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(Mainichi Japan) September 27, 2008
Japan, U.S. must adopt impeccable safety measures for nuclear carrier deployment
社説：原子力空母配備 「安全」に日米政府は万全策を
The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington has arrived at its new home port of Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, the first U.S. nuclear carrier to be deployed to a home port outside the U.S.
米国の原子力空母ジョージ・ワシントン（ＧＷ）が２５日、神奈川県の米軍横須賀基地に配備された。原子力空母が米国外を母港とするのは初めてである。
The Navy published a 200-page comic book on the George Washington in April this year, aimed at assuaging the concerns of local residents. The comic book provides descriptions of the interior of the George Washington, its training regimen, and daily life on the aircraft carrier as it cruises from the U.S. to Yokosuka, and its hero is a Japanese-American sailor.
在日米海軍はＧＷを紹介する２００ページの漫画を作成、地元で配布した。発行は今年４月。日系米国人の新兵を主人公にし、米国から横須賀に向かうＧＷ艦内や訓練の様子、日常生活を描いたもので、原子力空母の配備に対する地元住民の不安を和らげるのが目的のようだ。
In one scene, the hero helps to extinguish a fire on board. The ship did in fact experience a fire off the coast of South America as it was bound for Japan -- but while the comic-book version of the fire had no effect on the vessel's operations, the real George Washington suffered 37 injuries to crew and was forced to undergo repairs, delaying its arrival at Yokosuka for over a month. The cause of the comic-book fire was an overheating washer-dryer, but the cause of the actual fire was more insidious -- a discarded cigarette.
漫画には、航行中のＧＷで火災が発生、主人公が消火に活躍する場面もある。
本物のＧＷは、日本に向けて南米沖を航行中の５月に実際に火災が発生し、３７人がけがをした。漫画では航行に影響はなかったが、本物は修理のため横須賀到着が予定より１カ月以上遅れる事態となった。原因も、漫画では洗濯乾燥機の過熱だったが、現実の火災はたばこの投げ捨てという悪質なものだった。
Since small problems and accidents on nuclear-powered vessels can potentially escalate into major crises involving local residents, it's only natural that the fire should have prompted the Japanese and U.S. governments to adopt a framework for preventing and responding to accidents.
原子力艦船は、小さなトラブルや事故が周辺住民を巻き込む重大事態に発展する可能性がある。火災事故を踏まえ、日米両政府が事故防止と発生に備えた十分な体制をとるのは当然だ。
In laying the groundwork for the deployment of the George Washington, the U.S. presented a fact sheet to the Japanese government in 2006 regarding the safety of nuclear-powered vessels. This document states repeatedly that accident scenarios including leaks of radioactive material are improbable, and adheres to the position that accidents will not happen. It also stresses that past port calls in Japan have never triggered spikes in radiation levels in the environment.
米国はＧＷ配備を控え、０６年に原子力軍艦の安全性に関する「ファクトシート」を日本政府に提示した。この文書は放射性物質の放出などの「事故が起こるシナリオは極めて非現実的」などと繰り返し、事故は起きないという立場に貫かれている。日本への過去の寄港で、環境中の「放射能の増加をまったく引き起こしていない」とも強調している。
But such statements are viewed with a strong dose of skepticism. In May 1968, when the nuclear submarine USS Swordfish called at the port of Sasebo in Nagasaki, a Japanese radiation monitoring boat detected radiation near the submarine 10 to 20 times above normal levels; and after the nuclear submarine USS Honolulu departed from Yokosuka Naval Base in September 2006, cobalt-58 and cobalt-60 were detected in the seas nearby.
しかし、これを疑問視する声は強い。６８年５月、原潜ソードフィッシュが長崎・佐世保港に入港時、日本の放射能監視艇が原潜周辺で通常の１０～２０倍の放射能を測定した。０６年９月には、原潜ホノルルが横須賀基地を出港後、周辺海域でコバルト５８とコバルト６０が検出された。
In both cases, the U.S. denied that the radiation had any connection to the nuclear submarines, and efforts to get at the truth have been sidetracked. Last month, it was learned that the nuclear submarine USS Houston had also leaked radioactive coolant water when it was docked off White Beach in Okinawa, and when it visited Sasebo Port between June 2006 and July 2008.
いずれも、米国側は原潜との関係を否定し、真相の究明はうやむやになっている。先月には、沖縄・ホワイトビーチ沖に停泊し、佐世保港に寄港した原潜ヒューストンで、０６年６月から今年７月にかけて放射性物質を含む冷却水が漏れていたことも判明した。
The Japanese response has been muffled by the U.S. military's wall of secrecy. When a nuclear submarine visited Japan for the first time in 1964, the U.S. government issued a statement declaring that it "would not provide technological information," and not allow "boarding of the submarine for the purpose of acquiring technological information." Japan's Foreign Ministry had no alternative but to rely on U.S. statements when providing information on leaks from the Houston.
日本側の対応を制約しているのが、米軍の軍事機密の壁である。原潜が初めて日本に寄港した６４年、米政府は声明で「技術上の情報を提供しない」し、「技術情報入手の目的で乗船するのを許可しない」と宣言している。ヒューストンの放射能漏れに関する情報も、外務省は米側の連絡をそのまま発表する以外に手だてはなかった。
But in the event of an accident, or if there is suspicion that an accident has occurred, it would be inadequate to simply rely on notices from the U.S. military. The Japanese government should discuss sufficient responses with the U.S. government including boarding of the vessels. Otherwise, the concerns of local residents cannot be sufficiently addressed.
事故が発生したり、その疑いがある場合には、米軍からの通報だけに頼るのでは不十分である。日本政府は、「立ち入り」を含めた十分な対応を米政府と取り決めるべきだ。そうでなければ、住民の不安に応えることはできない。
毎日新聞 2008年9月26日 0時06分
Japan, U.S. must adopt impeccable safety measures for nuclear carrier deployment
社説：原子力空母配備 「安全」に日米政府は万全策を
The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington has arrived at its new home port of Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, the first U.S. nuclear carrier to be deployed to a home port outside the U.S.
米国の原子力空母ジョージ・ワシントン（ＧＷ）が２５日、神奈川県の米軍横須賀基地に配備された。原子力空母が米国外を母港とするのは初めてである。
The Navy published a 200-page comic book on the George Washington in April this year, aimed at assuaging the concerns of local residents. The comic book provides descriptions of the interior of the George Washington, its training regimen, and daily life on the aircraft carrier as it cruises from the U.S. to Yokosuka, and its hero is a Japanese-American sailor.
在日米海軍はＧＷを紹介する２００ページの漫画を作成、地元で配布した。発行は今年４月。日系米国人の新兵を主人公にし、米国から横須賀に向かうＧＷ艦内や訓練の様子、日常生活を描いたもので、原子力空母の配備に対する地元住民の不安を和らげるのが目的のようだ。
In one scene, the hero helps to extinguish a fire on board. The ship did in fact experience a fire off the coast of South America as it was bound for Japan -- but while the comic-book version of the fire had no effect on the vessel's operations, the real George Washington suffered 37 injuries to crew and was forced to undergo repairs, delaying its arrival at Yokosuka for over a month. The cause of the comic-book fire was an overheating washer-dryer, but the cause of the actual fire was more insidious -- a discarded cigarette.
漫画には、航行中のＧＷで火災が発生、主人公が消火に活躍する場面もある。
本物のＧＷは、日本に向けて南米沖を航行中の５月に実際に火災が発生し、３７人がけがをした。漫画では航行に影響はなかったが、本物は修理のため横須賀到着が予定より１カ月以上遅れる事態となった。原因も、漫画では洗濯乾燥機の過熱だったが、現実の火災はたばこの投げ捨てという悪質なものだった。
Since small problems and accidents on nuclear-powered vessels can potentially escalate into major crises involving local residents, it's only natural that the fire should have prompted the Japanese and U.S. governments to adopt a framework for preventing and responding to accidents.
原子力艦船は、小さなトラブルや事故が周辺住民を巻き込む重大事態に発展する可能性がある。火災事故を踏まえ、日米両政府が事故防止と発生に備えた十分な体制をとるのは当然だ。
In laying the groundwork for the deployment of the George Washington, the U.S. presented a fact sheet to the Japanese government in 2006 regarding the safety of nuclear-powered vessels. This document states repeatedly that accident scenarios including leaks of radioactive material are improbable, and adheres to the position that accidents will not happen. It also stresses that past port calls in Japan have never triggered spikes in radiation levels in the environment.
米国はＧＷ配備を控え、０６年に原子力軍艦の安全性に関する「ファクトシート」を日本政府に提示した。この文書は放射性物質の放出などの「事故が起こるシナリオは極めて非現実的」などと繰り返し、事故は起きないという立場に貫かれている。日本への過去の寄港で、環境中の「放射能の増加をまったく引き起こしていない」とも強調している。
But such statements are viewed with a strong dose of skepticism. In May 1968, when the nuclear submarine USS Swordfish called at the port of Sasebo in Nagasaki, a Japanese radiation monitoring boat detected radiation near the submarine 10 to 20 times above normal levels; and after the nuclear submarine USS Honolulu departed from Yokosuka Naval Base in September 2006, cobalt-58 and cobalt-60 were detected in the seas nearby.
しかし、これを疑問視する声は強い。６８年５月、原潜ソードフィッシュが長崎・佐世保港に入港時、日本の放射能監視艇が原潜周辺で通常の１０～２０倍の放射能を測定した。０６年９月には、原潜ホノルルが横須賀基地を出港後、周辺海域でコバルト５８とコバルト６０が検出された。
In both cases, the U.S. denied that the radiation had any connection to the nuclear submarines, and efforts to get at the truth have been sidetracked. Last month, it was learned that the nuclear submarine USS Houston had also leaked radioactive coolant water when it was docked off White Beach in Okinawa, and when it visited Sasebo Port between June 2006 and July 2008.
いずれも、米国側は原潜との関係を否定し、真相の究明はうやむやになっている。先月には、沖縄・ホワイトビーチ沖に停泊し、佐世保港に寄港した原潜ヒューストンで、０６年６月から今年７月にかけて放射性物質を含む冷却水が漏れていたことも判明した。
The Japanese response has been muffled by the U.S. military's wall of secrecy. When a nuclear submarine visited Japan for the first time in 1964, the U.S. government issued a statement declaring that it "would not provide technological information," and not allow "boarding of the submarine for the purpose of acquiring technological information." Japan's Foreign Ministry had no alternative but to rely on U.S. statements when providing information on leaks from the Houston.
日本側の対応を制約しているのが、米軍の軍事機密の壁である。原潜が初めて日本に寄港した６４年、米政府は声明で「技術上の情報を提供しない」し、「技術情報入手の目的で乗船するのを許可しない」と宣言している。ヒューストンの放射能漏れに関する情報も、外務省は米側の連絡をそのまま発表する以外に手だてはなかった。
But in the event of an accident, or if there is suspicion that an accident has occurred, it would be inadequate to simply rely on notices from the U.S. military. The Japanese government should discuss sufficient responses with the U.S. government including boarding of the vessels. Otherwise, the concerns of local residents cannot be sufficiently addressed.
事故が発生したり、その疑いがある場合には、米軍からの通報だけに頼るのでは不十分である。日本政府は、「立ち入り」を含めた十分な対応を米政府と取り決めるべきだ。そうでなければ、住民の不安に応えることはできない。
毎日新聞 2008年9月26日 0時06分
PR
(Sep. 29, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun
Nakayama's remarks immoderate, costly
中山国交相辞任 節度を欠いた発言だった（9月29日付・読売社説）
Too much water drowns the miller. Even when expounding one's opinions as a politician, one must not forget one's position as a cabinet member and keep on making remarks beyond the limits of reasonableness.
過ぎたるはなお及ばざるがごとし、ということだろう。政治家として持論を展開するにしても、閣僚としての立場を忘れて、矩(のり)をこえた発言を連発してはなるまい。
Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama resigned Sunday to take responsibility of a series of verbal gaffes, including his description of those who have engaged in years of struggle against the expansion of Narita Airport as "squeaky wheels."
中山成彬国土交通相が２８日、成田空港拡張への反対を「ごね得」などとした一連の発言の責任をとって辞任した。
Nakayama retracted parts of his remarks, but he reiterated, "I've been thinking the Japan Teachers Union should be disbanded."
中山氏はいったん発言を部分的に撤回した後も、「日教組はぶっ壊す」などと繰り返していた。
The first Diet debates under the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso will start Monday. The opposition parties were unanimous demanding Nakayama's resignation or dismissal. Nakayama's resignation seems to be aimed at minimizing any ill effects on the extraordinary Diet session and the planned House of Representatives election.
麻生新内閣として初の国会論戦が２９日から始まる。野党は辞任や罷免を要求していた。国交相辞任は、国会や衆院選への影響を最小限にとどめるためだろう。
As for a delay in Narita Airport development, Nakayama said: "More or less squeaky wheels, or I believe they are [the product] of bad postwar education. It is very regrettable that the airport has not been able to expand in a milieu in which people lack the spirit of sacrificing themselves to a degree for the sake of the public good and think it good if they care only about themselves."
中山氏は、成田空港整備の遅れについて、「ごね得というか、戦後教育が悪かった。公のためにはある程度自分を犠牲にしてでも、というのがなくて、自分さえよければという風潮の中で、空港拡張もできなかった」と述べた。
===
Accurate, but undiplomatic
In general, the climate Nakayama described seems to exist. In the case of the Narita Airport issue, there is no denying that opposition to the project has harmed the public interest--to construct and maintain an airport that is safe and equipped with sufficient landing capacity.
一般的に、中山氏の言うような「風潮」は、なくはないだろう。成田空港の場合、反対派の運動がこれまで、安全で十分な発着能力をもつ空港を整備するという「公共の利益」を損ねてきたことも、また、否定できない。
However, describing them as "squeaky wheels" is questionable. As the person responsible for the nation's airport administration that requires dialogue with local residents, it was an inappropriate remark.
だが、「ごね得」というのはいかがか。地元との対話が必要な空港行政の責任者としては、不適切な発言だろう。
As for the recent bribery scandal involving education board officials and teachers in Oita Prefecture, Nakayama said: "The children of Japan Teachers Union [members] can become teachers even if their grades are bad. That's why scholastic ability in Oita Prefecture is low."
Also, he said: "One of the reasons I have proposed to conduct the nationwide academic achievement examination [for primary sixth-graders and middle school third-graders] was that I thought academic ability could be poor in areas where the teachers union has strong influence. Therefore, I think that the role of conducting the nationwide academic achievement examinations has come to an end."
中山氏は、大分県教育委員会の汚職事件に関して、「日教組の子どもは成績が悪くても先生になる。だから大分県の学力は低い」「私が全国学力テストを提唱したのも、日教組の強いところは学力が低いと思ったからだ。だから学力テストを実施する役目は終わったと思う」と語った。
Nakayama has criticized the Japan Teachers Union, saying that they do not teach students about the national flag and the national anthem, and oppose moral education.
中山氏は「国旗・国歌も教えない」「道徳教育に反対している」などとして日教組を批判した。
===
Beyond his authority
Even if his remarks may have a point, the educational issue is not under the jurisdiction of the construction and transport minister.
的を射ている点もあるとしても、教育にかかわる問題は、国交相の所管外のことだろう。
By saying that the role of the nationwide academic achievement examination has come to an end, Nakayama especially cannot avoid being blamed for his imprudence.
とくに、全国学力テストは役割を終えたというのは、軽率のそしりを免れない。
The examination, now in its second year since the Education, Science and Technology Ministry resumed administering it in 2007, has now reached the stage at which its results, at last, are about to be used to improve students' academic performances.
今年２回目が実施された学力テストは、ようやく、そのデータを学力向上に本格活用していく段階にあるからだ。
As for the government's tourism policy, Nakayama blurted out an apparent factual error, saying, "Japan is very introverted, or what may be called ethnically homogenous, or rather it tends to be inward-looking."
観光政策に関して、「日本は随分内向きな、単一民族」と口を滑らせた。明らかな事実誤認だ。
The Aso administration's record has been marred by the scandal of the Cabinet minister's resignation only five days after its launch.
内閣発足５日目にして、閣僚辞任という不祥事で、新政権は出端(ではな)をくじかれた形だ。
Aso must immediately seek to tighten discipline and manage the political situation.
麻生首相は、早急にタガを締め直し、政局運営にあたることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2008)
（2008年9月29日01時54分 読売新聞）
Nakayama's remarks immoderate, costly
中山国交相辞任 節度を欠いた発言だった（9月29日付・読売社説）
Too much water drowns the miller. Even when expounding one's opinions as a politician, one must not forget one's position as a cabinet member and keep on making remarks beyond the limits of reasonableness.
過ぎたるはなお及ばざるがごとし、ということだろう。政治家として持論を展開するにしても、閣僚としての立場を忘れて、矩(のり)をこえた発言を連発してはなるまい。
Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama resigned Sunday to take responsibility of a series of verbal gaffes, including his description of those who have engaged in years of struggle against the expansion of Narita Airport as "squeaky wheels."
中山成彬国土交通相が２８日、成田空港拡張への反対を「ごね得」などとした一連の発言の責任をとって辞任した。
Nakayama retracted parts of his remarks, but he reiterated, "I've been thinking the Japan Teachers Union should be disbanded."
中山氏はいったん発言を部分的に撤回した後も、「日教組はぶっ壊す」などと繰り返していた。
The first Diet debates under the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso will start Monday. The opposition parties were unanimous demanding Nakayama's resignation or dismissal. Nakayama's resignation seems to be aimed at minimizing any ill effects on the extraordinary Diet session and the planned House of Representatives election.
麻生新内閣として初の国会論戦が２９日から始まる。野党は辞任や罷免を要求していた。国交相辞任は、国会や衆院選への影響を最小限にとどめるためだろう。
As for a delay in Narita Airport development, Nakayama said: "More or less squeaky wheels, or I believe they are [the product] of bad postwar education. It is very regrettable that the airport has not been able to expand in a milieu in which people lack the spirit of sacrificing themselves to a degree for the sake of the public good and think it good if they care only about themselves."
中山氏は、成田空港整備の遅れについて、「ごね得というか、戦後教育が悪かった。公のためにはある程度自分を犠牲にしてでも、というのがなくて、自分さえよければという風潮の中で、空港拡張もできなかった」と述べた。
===
Accurate, but undiplomatic
In general, the climate Nakayama described seems to exist. In the case of the Narita Airport issue, there is no denying that opposition to the project has harmed the public interest--to construct and maintain an airport that is safe and equipped with sufficient landing capacity.
一般的に、中山氏の言うような「風潮」は、なくはないだろう。成田空港の場合、反対派の運動がこれまで、安全で十分な発着能力をもつ空港を整備するという「公共の利益」を損ねてきたことも、また、否定できない。
However, describing them as "squeaky wheels" is questionable. As the person responsible for the nation's airport administration that requires dialogue with local residents, it was an inappropriate remark.
だが、「ごね得」というのはいかがか。地元との対話が必要な空港行政の責任者としては、不適切な発言だろう。
As for the recent bribery scandal involving education board officials and teachers in Oita Prefecture, Nakayama said: "The children of Japan Teachers Union [members] can become teachers even if their grades are bad. That's why scholastic ability in Oita Prefecture is low."
Also, he said: "One of the reasons I have proposed to conduct the nationwide academic achievement examination [for primary sixth-graders and middle school third-graders] was that I thought academic ability could be poor in areas where the teachers union has strong influence. Therefore, I think that the role of conducting the nationwide academic achievement examinations has come to an end."
中山氏は、大分県教育委員会の汚職事件に関して、「日教組の子どもは成績が悪くても先生になる。だから大分県の学力は低い」「私が全国学力テストを提唱したのも、日教組の強いところは学力が低いと思ったからだ。だから学力テストを実施する役目は終わったと思う」と語った。
Nakayama has criticized the Japan Teachers Union, saying that they do not teach students about the national flag and the national anthem, and oppose moral education.
中山氏は「国旗・国歌も教えない」「道徳教育に反対している」などとして日教組を批判した。
===
Beyond his authority
Even if his remarks may have a point, the educational issue is not under the jurisdiction of the construction and transport minister.
的を射ている点もあるとしても、教育にかかわる問題は、国交相の所管外のことだろう。
By saying that the role of the nationwide academic achievement examination has come to an end, Nakayama especially cannot avoid being blamed for his imprudence.
とくに、全国学力テストは役割を終えたというのは、軽率のそしりを免れない。
The examination, now in its second year since the Education, Science and Technology Ministry resumed administering it in 2007, has now reached the stage at which its results, at last, are about to be used to improve students' academic performances.
今年２回目が実施された学力テストは、ようやく、そのデータを学力向上に本格活用していく段階にあるからだ。
As for the government's tourism policy, Nakayama blurted out an apparent factual error, saying, "Japan is very introverted, or what may be called ethnically homogenous, or rather it tends to be inward-looking."
観光政策に関して、「日本は随分内向きな、単一民族」と口を滑らせた。明らかな事実誤認だ。
The Aso administration's record has been marred by the scandal of the Cabinet minister's resignation only five days after its launch.
内閣発足５日目にして、閣僚辞任という不祥事で、新政権は出端(ではな)をくじかれた形だ。
Aso must immediately seek to tighten discipline and manage the political situation.
麻生首相は、早急にタガを締め直し、政局運営にあたることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2008)
（2008年9月29日01時54分 読売新聞）
中山国交相の失言に関する報道はめずらしく各社で足並みが揃っていない。
最初は２７日の朝日社説、それから２８日の日経社説と毎日英語版で記事をみかけた。
最初にこの朝日社説の日本語版を読むと、その下の毎日英語版の記事が理解しやすいと思います。（スラチャイ）
朝日社説：
中山国交相―首相の門出にこの放言 晴れの大臣就任で、つい口が滑らかになりすぎたのか。中山成彬国土交通相が、就任２日目の報道機関のインタビューで驚くべき発言を連発した。
成田空港の整備の遅れにどう対応するかを問われ、中山氏はこう答えた。
「ごね得というか戦後教育が悪かったと思うが、公のためにはある程度自分を犠牲にしてでもというのがなくて、自分さえよければという風潮のなかで空港拡張もできなかった」
整備が遅れた理由に住民らの反対運動があるのはその通りだ。だが、その背景に、住民らに十分な説明をしないまま機動隊を使って強制的に土地収用を繰り返した政府の重い失政があったことを、いまは政府も認めている。
そんな政界の常識さえ身につけていないことにあきれる。しかも中山氏は空港行政の最高責任者だ。
大分県教委の汚職事件については、こう言い放った。「日教組の子供は成績悪くても先生になる。だから大分県の学力は低いんだよ。私がなぜ全国学力テストを提唱したかといえば、日教組の強いところは学力低いんじゃないかと思ったから。現にそうだよ」
中山氏は文部科学相当時、全国学力調査を導入する旗を振った。その目的を「競い合う心を育てるため」などと説明してきたが、どうやらそれはごまかしだったようだ。
それにしても、毎年ざっと６０億円もの費用がかかる全国学力調査を日教組憎しで導入したというのだから、自民党政権というのは豪儀なものである。
外国人旅行者をどう増やすかの質問に関連しては、こんな発言もあった。「日本はずいぶん内向きな、単一民族といいますか……」
わずか３カ月前、アイヌ民族を日本の先住民族として認めるべきだという歴史的な国会決議が全会一致で採択された。国会の総意として、先住民族の名誉と尊厳を守っていこうと誓ったのだが、中山氏は反対だったのか。
中山氏はこれらの発言を「誤解を招いた」と撤回した。だが、どれも閣僚としてという前に、国会議員としての資質を疑わせる発言である。
中山氏は文科相時代にも「歴史教科書から従軍慰安婦や強制連行という言葉が減ってきたのは本当によかった」「そもそも従軍慰安婦という言葉はなかった」などの発言を連発した。
そんな中山氏を閣僚に任命した麻生首相自身、数々の失言で物議をかもした過去を持つ。総裁選の際「いつも寸止めで踏みとどまってきた」と冗談交じりに語ったが、寸止めならいいということではあるまい。
堂本暁子千葉県知事をはじめ、きのうの国交省は抗議ラッシュの様相だった。内閣支持率は４８％。首相が国連で外交デビューを飾ったその日にこの体たらくでは、先が思いやられる。
毎日英語版：
(Mainichi Japan) September 28, 2008
Nakayama's foot-in-mouth antics already casting doubt on Aso's Cabinet
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Nariaki Nakayama remarked that some residents near Narita Airport refused to sell their land for the airport construction because they thought there would be more gain by holding out. He later retracted and apologized for his remarks, but it's not enough to settle the controversy he sparked.
His misconceptions and lack of proper understanding of the role of the ministry he supervises has raised questions as to whether he is qualified to serve as a Cabinet minister, and over the insight of Prime Minister Taro Aso, who appointed him.
Regarding Narita Airport, Nakayama remarked: "When I came home in 1978, I landed at the airport. Since then, there had been only one lane (runway) for many years, and it's a pity for Japan. Many held out, expecting more gain. I think it's one of the problems of post-war education. They lack public-mindedness. They have no desire to make a certain self-sacrifice for the benefit of the public, and think only of their own benefit, making it hard to expand the airport. It's a real shame."
Local residents opposing the Narita Airport construction project, which began in 1960s, were in bitter conflict with the national government from the start. Through negotiations with local residents at round-table talks and other places, the government admitted in 1995 that it was at fault for attempting to force the project through, and offered an apology.
In the apology, the government admitted its responsibility for the problem, and local residents have no reason to be criticized for holding out for more.
He failed to probe relations between the lack of public-mindedness and problems involving post-war education, and the dispute over the airport, and apparently made the remarks based on his groundless impressions -- and which could damage the mutual trust that local residents and the ministry have nurtured for many years through their efforts.
Nakayama then trained his sights on the Japan Teachers Union (JTU), and said: "The children of JTU members can become teachers even if their grades (in recruitment exams) are poor. Therefore, academic ability in Oita Prefecture is low," in an apparent reference to a bribery scandal involving recruitment of public school teachers in the prefecture.
"I proposed a nationwide academic aptitude test because I thought academic levels in areas where the JTU hold sway are low. Now I know it's true, so there's no longer any point in conducting such tests," he continued.
Nakayama proposed the test during his tenure as education, culture, sports, science and technology minister in the Cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. Such an examination should be aimed at improving the academic levels of schoolchildren as a whole. However, he wanted to use it to prove a correlation between the JTU and low academic levels; which he failed to do. Claiming that "there is no longer any point in conducting such tests" -- as the minister who introduced the scheme, costing the government billions of yen a year -- is incredibly imprudent and irresponsible.
Regarding tourism policy, his remark that Japan is an ethnically homogeneous country has also been criticized for being a misconception.
This is not the first time that Nakayama's remarks have stirred controversy. One cannot help but wonder whether, Prime Minister Aso thought carefully about the selection of his Cabinet members and whether he really placed the right people in the right posts, as he said when he announced his Cabinet lineup.
This latest string of gaffes has raised doubts among a disappointed public. The government is faced with many outstanding issues, and Cabinet members are required to do their best to fulfill their duties, regardless of whether a general election will be called in the near future.
With the revolving-door nature of the top ministry posts in recent years, the Cabinet's trustworthiness as the top body of the executive branch of the government has been called into question.
The prime minister should instruct Cabinet ministers to properly understand policy issues they are supposed to tackle, and take a resolute action against any problem like the recent gaffe.
最初は２７日の朝日社説、それから２８日の日経社説と毎日英語版で記事をみかけた。
最初にこの朝日社説の日本語版を読むと、その下の毎日英語版の記事が理解しやすいと思います。（スラチャイ）
朝日社説：
中山国交相―首相の門出にこの放言 晴れの大臣就任で、つい口が滑らかになりすぎたのか。中山成彬国土交通相が、就任２日目の報道機関のインタビューで驚くべき発言を連発した。
成田空港の整備の遅れにどう対応するかを問われ、中山氏はこう答えた。
「ごね得というか戦後教育が悪かったと思うが、公のためにはある程度自分を犠牲にしてでもというのがなくて、自分さえよければという風潮のなかで空港拡張もできなかった」
整備が遅れた理由に住民らの反対運動があるのはその通りだ。だが、その背景に、住民らに十分な説明をしないまま機動隊を使って強制的に土地収用を繰り返した政府の重い失政があったことを、いまは政府も認めている。
そんな政界の常識さえ身につけていないことにあきれる。しかも中山氏は空港行政の最高責任者だ。
大分県教委の汚職事件については、こう言い放った。「日教組の子供は成績悪くても先生になる。だから大分県の学力は低いんだよ。私がなぜ全国学力テストを提唱したかといえば、日教組の強いところは学力低いんじゃないかと思ったから。現にそうだよ」
中山氏は文部科学相当時、全国学力調査を導入する旗を振った。その目的を「競い合う心を育てるため」などと説明してきたが、どうやらそれはごまかしだったようだ。
それにしても、毎年ざっと６０億円もの費用がかかる全国学力調査を日教組憎しで導入したというのだから、自民党政権というのは豪儀なものである。
外国人旅行者をどう増やすかの質問に関連しては、こんな発言もあった。「日本はずいぶん内向きな、単一民族といいますか……」
わずか３カ月前、アイヌ民族を日本の先住民族として認めるべきだという歴史的な国会決議が全会一致で採択された。国会の総意として、先住民族の名誉と尊厳を守っていこうと誓ったのだが、中山氏は反対だったのか。
中山氏はこれらの発言を「誤解を招いた」と撤回した。だが、どれも閣僚としてという前に、国会議員としての資質を疑わせる発言である。
中山氏は文科相時代にも「歴史教科書から従軍慰安婦や強制連行という言葉が減ってきたのは本当によかった」「そもそも従軍慰安婦という言葉はなかった」などの発言を連発した。
そんな中山氏を閣僚に任命した麻生首相自身、数々の失言で物議をかもした過去を持つ。総裁選の際「いつも寸止めで踏みとどまってきた」と冗談交じりに語ったが、寸止めならいいということではあるまい。
堂本暁子千葉県知事をはじめ、きのうの国交省は抗議ラッシュの様相だった。内閣支持率は４８％。首相が国連で外交デビューを飾ったその日にこの体たらくでは、先が思いやられる。
毎日英語版：
(Mainichi Japan) September 28, 2008
Nakayama's foot-in-mouth antics already casting doubt on Aso's Cabinet
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Nariaki Nakayama remarked that some residents near Narita Airport refused to sell their land for the airport construction because they thought there would be more gain by holding out. He later retracted and apologized for his remarks, but it's not enough to settle the controversy he sparked.
His misconceptions and lack of proper understanding of the role of the ministry he supervises has raised questions as to whether he is qualified to serve as a Cabinet minister, and over the insight of Prime Minister Taro Aso, who appointed him.
Regarding Narita Airport, Nakayama remarked: "When I came home in 1978, I landed at the airport. Since then, there had been only one lane (runway) for many years, and it's a pity for Japan. Many held out, expecting more gain. I think it's one of the problems of post-war education. They lack public-mindedness. They have no desire to make a certain self-sacrifice for the benefit of the public, and think only of their own benefit, making it hard to expand the airport. It's a real shame."
Local residents opposing the Narita Airport construction project, which began in 1960s, were in bitter conflict with the national government from the start. Through negotiations with local residents at round-table talks and other places, the government admitted in 1995 that it was at fault for attempting to force the project through, and offered an apology.
In the apology, the government admitted its responsibility for the problem, and local residents have no reason to be criticized for holding out for more.
He failed to probe relations between the lack of public-mindedness and problems involving post-war education, and the dispute over the airport, and apparently made the remarks based on his groundless impressions -- and which could damage the mutual trust that local residents and the ministry have nurtured for many years through their efforts.
Nakayama then trained his sights on the Japan Teachers Union (JTU), and said: "The children of JTU members can become teachers even if their grades (in recruitment exams) are poor. Therefore, academic ability in Oita Prefecture is low," in an apparent reference to a bribery scandal involving recruitment of public school teachers in the prefecture.
"I proposed a nationwide academic aptitude test because I thought academic levels in areas where the JTU hold sway are low. Now I know it's true, so there's no longer any point in conducting such tests," he continued.
Nakayama proposed the test during his tenure as education, culture, sports, science and technology minister in the Cabinet of Junichiro Koizumi. Such an examination should be aimed at improving the academic levels of schoolchildren as a whole. However, he wanted to use it to prove a correlation between the JTU and low academic levels; which he failed to do. Claiming that "there is no longer any point in conducting such tests" -- as the minister who introduced the scheme, costing the government billions of yen a year -- is incredibly imprudent and irresponsible.
Regarding tourism policy, his remark that Japan is an ethnically homogeneous country has also been criticized for being a misconception.
This is not the first time that Nakayama's remarks have stirred controversy. One cannot help but wonder whether, Prime Minister Aso thought carefully about the selection of his Cabinet members and whether he really placed the right people in the right posts, as he said when he announced his Cabinet lineup.
This latest string of gaffes has raised doubts among a disappointed public. The government is faced with many outstanding issues, and Cabinet members are required to do their best to fulfill their duties, regardless of whether a general election will be called in the near future.
With the revolving-door nature of the top ministry posts in recent years, the Cabinet's trustworthiness as the top body of the executive branch of the government has been called into question.
The prime minister should instruct Cabinet ministers to properly understand policy issues they are supposed to tackle, and take a resolute action against any problem like the recent gaffe.
(Sep. 28, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun
Unclear what Masuzoe means by 'drastic review'
後期高齢者医療 意味不明な「抜本的見直し」（9月28日付・読売社説）
The government and ruling parties have been blowing hot and cold over the new medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older.
後期高齢者医療制度をめぐって、政府・与党が迷走している。
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe proposed a drastic review of the system, and Prime Minister Taro Aso backed the idea. However, it is not clear what such a "review" would mean in effect, and some lawmakers even within the ruling parties oppose the move.
舛添厚生労働相が、現行制度を抜本的に見直すとの方針を表明し、麻生首相も同調した。だが、「見直し」が何を意味するか判然とせず、与党にも反発が強い。
The Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito referred to the system in their latest agreement to maintain the coalition government, saying they would try to improve the system by taking into consideration elderly people's feelings about it.
自民党と公明党の政権合意では「高齢者の心情に配慮して、より良い制度に改善する」という表現にとどまった。
It goes without saying that governments should strive to improve every policy and system. But this is different from drastically reviewing them.
すべての施策や制度は絶えず改善することが必要だ。しかし、抜本的見直しとは話が違う。
===
Proposal ill thought out
Masuzoe said his proposal focuses on three principles: not distinguishing those insured only by their age; changing the current system of mandatorily deducting insurance premium payments from participants' pension accounts to a voluntary system; and ensuring that any changes to be made do not exacerbate feelings of inequity between working people and retirees receiving insurance premium payments.
舛添厚労相は後期高齢者医療制度の見直しについて、ポイントを掲げている。加入者を年齢のみで区分しない、年金からの保険料天引きを強制しない、世代間の対立を助長しない、の３点だ。
The first point may be the most important. The current system was intended to create a united medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older, whose medical fees have increased steeply in recent years, and to support aged people equally, notwithstanding the fact that working generations subscribe to various corporate health insurance plans.
特に問題となるのは、年齢で区分しない、とする点だろう。
医療費が急激に増える７５歳以上の人を対象に、統一した医療保険制度を作り、現役世代は様々な健保組合に属していても公平に高齢者全体を支えよう、というのが現行制度の精神である。
If the government and ruling parties decide to do away with the new system's age-bracket provisions because they worry overly that elderly people aged 75 and older have loudly protested against being described as koki koreisha (late-stage elderly people)--as the system refers to them--they will have to rebuild the system from scratch.
「後期高齢者」という呼称が招いた感情的な反発に配慮するあまり、年齢区分そのものを否定するのならば、制度の根幹から作り直さなければならない。
If those who continue to work regardless of their age are allowed to subscribe to corporate health insurance plans as members of the working generations, the government and ruling parties will merely have broadened the options of such people. This does not go beyond the framework of system improvement.
何歳になっても働き続けている人は現役として企業健保に所属できる、というのなら、選択肢を広げるだけで制度改善の範疇(はんちゅう)だ。
It is difficult to describe the first of the three points of Masuzoe's proposal--not distinguishing between those insured in regard to their age bracket--as a "drastic review" because an "improvement" is not the same as a "drastic review."
全く次元の異なる話であり、同じ「見直し」とは呼び難い。
===
Alternative plan needed
The third point--aiming at a system that will not worsen feelings of inequity between working people and retirees--also is unclear. After all, the health insurance system for elderly people that lasted until fiscal 2007 hit a wall due to ambiguous rules on sharing burdens between working people and retirees.
世代間の対立を助長しない制度をめざす、という点も意味不明である。昨年度までの老人保健制度は、世代間の負担のルールがあいまいだったために、行き詰まったのではなかったか。
Masuzoe said he intends to ask an expert panel to discuss the makeup of an ideal new system from square one. But there are too many ambiguous points of contention.
舛添厚労相は、有識者会議に一から議論を委ねるという。不透明な論点があまりに多い。
In a Yomiuri Shimbun poll held immediately after the launch of the Aso Cabinet, 67.5 percent of respondents said they highly evaluated the agreement between the LDP and New Komeito to review the new medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older. This figure reflects people's dissatisfaction with the current situation.
麻生内閣発足に合わせて読売新聞が行った世論調査では、自公両党が後期高齢者医療制度の見直しに合意したことを６７・５％の人が「評価する」とした。現状に対する不満を反映した数字だろう。
But merely parroting the vague slogan "review" without offering a clear future vision can only be seen as a vote-catching gambit ahead of the forthcoming general election. Under the current situation, the government and ruling parties are in no position to criticize the opposition parties, which have demanded the abolition of the current system without putting forward an alternative plan.
だが、明確な展望を示さないまま、漠然と「見直し」を唱えるだけでは総選挙をにらんだ人気取りとしか見えない。これでは政府・与党は、代案を出さずに「まず現行制度を廃止せよ」と主張する野党を批判できまい。
A long-range outlook is needed for reform of the social security system, including medical care for elderly people. If the government and ruling parties run about in confusion every time an election approaches, public anxiety and dissatisfaction will accumulate.
高齢者医療を含め、社会保障制度改革で必要なのは長期展望である。選挙が近づくごとに右往左往していては、そのたびに国民の不安と不満が蓄積される。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 28, 2008)
（2008年9月28日01時42分 読売新聞）
Unclear what Masuzoe means by 'drastic review'
後期高齢者医療 意味不明な「抜本的見直し」（9月28日付・読売社説）
The government and ruling parties have been blowing hot and cold over the new medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older.
後期高齢者医療制度をめぐって、政府・与党が迷走している。
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe proposed a drastic review of the system, and Prime Minister Taro Aso backed the idea. However, it is not clear what such a "review" would mean in effect, and some lawmakers even within the ruling parties oppose the move.
舛添厚生労働相が、現行制度を抜本的に見直すとの方針を表明し、麻生首相も同調した。だが、「見直し」が何を意味するか判然とせず、与党にも反発が強い。
The Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito referred to the system in their latest agreement to maintain the coalition government, saying they would try to improve the system by taking into consideration elderly people's feelings about it.
自民党と公明党の政権合意では「高齢者の心情に配慮して、より良い制度に改善する」という表現にとどまった。
It goes without saying that governments should strive to improve every policy and system. But this is different from drastically reviewing them.
すべての施策や制度は絶えず改善することが必要だ。しかし、抜本的見直しとは話が違う。
===
Proposal ill thought out
Masuzoe said his proposal focuses on three principles: not distinguishing those insured only by their age; changing the current system of mandatorily deducting insurance premium payments from participants' pension accounts to a voluntary system; and ensuring that any changes to be made do not exacerbate feelings of inequity between working people and retirees receiving insurance premium payments.
舛添厚労相は後期高齢者医療制度の見直しについて、ポイントを掲げている。加入者を年齢のみで区分しない、年金からの保険料天引きを強制しない、世代間の対立を助長しない、の３点だ。
The first point may be the most important. The current system was intended to create a united medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older, whose medical fees have increased steeply in recent years, and to support aged people equally, notwithstanding the fact that working generations subscribe to various corporate health insurance plans.
特に問題となるのは、年齢で区分しない、とする点だろう。
医療費が急激に増える７５歳以上の人を対象に、統一した医療保険制度を作り、現役世代は様々な健保組合に属していても公平に高齢者全体を支えよう、というのが現行制度の精神である。
If the government and ruling parties decide to do away with the new system's age-bracket provisions because they worry overly that elderly people aged 75 and older have loudly protested against being described as koki koreisha (late-stage elderly people)--as the system refers to them--they will have to rebuild the system from scratch.
「後期高齢者」という呼称が招いた感情的な反発に配慮するあまり、年齢区分そのものを否定するのならば、制度の根幹から作り直さなければならない。
If those who continue to work regardless of their age are allowed to subscribe to corporate health insurance plans as members of the working generations, the government and ruling parties will merely have broadened the options of such people. This does not go beyond the framework of system improvement.
何歳になっても働き続けている人は現役として企業健保に所属できる、というのなら、選択肢を広げるだけで制度改善の範疇(はんちゅう)だ。
It is difficult to describe the first of the three points of Masuzoe's proposal--not distinguishing between those insured in regard to their age bracket--as a "drastic review" because an "improvement" is not the same as a "drastic review."
全く次元の異なる話であり、同じ「見直し」とは呼び難い。
===
Alternative plan needed
The third point--aiming at a system that will not worsen feelings of inequity between working people and retirees--also is unclear. After all, the health insurance system for elderly people that lasted until fiscal 2007 hit a wall due to ambiguous rules on sharing burdens between working people and retirees.
世代間の対立を助長しない制度をめざす、という点も意味不明である。昨年度までの老人保健制度は、世代間の負担のルールがあいまいだったために、行き詰まったのではなかったか。
Masuzoe said he intends to ask an expert panel to discuss the makeup of an ideal new system from square one. But there are too many ambiguous points of contention.
舛添厚労相は、有識者会議に一から議論を委ねるという。不透明な論点があまりに多い。
In a Yomiuri Shimbun poll held immediately after the launch of the Aso Cabinet, 67.5 percent of respondents said they highly evaluated the agreement between the LDP and New Komeito to review the new medical insurance system for those aged 75 and older. This figure reflects people's dissatisfaction with the current situation.
麻生内閣発足に合わせて読売新聞が行った世論調査では、自公両党が後期高齢者医療制度の見直しに合意したことを６７・５％の人が「評価する」とした。現状に対する不満を反映した数字だろう。
But merely parroting the vague slogan "review" without offering a clear future vision can only be seen as a vote-catching gambit ahead of the forthcoming general election. Under the current situation, the government and ruling parties are in no position to criticize the opposition parties, which have demanded the abolition of the current system without putting forward an alternative plan.
だが、明確な展望を示さないまま、漠然と「見直し」を唱えるだけでは総選挙をにらんだ人気取りとしか見えない。これでは政府・与党は、代案を出さずに「まず現行制度を廃止せよ」と主張する野党を批判できまい。
A long-range outlook is needed for reform of the social security system, including medical care for elderly people. If the government and ruling parties run about in confusion every time an election approaches, public anxiety and dissatisfaction will accumulate.
高齢者医療を含め、社会保障制度改革で必要なのは長期展望である。選挙が近づくごとに右往左往していては、そのたびに国民の不安と不満が蓄積される。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 28, 2008)
（2008年9月28日01時42分 読売新聞）
(Sep. 27, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's message should be clearly transmitted
首相国連演説 日本の「言葉」を発信せよ（9月27日付・読売社説）
Taro Aso has made his diplomatic debut as prime minister. We hope he will play a leading role in sending a clear message to domestic and foreign audiences concerning what Japan attaches importance to and what it will try to accomplish in the international community.
麻生外交が始動した。日本は、国際社会で何を重んじ、何をなそうとするのか。麻生首相は、自ら先頭に立ち、明確なメッセージを国内外に発信してもらいたい。
Aso delivered a speech at the 63rd U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, becoming the first Japanese prime minister to address the meeting since 2005.
麻生首相が２５日、ニューヨークの国連総会で演説した。日本の首相の演説は３年ぶりだ。
"Peace and happiness are most certainly within our grasp through the pursuit of economic prosperity and democracy," Aso said. "I am determined to work in solidarity with countries holding fundamental values in common and to share Japan's experiences with nations strongly needing such support."
首相は「経済的な繁栄と民主主義を希求する先に、平和と人々の幸福が必ずや勝ち取れる」と強調した。基本的な価値観を共有する国々と連帯して日本の経験を各国に伝えたい、とも訴えた。
Aso's remarks reflect the basic stance of Japan's diplomacy: The country will actively support the growth of developing countries' economies and institutions, and contribute to rooting out poverty and terrorism.
途上国の経済発展や国造りを積極的に支援し、貧困解消やテロ撲滅に貢献する、という日本外交の基本姿勢を示したものだ。
The fact that it is the world's second-largest economy enables Japan to have its voice heard in the international community. But the country slipped to fifth place among official development assistance donors in 2007, mainly due to its deteriorating fiscal condition. If Aso is to strengthen foreign aid, as he has said he wants to do, it is indispensable to ensure Japan's economic growth first.
国際社会での日本の発言力の源泉は、世界２位の経済力にある。だが、財政事情の悪化で２００７年の日本の政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）実績は世界５位に転落した。
首相が目指すような対外支援を強化するには、まず、日本自身の経済成長が不可欠だ。
===
Reform of UNSC needed
As foreign minister under the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Aso spelled out his diplomatic policy, which upholds universal values, including freedom, democracy and human rights, and supports the economic development and democratization of Eastern Europe and central Asia.
首相は、安倍政権の外相時代に、自由や民主主義、人権などの普遍的価値を重視し、東欧や中央アジアの経済発展や民主化を支援していく外交方針を掲げた。
Imposing one's values on another country is bound to draw opposition from that country. Diplomacy needs width and depth.
一方的な価値観の押しつけは相手国の反発を招きやすい。外交には幅や懐の深さも必要だ。
But Aso's willingness to spell out Japan's diplomatic philosophy is important.
だが、日本の外交理念を「言葉」にして発信しよう、という首相の姿勢は大切だろう。
Reform of the U.N. Security Council, including Japan's bid to gain permanent membership, is important for the national interest. Fresh intergovernmental negotiations on expanding the Security Council will start by the end of February. Japan urgently needs to evolve a strategy centering on "an expansion of both permanent and nonpermanent membership," which Aso stressed in his speech.
日本が常任理事国入りを目指す安全保障理事会改革は、日本の国益のために重要だ。来年２月末までに新たな政府間交渉が開始される。首相が訴えた「常任・非常任理事国双方の議席拡大」を軸に早急に戦略を練る必要がある。
evolve=
1 〈論理・意見・計画などを〉徐々に発展［展開］させる;〈結論・法則などを〉導き出す
～ a new plan from a casual remark ふとした発言から新計画を発展させる.
2 〈におい・蒸気などを〉発する,放出する.
3 〔生〕…を進化させる.
━ 昿[Ⅰ（慱）]
1 発展［進化］する;〈作品の筋が〉進展する
The balloon ～d into the airship. [=The airship ～d from [out of] the balloon.] 気球が発展して飛行船ができた.
2 〔生〕進化する.
語源 ラテン語Ivolvere (I-外に＋volvere回転する＝回転して解く→展開する）
e･vólv･a･ble慝
～･ment慥
If Japan is elected as one of the 10 new nonpermanent members of the Security Council in October, it would serve a two-year term, starting from January.
日本は、１０月の非常任理事国選挙で当選すれば、来年１月から２年間、安保理メンバーとなる。
===
Refueling job must continue
Aso also declared in his speech, "Japan will continue into the future to stand side by side with the international community and participate proactively in the fight against terrorism."
首相は演説で「国際社会と一体となり、テロとの戦いに積極参画していく」と宣言した。日本が能動的な国連外交を展開するためにも、海上自衛隊によるインド洋での給油活動は継続すべきだ。
To conduct its active U.N. diplomacy, Japan should continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Japan must shoulder a fair burden if it is to contribute to international peace cooperation activities and maintain the Japan-U.S. security alliance, which Aso clarified in his speech as an "unchangeable cornerstone" of Japan's diplomacy.
国際平和協力活動に貢献し、首相が演説で日本外交の「不変の基軸」と明言した日米同盟を堅持していくには、日本としても相応の役割を担わねばならない。
Referring to the government's interpretation of the Constitution, which bans the country from exercising the right of the collective self-defense, Aso told reporters in New York on Thursday, "Basically, it should be changed."
首相は記者団に、集団的自衛権の行使を禁じている政府の憲法解釈について、「基本的に解釈を変えるべきものだ」と語った。
In June, a panel of experts discussing the right of the collective self-defense, which was set up by Abe, submitted a proposal to then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda calling for a change in the government's current interpretation. The government should tackle this issue seriously.
政府解釈の変更を求める有識者懇談会の提言が今年６月、福田前首相に提出されている。政府として真剣に取り組むべき課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2008)
（2008年9月27日01時52分 読売新聞）
Japan's message should be clearly transmitted
首相国連演説 日本の「言葉」を発信せよ（9月27日付・読売社説）
Taro Aso has made his diplomatic debut as prime minister. We hope he will play a leading role in sending a clear message to domestic and foreign audiences concerning what Japan attaches importance to and what it will try to accomplish in the international community.
麻生外交が始動した。日本は、国際社会で何を重んじ、何をなそうとするのか。麻生首相は、自ら先頭に立ち、明確なメッセージを国内外に発信してもらいたい。
Aso delivered a speech at the 63rd U.N. General Assembly on Thursday, becoming the first Japanese prime minister to address the meeting since 2005.
麻生首相が２５日、ニューヨークの国連総会で演説した。日本の首相の演説は３年ぶりだ。
"Peace and happiness are most certainly within our grasp through the pursuit of economic prosperity and democracy," Aso said. "I am determined to work in solidarity with countries holding fundamental values in common and to share Japan's experiences with nations strongly needing such support."
首相は「経済的な繁栄と民主主義を希求する先に、平和と人々の幸福が必ずや勝ち取れる」と強調した。基本的な価値観を共有する国々と連帯して日本の経験を各国に伝えたい、とも訴えた。
Aso's remarks reflect the basic stance of Japan's diplomacy: The country will actively support the growth of developing countries' economies and institutions, and contribute to rooting out poverty and terrorism.
途上国の経済発展や国造りを積極的に支援し、貧困解消やテロ撲滅に貢献する、という日本外交の基本姿勢を示したものだ。
The fact that it is the world's second-largest economy enables Japan to have its voice heard in the international community. But the country slipped to fifth place among official development assistance donors in 2007, mainly due to its deteriorating fiscal condition. If Aso is to strengthen foreign aid, as he has said he wants to do, it is indispensable to ensure Japan's economic growth first.
国際社会での日本の発言力の源泉は、世界２位の経済力にある。だが、財政事情の悪化で２００７年の日本の政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）実績は世界５位に転落した。
首相が目指すような対外支援を強化するには、まず、日本自身の経済成長が不可欠だ。
===
Reform of UNSC needed
As foreign minister under the administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Aso spelled out his diplomatic policy, which upholds universal values, including freedom, democracy and human rights, and supports the economic development and democratization of Eastern Europe and central Asia.
首相は、安倍政権の外相時代に、自由や民主主義、人権などの普遍的価値を重視し、東欧や中央アジアの経済発展や民主化を支援していく外交方針を掲げた。
Imposing one's values on another country is bound to draw opposition from that country. Diplomacy needs width and depth.
一方的な価値観の押しつけは相手国の反発を招きやすい。外交には幅や懐の深さも必要だ。
But Aso's willingness to spell out Japan's diplomatic philosophy is important.
だが、日本の外交理念を「言葉」にして発信しよう、という首相の姿勢は大切だろう。
Reform of the U.N. Security Council, including Japan's bid to gain permanent membership, is important for the national interest. Fresh intergovernmental negotiations on expanding the Security Council will start by the end of February. Japan urgently needs to evolve a strategy centering on "an expansion of both permanent and nonpermanent membership," which Aso stressed in his speech.
日本が常任理事国入りを目指す安全保障理事会改革は、日本の国益のために重要だ。来年２月末までに新たな政府間交渉が開始される。首相が訴えた「常任・非常任理事国双方の議席拡大」を軸に早急に戦略を練る必要がある。
evolve=
1 〈論理・意見・計画などを〉徐々に発展［展開］させる;〈結論・法則などを〉導き出す
～ a new plan from a casual remark ふとした発言から新計画を発展させる.
2 〈におい・蒸気などを〉発する,放出する.
3 〔生〕…を進化させる.
━ 昿[Ⅰ（慱）]
1 発展［進化］する;〈作品の筋が〉進展する
The balloon ～d into the airship. [=The airship ～d from [out of] the balloon.] 気球が発展して飛行船ができた.
2 〔生〕進化する.
語源 ラテン語Ivolvere (I-外に＋volvere回転する＝回転して解く→展開する）
e･vólv･a･ble慝
～･ment慥
If Japan is elected as one of the 10 new nonpermanent members of the Security Council in October, it would serve a two-year term, starting from January.
日本は、１０月の非常任理事国選挙で当選すれば、来年１月から２年間、安保理メンバーとなる。
===
Refueling job must continue
Aso also declared in his speech, "Japan will continue into the future to stand side by side with the international community and participate proactively in the fight against terrorism."
首相は演説で「国際社会と一体となり、テロとの戦いに積極参画していく」と宣言した。日本が能動的な国連外交を展開するためにも、海上自衛隊によるインド洋での給油活動は継続すべきだ。
To conduct its active U.N. diplomacy, Japan should continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. Japan must shoulder a fair burden if it is to contribute to international peace cooperation activities and maintain the Japan-U.S. security alliance, which Aso clarified in his speech as an "unchangeable cornerstone" of Japan's diplomacy.
国際平和協力活動に貢献し、首相が演説で日本外交の「不変の基軸」と明言した日米同盟を堅持していくには、日本としても相応の役割を担わねばならない。
Referring to the government's interpretation of the Constitution, which bans the country from exercising the right of the collective self-defense, Aso told reporters in New York on Thursday, "Basically, it should be changed."
首相は記者団に、集団的自衛権の行使を禁じている政府の憲法解釈について、「基本的に解釈を変えるべきものだ」と語った。
In June, a panel of experts discussing the right of the collective self-defense, which was set up by Abe, submitted a proposal to then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda calling for a change in the government's current interpretation. The government should tackle this issue seriously.
政府解釈の変更を求める有識者懇談会の提言が今年６月、福田前首相に提出されている。政府として真剣に取り組むべき課題だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2008)
（2008年9月27日01時52分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) September 25, 2008
Which politician will be the next cartoon hero?
余録：風刺漫画の主人公
Former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida was looking for the house of an acquaintance while visiting Kamakura when a child playing baseball on a vacant lot saw him, and shouted, "The prime minister's here!"
吉田茂元首相が鎌倉の知人を訪ね、家を探していると、空き地で野球をしていた子供が見つけて叫んだ。「総理大臣がいるよ！」。
One of his playmates, not taking him seriously, shouted back, "Why would the prime minister come here?" But the child who had seen Yoshida said, "But he looks just like the cartoon character." Yoshida himself was fond of retelling this story.
仲間がバカにしたように「こんなとこに総理大臣がいるもんか」と言うと、見つけた子は「けど、漫画にそっくりだよ」吉田本人が好んで語っていた話という。
Indeed, Yoshida was caricatured in countless cartoons, and when he retired, one cartoonist came out with a cartoon in which cartoonists express their gratitude to the prime minister.
実際、風刺漫画に数限りなく描かれ、引退時には漫画家がこぞって元首相に感謝している漫画まで描かれたという人だ。
His grandson, Liberal Democratic Party President and Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is himself a cartoon fan, has finally acquired the throne that allows him to become the hero of a political cartoon. In a crowded field of five, Aso won two-thirds of the votes cast in the LDP presidential election, and cruised to a landslide victory.
その孫で、自身が漫画ファンという麻生太郎自民党新総裁も、ようやく念願の風刺漫画の主人公の座を手中に収めた
５人の候補乱立となった自民党総裁選で、投票総数の３分の２を集めて圧勝した麻生新総裁だった。
Aso takes the helm of a party that has been peering over the precipice because its two previous leaders abandoned the reins of government. But the new prime minister's plans for opposing Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa, who on the previous day had unveiled his own platform, are falling into place. Without a doubt, the LDP is reading from a playbook that calls for the selection of a new party president to jumpstart the party's sagging approval ratings, and the pumping up of the new leader's popularity as he heads into the general election.
２代続けてトップが政権を投げ出したガケっぷちの党を率い、前日に政権構想を発表した民主党・小沢一郎代表と対決する構図が固まった
もともと新総裁選びで党の支持率低下をリセットし、新リーダーの人気をもり立てて総選挙に臨むのが自民党のシナリオに違いない。
But in the interim, the U.S. financial crisis and the tainted rice scandal have snowballed. Holding the party presidential election in the midst of these events left people with the impression that Japanese politics was incapable of mustering a response.
だがこの間の米金融危機、汚染米問題の拡大である。そのさなかの総裁選は状況に対応できない日本政治を象徴するかのように国民の目に映った
Shigeru Yoshida hated election campaigns. When his campaign strategists urged him to deliver speeches on the street, he refused, saying, "How can I speak on affairs of state where there is constant horse and car traffic!" But today, the LDP's popularity depends on the constant traffic of new party presidents. It just so happens that Ozawa's father, Saeki Ozawa, a masterful politician, was a close associate of Yoshida's. So of these two party leaders with a connection to Yoshida, who will survive to become the hero of a political cartoon? ("Yoroku," a front page column in the Mainichi Shimbun)
選挙運動嫌いだった吉田茂は、選挙参謀が街頭演説を求めると「車馬絡繹（らくえき）で国事が語れるか」と言って応じなかった。「絡繹」とは人馬の往来が絶えないさまを示した古い言葉だが、今や自民党には新総裁の絡繹での人気が頼りのようである
ちなみに小沢代表の父親、小沢佐重喜（さえき）も吉田茂の側近としてらつ腕を振るった政治家だった。ではこの吉田ゆかりの与野党リーダー２人、どちらが風刺漫画の主人公として生き残るだろう。
Which politician will be the next cartoon hero?
余録：風刺漫画の主人公
Former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida was looking for the house of an acquaintance while visiting Kamakura when a child playing baseball on a vacant lot saw him, and shouted, "The prime minister's here!"
吉田茂元首相が鎌倉の知人を訪ね、家を探していると、空き地で野球をしていた子供が見つけて叫んだ。「総理大臣がいるよ！」。
One of his playmates, not taking him seriously, shouted back, "Why would the prime minister come here?" But the child who had seen Yoshida said, "But he looks just like the cartoon character." Yoshida himself was fond of retelling this story.
仲間がバカにしたように「こんなとこに総理大臣がいるもんか」と言うと、見つけた子は「けど、漫画にそっくりだよ」吉田本人が好んで語っていた話という。
Indeed, Yoshida was caricatured in countless cartoons, and when he retired, one cartoonist came out with a cartoon in which cartoonists express their gratitude to the prime minister.
実際、風刺漫画に数限りなく描かれ、引退時には漫画家がこぞって元首相に感謝している漫画まで描かれたという人だ。
His grandson, Liberal Democratic Party President and Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is himself a cartoon fan, has finally acquired the throne that allows him to become the hero of a political cartoon. In a crowded field of five, Aso won two-thirds of the votes cast in the LDP presidential election, and cruised to a landslide victory.
その孫で、自身が漫画ファンという麻生太郎自民党新総裁も、ようやく念願の風刺漫画の主人公の座を手中に収めた
５人の候補乱立となった自民党総裁選で、投票総数の３分の２を集めて圧勝した麻生新総裁だった。
Aso takes the helm of a party that has been peering over the precipice because its two previous leaders abandoned the reins of government. But the new prime minister's plans for opposing Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa, who on the previous day had unveiled his own platform, are falling into place. Without a doubt, the LDP is reading from a playbook that calls for the selection of a new party president to jumpstart the party's sagging approval ratings, and the pumping up of the new leader's popularity as he heads into the general election.
２代続けてトップが政権を投げ出したガケっぷちの党を率い、前日に政権構想を発表した民主党・小沢一郎代表と対決する構図が固まった
もともと新総裁選びで党の支持率低下をリセットし、新リーダーの人気をもり立てて総選挙に臨むのが自民党のシナリオに違いない。
But in the interim, the U.S. financial crisis and the tainted rice scandal have snowballed. Holding the party presidential election in the midst of these events left people with the impression that Japanese politics was incapable of mustering a response.
だがこの間の米金融危機、汚染米問題の拡大である。そのさなかの総裁選は状況に対応できない日本政治を象徴するかのように国民の目に映った
Shigeru Yoshida hated election campaigns. When his campaign strategists urged him to deliver speeches on the street, he refused, saying, "How can I speak on affairs of state where there is constant horse and car traffic!" But today, the LDP's popularity depends on the constant traffic of new party presidents. It just so happens that Ozawa's father, Saeki Ozawa, a masterful politician, was a close associate of Yoshida's. So of these two party leaders with a connection to Yoshida, who will survive to become the hero of a political cartoon? ("Yoroku," a front page column in the Mainichi Shimbun)
選挙運動嫌いだった吉田茂は、選挙参謀が街頭演説を求めると「車馬絡繹（らくえき）で国事が語れるか」と言って応じなかった。「絡繹」とは人馬の往来が絶えないさまを示した古い言葉だが、今や自民党には新総裁の絡繹での人気が頼りのようである
ちなみに小沢代表の父親、小沢佐重喜（さえき）も吉田茂の側近としてらつ腕を振るった政治家だった。ではこの吉田ゆかりの与野党リーダー２人、どちらが風刺漫画の主人公として生き残るだろう。
(Sep. 26, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun
Aircraft carrier to aid stability in Asia
米原子力空母 アジア安定に役立つ日本配備（9月26日付・読売社説）
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived Thursday at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, a deployment expected to contribute not only to the defense of Japan but also to peace and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region.
日本防衛だけでなく、アジア太平洋地域全体の平和と安定に貢献することが期待される。
The carrier replaces the conventional aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, which was deployed at the base in 1998, but is to be decommissioned due to its age. Its replacement marks the first U.S. nuclear-powered military vessel deployed to Japan.
米原子力空母「ジョージ・ワシントン」が海軍横須賀基地に配備された。１９９８年に配備された通常型空母「キティホーク」が老朽化し、退役することに伴う交代である。米原子力艦船の日本配備は初めてだ。
Commissioned in 1992, the George Washington is the fourth youngest of the U.S. Navy's 11 aircraft carriers. The ship has 75 planes on board and about 6,000 crew members, including pilots.
９２年就役のジョージ・ワシントンは、米海軍の空母１１隻の中で４番目に新しい。７５機の航空機を搭載し、航空要員を含めた乗組員は約６０００人に上る。
It is capable of engaging in military operations longer than conventional carriers as its power is generated by nuclear reactors. Its acceleration when setting sail also is much faster than that of conventional carriers.
動力源が原子炉のため、通常型空母と比べて、より長時間の作戦行動ができる。初動時の加速力も格段に優れている。
===
A powerful deterrent
The deployment in Japan of an aircraft carrier with better capabilities strengthens the deterrent potential of the U.S. military. The presence of the U.S. military in Japan is a cornerstone of the Japan-U.S. security alliance, and an aircraft carrier plays a pivotal role.
日本配備の空母の高性能化は、米軍の抑止力の強化につながる。米軍のプレゼンス（存在）は、日米同盟の基盤だ。中でも空母が果たす役割は大きい。
When a presidential election was held in Taiwan in March, the Kitty Hawk and another U.S. aircraft carrier conducted an exercise in waters east of Taiwan as a show of force. The drill was believed to be aimed at preventing China from taking any action similar to a missile drill it conducted in the Taiwan Strait in 1996 to demonstrate its power when Taiwan held its first presidential election.
今年３月の台湾総統選の際には、キティホークなど２隻の米空母が台湾東方海域で訓練を実施し、周辺ににらみをきかせた。９６年の初の総統選で中国が行ったミサイル演習のような示威行動を防ぐのが目的とみられる。
Meanwhile, it is necessary to ensure safety regarding the nuclear-powered vessel.
一方で、原子力空母の安全対策には万全を期す必要がある。
In May, unauthorized smoking by a crew member aboard the George Washington sparked a fire, which resulted in the demotions of the captain and the executive officer. Due to necessary repair work, the carrier's deployment to Yokosuka was delayed by more than a month. Though the nuclear reactors were not damaged, it shows that an accident can be caused by simple misdeeds.
ジョージ・ワシントンでは今年５月、乗組員が無断喫煙したたばこの火で火災が起きた。正副艦長は更迭され、修理のため日本配備が１か月以上遅れた。原子炉とは無関係だが、お粗末な事故だ。
===
Easing public concerns
It was revealed in August that the nuclear-powered submarine USS Houston had leaked small amounts of radioactive substances from a water valve for more than two years, during which the submarine made Japanese port calls on 11 occasions.
８月には米原潜「ヒューストン」で２年以上にわたる微量の放射能漏れが発覚した。バルブからの水の染み出しが原因だ。この間、原潜は日本に１１回寄港していた。
The concentration of leaked radioactive substance was said to be about the same as what exists naturally in the ocean. The total amount of radiation leaked during the Japanese port calls is said to be far less than the amount released during one X-ray of the chest.
漏れた放射能は、海中に自然に存在する放射能と同程度の濃度とされる。日本寄港時の放出総量も、Ｘ線胸部撮影の１回分よりも、はるかに少ないという。
Even if this is so, the Japanese government must continue to urge the United States to take the utmost care in safety management of the aircraft carrier if it wants to dispel the anxieties of local residents and other people concerned. It also should proactively respond to requests to disclose information about accidents and other matters of public interest.
それでも、地元住民や関係者の不安を解消するため、日本政府は、米側に空母の安全管理に細心の注意を払うよう求め続けるべきだ。事故などの情報公開に積極的に対応することも必要だ。
The Yokosuka city government approved in June 2006 the deployment of a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier and later signed a memorandum on disaster management with the U.S. military stationed in Japan. Last November, Japan and the United States conducted a joint disaster management drill.
神奈川県横須賀市は０６年６月に米原子力空母の配備を容認した。その後、在日米海軍と防災覚書を締結し、昨年１１月には日米合同の防災訓練を実施している。
A high-ranking U.S. Navy officer says that the navy's philosophy is to swiftly deal with any matter while it is still small to prevent it from developing into a major problem. To accomplish this, the two nations should make further efforts to establish a relationship of trust through joint drills and candid exchanges of opinions.
米海軍高官は「出来事が小さなうちに迅速に対処し、大きな問題になるのを防ぐのが、我々の哲学だ」と語る。そのためには、日米双方が、合同訓練や率直な意見交換を通じて、信頼関係を構築する努力が大切だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2008)
（2008年9月26日01時45分 読売新聞）
Aircraft carrier to aid stability in Asia
米原子力空母 アジア安定に役立つ日本配備（9月26日付・読売社説）
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived Thursday at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, a deployment expected to contribute not only to the defense of Japan but also to peace and stability in the entire Asia-Pacific region.
日本防衛だけでなく、アジア太平洋地域全体の平和と安定に貢献することが期待される。
The carrier replaces the conventional aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, which was deployed at the base in 1998, but is to be decommissioned due to its age. Its replacement marks the first U.S. nuclear-powered military vessel deployed to Japan.
米原子力空母「ジョージ・ワシントン」が海軍横須賀基地に配備された。１９９８年に配備された通常型空母「キティホーク」が老朽化し、退役することに伴う交代である。米原子力艦船の日本配備は初めてだ。
Commissioned in 1992, the George Washington is the fourth youngest of the U.S. Navy's 11 aircraft carriers. The ship has 75 planes on board and about 6,000 crew members, including pilots.
９２年就役のジョージ・ワシントンは、米海軍の空母１１隻の中で４番目に新しい。７５機の航空機を搭載し、航空要員を含めた乗組員は約６０００人に上る。
It is capable of engaging in military operations longer than conventional carriers as its power is generated by nuclear reactors. Its acceleration when setting sail also is much faster than that of conventional carriers.
動力源が原子炉のため、通常型空母と比べて、より長時間の作戦行動ができる。初動時の加速力も格段に優れている。
===
A powerful deterrent
The deployment in Japan of an aircraft carrier with better capabilities strengthens the deterrent potential of the U.S. military. The presence of the U.S. military in Japan is a cornerstone of the Japan-U.S. security alliance, and an aircraft carrier plays a pivotal role.
日本配備の空母の高性能化は、米軍の抑止力の強化につながる。米軍のプレゼンス（存在）は、日米同盟の基盤だ。中でも空母が果たす役割は大きい。
When a presidential election was held in Taiwan in March, the Kitty Hawk and another U.S. aircraft carrier conducted an exercise in waters east of Taiwan as a show of force. The drill was believed to be aimed at preventing China from taking any action similar to a missile drill it conducted in the Taiwan Strait in 1996 to demonstrate its power when Taiwan held its first presidential election.
今年３月の台湾総統選の際には、キティホークなど２隻の米空母が台湾東方海域で訓練を実施し、周辺ににらみをきかせた。９６年の初の総統選で中国が行ったミサイル演習のような示威行動を防ぐのが目的とみられる。
Meanwhile, it is necessary to ensure safety regarding the nuclear-powered vessel.
一方で、原子力空母の安全対策には万全を期す必要がある。
In May, unauthorized smoking by a crew member aboard the George Washington sparked a fire, which resulted in the demotions of the captain and the executive officer. Due to necessary repair work, the carrier's deployment to Yokosuka was delayed by more than a month. Though the nuclear reactors were not damaged, it shows that an accident can be caused by simple misdeeds.
ジョージ・ワシントンでは今年５月、乗組員が無断喫煙したたばこの火で火災が起きた。正副艦長は更迭され、修理のため日本配備が１か月以上遅れた。原子炉とは無関係だが、お粗末な事故だ。
===
Easing public concerns
It was revealed in August that the nuclear-powered submarine USS Houston had leaked small amounts of radioactive substances from a water valve for more than two years, during which the submarine made Japanese port calls on 11 occasions.
８月には米原潜「ヒューストン」で２年以上にわたる微量の放射能漏れが発覚した。バルブからの水の染み出しが原因だ。この間、原潜は日本に１１回寄港していた。
The concentration of leaked radioactive substance was said to be about the same as what exists naturally in the ocean. The total amount of radiation leaked during the Japanese port calls is said to be far less than the amount released during one X-ray of the chest.
漏れた放射能は、海中に自然に存在する放射能と同程度の濃度とされる。日本寄港時の放出総量も、Ｘ線胸部撮影の１回分よりも、はるかに少ないという。
Even if this is so, the Japanese government must continue to urge the United States to take the utmost care in safety management of the aircraft carrier if it wants to dispel the anxieties of local residents and other people concerned. It also should proactively respond to requests to disclose information about accidents and other matters of public interest.
それでも、地元住民や関係者の不安を解消するため、日本政府は、米側に空母の安全管理に細心の注意を払うよう求め続けるべきだ。事故などの情報公開に積極的に対応することも必要だ。
The Yokosuka city government approved in June 2006 the deployment of a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier and later signed a memorandum on disaster management with the U.S. military stationed in Japan. Last November, Japan and the United States conducted a joint disaster management drill.
神奈川県横須賀市は０６年６月に米原子力空母の配備を容認した。その後、在日米海軍と防災覚書を締結し、昨年１１月には日米合同の防災訓練を実施している。
A high-ranking U.S. Navy officer says that the navy's philosophy is to swiftly deal with any matter while it is still small to prevent it from developing into a major problem. To accomplish this, the two nations should make further efforts to establish a relationship of trust through joint drills and candid exchanges of opinions.
米海軍高官は「出来事が小さなうちに迅速に対処し、大きな問題になるのを防ぐのが、我々の哲学だ」と語る。そのためには、日米双方が、合同訓練や率直な意見交換を通じて、信頼関係を構築する努力が大切だろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2008)
（2008年9月26日01時45分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) September 25, 2008
Poor political reportage promotes poor politics and politicians
ぶら下がりの虚像
Taro Aso, who was elected prime minister on Wednesday, shares his deep feelings with a close friend: "I don't think ordinary people understand the anguish of extremely rich people."
今日、首相に選出される麻生太郎氏は、心を許した相手には「とてつもない金持ちに生まれた人間の苦しみなんて普通の人には分からんだろうな」としんみり語る。
Even though Aso occasionally assumes a persona where he "pretends" to be a bad guy, it appears that this is actually his true nature.
The way he considers himself to be someone born to a special fate, and his confidence that he has experienced hardships that nobody else knows reveal a deep psychological condition.
How he will control the government appears likely to depend on this warped self-confidence.
時に偽悪家ぶるところがあるが、これは率直な気持ちだろう。自分を特別な運命に生まれたと信じる自惚（うぬぼ）れと、人知れぬ苦労も積んだという負けん気は、新首相の深層心理をうかがわせて興味深い。今後の政権運営は、この屈折した自負心が左右する気がする。
I talk about such a thing because I wondered why Yasuo Fukuda, who resigned as prime minister on Wednesday, had decided to dump his government in an irresponsible manner and later acted selfishly. It all leads to the conclusion that he was not qualified to be prime minister. Many political reporters realized this fact, but did they clearly report it?
こんな話を持ち出すのは、今日で首相を終える福田康夫氏の無責任な政権放り出しと、その後の身勝手な言動に考え込んでしまったからだ。首相の器でなかったということに尽きるが、政治記者の多くは、そのことを知っていた。でも、それをきちんと伝えたか。
After Fukuda announced his decision to resign, the Mainichi Shimbun reported that as early as April he was tired of being prime minister. Nevertheless, the Mainichi Shimbun at the same time carried other articles saying that the prime minister was enthusiastic about his work.
Even though Fukuda displayed a mixture of aggressive and feeble attitudes, I cannot help but admit that these reports were incorrect. This is because the reporters failed to get to the bottom of Fukuda's real intentions and simply believed what his aides said.
退陣表明後、弊紙は福田氏が４月には嫌気が差していたと報じた。ところが、当時の紙面を繰ってみると、「首相は意欲満々」と何度も書いている。強気と弱気が交錯していたにせよ、誤報と認めざるを得ない。
Since Junichiro Koizumi was in office, brief interviews with the prime ministers at their office, which were limited to twice a day, had continued for seven years. This set a bad precedent for political reporters who have now come to believe that such brief interviews are enough to write articles.
Reporters were criticized for failing to ask tough questions during the news conference at which Fukuda announced his decision to resign because they were asking questions as if the news conference was just another one of the brief interviews at the prime minister's office.
People often talk about the political crisis, but it's largely because of the crisis of political news coverage. (By Tomonaga Ito, Political News Writer, Mainichi Shimbun)
本人の実像に迫れず、秘書官らの煙幕をうのみにしたせいだ。小泉政権で昼夕２度に制限された首相への「ぶら下がり」。７年も続き、あれで済ますのが記者の悪弊になった。突っ込み不足と不評だった福田氏の退陣会見も「ぶら下がり」の延長だったからではないか。政治の危機と言うが、半分は政治報道の危機だろう。【伊藤智永】
毎日新聞 2008年9月24日 東京朝刊
Poor political reportage promotes poor politics and politicians
ぶら下がりの虚像
Taro Aso, who was elected prime minister on Wednesday, shares his deep feelings with a close friend: "I don't think ordinary people understand the anguish of extremely rich people."
今日、首相に選出される麻生太郎氏は、心を許した相手には「とてつもない金持ちに生まれた人間の苦しみなんて普通の人には分からんだろうな」としんみり語る。
Even though Aso occasionally assumes a persona where he "pretends" to be a bad guy, it appears that this is actually his true nature.
The way he considers himself to be someone born to a special fate, and his confidence that he has experienced hardships that nobody else knows reveal a deep psychological condition.
How he will control the government appears likely to depend on this warped self-confidence.
時に偽悪家ぶるところがあるが、これは率直な気持ちだろう。自分を特別な運命に生まれたと信じる自惚（うぬぼ）れと、人知れぬ苦労も積んだという負けん気は、新首相の深層心理をうかがわせて興味深い。今後の政権運営は、この屈折した自負心が左右する気がする。
I talk about such a thing because I wondered why Yasuo Fukuda, who resigned as prime minister on Wednesday, had decided to dump his government in an irresponsible manner and later acted selfishly. It all leads to the conclusion that he was not qualified to be prime minister. Many political reporters realized this fact, but did they clearly report it?
こんな話を持ち出すのは、今日で首相を終える福田康夫氏の無責任な政権放り出しと、その後の身勝手な言動に考え込んでしまったからだ。首相の器でなかったということに尽きるが、政治記者の多くは、そのことを知っていた。でも、それをきちんと伝えたか。
After Fukuda announced his decision to resign, the Mainichi Shimbun reported that as early as April he was tired of being prime minister. Nevertheless, the Mainichi Shimbun at the same time carried other articles saying that the prime minister was enthusiastic about his work.
Even though Fukuda displayed a mixture of aggressive and feeble attitudes, I cannot help but admit that these reports were incorrect. This is because the reporters failed to get to the bottom of Fukuda's real intentions and simply believed what his aides said.
退陣表明後、弊紙は福田氏が４月には嫌気が差していたと報じた。ところが、当時の紙面を繰ってみると、「首相は意欲満々」と何度も書いている。強気と弱気が交錯していたにせよ、誤報と認めざるを得ない。
Since Junichiro Koizumi was in office, brief interviews with the prime ministers at their office, which were limited to twice a day, had continued for seven years. This set a bad precedent for political reporters who have now come to believe that such brief interviews are enough to write articles.
Reporters were criticized for failing to ask tough questions during the news conference at which Fukuda announced his decision to resign because they were asking questions as if the news conference was just another one of the brief interviews at the prime minister's office.
People often talk about the political crisis, but it's largely because of the crisis of political news coverage. (By Tomonaga Ito, Political News Writer, Mainichi Shimbun)
本人の実像に迫れず、秘書官らの煙幕をうのみにしたせいだ。小泉政権で昼夕２度に制限された首相への「ぶら下がり」。７年も続き、あれで済ますのが記者の悪弊になった。突っ込み不足と不評だった福田氏の退陣会見も「ぶら下がり」の延長だったからではないか。政治の危機と言うが、半分は政治報道の危機だろう。【伊藤智永】
毎日新聞 2008年9月24日 東京朝刊
(Sep. 25, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun
Aso must outline plan for 'radiant, strong' state
麻生内閣発足 「明るく強い国」をどう造る（9月25日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Taro Aso's new Cabinet was inaugurated Wednesday night. But it sets out under unusual circumstances, with the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a subsequent general election just around the corner.
麻生新内閣が発足した。衆院解散・総選挙を間近に控えた異例の船出である。今後も活力ある日本を維持していくには、どうすべきか。麻生首相は、内政、外交の見取り図を、早急に示さねばならない。
The question now is what Aso--the 59th man to serve as prime minister--should do to maintain the nation's vigor.
第９２代、５９人目の首相に選ばれた麻生首相は２４日夜、組閣を終え、新内閣を始動させた。
To ensure he can do so, he must present a blueprint mapping out the nation's politics and diplomacy as quickly as possible.
（麻生首相はこれから先の国内政策と外交政策につき明確な青写真を国民に示さなければならない by srachai）
Announcing the lineup of his Cabinet himself at a press conference, Aso stressed that he is determined to make Japan a "radiant and strong country." He apparently believed it was important to deliver such a message directly to the public rather than leaving it to the chief cabinet secretary.
麻生首相は、自ら記者会見して閣僚名簿を発表し、「日本を明るく強い国にする」と強調した。官房長官任せにせず、国民に対して直接、メッセージを発することを重視したものだ。
===
◆政策推進の３原則◆
3 principles for governance
On appointing his Cabinet ministers, Aso instructed them "to promote policies for the benefit of the people," "to make the best use of bureaucrats" and "to devote efforts to the national interest rather than that of government ministries." These are apparently being dubbed "Aso's three principles" and he said he will make them the cornerstone of his policies.
首相は、閣僚の任命にあたり、「国民本位の政策を進める」「官僚は使いこなす」「省益ではなく国益に専念する」ように指示した。これを“麻生３原則”とし、政策推進の基本に据える考えを示したのだろう。
Aso named former Education, Science and Technology Minister Takeo Kawamura as chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal role in the Cabinet. As with the appointment of Hiroyuki Hosoda as Liberal Democratic Party secretary general, picking Kawamura indicates that Aso took into account his practical skills, which are highly thought of within the party.
内閣の要となる官房長官に、河村建夫・元文部科学相を起用した。自民党の細田博之幹事長と同様、党内で評価の高い実務能力を買ったものといえる。
Aso retained Kaoru Yosano, who was a contender in Monday's LDP presidential election, as state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy and named former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister. These appointments suggest Aso also hopes to build a united party by ensuring ministers are matched with positions suited to their policymaking abilities.
総裁選を戦った与謝野経済財政相は再任、石破茂・元防衛相は農相に登用した。両氏の得意分野の政策能力を活用し、挙党態勢にも配慮した人事だ。
In addition, Aso gave Cabinet posts to many of those who contributed to his victory in the party presidential race. Shoichi Nakagawa, finance minister and state minister in charge of financial services; Kunio Hatoyama, internal affairs and communications minister; and Akira Amari, state minister in charge of administrative reform, all supported Aso and contributed to his winning the presidential election.
自民党総裁選で麻生氏の勝利に貢献した議員を多数起用した。中川財務・金融相、鳩山総務相、甘利行政改革相は、麻生支持を打ち出し、早くから流れを作った。
Meanwhile, the prime minister named Yuko Obuchi, 34, who is in her third term in the lower house, as state minister in charge of the declining birthrate. She becomes the youngest ever postwar cabinet member.
戦後最年少閣僚として、３４歳で当選３回の小渕優子衆院議員を少子化相に抜擢(ばってき)した。
===
Management in crisis
◆危機管理を怠るな◆
Since former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation announcement on Sept. 1, there have been serious problems to contend with at home and abroad. The new Cabinet must check the government's crisis management system and try to perfect the management of affairs of state.
今月１日の福田前首相の辞意表明後、国内外で、深刻な問題が発生している。内閣として、危機管理体制を総点検し、国政遂行に万全を期すことが求められる。
The financial crisis that originated in the United States is developing into a cross-border realignment of the financial industry that involves Japanese financial institutions. Meanwhile, the Japanese economy itself is slowing.
米国発の金融危機は、日本の金融機関も巻き込んで、国境を越えた金融再編に発展している。一方で、日本の景気は下降線をたどっている。
Given these difficult circumstances, agile management that unifies fiscal and financial considerations is going to be indispensable in guiding the country's economic policies.
こうした難局にある経済政策の舵(かじ)取りでは、財政と金融の一体的、機動的な運営が欠かせない。
Aso also has asked Finance Minister Nakagawa to serve as state minister in charge of financial services. He says, quite reasonably, that the dual appointment ensures Japan has a state minister responsible for financial services in attendance at meetings of the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors.
首相は、中川財務相に金融相を兼務させた。先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）で、日本の財務相が金融行政に関与していない事態を避けるのが狙い、と説明した。当然の判断だろう。
Meanwhile, police on Wednesday searched the headquarters of Osaka-based rice processing and sales firm Mikasa Foods on suspicion of selling tainted rice meant for industrial use as edible rice. The latest incident revealed government administrative processes are not functioning properly.
農薬などに汚染された事故米の不正転売問題で、警察当局は、米穀加工販売会社の強制捜査に踏み切った。行政の機能不全を露呈する不祥事だ。
Incoming agriculture minister Ishiba should exercise leadership in cooperation with Seiko Noda, who retained her post as state minister in charge of consumer affairs, to ensure the safety of the nation's food and to regain the public's trust in the ministry.
石破農相は、再任された野田消費者相と協力し、「食の安全」の確保と農水省の信頼回復に指導力を発揮すべきだ。
Recent reports of the deteriorating health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il have caused confusion over the future direction of this autocratic state's decision-making.
北朝鮮の金正日総書記の健康不安説で、独裁国家の意思決定の行方に不透明感が漂っている。
Against this backdrop, North Korea recently began work restoring its Yongbyon nuclear facility that it had previously agreed to disable.
そうした中で、北朝鮮は、無能力化に合意していた寧辺の核施設の復旧作業に着手した。
Meanwhile, there is currently no prospect of Pyongyang resuming its reinvestigation into Japanese abducted by North Korean agents.
日本人拉致問題も、被害者の再調査入りのめどが立っていない。
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada need to reaffirm coordination with the United States and other countries concerned and give full attention to North Korea's actions.
中曽根外相、浜田防衛相は、米国など関係国との連携を再確認し、北朝鮮の動向に細心の注意を払う必要がある。
Meanwhile, an agreement reached between the LDP and its coalition partner New Komeito on Tuesday incorporates economic stimulus measures, including fixed-amount income and residential tax cuts that were demanded by New Komeito. The two parties also agreed to review an unpopular health care insurance program for people aged 75 or older.
麻生政権発足に先立つ自公両党の政権合意には、公明党が求めた所得・住民税の定額減税など当面の景気対策や、国民に批判の強い後期高齢者医療制度を見直す方針が盛り込まれた。
However, the agreement does not call for the financial burden the nation faces to be shouldered by the public, including through a consumption tax rate hike. And as for securing financial resources to fund ballooning social security costs, it simply refers to administrative reforms, including abolishing and consolidating local offices of the central government and ensuring budgetary allocations are not squandered.
一方で、消費税率の引き上げなど国民に負担を求める施策は見あたらない。財源確保策は、国の出先機関の廃止・縮小や、予算のムダの洗い出しなどの行政改革を掲げているだけだ。
===
Tackling economic challenges
◆責任ある説明を◆
Having said, "The Japanese economy needs three years to recover," Aso has accepted the government's fiscal stimulus measures to turn around the flagging economy. He also has suggested he will push back the target of achieving a surplus in the primary balance, originally eyed for fiscal 2011, saying, "Conditions have changed."
首相は「日本経済は全治３年」として経済対策のための財政出動を容認し、２０１１年度に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標については「前提条件が変わった」と先送りする考えを示唆した。
A review of the health care insurance program for people aged 75 or older was unexpectedly floated during the closing stages of the LDP presidential election. But this raises the question of how the LDP and New Komeito will remain consistent with their previous insistence that the scheme is necessary. Aso and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe should explain this properly to ensure there is no confusion among the public.
後期高齢者医療制度の見直しは、自民党総裁選の終盤に唐突に浮上した。必要性を訴えてきた政府・与党の従来の説明と、どう整合性をとるのか。首相と舛添厚生労働相は、国民を混乱させないよう、しっかりと説明すべきだ。
At his first press conference on assuming the premiership Wednesday night, Aso clarified that the government would raise its share of the burden for the basic pension to half from the current one-third from fiscal 2009. However, he did not present details on the financial resources available for doing so.
首相は、就任後初の記者会見で、来年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げると明言しながら、財源については、明示しなかった。
The new Cabinet should urgently discuss concrete measures for securing such resources.
早急に具体的な財源措置を検討すべきである。
If Aso's administration is to achieve the goals it has laid out, the LDP clearly must prevail in its upcoming electoral battle with the Democratic Party of Japan, headed by Ichiro Ozawa.
近づく衆院選は、麻生首相が率いる自民党と、小沢代表の民主党との決戦となる。
麻生政権が実績を上げていくには、まず、小沢民主党に勝利しなければならない。
Aso is responsible for presenting clearly defined principles for the country's rejuvenation and outlining concrete policies for the public in his policy speech scheduled to be delivered at the Diet on Monday.
首相は、２９日の所信表明演説で、日本再生のためのより明確な理念と、具体的な政策を国民に示す責任がある。
We hope Aso will engage in lively and constructive debates with Ozawa and other opposition parties leaders during their interpellation.
代表質問でも、小沢代表をはじめ野党党首と、活発な論戦を展開してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2008)
（2008年9月25日02時24分 読売新聞）
Aso must outline plan for 'radiant, strong' state
麻生内閣発足 「明るく強い国」をどう造る（9月25日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Taro Aso's new Cabinet was inaugurated Wednesday night. But it sets out under unusual circumstances, with the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a subsequent general election just around the corner.
麻生新内閣が発足した。衆院解散・総選挙を間近に控えた異例の船出である。今後も活力ある日本を維持していくには、どうすべきか。麻生首相は、内政、外交の見取り図を、早急に示さねばならない。
The question now is what Aso--the 59th man to serve as prime minister--should do to maintain the nation's vigor.
第９２代、５９人目の首相に選ばれた麻生首相は２４日夜、組閣を終え、新内閣を始動させた。
To ensure he can do so, he must present a blueprint mapping out the nation's politics and diplomacy as quickly as possible.
（麻生首相はこれから先の国内政策と外交政策につき明確な青写真を国民に示さなければならない by srachai）
Announcing the lineup of his Cabinet himself at a press conference, Aso stressed that he is determined to make Japan a "radiant and strong country." He apparently believed it was important to deliver such a message directly to the public rather than leaving it to the chief cabinet secretary.
麻生首相は、自ら記者会見して閣僚名簿を発表し、「日本を明るく強い国にする」と強調した。官房長官任せにせず、国民に対して直接、メッセージを発することを重視したものだ。
===
◆政策推進の３原則◆
3 principles for governance
On appointing his Cabinet ministers, Aso instructed them "to promote policies for the benefit of the people," "to make the best use of bureaucrats" and "to devote efforts to the national interest rather than that of government ministries." These are apparently being dubbed "Aso's three principles" and he said he will make them the cornerstone of his policies.
首相は、閣僚の任命にあたり、「国民本位の政策を進める」「官僚は使いこなす」「省益ではなく国益に専念する」ように指示した。これを“麻生３原則”とし、政策推進の基本に据える考えを示したのだろう。
Aso named former Education, Science and Technology Minister Takeo Kawamura as chief cabinet secretary, a pivotal role in the Cabinet. As with the appointment of Hiroyuki Hosoda as Liberal Democratic Party secretary general, picking Kawamura indicates that Aso took into account his practical skills, which are highly thought of within the party.
内閣の要となる官房長官に、河村建夫・元文部科学相を起用した。自民党の細田博之幹事長と同様、党内で評価の高い実務能力を買ったものといえる。
Aso retained Kaoru Yosano, who was a contender in Monday's LDP presidential election, as state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy and named former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister. These appointments suggest Aso also hopes to build a united party by ensuring ministers are matched with positions suited to their policymaking abilities.
総裁選を戦った与謝野経済財政相は再任、石破茂・元防衛相は農相に登用した。両氏の得意分野の政策能力を活用し、挙党態勢にも配慮した人事だ。
In addition, Aso gave Cabinet posts to many of those who contributed to his victory in the party presidential race. Shoichi Nakagawa, finance minister and state minister in charge of financial services; Kunio Hatoyama, internal affairs and communications minister; and Akira Amari, state minister in charge of administrative reform, all supported Aso and contributed to his winning the presidential election.
自民党総裁選で麻生氏の勝利に貢献した議員を多数起用した。中川財務・金融相、鳩山総務相、甘利行政改革相は、麻生支持を打ち出し、早くから流れを作った。
Meanwhile, the prime minister named Yuko Obuchi, 34, who is in her third term in the lower house, as state minister in charge of the declining birthrate. She becomes the youngest ever postwar cabinet member.
戦後最年少閣僚として、３４歳で当選３回の小渕優子衆院議員を少子化相に抜擢(ばってき)した。
===
Management in crisis
◆危機管理を怠るな◆
Since former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation announcement on Sept. 1, there have been serious problems to contend with at home and abroad. The new Cabinet must check the government's crisis management system and try to perfect the management of affairs of state.
今月１日の福田前首相の辞意表明後、国内外で、深刻な問題が発生している。内閣として、危機管理体制を総点検し、国政遂行に万全を期すことが求められる。
The financial crisis that originated in the United States is developing into a cross-border realignment of the financial industry that involves Japanese financial institutions. Meanwhile, the Japanese economy itself is slowing.
米国発の金融危機は、日本の金融機関も巻き込んで、国境を越えた金融再編に発展している。一方で、日本の景気は下降線をたどっている。
Given these difficult circumstances, agile management that unifies fiscal and financial considerations is going to be indispensable in guiding the country's economic policies.
こうした難局にある経済政策の舵(かじ)取りでは、財政と金融の一体的、機動的な運営が欠かせない。
Aso also has asked Finance Minister Nakagawa to serve as state minister in charge of financial services. He says, quite reasonably, that the dual appointment ensures Japan has a state minister responsible for financial services in attendance at meetings of the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors.
首相は、中川財務相に金融相を兼務させた。先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）で、日本の財務相が金融行政に関与していない事態を避けるのが狙い、と説明した。当然の判断だろう。
Meanwhile, police on Wednesday searched the headquarters of Osaka-based rice processing and sales firm Mikasa Foods on suspicion of selling tainted rice meant for industrial use as edible rice. The latest incident revealed government administrative processes are not functioning properly.
農薬などに汚染された事故米の不正転売問題で、警察当局は、米穀加工販売会社の強制捜査に踏み切った。行政の機能不全を露呈する不祥事だ。
Incoming agriculture minister Ishiba should exercise leadership in cooperation with Seiko Noda, who retained her post as state minister in charge of consumer affairs, to ensure the safety of the nation's food and to regain the public's trust in the ministry.
石破農相は、再任された野田消費者相と協力し、「食の安全」の確保と農水省の信頼回復に指導力を発揮すべきだ。
Recent reports of the deteriorating health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il have caused confusion over the future direction of this autocratic state's decision-making.
北朝鮮の金正日総書記の健康不安説で、独裁国家の意思決定の行方に不透明感が漂っている。
Against this backdrop, North Korea recently began work restoring its Yongbyon nuclear facility that it had previously agreed to disable.
そうした中で、北朝鮮は、無能力化に合意していた寧辺の核施設の復旧作業に着手した。
Meanwhile, there is currently no prospect of Pyongyang resuming its reinvestigation into Japanese abducted by North Korean agents.
日本人拉致問題も、被害者の再調査入りのめどが立っていない。
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada need to reaffirm coordination with the United States and other countries concerned and give full attention to North Korea's actions.
中曽根外相、浜田防衛相は、米国など関係国との連携を再確認し、北朝鮮の動向に細心の注意を払う必要がある。
Meanwhile, an agreement reached between the LDP and its coalition partner New Komeito on Tuesday incorporates economic stimulus measures, including fixed-amount income and residential tax cuts that were demanded by New Komeito. The two parties also agreed to review an unpopular health care insurance program for people aged 75 or older.
麻生政権発足に先立つ自公両党の政権合意には、公明党が求めた所得・住民税の定額減税など当面の景気対策や、国民に批判の強い後期高齢者医療制度を見直す方針が盛り込まれた。
However, the agreement does not call for the financial burden the nation faces to be shouldered by the public, including through a consumption tax rate hike. And as for securing financial resources to fund ballooning social security costs, it simply refers to administrative reforms, including abolishing and consolidating local offices of the central government and ensuring budgetary allocations are not squandered.
一方で、消費税率の引き上げなど国民に負担を求める施策は見あたらない。財源確保策は、国の出先機関の廃止・縮小や、予算のムダの洗い出しなどの行政改革を掲げているだけだ。
===
Tackling economic challenges
◆責任ある説明を◆
Having said, "The Japanese economy needs three years to recover," Aso has accepted the government's fiscal stimulus measures to turn around the flagging economy. He also has suggested he will push back the target of achieving a surplus in the primary balance, originally eyed for fiscal 2011, saying, "Conditions have changed."
首相は「日本経済は全治３年」として経済対策のための財政出動を容認し、２０１１年度に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標については「前提条件が変わった」と先送りする考えを示唆した。
A review of the health care insurance program for people aged 75 or older was unexpectedly floated during the closing stages of the LDP presidential election. But this raises the question of how the LDP and New Komeito will remain consistent with their previous insistence that the scheme is necessary. Aso and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe should explain this properly to ensure there is no confusion among the public.
後期高齢者医療制度の見直しは、自民党総裁選の終盤に唐突に浮上した。必要性を訴えてきた政府・与党の従来の説明と、どう整合性をとるのか。首相と舛添厚生労働相は、国民を混乱させないよう、しっかりと説明すべきだ。
At his first press conference on assuming the premiership Wednesday night, Aso clarified that the government would raise its share of the burden for the basic pension to half from the current one-third from fiscal 2009. However, he did not present details on the financial resources available for doing so.
首相は、就任後初の記者会見で、来年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げると明言しながら、財源については、明示しなかった。
The new Cabinet should urgently discuss concrete measures for securing such resources.
早急に具体的な財源措置を検討すべきである。
If Aso's administration is to achieve the goals it has laid out, the LDP clearly must prevail in its upcoming electoral battle with the Democratic Party of Japan, headed by Ichiro Ozawa.
近づく衆院選は、麻生首相が率いる自民党と、小沢代表の民主党との決戦となる。
麻生政権が実績を上げていくには、まず、小沢民主党に勝利しなければならない。
Aso is responsible for presenting clearly defined principles for the country's rejuvenation and outlining concrete policies for the public in his policy speech scheduled to be delivered at the Diet on Monday.
首相は、２９日の所信表明演説で、日本再生のためのより明確な理念と、具体的な政策を国民に示す責任がある。
We hope Aso will engage in lively and constructive debates with Ozawa and other opposition parties leaders during their interpellation.
代表質問でも、小沢代表をはじめ野党党首と、活発な論戦を展開してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2008)
（2008年9月25日02時24分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) September 24, 2008
Environmental challenges ahead for Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine world heritage site
石見銀山遺跡：世界遺産へ観光客押し寄せ、「環境との調和」仕切り直し
◇石見銀山の挑戦
Shimane -- In July 2007, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Oda, Shimane Prefecture, became the first Japanese industrial site to be registered as a world heritage site. It gained high appraisal during the World Heritage Committee investigation for its "coexistence with nature" and "harmony with the environment."
However, environmental problems subsequently arose due to an increase in the number of tourists to the area. In response, local residents have made the bold decision to abolish a local bus service, which has been a precious means of transportation for them.
From this autumn, the people of Oda will make a fresh start with an even greater respect for the environment.
日本初の産業遺跡として昨年７月、世界文化遺産に登録された石見銀山遺跡（島根県大田市）。世界遺産委員会の審査では「自然との共存」「環境との調和」が高い評価を受けた。だが、観光客の増加で、環境破壊という問題が浮上。住民は地域の足でもある路線バスの廃止を決断した。この秋、「環境」というキーワードに立ち返った仕切り直しが始まる。【大田通信部・船津健一】
◆観光客倍増
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is valued for three main features: The remains of the silver mine, the town itself, and the routes to the port. The core zone of the heritage area covers 442 hectares, encompassing the towns of Omori, Nima, and Yunotsu. The most popular site is Omori, where people can see the shaft of the silver mine and areas of the residential town that remain from the Edo period. Most tours planned by travel agencies focus on this town. An amazing 714,000 tourists visited the site in 2007 when it was registered as a world heritage site, almost double the number of the previous year. This year, the number of visitors reached 560,000 by the end of August, which is equivalent to a 1.7-fold increase on the previous year.
石見銀山遺跡を構成する要素は大きく三つ。銀鉱山跡、町並み、街道と港だ。大森町、仁摩（にま）町、温泉津（ゆのつ）町の市内３町に点在するそれらの総面積は約４４２ヘクタールになる。中でも、銀採掘坑道や江戸時代の区割りを伝える町並みが残る大森町には観光客が押し寄せる。旅行代理店のツアーもここに集中する。世界遺産に登録された０７年の観光客数は前年の２倍近い７１・４万人。今年は８月末で５６万人に迫り、前年同期比１・７倍と衰える気配がない。
The town of Omori is home to 390 people among 170 families. These people requested a "Park and Ride" system to Iwami Kotsu (headquarters in Masuda) last April to reduce the number of tourists' cars entering the town. People park their cars in a new free parking lot (with a capacity of 400 cars and 11 buses) 2.5 kilometers south of the area, and take a shuttle bus to the town. People are also discouraged from visiting the most popular site, the "Ryugenji Mabu (Mine Shaft)" at the foot of the mine by car. Instead, public buses (with a capacity 43 people) shuttle to and from the town area. Due to the increase in the number of tourists, the original nine round trips were increased to 18 roundtrips for weekdays and 35 for weekends and holidays. Along the narrow road where even passenger cars can barely pass, residents and visitors alike are suffering from exhaust fumes from the buses.
大森の町並み地区は、１７０世帯３９０人が暮らす「生活の場」でもある。観光車両の流入を防ぐため、市は昨年４月末、石見交通（本社・益田市）に要請して「パーク＆ライド」を始めた。同地区の２・５キロ南に新設した無料駐車場（乗用車４００台、観光バス１１台）に車を置き、同社の路線バスに乗り換えて町へ入ってもらう仕組みだ。一方、銀鉱山のふもとにある一番人気の「龍源寺間歩（まぶ）」（坑道）へも一般車両は乗り入れ禁止とし、町並み地区から路線バス（４３人乗り）を使ってもらうことになった。
従来は９往復だったダイヤを平日１８往復、土日祝日は３５往復と大幅に増便。普通車でもすれ違うのがやっとの市道で、住民も観光客も追い越していくバスの排ガスを浴び、顔をしかめた。
◆混雑、混乱
During the autumn tourist season, people flood into the town. "Weekday overcrowding turns into weekend chaos," sighs a community association official.
Although it is only 30 minutes on foot from the town to the mine shaft, many tourists choose to wait for the bus. Many full buses go by until we can get on," the official added.
秋の行楽シーズンには観光客が殺到。「平日は混雑、土日は混乱」（自治会役員）という状態になった。町並み地区から坑道へは徒歩でも３０分程度だが、観光客の多くはバスを利用する。「何台待ってもバスに乗れない」。
Responding to the complaints, the bus company has increased the service, resulting in nearly 100 shuttles on weekdays. The buses are always overcrowded and the residents can't use them. Moreover, the residents have to put up with exhaust fumes, noise, vibrations, etc.
"It's not a local bus anymore -- it's turned into a tourist bus," complains the official.
It didn't take long before the residents called for action.
苦情に応えて臨時便を増やしたため、多い日には平日でも１００台近くがピストン運行した。
いつも満員のバスには住民も乗れない。「もはや路線バスじゃない。 観光バスだ」。加えて排ガス、騒音、振動。住民が悲鳴を上げるまで時間はかからなかった。
In December last year, Omori Community Council decided to petition the city of Oda to abolish the running of the local bus.
どうすればいいか。町民集会を重ねた末、大森町自治会協議会は昨年１２月、路線バスの廃止を大田市に陳情した。
One week after the petition, a 110 cm by 50 cm rock weighing 80 kg rolled down the slope alongside the bus route, right in front of the mine shaft. It was midnight, and luckily no one was injured, but the falling rock was exactly what the petitioners had predicted might occur as a result of the vibrations from the buses. An investigation confirmed that work to prevent falling rocks would take about two years to complete, which added pressure to do away with the local bus.
その１週間後、坑道の手前のバス道に面した斜面から全長１１０センチ、幅５０センチ、重さ約８０キロの岩が落ちる落石事故が発生。深夜の発生でけが人はなかったが、陳情書が指摘した「バスの振動による落石」が現実になった。市は現場付近を通行止めとし、路線バスは手前の停留所で折り返すことになった。調査の結果、落石防止の工事に約２年かかることも判明。これが路線バス廃止へ向けた動きを後押しした。
◆「歩く」観光へ
So it was decided that the local bus service that shuttles people between the mine shaft and the town would be abolished. Although there were pros and cons to the decision, one resident stated flatly, "If we get rid of the buses, tourists and physically challenged people may be (negatively) affected. Still, we residents live here all our lives. We can't live with such anxiety."
市と石見交通は来月１日から、坑道と町並みを往復していた路線バスを全廃する。決定までには賛否両論あったが、ある住民は集会でこう言い切った。「バスを廃止すれば、観光客が減ったり障害者に迷惑をかける。でも住人は死ぬまでそこに住み続ける。不安を抱えながら過ごすことはできません」
On the second autumn after its registration as a world heritage site, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine will switch its policy to promoting sightseeing on foot. It has plans to introduce two hybrid buses that use both electric motors and conventional combustion engines along the "Park and Ride" routes from next fiscal year.
登録から２度目の秋を迎えた石見銀山は「歩く観光」にかじを切る。来年度からは、パーク＆ライド路線にモーターとエンジンを併用する「ハイブリッドバス」２台を導入する計画もある。
There are also plans to introduce emission-free electric buses, although not as a replacement for the lost local buses. Instead, they will cruise around the world heritage sites, limited to a walking speed of 5 km/hour and yielding to pedestrians. On Sept. 21, the "ultimate eco-car" was launched at the site, too. Three velotaxis (motorized tricycle taxis) with the capacity for two adults and one child were introduced. The driver also acts as a tour guide.
一方、排ガスを出さない電気バス導入計画も進んでいる。廃止路線のバス代わりではなく、歩行者優先の遺跡内を時速５キロ程度の歩く速さで遊覧する乗り物だ。遺跡内では２１日から「究極のエコカー」も登場した。大人２人と幼児１人が乗れる有料のベロタクシー（電動アシスト付き三輪自転車）３台で、運転手が観光ガイドも務める。
The decision of this small town in the Sanin area was heard throughout the nation. The aim for "coexistence of a world heritage site with the environment" has also been included in the residents' charter of Omori town: "Our residents have to live here every day of their lives. We are committed to serving the people and Iwami Ginzan. We dedicate ourselves to conserving our history, relics and nature for future generations."
山陰の片隅の小さな町が全国に発信する「環境と共生する世界遺産」への決意は、世界遺産登録後に大森町が定めた「住民憲章」にも表れている。「この町には暮らしがあります。私たちはこの町で暮らしながら、人とのきずなと石見銀山を未来に引き継ぎます。未来に向かって歴史と遺跡、そして自然を守ります」
Yukio Nishimura, a professor at Tokyo University specializing in city planning, cites an example from 1995 when another travel spot, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, had to build a parking lot over paddy fields following a rapid increase in the number of tourists after its registration as a world heritage site. "I hope that Iwami Ginzan will study the 'good' of various areas while avoiding the 'bad,' and become a place where people from across the nation can visit and learn."
都市計画などが専門の西村幸夫・東京大教授は、岐阜県の白川郷が９５年の世界遺産登録後、観光客の急増で合掌造り集落の水田を駐車場に変えた例を引き、「石見銀山は各地のいいところを学び、悪いところはうまく避け、日本中から学びに来る場所になってほしい」と期待を寄せる。
毎日新聞 2008年9月22日 東京朝刊
Environmental challenges ahead for Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine world heritage site
石見銀山遺跡：世界遺産へ観光客押し寄せ、「環境との調和」仕切り直し
◇石見銀山の挑戦
Shimane -- In July 2007, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Oda, Shimane Prefecture, became the first Japanese industrial site to be registered as a world heritage site. It gained high appraisal during the World Heritage Committee investigation for its "coexistence with nature" and "harmony with the environment."
However, environmental problems subsequently arose due to an increase in the number of tourists to the area. In response, local residents have made the bold decision to abolish a local bus service, which has been a precious means of transportation for them.
From this autumn, the people of Oda will make a fresh start with an even greater respect for the environment.
日本初の産業遺跡として昨年７月、世界文化遺産に登録された石見銀山遺跡（島根県大田市）。世界遺産委員会の審査では「自然との共存」「環境との調和」が高い評価を受けた。だが、観光客の増加で、環境破壊という問題が浮上。住民は地域の足でもある路線バスの廃止を決断した。この秋、「環境」というキーワードに立ち返った仕切り直しが始まる。【大田通信部・船津健一】
◆観光客倍増
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is valued for three main features: The remains of the silver mine, the town itself, and the routes to the port. The core zone of the heritage area covers 442 hectares, encompassing the towns of Omori, Nima, and Yunotsu. The most popular site is Omori, where people can see the shaft of the silver mine and areas of the residential town that remain from the Edo period. Most tours planned by travel agencies focus on this town. An amazing 714,000 tourists visited the site in 2007 when it was registered as a world heritage site, almost double the number of the previous year. This year, the number of visitors reached 560,000 by the end of August, which is equivalent to a 1.7-fold increase on the previous year.
石見銀山遺跡を構成する要素は大きく三つ。銀鉱山跡、町並み、街道と港だ。大森町、仁摩（にま）町、温泉津（ゆのつ）町の市内３町に点在するそれらの総面積は約４４２ヘクタールになる。中でも、銀採掘坑道や江戸時代の区割りを伝える町並みが残る大森町には観光客が押し寄せる。旅行代理店のツアーもここに集中する。世界遺産に登録された０７年の観光客数は前年の２倍近い７１・４万人。今年は８月末で５６万人に迫り、前年同期比１・７倍と衰える気配がない。
The town of Omori is home to 390 people among 170 families. These people requested a "Park and Ride" system to Iwami Kotsu (headquarters in Masuda) last April to reduce the number of tourists' cars entering the town. People park their cars in a new free parking lot (with a capacity of 400 cars and 11 buses) 2.5 kilometers south of the area, and take a shuttle bus to the town. People are also discouraged from visiting the most popular site, the "Ryugenji Mabu (Mine Shaft)" at the foot of the mine by car. Instead, public buses (with a capacity 43 people) shuttle to and from the town area. Due to the increase in the number of tourists, the original nine round trips were increased to 18 roundtrips for weekdays and 35 for weekends and holidays. Along the narrow road where even passenger cars can barely pass, residents and visitors alike are suffering from exhaust fumes from the buses.
大森の町並み地区は、１７０世帯３９０人が暮らす「生活の場」でもある。観光車両の流入を防ぐため、市は昨年４月末、石見交通（本社・益田市）に要請して「パーク＆ライド」を始めた。同地区の２・５キロ南に新設した無料駐車場（乗用車４００台、観光バス１１台）に車を置き、同社の路線バスに乗り換えて町へ入ってもらう仕組みだ。一方、銀鉱山のふもとにある一番人気の「龍源寺間歩（まぶ）」（坑道）へも一般車両は乗り入れ禁止とし、町並み地区から路線バス（４３人乗り）を使ってもらうことになった。
従来は９往復だったダイヤを平日１８往復、土日祝日は３５往復と大幅に増便。普通車でもすれ違うのがやっとの市道で、住民も観光客も追い越していくバスの排ガスを浴び、顔をしかめた。
◆混雑、混乱
During the autumn tourist season, people flood into the town. "Weekday overcrowding turns into weekend chaos," sighs a community association official.
Although it is only 30 minutes on foot from the town to the mine shaft, many tourists choose to wait for the bus. Many full buses go by until we can get on," the official added.
秋の行楽シーズンには観光客が殺到。「平日は混雑、土日は混乱」（自治会役員）という状態になった。町並み地区から坑道へは徒歩でも３０分程度だが、観光客の多くはバスを利用する。「何台待ってもバスに乗れない」。
Responding to the complaints, the bus company has increased the service, resulting in nearly 100 shuttles on weekdays. The buses are always overcrowded and the residents can't use them. Moreover, the residents have to put up with exhaust fumes, noise, vibrations, etc.
"It's not a local bus anymore -- it's turned into a tourist bus," complains the official.
It didn't take long before the residents called for action.
苦情に応えて臨時便を増やしたため、多い日には平日でも１００台近くがピストン運行した。
いつも満員のバスには住民も乗れない。「もはや路線バスじゃない。 観光バスだ」。加えて排ガス、騒音、振動。住民が悲鳴を上げるまで時間はかからなかった。
In December last year, Omori Community Council decided to petition the city of Oda to abolish the running of the local bus.
どうすればいいか。町民集会を重ねた末、大森町自治会協議会は昨年１２月、路線バスの廃止を大田市に陳情した。
One week after the petition, a 110 cm by 50 cm rock weighing 80 kg rolled down the slope alongside the bus route, right in front of the mine shaft. It was midnight, and luckily no one was injured, but the falling rock was exactly what the petitioners had predicted might occur as a result of the vibrations from the buses. An investigation confirmed that work to prevent falling rocks would take about two years to complete, which added pressure to do away with the local bus.
その１週間後、坑道の手前のバス道に面した斜面から全長１１０センチ、幅５０センチ、重さ約８０キロの岩が落ちる落石事故が発生。深夜の発生でけが人はなかったが、陳情書が指摘した「バスの振動による落石」が現実になった。市は現場付近を通行止めとし、路線バスは手前の停留所で折り返すことになった。調査の結果、落石防止の工事に約２年かかることも判明。これが路線バス廃止へ向けた動きを後押しした。
◆「歩く」観光へ
So it was decided that the local bus service that shuttles people between the mine shaft and the town would be abolished. Although there were pros and cons to the decision, one resident stated flatly, "If we get rid of the buses, tourists and physically challenged people may be (negatively) affected. Still, we residents live here all our lives. We can't live with such anxiety."
市と石見交通は来月１日から、坑道と町並みを往復していた路線バスを全廃する。決定までには賛否両論あったが、ある住民は集会でこう言い切った。「バスを廃止すれば、観光客が減ったり障害者に迷惑をかける。でも住人は死ぬまでそこに住み続ける。不安を抱えながら過ごすことはできません」
On the second autumn after its registration as a world heritage site, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine will switch its policy to promoting sightseeing on foot. It has plans to introduce two hybrid buses that use both electric motors and conventional combustion engines along the "Park and Ride" routes from next fiscal year.
登録から２度目の秋を迎えた石見銀山は「歩く観光」にかじを切る。来年度からは、パーク＆ライド路線にモーターとエンジンを併用する「ハイブリッドバス」２台を導入する計画もある。
There are also plans to introduce emission-free electric buses, although not as a replacement for the lost local buses. Instead, they will cruise around the world heritage sites, limited to a walking speed of 5 km/hour and yielding to pedestrians. On Sept. 21, the "ultimate eco-car" was launched at the site, too. Three velotaxis (motorized tricycle taxis) with the capacity for two adults and one child were introduced. The driver also acts as a tour guide.
一方、排ガスを出さない電気バス導入計画も進んでいる。廃止路線のバス代わりではなく、歩行者優先の遺跡内を時速５キロ程度の歩く速さで遊覧する乗り物だ。遺跡内では２１日から「究極のエコカー」も登場した。大人２人と幼児１人が乗れる有料のベロタクシー（電動アシスト付き三輪自転車）３台で、運転手が観光ガイドも務める。
The decision of this small town in the Sanin area was heard throughout the nation. The aim for "coexistence of a world heritage site with the environment" has also been included in the residents' charter of Omori town: "Our residents have to live here every day of their lives. We are committed to serving the people and Iwami Ginzan. We dedicate ourselves to conserving our history, relics and nature for future generations."
山陰の片隅の小さな町が全国に発信する「環境と共生する世界遺産」への決意は、世界遺産登録後に大森町が定めた「住民憲章」にも表れている。「この町には暮らしがあります。私たちはこの町で暮らしながら、人とのきずなと石見銀山を未来に引き継ぎます。未来に向かって歴史と遺跡、そして自然を守ります」
Yukio Nishimura, a professor at Tokyo University specializing in city planning, cites an example from 1995 when another travel spot, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, had to build a parking lot over paddy fields following a rapid increase in the number of tourists after its registration as a world heritage site. "I hope that Iwami Ginzan will study the 'good' of various areas while avoiding the 'bad,' and become a place where people from across the nation can visit and learn."
都市計画などが専門の西村幸夫・東京大教授は、岐阜県の白川郷が９５年の世界遺産登録後、観光客の急増で合掌造り集落の水田を駐車場に変えた例を引き、「石見銀山は各地のいいところを学び、悪いところはうまく避け、日本中から学びに来る場所になってほしい」と期待を寄せる。
毎日新聞 2008年9月22日 東京朝刊
プロフィール
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■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 ]
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[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
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