河野談話 「負の遺産」の見直しは当然だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 30, 2012)
Kono's 'comfort women' statement must be reviewed
河野談話　「負の遺産」の見直しは当然だ（8月29日付・読売社説）

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's recent visit to the Takeshima islands has reignited the so-called comfort women issue.
　韓国の李明博大統領の竹島訪問に関連し、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題が再燃している。

It is undeniable that a 1993 statement by then Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono is the root cause of the controversy. The government should review this statement, prepare a new concept concerning the issue and convey it to the public and the international community.
　その根底には、慰安婦問題に関する１９９３年の河野官房長官談話があることは否定できない。政府は、これを見直し、新たな見解を内外に表明すべきである。

At a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said his administration would adhere to the Kono statement. However, Noda added that the government "was not able to confirm the forcible recruitment [of comfort women] from documents, so the [Kono] statement was based on interviews with comfort women."
　野田首相は参院予算委員会で、河野談話を踏襲するとしながらも「強制連行の事実を文書で確認できず、慰安婦への聞き取りから談話ができた」と説明した。

Jin Matsubara, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, proposed that ministers should debate the comfort women issue from the standpoint of reviewing the Kono statement.
松原国家公安委員長は談話を見直す観点から閣僚間の議論を提起した。

The 1993 statement said: "The recruitment of the comfort women was conducted mainly by private recruiters who acted in response to a request from the military.
　河野談話は、慰安婦の募集について「軍の要請を受けた業者が主として当たった」とした上で、

"In many cases they were recruited against their own will, through coaxing, coercion, and so on, and that, at times, administrative and military personnel directly took part in the recruitments."
「本人たちの意思に反して集められた事例が数多くあり、更に、官憲等が直接これに加担したこともあった」と記した。

===

No verification

However, the government could find no documents proving the military or other government authorities forcibly recruited comfort women. The Kono statement was based solely on the statements of former comfort women and there were no investigations to verify their remarks.
　しかし、軍や官憲が慰安婦を強制的に連行したことを示す資料は発見できなかった。元慰安婦の証言のみが根拠とされ、これを裏付ける調査も行われていない。

At the time, several South Korean women identified themselves as former comfort women and demanded an apology from the Japanese government. We assume the government took into account Japan's diplomatic relations with South Korea when it issued the Kono statement.
　当時、韓国の元慰安婦らが名乗り出て日本政府に謝罪などを求めていた。談話の背景には、外交的配慮もあったのだろう。

However, as a result of the statement, the international community came to believe things that were not true, such as the Imperial Japanese Army systematically and forcibly recruiting women to make them "sex slaves."
　結果として、旧日本軍が女性を組織的に強制連行して「性奴隷」にしたといった誤解が、世界に定着した。

The U.S. House of Representatives and the European Parliament adopted resolutions condemning Japan on the comfort women issue, and called on the Japanese government to apologize.
米下院や欧州議会などは慰安婦問題で日本政府の謝罪を求める対日批判決議を採択した。

Up to now, however, no evidence proving the forcible recruitment of comfort women has been found.
　だが、その後も、旧日本軍による慰安婦の強制連行を証明する資料は見つかっていない。

When the U.S. House of Representatives was discussing the comfort women issue in March 2007, the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a written reply to a question posed by a Diet member on the issue. The reply said "descriptions directly indicating forcible recruitments by the military and other government authorities had not been found in documents" unearthed by the government.
　米下院で慰安婦問題が取り上げられていた２００７年３月、安倍内閣は「資料には軍や官憲によるいわゆる強制連行を直接示すような記述も見当たらなかった」とする政府答弁書を閣議決定した。

The response clarified the government's stance that documents supporting the Kono statement did not exist, although at the same time it adhered to the statement.
　河野談話を継承しつつ、その根拠となる資料は存在しないという立場を明確にしたものだ。

===

'Negative legacy' of LDP

However, if the situation is left unchanged, it will be difficult to dispel the international community's misunderstandings on the comfort women issue.
　だが、このままでは国際社会の誤解を払拭することは難しい。

It was reasonable for Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto to call on the government to review the contents of the Kono statement after saying the statement--which was not authorized by the Cabinet--and the 2007 written reply contradict each other. He also said the statement was the "main cause" of Japan-South Korea friction.
　大阪市の橋下徹市長が、閣議決定もされていない河野談話と０７年の閣議決定は矛盾しており、河野談話の内容を見直すべきだと述べたのは、もっともである。橋下氏は河野談話を日韓の紛争の「最大の元凶」とも批判している。

The government must take measures to prevent misunderstandings on the comfort women issue from spreading further.
　政府は、誤解の拡散を招かぬよう手立てを講じる必要がある。

As there is no conclusive evidence that the Imperial Japanese Army forcibly recruited comfort women, the Noda Cabinet should review the Kono statement--a "negative legacy" of Liberal Democratic Party administrations--and explain the government's stance on the issue to the public and the world in a manner easy to understand.
　野田内閣は、旧日本軍による慰安婦強制連行の確証がないことを踏まえ、河野談話という自民党政権時代の「負の遺産」を見直し、日本政府の立場を内外に分かりやすく説明しなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 29, 2012)
（2012年8月29日01時18分  読売新聞）

与野党の対立 衆院選改革の放置にあきれる

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 29, 2012)
Failure to address election system reform deplorable
与野党の対立　衆院選改革の放置にあきれる（8月28日付・読売社説）

The current ordinary Diet session closes in less than two weeks and many legislative issues are still pending. Both the ruling and opposition camps must work tirelessly to reach accords on them until the last minute.
　通常国会は会期末まで２週間足らずとなった。なお、数多くの懸案が残っている。与野党は、最後まで合意への努力を続けるべきだ。

The biggest concern is that the Diet has yet to realize the House of Representatives' electoral system reform, although the Supreme Court has ruled the current disparity in the weight of votes between the most- and least- represented constituencies is "in a state of unconstitutionality."
　最大の懸念は、「違憲状態」と司法が判断した衆院選挙制度の改革が実現しないことである。

The Democratic Party of Japan voted on a DPJ-sponsored election system reform bill in a special lower house committee on Monday in the absence of opposition parties. The DPJ is poised to pass the bill in a plenary session of the lower house on Tuesday.
　民主党は、衆院特別委員会で自らが提出した法案を全野党欠席のまま単独で採決し、可決した。２８日に衆院を通過させる構えだ。

The opposition bloc, as a matter of course, has opposed the DPJ's actions.
　無論、野党は反発している。

Given that the DPJ will be unable to obtain approval from the opposition that controls the House of Councillors, it is certain the bill will be scrapped when it fails in the upper house. This will leave the state of unconstitutionality unresolved.
参院で多数を占める野党の協力を見込めず、法案の廃案は確実だ。違憲状態を放置するに等しい。

===

DPJ out to put off election

Having the bill hastily approved by the committee is presumably motivated by a desire to shift the blame for failing to achieve electoral reform to the opposition.
　それでも民主党が突っ走ったのは、改革が実現しない責任を野党に押しつけたいからだろう。

DPJ Acting Secretary General Shinji Tarutoko has lambasted the opposition parties for "taking a stand even against rectifying the gap in the weight of votes."
　実際、樽床伸二幹事長代行は、審議を拒否した野党を「『１票の格差』是正さえやりたくない態度だ」と批判している。

The DPJ, however, has persistently spurned the idea of cutting five single-seat electoral districts before other election system issues. This is the only option the DPJ and the major opposition parties, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, agreed to on the election reform issue. The DPJ should be held responsible for stalling this reform.
　だが、民主党は、民自公３党が唯一折り合える格差是正の小選挙区「０増５減」の先行実施を拒み、制度改革を停滞させてきた。

In light of the irresponsibility of the DPJ, the party is not qualified to criticize the opposition. The DPJ has employed the tactic of delaying the legislation in a bid to postpone the lower house dissolution and a general election.
無責任な民主党に野党を批判する資格はない。結局、衆院解散・総選挙の先送り戦術ではないのか。

The DPJ-sponsored bill entails not only a five single-seat constituency cut, but also the reduction of 40 proportional representation seats. It also includes the partial adoption of a seat allocation formula in proportional representation contests favorable to small and midsize parties, which Komeito has demanded.
　そもそも民主党の法案は、「０増５減」や比例選定数の４０削減、公明党が主張した比例代表連用制の部分導入を盛り込んでいる。

Electoral system reform based on such a hodgepodge of arguments backed by different parties is unintelligible to the public. Introduction of a seat allocation formula designed to give disproportionately preferential treatment to small and midsize parties may be a constitutional violation, according to some analysts.
　各党の言い分をつなぎ合わせた制度は、極めて分かりにくい。中小政党を過剰に優遇する連用制には憲法上の疑義も指摘される。

===

Opposition equally at fault

The LDP is set to submit a censure motion in the upper house against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda as early as Wednesday.
　一方、自民党は２９日にも、野田首相問責決議案を参院に提出する方針だ。

The censure motion will likely pass the upper house by an opposition majority. If the opposition boycotts all Diet deliberations after that, the current session could end with many issues unaddressed.
決議案は野党の賛成多数で可決される見通しで、野党がその後、審議を一切拒否すれば、国会は多くの案件を積み残したまま事実上閉幕することになる。

Citing reasons to censure the prime minister, LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki claims Noda's ability to tackle the problems facing the country "has reached its limit."
　自民党の谷垣総裁は首相問責の理由として「日本の課題に対応する能力が限界に来ている」と言う。

However, the opposition is just as responsible for the turmoil in the nation's politics.
ただ、国政の混迷を招いた責任については野党も同罪だろう。

A case in point is a government plan for a bill to issue deficit-covering government bonds.
　例えば、赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案だ。

Should the bill fail to pass, it would become impossible, at some point, to implement the state budget. The opposition parties have continued to assert they will not cooperate unless the DPJ commits to an exact date for the dissolution of the lower house.
成立しないと、いずれ予算執行は不可能となる。野党は衆院解散と引き換えでなければ協力しないという。

Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada has said, "There is a possibility of a power change [in the next general election] and the opposition should stop these maneuvers."
　岡田副総理は、「与野党が代わることもある。こんなやり方はいいかげんにやめた方がいい」と指摘した。

While Okada is right, the DPJ should remember that, when it sat in opposition, it also used budget-related bills, including one to issue deficit-covering bonds, as bargaining chips.
その通りだが、民主党こそ野党時代に特例公債法案など予算関連法案を駆け引きの材料としたことを忘れてはならない。

If the censure motion is passed by the LDP, Komeito and other opposition parties, the relationship of trust between the DPJ and the two major opposition parties would almost certainly collapse.
　自公両党などによって問責決議案が可決されれば、これまで構築してきた民自公路線は崩壊する。

A censure motion, which has no binding power, must never be exploited in a power struggle.
法的効力のない問責決議を政争に使うべきではない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 28, 2012)
（2012年8月28日01時45分  読売新聞）

北極海開発 日本の発言権をどう確保する

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 28, 2012)
Japan needs to gain voice in Arctic Ocean development
北極海開発　日本の発言権をどう確保する（8月27日付・読売社説）

Countries such as Russia and Canada are maneuvering more actively to stake out advantageous positions in using the Arctic Ocean for shipping routes and in developing natural resources there. Japan also should become actively engaged in drafting rules on developing the Arctic Ocean.
　北極海の航路利用や資源開発を巡って、ロシアやカナダなどの駆け引きが活発化している。日本も、北極海のルール作りに積極的に関与していくことが必要だ。

Though long covered with thick ice, the Arctic Ocean recently has attracted attention as its ice is rapidly melting due to global warming.
　厚い氷に閉ざされていた北極海は、地球温暖化に伴う海氷の融解で注目を集めるようになった。

The ocean's shipping routes, possible only in summer, have elicited interest as they are the shortest way to link Asian countries--the world's growth center--and Europe. Not only oil and natural gas but also gold, copper, nickel and other minerals are believed to be in abundance below the Arctic seabed.
　夏場に利用が可能となる北極海航路は、世界の成長センターのアジアと欧州をつなぐ最短輸送路として期待される。さらに北極海の海底には、石油・天然ガスのほか、金や銅、ニッケルなどの鉱物も豊富に眠っているとされる。

The Antarctic Treaty has frozen territorial claims in the Antarctic continent and surrounding seas and prohibits military use of the area, but there is no such treaty for the Arctic Ocean.
　北極海には各国の領有権主張の凍結と軍事利用禁止を定めた南極条約のような取り決めがない。

Due to the lack of an international treaty, eight countries--the United States, Russia and other coastal nations--and indigenous minorities make up the Arctic Council, a forum to discuss rules on use of the Arctic Ocean.
　このため、米露など沿岸諸国を中心とする８か国と少数先住民団体で構成する協議機関「北極評議会」が、北極海の利用に関するルールを話し合う場になる。

===

Blatant moves by China

Meanwhile, China's moves are a cause of concern. Like Japan, China does not border the Arctic Ocean. Nonetheless, China considers shipping routes and natural resources there among its maritime interests and is trying to increase its influence over the ocean as a national strategy.
　目が離せないのは、中国の動きだ。日本と同様に非沿岸国でありながら、北極海の航路や資源などの利用を自国の「海洋権益」と位置づけ、国家戦略として影響力拡大を図っているからだ。

China's large icebreaker Xuelong has been on a research voyage in the ocean since early July. It took a shipping route north of Russia and in mid-August became the first Chinese ship to traverse the Arctic Ocean.
　今年は７月初めから、大型の砕氷船「雪竜号」で調査航海に出航し、８月中旬には、中国として初めて、ロシア北側の北極海航路の横断に成功した。

Beijing is also actively undertaking summit diplomacy with member nations of the council. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Sweden, which currently chairs the council, and Iceland in April, while President Hu Jintao visited Denmark in June. They were able to reach agreements with leaders of those countries to enhance bilateral relations.
　評議会加盟国に対する首脳外交も活発だ。温家宝首相が４月に、現議長国スウェーデンとアイスランドを歴訪した。胡錦濤国家主席も６月にデンマークを訪れ、それぞれ関係強化で一致した。

However, the efforts by China, which has a massive military force, to promote its maritime interests in the ocean are so blatant that other countries have become vigilant.
　強大な軍事力をもつ中国の露骨な権益獲得の動きは、関係国に警戒感を抱かせるのに十分だ。

Utilization of the Arctic Ocean also is essential for the growth of the Japanese economy. Nonetheless, it is apparent Japan has started out late in the game.
　北極海の利用は日本経済の発展にとっても欠かせない。にもかかわらず、日本の出遅れが目立っているのはどういうことか。

===

Join Arctic Council

Three years ago, the Japanese government applied to the Arctic Council to obtain observer status. China and South Korea completed such applications ahead of this country.
　日本政府は３年前、北極評議会にオブザーバー参加することを申請した。中国や韓国は日本に先駆けて申請済みだ。

How much a country contributes to the council's activities is said to determine approval as an observer. We think the government first should join the council as an observer and then enhance its information gathering activities to secure a voice there. The nation must accelerate its preparations to deal with issues concerning the Arctic Ocean.
　評議会の活動への貢献度がオブザーバー承認のカギを握っているとされる。政府はまず、オブザーバー加盟を果たして情報収集を強化し、発言権の確保に力を入れるべきだ。北極海に取り組む態勢整備を急がねばならない。

The government also must promote summit diplomacy to strengthen Japan's relations with Russia and northern European countries. Japan also needs to undertake full-fledged research activities in the ocean.
　首脳外交の推進によるロシアや北欧諸国との関係強化も重要だ。北極海の調査活動に本格的に乗り出す必要がある。

It is unavoidable that the Chinese and Russian navies will become more active in seas north of Japan. The government will need to discuss with the United States how to build up Japan's defenses against them.
　日本の北方で中露海軍の活動が活発化するのは必至だ。防衛態勢をどう構築するか、米国との調整も今後の検討課題となろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 27, 2012)
（2012年8月27日01時27分  読売新聞）

思い出のアルバム

2005年の記録。
この頃パタヤビーチ旅行にはまってしまい、一年のうち三分の一くらいビーチのホテルで過ごしていました。
妻があきれてしまって、いっそのことビーチのコンドミニアム買ったらと皮肉を言われました。
ホテルはパタヤビーチの西側にあるジョムティエンビーチのシティーガーデンホテルです。
当時は一泊１２５０バーツでしたが、今は中国人が値段をつり上げその倍以上となっているはずです。
カイちゃんは１歳、私は５６歳でした。若かったですね＾＾。
↓

北方領土を取られ、竹島を取られ、今また尖閣も

政治

【尖閣上陸】

「政府はもっと毅然と」海保の公開映像に石垣から怒りの声

8.28 00:33 ［尖閣諸島問題］

　尖閣諸島への上陸を繰り返し、７月５日に計１６回目の上陸をした石垣市の仲間均（なかま・ひとし）市議（６２）は、海上保安庁が２７日公開した香港の活動家らが魚釣島に上陸する過程のビデオ映像を見て、「れんがを投げつける行為だけでも、公務執行妨害以外の何物でもない。公務執行妨害罪を適用しなかったのは、現在の政府では何もできないということを示している」と指摘。「北方領土を取られ、竹島を取られ、今また尖閣も取られようとしている。中国は本気で取りにきている。わが国固有の領土、領海なのだから、政府はもっと毅然（きぜん）とした対応を取ってほしい」と話した。［記事詳細］

• 尖閣上陸ビデオ映像「隠すから疑われる」元海上保安官の一色正春氏
• 尖閣上陸ビデオ映像「停船させるタイミング何度もあった」山田吉彦・東海大教授

エネルギー選択 「意識調査」はあくまで参考に

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 27, 2012)
Don't take results of nuclear power surveys too seriously
エネルギー選択　「意識調査」はあくまで参考に（8月26日付・読売社説）

It is problematic to decide the nation's energy strategy, which affects the fate of Japan, through an approach that resembles a popularity contest.
　国の命運を左右するエネルギー戦略を、人気投票のような手法で決めるのは問題である。

Since the outbreak of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, a considerable number of people are demanding the nation break away from its dependence on nuclear energy.
　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受け、「脱原発」を求める声は少なくない。

Securing the safety of nuclear power plants is of course important. However, factors such as economic efficiency and a stable energy supply are also important in deciding the nation's energy policy. As a country poor in natural resources, Japan needs to have various sources of electricity, including nuclear power plants, to ensure a stable power supply.
　だが、エネルギー政策では、原発の安全性に加えて、経済性や安定供給なども重要だ。資源小国の日本が電力を安定確保するには、原発を含む多様な電源が要る。

Thus the government should promote a realistic energy policy of utilizing nuclear power plants from a mid- and long-term standpoint.
　政府は、原発を中長期的に活用するという現実的なエネルギー政策を推進すべきである。

The government recently released the results of multiple surveys that asked the public to choose from three scenarios on the percentage of nuclear power generation in 2030: zero percent of all power generation, 15 percent, and 20 percent to 25 percent.
　２０３０年の電源に占める原子力発電の比率を「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」とする三つの選択肢について、政府が行った複数の意識調査の結果がまとまった。

The government conducted 11 public hearings, solicited public comments and held a deliberative opinion poll. In all three methods, those who chose the zero percent scenario outnumbered those who selected the other two.
　１１回の「意見聴取会」と「パブリックコメント（意見公募）」、新たな手法の「討論型世論調査」は、いずれの調査も「原発０％」の支持が最多だった。

===

Avoid slipping into populism

However, it is too early to conclude that the results truly reflect public opinion on the nation's nuclear energy policy.
　ただし、この結果をもって原発政策に関する“世論”が示されたと考えるのは早計だろう。

Many people who participate in public hearings and submit comments are eager to express their opinions on the nuclear power plant issue. They tend to prefer a nuclear-free future.
　意見聴取会やパブリックコメントの参加者は、原発問題で積極的に意見を言いたい人が多いため、脱原発に偏る傾向がある。

A random telephone survey was conducted in the first stage of the deliberative opinion poll, and respondents were asked if they wished to participate in the following discussion stage. Only about 300 people participated in the second stage.
　討論型世論調査も、最初の電話調査は無作為抽出だが、その後の討論会は希望者参加で、人数も約３００人と少なかった。

It is important for politicians to listen to the voices of the people. However, there is a risk that politicians may slip into populism, depending on how much they rely on public opinion.
　政治が国民の意見を聴くのは大切だが、受け止め方によっては、場当たり的な大衆迎合主義（ポピュリズム）に陥る恐れがある。

A member of an expert panel tasked with analyzing the results of the surveys said, "We don't need politics if opinion polls decide everything."
　調査結果を分析する政府の有識者会議では、「世論調査だけで物事が決まるなら、政治は不要だ」といった意見も出た。

The results of the surveys should be used as one element in discussing the nation's nuclear policy. The government should avoid having the results directly influence its energy policy.
　これらの調査結果はあくまで参考にとどめ、政策へのダイレクトな反映は避けるべきだろう。

===

Risks of zero percent scenario

Meanwhile, the surveys also highlighted a problem the government has to tackle. In the deliberative opinion poll, 41 percent of respondents supported the zero percent scenario before the discussion, but the figure increased to 47 percent after the discussion.
　一方、政府にとっての課題も判明した。討論型世論調査で「原発０％」の支持は、討論前の４１％から討論後は４７％に上昇した。

At the same time, the percentage of people who gave top priority to "securing safety" in the nation's energy policy increased after the discussion to about 80 percent. This change seems to be the reason why the number of people who chose the zero percent scenario increased.
　エネルギー政策で、「安全の確保」を最重視する人が、討論前より増え、最終的に８割に達したことが影響したようだ。

However, everyone is highly concerned about the safety of the energy supply. We assume that was the reason only a low percentage of respondents chose "stable energy supply" and "prevention of global warming."
　ただ、誰しも「安全」への関心が高いため、「安定供給」や「地球温暖化防止」を選ぶ比率が低くなったのではないか。

If all nuclear power plants were abolished in the nation, it would slow down the economy, resulting in higher unemployment and poverty. Ordinary citizens would be hit hardest, but strangely, understanding of this fact has yet to spread among the public.
　原発ゼロでは、日本経済が失速し、失業増や貧困拡大を招く。最大の被害者は国民だが、なぜかこうした認識は浸透していない。

Along with beefing up its efforts to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants, the government must provide information to citizens that helps them choose appropriate scenarios for the nation's future energy policy.
　政府は原発の安全性向上に一層努めるとともに、的確なエネルギー選択に資する情報を、国民に提供することが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 26, 2012)
（2012年8月26日01時28分  読売新聞）

首相「領土」会見 国際社会へ反転攻勢の一歩に

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 26, 2012)
Govt must stress sovereignty over isles to intl community
首相「領土」会見　国際社会へ反転攻勢の一歩に（8月25日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a press conference Friday on the dispute involving the Takeshima islands and other territorial issues. This occasion should pave the way for Japan to take the offensive in seeking understanding of the issues both at home and abroad.
　竹島などの領土問題で日本が国内外の理解を求めて反転攻勢に出る一歩とすべきだ。

Noda said at the press conference, "We'll deal with the issues calmly but uncompromisingly with unwavering determination."
　野田首相が領土に関し記者会見し、「毅然(きぜん)とした態度で、冷静沈着に不退転の覚悟で臨む」と述べた。

"They're Japanese territory both historically and under international law," he said, referring to the Takeshima islands. "In keeping with international law and justice, the proper path is to hold debates and settle the matter at the International Court of Justice."
　竹島については、「歴史的にも国際法上も日本の領土だ」と明言した。さらに、「国際社会の法と正義に照らして、国際司法裁判所の法廷で議論を戦わせ、決着をつけるのが王道だ」と強調した。

We consider it highly significant that the prime minister stated explicitly that his government will protect the nation's sovereignty over the islets.
　首相が、国の主権を守ると正面から訴えたのは画期的である。

South Korea has reinforced its illegal occupation of the Takeshima islands through such actions as building a structure there. Japan protested the actions, but it is hard to say that Tokyo has taken effective countermeasures.
　韓国が竹島に建造物を勝手に建設するなど、不法占拠を着々と強化してきたのに対し、日本は抗議はするものの、有効な対抗策を講じてきたとは言えない。

===

Take advantage of legal action

It is vital for Japan to make the legitimacy of its territorial claim and the reasoning behind it widely known to the international community by taking the dispute to the international court. The government also needs to make efforts to help as many people as possible properly understand the Takeshima issue by explaining it thoroughly.
　今回の提訴を機に、日本の領有権の正当性や根拠を国際社会に幅広くアピールすることが大切だ。国内でも、竹島問題に関する過去の経緯を詳しく説明し、より多くの国民が正しい認識を共有するよう努める必要がある。

Noda also spoke about the recent illegal landing on the Senkaku Islands by Hong Kong activists. "The government will make every effort to strengthen the nation's information-gathering ability and take all possible measures to improve its policing and surveillance capabilities in the surrounding waters" to prevent such incidents in the future, he said.
　首相は、香港活動家が不法上陸した尖閣諸島について、再発防止へ、「政府の総力を挙げて情報収集を強化し、周辺海域の監視・警戒に万全を期す」と語った。

To maintain and stably manage the Senkaku Islands, which are under Japan's effective control, the government faces the urgent task of nationalizing the islets. To that end, it is important to closely cooperate with the Tokyo metropolitan government, which plans to purchase the islands.
　日本が実効支配する尖閣諸島に関しては、より安定した維持・管理ができるよう国有化の実現が急務だ。島を購入する予定の東京都との緊密な連携が重要である。

The government must not fail to strengthen the abilities of the Japan Coast Guard and the Maritime Self-Defense Force to swiftly respond to illegal landings on the islands and intrusions into Japan's territorial waters by foreign countries.
　他国による不法上陸や領海侵犯などに迅速に対処するため、海上保安庁や海上自衛隊の体制を強化することも怠ってはならない。

===

Noda letter not re-sent

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has decided not to resend the personal letter from Noda to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak that South Korea rejected and returned to the ministry by mail.
　外務省は、韓国側から返送された首相の李明博大統領宛て親書を受理し、再送はしなかった。

Returning a personal letter from a national leader is unusual and considered disrespectful. However, we can understand the decision by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and other government officials to accept the returned letter, considering "the dignity" of Japanese diplomacy. The decision was based on the logic that Noda's message, which calls Lee's visit to Takeshima regrettable, has been conveyed to Seoul.
　首脳の親書の返送は異例かつ非礼だが、大統領の竹島訪問を遺憾とする首相のメッセージが伝わった以上、「外交の品位」を考えて受理するという玄葉外相らの大局的な判断は理解できる。

The House of Representatives on Friday adopted a resolution condemning Lee's visit to Takeshima and his remarks seeking the Emperor's apology to Koreans who died while fighting for Korea's independence. The resolution demands that South Korea halt its illegal occupation of the islands and Lee withdraw the remarks about the Emperor. The remarks have sparked criticism not only in Japan but also in South Korea. Seeking the withdrawal is reasonable.
　衆院は、大統領の竹島訪問と天皇陛下「謝罪要求」発言に抗議する決議を採択した。韓国による竹島の不法占拠の停止や、発言の撤回を求めている。大統領発言には、日本だけでなく、韓国国内でも批判があり、撤回要求は当然だ。

We view the resolution as well-balanced because, among other things, it calls South Korea a vital neighboring country of Japan. However, it is disappointing that the resolution was not approved unanimously as the Japanese Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party and others opposed it.
　決議は、韓国を「重要な隣国」と位置づけるなど、バランスのとれた内容だ。共産、社民両党などが賛成せず、全会一致とならなかったのは残念である。

Japan and South Korea share common security interests on such issues as North Korea's nuclear program. We urge Seoul to handle the territorial issue with a cool head without losing sight of the broader significance of the two countries' relations.
　日韓両国は、北朝鮮の核問題など安全保障分野でも利害を共有している。韓国には、日韓関係の大局を見失わず、「大人の対応」をするよう求めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 25, 2012)
（2012年8月25日01時29分  読売新聞）

竹島・尖閣審議 民主は「配慮外交」を反省せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 25, 2012)
DPJ must reconsider overly conciliatory stance on Takeshima
竹島・尖閣審議　民主は「配慮外交」を反省せよ　（8月24日付・読売社説）

When handling a territorial issue, it is essential for the government to assert the nation's stance resolutely while keeping a cool head in pursuit of a peaceful solution to the problem.
　領土問題では、毅然(きぜん)として自国の立場を主張するとともに、平和的な解決を冷静に追求することが肝要である。

A session of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee was held on Thursday for intensive deliberations on diplomatic issues.
　衆院予算委員会で外交に関する集中審議が行われた。

In response to an announcement by the South Korean government earlier on the day that it would return a letter Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda sent to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, Noda expressed his displeasure, telling the session Seoul's action constituted "behavior utterly devoid of reason."
李明博韓国大統領宛ての野田首相の親書を韓国政府が返送すると発表したことについて、首相は「あまりにも冷静さを欠いた行動」と不快感を表明した。

The act of sending back the prime minister's letter, which expressed regret over Lee's surprise visit to the Takeshima islands on Aug. 10, is, without a doubt, particularly disrespectful in terms of diplomatic norms and cannot be overlooked.
　親書は李大統領の竹島訪問に遺憾の意を表する内容だが、それを返送するのは外交慣例上、極めて非礼であり、看過できない。

===

Diplomacy cast aside

No matter how different two nations' views on an issue may be, a bare minimum of etiquette in diplomatic relations must be upheld by each country. South Korea has now crossed the line with this recent development.
どんなに主張が対立しても、外交には最低限守るべきマナーがある。韓国の対応は一線を越えている。

The government should file a firm protest with the South Korean government.
　政府は強く抗議すべきだ。

In doing so, however, it is important Japan conduct itself in full conformity with diplomatic protocol.
ただ、その際は、外交儀礼をきちんと守って対応することが大切だ。

In the Budget Committee session, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba stressed that South Korea is "illegally occupying" the Sea of Japan islets, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.
　玄葉外相は予算委で、竹島の現況について韓国が「不法占拠」していると強調した。

Out of diplomatic consideration for South Korea, the administration of the Democratic Party of Japan has used the expression "rule without legal grounds" in reference to the matter since Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada served as foreign minister. Gemba is the first Cabinet minister to have used the phrase "illegal occupation" to refer to the issue.
民主党政権は岡田外相以降、韓国側への配慮から「法的根拠のない支配」と表現しており、玄葉外相が初めて「不法占拠」との表現を用いた。

The change of wording is seriously overdue.

There can be no denying that disproportionate concern by the DPJ administration about inciting conflict with a partner country, even over an issue affecting the nation's sovereignty, has led South Korea to harbor the misconception that Japan is a country that backs down easily.
　あまりに遅きに失している。国家主権に関する問題でさえ、相手国を刺激しないという民主党政権の過剰な「配慮外交」が、日本は簡単に譲歩するという誤解を韓国側に与えたことは否めない。

Although the issue of compensation for the so-called comfort women in South Korea has been completely resolved, DPJ Policy Research Committee Chairman Seiji Maehara recently unveiled a plan to study the feasibility of "humanitarian measures" related to the matter. This may have caused South Korea to have false expectations about further steps from the Japanese side.
　いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題でも、賠償請求権問題は完全に解決しているのに、前原政調会長が新たな「人道的措置」の検討を表明したことなどが、韓国側に誤った期待感を抱かせた可能性がある。

The government must do some serious soul-searching about the recent string of events in bilateral relations and carefully consider how to deal with the situation effectively.
　政府は一連の経緯を反省し、今後の対応を検討すべきだ。

===

Parties need to work together

In Thursday's Budget Committee meeting, Noda expressed his intention to seek an apology and a retraction of Lee's remarks demanding the Emperor apologize for the wartime past.
　野田首相は予算委で、李大統領の天皇陛下への謝罪要求発言について、謝罪と撤回を求める意向を表明した。

In a similar event, a spokesman of South Korea's Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry has demanded Gemba back down from his statement about South Korea's "illegal occupation" of the islets and pledge to avoid making similar remarks in the future.
韓国外交通商省報道官は、玄葉外相の「不法占拠」発言の撤回と再発防止を要求した。

Given the circumstances, Japan-South Korea relations have now begun a negative course.
　日韓関係は今や、「負の連鎖」に入り始めている。

Even if the two countries confront each other on the Takeshima issue, overall bilateral relations should be prevented from further deteriorating.
竹島問題で対立しても、日韓関係全体が悪化するのは避けたい。

It is evidently important for both nations to continue working-level discussions, including negotiations for concluding a free trade agreement between Japan, China and South Korea.
日中韓の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉など実務的な協議は継続するよう、日韓双方が努めることが重要である。

During the Budget Committee session, the Liberal Democratic Party lashed out at the government for its failure to prevent a group of activists from Hong Kong from illegally landing on the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. It also criticized the government's failure to charge the activists on suspicion of obstructing Japanese officers from performing their duties.
　集中審議で自民党は、政府が香港活動家による尖閣諸島不法上陸を阻止できず、公務執行妨害罪を問わなかった点を追及した。

It is highly desirable, however, for both the ruling and opposition camps to cooperate in steering the nation's diplomacy, particularly in the case of territorial disputes.
　領土問題では本来、オール日本の体制で外交を展開することが望ましい。

It would be regrettable for the LDP to make a point of finding fault with the government for its handling of territorial disputes.
自民党が政府の揚げ足取りに終始するようでは困る。

There are a host of issues that must be addressed on a suprapartisan basis, such as the proactive expression of Japan's stance on territorial disputes to the international community and the improvement of history lessons in school education.
　日本の主張を国際社会に積極的に発信し、学校での歴史教育を充実させるなど、超党派で取り組むべきことは少なくない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 24, 2012)
（2012年8月24日01時23分  読売新聞）

やっと仕組みがわかりました＾＾

「アンドロイド」のグーグル陣営に痛手

2012.8.25 21:42 ［グーグル］

アップルの「ｉＰｈｏｎｅ（アイフォーン）４Ｓ」とサムスン電子の「ギャラクシーＳ３」（右）＝共同

　【ワシントン＝柿内公輔】米アップルと韓国サムスン電子が世界各国で繰り広げる注目の訴訟合戦は、巨大市場の米国でアップルに軍配が上がった。この結果は、サムスンだけでなく、同社に基本ソフト（ＯＳ）「アンドロイド」を提供するグーグルにとっても痛手となる。

　アップル側は、サムスンがスマホやタブレットで、「アップルの機能などをまねた商品で市場に参入し、売り上げを伸ばした」と訴えたのに対し、サムスンも「アップルは合法的な競争を阻害している」と真っ向から反論。互いに一歩も引かない訴訟合戦を展開してきた。

　世界中で提起されている訴訟では、アップルとサムスンにそれぞれ有利な判決が出るなど判断が分かれているが、巨大市場の米国でアップルが勝訴したことは、今後の各国の訴訟動向に影響する可能性もある。

　ＩＴ業界では、一連の訴訟について、「アップルとグーグルという世界の覇権を争う両雄の『代理戦争』」（アナリスト）という見方をされてきた。サムスンは今回の敗訴で、「ギャラクシー」シリーズのスマホの米国での販売が差し止められる恐れもあるだけに、ＯＳを提供するグーグルとしても開発戦略の見直しを迫られる。

　ただ、今後も続く両陣営による泥沼化した訴訟合戦では、グーグルやサムスンによる巻き返しも十分あり得る。急成長するスマホ市場での両陣営による主導権争いはさらに激しさを増しそうだ。

シリア混迷 周辺諸国の不安定化も心配だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 24, 2012)
Syria's civil war could destabilize neighboring countries
シリア混迷　周辺諸国の不安定化も心配だ（8月23日付・読売社説）

With Syria's civil war deepening, there appears to be little chance for a ceasefire in the conflict. There are concerns the civil war could even spill over into neighboring countries.
　内戦の泥沼化で、停戦への機運は生まれそうにない。シリアの混乱が周辺諸国に拡大する事態すら懸念される。

Journalist Mika Yamamoto was shot dead earlier this week in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo while covering the conflict.
　北部の主要都市アレッポでは、取材中の日本人ジャーナリスト山本美香さんが、銃撃を受けて死亡した。

Yamamoto's death highlighted the reality that urban districts, home to ordinary Syrians, have become battlefields between government forces and rebels. The United Nations estimates more than 18,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March 2011.
　一般市民が暮らす市街地が、政府軍側と反体制派の戦場と化している。山本さんの死は、そうした現実を浮き彫りにした。国連推計で、紛争発生以来の犠牲者数は１万８０００人を超えた。

Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who served as the joint U.N.-Arab League special envoy, failed to broker a ceasefire and members of the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria have left the country.
　国連とアラブ連盟の共同特使を務めたアナン前国連事務総長の停戦調停は、失敗に終わった。国連停戦監視団も撤退した。

Former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi has been named as Annan's replacement. However, it is unlikely he will be able to fulfill his role, considering that the U.N. Security Council has been hamstrung as the United States and other Western countries are at odds with Russia and China over possible solutions.
　アナン氏の後任の調停役にはブラヒミ元アルジェリア外相が就くが、米欧と露中の対立で国連安全保障理事会が機能不全に陥っている以上、役目は果たせまい。

With no end in sight in the country's civil war, it is inevitable the bloodshed will continue to worsen.
　内戦に歯止めがかからず、流血の拡大は不可避である。

===

Sectarian conflicts emerging

Rebels have expanded their hold over more areas of Syria, while government forces have been trying to maintain control of major cities by mobilizing all of their overwhelming forces.
　シリアでは、反体制派が支配地域を広げる一方、政権側は、圧倒的な戦力を総動員して、主要都市の維持を図っている。

However, more and more officials in President Bashar Assad's inner circle have been defecting, including the prime minister who fled the country earlier this month.
　だが、政権中枢からの離反は相次いでいる。今月上旬には、首相が国外に逃亡した。

Despite these developments, Syrian forces still stand by Assad mainly because members of the Alawite community--an offshoot of Shiite Islam that serves as a power base for the president--hold key military positions.
　それでも軍がアサド大統領を見限らないのは、大統領の権力基盤であるイスラム教アラウィ派の人脈が、軍の要職に配置されていることが大きい。

The Alawites, which are a minority in Syria, have been ruling the Sunni majority population and the civil war has increasingly taken on shades of sectarian violence.
　シリアのアラウィ派は、人口では少数派ながら、多数派のスンニ派住民を支配してきた。
　内戦は、両派の宗派紛争の様相を強めている。

===

Refugees becoming a burden

Worrisome is the ever growing possibility that Syria's deepening turmoil could destabilize the entire Middle East.
　懸念されるのは、シリアの混迷が深まることで、中東地域全体の不安定化が現実味を増してきていることだ。

Earlier this week, several people were killed in neighboring Lebanon as Alawite and Sunni militia exchanged gunfire. The fighting shadowed the pattern of Syria's civil war.
　隣国レバノンで今週、アラウィ派とスンニ派の民兵の間で銃撃戦が発生し、死者が出た。シリア内戦の構図が波及したと言える。

Turkey, to the north of Syria, has been watchful to see how Kurds in the country react to the civil war, as it could reignite the Kurdish independent movement in Turkey.
　北隣のトルコは、シリア内でのクルド人の動向に神経をとがらせる。トルコ内のクルド独立運動を刺激しかねないからだ。

The civil war has created more than 170,000 Syrian refugees, according to the United Nations. Accommodating them has placed a great burden on neighboring countries.
　国連統計で１７万人を超えた大量の難民流出も、周辺諸国の重荷となっている。

Syria's neighbors face their own possible conflicts. The situation could further deteriorate if Syria distributes the chemical weapons it is believed to possess to terrorist groups and other organizations.
　シリアを取り巻く国がそれぞれに火種を抱える。シリアが、保有しているとされる化学兵器をテロ組織などに拡散させれば、事態はさらに深刻化するだろう。

Russia bears a heavy responsibility as it has long supported the Assad regime. It should work together with the United States and other Western countries to put strong pressure on Syria for an immediate ceasefire.
　これまで、アサド政権を一貫して支えてきたロシアの責任は重大だ。米欧と協力し、停戦の即時実施へ、シリア側に強い圧力をかけるべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2012)
（2012年8月23日01時45分  読売新聞）

スラチャイの英作文

Former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi has been named as Annan's replacement. However, it is unlikely he will be able to fulfill his role, considering that the U.N. Security Council has been hamstrung as the United States and other Western countries are at odds with Russia and China over possible solutions.
　アナン氏の後任の調停役にはブラヒミ元アルジェリア外相が就くが、米欧と露中の対立で国連安全保障理事会が機能不全に陥っている以上、役目は果たせまい。

at odds　（…のことで；…と）相争って《 over...; with... 》
at ～ over economic issues　 経済問題で反目して.

I've been at odds with my wife over child rearing.
My wife and I have been at odds over child rearing.
子育てで妻としっくりいっていない（あくまで例文です、現実はうまくいってます＾＾）

child care は赤ちゃんを育てるときに使います
child rearing は子供を幼児から成人するまで育てるときに使います

噂は本当でした

------------------------------------------------------------------------
＜１＞ 大証を２９日子会社化＝ＴＯＢ成立、来年１月統合へ－東証
------------------------------------------------------------------------


東京証券取引所は２３日、経営統合に向けて実施した
大阪証券取引所に対するＴＯＢ（株式公開買い付け）が
成立したと発表した。
買い付け上限である発行済み株式の６６．６％を上回る
７９．６％の応募があり、目標としていた過半数を確保した。

東証はこれを受け、２９日付で大証を子会社化。
１１月の両社の臨時株主総会を経て、
来年１月１日に大証を存続会社とする統合持ち株会社
「日本取引所グループ」が発足する。

(情報元： 時事ドットコム　2012/08/23-17:36）

衆院選政権公約 実現可能な政策へ論議深めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 23, 2012)
Deeper discussions needed for realistic manifestos
衆院選政権公約　実現可能な政策へ論議深めよ（8月22日付・読売社説）

　◆ポピュリズムは排除すべきだ◆

Unless policy pledges are feasible, politics will be unable to make any progress. This is the bitter lesson learned from the failed manifesto of the Democratic Party of Japan.
　実現可能な公約でなければ、政治は前に進まない。破綻した民主党政権公約（マニフェスト）の苦い教訓である。

With the dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election expected to take place "sometime soon," ruling and opposition parties are gearing up for the election. The major issue is how the DPJ will revise its manifesto, a document cynically called "a synonym for lies" that has disgraced the party.
　「近いうち」に衆院解散・総選挙が行われると予想される中、与野党は選挙準備に力を入れ始めた。大きな課題は「ウソの代名詞」と揶揄(やゆ)されるほど民主党がその名を貶(おとし)めたマニフェストをどう作り直すかだ。

The main campaign issues in the next lower house election are shaping up to be the consumption tax rate increase, Japan's possible participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, and the nation's nuclear and energy policies.
　次期衆院選では、消費税率引き上げ、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題、原子力・エネルギー政策などが争点になろう。

===

Specify fiscal resources
　◆確たる財源を明示せよ◆

Policies quickly cobbled together just before an election tend to become "discount sales" that smack of populism and suck up to voters' interests. We hope each party holds down-to-earth discussions, even during the current Diet session, to come up with realistic policies.
　選挙直前に急ごしらえした政策は有権者受けを狙って、大衆迎合主義（ポピュリズム）色の強い“バーゲンセール”となりがちである。各党とも今国会中から地に足のついた議論を重ね、現実的な政策を掲げてもらいたい。

The most glaring fault of the DPJ manifesto for the 2009 lower house election was the party's insistence that--without mentioning a consumption tax rate hike--it could find 16.8 trillion yen in fiscal resources to implement its policy pledges through such measures as overhauling budget allocations. There was never any prospect this could be achieved.
　民主党の２００９年衆院選マニフェストが抱える最大の欠陥は、消費税率引き上げに言及せず、確たる見通しもないのに１６・８兆円もの財源を予算組み替えなどで捻出できると主張したことだ。

The DPJ must now be painfully aware just how poorly thought-out its manifesto was.
　いかにずさんな公約だったか、民主党は痛感しただろう。

Referring to the manifesto for the next lower house election, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said at a general meeting of DPJ lawmakers of both Diet chambers on Aug. 8, "It's necessary to thoroughly and carefully discuss these issues within the party and make innovative efforts to ensure these discussions are 'visible.'"
　野田首相は８日の民主党両院議員総会で、次期衆院選マニフェストに言及し、「党内で大いに丁寧な議論をし、それを『見える化』する工夫が必要だ」と訴えた。

Noda's argument sounds reasonable, but it also sounds like words of reflection. It is essential that many lawmakers are involved in the manifesto-compiling process and fight the election with a shared awareness.
　もっともな主張だが、反省の弁でもある。多くの議員が公約作成に参画し、共通認識を持って選挙戦に臨むことは重要だ。

There are probably concerns that if party members openly discuss policy matters, they would reveal their cards to other parties. But this process would be a yardstick voters could use when deciding who deserves their ballot.
　政策をオープンに議論すれば、他党に手の内を明かすことになるとの懸念はあるだろう。だが、そうした経緯も含めて、有権者の判断材料になる。

If the lower house is not dissolved during the current Diet session, both the DPJ and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party should make their presidential elections, both scheduled for September, an opportunity to set the course for their election manifestos.
　今国会で衆院解散がなければ、民主、自民両党は９月の党代表選と総裁選を、それぞれ公約の方向性を打ち出す場とすべきだ。

We also think it necessary to again consider what the point of an election manifesto is. A party that is in opposition may not know well how the system works until it takes power. Unpredictable events may occur, such as major disasters and abrupt changes in economic and international situations.
　政権公約とは何なのか、改めて考え直すことも必要ではないか。野党であれば、政権を担当するまで分からないこともあろう。経済、世界情勢の激変や大災害など予見できない事態も起こりうる。

A party in power should flexibly revise or withdraw its policy pledges if its manifesto obviously becomes unrealistic or difficult to achieve.
　公約が現実にそぐわない、あるいは実現困難と判明した段階で、臨機応変に修正、撤回するのが、政権党の仕事である。

Rather, it is preferable to carry out policies that are necessary and serve national interests, even if they run counter to the manifesto. In this instance, reasons for the policy change must be explained to the people.
　たとえマニフェストに反していても、必要な政策、国益に資する政策を実現することは、むしろ望ましい。その際、有権者に対して、政策変更の理由をきちんと説明しなければならない。

Needless to say, it is essential for politicians to deliver on their pledges. But it is insincere to insist on adhering to policies that are no longer useful. It benefits nobody to fall into a trap of "manifesto supremacism."
　政治家にとって、公約順守が大事であることは言うまでもないことだ。だが、用をなさない公約を金科玉条のごとく守ると言い張るのは不誠実だ。「マニフェスト至上主義」に陥ってはならない。

　◆参院選との関係明確に◆

A manifesto is supposed to be part of a cycle: parties try to achieve their stated aims, and voters evaluate the party's level of achievement in the next election. However, the DPJ manifesto has caused fundamental problems in state politics.
　マニフェストは、「政党が実現に努力し、有権者はその達成度を次の選挙で評価する」というサイクルが基本だ。ただし、国政の場合には根本的な問題がある。

===

Problems in DPJ manifesto

The first problem involves a House of Councillors election.
　第一に、参院選との関係だ。

After acknowledging its visions had been overly optimistic, the DPJ revised part of its 2009 election manifesto when it drew up the party's pledges for the 2010 upper house election. In connection with the consumption tax, the 2010 campaign manifesto stated, "Suprapartisan discussions will be started on drastic reform of the tax system, including the consumption tax."
　民主党は、０９年衆院選マニフェストの見通しが甘かったことを認めて、１０年の参院選公約では、その一部を修正した。消費税については「消費税を含む税制抜本改革に関する協議を超党派で開始する」と明記している。

But afterward, the promises for the 2010 election were put to one side and debate focused on the advisability of sticking to the manifesto for the lower house election.
　だが、その後、参院選公約は議論にならず、消費税の記載のない衆院選マニフェストを守るかどうかに焦点が当たっている。

How can the manifesto for a lower house election be tied to campaign pledges for an upper house election? The DPJ must clarify its stance on this point as well as its handling of the pledges for the upper house election in which it suffered a major setback.
　マニフェストと参院選公約はどういう関係にあるのか。参院選で敗北した時の公約の扱いも合わせて位置づけを明確にすべきだ。

A consumption tax increase was a central point of contention in the DPJ presidential election last summer. Noda was elected after clarifying his position in favor of a consumption tax hike. This also marked a policy change by the party.
　昨年夏の民主党代表選で、消費税率引き上げは焦点の一つだった。野田首相は、消費増税を明確にして勝利し、代表に就任した。これも党の大きな政策転換だ。

Voters cast ballots after not only measuring the extent to which a manifesto has been achieved, but also evaluating whether such a policy change is worthwhile.
　国民が選挙で審判を下すのは、マニフェストの達成度だけではなく、こうした政策変更の是非も含む党の姿勢や実績だろう。

===

Diet will stay divided
　◆ねじれ国会が前提だ◆

Secondly, the next lower house election will inevitably be fought on the premise that the Diet will remain divided.
　第二に、次期衆院選は、衆参ねじれ国会を前提とした戦いにならざるを得ないことである。

This is because neither the DPJ nor the LDP holds a majority by itself in the upper house. No matter which party wins the lower house poll, it will need to form a coalition with a party--or parties--with similar policies to form a stable government after the election.
　参院では、民主、自民両党とも単独過半数を得ていない。どちらの党が勝っても、選挙後、政権を安定させるには政策の近い党と連立を組まねばなるまい。

Cooperation from opposition parties will be crucial for achieving policy goals.
　政策を実現するには、野党の協力も欠かせない。

It is natural for parties to advocate their policies in lower house elections, but in view of the likelihood of a coalition government and a divided Diet, it is not realistic to give specific promises, such as setting deadlines for implementing policies.
　衆院選で自党の政策を主張するのは当然だが、連立やねじれの状況を考えれば期限などを具体的に約束するのは現実的ではない。

We urge all parties to compile campaign pledges for the next general election without pursuing populist lines so they can take responsibility for Japan's future.
　次期衆院選の公約は、各党が大衆迎合に走らず、日本の将来に責任を持てるよう作成すべきだ。

Voters, for their part, must understand fully that there are limits to the implementation of campaign pledges.
有権者も、公約には限界があることを十分理解する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 22, 2012)
（2012年8月22日01時51分  読売新聞）

中国反日デモ 邦人の安全確保へ沈静化図れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 22, 2012)
Beijing should ensure safety of Japanese in China
中国反日デモ　邦人の安全確保へ沈静化図れ（8月21日付・読売社説）

Following the illegal landing by Hong Kong activists on one of the Senkaku Islands last week, anti-Japanese demonstrations have spread in China. The Chinese government should quickly take action to calm the situation.
　香港の活動家による尖閣諸島への不法上陸事件を契機に、中国各地で反日デモが拡大している。中国政府は事態の沈静化を急ぐべきである。

Anti-Japanese demonstrators, who support China's territorial claim to the Senkaku Islands, took to the streets in about 25 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, on Sunday. In Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and other cities, demonstrators became violent and smashed the windows of Japanese restaurants.
　尖閣諸島に対する中国の領有権を主張する反日デモは１９日、北京や上海、広州など約２５か所で発生した。広東省深センなどでは、デモ隊が暴徒化して、日本料理店のガラスが壊される事態となった。

The large-scale demonstrations imperil Japanese who live in China. The Chinese government has a weighty responsibility for causing turmoil by tacitly approving the demonstrations. We urge the Chinese authorities to do everything they can to secure the safety of Japanese individuals and companies in the country.
　大規模なデモは、中国で暮らす大勢の邦人を脅かした。デモを事実上黙認し、結果的に混乱を招いた中国政府の責任は重大だ。中国当局は邦人や日系企業の安全確保に万全を期してもらいたい。

The Chinese government obviously is trying to counter Japan's moves over the islands, but at the same time it apparently wants Chinese people to vent their frustrations over economic disparities and other domestic issues through the demonstrations. Some observers say the "anti-Japan card" was used as a tool in the power struggle ahead of the National Congress of the Communist Party of China in autumn in which the Chinese leadership will undergo a complete change.
　中国政府には、対日牽制(けんせい)は無論として、経済格差など国民の不満のガス抜きを図る思惑もあったのだろう。指導部交代が予定される今秋の共産党大会を控え、「反日カード」が権力闘争に使われた、との見方も出ている。

===

Attitude unlikely to change

It is highly likely China's anti-Japan attitude will remain unchanged. The Japanese government needs to respond to the situation while keeping in mind that problems stemming from China's domestic circumstances will continually occur.
　中国の反日姿勢は、今後も変わらない公算が大きい。中国側の事情に基づくトラブルは絶えない、ということを日本政府は肝に銘じ対処していく必要があろう。

The Chinese government criticized the landing by 10 Japanese on Uotsurijima island, one of the Senkaku Islands. However, this criticism is way off the mark. Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae is correct in rebutting the protest by Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua by saying, "The latest move [by Japanese individuals] comes against a backdrop of the landing by Hong Kong activists."
　中国政府は日本人１０人による尖閣諸島・魚釣島上陸を批判した。だが、これはお門違いだ。佐々江賢一郎外務次官が、中国の程永華駐日大使からの抗議に「香港の活動家による上陸が背景にある」と反論したのは当然だ。

What the Japanese government should do first is gradually strengthen the management of the Senkaku Islands. The Tokyo metropolitan government, which plans to purchase three of the islands, has applied to the central government for permission to land on the islands.
　日本政府がまず取り組むべき課題は、尖閣諸島の管理を淡々と強化することである。購入を計画する東京都は、上陸許可を政府に申請している。

It is essential for the central government to steadily put the Senkaku Islands under state control in cooperation with the metropolitan government.
　政府は、都と連携して、国有化を着実に進めることが肝要だ。

===

Territorial protection essential

Aside from a bill to revise the Japan Coast Guard Law, which would allow JCG officers to apprehend criminals on uninhabited islands, it is also an urgent task to develop a system to protect Japanese territory and territorial waters.
　無人島での海上保安官の犯罪検挙を認める海上保安庁法改正案とは別に、領土・領海を守る体制を整備することも急務である。

Akihisa Nagashima, a special adviser to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, said on a TV program that the government "will review territorial patrol operations, including relevant legislation."
　長島昭久首相補佐官は、テレビ番組で「領域警備の体制を法制度も含めて見直す」と述べた。

Jin Matsubara, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, said, "We should treat illegal entry into the country to violate Japan's sovereignty separately from ordinary illegal entry and heavily punish the former illegal entrants."
松原国家公安委員長は「領土主権を侵害する目的の不法入国は、通常の不法入国と区別し、重く罰すべきだ」とも指摘している。

Japan's preparedness for national crises such as unlawful intrusions into its territory is woefully inadequate.
　外部からの不法侵入など国家的な危機への備えはなお脆弱(ぜいじゃく)だ。

Japan had to take this problem to heart on a number of occasions after the incursion of North Korean spy ships in 1999. At that time, The Yomiuri Shimbun proposed "territorial patrol operations" as a new duty for the Self-Defense Forces and that the SDF be commissioned to conduct "guard-and-watch" missions.
　１９９９年の北朝鮮工作船の領海侵犯事件以来、日本はこうした問題点は、幾度となく痛感してきたはずである。当時、読売新聞は「領域警備」を自衛隊の新たな任務とし、警戒監視に当たらせることを提言した。

Illegal landings by anti-Japan organizations, such as in the latest case, may be a frequent occurrence in the future. The government should also consider legislation to beef up territorial patrol operations.
　今回のような反日団体による不法上陸事件は、今後も続発しかねない。領域警備を強化する法制度も検討すべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 21, 2012)
（2012年8月21日02時06分  読売新聞）

原発ゼロ発言 無責任な楽観論を振りまくな

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 21, 2012)
Denuclearization is not a viable option
原発ゼロ発言　無責任な楽観論を振りまくな（8月20日付・読売社説）

It is irresponsible for a Cabinet minister in charge of promoting exports of nuclear power plants as part of Japan's growth strategy to state that the nation's ratio of nuclear power generation to total electricity output should become zero as soon as possible.
　成長戦略として原子力発電所の輸出を推進する担当閣僚が自ら、早期の「原発ゼロ」を主張するのは、あまりに無責任と言えよう。

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano recently visited Vietnam, where Japanese firms have won tentative orders to construct nuclear reactors, and signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government under which Japan would cooperate to create a system necessary for the introduction of nuclear plants.
　枝野経済産業相が、日本メーカーによる原発建設が内定しているベトナムを訪れ、原発の新規導入に必要な制度作りなどに協力することで合意した。

Edano told the media Japan has a responsibility to contribute to the international community by disseminating nuclear safety technology abroad.
　枝野氏は記者団に、日本は原子力の安全技術で国際貢献する責任がある、などと強調した。

Before visiting Vietnam, however, Edano said he believed the ratio of nuclear power generation in Japan's total electricity output "should become zero as soon as possible." Does this mean he will sell nuclear reactors to other countries while abolishing them quickly in his own country? How can he win international trust that way?
　ところが、ベトナム訪問前には、日本の原発比率を「できるだけ早くゼロにした方がいいと思う」と発言していた。原発を他国には売るが、自国は早くゼロにするというのだろうか。これでは国際的な信用は得られまい。

If this nation decides to abolish nuclear power generation, it will not be able to foster nuclear power experts. This means it would not be able to maintain its contribution to Vietnam in terms of nuclear safety. Edano should withdraw his contradictory remarks on denuclearization.
　日本が脱原発を決めれば原子力の技術者は育たず、ベトナムなどへの安全面の貢献も続かない。枝野氏は矛盾だらけの「原発ゼロ発言」を撤回すべきである。

===

Zero option unrealistic

The government has presented to the public three scenarios on the ratio of nuclear power generation in 2030: zero percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent to 25 percent. Without doubt, the most unrealistic among the three is zero percent.
　政府は２０３０年の原発比率について「０％」「１５％」「２０～２５％」という三つの選択肢を示している。このうち、「０％」が最も非現実的なのは明らかだ。

If the ratio were reduced to zero percent, the damage to the Japanese economy would be immense. According to the government's estimate, Japan's gross domestic product would drop by 50 trillion yen.
　政府の試算によると、国内総生産が約５０兆円減少するなど、日本経済への打撃は甚大だ。

The private sector's outlook in this respect is also bleak. The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) warned that the number of unemployed would increase by 2 million under this scenario. The steel industry, which consumes huge amounts of electricity, said this scenario suggests their businesses would have to close as electricity bills could increase up to two times.
　民間の見通しも厳しい。経団連は、失業者が２００万人も増えると警告している。電力多消費産業の鉄鋼業界は、電気料金が最大で約２倍に上がることから、「廃業勧告に等しい」と訴えた。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has instructed ministers concerned to study what challenges the nation would face if the ratio became zero and to work out measures to overcome them. We cannot turn a blind eye to his instructions if they are aimed at arming the government with theories justifying denuclearization.
　野田首相は「０％」とした場合の課題やその克服策の検討を関係閣僚に指示している。原発ゼロを正当化する“理論武装”が狙いとすれば、看過できない。

===

Edano irresponsible

We are extremely worried when we hear casual opinions voiced by some members of the Noda government despite painful calls from the economic sector that Japan can do without nuclear plants.
　懸念されるのは、経済界の悲痛な声をよそに、原発ゼロでも何とかなるとする安易な考えが、政権内に出ていることである。

It is particularly distressing when Edano, a minister responsible for both the stable supply of electricity and industrial development, is spreading such overoptimistic views.
　特に、電力安定供給と産業振興に責任を負う枝野氏が、楽観論を振りまいているのは問題だ。

In saying that zero percent is a viable option, Edano said, "It will rather benefit the economy as long as we do it right."
　枝野氏は「０％」を実現可能な選択肢としたうえで、「やり方を間違えなければ、むしろ経済にプラスだと思う」などと述べた。

He meant it would lead to expansion of domestic demand if renewable energy sources replaced nuclear reactors.
原発の代わりに再生可能エネルギーを導入すれば、内需拡大につながるはず、というのだ。

However, the reality is harsher. Germany has decided to promote renewable energy ahead of Japan, but it has come up against a number of negative factors, such as sharply increased financial burdens on households because of higher electricity bills, and the bankruptcy of German solar panel makers overwhelmed by an influx of lower-priced Chinese products.
　現実はそれほど甘くはない。再生エネで先行したドイツでは電気料金の上昇で家計負担が急増し、太陽光パネルのメーカーが安い中国製に押されて倒産するなど、悪影響が顕在化している。

It is extremely dangerous to decide on an energy strategy that affects the fate of Japan on the basis of such uncertain hopes.
　国の浮沈にかかわるエネルギー戦略を、不確実な期待を根拠に決めるのは、極めて危険である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2012)
（2012年8月20日01時32分  読売新聞）