韓国憲法裁判決 却下で「反日」火種は回避した

The Yomiuri Shimbun
ROK’s court decision in constitutional suit avoids new friction with Japan
韓国憲法裁判決　却下で「反日」火種は回避した

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit claiming that the bilateral agreement with Japan that settled claims for wartime compensation was unconstitutional.
　韓国の憲法裁判所が、日韓請求権協定の違憲性の確認を求めた訴えを却下した。

The court did not render a judgment on whether the agreement was unconstitutional, so a situation in which the court’s decision would create a new source of friction between the two countries may have been avoided.
　憲法判断に踏み込まなかったことで、日韓関係の新たな火種になる事態は避けられたと言えよう。

The lawsuit was filed by the bereaved family of a South Korean man mobilized by the Japanese government as a civilian employee of the military during the war. His family asserted that a provision in the agreement stipulating that South Korea waives the rights to claim compensation from the Japanese government violates property rights guaranteed under South Korea’s Constitution, and is thus unconstitutional.
　訴えを起こしたのは、戦時中、日本政府に動員された軍属の男性の遺族だ。韓国側の請求権放棄を定めた協定の条項について、「憲法が保障する財産権を侵害し、違憲だ」と主張していた。

The bereaved family had originally filed a lawsuit over the money provided by the South Korean government to victims of those who were “forcibly mobilized.” It was in the course of that litigation that the family made its appeal over the agreement to the Constitutional Court.
　遺族は元々、「強制動員」被害者への韓国政府による支援金支給を巡って訴訟を起こし、その過程で憲法裁に訴えた。

As its reason for dismissing the case, the court said its judgment on whether the agreement was unconstitutional would not affect the ruling on the lawsuit (filed by the family regarding the South Korean government’s provision of money).
　憲法裁は「協定が違憲か否かは、（遺族の）訴訟の判決に影響を与えない」と却下理由を示した。

It also said the family’s claim does not meet the requirements for the case to be examined at the Constitutional Court.
訴えが憲法裁で審理する要件を満たさないとも指摘した。

Considering the content of the lawsuit, in which the family calls for an increase in the money provided by the South Korean government, we consider the court’s latest conclusion to be appropriate.
支援金の増額を求めている訴訟の内容を考えれば、穏当な判断だろう。

Since the left-leaning government under then South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun said in 2005 that the issue of so-called comfort women had not been settled, the country’s judiciary has apparently tended to interpret the bilateral agreement one-sidedly to favor South Korea.
　左派の盧武鉉政権が２００５年、慰安婦問題は「未解決」だと表明して以降、韓国司法は請求権協定を自国に都合の良いよう、一方的に解釈する傾向が目立つ。

Room for solution

Had the Constitutional Court ruled that the agreement was unconstitutional, it would have caused serious diplomatic friction, undermining the foundation of the bilateral relationship between Japan and South Korea.
　今回も、憲法裁が違憲判決を出せば、重大な外交問題に発展し、日韓関係の基盤が損なわれる恐れがあった。

As the court turned away the claim, it effectively left room for the two countries to strike a deal on the issue of so-called comfort women.
訴えを門前払いしたことで、慰安婦問題の妥結などに余地が残った形だ。

Following the court’s ruling, the Foreign Ministry of Japan issued a comment that both countries need to make efforts for the advancement of the bilateral relationship.
　判決を受け、日本の外務省は、「日韓関係前進のために双方が努力する必要がある」とのコメントを発表した。

The Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation Between Japan and the Republic of Korea was concluded in 1965, concurrently with the signing of the Treaty of Basic Relations, which established diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea.
　請求権協定は１９６５年、両国が国交を樹立する「基本条約」と同時に締結された。

The agreement stipulated that Japan would provide South Korea with a total of $500 million in economic cooperation in the form of grants and loans, and said the problems concerning property and claims between the two countries as well as their people had been settled completely and finally.
日本が無償・有償で計５億ドルの経済協力を約束し、「両国および国民間の請求権に関する問題が完全かつ最終的に解決された」と明記している。

South Korea later utilized the cooperation money from Japan to build infrastructure, leading to the country’s economic development. The fact that the bilateral agreement has proved beneficial for both countries deserves praise.
　韓国は協力資金をインフラ建設などに活用し、経済発展につなげた。協定が両国のプラスとなったことは、評価されるべきだ。

It is hard to understand the very fact that a lawsuit of this kind was filed with the Constitutional Court.
今回のような訴えが憲法裁に提起されること自体、理解し難い。

South Korean courts are examining other lawsuits whose outcomes also could affect the bilateral relationship. Particularly worrisome is litigation over former requisitioned workers who were mobilized during the war.
　今回の事案以外にも、韓国の裁判所は、日韓関係に影響を及ぼしかねない訴訟を審理している。特に懸念されるのは、戦時中に動員された元徴用工の裁判である。

In 2012, the South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled that illegal actions directly linked to the colonial rule were difficult to recognize as subject to the bilateral agreement on property and claims.
　韓国最高裁は１２年、「植民地支配と直結した不法行為」などについては、協定の対象と認め難いという判断を示した。

High courts that had their rulings remanded by the top court handed down numerous decisions ordering Japanese companies, the former employers of the requisitioned workers, to compensate them. These cases are now being heard again at the top court in South Korea.
　審理を差し戻された高裁で、日本企業に賠償を命じる判決が相次ぎ、再び最高裁で審理中だ。

The South Korean government earlier took the position that issues related to the former requisitioned workers were also not subject to the bilateral agreement. We hope the top court in Seoul will make level-headed judgments.
　韓国政府は従来、元徴用工も協定の対象という立場だった。最高裁には冷静な判断を求めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2015)Speech

ポイントサイト、アンケートサイトでお金を稼ぐ

ポイントタウン
頭を使わなくても気軽に稼げます
20ポイント＝1円　は業界最低レベルのポイント換算レートです
1年気軽に稼いで500円程度になります




マクロミルアンケートサイト
おしゃれでファッショナブルなアンケートサイト
1ポイント＝1円　は業界最高レベルのポイント換算レートです
1年ファッショナブルに楽しみながら1万円程度は稼げます

米の武器台湾へ 地域の安定へ関与が不可欠だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan crucial contribution to regional security
米の武器台湾へ　地域の安定へ関与が不可欠だ

Active U.S. engagement is essential for preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and by extension the whole of East Asia.
　台湾海峡、ひいては東アジアの平和と安定の維持には、米国の積極的な関与が欠かせない。

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to sell weapons worth $1.83 billion (about ¥220 billion) to Taiwan. Two decommissioned frigates, amphibious assault vehicles and small surface-to-air missiles are among the weapons the United States will provide to Taiwan.
　オバマ政権が台湾に対し、総額１８億３０００万ドル（約２２００億円）の武器売却を決めた。退役フリゲート艦２隻や水陸両用車、小型の地対空ミサイルなどを供与する。

A domestic U.S. law stipulates that the United States can provide weapons intended to enable Taiwan to maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities. This stipulation was made with China in mind.
　米国は国内法で、中国を念頭に、台湾の自衛力維持を目的とする武器の提供を定めている。

This latest arms sale is not only a political message in defense of Taiwan. It also appears aimed at keeping Beijing in check as it pushes ahead with the creation of artificial islands in the South China Sea and the establishment of military strongholds on those islands.
　今回の売却決定には、「台湾防衛」の政治的メッセージだけでなく、南シナ海で人工島を造成し、軍事拠点化を進める中国をけん制する狙いもあるのだろう。

A candidate of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, which strongly favors Taiwan independence, will likely win January’s presidential election and usher in a new administration. This may lead to deterioration in the ties between Beijing and Taipei. It seems the United States announced the weapons sale this month due to concern that doing so after the election could cause regional tensions to soar.
　来年１月の台湾総統選では、「台湾独立」志向の強い最大野党の候補が勝利し、政権交代する可能性が大きい。中台関係の悪化も予想される。その局面で決定すれば、地域の緊張が高まると懸念し、今回、決めたのではないか。

The United States and China earlier this month confirmed they would cooperate with regard to the Paris agreement, a framework that spells out steps to counter global warming from 2020. Both sides also want to avoid any decisive confrontations.
　米中両国は、２０２０年以降の地球温暖化対策の枠組み「パリ協定」合意を巡って協調を確認したばかりだ。双方とも決定的な対立は避けたい思惑で一致する。

When the U.S. government announced weapons sales worth about $12 billion in total to Taiwan in 2010 and 2011, China responded angrily and temporarily suspended military exchanges with the United States. Compared with such instances, the latest sale does not include any cutting-edge weapons and could be described as “restrained.”
　米国が１０年と１１年に計約１２０億ドルの武器売却を決めた際には、中国がいずれも猛反発し、米中軍事交流を一時停止した。それに比べると、今回の売却には最新兵器も含まれず、抑制的と言える。

China has upper hand

China has deployed a huge number of missiles along its coast facing the Taiwan Strait, and is mass-producing sophisticated fighter aircraft and frigates. The military balance is overwhelmingly tilted in China’s favor.
　中国は台湾海峡を挟んだ沿岸部に大量のミサイルを配備し、新型戦闘機とフリゲート艦などを量産している。軍事バランスは圧倒的に中国優位に傾いている。

Strengthening Taiwan’s air defense readiness and its ability to repel a landing force will be essential to the island’s defense. Taiwan had urged the United States to provide new-model fighter jets and submarines, as well as Aegis-equipped destroyers, but this did not eventuate. The Obama administration apparently did not authorize the sale of such weapons because they were deemed not to be necessary.
　台湾防衛には、防空態勢や上陸阻止能力の強化が不可欠だが、台湾の求める新型戦闘機や潜水艦、イージス駆逐艦の売却は実現しなかった。オバマ政権は「必要ない」として認めなかったという。

China’s Foreign Ministry has demanded that the United States scrap the weapons deal, and announced sanctions would be imposed on U.S. companies involved in the arms sale. However, Beijing did not go as far as halting military exchanges or taking other steps, so this protest was at a lower level than in previous cases. It appears China has judged that this arms package will not be a substantial threat to its security.
　中国外務省は米国に武器売却の撤回を求め、売却に関与する米企業に制裁を科すと表明した。軍事交流停止などには踏み込まず、控えめの抗議だ。実質的に、中国の脅威になる売却ではないと判断しているのだろう。

The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is mistaken if it thinks it can continue military exchanges with the United States and avoid a cooling of bilateral relations even without halting its self-righteous maritime advances.
　習近平政権が、独善的な海洋進出をやめなくても、米国との軍事交流を継続し、関係冷却化を回避できると計算しているのなら、筋違いである。

It is also important that Washington continues its strategy of sending U.S. military vessels through waters within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands China has built in the South China Sea. Such an operation was conducted in late October, and we think the United States needs to stick to its plan to conduct these patrols about twice every three months.
　米国が、南シナ海の人工島の１２カイリ内に米艦艇を航行させる作戦を継続することも重要だ。１０月下旬に実施したが、３か月に２回程度の頻度で巡視を行う方針を維持する必要がある。

The United States must continue to take concrete steps to urge China to exercise self-control and show that it will not tolerate Beijing’s provocations.
　挑発を容認していると受け取られないよう、具体的な行動で自制を促し続けねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2015)

香山リカのココロの万華鏡: Ｘマスは「あなたの日」 ／東京

December 20, 2015 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Christmas is the season for everyone to feel their worth
香山リカのココロの万華鏡: Ｘマスは「あなたの日」　／東京

It's almost Christmas -- a fact that is greeted by most visitors to my office not with joyful anticipation, but rather as a reminder of how lonely they feel. Many of my patients tell me with dark expressions on their faces, "When the streets are bustling and lively, it just makes me feel all the more miserable."
　クリスマスが近づいてきた。診察室では「楽しみです」と言う人より「孤独だと思い知らされる」「街がにぎやかだとよけいに自分がみじめ」と顔を暗くする人のほうが多い。

While I was wondering what I could say to these people, I received a handmade pamphlet from a minister by the name of Yoshikazu Okado, who has been turning out the publication for many years.
　どんな言葉をかけてあげればよいのか、と思っているところに、大門義和氏という牧師から小冊子が送られてきた。大門牧師が手づくりで長年、発行しているものだ。

"Christmas is a declaration that all people are important," he writes in the introduction.
　冒頭に「すべての人が貴い人であるとの宣言がクリスマス」という言葉が記されていた。

As I read this I thought, "Isn't Christmas for Jesus Christ, and romantic partners and families?" Further along, however, came a passage about how the Bible says that the light of Jesus shines on everyone without exception or discrimination.
「クリスマスはイエス・キリストと、あとはハッピーな恋人や家族のものじゃないの？」と思いながら読むと、こんなことが書かれていた。聖書にはイエスは「例外なくすべての人を照らす光」とあり、その光は人を区別したり分類したりはしない。

In other words, Christmas -- the day Jesus was born -- is a joyous moment about happiness for all. It is a holiday in which each person is celebrated.
だから、イエスが生まれたクリスマスは、分け隔てなくすべての人にとっての喜びであり、どんな人をも尊び祝う日なのだ……。

When a person arrives in our offices, doctors like me apply the science of psychiatry to determine what illness they may have, and how severe it may be.
　私のような医者は、診察室に来た人の問診をして「何の病気か」「重症度はどれくらいか」とその人を精神医学の体系にあてはめていく。

People leave the office having been treated entirely as "patients," and I send them off with the words, "Don't push yourself too hard, and I'll see you next week."
そして、診察室を出る頃にはその人をすっかり「患者さん」として扱い、「無理しないでくださいね。ではまた来週」と送り出す。

You could say that classifying people is my job.
そうやって区別、分類するのが私の仕事と言ってもよい。

Within that context, I eventually start to wonder about which more personalized categories patients may fall into. Are they happy, or lonely, or feeling pitiable?
　しかし、その医者としての「区別や分類」は、いつの間にか、その人が幸福なのか、孤独なのか、かわいそうなのか、といった人間的な部分にまで及んでいたかもしれない。

And I don't think it's just me.
そして私だけではなくて、

The patient, too, may begin to classify themselves with labels like "worthless," or "loser."
患者さん側も、自分で自分を「私には価値がない」「負け組です」などと分類しているのではないか。

Okado's little pamphlet points out that in Christianity, Christmas is not a holiday to make lonely people feel even more so.
　先の小冊子で私は、キリスト教では、クリスマスは孤独な人がより孤独を感じる行事ではなく、

Rather, it is a day for everyone -- even those feeling lonely -- to have someone tell them, "It's wonderful that you're alive."
孤独だと思っている人も「あなたが生きているのはすばらしいことです」とたたえられるための日なのだ、と知った。

This was something of an epiphany for me.
なるほど、と私は膝を打った。

For the rest of December, I will tell my patients, "I've heard that Christmas is a day when no-one is singled out or discriminated against."
これから１２月の診察室では、「クリスマスは誰も区別されない日なんですって」と話すことにしよう。

Actually, I don't think I'll limit this to just the Christmas season.
　いや、クリスマスだけではない。

I'll do the same for New Year's, for all of the various winter festivals around the country, and for all kinds of holidays throughout the year.
お正月、各地で行われる冬のイベント、いろいろな祝日。

If someone says to me with a sad expression on their face, "When everyone around me looks like they're having fun, it just makes me feel all the more miserable," I want to tell them, "This day is for you."
「まわりが楽しそうだとよけいにみじめになる」と暗い顔をする人には、そのたびに「これはあなたのための日ですよ」と声をかけてみることにしたい。

This Christmas season, why don't you try telling yourself, "I'm a precious person, too"?
まずはこのクリスマスシーズンをひとりですごしている人も、「私も貴い人間なんだよね」と笑顔になってみてはどうだろう。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
（精神科医）

ポイントサイト、アンケートサイトでお金を稼ぐ

ポイントタウン
頭を使わなくても気軽に稼げます
20ポイント＝1円　は業界最低レベルのポイント換算レートです
1年気軽に稼いで500円程度になります




マクロミルアンケートサイト
おしゃれでファッショナブルなアンケートサイト
1ポイント＝1円　は業界最高レベルのポイント換算レートです
1年ファッショナブルに楽しみながら1万円程度は稼げます

診療報酬改定 地域医療を守る視点が重要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Protecting community medical care crucial in revision of fee schedules
診療報酬改定　地域医療を守る視点が重要だ

Reining in medical care expenses, which have been swelling with the aging of society, is indispensable in order to maintain the social welfare system. To this end, reducing overall medical treatment fees paid to medical institutions under the public health insurance system is unavoidable.
　高齢化で膨らむ医療費の抑制は、社会保障制度を維持する上で欠かせない。診療報酬のマイナス改定はやむを得まい。

In the revision of such fees for fiscal 2016, the government has decided on a 0.84 percent reduction in total. The previous revision of fiscal 2014 called for an increase of 0.1 percent, but it represented a decrease of 1.26 percent if the hike in the consumption tax is excluded. Therefore, the latest revision means medical treatment fees will have been virtually cut for the second time in a row.
　２０１６年度の診療報酬改定で、政府は全体として０・８４％引き下げることを決めた。前回１４年度改定はプラス０・１％だったが、消費増税の対応分を除けばマイナス１・２６％だった。実質的に２回連続の引き下げだ。

The latest revision calls for raising technical fees for doctors and other health professionals by 0.49 percent and lowering the fees paid for pharmaceuticals by 1.33 percent in accordance with market prices.
　今回、医師らの技術料である「本体部分」を０・４９％引き上げる一方、医薬品の価格である「薬価部分」は、実勢価格に合わせて１・３３％引き下げる。

After deciding early on to reduce all medical treatment fees with a view to putting fiscal conditions on a sound footing, the government had looked into the possibility of also cutting the technical fees, the main portion of the fees. However, the Japan Medical Association and other organizations strongly asked for an upward revision arguing that a reduction might cause the medical care system to collapse.
　政府は、財政健全化に向けて全体のマイナス改定を早々に決め、本体部分への切り込みも検討してきた。日本医師会などは、医療崩壊を招きかねないとして、プラス改定を強く求めてきた。

Some people point out that the revision was decided in consideration of medical institutions ahead of the House of Councillors election set for next summer.
　来年夏の参院選を前に、政府・与党が医療機関側に配慮する形で決着したとの見方もある。

Since the previous virtual reduction of medical treatment fees, hospital management has been on the trend of deterioration. At the same time, the doctor shortage in local areas remains serious. Raising the main portion of fees, which covers personnel expenses for those engaged in medical practice, can be regarded as a necessary measure to protect community medical service and alleviate the people’s anxiety.
　前回の実質マイナス改定以降、病院経営は悪化傾向にある。地方の医師不足も依然として深刻だ。医療従事者の人件費となる本体部分の引き上げは、地域医療を守り、国民の不安を和らげるためには、必要な措置と言えよう。

Drug expenses to be curbed

Simultaneously with the revision of medical treatment fees, the government will carry out institutional reform to curb pharmaceutical expenses. The reform calls for, among other things, lowering the prices of newly developed popular drugs that exceeded ¥100 billion in annual sales and limiting the amount of compresses prescribed by doctors.
　報酬改定と同時に、薬剤費抑制のための制度改革を実施する。国内での売り上げが年１０００億円を超えたヒット新薬の値下げや、医師が処方する湿布の枚数制限などが見込まれている。

Use of less costly generic medicines must also be accelerated.
　安価なジェネリック医薬品（後発薬）の利用促進も急ぎたい。

Fees to be paid to drugstores will also be reexamined. To help promote the spread of “regular pharmacies” that use unified management of patient’s drug information, the fees paid to pharmacies located near major hospitals will be reduced. This measure was taken in response to strong criticism that they are making too much profit.
　薬局に支払われる報酬も大幅に見直す。患者の服薬情報を一元管理する「かかりつけ薬局」の普及を促すため、大病院周辺に立ち並ぶ「門前薬局」の報酬は減額する。もうけ過ぎとの批判が強いことを受けたものだ。

Allocation of fees for each medical treatment will be discussed early next year. A medical care system must be built to meet the needs of a super-aging society. It is imperative to allocate fees in the order of priority to promote the quality of medical treatment while reining in expenses.
　診療行為ごとの報酬の具体的な配分は、年明けに議論される。超高齢社会に適した医療提供体制を構築する。費用を抑えつつ、医療の質を向上させる。こうした方向性に沿ったメリハリのある配分にすることが重要である。

Prefectural governments are drawing up community medical service plans that incorporate future needs for medical treatment and the number of beds needed. The plans are aimed at decreasing the number of costly beds for patients requiring acute treatment and improving support for discharge from hospitals and treatment at home.
　都道府県では、将来の医療ニーズと必要な病床数を盛り込んだ地域医療構想の策定を進めている。高コストの急性期向け病床を減らし、退院支援や在宅診療などを充実させるのが狙いだ。

It is necessary to correct the situation in which elderly patients whose conditions are stable are being hospitalized in great numbers because the number of beds for acute patients has increased excessively.
　急性期病床が増えすぎ、症状の安定した高齢患者が多数入院している現状は改める必要がある。

Strengthening the collaboration between medical treatment and nursing care is also important to make it possible for senior citizens to live at peace in the community. This should be treated as a priority in the allocation of the medical treatment fees.
　高齢者が地域で安心して暮らせるよう、医療と介護の連携強化も大切だ。報酬配分で重点課題とすべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 22, 2015)

日豪首脳会談 経済と安保で「特別な関係」に

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan, Australia must build ‘special relationship’ on economy, security
日豪首脳会談　経済と安保で「特別な関係」に

Japan and Australia have an important role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. We should build a comprehensive relationship of cooperation.
　日本と豪州は、アジア太平洋地域の平和と繁栄を牽引けんいんする重要な役割を担う。包括的な協力関係を構築すべきだ。

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who took office in September, made his first visit to Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two leaders issued a joint statement that said Japan and Australia would cooperate in the economic and security fields and deepen the “special relationship” of the two countries that share strategic interests.
　９月に就任したターンブル豪首相が初来日し、安倍首相と会談した。経済や安全保障分野で連携し、戦略的利益を共有する日豪の「特別な関係」を深化させるとの共同声明を発表した。

Abe emphasized that both leaders affirmed the “unshakable strategic relationship” between the two countries. “Both countries share the same values,” Turnbull said.
　安倍首相は「揺るぎない戦略的関係を確認した」と強調した。ターンブル首相は「両国は共通の価値観を持っている」と語った。

Turnbull, who is known to be acceptive of China, chose Japan for his first visit to East Asia as prime minister. We welcome Turnbull’s posture of attaching weight to bilateral ties with Japan, continuing the policy pursued by his predecessor, Tony Abbott — like Turnbull a member of the Liberal Party — who was close to Abe.
　中国通で知られるターンブル首相は、東アジアでの最初の訪問国に日本を選んだ。安倍首相と親密だった同じ自由党のアボット前首相の路線を継承し、対日重視の姿勢を示したことを歓迎したい。

Both leaders agreed on expanding bilateral trade and investment, on the basis of the bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force in January.
　両首脳は、今年１月に発効した経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）に基づき、貿易・投資を拡大させることで一致した。

Abe and Turnbull also confirmed the importance of technological innovation and agreed on bilateral cooperation in such fields as regenerative medicine.
技術革新の重要性を確認し、再生医療などの分野で協力することでも合意した。

Japan and Australia have a mutually complementary relationship, with Japan importing mainly natural resources and foods from Australia, and exporting automobiles and other products to the country. It is important to promote economic cooperation between the two countries, using the EPA as a tailwind.
　日本は、豪州から主に天然資源や食料を輸入し、自動車などを輸出しており、相互補完の関係にある。ＥＰＡを追い風に、日豪の経済協力を進めることが大切だ。

The Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, with 12 countries including Japan and Australia participating, reached a broad agreement in October. Japan and Australia should further cooperate in putting the accord into force at an early stage.
　日豪など１２か国が参加する環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉も１０月に大筋合意した。早期発効に向けて連携を強めたい。

Freedom of navigation

With regard to the South China Sea, the joint statement called on “all claimants to halt large-scale land reclamation or construction, and to refrain from using any land features for military purposes.” Needless to say, both have China in mind, as it is building artificial islands and promoting the establishment of military bases there.
　共同声明は、南シナ海情勢に関し、「大規模な埋め立てや建設の停止」と「軍事目的での使用の自制」を明記した。無論、南シナ海で人工島造成と軍事拠点化を進める中国が念頭にある。

The U.S. Navy carried out patrols within 12 nautical miles of the artificial islands in October, while an Australian military surveillance plane recently flew near the artificial islands. It is important to take all possible steps to ensure freedom of navigation and flight under international law.
　米海軍は１０月、人工島の１２カイリ内で巡視活動を行った。豪州軍の哨戒機も最近、人工島付近で監視活動を行ったという。国際法に基づく「航行と飛行の自由」の確保へ、手段を尽くすことが重要だ。

Ensuring the safety of sea lanes will serve as a basis for free economic activities. By cooperating closely with other countries, including the United States, Japan and Australia must urge China to abide by international rules.
　海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保は、自由な経済活動の基盤となる。日豪は米国などと緊密に協調し、中国に国際ルールの順守を働きかけねばならない。

During their talks, Abe and Turnbull agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense on the basis of the security-related legislation. Japan and Australia intend to expedite concluding a “visiting forces agreement,” which would facilitate joint exercises between the Self-Defense Forces and Australian forces.
　首脳会談では、安全保障関連法に基づき、防衛協力を強めることで合意した。自衛隊と豪州軍の共同訓練を円滑にする「訪問部隊地位協定」の締結も急ぐ方針だ。

Japan and Australia should pursue multitiered cooperation, with the United States — an ally of both Japan and Australia — joining in.
日豪両国と同盟関係にある米国を交え、重層的協力を追求したい。

Turnbull expressed Australia’s “deep disappointment” with Japan’s resumption of its research whaling in the Antarctic Ocean. Abe explained the necessity of conducting whaling for research purposes on scientific grounds.
　ターンブル首相は、日本が南極海で調査捕鯨を再開したことについて「深い失望」を表明した。安倍首相は、科学的根拠に基づく調査の必要性などを説明した。

The assertions of the two leaders remain far apart on this issue. But it is necessary for this issue not to damage the overall bilateral relationship.
　双方の主張の開きは大きいが、この問題が日豪関係全体を損なわないようにする必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2015)

産経記者判決 無分別な訴追終結を

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 18
EDITORIAL: Seoul should end impudent case against Japanese journalist
（社説）産経記者判決　無分別な訴追終結を

A South Korean court on Dec. 17 acquitted Tatsuya Kato, a former Seoul bureau chief for the Sankei Shimbun, who was indicted on a charge of defaming South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
　韓国大統領の名誉を傷つけたとして起訴された産経新聞の前ソウル支局長に対し、韓国の裁判所が無罪を言い渡した。

The ruling was all too appropriate considering that South Korean law guarantees freedom of speech.
言論の自由を保障した法に照らし、当然の判決である。

It was extraordinary in the first place for prosecutors, who exercise public authority, to indict a journalist just for writing an article that displeased the president.
　そもそも、大統領の気に入らない記事を書いたとしても、検察という公権力が記者を起訴すること自体が異常だった。

The Seoul Central District Court handed down a totally reasonable ruling by saying, “It is clear that freedom of speech should be respected because our nation has adopted a democratic system.”
　「わが国が民主主義制度をとっている以上、言論の自由を重視せねばならないのは明らかだ」とする判決は妥当である。

Prosecutors should swiftly accept the court decision without appealing it.
検察当局は控訴せず、速やかに判決を受け入れるべきだ。

The case concerned an article written by Kato that ran on the Sankei website in August 2014. It referred to a “rumor” that Park was with a former male aide and could not be reached for seven hours on April 16, 2014, the day of the Sewol ferry disaster.
　問題になったのは前支局長が昨年８月、ネット上に出した記事だ。旅客船沈没事故の際、所在不明になった朴槿恵（パククネ）大統領が男性と会っていたのでは、という「うわさ」を紹介した。

The presidential office reacted angrily to the article, pledging to “pursue the responsibility.” Prosecutors then started an investigation into the defamation allegations in response to a criminal complaint filed by a citizen organization and indicted Kato. He was long banned from leaving the country.
　これに大統領府が「責任を追及する」と公然と反発し、市民団体の告発を受ける形で検察が捜査し、起訴した。前支局長は長らく出国を禁じられた。

Under South Korean law, Kato would not have been indicted if President Park, the alleged victim of defamation, had said she didn’t wish for punishment against the Sankei journalist.
　韓国の法律では、被害者の朴氏が処罰を望まないと言えば、訴追は免れた。

But the fact is that the trial following the indictment lasted for as long as 14 months, leading to the Dec. 17 ruling. That leaves little doubt that Park herself wanted to see the journalist prosecuted.
起訴から１年２カ月間公判が続き、判決にまで至ったのは、朴氏自身が訴追を求めたからとみるべきだ。

Didn’t she give any thought to how badly South Korea’s democracy would be damaged by the prosecution of a reporter for a news organization just because of the wishes of the person in power?
　権力者の意向次第で報道機関の記者を訴追することが、韓国の民主主義にどんな禍根を残すか、考えなかったのか。

Unsurprisingly, journalist organizations of not only Japan but also other countries voiced strong concerns about the South Korean government’s legal action against Kato.
　日本のみならず、海外のジャーナリスト団体などからも、韓国政府に対し、強い懸念の声が相次いだのも当然だった。

Before the verdict was read out, the presiding judge revealed that the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs had asked the court to give consideration to Japan’s request for “appropriate handling” of the case.
　判決公判の冒頭で裁判長は、「善処」を求める日本の要望を考慮するよう、韓国外交省が裁判所に求めていたことを明らかにした。

It was an unusual move that can be interpreted as an attempt by the South Korean government to end the case, which has further strained bilateral relations and provoked international criticism.
異例の措置であり、韓国政府が日韓関係や国際批判などを考えて自ら決着を図ろうとしたとも受け取れる。

The Park administration should do serious soul-searching on its misguided move to prosecute a case that should never have been brought to court in the first place. By doing so, Seoul unnecessarily created a sticky political issue with serious diplomatic consequences.
　もともと公訴を提起すべきでない問題を、自ら政治問題化してしまった責任を、韓国政府は反省しなくてはならない。

Even without the case, relations between the Japanese and South Korean governments have soured badly in the past few years, casting dark shadows even on grass-roots exchanges between people of the two neighboring countries.
　それでなくとも近年の日韓関係は、政治の関係悪化により、市民交流にも暗い影が落ちている。

Both Tokyo and Seoul should restrain themselves from any action that could generate unnecessary diplomatic friction.
無用ないさかいを生んで外交問題にする振る舞いは、日韓両政府とも慎むべきである。

The court ruling, however, acknowledged that the former Sankei bureau chief was aware that the rumor he wrote about was false.
　一方、判決は記事が取り上げた「うわさ」について、虚偽であることを前支局長は認識していたと認定した。

The defense team stopped denying this allegation during the trial. This means the Sankei cannot claim to have fulfilled its responsibility as a news medium.
産経側も裁判の途中からそれに異を唱えなかった。報道機関としての責任をまっとうしたとは言えまい。

South Korea’s legal action against the Sankei reporter has been a festering sore in the relationship between the country and Japan.
　いずれにせよ、この問題は、日韓間の懸案の一つだったのは間違いない。

This case should be brought to an end quickly so that the two governments can concentrate on diplomatic efforts to resolve really important issues, like the “comfort women.”
一刻も早く終止符を打ち、両政府は慰安婦問題など大きな課題の解決に全神経を注ぐべきである。

衆院選制度改革 格差の是正へ党利党略を排せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Set aside party interests to narrow vote-value disparity in lower house
衆院選制度改革　格差の是正へ党利党略を排せ

Ruling and opposition parties should set aside party interests to narrow the vote-value disparity in the House of Representatives election and tackle the electoral system reform.
　衆院選の「１票の格差」の縮小へ、与野党は党利党略を排して、制度改革に取り組むべきだ。

A research panel of experts tasked with reform of the lower house electoral system has compiled a draft proposal for redistributing seats allocated to each prefecture by using the so-called Adams’ method to rectify the vote-value disparity in single-seat constituencies.
　衆院の選挙制度改革に関する有識者調査会が答申原案をまとめた。小選挙区の格差是正について、各都道府県の定数を「アダムズ方式」で配分し直すことを提案した。

According to the draft proposal, a total of seven constituency seats should be added in Tokyo and four other prefectures, while 13 other prefectures, including Aomori and Iwate, should lose one seat each. As a result, the maximum vote-value disparity at the prefectural level would be reduced to 1.621-to-1.
　定数は、東京都と４県で計７増加し、青森、岩手など１３県で１ずつ減る。都道府県間の格差は最大１・６２１倍となる。

The vote-value disparity in single-seat constituencies would also likely be reduced to less than 2-to-1, as called for by the law concerning the establishment of the council on rezoning the electoral districts of the lower house.
　小選挙区間の格差も、衆院選挙区画定審議会設置法の定める２倍未満に収まる見通しである。

The Adams’ method would be used in place of the current seat distribution system [which allots one seat to each prefecture and then decides, in proportion to the population, how many additional seats each prefecture should be allocated in the single-seat constituencies of the election]. The Adams’ method is said to be comparatively favorable to less populous prefectures and able to reduce the increase and decrease in the seats allocated to each prefecture to a narrow range. It also will be able to cope with a population decrease in the future to a certain extent. With the method, even Tottori Prefecture, whose population is the smallest on the prefectural level, would be able to maintain the two-seat allocation for the present.
　アダムズ方式は、「１人別枠方式」に代わるものだ。人口の少ない県に比較的有利とされ、都道府県の定数の増減を小幅に抑えられる。将来の人口減にも一定程度対応が可能で、最少の鳥取県も当面、定数２を維持できる。

The Adams’ method is a realistic one in terms of rectifying the vote-value disparity in consideration of local areas.
　地方に配慮しつつ、１票の格差を是正する観点で、現実的な方式と言えよう。

The Supreme Court handed down a ruling in late November that the lower house election in December last year, which had a maximum vote-value disparity of 2.13-to-1 in single-seat constituencies, was in a state of unconstitutionality. As the legislative body, the Diet must respond swiftly to the request from the judicial branch of government.
　最高裁は先月下旬、１票の格差が最大２・１３倍だった昨年１２月の衆院選を「違憲状態」と判断した。立法府として、司法の要請に速やかに応えねばなるまい。

Not all will be pleased

What is questionable is that the draft proposed eliminating six seats in the single-seat constituencies and eliminating four in the proportional representation blocks. The proposed reduction would take the number of lower house seats to a postwar low of 465.
　疑問なのは、答申原案が定数を小選挙区で６、比例選で４削減したことだ。衆院定数は戦後最少の４６５となる。

If the number of lower house seats is reduced, even just slightly, it would be difficult to reflect the diversity of public opinions in the election. Diet functions, such as lawmaker-initiated legislation and holding administrations to account through deliberations on bills, could be weaker. Originally, the number of legislators in proportion to the population was smaller in Japan than in the United States and European countries.
　小幅とはいえ、定数を減らせば、選挙で多様な民意を反映しにくくなる。議員立法や、法案審議を通じた行政監視など、立法府の能力が低下しかねない。そもそも日本の国会議員は人口比でみれば、欧米諸国より多くない。

Furthermore, the fewer seats there are, the more difficult the correction of the vote-value disparity becomes.
　さらに、定数を減らすほど、１票の格差是正が困難になる。

Even within the panel, there were voices pointing out the negative effects of reducing the number of seats. It is regrettable that the panel finally had no choice but to incorporate the assertions of main political parties that seek a drastic reduction in the seats.
　調査会内でも、定数削減の弊害を指摘する意見が少なくなかった。最終的に、定数の大幅削減を唱える主要政党の主張を取り入れざるを得なかったのは残念だ。

The panel is scheduled to submit its proposal to lower house Speaker Tadamori Oshima in early January. In June last year, each main party confirmed that they would “respect” the conclusion of the panel. However, some members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who were elected from less populated electoral districts have already expressed their opposition to the draft proposal.
　調査会は年明けに、大島議長に答申する。主要各党は昨年６月、調査会の結論を「尊重する」ことを確認している。だが、自民党内では早くも、地方選出議員らから答申原案への反発が出ている。

Electoral systems directly lead to the rise and fall of political parties. No plan can avoid every objection. The LDP should not cling to its own interests, but should play a leading role in drawing together the various opinions of each political party to reach a consensus.
　選挙制度は各党の消長に直結する。どんな案でも、異論は避けられない。自民党は、自らの利害に拘泥せず、各党の意見集約に主導的な役割を果たすべきだ。

Shifting to a new system requires revision of the Public Offices Election Law so that the content of the proposal can be reflected in the law. It also requires studying a new rezoning process. It will likely take more than a year to do so.
　新制度への移行には、答申内容を反映した公職選挙法の改正や区割りの見直し作業などが必要で、最低１年以上かかる見通しだ。

Ruling and opposition parties are urged to realize the electoral system reform with such a time schedule in mind.
　与野党は、こうした日程も踏まえて、選挙制度改革を実現することが求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2015)

無題

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Fed’s decision to increase rate ends unprecedented crisis response
米ゼロ金利解除　「出口」迎えた異例の危機対応

The United States has put an end to the situation in which monetary easing on an unprecedented scale was used to deal with the extraordinary financial crisis triggered by the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers.
　リーマン・ショックに端を発した未曽有の金融危機に、米国が空前の大規模緩和で対処する事態に終止符が打たれた。

We welcome the fact that the United States, the epicenter of the global financial crunch, has successfully met the challenge of reinvigorating its economy, to the point of being able to return to ordinary financial policy.
　危機の震源地である米国が、金融政策を平時の状態に戻せるまで、経済再生を果たしたことを歓迎したい。

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has decided on its first interest rate increase in 9½ years. Lifting the effectively zero-interest rate policy that was in place from the end of 2008, the Fed increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.25 percent and 0.50 percent per year from between zero and 0.25 percent.
　米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が、９年半ぶりの利上げを決めた。政策金利の誘導目標を年０～０・２５％から年０・２５～０・５０％に上げ、２００８年末から続く事実上のゼロ金利政策を解除した。

The expansionary phase of the U.S. economy has been continuing for a little more than six years so far, while the unemployment rate has shrunk to a pre-crisis level. Given the prospects for stability in the U.S. labor market and moderate price rises in the future, it is reasonable for the United States to break off the extraordinary monetary easing.
　米国の景気拡大局面は６年強に及び、失業率は危機前の水準に戻った。雇用安定や緩やかな物価上昇も見込める以上、異例の金融緩和を打ち切るのは妥当である。

Emerging economies have served as locomotives for the global economy since the crash, as plenty of funds flowed into them as a result of the easy money policies in Japan, the United States and Europe. Due caution should be exercised about the possibility of the U.S. interest rate raise causing a major transformation of this paradigm.
　危機後の世界経済は、日米欧の金融緩和で潤沢な資金が流入した新興国が牽引けんいんしてきた。米国の利上げによって、この構図が大きく転換することに注意が必要だ。

There can be no doubt that the world’s investment funds will lean toward fund management in dollars, expecting higher interest rates. Fears are being noted that the “monetary easing cash” that has flowed into emerging economies will flow backward in large quantities into the United States.
　世界の投資資金が、金利上昇を期待できるドルでの運用に傾くのは確実である。新興国に流れていた「緩和マネー」が、大量に米国へ逆流する恐れが指摘される。

Vigilance may be required against the risk of currencies and stock prices plunging precipitously in emerging economies, gravely shaking markets worldwide.
　新興国の通貨や株価が急落し、市場に深刻な動揺を招くリスクを十分警戒せねばなるまい。

Dialogue with markets

The continuing drops in crude oil prices are also a matter of concern. Because the finances of oil-producing countries have been increasingly severe, they have been withdrawing oil money from the markets. Should this outflow be coupled with the back-streaming of funds into the United States from emerging economies, the danger of turmoil in the world’s economy could arise.
　原油価格の下落も懸念材料だ。産油国の財政逼迫ひっぱくでオイルマネーが市場から引き揚げられている。緩和マネーの逆流が重なれば、混乱に拍車がかかりかねない。

Markets have mostly reacted favorably to the higher U.S. interest rate policy, as shown by sharp rises in stock prices both in Japan and the United States right after the Fed decision.
　ＦＲＢの決定の直後、日米の株価が大幅に上昇するなど、市場は利上げをおおむね好感した。

While many investors had factored in the U.S. lifting of the zero-interest rate policy in advance, the statement made by Fed Chair Janet Yellen suggesting future hikes will be coming slowly has also had a favorable impact.
　投資家の多くが事前にゼロ金利解除を織り込んでいたうえ、ＦＲＢのイエレン議長が、今後の利上げを緩やかなペースで進める考えを表明したのも奏功した。

There is no justification for being unprepared for future developments in “exit strategies” out of the monetary easing.
　だが、金融緩和の「出口戦略」の今後に、油断は禁物である。

The Fed should be as prudent as possible in steering its monetary policy. By engaging again and again in circumspect dialogues with the markets, it is imperative for the Fed to have the direction of its financial policy gradually spread through market players.
　ＦＲＢには、繊細な舵かじ取りが求められる。「市場との対話」を慎重に重ねて、金融政策の方向性を市場関係者に徐々に浸透させることが欠かせない。

It is important for emerging economies to redouble their efforts to enhance their attractiveness as investment destinations, to ensure that no excessive outflow of funds takes place. We hope to see them accelerate steps for structural reform, such as easing regulations to encourage the entry of capital from overseas.
　新興国側も、過度な資金流出が起きないよう、投資先としての魅力を高める努力が大切になる。外資の参入を促す規制緩和など構造改革を加速してもらいたい。

Regarding the effect the U.S. interest rate hike will have on Japan, Akira Amari, state minister in charge of economic revitalization, has stressed that higher U.S. rates “will be a plus for the Japanese economy in the medium to long term.” Further weakening of the yen and strengthening of the dollar are expected, boosting increases in Japan’s exports.
　甘利経済再生相は、利上げの日本への影響について「中長期的にプラスだ」と強調した。円安・ドル高が進み、輸出にさらに勢いがつく効果が期待できよう。

However, we cannot take our eyes off the danger of excessive depreciation of the yen causing import prices to increase so much they adversely affect businesses. The government must be sure to steadily put the economic growth policy into force, wasting no time in bringing about a self-sustained business recovery led by domestic demand.
　ただ、過度な円安が輸入物価を高騰させ、景気が悪化する危険性からも目が離せない。成長戦略を着実に実行し、内需主導の自律的な景気回復を急ぐべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2015)Speech