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August 06, 2014
EDITORIAL: Ban nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds
（社説）被爆６９年の夏に 核兵器の違法化・禁止を
“Remember Hiroshima, Nagasaki,” goes the refrain in “Remember,” a number released last year by singer Shinobu Sato (lyrics by Rei Nakanishi, music by Kisaburo Suzuki). Since then, Sato has been singing this song at concerts all over Japan.
♪リメンバー ヒロシマ・ナガサキ
声楽家の佐藤しのぶさんが、昨年発表した曲「リメンバー」（なかにし礼作詞、鈴木キサブロー作曲）を各地のコンサートで歌っている。
Why “remember”? It was often quoted by artist and nuclear disarmament activist Yoko Ono, who insisted that Japan, the world’s sole victim of nuclear attacks, should keep telling the rest of the world to “remember.” She explained, “There are too many people who don’t remember, aren’t there?”
なぜ、リメンバー（覚えておこう）なのか。もともとは核兵器廃絶を訴え続けている芸術家オノ・ヨーコさんが、被爆国日本から世界に発信すべき言葉として口にした。「だって、覚えていない人、多いでしょ」と。
She went on to express her wish that people around the world would imagine and understand the horrors of nuclear bombs before they say, “No more.”
ノーモアと言う前に、世界の人々に原爆の悲惨さを知ってほしい。思い起こしてほしい。
Ono’s wish echoes the desperate appeals that hibakusha (atomic-bomb survivors) have been making to the international community for decades. Their appeals have often been ignored in the coldly calculating setting of international politics and nuclear disarmament negotiations.
それは、被爆者らが長年、世界に訴え続けてきた痛切な思いと重なる。国際政治の冷徹なかけひきや核軍縮をめぐる綱引きのなかで、ともすると、かき消されがちだった声でもある。
But in this 69th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons is being highlighted anew.
だが、被爆６９年の今、核の非道が改めて注目されている。
Momentum is surging among nations that are seeking total nuclear disarmament and asking, “Why can’t we ban nuclear weapons altogether on humanitarian grounds?”
「人道に反する兵器であることを根拠に、核兵器を禁止できないか」。核廃絶を求める国々による、そんな動きが急速に高まっているからである。
DESTRUCTION THAT DEFIES ALL RELIEF EFFORT
■救援が不可能な破壊
In violence-torn Ukraine, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere, many lives are being lost even as we speak.
ウクライナ、イラク、パレスチナ自治区ガザ……。今も戦いで多くの命が失われている。
Some people think all lethal weapons are equally inhumane, be they nuclear, chemical or conventional missiles or guns. Still, nuclear weapons should be considered differently from the rest.
殺すのは、核も、化学兵器やミサイル、銃も同じ、兵器は一様に非人道的と考える人もいるだろう。だが、やはり、核は別に考えるべき兵器なのである。
Over the last two years, four international conferences have been held about nuclear weapons, and each conference has produced a joint declaration condemning their inhumanity. The number of participating nations in support of these declarations has grown each time, from 16 to 34, 80 and 125.
過去２年間、核を巡る国際会議が４回開かれた。非人道性に関する共同声明がその都度、提案され、賛同国は１６、３４、８０、１２５と膨らんだ。そして今年２月、メキシコのナヤリット。
In February this year, as many as 146 nations gathered in Nayarit, Mexico, for the International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, although none of the five major nuclear nations--the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China--was in attendance.
核の非人道性を問うこの会議に５大国は参加しなかったが、１４６もの国が集まった。
Summing up the current state of affairs at the conference, the chairman noted that the impact of any nuclear detonation can spread far enough to cross national borders and that the effects of the destruction of infrastructure and health damage from radiation will remain for an extremely long time. But no matter how badly relief work is needed, no country or international organ is fully equipped to handle it, the chairman pointed out.
席上、議長は核兵器の特徴と現状をこう表現した。
核爆発の影響は国境を越えるほど広がり、インフラ破壊や放射線障害の影響は極めて長く続く。救援がいくら必要でも、どこの国も国際機関も対処しきれない。
Yet, he continued, there is no end to countries and terrorist groups that seek to possess nuclear weapons, and the danger of nuclear detonation by mistake or as an act of terror keeps increasing.
なのに核兵器を持とうとする国やテロ集団は後を絶たず、ミスやテロによる核爆発の危険は増す一方だ――。
The chairman’s observation echoed what many people have been thinking: When nuclear weapons that cause tremendous damage already exist in mind-boggling numbers, on what grounds can anyone ever say that the human race will still survive?
甚大な被害をもたらす核が、気が遠くなるほど多く存在する。何を根拠に、この危うさを抱えたままで人類が生きながらえると言えるだろうか。そんな問いかけが、そこにはある。
RETURN TO THE BASICS
■廃絶めざし原点回帰
In the latter half of the 20th century, humanity came face to face with grave challenges, such as global warming and the depletion of resources from mass consumption. As a result, we have come to accept certain limitations to our daily activities, if that is what will help the human race survive.
２０世紀後半、人類は資源の大量消費と枯渇、地球温暖化といった難題に直面した。人類が生き延びるには、日々の活動が一部制約されてもやむを得ないと考えられるようになってきた。
We believe the same sort of attitude is needed on matters of security. We cannot just sit and do nothing when we already have more than enough nuclear weapons hanging over our heads, so to speak, to drive the human race and civilization to extinction.
安全保障にも同様な感覚が必要だろう。人類と文明を滅亡のふちに追いやるに十分な核兵器が、依然として頭の上にぶら下がっているのは放置できない。
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty restricts the possession of nuclear weapons to the five major nuclear nations and requires them to proceed with nuclear disarmament with sincerity. But the treaty has proved less effective than expected because of the deeply ingrained belief that the “power of nuclear deterrence” guarantees the safety of the nation.
核兵器に関しては、核不拡散条約（ＮＰＴ）が保有国を５大国に限り、５大国は誠実に核軍縮を進めることを定めている。だが、思うような成果は上がってこなかった。核で国の安全を確保する「核抑止」の考え方が染みついているからだ。
Given this situation, we must return to the basics and ban nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds. We can start by prohibiting the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons, and then proceed to banning their use under all circumstances, until they are completely eliminated.
ならば原点に返り、非人道性を根拠に核兵器を違法化していくことだ。たとえば核の先制使用の禁止から入り、さらに使用全般を人道法上違法化して、将来の廃絶につなげる。化学兵器が使用禁止から、全面禁止へと進んだことを思い起こしたい。
CITIZENS DECIDE THE FUTURE
■市井から決める未来
At the Nayarit conference, five atomic-bomb survivors were given more than one hour to make their presentations. This was unprecedented on a diplomatic stage.
ナヤリット会議では冒頭、被爆者ら５人に１時間以上の発言機会が確保された。外交の舞台では画期的なことだ。
Setsuko Thurlow, a Canadian resident, was 13 years old when she survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb 69 years ago. She gave a vivid account in English of how her classmates and relatives died before her eyes. The majority of more than 70 conference attendees who participated in a general discussion session voiced empathy with what the hibakusha had to say.
６９年前の今日、広島で１３歳で被爆したサーロー・節子さん＝カナダ在住＝は、同級生や親類らの死にゆく姿を英語で生々しく語った。一般討論に立った７０人以上の代表の大半が、被爆者らの発言に共感を表明した。
In wrapping up the conference, the chairman called for tangible action, including the drafting of a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. His comments were hailed as a succinct summary of the discussions of the past five years regarding the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, and also as a clear counterproposal to the nuclear nations that continue to rely on their nuclear arsenals.
議長は総括で、核兵器禁止条約づくりなどを念頭に、具体的に動き出そうと呼びかけた。ここ５年ほどの核の非人道性をめぐる議論をまとめ、核に頼り続ける保有国への対抗軸を明確に打ち出したものとして、注目を集めた。
In December this year, a conference in Vienna will take up where the Nayarit conference left off. Not only the five major nuclear nations, but also as many countries as possible should attend the Vienna conference and hear the discussions.
今年１２月、ナヤリットを受けた国際会議がウィーンで開かれる。１カ国でも多く、５大国も参加して、議論に耳を傾けるべきである。
Three times in the past, the Japanese government refused to endorse joint statements condemning the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and came under harsh criticism from the mayors and citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for “contradicting its stated policy of seeking total nuclear disarmament as the government of the A-bombed nation.” But at Nayarit, the Japanese government finally came around.
日本政府は核の非人道性を批判する共同声明について、賛同を３度見送った。広島、長崎両市長をはじめ、市民の側が「被爆国の立場、核廃絶を求める政策と矛盾しているではないか」と政府の対応を強く非難した。４度目にやっと姿勢を変えた。
Mayors for Peace, presided over by the mayor of Hiroshima, currently has an active membership exceeding 6,000 mayors around the world. With a growing nuclear risk now being felt globally, it appears that so many mayors are participating in the latest Mayors for Peace conference because they are aware of the sense of crisis being felt by the public at large.
広島市長が会長を務める平和首長会議には今、世界で６千を超す首長が参加する。非人道性の国際会議に限らず、核リスクへの危惧は確実に強まっている。多くの首長たちが参加するのは、市井に広がるそうした危惧を感じとってのことだろう。
Matters of national security must not be left to the government alone to decide. Whether something deviates from human decency is for us, ordinary citizens, to determine. Let us always bear that firmly in mind.
安全保障の問題だからと国任せにはしない。人の道に外れているかどうかを決めるのは、普通に暮らす私たちである。そこを強く自覚していきたい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 6
EDITORIAL: Ban nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds
（社説）被爆６９年の夏に 核兵器の違法化・禁止を
“Remember Hiroshima, Nagasaki,” goes the refrain in “Remember,” a number released last year by singer Shinobu Sato (lyrics by Rei Nakanishi, music by Kisaburo Suzuki). Since then, Sato has been singing this song at concerts all over Japan.
♪リメンバー ヒロシマ・ナガサキ
声楽家の佐藤しのぶさんが、昨年発表した曲「リメンバー」（なかにし礼作詞、鈴木キサブロー作曲）を各地のコンサートで歌っている。
Why “remember”? It was often quoted by artist and nuclear disarmament activist Yoko Ono, who insisted that Japan, the world’s sole victim of nuclear attacks, should keep telling the rest of the world to “remember.” She explained, “There are too many people who don’t remember, aren’t there?”
なぜ、リメンバー（覚えておこう）なのか。もともとは核兵器廃絶を訴え続けている芸術家オノ・ヨーコさんが、被爆国日本から世界に発信すべき言葉として口にした。「だって、覚えていない人、多いでしょ」と。
She went on to express her wish that people around the world would imagine and understand the horrors of nuclear bombs before they say, “No more.”
ノーモアと言う前に、世界の人々に原爆の悲惨さを知ってほしい。思い起こしてほしい。
Ono’s wish echoes the desperate appeals that hibakusha (atomic-bomb survivors) have been making to the international community for decades. Their appeals have often been ignored in the coldly calculating setting of international politics and nuclear disarmament negotiations.
それは、被爆者らが長年、世界に訴え続けてきた痛切な思いと重なる。国際政治の冷徹なかけひきや核軍縮をめぐる綱引きのなかで、ともすると、かき消されがちだった声でもある。
But in this 69th year since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons is being highlighted anew.
だが、被爆６９年の今、核の非道が改めて注目されている。
Momentum is surging among nations that are seeking total nuclear disarmament and asking, “Why can’t we ban nuclear weapons altogether on humanitarian grounds?”
「人道に反する兵器であることを根拠に、核兵器を禁止できないか」。核廃絶を求める国々による、そんな動きが急速に高まっているからである。
DESTRUCTION THAT DEFIES ALL RELIEF EFFORT
■救援が不可能な破壊
In violence-torn Ukraine, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere, many lives are being lost even as we speak.
ウクライナ、イラク、パレスチナ自治区ガザ……。今も戦いで多くの命が失われている。
Some people think all lethal weapons are equally inhumane, be they nuclear, chemical or conventional missiles or guns. Still, nuclear weapons should be considered differently from the rest.
殺すのは、核も、化学兵器やミサイル、銃も同じ、兵器は一様に非人道的と考える人もいるだろう。だが、やはり、核は別に考えるべき兵器なのである。
Over the last two years, four international conferences have been held about nuclear weapons, and each conference has produced a joint declaration condemning their inhumanity. The number of participating nations in support of these declarations has grown each time, from 16 to 34, 80 and 125.
過去２年間、核を巡る国際会議が４回開かれた。非人道性に関する共同声明がその都度、提案され、賛同国は１６、３４、８０、１２５と膨らんだ。そして今年２月、メキシコのナヤリット。
In February this year, as many as 146 nations gathered in Nayarit, Mexico, for the International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, although none of the five major nuclear nations--the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China--was in attendance.
核の非人道性を問うこの会議に５大国は参加しなかったが、１４６もの国が集まった。
Summing up the current state of affairs at the conference, the chairman noted that the impact of any nuclear detonation can spread far enough to cross national borders and that the effects of the destruction of infrastructure and health damage from radiation will remain for an extremely long time. But no matter how badly relief work is needed, no country or international organ is fully equipped to handle it, the chairman pointed out.
席上、議長は核兵器の特徴と現状をこう表現した。
核爆発の影響は国境を越えるほど広がり、インフラ破壊や放射線障害の影響は極めて長く続く。救援がいくら必要でも、どこの国も国際機関も対処しきれない。
Yet, he continued, there is no end to countries and terrorist groups that seek to possess nuclear weapons, and the danger of nuclear detonation by mistake or as an act of terror keeps increasing.
なのに核兵器を持とうとする国やテロ集団は後を絶たず、ミスやテロによる核爆発の危険は増す一方だ――。
The chairman’s observation echoed what many people have been thinking: When nuclear weapons that cause tremendous damage already exist in mind-boggling numbers, on what grounds can anyone ever say that the human race will still survive?
甚大な被害をもたらす核が、気が遠くなるほど多く存在する。何を根拠に、この危うさを抱えたままで人類が生きながらえると言えるだろうか。そんな問いかけが、そこにはある。
RETURN TO THE BASICS
■廃絶めざし原点回帰
In the latter half of the 20th century, humanity came face to face with grave challenges, such as global warming and the depletion of resources from mass consumption. As a result, we have come to accept certain limitations to our daily activities, if that is what will help the human race survive.
２０世紀後半、人類は資源の大量消費と枯渇、地球温暖化といった難題に直面した。人類が生き延びるには、日々の活動が一部制約されてもやむを得ないと考えられるようになってきた。
We believe the same sort of attitude is needed on matters of security. We cannot just sit and do nothing when we already have more than enough nuclear weapons hanging over our heads, so to speak, to drive the human race and civilization to extinction.
安全保障にも同様な感覚が必要だろう。人類と文明を滅亡のふちに追いやるに十分な核兵器が、依然として頭の上にぶら下がっているのは放置できない。
The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty restricts the possession of nuclear weapons to the five major nuclear nations and requires them to proceed with nuclear disarmament with sincerity. But the treaty has proved less effective than expected because of the deeply ingrained belief that the “power of nuclear deterrence” guarantees the safety of the nation.
核兵器に関しては、核不拡散条約（ＮＰＴ）が保有国を５大国に限り、５大国は誠実に核軍縮を進めることを定めている。だが、思うような成果は上がってこなかった。核で国の安全を確保する「核抑止」の考え方が染みついているからだ。
Given this situation, we must return to the basics and ban nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds. We can start by prohibiting the pre-emptive use of nuclear weapons, and then proceed to banning their use under all circumstances, until they are completely eliminated.
ならば原点に返り、非人道性を根拠に核兵器を違法化していくことだ。たとえば核の先制使用の禁止から入り、さらに使用全般を人道法上違法化して、将来の廃絶につなげる。化学兵器が使用禁止から、全面禁止へと進んだことを思い起こしたい。
CITIZENS DECIDE THE FUTURE
■市井から決める未来
At the Nayarit conference, five atomic-bomb survivors were given more than one hour to make their presentations. This was unprecedented on a diplomatic stage.
ナヤリット会議では冒頭、被爆者ら５人に１時間以上の発言機会が確保された。外交の舞台では画期的なことだ。
Setsuko Thurlow, a Canadian resident, was 13 years old when she survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb 69 years ago. She gave a vivid account in English of how her classmates and relatives died before her eyes. The majority of more than 70 conference attendees who participated in a general discussion session voiced empathy with what the hibakusha had to say.
６９年前の今日、広島で１３歳で被爆したサーロー・節子さん＝カナダ在住＝は、同級生や親類らの死にゆく姿を英語で生々しく語った。一般討論に立った７０人以上の代表の大半が、被爆者らの発言に共感を表明した。
In wrapping up the conference, the chairman called for tangible action, including the drafting of a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. His comments were hailed as a succinct summary of the discussions of the past five years regarding the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, and also as a clear counterproposal to the nuclear nations that continue to rely on their nuclear arsenals.
議長は総括で、核兵器禁止条約づくりなどを念頭に、具体的に動き出そうと呼びかけた。ここ５年ほどの核の非人道性をめぐる議論をまとめ、核に頼り続ける保有国への対抗軸を明確に打ち出したものとして、注目を集めた。
In December this year, a conference in Vienna will take up where the Nayarit conference left off. Not only the five major nuclear nations, but also as many countries as possible should attend the Vienna conference and hear the discussions.
今年１２月、ナヤリットを受けた国際会議がウィーンで開かれる。１カ国でも多く、５大国も参加して、議論に耳を傾けるべきである。
Three times in the past, the Japanese government refused to endorse joint statements condemning the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and came under harsh criticism from the mayors and citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for “contradicting its stated policy of seeking total nuclear disarmament as the government of the A-bombed nation.” But at Nayarit, the Japanese government finally came around.
日本政府は核の非人道性を批判する共同声明について、賛同を３度見送った。広島、長崎両市長をはじめ、市民の側が「被爆国の立場、核廃絶を求める政策と矛盾しているではないか」と政府の対応を強く非難した。４度目にやっと姿勢を変えた。
Mayors for Peace, presided over by the mayor of Hiroshima, currently has an active membership exceeding 6,000 mayors around the world. With a growing nuclear risk now being felt globally, it appears that so many mayors are participating in the latest Mayors for Peace conference because they are aware of the sense of crisis being felt by the public at large.
広島市長が会長を務める平和首長会議には今、世界で６千を超す首長が参加する。非人道性の国際会議に限らず、核リスクへの危惧は確実に強まっている。多くの首長たちが参加するのは、市井に広がるそうした危惧を感じとってのことだろう。
Matters of national security must not be left to the government alone to decide. Whether something deviates from human decency is for us, ordinary citizens, to determine. Let us always bear that firmly in mind.
安全保障の問題だからと国任せにはしない。人の道に外れているかどうかを決めるのは、普通に暮らす私たちである。そこを強く自覚していきたい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 6
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun
‘Vultures’ drive Argentina into default, turning debt relief accords to ashes
アルゼンチン 「ハゲタカ」の横暴が目に余る
The Argentine government has fallen into default, unable to keep up with interest payments on its debt.
アルゼンチン政府が国債の利払いをできない債務不履行（デフォルト）の状態に陥った。
It is important to deal with the latest turmoil and prevent it from developing into a serious and more widespread financial crisis.
事態の早期収拾を図り深刻な危機に拡大しないようにすることが重要だ。
The latest default resulted from the collapse of talks between the country and U.S. hedge fund creditors, which sought payment in full.
今回のデフォルトは、全額返済を求める米投資ファンドとの交渉決裂によって起きた。
Argentina fell into its first default in 2001. Later, Argentina reached agreements with more than 90 percent of investors to wholly or partially write off obligations comprising about 70 percent of the country’s $100 billion debt as part of its restructuring plans. It has made interest payments since then.
アルゼンチンは２００１年にいったんデフォルトになった。１０００億ドルの債務について９割超の投資家と約７割の減免で合意し、利払いを続けてきた。
But certain U.S. fund creditors, refusing to accept the debt reduction plans, sued the country. An earlier U.S. court decision that was recently upheld by the Supreme Court blocks Argentina from making interest payments to other bondholders who separately agreed to restructuring plans until the U.S. hedge funds get paid the full value of their bonds.
ところが、減免に応じないファンドが提訴し、ファンドに全額返済するまで他の債権者への利払いを認めないとする判決が、米国の最高裁で確定した。
With the recent decision by the U.S. court, Argentina has become unable to make interest payments to other creditors no matter how much the country wants to do so.
このため、アルゼンチン政府はファンド以外の債権者に利払いしたくてもできなくなった。
The hedge funds in question snapped up Argentina’s junk bonds from original investors following the first default and then refused the restructuring terms, suing for repayment in full. It is hardly surprising for the Argentine financial authorities to criticize the hedge fund creditors as “vultures.”
問題の投資ファンドは、当初の債権者から国債を破格の安値で買い取り、全額返済を求める裁判を起こした。アルゼンチン当局がファンドを「ハゲタカだ」と、強く非難しているのは当然だろう。
Impact limited, for now
Currently, there is hardly any trading of Argentina’s national bonds on the market. Therefore the latest development is expected to have only a limited impact on the international financial market.
現在、アルゼンチン国債の市場取引はほとんどなく、国際金融市場への影響は限定的とされる。
Yet Argentina’s economy will inevitably be affected by the impact of the peso’s decline in the currency market, due to the decline in the country’s creditworthiness. Close attention is needed as to whether the latest development may cause a negative chain reaction involving such emerging economies as Brazil, which is closely linked with the Argentine economy.
だが、信用低下による通貨安など、アルゼンチン経済への打撃は避けられない。経済の結びつきの強いブラジルなど新興国に連鎖しないか、注視する必要がある。
Prolonging the current turmoil may not be a good course of action to take for the U.S. hedge funds, either. No matter how hard they drive Argentina’s weak economy into a corner, they cannot expect much benefit for themselves. The hedge funds must search for a realistic middle ground with the Argentine government.
混乱の長期化は、ファンドにとっても得策ではあるまい。経済力の乏しいアルゼンチンをいくら追いつめたところで、得るものは限られよう。ファンドはアルゼンチン政府との間で、現実的な妥協点を探るべきだ。
The problem is that, due to the funds’ attempt to rake in money, the agreements that other creditors reached earlier with Argentina to resolve the default crisis in 2001—even at the possible cost of suffering a loss—have turned to ashes.
問題は、荒稼ぎを狙ったファンドの行動で、０１年のアルゼンチン危機を収束させるため、債権者が損失覚悟で結んだ合意が、簡単に台無しになったことである。
Many are skeptical of the U.S. court decision, which gave credit to the U.S. funds’ unilateral assertions, despite the fact that a large number of creditors had agreed with Argentina over the restructuring plans.
多数の債権者が合意した経緯があるのに、ファンド側の一方的な主張を認めた米裁判所の司法判断を疑問視する見方も多い。
The fact that an international agreement has been overturned by the judicial ruling of a single country has fueled concern among such financial institutions as the International Monetary Fund that it would become ever more difficult to compile assistance efforts such as debt reductions or exemptions, should such a crisis as debt default occur in other countries in the future.
一国の司法判断が国際的な合意を覆したことに、国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）などは、他国で将来、デフォルトなどが起きた際、債務減免といった支援策をまとめにくくなるとの懸念を強めている。
Recently there have been many national bonds that have set, at the time of issuance, a provision that if a certain ratio of creditors agree with a debt reduction, all the creditors will have to comply with the agreement.
最近は、一定割合の債権者が債務削減に合意すれば、すべての債権者が従わなければならないという条項を、発行時に定めている国債が多いという。
The IMF and the Group of Seven major powers have to expedite their efforts to draw up an international framework to help such agreements retain their validity even in the judicial arena.
ＩＭＦや先進７か国（Ｇ７）は、こうした取り決めが司法の場でも実効性を保てるよう、国際的な枠組み作りを急ぐべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2014)
‘Vultures’ drive Argentina into default, turning debt relief accords to ashes
アルゼンチン 「ハゲタカ」の横暴が目に余る
The Argentine government has fallen into default, unable to keep up with interest payments on its debt.
アルゼンチン政府が国債の利払いをできない債務不履行（デフォルト）の状態に陥った。
It is important to deal with the latest turmoil and prevent it from developing into a serious and more widespread financial crisis.
事態の早期収拾を図り深刻な危機に拡大しないようにすることが重要だ。
The latest default resulted from the collapse of talks between the country and U.S. hedge fund creditors, which sought payment in full.
今回のデフォルトは、全額返済を求める米投資ファンドとの交渉決裂によって起きた。
Argentina fell into its first default in 2001. Later, Argentina reached agreements with more than 90 percent of investors to wholly or partially write off obligations comprising about 70 percent of the country’s $100 billion debt as part of its restructuring plans. It has made interest payments since then.
アルゼンチンは２００１年にいったんデフォルトになった。１０００億ドルの債務について９割超の投資家と約７割の減免で合意し、利払いを続けてきた。
But certain U.S. fund creditors, refusing to accept the debt reduction plans, sued the country. An earlier U.S. court decision that was recently upheld by the Supreme Court blocks Argentina from making interest payments to other bondholders who separately agreed to restructuring plans until the U.S. hedge funds get paid the full value of their bonds.
ところが、減免に応じないファンドが提訴し、ファンドに全額返済するまで他の債権者への利払いを認めないとする判決が、米国の最高裁で確定した。
With the recent decision by the U.S. court, Argentina has become unable to make interest payments to other creditors no matter how much the country wants to do so.
このため、アルゼンチン政府はファンド以外の債権者に利払いしたくてもできなくなった。
The hedge funds in question snapped up Argentina’s junk bonds from original investors following the first default and then refused the restructuring terms, suing for repayment in full. It is hardly surprising for the Argentine financial authorities to criticize the hedge fund creditors as “vultures.”
問題の投資ファンドは、当初の債権者から国債を破格の安値で買い取り、全額返済を求める裁判を起こした。アルゼンチン当局がファンドを「ハゲタカだ」と、強く非難しているのは当然だろう。
Impact limited, for now
Currently, there is hardly any trading of Argentina’s national bonds on the market. Therefore the latest development is expected to have only a limited impact on the international financial market.
現在、アルゼンチン国債の市場取引はほとんどなく、国際金融市場への影響は限定的とされる。
Yet Argentina’s economy will inevitably be affected by the impact of the peso’s decline in the currency market, due to the decline in the country’s creditworthiness. Close attention is needed as to whether the latest development may cause a negative chain reaction involving such emerging economies as Brazil, which is closely linked with the Argentine economy.
だが、信用低下による通貨安など、アルゼンチン経済への打撃は避けられない。経済の結びつきの強いブラジルなど新興国に連鎖しないか、注視する必要がある。
Prolonging the current turmoil may not be a good course of action to take for the U.S. hedge funds, either. No matter how hard they drive Argentina’s weak economy into a corner, they cannot expect much benefit for themselves. The hedge funds must search for a realistic middle ground with the Argentine government.
混乱の長期化は、ファンドにとっても得策ではあるまい。経済力の乏しいアルゼンチンをいくら追いつめたところで、得るものは限られよう。ファンドはアルゼンチン政府との間で、現実的な妥協点を探るべきだ。
The problem is that, due to the funds’ attempt to rake in money, the agreements that other creditors reached earlier with Argentina to resolve the default crisis in 2001—even at the possible cost of suffering a loss—have turned to ashes.
問題は、荒稼ぎを狙ったファンドの行動で、０１年のアルゼンチン危機を収束させるため、債権者が損失覚悟で結んだ合意が、簡単に台無しになったことである。
Many are skeptical of the U.S. court decision, which gave credit to the U.S. funds’ unilateral assertions, despite the fact that a large number of creditors had agreed with Argentina over the restructuring plans.
多数の債権者が合意した経緯があるのに、ファンド側の一方的な主張を認めた米裁判所の司法判断を疑問視する見方も多い。
The fact that an international agreement has been overturned by the judicial ruling of a single country has fueled concern among such financial institutions as the International Monetary Fund that it would become ever more difficult to compile assistance efforts such as debt reductions or exemptions, should such a crisis as debt default occur in other countries in the future.
一国の司法判断が国際的な合意を覆したことに、国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）などは、他国で将来、デフォルトなどが起きた際、債務減免といった支援策をまとめにくくなるとの懸念を強めている。
Recently there have been many national bonds that have set, at the time of issuance, a provision that if a certain ratio of creditors agree with a debt reduction, all the creditors will have to comply with the agreement.
最近は、一定割合の債権者が債務削減に合意すれば、すべての債権者が従わなければならないという条項を、発行時に定めている国債が多いという。
The IMF and the Group of Seven major powers have to expedite their efforts to draw up an international framework to help such agreements retain their validity even in the judicial arena.
ＩＭＦや先進７か国（Ｇ７）は、こうした取り決めが司法の場でも実効性を保てるよう、国際的な枠組み作りを急ぐべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2014)
August 04, 2014
EDITORIAL: China's racial policy fuels cycle of violence in Xinjiang region
（社説）新疆のテロ 民族政策を見直す時だ
The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is an inland region in far western China that has a large population of Uighur Muslims.
中国内陸部の新疆ウイグル自治区は、イスラム教徒のウイグル族が多く暮らす地域である。
The region has recently been hit by a series of violent attacks believed to have been perpetrated by terrorists. There are no signs of calming the wave of violence in the region.
この地方で最近、テロとみられる暴力事件が相次いでおり、沈静化の気配が見えない。
It is necessary to take a firm stand against violence. But it is hard to deny that the approach the authorities have adopted to deal with the problems behind these attacks has only stirred up resentment among the local people.
暴力には断固とした対処が必要なのは当然だ。だが、当局のやり方が地元の憎しみを増幅させていることも否めない。
China is a multiracial nation. Although Han Chinese form a great majority of the population, the vast country is home to various minority races with diverse values and lifestyles.
中国は漢民族が主体だが、さまざまな少数民族が多様な暮らしを営む多民族国家である。
The chain of violence in the Xinjiang region indicates that the Chinese government’s racial policy has gone awry. Beijing needs to rethink its fundamental attitude toward ethnic minorities.
暴力の連鎖が示唆するのは、中国政府の民族政策の行き詰まりだ。少数民族との向き合い方を根本的に見直すことが必要だろう。
An incident of violence in the region’s Kashgar district in late July involved an exceptionally large group of attackers. Dozens of knife-wielding militants attacked the local government office and police station, killing and injuring many.
先週、カシュガル地区で起きた事件は、犯行集団の規模がひときわ大きかった。刃物をもった数十人が地元政府や警察を襲い、多数が死傷した。
In May, bombs set off in a busy morning market in Urumqi, the capital of the region, left more than 100 people dead or injured.
新疆の中心都市、ウルムチでは５月に朝市で爆発があった。
After the May incident, President Xi Jinping ordered strict precautions against “a chain reaction.” The administration tightened its crackdown on “extremist religious groups.”
習近平（シーチンピン）国家主席が「連鎖反応を防げ」と命じ、「過激宗教グループ」の摘発が強化された。
Chinese police have huge powers to maintain law and order. They are allowed to wiretap telephone lines and monitor private communications over the Internet.
電話の盗聴や、ネット上の交信の監視を含め、中国警察は強力な治安維持能力をもつ。
Chinese leaders should ponder why the chain reaction of violence in the region has not stopped, despite the government’s enormous police power.
それでも連鎖反応が止まらない理由を深刻に考えねばならない。
Recent news reports on the situation in Xinjiang suggest that the Chinese government has been tightening its control over the people in the region in ways that brutally ignore Islamic customs.
最近伝えられた現地の様子からは、イスラムの習慣を踏みにじるような締めつけが続いていることがうかがわれる。
Officials in the region, for instance, compelled some Muslim restaurant owners to remain open during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Police detained Muslim women for wearing headscarves.
食堂経営者が断食月のさなかの開店を強いられたり、スカーフで顔を覆った女性が警察に捕まったり。
There have been reports that the attack in Kashgar was triggered by the crackdown on the wearing of scarves.
カシュガル地区の事件も、発端はスカーフの取り締まりだったとの報道がある。
Violence is unpardonable. By seeking to ban even the daily customs of Muslims, however, the Chinese government has gone too far in its fight against violence. The government’s actions are not so much as efforts to prevent crimes as they are an oppression of an ethnic minority.
暴力は許してはならない。だが、日常習慣の否定にまで突き進むのは不穏当であり、もはや取り締まりというより弾圧だ。
The authority’s iron-fisted policy toward the restive region has provoked the chain reaction of violence there.
こうした当局の振る舞いこそが連鎖反応を呼んでいる。
Last week, in another disturbing move, the Chinese government indicted the outspoken, Beijing-based Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti on charges of “separatism.”
加えて心配されるのが、在北京のウイグル族学者イリハム・トフティ氏が先週、国家分裂を図った罪で起訴されたことだ。
Tohti is known as a moderate who has been working for reconciliation between Uighurs and Han Chinese. His indictment has drawn strong criticism from both inside and outside China.
漢族とウイグル族の和解をめざす穏健派として知られる人物だ。この措置には内外から強い疑問の声が出ている。
Chinese law-enforcement authorities have asserted that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which it describes as a foreign terrorist group, is inciting Uighurs to carry out terrorist attacks.
当局は、国外のテロ組織「東トルキスタン・イスラム運動」がウイグル族を唆し、テロを実行していると断じている。
It is possible that the attackers may have been influenced by Muslim extremists.
容疑者らがイスラム過激派の影響を受けた可能性はあろう。
But the government appears to be trying to shift responsibility for its policy failure by blaming the series of attacks in the region on a terrorist organization and others incited by the group.
だが、国外の邪悪な組織と、それに扇動された一部分子が悪いとする論法は、政権の政策失敗の責任を転嫁する面がある。
According to China’s Constitution, all races are equal and their customs should be respected. People in China should also have religious freedom.
各民族は平等であり、風俗・習慣は尊重される。宗教・信仰の自由もある。
Leaders in Beijing should not forget that these are fundamental principles of the nation’s Constitution.
それらは中国の憲法でも、大原則になっていることを忘れてはならない。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 3
EDITORIAL: China's racial policy fuels cycle of violence in Xinjiang region
（社説）新疆のテロ 民族政策を見直す時だ
The Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is an inland region in far western China that has a large population of Uighur Muslims.
中国内陸部の新疆ウイグル自治区は、イスラム教徒のウイグル族が多く暮らす地域である。
The region has recently been hit by a series of violent attacks believed to have been perpetrated by terrorists. There are no signs of calming the wave of violence in the region.
この地方で最近、テロとみられる暴力事件が相次いでおり、沈静化の気配が見えない。
It is necessary to take a firm stand against violence. But it is hard to deny that the approach the authorities have adopted to deal with the problems behind these attacks has only stirred up resentment among the local people.
暴力には断固とした対処が必要なのは当然だ。だが、当局のやり方が地元の憎しみを増幅させていることも否めない。
China is a multiracial nation. Although Han Chinese form a great majority of the population, the vast country is home to various minority races with diverse values and lifestyles.
中国は漢民族が主体だが、さまざまな少数民族が多様な暮らしを営む多民族国家である。
The chain of violence in the Xinjiang region indicates that the Chinese government’s racial policy has gone awry. Beijing needs to rethink its fundamental attitude toward ethnic minorities.
暴力の連鎖が示唆するのは、中国政府の民族政策の行き詰まりだ。少数民族との向き合い方を根本的に見直すことが必要だろう。
An incident of violence in the region’s Kashgar district in late July involved an exceptionally large group of attackers. Dozens of knife-wielding militants attacked the local government office and police station, killing and injuring many.
先週、カシュガル地区で起きた事件は、犯行集団の規模がひときわ大きかった。刃物をもった数十人が地元政府や警察を襲い、多数が死傷した。
In May, bombs set off in a busy morning market in Urumqi, the capital of the region, left more than 100 people dead or injured.
新疆の中心都市、ウルムチでは５月に朝市で爆発があった。
After the May incident, President Xi Jinping ordered strict precautions against “a chain reaction.” The administration tightened its crackdown on “extremist religious groups.”
習近平（シーチンピン）国家主席が「連鎖反応を防げ」と命じ、「過激宗教グループ」の摘発が強化された。
Chinese police have huge powers to maintain law and order. They are allowed to wiretap telephone lines and monitor private communications over the Internet.
電話の盗聴や、ネット上の交信の監視を含め、中国警察は強力な治安維持能力をもつ。
Chinese leaders should ponder why the chain reaction of violence in the region has not stopped, despite the government’s enormous police power.
それでも連鎖反応が止まらない理由を深刻に考えねばならない。
Recent news reports on the situation in Xinjiang suggest that the Chinese government has been tightening its control over the people in the region in ways that brutally ignore Islamic customs.
最近伝えられた現地の様子からは、イスラムの習慣を踏みにじるような締めつけが続いていることがうかがわれる。
Officials in the region, for instance, compelled some Muslim restaurant owners to remain open during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Police detained Muslim women for wearing headscarves.
食堂経営者が断食月のさなかの開店を強いられたり、スカーフで顔を覆った女性が警察に捕まったり。
There have been reports that the attack in Kashgar was triggered by the crackdown on the wearing of scarves.
カシュガル地区の事件も、発端はスカーフの取り締まりだったとの報道がある。
Violence is unpardonable. By seeking to ban even the daily customs of Muslims, however, the Chinese government has gone too far in its fight against violence. The government’s actions are not so much as efforts to prevent crimes as they are an oppression of an ethnic minority.
暴力は許してはならない。だが、日常習慣の否定にまで突き進むのは不穏当であり、もはや取り締まりというより弾圧だ。
The authority’s iron-fisted policy toward the restive region has provoked the chain reaction of violence there.
こうした当局の振る舞いこそが連鎖反応を呼んでいる。
Last week, in another disturbing move, the Chinese government indicted the outspoken, Beijing-based Uighur scholar Ilham Tohti on charges of “separatism.”
加えて心配されるのが、在北京のウイグル族学者イリハム・トフティ氏が先週、国家分裂を図った罪で起訴されたことだ。
Tohti is known as a moderate who has been working for reconciliation between Uighurs and Han Chinese. His indictment has drawn strong criticism from both inside and outside China.
漢族とウイグル族の和解をめざす穏健派として知られる人物だ。この措置には内外から強い疑問の声が出ている。
Chinese law-enforcement authorities have asserted that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which it describes as a foreign terrorist group, is inciting Uighurs to carry out terrorist attacks.
当局は、国外のテロ組織「東トルキスタン・イスラム運動」がウイグル族を唆し、テロを実行していると断じている。
It is possible that the attackers may have been influenced by Muslim extremists.
容疑者らがイスラム過激派の影響を受けた可能性はあろう。
But the government appears to be trying to shift responsibility for its policy failure by blaming the series of attacks in the region on a terrorist organization and others incited by the group.
だが、国外の邪悪な組織と、それに扇動された一部分子が悪いとする論法は、政権の政策失敗の責任を転嫁する面がある。
According to China’s Constitution, all races are equal and their customs should be respected. People in China should also have religious freedom.
各民族は平等であり、風俗・習慣は尊重される。宗教・信仰の自由もある。
Leaders in Beijing should not forget that these are fundamental principles of the nation’s Constitution.
それらは中国の憲法でも、大原則になっていることを忘れてはならない。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 3
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Reciprocal, sustainable long-term ties with Latin America important
首相中南米歴訪 互恵の関係を長期的に築こう
The task of securing a stable supply of energy and food is an important matter of diplomatic concern for our nation. Given this, strengthening relations with resource-rich nations in Central and South America is extremely significant for Japan.
日本にとって、エネルギーや食糧の安定確保は重要な外交課題だ。資源の豊富な中南米諸国との関係を積極的に強化する意味は大きい。
During his five-nation Latin American tour, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in which he confirmed Japan would offer technical assistance for deep-sea oil development off southeastern Brazil. Japanese corporations are aiming to win orders for projects to build a floating platform as a base for oil development operations.
中南米５か国を歴訪中の安倍首相がブラジルのルセフ大統領と会談し、ブラジル南東部沖の海底油田開発に関する技術協力を確認した。日本企業は油田開発に必要な浮体式構造物（メガフロート）の受注を目指している。
The two leaders also decided to start talks aimed at improving the efficiency of grain transportation in Brazil. Bilateral talks will likely cover such issues as projects to build and improve road and railway networks extending to seaports from inland grain belts in that nation.
ブラジル国内での穀物輸送を効率化するため、両国の協議を開始することも決めた。内陸部の穀倉地帯から港への道路や鉄道網の整備などが対象となる見通しだ。
In a meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, meanwhile, the prime minister agreed that Japan would cooperate in promoting oil and natural gas development programs in Mexico. The agreement will require our nation to extend technical and financial aid to Mexico.
首相はメキシコのエンリケ・ペニャニエト大統領との会談でも、石油・天然ガス開発の協力で一致した。日本が技術、資金両面で支援するという。
All this constitutes an effort to facilitate natural resource-related cooperation with Latin American countries, a task essential for rectifying our nation’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern nations for oil and other supplies and ensuring it has a diversity of suppliers. Doing so is significant for Japan’s energy security.
日本が中南米との資源協力を進め、中東に偏った石油などの調達先を多角化することは、エネルギー安全保障面で意義がある。
What is important in this endeavor is to respect efforts by Japan’s partner nations to facilitate resource development on their own while also establishing long-term relations under which to enjoy mutual benefits.
大切なのは、相手国の自主的な開発を尊重し、共に利益を享受する長期的な関係を築くことだ。
China has been no less active in increasing ties with Latin American countries, with a view to securing natural resources from them. This was evident, for example, in a visit to Brazil and some other nations in the region by Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, observers have said that China puts its own interests first, paying no attention to its partners’ wishes for development.
中国も、習近平国家主席が７月にブラジルなどを歴訪するなど、資源確保を視野に中南米との関係を強化している。ただ、中国は目先の利益を最優先し、相手国の発展を顧みないとの指摘がある。
Japan should attach great importance to building reciprocal relationships with its Latin American partners, and emphasize its difference from China in dealing with these countries.
日本は互恵関係を重視し、中国との差別化を図るべきだ。
Path to Security Council
Abe’s latest tour included trips to Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Chile. He was the first prime minister to make a full-fledged tour of Central and South America in 10 years. The prime minister was accompanied by about 70 others, including corporate executives.
安倍首相は今回、トリニダード・トバゴ、コロンビア、チリも訪問した。首相の本格的な中南米歴訪は１０年ぶりで、約７０人の企業首脳らが同行した。
Latin America is home to about 600 million people. Many nations in that region feel affinity toward Japan. That part of the world has achieved significant economic growth in recent years, combined with an increase in the number of middle-class consumers with a strong motivation to spend money. The Japanese government and the private sector should join hands in encouraging domestic companies to do business in Latin American markets while also boosting two-way trade with these nations.
中南米の人口は６億人で、親日的な国が多い。近年は経済成長が著しく、消費意欲が強い中間層も増えている。日本は、官民が連携して企業の進出を図り、貿易拡大に努めることが大切である。
At Friday’s meeting, Abe and Rousseff agreed that Japan and Brazil, both of which aim to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, would promote cooperation in this respect as the United Nations marks its 70th anniversary next year. The two leaders confirmed their governments would increase ties with Germany and India in what could be called a “Group of Four nations,” so progress could be made in reforming the most powerful U.N. organ.
日ブラジル首脳会談では、国連創設７０周年の来年に向けて、安全保障理事会改革を進めるため、常任理事国入りを目指す両国にドイツ、インドを加えた「Ｇ４」の連携を強めることで一致した。
Thirty-three Central and South American nations account for somewhat less than 20 percent of the U.N. member states. Japan’s bid to reform the Security Council will require support from these Latin American countries. Japan stands ready to run in an election to choose new nonpermanent members of the council in autumn next year. Abe’s latest tour was aimed, in part, at securing votes in favor of Japan at the U.N. election.
中南米３３か国は国連加盟国全体の２割弱を占める。安保理改革の実現には中南米の支持が欠かせない。日本は、来秋の非常任理事国選挙に立候補する方針で、首相の歴訪には票固めの狙いもある。
During his Latin American tour, Abe met top leaders from member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an organization comprising 14 nations and one territory in the Caribbean Basin. The summit meeting was the first of its kind to be held between Japan and the CARICOM members.
首相は今回、カリブ海の１４か国・１地域で作る「カリブ共同体」との首脳会合を初めて開いた。
Japan should obtain support from the Caribbean nations for its Security Council reform drive. This may be made possible through close cooperation with these countries in the field of disaster damage management, given that they are prone to natural calamities.
ハリケーンなどの被害を受けやすいカリブ諸国とは、防災協力を通じて関係を緊密化し、安保理改革への支持を取り付けたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2014)
Reciprocal, sustainable long-term ties with Latin America important
首相中南米歴訪 互恵の関係を長期的に築こう
The task of securing a stable supply of energy and food is an important matter of diplomatic concern for our nation. Given this, strengthening relations with resource-rich nations in Central and South America is extremely significant for Japan.
日本にとって、エネルギーや食糧の安定確保は重要な外交課題だ。資源の豊富な中南米諸国との関係を積極的に強化する意味は大きい。
During his five-nation Latin American tour, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in which he confirmed Japan would offer technical assistance for deep-sea oil development off southeastern Brazil. Japanese corporations are aiming to win orders for projects to build a floating platform as a base for oil development operations.
中南米５か国を歴訪中の安倍首相がブラジルのルセフ大統領と会談し、ブラジル南東部沖の海底油田開発に関する技術協力を確認した。日本企業は油田開発に必要な浮体式構造物（メガフロート）の受注を目指している。
The two leaders also decided to start talks aimed at improving the efficiency of grain transportation in Brazil. Bilateral talks will likely cover such issues as projects to build and improve road and railway networks extending to seaports from inland grain belts in that nation.
ブラジル国内での穀物輸送を効率化するため、両国の協議を開始することも決めた。内陸部の穀倉地帯から港への道路や鉄道網の整備などが対象となる見通しだ。
In a meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, meanwhile, the prime minister agreed that Japan would cooperate in promoting oil and natural gas development programs in Mexico. The agreement will require our nation to extend technical and financial aid to Mexico.
首相はメキシコのエンリケ・ペニャニエト大統領との会談でも、石油・天然ガス開発の協力で一致した。日本が技術、資金両面で支援するという。
All this constitutes an effort to facilitate natural resource-related cooperation with Latin American countries, a task essential for rectifying our nation’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern nations for oil and other supplies and ensuring it has a diversity of suppliers. Doing so is significant for Japan’s energy security.
日本が中南米との資源協力を進め、中東に偏った石油などの調達先を多角化することは、エネルギー安全保障面で意義がある。
What is important in this endeavor is to respect efforts by Japan’s partner nations to facilitate resource development on their own while also establishing long-term relations under which to enjoy mutual benefits.
大切なのは、相手国の自主的な開発を尊重し、共に利益を享受する長期的な関係を築くことだ。
China has been no less active in increasing ties with Latin American countries, with a view to securing natural resources from them. This was evident, for example, in a visit to Brazil and some other nations in the region by Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, observers have said that China puts its own interests first, paying no attention to its partners’ wishes for development.
中国も、習近平国家主席が７月にブラジルなどを歴訪するなど、資源確保を視野に中南米との関係を強化している。ただ、中国は目先の利益を最優先し、相手国の発展を顧みないとの指摘がある。
Japan should attach great importance to building reciprocal relationships with its Latin American partners, and emphasize its difference from China in dealing with these countries.
日本は互恵関係を重視し、中国との差別化を図るべきだ。
Path to Security Council
Abe’s latest tour included trips to Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Chile. He was the first prime minister to make a full-fledged tour of Central and South America in 10 years. The prime minister was accompanied by about 70 others, including corporate executives.
安倍首相は今回、トリニダード・トバゴ、コロンビア、チリも訪問した。首相の本格的な中南米歴訪は１０年ぶりで、約７０人の企業首脳らが同行した。
Latin America is home to about 600 million people. Many nations in that region feel affinity toward Japan. That part of the world has achieved significant economic growth in recent years, combined with an increase in the number of middle-class consumers with a strong motivation to spend money. The Japanese government and the private sector should join hands in encouraging domestic companies to do business in Latin American markets while also boosting two-way trade with these nations.
中南米の人口は６億人で、親日的な国が多い。近年は経済成長が著しく、消費意欲が強い中間層も増えている。日本は、官民が連携して企業の進出を図り、貿易拡大に努めることが大切である。
At Friday’s meeting, Abe and Rousseff agreed that Japan and Brazil, both of which aim to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, would promote cooperation in this respect as the United Nations marks its 70th anniversary next year. The two leaders confirmed their governments would increase ties with Germany and India in what could be called a “Group of Four nations,” so progress could be made in reforming the most powerful U.N. organ.
日ブラジル首脳会談では、国連創設７０周年の来年に向けて、安全保障理事会改革を進めるため、常任理事国入りを目指す両国にドイツ、インドを加えた「Ｇ４」の連携を強めることで一致した。
Thirty-three Central and South American nations account for somewhat less than 20 percent of the U.N. member states. Japan’s bid to reform the Security Council will require support from these Latin American countries. Japan stands ready to run in an election to choose new nonpermanent members of the council in autumn next year. Abe’s latest tour was aimed, in part, at securing votes in favor of Japan at the U.N. election.
中南米３３か国は国連加盟国全体の２割弱を占める。安保理改革の実現には中南米の支持が欠かせない。日本は、来秋の非常任理事国選挙に立候補する方針で、首相の歴訪には票固めの狙いもある。
During his Latin American tour, Abe met top leaders from member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an organization comprising 14 nations and one territory in the Caribbean Basin. The summit meeting was the first of its kind to be held between Japan and the CARICOM members.
首相は今回、カリブ海の１４か国・１地域で作る「カリブ共同体」との首脳会合を初めて開いた。
Japan should obtain support from the Caribbean nations for its Security Council reform drive. This may be made possible through close cooperation with these countries in the field of disaster damage management, given that they are prone to natural calamities.
ハリケーンなどの被害を受けやすいカリブ諸国とは、防災協力を通じて関係を緊密化し、安保理改革への支持を取り付けたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2014)
The Yomiuri Shimbun
We must heed the tragic lessons of WWI on its 100th anniversary
第１次大戦１００年 今こそ銘記したい悲劇の教訓
This summer marks the centennial of the outbreak of World War I, which ignited in Europe, causing devastation unparalleled by any war the world had witnessed up to that time.
欧州を発火点に、それまでにない戦禍を引き起こした第１次世界大戦の勃発から、この夏で１００年を迎えた。
We must learn from the tragedy, whose protracted battles left about 13 million people dead.
泥沼の長期戦で約１３００万人もの犠牲者を出した悲劇に学ばねばならない。
World War I was triggered in June 1914 by the assassination of the heir presumptive to the Austrian throne by a young Serbian man who fired two shots. In retaliation, Austria declared war on Serbia.
第１次大戦の発端は、１９１４年６月、セルビア人の青年が２発の銃弾を撃ち、オーストリア皇太子の命を奪った事件だった。オーストリアは報復として、セルビアに宣戦を布告した。
Early in August of that year, Germany launched a military campaign based on its military alliance with Austria, leading to an all-out war between the Germany-led Central Powers and the Allies that included Britain, France and Russia.
８月初め、ドイツはオーストリアとの同盟を根拠に軍事行動を開始し、ドイツを中心とした同盟国側と、英仏露など連合国側との全面戦争に発展した。
In those days, many people predicted an early conclusion to the war and believed their own country’s side would be victorious.
当時は多くの人々が戦争の短期終結を予想していた。しかも自国側の勝利を確信していた。
This war left a weighty lesson that a war should never be launched.
かりそめにも戦端を開くことがあってはならない。大戦が残した重い教訓と言えよう。
U.S. President John F. Kennedy was a leader who acted based on what he learned from studying the failures of World War I when he dealt with the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962, in which confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated to the verge of nuclear war.
米ソ対立が核戦争の一歩手前まで先鋭化した１９６２年１０月の「キューバ危機」の際、こうした先人の失敗を鑑かがみとしたのが、ケネディ米大統領である。
An eye on history
Having read “The Guns of August” by Barbara Tuchman, which chronicled in detail the developments leading to the opening of World War I, Kennedy reportedly said he did not want somebody writing a book called “The Missiles of October” in the future.
大統領は、第１次大戦が開戦に至った経過を詳細に綴つづったバーバラ・タックマンの「八月の砲声」を読み、誰かが将来、「十月のミサイル」という本を書くことは望んでいないと語ったという。
Based on unbridled discussions with his aides, Kennedy worked on possible Soviet actions and considered responses to each scenario, as well as the likely resulting outcomes. He put priority on averting a military clash and decided on a maritime blockade of Cuba, instead of launching attacks on Cuba.
側近の自由な議論を踏まえ、ソ連の出方と、それに対する米側の行動のもたらす結果を検討し、衝突回避を優先して、キューバ攻撃でなく海上封鎖を選んだ。
While confirming the Soviet intentions, Kennedy entered negotiations with the Soviet Union for it to withdraw its missiles from Cuba, nipping a potential World War III in the bud. We should never forget what the president accomplished.
さらに、ソ連の意思を確認しながら、ミサイル撤去交渉に入り、「第３次世界大戦」の芽を摘み取ったことを忘れてはならない。
It is important to bear in mind that peace is at risk when an international balance of power crumbles. World War I occurred just as the power of Britain declined from its hegemonic status, which coincided with the rise of Germany.
銘記すべきは、国際的な力の均衡が崩れる時に平和が危うくなることだ。大戦前は、覇権国家だった英国の力が低下し、新興国ドイツが台頭する時期だった。
The present-day world is confronting a shift similar to the changing power balance in Europe 100 years ago.
現代の世界も、１００年前の欧州とも似たパワーバランスの変化に直面している。
In January, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe likened today’s relationship between Japan and a rising China to that of Britain and Germany before the first world war, stirring widespread controversy and putting him on the defensive. Nonetheless, it is true that stabilizing the bilateral relationship has emerged as a major issue.
安倍首相は１月、台頭する中国を念頭に、今日の日中関係を第１次大戦前の英独関係になぞらえて物議を醸し、釈明に追われた。だが、日中関係の安定化が大きな課題となっているのは事実だ。
It is necessary for the two nations to prevent accidental military clashes by establishing a hotline between the leaders and between defense units. The two nations should urgently build a mechanism to be used in the event of a clash to prevent it from escalating into a full-blown conflict.
首脳間や部隊間のホットライン設置など、偶発的な衝突を防ぎ、仮に衝突が起きた場合でも本格的な紛争につなげないための仕組みを早急に構築する必要がある。
History proves that a war, once started, will play out without restraint. Once again, the impor-tance of striving to prevent war has come to the fore.
戦争は、いったん始まれば自制が利かなくなることは歴史が証明している。戦争回避の努力の重要性が改めて問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2014)
We must heed the tragic lessons of WWI on its 100th anniversary
第１次大戦１００年 今こそ銘記したい悲劇の教訓
This summer marks the centennial of the outbreak of World War I, which ignited in Europe, causing devastation unparalleled by any war the world had witnessed up to that time.
欧州を発火点に、それまでにない戦禍を引き起こした第１次世界大戦の勃発から、この夏で１００年を迎えた。
We must learn from the tragedy, whose protracted battles left about 13 million people dead.
泥沼の長期戦で約１３００万人もの犠牲者を出した悲劇に学ばねばならない。
World War I was triggered in June 1914 by the assassination of the heir presumptive to the Austrian throne by a young Serbian man who fired two shots. In retaliation, Austria declared war on Serbia.
第１次大戦の発端は、１９１４年６月、セルビア人の青年が２発の銃弾を撃ち、オーストリア皇太子の命を奪った事件だった。オーストリアは報復として、セルビアに宣戦を布告した。
Early in August of that year, Germany launched a military campaign based on its military alliance with Austria, leading to an all-out war between the Germany-led Central Powers and the Allies that included Britain, France and Russia.
８月初め、ドイツはオーストリアとの同盟を根拠に軍事行動を開始し、ドイツを中心とした同盟国側と、英仏露など連合国側との全面戦争に発展した。
In those days, many people predicted an early conclusion to the war and believed their own country’s side would be victorious.
当時は多くの人々が戦争の短期終結を予想していた。しかも自国側の勝利を確信していた。
This war left a weighty lesson that a war should never be launched.
かりそめにも戦端を開くことがあってはならない。大戦が残した重い教訓と言えよう。
U.S. President John F. Kennedy was a leader who acted based on what he learned from studying the failures of World War I when he dealt with the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962, in which confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union escalated to the verge of nuclear war.
米ソ対立が核戦争の一歩手前まで先鋭化した１９６２年１０月の「キューバ危機」の際、こうした先人の失敗を鑑かがみとしたのが、ケネディ米大統領である。
An eye on history
Having read “The Guns of August” by Barbara Tuchman, which chronicled in detail the developments leading to the opening of World War I, Kennedy reportedly said he did not want somebody writing a book called “The Missiles of October” in the future.
大統領は、第１次大戦が開戦に至った経過を詳細に綴つづったバーバラ・タックマンの「八月の砲声」を読み、誰かが将来、「十月のミサイル」という本を書くことは望んでいないと語ったという。
Based on unbridled discussions with his aides, Kennedy worked on possible Soviet actions and considered responses to each scenario, as well as the likely resulting outcomes. He put priority on averting a military clash and decided on a maritime blockade of Cuba, instead of launching attacks on Cuba.
側近の自由な議論を踏まえ、ソ連の出方と、それに対する米側の行動のもたらす結果を検討し、衝突回避を優先して、キューバ攻撃でなく海上封鎖を選んだ。
While confirming the Soviet intentions, Kennedy entered negotiations with the Soviet Union for it to withdraw its missiles from Cuba, nipping a potential World War III in the bud. We should never forget what the president accomplished.
さらに、ソ連の意思を確認しながら、ミサイル撤去交渉に入り、「第３次世界大戦」の芽を摘み取ったことを忘れてはならない。
It is important to bear in mind that peace is at risk when an international balance of power crumbles. World War I occurred just as the power of Britain declined from its hegemonic status, which coincided with the rise of Germany.
銘記すべきは、国際的な力の均衡が崩れる時に平和が危うくなることだ。大戦前は、覇権国家だった英国の力が低下し、新興国ドイツが台頭する時期だった。
The present-day world is confronting a shift similar to the changing power balance in Europe 100 years ago.
現代の世界も、１００年前の欧州とも似たパワーバランスの変化に直面している。
In January, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe likened today’s relationship between Japan and a rising China to that of Britain and Germany before the first world war, stirring widespread controversy and putting him on the defensive. Nonetheless, it is true that stabilizing the bilateral relationship has emerged as a major issue.
安倍首相は１月、台頭する中国を念頭に、今日の日中関係を第１次大戦前の英独関係になぞらえて物議を醸し、釈明に追われた。だが、日中関係の安定化が大きな課題となっているのは事実だ。
It is necessary for the two nations to prevent accidental military clashes by establishing a hotline between the leaders and between defense units. The two nations should urgently build a mechanism to be used in the event of a clash to prevent it from escalating into a full-blown conflict.
首脳間や部隊間のホットライン設置など、偶発的な衝突を防ぎ、仮に衝突が起きた場合でも本格的な紛争につなげないための仕組みを早急に構築する必要がある。
History proves that a war, once started, will play out without restraint. Once again, the impor-tance of striving to prevent war has come to the fore.
戦争は、いったん始まれば自制が利かなくなることは歴史が証明している。戦争回避の努力の重要性が改めて問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2014)
August 01, 2014
EDITORIAL: Public demands the truth about Fukushima accident
（社説）原発事故原因 究明求める声を聴け
What is the whole truth about the nuclear disaster that hit this nation three years ago? We have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to this question.
３年前の原発事故は何だったのか。私たちは納得いく答えをまだ得ていないではないか。
Public discontent about this fact was clearly reflected in a recent decision by an independent judicial panel of citizens concerning the criminal liability of three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. for the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
そんな国民の不満が反映された議決とみるべきだろう。
The Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution said July 31 that the three should be indicted over the 2011 disaster, rejecting a decision by prosecutors against prosecuting them.
福島第一原発の事故をめぐり検察審査会が、東京電力の元幹部３人について、「起訴相当」とする議決書を公表した。
The panel’s action forces the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office to reconsider its decision to drop the case against the three former executives of the electric utility, which operates the stricken nuclear power plant.
いったん不起訴処分とした東京地検は、起訴するかどうか改めて判断することになった。
Regardless of whether the three are actually indicted, there is no doubt that the panel’s call is a sign of public exasperation about the lack of serious efforts to get to the bottom of the nuclear disaster on the part of the government, the Diet and the utility.
刑事責任の追及がどうなるかはさておき、この議決には、事故について徹底究明しようとしない政府と国会、東電に対する社会のいらだちが映し出されているのは確かだろう。
Both the government and the Diet have the power and ability to gather huge amounts of information about the accident and glean lessons from what happened. The authority is vested in the two institutions by the people.
政府と国会には、事故に関する膨大な情報を集めて、教訓を引き出す権限と能力がある。国民が与えているのである。
But both the government and the Diet have failed to make a serious response to the people’s calls for a clarification of the causes of the accident.
にもかかわらず、政府も国会も、原因究明を求める国民の思いにまったく応えていない。
This discontent has also been indicated by a recent opinion poll.
その不満は、世論調査からも読み取れる。
In a national poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun in July, 59 percent of the respondents voiced opposition to the plan to restart reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, against 23 percent who supported it.
朝日新聞社による７月の全国世論調査では、九州電力川内（せんだい）原発（鹿児島県）の再稼働について「賛成」が２３％、「反対」が５９％だった。
When asked whether they thought that the lessons from the Fukushima accident had been incorporated into Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s energy policies, only 19 percent of the respondents said “yes,” while 61 percent answered negatively.
安倍首相の政策に事故の教訓が生かされていると思うかとの問いには、そう思う人が１９％、否定が６１％だった。
The committees set up separately by the government and the Diet to investigate the accident both ended their inquiries after about one year of work. Both panels called for continued efforts to reveal the whole truth about the triple meltdown at the Fukushima plant. But virtually no specific step has been taken to do so.
政府と国会が事故直後、別々につくった事故調査委員会は、いずれも１年前後で活動を終えた。どちらも引き続き究明を求めたが、今に至るまで具体的な動きはないに等しい。
Given the scale and severity of the accident, it is obvious that the hasty investigations conducted by the two panels are far from sufficient. The records of testimonies and the massive materials produced by their inquiries have not been made available for wide use.
これだけの事故を起こしながら、駆け足の調査で済ませていいわけがない。両事故調が集めた証言録や資料も死蔵されたままである。
A full-scale probe into the accident should be resumed to make clear the lessons that should be learned before the relevant memories of people involved begin to fade.
関係者の記憶が薄れぬ前に、早く本格的な調査を再開して教訓をきちんと示すべきだ。
The three former executives at TEPCO are facing possible charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. Legal action has been taken against them by survivors of the accident in Fukushima Prefecture and others. The plaintiffs are seeking to hold the three liable for damage caused by the disaster, such as the deaths of hospitalized patients and the exposure of local residents to radiation during evacuations.
東電元幹部が問われている容疑は、業務上過失致死傷罪である。事故の避難途中に入院患者が死亡し、住民が被曝（ひばく）したなどとして、福島県内の被災者らが告訴・告発したものだ。
Important for proving their criminal liability are issues like whether the possibility of a powerful earthquake and huge tsunami triggering such a severe accident could be foreseen.
刑事責任を問ううえでは、地震や津波の予見可能性などの立証が重みをもつ。
But efforts to draw lessons from the accident should not be focused only on such judicial viewpoints. The probe should be done from a broader perspective.
だが、教訓を引き出すうえでは、そうした司法の視点だけでなく、幅広い視野からの検証も重要である。
Whether local residents can be safely evacuated in nuclear emergencies is one of the key questions for the decision on whether to restart an idled nuclear power plant. But the criteria for deciding on whether to bring a reactor back online do not include the existence of an effective and workable evacuation plan.
住民が安全に避難できるかどうかは、原発を再び動かすかどうかをめぐる最大の焦点のひとつだ。なのに、再稼働の前提となる基準には今も、避難態勢の整備は含まれていない。
What happened to local residents during the nuclear crisis? How did the electric utility respond to the crisis?
あのとき、住民に何が起きたのか、電力会社の対応はどうだったのか。
In order to answer these and other key questions, it is vital to examine afresh the accident in an exhaustive manner from all possible angles.
あらゆる角度から、事故の徹底検証を進めることが不可欠である。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 1
EDITORIAL: Public demands the truth about Fukushima accident
（社説）原発事故原因 究明求める声を聴け
What is the whole truth about the nuclear disaster that hit this nation three years ago? We have yet to hear a satisfactory answer to this question.
３年前の原発事故は何だったのか。私たちは納得いく答えをまだ得ていないではないか。
Public discontent about this fact was clearly reflected in a recent decision by an independent judicial panel of citizens concerning the criminal liability of three former executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. for the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
そんな国民の不満が反映された議決とみるべきだろう。
The Tokyo No. 5 Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution said July 31 that the three should be indicted over the 2011 disaster, rejecting a decision by prosecutors against prosecuting them.
福島第一原発の事故をめぐり検察審査会が、東京電力の元幹部３人について、「起訴相当」とする議決書を公表した。
The panel’s action forces the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office to reconsider its decision to drop the case against the three former executives of the electric utility, which operates the stricken nuclear power plant.
いったん不起訴処分とした東京地検は、起訴するかどうか改めて判断することになった。
Regardless of whether the three are actually indicted, there is no doubt that the panel’s call is a sign of public exasperation about the lack of serious efforts to get to the bottom of the nuclear disaster on the part of the government, the Diet and the utility.
刑事責任の追及がどうなるかはさておき、この議決には、事故について徹底究明しようとしない政府と国会、東電に対する社会のいらだちが映し出されているのは確かだろう。
Both the government and the Diet have the power and ability to gather huge amounts of information about the accident and glean lessons from what happened. The authority is vested in the two institutions by the people.
政府と国会には、事故に関する膨大な情報を集めて、教訓を引き出す権限と能力がある。国民が与えているのである。
But both the government and the Diet have failed to make a serious response to the people’s calls for a clarification of the causes of the accident.
にもかかわらず、政府も国会も、原因究明を求める国民の思いにまったく応えていない。
This discontent has also been indicated by a recent opinion poll.
その不満は、世論調査からも読み取れる。
In a national poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun in July, 59 percent of the respondents voiced opposition to the plan to restart reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.’s Sendai nuclear power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, against 23 percent who supported it.
朝日新聞社による７月の全国世論調査では、九州電力川内（せんだい）原発（鹿児島県）の再稼働について「賛成」が２３％、「反対」が５９％だった。
When asked whether they thought that the lessons from the Fukushima accident had been incorporated into Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s energy policies, only 19 percent of the respondents said “yes,” while 61 percent answered negatively.
安倍首相の政策に事故の教訓が生かされていると思うかとの問いには、そう思う人が１９％、否定が６１％だった。
The committees set up separately by the government and the Diet to investigate the accident both ended their inquiries after about one year of work. Both panels called for continued efforts to reveal the whole truth about the triple meltdown at the Fukushima plant. But virtually no specific step has been taken to do so.
政府と国会が事故直後、別々につくった事故調査委員会は、いずれも１年前後で活動を終えた。どちらも引き続き究明を求めたが、今に至るまで具体的な動きはないに等しい。
Given the scale and severity of the accident, it is obvious that the hasty investigations conducted by the two panels are far from sufficient. The records of testimonies and the massive materials produced by their inquiries have not been made available for wide use.
これだけの事故を起こしながら、駆け足の調査で済ませていいわけがない。両事故調が集めた証言録や資料も死蔵されたままである。
A full-scale probe into the accident should be resumed to make clear the lessons that should be learned before the relevant memories of people involved begin to fade.
関係者の記憶が薄れぬ前に、早く本格的な調査を再開して教訓をきちんと示すべきだ。
The three former executives at TEPCO are facing possible charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. Legal action has been taken against them by survivors of the accident in Fukushima Prefecture and others. The plaintiffs are seeking to hold the three liable for damage caused by the disaster, such as the deaths of hospitalized patients and the exposure of local residents to radiation during evacuations.
東電元幹部が問われている容疑は、業務上過失致死傷罪である。事故の避難途中に入院患者が死亡し、住民が被曝（ひばく）したなどとして、福島県内の被災者らが告訴・告発したものだ。
Important for proving their criminal liability are issues like whether the possibility of a powerful earthquake and huge tsunami triggering such a severe accident could be foreseen.
刑事責任を問ううえでは、地震や津波の予見可能性などの立証が重みをもつ。
But efforts to draw lessons from the accident should not be focused only on such judicial viewpoints. The probe should be done from a broader perspective.
だが、教訓を引き出すうえでは、そうした司法の視点だけでなく、幅広い視野からの検証も重要である。
Whether local residents can be safely evacuated in nuclear emergencies is one of the key questions for the decision on whether to restart an idled nuclear power plant. But the criteria for deciding on whether to bring a reactor back online do not include the existence of an effective and workable evacuation plan.
住民が安全に避難できるかどうかは、原発を再び動かすかどうかをめぐる最大の焦点のひとつだ。なのに、再稼働の前提となる基準には今も、避難態勢の整備は含まれていない。
What happened to local residents during the nuclear crisis? How did the electric utility respond to the crisis?
あのとき、住民に何が起きたのか、電力会社の対応はどうだったのか。
In order to answer these and other key questions, it is vital to examine afresh the accident in an exhaustive manner from all possible angles.
あらゆる角度から、事故の徹底検証を進めることが不可欠である。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 1
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Spare a thought for smaller firms in light of minimum wage hike
最低賃金上げ 中小企業への目配りも大切だ
To shore up consumption and help the economy finally shake off the shackles of deflation, it is vital that wages are raised.
消費を下支えし、デフレを脱却するには、賃金の底上げが重要だ。
The Central Minimum Wages Council, a panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, has agreed to recommend that Japan’s minimum hourly wages for fiscal 2014 be increased by ¥16 on average from the previous year.
厚生労働省の中央最低賃金審議会が、今年度の最低賃金（時給）の引き上げ幅を全国平均で１６円とする目安を決めた。
This would be a double-digit increase for the second consecutive year, and is expected to bump up the average minimum hourly wage to ¥780. In response to this recommendation, committees in prefectures across the nation will make final decisions on the increase to ensure the minimum wage fairly reflects local conditions. The new standards will be adopted in or around October.
２年連続で２桁の大幅アップとなり、最低賃金は平均７８０円に上昇する見込みだ。この目安を参考に、各都道府県の審議会が地域の実情を踏まえて金額を決め、１０月ごろに改定される。
Currently, after-tax income earned by a worker on the minimum wage is less than they would receive in welfare benefits in Tokyo, Hokkaido and three other prefectures. This so-called reversal phenomenon, in which welfare benefits exceed the minimum wage, can deflate a worker’s incentive to keep working, a development that is rightly viewed as problematic.
最低賃金を巡っては、生活保護の給付水準を下回る「逆転現象」が、労働意欲を損なうとして問題視されてきた。現在も５都道県で生じている。
The latest hike in the minimum wage is forecast to resolve this problem in all five prefectures—a development we warmly welcome.
今回の引き上げで、それがすべて解消される見通しとなったことは、評価できよう。
The monthly income of a full-time worker earning the minimum wage will rise by an average of ¥2,500. With the increase of nonpermanent workers in recent years, many households whose breadwinner is on the minimum wage are barely making ends meet. The value of lifting the minimum wage is considerable.
最低賃金でフルタイム働いた場合の月収は、平均で２５００円程度増える。非正規労働者の増加で、一家の担い手が最低賃金ぎりぎりで働くケースも多い。引き上げの意義は小さくない。
It is a fact that Japan’s minimum wage is among the lowest of advanced nations.
日本の最低賃金が、先進国の中で低い水準にあるのも事実だ。
Buoyed by increasing signs of an economic recovery, this year’s shunto spring labor-management wage negotiations generated a wave of wage hikes, mainly for regular employees of major companies. However, amid rising prices and April’s increase in the consumption tax rate, the income for household budgets is effectively shrinking.
景気の回復傾向を受け、今春闘で大企業を中心に賃上げが相次いだ。しかし、物価上昇に消費増税の影響も加わり、家計の実質的な収入は目減りしている。
For nonregular workers and employees at small and midsize companies, moves toward wage increases have been lukewarm.
非正規労働者や、中小・零細企業では、賃上げの動きは鈍い。
Share the benefits around
There is growing frustration that the benefits of Abenomics, the bold economic policies of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, are not reaching every corner of society.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の恩恵が及んでいないとの不満も強まっている。
The proposed hefty minimum wage increase appears to reflect the strong desire of the administration to haul the economy out of deflation. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura had called for an increase in minimum wage “equivalent to last year’s rise, or higher.”
今回の大幅アップは、デフレ脱却を軌道に乗せたい政権の強い意向を反映したものと言えよう。田村厚労相は「昨年並みか、それより良い成果」を求めていた。
In recent years, more young people have been working in nonregular jobs and earning minimum wage. There has been a noticeable increase in people giving up on getting married and having children due to their financial situations. This has been a major factor in the accelerating decline in the population due to the nation’s low birth rate.
若年層に低賃金の非正規雇用が増え、結婚や子育てをあきらめる人も目立つ。少子化を加速させる大きな要因となっている。
Raising the minimum wage is thus also vital from the perspective of countering the falling population.
最低賃金の引き上げは、人口減対策の観点からも重要である。
The public and private sectors should make efforts to ensure higher wages also spread to nonregular workers and other employees.
非正規労働者などにも賃上げが波及するよう、官民を挙げた取り組みが求められる。
There are concerns that raising the minimum wage could put a squeeze on the management of small and midsize businesses. Many of these companies are already enduring tough financial conditions as they bear the brunt of soaring fuel and raw material costs due to the weaker yen.
心配なのは、最低賃金の引き上げが、中小・零細企業の経営を圧迫しないかという点だ。多くの企業が、円安による原材料価格や燃料費の高騰に直面し、厳しい経営状況にある。
Simply telling these companies to boost wages could worsen their business performance even further. There are also fears that negative consequences, such as companies laying off employees, could escalate.
賃金の引き上げを求めるだけでは、さらなる業績の悪化を招きかねない。従業員の解雇など弊害が拡大する恐れもある。
We think the government should keep a close eye on the actual state of small and midsize companies and prepare effective assistance for them, such as supporting their moves into sectors where growth is anticipated.
政府は、中小企業の実情に目配りし、成長分野への進出を後押しするなど、効果的な支援策に取り組むべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2014)
Spare a thought for smaller firms in light of minimum wage hike
最低賃金上げ 中小企業への目配りも大切だ
To shore up consumption and help the economy finally shake off the shackles of deflation, it is vital that wages are raised.
消費を下支えし、デフレを脱却するには、賃金の底上げが重要だ。
The Central Minimum Wages Council, a panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, has agreed to recommend that Japan’s minimum hourly wages for fiscal 2014 be increased by ¥16 on average from the previous year.
厚生労働省の中央最低賃金審議会が、今年度の最低賃金（時給）の引き上げ幅を全国平均で１６円とする目安を決めた。
This would be a double-digit increase for the second consecutive year, and is expected to bump up the average minimum hourly wage to ¥780. In response to this recommendation, committees in prefectures across the nation will make final decisions on the increase to ensure the minimum wage fairly reflects local conditions. The new standards will be adopted in or around October.
２年連続で２桁の大幅アップとなり、最低賃金は平均７８０円に上昇する見込みだ。この目安を参考に、各都道府県の審議会が地域の実情を踏まえて金額を決め、１０月ごろに改定される。
Currently, after-tax income earned by a worker on the minimum wage is less than they would receive in welfare benefits in Tokyo, Hokkaido and three other prefectures. This so-called reversal phenomenon, in which welfare benefits exceed the minimum wage, can deflate a worker’s incentive to keep working, a development that is rightly viewed as problematic.
最低賃金を巡っては、生活保護の給付水準を下回る「逆転現象」が、労働意欲を損なうとして問題視されてきた。現在も５都道県で生じている。
The latest hike in the minimum wage is forecast to resolve this problem in all five prefectures—a development we warmly welcome.
今回の引き上げで、それがすべて解消される見通しとなったことは、評価できよう。
The monthly income of a full-time worker earning the minimum wage will rise by an average of ¥2,500. With the increase of nonpermanent workers in recent years, many households whose breadwinner is on the minimum wage are barely making ends meet. The value of lifting the minimum wage is considerable.
最低賃金でフルタイム働いた場合の月収は、平均で２５００円程度増える。非正規労働者の増加で、一家の担い手が最低賃金ぎりぎりで働くケースも多い。引き上げの意義は小さくない。
It is a fact that Japan’s minimum wage is among the lowest of advanced nations.
日本の最低賃金が、先進国の中で低い水準にあるのも事実だ。
Buoyed by increasing signs of an economic recovery, this year’s shunto spring labor-management wage negotiations generated a wave of wage hikes, mainly for regular employees of major companies. However, amid rising prices and April’s increase in the consumption tax rate, the income for household budgets is effectively shrinking.
景気の回復傾向を受け、今春闘で大企業を中心に賃上げが相次いだ。しかし、物価上昇に消費増税の影響も加わり、家計の実質的な収入は目減りしている。
For nonregular workers and employees at small and midsize companies, moves toward wage increases have been lukewarm.
非正規労働者や、中小・零細企業では、賃上げの動きは鈍い。
Share the benefits around
There is growing frustration that the benefits of Abenomics, the bold economic policies of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, are not reaching every corner of society.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」の恩恵が及んでいないとの不満も強まっている。
The proposed hefty minimum wage increase appears to reflect the strong desire of the administration to haul the economy out of deflation. Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura had called for an increase in minimum wage “equivalent to last year’s rise, or higher.”
今回の大幅アップは、デフレ脱却を軌道に乗せたい政権の強い意向を反映したものと言えよう。田村厚労相は「昨年並みか、それより良い成果」を求めていた。
In recent years, more young people have been working in nonregular jobs and earning minimum wage. There has been a noticeable increase in people giving up on getting married and having children due to their financial situations. This has been a major factor in the accelerating decline in the population due to the nation’s low birth rate.
若年層に低賃金の非正規雇用が増え、結婚や子育てをあきらめる人も目立つ。少子化を加速させる大きな要因となっている。
Raising the minimum wage is thus also vital from the perspective of countering the falling population.
最低賃金の引き上げは、人口減対策の観点からも重要である。
The public and private sectors should make efforts to ensure higher wages also spread to nonregular workers and other employees.
非正規労働者などにも賃上げが波及するよう、官民を挙げた取り組みが求められる。
There are concerns that raising the minimum wage could put a squeeze on the management of small and midsize businesses. Many of these companies are already enduring tough financial conditions as they bear the brunt of soaring fuel and raw material costs due to the weaker yen.
心配なのは、最低賃金の引き上げが、中小・零細企業の経営を圧迫しないかという点だ。多くの企業が、円安による原材料価格や燃料費の高騰に直面し、厳しい経営状況にある。
Simply telling these companies to boost wages could worsen their business performance even further. There are also fears that negative consequences, such as companies laying off employees, could escalate.
賃金の引き上げを求めるだけでは、さらなる業績の悪化を招きかねない。従業員の解雇など弊害が拡大する恐れもある。
We think the government should keep a close eye on the actual state of small and midsize companies and prepare effective assistance for them, such as supporting their moves into sectors where growth is anticipated.
政府は、中小企業の実情に目配りし、成長分野への進出を後押しするなど、効果的な支援策に取り組むべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2014)
July 30, 2014
EDITORIAL: Labor reforms for single mothers needed to alleviate child poverty
（社説）子どもの貧困 ひとり親世帯を救おう
The government needs to first tackle the here-and-now problems of poverty if any improvements are to be made in the situation.
事態を打開するため、まずは今そこにある貧困の解消に力を注いでほしい。
Japan’s child poverty rate hit a record high of 16.3 percent in 2012. This translates into one in six children living in households with incomes lower than half of the average.
子どもの貧困率が、過去最悪の１６・３％（２０１２年）に達した。子どもの６人に１人が、平均的な所得の半分を下回る世帯に暮らしている。
The rate is among the worst in the developed world. In addition, Japan has been unable to curb the rise for nearly 30 years.
この数字は、先進国の中では最悪クラスだ。しかも、この３０年近く、率の悪化に歯止めがかからずにいる。
The government is working on establishing guidelines to combat child poverty, but the question is what to put in the guidelines.
政府は「子どもの貧困」対策の大綱づくりを進めている。そこに何を盛り込むか。
A panel of experts recommends a broad range of measures, with special emphasis on providing education-related support.
有識者による検討会の提言には多岐にわたる対策が並んだ。とくに、教育支援策が充実している。
Education, which gives youngsters the skills to be self-supportive, is a vital tool for severing the cycle of poverty from generation to generation.
教育は子どもに自立できる力をつける。親から子への貧困の連鎖を断つために大切だ。
But to save children who are struggling in poverty now, the poverty of their parents or guardians needs to be addressed first. And the gravest cases are single-parent families--especially single-mother families--half of which live below the poverty line.
ただ、今すでに貧困にあえぐ子を救うには、まず保護者の貧困を改善する必要がある。深刻なのは貧困率が５割に及ぶひとり親世帯、とくに母子家庭だ。
About 80 percent of single mothers are working, but their average annual income is a measly 1.8 million yen ($17,600). About 10 percent of single mothers live on welfare. The root of the problems faced by these women lies deep; working does not get them out of poverty.
母子世帯の母の８割は働いているが、仕事による年収は平均で１８０万円にすぎない。生活保護を受けているのは１割ほどだ。働いても貧しさを抜け出せないところに根深さがある。
One major factor that keeps them in poverty is that half of these women are working unstable, part-time jobs. One bold step the government could consider to correct this situation would be to subsidize companies that hire low-income single mothers for full-time positions.
大きな要因は、不安定な非正規雇用が半数に及ぶことだ。たとえば、収入の低いシングルマザーを正規で雇い入れた企業には助成をする、といった思い切った手を打てないか。
Basically, the problems stem from the nation’s employment structure. Unless efforts are made to enable part-time workers to switch to full-time jobs, the poor will always remain poor. And the working conditions of part-time workers need to be improved, too.
根本的には、雇用の構造から生じている問題だ。非正規雇用を正規にかえていく努力をしなければ、貧困に苦しむ人はなくならない。非正規の待遇改善も必要だ。
During a meeting of the experts panel, a demand was made for bigger child-support checks for low-income single-parent families. The demand came from such families themselves and their supporters. This should rate a high priority.
検討会では「収入の低いひとり親家庭に支給される児童扶養手当を増額してほしい」との声が、当事者や支援者から上がった。優先順位は高いだろう。
The elimination of poverty is a long-term challenge. This is obvious from the fact that Japan has been unable to curb its child poverty rate for decades. Obviously, the government must not think its work is done once it establishes the guidelines for combating child poverty.
貧困の根絶には息の長い取り組みが要る。それは貧困率に長年歯止めがかからなかったことからも明らかだ。大綱を作って終わりにしてはならない。
In fact, to ensure that the efficacy of the recommended measures is closely examined down the road, the guidelines should spell out numerical targets for lowering the poverty rate and raising the rates of youngsters advancing to higher education and finding jobs afer graduation.
政策の効果を検証できるように、大綱には貧困率や進学率、就職率などを改善する数値目標を定めておくべきだ。
Private organizations around the nation provide teaching and food aid to children from poor families, and they are proving quite helpful. But the reality is that such organizations are struggling financially and must rely heavily on the goodwill of their dedicated members.
生活の苦しい家庭の子どもに学習や食事を支援する民間組織は各地にあり、効果をあげている。ただ、どこもメンバーの献身的な努力に支えられているのが実情で、運営は厳しい。
At the meeting of the experts panel, a proposal was made to create a fund, sponsored by both the public and private sectors, to finance the activities of those goodwill organizations.
検討会では、こうした活動の支援にも使える官民基金の創設が提案された。
We certainly support such a fund, as it is the responsibility of society at large to raise the next generation. We believe in individual citizens providing whatever help they can, not only to their own children and grandchildren.
わが子や孫だけでなく、よその子にも出来る範囲で手をさしのべる。社会で子どもを育てるために、そういう仕組みがあっていい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 30
EDITORIAL: Labor reforms for single mothers needed to alleviate child poverty
（社説）子どもの貧困 ひとり親世帯を救おう
The government needs to first tackle the here-and-now problems of poverty if any improvements are to be made in the situation.
事態を打開するため、まずは今そこにある貧困の解消に力を注いでほしい。
Japan’s child poverty rate hit a record high of 16.3 percent in 2012. This translates into one in six children living in households with incomes lower than half of the average.
子どもの貧困率が、過去最悪の１６・３％（２０１２年）に達した。子どもの６人に１人が、平均的な所得の半分を下回る世帯に暮らしている。
The rate is among the worst in the developed world. In addition, Japan has been unable to curb the rise for nearly 30 years.
この数字は、先進国の中では最悪クラスだ。しかも、この３０年近く、率の悪化に歯止めがかからずにいる。
The government is working on establishing guidelines to combat child poverty, but the question is what to put in the guidelines.
政府は「子どもの貧困」対策の大綱づくりを進めている。そこに何を盛り込むか。
A panel of experts recommends a broad range of measures, with special emphasis on providing education-related support.
有識者による検討会の提言には多岐にわたる対策が並んだ。とくに、教育支援策が充実している。
Education, which gives youngsters the skills to be self-supportive, is a vital tool for severing the cycle of poverty from generation to generation.
教育は子どもに自立できる力をつける。親から子への貧困の連鎖を断つために大切だ。
But to save children who are struggling in poverty now, the poverty of their parents or guardians needs to be addressed first. And the gravest cases are single-parent families--especially single-mother families--half of which live below the poverty line.
ただ、今すでに貧困にあえぐ子を救うには、まず保護者の貧困を改善する必要がある。深刻なのは貧困率が５割に及ぶひとり親世帯、とくに母子家庭だ。
About 80 percent of single mothers are working, but their average annual income is a measly 1.8 million yen ($17,600). About 10 percent of single mothers live on welfare. The root of the problems faced by these women lies deep; working does not get them out of poverty.
母子世帯の母の８割は働いているが、仕事による年収は平均で１８０万円にすぎない。生活保護を受けているのは１割ほどだ。働いても貧しさを抜け出せないところに根深さがある。
One major factor that keeps them in poverty is that half of these women are working unstable, part-time jobs. One bold step the government could consider to correct this situation would be to subsidize companies that hire low-income single mothers for full-time positions.
大きな要因は、不安定な非正規雇用が半数に及ぶことだ。たとえば、収入の低いシングルマザーを正規で雇い入れた企業には助成をする、といった思い切った手を打てないか。
Basically, the problems stem from the nation’s employment structure. Unless efforts are made to enable part-time workers to switch to full-time jobs, the poor will always remain poor. And the working conditions of part-time workers need to be improved, too.
根本的には、雇用の構造から生じている問題だ。非正規雇用を正規にかえていく努力をしなければ、貧困に苦しむ人はなくならない。非正規の待遇改善も必要だ。
During a meeting of the experts panel, a demand was made for bigger child-support checks for low-income single-parent families. The demand came from such families themselves and their supporters. This should rate a high priority.
検討会では「収入の低いひとり親家庭に支給される児童扶養手当を増額してほしい」との声が、当事者や支援者から上がった。優先順位は高いだろう。
The elimination of poverty is a long-term challenge. This is obvious from the fact that Japan has been unable to curb its child poverty rate for decades. Obviously, the government must not think its work is done once it establishes the guidelines for combating child poverty.
貧困の根絶には息の長い取り組みが要る。それは貧困率に長年歯止めがかからなかったことからも明らかだ。大綱を作って終わりにしてはならない。
In fact, to ensure that the efficacy of the recommended measures is closely examined down the road, the guidelines should spell out numerical targets for lowering the poverty rate and raising the rates of youngsters advancing to higher education and finding jobs afer graduation.
政策の効果を検証できるように、大綱には貧困率や進学率、就職率などを改善する数値目標を定めておくべきだ。
Private organizations around the nation provide teaching and food aid to children from poor families, and they are proving quite helpful. But the reality is that such organizations are struggling financially and must rely heavily on the goodwill of their dedicated members.
生活の苦しい家庭の子どもに学習や食事を支援する民間組織は各地にあり、効果をあげている。ただ、どこもメンバーの献身的な努力に支えられているのが実情で、運営は厳しい。
At the meeting of the experts panel, a proposal was made to create a fund, sponsored by both the public and private sectors, to finance the activities of those goodwill organizations.
検討会では、こうした活動の支援にも使える官民基金の創設が提案された。
We certainly support such a fund, as it is the responsibility of society at large to raise the next generation. We believe in individual citizens providing whatever help they can, not only to their own children and grandchildren.
わが子や孫だけでなく、よその子にも出来る範囲で手をさしのべる。社会で子どもを育てるために、そういう仕組みがあっていい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 30
July 29, 2014
EDITORIAL: Japan must tell North Korea that its provocations are pointless
（社説）ミサイル発射 日朝協議でも説得を
North Korea has kept up a series of provocative missile launches this year. In its latest test, apparently a political gesture, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan off its eastern coast on July 26.
北朝鮮がミサイルやロケット砲の発射実験を繰り返している。先週末も日本海に向けて短距離ミサイルを１発撃った。
North Korea's history of reckless tests of nuclear weapons and missiles caused the U.N. Security Council to tighten international sanctions against the secretive regime.
北朝鮮は、これまでも核やミサイルの無謀な実験を重ね、国連安全保障理事会から制裁を強められてきた。
Even a short-range missile test is enough to antagonize the international community and deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation. It's time that North Korea came to grips with the absurdity of its actions.
短距離であってもミサイル発射は国際社会への挑戦であり、自国の孤立を深みに追い込む。その愚かさを悟るべきだ。
Politically, North Korea appears to be trying to exert pressure on the government of South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
発射の政治的なねらいは、まず韓国の朴槿恵（パククネ）政権を意識したものとみられる。
The Park administration has been beset by a string of serious accidents, crimes and scandals at home, and North Korea seems intent on gaining the upper hand ahead of talks it must have with South Korea sooner or later.
事件事故や不祥事など国内事情で苦境に立つ朴大統領を圧迫し、いずれ始まる南北協議を有利なかたちで始めたい、とみるのが妥当だろう。
The Park administration has pledged to make efforts to improve the North-South relationship but maintained a hard-line stance toward Pyongyang. This policy has not gone down well in North Korea and blighted prospects for dialogue between the two countries.
朴政権は対北関係の改善を掲げてはいるが、実際には強硬姿勢を崩していない。そのため、北朝鮮は反発を強めており、対話は軌道に乗っていない。
North Korea has shown that its missiles can reach any part of South Korea. In the meantime, it has announced its intention to send athletes and cheerleaders to the Asian Games in September. The multisport event is slated to be held in South Korea's northwestern city of Incheon.
北朝鮮は韓国を射程に収めるミサイルを撃ち続ける半面、９月に韓国・仁川で始まるスポーツ行事、アジア大会への選手や応援団の派遣を表明した。
The North has said a “peaceful environment” needs to be created for its participation, implying that it wants scheduled joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea in August to be called off. The North Korean regime is trying to put pressure on the Park administration by using both a hard and a soft approach.
だが、そのためには「平和的な環境が整えられるべきだ」とも訴える。来月予定される米韓合同軍事演習の中止を暗に求めるなど、硬軟織り交ぜて朴政権を揺さぶっている。
As it is pursues this diplomatic strategy, North Korea may be seeking to make tactical use of its talks with Japan over Pyongyang’s past abductions of Japanese citizens and other issues.
そうした対外戦術をめぐらすなかで北朝鮮は、日本人拉致問題などをめぐる日朝協議も利用しようとしている恐れがある。
Pyongyang’s recent missile tests should be considered also as a tactical move to achieve certain diplomatic objectives concerning relations among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul.
最近のミサイルの発射にも、日米韓をにらんだ思惑がにじんでいるとみるべきだろう。
The Japanese government lodged a protest against the missile tests, but intends to continue holding talks with the North after concluding that they did not pose any immediate threat to Japanese territory or the general population.
But the North’s actions have different security implications for South Korea.
日本政府は発射に抗議しつつも、日朝協議は続ける意向だ。「ただちに日本の領土や国民に重要な影響をおよぼさない」などとの理由だが、そうした影響評価は韓国とは当然ずれる。
That is why both the United States and South Korea are casting a wary eye on Japan’s plan to continue talks with Pyongyang. At the same time, they have expressed their understanding of Tokyo’s motive.
日本の協議継続の姿勢に米韓が理解を示しながらも、不安なまなざしを向けるゆえんだ。
The relationship between Japan and South Korea remains deeply strained mainly over differences in their views about history-related issues and a territorial dispute. If the two countries fail to put up a united front in dealing with North Korea, they risk playing right into Pyongyang’s hands.
ただでさえ歴史認識などで関係が悪い日韓が、北朝鮮政策でも足並みを乱せば、それこそ北朝鮮の思うつぼだろう。
Viewed from another angle, it can be said that Japan is currently the only country that is able to engage in direct, head-on diplomatic talks with the secluded regime in Pyongyang. In the bilateral talks on trying to resolve the abduction issue, Tokyo should keep urging Pyongyang to stop provocative acts like missile launches.
見方をかえれば、北朝鮮と今、正面から向き合えるパイプを持つのは日本だけだ。拉致問題と並行して、直接対話でミサイルなどの挑発行動をやめるよう求め続けるべきである。
There is speculation that North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Myanmar next month. The conference may offer a rare opportunity for Japan to communicate with a high-level official of North Korea.
来月にミャンマーである東南アジア諸国連合の会合には、北朝鮮の李洙ヨン（リスヨン）外相が出席する可能性が取りざたされる。北朝鮮の高いレベルと意思を交わす機会になるかもしれない。
Japan needs to use its official talks with North Korea wisely in its tenacious efforts to make the regime realize that military provocation is not in its best interest.
日本は政府間協議の継続をてこに、軍事挑発は北朝鮮のためにならないことをねばり強く説く必要がある。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 29
EDITORIAL: Japan must tell North Korea that its provocations are pointless
（社説）ミサイル発射 日朝協議でも説得を
North Korea has kept up a series of provocative missile launches this year. In its latest test, apparently a political gesture, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan off its eastern coast on July 26.
北朝鮮がミサイルやロケット砲の発射実験を繰り返している。先週末も日本海に向けて短距離ミサイルを１発撃った。
North Korea's history of reckless tests of nuclear weapons and missiles caused the U.N. Security Council to tighten international sanctions against the secretive regime.
北朝鮮は、これまでも核やミサイルの無謀な実験を重ね、国連安全保障理事会から制裁を強められてきた。
Even a short-range missile test is enough to antagonize the international community and deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation. It's time that North Korea came to grips with the absurdity of its actions.
短距離であってもミサイル発射は国際社会への挑戦であり、自国の孤立を深みに追い込む。その愚かさを悟るべきだ。
Politically, North Korea appears to be trying to exert pressure on the government of South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
発射の政治的なねらいは、まず韓国の朴槿恵（パククネ）政権を意識したものとみられる。
The Park administration has been beset by a string of serious accidents, crimes and scandals at home, and North Korea seems intent on gaining the upper hand ahead of talks it must have with South Korea sooner or later.
事件事故や不祥事など国内事情で苦境に立つ朴大統領を圧迫し、いずれ始まる南北協議を有利なかたちで始めたい、とみるのが妥当だろう。
The Park administration has pledged to make efforts to improve the North-South relationship but maintained a hard-line stance toward Pyongyang. This policy has not gone down well in North Korea and blighted prospects for dialogue between the two countries.
朴政権は対北関係の改善を掲げてはいるが、実際には強硬姿勢を崩していない。そのため、北朝鮮は反発を強めており、対話は軌道に乗っていない。
North Korea has shown that its missiles can reach any part of South Korea. In the meantime, it has announced its intention to send athletes and cheerleaders to the Asian Games in September. The multisport event is slated to be held in South Korea's northwestern city of Incheon.
北朝鮮は韓国を射程に収めるミサイルを撃ち続ける半面、９月に韓国・仁川で始まるスポーツ行事、アジア大会への選手や応援団の派遣を表明した。
The North has said a “peaceful environment” needs to be created for its participation, implying that it wants scheduled joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea in August to be called off. The North Korean regime is trying to put pressure on the Park administration by using both a hard and a soft approach.
だが、そのためには「平和的な環境が整えられるべきだ」とも訴える。来月予定される米韓合同軍事演習の中止を暗に求めるなど、硬軟織り交ぜて朴政権を揺さぶっている。
As it is pursues this diplomatic strategy, North Korea may be seeking to make tactical use of its talks with Japan over Pyongyang’s past abductions of Japanese citizens and other issues.
そうした対外戦術をめぐらすなかで北朝鮮は、日本人拉致問題などをめぐる日朝協議も利用しようとしている恐れがある。
Pyongyang’s recent missile tests should be considered also as a tactical move to achieve certain diplomatic objectives concerning relations among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul.
最近のミサイルの発射にも、日米韓をにらんだ思惑がにじんでいるとみるべきだろう。
The Japanese government lodged a protest against the missile tests, but intends to continue holding talks with the North after concluding that they did not pose any immediate threat to Japanese territory or the general population.
But the North’s actions have different security implications for South Korea.
日本政府は発射に抗議しつつも、日朝協議は続ける意向だ。「ただちに日本の領土や国民に重要な影響をおよぼさない」などとの理由だが、そうした影響評価は韓国とは当然ずれる。
That is why both the United States and South Korea are casting a wary eye on Japan’s plan to continue talks with Pyongyang. At the same time, they have expressed their understanding of Tokyo’s motive.
日本の協議継続の姿勢に米韓が理解を示しながらも、不安なまなざしを向けるゆえんだ。
The relationship between Japan and South Korea remains deeply strained mainly over differences in their views about history-related issues and a territorial dispute. If the two countries fail to put up a united front in dealing with North Korea, they risk playing right into Pyongyang’s hands.
ただでさえ歴史認識などで関係が悪い日韓が、北朝鮮政策でも足並みを乱せば、それこそ北朝鮮の思うつぼだろう。
Viewed from another angle, it can be said that Japan is currently the only country that is able to engage in direct, head-on diplomatic talks with the secluded regime in Pyongyang. In the bilateral talks on trying to resolve the abduction issue, Tokyo should keep urging Pyongyang to stop provocative acts like missile launches.
見方をかえれば、北朝鮮と今、正面から向き合えるパイプを持つのは日本だけだ。拉致問題と並行して、直接対話でミサイルなどの挑発行動をやめるよう求め続けるべきである。
There is speculation that North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Myanmar next month. The conference may offer a rare opportunity for Japan to communicate with a high-level official of North Korea.
来月にミャンマーである東南アジア諸国連合の会合には、北朝鮮の李洙ヨン（リスヨン）外相が出席する可能性が取りざたされる。北朝鮮の高いレベルと意思を交わす機会になるかもしれない。
Japan needs to use its official talks with North Korea wisely in its tenacious efforts to make the regime realize that military provocation is not in its best interest.
日本は政府間協議の継続をてこに、軍事挑発は北朝鮮のためにならないことをねばり強く説く必要がある。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 29
EDITORIAL: Renewable energy promotion a good opportunity to nurture local ‘sovereignty’
（社説）再エネと地域 「主権」育てる好機に
A recent survey jointly conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and Hitotsubashi University has found that 80 percent of municipalities throughout the country that responded to the questionnaire are willing to promote renewable energies for regional development.
朝日新聞と一橋大学が共同で実施したアンケートで、回答した全国の自治体の８割が再生可能エネルギーの推進に意欲的で、地域振興に役立てようとしていることがわかった。
More than three years have passed since the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. During the period, the local governments have been “deepening” their efforts from moves to review power sources to attempts to reconstruct their areas by themselves.
福島第一原発の事故から３年以上。発電の方法を見直す動きから、地域を自分たちの手で再構築する試みへと深化しつつある様子がうかがえる。
For example, some municipalities are using the revenue earned from the sale of electricity to electric power companies to operate welfare facilities. Others are increasing local employment by setting up companies to maintain power generation facilities. The number of power plants established by collecting funds from citizens and others in their local areas apparently exceeds 500.
例えば、電力会社に電気を売って得た収益を福祉施設の運営に回したり、発電設備を維持し保守する会社をつくって雇用創出につなげたり。地域で資金を募って設立する市民共同型の発電所も増え、５００を超える勢いだ。
If electricity sales are liberalized in the future, consumers will be able to choose their electric power company or sources of the electricity when they purchase it. To prepare for such a time, some producers in the agricultural, fishery or forestry industries are considering selling electricity directly to consumers in distant areas along with their products.
いずれ電力が自由化されれば、電力会社や電源を選んで電気を買えるようになる。そんな将来をにらんで、農業や漁業、林業の生産者が遠隔地の消費者とつながり、直売する地場産品の中に、電気も組み込もうという構想も生まれている。
There are also some moves that go beyond conventional economic activities.
経済活動の枠組みには収まりきらない動きも現れている。
In Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, an organization is operating not only a solar power plant but also a vegetable farm using electricity from the plant. In addition, it is offering learning opportunities to children in those facilities.
原発被災地となった福島県南相馬市では、太陽光発電所とそこでできた電力を使った植物工場を運営しながら、子どもたちが体験学習できる場がある。
The organization’s representative director, Eiju Hangai, is a former director of Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Minami-Soma is his hometown. Reflecting on the nuclear accident, he started the project. His purpose is to nurture people who think and act for themselves through learning of the mechanism of electricity and how to use it.
代表理事の半谷栄寿さんは地元出身で東京電力の元役員。事故の反省から事業を起こした。目標とするのは電気の仕組みや活用法の学習を通じて「自分で考え行動する」人材を育てることだという。
So far, the development of electricity sources has tended to separate “people who generate electricity” from “those who use it.” In particular, nuclear power has been generated for urban areas where large amounts of electricity are consumed. Places that can serve as good locations to host nuclear power plants have been limited. Therefore, municipalities that can receive benefits from those plants have also been limited.
これまでの電源開発は「つくる人」と「使う人」が分かれがちだった。とりわけ原発は、大量に電力を消費する都会向けにつくられてきた。立地条件も限られ、恩恵を受ける「地元」も一部にとどまった。
As for regional development, local governments have so far asked big companies to set up factories in their areas or implemented public works projects with subsidies. One of the typical cases was to ask for construction of nuclear power plants.
地域振興にしても、これまでは大企業を誘致したり補助金でハコモノをつくったりという他力本願型。その面でも原発誘致は典型だった。
Renewable energies have a technical problem from the standpoint of a stable electricity supply. The feed-in-tariff system, in which electric power companies have to buy electricity from renewable energy producers at fixed prices, also has a defect because consumers have to pay higher electricity rates unless costs to develop electricity sources decline.
確かに、安定的な電力供給という面では、再生可能エネルギーに技術的な課題は残る。固定価格での買い取り制度も、電源の開発費用が下がらないと料金負担が大きくなる欠点がある。
In spite of that, renewable energies that can be obtained easily in local areas will become catalysts to nurture “sovereignty” in those areas by changing the traditional way of thinking.
それでも、地域に普通にある資源をいかす再生可能エネルギーは、従来の発想を転換させて、地域に「主権」を育むきっかけになる。
If municipalities promote renewable energy projects, they will face various problems and differences of opinions among residents. How will they overcome those difficulties and obtain understanding from them? It will be testing sites for “small democracies.”
自分たちで事業を進めれば難題や意見の相違にもぶつかる。どう乗り越え、いかに納得するか。小さな民主主義の実践が積み重なる。
A growing number of people are thinking about energies from the context of their areas and lives. We want to support such a move.
自分たちの町や生活と関連づけてエネルギーをとらえる機運を歓迎したい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27
（社説）再エネと地域 「主権」育てる好機に
A recent survey jointly conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and Hitotsubashi University has found that 80 percent of municipalities throughout the country that responded to the questionnaire are willing to promote renewable energies for regional development.
朝日新聞と一橋大学が共同で実施したアンケートで、回答した全国の自治体の８割が再生可能エネルギーの推進に意欲的で、地域振興に役立てようとしていることがわかった。
More than three years have passed since the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. During the period, the local governments have been “deepening” their efforts from moves to review power sources to attempts to reconstruct their areas by themselves.
福島第一原発の事故から３年以上。発電の方法を見直す動きから、地域を自分たちの手で再構築する試みへと深化しつつある様子がうかがえる。
For example, some municipalities are using the revenue earned from the sale of electricity to electric power companies to operate welfare facilities. Others are increasing local employment by setting up companies to maintain power generation facilities. The number of power plants established by collecting funds from citizens and others in their local areas apparently exceeds 500.
例えば、電力会社に電気を売って得た収益を福祉施設の運営に回したり、発電設備を維持し保守する会社をつくって雇用創出につなげたり。地域で資金を募って設立する市民共同型の発電所も増え、５００を超える勢いだ。
If electricity sales are liberalized in the future, consumers will be able to choose their electric power company or sources of the electricity when they purchase it. To prepare for such a time, some producers in the agricultural, fishery or forestry industries are considering selling electricity directly to consumers in distant areas along with their products.
いずれ電力が自由化されれば、電力会社や電源を選んで電気を買えるようになる。そんな将来をにらんで、農業や漁業、林業の生産者が遠隔地の消費者とつながり、直売する地場産品の中に、電気も組み込もうという構想も生まれている。
There are also some moves that go beyond conventional economic activities.
経済活動の枠組みには収まりきらない動きも現れている。
In Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, an organization is operating not only a solar power plant but also a vegetable farm using electricity from the plant. In addition, it is offering learning opportunities to children in those facilities.
原発被災地となった福島県南相馬市では、太陽光発電所とそこでできた電力を使った植物工場を運営しながら、子どもたちが体験学習できる場がある。
The organization’s representative director, Eiju Hangai, is a former director of Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Minami-Soma is his hometown. Reflecting on the nuclear accident, he started the project. His purpose is to nurture people who think and act for themselves through learning of the mechanism of electricity and how to use it.
代表理事の半谷栄寿さんは地元出身で東京電力の元役員。事故の反省から事業を起こした。目標とするのは電気の仕組みや活用法の学習を通じて「自分で考え行動する」人材を育てることだという。
So far, the development of electricity sources has tended to separate “people who generate electricity” from “those who use it.” In particular, nuclear power has been generated for urban areas where large amounts of electricity are consumed. Places that can serve as good locations to host nuclear power plants have been limited. Therefore, municipalities that can receive benefits from those plants have also been limited.
これまでの電源開発は「つくる人」と「使う人」が分かれがちだった。とりわけ原発は、大量に電力を消費する都会向けにつくられてきた。立地条件も限られ、恩恵を受ける「地元」も一部にとどまった。
As for regional development, local governments have so far asked big companies to set up factories in their areas or implemented public works projects with subsidies. One of the typical cases was to ask for construction of nuclear power plants.
地域振興にしても、これまでは大企業を誘致したり補助金でハコモノをつくったりという他力本願型。その面でも原発誘致は典型だった。
Renewable energies have a technical problem from the standpoint of a stable electricity supply. The feed-in-tariff system, in which electric power companies have to buy electricity from renewable energy producers at fixed prices, also has a defect because consumers have to pay higher electricity rates unless costs to develop electricity sources decline.
確かに、安定的な電力供給という面では、再生可能エネルギーに技術的な課題は残る。固定価格での買い取り制度も、電源の開発費用が下がらないと料金負担が大きくなる欠点がある。
In spite of that, renewable energies that can be obtained easily in local areas will become catalysts to nurture “sovereignty” in those areas by changing the traditional way of thinking.
それでも、地域に普通にある資源をいかす再生可能エネルギーは、従来の発想を転換させて、地域に「主権」を育むきっかけになる。
If municipalities promote renewable energy projects, they will face various problems and differences of opinions among residents. How will they overcome those difficulties and obtain understanding from them? It will be testing sites for “small democracies.”
自分たちで事業を進めれば難題や意見の相違にもぶつかる。どう乗り越え、いかに納得するか。小さな民主主義の実践が積み重なる。
A growing number of people are thinking about energies from the context of their areas and lives. We want to support such a move.
自分たちの町や生活と関連づけてエネルギーをとらえる機運を歓迎したい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27
プロフィール
ＨＮ：
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ＨＰ：
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職業：
civil engineer
趣味：
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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 ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはＮＨＫのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
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・現在タイ国コンケン在住
[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
（NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生）
[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
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・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
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