出先機関工程表 首相は不戦敗を繰り返すな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 31, 2009)
Aso mustn't buckle on decentralization plan
出先機関工程表　首相は不戦敗を繰り返すな（3月31日付・読売社説）

A loss by default is the only way to describe Prime Minister Taro Aso's capitulation to those lawmakers acting on behalf of specific interest groups and bureaucrats with vested interests, both of whom oppose the decentralization of power.
　地方分権に抵抗する族議員と官僚に対する麻生首相の不戦敗――。そう言わざるを得ない。

The government recently formulated a road map for the reform of government branch offices as part of decentralization efforts. However, the road map failed to incorporate any concrete plans as to whether any branch offices would be eliminated or consolidated, while it shied away from any move to cut 35,000 central government officials at these offices. These matters have been put off until a decentralization reform outline scheduled to be compiled by the end of this year.
　政府が国の出先機関改革の工程表を策定した。出先機関の統廃合案や職員３万５０００人削減の具体案は一切盛り込まれず、年末の出先機関改革大綱に先送りされた。

In its second package of recommendations submitted in December, the Decentralization Reform Committee proposed the abolition and consolidation of Construction and Transport Ministry regional development bureaus and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry regional agricultural administration offices. The committee of experts and others also recommended the operations and projects of these bodies be taken over by local municipalities.
　有識者らによる地方分権改革推進委員会は昨年１２月の第２次勧告で、国土交通省地方整備局や農水省地方農政局の統合・再編や事務の地方移管などを提言した。

Attention focused on the extent to which the government road map could incorporate the committee's recommendations as policy.
　今回の工程表では、提言をどこまで政府の方針として決定できるかが最大の焦点となっていた。

Aso has championed decentralization as a top priority for his Cabinet. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama has resolved to knuckle down and start discussions with ministries that have bristled at the decentralization plan, even if it means "becoming their punching bag," he said.
　麻生首相は地方分権を「内閣の最重要課題」と強調する。鳩山総務相も「サンドバッグになる」と言い、反発する関係府省との調整に意欲を示していた。

However, no ministerial-level negotiations have been held, and the road map has been stripped of any hard-hitting content.

Tough times no excuse （英文翻訳抜け？）
ところが、閣僚折衝さえ開かれず、中身の乏しい工程表になってしまった。

Admittedly, this is a difficult time to be formulating such a road map.
　工程表の作成には、難しい時期であったのは事実だ。

With the economy tanking and the government being called on by all and sundry to take robust and quick economic and employment measures, moves to devolve power and staffers to local municipalities have screeched to a halt.
　景気が悪化し、政府による強力で迅速な経済・雇用対策が求められる中、権限や職員の地方移管にブレーキがかかった。

The weakening of Aso's leadership due to dismal approval ratings for the Cabinet also has given cover to lawmakers lobbying for the interests of specific groups and bureaucrats scrambling to protect their vested interests.
内閣支持率の低迷に伴う首相の求心力低下も、族議員と官僚の既得権益保護の動きを許した。

However, we think this excuse is unacceptable. Reforming government branch offices is a historic task that has been left untouched during the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies.
　だが、そうした弁明は通用しない。出先機関改革は中央省庁再編で積み残された歴史的課題だ。

Many government branch offices are not closely supervised by the Diet and local assemblies or watched by residents. This lax oversight has given rise to a spate of scandals, such as wasteful spending of road-related tax revenues by construction ministry regional development bureaus, and poor supervision of rice tainted with pesticide or mold by the farm ministry's regional agricultural administration offices.
　地方整備局の道路特定財源の無駄遣い、地方農政局のずさんな事故米の監督……。国会・地方議会や住民の監視が届きにくい出先機関で不祥事が多発している。

The transfer of government branch offices' work, officials and budgets earmarked for their projects to local municipalities will help revitalize regional areas and invigorate local economies, and streamline administrative duties by the central government and local municipalities by eliminating overlaps.
　地域を活性化し、地方経済を再生する。国と地方の二重行政を排し、効率化する。その両方の観点から、出先機関の事務や財源の地方移管が要請されている。

Key election issue

A sharing of roles, in which local municipalities basically handle regular work and projects during normal times and let the central government step in to deal swiftly with emergencies such as recession and major disasters, should have been discussed over the years.
　不況や大災害など非常時には、政府が機動的に対処する余地を残しつつ、平時は地方が基本的に事務を行う。そんな役割分担の制度を検討してきたはずだ。

Another loss by default on this matter would be inexcusable. The government should quickly start coordinating with relevant bodies so it can incorporate specific goals into its decentralization reform outline at the end of the year. The prime minister and the internal affairs and communications minister will need to exercise leadership should the going get tough during this process.
　不戦敗を繰り返すことは許されない。年末の改革大綱で具体的な成果を上げるには、政府は早い段階から、周到に調整を進める必要がある。首相や総務相が要所で指導力を発揮すべきだ。

Decentralization will be a key issue during the next House of Representatives election campaign. The Democratic Party of Japan has trumpeted a radical policy to abolish and cut back government branch offices should it take office.
　次期衆院選で、地方分権は一つの争点となろう。民主党は、「出先機関は廃止・縮小」などと、より急進的な政策を掲げている。

If the ruling parties postpone reform of government branch offices until after the lower house election, they would leave themselves open to accusations that their words contradict their actions. We hope the ruling coalition holds its nerve and puts up numerical targets concerning the shift of government branch offices' operations and projects to local municipalities, as well as in cuts to the number of central government officials working at these offices.
　与党が出先機関改革をすべて衆院選後に先送りするようでは、言行不一致が問われよう。事務の地方移管や職員削減について、具体的な数値目標を掲げるくらいの積極性を見せてほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 31, 2009)
（2009年3月31日01時30分 読売新聞）

全国学力テスト 全自治体の参加を歓迎したい

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 30, 2009)
Truly nationwide tests should be welcomed
全国学力テスト　全自治体の参加を歓迎したい（3月30日付・読売社説）

The Education, Science and Technology Ministry's annual nationwide academic achievement exams will finally become deserving of their name next month, when they are conducted for the third time.
　文部科学省の全国学力テストが、３年目でようやく「全国」の名にふさわしいものになる。

The Inuyama Municipal Board of Education in Aichi Prefecture, which had refused to participate in the scholastic ability tests for the past two years, has made an about-face and will take part this year.
　２年連続で不参加だった愛知県犬山市の教育委員会が参加を決めた。

This decision means the next nationwide tests, which are scheduled for April, are expected to be conducted by every local government across the country. The incumbent Inuyama mayor made no secret of his preference for joining the test during his successful campaign for election at the end of 2006. This has helped pave the way for the city to finally participate in the exams.
　これによって、今年４月のテストは、全自治体で実施される見通しだ。テスト参加を選挙で訴えた現市長が２００６年末に当選し、今回、参加にこぎつけた。

The nationwide exams test sixth-grade primary school students and third-year middle school students on their knowledge of arithmetic, mathematics and Japanese.
　全国学力テストは小学６年生、中学３年生を対象に国語と算数・数学で行う。

The tests should be conducted regularly and the results carefully dissected so education officials can determine how to improve students' academic abilities. This will be all the more important because the tests will become "nationwide exams" both in name and reality.
名実ともに全国調査になるからこそ継続し、結果を検証して、着実に学力向上へとつなげていかねばならない。

===

Useful data awaits

Children who will take the tests in April took part in the country's first nationwide physical test last year. Students' lifestyle habits are surveyed concurrently with both academic and physical tests. These surveys could provide important data on the relationship between lifestyle habits and academic and physical performance.
　４月のテストを受けるのは、昨年、初の全国体力テストの対象となった児童生徒たちである。両テストでは生活習慣調査も実施されており、双方を合わせて分析することが大切だ。

Students who took the first round of scholastic ability tests as sixth-graders at primary school will next year take the tests as third-year middle school students.
　来年は、小６時に受けた子どもが中３としてテストに臨む。

Results of these two tests likely will help the ministry pinpoint how students develop their scholastic abilities by examining what classes they have taken and how they study.
　どんな授業を受け、どういう学習に取り組んできた子どもが、学力を伸ばしたか。

The ministry should compare the test results children get as sixth-grade primary school students with their results as third-year middle school students, to improve education policies and brush up teaching guidelines. Only through such efforts will the tests be able to fulfill their principle purpose.
結果を比較し、教育施策や学習指導の改善に結びつけたい。それでこそ、学力テスト本来の目的にかなうだろう。

Meanwhile, the education ministry's operational procedures for the tests tightened controls on providing data on exam results to relevant organizations.
　文科省の実施要領では、関係機関へのテスト結果提供について、規制を強めている。

However, if the ministry remains unwilling to disclose details of the test results, it will be difficult to reap any benefits from the exams.
　だが、結果の公表に後ろ向きでは全国テストをいかせない。

It is extremely short-sighted to think that disclosing average percentages of correct answers and other data will lead to excessive competition and an obsession with rankings among schools and local governments. We think the ministry is disregarding the wishes of students' guardians and local residents, whose understanding and support are essential for making sure schools are managed smoothly.
　平均正答率などを公表すれば直ちに過度の競争や序列化につながると考えるのは、短絡的すぎる。学校運営に理解や協力を得なければならない保護者、地域住民を軽視してはいないか。

===

Benefits already visible

Okinawa Prefecture, which ranked lowest in the achievement tests for two consecutive years, will start a teacher exchange program with Akita Prefecture, which retained its top position in several subjects. Kochi Prefecture, whose middle school students fared poorly in the tests, started promoting reforms to improve its education to the "national level as an initial step."
　２年連続で最下位だった沖縄県は、トップクラスだった秋田県と教員の交流に乗り出す。中学生が下位に低迷した高知県でも、「まず全国水準」を目標に、教育改革を進めている。

These moves would not have gotten off the ground if the results of each prefecture had not been disclosed. We believe test results should be disclosed in more detail by each municipality, although particular care should be taken not to single out schools with a small student roll.
　都道府県別の結果公表がなければこうした動きはなかったろう。市町村別の結果も、小規模校などに配慮しつつ、もっと積極的に公表していくべきではないか。

This would require boards of education to disclose not only percentages of correct answers but also their analysis of test results and plans to improve students' scholastic abilities.
　その際、各教委は正答率だけでなく、結果の分析内容や学力向上策も一緒に示す必要があろう。

The controversy over Inuyama's participation in the tests focused on the roles boards of education should play.
　犬山市の参加・不参加問題は、教委のあり方も問いかけた。

Though boards of education are independent from mayors and governors to ensure education remains free from interference, this does not entitle the boards to be self-righteous. We believe the Inuyama Municipal Board of Education should have made more effort to accurately grasp what parents and other affected parties really wanted.
　教委は教育の中立性を守るため首長から独立しているが、独善は許されない。保護者らの意向をもっと的確に把握する努力をすべきだったのではないか。

The government's Meeting on Education Rebuilding has been considering what form boards of education should take in the future even after it had released its third report in February. We hope the panel leaves no stone unturned in its discussions on the issue.
　教委のあり方については、政府の教育再生懇談会が第３次報告の提言後も、検討を続けている。しっかり議論してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 30, 2009)
（2009年3月30日01時34分 読売新聞）

アフガン新戦略 「対テロ連携」の再構築を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 29, 2009)
U.S. Afghan strategy requires intl support
アフガン新戦略　「対テロ連携」の再構築を（3月29日付・読売社説）

U.S. President Barack Obama announced Friday a comprehensive strategy for U.S. Afghan policy that marks a major change from the past one and he declared his aim to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida."
　オバマ米大統領が、対アフガニスタン政策を抜本的に見直す包括的戦略を発表し、「国際テロ組織アル・カーイダを粉砕する」と宣言した。

In Afghanistan, Al-Qaida and the Taliban--the nation's former rulers--have been increasing their military offensive, resulting in expansion of their sphere of control.
　アフガンでは、アル・カーイダとタリバン旧政権勢力が軍事的攻勢を強め、支配地域を広げている。

As they have established operational bases in Pakistan, an Afghan neighbor, the U.S. operations to wipe them out from Afghanistan have been beset with difficulties.
隣国パキスタン領内に拠点があるため、米軍の掃討作戦は難航している。

If the terrorists are left unchecked, we may see another tragedy similar to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
　テロ勢力の跳梁(ちょうりょう)を許せば、２００１年の米同時テロのような惨劇が再現しかねない。

Driving the radical forces from Afghanistan and stabilizing the country is an important issue for not only the Obama administration but also for the entire international community.
過激派勢力を放逐しアフガンを安定化させることは、オバマ政権のみならず国際社会全体の重要課題である。

===

New guideline on tackling terror

The new U.S. strategy will serve as the guideline for the U.S. administration as it fights terrorism. A key aspect of the strategy is its call for concrete achievements to be made in various fields, including military and reconstruction assistance as well as diplomacy. It also indicates a desire to strengthen cooperation with the international community.
　新戦略は、「テロとの戦い」に取り組む米新政権の指針となる。軍事、復興支援、外交の多方面にわたり具体策を示し、国際社会との連携強化を打ち出したのが、大きな特徴だ。

In the military field, about 4,000 additional U.S. troops will be sent to the country to train the Afghan National Army and police force. Combined security force numbers in Afghanistan are set to increase by 60,000 to about 220,000 by 2011. This is seen as an attempt by the United States to bring about an end to Afghanistan's dependence on other nations for its security and to realize a U.S. military withdrawal from the country in the future.
　軍事面では、米軍４０００人を増派し、アフガン国軍と警察の養成に専従させるとした。アフガン自前の治安部隊は、再来年までに６万人増の２２万人体制となる。アフガンの自立を促し、将来の米軍撤収につなげる狙いがあろう。

Obama decided in February to deploy 17,000 troops to Afghanistan for the purpose of wiping out terrorists and maintaining security there. U.S. troops stationed in the country will swell to about 60,000, an increase that is a reasonable reaction to the aggravated security situation in Afghanistan. 　先月には、テロ掃討や治安維持を目的に１万７０００人の米軍増派を決定している。駐留米軍は６万人規模に膨らむ。アフガンの状況悪化に対応した措置である。

To aid the civilian population, the new strategy stipulates a beefing up of the number of U.S. experts in administrative, judicial, agricultural and other fields by several hundreds and an expansion of U.S. support for Afghan reconstruction. This is mainly designed to improve the Afghan government's ability to govern, prevent corruption and reinforce the national economic base--undercutting terrorism at its roots.
　民生面では、行政、司法、農業などの米国人専門家の数百人増派と復興支援拡充を盛り込んだ。政府の統治能力向上、腐敗の防止、国民経済の基盤強化で、テロの温床をなくそうという計算だ。

However, it is uncertain to what extent the new strategy can be effective in producing results in the complicated social situation that exists in Afghanistan, a multiethnic country where national reconciliation is fraught with difficulties. In August, a presidential election is scheduled. As the new strategy's first test, efforts must be made to ensure it proceeds smoothly.
　だが、多民族国家で国民融和が難しいアフガンの複雑な社会状況の中で、どこまで成果があがるのかは不透明だ。８月には大統領選挙が予定されている。まずはこれを円滑に実施する必要がある。

Financial assistance to Pakistan also is an important pillar of the new strategy. The United States will extend 1.5 billion dollars in direct support to the Pakistani people every year for the next five years.
　新戦略では、パキスタンへの支援も重要な柱だ。年額１５億ドルの援助を５年間実施するという。

Pakistan's cooperation is indispensable for the complete removal of terrorist forces' operation bases in the country. However, the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari is being hounded by the opposition and the nation's political situation is quite unstable. Urgent steps must be taken to stabilize Pakistan.
　テロ勢力の拠点を一掃するため、パキスタンの協力は欠かせない。だが、肝心のザルダリ政権は野党の攻勢にさらされ、政情は極めて不安定だ。パキスタンの安定も喫緊の課題である。

===

U.S. call to share the burden

The United States plans to ask Japan and European nations to take on an appropriate share of the burden for the stabilization of Afghanistan at an international conference to be held Tuesday in the Netherlands, while at an April 17 meeting in Tokyo on assistance for Pakistan, nations also will be asked to make a similar commitment.
　米国は、３１日にオランダで開かれるアフガン安定化国際会議や、４月１７日の東京でのパキスタン支援国会合で、日本や欧州各国に応分の負担を求める方針だ。

Japan already has announced financial support worth 2 billion dollars for Afghanistan, the third largest pledge after the United States and Britain. The Japan International Cooperation Agency and nongovernment organizations, among others, also have been contributing personnel to the country. It is important that Japan further reinforces such support programs in the future.
　日本は、アフガンには米英に次ぐ２０億ドルの支援を表明し、国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）や民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）などが人的貢献を進めてきた。今後も支援の一層の充実に努めていくことが大事だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29, 2009)
（2009年3月29日02時14分 読売新聞）

破壊措置命令 北のミサイルに冷静に備えよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 28, 2009)
SDF must protect against a wayward DPRK missile
破壊措置命令　北のミサイルに冷静に備えよ（3月28日付・読売社説）

It is essential for national security that measures be taken to prepare for emergencies. We hope the Self-Defense Forces will take all necessary measures to protect this nation if North Korea launches a missile and it malfunctions.
　万一の事態を想定し、様々な対応策をとるのは安全保障の要諦(ようてい)だ。自衛隊は、万全の準備を進めてもらいたい。

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered the SDF for the first time Friday to destroy the North Korean missile if it fails after launch and falls toward Japanese territory.
　浜田防衛相が、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルが日本に落下した場合は迎撃するよう、自衛隊に初の「破壊措置命令」を下した。

The SDF will take a two-step approach, involving both ground- and sea-based defenses. Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers will soon be dispatched to the Sea of Japan, while Air Self-Defense Force guided-missile units will be deployed in the Tohoku region and surrounding areas that are located under the expected flight path of the ballistic missile.
　海上自衛隊のイージス艦２隻が近く、日本海に派遣される。航空自衛隊の地対空誘導弾部隊も、弾道ミサイルの飛行ルートの下に位置する東北地方などに展開する。海上と地上からの２段構えの迎撃態勢をとる。

It is important to act calmly as North Korea's missile launch approaches.
　北朝鮮のミサイルには、冷静に対応することが重要だ。

North Korea has said it will "put a satellite into orbit" and that Japan is not a target of its rocket launch.
　北朝鮮は「人工衛星の打ち上げ」を主張しており、日本が標的になっている訳ではない。

If the missile travels without any mishap, it will not fall on the Japanese mainland or waters.
ミサイルが正常に飛行すれば、日本の領土・領海内に落下することはない。

A problem could occur, however, if a rare mishap occurs involving certain malfunctions, such as one in which the missile's first-stage booster functions properly, but the second-stage booster then malfunctions, causing the missile to stall and fall on Japan.
　問題になるのは、ミサイルの１段目は正常に飛行した後、２段目が故障し、失速して日本に落下するなど、偶然が重なる、極めて限られたケースだ。

If that were to occur, people's lives and property would be at risk. It is natural that the SDF should then try to intercept a missile to minimize possible damage.
　その場合は、国民の生命や財産に被害が生じかねない。自衛隊が迎撃し、被害の最小化を図るのは当然のことだ。

===

United States within range

The North Korean weapon that poses the most direct threat to Japan is the Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of hitting any point on the Japanese archipelago.
　そもそも日本にとっての脅威は、日本列島を射程に収める中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンだ。

North Korea's long-range ballistic missile widens the threat to include the United States, which now finds itself exposed to danger because Alaska, Hawaii and Guam come within range.
北朝鮮の長距離ミサイルが脅威となるのは、グアムやハワイ、アラスカなどが射程に入る米国である。

U.S. spy satellites have been used to confirm missile launch preparations at an early stage.
　今回、発射の兆候が早期に確認されたのは、米国の偵察衛星情報によるものだ。

If the SDF tries to intercept the missile, U.S. early-warning satellites also would detect the missile launch and Japanese and U.S. radars would then track it.
迎撃時にも、米国の早期警戒衛星が発射を探知し、日米のレーダーで追尾する。

It is important that Japan and the United States closely share information and strengthen operational cooperation for that purpose.
　自衛隊と米軍が緊密に情報を共有し、運用面での連携を強化することが大切だ。

===

Keep worried citizens informed

When North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles that fell into the Sea of Japan in July 2006, information on the missile launch sent by the central government to local governments and related organizations nationwide was delayed. Taking this into account, the central government will this time brief residents who live under the missile flight path on the deployment of guided missile units and how a wayward missile would be intercepted.
　２００６年７月に７発の弾道ミサイルが発射された時には、政府から自治体や関係機関への連絡が遅れた。その教訓を踏まえ、政府は今回、事前に地元説明会などを開いている。

Before North Korea actually launches a missile, the Japanese government should put in place a system that allows it to swiftly convey all necessary information to people concerned to minimize public anxiety.
　実際のミサイル発射時にも、国民の不安を軽減するよう、必要な情報を迅速に関係者に伝える体制を整えておくべきだろう。

North Korea has announced it will put a "satellite" into orbit sometime between April 4 and 8, notifying aviation and maritime organizations of its plan in accordance with international norms. Japan, together with South Korea and the United States, must make diplomatic efforts until the last minute to call for a halt to the missile launch, while trying to gain the cooperation of countries such as China and Russia.
　北朝鮮は４月４～８日のミサイル発射を予告している。日本は、同じ立場の米韓両国とともに、中国やロシアなどの協力も得つつ、発射の中止を求める外交努力をぎりぎりまで尽くす必要がある。

If North Korea goes ahead and launches a missile despite such efforts, Japan should put the issue before the U.N. Security Council where a strict response can be discussed. We must avoid a situation in which Pyongyang escapes criticism or additional sanctions for choosing to launch a missile.
　それでも発射した場合は、国連安全保障理事会に提起し、厳しい対応を協議すべきだ。北朝鮮が、追加制裁も非難も受けず、何の代償も求められないような事態は許してはなるまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2009)
（2009年3月28日01時34分 読売新聞）

小沢代表進退 「世論」の逆風にたえられるか

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 27, 2009)
Can Ozawa survive public's chagrin?
小沢代表進退　「世論」の逆風にたえられるか（3月27日付・読売社説）

What should Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa make of the latest opinion poll results?
　民主党の小沢代表は、世論調査結果をどう受け止めるのか。

Two out of three voters in an ad hoc survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun said they were not supportive of Ozawa's decision to stay on as party leader following the indictment of his state-funded first secretary over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law.
　読売新聞が実施した緊急世論調査で、小沢氏の公設第１秘書が、政治資金規正法違反で起訴されながら、小沢氏が続投を決めたことについて、有権者の３人に２人が「納得できない」と答えた。

Ozawa has said that the issue of whether his staying on would affect the party is wholly in the hands of the public--for better or for worse. The negative public reaction reflected in the survey likely will put fresh pressure on Ozawa to decide on whether to resign.
　小沢氏は、「続投が（民主党に）プラスかマイナスかは、国民の受け取り方次第だ」と表明してきた。調査に表れた国民の厳しい反応は、小沢氏に改めて進退について決断を迫るものとなろう。

However, this is not the only bad news for Ozawa and the DPJ.
　小沢氏や民主党にとってマイナス材料はこれにとどまらない。

===

Voter support fading fast

Asked in the survey whether Ozawa was accountable over suspected illegal donations made by a construction firm to his political fund-management organization, most of the respondents said "no."
　ゼネコンからの資金管理団体への違法献金について、小沢氏が「国民に説明責任を果たしていると思うか」との問いに、大多数がノーと答えている。

Ozawa has held a number of press conferences since the scandal broke, during which he has claimed the allegations are minor and concern only formalities over donations made. He has thus failed to frankly answer questions that are at the heart of this political scandal, and the views expressed by voters in the survey are therefore only natural.
　小沢氏は、これまで記者会見を重ねてきたが、事件を軽微な形式犯のように主張し、献金疑惑の核心に正面から答えてこなかった。有権者のこうした見方は、当然のことだろう。

At the press conference following the indictment, Ozawa said, "My primary mission is to have parliamentary democracy take root in Japan through a change in power," a reiteration of his push for a DPJ victory in the next general election.
　記者会見で小沢氏は、「政権交代によって日本に議会制民主主義を定着させることが私の大使命」と、次期総選挙で民主党の勝利をめざす考えを力説している。

But the survey results do not match Ozawa's ambitions.
　しかし、調査結果は、このような小沢氏の言い分を打ち砕くような数字が多い。

Regarding who is better suited to serve as prime minister, fewer respondents chose Ozawa than Prime Minister Taro Aso. In previous surveys conducted since December--even following the arrest of the secretary in early March--Ozawa had maintained his lead against Aso. But now the situation has suddenly been reversed.
　小沢代表と麻生首相では、どちらが首相にふさわしいかという質問では、麻生氏を下回った。昨年１２月以降は、今月初めの公設秘書逮捕直後の調査も含めて、小沢氏が優位を保っていた。それが一気に逆転した。

===

LDP regains edge

In previous surveys when voters were asked which party would receive their support in proportional representation votes, the DPJ had a sizable lead over the Liberal Democratic Party. But the latest survey finds the two parties neck and neck. In a survey from early March, overall approval ratings for the two parties were almost level, but the latest survey now shows the LDP has pulled ahead of the DPJ.
　次の総選挙の比例代表選で、どの政党に投票するかでも、民主党が自民党を大きくリードしていたが、今回、肩を並べた。今月初めの調査でほぼ横並びだった政党支持率についても、今回は自民党のリードを許した。

The Aso Cabinet had seen its approval rating plunge since late last year, and the Cabinet's stability has looked in doubt. But adverse winds blowing against the Aso Cabinet have changed direction and are now buffeting the DPJ under Ozawa's leadership.
　昨年末から内閣支持率が急落して政権の維持すらおぼつかなかった麻生内閣への逆風は、一転、小沢民主党に向かった形だ。

Criticism also has been voiced over the DPJ's decision to allow Ozawa to remain in his post. The public's disapproval is likely the result of party members failing to hold any constructive talks on the scandal involving the party leader.
　民主党が、小沢氏の続投を了承したことにも、批判の目が注がれている。“党首のスキャンダル”になんら建設的な論議がみられなかったためだろう。

However, with Ozawa expressing his intention to stay on, open calls within the party for him to step down have begun. Public sentiment expressed in the latest survey certainly will accelerate talks on the question of whether Ozawa should resign.
　ただ、小沢氏が続投を表明してから、党内でも「小沢降ろし」が公然化してきた。今回の「世論」が、小沢代表の進退問題の論議を加速させるのは確実だ。

How will DPJ executives act given the current situation? This is a test of their collective ability to handle a crisis.
　党執行部は、ここでどんな対応をみせるのか。民主党の危機管理能力が問われている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2009)
（2009年3月27日01時32分 読売新聞）

政労使合意 雇用対策の有効性を見極めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 26, 2009)
Job-protection measures must be carefully gauged
政労使合意　雇用対策の有効性を見極めよ（3月26日付・読売社説）

In view of the serious economic situation, the government, workers and employers have agreed to cooperate to tackle employment instability.
　深刻な経済状況を踏まえ、政労使の３者が、雇用不安の解消に向けて一致協力して取り組むことで合意した。

The three parties agreed that they would make the utmost efforts for that purpose, including striving to preserve jobs. We hope that workers and employers of each company will be kept fully informed about the general intent of the agreement.
　雇用維持などに「最大限の努力を行う」としている。この趣旨を各企業の労使にも周知徹底してもらいたい。

The government will shoulder most of the concrete measures to realize the agreement, which includes steps to support regular and nonregular workers, such as the expansion of subsidies and job training.
　ただ、具体策となると大半は政府が担う対策である。助成金や職業訓練の拡充など、非正規労働者を含む支援策が盛り込まれた。

The content of the support measures resembles that of the additional emergency measures for employment that the ruling parties recently compiled. It seems that ideas for immediate measures are limited.
　与党が先にまとめた追加の緊急雇用対策と、中身はほとんど変わらない。当面の策としてアイデアは限られているとも言える。

One of the main measures agreed among the three parties is to promote work-sharing to maintain jobs. 　主な対策の一つに、雇用を維持するために仕事を分け合うワークシェアリングの推進がある。

Work-sharing represents an effort not to dismiss workers even if companies are forced to reduce production, and instead to maintain employment through employee furloughs and other steps. The rate for government subsidies for employment adjustment will be raised.
　生産量の削減を余儀なくされても従業員を解雇せず、休業措置などで対応する方法をワークシェアリングと位置づけ、雇用調整助成金の助成率を引き上げる。

In addition, if a company maintains employment for nonregular workers, such as through overtime reduction, the government will provide a certain amount of money to the company to help it support affected nonregular workers for up to six months.
　さらに、残業の削減などによって非正規労働者の雇用を維持した企業には、１人につき半年間、一定金額を支給する。

===

Securing reemployment key

Under the current economic downturn, many companies have cut production, and existing government subsidies for employment adjustment are, in most cases, used to maintain employment for regular workers. The agreed measure widens the scope of government subsidies for employment adjustment to include employment of nonregular workers.
　この不況下で、生産を削減している企業は多く、雇用調整助成金も、もっぱら正社員の雇用維持に使われている。その仕組みを非正規雇用にも広げた。

The support measures also include a system to provide about 100,000 yen a month to those who are ineligible for employment insurance or those who have received all due welfare benefits during their job-training period. The measures will allow them to concentrate on job training by ensuring their livelihood for up to two years.
　雇用保険の受給資格のない人や受給が終了した人に対して、職業訓練期間中、月額１０万円程度を支給する制度も盛り込まれた。最大で２年間、生活を保障されながら訓練に励むことができる。

If the government does not prepare effective programs that lead to workers' reemployment, the job-training and livelihood security measures will have been for nothing. It also is important to foster sufficient human resources for nursing care services, environment-related jobs and other types of employment that are expected to expand in the future.
　確実に再就職につながる効果的なメニューをそろえなければ、訓練も生活保障も無駄になる。介護や環境などの成長分野に円滑に労働移動させる方策も重要だ。

The government compiled one employment measure after another in the fiscal 2008 supplementary budget and the fiscal 2009 budget. A bill to revise the Employment Insurance Law to ease requirements for nonregular workers to sign up for employment insurance is expected to pass into law soon.
　政府は２００８年度補正予算や０９年度予算で次々と雇用対策を打ち出してきた。加入要件を緩和して非正規労働者を救済する雇用保険法改正案も、近く成立する。

Concerning the additional measures, the government intends to include about 1.6 trillion yen for them in a fiscal 2009 supplementary budget. But some may get the impression that the government is putting priority on preparing the budget for the measures without hammering out each policy in detail.
　追加策については、０９年度補正予算で約１兆６０００億円を手当てする、といった数字まで出ている。個々の対策を詳細に詰めないまま、まず数字ありき、といった印象もある。

===

Fixing economy top priority

In the past, sloppy employment administration, such as lavish spending of government subsidies, occurred without being questioned seriously. Therefore, the effects of the series of employment measures should be carefully assessed.
　過去にも、助成金のばらまきなど、ずさんな雇用行政がまかり通ってきた経緯がある。一連の対策の効果を、慎重に見極めていかなければならない。

The three parties also agreed that the subsidies for employment adjustment and measures for the jobless are not a fundamental solution, and that the key employment measure is boosting the economy.
　雇用調整助成金や失業者対策では根本的な解決にならず、「最大の雇用対策は景気対策」という点でも政労使は一致している。

As mentioned in the agreement, utilizing every possible step for an economic recovery is the most important thing.
合意にもあるように、景気回復のため「あらゆる施策を総動員する」ことほど重要なことはない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2009)
（2009年3月26日01時36分 読売新聞）

ひかりカエサルの部屋

ひかりカエサルの部屋
星の王子さまより

「悲しみは、永遠には続かない」
いい言葉ですね。
落ち込んだときにこの言葉を思い出しましょう。
人生の喜びと悲しみを比率で表せば、多分９０パーセント以上悲しみじゃないかと思っています。
でも、ほんの僅か数パーセントの喜び（感動）が救いとなっていて私の人生を支えています。
マクアちゃん７才、カイちゃん５歳、シーファーちゃん１才は私の子供ですが、全部娘です。
なんとかこの娘たちを立派に育てなければなりません。

srachai from khonkaen, thailand

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