政治の安定を作らなくてはならない」と語った。
Japan's diplomatic efforts to nurture mutual trust and improve relations with China, which caused a boat collision off the disputed Senkaku Islands, have come to a crucial stage. The same has happened with Russia, with which Japan currently is involved in a dispute on the sovereignty over the Northern Territories.
尖閣諸島沖事件を引き起こした中国、北方領土問題を抱えるロシアといった大国との信頼構築・関係改善は、日本外交にとって正念場を迎えている。
Since the latter half of last year, China and Russia have undoubtedly taken advantage of the weakened Japan-U.S. alliance, the DPJ-led administration's lack of diplomatic power and the Kan administration's fragile power base to take tough stances toward Japan.
中露両国の昨年後半以来の対日強硬姿勢の背景に、日米同盟の乱れに加えて、民主党政権の外交力の欠如、政権基盤の弱体ぶりがあったことは間違いない。
A short-lived foreign minister cannot nurture mutual trust with his or her counterparts in other countries. Such a foreign minister damages the world's trust in Japan's diplomacy and cannot hold serious diplomatic negotiations. 短命外相の下では、他国の交渉相手との信頼関係が築けず、外交の信用を損ね、真剣な交渉は困難となる。
Other countries take advantage of such a foreign minister's weakness in their diplomatic talks with Japan, which is detrimental to Japan's national interests.
国内政治が不安定であれば、他国に足元を見られ、付け入るスキを与えることになりかねない。国益にはマイナスだ。
If the DPJ-led administration cannot easily bolster its power base, it should prioritize a thorough review of its strategy in an effort to restore its diplomatic power and strengthen the Prime Minister's Office's leadership in working on important diplomatic issues, such as Japan's relations with the United States, China and Russia. 政権基盤強化が簡単でないとすれば、まず、外交力立て直しで必要なのは戦略の練り直しであり、対米、対中、対露など重要課題での首相官邸の指導力強化である。
However, one cannot help but wonder whether Prime Minister Kan still has such power.
菅首相にその力が残されているだろうか。
毎日新聞 2011年3月8日 2時31分
(Mainichi Japan) March 7, 2011
Maehara resignation another sign Japanese politics is badly broken
前原外相辞任：政治不全が止まらない＝政治部編集委員・古賀攻
The public's lingering ambivalence regarding Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's resignation can be attributed to the utter improbability of the brouhaha making any contributions toward straightening out the tangled mess that Japanese politics has become.
辞任した前原誠司外相をめぐって割り切れなさが残るのは、この騒動がもつれにもつれた日本の政治の立て直しに何ら貢献しそうにないからだ。
The scandal erupted when it emerged that Maehara had been receiving 50,000 yen annually from a 72-year-old South Korean resident of Kyoto in violation of the Political Funds Control Law. The benefactor runs a small barbecue restaurant, and has known Maehara since he was in his second year of junior high school.
年５万円の献金主が京都に住む在日韓国人の女性だったことから、政治資金規正法の問題が生じた。７２歳になる女性は小さな焼き肉店の経営者で、前原氏が中学２年生だったころからの知り合いだという。
What are we to make of the gap in significance between the facts surrounding the donations and the foreign minister's resignation because of them?
その事実関係と、外交責任者の引責辞任という出来事とのギャップをどう考えればよいのだろうか。
One former prime minister and a member of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) said that it was the fact that the political funds law had not been honored -- and not the specific circumstances of the donations -- that was the problem.
"The donation amount is not the issue here," he said. "That a figure such as the foreign minister had not taken a law banning politicians from accepting donations from foreign nationals seriously is the issue."
自民党の首相経験者は「額の多寡は問題ではない。外相ともあろう者が、外国人からの献金禁止を深刻に考えていなかったことが問題だ」と語る。
There is no question that Maehara's blunder must be criticized. Small donations can amount to a lot if collected from large numbers of people. Considering that the Political Funds Control Law was laid down in the spirit of preventing the will of specific foreign countries from influencing domestic politics, foreign ministers must be careful -- perhaps even more than other politicians -- to abide by such rules.
確かに前原氏の脇の甘さは指弾されるべきだろう。個々の献金額は小さくても、同じ条件で多数の人から献金を集めるケースだってあり得る。特定国の意思が国内政治に反映されることを防止するという規正法の精神に照らせば、外相の地位にある者は一般の政治家以上に厳しく身を律する必要がある。
What should not be overlooked, however, is that Maehara's donation scandal suddenly surfaced at a time of political gridlock, in which forcing a choice between resignation and keeping one's post seems to be the ultimate mission of the Japanese political world.
しかし、見過ごせないのは、八方ふさがりの状況下で前原氏の献金問題が急浮上し、進退の決着だけがゴールのように動いてしまう政界のありようだ。
It is obvious that the LDP, which unearthed the latest scandal, has an ulterior motive: to crush Maehara, rumored to be a prospective successor to Kan, before he gains momentum, and to push Prime Minister Kan to dissolve the lower house. Kan will find himself cornered, no matter how determined he may presently be to stay on task, if Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ritsuo Hosokawa -- who recently bumbled over a ministry directive regarding social security -- is also driven to resignation, setting off a resignation "domino effect."
今回の事案を掘り起こした自民党側に、前原氏が「ポスト菅直人」に躍り上がる芽をつぶし、菅首相による衆院解散へ引き込む思惑があるのは明らかだ。年金問題で不手際があった細川律夫厚生労働相とともに「ドミノ辞任」に突き進めば、いくら強気の首相でも後がなくなる。
Meanwhile, it appears that one reason Maehara resigned relatively soon after his violation of the political funds law became public was his judgment that doing so would help him maintain his chances of becoming prime minister more so than would waiting until the drama had played out over an extended period of time. He left much business unfinished, including the upcoming G8 meeting of foreign ministers that is set to begin on March 14, and a meeting of Japanese, Chinese and South Korean foreign ministers scheduled for March 19. Kan lacked any zeal to fight to keep Maehara at his post, betraying a general sense of incompetence within the Kan administration.
一方、前原氏が比較的早期に辞意を固めた背景には、引き際を誤って転倒するよりも、首相候補の地位を保った方が得策という、やはり内向きの計算がうかがえる。今月１４日から主要８カ国（Ｇ８）外相会議、１９日からは日中韓外相会談が控えているが、それらを投げ出しての辞任だ。菅首相にも強引に続投させる気迫はなく、政権全体に無力感が漂う。
While the ruling and opposition parties carry out their domestic political rivalry, politics continues to lose its original function -- namely to govern Japan and serve its people -- leaving Japan behind the rest of the globalized world. Prolonged political paralysis only serves to hurt Japan's national interests and the interests of the Japanese people. (By Ko Koga, Senior Writer, Political News Department)
こうして与野党が「政治的内戦」を繰り返しているうちに、政治が本来なすべき機能は損なわれ、日本はグローバル化した世界の潮流についていけなくなる。政治不全が止まらず、日々傷ついているのは、国益そして国民益だ。
毎日新聞 2011年3月7日 東京朝刊
Maehara resignation another sign Japanese politics is badly broken
前原外相辞任：政治不全が止まらない＝政治部編集委員・古賀攻
The public's lingering ambivalence regarding Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara's resignation can be attributed to the utter improbability of the brouhaha making any contributions toward straightening out the tangled mess that Japanese politics has become.
辞任した前原誠司外相をめぐって割り切れなさが残るのは、この騒動がもつれにもつれた日本の政治の立て直しに何ら貢献しそうにないからだ。
The scandal erupted when it emerged that Maehara had been receiving 50,000 yen annually from a 72-year-old South Korean resident of Kyoto in violation of the Political Funds Control Law. The benefactor runs a small barbecue restaurant, and has known Maehara since he was in his second year of junior high school.
年５万円の献金主が京都に住む在日韓国人の女性だったことから、政治資金規正法の問題が生じた。７２歳になる女性は小さな焼き肉店の経営者で、前原氏が中学２年生だったころからの知り合いだという。
What are we to make of the gap in significance between the facts surrounding the donations and the foreign minister's resignation because of them?
その事実関係と、外交責任者の引責辞任という出来事とのギャップをどう考えればよいのだろうか。
One former prime minister and a member of the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) said that it was the fact that the political funds law had not been honored -- and not the specific circumstances of the donations -- that was the problem.
"The donation amount is not the issue here," he said. "That a figure such as the foreign minister had not taken a law banning politicians from accepting donations from foreign nationals seriously is the issue."
自民党の首相経験者は「額の多寡は問題ではない。外相ともあろう者が、外国人からの献金禁止を深刻に考えていなかったことが問題だ」と語る。
There is no question that Maehara's blunder must be criticized. Small donations can amount to a lot if collected from large numbers of people. Considering that the Political Funds Control Law was laid down in the spirit of preventing the will of specific foreign countries from influencing domestic politics, foreign ministers must be careful -- perhaps even more than other politicians -- to abide by such rules.
確かに前原氏の脇の甘さは指弾されるべきだろう。個々の献金額は小さくても、同じ条件で多数の人から献金を集めるケースだってあり得る。特定国の意思が国内政治に反映されることを防止するという規正法の精神に照らせば、外相の地位にある者は一般の政治家以上に厳しく身を律する必要がある。
What should not be overlooked, however, is that Maehara's donation scandal suddenly surfaced at a time of political gridlock, in which forcing a choice between resignation and keeping one's post seems to be the ultimate mission of the Japanese political world.
しかし、見過ごせないのは、八方ふさがりの状況下で前原氏の献金問題が急浮上し、進退の決着だけがゴールのように動いてしまう政界のありようだ。
It is obvious that the LDP, which unearthed the latest scandal, has an ulterior motive: to crush Maehara, rumored to be a prospective successor to Kan, before he gains momentum, and to push Prime Minister Kan to dissolve the lower house. Kan will find himself cornered, no matter how determined he may presently be to stay on task, if Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ritsuo Hosokawa -- who recently bumbled over a ministry directive regarding social security -- is also driven to resignation, setting off a resignation "domino effect."
今回の事案を掘り起こした自民党側に、前原氏が「ポスト菅直人」に躍り上がる芽をつぶし、菅首相による衆院解散へ引き込む思惑があるのは明らかだ。年金問題で不手際があった細川律夫厚生労働相とともに「ドミノ辞任」に突き進めば、いくら強気の首相でも後がなくなる。
Meanwhile, it appears that one reason Maehara resigned relatively soon after his violation of the political funds law became public was his judgment that doing so would help him maintain his chances of becoming prime minister more so than would waiting until the drama had played out over an extended period of time. He left much business unfinished, including the upcoming G8 meeting of foreign ministers that is set to begin on March 14, and a meeting of Japanese, Chinese and South Korean foreign ministers scheduled for March 19. Kan lacked any zeal to fight to keep Maehara at his post, betraying a general sense of incompetence within the Kan administration.
一方、前原氏が比較的早期に辞意を固めた背景には、引き際を誤って転倒するよりも、首相候補の地位を保った方が得策という、やはり内向きの計算がうかがえる。今月１４日から主要８カ国（Ｇ８）外相会議、１９日からは日中韓外相会談が控えているが、それらを投げ出しての辞任だ。菅首相にも強引に続投させる気迫はなく、政権全体に無力感が漂う。
While the ruling and opposition parties carry out their domestic political rivalry, politics continues to lose its original function -- namely to govern Japan and serve its people -- leaving Japan behind the rest of the globalized world. Prolonged political paralysis only serves to hurt Japan's national interests and the interests of the Japanese people. (By Ko Koga, Senior Writer, Political News Department)
こうして与野党が「政治的内戦」を繰り返しているうちに、政治が本来なすべき機能は損なわれ、日本はグローバル化した世界の潮流についていけなくなる。政治不全が止まらず、日々傷ついているのは、国益そして国民益だ。
毎日新聞 2011年3月7日 東京朝刊
前原外相は昨日６日の夕刻に辞任しました。
わずか２５万円のために、愚かなことをしました。
自民党の議員が調べて告発したみたいですね。
なんだか与野党逆転での意趣返しをしているようですっきりしません。
小沢さんの虚偽記載は金額が多いのに、大丈夫みたいです＾＾。
外国人からの政治献金は政治資金規正法で厳しく禁止されているので辞任はやむ終えないですね。
実に男らしいあっさりとした辞任劇ではありました。
なにより、四の五の（しのごの）反論しない。
中学校時代の友達からもらったと素直に認めています。
法律を犯してはいますが、ちょっと気の毒になりました。
善意の献金が致命傷となったということです。
残念です。
（スラチャイ記）
Don't overlook illegal donation issue
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 7, 2011)
前原外相 看過できない外国人違法献金（3月6日付・読売社説）
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has admitted in a meeting of the House of Councillors Budget Committee that he received political donations from a South Korean resident living in Kyoto.
前原外相が参院予算委員会で、京都市に住む在日韓国人の女性から政治献金を受け取っていたことを認めた。
This is a problem that cannot be forgiven just because the amount of money involved was small or because he may not have received it intentionally.
献金額が少ないとか、故意ではないからとかいって、簡単に免責されるような問題ではない。
The Political Funds Control Law prohibits politicians from receiving donations related to their political activities from foreign nationals, corporations and organizations. The purpose of this prohibition is to prevent intervention in Japan's politics by foreign countries.
政治資金規正法は、外国人や外国法人から政治活動に関する寄付を受けることを禁止している。日本の政治が外国から干渉・影響されるのを防ぐためである。
Especially when politicians intentionally receive such donations, they may be subject to punishments such as imprisonment, fine and suspension of civil rights--including the right to vote or run for public office.
特に、故意に寄付を受けた場合は、禁錮や罰金、公民権停止などの罰則の対象になる。
Maehara said he was only aware of one 50,000 yen donation. He said he would return the money and revise the relevant political funds report.
外相は、自ら把握する献金は５万円だとし、今後、返金して政治資金収支報告書を訂正する考えを示した。
===
Conduct probe soon
However, Shoji Nishida of the Liberal Democratic Party pointed out at the Budget Committee meeting that Maehara received at least 200,000 yen during the past four years.
だが、自民党の西田昌司氏は予算委で、４年間で計２０万円を受け取っていたと指摘した。
The foreign minister should swiftly investigate the whole picture of the donations from the South Korean resident and determine whether there have been donations from other foreign nationals. The results of the investigation should be publicly announced as soon as possible.
この在日韓国人からの献金の全容と、他の外国人からの政治献金の有無について、外相は速やかに調査し、公表すべきだ。
Maehara said his association with the female South Korean resident of Kyoto began during his middle school days, but he denied he intentionally received the money. He said he learned of the donation only a day before the Budget Committee meeting.
外相は、在日韓国人との付き合いは中学生時代からだが、献金を知ったのは予算委の前日だとして故意の受領を否定している。
To begin with, it is common sense for politicians that political donations from foreign nationals are illegal. Moreover, Maehara is now the top government official responsible for steering Japan's diplomacy.
外国人からの政治献金が違法であることは政界の常識である。まして前原外相は今、日本外交を統括する立場にある。
Even if he really did not know about the donations, it is problematic that his office accepted them so easily. He cannot escape his responsibility to supervise his own office staff.
本人が本当に知らなかったとしても、事務所が安易に献金を受け取ること自体が問題であり、外相の監督責任は免れない。
Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Katsuya Okada called it "a clerical mistake," but the problem should not be brushed off so easily and irresponsibly.
民主党の岡田幹事長が言うような「事務的ミス」として、片づけて済ませるべきではあるまい。
Maehara has been a sharp critic of the money and politics scandals surrounding former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
前原外相は、小沢一郎元代表の政治とカネの問題について厳しく批判してきた。
However, in addition to the illegal donation issue, other problems also surfaced. For example, a company that did not buy tickets to a fund-raising party was erroneously listed as having done so in Maehara's 2009 political funds report. Also, his political organization received donations that year from a company at which an executive had been investigated by police in a tax evasion case.
ところが、今回の違法献金に加え、パーティー券購入企業の収支報告書への誤記載や、脱税事件で摘発された人物の関係企業からの献金が発覚した。
We cannot help but conclude Maehara is too careless.
極めて脇が甘いと言わざるを得ない。
===
Can DPJ purify itself?
A chorus of demands for Maehara to resign as foreign minister has arisen from the LDP and other opposition parties. Even some members of the DPJ have said the opposition demand is appropriate.
自民党など野党は、一斉に外相の辞任を要求しており、民主党の一部にも同調する声がある。
On Saturday night, Maehara demonstrated his determination to continue as foreign minister. The issue of his possible resignation will surely drive the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, which is already struggling with various issues, into an even more difficult situation.
前原外相は５日夜、続投への意欲を示したが、仮に進退問題に発展すれば、菅内閣はますます厳しい状況に追い込まれるだろう。
In the past, DPJ member Giichi Tsunoda resigned from his post as vice president of the upper house in January 2007 over suspicion that his election office received a donation from an organization under the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
民主党では２００７年１月、角田義一参院副議長が在日本朝鮮人総連合会の傘下団体からの献金疑惑を残し、辞任している。
And in the party presidential election in autumn last year, it became a problem that the DPJ gave voting rights to party members and supporters who are foreign residents.
昨年秋の代表選では、在日外国人の党員・サポーターに投票権を与えていることが問題となった。
If Kan pushes forward with the slogan "clean DPJ," we urge the party to demonstrate that its capacity for self-purification really works on these problems.
菅首相が「クリーンな民主党」を標榜(ひょうぼう)するなら、こうした一連の問題にきちんと自浄能力を発揮することが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2011)
（2011年3月6日01時42分 読売新聞）
わずか２５万円のために、愚かなことをしました。
自民党の議員が調べて告発したみたいですね。
なんだか与野党逆転での意趣返しをしているようですっきりしません。
小沢さんの虚偽記載は金額が多いのに、大丈夫みたいです＾＾。
外国人からの政治献金は政治資金規正法で厳しく禁止されているので辞任はやむ終えないですね。
実に男らしいあっさりとした辞任劇ではありました。
なにより、四の五の（しのごの）反論しない。
中学校時代の友達からもらったと素直に認めています。
法律を犯してはいますが、ちょっと気の毒になりました。
善意の献金が致命傷となったということです。
残念です。
（スラチャイ記）
Don't overlook illegal donation issue
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 7, 2011)
前原外相 看過できない外国人違法献金（3月6日付・読売社説）
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara has admitted in a meeting of the House of Councillors Budget Committee that he received political donations from a South Korean resident living in Kyoto.
前原外相が参院予算委員会で、京都市に住む在日韓国人の女性から政治献金を受け取っていたことを認めた。
This is a problem that cannot be forgiven just because the amount of money involved was small or because he may not have received it intentionally.
献金額が少ないとか、故意ではないからとかいって、簡単に免責されるような問題ではない。
The Political Funds Control Law prohibits politicians from receiving donations related to their political activities from foreign nationals, corporations and organizations. The purpose of this prohibition is to prevent intervention in Japan's politics by foreign countries.
政治資金規正法は、外国人や外国法人から政治活動に関する寄付を受けることを禁止している。日本の政治が外国から干渉・影響されるのを防ぐためである。
Especially when politicians intentionally receive such donations, they may be subject to punishments such as imprisonment, fine and suspension of civil rights--including the right to vote or run for public office.
特に、故意に寄付を受けた場合は、禁錮や罰金、公民権停止などの罰則の対象になる。
Maehara said he was only aware of one 50,000 yen donation. He said he would return the money and revise the relevant political funds report.
外相は、自ら把握する献金は５万円だとし、今後、返金して政治資金収支報告書を訂正する考えを示した。
===
Conduct probe soon
However, Shoji Nishida of the Liberal Democratic Party pointed out at the Budget Committee meeting that Maehara received at least 200,000 yen during the past four years.
だが、自民党の西田昌司氏は予算委で、４年間で計２０万円を受け取っていたと指摘した。
The foreign minister should swiftly investigate the whole picture of the donations from the South Korean resident and determine whether there have been donations from other foreign nationals. The results of the investigation should be publicly announced as soon as possible.
この在日韓国人からの献金の全容と、他の外国人からの政治献金の有無について、外相は速やかに調査し、公表すべきだ。
Maehara said his association with the female South Korean resident of Kyoto began during his middle school days, but he denied he intentionally received the money. He said he learned of the donation only a day before the Budget Committee meeting.
外相は、在日韓国人との付き合いは中学生時代からだが、献金を知ったのは予算委の前日だとして故意の受領を否定している。
To begin with, it is common sense for politicians that political donations from foreign nationals are illegal. Moreover, Maehara is now the top government official responsible for steering Japan's diplomacy.
外国人からの政治献金が違法であることは政界の常識である。まして前原外相は今、日本外交を統括する立場にある。
Even if he really did not know about the donations, it is problematic that his office accepted them so easily. He cannot escape his responsibility to supervise his own office staff.
本人が本当に知らなかったとしても、事務所が安易に献金を受け取ること自体が問題であり、外相の監督責任は免れない。
Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Katsuya Okada called it "a clerical mistake," but the problem should not be brushed off so easily and irresponsibly.
民主党の岡田幹事長が言うような「事務的ミス」として、片づけて済ませるべきではあるまい。
Maehara has been a sharp critic of the money and politics scandals surrounding former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
前原外相は、小沢一郎元代表の政治とカネの問題について厳しく批判してきた。
However, in addition to the illegal donation issue, other problems also surfaced. For example, a company that did not buy tickets to a fund-raising party was erroneously listed as having done so in Maehara's 2009 political funds report. Also, his political organization received donations that year from a company at which an executive had been investigated by police in a tax evasion case.
ところが、今回の違法献金に加え、パーティー券購入企業の収支報告書への誤記載や、脱税事件で摘発された人物の関係企業からの献金が発覚した。
We cannot help but conclude Maehara is too careless.
極めて脇が甘いと言わざるを得ない。
===
Can DPJ purify itself?
A chorus of demands for Maehara to resign as foreign minister has arisen from the LDP and other opposition parties. Even some members of the DPJ have said the opposition demand is appropriate.
自民党など野党は、一斉に外相の辞任を要求しており、民主党の一部にも同調する声がある。
On Saturday night, Maehara demonstrated his determination to continue as foreign minister. The issue of his possible resignation will surely drive the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, which is already struggling with various issues, into an even more difficult situation.
前原外相は５日夜、続投への意欲を示したが、仮に進退問題に発展すれば、菅内閣はますます厳しい状況に追い込まれるだろう。
In the past, DPJ member Giichi Tsunoda resigned from his post as vice president of the upper house in January 2007 over suspicion that his election office received a donation from an organization under the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
民主党では２００７年１月、角田義一参院副議長が在日本朝鮮人総連合会の傘下団体からの献金疑惑を残し、辞任している。
And in the party presidential election in autumn last year, it became a problem that the DPJ gave voting rights to party members and supporters who are foreign residents.
昨年秋の代表選では、在日外国人の党員・サポーターに投票権を与えていることが問題となった。
If Kan pushes forward with the slogan "clean DPJ," we urge the party to demonstrate that its capacity for self-purification really works on these problems.
菅首相が「クリーンな民主党」を標榜(ひょうぼう)するなら、こうした一連の問題にきちんと自浄能力を発揮することが求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2011)
（2011年3月6日01時42分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 6, 2011)
China's defense buildup lacking in transparency
国防費２ケタ増 中国は軍の透明性を高めよ（3月5日付・読売社説）
China will boost its defense spending in 2011 by 12.7 percent compared to the previous year's actual figure, a spokesman of the 11th National People's Congress said Friday, one day ahead of the opening of the legislature's fourth annual meeting.
中国の２０１１年の国防予算は前年実績比１２・７％増で、２年ぶりに２ケタの伸びとなった。
５日開幕の第１１期全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）第４回会議を前に大会報道官が公表した。
China's defense spending increased by double digits every year for 21 years from 1989 through 2009. But its growth rate dropped to a single digit in 2010 due to effects of the world economic slowdown and other factors.
中国の国防予算は１９８９年から０９年までの２１年間、２ケタ増が続いたが、世界同時不況などの影響で１０年は１ケタ増に減じた。
Now it has returned to a double-digit rate with the economic recovery. Since China aims for an average gross domestic product growth rate of 7 percent for next five years, we must expect that high growth rates in its defense spending are likely to continue.
それが景気回復とともに、再び２ケタ台に転じた。中国は今後５年間の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）成長率の目標を７％に設定している。国防予算は高い増加率が続くものと見なければなるまい。
China's military spending growth rate for this year has surpassed its GDP growth rate of 10 percent last year, when it became the second largest economy in the world.
今年の国防予算の伸び率は、世界２位の経済大国となった昨年のＧＤＰ成長率１０％を上回った。
Beijing should offer a reasonable explanation of why it believes it needs to continue increasing its military spending at a rate surpassing its economic growth rate.
中国は経済成長率を超える国防予算増をなぜ続ける必要があるのか、合理的な説明をすべきだ。
===
Neighbors uneasy
Its neighbors cannot help but harbor serious concerns unless transparency of the Chinese military is increased. To contribute to Asian regional stability, China should fulfill its responsibility as a major power in this regard.
軍の透明性を高めなければ、周辺諸国が抱く懸念は消えない。地域の安定に寄与するよう大国としての責任を果たすべきである。
China's defense spending is 1.58 times larger than Japan's fiscal 2011 defense budget. China is already the world's second largest military power after the United States in terms of defense expenditures.
中国の国防予算は、１１年度の日本の防衛予算の１・５８倍である。軍事費では、すでに米国に次ぐ世界第２の軍事大国だ。
Besides, its defense budget is obscure on many points. For example, research and development funding for new military equipment is not included. Actual military spending is believed to be more than double the official figure.
しかも、その予算には、装備の研究開発費が含まれないなど不明な点が多い。実際の軍事費は公表値の２倍以上と見られている。
The recent buildup of Chinese forces is noteworthy.
最近の中国軍増強は著しい。
Construction of aircraft carriers is progressing steadily in Shanghai and Dalian. An aircraft carrier battle group with submarines and surface ships is expected to go into service in 2020.
上海や大連などでは航空母艦の建造が着々と進んでいる。２０年には潜水艦や水上艦を従えた空母戦闘群が就役する見通しだ。
A test flight of the J-20, an advanced stealth fighter jet, was conducted at the beginning of this year. The test flight was a provocative show of military strength because it was done while U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was visiting China.
次世代の新鋭ステルス戦闘機「殲（Ｊ）２０」の試験飛行は年明けに行われた。ゲーツ米国防長官の中国訪問中に実施するという挑発的な示威だった。
Deployment of Dong-Feng 21D antiship ballistic missiles has already started. The missiles are aimed at preventing U.S. aircraft carriers from coming close to the Taiwan Strait if a contingency takes place in the region, according to military experts.
台湾海峡有事の際、米空母の接近を阻止するのが狙いと見られる対艦弾道ミサイル「東風（ＤＦ）２１Ｄ」の配備も始まっている。
===
Saber-rattling over Senkakus
Two Chinese military planes this week flew into airspace about 50 kilometers from the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. It is the first time that Chinese military aircraft have come so far across the median line between the two countries and flown so close to the Senkaku Islands.
今週、中国軍機２機が、沖縄県尖閣諸島の領空付近約５０キロまで接近した。中国軍機が日中中間線を大きく越えて尖閣諸島に接近したのは初めてのことだ。
The incident could be part of China's attempts to achieve air and sea supremacy in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the western Pacific. Japan must stay alert.
中国は東シナ海、南シナ海、西太平洋で、制空権や制海権を握ろうとしているのだろう。日本も警戒を怠ってはなるまい。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said China's increasing military budget is obscure not only in its amount but also in its content. "We hope [Beijing] will further increase transparency," he said. We heartily concur.
枝野官房長官は、中国の国防予算増加について「金額はもとより内容も不透明な部分がある。透明性を一層高めて行くことが望まれる」と述べた。当然の指摘だ。
Through its ministerial talks and defense exchanges with Beijing, the government must question the Chinese side over the reasons and aims behind the long-term increases in its defense expenditures.
政府は閣僚会談や防衛交流などを通じ、長期に及ぶ国防予算増の理由や狙いを、中国側にただして行かなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 5, 2011)
（2011年3月5日01時24分 読売新聞）
China's defense buildup lacking in transparency
国防費２ケタ増 中国は軍の透明性を高めよ（3月5日付・読売社説）
China will boost its defense spending in 2011 by 12.7 percent compared to the previous year's actual figure, a spokesman of the 11th National People's Congress said Friday, one day ahead of the opening of the legislature's fourth annual meeting.
中国の２０１１年の国防予算は前年実績比１２・７％増で、２年ぶりに２ケタの伸びとなった。
５日開幕の第１１期全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）第４回会議を前に大会報道官が公表した。
China's defense spending increased by double digits every year for 21 years from 1989 through 2009. But its growth rate dropped to a single digit in 2010 due to effects of the world economic slowdown and other factors.
中国の国防予算は１９８９年から０９年までの２１年間、２ケタ増が続いたが、世界同時不況などの影響で１０年は１ケタ増に減じた。
Now it has returned to a double-digit rate with the economic recovery. Since China aims for an average gross domestic product growth rate of 7 percent for next five years, we must expect that high growth rates in its defense spending are likely to continue.
それが景気回復とともに、再び２ケタ台に転じた。中国は今後５年間の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）成長率の目標を７％に設定している。国防予算は高い増加率が続くものと見なければなるまい。
China's military spending growth rate for this year has surpassed its GDP growth rate of 10 percent last year, when it became the second largest economy in the world.
今年の国防予算の伸び率は、世界２位の経済大国となった昨年のＧＤＰ成長率１０％を上回った。
Beijing should offer a reasonable explanation of why it believes it needs to continue increasing its military spending at a rate surpassing its economic growth rate.
中国は経済成長率を超える国防予算増をなぜ続ける必要があるのか、合理的な説明をすべきだ。
===
Neighbors uneasy
Its neighbors cannot help but harbor serious concerns unless transparency of the Chinese military is increased. To contribute to Asian regional stability, China should fulfill its responsibility as a major power in this regard.
軍の透明性を高めなければ、周辺諸国が抱く懸念は消えない。地域の安定に寄与するよう大国としての責任を果たすべきである。
China's defense spending is 1.58 times larger than Japan's fiscal 2011 defense budget. China is already the world's second largest military power after the United States in terms of defense expenditures.
中国の国防予算は、１１年度の日本の防衛予算の１・５８倍である。軍事費では、すでに米国に次ぐ世界第２の軍事大国だ。
Besides, its defense budget is obscure on many points. For example, research and development funding for new military equipment is not included. Actual military spending is believed to be more than double the official figure.
しかも、その予算には、装備の研究開発費が含まれないなど不明な点が多い。実際の軍事費は公表値の２倍以上と見られている。
The recent buildup of Chinese forces is noteworthy.
最近の中国軍増強は著しい。
Construction of aircraft carriers is progressing steadily in Shanghai and Dalian. An aircraft carrier battle group with submarines and surface ships is expected to go into service in 2020.
上海や大連などでは航空母艦の建造が着々と進んでいる。２０年には潜水艦や水上艦を従えた空母戦闘群が就役する見通しだ。
A test flight of the J-20, an advanced stealth fighter jet, was conducted at the beginning of this year. The test flight was a provocative show of military strength because it was done while U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was visiting China.
次世代の新鋭ステルス戦闘機「殲（Ｊ）２０」の試験飛行は年明けに行われた。ゲーツ米国防長官の中国訪問中に実施するという挑発的な示威だった。
Deployment of Dong-Feng 21D antiship ballistic missiles has already started. The missiles are aimed at preventing U.S. aircraft carriers from coming close to the Taiwan Strait if a contingency takes place in the region, according to military experts.
台湾海峡有事の際、米空母の接近を阻止するのが狙いと見られる対艦弾道ミサイル「東風（ＤＦ）２１Ｄ」の配備も始まっている。
===
Saber-rattling over Senkakus
Two Chinese military planes this week flew into airspace about 50 kilometers from the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. It is the first time that Chinese military aircraft have come so far across the median line between the two countries and flown so close to the Senkaku Islands.
今週、中国軍機２機が、沖縄県尖閣諸島の領空付近約５０キロまで接近した。中国軍機が日中中間線を大きく越えて尖閣諸島に接近したのは初めてのことだ。
The incident could be part of China's attempts to achieve air and sea supremacy in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the western Pacific. Japan must stay alert.
中国は東シナ海、南シナ海、西太平洋で、制空権や制海権を握ろうとしているのだろう。日本も警戒を怠ってはなるまい。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said China's increasing military budget is obscure not only in its amount but also in its content. "We hope [Beijing] will further increase transparency," he said. We heartily concur.
枝野官房長官は、中国の国防予算増加について「金額はもとより内容も不透明な部分がある。透明性を一層高めて行くことが望まれる」と述べた。当然の指摘だ。
Through its ministerial talks and defense exchanges with Beijing, the government must question the Chinese side over the reasons and aims behind the long-term increases in its defense expenditures.
政府は閣僚会談や防衛交流などを通じ、長期に及ぶ国防予算増の理由や狙いを、中国側にただして行かなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 5, 2011)
（2011年3月5日01時24分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 5, 2011)
Get to bottom of exam cheating case
予備校生逮捕 入試不正解明し対策に生かせ（3月4日付・読売社説）
A 19-year-old preparatory school student was arrested Thursday in connection with a case in which entrance exam questions from Kyoto University and three other universities were posted on an Internet bulletin board site during the exam.
京都大など４大学の入試問題がインターネット掲示板「ヤフー知恵袋」に流出した事件で、警察当局は、１９歳の男子予備校生を偽計業務妨害の疑いで逮捕した。
The male student, who was arrested on a charge of fraudulently interfering with Kyoto University's operations, reportedly told police that he acted alone and he "just wanted to pass" the exams.
予備校生は調べに対し、「自分一人でやった」「合格したかった」などと話しているという。
How could the student use a cell phone to post exam questions on Yahoo Japan's Chiebukuro Web site--and see the answers sent back during the exams--without being detected by proctors? How did he come up with the idea of illicitly using the Internet during the exams? We hope the police will get to the bottom of this case and the student's motives.
試験中、監視員の目を盗み、携帯電話からどうやって試験問題を投稿し、寄せられた回答を見ていたのか。なぜネット利用の不正を思いついたのか。警察当局には、詳しい経緯や動機について解明を進めてもらいたい。
Chiebukuro (pearls of wisdom) is a question-and-answer site. A user posts a question on the site, and then other users post answers. Replies often come in a short time; this usability has made the site very popular. The arrested student allegedly had used Chiebukuro previously.
ヤフー知恵袋は、質問を投稿すると短時間に複数の回答が寄せられるサイトで、手軽さが人気を呼んでいる。予備校生も以前から利用していたとみられる。
===
Exam system shaken
The student is of a generation who are Internet-savvy and skilled at using cell phones. He may have turned to the Internet to make up for his own lack of knowledge. But his actions trampled all over the sincere efforts being made by other examinees.
予備校生は、インターネットや携帯電話の使い方に習熟した世代だ。学力不足を補うためにネットの世界に頼ったのだろうが、まじめに試験と取り組む他の受験生の努力を踏みにじる行為である。
His attempt to cheat could shake the very foundations of the university entrance exam system, which is supposed to be fair for everyone.
公正であるべき大学入試制度を根幹から揺るがしかねない。
There are, however, no laws that penalize the act of cheating in an exam itself. Because of this, the police investigation is being conducted on the charge applied to crimes listed in the Penal Code as obstructing someone's business through fraudulent acts such as deceiving others.
ただ、こうしたカンニング行為自体を罰する法律はない。このため、今回は、人をだますなど不正な行為で業務を妨害した場合に適用される刑法の偽計業務妨害罪で捜査が行われている。
It is important that by learning lessons from the latest incident, steps be taken to ensure similar misconduct is not repeated.
大事なのは、今回の事件を教訓にして、実効性のある再発防止策を講じていくことだ。
Universities have instructed examinees to switch off their mobile phones and put them in their bags during exams. The latest case apparently caught them completely unawares.
これまでも各大学は、試験中は携帯電話の電源を切り、かばんにしまうよう受験生に指示するなどの対応をとってきた。しかし、今回のようなネットを駆使した不正は想定外だったろう。
===
Universities take action
After the latest incident came to light, some universities began keeping test-takers' cell phones during the test or having examinees turn off their phones and place them in clear view on their desks.
京大などの事件を受け、大学の中には、試験中に携帯を預かったり、電源を切った携帯を机上に置かせたりするところも出てきた。
Some universities will even hold their exams in smaller venues than originally planned so examinees can be more easily watched.
監視の目が届くよう試験会場を小教室に変更する大学もある。
The possibility of test rooms being fitted with a device that jams mobile communications and prevents the use of cell phones has received increasing attention.
教室内に妨害電波を出すことで携帯電話を使えなくする通信抑止装置も注目されている。
In South Korea, a large group of students used cell phones in an organized attempt to cheat on a university entrance exam in 2004. Since then, examinees have been prohibited from bringing cell phones and digital cameras to exam venues. Anyone who violates this rule can face punishments including disqualification for one year from taking the exam.
２００４年に大学入試で携帯電話を使った集団カンニング事件が起きた韓国では、その後、試験会場への携帯電話やデジタルカメラの持ち込みが禁止された。不正が発覚した場合、受験資格停止などの制裁も科される。
Such precedents may be helpful guidelines as Japan tries to prevent a recurrence of unfair use of the Net by test-takers.
再発を防ぐには、こうした事例も参考になるのではないか。
Misusing information devices to cheat in entrance exams could happen again. With that assumption in mind, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry needs to consider countermeasures while seeking advice from experts in a broad range of fields.
情報機器を悪用した入試不正は今後も起きうる。文部科学省は、その前提に立って、幅広い分野の専門家から意見を聞くなど、対策を検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2011)
（2011年3月4日01時18分 読売新聞）
Get to bottom of exam cheating case
予備校生逮捕 入試不正解明し対策に生かせ（3月4日付・読売社説）
A 19-year-old preparatory school student was arrested Thursday in connection with a case in which entrance exam questions from Kyoto University and three other universities were posted on an Internet bulletin board site during the exam.
京都大など４大学の入試問題がインターネット掲示板「ヤフー知恵袋」に流出した事件で、警察当局は、１９歳の男子予備校生を偽計業務妨害の疑いで逮捕した。
The male student, who was arrested on a charge of fraudulently interfering with Kyoto University's operations, reportedly told police that he acted alone and he "just wanted to pass" the exams.
予備校生は調べに対し、「自分一人でやった」「合格したかった」などと話しているという。
How could the student use a cell phone to post exam questions on Yahoo Japan's Chiebukuro Web site--and see the answers sent back during the exams--without being detected by proctors? How did he come up with the idea of illicitly using the Internet during the exams? We hope the police will get to the bottom of this case and the student's motives.
試験中、監視員の目を盗み、携帯電話からどうやって試験問題を投稿し、寄せられた回答を見ていたのか。なぜネット利用の不正を思いついたのか。警察当局には、詳しい経緯や動機について解明を進めてもらいたい。
Chiebukuro (pearls of wisdom) is a question-and-answer site. A user posts a question on the site, and then other users post answers. Replies often come in a short time; this usability has made the site very popular. The arrested student allegedly had used Chiebukuro previously.
ヤフー知恵袋は、質問を投稿すると短時間に複数の回答が寄せられるサイトで、手軽さが人気を呼んでいる。予備校生も以前から利用していたとみられる。
===
Exam system shaken
The student is of a generation who are Internet-savvy and skilled at using cell phones. He may have turned to the Internet to make up for his own lack of knowledge. But his actions trampled all over the sincere efforts being made by other examinees.
予備校生は、インターネットや携帯電話の使い方に習熟した世代だ。学力不足を補うためにネットの世界に頼ったのだろうが、まじめに試験と取り組む他の受験生の努力を踏みにじる行為である。
His attempt to cheat could shake the very foundations of the university entrance exam system, which is supposed to be fair for everyone.
公正であるべき大学入試制度を根幹から揺るがしかねない。
There are, however, no laws that penalize the act of cheating in an exam itself. Because of this, the police investigation is being conducted on the charge applied to crimes listed in the Penal Code as obstructing someone's business through fraudulent acts such as deceiving others.
ただ、こうしたカンニング行為自体を罰する法律はない。このため、今回は、人をだますなど不正な行為で業務を妨害した場合に適用される刑法の偽計業務妨害罪で捜査が行われている。
It is important that by learning lessons from the latest incident, steps be taken to ensure similar misconduct is not repeated.
大事なのは、今回の事件を教訓にして、実効性のある再発防止策を講じていくことだ。
Universities have instructed examinees to switch off their mobile phones and put them in their bags during exams. The latest case apparently caught them completely unawares.
これまでも各大学は、試験中は携帯電話の電源を切り、かばんにしまうよう受験生に指示するなどの対応をとってきた。しかし、今回のようなネットを駆使した不正は想定外だったろう。
===
Universities take action
After the latest incident came to light, some universities began keeping test-takers' cell phones during the test or having examinees turn off their phones and place them in clear view on their desks.
京大などの事件を受け、大学の中には、試験中に携帯を預かったり、電源を切った携帯を机上に置かせたりするところも出てきた。
Some universities will even hold their exams in smaller venues than originally planned so examinees can be more easily watched.
監視の目が届くよう試験会場を小教室に変更する大学もある。
The possibility of test rooms being fitted with a device that jams mobile communications and prevents the use of cell phones has received increasing attention.
教室内に妨害電波を出すことで携帯電話を使えなくする通信抑止装置も注目されている。
In South Korea, a large group of students used cell phones in an organized attempt to cheat on a university entrance exam in 2004. Since then, examinees have been prohibited from bringing cell phones and digital cameras to exam venues. Anyone who violates this rule can face punishments including disqualification for one year from taking the exam.
２００４年に大学入試で携帯電話を使った集団カンニング事件が起きた韓国では、その後、試験会場への携帯電話やデジタルカメラの持ち込みが禁止された。不正が発覚した場合、受験資格停止などの制裁も科される。
Such precedents may be helpful guidelines as Japan tries to prevent a recurrence of unfair use of the Net by test-takers.
再発を防ぐには、こうした事例も参考になるのではないか。
Misusing information devices to cheat in entrance exams could happen again. With that assumption in mind, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry needs to consider countermeasures while seeking advice from experts in a broad range of fields.
情報機器を悪用した入試不正は今後も起きうる。文部科学省は、その前提に立って、幅広い分野の専門家から意見を聞くなど、対策を検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2011)
（2011年3月4日01時18分 読売新聞）
2011/03/02
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 1
EDITORIAL: High-tech cheating in entrance exams
入試問題投稿―ネット時代の不正防止は
Cheating has been an unfortunate fixture in the history of examinations. Still, the apparent exam misconduct committed during recent university entrance examinations is surprising. Should we say that it had been expected and that it took place at last?
いつの世にも、試験にカンニングはつきものだ。とはいえ、今回発覚した不正行為には驚かされる。やはりというか。ついにというべきか……。
Questions from Kyoto University's math and English exams were posted on Yahoo's Chiebukuro (knowledge bag), an Internet bulletin board, from mobile phones while the exams were in progress. Some of the questions posted received responses from other members of the website before the exams finished.
京都大で入学試験の最中に、数学と英語の問題の一部が携帯電話からインターネット上のサイト「ヤフー知恵袋」に投稿された。試験終了までに第三者から回答も寄せられていた。
Similarly, questions from Waseda, Rikkyo and Doshisha universities and the answers to them were posted on the bulletin board. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has asked the four universities to submit reports on what happened.
早稲田大や立教大、同志社大の入試でも、同じように問題と回答が投稿されていた。文部科学省は４大学に事実関係の報告を求めた。
Unsurprisingly, Kyoto University criticized the cheating as "a criminal act that shakes the foundation of entrance examinations" and pledged to "deal strictly with anyone who has committed misconduct."
京都大は「入学試験の根幹を揺るがす犯罪行為」と憤り、「不正行為者には厳正に対処したい」とする。
Students who took these exams are naturally exasperated.
当然だろう。受験生の怒りも大きい。
There are many unanswered questions about the cheating. The first posting came just several minutes after the math exam started at Kyoto University. How was this possible in an exam hall where test proctors were walking around to keep watch on the behavior of candidates? Were there any accomplices outside the exam rooms? Was the cheating committed only for the purpose of passing the exams or for some other motives?
まだ不明な点は多い。投稿は早いものでは試験開始から数分後だ。試験官の巡回する会場でどうやったら可能だったのか。外部に協力者はいるのか。試験に合格するためだったのか。ほかの意図があったのか。
Kyoto University has filed a report with the police. The university says the cheating may constitute fraudulent interference with its duty because the cheating interfered with the conduct of the business of administrating entrance examinations. The four universities need to find out the facts about the cheating, including how it was actually done. Without accurate and detailed information about what was done, it is impossible to take effective preventive measures.
京都大は警察に被害を申告した。入学試験という業務を妨害されたとして、偽計業務妨害の疑いがあるとしている。４大学は真相と手口の解明を急がなくてはならない。それなくしては対策も立てられない。
Yahoo Japan Corp., which operates the Chiebukuro bulletin board, should cooperate with the investigations.
「知恵袋」を運営するヤフージャパンも協力すべきである。
The revelations have bewildered national universities scheduled to administer the second part of their entrance exams on March 12. They are clueless as to what steps they should take to prevent similar cheating with mobile phones.
１２日に入試の後期日程を控える国立大学の間には、どんな対策をとればいいのか戸惑いが広がっている。
For now, they should swiftly review and reconsider the way test proctors do their job.
とりあえず試験監督のあり方を早急に点検し、見直さなければならない。
The key question for the future is what to do with the cellphones test-takers bring into exam rooms.
受験生が試験会場に持ち込む携帯をどうするかが今後の課題だ。
Universities have different rules. Kyoto University instructed entrance exam candidates to turn off their mobile phones and keep them in their bags. Some universities tell students to turn off their mobiles, put them in their bags and place the bags in a place set up to keep their belongings at a corner of the exam hall.
扱いは現在、大学によって異なる。京都大では電源を切り、かばんの中にしまうよう指示していた。電源を切ってかばんに入れ、それを試験会場の隅の「携行品置き場」に置かせている大学もある。
In order to ensure complete prevention of this kind of high-tech cheating in exams, it is probably necessary to prohibit candidates from bringing cellphones and other electronic devices into exam rooms. Education minister Yoshiaki Takaki has suggested that such a step be considered.
今回のような不正を完全に防ぐには、携帯など電子機器の持ち込みそのものを禁じることだ。高木義明文部科学相も「持ち込む是非も含めて考えていかないと」と話した。
But the strict enforcement of such a ban requires not just inspections of the candidates' belongings but also body search and the installation of metal detectors. These measures would cost a lot of money and manpower. The issue clearly demands a broad public debate.
しかし、厳密に実施するには受験生の持ち物検査だけでなく、ボディーチェックや金属探知機の設置も求められる。予算も人手もかかる。社会全体で議論する必要がある。
In this highly networked society, people seeking the answers to questions can easily get them by posting the questions on Internet bulletin boards, instead of doing time-consuming research on their own. The answers may or may not be correct. But these lazy questioners tend to accept the posted answers without question.
ネット社会が発達したいま、何か分からないことがあれば、自分で苦労して調べなくても、投稿サイトに質問を投げておけば、だれかが教えてくれる。回答は正解のこともあれば、間違っていることもある。それでも、他人の回答に「ただ乗り」してしまう。
This trend may be behind the exam misconduct with mobile phones.
そんな風潮が今回の不正の背景にあるのではないか。
The news should also prompt us to ponder the question of what kind of relationship should be built between the expanding universe of electronic information and man's intellectual activity.
広がる電子情報空間と知的な営みとの関係はどうあるべきか。そんなことも考えさせられるできごとである。
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 1
EDITORIAL: High-tech cheating in entrance exams
入試問題投稿―ネット時代の不正防止は
Cheating has been an unfortunate fixture in the history of examinations. Still, the apparent exam misconduct committed during recent university entrance examinations is surprising. Should we say that it had been expected and that it took place at last?
いつの世にも、試験にカンニングはつきものだ。とはいえ、今回発覚した不正行為には驚かされる。やはりというか。ついにというべきか……。
Questions from Kyoto University's math and English exams were posted on Yahoo's Chiebukuro (knowledge bag), an Internet bulletin board, from mobile phones while the exams were in progress. Some of the questions posted received responses from other members of the website before the exams finished.
京都大で入学試験の最中に、数学と英語の問題の一部が携帯電話からインターネット上のサイト「ヤフー知恵袋」に投稿された。試験終了までに第三者から回答も寄せられていた。
Similarly, questions from Waseda, Rikkyo and Doshisha universities and the answers to them were posted on the bulletin board. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has asked the four universities to submit reports on what happened.
早稲田大や立教大、同志社大の入試でも、同じように問題と回答が投稿されていた。文部科学省は４大学に事実関係の報告を求めた。
Unsurprisingly, Kyoto University criticized the cheating as "a criminal act that shakes the foundation of entrance examinations" and pledged to "deal strictly with anyone who has committed misconduct."
京都大は「入学試験の根幹を揺るがす犯罪行為」と憤り、「不正行為者には厳正に対処したい」とする。
Students who took these exams are naturally exasperated.
当然だろう。受験生の怒りも大きい。
There are many unanswered questions about the cheating. The first posting came just several minutes after the math exam started at Kyoto University. How was this possible in an exam hall where test proctors were walking around to keep watch on the behavior of candidates? Were there any accomplices outside the exam rooms? Was the cheating committed only for the purpose of passing the exams or for some other motives?
まだ不明な点は多い。投稿は早いものでは試験開始から数分後だ。試験官の巡回する会場でどうやったら可能だったのか。外部に協力者はいるのか。試験に合格するためだったのか。ほかの意図があったのか。
Kyoto University has filed a report with the police. The university says the cheating may constitute fraudulent interference with its duty because the cheating interfered with the conduct of the business of administrating entrance examinations. The four universities need to find out the facts about the cheating, including how it was actually done. Without accurate and detailed information about what was done, it is impossible to take effective preventive measures.
京都大は警察に被害を申告した。入学試験という業務を妨害されたとして、偽計業務妨害の疑いがあるとしている。４大学は真相と手口の解明を急がなくてはならない。それなくしては対策も立てられない。
Yahoo Japan Corp., which operates the Chiebukuro bulletin board, should cooperate with the investigations.
「知恵袋」を運営するヤフージャパンも協力すべきである。
The revelations have bewildered national universities scheduled to administer the second part of their entrance exams on March 12. They are clueless as to what steps they should take to prevent similar cheating with mobile phones.
１２日に入試の後期日程を控える国立大学の間には、どんな対策をとればいいのか戸惑いが広がっている。
For now, they should swiftly review and reconsider the way test proctors do their job.
とりあえず試験監督のあり方を早急に点検し、見直さなければならない。
The key question for the future is what to do with the cellphones test-takers bring into exam rooms.
受験生が試験会場に持ち込む携帯をどうするかが今後の課題だ。
Universities have different rules. Kyoto University instructed entrance exam candidates to turn off their mobile phones and keep them in their bags. Some universities tell students to turn off their mobiles, put them in their bags and place the bags in a place set up to keep their belongings at a corner of the exam hall.
扱いは現在、大学によって異なる。京都大では電源を切り、かばんの中にしまうよう指示していた。電源を切ってかばんに入れ、それを試験会場の隅の「携行品置き場」に置かせている大学もある。
In order to ensure complete prevention of this kind of high-tech cheating in exams, it is probably necessary to prohibit candidates from bringing cellphones and other electronic devices into exam rooms. Education minister Yoshiaki Takaki has suggested that such a step be considered.
今回のような不正を完全に防ぐには、携帯など電子機器の持ち込みそのものを禁じることだ。高木義明文部科学相も「持ち込む是非も含めて考えていかないと」と話した。
But the strict enforcement of such a ban requires not just inspections of the candidates' belongings but also body search and the installation of metal detectors. These measures would cost a lot of money and manpower. The issue clearly demands a broad public debate.
しかし、厳密に実施するには受験生の持ち物検査だけでなく、ボディーチェックや金属探知機の設置も求められる。予算も人手もかかる。社会全体で議論する必要がある。
In this highly networked society, people seeking the answers to questions can easily get them by posting the questions on Internet bulletin boards, instead of doing time-consuming research on their own. The answers may or may not be correct. But these lazy questioners tend to accept the posted answers without question.
ネット社会が発達したいま、何か分からないことがあれば、自分で苦労して調べなくても、投稿サイトに質問を投げておけば、だれかが教えてくれる。回答は正解のこともあれば、間違っていることもある。それでも、他人の回答に「ただ乗り」してしまう。
This trend may be behind the exam misconduct with mobile phones.
そんな風潮が今回の不正の背景にあるのではないか。
The news should also prompt us to ponder the question of what kind of relationship should be built between the expanding universe of electronic information and man's intellectual activity.
広がる電子情報空間と知的な営みとの関係はどうあるべきか。そんなことも考えさせられるできごとである。
もともとウインドウズはアップルコンピュータに付属のソフトのコピー。
スラチャイは大昔からアップルのソフトの優秀さに舌を巻いていた。
その後、ms-dos時代を経てウインドウズの時代へと移行、現在に至る。
なにしろ米国のビルゲイツが世界のパソコンソフト業界を独占しているのが気にいらない。
アップルもi-padで盛り返してきてはいるがマイクロソフト社に遠く及ばない。
日本で何故日本独自のシステムが開発できないのか長い間の疑問だ。
この分野に乗り出せば日本の失業率は大幅に改善されることであろう。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) March 2, 2011
An obsession with optimization
発信箱：最適化の最先端＝滝野隆浩
I've previously written in my columns that I don't like Japanese texts written horizontally on the Internet as Japanese characters are designed to be written in vertical lines, and that pictograms frequently used in e-mails are intolerable.
However, I'm interested in Julian Assange, the 39-year-old founder of Wikileaks who has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
横書きが嫌だの、絵文字が許せないだの本欄で書き連ねてきた私ではあるが、同じネットの世界でも、内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」や、英警察が性犯罪容疑で逮捕・保釈中の創設者、ジュリアン・アサンジ容疑者（３９）には関心がある。
This is because I believe that his thoughts that all information should be disclosed will drastically change the world.
情報はすべて公開すべきだ、という思想は、世の中を大きく変えていくと思うから。
Mainichi Shimbun staff writer Kenjiro Sato, who traveled to Australia, Assange's home country, told me an interesting story about Suelette Dreyfuss, a researcher with the University of Melbourne who authored a book on hacking with cooperation from Assange.
彼の出身地オーストラリアを取材した佐藤賢二郎特派員から、興味深い話を聞いた。
同容疑者の協力でハッキングに関した本を書いたことのあるメルボルン大学のスーレット・ドレイファス研究員の話。
Sato quoted Dreyfuss, who has been acquainted with Assange, as saying that he cannot forget Assange's behavior when he moved house.
３年ほど付き合って、彼の引っ越しの姿が忘れられないという。
Assange was packing his belongings, and whenever there was even a small space in a cardboard box, he redid the whole thing until he completely eliminated the space.
自分で箱に荷詰めをしていたが、彼は少しでも隙間（すきま）があると初めからやり直し、全く隙間がなくなるまで何度も詰め直しした。
Dreyfuss recalls that Assange was a perfectionist in terms of optimization.
ドレイファスさんはこう分析しているという。「彼は最適化に関しては完全主義者だった」
Optimization is a key word in the computer world.
＜最適化＞はコンピューターの世界では大事な言葉らしい。
It refers to the process of putting things in order, which is indispensable for ensuring the maximum efficiency in the performance of systems.
そのシステムを最も効率的に働かせるために欠かせない、いわば「整理整頓」作業。
Assange, who apparently cares little about his appearance or clothes, pursues perfect optimization when he operates computers.
外見や服装にはほとんどこだわらないアサンジ容疑者が、パソコンに向き合うときは完璧目指して突き進む。
He has thus been successful in establishing technology for coding and decoding information and using it to disclose 250,000 U.S. diplomatic telegrams.
そうして高度の暗号化技術を確立して、米外交公電２５万件を公開し続けている。
Due to the imbalance of his personality, he has gained even more followers.
そのバランスの悪さがむしろ、信奉者を増やしている部分があろう。
Kiosks at railway stations are a fine example of optimization in Japan.
日本における最適化の極致が駅の売店にあると思う。
Newspapers and popular cigarettes are on display at the front of their booths while black ties for funerals are also kept at the back of the booths.
新聞やたばこの売れ筋は手前に、奥には葬儀用ネクタイなどが実はある。
The way workers can quickly take money and give back change is remarkable.
中にいるおばちゃんの、釣り銭手渡し技術も見事だ。
The sophisticated system at kiosks appears to reflect Japanese people's mentality.
あの洗練されたシステムは、日本人の精神性そのものではないか。
Japan is probably the most advanced country in terms of optimization, but it also raises questions as to why it cannot be No. 1 in the Internet world. (By Takahiro Takino, Senior Writer)
最適化ではたぶん世界の最先端をいく日本なのに、ネット世界ではどうして一番になれないのだろう。不思議だ。（社会部）
毎日新聞 2011年3月2日 東京朝刊
スラチャイは大昔からアップルのソフトの優秀さに舌を巻いていた。
その後、ms-dos時代を経てウインドウズの時代へと移行、現在に至る。
なにしろ米国のビルゲイツが世界のパソコンソフト業界を独占しているのが気にいらない。
アップルもi-padで盛り返してきてはいるがマイクロソフト社に遠く及ばない。
日本で何故日本独自のシステムが開発できないのか長い間の疑問だ。
この分野に乗り出せば日本の失業率は大幅に改善されることであろう。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) March 2, 2011
An obsession with optimization
発信箱：最適化の最先端＝滝野隆浩
I've previously written in my columns that I don't like Japanese texts written horizontally on the Internet as Japanese characters are designed to be written in vertical lines, and that pictograms frequently used in e-mails are intolerable.
However, I'm interested in Julian Assange, the 39-year-old founder of Wikileaks who has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
横書きが嫌だの、絵文字が許せないだの本欄で書き連ねてきた私ではあるが、同じネットの世界でも、内部告発サイト「ウィキリークス」や、英警察が性犯罪容疑で逮捕・保釈中の創設者、ジュリアン・アサンジ容疑者（３９）には関心がある。
This is because I believe that his thoughts that all information should be disclosed will drastically change the world.
情報はすべて公開すべきだ、という思想は、世の中を大きく変えていくと思うから。
Mainichi Shimbun staff writer Kenjiro Sato, who traveled to Australia, Assange's home country, told me an interesting story about Suelette Dreyfuss, a researcher with the University of Melbourne who authored a book on hacking with cooperation from Assange.
彼の出身地オーストラリアを取材した佐藤賢二郎特派員から、興味深い話を聞いた。
同容疑者の協力でハッキングに関した本を書いたことのあるメルボルン大学のスーレット・ドレイファス研究員の話。
Sato quoted Dreyfuss, who has been acquainted with Assange, as saying that he cannot forget Assange's behavior when he moved house.
３年ほど付き合って、彼の引っ越しの姿が忘れられないという。
Assange was packing his belongings, and whenever there was even a small space in a cardboard box, he redid the whole thing until he completely eliminated the space.
自分で箱に荷詰めをしていたが、彼は少しでも隙間（すきま）があると初めからやり直し、全く隙間がなくなるまで何度も詰め直しした。
Dreyfuss recalls that Assange was a perfectionist in terms of optimization.
ドレイファスさんはこう分析しているという。「彼は最適化に関しては完全主義者だった」
Optimization is a key word in the computer world.
＜最適化＞はコンピューターの世界では大事な言葉らしい。
It refers to the process of putting things in order, which is indispensable for ensuring the maximum efficiency in the performance of systems.
そのシステムを最も効率的に働かせるために欠かせない、いわば「整理整頓」作業。
Assange, who apparently cares little about his appearance or clothes, pursues perfect optimization when he operates computers.
外見や服装にはほとんどこだわらないアサンジ容疑者が、パソコンに向き合うときは完璧目指して突き進む。
He has thus been successful in establishing technology for coding and decoding information and using it to disclose 250,000 U.S. diplomatic telegrams.
そうして高度の暗号化技術を確立して、米外交公電２５万件を公開し続けている。
Due to the imbalance of his personality, he has gained even more followers.
そのバランスの悪さがむしろ、信奉者を増やしている部分があろう。
Kiosks at railway stations are a fine example of optimization in Japan.
日本における最適化の極致が駅の売店にあると思う。
Newspapers and popular cigarettes are on display at the front of their booths while black ties for funerals are also kept at the back of the booths.
新聞やたばこの売れ筋は手前に、奥には葬儀用ネクタイなどが実はある。
The way workers can quickly take money and give back change is remarkable.
中にいるおばちゃんの、釣り銭手渡し技術も見事だ。
The sophisticated system at kiosks appears to reflect Japanese people's mentality.
あの洗練されたシステムは、日本人の精神性そのものではないか。
Japan is probably the most advanced country in terms of optimization, but it also raises questions as to why it cannot be No. 1 in the Internet world. (By Takahiro Takino, Senior Writer)
最適化ではたぶん世界の最先端をいく日本なのに、ネット世界ではどうして一番になれないのだろう。不思議だ。（社会部）
毎日新聞 2011年3月2日 東京朝刊
2011/03/01
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 28
EDITORIAL: Debate needed before policy switch on weapons exports
ミサイル移転―なし崩しではいけない
Japan and the United States are trying to pave the way for the first sale of jointly developed weapons to third countries.
日米が共同開発した最新の武器を、米国以外の第三国に初めて売るための準備が両国間で進んでいる。
The weapons involved are advanced missile interceptors for ballistic missile defense (BMD). The two countries started joint research and development of the interceptors in 1999, following North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile over Japan in 1998.
北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射をきっかけに、日米が１９９９年から共同研究・開発を重ねてきた弾道ミサイル防衛（ＢＭＤ）用の能力向上型の迎撃ミサイルである。
Japan has been in charge of developing four components, including a nose cone to protect the warhead and rocket motors. Development of the missile is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
弾頭部の保護部品やロケットモーターなど四つの構成品を日本が担当、２０１４年の完成をめざしている。
In January, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told his U.S. counterpart, Robert Gates, that the Japanese government will make a decision by year-end on its policy concerning sales of the interceptors to third countries.
北沢俊美防衛相は、１月の日米防衛相会談で、第三国への移転方針の中身について「年内に結論を出す」と表明した。
This undoubtedly represents a major change of course for Japan, which has long adhered to a self-imposed ban on arms exports under the three policy principles concerning the issue.
武器輸出三原則を掲げ、ほぼ全面禁輸の方針をとってきた日本にとって、大きな転換点といえよう。
The government, however, has yet to offer a sufficient explanation about why it is changing its weapons policy.
なぜこんな流れになったのか。政府の説明は十分ではない。
It should talk to the public about this important policy shift in plain and candid language, thereby generating national debate on the issue.
わかりやすく率直に国民に語り、議論を起こさなければならない。
Originally, the joint Japan-U.S. research and development project started in response to North Korea's ballistic missile program.
日米の研究開発は当初、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル開発に備えることを目的にしていた。
However, a big turning point for the project came in September 2009, when the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama decided to deploy the interceptor missiles in Europe to thwart long-range ballistic missile attacks by Iran.
ところが０９年９月、オバマ政権がイランの弾道ミサイルに対処するため、この迎撃ミサイルを欧州配備すると決めたことが転機になった。
In 2006, Tokyo and Washington exchanged diplomatic documents on the joint missile project, which banned the transfer of the interceptor to third parties or its use for purposes other than originally intended without Japan's advance agreement.
The current administration intends to interpret the documents in a way that will allow the weapon to be transferred to third countries if Japan agrees in advance.
日米両国は０６年の交換公文で「日本の事前同意のない目的外利用や第三国移転を禁止する」としていたが、今回それを「同意すれば移転できる」と読み替えるというわけである。
The ministries and agencies concerned will soon lay down the principles for the transfer of the interceptor to third countries that specify under what conditions and to which countries it can be sold. Rigorous procedures should be ensured.
関係省庁が近くどのような条件で、どのような国々に移転を認めるかなどの基準作りに着手する。厳格な手続きを求めたい。
Still, a raft of issues needs to be addressed. For example, what kind of criteria should be used to determine which countries can receive the interceptor? How can Japan maintain its independence in decision-making?
考慮すべき論点は多い。移転先をどんな尺度で絞り込むのか。日本の主体性をどう確保するのか。
Although BMD is generally viewed as a defensive weapon system, Japanese policymakers must keep in mind that the missile technology could be diverted to produce an offensive weapon as well.
ＢＭＤは「防御兵器」とされるが、ミサイル技術は攻撃兵器に転用される危険があることにも十分な留意が必要だ。
To complicate the situation, disagreements between the United States and Russia over the envisioned deployment of BMD in Europe are becoming increasingly pronounced.
またＢＭＤ欧州配備をめぐっては、米ロの見解の違いが際だちつつある。
If the move undermines the arms reduction talks between the two countries, that would hurt international public interest as well as Japan's national interest.
今回の動きが米ロの核軍縮に響くようなことになれば、日本の国益も国際公益も損なわれる。
Is the Japanese government paying enough attention to these viewpoints?
こうした視点を日本政府は踏まえているだろうか。
With this defense policy shift, Japan is sailing into uncharted waters. The only reliable guide is, after all, the three principles on arms exports.
過去に経験のない作業だが、よりどころになるのは、やはり武器輸出三原則しかない。
But the three principles, which were established during the Cold War era, don't reflect the radical changes in the world and the remarkable progress in military technology in recent years.
ところが冷戦時代にできた三原則には、今のような国際情勢の変化や軍事技術の進歩は織り込まれていない。
Late last year, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan considered relaxing the three principles for the new national defense program guidelines announced in December. But the administration postponed its decision on the issue because it was seeking a political alliance with the pacifist-leaning Social Democratic Party. The debate was put on hold.
菅直人政権は昨年末、「防衛計画の大綱」策定に向けて三原則の緩和を検討した。ところが社民党との連携を優先させて結論を先送りしたため、議論は中断した形で終わってしまった。
The government should make clear its policy for dealing with the first-ever transfer of Japanese arms technology to third countries.
武器の初の第三国移転にどのような姿勢で臨むのか。
In order to prevent gradual erosion in its commitment to the three principles on arms exports, the government should reopen the debate on the principles and delve into the issues raised by the missile defense program.
武器輸出三原則のなし崩し的な転換を避けるためにも、三原則をめぐる議論を再開し、問題点を突きつめるべきである。
The government needs to carefully consider these issues from a broad perspective based on its vision for Japan's diplomatic future.
日本外交が今後進むべき方向を熟慮しつつ、視野の広い検討を重ねなければならない。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 28
EDITORIAL: Debate needed before policy switch on weapons exports
ミサイル移転―なし崩しではいけない
Japan and the United States are trying to pave the way for the first sale of jointly developed weapons to third countries.
日米が共同開発した最新の武器を、米国以外の第三国に初めて売るための準備が両国間で進んでいる。
The weapons involved are advanced missile interceptors for ballistic missile defense (BMD). The two countries started joint research and development of the interceptors in 1999, following North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile over Japan in 1998.
北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル発射をきっかけに、日米が１９９９年から共同研究・開発を重ねてきた弾道ミサイル防衛（ＢＭＤ）用の能力向上型の迎撃ミサイルである。
Japan has been in charge of developing four components, including a nose cone to protect the warhead and rocket motors. Development of the missile is scheduled to be completed in 2014.
弾頭部の保護部品やロケットモーターなど四つの構成品を日本が担当、２０１４年の完成をめざしている。
In January, Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told his U.S. counterpart, Robert Gates, that the Japanese government will make a decision by year-end on its policy concerning sales of the interceptors to third countries.
北沢俊美防衛相は、１月の日米防衛相会談で、第三国への移転方針の中身について「年内に結論を出す」と表明した。
This undoubtedly represents a major change of course for Japan, which has long adhered to a self-imposed ban on arms exports under the three policy principles concerning the issue.
武器輸出三原則を掲げ、ほぼ全面禁輸の方針をとってきた日本にとって、大きな転換点といえよう。
The government, however, has yet to offer a sufficient explanation about why it is changing its weapons policy.
なぜこんな流れになったのか。政府の説明は十分ではない。
It should talk to the public about this important policy shift in plain and candid language, thereby generating national debate on the issue.
わかりやすく率直に国民に語り、議論を起こさなければならない。
Originally, the joint Japan-U.S. research and development project started in response to North Korea's ballistic missile program.
日米の研究開発は当初、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイル開発に備えることを目的にしていた。
However, a big turning point for the project came in September 2009, when the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama decided to deploy the interceptor missiles in Europe to thwart long-range ballistic missile attacks by Iran.
ところが０９年９月、オバマ政権がイランの弾道ミサイルに対処するため、この迎撃ミサイルを欧州配備すると決めたことが転機になった。
In 2006, Tokyo and Washington exchanged diplomatic documents on the joint missile project, which banned the transfer of the interceptor to third parties or its use for purposes other than originally intended without Japan's advance agreement.
The current administration intends to interpret the documents in a way that will allow the weapon to be transferred to third countries if Japan agrees in advance.
日米両国は０６年の交換公文で「日本の事前同意のない目的外利用や第三国移転を禁止する」としていたが、今回それを「同意すれば移転できる」と読み替えるというわけである。
The ministries and agencies concerned will soon lay down the principles for the transfer of the interceptor to third countries that specify under what conditions and to which countries it can be sold. Rigorous procedures should be ensured.
関係省庁が近くどのような条件で、どのような国々に移転を認めるかなどの基準作りに着手する。厳格な手続きを求めたい。
Still, a raft of issues needs to be addressed. For example, what kind of criteria should be used to determine which countries can receive the interceptor? How can Japan maintain its independence in decision-making?
考慮すべき論点は多い。移転先をどんな尺度で絞り込むのか。日本の主体性をどう確保するのか。
Although BMD is generally viewed as a defensive weapon system, Japanese policymakers must keep in mind that the missile technology could be diverted to produce an offensive weapon as well.
ＢＭＤは「防御兵器」とされるが、ミサイル技術は攻撃兵器に転用される危険があることにも十分な留意が必要だ。
To complicate the situation, disagreements between the United States and Russia over the envisioned deployment of BMD in Europe are becoming increasingly pronounced.
またＢＭＤ欧州配備をめぐっては、米ロの見解の違いが際だちつつある。
If the move undermines the arms reduction talks between the two countries, that would hurt international public interest as well as Japan's national interest.
今回の動きが米ロの核軍縮に響くようなことになれば、日本の国益も国際公益も損なわれる。
Is the Japanese government paying enough attention to these viewpoints?
こうした視点を日本政府は踏まえているだろうか。
With this defense policy shift, Japan is sailing into uncharted waters. The only reliable guide is, after all, the three principles on arms exports.
過去に経験のない作業だが、よりどころになるのは、やはり武器輸出三原則しかない。
But the three principles, which were established during the Cold War era, don't reflect the radical changes in the world and the remarkable progress in military technology in recent years.
ところが冷戦時代にできた三原則には、今のような国際情勢の変化や軍事技術の進歩は織り込まれていない。
Late last year, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan considered relaxing the three principles for the new national defense program guidelines announced in December. But the administration postponed its decision on the issue because it was seeking a political alliance with the pacifist-leaning Social Democratic Party. The debate was put on hold.
菅直人政権は昨年末、「防衛計画の大綱」策定に向けて三原則の緩和を検討した。ところが社民党との連携を優先させて結論を先送りしたため、議論は中断した形で終わってしまった。
The government should make clear its policy for dealing with the first-ever transfer of Japanese arms technology to third countries.
武器の初の第三国移転にどのような姿勢で臨むのか。
In order to prevent gradual erosion in its commitment to the three principles on arms exports, the government should reopen the debate on the principles and delve into the issues raised by the missile defense program.
武器輸出三原則のなし崩し的な転換を避けるためにも、三原則をめぐる議論を再開し、問題点を突きつめるべきである。
The government needs to carefully consider these issues from a broad perspective based on its vision for Japan's diplomatic future.
日本外交が今後進むべき方向を熟慮しつつ、視野の広い検討を重ねなければならない。
確かに時代はかわりつつある。
しかしながら、絵文字が例えばフェイスブックの｢いいね！｣のように人の心を打つことは少ない。
絵文字を探している時間のほうがもったいない。
それよりも投稿前に文章を校正して誤字､脱字、文章構成をチェックし訂正する作業のほうが有意義である。
スラチャイもこの記事の投稿者（毎日新聞記者）と同じ考え。
ことばはへたでもいい、自分のことばで表現すべきである。
投稿前に原稿を校正するのは最低限のルールではある。
忙しくてそれもままならない場合も多々ありますが＾＾。
カフェでは絵文字使用禁止サイトもあるくらいです。
特に男性の年配者は絵文字の使用は差し控えたほうが無難だと思います。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) February 28, 2011
Do emoticons cheat on the art of true communication?
発信箱：絵文字はずるい？＝滝野隆浩
The most surprising thing I've heard in recent days came from a junior reporter about his use of "emoji" while I was having drinks with him. "Emoji," literally meaning picture ("e") and letter ("moji"), refer to "emoticons," or pictographs used in text messages, e-mails and other wireless communications.
"Emoji are better at communicating my feelings (than words are)," he said. I tried to convince him that he should make time to speak with his girlfriend in person, and when that's not possible, at least talk to her on the phone, but to no avail. He maintained that he had the perfect emoticons to accurately express what he was feeling at any point in time.
最近聞いた中で一番驚いた言葉は「絵文字のほうが、ボクの気持ちは伝わるんですよ」である。後輩記者から酒席で聞いた。携帯メールで使う、あの１文字分の小さなイラスト。彼女にはなるたけ会って話せ、時間がないならせめて電話を、と諭しても通じない。その瞬間の気持ちそのものを表現する絵文字が彼にはあるのだという。
There appear to be anywhere from several thousand to around 10,000 types of such pictographs, including those that blink on and off and others that move. It's not that I never employ emoticons, but I'd say that at most, I use perhaps 20.
ネットで検索すると、ぴかぴか光ったり、ぴこぴこ動いたりするのもあって数千から１万種類はあるらしい。私も使わないわけではないが、せいぜい２０種くらい。
So how do emoticon users find the right icon that accurately represents what they're feeling at a given moment? Major cell phone operator NTT Docomo says that its latest models emphasizing usability, which are said to be easier for older users to maneuver, are outfitted with a function that interprets the mood of a text message and displays the "appropriate" emoticons. How helpful.
多数の中からその時の気分に合うマークをどうやって探すのだろうか。ＮＴＴドコモに聞いたら、高齢者にも使いやすい最新機種には、語尾などで判断して自動的にその文章に合った絵文字を表示してくれる機能があるらしい。ありがたいことだ。
About 20 years ago, we ran a series on parents and children with troublesome relationships. One 50-year-old father said that he "spoke" every night with his son via e-mail. I recall being taken aback when the man said that he found it easier to be honest through the medium. Locating the article from years back, I found -- though I'd forgotten about it until I reread it -- that the father had confessed to me: "I say things through my computer that I can't say in person. Maybe that's unfair of me."
２０年ほど前、関係がうまく築けない親子のことを連載記事に取り上げた。５０歳の父親は毎晩、息子と「パソコンメール」で「会話」をすると言った。メールのほうが本音で話せる、と聞いて驚いたことを思い出す。改めてその時の記事を探した。もう忘れていたが、その父親は私に、こう打ち明けていた。＜面と向かって言いにくいことを（パソコンの）画面で言った。私はずるいのかもしれない＞
Technological developments change the way people think. It's not uncommon nowadays for people to profess their love and navigate the subtleties of family ties -- including negotiating the terms of a divorce -- via e-mail. The number of people who see the use of e-mail and other wireless messaging systems for such purposes as unfair or underhanded is probably on the decline. Maybe the automatic emoticon display function incorporated into the latest cell phones will soon become the norm.
技術の進展が人間の考え方を変えていく。いまメールで愛を打ち明け、親子関係の機微を伝えるのは当たり前なのだろう。離婚交渉をメールでする時代だというから。それを＜ずるい＞と感じる人は、たぶん減っている。絵文字だって、もうすぐ「自動表示」が当たり前になるかもしれない。
It doesn't feel right to me, though. I don't care if we're stumble through our words. At least they're our own words that we squeeze out of our minds and hearts after much thought and deliberation. Even if the words don't come right away, that silence in and of itself is a true reflection of our inner worlds. (By Takahiro Takino, City News Department)
なんだか、いやだ。ぶきっちょでもいい。自分の言葉を使わなきゃ。悩んでしぼり出す自分自身の言葉。出せなくて無言でも、それが「いまの気持ち」だ。（社会部）
英訳
毎日新聞 2011年2月23日 東京朝刊
しかしながら、絵文字が例えばフェイスブックの｢いいね！｣のように人の心を打つことは少ない。
絵文字を探している時間のほうがもったいない。
それよりも投稿前に文章を校正して誤字､脱字、文章構成をチェックし訂正する作業のほうが有意義である。
スラチャイもこの記事の投稿者（毎日新聞記者）と同じ考え。
ことばはへたでもいい、自分のことばで表現すべきである。
投稿前に原稿を校正するのは最低限のルールではある。
忙しくてそれもままならない場合も多々ありますが＾＾。
カフェでは絵文字使用禁止サイトもあるくらいです。
特に男性の年配者は絵文字の使用は差し控えたほうが無難だと思います。
（スラチャイ記）
(Mainichi Japan) February 28, 2011
Do emoticons cheat on the art of true communication?
発信箱：絵文字はずるい？＝滝野隆浩
The most surprising thing I've heard in recent days came from a junior reporter about his use of "emoji" while I was having drinks with him. "Emoji," literally meaning picture ("e") and letter ("moji"), refer to "emoticons," or pictographs used in text messages, e-mails and other wireless communications.
"Emoji are better at communicating my feelings (than words are)," he said. I tried to convince him that he should make time to speak with his girlfriend in person, and when that's not possible, at least talk to her on the phone, but to no avail. He maintained that he had the perfect emoticons to accurately express what he was feeling at any point in time.
最近聞いた中で一番驚いた言葉は「絵文字のほうが、ボクの気持ちは伝わるんですよ」である。後輩記者から酒席で聞いた。携帯メールで使う、あの１文字分の小さなイラスト。彼女にはなるたけ会って話せ、時間がないならせめて電話を、と諭しても通じない。その瞬間の気持ちそのものを表現する絵文字が彼にはあるのだという。
There appear to be anywhere from several thousand to around 10,000 types of such pictographs, including those that blink on and off and others that move. It's not that I never employ emoticons, but I'd say that at most, I use perhaps 20.
ネットで検索すると、ぴかぴか光ったり、ぴこぴこ動いたりするのもあって数千から１万種類はあるらしい。私も使わないわけではないが、せいぜい２０種くらい。
So how do emoticon users find the right icon that accurately represents what they're feeling at a given moment? Major cell phone operator NTT Docomo says that its latest models emphasizing usability, which are said to be easier for older users to maneuver, are outfitted with a function that interprets the mood of a text message and displays the "appropriate" emoticons. How helpful.
多数の中からその時の気分に合うマークをどうやって探すのだろうか。ＮＴＴドコモに聞いたら、高齢者にも使いやすい最新機種には、語尾などで判断して自動的にその文章に合った絵文字を表示してくれる機能があるらしい。ありがたいことだ。
About 20 years ago, we ran a series on parents and children with troublesome relationships. One 50-year-old father said that he "spoke" every night with his son via e-mail. I recall being taken aback when the man said that he found it easier to be honest through the medium. Locating the article from years back, I found -- though I'd forgotten about it until I reread it -- that the father had confessed to me: "I say things through my computer that I can't say in person. Maybe that's unfair of me."
２０年ほど前、関係がうまく築けない親子のことを連載記事に取り上げた。５０歳の父親は毎晩、息子と「パソコンメール」で「会話」をすると言った。メールのほうが本音で話せる、と聞いて驚いたことを思い出す。改めてその時の記事を探した。もう忘れていたが、その父親は私に、こう打ち明けていた。＜面と向かって言いにくいことを（パソコンの）画面で言った。私はずるいのかもしれない＞
Technological developments change the way people think. It's not uncommon nowadays for people to profess their love and navigate the subtleties of family ties -- including negotiating the terms of a divorce -- via e-mail. The number of people who see the use of e-mail and other wireless messaging systems for such purposes as unfair or underhanded is probably on the decline. Maybe the automatic emoticon display function incorporated into the latest cell phones will soon become the norm.
技術の進展が人間の考え方を変えていく。いまメールで愛を打ち明け、親子関係の機微を伝えるのは当たり前なのだろう。離婚交渉をメールでする時代だというから。それを＜ずるい＞と感じる人は、たぶん減っている。絵文字だって、もうすぐ「自動表示」が当たり前になるかもしれない。
It doesn't feel right to me, though. I don't care if we're stumble through our words. At least they're our own words that we squeeze out of our minds and hearts after much thought and deliberation. Even if the words don't come right away, that silence in and of itself is a true reflection of our inner worlds. (By Takahiro Takino, City News Department)
なんだか、いやだ。ぶきっちょでもいい。自分の言葉を使わなきゃ。悩んでしぼり出す自分自身の言葉。出せなくて無言でも、それが「いまの気持ち」だ。（社会部）
英訳
毎日新聞 2011年2月23日 東京朝刊
プロフィール
ＨＮ：
srachai
ＨＰ：
性別：
男性
職業：
civil engineer
趣味：
子育て
自己紹介：
妻はタイ人、娘ばかり３人も！
■近況
２００９年の９月１５日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)
■自己紹介・リンク
[ はじめに ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはＮＨＫのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・現在タイ国コンケン在住
[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
（NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生）
[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
・英英辞典を活用（英和も）
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
Yomiuri
Mainichi
Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
Newyork Times
Bangkok Post
The Nations
Phuket Gazette
[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
英字新聞（読売）
英字新聞（毎日）
英字新聞（朝日）
英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
タイ日辞書（改訂版）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
日ラオ辞書
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カテゴリー
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家族、リンク、多言語、タイ語
スラチャイの家族紹介
私の家族
スラチャイの手作りリンク集
スラチャイタイ在住９年目
中国語会話基礎（北京語）
タイ日辞典（単語帳）
タイ語の子音
タイ語の母音
スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
初歩の中国語
初歩のラオス語
初歩のビルマ語
初歩のシンハリ語
初歩のタガログ語
タイ語の基礎
タイ文字
タイ日辞書
タイ語の副詞
タイ語の前置詞
タイ語の助動詞
タイ語の接続詞
基礎タイ語
基礎タイ語一覧（タイ文字、ローマ字）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
タイの文化、１４の戒律
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律