全国学力テスト 「抽出」で失った貴重なデータ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 3, 2010)
Partial participation in scholastic test gets a 'D'
全国学力テスト　「抽出」で失った貴重なデータ（8月2日付・読売社説）

A prompt return to full participation by every school in national achievement tests is the only way the government will be able to accurately ascertain students' scholastic ability and for the state and schools to use data collected through the tests to improve teaching methods.
　児童生徒の学力を正確に把握し、全国規模で蓄積されたデータを国や学校現場が指導の改善に生かすには、すみやかに全国学力テストを全員参加方式に戻すべきだ。

The education ministry recently published the results of the national achievement test, the fourth of its kind, that was conducted in April. Unlike the three previous occasions in which all primary and middle schools took part, only about 30 percent of schools chosen at random participated in the latest test.
　文部科学省は、４月に実施した４回目の全国学力テストの結果を公表した。全員参加を前提とした過去３回と異なり、今年から全国の小中学校の約３割を抽出する方式に変わった。

Schools not selected were allowed to take part in the test if they wished. In the end, about 23,800 schools--more than 70 percent of the nation's primary and middle schools--took part, with 1.63 million sixth-grade primary schoolers and third-year middle school students taking tests in Japanese and arithmetic or mathematics.
　ただ、抽出に漏れた学校の希望参加は認められた。最終的に全体の７割を超す約２万３８００校が参加し、小学６年、中学３年生の計約１６３万人が、国語と算数・数学の問題に取り組んだ。

Many schools wanted to participate in the test. We think all schools should be equally entitled to be provided with test results to discover the shortcomings of each student and draw up detailed teaching programs.
　多くの学校がテストへの参加を望んだ。子ども一人ひとりの答案からつまずきを見つけ、きめ細かな指導につなげる。そうした検証の機会は、すべての学校に等しく提供されるべきである。

Limited data

The state shoulders the cost of marking the tests and compiling the data only for about 10,000 chosen schools. Schools that volunteered to take part have to mark the exam papers themselves. Many teachers at these schools will spend some of their summer holidays scoring the tests.
　国が費用を負担して答案の採点と集計を行うのは、抽出対象の約１万校だけだ。希望参加校は独自に採点しなければならない。夏休み返上で採点にあたる教員も多いことだろう。

Students who took the first exams when they were sixth-grade primary schoolers in 2007 sat the 2010 test as third-year middle schoolers. The latest results showed more than 10 percent of these students could not calculate the area of a circle--repeating the error they made three years earlier. This finding should jolt teachers into thinking about improving how such calculations are taught in class.
　今回は、２００７年のテストの際に小６だった子どもが、中３としてテストに臨んだ。３年たっても円の面積の求め方がわからない子どもが１割以上いる実態もわかった。指導法の改善が課題として教育現場に突きつけられた。

Randomly selecting schools means the only useful data that could be gleaned from the tests was the average percentage of questions answered correctly by prefecture. Furthermore, with fewer samples available, each prefecture's average percentage of correct answers was within a range of one or two points. Correctly ranking the prefectures became a hopeless task.
　抽出方式への変更で、把握できるのは都道府県別の平均正答率までになった。しかも、サンプル数を絞ったことにより、正答率は１～２％程度の幅があるため、正確な順位は出せなくなった。

Data specific to each city, town and village or school could not be obtained from this year's test. This made it impossible to compare the latest test's data with that collected from previous tests. This, in turn, will make it difficult for prefectural education authorities to analyze this data and appoint more teachers to schools that produced poor test results.
　市町村別や学校別のデータは途切れてしまった。そうしたデータを都道府県が分析し、成績の悪かった学校に教員を手厚く配置することは難しくなった。

Saving dollars, losing sense

The Democratic Party of Japan-led government abolished the policy of requiring all students in the designated grades to take the tests without properly discussing the matter, and did so only to save money. The cost of holding the test was cut from 5.7 billion yen to 3.3 billion yen, but the loss of a chance to collect valuable data could have a heftier price than that.
　民主党政権はコスト削減を理由に、十分な議論も行わないまま全員参加方式を中止した。全員参加の場合の予算５７億円は抽出方式で３３億円になったが、貴重なデータが失われた代償の方が大きいのではないか。

The government has appropriated 400 billion yen to make high school tuition free, a policy that has been roundly criticized.
　批判の多い高校無償化には４０００億円が投じられている。

The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is considering adding science, social studies and English as test subjects from fiscal 2012. Cultivating talented human resources in the science and technology field will be crucial for this nation's future, so collecting data on students' scientific knowledge is essential.
　文科省は２０１２年度以降に、理科や社会、英語をテスト教科に加えることを検討している。科学技術分野における人材育成の重要性を考えれば、理科の学力把握は欠かせない。

We want the ministry to settle on a test method that gauges scholastic ability from many angles and produces usable, effective data without imposing an excessive burden on the students.
　子どもに過度の負担をかけない範囲で、学力の実態を多角的に測定し、それを効果的に生かせるテストの方法を追求してほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2010)
（2010年8月2日01時04分 読売新聞）

「１１１歳」男性 背後にある高齢者行政の不安

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 2, 2010)
Authorities must ensure elderly are protected
「１１１歳」男性　背後にある高齢者行政の不安（8月1日付・読売社説）

How could that man be "healthy" for such a long time? It is simply astonishing and raises endless questions.
　この人はなぜ、長い年月、“健在”でいられたのだろう。驚きとともに疑問が尽きない。

On July 22, skeletal remains believed to be those of a person recognized as the oldest living man in Tokyo were found on a bed at his home in Adachi Ward. Sogen Kato would be 111 years old if he were alive today, but he actually died more than 30 years ago.
　７月２２日で１１１歳、東京都内の男性最高齢者とされていた人が、実は３０年以上前に死亡しており、自宅ベッドに寝かされたまま、白骨に近い状態で見つかった事件だ。

Kato lived with his daughter and her husband, both in their 80s, and two grandchildren aged 49 and 53.
　東京都足立区の家には、ともに８０歳代の長女夫婦と、４９歳と５３歳になる孫２人が暮らしていた。

According to his grandchildren, Kato remained cloistered in his room, and died there, after declaring about 30 years ago that he "wanted to be a living Buddha." They say the family never entered his room after that.
　孫の話では、男性は三十数年前に「即身成仏したい」と言って部屋に閉じこもり、そのまま亡くなったという。以来、家族は部屋に入ることもないまま、今日に至ったとされている。

This is very hard to believe. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating his family's actions on suspicion of negligence as guardians resulting in death, but it will not be easy to determine how Kato died.
　にわかには信じがたい話だ。警視庁が保護責任者遺棄致死の疑いで調べているが、亡くなった経緯の解明は容易ではなかろう。

One thing for certain is that Kato was alive on his family register and believed to be continuing to age.
　確かな点は、男性が戸籍上は生存し、ずっと年齢を重ねていたことである。

Benefits outlived recipient

Payments were made in Kato's name of his noncontributory old-age pension benefits prior to his wife's death in 2004, after which payments of survivor's mutual aid pension benefits were made. A total of nearly 10 million yen was deposited into Kato's account, from which a considerable sum has been withdrawn.
　２００４年に死去した妻の遺族共済年金と、それ以前は本人の老齢福祉年金も支給されてきた。１０００万円近くが振り込まれた銀行口座からは、相当額が引き出されていた。

The MPD also plans to question Kato's relatives over whether they attempted to fraudulently obtain his pension benefits.
　警視庁は年金詐欺の疑いでも事情を聞くという。

Many cases have recently been uncovered across the country in which children who depended on their parents' pensions continued to receive benefits illegally by concealing the parents' deaths. We hope police will thoroughly investigate this latest case to prevent similar acts.
　親の年金を頼りに生活してきた子が、死亡を隠して受給し続けるケースは最近、各地で発覚している。新たな不正を招かぬためにも徹底した捜査を求めたい。

This case was uncovered after the Adachi Ward Office became suspicious and contacted police when welfare officials from the ward repeatedly visited Kato's home to see him but his family refused to let them in.
　今回の事件は、区の民生委員が何度訪問しても家族が本人に会わせないことを不審に思い、区が警察に相談したことで、ようやく事態が判明した。

According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, "If someone's family refuses, it's difficult for administrative authorities to take further steps."
　厚生労働省などは「家族に拒まれれば、行政がそれ以上立ち入るのは困難」という。

Until the case was uncovered, the ward office systematically gave Kato gifts to celebrate his longevity without seeing his face or knowing his circumstances.
　それまで区は、男性の顔も近況も分からぬまま、事務的に長寿祝いの品を届けていた。

Elderly may suffer in secrecy

We cannot help but feel misgivings about such a situation from the standpoint of prevention of the abuse of elderly people and confirmation of their health. The relevant systems and authorities must be checked.
　この状況には、高齢者の虐待防止や健康確認の面からも危惧(きぐ)を覚えずにいられない。制度や権限を点検する必要がある。

In the latest case, administrative authorities might have taken action much earlier if there was a mechanism that provided such information as the fact that Kato had not received medical or other services for the elderly for a long period of time.
　診療や高齢者サービスを長期間受けていない、といった情報が分かる仕組みがあったなら、行政はもっと早く動けた可能性がある。

There must be coordination with the social security system as well.
社会保障制度をうまく連携させることが重要だ。

There have been an increasing number of cases in which the name of an elderly person does not appear on a list of "golden agers" because of requests for privacy from the elderly person or their family. Administrative officials do not necessarily meet the elderly person directly to confirm their situation.
　近年は、長寿者名簿もプライバシーへの配慮から、本人や家族の希望ということで実名を出さないケースが増えている。必ずしも、行政の担当者が直接会って近況を確認しているわけではない。

This latest incident has highlighted worrying elements of the administration of elderly people's affairs.
　高齢者行政の不安な一面を浮き彫りにした事件でもある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2010)
（2010年8月1日01時24分 読売新聞）

エコカー支援 補助金打ち切りは時期尚早だ

It's too early to end eco-car subsidies
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 1, 2010)
エコカー支援　補助金打ち切りは時期尚早だ（7月31日付・読売社説）

Why would an economic stimulus measure that has produced good results be discontinued?
　せっかく効果を上げている景気刺激策を、なぜやめるのか。

The government on Friday decided to end a subsidy program for people purchasing environmentally friendly, energy-efficient automobiles at the end of September as scheduled.
　政府は３０日、省エネ性能に優れたエコカーを購入する際に支給する補助金を、期限である９月末で打ち切ることを決めた。

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima said: "It [program] was implemented as a temporary and unusual measure. It will automatically end at the end of September."
　直嶋経済産業相は「臨時、異例の措置としてやってきた。自動的に９月末で終了することになる」と述べた。

But the pace of economic recovery has been slow recently. We consider now to be a bad time to lose a measure that helps prop up consumption. In business circles, too, there are strong calls for the continuation of the measure.
　しかし、最近は、景気回復の足取りがもたついている。消費の下支え策をなくすには、タイミングが悪いのではないか。経済界にも存続を求める声が強い。

Affordable assistance

Money to pay for this program could be found in the 1 trillion yen reserve funds included in this fiscal year's budget for measures to help the economy stay afloat. The government should reconsider its stance and continue to provide the so-called eco-car subsidies for the time being.
　経済危機対応のため今年度予算に盛り込まれた１兆円の予備費を使えば、財源の手当ては可能だ。政府は、補助金の支給を当面続けるよう、再考すべきである。

The subsidy program was first introduced by the administration of former Prime Minister Taro Aso as a temporary measure effective through the end of March this year. The following administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama extended it for another six months with an additional budget allocation.
　エコカー補助金は、麻生政権が今年３月末までの時限措置として導入した後、鳩山政権も予算を追加して６か月延長した。

The measure was favorably received by consumers, as they could receive up to 250,000 yen for a passenger car. Coupled with an eco-point system targeting energy-saving home appliances, the eco-car subsidies have significantly contributed to an expansion in consumption.
　乗用車で最大２５万円をもらえる内容が好評で、省エネ家電のエコポイントとともに、消費拡大に高い効果を上げてきた。

As a financial resource for the consumer-supporting measure, the government earmarked about 600 billion yen in a supplementary budget for fiscal 2009. This amount was enough to assist in the purchase of 4.5 million automobiles, and funds have been used or are set to be used for the actual purchase of 3 million cars.
　支援の財源として２００９年度の補正予算で約６０００億円が計上された。これで４５０万台分の購入支援が可能となり、すでに３００万台分の利用が決まった。

There is about 100 billion yen left in subsidy funds and two months left before the expiration of the measures. But the planned termination of the subsidy program has caused some consequences already.
　補助金は１０００億円ほど残っており、期限切れまで、まだ２か月あるが、影響はすでに出始めているようだ。

Buyers hitting brakes already

Purchasers will not be able to receive subsidies if they do not register their new cars by the end of September. With popular models, it often takes more than two months for purchasers to receive their cars after signing a purchase contract.
　新車登録が９月末に間に合わないと補助金の対象にならないが、人気車は契約から納車まで２か月以上かかることも珍しくない。

Some customers reportedly have given up on their car-buying plans after dealers told them that they might not be able to receive subsidies even if they made a purchase now.
　販売店の説明で、今すぐ買っても補助金がもらえない恐れがあると知り、購入をあきらめる客もいるという。

There is reason to worry that automobile sales will drop significantly with the completion of the subsidy program.
　今後、補助金制度の終了で、本格的に自動車の販売が落ち込むことが懸念される。

Germany introduced a new car purchase support system in January last year, and abolished the measure in September after using up its budget funds. New car sales then decreased by more than 20 percent from the period of the support system, and remain sluggish.
　昨年１月に新車購入支援制度を導入したドイツでは、９月に予算を使い果たして制度が廃止された。その後、新車の販売台数は、支援の実施中より２割以上も落ち込んだまま低迷が続いている。

Taking into account an anticipated decrease in sales, Toyota Motor Corp. plans to reduce domestic production by about 20 percent from October. If automakers, which constitute one of the nation's major industries, downshift their production, then industrial output as a whole, whose pace of recovery has already slowed, may cool down even further.
　終了後の販売減少を見込んで、トヨタ自動車は国内生産を、１０月から２割ほど減らす。主要産業の自動車が減産に動けば、回復のペースが落ちてきた工業生産が、さらに冷え込みかねない。

Although the nation is facing severe fiscal conditions, the termination of the subsidies would seriously affect the economy. Government officials should exercise their wisdom to find a way to continue the subsidy program while giving consideration to both state finances and the economy. For example, reducing the number of eligible models and the overall subsidy amount would be a possible scenario.
　財政は厳しいが、打ち切りは景気への副作用が大きい。対象車種を絞って支援規模を縮小するなど、財政と景気の両面に配慮しながら補助金を継続させる知恵を出してほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2010)
（2010年7月31日01時40分 読売新聞）

中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ

中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。

cite from washington post

China Now World's Second-Largest Economy
中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ

Surpassing Japan, China's economy is second only to that of the United States, which it is projected to overtake sometime around 2025. The per-capita income, though, is still a paltry $3,800.
中国が日本を追い抜いて世界第二の経済大国へ、２０２５年にはアメリカをも追い抜いて世界一になる見通し。
ただ一人当りに換算するとわずか3800ドルにすぎない。

検索大手提携 グーグルの市場支配が心配だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 31, 2010)
Yahoo Japan-Google tie-up must be monitored
検索大手提携　グーグルの市場支配が心配だ（7月30日付・読売社説）

Internet search giant Google Inc. and Japan's top portal Yahoo Japan have agreed to form a search engine alliance and cooperate in online advertising and other services.
　インターネット検索で世界最大の米グーグルと国内最大手のヤフーが、検索やネット広告配信で提携する。

The partnership between Yahoo Japan and Google of the United States will mean the two companies will acquire a dominant 90 percent of the Internet search market in this country. This could reduce the options available to Internet users seeking a more diverse variety of online information. With this in mind, it is necessary to ensure that the alliance does not prevent the Internet market from growing further.
　両社合わせた国内検索市場の占有率は９割に達し、多様なネット情報を望む利用者の選択肢が狭まる可能性がある。提携がネット市場の発展を妨げないよう注視が必要だ。

Ironically, while the Japanese portal, in which telecom operator SoftBank Corp. has a major stake, has joined hands with its rival Google, Yahoo Inc. of the United States is struggling to catch up with the world's largest search service provider through a tie-up with Microsoft Corp.
　米ヤフーはマイクロソフトと提携し、グーグルを追撃するが、ソフトバンクが出資する日本のヤフーはライバルと手を結んだ。

Yahoo Japan's move apparently reflects a decision that it has no choice but to adopt Google's cutting-edge technology if it wants to survive in the search market, the major battleground in the Internet business.
　ネット事業の主戦場である検索分野で生き残るには、グーグルの最先端技術を取り入れるしかないと判断したのだろう。

Under the agreement, Google will provide Yahoo Japan with a search engine and technology to display ads associated with the search results.
　今回の提携で、グーグルは「検索エンジン」と、検索結果に連動して広告を表示するシステムをヤフーに提供する。

Will U.S. giant control market?

The search engine appends indexes to vast amounts of data on the Internet, with each piece of information ranked depending on keywords users type in, enabling them to select the data they need instantly. Use of search engines has taken firm root in our daily lives, as is evident by the fact that 50 million people use such Internet tools in this country every month.
　検索エンジンは、ネット上の膨大なデータに索引を付け、利用者がキーワードを入力すれば、瞬時に関連情報を順位付けして取り出せる仕組みだ。月間延べ５０００万人以上が利用し、今や日常生活にすっかり定着したと言える。

Corporations strive to attract customers through the Internet by having their Web sites and ads displayed in the upper ranks of search results, so such information will be easily discerned by users.
　ネット経由の集客に力を入れる企業は、利用者の目に触れやすいように自社のサイトや広告が、検索結果の上位に表示されるように懸命になっている。

However, the Google-Yahoo Japan alliance is problematic as the U.S. search giant could end up monopolizing the market in Japan.
　問題は、そうした中核サービスが事実上、グーグル１社に握られる恐れがあることだ。

Yahoo Japan has denied this, saying its services will include data and information distinct from that provided by the U.S. firm.
However, some people fear users may be unable to access the information they need because of Google's ability to control search results. Is there no reason to worry? There also is a concern that the Google-Yahoo Japan tie-up could lead to an increase in ad rates.
　ヤフーは自社サービスに独自色を出すとして寡占化を否定するが、検索結果がグーグルの意向に左右され、利用者が欲しい情報にたどり着けない事態が本当に起きないか。一方で、広告料金が引き上げられる懸念もある。

FTC sees no problem

The Fair Trade Commission has said the partnership between the two giants--both of which operate separately--does not pose a problem in relation to the Antimonopoly Law.
　公正取引委員会は、今回の提携について、「営業活動などは別であり、独占禁止法上の問題はない」としている。

It should be noted, however, that the U.S. Justice Department put a stop to an attempt by Yahoo Inc. and Google to form a tie-up two years ago, saying their alliance would violate the U.S. antitrust law. In Europe, the regulatory authorities are reportedly keeping watch on Google to thwart any bid to control the market.
　だが、２年前に米ヤフーがグーグルと提携しようとした際、米司法省は独禁法違反を理由に待ったをかけた。欧州の規制当局は現在、グーグルが市場支配力を乱用していないか、監視の目を光らせているという。

The FTC needs to keep a close eye on how the Google-Yahoo Japan alliance works out.
　公正取引委員会も、提携の行方を注意深く見守る必要がある。

The Internet's remarkable development is the result of intense competition among start-up companies in providing a variety of services. This is also the case with Google, which has grown into a huge company providing excellent services through its innovative search engine technology.
　ネットがめざましい発展を遂げたのは、新興企業が多様なサービスで競い合ってきたからだ。グーグル自身も革新的な検索技術で超優良企業にのし上がった。

Admittedly, access to online search engine services free of charge is great, but there is a danger of information being selected and ranked arbitrarily. Internet users should take this to heart.
　無料のネット検索は確かに便利な機能ではあるが、情報の仕分けが恣意(しい)的に操作される危険性がある――。そんなことを利用者も十分認識しておきたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2010)
（2010年7月30日01時27分 読売新聞）

防衛白書延期 禍根残す政府の事なかれ主義

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 30, 2010)
Defense report delay unnecessary
防衛白書延期　禍根残す政府の事なかれ主義（7月29日付・読売社説）

The government's decision to put off the release of this year's defense white paper is nothing but an attempt not to disturb the Japan-South Korea relationship. But a retreat to safe ground on this issue is an ill-thought-out move to turn a blind eye to future trouble that could arise between Tokyo and Seoul.
　日韓関係に波風を立てたくない、という無責任な事なかれ主義であり、今後に禍根を残すと言わざるを得ない。

The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has postponed giving cabinet approval to the "Defense of Japan 2010" white paper until September, despite an earlier plan to finalize the annual report Friday.
　政府が、３０日に予定していた２０１０年版防衛白書の閣議了承を９月に延期した。

In explaining the government's decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku cited recent actions taken by the United Nations in connection with the sinking of a South Korean naval ship in March. He added the government wanted the white paper to address some issues that will be taken up in a report to be issued in August by a government panel tasked with reviewing the current National Defense Program Guidelines. Sengoku's reasoning is far from convincing.
　仙谷官房長官は、延期の理由について、韓国の哨戒艦沈没事件に関する国連の動きや、防衛大綱見直しの報告書などを新たに記載することなどを挙げた。到底、納得できる説明ではない。

In the first place, the government does not have to write about the developments cited by Sengoku in the white paper. His account does little to convince the public of the need to postpone the release of the report, more than 14,000 copies of which have already been printed at a cost of about 9.4 million yen.
　本来、こうした動きをいちいち追加する必要性はない。既に約９４０万円をかけて、１万４０００部以上を印刷した白書の公表を延期する理由として不十分だ。

The real reason behind the decision, according to government sources, is that Tokyo does not want to antagonize Seoul. Previous defense white papers described the disputed Takeshima islets as "an inherent part of our nation's territory."
　政府関係者によると、本当の理由は韓国側への配慮だとされる。防衛白書は例年、竹島を「わが国固有の領土」と明記している。

The sources said the government did not want to stir up anti-Japanese sentiment among South Koreans as this year marks the centennial of the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910. On Aug. 29 that year, the treaty took effect, starting 35 years of Japanese rule over the Korean Peninsula.
今年は８月２９日に日韓併合条約発効１００年を控えており、反日感情を刺激したくなかったという。

Takeshima belongs to Japan

However, the government has every reason to incorporate into the white paper its assertion that Takeshima inherently belongs to Japan.
　だが、政府の白書が、竹島は日本固有の領土という政府見解を盛り込むのは当然のことだ。

Admittedly, South Korea has protested the Japanese government's view every year, claiming sovereignty over the islet group. However, Seoul's reaction has not been so strong as to undermine bilateral relations. Some people fear anti-Japanese feelings could grow among South Koreans as Aug. 29 marks the 100th anniversary of the treaty. So far, however, no such hostility has surfaced.
　竹島の領有権を主張する韓国側は毎年、抗議しているが、日韓関係を損なうほどではなかった。日韓併合１００年を前に、反日感情の高まりを懸念する向きもあるものの、現時点で、そんな動きは表面化していない。

We think the government should have adhered to its practice of publishing a defense white paper at this time of year.
　政府は、例年通り、白書を淡々と公表すべきだった。

Postponing the paper's release and then scrambling for an explanation as to why has proved of no avail. Doing so has only drawn public attention to the Takeshima controversy. We feel all this could adversely affect the Japan-South Korea relationship. The Kan administration made the wrong decision about the release of the report.
　公表直前に異例の形で延期し、姑息(こそく)な説明を加えたことで、かえって竹島問題が注目を集めてしまい、日韓関係にも逆効果ではないか。菅政権の判断ミスである。

The Defense Ministry and the Foreign Ministry had insisted the defense report should be released as initially scheduled. Last week, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara and Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Akihisa Nagashima visited South Korea, where some officials reportedly asked them to reconsider the timing of the white paper's release. After being briefed by Maehara and Naga-shima, the prime minster and the chief cabinet secretary decided to delay the report's release, according to informed sources.
　防衛、外務両省は、白書を予定通り公表するよう主張していた。前原国土交通相と長島昭久防衛政務官が先週韓国を訪問した際、一部の関係者から配慮を求められた。その報告を受けた菅首相と仙谷長官が延期を決めたという。

Not the DPJ's first blunder

This episode is yet another perfect example of an ill-advised initiative taken by political leaders--that is, members of the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration--in formulating key policies. Political confusion has erupted frequently since the DPJ came into power, as best exemplified by the turmoil created by the government's ham-handed handling of the dispute over the transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
　米軍普天間飛行場移設問題などで露呈した民主党政権の「悪(あ)しき政治主導」の典型例と言える。

In December, the DPJ government decided not to include a reference to the Takeshima issue in a teacher's manual for high school geography lessons to be given under the education ministry's new course of study. Failure to say what Japan needs to say could be interpreted as a willingness by our government to make concessions on issues that could affect the foundation of the country.
　民主党政権は昨年１２月にも、新学習指導要領の高校地理の解説書で竹島問題への言及を見送っている。このように、言うべきことを言わない対応を続けては、日本は国の根幹にかかわる問題でも譲歩すると見られかねない。

Takeshima belongs to Japan, both historically and under international law. South Korea is an important neighbor, but our government should not easily buckle to Seoul when dealing with territorial issues.
　竹島は、歴史的にも国際法上も日本の領土である。韓国は、日本にとって重要な隣国だが、領土問題で安易な妥協は禁物だ。

It is entirely possible for Japan to maintain proper relations with other countries despite a conflict over territorial problems. The government should pursue such a diplomatic approach.
　領土問題で主張が異なっても、２国間関係をきちんと維持することは十分可能なはずであり、そうした外交こそ追求すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2010)
（2010年7月29日01時08分 読売新聞）

概算要求基準 予算編成を人気取りに使うな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 29, 2010)
Budget compilation isn't popularity contest
概算要求基準　予算編成を人気取りに使うな（7月28日付・読売社説）

The Cabinet has adopted guidelines for fiscal 2011 budgetary requests.
　２０１１年度予算の大枠を示す概算要求基準が閣議決定された。

Last year, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's Cabinet decided to drop similar guidelines, which led to the fiscal 2010 budget ballooning to become the biggest ever.
　昨年は、鳩山内閣によって基準が廃止され、１０年度予算の規模が大きく膨らむ原因となった。

We think the government is right to revive the guidelines for budgetary requests, considering what happened last year. However, the government seems set to charge ahead with the free-spending handout policies the Democratic Party of Japan announced in last year's election manifesto. In stark contrast to planned spending cuts, the government plans to offer income compensation to farmers and partially abolish expressways tolls.
　それを反省して今回、基準を復活させたのは妥当である。だが、農家の戸別所得補償や高速道路の一部無料化など、昨年の民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）に基づく予算が削減の例外になるなど、バラマキ体質は残ったままだ。

The government also plans to set aside funds to be funneled to growth fields, such as medical and nursing services as well as the environment. It also proposed that determining how to allocate this special budget would be conducted in full view of the public.
　医療・介護や環境など、成長分野に予算を重点配分するための特別枠を設けるが、公開の席で優劣を競う「政策コンテスト」で配分先を決めるという。

The government apparently plans to conduct something along the lines of the budget screening for wasteful spending, which smacked of political grandstanding.
　政治的なパフォーマンスが目立った「事業仕分け」に似た手法といえる。

===

Kan seeking boost?

The plan appears to be an attempt to restore the falling popularity of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. But we doubt whether cool-headed discussions can be carried out in an environment open to the public. The government must not use the budget compilation process as a tool to gain popularity.
菅内閣の支持率低下を挽回(ばんかい)する狙いもあるのだろうが、そうした場で冷静な議論ができるとは思えない。予算編成を人気取りの手段にしてはなるまい。

The prime minister must sincerely review and retract funding scheduled to be used for the manifesto pledges, and secure revenue sources before the fiscal 2011 budget will be decided at the end of the year.
　年末の１１年度予算案決定に向け菅首相は今後、マニフェスト予算の改廃や財源の確保に、真摯(しんし)に取り組むべきである。

The outline for the budgetary request guidelines is in line with the fiscal management strategy compiled in June. The government will cap general-account spending, excluding debt-servicing costs, below 71 trillion yen and new government bond issuance below 44 trillion yen, just as in the fiscal 2010 budget.
　要求基準の骨格は、６月にまとまった財政運営戦略に準拠した。国債費を除く歳出と国債新規発行額は、１０年度予算とそれぞれ同じ７１兆円と４４兆円以下にする。

Based on these figures, the Cabinet approved a natural increase of 1.3 trillion yen in social security costs. An expected rise in these costs from the graying population and declining birthrate will be unavoidable, but the child-rearing allowance should be reviewed from scratch.
　これを前提にまず、社会保障費について、１・３兆円の自然増をそのまま認めることにした。少子高齢化で膨らむ分はやむを得ないが、子ども手当については抜本的に見直す必要がある。

===

Growth fields

The focus of the budget will be the special allocation for growth fields. The DPJ initially proposed to the government that 2 trillion yen be earmarked for the scheme. The two parties eventually settled on the ambiguous expression of "an amount far above 1 trillion yen."
　焦点は特別枠の扱いである。民主党側は当初、２兆円を提案したが、政府側との調整で、「１兆円を相当上回る額」とのあいまいな表現で決着した。

Combined with the natural increase in social security costs, the government will need an additional 3 trillion yen or so. The government said this could be covered by a uniform 10 percent cut in policy-related spending for all ministries and agencies--including spending on education, defense and public works projects.
　特別枠に社会保障費の自然増を加えると、３兆円前後の原資が必要になる計算だ。その分は、教育費や防衛費、公共事業費など一般的な歳出を各府省が一律に１割削減して捻出(ねんしゅつ)する、としている。

However, the government likely will struggle to secure the revenue it needs, given that ministries and agencies have bristled at the across-the-board 10 percent cut plan, and manifesto-related budgets are to be handled separately.
　だが、ただでさえ各府省が１割削減に抵抗しているうえ、マニフェスト関連が例外では、目標の達成は容易ではあるまい。

The government used more than 10 trillion yen in nontax revenue, including surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," for the fiscal 2010 budget. However, the buried treasure chest is almost empty. If nontax revenue drastically declines, the government may be forced to issue more government bonds than it did in the current fiscal year, rather than capping the issuance at 44 trillion yen as planned.
　１０年度予算では、埋蔵金を含む税外収入を１０兆円余り計上した。だが、埋蔵金は枯渇しつつある。税外収入が大幅に減る場合、国債の発行額は４４兆円以下どころか、増える可能性もある。

But this would make a mockery of Japan's international pledge to put state finances back on a sound footing. Securing revenue sources will be essential to reducing the budget deficit.
　それでは、財政健全化の国際公約に逆行する。赤字減らしには歳入の確保が肝要だ。

The fiscal 2011 budget compilation process is spelling out in black and white that the government must urgently tackle tax system reform--including an increase in the consumption tax rate.
消費税率の引き上げを含む税制改革に早急に取り組む必要があることを、１１年度予算の編成作業は教えている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2010)
（2010年7月28日01時18分 読売新聞）

video clips of kai chan and seefaa chan

I’ve just posted family video clips of kai chan and seefaa chan.
カイちゃんとシーファーちゃんのビデオクリップ掲載しました。
บันทึกวีดีโอขอนไก่จังและสีฟ้าจังเสร็จแล้วนะครับ

english version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCOlwEOks3g

thai version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utePJh4h2gA

名古屋場所閉幕 「賜杯なき優勝」を繰り返すな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 28, 2010)
Learn from tourney lacking Emperor's Cup
名古屋場所閉幕　「賜杯なき優勝」を繰り返すな（7月27日付・読売社説）

The Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which was rocked by a scandal over illegal betting on professional baseball games, ended Sunday with a remarkable accomplishment by yokozuna Hakuho--he became the first wrestler since the end of World War II to claim three consecutive championships without losing a single match.
　野球賭博問題に揺れた大相撲の名古屋場所は、横綱白鵬の３場所連続全勝優勝という戦後初の快挙で幕を閉じた。

Since the Japan Sumo Association refrained from accepting any awards from outside organizations due to the gambling scandal, Hakuho received only the championship flag and a certificate at the award ceremony.
　日本相撲協会が外部からの表彰を辞退したため、表彰式で白鵬に贈られたのは、優勝旗と賞状だけだった。

Hakuho also extended his winning streak to 47 bouts, exceeding legendary yokozuna Taiho's record of 45, but said with tears in his eyes that the Nagoya tournament was "very difficult."
"On behalf of [all] wrestlers, I wish I could've received just the Emperor's Cup," he added.
　自身の連勝記録を、大鵬の４５を上回る４７に伸ばした白鵬は、「大変な場所だった」と涙を浮かべ、「力士代表として、天皇賜杯だけは頂きたかった」と語った。

To prevent such situations in the future, the JSA must proceed with reforms and regain the trust of sumo fans as soon as possible.
　このような事態を繰り返さないためには、相撲協会は改革を推し進め、ファンの信頼を一刻も早く取り戻さなくてはならない。

===

More problems arise

Regrettably, however, a few cases suggesting close ties between sumo officials and gangsters were revealed during the Nagoya tourney. One of them involves stablemaster Matsugane and is too serious to overlook.
　だが、残念ながら、名古屋場所中にも角界と暴力団関係者の親密な関係がうかがえる複数の事例が明らかになった。特に、看過できないのは、元大関若嶋津の松ヶ根親方の問題である。

A former ozeki who wrestled under the name Wakashimazu, Matsugane has used a building rented from the president of a gang-related real estate agency as lodgings for his wrestlers during spring tournaments in Osaka. He has done so since he started his own stable 20 years ago.
　松ヶ根親方は、暴力団と関係が深いとされる不動産会社社長から借りたビルを春場所（大阪）の宿舎に使っていた。部屋を興した２０年前から続いているという。

The company president in question was arrested in 2008 over land sharking, the practice of forcing people to sell their residences so a land shark can resell consolidated plots of land for large development projects. Despite knowing this, however, Matsugane continued to rent the building.
"I thought he was a businessman," Matsugane said.
　この社長は２００８年に、地上げに絡んで逮捕された。松ヶ根親方は、事件のことを知りながらも借り続け、社長については「実業家と思っていた」という。

Nevertheless, he should have at least stopped using the building when the president was arrested. This is a scandal caused by insufficient risk management.
　しかし、少なくとも、社長が逮捕された時点で、ビルの使用を見合わせるべきだった。甘い危機管理が招いた不祥事である。

Securing lodgings for wrestlers is certainly an important issue for a stable, and stablemasters badly need offers of help. But sumo officials must not forget that this is one way gangsters approach them.
　確かに、相撲部屋にとって、宿舎の確保は大きな問題だ。支援の申し出は、親方にとっては「渡りに船」だろうが、それが、暴力団関係者が近付いてくる手口であることも忘れてはならない。

Gangs use their close ties with the sumo world to flaunt their influence. We strongly feel that gangs are spreading their tentacles into everything.
　暴力団は、角界との親密な関係を力の誇示に利用する。暴力団の触手は至る所に伸びているという感を強くするばかりである。

===

Rules not enough

Also, a serious problem has surfaced over special ringside seats at sumo tournaments, the kind primarily allocated to financial supporters of the JSA. It was discovered that a gang boss obtained a ticket for a ringside seat via a chain of people that included an acquaintance of a member of the special panel investigating the gambling scandal.
　土俵近くの特別席である維持員席を巡っても、ゆゆしき問題が発覚した。維持員席に座っていた暴力団組長にチケットが渡る過程で、不祥事の調査を担当している特別調査委員会のメンバーの知人が関与していたというものだ。

Since this could erode public trust in the investigation panel, the JSA was quite right to dismiss that member.
　調査委への信頼を損なう問題だけに、相撲協会がこのメンバーを解任したのは当然のことだ。

An independent panel of the JSA tasked with improving the association's governance and implementing organizational reforms is planning to compile measures to eliminate gangsters' influence, including a provision that would penalize sumo wrestlers and officials severely if they associate with gangsters.
　相撲協会の改革案を協議している「ガバナンス（統治能力）の整備に関する独立委員会」は、暴力団との交際には厳罰を下す規定などを盛り込んだ暴力団排除対策をまとめる方針だ。

Of course, strict rules are necessary. But, it is more important that sumo wrestlers and stablemasters learn lessons from the commotion during the Nagoya tournament and strengthen their determination to sever their ties with gangsters.
　規定も必要だが、大切なのは名古屋場所の騒動を教訓に、力士、親方が暴力団との関係を断つという意識を徹底することである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2010)
（2010年7月27日01時17分 読売新聞）

アフガン会議 支援とともに監視が必要だ

アフガニスタン問題はブッシュ政権の負の遺産です。
ひっこみがつかなくなってオバマ大統領は苦悩しているのではないでしょうか。
大統領就任直後にアフガニスタンからの段階的撤退を表明していますが、さすがオバマ大統領だと思いました。
しかしながら、このテロリスト封じ込め作戦はうまくいっていないのが現実です。
世界はアフガニスタン支援よりも自国のテロ防止組織を強化したほうが良いのでは。
底の抜けているバケツに水を入れ満杯にする、むなしい努力のような気がします。
日本は自国の雇用改善対策にこのお金を使ったほうが良い。

srachai from khonkaen, thailad

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 25, 2010)
Aid to Afghanistan must be accounted for
アフガン会議　支援とともに監視が必要だ（7月24日付・読売社説）

For the past nine years, the international community has continued to provide reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan to keep the country from becoming a nest of terrorists again.
　アフガニスタンをテロの巣に戻さぬために、国際社会は９年に及ぶ復興支援を続けてきた。

The administration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai must respond to this steady flow of support with action.
その忍耐強い支持に、アフガンのカルザイ政権は行動で応えなければならない。

At an international donor conference recently held in Kabul, Karzai declared the Afghan government would take responsibility for its own security, for which it currently relies largely on foreign troops, across the country by the end of 2014. Countries participating in the conference welcomed the initiative.
　カルザイ大統領はカブールで開かれたアフガン支援国際会議で、駐留外国軍に頼っている治安維持を、２０１４年末までに全土でアフガン政府が担うと宣言した。会議参加国もそれを歓迎した。

Karzai's declaration likely matched the intentions of Western leaders who are eager to draw up an exit strategy as soon as possible amid growing opposition at home to the continued deployment of their troops in Afghanistan.
　アフガンに派兵する欧米諸国では、駐留継続反対論が高まっている。カルザイ大統領の宣言は、撤兵を視野に入れた出口戦略を早く描きたいという各国指導者の思惑とも合致したのだろう。

Given the status quo, however, we must say that such a scenario is unlikely to occur.
　だが、現状をみれば、実現は難しいと言わざるをえまい。

===

Is the end really in sight?

An increase of U.S. troops by 30,000 is expected to be completed next month, bringing the total number of foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan to 150,000. But their operations to hunt down members of the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban, which has sheltered members of the international terrorist organization Al-Qaida, have been unable to make progress in the face of the ongoing insurgency. Meanwhile, the number of casualties among the international troops continues to rise.
　米軍の３万人増派は来月には完了する。アフガン駐留外国軍の規模は１５万人に達するが、国際テロ組織アル・カーイダを匿(かくま)ったイスラム原理主義勢力タリバンの掃討は進展するどころか、反転攻勢に苦しめられている。駐留軍の犠牲者は増え続けるばかりだ。

The recent dismissal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan after he criticized the U.S. government's handling of Afghanistan is probably not unrelated to the deadlock seen in that nation.
　米政府のアフガン政策を批判した駐留米軍司令官の更迭劇も、アフガン情勢の行き詰まりと無縁ではなかろう。

To transfer security responsibility, it is essential to train Afghan security forces. The Afghan government plans to increase the number of personnel in the military and police to more than 300,000 by October next year. But the question is the quality of the security forces. Afghan security forces are not only ill equipped, they are also known for a low literacy rate and a lack of discipline.
　治安維持任務の移管には、アフガン人治安部隊の育成が欠かせない。アフガン政府は来年１０月までに、軍と警察を合わせた要員を３０万人超に増やす計画だが、問題はその質だ。装備の貧弱さだけでなく、識字率や規律意識も低い。

To improve the security situation, job creation projects and the establishment of infrastructure related to daily life also must proceed. There are too many issues that must be resolved before the Afghan government can be entrusted with maintaining security.
　治安改善のためには、生活基盤整備や雇用創出事業も同時に進めなければならない。アフガン政府に治安維持を任せるまでに、克服すべき課題はあまりにも多い。

===

Where does the money go?

Since 2002, more than 35 billion dollars (about 3 trillion yen) in aid money has been poured into Afghanistan. Most of the funds were provided directly to international nongovernmental organizations and other entities engaged in reconstruction work.
　アフガンには０２年以来、３５０億ドル（約３兆円）を超える援助資金が注がれてきた。その大半は、復興事業を担う国際的な非政府組織（ＮＧＯ）などに対する直接支援だった。

An agreement was made at the conference that up to half the aid money would be channeled through the Afghan government in two years. Donor nations accepted Karzai's request that his government be given discretion to more effectively use aid money.
　会議では、今後２年間で援助資金の半分までを、アフガン政府経由に切り替えることで合意した。「政府の裁量でより有効に資金を使いたい」とのカルザイ大統領の要望を受け入れたのだ。

But we still frequently hear about corruption and irregularities involving senior officials of the Afghan government. It is unacceptable for aid funds to be embezzled or misappropriated.
　しかし、アフガン政府幹部らの不正、腐敗への批判は絶えない。援助資金の横領などあってはならない。

Karzai has expressed an intention to strengthen corruption countermeasures, such as the creation of a special tribunal to try those accused of corruption. We hope to see these measures producing results as soon as possible.
大統領は、特別法廷の設置など汚職対策強化を表明したが、早急に成果を示してほしい。

Japan pledged to provide 5 billion dollars in aid during the five years from 2009. Donor nations, including Japan, need to strictly check whether aid money is properly used.
　日本も０９年から５年間で５０億ドルの支援を約束した。日本を含めた支援国は、援助資金が適切に使われるよう、厳しく監視していく必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 24, 2010)
（2010年7月24日01時07分 読売新聞）