北京五輪開幕

(Aug. 8, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

The world's eyes are on China

北京五輪開幕　世界が中国を注視している（8月8日付・読売社説）

 

The Summer Olympic Games open on Friday in Beijing.

北京五輪がきょう８日開幕する。

 

This will be the third Summer Olympics in Asia, following the Games in Tokyo in 1964 and in Seoul in 1988. About 16,000 athletes and officials from 205 countries and territories will participate--the most in Olympic history. We hope participating athletes will bring all their strength to the events, which come only once every four years.

アジアでは、東京大会（１９６４年）、ソウル大会（８８年）に続く３回目の開催だ。世界２０５か国・地域から約１万６０００人の選手・役員が参加する。五輪史上、最多の規模である。選手たちには、４年に一度の祭典で、全力を尽くしてもらいたい。

 

The Beijing Olympics is an international event to which China is committing its national prestige. It is conspicuous that China is attempting to demonstrate to the nation itself and to the world the achievements of its reforms and open-door policies started 30 years ago, as well as its presence in the international community.

今回の五輪は、中国にとって国家の威信をかけた国際イベントである。３０年前に始めた改革・開放政策の成果と、国際社会での自国の存在感を内外に誇示しようとする姿勢が際立っている。

prestige＝名声、威信 conspicuous＝明らかな、よく見える、人目を引く

 

As a sign of such efforts, China has invited heads of states and leaders of more than 80 countries, including Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, U.S. President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to the opening ceremony.

開会式に、福田首相やブッシュ米大統領、サルコジ仏大統領ら８０か国を超える世界の首脳・指導者を招いているのもその表れだ。

 

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Under unprecedented alert

◆空前の厳戒下の祭典◆

 

However, the Beijing Olympics is also peculiar in a sense that it is attracting world attention for aspects other than sport.

しかし、今回の五輪ほどスポーツ以外の面で、世界の注目を集めている大会もまれだ。

peculiar＝人目を引く、特異な、目立った

 

At first, international criticism mounted against China's crackdown in March on antigovernment protests in Tibet. Following the incident, the Olympic torch relay caused serious confusion during its legs in the United States and Europe as well as in Nagano.

まず、３月のチベット暴動への弾圧に国際的非難が高まり、聖火リレーは欧米諸国や長野市で大きな混乱を巻き起こした。

 

Right before the opening of the Games, the country was hit by a series of terrorism incidents, including serial bus blasts in Yunnan Province and a deadly attack on policemen in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, events that go against the spirit of a sporting event.

開幕直前には、雲南省の連続バス爆破や、新疆ウイグル自治区での武装警官へのテロ攻撃などスポーツの祭典に似つかわしくない流血の惨事が続いた。

 

It can be interpreted that a variety of problems faced by China, such as the issue of ethnic minorities, economic and regional divides, corruption and oppression by government officials, have come to light all at once during the Olympic countdown.

少数民族問題や経済・地域の格差、役人の腐敗・横暴など中国が抱える様々な問題が、五輪開催を機に一気に噴き出した形だ。

oppression＝抑圧

 

During the Games, China plans to mobilize 110,000 police officers, including terror control officers, and more than 30,000 military personnel and 290,000 volunteers for security purposes.

中国は大会期間中、テロ対策要員を含む警察官１１万人、軍兵士３万人以上、警備担当ボランティア２９万人を動員する。

 

Though taking security precautions is necessary, the unprecedentedly high security alert in the country is creating an extraordinary atmosphere.

やむを得ない措置とは言え、空前の厳戒態勢は異様な雰囲気を醸し出している。

 

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Protect freedom of press

◆報道の自由を守れ◆

 

In terms of press freedom, there has already been friction between Chinese authorities and the international media.

報道の自由という点でも、早くも国際メディアと摩擦を起こしている。

 

At the two media centers of the Beijing Olympic Games, certain Internet sites deemed as anti-China have been made unaccessible. Freedom of the press is not fully guaranteed even for coverage of international events.

メディア・センターでは、反中国的とされる一部ホームページにはアクセスできない。国際行事でさえ、報道の自由は完全には保障されていない。

 

In connection with the attack on police officers in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, two Japanese newsmen who were at the attack site to cover the incident were beaten and temporarily detained by Chinese police.

加えて新疆事件では、取材で現地入りした邦人記者２人が警官に暴行を受け、一時拘束された。

 

Human rights issues in China emerged earlier this week following the country's detention of activists and lawyers protesting the country's Tibet policy and who are against the hosting of the Olympics.

中国のチベット政策や五輪開催に反対する内外の活動家や法律家が拘束されるなど、中国における人権問題が、改めて浮上することにもなった。

 

Before the opening of the Games, concerns were raised over air pollution and food safety in the country.

開会を前に、大気汚染問題や「食」の安全も懸念された。

 

In Beijing, more than 100 factories have suspended operations or have reduced production.

北京市では、すでに１００か所以上の工場が操業を停止したり減産している。

 

Authorities are stepping up efforts to tackle environmental problems, including regulations on gas exhaust by limiting the number of cars allowed to run in the city. We wonder how far such efforts have been successful.

走行できる車両数を制限し、排ガス規制を進めるなど、環境対策に力を入れている。どこまで効果を上げているのか。

 

Security problems and air pollution also are influencing Olympic participants in various ways.

治安悪化や大気汚染は、選手たちのコンディション調整にも、微妙な影響を及ぼしている。

 

Athletes from about 20 countries trained at camps in Japan until right before the Games. Some even said they wanted to avoid the risk of staying in Beijing for an extended period.

開幕直前まで、約２０か国の選手団が日本で合宿を行った。北京に長く滞在するリスクを避けたい、と語る関係者もいる。

 

After entering the Olympic Village in Beijing, members of the Japanese national contingent were told by their managers and coaches not to go out alone.

北京の選手村に入った日本選手団は、一人歩きをしないように監督やコーチから指示されている。

contingent＝選手、選手団

 

"I hope the Olympics will be held safely and in peace," said Hiroyuki Tomita of the men's gymnastics squad. This wish is certainly shared by all athletes.

男子体操の冨田洋之選手は「安全で、平和裏にオリンピックが行われることを願っています」と語った。選手全員の思いだろう。

squad＝チーム

 

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Japan ready to shine

◆がんばれニッポン◆

 

There are 339 Japanese athletes participating in the Games, the largest ever number to participate except for in the Tokyo Olympics. The Japanese contingent aims to take home double-digit gold medals and 30 or more medals in total.

日本人選手は３３９人に上る。東京五輪を除けば最大規模だ。「金メダルを２けた、メダル総数３０個以上」を目標としている。

 

We hope Japan see success close to that seen at the 2004 Athens Olympics, when Japan took 37 medals, including 16 gold.

金１６、計３７のメダルを獲得した前回アテネ大会に迫る結果を期待したい。

 

On Saturday, Ryoko Tani will compete in the women's 48-kilogram event in judo, aiming for an unprecedented third-straight gold medal in that event. If Tani achieves her goal of "winning a gold medal as a mom, too" following her golds under her maiden name of Tamura and under the name of Tani after her marriage, it will stir the spirits of the entire Japanese contingent.

９日には、五輪３連覇を目指す柔道女子４８キロ級の谷亮子選手が登場する。「ママでも金」を実現すれば、日本選手全体の士気が上がるだろう。

 

Finals in swimming will be held in the morning, which is unusual. The decision is believed to have been made to allow the finals to be aired live in prime time in the United States. Such consideration for schedules is in part because the operating costs of the Olympics are mainly funded by massive broadcasting rights fees.

競泳は、午前中に決勝が行われる異例の日程となった。米国内でテレビのゴールデンタイムに生中継できるよう配慮したためとされる。巨額の放送権料が運営費の柱となっている五輪ならではの競技設定といえる。

 

There are numerous reasons to watch the swimming events. Will Japanese swimmer Kosuke Kitajima be able to win his second consecutive gold medals for both the men's 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke? How many world records will be rewritten by those wearing the much talked-about high-speed swimsuits?

平泳ぎの北島康介選手が、百メートル、二百メートルの２種目で連覇を達成できるか。話題となった高速水着により、世界新記録がいくつ生まれるか。興味は尽きない。

 

Baseball--of which the Japanese team mostly comprises professional players--and softball will be removed from the Olympics starting with the 2012 London Olympics. We hope that Japan, which won the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, will put on a powerful show of the sports' attraction to the rest of the world.

プロの主力選手で臨む野球は、ソフトボールとともに、次回のロンドン五輪で競技から外れる。０６年のワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）で世界一となった実力を発揮して、野球の魅力をアピールしてほしい。

 

Meanwhile, competition venues also are expected to be under tight control by Chinese authorities, with even the cheering activities being regulated in a variety of ways.

当局の厳戒態勢は、競技場内にも及びそうだ。応援ルールには様々な規制がかかっている。

 

Besides such points, attention also will be focused on the behavior of Chinese spectators. During the 2004 Asian Cup soccer games, Chinese spectators loudly booed Japanese players in a way that went too far, and it is still fresh in our memories.

そうした中、試合を観戦する中国人のマナーも注目を浴びるだろう。０４年のサッカー・アジア杯で、中国人観客の度を越した対日ブーイングは記憶に新しい。

spectators＝観客

 

Anti-French sentiment swept through China following disruptions in the Olympic torch relay in Paris. We wonder what attitude the Chinese people will show toward French players during the Olympics.

パリの聖火リレー妨害を理由に、中国全土で反仏抗議が吹き荒れた。フランスの選手に対して、どのような反応を示すのか。

 

It must be remembered that the international community is expecting the Chinese people to also show fair play in how they support all the athletes.

国際社会は、応援でもフェアプレーの精神を期待している。

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 8, 2008)

（2008年8月8日01時49分  読売新聞）

大麻事件過去最大

(Mainichi Japan) August 7, 2008

Cannabis-related crimes hit record high

大麻事件：過去最多…自宅栽培など急増　上半期・警察庁

 

The number of cannabis-related crimes reported during the first half of this year marked a record high at 1,686, the National Police Agency (NPA) said on Thursday.

The NPA said the figure was an increase by 9.1 percent from the January-June period last year.

Police departments across the country either arrested or reported to prosecutors 1,202 people for violating the Cannabis Control Law between January and June this year, up 12.3 percent from the same period last year.

The number of cases involving cannabis has been steadily increasing since 2005, when there were 2,831 such cases. The figure marked a record high last year, at 3,282.

The NPA said more younger people are becoming involved in such crimes. During the first half of this year, 65 percent (781) of those arrested or reported to prosecutors for violating the Cannabis Control Law were in their teens or 20s. The age bracket was followed by those in their 30s, at 286.

There were 91 reported cases in which cannabis plants were illegally grown over the first half of this year, up 24.7 percent from the same period last year. A total of 73 people were arrested or reported to prosecutors for growing cannabis, an increase by 46 percent from the corresponding period last year.

In many cases, suspects learn how to grow cannabis through the Internet and books and try their hand at growing cannabis by collecting seeds from wild cannabis or purchasing seeds from dealers.

Meanwhile, the number of cases involving stimulants also increased, the NPA said. There were 8,984 reported cases of violations of the Stimulants Control Law during the first half of this year, an increase of 13.3 percent from the corresponding period last year. In these cases, 6,216 people were arrested or reported to prosecutors -- up 8.8 percent from the same period last year.

However, the amount of stimulants confiscated during the January-June period this year -- 42.1 kilograms -- largely decreased from the same period last year, by 55.4 percent.

The NPA attributes the decrease to tightened controls over stimulants by authorities in China and Southeast Asian countries.

The street value of stimulants, which was 10,000 yen per 0.2 grams as of the end of 2007, skyrocketed to 10,000 yen per 0.1 gram in June this year.

The NPA suspects that drug trafficking rings may be shifting their focus from scarce stimulants to cannabis.

 

Words and Phrases:

cannabis＝大麻

the National Police Agency (NPA)＝警視庁

prosecutors＝検察

violating the Cannabis Control Law＝大麻取締法違反

grow cannabis＝けしを栽培する、当麻を栽培する

stimulants＝覚せい剤

violations of the Stimulants Control Law＝覚せい剤取締法違反

 

大麻事件：過去最多…自宅栽培など急増　上半期・警察庁

 

警察庁は７日、今年上半期（１～６月）の薬物事犯の検挙状況をまとめた。大麻取締法違反容疑で、上半期としては過去最多の１６８６件（昨年同期比９．１％増）、１２０２人（同１２．３％増）を逮捕や書類送検した。年間最多の３２８２件の摘発だった昨年を上回るペースで、大麻栽培が発覚するケースが目立っている。覚せい剤取締法違反容疑の摘発も８９８４件（同１３．３％増）、６２１６人（同８．８％増）と増加した。

大麻摘発は、０５年の２８３１件が年々増加。昨年最多だった。今年上半期の検挙者を年齢別で見ると、１０～２０歳代の若年層が７８１人と全体の６５％を占めた。続いて、３０歳代の２８６人だった。大麻栽培では９１件（同２４．７％増）、７３人（同４６．０％増）が検挙され急増している。警察庁によると、インターネットや書物などで栽培方法を学んだうえで、自生する大麻の種を採取したり、栽培目的であることを隠し、販売店から種を購入するなどして育てていることが多いという。

一方、覚せい剤事件では検挙者数は増加したが、押収量は４２．１キロ（同５５．４％減）と大幅に減少した。同庁は、中国や東南アジア諸国が国外流出の取り締まりを強化したことで、日本国内での流通量が減少していると分析している。末端密売価格は０７年末では０．２グラムで１万円だったが、今年６月には０．１グラムで１万円と倍の値段に高騰した。薬物の密売グループも品薄の覚せい剤から大麻販売に移っている可能性があるとみている。【遠山和彦】

【関連記事】

大麻：作曲家の渡部伸隆容疑者を逮捕　新潟のホテルで所持

大麻：過去最大180キロ押収、2人逮捕警視庁

大麻栽培:１５歳少女ら５人、容疑で逮捕－－県警　／香川

大麻所持:米軍岩国基地が米兵訴追－－地検支部不起訴で　／山口

覚せい剤所持：元日テレ社員を現行犯で逮捕

毎日新聞　2008年8月7日　11時44分（最終更新　8月7日　11時51分）

中国国内で毒物混入か？

(Aug. 7, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

Gyoza revelation puts onus on China

ギョーザ事件　「混入元」はやっぱり中国だった（8月7日付・読売社説）

 

Now that China's stubborn insistence that frozen gyoza dumplings were not contaminated in China has been toppled, the Japanese side might rightly be thinking, "It's just as we thought."

「やっぱり」というのが、日本側の率直な思いだろう。中国の強弁が足元から崩れた形だ。

toppled＝つまずく、つんのめる、倒れる

 

It was found that, after the food poisonings occurred in Japan involving the China-made frozen gyoza, Chinese who ate the frozen dumplings made by Tianyang Food--the Chinese manufacturer linked to the Japanese poisonings--suffered food poisoning caused by the organic phosphorus pesticide methamidophos.

中国製冷凍ギョーザによる中毒事件で、これは有機リン系殺虫剤メタミドホスが中国で混入されたとみて、ほぼ間違いない事実である。

日本の事件後、中国でも、同じ製造元である天洋食品の冷凍ギョーザを食べた複数の中国人が、メタミドホスによる中毒症状を起こしていたことがわかった。

organic phosphorus pesticide＝勇気リン酸系殺虫剤

 

With this in mind, there can be little doubt that the poisoned gyoza in Japan were contaminated in China.

（この事実からして、日本で販売された毒入り餃子が中国国内で毒物を混入され可能性は少ない？←この部分はスラチャイが翻訳しました。日本語原文にこのセンテンスに対応する部分がみあたりませんでしたので。 in China ではなくて、in Japan ではないかと思われます。 in China と書かれると意味が矛盾するのではないでしょうか？ by srachai 英語のエキスパートのヘルプをお願いします）

 

According to sources, just before the Group of Eight summit meeting in Toyakocho, Hokkaido, in July, China informed Japan through diplomatic channels of the poisoning in China.

先月の北海道洞爺湖サミットの直前、中国から外交ルートを通じて日本側に伝えられたという。

 

In the Japanese poisonings, the pesticide also was detected from inside unopened packages of frozen gyoza. In spite of this, China had insisted the possibility that the pesticide contamination happened within China was extremely low--suggesting that the contamination occurred in Japan.

未開封の冷凍ギョーザの袋の内部からもメタミドホスが検出されていたにもかかわらず、中国はこれまで、「中国国内で混入された可能性は極めて小さい」と、いかにも日本国内で混入されたかのような主張をしてきた。

 

But now China itself has given Japan facts that destroy China's claims. What was China's intention, and what was its rationale, for doing this?

それが、自らの潔白の否定につながる事実を知らせてきた。中国側に、どのような思惑や判断があったのだろうか。

rationale＝正当な理由付け

 

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Information disclosure needed

（正確な情報開示が必要だ）

 

The food poisoning in China raises many questions, such as the extent of the damage and the amount of pesticide detected. Both the Japanese and Chinese governments have yet to give detailed explanations of the problem.

それにしても、被害の状況やメタミドホスの検出量など、不明な点が多すぎる。日中両政府も具体的な説明はしていない。

 

The gyoza problem has worried Japanese consumers and the impact on the domestic frozen food industry has been immeasurable. The image of Chinese foods has been tarnished the world over.

日本の消費者に不安を与え、冷凍食品業界などが被った損害も計り知れない。中国食品の悪いイメージは世界的にも広がった。

immeasurable＝はかりしれない tarnished＝曇らせる､変色させる、色あせる

 

The Foreign Ministry said China is investigating the food poisoning there and that China would officially inform Japan of its findings after the facts are confirmed. However, in light of the impact the food poisonings have had on Japan and China, it should swiftly disclose as much relevant information as it can.

「中国側は調査中で、事実確認できたら正式に伝えてくる」と外務省は説明するが、与えた影響を考えれば、中国は判明分について速やかに公表すべきだろう。

 

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday, is expected to seek greater cooperation from Chinese authorities on the gyoza issue when he meets Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao. It is necessary for Fukuda to ask China about the progress of the investigation.

北京五輪開会式で訪中する福田首相は、胡錦濤・中国国家主席らとの会談で捜査協力の強化を改めて申し入れるという。調査の進展状況などもただす必要がある。

 

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Investigation must get serious

（しっかりとした調査が求められる）

 

Wariness about Chinese-made food has not abated in Japan, and this aversion has spread beyond frozen foods.

日本国内での中国食品に対する警戒感は、一向に収まらない。冷凍食品にとどまらず、様々な中国産食品に及んでいる。

abated＝勢いが衰える aversion＝嫌悪、反感

 

If China from the start had been sincere about the problem by admitting its fault and apologizing for it, the current Japanese distrust toward Chinese-made foods would not be so strong.

中国が最初から非を認めて謝罪し、誠実に対応していたら、これほど不信感が高まらなかったのではないか。

 

An investigation by Japanese police found that extremely high concentrations of methamidophos were detected in the gyoza that caused the food poisonings in Japan. A pesticide toxicologist said surprisingly that this concentration could only be that high if the pesticide had been poured undiluted directly onto the gyoza.

日本の警察の鑑定では、「原液を直接かけないとあり得ない」と農薬毒性学の専門家が驚くほどの極めて高濃度のメタミドホスが検出されていたのだ。

toxicologist＝毒物学者 undiluted＝水で薄めていない

 

The Chinese Public Security Ministry has said the contamination did not happen during the production process or at other stages in China and that investigations into employees in the country could not find any suspects. We doubt the investigators seriously tackled the case.

中国公安省は「生産工程などで混入された状況はなく、従業員の調査でも容疑者は見つからなかった」と説明してきたが、本腰を入れて捜査したのか疑問だ。

tackled＝難問の解決にとりくむ

 

The Chinese investigation got off to a bad start, but now it has a chance to conduct a serious investigation into the matter. Japan's technology, such as detailed ingredient analysis, might be helpful in this.

出足が遅れてしまったが、これからが真相究明の本番だ。日本の詳細な成分鑑定などが中国の捜査に役立つこともあるだろう。

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2008)

（2008年8月7日01時41分  読売新聞）

広島原爆６３回式典

(Mainichi Japan) August 6, 2008

Thousands mark 63rd anniversary of atomic bombing of Hiroshima

広島原爆忌：６３回目迎え、４万５０００人が祈り

 

A woman holds her hands in prayer in front of a memorial for the atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima's Naka-ku on Wednesday.

HIROSHIMA -- Thousands marked the 63rd anniversary of the Aug. 6, 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima at a ceremony in the city on Wednesday, joined by a record number of foreign ambassadors.

In Japan, the government has been questioned over its stance on recognizing atomic bomb-related diseases, and atomic-bomb survivors, or hibakusha, that have suffered mentally from their experiences of the bombing and physical aftereffects that can appear after many years. They have also been hurt by a lack of understanding and interest from the people around them.

During the commemoration on Wednesday, Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba read out a peace declaration asserting a renewal of determination that no one else should suffer the same hardships as those undergone by hibakusha.

Ambassadors from 55 countries -- a record number -- took part in the memorial ceremony that started at the peace memorial park in Hiroshima's Naka-ku at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. China, a country that possesses nuclear weapons, made an appearance at the ceremony for the first time.

Altogether, about 45,000 people took part in the ceremony. Akiba and two representatives of the bereaved families of atomic-bomb victims enshrined two books containing the names of 5,302 hibakusha whose deaths were confirmed over the past year. With the addition, there are now 93 books containing the names of 258,310 people who died.

The average age of hibakusha in Japan passed 75 for the first time this year. The peace declaration stated that the effects of the atomic bombing that still affect hibakusha physically and mentally has been underestimated for many years. The declaration stated that the Hiroshima Municipal Government has promised to conduct a two-year scientific investigation into the psychological effects of the atomic bomb experience.

In addition, the declaration mentioned that 190 states have ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and pointed out that the countries opposing nuclear weapons formed a majority.

During the commemoration ceremony, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue and other officials offered flowers. At 8:15 a.m., the same minute the bomb struck, participants observed a minute of silence.

Also at the ceremony, children read out a declaration of peace, promising to learn about what happened in Hiroshima, to think about the events and inform others about them."

 

Ｗｏｒｄｓ and Phrases:

holds her hands in prayer＝手を合わせて祈りを捧げる

foreign ambassadors＝外国大使.

recognizing＝認知する、認識する

suffered mentally＝精神的に障害を被る

physical aftereffects＝肉体的な後遺症

by a lack of understanding and interest＝理解と関心の少なさのために

commemoration＝記念式典

peace declaration=平和宣言

asserting＝主張する、断言する

memorial ceremony=記念式典

peace memorial park=平和記念公園

bereaved families＝遺族、残された家族

enshrined＝葬る、埋葬する、納骨する

containing＝～を含む

passed＝～を超過する

The peace declaration＝平和宣言

physically and mentally＝肉体的および精神的に

underestimated＝過小評価する

conduct＝実施する

psychological effects of the atomic bomb experience＝原爆の後遺症.

ratified＝条約を批准する

the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty＝核拡散防止条約

formed a majority=大多数をしめる

commemoration ceremony＝記念式典

offered flowers＝花束をささげる

the same minute the bomb struck＝原爆投下の時間に,

participants observed a minute of silence＝一分間の黙とうをささげる.

declaration of peace＝平和宣言

 

広島原爆忌：６３回目迎え、４万５０００人が祈り

 

被爆地・広島は６日、６３回目の原爆の日を迎えた。北京五輪という「平和の祭典」の開幕が２日後に迫る中、核軍縮を巡る国際情勢は依然として厳しい。国内では、原爆症認定についての国の姿勢が問われている。いつ発症するか分からない後障害と原爆体験による心の傷に加え、周囲の無理解と無関心は被爆者を一層苦しめてきた。広島市の秋葉忠利市長は平和宣言で、８月６日を「『こんな思いを他の誰にもさせない』ための決意を新たにする日」と位置づけた。

同市中区の平和記念公園で午前８時から行われた平和記念式典には、過去最多となる５５カ国の駐日大使らが参列。核保有国では中国が初参加した。

全国の被爆者の平均年齢は今年初めて７５歳を超えた。平和宣言は、「被爆者の心身を今なお苛（さいな）む原爆の影響は永年にわたり過小評価され」てきたと指摘。原爆体験の精神的影響などについて、広島市が２年をかけて科学的調査することを表明した。数々の悲劇と苦悩を踏まえ、「核兵器は廃絶されることにだけ意味がある」と訴えた。

また、国際情勢では、米国の核政策の中枢を担ってきたキッシンジャー元国務長官らが昨年以降、米の新聞に核兵器廃絶を提言、核による安全論からの転換を呼びかけたほか、１９０カ国が核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）を批准している事実などを挙げ、「核兵器の廃絶を求める私たちが多数派」だと強調した。

式典には約４万５０００人が参加。秋葉市長と遺族代表２人が、この１年間に死亡、または死亡が確認された被爆者５３０２人の名簿２冊を原爆慰霊碑下の奉安箱に納めた。原爆死没者名簿は計９３冊、死没者数は計２５万８３１０人になった。

福田康夫首相、田上富久・長崎市長らが献花。原爆投下時刻の午前８時１５分、参列者は１分間の黙とうをささげた。こども代表として、小学６年の本堂壮太君（１２）と今井穂花さん（１１）が「ヒロシマで起きた事実に学び、知り、考え、たくさんの人に伝えます」と、「平和への誓い」を読み上げた。【大沢瑞季】

 

毎日新聞　2008年8月6日　11時23分（最終更新　8月6日　13時42分）

エスカレーター逆送事故

(Aug. 6, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

Lessons must be learned from escalator accident

エスカレーター　重量超過が招いた逆走事故（8月6日付・読売社説）

 

It is not just elevators that have weight limits. That's the lesson operators and passengers of escalators should learn from an accident involving an escalator that occurred Sunday.

エレベーターと同じように、エスカレーターにも重量制限がある。設置者も利用者も教訓とすべき事故だ。

　

An ascending escalator at Tokyo Big Sight, a major exhibition hall in Tokyo's Koto Ward, stopped abruptly and began sliding downward, causing a number of people to topple and some to sustain injuries.

上りのエスカレーターが急停止して逆走し、多数の人が転倒する事故が、東京ビッグサイトであった。

ascending＝上昇する、昇りの topple＝つんのめる sustain＝傷を受ける

 

TV footage aired by NHK showed that the about 35-meter-long escalator directly linking the first and fourth floors in the building was packed, predominantly with young men. They were standing as close to each other as passengers might on a train during the rush hour.

ＮＨＫテレビが放映した、その瞬間の映像では、１階から４階に直行する長さ約３５メートルのエスカレーターが、主に若い世代の男性らでラッシュ時の電車内のように、すし詰めの状態だ。

predominantly＝大部分は

 

A witness said people began calling out as the accident occurred in an attempt to encourage people on the escalator to move away from its base, but many people were unable to move. The witnesses said a number of people fell some distance from above.

「逃げろと大声がしたが、まったく身動きがとれず、上から人が降ってくるようだった」という証言もある。

 

The accident resulted in relatively light injuries to 10 people. This light toll may have been partly due to the fact that there were few elderly people or children on the escalator.

軽傷者１０人と軽微な被害で済んだのは、高齢者や子供が少なかったためもあるだろう。

 

===

 

Fault thought unlikely

（思いがけない事故の原因）

 

The escalator in question was manufactured by Nippon Otis Elevator Co.

事故機は「日本オーチス・エレベータ」が製造した。

 

In May, some passengers riding an Otis escalator in a Nagoya municipal subway station fell backward after the escalator came to a sudden stop.

同型機では今年５月、名古屋市の市営地下鉄駅でも、急停止して乗客が後ろに倒れる事故が起きている。

 

After the accident in Nagoya, investigators concluded that a broken bolt used to secure a stand that held a motor and other equipment likely was the cause.

この事故では、モーターなどを載せる台を固定するためのボルトが折れていた。

 

We hope that investigators probing the Tokyo accident will properly check whether a structural defect was to blame.

今回も構造上の不備はないか、まずはその点をきちんと調べてほしい。

 

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, however, there is a strong possibility the escalator ground to a halt due to the combined weight of the people riding it. After stopping, it began moving backward because its braking mechanism also could not bear the weight.

だが、警視庁のこれまでの調べでは、重量超過が原因で停止した後、ブレーキが耐えきれずに逆走した可能性が強い。

 

What should be inspected first, therefore, is how admission to the venue was controlled and how the visitors were guided.

何よりも検証すべきは、入場者の整理や誘導がどう行われていたかだ。

venue＝現場､現地、事故などの発生地

 

Most of the people on the escalator were heading to the Wonder Festival 2008 Summer exhibition and a sale of cartoon and game figures that had just opened on the fourth floor of the building. The popular annual event attracts more than 40,000 people a day.

４階の会場では、アニメやゲームのキャラクターをかたどったフィギュアを展示・販売する「ワンダーフェスティバル」が始まったばかりだった。

 

Many people rushed onto the escalator immediately after the opening of the event Sunday.

１日で４万人以上が訪れる恒例の人気イベントで、この日も、開場とともに大勢の人がエスカレーターに殺到した。

 

===

 

Safety must be addressed

（安全性がまず問われるべき）

 

According to Nippon Otis Elevator, the escalator in question was not designed to bear the weight of two adults standing on each step. But when the accident occurred, more than three adults were standing on many of the steps. The escalator was not designed to bear this load.

「日本オーチス・エレベータ」によると、事故機の場合、各ステップに大人が２人ずつ乗ることは想定していない。それが３人以上も乗っていた。これでは耐えられるわけがない。

 

Even if the escalator had not started sliding down, a stampede could have occurred simply by one person stumbling and falling on a step.

逆走事故が起きなくても、前列の人がつまずいて転倒すれば、将棋倒しになる危険もあった。

stampede＝どっと押し寄せること stumbling＝つまずく

 

As more and more buildings install escalators, so the number of accidents involving people falling also is increasing.

エスカレーターの設置台数の増加とともに、転倒事故も増えている。

 

The escalator manufacturers' body urges passengers to hold the handrail tightly when they ride an escalator as they can stop suddenly due to power failure or other reasons.

業界団体では、停電などでも急停止することがあるとして、利用する際は必ず移動手すりにつかまるよう呼びかけている。

 

The incident shows that allowing many people to rush to one small area of a building can be dangerous.

今回の事故は、狭い場所に群衆が殺到して起きる雑踏事故としてもみることができる。

 

Various events are planned across the country for the summer vacation period. Organizers and visitors at these events should give serious consideration to safety issues.

夏休み中は各地で様々なイベントが開かれる。主催者側も訪れる人も、安全には十分に気を配ってもらいたい。

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2008)

（2008年8月6日01時54分  読売新聞）

ODA贈賄

(Aug. 5, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

Bribing foreign officials tarnishes national image

ＯＤＡ贈賄　不正招く「商習慣」への警鐘だ（8月5日付・読売社説）

 

It is unforgivable for companies to simply accept the notion that providing kickbacks in developing countries is just another "business practice."

途上国でのリベート提供を「商習慣」と安易に受け入れることは許されない。

 

The first arrest in a bribery case in connection with Japan's official development assistance projects should be a strong signal to Japanese companies to change their way of looking at things.

日本の政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）に絡む贈賄事件の初摘発は、企業に意識改革を迫るものだ。

 

Pacific Consultants International's accounting irregularities relating to Japanese projects to dispose of chemical weapons abandoned by the Imperial Japanese Army in China during World War II are now developing into an alleged violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention Law that prohibits bribing foreign government employees.

中国での遺棄化学兵器処理事業などをめぐる「パシフィックコンサルタンツインターナショナル」（ＰＣＩ）の不正経理事件が、外国公務員への贈賄を禁じた不正競争防止法違反事件に発展した。

 

According to investigations by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, a former president of PCI and others are suspected of handing over 90 million yen in 2003 and 2006, at the request of the head of the office in charge of a construction project to build an east-to-west trunk road in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

東京地検の調べでは、前社長らは、ベトナム・ホーチミン市の道路建設プロジェクトの担当局長の要求を受け、２００３年と０６年に現金計約９０００万円の賄賂を渡した疑いが持たれている。

 

This was the second arrest linked to bribery of foreign government officials after the Fukuoka Local Public Prosecutors Office filed a summary indictment last year against two former executives of electrical and engineering company Kyudenko Co.'s local subsidiary in the Philippines who had provided sets of golf clubs to two high-ranking officials at the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation.

海外贈賄の摘発は、福岡区検が昨年、フィリピン国家捜査局の幹部２人にゴルフセットを贈った九電工の現地子会社の元幹部らを略式起訴して以来、２件目だ。

 

Japan is Vietnam's largest donor country, providing about 100 billion yen in ODA last fiscal year.

ベトナムにとって日本は最大の援助国である。昨年度のＯＤＡ供与額は約１０００億円に上る。

 

===

 

Taking from taxpayers

（馬鹿をみるのは納税者）

 

Tokyo-based PCI was previously found to have accounting irregularities of about 140 million yen that stemmed from padding expense claims for ODA projects in 16 countries, including Vietnam and Costa Rica, submitted to the Japan International Cooperation Agency. In Costa Rica, it was learned that PCI bribed influential local people.

ＰＣＩは、過去にもベトナムやコスタリカなど１６か国へのＯＤＡに関連し、国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）に水増し請求するなど計１億４０００万円の不正経理をしていた。コスタリカなどでは現地の有力者にリベートを渡していた。

stemmed from padding expense＝水増し請求により生じる

 

Monday's arrest may illuminate only some of the bribes paid by PCI in developing countries. We hope prosecutors will uncover the full scope of what PCI has done in winning bids.

今回の容疑は、ＰＣＩが途上国で繰り広げた不正なリベート提供の一部にすぎないのではないか。検察は全容を解明してほしい。

 

In 1998, member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, including Japan, as well as some nonmember countries concluded a convention to prevent the bribing of government officials. Along with that, Japan prepared the necessary domestic legislation by revising the Unfair Competition Prevention Law.

外国公務員への贈賄については１９９８年、日本を含む経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟国などが防止条約を締結した。それに伴い、日本は不正競争防止法を改正し、国内法を整備した。

 

In spite of that, bribery is rarely detected because it is difficult to gather the necessary information as well as to get cooperation from the foreign countries involved.

だが、情報収集が難しく、相手国の協力も必要なため、なかなか摘発されなかった。

 

===

 

Case not pursued

 

In 2002, Mitsui & Co., a major trading company, was suspected of bribing a high-ranking Mongolian government official by providing 1.3 million yen in cash in connection with an ODA project in that nation. At the time, prosecutors considered filing charges against the trading company under the Unfair Competition Prevention Law, but in the end decided not to proceed with the case.

２００２年、モンゴルへのＯＤＡに絡み、三井物産が同国高官に現金１３０万円を渡した疑いが強まり、適用が検討されたが、見送られた。

 

In contrast, bribery charges have been laid in about 100 cases in the United States since the OECD convention was enacted. Japan's accomplishments in this area have been outshone by a considerable degree, so much so that the OECD repeatedly recommended improvements were needed. It has also sought to have Japan take a more active approach to filing charges.

条約発効以来、約１００件を摘発している米国などに比べ、日本は実績で大きく見劣りしており、ＯＥＣＤから再三、勧告を受けてきた。日本にも積極的な摘発姿勢が求められる。

outshone=実績があがっていない、停滞した

 

It is almost impossible to eradicate corporate misconduct when government officials solicit bribes as in the PCI case, unless the recipient of the bribe is strictly punished in their own country.

また、収賄側も当該国で厳正に処罰されねば、今回のような要求型の賄賂授受は根絶されない。

eradicate＝全滅させる、根絶する solicit=求める、嘆願する、歓迎する

 

Meanwhile, companies should be aware that complying with such demands will lead the international community to lose trust in Japan.

一方、企業は、要求に応じることが日本に対する国際社会の信頼を損なうことを認識すべきだ。

　

The government now is going to focus on ODA projects in Africa. To make good use of ODA as a valuable diplomatic tool, disciplined corporate behavior and strict oversight by the Foreign Ministry are indispensable.

日本はアフリカ向けＯＤＡにも力を入れようとしている。ＯＤＡを貴重な外交手段として生かすには、企業の自律した行動と外務省の厳正なチェックが不可欠だ。

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2008)

（2008年8月5日02時12分  読売新聞）

ベトナムＯＤＡで贈収賄

(Mainichi Japan) August 4, 2008

Consultancy officials arrested over bribery in Vietnam development aid project

ベトナムＯＤＡ：ＰＣＩ前社長ら４人逮捕　見返り９千万円

 

A former president of major consultancy firm Pacific Consultants International and three other workers were arrested Monday on suspicion of offering about 90 million yen in bribes to a Ho Chi Minh City official in return for securing a contract for development aid construction work, prosecutors said.

The four, including 62-year-old former company president Masayoshi Taga, were arrested on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Law.

It is the second time for a case to be formed in Japan over bribes to a foreign civil servant, after public prosecutors summarily indicted a worker at a company in Fukuoka last year for giving a set of golf clubs to a high-ranking Philippines government official when the official was invited to Japan.

Arrested along with Taga were former road technology division manager Haruo Sakashita, 62, former Hanoi office head Tsuneo Sakano 58, and former managing director Kunio Takasu, 65.

Investigators said that in 2001, the four met with an executive from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee -- the equivalent of a municipal government office in Japan -- with the aim of securing a contract for the Saigon east-west highway construction project involving road and tunnel construction. The four allegedly agreed to give the official about 10 percent of the amount of the contract in return for securing the project work.

Pacific Consultants International secured the contract for about 3 billion yen in fiscal 2001 and 2003, and gave the official about 300 million yen, sources close to the project said.

Public prosecutors formed a case over a total of 820,000 dollars (about 90 million yen) that the suspects allegedly supplied in December 2003 and August 2006. The statute of limitations for bribing foreign civil servants was three years up until November 2005, when the Unfair Competition Prevention Law was revised to make the period five years. However, some of the suspects spent a long time overseas, and since the statute of limitations was suspended during that time, officials decided that it was possible to form a case over the alleged bribes in 2003.

 

Ｗｏｒｄｓ and Phrases:

consultancy firm＝建設コンサルタント会社

arrested=逮捕される

on suspicion of offering＝～を贈った疑いで

bribes＝収賄、賄賂

in return for＝～の見返りに

development aid construction work＝開発協力建設事業,   

prosecutors=検察

the Unfair Competition Prevention Law＝不正競争防止法

foreign civil servant＝外国の役人

summarily＝あっさりと、単に

the equivalent of＝～と同等の

with the aim of＝～しようと狙って、～が目的で

in return for＝～の見返りに、～することを条件に

secured=確保した

formed a case over=～の件で起訴する

The statute of limitations for bribing foreign civil servants=外国の高官に対する贈収賄に対する主訴期限法

the Unfair Competition Prevention Law＝不正競争防止法

was possible to form a case over＝～で起訴することは可能である、～で起訴することができる

 

ベトナムＯＤＡ：ＰＣＩ前社長ら４人逮捕　見返り９千万円

ベトナムでの政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）事業受注の見返りにホーチミン市幹部に計約９０００万円のわいろを提供したとして、東京地検特捜部は４日、大手コンサルタント会社「パシフィックコンサルタンツインターナショナル」（ＰＣＩ）前社長の多賀正義容疑者（６２）ら元幹部４人を不正競争防止法違反（外国公務員への贈賄）容疑で逮捕した。

外国公務員への贈賄の立件は、福岡区検が昨年、フィリピン政府高官を日本に招いた際、ゴルフクラブセットを渡したとして「九電工」（福岡市）の社員を略式起訴した事件に次ぎ２件目。国外でのわいろ授受が対象になったのは初めて。

ほかに逮捕されたのは▽ＰＣＩ元道路交通事業部長、坂下治男（６２）▽元ハノイ事務所長、坂野恒夫（５８）▽元常務、高須邦雄（６５）の各容疑者。

調べによると、高須容疑者らは、円借款によるホーチミン市内の高速道路やトンネル工事を受注した謝礼として、日本の地方自治体に当たる事業実施機関「ホーチミン市人民委員会」の東西ハイウエー・水環境業務管理局の局長に、０３年に６０万ドル、０６年に２２万ドルの計８２万ドル（約９０００万円）を渡した疑い。多賀前社長は０６年分の贈賄を了承したとされる。

ＰＣＩ側は０１年、局長に接触し、受注額の１０％前後を提供することで合意。受注額は０１、０３両年度で計約３０億円に上り、局長側に渡した現金は最終的に３億円近くになったとみられる。

特捜部はベトナムに検事を派遣し、同国の司法当局が収賄側の局長から事情聴取するのに立ち会った。ただ、同法に収賄側の罰則規定はない。一方、ベトナムでは収賄罪の最高刑は死刑だが、局長の処遇は、現地当局の判断次第となる。

 

◇ＰＣＩがおわび

ＰＣＩは「社会的規範から大きく逸脱し、多大な迷惑をかけたことを深くおわびする」とのコメントを出した。同社は今月１日付で、国内事業を中心とする別の建設コンサルタント会社に、ＯＤＡを含む海外事業をすべて譲渡した。ＰＣＩは不動産管理、債権回収などのため存続する。

毎日新聞　2008年8月4日　15時30分（最終更新　8月4日　21時46分）

私大定員割れ

(Aug. 4, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

So many universities, so few new students

私大定員割れ　合併・再編も視野に入れよ（8月4日付・読売社説）

 

The result of a recent survey conducted by an organization of private schools raises a question: Does Japan really need so many universities?

こんなに多くの大学が必要なのか。そう思わせるような結果である。

 

According to Promotion and Mutual Aid Corp. for Private Schools of Japan, a record 47.1 percent of four-year private universities in the country were under-enrolled this year.

日本私立学校振興・共済事業団が発表した今年度の私立大学入学者の動向で、全国の私大の４７％が定員割れを起こしたことが判明した。

 

Among 565 private universities surveyed, excluding schools that stopped accepting new students this academic year, as many as 266 schools were under-enrolled. Of the 266, 29 private universities had filled less than 50 percent of their enrollment goal.

募集停止などを除く５６５校のうち２６６校にも上る。定員の５０％未満だった私大も２９校ある。

 

The gross number of applicants increased slightly from last year. This is because some universities, mainly major private schools, now allow test-takers to apply to several different departments by writing a single exam, and some universities conducted their exams at more convenient local test sites.

延べ受験者数はわずかながら増えている。大手私大を中心に、１回の入試で複数の学部を受験できる制度や地方会場での入試を増やしたためだ。

 

Although large universities with enrollment capacity of 3,000 or more account for only 4 percent of the total, about half of all applicants wrote entrance exams for those schools.

定員３０００人以上の大規模校は全体の４％しかないが、受験者数の半分を集めた。

 

The survey shows a situation has developed in which private universities have become polarized into popular large universities in urban areas that attract many students and relatively small, regional schools.

人気が集中する都市部の大規模校と地方の小規模校の「二極化」が、一段と鮮明になった。

 

One of the reasons for this phenomenon may be that applicants increasingly aspire to attend state-run and other public universities. However, a major factor is that the number of universities has been increasing since standards for establishing universities were revised to be more flexible under a deregulation drive despite the declining birthrate.

国公立大志向が強まっていることもあろう。しかし、大きな要因は少子化にもかかわらず、規制緩和で大学設置基準が弾力化され、大学が増えている点にある。

aspire=熱望する、切望する

 

===

 

Chasing shrinking demographic

（人口減少にどう対処すべきか）

 

The number of universities, including state-run and other public universities, rose to more than 750 from about 600 a decade ago although the population of 18-year-olds shrank by nearly 400,000 from about 1.6 million during the same period. While diverse universities and departments have been created, it is doubtful whether some of these institutions truly deserve to be called universities.

１８歳人口は１０年前の約１６０万人より４０万人近く減ったのに、大学は国公立も含め約６００校だったのが７５０校以上になった。多様な大学、学部が登場する一方、「大学」の名に値するのか疑わしいところもある。

shrank=shrink=縮む、縮小する、 diverse=多様の

 

Undoubtedly, the deregulation was initially intended to improve the quality of education by promoting competition through allowing new universities to enter the market. However, there are many universities that took the easy route to recruiting students by introducing interview- and essay-based tests, known as admission office exams, for example.

規制緩和は、新しい大学の参入によって競争を促し、教育の質を高めるのが狙いだったはずだ。だが、ＡＯ（アドミッション・オフィス）入試などで安易な入学者確保に走るところも少なくない。

 

The government's Central Education Council said in its proposal compiled in July, "Universities that cannot fulfill their mandate from society will inevitably fall by the wayside."

中央教育審議会は７月にまとめた答申案で、「社会の負託に応えられない大学は、淘汰を避けられない」との認識を示した。

mandate from society=社会の必要性、負託

 

The Council for University Establishment and School Incorporation, which screens the establishment of new universities should tighten preliminary checks on those schools. The Education, Science and Technology Ministry, for its part, needs to expand measures such as the creation of organizations that will accept students should their universities suffer financial collapse.

設置を認めるかどうか審査する大学設置・学校法人審議会は、事前チェックを厳格化すべきだ。文部科学省も、私大の破綻に備え、学生の受け皿など処理策を練っておく必要がある。

should their universities suffer financial collapse＝仮定法過去 （私大が破綻した場合に…）

 

===

 

Schools face dire straits

（危機に瀕する学校）

 

Government subsidies to private universities are reduced according to the ratio of under-enrolled departments and even completely cut if the number of students enrolled is 50 percent of the capacity or less. Therefore, schools that fail to meet enrollment goals could face tougher management.

私大は学部ごとの定員割れの割合に応じて私学補助金を減額され、定員の５０％以下ならゼロになる。定員を満たせないと、経営は一層苦しくなる

。

 

The collapse of a private university hits its students hard. Private universities, although they have their own founding philosophy and management policy, must take bold action as soon as possible.

破綻すれば影響を受けるのは在学生だ。私学には建学理念や経営方針があるが、早めに思い切った対策を打ち出さねばならない。

 

One option they may take is to abolish unpopular departments and instead specialize in unique areas of study. Another possible measure is to reorganize departments into those that develop human resources wanted by local communities.

人気の低い学部は廃止し、特色のある学部に特化する。地域が求める人材の育成・輩出に絞った学部などに改組する。こうした措置が考えられよう。

 

State-run universities realigned before they were given corporate status and some private universities now appear to be moving toward mergers. Mergers and realignment are among the options that private universities can take. Either way, they need to make bold managerial decisions before they reach the point of collapse.

国立大学は法人化を前に再編が進み、私大でも一部に合併の動きが見られる。合併・再編も一つの手だ。破綻に追い込まれる前に、大胆な経営判断が必要である。

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2008)

（2008年8月4日02時13分  読売新聞）

改造内閣始動

(Aug. 3, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun

Can PM get upper hand before Diet dissolution?

改造内閣始動　解散政局で主導権をとれるか（8月3日付・読売社説）

 

The just-overhauled Cabinet of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will face a moment of truth very soon, at the next extraordinary Diet session.

福田改造内閣は、次の臨時国会で、早くも正念場を迎える。

 

With the tenure of House of Representatives lawmakers expiring in little more than a year, Fukuda faces an uphill battle to produce tangible results at the Diet session that will give the ruling parties an edge before the Diet is dissolved for a general election.

衆院議員の任期はあと１年余を残すだけ。福田首相は、この国会でいかに実績をあげ、与党に優位な状況下で解散・総選挙につなげるか。厳しい対応を迫られる。

tenure=期間、tangible＝実感できる、触れることができる、

 

According to a public opinion poll conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun immediately after Friday's cabinet reshuffle, the Fukuda Cabinet's approval rating recovered to 41.3 percent.

内閣改造直後に実施した本社の全国世論調査では、福田内閣の支持率は４１・３％まで回復した。

 

It can be said that the reshuffle of the Cabinet and the Liberal Democratic Party's executive posts was a success, at least for the time being.

改造内閣・党人事は、ひとまず成功したといえるだろう。

 

At its first meeting on Saturday, the new Cabinet issued a statement spelling out the policies it will steadfastly implement, including the integration of government administration over consumer affairs and diverting revenues from road-related taxes to be used for the "livelihood of ordinary people."

福田改造内閣は、２日の初閣議で、消費者行政の一元化や、道路特定財源の「生活者財源」への転換などを、「強力に実行する」との首相談話を決定した。

steadfastly=確固とした、しっかりとした、不変の、不動の

 

There are myriad problems that cannot be dealt with by Japan alone, including the subprime loan fiasco and skyrocketing prices of crude oil and raw materials. Therefore, the new Fukuda Cabinet's ability to present countermeasures both adequate and feasible to people in Japan and abroad will be closely watched.

サブプライムローン問題や原油高、材料高など、日本一国では対応しきれない難問が山積している。こうした中で、改造内閣として、どのようにして、適切かつ機動的な対策を、内外に発信できるかが問われている。

myriad＝無数の、多くの

 

===

 

Refueling mission key duty

（給油活動は日本の責務）

 

Meanwhile, multinational forces are still engaged in fierce battles against terrorists in Afghanistan.

一方、アフガニスタンでは、現在も、多国籍軍がテロ集団に対して厳しい戦いを続けている。

 

At a press conference following the reshuffle, Fukuda stressed that the refueling mission being conducted by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Indian Ocean is "directly linked to Japan's national interests." "We have to be fully aware that other countries concerned are paying a huge price [in their efforts to fight terrorism]," he said.

首相は、内閣改造後の記者会見で、インド洋での海上自衛隊による給油活動について「日本の国益に直結する。関係国が大きな犠牲を払っていることを十分認識しなければならない」と強調した。

 

LDP Secretary General Taro Aso expressed similar views.

自民党の麻生太郎幹事長も、同趣旨の見解を示している。

 

Japan was forced to temporarily withdraw from the "war on terrorism" because turbulent debate on a bill for the new Antiterrorism Law at the last extraordinary Diet session prevented the government from extending the refueling mission.

昨年の臨時国会では、新テロ対策特別措置法案の審議が難航し、日本は「テロとの戦い」から一時離脱を余儀なくされた。

 

The continuation of the ocean-based refueling mission, which is not as dangerous as support operations on Afghan soil, is the least Japan can do to fulfill its international obligations. The nation should not let down the international community by withdrawing from the mission again.

アフガン本土での支援などと異なり、日本が比較的リスクの少ない海上での給油活動を続けることは、最低限の責務だろう。撤収によって再び、国際社会を失望させることがあってはなるまい。

 

Both the prime minister and the LDP secretary general must show their resolve to pass a bill to extend the refueling mission--even by resorting to a second vote in the lower house to enact the bill with a majority of two-thirds or more. They should also try to persuade New Komeito to overcome its reluctance to take a second vote in the lower house.

首相も幹事長も、給油活動を延長するための法案については、衆院の３分の２以上の賛成で再可決してでも、成立させる決意を示す必要がある。採決に慎重な公明党をしっかり説得すべきだ。

resorting＝に頼る、助けを求める

 

===

 

Fukuda must explain views

（福田首相は明確な説明を）

 

After seeing the new Cabinet and LDP executive lineup, which includes Aso in the party's No. 2 position, the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, now strongly believes Fukuda will be the one to dissolve the lower house.

野党第１党の民主党は、幹事長に麻生氏を起用した福田改造内閣・自民党人事をみて、「福田首相が自ら衆院を解散する」との見方を強めている。

 

At the upcoming Diet session, the DPJ is certain to grill the government over problems related to pension record blunders and the unpopular medical insurance program for people aged 75 and older in a bid to prompt an early dissolution of the lower house for a general election.

臨時国会で民主党は、年金の記録問題や後期高齢者医療制度問題などを追及して、早期の解散・総選挙を迫るだろう。

blunders＝へま、大失敗

 

Fukuda should proactively engage in debates with opposition parties over such basic national issues as fiscal reconstruction and the nation's contribution to maintaining international peace. In the course of doing so, the prime minister must explain his own views in an easy-to-understand manner.

首相は、財政再建や国際貢献など国の基本問題をめぐり、野党との論戦を積極的に展開すべきだ。そうした中で、自らの考えを、明確に、わかりやすく説明することが求められている。

proactively＝先のことを考える、事前に対策を講じる

 

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2008)

（2008年8月3日01時59分  読売新聞）

米新車販売

(Mainichi Japan) August 2, 2008

Japanese automakers surpass Big Three to top U.S. market sales in July

米新車販売：日本車８社が初めてビッグ３上回る　７月

 

WASHINGTON -- Eight Japanese car manufacturers took a combined 43 percent share of new vehicle sales in the U.S. in July, surpassing the 42.7 percent share of the Big Three U.S. automakers, market figures have shown.

Figures released by Autodata Corp. showed that the eight Japanese companies sold a combined 488,226 vehicles during July, nearly 3,000 more than the 485,289 sold by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

It is the first time for the Japanese firms to take top spot in the monthly share classified by country. The top three U.S. automakers, which have focused on large cars, appeared to have suffered as a result of high gasoline prices, that have created a demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The overall number of vehicles sold in the U.S. market in July stood at 1,136,176 -- 13.2 percent below the figure for the same month last year, and the ninth straight month that sales have declined from the previous year's figure.

By individual company, General Motors topped the list with a 26 percent share, while Toyota came second with an 11.9 percent share.

 

words:

combined 43 percent share of new vehicle sales＝４３％の日本８社総合新車販売台数

surpassing=超過する

combined 488,226 vehicles＝488,226台の日本８社総合新車販売台数

take top spot＝一位の座を獲得する

classified＝国別に分類された

as a result of high gasoline prices＝高騰するガソリン価格のために

more fuel-efficient vehicles＝より燃費のよい車.

the ninth straight month＝９ヶ月連続で that sales have

declined＝減少する

 

米新車販売：日本車８社が初めてビッグ３上回る　７月

【ワシントン斉藤信宏】米調査会社オートデータが１日まとめた７月の米新車販売台数によると、米国内での日本車８社の販売シェアが４３％となり、米大手３社（ビッグ３）の４２．７％を上回り、国別の月間シェアで初めてトップに躍り出た。原油高騰に伴うガソリン価格の値上がりが、大型車を主力にしてきたビッグ３を直撃した。日本勢は米国進出から半世紀余りで、史上初めて頂点に立った。

業界全体の販売台数は、前年同月比１３．２％減の１１３万６１７６台と９カ月連続で前年実績を下回った。９２年以来の低水準という。低所得者向け高金利住宅ローン（サブプライムローン）問題に伴う金融市場の混乱とガソリン高騰の影響で景気後退への懸念が強まり、消費者の買い控え傾向に拍車がかかった。

特にスポーツタイプ多目的車（ＳＵＶ）やピックアップトラックなど大型車の販売減が深刻で、ビッグ３は最大手のゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）が０８年４～６月期決算で１５５億ドル（約１兆６６００億円）の大幅赤字になるなど経営危機観測も広がっている。

日本車８社は計４８万８２２６台、ビッグ３の４８万５２８９台を約３０００台上回った。６月はビッグ３が約７万３０００台差をつけていた。

日本勢は、トヨタ自動車（２位）が同１１．９％減と低迷したが、小型車の販売が好調だったホンダは１．６％減と健闘し、クライスラー（５位）を抑えて３カ月連続で４位を維持した。また、日産自動車（６位）は同８．５％増と好調で、クライスラーに２７９０台差まで肉薄した。

一方、ビッグ３はＧＭが同２６％減、フォード・モーターも同１３％減と落ち込みが激しく、３社とも小型トラック工場の閉鎖や数千人規模の人員削減など大規模なリストラ策に着手している。

毎日新聞　2008年8月2日　10時48分