改正薬事法施行 ネット販売の秩序ある拡大を

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 31, 2009)
Consistency key to safe, deregulated drug sales
改正薬事法施行　ネット販売の秩序ある拡大を（5月31日付・読売社説）

The revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, which takes effect Monday, is contradictory in many ways as it includes both a relaxation and tightening of regulations.
　規制緩和と規制強化が入り交じり、矛盾が非常に多い。

With the revised law's enforcement, the sales channels of nonprescription drugs are set to change significantly.
　６月１日から施行される改正薬事法だ。医師の処方箋(せん)を必要としない大衆薬の販売ルールが大きく変わることになった。

Under the new system, nonprescription drugs are organized into one of three categories depending on the necessary degree of caution that should be exercised over their side effects.
　新制度では、副作用に注意が必要な度合いに応じ、大衆薬を３段階に分類する。

Category 1 drugs, which require a high degree of caution, cannot be sold unless pharmacists provide buyers with an explanation of the side effects and other information. However, Category 2 and Category 3 drugs, which are considered relatively safe, can be sold by registered sellers under a new qualification system.
　特別に注意が必要な薬は第１類として、薬剤師が副作用などの説明をした上でないと販売を認めない。だが、比較的安全な第２類と第３類については、新たに設ける「登録販売者」という資格を取れば販売を認める。

Most cold and gastrointestinal medicines are Category 2 drugs, while vitamins and some other drugs fall under Category 3. Most nonprescription drugs can therefore be sold at convenience stores and other retail outlets.
　風邪薬や胃腸薬のほとんどが第２類に、ビタミン剤などが第３類に位置付けられる。これにより、大衆薬の大半がコンビニなどでも買えるようになる。

This all makes the revised legislation sound like a positive step on the road to deregulation.
　ここまでは、妥当な規制緩和と言えるだろう。

===

Unnecessary tightening

The problem is that the new regulations were devised on the assumption that nonprescription drugs would be sold over the counter. As a result, an ordinance issued by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry states that only Category 3 drugs can be ordered by telephone or through the Internet for mail delivery, even if other categories are being sold by pharmacists.
　問題は、新たなルールが「対面販売」を大前提として作られたことだ。厚生労働省の省令で、電話やインターネットなどを使った通信販売は、薬剤師であっても第３類しか取り扱えなくなる。

This regulation affects makers of traditional medicines, which ship Chinese herbal medicines to customers in distant locations, as well as operators of online drug stores and customers of both types of businesses.
　その結果、昔からの漢方薬を遠方の客に送ってきた伝統薬メーカーや、いわゆるネット薬局、そしてこれらを利用してきた人が影響を受けることになった。

Such a tightening of the regulations is hard to accept.
これは納得し難い規制強化である。

The ministry argues that the potential risks of drugs can only be explained properly face to face.
　厚労省は、対面販売でないと薬のリスクを十分に説明できない、としている。

Of course safety should be the top priority with drug sales.
無論、薬を販売するにあたっては、まず安全性を最重視するのは当然だろう。

But it seems inconsistent that Category 2 drugs can still be purchased at convenience stores, where pharmacists are not present, when the risk posed by drugs being sold on the Internet, if sold by pharmacists in a responsible manner, likely would be very limited.
　しかし第１類はともかく、第２類は今後、薬剤師のいないコンビニでも買える薬だ。インターネットであっても、薬剤師が責任を持って販売するのなら、リスクはむしろ少ないのではないか。

===

Hasty stopgap measure

Bearing in mind the impact of the regulations on users of traditional medicines and online drug stores, the ministry has hastily decided to implement a stopgap measure that will be in place for two years.
　厚労省は伝統薬やネット薬局の利用者に配慮し、急きょ２年間の暫定措置を設けることにした。

Under this move, people who have purchased drugs through mail order services will be able to continue using such services if they are buying the same type of drug and it falls into Category 2.
Those living on remote islands without access to a drug store, meanwhile, also will be allowed to obtain Category 2 drugs through mail order services.
　これまで通販を利用していた人が同じ薬を購入する場合と、薬局のない離島に住む人には、通販による売買を第２類まで認めるという。

But these moves pose problems.
これにも首をかしげる。

The ministry says it will confirm whether such services are only being used by categories of users mentioned above, to ensure there is no chipping away at the new regulations. But if it can check whether these users are legitimate, surely it would be possible to monitor all online sales.
　規制がなし崩しとならないように、ネット販売などが継続購入者と離島在住者に限定されることをチェックする、という。それができるのなら、ネット販売全体を監視することも可能だろう。

Nonprescription drugs could be sold safely and conveniently through the Internet and other channels if a system could be found that bars illegitimate sellers and malicious businesses.
　無資格者や悪質な業者を排除する仕組みを作れば、インターネットなどの利便性を生かしつつ、安全に大衆薬を販売できるのではないか。

Orderly deregulation should therefore be encouraged.
秩序ある規制緩和を進めるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 31, 2009)
（2009年5月31日01時28分 読売新聞）

補正予算成立 危機対応に必要な与野党協調

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 30, 2009)
Compromise required to overcome crisis
補正予算成立　危機対応に必要な与野党協調（5月30日付・読売社説）

Swiftly implementing stimulus measures is the key to getting the country out of its worst economic crisis in the postwar era. The government should place top priority on bringing forward the enforcement of the supplementary budget, which is linked to the initial budget for the current fiscal year.
　戦後最悪の経済危機を脱するには、景気対策の迅速な実施が何よりも重要だ。政府は、当初予算とも連動した補正予算の前倒し執行に最優先で取り組むべきである。

The fiscal 2009 supplementary budget, which is worth the largest-ever amount of 13.93 trillion yen, cleared the Diet on Friday. Together with the initial budget, the total budget topped 100 trillion yen for the first time.
　過去最大の総額１３兆９２５６億円を計上した今年度補正予算が成立した。当初予算と合計すると、初めて１００兆円を超す。

The country's gross domestic product plunged an annualized 15.2 percent in the January-March period, marking a record contraction for two consecutive quarters. Although some economic indicators appear to be bottoming out, it is still too early to be optimistic.
　１～３月期の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の実質成長率は年率換算で前期比１５・２％減と、２期連続で戦後最悪を記録した。一部の経済指標は底打ちの動きを見せているものの、楽観は禁物だ。

What is important now is to implement policies incorporated in the extra budget, including those concerning finance, employment, public works projects, agriculture and child-support programs, as quickly as possible to ensure seamless economic management.
　金融、雇用、公共事業、農業、子育て支援など、補正予算に幅広く盛り込まれた政策を極力早期に実施し、切れ目のない経済運営に努めることが大切だろう。

===

DPJ's flexible stance laudable

The extra budget was submitted to the Diet on April 27 and passed the House of Representatives on May 13. A focus of attention was how the Democratic Party of Japan, led by Yukio Hatoyama, which says it will uphold former President Ichiro Ozawa's policy line, would deal with it during deliberations in the opposition-controlled House of Councillors.
　補正予算は４月２７日に国会に提出され、５月１３日に衆院を通過した。野党が多数を占める参院での審議で、「小沢路線の継承」を掲げる鳩山民主党がどんな対応をするかが、注目された。

The main opposition party criticized the contents of the extra budget as pork-barrel spending, but did not resort to using tactics to unnecessarily prolong deliberations on it. Amid the global recession, the DPJ apparently judged that delaying the implementation of the economic stimulus package would not gain public understanding. This was encouraging.
　民主党は、予算の内容を「ばらまきだ」などと批判したが、いたずらに審議を引き延ばす戦術はとらなかった。世界同時不況の下、経済対策の実施を遅らせては世論の理解を得られない、と判断したのだろう。良い兆候だ。

The ruling parties and the DPJ largely agreed on four bills related to the extra budget after discussing revisions to them. The DPJ deserves praise for its constructive response.
　補正予算関連４法案について、与党と民主党が修正協議を行い、大筋で合意したことも、建設的な対応と評価できる。

The four bills likely will be supported by the DPJ and are expected to pass the lower house next week.
４法案は来週中には、民主党も賛成して、衆院を通過する見通しだ。

The Liberal Democratic Party and the DPJ also agreed Wednesday to include an additional clause in a bill to revise the Development Bank of Japan law that would delay a planned full privatization of the state-backed bank by 3-1/2 years as part of measures to facilitate corporate fund-raising. The additional clause was inserted in consideration of the DPJ, which opposes the DBJ's full privatization.
　企業の資金繰り対策として、日本政策投資銀行の完全民営化を３年半先送りする政投銀法改正案では、政投銀の完全民営化に反対する民主党の主張に配慮した規定を付則に入れることで合意した。

Bills to create a consumer affairs agency, which were revised jointly by the ruling and opposition parties, became law Friday with a unanimous vote at a plenary session of the upper house.
　与野党が共同修正した消費者庁設置関連法も２９日の参院本会議で全会一致で可決、成立した。

===

Divided Diet paralyzes politics

Under the "divided Diet" that emerged after the 2007 upper house election, with the opposition parties enjoying a majority in the upper house, the ruling and opposition parties have often engaged in fruitless confrontation, thus wasting time. Malfunctioning politics damages the interests of people of this country.
　一昨年以来の衆参ねじれ国会では、与野党が不毛な対立を続け、時間を浪費する場面が目立った。政治の機能不全によって被害を受けるのは国民である。

To respond effectively to the crisis, the ruling and opposition parties need to adopt a flexible approach in Diet affairs in which they coordinate their policies when necessary to actively seek points of compromise.
　危機に的確に対応するには、与野党が協調すべきところでは協調し、妥協点を積極的に探る、という柔軟な国会対応が必要だ。

In the current Diet session, important bills, including an antipiracy bill and a bill to revise the National Pension Law, will be deliberated at the upper house.
　今国会では、海賊対処法案や国民年金法改正案など重要法案の参院審議が残されている。

The government and ruling parties plan to extend the session for a long period to ensure the passage of those bills. Even if it intends to oppose the bills, the DPJ should maintain its stance of accepting Diet voting after deliberations have been held for a certain period.
　政府・与党は、これらの成立を期すため、長期の会期延長を図る方針だ。民主党は、法案に反対するにしても、一定の審議をしたら採決に応じる、という対応を続けるべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2009)
（2009年5月30日01時37分 読売新聞）

原爆症訴訟 認定基準の再見直しが必要だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 29, 2009)
Review of A-bomb sufferer criteria needed
原爆症訴訟　認定基準の再見直しが必要だ（5月29日付・読売社説）

As atomic bomb survivors grow older, the state should not prolong legal battles with them.
　被爆者は高齢化している。国は裁判で長く争い続けるべきではない。

The Tokyo High Court handed down a ruling Thursday regarding the recognition of people suffering from illnesses caused by radiation in the 1945 atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that helps atomic bomb victims on a level that far outstrips the state's criteria for recognition.
　原爆症の認定をめぐる訴訟で、東京高裁は、国の認定基準を大きく上回る範囲で被爆者を救済する判断を示した。

Atomic bomb survivors who are not recognized by the state as suffering illnesses due to radiation from the bombings have filed group lawsuits across the nation. Before Thursday, 17 rulings had been handed down by district and high courts, with most of the plaintiffs receiving favorable decisions.
　国から原爆症と認定されなかった被爆者が全国で集団訴訟を起こしている。これまでに全国の地・高裁で１７回の判決が出ており、大半の原告が勝訴してきた。

Thursday's ruling by the Tokyo High Court recognized that nine of the 10 plaintiffs, who were not recognized by the state, as suffering from illnesses due to radiation from the bombings.
　今回の東京高裁判決も、国が認めなかった１０人の原告のうち９人を原爆症と認めた。

The ruling strongly urges the state to review the criteria for recognition of atomic bomb disease sufferers. The government needs to take this ruling seriously.
　国に認定基準の見直しを改めて強く迫るものであり、政府は重く受け止めねばならない。

===

Opening the door wider

Under the Atomic Bomb Victims Relief Law, people qualified for recognition as atomic bomb victims are those who were near ground zero in Hiroshima or Nagasaki on the days of the bombings and the two weeks after. These certified survivors are provided with atomic bomb survivor health handbooks and are entitled to free medical treatment. The majority of the survivors receive monthly health care stipends of about 34,000 yen.
　被爆者援護法では、原爆投下時とその後２週間以内に爆心地周辺にいた人は被爆者と認定される。被爆者健康手帳が交付されて医療費が無料となるほか、大半の人に月額約３万４０００円の健康管理手当が支給されている。

If these survivors have diseases that are recognized as due to radiation exposure, they are entitled to receive a special medical allowance of about 140,000 yen per month instead of the monthly health care stipends.
　さらに、病気が放射線による原爆症と認定されると、健康管理手当に代わり、医療特別手当が約１４万円支給される。

Currently, about 240,000 people have atomic bomb survivor health handbooks. However, strict criteria, such as the distance the atomic bomb survivor was from ground zero, has prevented them from being recognized as suffering illnesses due to radiation, even if they have developed diseases. As a result, until about two years ago, only about 2,000 survivors had been recognized as atomic bomb radiation disease patients.
　被爆者手帳を取得している人は約２４万人いる。だが、病気になった場合に原爆症と認められるには爆心地からの距離など厳しい条件があり、２年前まで認定者は２０００人余りに過ぎなかった。

But the government for its part has not entirely been sitting on its hands. In the summer of 2007, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced an easing in the criteria for recognizing sufferers of atomic bomb-linked disease. The government then began to recognize atomic bomb survivors with five specific diseases, including cancer, as sufferers of atomic bomb-related disease.
　政府も全く無策だったわけではない。２００７年夏に当時の安倍首相が認定基準の緩和を表明し、がんなど五つの病気は積極的に原爆症と認めるようになった。

Since then, the door has opened wider, with about 3,000 people being newly recognized just in the last fiscal year. With eased criteria, 60 percent of plaintiffs have been recognized by the state as suffering illnesses caused by atomic bomb radiation.
　昨年度だけで約３０００人が認定されるなど、以前と比べれば格段に門戸は広がった。この措置で原告の６割はすでに国からも原爆症と認定されている。

===

Change must come quickly

However, Thursday's ruling is a message from the judiciary that this has not been enough.
　しかし、まだ十分ではない、というのが司法のメッセージだ。

Besides the five specific diseases under the government's recognition criteria, the bar is still set high for victims seeking recognition as sufferers. In a string of lawsuits, those with cirrhosis of the liver and underactive thyroid function--illnesses that are not eligible--have been recognized by the courts as sufferers of atomic bomb diseases.
　「積極認定」の対象となる５疾病以外は今もハードルが高い。一連の訴訟では、対象外の肝硬変や甲状腺機能低下症も同様に原爆症と認める判決が続いている。

In addition, nearly 8,000 people have filed applications for government recognition and are waiting for decisions. The government says more than 20,000 people will be recognized within 10 years at this pace. But considering that the average age of survivors is currently about 75, this pace is too slow.
　また、審査待ちの認定申請者が８０００人近くもいる。政府は、今のペースなら１０年で２万人以上が認定されるとしているが、被爆者の平均年齢が７５歳であることを考えれば、速いとは言えない。

The government should swiftly recognize people as sufferers of atomic bomb-related diseases based on precedents that have been set by courts. Criteria also needs to be further eased by adding to the list of recognized diseases.
　これまでに判決が認めたことを踏まえて、迅速に原爆症と認定していくべきだ。積極認定の対象疾病を追加し、基準を一段と緩和する必要があろう。

A ruling coalition project team has submitted to the government its report seeking a wide review of the recognition framework. The government should work to settle this issue swiftly.
　与党プロジェクトチームも政府に、認定の枠組みを幅広く見直すよう求める意見書を出した。政府は早急に決着を図るべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 29, 2009)
（2009年5月29日01時42分 読売新聞）

党首討論 肝心な政策論議が足りない

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 28, 2009)
Aso, Hatoyama must openly debate policies
党首討論　肝心な政策論議が足りない（5月28日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Taro Aso and Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama finally faced off in the Diet in a head-to-head debate as ruling and main opposition party leaders Wednesday. However, the first battle between the leaders produced somewhat disappointing results. Future contests should promote in-depth debate, focusing on policy matters.
　党首討論がようやく実現した。だが、麻生首相と民主党の鳩山代表との初対決は今一つ食い足りない議論で終わった。
　両党首は、もっと政策課題を中心に、掘り下げた論争を展開すべきだ。

Wednesday's debate was a prelude to the House of Representatives election that must be held by early September. With the next lower house election apparently firmly in mind, Hatoyama harshly criticized the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget as a waste of money, saying it was "of bureaucrats, by bureaucrats and for bureaucrats."
　２７日の党首討論は、次の衆院選を控えての前哨戦だった。
　鳩山代表が２００９年度補正予算は「無駄遣い」が多く、「官僚の官僚による官僚のための予算」と酷評したのも、選挙を意識したものだろう。

In response, Aso, president of the Liberal Democratic Party, pressed Hatoyama by saying that former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa failed to give a full account of the situation regarding illegal donations his secretary allegedly received from Nishimatsu Construction Co.
　これに対して首相は、西松建設からの違法献金事件で、民主党の小沢前代表が「説明責任」を十分に果たしていないと追及した。

Deriding the DPJ's stated plan to ban donations from companies and other organizations, Aso said, "If the party blames the system for its violations of the law, it's just switching the focus of the argument." The two leaders' debate on the matter was conducted at cross-purposes.
　民主党の企業・団体献金の禁止案については、「法律違反をして『制度が悪い』というのは論理のすり替えだ」と反論し、議論はすれ違ったままだった。

===

Fraternity vs reality

At the beginning of the debate, Hatoyama spoke about building a fraternal society--his central policy plank--beginning with the original policy in an apparent attempt to dispel any perception he is Ozawa's puppet.
　討論の冒頭、鳩山代表が持論の「友愛社会」を持ち出したのは、「小沢氏の傀儡(かいらい)」との見方を払拭(ふっしょく)し新味を出す狙いからだろう。

Aso retorted that the most important task facing the administration was to deal with the "reality" the country faces, including the economic crisis, rather than being preoccupied with "abstract theory." As the head of the nation's administration, Aso's comment was understandable and right.
　首相は、抽象論ではなく、経済危機などの「現実」にどう対応するかが最も重要だ、と切り返したが、政権を担当する身として当然のことといえよう。

As Aso pointed out, if Hatoyama wants to win public support for his notion of a fraternal society he needs to spell out what he means, and how it fits with the rest of his policy platform.
　鳩山氏が「友愛」について国民の理解を得ようとするなら、首相の指摘通り、具体的な政策に即してこれを語る必要がある。

===

Funding social security reform

Steering the debate toward which party was best able to hold the reins of government, Aso pointed to problems he said beset the DPJ's social security and national security policies, claiming they would result in "extreme insecurity" in society.
　首相は、「どちらの政党に政権担当能力があるか」などとして、民主党の社会保障と安全保障政策が「極めて不安」と指摘した。

However, Aso did not delve further into the issue of how the DPJ would raise funds to implement its policies, such as providing income guarantees for farming households and increased child benefits, which the DPJ has said can be paid for by eliminating wasteful spending.
　しかし、農家の戸別所得補償や子ども手当などの財源は「歳出の無駄の排除」などで捻出(ねんしゅつ)するとしている民主党の財源問題には踏み込まなかった。

Presently, the public are chiefly concerned about social security issues such as the public pension, and health and nursing care.
　国民が現在、最大の関心を抱いているのは、年金や医療、介護などの社会保障問題だ。

Time given over to debate was limited, but still, it is simply inexplicable that neither leader brought up the issue of raising the consumption tax rate to fund the social security system.
時間的制約があったとはいえ、その財源としての消費税率引き上げ問題を論じなかったのはどうしたことか。

Meanwhile, Hatoyama stressed that a change of government is necessary to put an end to bureaucrat-led politics, but he presented no concrete measures.
　一方、鳩山代表も、官僚主導政治を転換させるためには、政権交代が必要だと強調したものの、そのための具体的方策を聞くことはできなかった。

Overall, the debate lacked detailed policy discussion, which, afterall, should be the basis of debate.
　この日の党首討論は、結局、肝心の政策論争が不足していた。

The next lower house election should be fought on policies and vision for this country.
　次の衆院選で争われるべきは、各政党の基本政策や国の将来ビジョンである。

The current Diet session is expected to be extended. We hope the leaders of the two parties will clarify points of contention regarding their policies as the next lower house election approaches by holding regular one-on-one debates in the Diet, and conducting thorough discussions on policies regarding social security reform, diplomacy and national security.
　今国会は、会期が延長される見通しだ。両党首は、ルール通りに党首討論を重ね、社会保障政策や外交・安保政策についても、大いに論じ合い、選挙の政策争点を明らかにしてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 28, 2009)
（2009年5月28日01時30分 読売新聞）

北朝鮮の核実験―米中の連携で暴走止めよ

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 26(IHT/Asahi: May 27,2009)
EDITORIAL: Pyongyang's nuke test
北朝鮮の核実験―米中の連携で暴走止めよ

North Korea conducted a "successful" underground nuclear test Monday, according to the reclusive dictatorship's official Korean Central News Agency. The blast generated seismic tremors that were detected in various countries.
　北朝鮮が「地下核実験を成功裏に実施した」と発表した。それによる地震波を各国が探知した。

There are still many unknowns, including the scale of the blast. But one thing is certain: North Korea has again acted in defiance of a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the country's October 2006 nuclear test.
爆発の本当の規模などはっきりしない点は多いが、０６年１０月の実験に対する国連安保理の決議を無視し挑戦する行動だ。

North Korea's action is quite undesirable not only for Japan's security, but also for global peace and security.
　日本の安全保障にとってはもちろんのこと、世界の安全保障や平和にとってもゆゆしき事態である。

At the request of Japan and other nations, the Security Council held an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon (local time) to discuss countermeasures. The United Nations and other international organs for nuclear nonproliferation are now being tested for their true worth.
　日本政府などの要請で安保理は緊急会合を開き、対応を話し合う。国連をはじめ核の拡散防止を課題とする国際機関の存在意義が問われている。

Repeated outrage
■繰り返された暴挙

"Again?" is our exasperated reaction.
　それにしても、「またか」という思いが募る。

Let us go over what North Korea has been up to since its previous nuclear test of two and a half years ago. The dictatorship has created crises by test-launching ballistic missiles, not to mention the two nuclear tests to date.
　前回の実験があった２年半前からのことを思い起こしたい。弾道ミサイルの発射実験をしたり核実験をしたりして、危機的な状況をつくり上げる。

Nothing has changed at all in Pyongyang's classic pattern of blackmailing the international community to squeeze out concessions. Its priority has always been to protect and maintain its political system in defiance of common decency in the international community.
国際社会を脅し、譲歩を迫る。北朝鮮の体制護持を最優先にした無法なやり方はまったく変わらない。

In reaction to the 2006 nuclear test, the U.S. administration of George W. Bush made a significant switch in North Korea policy to engage the latter in dialogue. The Bush administration practically bent over backward in negotiations, hoping the concessions it offered would encourage Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programs.
　核実験に直面した当時のブッシュ米政権は対話路線に大きくカジを切り、北朝鮮に核を放棄させようと、あの手この手で取引してきた。

Monday's nuclear test was proof of how Pyongyang took advantage of Washington's policy switch after October 2006.
そんな米国の足元を見たこの再核実験だ。

In the days ahead, we may witness a deepening of skepticism about the usefulness of six-party talks that were once hopefully thought to be an important apparatus for getting North Korea to denuclearize itself.
これまで北朝鮮を核放棄に向かわせる重要な装置と期待されてきた６者協議への懐疑論も強まるだろう。

But no matter how grave a threat North Korea has become to the world, it is the solid consensus among the United States, China, Japan and all other nations concerned that it is not realistic to try to resolve the problem by military force. Since this is the case, the international community needs to act with collective wisdom and patience.
This means keeping up every effort, through diplomacy, to induce a fundamental policy change on North Korea's part.
　だが、いかに脅威であるからといって、軍事力で解決を目指すことが現実的でないことは米国や中国、日本をはじめ関係国が共有している認識だ。であれば、国際社会は忍耐強く知恵を絞り、北朝鮮の基本的な政策転換を生み出すための努力を外交的手段で続けなければならない。

But what exactly was Pyongyang's purpose in going ahead with its second nuclear test on this occasion?
　この時期に再び核実験に踏み切った北朝鮮の狙いは何なのだろうか。

One purpose, we presume, was to beef up its nuclear technology and show off the results to the world in hopes of enhancing the nation's status as a fully fledged nuclear-armed power.
　一つは、本格的な核武装国家としての存在感を高めるために核技術を向上させ、誇示したいということだろう。

And to finally end the Korean War and start normalizing relations with the United States, it has been North Korea's strategy for years to bring the United States to the negotiating table for nuclear talks.
朝鮮戦争を最終的に終わらせ、米国との関係正常化を目指すためにも、「核」をめぐる交渉に米国を引き出すことが北朝鮮の年来の狙いだ。

Grave challenge to NPT regime
■不拡散へ重大な挑戦

Four months have passed since the inauguration of the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama in January. But in Pyongyang's perception, none of the administration's key officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, has shown any special zeal for bilateral negotiations.
Concerning nuclear issues, the Obama administration has been devoted to negotiations with Russia and the problems with Iran, while regional conflicts in the Middle East and Afghanistan are taking up much of Washington's foreign policy efforts. We believe this situation must be frustrating and galling for the North Korean leadership.
　オバマ米政権が誕生して４カ月になるのに、北朝鮮からすればクリントン国務長官をはじめ政権の中枢からは北朝鮮との交渉を実際に動かしたいという熱意が感じ取れない。核をめぐってはロシアとの交渉やイラン問題、地域紛争では中東やアフガニスタンに精力を振り向けている。そんな焦りが北朝鮮の指導部にあるのかもしれない。

Before Monday's nuclear test, Pyongyang outraged the United States, Japan and other members of the international community by test-firing what was believed to be a long-range ballistic missile. The fact that Pyongyang resorted to its habitual brinkmanship twice in less than two months would suggest that something must be going on within the regime.
　ここにきて矢継ぎ早に危機カードを繰り出す動きには、北朝鮮の政権内の事情が絡んでいるとも見られる。

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is obviously not in the best of health, and no optimism is warranted about the future of the "Kim dynasty." Some pundits say that, in order to prepare for a smooth transition of power to his successor, Kim is pursuing hard-line policies to shore up his regime and is at the same time trying to speed up negotiations with Washington.
　金正日総書記は健康不安を抱え、「金王朝」の将来は楽観できない。権力継承に備えて強硬路線で国内の体制を引き締め、同時に米国との取引を急ぐ。そんな思惑があるとの分析だ。

North Korea's repeated nuclear tests not only threaten the region's security today, but also put the future of the human race at risk. Pyongyang's conduct may well serve to further erode the already shaky framework of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
　北朝鮮の相次ぐ核実験は、地域の今日の安全を脅かすにとどまらず、人類の明日を危うくしている。核不拡散条約（ＮＰＴ）体制を一層空洞化させかねないからだ。

On the day of Pyongyang's missile launch in April, Obama called for a nuclear-free world in his historic address in Prague. At that time, it appeared that nuclear nonproliferation was gaining momentum in anticipation of the 2010 NPT review conference.
　４月の北朝鮮のミサイル発射実験のその日、オバマ大統領はたまたまプラハで「核のない世界」を目指すという歴史的な演説をした。来年のＮＰＴ再検討会議に向け、核拡散抑止への環境が整いつつあると見られていた。

But Pyongyang has thrown cold water on this global endeavor with its second nuclear test. We cannot condemn this act vehemently enough.
　そこにこの実験である。世界の流れに冷や水を浴びせた北朝鮮の行動に、重ねて強い憤りを覚える。

North Korea obviously thinks it can do anything it wants. In mid-April, Pyongyang ordered U.S. nuclear experts and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, who were participating in the dismantling of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, out of the country.
　北朝鮮は寧辺の核施設を監視してきた米国と国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の要員を国外に追い出した。北朝鮮のやりたい放題になっている。

China and Russia were among the nations that supported the U.N. Security Council's resolution of 2006, which imposed sanctions on North Korea, and demanded that Pyongyang never conduct a nuclear test again. China chairs the six-nation talks on North Korean issues. We are deeply disappointed with China for failing to stop North Korea's reckless deed this time.
　北朝鮮に再び核実験をしないよう求めた０６年の安保理の制裁決議には、中国、ロシアも賛成した。その中国は６者協議の議長国でもある。北朝鮮の無謀な行動を止められなかったことについて、中国に対する失望は深い。

Japan must not sit idle
■日本も積極的に動け

China has its own foreign policy agenda vis-a-vis North Korea. In Beijing's thinking, taking too tough a stand against Pyongyang will drive the country further into isolation, which will not be in the interest of China or the international community from the standpoint of global security.
　中国には中国の外交判断もある。北朝鮮に対して強い姿勢に出れば、北朝鮮がより孤立し、中国の国益にも世界の安全にもむしろ良くないということだ。

While we can appreciate this reasoning, we would still like China to play a leading role in negotiations at the U.N. Security Council. China should lead the council to issue a strong message to North Korea by urging the international community to completely implement sanctions under the 2006 resolution and adopting additional measures.
とはいえ、安保理では北朝鮮に向けて強いメッセージを出す方向で、制裁の徹底実施や追加措置などの協議に主導的な役割を担ってもらいたい。

For the Obama administration, Monday's nuclear test was an unwelcome "pre-emptive strike" from Pyongyang before substantive dialogue could begin. In the days ahead, Obama's North Korea policy may come under harsher criticism at home.
　オバマ政権にとっては、これから対話に取り組もうとしていた北朝鮮から早々と出ばなをくじかれた形だ。政権の対北姿勢への批判が米国内で強まる可能性もある。

But in view of the larger goal of saving the world from the terror of nuclear proliferation and getting a reclusive dictatorship to open up to the rest of the world, North Korea is one of the biggest challenges Obama must tackle successfully. Ultimately, no other country is better positioned than the United States to urge North Korea to change.
　だが、核の拡散による恐怖から世界を救い、閉鎖的な独裁国家を世界に開かれた国にするという大きな目標にとって北朝鮮は最大の試金石のひとつだ。北朝鮮の変化を促すことができるのは何と言っても米国だ。

China's role is also clear. China must work together with the United States and determine what sort of long-range security setup is best suited for East Asia. With the current unraveling of the global economy, strategic cooperation between the United States and China has grown more important than ever. And what better use could there be for such cooperation than in bringing stability to the Korean Peninsula?
　中国の役割もはっきりしている。米国とともに東アジアの長い目で見た安全保障がどうあるべきかを考えてもらいたい。世界同時不況の中で米中の戦略的な連携が重みを増している。朝鮮半島の安定はそれを生かすべき最たる領域ではないか。

As a victim of nuclear attacks in 1945, Japan is committed to making the world nuclear-free. Japan can only recognize every North Korean nuclear test as a grave threat.
　日本は、被爆国として「核のない世界」への取り組みに参画しようとしている。

The yet-unsolved abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents are also a lingering problem. Realistically, there is unfortunately little that Tokyo can achieve by negotiating directly with Pyongyang.
同時に、北朝鮮の核実験や拉致問題を深刻な脅威として受け止めざるをえない立場だ。現実には日朝の直接協議で事態を動かせる可能性は、いまは残念ながら乏しい。

But the least Japan can do is to keep encouraging the United States and China to cooperate with each other. At the same time, Japan should work together with South Korea to actively support efforts that will help to secure peace in the region.
　米中の連携を促し、韓国とともに地域の安全確保へ積極的に後押ししていきたい。

国連安保理 制裁の実効性をどう高めるか

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 27, 2009)
Tough sanctions needed to halt DPRK's N-efforts
国連安保理　制裁の実効性をどう高めるか（5月27日付・読売社説）

Japan must actively lead discussions at the U.N. Security Council to ensure that a new resolution against North Korea for conducting a nuclear test Monday produces results.
　北朝鮮の核実験に対する国連安全保障理事会の新決議が実効性の高いものとなるよう、日本は安保理の議論を積極的に主導していくべきだ。

At an emergency meeting Monday, the Security Council agreed to start work on a new resolution after declaring the latest test a "clear violation" of Resolution 1718, passed in the wake of North Korea's first nuclear test in October 2006.
　国連安保理は緊急会合で、今回の核実験が、２００６年１０月の核実験後に採択した制裁決議１７１８への「明確な違反」にあたるとして、新たな決議の採択に向け作業を開始することで合意した。

Tokyo plans to prepare a draft resolution, which calls for a beefing up of sanctions against Pyongyang.
　日本は、制裁措置を強化する内容の決議案を準備する方針だ。

===

Resolution must have teeth

Resolution 1718 obliges all U.N. member states to ban the export to North Korea of arms and materials related to weapons of mass destruction as well as luxury goods. It also requires them to freeze assets held by North Korean companies linked to weapons of mass destruction and requests them to inspect the cargo of vessels traveling to and from North Korea.
　決議１７１８は、武器および大量破壊兵器関連物資、ぜいたく品の輸出禁止や、北朝鮮の大量破壊兵器関連企業の資産凍結を、すべての加盟国に義務づけている。北朝鮮に出入りする船舶などの貨物検査も各国に要請している。

Pivotal points in discussing a new resolution are whether the Security Council will be able to expand the scope of the assets freeze, compile a list of luxury goods banned for export and make ship inspections an obligation rather than a request.
　新決議は、資産凍結対象の拡大やぜいたく品のリスト作成、貨物検査の「要請」を義務に格上げすることが盛り込まれるかどうかが焦点となる。

Work to select North Korean organizations whose assets are to be frozen was suspended after Pyongyang returned to six-party talks on its nuclear program in 2007, but it was resumed after the North launched a ballistic missile last month.
The number of such organizations currently stands at only three, reflecting the positions of China and Russia, both of which are reluctant to impose sanctions on North Korea.
　資産凍結対象団体の選定作業は０７年の北朝鮮の６か国協議復帰に伴って中断し、先月の弾道ミサイル発射を受けて再開された。しかし、制裁に慎重な中国とロシアの意向を反映し、資産凍結の対象は３団体にとどまっている。

The Security Council should not make the same mistake in responding to the latest nuclear test. It is important to ensure a new resolution has teeth.
　今回の核実験では、同じ轍(てつ)を踏んではなるまい。新たな制裁決議は、より効果的な内容にすることが大事だ。

Even if a new resolution is passed, it is possible North Korea will openly defy it by ramping up its nuclear program and test-firing more missiles.
　ただ、新決議を採択しても、北朝鮮は公然と無視し、核開発とミサイル発射実験をエスカレートさせる可能性が高い。

Unless the United States and China make a serious effort to forestall North Korea's nuclear ambitions, it will prove difficult to make Pyongyang abandon its nuclear development program. The United States can resort to financial sanctions, while China, as the biggest provider of energy and other aid to North Korea, can play a crucial role.
　金融制裁の手段を持つ米国と、エネルギー支援を含め最大の援助国である中国が、本気で阻止しようとしない限り、北朝鮮に核開発を断念させるのは至難だろう。

Japan is directly threatened by North Korea's possible development of missiles with nuclear warheads. It is therefore essential for Tokyo to vigorously urge Washington and Beijing to apply pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program.
　北朝鮮の核ミサイルの脅威に直接さらされているのは日本だ。米国や中国に対して北朝鮮に圧力を加えるよう、強く働きかけていく必要がある。

China has said it is reluctant to strengthen sanctions against North Korea because doing so would make the early resumption of the six-party talks, which it chairs, less likely. Russia, which currently chairs the Security Council, has acted in tandem with China.
　中国は従来、北朝鮮への制裁強化に慎重な理由として、自らが議長国を務める６か国協議の再開が遠のくことを挙げてきた。安保理の現議長国であるロシアも中国と同一歩調を取ってきた。

===

6-party talks not top priority

The truth of the matter is that North Korea hitherto used the six-party talks to play for time in its efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
　だが、６か国協議が北朝鮮に核開発の時間稼ぎに利用されたのは紛れもない現実だ。

It has been a standard tactic of North Korea to agree to the resumption of six-party talks only in an effort to gain something in return. At this point, prioritizing dialogue with North Korea will only give the country an opportunity to turn the situation to its advantage.
　協議の再開に応じるだけで見返りを引き出そうとするのも、北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段である。この期に及んでの対話重視の姿勢は、北朝鮮に足元をみられるだけだろう。

The international community must make the yet-to-be-agreed resolution the cornerstone of an approach that will put pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
　新たな制裁決議を、北朝鮮に対し核廃棄を迫るための重要な土台にしなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 27, 2009)
（2009年5月27日01時27分 読売新聞）

北朝鮮核実験 度重なる暴挙に厳格対処せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 26, 2009)
N. Korea must suffer consequences for N-test
北朝鮮核実験　度重なる暴挙に厳格対処せよ（5月26日付・読売社説）

North Korea went ahead with its second underground nuclear test Monday.
　北朝鮮が２度目の核実験を強行した。

The country just test-launched a long-range ballistic missile on April 5, defying the warnings of the international community. The latest nuclear test, which could improve North Korea's ability to make more compact nuclear bombs, has clarified Pyongyang's wild obsession with perfecting a nuclear missile as soon as possible.
　先月５日には、国際社会の警告に逆らって、弾道ミサイルを発射したばかりだ。核兵器の小型化に通じる核実験の実施は、核ミサイルの早期獲得に執念を燃やす北朝鮮の姿勢を鮮明にした。

When North Korea pressed ahead with its first nuclear test three years ago, the world entered a dangerous new nuclear age. The country's repeated provocations have further damaged stability and increased tensions in the Northeastern Asian region.
　３年前の最初の核実験強行によって、世界はすでに「危険な新たな核の時代」に入った。北朝鮮の度重なる挑発行動により、北東アジア地域の安定は一層損なわれ、緊張は一段と激化している。

===

Tougher sanctions by UNSC
　◆安保理で制裁強化を◆

The latest test puts Japan in a more serious situation since the country is located within range of Rodong missiles North Korea already has deployed. It was reasonable that the government immediately called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. We must deal severely with Pyongyang's malicious acts.
　とくに、北朝鮮が配備ずみのノドン・ミサイルの射程内にある日本にとって、事態は深刻さを増した。政府が直ちに国連安全保障理事会の招集を求めたのは当然だ。北朝鮮の暴挙には、厳しく対処していかなければならない。

The latest test is an apparent violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 which was approved unanimously after North Korea's first nuclear test in October 2006. It means that Pyongyang has again trampled on the resolution calling on the country to suspend nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.
　今回の核実験は、最初の核実験後に安保理が全会一致で採択した決議１７１８への明白な違反だ。北朝鮮は、「核実験や弾道ミサイル発射の中止」を求めた決議を、相次いで蹂躙(じゅうりん)したことになる。

Immediately after the Security Council adopted a chairman's statement condemning the country's ballistic missile launch, North Korea last month criticized the Security Council, saying the U.N. rebuke was unfair because the event in question was a peaceful satellite launch. We think Pyongyang merely tried to hide its own violation behind sophistry and euphemism.
　北朝鮮は先月、安保理が弾道ミサイル発射を非難する議長声明を採択した直後、「不当千万」と逆に安保理を非難した。
　みずからの違反を棚に上げた詭弁(きべん)である。

In addition, after the Security Council blacklisted three North Korean companies, singling them out for sanctions, Pyongyang threatened to conduct nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests unless the council apologized for criticizing the April 5 missile launch and lifted sanctions on North Korea and other entities concerned.
　さらに、安保理が北朝鮮企業３社を制裁対象にすると、「謝罪と制裁の撤回」を求め、応じなければ「核実験と大陸間弾道ミサイル発射実験」を行うと宣言した。

The conducting of the latest test is seen as an extension of that statement. After the test, North Korea also test-launched three short-range missiles. Will Pyongyang threaten to launch a long-range ballistic missile next time if the Security Council starts discussing sanctions against it?
　その延長線上に、今回の核実験がある。核実験後、短距離ミサイルも３発発射した。安保理が協議入りすれば、長距離弾道ミサイルも発射する、とでも脅したつもりなのだろうか。

===

Defiance must end

How can we stop the nuclear missile development program Pyongyang is defiantly advancing? The international community has to make a levelheaded judgment on this problem and deal with it in a coordinated manner.
　北朝鮮が野放図に進める核ミサイル開発をどう阻止するのか。国際社会は、冷静に判断し、緊密に連携して対処する必要がある。

One of the options the Security Council has at hand is adoption of a resolution to strengthen sanctions against North Korea. Sanctions laid out in Security Council Resolution 1718 adopted three years ago were not fully implemented because North Korea later returned to the six-party talks, a multinational effort to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons program. A few more of those sanctions were implemented after the latest ballistic missile test, but the situation cannot remain as it is now.
　安保理の選択肢には、制裁を強化する決議の採択がある。３年前の決議１７１８は、その後、北朝鮮が６か国協議に復帰したことで制裁が徹底されなかった。先の弾道ミサイル発射でごく一部の制裁が実施されたが、現状のままでよいというわけにはいくまい。

Three years ago, Japan, as a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, led adoption of the sanctions resolution against North Korea along with the United States, Britain and France. Likewise, as a nonpermanent member again, the country should lead efforts to have the Security Council adopt a resolution to toughen sanctions against North Korea.
　日本は３年前、やはり安保理の一員として米英仏とともに制裁決議の採択を主導したように、今回も先頭に立って、安保理で制裁強化決議の採択を目指すべきだ。

Prime Minister Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak spoke on the telephone after the test and confirmed that Tokyo and Seoul would work together with Washington and should take stringent and resolute action against Pyongyang through the Security Council.
　麻生首相は韓国の李明博大統領と電話で、日米韓の連携を確認、安保理で「厳しい対応」を取るべきだとの認識でも一致した。

===

Vital role for China
　◆中国の役割は重い◆

The government said it would consider additional sanctions of its own against North Korea. However, these alone will have no affect at all on North Korea. It is far more significant to make international cooperative efforts against the North.
　日本政府は独自の追加制裁も検討することにしている。ただ、それだけでは、北朝鮮は痛痒(つうよう)を感じまい。国際的な包囲網の実効をあげることが肝要だ。

At present, the role of China, upon which North Korea is economically dependent, is particularly important in pressuring Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program. The prime minister should try hard to convince China and Russia, which are expected to maintain cautious attitudes, to agree with stricter sanctions against North Korea.
　現状では、北朝鮮が経済的に依存する中国の役割が、北朝鮮に核放棄への圧力をかけるうえできわめて重い。首相は、慎重な態度を示すと予想される中国、ロシアに積極的に働きかけるべきだ。

The six-party talks aim at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear development program through negotiations. But, Pyongyang's second nuclear test has undermined the significance of the talks.
　６か国協議は、交渉を通じて、北朝鮮の核放棄の実現を目指そうという枠組みだが、２度目の核実験強行により、事実上、その存在意義は失われた。

It is apparent that North Korea is trying to destroy the six-party talks. Last month, Pyongyang condemned the Security Council and said that it would never attend the six-party talks again. North Korea's real intention is not to abandon its nuclear weapons program, but to establish its nuclear capability as a fact.
　北朝鮮が、６か国協議つぶしを狙っていたのは明らかだ。事実、先月には、安保理非難とあわせ、６か国協議に「二度と絶対に参加しない」と言明した。核放棄ではなく、核兵器保有の既成事実化が北朝鮮の本音だ。

However, this does not mean that denuclearization of North Korea, a common goal shared by Japan, China, South Korea, Russia and the United States, is lost. It is a pressing issue for the five countries not to accept North Korea's ongoing possession of nuclear weapons as a fact and to take effective measures to end it.
　だが、日米韓中露の５か国にとって、北朝鮮の非核化という共通の目的が失われたわけではない。核保有の既成事実化を決して許さず、実効性ある措置をとることが５か国の喫緊の課題だ。

In that sense, the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, with which North Korea wishes to have direct talks, bears heavy responsibility. We expect the administration to maintain a resolute attitude against North Korea so that Pyongyang will understand normalization of diplomatic ties with the United States is impossible as long as North Korea possesses nuclear weapons and to consider abandoning them.
　北朝鮮が直接対話を望むオバマ米政権の責任はきわめて大きい。核を持つ北朝鮮との正常化はあり得ないことを肝に銘じさせ、核廃棄へ向かわせるよう、毅然(きぜん)とした態度を貫いてもらいたい。

North Korea also said it has started reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods, suggesting increased production of plutonium for nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Pyongyang said that trials would start for two U.S. journalists arrested on suspicion of spying. It also raised tensions with Seoul, announcing the unilateral cancellation of all contracts with South Korea concerning the Kaesong industrial complex.
　北朝鮮は、使用済み核燃料棒の再処理を開始した、として核兵器用プルトニウムの増産を示唆している。拘束した米人ジャーナリスト２人の裁判開始を予告し、韓国とも開城工業団地の契約無効宣言で緊張を高めている。

===

Succession a factor?
　◆揺れる金正日後継問題◆

The extreme hardline attitude displayed by Pyongyang might be related to preparations by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, whose health has allegedly been failing since last year, to groom a replacement to succeed him. The danger of nuclear missile development going on under such conditions requires careful attention.
　一連の“超強硬”姿勢は、昨年以来、健康不安が続く金正日総書記の後継体制作りと深く関係している可能性もある。こうした中で進められる核ミサイル開発の危険性に注意しなければならない。

U.S. nuclear deterrence is only one countermeasure for nonnuclear Japan to dissuade North Korea from using nuclear weapons. It is necessary to ensure confidence in the Japan-U.S. alliance so that the so-called nuclear umbrella can be relied on to function without fail.
　核を持たない日本にとって、米軍の核抑止力こそが北朝鮮に核使用を思いとどまらせる唯一の対抗手段だ。いわゆる「核の傘」が確実に機能するよう日米同盟関係の信頼性を確保する必要がある。

The government also should improve and expand the missile defense system further. In addition to the steady deployment of interceptor missiles, the effectiveness of the system should be improved through information-sharing and improvement of interoperability with the United States.
　ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）システムの一層の充実も欠かせない。迎撃ミサイルの着実な配備はもちろん、米国との情報共有や、相互運用性の向上など、システムの実効性を高めることが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 26, 2009)
（2009年5月26日02時10分 読売新聞）

市町村合併 特例法後も息長く取り組め

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 25, 2009)
Municipal mergers should continue
市町村合併　特例法後も息長く取り組め（5月25日付・読売社説）

Strengthening the administrative and fiscal footing of local governments and establishing frameworks to undertake decentralization--these are admirable basic guiding principles for mergers of municipalities. From a mid- to long-term perspective, it is important to continue such efforts.
　自治体の行財政基盤を強化し、地方分権の受け皿を作る――。市町村合併の基本的な方向性は間違っていない。中長期的な視点から、粘り強く取り組み続けることが肝要だ。

A draft proposal compiled by the local system research council, an advisory panel to the prime minister, suggested that a merger promotion campaign end when the current law aimed at promoting municipal mergers expires at the end of March. The proposal apparently came out of a judgment that there is a limit to the number of municipal mergers that can be encouraged with measures currently employed.
　第２９次地方制度調査会の答申素案は、現行の合併特例法の期限が切れる来年３月末で合併推進運動を一区切りさせる方針を示した。今の手法で市町村合併を促すのは限界があると判断したものだ。

Through the so-called Heisei-era megamergers, the number of municipalities is to decrease from 3,232 in March 1999 to 1,760 or fewer by March 2010.
　「平成の大合併」では、１９９９年３月に３２３２あった市町村数が２０１０年３月には約５５％の１７６０以下に減る見通しだ。

But since April 2006, when special bond issuance as a fiscal assistance measure for municipal mergers was abolished, the rate of decrease has slowed, with a mere 61 communities consolidated through mergers since that time. There still are 471 small municipalities whose population is less than 10,000.
　ただ、合併特例債の発行という財政支援措置がなくなった０６年４月以降の減少は、わずか６１にとどまる。人口１万人未満の小規模自治体が４７１も残されている。

Although it is inevitable to put an end, at least for the moment, to the merger facilitation project, each municipality should voluntarily continue seeking mergers. Both the central and prefectural government should support such moves.
　合併推進運動の一時終了はやむを得ないとしても、各市町村は今後も、自主的な合併を追求し続けるべきだ。政府と都道府県も、側面支援する必要がある。

===

Consolidation brings efficiency

In the draft proposal, the panel called for revising systems to allow joint establishment of internal organizations by a number of municipalities to improve local administrative efficiency as an alternative to a full merger.
　答申素案は、地方行政の効率化のため、合併以外の選択肢として、複数の市町村による内部組織の共同設置などを可能にする制度改正を提言している。

This idea is based on the assumption that organizational functions of attracting businesses and promoting tourism could be shared. Such wide-ranging cooperation among municipalities may possibly start the ball rolling for future mergers. Positive consideration should be given to the idea.
　企業誘致や観光ＰＲの部署などの共有を想定したものだ。こうした市町村の広域連携が、将来の合併の機運を醸成することもあろう。前向きに検討すべきだ。

Municipal mergers are aimed at improving administrative efficiency to cope with a shrinking and aging population coupled with a declining birth rate. The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has estimated that such improvement could save as much as 1.8 trillion yen, including a reduction of 540 billion yen in personnel spending, annually in fiscal 2016 and after.
　市町村合併は、人口減少・少子高齢化社会に備えた行政の効率化が目的だ。総務省の試算では、２０１６年度以降の効率化の総額は、５４００億円の人件費節減を含め、年１・８兆円にも上る。

Coupled with reform efforts for decentralization, a plan is being considered to transfer 359 administrative powers under 64 laws from prefectural governments to municipal governments. It is important that transfer of fiscal resources be implemented simultaneously.
　地方分権改革とも連動し、６４の法律の３５９の事務権限を都道府県から市町村に移譲することが検討されている。財源の移譲も同時に実現することが重要だ。

===

Problems remain

Adverse effects, meanwhile, have been pointed out. They include regional confrontations within newly merged municipalities as well as gaps between residents' expectations of improved administrative services and the reality of the actual situations.
　一方で、弊害も指摘されている。合併自治体内の地域対立や、行政サービス向上に対する住民の期待と現実との落差である。

In a series of local elections in April, incumbent candidates ran in 39 mayoral races, but were defeated in 17 cities--all of them newly merged. Dissatisfaction among local residents who complained about the focus of their respective municipalities' administrative work on city centers reportedly was a major factor behind the failure of incumbents to win reelection.
　４月のミニ統一地方選では、現職が出馬した３９市長選のうち、１７市で現職が落選した。いずれも合併市で、背景には、「市の施策が中心部に偏っている」といった市民の不満もあったとされる。

It also is said that the dire financial situation faced by local governments resulting from cuts in tax grants from the central government--part of the so-called triple reform of local finances involving cuts in subsidies, a transfer of tax revenue sources and a review of local tax grants--and sluggishness of regional economies, dealt a blow to the candidates.
　三位一体改革による地方交付税の削減や地方経済の低迷が重なり、自治体財政が困窮していることも影響したようだ。

It is important that newly merged municipalities pay careful attention to regional gaps and implement policy measures to enable residents to feel the benefits of mergers. In some new municipalities, autonomous communal organizations for residents of former towns and villages consolidated through mergers have been set up in an attempt to promote regional development. These kind of efforts should spread more widely.
　合併自治体は、地域格差に目配りしつつ、住民が合併効果を実感できる施策に努めることが大切だ。旧町村に自治組織を設立し、地域振興に取り組んでいる例もある。こうした試みを広げたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 25, 2009)
（2009年5月25日01時26分 読売新聞）

ベトナム 「プラス１」超える関係目指せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 24, 2009)
Japan, Vietnam envision strategic relationship
ベトナム　「プラス１」超える関係目指せ（5月24日付・読売社説）

Japan can look forward to cooperating with Vietnam in various business fields, including space development.
　ベトナムとは、宇宙など多様な分野でビジネス協力が期待できよう。

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has just paid a visit to Japan, following in the footsteps of Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nong Duc Manh, who came here in April.
　ベトナムからズン首相が来日した。４月のマイン共産党書記長に続く首脳の来日である。

In a joint statement issued after a meeting between Manh and Prime Minister Taro Aso, the two countries vowed to work on developing their bilateral relationship into a "strategic partnership." In his talks with Aso, Dung also agreed to promote bilateral economic cooperation in various fields on the basis of the joint statement.
　マイン書記長とは、日越関係を「戦略的パートナーシップ」として発展させるとする共同声明を出した。ズン首相も麻生首相との会談で、共同声明に基づき、さまざまな経済協力を推進することで合意した。

A large number of Japanese companies have advanced into Vietnam recently in pursuit of the so-called China-plus-one strategy: Having made huge investments in China, taking advantage of its cheap, able workforce, they are seeking to enter another country or region as a second production base in consideration of investment risks in China, including mounting labor costs. Vietnam fits the bill.
　ベトナムは近年、「チャイナ・プラス１」の有力国として日系企業の進出が目立っている。中国だけでは人件費高騰などの投資リスクがあるとの理由で、中国に続く第二の生産拠点として進出するパターンだ。

The joint statement seeks not only the promotion of investment by Japanese companies in Vietnam, but also the improvement of the investment environment in Vietnam. With the statement, the attractiveness of doing business in Vietnam, which is known for its diligent workforce and low labor costs, will be further enhanced.
　共同声明は日本企業の投資促進と同時に、ベトナム側の投資環境の改善を盛り込んだ。これにより、勤勉な国民性で知られ、労働力が安いベトナム自体の魅力はさらに高まろう。

In late December, Japan and Vietnam signed an economic partnership agreement. We hope the two countries will quickly ratify the agreement and develop their bilateral economic relationship into one stronger than a relationship based on the China-plus-one strategy.
　昨年暮れには、日越経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）も締結した。批准を急ぎ、「プラス１」を超える経済関係に発展させたい。

===

High-tech cooperation set

In the joint statement, Japan and Vietnam also agreed to expand their cooperation into new areas, including the space, nuclear and aircraft technology sectors.
　宇宙、原子力、航空などの「新たな分野」に協力を拡大することも、共同声明はうたった。

First of all, the two nations will cooperate to develop small satellites and construct a space technology center in the suburbs of Hanoi. It will be the first time that Japan has provided full-fledged support for another country's space development. It is expected that Japanese companies will build satellites for Vietnam and launch them on Japanese rockets.
　まず、小型衛星の開発やハノイ近郊に予定する宇宙技術センターの建設に協力する。日本が宇宙分野で他国を本格支援する初めてのケースだ。日本企業からの衛星調達、さらには日本のロケットによる打ち上げも期待できる。

Meanwhile, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry agreed with the Vietnamese government in May 2008 on cooperation for the start of nuclear power generation in Vietnam in 2020.
　原子力利用では、経済産業省が昨年５月、２０２０年の原子力発電運転開始に向けて協力することでベトナム政府と合意した。

In the field of aircraft technology, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. is producing a small passenger jet, dubbed the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, as Japan's second domestically developed plane after the YS-11. Vietnam likely will be a key buyer of the MRJ.
　航空では、三菱重工業がＹＳ―１１以来の“日の丸旅客機”となる小型ジェット旅客機「ＭＲＪ」を開発中だ。ベトナムは、その有力な販売相手になりそうだ。

The global space business is expected to grow at a healthy pace due to the increase in demand for satellites in developing countries. The number of orders for nuclear power plants also is sure to increase, mainly in developing countries, amid growing awareness of the importance of environmental protection. As the development of the MRJ will be supported by a wide range of industries, such as parts and materials manufacturers, it is expected that the MRJ development will create a positive ripple effect on the manufacturing industry as a whole.
　世界の宇宙ビジネスは、途上国の衛星需要の増加から、堅調な伸びを示すと予想されている。原発の建設受注も、環境対策の重要性が認識される中で、途上国を中心に拡大するのは確実だ。ＭＲＪは部品や素材など裾野(すその)が広く、製造業全般に波及効果が見込める。

===

China expanding influence

If Japanese companies are able to pave the way for expansion overseas using Vietnam as a stepping stone, they can expect to reap big rewards.
　ベトナムを端緒に海外展開の道がひらけるなら、日本企業が受けるメリットは大きい。

China also has been strengthening its economic influence in Southeast Asian countries. As Beijing has taken a lead over Japan in cooperation with these countries--especially in the space development field--Tokyo should make more efforts to realize substantive cooperation in this area.
　東南アジア諸国には、中国も経済的な影響力を強めている。特に宇宙分野の協力は日本より先行しているだけに、政府は協力の具体化に力を入れるべきだ。

We hope Japan and Vietnam will strengthen the bilateral relationship so it deserves to be called a strategic partnership.
　「戦略的」の冠に恥じぬよう、日越関係をより強固にしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2009)
（2009年5月24日01時33分 読売新聞）

島サミット 環境協力できずなを深めたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 23, 2009)
Japan should cement ties with Pacific isles at forum
島サミット　環境協力できずなを深めたい（5月23日付・読売社説）

Through providing cooperation in the fields of environment and marine development to small island nations in the Pacific Ocean, Japan, which has nearly 7,000 isolated islands, will also enjoy benefits in the form of acquired expertise in those areas.
　太平洋に浮かぶ島嶼(とうしょ)国に対する環境や海洋開発分野の協力は、そこで得た知見が７０００近くの離島を持つ日本自身にも役立つことになろう。

With the participation of leaders and representatives of the Pacific Islands Forum, which comprises 14 nations and regions in the Pacific as well as Australia and New Zealand, the two-day Japan-Pacific Islands Forum summit meeting began Friday in Hokkaido. The triannual meeting is the fifth since 1997.
　太平洋の１４か国・地域に豪州、ニュージーランドを加えた太平洋諸島フォーラム（ＰＩＦ）の首脳や代表を招き、太平洋・島サミットが北海道で開かれている。１９９７年以来３年ごとに開催しており、今回で５回目だ。

At the meeting, Prime Minister Taro Aso proposed the creation of a "Pacific environment community," and the participants agreed to work together in dealing with climate change as partners sharing the Pacific.
　会議では、麻生首相が「太平洋環境共同体」構想を提唱し、太平洋を共有するパートナーとして環境・気候変動問題に取り組むことで合意した。

===

EEZ's potential in focus

For small island nations that have been suffering chronic shortages of power and water, the main pillar of the ongoing cooperation is to spread Japan's advanced environmental technology, including solar power generation and seawater desalination.
　慢性的な電力や水の不足に悩む島嶼国に対し、太陽光発電や海水淡水化技術など、日本の先進環境技術を普及させることが協力の柱となる。

Japan's solar power generation technology converts solar energy to electricity at a rate among the most efficient in the world. As for seawater desalination technology, Japanese companies have 60 percent of the global market share in the field of reverse osmosis membrane water purification systems.
　日本の太陽光発電技術は、光エネルギーの電気への変換効率が世界最高水準だ。淡水化でも、日本企業の逆浸透膜式浄水システムは世界で６割の占有率を誇る。

In Tuvalu and Kiribati, which are in danger of disappearing beneath the waves due to their low elevation, technologies developed as conservation measures for Okinotorishima island may be useful, including coral transplantation and a technology that creates sand by placing active electrodes in seawater.
　海抜が低く水没の危機に瀕(ひん)するツバルやキリバスなどでは、日本が沖ノ鳥島の保全策として取り組んできたサンゴの増殖や、海水に通電して砂地を造成する技術開発が役立ちそうだ。

The provision of cooperation in such fields is expected to yield the side benefit of the transmission of Japan's scientific and technological capabilities to the rest of the world.
　こうした分野の協力は、日本の科学技術力を世界に発信する副次的な効果も期待できるだろう。

Japan and small island nations in the Pacific share common development potential and tasks as they all consist of islands scattered across the ocean and have vast exclusive economic zones.
　日本と太平洋島嶼国は、海に点在する島々からなり、広大な排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）を有する点で、共通の開発ポテンシャル（潜在力）と課題を持つ。

An EEZ is a sea zone over which a country has economic rights in respect of the exploration and use of underground and marine resources. In recent years, Japan has begun full-fledged work on the development of its EEZ.
　ＥＥＺは沿岸国に地下資源や漁業資源などの経済的権利を認めるもので、日本も近年、ＥＥＺの開発に本格的に取り組み出した。

However, it is not properly utilizing its about 400 inhabited isolated islands and about 6,400 uninhabited islands, although some of them could serve as hubs for EEZ development.
　だが、４００余の有人離島と６４００余の無人島には、ＥＥＺ開発の拠点になり得る島があるにもかかわらず、十分に活用されてきたとは言い難い。

By advancing technological research on the generation of electricity through the utilization of tidal currents and differences in sea temperatures, and research into offshore fish farming, the government should promote the nation's isolated islands and develop its EEZ. Knowledge acquired through such research will also contribute to providing cooperation for small island nations.
　潮流や海水温度差を利用した発電、沖合養殖などの技術研究を進め、日本の離島の振興や周辺ＥＥＺの開発につなげるべきだ。それを通じて得たノウハウは島嶼国の協力にも寄与するだろう。

===

China, Taiwan dangling carrots

China and Taiwan have been rolling out diplomatic initiatives to boost ties with small island nations in the Pacific by offering huge amount of economic assistance. For the purpose of corralling nations with diplomatic ties, they have hosted multicountry meetings similar to the Japan-Pacific Islands Forum summit.
　太平洋島嶼国に対しては、中国と台湾が、多額な援助を武器に国交を働きかける外交合戦を展開している。国交を持つ国を囲い込む形で、島サミットを模した多国間会議も主宰している。

The fact that a field in which Japan is a leader--environmental technology--was picked as the main pillar of the cooperation will highlight the difference between its cooperation and China's assistance diplomacy. We hope respect will be paid to the framework of the Japan-Pacific Islands Forum summit and that cooperation among its members will be strengthened.
　日本が優位に立つ環境分野を協力の柱に据えたことは、中国の援助外交との違いを際立たせよう。ＰＩＦの枠組みを尊重し、協力関係を強化していきたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 23, 2009)
（2009年5月23日02時05分 読売新聞）

ＣＯ２中期目標 「京都」の二の舞いを避けよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 18, 2009)
Kyoto Protocol overreach must not be repeated
ＣＯ２中期目標　「京都」の二の舞いを避けよ（5月18日付・読売社説）

To what extent should the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions be reduced by 2020? As the government is finalizing a mid-term goal on the issue, it is important to set a realistic and achievable numerical target.
　二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）など温室効果ガスの排出量を２０２０年までにどれだけ削減するか。大詰めを迎えた中期目標の策定に当たっては、実現可能な数値にすることが何より重要である。

Prime Minister Taro Aso is to finalize the nation's mid-term goal in June. As the basis for discussions, a government panel has presented six options whose emission targets range from an increase of 4 percent to a decrease of 25 percent in comparison to the 1990 level.
　麻生首相は、日本としての中期目標を６月に最終決定する。それを前に、政府の懇談会が、１９９０年比で４％増から２５％減までの六つの選択肢を示した。

A mid-term goal would be important since it would directly link to a new international framework on emission cuts that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol in 2013. Numerical targets that the government hammers out likely will become the minimum level that Japan is to take on under the post-Kyoto accord framework, for which talks are set to be completed by the end of this year.
　中期目標が重要なのは、２０１３年以降の国際的な枠組みとなる「ポスト京都議定書」に直結するためである。政府が打ち出す数値が、今年末に交渉期限を迎えるポスト京都で日本に課せられる削減率の最低ラインとなるだろう。

The European Union has declared a mid-term goal of reducing emissions by 20 percent from the 1990 level. The United States hopes to cut its emissions to the 1990 level. Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito has said that Japan also needs to have "an ambitious goal."
　欧州連合は９０年比２０％減という中期目標を掲げている。米国の目標は９０年と同レベルにすることだ。斉藤環境相は「日本も野心的な目標が必要だ」としている。

===

Don't set unreachable goal

But setting a goal that is too demanding likely would prove troublesome for the nation, as the Kyoto Protocol has shown.
　だが、過度な目標設定は、自らの首を絞めることになる。京都議定書がそれを物語っている。

For Japan, which already has advanced energy-saving systems, it is difficult to achieve the reduction of 6 percent from the 1990 level as stipulated in the Kyoto Protocol. Despite its strained fiscal situation, the nation has set aside about 200 billion yen over the last four years to purchase emission quotas from other nations in order to cover the shortfall in the reduction target.
　省エネルギーが進んだ日本にとって、京都議定書で課せられた９０年比６％減の達成は困難だ。実際、厳しい財政事情にもかかわらず、この４年間で約２０００億円を計上して他国から排出枠を購入し、削減の不足分を補っている。

This kind of foolishness must not be repeated.
　このような愚策を繰り返してはならない。

Under the post-Kyoto Protocol framework, it would be essential that China and India be required to fulfill their respective responsibilities as large emitters. To get the two nations to join the same framework, advanced nations need to show a willingness to cooperate on emission cuts.
　ポスト京都では、大量排出国の中国、インドも応分の責任を果たすことが不可欠である。両国を同じ枠組みに引き入れるには、先進国が協調して排出量を削減する姿勢を示す必要があるだろう。

For Japan, however, it is not an easy task to achieve the same level of reduction as the United States and some other nations that still have much to do to cut emissions. How to ensure fairness among advanced nations in this regard is a key concern as well.
　ただ、日本にとって、削減余地の大きい米国などと同じ割合を減らすのは容易でない。先進国間でどのように公平性を確保するかも重要なポイントである。

===

Seek realistic target

The six proposed options include one under which a reduction target is set at 25 percent for advanced nations as a whole with those nations being assigned different target rates in accordance with the degree of progress made in their energy-saving efforts. Under this scenario, Japan would have a target of an increase of 1 percent to a decrease of 5 percent from the 1990 level. This seems to be a realistic idea.
　六つの選択肢の中に、先進国全体の削減率を２５％として、省エネの進み具合に応じ、各国に削減率を割り振る方式がある。これだと日本は「１％増～５％減」になる。現実的な考え方といえよう。

Another option sets a target of 7 percent reduction with maximum use of cutting-edge energy-saving technology. This scenario is based on such an assumption that half of new cars sold are next-generation models. It is difficult to determine the feasibility of this option.
　最先端の省エネ機器を最大限導入し、「７％減」を目指す選択肢もある。販売される新車の半数が次世代自動車になることなどを想定している。実現の可能性を見極めるのはなかなか難しい。

Japan has a long-term goal of reducing emissions by 60 percent to 80 percent from the current level by 2050. To achieve that goal it is important to try to establish a society that does not rely on oil and other fossil fuels.
　日本は５０年に現状より６０～８０％削減するという長期目標を掲げている。これを目指し、石油などに依存しない脱化石燃料社会の構築に努力するのは大切なことだ。

What should be done in the process of setting a mid-term goal is to build the foundations of a society that does not rely on fossil fuels, rather than to compete over levels of emission reduction rates.
　削減率を競うより、脱化石燃料社会の基盤を築く。それが中期目標の期間になすべきことだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 18, 2009)
（2009年5月18日02時02分 読売新聞）

鳩山民主党 小沢路線踏襲は理解されるか

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 17, 2009)
DPJ post-Ozawa course must be constructive
鳩山民主党　小沢路線踏襲は理解されるか（5月17日付・読売社説）

Through its choice of Yukio Hatoyama as leader, the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan has chosen not to rethink the course taken by former party leader Ichiro Ozawa, and will instead follow a similar line.
　民主党は、小沢路線の見直しでなく、踏襲を選択した。

The question now is whether Hatoyama's approach will secure public understanding and support.
問題は、その選択が国民に理解・支持されるかどうかだ。

On Saturday, DPJ Secretary General Hatoyama was elected the party's new president. Rival Vice President Katsuya Okada closed the gap that early opinion polls suggested existed, but he was unable to prevail.
　民主党の新しい代表に鳩山由紀夫幹事長（６２）が選出された。岡田克也副代表（５５）は追い上げたが、及ばなかった。

Hatoyama, 62, was party secretary general for more than 3-1/2 years and established a good relationship with factional groups within the party. He also received much praise from DPJ lawmakers as a safe pair of hands in the position.
　鳩山代表は３年半以上、幹事長を務め、党内各グループと良好な関係を築いた。安定感とバランス感覚が評価された。

The main reason for his victory, though, was that he was able to expand his support base to DPJ lawmakers in the House of Councillors, who hold almost half of the party's Diet seats.
党所属国会議員の約半数を占める参院で支持を広げたことが勝因となった。

Fifty-five-year-old Okada, meanwhile, was praised by DPJ lawmakers for his clean image, and appeared in opinion polls to have more public support than Hatoyama and came out on top in a survey by DPJ prefectural chapters.
　岡田氏はクリーンな印象が評価され、世論調査や民主党の地方県連の予備調査で、鳩山代表より高い支持を得た。

Many DPJ lawmakers in the House of Representatives said they had expected Okada to be the party's "front man" for the next general election.
衆院議員には「総選挙の顔」との期待があった。

Saturday's contest came down largely to the issue of how similar the two candidates were to Ozawa.
　代表選は、小沢一郎前代表との距離が大きな対立軸となった。

Hatoyama stated clearly his belief that the party is what it is today because of Ozawa, and emphasized his intention to continue the course mapped out by Ozawa.
　鳩山代表は、「小沢氏のおかげで今日の民主党がある」と言明し、小沢路線を継承、発展させる方針を前面に掲げた。

Okada, for his part, had praised Ozawa's performance in steering the DPJ to victory in the 2007 upper house election. But he also had distanced himself from Ozawa's policy line, and some of his comments were tinged with criticism.
　岡田氏は、２００７年参院選で勝利した小沢氏の実績を評価しながらも、小沢路線とは距離を置き、批判もにじませた。

===

Weaning party off Ozawa?

For better or worse, the DPJ has relied heavily on Ozawa's strong personality and leadership. Hatoyama intends to appoint Ozawa to an important post in the party's new leadership, meaning Ozawa will still retain influence in the party.
　良くも悪くも、民主党は小沢氏の強烈な個性と指導力に依存してきた。鳩山代表は新体制でも、小沢氏を要職に起用する意向で、小沢氏の影響力は維持される。

Hatoyama has said he will not allow his regime to be dismissed as a puppet with Ozawa pulling the strings. But ensuring this will require tangible action, including by showing his independence through his management of the party and Diet.
　鳩山代表は、「小沢の傀儡(かいらい)政権と呼ばれるつもりは一切ない」と言う。党運営や国会対策を通じて「鳩山色」を出すなど、行動で示すことが求められよう。

Hatoyama will have to move quickly to establish a unified approach within the party to the next lower house election. He also will be tasked with bolstering a party scarred by a scandal in which one of Ozawa's secretaries was arrested and indicted over the taking and false reporting of illegal donations from a scandal-tainted general contractor.

===

DPJ platform needs clarity

But doing all this will not be easy.

One place to start would be to flesh out and improve the contents of the party manifesto.
　鳩山代表が早急に取り組むべきは、衆院選に向けて、挙党一致体制を構築し、小沢氏の「政治とカネ」の問題で傷ついた党の立て直しを図ることだろう。ただ、それは簡単な作業ではない。

　政権公約の充実も課題だ。

It was reasonable for Okada to state that policies would not be put into practice without adequate financial resources. If the DPJ does not even allow party members to discuss a possible consumption tax rate hike, it can hardly be regarded as a responsible party. The DPJ should not avoid clarifying where the financial resources for policies--including allowances for infants and a program to compensate farmers for income shortfalls--will come from.
　岡田氏が「財源なくして政策なし」と主張したのはもっともだ。将来の消費税率引き上げの議論さえ封印するのでは、責任政党とは言えない。子ども手当、農家の所得補償などの政策の財源を明確化する作業を避けてはなるまい。

It also is necessary for the DPJ to map out comprehensive diplomatic and security policies.
　包括的な外交・安全保障政策も策定する必要がある。

Although the DPJ acknowledges the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance, it emphasizes only that Japan should be up-front with the United States. The DPJ should instead say what it can do to strengthen the alliance and clearly outline what kind of responsibilities Japan should be shouldering in the international community.
　民主党は、日米同盟の重要性は認めながら、米国に注文する姿勢ばかりを強調している。日本が国際社会でどんな役割を担い、同盟強化に何をするかをこそ、明確に打ち出すべきだろう。

In the Diet session this week, attention will be focused on deliberations at the upper house on the fiscal 2009 supplementary budget. Hatoyama indicated the DPJ would not try to delay deliberations and that he would be receptive to debate between himself and Prime Minister Taro Aso.
　週明けの国会では、補正予算案の参院審議が焦点となる。鳩山代表は、審議の引き延ばしはしない方針を示す一方で、党首討論の開催にも前向きの姿勢を示した。

We hope under its new leadership the DPJ will tackle Diet affairs constructively.
建設的な国会対応を期待したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 17, 2009)
（2009年5月17日01時24分 読売新聞）

どうなる日本？

少子高齢化、景気の停滞、地球温暖化にオゾン層の破壊、日本はこの先どうなっていくのでしょうか？
私は特に若い人の年金が心配です。
年金受給年齢を６０才から６５才に５年も繰り下げてしまって、とんでもないことだと思っています。
この５年間のうちに、経済的に成り立たなくなって命を絶つ人が出ないことを願っています。

srachai from khonkaen, thailand

北ミサイル報告 「敵基地攻撃」は冷静に議論せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 16, 2009)
Calm debate over having strike capability needed
北ミサイル報告　「敵基地攻撃」は冷静に議論せよ（5月16日付・読売社説）

Study into possessing the capability to strike enemy bases could be significant if it is deemed that missile defense systems are an inadequate form of protection. However, it is important that this issue be discussed in a calm manner.
　ミサイル防衛（ＭＤ）に限界があるとすれば、敵基地攻撃能力の保有を研究することは、重要な意義を持つ。ただし、冷静に議論を進めることが肝要である。

The Defense Ministry on Friday released a report on North Korea's April missile launch. It said the launch helped Pyongyang extend the range of its Taepodong ballistic missiles, stating that the second and third stages--if North Korea's claim of a third stage is true--apparently flew 3,150 kilometers to 3,200 kilometers from a launch site in Musudan-ri in northeastern North Korea.
　防衛省が、４月の北朝鮮のミサイル発射に関する報告書を公表した。ミサイルの２段目以降の飛行距離は３１５０～３２００キロで、テポドンの「長射程化を進展させた」と分析している。

The report also pointed out that the test-firing of a long-range missile helps in extending the range of its shorter-range missiles, increasing its warhead capacities and enhancing the accuracy of its missiles.
　長射程のミサイル実験は、射程の短いミサイルの射程の延伸や、弾頭重量の増加、命中精度の向上に資する、とも指摘している。

Indeed, in terms of national security, we should not be as worried about the increased range of Taepodong missiles, which pass over Japan, as we should be about the enhanced ability of Rodong medium-range missiles, which could strike Japan.
　確かに、日本の安全保障にとって警戒すべきは、日本を飛び越えるテポドンの長射程化よりも、日本を射程に収めるノドンの性能向上である。

The government should steadily promote the deployment of two missile defense systems--one using interceptors launched from Aegis-equipped destroyers and the other using ground-based interceptor missiles.
　政府は、イージス艦発射型と地上発射型の２種類のＭＤ配備を着実に進めるべきだ。

===

Options require U.S. support

If a number of ballistic missiles were fired at one time, however, it would be extremely difficult for a missile defense system, no matter its form, to intercept all of them.
　だが、一度に多数のミサイルが発射された場合、ＭＤで完璧(かんぺき)に迎撃するのは極めて難しい。

Under its strictly defensive defense policy, Japan has its Self-Defense Forces focus on defensive operations while relying on the U.S. forces for retaliatory strikes. Military deterrent can basically be maintained under this current division of roles between the SDF and U.S. forces, as long as the Japan-U.S. security alliance functions as intended.
　日本は専守防衛の方針の下、自衛隊は防御に徹し、報復の攻撃力は米軍に依存する、という役割分担をしている。日米同盟が機能すれば、現体制でも軍事的抑止力は基本的に維持される。

However, the option to allow the SDF certain strike capabilities to complement the current setup should not be dismissed.
　ただ、現体制を補完する形で、自衛隊が一定の攻撃力を持つ選択肢も排除すべきではあるまい。

The means to strike enemy bases roughly come in two delivery systems--cruise missile strikes such as by the Tomahawk of the United States, and strikes using bombing aircraft.
　敵基地攻撃の手段を大別すればトマホークのような巡航ミサイルと、攻撃機による爆撃がある。

It is difficult for cruise missiles to engage Rodong missiles because precise target locations are needed, and Rodongs are launched from mobile platforms.
　巡航ミサイルは、攻撃目標の正確な位置を発射前に入力することが必要なため、ノドンのような移動式発射装置の攻撃は難しい。

Bombing aircraft, meanwhile, need to break through an enemy's air defense network to deliver air strikes, requiring air force units comprising support fighters to secure air supremacy, electronic air warfare aircraft with jamming capabilities, air tankers and other assistance.
　攻撃機による爆撃は、敵の防空網を突破するため、爆撃機だけでなく、制空目的の支援戦闘機や、妨害電波を出す電子戦機、空中給油機など、大規模な航空部隊の編成が必要となる。

Either scenario requires close coordination with U.S. forces.
　いずれにせよ、米軍との緊密な協調が前提となる。

===

SDF role should be clarified

Detecting a sign of a missile launch and identifying its intended target makes indispensible the cooperation of U.S. forces in providing such information to the SDF. Striking all enemy missile bases solely using the SDF is unrealistic considering the huge costs and time involved.
　そもそもミサイル発射の兆候の探知や攻撃目標の位置特定には、米軍の情報協力が不可欠である。自衛隊単独での全ミサイル基地攻撃というのは、膨大な費用と時間を要し、非現実的だ。

How and under what conditions, then, could the SDF effectively complement U.S. attack capabilities? We hope a comprehensive study of this matter is made based on realistic unit operation conditions.
　どんな場合に、自衛隊が米軍の攻撃力をどう補完するのが効果的なのか。部隊運用の実情を踏まえて、客観的に研究したい。

To ensure that the Japan-U.S. security alliance functions effectively, it is necessary to enable Japan to exercise its right of collective self-defense, which is currently banned by the government's interpretation of the Constitution. The alliance could be shaken if Japan remains barred under the Constitution from intercepting missiles heading toward the United States.
　日米同盟を機能させるには、政府の憲法解釈が禁じている集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることも必要だ。米国に向かうミサイルは憲法上、迎撃できないというのでは、同盟が揺らぎかねない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 16, 2009)
（2009年5月16日01時27分 読売新聞）

巨額赤字決算 業績立て直しに何が必要か

The Yomiuri Shimbun(May. 15, 2009)
Firms must learn how to weather tough times
巨額赤字決算　業績立て直しに何が必要か（5月15日付・読売社説）

We are witnessing perhaps the worst settlement of financial accounts since the end of World War II.
This is the first time that so many of Japan's leading companies have reported massive losses across the board.
　日本を代表する企業が軒並み巨額の赤字に転落したのは、初めてのことだ。戦後最悪の決算といえるだろう。

It is now the peak of the earnings season, with many major firms having announced their performances for the business year that ended March 31. The dour financial reports throw the massive impact of the global economic crisis into sharp relief.
　発表のピークを迎えた主要企業の２００９年３月期決算は、世界同時不況の影響の大きさを改めて見せつけた。

Ordinary profits reported by firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, excluding banks and certain other businesses, are expected to drop by a total of more than 60 percent from the previous year. In particular, net profits to be incurred in the manufacturing sector as a whole are highly likely to fall into the red.
　東証上場企業（銀行などを除く）の経常利益は、前期と比べ６割以上も減る見通しだ。中でも、製造業全体の税引き後利益は赤字転落が濃厚だ。

In addition, many companies predict declines in profits for the current business year ending March 2010, anticipating that it will take some time for the economy to recover.
　多くの企業が、１０年３月期も減益を予想している。景気回復が遅れると見ているためだ。

To weather this harsh business climate, it will be essential for these companies to take steps such as cutting back on wasteful operations, strengthening financial bases and exploring new business fields that show growth potential.
生き残るには、業務の絞り込みや財務基盤の強化、新たな成長事業の開拓などを進めることが欠かせない。

===

Big players take big hit

Business deterioration has been particularly severe in the auto and electronics industries, which have been rocked by sluggish overseas sales and the stronger yen.
　業績悪化が特に深刻なのは、海外での販売不振と円高の直撃を受けた自動車、電機業界だ。

Toyota Motor Corp.'s global vehicle sales in fiscal 2008 dropped by 1.34 million units from the previous year. The firm also took a 760 billion yen hit in profit because of the yen's appreciation against major currencies. As a result, it posted a 461 billion yen operating loss, which gauges profits in a company's core business. The company also projected that its losses for the current business year would likely balloon to 850 billion yen.
　トヨタ自動車は世界販売台数を前期より１３４万台も減らし、円高で７６００億円の利益を失うなどして、本業のもうけを示す営業損益が４６１０億円の赤字となった。１０年３月期の赤字は８５００億円に膨れあがるという。

To cope with the situation, the automaker will put more low-fuel cars on the market, expand sales networks in emerging economies and try to slash manufacturing costs. One of its tasks will be downsizing the firm's current production scale that currently has the ability to punch out 3 million cars in excess a year.
　今後は、低燃費車の投入や新興国への販路拡大を急ぎ、徹底した原価低減を進める。３００万台も過剰になっている生産体制の縮小も課題になるだろう。

Hitachi Ltd. reported a group net loss of 787.3 billion yen, the largest reported among Japanese companies. In addition to slumping sales, the firm was forced to dispose of latent losses from its stockholdings and break into deferred tax assets, which had been set aside in anticipation of future tax returns.
　日立製作所の税引き後利益は、７８７３億円の赤字と、国内企業では最大になった。本業の低迷に加えて、保有株の含み損の処理や、将来の税金の戻りを見込んで積み上げてきた繰り延べ税金資産の取り崩しを余儀なくされた。

With the aim of boosting its corporate strength, Hitachi plans to pare down its businesses and concentrate on certain fields, discarding its reputation as a general electronics manufacturer.
　日立は、体質強化を目指して、総合電機の看板を捨てて事業の絞り込みに取り組む計画だ。

The country's electronics companies are having to address this common theme of "selection and concentration," which is a distinct break from the established follow-the-leader mentality. If all the big electronics firms take this course, it could force a complete realignment of the industry, following similar moves seen in the semiconductor business.
　「選択と集中」による横並び体質からの脱却は、電機業界に共通するテーマだ。業界各社が一斉に取り組めば、半導体事業に続き、大規模な業界再編につながる可能性もあろう。

===

All sectors should be on guard

In the nonmanufacturing sector, the aviation industry has been hit particularly hard. Japan Airlines Corp. is expected to report a net loss for two consecutive years, putting the fate of its business reconstruction efforts into doubt once again. Attention is now focused on how its planned restructuring efforts, including pension reforms and personnel cuts, will unfold.
　非製造業では、航空業界の不振が目立つ。日本航空は税引き後利益が２期連続で赤字となる見通しで、再び経営再建に黄信号がともった。年金改革や人員削減によるリストラの行方に注目したい。

Domestic demand-led industries, such as railways and telecommunications, have reported relatively light damage from the recession. However, such sectors also should remain on their guard while comprehensively assessing their business strategies in anticipation of a prolonged recession.
　鉄道や通信など、比較的傷が浅かった内需関連業界も油断は禁物だ。不況の長期化を想定し、戦略を総点検してほしい。

Honda Motor Co., which saw brisk overseas sales of motorcycles, and Mitsubishi Electric Corp., which started streamlining and reorganizing its unprofitable businesses earlier than its competitors, both managed to turn profits even in these difficult times.
　海外の二輪車販売が好調だったホンダや、いち早く不採算部門の整理・再編を進めた三菱電機は、逆風下でも黒字を確保している。

Companies with unique products and specialties tend to handle recessions better. It is hoped that Japanese companies will take advantage of the economic challenges they are facing today to find new sources capable of generating profits for tomorrow.
独自の商品や得意分野を持つ企業は不況に強い。難局を、新たな収益源を得る好機にしたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 15, 2009)
（2009年5月15日01時33分 読売新聞）