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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 20, 2013)
Iraq War anniversary a chance to reflect on North Korea's threat
イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ（3月19日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the controversial Iraq War. There are problems still left unsolved, and Japan today has a particular reason to calmly reassess the lessons of the war.
論議を呼んだイラク戦争の開戦から、２０日で１０年を迎える。今、改めてこの戦争が残した課題を冷静に分析することが、日本にとってはとりわけ重要である。
The Iraq War began under the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush, and it ended in December 2011 with the full withdrawal of U.S. troops.
米国のブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争は、２０１１年１２月、米軍の全面撤収で終結した。
The war taught the United States a bitter lesson. U.S. rule of the occupied land was blundering, the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers were lost, and huge expenditures on the war ballooned the nation's fiscal deficit. The United States launched the war based on a claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found, undermining the U.S. authority.
戦争は、苦い教訓を米国に残した。占領統治は混乱し、４５００人近い米兵の命が失われ、巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがった。開戦の理由とした大量破壊兵器が見つからず、威信は揺らいだ。
There is ceaseless criticism that the costs of the war were out of all proportion to its gains.
「コストに見合わない戦争だった」との批判は絶えない。
In addition, the international community was unable to reach an agreement on the issue, as countries such as France, Germany and Russia opposed the use of force by the United States and Britain. The final verdict on the Iraq War will not be rendered anytime soon.
国際社会の足並みも乱れた。米英の武力行使に、仏独露などが反対した。イラク戦争への評価は、今なお定まらない。
===
A question remains unanswered
However, we must keep in mind that one fundamental problem that drove the United States to launch the war remains unsolved.
留意すべきは、米国が開戦に至った本質的な問題が今も未解決だということである。
The problem is this: What actions should the international community take, if a country that develops weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, ignores U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it scrap such weapons?
核兵器など大量破壊兵器を開発する国が、国連安全保障理事会から廃棄を求める決議を突きつけられても無視する。そんな事態にどう対処すべきかという問題だ。
A case in point now is North Korea, a nation hell-bent on building a nuclear arsenal. The nation has conducted three nuclear tests, ignoring the Security Council's resolutions.
安保理決議に従わず、核実験を３回も強行し、核武装化にひた走る北朝鮮がまさに実例だ。
In addition to the direct threat posed by North Korea, Japan also has to cope with the unabated military and economic expansion of China.
日本は、北朝鮮の増大する脅威に直面するだけでなく、軍事・経済の両面で膨張著しい中国とも向き合わなければならない。
Japan was divided over the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq War. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi supported the use of force from the standpoint of prioritizing the Japan-U.S. alliance, but the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties opposed the war, saying it had no justification.
対イラク開戦を巡り、小泉首相が日米同盟重視の観点から、米国の武力行使を支持する一方で、民主党など野党は「大義なき戦争だ」と反対に回り、国論は割れた。
However, the necessity for Japan to firmly maintain its alliance with the United States remains unchanged over the past 10 years, or has even become stronger.
だが、日本が、米国との同盟を堅持する必要性は１０年前から少しも変わっていない。むしろ強まったと言える。
===
What Japan needs to do
The United States and Britain overestimated the danger of Iraq's programs on weapons of mass destruction. But it will be dangerous if the aftereffects of that overestimate led the international community to underestimate the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. If the United States becomes overly reluctant to use force against North Korea, there will be fewer options for responding to Pyongyang's threat.
イラクの大量破壊兵器計画を米英が過大に評価した反動で、国際社会が北朝鮮やイランの核開発能力を過小に見積もるようでは危険だ。米国が武力行使に慎重になり過ぎれば、北朝鮮の脅威に対処する選択肢を狭める恐れがある。
Our nation must not be complacent regarding its current relationship with the United States. Japan must take concrete measures to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as enabling itself to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
日本に必要なのは、米国との関係に安住せず、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするなど同盟強化へ具体的な手立てを講じることだ。
Iraq's democratization is making progress, as can be seen from events such as its conducting elections. Oil production is recovering, bringing prosperity to the nation's oil-producing northern and southern areas. Such results would have been difficult to achieve under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
イラクでは、選挙実施など民主化が進み、原油生産も回復して産油地の北部や南部は繁栄に沸いている。フセイン独裁政権の崩壊なしには難しかったろう。
However, Iraq's political situation remains unstable. Sectarian strife and terrorist attacks show no signs of abating in Baghdad and other key cities. Despite myriad problems, the administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slowly heading toward reconstruction of the country. We hope Iraq will succeed in restoring security, which will help it set a steady course toward reconstruction.
ただし、政情は不安で、首都バグダッドなどでは宗派間の抗争や過激派のテロがやまない。マリキ政権は曲がりなりに再建への歩みを続けているが、治安回復で復興への道筋を確かにしてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
Iraq War anniversary a chance to reflect on North Korea's threat
イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ（3月19日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the controversial Iraq War. There are problems still left unsolved, and Japan today has a particular reason to calmly reassess the lessons of the war.
論議を呼んだイラク戦争の開戦から、２０日で１０年を迎える。今、改めてこの戦争が残した課題を冷静に分析することが、日本にとってはとりわけ重要である。
The Iraq War began under the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush, and it ended in December 2011 with the full withdrawal of U.S. troops.
米国のブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争は、２０１１年１２月、米軍の全面撤収で終結した。
The war taught the United States a bitter lesson. U.S. rule of the occupied land was blundering, the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers were lost, and huge expenditures on the war ballooned the nation's fiscal deficit. The United States launched the war based on a claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found, undermining the U.S. authority.
戦争は、苦い教訓を米国に残した。占領統治は混乱し、４５００人近い米兵の命が失われ、巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがった。開戦の理由とした大量破壊兵器が見つからず、威信は揺らいだ。
There is ceaseless criticism that the costs of the war were out of all proportion to its gains.
「コストに見合わない戦争だった」との批判は絶えない。
In addition, the international community was unable to reach an agreement on the issue, as countries such as France, Germany and Russia opposed the use of force by the United States and Britain. The final verdict on the Iraq War will not be rendered anytime soon.
国際社会の足並みも乱れた。米英の武力行使に、仏独露などが反対した。イラク戦争への評価は、今なお定まらない。
===
A question remains unanswered
However, we must keep in mind that one fundamental problem that drove the United States to launch the war remains unsolved.
留意すべきは、米国が開戦に至った本質的な問題が今も未解決だということである。
The problem is this: What actions should the international community take, if a country that develops weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, ignores U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it scrap such weapons?
核兵器など大量破壊兵器を開発する国が、国連安全保障理事会から廃棄を求める決議を突きつけられても無視する。そんな事態にどう対処すべきかという問題だ。
A case in point now is North Korea, a nation hell-bent on building a nuclear arsenal. The nation has conducted three nuclear tests, ignoring the Security Council's resolutions.
安保理決議に従わず、核実験を３回も強行し、核武装化にひた走る北朝鮮がまさに実例だ。
In addition to the direct threat posed by North Korea, Japan also has to cope with the unabated military and economic expansion of China.
日本は、北朝鮮の増大する脅威に直面するだけでなく、軍事・経済の両面で膨張著しい中国とも向き合わなければならない。
Japan was divided over the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq War. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi supported the use of force from the standpoint of prioritizing the Japan-U.S. alliance, but the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties opposed the war, saying it had no justification.
対イラク開戦を巡り、小泉首相が日米同盟重視の観点から、米国の武力行使を支持する一方で、民主党など野党は「大義なき戦争だ」と反対に回り、国論は割れた。
However, the necessity for Japan to firmly maintain its alliance with the United States remains unchanged over the past 10 years, or has even become stronger.
だが、日本が、米国との同盟を堅持する必要性は１０年前から少しも変わっていない。むしろ強まったと言える。
===
What Japan needs to do
The United States and Britain overestimated the danger of Iraq's programs on weapons of mass destruction. But it will be dangerous if the aftereffects of that overestimate led the international community to underestimate the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. If the United States becomes overly reluctant to use force against North Korea, there will be fewer options for responding to Pyongyang's threat.
イラクの大量破壊兵器計画を米英が過大に評価した反動で、国際社会が北朝鮮やイランの核開発能力を過小に見積もるようでは危険だ。米国が武力行使に慎重になり過ぎれば、北朝鮮の脅威に対処する選択肢を狭める恐れがある。
Our nation must not be complacent regarding its current relationship with the United States. Japan must take concrete measures to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as enabling itself to exercise the right to collective self-defense.
日本に必要なのは、米国との関係に安住せず、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするなど同盟強化へ具体的な手立てを講じることだ。
Iraq's democratization is making progress, as can be seen from events such as its conducting elections. Oil production is recovering, bringing prosperity to the nation's oil-producing northern and southern areas. Such results would have been difficult to achieve under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
イラクでは、選挙実施など民主化が進み、原油生産も回復して産油地の北部や南部は繁栄に沸いている。フセイン独裁政権の崩壊なしには難しかったろう。
However, Iraq's political situation remains unstable. Sectarian strife and terrorist attacks show no signs of abating in Baghdad and other key cities. Despite myriad problems, the administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slowly heading toward reconstruction of the country. We hope Iraq will succeed in restoring security, which will help it set a steady course toward reconstruction.
ただし、政情は不安で、首都バグダッドなどでは宗派間の抗争や過激派のテロがやまない。マリキ政権は曲がりなりに再建への歩みを続けているが、治安回復で復興への道筋を確かにしてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013)
（2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
PR
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 19, 2013)
Pay hikes for govt employees 55 or older must be curbed
国家公務員給与 ５５歳超の昇給抑制が必要だ（3月18日付・読売社説）
Another step forward has been made in resolving issues put off by the previous Democratic Party of Japan-led administration.
民主党政権が先送りしてきた課題の解決へ、また一歩進んだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet has submitted a bill to the Diet to revise a law to drastically curb the pay hikes of central government employees aged 55 or older.
安倍内閣が５５歳を超える国家公務員の昇給を大幅に抑制する給与法改正案を国会に提出した。
If the revised law is enacted, the new salary system will be put into force next January. About 33,000 people will be affected and the government's personnel expenses trimmed by an estimated 600 million yen a year.
成立すれば、来年１月から施行され、３万３０００人が対象となる。年間約６億円の人件費を削減する効果があるという。
The bill takes into account recommendations made by the National Personnel Authority in August.
給与法改正案は昨年８月の人事院勧告を尊重したものである。
Under the current system, salaries of central government employees rise every year until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 60.
国家公務員は、定年の６０歳まで毎年昇給が続く仕組みだ。
The recommendation calls for annual pay hikes to be discontinued for those aged 55 or older and whose job performances are deemed average, while pay hikes would be permitted for those in the same age group with excellent job performances, although the margin of increase would be held down.
この勧告は、５５歳を超える職員に対し、標準の勤務成績であれば昇給を停止し、成績良好であっても昇給幅の抑制を求めた。
The salaries of many workers in the private sector decline when they reach the mid-50s.
民間のサラリーマンは、５０歳代後半になると、賃金が減るケースさえ少なくない。
This is because companies transfer workers in that age group to affiliated companies or have a mandatory age for managers to step down from their posts. It is therefore appropriate to have the salaries of government employees fall more in line with those at private companies.
関連会社への転籍や役職定年などを実施しているからだ。公務員給与を民間の動向に近づけるのは、妥当である。
===
Rehiring workers
Continued employment of workers who reach the manadatory retirement age of 60 should also be considered as they will not receive benefits from the state-run pension plan until they reach the age of 65.
６５歳の年金支給開始年齢までの雇用継続も考える必要がある。
The government plans to make it obligatory to rehire employees who reach the mandatory retirement age and are willing to continue working. However, the fiscal situation remains dismal.
政府は、希望する定年退職者の「再任用」を義務化する方針だが、財政は厳しい。
To reduce personnel expenses as much as possible, it is essential to hold down the salaries for those in their 50s.
総人件費を極力抑えるためにも、５０歳代の給与水準を下げておかねばならない。
Both the ruling and opposition parties must pass the revised bill as quickly as possible.
与野党は、改正案を速やかに成立させるべきだ。
The DPJ is to blame for wasting so much time before the bill could be submitted.
法案提出まで時間を浪費した責任は民主党にある。
The Cabinet under then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda failed to act on the authority's recommendation for three months, deciding only to postpone the recommended restrictions on the annual pay hike on Nov. 16, the day he dissolved the House of Representatives.
野田内閣は人事院勧告を３か月も放置し、１１月１６日の衆院解散当日になって昇給抑制の先送りを閣議決定した。
In announcing the decision, Noda said the government had already taken "a harsh pay-cutting measure" by lowering government employees' salaries by 7.8 percent on average, so it could use the saved funds for post-disaster reconstruction.
その際、復興財源を捻出する目的で給与を平均７・８％引き下げる「厳しい減額措置」を講じているため、と説明していた。
However, the real reason is that the government submitted to the Diet a bill related to reforming the national public employees system, which we think stopped the administration from dealing with the recommended curbs.
だが、実際は国家公務員制度改革関連法案を国会に提出していたことが、足かせとなったのではないか。
===
Working with unions
The main feature of the new bill gives central government employees the right to conclude an agreement with the government, a basic legal labor right.
この法案は、労働基本権の一部である「協約締結権」を国家公務員に付与することが柱だった。
The bill includes the idea that issues such as pay levels can be decided through labor-management talks, and the National Personnel Authority can be abolished. Because of this, the Noda administration probably decided to ignore the authority's recommendations.
人事院を廃止し、労使交渉で賃金などを決定できるようにする内容であるだけに、勧告には従えないと考えたのだろう。
How will the DPJ deal with the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees in the days ahead?
今後、民主党は給与法改正案にどう対応するのか。
The bill is in line with the DPJ's manifesto when it comes to cutting the central government's personnel expenses. As it will also affect the wages of local government employees, however, it will be difficult for DPJ legislators supported by the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union and other labor groups to support the bill.
国家公務員の総人件費削減という点では民主党の政権公約とも一致するが、地方公務員にも波及するため、自治労など労働組合の支援を受ける議員は容易に受け入れまい。
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), a key support organization for the DPJ, has opposed the Abe Cabinet's request for the salaries of local government employees to be lowered, in line with those of central government employees, in fiscal 2013.
民主党の支持団体である連合は、安倍内閣が２０１３年度の地方公務員給与を国家公務員と同様に引き下げるよう地方自治体に要請したことにも反発している。
The DPJ's dependency on labor unions will be tested once again over how the party responds to the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees.
給与法改正案への賛否によって、民主党の“労組依存度”が改めて試されることになろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2013)
（2013年3月18日01時29分 読売新聞）
Pay hikes for govt employees 55 or older must be curbed
国家公務員給与 ５５歳超の昇給抑制が必要だ（3月18日付・読売社説）
Another step forward has been made in resolving issues put off by the previous Democratic Party of Japan-led administration.
民主党政権が先送りしてきた課題の解決へ、また一歩進んだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet has submitted a bill to the Diet to revise a law to drastically curb the pay hikes of central government employees aged 55 or older.
安倍内閣が５５歳を超える国家公務員の昇給を大幅に抑制する給与法改正案を国会に提出した。
If the revised law is enacted, the new salary system will be put into force next January. About 33,000 people will be affected and the government's personnel expenses trimmed by an estimated 600 million yen a year.
成立すれば、来年１月から施行され、３万３０００人が対象となる。年間約６億円の人件費を削減する効果があるという。
The bill takes into account recommendations made by the National Personnel Authority in August.
給与法改正案は昨年８月の人事院勧告を尊重したものである。
Under the current system, salaries of central government employees rise every year until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 60.
国家公務員は、定年の６０歳まで毎年昇給が続く仕組みだ。
The recommendation calls for annual pay hikes to be discontinued for those aged 55 or older and whose job performances are deemed average, while pay hikes would be permitted for those in the same age group with excellent job performances, although the margin of increase would be held down.
この勧告は、５５歳を超える職員に対し、標準の勤務成績であれば昇給を停止し、成績良好であっても昇給幅の抑制を求めた。
The salaries of many workers in the private sector decline when they reach the mid-50s.
民間のサラリーマンは、５０歳代後半になると、賃金が減るケースさえ少なくない。
This is because companies transfer workers in that age group to affiliated companies or have a mandatory age for managers to step down from their posts. It is therefore appropriate to have the salaries of government employees fall more in line with those at private companies.
関連会社への転籍や役職定年などを実施しているからだ。公務員給与を民間の動向に近づけるのは、妥当である。
===
Rehiring workers
Continued employment of workers who reach the manadatory retirement age of 60 should also be considered as they will not receive benefits from the state-run pension plan until they reach the age of 65.
６５歳の年金支給開始年齢までの雇用継続も考える必要がある。
The government plans to make it obligatory to rehire employees who reach the mandatory retirement age and are willing to continue working. However, the fiscal situation remains dismal.
政府は、希望する定年退職者の「再任用」を義務化する方針だが、財政は厳しい。
To reduce personnel expenses as much as possible, it is essential to hold down the salaries for those in their 50s.
総人件費を極力抑えるためにも、５０歳代の給与水準を下げておかねばならない。
Both the ruling and opposition parties must pass the revised bill as quickly as possible.
与野党は、改正案を速やかに成立させるべきだ。
The DPJ is to blame for wasting so much time before the bill could be submitted.
法案提出まで時間を浪費した責任は民主党にある。
The Cabinet under then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda failed to act on the authority's recommendation for three months, deciding only to postpone the recommended restrictions on the annual pay hike on Nov. 16, the day he dissolved the House of Representatives.
野田内閣は人事院勧告を３か月も放置し、１１月１６日の衆院解散当日になって昇給抑制の先送りを閣議決定した。
In announcing the decision, Noda said the government had already taken "a harsh pay-cutting measure" by lowering government employees' salaries by 7.8 percent on average, so it could use the saved funds for post-disaster reconstruction.
その際、復興財源を捻出する目的で給与を平均７・８％引き下げる「厳しい減額措置」を講じているため、と説明していた。
However, the real reason is that the government submitted to the Diet a bill related to reforming the national public employees system, which we think stopped the administration from dealing with the recommended curbs.
だが、実際は国家公務員制度改革関連法案を国会に提出していたことが、足かせとなったのではないか。
===
Working with unions
The main feature of the new bill gives central government employees the right to conclude an agreement with the government, a basic legal labor right.
この法案は、労働基本権の一部である「協約締結権」を国家公務員に付与することが柱だった。
The bill includes the idea that issues such as pay levels can be decided through labor-management talks, and the National Personnel Authority can be abolished. Because of this, the Noda administration probably decided to ignore the authority's recommendations.
人事院を廃止し、労使交渉で賃金などを決定できるようにする内容であるだけに、勧告には従えないと考えたのだろう。
How will the DPJ deal with the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees in the days ahead?
今後、民主党は給与法改正案にどう対応するのか。
The bill is in line with the DPJ's manifesto when it comes to cutting the central government's personnel expenses. As it will also affect the wages of local government employees, however, it will be difficult for DPJ legislators supported by the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union and other labor groups to support the bill.
国家公務員の総人件費削減という点では民主党の政権公約とも一致するが、地方公務員にも波及するため、自治労など労働組合の支援を受ける議員は容易に受け入れまい。
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), a key support organization for the DPJ, has opposed the Abe Cabinet's request for the salaries of local government employees to be lowered, in line with those of central government employees, in fiscal 2013.
民主党の支持団体である連合は、安倍内閣が２０１３年度の地方公務員給与を国家公務員と同様に引き下げるよう地方自治体に要請したことにも反発している。
The DPJ's dependency on labor unions will be tested once again over how the party responds to the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees.
給与法改正案への賛否によって、民主党の“労組依存度”が改めて試されることになろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2013)
（2013年3月18日01時29分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 18, 2013)
Guardian system must not interfere with right to vote
後見と選挙権 違憲判決が制度の甘さ突いた（3月17日付・読売社説）
The Tokyo District Court has ruled unconstitutional a provision in the Public Offices Election Law that denies the right to vote to adults who live under the statutory adult guardianship system.
成年後見人が付いた人から選挙権を奪う公職選挙法の規定について、東京地裁が「違憲」とする判決を言い渡した。
The court ruling highly evaluates the rights of people with mental disorders or intellectual disabilities.
障害者の権利を尊重した司法判断である。
The plaintiff in the suit was an intellectually challenged woman.
原告は知的障害のある女性だ。
Immediately after a family court chose the father of the adult woman as her guardian in 2007, she was deprived of the right to vote.
２００７年、家庭裁判所が女性の成年後見人として父親を選任した途端、選挙権を失った。
The adult guardianship system is designed to allow those who are considered incapable of making judgments to have someone act on their behalf to manage property, make contracts and carry out other procedures.
判断能力が欠如した人の財産管理や契約などを代行するのが、成年後見制度だ。
The Public Offices Election Law does not allow people to whom this system applies the right to vote in national and local elections.
公選法は、この制度が適用された人については、選挙権を認めていない。
===
Unjustifiable denial
The court decision on Thursday acknowledged that the woman had the right to vote on the grounds that depriving her of this right as guaranteed by the Constitution "must be limited to extremely exceptional circumstances."
判決は、憲法が保障する選挙権を奪うのは「極めて例外的な場合に限られる」として、女性に選挙権があることを認めた。
The ruling also noted: "What the family court decided concerned her ability to administer her property by herself, and not her competency in exercising her right to vote.
さらに、「家裁が判断したのは財産を管理する能力であって、選挙権を行使する能力ではない。
"A large number of people probably are capable of exercising their right to vote even if they are unable to manage their assets."
財産管理はできなくとも、選挙権を行使できる人は少なからずいるはずだ」とも指摘した。
It is not surprising that the court ruled the law's provision null and void, as it uniformly restricts voting rights by using two systems intended to serve different purposes.
判決が、趣旨の異なる制度を使って、一律に選挙権を制限している公選法の規定を無効としたことは妥当である。
Denying disabled people the right to vote merely because they have been placed under the adult guardianship system should also be deemed problematic from the viewpoint of ensuring public equity.
同じ障害者でも、後見人が付いた人だけが選挙権を失うのは、公平性の観点からも問題があるだろう。
Before being deprived of her right to vote, the plaintiff voted in almost all elections. In addition, she is able to read and write simple kanji characters. The district court probably gave a great deal of thought to these facts in handing down the ruling.
選挙権を失うまで、女性はほぼ毎回、投票所に足を運んでいた。簡単な漢字の読み書きもできる。東京地裁は、そうした事情も重視したのではないか。
The court ruling, however, should not be taken as a blanket denial of restrictions on voting rights in all circumstances.
判決は選挙権制限の必要性を全面的に否定したわけではない。
The ruling said the restrictions on voting rights for people who lack the competence to exercise the right to vote is not unreasonable.
権利を行使する能力がない人への制限について、「合理性を欠くとは言えない」との見解も示した。
While this country uniformly deprives the vote to right to people under the adult guardianship system, the United States and Europe are heading in the opposite direction.
だが、後見人が付くと一律に選挙権を失う日本のような制度は、欧米ではなくなりつつある。
Japan's adult guardianship system, which was introduced in 2000, is aimed at protecting the rights of the disabled and the elderly with insufficient capacities to make judgments.
そもそも、２０００年に導入された成年後見制度は、判断能力に欠ける障害者や高齢者の権利保護が目的だ。
The system of incompetency that was abolished in 2000 under the civil law also covered those with reckless spending habits, who were excluded from the list of people covered by the adult guardianship system.
従前の禁治産制度は浪費を繰り返す人も対象だったが、成年後見制度では除外した。
In light of this, the Public Offices Election Law's provision to remove the right to vote from people with guardians does not fit in with the spirit of the system.
選挙権を奪う公選法の規定は、制度の趣旨にそぐわない。
There are more than 130,000 adult wards with court-designated guardians across the country.
後見制度の利用者は全国で１３万人以上に上る。
===
Applications rising
Because of the rapid graying of society, applications to use the guardianship system number more than 20,000 annually. The court ruling is expected to have various repercussions on how the guardianship system is conducted from now on.
高齢化が進む中、申し立ては年間２万件以上に達している。判決は今後の制度運用に様々な影響を及ぼすだろう。
When the system was introduced, the then Home Affairs Ministry asserted that depriving people with guardians of their right to vote was intended to prevent voting irregularities.
制度導入の際、旧自治省は「不正投票の防止」を理由に、選挙権を奪う規定の存続を強く主張した経緯がある。
Didn't the ministry overestimate the possibility of voting irregularities concerning the exercise, under the guardianship system, of the right to vote, which is the essence of parliamentary democracy?
民主主義の根幹に位置付けられる選挙権の行使に関し、不正投票の可能性を過大に見積もってはいないか。
The court's ruling should be thought of as a warning from the judiciary regarding the slipshod design of the adult guardianship system.
判決は、制度設計の甘さに対する警告である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2013)
（2013年3月17日01時25分 読売新聞）
Guardian system must not interfere with right to vote
後見と選挙権 違憲判決が制度の甘さ突いた（3月17日付・読売社説）
The Tokyo District Court has ruled unconstitutional a provision in the Public Offices Election Law that denies the right to vote to adults who live under the statutory adult guardianship system.
成年後見人が付いた人から選挙権を奪う公職選挙法の規定について、東京地裁が「違憲」とする判決を言い渡した。
The court ruling highly evaluates the rights of people with mental disorders or intellectual disabilities.
障害者の権利を尊重した司法判断である。
The plaintiff in the suit was an intellectually challenged woman.
原告は知的障害のある女性だ。
Immediately after a family court chose the father of the adult woman as her guardian in 2007, she was deprived of the right to vote.
２００７年、家庭裁判所が女性の成年後見人として父親を選任した途端、選挙権を失った。
The adult guardianship system is designed to allow those who are considered incapable of making judgments to have someone act on their behalf to manage property, make contracts and carry out other procedures.
判断能力が欠如した人の財産管理や契約などを代行するのが、成年後見制度だ。
The Public Offices Election Law does not allow people to whom this system applies the right to vote in national and local elections.
公選法は、この制度が適用された人については、選挙権を認めていない。
===
Unjustifiable denial
The court decision on Thursday acknowledged that the woman had the right to vote on the grounds that depriving her of this right as guaranteed by the Constitution "must be limited to extremely exceptional circumstances."
判決は、憲法が保障する選挙権を奪うのは「極めて例外的な場合に限られる」として、女性に選挙権があることを認めた。
The ruling also noted: "What the family court decided concerned her ability to administer her property by herself, and not her competency in exercising her right to vote.
さらに、「家裁が判断したのは財産を管理する能力であって、選挙権を行使する能力ではない。
"A large number of people probably are capable of exercising their right to vote even if they are unable to manage their assets."
財産管理はできなくとも、選挙権を行使できる人は少なからずいるはずだ」とも指摘した。
It is not surprising that the court ruled the law's provision null and void, as it uniformly restricts voting rights by using two systems intended to serve different purposes.
判決が、趣旨の異なる制度を使って、一律に選挙権を制限している公選法の規定を無効としたことは妥当である。
Denying disabled people the right to vote merely because they have been placed under the adult guardianship system should also be deemed problematic from the viewpoint of ensuring public equity.
同じ障害者でも、後見人が付いた人だけが選挙権を失うのは、公平性の観点からも問題があるだろう。
Before being deprived of her right to vote, the plaintiff voted in almost all elections. In addition, she is able to read and write simple kanji characters. The district court probably gave a great deal of thought to these facts in handing down the ruling.
選挙権を失うまで、女性はほぼ毎回、投票所に足を運んでいた。簡単な漢字の読み書きもできる。東京地裁は、そうした事情も重視したのではないか。
The court ruling, however, should not be taken as a blanket denial of restrictions on voting rights in all circumstances.
判決は選挙権制限の必要性を全面的に否定したわけではない。
The ruling said the restrictions on voting rights for people who lack the competence to exercise the right to vote is not unreasonable.
権利を行使する能力がない人への制限について、「合理性を欠くとは言えない」との見解も示した。
While this country uniformly deprives the vote to right to people under the adult guardianship system, the United States and Europe are heading in the opposite direction.
だが、後見人が付くと一律に選挙権を失う日本のような制度は、欧米ではなくなりつつある。
Japan's adult guardianship system, which was introduced in 2000, is aimed at protecting the rights of the disabled and the elderly with insufficient capacities to make judgments.
そもそも、２０００年に導入された成年後見制度は、判断能力に欠ける障害者や高齢者の権利保護が目的だ。
The system of incompetency that was abolished in 2000 under the civil law also covered those with reckless spending habits, who were excluded from the list of people covered by the adult guardianship system.
従前の禁治産制度は浪費を繰り返す人も対象だったが、成年後見制度では除外した。
In light of this, the Public Offices Election Law's provision to remove the right to vote from people with guardians does not fit in with the spirit of the system.
選挙権を奪う公選法の規定は、制度の趣旨にそぐわない。
There are more than 130,000 adult wards with court-designated guardians across the country.
後見制度の利用者は全国で１３万人以上に上る。
===
Applications rising
Because of the rapid graying of society, applications to use the guardianship system number more than 20,000 annually. The court ruling is expected to have various repercussions on how the guardianship system is conducted from now on.
高齢化が進む中、申し立ては年間２万件以上に達している。判決は今後の制度運用に様々な影響を及ぼすだろう。
When the system was introduced, the then Home Affairs Ministry asserted that depriving people with guardians of their right to vote was intended to prevent voting irregularities.
制度導入の際、旧自治省は「不正投票の防止」を理由に、選挙権を奪う規定の存続を強く主張した経緯がある。
Didn't the ministry overestimate the possibility of voting irregularities concerning the exercise, under the guardianship system, of the right to vote, which is the essence of parliamentary democracy?
民主主義の根幹に位置付けられる選挙権の行使に関し、不正投票の可能性を過大に見積もってはいないか。
The court's ruling should be thought of as a warning from the judiciary regarding the slipshod design of the adult guardianship system.
判決は、制度設計の甘さに対する警告である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2013)
（2013年3月17日01時25分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 17, 2013)
Govt should push for free trade to boost economy
ＴＰＰ参加表明 自由貿易推進で成長に弾みを（3月16日付・読売社説）
◆国家百年の計へ交渉力発揮せよ◆
It is essential for Japan's growth to tap into Asia's economic vigor by expanding the nation's free trade and investment. To that end, Japan's move to join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact would be a major step forward.
自由貿易と投資を拡大し、アジアの活力を取り込むことが、日本の経済成長に欠かせない。そのための大きな一歩となるだろう。
On Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally announced Japan's intention to participate in negotiations on the U.S.-led multilateral free trade framework.
安倍首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加を正式表明した。
Reaching a national consensus on the matter has been difficult over the past three years, ever since the administration of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan began considering participation. We applaud Abe's political decision on the TPP issue.
菅政権で検討を開始して以来、約３年間、意見集約が難航した。首相の政治決断を評価したい。
"Joining the TPP talks is a farsighted national policy," the prime minister said at a press conference Friday. "If we miss this chance, we will be left behind in global rule-making efforts."
首相は記者会見で、「ＴＰＰ交渉参加は国家百年の計だ。今を逃すと日本は世界のルール作りから取り残される」と指摘した。
===
TPP could boost Japan-U.S. ties
◆日米同盟の強化に寄与◆
Currently, 11 countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada, are conducting TPP negotiations, and 29 areas, including tariffs, services and intellectual property, are under discussion.
ＴＰＰは米国、豪州、カナダなど１１か国が関税、サービス、知的財産など２９分野で交渉中だ。
Abe stressed: "We'll make full use of our negotiating power to protect what needs protecting and push for what we want. We'll seek the best way to serve national interests."
首相が「交渉力を駆使し、守るべきものは守り、攻められるものは攻める。国益にかなう最善の道を追求する」と強調したのはもっともである。
We approve this stance. Japan, if approved, will be a latecomer to the TPP negotiations and will be in a disadvantageous position, but we hope the government will exert its negotiating power.
遅れて参加する日本は不利な立場だが、「交渉力」を発揮してもらいたい。
Meanwhile, the government has released its estimate on the economic impact of the TPP if the country joins the trade pact. According to the estimate, annual production in the nation's agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors could fall by 3 trillion yen. However, with consumption and exports growing, Japan's real gross domestic product is expected to increase by 3.2 trillion yen overall.
政府は、ＴＰＰ参加による経済効果の試算を公表した。
農林水産業の生産額は３兆円減るものの、消費拡大や輸出増加により、全体で国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）を実質で３・２兆円押し上げるという。
The Abe administration faces a test over whether it can devise a mid- and long-term growth strategy in its "Abenomics" economic policy. It is reasonable to use the TPP to boost the strategy.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」では中長期の成長戦略が問われる。そのエンジンとしてＴＰＰを位置づけるのは妥当だ。
Abe also said TPP participation would contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Asia Pacific region. Expectations are high that the creation of a free trade zone centering on Japan and the United States could also strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.
首相は、ＴＰＰ参加が「安全保障やアジア太平洋地域の安定に寄与する」と語った。日米を軸にした自由貿易圏作りは、日米同盟を強化する効果も期待される。
Japan-U.S. security ties were shaken by poor diplomacy by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan. Taking advantage of the situation, China, which is pursuing a policy of increasing wealth and military power, has opposed Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands and has repeatedly sent Chinese patrol ships into Japanese waters. Such provocations by Beijing have increased instability in East Asia.
民主党政権の稚拙な外交により日米安保体制は揺らいだ。その間隙を突くように、富国強兵路線を鮮明にする中国が日本の尖閣諸島国有化に反発し、監視船による領海侵犯を繰り返すなど、東アジア情勢を不安定化させている。
To call for a growing China to abide by international rules, it is vital for Japan and the United States to work closely together.
台頭する中国に国際ルールの順守を求めるには、緊密な日米連携が不可欠である。
Abe was able to announce Japan's intention to join TPP talks mainly because he obtained confirmation from U.S. President Barack Obama at their February summit meeting that eliminating all tariffs would not be a precondition for joining the talks.
そもそも、首相がＴＰＰ交渉参加を決断できたのは、２月のオバマ米大統領との首脳会談で「聖域なき関税撤廃が前提ではない」と確認したことが大きかった。
In principle, the TPP is premised on tariff elimination, but the summit meeting has made it clear that exceptions could be made for certain items under negotiation.
ＴＰＰは関税撤廃が原則だが、交渉次第で例外品目を獲得できることが明確になったからだ。
===
What must be protected?
◆国益として何を守るか◆
Abe took an ingenious strategy in coordinating views within the Liberal Democratic Party to make the decision to participate in the TPP talks consistent with the party's campaign pledge in the House of Representatives election last year. The LDP had pledged to oppose joining the TPP talks as long as abolishing tariffs without exception was a precondition.
「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする限り、交渉参加に反対」としていた自民党の昨年の衆院選政権公約と矛盾しないように調整を進めた首相の戦略は巧みだった。
While there were arguments for and against the matter, the LDP adopted a resolution accepting Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations, which created an environment for Abe to make a final decision.
賛否両論が出る中、自民党がＴＰＰ交渉参加を容認する決議をまとめたことで、首相が最終的に決断を下す環境が整った。
Among other conditions, the LDP resolution calls on the government to place priority on ensuring five agricultural items--rice, wheat, beef and pork, dairy products and plants for making sweeteners--will be exempt from tariff elimination. The resolution also seeks to maintain Japan's universal health insurance system.
自民党の決議は、コメ、麦、牛肉・豚肉、乳製品、甘味資源作物の農産品の５項目の例外扱いと、国民皆保険制度の維持を最優先で求めたのがポイントだ。
Abe is apparently thinking about joining the TPP talks after confirming the party's solidarity on the matter at the LDP's convention scheduled to be held on Sunday.
首相は、１７日の自民党大会で党内の結束を確認し、交渉に臨む考えだろう。
Obama has announced a goal of completing the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. That leaves very little time as Japan is expected to join the talks around July.
オバマ大統領は「交渉の年内妥結」を表明している。日本が実際に交渉に加わるのは７月ごろと見られ、残された時間は少ない。
Abe appointed Akira Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, as minister in charge of TPP issues. Serving as the government's point man, Amari must do his utmost to work on formulating trade and investment rules that reflect Japan's national interests.
首相は甘利経済再生相をＴＰＰ相に任命した。甘利氏が政府の司令塔となり、国益を反映した貿易・投資ルール作りに全力で取り組まなければならない。
A hard-fought battle is expected over the process of narrowing down items to be exempt from tariff elimination.
攻防が予想されるのが、関税撤廃の例外品目の絞り込みだ。
In past trade negotiations, Japan has refused to abolish tariffs for about 940 items, which account for about 10 percent of the total, mainly agricultural products such as rice and wheat.
日本はこれまでの通商交渉で、関税分類上、コメ、麦など農産品を中心に、全体の約１割に相当する約９４０品目の関税を一度も撤廃していない。
It remains unclear how many items Japan will be able to keep as exceptions. Each country has items they want treated as exempt, with Canada seeking exceptions for dairy products and Mexico for textiles and shoes.
日本がどれだけ関税撤廃の例外を獲得できるかは不透明だ。カナダは乳製品、メキシコは繊維や靴など、各国とも例外扱いを望む品目がある。
Japan has compromised in prior consultations with the United States and largely agreed, for the time being, to allow the United States to delay eliminating import tariffs it imposes on passenger vehicles and trucks. In return, Japan should win concessions from the United States on agricultural products.
日本は米国との事前協議で譲歩し、米国が乗用車とトラックにかけている輸入関税の撤廃を当面猶予する方向で大筋合意した。日本はその見返りに、米国から農産品で譲歩を引き出すべきだ。
===
Strengthening agriculture
◆農業強化策が急務だ◆
It is an urgent task for Japan to strengthen agriculture's competitiveness in preparation for further market liberalization. Apart from participation in the TPP talks, the current situation of Japan's agriculture, where farmers are aging, is already severe.
一層の市場開放に備えた農業の競争力強化が急務である。ＴＰＰ交渉参加とは関係なく、高齢化が進む日本農業の現状は厳しい。
As Abe pointed out that the TPP is a "big opportunity, not an adversity," the government should put efforts into such policies as fostering farmers, and promote "aggressive agriculture."
首相が「ピンチではなく、むしろ大きなチャンス」と指摘したように、政府は担い手農家育成などの政策に注力し「攻めの農業」を推進することが求められる。
Japan will soon agree to begin negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with the European Union and also is scheduled to begin talks for a trilateral free trade agreement with China and South Korea.
日本は近く、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉開始に合意し、日中韓の交渉もスタートさせる予定だ。
Japan should switch to the offensive on the TPP and regain lost ground in its trade policies by accelerating negotiations for other trade pacts.
ＴＰＰで反転攻勢をかけるとともに、他の交渉も加速し、通商政策を巻き返さなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2013)
（2013年3月16日01時34分 読売新聞）
Govt should push for free trade to boost economy
ＴＰＰ参加表明 自由貿易推進で成長に弾みを（3月16日付・読売社説）
◆国家百年の計へ交渉力発揮せよ◆
It is essential for Japan's growth to tap into Asia's economic vigor by expanding the nation's free trade and investment. To that end, Japan's move to join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact would be a major step forward.
自由貿易と投資を拡大し、アジアの活力を取り込むことが、日本の経済成長に欠かせない。そのための大きな一歩となるだろう。
On Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally announced Japan's intention to participate in negotiations on the U.S.-led multilateral free trade framework.
安倍首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加を正式表明した。
Reaching a national consensus on the matter has been difficult over the past three years, ever since the administration of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan began considering participation. We applaud Abe's political decision on the TPP issue.
菅政権で検討を開始して以来、約３年間、意見集約が難航した。首相の政治決断を評価したい。
"Joining the TPP talks is a farsighted national policy," the prime minister said at a press conference Friday. "If we miss this chance, we will be left behind in global rule-making efforts."
首相は記者会見で、「ＴＰＰ交渉参加は国家百年の計だ。今を逃すと日本は世界のルール作りから取り残される」と指摘した。
===
TPP could boost Japan-U.S. ties
◆日米同盟の強化に寄与◆
Currently, 11 countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada, are conducting TPP negotiations, and 29 areas, including tariffs, services and intellectual property, are under discussion.
ＴＰＰは米国、豪州、カナダなど１１か国が関税、サービス、知的財産など２９分野で交渉中だ。
Abe stressed: "We'll make full use of our negotiating power to protect what needs protecting and push for what we want. We'll seek the best way to serve national interests."
首相が「交渉力を駆使し、守るべきものは守り、攻められるものは攻める。国益にかなう最善の道を追求する」と強調したのはもっともである。
We approve this stance. Japan, if approved, will be a latecomer to the TPP negotiations and will be in a disadvantageous position, but we hope the government will exert its negotiating power.
遅れて参加する日本は不利な立場だが、「交渉力」を発揮してもらいたい。
Meanwhile, the government has released its estimate on the economic impact of the TPP if the country joins the trade pact. According to the estimate, annual production in the nation's agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors could fall by 3 trillion yen. However, with consumption and exports growing, Japan's real gross domestic product is expected to increase by 3.2 trillion yen overall.
政府は、ＴＰＰ参加による経済効果の試算を公表した。
農林水産業の生産額は３兆円減るものの、消費拡大や輸出増加により、全体で国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）を実質で３・２兆円押し上げるという。
The Abe administration faces a test over whether it can devise a mid- and long-term growth strategy in its "Abenomics" economic policy. It is reasonable to use the TPP to boost the strategy.
安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」では中長期の成長戦略が問われる。そのエンジンとしてＴＰＰを位置づけるのは妥当だ。
Abe also said TPP participation would contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Asia Pacific region. Expectations are high that the creation of a free trade zone centering on Japan and the United States could also strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.
首相は、ＴＰＰ参加が「安全保障やアジア太平洋地域の安定に寄与する」と語った。日米を軸にした自由貿易圏作りは、日米同盟を強化する効果も期待される。
Japan-U.S. security ties were shaken by poor diplomacy by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan. Taking advantage of the situation, China, which is pursuing a policy of increasing wealth and military power, has opposed Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands and has repeatedly sent Chinese patrol ships into Japanese waters. Such provocations by Beijing have increased instability in East Asia.
民主党政権の稚拙な外交により日米安保体制は揺らいだ。その間隙を突くように、富国強兵路線を鮮明にする中国が日本の尖閣諸島国有化に反発し、監視船による領海侵犯を繰り返すなど、東アジア情勢を不安定化させている。
To call for a growing China to abide by international rules, it is vital for Japan and the United States to work closely together.
台頭する中国に国際ルールの順守を求めるには、緊密な日米連携が不可欠である。
Abe was able to announce Japan's intention to join TPP talks mainly because he obtained confirmation from U.S. President Barack Obama at their February summit meeting that eliminating all tariffs would not be a precondition for joining the talks.
そもそも、首相がＴＰＰ交渉参加を決断できたのは、２月のオバマ米大統領との首脳会談で「聖域なき関税撤廃が前提ではない」と確認したことが大きかった。
In principle, the TPP is premised on tariff elimination, but the summit meeting has made it clear that exceptions could be made for certain items under negotiation.
ＴＰＰは関税撤廃が原則だが、交渉次第で例外品目を獲得できることが明確になったからだ。
===
What must be protected?
◆国益として何を守るか◆
Abe took an ingenious strategy in coordinating views within the Liberal Democratic Party to make the decision to participate in the TPP talks consistent with the party's campaign pledge in the House of Representatives election last year. The LDP had pledged to oppose joining the TPP talks as long as abolishing tariffs without exception was a precondition.
「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする限り、交渉参加に反対」としていた自民党の昨年の衆院選政権公約と矛盾しないように調整を進めた首相の戦略は巧みだった。
While there were arguments for and against the matter, the LDP adopted a resolution accepting Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations, which created an environment for Abe to make a final decision.
賛否両論が出る中、自民党がＴＰＰ交渉参加を容認する決議をまとめたことで、首相が最終的に決断を下す環境が整った。
Among other conditions, the LDP resolution calls on the government to place priority on ensuring five agricultural items--rice, wheat, beef and pork, dairy products and plants for making sweeteners--will be exempt from tariff elimination. The resolution also seeks to maintain Japan's universal health insurance system.
自民党の決議は、コメ、麦、牛肉・豚肉、乳製品、甘味資源作物の農産品の５項目の例外扱いと、国民皆保険制度の維持を最優先で求めたのがポイントだ。
Abe is apparently thinking about joining the TPP talks after confirming the party's solidarity on the matter at the LDP's convention scheduled to be held on Sunday.
首相は、１７日の自民党大会で党内の結束を確認し、交渉に臨む考えだろう。
Obama has announced a goal of completing the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. That leaves very little time as Japan is expected to join the talks around July.
オバマ大統領は「交渉の年内妥結」を表明している。日本が実際に交渉に加わるのは７月ごろと見られ、残された時間は少ない。
Abe appointed Akira Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, as minister in charge of TPP issues. Serving as the government's point man, Amari must do his utmost to work on formulating trade and investment rules that reflect Japan's national interests.
首相は甘利経済再生相をＴＰＰ相に任命した。甘利氏が政府の司令塔となり、国益を反映した貿易・投資ルール作りに全力で取り組まなければならない。
A hard-fought battle is expected over the process of narrowing down items to be exempt from tariff elimination.
攻防が予想されるのが、関税撤廃の例外品目の絞り込みだ。
In past trade negotiations, Japan has refused to abolish tariffs for about 940 items, which account for about 10 percent of the total, mainly agricultural products such as rice and wheat.
日本はこれまでの通商交渉で、関税分類上、コメ、麦など農産品を中心に、全体の約１割に相当する約９４０品目の関税を一度も撤廃していない。
It remains unclear how many items Japan will be able to keep as exceptions. Each country has items they want treated as exempt, with Canada seeking exceptions for dairy products and Mexico for textiles and shoes.
日本がどれだけ関税撤廃の例外を獲得できるかは不透明だ。カナダは乳製品、メキシコは繊維や靴など、各国とも例外扱いを望む品目がある。
Japan has compromised in prior consultations with the United States and largely agreed, for the time being, to allow the United States to delay eliminating import tariffs it imposes on passenger vehicles and trucks. In return, Japan should win concessions from the United States on agricultural products.
日本は米国との事前協議で譲歩し、米国が乗用車とトラックにかけている輸入関税の撤廃を当面猶予する方向で大筋合意した。日本はその見返りに、米国から農産品で譲歩を引き出すべきだ。
===
Strengthening agriculture
◆農業強化策が急務だ◆
It is an urgent task for Japan to strengthen agriculture's competitiveness in preparation for further market liberalization. Apart from participation in the TPP talks, the current situation of Japan's agriculture, where farmers are aging, is already severe.
一層の市場開放に備えた農業の競争力強化が急務である。ＴＰＰ交渉参加とは関係なく、高齢化が進む日本農業の現状は厳しい。
As Abe pointed out that the TPP is a "big opportunity, not an adversity," the government should put efforts into such policies as fostering farmers, and promote "aggressive agriculture."
首相が「ピンチではなく、むしろ大きなチャンス」と指摘したように、政府は担い手農家育成などの政策に注力し「攻めの農業」を推進することが求められる。
Japan will soon agree to begin negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with the European Union and also is scheduled to begin talks for a trilateral free trade agreement with China and South Korea.
日本は近く、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉開始に合意し、日中韓の交渉もスタートさせる予定だ。
Japan should switch to the offensive on the TPP and regain lost ground in its trade policies by accelerating negotiations for other trade pacts.
ＴＰＰで反転攻勢をかけるとともに、他の交渉も加速し、通商政策を巻き返さなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2013)
（2013年3月16日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 16, 2013)
China's overbearing diplomacy only boosts its 'alien' image
習・李体制へ 威圧外交で高まる中国異質論（3月15日付・読売社説）
Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has been named president at the National People's Congress, succeeding the retiring Hu Jintao. Xi now holds the country's top three titles, including the top party and military posts.
中国共産党の習近平総書記が全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）で、引退する胡錦濤氏の後任の国家主席に選出された。これで、党、軍のトップと合わせて３権を掌握した。
On Friday, Li Keqiang is set to succeed Wen Jiabao in the premiership. Then the transition of power that began in autumn last year will be complete and the Xi-Li regime can begin to move.
１５日には、党内序列２位の李克強氏が温家宝氏から首相を引き継ぎ、「習・李体制」が始動する。昨秋以来の権力移行の完成だ。
China, now the world's second-largest economy, is being urged to play a much larger role in the international community than it did when the Hu-Wen regime began 10 years ago. We hope China will respond to the demands of the global community and fulfill its responsibility in stabilizing the world situation.
世界第２位の経済大国となった中国には、１０年前の「胡・温体制」発足時より格段に大きな役割が国際社会で求められている。中国はそのことを自覚し、世界の安定に責任を果たしてもらいたい。
===
Aiming to be a maritime giant
President Xi, who has said achieving the "great revival of the Chinese nation" is the goal of his administration, is expected to pursue wealth- and military-building policies over his two five-year terms, aiming to transform China into a superpower on par with the United States.
「中華民族の偉大な復興」を政権目標に掲げる習主席は、２期１０年間の任期中、米国と並ぶ超大国の座に迫ろうと、富国強兵路線を突き進む考えだ。
Backed by a strong military, China has been striving to become a "great maritime power." It is quite clear that the country will continue its hard-line stance against Japan, Vietnam, and other neighbors in the East and South China seas.
強大な軍事力を背景に「海洋強国化」を推し進めている。東シナ海や南シナ海で、日本やベトナムなど周辺国に対し、強硬姿勢をとり続けるのは間違いない。
China's lawmaking body, the National People's Congress, passed government organizational reforms to achieve this aim.
全人代では、そのための政府の機構改革も決めた。
The reforms consolidate maritime patrols under the State Oceanic Administration (SOA)--activities that had been previously administered independently by law enforcement bodies such as the SOA, Agriculture Ministry and Public Security Ministry. This therefore represents a massive increase of the SOA's authority. Above the SOA, a state oceanic commission will be created to direct the country's maritime strategy.
国家海洋局の下に、これまで海洋局や農業省、公安省などが個別に所管してきた海上取り締まり活動を一本化した。海洋局の権限を大幅に強化するものだ。その上位機関に、海洋戦略を主導する「国家海洋委員会」を新設する。
The Xi administration is expected to step up cooperation between the navy and the SOA to maintain and strengthen its demonstrative activities around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The administration has reportedly been studying the possibility of sending a survey team to the islands to set survey markers and create an accurate map of the islands.
習政権は、尖閣諸島周辺の示威行動を継続・強化する目的で海軍と海洋局の協力を本格化させる見通しだ。尖閣諸島の正確な地図作製のため、測量隊の派遣や標識の設置も検討しているとされる。
This situation is very worrying for Japan. We cannot accept such a violation of Japan's sovereignty.
憂慮すべき事態である。日本の主権を侵害する行為を受け入れるわけにはいかない。
Japan needs to increase alertness over China in cooperation with the United States, and prepare for China's ever-escalating provocative actions.
日本は米国と連携して警戒を強め、エスカレートする挑発への備えを固めねばならない。
As part of the organizational reform, China has decided to dissolve the Railway Ministry. Dubbed an "independent kingdom" with its own police force and court system, the ministry has been criticized as a hotbed of corruption in the wake of seemingly endless bribery cases. The Xi administration's leadership will be tested over its ability to direct a new railway organization to put customers first and place top priority on safety.
機構改革では鉄道省の解体も決まった。独自の警察や裁判所も抱えた「独立王国」には、汚職が絶えない「腐敗の温床」との批判があった。利用者側に立ち、安全を最優先する組織に再生できるか。政権の指導力が問われよう。
===
No visible achievements
During the last decade, the Hu-Wen administration sought sustainable economic growth that took the environment into consideration and worked to correct income disparities. However, it failed to produce visible results. Furthermore, the new administration must appropriately deal with the suppression of the human rights of minority groups, such as those in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
胡・温体制はこの１０年、環境に配慮した持続的な経済成長や格差是正などを訴えてきたが、目に見える成果を出せなかった。さらに、チベットなど少数民族の人権抑圧への対応も迫られている。
Xi will need to squarely face difficult problems that could shake the foundation of the country. If the government continues to inflame nationalist sentiments with its forcible, overbearing diplomacy only to distract people from their hardships, it will only give more credence to ideas in the international community such as that China is an alien nation or is a major threat to other countries.
習主席は、中国を足元から揺さぶる難題に正面から取り組むべきだ。国民の不満をそらそうと、力ずくの威圧外交によって国内の民族主義を煽(あお)り続けるのなら、中国への「異質論」や「脅威論」が国際社会で高まるだけである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2013)
（2013年3月15日01時38分 読売新聞）
China's overbearing diplomacy only boosts its 'alien' image
習・李体制へ 威圧外交で高まる中国異質論（3月15日付・読売社説）
Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has been named president at the National People's Congress, succeeding the retiring Hu Jintao. Xi now holds the country's top three titles, including the top party and military posts.
中国共産党の習近平総書記が全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）で、引退する胡錦濤氏の後任の国家主席に選出された。これで、党、軍のトップと合わせて３権を掌握した。
On Friday, Li Keqiang is set to succeed Wen Jiabao in the premiership. Then the transition of power that began in autumn last year will be complete and the Xi-Li regime can begin to move.
１５日には、党内序列２位の李克強氏が温家宝氏から首相を引き継ぎ、「習・李体制」が始動する。昨秋以来の権力移行の完成だ。
China, now the world's second-largest economy, is being urged to play a much larger role in the international community than it did when the Hu-Wen regime began 10 years ago. We hope China will respond to the demands of the global community and fulfill its responsibility in stabilizing the world situation.
世界第２位の経済大国となった中国には、１０年前の「胡・温体制」発足時より格段に大きな役割が国際社会で求められている。中国はそのことを自覚し、世界の安定に責任を果たしてもらいたい。
===
Aiming to be a maritime giant
President Xi, who has said achieving the "great revival of the Chinese nation" is the goal of his administration, is expected to pursue wealth- and military-building policies over his two five-year terms, aiming to transform China into a superpower on par with the United States.
「中華民族の偉大な復興」を政権目標に掲げる習主席は、２期１０年間の任期中、米国と並ぶ超大国の座に迫ろうと、富国強兵路線を突き進む考えだ。
Backed by a strong military, China has been striving to become a "great maritime power." It is quite clear that the country will continue its hard-line stance against Japan, Vietnam, and other neighbors in the East and South China seas.
強大な軍事力を背景に「海洋強国化」を推し進めている。東シナ海や南シナ海で、日本やベトナムなど周辺国に対し、強硬姿勢をとり続けるのは間違いない。
China's lawmaking body, the National People's Congress, passed government organizational reforms to achieve this aim.
全人代では、そのための政府の機構改革も決めた。
The reforms consolidate maritime patrols under the State Oceanic Administration (SOA)--activities that had been previously administered independently by law enforcement bodies such as the SOA, Agriculture Ministry and Public Security Ministry. This therefore represents a massive increase of the SOA's authority. Above the SOA, a state oceanic commission will be created to direct the country's maritime strategy.
国家海洋局の下に、これまで海洋局や農業省、公安省などが個別に所管してきた海上取り締まり活動を一本化した。海洋局の権限を大幅に強化するものだ。その上位機関に、海洋戦略を主導する「国家海洋委員会」を新設する。
The Xi administration is expected to step up cooperation between the navy and the SOA to maintain and strengthen its demonstrative activities around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The administration has reportedly been studying the possibility of sending a survey team to the islands to set survey markers and create an accurate map of the islands.
習政権は、尖閣諸島周辺の示威行動を継続・強化する目的で海軍と海洋局の協力を本格化させる見通しだ。尖閣諸島の正確な地図作製のため、測量隊の派遣や標識の設置も検討しているとされる。
This situation is very worrying for Japan. We cannot accept such a violation of Japan's sovereignty.
憂慮すべき事態である。日本の主権を侵害する行為を受け入れるわけにはいかない。
Japan needs to increase alertness over China in cooperation with the United States, and prepare for China's ever-escalating provocative actions.
日本は米国と連携して警戒を強め、エスカレートする挑発への備えを固めねばならない。
As part of the organizational reform, China has decided to dissolve the Railway Ministry. Dubbed an "independent kingdom" with its own police force and court system, the ministry has been criticized as a hotbed of corruption in the wake of seemingly endless bribery cases. The Xi administration's leadership will be tested over its ability to direct a new railway organization to put customers first and place top priority on safety.
機構改革では鉄道省の解体も決まった。独自の警察や裁判所も抱えた「独立王国」には、汚職が絶えない「腐敗の温床」との批判があった。利用者側に立ち、安全を最優先する組織に再生できるか。政権の指導力が問われよう。
===
No visible achievements
During the last decade, the Hu-Wen administration sought sustainable economic growth that took the environment into consideration and worked to correct income disparities. However, it failed to produce visible results. Furthermore, the new administration must appropriately deal with the suppression of the human rights of minority groups, such as those in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
胡・温体制はこの１０年、環境に配慮した持続的な経済成長や格差是正などを訴えてきたが、目に見える成果を出せなかった。さらに、チベットなど少数民族の人権抑圧への対応も迫られている。
Xi will need to squarely face difficult problems that could shake the foundation of the country. If the government continues to inflame nationalist sentiments with its forcible, overbearing diplomacy only to distract people from their hardships, it will only give more credence to ideas in the international community such as that China is an alien nation or is a major threat to other countries.
習主席は、中国を足元から揺さぶる難題に正面から取り組むべきだ。国民の不満をそらそうと、力ずくの威圧外交によって国内の民族主義を煽(あお)り続けるのなら、中国への「異質論」や「脅威論」が国際社会で高まるだけである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2013)
（2013年3月15日01時38分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 15, 2013)
Wage hikes must be linked to economic recovery
春闘回答 賃上げを景気回復の糸口に（3月14日付・読売社説）
It seems the public's expectations for Abenomics--the Abe Cabinet's economic policy aimed at escaping from deflation--have had a positive impact on this year's shunto spring wage negotiations.
デフレ脱却を目指す安倍内閣の経済政策「アベノミクス」への期待が、今年の春闘に好影響を与えたのだろう。
Workers' wages had been sliding in Japan for years, helping to prolong deflation. It is essential that these wage increases be linked to growth in consumption and economic recovery.
日本では長年にわたり、賃金の下落傾向が続き、デフレが長期化する一因となってきた。賃上げを消費拡大と景気回復につなげることが重要である。
On Wednesday, major automakers and electronics makers responded to labor unions' demands regarding yearly bonuses and regular pay raises based on seniority. Their decisions influence trends in the annual spring labor offensives.
春闘相場に影響を与える大手の自動車や電機各社は、定期昇給や年間一時金（ボーナス）を労働組合に一斉回答した。
Most major automakers, such as Toyota Motor Corp., said they will accept their unions' bonus demands in full. The average yearly bonus at such automakers has recovered to the level recorded in 2008, before the so-called Lehman shock. The automakers also acceded to the unions' demands on regular pay raises.
トヨタ自動車など大半の自動車大手は一時金で満額回答し、リーマン・ショック前の２００８年以来の水準となった。定昇や、これに相当する「賃金制度維持分」でも組合の要求をのんだ。
Compared to automakers, business performance has varied recently among major electronics makers. As a result, there were differences in the electronics makers' responses to their unions' demands, but they all accepted the demands on regular pay raises.
業績にばらつきがある電機では回答に差がついたが、定昇維持では足並みがそろった。
The outlook of labor-management negotiations has totally changed from last year, when some companies decided to forgo the regular pay raise and cut their employees' wages.
一部企業が定昇凍結や賃下げした昨年春闘からは様変わりだ。
===
Management's policy shift
Initially, management took a hard-line stance before this year's shunto negotiations, stressing that certain companies may choose to postpone or forgo regular pay raises. Their policy shift is remarkable.
経営側が当初、「企業によっては定昇の延期・凍結もありうる」と厳しい姿勢を見せていたのと比べると大きな転換と言えよう。
The underlying reason why the companies chose to accept the unions' demands is the rapid business recovery of export-oriented companies, such as automakers and electronics makers, boosted by the depreciation of the yen that took place after the launch of the Abe administration.
その背景には、安倍政権誕生後に進んだ円安を追い風に、自動車や電機など輸出企業の採算が急速に改善している事情がある。
Requests by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some Cabinet ministers during negotiations that companies increase workers' wages were also effective.
加えて、安倍首相や閣僚が、春闘中、経営側に賃上げを要請したことも効果的だった。
Some company executives have acknowledged they took the government's requests into account. It is understandable for the labor unions to boast that they had a certain level of success in the negotiations.
一部の経営側は首相らの要請を考慮したことを認めている。労働側が「一定の成果を確保した」と分析しているのはもっともだ。
Ahead the manufacturing industry, a number of convenience store chains, such as Lawson Inc., also raised their employees' wages. We want to praise the convenience store industry's decision to take the initiative in working to boost consumer spending.
製造業に先立ち、ローソンなどコンビニエンスストア業界でも賃上げが相次いだ。個人消費のテコ入れに先鞭(せんべん)をつけようとしたコンビニ業界の決断も評価できる。
However, although the public's hopes for Abenomics are running high, Japan has yet to witness substantial recovery in the real economy.
ただし、アベノミクスは期待感が先行しており、必ずしも実体経済は本格的に回復していない。
Few companies have promised to raise base pay, called "base-up" in Japanese, a uniform pay-scale increase that comes in addition to the regular pay raise. It is also unclear whether moves to raise wages will spread to small and midsize companies.
賃金を底上げするベースアップを行った企業はまだ少なく、中堅・中小企業に賃上げの動きが波及するかどうかは不透明だ。
===
Recovery is yet to come
Depreciation of the yen will drive up the prices of fuel and imported raw materials. We have to be aware that certain industries, such as food services, will be buffeted by the headwind caused by such cost increases.
円安進行は、燃料や輸入原材料価格の値上がりによるコスト高を招き、外食産業などの企業に逆風となることにも要警戒である。
Will the government be able to connect companies' moves to increase their employees' wages, which the nation has been longing for, to steady economic recovery and make it the beginning of a virtuous economic cycle? What matters is the government's effort to reinforce cooperation with the Bank of Japan to achieve this goal.
大事なのは、ようやく出てきた賃上げの動きを着実な景気回復という好循環につなげていく政府・日銀の連携の強化だ。
The government plans to draw up by June its growth strategy, with policies such as practical implementation of regenerative medicine as its pillars. We hope the strategy will produce tangible results, such as strengthening the competitiveness of domestic companies and nurturing growing industries.
政府は６月、再生医療の実用化などを柱とする成長戦略をまとめる方針だ。企業の競争力強化や、成長産業の育成など具体的な成果を期待したい。
Such moves should be taken in tandem with bold monetary easing and flexible fiscal policy to accelerate the rejuvenation of the Japanese economy.
大胆な金融緩和と機動的な財政出動と併せ、日本経済の活性化を加速しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 14, 2013)
（2013年3月14日01時34分 読売新聞）
Wage hikes must be linked to economic recovery
春闘回答 賃上げを景気回復の糸口に（3月14日付・読売社説）
It seems the public's expectations for Abenomics--the Abe Cabinet's economic policy aimed at escaping from deflation--have had a positive impact on this year's shunto spring wage negotiations.
デフレ脱却を目指す安倍内閣の経済政策「アベノミクス」への期待が、今年の春闘に好影響を与えたのだろう。
Workers' wages had been sliding in Japan for years, helping to prolong deflation. It is essential that these wage increases be linked to growth in consumption and economic recovery.
日本では長年にわたり、賃金の下落傾向が続き、デフレが長期化する一因となってきた。賃上げを消費拡大と景気回復につなげることが重要である。
On Wednesday, major automakers and electronics makers responded to labor unions' demands regarding yearly bonuses and regular pay raises based on seniority. Their decisions influence trends in the annual spring labor offensives.
春闘相場に影響を与える大手の自動車や電機各社は、定期昇給や年間一時金（ボーナス）を労働組合に一斉回答した。
Most major automakers, such as Toyota Motor Corp., said they will accept their unions' bonus demands in full. The average yearly bonus at such automakers has recovered to the level recorded in 2008, before the so-called Lehman shock. The automakers also acceded to the unions' demands on regular pay raises.
トヨタ自動車など大半の自動車大手は一時金で満額回答し、リーマン・ショック前の２００８年以来の水準となった。定昇や、これに相当する「賃金制度維持分」でも組合の要求をのんだ。
Compared to automakers, business performance has varied recently among major electronics makers. As a result, there were differences in the electronics makers' responses to their unions' demands, but they all accepted the demands on regular pay raises.
業績にばらつきがある電機では回答に差がついたが、定昇維持では足並みがそろった。
The outlook of labor-management negotiations has totally changed from last year, when some companies decided to forgo the regular pay raise and cut their employees' wages.
一部企業が定昇凍結や賃下げした昨年春闘からは様変わりだ。
===
Management's policy shift
Initially, management took a hard-line stance before this year's shunto negotiations, stressing that certain companies may choose to postpone or forgo regular pay raises. Their policy shift is remarkable.
経営側が当初、「企業によっては定昇の延期・凍結もありうる」と厳しい姿勢を見せていたのと比べると大きな転換と言えよう。
The underlying reason why the companies chose to accept the unions' demands is the rapid business recovery of export-oriented companies, such as automakers and electronics makers, boosted by the depreciation of the yen that took place after the launch of the Abe administration.
その背景には、安倍政権誕生後に進んだ円安を追い風に、自動車や電機など輸出企業の採算が急速に改善している事情がある。
Requests by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some Cabinet ministers during negotiations that companies increase workers' wages were also effective.
加えて、安倍首相や閣僚が、春闘中、経営側に賃上げを要請したことも効果的だった。
Some company executives have acknowledged they took the government's requests into account. It is understandable for the labor unions to boast that they had a certain level of success in the negotiations.
一部の経営側は首相らの要請を考慮したことを認めている。労働側が「一定の成果を確保した」と分析しているのはもっともだ。
Ahead the manufacturing industry, a number of convenience store chains, such as Lawson Inc., also raised their employees' wages. We want to praise the convenience store industry's decision to take the initiative in working to boost consumer spending.
製造業に先立ち、ローソンなどコンビニエンスストア業界でも賃上げが相次いだ。個人消費のテコ入れに先鞭(せんべん)をつけようとしたコンビニ業界の決断も評価できる。
However, although the public's hopes for Abenomics are running high, Japan has yet to witness substantial recovery in the real economy.
ただし、アベノミクスは期待感が先行しており、必ずしも実体経済は本格的に回復していない。
Few companies have promised to raise base pay, called "base-up" in Japanese, a uniform pay-scale increase that comes in addition to the regular pay raise. It is also unclear whether moves to raise wages will spread to small and midsize companies.
賃金を底上げするベースアップを行った企業はまだ少なく、中堅・中小企業に賃上げの動きが波及するかどうかは不透明だ。
===
Recovery is yet to come
Depreciation of the yen will drive up the prices of fuel and imported raw materials. We have to be aware that certain industries, such as food services, will be buffeted by the headwind caused by such cost increases.
円安進行は、燃料や輸入原材料価格の値上がりによるコスト高を招き、外食産業などの企業に逆風となることにも要警戒である。
Will the government be able to connect companies' moves to increase their employees' wages, which the nation has been longing for, to steady economic recovery and make it the beginning of a virtuous economic cycle? What matters is the government's effort to reinforce cooperation with the Bank of Japan to achieve this goal.
大事なのは、ようやく出てきた賃上げの動きを着実な景気回復という好循環につなげていく政府・日銀の連携の強化だ。
The government plans to draw up by June its growth strategy, with policies such as practical implementation of regenerative medicine as its pillars. We hope the strategy will produce tangible results, such as strengthening the competitiveness of domestic companies and nurturing growing industries.
政府は６月、再生医療の実用化などを柱とする成長戦略をまとめる方針だ。企業の競争力強化や、成長産業の育成など具体的な成果を期待したい。
Such moves should be taken in tandem with bold monetary easing and flexible fiscal policy to accelerate the rejuvenation of the Japanese economy.
大胆な金融緩和と機動的な財政出動と併せ、日本経済の活性化を加速しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 14, 2013)
（2013年3月14日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 14, 2013)
Keeping memories of the March 11 disaster alive
震災遺構の保存 記憶の伝承に生かせるのなら（3月13日付・読売社説）
Scars of the massive tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake remain all-too-vivid in some affected areas. A large fishing vessel remains stranded ashore, and buildings reduced to their bare frames dot the landscape.
骨組みだけとなったビル、陸に乗り上げた大型漁船――。東日本大震災の被災地には今なお津波の痕跡が生々しい。
Local governments in these areas face an extremely difficult quandary: Should structures that remain grim reminders of the devastation wrought by the disaster be left where they are, or should they be dismantled and removed?
震災の惨状を伝える遺構を保存するか、解体撤去するか、自治体にとっては極めて難しい問題である。
In Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, a consensus over whether to preserve the town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains elusive. Many officials in the building died when it was engulfed by the tsunami. In Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, opinion is split over whether to conserve the former town government building where the mayor and other officials were swept away by the dark tsunami waters.
宮城県南三陸町では、多くの町職員らが亡くなった防災対策庁舎の保存の賛否を巡り、調整がついていない。岩手県大槌町でも、町長らが濁流にのみ込まれて犠牲となった町役場旧庁舎の保存で住民の意見が割れている。
Some bereaved families who lost relatives at such sites have demanded the structures be removed, saying, "It's painful just to see them because they remind us of the disaster." Their deep sadness must be taken seriously.
現場で肉親を奪われた遺族からは「震災を思い出すので見るのもつらい」と強く撤去を求める声が上がっている。その痛切な思いは重く受け止めるべきだろう。
Some observers suggest leaving these wrecked structures as they are will impede the progress of reconstruction.
無残な姿の建物が街の中に残っていたのでは、復興の妨げとなるとの声もある。
On the other hand, there are strong views that the structures must be preserved so memories of the disaster will not fade. Some bereaved families initially wanted these structures demolished, but as time passed, they changed their view and now favor preservation. "They must be kept to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy," is the reasoning for this change of heart.
一方で、被災の記憶を風化させないために、遺構を保存すべきだという意見も根強い。遺族の中には当初、解体を求めながら、時間が経過する中で「悲劇を繰り返さないためにも保存することが必要だ」と考え直した人もいる。
===
Full community debate vital
Whether to preserve the ruins should be discussed on a community basis from various perspectives, including the pros and cons of keeping the memories alive, promoting antidisaster measures, memorial purposes and future town building. Consideration also must be given fully to the fact that maintenance and administration of the structures will be costly for the local governments concerned.
遺構の保存の是非について、記憶の伝承、防災、慰霊、将来の街づくりなど、様々な角度から地域で議論を尽くすべきである。維持管理には、自治体に多大の財政負担がかかる点も、十分に考慮しなければならない。
The Miyagi prefectural government has formulated a basic vision on how to deal with disaster remains, and submitted it to municipal governments concerned. The vision calls for studying preservation steps commensurate with their fiscal wherewithal.
宮城県は震災遺構に対する県の基本的な考え方を取りまとめ、関係市町に通知した。自治体の財政規模に見合った保存のあり方を検討するよう求めている。
The prefectural government also set guidelines for preservation, including such requirements as giving approval for using the structures as centers for antidisaster education, conducting repairs to make them safe to use, and making sure they do not impede reconstruction. We think these requirements are reasonable.
さらに、防災教育の拠点とするなど活用方針が決まっていて、安全性確保のための補修が可能、しかも復興の妨げとならない、といった保存の目安を挙げている。妥当な内容と言えよう。
Transferring part of the structures to museums or other facilities could be one way to preserve them. Other possible options include taking pictures and preserving other data before they are dismantled.
遺構の一部を博物館などに移設する方法もある。解体する前に写真やデータに残し、保存する方策も考えていい。
===
A symbol of reconstruction
In Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, restoration of the "miracle pine tree" that died after initially surviving the tsunami will be completed shortly. The tree has been reassembled as a symbol of reconstruction after its trunk was hollowed out and filled with a carbon spine.
岩手県陸前高田市では、津波に耐えながらも枯死した「奇跡の一本松」の復元作業が近く完了する。幹の中をくりぬいてカーボン製の芯を入れるなど工夫し、復興のシンボルとしてよみがえった。
The area surrounding the tree will be developed as a reconstruction memorial park to be used for future development of the city. If the number of visitors to the park increases, it will help revitalize the city.
「奇跡の一本松」の周辺は復興祈念公園として整備を進め、将来の街づくりに生かす計画だ。公園への来訪者が増えれば、町の活性化にもつながるだろう。
We hope various ideas for keeping records of tsunami damage will be used. It is also essential to work out how lessons learned by academic research on the disaster can be passed to future generations.
様々なアイデアを生かし、津波被害の記録を残してほしい。学術研究を経て得られた教訓を後世に伝えていく方法も考えたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 13, 2013)
（2013年3月13日01時24分 読売新聞）
Keeping memories of the March 11 disaster alive
震災遺構の保存 記憶の伝承に生かせるのなら（3月13日付・読売社説）
Scars of the massive tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake remain all-too-vivid in some affected areas. A large fishing vessel remains stranded ashore, and buildings reduced to their bare frames dot the landscape.
骨組みだけとなったビル、陸に乗り上げた大型漁船――。東日本大震災の被災地には今なお津波の痕跡が生々しい。
Local governments in these areas face an extremely difficult quandary: Should structures that remain grim reminders of the devastation wrought by the disaster be left where they are, or should they be dismantled and removed?
震災の惨状を伝える遺構を保存するか、解体撤去するか、自治体にとっては極めて難しい問題である。
In Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, a consensus over whether to preserve the town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains elusive. Many officials in the building died when it was engulfed by the tsunami. In Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, opinion is split over whether to conserve the former town government building where the mayor and other officials were swept away by the dark tsunami waters.
宮城県南三陸町では、多くの町職員らが亡くなった防災対策庁舎の保存の賛否を巡り、調整がついていない。岩手県大槌町でも、町長らが濁流にのみ込まれて犠牲となった町役場旧庁舎の保存で住民の意見が割れている。
Some bereaved families who lost relatives at such sites have demanded the structures be removed, saying, "It's painful just to see them because they remind us of the disaster." Their deep sadness must be taken seriously.
現場で肉親を奪われた遺族からは「震災を思い出すので見るのもつらい」と強く撤去を求める声が上がっている。その痛切な思いは重く受け止めるべきだろう。
Some observers suggest leaving these wrecked structures as they are will impede the progress of reconstruction.
無残な姿の建物が街の中に残っていたのでは、復興の妨げとなるとの声もある。
On the other hand, there are strong views that the structures must be preserved so memories of the disaster will not fade. Some bereaved families initially wanted these structures demolished, but as time passed, they changed their view and now favor preservation. "They must be kept to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy," is the reasoning for this change of heart.
一方で、被災の記憶を風化させないために、遺構を保存すべきだという意見も根強い。遺族の中には当初、解体を求めながら、時間が経過する中で「悲劇を繰り返さないためにも保存することが必要だ」と考え直した人もいる。
===
Full community debate vital
Whether to preserve the ruins should be discussed on a community basis from various perspectives, including the pros and cons of keeping the memories alive, promoting antidisaster measures, memorial purposes and future town building. Consideration also must be given fully to the fact that maintenance and administration of the structures will be costly for the local governments concerned.
遺構の保存の是非について、記憶の伝承、防災、慰霊、将来の街づくりなど、様々な角度から地域で議論を尽くすべきである。維持管理には、自治体に多大の財政負担がかかる点も、十分に考慮しなければならない。
The Miyagi prefectural government has formulated a basic vision on how to deal with disaster remains, and submitted it to municipal governments concerned. The vision calls for studying preservation steps commensurate with their fiscal wherewithal.
宮城県は震災遺構に対する県の基本的な考え方を取りまとめ、関係市町に通知した。自治体の財政規模に見合った保存のあり方を検討するよう求めている。
The prefectural government also set guidelines for preservation, including such requirements as giving approval for using the structures as centers for antidisaster education, conducting repairs to make them safe to use, and making sure they do not impede reconstruction. We think these requirements are reasonable.
さらに、防災教育の拠点とするなど活用方針が決まっていて、安全性確保のための補修が可能、しかも復興の妨げとならない、といった保存の目安を挙げている。妥当な内容と言えよう。
Transferring part of the structures to museums or other facilities could be one way to preserve them. Other possible options include taking pictures and preserving other data before they are dismantled.
遺構の一部を博物館などに移設する方法もある。解体する前に写真やデータに残し、保存する方策も考えていい。
===
A symbol of reconstruction
In Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, restoration of the "miracle pine tree" that died after initially surviving the tsunami will be completed shortly. The tree has been reassembled as a symbol of reconstruction after its trunk was hollowed out and filled with a carbon spine.
岩手県陸前高田市では、津波に耐えながらも枯死した「奇跡の一本松」の復元作業が近く完了する。幹の中をくりぬいてカーボン製の芯を入れるなど工夫し、復興のシンボルとしてよみがえった。
The area surrounding the tree will be developed as a reconstruction memorial park to be used for future development of the city. If the number of visitors to the park increases, it will help revitalize the city.
「奇跡の一本松」の周辺は復興祈念公園として整備を進め、将来の街づくりに生かす計画だ。公園への来訪者が増えれば、町の活性化にもつながるだろう。
We hope various ideas for keeping records of tsunami damage will be used. It is also essential to work out how lessons learned by academic research on the disaster can be passed to future generations.
様々なアイデアを生かし、津波被害の記録を残してほしい。学術研究を経て得られた教訓を後世に伝えていく方法も考えたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 13, 2013)
（2013年3月13日01時24分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 13, 2013)
Relay lessons from disaster to next generation
３・１１追悼式 被災の教訓を次世代につなげ（3月12日付・読売社説）
Along with expediting reconstruction in the Tohoku region, it is vitally important to pass the lessons learned from the March 11, 2011, disaster on to the next generation.
東北地方の再生を急ぐとともに、被災の教訓を次世代に引き継いでいくことが大切だ。
The nation has marked the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Tokyo, a government-sponsored memorial ceremony was held, with the Emperor and Empress attending. About 1,000 people also took part in the ceremony, including the heads of the nation's legislative, administrative and judicial branches of government and representatives of bereaved family members. They prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。
東京では政府主催の追悼式が開かれ、天皇陛下ご臨席のもと、三権の長、遺族代表ら約１０００人が、亡くなられた人たちの冥福を祈った。
In a speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his resolve to "move forward to create a nation with a high degree of resilience to disasters throughout the country, in keeping with the lessons learned through this disaster."
安倍首相は式辞で、「今般の教訓を踏まえ、我が国全土にわたって災害に強い強靱(きょうじん)な国づくりを進めていく」と決意を示した。
House of Representatives Speaker Bunmei Ibuki said: "It is worrisome that [people's recollections of the disaster] are fading as seen in the reduced number of volunteers. Taking the lessons learned to heart, we're obliged to pass them on to the next generation."
伊吹衆院議長は、「ボランティアの減少など震災の風化が懸念されている。教訓を心に刻み、次の世代に引き継いでいくことこそが、我々の役割だ」と述べた。
The government and the Diet must use the lessons drawn from the disaster to improve disaster management measures for the entire nation.
政府と国会は、震災からくみ取った教訓を日本全体の防災対策の向上に生かさねばならない。
The ceremony also was attended by about 150 people from diplomatic circles, including ambassadors from a number of countries.
追悼式には、各国大使など外交関係者も約１５０人出席した。
===
Action by younger generation
Rin Yamane, a high school student representing Iwate Prefecture, pledged: "The younger generation will aim to better serve as human resources in aiding countries affected by natural disasters using the experience from our own disaster. We'll treat the massive earthquake not as a painful memory but a memory that will lead to the future."
岩手県代表の高校生、山根りんさんは、「自然災害が発生した国々で、被災体験を生かした支援活動ができる人材となり、大震災がつらい記憶ではなく、未来につながる記憶となるよう私たち若い世代が行動する」と誓った。
The nation also must expedite reconstruction efforts in a show of respect for the assistance offered by other nations.
各国からの支援に応える意味でも、復興を急ぐべきだ。
Responding to a nationwide opinion survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun in late February, 69 percent of respondents said reconstruction of disaster-hit areas did not seem to have made much progress. The figure was almost unchanged from the 72 percent who responded this way in a survey a year ago.
読売新聞が２月末に行った全国世論調査では、復興が進んでいないと思う人は６９％に上り、昨年の７２％と変わらない水準だった。
While it was in opposition, the Liberal Democratic Party harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Japan-led government for its slow and inefficient reconstruction efforts.
自民党は野党時代、民主党政権が取り組む復興策の遅れや効率の悪さを厳しく批判してきた。
Now that he is back in power, Abe should make an all-out effort to produce tangible results in response to public discontent, which remains strong.
安倍首相は、政権復帰を果たした以上、依然として強い国民の不満に対し、目に見える形で応えてもらいたい。
===
Delays in Fukushima Prefecture
Delays in reconstruction are particularly obvious in Fukushima Prefecture, where a number of steps have yet to be taken in the wake of the crisis at a nuclear power plant, when compared to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which also were hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami.
特に、いまだ原発事故の処理が続く福島県は、宮城、岩手両県と比べても復興の遅れが目立つ。
The Abe administration has set up a general bureau for reconstruction and revitalization in the city of Fukushima to establish a hands-on approach in tackling such issues as decontamination of radioactive materials and rebuilding communities.
安倍政権は、福島市に福島復興再生総局を設置し、放射能の除染や町づくりに「現場主義」で取り組む体制を整えた。
Regarding the return of evacuees to areas near the nuclear plant, Abe said at a press conference, "With a target of around summer, I'll come up with a concrete road map on the restoration of roads, water systems, medical and welfare services, as well as for the return of residents."
首相は記者会見で、原発事故で避難した周辺住民の帰還について、「夏頃をめどに、道路、水道、医療、福祉の復旧、いつ頃住めるようになるか、具体的な道筋を明らかにしていく」と語った。
We approve of Abe's stance when he said, "Action is everything."
「すべては実行あるのみ」との姿勢は評価できる。
As for the three hardest hit prefectures, the government has for the first time presented a timetable for the construction of public housing units for disaster victims to expedite housing reconstruction. This is the right move.
被災３県については、住宅再建を急ぐため、政府が被災者向けの公営住宅である「復興住宅」建設の工程表を初めて提示した。適切な対応だろう。
People affected by the disaster are anxious about their uncertain futures. It is crucial for measures to be taken as soon as possible to give them hope.
被災者は「先の見えない不安」を抱えている。一刻も早く将来に希望を持てるよう、手立てを講じることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2013)
（2013年3月12日01時26分 読売新聞）
Relay lessons from disaster to next generation
３・１１追悼式 被災の教訓を次世代につなげ（3月12日付・読売社説）
Along with expediting reconstruction in the Tohoku region, it is vitally important to pass the lessons learned from the March 11, 2011, disaster on to the next generation.
東北地方の再生を急ぐとともに、被災の教訓を次世代に引き継いでいくことが大切だ。
The nation has marked the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Tokyo, a government-sponsored memorial ceremony was held, with the Emperor and Empress attending. About 1,000 people also took part in the ceremony, including the heads of the nation's legislative, administrative and judicial branches of government and representatives of bereaved family members. They prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。
東京では政府主催の追悼式が開かれ、天皇陛下ご臨席のもと、三権の長、遺族代表ら約１０００人が、亡くなられた人たちの冥福を祈った。
In a speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his resolve to "move forward to create a nation with a high degree of resilience to disasters throughout the country, in keeping with the lessons learned through this disaster."
安倍首相は式辞で、「今般の教訓を踏まえ、我が国全土にわたって災害に強い強靱(きょうじん)な国づくりを進めていく」と決意を示した。
House of Representatives Speaker Bunmei Ibuki said: "It is worrisome that [people's recollections of the disaster] are fading as seen in the reduced number of volunteers. Taking the lessons learned to heart, we're obliged to pass them on to the next generation."
伊吹衆院議長は、「ボランティアの減少など震災の風化が懸念されている。教訓を心に刻み、次の世代に引き継いでいくことこそが、我々の役割だ」と述べた。
The government and the Diet must use the lessons drawn from the disaster to improve disaster management measures for the entire nation.
政府と国会は、震災からくみ取った教訓を日本全体の防災対策の向上に生かさねばならない。
The ceremony also was attended by about 150 people from diplomatic circles, including ambassadors from a number of countries.
追悼式には、各国大使など外交関係者も約１５０人出席した。
===
Action by younger generation
Rin Yamane, a high school student representing Iwate Prefecture, pledged: "The younger generation will aim to better serve as human resources in aiding countries affected by natural disasters using the experience from our own disaster. We'll treat the massive earthquake not as a painful memory but a memory that will lead to the future."
岩手県代表の高校生、山根りんさんは、「自然災害が発生した国々で、被災体験を生かした支援活動ができる人材となり、大震災がつらい記憶ではなく、未来につながる記憶となるよう私たち若い世代が行動する」と誓った。
The nation also must expedite reconstruction efforts in a show of respect for the assistance offered by other nations.
各国からの支援に応える意味でも、復興を急ぐべきだ。
Responding to a nationwide opinion survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun in late February, 69 percent of respondents said reconstruction of disaster-hit areas did not seem to have made much progress. The figure was almost unchanged from the 72 percent who responded this way in a survey a year ago.
読売新聞が２月末に行った全国世論調査では、復興が進んでいないと思う人は６９％に上り、昨年の７２％と変わらない水準だった。
While it was in opposition, the Liberal Democratic Party harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Japan-led government for its slow and inefficient reconstruction efforts.
自民党は野党時代、民主党政権が取り組む復興策の遅れや効率の悪さを厳しく批判してきた。
Now that he is back in power, Abe should make an all-out effort to produce tangible results in response to public discontent, which remains strong.
安倍首相は、政権復帰を果たした以上、依然として強い国民の不満に対し、目に見える形で応えてもらいたい。
===
Delays in Fukushima Prefecture
Delays in reconstruction are particularly obvious in Fukushima Prefecture, where a number of steps have yet to be taken in the wake of the crisis at a nuclear power plant, when compared to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which also were hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami.
特に、いまだ原発事故の処理が続く福島県は、宮城、岩手両県と比べても復興の遅れが目立つ。
The Abe administration has set up a general bureau for reconstruction and revitalization in the city of Fukushima to establish a hands-on approach in tackling such issues as decontamination of radioactive materials and rebuilding communities.
安倍政権は、福島市に福島復興再生総局を設置し、放射能の除染や町づくりに「現場主義」で取り組む体制を整えた。
Regarding the return of evacuees to areas near the nuclear plant, Abe said at a press conference, "With a target of around summer, I'll come up with a concrete road map on the restoration of roads, water systems, medical and welfare services, as well as for the return of residents."
首相は記者会見で、原発事故で避難した周辺住民の帰還について、「夏頃をめどに、道路、水道、医療、福祉の復旧、いつ頃住めるようになるか、具体的な道筋を明らかにしていく」と語った。
We approve of Abe's stance when he said, "Action is everything."
「すべては実行あるのみ」との姿勢は評価できる。
As for the three hardest hit prefectures, the government has for the first time presented a timetable for the construction of public housing units for disaster victims to expedite housing reconstruction. This is the right move.
被災３県については、住宅再建を急ぐため、政府が被災者向けの公営住宅である「復興住宅」建設の工程表を初めて提示した。適切な対応だろう。
People affected by the disaster are anxious about their uncertain futures. It is crucial for measures to be taken as soon as possible to give them hope.
被災者は「先の見えない不安」を抱えている。一刻も早く将来に希望を持てるよう、手立てを講じることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2013)
（2013年3月12日01時26分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 12, 2013)
Govt must lead efforts to speed up reconstruction
震災２年・再建を誓う日 政府主導で復興を加速させよ（3月11日付・読売社説）
◆安心して生活できる地域再生を◆
Today marks the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,881 people and left 2,668 others missing.
東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。
亡くなった人は１万５８８１人、行方不明は２６６８人に上る。
No fewer than 315,000 people have been forced to live as evacuees, and about 160,000 of them are from Fukushima Prefecture, where the nuclear crisis broke out at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
避難生活を送る被災者は３１万５０００人を下らない。うち約１６万人が、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故が起きた福島県の避難者である。
Let us together pray anew for the repose of the victims' souls. Reconstruction from the disaster has been delayed, and the government must take the initiative in accelerating rebuilding efforts.
国民みんなで改めて犠牲者の冥福を祈りたい。再起に向けた歩みは遅れている。政府が主導し、復興を加速しなければならない。
===
110,000 in temporary homes
◆今も仮設住宅に１１万人
Behind the slow progress of rebuilding municipalities is the difficulty of forming a consensus among the residents concerned. Whether to locate a commercial and industrial zone on higher ground or in a coastal area is one example. Another problem is whether to build high seawalls that could effectively separate the land and the sea.
市町村の復興計画が進んでいない背景には、住民の合意形成が難しい事情がある。例えば、商工業を営む場所を高台にするか、沿岸部にするかという問題だ。壁のような防潮堤で海と陸を遮断していいのかという問題もある。
Residents of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami, wanted to rebuild where they lived rather than collectively relocate to an inland area. The municipal government plans to boost its reconstruction efforts by building a seawall and promoting changes in land use. But some residents oppose the plan.
津波で市街の一部が壊滅した宮城県名取市の住民たちは、内陸への集団移転ではなく、現地での再建を望んだ。市は防潮堤建設や区画整理を行って支援する方針だが、反対の声も残るという。
The only way to push the plan ahead is to launch it without obtaining the full approval of some residents.
計画を前に進めるには、住民の十分な合意がないまま、始動せざるを得ないのが実情だ。
A redevelopment plan in coastal zones was decided at an early stage of reconstruction by such fishery cities as Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, and Kesennuma and Ishinomaki, both in Miyagi Prefecture.
早期に沿岸部再開発を決めたのは、岩手県釜石市や宮城県気仙沼市、石巻市などの漁業都市だ。
As a senior Ishinomaki municipal government official put it, "As long as we cannot expect reconstruction without fishery business, we cannot desert the coastal areas."
「漁業でしか再建できない以上、海辺の土地は捨てられない」（石巻市幹部）との理由からだ。
Disaster victims commute from temporary housing to fishery processing factories and other workplaces, many of them no doubt worried about the reoccurrence of tsunami.
被災者たちは津波の再来に不安を覚えながら、仮設住宅から水産加工場などに通う。
Residents in Ishinomaki often say, "How can we strike a balance between earning income and being assured of our safety and security?" These words are compelling.
「収入と安全安心をどう両立させればいいか」。石巻でよく聞かれる言葉は切実だ。
The mayor of one city resigned in the face of opposition to reconstruction programs from residents and the municipal assembly. The past two years saw each local government and its residents explore ways to realize revival while facing their own predicaments.
復興策が議会や住民の反発を招き、辞職した町長もいる。それぞれの自治体と住民がジレンマに苦しみながら、「街の再生」を模索した２年だったと言えよう。
About 110,000 people still live in prefabricated temporary housing units. A matter of concern is the increase in the number of residents who complain about stress and unease caused by their inconvenient daily life. Local governments must expedite construction of housing so that the affected residents can lead a stable life as early as possible.
被災地のプレハブの仮設住宅には、今も約１１万人が暮らす。不自由な生活にストレスや不安を訴える住民が増えていることが懸念される。安定した生活が送れる新住居に早く移れるよう、自治体は復興住宅の建設を急ぐべきだ。
===
Agency bears heavy burden
◆復興庁の責任は重大だ
The low spending rate for a tremendous amount of rehabilitation expenditures cannot be ignored. About 1.4 trillion yen earmarked for the current fiscal year by Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and 34 municipalities cannot be implemented before March 31 and will be carried over to the new fiscal year starting in April.
巨額の復興費の消化率が低い実態は看過できない。岩手、宮城、福島の３県と３４市町村で、約１・４兆円が今年度中に予算執行できず、新年度に繰り越される。
This delay was partly caused by difficulty in purchasing plots of land needed for such projects as building houses for disaster victims. Another problem was that bidding for related public works has failed to attract businesses because they see little profitability in such projects.
復興住宅などの事業用地買収が難航したり、利益の薄い工事を業者が敬遠して入札が不調だったりしているためだという。
In coastal areas of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, removal of debris has progressed. But in many areas, work to elevate plots of land sunken by the tsunami or to construct seawalls has not even started.
岩手、宮城両県の沿岸部では、がれきの撤去は進んだものの、津波で地盤沈下した土地のかさ上げや防潮堤建設などの工事に着手できていない地域が多い。
Wasting more time will only further delay reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.
この上、時間を浪費すれば、被災地の再生は遅れるばかりだ。
The Reconstruction Agency, which is tasked with functioning as a control tower for reconstruction projects, has a heavy responsibility. It must reinforce its cooperation with local governments and take the leadership in implementing measures for the affected areas.
司令塔機能を発揮すべき復興庁の責任は重い。各自治体との連携を一層強化し、被災地対策を主導する必要がある。
The agency has recently expanded the scope of how the reconstruction grants should be spent, making it possible to use them for such works as elevating the site where a fishery community once stood. Such a step is reasonable.
復興庁が最近、復興交付金の使途を広げ、漁業集落の跡地のかさ上げなどにも使えるようにしたのは妥当だ。
The agency must clear away the bottleneck in work and speed up the pace of spending reconstruction budgets.
工事の停滞を解消し、復興予算執行のスピードを上げなければならない。
As there are many sparsely populated communities in the affected areas, it is not easy to revitalize these communities anytime soon.
被災地には、過疎の市町村が多く、その場所にすぐに活気を取り戻すのは容易ではない。
On Okushiri Island in Hokkaido, which was hit in July 1993 by a major earthquake and tsunami, a large sum of reconstruction funds was spent on relocating communities to higher ground. But the population of the communities has been steadily declining.
かつて大地震と津波で被災した北海道奥尻島では、住民の高台移転などで多額の復興費が投じられた。しかし、その後は人口の減少に直面している。
The disaster-hit areas in the Tohoku region may need to learn lessons from this experience.
東北の被災地も、奥尻の教訓を生かす必要があろう。
Some local municipal governments, including Aomori and Toyama, have been carrying out projects designed to concentrate residential houses in certain districts, which are provided with such infrastructure as hospitals, schools and post offices, thus improving convenience. These projects are being implemented under a "compact city" concept.
青森市、富山市などでは、住民を一つの地域に集め、病院や学校、郵便局も整備して利便性を高める事業を進めている。「コンパクトシティー」と呼ばれる。
Applying such a concept to measures dealing with the depopulation of the disaster-affected areas could be worth discussing.
被災地の過疎対策への応用も検討に値するのではないか。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said: "Reconstruction [from the earthquake disaster] is the top priority, together with the revitalization of the Japanese economy. I want to win the people's trust in my administration by bringing about [tangible] results as soon as possible."
安倍首相は、「復興は日本経済再生と並ぶ最重要課題だ。一日も早く結果を出すことで信頼を得たい」と強調している。
As Abe has put it, without reconstruction, a "robust economy" cannot be realized.
復興なくして、首相が掲げる「強い経済」は実現できないだろう。
===
Solid results essential
◆問われる具体的成果
On Wednesday, the government made major changes in the membership of a panel of experts tasked with scrutinizing the reconstruction measures and recommending remedial steps to Abe. The panel is expected to compile an interim report by June.
政府は今月６日、復興策を点検し、首相に改善を提言する有識者会議「復興推進委員会」のメンバーを大幅に入れ替えた。６月をめどに中間報告をまとめる。
In the central government's present reconstruction programs, which were worked out under the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration, many things may require review when the reality of disaster-stricken areas is taken into consideration.
民主党政権が策定した現行の国の復興計画には、被災地の実情に照らすと、見直すべき点が多々あるだろう。
Why have the reconstruction projects been delayed? What kinds of new measures are needed? We hope the panel comes up with proposals that will lead to the rejuvenation of the affected area in Tohoku.
復興の遅れは何が原因か。新たにどのような施策が必要か。東北の再生につながる提言をまとめてもらいたい。
Now that two years have passed since the disaster, concrete actions with tangible results in the coming year are essential.
大震災から３年目に入り、求められているのは、具体的な行動と成果である。
Just as Abe has expressed his determination to realize reconstruction, it is the government's mission to accelerate the pace of reconstruction.
首相の決意通り、復興を加速させることが政府の使命だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 11, 2013)
（2013年3月11日01時18分 読売新聞）
Govt must lead efforts to speed up reconstruction
震災２年・再建を誓う日 政府主導で復興を加速させよ（3月11日付・読売社説）
◆安心して生活できる地域再生を◆
Today marks the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,881 people and left 2,668 others missing.
東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。
亡くなった人は１万５８８１人、行方不明は２６６８人に上る。
No fewer than 315,000 people have been forced to live as evacuees, and about 160,000 of them are from Fukushima Prefecture, where the nuclear crisis broke out at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
避難生活を送る被災者は３１万５０００人を下らない。うち約１６万人が、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故が起きた福島県の避難者である。
Let us together pray anew for the repose of the victims' souls. Reconstruction from the disaster has been delayed, and the government must take the initiative in accelerating rebuilding efforts.
国民みんなで改めて犠牲者の冥福を祈りたい。再起に向けた歩みは遅れている。政府が主導し、復興を加速しなければならない。
===
110,000 in temporary homes
◆今も仮設住宅に１１万人
Behind the slow progress of rebuilding municipalities is the difficulty of forming a consensus among the residents concerned. Whether to locate a commercial and industrial zone on higher ground or in a coastal area is one example. Another problem is whether to build high seawalls that could effectively separate the land and the sea.
市町村の復興計画が進んでいない背景には、住民の合意形成が難しい事情がある。例えば、商工業を営む場所を高台にするか、沿岸部にするかという問題だ。壁のような防潮堤で海と陸を遮断していいのかという問題もある。
Residents of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami, wanted to rebuild where they lived rather than collectively relocate to an inland area. The municipal government plans to boost its reconstruction efforts by building a seawall and promoting changes in land use. But some residents oppose the plan.
津波で市街の一部が壊滅した宮城県名取市の住民たちは、内陸への集団移転ではなく、現地での再建を望んだ。市は防潮堤建設や区画整理を行って支援する方針だが、反対の声も残るという。
The only way to push the plan ahead is to launch it without obtaining the full approval of some residents.
計画を前に進めるには、住民の十分な合意がないまま、始動せざるを得ないのが実情だ。
A redevelopment plan in coastal zones was decided at an early stage of reconstruction by such fishery cities as Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, and Kesennuma and Ishinomaki, both in Miyagi Prefecture.
早期に沿岸部再開発を決めたのは、岩手県釜石市や宮城県気仙沼市、石巻市などの漁業都市だ。
As a senior Ishinomaki municipal government official put it, "As long as we cannot expect reconstruction without fishery business, we cannot desert the coastal areas."
「漁業でしか再建できない以上、海辺の土地は捨てられない」（石巻市幹部）との理由からだ。
Disaster victims commute from temporary housing to fishery processing factories and other workplaces, many of them no doubt worried about the reoccurrence of tsunami.
被災者たちは津波の再来に不安を覚えながら、仮設住宅から水産加工場などに通う。
Residents in Ishinomaki often say, "How can we strike a balance between earning income and being assured of our safety and security?" These words are compelling.
「収入と安全安心をどう両立させればいいか」。石巻でよく聞かれる言葉は切実だ。
The mayor of one city resigned in the face of opposition to reconstruction programs from residents and the municipal assembly. The past two years saw each local government and its residents explore ways to realize revival while facing their own predicaments.
復興策が議会や住民の反発を招き、辞職した町長もいる。それぞれの自治体と住民がジレンマに苦しみながら、「街の再生」を模索した２年だったと言えよう。
About 110,000 people still live in prefabricated temporary housing units. A matter of concern is the increase in the number of residents who complain about stress and unease caused by their inconvenient daily life. Local governments must expedite construction of housing so that the affected residents can lead a stable life as early as possible.
被災地のプレハブの仮設住宅には、今も約１１万人が暮らす。不自由な生活にストレスや不安を訴える住民が増えていることが懸念される。安定した生活が送れる新住居に早く移れるよう、自治体は復興住宅の建設を急ぐべきだ。
===
Agency bears heavy burden
◆復興庁の責任は重大だ
The low spending rate for a tremendous amount of rehabilitation expenditures cannot be ignored. About 1.4 trillion yen earmarked for the current fiscal year by Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and 34 municipalities cannot be implemented before March 31 and will be carried over to the new fiscal year starting in April.
巨額の復興費の消化率が低い実態は看過できない。岩手、宮城、福島の３県と３４市町村で、約１・４兆円が今年度中に予算執行できず、新年度に繰り越される。
This delay was partly caused by difficulty in purchasing plots of land needed for such projects as building houses for disaster victims. Another problem was that bidding for related public works has failed to attract businesses because they see little profitability in such projects.
復興住宅などの事業用地買収が難航したり、利益の薄い工事を業者が敬遠して入札が不調だったりしているためだという。
In coastal areas of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, removal of debris has progressed. But in many areas, work to elevate plots of land sunken by the tsunami or to construct seawalls has not even started.
岩手、宮城両県の沿岸部では、がれきの撤去は進んだものの、津波で地盤沈下した土地のかさ上げや防潮堤建設などの工事に着手できていない地域が多い。
Wasting more time will only further delay reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.
この上、時間を浪費すれば、被災地の再生は遅れるばかりだ。
The Reconstruction Agency, which is tasked with functioning as a control tower for reconstruction projects, has a heavy responsibility. It must reinforce its cooperation with local governments and take the leadership in implementing measures for the affected areas.
司令塔機能を発揮すべき復興庁の責任は重い。各自治体との連携を一層強化し、被災地対策を主導する必要がある。
The agency has recently expanded the scope of how the reconstruction grants should be spent, making it possible to use them for such works as elevating the site where a fishery community once stood. Such a step is reasonable.
復興庁が最近、復興交付金の使途を広げ、漁業集落の跡地のかさ上げなどにも使えるようにしたのは妥当だ。
The agency must clear away the bottleneck in work and speed up the pace of spending reconstruction budgets.
工事の停滞を解消し、復興予算執行のスピードを上げなければならない。
As there are many sparsely populated communities in the affected areas, it is not easy to revitalize these communities anytime soon.
被災地には、過疎の市町村が多く、その場所にすぐに活気を取り戻すのは容易ではない。
On Okushiri Island in Hokkaido, which was hit in July 1993 by a major earthquake and tsunami, a large sum of reconstruction funds was spent on relocating communities to higher ground. But the population of the communities has been steadily declining.
かつて大地震と津波で被災した北海道奥尻島では、住民の高台移転などで多額の復興費が投じられた。しかし、その後は人口の減少に直面している。
The disaster-hit areas in the Tohoku region may need to learn lessons from this experience.
東北の被災地も、奥尻の教訓を生かす必要があろう。
Some local municipal governments, including Aomori and Toyama, have been carrying out projects designed to concentrate residential houses in certain districts, which are provided with such infrastructure as hospitals, schools and post offices, thus improving convenience. These projects are being implemented under a "compact city" concept.
青森市、富山市などでは、住民を一つの地域に集め、病院や学校、郵便局も整備して利便性を高める事業を進めている。「コンパクトシティー」と呼ばれる。
Applying such a concept to measures dealing with the depopulation of the disaster-affected areas could be worth discussing.
被災地の過疎対策への応用も検討に値するのではないか。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said: "Reconstruction [from the earthquake disaster] is the top priority, together with the revitalization of the Japanese economy. I want to win the people's trust in my administration by bringing about [tangible] results as soon as possible."
安倍首相は、「復興は日本経済再生と並ぶ最重要課題だ。一日も早く結果を出すことで信頼を得たい」と強調している。
As Abe has put it, without reconstruction, a "robust economy" cannot be realized.
復興なくして、首相が掲げる「強い経済」は実現できないだろう。
===
Solid results essential
◆問われる具体的成果
On Wednesday, the government made major changes in the membership of a panel of experts tasked with scrutinizing the reconstruction measures and recommending remedial steps to Abe. The panel is expected to compile an interim report by June.
政府は今月６日、復興策を点検し、首相に改善を提言する有識者会議「復興推進委員会」のメンバーを大幅に入れ替えた。６月をめどに中間報告をまとめる。
In the central government's present reconstruction programs, which were worked out under the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration, many things may require review when the reality of disaster-stricken areas is taken into consideration.
民主党政権が策定した現行の国の復興計画には、被災地の実情に照らすと、見直すべき点が多々あるだろう。
Why have the reconstruction projects been delayed? What kinds of new measures are needed? We hope the panel comes up with proposals that will lead to the rejuvenation of the affected area in Tohoku.
復興の遅れは何が原因か。新たにどのような施策が必要か。東北の再生につながる提言をまとめてもらいたい。
Now that two years have passed since the disaster, concrete actions with tangible results in the coming year are essential.
大震災から３年目に入り、求められているのは、具体的な行動と成果である。
Just as Abe has expressed his determination to realize reconstruction, it is the government's mission to accelerate the pace of reconstruction.
首相の決意通り、復興を加速させることが政府の使命だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 11, 2013)
（2013年3月11日01時18分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 11, 2013)
Tohoku children also need 'restoration' after disaster
被災地の教育 復興の担い手を育成したい（3月10日付・読売社説）
Children are the future of the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We hope their educational needs will be restored as quickly as possible in disaster-hit areas.
子供たちは東北の将来の担い手になる。東日本大震災の被災地の教育再生を加速させたい。
After the March 11, 2011, disaster, the government has dispatched a relatively generous number of teachers to support children at schools in the three disaster-hit prefectures in the Tohoku region.
東北３県の被災地の学校には震災後、教師が比較的手厚く配置され、子供たちの指導に当たってきた。
In the classrooms, special programs have been launched to have children learn traditional crafts of the areas and think about the future of their hometowns. Educating them on the places they hail from is expected to deepen the children's love for their communities and have a long-term effect in helping restore devastated areas.
学校現場では、地域の伝統工芸を学んだり、町の未来の姿を子供たちに考えさせたりする取り組みが始まっている。こうした郷土教育は、ふるさとへの愛着を深めさせ、復興を長期的に支える効果が期待できる。
The government should continue offering support through the dispatch of teachers and other school staff. It also should improve educational content and further develop the education system.
今後も、教職員の人的支援を継続し、教育の内容や体制をさらに充実させることが大切である。
===
Decrease in students
However, many schools have seen a decrease in students. This is most serious in municipalities around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co.
問題は、子供の減少に直面している学校が多いことだ。特に深刻なのは、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の周辺自治体である。
For instance, the town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, has moved its administrative functions to the city of Nihonmatsu in another part of the prefecture. Namie Primary School has continued classes in a building of a defunct school in Nihonmatsu.
役場機能を福島県二本松市に移転した浪江町では、町立浪江小学校が市内の廃校校舎を使い、授業を続ける。
However, many of the school's children have transferred to other schools. Namie Primary School had more than 500 students before the earthquake and tsunami, but the number has dropped to only 30. No new students will enroll in the school in April.
だが、児童の多くは別の学校に移った。
震災前に５００人を超えた児童数は、現在３０人。４月からの新入生はいない。
Even if residents who evacuated to other areas returned to their hometowns, the situation would remain difficult. Hirono Primary School, run by the town of Hirono, Fukushima Prefecture, resumed classes at its old school building in August. But only 20 percent of its previous student body has returned to the school.
避難先から帰還しても、状況は厳しい。昨年８月から元の校舎で授業を再開した広野町立広野小学校では、戻った児童は震災前の２割程度にとどまっている。
Municipal governments apparently want to maintain the foundation of their communities and retain bonds with their residents by keeping local schools operating.
自治体には、学校を維持することで、地域の核や住民の絆を保ちたいとの思いがあるのだろう。
However, parents tend to be anxious about having their children return with them to their own homes in areas where radiation is still too high for them to do so in the foreseeable future or where the foundations for their livelihood have not yet been fully restored.
しかし、放射線量が高くて帰還の見通しが立たない地域、生活基盤の整っていない地域では、保護者は子供と一緒に元の家へ戻ることに不安を抱きがちだ。
Municipal governments have to present them with a picture of restoration in the near future along with detailed explanations. We also hope the central government and other organizations concerned will help create jobs in the disaster-hit areas, leading to the stabilization of the livelihood of children's guardians.
自治体は復興の近未来像を丁寧に説明する必要がある。国なども保護者の生活安定につながる雇用創出を支援してもらいたい。
===
Negative effects
It is also concerned that a prolonged life as an evacuee might have a negative effect on children.
長期化する避難生活が、子供に及ぼす影響も懸念される。
Children of evacuees are said to spend insufficient time on study at home because they have no space to concentrate on their studies in tiny temporary housing units.
狭い仮設住宅では落ち着いて勉強する場がなく、家庭学習がおろそかになると言われる。
The project of a nonprofit organization to have former schoolteachers and former cram school instructors help such children study after school is very significant.
元教師や元塾講師らが放課後に子供の学習の手助けをするＮＰＯ法人の試みは、大いに意義があろう。
Meanwhile, according to a school health survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the percentage of overweight children has increased sharply in Fukushima Prefecture, probably because they play less outdoors due to radiation fears.
文部科学省の学校保健統計調査によると、原発事故後、肥満傾向の子供の割合が福島県で急増している。放射線への不安から外遊びが減少したためと見られる。
The central and local governments should develop indoor sports facilities in addition to those at the schools so children can be more physically active.
学校以外でも屋内運動施設の設置を進め、子供が体を動かせる場所を確保したい。
Equally important is their psychological care. In case of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the number of children who suffered from mental stress and needed psychological care peaked three years after the disaster.
心のケアも重要だ。阪神大震災では、精神的なストレスを抱え、ケアを必要とする子が震災３年後に最も多かった。
We hope the education ministry continues to send counselors to schools in the disaster-hit areas and develops consultation services further.
文科省はスクールカウンセラーの派遣を続け、相談体制の拡充を図ってほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 10, 2013)
（2013年3月10日01時12分 読売新聞）
Tohoku children also need 'restoration' after disaster
被災地の教育 復興の担い手を育成したい（3月10日付・読売社説）
Children are the future of the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We hope their educational needs will be restored as quickly as possible in disaster-hit areas.
子供たちは東北の将来の担い手になる。東日本大震災の被災地の教育再生を加速させたい。
After the March 11, 2011, disaster, the government has dispatched a relatively generous number of teachers to support children at schools in the three disaster-hit prefectures in the Tohoku region.
東北３県の被災地の学校には震災後、教師が比較的手厚く配置され、子供たちの指導に当たってきた。
In the classrooms, special programs have been launched to have children learn traditional crafts of the areas and think about the future of their hometowns. Educating them on the places they hail from is expected to deepen the children's love for their communities and have a long-term effect in helping restore devastated areas.
学校現場では、地域の伝統工芸を学んだり、町の未来の姿を子供たちに考えさせたりする取り組みが始まっている。こうした郷土教育は、ふるさとへの愛着を深めさせ、復興を長期的に支える効果が期待できる。
The government should continue offering support through the dispatch of teachers and other school staff. It also should improve educational content and further develop the education system.
今後も、教職員の人的支援を継続し、教育の内容や体制をさらに充実させることが大切である。
===
Decrease in students
However, many schools have seen a decrease in students. This is most serious in municipalities around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co.
問題は、子供の減少に直面している学校が多いことだ。特に深刻なのは、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の周辺自治体である。
For instance, the town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, has moved its administrative functions to the city of Nihonmatsu in another part of the prefecture. Namie Primary School has continued classes in a building of a defunct school in Nihonmatsu.
役場機能を福島県二本松市に移転した浪江町では、町立浪江小学校が市内の廃校校舎を使い、授業を続ける。
However, many of the school's children have transferred to other schools. Namie Primary School had more than 500 students before the earthquake and tsunami, but the number has dropped to only 30. No new students will enroll in the school in April.
だが、児童の多くは別の学校に移った。
震災前に５００人を超えた児童数は、現在３０人。４月からの新入生はいない。
Even if residents who evacuated to other areas returned to their hometowns, the situation would remain difficult. Hirono Primary School, run by the town of Hirono, Fukushima Prefecture, resumed classes at its old school building in August. But only 20 percent of its previous student body has returned to the school.
避難先から帰還しても、状況は厳しい。昨年８月から元の校舎で授業を再開した広野町立広野小学校では、戻った児童は震災前の２割程度にとどまっている。
Municipal governments apparently want to maintain the foundation of their communities and retain bonds with their residents by keeping local schools operating.
自治体には、学校を維持することで、地域の核や住民の絆を保ちたいとの思いがあるのだろう。
However, parents tend to be anxious about having their children return with them to their own homes in areas where radiation is still too high for them to do so in the foreseeable future or where the foundations for their livelihood have not yet been fully restored.
しかし、放射線量が高くて帰還の見通しが立たない地域、生活基盤の整っていない地域では、保護者は子供と一緒に元の家へ戻ることに不安を抱きがちだ。
Municipal governments have to present them with a picture of restoration in the near future along with detailed explanations. We also hope the central government and other organizations concerned will help create jobs in the disaster-hit areas, leading to the stabilization of the livelihood of children's guardians.
自治体は復興の近未来像を丁寧に説明する必要がある。国なども保護者の生活安定につながる雇用創出を支援してもらいたい。
===
Negative effects
It is also concerned that a prolonged life as an evacuee might have a negative effect on children.
長期化する避難生活が、子供に及ぼす影響も懸念される。
Children of evacuees are said to spend insufficient time on study at home because they have no space to concentrate on their studies in tiny temporary housing units.
狭い仮設住宅では落ち着いて勉強する場がなく、家庭学習がおろそかになると言われる。
The project of a nonprofit organization to have former schoolteachers and former cram school instructors help such children study after school is very significant.
元教師や元塾講師らが放課後に子供の学習の手助けをするＮＰＯ法人の試みは、大いに意義があろう。
Meanwhile, according to a school health survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the percentage of overweight children has increased sharply in Fukushima Prefecture, probably because they play less outdoors due to radiation fears.
文部科学省の学校保健統計調査によると、原発事故後、肥満傾向の子供の割合が福島県で急増している。放射線への不安から外遊びが減少したためと見られる。
The central and local governments should develop indoor sports facilities in addition to those at the schools so children can be more physically active.
学校以外でも屋内運動施設の設置を進め、子供が体を動かせる場所を確保したい。
Equally important is their psychological care. In case of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the number of children who suffered from mental stress and needed psychological care peaked three years after the disaster.
心のケアも重要だ。阪神大震災では、精神的なストレスを抱え、ケアを必要とする子が震災３年後に最も多かった。
We hope the education ministry continues to send counselors to schools in the disaster-hit areas and develops consultation services further.
文科省はスクールカウンセラーの派遣を続け、相談体制の拡充を図ってほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 10, 2013)
（2013年3月10日01時12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 ]
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Washington Post
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The Nations
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[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
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英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
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seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
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06 聞き直すとき
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14 頼みごとをするとき
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18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
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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
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08 うまく言えないとき
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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
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
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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