読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の社説を学習研究
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[PR]上記の広告は3ヶ月以上新規記事投稿のないブログに表示されています。新しい記事を書く事で広告が消えます。
カフェ友のいわおさんが衝撃的な記事を掲載中です。
特に気になったのが日本の米国国債引受金額の莫大さとその不透明な管理体制です。
歴代の首脳陣でもアメリカ離れを匂わせるような行動をした大臣たちはみな早死にさせられているようです。
先日ウィキリークスのアサンジュ氏が莫大な保釈金を支払って保釈されましたが、真実の報道のために頑張るということです。真実の報道に命をかけるのが真のジャーナリストの姿だと思います。命を狙われているのにもかかわらず自分の信念を曲げない彼の強い心に打たれました。
微力ですが、スラチャイも新聞社がタブーとする部分に焦点を当てた記事を掲載したくなりました。
第一弾は｢不透明な米国国債買い入れ｣です。
いわおさんの最新記事 ｢竹中平蔵・・・又やったのね！｣ を呼んでから、いわおさんにメールしました。
↓
毎月１．８兆円の米国債を買い続ける日本は、どうなのよ！毎年ではなく毎月なのだ！！＞
とういのがありましたが本当でしょうか。
年間だったら２０兆円にもなります。
この予算を毎年増大する社会保障費２．５兆円に回してもらえば、消費税を増額することなく安定した社会保障制度を保ち続けることができます。子供手当てだって、サラリーマン高額所得者にターゲットと絞った増税措置をしなくたって、簡単にクリアできますね。
政府は何故それをしないのでしょうか。
アメリカがそれほど恐ろしいということでしょうかね。よく分りません。
橋元元総理や中川昭一元外相は暗殺されたのでしょうかね。
お二人とも死ぬには若すぎる突然死でなんだかすっきりとしません。
気になります。
cite from the website with iwao-san, ocn cafe.
カフェ友いわおさんのサイトより引用しました。
http://page.cafe.ocn.ne.jp/profile/iwao3386/diary/d326
竹中平蔵・・・又やったのね！
小泉ライオン丸とタッグを組んで郵政民営化を推し進めた売国奴！いつの間にか慶應義塾の教授になり、なんとか所長になっていた。
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%B9%E4%B8%AD%E5%B9%B3%E8%94%B5
そこで、慶応の資産を金融商品に投資して大損食らわしたらしい。ミスター￥こと榊原も一枚かんでいるようです。あれほどの立場に立っていたならインサイダー情報で勝てるはずなのに、、である。実際５００億ほどくすねた実績もあるのに、、である。
おまけに日本国に税金を払って居ないのである。（アメリカに住居を構えている）
で、竹中平蔵で検索すると、必ず竹中平蔵○○とか後ろにオマケがついて現れる。売国奴であったり、○和だったり、、。こんなやつ早く葬り去らないと日本国民が売り飛ばされる！！でも、次期日銀総裁候補なんだってo(｀ω´*)o
あ～～～～国民の資産が売り飛ばされる！！手始めに米国債の直接引き受けか？σ(￣。￣) オイラにお金があったらゴルゴ１３に依頼するんだけど、、、。
あっ！それで思い出した。
中川昭一大臣、一連の酷聞は米国債の引き受けを渋ったためと判明！！
最後は殺されちゃった。ポマード大王こと橋本元首相もアノ若さで突然死・・・・米国債を売りたい衝動に駆られると言っただけで、殺されちゃった！！
毎月１．８兆円の米国債を買い続ける日本は、どうなのよ！毎年ではなく毎月なのだ！！
ま、この国では国士は早死にし、売国奴がのさばるんです。よってこれからも発覚次第実名と内容を晒す！
怒れる小市民なσ(´ρ` )
私が死んだらＣＩＡの手先に殺されたか草加せんべいの仕業と思ってください。私は自殺はしません！！
特に気になったのが日本の米国国債引受金額の莫大さとその不透明な管理体制です。
歴代の首脳陣でもアメリカ離れを匂わせるような行動をした大臣たちはみな早死にさせられているようです。
先日ウィキリークスのアサンジュ氏が莫大な保釈金を支払って保釈されましたが、真実の報道のために頑張るということです。真実の報道に命をかけるのが真のジャーナリストの姿だと思います。命を狙われているのにもかかわらず自分の信念を曲げない彼の強い心に打たれました。
微力ですが、スラチャイも新聞社がタブーとする部分に焦点を当てた記事を掲載したくなりました。
第一弾は｢不透明な米国国債買い入れ｣です。
いわおさんの最新記事 ｢竹中平蔵・・・又やったのね！｣ を呼んでから、いわおさんにメールしました。
↓
毎月１．８兆円の米国債を買い続ける日本は、どうなのよ！毎年ではなく毎月なのだ！！＞
とういのがありましたが本当でしょうか。
年間だったら２０兆円にもなります。
この予算を毎年増大する社会保障費２．５兆円に回してもらえば、消費税を増額することなく安定した社会保障制度を保ち続けることができます。子供手当てだって、サラリーマン高額所得者にターゲットと絞った増税措置をしなくたって、簡単にクリアできますね。
政府は何故それをしないのでしょうか。
アメリカがそれほど恐ろしいということでしょうかね。よく分りません。
橋元元総理や中川昭一元外相は暗殺されたのでしょうかね。
お二人とも死ぬには若すぎる突然死でなんだかすっきりとしません。
気になります。
cite from the website with iwao-san, ocn cafe.
カフェ友いわおさんのサイトより引用しました。
http://page.cafe.ocn.ne.jp/profile/iwao3386/diary/d326
竹中平蔵・・・又やったのね！
小泉ライオン丸とタッグを組んで郵政民営化を推し進めた売国奴！いつの間にか慶應義塾の教授になり、なんとか所長になっていた。
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%B9%E4%B8%AD%E5%B9%B3%E8%94%B5
そこで、慶応の資産を金融商品に投資して大損食らわしたらしい。ミスター￥こと榊原も一枚かんでいるようです。あれほどの立場に立っていたならインサイダー情報で勝てるはずなのに、、である。実際５００億ほどくすねた実績もあるのに、、である。
おまけに日本国に税金を払って居ないのである。（アメリカに住居を構えている）
で、竹中平蔵で検索すると、必ず竹中平蔵○○とか後ろにオマケがついて現れる。売国奴であったり、○和だったり、、。こんなやつ早く葬り去らないと日本国民が売り飛ばされる！！でも、次期日銀総裁候補なんだってo(｀ω´*)o
あ～～～～国民の資産が売り飛ばされる！！手始めに米国債の直接引き受けか？σ(￣。￣) オイラにお金があったらゴルゴ１３に依頼するんだけど、、、。
あっ！それで思い出した。
中川昭一大臣、一連の酷聞は米国債の引き受けを渋ったためと判明！！
最後は殺されちゃった。ポマード大王こと橋本元首相もアノ若さで突然死・・・・米国債を売りたい衝動に駆られると言っただけで、殺されちゃった！！
毎月１．８兆円の米国債を買い続ける日本は、どうなのよ！毎年ではなく毎月なのだ！！
ま、この国では国士は早死にし、売国奴がのさばるんです。よってこれからも発覚次第実名と内容を晒す！
怒れる小市民なσ(´ρ` )
私が死んだらＣＩＡの手先に殺されたか草加せんべいの仕業と思ってください。私は自殺はしません！！
PR
2010/12/16
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 15
EDITORIAL: Pension benefit cuts
年金減額―負担を分かち合う時代
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to lower public pension benefit payments in the coming fiscal year, the first such cut in five years. As a measure in line with the rule of fair distribution among different generations, this move can be seen as inevitable.
厚生労働省は、来年度の公的年金の支給額を５年ぶりに引き下げる方針を決めた。世代間の公平な分配のためのルールに沿った措置で、やむをえないといえよう。これを機に、制度のあり方を考えてみたい。
The decision to reduce payouts stems from the forecast that this year's commodity prices will dip below the standard previously set. The move thus reflects the current state of deflation to a certain degree. But even so, this measure will not produce a fair sharing of intergenerational burdens and benefits.
引き下げ決定は、あらかじめ決めておいた基準を今年の物価が下回る見通しとなったためで、デフレの現状をある程度は反映したものだ。だが、これで世代間の負担と給付が公平なものになるわけではない。
Up to now, adjustments have been made in the interest of preventing the value of pension receipts from falling in comparison to prices and wages to the greatest degree possible. Yet in effect, measures aimed at protecting the rights of current recipients have effectively shunted the weight of the system onto the backs of future generations. This aspect of the policy measure begs closer scrutiny.
これまでは、物価や賃金に比べて年金の受取金額がなるべく減らないよう配慮した調整が行われてきた。しかし、こうした受給者の権利を守る措置が、結果的に負担を将来世代に先送りしているという現実がある。こうした側面に、もっと目を向けるべきではないだろうか。
Under the current system, reformed in 2004, a plan known as the "macroeconomic slide" was introduced to stabilize pension finances over the long term.
２００４年に改正された現行制度では、年金財政を長期にわたって安定させるため「マクロ経済スライド」という仕組みが導入された。
The idea was to limit the rise in pension payments to senior citizens, even if the wages of the working generation and commodity prices increased. This was an attempt to curb the increase in premiums if only to a slight degree. In an aging society with a falling birthrate, failure to take such action will place an excessively heavy burden on the younger generation.
現役世代の賃金や物価が上がっても高齢者の年金はあまり増えないようにして、保険料の上昇を少しでも抑えようとしたのだ。少子高齢社会では、そうしないと若い世代の負担が重くなりすぎてしまうからである。
Unfortunately, the impact of the global recession and other developments ensued, while prolonged deflation and price and wage slumps dragged on. As a result, the envisioned automatic adjustment mechanism has yet to kick in.
だが、その後は世界同時不況などの影響もあってデフレが長期化し、物価や賃金の低迷が続いている。このため、自動調整の仕組みは、いまだに発動されていない。
Against this backdrop, there has been a relative rise in the pension level for seniors. According to 2004 estimates, the level of pension benefits as a ratio of take-home pay for the current working generation was expected to decline from 59 percent in 2004 to 57 percent in 2009. An examination of the statistics in 2009, however, shows a rise in that payout level to 62 percent.
その結果、高齢者の年金水準は相対的に上がっている。０４年の推計では、現役世代の会社員の手取り収入に対する厚生年金の給付水準が、０４年の５９％台から０９年には５７％台に下がる見通しだった。ところが、０９年の検証では６２％台に上昇している。
The primary reason for that gain is the failure to reflect past commodity price falls. The sole purpose of the determined benefit cuts, therefore, can be seen in the context of bringing the pension benefits closer to the level of what it should be.
これは、過去に物価下落を反映しなかった分を解消しきれていないことが主な原因だ。今回の引き下げは、年金を本来の水準に近づけるためのものでしかないともいえよう。
Any further delay in such adjustments will prompt a major slide in the next generation's pension benefits. To prevent that, substantial tax and premium hikes will be necessary.
こうした調整の遅れが放置されれば、次世代の年金水準が大きく目減りする。それを避けるには、税金や保険料を大幅に増やす必要がある。
Considerations will naturally be necessary to prevent any sharp drops in payments to elderly people whose only real source of income is their pension. Then again, upsetting the balance with the working generation for that purpose would be a case of putting the proverbial cart before the horse.
もちろん、年金以外に収入がない高齢者のために急激な引き下げが起きないようにする配慮は必要だ。しかし、そのために現役世代とのバランスを崩しては本末転倒である。
This is an issue impossible to sidestep when pondering integrated social security and tax reforms. Pensioners can also be expected to protest any cuts in their benefits.
この問題は、社会保障と税の一体改革を考える際に避けて通れない。減額に反発する受給者は少なくないだろう。
Yet we must also remember that the very foundation of a public pension system lies in mutual assistance between generations. We look forward to an approach conceived in the spirit of sharing the collective burden that will be acceptable to both senior citizens and the younger generation.
だが、年金は世代間の助け合いだ。負担を分かち合う姿勢で、高齢者も若い世代も共に納得できる制度のありようを考えたい。
In the political arena, there is a tendency to grow fainthearted about cutting benefits for senior citizens out of concerns about the impact at the polls. Acting with such timidity, however, will prevent leaders from ever living up to their responsibilities.
政治は、選挙への影響を心配して高齢者の給付の削減には及び腰になりがちだが、それでは責任を果たせない。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 15
EDITORIAL: Pension benefit cuts
年金減額―負担を分かち合う時代
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to lower public pension benefit payments in the coming fiscal year, the first such cut in five years. As a measure in line with the rule of fair distribution among different generations, this move can be seen as inevitable.
厚生労働省は、来年度の公的年金の支給額を５年ぶりに引き下げる方針を決めた。世代間の公平な分配のためのルールに沿った措置で、やむをえないといえよう。これを機に、制度のあり方を考えてみたい。
The decision to reduce payouts stems from the forecast that this year's commodity prices will dip below the standard previously set. The move thus reflects the current state of deflation to a certain degree. But even so, this measure will not produce a fair sharing of intergenerational burdens and benefits.
引き下げ決定は、あらかじめ決めておいた基準を今年の物価が下回る見通しとなったためで、デフレの現状をある程度は反映したものだ。だが、これで世代間の負担と給付が公平なものになるわけではない。
Up to now, adjustments have been made in the interest of preventing the value of pension receipts from falling in comparison to prices and wages to the greatest degree possible. Yet in effect, measures aimed at protecting the rights of current recipients have effectively shunted the weight of the system onto the backs of future generations. This aspect of the policy measure begs closer scrutiny.
これまでは、物価や賃金に比べて年金の受取金額がなるべく減らないよう配慮した調整が行われてきた。しかし、こうした受給者の権利を守る措置が、結果的に負担を将来世代に先送りしているという現実がある。こうした側面に、もっと目を向けるべきではないだろうか。
Under the current system, reformed in 2004, a plan known as the "macroeconomic slide" was introduced to stabilize pension finances over the long term.
２００４年に改正された現行制度では、年金財政を長期にわたって安定させるため「マクロ経済スライド」という仕組みが導入された。
The idea was to limit the rise in pension payments to senior citizens, even if the wages of the working generation and commodity prices increased. This was an attempt to curb the increase in premiums if only to a slight degree. In an aging society with a falling birthrate, failure to take such action will place an excessively heavy burden on the younger generation.
現役世代の賃金や物価が上がっても高齢者の年金はあまり増えないようにして、保険料の上昇を少しでも抑えようとしたのだ。少子高齢社会では、そうしないと若い世代の負担が重くなりすぎてしまうからである。
Unfortunately, the impact of the global recession and other developments ensued, while prolonged deflation and price and wage slumps dragged on. As a result, the envisioned automatic adjustment mechanism has yet to kick in.
だが、その後は世界同時不況などの影響もあってデフレが長期化し、物価や賃金の低迷が続いている。このため、自動調整の仕組みは、いまだに発動されていない。
Against this backdrop, there has been a relative rise in the pension level for seniors. According to 2004 estimates, the level of pension benefits as a ratio of take-home pay for the current working generation was expected to decline from 59 percent in 2004 to 57 percent in 2009. An examination of the statistics in 2009, however, shows a rise in that payout level to 62 percent.
その結果、高齢者の年金水準は相対的に上がっている。０４年の推計では、現役世代の会社員の手取り収入に対する厚生年金の給付水準が、０４年の５９％台から０９年には５７％台に下がる見通しだった。ところが、０９年の検証では６２％台に上昇している。
The primary reason for that gain is the failure to reflect past commodity price falls. The sole purpose of the determined benefit cuts, therefore, can be seen in the context of bringing the pension benefits closer to the level of what it should be.
これは、過去に物価下落を反映しなかった分を解消しきれていないことが主な原因だ。今回の引き下げは、年金を本来の水準に近づけるためのものでしかないともいえよう。
Any further delay in such adjustments will prompt a major slide in the next generation's pension benefits. To prevent that, substantial tax and premium hikes will be necessary.
こうした調整の遅れが放置されれば、次世代の年金水準が大きく目減りする。それを避けるには、税金や保険料を大幅に増やす必要がある。
Considerations will naturally be necessary to prevent any sharp drops in payments to elderly people whose only real source of income is their pension. Then again, upsetting the balance with the working generation for that purpose would be a case of putting the proverbial cart before the horse.
もちろん、年金以外に収入がない高齢者のために急激な引き下げが起きないようにする配慮は必要だ。しかし、そのために現役世代とのバランスを崩しては本末転倒である。
This is an issue impossible to sidestep when pondering integrated social security and tax reforms. Pensioners can also be expected to protest any cuts in their benefits.
この問題は、社会保障と税の一体改革を考える際に避けて通れない。減額に反発する受給者は少なくないだろう。
Yet we must also remember that the very foundation of a public pension system lies in mutual assistance between generations. We look forward to an approach conceived in the spirit of sharing the collective burden that will be acceptable to both senior citizens and the younger generation.
だが、年金は世代間の助け合いだ。負担を分かち合う姿勢で、高齢者も若い世代も共に納得できる制度のありようを考えたい。
In the political arena, there is a tendency to grow fainthearted about cutting benefits for senior citizens out of concerns about the impact at the polls. Acting with such timidity, however, will prevent leaders from ever living up to their responsibilities.
政治は、選挙への影響を心配して高齢者の給付の削減には及び腰になりがちだが、それでは責任を果たせない。
年収５００万円の時代も１０００万円の時代も経験しました。
働けば働くほど損をするなって思いました。
早期退職した理由のひとつです。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 16, 2010)
Tax reforms shouldn't aim only at the wealthy
個人課税強化 高所得層狙い撃ちは筋が違う（12月15日付・読売社説）
The government's Tax Commission has adopted a set of proposals for reviewing income, inheritance and other individual taxes that will be incorporated into an outline of tax reform plans for fiscal 2011.
政府税制調査会は、２０１１年度税制改正大綱に盛り込む所得税や相続税など個人向け課税の見直し案を決めた。
The reforms would raise about 470 billion yen in revenue by reducing various tax deductions from personal income. We believe the deduction system--by which a certain amount is subtracted from each taxpayer's income to ease his or her tax burden--should be reconsidered, as the nation is in dire fiscal straits.
個人の税負担を軽くするため、収入から一定額を差し引いている様々な控除の額を小さくして、国の税収を４７００億円ほど増やす内容だ。厳しい財政事情を考えれば、控除の見直し自体は必要な措置であろう。
It should be noted, however, that the proposed cuts in the tax deductions--a measure tantamount to increasing individual taxes--would target people in the higher income brackets nearly exclusively. This proposal can be regarded as an attempt to single out people who can pay higher taxes as the sole target of increased levies.
Doing so is not only unfair to taxpayers. The measure is bound to cause serious adverse effects, such as a decline in the morale of working taxpayers and the vitality of the nation's economy.
しかし今回、「増税」の対象は高所得者に集中している。税金を負担する能力が高い層ばかりを狙い撃ちにしたやり方は、公平性を欠くだけでなく、人々の働く意欲や経済の活力を失わせる副作用が大きいと言わざるを得ない。
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Lower deductions sought
The proposed imposition of greater taxes on high-income earners would be made possible by, for example, setting an upper limit on deductions for wage income--a scheme by which a certain amount of the salary earned by a corporate employee is deducted from his or her paycheck as necessary expenses recognized by the tax authorities.
高所得者への課税強化は、例えば、会社員の給料の一定額を必要経費と見なして差し引く給与所得控除に上限を設定することだ。
The proposal would correct the current system, which increases the amount of deductions from individual corporate employees' salaries in proportion to their respective annual incomes. Instead, the plan would deduct the same amount from the salaries of anyone whose annual income exceeds 15 million yen.
年収に応じて控除額が増える仕組みを改め、年収１５００万円超の人は控除額を一律にする。
This would be accompanied by even greater cuts in the deductions given to high-income corporate executives.
報酬が高い企業役員の控除額は、一般社員よりさらに圧縮する。
The proposed reforms would, as a rule, do away with deductions for people supporting dependent relatives aged 23 to 69 if their yearly income surpasses 6.89 million yen.
また、２３～６９歳の親族を扶養する人に対する成年扶養控除は、年収が６８９万円を超えれば、原則として受けられなくなる。
Inheritance taxes also would be subject to the proposed changes. The reforms would introduce a 40 percent reduction in the basic deductions from inheritances, a move aimed at expanding the range of people subject to inheritance taxation.
相続税も、遺産から差し引ける基礎控除額を現状より４割減らして、課税対象者を増やす。
An official of the government's key tax panel has said all these proposals are intended to rectify income disparities among individuals by enhancing the power of the current tax system to encourage income redistribution. However, we believe the panel is confident that high-income earners would be less strongly opposed to heavier taxation than low- and middle-income taxpayers.
税調幹部は「所得再分配機能を強め、格差を是正するため」と説明する。だが、実際は、高所得者の方が中低所得者より課税強化への反発が少ないという現実を見越してのことではないか。
===
Tax burden already high
Admittedly, only 1 percent of salaried workers would shoulder a greater financial burden due to the proposed cuts in their employment income deductions under the reform plan. The proposed reform would affect only a modest 20 percent of taxpayers who are currently entitled to deductions for the support of adult dependents.
負担が増えるのは、給与所得控除でサラリーマン全体の１％に過ぎず、成年扶養控除でも適用されている人の２割にとどまる。
However, the current tax burden imposed on high-income earners is hardly light. Take a family comprising a married couple with two children--if its annual income stands at 5 million yen, such a family pays 195,000 yen in income and resident taxes annually.
This compares with 1.13 million yen in similar taxes to be paid by a household that earns 10 million yen annually. This means the latter family, which earns twice as much as the former, must shoulder a tax burden close to six times greater.
しかし、現在でも高所得者の負担が軽いとは言えまい。夫婦と子ども２人で年収５００万円の世帯は、所得税と住民税の負担が１９・５万円なのに対し、１０００万円の世帯は１１３万円だ。収入は２倍でも、負担額は６倍近い。
The current system imposes income taxes on families whose annual income is 3.25 million yen or more--a level of taxation higher than those in the United States, Britain, Germany and other industrialized powers.
所得税が課される最低年収は３２５万円で、米英独などの先進各国を上回る水準だ。
Certainly, due consideration must be paid to low- and middle-income earners when it comes to tax reform. However, there is concern that tax reforms--if carried out in a manner that imposes greater burdens only on wealthy people--could produce negative effects.
Talented large-income earners could eventually leave Japan to work in low-tax countries, for example, despite their important role in supporting the nation's economy.
中低所得者への配慮は必要だが、富裕層に負担増を求めるだけの税制改正では、日本経済を支える優秀で高収入の人材が税金の安い海外に流出する、といったマイナスの効果を生む恐れもある。
The panel's call for revisions to the deduction system can be regarded as an attempt to force high-income people to pick up the bill for massive government expenditures incurred through an increase in child-rearing allowances and other lavish handout policies and programs. The proposed measures will do little to fundamentally reform the tax system.
今回の控除見直しは、子ども手当増額など、ばらまき政策のツケを高所得層に押し付けた形で、税制の抜本改革につながるものではない。
The government should immediately do what is needed to implement thorough tax reform, including an increase in the consumption tax. Doing so is essential to ensuring fair tax burdens.
公平な税負担を実現するためにも、消費税率引き上げなどに早急に取り組むべきであろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2010)
（2010年12月15日01時21分 読売新聞）
働けば働くほど損をするなって思いました。
早期退職した理由のひとつです。
（スラチャイ記）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 16, 2010)
Tax reforms shouldn't aim only at the wealthy
個人課税強化 高所得層狙い撃ちは筋が違う（12月15日付・読売社説）
The government's Tax Commission has adopted a set of proposals for reviewing income, inheritance and other individual taxes that will be incorporated into an outline of tax reform plans for fiscal 2011.
政府税制調査会は、２０１１年度税制改正大綱に盛り込む所得税や相続税など個人向け課税の見直し案を決めた。
The reforms would raise about 470 billion yen in revenue by reducing various tax deductions from personal income. We believe the deduction system--by which a certain amount is subtracted from each taxpayer's income to ease his or her tax burden--should be reconsidered, as the nation is in dire fiscal straits.
個人の税負担を軽くするため、収入から一定額を差し引いている様々な控除の額を小さくして、国の税収を４７００億円ほど増やす内容だ。厳しい財政事情を考えれば、控除の見直し自体は必要な措置であろう。
It should be noted, however, that the proposed cuts in the tax deductions--a measure tantamount to increasing individual taxes--would target people in the higher income brackets nearly exclusively. This proposal can be regarded as an attempt to single out people who can pay higher taxes as the sole target of increased levies.
Doing so is not only unfair to taxpayers. The measure is bound to cause serious adverse effects, such as a decline in the morale of working taxpayers and the vitality of the nation's economy.
しかし今回、「増税」の対象は高所得者に集中している。税金を負担する能力が高い層ばかりを狙い撃ちにしたやり方は、公平性を欠くだけでなく、人々の働く意欲や経済の活力を失わせる副作用が大きいと言わざるを得ない。
===
Lower deductions sought
The proposed imposition of greater taxes on high-income earners would be made possible by, for example, setting an upper limit on deductions for wage income--a scheme by which a certain amount of the salary earned by a corporate employee is deducted from his or her paycheck as necessary expenses recognized by the tax authorities.
高所得者への課税強化は、例えば、会社員の給料の一定額を必要経費と見なして差し引く給与所得控除に上限を設定することだ。
The proposal would correct the current system, which increases the amount of deductions from individual corporate employees' salaries in proportion to their respective annual incomes. Instead, the plan would deduct the same amount from the salaries of anyone whose annual income exceeds 15 million yen.
年収に応じて控除額が増える仕組みを改め、年収１５００万円超の人は控除額を一律にする。
This would be accompanied by even greater cuts in the deductions given to high-income corporate executives.
報酬が高い企業役員の控除額は、一般社員よりさらに圧縮する。
The proposed reforms would, as a rule, do away with deductions for people supporting dependent relatives aged 23 to 69 if their yearly income surpasses 6.89 million yen.
また、２３～６９歳の親族を扶養する人に対する成年扶養控除は、年収が６８９万円を超えれば、原則として受けられなくなる。
Inheritance taxes also would be subject to the proposed changes. The reforms would introduce a 40 percent reduction in the basic deductions from inheritances, a move aimed at expanding the range of people subject to inheritance taxation.
相続税も、遺産から差し引ける基礎控除額を現状より４割減らして、課税対象者を増やす。
An official of the government's key tax panel has said all these proposals are intended to rectify income disparities among individuals by enhancing the power of the current tax system to encourage income redistribution. However, we believe the panel is confident that high-income earners would be less strongly opposed to heavier taxation than low- and middle-income taxpayers.
税調幹部は「所得再分配機能を強め、格差を是正するため」と説明する。だが、実際は、高所得者の方が中低所得者より課税強化への反発が少ないという現実を見越してのことではないか。
===
Tax burden already high
Admittedly, only 1 percent of salaried workers would shoulder a greater financial burden due to the proposed cuts in their employment income deductions under the reform plan. The proposed reform would affect only a modest 20 percent of taxpayers who are currently entitled to deductions for the support of adult dependents.
負担が増えるのは、給与所得控除でサラリーマン全体の１％に過ぎず、成年扶養控除でも適用されている人の２割にとどまる。
However, the current tax burden imposed on high-income earners is hardly light. Take a family comprising a married couple with two children--if its annual income stands at 5 million yen, such a family pays 195,000 yen in income and resident taxes annually.
This compares with 1.13 million yen in similar taxes to be paid by a household that earns 10 million yen annually. This means the latter family, which earns twice as much as the former, must shoulder a tax burden close to six times greater.
しかし、現在でも高所得者の負担が軽いとは言えまい。夫婦と子ども２人で年収５００万円の世帯は、所得税と住民税の負担が１９・５万円なのに対し、１０００万円の世帯は１１３万円だ。収入は２倍でも、負担額は６倍近い。
The current system imposes income taxes on families whose annual income is 3.25 million yen or more--a level of taxation higher than those in the United States, Britain, Germany and other industrialized powers.
所得税が課される最低年収は３２５万円で、米英独などの先進各国を上回る水準だ。
Certainly, due consideration must be paid to low- and middle-income earners when it comes to tax reform. However, there is concern that tax reforms--if carried out in a manner that imposes greater burdens only on wealthy people--could produce negative effects.
Talented large-income earners could eventually leave Japan to work in low-tax countries, for example, despite their important role in supporting the nation's economy.
中低所得者への配慮は必要だが、富裕層に負担増を求めるだけの税制改正では、日本経済を支える優秀で高収入の人材が税金の安い海外に流出する、といったマイナスの効果を生む恐れもある。
The panel's call for revisions to the deduction system can be regarded as an attempt to force high-income people to pick up the bill for massive government expenditures incurred through an increase in child-rearing allowances and other lavish handout policies and programs. The proposed measures will do little to fundamentally reform the tax system.
今回の控除見直しは、子ども手当増額など、ばらまき政策のツケを高所得層に押し付けた形で、税制の抜本改革につながるものではない。
The government should immediately do what is needed to implement thorough tax reform, including an increase in the consumption tax. Doing so is essential to ensuring fair tax burdens.
公平な税負担を実現するためにも、消費税率引き上げなどに早急に取り組むべきであろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2010)
（2010年12月15日01時21分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 15, 2010)
Parties must cooperate on social security
社会保障改革 方向は与野党で一致している（12月14日付・読売社説）
The government and ruling parties have come up with a proposal to promote social security reforms. The basic principles in the proposal are based on the following two pillars:
政府・与党が社会保障改革を推進するための基本方針をまとめた。
柱となるのは、以下の２点である。
-- Setting up a permanent suprapartisan meeting to discuss the issue.
「超党派で常設の会議を設置する」
-- Drafting concrete plans on social security reform and the taxes that will fund the reforms by the middle of next year.
「来年半ばまでに、社会保障改革とその財源となる税の具体案を作成する」。
However, the Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties oppose the proposal, saying that the Democratic Party of Japan did not agree to take part in suprapartisan talks when it was in the opposition. Given the critical situation surrounding social security and fiscal conditions at present, policymakers must not use the issue to score political points.
自民党などからさっそく、「民主党は野党の時は超党派協議に応じなかったではないか」と否定的な反応が出ている。だが、社会保障と財政の危機的状況を見れば、政争の具にする時ではない。
Lawmakers also must not be allowed to postpone the deadline on the plan. The DPJ must reflect on what it did as an opposition party while the LDP should sit down at the negotiating table without chafing at what happened in the past.
来年半ばまでという期限を、それ以上先送りすることは許されまい。民主党は野党当時の姿勢を反省し、自民党も過去のいきさつにこだわらず、議論のテーブルにつくべきだ。
Shared principles exist
The basic principles are fleshed out in a report by a panel of experts set up by the government and the ruling parties. The report is titled "Social security visions for realizing a sense of security and vitality."
基本方針は、政府・与党が設置した有識者検討会の「安心と活力への社会保障ビジョン」と題した報告書で肉付けされている。
The report called for principles such as building a social security system that seamlessly covers people of all ages and securing stable fiscal resources so as not to pile financial burdens on future generations. It also proposed using the consumption tax exclusively for social security purposes.
ビジョンは、切れ目なく全世代を対象とした社会保障を構築することや、次世代に負担を先送りしないために安定的財源を確保するといった原則を掲げた。財源として、消費税を社会保障目的税化することなども提言している。
The report's proposals significantly overlap those written in a different report by a panel of experts tasked with realizing a secure society under the LDP-led government of former Prime Minister Taro Aso. The older report even had a similar title: "Toward a Japan with a sense of security and vitality."
内容は、麻生政権による安心社会実現会議の報告書「安心と活力の日本へ」とほぼ重なる。安心と活力、というスローガン自体が同じだ。
This shows that the change of government has not altered the basic policies needed by society.
政権が交代しても、求められる政策の方向は変わらない、ということだろう。
The current government's report also calls for setting up a task force on social security comprising experts and lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties. The envisaged panel is quite similar to something the Aso administration proposed: the roundtable for realizing a secure society.
与野党議員と有識者による「社会保障諮問会議」の設置をビジョンは提唱しているが、これも麻生政権時に提案された「安心社会実現円卓会議」そのものである。
These facts clearly show that the ruling and opposition parties have many things in common in their ideas and way of thinking when it comes to social security policies.
The next step is to take action.
内容も考え方も一致しているのだから、後は行動だけだ。
Govt must move first
As an initial step, the government and ruling parties must show how serious they are about realizing the basic principles of social security reform. They must present concrete proposals as soon as possible on key points, such as how much the consumption tax rate should be raised. If the government and ruling parties merely call on the opposition bloc to join suprapartisan talks, opposition parties will likely find it difficult to agree.
まず、政府・与党が今回の基本方針の本気度を示す必要がある。消費税率の引き上げ幅など具体的な考えを早急に打ち出すべきだ。単に超党派協議を呼びかけても野党は乗れまい。
The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan is having difficulty in finding fiscal resources for each of the main social security fields, including medical care, nursing care, pensions and child care, in the budget compilation for fiscal 2011.
菅内閣は来年度予算の編成作業において、医療、介護、年金、子育てなど社会保障の主な分野で、ことごとく財源の壁に突き当たっている。
The greatest cause of the problem is the DPJ's election manifesto, which included many pledges that have proven extremely difficult to realize. In addition, the DPJ has been putting off discussions on the consumption tax hike, just as the coalition government of the LDP and New Komeito did, and has failed to secure stable revenue sources to implement necessary policies.
最大の原因は、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）に無理がありすぎたことだが、自公政権に続いて民主党も消費税の議論を先送りし、安定財源を確保してこなかった点も大きい。
If the situation is allowed to stand as it is, Japan's social security system will surely continue to be mired in a stalemate.
このままでは、社会保障がさらに行き詰まることは明らかだ。
It is necessary for lawmakers to move beyond party affiliations in order to build a stable social security system.
揺るぎない制度を構築するためには、党派を超えて行動しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 14, 2010)
（2010年12月14日01時25分 読売新聞）
Parties must cooperate on social security
社会保障改革 方向は与野党で一致している（12月14日付・読売社説）
The government and ruling parties have come up with a proposal to promote social security reforms. The basic principles in the proposal are based on the following two pillars:
政府・与党が社会保障改革を推進するための基本方針をまとめた。
柱となるのは、以下の２点である。
-- Setting up a permanent suprapartisan meeting to discuss the issue.
「超党派で常設の会議を設置する」
-- Drafting concrete plans on social security reform and the taxes that will fund the reforms by the middle of next year.
「来年半ばまでに、社会保障改革とその財源となる税の具体案を作成する」。
However, the Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties oppose the proposal, saying that the Democratic Party of Japan did not agree to take part in suprapartisan talks when it was in the opposition. Given the critical situation surrounding social security and fiscal conditions at present, policymakers must not use the issue to score political points.
自民党などからさっそく、「民主党は野党の時は超党派協議に応じなかったではないか」と否定的な反応が出ている。だが、社会保障と財政の危機的状況を見れば、政争の具にする時ではない。
Lawmakers also must not be allowed to postpone the deadline on the plan. The DPJ must reflect on what it did as an opposition party while the LDP should sit down at the negotiating table without chafing at what happened in the past.
来年半ばまでという期限を、それ以上先送りすることは許されまい。民主党は野党当時の姿勢を反省し、自民党も過去のいきさつにこだわらず、議論のテーブルにつくべきだ。
Shared principles exist
The basic principles are fleshed out in a report by a panel of experts set up by the government and the ruling parties. The report is titled "Social security visions for realizing a sense of security and vitality."
基本方針は、政府・与党が設置した有識者検討会の「安心と活力への社会保障ビジョン」と題した報告書で肉付けされている。
The report called for principles such as building a social security system that seamlessly covers people of all ages and securing stable fiscal resources so as not to pile financial burdens on future generations. It also proposed using the consumption tax exclusively for social security purposes.
ビジョンは、切れ目なく全世代を対象とした社会保障を構築することや、次世代に負担を先送りしないために安定的財源を確保するといった原則を掲げた。財源として、消費税を社会保障目的税化することなども提言している。
The report's proposals significantly overlap those written in a different report by a panel of experts tasked with realizing a secure society under the LDP-led government of former Prime Minister Taro Aso. The older report even had a similar title: "Toward a Japan with a sense of security and vitality."
内容は、麻生政権による安心社会実現会議の報告書「安心と活力の日本へ」とほぼ重なる。安心と活力、というスローガン自体が同じだ。
This shows that the change of government has not altered the basic policies needed by society.
政権が交代しても、求められる政策の方向は変わらない、ということだろう。
The current government's report also calls for setting up a task force on social security comprising experts and lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties. The envisaged panel is quite similar to something the Aso administration proposed: the roundtable for realizing a secure society.
与野党議員と有識者による「社会保障諮問会議」の設置をビジョンは提唱しているが、これも麻生政権時に提案された「安心社会実現円卓会議」そのものである。
These facts clearly show that the ruling and opposition parties have many things in common in their ideas and way of thinking when it comes to social security policies.
The next step is to take action.
内容も考え方も一致しているのだから、後は行動だけだ。
Govt must move first
As an initial step, the government and ruling parties must show how serious they are about realizing the basic principles of social security reform. They must present concrete proposals as soon as possible on key points, such as how much the consumption tax rate should be raised. If the government and ruling parties merely call on the opposition bloc to join suprapartisan talks, opposition parties will likely find it difficult to agree.
まず、政府・与党が今回の基本方針の本気度を示す必要がある。消費税率の引き上げ幅など具体的な考えを早急に打ち出すべきだ。単に超党派協議を呼びかけても野党は乗れまい。
The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan is having difficulty in finding fiscal resources for each of the main social security fields, including medical care, nursing care, pensions and child care, in the budget compilation for fiscal 2011.
菅内閣は来年度予算の編成作業において、医療、介護、年金、子育てなど社会保障の主な分野で、ことごとく財源の壁に突き当たっている。
The greatest cause of the problem is the DPJ's election manifesto, which included many pledges that have proven extremely difficult to realize. In addition, the DPJ has been putting off discussions on the consumption tax hike, just as the coalition government of the LDP and New Komeito did, and has failed to secure stable revenue sources to implement necessary policies.
最大の原因は、民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）に無理がありすぎたことだが、自公政権に続いて民主党も消費税の議論を先送りし、安定財源を確保してこなかった点も大きい。
If the situation is allowed to stand as it is, Japan's social security system will surely continue to be mired in a stalemate.
このままでは、社会保障がさらに行き詰まることは明らかだ。
It is necessary for lawmakers to move beyond party affiliations in order to build a stable social security system.
揺るぎない制度を構築するためには、党派を超えて行動しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 14, 2010)
（2010年12月14日01時25分 読売新聞）
2010/12/14
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11
EDITORIAL: Nobel Peace Prize
平和賞と中国―君子の外交を求めたい
The ceremony in Oslo to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize was not attended by the winner. Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese writer and dissident who won the award, remains imprisoned in China. Even his wife, Liu Xia, could not attend the ceremony because she was under house arrest.
オスロで開かれたノーベル平和賞の授賞式は、主役が不在だった。受賞者である中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏は投獄されたままだ。妻の劉霞さんも軟禁状態で参加できなかった。
No relative or representative was present to accept the award for the first time since 1935, when German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky won the prize. Nazi Germany blocked him and his supporters from attending.
関係者が誰も出席しないのは、１９３０年代にナチス・ドイツに出席を阻まれた平和活動家、オシエツキー氏の受賞以来という。
Liu co-authored "Charter 08," which called for an end to one-party rule by the Communist Party. As a result, he has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the crime of "inciting subversion."
劉氏は共産党独裁の廃止などを求める「０８憲章」を起草した。「国家の転覆を扇動した」として１１年間の実刑判決を受けている。
Beijing continues to crack down on pro-democracy activists and human rights lawyers by house arrest or rigorous monitoring.
中国では民主活動家や人権派弁護士の軟禁や監視が続いている。
The Chinese public is denied access to broadcasts and websites critical of the government, including those related to Liu.
劉氏に関するものをはじめ、政府を批判する放送やネットは遮断されている。
We urge the Chinese government to release all prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned only because of their thoughts and creeds. China should realize that muzzling the press undermines the nation's development in the long term.
思想・信条を理由に投獄している良心の囚人を、一日も早く釈放するよう中国政府に求める。報道規制も、長い目で見れば、中国の発展への力をそいでいることを考えるべきだ。
China has rebuked the Norwegian Nobel Committee and filed a protest against the Norwegian government, which hosts the committee. It has also unilaterally suspended bilateral trade talks with the country.
中国はノーベル賞委員会を非難し、ホスト国のノルウェー政府にも抗議して貿易交渉も一方的に中断した。
Many countries invited to attend the ceremony were absent, apparently in support of China. The list of the absentees seems like a collection of nations with poor track records of freedom of speech, such as Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
授賞式に招待を受けた国のうち少なからぬ国が欠席した。中国に同調したとみられる。その顔ぶれをみると、ロシア、キューバ、サウジアラビア、イランなど、「言論の自由」という点で合格点にほど遠い国が集まった印象を受ける。
It is regrettable that such Asian nations as Pakistan and Vietnam also did not attend the ceremony, expressing views that echoed Beijing's stance toward the issue.
アジアでも、パキスタンやベトナムなどが中国と同じような見解を示して欠席したのは残念である。
It is true that the selections of the Nobel Peace Prize winners have reflected the international situations at the times and have had political implications. There was heated debate on the appropriateness of awarding the prize to U.S. President Barack Obama last year.
ノーベル平和賞が、その時々の国際事情を反映し、政治色を帯びてきたのは事実だ。昨年のオバマ米大統領の受賞も、是非をめぐって議論があった。
But one important role of the prize is to promote common international understanding of the significance of peace by provoking various debates.
だが、様々な論議を通じて、平和の意味について共通の認識を深めていくことに平和賞の意義もあろう。
The list of the past winners include Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the civil right movement in the United States. As a leading power in the 21st century, China is expected to take part in this tradition with a positive attitude.
南アフリカで人種隔離と闘ったネルソン・マンデラ氏や、米国の公民権運動指導者キング牧師らも、歴代の受賞者に含まれている。２１世紀の大国である中国に求められるのは、こうした伝統に前向きに参加していくことだ。
Countries around the world should cherish the Nobel Peace Prize as a valuable legacy built by the international community over years, like the system of international human rights laws.
ノーベル平和賞は国際人権法の体系とともに、国際社会が長年かけて築き上げてきたものとして、各国が大切にしていかなければならない。
The countries that attended the ceremony should also make efforts to promote it.
その努力が求められるのは、授賞式に出席する国も同じである。
President Obama, who has invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States next year, should urge China to take steps toward improving its human rights record.
来年、胡錦濤国家主席を招く米国のオバマ大統領は、人権問題で中国に注文をつけるべきである。
Japan should also seek candid conversations with China over human rights issues at occasions like bilateral summits.
日本も、首脳会談などで率直に意見を交換していこう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan appears to be unwilling to touch on China's human rights problems for fear of straining relations, just as they were by the recent spat over the Senkaku Islands, and inviting unwanted effects on the Japanese economy.
尖閣沖の衝突事件の時のようなあつれきや経済への影響を恐れて、菅直人首相は遠慮してはいないか。
In an apparent bid to undercut the Nobel Peace Prize, China has hastily created its own competing peace prize dubbed the Confucius Peace Prize. In its diplomatic activities, we hope China will practice the teachings of Confucius about how respectable men of virtue should behave and act.
ノーベル平和賞に対抗するかのように、中国は「孔子平和賞」を作ったそうだ。孔子が教えた尊敬される君子の道を、中国は外交で実践してもらいたい。
If China does so, Japan and the United States would have to respond by trying to build relations with China like those among men of virtue.
そして、日本や米国も君子の交わりで応じたいものである。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11
EDITORIAL: Nobel Peace Prize
平和賞と中国―君子の外交を求めたい
The ceremony in Oslo to award this year's Nobel Peace Prize was not attended by the winner. Liu Xiaobo, the Chinese writer and dissident who won the award, remains imprisoned in China. Even his wife, Liu Xia, could not attend the ceremony because she was under house arrest.
オスロで開かれたノーベル平和賞の授賞式は、主役が不在だった。受賞者である中国の民主活動家、劉暁波氏は投獄されたままだ。妻の劉霞さんも軟禁状態で参加できなかった。
No relative or representative was present to accept the award for the first time since 1935, when German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky won the prize. Nazi Germany blocked him and his supporters from attending.
関係者が誰も出席しないのは、１９３０年代にナチス・ドイツに出席を阻まれた平和活動家、オシエツキー氏の受賞以来という。
Liu co-authored "Charter 08," which called for an end to one-party rule by the Communist Party. As a result, he has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the crime of "inciting subversion."
劉氏は共産党独裁の廃止などを求める「０８憲章」を起草した。「国家の転覆を扇動した」として１１年間の実刑判決を受けている。
Beijing continues to crack down on pro-democracy activists and human rights lawyers by house arrest or rigorous monitoring.
中国では民主活動家や人権派弁護士の軟禁や監視が続いている。
The Chinese public is denied access to broadcasts and websites critical of the government, including those related to Liu.
劉氏に関するものをはじめ、政府を批判する放送やネットは遮断されている。
We urge the Chinese government to release all prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned only because of their thoughts and creeds. China should realize that muzzling the press undermines the nation's development in the long term.
思想・信条を理由に投獄している良心の囚人を、一日も早く釈放するよう中国政府に求める。報道規制も、長い目で見れば、中国の発展への力をそいでいることを考えるべきだ。
China has rebuked the Norwegian Nobel Committee and filed a protest against the Norwegian government, which hosts the committee. It has also unilaterally suspended bilateral trade talks with the country.
中国はノーベル賞委員会を非難し、ホスト国のノルウェー政府にも抗議して貿易交渉も一方的に中断した。
Many countries invited to attend the ceremony were absent, apparently in support of China. The list of the absentees seems like a collection of nations with poor track records of freedom of speech, such as Russia, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
授賞式に招待を受けた国のうち少なからぬ国が欠席した。中国に同調したとみられる。その顔ぶれをみると、ロシア、キューバ、サウジアラビア、イランなど、「言論の自由」という点で合格点にほど遠い国が集まった印象を受ける。
It is regrettable that such Asian nations as Pakistan and Vietnam also did not attend the ceremony, expressing views that echoed Beijing's stance toward the issue.
アジアでも、パキスタンやベトナムなどが中国と同じような見解を示して欠席したのは残念である。
It is true that the selections of the Nobel Peace Prize winners have reflected the international situations at the times and have had political implications. There was heated debate on the appropriateness of awarding the prize to U.S. President Barack Obama last year.
ノーベル平和賞が、その時々の国際事情を反映し、政治色を帯びてきたのは事実だ。昨年のオバマ米大統領の受賞も、是非をめぐって議論があった。
But one important role of the prize is to promote common international understanding of the significance of peace by provoking various debates.
だが、様々な論議を通じて、平和の意味について共通の認識を深めていくことに平和賞の意義もあろう。
The list of the past winners include Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid in South Africa, and Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the civil right movement in the United States. As a leading power in the 21st century, China is expected to take part in this tradition with a positive attitude.
南アフリカで人種隔離と闘ったネルソン・マンデラ氏や、米国の公民権運動指導者キング牧師らも、歴代の受賞者に含まれている。２１世紀の大国である中国に求められるのは、こうした伝統に前向きに参加していくことだ。
Countries around the world should cherish the Nobel Peace Prize as a valuable legacy built by the international community over years, like the system of international human rights laws.
ノーベル平和賞は国際人権法の体系とともに、国際社会が長年かけて築き上げてきたものとして、各国が大切にしていかなければならない。
The countries that attended the ceremony should also make efforts to promote it.
その努力が求められるのは、授賞式に出席する国も同じである。
President Obama, who has invited Chinese President Hu Jintao to the United States next year, should urge China to take steps toward improving its human rights record.
来年、胡錦濤国家主席を招く米国のオバマ大統領は、人権問題で中国に注文をつけるべきである。
Japan should also seek candid conversations with China over human rights issues at occasions like bilateral summits.
日本も、首脳会談などで率直に意見を交換していこう。
Prime Minister Naoto Kan appears to be unwilling to touch on China's human rights problems for fear of straining relations, just as they were by the recent spat over the Senkaku Islands, and inviting unwanted effects on the Japanese economy.
尖閣沖の衝突事件の時のようなあつれきや経済への影響を恐れて、菅直人首相は遠慮してはいないか。
In an apparent bid to undercut the Nobel Peace Prize, China has hastily created its own competing peace prize dubbed the Confucius Peace Prize. In its diplomatic activities, we hope China will practice the teachings of Confucius about how respectable men of virtue should behave and act.
ノーベル平和賞に対抗するかのように、中国は「孔子平和賞」を作ったそうだ。孔子が教えた尊敬される君子の道を、中国は外交で実践してもらいたい。
If China does so, Japan and the United States would have to respond by trying to build relations with China like those among men of virtue.
そして、日本や米国も君子の交わりで応じたいものである。
2010/12/11
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 10
EDITORIAL: Failure of Akatsuki probe
あかつき―失敗を次の探査に生かせ
Venus, which is about the same size as Earth, is also called its twin. Repeatedly in the past, however, the planet named after the goddess of love and beauty had coldly rejected U.S. and Soviet space probes. This time, too, the goddess turned its back on a messenger from Japan.
金星は地球とほとんど同じ大きさで双子の惑星ともいわれる。これまで何度も米ソの探査機を阻んできた冷たいビーナスの顔も持つ。日本からの使者を待っていたのも、そんな冷たい女神だったようだ。
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's space probe Akatsuki failed to enter an orbit around Venus.
宇宙航空研究開発機構（ＪＡＸＡ）の金星探査機「あかつき」が、金星を回る軌道に入るのに失敗した。
Akatsuki's mission was to seek the real face of Venus, which has turned into a blazing hell with the greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide getting out of control.
あかつきは、二酸化炭素による温室効果が暴走して灼熱（しゃくねつ）地獄になったこの惑星の素顔を探るのが目的だった。
Earlier this year, after a journey of tribulations, the space probe Hayabusa returned to Earth with dust samples from the asteroid Itokawa. Akatsuki had also been launched amid big expectations.
小惑星探査機「はやぶさ」は、壮絶な旅の末に小惑星イトカワの砂を持ち帰った。あかつきも、大きな期待を背負っていた。
The result is really regrettable.
何とも残念な結果である。
Original plans called for the probe to reverse its engine thrust, brake suddenly and enter Venus' sphere of gravitation, but the reverse thrust stopped midway. According to researchers, the ceramic engine nozzle developed with domestic technology may have broken. But first, it is important to thoroughly look into the cause of the failure.
逆噴射して急ブレーキをかけ、金星の引力圏に入る計画だったが、噴射が途中で止まった。国産技術によるセラミック製のエンジン噴射口が壊れた可能性もあるというが、まずは、徹底的な原因究明が重要だ。
Akatsuki passed by Venus and entered an orbit to travel around the sun in about six months. Six years from now, it will once again come close to Venus. When it does, JAXA plans to try to put it into orbit again. Depending on the condition of the engine and other equipment, chances of success may not be great, but we urge the agency to make every effort.
あかつきは金星を通り過ぎ、太陽の周りを約半年かけて回る軌道に乗っている。６年後に再び金星に近づく。そのときに再度、軌道投入を試みる。エンジンや機器の状態により、可能性は決して高くないかもしれないが、最大限の努力をしてほしい。
The Mars probe Nozomi, which was launched in 1998, also could not be put into an orbit around the red planet because of trouble in the fuel system and other equipment. With Akatsuki's failure, Japan's planet probes have failed two straight times.
１９９８年に打ち上げた火星探査機「のぞみ」も、燃料系統や機器の故障が重なって、火星の軌道に入れなかった。惑星をめざした探査は、２回連続の黒星となった。
The gravity of the Itokawa asteroid where Hayabusa landed is weak, and the probe was able to approach it repeatedly. However, engine maneuvering to enter the gravitational sphere of a large planet with great gravitational force like Venus cannot be repeated. It is difficult because it is a one-shot deal.
はやぶさが訪ねた小惑星イトカワは重力が小さく、何度も接近することができた。だが、金星のように重力が大きい惑星の引力圏に入るエンジン操作は、やり直しがきかない。一発勝負の難しさがある。
The history of Japan's planetary probes is short. It can even be described as immature. It is important to thoroughly study and learn from the failure this time and put it to use for future projects.
日本の惑星探査は歴史が浅い。未熟な面があることは否めない。今回の失敗をとことん研究して学び、今後に生かすことが大切だ。
JAXA remade flight plans for Nozomi, which had little remaining fuel, to reach Mars four years later. The experience was useful in enabling Hayabusa to return to Earth three years behind schedule. This is a good precedent.
燃料が少なくなったのぞみを４年遅れで火星に到達させる飛行計画を作り直した経験が、はやぶさの３年遅れの帰還に役立った。良い前例である。
It is important to take a long view to support challenges in space, a realm that remains largely unknown.
宇宙という未知の空間への挑戦は、長い目で支えていくことが大切だ。
The recent discovery of a bacterium in the United States that eats arsenic defied our common sense of biology. We don't know what kinds of living matter live where. Looking for the presence of life in space is a major purpose of planetary probes.
最近、ヒ素を食べる細菌が米国で見つかった。生物学の常識を覆す発見だった。どこにどんな生命体がいるか、わからない。生命の存在を宇宙に探るのは惑星探査の大きな目的の一つだ。
But the undertaking is also very costly. Countries are launching space probes commensurate with their interests and technological capability. More researchers from around the world are taking part in joint projects. For example, as far as Venus is concerned, Japan and Europe are supposedly the leading players. Plans for Japan and Europe to cooperate and launch one space probe each to Mercury are also progressing.
惑星探査は巨額の費用を要する。各国が関心や技術力に応じて探査機を飛ばし、世界の研究者が参加する形が増えている。たとえば、金星は当面、日本と欧州が主役のはずだった。水星でも、日欧が１機ずつ飛ばす本格的な協力計画が進む。
Also in order for Japan to live up to its international responsibility, it should clarify the problems to enhance trust and take off toward the next faraway journey into space.
国際的な責任を果たすためにも、問題を洗い出して信頼性を高め、次のはるかな旅路に飛び立ってほしい。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 11, 2010)
Foolish short-term view on arms exports
武器輸出３原則 将来に禍根残す緩和見送り（12月10日付・読売社説）
Has the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration already forgotten about the abysmal failure of its previous coalition government involving a political party that held a conflicting basic policy?
基本政策が異なる政党と連立政権を組んだ致命的な失敗の教訓を、もう忘れてしまったのか。
The government has decided not to clearly stipulate the three principles on weapons exports--which effectively ban arms deals with other countries--will be eased in the new National Defense Program Guidelines it will approve next week. Prime Minister Naoto Kan made the decision in consideration of the opposition Social Democratic Party, which he had asked for cooperation in steering the Diet. The SDP opposes any relaxation of the three principles.
政府は、来週決定する「防衛計画の大綱」に武器輸出３原則の緩和を明記しない方針を決めた。菅首相が国会運営での協力を求めた野党・社民党が、３原則緩和に反対していることに配慮したものだ。
The government had been leaning toward lifting the ban on weapons that would be exported for peace-building operations and to combat terrorism and piracy. It also planned to approve the joint development of weapons with Europe, South Korea and Australia as an extension of defense cooperation between Japan and the United States, and because appropriate export controls are firmly in place.
政府は、平和構築やテロ・海賊対策などが目的の武器輸出を解禁する方向で調整していた。欧州や韓国、豪州などとの武器の共同開発も、日米両国との防衛協力や適切な輸出管理が実施されている観点から、認める見通しだった。
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Appropriate policy
Such a policy shift would still fit nicely with the philosophy of "a pacifist nation." We think reviewing the weapons export ban policy is appropriate.
こうした政策は、「平和国家」の理念と十分両立する。本来は妥当な見直しである。
The export of weapons for other nations' peace-building efforts and to combat terrorism and piracy could contribute to global peace and stability. In addition, joining development programs of cutting-edge jet fighters and other weapons will be indispensable for maintaining domestic defense technologies and this nation's production base.
他国の平和構築やテロ・海賊対策を支援するための武器輸出は、世界の平和と安定に寄与する。最新鋭戦闘機などの共同開発への参加は、国内の防衛技術・生産基盤の維持に欠かせない。
Cabinet ministers involved in defense matters and senior DPJ members were on the same page on this issue. However, the government got cold feet and made a political decision to put the handling of government affairs ahead of an important policy.
関係閣僚や民主党幹部も同じ認識だったが、政策よりも政権運営を優先する政治判断から、３原則緩和を見送ってしまった。
The Kan administration decided that in addition to the support of coalition partner People's New Party, it needs the SDP's cooperation to help pass key bills into law in the divided Diet. Having both parties onside will make it possible for the DPJ to pass bills into law with a second vote at the House of Representatives by overriding any rejection by the House of Councillors because the three parties will hold at least two-thirds of the members present.
衆参ねじれ国会で重要法案を成立させるには、国民新党に加え社民党の協力を得て、衆院の３分の２以上の賛成による再可決を可能にする必要があるとの判断だ。
However, cozying up the SDP could come back to haunt the Kan administration. The SDP's foreign and security policies bear little in common with those of the DPJ. This will certainly lead to serious problems in the future.
だが、外交・安保政策で相いれない社民党との連携は、菅政権の政策遂行に大きな足かせとなる。将来に禍根を残すのは確実だ。
The SDP left the coalition government in disgust at the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture. The SDP's position remains unchanged.
社民党は米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設に反対し、連立政権を離脱した。今も同じ立場だ。
===
SDP vs Japan-U.S. alliance
We wonder how Kan can strike a balance between working with the SDP and deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance with his visit to the United States next spring and a bilateral joint statement to be issued during his trip.
首相は、社民党との連携と、来春の訪米と日米共同声明による同盟深化をどう両立させるつもりなのか。
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima has gone so far as to say Japan will be a "merchant of death" if it softens the weapons exports principles. Her remark is nothing but an irrational, hot-button outburst.
社民党の福島党首は、３原則を緩和すれば日本が「死の商人」になるかのような主張までしている。感情的な暴論と言うほかない。
Japan's security situation has become increasingly severe. This nation must face up to reality of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program and missiles, as well as that country's military provocations, including the recent shelling of a South Korean island, and China's military buildup and overbearing approach to securing marine resources and expanding its territory.
日本の安全保障環境は厳しさを増している。北朝鮮による核・ミサイルの脅威や、韓国への砲撃などの軍事的挑発、中国の軍備増強と海洋権益・領土拡張への強引な手法を直視せねばなるまい。
With only a limited defense budget, Japan's security policy urgently needs to be revised and the Self-Defense Forces transformed into more effective units. Relaxing the weapons exports principles would be a major pillar of this overhaul.
限られた防衛予算の中、日本の安保政策と自衛隊の体制をより実効性あるものに見直すことが急務で、３原則緩和はその柱だ。
We think cooperative ties between the DPJ-led administration and the SDP are doomed to crumble before long.
民主党政権と社民党の協力関係は、政策面の矛盾によって遠からず破綻が避けられないだろう。
The government should take this into consideration. Even if the government shies away from clearly saying in the new defense guidelines that the three principles will be eased, it should at the very least mention problems inherent in the current principles and leave the door open to easing the ban in the future.
その事態を視野に入れて、新防衛大綱では、３原則緩和の明記は見送っても、現行の３原則の問題点を列挙し、緩和の余地を残しておくことが最低限必要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 10, 2010)
（2010年12月10日01時45分 読売新聞）
Foolish short-term view on arms exports
武器輸出３原則 将来に禍根残す緩和見送り（12月10日付・読売社説）
Has the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration already forgotten about the abysmal failure of its previous coalition government involving a political party that held a conflicting basic policy?
基本政策が異なる政党と連立政権を組んだ致命的な失敗の教訓を、もう忘れてしまったのか。
The government has decided not to clearly stipulate the three principles on weapons exports--which effectively ban arms deals with other countries--will be eased in the new National Defense Program Guidelines it will approve next week. Prime Minister Naoto Kan made the decision in consideration of the opposition Social Democratic Party, which he had asked for cooperation in steering the Diet. The SDP opposes any relaxation of the three principles.
政府は、来週決定する「防衛計画の大綱」に武器輸出３原則の緩和を明記しない方針を決めた。菅首相が国会運営での協力を求めた野党・社民党が、３原則緩和に反対していることに配慮したものだ。
The government had been leaning toward lifting the ban on weapons that would be exported for peace-building operations and to combat terrorism and piracy. It also planned to approve the joint development of weapons with Europe, South Korea and Australia as an extension of defense cooperation between Japan and the United States, and because appropriate export controls are firmly in place.
政府は、平和構築やテロ・海賊対策などが目的の武器輸出を解禁する方向で調整していた。欧州や韓国、豪州などとの武器の共同開発も、日米両国との防衛協力や適切な輸出管理が実施されている観点から、認める見通しだった。
===
Appropriate policy
Such a policy shift would still fit nicely with the philosophy of "a pacifist nation." We think reviewing the weapons export ban policy is appropriate.
こうした政策は、「平和国家」の理念と十分両立する。本来は妥当な見直しである。
The export of weapons for other nations' peace-building efforts and to combat terrorism and piracy could contribute to global peace and stability. In addition, joining development programs of cutting-edge jet fighters and other weapons will be indispensable for maintaining domestic defense technologies and this nation's production base.
他国の平和構築やテロ・海賊対策を支援するための武器輸出は、世界の平和と安定に寄与する。最新鋭戦闘機などの共同開発への参加は、国内の防衛技術・生産基盤の維持に欠かせない。
Cabinet ministers involved in defense matters and senior DPJ members were on the same page on this issue. However, the government got cold feet and made a political decision to put the handling of government affairs ahead of an important policy.
関係閣僚や民主党幹部も同じ認識だったが、政策よりも政権運営を優先する政治判断から、３原則緩和を見送ってしまった。
The Kan administration decided that in addition to the support of coalition partner People's New Party, it needs the SDP's cooperation to help pass key bills into law in the divided Diet. Having both parties onside will make it possible for the DPJ to pass bills into law with a second vote at the House of Representatives by overriding any rejection by the House of Councillors because the three parties will hold at least two-thirds of the members present.
衆参ねじれ国会で重要法案を成立させるには、国民新党に加え社民党の協力を得て、衆院の３分の２以上の賛成による再可決を可能にする必要があるとの判断だ。
However, cozying up the SDP could come back to haunt the Kan administration. The SDP's foreign and security policies bear little in common with those of the DPJ. This will certainly lead to serious problems in the future.
だが、外交・安保政策で相いれない社民党との連携は、菅政権の政策遂行に大きな足かせとなる。将来に禍根を残すのは確実だ。
The SDP left the coalition government in disgust at the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to the Henoko district of Nago in the same prefecture. The SDP's position remains unchanged.
社民党は米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設に反対し、連立政権を離脱した。今も同じ立場だ。
===
SDP vs Japan-U.S. alliance
We wonder how Kan can strike a balance between working with the SDP and deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance with his visit to the United States next spring and a bilateral joint statement to be issued during his trip.
首相は、社民党との連携と、来春の訪米と日米共同声明による同盟深化をどう両立させるつもりなのか。
SDP leader Mizuho Fukushima has gone so far as to say Japan will be a "merchant of death" if it softens the weapons exports principles. Her remark is nothing but an irrational, hot-button outburst.
社民党の福島党首は、３原則を緩和すれば日本が「死の商人」になるかのような主張までしている。感情的な暴論と言うほかない。
Japan's security situation has become increasingly severe. This nation must face up to reality of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear program and missiles, as well as that country's military provocations, including the recent shelling of a South Korean island, and China's military buildup and overbearing approach to securing marine resources and expanding its territory.
日本の安全保障環境は厳しさを増している。北朝鮮による核・ミサイルの脅威や、韓国への砲撃などの軍事的挑発、中国の軍備増強と海洋権益・領土拡張への強引な手法を直視せねばなるまい。
With only a limited defense budget, Japan's security policy urgently needs to be revised and the Self-Defense Forces transformed into more effective units. Relaxing the weapons exports principles would be a major pillar of this overhaul.
限られた防衛予算の中、日本の安保政策と自衛隊の体制をより実効性あるものに見直すことが急務で、３原則緩和はその柱だ。
We think cooperative ties between the DPJ-led administration and the SDP are doomed to crumble before long.
民主党政権と社民党の協力関係は、政策面の矛盾によって遠からず破綻が避けられないだろう。
The government should take this into consideration. Even if the government shies away from clearly saying in the new defense guidelines that the three principles will be eased, it should at the very least mention problems inherent in the current principles and leave the door open to easing the ban in the future.
その事態を視野に入れて、新防衛大綱では、３原則緩和の明記は見送っても、現行の３原則の問題点を列挙し、緩和の余地を残しておくことが最低限必要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 10, 2010)
（2010年12月10日01時45分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 10, 2010)
Kids' academic ability can be improved more
国際学力調査 応用力を鍛えて向上めざせ（12月9日付・読売社説）
The decline in Japanese children's academic ability has seemingly been stopped.
日本の子どもたちの学力低下傾向に歯止めがかかったようだ。
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday released the results of academic aptitude tests it conducted last year under the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）が昨年実施した国際学習到達度調査（ＰＩＳＡ）の結果が公表された。
The PISA tests have been conducted every three years since 2000, and the latest tests were given to 15-year-old students in 65 countries and regions who had finished their compulsory education. These tests assess how students apply their knowledge in real life.
義務教育を終えた１５歳を対象に、２０００年から３年ごとに行われ、昨年は６５の国と地域が参加した。知識を実生活でどれだけ生かせるかを測る調査である。
In the first PISA tests, Japanese students ranked top in mathematical literacy, second in science and eighth in reading.
日本は第１回調査で「数学的応用力」１位、「科学的応用力」２位、「読解力」８位の成績だった。
Since then, however, Japanese students had been slipping down the ladder. They ranked 15th in reading in the 2006 tests, a result that shocked Japanese educators.
ところが、その後低下の一途をたどり、前回の０６年は「読解力」が１５位に低迷するなど、教育関係者に衝撃を与えていた。
In the latest tests, Japanese students ranked eighth in reading, ninth in mathematics and fifth in science, showing improvement in every field.
今回、読解力は８位に、数学、科学もそれぞれ９位、５位へと順位を上げた。
The improvement apparently stemmed from changes made to the so-called cram-free education policy of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, and schools' efforts to encourage students to read more. The education ministry must have breathed a sigh of relief at the latest findings.
ゆとり教育路線の見直しや、読書活動の普及などに取り組んできた成果だろう。文部科学省は胸をなでおろしている。
The next academic year will usher in the full implementation of new teaching guidelines that require more content to be taught in classrooms. We hope teachers will unswervingly try to improve students' academic ability even further.
来年度以降、教える内容を増やす新学習指導要領が全面実施される。学校現場は気を緩めず、学力の向上を図ってもらいたい。
Don't celebrate yet
However, the latest results also revealed some disturbing problems.
ただ課題も浮かびあがった。
More than 10 percent of Japanese students were among the lowest achievers in all three academic categories. Students in this group are considered likely to have difficulty living as members of society. These figures were strikingly high among the top 10 countries and regions.
「社会生活を営む上で支障があるレベル」とされる低学力層の割合が、日本は三つの分野とも１割を超えていた。上位１０か国・地域の中では目立って高い。
Are any students being left behind because they do not understand what is being taught? It is important that teachers give meticulous attention to these students to help them learn and overcome their difficulties.
授業内容を理解できないままの子どもはいないか。先生が細かく目を配り、つまずきを克服するまで指導することが大切である。
In exam questions that required written answers, many Japanese students simply left blank spaces.
記述式の問題で日本は無解答が多かった。
Schools and parents need to get creative in helping children learn to express themselves. Getting children into the habit of regularly reading books and newspapers and organizing their thoughts would be one way of doing this.
日頃から本や新聞を読んで自分の考えをまとめる習慣をつけさせるなど、学校や家庭で表現力を育てる工夫を重ねたい。
Teaching methods need to be verified and improved to ensure children's academic ability improves. In this respect, the National Achievement Exams in which children are tested on their ability to apply their scholastic skills--just like the PISA tests--would be quite effective.
学力向上には指導方法の検証と改善が欠かせない。その意味でＰＩＳＡと同じ応用力を問う問題が出される全国学力テストは有効だろう。
To cut costs, the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan only had students at schools chosen at random take these national tests from fiscal 2010. We think this policy should be dropped and the tests should be taken by all public schools, as they were in the past.
民主党政権はコスト削減を理由に抽出方式に変えたが、全員参加方式に戻すべきだ。
Shanghai top of the class
Asian countries and regions made eye-catching jumps in the rankings. Students from Shanghai, which participated in the tests for the first time as a region, topped all three fields.
目を引くのはアジア勢の台頭だ。地域として初参加した中国の上海が全分野で１位となった。
Although the figures of Shanghai students cannot be easily compared with those of their counterparts who participated as a country, their high scores stood out. Curriculums at Shanghai schools reportedly focus on helping students improve their ability to apply their knowledge and academic skills, and they are closely linked with university entrance exams there.
他の国と単純に比べられまいが、得点の高さは際立っている。応用力重視のカリキュラムを組み、大学入試とも連動しているという。
Students from Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea also generally eclipsed Japanese students.
シンガポールや香港、韓国も総じて日本を上回っている。
Meanwhile, head offices of some Japanese companies have begun hiring excellent Asian students. This is an age in which young Japanese now find themselves competing with rivals from foreign countries to get a job.
アジアの優秀な学生を日本の本社で採用する企業も現れ始めた。日本の若者が各国のライバルと就業を競う時代に入っている。
Students also need to polish their ability to express themselves and communicate with others. The government has a responsibility to ensure Japan's youth can acquire academic abilities that will not be put to shame by students in other countries.
自己表現力や対話能力も問われる。見劣りしない能力をつけさせることは国の責務だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 9, 2010)
（2010年12月9日00時58分 読売新聞）
Kids' academic ability can be improved more
国際学力調査 応用力を鍛えて向上めざせ（12月9日付・読売社説）
The decline in Japanese children's academic ability has seemingly been stopped.
日本の子どもたちの学力低下傾向に歯止めがかかったようだ。
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday released the results of academic aptitude tests it conducted last year under the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）が昨年実施した国際学習到達度調査（ＰＩＳＡ）の結果が公表された。
The PISA tests have been conducted every three years since 2000, and the latest tests were given to 15-year-old students in 65 countries and regions who had finished their compulsory education. These tests assess how students apply their knowledge in real life.
義務教育を終えた１５歳を対象に、２０００年から３年ごとに行われ、昨年は６５の国と地域が参加した。知識を実生活でどれだけ生かせるかを測る調査である。
In the first PISA tests, Japanese students ranked top in mathematical literacy, second in science and eighth in reading.
日本は第１回調査で「数学的応用力」１位、「科学的応用力」２位、「読解力」８位の成績だった。
Since then, however, Japanese students had been slipping down the ladder. They ranked 15th in reading in the 2006 tests, a result that shocked Japanese educators.
ところが、その後低下の一途をたどり、前回の０６年は「読解力」が１５位に低迷するなど、教育関係者に衝撃を与えていた。
In the latest tests, Japanese students ranked eighth in reading, ninth in mathematics and fifth in science, showing improvement in every field.
今回、読解力は８位に、数学、科学もそれぞれ９位、５位へと順位を上げた。
The improvement apparently stemmed from changes made to the so-called cram-free education policy of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, and schools' efforts to encourage students to read more. The education ministry must have breathed a sigh of relief at the latest findings.
ゆとり教育路線の見直しや、読書活動の普及などに取り組んできた成果だろう。文部科学省は胸をなでおろしている。
The next academic year will usher in the full implementation of new teaching guidelines that require more content to be taught in classrooms. We hope teachers will unswervingly try to improve students' academic ability even further.
来年度以降、教える内容を増やす新学習指導要領が全面実施される。学校現場は気を緩めず、学力の向上を図ってもらいたい。
Don't celebrate yet
However, the latest results also revealed some disturbing problems.
ただ課題も浮かびあがった。
More than 10 percent of Japanese students were among the lowest achievers in all three academic categories. Students in this group are considered likely to have difficulty living as members of society. These figures were strikingly high among the top 10 countries and regions.
「社会生活を営む上で支障があるレベル」とされる低学力層の割合が、日本は三つの分野とも１割を超えていた。上位１０か国・地域の中では目立って高い。
Are any students being left behind because they do not understand what is being taught? It is important that teachers give meticulous attention to these students to help them learn and overcome their difficulties.
授業内容を理解できないままの子どもはいないか。先生が細かく目を配り、つまずきを克服するまで指導することが大切である。
In exam questions that required written answers, many Japanese students simply left blank spaces.
記述式の問題で日本は無解答が多かった。
Schools and parents need to get creative in helping children learn to express themselves. Getting children into the habit of regularly reading books and newspapers and organizing their thoughts would be one way of doing this.
日頃から本や新聞を読んで自分の考えをまとめる習慣をつけさせるなど、学校や家庭で表現力を育てる工夫を重ねたい。
Teaching methods need to be verified and improved to ensure children's academic ability improves. In this respect, the National Achievement Exams in which children are tested on their ability to apply their scholastic skills--just like the PISA tests--would be quite effective.
学力向上には指導方法の検証と改善が欠かせない。その意味でＰＩＳＡと同じ応用力を問う問題が出される全国学力テストは有効だろう。
To cut costs, the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan only had students at schools chosen at random take these national tests from fiscal 2010. We think this policy should be dropped and the tests should be taken by all public schools, as they were in the past.
民主党政権はコスト削減を理由に抽出方式に変えたが、全員参加方式に戻すべきだ。
Shanghai top of the class
Asian countries and regions made eye-catching jumps in the rankings. Students from Shanghai, which participated in the tests for the first time as a region, topped all three fields.
目を引くのはアジア勢の台頭だ。地域として初参加した中国の上海が全分野で１位となった。
Although the figures of Shanghai students cannot be easily compared with those of their counterparts who participated as a country, their high scores stood out. Curriculums at Shanghai schools reportedly focus on helping students improve their ability to apply their knowledge and academic skills, and they are closely linked with university entrance exams there.
他の国と単純に比べられまいが、得点の高さは際立っている。応用力重視のカリキュラムを組み、大学入試とも連動しているという。
Students from Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea also generally eclipsed Japanese students.
シンガポールや香港、韓国も総じて日本を上回っている。
Meanwhile, head offices of some Japanese companies have begun hiring excellent Asian students. This is an age in which young Japanese now find themselves competing with rivals from foreign countries to get a job.
アジアの優秀な学生を日本の本社で採用する企業も現れ始めた。日本の若者が各国のライバルと就業を競う時代に入っている。
Students also need to polish their ability to express themselves and communicate with others. The government has a responsibility to ensure Japan's youth can acquire academic abilities that will not be put to shame by students in other countries.
自己表現力や対話能力も問われる。見劣りしない能力をつけさせることは国の責務だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 9, 2010)
（2010年12月9日00時58分 読売新聞）
Nations should present united front on N. Korea
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 9, 2010)
日米韓外相会談 中国と連携し対北圧力強めよ（12月8日付・読売社説）
In dealing with North Korea, an important task for Japan, South Korea and the United States will be to cooperate with China and Russia in rebuilding a framework in which to bring both diplomatic and military pressure to bear on the reclusive state's regime.
日米韓３か国は今後、中国、ロシアとも連携して北朝鮮包囲網を再構築し、北朝鮮に外交、軍事両面で圧力を強めることが重要となろう。
On Monday, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan met in Washington to discuss the North Korean problem. Their joint statement, issued after their talks at the U.S. State Department, condemned North Korea for its recent artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, while also urging Pyongyang to take specific steps toward scrapping its nuclear weapons program.
前原外相、クリントン米国務長官、金星煥韓国外交通商相が米国務省で会談し、北朝鮮問題に関する共同声明を発表した。北朝鮮の韓国・延坪(ヨンピョン)島(ド)砲撃を非難するとともに、核放棄に向けた具体的な行動を求めている。
North Korea's artillery shelling, combined with its revelation of new uranium enrichment efforts, has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Given this, the latest meeting of the three foreign ministers to reconfirm unity among their nations bears a great deal of significance.
北朝鮮による砲撃とウラン濃縮活動の公表で、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。日米韓の外相が一堂に会し、３か国の結束を確認した意義は小さくない。
The three foreign ministers had good reason when they demanded that North Korea "take concrete steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to...denuclearization" in exchange for resuming six-party talks over that country's nuclear program. China has called for convening a meeting of the chief negotiators from the six nations.
３外相が、中国が提案した６か国協議再開の条件として、「非核化に真に取り組んでいることを示す具体的な措置」を北朝鮮が取るよう求めたのは、当然だ。
===
An old Pyongyang ploy
North Korea should not be allowed to enjoy impunity after its reckless military action, which even killed and injured South Korean civilians.
無謀な軍事行動で韓国民間人の犠牲者まで出しながら、何の罰則もなしで済ますべきではない。
It would be unwise to readily respond to an old ploy adopted by North Korea--that is, playing a carefully calibrated game of provocations, including nuclear and missile threats, to coax other nations into diplomatic negotiations and eventually gain a reward in return.
核やミサイルで挑発し、外交交渉に持ち込んで見返りを得る――そうした北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段に安易に乗るのは禁物だ。
Under the circumstances, it is North Korea--not the other participants in the six-party talks--that should make concessions to defuse a crisis of its own making, despite prospects that the parties will eventually return to the negotiating table at the talks in any case.
いずれは６か国協議を開くとしても、今、歩み寄るべきは北朝鮮である。
China is the key to determining what will evolve from the status quo. Beijing must assume even greater responsibility to fulfill its role as the chair of the six-party negotiations.
今後のカギは中国だ。６か国協議議長国として、より大きな役割を担わせなければならない。
China's current priority is to ensure North Korea is not provoked, while also wielding a certain degree of clout on the cash-strapped nation through food and energy assistance. However, it will be indispensable for China to persuade North Korea that it must take "concrete steps" to overcome the current gridlock.
中国は、食糧・エネルギー供給を通じて北朝鮮へ一定の影響力を有しながら、今は北朝鮮を刺激しないことを最優先している。だが、事態の打開には、「具体的な措置」を取るよう中国が真剣に北朝鮮を説得することが不可欠だ。
The meeting of the three foreign ministers was preceded by a telephone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. Obama reportedly urged the Chinese leader to send North Korea a clear message that acts of provocation will not be tolerated.
日米韓外相会談に先立ち、オバマ大統領は胡錦濤国家主席に電話し、「北朝鮮に対し、挑発は容認できないとの明確なメッセージを送るよう迫った」という。
Washington is believed to be working in a similar vein behind the scenes, telling Beijing that a planned visit to the United States by the Chinese president in January will not be fruitful unless progress is made in resolving the North Korean problem. It is important for Japan and South Korea to lend the United States a helping hand as it seeks to accomplish the goal.
米国は水面下でも、「北朝鮮問題が前進しなければ、来年１月の胡主席訪米は成功しない」と中国に強く働きかけているとされる。この動きを、日本と韓国が最大限、側面支援することが大切だ。
===
Military readiness a must
No less essential is smooth cooperation among the three nations in dealing with military affairs. On Friday, the Self-Defense Forces commenced an eight-day joint exercise with the U.S. military in waters around this country. The South Korean military has dispatched observers to the Japan-U.S. joint drill, one of the largest of its kind.
軍事面の日米韓協力も欠かせない。自衛隊と米軍は３日から、日本近海で過去最大規模の共同統合演習を実施中で、韓国軍もオブザーバーを派遣している。
To prevent further acts of provocation by North Korea, it is essential that Japan, the United States and South Korea should build a greater deterrent to the unpredictable country, combined with efforts to ensure their joint actions fully serve their purposes.
北朝鮮のさらなる軍事的挑発を防ぐには、日米韓３か国の抑止力を高め、その実効性を確保する作業が肝要である。
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, has started a trip to Japan and South Korea. マレン米統合参謀本部議長が日韓両国訪問を開始した。
His visit to Tokyo and Seoul should be used as an initial step toward discussing what specific roles should be played by Japan, South Korea and the United States in coping with possible military contingencies on the peninsula, drawing up and improving a joint operational plan to be implemented in that event--a task that goes beyond joint military exercises.
共同演習にとどまらず、朝鮮半島有事における日米韓の具体的な役割分担を協議し、共同作戦計画を作成・充実させる一歩とすべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 8, 2010)
（2010年12月8日00時57分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 9, 2010)
日米韓外相会談 中国と連携し対北圧力強めよ（12月8日付・読売社説）
In dealing with North Korea, an important task for Japan, South Korea and the United States will be to cooperate with China and Russia in rebuilding a framework in which to bring both diplomatic and military pressure to bear on the reclusive state's regime.
日米韓３か国は今後、中国、ロシアとも連携して北朝鮮包囲網を再構築し、北朝鮮に外交、軍事両面で圧力を強めることが重要となろう。
On Monday, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan met in Washington to discuss the North Korean problem. Their joint statement, issued after their talks at the U.S. State Department, condemned North Korea for its recent artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, while also urging Pyongyang to take specific steps toward scrapping its nuclear weapons program.
前原外相、クリントン米国務長官、金星煥韓国外交通商相が米国務省で会談し、北朝鮮問題に関する共同声明を発表した。北朝鮮の韓国・延坪(ヨンピョン)島(ド)砲撃を非難するとともに、核放棄に向けた具体的な行動を求めている。
North Korea's artillery shelling, combined with its revelation of new uranium enrichment efforts, has heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Given this, the latest meeting of the three foreign ministers to reconfirm unity among their nations bears a great deal of significance.
北朝鮮による砲撃とウラン濃縮活動の公表で、朝鮮半島情勢は緊迫している。日米韓の外相が一堂に会し、３か国の結束を確認した意義は小さくない。
The three foreign ministers had good reason when they demanded that North Korea "take concrete steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to...denuclearization" in exchange for resuming six-party talks over that country's nuclear program. China has called for convening a meeting of the chief negotiators from the six nations.
３外相が、中国が提案した６か国協議再開の条件として、「非核化に真に取り組んでいることを示す具体的な措置」を北朝鮮が取るよう求めたのは、当然だ。
===
An old Pyongyang ploy
North Korea should not be allowed to enjoy impunity after its reckless military action, which even killed and injured South Korean civilians.
無謀な軍事行動で韓国民間人の犠牲者まで出しながら、何の罰則もなしで済ますべきではない。
It would be unwise to readily respond to an old ploy adopted by North Korea--that is, playing a carefully calibrated game of provocations, including nuclear and missile threats, to coax other nations into diplomatic negotiations and eventually gain a reward in return.
核やミサイルで挑発し、外交交渉に持ち込んで見返りを得る――そうした北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段に安易に乗るのは禁物だ。
Under the circumstances, it is North Korea--not the other participants in the six-party talks--that should make concessions to defuse a crisis of its own making, despite prospects that the parties will eventually return to the negotiating table at the talks in any case.
いずれは６か国協議を開くとしても、今、歩み寄るべきは北朝鮮である。
China is the key to determining what will evolve from the status quo. Beijing must assume even greater responsibility to fulfill its role as the chair of the six-party negotiations.
今後のカギは中国だ。６か国協議議長国として、より大きな役割を担わせなければならない。
China's current priority is to ensure North Korea is not provoked, while also wielding a certain degree of clout on the cash-strapped nation through food and energy assistance. However, it will be indispensable for China to persuade North Korea that it must take "concrete steps" to overcome the current gridlock.
中国は、食糧・エネルギー供給を通じて北朝鮮へ一定の影響力を有しながら、今は北朝鮮を刺激しないことを最優先している。だが、事態の打開には、「具体的な措置」を取るよう中国が真剣に北朝鮮を説得することが不可欠だ。
The meeting of the three foreign ministers was preceded by a telephone conversation between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. Obama reportedly urged the Chinese leader to send North Korea a clear message that acts of provocation will not be tolerated.
日米韓外相会談に先立ち、オバマ大統領は胡錦濤国家主席に電話し、「北朝鮮に対し、挑発は容認できないとの明確なメッセージを送るよう迫った」という。
Washington is believed to be working in a similar vein behind the scenes, telling Beijing that a planned visit to the United States by the Chinese president in January will not be fruitful unless progress is made in resolving the North Korean problem. It is important for Japan and South Korea to lend the United States a helping hand as it seeks to accomplish the goal.
米国は水面下でも、「北朝鮮問題が前進しなければ、来年１月の胡主席訪米は成功しない」と中国に強く働きかけているとされる。この動きを、日本と韓国が最大限、側面支援することが大切だ。
===
Military readiness a must
No less essential is smooth cooperation among the three nations in dealing with military affairs. On Friday, the Self-Defense Forces commenced an eight-day joint exercise with the U.S. military in waters around this country. The South Korean military has dispatched observers to the Japan-U.S. joint drill, one of the largest of its kind.
軍事面の日米韓協力も欠かせない。自衛隊と米軍は３日から、日本近海で過去最大規模の共同統合演習を実施中で、韓国軍もオブザーバーを派遣している。
To prevent further acts of provocation by North Korea, it is essential that Japan, the United States and South Korea should build a greater deterrent to the unpredictable country, combined with efforts to ensure their joint actions fully serve their purposes.
北朝鮮のさらなる軍事的挑発を防ぐには、日米韓３か国の抑止力を高め、その実効性を確保する作業が肝要である。
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, has started a trip to Japan and South Korea. マレン米統合参謀本部議長が日韓両国訪問を開始した。
His visit to Tokyo and Seoul should be used as an initial step toward discussing what specific roles should be played by Japan, South Korea and the United States in coping with possible military contingencies on the peninsula, drawing up and improving a joint operational plan to be implemented in that event--a task that goes beyond joint military exercises.
共同演習にとどまらず、朝鮮半島有事における日米韓の具体的な役割分担を協議し、共同作戦計画を作成・充実させる一歩とすべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 8, 2010)
（2010年12月8日00時57分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 8, 2010)
Kan must change tack to regain public support
内閣支持率２５％ 「有言不実行」へのいらだちだ（12月7日付・読売社説）
The public approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has sunk rapidly to alarming levels.
菅内閣の支持率が、見る間に低下し、「危険水域」に入った。
The ebbing popular support apparently reflects the people's irritation over the Cabinet's failure to deal with domestic and diplomatic issues properly.
外交、内政の課題をきちんと処理できないことに対する国民のいらだちの表れではないか。
According to the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, the approval rating has declined to 25 percent. In other words, only one out of four people support the Cabinet. The disapproval rating, on the other hand, has shot up to 65 percent.
読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率が２５％に下落した。４人に１人の支持しかないことになる。不支持率は６５％と跳ね上がった。
The primary reason for nonsupport is "lack of leadership by the prime minister"--chosen by 36 percent of the respondents. The results raise a big question over whether the Cabinet will be able to deliver on its promise made six months ago at the time of its inauguration to become a "true-to-its-word cabinet."
不支持の理由の第一が「首相に指導力がない」で３６％だった。発足後半年を迎える「有言実行内閣」に大きな疑問符がついた形だ。
Public discontent over the government's economic policy is deep-seated.
経済政策への不満も根強い。
The Diet has passed the 4.8 trillion yen supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which incorporates measures to deal with the strong yen and deflation. But a staggering 83 percent answered "no" in response to a question on whether the Cabinet "has dealt with the current economic situation appropriately."
円高・デフレ対策を盛り込んだ４兆８０００億円超の補正予算は成立したものの、「今の経済情勢に適切に対応していない」と答えた人が８３％にも上った。
===
Lack of leadership
Public dissatisfaction is not due to the sluggish economy alone. It reflects criticism of the government over its failure to come up with effective policies to tackle the dire fiscal condition and social security issues. Thus, the survey clearly showed the public wants the government to promptly carry out drastic measures on these issues.
景気低迷への不満だけではあるまい。財政の危機的状況や社会保障政策の問題を放置していることへの批判だ。抜本的な手を早く打つ必要があるという国民の意思が示されたとも言えよう。
Opinion is divided within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan over whether the country should take part in the multilateral negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement on free trade. But the survey showed a strong majority--60 percent--wanted the country to make a bid to join the TPP framework.
政治問題化しつつある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加については、与党内で賛否が分かれている。だが、国民の６割はＴＰＰ参加に賛成だ。
If Kan succeeds in unifying intraparty opinion in favor of participation in TPP negotiations based on the public will as shown in the survey, he will be able to halt the skid of his Cabinet's support rate.
こうした声を背に首相が民主党を一本化できれば、支持率低下に歯止めがかかるのではないか。
His lack of leadership is viewed by the public as a reason that little progress has been made in addressing the political funding scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. An overwhelming 86 percent of the respondents answered that the Cabinet "fails to deal with the matter appropriately."
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」の問題が進展しなかったことも指導力不足が原因と見られている。民主党が適切に対応していないという人は、実に８６％だった。
An analysis of the results of surveys taken since the inception of the Cabinet in June shows that the approval rating moved upward when Kan took a clear stance to distance himself from Ozawa. Whether he can move ahead on the Ozawa issue could be the key to restoring the Cabinet's approval ratings.
菅内閣発足後の世論調査の推移をみると、首相が「脱小沢」路線を鮮明にした時、支持率は上向く傾向がある。小沢氏の問題を早急に前進させることが、支持率回復のカギとなろう。
Asked whether the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture can move toward a solution under the Kan administration, a resounding 85 percent responded negatively. Kan and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama bear heavy responsibility for having compounded the issue to the extent of the deadlock we face today.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題が、菅内閣で解決に向かうと思わないという人は８５％にも達した。ここまで問題をこじらせた鳩山、菅両首相の責任は極めて重い。
===
Wrong choice
To help reconstruct diplomacy vis-a-vis China and Russia, it is urgent to bolster the Japan-U.S. alliance. Despite this, Kan is seeking the Social Democratic Party's cooperation in the Diet although the SDP opposes the Japan-U.S. agreement on Futenma relocation. It is really unreasonable for him to do so.
中国、ロシアとの外交を立て直すためにも、日米同盟の強化が急務である。それなのに、普天間問題の日米合意に反対する社民党に協力を求めるのは筋違いだ。
Asked which party they would vote for in the proportional representation bloc if a House of Representatives election were held now, 26 percent picked the Liberal Democratic Party, surpassing the 22 percent who chose the DPJ.
衆院選が行われた場合の比例選での投票先については、自民党と答えた人が、民主党より多かった。
The two major parties last saw such a reversal in their relative popularity levels in a similar survey taken during the sunset days of the Hatoyama administration. The situation surrounding the Kan Cabinet has thus become similar to that of the previous administration.
逆転したのは、鳩山政権の末期以来だ。状況が似てきている。
Kan will face tough challenges such as budget compilation for fiscal 2011 and tax reform. How can he deal with them? His leadership is being put to the test in this regard.
菅首相は、これから予算編成、税制改革など指導力が問われる難問に直面する。どう打開するのか。
Making steady efforts to resolve the issues one by one could be the only way to regain the people's confidence. Kan must recognize this anew in steering his administration.
一つ一つ地道に課題を解決していくことが、国民の信頼を取り戻す唯一の道だ。そう再認識して、政権運営に当たるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 7, 2010)
（2010年12月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
Kan must change tack to regain public support
内閣支持率２５％ 「有言不実行」へのいらだちだ（12月7日付・読売社説）
The public approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has sunk rapidly to alarming levels.
菅内閣の支持率が、見る間に低下し、「危険水域」に入った。
The ebbing popular support apparently reflects the people's irritation over the Cabinet's failure to deal with domestic and diplomatic issues properly.
外交、内政の課題をきちんと処理できないことに対する国民のいらだちの表れではないか。
According to the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, the approval rating has declined to 25 percent. In other words, only one out of four people support the Cabinet. The disapproval rating, on the other hand, has shot up to 65 percent.
読売新聞の世論調査で内閣支持率が２５％に下落した。４人に１人の支持しかないことになる。不支持率は６５％と跳ね上がった。
The primary reason for nonsupport is "lack of leadership by the prime minister"--chosen by 36 percent of the respondents. The results raise a big question over whether the Cabinet will be able to deliver on its promise made six months ago at the time of its inauguration to become a "true-to-its-word cabinet."
不支持の理由の第一が「首相に指導力がない」で３６％だった。発足後半年を迎える「有言実行内閣」に大きな疑問符がついた形だ。
Public discontent over the government's economic policy is deep-seated.
経済政策への不満も根強い。
The Diet has passed the 4.8 trillion yen supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, which incorporates measures to deal with the strong yen and deflation. But a staggering 83 percent answered "no" in response to a question on whether the Cabinet "has dealt with the current economic situation appropriately."
円高・デフレ対策を盛り込んだ４兆８０００億円超の補正予算は成立したものの、「今の経済情勢に適切に対応していない」と答えた人が８３％にも上った。
===
Lack of leadership
Public dissatisfaction is not due to the sluggish economy alone. It reflects criticism of the government over its failure to come up with effective policies to tackle the dire fiscal condition and social security issues. Thus, the survey clearly showed the public wants the government to promptly carry out drastic measures on these issues.
景気低迷への不満だけではあるまい。財政の危機的状況や社会保障政策の問題を放置していることへの批判だ。抜本的な手を早く打つ必要があるという国民の意思が示されたとも言えよう。
Opinion is divided within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan over whether the country should take part in the multilateral negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement on free trade. But the survey showed a strong majority--60 percent--wanted the country to make a bid to join the TPP framework.
政治問題化しつつある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加については、与党内で賛否が分かれている。だが、国民の６割はＴＰＰ参加に賛成だ。
If Kan succeeds in unifying intraparty opinion in favor of participation in TPP negotiations based on the public will as shown in the survey, he will be able to halt the skid of his Cabinet's support rate.
こうした声を背に首相が民主党を一本化できれば、支持率低下に歯止めがかかるのではないか。
His lack of leadership is viewed by the public as a reason that little progress has been made in addressing the political funding scandal involving former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa. An overwhelming 86 percent of the respondents answered that the Cabinet "fails to deal with the matter appropriately."
小沢一郎元代表の「政治とカネ」の問題が進展しなかったことも指導力不足が原因と見られている。民主党が適切に対応していないという人は、実に８６％だった。
An analysis of the results of surveys taken since the inception of the Cabinet in June shows that the approval rating moved upward when Kan took a clear stance to distance himself from Ozawa. Whether he can move ahead on the Ozawa issue could be the key to restoring the Cabinet's approval ratings.
菅内閣発足後の世論調査の推移をみると、首相が「脱小沢」路線を鮮明にした時、支持率は上向く傾向がある。小沢氏の問題を早急に前進させることが、支持率回復のカギとなろう。
Asked whether the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture can move toward a solution under the Kan administration, a resounding 85 percent responded negatively. Kan and former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama bear heavy responsibility for having compounded the issue to the extent of the deadlock we face today.
米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題が、菅内閣で解決に向かうと思わないという人は８５％にも達した。ここまで問題をこじらせた鳩山、菅両首相の責任は極めて重い。
===
Wrong choice
To help reconstruct diplomacy vis-a-vis China and Russia, it is urgent to bolster the Japan-U.S. alliance. Despite this, Kan is seeking the Social Democratic Party's cooperation in the Diet although the SDP opposes the Japan-U.S. agreement on Futenma relocation. It is really unreasonable for him to do so.
中国、ロシアとの外交を立て直すためにも、日米同盟の強化が急務である。それなのに、普天間問題の日米合意に反対する社民党に協力を求めるのは筋違いだ。
Asked which party they would vote for in the proportional representation bloc if a House of Representatives election were held now, 26 percent picked the Liberal Democratic Party, surpassing the 22 percent who chose the DPJ.
衆院選が行われた場合の比例選での投票先については、自民党と答えた人が、民主党より多かった。
The two major parties last saw such a reversal in their relative popularity levels in a similar survey taken during the sunset days of the Hatoyama administration. The situation surrounding the Kan Cabinet has thus become similar to that of the previous administration.
逆転したのは、鳩山政権の末期以来だ。状況が似てきている。
Kan will face tough challenges such as budget compilation for fiscal 2011 and tax reform. How can he deal with them? His leadership is being put to the test in this regard.
菅首相は、これから予算編成、税制改革など指導力が問われる難問に直面する。どう打開するのか。
Making steady efforts to resolve the issues one by one could be the only way to regain the people's confidence. Kan must recognize this anew in steering his administration.
一つ一つ地道に課題を解決していくことが、国民の信頼を取り戻す唯一の道だ。そう再認識して、政権運営に当たるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 7, 2010)
（2010年12月7日01時23分 読売新聞）
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srachai
ＨＰ：
性別：
男性
職業：
civil engineer
趣味：
子育て
自己紹介：
妻はタイ人、娘ばかり３人も！
■近況
２００９年の９月１５日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)
■自己紹介・リンク
[ はじめに ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはＮＨＫのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・現在タイ国コンケン在住
[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
（NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生）
[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
・英英辞典を活用（英和も）
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
Yomiuri
Mainichi
Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
Newyork Times
Bangkok Post
The Nations
Phuket Gazette
[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
英字新聞（読売）
英字新聞（毎日）
英字新聞（朝日）
英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
タイ日辞書（改訂版）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
日ラオ辞書
最新記事
(02/09)
(01/22)
(01/22)
(01/09)
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(01/01)
(06/21)
(06/12)
(06/10)
(06/06)
カテゴリー
アーカイブ
リンク
家族、リンク、多言語、タイ語
スラチャイの家族紹介
私の家族
スラチャイの手作りリンク集
スラチャイタイ在住９年目
中国語会話基礎（北京語）
タイ日辞典（単語帳）
タイ語の子音
タイ語の母音
スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
初歩の中国語
初歩のラオス語
初歩のビルマ語
初歩のシンハリ語
初歩のタガログ語
タイ語の基礎
タイ文字
タイ日辞書
タイ語の副詞
タイ語の前置詞
タイ語の助動詞
タイ語の接続詞
基礎タイ語
基礎タイ語一覧（タイ文字、ローマ字）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
タイの文化、１４の戒律
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律