The Yomiuri Shimbun December 29, 2013
Successful Olympics bid, Mt. Fuji designation bright spots in 2013
2013回顧・日本 「五輪」「富士山」に希望がわいた(12月29日付・読売社説)
Apparently indicating the high hopes many people have for Olympic Games seven years ahead, readers of The Yomiuri Shimbun awarded first place on the list of “Japan’s top 10 news stories” this year to Tokyo winning the bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
7年後の五輪開催に希望を見いだした人が多かったのだろう。
読売新聞の読者が選ぶ今年の「日本10大ニュース」の1位に、「2020年夏季五輪・パラリンピックの開催地が東京に決定」が選ばれた。
This means 56 years will have elapsed since Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964.
東京で五輪が開催されるのは1964年以来56年ぶりである。
The 1964 Olympiad served as a key factor behind the nation’s high economic growth. The coming Games are expected to act as a catalyst for this country’s reinvigoration. Every possible effort should be made to ensure that the Summer Games and Paralympics are successful.
前回五輪は、日本の高度成長を加速させる契機となった。今度の五輪は、日本再生の起爆剤となり得る。ぜひとも成功させたい。
With Naoki Inose being forced to resign as governor of Tokyo over his receipt of a dubious ¥50 million loan—16th on the domestic news list—personnel affairs concerning the organizing committee of the Games and progress on relevant matters have been left up in the air. It is extremely important for all quarters concerned to carry out concerted efforts to make the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics successful.
東京都の猪瀬直樹前知事が5000万円受領問題(16位)で辞職に追い込まれ、大会組織委員会の人事などに停滞がみられる。オールジャパン体制で着実に開催準備を進めることが肝要だ。
The initial design for the new National Athletic Stadium, the main venue of the Games’ competitions, is scheduled to be scaled down after the original plan came under criticism for being extravagant. It is essential to construct new facilities and refurbish existing ones for the Games without wasteful spending.
メーン会場の新国立競技場は「巨大すぎる」との指摘で、規模が縮小される見通しだ。無駄のない施設整備も欠かせない。
Second on the list of top 10 news items was UNESCO recognition of Mt. Fuji as a cultural World Heritage site. All components of cultural heritage relating to Mt. Fuji, including the Miho no Matsubara coastline in Shizuoka Prefecture, have been certified as “treasures of the world.”
僅差の2位は「富士山が世界文化遺産に決定」だった。当初除外される見込みだった「三保松原」を含むすべての構成資産が「世界の宝」と認定された。
The beauty of Mt. Fuji and its environs must be left intact for posterity. Regulations were tightened in summer this year on car traffic in the Mt. Fuji area and a fee was experimentally levied on people who wanted to climb the sacred peak. Further endeavors should be made for the environmental conservation of the country’s loftiest mountain and its vicinity.
美しい姿を後世に残さねばならない。この夏は、マイカー規制が拡充され、入山料徴収が試験導入された。今後は一層、環境保全に知恵を絞る必要があろう。
Many challenges ahead
In pro baseball, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ victory in the Japan Series for the first time placed fourth in the list, while the unbroken winning streak by Rakuten pitcher Masahiro Tanaka ranked eighth.
プロ野球では、楽天の「初の日本一」が4位、「田中投手が連勝の新記録」が8位に入った。
The triumph of Rakuten gave a great deal of encouragement to victims in the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, as its home ground is in Sendai. Tanaka, who was the major driving force of Rakuten capturing the highest accolade in Japan’s pro baseball world, is just entering negotiations on moving to a U.S. Major League Baseball team. We hope to see Tanaka performing brilliantly in the United States.
仙台が本拠地の楽天の優勝は、東日本大震災の被災者を大いに元気付けた。日本一の原動力となった田中将大投手は、米大リーグ球団との移籍交渉に入る。さらなる活躍を期待したい。
The news that baseball legends Shigeo Nagashima and Hideki Matsui received the People’s Honor Award from the government ranked fifth on the list.
「長嶋茂雄氏と松井秀喜氏に国民栄誉賞」は5位に入った。
Nagashima has made great contributions to developing professional baseball into Japan’s national sport. Matsui, a former slugger for the Yomiuri Giants and the New York Yankees, thrilled baseball fans with his huge home runs.
長嶋氏はプロ野球を国民的スポーツに発展させた最大の功労者だ。松井氏の豪快なホームランには、多くのファンが熱狂した。
The scene of Nagashima and his disciple Matsui in Giants’ uniforms performing in an opening pitch ceremony in celebration of their winning of the People’s Honor Award must have engraved itself deeply in people’s memories.
巨人のユニホームを着て始球式を行った師弟の姿は、人々の記憶に深く刻まれたに違いない。
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s success in ending the divided Diet after the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito garnered a majority of seats in the House of Councillors election in July placed third on the top 10 list. This achievement was conducive to increasing the Abe Cabinet’s stability.
安倍政権は「参院選で自民、公明両党が過半数獲得、ねじれ解消」(3位)で安定度を増した。
On the other hand, Japan faces many challenges.
一方で、課題も多い。
The decision to raise the consumption tax to 8 percent, which will be put into force in April, placed seventh. Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade liberalization, ranked ninth, are destined to continue next year after failing to be concluded this year.
来年4月に消費税率8%への引き上げ(7位)が実施される。越年した環太平洋経済連携協定(TPP)の交渉(9位)も大詰めを迎える。
It is imperative for the government to ensure that the signs of business pickup thanks to the Abe administration’s Abenomics package of economic policies will lead to full-fledged recovery of the nation’s business activities. We strongly hope 2014 will prove to be a year when we can really feel the economy rejuvenating.
経済政策「アベノミクス」で上向いた景気を本格回復につなげる必要がある。来年は、経済再生を実感できる年としたい。
A number of natural calamities occurred this year, such as mudslides on Izu-Oshima Island, sixth on the list.
今年は、伊豆大島の土石流(6位)など、自然災害が相次いだ。
We must keep up our guard against disasters.
防災対策を怠ってはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 29, 2013)
(2013年12月29日01時22分 読売新聞)
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 28, 2013
Nakaima’s approval on Henoko to reinforce Japan-U.S. alliance
辺野古移設承認 日米同盟強化へ重要な前進だ(12月28日付・読売社説)
◆沖縄の負担軽減を加速させたい
It was an important advance toward solving the issue of relocating the functions of Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, which has faced various twists and turns since Japan and the United States agreed in 1996 on the return of the air station’s site to Japan.
1996年の日米合意以来、様々な曲折を経てきた米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の解決に向けて重要な前進である。
Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima has approved the central government’s request to carry out a land reclamation project in publicly owned waters off the Henoko district in Nago in the prefecture, a necessary step for ultimately relocating the air station to the district.
沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事が、普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古への移設に伴う公有水面埋め立てを承認した。
The Futenma issue has been the biggest pending issue between the two countries for the last 17 years. A huge amount of time and energy has been devoted to it. The problem can be likened to a difficult simultaneous equation, in which many parties such as the Japanese and U.S. governments, Okinawa Prefecture, the city of Nago and the U.S. military have complicated circumstances.
普天間問題はこの17年間、日米間の最大の懸案で、膨大な時間と精力が注がれてきた。日米両政府、沖縄県、名護市、米軍など多くの関係者が複雑な事情を抱える、困難な連立方程式だからだ。
Resolving this difficult issue without nullifying the past laborious efforts will have the highly significant effect of making the bilateral alliance stronger and more sustainable at a time when Japan’s security environment has been worsening.
これまでの苦労を無駄にせず、難題を克服することは、日本の安全保障環境が悪化する中、同盟関係をより強靱(きょうじん)で持続可能なものにするという大きな意義を持つ。
Okinawa Gov.’s determination
◆知事の決断を評価する
It seems Nakaima finally decided to bite the bullet.
仲井真知事にとっては、まさに苦渋の決断だったろう。
At first he conditionally supported the Henoko relocation, but he had to raise “relocation outside the prefecture” as an election campaign pledge when running for a second term since Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan inflamed prefectural citizens’ expectations in an irresponsible manner during his 2009-10 administration, calling for “relocation at least outside the prefecture.”
当初は、辺野古移設を条件付きで支持していたが、民主党の鳩山首相が「最低でも県外移設」と県民の期待を無責任に煽(あお)ったため、2期目の知事選公約に「県外移設」を掲げざるを得なくなった。
However, it is crystal clear that the dangerous situation of Futenma Air Station, located in a densely populated area, would persist for a long time if the reclamation request was not approved.
しかし、埋め立てを承認しなければ、普天間飛行場の危険な現状が長期間にわたって固定化されてしまうのは確実だ。
During a press conference Friday, Nakaima said he judged that the government’s measures, including those to preserve the environment, “meet the standards [under the law]” for reasons of his approval. But he also emphasized, “My view that relocation of the air station outside the prefecture would be faster has not changed.”
知事は記者会見で、埋め立てを承認した理由について、「県外移設の方が早いとの考えは変わらない」と強調しつつ、政府の環境保全措置などが「基準に適合していると判断した」と語った。
The issue of bases in Okinawa Prefecture always involves conflicting approaches—whether to aim at drastic removal of bases or to promote a gradual reduction of base-hosting burdens. We praise Nakaima’s decision as a practical choice, giving top priority to steady reduction of the burden.
沖縄の米軍基地問題では常に、基地の抜本的な撤去を目指すか、段階的な負担軽減を進めるか、という方法論の対立がある。知事が着実な負担軽減を優先し、現実的選択をしたことを評価したい。
The Henoko relocation plan itself is significant, as it will remove a huge airfield from the densely populated area to a sparsely populated district. In addition, it will have the secondary effect of promoting the transfer of U.S. marines stationed in the prefecture to Guam. The relocation will consequently result in a major reduction in the base-hosting burden for the entire prefecture, leading to economic development of the prefecture as well.
辺野古移設は、広大な普天間飛行場を人口密集地から過疎地に移すうえ、在沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転を促進する副次的効果を持つ。県全体で大幅な負担軽減となり、沖縄の発展にも役立とう。
The prefectural governor’s brave decision has been criticized by those opposing the Henoko relocation plan, but we are sure even such people will highly evaluate his decision in the future.
知事の決断は、辺野古移設反対派から批判されているが、将来は高く評価されるはずだ。
Abe takes a risk
◆リスク取った安倍政権
We also praise the efforts of the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which created conditions to facilitate Nakaima’s decision.
知事の判断を後押しした安倍政権の努力も支持したい。
It listed a number of measures to ease Okinawa Prefecture’s burden in hosting many U.S. bases. These included advancing the deadline for returning land used by Futenma Air Station and the Makiminato Service Area to the prefecture, the transfer of military training activities to various locations outside the prefecture and the start of negotiations on a new Japan-U.S. agreement concerning on-site environmental surveys by Japanese authorities on the U.S. bases.
基地負担の軽減策として、普天間飛行場や牧港補給地区の返還期間の短縮や訓練移転、米軍基地内の環境調査に関する新たな日米協定の協議開始などを示した。
The planned return of Futenma Air Station, targeted for fiscal 2022 at the earliest, was the result of arduous negotiations between Japan and the United States. It will not be easy to advance this timetable as requested by the governor, but Tokyo and Washington should make utmost efforts to do so.
9~12年後の返還目標は、激しい日米交渉の結果で、知事の求める前倒しは簡単ではないが、日米両政府は最大限努力すべきだ。
Concerning the issue of moving the training areas for MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft outside Okinawa Prefecture, the local governments concerned are urged to offer cooperation proactively to share the burdens now heavily shouldered by the prefecture.
米軍輸送機オスプレイの訓練の県外移転も、沖縄の負担を日本全体で分かち合うため、関係自治体は積極的に協力してほしい。
Washington had been wary about revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, but agreed to enter negotiations on a new agreement that would supplement the SOFA. Environmental surveys of U.S. bases ahead of their return are expected to aid the eventual utilization of their sites. Efforts must be made to work out an agreement under which surveys can be started as early as possible.
米政府は従来、日米地位協定の改定に慎重だったが、地位協定を補足する新協定の協議には応じることになった。返還予定の米軍基地内での事前の環境調査は跡地利用を促進する。より早い段階から調査できる合意を目指したい。
As measures to promote the development of Okinawa Prefecture, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to secure a budget of the ¥300 billion level annually up until fiscal 2021, in addition to making an additional allocation in the fiscal 2014 budget, thus showing maximum consideration to the prefecture. For promotion of the prefecture’s northern areas, ¥5 billion will be earmarked every year.
沖縄振興策でも、安倍首相は、来年度予算の積み増しに加え、2021年度まで毎年3000億円台の予算確保を約束するなど、最大限の配慮を示した。県北部振興策にも毎年50億円を計上する。
With state finances in dire straits, these funds represent exceptionally preferential treatment for the prefecture. But it is an unavoidable step to break the stalemate on the Futenma relocation issue. If the DPJ-led government had not put the issue on such a serpentine path, the people of the nation would not have to bear such a huge expenditure of taxpayers’ money.
厳しい財政事情の中、異例の優遇措置だが、難局を打開するためにはやむを得まい。ただ、民主党政権が普天間問題を迷走させなければ、これほど巨額の国民負担は生じなかったろう。
The Abe administration was able to obtain the prefecture’s approval on the Futenma relocation plan largely because it consistently worked toward building a relationship of trust with Nakaima even at the political risk of the prefecture’s disapproval. That is why the governor became willing to face criticism from the local people.
安倍政権が沖縄県の承認を得られたのは、不承認時の政権への打撃というリスクも覚悟し、一貫してぶれずに、仲井真知事との信頼関係を築いたことが大きい。だからこそ、知事も県民からの批判というリスクを取ったのだろう。
Abe must make all-out efforts to secure the continuing deterrent effect of the U.S. military presence in Japan while also reducing burdens on Okinawa and continuing to nurture the relationship of trust with the governor.
首相は、知事との信頼を大切にしながら、米軍の抑止力の維持と沖縄の負担軽減の両立に全力を挙げなければなるまい。
Secure local support
◆地元の理解得る努力を
There is another hurdle to clear before the transfer of Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago can be realized.
普天間飛行場の辺野古移設の実現までには、まだ課題もある。
A Nago mayoral election, set for Jan. 19, is likely to be a one-on-one competition between the incumbent opposing the relocation plan and a former prefectural assemblyman approving it.
来月19日の名護市長選は、移設に反対する現職と、容認する前県議の一騎打ちとなる見通しだ。
A former mayor has withdrawn his candidacy, leaving the former assemblyman the only candidate representing the camp approving the relocation plan. But it remains to be seen which side will emerge victorious.
前市長が出馬を取りやめ、容認派が一本化されたが、選挙結果は予断を許さない。
A scenario in which a local election influences the future course of national security must be avoided. In this sense, too, it was appropriate that Nakaima announced his approval of the relocation plan before the end of the year and ahead of the election date.
本来、一地方選が日本の安全保障の行方を左右するような事態は避けるべきだ。その意味でも、知事が承認時期を市長選前の年内にしたのは適切だった。
The Nago mayor is not authorized to cancel the relocation plan. But naturally it is desirable to secure the mayor’s cooperation if projects to construct substitute facilities are to be implemented more smoothly.
名護市長には、辺野古移設を中止させる権限はないにせよ、代替施設の建設工事をより円滑に実施するには、名護市の協力を得られた方が望ましいのは当然だ。
The government and ruling parties must make continued efforts to obtain understanding on the relocation plan from a wider spectrum of local people while explaining the significance and benefits of the relocation to Henoko in minute detail.
政府・与党は引き続き、辺野古移設の意義と効用を丁寧に説明して、地元関係者の理解を広げる努力を尽くすことが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 28, 2013)
(2013年12月28日01時32分 読売新聞)
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 27, 2013
Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine must be followed by diplomatic rebuilding
首相靖国参拝 外交立て直しに全力を挙げよ (12月27日付・読売社説)
◆国立追悼施設を検討すべきだ
In what could be called a “lightning shrine visit,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a surprise visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday, raising the question of why he took such an action at this particular point in time. A number of other questions should also be asked, including what resolve and preparations were in his mind in making this visit to the shrine.
“電撃参拝”である。なぜ、今なのか。どんな覚悟と準備をして参拝に踏み切ったのか。多くの疑問が拭えない。
Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Thursday morning, on the first anniversary of the launch of the current Abe administration. It was his first visit since he assumed the top post of the government and the first visit to the war-related shrine by a sitting prime minister since then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi went there on Aug. 15, 2006.
安倍首相が政権発足1年を迎えた26日午前、就任後初めて靖国神社に参拝した。現職首相の参拝は、2006年8月15日の小泉首相以来だ。
Regarding his inability to visit Yasukuni during the first Abe Cabinet in 2006-07, Abe is repeatedly on record as saying, “It was a matter of deepest regret.” Thursday’s visit can be said to be the fulfillment of a personal, long-cherished desire of the prime minister.
安倍首相は、第1次政権の任期中に靖国神社に参拝できなかったことについて「痛恨の極み」と述べていた。その個人的な念願を果たしたことになる。
U.S. ‘disappointed’
◆気がかりな米の「失望」
Abe refrained from visiting the shrine earlier this year on Aug. 15, the day marking the end of World War II, and during the shrine’s spring and autumn festivals. Instead, he only sent offerings of masakaki sacred tree stands and made monetary offerings called tamagushi-ryo.
首相は終戦記念日と靖国神社の春・秋季例大祭の際、真(ま)榊(さかき)や玉串料を奉納するにとどめてきた。
His decisions on those occasions may have been based on a broad perspective that a visit to Yasukuni would worsen Japan’s already strained relations with China and South Korea, which see Yasukuni as a symbol of Japan’s militarism, a step inadvisable from a diplomatic point of view.
参拝すれば、靖国神社を日本の軍国主義のシンボルと見る中国、韓国との関係が一層悪化し、外交上、得策ではないと大局的に判断したからだろう。
The United States was also concerned that a visit to the shrine by the prime minister could heighten Tokyo’s tensions with Beijing and Seoul.
米国も首相の参拝は中韓との緊張を高めると懸念していた。
On their trip to Japan in October, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel laid flowers at Tokyo’s Chidorigafuchi cemetery for the remains of unidentified Japanese who died overseas during World War II. This is believed to have been an attempt to dissuade Abe from making a Yasukuni visit.
ケリー国務長官とヘーゲル国防長官が10月の来日の際、氏名不詳で遺族に渡せない戦没者の遺骨を納めた千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑で献花したのは、そのメッセージだ。
We are especially concerned that the United States, in the wake of Abe’s visit to the shrine, has released an extraordinary statement saying that Washington “is disappointed that Japan’s leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan’s neighbors.”
気がかりなのは、米国が「日本の指導者が近隣諸国との緊張を悪化させるような行動を取ったことに失望している」と、異例の声明を発表したことである。
Was this a miscalculation by Abe, who has placed top priority on the United States in his diplomatic policies?
日米関係を最重視する首相にとって誤算だったのではないか。
China has unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, heightening tension in the relations between Japan and China. China may beef up its offensive stance over the territorial sovereignty issue of the Senkaku Islands.
中国は東シナ海上空に防空識別圏を一方的に設定し、日中間の緊張を高めている。尖閣諸島をめぐって、さらに攻勢を強めてくる可能性もある。
Japan, in tandem with its ally the United States, must continue acting resolutely in defense of the integrity of the nation’s territorial land and sea.
日本は同盟国の米国と連携して領土・領海を守り抜かねばならない。
We cannot help but wonder whether Abe, at this highly sensitive time, has personally created a destabilizing factor for his administration by visiting Yasukuni Shrine.
この微妙な時機に靖国神社に参拝し、政権の不安定要因を自ら作ってしまったのではないか。
Some of the prime minister’s close aides reportedly prodded Abe to make a Yasukuni visit, saying China and South Korea have criticized Japan even though Abe had not gone there. The situation would remain unchanged even if the prime minister visited Yasukuni, they reportedly told him.
首相周辺には、「参拝しなくても中韓は日本批判を繰り返している。それなら参拝しても同じだ」と参拝を促す声があったという。
If Abe came to that conclusion as a result of his failure to find a way to improve relations with China and South Korea, we cannot help but feel that is regrettable.
首相が、中韓両国との関係改善の糸口を見いだせず、そうした判断に至ったのであれば残念だ。
New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi opposed the visit when Abe phoned him immediately before his visit to the shrine, saying bluntly, “I cannot support that.” After Abe’s visit, Yamaguchi said, “As the prime minister presumably acted knowing there would be adverse reactions from both China and South Korea, the prime minister should personally make efforts to ameliorate the situation.”
公明党の山口代表は首相から参拝直前に電話があった際、「賛同できない」と反対した。「中韓両国の反発を予測しての行動だろうから、首相自身が改善の努力をする必要がある」と述べている。
Abe must do his utmost to rebuild the nation’s diplomacy, which has been marred because of his visit to Yasukuni.
首相は、外交立て直しに全力を挙げねばなるまい。
Abuse by China, ROK
◆中韓の悪のりを許すな
Regarding his Yasukuni visit, Abe said he chose that day “to report the progress of the first year of my administration and convey my resolve to build an era in which the people will never again suffer the ravages of war.” In regard to China and South Korea, Abe said, “I would like to explain this feeling of mine to them directly.”
首相は、参拝について「政権発足後、1年間の歩みを報告し、戦争の惨禍で再び人々が苦しむことのない時代を創る決意を込めて不戦の誓いをした」と説明した。中韓両国などに「この気持ちを直接説明したい」とも語った。
Rather than lending an ear to Abe’s statement, China and South Korea have begun to use his Yasukuni visit as material to back their claim that Japan is drifting to the right.
だが、中韓両国は、安倍首相に耳を傾けるどころか、靖国参拝を日本の「右傾化」を宣伝する材料に利用し始めている。
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement that Abe’s visit “infringed on the national sentiment of war-victimized countries and defied the justice of history.” The South Korean government also criticized the visit, saying it was “an anachronistic act that would harm the stability and cooperation of Northeast Asia from its very foundation.”
中国外務省は、「戦争被害国の国民感情を踏みにじり、歴史の正義に挑戦した」との談話を表明した。韓国政府も「北東アジアの安定と協力を根本から損なう時代錯誤的な行為」と非難している。
Their misunderstanding and distortions are excessive.
誤解、曲解も甚だしい。
Japan has pursued the path of a pacifist nation in the postwar period while upholding the principles of freedom and democracy. It is missing the mark for these two countries to ignore this point and criticize Abe’s Yasukuni visit.
日本は戦後、自由と民主主義を守り、平和国家の道を歩んできた。中韓が、それを無視して靖国参拝を批判するのは的外れだ。
In the first place, China and South Korea should be blamed for worsening relations with Japan by linking the issue of perceptions of history with political and diplomatic affairs.
そもそも対日関係を悪化させたのは歴史認識問題を政治・外交に絡める中韓両国の方だ。
Aside from the propriety of Abe’s Yasukuni visit, how the prime minister of one nation mourns its war dead is not a matter for interference from other nations.
今回の参拝の是非は別として一国の首相が戦没者をどう追悼するかについて、本来他国からとやかく言われる筋合いもない。
Build nonreligious site
◆A級戦犯合祀が問題
The predecessor of Yasukuni Shrine is Tokyo Shokonsha Shrine, which was built in 1869 to console the souls of soldiers from anti-Tokugawa Shogunate domains who died in civil wars to achieve the so-called Meiji Restoration. Samurai warriors in the late Tokugawa period, the war dead from the Sino-Japanese, Russo-Japanese and Showa wars are enshrined together at Yasukuni Shrine. The shrine, however, is not dedicated only to the war dead.
靖国神社の前身は、明治維新の戦火で亡くなった官軍側の慰霊のために建立された「東京招魂社」だ。幕末の志士や日清、日露戦争、そして昭和戦争の戦没者らが合祀(ごうし)されている。戦没者だけが祀(まつ)られているわけではない。
Behind the fact that worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine has become a political issue is the enshrinement there of former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and other so-called Class A war criminals who were sentenced to death at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials.
靖国参拝が政治問題化した背景には、極東国際軍事裁判(東京裁判)で処刑された東条英機元首相ら、いわゆる「A級戦犯」が合祀されていることがある。
Yasukuni Shrine has argued that it is impossible from a religious viewpoint to transfer enshrined souls elsewhere. But criticism of Class A criminals who led Japan into the Showa War is deep-seated, and there are still calls to move their souls to another place.
靖国神社は、合祀した御霊(みたま)を他に移す分祀は、教学上できないとしているが、戦争指導者への批判は根強く、「A級戦犯」の分祀を求める声が今もなおある。
Abe stressed that he also visited Chinreisha Shrine, which is located on the premises of Yasukuni Shrine. Chinreisha is dedicated to the war dead killed worldwide—not only Japanese but also people of other countries—who are not enshrined at Yasukuni Shrine. If he gave such consideration, we believe he should have rather worshipped at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery.
首相は、靖国神社の境内にある「鎮霊社」に参拝したことも強調した。靖国神社には合祀されない国内外の戦死者らの慰霊施設である。そうした配慮をするのなら、むしろ千鳥ヶ淵戦没者墓苑に参るべきではなかったか。
It is difficult even for the Emperor and foreign dignitaries to worship at Yasukuni Shrine as long as it stays in its current status. Measures must be studied to make it possible for everyone to worship without any reserve, centering on a plan to build a national memorial site with no religious affiliation.
今の靖国神社には、天皇陛下も外国の要人も参拝しづらい。無宗教の国立追悼施設の建立案を軸に誰もがわだかまりなく参拝できる方策を検討すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 27, 2013)
(2013年12月27日01時43分 読売新聞)
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 26, 2013
In intl crisis, govt must lay down new weapons-export principles
PKO弾薬提供 武器輸出の新原則策定を急げ(12月26日付・読売社説)
A country working to support nation-building efforts in Africa under rigorous conditions has every reason to help another country engaged in the same task, a duty that has been taken for granted internationally.
厳しい環境の下、アフリカの国造りに共に取り組む仲間を助けるのは、国際常識である。
The Ground Self-Defense Force, now participating in a U.N. mission in South Sudan—officially called the U.N. Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)—has provided South Korean forces with 10,000 bullets for rifles without asking for payment in exchange. The bullets were given via the UNMISS authorities. The GSDF’s bullet offer was the first of its kind to occur overseas.
国連南スーダン派遣団(UNMISS)に参加中の陸上自衛隊が、小銃弾1万発をUNMISS経由で韓国軍に無償提供した。海外での自衛隊の弾薬譲渡は初めてだ。
Amid a rapid decline in the African country’s security situation, South Korean forces were working to protect the safety of about 15,000 refugees in their assigned area, surrounded by armed rebel groups.
南スーダンの治安情勢が悪化する中、韓国軍は宿営地に1万5000人の避難民を保護し、反政府勢力から包囲されていた。
It is clear the Japanese government had no option but to supply bullets to the South Korean forces. The action was needed from the standpoint of humanity and urgency, given that the lives of South Korean soldiers and local refugees were at risk.
Supplying the bullets was essential for supporting the global significance of U.N. peacekeeping operations. No participants in the UNMISS mission except the GSDF were carrying bullets that could be used for rifles carried by South Korean soldiers.
韓国兵や避難民の生命にかかわる人道性や緊急性、国連平和維持活動(PKO)という公共性、UNMISS参加部隊で日本以外に同種の弾薬を携行していないことなど、どの観点からも弾薬を提供しない選択肢はなかった。
South Korean forces telephoned the GSDF unit and expressed their gratitude for the bullets.
韓国軍から現地の陸自部隊に感謝の電話もあった。
There may be cases in which the GSDF asks other nations to support its forces or come to its rescue. Making steady efforts to extend assistance comparable to the recent case of supplying bullets and increasing cooperation with foreign forces will ensure the security of GSDF personnel operating overseas.
陸自が今後、他国に支援や救援を頼むケースもあろう。今回のような協力を重ね、国際的連帯を強めることが、陸自の安全確保にも役立つ。
Regarding the U.N. Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law, which was the subject of questions during Diet sessions, the government has long said it does not expect requests from other nations to provide weapons and ammunition, and that if such a request were to be filed, it would reject the request. This line of reasoning apparently reflects the fact that it is extremely unusual for Japan to be asked by any other country to supply weapons and ammunition, even if it is a request that could affect the survival of the requesting nation’s forces.
政府はPKO協力法に関する国会答弁で、武器・弾薬の提供は想定されず、要請されても断るとしてきた。部隊の生存にかかわる武器・弾薬の提供を他国に要請される事態は極めて異例だからだ。
Civilian control effective
In deciding on the bullet offer, the government held a meeting of four relevant Cabinet members under the National Security Council and a Cabinet conference. In these meetings, the government concluded the bullet supply would be treated as an exception to its three rules on arms exports and its official interpretation of the peace cooperation law.
政府は今回、国家安全保障会議(日本版NSC)の4大臣会合や閣議を開き、UNMISSへの弾薬提供を、武器輸出3原則やPKO協力法の政府見解の例外扱いとすることを決めた。
Given the lack of procedural defects in the latest decision, it is safe to say our nation’s principle of civilian control has fulfilled its purpose.
手続き上の欠陥はなく、文民統制も機能したと言える。
In 2011, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda relaxed the principles regarding arms exports, thus making it possible to offer weapons for peace-building and international cooperation purposes. However, the offer of arms was limited to foreign governments, meaning such institutions as the UNMISS authorities were not included in the list of organs to which our country would supply arms.
一昨年に野田内閣が3原則を緩和し、平和構築・国際協力目的の武器提供は可能になった。ただ、提供先は国に限られ、UNMISSなど国際機関は対象外だ。
The government is currently considering fundamentally reexamining the three principles. Taking the recent bullet supply into consideration, the government should lay down a new set of flexible and realistic principles as quickly as possible.
政府は、武器輸出3原則の抜本的見直しを検討している。今回の事例も踏まえ、柔軟で現実的な新原則を早期に策定すべきだ。
With the deterioration of the South Sudanese situation in mind, the U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution to shore up the UNMISS mission to better protect the safety of local residents. About 6,000 staff will be sent to South Sudan, where they will be united with about 7,500 military and police personnel already deployed there.
国連安全保障理事会は、現地情勢の悪化を踏まえ、住民保護の強化のため、UNMISSを増強する決議を採択した。展開中の軍事・警察要員約7500人に加え、約6000人を増派する。
It is imperative the U.N. resolution be implemented as promptly as possible, to resolve the South Sudanese situation.
事態の沈静化に向けて、決議を迅速に実施することが肝要だ。
About 30 months after its independence, South Sudan is on the brink of a civil war, as a conflict between its president and former vice president has grown into a tribal conflict. International engagement is essential for preventing the conflict from degenerating into civil war.
独立から2年半たつ南スーダンは、大統領と前副大統領の対立が部族紛争に発展し、内戦の瀬戸際にある。これを阻止するには、国際社会の関与が欠かせない。
The United States has begun to intermediate between the warring parties with the aim of seeking a solution to the problem through dialogue.
米国は、当事者間の対話による解決に向けて仲介を始めた。
Japan should contribute to the international peace initiative in South Sudan, a task that should be carried out with close attention to the safety of GSDF personnel operating in that country.
日本も、陸自隊員の安全に細心の注意を払いながら、国際社会の和平努力に貢献したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2013)
(2013年12月26日01時32分 読売新聞)
The Yomiuri Shimbun December 23, 2013
As Emperor turns 80, it’s time to consider trimming his duties
天皇陛下80歳 公務の負担軽減を検討したい(12月23日付・読売社説)
The Emperor has marked his 80th birthday.
天皇陛下が80歳の誕生日を迎えられた。
On this occasion, we express our heartfelt congratulations to the Emperor for reaching this milestone while being hale and hearty.
お元気で過ごされていることを心から喜びたい。
In February last year, the Emperor underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. His recovery has gone as scheduled. The Emperor currently performs official duties at the same pace as he did before the operation.
陛下は昨年2月に心臓の冠動脈のバイパス手術を受け、順調に回復された。現在は手術前と同じペースで公務に取り組まれている。
The day before his 80th birthday on Monday, the Emperor said at a news conference in the Imperial Palace, “While coming to terms with certain constraints due to my advancing age, I would like to continue playing my role as much as possible.”
誕生日前の記者会見で、陛下は「年齢による制約を受け入れつつ、できる限り役割を果たしていきたい」と述べられている。
Referring to his official duties, he said, “I wish to maintain my current pace, at least for a while.” This suggests he is rather negative about any move to reduce his official duties on health grounds.
公務については「しばらくはこのままでいきたい」と語り、健康上の理由による公務の軽減には否定的な考えを示された。
This is presumably because the Emperor, with his best wishes for the happiness of the people, still feels a strong sense of responsibility to continue moving forward with the populace.
国民の幸せを祈り、国民と共に歩み続けることに強い使命感をお持ちだからだろう。
Accompanied by the Empress, the Emperor visited such places this year as areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and Minamata, the city in Kumamoto Prefecture that has become known for the mercury-poisoning disease with the same name. The Imperial couple also followed a tight schedule on their recent official visit to India.
今年も、陛下は皇后さまと共に東日本大震災の被災地や熊本県水俣市などを訪ねられた。先日、インドを公式訪問された際も、過密な日程をこなされた。
Many people want the Emperor to be able to continue to engage in his official duties in good health. For this very reason, however, we believe the burden placed on the Emperor should not be excessive.
陛下にお元気で公務を続けられてほしいと願う国民も多いことだろう。そうであればこそ、ご負担が過重になってはなるまい。
The Imperial Household Agency should examine how to reduce the load shouldered by the Emperor, perhaps by handing some of his duties to Imperial family members including Crown Prince Naruhito and his younger brother, Prince Akishino.
宮内庁は、公務時間のより一層の短縮や、皇太子さまや秋篠宮さまへの一部公務の引き継ぎも、検討していくべきだろう。
Adhering to Constitution
The Emperor’s stance of always giving consideration to the people is also represented by his views on his funeral and mausoleum.
常に国民を思いやる陛下の姿勢は、自らの葬儀や御陵に関する考え方にも表れている。
In November, the Imperial Household Agency announced that the Emperor plans to be cremated, rather than be buried as has been tradition for emperors since the Edo period, and scale down his mausoleum compared to those of the Emperor’s predecessors.
宮内庁は11月、江戸時代から続いてきた土葬を火葬に変更し、御陵は規模を縮小する方針を明らかにした。
These plans fit snugly with the wishes of the Emperor and Empress not to impose an onerous burden on the people in regard to the construction of their mausoleums and their funerals. These decisions can be said to reflect the desire of the Emperor, who has been committed to ensuring the Imperial family can meet the changes of the times while keeping the essence of royal tradition intact.
御陵の整備や葬儀にあたって、国民に負担をかけてはならないという天皇、皇后両陛下のお考えを踏まえたものだ。伝統を守りつつも、時代に即した皇室のあり方を模索し続ける陛下らしいご決断と言えよう。
During the news conference, a question was asked about the relationship between the Imperial family and politics.
今回の記者会見では、皇室と政治の関係について質問が出た。
Some media outlets were outraged that Princess Hisako of Takamado attended the general session of the International Olympic Committee in September that chose Tokyo as host city of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games.
高円宮妃久子さまが、2020年東京五輪・パラリンピックの開催を決めた9月の国際オリンピック委員会(IOC)総会に出席されたことに関し、一部メディアなどが問題視していた。
In reply to the question, the Emperor said when he faces a thorny question, “I have made it a rule to seek the opinions of the Imperial Household Agency director general and the agency’s councillors.”
陛下は、判断の難しい場合、「宮内庁長官や参与の意見を聴くことにしています」と答えられた。
This statement was intended to emphasize afresh his position of adhering closely to Article 4 of the Constitution, which stipulates the Emperor “shall not have powers related to government.”
天皇は「国政に関する権能を有しない」とする憲法4条を順守し、自らを律するというお立場を改めて強調されたのだろう。
At the IOC session, Princess Hisako only expressed Japan’s gratitude for such things as support extended from many nations after the Great East Japan Earthquake. She refrained from making any direct reference to Tokyo’s Games bid. Some media said her speech amounted to “using the Imperial family for political purposes.” It was nothing of the sort.
久子さまは、IOC総会で大震災への各国の支援などに謝辞を述べただけで、東京招致への直接的な言及は避けられた。「皇室の政治利用」に当たるはずがない。
This issue must not be allowed to bother the Emperor any further.
この問題でこれ以上、陛下の心を煩わせてはならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2013)
(2013年12月23日01時25分 読売新聞)