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電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く

2012-10-31 04:48:16 | 英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 30, 2012)
Carmakers shouldn't fight over EV charging systems
電気自動車 不毛な規格争いは混乱を招く(10月29日付・読売社説)

It now seems inevitable that conflict will emerge between Japanese and Western automakers over charging systems for electric vehicles.
 電気自動車(EV)の充電規格を巡り、日本と欧米メーカーの対立が決定的になった。

The difficulties are a blow to the Japanese auto industry, which had aimed to make its battery charging system a global standard. Domestic carmakers are now being urged to review their strategy so they can further promote their electric models.
 日本方式の国際標準化を狙った日本勢には痛手だ。EVの本格的な普及を目指し、戦略の見直しを迫られよう。

EVs are regarded as the ultimate eco-friendly vehicle because they emit no carbon dioxide, while their major disadvantage is a range of only about 200 kilometers per charge.
 EVは走行中に二酸化炭素(CO2)を出さない究極のエコカーとして期待される。ただ、1回のフル充電で走行できる距離が約200キロ・メートルと短いのが難点だ。

Automakers have been competing over improvements in the quality of the lithium-ion batteries EVs run on, as well as over fast-charging technology.
 搭載するリチウムイオン電池の性能と、急速に充電できる技術を各社が競っている。

The Japanese auto industry--including Nissan Motor Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Co., both of which mass-produce EVs--has successfully implemented its CHAdeMo system and has called for European and U.S. automakers to adopt it.
 「チャデモ方式」と言われるEVの急速充電器を実用化したのはEVを量産している日産自動車や三菱自動車など日本の業界だ。欧米にも採用を呼びかけた。

===

Incompatible systems

However, the U.S. auto industry has decided on a different system, called Combo, which is being promoted mainly by General Motors Co. of the United States and Germany's Volkswagen AG.
 しかし、米国の業界団体は、米ゼネラル・モーターズ(GM)や独フォルクスワーゲン(VW)などが推進する「コンボ方式」という別の規格の採用を決めた。

The two schemes use different charging connectors and are incompatible with each other.
 双方で使われる充電コネクタは異なり、互換性がない。

Although Combo is still in development (it is expected to be ready in 2013 or later), the U.S. auto industry rejected a proposal from the Japanese auto industry apparently out of fear the EV market would come to be dominated by Japanese firms.
 コンボはまだ机上プランに過ぎず、実用化は2013年以降とされる。にもかかわらず、米業界が日本の提案を退けたのは、EV市場で日本に主導権を握られることを警戒したからだろう。

If the Combo system becomes standard in the West and other markets, Japanese automakers, despite currently being ahead in developing a charging system, would instead find themselves isolated.
 将来、欧米市場などでコンボが標準化されると、先行していた日本勢が逆に孤立化する。

Automakers should make customer convenience their top priority. Having two different systems would confuse people, which could negatively effect EV sales.
 自動車業界が最優先すべきは、ユーザーの利便性向上である。二つの規格が併存すれば、混乱を招き、EVの販売にもブレーキがかかりかねない。

In sales terms, EVs are less popular than hybrid vehicles, which use both gasoline and electric motors. Thus a global tussle over a vital EV technology is highly unwelcome.
 エコカー競争では、ガソリンと電気モーターで走るハイブリッド車が人気を集め、EVの普及は遅れている。それだけに世界の業界が基盤技術の規格で対立することは好ましくない。

===

Adopt flexible approach

We believe Japanese automakers should not only try to promote CHAdeMo, but should undertake initiatives to develop technology to make the two systems compatible.
 日本メーカーは、チャデモの利用拡大を狙うとともに、二つの規格に互換性をもたせる技術開発も主導すべきではないか。

It is also important for Japanese makers to accommodate China--the world's largest auto market--which is developing its own EV charging system.
 独自規格を作ろうとする動きが出ている世界最大の市場である中国を取り込むことも重要だ。

Further, installing many more charging stations and other necessary EV facilities both in Japan and abroad is important to make EVs more popular.
 EV普及に弾みをつけるためには、急速充電できるスタンドなどを国内外で急増させるべきだ。

Despite its technological prowess, Japan has sometimes failed to make its technologies the global standard--typical examples being its analog high-definition broadcasting system and mobile phone technology. No more such failures should be allowed.
 これまでも日本は、アナログハイビジョン放送や携帯電話などの技術開発で先行したのに、世界標準化できなかった。こうした失敗を繰り返してはなるまい。

It is reasonable that the government decided in its strategy for promoting intellectual property to prioritize making Japanese technologies into global standards. The government and the private sector should work together to find ways to achieve this goal so Japanese companies can increase their industrial competitiveness.
 政府が知的財産推進計画で国際標準化を重視する方針を掲げているのは妥当だ。産業競争力を強化するには、標準化を獲得する方策を官民で検討する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 29, 2012)
(2012年10月29日01時53分  読売新聞)


公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ

2012-10-30 05:22:38 | 英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 29, 2012)
FTC chairman's empty seat must be filled--now
公取委員長不在 「市場の番人」務めが果たせぬ(10月28日付・読売社説)

The Fair Trade Commission chairman's seat has been empty for more than a month.
 公正取引委員会の委員長ポストの空席が、1か月以上に及んでいる。

The government must submit a proposal to fill this vacancy in the coming extraordinary Diet session and obtain approval from both houses of the Diet to resolve this irregularity.
 政府は臨時国会で人事案を示し、衆参両院の同意を得て、異常事態を解消せねばならない。

Kazuhiko Takeshima retired as FTC chairman on Sept. 26 after completing his second five-year term. However, the government did not submit a proposal to fill the vacancy to the ordinary Diet session.
 竹島一彦前委員長は9月26日、2期10年の任期を満了し、退任した。だが、政府は通常国会で後任の人事案を提示しなかった。

The five-member FTC board now lacks two members as one of the members died before Takeshima retired. It is the first time since the FTC was inaugurated for the board to have only three members.
 急逝した別の委員と合わせて2人の欠員が生じ、5人で構成する公取委は初の3人体制を余儀なくされている。

This means that if a single member is unable to attend a meeting, the FTC will lack a quorum. If this situation continues, it may affect the operations of the commission.
委員が1人欠けても委員会は開くことができず、このままでは、公取委の業務に支障をきたしかねない。

The FTC plays a leading role in keeping competition fair through such activities as clamping down on price cartels, bid rigging and illicit activities of administrative organizations as well as by approving corporate mergers.
 公取委は、企業のカルテルや談合、行政組織の不正などにメスを入れ、企業合併にお墨付きを与える競争政策の司令塔である。

Needless to say, the responsibility of the chairman is especially heavy. It is extremely problematic to leave the seat vacant for a prolonged period.
 委員長の責任は特に重い。そのポストを長期間、不在のまま放置するのは問題だ。

Democratic Party of Japan-led administrations have a bad habit of lightheartedly shelving decisions on important policies and personnel appointments and placing the blame squarely on the divided Diet, in which opposition parties control the House of Councillors. The party should break this habit immediately.
 衆参ねじれ国会を言い訳に重要な政策や人事の決定を安易に先送りするのは、民主党政権の悪癖である。早急に改めるべきだ。

===

Commission's functions stronger

Recently, the FTC has been steadily strengthening its functions as a "guardian of the market."
 公取委はこのところ、「市場の番人」としての機能強化を着々と進めている。

Drastic revisions to the Antimonopoly Law gave the FTC authority to launch legally binding investigations. Financial penalties for companies violating the Antimonopoly Law were raised, while a system was adopted to reduce or exempt surcharges on companies voluntarily reporting bid rigging.
 独占禁止法の抜本改正で、強制調査権を手にした。違反企業への課徴金を引き上げる一方、談合を自己申告した企業の課徴金を減免する制度も取り入れた。

Such changes enabled the FTC board to take a more effective carrot-and-stick approach, leading to a number of serious violations being uncovered. The amount of financial penalties imposed on companies reached a record 72 billion yen in fiscal 2010.
 こうした「アメとムチ」を駆使する執行体制の下で、大型事件を相次いで摘発した。2010年度の課徴金総額は、過去最高の720億円に達した。

Still, illegal business practices show no sign of declining significantly. Bid rigging involving officials of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry and the Defense Ministry were revealed recently.
 それでも、不正取引は後を絶たない。最近は、国土交通省や防衛省の官製談合が表面化した。

Also noteworthy is the practice of companies abusing their status to "oppress" subcontractors, such as by demanding lower prices or delaying payment. The public places high hopes on the FTC as a watchdog to prevent illegal practices.
 親会社が優先的地位を乱用し、代金の値下げや支払いを遅らせるといった「下請けいじめ」も目立つ。不正に目を光らせる公取委への期待は大きい。

===

Bigger role in corporate mergers

The FTC's role of approving corporate mergers is also gaining weight as the number of mergers that influence the global market is increasing, due to the rapid globalization of the economy.
 グローバル経済の進展で世界的な企業統合が相次ぎ、合併審査も重要度を増している。

The commission recently revised its methods in approving corporate mergers, such as by paying more attention to the global market share of the merging companies as well as simplifying the approval process.
 最近では、世界の市場占有率を重視し、時間がかかると不評だった手続きを迅速化するなど、新たな手法を取り入れた。

The revision has enabled the FTC to more rapidly complete its examination of huge mergers, such as that between Nippon Steel Corp. and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. and the management integration of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Osaka Securities Exchange.
 新日本製鉄と住友金属工業の合併、東京証券取引所と大阪証券取引所の経営統合といった大型案件で、従来よりスピード審査ができたのもこのためだ。

Considering the importance of the FTC role, its leadership must be returned to good working order as soon as possible.
 やはり、公取委の体制を早急に整えるべきである。

The Diet also has not yet approved the government's personnel appointments for the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the NHK Board of Governors. It is time to put an end to the prolonged turmoil caused by the Diet's failure to approve the government's appointments, which is the result of political maneuvering.
 原子力規制委員やNHK経営委員などの国会同意も遅れている。政局が招く国会同意人事の混乱を長引かせてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 28, 2012)
(2012年10月28日01時25分  読売新聞)


石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか

2012-10-29 04:35:10 | 英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 27, 2012)
Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?
石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか(10月26日付・読売社説)

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor.
 東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。

He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election.
 新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。

Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.
新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の5人らが参加する。

While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
 石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。

With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.
自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第3極」を狙っている。

Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties?
 「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。

===

Factors behind his decision

Regarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government.
 今回の新党構想について、石原氏は4月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。

Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP.
 自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。

Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health.
 80歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。

At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government."
 石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。

He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.
持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。

We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics.
 国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。

===

Clearer vision needed

However, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking.
 ただ、かつて25年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年4選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。

Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple.
 たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。

While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies.
 橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。

A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public.
 石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。

This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions."
 これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。

Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.
民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。

We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion.
 石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)
(2012年10月26日01時41分  読売新聞)


石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか

2012-10-28 06:13:29 | 英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 27, 2012)
Ishihara's dramatic move: What does it portend?
石原都知事辞任 国政復帰に何が期待できるか(10月26日付・読売社説)

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara announced at a hastily arranged press conference Thursday that he would resign as governor.
 東京都の石原慎太郎知事が急きょ記者会見し、辞任を表明した。

He also said he would form a new political party and run in the next House of Representatives election.
 新党を結成し、次期衆院選に出馬するという。

Five members of both houses of the Diet from the Sunrise Party of Japan will join his new party.
新党には、たちあがれ日本に所属する衆参両院議員の5人らが参加する。

While denying his party plans to cooperation with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the People's Life First party, Ishihara indicated his intention of joining hands with other political forces, such as Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
 石原氏は、国民の生活が第一の小沢一郎代表との連携は否定し、橋下徹大阪市長の率いる日本維新の会などと連携していく考えを示した。

With a new party, Ishihara aims to create a third major political force to unite conservatives, drawing a line between his party and the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan.
自民、民主両党とは一線を画し、保守勢力の結集による「第3極」を狙っている。

Will Ishihara's action, which he calls his "last service to the country," jolt national politics out of the smothering sense of helplessness brought on by unproductive conflict between the ruling and opposition parties?
 「最後のご奉公」という石原氏の行動が、与野党の不毛な対立で閉塞感の漂う国政に一石を投じることになるだろうか。

===

Factors behind his decision

Regarding the scheme of forming a new party, something he had reportedly decided not to do in the past, Ishihara said in April that he would "start it all over." His turnabout in forming a new party is believed to have much to do with the fact that the issue of the purchase of part of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, which he had sought persistently as governor, was settled with the recent purchase by the national government.
 今回の新党構想について、石原氏は4月、「白紙に戻す」と語っていた。一転して新党結成へ動いたのは、執念を見せていた尖閣諸島の購入問題が国有化で決着したからだと見られている。

Ishihara's decision may also have been influenced by the defeat of his eldest son, former LDP secretary general Nobuteru Ishihara, in the LDP's recent presidential election, which removes a major obstacle to Ishihara's forming a new party that would compete with the LDP.
 自民党総裁選で長男の石原伸晃前幹事長が敗北したため、自民党と対抗する新党の結成に支障がなくなったとの判断もあろう。

Yet it isn't entirely clear what Ishihara, now 80, intends to achieve by returning to the national political fray, especially at an age when he should be concerned about his health.
 80歳の石原氏が健康面も気遣いながら、国政で何を実現したいのかは、必ずしも明確ではない。

At the press conference, Ishihara fiercely criticized the way the nation's bureaucratic system operates, saying, "We must change the rigid system controlled by bureaucrats of the central government."
 石原氏は記者会見で、「硬直した中央官僚の支配する制度を変えなければ駄目だ」と官僚制度の在り方を激しく批判した。

He also emphasized the need to amend the Constitution, his cherished idea, and to work out measures to reinforce the nation's control of the Senkaku Islands.
持論の憲法改正や沖縄県・尖閣諸島の実効支配の強化策なども力説した。

We can agree, to a certain extent, on his awareness of problems concerning the current situation of national politics.
 国政の現状に対する問題意識には、うなずける点もある。

===

Clearer vision needed

However, we want Ishihara to spell out his policies in more concrete detail and lay out his strategies to realize them. As Ishihara, who assumed the governorship following 25-plus years of service as a Diet member, quit his job without completing his fourth term--to which he was elected just last year--to return to national politics, we would like to know more about his thinking.
 ただ、かつて25年余も国会議員を務めた石原氏が、昨年4選を果たした知事を途中で辞め、国政復帰を目指すと言う以上、もっと具体的な政策と、それを実現する戦略を語ってもらいたい。

Takeo Hiranuma, leader of the Sunrise Party, apparently hopes to see a new wind start blowing in politics with "the two leading figures" of "Hashimoto from western Japan and Ishihara from eastern Japan." But things won't be so simple.
 たちあがれ日本の平沼代表は「西は橋下、東は石原」の“二枚看板”で風を起こしたいようだが、そう簡単な話ではない。

While Hashimoto said he has many policies that are in accord with those of Ishihara, he has also said some of Ishihara's statements on nuclear power and energy policies are out of line with his own. Clearly, it is vital to reconcile their policies.
 橋下氏は、石原氏と一致する政策が多いとしながらも原発・エネルギー政策などで「軸がずれている」との見解を示した。やはり、政策のすりあわせが不可欠だ。

A new party led by a popular head of a local government, such as Ishihara or Hashimoto, is drawing a certain amount of expectation from the public.
 石原、橋下両氏ら人気の高い首長をトップに据える新党が、国民から一定の期待を集めている。

This is made possible by the people's strong distrust and discontent with the existing political parties, which have been mired in "politics incapable of making decisions."
 これは、「決められない政治」に陥っている既成政党に対する不信や不満が強いことの裏返しでもあろう。

Within the DPJ, there is a sense of danger that Ishihara's new party may prompt more members to leave the party. And in the LDP, there is concern that conservative voters may become divided.
民主党内には、石原新党がさらに離党を誘発することに警戒感がある。自民党にも、保守票の分散への懸念があるという。

We would like to see what sort of ripples of "political reorganization" Ishihara's new party will set in motion.
 石原新党が今後仕掛ける「政界再編」が、果たしてどんな波紋を広げるか見定めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 26, 2012)
(2012年10月26日01時41分  読売新聞)


防衛予算 将来見据えて削減に歯止めを

2012-10-27 06:31:51 | 英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 26, 2012)
Stop defense budget cuts, keep eye on future
防衛予算 将来見据えて削減に歯止めを(10月25日付・読売社説)

Improvement of defense capabilities cannot be achieved overnight. It is time to stop slashing defense-related spending and start strengthening the Self-Defense Forces in earnest with an eye to Japan's security environment five to 10 years from now.
 防衛力の整備は一朝一夕にはできない。5年後、10年後の日本の安全保障環境を見据えて、防衛関係費の削減に歯止めをかけ、自衛隊の態勢強化に本格的に着手する時である。

The Defense Ministry has requested 4,585.1 billion yen in budget appropriations for next fiscal year, down 1.3 percent from the previous fiscal year. Is it all right for the defense budget in fiscal 2013 to fall for the 11th year in a row?
 2013年度予算の防衛費の概算要求は前年度比1・3%減の4兆5851億円となった。このまま来年度予算が11年連続のマイナスになっても良いのだろうか。

If part of a request for budget appropriations from the special account for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake is included, the defense budget will mark an increase from the previous fiscal year. However, that includes funds to restore damaged defense-related facilities and equipment.
 東日本大震災の復興特別会計の分を含めれば、前年度比プラスだが、それには被災した施設や装備の復旧分も含まれている。

The defense budget in the initial fiscal 2012 budget dropped by about 300 billion yen from its peak in fiscal 2002. The total decline over the past 10 years comes to as much as 1.8 trillion yen.
 防衛費は今年度当初予算で、ピークの02年度から約3000億円減少し、10年間の減少額は累積約1兆8000億円にも上る。

Defense spending cuts have caused many problems. The maintenance costs currently necessary to extend the life of ships and aircraft exceed the cost of procuring new equipment, causing equipment procurement to be delayed and the defense industry to decline. Twenty percent of SDF facilities are obsolete, aged 50 years or older.
 防衛費削減は数々の弊害を生んでいる。艦船や航空機の寿命を延ばすため、装備の整備維持費が新規調達費を上回る事態となり、調達の遅延や、防衛産業の衰退を招いている。築50年以上の老朽施設も全施設の2割を占める。

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Russia and China bulking up

The fact that Russia and China increased their defense spending by 5.3 times and 3.4 times, respectively, over the past 10 years cannot be overlooked. While countries such as the United States, South Korea and Australia have increased their defense spending substantially, only Japan has cut it, due to financial difficulty and other reasons.
 見過ごせないのは、この10年間、ロシアが国防費を5・3倍、中国が3・4倍に伸ばしたことだ。米国、韓国、豪州などもこぞって大幅に増やす中、日本だけが財政難などを理由に減らしてきた。

In particular, vigilance must be exercised regarding the Chinese military's buildup of its equipment and expansion of its activities.
 特に、中国軍の装備増強と活動範囲の拡大は警戒を要する。

In September, an aircraft carrier was commissioned into the navy of the People's Liberation Army. On Oct. 16, seven Chinese naval vessels passed through the contiguous zone near Yonagunijima island. On Oct. 19, Chinese naval ships staged joint exercises with vessels from the State Oceanic Administration and other organizations in the East China Sea on the premise of trouble around the Senkaku Islands.
 海軍は9月、空母を就役させた。艦船7隻が今月16日、与那国島近くの接続水域を通過した。19日には東シナ海で、尖閣諸島周辺でのトラブルを想定した国家海洋局などとの合同演習を実施した。

In light of China's recent high-handed attitude over the Senkakus, the nation must be prepared for Beijing to expand its activities to make its presence felt in the medium and long terms.
 尖閣諸島をめぐる中国の最近の高圧的な姿勢を見れば、中国軍の示威活動は中長期的に拡大していくと覚悟せざるを得ない。

The Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Air Self-Defense Force have strengthened their vigilance and surveillance activities against the Chinese military. However, because patrol planes stationed in Okinawa Prefecture are insufficient, the MSDF and ASDF are only able to engage in those activities by redeploying resources from other parts of the country.
 海上・航空自衛隊は中国軍への警戒監視活動を強化しているが、沖縄駐在の哨戒機では足りず、全国からの応援で対応している。

China's defense spending is currently more than 50 percent greater than that of Japan. If its defense spending continues to increase at the current pace, this gap will widen to 500 percent 10 years from now. The situation is extremely grave.
 中国の国防費は現在、日本の1・5倍強だ。今の増額ペースが続けば、10年後にはその差が5倍に広がる。極めて深刻な事態だ。

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Make SDF bigger, more dynamic

It is essential to use the defense budget efficiently and review the SDF's current setup. To prioritize a buildup of "dynamic defense capabilities" in the southwestern region of the country, it is necessary to further reduce the number of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel, garrisons, tanks and artillery in other areas, mainly Hokkaido.
 防衛予算を効率的に使い、自衛隊の態勢を見直すことが大切だ。海自や空自など、南西方面の「動的防衛力」の強化を優先するには、北海道を中心に、陸上自衛隊の定数や駐屯地、戦車・火砲の削減を一層進める必要がある。

Since the end of the Cold War, Japan has beefed up Japan-U.S. defense cooperation by continually improving defense capabilities with a focus on quality rather than quantity. But from now on, Japan must seriously consider reinforcing the SDF while giving consideration to its quantity as well.
 日本は冷戦終結後、量より質を重視した防衛力整備を続け、日米の防衛協力を強化してきた。今後は、量にも配慮した自衛隊の拡充を真剣に考えねばなるまい。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he will protect the nation's territorial land and sea "with unwavering resolve." He should reflect that resolve in the budget.
 野田首相は「不退転の覚悟で」領土・領海を守ると言う以上、その覚悟を予算に反映すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 25, 2012)
(2012年10月25日02時03分  読売新聞)