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The Yomiuri Shimbun June 9, 2013
LDP, Okinawa chapter out of sync on Futenma air base relocation plan
自民地域版公約 普天間「県外移設」は二枚舌か（6月8日付・読売社説）
It is irresponsible for the Liberal Democratic Party’s Okinawa prefectural chapter to include policies in its campaign pledge that go against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s weighty political decision and the policies of the party’s headquarters.
安倍首相の重い政治決断や党本部の方針と相いれない県連の政策を公約に掲げることは、政権党として無責任である。
The chapter has decided to mention its demand for relocating the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to a site outside the prefecture in the prefectural version of the party’s manifesto for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July.
自民党沖縄県連が、７月の参院選の地域版公約（ローカルマニフェスト）に米軍普天間飛行場の「県外移設を求める」と明記することを決めた。
LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba and Policy Research Council Chairwoman Sanae Takaichi repeatedly tried in vain to persuade the chapter not to include the “outside-the-prefecture relocation” pledge in the local manifesto.
自民党の石破幹事長や高市政調会長が再三、「県外移設」を盛り込まないよう県連幹部に説得を試みたが、不調に終わった。
Originally, the prefectural chapter supported a plan to relocate the Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko district in Nago. But as calls grew louder among prefectural residents to relocate the base outside the prefecture, in a backlash against the Democratic Party of Japan-led government’s bungled handling of the relocation issue, the chapter changed tack to call for an outside-the-prefecture relocation plan, as Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima did.
県連は元々、普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古への移設を支持していた。だが、民主党政権の失政への反発から県外移設を求める県内世論が高まってしまったため、仲井真弘多県知事と同様、「県外移設」に方針転換した経緯がある。
The LDP plans to field a rookie candidate in the Okinawa prefectural constituency of the upper house election against an opposition-affiliated incumbent. Some in the chapter contend it will be impossible to win the election if its candidate insists on relocating the base to Henoko.
参院選沖縄選挙区では、自民党公認の新人が野党系の現職に挑戦する予定だ。県連には「辺野古移設を主張しては選挙に勝てない」との声が出ている。
However, it must be noted that the Futenma relocation is a crucial issue deeply tied to Japan’s diplomatic and security policies. The upcoming poll is a national election, so the chapter should not decide on a campaign pledge based only on regional factors, even if it is intended for the local version of the manifesto.
しかし、普天間移設は日本の外交・安全保障政策に深く関わる重要問題だ。国政選である以上、地域版公約とはいえ、地域事情だけで判断すべきではあるまい。
2-tongued approach baffling
The party headquarters plans to promote the relocation of Futenma to Henoko in its campaign pledge. If the chapter puts forward a policy that is inconsistent with this party line, it will only lead to confusion among voters.
党本部が「辺野古移設」を公約に明記する方針なのに、県連が矛盾する政策を掲げ、使い分けるのは、有権者を惑わすだけだ。
The Futenma issue is in an extremely critical phase of determining whether the longstanding issue can be resolved.
普天間問題は今、長年の懸案が解決するかどうかの極めて重大な局面を迎えている。
In a summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in February, Abe confirmed a policy to push forward the Futenma relocation. In March, the government filed an application with the Okinawa prefectural government for approval of reclamation of the Henoko coastal area for this purpose.
安倍首相は２月の日米首脳会談で辺野古移設を推進する方針を確認し、３月に辺野古沿岸部の埋め立てを沖縄県に申請した。
The Abe administration must stand fast on its plan to accelerate the relocation to Henoko. The Nago Fisheries Cooperative, which agreed with the reclamation plan, has said it “will withdraw the approval if the relocation to Henoko is not mentioned in the LDP’s campaign pledge.”
重要なのは、安倍政権が、辺野古移設を推進する今の立場から決してぶれないことだ。埋め立てに同意した名護漁協は「自民党公約に辺野古移設が明記されなければ同意を撤回する」としている。
If the reclamation is not permitted, this would be a serious blow to the Abe administration.
仮に埋め立てが不許可となれば政権への打撃は避けられない。
Not a smart choice
The LDP must take seriously that the prime minister made a political decision with high stakes. It is only natural that the party as a whole cooperate in his bid to promote the relocation to Henoko.
自民党は、首相がそのリスクを取る政治判断をしたことを重く受け止め、一丸となって辺野古移設に協力するのが筋である。
First of all, the plan to relocate the base outside the prefecture is unlikely to be realized because it contains no concrete measures. The plan will most certainly lead to extending the status quo for a long time, during which the Futenma base will continue to pose a risk to the surrounding areas. This cannot be a smart choice for the prefecture.
そもそも県外移設は何の具体案もなく、実現性が乏しい。普天間飛行場の危険な現状を長期間、固定化させるのは確実だ。沖縄にとって賢明な選択ではない。
Some members of the LDP Okinawa prefectural chapter--including Kosaburo Nishime, a House of Representatives member, and upper house member Aiko Shimajiri, a parliamentary secretary of the Cabinet Office--have been indicating they will approve relocation to Henoko. The government and party headquarters must join hands with local entities who have yet to voice their approval of the relocation plan.
県連内には、西銘恒三郎衆院議員や島尻安伊子内閣府政務官など辺野古移設を容認する動きが出ている。政府・自民党は、まだ声を上げていない地元の容認派などと積極的に連携すべきだ。
The first thing to do is to reverse the chapter’s decision in favor of relocation outside the prefecture. This could be the first step to laying the foundation for Gov. Nakaima to approve reclamation of the Henoko coastal area.
まず県連を翻意させることが、仲井真知事が埋め立て許可を決断する環境整備の一歩となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun June 8, 2013)
（2013年6月8日01時49分 読売新聞）
LDP, Okinawa chapter out of sync on Futenma air base relocation plan
自民地域版公約 普天間「県外移設」は二枚舌か（6月8日付・読売社説）
It is irresponsible for the Liberal Democratic Party’s Okinawa prefectural chapter to include policies in its campaign pledge that go against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s weighty political decision and the policies of the party’s headquarters.
安倍首相の重い政治決断や党本部の方針と相いれない県連の政策を公約に掲げることは、政権党として無責任である。
The chapter has decided to mention its demand for relocating the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to a site outside the prefecture in the prefectural version of the party’s manifesto for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July.
自民党沖縄県連が、７月の参院選の地域版公約（ローカルマニフェスト）に米軍普天間飛行場の「県外移設を求める」と明記することを決めた。
LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba and Policy Research Council Chairwoman Sanae Takaichi repeatedly tried in vain to persuade the chapter not to include the “outside-the-prefecture relocation” pledge in the local manifesto.
自民党の石破幹事長や高市政調会長が再三、「県外移設」を盛り込まないよう県連幹部に説得を試みたが、不調に終わった。
Originally, the prefectural chapter supported a plan to relocate the Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko district in Nago. But as calls grew louder among prefectural residents to relocate the base outside the prefecture, in a backlash against the Democratic Party of Japan-led government’s bungled handling of the relocation issue, the chapter changed tack to call for an outside-the-prefecture relocation plan, as Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima did.
県連は元々、普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古への移設を支持していた。だが、民主党政権の失政への反発から県外移設を求める県内世論が高まってしまったため、仲井真弘多県知事と同様、「県外移設」に方針転換した経緯がある。
The LDP plans to field a rookie candidate in the Okinawa prefectural constituency of the upper house election against an opposition-affiliated incumbent. Some in the chapter contend it will be impossible to win the election if its candidate insists on relocating the base to Henoko.
参院選沖縄選挙区では、自民党公認の新人が野党系の現職に挑戦する予定だ。県連には「辺野古移設を主張しては選挙に勝てない」との声が出ている。
However, it must be noted that the Futenma relocation is a crucial issue deeply tied to Japan’s diplomatic and security policies. The upcoming poll is a national election, so the chapter should not decide on a campaign pledge based only on regional factors, even if it is intended for the local version of the manifesto.
しかし、普天間移設は日本の外交・安全保障政策に深く関わる重要問題だ。国政選である以上、地域版公約とはいえ、地域事情だけで判断すべきではあるまい。
2-tongued approach baffling
The party headquarters plans to promote the relocation of Futenma to Henoko in its campaign pledge. If the chapter puts forward a policy that is inconsistent with this party line, it will only lead to confusion among voters.
党本部が「辺野古移設」を公約に明記する方針なのに、県連が矛盾する政策を掲げ、使い分けるのは、有権者を惑わすだけだ。
The Futenma issue is in an extremely critical phase of determining whether the longstanding issue can be resolved.
普天間問題は今、長年の懸案が解決するかどうかの極めて重大な局面を迎えている。
In a summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in February, Abe confirmed a policy to push forward the Futenma relocation. In March, the government filed an application with the Okinawa prefectural government for approval of reclamation of the Henoko coastal area for this purpose.
安倍首相は２月の日米首脳会談で辺野古移設を推進する方針を確認し、３月に辺野古沿岸部の埋め立てを沖縄県に申請した。
The Abe administration must stand fast on its plan to accelerate the relocation to Henoko. The Nago Fisheries Cooperative, which agreed with the reclamation plan, has said it “will withdraw the approval if the relocation to Henoko is not mentioned in the LDP’s campaign pledge.”
重要なのは、安倍政権が、辺野古移設を推進する今の立場から決してぶれないことだ。埋め立てに同意した名護漁協は「自民党公約に辺野古移設が明記されなければ同意を撤回する」としている。
If the reclamation is not permitted, this would be a serious blow to the Abe administration.
仮に埋め立てが不許可となれば政権への打撃は避けられない。
Not a smart choice
The LDP must take seriously that the prime minister made a political decision with high stakes. It is only natural that the party as a whole cooperate in his bid to promote the relocation to Henoko.
自民党は、首相がそのリスクを取る政治判断をしたことを重く受け止め、一丸となって辺野古移設に協力するのが筋である。
First of all, the plan to relocate the base outside the prefecture is unlikely to be realized because it contains no concrete measures. The plan will most certainly lead to extending the status quo for a long time, during which the Futenma base will continue to pose a risk to the surrounding areas. This cannot be a smart choice for the prefecture.
そもそも県外移設は何の具体案もなく、実現性が乏しい。普天間飛行場の危険な現状を長期間、固定化させるのは確実だ。沖縄にとって賢明な選択ではない。
Some members of the LDP Okinawa prefectural chapter--including Kosaburo Nishime, a House of Representatives member, and upper house member Aiko Shimajiri, a parliamentary secretary of the Cabinet Office--have been indicating they will approve relocation to Henoko. The government and party headquarters must join hands with local entities who have yet to voice their approval of the relocation plan.
県連内には、西銘恒三郎衆院議員や島尻安伊子内閣府政務官など辺野古移設を容認する動きが出ている。政府・自民党は、まだ声を上げていない地元の容認派などと積極的に連携すべきだ。
The first thing to do is to reverse the chapter’s decision in favor of relocation outside the prefecture. This could be the first step to laying the foundation for Gov. Nakaima to approve reclamation of the Henoko coastal area.
まず県連を翻意させることが、仲井真知事が埋め立て許可を決断する環境整備の一歩となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun June 8, 2013)
（2013年6月8日01時49分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 8, 2013
Pakistan must improve relations with U.S. for regional stability
パキスタン情勢 対米修復が地域の安定を導く（6月7日付・読売社説）
If political instability is to continue in Pakistan, on the frontline of the United States’ war against terrorism, regional stability is almost hopeless.
米国の対テロ戦争最前線のパキスタンで、政情不安が続くようでは、地域の安定は覚束(おぼつか)ない。
Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of the country and the leader of the largest opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which won the May general election, was elected as prime minister after his party won support from many independents to gain a majority in the National Assembly.
５月の総選挙で勝利した最大野党の党首のナワズ・シャリフ元首相が、無所属議員を取り込んで議会過半数を制し、首相に選出された。
In a country that has seen repeated coups, a military government did not come into power again and a peaceful administrative change was realized. This shows the country’s democratization movement has further taken root.
クーデターが繰り返されてきたパキスタンで、軍政が復活せず平和的な政権交代が実現した。民主化がさらに定着したことを示すものである。
The winning factor for Sharif was that he criticized the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari as blindly following the United States and succeeded in currying favor with anti-U.S. voters.
シャリフ氏の勝因は、米国と連携して対テロ作戦を進めたザルダリ政権を「対米追従」と批判し、反米票を吸収したことにある。
Two years ago the United States killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, who was hiding in Pakistan, without informing the Zardari administration of the attack. In addition, the United States continues drone bombings against Taliban armed antigovernment rebels in areas bordering Afghanistan.
米国は一昨年、パキスタン国内に潜んでいた米同時テロの首謀者ウサマ・ビンラーディンを、ザルダリ政権への通告なしに殺害した。加えて米軍はアフガニスタンとの国境地帯で反政府武装勢力への無人機空爆を続けている。
In his inauguration address, Sharif emphasized, “The drone attacks must now stop.” However, he avoided naming the United States in the speech. We think he is trying to mend relations with the United States, which extends the most assistance to Pakistan, while considering the anti-U.S. sentiment strongly rooted in the nation.
シャリフ氏は首相就任演説で、無人機空爆について「すぐにやめるべきだ」と強調したが、米国を名指しすることは避けた。国内に根強い反米感情に配慮しつつ、最大の援助国、米国との関係修復を図ろうとしているのだろう。
Sharif’s leadership test
The U.S. military’s withdrawal deadline from Afghanistan is the end of next year. Will it be possible for Pakistan to improve the security situation in the country, which is aggravated by the terrorism of the armed rebels, by the deadline and contribute to regional stability?
米軍のアフガンからの撤退期限が来年末に迫っている。それまでに、武装勢力のテロによって悪化した治安を立て直し、地域の安定に貢献できるようになるのか。
Sharif’s leadership ability is now under scrutiny. To demonstrate strong leadership, it is critical for him to establish a relationship of mutual trust with the military forces, which have been engaged in operations to clear out the rebels.
シャリフ氏の指導力が問われよう。それにはまず、武装勢力の掃討作戦に当たっている軍と、信頼関係を築くことが不可欠だ。
Sharif emphasized during his campaign the importance of having dialogues with the Taliban rebels. However, the Taliban refused to enter into dialogue with the Sharif administration because one of its top commanders was killed in a recent U.S. drone attack. The future of the policy of holding dialogues faces a difficult challenge.
シャリフ氏は選挙戦で武装勢力との対話を訴えたが、武装勢力は米軍の無人機攻撃で最高幹部が殺されたとして対話を拒否した。対話路線の前途は険しい。
Relations with India, a neighbor Pakistan has fought in three wars, have been rocky. We hope tensions between India and Pakistan, which both have nuclear weapons, will ease as soon as possible.
３度の戦争を経た隣国インドとの関係もぎくしゃくしている。核兵器を保有する印パ両国の緊張緩和が望まれる。
Balanced diplomacy key
Meanwhile, Sharif has also announced a plan to complete the construction of a road and a railway network connecting Gwadar Port, a strategically important facility, with China, with assistance from that country.
シャリフ氏は、中国の支援で、戦略的要衝のグワダル港と中国を結ぶ道路や鉄道の建設を完成させる方針も表明している。
It is important for Pakistan to improve relations with the United States and India, while not overly strengthening relations with China further, to develop a well-balanced diplomacy.
これ以上、中国への傾斜を強めることなく、米国やインドと関係を改善し、バランスある外交を展開することが重要だ。
It is also an urgent task for the country to boost the economy. With a low economic growth rate of less than 4 percent a year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have sharply declined. Power shortages are also a serious problem. Expectations are running high for Sharif, a former business owner with experience tackling the country’s economic reforms, to restart a suspended International Monetary Fund loan package.
経済へのテコ入れも、急務である。年率４％を下回る低成長で外貨準備が減少し、電力不足も深刻だ。中断した国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）の融資再開に向けて、実業家出身で経済改革の経験があるシャリフ氏への期待は大きい。
The Japanese government needs to extend indirect support for the country’s economic reconstruction, by deepening cooperation with the country in such ways as helping to provide a stable supply of electricity.
日本政府は電力の安定供給などの分野で協力を深め、経済再建を側面から支援する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2013)
（2013年6月7日01時35分 読売新聞）
Pakistan must improve relations with U.S. for regional stability
パキスタン情勢 対米修復が地域の安定を導く（6月7日付・読売社説）
If political instability is to continue in Pakistan, on the frontline of the United States’ war against terrorism, regional stability is almost hopeless.
米国の対テロ戦争最前線のパキスタンで、政情不安が続くようでは、地域の安定は覚束(おぼつか)ない。
Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister of the country and the leader of the largest opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which won the May general election, was elected as prime minister after his party won support from many independents to gain a majority in the National Assembly.
５月の総選挙で勝利した最大野党の党首のナワズ・シャリフ元首相が、無所属議員を取り込んで議会過半数を制し、首相に選出された。
In a country that has seen repeated coups, a military government did not come into power again and a peaceful administrative change was realized. This shows the country’s democratization movement has further taken root.
クーデターが繰り返されてきたパキスタンで、軍政が復活せず平和的な政権交代が実現した。民主化がさらに定着したことを示すものである。
The winning factor for Sharif was that he criticized the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari as blindly following the United States and succeeded in currying favor with anti-U.S. voters.
シャリフ氏の勝因は、米国と連携して対テロ作戦を進めたザルダリ政権を「対米追従」と批判し、反米票を吸収したことにある。
Two years ago the United States killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, who was hiding in Pakistan, without informing the Zardari administration of the attack. In addition, the United States continues drone bombings against Taliban armed antigovernment rebels in areas bordering Afghanistan.
米国は一昨年、パキスタン国内に潜んでいた米同時テロの首謀者ウサマ・ビンラーディンを、ザルダリ政権への通告なしに殺害した。加えて米軍はアフガニスタンとの国境地帯で反政府武装勢力への無人機空爆を続けている。
In his inauguration address, Sharif emphasized, “The drone attacks must now stop.” However, he avoided naming the United States in the speech. We think he is trying to mend relations with the United States, which extends the most assistance to Pakistan, while considering the anti-U.S. sentiment strongly rooted in the nation.
シャリフ氏は首相就任演説で、無人機空爆について「すぐにやめるべきだ」と強調したが、米国を名指しすることは避けた。国内に根強い反米感情に配慮しつつ、最大の援助国、米国との関係修復を図ろうとしているのだろう。
Sharif’s leadership test
The U.S. military’s withdrawal deadline from Afghanistan is the end of next year. Will it be possible for Pakistan to improve the security situation in the country, which is aggravated by the terrorism of the armed rebels, by the deadline and contribute to regional stability?
米軍のアフガンからの撤退期限が来年末に迫っている。それまでに、武装勢力のテロによって悪化した治安を立て直し、地域の安定に貢献できるようになるのか。
Sharif’s leadership ability is now under scrutiny. To demonstrate strong leadership, it is critical for him to establish a relationship of mutual trust with the military forces, which have been engaged in operations to clear out the rebels.
シャリフ氏の指導力が問われよう。それにはまず、武装勢力の掃討作戦に当たっている軍と、信頼関係を築くことが不可欠だ。
Sharif emphasized during his campaign the importance of having dialogues with the Taliban rebels. However, the Taliban refused to enter into dialogue with the Sharif administration because one of its top commanders was killed in a recent U.S. drone attack. The future of the policy of holding dialogues faces a difficult challenge.
シャリフ氏は選挙戦で武装勢力との対話を訴えたが、武装勢力は米軍の無人機攻撃で最高幹部が殺されたとして対話を拒否した。対話路線の前途は険しい。
Relations with India, a neighbor Pakistan has fought in three wars, have been rocky. We hope tensions between India and Pakistan, which both have nuclear weapons, will ease as soon as possible.
３度の戦争を経た隣国インドとの関係もぎくしゃくしている。核兵器を保有する印パ両国の緊張緩和が望まれる。
Balanced diplomacy key
Meanwhile, Sharif has also announced a plan to complete the construction of a road and a railway network connecting Gwadar Port, a strategically important facility, with China, with assistance from that country.
シャリフ氏は、中国の支援で、戦略的要衝のグワダル港と中国を結ぶ道路や鉄道の建設を完成させる方針も表明している。
It is important for Pakistan to improve relations with the United States and India, while not overly strengthening relations with China further, to develop a well-balanced diplomacy.
これ以上、中国への傾斜を強めることなく、米国やインドと関係を改善し、バランスある外交を展開することが重要だ。
It is also an urgent task for the country to boost the economy. With a low economic growth rate of less than 4 percent a year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have sharply declined. Power shortages are also a serious problem. Expectations are running high for Sharif, a former business owner with experience tackling the country’s economic reforms, to restart a suspended International Monetary Fund loan package.
経済へのテコ入れも、急務である。年率４％を下回る低成長で外貨準備が減少し、電力不足も深刻だ。中断した国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）の融資再開に向けて、実業家出身で経済改革の経験があるシャリフ氏への期待は大きい。
The Japanese government needs to extend indirect support for the country’s economic reconstruction, by deepening cooperation with the country in such ways as helping to provide a stable supply of electricity.
日本政府は電力の安定供給などの分野で協力を深め、経済再建を側面から支援する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 7, 2013)
（2013年6月7日01時35分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 7, 2013
Utilizing power of private sector key for 'third arrow' to hit target
成長戦略 民間活力の爆発で日本再生を（6月6日付・読売社説）
◆「３本目の矢」を的中させよ
Will Abenomics really be able to boost the competitive power of domestic companies and rejuvenate Japan’s economy? Can Japan win in the global market? The true value of the Abe administration’s economic policies will be finally tested.
企業の競争力を高め、世界に勝てる日本経済へ再生できるか。安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」が、いよいよ真価を問われる。
On Wednesday, the government’s Industrial Competitiveness Council finished compiling a draft of the administration’s growth policy, which is touted as the “third arrow” of Abenomics. Now almost all the elements of Abenomics have been revealed to the public.
政府の産業競争力会議が５日、アベノミクスの「３本目の矢」である成長戦略の素案をまとめた。これで具体的な政策メニューは、ほぼ出そろった。
On the same day, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech on the growth strategy at a hotel in Tokyo, stipulating deregulation as the heart of his economic reforms. Abe expressed his resolve to rebuild the nation’s economy, citing the “eruption of the private sector’s vitality” as a key factor of his growth strategy.
安倍首相は成長戦略について講演し、規制緩和を改革の「一丁目一番地」と位置付けた。「民間活力の爆発」をキーワードに日本経済を立て直す決意を示した。
In his speech, Abe also revealed the mid- and long-term goals of his economic policies, such as increasing per-capita gross national income by 1.5 million yen over the next decade.
１人当たりの国民総所得を１０年後に１５０万円増やすなど、中長期的な目標も掲げている。
Full picture of Abenomics
◆メニューは出そろった
The growth strategy has three pillars: to restore the nation’s industries, strategically create new markets and help Japan’s businesses expand abroad. After Abe’s speech, the Tokyo Stock Exchange plunged due to criticism including the notion that the growth strategy lacked originality, but we believe the growth strategy is pointed in the right direction.
政府の成長戦略は「産業再興」「戦略市場創造」「国際展開」が３本柱である。５日の東京株式市場では、内容に新味がないとの見方などから株価が急落したが、戦略の方向性は妥当だ。
Regarding the goal of restoring the nation’s industries, the government will designate the next five years as an emergency period for structural reforms, focusing on measures such as utilizing the untapped potential of the female labor force and promoting private investment.
産業再興は、今後５年間を緊急構造改革期間と定め、女性の人材活用や、民間投資促進などの施策を重点的に実施する。
The centerpiece of the measures is a plan to create “national strategic special deregulation zones,” which Abe revealed Wednesday. The plan aims to create cosmopolitan cities that attract companies and talented workers from all over the world by boldly relaxing regulations in the special zones.
首相が打ち出した「国家戦略特区」はその目玉といえる。大胆な規制緩和を断行し、世界から企業や人材が集まる国際都市をつくる構想だ。
We urge the government to swiftly prepare concrete measures to materialize the plan, so Japan will become a country that provides the best working environment for companies.
日本を「世界で一番企業が活躍しやすい国」とするため、具体化を急ぐ必要がある。
Regarding the goal of strategically creating new markets, the government plans to find and nurture new business opportunities from problems facing Japan, such as the stagnant birthrate, graying of society and aging social infrastructure. It also targets the nation’s medical industry, which is lagging behind foreign competitors, and its agricultural industry, which suffers from low productivity. The agricultural industry has long been urged to enhance its international competitiveness.
戦略市場創造は、少子高齢化やインフラの老朽化など日本が抱える課題を逆手に取り、新たなビジネス育成を目指す。海外に後れを取っている医療産業や、生産性が低く、国際競争力の強化が急務の農業などがターゲットだ。
On deregulation, the growth strategy includes a plan to lift a ban on the online sales of nonprescription drugs. The government also intends to expand the scope of so-called mixed treatments, a combination of medical practices covered in part by public health insurance and in part by patients, which is currently limited to exceptional cases. We believe these measures will lead to important progress.
規制改革では、市販薬のインターネット販売解禁や、保険診療と保険外診療を併用できる範囲の拡大が打ち出された。一定の前進として評価できる。
Japan now faces many difficulties. But let’s turn misfortune into blessings by riding the wind of such deregulation measures and combining the wisdom and innovation of the government and the private sector.
政策支援を追い風に、さらに官民の知恵や工夫を結集し、ピンチをチャンスに変えたい。
Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework will be the first step in promoting the overseas advancement of Japanese businesses. The government needs to work hard to make up for the lack of progress in commerce policies.
国際展開では、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加が、その第一歩となる。出遅れた通商政策を挽回しなければならない。
Japan’s domestic market has begun to shrink due to the declining population. In such a situation, it is essential for the nation to attract foreign demand to sustain economic growth by boosting infrastructure-related exports, such as nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet trains.
人口減で国内市場が縮小している日本が成長を維持するには、原子力発電所や新幹線などインフラの輸出を加速し、海外の需要を取り込むことも不可欠だ。
Beef up control tower functions
◆司令塔の強化が必要だ
All the numerical targets Abe has revealed--including 70 trillion yen in private capital investment, 30 trillion yen in infrastructure exports and 35 trillion yen in direct investment to Japan by foreign companies--are ambitious and lofty goals.
「民間投資７０兆円」「インフラ輸出３０兆円」「対日直接投資３５兆円」――。首相が次々に挙げた政策別の数値目標は、どれも野心的な高い目標である。
His enthusiasm appears genuine, but such goals are meaningless if they end up as empty promises. The Abe administration must steadily carry out measures to achieve its goals and produce real results.
意気込みは頼もしいが、「空手形」では意味がない。着実に実行し、成果を出すことが大切だ。
Achievements were made in less than 10 percent of the policy measures stipulated in the New Growth Strategy two years after it was adopted by the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan in June 2010. A well-detailed timetable that listed when each goal was to be achieved, for instance, was just window dressing.
菅内閣が２０１０年６月に決めた「新成長戦略」は、２年後に成果を出せた施策が１割に満たなかった。達成時期などを示した綿密な工程表も見かけ倒しだった。
The same mistake should not be made again. The management capabilities of the Prime Minister’s Office should be reinforced to block resistance from individual ministries and avoid jurisdictional disputes among ministries over deregulation measures.
同じ轍(てつ)を踏んではならない。官邸の司令塔機能を強化し、規制緩和に対する各府省の抵抗や縄張り争いを監視すべきだ。
Abe said his Cabinet will verify every year the level of achievement of each policy, based on new indicators. If a policy is found to be behind the timetable, the administration will not casually lower the target, but introduce additional measures to achieve the goal. We urge the administration to review the programs continually and improve its measures to achieve goals whenever necessary.
安倍内閣は毎年、政策の達成度を新たな指標で検証するという。進行が遅れた場合は目標を安易に下げず、達成への追加策を講じる仕組みとする。事業を不断に見直し、改善してもらいたい。
We are concerned, however, because many policy measures demanded by business circles were not included in the growth strategy.
気がかりなのは、経済界が要望したのに盛り込まれなかった政策が目立つことである。
For example, businesses sought a reduction in the corporate tax rate, which is higher than those of other major countries, and drastic agricultural reform, including lifting the ban on the possession of farmlands by corporations. However, these measures were shelved.
例えば、他の主要国より高い法人税率の引き下げや、企業による農地所有の解禁などの抜本的な農政改革は見送られた。
The House of Councillors election is just around the corner and a hike in the consumption tax rate is scheduled for April next year. In this situation, Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party probably wanted to avoid policies that could prove unpopular with voters.
参院選や来年４月の消費税率引き上げを控え、有権者の反発を招きかねない政策を避けたかったという事情もあろう。
However, to break the nation’s economic deadlock, the administration needs the determination to bravely challenge the barrier of vested interests. We hope the Abe administration will accelerate discussions on pending issues that it put off dealing with.
だが、日本経済の閉塞状況を打破するには、既得権益の壁に果敢に挑む決意が要る。先送りした懸案の議論を加速してほしい。
To improve the efficacy of the growth strategy, it is important for the Abe administration to improve individual policy measures as well as remove barriers to hamper the economic activities of the private sector.
成長戦略の実効性を上げるには、個々の政策の充実はもとより、民間の経済活動を妨げる障害を除去することが重要となる。
Stable power supply essential
◆電力安定は経済の礎
After the launch of the current Abe Cabinet, the hyper-appreciation of the yen that had afflicted the Japanese economy was corrected. However, many issues still remain unsolved.
安倍内閣の発足後、日本経済を苦しめてきた超円高は是正されたが、課題は山積している。
The shortage of power is a particularly serious problem. As the fuel costs for thermal power stations snowball, national wealth continues to steadily flow out of the country and power rate hikes go on.
特に電力不足は深刻だ。停止している原発を代替する火力発電所の燃料費が膨らみ、国富流出と電気料金の値上げが止まらない。
Electricity is the lifeblood of the economy. Unless the days of stable supply of inexpensive electric power return, it will be difficult to achieve stable growth in the economy.
電気は経済の血液である。安価な電力の安定供給を回復しない限り、安定成長は難しい。
In that sense, it is natural for the administration to have clarified in the growth strategy that the “entire government will make maximum efforts” to reactive idle nuclear reactors after their safety is confirmed.
安全を確認できた原発の再稼働に「政府一丸となって最大限取り組む」との方針を、成長戦略に明記したのは当然である。
The government must take the initiative to explain the necessity of this policy to local governments hosting nuclear power plants and make its utmost effort to realize a stable supply of electricity.
政府は率先して立地自治体の説得にあたり、電力安定供給の実現に全力を挙げるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2013)
（2013年6月6日01時21分 読売新聞）
Utilizing power of private sector key for 'third arrow' to hit target
成長戦略 民間活力の爆発で日本再生を（6月6日付・読売社説）
◆「３本目の矢」を的中させよ
Will Abenomics really be able to boost the competitive power of domestic companies and rejuvenate Japan’s economy? Can Japan win in the global market? The true value of the Abe administration’s economic policies will be finally tested.
企業の競争力を高め、世界に勝てる日本経済へ再生できるか。安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」が、いよいよ真価を問われる。
On Wednesday, the government’s Industrial Competitiveness Council finished compiling a draft of the administration’s growth policy, which is touted as the “third arrow” of Abenomics. Now almost all the elements of Abenomics have been revealed to the public.
政府の産業競争力会議が５日、アベノミクスの「３本目の矢」である成長戦略の素案をまとめた。これで具体的な政策メニューは、ほぼ出そろった。
On the same day, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech on the growth strategy at a hotel in Tokyo, stipulating deregulation as the heart of his economic reforms. Abe expressed his resolve to rebuild the nation’s economy, citing the “eruption of the private sector’s vitality” as a key factor of his growth strategy.
安倍首相は成長戦略について講演し、規制緩和を改革の「一丁目一番地」と位置付けた。「民間活力の爆発」をキーワードに日本経済を立て直す決意を示した。
In his speech, Abe also revealed the mid- and long-term goals of his economic policies, such as increasing per-capita gross national income by 1.5 million yen over the next decade.
１人当たりの国民総所得を１０年後に１５０万円増やすなど、中長期的な目標も掲げている。
Full picture of Abenomics
◆メニューは出そろった
The growth strategy has three pillars: to restore the nation’s industries, strategically create new markets and help Japan’s businesses expand abroad. After Abe’s speech, the Tokyo Stock Exchange plunged due to criticism including the notion that the growth strategy lacked originality, but we believe the growth strategy is pointed in the right direction.
政府の成長戦略は「産業再興」「戦略市場創造」「国際展開」が３本柱である。５日の東京株式市場では、内容に新味がないとの見方などから株価が急落したが、戦略の方向性は妥当だ。
Regarding the goal of restoring the nation’s industries, the government will designate the next five years as an emergency period for structural reforms, focusing on measures such as utilizing the untapped potential of the female labor force and promoting private investment.
産業再興は、今後５年間を緊急構造改革期間と定め、女性の人材活用や、民間投資促進などの施策を重点的に実施する。
The centerpiece of the measures is a plan to create “national strategic special deregulation zones,” which Abe revealed Wednesday. The plan aims to create cosmopolitan cities that attract companies and talented workers from all over the world by boldly relaxing regulations in the special zones.
首相が打ち出した「国家戦略特区」はその目玉といえる。大胆な規制緩和を断行し、世界から企業や人材が集まる国際都市をつくる構想だ。
We urge the government to swiftly prepare concrete measures to materialize the plan, so Japan will become a country that provides the best working environment for companies.
日本を「世界で一番企業が活躍しやすい国」とするため、具体化を急ぐ必要がある。
Regarding the goal of strategically creating new markets, the government plans to find and nurture new business opportunities from problems facing Japan, such as the stagnant birthrate, graying of society and aging social infrastructure. It also targets the nation’s medical industry, which is lagging behind foreign competitors, and its agricultural industry, which suffers from low productivity. The agricultural industry has long been urged to enhance its international competitiveness.
戦略市場創造は、少子高齢化やインフラの老朽化など日本が抱える課題を逆手に取り、新たなビジネス育成を目指す。海外に後れを取っている医療産業や、生産性が低く、国際競争力の強化が急務の農業などがターゲットだ。
On deregulation, the growth strategy includes a plan to lift a ban on the online sales of nonprescription drugs. The government also intends to expand the scope of so-called mixed treatments, a combination of medical practices covered in part by public health insurance and in part by patients, which is currently limited to exceptional cases. We believe these measures will lead to important progress.
規制改革では、市販薬のインターネット販売解禁や、保険診療と保険外診療を併用できる範囲の拡大が打ち出された。一定の前進として評価できる。
Japan now faces many difficulties. But let’s turn misfortune into blessings by riding the wind of such deregulation measures and combining the wisdom and innovation of the government and the private sector.
政策支援を追い風に、さらに官民の知恵や工夫を結集し、ピンチをチャンスに変えたい。
Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework will be the first step in promoting the overseas advancement of Japanese businesses. The government needs to work hard to make up for the lack of progress in commerce policies.
国際展開では、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加が、その第一歩となる。出遅れた通商政策を挽回しなければならない。
Japan’s domestic market has begun to shrink due to the declining population. In such a situation, it is essential for the nation to attract foreign demand to sustain economic growth by boosting infrastructure-related exports, such as nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet trains.
人口減で国内市場が縮小している日本が成長を維持するには、原子力発電所や新幹線などインフラの輸出を加速し、海外の需要を取り込むことも不可欠だ。
Beef up control tower functions
◆司令塔の強化が必要だ
All the numerical targets Abe has revealed--including 70 trillion yen in private capital investment, 30 trillion yen in infrastructure exports and 35 trillion yen in direct investment to Japan by foreign companies--are ambitious and lofty goals.
「民間投資７０兆円」「インフラ輸出３０兆円」「対日直接投資３５兆円」――。首相が次々に挙げた政策別の数値目標は、どれも野心的な高い目標である。
His enthusiasm appears genuine, but such goals are meaningless if they end up as empty promises. The Abe administration must steadily carry out measures to achieve its goals and produce real results.
意気込みは頼もしいが、「空手形」では意味がない。着実に実行し、成果を出すことが大切だ。
Achievements were made in less than 10 percent of the policy measures stipulated in the New Growth Strategy two years after it was adopted by the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan in June 2010. A well-detailed timetable that listed when each goal was to be achieved, for instance, was just window dressing.
菅内閣が２０１０年６月に決めた「新成長戦略」は、２年後に成果を出せた施策が１割に満たなかった。達成時期などを示した綿密な工程表も見かけ倒しだった。
The same mistake should not be made again. The management capabilities of the Prime Minister’s Office should be reinforced to block resistance from individual ministries and avoid jurisdictional disputes among ministries over deregulation measures.
同じ轍(てつ)を踏んではならない。官邸の司令塔機能を強化し、規制緩和に対する各府省の抵抗や縄張り争いを監視すべきだ。
Abe said his Cabinet will verify every year the level of achievement of each policy, based on new indicators. If a policy is found to be behind the timetable, the administration will not casually lower the target, but introduce additional measures to achieve the goal. We urge the administration to review the programs continually and improve its measures to achieve goals whenever necessary.
安倍内閣は毎年、政策の達成度を新たな指標で検証するという。進行が遅れた場合は目標を安易に下げず、達成への追加策を講じる仕組みとする。事業を不断に見直し、改善してもらいたい。
We are concerned, however, because many policy measures demanded by business circles were not included in the growth strategy.
気がかりなのは、経済界が要望したのに盛り込まれなかった政策が目立つことである。
For example, businesses sought a reduction in the corporate tax rate, which is higher than those of other major countries, and drastic agricultural reform, including lifting the ban on the possession of farmlands by corporations. However, these measures were shelved.
例えば、他の主要国より高い法人税率の引き下げや、企業による農地所有の解禁などの抜本的な農政改革は見送られた。
The House of Councillors election is just around the corner and a hike in the consumption tax rate is scheduled for April next year. In this situation, Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party probably wanted to avoid policies that could prove unpopular with voters.
参院選や来年４月の消費税率引き上げを控え、有権者の反発を招きかねない政策を避けたかったという事情もあろう。
However, to break the nation’s economic deadlock, the administration needs the determination to bravely challenge the barrier of vested interests. We hope the Abe administration will accelerate discussions on pending issues that it put off dealing with.
だが、日本経済の閉塞状況を打破するには、既得権益の壁に果敢に挑む決意が要る。先送りした懸案の議論を加速してほしい。
To improve the efficacy of the growth strategy, it is important for the Abe administration to improve individual policy measures as well as remove barriers to hamper the economic activities of the private sector.
成長戦略の実効性を上げるには、個々の政策の充実はもとより、民間の経済活動を妨げる障害を除去することが重要となる。
Stable power supply essential
◆電力安定は経済の礎
After the launch of the current Abe Cabinet, the hyper-appreciation of the yen that had afflicted the Japanese economy was corrected. However, many issues still remain unsolved.
安倍内閣の発足後、日本経済を苦しめてきた超円高は是正されたが、課題は山積している。
The shortage of power is a particularly serious problem. As the fuel costs for thermal power stations snowball, national wealth continues to steadily flow out of the country and power rate hikes go on.
特に電力不足は深刻だ。停止している原発を代替する火力発電所の燃料費が膨らみ、国富流出と電気料金の値上げが止まらない。
Electricity is the lifeblood of the economy. Unless the days of stable supply of inexpensive electric power return, it will be difficult to achieve stable growth in the economy.
電気は経済の血液である。安価な電力の安定供給を回復しない限り、安定成長は難しい。
In that sense, it is natural for the administration to have clarified in the growth strategy that the “entire government will make maximum efforts” to reactive idle nuclear reactors after their safety is confirmed.
安全を確認できた原発の再稼働に「政府一丸となって最大限取り組む」との方針を、成長戦略に明記したのは当然である。
The government must take the initiative to explain the necessity of this policy to local governments hosting nuclear power plants and make its utmost effort to realize a stable supply of electricity.
政府は率先して立地自治体の説得にあたり、電力安定供給の実現に全力を挙げるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 6, 2013)
（2013年6月6日01時21分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 6, 2013
Expectations high for men's soccer team after clinching World Cup berth
Ｗ杯出場決定 いざブラジルへ高まる期待（6月5日付・読売社説）
It is great to see Japan’s national soccer team secure a World Cup berth for the fifth consecutive time. We are looking forward to seeing how the national team players will fare in the big event one year from now.
５大会連続でのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）出場を喜びたい。
１年後の大舞台で選手たちは、どのようなプレーを見せてくれるのか。今から楽しみだ。
It was the first time ever for Japan to secure a World Cup berth in a home game. The elated team members shared their jubilance with more than 60,000 cheering spectators at a packed Saitama Stadium. It was a moving scene that could only be seen at a home game.
Japan tied with Australia 1-1 on Tuesday in the final round of World Cup qualifiers, winning a ticket to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
サッカーの２０１４年Ｗ杯ブラジル大会アジア最終予選で、日本はオーストラリアと引き分け、本大会出場の切符を手にした。
国内で行われた試合でＷ杯出場を決めたのは、今回が初めてだ。埼玉スタジアムを埋めた６万人以上のサポーターと選手は、喜びを分かち合った。ホームゲームならではの感動的な光景だった。
Japanese first qualified for the World Cup in 1998 held in France--a feat the team had been struggling to accomplish for many years.
日本代表がＷ杯初出場を果たしたのは、１９９８年のフランス大会だ。日本サッカー界の長年の悲願だった。
Since then, Japan has won a berth in the finals for Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. It qualified automatically for the 2002 event because it was one of that year’s two cohosts, along with South Korea.
以来、開催国として予選が免除された２００２年の日韓大会を除き、０６年ドイツ大会、１０年南アフリカ大会、そして、今回もアジア予選を見事に勝ち上がった。
J.League serves as springboard
This means the squad has maintained its top-tier status in Asia, which can be attributed to the team’s expanded player depth and smooth introduction of younger, up-and-coming players.
日本代表は、アジアの中でトップクラスの実力を維持し続けているということだ。選手層に厚みが増し、世代交代が比較的、順調に進んだ結果でもあるだろう。
A springboard for Japan’s national team has been J.League, which marked the 20th anniversary of its inception this year. J.League players have intensely competed for their survival in the glamorous but highly competitive professional league.
日本のサッカーが躍進する土台となったのは、今年で発足２０年を迎えたＪリーグだ。華やかながらも、競争の激しいプロリーグで、選手たちは生き残りをかけ、しのぎを削ってきた。
An increasing number of successful J.League players have opted to play for teams overseas, which has helped them develop their agility, techniques and other qualities in demanding environments. Such a trend has surely raised Japan’s level of soccer.
Ｊリーグで実績を残した選手は、海外のクラブに移籍するようになった。より高いレベルの技を要求される中で、選手はもまれ、さらに力を付ける。こうした流れが、日本サッカー全体の底上げにつながったと言える。
Players belonging to foreign clubs have become a majority on the national team. Among them, Keisuke Honda, Makoto Hasebe and Yuto Nagatomo--who spearheaded the team’s advance to the Round of 16 of the last World Cup--now lead the team.
現在の代表チームを見ても、海外組が多数を占める。中でも、本田圭佑、長谷部誠、長友佑都選手ら、前回Ｗ杯でベスト１６入りの原動力となったメンバーが、今回もチームを引っ張っている。
Honda, who slotted the penalty kick that leveled the score against Australia on Tuesday night, displayed outstanding mental strength. Shinji Kagawa, who was not selected for the national team in the last World Cup, has developed into a core member.
豪州戦で同点のＰＫを決めた本田選手の精神力は見事だった。
前回は代表メンバーから漏れた香川真司選手は今や、日本代表の中核にまで成長した。
Fancy footsteps to follow in
Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national soccer team, became World Cup champions two years ago. The achievement, which stirred up the entire nation, must have served as an impetus for the men’s squad.
女子の日本代表（なでしこジャパン）は２年前にＷ杯を制した。国中が沸き立ったあの快挙は、男子選手にとっても大きな刺激となったはずだ。
Japan’s defense and organizational skills proved to be sufficient in the last World Cup. The challenge for now is scoring. We hope the Japanese side will be strong enough to miss no scoring opportunities.
日本代表の守備力、組織力は、前回Ｗ杯でも十分に通用した。課題はやはり、得点力だろう。本大会までに、チャンスを逃さずものにする力を蓄えてほしい。
If each player does what is required of him, it is not unthinkable that Japan could reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the World Cup next year.
選手一人一人が、自らの役割を確実に果たせば、Ｗ杯で初のベスト８入りが見えてくる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 5, 2013)
（2013年6月5日01時26分 読売新聞）
Expectations high for men's soccer team after clinching World Cup berth
Ｗ杯出場決定 いざブラジルへ高まる期待（6月5日付・読売社説）
It is great to see Japan’s national soccer team secure a World Cup berth for the fifth consecutive time. We are looking forward to seeing how the national team players will fare in the big event one year from now.
５大会連続でのワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）出場を喜びたい。
１年後の大舞台で選手たちは、どのようなプレーを見せてくれるのか。今から楽しみだ。
It was the first time ever for Japan to secure a World Cup berth in a home game. The elated team members shared their jubilance with more than 60,000 cheering spectators at a packed Saitama Stadium. It was a moving scene that could only be seen at a home game.
Japan tied with Australia 1-1 on Tuesday in the final round of World Cup qualifiers, winning a ticket to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
サッカーの２０１４年Ｗ杯ブラジル大会アジア最終予選で、日本はオーストラリアと引き分け、本大会出場の切符を手にした。
国内で行われた試合でＷ杯出場を決めたのは、今回が初めてだ。埼玉スタジアムを埋めた６万人以上のサポーターと選手は、喜びを分かち合った。ホームゲームならではの感動的な光景だった。
Japanese first qualified for the World Cup in 1998 held in France--a feat the team had been struggling to accomplish for many years.
日本代表がＷ杯初出場を果たしたのは、１９９８年のフランス大会だ。日本サッカー界の長年の悲願だった。
Since then, Japan has won a berth in the finals for Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. It qualified automatically for the 2002 event because it was one of that year’s two cohosts, along with South Korea.
以来、開催国として予選が免除された２００２年の日韓大会を除き、０６年ドイツ大会、１０年南アフリカ大会、そして、今回もアジア予選を見事に勝ち上がった。
J.League serves as springboard
This means the squad has maintained its top-tier status in Asia, which can be attributed to the team’s expanded player depth and smooth introduction of younger, up-and-coming players.
日本代表は、アジアの中でトップクラスの実力を維持し続けているということだ。選手層に厚みが増し、世代交代が比較的、順調に進んだ結果でもあるだろう。
A springboard for Japan’s national team has been J.League, which marked the 20th anniversary of its inception this year. J.League players have intensely competed for their survival in the glamorous but highly competitive professional league.
日本のサッカーが躍進する土台となったのは、今年で発足２０年を迎えたＪリーグだ。華やかながらも、競争の激しいプロリーグで、選手たちは生き残りをかけ、しのぎを削ってきた。
An increasing number of successful J.League players have opted to play for teams overseas, which has helped them develop their agility, techniques and other qualities in demanding environments. Such a trend has surely raised Japan’s level of soccer.
Ｊリーグで実績を残した選手は、海外のクラブに移籍するようになった。より高いレベルの技を要求される中で、選手はもまれ、さらに力を付ける。こうした流れが、日本サッカー全体の底上げにつながったと言える。
Players belonging to foreign clubs have become a majority on the national team. Among them, Keisuke Honda, Makoto Hasebe and Yuto Nagatomo--who spearheaded the team’s advance to the Round of 16 of the last World Cup--now lead the team.
現在の代表チームを見ても、海外組が多数を占める。中でも、本田圭佑、長谷部誠、長友佑都選手ら、前回Ｗ杯でベスト１６入りの原動力となったメンバーが、今回もチームを引っ張っている。
Honda, who slotted the penalty kick that leveled the score against Australia on Tuesday night, displayed outstanding mental strength. Shinji Kagawa, who was not selected for the national team in the last World Cup, has developed into a core member.
豪州戦で同点のＰＫを決めた本田選手の精神力は見事だった。
前回は代表メンバーから漏れた香川真司選手は今や、日本代表の中核にまで成長した。
Fancy footsteps to follow in
Nadeshiko Japan, the women’s national soccer team, became World Cup champions two years ago. The achievement, which stirred up the entire nation, must have served as an impetus for the men’s squad.
女子の日本代表（なでしこジャパン）は２年前にＷ杯を制した。国中が沸き立ったあの快挙は、男子選手にとっても大きな刺激となったはずだ。
Japan’s defense and organizational skills proved to be sufficient in the last World Cup. The challenge for now is scoring. We hope the Japanese side will be strong enough to miss no scoring opportunities.
日本代表の守備力、組織力は、前回Ｗ杯でも十分に通用した。課題はやはり、得点力だろう。本大会までに、チャンスを逃さずものにする力を蓄えてほしい。
If each player does what is required of him, it is not unthinkable that Japan could reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the World Cup next year.
選手一人一人が、自らの役割を確実に果たせば、Ｗ杯で初のベスト８入りが見えてくる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 5, 2013)
（2013年6月5日01時26分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 5, 2013
Not so fast on introduction of 'limited regular employees'
限定正社員 制度導入への課題はなお多い（6月4日付・読売社説）
Will it be a step toward expanding employment and better allocating human resources to growth areas?
雇用を拡大し、成長分野に人材を振り向ける一助になるだろうか。
The government’s Regulatory Reform Council is set to propose that so-called “gentei sei-shain” (limited regular corporate employees) be systemized as part of the nation’s growth strategies.
政府の規制改革会議は成長戦略の一環として、「限定正社員」の制度化を答申する方針だ。
These employees would be limited in the types of duties they could perform, work locations and working hours. Just like full-fledged regular employees, workers holding this position would be covered by corporate welfare benefit programs and would not be subject to a set period of employment. These workers also are called “job-based” regular employees, which are common in the United States and Europe.
限定正社員は、職務や勤務地、労働時間が限定されている。正社員と同様、福利厚生が受けられ、雇用期間にも定めがない。「ジョブ型正社員」とも言われ、欧米では一般的である。
Although limited regular employees would be paid less than regular workers, their job status is considered more stable than that of nonregular employees. This category is expected to enable workers, who spend a considerable amount of time on child-rearing and nursing care, to choose a way to work that better fits their wishes.
正社員より賃金は低いが、非正規社員に比べると、身分は安定していると言える。子育てや介護を抱える人は、自分の希望にあった働き方を選択できる。
Firms would also benefit
Many companies have introduced similar systems. But employment rules for such workers have not necessarily been established yet.
こうした雇用形態を採用している企業は多いが、必ずしも雇用ルールは確立されていない。
Institutionalizing limited regular workers is expected to bring nonregular employees, who now account for 35 percent of Japan’s workforce, a step closer to regular workers. The growing number of nonregular employees, whose salary is low and who can easily be shown the door during corporate restructuring, is considered a factor behind the nation’s sluggish consumption.
限定正社員を制度化することで期待されるのは、雇用者全体の３５％に膨らんだ非正規雇用が正規雇用に近づく一歩となることだ。給料が低く、リストラの対象にされやすい非正規雇用の増大は、消費低迷の要因とされている。
If work duties are limited to certain areas, employees’ specialized fields would be clarified. Some could utilize the system to build their careers, and it could be an advantage if they change jobs.
職務が限定されれば、従業員の仕事の専門性が明確になる。人によってはキャリアを積むことができ、転職の際に強みになろう。
Furthermore, if the system of limited regular employees takes root, it would benefit companies. When companies shut down some outlets or abolish certain job categories whose objectives have been completed, they could dismiss those employees more easily than regular workers, whose employment would be protected through such steps as transfers to different departments.
一方、限定正社員制度が定着した場合、企業側にもメリットがある。役割を終えた事業所の閉鎖や職種の廃止に踏み切る際に、配置転換などで雇用が保護される正社員とは違って解雇しやすい。
The envisaged system would remedy the current situation in which unprofitable divisions groan under an excess of workers.
不採算部門に余剰人員を抱え込む現状の改善につながる。
But many challenges remain before the new position can be institutionalized. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) has taken umbrage with the fact that the limited regular employee system is being studied to ease rules covering worker dismissal. The labor organization has voiced opposition, saying that companies could fire employees just for their own convenience when factories or offices are shuttered. It denounced the system as “a liberalization of policies on firing workers.”
だが、制度化への課題は多い。連合は、限定正社員が解雇規制の緩和という側面で検討されたことを問題視し、「工場や事業所の閉鎖に伴い、企業が勝手に社員を解雇できる」「首切りへの自由化策だ」と反発している。
Clear rules needed
Many companies are worried about the increasing risk of facing a lawsuit over staff dismissals.
企業にとっては、解雇を巡る訴訟リスクの増加も懸念材料だ。
The Regulatory Reform Council is calling on the government to establish clear rules on such matters as in what cases companies could dismiss limited regular employees.
規制改革会議は、どのような場合に解雇できるか、といったルール作りについて、政府に結論を出すことを求めている。
We think the envisaged system should not be allowed to facilitate easy restructuring, which would rather destabilize the employment situation.
安易なリストラを助長し、かえって雇用の不安定化を招くような事態は避けるべきである。
How can shifting labor from structurally depressed industries to growth industries be promoted without increasing unemployment? Crafting a highly fluid labor market is essential for the revival of the nation’s economy.
失業を増やさずに、構造不況業種から成長産業へ、いかに労働力の移動を図るか。流動性の高い労働市場を形成することが、日本経済の再生には欠かせない。
To help laid-off workers find new careers, the government and companies also need to strengthen job placement and training services.
従業員が解雇された際の再就職を支援するため、政府や企業は就職先のあっせんや職業訓練にも力を入れる必要があろう。
We hope discussions will deepen from broad viewpoints, not only regarding employment but also including economic growth and the international competitiveness of Japan’s industries.
雇用だけでなく、経済成長や産業の国際競争力など幅広い観点から議論を深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2013)
（2013年6月4日01時12分 読売新聞）
Not so fast on introduction of 'limited regular employees'
限定正社員 制度導入への課題はなお多い（6月4日付・読売社説）
Will it be a step toward expanding employment and better allocating human resources to growth areas?
雇用を拡大し、成長分野に人材を振り向ける一助になるだろうか。
The government’s Regulatory Reform Council is set to propose that so-called “gentei sei-shain” (limited regular corporate employees) be systemized as part of the nation’s growth strategies.
政府の規制改革会議は成長戦略の一環として、「限定正社員」の制度化を答申する方針だ。
These employees would be limited in the types of duties they could perform, work locations and working hours. Just like full-fledged regular employees, workers holding this position would be covered by corporate welfare benefit programs and would not be subject to a set period of employment. These workers also are called “job-based” regular employees, which are common in the United States and Europe.
限定正社員は、職務や勤務地、労働時間が限定されている。正社員と同様、福利厚生が受けられ、雇用期間にも定めがない。「ジョブ型正社員」とも言われ、欧米では一般的である。
Although limited regular employees would be paid less than regular workers, their job status is considered more stable than that of nonregular employees. This category is expected to enable workers, who spend a considerable amount of time on child-rearing and nursing care, to choose a way to work that better fits their wishes.
正社員より賃金は低いが、非正規社員に比べると、身分は安定していると言える。子育てや介護を抱える人は、自分の希望にあった働き方を選択できる。
Firms would also benefit
Many companies have introduced similar systems. But employment rules for such workers have not necessarily been established yet.
こうした雇用形態を採用している企業は多いが、必ずしも雇用ルールは確立されていない。
Institutionalizing limited regular workers is expected to bring nonregular employees, who now account for 35 percent of Japan’s workforce, a step closer to regular workers. The growing number of nonregular employees, whose salary is low and who can easily be shown the door during corporate restructuring, is considered a factor behind the nation’s sluggish consumption.
限定正社員を制度化することで期待されるのは、雇用者全体の３５％に膨らんだ非正規雇用が正規雇用に近づく一歩となることだ。給料が低く、リストラの対象にされやすい非正規雇用の増大は、消費低迷の要因とされている。
If work duties are limited to certain areas, employees’ specialized fields would be clarified. Some could utilize the system to build their careers, and it could be an advantage if they change jobs.
職務が限定されれば、従業員の仕事の専門性が明確になる。人によってはキャリアを積むことができ、転職の際に強みになろう。
Furthermore, if the system of limited regular employees takes root, it would benefit companies. When companies shut down some outlets or abolish certain job categories whose objectives have been completed, they could dismiss those employees more easily than regular workers, whose employment would be protected through such steps as transfers to different departments.
一方、限定正社員制度が定着した場合、企業側にもメリットがある。役割を終えた事業所の閉鎖や職種の廃止に踏み切る際に、配置転換などで雇用が保護される正社員とは違って解雇しやすい。
The envisaged system would remedy the current situation in which unprofitable divisions groan under an excess of workers.
不採算部門に余剰人員を抱え込む現状の改善につながる。
But many challenges remain before the new position can be institutionalized. The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo) has taken umbrage with the fact that the limited regular employee system is being studied to ease rules covering worker dismissal. The labor organization has voiced opposition, saying that companies could fire employees just for their own convenience when factories or offices are shuttered. It denounced the system as “a liberalization of policies on firing workers.”
だが、制度化への課題は多い。連合は、限定正社員が解雇規制の緩和という側面で検討されたことを問題視し、「工場や事業所の閉鎖に伴い、企業が勝手に社員を解雇できる」「首切りへの自由化策だ」と反発している。
Clear rules needed
Many companies are worried about the increasing risk of facing a lawsuit over staff dismissals.
企業にとっては、解雇を巡る訴訟リスクの増加も懸念材料だ。
The Regulatory Reform Council is calling on the government to establish clear rules on such matters as in what cases companies could dismiss limited regular employees.
規制改革会議は、どのような場合に解雇できるか、といったルール作りについて、政府に結論を出すことを求めている。
We think the envisaged system should not be allowed to facilitate easy restructuring, which would rather destabilize the employment situation.
安易なリストラを助長し、かえって雇用の不安定化を招くような事態は避けるべきである。
How can shifting labor from structurally depressed industries to growth industries be promoted without increasing unemployment? Crafting a highly fluid labor market is essential for the revival of the nation’s economy.
失業を増やさずに、構造不況業種から成長産業へ、いかに労働力の移動を図るか。流動性の高い労働市場を形成することが、日本経済の再生には欠かせない。
To help laid-off workers find new careers, the government and companies also need to strengthen job placement and training services.
従業員が解雇された際の再就職を支援するため、政府や企業は就職先のあっせんや職業訓練にも力を入れる必要があろう。
We hope discussions will deepen from broad viewpoints, not only regarding employment but also including economic growth and the international competitiveness of Japan’s industries.
雇用だけでなく、経済成長や産業の国際競争力など幅広い観点から議論を深めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 4, 2013)
（2013年6月4日01時12分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 4, 2013
Work with locals to enhance effect of Japan's PKO in South Sudan
南スーダン支援 地元連携で効果的なＰＫＯに（6月3日付・読売社説）
It is important for Japan to adopt a strategy that enhances the effectiveness of its contribution to U.N. peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, by closely cooperating with local people.
地元の住民と緊密に連携し、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の効果を高める戦略が重要である。
The government has decided to extend the area of engagement by the Ground Self-Defense Force engineering unit taking part in the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
政府が、国連南スーダン派遣団（ＵＮＭＩＳＳ）に参加している陸上自衛隊の施設部隊の活動地域を拡大することを決定した。
Since January last year, about 330 personnel of the unit have been improving major trunk roads and an airstrip in the capital Juba, which is in Central Equatoria State. After Bangladeshi units pull out of Eastern and Western Equatoria shortly, the GSDF unit will also operate in these two states.
陸自部隊の約３３０人は昨年１月以降、中央エクアトリア州にある首都ジュバで道路や空港を整備している。バングラデシュ軍が近く東・西エクアトリア州から撤退した後、両州でも活動する。
The GSDF engineers have withdrawn from the Golan Heights in the Middle East and Haiti, leaving South Sudan as the only country where the unit is engaged in peacekeeping operations.
陸自は中東・ゴラン高原とハイチから撤収し、現在は南スーダンが唯一のＰＫＯだ。
Unit stars in engineering
Extending the unit’s area of engagement is quite appropriate for enhancing Japan’s presence in and reinforcing ties with Africa, which is expected to grow markedly in the future.
今後の成長が期待されるアフリカでの日本の存在感を高め、関係を強化するうえで、活動地域の拡大は妥当だ。
China, South Korea and India also have dispatched engineering units to South Sudan. In northern South Sudan, where the units of these three Asian nations conduct their peacekeeping activities, rebel forces still operate actively. In April, rebels attacked a U.N. convoy and killed 12 people, including five Indian peacekeepers escorting the convoy.
南スーダンには中国、韓国、インドも施設部隊を派遣している。３か国が活動する北部の州は、反政府勢力の活動が活発だ。４月にＰＫＯの車両が襲撃され、インド兵５人を含む１２人が死亡した。
The public security situation is relatively stable in the three southern states where the GSDF unit will operate. Nonetheless, it is necessary to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of the unit by, for instance, constantly gathering information on the movements of rebel forces.
日本が活動する南部３州は、治安が比較的安定している。だが、反政府勢力の動向の情報収集に努めるなど、部隊の安全確保に引き続き注意する必要がある。
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011, but little progress has been made in its nation-building efforts. From May to October, heavy rainfall makes roads impassable in many areas. Therefore, it is hugely significant that the GSDF unit is helping to improve a road network that will serve as a foundation for that country’s economic development.
南スーダンは２０１１年７月に独立し、国造りはまだ進んでいない。５～１０月は激しい雨期で、道路が各地で寸断される。経済開発の基盤となる国内の交通網整備に陸自が貢献する意義は大きい。
The unit has achieved tangible results in repairing and improving roads--its specialty area--in such nations as Cambodia and East Timor. The unit has earned a reputation for its precise and diligent work. Its attention to detail includes adjusting the camber of a road and the width of side gutters in line with rainfall of a specific area.
陸自の施設部隊は、カンボジア、東ティモールなどのＰＫＯで実績を上げており、得意分野だ。道路に勾配をつけ、雨量に応じて側溝幅を調節するなど、きめ細かで堅実な仕事ぶりには定評がある。
The important thing is for the unit to have numerous dialogues with local people to accurately grasp their true needs. This will enhance the effect of Japan’s assistance.
大切なのは、現地住民と対話を重ね、ニーズを正確に把握し、支援の効果を高めることだ。
The GSDF unit began building a 1.7-kilometer community road in Juba in February. The unit proposed this project to the UNMISS after actively determining what locals need and want. The road is funded from about 84 million yen of grassroots grant aid of Japan’s official development assistance, which is used to procure necessary materials.
陸自は今年２月、ジュバ市内で１・７キロの生活道路の整備を始めた。住民の要望を積極的に聞き取り、国連に提案した事業で、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の草の根無償資金協力約８４００万円を活用し、資材を調達している。
Think outside the box
The GSDF’s reconstruction activities in postwar Iraq were made in cooperation with locals, and were highly praised. We hope such assistance will be expanded.
イラク復興支援でも、地元と連携した活動は高く評価された。こうした支援を拡充したい。
The Foreign Ministry, for its part, must think hard about how to enhance the synergic effects of Japan’s official development assistance and peacekeeping operations. This might involve extending not only small-scale grant aid but also larger-scale assistance, such as the improvement of facilities, in tandem with the GSDF unit’s operations.
外務省も、小規模な無償支援に限らず、施設整備など、より大型の援助を陸自の活動と連動させ、ＯＤＡとＰＫＯの相乗効果を高めることに知恵を絞るべきだ。
The GSDF has dispatched three majors, including intelligence staff, to UNMISS headquarters. For Japan to have a bigger say in peacekeeping operations, it will be necessary to dispatch higher-ranking SDF officers and have them placed in posts higher up the chain of command.
陸自は、ＵＮＭＩＳＳ司令部に情報幕僚など３人の３佐を派遣している。日本がＰＫＯ分野で発言力を強めるには、より高位の自衛官を派遣し、幹部ポストを確保することが課題となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 3, 2013)
（2013年6月3日01時17分 読売新聞）
Work with locals to enhance effect of Japan's PKO in South Sudan
南スーダン支援 地元連携で効果的なＰＫＯに（6月3日付・読売社説）
It is important for Japan to adopt a strategy that enhances the effectiveness of its contribution to U.N. peacekeeping operations in South Sudan, by closely cooperating with local people.
地元の住民と緊密に連携し、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の効果を高める戦略が重要である。
The government has decided to extend the area of engagement by the Ground Self-Defense Force engineering unit taking part in the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).
政府が、国連南スーダン派遣団（ＵＮＭＩＳＳ）に参加している陸上自衛隊の施設部隊の活動地域を拡大することを決定した。
Since January last year, about 330 personnel of the unit have been improving major trunk roads and an airstrip in the capital Juba, which is in Central Equatoria State. After Bangladeshi units pull out of Eastern and Western Equatoria shortly, the GSDF unit will also operate in these two states.
陸自部隊の約３３０人は昨年１月以降、中央エクアトリア州にある首都ジュバで道路や空港を整備している。バングラデシュ軍が近く東・西エクアトリア州から撤退した後、両州でも活動する。
The GSDF engineers have withdrawn from the Golan Heights in the Middle East and Haiti, leaving South Sudan as the only country where the unit is engaged in peacekeeping operations.
陸自は中東・ゴラン高原とハイチから撤収し、現在は南スーダンが唯一のＰＫＯだ。
Unit stars in engineering
Extending the unit’s area of engagement is quite appropriate for enhancing Japan’s presence in and reinforcing ties with Africa, which is expected to grow markedly in the future.
今後の成長が期待されるアフリカでの日本の存在感を高め、関係を強化するうえで、活動地域の拡大は妥当だ。
China, South Korea and India also have dispatched engineering units to South Sudan. In northern South Sudan, where the units of these three Asian nations conduct their peacekeeping activities, rebel forces still operate actively. In April, rebels attacked a U.N. convoy and killed 12 people, including five Indian peacekeepers escorting the convoy.
南スーダンには中国、韓国、インドも施設部隊を派遣している。３か国が活動する北部の州は、反政府勢力の活動が活発だ。４月にＰＫＯの車両が襲撃され、インド兵５人を含む１２人が死亡した。
The public security situation is relatively stable in the three southern states where the GSDF unit will operate. Nonetheless, it is necessary to remain vigilant to ensure the safety of the unit by, for instance, constantly gathering information on the movements of rebel forces.
日本が活動する南部３州は、治安が比較的安定している。だが、反政府勢力の動向の情報収集に努めるなど、部隊の安全確保に引き続き注意する必要がある。
South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011, but little progress has been made in its nation-building efforts. From May to October, heavy rainfall makes roads impassable in many areas. Therefore, it is hugely significant that the GSDF unit is helping to improve a road network that will serve as a foundation for that country’s economic development.
南スーダンは２０１１年７月に独立し、国造りはまだ進んでいない。５～１０月は激しい雨期で、道路が各地で寸断される。経済開発の基盤となる国内の交通網整備に陸自が貢献する意義は大きい。
The unit has achieved tangible results in repairing and improving roads--its specialty area--in such nations as Cambodia and East Timor. The unit has earned a reputation for its precise and diligent work. Its attention to detail includes adjusting the camber of a road and the width of side gutters in line with rainfall of a specific area.
陸自の施設部隊は、カンボジア、東ティモールなどのＰＫＯで実績を上げており、得意分野だ。道路に勾配をつけ、雨量に応じて側溝幅を調節するなど、きめ細かで堅実な仕事ぶりには定評がある。
The important thing is for the unit to have numerous dialogues with local people to accurately grasp their true needs. This will enhance the effect of Japan’s assistance.
大切なのは、現地住民と対話を重ね、ニーズを正確に把握し、支援の効果を高めることだ。
The GSDF unit began building a 1.7-kilometer community road in Juba in February. The unit proposed this project to the UNMISS after actively determining what locals need and want. The road is funded from about 84 million yen of grassroots grant aid of Japan’s official development assistance, which is used to procure necessary materials.
陸自は今年２月、ジュバ市内で１・７キロの生活道路の整備を始めた。住民の要望を積極的に聞き取り、国連に提案した事業で、政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の草の根無償資金協力約８４００万円を活用し、資材を調達している。
Think outside the box
The GSDF’s reconstruction activities in postwar Iraq were made in cooperation with locals, and were highly praised. We hope such assistance will be expanded.
イラク復興支援でも、地元と連携した活動は高く評価された。こうした支援を拡充したい。
The Foreign Ministry, for its part, must think hard about how to enhance the synergic effects of Japan’s official development assistance and peacekeeping operations. This might involve extending not only small-scale grant aid but also larger-scale assistance, such as the improvement of facilities, in tandem with the GSDF unit’s operations.
外務省も、小規模な無償支援に限らず、施設整備など、より大型の援助を陸自の活動と連動させ、ＯＤＡとＰＫＯの相乗効果を高めることに知恵を絞るべきだ。
The GSDF has dispatched three majors, including intelligence staff, to UNMISS headquarters. For Japan to have a bigger say in peacekeeping operations, it will be necessary to dispatch higher-ranking SDF officers and have them placed in posts higher up the chain of command.
陸自は、ＵＮＭＩＳＳ司令部に情報幕僚など３人の３佐を派遣している。日本がＰＫＯ分野で発言力を強めるには、より高位の自衛官を派遣し、幹部ポストを確保することが課題となろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 3, 2013)
（2013年6月3日01時17分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 3, 2013
TICAD 5: Opportunity to expand Africa aid that shows Japanese flag
アフリカ会議 日本の顔見える支援拡大せよ（6月2日付・読売社説）
The fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 5), a summit meeting of Japanese and African leaders, began Saturday in Yokohama. It is a wonderful opportunity for Japan to strengthen its partnership with Africa, an emerging continent.
日本とアフリカの首脳級会合である「第５回アフリカ開発会議（ＴＩＣＡＤ５）」が１日、横浜市で開幕した。“成長大陸”アフリカと連携を強化する絶好の機会だ。
The conference is held every five years, and representatives from 51 of Africa’s 54 countries are attending TICAD 5.
５年に１度の会合で、今回はアフリカ５１か国が出席した。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at the meeting that Japan and Africa have become partners who are helping each other grow. He also pledged to provide Africa with up to 3.2 trillion yen in aid from the private and public sectors over the next five years. The amount will include 1.4 trillion yen in official development assistance, the prime minister said.
安倍首相は、「互いに成長し合う仲間になった」と述べ、官民連携により、今後５年間で最大３・２兆円をアフリカに支援すると表明した。１・４兆円は政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）を充てる。
A wealth of resources
Africa is rich in natural resources, and its annual growth rate remains high at 5 percent or more. The continent has a population of about 1 billion and is a promising market in which the number of middle-income people is increasing.
アフリカは天然資源が豊富で、５％台の高成長が続く。人口は１０億人と多く、中間所得層が増加する有望市場である。
However, electricity shortages remain a serious problem in Africa, and underdeveloped infrastructure such as roads, ports and railways is also a challenge.
一方、電力不足は深刻だ。道路、港湾、鉄道などインフラ整備の遅れも課題と言える。
Africa has high expectations of Japan. We agree with the government’s plan to expand aid and investment for Africa in cooperation with trading houses, manufacturers and other private companies.
アフリカの日本への期待は大きい。商社、メーカーなど民間企業と足並みをそろえ、アフリカへの支援や投資を拡大しようとする政府の狙いは妥当だ。
The growth strategy of Abenomics will be boosted if Japan can promote development of natural resources in Africa such as natural gas, which are essential for the country, and speed up the export of infrastructure to African countries.
日本に不可欠な天然ガスなどの資源開発を促進したり、インフラ輸出を加速したりできれば、経済政策「アベノミクス」の成長戦略にも弾みをつけよう。
Be wary of China’s moves
However, Japan must be cautious about China’s moves on the African continent, where it is stepping up its presence.
警戒しなければならないのは、アフリカでの存在感を増大させている中国の動きである。
Beijing has been sending its leaders to African countries one after another and rapidly increasing loans and investment on the continent.
中国は、首脳らが相次いでアフリカを訪問し、アフリカ向けの融資や投資を急拡大している。
China last year announced it would extend a total of 20 billion dollars in loans to African nations over three years, but the reality on the ground is not clear. We cannot ignore China’s policy toward Africa, which is noticeably aimed at monopolizing natural resources there while focusing only on China’s own interests.
昨年、「３年間で２００億ドル融資」という新たな方針を表明したが、実態は不透明だ。資源囲い込みや自国の利益を最優先する姿勢が目立つ点も看過できない。
Abe pledged at the conference to visit Africa as soon as possible. We think it is appropriate for the prime minister to lead Japan’s policy for Africa to vie with Beijing.
安倍首相は、できるだけ早期にアフリカを訪問する意向も表明した。中国に対抗し、首相が先頭に立つことは適切だろう。
It is important for Japan to help Africa become more self-reliant and to build a mutually beneficial friendship with it through aid that shows the Japanese flag.
重要なのは、「日本の顔が見える支援」を通じてアフリカの自立を促し、互いに利益になる良好な関係を築くことである。
Africa is still suffering from poverty and diseases such as AIDS. Japan should help Africans boost their agricultural productivity to alleviate poverty by teaching them Japanese skills to grow more rice.
アフリカは貧困や、エイズなど疾病の問題を抱える。コメ作り支援で農業の生産性を高め、貧困を減らす方策を強化すべきだ。
The government should take strategy measures to help Africa that only Japan can do, by making effective use of its ODA. Such measures include supporting human resource development programs by helping 30,000 people find jobs and promoting transfer of technology.
３万人の就業支援による人材育成や、技術移転を後押しするなど、ＯＤＡを有効に活用する日本ならではの戦略が求められる。
In Algeria, a hostage crisis involving Japanese nationals took place in January, and security continues to deteriorate in some parts of Africa. We think the governments of African countries should take the initiative in developing an environment in which Japanese companies will find it easy to invest.
１月にアルジェリアで人質事件が起きた。一部では依然、治安が悪化している。政府の主導で、日本企業が投資しやすい環境を整備することが急務だ。
The government should not forget that it is significant for Japan, which aims to reform the U.N. Security Council, to expand the foundations of its diplomacy in a way that will redound to the country’s benefit as it enhances its ties with African nations.
国連安全保障理事会の改革を目指す日本にとって、アフリカとの関係強化で外交基盤を拡大する意義も忘れてはなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2013)
（2013年6月2日02時23分 読売新聞）
TICAD 5: Opportunity to expand Africa aid that shows Japanese flag
アフリカ会議 日本の顔見える支援拡大せよ（6月2日付・読売社説）
The fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 5), a summit meeting of Japanese and African leaders, began Saturday in Yokohama. It is a wonderful opportunity for Japan to strengthen its partnership with Africa, an emerging continent.
日本とアフリカの首脳級会合である「第５回アフリカ開発会議（ＴＩＣＡＤ５）」が１日、横浜市で開幕した。“成長大陸”アフリカと連携を強化する絶好の機会だ。
The conference is held every five years, and representatives from 51 of Africa’s 54 countries are attending TICAD 5.
５年に１度の会合で、今回はアフリカ５１か国が出席した。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at the meeting that Japan and Africa have become partners who are helping each other grow. He also pledged to provide Africa with up to 3.2 trillion yen in aid from the private and public sectors over the next five years. The amount will include 1.4 trillion yen in official development assistance, the prime minister said.
安倍首相は、「互いに成長し合う仲間になった」と述べ、官民連携により、今後５年間で最大３・２兆円をアフリカに支援すると表明した。１・４兆円は政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）を充てる。
A wealth of resources
Africa is rich in natural resources, and its annual growth rate remains high at 5 percent or more. The continent has a population of about 1 billion and is a promising market in which the number of middle-income people is increasing.
アフリカは天然資源が豊富で、５％台の高成長が続く。人口は１０億人と多く、中間所得層が増加する有望市場である。
However, electricity shortages remain a serious problem in Africa, and underdeveloped infrastructure such as roads, ports and railways is also a challenge.
一方、電力不足は深刻だ。道路、港湾、鉄道などインフラ整備の遅れも課題と言える。
Africa has high expectations of Japan. We agree with the government’s plan to expand aid and investment for Africa in cooperation with trading houses, manufacturers and other private companies.
アフリカの日本への期待は大きい。商社、メーカーなど民間企業と足並みをそろえ、アフリカへの支援や投資を拡大しようとする政府の狙いは妥当だ。
The growth strategy of Abenomics will be boosted if Japan can promote development of natural resources in Africa such as natural gas, which are essential for the country, and speed up the export of infrastructure to African countries.
日本に不可欠な天然ガスなどの資源開発を促進したり、インフラ輸出を加速したりできれば、経済政策「アベノミクス」の成長戦略にも弾みをつけよう。
Be wary of China’s moves
However, Japan must be cautious about China’s moves on the African continent, where it is stepping up its presence.
警戒しなければならないのは、アフリカでの存在感を増大させている中国の動きである。
Beijing has been sending its leaders to African countries one after another and rapidly increasing loans and investment on the continent.
中国は、首脳らが相次いでアフリカを訪問し、アフリカ向けの融資や投資を急拡大している。
China last year announced it would extend a total of 20 billion dollars in loans to African nations over three years, but the reality on the ground is not clear. We cannot ignore China’s policy toward Africa, which is noticeably aimed at monopolizing natural resources there while focusing only on China’s own interests.
昨年、「３年間で２００億ドル融資」という新たな方針を表明したが、実態は不透明だ。資源囲い込みや自国の利益を最優先する姿勢が目立つ点も看過できない。
Abe pledged at the conference to visit Africa as soon as possible. We think it is appropriate for the prime minister to lead Japan’s policy for Africa to vie with Beijing.
安倍首相は、できるだけ早期にアフリカを訪問する意向も表明した。中国に対抗し、首相が先頭に立つことは適切だろう。
It is important for Japan to help Africa become more self-reliant and to build a mutually beneficial friendship with it through aid that shows the Japanese flag.
重要なのは、「日本の顔が見える支援」を通じてアフリカの自立を促し、互いに利益になる良好な関係を築くことである。
Africa is still suffering from poverty and diseases such as AIDS. Japan should help Africans boost their agricultural productivity to alleviate poverty by teaching them Japanese skills to grow more rice.
アフリカは貧困や、エイズなど疾病の問題を抱える。コメ作り支援で農業の生産性を高め、貧困を減らす方策を強化すべきだ。
The government should take strategy measures to help Africa that only Japan can do, by making effective use of its ODA. Such measures include supporting human resource development programs by helping 30,000 people find jobs and promoting transfer of technology.
３万人の就業支援による人材育成や、技術移転を後押しするなど、ＯＤＡを有効に活用する日本ならではの戦略が求められる。
In Algeria, a hostage crisis involving Japanese nationals took place in January, and security continues to deteriorate in some parts of Africa. We think the governments of African countries should take the initiative in developing an environment in which Japanese companies will find it easy to invest.
１月にアルジェリアで人質事件が起きた。一部では依然、治安が悪化している。政府の主導で、日本企業が投資しやすい環境を整備することが急務だ。
The government should not forget that it is significant for Japan, which aims to reform the U.N. Security Council, to expand the foundations of its diplomacy in a way that will redound to the country’s benefit as it enhances its ties with African nations.
国連安全保障理事会の改革を目指す日本にとって、アフリカとの関係強化で外交基盤を拡大する意義も忘れてはなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2013)
（2013年6月2日02時23分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 2, 2013
Chinese premier's outrageous claim to Senkakus has no historical grounds
李克強首相発言 歴史を無視した言いがかりだ（6月1日付・読売社説）
Japan needs to strengthen its guard against China’s propaganda, especially in light of that country’s selfish claim of sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
日本は、沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って身勝手な主張を展開する中国の宣伝戦に対する警戒を一段と強める必要がある。
In a speech in the German city of Potsdam on May 26, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 figure under the government of President Xi Jinping, made an apparent reference to the islands, saying, “Territories Japan stole from China must be returned.”
習近平政権ナンバー２の李克強首相が５月２６日、ドイツのポツダムで演説し、尖閣諸島を念頭に、「日本が盗み取った中国の領土は返還されねばならない」との見解を示した。
Japan absolutely cannot accept the claim that the Senkaku Islands are part of China’s territory. It stands to reason that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga rebutted Li’s remarks, saying, “They were comments that completely ignored history.”
尖閣が中国の領土だとする主張は日本として到底受け入れられない。菅官房長官が「あまりにも歴史を無視した発言」と中国を非難したのは当然である。
Referring to the Potsdam Declaration that Japan accepted at the end of World War II, Li said the declaration called on Japan to abide by the Cairo Declaration, which stipulated that Chinese territories “stolen” by Japan--such as the northeastern region, Taiwan and other islands--must be restored to China.
李首相は、第２次大戦終結時に日本が受諾したポツダム宣言について、「日本が盗み取った中国東北地方や台湾などの島嶼(とうしょ)を中国に返還すると規定したカイロ宣言の条項を必ず履行すると指摘している」と語った。
China’s reasoning is that the Senkakus were taken over by Japan during the Sino-Japanese War, and that as long as Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, the islands should be returned to China along with Taiwan. Beijing claims the Senkakus belong to Taiwan.
尖閣は日清戦争中に日本に奪われたもので、日本がポツダム宣言を受諾した以上、尖閣も台湾の付属島嶼として返還されるべきだというのが中国の論法だ。
Beijing’s intention
While there is nothing new in Li’s remarks, why did he make them at the location where the Potsdam Declaration was issued?
李首相の発言に目新しさはないが、なぜポツダム宣言の地で語ったのか。
By asserting that the defeated country Japan has been disrupting the international order since World War II, the Xi administration is apparently trying to convince Europe that there is a territorial dispute to be resolved between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands.
習政権には、敗戦国の日本が第２次大戦後の国際秩序を乱していると主張することで、尖閣を巡って領有権問題があることを欧州にも訴える狙いがあろう。
After confirming that there is no evidence that the Senkakus were under the control of the Qing Dynasty of China, Japan formally incorporated the islands into Okinawa Prefecture after Cabinet approval. This action was taken before Taiwan was ceded to Japan after the Sino-Japanese War.
尖閣諸島は、清国に帰属する根拠がないことを踏まえ、日清戦争後の台湾割譲以前に日本が閣議決定で沖縄県に編入した。台湾に付属する島嶼とする中国側の主張には、歴史的な根拠がない。
China’s claim that the Senkakus are part of Taiwan thus has no historical grounds.
Furthermore, the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which legally demarcated Japan’s territory after World War II, does not include the Senkakus in a list of territories Japan should renounce.
第２次大戦後の日本の領土を法的に確定したサンフランシスコ講和条約に尖閣への言及はない。
Furthermore, the Republic of China (Taiwan), which was recognized as a country by Japan at that time, did not raise the issue of the Senkakus during negotiations that resulted in their peace treaty.
日本が当時承認していた「中華民国」（台湾）は日華平和条約の交渉過程で尖閣を持ち出さなかった。
On top of that, neither the Cairo nor Potsdam declarations mention the Senkaku Islands. These declarations also bear no legally binding power in defining Japan’s postwar territory.
そもそもカイロ、ポツダム両宣言は、尖閣に言及していない。戦後の領土確定に最終的な法的効果があるわけでもない。
For about 75 years since Japan incorporated the Senkakus into its territory, Taiwan and China had never objected to Japan’s control of the islands. This fact also points to a clear contradiction in Li’s reasoning for China’s sovereignty of the islands.
日本が編入してから約７５年間、台湾も中国も日本の領有に異議を唱えなかった。このことからも李首相の論理矛盾は明白である。
Japan needs own appeal
Remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also problematic. Wang rebuffed Suga’s criticism of Beijing’s claim, saying the top Japanese government spokesman should not make comments that betray common sense. We strongly believe it is China that has behaved deviantly.
中国の王毅外相が「常識外れの話をしてはならない」と菅長官に反撃したのも問題だ。常軌を逸しているのは中国の方である。
Li’s remarks in Potsdam came after the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, published an article suggesting the country has sovereignty even over Okinawa Prefecture. These moves are apparently intended to place added pressure on the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
李首相の発言は、共産党機関紙「人民日報」が中国には沖縄県の領有権すらあると示唆する論文を掲載したのに続く安倍政権への新たな揺さぶりといえよう。
The Japanese government should not only call for efforts by all of its diplomatic missions abroad but also use every possible opportunity, such as international conferences, to make Japan’s stance on the islands better known to the world.
日本政府は在外公館を総動員するのは無論、国際会議などあらゆる機会を利用して、日本の立場を積極的に発信すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 1, 2013)
（2013年6月1日01時19分 読売新聞）
Chinese premier's outrageous claim to Senkakus has no historical grounds
李克強首相発言 歴史を無視した言いがかりだ（6月1日付・読売社説）
Japan needs to strengthen its guard against China’s propaganda, especially in light of that country’s selfish claim of sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
日本は、沖縄県・尖閣諸島を巡って身勝手な主張を展開する中国の宣伝戦に対する警戒を一段と強める必要がある。
In a speech in the German city of Potsdam on May 26, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the No. 2 figure under the government of President Xi Jinping, made an apparent reference to the islands, saying, “Territories Japan stole from China must be returned.”
習近平政権ナンバー２の李克強首相が５月２６日、ドイツのポツダムで演説し、尖閣諸島を念頭に、「日本が盗み取った中国の領土は返還されねばならない」との見解を示した。
Japan absolutely cannot accept the claim that the Senkaku Islands are part of China’s territory. It stands to reason that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga rebutted Li’s remarks, saying, “They were comments that completely ignored history.”
尖閣が中国の領土だとする主張は日本として到底受け入れられない。菅官房長官が「あまりにも歴史を無視した発言」と中国を非難したのは当然である。
Referring to the Potsdam Declaration that Japan accepted at the end of World War II, Li said the declaration called on Japan to abide by the Cairo Declaration, which stipulated that Chinese territories “stolen” by Japan--such as the northeastern region, Taiwan and other islands--must be restored to China.
李首相は、第２次大戦終結時に日本が受諾したポツダム宣言について、「日本が盗み取った中国東北地方や台湾などの島嶼(とうしょ)を中国に返還すると規定したカイロ宣言の条項を必ず履行すると指摘している」と語った。
China’s reasoning is that the Senkakus were taken over by Japan during the Sino-Japanese War, and that as long as Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, the islands should be returned to China along with Taiwan. Beijing claims the Senkakus belong to Taiwan.
尖閣は日清戦争中に日本に奪われたもので、日本がポツダム宣言を受諾した以上、尖閣も台湾の付属島嶼として返還されるべきだというのが中国の論法だ。
Beijing’s intention
While there is nothing new in Li’s remarks, why did he make them at the location where the Potsdam Declaration was issued?
李首相の発言に目新しさはないが、なぜポツダム宣言の地で語ったのか。
By asserting that the defeated country Japan has been disrupting the international order since World War II, the Xi administration is apparently trying to convince Europe that there is a territorial dispute to be resolved between Japan and China over the Senkaku Islands.
習政権には、敗戦国の日本が第２次大戦後の国際秩序を乱していると主張することで、尖閣を巡って領有権問題があることを欧州にも訴える狙いがあろう。
After confirming that there is no evidence that the Senkakus were under the control of the Qing Dynasty of China, Japan formally incorporated the islands into Okinawa Prefecture after Cabinet approval. This action was taken before Taiwan was ceded to Japan after the Sino-Japanese War.
尖閣諸島は、清国に帰属する根拠がないことを踏まえ、日清戦争後の台湾割譲以前に日本が閣議決定で沖縄県に編入した。台湾に付属する島嶼とする中国側の主張には、歴史的な根拠がない。
China’s claim that the Senkakus are part of Taiwan thus has no historical grounds.
Furthermore, the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which legally demarcated Japan’s territory after World War II, does not include the Senkakus in a list of territories Japan should renounce.
第２次大戦後の日本の領土を法的に確定したサンフランシスコ講和条約に尖閣への言及はない。
Furthermore, the Republic of China (Taiwan), which was recognized as a country by Japan at that time, did not raise the issue of the Senkakus during negotiations that resulted in their peace treaty.
日本が当時承認していた「中華民国」（台湾）は日華平和条約の交渉過程で尖閣を持ち出さなかった。
On top of that, neither the Cairo nor Potsdam declarations mention the Senkaku Islands. These declarations also bear no legally binding power in defining Japan’s postwar territory.
そもそもカイロ、ポツダム両宣言は、尖閣に言及していない。戦後の領土確定に最終的な法的効果があるわけでもない。
For about 75 years since Japan incorporated the Senkakus into its territory, Taiwan and China had never objected to Japan’s control of the islands. This fact also points to a clear contradiction in Li’s reasoning for China’s sovereignty of the islands.
日本が編入してから約７５年間、台湾も中国も日本の領有に異議を唱えなかった。このことからも李首相の論理矛盾は明白である。
Japan needs own appeal
Remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also problematic. Wang rebuffed Suga’s criticism of Beijing’s claim, saying the top Japanese government spokesman should not make comments that betray common sense. We strongly believe it is China that has behaved deviantly.
中国の王毅外相が「常識外れの話をしてはならない」と菅長官に反撃したのも問題だ。常軌を逸しているのは中国の方である。
Li’s remarks in Potsdam came after the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, published an article suggesting the country has sovereignty even over Okinawa Prefecture. These moves are apparently intended to place added pressure on the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
李首相の発言は、共産党機関紙「人民日報」が中国には沖縄県の領有権すらあると示唆する論文を掲載したのに続く安倍政権への新たな揺さぶりといえよう。
The Japanese government should not only call for efforts by all of its diplomatic missions abroad but also use every possible opportunity, such as international conferences, to make Japan’s stance on the islands better known to the world.
日本政府は在外公館を総動員するのは無論、国際会議などあらゆる機会を利用して、日本の立場を積極的に発信すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 1, 2013)
（2013年6月1日01時19分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun June 1, 2013
Lower and upper houses must be reformed at the same time
選挙制度論議 政治の安定へ衆参同時改革を（5月31日付・読売社説）
◆定数削減競争は大衆迎合だ
Although the current Diet session will end in less than one month, discussions on the comprehensive reform of the electoral system of the House of Representatives remain bogged down.
今国会会期末まで１か月を切ったのに、衆院選挙制度の抜本改革論議は行き詰まったままだ。
There seems to be no desire in either the ruling or opposition camps to reach an agreement on the matter. This indicates that reform of the lower house election system is unlikely to happen before the end of the current Diet session on June 26.
与野党に合意形成の機運がなく、実現はもはや困難な状況にある。
A bill jointly submitted by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito for rezoning lower house electoral districts by slashing five seats in the single-seat constituencies is to become law even if the House of Councillors does not discuss on it, through a second vote in the lower house before the end of the Diet session.
自民、公明両党が国会に提出した、衆院小選挙区定数の「０増５減」を実現する区割り法案は、参院で審議されなくても、衆院で再可決され、成立する見通しだ。
The legislation, however, is nothing but a stopgap measure.
だが、０増５減は、あくまでも緊急避難的な措置に過ぎない。
Now is the time for both blocs to start fresh and renew discussions for realizing comprehensive reform of the lower house election system.
選挙制度の抜本改革を実現するために、与野党は、議論を仕切り直す時期に来ている。
Fears of Diet functions’ decline
◆立法機能低下に懸念
Among factors hampering formulating an accord between the ruling and opposition forces, the biggest is the disagreement over the number of lower house seats to be reduced.
与野党の合意形成を妨げている最大の要因は、衆院議員の定数削減を巡る足並みの乱れだ。
The Democratic Party of Japan has insisted the number of seats, currently 480, be slashed by 80. They argue the parties “must accept some pain” through the seat reduction at a time when they are asking the public to bear the burden of a higher consumption tax.
民主党は、消費増税に国民の理解を得るには国会議員自ら「身を切る」必要があるとして、定数８０の削減を主張している。
The issue of cutting the number of lower house seats, however, has nothing to do with rectifying the current disparity in the value of individual votes between the least and most represented constituencies--the issue behind electoral reform discussions.
しかし、定数削減は、選挙制度改革のきっかけとなった衆院小選挙区の「１票の格差」是正とは無関係である。
If the DPJ feels the need to “accept some pain,” it should focus on such steps as curtailing the annual salaries of Diet members and reducing government subsidies for political parties. These measures would certainly be more effective than reducing the number of lower house legislators.
身を切ると言うなら、歳費や政党交付金を削るべきだろう。その方が効果も大きい。
The LDP is in favor of cutting 30 lower house seats in the proportional representation. This would leave 150 seats, 60 of which would be preferentially allotted to parties other than the top vote-getter. The LDP-envisioned reform plan is apparently in consideration of the wishes of its junior coalition partner Komeito. Can it be considered a fair and adequate electoral system to create preferential seat allocations for medium- and small-sized parties?
自民党は比例定数を３０削減して１５０とし、その中に６０の中小政党優遇枠を設ける考えだ。公明党への配慮だが、中小政党に特別な枠を与えることが公正な制度と言えるのか。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, for their part, have proposed that the number of seats be reduced by 144 and 180, respectively.
日本維新の会は１４４減、みんなの党は１８０減を唱えている。
It is almost as if the parties are vying for public attention simply over the extent of seat reduction.
削減幅を競うかのようである。
The fact that the parties seem to have found it effective to curry public favor merely by advocating a larger reduction in the number of lower house seats is deplorable, as these tactics smack of populism. The issue of reducing lower house seats must be discussed separately from the task of reforming the electoral system.
国会議員を減らせば国民に歓迎されると政党が考えていること自体、大衆迎合主義的な発想で嘆かわしい。定数削減は選挙制度と切り離して議論する必要がある。
It is worth noting that the number of Japan’s legislators is relatively low compared with other industrially advanced democracies.
そもそも、日本の国会議員数は先進国の中では少ない方だ。
The parties in power under the nation’s existing parliamentary system send their lawmakers into the government as Cabinet members, senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
与党は閣僚ら政務三役を政府に送り込んでいる。
If the number of Diet seats is reduced, those who have to oversee multiple committees will increase. Additionally, small- and medium-sized parties will face the danger of losing the opportunity to voice their views. The result would be that the legislative powers of the Diet and its function of overseeing the administration could decline.
定数を削れば、国会では委員会を掛け持ちする議員が増える。中小政党も発言の機会を奪われる。立法能力や行政監視機能が低下しかねない。
In March 2011, the Supreme Court ruled the disparity rate in the value of votes in single-seat districts in the 2009 general election, which stood at a maximum 2.3-to-1, was in “a state of unconstitutionality.”
最高裁は２０１１年３月、小選挙区の「１票の格差」が最大２・３０倍となった０９年の衆院選を「違憲状態」と判断した。
In handing down the decision, the top court pointed out that the current formula of uniformly allotting one single-seat electoral district seat to each of the 47 prefectures is a major cause of the vote-value disparity. It called for the formula to be abolished.
各都道府県にまず１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因と指摘し、廃止を求めた。
The Supreme Court’s ruling can be seen as the judiciary stepping into the sphere of the discretionary powers of the legislature.
立法府の裁量権に司法が大きく踏み込んだと言えよう。
Gap correction not absolute
◆格差是正絶対視するな
In 14 lawsuits over the vote-value disparity in connection with the lower house election in December, high courts and their branches across the nation found the gap to be “unconstitutional” in their rulings.
昨年１２月の衆院選を巡る「１票の格差」訴訟では全国の高裁・支部で「違憲」判決が相次いだ。
Even the election itself was ruled to be “invalid” in two of these court decisions. However those rulings could be said to be irresponsible in light of the fact that no rules have yet been devised governing the holding of further elections to address such a problem.
一部には選挙無効という判決もあったが、再選挙のルールも確定しておらず、無責任ではないか。
The equality of vote values is not the only measure of the electoral system. Constituency elections are held based on administrative zones. Populations in rural areas have been dropping phenomenally in recent times. There are also problems peculiar to specific areas as well as extenuating economic and cultural circumstances that cannot be resolved simply by having constituency seats be a proportional reflection of the population.
投票価値の平等は選挙制度の絶対的な基準ではない。選挙区選は行政区画を基に成り立っている。地方では人口減が著しい。人口比例だけで片づかない地域特有の問題や経済・文化的事情もある。
The establishment of an election system that can harmonize judicial rulings with real politics on the ground is what is needed.
司法の判断と現実の政治を調和させる選挙制度が求められる。
If the proportional representation system is adopted fully for the lower house election, as advocated by the Japanese Communist Party, the will of the public can be more accurately reflected in the number of seats, thus eliminating the gap in vote value.
共産党などが主張するような完全な比例代表制とすれば、確かに民意がそのまま獲得議席に反映されて、１票の格差はなくなる。
But it could make it easier for small and midsize parties to gain more seats, resulting in the creation of many small parties. Coalition governments would become the norm, destabilizing politics and creating a situation in which small and midsize parties hold the key to making policy decisions.
しかし、中小政党も議席を得やすいだけに、多党化が避けられない。連立政権が常態化し、中小政党が政策決定のカギを握るなど、政治の不安定化を招く。
The most crucial question is how to translate the will of the people into a stable government.
民意をいかに集約し、安定した政権を作るかという観点が最も重要だ。
To achieve this goal, the only realistic option is the revision of the current single-seat constituency plus proportional representation system, as advocated by the LDP and the DPJ, among others, and the reinstatement of the multiple-seat constituency system as demanded by some small parties.
それには、自民、民主両党などが主張する現行の小選挙区比例代表並立制の手直しか、一部の小政党が求める中選挙区制の復活以外に、現実的な選択肢はないだろう。
The electoral system for the upper house must also be reviewed. We face an extraordinary situation in which the election systems of both chambers of the Diet have been judged to be in a “state of unconstitutionality.”
参院の選挙制度も、併せて考えなければならない。今は、衆参両院いずれもが「違憲状態」にあると司法が断じる異例の事態だ。
Viewed optimistically, now is an excellent opportunity to reexamine the electoral systems of both Diet houses simultaneously.
裏を返せば、衆参両院の制度を同時に見直す好機と言える。
Both systems are similar in that they comprise of elections in constituencies and elections held under proportional representation systems.
衆院も参院も選挙区選と比例代表選を組み合わせる点で、似通った制度になっている。
Roles under bicameral system
◆二院制の役割議論せよ
An additional problem is that the upper house is said to have become “too strong.”
「強すぎる参院」の問題もある。
To put an end to “indecisive politics,” it is essential to engineer electoral systems for both houses that are less liable to cause a divided Diet in which the upper house is controlled by the opposition parties.
「決められない政治」を脱するため、衆参のねじれが生じにくい制度を設計すべきだ。
First and foremost, it is crucial that fundamental discussions on the division of roles and authority between the two Diet chambers are held. We suggest that debate on revision of constitutional provisions on the bicameral system is also deepened.
まずは、衆参各院にどんな役割と権能を持たせるかという根本的な議論が欠かせない。憲法の二院制に関する条項の見直し論議も深めてもらいたい。
As long as both houses continue to insist on their own uniqueness and political parties stick to partisan interests, it will be difficult to reach consensus on this issue, regardless of how much time is spent.
衆参両院が従来のようにそれぞれ独自性を主張し、各党が党利党略にとらわれる限り、いくら時間をかけても合意は困難だ。
If the current situation continues unabated, there will be no alternative but to refer the matter to an independent third-party organization comprising experts with no partisan affiliations.
今の状態が続くなら、各党の利害から離れた有識者による第三者機関に諮問するしかない。
In that instance, it would be vital that both the ruling and opposition parties work out legislative arrangements decisively by respecting the recommendations of such a panel.
その際、与野党は、答申を尊重して立法化することをしっかり取り決めておくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2013)
（2013年5月31日01時15分 読売新聞）
Lower and upper houses must be reformed at the same time
選挙制度論議 政治の安定へ衆参同時改革を（5月31日付・読売社説）
◆定数削減競争は大衆迎合だ
Although the current Diet session will end in less than one month, discussions on the comprehensive reform of the electoral system of the House of Representatives remain bogged down.
今国会会期末まで１か月を切ったのに、衆院選挙制度の抜本改革論議は行き詰まったままだ。
There seems to be no desire in either the ruling or opposition camps to reach an agreement on the matter. This indicates that reform of the lower house election system is unlikely to happen before the end of the current Diet session on June 26.
与野党に合意形成の機運がなく、実現はもはや困難な状況にある。
A bill jointly submitted by the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito for rezoning lower house electoral districts by slashing five seats in the single-seat constituencies is to become law even if the House of Councillors does not discuss on it, through a second vote in the lower house before the end of the Diet session.
自民、公明両党が国会に提出した、衆院小選挙区定数の「０増５減」を実現する区割り法案は、参院で審議されなくても、衆院で再可決され、成立する見通しだ。
The legislation, however, is nothing but a stopgap measure.
だが、０増５減は、あくまでも緊急避難的な措置に過ぎない。
Now is the time for both blocs to start fresh and renew discussions for realizing comprehensive reform of the lower house election system.
選挙制度の抜本改革を実現するために、与野党は、議論を仕切り直す時期に来ている。
Fears of Diet functions’ decline
◆立法機能低下に懸念
Among factors hampering formulating an accord between the ruling and opposition forces, the biggest is the disagreement over the number of lower house seats to be reduced.
与野党の合意形成を妨げている最大の要因は、衆院議員の定数削減を巡る足並みの乱れだ。
The Democratic Party of Japan has insisted the number of seats, currently 480, be slashed by 80. They argue the parties “must accept some pain” through the seat reduction at a time when they are asking the public to bear the burden of a higher consumption tax.
民主党は、消費増税に国民の理解を得るには国会議員自ら「身を切る」必要があるとして、定数８０の削減を主張している。
The issue of cutting the number of lower house seats, however, has nothing to do with rectifying the current disparity in the value of individual votes between the least and most represented constituencies--the issue behind electoral reform discussions.
しかし、定数削減は、選挙制度改革のきっかけとなった衆院小選挙区の「１票の格差」是正とは無関係である。
If the DPJ feels the need to “accept some pain,” it should focus on such steps as curtailing the annual salaries of Diet members and reducing government subsidies for political parties. These measures would certainly be more effective than reducing the number of lower house legislators.
身を切ると言うなら、歳費や政党交付金を削るべきだろう。その方が効果も大きい。
The LDP is in favor of cutting 30 lower house seats in the proportional representation. This would leave 150 seats, 60 of which would be preferentially allotted to parties other than the top vote-getter. The LDP-envisioned reform plan is apparently in consideration of the wishes of its junior coalition partner Komeito. Can it be considered a fair and adequate electoral system to create preferential seat allocations for medium- and small-sized parties?
自民党は比例定数を３０削減して１５０とし、その中に６０の中小政党優遇枠を設ける考えだ。公明党への配慮だが、中小政党に特別な枠を与えることが公正な制度と言えるのか。
Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, for their part, have proposed that the number of seats be reduced by 144 and 180, respectively.
日本維新の会は１４４減、みんなの党は１８０減を唱えている。
It is almost as if the parties are vying for public attention simply over the extent of seat reduction.
削減幅を競うかのようである。
The fact that the parties seem to have found it effective to curry public favor merely by advocating a larger reduction in the number of lower house seats is deplorable, as these tactics smack of populism. The issue of reducing lower house seats must be discussed separately from the task of reforming the electoral system.
国会議員を減らせば国民に歓迎されると政党が考えていること自体、大衆迎合主義的な発想で嘆かわしい。定数削減は選挙制度と切り離して議論する必要がある。
It is worth noting that the number of Japan’s legislators is relatively low compared with other industrially advanced democracies.
そもそも、日本の国会議員数は先進国の中では少ない方だ。
The parties in power under the nation’s existing parliamentary system send their lawmakers into the government as Cabinet members, senior vice ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
与党は閣僚ら政務三役を政府に送り込んでいる。
If the number of Diet seats is reduced, those who have to oversee multiple committees will increase. Additionally, small- and medium-sized parties will face the danger of losing the opportunity to voice their views. The result would be that the legislative powers of the Diet and its function of overseeing the administration could decline.
定数を削れば、国会では委員会を掛け持ちする議員が増える。中小政党も発言の機会を奪われる。立法能力や行政監視機能が低下しかねない。
In March 2011, the Supreme Court ruled the disparity rate in the value of votes in single-seat districts in the 2009 general election, which stood at a maximum 2.3-to-1, was in “a state of unconstitutionality.”
最高裁は２０１１年３月、小選挙区の「１票の格差」が最大２・３０倍となった０９年の衆院選を「違憲状態」と判断した。
In handing down the decision, the top court pointed out that the current formula of uniformly allotting one single-seat electoral district seat to each of the 47 prefectures is a major cause of the vote-value disparity. It called for the formula to be abolished.
各都道府県にまず１議席を割り振る「１人別枠方式」が格差の主因と指摘し、廃止を求めた。
The Supreme Court’s ruling can be seen as the judiciary stepping into the sphere of the discretionary powers of the legislature.
立法府の裁量権に司法が大きく踏み込んだと言えよう。
Gap correction not absolute
◆格差是正絶対視するな
In 14 lawsuits over the vote-value disparity in connection with the lower house election in December, high courts and their branches across the nation found the gap to be “unconstitutional” in their rulings.
昨年１２月の衆院選を巡る「１票の格差」訴訟では全国の高裁・支部で「違憲」判決が相次いだ。
Even the election itself was ruled to be “invalid” in two of these court decisions. However those rulings could be said to be irresponsible in light of the fact that no rules have yet been devised governing the holding of further elections to address such a problem.
一部には選挙無効という判決もあったが、再選挙のルールも確定しておらず、無責任ではないか。
The equality of vote values is not the only measure of the electoral system. Constituency elections are held based on administrative zones. Populations in rural areas have been dropping phenomenally in recent times. There are also problems peculiar to specific areas as well as extenuating economic and cultural circumstances that cannot be resolved simply by having constituency seats be a proportional reflection of the population.
投票価値の平等は選挙制度の絶対的な基準ではない。選挙区選は行政区画を基に成り立っている。地方では人口減が著しい。人口比例だけで片づかない地域特有の問題や経済・文化的事情もある。
The establishment of an election system that can harmonize judicial rulings with real politics on the ground is what is needed.
司法の判断と現実の政治を調和させる選挙制度が求められる。
If the proportional representation system is adopted fully for the lower house election, as advocated by the Japanese Communist Party, the will of the public can be more accurately reflected in the number of seats, thus eliminating the gap in vote value.
共産党などが主張するような完全な比例代表制とすれば、確かに民意がそのまま獲得議席に反映されて、１票の格差はなくなる。
But it could make it easier for small and midsize parties to gain more seats, resulting in the creation of many small parties. Coalition governments would become the norm, destabilizing politics and creating a situation in which small and midsize parties hold the key to making policy decisions.
しかし、中小政党も議席を得やすいだけに、多党化が避けられない。連立政権が常態化し、中小政党が政策決定のカギを握るなど、政治の不安定化を招く。
The most crucial question is how to translate the will of the people into a stable government.
民意をいかに集約し、安定した政権を作るかという観点が最も重要だ。
To achieve this goal, the only realistic option is the revision of the current single-seat constituency plus proportional representation system, as advocated by the LDP and the DPJ, among others, and the reinstatement of the multiple-seat constituency system as demanded by some small parties.
それには、自民、民主両党などが主張する現行の小選挙区比例代表並立制の手直しか、一部の小政党が求める中選挙区制の復活以外に、現実的な選択肢はないだろう。
The electoral system for the upper house must also be reviewed. We face an extraordinary situation in which the election systems of both chambers of the Diet have been judged to be in a “state of unconstitutionality.”
参院の選挙制度も、併せて考えなければならない。今は、衆参両院いずれもが「違憲状態」にあると司法が断じる異例の事態だ。
Viewed optimistically, now is an excellent opportunity to reexamine the electoral systems of both Diet houses simultaneously.
裏を返せば、衆参両院の制度を同時に見直す好機と言える。
Both systems are similar in that they comprise of elections in constituencies and elections held under proportional representation systems.
衆院も参院も選挙区選と比例代表選を組み合わせる点で、似通った制度になっている。
Roles under bicameral system
◆二院制の役割議論せよ
An additional problem is that the upper house is said to have become “too strong.”
「強すぎる参院」の問題もある。
To put an end to “indecisive politics,” it is essential to engineer electoral systems for both houses that are less liable to cause a divided Diet in which the upper house is controlled by the opposition parties.
「決められない政治」を脱するため、衆参のねじれが生じにくい制度を設計すべきだ。
First and foremost, it is crucial that fundamental discussions on the division of roles and authority between the two Diet chambers are held. We suggest that debate on revision of constitutional provisions on the bicameral system is also deepened.
まずは、衆参各院にどんな役割と権能を持たせるかという根本的な議論が欠かせない。憲法の二院制に関する条項の見直し論議も深めてもらいたい。
As long as both houses continue to insist on their own uniqueness and political parties stick to partisan interests, it will be difficult to reach consensus on this issue, regardless of how much time is spent.
衆参両院が従来のようにそれぞれ独自性を主張し、各党が党利党略にとらわれる限り、いくら時間をかけても合意は困難だ。
If the current situation continues unabated, there will be no alternative but to refer the matter to an independent third-party organization comprising experts with no partisan affiliations.
今の状態が続くなら、各党の利害から離れた有識者による第三者機関に諮問するしかない。
In that instance, it would be vital that both the ruling and opposition parties work out legislative arrangements decisively by respecting the recommendations of such a panel.
その際、与野党は、答申を尊重して立法化することをしっかり取り決めておくことが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2013)
（2013年5月31日01時15分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun May 31, 2013
Striking N-cooperation pact is key to boosting bilateral ties with India
日印首脳会談 関係発展の柱となる原発協力（5月30日付・読売社説）
Japan and India have reached an agreement that could become the key to deepening their bilateral relationship.
日印両国が一層関係を深めていくための重要な柱となろう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh agreed to resume negotiations on a nuclear cooperation pact during their summit talks in Tokyo on Wednesday.
安倍首相が、来日中のインドのシン首相と会談し、日印原子力協定の締結交渉再開で合意した。
The two countries aim to conclude the negotiations within the year. If they reach a deal, Japan will be able to export its nuclear-related technology to India.
年内妥結を目指す方針で、締結すれば、日本から原子力関連技術が輸出できるようになる。
The negotiations initially began in June 2010, when the Democratic Party of Japan held the reins of government. However, the talks were effectively suspended in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co.
交渉は、民主党政権時代の２０１０年６月に始まったが、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の後、事実上中断していた。
With a population of 1.2 billion people, India has been plagued by power shortages following its rapid economic growth. The country thus intends to build more nuclear power plants.
人口１２億人のインドは、経済の急成長に伴って電力不足が深刻化し、原発の増設を計画している。
If more nuclear power facilities, which do not emit greenhouse gases, are built in countries that rely on coal-fired plants for electricity supply, such as India, that could also help counter global warming.
主力の電力供給源である石炭火力発電所に、温室効果ガスを排出しない原発が加われば、地球温暖化対策にも役立とう。
The Abe administration’s economic policy, dubbed “Abenomics,” focuses on exporting Japanese infrastructure systems under its growth strategy. An increase in exports of nuclear technology and related equipment will significantly benefit Japan as well.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」は、成長戦略としてインフラ輸出を重視する。原発や関連機器の輸出が増えれば、日本にとってもメリットは大きい。
Concerns over India’s N-stance
During their meeting, Abe praised Singh’s commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. However, he also called for India’s early ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, in line with Japan’s global advocacy of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
安倍首相は、シン首相に対し、核不拡散の努力を評価するとともに、核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制を推進する立場から、インドの核実験全面禁止条約（ＣＴＢＴ）の早期批准を促した。
Abe apparently made the remarks in consideration of persistent domestic concerns over striking a nuclear cooperation pact with India, which has yet to sign the NPT despite owning nuclear arms.
ＮＰＴに加盟していない核保有国インドとの協定に日本国内で慎重論が強かったことを念頭に置いた発言だろう。
India has halted nuclear testing and allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its civilian nuclear facilities. Ahead of restarting bilateral nuclear talks, Japan should confirm that India will maintain such a stance.
インドは核実験を凍結し、民生用施設は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の査察も受け入れている。交渉再開にあたって日本は、こうした姿勢の堅持を確認したい。
Meanwhile, the two leaders also made progress in strengthening bilateral ties by agreeing to conduct a joint feasibility study on a plan to build an about 500-kilometer high-speed railway system between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India. Hopes are high that the agreement will boost joint efforts by the domestic public and private sectors to expand exports of the nation’s Shinkansen bullet train system.
両首脳がインド西部のムンバイ―アーメダバード間約５００キロ・メートルの高速鉄道計画について、共同調査の着手で合意したことも前進である。日本が官民を挙げて目指してきた新幹線システムの受注につながると期待される。
Japan also decided to extend yen loans for projects such as construction of a subway system in Mumbai. It is highly significant that the two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in regard to large infrastructure development, which would help India achieve economic growth.
日本は、ムンバイの地下鉄建設などに対する円借款の供与も決めた。インドの経済発展につながる大型インフラ整備で連携強化を確認した意義は大きい。
Japanese companies have increasingly made inroads into India. Although Japan’s trade with India remains small when compared to that with China, there is potential for further expansion.
日本企業のインド進出は増加し続けている。貿易額は日中間などに比べればまだ少ないが、一層拡大する潜在力がある。
Security cooperation eyes China
On security cooperation, the two countries agreed to consider exporting the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s amphibious rescue boats to India. If realized, this could become a specific case of bilateral security cooperation in which Japan’s defense equipment is exported for civilian use.
安全保障面では、海上自衛隊の救難飛行艇の輸出について、両国が検討を始めることで一致した。実現すれば、防衛装備品の民間転用による輸出となり、日印安保協力の具体的な成果となる。
Meanwhile, the MSDF and the Indian Navy will conduct joint exercises on a regular basis. Their first joint drill was conducted in June last year. Such regular military exercises could be effective as a deterrent to China. Security cooperation between Japan and India must be conducive to stability in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
昨年６月に初実施した海自とインド海軍の共同訓練も定期化される。中国を牽制(けんせい)する効果もあるだろう。アジアとインド洋の安定に結びつけなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2013)
（2013年5月30日02時08分 読売新聞）
Striking N-cooperation pact is key to boosting bilateral ties with India
日印首脳会談 関係発展の柱となる原発協力（5月30日付・読売社説）
Japan and India have reached an agreement that could become the key to deepening their bilateral relationship.
日印両国が一層関係を深めていくための重要な柱となろう。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh agreed to resume negotiations on a nuclear cooperation pact during their summit talks in Tokyo on Wednesday.
安倍首相が、来日中のインドのシン首相と会談し、日印原子力協定の締結交渉再開で合意した。
The two countries aim to conclude the negotiations within the year. If they reach a deal, Japan will be able to export its nuclear-related technology to India.
年内妥結を目指す方針で、締結すれば、日本から原子力関連技術が輸出できるようになる。
The negotiations initially began in June 2010, when the Democratic Party of Japan held the reins of government. However, the talks were effectively suspended in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co.
交渉は、民主党政権時代の２０１０年６月に始まったが、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の後、事実上中断していた。
With a population of 1.2 billion people, India has been plagued by power shortages following its rapid economic growth. The country thus intends to build more nuclear power plants.
人口１２億人のインドは、経済の急成長に伴って電力不足が深刻化し、原発の増設を計画している。
If more nuclear power facilities, which do not emit greenhouse gases, are built in countries that rely on coal-fired plants for electricity supply, such as India, that could also help counter global warming.
主力の電力供給源である石炭火力発電所に、温室効果ガスを排出しない原発が加われば、地球温暖化対策にも役立とう。
The Abe administration’s economic policy, dubbed “Abenomics,” focuses on exporting Japanese infrastructure systems under its growth strategy. An increase in exports of nuclear technology and related equipment will significantly benefit Japan as well.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」は、成長戦略としてインフラ輸出を重視する。原発や関連機器の輸出が増えれば、日本にとってもメリットは大きい。
Concerns over India’s N-stance
During their meeting, Abe praised Singh’s commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. However, he also called for India’s early ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, in line with Japan’s global advocacy of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
安倍首相は、シン首相に対し、核不拡散の努力を評価するとともに、核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）体制を推進する立場から、インドの核実験全面禁止条約（ＣＴＢＴ）の早期批准を促した。
Abe apparently made the remarks in consideration of persistent domestic concerns over striking a nuclear cooperation pact with India, which has yet to sign the NPT despite owning nuclear arms.
ＮＰＴに加盟していない核保有国インドとの協定に日本国内で慎重論が強かったことを念頭に置いた発言だろう。
India has halted nuclear testing and allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its civilian nuclear facilities. Ahead of restarting bilateral nuclear talks, Japan should confirm that India will maintain such a stance.
インドは核実験を凍結し、民生用施設は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の査察も受け入れている。交渉再開にあたって日本は、こうした姿勢の堅持を確認したい。
Meanwhile, the two leaders also made progress in strengthening bilateral ties by agreeing to conduct a joint feasibility study on a plan to build an about 500-kilometer high-speed railway system between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in western India. Hopes are high that the agreement will boost joint efforts by the domestic public and private sectors to expand exports of the nation’s Shinkansen bullet train system.
両首脳がインド西部のムンバイ―アーメダバード間約５００キロ・メートルの高速鉄道計画について、共同調査の着手で合意したことも前進である。日本が官民を挙げて目指してきた新幹線システムの受注につながると期待される。
Japan also decided to extend yen loans for projects such as construction of a subway system in Mumbai. It is highly significant that the two countries agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in regard to large infrastructure development, which would help India achieve economic growth.
日本は、ムンバイの地下鉄建設などに対する円借款の供与も決めた。インドの経済発展につながる大型インフラ整備で連携強化を確認した意義は大きい。
Japanese companies have increasingly made inroads into India. Although Japan’s trade with India remains small when compared to that with China, there is potential for further expansion.
日本企業のインド進出は増加し続けている。貿易額は日中間などに比べればまだ少ないが、一層拡大する潜在力がある。
Security cooperation eyes China
On security cooperation, the two countries agreed to consider exporting the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s amphibious rescue boats to India. If realized, this could become a specific case of bilateral security cooperation in which Japan’s defense equipment is exported for civilian use.
安全保障面では、海上自衛隊の救難飛行艇の輸出について、両国が検討を始めることで一致した。実現すれば、防衛装備品の民間転用による輸出となり、日印安保協力の具体的な成果となる。
Meanwhile, the MSDF and the Indian Navy will conduct joint exercises on a regular basis. Their first joint drill was conducted in June last year. Such regular military exercises could be effective as a deterrent to China. Security cooperation between Japan and India must be conducive to stability in Asia, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
昨年６月に初実施した海自とインド海軍の共同訓練も定期化される。中国を牽制(けんせい)する効果もあるだろう。アジアとインド洋の安定に結びつけなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2013)
（2013年5月30日02時08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
Mainichi
Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
Newyork Times
Bangkok Post
The Nations
Phuket Gazette
[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
英字新聞（読売）
英字新聞（毎日）
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英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
タイ日辞書（改訂版）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
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seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
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10 よくわからないときの返事
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14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
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17 説明してもらうとき
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19 状況を知りたいとき
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22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
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サイト外HPリンク一覧：
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02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
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