日米首脳会談 同盟強化に必要な能動的外交

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 26, 2009)
Active diplomacy needed to boost Japan-U.S. ties
日米首脳会談　同盟強化に必要な能動的外交（2月26日付・読売社説）

Continuing multilayered cooperation in broader fields will help strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance significantly.
　幅広い分野で重層的な協力を続けることが、日米同盟の強化にも大いに役立つだろう。

In their first meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Prime Minister Taro Aso and U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed that their countries will cooperate closely in dealing with the global financial meltdown, assistance for Afghanistan's reconstruction and the North Korean threat, among other issues.
　麻生首相とオバマ米大統領が初めて会談し、世界同時不況やアフガニスタン、北朝鮮問題などで日米両国が緊密に連携する方針を確認した。

The Obama administration aspires to multinational cooperative diplomacy. Japan should respond to this new U.S. policy and pursue its own diplomacy more actively. It is vital for this country to make steady efforts to establish a reliable partnership with the United States.
　オバマ政権は多国間協調外交を志向している。日本は、これに呼応し、従来以上に能動的な外交を展開する必要がある。互いに信頼できるパートナーになる努力を重ねることが肝要だ。

===

Japanese know-how needed

The two countries' leaders agreed that the first items on their to-do list are fixing the global financial system and jump-starting the world economy.
　日米両首脳は、両国がまず取り組むべき課題は金融・世界経済だ、との認識で一致した。

To quickly climb out of the worst global economic crisis in 100 years, it is vital for the world's two largest economies to take concerted action on policy matters. Japan and the United States must work to restore confidence in the international financial system and provide support for developing countries, as well as realize economic recoveries in their respective countries.
　百年に一度の経済危機から早期に脱するには、世界１位と２位の経済大国による政策面での共同歩調が欠かせない。両国の国内経済の再生に加え、国際金融システムの安定と途上国支援にも力を入れることが大切である。

Aso and Obama also agreed that fighting protectionism is one of their key responsibilities.
　両首脳は、保護貿易主義に反対することが両国の「重大な責務」とする見解も共有した。

On this issue, we hope the United States will apply a Buy American clause in the U.S. economic stimulus package more sensitively so as not to cause international friction.
　米国は今後、国際的な摩擦が生じないよう、景気対策法の「バイ・アメリカン条項」を一段と慎重に運用することが求められる。

As for Afghanistan, Japan has decided to send a special envoy to the United States in early March to seek to have Japan's opinions reflected in a comprehensive U.S. review of its strategy on Afghan issues.
　アフガン問題では、米国の政策見直し作業に日本の意見を反映させるため、担当特使を来月上旬に訪米させることが決まった。

For the international community, the war on terrorism is burdensome, but also is a vital undertaking that cannot be avoided. As two wheels of a cart, efforts should be made to restore security and order in Afghanistan through military activities and support reconstruction in the civilian sector.
　「テロとの戦い」は、国際社会にとって、困難であっても、避けて通れない重大問題だ。アフガンの治安回復に向け、軍事面の活動と民生復興支援を車の両輪として進めねばなるまい。

This country has been playing a leading role in public sector reconstruction support in Afghanistan, including the construction and repair of more than 500 school buildings and 50 medical clinics.
　民生支援において、日本は、５００以上の学校や５０の診療所を建設・修復するなど、一貫して主導的な役割を果たしてきた。

Japan should get actively involved in the new U.S. policymaking process by activating its know-how gained in education, medical care, agriculture and other fields, and, in addition, it should assume its fair share of responsibilities in terms of both financial and personnel contributions.
　教育、医療、農業などの分野で培ったノウハウを活用し、米国の新たな政策策定に積極的に関与したうえ、資金、人的貢献の両面で応分の責任を担うべきだろう。

To the extent that it is capable of doing so, this country should endeavor to participate in the planning stage of projects related to the reconstruction of Afghanistan rather than being pressed to contribute funds on the basis of a plan drafted by another country.
　他国主導の計画に基づき、資金拠出を押しつけられるより、計画作りの段階から参画し、納得できる内容にする努力が重要だ。

===

Shared stance on North Korea

Aso and Obama were of one mind on the importance of finding comprehensive solutions to the standoff over North Korea's nuclear development, the missile threat posed by that country and its abductions of Japanese nationals.
　北朝鮮問題について首脳会談では、核、拉致、ミサイルの包括的な解決の重要性で合意した。

North Korea is preparing to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile it claims is a rocket for putting a satellite into orbit.
　北朝鮮は、「人工衛星の打ち上げ」という名目で長距離弾道ミサイルの発射準備を進めている。

No matter how Pyongyang tries to dress up the object it plans to launch, the operation would represent an attempt to destabilize Northeast Asia and is therefore unacceptable. One preventive option would be to strengthen sanctions against North Korea on the basis of U.N. resolutions. Japan and the United States should take the lead by more visibly displaying a strong attitude toward Pyongyang.
　どんな強弁をしようとも、ミサイル発射は北東アジアを不安定化する試みであり、容認できない。国連決議による制裁強化も選択肢となる。日米が中心となり、北朝鮮に対し、そうした強い姿勢をより明確に示すことが必要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 26, 2009)
（2009年2月26日01時49分 読売新聞）

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年金財政見通し 国民の不安は別の所にある

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 25, 2009)
Shaky pension system needs to be sorted out
年金財政見通し　国民の不安は別の所にある（2月25日付・読売社説）

The results of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry's study on the long-term outlook for the public pension system, which examined its future financing, ill fit the "security for 100 years" slogan touted by the ruling parties on pension reform.
　厚生労働省が公的年金の財政状況を検証し、５年ごとに示す長期見通しを公表したが、「１００年安心」とはとても言えない結果である。

The study, presented Monday by the ministry to the Social Security Council, an advisory body to the welfare minister, forecasts that benefits under the corporate employees pension system, known as kosei nenkin, will bottom out at 50.1 percent of the average after-tax salary for corporate employees in fiscal 2038, although they will start falling annually from 62.3 percent in fiscal 2009.
　現役世代の平均収入に対する厚生年金の水準（所得代替率）は、２００９年度の６２・３％から次第に低下して３８年度に５０・１％になるものの、それ以上は下がらないと予測している。

It was the first verification study conducted since the reform of the pension system in 2004. The study is to be carried out every five years.
　０４年の年金改革の際に政府・与党が掲げた「現役世代の収入の５割を年金で確保する」という公約は、辛うじて達成できる、ということらしい。

===

Rose-tinted forecasts

The study's results suggest that a pledge made by the government and the ruling parties in the 2004 pension reform--that pension benefits of 50 percent of the average after-tax salary of corporate employees would be secured--will be narrowly met.
　だが、鵜呑(うの)みにすることはできない。

But we cannot accept the study results on faith because the calculation is obviously based on a stack of extremely optimistic forecasts.
この試算は、かなり楽観的な予測を積み重ねた末に、はじき出されているからだ。

For example, the study estimates an annual yield from managing accumulated pension premiums of 4.1 percent. It assumes that as of 2030, the number of elderly workers and members of the working generation will have increased from a previous prediction by 2.4 million and 3.6 million, respectively.
　例えば、公的年金積立金の運用利回りを４・１％と見込んだ。３０年時点の雇用状況について、従来の予測より高齢者の就労は２４０万人増、現役世代の就労も３６０万人増加すると目論(もくろ)んでいる。

As a matter of course, it is difficult to examine the appropriateness of estimates that look ahead several decades. It would be more appropriate to call those assumptions targets rather than estimates.
　無論、数十年先をにらんだ推計の妥当性を語ることは難しい。だが、並んでいる数字は、予測というより目標と呼ぶ方がふさわしい水準である。

The study also forecasts that the premium payment rate for the national pension program will rise to 80 percent from the current 60 percent level. It is obvious that many preconditions supporting the estimates are dubious.
　国民年金保険料の納付率も８０％まで戻ると見込んでいる。現状は６０％台だ。これを見ても、推計を支える前提の多くが危ういことは明らかだろう。

It is inevitable that some people will suspect the long-term outlook actually calculates backward to arrive at estimates that form the basis for the conclusion that a 50 percent ratio of employee pension benefits to the average after-tax salary for corporate employees is achievable. But the study unintentionally shows that very high hurdles lie in the way of fulfilling the 50 percent pledge.
　今回の長期見通しは、所得代替率５０％達成という結論を導くために、前提となる予測を逆算したと見られてもやむを得まい。だが、その結果、５０％を維持するためのハードルは相当に高い、ということを図らずも示したと言える。

===

Structure seen as unreliable

Taking the opportunity offered by the release of the study results, it is time to stop juggling numbers and bring discussions on the pension system back to the main thread.
　これを機に、年金制度の議論を数字のつじつま合わせから、本筋に戻す必要があるだろう。

People are anxious about the pension system not because the ratio of benefits to be received may fall below 50 percent of the average after-tax salary of company workers, but because its very structure is unreliable.
　国民が抱く不安の根源は、所得代替率が５０％を割るか否かではなく、年金制度の構造が頼りないことにある。

First and foremost, a source of funding to support the public pension system must be secured.
　まず、年金制度を支える財政的な裏付けを固めるのが先決だ。

The ministry's calculation assumed that the government's contributions to the basic pension plan had been raised from the current one-third to half the total. But a relevant bill has yet to be enacted. Although the government will tap surplus funds in special accounts dubbed "buried treasure" in the next two years, nothing has been decided on a funding source beyond that.
　今回の試算では、基礎年金の国庫負担割合が２分の１に引き上がっていることが大前提になっている。ところが法案は成立しておらず、財源も２年間はいわゆる埋蔵金を取り崩してしのぐものの、その先は何も決まっていない。

Remedial measures need to be formulated that incorporate a mechanism under which one can be assured of receiving a certain level of pension benefits even if one's income is low after retirement. What is important is to fix problems and weaknesses in the existing pension system one by one.
　また、もし老後に低所得となっても一定水準の年金は確実に保障される仕組みを織り込む、といった改善策を練る必要がある。現行制度の問題点や弱点を、着実に改めていくことこそ重要だ。

Efforts to secure a funding source for the social security system and reform the pension scheme must be accelerated.
　社会保障財源の確保と年金制度改革を急がなくてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 25, 2009)
（2009年2月25日01時46分 読売新聞）

ＡＳＥＡＮ＋３、成長センターの再生を急げ

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 24, 2009)
Domestic demand key to fixing Asian economy
ＡＳＥＡＮ＋３、成長センターの再生を急げ（2月24日付・読売社説）

Affected by the deepening global economic downturn, the Asian economy, which is regarded as the hub of the world's economic growth, has also been slowing down.
　金融危機の影響で、世界の成長センターとされるアジア経済も急減速している。

Aimed at revitalizing the economies in the region, the finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as Japan, China and South Korea pledged to strengthen coordination of economic policies within the region.
　この再生へ向け、タイで開かれた東南アジア諸国連合・日中韓（ＡＳＥＡＮプラス３）の財務相会議は、地域の政策協調を強化する決意を示した。

The action plan, adopted at the ASEAN plus Three meeting held in Phuket, Thailand, on Sunday, features an expansion of regional currency swap agreements--the system of lending money to countries running short of foreign currency reserves within the Asia region--to up to 120 billion dollars. It also states that a regional monitoring mechanism for each country's economic conditions will be set up.
　会議で採択された「行動計画」は、通貨危機に陥った国に対し、アジア域内で外貨を融通し合う資金枠を１２００億ドルに拡大することが柱だ。各国の経済状況を監視する独自機関も創設する。

So far, such currency turmoil as occurred during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis has not been seen. However, there is some worrying movement in the markets, including a fall in the value of the South Korean won. We must be alert to prevent the recurrence of such a crisis.
　今のところ、１９９７～９８年のアジア通貨危機のような通貨不安は発生していない。しかし、韓国通貨ウォンが下落するなど、懸念される相場の動きもみられる。危機再燃を防ぐ警戒は怠れない。

It is very significant to facilitate the mechanism to expeditiously tackle such a crisis within Asia, in addition to the assistance measures from the International Monetary Fund. Those involved should swiftly work out the specifics of the mechanism, including the allocation of additional funds by each country.
　国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）の支援策とは別に、域内で機動的に対応できる体制を整備する意義は大きい。拡大資金枠の分担金など、具体的制度設計を急ぐべきだ。

===

Cooperation leads to progress

It may be a step forward to realize an Asian monetary fund initiative, an issue over which the nations involved were once deadlocked.
　かつて頓挫した「アジア通貨基金（ＡＭＦ）」構想の実現に向けた一歩になる可能性もある。

A more serious issue for Asian nations is the abrupt slowdown of the economy. The so-called decoupling theory, which posits that even if the developed countries are in economic slump, the high growth of newly emerging economies will ameliorate the situation, has crumbled.
　アジア各国にとって、より深刻な問題は急激な景気減速だ。先進国経済が低迷しても新興国は高成長できるとの、「デカップリング（非連動）論」は幻だった。

According to the IMF's forecasts for 2009, growth in the ASEAN member nations will shrink to 2.7 percent. The economies of China and India, which have both continued to see robust growth, are also expected to decelerate, with China's economy expected to grow 6.7 percent and India's by 5.1 percent.
　ＩＭＦの予測では、ＡＳＥＡＮの今年の成長率は２・７％に減速する。高成長が続いた中国も６・７％、インドも５・１％などと大幅減速し、総崩れ状態だ。

Many countries have been dependent on exports to the United States and other nations and, as a result, have achieved high rates of economic growth. However, such a growth path has collapsed. A new strategy for economic growth, which does not rely on exports, must be formulated.
　多くの国が、米国向けなどの輸出に依存し、高成長を遂げてきたが、そうした成長路線が崩れた。輸出に頼らない新たな成長戦略を描かなければならない。

===

Economic self-reliance

It is appropriate that China, South Korea and other nations have decided to enact large-scale economic stimulus measures through fiscal and monetary policies. Although it is a difficult task, each nation must hurry to convert to an economy driven by domestic demand.
　中国、韓国などが財政・金融政策の両面から、大型の景気対策を決めたことは適切な対応だ。難しい課題だが、各国が内需主導型の経済に転換を急ぐ必要がある。

Once the Asian economy, with its potential for growth, is revitalized, it can be expected to become a leading force in pulling the world economy out of the global recession.
　潜在成長力を持つアジア経済が復活し、牽引(けんいん)役になれば、世界不況からの脱出にも寄与すると期待されよう。

It is also important that the participating nations are firmly against protectionist trade measures and agreed to refrain from introducing new trade barriers. If protectionism prevails, trade will shrink and the recession will deepen. It is vital to contain protectionism within Asia and promote free trade.
　「行動計画」が、保護貿易主義に反対し、新たな貿易障壁の導入を控えると合意した点も重要だ。保護主義が広がれば、貿易が縮小し、不況が深刻化する。域内の保護主義を封じ込め、自由貿易を推進することが大切である。

Japan failed to make its presence felt during the meeting, as Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano--who also is state minister in charge of financial services and economic and fiscal policy--did not attend the meeting due to Diet deliberations and other reasons.
　今回の会議で存在感を示せなかったのが日本だ。与謝野財務・金融・経済財政相が、国会日程などを理由に欠席したからだ。

Japan plays a significant role in the Asian economy. A Cabinet minister should have attended the meeting and shown leadership.
　日本がアジア経済に果たす役割は大きい。閣僚が会議に出席し、指導力を発揮すべきだった。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 24, 2009)
（2009年2月24日01時41分 読売新聞）

裁判員制度 綿密な準備と検証を怠るな

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 23, 2009)
Leave no stone unturned for lay judge system
裁判員制度　綿密な準備と検証を怠るな（2月23日付・読売社説）

Less than three months remain until the lay judge system starts in Japan. The new system will allow ordinary citizens to participate as judges in criminal trials that have until now been fought only among legal professionals.
　法律の専門家だけで行われてきた刑事裁判に国民が参加する裁判員制度の発足まで、あと３か月を切った。

The introduction of the lay judge system will be a turning point for the nation's judiciary, which has often been criticized for being closed to the public. Meticulous preparation to alleviate the anxieties and burdens of inexperienced lay judges will be required to usher in the new system smoothly.
　「閉鎖的」と批判されてきた日本の司法制度にとって、大きな転換点となる。円滑なスタートのためには、未経験の裁判員の不安や負担感を少しでもやわらげるよう細心の準備が必要だ。

　◆課題は負担の軽減◆
The Tokyo District Court on Wednesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing a 23-year-old woman in Koto Ward, Tokyo. However, the trial stirred controversy when, as part of its visual evidence--apparently with the lay judge system in mind--the prosecution displayed color photographs of small pieces of the victim's dismembered body on a screen in the courtroom.
　東京地裁が１８日に判決を言い渡した東京都江東区の女性殺害事件の裁判は、波紋を呼んだ。検察側は、裁判員制度を念頭に「目で見てわかる立証」として、細かく切断された遺体のカラー写真を法廷内のモニターで映し出した。

Of course, easy-to-understand presentation of evidence is needed to ensure the heinousness of a criminal case is appropriately reflected in the punishment. However, showing grisly photos will undoubtedly disturb citizen judges who are not used to seeing such images.
　事件の悪質性を量刑に適切に反映させるには、わかりやすい立証が欠かせない。だが、残酷な写真をふだん目にすることのない裁判員には、精神的な負担が重い。

According to a basic outline on the lay judge system compiled by the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, a prosecutor is advised to warn lay judges before presenting gruesome photos as evidence that they should steel themselves for what they are about to see. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will set up a 24-hour telephone line to provide psychological support to lay judges.
　最高検がまとめた裁判員制度における基本方針では、裁判員に証拠を示す前に、凄惨(せいさん)な写真が含まれていることを告げ、心の準備をしてもらうよう求めている。最高裁も、心のケアのため２４時間体制の電話相談窓口を設ける。

We hope the courts and prosecutors will study further whether more support measures are necessary.
　こうした対策で十分かどうか、もっと検討してほしい。

===

Reducing burdens

People also might feel it very burdensome to get tied up for several days during the trial. Ninety percent of trials at which lay judges will be assigned are expected to end within five days. But after notices were sent from the end of November to 295,000 eligible voters informing them they had been chosen as lay judge candidates, a special call center was flooded with inquiries regarding what conditions could allow a person to decline their candidacy, among other matters.
　裁判に数日間拘束される負担感も、また大きい。
　裁判員対象事件の裁判は、９割が５日以内に終わるとみられる。だが、２００８年１１月末から裁判員候補者２９万５０００人に通知が送られると、専用コールセンターには「どんな場合に辞退できるのか」などの質問が相次いだ。

According to the lay judge law, senior citizens aged 70 or older, students, and people who are seriously sick or have severe impairments are among those who can decline to be lay judge candidates. However, judges, who personally interview candidates, will make decisions in many such cases.
　辞退できるのは、７０歳以上の高齢者や学生、重い病気や傷害がある場合などと定められている。だが、候補者に面談する裁判官の判断に委ねられるケースは多い。

In the early stages of the system, judges should be flexible in allowing people to withdraw from consideration if they so wish.
　当面は柔軟に辞退を認める姿勢が、裁判官には求められよう。

The understanding of companies also will be critical in making the system run smoothly.
　企業などの理解も不可欠だ。

According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey, more than 70 percent of 100 major companies said they will give paid holidays to employees chosen to be lay judges. However, a survey by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed that only one-fourth of 300 small and midsize companies have introduced or are considering the introduction of a special-holiday system for employees chosen to be lay judges. These findings show much work remains to be done to develop a corporate environment that is accommodating of lay judges.
　読売新聞の主要１００社アンケートでは７割余りが有給休暇を与えると答えたが、中小企業約３００社を対象にした東京商工会議所の調査では、休暇制度を導入・検討しているのはまだ４分の１だ。一層の環境整備が求められる。

===

Laying the groundwork

Meanwhile, the judiciary has been making various preparations ahead of the start of the lay judge system.
　裁判員制度の導入を前に、司法は準備作業を進めてきた。

The introduction of pretrial summary procedures is one such development. During these procedures, judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers discuss likely points of contention and evidence before a trial starts in a bid to speed up the trial process. Under these procedures, the prosecution and the defense are not allowed in principle to request examination of new evidence once the trial starts.
　その一つが公判前整理手続きだ。審理を短期間で済ませるため、裁判官と検察官、弁護士で事前に争点を絞る。公判開始後は、検察側、弁護側ともに、原則として新たな証拠調べを請求できない。

According to a survey by the Supreme Court, murder and other criminal trials that would be subject to the lay judge system and went through pretrial summary procedures in 2007 finished in one-third of the time or less than trials that did not.
　最高裁の調査では、殺人など裁判員対象事件で、０７年中にこの手続きを経た裁判は、他の裁判より３分の１以下に短くなった。

Some difficult legal terms have been paraphrased during trials to make hearings easier to understand. Prosecutors and the police have started recording some interrogations on audiotapes or videotapes to back up their cases.
　わかりやすい審理のため、難解な法律用語を言い換えたり、検察や警察が取り調べの一部を録音・録画したりするようになった。

Furthermore, prosecutors have set out a new policy to deal more strictly with perjury and threats against witnesses in the courtroom because testimony given at the court is considered more significant under the lay judge system.
　また、法廷でのやり取りが重視されるため、法廷でウソをついたり証人を脅したりする行為に検察は厳しく対処する方針を打ち出した。

One defendant was indicted for intimidating a witness this month at the Tokyo District Court after using abusive language toward his victim, who was appearing before the judge as a witness.
今月には、東京地裁で証人出廷した被害者に暴言を吐いた被告を証人威迫罪などで起訴した。

===

Truth trumps trial length

The introduction of the lay judge system was the result of discontent with what has been termed a "precise judiciary," in which cases rely on detailed fact-finding procedures. Though the system has helped unearth the truth in criminal cases, it often results in prolonged court proceedings.
　裁判員制度導入の背景には、詳細な事実認定を旨とする「精密司法」への反省があった。真実の解明に寄与する反面、審理の長期化を招いてきたためだ。

The leniency of penalties handed down to perpetrators of malicious crimes and accidents was one factor that fueled public distrust in the judiciary. Rulings that gave excessive consideration to precedents also sometimes betrayed the general public's desire to see heavier punishments meted out.
　悪質な事件・事故に対する量刑も、司法不信の一因だった。過去の判例を過度に重視した判決は、国民の素朴な処罰感情と隔たりが大きいこともあった。

The Justice System Reform Council, which proposed the introduction of the lay judge system, stated in its written opinion in 2001 that people's understanding of and support for the judiciary will deepen provided the healthy common sense of society is reflected in court decisions.
　「国民の健全な社会常識が反映されることで、司法への理解・支持が深まる」。裁判員制度を提言した司法制度改革審議会は、０１年の意見書でこう述べた。

In a nutshell, criminal trials serve two purposes: to uncover the truth, and to appropriately and promptly apply criminal laws and legal regulations.
　刑事裁判には、真実を解明する役割と、刑罰法令を適正・迅速に適用する役割がある。

　◆許されない拙速審理◆
Under the lay judge system, court proceedings will need to be carried out more swiftly than they are now. As a result, it likely will become more difficult to get into the finer details of a criminal's motive and background in rulings.
　裁判員制度の下では、これまで以上に迅速な審理が求められることになる。その分、判決で動機や背景に詳細に踏み込むのは、難しくなるだろう。

Nevertheless, it would be unacceptable to conduct court proceedings in a slipshod manner that neglects the court's responsibility to discover the truth.
　しかし、真実解明をなおざりにした拙速な審理は許されない。

The Hiroshima High Court decision in December on the 2005 murder of a 7-year-old girl in the city sounded an alarm bell to that effect. The court criticized a district court ruling for failing to specify the crime scene because it put priority on shortening the time for court proceedings. The high court dismissed the district court ruling and returned it to the lower court.
　その警鐘を鳴らしたのが、広島女児殺害事件での０８年１２月の広島高裁判決だ。犯行場所の特定を怠ったなどとして、審理短縮を優先した１審を批判した。

===

Judges will be put to the test

The Supreme Court was absolutely right to have pointed out in its report on mock trials held in preparation for the lay judge system that uncovering the truth is eminently more important than shortening the time spent on court proceedings. The ability of professional judges to show leadership during proceedings under the lay judge system also will be put to the test over such issues as whether sufficient discussions were held in pretrial summary procedures.
　最高裁が模擬裁判を分析した報告書で、「真相解明は審理期間の短縮以上に重要だ」と指摘したのは当然だろう。公判前整理手続きで十分協議したかなど、裁判官の訴訟指揮の力量も問われる。

A series of irregularities involving judges and a Family Court clerk have been exposed recently. Those in the judicial world should keep in mind that judges and court officials are the ones upon whom trust for the judicial system rests--a prerequisite for the people's participation in the lay judge system.
　最近、裁判官や家裁書記官による不祥事が相次いでいる。国民参加の前提となる司法への信頼を支えるのは、裁判官や裁判所職員であることを忘れてはなるまい。

The lay judge system is scheduled to be reviewed three years after it is put into practice, if necessary.
　裁判員制度は施行３年後に必要なら見直すことになっている。

The Supreme Court set up a panel of experts to verify how the lay judge system will be implemented. The Justice Ministry also plans to establish an organization tasked with examining the system and its implementation. It is essential that all parties concerned are ready to reform whatever needs to be changed, by going over the system with a fine-tooth comb and closely working with each other.
　最高裁は運用状況を検証する有識者会議を設けた。法務省も運用や制度を点検する組織を作る方針だ。徹底した検証作業のうえ、密接な連携を図って改めるべき点は改めていく姿勢が大切だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 23, 2009)
（2009年2月23日01時48分 読売新聞）

クリントン外交 米中対話の拡大をうたったが

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 22, 2009)
Clinton visit sets stage for boosting China ties
クリントン外交　米中対話の拡大をうたったが（2月22日付・読売社説）

The kind of Asian diplomacy being pursued by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has come to the fore over the past week.
　オバマ米政権の対アジア外交の輪郭が浮かび上がってきた。

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wraps up her tour of Asia, a visit that marked her diplomatic debut.
　ヒラリー・クリントン国務長官の外交デビューとなったアジア歴訪が今日で全日程を終える。

"In making my first trip as secretary of state to Asia, I hope to signal that we need strong partners across the Pacific, just as we need strong partners across the Atlantic," Clinton said in explaining the purpose of her visit.
　今回のアジア歴訪の狙いについて、クリントン国務長官は、「米国は、欧州に強いパートナーを必要としているように、アジアにも強いパートナーを求めている」と強調してきた。

The United States will, of course, have been seeking to strengthen its alliances with Japan and South Korea, as well as trying to boost ties with two non-allies-- Indonesia and China.
　日韓両国との同盟関係を強化、発展させるのは当然ながら、同盟関係にないインドネシアや中国とも関係を深める方針だ。

As a boy, Obama spent some years in Indonesia, and Clinton's visit to the country--which has the world's largest Muslim population--was apparently aimed at sending a conciliatory message to Muslim nations.
　インドネシアは、オバマ大統領が少年時代を過ごした縁もある。世界最大のイスラム教徒人口を抱える国への訪問は、イスラム諸国に関係改善のメッセージを送る狙いもあったのだろう。

===

Expanding U.S.-China dialogue

In China, the last leg of her Asian tour, Clinton agreed with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi on Saturday to broaden the two countries' bilateral strategic dialogue framework on economic issues--which was initiated by the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush--into a more comprehensive one that includes security concerns. The two countries also said they planned to begin discussions on curbing global warming.
　最後の訪問国の中国では、ブッシュ前政権下で始まった経済中心の米中戦略経済対話を、安全保障分野も取り込んだ、より包括的な戦略対話に「拡大」することで合意した。地球温暖化対策をめぐる協議も始めるという。

In addition, it was confirmed that Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold their first summit meeting on the sidelines of the financial summit of the Group of 20 nations to be held in London in April.
　オバマ大統領と胡錦濤国家主席との米中首脳会談も、４月のロンドン金融サミット開催の際に持たれることが確定した。

It is essential that the United States cooperate with Japan and China on tackling the pressing issue of weathering the global economic crisis. China, notably, also has surpassed Japan to become the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury bills.
　喫緊の課題である経済危機の克服では、米国にとって、中国や日本の協力が不可欠だ。中国は、今や、日本を抜いて世界最大の米国債保有国である。

Strategic dialogue on security issues by China and the United States will have important implications for Japanese security.
　米中両国による安全保障分野での戦略対話は、日本の安全保障にも重大な影響をもたらす。

The development of nuclear weapons by North Korea has shown that nuclear proliferation is now a reality. It is against this backdrop that the Obama administration will try to lead efforts to reduce nuclear weapons possessed by the world's declared nuclear powers as it attempts to demonstrate leadership in preventing nuclear proliferation. But such endeavors will be meaningless if Russia and China--a country that is currently trying to bolster its military prowess--are not involved.
　北朝鮮の核開発で、核拡散は現実になった。オバマ政権は核不拡散でリーダーシップをとるためにも、核保有国の核軍縮を率先したい意向だ。ロシアだけでなく、軍拡路線の中国も引き込まなければ意味はない。

===

Tackling global warming

China has surpassed the United States to become the world's largest carbon dioxide emitter, and any new international framework to counter global warming after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 will be unworkable without the two countries' participation.
　地球温暖化問題では、中国は二酸化炭素の排出量で、米国を上回って世界一となった。ポスト京都議定書の枠組みは米中抜きには成立しない。

But it remains to be seen how the new U.S.-China dialogue will move forward from here.
　米中対話の前途は不透明だ。

For example, trade friction would be unavoidable if Chinese products were excluded from projects funded by the latest U.S. economic stimulus package, which includes a "Buy American" provision making it a general requirement that products purchased as part of the package should have been produced domestically.
　米国の景気対策法に盛り込まれたバイ・アメリカン条項で中国製品が締め出されることになれば、経済摩擦は避けられまい。

Clinton said: "Our pressing on [human rights issues] can't interfere with [discussions on] the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crisis."
　クリントン長官は、「（人権問題によって）経済危機や気候変動、安全保障の議論が妨げられることはない」と述べた。

But this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators and the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's taking asylum in India.
　だが、今年は天安門事件から２０年、ダライ・ラマ亡命から５０年になる。

There are signs that the momentum behind movements seeking democratization will grow. Differences over human rights issues could possibly cause discord in U.S.-China relations.
この節目をとらえ、民主化運動が高まる兆しがある。人権問題は、米中関係の火種である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 22, 2009)
（2009年2月22日02時06分 読売新聞）

海兵隊移転協定 民主党の対応が問われる

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 21, 2009)
DPJ should back U.S. marine move plan
海兵隊移転協定　民主党の対応が問われる（2月21日付・読売社説）

The government is set to submit a plan next week aimed at winning Diet approval for a Japan-U.S. agreement on the relocation of 8,000 U.S. marines in Okinawa Prefecture and their 9,000 family members to Guam by 2014, with an eye to starting Diet deliberations on the plan in mid-March.
We hope the Diet will approve the plan during the current session, which would promote steady progress toward landmark measures to reduce the burden on the prefecture in hosting U.S. bases.
　沖縄の米軍基地負担の画期的な軽減策を現実のものとするため、今国会で協定を承認し、着実な前進を図りたい。
　政府は来週、２０１４年までに在沖縄海兵隊の隊員８０００人と家族９０００人をグアムに移転するための日米協定の承認案を国会に提出する。３月中旬の審議開始を目指す。

The marines' transfer to Guam is an important pillar in the final report on the realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan that the two nations agreed on in May 2006.
　海兵隊のグアム移転は、０６年５月に日米両政府が合意した在日米軍再編の最終報告の重要な柱だ。

===

Cost of troop move capped

The deterrent capabilities of the U.S. forces will be maintained if combat troops remain in the prefecture. The burden on the prefecture, on the other hand, would be significantly reduced if the planned relocation of U.S. troops, including a number of command staff, proceeds.
実動部隊を沖縄に残すことで米軍の抑止力は維持される。一方で、多数の司令部要員らの移転により地元負担を大幅に減らせる。

The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and is the first Japan-U.S. agreement signed since U.S. President Barack Obama took office.
　協定は、中曽根外相とクリントン国務長官が署名した。オバマ政権との最初の日米合意である。

The agreement stipulates that Japan extend up to $2.8 billion in direct cash contributions for the construction of facilities on Guam, including troop living quarters, and that the funds be used only on projects related to the marines' relocation. The agreement also includes a provision allowing not only U.S. companies but also Japanese ones to take part in the relocation project on fair and equal terms.
　グアムでの隊舎など施設建設事業に対する日本側の財政支出を最大２８億ドルとし、その使途を海兵隊移転関連に限定すると明記した。米国企業だけでなく、日本企業なども事業に公平、公正に参加できるとする条項も盛り込んだ。

It is not unusual that large public works projects implemented over many years end up costing more than initially estimated. Therefore, it is noteworthy that the bilateral agreement, which requires Diet approval, sets an upper limit for Japan's cash contributions and places restrictions on the use of the funds.
　複数年に及ぶ大型公共事業は、当初見積もりより費用がかさむ例が多い。国会承認を伴う重い国際協定で、支出の上限と使途に歯止めをかける意味は小さくない。

It was also confirmed that the relocation of the marines to Guam would be dependent on progress made on the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to another location in the prefecture, among other factors.
　海兵隊のグアム移転が、普天間飛行場の沖縄県内移設などと一体の計画であることも改めて確認された。

As long as this remains the case, the quickest way to reduce the burden on Okinawa Prefecture will be to proceed with the Futenma relocation as agreed by the Japanese and U.S. governments.
そうである以上、普天間移設を日米合意通りに進めるのが負担軽減を実現する近道である。

It seemingly would be in the prefecture's best interests to hold forward-looking discussions with the government on such issues as the use of sites after the return of six U.S. military facilities, including Futenma, without rigidly sticking to the plan to construct alternative facilities to the Futenma Air Station in Ginowan at locations far off the coastal area of Camp Schwab in Nago.
　沖縄県は、普天間飛行場の代替施設の沖合移動に固執せず、普天間など６米軍施設の返還後の跡地利用などについて政府と前向きに協議する方が得策ではないか。

In Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the city government has accepted the proposed relocation of U.S. carrier-based aircraft from the U.S. Navy's Atsugi Air Base in Kanagawa Prefecture.
The functions of U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni Air Station is now set to widened to allow civilian flights from fiscal 2012.
　山口県岩国市は、米軍厚木基地の空母艦載機の岩国移駐を受け入れた結果、１２年度に岩国基地を軍民共用化し、民間機を就航させることになった。

If central and local governments join hands, the issue of hosting U.S. bases can be constructively tackled.
政府と自治体が共同歩調を取れば、基地問題をより建設的な方向に進められる。

===

Opposition in spotlight

A focal point of Diet deliberations on approval of the Japan-U.S. agreement on the relocation of U.S. marines to Guam will be whether the Democratic Party of Japan supports the plan.
　協定承認案の国会審議では、民主党の賛否の対応が問われる。

The main opposition party has criticized the planned relocation, arguing that the government lacks accountability on such issues as how cost calculations were made.
　民主党は「経費の積算根拠などの説明責任が果たされていない」と海兵隊のグアム移転を批判する。

But is the DPJ opposing the relocation plan, as it did in debates on the relocation of Futenma, for this reason alone?
だが、その理由だけで、普天間飛行場の県内移設と同様、グアム移転に反対するのだろうか。

If current relocation plans involving Guam and Futenma are to be reviewed, a lot of time and money would be wasted.
　仮にグアム移転や普天間移設を見直す場合、膨大な時間と費用が無駄になる。

The U.S. government has expressed strong wariness about renegotiating the plans, and there can be no guarantee that any new agreement would contain better conditions than the current deal.
米国は再交渉に強い不信感を持つうえ、今より良い条件で合意できる保証はない。

If the DPJ is serious about taking power after the next House of Representatives election, it should not take the stance of opposing everything the government proposes for the sake of being an opposition force.
　民主党が次期衆院選後に政権を担う覚悟があるなら、野党だから政府案には何でも反対するという姿勢に陥るべきではあるまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 21. 2009)
（2009年2月21日01時31分 読売新聞）

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臨床研修見直し 医師不足の主因を見誤るな

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 20, 2009)
Clinical training cuts no fix to doctor shortage
臨床研修見直し　医師不足の主因を見誤るな（2月20日付・読売社説）

In reviewing the current clinical training system for new doctors, is the debate on how to cope with doctor shortages being confused with the debate on how to educate trainees?
　医師不足にどう対処するかという議論と、新人医師をどう教育するかという議論が、混線しているのではないか。

A government panel jointly set up by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry and the Education, Science and Technology Ministry has compiled a final report proposing a review of the current clinical training system.
　厚生労働省と文部科学省の合同検討会がまとめた医師研修の見直し策である。

Under the current training system that began in fiscal 2004, intern doctors must train in seven subjects in the two years after graduating from medical school. They are allowed to choose the hospitals at which they receive training, including related university hospitals from which they graduated.
　２００４年度から始まった現行制度は、新人医師に２年間、幅広く七つの診療分野を体験する臨床研修を義務づけている。研修先は出身大学の関連病院に限らず、全国の病院に希望を出して、選べる仕組みだ。

The panel's suggested measures would narrow the compulsory training subjects down to internal medicine, emergency medicine and "community medicine"--the philosophy of how to engage the local community in medical practice--while making surgical medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesiology, and psychiatry elective subjects. Trainees would be required to finish these courses in about one year and would be allowed to spend the remaining year intensively involved in the subject in which they hope to specialize.
　見直し策は必修を内科、救急、地域医療の３分野に絞り、外科、小児科、産婦人科、麻酔科、精神科を選択制とする。これらを約１年で終え、残る期間は将来専門としたい診療科を集中的に経験できるようにした。
anesthesiology /ムnisqì:ziツlidsi|-ナl-/
慥イ《米》麻酔学.

obstetrics /ibstétriks|hb-/
慥イ産科学.

gynecology /làinikツlidsi|-kナl-/
慥イ婦人科学.

psychiatry /sikáiitri|sai-/
慥イ精神医学.

===

University hospitals suffer

The period of training designed to help interns acquire wide general medical abilities will basically be halved. Is this sufficient?
　幅広く総合力を培う研修は事実上、半分に短縮される。だが、それで十分と言えるだろうか。

The current clinical training system for new doctors was established on the basis that the system that came before it created doctors too specialized in one department, a result of the old system having been managed almost under the complete control of the medical departments of university hospitals. As a result, the current clinical training system is said to have enhanced the general medical abilities of new doctors.
　現行の研修制度は、以前の新人医師研修がほとんど大学の医局傘下で行われていたために、専門に偏った医師ばかり養成されてきたとの反省に立ってスタートした。この結果、現行の研修制度で新人医師の総合能力は高まったと評価されている。

Then why should the current system be reviewed? The answer is because the new system has exacerbated the nationwide doctor shortage.
　それを見直すのはなぜか。現行制度は、結果的に、医師不足現象に拍車をかけてもいるからだ。

Under the new system, about half of trainees have chosen ordinary hospitals in urban areas, which see a variety of diseases, and not university hospitals. As university hospitals had relied on trainees as a handy workforce engaged in a de facto apprentice system, university hospitals began to suffer from labor shortages and had to call back middle-ranking doctors that they had dispatched to hospitals run by surrounding local governments and others.
　研修医の約半数は大学病院ではなく、主に都市部にある症例豊富な一般病院を選ぶようになった。徒弟制度のような雰囲気の中で研修医を便利な労働力にしてきた大学病院は人手不足となり、周辺の自治体病院などに派遣していた中堅医師を引き揚げてしまった。

Therefore, in the government panel's process of reviewing the current clinical training system, emphasis was put on how to bring trainees back to university hospitals, but not on how to achieve ideal doctor training.
　このため、今回の見直し作業では、あるべき医師教育の姿を追求する議論は脇に置かれ、どうすれば大学病院に研修医を取り戻せるか、という視点が優先された。

===

Getting new doctors in field

It is said that the objective in reducing the period for comprehensive training and instead stressing specialities is to send full-fledged doctors to the front lines as early as possible. However, the government also has the expectation that if this is done through a revamping of the system, it will increase the number of trainees who choose university hospitals that have high degrees of specialization.
　総合的研修を短縮して専門研修の比重を高める目的は、より早く一人前の医師を現場に送り出すため、と説明されている。だが、そうすれば専門性の高い大学病院を選ぶ研修医が増えるだろう、との目算も背後にある。

Even in medical circles, there are objections to reviewing the current system that would turn back the clock. The doctor shortage needs to be tackled urgently, but the clinical training system should not suffer as a result.
　時計の針を元に戻すような見直しに、医療界からも疑問の声が少なくない。医師不足を解消することは喫緊の課題だが、そのために医師の臨床研修が不十分なものになってはなるまい。

The fundamental cause of the doctor shortage lies not in the clinical training system, but in the lack of planning in staff deployment. There needs to be a system in which young doctors who completed mandatory courses are properly posted to regions and departments that need them.
　医師不足の根本的な原因は研修制度ではなく、人材の配置に計画性がないことにある。義務研修を終えた若手医師を、必要な地域と分野にきちんと割り振る仕組み作りを急ぐべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 20, 2009)
（2009年2月20日01時37分 読売新聞）

日露首脳会談 領土交渉推進の環境整備を

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 19, 2009)
Climate unconducive to resolving N. isles row
日露首脳会談　領土交渉推進の環境整備を（2月19日付・読売社説）

How can the nation utilize progress made in economic cooperation with Russia as a catalyst to resolve the impasse over the pending issue of the northern territories? The government must continue active negotiations with Russia to settle the territorial dispute over the four Russian-held islands off eastern Hokkaido.
　ロシアとの経済協力の進展を、懸案の北方領土問題の打開にどうつなげるのか。政府は、ロシアと粘り強く交渉を重ね、北方４島の帰属問題を解決していかねばならない。

Prime Minister Taro Aso visited Sakhalin on Wednesday and held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev there. Aso's visit to the island was the first by a Japanese prime minister in the postwar period.
　麻生首相が、日本の首相として戦後初めてサハリン（樺太）を訪れ、メドベージェフ露大統領と会談した。

Regarding the territorial issue, Medvedev expressed his intention to accelerate the negotiation process with a "new, creative and flexible approach," indicating that the Russian leader is looking for a fresh approach to break the deadlock over the sovereignty of the four islands.
　大統領は領土問題に関し、「新たな独創的で型にはまらないアプローチ」の下で作業を加速すると表明した。４島の帰属や返還を巡り、新たな打開案を探る意向を示したと受け止められている。

Aso said after his meeting with Medvedev: "As long as that [the Russian] side argues for [the return of] two [of the four] islands, while this [the Japanese] side demands [the return of] the four islands, no progress will be made. Politicians make decisions based on past declarations and treaties. This is the only solution."
　首相は会談後、「向こうは２島（返還）、こっちが４島では進展しない。これまでの宣言や条約などを踏まえ、政治家が決断する以外、方法はない」と語った。

The prime minister appears determined to devote himself to resolving the territorial issue. But it must not be the case that hurrying for political results ends up undermining the position that this nation has long maintained.
　領土問題に意欲的に取り組む姿勢を示したのだろう。ただ、政治的な成果を急ぐ余り、日本が長年守ってきた立場を損ねることがあってはなるまい。

===

Russia should show sincerity

Russia has sought a resolution based on the 1956 Japan-Soviet joint declaration, which stipulated that Shikotan and the Habomai group of islets be returned to Japan after a peace treaty between the two nations is signed.
　ロシアは、平和条約締結後に歯舞、色丹の２島を引き渡すとした１９５６年の日ソ共同宣言に基づく解決を主張してきた。

But the four islands, including Kunashiri and Etorofu, are inherent territories of Japan.
　しかし、国後、択捉両島を含めた４島は、日本固有の領土だ。

In 2006, Aso, then foreign minister, broached the possibility of seeking the return of Kunashiri, Habomai and Shikotan. Some experts in Russia reportedly are considering settling the issue with the return of Habomai and Shikotan plus joint development of Kunashiri and Etorofu.
　首相は外相当時の０６年、国後、歯舞、色丹の３島返還論などに言及したことがある。ロシアの専門家には「２島返還プラス国後、択捉の共同開発」による解決を探る動きもあるという。

The planned visit by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Japan in May will be the next focus of attention. Negotiations over territorial issues are directly linked to national interests. It is important to carefully assess the intention of Russia and proceed cautiously with negotiations.
　５月のプーチン首相の来日が次の節目となる。領土交渉は国益に直結する。ロシアの狙いを見極め、慎重に進めることが肝要だ。

In Wednesday's meeting in Sakhalin, Aso and Medvedev confirmed that the two nations would strive to quickly resolve the issue of Russia's demand that Japanese nationals submit disembarkation cards if they wish to enter the four islands. If Russia intends to sincerely address the territorial issue, it should seek to settle this issue.
　会談では、ロシアが北方４島に入域する日本人に「出入国カード」提出を求めている問題の打開を急ぐことも確認した。ロシアは領土問題に本気で取り組むつもりなら、解決策を講じるべきだ。

===

Questions over investment

Aso accepted Medvedev's invitation to attend an opening ceremony for the Sakhalin-2 oil and natural gas development project, in which Japanese companies have invested.
　首相は今回、大統領の招きに応じ、日本企業も出資する原油・天然ガス資源開発事業「サハリン２」の稼働式典に出席した。

Sakhalin-2 is Russia's first liquefied natural gas export project. Facing an economic crisis, Russia looks set to expand its natural gas markets, which currently are concentrated in Europe, to the Asia-Pacific region, introduce Japanese technology and invite investment from Japan.
　サハリン２はロシア初の液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）輸出事業だ。経済危機にあるロシアは、天然ガスの販路を欧州からアジア・太平洋にも広げ、日本から技術や投資を呼び込みたいのだろう。

Japan, for its part, could diversify its sources of energy supply with imports of LNG from Russia.
　日本にとっても、ロシアからのＬＮＧの輸入は、エネルギー供給源の多様化につながる。

But the Russian government forcefully took control of the management rights of the Sakhalin-2 project in its final stage. In seeking economic cooperation with Russia, the Japanese government must urge the Russian side to increase the transparency of its investment environment.
　ただ、サハリン２は、事業の最終段階でロシア政府が強引に経営権を奪取した。日本政府は、経済協力を進めるにあたっては、ロシアに投資環境の透明化を求めていかねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2009)
（2009年2月19日01時37分 読売新聞）

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中川財務相辞任 予算成立へ態勢を立て直せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 18, 2009)
Aso must work all out to get budget passed
中川財務相辞任　予算成立へ態勢を立て直せ（2月18日付・読売社説）

Just when the nation is faced with its worst economic crisis since the end of World War II, Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, who was a pivotal member of the Cabinet, has stepped down from his post. This surely is a strange state of affairs.
　「戦後最大の経済危機」に立ち向かうべきこの時に、内閣の中枢にあった中川昭一財務・金融相が辞任した。異常な事態である。

Prime Minister Taro Aso has decided to appoint Kaoru Yosano, state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy, as Nakagawa's successor, so Yosano will double as finance minister. Aso's decision seems to have been based on his evaluation of Yosano's policymaking competence. It is an urgent task to pull the Cabinet together to realize the early passage of the budget for fiscal 2009 and other bills.
　麻生首相は、与謝野馨経済財政相に、財務・金融相を兼務させた。与謝野氏の政策的な力量を評価したものだろう。２００９年度予算案などの早期成立に向け、態勢の立て直しが急務だ。

Nakagawa slurred his words at a press conference following a meeting of Group of Seven financial leaders in Rome last week. His resignation Tuesday was inevitable as his behavior drew criticism and caused an uproar at home and abroad.
　中川氏は、先にローマで開かれた先進７か国財務相・中央銀行総裁会議（Ｇ７）の閉幕後、ろれつが回らない状態で記者会見した。国内外に批判と混乱を招いた以上、辞任はやむを得まい。

He is the second minister to step down in the Aso Cabinet, following former Construction and Transport Minister Nariaki Nakayama. Aso, who is struggling in the face of slumping approval ratings for his Cabinet, will have further difficulty staying in control of the government.
　麻生内閣の閣僚辞任は、中山成彬・前国土交通相に続き、２人目だ。内閣支持率の低迷に苦しむ首相は、一段と厳しい政権運営を迫られる。

===

Resignation poorly handled

Shortly after noon on Tuesday, Nakagawa said at a press conference that he would step down after the House of Representatives passed the fiscal 2009 budget and related bills to take responsibility for the commotion he caused.
　中川氏は１７日昼に緊急記者会見し、いったんは、０９年度予算案と関連法案の衆院通過を待って辞任する意向を表明した。

He may have wanted to carry out his duties to the last.
　自らの職責を果たすことにこだわったのだろう。

But all the opposition parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party--insisted that they would not be able to deliberate bills with a cabinet minister who had already announced his intention to resign. The opposition camp then submitted a censure motion against Nakagawa to the opposition-controlled House of Councillors.
　しかし、民主、共産、社民、国民新など野党各党は、「辞意を表明した閣僚を相手に審議はできない」とし、野党多数の参院に中川氏の問責決議案を提出した。

A censure motion itself has no legally binding power. But had it passed, it would inevitably have impeded Diet deliberations, including those on the fiscal 2008 second supplementary budget under way at the upper house.
　問責決議には、法的な効力はない。だが、可決されれば、参院で審議中の０８年度第２次補正予算の関連法案を含め、国会審議の混乱は避けられない。

In addition, even lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, openly called for Nakagawa's immediate resignation from the Cabinet.
　加えて、自民、公明の与党内からも、中川氏の即時辞任を求める声が出た。

In the end, Nakagawa presented his resignation to Aso in an effort to prevent further confusion in the Diet. The incident highlights the Aso administration's lax crisis management.
　結局、中川氏は、この日、国会の混乱を避けるため、辞表を提出することになった。麻生政権の危機管理の甘さが露呈した形だ。

===

Markets want clear messages

The G-7 press conference is an important place for financial and monetary authorities of each participating country to send a clear message to the markets. This time, how Japan intends to deal with the economic crisis had attracted attention.
　Ｇ７での記者会見は、各国の財政金融当局者が市場に明確なメッセージを発信する大切な場だ。今回は、経済危機への日本の対応が注目されていた。

Footage showing what appeared to be a drunk Nakagawa mumbling incoherent responses to reporters' questions during the press conference that followed the G-7 financial leaders meeting was repeatedly aired around the world on television and the Internet.
　中川氏のＧ７後の記者会見での酩酊(めいてい)したかのような表情や、ちぐはぐな受け答えぶりは、テレビやネットで繰り返し流された。

Nakagawa blamed his shambolic performance on his having consumed too much medicine for a cold and backache. But we wonder if he has self-control issues.
　中川氏は、風邪薬や腰痛の薬を多めに飲んだのが原因と説明したが、自己管理に問題があったのではないか。

Diet deliberations on the fiscal 2009 budget have entered the final stage in the lower house. Deliberations on bills related to the budget, including one to revise the Income Tax Law, also are under way. In the upper house, voting on related bills for the fiscal 2008 second supplementary budget has been put off.
　衆院では、０９年度予算案の審議が大詰めを迎えている。所得税法改正案など予算関連法案の審議も始まっている。参院では、定額給付金などを盛り込んだ第２次補正予算の関連法案の採決も先送りされたままだ。

The Aso administration should make every effort to pass them into law.
　麻生政権は、これらの成立に全力を傾注しなくてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 18, 2009)
（2009年2月18日01時34分 読売新聞）

ＧＤＰ大幅減 不況脱出の処方箋を示せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun　(Feb. 17, 2009)
Govt must present plan to end recession
ＧＤＰ大幅減　不況脱出の処方箋を示せ（2月17日付・読売社説）

The Japanese economy appears to have strayed into a tunnel of a grueling recession the likes of which it has never experienced.
　日本経済は、これまでにない、厳しい不況のトンネルに迷い込んでしまったようだ。

The government said Monday the country's economy contracted in the October-December quarter, falling at an annualized rate of 12.7 percent from the previous quarter--the first double-digit decline in 35 years.
　昨年１０～１２月期の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）実質成長率は、年率換算の前期比でマイナス１２・７％と、２ケタの落ち込みとなった。

The 3.3 percent decline in gross domestic product from the July-September period was second-largest drop in the postwar period after the contraction of 3.4 percent in the January-March quarter of 1974, when the country was feeling the effects the first oil crisis. With a significant contraction also likely in the January-March period, the nation's economy in fiscal 2008 is expected to post the largest negative growth in the postwar period.
　第１次石油危機時に次ぐ、戦後２番目のマイナス幅である。１～３月期も大幅に減少し、２００８年度は戦後最悪のマイナス成長が見込まれる。

The Japanese economy is deteriorating at a significant and accelerating rate. The government and ruling parties must quickly present a prescription for getting the country out of this recession.
　日本経済は悪化のスピードを急速に増している。政府・与党は、不況脱出のための新たな処方箋(せん)を早急に示さねばならない。

The global recession caused Japan's engine of growth, which is fueled by overseas demand, into reverse and the country's economy is nose-diving even more steeply than those of Europe and the United States, where the current economic downturn originated.
　海外需要を原動力とする日本の成長エンジンが、世界不況のあおりで逆回転し、震源地の欧米より急降下している。

The deteriorating economies overseas slammed the brakes on the country's exports, causing production and capital investment to be scaled down. The number of jobs being lost is surging as companies are accelerating their drive to cut personnel.
　海外の景気悪化で輸出に急ブレーキがかかり、生産と設備投資が縮小した。企業は人員削減を加速させ、失業者が急増している。

===

Destructive spiral

Corporate restructuring has expanded to the ranks of regular workers, and consumption, which is the main pillar of domestic demand, has started to shrink. The economy is now in a persistent vicious circle, in which falling consumption causes a further decline in production.
　リストラの波は正社員にも広がり、内需の柱である消費がしぼみ始めた。これがさらなる生産減少を招く悪循環が止まらない。

The government has compiled economic stimulus measures three times since summer. Those center on "painkillers" amid the economic deterioration such as employment measures and support for companies trying raise capital.
　政府は昨夏から３回にわたり経済対策をまとめた。雇用や企業の資金繰り支援など、景気悪化の「痛み止め」が中心だ。

Although the economic stimulus package is sizable, totaling 75 trillion yen, so-called real water spending, or direct fiscal outlays, is about 12 trillion yen, which includes 2 trillion yen in universal flat-sum cash handouts. To put a stop to the negative cycle, in which sluggish external demand dampens domestic demand, a specific type of economic stimulus measure, in particular fiscal stimulus to make up for the lack of demand, might be necessary.
　事業規模は総額７５兆円と大きいが、財政支出の真水は、定額給付金の２兆円を含めて約１２兆円にとどまる。外需の不振が内需に及ぶ負の連鎖を止めるためには、財政で需要不足を補うタイプの景気対策も必要ではないか。

Despite the acute emergency, Diet deliberations on economic stimulus measures are running behind.
　緊急事態なのに、景気対策を巡る国会審議は遅れが目立つ。

===

Delay is not an option

Bills required to execute the second fiscal 2008 supplementary budget are not expected to pass the Diet until next week or even later. Deliberations on the bills must not be dragged out any further and necessary economic measures should be implemented quickly.
　０８年度第２次補正予算の執行に欠かせない関連法案は、成立が来週以降になりそうだ。これ以上審議を長引かせず、対策を早く実施できるようにすべきだ。

The fiscal 2009 budget should also be passed by the Diet at an early date so that it will be implemented immediately from the start of the fiscal year.
　０９年度の本予算も早期成立を図り、新年度から直ちに執行できる体制を整えたい。

It is desirable that the fiscal 2009 budget be executed earlier than originally planned. Also, it is necessary to start discussions on additional measures with the supplementary budget to ensure constant economic stimulus.
　０９年度予算は当初計画より前倒しで執行するのが望ましい。さらに、切れ目なく景気を刺激するため、補正予算による追加策の検討に入る必要がある。

We hope that the valuable budget will be effectively used on growing fields in the future, including energy conservation and environmentally friendly technology, and to strengthen safety and security, including making schools and public facilities earthquake-resistant. Projects should be carefully examined to prevent nonessential items from being folded into the budget.
　貴重な予算は、省エネ・環境など将来の成長分野や、学校や公共施設の耐震化など安心・安全の強化に有効に使いたい。不要不急の事業が紛れ込まぬよう、内容を精査すべきだ。

A fall in tax revenues is certain. Therefore, it is unavoidable that economic stimulus measures will be funded by issuance of new bonds.
　税収減は確実だ。対策の財源は国債増発で賄わざるを得まい。

To prevent long-term interest rates from rising as a result of new bond issuance, the government and the Bank of Japan will need to closely coordinate, including an increase in the purchase of government bonds by the central bank.
　国債増発による長期金利の上昇を防ぐため、日銀が国債の買い入れを増やすなど、政府・日銀の連携も必要となろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 17, 2009)
（2009年2月17日01時35分 読売新聞）