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The Yomiuri Shimbun August 8, 2013
All generations must bear costs to maintain social security system
社会保障会議 制度維持に全世代の負担必要（8月7日付・読売社説）
◆民主の３党協議離脱は無責任だ
How can a sustainable social security system be built? Part of a prescription has been presented to achieve this objective, but there is still much to be done.
持続可能な社会保障制度をどう築くのか。処方箋の一端は示されたが、課題は山積している。
The government’s National Council on Social Security System Reform compiled a final report and submitted it to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. The government plans to submit a bill that sets forth a road map for the reform to the Diet during an extraordinary session this autumn.
政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議が報告書をまとめ、安倍首相に提出した。政府は、改革の工程を定めた法案を秋の臨時国会に提出する。
The council discussed the direction of reform to the nation’s pension, medical care and nursing care systems in time for the planned consumption tax increase.
国民会議は、消費増税に合わせた年金、医療、介護などの改革の道筋を検討した。
A notable feature of the report is that it calls on higher-earning elderly people to shoulder a greater burden of medical costs and taxes. The report called for a change of the current system in which costs are shouldered based on age to one in which costs will be borne based on financial ability.
報告書の最大の特徴は、所得の高い高齢者に医療費や税の負担増を求めた点にある。現行の「年齢別の負担」から「能力に応じた負担」へと方向性を転換した。
Support from elderly needed
◆高齢世代も支え手に
Due to the nation’s low birthrate and rapidly aging population, pension, medical care and nursing care benefits have increased, causing government debt to balloon. It is clear that the principle of the current social security system--according to which the working generation bears the financial burden of supporting the elderly--is no longer feasible.
急速な少子高齢化で、年金、医療、介護の給付費が増大し、政府の借金は膨らんでいる。現役世代の負担で高齢者を支える現行の社会保障の原則では、もはや制度を維持できないのは明らかだ。
The council naturally recommended that the nation’s social security system be changed to one in which such expenses are shouldered by all generations, including elderly people who can afford it.
国民会議が、負担を支払い能力のある高齢者を含めた「全世代型」に転換するよう提言したのはやむを得ない。
It is a point of concern, however, whether the government can steadily carry out the reform.
問題は、政府が着実に改革を実行できるかどうかである。
One problem the government must work on is medical expenses that people aged 70 to 74 pay at hospitals. Medical expenses to be paid by people in this age bracket were set at 20 percent of hospital treatment fees under the Health Insurance Law and other laws revised in 2008. However, the then coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito kept this figure at 10 percent as a special measure, which is still in effect. As much as 200 billion yen in taxpayer money is spent every year to cover these costs.
例えば、７０～７４歳の医療費の窓口負担だ。２００８年の健康保険法などの改正で２割と定められたが、当時の自公政権は特例で１割に据え置き、現在も続いている。穴埋めに年間約２０００億円もの税金が投入されている。
It is only natural that the council called for raising this figure to 20 percent as stipulated by law by abolishing the special measure--a prime example of unfairness among generations.
国民会議が、世代間の不公平の典型と言える特例措置を廃止し、法定の２割に引き上げるよう求めたのは当然である。
The council also called on higher-income earners to shoulder a greater portion of nursing care expenses, which is currently set at a uniform rate of 10 percent. We think the proposed measure is realistic. The government should quickly review this rate of self-contribution.
現在は一律１割である介護保険の利用者負担について、国民会議が高所得者の負担増を求めたことも現実的な方策と言える。政府は負担割合の検討を急ぐべきだ。
The council proposed transferring the management of the national health insurance program, which is mainly used by self-employed people, from municipal to prefectural governments. It also called for raising contributions by health insurance unions of large companies and mutual aid associations for public servants, so they can be used as a resource to rehabilitate the finances of the national health insurance program.
自営業者らが加入する国民健康保険の運営主体を、現在の市町村から都道府県に移管することも打ち出した。国保財政の健全化の財源とするため、大企業の健康保険組合や公務員の共済組合の拠出金を増やすことも求めた。
However, many corporate health insurance unions have already fallen into the red due to such contributions. It would defeat the purpose if a sharp increase in their burden resulted in the collapse of these unions. It is necessary to design a national health insurance system that will not cause confusion.
だが、拠出金によって既に赤字に陥っている健保組合は多い。急激な負担増で破綻を招けば、本末転倒だ。混乱が生じない制度設計が必要である。
Benefits must be curbed
To put this nation’s limited resources to effective use, an increase in social security benefits must be curbed.
限られた財源を有効活用するには、社会保障給付費の伸びを抑えることも不可避だ。
◆給付の抑制が急務だ
The ballooning of medical expenses is partly attributable to bills incurred by people who suffer a variety of diseases due to their advanced age and visit more than one medical institution for examinations and treatment, according to observers.
高齢化で様々な病気を持った患者が、複数の医療機関を重複受診していることが医療費を押し上げている要因の一つとされる。
To prevent this, the council proposed increasing the number of doctors known as general physicians who can diagnose a wide range of illnesses. However, the panel fell short of addressing a key question begged by its proposal--namely, how to train such doctors.
国民会議はこれを防ぐため、幅広い診療能力を持つ「総合診療医」の普及を提唱した。だが、そうした医師をどう育成するかという肝心な点には言及していない。
Among the issues covered by the council’s report is the starting age for benefit payments under the state-run pension system. However, the report only described the issue as a medium- and long-term task that should be discussed together with what mode of employment could be adopted by elderly people.
年金の支給開始年齢については、「高齢者の働き方と合わせて議論すべき中長期的課題」とするにとどめた。
It is necessary to push back the starting age for receiving pension payments from the current age of 65, given the higher average life expectancy of Japanese and the deteriorating financial condition of the pension program. The United States and major European countries have already decided to push back their respective pensionable ages to 67 or 68. Japan is aging the fastest among advanced nations in the world. With this in mind, the government should begin considering implementing a similar reform as early as possible.
平均寿命の延びと年金財政の悪化から、６５歳からさらに引き上げる必要がある。欧米主要国は、既に６７～６８歳への引き上げを決めている。日本は先進国で最も早く高齢化が進んでいるだけに、早期に検討を始めるべきだろう。
The national council also emphasized the need to transform the current social security system into one under which people of all generations would be entitled to benefit. For example, the panel insisted on proactively financing child-rearing support plans and other projects to address various problems arising from the chronically low birthrate.
国民会議は、社会保障給付の面でも「全世代型」を目指し、子育て支援など少子化対策への積極的な投資が必要と強調した。
Specific measures proposed by the panel include increasing the number of day care centers and improving the quality of their services. The council also suggested setting up centers that offer consultations to pregnant and nursing women.
具体的には、保育所の拡充に加え、妊産婦に対する相談・支援拠点の設置を掲げている。
This proposal is aimed at extending continuous assistance to such women, not only during their pregnancy but also during child-raising. In promoting this idea, the panel noted the fact that such women begin to worry about how to raise their children and provide other forms of parental care even while pregnant. An important task in this regard is to work out how to ensure such child care support centers help them realize their purposes.
女性が妊娠時から育児などに不安を持っている点に着目し、子育てまで切れ目なく支援するのが狙いだ。拠点をいかに機能させるかが課題である。
Discussions at the national council coincided with a round of debates among three major parties--the LDP, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan--over social security system reform.
国民会議と並行して、自民、公明、民主の３党は、社会保障改革に関する議論を重ねてきた。
However, the DPJ has decided to pull out of the talks.
ところが、民主党は、３党協議からの離脱を決めた。
The leading opposition party took this step because of the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition’s refusal to discuss such matters as a DPJ proposal to adopt a minimum guaranteed pension plan. The DPJ also cited the fact that its pension proposal had not been incorporated into the panel’s report.
民主党が主張する最低保障年金制度の導入などについて、自公両党が議論に応じず、国民会議の報告書にも盛り込まれなかったことを理由に挙げている。
All parties should help out
◆改革は与野党の責任で
However, it would not be enough to raise the consumption tax rate to 10 percent if the DPJ-proposed minimum guaranteed pension program was translated into reality. The DPJ plan also requires a large tax increase besides the consumption tax hike.
しかし、民主党が掲げる最低保障年金の実現には、消費税率の１０％への引き上げとは別に、大幅な追加増税が必要となる。
The main opposition party has also insisted on scrapping the health care program for persons aged 75 and over, known as people in the latter stage of advanced age. However, there is little need to abolish the system, given that it has already taken root.
後期高齢者医療制度の廃止を唱えているが、既に制度は定着している。廃止の必要性は乏しい。
The pension reform plan trumpeted by the DPJ is unrealistic. The party has defended its decision to quit talks with the LDP and Komeito, citing the ruling parties’ refusal to discuss its pension proposal. The DPJ’s stance must be criticized as too self-righteous.
現実離れした改革案を振りかざし、受け入れられないからといって協議から離脱する。それではあまりに独りよがりだ。
It should be noted that the national council was launched when DPJ senior leader Yoshihiko Noda held the reins of government as prime minister. The opposition party should not shirk its responsibilities.
そもそも野田政権時代に始まった会議である。民主党は責任を放棄すべきではない。
The ruling and opposition parties should join hands in reforming the social security system--a linchpin of national welfare. Such reform is imperative to ensure that the system is not shaken from its foundations even in the event of a change in government.
国の根幹である社会保障制度については、政権交代があっても揺るがぬよう、与野党が共に改革に取り組むことが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2013)
（2013年8月7日01時39分 読売新聞）
All generations must bear costs to maintain social security system
社会保障会議 制度維持に全世代の負担必要（8月7日付・読売社説）
◆民主の３党協議離脱は無責任だ
How can a sustainable social security system be built? Part of a prescription has been presented to achieve this objective, but there is still much to be done.
持続可能な社会保障制度をどう築くのか。処方箋の一端は示されたが、課題は山積している。
The government’s National Council on Social Security System Reform compiled a final report and submitted it to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. The government plans to submit a bill that sets forth a road map for the reform to the Diet during an extraordinary session this autumn.
政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議が報告書をまとめ、安倍首相に提出した。政府は、改革の工程を定めた法案を秋の臨時国会に提出する。
The council discussed the direction of reform to the nation’s pension, medical care and nursing care systems in time for the planned consumption tax increase.
国民会議は、消費増税に合わせた年金、医療、介護などの改革の道筋を検討した。
A notable feature of the report is that it calls on higher-earning elderly people to shoulder a greater burden of medical costs and taxes. The report called for a change of the current system in which costs are shouldered based on age to one in which costs will be borne based on financial ability.
報告書の最大の特徴は、所得の高い高齢者に医療費や税の負担増を求めた点にある。現行の「年齢別の負担」から「能力に応じた負担」へと方向性を転換した。
Support from elderly needed
◆高齢世代も支え手に
Due to the nation’s low birthrate and rapidly aging population, pension, medical care and nursing care benefits have increased, causing government debt to balloon. It is clear that the principle of the current social security system--according to which the working generation bears the financial burden of supporting the elderly--is no longer feasible.
急速な少子高齢化で、年金、医療、介護の給付費が増大し、政府の借金は膨らんでいる。現役世代の負担で高齢者を支える現行の社会保障の原則では、もはや制度を維持できないのは明らかだ。
The council naturally recommended that the nation’s social security system be changed to one in which such expenses are shouldered by all generations, including elderly people who can afford it.
国民会議が、負担を支払い能力のある高齢者を含めた「全世代型」に転換するよう提言したのはやむを得ない。
It is a point of concern, however, whether the government can steadily carry out the reform.
問題は、政府が着実に改革を実行できるかどうかである。
One problem the government must work on is medical expenses that people aged 70 to 74 pay at hospitals. Medical expenses to be paid by people in this age bracket were set at 20 percent of hospital treatment fees under the Health Insurance Law and other laws revised in 2008. However, the then coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito kept this figure at 10 percent as a special measure, which is still in effect. As much as 200 billion yen in taxpayer money is spent every year to cover these costs.
例えば、７０～７４歳の医療費の窓口負担だ。２００８年の健康保険法などの改正で２割と定められたが、当時の自公政権は特例で１割に据え置き、現在も続いている。穴埋めに年間約２０００億円もの税金が投入されている。
It is only natural that the council called for raising this figure to 20 percent as stipulated by law by abolishing the special measure--a prime example of unfairness among generations.
国民会議が、世代間の不公平の典型と言える特例措置を廃止し、法定の２割に引き上げるよう求めたのは当然である。
The council also called on higher-income earners to shoulder a greater portion of nursing care expenses, which is currently set at a uniform rate of 10 percent. We think the proposed measure is realistic. The government should quickly review this rate of self-contribution.
現在は一律１割である介護保険の利用者負担について、国民会議が高所得者の負担増を求めたことも現実的な方策と言える。政府は負担割合の検討を急ぐべきだ。
The council proposed transferring the management of the national health insurance program, which is mainly used by self-employed people, from municipal to prefectural governments. It also called for raising contributions by health insurance unions of large companies and mutual aid associations for public servants, so they can be used as a resource to rehabilitate the finances of the national health insurance program.
自営業者らが加入する国民健康保険の運営主体を、現在の市町村から都道府県に移管することも打ち出した。国保財政の健全化の財源とするため、大企業の健康保険組合や公務員の共済組合の拠出金を増やすことも求めた。
However, many corporate health insurance unions have already fallen into the red due to such contributions. It would defeat the purpose if a sharp increase in their burden resulted in the collapse of these unions. It is necessary to design a national health insurance system that will not cause confusion.
だが、拠出金によって既に赤字に陥っている健保組合は多い。急激な負担増で破綻を招けば、本末転倒だ。混乱が生じない制度設計が必要である。
Benefits must be curbed
To put this nation’s limited resources to effective use, an increase in social security benefits must be curbed.
限られた財源を有効活用するには、社会保障給付費の伸びを抑えることも不可避だ。
◆給付の抑制が急務だ
The ballooning of medical expenses is partly attributable to bills incurred by people who suffer a variety of diseases due to their advanced age and visit more than one medical institution for examinations and treatment, according to observers.
高齢化で様々な病気を持った患者が、複数の医療機関を重複受診していることが医療費を押し上げている要因の一つとされる。
To prevent this, the council proposed increasing the number of doctors known as general physicians who can diagnose a wide range of illnesses. However, the panel fell short of addressing a key question begged by its proposal--namely, how to train such doctors.
国民会議はこれを防ぐため、幅広い診療能力を持つ「総合診療医」の普及を提唱した。だが、そうした医師をどう育成するかという肝心な点には言及していない。
Among the issues covered by the council’s report is the starting age for benefit payments under the state-run pension system. However, the report only described the issue as a medium- and long-term task that should be discussed together with what mode of employment could be adopted by elderly people.
年金の支給開始年齢については、「高齢者の働き方と合わせて議論すべき中長期的課題」とするにとどめた。
It is necessary to push back the starting age for receiving pension payments from the current age of 65, given the higher average life expectancy of Japanese and the deteriorating financial condition of the pension program. The United States and major European countries have already decided to push back their respective pensionable ages to 67 or 68. Japan is aging the fastest among advanced nations in the world. With this in mind, the government should begin considering implementing a similar reform as early as possible.
平均寿命の延びと年金財政の悪化から、６５歳からさらに引き上げる必要がある。欧米主要国は、既に６７～６８歳への引き上げを決めている。日本は先進国で最も早く高齢化が進んでいるだけに、早期に検討を始めるべきだろう。
The national council also emphasized the need to transform the current social security system into one under which people of all generations would be entitled to benefit. For example, the panel insisted on proactively financing child-rearing support plans and other projects to address various problems arising from the chronically low birthrate.
国民会議は、社会保障給付の面でも「全世代型」を目指し、子育て支援など少子化対策への積極的な投資が必要と強調した。
Specific measures proposed by the panel include increasing the number of day care centers and improving the quality of their services. The council also suggested setting up centers that offer consultations to pregnant and nursing women.
具体的には、保育所の拡充に加え、妊産婦に対する相談・支援拠点の設置を掲げている。
This proposal is aimed at extending continuous assistance to such women, not only during their pregnancy but also during child-raising. In promoting this idea, the panel noted the fact that such women begin to worry about how to raise their children and provide other forms of parental care even while pregnant. An important task in this regard is to work out how to ensure such child care support centers help them realize their purposes.
女性が妊娠時から育児などに不安を持っている点に着目し、子育てまで切れ目なく支援するのが狙いだ。拠点をいかに機能させるかが課題である。
Discussions at the national council coincided with a round of debates among three major parties--the LDP, Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan--over social security system reform.
国民会議と並行して、自民、公明、民主の３党は、社会保障改革に関する議論を重ねてきた。
However, the DPJ has decided to pull out of the talks.
ところが、民主党は、３党協議からの離脱を決めた。
The leading opposition party took this step because of the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition’s refusal to discuss such matters as a DPJ proposal to adopt a minimum guaranteed pension plan. The DPJ also cited the fact that its pension proposal had not been incorporated into the panel’s report.
民主党が主張する最低保障年金制度の導入などについて、自公両党が議論に応じず、国民会議の報告書にも盛り込まれなかったことを理由に挙げている。
All parties should help out
◆改革は与野党の責任で
However, it would not be enough to raise the consumption tax rate to 10 percent if the DPJ-proposed minimum guaranteed pension program was translated into reality. The DPJ plan also requires a large tax increase besides the consumption tax hike.
しかし、民主党が掲げる最低保障年金の実現には、消費税率の１０％への引き上げとは別に、大幅な追加増税が必要となる。
The main opposition party has also insisted on scrapping the health care program for persons aged 75 and over, known as people in the latter stage of advanced age. However, there is little need to abolish the system, given that it has already taken root.
後期高齢者医療制度の廃止を唱えているが、既に制度は定着している。廃止の必要性は乏しい。
The pension reform plan trumpeted by the DPJ is unrealistic. The party has defended its decision to quit talks with the LDP and Komeito, citing the ruling parties’ refusal to discuss its pension proposal. The DPJ’s stance must be criticized as too self-righteous.
現実離れした改革案を振りかざし、受け入れられないからといって協議から離脱する。それではあまりに独りよがりだ。
It should be noted that the national council was launched when DPJ senior leader Yoshihiko Noda held the reins of government as prime minister. The opposition party should not shirk its responsibilities.
そもそも野田政権時代に始まった会議である。民主党は責任を放棄すべきではない。
The ruling and opposition parties should join hands in reforming the social security system--a linchpin of national welfare. Such reform is imperative to ensure that the system is not shaken from its foundations even in the event of a change in government.
国の根幹である社会保障制度については、政権交代があっても揺るがぬよう、与野党が共に改革に取り組むことが重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2013)
（2013年8月7日01時39分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 7, 2013
Japan must take realistic option in face of increasing nuclear threat
原爆忌 一段と高まる核兵器の脅威（8月6日付・読売社説）
On Tuesday, Hiroshima marks the 68th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city. Nagasaki will do the same Friday.
広島は６日、長崎は９日に、それぞれ６８回目の原爆忌を迎える。
As the only nation ever to have been attacked with atomic weapons, how will Japan pass on the accounts of the terrible devastation wrought by the bombings and entreat the world to prevent nuclear weapons, which are inhumane by themselves, from being used again? The average age of atomic-bomb survivors has already passed 78.
唯一の被爆国として、いかに原爆の惨禍を語り継ぎ、非人道的な核兵器が二度と使用されないよう世界に訴えていくか。被爆者の平均年齢は既に７８歳を超えた。
In a declaration of peace to be announced Tuesday at a peace memorial ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui will pledge his utmost efforts to work toward the elimination of nuclear arms by 2020.
広島市の松井一実市長は、きょうの平和記念式典で発表する平和宣言で、２０２０年までの核廃絶に全力を尽くすことを誓う。
But in light of the harsh realities of today’s world, high hurdles lie on the road to nuclear abolition.
しかし、世界の現状は厳しく、廃絶へのハードルは高い。
The number of nuclear weapons, which totaled about 70,000 at the peak of the Cold War, has been cut significantly due to nuclear reduction talks between the United States and Russia. But more than 17,000 such weapons reportedly still remain.
冷戦時代のピーク時に世界で計約７万発もあった核兵器は、米露核軍縮交渉で大幅に削減されたものの、なお１万７０００発以上も残っているとされる。
In a speech he made in Berlin in June, U.S. President Barack Obama proposed cutting the respective number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by the two nuclear superpowers by about one-third. We hope negotiations on this matter will proceed steadily.
今年６月、オバマ米大統領はベルリンで演説し、米露が配備している戦略核弾頭数を現在の３分の２程度にまで、それぞれ削減することを提案した。着実に推進してもらいたい。
Needless to say, nuclear disarmament is not an issue to be dealt with by Washington and Moscow alone. China and other nuclear powers should actively get involved in the issue.
無論、核軍縮は米露だけの問題ではない。中国など他の核保有国も積極的に取り組むべきだ。
The nuclear control system under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which bans possession of nuclear arsenals by countries other than the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China, has been noticeably frayed for years.
米露英仏中の５か国以外の核保有を禁止した核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制に、ほころびが目立つようになって久しい。
N. Korea’s moves worrying
Of particular concern is North Korea’s attempt to make its possession of nuclear weapons a fait accompli. Following its test-firing of a long-range ballistic missile in December, North Korea charged ahead with its third nuclear test in February. It is accelerating efforts to develop nuclear warheads small enough to be mounted on a missile capable of reaching the continental United States.
特に懸念されるのは、核保有の既成事実化を図る北朝鮮の動向だ。昨年１２月の長距離弾道ミサイル発射に続き、今年２月には３回目の核実験を強行した。米本土に届くミサイルと、搭載可能な小型核弾頭の開発を急いでいる。
All of Japan lies within range of Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missiles deployed by Pyongyang. If North Korea successfully develops nuclear warheads, it is highly likely Japan could become the target of its first nuclear strike.
北朝鮮が実戦配備中の中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」は、日本のほぼ全域を射程に収める。核弾頭が完成すれば日本が先制核攻撃の標的となる確率は小さくない。
This concern is behind the emergence of support in the Liberal Democratic Party and elsewhere for the view that Japan should possess the capabilty to attack missile bases and other enemy facilities in self-defense.
自民党などで、自衛のために相手国のミサイル基地などを攻撃する「敵基地攻撃能力」を保持すべきだという議論が起きているのはそのためである。
In cooperation with the United States and South Korea, as well as Beijing and Moscow, Japan must relentlessly urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
米韓や中露と連携し、北朝鮮に対しても核放棄をねばり強く求め続けねばならない。
The U.S. nuclear umbrella is the bedrock of Japan’s national security policy. We believe its importance is increasing all the more.
日本の安全保障政策の根幹にある米国の「核の傘」の重要性も高まっていると言えよう。
Since three years ago, Washington has been providing Tokyo with information on some nuclear facilities in the United States.
米政府は３年前から、米国内の核施設の一部を日本政府に開示するようになった。
Promoting Japan-U.S. consultative talks on nuclear deterrence is essential for the bilateral alliance to function. This also will reinforce the deterrence policy.
核抑止をめぐる日米協議の進展は、日米同盟を機能させる上で必須である。抑止力政策の強化にもつながる。
Telling the world about the awful devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and using the U.S. nuclear umbrella to protect national security from nearby nuclear threats: This is the realistic option Japan can take as an atomic-bombed nation and a country without nuclear weapons.
広島、長崎の惨状を訴える一方で、周囲の核脅威には米国の核で安全を担保する。それが、被爆国であり、非核保有国としての日本が取り得る現実的選択である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2013)
（2013年8月6日01時28分 読売新聞）
Japan must take realistic option in face of increasing nuclear threat
原爆忌 一段と高まる核兵器の脅威（8月6日付・読売社説）
On Tuesday, Hiroshima marks the 68th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city. Nagasaki will do the same Friday.
広島は６日、長崎は９日に、それぞれ６８回目の原爆忌を迎える。
As the only nation ever to have been attacked with atomic weapons, how will Japan pass on the accounts of the terrible devastation wrought by the bombings and entreat the world to prevent nuclear weapons, which are inhumane by themselves, from being used again? The average age of atomic-bomb survivors has already passed 78.
唯一の被爆国として、いかに原爆の惨禍を語り継ぎ、非人道的な核兵器が二度と使用されないよう世界に訴えていくか。被爆者の平均年齢は既に７８歳を超えた。
In a declaration of peace to be announced Tuesday at a peace memorial ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui will pledge his utmost efforts to work toward the elimination of nuclear arms by 2020.
広島市の松井一実市長は、きょうの平和記念式典で発表する平和宣言で、２０２０年までの核廃絶に全力を尽くすことを誓う。
But in light of the harsh realities of today’s world, high hurdles lie on the road to nuclear abolition.
しかし、世界の現状は厳しく、廃絶へのハードルは高い。
The number of nuclear weapons, which totaled about 70,000 at the peak of the Cold War, has been cut significantly due to nuclear reduction talks between the United States and Russia. But more than 17,000 such weapons reportedly still remain.
冷戦時代のピーク時に世界で計約７万発もあった核兵器は、米露核軍縮交渉で大幅に削減されたものの、なお１万７０００発以上も残っているとされる。
In a speech he made in Berlin in June, U.S. President Barack Obama proposed cutting the respective number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by the two nuclear superpowers by about one-third. We hope negotiations on this matter will proceed steadily.
今年６月、オバマ米大統領はベルリンで演説し、米露が配備している戦略核弾頭数を現在の３分の２程度にまで、それぞれ削減することを提案した。着実に推進してもらいたい。
Needless to say, nuclear disarmament is not an issue to be dealt with by Washington and Moscow alone. China and other nuclear powers should actively get involved in the issue.
無論、核軍縮は米露だけの問題ではない。中国など他の核保有国も積極的に取り組むべきだ。
The nuclear control system under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which bans possession of nuclear arsenals by countries other than the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China, has been noticeably frayed for years.
米露英仏中の５か国以外の核保有を禁止した核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制に、ほころびが目立つようになって久しい。
N. Korea’s moves worrying
Of particular concern is North Korea’s attempt to make its possession of nuclear weapons a fait accompli. Following its test-firing of a long-range ballistic missile in December, North Korea charged ahead with its third nuclear test in February. It is accelerating efforts to develop nuclear warheads small enough to be mounted on a missile capable of reaching the continental United States.
特に懸念されるのは、核保有の既成事実化を図る北朝鮮の動向だ。昨年１２月の長距離弾道ミサイル発射に続き、今年２月には３回目の核実験を強行した。米本土に届くミサイルと、搭載可能な小型核弾頭の開発を急いでいる。
All of Japan lies within range of Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missiles deployed by Pyongyang. If North Korea successfully develops nuclear warheads, it is highly likely Japan could become the target of its first nuclear strike.
北朝鮮が実戦配備中の中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」は、日本のほぼ全域を射程に収める。核弾頭が完成すれば日本が先制核攻撃の標的となる確率は小さくない。
This concern is behind the emergence of support in the Liberal Democratic Party and elsewhere for the view that Japan should possess the capabilty to attack missile bases and other enemy facilities in self-defense.
自民党などで、自衛のために相手国のミサイル基地などを攻撃する「敵基地攻撃能力」を保持すべきだという議論が起きているのはそのためである。
In cooperation with the United States and South Korea, as well as Beijing and Moscow, Japan must relentlessly urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
米韓や中露と連携し、北朝鮮に対しても核放棄をねばり強く求め続けねばならない。
The U.S. nuclear umbrella is the bedrock of Japan’s national security policy. We believe its importance is increasing all the more.
日本の安全保障政策の根幹にある米国の「核の傘」の重要性も高まっていると言えよう。
Since three years ago, Washington has been providing Tokyo with information on some nuclear facilities in the United States.
米政府は３年前から、米国内の核施設の一部を日本政府に開示するようになった。
Promoting Japan-U.S. consultative talks on nuclear deterrence is essential for the bilateral alliance to function. This also will reinforce the deterrence policy.
核抑止をめぐる日米協議の進展は、日米同盟を機能させる上で必須である。抑止力政策の強化にもつながる。
Telling the world about the awful devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and using the U.S. nuclear umbrella to protect national security from nearby nuclear threats: This is the realistic option Japan can take as an atomic-bombed nation and a country without nuclear weapons.
広島、長崎の惨状を訴える一方で、周囲の核脅威には米国の核で安全を担保する。それが、被爆国であり、非核保有国としての日本が取り得る現実的選択である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2013)
（2013年8月6日01時28分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 6, 2013
Use FY14 public works budget to repair aging infrastructure
公共事業予算 防災や成長分野に重点配分を（8月5日付・読売社説）
The nation’s roads and bridges must be improved and comprehensive disaster countermeasures developed without fail by utilizing the government’s limited sources of revenue.
限られた財源を有効に活用し、道路や橋などの整備や防災対策を実現しなければならない。
To this end, efforts should be redoubled to enhance the efficiency of public works projects.
公共事業の一層の効率化が問われよう。
The government, in working out guidelines for estimated budget appropriation requests from ministries and agencies for fiscal 2014, is set to reduce their allocations for discretionary spending for policy implementation, including public works projects, by about 10 percent compared with the fiscal 2013 initial budget.
政府は２０１４年度予算案の概算要求基準で、公共事業などの裁量的経費を１３年度当初予算から１０％ほど減らす方針だ。
In the budget for this fiscal year, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has earmarked 5.3 trillion yen for public works spending, the first year-on-year increase in four years, with a view to realizing the Abenomics policy package for refloating the national economy.
安倍政権は、経済政策「アベノミクス」を推進するため、今年度予算で公共事業を５・３兆円と４年ぶりに増やしている。
Given that Japan’s government finances are in the worst shape of all industrially advanced economies, however, the government cannot simply continue to expand outlays for public works projects.
だが、先進国で最悪の財政事情を抱える中、安易に公共事業の拡大を継続することは許されない。
It is reasonable that the government plans to impose curbs on public works spending based on the stringent guidelines for budget appropriation requests for the next fiscal year.
厳しい概算要求基準を課し、歯止めをかけるのは妥当と言える。
But at the same time, the government is poised to create special, expensive budgetary allocations that will not be subject to the envisioned across-the-board spending cuts. Sufficient cost-benefit considerations are a must in scrutinizing what policy measures should be included in allocations not subject to budgetary curbs.
政府は、一律の削減対象としない多額の特別枠も設ける方向だ。これについても費用対効果を吟味する必要がある。
Such anti-disaster measures as boosting earthquake resistance of buildings and strengthening the aging infrastructure are indispensable for ensuring the public’s safety. The pace of projects aimed at recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, which have been delayed because of such factors as shortages of manpower and construction materials, must be swiftly accelerated.
建物の耐震化などの防災対策や老朽化した社会資本（インフラ）の更新は、国民の安全を守るために不可欠だ。人手と資材の不足などで遅れている東日本大震災の復興も加速しなければならない。
‘Selection, concentration’
As part of the government’s growth strategy, it is essential to improve infrastructure, especially such things as arterial road networks in urban areas and airports that can serve as international hub airports.
成長戦略を後押しするうえで都市部の基幹道路網や国際拠点となる空港など、インフラの整備も求められる。
To smoothly carry through these projects, the principle of “selection and concentration” should be thoroughly employed.
こうした公共事業を着実に進めるため、「選択と集中」を徹底すべきだ。
We want to see urgent anti-disaster projects and measures to improve infrastructure given high priority in budget allocations for fiscal 2014.
緊急性が高い災害対策や老朽化対策へ重点的に予算配分してもらいたい。
Costs for improving antiquated infrastructure will reach an estimated 190 trillion yen during the next 50 years, according to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. Under the circumstances, it is unrealistic to entirely rebuild aging infrastructure.
国土交通省は、老朽化したインフラの更新費用が今後５０年間で約１９０兆円に上ると推計している。インフラをすべて造り直すことは現実的ではない。
The idea of excluding low-use public facilities and bridges from repair and improvement projects is worthy of consideration.
利用率が下がった公共施設や橋などは更新しないという考え方も検討に値しよう。
It is worrying that the old-fashioned style of implementing public works projects may return. In this connection, the Liberal Democratic Party vowed in its election platform in the House of Councillors election in July to “promote projects for enhancing national land resilience.”
懸念されるのは、自民党が７月の参院選で、防災対策などの「国土強靱(きょうじん)化」を推進する公約を掲げたことに乗じて、旧来型の公共事業が息を吹き返すことだ。
It should never be forgotten that previous construction of unneeded roads, airports and other projects touted under the banner of large-scale development programs ended up worsening government finances.
かつて大規模な開発事業のもとで、必要性の乏しい道路や空港を造り、財政悪化を招いたことを忘れてはなるまい。
To cut back on costs, due constideration must be paid to ways public works projects are undertaken.
費用を抑制するには、公共事業の進め方にも工夫が要る。
For example, information technologies should be used to enhance the efficiency of inspection and repair of such facilties as roads and bridges. To this end, automatic collection and analysis of data obtained through high-performance sensors could lead to cost reduction as well as longer life spans of such facilities.
センサーから得た情報を自動的に収集・分析するなど、ＩＴ（情報技術）を活用して道路や橋の点検や補修を効率化すれば、低コストで長寿命化が図れるだろう。
It could also be effective to integrate such public facilities as schools and libraries into single entities, while expediting diversification of their functions.
学校や図書館などの公共施設を１か所に集約し、施設の多機能化を進めることも有効だ。
In addition, sufficient attention should be given to the wisdom of making the best use of the private finance initiative formula of the central and local governments to entrust construction and management of public facilities to private businesses.
国や自治体が公共施設の建設や運営を民間に委ねる「ＰＦＩ」の活用にも知恵を絞るべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2013)
（2013年8月5日01時43分 読売新聞）
Use FY14 public works budget to repair aging infrastructure
公共事業予算 防災や成長分野に重点配分を（8月5日付・読売社説）
The nation’s roads and bridges must be improved and comprehensive disaster countermeasures developed without fail by utilizing the government’s limited sources of revenue.
限られた財源を有効に活用し、道路や橋などの整備や防災対策を実現しなければならない。
To this end, efforts should be redoubled to enhance the efficiency of public works projects.
公共事業の一層の効率化が問われよう。
The government, in working out guidelines for estimated budget appropriation requests from ministries and agencies for fiscal 2014, is set to reduce their allocations for discretionary spending for policy implementation, including public works projects, by about 10 percent compared with the fiscal 2013 initial budget.
政府は２０１４年度予算案の概算要求基準で、公共事業などの裁量的経費を１３年度当初予算から１０％ほど減らす方針だ。
In the budget for this fiscal year, the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has earmarked 5.3 trillion yen for public works spending, the first year-on-year increase in four years, with a view to realizing the Abenomics policy package for refloating the national economy.
安倍政権は、経済政策「アベノミクス」を推進するため、今年度予算で公共事業を５・３兆円と４年ぶりに増やしている。
Given that Japan’s government finances are in the worst shape of all industrially advanced economies, however, the government cannot simply continue to expand outlays for public works projects.
だが、先進国で最悪の財政事情を抱える中、安易に公共事業の拡大を継続することは許されない。
It is reasonable that the government plans to impose curbs on public works spending based on the stringent guidelines for budget appropriation requests for the next fiscal year.
厳しい概算要求基準を課し、歯止めをかけるのは妥当と言える。
But at the same time, the government is poised to create special, expensive budgetary allocations that will not be subject to the envisioned across-the-board spending cuts. Sufficient cost-benefit considerations are a must in scrutinizing what policy measures should be included in allocations not subject to budgetary curbs.
政府は、一律の削減対象としない多額の特別枠も設ける方向だ。これについても費用対効果を吟味する必要がある。
Such anti-disaster measures as boosting earthquake resistance of buildings and strengthening the aging infrastructure are indispensable for ensuring the public’s safety. The pace of projects aimed at recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, which have been delayed because of such factors as shortages of manpower and construction materials, must be swiftly accelerated.
建物の耐震化などの防災対策や老朽化した社会資本（インフラ）の更新は、国民の安全を守るために不可欠だ。人手と資材の不足などで遅れている東日本大震災の復興も加速しなければならない。
‘Selection, concentration’
As part of the government’s growth strategy, it is essential to improve infrastructure, especially such things as arterial road networks in urban areas and airports that can serve as international hub airports.
成長戦略を後押しするうえで都市部の基幹道路網や国際拠点となる空港など、インフラの整備も求められる。
To smoothly carry through these projects, the principle of “selection and concentration” should be thoroughly employed.
こうした公共事業を着実に進めるため、「選択と集中」を徹底すべきだ。
We want to see urgent anti-disaster projects and measures to improve infrastructure given high priority in budget allocations for fiscal 2014.
緊急性が高い災害対策や老朽化対策へ重点的に予算配分してもらいたい。
Costs for improving antiquated infrastructure will reach an estimated 190 trillion yen during the next 50 years, according to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. Under the circumstances, it is unrealistic to entirely rebuild aging infrastructure.
国土交通省は、老朽化したインフラの更新費用が今後５０年間で約１９０兆円に上ると推計している。インフラをすべて造り直すことは現実的ではない。
The idea of excluding low-use public facilities and bridges from repair and improvement projects is worthy of consideration.
利用率が下がった公共施設や橋などは更新しないという考え方も検討に値しよう。
It is worrying that the old-fashioned style of implementing public works projects may return. In this connection, the Liberal Democratic Party vowed in its election platform in the House of Councillors election in July to “promote projects for enhancing national land resilience.”
懸念されるのは、自民党が７月の参院選で、防災対策などの「国土強靱(きょうじん)化」を推進する公約を掲げたことに乗じて、旧来型の公共事業が息を吹き返すことだ。
It should never be forgotten that previous construction of unneeded roads, airports and other projects touted under the banner of large-scale development programs ended up worsening government finances.
かつて大規模な開発事業のもとで、必要性の乏しい道路や空港を造り、財政悪化を招いたことを忘れてはなるまい。
To cut back on costs, due constideration must be paid to ways public works projects are undertaken.
費用を抑制するには、公共事業の進め方にも工夫が要る。
For example, information technologies should be used to enhance the efficiency of inspection and repair of such facilties as roads and bridges. To this end, automatic collection and analysis of data obtained through high-performance sensors could lead to cost reduction as well as longer life spans of such facilities.
センサーから得た情報を自動的に収集・分析するなど、ＩＴ（情報技術）を活用して道路や橋の点検や補修を効率化すれば、低コストで長寿命化が図れるだろう。
It could also be effective to integrate such public facilities as schools and libraries into single entities, while expediting diversification of their functions.
学校や図書館などの公共施設を１か所に集約し、施設の多機能化を進めることも有効だ。
In addition, sufficient attention should be given to the wisdom of making the best use of the private finance initiative formula of the central and local governments to entrust construction and management of public facilities to private businesses.
国や自治体が公共施設の建設や運営を民間に委ねる「ＰＦＩ」の活用にも知恵を絞るべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 5, 2013)
（2013年8月5日01時43分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 5, 2013
National health insurance program should be managed by prefectures
国民健康保険 都道府県移管は必要な方策だ（8月4日付・読売社説）
The financial condition of the national health insurance program, which was originally started as medical insurance for the self-employed, has taken a serious turn for the worse. The program must be rehabilitated as soon as possible.
自営業者らの医療保険制度として発足した国民健康保険（国保）の財政悪化は深刻である。立て直しが急務だ。
The National Council on Social Security Reform will propose in an upcoming report that the national health insurance program, currently managed by cities, towns and villages, should be run by prefectures.
政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議は近くまとめる報告書で、国保の運営主体を市町村から都道府県に移すことを求める。
The biggest aim of the proposal is to enhance the financial foundation of the program. We think having prefectural governments, which are larger than city, town and village governments, manage the program is a necessary means to maintaining the program.
財政基盤の強化が最大の眼目だ。運営の広域化は国保を維持する上で必要な方策と言えよう。
There are about 35 million subscribers to the national health insurance program. With a decrease of farming families and private shops, about 70 percent of the subscribers are now nonregular workers and the unemployed.
国保加入者は約３５００万人に上る。農家や商店の減少に伴い、全体の約７割を非正規労働者や無職の人が占めている。
Because more and more low-income earners are joining the program, revenues from insurance premiums remain low. In fact, less than 30 percent of the more than 11 trillion yen in national health insurance payouts a year is covered by premiums.
低所得の加入者の増加で、保険料収入は低水準にとどまっている。１１兆円余の医療給付費のうち、保険料で賄えているのは３割に満たないのが現状だ。
To cover revenue shortages, the program must depend on financial assistance from employees’ insurance programs such as those operated by corporate health insurance unions and on public money from the national and prefectural governments. Nonetheless, this does not cover the deficits. To compensate for the deficits, 350 billion yen is allocated to the insurance program every year from the general accounts of municipal governments. The structure of the insurance program apparently ensures it will lose money.
財源不足を補うため、健康保険組合など被用者保険からの支援金や国、都道府県の公費に頼っているが、それでも赤字を解消できない。穴埋めに市町村の一般会計から年３５００億円も繰り入れている。構造的な赤字体質である。
Besides, small municipalities that operate the program easily find themselves in the red with high medical costs from advanced treatments. Depopulation worsens this situation.
高度医療で高額な医療費がかかれば、人口が少ない市町村の国保会計はすぐさま赤字に転落してしまうという事情もある。過疎化がこの傾向に拍車をかけている。
Adjust insurance premiums
Another problem is that premiums have become a heavy burden on subscribers.
加入者の保険料負担が重いことも問題である。
As a percentage of income, subscribers to national health insurance pay twice as much in premiums as do subscribers to health insurance programs run by corporate health insurance unions and mutual aid societies for public servants. And even among cities, towns and villages within the same prefecture, the difference between the most and least expensive national health insurance premiums is up to 2.8 times.
１人当たりの所得に占める保険料の割合は、健保組合や公務員の共済組合の約２倍だ。同一都道府県内でも、市町村ごとの保険料には最大２・８倍の格差がある。
If management of the national health insurance program is transferred from cities, towns and villages to prefectures, its financial foundation would be improved by economy of scale.
国保の運営を市町村から都道府県に移せば、規模の拡大によって財政は強化される。
And the difference in premiums among subscribers would become smaller if prefectural governments recalculated premiums necessary to sustain the national health insurance within their jurisdictions.
都道府県単位で保険料を算出し直すことで、加入者の保険料格差は縮小するだろう。
Of course, a reduction in medical spending is important to rehabilitate the finances of the national health insurance program.
無論、国保財政を健全化するには、医療費の削減が重要だ。
If they run the programs, prefectural governments will be able to gather a great deal of information about medical treatment within their jurisdictions. Analysis of such information would enable them to monitor wasteful spending such as expenses for unnecessary medical tests and excessive administration of drugs.
都道府県が運営主体になれば、管内の多くの診療情報が集約される。その情報を分析することで、過剰な検査や投薬といった無駄を把握できるようになる。
This would eventually help prefectures exercise leadership in the operation of medical institutions after scrutinizing the contents of treatment.
都道府県が、医療機関の治療内容を点検した上で指導力を発揮することにもつながるだろう。
However, there are still many problems in transferring management of the national health insurance program to prefectures.
都道府県に移管するにしても、様々な課題がある。
For example, the National Governors’ Association demands the central government increase its financial assistance to them before they will agree to manage the program. But where is that money going to come from?
全国知事会は、都道府県への移管を受け入れる前提として、政府に財政支援の強化を求めている。財源をどう確保するか。
According to the proposal, cities, towns and villages will likely keep collecting premiums for the national health insurance program. However, it is doubtful that municipalities no longer running the national health insurance program will collect premiums in a responsible manner.
保険料徴収については引き続き市町村が担う見込みだ。国保を運営しなくなる市町村が、責任を持って徴収業務を行うだろうか。
It will be necessary to create a system to prevent the rate of national health insurance premium payments from declining further.
納付率を低下させない仕組み作りが必要となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2013)
（2013年8月4日01時22分 読売新聞）
National health insurance program should be managed by prefectures
国民健康保険 都道府県移管は必要な方策だ（8月4日付・読売社説）
The financial condition of the national health insurance program, which was originally started as medical insurance for the self-employed, has taken a serious turn for the worse. The program must be rehabilitated as soon as possible.
自営業者らの医療保険制度として発足した国民健康保険（国保）の財政悪化は深刻である。立て直しが急務だ。
The National Council on Social Security Reform will propose in an upcoming report that the national health insurance program, currently managed by cities, towns and villages, should be run by prefectures.
政府の社会保障制度改革国民会議は近くまとめる報告書で、国保の運営主体を市町村から都道府県に移すことを求める。
The biggest aim of the proposal is to enhance the financial foundation of the program. We think having prefectural governments, which are larger than city, town and village governments, manage the program is a necessary means to maintaining the program.
財政基盤の強化が最大の眼目だ。運営の広域化は国保を維持する上で必要な方策と言えよう。
There are about 35 million subscribers to the national health insurance program. With a decrease of farming families and private shops, about 70 percent of the subscribers are now nonregular workers and the unemployed.
国保加入者は約３５００万人に上る。農家や商店の減少に伴い、全体の約７割を非正規労働者や無職の人が占めている。
Because more and more low-income earners are joining the program, revenues from insurance premiums remain low. In fact, less than 30 percent of the more than 11 trillion yen in national health insurance payouts a year is covered by premiums.
低所得の加入者の増加で、保険料収入は低水準にとどまっている。１１兆円余の医療給付費のうち、保険料で賄えているのは３割に満たないのが現状だ。
To cover revenue shortages, the program must depend on financial assistance from employees’ insurance programs such as those operated by corporate health insurance unions and on public money from the national and prefectural governments. Nonetheless, this does not cover the deficits. To compensate for the deficits, 350 billion yen is allocated to the insurance program every year from the general accounts of municipal governments. The structure of the insurance program apparently ensures it will lose money.
財源不足を補うため、健康保険組合など被用者保険からの支援金や国、都道府県の公費に頼っているが、それでも赤字を解消できない。穴埋めに市町村の一般会計から年３５００億円も繰り入れている。構造的な赤字体質である。
Besides, small municipalities that operate the program easily find themselves in the red with high medical costs from advanced treatments. Depopulation worsens this situation.
高度医療で高額な医療費がかかれば、人口が少ない市町村の国保会計はすぐさま赤字に転落してしまうという事情もある。過疎化がこの傾向に拍車をかけている。
Adjust insurance premiums
Another problem is that premiums have become a heavy burden on subscribers.
加入者の保険料負担が重いことも問題である。
As a percentage of income, subscribers to national health insurance pay twice as much in premiums as do subscribers to health insurance programs run by corporate health insurance unions and mutual aid societies for public servants. And even among cities, towns and villages within the same prefecture, the difference between the most and least expensive national health insurance premiums is up to 2.8 times.
１人当たりの所得に占める保険料の割合は、健保組合や公務員の共済組合の約２倍だ。同一都道府県内でも、市町村ごとの保険料には最大２・８倍の格差がある。
If management of the national health insurance program is transferred from cities, towns and villages to prefectures, its financial foundation would be improved by economy of scale.
国保の運営を市町村から都道府県に移せば、規模の拡大によって財政は強化される。
And the difference in premiums among subscribers would become smaller if prefectural governments recalculated premiums necessary to sustain the national health insurance within their jurisdictions.
都道府県単位で保険料を算出し直すことで、加入者の保険料格差は縮小するだろう。
Of course, a reduction in medical spending is important to rehabilitate the finances of the national health insurance program.
無論、国保財政を健全化するには、医療費の削減が重要だ。
If they run the programs, prefectural governments will be able to gather a great deal of information about medical treatment within their jurisdictions. Analysis of such information would enable them to monitor wasteful spending such as expenses for unnecessary medical tests and excessive administration of drugs.
都道府県が運営主体になれば、管内の多くの診療情報が集約される。その情報を分析することで、過剰な検査や投薬といった無駄を把握できるようになる。
This would eventually help prefectures exercise leadership in the operation of medical institutions after scrutinizing the contents of treatment.
都道府県が、医療機関の治療内容を点検した上で指導力を発揮することにもつながるだろう。
However, there are still many problems in transferring management of the national health insurance program to prefectures.
都道府県に移管するにしても、様々な課題がある。
For example, the National Governors’ Association demands the central government increase its financial assistance to them before they will agree to manage the program. But where is that money going to come from?
全国知事会は、都道府県への移管を受け入れる前提として、政府に財政支援の強化を求めている。財源をどう確保するか。
According to the proposal, cities, towns and villages will likely keep collecting premiums for the national health insurance program. However, it is doubtful that municipalities no longer running the national health insurance program will collect premiums in a responsible manner.
保険料徴収については引き続き市町村が担う見込みだ。国保を運営しなくなる市町村が、責任を持って徴収業務を行うだろうか。
It will be necessary to create a system to prevent the rate of national health insurance premium payments from declining further.
納付率を低下させない仕組み作りが必要となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 4, 2013)
（2013年8月4日01時22分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 4, 2013
How can we learn from Nazis about constitutional revision?
麻生財務相発言 ナチスにどう改憲を学ぶのか（8月3日付・読売社説）
Was this something a person who has held the prime minister’s post should say? We cannot help but doubt his qualification to be an important minister in the current administration.
これが首相経験者の言うことなのか。現在の重要閣僚としての資質も疑わざるを得ない。
Referring to the approach to constitutional revision taken by the former Nazi regime in Germany, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso made remarks to the effect that we should learn from its technique to amend the country’s Constitution.
麻生副総理・財務相が憲法改正を巡って、ドイツのナチス政権を引き合いに出し、その手法を学べという趣旨の発言をした問題である。
Many people took this statement as expressing a positive view of Nazi Germany. Widespread revulsion was rapidly expressed, not only in Japan but also by parties including a Jewish human rights organization in the United States. China and South Korea have also criticized the statement, linking it to their existing disagreements with the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over recognition of history.
ナチスを肯定的に語ったものと受け止められ、国内だけでなく、米国のユダヤ人人権団体などにも、反発が広がった。中国や韓国も、安倍政権の歴史認識の問題と重ねて批判している。
Aso retracted his statement, saying: “It was taken differently from my real intent. It is regrettable that I invited a misunderstanding.” However, the situation is so serious that it may even damage Japan’s national interests.
麻生氏は、「真意と異なり、誤解を招いたことは遺憾」として撤回したものの、日本の国益も損ないかねない事態だ。
The statement came out on Monday during a speech Aso made in Tokyo, in the context of his attempt to describe how cool-headed discussions are necessary for constitutional revision.
今回の発言は７月２９日、都内の講演会で、憲法改正は冷静な議論が必要という文脈で出てきた。
He referred to the circumstance in which Adolf Hitler emerged under the Weimar Constitution and said: “The Weimar Constitution was changed to the Nazi Constitution before people realized it. Why don’t we learn from that technique?”
ヒトラーがワイマール憲法の下で台頭したことに言及し、「ワイマール憲法もいつの間にかナチス憲法に変わっていた。あの手口を学んだらどうかね」と述べた。
However, while the Weimar Constitution was rendered a dead letter, nothing called the “Nazi Constitution” ever existed.
しかし、ワイマール憲法は形骸化されただけで、「ナチス憲法」なるものは存在しない。
Hitler seized the reins of government by legitimate means and built the foundation of his dictatorial regime through such things as the Enabling Act, by which the government was empowered to enact laws without parliamentary deliberation or approval. He sent Jewish people to concentration camps and caused the Holocaust.
ヒトラーは、合法的手段によって政権を掌握し、政府が国会審議を経ずに立法できる全権委任法などで独裁体制の基礎を築いた。ユダヤ人らを強制収容所に送り込み、大虐殺を引き起こした。
Inappropriate expression
At his press conference Friday, Aso explained: “The Nazis emerged in the midst of an uproar before people realized it. I meant to say we have to learn from that as a bad example.” If it was his real intent, the expression “Learn from the technique” is totally inappropriate.
麻生氏は、２日の記者会見で、「狂騒の中で、いつの間にか、ナチスが出てきた。悪(あ)しき例で、我々は学ばないといけないと申し上げた」と釈明した。それが真意というなら、「手口に学べ」という表現は全く不適切だ。
It is also not understandable at all why he picked the Nazi Germany case in relation to revision of the Constititution. In Japan a national referendum is needed to amend the Constitution, and that is only after an amendment has been initiated by both houses of the Diet. Therefore, it cannot be amended “before people realize it.”
憲法改正に絡めて持ち出した意図も全く理解できない。憲法改正には国会の発議だけでなく、国民投票が必要であり、「いつの間にか」改正できるはずがない。
Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda criticized Aso, saying: “Revision of the Constitution is an issue that should be debated in the most vigorous way. His remarks ignore democracy, as he said it’s OK to do it secretly.”
民主党の海江田代表は、「憲法改正は侃々諤々(かんかんがくがく)の議論をすべき問題だ。こっそりやってしまえばいいなどという、民主主義を無視した発言だ」と批判している。
There is no doubt that Aso’s speech was a serious blow to the Abe administration, which aims at constitutional revision.
麻生氏の発言が、憲法改正を掲げる安倍政権にとって、打撃となったのは間違いない。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: “Cabinet ministers must fully recognize their positions and should make statements carefully, so as not to be misunderstood.”
菅官房長官は、「閣僚は立場を十分承知し、慎重に誤解されないよう発言すべきだ」と述べた。
That is something which is too obvious. However, Aso repeatedly made gaffes and irresponsible remarks when he was foreign minister or prime minister such as, “Even people with Alzheimer’s can understand it,” or, “There are many doctors who lack common sense.”
言うまでもないことである。だが、麻生氏は、外相、首相時代にも「アルツハイマーの人でもわかる」、「医師は社会的常識が欠落している人が多い」といった失言や放言を繰り返している。
Due to the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the recent House of Councillors election, we suspect the the administration has let its hair down. Aso’s remarks also reveal the arrogance of a party winning big.
参院選での大勝で政権のタガが緩んできたのではないか。麻生氏の発言には傲(おご)りも垣間見える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2013)
（2013年8月3日01時49分 読売新聞）
How can we learn from Nazis about constitutional revision?
麻生財務相発言 ナチスにどう改憲を学ぶのか（8月3日付・読売社説）
Was this something a person who has held the prime minister’s post should say? We cannot help but doubt his qualification to be an important minister in the current administration.
これが首相経験者の言うことなのか。現在の重要閣僚としての資質も疑わざるを得ない。
Referring to the approach to constitutional revision taken by the former Nazi regime in Germany, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso made remarks to the effect that we should learn from its technique to amend the country’s Constitution.
麻生副総理・財務相が憲法改正を巡って、ドイツのナチス政権を引き合いに出し、その手法を学べという趣旨の発言をした問題である。
Many people took this statement as expressing a positive view of Nazi Germany. Widespread revulsion was rapidly expressed, not only in Japan but also by parties including a Jewish human rights organization in the United States. China and South Korea have also criticized the statement, linking it to their existing disagreements with the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over recognition of history.
ナチスを肯定的に語ったものと受け止められ、国内だけでなく、米国のユダヤ人人権団体などにも、反発が広がった。中国や韓国も、安倍政権の歴史認識の問題と重ねて批判している。
Aso retracted his statement, saying: “It was taken differently from my real intent. It is regrettable that I invited a misunderstanding.” However, the situation is so serious that it may even damage Japan’s national interests.
麻生氏は、「真意と異なり、誤解を招いたことは遺憾」として撤回したものの、日本の国益も損ないかねない事態だ。
The statement came out on Monday during a speech Aso made in Tokyo, in the context of his attempt to describe how cool-headed discussions are necessary for constitutional revision.
今回の発言は７月２９日、都内の講演会で、憲法改正は冷静な議論が必要という文脈で出てきた。
He referred to the circumstance in which Adolf Hitler emerged under the Weimar Constitution and said: “The Weimar Constitution was changed to the Nazi Constitution before people realized it. Why don’t we learn from that technique?”
ヒトラーがワイマール憲法の下で台頭したことに言及し、「ワイマール憲法もいつの間にかナチス憲法に変わっていた。あの手口を学んだらどうかね」と述べた。
However, while the Weimar Constitution was rendered a dead letter, nothing called the “Nazi Constitution” ever existed.
しかし、ワイマール憲法は形骸化されただけで、「ナチス憲法」なるものは存在しない。
Hitler seized the reins of government by legitimate means and built the foundation of his dictatorial regime through such things as the Enabling Act, by which the government was empowered to enact laws without parliamentary deliberation or approval. He sent Jewish people to concentration camps and caused the Holocaust.
ヒトラーは、合法的手段によって政権を掌握し、政府が国会審議を経ずに立法できる全権委任法などで独裁体制の基礎を築いた。ユダヤ人らを強制収容所に送り込み、大虐殺を引き起こした。
Inappropriate expression
At his press conference Friday, Aso explained: “The Nazis emerged in the midst of an uproar before people realized it. I meant to say we have to learn from that as a bad example.” If it was his real intent, the expression “Learn from the technique” is totally inappropriate.
麻生氏は、２日の記者会見で、「狂騒の中で、いつの間にか、ナチスが出てきた。悪(あ)しき例で、我々は学ばないといけないと申し上げた」と釈明した。それが真意というなら、「手口に学べ」という表現は全く不適切だ。
It is also not understandable at all why he picked the Nazi Germany case in relation to revision of the Constititution. In Japan a national referendum is needed to amend the Constitution, and that is only after an amendment has been initiated by both houses of the Diet. Therefore, it cannot be amended “before people realize it.”
憲法改正に絡めて持ち出した意図も全く理解できない。憲法改正には国会の発議だけでなく、国民投票が必要であり、「いつの間にか」改正できるはずがない。
Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda criticized Aso, saying: “Revision of the Constitution is an issue that should be debated in the most vigorous way. His remarks ignore democracy, as he said it’s OK to do it secretly.”
民主党の海江田代表は、「憲法改正は侃々諤々(かんかんがくがく)の議論をすべき問題だ。こっそりやってしまえばいいなどという、民主主義を無視した発言だ」と批判している。
There is no doubt that Aso’s speech was a serious blow to the Abe administration, which aims at constitutional revision.
麻生氏の発言が、憲法改正を掲げる安倍政権にとって、打撃となったのは間違いない。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: “Cabinet ministers must fully recognize their positions and should make statements carefully, so as not to be misunderstood.”
菅官房長官は、「閣僚は立場を十分承知し、慎重に誤解されないよう発言すべきだ」と述べた。
That is something which is too obvious. However, Aso repeatedly made gaffes and irresponsible remarks when he was foreign minister or prime minister such as, “Even people with Alzheimer’s can understand it,” or, “There are many doctors who lack common sense.”
言うまでもないことである。だが、麻生氏は、外相、首相時代にも「アルツハイマーの人でもわかる」、「医師は社会的常識が欠落している人が多い」といった失言や放言を繰り返している。
Due to the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the recent House of Councillors election, we suspect the the administration has let its hair down. Aso’s remarks also reveal the arrogance of a party winning big.
参院選での大勝で政権のタガが緩んできたのではないか。麻生氏の発言には傲(おご)りも垣間見える。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2013)
（2013年8月3日01時49分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 3, 2013
Fed must cleverly pursue exit from quantitative easing policy
米金融緩和策 縮小へ問われる「市場との対話」（8月2日付・読売社説）
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has been assessing the appropriate timing for an exit strategy to scale back the current phase three of its quantitative monetary easing policy, known as QE3.
米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が、異例の量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）を縮小する「出口戦略」の時期を巡り、模索を続けている。
What should the U.S. central bank do to begin tapering off the QE policies as soon as September without wreaking havoc on the market? The Fed is certain to tread a thorny path going forward in steering its monetary policy.
混乱を招くことなく、９月にも踏み出せるのかどうか。難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られよう。
A two-day meeting of the Fed’s policy-making Federal Open Market Committee was held Tuesday and Wednesday. During the meeting, a decision was made to continue QE3, which entails purchasing Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities at a pace of $85 billion (about 8.3 trillion yen) a month and a near-zero interbank interest rate policy.
ＦＲＢは、連邦公開市場委員会（ＦＯＭＣ）を開き、米国債などを毎月８５０億ドル（約８・３兆円）買い入れているＱＥ３と、ゼロ金利政策の維持を決めた。
Chairman Ben Bernanke announced in June the central bank’s plan for an exit strategy to start slowing down the pace of bond purchases “later this year,” contingent upon ongoing positive economic data. Specifically, he said bond buying could wrap up “by mid-2014.”
バーナンキＦＲＢ議長は６月、景気回復が想定通りならば、「年後半に資産購入ペースを縮小し、来年半ばに終了する」という出口の道筋を明らかにしていた。
Market players were closely watching the latest policy meeting to see whether the Fed would solidify further steps for scaling back the bond-buying program. The FOMC statement that was released on Wednesday, however, did not mention anything of the sort, instead saying the committee “is prepared to increase or reduce the pace” of its purchases to maintain appropriate policy accommodation. As for the commercial sector, the Fed slightly downgraded its economic outlook for the United States.
今回注目されたのは、さらに踏み込んだ方針だったが、ＦＯＭＣ声明は言及せず、「購入ペースを増減する準備ができている」と指摘するにとどまった。米国の景気認識はやや下方修正した。
In response to heightened speculation that the central bank may start backing off of QE3 in September, Bernanke said “there is no preset course” for ending the Fed’s bond buying. He added, “Highly accommodative monetary policy for the foreseeable future is what’s needed” for the U.S. economy.
議長は最近、９月にＱＥ３を縮小するとの観測が台頭していることに対し、「あらかじめ決まった道筋はない」とか、「予見しうる将来まで、極めて緩和的な金融政策が必要だ」と述べていた。
Caution promotes stability
Based on the latest FMOC statement and a series of remarks by the Fed chairman, it seems the U.S. central bank wants to prevent volatile market reactions yet maintain the flexibility to gradually curtail its ultraeasy monetary policy.
ＦＯＭＣ声明と、一連の議長発言から読み取れるのは、市場の先走りを牽制(けんせい)し、条件が整えば緩和縮小に動くフリーハンドを握りたいという思惑である。
Stock prices on the New York exchange have been stable, with market players likely reacting favorably to the Fed’s cautious stance on implementing its exit strategy, which they see as conducive to stimulating business activity.
ニューヨーク株価は落ち着いている。出口戦略を急がない姿勢は景気にプラスだと好感されたのだろう。
Given the circumstances, theories have begun emerging about the winding down of QE3 being postponed beyond the middle of next year.
ＱＥ３縮小の先送り説も市場に出始めた。
The Fed’s decision on when to scale back quantitative monetary easing will largely depend on the near-term outlook for the U.S. economy, which is still short of achieving a full-scale recovery.
本格回復が遅れている米国景気の動向が、縮小時期の判断を左右することになろう。
A preliminary report on the United States’ inflation-adjusted gross national product for the April to June period showed an annualized 1.7 percent rise from the previous quarter. The positive figure was due mainly to such factors as strengthening of the housing sector and corporate capital investment in addition to robust personal spending.
２０１３年４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の速報値は、年率で前期比１・７％増を記録した。住宅投資や企業の設備投資が牽引(けんいん)役となり、個人消費も堅調だったのが主因である。
While the U.S. economy’s modest pace of expansion is encouraging, the national growth estimate for the January-March quarter was sharply revised downward to a 1.1 percent annual rate from the previously estimated 1.8 percent. It seems the economic prospects of the United States in and after the last half of 2013 remain uncertain.
緩やかな回復基調にあることは好材料だが、一方で、１～３月期の成長率は１・８％から１・１％に下方修正された。下期以降の見通しは不透明と言えよう。
The fact that the U.S. labor market is still strained is worrying, as a rise in personal consumption is a prerequisite for comprehensive economic recovery.
依然厳しい雇用情勢が懸念される。本格回復には、個人消費の勢いが強まることも欠かせない。
The Fed also takes issue with the country’s persistent annual inflation rate of about 1 percent, a rate significantly below the FOMC’s long-run objective of 2 percent inflation.
ＦＲＢは、インフレ率が１％程度と、長期目標の２％を大きく下回っている点を問題視する。
Foreign markets have become increasingly susceptible to developments in U.S. monetary policy. Some observers have expressed anxiety that the winding down of QE3 could cause an outflow of cash from emerging economies.
米金融政策を材料に、世界の市場が動揺しやすい展開が続いている。ＱＥ３縮小で新興国からのマネー流出を懸念する声もある。
Now is the time for the Fed to exercise its ingenuity to help stabilize the global economy by exploring means of further communication with the market.
ＦＲＢが「市場との対話」をさらに工夫し、世界経済の安定を図ることが求められる局面だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2013)
（2013年8月2日01時36分 読売新聞）
Fed must cleverly pursue exit from quantitative easing policy
米金融緩和策 縮小へ問われる「市場との対話」（8月2日付・読売社説）
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has been assessing the appropriate timing for an exit strategy to scale back the current phase three of its quantitative monetary easing policy, known as QE3.
米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が、異例の量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）を縮小する「出口戦略」の時期を巡り、模索を続けている。
What should the U.S. central bank do to begin tapering off the QE policies as soon as September without wreaking havoc on the market? The Fed is certain to tread a thorny path going forward in steering its monetary policy.
混乱を招くことなく、９月にも踏み出せるのかどうか。難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られよう。
A two-day meeting of the Fed’s policy-making Federal Open Market Committee was held Tuesday and Wednesday. During the meeting, a decision was made to continue QE3, which entails purchasing Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities at a pace of $85 billion (about 8.3 trillion yen) a month and a near-zero interbank interest rate policy.
ＦＲＢは、連邦公開市場委員会（ＦＯＭＣ）を開き、米国債などを毎月８５０億ドル（約８・３兆円）買い入れているＱＥ３と、ゼロ金利政策の維持を決めた。
Chairman Ben Bernanke announced in June the central bank’s plan for an exit strategy to start slowing down the pace of bond purchases “later this year,” contingent upon ongoing positive economic data. Specifically, he said bond buying could wrap up “by mid-2014.”
バーナンキＦＲＢ議長は６月、景気回復が想定通りならば、「年後半に資産購入ペースを縮小し、来年半ばに終了する」という出口の道筋を明らかにしていた。
Market players were closely watching the latest policy meeting to see whether the Fed would solidify further steps for scaling back the bond-buying program. The FOMC statement that was released on Wednesday, however, did not mention anything of the sort, instead saying the committee “is prepared to increase or reduce the pace” of its purchases to maintain appropriate policy accommodation. As for the commercial sector, the Fed slightly downgraded its economic outlook for the United States.
今回注目されたのは、さらに踏み込んだ方針だったが、ＦＯＭＣ声明は言及せず、「購入ペースを増減する準備ができている」と指摘するにとどまった。米国の景気認識はやや下方修正した。
In response to heightened speculation that the central bank may start backing off of QE3 in September, Bernanke said “there is no preset course” for ending the Fed’s bond buying. He added, “Highly accommodative monetary policy for the foreseeable future is what’s needed” for the U.S. economy.
議長は最近、９月にＱＥ３を縮小するとの観測が台頭していることに対し、「あらかじめ決まった道筋はない」とか、「予見しうる将来まで、極めて緩和的な金融政策が必要だ」と述べていた。
Caution promotes stability
Based on the latest FMOC statement and a series of remarks by the Fed chairman, it seems the U.S. central bank wants to prevent volatile market reactions yet maintain the flexibility to gradually curtail its ultraeasy monetary policy.
ＦＯＭＣ声明と、一連の議長発言から読み取れるのは、市場の先走りを牽制(けんせい)し、条件が整えば緩和縮小に動くフリーハンドを握りたいという思惑である。
Stock prices on the New York exchange have been stable, with market players likely reacting favorably to the Fed’s cautious stance on implementing its exit strategy, which they see as conducive to stimulating business activity.
ニューヨーク株価は落ち着いている。出口戦略を急がない姿勢は景気にプラスだと好感されたのだろう。
Given the circumstances, theories have begun emerging about the winding down of QE3 being postponed beyond the middle of next year.
ＱＥ３縮小の先送り説も市場に出始めた。
The Fed’s decision on when to scale back quantitative monetary easing will largely depend on the near-term outlook for the U.S. economy, which is still short of achieving a full-scale recovery.
本格回復が遅れている米国景気の動向が、縮小時期の判断を左右することになろう。
A preliminary report on the United States’ inflation-adjusted gross national product for the April to June period showed an annualized 1.7 percent rise from the previous quarter. The positive figure was due mainly to such factors as strengthening of the housing sector and corporate capital investment in addition to robust personal spending.
２０１３年４～６月期の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の速報値は、年率で前期比１・７％増を記録した。住宅投資や企業の設備投資が牽引(けんいん)役となり、個人消費も堅調だったのが主因である。
While the U.S. economy’s modest pace of expansion is encouraging, the national growth estimate for the January-March quarter was sharply revised downward to a 1.1 percent annual rate from the previously estimated 1.8 percent. It seems the economic prospects of the United States in and after the last half of 2013 remain uncertain.
緩やかな回復基調にあることは好材料だが、一方で、１～３月期の成長率は１・８％から１・１％に下方修正された。下期以降の見通しは不透明と言えよう。
The fact that the U.S. labor market is still strained is worrying, as a rise in personal consumption is a prerequisite for comprehensive economic recovery.
依然厳しい雇用情勢が懸念される。本格回復には、個人消費の勢いが強まることも欠かせない。
The Fed also takes issue with the country’s persistent annual inflation rate of about 1 percent, a rate significantly below the FOMC’s long-run objective of 2 percent inflation.
ＦＲＢは、インフレ率が１％程度と、長期目標の２％を大きく下回っている点を問題視する。
Foreign markets have become increasingly susceptible to developments in U.S. monetary policy. Some observers have expressed anxiety that the winding down of QE3 could cause an outflow of cash from emerging economies.
米金融政策を材料に、世界の市場が動揺しやすい展開が続いている。ＱＥ３縮小で新興国からのマネー流出を懸念する声もある。
Now is the time for the Fed to exercise its ingenuity to help stabilize the global economy by exploring means of further communication with the market.
ＦＲＢが「市場との対話」をさらに工夫し、世界経済の安定を図ることが求められる局面だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2013)
（2013年8月2日01時36分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 2, 2013
Refute recent moves in U.S. to distort comfort women issue
「慰安婦」像設置 憂うべき米国での「反日」拡大（8月1日付・読売社説）
◆強制連行巡る誤解を正したい
A distorted view of historical facts involving Japan is starting to be spread in the United States. We believe the situation is extremely serious.
歪曲(わいきょく)された歴史が、全米に喧伝(けんでん)されようとしている。極めて憂慮すべき事態である。
A statue of a girl symbolizing so-called comfort women was unveiled Tuesday in a ceremony in Glendale, Calif.
米カリフォルニア州のグレンデール市内の公園で３０日、「従軍慰安婦」の少女像の除幕式が行われた。
A private group of Korean-Americans led the move to erect the statue. It has the same design as a monument set up by an anti-Japan group in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul in 2011.
韓国系民間団体の主導による慰安婦像だ。反日団体が一昨年、ソウルの日本大使館前に設置した像と同じデザインである。
The city of Glendale has designated the day, July 30, as “Korean Comfort Women Day.” The day’s origin is July 30, 2007, when the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling on Japan to apologize over the comfort women issue.
この日をグレンデール市は「慰安婦の日」とした。６年前、米下院が慰安婦問題で日本に謝罪を求める決議を採択した日に因(ちな)む。
Overblown descriptions
◆性奴隷という誇張歪曲
A plaque beside the statue says, “In memory of more than 200,000 Asian and Dutch women who were removed from their homes...to be coerced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan between 1932 and 1945.”
慰安婦像の傍らの碑には「１９３２年から４５年まで、日本軍に連行され、強制的に性奴隷にされた２０万人以上のアジア人、オランダ人の女性たちを記憶にとどめるために」と記されている。
The distorted and exaggerated phrases “sexual slavery” and “more than 200,000” are enough to significantly degrade the honor of Japan.
「性奴隷」「２０万人以上」という誇張歪曲した表現だけでも、日本の名誉を著しく傷つける。
The private group plans to set up similar statues elsewhere in the United States.
韓国系民間団体は、こうした慰安婦像をさらに米国内に設置していく方針だ。
It is clear that the group aims to disseminate false information that the former Imperial Japanese Army forcibly recruited young Korean women, even minors, as comfort women during World War II.
戦時中、旧日本軍が韓国の若い女性や少女さえも慰安婦として強制的に連行したという誤ったイメージを米国に広めようとしている。
The move calls to mind the way Chinese-American author Iris Chang depicted the Nanjing Incident in her book as an act of genocide equivalent to the Holocaust perpetrated by the German Nazi regime.
かつて中国系アメリカ人のアイリス・チャン氏が著書で南京事件を、ナチス・ドイツのユダヤ人虐殺と同じような大虐殺として描いたことを想起させる。
The topic of comfort women became a diplomatic issue between Japan and South Korea in 1992. It was triggered by an Asahi Shimbun report that stated the Imperial Japanese Army controlled and supervised the establishment of so-called comfort stations as well as recruitment of comfort women.
そもそもいわゆる従軍慰安婦問題が日韓間の外交問題に浮上したのは、９２年のことだ。朝日新聞が「日本軍が慰安所の設置や、従軍慰安婦の募集を監督、統制していた」と報じたのが発端だった。
No evidence confirmed
◆証言の裏付けはない
Another passage in the article suggested that “Joshi Teishin Tai,” a wartime labor mobilization system for women, served as a means of forcible recruitment of comfort women, arousing resentment in South Korea.
記事には、戦時勤労動員の「女子挺身(ていしん)隊」があたかも慰安婦の強制連行であったかのような表現もあり、韓国で反発が強まった。
The government has conducted an intensive investigation on the issue, but found no documents backing up the claim that the Japanese military forcibly recruited comfort women.
政府は徹底的に調査したが、日本軍による強制連行を裏付けるような文書は発見できなかった。
In 1993, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa approved a statement issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono to express “apologies and remorse” to former comfort women, apparently with the aim of politically settling the dispute between the two countries.
宮沢内閣は翌９３年、元慰安婦へのおわびと反省の意を表した河野官房長官談話を決定し、政治決着を図ろうとした。
The statement said that “at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments.”
談話には「官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」と記されている。
The statement included the sentence because when the government conducted interviews with 16 former comfort women, at the request of the South Korean government, there was testimony from one of them that police officers of the then Government-General of Korea took part in the recruitment of comfort women and intimidated them. Nobuo Ishihara, deputy chief cabinet secretary at the time, later revealed the finding.
韓国政府の要望を受け、１６人の元慰安婦から聞き取り調査を行った際、その中に、朝鮮総督府の巡査が慰安婦募集に立ち会って威嚇した旨の証言があったからだという。当時、官房副長官だった石原信雄氏が明らかにした。
However, no steps were taken to confirm the former comfort woman’s testimony. It cannot be denied that excessive diplomatic deference to South Korea was in the background.
証言の裏付け調査は行われなかった。韓国への過剰な外交配慮が背景にあったことは否めない。
The Kono statement became a source of misunderstanding. Countries like South Korea took it to mean the Japanese government had admitted the comfort women were recruited forcibly.
この河野談話が誤解の火種となった。慰安婦は強制連行であったと日本政府が認めたかのように、韓国などは受け止めた。
Issues of property and claims were settled under international law when the two countries normalized their relations in 1965. The Japanese government’s position is that compensation to former comfort women was also settled at that time as a matter of course.
日韓間の財産・請求権問題については、１９６５年の国交正常化で国際法的には解決済みである。日本政府は元慰安婦への補償も当然含まれるとの立場だ。
The government later established the Asian Women’s Fund and provided 2 million yen in “atonement money” to 285 former comfort women in Taiwan, the Phillipines and South Korea. A letter of apology from then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto was also distributed to them.
政府はその後、「アジア女性基金」を設け、台湾やフィリピンなど２８５人の元慰安婦に１人２００万円の「償い金」を支給し、首相のおわびの手紙も届けた。
However, the South Korean side reacted fiercely, saying this did not count as state compensation, and many former South Korean comfort women refused to receive the money.
だが、韓国側は国家による補償ではないと反発し、多くの韓国人元慰安婦も受け取りを拒んだ。
It is also problematic that Japan’s atonement project was not accurately introduced to the public in South Korea and therefore went unappreciated.
日本の償い事業が韓国できちんと伝えられず、評価されなかったことにも問題がある。
On the problem of comfort women, which has grown ever more knotty, the government needs to reexamine the issue from its roots, including the Kono statement.
こじれ続ける慰安婦問題への対応について、政府は、河野談話を手始めに、根本から再検証する必要があるだろう。
Review Kono statement
◆河野談話の見直しを
At the Glendale City Council on July 9, many Japanese-American residents and Japanese nationals in the United States participated in a public hearing on the installation of the statue. Some said the city must present evidence of forcible recruitment, if it has any. They thus opposed the installation of the statue as baseless.
グレンデール市では７月９日、慰安婦像設置に関する公聴会に、多くの日系住民や在米日本人が参加して「強制連行の証拠があるのなら示してほしい」と意見を述べ、根拠なき像の設置に反対した。
The Korean-American residents of the city rebutted the opinions of the Japanese-American residents. The U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament adopted resolutions criticizing Japan on the comfort women issue, claiming the Japanese government itself had admitted forcible recruitment in the Kono statement.
韓国系住民は「米下院も欧州議会も慰安婦問題で対日批判決議をした」「日本政府も河野談話で強制連行を認めた」と反論した。
After the residents’ opinions were heard, a vote among four council members and Glendale’s mayor came out 4-to-1 in favor of the installation of the comfort woman statue, it has been reported.
意見陳述を聴いた市議ら５人の間で採決が行われ、４対１で慰安婦像の設置が決まったという。
No doubt the ethnic Korean residents regard the Kono statement as the basis for their claims on the forcible recruitments of comfort women.
河野談話を慰安婦強制連行の論拠にしているのは間違いない。
It is true there were actions by the Japanese government in wartime that injured the honor and dignity of many women. If the comfort women issue were to be judged under the standards of human rights awareness that exist today, there would be no chance for Japan to politically win the issue.
戦時中に多数の女性の名誉と尊厳を傷つける行為があったことは確かだ。現在の人権感覚で慰安婦問題が裁かれれば、日本は政治的に勝ち目はなかろう。
Even so, Japan must continue to transmit all accurate facts regarding whether there was forcible recruitment of comfort women or not.
それでもなお強制連行の有無に関しては、正確な事実関係を示し続けていくべきである。
There is no course open to the Japanese government other than explaining its handling of the comfort women issue carefully and tenaciously at home and abroad. It is especially important to transmit information in English.
日本側は慰安婦問題での対応について、内外に丁寧に粘り強く説明していくしかない。英語による発信が特に重要だ。
To correct the distortion that the women were “sex slaves,” it is indispensable for the Japanese government to review the Kono statement of 20 years ago.
「性奴隷」との曲解を是正するためにも、２０年前の河野談話の見直しが欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2013)
（2013年8月1日01時29分 読売新聞）
Refute recent moves in U.S. to distort comfort women issue
「慰安婦」像設置 憂うべき米国での「反日」拡大（8月1日付・読売社説）
◆強制連行巡る誤解を正したい
A distorted view of historical facts involving Japan is starting to be spread in the United States. We believe the situation is extremely serious.
歪曲(わいきょく)された歴史が、全米に喧伝(けんでん)されようとしている。極めて憂慮すべき事態である。
A statue of a girl symbolizing so-called comfort women was unveiled Tuesday in a ceremony in Glendale, Calif.
米カリフォルニア州のグレンデール市内の公園で３０日、「従軍慰安婦」の少女像の除幕式が行われた。
A private group of Korean-Americans led the move to erect the statue. It has the same design as a monument set up by an anti-Japan group in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul in 2011.
韓国系民間団体の主導による慰安婦像だ。反日団体が一昨年、ソウルの日本大使館前に設置した像と同じデザインである。
The city of Glendale has designated the day, July 30, as “Korean Comfort Women Day.” The day’s origin is July 30, 2007, when the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling on Japan to apologize over the comfort women issue.
この日をグレンデール市は「慰安婦の日」とした。６年前、米下院が慰安婦問題で日本に謝罪を求める決議を採択した日に因(ちな)む。
Overblown descriptions
◆性奴隷という誇張歪曲
A plaque beside the statue says, “In memory of more than 200,000 Asian and Dutch women who were removed from their homes...to be coerced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan between 1932 and 1945.”
慰安婦像の傍らの碑には「１９３２年から４５年まで、日本軍に連行され、強制的に性奴隷にされた２０万人以上のアジア人、オランダ人の女性たちを記憶にとどめるために」と記されている。
The distorted and exaggerated phrases “sexual slavery” and “more than 200,000” are enough to significantly degrade the honor of Japan.
「性奴隷」「２０万人以上」という誇張歪曲した表現だけでも、日本の名誉を著しく傷つける。
The private group plans to set up similar statues elsewhere in the United States.
韓国系民間団体は、こうした慰安婦像をさらに米国内に設置していく方針だ。
It is clear that the group aims to disseminate false information that the former Imperial Japanese Army forcibly recruited young Korean women, even minors, as comfort women during World War II.
戦時中、旧日本軍が韓国の若い女性や少女さえも慰安婦として強制的に連行したという誤ったイメージを米国に広めようとしている。
The move calls to mind the way Chinese-American author Iris Chang depicted the Nanjing Incident in her book as an act of genocide equivalent to the Holocaust perpetrated by the German Nazi regime.
かつて中国系アメリカ人のアイリス・チャン氏が著書で南京事件を、ナチス・ドイツのユダヤ人虐殺と同じような大虐殺として描いたことを想起させる。
The topic of comfort women became a diplomatic issue between Japan and South Korea in 1992. It was triggered by an Asahi Shimbun report that stated the Imperial Japanese Army controlled and supervised the establishment of so-called comfort stations as well as recruitment of comfort women.
そもそもいわゆる従軍慰安婦問題が日韓間の外交問題に浮上したのは、９２年のことだ。朝日新聞が「日本軍が慰安所の設置や、従軍慰安婦の募集を監督、統制していた」と報じたのが発端だった。
No evidence confirmed
◆証言の裏付けはない
Another passage in the article suggested that “Joshi Teishin Tai,” a wartime labor mobilization system for women, served as a means of forcible recruitment of comfort women, arousing resentment in South Korea.
記事には、戦時勤労動員の「女子挺身(ていしん)隊」があたかも慰安婦の強制連行であったかのような表現もあり、韓国で反発が強まった。
The government has conducted an intensive investigation on the issue, but found no documents backing up the claim that the Japanese military forcibly recruited comfort women.
政府は徹底的に調査したが、日本軍による強制連行を裏付けるような文書は発見できなかった。
In 1993, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa approved a statement issued by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono to express “apologies and remorse” to former comfort women, apparently with the aim of politically settling the dispute between the two countries.
宮沢内閣は翌９３年、元慰安婦へのおわびと反省の意を表した河野官房長官談話を決定し、政治決着を図ろうとした。
The statement said that “at times, administrative/military personnel directly took part in the recruitments.”
談話には「官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」と記されている。
The statement included the sentence because when the government conducted interviews with 16 former comfort women, at the request of the South Korean government, there was testimony from one of them that police officers of the then Government-General of Korea took part in the recruitment of comfort women and intimidated them. Nobuo Ishihara, deputy chief cabinet secretary at the time, later revealed the finding.
韓国政府の要望を受け、１６人の元慰安婦から聞き取り調査を行った際、その中に、朝鮮総督府の巡査が慰安婦募集に立ち会って威嚇した旨の証言があったからだという。当時、官房副長官だった石原信雄氏が明らかにした。
However, no steps were taken to confirm the former comfort woman’s testimony. It cannot be denied that excessive diplomatic deference to South Korea was in the background.
証言の裏付け調査は行われなかった。韓国への過剰な外交配慮が背景にあったことは否めない。
The Kono statement became a source of misunderstanding. Countries like South Korea took it to mean the Japanese government had admitted the comfort women were recruited forcibly.
この河野談話が誤解の火種となった。慰安婦は強制連行であったと日本政府が認めたかのように、韓国などは受け止めた。
Issues of property and claims were settled under international law when the two countries normalized their relations in 1965. The Japanese government’s position is that compensation to former comfort women was also settled at that time as a matter of course.
日韓間の財産・請求権問題については、１９６５年の国交正常化で国際法的には解決済みである。日本政府は元慰安婦への補償も当然含まれるとの立場だ。
The government later established the Asian Women’s Fund and provided 2 million yen in “atonement money” to 285 former comfort women in Taiwan, the Phillipines and South Korea. A letter of apology from then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto was also distributed to them.
政府はその後、「アジア女性基金」を設け、台湾やフィリピンなど２８５人の元慰安婦に１人２００万円の「償い金」を支給し、首相のおわびの手紙も届けた。
However, the South Korean side reacted fiercely, saying this did not count as state compensation, and many former South Korean comfort women refused to receive the money.
だが、韓国側は国家による補償ではないと反発し、多くの韓国人元慰安婦も受け取りを拒んだ。
It is also problematic that Japan’s atonement project was not accurately introduced to the public in South Korea and therefore went unappreciated.
日本の償い事業が韓国できちんと伝えられず、評価されなかったことにも問題がある。
On the problem of comfort women, which has grown ever more knotty, the government needs to reexamine the issue from its roots, including the Kono statement.
こじれ続ける慰安婦問題への対応について、政府は、河野談話を手始めに、根本から再検証する必要があるだろう。
Review Kono statement
◆河野談話の見直しを
At the Glendale City Council on July 9, many Japanese-American residents and Japanese nationals in the United States participated in a public hearing on the installation of the statue. Some said the city must present evidence of forcible recruitment, if it has any. They thus opposed the installation of the statue as baseless.
グレンデール市では７月９日、慰安婦像設置に関する公聴会に、多くの日系住民や在米日本人が参加して「強制連行の証拠があるのなら示してほしい」と意見を述べ、根拠なき像の設置に反対した。
The Korean-American residents of the city rebutted the opinions of the Japanese-American residents. The U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament adopted resolutions criticizing Japan on the comfort women issue, claiming the Japanese government itself had admitted forcible recruitment in the Kono statement.
韓国系住民は「米下院も欧州議会も慰安婦問題で対日批判決議をした」「日本政府も河野談話で強制連行を認めた」と反論した。
After the residents’ opinions were heard, a vote among four council members and Glendale’s mayor came out 4-to-1 in favor of the installation of the comfort woman statue, it has been reported.
意見陳述を聴いた市議ら５人の間で採決が行われ、４対１で慰安婦像の設置が決まったという。
No doubt the ethnic Korean residents regard the Kono statement as the basis for their claims on the forcible recruitments of comfort women.
河野談話を慰安婦強制連行の論拠にしているのは間違いない。
It is true there were actions by the Japanese government in wartime that injured the honor and dignity of many women. If the comfort women issue were to be judged under the standards of human rights awareness that exist today, there would be no chance for Japan to politically win the issue.
戦時中に多数の女性の名誉と尊厳を傷つける行為があったことは確かだ。現在の人権感覚で慰安婦問題が裁かれれば、日本は政治的に勝ち目はなかろう。
Even so, Japan must continue to transmit all accurate facts regarding whether there was forcible recruitment of comfort women or not.
それでもなお強制連行の有無に関しては、正確な事実関係を示し続けていくべきである。
There is no course open to the Japanese government other than explaining its handling of the comfort women issue carefully and tenaciously at home and abroad. It is especially important to transmit information in English.
日本側は慰安婦問題での対応について、内外に丁寧に粘り強く説明していくしかない。英語による発信が特に重要だ。
To correct the distortion that the women were “sex slaves,” it is indispensable for the Japanese government to review the Kono statement of 20 years ago.
「性奴隷」との曲解を是正するためにも、２０年前の河野談話の見直しが欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 1, 2013)
（2013年8月1日01時29分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun August 1, 2013
Japan Post-Aflac deal a chance to revive postal sector profits
郵政保険提携 企業価値の向上占う試金石だ（7月31日付・読売社説）
The recent agreement by Japan Post Holdings Co. and Aflac Inc. to expand their business alliance should serve to improve the profitability of the nation’s postal services but not hamper fair competition in the domestic insurance market.
郵政事業の収益を向上させ、日本の保険市場の公正な競争を阻害しない提携が求められる。
On Friday, the Japan Post Group’s holding company and the major U.S. insurance firm announced their decision to strengthen their partnership in the insurance business.
日本郵政と米保険大手のアメリカンファミリー生命保険（アフラック）が、がん保険の提携強化で合意した。
Aflac’s market share in Japan’s cancer insurance sector is currently 70 percent. The U.S. firm was firmly opposed to Japan Post Holding’s entry into the market, considering the Japanese government’s equity investment in the holding company.
アフラックは日本のがん保険市場の７割を占める最大手で、日本政府が出資する日本郵政のがん保険参入に強く反対していた。
In light of this, the recent deal seems unusual in that the two corporations will now fully cooperate in marketing their cancer insurance policies.
それが一転して、がん保険を本格的に共同販売するという異例の提携劇である。
The agreement will result in an increase in the number of post offices selling Aflac cancer insurance to 20,000 from the current 1,000. This will be complemented by a similar marketing plan at shops directly managed by Japan Post Insurance Co., another arm of the holding company.
具体的には、アフラックのがん保険を販売する郵便局を、現在の１０００局から２万局へ拡大し、かんぽ生命保険の直営店でも取り扱うようにする。
The accord also requires Aflac to develop a new cancer insurance instrument that will be marketed by Japan Post Holdings.
アフラックは、日本郵政が販売するがん保険の専用商品を開発するという。
At a press conference Friday, Japan Post Holdings President Taizo Nishimuro emphasized the significance of the two corporations’ expanded business partnership. “It will both benefit customers and increase the value of the Japan Post Group,” he said. Nishimuro was named president of the holding company in June.
６月に就任した西室泰三・日本郵政社長は記者会見で、「顧客の利便性を高め、グループの企業価値を高められる」と述べ、提携拡大の意義を強調した。
Going forward, it is important that Japan Post Holdings makes the most of the recent deal to further develop its insurance business. If it envisions the fortified partnership as a mere tool for boosting sales commissions, it will scarcely gain from the deal. To this end, Japan Post Holdings must continue fine-tuning the agreement.
重要なのは日本郵政の保険ビジネスの成長につなげることだ。販売手数料を得るだけではメリットは乏しい。アフラックと提携内容をさらに詰める必要がある。
In negotiations with Japan over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, the United States disapproved of an attempt by the holding company to expand the scope of its insurance services. This recent deal should nullify Washington’s concerns and remove a potential hindrance to progress in sideline TPP talks between the two nations. The move will likely prove advantageous in TPP negotiations as they shift into high gear.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）を巡る日米交渉で、米国は日本郵政の保険事業拡大に難色を示していた。両社の提携で支障の一つがなくなる。これから本格化するＴＰＰ交渉には追い風となろう。
Ensure fair competition
Meanwhile, the domestic life insurance industry is still apprehensive about what it sees as “a domineering partnership” between Japan Post Holdings and Aflac. Because the government owns shares in the holding company, some critics have called the arrangement a tacit government guarantee. Domestic life insurance firms fear the latest accord could eventually strain the private-sector insurance industry, just as the state-run postal business did before its privatization.
一方、日本の生保業界には、国の後ろ盾がある日本郵政とアフラックの“巨大提携”が、新たな民業圧迫につながるのではないかとの懸念がくすぶっている。
To invigorate the insurance market, it is essential to ensure fair competition. To achieve this, the government must keep a close watch on movements in the market.
保険市場の活性化を図るには、公正な競争が確保されていることが不可欠だ。政府はしっかり監視してもらいたい。
The holding company hopes to list the government-held postal shares on the stock market in fiscal 2015. Profits from the sale of the listed shares will be used to help finance revitalization projects for areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Steady progress must be made in ensuring the shares are listed.
日本郵政は、政府が持つ日本郵政株を２０１５年度に上場することを目指している。上場に伴う政府保有株の売却益は、東日本大震災の復興財源に活用される。着実な上場の実現が望まれる。
However, the shrinking scale of Japan Post Holdings’ operations is alarming, as the situation could impede the government’s efforts to list its postal stock.
気がかりなのは、日本郵政の事業が縮小傾向にあることだ。上場の障害となりかねない。
Furthermore, Japan Post Insurance has seen an ongoing decline in its number of active contracts. There has also been a large drop in the quantity of mail, postcards and other related business handled by the Japan Post Group. To add insult to injury, the value of outstanding deposits at Japan Post Bank Co., another unit of the group, has steadily decreased in the wake of postal privatization.
かんぽ生命の保有契約件数は減少が続き、郵便の取扱数や、ゆうちょ銀行の残高も民営化前より大きく目減りした。
Japan Post Holdings hopes to improve its profitability through such measures as an entry into the housing loan business. However, there are lingering concerns over its evaluation system for loan applications and supervision of internal operations.
日本郵政は、住宅ローンなどへの参入で収益向上を図りたい考えだが、融資審査や内部管理などの体制は依然として心もとない。
Can Japan Post Holdings turn its business around to achieve tangible financial results? Nishimuro’s management skills will soon be tested.
長引く低迷から脱却し、目に見える成果を出せるか。西室体制の経営手腕が問われよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2013)
（2013年7月31日02時10分 読売新聞）
Japan Post-Aflac deal a chance to revive postal sector profits
郵政保険提携 企業価値の向上占う試金石だ（7月31日付・読売社説）
The recent agreement by Japan Post Holdings Co. and Aflac Inc. to expand their business alliance should serve to improve the profitability of the nation’s postal services but not hamper fair competition in the domestic insurance market.
郵政事業の収益を向上させ、日本の保険市場の公正な競争を阻害しない提携が求められる。
On Friday, the Japan Post Group’s holding company and the major U.S. insurance firm announced their decision to strengthen their partnership in the insurance business.
日本郵政と米保険大手のアメリカンファミリー生命保険（アフラック）が、がん保険の提携強化で合意した。
Aflac’s market share in Japan’s cancer insurance sector is currently 70 percent. The U.S. firm was firmly opposed to Japan Post Holding’s entry into the market, considering the Japanese government’s equity investment in the holding company.
アフラックは日本のがん保険市場の７割を占める最大手で、日本政府が出資する日本郵政のがん保険参入に強く反対していた。
In light of this, the recent deal seems unusual in that the two corporations will now fully cooperate in marketing their cancer insurance policies.
それが一転して、がん保険を本格的に共同販売するという異例の提携劇である。
The agreement will result in an increase in the number of post offices selling Aflac cancer insurance to 20,000 from the current 1,000. This will be complemented by a similar marketing plan at shops directly managed by Japan Post Insurance Co., another arm of the holding company.
具体的には、アフラックのがん保険を販売する郵便局を、現在の１０００局から２万局へ拡大し、かんぽ生命保険の直営店でも取り扱うようにする。
The accord also requires Aflac to develop a new cancer insurance instrument that will be marketed by Japan Post Holdings.
アフラックは、日本郵政が販売するがん保険の専用商品を開発するという。
At a press conference Friday, Japan Post Holdings President Taizo Nishimuro emphasized the significance of the two corporations’ expanded business partnership. “It will both benefit customers and increase the value of the Japan Post Group,” he said. Nishimuro was named president of the holding company in June.
６月に就任した西室泰三・日本郵政社長は記者会見で、「顧客の利便性を高め、グループの企業価値を高められる」と述べ、提携拡大の意義を強調した。
Going forward, it is important that Japan Post Holdings makes the most of the recent deal to further develop its insurance business. If it envisions the fortified partnership as a mere tool for boosting sales commissions, it will scarcely gain from the deal. To this end, Japan Post Holdings must continue fine-tuning the agreement.
重要なのは日本郵政の保険ビジネスの成長につなげることだ。販売手数料を得るだけではメリットは乏しい。アフラックと提携内容をさらに詰める必要がある。
In negotiations with Japan over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, the United States disapproved of an attempt by the holding company to expand the scope of its insurance services. This recent deal should nullify Washington’s concerns and remove a potential hindrance to progress in sideline TPP talks between the two nations. The move will likely prove advantageous in TPP negotiations as they shift into high gear.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）を巡る日米交渉で、米国は日本郵政の保険事業拡大に難色を示していた。両社の提携で支障の一つがなくなる。これから本格化するＴＰＰ交渉には追い風となろう。
Ensure fair competition
Meanwhile, the domestic life insurance industry is still apprehensive about what it sees as “a domineering partnership” between Japan Post Holdings and Aflac. Because the government owns shares in the holding company, some critics have called the arrangement a tacit government guarantee. Domestic life insurance firms fear the latest accord could eventually strain the private-sector insurance industry, just as the state-run postal business did before its privatization.
一方、日本の生保業界には、国の後ろ盾がある日本郵政とアフラックの“巨大提携”が、新たな民業圧迫につながるのではないかとの懸念がくすぶっている。
To invigorate the insurance market, it is essential to ensure fair competition. To achieve this, the government must keep a close watch on movements in the market.
保険市場の活性化を図るには、公正な競争が確保されていることが不可欠だ。政府はしっかり監視してもらいたい。
The holding company hopes to list the government-held postal shares on the stock market in fiscal 2015. Profits from the sale of the listed shares will be used to help finance revitalization projects for areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Steady progress must be made in ensuring the shares are listed.
日本郵政は、政府が持つ日本郵政株を２０１５年度に上場することを目指している。上場に伴う政府保有株の売却益は、東日本大震災の復興財源に活用される。着実な上場の実現が望まれる。
However, the shrinking scale of Japan Post Holdings’ operations is alarming, as the situation could impede the government’s efforts to list its postal stock.
気がかりなのは、日本郵政の事業が縮小傾向にあることだ。上場の障害となりかねない。
Furthermore, Japan Post Insurance has seen an ongoing decline in its number of active contracts. There has also been a large drop in the quantity of mail, postcards and other related business handled by the Japan Post Group. To add insult to injury, the value of outstanding deposits at Japan Post Bank Co., another unit of the group, has steadily decreased in the wake of postal privatization.
かんぽ生命の保有契約件数は減少が続き、郵便の取扱数や、ゆうちょ銀行の残高も民営化前より大きく目減りした。
Japan Post Holdings hopes to improve its profitability through such measures as an entry into the housing loan business. However, there are lingering concerns over its evaluation system for loan applications and supervision of internal operations.
日本郵政は、住宅ローンなどへの参入で収益向上を図りたい考えだが、融資審査や内部管理などの体制は依然として心もとない。
Can Japan Post Holdings turn its business around to achieve tangible financial results? Nishimuro’s management skills will soon be tested.
長引く低迷から脱却し、目に見える成果を出せるか。西室体制の経営手腕が問われよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 31, 2013)
（2013年7月31日02時10分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 31, 2013
Opposition parties should focus on policies before realignment talks
「多弱」の野党 再編は政策論議から始めよ（7月30日付・読売社説）
The current political climate is described as consisting of the powerful Liberal Democratic Party and many weak opposition parties. Although opposition parties rivaling the huge ruling party are needed, such a prospect appears remote.
「１強」の自民党と、「多弱」の野党と言われる。巨大与党に対抗し得る野党像を模索すべきなのに、展望は厳しい。
After the recent House of Councillors election, questions were raised over the responsibility of the party leadership of the Democratic Party of Japan and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party). But it has been decided the top leaders of these parties will stay on.
参院選後、執行部の責任問題が取り沙汰された民主党、日本維新の会は、ともにトップが続投することになった。
There have been talks about realignment involving the two parties and Your Party. But with party leaders who could not form a united front in the upper house election, it will be no easy task for the parties to unite or realign themselves.
みんなの党を加えた３党間で野党再編も浮上しているが、参院選で共闘できなかった党首の下、結束や再編は容易ではあるまい。
The DPJ decided that former party leader Naoto Kan, who openly supported an independent candidate in the upper house poll, be suspended from the party for three months. The punishment was lenient given the initial calls to expel him from the party. There is strong discontent over the continued party leadership of Banri Kaieda, and it remains unclear how the party can reconstruct itself.
民主党は、参院選で無所属候補を応援した菅元代表の処分を「党員資格３か月停止」とした。当初案の「除籍」に比べて後退した。海江田代表の続投に不満が根強く、党再建の道筋は不透明だ。
Since its foundation, there have been significant differences over basic policies among DPJ party members. This has caused a lack of party unity, which is seen as the DPJ’s weakest point. We strongly doubt Kaieda can exercise the leadership needed to overcome confrontations over policies among party members.
民主党では結党以来、基本政策を巡って隔たりが大きい。最大の弱点とされる党の一体感の欠如を招いている。海江田氏が、路線対立を乗り越える指導力を発揮できるのか、はなはだ疑問である。
Akihiro Ohata has been chosen for the post of DPJ secretary general. Ohata, who was previously acting party president, had belonged to the former Japan Socialist Party and enjoys the strong support of labor unions. Thus, the DPJ’s reliance on labor unions is likely to increase.
幹事長には、大畠章宏代表代行が就いた。大畠氏は旧社会党出身で労働組合色が濃く、民主党の労組依存体質は強まるだろう。
In the proportional representation segment of the upper house election, six of the party’s seven winners were those who ran with organizational support from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo).
参院選の比例選でも、当選者７人のうち連合の組織内候補が６人を占めている。
Unified views lacking
Regarding realignment of opposition parties, Kaieda said, “The important thing is that the DPJ plays the leading role.” But we think he does not understand the party’s current position.
海江田氏は、野党再編に関し、「大切なのは民主党が中心になることだ」と述べたが、民主党の置かれた状況を理解していない。
Ishin no Kai coleader Toru Hashimoto and some others within the party indeed consider the DPJ’s reliance on labor unions problematic. Ishin no Kai has called for tie-ups with Your Party and conservative DPJ members who are not affiliated with labor unions.
維新の会の橋下共同代表らは、まさに民主党の労組依存を問題視しており、結束を呼びかける相手は、みんなの党と民主党の保守・非労組系議員だからだ。
Within Ishin no Kai, Hashimoto expressed his intention to resign as party coleader. But the other party coleader Shintaro Ishihara and others persuaded Hashimoto to stay on. Confrontations between party members in Osaka, where Ishin no Kai is based, and party Diet members in Tokyo likely will continue.
その維新の会では、橋下氏が辞意を表明したものの、石原共同代表らに慰留された。本拠地の大阪と、東京の国会議員団との対立という問題は今後もくすぶろう。
In Your Party, there is discord between party leader Yoshimi Watanabe and Secretary General Kenji Eda. While Eda is eager for the party to take the leading role in opposition realignment, Watanabe is taking a cautious stance, saying, “Hasty realignment will fail, ending with a mere union of convenience.”
みんなの党には、渡辺代表と江田幹事長の確執がある。江田氏はみんなの党が再編を主導すべきだと前のめりだが、渡辺氏は「拙速な再編は野合に終わり、失敗する」と慎重な構えだ。
The political clout of Ichiro Ozawa, who had long played a central role in political realignments and currently serves as the leader of the People’s Life Party, has significantly waned. Mizuho Fukushima, who led the Social Democratic Party for a decade, has stepped down as party leader.
長年、政界再編の中心だった生活の党の小沢代表は、政治力の低下が著しい。社民党を１０年間率いてきた福島党首も退く。
Political parties are meant to grasp issues both at home and abroad and carry out prescriptive policy measures to address them. Parties should not easily ally or split just for politicians’ convenience, and will not be able to survive without public support.
政党は本来、内外の課題を把握し、処方箋たる政策を実行していくためにある。政治家の都合で離合集散すべきものではないし、国民の支持なしに生き残れない。
For any new opposition party, it is essential for there to be a consensus among its members over such policy issues as the Constitution under a leader who can establish intraparty governance.
新しい野党には、ガバナンスを確立できるリーダーの下、憲法など政策での一致が欠かせない。
The next national election will held three years from now at the latest. Each opposition party should start from realistic and steady policy discussions rather than insubstantial talks on realignment.
次の国政選まで最大３年ある。野党各党は、浮ついた再編論議ではなく、現実的で地道な政策論から始めるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2013)
（2013年7月30日01時39分 読売新聞）
Opposition parties should focus on policies before realignment talks
「多弱」の野党 再編は政策論議から始めよ（7月30日付・読売社説）
The current political climate is described as consisting of the powerful Liberal Democratic Party and many weak opposition parties. Although opposition parties rivaling the huge ruling party are needed, such a prospect appears remote.
「１強」の自民党と、「多弱」の野党と言われる。巨大与党に対抗し得る野党像を模索すべきなのに、展望は厳しい。
After the recent House of Councillors election, questions were raised over the responsibility of the party leadership of the Democratic Party of Japan and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party). But it has been decided the top leaders of these parties will stay on.
参院選後、執行部の責任問題が取り沙汰された民主党、日本維新の会は、ともにトップが続投することになった。
There have been talks about realignment involving the two parties and Your Party. But with party leaders who could not form a united front in the upper house election, it will be no easy task for the parties to unite or realign themselves.
みんなの党を加えた３党間で野党再編も浮上しているが、参院選で共闘できなかった党首の下、結束や再編は容易ではあるまい。
The DPJ decided that former party leader Naoto Kan, who openly supported an independent candidate in the upper house poll, be suspended from the party for three months. The punishment was lenient given the initial calls to expel him from the party. There is strong discontent over the continued party leadership of Banri Kaieda, and it remains unclear how the party can reconstruct itself.
民主党は、参院選で無所属候補を応援した菅元代表の処分を「党員資格３か月停止」とした。当初案の「除籍」に比べて後退した。海江田代表の続投に不満が根強く、党再建の道筋は不透明だ。
Since its foundation, there have been significant differences over basic policies among DPJ party members. This has caused a lack of party unity, which is seen as the DPJ’s weakest point. We strongly doubt Kaieda can exercise the leadership needed to overcome confrontations over policies among party members.
民主党では結党以来、基本政策を巡って隔たりが大きい。最大の弱点とされる党の一体感の欠如を招いている。海江田氏が、路線対立を乗り越える指導力を発揮できるのか、はなはだ疑問である。
Akihiro Ohata has been chosen for the post of DPJ secretary general. Ohata, who was previously acting party president, had belonged to the former Japan Socialist Party and enjoys the strong support of labor unions. Thus, the DPJ’s reliance on labor unions is likely to increase.
幹事長には、大畠章宏代表代行が就いた。大畠氏は旧社会党出身で労働組合色が濃く、民主党の労組依存体質は強まるだろう。
In the proportional representation segment of the upper house election, six of the party’s seven winners were those who ran with organizational support from the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo).
参院選の比例選でも、当選者７人のうち連合の組織内候補が６人を占めている。
Unified views lacking
Regarding realignment of opposition parties, Kaieda said, “The important thing is that the DPJ plays the leading role.” But we think he does not understand the party’s current position.
海江田氏は、野党再編に関し、「大切なのは民主党が中心になることだ」と述べたが、民主党の置かれた状況を理解していない。
Ishin no Kai coleader Toru Hashimoto and some others within the party indeed consider the DPJ’s reliance on labor unions problematic. Ishin no Kai has called for tie-ups with Your Party and conservative DPJ members who are not affiliated with labor unions.
維新の会の橋下共同代表らは、まさに民主党の労組依存を問題視しており、結束を呼びかける相手は、みんなの党と民主党の保守・非労組系議員だからだ。
Within Ishin no Kai, Hashimoto expressed his intention to resign as party coleader. But the other party coleader Shintaro Ishihara and others persuaded Hashimoto to stay on. Confrontations between party members in Osaka, where Ishin no Kai is based, and party Diet members in Tokyo likely will continue.
その維新の会では、橋下氏が辞意を表明したものの、石原共同代表らに慰留された。本拠地の大阪と、東京の国会議員団との対立という問題は今後もくすぶろう。
In Your Party, there is discord between party leader Yoshimi Watanabe and Secretary General Kenji Eda. While Eda is eager for the party to take the leading role in opposition realignment, Watanabe is taking a cautious stance, saying, “Hasty realignment will fail, ending with a mere union of convenience.”
みんなの党には、渡辺代表と江田幹事長の確執がある。江田氏はみんなの党が再編を主導すべきだと前のめりだが、渡辺氏は「拙速な再編は野合に終わり、失敗する」と慎重な構えだ。
The political clout of Ichiro Ozawa, who had long played a central role in political realignments and currently serves as the leader of the People’s Life Party, has significantly waned. Mizuho Fukushima, who led the Social Democratic Party for a decade, has stepped down as party leader.
長年、政界再編の中心だった生活の党の小沢代表は、政治力の低下が著しい。社民党を１０年間率いてきた福島党首も退く。
Political parties are meant to grasp issues both at home and abroad and carry out prescriptive policy measures to address them. Parties should not easily ally or split just for politicians’ convenience, and will not be able to survive without public support.
政党は本来、内外の課題を把握し、処方箋たる政策を実行していくためにある。政治家の都合で離合集散すべきものではないし、国民の支持なしに生き残れない。
For any new opposition party, it is essential for there to be a consensus among its members over such policy issues as the Constitution under a leader who can establish intraparty governance.
新しい野党には、ガバナンスを確立できるリーダーの下、憲法など政策での一致が欠かせない。
The next national election will held three years from now at the latest. Each opposition party should start from realistic and steady policy discussions rather than insubstantial talks on realignment.
次の国政選まで最大３年ある。野党各党は、浮ついた再編論議ではなく、現実的で地道な政策論から始めるべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2013)
（2013年7月30日01時39分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun July 30, 2013
Israeli-Palestinian talks resumption 1st step in U.S. Mideast peace effort
パレスチナ和平 米国の仲介努力は奏功するか（7月29日付・読売社説）
It is imperative to ensure that emerging positive signs in the Middle East result in a resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians after a hiatus of about three years.
イスラエルとパレスチナの約３年ぶりの直接交渉の実現へ、つなげることが肝要だ。
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has pressured Israel and the Palestinian Authority since March, announced on July 19 that both sides “have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.” Ministerial-level officials from both parties are to meet in the near future to work out the terms and preconditions for the negotiations, according to U.S. government officials.
イスラエルとパレスチナ自治政府に和平交渉再開を働きかけてきたケリー米国務長官が、「交渉再開のための基本的な部分で合意に達した」と発表した。
近く、双方の閣僚級の担当者が詰めの協議を行うという。
The Palestinian Authority has set the goal of establishing a Palestinian state, and Japan, the United States and European nations as well as Arab states have thrown their support behind this goal.
自治政府側は、パレスチナ国家樹立を目標に掲げており、日米欧やアラブ諸国は支持している。
Kerry’s endeavors pay off
The long-envisaged establishment of a Palestinian state, however, will not be possible without Israel’s agreement. We strongly hope the Israelis and Palestinians hold direct talks to begin the process of having the two sides live side by side in peace and security.
ただ、イスラエルの同意が不可欠だ。イスラエルと自治政府の直接交渉が再開され、平和共存への歩みが始まることを、期待したい。
The broad agreement is the fruit of mediation efforts by Kerry, who, after assuming the post of secretary of state in February, traveled many times to the Middle East.
今回の基本合意は、２月に就任したケリー国務長官が何度も中東に足を運び、仲介した成果だ。
With upheavals continuing in the wake of the Arab Spring, U.S. policies have been put to the test. While the civil war in Syria has bogged down with no clear end in sight, Egypt, a major power in the Middle East, has been unable to resolve its political problems.
「アラブの春」の激動が続く中東で、米国の存在感が問われている。シリア内戦は泥沼化し、地域の大国エジプトは政情不安定から抜け出せないでいる。
It appears the United States hopes to play a role conducive to stabilizing the Middle East situation by using its diplomatic leverage to bring about peace between Israel and Palestinians.
米国は、イスラエルとパレスチナの和平仲介を中東外交立て直しの契機とし、中東の安定に役割を果たしたいのだろう。
The basic accord to hold preliminary talks appears partly due to Israel’s adopting more moderate policies after realizing its inflexible hard-line stance in dealing with the Palestinians left it internationally isolated.
基本合意の成立は、強硬一辺倒のパレスチナ政策で国際的に孤立したイスラエルが、軌道修正を図ったことにもよる。
In a U.N. General Assembly session last year, a resolution in favor of giving the Palestinian Authority the status of a “nonmember observer state” was adopted by an overwhelming majority vote despite intense opposition from the United States and Israel.
昨年の国連総会では、米国、イスラエルの反対にもかかわらず、パレスチナに「オブザーバー国家」の地位を与える決議案が、圧倒的多数で可決された。
Israel’s sense of crisis increased when the international community, particularly Israel’s biggest trade partner, Europe, intensified criticism of Israel’s continuing construction of settlements in the West Bank.
ヨルダン川西岸への入植活動強行に対し、国際社会、とりわけ最大の貿易相手の欧州が批判を強めていることに、イスラエルは危機感を強めている。
A freeze in settlement construction would help pave the way for realizing a resumption of dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.
イスラエルが入植活動を中止することで、自治政府との対話再開への道も開くのではないか。
The Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, must resolve the current situation in which its authority is limited only to the West Bank, with the Gaza Strip remaining under the control of the Islamist organization Hamas. This is essential for the Palestinian Authority if it wants to show that it is the proper party to negotiate with the Israelis.
自治政府の側も、交渉当事者の能力を示すには、統治が及ぶのはヨルダン川西岸だけでガザ地区はイスラム主義組織ハマスの支配下のまま、という現状を解消する必要がある。
Japan must help out
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida toured the Middle East region last week. In separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, he pressed them to resume peace talks.
岸田外相は先週、中東を歴訪し、イスラエルのネタニヤフ首相、パレスチナ自治政府のアッバス議長とそれぞれ会談し、和平交渉の再開を促した。
In addition, Kishida conferred with ministers from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan over ways to utilize an agricultural park to process farm produce. The park is under construction in the West Bank city of Jericho with the support of Japan.
また、日本の支援でヨルダン川西岸エリコに建設中の農産加工団地の活用を巡って、イスラエル、自治政府、ヨルダンの関係閣僚と４者協議を行った。
The agreement among Kishida and the others on the project should be rated highly.
岸田外相らが協力緊密化で合意したのは、評価できる。
Japan must continue to make such diplomatic efforts by extending a helping hand to encourage peace moves by the Israelis and Palestinians.
和平を側面支援するこうした外交努力を、今後も継続したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2013)
（2013年7月29日01時19分 読売新聞）
Israeli-Palestinian talks resumption 1st step in U.S. Mideast peace effort
パレスチナ和平 米国の仲介努力は奏功するか（7月29日付・読売社説）
It is imperative to ensure that emerging positive signs in the Middle East result in a resumption of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians after a hiatus of about three years.
イスラエルとパレスチナの約３年ぶりの直接交渉の実現へ、つなげることが肝要だ。
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has pressured Israel and the Palestinian Authority since March, announced on July 19 that both sides “have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.” Ministerial-level officials from both parties are to meet in the near future to work out the terms and preconditions for the negotiations, according to U.S. government officials.
イスラエルとパレスチナ自治政府に和平交渉再開を働きかけてきたケリー米国務長官が、「交渉再開のための基本的な部分で合意に達した」と発表した。
近く、双方の閣僚級の担当者が詰めの協議を行うという。
The Palestinian Authority has set the goal of establishing a Palestinian state, and Japan, the United States and European nations as well as Arab states have thrown their support behind this goal.
自治政府側は、パレスチナ国家樹立を目標に掲げており、日米欧やアラブ諸国は支持している。
Kerry’s endeavors pay off
The long-envisaged establishment of a Palestinian state, however, will not be possible without Israel’s agreement. We strongly hope the Israelis and Palestinians hold direct talks to begin the process of having the two sides live side by side in peace and security.
ただ、イスラエルの同意が不可欠だ。イスラエルと自治政府の直接交渉が再開され、平和共存への歩みが始まることを、期待したい。
The broad agreement is the fruit of mediation efforts by Kerry, who, after assuming the post of secretary of state in February, traveled many times to the Middle East.
今回の基本合意は、２月に就任したケリー国務長官が何度も中東に足を運び、仲介した成果だ。
With upheavals continuing in the wake of the Arab Spring, U.S. policies have been put to the test. While the civil war in Syria has bogged down with no clear end in sight, Egypt, a major power in the Middle East, has been unable to resolve its political problems.
「アラブの春」の激動が続く中東で、米国の存在感が問われている。シリア内戦は泥沼化し、地域の大国エジプトは政情不安定から抜け出せないでいる。
It appears the United States hopes to play a role conducive to stabilizing the Middle East situation by using its diplomatic leverage to bring about peace between Israel and Palestinians.
米国は、イスラエルとパレスチナの和平仲介を中東外交立て直しの契機とし、中東の安定に役割を果たしたいのだろう。
The basic accord to hold preliminary talks appears partly due to Israel’s adopting more moderate policies after realizing its inflexible hard-line stance in dealing with the Palestinians left it internationally isolated.
基本合意の成立は、強硬一辺倒のパレスチナ政策で国際的に孤立したイスラエルが、軌道修正を図ったことにもよる。
In a U.N. General Assembly session last year, a resolution in favor of giving the Palestinian Authority the status of a “nonmember observer state” was adopted by an overwhelming majority vote despite intense opposition from the United States and Israel.
昨年の国連総会では、米国、イスラエルの反対にもかかわらず、パレスチナに「オブザーバー国家」の地位を与える決議案が、圧倒的多数で可決された。
Israel’s sense of crisis increased when the international community, particularly Israel’s biggest trade partner, Europe, intensified criticism of Israel’s continuing construction of settlements in the West Bank.
ヨルダン川西岸への入植活動強行に対し、国際社会、とりわけ最大の貿易相手の欧州が批判を強めていることに、イスラエルは危機感を強めている。
A freeze in settlement construction would help pave the way for realizing a resumption of dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.
イスラエルが入植活動を中止することで、自治政府との対話再開への道も開くのではないか。
The Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, must resolve the current situation in which its authority is limited only to the West Bank, with the Gaza Strip remaining under the control of the Islamist organization Hamas. This is essential for the Palestinian Authority if it wants to show that it is the proper party to negotiate with the Israelis.
自治政府の側も、交渉当事者の能力を示すには、統治が及ぶのはヨルダン川西岸だけでガザ地区はイスラム主義組織ハマスの支配下のまま、という現状を解消する必要がある。
Japan must help out
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida toured the Middle East region last week. In separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, he pressed them to resume peace talks.
岸田外相は先週、中東を歴訪し、イスラエルのネタニヤフ首相、パレスチナ自治政府のアッバス議長とそれぞれ会談し、和平交渉の再開を促した。
In addition, Kishida conferred with ministers from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan over ways to utilize an agricultural park to process farm produce. The park is under construction in the West Bank city of Jericho with the support of Japan.
また、日本の支援でヨルダン川西岸エリコに建設中の農産加工団地の活用を巡って、イスラエル、自治政府、ヨルダンの関係閣僚と４者協議を行った。
The agreement among Kishida and the others on the project should be rated highly.
岸田外相らが協力緊密化で合意したのは、評価できる。
Japan must continue to make such diplomatic efforts by extending a helping hand to encourage peace moves by the Israelis and Palestinians.
和平を側面支援するこうした外交努力を、今後も継続したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2013)
（2013年7月29日01時19分 読売新聞）
プロフィール
ＨＮ：
srachai
ＨＰ：
性別：
男性
職業：
civil engineer
趣味：
子育て
自己紹介：
妻はタイ人、娘ばかり３人も！
■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
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・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
・英英辞典を活用（英和も）
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
Yomiuri
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Washington Post
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The Nations
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[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
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18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
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05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
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17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
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タイの文化、１４の戒律
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
第０２番目の戒律
第０３番目の戒律
第０４番目の戒律
第０５番目の戒律
第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
第１２番目の戒律
第１３番目の戒律
第１４番目の戒律