(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 Police believe boy who stabbed teacher had murderous intent 殺人未遂：傷、肺に達する深さ 少年に強い殺意か 愛知
CHIRYU, Aichi -- One of the stab wounds that a teacher sustained in a knife attack launched by one of his former students reached his lung, leading investigators to suspect that the perpetrator had strong murderous intent, local police said. The 18-year-old suspect, whose name is being withheld under the Juvenile Law, said he had a grudge against the teacher, 34-year-old Yoshihisa Kamiya. "Kamiya severely scolded me, which led me to suffer from social phobia. I recently began to work, but I couldn't do well," he was quoted as telling investigators. Aichi Prefectural Police said they are grilling the youth, a part-time worker from Chiryu, over why he intended to murder Kamiya, noting that he had not contacted the victim for more than three years after he graduated. The boy visited the Chiryu Municipal Junior High School he had graduated from on Tuesday afternoon at around 1:30 p.m. and attacked Kamiya, who was instructing the school's brass band, local police said. He stabbed Kamiya in the back from behind, chased the victim as he attempted to flee and stabbed him in the chest. Kamiya suffered serious stab wounds that are expected to take a month to heal. Kamiya was the suspect's homeroom teacher when he was a second-year student at the school.
words: stab wounds＝刺し傷 launched＝発射する、射る former students＝卒業生 lung=肺 perpetrator＝犯人、加害者 murderous intent＝殺害の意志、殺意 suspect＝容疑者 being withheld＝（発表を）差し控える the Juvenile Law＝少年法 grudge＝恨み、怨恨、遺恨 social phobia＝対人恐怖症、社会生活恐怖症 was quoted＝引用される grilling＝いじめる、厳しく尋問する attacked＝攻撃する、襲う instructing＝指導する、教える He stabbed Kamiya in the back from behind＝彼は背後から神谷さんの背中をナイフで刺した attempted to flee＝逃げようとする expected to take a month to heal＝全治１ヶ月、回復するのに１ヶ月が見込まれている
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 More people say they can't afford to go on summer holidays 夏休み：「国内旅行」抜き「帰省」トップ…倹約型が増加
More people are spending their summer vacations by simply returning to their home town or mostly staying at home due to surging commodity prices, a survey by Dentsu Research Inc. has revealed. The survey found that the most popular way of spending summer holidays was to return to one's home town, at 22 percent, outnumbering domestic travel that had topped the ranking for two years in a row. The third favorite option was to "preferably stay at home," at 12 percent. "Because of the surge in commodity prices, more people are tending to spend their summer holidays by saving money," said a representative of Dentsu Research. The survey conducted in June covered men and women aged between 15 and 59 years old, who are living within a 30-kilometer range from Tokyo Station. Of the 630 respondents, 466 people who have a job said "an ideal summer holiday" is to take an average of 10.4 days off. The most popular way of spending summer holidays was to "travel abroad," at 25 percent, and the most popular destination was Hawaii, at 28 percent. However, the average summer holiday in reality was only 6.5 days and the average budget for summer holidays was 108,000 yen -- about the same as last year. A little less than 40 percent of married respondents in their 30s to 50s said, "I will tighten my budget." "Although the budget (for summer holidays) is about the same as last year, more people are refraining from going far away other than returning to their home town because of rising gas prices," said a Dentsu Research representative.
words: afford=～することができる、～する余裕がある returning to their home town＝帰省すること staying at home＝家でゴロゴロしている due to surging commodity prices＝急騰する石油価格の影響を受けて outnumbering＝追い抜く、数で圧倒する for two years in a row＝二年連続で "preferably stay at home," ＝家でゆっくりしているほうがよい tending to＝～する傾向にある、～しがちである within a 30-kilometer range from Tokyo Station=東京駅３０ｋｍ圏内 respondents＝回答者 an ideal summer holiday＝理想的な夏休み "travel abroad," ＝海外旅行をする destination＝旅行の目的地 the average summer holiday in reality＝実際の夏休みの平均期間 the average budget for summer holidays＝夏休みの予算 "I will tighten my budget."＝予算をきりつめる refraining from～＝～するのを差し控える、from の後には動名詞が続く
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 Unemployed man busted over 'phishing' scam フィッシング詐欺：銀行装い顧客ＩＤ入手、１１９万円詐取
A man was arrested Wednesday over a "phishing" scam in which he sent numerous people e-mails pretending to be banks, illegally obtained their IDs and passwords and used the information to embezzle over 1 million yen, police said. Hirofumi Fujita, 23, an unemployed resident of Matsuyama, stands accused of violating the Unauthorized Computer Access Law. Fujita set up fake Web sites for banks and sent e-mails titled, "Important notice," to numerous people. He asked them to access the sites to obtain their bank IDs and passwords, investigators said. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating allegations that Fujita swindled 21 people out of about 13 million yen since October last year through phishing. In the specific case for which he was arrested, he used the illicitly obtained ID and password of a 37-year-old man living in Suginami-ku, Tokyo, to transfer about 1.19 million yen from the victim's account at JP Bank into his own account in March, MPD investigators said.
words: arrested=逮捕する numerous＝多くの、多数の illegally＝違法な embezzle＝横領する、騙し取る unemployed resident＝無職の住人 stands accused of violating the Unauthorized Computer Access Law＝不正アクセス禁止法違反容疑として取調べを受ける fake Web sites＝偽のウェブサイト、偽りのウェブサイト The Metropolitan Police Department＝警視庁 allegations＝申し立て swindled＝人を騙してお金をとる phishing＝フィシング詐欺 specific case＝特定のケース illicitly=禁制の、不法の transfer＝送金する victim's account＝被害者の銀行口座
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 Vietnam Airlines jet engine catches fire after landing at Narita Airport ベトナム航空機：成田着陸後、エンジンから火 けが人なし
NARITA -- An engine on a Vietnam Airlines jet caught fire after the plane arrived at Narita Airport on Wednesday morning, government officials said. None of the 277 passengers and crewmembers on board was injured as they had already disembarked by the time the fire started. The local office of the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry is investigating the cause of the fire. At around 7:40 a.m., an air traffic controller at Narita Airport noticed smoke coming out of one of the two engines on a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777-200 that was taxiing toward a gate after landing. The engine caught fire at around 8:30 a.m. after all the passengers had disembarked at the gate. Seventeen fire engines were mobilized to extinguish the blaze. Ministry inspectors suspect that fuel had leaked and began to smoke after it became heated. "There was nothing unusual in the cabin," said Michio Kasai, 49, a passenger aboard who operates a restaurant in Vietnam. "A cabin attendant repeated, 'Please disembark quickly,' but didn't say that smoke was coming out." The aircraft was on Flight 950 from Ho Chi Minh.
words: passengers and crewmembers on board＝搭乗乗客乗務員 disembarked＝到着する、上陸する the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry＝国土交通省成田空港事務所 taxiing＝飛行機が誘導路を移動する fire engines＝消防車 extinguish the blaze＝消火する leaked＝もれる、あふれる "There was nothing unusual in the cabin,"＝機内では特に変わったことはありませんでした passenger aboard＝搭乗乗客 operates a restaurant in Vietnam＝ベトナムでレストランを経営する cabin attendant＝乗務員
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 11 people collapse at bakery after apparently inhaling carbon monoxide 救急搬送：大阪のパン店、１２人病院へ 一酸化炭素中毒か
OSAKA -- Eleven people collapsed at a bakery here after apparently inhaling carbon monoxide on Wednesday morning, police said. At around 7:50 a.m., rescue workers received an emergency call from an employee of Bakery Factory Gogh in Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, reporting that people had collapsed in the store. Eleven people -- nine women and two men -- were rushed to hospitals by ambulances. Two women, aged 18 and 28, were in a serious condition. Another 34-year-old woman visited a clinic to receive a check-up. The owner of the shop has told investigators that the ventilating fan was not working at the time, leading them to suspect that the victims suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. The bakery is located in a shopping district about 600 meters east of Nishi-Tanabe Station on the Midosuji Subway Line.
words: inhale carbon monoxide=一酸化炭素を吸い込む rescue workers=救助隊 rushed to hospitals=病院に急送された in a serious condition=重篤な状態、危篤状態 ventilating fan was not working=換気扇が作動していなかった
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008 航空満足度：首位シンガポール ＡＮＡ４位、ＪＡＬ１３位
Singapore Airlines soars to top of passenger satisfaction ranking, ANA, JAL decline Japanese passengers selected Singapore Airlines as the best airline of the year, a recent passenger satisfaction survey found, while airlines from Japan lost several places from last year. According to the annual survey about in-flight services, including the quality of their hospitality, meals and amenities, Singapore Airlines was chosen as the best airline for the overall ranking list, followed by Virgin Atlantic Airways of Britain and Emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The top three airlines also made the Top 10 lists in individual categories. "The top three airlines in the overall ranking list have many new aircraft," said Recruit Co., which conducted the survey. All Nippon Airways (ANA), the best airline in last year's overall ranking list, dropped to fourth place this year, and Japan Airlines (JAL) also fell to 13th from third place. The best airlines in individual categories are as follows. "Best flight attendant service": Singapore Airlines; "Best in-flight meal": Emirates; "Best aircraft and amenities": Emirates; "Best in-flight entertainment": Virgin Atlantic Airways; and "Best airline employee service at airports": ANA. "Apparently, the greater the choices of passenger services, the higher the level of satisfaction," says a Recruit employee in charge of the survey. The survey, which was conducted online in May among 103,922 passengers age 18 years old or over, traveling overseas over the last year, received 72,745 answers. Some 100 answers were picked at random for each of the 40 designated airlines.
words: soars to top of passenger satisfaction ranking＝旅客の満足度第一位の座に登りつめる the best airline of the year＝年間の最優良航空会社 in-flight services＝機内サービス hospitality＝サービス、思いやり amenities＝機内設備 individual categories＝個別部門 conducted the survey＝調査を実施する Best in-flight meal＝最優良機内食 Best aircraft and amenities＝最優良機器 Best in-flight entertainment＝最優良フライトサービス Best airline employee service at airports＝最優良空港会社職員 at random＝任意に
The overall ranking of this year's passenger satisfaction survey is as follows: 1: Singapore Airlines (last year 2) 2: Virgin Atlantic Airways (5) 3: Emirates (7) 4: All Nippon Airways (1) 4: Air New Zealand (4) 6: Austrian Airlines (--) 7: Eva Air (19) 7: Finnair (17) 9: Lufthansa (21) 9: Japan Asia Airways (12) ------------------------------------------------ 13: Japan Airlines (3)
(Jul. 30, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun Financial resources needed for ease of mind 安心プラン 不安解消には財源の裏打ちを（7月30日付・読売社説）
If the government wants to give the public peace of mind, it must offer solid policy plans and have the secure financial resources to put them into practice. 国民に“安心”をもたらすには、確かな計画と財源が必要だろう。
The government on Tuesday released a package of five plans for providing better social security services as a set of emergency measures to strengthen the functions of social security system. 政府は、「社会保障の機能強化のための緊急対策」として、「五つの安心プラン」をまとめた。
The package incorporated about 150 items across five categories: policies on elderly people; improving medical services; providing assistance for child-rearing; tackling problems arising from the increase of nonregular workers; and administrative reform of health, labor and welfare services. Created under the initiative of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the package incorporates several fresh ideas. 高齢者政策、医療強化、子育て支援、非正規労働者対策、厚生労働行政改革の５分野で、約１５０項目の施策を掲げている。福田首相の肝いりだけに、いくつかの新機軸が盛り込まれた。
One standout measure in the package is a system that would tackle the chronic shortage of doctors. The new system will provide financial assistance directly to doctors who work in pressure-cooker situations, such as in emergency care, in obstetrics and in remote areas. 特に注目されるのは、医師不足対策だ。救急や産科、へき地など過酷な医療現場を支える医師に対して、手当を直接支給する制度を創設する。 pressure-cooker=過酷な obstetrics=産科
Although the government has decided to increase the enrollment quotas for medical schools, it takes about 10 years for a medical school student to become a professional doctor. Improving working conditions will encourage doctors already engaged in these strenuous fields to hang in there until a new generation of doctors is nurtured. 政府は医学部定員を拡大する方針を決めたが、医学生が一人前の医師になるには約１０年かかる。過酷な分野を支える勤務医の待遇を改善し、人材が育つまで踏みとどまってもらわねばならない。 strenuous=多大な努力を要する、難しい nurture=育てる、育成する
It is important that struggling doctors receive a special payment as reward for their efforts. We think the government should quickly draw up specific plans on how to determine what kind of, and how much, financial assistance they should receive. 特別の手当によって、苦労している医師に報いることは重要だ。どのような基準や規模で支給するのか、早急に具体案を練ってもらいたい。
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Give elderly more help （高齢者にもっとましな政策を）
The category of policies for issues relating to the elderly also raised a few eyebrows. In addition to the present situation in which each company is required to create, by the end of fiscal 2013, a system in which employees are kept on the payroll until they are 65, a new system will be set up to provide subsidies to companies that keep employees who want to work past the age of 65 on the payroll. 高齢者政策の分野では、これまで取り組んできた６５歳までの雇用確保に加え、６５歳以上の高齢者についても、雇用する企業への助成制度を新設する。 subsidy=国の交付金 payroll=従業員名簿、給料支払い
It also is worth noticing that the package offered a clearer direction for pension system reform. It clarified that the government would "examine" the establishment of a guaranteed minimum pension payment, which The Yomiuri Shimbun and some other observers have proposed. 年金改革の方向性を示したことも注目に値する。読売新聞などが提言している最低保障年金の創設について、「検討する」と明記した。
This indicates the government will take a step forward from its current position of merely observing proposals from every sector of the society and discussions by panels of experts. 各界の提案や審議会などの議論を見守る姿勢から、政府が一歩踏み出すということだろう。
Although the package, as a whole, is studded with attractive measures, we think it lacks punch because it addresses an overly broad range of topics. It also gives the impression that all manner of policies had been clumped together and were listed according to category. だが、プラン全体を見ると、目を引く施策はあるのに、迫力に欠ける。内容があまりにも多岐にわたり、ポイントが絞りきれていないからだろう。関連する政策をとにかく集めて、分野ごとに並べた印象も伴う。 stud=飾りをちりばめる clump=ひとまとまりになっている、かたまっている
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It's all about the money （財源がすべてを左右する）
Discussions over financial resources will begin soon. In the budgetary request guidelines for fiscal 2009, the government will create the "important issues promotion category," which comes with a price tag of 330 billion yen. Funding the package of five plans depends on this special category, but it is unclear how much of this 330 billion yen will be used for this new package. 財源の議論もこれからだ。政府は来年度の予算編成で、３３００億円の「重要課題推進枠」を新設する。安心プランはこの特別枠を当て込んでいるが、どの程度認められるかはまだ見えない。
The fiscal 2009 budgetary request will keep the policy of curbing the natural increase in social security costs resulting from the rapid aging of the population by 220 billion yen. The prime minister's leadership will be put to the test over whether he can make the package of proposals a reality under such circumstances. 予算編成では、社会保障費の自然増を２２００億円抑制する措置が継続される。この状況で、どこまでプランを実現できるか、首相の指導力が問われよう。
It is patently obvious that there is no other way to secure enough money to fund the future social security system in a society saddled with an extremely low birthrate and an aging population, other than to raise the consumption tax rate. 超少子高齢時代に必要な将来の社会保障予算は、消費税率を引き上げて確保する以外にないことは誰の目にも明らかだ。 patently=明白な saddle with=税を負わせる
Many lawmakers are becoming loath to raise the consumption tax rate due to the economic downturn and out of concern it might torpedo their chances in any upcoming general election. However, discussion on raising the consumption tax rate should not be put off any longer. The government should set a course for increasing the rate. 景気にかげりが見え始めたことや、総選挙の時期をにらんで、消費税率の引き上げに消極論が強まっている。だが、議論を先送りせず、道筋をつけねばならない。 loath=気が進まないtorpedo＝魚雷で粉砕する
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 30, 2008) （2008年7月30日02時00分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 29, 2008 Surging gas prices hurting car rental, parking businesses, but traffic accidents falling ガソリン高騰：異変 駐車場埋まらず 事故減 高速道緩和
Surging gasoline prices in Japan are turning more people away from driving, resulting in declining sales for car rental businesses and parking lot operators, but at the same time, traffic congestion and accidents also appear to be falling. At one car rental business in Tokyo's Koto-ku, a 68-year-old man who came to return a vehicle appeared irritated by the high cost of gasoline. "Don't you have any cars that are more fuel-efficient?" he asked a worker at the business. The customer borrows a van two or three times a month to deliver paintings to clients in Tokyo and surrounding areas. He says he has to think about the distance and the time he travels to save money on fuel. According to the major car rental business Nippon Rent-A-Car Service, the number of customers who opt for fuel-efficient cars has been increasing, with many choosing smaller engine capacities. The length of time people borrow a vehicle has also been decreasing. In June, the company's sales fell by 1.2 percent. words: surging=押し寄せる、高騰する resulting=～の結果となる、～をひきこす decline=減少する fuel-eficient=燃費のよい、燃料効率のよい surrounding area=周辺の地域 opt for=～を選ぶ、～を求める、～の傾向がある、～しがちな 発音注意：アプトと発音される Parking businesses have also suffered financially. The operator of one parking building near JR Okachimachi Station in Tokyo's Taito-ku said that compared to last year, earnings have dropped 10 percent. "Business has fallen further in July," the operator sighed. Officials at the Japan Parking Association, which represents about 800 parking businesses says that since June, when gasoline prices rose across Japan, the number of vehicles using paid parking has fallen by 10 to 20 percent. An association official said that there were probably more households cutting back on traveling expenses as they confronted soaring food prices. words: suffered financially=経済的打撃を被る compared to...=…にくらべて、…と比較して across Japan=日本全国で cut back on...=…に使うお金を切り詰める、節約する confront=戦う、立ち向かう soaring=高騰する At the same time, however, the number of traffic accidents in Tokyo has fallen, and traffic congestion has eased significantly. In the first six months of this year, the number of accidents in the capital (excluding accidents involving only property damage), stood at 30,075, a drop of 3,990 accidents compared with the same period the previous year. The number of fatalities during the period also fell to a post-war low of 96 -- 34 fewer people than during the same period a year earlier. Metropolitan Expressway Co. officials said that between January and May, traffic was backed up for an average of 39 kilometers at 11 a.m. on weekdays, making lines an average of 12 kilometers shorter than during the same period the previous year. A Metropolitan Police Department representative said people appeared to be cutting back on the use of their vehicles. "It appears that as people hold back from using their vehicles and traffic on the road decreases, the number of accidents has also fallen," the representative said. words: traffic accidents=交通事故 traffic congestion=交通渋滞 eased=軽減する (has been eased でも可、自動詞を使うか他動詞を使うかによる) significantly=著しく、顕著に accidents involving only property damage=自損事故 stood at...=…にとどまる compared with... =…に比べて、…と比較して previous year=昨年 fatalities=交通事故による死亡者、重大事故 post-war low=戦後最低の a year earlier=一年前 Ｍｅｔｒｏｐｏｌｉｔａｎ Ｅｘｐｒｅｓｓｗａｙ Ｃｏ．＝ 首都高、首都高速道路 be backed up for... = …で占められている、…の距離の渋滞で占められている the previous year=昨年 Metropolitan Police Department=警視庁 cut back on ... = …につき節約する、切り詰める hold back from ... = …をさしひかえる from の後には名詞、動名詞が続く ガソリン高騰：異変 駐車場埋まらず 事故減 高速道緩和 ガソリンの平均価格が１リットル＝１８０円を超え、史上最高値を記録した影響で、レンタカーや駐車場の利用が落ち込んでいる。一方、ノロノロ運転が日常茶飯事の東京都内では、交通事故の減少や高速道路の渋滞緩和など思わぬ効果も出始めた。【町田徳丈、武内亮】 「もっと燃費のいい車はないの？」。東京都江東区のレンタカー営業所にワゴン車を返却に来た中野区の男性（６８）は、従業員にぼやいた。男性は月に２～３回ワゴン車を借り、首都圏の得意先に絵画を運ぶ。「ガソリン代を浮かすために、走行距離や時間を考えて回らざるをえない」と嘆く。 レンタカー大手の「ニッポンレンタカーサービス」（渋谷区）によると、燃費がよい軽自動車を選ぶ客が増えており、排気量の小さい１３００～１５００ＣＣの車種の利用も多い。２日前後だった平均使用日数も短くなってきていることから、６月の売り上げは１．２％減となった。 台東区のＪＲ御徒町駅近くの立体駐車場では利用率が最も高い正午から夕方の時間帯でも４０台分のスペースが埋まることは少ない。管理業者は「売り上げは昨年より１割減。７月はさらに落ち込んだ」とため息をついた。 駐車場業者約８００社が加盟する全日本駐車協会（千代田区）によると、ガソリンが一斉値上げされた６月以降、利用台数は１～２割減った。岡宏樹専務理事は「食料品の高騰で台所事情が苦しいなか、まず交通費を削減する家庭が増えたためではないか」と分析する。 一方、都内の交通事故は減少し、高速道路の渋滞も大幅に緩和された。警視庁交通部によると、上半期（１～６月）の事故件数（物損除く）は３万７５件（前年同期比３９９０件減）。死者数も戦後最少の９６人（同３４人減）で、重軽傷者も３万４０３３人（同４２７３人減）だった。 首都高速道路（千代田区）によると、東京線の１～５月の平日午前１１時の総渋滞距離は平均３９キロで、昨年同期比１２キロ短くなった。渋滞が特に激しい４号線（高井戸－三宅坂）は所要時間が約６分短縮された。 警視庁交通部の園田清管理官は「マイカーの利用を控える人が増えて交通量が減少したのに伴い、事故も減ったとみられる」と話している。 （毎日新聞 2008年7月29日 15時00分（最終更新 7月29日 15時00分）
(Mainichi Japan) July 29, 2008 Woman injures 6 in knife attack at JR Hiratsuka station 傷害：ＪＲ平塚駅で女がナイフ振り回す 男性６人軽傷
HIRATSUKA, Kanagawa -- A woman pulled a knife and attacked seven people at JR Hiratsuka Station on Monday, leaving six with minor injuries, police said. The incident occurred during the evening rush hour. The woman -- later identified as 34-year-old Chigasaki resident Hisae Sakurai -- started screaming and attacked a man with a small Swiss Army knife, slashing his shirt, near the station's north exit at around 7:30 p.m., according to eyewitness accounts. She then climbed a staircase to the east exit and attacked another six men, aged between 18 and 48, leaving them with minor injuries to the back and arms. "Someone bumped into me and I just lost it. I climbed the stairs and started slashing people," Sakurai told police. "I thought I was going to die and wanted to take other people with me." She was apprehended by a 21-year-old university student and subsequently arrested by police.
words: slash=ナイフで切りつける according to eyewitness accounts=目撃者の証言によれば staircase=階段（踊り場を含むすべての部分） minor injuries to the back and arms=背中と腕に軽い傷 bump into…=…にぶつかる I thought I was going to die and wanted to take other people with me.＝誰かを道連れにして死にたかった be apprehended by...=…により取り押さえられる、掴まえられる subsequently=その後、引き続き
(Jul. 29, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun Fiscal '09 budget rules fail to address pensions 来年度予算 「基礎年金」の答えはいつ出す（7月29日付・読売社説）
Although the government has decided on the details of budgetary request guidelines for fiscal 2009, it is inevitable that compiling the budget for the next fiscal year will be an unusually difficult task. Toward the end of the year, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's leadership will be called into question anew. 来年度予算の編成作業は、例年になく難しいものになることは避けられまい。年末に向け、福田首相の指導力が改めて問われることになろう。 anew=改めて､新たに
The ceilings for budgetary requests, a set of criteria for determining the draft budget for the next fiscal year, is scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. 来年度予算の大枠を決める概算要求基準（シーリング）が固まった。２９日に閣議了解する。
The key element of the fiscal 2009 budgetary requests is the creation of the "important issues promotion category" that amounts to 330 billion yen. 今回の目玉は、総額３３００億円の「重要課題推進枠」を新設することだ。
As an exception in the guidelines that set limits for budgetary requests by government ministries, a certain amount of budget increase will be approved for items related to certain issues under the system. 要求額に上限を設けるシーリングの例外として、テーマ別に一定程度の増額を認めるのがこの重要課題推進枠だ。
Those issues will include easing the worsening doctor shortage, addressing the declining birthrate and aging society, measures to tackle the global warming issues that were the major focus at the Group of Eight summit of major nations in Toyakocho, Hokkaido; and ways to reinforce dynamic growth. 深刻化する医師不足や少子高齢化への対策、洞爺湖サミットで焦点となった地球温暖化問題への対応、成長力の強化策などが対象となる。
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Further cuts required （さらなる切り詰めが必要）
However, the current severe fiscal situation requires further cuts in other areas if increases are to be approved for items addressing these issues. ただ、厳しい財政事情もあり、これらのテーマに重点的に配分するには、それ以外の予算をさらに削る必要がある。
For that reason, the government has decided to add 2 percentage points to the previously decided cuts in such areas as public works spending, which was set to be chopped by 3 percent from a year before, and defense related expenditure and spending on national university operations, both of which were set for a 1 percent reduction. In the case of public works spending, this means the budget will be cut by 5 percent from the initial 2008 budget. そのため、これまで前年度比で３％減だった公共事業費、１％減だった防衛関係費や国立大学運営費などの削減率に、さらに２％分上乗せすることにした。公共事業費なら計５％の削減となる。
In addition, the plan to reduce the natural increase in social security costs by 220 billion yen will be maintained as in the past. 加えて、社会保障費の自然増分を２２００億円抑制する措置も、従来通りに維持する。
Although it is a desperate action to make the budget compilation work properly while still giving the government some leeway to act on important issues, we doubt whether the 330 billion yen is enough to address such vital concerns. There are even some who say the fund should be expanded drastically. メリハリの利いた編成をするための苦肉の策というわけだが、はたして重要課題推進枠が３３００億円で十分か。もっと思い切って拡大すべきだという声もある。
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Other issues ignored （その他の問題は無視）
The problem lies in handling pending issues that were shelved in the guidelines. Among them, the most difficult one is how to handle the increase in the government's burden resulting from raising the share of the basic pension payment it shoulders from the current level of little more than one-third to 50 percent. Under normal circumstances, the funds necessary for the plan, 2.3 trillion yen, would have to be incorporated in the social security budget before deciding on the cap for the item. 問題は、今回のシーリングで先送りされた懸案の取り扱いである。中でも難問は基礎年金の国庫負担の引き上げ問題だ。 国の負担率は３分の１強だが、２００９年度から２分の１とすることが決まっている。本来ならそれに必要な２兆３０００億円を社会保障予算の枠内に入れてシーリングを決める必要があった。
However, it now seems quite likely that the government will not raise the the consumption tax rate, a measure widely expected to provide the revenue source for this item, due to worries about the economic outlook and the likelihood of a House of Representatives election. しかし、財源として期待されていた消費税は、景気の先行き不安や衆院選を控えていることなどから、来年度からの引き上げは見送られる見通しだ。
Some measures have emerged as alternatives to a consumption tax hike. They include using the surplus in the government's special accounts, often called the "warlord's buried treasure," or delaying the increase in the government's burden for about six months from the scheduled start at the beginning of fiscal 2009 in April. 埋蔵金といわれる国の特別会計などの剰余金を活用したり、負担率の引き上げ時期を０９年度当初から半年ほど遅らせたり、といった対応策が浮上している。
In any case, Fukuda has to come up with an answer to the question by the end of the year. いずれにせよ、首相は年末までにこの問題に答えを出さねばならない。
Also, no concrete policy was indicated in the guidelines for directing road-related special revenues into the government's general revenue stream. 道路特定財源を一般財源化するための具体的方針も示されなかった。
Cutting all public works projects, including road-related budget items, by only 5 percent is wholly insufficient. シーリングで道路予算を含む公共事業を５％削減するだけではまったく不十分だ。
If he cannot take a machete to road-related budget items, Fukuda will be criticized for breaking his promises. 道路予算に大胆に切り込めなければ、首相は約束違反の指弾を受けることになろう。 machete=おおなた発音注意：マシェティーと発音される
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 29, 2008) （2008年7月29日02時24分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 28, 2008 Evacuation order issued for 20,000 households as heavy rain pounds Hokuriku region 大雨：北陸で川はんらん…金沢、２万世帯に一時避難指示
KANAZAWA -- Heavy rain pounded the Hokuriku region on Monday morning, flooding a river here and prompting city officials to issue a temporary evacuation order for 20,000 households. Part of the Asano River in Kanazawa running through an urban area overflowed its banks at about 8 a.m. on Monday, causing flooding above floor level in some households. In the city of Toyama, meanwhile, a car got caught in a landslide, injuring one person. Officials at the Kanazawa Local Meteorological Observatory said that in one area along the upper reaches of the Asano River, 60 millimeters of rain was recorded over a period of just one hour starting from 5:50 a.m. on Monday. The city of Hakui, Ishikawa Prefecture was also hit by heavy rain, recording 58 millimeters of rain over a one-hour period from 3:20 a.m. While there were no immediate reports of injuries, homes were flooded and officials from the Ishikawa Prefectural Government and the Kanazawa Municipal Government are working to determine the extent of the damage. The heavy rain disrupted transportation, resulting in the suspension of one Thunderbird express train on the Nanao Line between Wakura-Onsen and Kanazawa stations. Regular trains between Matto and Kanazawa stations were also suspended. Meanwhile, six areas on roads in Kanazawa were temporarily blocked off due to flooding. Other areas to be heavily hit by rain included Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture, which recorded a record rainfall of 75 millimeters in the one-hour period ending at 7:30 a.m. on Monday. While the rain passed its peak on Monday morning, meteorological officials continued to warn of landslides, rising river levels and flooding. Rain was expected to continue until Tuesday. Localized downpours have increased in recent years. Meteorological Agency officials said that if temperatures continued to warm, moisture in the atmosphere would increase, bringing more rain. "There is a tendency for rain to fall locally in areas where the temperature has risen due to the 'heat island' phenomenon, mainly in large cities," an agency official said.
words and phrases: pound=激しくたたく households=所帯、家庭 urban area=市街地 flooding above floor level=床上浸水 upper reaches=上流部 immediate report=速報 determine=決める、決定する、調査して明らかにする extent of the damage=被害の程度、広がり suspension=停止、保留 blocked off=遮断される、寸断される、交通不能になる due to flood=洪水のため warn=警告する landslides=土砂崩壊、土砂崩れ、がけ崩れ localized downpours=局所的な集中豪雨 tendency=傾向、～しがちな locally in areas=局所的に
(Jul. 28, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun Minister should act in Oita school scandal 教員採用汚職 教委のあり方を問う根深さ（7月28日付・読売社説）
The bribery scandal involving the Oita Prefectural Board of Education appears to be never-ending. The way in which boards of eduction function has come into question. Boards of education across the country and the Education, Science and Technology Ministry should do their utmost to restore public trust in education. 大分県教育委員会をめぐる汚職事件が、際限のない広がりを見せ、教委のあり方が問われている。教育への信頼回復に、全国の教委や文部科学省は全力を挙げねばならない。
In the latest incident discovered, bribery is suspected of playing a role not only in teacher employment tests but also in promotion tests for principals and vice principals. In connection with the cases, the Oita prefectural police searched the primary schools of a principal and vice principals who allegedly gave gift certificates to a senior official of the prefectural board of education who oversaw personnel management in return for special treatment in the examination. 事件では、教員採用試験だけでなく、校長や教頭の昇任試験でも贈収賄の疑いが浮上し、人事担当の県教委参事に商品券を贈った校長、教頭の勤務先の小学校まで県警の捜索対象となった。
The No. 2 official of the board of education is suspected of receiving gift certificates worth 200,000 yen from the principal of a primary and middle school in the prefecture after the principal was unofficially notified of his appointment as a senior official of the board's compulsory education division. The No. 2 official also is alleged to have instructed his subordinate to bump up test scores of certain applicants to ensure they passed teacher employment and promotion tests. 現職の教育審議監も、抜擢が決まった参事から２０万円の商品券を受け取ったほか、採用と昇任の両試験で点数水増しを指示した疑いが浮かんでいる。
The board of education has already announced that it will nullify the assignment of teachers to posts that have been confirmed illegitimately obtained and hire unsuccessful applicants whose test scores were sufficient to pass. 県教委は、不正採用が判明した教員の採用を取り消し、合格水準に達しながら不合格となった受験者の救済を明らかにしている。
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Evidence gone (証拠は隠滅された)
However, with the applicants' answer sheets from the test already having been discarded, it is difficult to identify those illegitimately recruited and those who should have been given a passing grade, but were failed in favor of those who were shown improper consideration. It is also necessary to think about the possible adverse impact on students. だが、答案用紙は廃棄され、すべての不正採用者や救済対象者の特定は容易ではない。児童生徒への影響も考慮する必要がある。
To carry out reform, the prefectural board of education has recently set up a special team comprised of lawyers and outside experts as advisers. The team must quickly investigate the series of incidents from a different viewpoint from the police investigation and take necessary measures. 県教委は改革のため、弁護士など外部の識者を顧問に加えた特別チームを発足させた。捜査とは別の観点から早急に調査を進め、対策を取らねばならない。
A practice in which the remark column on applicants' score tables bears the names and titles of board of education officials and prefectural assembly members who acted as go-betweens in connection with the cash-for-pass scandal lasted until at least seven to eight years ago. A person connected to the board of education said the practice had been in place for 20 years. 少なくとも７、８年前までは、受験者の得点一覧表の「備考欄」に、県教委関係者や県議ら口利きした人物の名前や肩書が記入されていた。「不正は２０年前から行われていた」との証言もある。
Concentration of authority to make pass-fail decisions in the hands of a small number of senior officials was proved to have resulted in a hotbed of corruption in a court case in connection with a similar bribery scandal at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education 18 years ago. 合格を決定する権限が少数の幹部に集中し、不正の温床になっていることは、１８年前に起きた山口県教委汚職の裁判でも明るみに出ている。
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Systemic problems
According to a recent Yomiuri Shimbun survey, however, 58 boards of education among 63 Tokyo and other prefectural, and ordinance-designated cities' boards of education allow only officials of the secretariat division of the board of education to take part in screenings for public school teachers. ところが、読売新聞の調査では、大分を除く６３都道府県・政令市教委のうち、５８教委が事務局職員だけで合否を判定していた。 Only 17 boards disclose allocation of scores to each answer on the employment tests. Disclosing correct answers and score allocation so that applicants can self-grade their tests is the first step toward preventing wrongdoing. 問題の配点公表も１７教委だけだ。受験者が自己採点できる解答と配点の公表は、不正防止の第一歩だ。
What did the Oita Prefectural Board of Education learn from the scandal in the other prefecture? The board should seriously reflect on the scandal in which it is involved. 他県の不祥事から何を学んできたのか。猛省すべきだ。
It has also been revealed that the Oita Prefectural Board of Education and other local boards disclosed the results of teacher employment tests, although there was no money involved, to prefectural assembly members and others, who acted as go-betweens, before those who took the test received their results. Providing such advance notice of test results is poor practice that could lead to misconduct. Such practices must be stamped out. 金品を介さないまでも、各地の教委が県議らの口利きを受け、受験者より前に合否を伝えていたことも判明した。口利きと事前の合否連絡は、不正を生みかねない悪弊だ。根を絶たねばならない。
The local education administration law revised last year enables the education minister to demand boards of education take corrective measures if it becomes obvious that violations of the law and negligence on the part of the board infringes on students' rights to an education. 昨年の地方教育行政法改正で、文科相は、教委の法令違反や怠慢で児童生徒が教育を受ける権利を侵害されていることが明らかであれば、具体的な内容の是正を要求できるよう明記された。 infringe=侵害する
In the case of Oita Prefecture, the misconduct revealed is systematic and either the principal or vice principal has been removed at four primary schools. The education minister should not hesitate to intervene in the case if the prefectural board of education is unable to quickly solve the problem. 大分では組織ぐるみの不正が明らかになり、４小学校では校長か教頭が不在だ。県教委が迅速に対策を打ち出せないなら、文科相は介入を躊躇してはなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2008) （2008年7月28日02時08分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 26, 2008 Hachioji knifeman was pampered by parents, isolated at school, work 八王子殺傷：学校、職場で孤独…両親が「よりどころ」 （過保護が原因か？八王子殺傷） Acquaintances of Shoichi Kanno, who has been arrested for killing a woman and injuring another in a knife attack in the western Tokyo city of Hachioji earlier this week, say he was spoiled by his parents and ostracized at school and work. "During breaks at school, we often saw him reading textbooks alone. When classmates started making fun of him, he stopped attending school," said a 32-year-old woman who attended the same junior high school as Kanno, 33. A 55-year-old worker of a pickled vegetable factory, where Kanno had worked for several years, said he was overprotected by his parents. "When he was doing overtime, one of his parents would phone him at the factory saying, 'Are you still working?'" he said. Until about five years ago, he visited a convenience store near his home with his 67-year-old mother on a daily basis. "It's rare that an adult man comes to my store with his mother every day," said the store's 44-year-old manager. While voicing an apology to his victims during questioning, Kanno expressed anger at his parents. "A few weeks ago, I asked my parents about some problems I was having at work, but they wouldn't listen to me. So I decided to do something that would cause them trouble." However, his father says that he and his wife had never discussed their son's job with him. "We're puzzled by my son's statements," he said.
Ｗｏｒｄｓ and Phrases: ostracize=社会的に追放する、葬る、村八分にする 発音注意：オストラサイズと発音する breakes=休み時間、休憩時間、休息時間 making fun of him=彼をからかう overprotected by his parents=過保護状態であった overtime=時間外、残業 express anger=怒りを表す something that would cause them trouble=何か両親を困らせるもの We're puzzled by my son's statements＝息子が何を話しているのかわからない
A month after a new law was introduced to return money to victims of bank transfer scams, there is over 5.9 billion yen waiting to be returned to its rightful owners, according to a new survey by the Japanese Bankers Association (JBA). After a spate of incidents, typically in which criminals posing as family members would call victims and con them into transferring money for bail and so on, the government enacted the Law Concerning Remedies to Remittance Solicitation Fraud, which came into effect on June 21. The JBA survey has discovered that the law will apply to 53,102 bank accounts that are both suspected of being used in bank transfer scams and have a balance of over 1,000 yen. The total balance of these accounts stands at 5.916 billion yen -- but since Japan Post Bank, credit unions and credit cooperatives are not members of the JBA and therefore not covered by the survey, the real total is estimated to be even higher. The Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan, a semi-governmental body, has been tasked with overseeing the return of the money, a process which began on July 16. The JBA is also asking victims to inquire with banks to find out whether the accounts that they transferred their money to are subject to the rescue measures. The National Police Agency said that a record total of 13.7 billion yen was collected through bank transfer scams between January and May this year, a 60 percent increase over last year's figure for that period. According to the JBA survey -- the first of its kind -- there were 183,789 accounts containing a total of 8.723 billion yen believed to have been used in illegal activities such as tax evasion as of the end of March. Of those, 124,472 accounts are suspected to have been used in bank transfer scams, the JBA said.
Words and Phrases: bank transfer scam=振り込め詐欺 spate=噴出すること、大量に発生すること typically=典型的に pose=～のふりをする con=騙す、詐欺をはたらく transfer=送る（送金） bail=保釈 scam=汚い手口、詐欺 rescue measures=救済措置 tax evasion=脱税
(Jul. 26, 2008) The Yomiuri Shimbun Latest CPI figure leaves govt, BOJ in policy bind 消費者物価 景気もインフレも要警戒だ（7月26日付・読売社説）
Surging oil and food prices worldwide have pushed the nation's consumer price index to a worryingly high level. 世界的な原油と穀物価格の高騰を背景に、国内の消費者物価も警戒水位に達したようだ。
Stagflation--in which an economy experiences inflation and stagnation at the same time--appears to be becoming a reality. The government and the Bank of Japan should therefore take even greater care over how they manage policy. 物価上昇と景気悪化が同時進行するスタグフレーションが現実味を帯びている。政府・日銀は、一段と注意深い政策運営が求められよう。
For June, the core CPI, which excludes perishable foods, rose for the ninth consecutive month on a year-on-year basis, jumping 1.9 percent for the period. Excluding periods when prices rose following a consumption tax hike, the latest figure is the highest in 15-1/2 years. Meanwhile, the index that includes perishable foods showed a 2 percent increase for the first time in almost 16 years. ６月の全国消費者物価指数は９か月連続で上昇し、前年同月比の伸び率が１・９％に達した。消費税率引き上げで物価がかさ上げされた時期を除くと、１５年半ぶりの高い伸びだ。生鮮食品を含めた指数は、ほぼ１６年ぶりに２％の上昇率を記録した。 perishable=腐りやすい perishable foods=生鮮食料品
With sharp increases in the prices of imported raw materials such as crude oil, wheat and soybeans, prices of kerosene, gasoline and other oil products, as well as spaghetti, instant noodles, cooking oil and other food products have soared by 20 percent to 40 percent on the previous year. 原油や小麦、大豆など、海外から輸入した原材料の急騰を受け、灯油やガソリンなどの石油製品のほか、スパゲティ、即席めん、食用油などの食品が、前年より２～４割も値上がりしている。
The latest CPI reading was near the upper limit of the zero to 2 percent range considered desirable by the central bank, though the July figure, which is expected to show further increases, could exceed this level. 消費者物価は、日銀が望ましい上昇率の目安としている「０～２％」の上限に張り付き、７月はさらに上昇が見込まれる。
Consumption has been hit as rising prices for daily necessities deal a further blow to household budgets that are suffering from sluggish wages. 賃金が伸び悩んでいる家計に、生活必需品の値上がりが追い打ちをかけ、消費は冷え込んでいる。 sluggish=活気のない、停滞気味の
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Heading toward recession? （不景気への道）
Meanwhile, the deteriorating business performance of companies as a result of higher costs and the slowing U.S. economy also is a matter of serious concern. The nation's economy, which had seen growth plateau, is now on the brink of recession. コスト高や米景気の減速による企業業績の悪化も深刻だ。「踊り場」で何とか踏みとどまってきた景気は、後退局面入りの瀬戸際に立たされている。 deteriorating=悪化した plateau=高原、台地／安定期／景気の停滞状態 on the brink of recession=景気後退への瀬戸際
Even if the inflation rate slightly exceeds the central bank's target, it would not be appropriate for the bank to raise interest rates in response. 今後、物価上昇率が日銀の目安を多少超えたとしても、インフレ防止のための「利上げ路線」に転換できる状況ではない。
For the time being, there is no choice but to maintain a neutral stance that does not lean toward rate hikes or cuts. 当面は、利上げにも利下げにも偏らない「中立路線」を維持するしかあるまい。 lean=寄りかかる、偏る、傾く rate hikes or cuts=利上げ又は利下げ
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Foreign complications （複雑な外の事情）
The European Central Bank earlier this month decided to raise interest rates as eurozone inflation hit 4 percent. Even in the United States, where policymakers have now stopped cutting interest rates, there is speculation the Federal Reserve Board will start to hike rates. 一方、欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）は７月、域内の物価上昇率が４％に達したことを受けて利上げに踏み切った。現在は利下げを休止している米国でも、利上げ観測が浮上し始めている。
With demand sluggish, Japan has yet to overcome deflationary pressures. But if both the United States and European Central Bank set off on a course of rate hikes, the Bank of Japan will find it even more difficult to conduct monetary policy. ただ、日本は国内需要の低迷でデフレからまだ脱却していない。米欧とも利上げ路線を取り始めたら、日銀の金融政策のかじ取りはさらに難しさを増すだろう。
The challenges of rising oil prices and confusion in financial and capital markets cannot be tackled by a single nation. 原油高や金融資本市場の混乱など、世界的な課題は、一国では解決できない。
Governments should first move to stem flows of speculative money, which are pushing up oil and grain prices irrespective of demand. まず、原油や穀物の価格を、実際の需要以上につり上げている投機マネーの暴走に、歯止めをかける必要がある。 irrespective=無関係に、かかわりなく
The United States, home to a number of speculative funds, is reluctant to introduce regulations to stop them. But the adverse effects of speculative money flows have seriously shaken the real global economy. 投機的ファンドを多く抱える米国は、規制などに消極的だが、投機の弊害は実体経済を大きく揺さぶっている。 the real global economy=世界の実体経済
The Japanese government, in cooperation with European authorities, must put more pressure on the United States to ensure that action is taken to strengthen supervision over, and regulations aimed at, speculative market players. 日本政府は欧州と協力し、投機筋に対する監視や規制の強化に向けて各国が行動するよう、米国にもっと強く迫るべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2008) （2008年7月26日01時45分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 25, 2008 Tokyo High Court upholds prison term for Livedoor founder Horie ライブドア：堀江元社長の控訴棄却し実刑判決 東京高裁
The Tokyo High Court on Friday upheld a 2 1/2 year prison sentence handed down on former Livedoor Co. President Takafumi Horie, who faced charges of violating the Securities and Exchange Law in connection with fraudulent accounting at the company. In handing down its decision, the high court dismissed an appeal against a lower court ruling. Horie's lawyers, who had argued that he was innocent, planned to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. Horie, who founded Livedoor, was convicted in an earlier district court ruling of padding the company's accounts by over 5.3 billion yen in the financial period ending in September 2004. He was accused of listing over 3.76 billion yen from the sale of the company's shares as profits when the amount could not normally be regarded as profits. He also stood accused of listing up 1.58 billion yen in fictitious sales to two companies that later became subsidiaries. In the high court appeal trial launched in February this year, Horie's lawyers argued that the district court ruling had illegally made a decision on a point other than what the focus of the trial was decided to be in pretrial arrangement procedures. They added that the former president had not padded accounts intentionally, and said that even if he were found guilty, a prison term without suspension was too heavy. Prosecutors had argued that the earlier district court ruling was appropriate. Three of four other Livedoor officials in the case have been handed suspended sentences that have become fixed. The ruling on a high court appeal in the trial of Livedoor's former chief financial officer, Ryoji Miyauchi, who was handed a prison sentence in a district court ruling, is due to be handed down in September.
Words and Phrases: uphold=判決を確認する、下す hand down=判決を下す fraudulent accounting=粉飾決済,経理 high court=高等裁判所 dismiss=棄却する／解散する lower court ruling=1審の判決 the Supreme Court=最高裁判所 found=会社を設立する convict=有罪を宣告する pad=書類を粉飾する stand=位置する accused=被告人 factious sales=虚偽の取引 subsidiaries=子会社 intentionally=意識的に、わざと、意図的に、故意に pretrial=公判前の、法廷審理前の
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