The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 31, 2009) Aso mustn't buckle on decentralization plan 出先機関工程表 首相は不戦敗を繰り返すな（3月31日付・読売社説）
A loss by default is the only way to describe Prime Minister Taro Aso's capitulation to those lawmakers acting on behalf of specific interest groups and bureaucrats with vested interests, both of whom oppose the decentralization of power. 地方分権に抵抗する族議員と官僚に対する麻生首相の不戦敗――。そう言わざるを得ない。
The government recently formulated a road map for the reform of government branch offices as part of decentralization efforts. However, the road map failed to incorporate any concrete plans as to whether any branch offices would be eliminated or consolidated, while it shied away from any move to cut 35,000 central government officials at these offices. These matters have been put off until a decentralization reform outline scheduled to be compiled by the end of this year. 政府が国の出先機関改革の工程表を策定した。出先機関の統廃合案や職員３万５０００人削減の具体案は一切盛り込まれず、年末の出先機関改革大綱に先送りされた。
In its second package of recommendations submitted in December, the Decentralization Reform Committee proposed the abolition and consolidation of Construction and Transport Ministry regional development bureaus and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry regional agricultural administration offices. The committee of experts and others also recommended the operations and projects of these bodies be taken over by local municipalities. 有識者らによる地方分権改革推進委員会は昨年１２月の第２次勧告で、国土交通省地方整備局や農水省地方農政局の統合・再編や事務の地方移管などを提言した。
Attention focused on the extent to which the government road map could incorporate the committee's recommendations as policy. 今回の工程表では、提言をどこまで政府の方針として決定できるかが最大の焦点となっていた。
Aso has championed decentralization as a top priority for his Cabinet. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama has resolved to knuckle down and start discussions with ministries that have bristled at the decentralization plan, even if it means "becoming their punching bag," he said. 麻生首相は地方分権を「内閣の最重要課題」と強調する。鳩山総務相も「サンドバッグになる」と言い、反発する関係府省との調整に意欲を示していた。
However, no ministerial-level negotiations have been held, and the road map has been stripped of any hard-hitting content.
Tough times no excuse （英文翻訳抜け？） ところが、閣僚折衝さえ開かれず、中身の乏しい工程表になってしまった。
Admittedly, this is a difficult time to be formulating such a road map. 工程表の作成には、難しい時期であったのは事実だ。
With the economy tanking and the government being called on by all and sundry to take robust and quick economic and employment measures, moves to devolve power and staffers to local municipalities have screeched to a halt. 景気が悪化し、政府による強力で迅速な経済・雇用対策が求められる中、権限や職員の地方移管にブレーキがかかった。
The weakening of Aso's leadership due to dismal approval ratings for the Cabinet also has given cover to lawmakers lobbying for the interests of specific groups and bureaucrats scrambling to protect their vested interests. 内閣支持率の低迷に伴う首相の求心力低下も、族議員と官僚の既得権益保護の動きを許した。
However, we think this excuse is unacceptable. Reforming government branch offices is a historic task that has been left untouched during the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies. だが、そうした弁明は通用しない。出先機関改革は中央省庁再編で積み残された歴史的課題だ。
Many government branch offices are not closely supervised by the Diet and local assemblies or watched by residents. This lax oversight has given rise to a spate of scandals, such as wasteful spending of road-related tax revenues by construction ministry regional development bureaus, and poor supervision of rice tainted with pesticide or mold by the farm ministry's regional agricultural administration offices. 地方整備局の道路特定財源の無駄遣い、地方農政局のずさんな事故米の監督……。国会・地方議会や住民の監視が届きにくい出先機関で不祥事が多発している。
The transfer of government branch offices' work, officials and budgets earmarked for their projects to local municipalities will help revitalize regional areas and invigorate local economies, and streamline administrative duties by the central government and local municipalities by eliminating overlaps. 地域を活性化し、地方経済を再生する。国と地方の二重行政を排し、効率化する。その両方の観点から、出先機関の事務や財源の地方移管が要請されている。
Key election issue
A sharing of roles, in which local municipalities basically handle regular work and projects during normal times and let the central government step in to deal swiftly with emergencies such as recession and major disasters, should have been discussed over the years. 不況や大災害など非常時には、政府が機動的に対処する余地を残しつつ、平時は地方が基本的に事務を行う。そんな役割分担の制度を検討してきたはずだ。
Another loss by default on this matter would be inexcusable. The government should quickly start coordinating with relevant bodies so it can incorporate specific goals into its decentralization reform outline at the end of the year. The prime minister and the internal affairs and communications minister will need to exercise leadership should the going get tough during this process. 不戦敗を繰り返すことは許されない。年末の改革大綱で具体的な成果を上げるには、政府は早い段階から、周到に調整を進める必要がある。首相や総務相が要所で指導力を発揮すべきだ。
Decentralization will be a key issue during the next House of Representatives election campaign. The Democratic Party of Japan has trumpeted a radical policy to abolish and cut back government branch offices should it take office. 次期衆院選で、地方分権は一つの争点となろう。民主党は、「出先機関は廃止・縮小」などと、より急進的な政策を掲げている。
If the ruling parties postpone reform of government branch offices until after the lower house election, they would leave themselves open to accusations that their words contradict their actions. We hope the ruling coalition holds its nerve and puts up numerical targets concerning the shift of government branch offices' operations and projects to local municipalities, as well as in cuts to the number of central government officials working at these offices. 与党が出先機関改革をすべて衆院選後に先送りするようでは、言行不一致が問われよう。事務の地方移管や職員削減について、具体的な数値目標を掲げるくらいの積極性を見せてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 31, 2009) （2009年3月31日01時30分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 30, 2009) Truly nationwide tests should be welcomed 全国学力テスト 全自治体の参加を歓迎したい（3月30日付・読売社説）
The Education, Science and Technology Ministry's annual nationwide academic achievement exams will finally become deserving of their name next month, when they are conducted for the third time. 文部科学省の全国学力テストが、３年目でようやく「全国」の名にふさわしいものになる。
The Inuyama Municipal Board of Education in Aichi Prefecture, which had refused to participate in the scholastic ability tests for the past two years, has made an about-face and will take part this year. ２年連続で不参加だった愛知県犬山市の教育委員会が参加を決めた。
This decision means the next nationwide tests, which are scheduled for April, are expected to be conducted by every local government across the country. The incumbent Inuyama mayor made no secret of his preference for joining the test during his successful campaign for election at the end of 2006. This has helped pave the way for the city to finally participate in the exams. これによって、今年４月のテストは、全自治体で実施される見通しだ。テスト参加を選挙で訴えた現市長が２００６年末に当選し、今回、参加にこぎつけた。
The nationwide exams test sixth-grade primary school students and third-year middle school students on their knowledge of arithmetic, mathematics and Japanese. 全国学力テストは小学６年生、中学３年生を対象に国語と算数・数学で行う。
The tests should be conducted regularly and the results carefully dissected so education officials can determine how to improve students' academic abilities. This will be all the more important because the tests will become "nationwide exams" both in name and reality. 名実ともに全国調査になるからこそ継続し、結果を検証して、着実に学力向上へとつなげていかねばならない。
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Useful data awaits
Children who will take the tests in April took part in the country's first nationwide physical test last year. Students' lifestyle habits are surveyed concurrently with both academic and physical tests. These surveys could provide important data on the relationship between lifestyle habits and academic and physical performance. ４月のテストを受けるのは、昨年、初の全国体力テストの対象となった児童生徒たちである。両テストでは生活習慣調査も実施されており、双方を合わせて分析することが大切だ。
Students who took the first round of scholastic ability tests as sixth-graders at primary school will next year take the tests as third-year middle school students. 来年は、小６時に受けた子どもが中３としてテストに臨む。
Results of these two tests likely will help the ministry pinpoint how students develop their scholastic abilities by examining what classes they have taken and how they study. どんな授業を受け、どういう学習に取り組んできた子どもが、学力を伸ばしたか。
The ministry should compare the test results children get as sixth-grade primary school students with their results as third-year middle school students, to improve education policies and brush up teaching guidelines. Only through such efforts will the tests be able to fulfill their principle purpose. 結果を比較し、教育施策や学習指導の改善に結びつけたい。それでこそ、学力テスト本来の目的にかなうだろう。
Meanwhile, the education ministry's operational procedures for the tests tightened controls on providing data on exam results to relevant organizations. 文科省の実施要領では、関係機関へのテスト結果提供について、規制を強めている。
However, if the ministry remains unwilling to disclose details of the test results, it will be difficult to reap any benefits from the exams. だが、結果の公表に後ろ向きでは全国テストをいかせない。
It is extremely short-sighted to think that disclosing average percentages of correct answers and other data will lead to excessive competition and an obsession with rankings among schools and local governments. We think the ministry is disregarding the wishes of students' guardians and local residents, whose understanding and support are essential for making sure schools are managed smoothly. 平均正答率などを公表すれば直ちに過度の競争や序列化につながると考えるのは、短絡的すぎる。学校運営に理解や協力を得なければならない保護者、地域住民を軽視してはいないか。
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Benefits already visible
Okinawa Prefecture, which ranked lowest in the achievement tests for two consecutive years, will start a teacher exchange program with Akita Prefecture, which retained its top position in several subjects. Kochi Prefecture, whose middle school students fared poorly in the tests, started promoting reforms to improve its education to the "national level as an initial step." ２年連続で最下位だった沖縄県は、トップクラスだった秋田県と教員の交流に乗り出す。中学生が下位に低迷した高知県でも、「まず全国水準」を目標に、教育改革を進めている。
These moves would not have gotten off the ground if the results of each prefecture had not been disclosed. We believe test results should be disclosed in more detail by each municipality, although particular care should be taken not to single out schools with a small student roll. 都道府県別の結果公表がなければこうした動きはなかったろう。市町村別の結果も、小規模校などに配慮しつつ、もっと積極的に公表していくべきではないか。
This would require boards of education to disclose not only percentages of correct answers but also their analysis of test results and plans to improve students' scholastic abilities. その際、各教委は正答率だけでなく、結果の分析内容や学力向上策も一緒に示す必要があろう。
The controversy over Inuyama's participation in the tests focused on the roles boards of education should play. 犬山市の参加・不参加問題は、教委のあり方も問いかけた。
Though boards of education are independent from mayors and governors to ensure education remains free from interference, this does not entitle the boards to be self-righteous. We believe the Inuyama Municipal Board of Education should have made more effort to accurately grasp what parents and other affected parties really wanted. 教委は教育の中立性を守るため首長から独立しているが、独善は許されない。保護者らの意向をもっと的確に把握する努力をすべきだったのではないか。
The government's Meeting on Education Rebuilding has been considering what form boards of education should take in the future even after it had released its third report in February. We hope the panel leaves no stone unturned in its discussions on the issue. 教委のあり方については、政府の教育再生懇談会が第３次報告の提言後も、検討を続けている。しっかり議論してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 30, 2009) （2009年3月30日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 29, 2009) U.S. Afghan strategy requires intl support アフガン新戦略 「対テロ連携」の再構築を（3月29日付・読売社説）
U.S. President Barack Obama announced Friday a comprehensive strategy for U.S. Afghan policy that marks a major change from the past one and he declared his aim to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida." オバマ米大統領が、対アフガニスタン政策を抜本的に見直す包括的戦略を発表し、「国際テロ組織アル・カーイダを粉砕する」と宣言した。
In Afghanistan, Al-Qaida and the Taliban--the nation's former rulers--have been increasing their military offensive, resulting in expansion of their sphere of control. アフガンでは、アル・カーイダとタリバン旧政権勢力が軍事的攻勢を強め、支配地域を広げている。
As they have established operational bases in Pakistan, an Afghan neighbor, the U.S. operations to wipe them out from Afghanistan have been beset with difficulties. 隣国パキスタン領内に拠点があるため、米軍の掃討作戦は難航している。
If the terrorists are left unchecked, we may see another tragedy similar to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. テロ勢力の跳梁(ちょうりょう)を許せば、２００１年の米同時テロのような惨劇が再現しかねない。
Driving the radical forces from Afghanistan and stabilizing the country is an important issue for not only the Obama administration but also for the entire international community. 過激派勢力を放逐しアフガンを安定化させることは、オバマ政権のみならず国際社会全体の重要課題である。
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New guideline on tackling terror
The new U.S. strategy will serve as the guideline for the U.S. administration as it fights terrorism. A key aspect of the strategy is its call for concrete achievements to be made in various fields, including military and reconstruction assistance as well as diplomacy. It also indicates a desire to strengthen cooperation with the international community. 新戦略は、「テロとの戦い」に取り組む米新政権の指針となる。軍事、復興支援、外交の多方面にわたり具体策を示し、国際社会との連携強化を打ち出したのが、大きな特徴だ。
In the military field, about 4,000 additional U.S. troops will be sent to the country to train the Afghan National Army and police force. Combined security force numbers in Afghanistan are set to increase by 60,000 to about 220,000 by 2011. This is seen as an attempt by the United States to bring about an end to Afghanistan's dependence on other nations for its security and to realize a U.S. military withdrawal from the country in the future. 軍事面では、米軍４０００人を増派し、アフガン国軍と警察の養成に専従させるとした。アフガン自前の治安部隊は、再来年までに６万人増の２２万人体制となる。アフガンの自立を促し、将来の米軍撤収につなげる狙いがあろう。
Obama decided in February to deploy 17,000 troops to Afghanistan for the purpose of wiping out terrorists and maintaining security there. U.S. troops stationed in the country will swell to about 60,000, an increase that is a reasonable reaction to the aggravated security situation in Afghanistan. 先月には、テロ掃討や治安維持を目的に１万７０００人の米軍増派を決定している。駐留米軍は６万人規模に膨らむ。アフガンの状況悪化に対応した措置である。
To aid the civilian population, the new strategy stipulates a beefing up of the number of U.S. experts in administrative, judicial, agricultural and other fields by several hundreds and an expansion of U.S. support for Afghan reconstruction. This is mainly designed to improve the Afghan government's ability to govern, prevent corruption and reinforce the national economic base--undercutting terrorism at its roots. 民生面では、行政、司法、農業などの米国人専門家の数百人増派と復興支援拡充を盛り込んだ。政府の統治能力向上、腐敗の防止、国民経済の基盤強化で、テロの温床をなくそうという計算だ。
However, it is uncertain to what extent the new strategy can be effective in producing results in the complicated social situation that exists in Afghanistan, a multiethnic country where national reconciliation is fraught with difficulties. In August, a presidential election is scheduled. As the new strategy's first test, efforts must be made to ensure it proceeds smoothly. だが、多民族国家で国民融和が難しいアフガンの複雑な社会状況の中で、どこまで成果があがるのかは不透明だ。８月には大統領選挙が予定されている。まずはこれを円滑に実施する必要がある。
Financial assistance to Pakistan also is an important pillar of the new strategy. The United States will extend 1.5 billion dollars in direct support to the Pakistani people every year for the next five years. 新戦略では、パキスタンへの支援も重要な柱だ。年額１５億ドルの援助を５年間実施するという。
Pakistan's cooperation is indispensable for the complete removal of terrorist forces' operation bases in the country. However, the administration of President Asif Ali Zardari is being hounded by the opposition and the nation's political situation is quite unstable. Urgent steps must be taken to stabilize Pakistan. テロ勢力の拠点を一掃するため、パキスタンの協力は欠かせない。だが、肝心のザルダリ政権は野党の攻勢にさらされ、政情は極めて不安定だ。パキスタンの安定も喫緊の課題である。
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U.S. call to share the burden
The United States plans to ask Japan and European nations to take on an appropriate share of the burden for the stabilization of Afghanistan at an international conference to be held Tuesday in the Netherlands, while at an April 17 meeting in Tokyo on assistance for Pakistan, nations also will be asked to make a similar commitment. 米国は、３１日にオランダで開かれるアフガン安定化国際会議や、４月１７日の東京でのパキスタン支援国会合で、日本や欧州各国に応分の負担を求める方針だ。
Japan already has announced financial support worth 2 billion dollars for Afghanistan, the third largest pledge after the United States and Britain. The Japan International Cooperation Agency and nongovernment organizations, among others, also have been contributing personnel to the country. It is important that Japan further reinforces such support programs in the future. 日本は、アフガンには米英に次ぐ２０億ドルの支援を表明し、国際協力機構（ＪＩＣＡ）や民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）などが人的貢献を進めてきた。今後も支援の一層の充実に努めていくことが大事だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29, 2009) （2009年3月29日02時14分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 28, 2009) SDF must protect against a wayward DPRK missile 破壊措置命令 北のミサイルに冷静に備えよ（3月28日付・読売社説）
It is essential for national security that measures be taken to prepare for emergencies. We hope the Self-Defense Forces will take all necessary measures to protect this nation if North Korea launches a missile and it malfunctions. 万一の事態を想定し、様々な対応策をとるのは安全保障の要諦(ようてい)だ。自衛隊は、万全の準備を進めてもらいたい。
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered the SDF for the first time Friday to destroy the North Korean missile if it fails after launch and falls toward Japanese territory. 浜田防衛相が、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルが日本に落下した場合は迎撃するよう、自衛隊に初の「破壊措置命令」を下した。
The SDF will take a two-step approach, involving both ground- and sea-based defenses. Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers will soon be dispatched to the Sea of Japan, while Air Self-Defense Force guided-missile units will be deployed in the Tohoku region and surrounding areas that are located under the expected flight path of the ballistic missile. 海上自衛隊のイージス艦２隻が近く、日本海に派遣される。航空自衛隊の地対空誘導弾部隊も、弾道ミサイルの飛行ルートの下に位置する東北地方などに展開する。海上と地上からの２段構えの迎撃態勢をとる。
It is important to act calmly as North Korea's missile launch approaches. 北朝鮮のミサイルには、冷静に対応することが重要だ。
North Korea has said it will "put a satellite into orbit" and that Japan is not a target of its rocket launch. 北朝鮮は「人工衛星の打ち上げ」を主張しており、日本が標的になっている訳ではない。
If the missile travels without any mishap, it will not fall on the Japanese mainland or waters. ミサイルが正常に飛行すれば、日本の領土・領海内に落下することはない。
A problem could occur, however, if a rare mishap occurs involving certain malfunctions, such as one in which the missile's first-stage booster functions properly, but the second-stage booster then malfunctions, causing the missile to stall and fall on Japan. 問題になるのは、ミサイルの１段目は正常に飛行した後、２段目が故障し、失速して日本に落下するなど、偶然が重なる、極めて限られたケースだ。
If that were to occur, people's lives and property would be at risk. It is natural that the SDF should then try to intercept a missile to minimize possible damage. その場合は、国民の生命や財産に被害が生じかねない。自衛隊が迎撃し、被害の最小化を図るのは当然のことだ。
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United States within range
The North Korean weapon that poses the most direct threat to Japan is the Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of hitting any point on the Japanese archipelago. そもそも日本にとっての脅威は、日本列島を射程に収める中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンだ。
North Korea's long-range ballistic missile widens the threat to include the United States, which now finds itself exposed to danger because Alaska, Hawaii and Guam come within range. 北朝鮮の長距離ミサイルが脅威となるのは、グアムやハワイ、アラスカなどが射程に入る米国である。
U.S. spy satellites have been used to confirm missile launch preparations at an early stage. 今回、発射の兆候が早期に確認されたのは、米国の偵察衛星情報によるものだ。
If the SDF tries to intercept the missile, U.S. early-warning satellites also would detect the missile launch and Japanese and U.S. radars would then track it. 迎撃時にも、米国の早期警戒衛星が発射を探知し、日米のレーダーで追尾する。
It is important that Japan and the United States closely share information and strengthen operational cooperation for that purpose. 自衛隊と米軍が緊密に情報を共有し、運用面での連携を強化することが大切だ。
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Keep worried citizens informed
When North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles that fell into the Sea of Japan in July 2006, information on the missile launch sent by the central government to local governments and related organizations nationwide was delayed. Taking this into account, the central government will this time brief residents who live under the missile flight path on the deployment of guided missile units and how a wayward missile would be intercepted. ２００６年７月に７発の弾道ミサイルが発射された時には、政府から自治体や関係機関への連絡が遅れた。その教訓を踏まえ、政府は今回、事前に地元説明会などを開いている。
Before North Korea actually launches a missile, the Japanese government should put in place a system that allows it to swiftly convey all necessary information to people concerned to minimize public anxiety. 実際のミサイル発射時にも、国民の不安を軽減するよう、必要な情報を迅速に関係者に伝える体制を整えておくべきだろう。
North Korea has announced it will put a "satellite" into orbit sometime between April 4 and 8, notifying aviation and maritime organizations of its plan in accordance with international norms. Japan, together with South Korea and the United States, must make diplomatic efforts until the last minute to call for a halt to the missile launch, while trying to gain the cooperation of countries such as China and Russia. 北朝鮮は４月４～８日のミサイル発射を予告している。日本は、同じ立場の米韓両国とともに、中国やロシアなどの協力も得つつ、発射の中止を求める外交努力をぎりぎりまで尽くす必要がある。
If North Korea goes ahead and launches a missile despite such efforts, Japan should put the issue before the U.N. Security Council where a strict response can be discussed. We must avoid a situation in which Pyongyang escapes criticism or additional sanctions for choosing to launch a missile. それでも発射した場合は、国連安全保障理事会に提起し、厳しい対応を協議すべきだ。北朝鮮が、追加制裁も非難も受けず、何の代償も求められないような事態は許してはなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2009) （2009年3月28日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 27, 2009) Can Ozawa survive public's chagrin? 小沢代表進退 「世論」の逆風にたえられるか（3月27日付・読売社説）
What should Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa make of the latest opinion poll results? 民主党の小沢代表は、世論調査結果をどう受け止めるのか。
Two out of three voters in an ad hoc survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun said they were not supportive of Ozawa's decision to stay on as party leader following the indictment of his state-funded first secretary over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law. 読売新聞が実施した緊急世論調査で、小沢氏の公設第１秘書が、政治資金規正法違反で起訴されながら、小沢氏が続投を決めたことについて、有権者の３人に２人が「納得できない」と答えた。
Ozawa has said that the issue of whether his staying on would affect the party is wholly in the hands of the public--for better or for worse. The negative public reaction reflected in the survey likely will put fresh pressure on Ozawa to decide on whether to resign. 小沢氏は、「続投が（民主党に）プラスかマイナスかは、国民の受け取り方次第だ」と表明してきた。調査に表れた国民の厳しい反応は、小沢氏に改めて進退について決断を迫るものとなろう。
However, this is not the only bad news for Ozawa and the DPJ. 小沢氏や民主党にとってマイナス材料はこれにとどまらない。
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Voter support fading fast
Asked in the survey whether Ozawa was accountable over suspected illegal donations made by a construction firm to his political fund-management organization, most of the respondents said "no." ゼネコンからの資金管理団体への違法献金について、小沢氏が「国民に説明責任を果たしていると思うか」との問いに、大多数がノーと答えている。
Ozawa has held a number of press conferences since the scandal broke, during which he has claimed the allegations are minor and concern only formalities over donations made. He has thus failed to frankly answer questions that are at the heart of this political scandal, and the views expressed by voters in the survey are therefore only natural. 小沢氏は、これまで記者会見を重ねてきたが、事件を軽微な形式犯のように主張し、献金疑惑の核心に正面から答えてこなかった。有権者のこうした見方は、当然のことだろう。
At the press conference following the indictment, Ozawa said, "My primary mission is to have parliamentary democracy take root in Japan through a change in power," a reiteration of his push for a DPJ victory in the next general election. 記者会見で小沢氏は、「政権交代によって日本に議会制民主主義を定着させることが私の大使命」と、次期総選挙で民主党の勝利をめざす考えを力説している。
But the survey results do not match Ozawa's ambitions. しかし、調査結果は、このような小沢氏の言い分を打ち砕くような数字が多い。
Regarding who is better suited to serve as prime minister, fewer respondents chose Ozawa than Prime Minister Taro Aso. In previous surveys conducted since December--even following the arrest of the secretary in early March--Ozawa had maintained his lead against Aso. But now the situation has suddenly been reversed. 小沢代表と麻生首相では、どちらが首相にふさわしいかという質問では、麻生氏を下回った。昨年１２月以降は、今月初めの公設秘書逮捕直後の調査も含めて、小沢氏が優位を保っていた。それが一気に逆転した。
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LDP regains edge
In previous surveys when voters were asked which party would receive their support in proportional representation votes, the DPJ had a sizable lead over the Liberal Democratic Party. But the latest survey finds the two parties neck and neck. In a survey from early March, overall approval ratings for the two parties were almost level, but the latest survey now shows the LDP has pulled ahead of the DPJ. 次の総選挙の比例代表選で、どの政党に投票するかでも、民主党が自民党を大きくリードしていたが、今回、肩を並べた。今月初めの調査でほぼ横並びだった政党支持率についても、今回は自民党のリードを許した。
The Aso Cabinet had seen its approval rating plunge since late last year, and the Cabinet's stability has looked in doubt. But adverse winds blowing against the Aso Cabinet have changed direction and are now buffeting the DPJ under Ozawa's leadership. 昨年末から内閣支持率が急落して政権の維持すらおぼつかなかった麻生内閣への逆風は、一転、小沢民主党に向かった形だ。
Criticism also has been voiced over the DPJ's decision to allow Ozawa to remain in his post. The public's disapproval is likely the result of party members failing to hold any constructive talks on the scandal involving the party leader. 民主党が、小沢氏の続投を了承したことにも、批判の目が注がれている。“党首のスキャンダル”になんら建設的な論議がみられなかったためだろう。
However, with Ozawa expressing his intention to stay on, open calls within the party for him to step down have begun. Public sentiment expressed in the latest survey certainly will accelerate talks on the question of whether Ozawa should resign. ただ、小沢氏が続投を表明してから、党内でも「小沢降ろし」が公然化してきた。今回の「世論」が、小沢代表の進退問題の論議を加速させるのは確実だ。
How will DPJ executives act given the current situation? This is a test of their collective ability to handle a crisis. 党執行部は、ここでどんな対応をみせるのか。民主党の危機管理能力が問われている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2009) （2009年3月27日01時32分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 26, 2009) Job-protection measures must be carefully gauged 政労使合意 雇用対策の有効性を見極めよ（3月26日付・読売社説）
In view of the serious economic situation, the government, workers and employers have agreed to cooperate to tackle employment instability. 深刻な経済状況を踏まえ、政労使の３者が、雇用不安の解消に向けて一致協力して取り組むことで合意した。
The three parties agreed that they would make the utmost efforts for that purpose, including striving to preserve jobs. We hope that workers and employers of each company will be kept fully informed about the general intent of the agreement. 雇用維持などに「最大限の努力を行う」としている。この趣旨を各企業の労使にも周知徹底してもらいたい。
The government will shoulder most of the concrete measures to realize the agreement, which includes steps to support regular and nonregular workers, such as the expansion of subsidies and job training. ただ、具体策となると大半は政府が担う対策である。助成金や職業訓練の拡充など、非正規労働者を含む支援策が盛り込まれた。
The content of the support measures resembles that of the additional emergency measures for employment that the ruling parties recently compiled. It seems that ideas for immediate measures are limited. 与党が先にまとめた追加の緊急雇用対策と、中身はほとんど変わらない。当面の策としてアイデアは限られているとも言える。
One of the main measures agreed among the three parties is to promote work-sharing to maintain jobs. 主な対策の一つに、雇用を維持するために仕事を分け合うワークシェアリングの推進がある。
Work-sharing represents an effort not to dismiss workers even if companies are forced to reduce production, and instead to maintain employment through employee furloughs and other steps. The rate for government subsidies for employment adjustment will be raised. 生産量の削減を余儀なくされても従業員を解雇せず、休業措置などで対応する方法をワークシェアリングと位置づけ、雇用調整助成金の助成率を引き上げる。
In addition, if a company maintains employment for nonregular workers, such as through overtime reduction, the government will provide a certain amount of money to the company to help it support affected nonregular workers for up to six months. さらに、残業の削減などによって非正規労働者の雇用を維持した企業には、１人につき半年間、一定金額を支給する。
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Securing reemployment key
Under the current economic downturn, many companies have cut production, and existing government subsidies for employment adjustment are, in most cases, used to maintain employment for regular workers. The agreed measure widens the scope of government subsidies for employment adjustment to include employment of nonregular workers. この不況下で、生産を削減している企業は多く、雇用調整助成金も、もっぱら正社員の雇用維持に使われている。その仕組みを非正規雇用にも広げた。
The support measures also include a system to provide about 100,000 yen a month to those who are ineligible for employment insurance or those who have received all due welfare benefits during their job-training period. The measures will allow them to concentrate on job training by ensuring their livelihood for up to two years. 雇用保険の受給資格のない人や受給が終了した人に対して、職業訓練期間中、月額１０万円程度を支給する制度も盛り込まれた。最大で２年間、生活を保障されながら訓練に励むことができる。
If the government does not prepare effective programs that lead to workers' reemployment, the job-training and livelihood security measures will have been for nothing. It also is important to foster sufficient human resources for nursing care services, environment-related jobs and other types of employment that are expected to expand in the future. 確実に再就職につながる効果的なメニューをそろえなければ、訓練も生活保障も無駄になる。介護や環境などの成長分野に円滑に労働移動させる方策も重要だ。
The government compiled one employment measure after another in the fiscal 2008 supplementary budget and the fiscal 2009 budget. A bill to revise the Employment Insurance Law to ease requirements for nonregular workers to sign up for employment insurance is expected to pass into law soon. 政府は２００８年度補正予算や０９年度予算で次々と雇用対策を打ち出してきた。加入要件を緩和して非正規労働者を救済する雇用保険法改正案も、近く成立する。
Concerning the additional measures, the government intends to include about 1.6 trillion yen for them in a fiscal 2009 supplementary budget. But some may get the impression that the government is putting priority on preparing the budget for the measures without hammering out each policy in detail. 追加策については、０９年度補正予算で約１兆６０００億円を手当てする、といった数字まで出ている。個々の対策を詳細に詰めないまま、まず数字ありき、といった印象もある。
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Fixing economy top priority
In the past, sloppy employment administration, such as lavish spending of government subsidies, occurred without being questioned seriously. Therefore, the effects of the series of employment measures should be carefully assessed. 過去にも、助成金のばらまきなど、ずさんな雇用行政がまかり通ってきた経緯がある。一連の対策の効果を、慎重に見極めていかなければならない。
The three parties also agreed that the subsidies for employment adjustment and measures for the jobless are not a fundamental solution, and that the key employment measure is boosting the economy. 雇用調整助成金や失業者対策では根本的な解決にならず、「最大の雇用対策は景気対策」という点でも政労使は一致している。
As mentioned in the agreement, utilizing every possible step for an economic recovery is the most important thing. 合意にもあるように、景気回復のため「あらゆる施策を総動員する」ことほど重要なことはない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2009) （2009年3月26日01時36分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 23, 2009) Diet should act fast to boost copyright laws 著作権法改正 違法コピーにご用心（3月23日付・読売社説）
Something should be done to address the widespread illegal copying of video and music files. 違法品がまかり通る現状を、ただ放置しておく訳にはいかない。
The government submitted to the current Diet session a bill to revise the Copyright Law that would make it illegal to download and copy video and music files illegally distributed through the Internet without the approval of copyright holders. 著作権者の許諾を得ずに、インターネットに違法配信された映像、音楽ファイルのダウンロードや複製は違法とする著作権法の改正案を、政府が今国会に提出した。
Distribution of illegally copied files through the Internet already is prohibited under current laws. However, it is not automatically illegal to download illegally copied files for personal use, if they are not being redistributed. This means it is effectively possible for video and music files to be downloaded from the Internet openly. 違法ファイルの配信は今も禁じられている。しかし、もとは違法なファイルでも、再配布せずに私的に使う場合、自分のパソコンなどにダウンロードしても直ちに違法とはならない。つまりネットから映像、音楽ファイルを堂々と入手して利用することができる。
Meanwhile, it also is difficult to track down even people who illegally distribute such files on the Internet. Only a few are ever caught, despite the huge number of illegally copied image and music files available on, and downloaded from, the Internet. その一方で、違法配信の犯人まで辿(たど)ることは容易でない。取り締まりは一部にとどまり、違法複製された映像や音楽がネットに大量に出回り、使われている。
The Recording Industry Association of Japan estimates there are between 10 percent and 20 percent more illegally copied music files exchanged on the Internet than legitimate ones. This is partly responsible for the contraction of the music industry market. 音楽の場合、日本レコード協会の推計では、ネットで違法にやりとりされるものの方が正規品より１、２割多い。音楽業界の市場縮小にもつながっている。
But if the reproduction of illegally copied files is made a crime, people will think twice before downloading such files. 違法ファイルの複製も違法となれば、もう気軽にダウンロードできないはずだ。
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Expanding legal options
Some observers have questioned the likely effectiveness of such a revision as it lacks the teeth of punitive measures for violators. Yet it would still drastically expand the range of legal options available to copyright holders. 罰則はないため、効果を疑問視する声もあるが、著作権者側が取り得る法的な手段も大幅に広がることになる。
For example, there are many books sold these days explaining how best to download illegally copied files from the Internet, among other dubious techniques. The envisaged revision likely would make it possible to suspend publication and sales of such books as they would otherwise be seen as supporting illegal activities. 例えば、ネットから違法ファイルを効率的に集める方法などを紹介した書籍が多数あるが、違法行為の助長として出版や販売を差し止めできる可能性が出てくる。
The revision also would open the way for copyright holders to claim damages from anyone knowingly copying and using large numbers of illegally copied video and music files. 違法ファイルと知りつつ大量にコピーして利用している人には賠償を求める道も開ける。
It is time for a change in the public's attitude on the issue--people should shun the use of illegally copied, copyrighted works. 利用者も意識を変えて、著作物の適法利用を心がけたい。
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Easing restrictions
The bill also includes measures to ease some copyright restrictions so that copyrighted works can be used more easily. 法改正案には、著作物を利用しやすくするための緩和措置も複数盛り込まれている。
One measure would make it easier for Japanese companies to provide Internet search services such as Google. まず、グーグルのようなネット検索サービスを日本企業が容易にできるようにする。
For example, a search provider first needs to copy and store data in its computers from a huge number of Web sites to allow it to offer Internet search services. 検索するには、ネット内の多数のホームページのデータを複製してコンピューターに蓄積しなくてはいけない。
This has previously been considered a potential infringement of copyright, but the bill would make such moves legal. 従来は、これが著作権侵害になるかもしれない、とされていたが、可能と明記した。
The bill also would make it easier to rerun previously broadcast TV programs on the Internet, especially as some programs have not been distributed on the Web because the copyright holders and performers involved could not be located to grant their approval. The envisaged revision would make it possible for such programs to be broadcast on the Web immediately after a certain amount of money based on distribution fees has been deposited with the Cultural Affairs Agency. 過去に放送済みのテレビ番組のネット配信もしやすくする。 これまでは著作者、出演者が見つからず許諾が得られないために配信できない場合があった。そこで、番組の配信料に見合う金額を文化庁に供託すれば、すぐに配信できるようにした。
These revisions are meant to help the law adapt to businesses in the Internet age, and such changes already have been implemented in some other countries. The Diet should therefore pass the bill as soon as possible to make up for lost time. これらはネット時代のビジネスにも対応した内容だ。海外ではすでに実現している。遅れを取り戻すためにも、改正案を早期に成立させることが大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2009) （2009年3月23日02時16分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 22, 2009) Japan, China must get in tune on security issues 日中防衛相会談 安全保障認識の差を狭めたい（3月22日付・読売社説）
Differing perceptions between Japan and China on key East Asia security issues were again all too obvious during talks between the defense ministers of the two nations in Beijing. 東アジアの安全保障をめぐる日中両国の認識の違いが改めて浮き彫りになった。
It is essential that both sides make efforts to narrow these gaps through more frequent dialogues. より頻繁な対話を通じて、隔たりを狭める努力が肝要だ。
At their meeting Friday, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and his Chinese counterpart, Liang Guanglie, discussed North Korea's planned rocket launch, which many observers suspect to be a long-range missile. Liang reportedly said to Hamada, "It would be best if North Korea does not fire" a rocket, but added, "Japan and other parties should keep cool heads." 中国の梁光烈国防相が北京での浜田防衛相との会談で、北朝鮮の長距離ミサイル発射について「撃たないのが一番いい」としつつ、「日本などが冷静な態度を取った方がいい」と語った。
Liang's comments can be interpreted as tacitly tolerating North Korea's planned missile launch. His comments also might have been intended as a warning because Japan and the United States are considering intercepting the missile. 北朝鮮のミサイル発射を容認するかのような発言だ。日米両国がミサイルの迎撃を検討していることをけん制したとも見られる。
Japan, South Korea and the United States have indicated the missile launch--even if it is a satellite, as Pyongyang claims--would violate several U.N. resolutions. Japan, in particular, lies in the path of the missile and faces the very real danger of having part of the rocket fall on its territory or in its waters. We think the government is absolutely justified in considering shooting down the missile. 日米韓３か国は、「人工衛星の打ち上げ」の名目でも、ミサイル発射は国連決議に違反するという立場だ。特に日本は、ミサイルの一部が自国の領土・領海内に落下する恐れも否定できない。迎撃検討は当然の対応だ。
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Discord benefits North Korea
Disarray between China, which wields some influence over North Korea through its economic cooperation and other channels, and Japan, South Korea and the United States only benefits North Korea. The Japanese government needs to relentlessly seek China's understanding and cooperation on this issue so North Korea cannot drive a wedge between them. 経済協力などを通じて北朝鮮に影響力を持つ中国と日米韓との足並みの乱れは、北朝鮮を利するだけだ。政府は、中国の理解と協力を粘り強く求める必要がある。
During the meeting, Hamada requested that Beijing explain its defense policy in more detail and more frequently to other nations and increase the transparency of its military capabilities. He also mentioned neighboring nations' concerns over China's military buildup. 浜田防衛相は会談で、中国が国防政策の対外説明を増やし、軍事力の透明性を一層向上させるよう要請した。中国の軍備増強に対する周辺国の懸念にも言及した。
Liang, however, brushed off this request, saying that China has employed defensive policies and that such concerns are unfounded. He then spoke of China's intention to possess an aircraft carrier. 梁国防相は、「中国は防御的な政策をとっており、必要のない懸念だ」と反論したうえ、空母保有への意欲を表明した。
The rapid modernization of the Chinese military and the expansion in its activities, particularly by its naval forces, could destabilize security in Asia. If China is sincere in wanting to defuse accusations that it poses a military threat, it must disclose more information on the breakdown of its military spending and details on the quantity and and procurement plans of its military equipment. 中国軍の急速な近代化と、海軍を中心とする活動範囲の拡大は、アジア安保の不安定要因だ。中国が「中国脅威論」を払拭(ふっしょく)するためには、軍事費の内訳や装備の数量・調達計画に関する積極的な情報公開が欠かせない。
Japan, for its part, should continue pressing China to be more open about its military activities. 日本も、引き続き透明性向上を促していかねばならない。
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More substance needed
During their meeting, the ministers agreed on 10 points regarding defense exchanges, including Liang's visit to Japan by the end of this year. However, this visit should not end up merely being a chance to share warm fuzzies. Japan should clearly express its concerns over issues that need to be addressed and hold substantial and constructive discussions with China. 会談では、梁国防相の年内来日など計１０項目の防衛交流に合意した。単なる友好行事に終わらせてはなるまい。日本側の問題意識をきちんと提起し、実質的で建設的な議論をすべきだ。
Given that China likely will become a military power in the mid- to long-term, it is important not only to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance but also to establish strategic partnerships with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 中国の中長期的な軍事大国化を見据えれば、日米同盟の強化に加えて、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）との戦略的な連携を構築することも重要となろう。
In this regard, it was meaningful that a vice ministerial-level meeting of defense officials of Japan and ASEAN member nations--the first of its kind--was held Tuesday in Tokyo, and that attendees decided to hold such meetings regularly. Japan and ASEAN members have deepened their diplomatic and economic relations over the years, but ties in the security area pale in comparison. その意味で、日本とＡＳＥＡＮの防衛次官級会議が１７日に東京で初めて開催され、定例化が決まった意義は小さくない。日本とＡＳＥＡＮの外交・経済関係は深いが、安保面は遅れていた。
The theme of the meeting was "common security challenges," such as responses to large-scale natural disasters and antipiracy and other maritime safety measures. We hope participating nations steadily expand and deepen their discussions at next year's meeting and beyond. 会議の議題は、大規模災害への対応、海賊対策を含む海上安全保障など「共通の安全保障課題」だった。来年以降は、徐々に協議の内容を広げ、深めていきたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2009) （2009年3月22日01時24分 読売新聞）
Japanese actor, comedian Kampei Hazama celebrates his yacht's arrival in Long Beach, California, on Tuesday, as part of his around-the-world trip. Kampei is crossing the ocean as part of his 37,000-kilometer round-the-world journey that began in December in Osaka. Kampei is crossing the globe as the bid ambassador for Tokyo's 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
（日本語翻訳 by srachai ) ヨットで世界一周を目指しているコメディアンのはざまかんぺい氏がカリフォルニアのロングビーチに到着した（火曜日）。 １２月に大阪を出発し、３７０００kmにおよぶ世界一周旅行に挑戦している。 ２０１６年東京オリンピックとパラリンピックの使節として、世界各地を寄航する。
(Mainichi Japan) March 8, 2009 Director hopes to open gate of people's hearts with 'Atomic Flame' film ひと：マット・テイラーさん＝原爆を描いた映画「ＧＡＴＥ」監督
◇マット・テイラー（Ｍａｔｔ Ｔａｙｌｏｒ）さん The director of a film on the journey of a flame burning since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima said he wanted to put an end to the circle of nuclear destruction with a symbolic extinguishing of the flame at the U.S. site where the world's first atomic bomb test was performed. In the journey, the atomic flame in Hoshino, Fukuoka Prefecture, kept alive since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, was used to light a lantern and this flame was taken to the United States. It was carried on foot from San Francisco to Trinity Site in New Mexico, where the world's first atomic bomb test was performed. Taylor said that he wanted to extinguish the flame in the place where the atomic bomb was born to put an end to the circle of nuclear destruction. 福岡県星野村にある、広島原爆から採火した「原爆の火」。分けてもらった火を、１９４５年に初の核実験が行われたトリニティーサイトで消すまで、米国内２５日間の行脚を１時間４０分の作品にまとめた。「核による破滅の輪を閉じるため、原爆が生まれた地で火を消したいと考えたのです」
The American director, Matt Taylor, spent his youth in Japan, and was shocked by the reality of the destruction of the atomic bombs when he visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Going back to his roots, he planned a walking tour in 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the bombings. 家庭の事情で幼少時を日本で過ごし、広島、長崎を訪れて被爆の実相に衝撃を受けた。それが原点となって、被爆６０年を迎えた０５年に行脚を企画した。
The 2,500-kilometer-long journey began on July 16, 2005, the test date anniversary, and ended on Aug. 9, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Upon arrival at Trinity Site, the borrowed flame was ceremoniously extinguished as 125 people, including Japanese monks, those from various religious groups as well as American citizens who were exposed to radiation near nuclear test sites, looked on. The 25-day trip was made into a one hour, 40 minute film titled "Atomic Flame" (titled "Gate" in Japanese). 初の実験があった７月１６日にサンフランシスコを出発し、２５００キロの旅の終わりは長崎原爆の日の８月９日。事前交渉では無理だと思っていた軍事施設「サイト」の扉が開き、同行した日本人僧侶のほか各宗教の関係者、米国の核実験場の風下で被ばくした人たちなど１２５人が見守る中、法要後に火は消された。
The film sparked a reaction when it was shown in August 2007. At a special screening for war veterans -- said to be one of the most conservative groups in the United States -- one viewer was heard asking, "What have we done?" Taylor said that the people participating in the walking tour were not shouting out antiwar slogans, just walking. Their actions, he said, became a prayer for peace, and were likely to draw further empathy. ０７年８月に上映されると反響を呼んだ。米国で最も保守的とされる退役軍人を対象にした試写会では「私たちは何ということをしたのか」との声が上がったという。「反戦を叫ぶわけではなく、ただ歩く。それが平和への祈りとなり、共感も広がるのでしょう」
The film continues to be shown at universities across Japan following a screening at Nagasaki University. Taylor said that the real beginning of the film was Nagasaki. He said the people of Nagasaki continue to pray that they would be the last city ever subjected to an atomic bomb attack, and that he wanted to open the gate of people's hearts through the film. 日本では、２月の長崎大を皮切りに全国の大学で上映会を続ける。「映画の原点は、実は長崎。長崎の人たちは『ここを最後の被爆地に』と祈り続けている。私も映画を通じて多くの人の心の扉、ゲートを開けたい」＜文と写真・錦織祐一＞
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■人物略歴 Matt Taylor is a television producer, and is a representative of the Global Nuclear Disarmament Fund. His age has been withheld. 米国のテレビプロデューサー。ＮＧＯ「世界核兵器解体基金」代表を務める。年齢非公表。
(Mainichi Japan) March 8, 2009 Students jump at chance to see real world as volunteers in Mozambique 発信箱：今時の若者＝福本容子 求む！２０歳以上の学生－－。
This January, Millennium Promise Japan (MPJ), a newly established non-profit organization in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, appealed for student volunteers to work in Chibuto, in southeastern Mozambique, where there is no running water or electricity, and toilets comprised merely of a simple enclosure located outdoors. While staying with a family in this village for a week, the volunteers will teach Japanese games and culture to local children. The application period was a mere two weeks, and applicants were required to submit an essay of 5,000 characters. Those who are ultimately selected to go will have to shoulder 100,000 yen of the expense. 東京都文京区に拠点を置く新しいＮＰＯ法人が、今年１月、学生ボランティアを募った。 活動の場はアフリカ南東部、モザンビークのシブトだ。水道も電気もない、トイレは戸外の簡単な囲いだけ、というこの村で１週間ほどホームステイし、現地の子供たちに日本の遊びや文化を紹介する。募集期間は２週間しかなく、５０００字の論文提出が必要。しかも台所事情により１人１０万円の自己負担である。
There's no way that today's youth would sign up for an opportunity under such terms, right? 今時の若者がそんなの応募するわけないよな……。
Wrong. Thirty-four students applied for three available spots. In the end, a female student from Tokyo Medical and Dental University, a male Kyoto University graduate student, and a male student attending the University of Tokyo were chosen. Another student who wanted to go at any cost, will be footing the entire bill to join the other three. 悲観論者の負け。３人の枠に３４人が申し込んできた。東京医科歯科大の女子、京大大学院の男子、東大の男子が選ばれ、どうしても行きたいというもう１人が全額自己負担で加わる。
These students, who are of a generation who thinks that toilet seats have always been electrically heated, jumped at the 100,000-yen chance as "inexpensive." Their excitement grew as they contemplate what Japanese meals they'll cook for their host family. Why not teach the children Sudoku? How about brush calligraphy? The possibilities are endless. 便座は温かい、が常識の世代が「１０万は安い」と飛びついた。日本食は何を作ってあげよう、数独に習字も教えてみよう。どんどん盛り上がっている。
Mozambique suffers from a chronic shortage of classrooms and the deaths of over 1,000 teachers every year of AIDS. The purpose of the weeklong experience, according to MPJ, is "to expose Japanese youth, many of whom lack ambition regardless of their privileged environment, to see with their own eyes the lives of people who are living life to the fullest." MPJ chair Rieko Suzuki hopes the program will contribute not only to grassroots exchanges with Africa, but also to the nurturing of Japanese youth. And while the participants this time around all hail from Japan's top universities, hopefully, sometime in the future, young people who have lost their way will go and experience the joy of serving others. 教室は足りず、毎年１０００人以上の先生がエイズで命を落とすモザンビーク。「恵まれているのに希望を持てずにいる日本の若者に、１２０％生きている人たちをしっかり見てほしい」。アフリカとの草の根交流に加え、日本の若者を育てたいというのが、主催するＮＰＯ法人「ミレニアム・プロミス・ジャパン」理事長、鈴木りえこさんの思いだ。今回は一流校の学生ばかりだけど、いつか、道に迷っている若者にも参加してほしい。人の役に立ち感謝される喜びを知ってもらいたい。
The "inaugural class" will depart on Tuesday. When they return, they will visit junior-high schools to report on their experiences. What will their eyes see, their spirits feel? What will they have learned? It's something we can look forward to. (By Yoko Fukumoto, Economic News Department) “１期生”はいよいよ１０日に出発だ。帰国したら中学校などに出かけて体験を報告することになっている。どんな表情で戻ってくるのか、すごく楽しみ。（経済部）
(Mainichi Japan) March 6, 2009 特集：ボーン・上田記念国際記者賞、毎日新聞・高尾具成記者に 等身大のアフリカ伝え ■記者の目 Hiroshima finds common ground with Rwanda in forgiveness of mass killings ◇「他者の過ちをゆるす」 「ヒロシマ」と共鳴＝高尾具成（ヨハネスブルク支局）
At the end of last year, when I walked through areas of Rwanda that had been ravaged by mass killings, I met both perpetrators and victims of the atrocities. Two key phrases were common among them: "Never repeating what happened," and "Forgiveness." The words evoked memories of testimonies of the hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, whom I have reported on for a long time. The testimonies of sufferers offer clues in the path toward reconciliation that is common to humankind. 昨年末、アフリカ・ルワンダで虐殺の現場を歩き、被害者と加害者に会った。両者に共通したキーワードは「二度と繰り返さない」「ゆるし」だ。想起したのは長く取材しているヒロシマ・ナガサキの被爆者の語りだ。人類共通の和解へのヒントがそこにある。
In 1994, the slaughter of Tutsi residents and other victims by Hutu extremists in Rwanda began. Some 800,000 to 1 million people were killed. Inside Nyamata Church on the outskirts of the Rwandan capital Kigali lie the clothes of more than 2,000 people who were slain, the colors of the garments now fading. There are bullet holes in the ceiling, and dry bloodstains remain on a cloth at the altar. ルワンダでは９４年、フツ系過激派によるツチ系市民などの虐殺が始まり、８０万～１００万人が殺された。 首都キガリ郊外のニャマタ教会には、殺された２０００人以上の衣服が色あせながら置かれている。天井には弾痕、祭壇の布には乾いた血のりが残る。
One person who suffered a major loss over the killings was 59-year-old Gakire Moses, who lost more than 40 relatives. When I asked him what his most important message was, he said it was to forgive others' mistakes. ガキレ・モゼスさん（５９）は親族４０人以上を失った。「最も大切なメッセージは」と問うと「他者の過ちをゆるすことです」と話した。
When I heard this, the faces and words of several hibakusha I interviewed when I traveled to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as a fledgling reporter came back to me. 駆け出し記者時代、日々、通った広島平和記念公園で取材した幾人もの被爆者の顔や言葉がよみがえってきた。
"The pledge to never repeat the same mistake again comes from the desire to stop the chain of hatred -- a desire that is not restricted to Hiroshima, but is common across the world," I said. Moses' face lit up. He said he felt just the same, adding that Hiroshima was Rwanda's hope. 「『二度と過ちを繰り返さない』との誓いは、ヒロシマのみならず世界中の憎悪の連鎖を止めたいとの思いからです」。私が伝えるとモゼスさんの表情が輝いた。「まさに同じ思い。ヒロシマはルワンダの希望です」
In the underground burial facility behind the church lay tens of thousands of bones of victims, broken up and lying on top of one another. I have been inside Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park's atomic bomb mound to commemorate victims just once. There in urns lay the cremated remains of about 70,000 victims that had not been claimed, with only the places that the remains were found listed. With the same smell that had emerged from these ashes in Hiroshima, the remains in Rwanda spoke to me. 教会裏の地下の埋葬施設には数万体もの遺骨が折り重なって安置されていた。広島平和記念公園の「原爆供養塔」内にたった一度だけ、入ったことがある。そこには採集場所だけが記された骨つぼに引き取り手のない約７万柱の遺骨が眠っていた。それと同じにおいで、ルワンダの遺骨は私に語りかけてきた。
The experiences of another 23-year-old survivor whom I met at another facility, Ntamara Church, resembled those of people in the Battle of Okinawa. Fearing slaughter, the mother of the survivor put her hands over the mouth of the survivor's younger brother, who was crying. There were some children who were suffocated by their parents, the 23-year-old recalls. The account brings to mind images of the tragedy in the caves of Okinawa, where residents hid from U.S. soldiers. 別のヌタラマ教会で会った虐殺犠牲者遺族の体験は沖縄戦とダブる。ニシミヤマナさん（２３）は「母は虐殺を恐れ、泣き叫ぶ２歳の弟の口を手で覆いました。親に窒息死させられた子もいました」。米兵から住民が逃げ隠れたガマ（壕（ごう））での悲劇を思い出した。
There is a difference between Rwanda and the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which were devastated by the atomic bombs dropped by the United States, namely that in Rwanda, those responsible for the damage live alongside victims today. There are also differences in religious views. However, there is no doubt that hibakusha and genocide victims sympathize with each other in their struggle with experiences that they want to forget and memories they must not forget. 確かに、米国が原爆を落としたヒロシマ・ナガサキと違い、ルワンダでは今も加害者と被害者が隣り合って暮らす。宗教観の違いもある。だが「忘れたい体験」と「忘れてはいけない記憶」との葛藤（かっとう）の中、被爆者と虐殺犠牲者は間違いなく共鳴し合っている。
When I travel in Africa, I keep in the pocket of my bag booklets containing photographs showing the devastation of the atomic bombings of Japan and the difficulties of the lives of hibakusha afterwards. I tell people what the cities are like now, following their recoveries. アフリカで各地に向かう際、かばんのポケットに原爆の惨状やその後の被爆者の生活の困窮を示す写真入りの小冊子を持ち歩くようにしている。現在の復興した街の様子も伝える。
I become passionate when I speak about Hiroshima and Nagasaki on African soil. In the hearts of residents there is a set of values common to humankind that aims to deter conflict -- something grounded in tragic experiences. This is the kind of Africa I want to tell people about. ("As I See It," by Tomonari Takao, Mainichi Shimbun Johannesburg Bureau) アフリカの大地で、ヒロシマ・ナガサキを語る時、熱い気持ちになる。市民の心の中には悲惨な体験を踏まえた「紛争抑止に向けた人類共通の価値観」がある。私は、そんなアフリカの姿を伝えたいと思っている。
(Mainichi Japan) March 5, 2009 Hibakusha: Pair of A-bomb survivors vow to 'persevere together' as they battle against pain ヒバクシャ広島／長崎：’０９冬／３ 下平作江さん 重なった惨劇、心奮い立たせ
＜ノーモア核被害 ｄｏｃｕｍｅｎｔａｒｙ ｒｅｐｏｒｔ／７８＞ When I met Sakue Shimohira, 74, at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum on Feb. 4, she could not manage a smile. She said that her husband Takatoshi "had been hospitalized" for problems with his internal organs. 今月４日、長崎原爆資料館で会った下平作江さん（７４）に笑顔はなかった。「夫が入院したんです」。夫隆敏さん（８０）の内臓に異常が見つかったのだという。
From the way that Takatoshi, 80, who uses a wheelchair, appeared on New Year's Day, she could not have predicted that his health would take a turn for the worse. For the first time in three years, about 20 of their children and grandchildren had gathered, and Takatoshi distributed cash envelopes as gifts to the grandchildren. The sight of their family together during the New Year holiday reminded her of the joys of being with her family. 今年の元日の様子からは、車椅子生活の夫の体調が悪化するとは思えなかった。３年ぶりに子や孫ら約２０人が顔をそろえ、夫はお年玉を孫たちに手渡した。その姿を見て、家族と生きる幸せを改めてかみしめた。
But on Feb. 2 Takatoshi's condition deteriorated. He did not eat the rice gruel that Sakue tried to feed him, and could not move his arms and legs, yet he refused hospitalization. She somehow convinced him to enter the hospital by saying, "If you refuse hospitalization, then I might pass away first." だが、今月２日の様子は違った。おかゆを食べさせようとしても食べず、手も足も動かせなくなっていた。それでも入院しようとしない夫。「入院しないなら、私の方が先に逝くかもしれませんよ」。何とか言い含めた。
The war and the atomic bomb have claimed the lives of Sakue's mother and father, two older brothers, and older sister. Immediately after the war ended, she survived by eating food scraps and wild grasses, and drinking river water. Her only younger sister struggled with illness and committed suicide in 1955. Sakue tried to kill herself so that she could join her sister, but her husband stopped her, telling her that they should "persevere together." They were married in April 1955. Having been educated under the prewar system, her husband, an A-bomb survivor himself, had little to say about the atomic bomb but nevertheless quietly supported Sakue's peace activities. 下平さんは戦争と原爆で父母と兄２人、姉１人を失った。終戦直後は残飯や野草を食べ、川の水を飲んだ。生き残ったただ一人の妹は病気を苦に５５年に自殺した。後を追って死のうとしたが「一緒に頑張ろう」と引き止めてくれたのが夫だった。同年４月に結婚。戦前教育を受けた夫は自らも被爆しているが原爆について多くを語らず、下平さんの平和活動をそっと支えた。
When Sakue's husband wanted to quit his company due to his hand-trembling, which is believed to be the result of exposure to the A-bomb, it was now Sakue's turn to convince him to persist. Her husband later suffered from diabetes and other ailments, and once he began dialysis, he could not walk without assistance. 原爆後遺症とみられる手の震えなどから会社を辞めようとする夫を、今度は下平さんが何度も説得した。夫はその後も糖尿病などで苦しみ、透析を受けるようになると介助なしで歩けなくなった。
The couple became inseparable. From the year before last, Sakue's lower back and legs had begun to hurt, and caring for her husband, who weighs 12 kilograms more than she does, had become physically taxing. But then her emotions were roused by the heart-breaking images that appeared in the TV news reports of the Israeli Army's bombing of Gaza. The sight of children fleeing and being injured by the rubble reminded her of her own experiences at the time of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. ２人寄り添う日々。一昨年からは下平さん自身も足腰が痛み、１２キロ差の夫の介護が体力的にきつくなってきた。しかし、心を奮い立たせないではいられない映像が目に入った。イスラエル軍によるパレスチナ自治区ガザ地区への攻撃を伝えるテレビニュース。がれきの中で傷つき、逃げ惑う子供の姿が、被爆時の自分と重なった。
"There are people who justify war, and argue for possessing nuclear weapons, but war is absolutely wrong," she said emphatically, as if admonishing herself. (By Tomohiro Shimohara, Nagasaki Bureau, Mainichi Shimbun) 「戦争を正当化して核兵器保持を訴える人がいるが、絶対に戦争はいけない」。自らを叱咤（しった）するように、力を込めた。＜文・下原知広、写真・徳野仁子＞＝つづく
Profile: Sakue Shimohira survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki at the age of 10. She was about 800 meters from Ground Zero. She began lecturing on her A-bomb experiences around the age of 40, and has given approximately 10,000 lectures. She is the chairman of the Association of Bereaved Families of Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims. ◇下平作江さん １０歳の時に爆心地から約８００メートルで被爆。４０歳ごろから始めた被爆体験講話は約１万回に及ぶ。長崎原爆遺族会会長。
(Mainichi Japan) March 5, 2009 U.S. can learn from Japan's structural reform experience during 'lost decade' (Pt. 2) アメリカよ・新ニッポン論：第２部・改革の構造／１（その２） ＜１面からつづく＞
◆改革、実態は追随
◇主導者も手本もなく
In February this year, Mario Mizukami, 75, former LTCB vice president, wrote a letter to Tsuneo Suzuki, 66, the last president of the LTCB, and the author of a book titled "The Disappearance of a Mega Bank." １９９８年に破綻（はたん）した日本長期信用銀行（長銀、現・新生銀行）の水上萬里夫元副頭取（７５）は２月、最後の頭取だった鈴木恒男氏（６６）に手紙を送った。鈴木氏が昨年１２月に出版した「巨大銀行の消滅」（東洋経済新報社）を読み、矢も盾もたまらず筆を執った。
Suzuki's book ends with the phrase, "I want to believe that the confusion that the LTCB's failure and disappearance of all long-term credit banks in Japan caused to economic society and the public's burden were aimed at establishing the new principles for financial institutions and the reconstruction of the financial system." 著書は次の言葉で終わっている。 「金融機関の新しい理念の確立と金融システムの再構築。長銀の破綻、長信銀の消滅に伴う経済社会の混乱と巨額の国民負担は、そのためのものだったと、私は思いたい」
Former LTCB executives won all criminal and civil trials over their responsibility for the failure of the bank, which lasted for about 10 years. The top court ruled that they could not be found guilty of failing to abide by hastily created rules. 鈴木氏や前任の大野木克信元頭取ら旧経営陣が、不良債権隠しの粉飾決算容疑に問われた１０年越しの刑事・民事事件は昨年７月、いずれも無罪・棄却に終わった。司法は、急ごしらえの新ルールに従わなかった「罪」は問えないと判断した。
After confirming that the government made a mistake in the way it revised relevant rules, Suzuki expressed his view in his book. 政府のルール変更のやり方に過ちがあったことを確認した鈴木氏は、同書で初めて見解を公にした。
Nevertheless, former executives are responsible for their mismanagement. It is these former executives that accumulated nonperforming loans that triggered the failure of the LTCB because they were unable to manage the risks involving loans for real estate transactions. This also rings true for executives at U.S. banks who used a method of computational finance but failed to manage the risk involved. Mizukami expressed these thoughts in his letter to Suzuki. それでも、経営失敗の「罪」は消えない。破綻の原因となった不良債権は、不動産融資のリスクを管理できない経営陣が積み上げた。金融工学を駆使したあげくリスク管理に失敗した現在の米銀行経営陣と同じだ。水上氏は私信で問いただした趣旨を説明した。
Mizukami added: "Suzuki and other executives firmly believed that banks will not go down as long as they follow the instructions of the Finance Ministry, and that the ministry will protect them. However, the ministry itself became unable to resist the trends of globalization. If that is the case, it is executives that determine the direction of their own banks. Suzuki's book does not display a sense of responsibility for failing to save their bank. Is everything attributable to the United States, the trends of the times and the Japanese government?" 「鈴木氏たちは、旧大蔵（現財務）省の言うことを聞いてさえいれば、銀行のかじ取りは間違うことはない、国が何とかすると思い込んでいたが、大蔵省自体が金融グローバル化の流れに耐えられなくなっていた。国がそうなら自分で進路を決めるのが経営者だ。鈴木氏の本からは、経営に失敗した者の責任感が感じられない。何もかもアメリカや時代や政府のせいなのか」
In an interview with the Mainichi Suzuki said, "My view is nothing more or less than what I wrote in my book." 鈴木氏は取材に対し「私の認識は本に書いたこと以上でも以下でもない」と答えた。
Mizukami and Suzuki were in completely different positions prior to the failure of the LTCB. 破綻前の長銀で２人は対照的な立場にいた。
Mizukami, who specialized in international business, was playing a key role in the structural reform of the bank. He pursued a U.S.-style business model to keep pace with U.S.-led globalization. "The liberalization of financial services is historical inevitability. We have no choice but to transform ourselves into an investment bank," he had told colleagues. 国際派の水上氏は長銀「構造改革」路線の中心にいた。「金融の自由化は歴史的必然。生き残るには投資銀行になるしかない」と、米主導のグローバル化の流れに自ら打って出る米国型の経営モデルを目指した。
Radical reform led by Mizukami raised concern among other executives. Domestic-minded executives rallied and they returned to the LTCB's traditional business centering on loans for real estate transactions when it adopted its 1989 business plan. In other words, it sought to survive in line with the Finance Ministry's policy. Mizukami consequently quit the bank. 急激な「改革」に不安や不満が高まった。国内派は巻き返す。８９年の経営計画で不動産融資の従来業務中心に逆戻りし、旧大蔵省の方針に沿う形での延命を目指した。水上氏は銀行を去った。
Those who were focusing on the domestic market came to a deadlock following the bursting of the speculation-driven, asset-inflating bubble economy in the early 1990s. In 1993, Yoichi Takahashi, who was an official with the Finance Ministry's Banking Inspection Department, urged banks to assess their loans extended to nonblank financial institutions using the so-called discounted cash flow method initially introduced by the United States. "Sumitomo Trust and Banking followed it while the LTCB did not," recalls Takahashi, who is now a professor at Toyo University. 国内派は、バブル崩壊で行き詰まる。９３年に大蔵省金融検査部にいた高橋洋一東洋大教授は、不良債権のリスク管理のため、当時最先端の米国式「収益還元法」を使ったノンバンク向け融資の査定を各行に促したが、「住友信託銀行は受け入れ、長銀は採用しなかった」と証言する。
Shortly before the LTCB went under, then Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, then Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa and then Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka summoned the acting president of the Sumitomo Trust and Banking to the prime minister's official residence late at night and asked that it absorb the LTCB. 破綻の直前、当時の小渕恵三首相、宮沢喜一蔵相、野中広務官房長官が、夜の首相公邸に住友信託銀の社長を呼び、長銀の救済合併を頼み込んだエピソードは象徴的だ。
A month later, then U.S. President Bill Clinton agreed in talks with Obuchi that the Japanese government would provide banks with an infusion of public funds to prevent them from going under. This is despite the fact that then U.S. Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Henry Summers had openly said bad banks should go under. 米国はサマーズ財務副長官が「駄目な銀行はつぶすべきだ」と公言していたが、首相公邸の晩から１カ月後、クリントン大統領は小渕首相との会談で、破綻前の銀行への公的資金投入を容認した。
"The U.S. government changed its policy because an economic crisis occurred in Russia and adversely affected Wall Street," recalls Eisuke Sakakibara, who was deputy vice minister for financial affairs at the Finance Ministry at the time. 榊原英資財務官（当時）は「ロシア経済危機が起き、ウォール街に火の粉が飛んだので、米国は方針転換した」と解説する。
However, Diet deliberations on relevant bills were deadlocked, and frustrated Nonaka agreed to accept a bill presented by opposition parties on measures to rehabilitate the financial sector, including placing the LTCB temporarily under state control. 結局、国会の停滞にしびれを切らした野中氏が、長銀を一時国有化する野党の金融再生法案を丸のみし、終止符を打った。
◇なお残る経営責任 After all, the LTCB went under because it was left behind following dramatic changes in the government's policy to keep pace with global trends. Those who failed to change themselves were accused of not abiding by the new rules. Even though they were acquitted a decade later, the former executives have been held responsible for failing to change themselves, which led to the collapse of the bank. 米主導の世界の潮流に合わせて国策が急転換し、変化に取り残された長銀は破綻。変われなかった旧経営陣は、新ルールに従わなかった「罪」に問われ、１０年後に免罪されたものの、自らを変えられず経営に失敗した責任は永遠に残った。
The process from the collapse of the LTCB leading up to the former executives' acquittal illustrates how Japan has carried out structural reform at the mercy of the United States. 長銀の破綻から無罪までのてんまつは、米国の都合に振り回された日本の「改革の構造」を浮き彫りにする。
Japan's experiences of structural reform during the so-called "lost decade" not only offer the U.S. a lesson but also raise questions as to how Japan should survive in an age when the United States is drifting. 「失われた１０年」と呼ばれた構造改革の経験は、今の米国の教訓になるどころか、米国追随でしか変われずにきた日本が、米国漂流の時代をどう生きていくのかを問い掛けている。
(Mainichi Japan) March 3, 2009 Bird flu outbreak a change in fortune for 'lucky' quails 余録：鳥インフルエンザ
A passage from "Kiyu Shoran," a book published in the Bunsei Era (1818-1829) describing the "uzura awase" competition over the beauty of quails' songs, reads: "Each participant is supposed to create a pair (of cages) -- using karaki (Chinese wood), raden (shell or pieces of precious metals set in the lacquer) and takamakie (raised lacquer work) strewed with gold and silver ..." 「金銀をちりばめ、唐木（からき）、象牙、螺鈿（らでん）、高蒔絵（たかまきえ）にて皆一双づつ作らせ」とあるのは、一体何の工芸品かと思うが、実はウズラの鳥籠（とりかご）だという。江戸時代、ウズラの鳴き声の良さを競った「鶉合（うずらあわせ）」流行の様子を記す文政年間の書物「嬉遊笑覧（きゆうしょうらん）」の一節だ
Bird lovers would gather early in the morning, split themselves into two teams -- east and west, as in sumo -- and see whose quail had the most beautiful song. Feudal lords and merchants are believed to have started the event, as the quails' call sounds like the word "gokitcho" (good luck). ▲江戸中の鳥好きはウズラがよく鳴く早朝から集まり、相撲のように東西に分かれ自慢の鳥の声を披露した。物好きなことだが、ウズラの鳴き声が「ゴキッチョー（ご吉兆）」と聞こえるということで大名や商人の間から広まった遊びらしい
Despite their association with good luck, however, quails at a breeding farm in Japan have been found infected with bird flu. The virus was identified as the H7N6 strain, with attenuated virulence. This is the first time that H7N6 has been discovered in Japan, with previous outbreaks in Slovakia, Mongolia and Australia. ▲その吉兆を告げてくれるはずのウズラの飼育場で発生したという鳥インフルエンザだ。ウイルスの検査で弱毒性のＨ７Ｎ６型と確認され、これまでスロバキアやモンゴル、オーストラリアで発見されているものの、国内での検出は初という
The farm is located in Aichi Prefecture where 70 percent of Japan's quails are bred. Moreover, quails at another farm in the prefecture subsequently tested positive for bird flu. It's only natural that local quail breeders are concerned not only about a further spread of the virus, but also harmful rumors about quails. The government should take prompt measures to provide accurate information to consumers and residents, who shouldn't panic over the issue. ▲全国のウズラ生産の７割を占める愛知県のことだ。新たに近くの別の飼育場でも感染の疑いのある検体が見つかり、地元では感染拡大の不安とともに風評被害への懸念が広がるのも分かる。ここは行政が速やかに正確な情報を提供し、消費者も地元もそれを冷静に受け取ることだ
The virus was found during the first batch of tests conducted on quails as part of the national government's anti-bird flu policy. If it had been overlooked, the virus could have spread rapidly, or mutated into a deadlier strain. A disaster was avoided, thanks to the quails' sacrifice. ▲国の鳥インフルエンザ対策にもとづく初のウズラ検査で、発症前にウイルスを見つけた今回のケースである。見過ごせば知らぬ間に感染が広がり、ウイルスの毒性も変異していたかもしれない。つまりはウズラが身をもって告げた“凶兆”のおかげで最悪の事態は防げたといえる
One cannot help but wonder how the virus found its way into the farms in the first place. However, if the bad luck predicted by the quails is interpreted accurately, it could lead to a new clue toward future anti-bird flu measures. ("Yoroku," a front-page column in the Mainichi Shimbun) ▲それにしてもウイルスは一体どうやって飼育場内の鳥にとりついたのか。ウズラが示してくれた兆しをしっかりと読み取れば、今後の鳥インフルエンザ対策の新たな手がかりも見つかろう。
