ＮＳＣ法成立 意義深い与野党の幅広い合意

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 29, 2013
Passage of NSC bill vital development in safeguarding nation’s peace, security
ＮＳＣ法成立　意義深い与野党の幅広い合意（11月28日付・読売社説）

We welcome the passage of a bill designed to establish an organ to play a key role in issuing directives related to our country’s diplomatic relations and national security. This legislation will soon launch a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, with the aim of ensuring the nation’s peace and security and defending its national interests.
　日本の平和と安全を確保し、国益を守るため、政府の外交・安全保障政策の司令塔が誕生することを歓迎したい。

On Wednesday, the Diet enacted the NSC establishment law. Our country’s NSC will be inaugurated in early December. The first task of the soon-to-be-launched command center will be drafting a comprehensive national security strategy, the first of its kind for Japan, while also writing a new version of the National Defense Program Guidelines. This will likely be followed by the launch in January of a national security secretariat that will serve as the NSC’s executive office.
　国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）設置法が成立した。１２月初めに日本版ＮＳＣが創設され、まず初の国家安保戦略と、新しい防衛大綱を策定する。年明けには、事務局の国家安全保障局が発足する見通しだ。

The NSC establishment law was endorsed by the governing coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, as well as the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party. National security policies should be formulated based on suprapartisan consensus. Given this, it is highly significant that more than 90 percent of lawmakers in both Diet chambers united to pass the NSC bill into law.
　設置法には、自民、公明の与党のほか、民主、日本維新の会、みんなの党も賛成した。安保政策は超党派の合意を基に進めるのが望ましい。衆参両院議員の９割超が足並みをそろえた意味は重い。

The envisaged NSC’s central pillar will be a meeting of the prime minister and three key cabinet members—the chief cabinet secretary, the foreign minister and the defense minister. As a general rule, the meeting is to be held once every two weeks, also attended by the deputy prime minister.
　ＮＳＣの中核は、首相、官房長官、外相、防衛相による「４大臣会合」で、副総理も交えて、原則、２週間に１回開かれる。

It is most significant that a new system will be set up, by which the prime minister and relevant cabinet members will meet periodically to discuss important issues related to our country’s security and develop a common view on such matters. Themes will include situations related to China and North Korea, the ongoing realignment of U.S. armed forces in this country and issues related to our territory.
　中国・北朝鮮情勢や在日米軍再編、領土に関する問題などの重要案件について、首相と関係閣僚が定期的に議論し、共通認識を持つ体制を構築する意義は大きい。

The NSC scheme will make it possible for top officials at the Prime Minister’s Office to afford a certain amount of time and energy to address diplomatic and security matters even at a time when the government is confronted by a number of tasks to be tackled at home. This task will be supported by the NSC executive office, which will comprise personnel with professional expertise, including senior Self-Defense Forces members.
　多くの内政課題を抱えている時も、首相官邸が外交・安保案件に一定の時間と精力を充てる。自衛隊の制服組を含め、専門的知見を持つ事務局がこれを支える。

We hope all these arrangements will do much to ensure that diplomatic and security policies are given higher priority and are better formulated.
外交・安保政策の優先度を高め、充実させることにつなげたい。

Ensuring PM takes the lead

It will be necessary to ensure the Prime Minister’s Office takes the lead in determining the direction of security policy, a task that requires eliminating a lack of coordination among pertinent ministries and agencies.
　重要なのは、関係省庁の縦割り行政を排し、首相官邸が政策の方向性を主導することだ。

This can be exemplified by such immediate tasks as responding to China’s recent move to set up an expanded air defense identification zone and the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Seeking solutions to both problems requires cooperative relations among several government ministries and agencies. The NSC will be tested over its ability to coordinate and adjust cooperation among these government offices.
　例えば、当面の課題である中国の防空識別圏や、米軍普天間飛行場の移設の問題などは、複数の省庁の連携が欠かせない。ＮＳＣの総合調整力が試される。

Making appropriate decisions about security issues requires improving the ability of all government organs to gather and analyze information.
　安全保障問題で的確な判断をするには、政府全体の情報収集・分析力の向上が前提となる。

The NSC establishment law states that relevant ministries and agencies are required to supply the new organ with information related to its function. Information to be managed by the NSC will include government secrets whose confidentiality would be tightly guarded under an envisaged law seeking to stiffen penalties on public servants who leak such information.
　設置法は、関係省庁のＮＳＣへの情報提供義務を明記した。ＮＳＣは特定秘密も扱う。

With this in mind, relevant cabinet members must give their ministry personnel instructions necessary for facilitating a smooth information supply.
円滑な情報提供が実現するよう、関係閣僚は官僚に指示せねばならない。

It is also essential that the Diet does not fail to pass the bill designed to prevent the leakage of specified government secrets. The government should also make progress in reforming the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, although it has not done so in connection with the NSC scheme.
　関係国との情報交換を進めるため、情報漏洩(ろうえい)を防ぐ特定秘密保護法案も成立させる必要がある。
　今回は見送られた内閣情報調査室（内調）の改革も進めるべきだ。

Some duties of the NSC and the intelligence and research office may overlap, including analyzing the overseas state of affairs and intelligence regarding acts of international terrorism. The two organizations should promote effective cooperation between them.
ＮＳＣと内調は、海外情勢や国際テロ情報の分析などの業務が重複する可能性がある。効果的な連携体制が求められる。

The Diet has also adopted a resolution supplementary to the NSC establishment law that will require the government to consider producing the minutes of NSC ministerial meetings. This resulted from negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties.
　国会では、与野党協議の結果、ＮＳＣの議事録の作成を検討するとの付帯決議が採択された。

Admittedly, it is necessary to create a system for compiling records regarding how decisions are made about important policy issues, so that each decision-making process could be verified in the future. Nonetheless, whether to produce the minutes of NSC meetings and disclose related information must be considered by putting all relevant government meetings into perspective, including cabinet meetings and conferences attended by cabinet ministers related to the NSC scheme.
　重要政策の決定過程の記録を残し、後世の検証を受ける仕組みは大切である。ただ、議事録や情報公開は、閣議や関係閣僚会議なども含めた政府の会議全体について総合的に検討するのが筋だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 28, 2013)
（2013年11月28日01時34分  読売新聞）

秘密保護法案 指定対象絞り「原則公開」確実に

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 28, 2013
Scope of secrecy must be narrowed; more Diet discussions needed
秘密保護法案　指定対象絞り「原則公開」確実に（11月27日付・読売社説）

　◆参院で文書管理の論議を深めよ

The House of Representatives’ passage of a bill to tighten the confidentiality of specified government information can be regarded as a clear indication that many legislators believe this country needs such legislation comparable to what has already been enacted in other advanced nations.
　日本にも他の先進国と同様の機密保全法制が必要だとの意思が、明確に示されたと言えよう。

The bill is designed to tighten penalties on public servants and others who leak classified information related to national security. On Tuesday, the legislation was laid before a plenary session of the lower house, which approved it with the endorsement of a significant 70 percent of lawmakers in that chamber—those from the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, as well as Your Party and some other legislators. The bill was then forwarded to the House of Councillors for further discussions.
　安全保障に関する機密情報を漏えいした公務員らへの罰則を強化する特定秘密保護法案が、衆院本会議に緊急上程され、自民、公明の与党とみんなの党など議席の７割もの賛成多数で可決、参院に送付された。

Members of the opposition Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) left the chamber before the bill was put to a vote, despite its earlier agreement to support the legislation if some modifications were incorporated into it. Ishin no Kai was antagonized by the governing coalition’s decision to vote on the bill Tuesday instead of going along with its calls for more discussions.
　法案修正で合意していた日本維新の会は採決に反発し、退席した。

Although Ishin no Kai regrettably refused to vote in favor of the bill, we find it commendable that the legislation passed the lower house with the backing of many lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties.
維新の会が賛成票を投じなかったのは残念だが、与野党の枠を超えた多くの支持によって、衆院を通過したことは評価できる。

Japan NSC comes into play
　◆日本版ＮＳＣと両輪だ

Still, debates on revisions to the initial bill—an amendment drafted by the ruling parties, Your Party and Ishin no Kai—were far from sufficient. It is also a stretch to say that public anxiety about the nature of the bill has been laid to rest, as shown by the widespread fear that the legislation could restrict the people’s right to know.
　ただ、与党とみんな、維新がまとめた修正案に対する審議は十分ではない。「知る権利」が制限されることなどへの国民の懸念が払拭されたとも言い難い。

The government and the ruling parties should carefully explain how the envisaged law would be applied in actuality during upper house debates on it, with the aim of gaining broad support for it.
　政府・与党は参院審議で、幅広い支持を目指し、制度の運用のあり方も丁寧に説明すべきだ。

Japan’s security environment has become even more difficult in recent years due to such factors as North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and China’s growing military build-up.
　北朝鮮の核・ミサイル開発や中国の軍備拡大など日本の安全保障環境は厳しさを増している。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had every reason to tell a session of the lower house Special Committee on National Security that “information gathering is critical for defending the safety of the people.”
　衆院国家安全保障特別委員会で、安倍首相が「国民の安全を守るため情報収集が極めて重要だ」と述べたのはもっともだ。

The Abe administration intends to establish a Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council that would play a central role in issuing directives related to Japan’s diplomatic relations and national security. Every nation needs to refine its legal framework to ensure none of its secrets are leaked. This is essential for promoting efforts to exchange and share critical information among allies and friendly powers.
　安倍政権は、外交・安全保障政策の司令塔となる国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）を創設する方針だ。同盟国や友好国と重要情報の交換・共有を進めるには、機密が漏えいしない法制を整えることが必要である。

Given this, the envisaged NSC and legislation for preserving the secrecy of crucial information are inseparable when it comes to the government’s strategic decision-making function.
　日本版ＮＳＣと機密保全法制は、政府の戦略的な意思決定に欠かせない車の両輪と言える。

The most contentious issue debated in connection with the bill was how the government would actually apply the envisaged law. During debates in the lower house, legislators said it would be impossible to dispel the anxiety that the government could arbitrarily expand the scope of information to be designated under the legislation, thus making it possible to keep concealing such secrets.
　法案を巡る最大の論点は、政府が恣意(しい)的に秘密指定を拡大し、都合の悪い情報を秘匿し続けるという懸念が拭えないことだった。

The prime minister brushed off that assertion as a mistaken notion about the bill. He insisted that the legislation would be used as a multilayered system by which the government would be prevented from making arbitrary decisions about designating information as secret. Steps to be taken for that purpose include limiting the scope of designation to items stated in a table attached to the bill, and setting standards for secrecy designation based on the opinions of experts.
　首相は、それを誤解だとし、指定範囲が法案の別表に限定され、かつ指定基準も有識者の意見に基づくなど恣意性を排除する「重層的な仕組み」だと主張した。

Information to be classified under the legislation would be removed—as a general rule—from the list of secrets 30 years after its designation. The modified bill stipulates the term of designation for each secret could be renewed by consent of the cabinet, but that the ultimate period would not exceed 60 years, except for areas of critical importance, including secret codes used by the government and sources of confidential information.
　特定秘密は原則３０年で解除される。内閣の承認を得て指定が継続されたとしても、暗号や情報源など７項目の例外を除いて「６０年は超えられない」と修正された。

The prime minister told the lower house that information whose designation period could be extended beyond 30 years would be limited, as a general rule, to these seven areas.
　首相は、３０年を超えて指定を継続する情報は「７項目に限ることを基本とする」とも表明した。

Debates on the bill in the lower house certainly did much to clarify the government’s thinking about how to apply the law, and also imposed tighter limits on the duration of secrecy designation.
　審議を通じて、政府の考え方が明確になり、指定期間もより限定的になったのは確かだろう。

Fend off arbitrary judgment
　◆恣意的判断の排除を

Nonetheless, bureaucratic organizations, with their ingrained principle of not rocking the boat, are expected to broaden the range of documents subject to protection as specifically designated secrets and become more cautious about declassifying them.
　それでも官僚機構は、「事なかれ主義」の発想で秘密指定の対象を拡大し、解除にも慎重になることが予想される。

Presently, the government possesses about 420,000 documents containing specially managed secrets. Ninety percent of these documents are said to be related to Japan’s information-gathering satellites. The government should narrow down the range of classified information to be protected when it transfers documents into the category of specifically designated secrets.
　現在、政府が保有する特別管理秘密文書は４２万件に上っている。その９割は日本の情報収集衛星に関する情報だというが、特定秘密に移行する際は、さらに対象範囲を絞る努力をすべきである。

If the number of specifically designated secrets grows too large, it would be physically difficult to check every piece of classified information and to declassify them should “the heads of administrative organizations” be replaced through a change of government or a cabinet reshuffle. It is important to work out a structure that prevents bureaucrats from hanging on to specifically designated secrets for too long.
　特定秘密が大量になれば、政権交代や内閣改造によって「行政機関の長」が代わっても、秘密指定をいちいちチェックし、解除することは、物理的に難しい。官僚が特定秘密を抱え込まない仕組みを工夫することも肝要だ。

During a Diet session, Abe went so far as to say the government should establish a “third-party body” that would examine the appropriateness of the designation of documents branded as secret. He referred to such organizations as the Information Security Oversight Office within the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
　秘密指定の妥当性を検証する「第三者機関」設置について、首相は、米国の国立公文書館にある情報保全監督局などを参考に、「設置すべきだと考えている」と踏み込んだ答弁をした。

It would be unreasonable for specifically designated secrets to be examined by people outside the organization. It would also give rise to the danger of information leaks. If a third-party organization is to be set up, it would be proper to have an internal unit within an administrative organization do the job, modeled on the setup in the United States.
　部外者が特定秘密をチェックするのは無理がある。情報漏れのリスクも生じる。第三者機関を設けるならば、米国にならって、行政の内部組織の方が適切だ。

According to the modified bill, all secret documents that have been declassified “are to be made public, in principle” after a certain period. This modification is an improvement that will enable future generations to examine these documents.
　修正案で、秘密が解除された情報は一定期間後に「原則公開」とされ、後世の検証が可能になるように改善されたと見ていい。

How such documents should be made public, stored or destroyed are major issues to be resolved. The Democratic Party of Japan asserted that certain rules should be established on information disclosure so that courts will be able to look at specific documents when handling a lawsuit that involves classified information. We think this proposal has some merit.
　文書の公開や保存、廃棄のあり方は大きな課題となる。民主党が主張するように情報公開のルールを整備し、機密を巡る訴訟で裁判所が対象文書を見ることを可能にするのも一案ではないか。

As to the Diet’s involvement in specifically designated secrets, the ruling and opposition parties should stipulate such matters as the management of closed meetings through lawmaker-initiated legislation.
　国会の特定秘密への関与については、与野党が秘密会の運営など議員立法で規定すべきだ。

Protecting ‘right to know’
　◆「知る権利」どう担保

The bill also clearly gave some consideration to the freedom of news gathering and reporting. We welcome the fact that news gathering activity by people in the media will not be considered a crime unless it is conducted illegally or extremely improperly.
　法案には、取材・報道の自由への配慮が明記された。報道関係者の取材行為は違法または著しく不当でない限り、罪に問われないとした点は前向きに評価できる。

Some opposition parties have been up in arms and claimed this bill “will cover the people’s eyes and ears and muzzle their mouths” and “control the state’s information and silence any criticism of the Japan-U.S. alliance.” But such fears are off the mark.
　一部の野党がこの法案を「国民の目と耳、口をふさぐ」「国家の情報を統制し、日米同盟への批判を封じ込める」と声高に非難しているが、これは的外れである。

That being said, there is a danger that public servants will become so afraid of leaks that they will reject requests for interviews, making it harder for the media to share necessary information with the public.
　だが、公務員が萎縮して取材に応じず、報道機関が必要な情報を伝えられなくなる恐れは残る。

How should the protection of classified information for national security be balanced with the people’s “right to know”? This topic also needs in-depth discussion in the upper house.
　安全保障のための機密保全と、「知る権利」のバランスをどうとっていくか。この問題も参院で掘り下げるべきテーマだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 27, 2013)
（2013年11月27日02時13分  読売新聞）

大統領夫人からメールが

Kiyoshi --

Barack and I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving, and that includes people like you who've been by our side, working for change right from the beginning.

Because of your hard work, passion, and dedication, we have accomplished so much over this past year. We've continued to create jobs and rebuild our economy. We've cut carbon pollution so we can preserve our environment. We've witnessed historic victories for equality across the country, all the way to the Supreme Court. And soon, millions of Americans will finally have access to quality, affordable health care -- many for the first time.

Before we all celebrate with our personal traditions tomorrow, I want to start a new one -- I'm hoping that you'll take a moment to share what you're thankful for this year:

http://my.barackobama.com/Give-Thanks

OFA will be gathering some of these notes and sharing them on BarackObama.com. I can't wait to see what you have to say.

Thanks so much for everything you're doing -- and from our family to yours, happy Thanksgiving.

Michelle

P.S. -- As you spend time with loved ones this holiday season, be sure to talk with them about what health care reform can mean for them -- OFA has some tips to help get the ball rolling.

法人税減税 競争力強化へ具体策を詰めよ

国民には消費税値上げで負担を強い、大企業には法人税減税をほどこす。
税収を狙うんだったら、法人税も１０％切り上げすれば良いと思います。
国際競争力の強化を理由にする法人税減税政策にはうんざりします。
減税で儲けた分、企業の内部留保に回されるのは歴史が証明しています。
企業が海外にどんどん出ていくことは望ましいことです。
大量の日本人スタッフを派遣すれば、失業対策にもなります。
海外からの投資家はすでに活躍しています。
東証で荒稼ぎしているではありませんか。

＞国内企業の７割超が法人税を払っていない点も問題である。
大企業優遇政策であることが判明しました＾＾。

（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 27, 2013
Tax changes should boost companies’ competitiveness to promote growth
法人税減税　競争力強化へ具体策を詰めよ（11月26日付・読売社説）

Reducing the corporate tax rate is an effective way to enhance the competitiveness of Japanese companies and reinforce the foundations for national economic growth.
　企業の競争力を高め、日本経済の成長基盤を強化するには、法人税率の引き下げが有効だ。

At the instruction of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tax system talks on further reducing corporate tax have gotten into full swing between the government and the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　安倍首相の指示を受けて、一層の税率引き下げを巡る政府と自民、公明両党の税制協議が本格化している。

Their commitment to a growth strategy will be tested by how far they go in presenting a specific course of action.
どこまで具体的な方向性を示せるか。成長戦略への姿勢が問われよう。

In Tokyo, the effective corporate tax rate, when national and local taxes are combined, stands at about 38 percent. Even if the special reconstruction corporate tax—temporarily imposed on companies to finance post-disaster reconstruction projects—is excluded, companies still face corporate tax up to about 36 percent, which is much higher than the rates in European and other Asian countries, where it is mostly in the 20 percent range.
　法人税の実効税率は、東京都の場合、国税と地方税合わせて約３８％だ。一時的に上乗せされている復興特別法人税を除いても約３６％となり、２０％台が多い欧州やアジアの国々と比べて高い。

As long as the corporate tax remains high, not only will much of the vitality of Japanese companies be lost, but the hollowing out of industry—companies moving production overseas to avoid the high cost of operating in Japan— may accelerate. The high tax will also have an adverse impact on employment and wages. Furthermore, to attract investment from abroad, a further reduction in the corporate tax rate is urgently needed.
　高税率のままでは企業の活力を奪うばかりか、海外移転などで国内空洞化を加速させかねない。雇用や賃金にも悪影響が及ぶ。海外から投資を呼び込むためにも、一層の引き下げが急がれる。

Abe’s intention of improving the competitive environment for companies and adding impetus to the growth of the national economy is quite appropriate.
　企業の競争環境を改善し、日本の成長に弾みをつけようとする首相の狙いは適切だ。

More than a few ruling party members take a cautious view about having ordinary households bear a heavier burden due to the consumption tax increase set for next spring, while reducing the corporate tax at the same time.
　与党内には、来春の消費税率の引き上げで家計に負担を強いる一方、企業課税を軽くすることに慎重な意見も少なくない。

But it would be more beneficial to create a virtuous circle in which the invigoration of companies would have a ripple effect that would benefit households through wage hikes and other improvements.
　だが、企業活性化が賃上げなどを通じて、家計にも波及する好循環を目指すことが有益だろう。

Seek new revenue sources

A cut of even one percentage point in the corporate tax rate is projected to reduce government revenue by about ¥400 billion. Therefore, one significant remaining hurdle is finding a tax revenue source to make up for the shortfall.
　ハードルとなるのが、１％の引き下げで約４０００億円とされる法人税減税の財源確保策だ。

As the fiscal situation is harsh, the tax base must be broadened so as to collect taxes from a wider range of companies.
　財政事情が厳しいだけに、より幅広い企業から税収を得る課税ベースの拡大が避けられまい。

Special policy measures to reduce corporate taxes on specific sectors of industry have a worth totaling about ¥7 trillion. As these measures vest interests in certain companies and industries, many criticize them as unfair. It is also argued that the policy effects of these steps are uncertain.
　政策目的のために特定業種の法人税などを軽減する租税特別措置（租特）は約７兆円に上る。一部企業や業界の既得権益となり、不公平だとの批判が多い。政策効果が不透明だという指摘もある。

The government and the ruling parties should consider abolishing the special tax-cut measures deemed to have outlived their intended purpose, and cutting the scale of measures whose effect has been lessened.
　租特のうち、役割を終えた制度の廃止や、効果が薄れた制度の縮減などを検討すべきだろう。

The fact that more than 70 percent of domestic companies do not pay corporate taxes is also problematic.
　国内企業の７割超が法人税を払っていない点も問題である。

One possible idea is to review the system of carrying forward net operating losses, under which companies can reduce their tax expense by applying net operating losses from the past several years to the current year’s profit. With this option it would be possible to have more companies pay their fair share of taxes.
　長期間にわたって、過去の損失を利益から差し引ける繰越欠損金制度を見直し、多くの企業に相応の税負担を求めるのは一案だ。

The abolition of the special corporate tax for post-disaster reconstruction one year earlier than initially planned, as worked out by the government, is also an important topic for talks by the ruling parties.
　政府が打ち出した復興特別法人税の１年前倒し廃止案も、与党の重要な協議テーマである。

The one-year difference will cut tax revenues by ¥900 billion, lessening the burden on companies.
前倒し廃止により、９０００億円規模の税負担軽減が見込まれる。

However, a shortage of funds needed for reconstruction projects because of this measure must be avoided. The government and ruling parties have to clearly state an alternative revenue source and win the understanding of the people so as not to hinder the rebuilding effort.
　ただ、そのために、復興財源が不足する事態は避けるべきだ。復興に支障をきたさぬよう、政府・与党は代替財源を明示し、国民の理解を得なければならない。

Also needed is for companies to use their accumulated internal reserves to make their own efforts. We hope to see the reinforcement of a strategy in which surplus funds at companies are used effectively and help rejuvenate the national economy.
　内部留保を手元に積み上げてきた企業の自助努力も求められる。余剰資金を投資に有効活用し、日本経済再生に寄与する戦略を強化してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 26, 2013)
（2013年11月26日01時45分  読売新聞）

米軍爆撃機２機が飛行 事前通報なし 中国スクランブルなし

米軍爆撃機２機が飛行　事前通報なし　中国スクランブルなし

2013.11.27 09:02 ［米国］

米空軍のＢ５２戦略爆撃機（ロイター＝共同）

　【ワシントン＝青木伸行】米国防総省によると、米軍のＢ５２爆撃機２機が日本時間２６日（米東部時間２５日夜）、中国が東シナ海上空に設定した防空識別圏内を事前通報なしに飛行した。中国側から２機に対する呼びかけや戦闘機の緊急発進（スクランブル）はなかった。

　２機はグアムのアンダーセン空軍基地を離陸し、防空識別圏内に入った。尖閣諸島（沖縄県石垣市）の上空周辺を飛行し、圏内での飛行時間は１時間未満。爆弾などは搭載しておらず、護衛機も伴っていなかった。

　爆撃機はその後、アンダーセン基地に帰還した。国防総省は以前から予定されていた飛行訓練としている。

　米政府はこれまで、（１）防空識別圏を認めない（２）飛行経路の事前通報や無線の開放など、中国が要求する措置には応じない（３）米国の軍事作戦遂行に一切変更はない－との立場を明確にしている。

　爆撃機の飛行は、こうした米国の姿勢と日米同盟の強固さを誇示する明確な示威行動であり、中国を強く牽制（けんせい）するものだ。同時に米軍機が防空識別圏に侵入し飛行した際の中国側の出方を探る狙いもある。

このニュースの写真

関連ニュース

• 【中国防空識別圏】日本政府、韓台ＡＳＥＡＮと共同で自制・撤廃要求へ
• 【正論】国際法が許さぬ中国防空識別圏　前防衛相、拓殖大学特任教授・森本敏 
• 【中国防空識別圏】国内航空各社は飛行計画提出取り止め
• 【中国防空識別圏】中国の主張は国際規範違反　菅氏「言葉をそのまま返したい」
• 【中国防空識別圏】米、中国の要求一蹴　「経路通報など措置取らぬ」

戦争ですか＾＾

米、中国の要求一蹴　「経路通報など措置取らぬ」

2013.11.26 22:28 （1/2ページ）［米国］

　【ワシントン＝青木伸行】米国防総省のウォレン報道部長は２５日、中国が尖閣諸島（沖縄県石垣市）を含む東シナ海上空に設定した防空識別圏を認めず、中国側の要求には応じないとの方針を強調した。譲歩すれば、尖閣諸島などへの中国空軍の浸透を許すことになるためだ。米国内では、厳しい対中政策を求める論調も出ている。

　ウォレン氏は中国側が、米軍などの航空機が飛行する際、経路の通報など４点を要求していると指摘した。そのうえで「われわれは識別圏を飛行する際、（中国に）飛行計画を提出せず、無線周波数などを認識させることもしない。米軍機は（中国が求める）措置を一切取ることなく飛行できる」と強調した。

　さらに「米軍は（日本などの）同盟国との軍事行動も含め、行動を変更するつもりはない。われわれは常に自衛能力を保持している」と警告した。

　一方、アーネスト米大統領副報道官も大統領専用機内で記者団に、防空識別圏の設定は「不必要に挑発的なものだ」と重ねて批判した。そのうえで「地域での争いは外交的に解決されなくてはならない」と、中国に自制を求めた。

　２３日にはケリー国務長官らが、中国を批判する声明を出している。だが、国務省の中国担当だったジョン・カシック氏は、ケリー長官が中国の新たな措置に対し、「反対する」ではなく「支持しない」としたことを「穏やかな非難で、中国はこの反応を（米国の）『弱さ』だと受け止めるだろう」と批判している。

　米軍事専門紙「ディフェンス・ニュース」のウェンデル・ミニック記者は「中国は、米国が友好的なときに新たな措置を実施する傾向がある。防空識別圏の設定は米国の気の緩みを、明らかに計算してのことだ」との見解を示している。

　一方、防空識別圏の設定は、安倍晋三政権にとり、防衛力を強化する上では「追い風」になるとの見方も出ている。

【中国防空識別圏】 国内航空各社は飛行計画提出取り止め

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関連ニュース

• 【中国防空識別圏】安全運航と政府方針の間で航空会社板挟み
• 【中国防空識別圏】「相応の措置」と中国大使 
• 【中国防空識別圏】６割が「実弾攻撃すべきだ」　中国で世論調査
• 【中国防空識別圏】官房長官、米高官と協力対処確認
• 【中国防空識別圏】政府、安保会議を開催、対応を協議

 

ＣＯＰ１９閉幕 国際協調で温暖化対策を前へ

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 26, 2013
Push ahead measures to tackle climate change with international cooperation
ＣＯＰ１９閉幕　国際協調で温暖化対策を前へ（11月25日付・読売社説）

Due to the conflicting interests of developed and developing countries, including emerging economies, the just-concluded discussions on climate change made hardly any progress. The latest U.N. talks on the issue vividly demonstrated the difficulties facing the international effort to tackle global warming.
　先進国と、新興国を含む途上国の利害がぶつかり、議論が進まない。地球温暖化対策の現状が如実に示された。

The 19th Conference on Climate Change (COP19) has ended in Warsaw. The participants extended the meeting by one day, managing to prevent it from breaking down.
　ワルシャワで開かれていた国連気候変動枠組み条約の第１９回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１９）が閉幕した。会期を１日延長し、決裂だけは回避した。

A new greenhouse gas reduction framework to replace the Kyoto Protocol is to be implemented in 2020. By when should the participating countries submit their voluntary greenhouse gas emission targets for the years beyond 2020? As to this major point of contention, the participants agreed on a final draft of their joint communique that encourages their governments to present their targets in 2015.
　京都議定書に代わる新たな枠組みは、２０２０年に発効予定だ。各国は温室効果ガスの２０年以降の自主的な削減目標をいつまでに提出するか。最大の焦点について、「１５年に提出することを奨励する」との最終案が合意に達した。

While advanced countries had tried to put a specific process in motion to build a new framework, developing countries opposed specifying the timing. It can be said that both sides went as far as they could in reaching the agreement. The negotiations on a new framework have a tough road ahead.
　新たな枠組みへの具体的な道筋を着けようとする先進国に対し、途上国は時期の明示に反発した。ぎりぎりの線での合意だったと言えよう。新たな枠組みを巡る交渉の前途は多難である。

Recent spates of climate catastrophes such as the occurrence of super typhoons are said to be caused by global warming. When the delegation from the Philippines, which was hit hard by Typhoon No. 30, appealed for an immediate increase in efforts to tackle global warming, the appeal won the sympathy of other countries.
　巨大台風の頻発など、このところの気候異変は、地球温暖化に起因しているとも言われる。台風３０号による甚大な被害を受けたフィリピンの交渉団が「すぐに行動を」と温暖化対策の前進を訴えると、各国の共感を呼んだ。

Developing nations want help

While sharing a sense of crisis over global warming, developing countries repeatedly asserted that advanced countries should proactively support them because of their weak financial position. They did so because they believe the advanced countries are responsible for global warming, as they have emitted a massive amount of greenhouse gas with their industrial production.
　温暖化の危機感は共有しつつ、途上国側は、先進国が資金力に乏しい途上国を積極的に支援すべきだと主張し続けた。温暖化を招いた責任は、生産活動で温室効果ガスを大量に排出してきた先進国にあるとの理由からだ。

Indeed, it will be necessary to extend a certain amount of support to developing countries that cannot afford to take measures to deal with environmental issues on their own.
　環境対策に手が回らない途上国に、一定の支援は必要だろう。

On the other hand, we should not forget the reality that the total amount of emissions from developing countries as a whole has topped the total amount for advanced countries now. It was quite reasonable for advanced countries, including Japan, to call on developing countries to adopt the stance of reducing emissions on their own initiative.
　一方で、途上国全体の排出量が今や、先進国を上回っていることを忘れてはならない。途上国にも主体的に排出量を減らす姿勢が求められる、とする日本など先進国側の主張はもっともだ。

In particular, such emerging economies as China—the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gas—need to assume their fair share of responsibility for reducing the emissions.
　特に、世界一の排出国である中国など新興国は、排出削減に応分の責任を負う必要がある。

Environment Minister Nobuteru Ishihara emphasized at the COP19 conference that the new framework should be fair and effective and be applied to all countries. It is vital to firmly maintain this course of action.
　石原環境相はＣＯＰ１９で、新たな枠組みについて、「公平で実効性があり、すべての国に適用される内容でなければならない」と強調した。この方向性を堅持していくことが肝要である。

At the conference, the Japanese government expressed its new goal of “reducing its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 3.8 percent from the fiscal 2005 level by the end of fiscal 2020,” a target that drew criticism from other countries as being too low.
　日本政府は「２０年度までに０５年度比３・８％削減」という目標を表明したが、各国から「削減率が低すぎる」との批判を浴びた。

Yet the 3.8 percent cut is a numerical value set at a time when none of the nation’s nuclear power stations, which do not emit any carbon dioxide when generating electricity, are operating.
　しかし、「３・８％減」は、発電時に二酸化炭素を排出しない原子力発電所が一つも稼働していない現状での数値だ。

The government should expedite its efforts to work out a basic energy plan that specifies a future ratio of nuclear power generation. It is important for the government to raise the emissions reduction target by the end of 2020 based on such a basic plan and to make steady progress in setting a realistic target for the years beyond 2020.
　政府は、原発の将来的な比率を明示したエネルギー基本計画の策定を急ぐべきだ。その上で、２０年までの削減目標の上積みと、２０年以降の現実的な目標の設定を着実に進めることが重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 25, 2013)
（2013年11月25日01時17分  読売新聞）

猪瀬氏に５０００万 「個人の借り入れ」は通らない

企業は何故政治献金をするのか？
見返りがあるからです。
政治献金は法律で禁止すべきだと思います。
そうしない限り自民党の特定企業中心優遇政策は続きます。
お金があればなんでもしても良いというわけではありません。
1票は1票なんです。
大卒でも小学卒でも。
タイではそれを問題にしているようですが、それはエリート意識というものです。
タイからロンドンのオックスフォード大学に留学している子女たちのエリート意識には、唖然とさせられます。
タイに戻って政界に入ったら、農民や貧困層無視の政策を展開するのでしょう。
それでも1票は1票なんです。
（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 25, 2013
Inose's explanation of why he took Tokushukai funds defies common sense
猪瀬氏に５０００万　「個人の借り入れ」は通らない（11月24日付・読売社説）

In a development that left many scratching their heads, Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose was found to have received ¥50 million from the Tokushukai medical group—under investigation by prosecutors for suspected election law violations—just before the December Tokyo gubernatorial race, in which he was elected to the post for the first time.
　極めて不自然な現金の授受である。
　昨年１２月の東京都知事選で初当選した猪瀬直樹知事が、強制捜査を受けた医療グループ「徳洲会」側から選挙前に５０００万円を受け取っていた。

According to his accounts, Inose visited Torao Tokuda, a former House of Representatives member and the founder of Tokushukai, in November last year to solicit support for his election bid, shortly after which the hospital group offered to provide funds to Inose. He received the ¥50 million directly from Takeshi Tokuda, the second son of Torao and a lower house member, at the Diet members’ building.
　猪瀬知事は昨年１１月、グループ創業者の徳田虎雄・元衆院議員を訪ね、知事選への支援を要請した。その後、徳洲会側から資金提供に応じるとの申し出があり、次男の徳田毅衆院議員から議員会館で５０００万円を渡されたという。

What was the purpose of the funds?
　現金の趣旨は何だったのか。

If they were meant for election campaigning, Inose was required to declare the ¥50 million in a campaign funds report, in accordance with the Public Offices Election Law. But there was no mention of the funds from Tokushukai in Inose’s report.
　選挙運動のためであれば、公職選挙法に基づき、選挙運動費用収支報告書に記載しなければならない。知事の収支報告書に５０００万円の記載はない。

At a press conference, the governor said, “I personally borrowed the funds because I worried my savings would be wiped out due to election campaigning.” He is apparently claiming that because the funds from Tokushukai were not for his election campaign, his conduct did not violate the election law.
　知事は記者会見で「選挙活動で預金が底をつくかも分からず、個人として借りた」と述べた。選挙資金ではないから、公選法に抵触しないとの主張だろう。

It is, however, only natural to assume he received the cash with the view of possibly using it for election campaigning as it was just before the start of official campaigning for the Tokyo race when he asked Tokuda to support his candidacy.
　だが、選挙運動に充てる可能性もあったと解釈するのが自然ではないか。支援を要請したのは告示が間近に迫った時期だった。

Inose said he gave an IOU to Tokuda, but what exactly he scribbled down on the note is unknown, although he claimed the money was a no-interest, no-collateral loan. It was nonetheless a monetary transaction that is far from the social norm.
　借用書を渡したと語ったものの、記載内容は明確でない。５０００万円は無利子、無担保だったという。常識からかけ離れた現金のやり取りだったと言えよう。

Disclosure came late

Even if it was a personal loan, as Inose claims, there is a problem. Although a metropolitan government ordinance requires the governor to report any loans, if any, in an asset disclosure statement, Inose did not do so. He revised the statement only after the scandal came to light Friday.
　猪瀬知事が主張するように、個人の借り入れだったとしても問題はある。都条例は、借入金などを資産報告書に記載するよう義務付けているが、知事は記載していなかった。問題が発覚した２２日になって、資産報告書を訂正した。

The timing of his returning the money also stokes suspicion. The governor returned the money in full in late September right after the special investigation squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office searched Tokushukai’s Tokyo headquarters and other locations, suspecting violations of the election law.
　返済時期も不自然である。知事は、東京地検特捜部が公選法違反容疑で徳洲会東京本部などの強制捜査に乗り出した直後の今年９月下旬、全額を返していた。

“I told them I would return the money in January or February, but I never got around to it,” Inose explained. But it is hard not to suspect he returned the money hastily as the investigation unfolded.
　知事は「今年１～２月に返すと伝えたが、チャンスがなかった」と説明している。捜査の進展を受け、慌てて返済したのではないかとの疑念はぬぐえない。

The metropolitan and prefectural governors have the authority to grant permission to open hospitals and supervise them after they open. 　都道府県知事は病院などの開設を許可する権限を持つ。開設後も指導監督する立場にある。

There are a number of hospitals and nursing homes for the elderly run by Tokushukai in Tokyo, but Inose denied providing any quid pro quos to the medical group for receiving the money—an act, in the first place, showing his lack of consciousness about social norms.
　都内には徳洲会グループの病院と介護老人保健施設が存在する。猪瀬知事は、徳洲会側への便宜供与を否定したが、そもそも資金の受領自体、規範意識に欠ける。

The governor is playing a central role in preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. We regret that this scandal has poured cold water on the festive mood of hosting the sports extravaganza.
　都知事は、２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの開催準備で、中心的役割を担う。今回の問題が、せっかくの五輪ムードに水を差したのは残念である。

If the scandal is prolonged, it could have negative ramifications on his management of the Tokyo metropolitan government. He must urgently give every possible explanation to convince doubters.
　問題が長引けば、都政にも支障を来しかねない。知事は早急に説明を尽くすべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 24, 2013)
（2013年11月24日01時49分  読売新聞）

秘密保護法案 与野党の修正案は評価できる

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 24, 2013
Modified bill to protect specially designated secrets deserves credit
秘密保護法案　与野党の修正案は評価できる（11月23日付・読売社説）

The Liberal Democratic Party and its ruling coalition partner New Komeito have agreed separately with the major opposition parties Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party on modifications of a bill aimed at strengthening the protection of specially designated state secrets. The bill is intended to stiffen penalties for public servants who leak such information.
　自民、公明両党が、安全保障の機密情報を漏らした国家公務員らの罰則を強化する特定秘密保護法案について、日本維新の会、みんなの党とそれぞれ法案の修正で一致した。

This legal arrangement is essential for the envisioned Japanese version of the U.S. National Security Council, which will serve as the headquarters for Japan’s security strategy, to function well. The ruling coalition was right to discuss the matter over and over with the opposition parties without forcing its way with its dominant number of lawmakers.
　安全保障戦略の司令塔となる国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）が機能するために欠かせない法制である。与党が数で押し切るのではなく、野党と協議を重ね、合意したことは評価したい。

If Ishin no Kai and Your Party take office, they will also have to designate such secrets and rescind the designations. Thus, it is important that both ruling and opposition parties work together to create the system.
　維新の会やみんなの党も、政権を担えば、秘密の指定や解除に携わる。安全保障に関する分野で、与野党が協力し合って制度を構築することの意義は大きい。

The modifications are designed to enhance information management by the Cabinet through such measures as allowing the prime minister to supervise the secrecy designations and report them to a panel of experts to seek their opinions. The revisions also call for ministries and agencies to lose the authorization to make such designations if they do not exercise it within five years after the secrecy protection law takes effect.
　修正内容は、首相が特定秘密の指定を監督し、有識者会議に報告して意見を聴くなど、内閣による情報管理を強めた。法施行から５年経(た)っても特定秘密がない府省は、指定の権限を失う。

The bill initially stipulated that the period of confidentiality would be up to five years and would be renewable, and that the period could be extended to 30 years or longer with Cabinet approval. However, a stipulation that the period cannot exceed 60 years has been added to the revised bill. Exceptions for this are limited to highly sensitive information in seven categories, such as secret codes, defense equipment and information sources.
　上限５年で更新可能という特定秘密の「有効期間」は、３０年を超えても内閣が承認すれば延長できるとなっていたが、「６０年は超えられない」と書き加えた。例外は、暗号や防衛装備、人的情報源など７項目に限られる。

The revised bill also stipulates that all the documents not designated as secrets beyond 30 years should be transferred to the National Archives of Japan.
　３０年超の延長が認められなかった文書は、すべて国立公文書館に移管することも条文化された。

Revisions ease some concerns

It is questionable whether the prime minister’s intended greater role will prove workable. However, it appears to be appropriate that the revised bill stipulates specially classified secrets will eventually be made public “in principle” while referring to exceptions and a system to archive key government documents.
　首相の関与強化が実効性を伴うものになるかどうか、疑問もある。だが、「原則公開」とその例外項目、重要文書の保存を明確にしたのは適切な判断だ。

To some extent, the modifications likely will dispel concerns that the government may arbitrarily increase the subjects for designation as secrets and permanently conceal information inconvenient to it from the public.
　政府が、特定秘密の対象を恣意(しい)的に拡大したり、都合の悪い情報を永久に秘匿したりしかねないといった懸念は、一定程度払拭されるのではないか。

The ruling parties have also included a supplemental provision in the bill that calls on the government to consider setting up a third-party body to check the appropriateness of the designations.
　秘密指定の妥当性をチェックする「第三者機関」については、検討することを付則に明記した。

We understand that this provision is meant to keep the government in check by a third party. But questions have been raised over whether outsiders would be able to make appropriate decisions considering the massive amount of highly sensitive information that affects national security. If more people gain access to such secrets, the risk of leaks is expected to rise.
　第三者によって、政府を牽制(けんせい)しようという趣旨はわかる。だが、安全保障の機微に触れる、専門性の高い大量の情報を部外者が的確に判断できるのか。特定秘密に関与する人が多くなれば、情報漏えいのリスクは増すだろう。

Unless the composition of the panel and how it will work are determined carefully, such a body could become a mere facade.
　起用する人材や仕組みをよほど慎重に考えないと、形骸化した組織になる恐れがある。

The Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, has decided to oppose the secret protection bill unless the ruling parties accept its proposals.
　民主党は、独自の対案が受け入れられなければ、特定秘密保護法案に反対する方針を決めた。

The DPJ proposes a narrower scope of specially classified secrets and sets the period of confidentiality at 30 years in principle. It also seeks a penalty of imprisonment of less than five years for violators of the law. As for the provision of such state secrets to the Diet, the DPJ says it would address the issue by amending the Diet Law. Such proposals are worth considering.
　民主党の対案は、秘密の範囲をより限定し、指定期間は原則３０年、罰則を懲役５年以下などと規定している。国会への秘密提供については、国会法の改正で対応するとした。検討に値しよう。

Both ruling and opposition parties are urged to make efforts to deepen discussions on the matter.
　与野党間で、さらに議論を深める努力をすべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 23, 2013)
（2013年11月23日01時56分  読売新聞）

国際世論を高めて、中国独自の東シナ海防空識別圏を撤回してもらいましょう

2013年11月23日 20:55 (時事通信社)

対日エスカレートの意図なし＝中国

　【北京時事】北京の日本大使館によると、堀之内秀久駐中国公使は２３日、中国が尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海に防空識別圏を設定したことを受け、薛剣・中国外務省参事官に対し「日本側としては全く受け入れることはできない」と厳重抗議を行った。薛参事官は「中国の国防の必要から行われたもので、対日関係をエスカレートさせる意図はない」と述べた。　

著作権は時事通信社に属します。
© 2013 JIJI PRESS LTD. All Rights Reserved.

こう言わないと、本国に帰ったら罰せられるのでしょう

2013年11月24日 11:11 (サーチナ)

中国公使、防空識別圏への日本の抗議に「四の五の言うな」

　中国メディア・環球網は23日、中国による防空識別圏設置に日本政府が抗議を申し出たことについて、駐日公使が「その場で却下した」と報じた。

　記事は、23日に日本の伊原純一外務省アジア太平洋局長が中国大使館の韓志強駐日公使に対して「中国が設定した東シナ海の防空識別圏には尖閣諸島空域が含まれている。これに対して抗議する」と語ったと伝えた。

　そのうえで、韓公使が「その場で日本側の抗議申し出を却下した」とし、尖閣諸島は「中国の領土」であり、その空域は中国の領空であると強調するとともに「日本に四の五の言う権利はない」とコメントしたと伝えた。

　さらに、韓公使が「中国政府が設定した防空識別圏は、国家の主権、領土、領空の安全を守るためのものであり、特定の国や目標を定めたものでも、関連空域の通過の自由に影響するものでもない」と語ったことを紹介した。（編集担当：今関忠馬）

著作権はSBIサーチナ株式会社に属します。
© 2013 SBI Searchina Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

中国にここまでなめられて平気なのか！

日本政府が中国に厳重抗議　防空識別圏設定で　防衛相「大変危険な行為」

2013.11.24 00:58 ［日中関係］

日本と中国の防空識別圏

　外務省の伊原純一アジア大洋州局長は２３日、中国の防空識別圏設定を受け、韓志強駐日公使に電話し「わが国固有の領土である尖閣諸島（沖縄県石垣市）の領空を含むもので、全く受け入れることはできない」と厳重抗議した。さらに「状況をエスカレートさせるもので、現場空域で不測の事態を招きかねない非常に危険なものだ」と批判した。

　また、小野寺五典防衛相は同日、防衛省内で岩崎茂統合幕僚長らと今後の対応について協議した。小野寺氏は協議後、記者団に「一方的な指定は大変危険な行為だ。警戒監視については従前にも増して、しっかりとした対応が必要だ」と語った。

放射性廃棄物 政府は最終処分に責任を持て

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 23, 2013
Govt must act responsibly to find site for final N-waste repository
放射性廃棄物　政府は最終処分に責任を持て（11月22日付・読売社説）

No time must be wasted in strengthening government efforts to secure a site for a final disposal facility for high-level radioactive waste generated from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants.
　原子力発電所から出る高レベル放射性廃棄物の最終処分場の用地確保へ向け、政府の取り組みを強化する必要がある。

An expert panel of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has hammered out a set of new steps regarding how to secure candidate sites for a final repository, focusing on a recommendation that the government should be at the forefront of efforts to make progress on the issue.
　経済産業省の有識者会議が、候補地の確保に関し、政府が前面に出て進展を目指すという新たな方針を打ち出した。

Currently, candidate sites are being sought through open solicitation, inviting volunteer candidates among municipal governments to host a final disposal site for radioactive waste. As a result, the opinions of local communities are being given great weight in the matter. So far, the government has just waited for municipalities to volunteer, but no candidates sites have been found since open solicitation began in 2002.
　現在は市町村からの応募を前提としている。地域の意思を重視するという理由からだ。政府も「待ち」の姿勢に終始してきたが、２００２年の公募開始から、これまで候補地は見つかっていない。

To break the impasse, it is reasonable for the expert panel to propose that the government take on the responsibility of designating areas where high-level radioactive waste can safely be disposed of. This is the same policy followed by Sweden, which has selected a final disposal site. We hope to see the planned approach result in progress in locating candidate sites.
　現状を打開するため、有識者会議が「安全に処分できる地域を国の責任で示す」とする方針を示したのは適切な判断と言えよう。
　新たな方針は、最終処分場の選定に成功したスウェーデンと同じ手法だ。日本でも、候補地探しの前進を期待したい。

Authorities envision burying high-level radioactive waste deep underground, at least 300 meters below the surface, by constructing a disposal facility in stable rock formations in an area where there are no volcanoes or other threats.
　高レベル放射性廃棄物は、火山などのない安定した地盤の地域を選び、地下３００メートルより深い地層に埋設する計画だ。

Similar methods have been employed overseas, since they make it possible to dispose of nuclear waste in a stable manner for more than 100,000 years.
　海外も同様の方法を採用している。適した場所を選べば、１０万年以上、安定して廃棄物を処分できるためだ。

Radioactivity lessens with time, more than 99 percent of it ceasing to exist in about 1,000 years.
放射能は時間とともに減少し、約１０００年後には９９％以上が消滅する。

Excessive political risks

It should be noted that there is little public understanding of the current technological level and safety of geological disposal, hindering efforts to find a candidate site. Government efforts to widely disseminate correct, scientific knowledge about the matter are indispensable.
　最終処分場の技術や安全性に対する理解が、ほとんど広まっていないことが、候補地探しの障害になってきたと言えよう。政府が、正しい知識を積極的に周知していくことが欠かせない。

Open solicitation of volunteer candidates is problematic in that municipal leaders put themselves at great political risk if they support hosting a disposal facility. When the mayor of Toyo, Kochi Prefecture, applied to be a candidate site, residents fiercely opposed the idea and the mayor was in danger of having to resign. The town’s application was withdrawn.
　公募方式では、手を挙げた市町村長が過大な政治的リスクを抱えることも問題だ。０７年に高知県東洋町が応募した際は、反対運動が激化し、町長は辞任に追い込まれた。応募も取り下げられた。

The selection process of candidate sites can hardly make progress without wide-ranging support from the central government.
　候補地には、政府の幅広い支援が欠かせない。

On Wednesday, urging the government to redouble its efforts to find candidate sites, the ministry’s expert panel cited the need to boost government efforts to promote the local economies of the municipalities concerned. The panel also proposed a forum in which the government and local residents closely exchange views on the matter. Both suggestions are very important.
有識者会議は、地域振興策の強化を挙げた。政府が地域住民と密接に意見交換する場を設けることも提案している。いずれも重要な指摘である。

The task of establishing a final disposal repository has been undertaken by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan, which was established by power utilities and other organizations under the Specified Nuclear Waste Final Disposal Law enacted in 2000. Reform of the waste management organization, which has failed to produce any tangible results, is also urgently needed.
　処分場探しは、２０００年制定の最終処分法に基づき、電力会社などが設立した「原子力発電環境整備機構（ＮＵＭＯ）」が担当してきた。成果を上げられないＮＵＭＯの改革も急務だ。

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has continued making unrealistic calls to completely stop the nation’s nuclear power generation, saying it is “too optimistic and irresponsible” to assume that a site can be found for a final disposal facility.
　小泉元首相は、最終処分場の確保について、「めどを付けられると思う方が楽観的で無責任だ」とし、非現実的な「原発ゼロ」をなお主張している。

Even if the nation’s nuclear power generation should be eliminated, the problem of how to dispose of nuclear waste remains. It is impermissible to pass the burden of inaction on the matter to the next generation.
だが、仮に「ゼロ」でも廃棄物は残る。次世代にツケを回すわけにはいかない。

The Liberal Democratic Party is also studying ways to secure a final disposal facility, and there are moves in the Diet to create a suprapartisan group of legislators to address the problem of a final repository. They should engage in discussions with a strong sense of responsibility.
　自民党も、最終処分場の確保策の検討に乗り出した。国会には超党派議連を設ける動きもある。責任ある議論が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 22, 2013)
（2013年11月22日01時31分  読売新聞）

big surprise

Kiyoshi --

Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner went online and signed up for Obamacare. (Yes, really.)

Maybe it was a publicity stunt that backfired -- all we know is John Boehner is now another Affordable Care Act success story. (According to this report, he's probably getting a pretty good deal.)

This is one to share far and wide -- let folks know how Obamacare is working, even for one of its biggest opponents:

While we're at it, here are a few more great news stories from this week you can pass around:

    -- USA Today: Under Obamacare, the growth in health care costs is at a three-year low.

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter

    -- Cape Gazette: A Rehoboth man successfully signed up for health insurance, and he's going to save $10,000 a year.

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter

    -- Los Angeles Times, on all the myths about Obamacare: "Don't buy the hype. The numbers tell an entirely different story."

Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter

So, the next time someone tells you that Obamacare isn't working, send them one of those stories, or just tell them to go ask Speaker Boehner.

Hope you have a great weekend,

Erin

Erin Hannigan
Health Care Campaign Manager
Organizing for Action

----------------
The other side will spend millions to maintain the status quo. We're fighting for change -- chip in $5 or more to support OFA today.

衆院選違憲状態 国会の裁量に配慮した最高裁

>まず各都道府県に１議席を割り振るとした「１人別枠方式」が事実上残っている

この方式だと格差是正は出来ません。
少数意見の尊重？
やはり「１人別枠方式」は廃止すべきでしょう。

ところで、円ドルが100円台を回復したという表現はいかがなものでしょうか？
自国の通貨の価値が下がって喜んでいるのは、日本だけくらいのものなのです。
これも行き過ぎたリフレ政策の影響だと思います。
困ったものです。

（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun November 22, 2013
Top court respects Diet’s discretionary power over vote-value disparity
衆院選違憲状態　国会の裁量に配慮した最高裁（11月21日付・読売社説）

　◆与野党は選挙制度改革を急げ◆
It was a judgment by the nation’s top court that respected the Diet’s discretionary power over the election system to the maximum extent possible.
　選挙制度を巡る国会の裁量権を最大限に尊重した司法判断である。

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the House of Representatives election in December last year, in which the maximum disparity between the value of votes was 2.43-to-1, was in “a state of unconstitutionality.” The Diet must take the ruling seriously and swiftly tackle election system reform.
　「１票の格差」が最大２・４３倍だった昨年１２月の衆院選について、最高裁は「違憲状態」にあったとの判決を言い渡した。国会は判決を重く受け止め、選挙制度改革に取り組まねばならない。

“Equality in the value of voting rights is not the absolute standard to determine the framework of an election system,” the top court said. 　最高裁は「投票価値の平等は選挙制度の仕組みを決定する絶対の基準ではない」と指摘した。

When deciding the zoning of single-seat constituencies, such factors as local demographics, transportation conditions and geographical circumstances must be taken into account and balanced with equality in the value of voting rights, it said.
　小選挙区の区割りを決める際には、「住民構成、交通事情、地理的状況なども考慮し、投票価値の平等との調和を図ることが求められる」との見解も示した。

‘Plus 0, minus 5’ praised
　◆「０増５減」評価される◆

It was a practical and quite reasonable judgment in which the Supreme Court did not think improvement in the disparity of vote values in single-seat constituencies was an absolute necessity, but it recognized the need to take regional circumstances into consideration.
　「１票の格差」の是正を絶対視せず、地域事情に配慮する必要性を認めたのは、現実的かつ極めて妥当な判断である。

The Supreme Court previously judged that the 2009 lower house election was in “an unconstitutional state” when the maximum disparity in the value of votes between the least populous constituency and the most heavily populated district was 2.30-to-1. As the disparity was further expanded in the lower house poll in December last year, some experts predicted the top court would judge it was “unconstitutional.”
　最高裁は、最大２・３０倍だった２００９年の衆院選を「違憲状態」と判断していた。昨年の衆院選は格差が拡大していたことから、さらに踏み込み、「違憲」判断を示すとの見方もあった。

But was the disparity left untouched for an excessive period of time that could not be overlooked?
　見過ごせないほど長期にわたり格差が放置されていると見るのかどうか。

That was the deciding factor in its decision whether the 2012 poll was unconstitutional or in a state of unconstitutionality.
　それが、「違憲」か「違憲状態」かの司法判断を分けるポイントだった。

In addition to how long the disparity was left untouched, the Supreme Court said that factors such as the content of measures to remedy the disparity and the necessary procedures for such measures should also be taken into consideration from a comprehensive viewpoint. This judgment will be an important index for making court decisions on similar cases in the future.
　最高裁は今回、期間の長短だけでなく、是正措置の内容や、必要な手続きなどの事情を総合的に考慮すべきだとの判断も示した。今後の重要な指標となろう。

The latest top court decision praised the remedy of “increasing no seats, but decreasing five seats” in single-seat constituencies under the revised Public Offices Election Law that was passed by the Diet in June as “a step forward.” The disparity shrank to less than 2-to-1 through the measure.
　判決は、国会が今年６月に成立させた改正公職選挙法による「０増５減」の是正策について、「一定の前進」と評価した。これにより、格差が２倍未満に縮小されたからである。

To change the zoning of constituencies, it was necessary to go through such procedures as having the lower house electoral district council recommend a reform plan to the prime minister and revise the Public Offices Election Law based on that plan.
　区割りを変更するには、衆院選挙区画定審議会（区割り審）による改定案の首相への勧告と、それに基づく公選法改正などの手順を踏む必要があった。

It is therefore understandable that the top court realized that remedying the situation requires a certain amount of time.
　最高裁が、格差是正に一定の時間を要すると理解を示したのもうなずける。

Need to reflect regional voices
　◆地方の声反映が必要◆

However, there are also questionable elements to the decision. In the distribution of the quota of seats for single-seat constituencies in each prefecture, the method of distributing one seat first to each prefecture is still effectively in practice. Touching upon this point, the Supreme Court said, “It is hard to say that the structural problems were definitively resolved.”
　判決には、疑問点もある。小選挙区の定数配分で、まず各都道府県に１議席を割り振るとした「１人別枠方式」が事実上残っていることについて、「構造的な問題が最終的に解決されているとはいえない」と言及した。

However, we feel that an attempt to transform the electoral system into one that does not reflect the rationale behind this formula could mean the opinions of voters in areas with a declining population are not properly represented in the results of lower house elections.
　しかし、この方式の考え方を完全に排除すると、人口減が進む地方の有権者の声は反映されにくくなるのではないだろうか。

Legislators must step up their electoral reform drive in response to the top court’s ruling.
　最高裁判決を踏まえ、問われるのは国会の一層の取り組みだ。

Instead of finding the vote-value disparities to be unconstitutional, the latest ruling found the gaps to be in a state of unconstitutionality, meaning these differences border on a violation of the vote-value equality guaranteed in the Constitution. However, lawmakers should not be allowed to become blase about debating how to reform the election system, citing the ruling as a reason for their neglect. The need to fundamentally reform the system remains unchanged, though the vote-value disparities fall only within a state of unconstitutionality.
　違憲ではなく、違憲状態と判断されたことを理由に、選挙制度改革論議を鈍らせてはならない。違憲状態でも抜本的改革が必要な状況に変わりはない。

The ruling and opposition parties should actively promote discussions on electoral reform. In debating reform plans, they must take to heart their responsibility to ensure that any changes in the system will help create a stable political environment in a manner that represents the will of the people.
　与野党は、精力的に議論を進めるべきである。その際、民意を集約し、安定した政治を実現する視点が欠かせない。

In early November, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito and the leading opposition party the Democratic Party of Japan held talks over lower house electoral reform. The parties agreed to reduce the number of lower house members while maintaining the current electoral system—known as the heiritsu formula, which combines single-seat constituencies with the proportional representation system—for the time being.
　自民、公明の与党と民主党は今月上旬、衆院選挙制度改革について、現行の小選挙区比例代表並立制を当面維持しつつ、定数を削減することで合意した。

　◆定数削減を絡めるな◆
The ruling parties have said they will seek a 30-member reduction in lower house members to be chosen under the proportional representation system, while maintaining the current number of lawmakers in that chamber who are to be elected from single-seat constituencies.
This is in contrast to the proposal advanced by the DPJ, which has insisted on cuts in the number of lower house members in both categories. The ruling parties and the DPJ are no closer to reaching a compromise on the issue.
　だが、与党が、小選挙区の定数は維持して比例定数を３０削減する方針を掲げているのに対して、民主党は小選挙区、比例定数の両方の削減を主張している。折り合いはついていない。

The LDP, Komeito and the DPJ have said they intend to start discussions with other parties soon. However, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) insists on reducing the number of lower house members by a sizable 144.
　自公民３党は近く他の政党と協議を開始する方針だというが、日本維新の会は全体で１４４もの大幅な定数減を唱えている。

If Ishin no Kai sticks to its guns, it will be difficult to see an agreement emerge from among these parties. However, the total number of legislators in this country cannot be deemed too large if compared with those in other nations. Given this, there is no need to be too obsessed with reducing the number of Diet members.
　これでは合意は困難だ。そもそも日本の国会の定数は他国と比べても多すぎることはない。定数削減にこだわる必要はない。

Political parties should separate a proposed cut in lower house members from the overall issue. Instead, they should reconsider how the system should be operated and reformed.
　定数削減は切り離して、制度のあり方を考え直すべきだ。

Consensus difficult

It is difficult for political parties to reach a consensus about how to reform the election system, an issue bound to provoke conflicts of interest among them. We believe the ruling and opposition parties should first hurry to determine what kind of broad course should be adopted in the pursuit of fundamental electoral reform, a task that should be followed by a plan to commission an independent panel of experts to draw up specific reform proposals, as suggested by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
　各党の利害がぶつかる選挙制度について、政党間で合意することは難しい。与野党は抜本改革の大きな方向性を早急にまとめた上で、安倍首相が提案するような、有識者による第三者機関に具体案づくりを委ねるべきだろう。

Incumbent members of the lower chamber have a bit more than three years to serve in their positions if they complete their terms. They do not have enough time to take on electoral reform, considering the amount of time necessary for amending the legislation and making any changes in the system known to the public.
　衆院議員の残り任期が３年余りとなる中、法改正作業や新制度の周知期間を考慮すると、残された時間は十分と言えない。

We believe it will be a viable idea to basically maintain the current system, but work to correct the vote-value disparities, as proposed by the LDP, Komeito and the DPJ.
　自公民３党が主張しているように、現行制度を基本的に維持しながら、１票の格差の是正を図るのも一案だろう。

Electoral reform is not limited to the lower house. The House of Councillors is seeking to adopt a new election system, beginning with an election in 2016. In fact, lawsuits have been filed in several locations in the country over disparities in the value of votes cast in July’s upper house race. Two high courts and a branch of another high court are set to rule on these suits starting late this month. Their rulings are expected to affect the dispute over electoral reform related to vote-value disparities.
　参院も２０１６年の次期参院選から新制度に移行することを目指している。今年７月の参院選でも１票の格差を巡る訴訟が全国で提起され、各高裁・支部が今月末から順次判断を示す。それが改革論議にも影響を与えよう。

The ruling and opposition parties should think about what kind of role the lower and upper houses should play, while at the same time striving to make progress in promoting electoral reform.
　与野党は、衆参の役割分担を考慮し、同時に選挙制度改革を図るのが望ましい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 21, 2013)
（2013年11月21日01時36分  読売新聞）