新成長戦略　目標実現の具体策が見えない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 31, 2009)
Govt's new growth strategy short on details
新成長戦略　目標実現の具体策が見えない（12月31日付・読売社説）

Having an ambitious goal alone is not enough to ensure a bright future. The government's newly unveiled growth strategy for a "shining Japan" lacks vital substance in that it fails to illuminate how to achieve these goals in detail.
The strategy, the basic policy of which was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, sets a target of achieving a more than 2 percent annual growth in the gross domestic product in real terms through fiscal 2020. In nominal terms, the growth target is aimed at staying above 3 percent.
　高い目標を掲げるだけで、明るい未来は開けない。肝心なのは実現する具体的手法の明示だが、そこが欠けている。
　政府は３０日の閣議で、新たな成長戦略の基本方針「輝きのある日本へ」を決定した。
　国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）を２０２０年度まで実質で年２％、名目は３％を上回るペースで成長させる数値目標を掲げた。

This means that in 10 years, the nominal GDP is expected to grow from the 470 trillion yen of this fiscal year to 650 trillion yen. But the fact is that the nominal GDP has been in negative territory for the past six straight quarters, pushing GDP down by 50 trillion yen. As the economy has entered a deflationary phase, which also shrinks the GDP, obstacles to reaching the target are extremely high.
　名目ＧＤＰは今年度の４７０兆円から６５０兆円に増える計算だが、現状はここ６四半期連続のマイナスで、５０兆円も減った。名目ＧＤＰをしぼませるデフレに再び陥ったこともあり、目標達成のハードルは極めて高い。

===

Solid ends, vague means

In its growth strategy, the government declared it would pursue a "third way" of seeking the creation of new demand, instead of relying on public works projects or following the principle of market fundamentalism as seen under the administration of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The new stance touted by the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama appears to be in line with a policy pledge to "shift from concrete to human beings," meaning a departure from an industrial structure heavily dependent on public works projects.
　成長戦略は公共事業依存でも、小泉路線のような市場原理主義でもない、新需要の創造という「第３の道」を進むとしている。「コンクリートから人へ」などの政権公約に沿った考え方だろう。

The strategy listed two areas--the environment and energy, and medical and nursing care services--that the government intends to focus on and shore up. In these areas, which Japan can boast of having strengths in, there will be a goal of creating new demand worth 100 trillion yen and 4.2 new million jobs.
　具体的には、環境・エネルギーと医療・介護を、日本が強みを持つ２分野として集中的にテコ入れし、１００兆円の需要と４２０万人の雇用を新たに生み出す。

The government also intends to stimulate trade with other Asian nations--whose economies are continuing to grow fast--support scientific and technological development and strengthen measures to sustain employment.
　高成長が続くアジアとの取引活性化や、科学技術の支援、雇用下支えの強化なども図る。

There is nothing wrong with the direction of these policy courses. But, in terms of details in the measures, we find little difference with those included in about a dozen growth strategies hammered out by the governments of the past decade.
　方向性に問題はないが、具体策は政府が過去１０年に出した十指に余る成長戦略と大差ない。

This is likely because the strategy was compiled from worn-out proposals submitted by ministries and agencies concerned. As it took only half a month to devise the strategy, it gives an impression that the government threw it together in order to thwart criticism that the current administration has no growth strategy.
　関係府省が持ち寄った案をまとめたため、新味のないアイデアが並んだのだろう。策定作業は約半月と短く、成長戦略がないという批判をかわす「やっつけ仕事」との印象もぬぐえない。

===

Get private sector input

The government intends, by June, to complete the growth strategy by putting flesh on these basic policy bones and provide a road map for achieving these goals.
　政府は来年６月までに、この基本方針に肉付けをして成長戦略を完成させ、実現に向けた工程表も示す方針という。

But it would be better to drastically review the strategy by, for example, inviting ideas widely from the private sector and narrowing down the list of measures to those that appear to have the greatest potential effect and feasibility. There also should be mention of how necessary funds for nurturing new industries and supporting technological development should be allocated.
　だがこの際、民間からアイデアを広く募って、効果や実現性の高いものに絞り込むなど、抜本的に練り直した方がいい。新産業の育成や技術支援に必要な費用をどう工面するのかも示すべきだ。

If the Hatoyama administration sticks to its policy pledge not to raise the consumption tax rate for four years, it is unlikely that it will be able to secure a stable revenue source to implement policy measures. It must not have faith in a "rising tide" theory of economic growth being able to increase tax revenues.
　消費税率を４年間は上げないという政権公約にこだわれば、安定した財源は得られまい。「経済成長で税収が増えれば賄える」とする“上げ潮”依存は禁物だ。

It also is necessary to show the path to fiscal reconstruction for the mid- to long-run in order to ease people's anxiety about the future of social security and other matters.
　中長期的な財政再建の道筋も同時に示し、社会保障などの将来不安を和らげる必要もある。

Unless measures are taken to prevent a further economic decline and solve the deflation problem, any great growth strategy will merely end up being pie in the sky.
　景気の底割れを防ぎ、デフレを解消しないと、どんな立派な成長戦略も絵に描いたモチになる。

The government has cut spending for public works projects by nearly 20 percent in the fiscal 2010 budget, compared with the current fiscal year. Spending for urgently needed projects such as construction work to improve the earthquake resistance of primary and middle school buildings also has been reduced. These projects should be revived and used to help economic recovery.
　政府は来年度予算の公共事業を前年度より２割近く減らし、小中学校の耐震化など急ぐべき事業も削った。これらを復活して、景気回復に役立てるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2009)
（2009年12月31日01時16分 読売新聞）

０９回顧・国際　オバマ政権登場で動いた世界

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 30, 2009)
2009 provided plenty of grist for media mill
０９回顧・国際　オバマ政権登場で動いた世界（12月30日付・読売社説）

It has been a busy year. From a pandemic of a new type of influenza that hit the world this year to the struggles of the global economy to get out of recession to the prevention of nuclear proliferation and global environmental problems--the international community had to tackle a wide variety of issues.
　世界不況からの脱却へ模索が続く中、新型インフルエンザの世界的大流行に見舞われた。
　核の拡散防止や地球環境問題など、国際社会で取り組む課題が相次いだ。

On the list of the top 10 international news stories chosen by readers of The Yomiuri Shimbun, Barack Obama's inauguration as U.S. president and his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize ranked second and fifth respectively. This shows how popular Obama is, even in Japan.
　本紙の読者が選ぶ「海外１０大ニュース」は、オバマ米大統領の就任（２位）とノーベル平和賞の受賞（５位）が上位入りした。オバマ人気の高さがうかがえる。

　◆「核なき世界」を決議◆
In April, Obama announced his target of a nuclear free world during a speech in Prague--a story that ranked 13th on the list. Although he said it would be difficult to realize that goal during his lifetime, Obama chaired a summit-level meeting of the U.N. Security Council in September and led the council to approve a historic resolution aimed at ridding the world of nuclear weapons--a story that ranked 15th on the list.
　オバマ大統領は４月、プラハでの演説で「核兵器なき世界」の実現を訴えた（１３位）。自らが生きている間の実現は難しいとしたが、９月の国連安全保障理事会の首脳級会合で議長を務め、「核兵器なき世界」を目指す決議を採択に導いた（１５位）。

However, Obama said during a speech at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in December; "The instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace," positioning the U.S. war in Afghanistan and other conflicts as "just wars."
He made the remark as the leader of the world's preeminent superpower, based on the cold, hard realities of the world.
　そのオバマ大統領は１２月のノーベル平和賞の受賞演説で、「平和維持のためには戦争という手段が演じる役割もある」と述べ、アフガニスタン戦争などを「正しい戦争」と位置づけた。超大国の最高指導者として、冷徹な現実を踏まえた発言だった。

===

N. Korea still source of concern

In April, North Korea test-fired a long-range ballistic missile--the news story raking sixth on the list. The U.N. Security Council immediately adopted a presidential statement condemning the launch, but Pyongyang held an underground nuclear test in May (story No. 14 on the list).
　北朝鮮は４月に弾道ミサイルを発射した（６位）。国連安保理は非難声明を採択したが、さらに北朝鮮は５月、地下核実験を強行した（１４位）。

As it was the second nuclear test North Korea has conducted since 2006, it was reasonable that the Security Council unanimously approved a resolution widening sanctions against the reclusive state.
　２００６年以来２度目の核実験で、国連安保理が制裁決議を採択したのは当然だった。

Though the United States and China are continuing negotiations with North Korea, the six-way talks aimed at stopping Pyongyang's nuclear development program have remained suspended and will see the old year out without any likelihood of resumption.
　米中による北朝鮮への働きかけが続いているが、中断されたままの６か国協議は、再開のメドが立たないまま越年する。

The news story ranked eighth was the riots by Muslim Uygurs that erupted in Urumqi, the capital of China's Xingjian Uygur Autonomous Region, in which 197 people died. The incident highlighted the antagonism between China's majority Han people and Uygurs, showing that ethnic minority issues could prove to be the Achilles' heel of China, whose economy continues to grow rapidly.
　経済成長著しい中国の新疆ウイグル自治区で暴動が発生、１９７人が死亡した（８位）。漢族とウイグル族の反目も露(あら)わになり、少数民族問題が中国のアキレス腱(けん)であることが鮮明になった。

In October, China celebrated the 60th anniversary of People's Republic of China, staging the military parade for the first time in 10 years, a story readers ranked 18th. It symbolized the efforts by the Chinese Communist Party and the government to boost national prestige. However, the administration of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who has just three more years or so in office, is facing a mountain of problems such as the growing gap between the rich and the poor, and spreading corruption.
　中国は１０月、建国６０周年を迎え、１０年ぶりに軍事パレードを実施した（１８位）。国威発揚に向けた党・政府の取り組みだが、貧富の差の拡大や汚職の増加など、残りの任期３年余りとなった胡錦濤政権にとって課題は山積だ。

===

Deadly blaze

The news story ranked seventh on the list is the shooting range fire in Busan, South Korea, in November that killed 15, including 10 Japanese tourists.
　韓国南部の釜山で１１月、室内射撃場で火災が発生し、日本人観光客１０人が死亡した（７位）。

Also in South Korea, former President Roh Moo-hyun killed himself in May and Kim Dae Jung, former president and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, passed away in August, both of which were sad news for South Koreans.
　その韓国では盧武鉉・前大統領が５月に自殺し、ノーベル平和賞受賞者の金大中・元大統領も８月に死去した。

From the first outbreak in Mexico in April, a new type of flu spread around the world this year. According to the World Health Organization, the global death toll from the disease, including deaths in Japan, topped 10,000. This was the No. 1 story on the The Yomiuri Shimbun's list of the top 10 international news stories.
　４月にメキシコで発生した新型インフルエンザは、世界に広がった。世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）によれば、日本を含む世界全体の死者は１万人を突破した。これが本紙海外ニュースの１位である。

The new flu pandemic highlighted various concerns about the way governments around the world cooperate to fight the global spread of infectious diseases. Developing countries suffered shortages of vaccines against the type A H1N1 flu virus.
　途上国ではワクチンの供給が不足するなど、感染症の世界的な拡大における国際協力のあり方に教訓を残したと言える。

The financial crisis entered its second year in the wake of momentous events in the first half of the year including the bankruptcies of major U.S. auto manufacturers General Motors and Chrysler--the story ranked fourth on the list of international news stories.
　２年目に入った金融危機は、米自動車業界大手のゼネラル・モーターズ（ＧＭ）やクライスラーが相次いで経営破綻(はたん)に追い込まれる（４位）など、今年前半は厳しい状況が続いた。

===

Economy bottoms out
　◆経済最悪期は脱した◆

Financial summit meetings of the Group of 20, at which leaders of the 19 nations and the European Union discussed what measures they should take to combat the economic crisis and fix the global economy, were held in London in April and Pittsburgh in September. With the nations cooperatively carrying out fiscal measures and monetary easing policies, it is believed that the worst of the global economic crisis is over.
　世界の景気対策を協議する２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳による金融サミットが４月にロンドンで、９月に米ピッツバーグで、それぞれ開催された。各国は連携して財政出動や金融緩和策などを実施した結果、世界経済の最悪期は脱したとされる。

The G-20 released a leaders' statement in which they proclaimed the G-20 to be the premier forum for international economic cooperation, a development that appears to weaken the influence of the Group of Eight summit of industrialized nations.
　Ｇ２０は国際経済を議論する最上位の会合へ格上げをする、との首脳声明を発表した。現在の主要８か国による首脳会議（Ｇ８）の影は薄くなることが懸念される。

Concerning international cooperation to combat global warming, the Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen (COP15) failed to set concrete reduction goals for greenhouse gasses. The participating nations were able to avert a complete breakdown in negotiations and somehow maintained a positive attitude toward resolving the issue. However, various problems remain unsolved.
　地球温暖化防止では、１２月のコペンハーゲンでの国連気候変動枠組み条約第１５回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１５）で、具体的な削減目標を設定できなかった。決裂を回避し、解決に取り組む姿勢は維持できたが、課題は残された。

In September, a magnitude-8 earthquake hit the island nation of Samoa in the South Pacific, followed by a magnitude 7.6 quake that struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. In all, more than 1,000 people were killed or went missing, a story that was ranked ninth by Yomiuri Shimbun readers.
　９月、南太平洋のサモア諸島沖でのマグニチュード（Ｍ）８の地震に続いて、インドネシアのスマトラ島沖でもＭ７・６の地震が起き、合わせて１０００人を超える死者・不明者が出た（９位）。

===

Lightning fast

The 10th ranked story was considerably more cheerful--Usain Bolt of Jamaica won three world athletic titles at the World Championships in Athletics in August, breaking world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints and winning a third gold in the 400-meter relay.
　明るいニュースでは、世界陸上の雄、ウサイン・ボルト選手（ジャマイカ）が８月、男子１００メートルと２００メートルで世界新記録で優勝し、男子リレーでの優勝と合わせ３冠を獲得した（１０位）。

　◆テロとの戦いは続く◆
In less happy news, golf superstar Tiger Woods, 33, stunned the world with his involvement in extramarital affairs with several women. The scandal led him to announce in December that he would take an indefinite break from professional golf.
　一方、男子ゴルフ界のスーパースター、タイガー・ウッズ選手は、複数の女性との不倫騒動が発覚し、世間を驚かせた。１２月、ツアー出場の無期限自粛を自ら宣言する羽目に陥った。

The sudden death in June of singer Michael Jackson startled his fans around the globe--a story ranked third on the list by readers. Jackson was only 50 years old. Police continue to investigate accusations of criminal wrongdoing against the celebrity's personal physician.
　歌手マイケル・ジャクソンさんが６月、突然に死去したことも世界中のファンを驚かせた（３位）。５０歳の若さであり、専属医を巡る捜査は今も継続している。

Bombing attacks by terrorists are an almost daily event in Iraq and Afghanistan. In December, Obama announced that the United States would dispatch an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in the first half of next year and that it would start withdrawing troops from the country beginning July 2011. The war against terrorism will continue into next year and beyond.
　イラクやアフガニスタンでは、連日のように爆弾テロが起きている。オバマ大統領は１２月、アフガンに兵士３万人を来年前半に追加増派し、２０１１年７月をメドに米軍撤収を始めると発表した。テロとの戦いは来年以降も続く。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 30, 2009)
（2009年12月30日01時17分 読売新聞）

首相インド訪問　新たな大国との関係強化を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 29, 2009)
Japan should cement ties with new big power India
首相インド訪問　新たな大国との関係強化を（12月29日付・読売社説）

Despite the hectic political calendar at year-end, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama chose to schedule a trip abroad, to South Asian major power India.
　鳩山首相が、年末の慌ただしい時期に選んだ外国訪問先は、南アジアの大国インドだ。

India, which has been displaying remarkable economic growth, emulating that of China, is located in an important position connecting the Middle East and East Asia. Japan should promote an economic alliance and security cooperation with India and strengthen the bilateral relationship from a strategic perspective.
　中国を追うように経済成長著しいインドは、中東と東アジアを結ぶ要路に位置する。経済連携や安全保障協力などを進め、日印関係を戦略的に強化していくべきだ。

India has been maintaining an annualized economic growth rate of 8 percent and has the second-largest population in the world. The country is an attractive economic market for advanced nations. The number of Japanese companies that have advanced into India has tripled in the past three years.
　インドは年率８％の経済成長を続け、世界第２の人口を有する。先進国にとっては魅力的な経済市場だ。日本の進出企業も過去３年間で３倍に増えた。

But Japan's total trade volume with India has remained at a low level, and amounts to about one-twentieth of the value of the trade this country does with China.
　だが、日印間の貿易総額はいまだに低水準で、日中間と比べると約２０分の１の規模だ。

Signaling his desire to boost the Japan-India bilateral economic relationship, Hatoyama held talks with business leaders in the commercial city of Mumbai before traveling to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
　鳩山首相が首都ニューデリーに入る前に商都ムンバイを訪れ、経済界の代表らと会談したのも、日印経済関係をいっそう強化したいとの強い意欲の表れだろう。

===

Intensify EPA talks

Experts point out that India's social infrastructure is still insufficient, hindering the expansion of investment from abroad. It is important for Japan to steadily implement its economic assistance for large-scale projects in India, including the construction of a railway for freight transportation linking New Delhi and Mumbai.
　インドは社会基盤の整備が不十分で、それが投資拡大の阻害要因と言われる。ニューデリー・ムンバイ間の貨物鉄道建設など大型プロジェクトに対する経済援助を着実に実施することが重要だ。

Japan also needs to accelerate its negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with India.
　経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の交渉も加速すべきだ。

In the negotiations, India has asked Japan to streamline its procedures for approving generic drugs and increase the number of tariff-free items. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry and the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry are reluctant to accept such demands, but we hope that concerned ministers will discuss policies for the negotiations, working out which items Japan should compromise on and which ones it should not, without relying too much on bureaucrats.
　インド側は、後発医薬品の承認手続きの簡素化や関税撤廃品目の積み増しを求めている。厚生労働省や農林水産省は消極的だが、関係閣僚は、何を譲り、何を守るのか、官僚任せにせずに交渉方針を検討してもらいたい。

This summer, South Korea signed an economic partnership agreement with India. Japan should be aware this means South Korean companies will be able to get a head start in India on a more advantageous footing than Japanese firms.
　韓国は今年夏、インドとのＥＰＡ署名にこぎつけた。韓国企業が先んじて有利な条件でインドに進出できるようになることも、十分意識すべきだろう。

===

Antipiracy steps needed

In Tuesday's summit meeting, Hatoyama and Singh are expected to establish a regular bilateral security consultation forum involving the foreign and defense vice ministers of the two countries. The countries are considering upgrading the security talks to a ministerial-level meeting in the future.
　きょう行われる日印首脳会談では、外務、防衛両省の次官級による安全保障定期協議の新設で合意する予定だ。将来的には閣僚級への格上げも想定している。

Ensuring the security of sea-lanes connecting the Middle East and East Asia is desperately important for Japan, which relies heavily on foreign countries for energy resources and food. We hope the Japanese and Indian leaders will discuss concrete steps toward that goal, such as sharing of information on pirates and mounting joint antipiracy patrols.
　中東と東アジアを結ぶシーレーン（海上交通路）の安全確保は、エネルギーや食糧の多くを海外に依存する日本にとって、死活的に重要だ。海賊情報の共有や共同パトロールなど、具体的な協力方法を探ってほしい。

India is an important partner for Japan in the regional cooperative framework centered around the East Asia Summit.
　インドは東アジア首脳会議を核とした地域協力でも重要なパートナーだ。

On the other hand, concerning the new round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organization and the climate change problem, India, along with China, continues to take the side of developing countries, and its words and deeds have caused friction with advanced nations, including Japan.
　一方、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）の新多角的貿易交渉や気候変動問題では、インドは中国とともに途上国側に立った言動を繰り返し、日本を含めた先進国と対立する場面が目立っている。

Japan should patiently call on India to play constructive roles that fit its new status as a major power.
　インドが新しい大国にふさわしい建設的役割を果たすよう、日本としても粘り強く働きかけていく必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 29, 2009)
（2009年12月29日01時16分 読売新聞）

指導要領解説書　「竹島」に触れないのは問題だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 28, 2009)
Teaching manual mustn't avoid Takeshima dispute
指導要領解説書　「竹島」に触れないのは問題だ（12月28日付・読売社説）

The generations who will forge this nation's future must be accurately taught about its territories and history.
　将来を担う世代に自国の領土や歴史をきちんと教えていくのは、大切なことだ。

However, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has made no reference to the Takeshima islets--which South Korea claims as its sovereign territory, an assertion Japan disputes--in an instruction manual containing its new high school curriculum guidelines on geography A and geography B set to come into effect in the 2013 academic year. This omission is extremely questionable.
　文部科学省が、２０１３年度から実施する高校地理Ａ、地理Ｂの新学習指導要領の解説書で、日本の領土にもかかわらず、韓国が領有権を主張している「竹島」に言及しなかった。これは極めて問題だ。

Japan established sovereignty over the Takeshima islets no later than the mid-17th century--in the early Edo period (1603-1867).
In 1905, the islets were placed under the jurisdiction of Shimane Prefecture following approval by the cabinet.
　竹島は、遅くとも江戸時代初期の１７世紀半ばには日本が領有権を確立し、１９０５年、閣議決定を経て、島根県に編入された。

However, South Korea has been occupying the islets unlawfully since 1952, when Seoul unilaterally drew the Syngman Rhee Line--a boundary laid down by then South Korean President Syngman Rhee in the Sea of Japan claiming fishing rights in the area--a move made in defiance of international law.
　ところが、韓国は１９５２年、国際法に反して日本海に「李承晩ライン」を一方的に設けて以降、竹島の不法占拠を続けている。

This country's official stance on the islets is that Takeshima has always been an integral part of the nation's territory, a view backed historically and by international law.
　「竹島は歴史的にも国際法上も我が国固有の領土」というのが、日本政府の見解だ。

In current high school textbooks, six authorized textbooks for geography A and five books for geography B state there is a sovereignty dispute with South Korea over the Takeshima islets, and that they are an integral part of Japan.
現在の高校教科書にも、地理Ａで６冊、地理Ｂで５冊に、「日本固有の領土の竹島で韓国との間に領有権問題がある」などと記述されている。

===

1 step backward

In July last year, the education ministry added for the first time the teaching of Japan's stance on the Takeshima islets to a teaching manual for middle school curriculum guidelines for social studies, which will take effect in the 2012 academic year.
　２０１２年度に実施される中学校社会科の指導要領の解説書には昨年７月、竹島を日本の領土と教えるよう初めて盛り込まれた。

But the teaching manual in question does not clarify that the territorial dispute involves the Takeshima islets. It simply says, "Following up on what is taught in middle school, we should handle this issue accurately, based upon our country's rightful assertions, and help students deepen their understanding."
　ところが、高校の解説書では、領土問題について竹島とは明記せず、「中学校における学習を踏まえ、我が国が正当に主張している立場に基づいて的確に扱い、理解を深めさせる」とあるだけだ。

The education ministry says the government's stance--that the Takeshima islets are an integral part of the nation--remains unchanged. If so, the ministry should state this clearly. It makes no sense that what is taught about the Takeshima dispute at high school level is a step backward from what is taught at middle school level, despite high school being a place to develop what has been studied at middle school.
　文科省は「竹島は我が国固有の領土という立場は変わらない」と言うが、それならそう明記すべきではないか。中学校で学んだ内容を発展させる高校のほうが、記述が後退するのは筋が通らない。

===

Consideration for S. Korea

Unlike the curriculum guidelines, the teaching manual comes with no legal obligation to be implemented. However, it will be a lodestar both for textbook publishers and teachers preparing for classes. The manual in question has the potential to generate misunderstanding among textbook publishers and teachers and cause them to disregard the Takeshima dispute.
　解説書は指導要領と違い、法的拘束力はないが、教科書を作る出版社や授業を行う教員の指針になる。今回の解説書では、出版社や教員にも竹島を軽視して構わないといった誤解を生みかねない。

Sources said Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama made the final decision that the new manual should not mention the Takeshima issue.
　今回は鳩山首相が最終的に判断したという。

When he was in the opposition camp, Hatoyama said, "It's natural to clearly state [the Takeshima issue]" when the issue was included in a teaching manual for middle school curriculum guidelines for social studies, which drew a series of harsh protests from South Korea. It is doubtful his latest decision could be squared with his previous remark.
首相は野党時代、中学校解説書に竹島が盛り込まれたことに韓国が反発した際、「明記するのは当然」と話していた。その発言との整合性も取れまい。

Observers said the absence of any mention of the Takeshima issue resulted from the government's consideration for South Korean ties, as next year will mark the 100th anniversary of Japan's annexation of Korea.
　竹島の記述を今回見送った背景には、来年、日韓併合から１００年の節目を迎えるため、韓国に配慮したと見る向きも多い。

Territorial issues and how to teach them at schools form an important theme that touches on the fundamentals of nationhood. South Korea is a valuable neighbor, but fundamental truths must not be distorted due to diplomatic considerations.
　領土問題やそれを学校でどう教えるかということは、国の根幹にかかわる重要なテーマだ。韓国は大事な隣国だが、外交上の配慮でゆがめてはならない。

It will not be easy to resolve the territorial dispute over the Takeshima islets. For this reason, an unstinting effort must be made to educate people who will in the future help the public fully understand the issue as well as convey Japan's stance to the international community.
　竹島の領有権をめぐる問題の解決は容易ではない。だからこそ、国民に十分理解させ、国際社会に日本の立場を発信していける人材を育成する努力が欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 28, 2009)
（2009年12月28日01時22分 読売新聞）

プロとアマとの違い

亡くなったプロレスラーのジャイアント馬場さんがテレビの番組に出演していて、女性アナの質問に答えて次のように話していた。

女性アナ： 『プロとアマの違いって何ですか？』

G.馬場 ：『苦しいときそれでやめてしまうのがアマ、苦しくても続けることができるのがプロ』

２０年以上前偶然聞いたこの言葉は、不思議なことに今でも私の記憶として鮮明に残っている。
馬場さんの温厚な人柄とあいまって、この言葉は説得力をもって今でも私に語りかけている。
ありがとうジャイアント馬場さん

０９回顧・日本　越年となる政権迷走と不況

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 27, 2009)
New govt, economy top stories of 2009
０９回顧・日本　越年となる政権迷走と不況（12月27日付・読売社説）

In our annual ranking of the 10 domestic news stories of the year, the change of government tops the list. The administration led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama was launched after the Democratic Party of Japan's overwhelming victory in the August House of Representatives election, in which it claimed 308 seats.
　年末恒例の、読者が選んだ本紙の「日本１０大ニュース」の１位は「衆院選で民主３０８議席の圧勝、歴史的政権交代で鳩山内閣発足」だった。

Day after day the new administration offered up eye-catching proposals. However, three months since the administration was launched under a banner of change, the high expectations initially held by the public have waned, with a sense of uncertainty and concern about the coalition government creeping in.
　新政権は連日、様々な話題をお茶の間に提供した。だが、変革を旗印に政権が発足して３か月余、当初の期待感も薄れ、連立内閣への危うさや不安を感じ始めた国民も多いのではないか。

　◆政治ドラマに高い関心◆
Much public attention had been paid to the fate of the DPJ's manifesto pledges, such as the child-rearing allowance program, the abolition of provisionally higher tax rates for gasoline and other auto-related taxes, and government subsidies for high school tuition.
　民主党が政権公約として掲げた子ども手当、暫定税率廃止、高校無償化などの行方に関心が集中した。

Toward the end of the year, however, there was an unexpected development regarding these issues, with DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa seeking a drastic government review of the pledges. It was as if we were watching a drama unfold on TV.
年の瀬も押し迫り、同党の小沢幹事長が公約の大幅修正を政府に求めるなど、ドラマを見るような展開をたどった。

The Government Revitalization Unit's review of budgetary requests for fiscal 2010, conducted to weed out wasteful spending, was an attention-getter, but it failed to find and cut as much wasteful spending as it hoped.
　予算の無駄を見直す行政刷新会議の事業仕分けは、華々しさに比して削減額は少なかった。

On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, Hatoyama decided to put off a decision on the issue that had emerged as a hot topic until next year, leaving the Japan-U.S. relationship severely strained.
米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、鳩山首相が結論を先送りし、日米関係は危機的な状況に陥っている。

Prosecutors have indicted two former secretaries of Hatoyama without arrest over falsified fund reports that violated the Political Funds Control Law. The trial of Ozawa's former secretary over a political funds scandal has recently begun. All of which have brought problems involving politics and money back to the fore this year.
　政治資金収支報告書の虚偽記入事件で鳩山首相の元秘書２人がそれぞれ在宅起訴、略式起訴され、小沢氏の秘書の公判も始まった。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題が再燃した年でもあった。

===

Expressway issues

Seventh on the top 10 list is the introduction of expressway tolls set at 1,000 yen or lower. Discounted tolls on weekends and holidays for standard-sized passenger vehicles started in March on all expressways except those in major metropolitan areas. This is no doubt a topic close to the hearts of drivers.
　７位には「高速道『上限１０００円』スタート」が入った。車を運転する人などには、それだけ関心事なのだろう。

The system was introduced in spring by the then cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso. But the new administration sought to go even further, proposing that all expressways be made toll-free.
　前の麻生内閣の施策だが、新政権はさらに進めて無料化を打ち出した。

However, if expressway tolls were done away with, there is concern that free expressways could lead to people in regional areas being deprived of public transport, such as railways, if such forms of transportation were to find themselves unable to make ends meet and were forced to cease operations due to more people opting to travel by car.
地方の公共交通の足が奪われると懸念されている。

The 20th year of the Emperor's ascension to the throne ranks sixth. In the past two decades, the Emperor has resolutely adhered to the philosophy of sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people, always seeking to determine what his role should be as the symbol of the state.
　「天皇陛下即位２０年」が６位である。「国民と苦楽を共にする」という考えを貫かれ、「象徴として望ましい天皇の在り方」を求め続けられた２０年だった。

Also this year, the Emperor and Empress celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. A variety of events were held to celebrate the 20th year of the Emperor's enthronement and the Imperial couple's 50th wedding anniversary.
　天皇、皇后両陛下のご成婚５０年の年でもあり、即位２０年と併せて様々な祝賀行事が行われた。

Near the end of this memorable year, controversies emerged over the audience of Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping with the Emperor, after it came to light that the Hatoyama Cabinet had broken with protocol to set up the meeting.
　そんな中で、鳩山内閣が、天皇陛下と中国の習近平国家副主席との会見を特別に設定したことの是非が論議を呼んだ。

===

New-flu fears

The No. 2 domestic news story is the outbreak in Japan of the new type of influenza. The disease spread from Mexico to a host of other countries in spring, and reached Japan in May. The epidemic has yet to abate, and it has become a common sight in this country to see great numbers of people wearing face masks.
　２位に入ったのは「日本でも新型インフルエンザ流行」だ。春にメキシコから火の手が上がった感染拡大の波は日本にも押し寄せ、いまも沈静化していない。マスク姿が目立つのも社会現象だ。

　◆国民が決める刑の重さ◆
The No. 3 domestic news story is the start of the lay judge system. Under the system, ordinary citizens participate in trying criminal cases as lay judges and, together with professional judges, decide whether the accused is guilty and the level of punishment.
　続いて３位には、「『裁判員制度』スタート」が入った。国民が刑事裁判に参加し、裁判官とともに、有罪か無罪か、さらに有罪の場合の刑の重さを決定する。

The system, which began in May, has faced problems, with many people saying they do not want to participate in a trial. It could become necessary to flexibly review the operation of the system if a problem arises.
　「参加したくない」という声もある中で始まった。課題が浮かび上がれば、柔軟に運用方法を見直していく必要があるだろう。

In another change to the legal system, prosecutors and police have begun to make audio and video recordings of the questioning of criminal suspects to ensure it can be proven at lay judge trials that confessions had not been coerced. However, many people have called for the entire questioning process to be recorded.
　検察・警察は、裁判員裁判で被告の自白が強制されたものでないことを立証するため、取り調べの一部録音・録画を始めたが、全面可視化を求める声も多い。

The public call has come because there has been an unending stream of false accusations, including the Ashikaga incident in which Toshikazu Sugaya was freed from prison, having spent 17-1/2 years behind bars, after DNA tests showed he is not guilty. Sugaya's release is the No. 10 domestic news story.
　それというのも、１０位に入った「『足利事件』の菅家さん釈放　ＤＮＡ鑑定に誤り」など、冤罪(えんざい)事件が絶えないからだ。

In the case, DNA retesting using the latest technology was used to overturn a result based on a less-accurate DNA test conducted during the initial investigation.
　足利事件では、最新技術を使ったＤＮＡの再鑑定で、精度が低かった捜査段階での鑑定が否定される結果となった。

Meanwhile, it was decided earlier this month to hold a retrial regarding the so-called Fukawa incident, a robbery-murder that occurred in 1967 in Ibaraki Prefecture, for which two men were sentenced to life in prison.
今月に入り、茨城県で４２年前に起きた布川事件の再審開始も決まった。

Police and prosecutors must examine problems pertaining to these cases and thoroughly conduct an appropriate investigation.
　検察・警察は、これら事件の問題点を検証するとともに、適正捜査を徹底しなければならない。

The arrest of popular actress Noriko Sakai on suspicion of possessing stimulant drugs comes in at No. 5 and was given a lot of coverage by TV shows.
　５位は「酒井法子容疑者、覚せい剤所持で逮捕」だった。人気女優の逮捕は、テレビのワイドショーなどの格好の題材となった。

Drug use in show business circles and cannabis use among youths have become matters of growing concern.
芸能界の薬物汚染、若者の大麻汚染などが懸念されている。

===

Recession blues

Meanwhile, "recession" was a word that cast a shadow over society throughout the year. The news story that ranks 16th on the list was Toyota Motor Corp.'s posting of its first operating loss in 71 years and losses incurred by major firms, including automakers and electrical appliance makers.
The No. 19 news story is the yen's surge to the 84 yen level for the first time in 14 years.
The No. 20 news story is that the unemployment rate climbed to 5.7 percent and the job-offers-to-seekers ratio hit 0.42, the worst on record.
　１年を通して「不況」の文字が社会を覆った。経済関連は「トヨタが７１年ぶり営業赤字　自動車、電機など大手赤字相次ぐ」が１６位、「『円』急騰、約１４年ぶり１ドル＝８４円台」が１９位、「失業率５・７％、求人倍率０・４２倍　過去最悪を更新」が２０位だ。

Many high school and university students who will graduate in spring have yet to find jobs.
　就職先が決まらない来春卒業予定の高校生や大学生も多い。

The phrase "employment ice age," referring to an extreme scarcity of jobs for new graduates, has resurfaced in conversations.
「就職氷河期」の再来である。

"Deflation crisis" and "bonus cuts" also are heard here and there, and there is a growing concern the economy could enter a double-dip recession.
　「デフレ危機」や「ボーナスカット」の言葉も飛び交い、「二番底」の到来が心配されている。

Some within the industrial circle have strongly criticized the government for not drawing up an effective growth strategy.
産業界などには、政府の成長戦略のなさに対する批判も強い。

　◆感動を与え続けた野球◆
The three sports stories that make the top 10 are all related to baseball.
　上位１０位までに野球関連が３本も入った。

Japan's back-to-back victory in the World Baseball Classic came in fourth and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becoming the first player in major league history to reach 200 hits in nine straight seasons is eighth. The Yomiuri Giants winning their 21st Japan Series title, their first in seven years, ranks ninth.
４位に「日本がＷＢＣ連覇」、８位に「イチロー選手が大リーグ史上初の９年連続２００安打」、そして「巨人が７年ぶり２１度目日本一」が９位だ。

The No. 14 news story is about New York Yankees Hideki Matsui becoming first Japanese-born World Series MVP.
　「ヤンキース松井選手、日本人初のＷシリーズＭＶＰ」も１４位に入っている。

The popularity of these stories prove that baseball truly is a sport loved by people right across this country.
野球が国民的スポーツであることの証しでもある。

At a time when people are uncertain about their future lives, there is no doubt that the superb showing of the Samurai Japan team at the WBC moved people across the nation and infused them with a can-do spirit.
　暮らしの先が見えない時代にあって、ＷＢＣの「侍ジャパン」の活躍などから勇気や感動をもらった人も多かったことだろう。

Most at stake now are the issues facing new administration.
　問題は新政権である。

The task that the Hatoyama administration should focus on next year is to revive the vitality of both this nation and its people by taking aim at the clouds over the hill, just as occurs in the Ryotaro Shiba's historical novel "Saka no Ue no Kumo" (Clouds Over the Hill), a book that has found a new and growing audience today.
再ブームとなっている司馬遼太郎の「坂の上の雲」ではないが、この国と国民に、坂の上の雲を目指すような活力を蘇(よみがえ)らせることこそ、来年の課題ではないか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 27, 2009)
（2009年12月27日00時53分 読売新聞）

良いお年をお迎えください

クリスマスが終わって一息、明日の日曜日は娘の学芸会です。
娘は幼稚園の年長さんで来年は小学校に進学します。
幼稚園生活の最後をかざるためにタイ式舞踊を４曲も踊ります。
きっとまたカメラのシャッターを切る父親の瞼を涙でぬらすことでしょう。

NHKの語学番組、充実していますね。
特にラジオ番組はストリーミング放送が主体なので好きなときに好きなだけ学習できますね。
英語だけでこれほどのプログラムのラインアップ、その充実ぶりに驚かされました。
↓
http://www.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/english/index.html

大学のとき必修科目であったドイツ語、学習開始後数ヶ月で挫折したスペイン語、コーリアンバーで覚えたハングルなど、ここタイに住んでいても好きなだけ学習できますね。

英字新聞をご愛読いただきましてありがとうございます。
良いお年をお迎えください。

srachai from khonkaen, thailand

来年度予算　公約優先では財政がもたない

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 26, 2009)
DPJ must find funds for its election pledges
来年度予算　公約優先では財政がもたない（12月26日付・読売社説）

The shift in power brought about by the last general election has caused a sea change in the process of putting together a government budget. However, the budget for the next fiscal year devised by the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration indicates that the government is unchanged in relying on the issuance of government bonds and nontax revenue for resources to underwrite its budget.
In fact, the next budget shows the government has become even more dependent on borrowing as a means of securing budgetary resources.
　政権交代で予算編成の過程は様変わりした。だが、出来上がった来年度予算案は、国債と税外収入に頼る構図が相変わらずで、借金体質は例年に増して強まった。

　◆税収はわずか３７兆円◆
On Friday, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama finalized the budget for fiscal 2010. Its general account expenditures total 92.3 trillion yen, an all-time high for an initial fiscal budget.
　政府は２５日、２０１０年度予算案を閣議決定した。一般会計の歳出総額は９２・３兆円と、当初予算では過去最大である。

The budget entails 53.5 trillion yen in spending for specific government policies, greater than the amount of expenditures in this category under the fiscal 2009 budget. Debt-servicing costs--expenditures needed to redeem government bonds and pay interest on such bonds--total 20.6 trillion yen, and local tax grants for discretionary purposes 17.5 trillion yen.
　具体的な政策の実行にあてる一般歳出は５３・５兆円に膨らんだ。国債の利払いや償還に使う国債費は２０・６兆円で、地方交付税は１７・５兆円だった。

===

Only 37.4 tril. yen from taxes

Meanwhile, the next fiscal budget has set annual government revenue from taxes at 37.4 trillion yen, which nearly compares with that to be expected under the fiscal 2009 budget in the wake of a second supplementary budget. Tax revenue has fallen to about the same level as was registered 26 years ago.
　一方の歳入は、税収が３７・４兆円と、第２次補正後の０９年度予算とほぼ同じであり、２６年も前の水準まで落ち込む。

The government hopes to make up for a projected revenue shortfall using nontax revenue totaling 10.6 trillion yen--known as "buried treasure"--and government bond-generated revenue worth 44.3 trillion yen. The money includes funds deposited in the special account for government loan and investment programs, as well as surplus funds from the foreign exchange special account.
　財政投融資特別会計の積立金や外国為替特会の剰余金など、いわゆる埋蔵金をかき集めた１０・６兆円の税外収入と、４４・３兆円の国債発行で不足分を補う。

Government bond issuance accounts for 48 percent of total revenue under the fiscal 2010 budget, meaning almost half of revenue is expected to come from debts.
　歳入全体に占める国債への依存度は４８％と、ほぼ半分を借金で賄う計算だ。

The current economic situation is so precarious it must be rectified by an underpinning fiscal stimulus. Given this, issuing new government bonds will be unavoidable. It is easy to see, however, that the government's chronic reliance on debt cannot be left unaddressed any longer if one stops to look at the government's fiscal crisis from a medium- and long-term standpoint.
　景気は財政出動で下支えしなければ危うい状況である。このため、国債の増発はある程度やむを得ないが、中長期的には、借金依存の財政を放置出来ないのも明らかである。

　◆政権公約墨守で迷走◆
The greatest factor behind the difficulties in devising the next budget was the Hatoyama Cabinet's obsessive adherence to its goal of carrying out policies spelled out in the DPJ's election manifesto. The confusion embroiling the government in this respect started immediately after the new Cabinet was launched. The Hatoyama administration scrapped the guidelines for budgetary appropriation requests set by its predecessor, the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, and also ordered each government ministry and agency to submit new budgetary demands.
　今回の予算編成を難航させた最大の原因は、政権公約（マニフェスト）に掲げた政策の実現に鳩山内閣がこだわったことである。
　内閣が発足するや、自公政権が決めた概算要求基準（シーリング）を廃止し、各府省に概算要求を出し直させたことが、迷走の始まりだった。

===

2 miscalculations

Total budget requests came to 95 trillion yen, up 6.5 trillion yen from the 2009 initial budget. This increase was the result of the inclusion of policies contained in the DPJ manifesto, such as child-rearing allowances, making public high school eduction virtually free and a plan to eliminate some expressway tolls.
　概算要求の総額は９５兆円と、０９年度当初予算を６・５兆円も上回った。子ども手当、高校授業料の実質無償化や高速道路料金の一部無料化など、政権公約の関連項目が並んだためだ。

In the course of discussing how to fund these pledges in the budget, the Hatoyama administration noticed it had made two glaring miscalculations: a major drop in tax revenue, and its pruning of budget requests fell well short of expectations.
　これらの取り扱いについて議論するうち、鳩山内閣は二つの“誤算”に見舞われた。

The economic downturn has caused tax revenue for fiscal 2009 to plunge more than 9 trillion yen below initial forecasts, with the fall in corporate tax especially severe. Tax revenue is also expected to stay flat for fiscal 2010.
　一つは税収の大幅な落ち込みである。景気の低迷で、０９年度は法人税を中心に、予想より９兆円以上減少することがわかった。１０年度も税収の回復は期待できず、前年度並みの水準を見込まざるを得なくなった。

The DPJ assumed it could secure additional revenue by cutting wasteful programs. However, its attempts to eliminate budget fat finished with disappointing results.
　二つめは、予算の無駄減らしによる財源の確保が、期待はずれに終わったことである。

The DPJ had insisted 10 trillion yen to 20 trillion yen could be freed up by reviewing both the general and special accounts. In its manifesto, the party stipulated it would wring out nearly 17 trillion yen annually four years after taking power.
　民主党は、一般会計と特別会計を見直せば、１０兆円や２０兆円の財源を確保するのは容易だと主張してきた。政権公約には、政権奪取から４年後に、年間１７兆円近い財源を捻出(ねんしゅつ)すると明記した。

The budget screening to cut wasteful spending started with great fanfare. However, the screening panel could not find wasteful programs to the extent that the DPJ first assumed. The administration initially set a target of 3 trillion yen in cuts, but could only come up with about 1 trillion yen.
　ところが、鳴り物入りで始めた事業仕分けでは、無駄の洗い出しが進まなかった。当初は３兆円の削減を目指したが、実際には１兆円程度にとどまった。

Despite this, the Hatoyama administration insists revenue sources are still waiting to be uncovered. The administration bears a heavy responsibility for these actions.
　民主党が想定したほどには、無駄がなかったということである。それなのに、財源はあると言い続けた鳩山政権の責任は重いと言わざるを得ない。

Despite this chronic revenue shortage, Hatoyama refused to budge from his plans to implement policies spelled out in the DPJ manifesto. This greatly delayed the compilation of fiscal 2010 tax reform plans.
　鳩山首相は、深刻な財源不足に直面してもなお、政権公約の実行にこだわり、税制改正大綱のとりまとめは大幅に遅れた。

Hatoyama eventually accepted DPJ requests submitted by Ichiro Ozawa, the party's secretary general, and modified several manifesto pledges, such as virtually retracting a proposal to abolish the provisionally higher gasoline tax. In the end, the budget was compiled within this year, although it was anything but smooth sailing.
　結局、小沢幹事長が出した民主党の要請を受け入れ、暫定税率廃止の撤回など政権公約の一部を修正した。この結果、予算案の年内編成になんとかこぎ着けた。

Worryingly, huge sums have been allocated to policies apparently designed to impress voters ahead of next year's House of Councillors election, such as an income compensation plan for individual farmers.
　だが、農家への戸別所得補償など、来年の参院選を意識したと思われる党主導の政策に多額の予算をつけたのは問題だった。

Also disconcerting is the slashing of public works-related budgets by 1.3 trillion yen to 5.8 trillion yen, an 18 percent reduction from the initial budget for this fiscal year.
　景気低迷が続く中、公共事業関係費を前年度比１８％、１・３兆円も削り、５・８兆円に縮減したことも懸念材料である。

===

Fiscal rehabilitation urgent

　◆財政再建は待ったなし◆
We are concerned by figures in the approved draft budget for fiscal 2010. The long-term debt of the central and local governments is forecast to reach about 862 trillion yen by the end of the next fiscal year, a figure about 1.8 times larger than the nation's gross domestic product. Japan's figure is easily the highest among the United States and major European nations.
　１０年度予算案の決定で、新たな数字が浮かび上がった。国と地方の長期債務が１０年度末で８６２兆円程度と、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍にも及ぶ見通しになったことだ。欧米の主要国に比べると、日本が突出して高い。

There is more than 1,400 trillion yen in household financial assets in Japan. Some observers say that the long-term debt is not so problematic because government bonds could be sold to domestic buyers who own these assets.
　日本には１４００兆円を超す個人金融資産があり、「国内だけで国債などの消化が可能だから大丈夫」という見方がある。

But if housing loans and some other debts are excluded, only about 1,000 trillion yen remains. Given the fact that the gap between long-term debt and household assets has been narrowing year by year, the government must seriously consider how to secure stable tax revenues.
　だが、住宅ローンなどの借金を除けば、残りは１０００兆円余りだ。長期債務との差が年々縮小している現実を見れば、やはり国として安定した税収の確保を考えねばなるまい。

The Hatoyama Cabinet intends not to raise the consumption tax rate--the most promising revenue source--until the next House of Representatives election a few years from now. But it is clear that a budget cannot be compiled given the current revenue shortage.
　鳩山内閣は、最有力の財源である消費税について、次の衆院選まで税率引き上げを封印した。しかし、こうした状態では、財源不足でまともな予算が組めないことがよくわかったはずだ。

Even if raising the consumption tax is considered a change in policy, the public likely will go along with it provided the administration earnestly explains that the rate hike is necessary for securing revenue for social security measures.
　仮に消費税で方針転換しても、社会保障の財源として必要なことなどを丁寧に説明すれば、国民は理解を示すのではないか。

The Hatoyama Cabinet should start preparations so discussions for raising the consumption tax rate can start after the upper house election next summer, and so the measure could be implemented as soon as the economy gets on a solid recovery track.
　来年夏の参院選後には消費税率引き上げの議論を始め、景気が回復すれば直ちに実施できるよう、鳩山内閣は準備に入るべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2009)
（2009年12月26日01時18分 読売新聞）

NHKラジオ英会話

うれしかったですねー。
数日前NHKラジオ英会話のインターネットストリーム放送公式HPを発見しました。
↓
http://www.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/english/kaiwa/index.html

1５分の放送時間は昔とまったく変わりません。
ただちょっとさびしかったのは番組が日本語中心で進められていることです。

松本亨先生､東後勝明先生と連続して２０年ほど拝聴しておりました。
当時番組はすべて英語で構成されており緊張感をもって毎日1５分を過ごせました。
お二方の流暢で美しい英語は未だに脳裏に焼き付いております。

日本語で番組を進めると大変にわかりやすい。
反面完全に理解できるので緊張感、危機感に欠けてしまいます。
できれば昔のようにラジオ英語会話はすべて英語で番組を構成して欲しかった。

もうじき高校の英語教育は原則として英語のみで授業を進めるようになると聞いております。
ラジオ英語会話もすべて英語で番組が進められるほうが時代の流れに沿っているのではと思いました。

ただこれと正反対の考え方もございます。
昨年の暮れまで私はタイ人学生に日本語を教えておりました。
私が採用された理由はタイ語で日本語の授業ができるからです。
日本語教育の資格はもっていませんが、タイ人学生には好評でした。
↓
http://srachai.ninja-x.jp/

語学会社が倒産して私は失職してしまいましたが、
もしも日本語教育を担当させられていたら、
私はあいかわらずタイ語で日本語の授業を行っていたことでしょう。

srachai from khonkaen, thailand

元秘書２人起訴　鳩山首相の政治責任は重大だ

Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 25, 2009)
Scandal responsibility lies with Hatoyama
元秘書２人起訴　鳩山首相の政治責任は重大だ（12月25日付・読売社説）

Prosecutors have decided not to indict Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama over falsified reports on his political funds. However, the prime minister bears a heavy political responsibility for, in effect, allowing his former secretary to continue illegal accounting practices for years. The prime minister also deceived the public as he did his best to avoid telling the truth on the murky matter.
　元秘書の不正行為を放置したうえ、国民に真実を語ろうとしなかった。鳩山首相は不起訴だったとはいえ、政治的責任は極めて重大である。

Prosecutors on Thursday indicted Hatoyama's former state-funded first secretary without arrest for alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law. The secretary, who was in charge of the administrative affairs of Hatoyama's political fund management organization, allegedly falsified official fund reports of Hatoyama's political fund organizations. The prosecutors also filed a summary indictment against another state-paid former secretary for policy affairs to Hatoyama, who served as the accountant for the fund organization, ordering him to pay a fine.
　首相の資金管理団体などの収支報告書に虚偽を記載したとして、実務担当者だった元公設第１秘書が、政治資金規正法違反で在宅起訴された。会計責任者だった元政策秘書も略式起訴され、罰金の略式命令を受けた。

The prosecutors concluded the former first secretary disguised funds extended by Hatoyama and his mother as income from individuals' donations and sales of tickets for fund-raising parties. The former policy affairs secretary was charged with gross negligence for failing to notice the falsifications by leaving the accounting work up to the first secretary.
　元公設秘書は、首相や母親からの資金などを個人献金やパーティー収入に偽装した。元政策秘書は元公設秘書に任せ、注意を怠る重大な過失があったという。

　◆「知らぬ」は通用しない◆
It is extremely unusual for former aides to a prime minister to be indicted while the premier is still in office. But the amount of funds falsely entered in the reports totaled about 400 million yen over five years. The scale of the deception means that laying criminal charges in this case was an easy call to make.
　現職首相の元秘書の訴追は異例だが、虚偽記入の総額は５年間で約４億円にも上っており、刑事責任が問われるのは当然だ。

===

Prime minister standing firm

Hatoyama has deflected calls to step down over the messy affair. "It's my responsibility to fulfill my mission as a politician," he said at a press conference following the indictments.
　鳩山首相は記者会見で、「政治家としての使命を果たすことが、私の責任だ」と述べ、自らの辞任を否定した。

While Hatoyama was a member of the opposition camp, however, he was quick to make comments that seem to contradict his position in this case. "The responsibility lies with a politician if his or her secretary committed a crime." "If I were the person involved, I'd take off my Diet member pin." Hatoyama took these potshots on such occasions as the arrest of a secretary to former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Koichi Kato and that of a secretary to Muneo Suzuki, a House of Representatives lawmaker.
　だが、首相は野党時代、加藤紘一自民党元幹事長や鈴木宗男衆院議員の秘書らが逮捕された際、何度もこう明言していた。
　「秘書の犯罪は議員の責任だ」「私なら議員バッジを外す」

But now the shoe is on the other foot and Hatoyama must face up squarely to the situation he finds himself in. Where once Hatoyama was calling on others to resign, now he finds himself the target of such demands.
　この言葉が今、自身の進退に向けられていることを、厳粛に受け止める必要がある。

Hatoyama insisted at the press conference that he was "totally unaware" of the massive amount of funds originating from his mother. Even if he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, his explanation leaves us shaking our heads.
　首相は記者会見で、母親からの巨額の資金提供について「全く承知していなかった」と改めて強調した。首相がいかに裕福な家庭環境で育ったとしても、この説明は信じがたい。

Even if Hatoyama did not know about the funds dispensed from his mother up until June, when disguised donations filed in the names of dead people came to light, he later had the first secretary make a report on the matter and let a lawyer look into the case. It is inconceivable that Hatoyama did not notice the about 1.2 billion yen in funds from his mother.
　仮に「故人献金」問題が発覚した６月までは知らなかったとしても、その後、元公設秘書から事情を聞き、弁護士に調査までさせている。計１２億円超の資金提供に気づかないことはあり得ない。

===

Questions unanswered

The revelations came out just as the lower house election was approaching. If Hatoyama hid the funds from his mother in an attempt to save his own neck and avoid any negative fallout that could impact on his party's election chances, this would be an act of betrayal against the public.
　当時は、衆院選が迫っていた。自らの保身と、選挙への悪影響を避けるため、母親からの資金提供を隠していたのなら、国民に対する背信行為である。

Why did the first secretary make false entries in fund reports? For what purposes were the mother's funds used? Was the provision of funds from his mother a way to dodge paying inheritance tax?
　元公設秘書はなぜ虚偽記載を行ったのか。母親の資金をどんな活動に使ったのか。資金提供は相続税対策だったのではないか。

Hatoyama has provided scant explanations to these questions. The prime minister must explain in detail about the series of fund-management irregularities. Without doing so, he will never be able to regain public trust.
　こうした多くの疑問に対して、首相の記者会見での説明は極めて不十分だった。首相は改めて機会を設け、一連の問題の全体像を自ら丁寧に説明すべきだ。それなくして国民の信頼は回復しない。

　◆「贈与税申告」は疑問だ◆
Hatoyama had a squeaky-clean reputation when it came to political fund management. But it now is clear that the prime minister had left his funds affairs entirely in the hands of the former first secretary and overlooked false entries of a staggering amount of money. Hatoyama cannot escape supervisory responsibility for these lapses.
　鳩山首相は、政治とカネについてクリーンな政治家との印象を持たれてきた。だが、実際は政治資金の管理を元公設秘書に丸投げし、巨額の虚偽記載を見過ごしていた。監督責任は免れない。

"I did not, under any circumstances, line my own pockets," the prime minister stated. "Nor did I unlawfully profit."
　首相は「私腹を肥やしたわけではない。不正な利得も受けていない」と述べた。

===

Arguments not convincing

Some observers say Hatoyama's case is not particularly iniquitous, as the original funds were not corporate donations but rather, money provided by his mother.
今回の原資が企業献金でなく、身内からの資金提供なので悪質性は低いとの意見もある。

However, Hatoyama's arguments are far from convincing.
だが、そんなことはない。

The prime minister has acknowledged that the funds provided by his mother were "gifts," and has said he will pay gift tax on them. However, if the scandal had not come to light, Hatoyama would have evaded more than 600 million yen in gift tax.
　首相は、母親からの資金提供を「贈与」と認め、贈与税を申告する意向を示した。資金提供が発覚しなかったら、６億円以上の納税を逃れていたことになる。

If such an act was allowed to occur, it would trample upon the feelings of honest taxpayers and potentially shake the tax declaration system to its core.
　こうした行為がまかり通れば、まじめに納税しようとする国民の気持ちを踏みにじり、申告納税制度の根幹が揺らぎかねない。

Political fairness, some say, cannot be guaranteed if wealthy individuals are allowed to transfer massive amounts of money to political organizations. From this point of view, the Political Funds Control Law stipulates a limit on individual donations.
　資産家が巨額の資金を自由に政治団体に繰り入れて使えるようでは、政治活動の公平性が担保されない、との指摘がある。政治資金規正法が個人献金の上限額を定めているのは、こうした観点も踏まえたものと言えよう。

In another scandal embroiling the Democratic Party of Japan, a secretary of Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa was indicted in connection with irregularities over the receipt of political funds from general contractor Nishimatsu Construction Co. At the first hearing earlier this month, prosecutors accused Ozawa's secretary of establishing collusive ties with Nishimatsu.
　民主党では、小沢幹事長の秘書も西松建設の違法献金事件で起訴され、初公判で検察側からゼネコンとの癒着を指弾された。

In spite of this, no one within the DPJ has called on Hatoyama and Ozawa to give detailed accounts of the allegations being levied. DPJ members are unable to effectively refute criticism that there are fundamental problems both within the party and with its ability to cleanse itself.
　それなのに、党内から、鳩山首相や小沢氏に詳しい説明を求める声さえ出ていないのは、現在の民主党の体質や自浄能力に問題がある、と見られても仕方がない。

Hatoyama's fund management organization submitted false reports on small donations from individuals. It abused a provision in the Political Funds Control Law that does not require such organizations to report the name of individual donors if the amount donated is less than 50,000 yen a year.
　首相の資金管理団体は小口の個人献金の大半が虚偽記載だった。政治資金規正法で、年５万円以下の献金は寄付者名を記載する必要がないことを悪用したものだ。

===

More transparency needed

Under the law, political organizations must retain receipts for any expenditure of more than 1 yen. But the law is not quite as strict with regard to revenues, and has relatively weak stipulations regarding the reception of funds.
　現行法では、政治団体の１円以上の支出については、すべて領収書を用意しなければならないが、収入面は規定が甘く、バランスを欠く。

We believe consideration should be given to the introduction of a system to enhance the transparency of political funds received by such organizations.
収入の透明性を高める制度を検討していいだろう。

　◆捜査は尽くされたのか◆
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to directly question Hatoyama and his mother about the funds, but rather allow them to submit a written statement to prosecutors. But did the prosecutors find out about everything they needed to know without questioning them directly?
　東京地検は首相や母親の事情聴取を見送り、上申書で済ませた。本人を聴取せず、本当に全容を解明できたのだろうか。

An ordinary citizen would certainly have to face a grilling from prosecutors if he or she was suspected of having committed a criminal act. Did prosecutors perhaps give too much consideration to the person currently standing at the helm of government?
　一般国民が検察に疑いを持たれたならば、聴取を受けずに済むことはまずない。今回、時の最高権力者への配慮はなかったか。

Lately, public participation in judicial affairs has picked up pace. For example, more powers have been granted to the Committee for the Inquest of Prosecution, in which people examine the soundness of prosecutors' decisions not to indict individuals in certain cases.
　最近は、検察の不起訴処分が妥当かどうかを国民が審査する検察審査会の権限が強化されるなど、国民の司法参加が進んでいる。

Particularly in cases that attract a great deal of public attention, prosecutors should be more willing to talk to the press and others about their decisions, rather than only revealing what they know at a trial.
　検察は、社会的な関心の高い事件については、公判の場だけでなく、記者会見などでもっと説明する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 25, 2009)
（2009年12月25日00時59分 読売新聞）

read, read and read

今朝の英字読売は読みやすかった。
なんども同じような内容を読んでしまっているからだろう。
それでもわからない単語の一つや二つは出てくる。

全体の意味をつかんだら、時間をおいて社説独特の専門用語と難しい単語を復習する。
例文の中で単語を記憶するようにすればかなりしっかりと暗記できるようになる。
単語は例文の中でそのニュアンスをつかみとるようにすると良い。

英文を読むときには頭を英文モードに切り替えて集中して読むことが大切。
英文を読むときのスピードも大切な要因だ。
あまりゆっくり読んでいると文章の構造が読み取れなくなってしまう。
文章の構成部分をまとめて把握しながらスピード感をもって読み進めるようにしよう。

昨夜 newyork times と　washington post の社説に挑戦。
難しくてまったく歯がたたなかった。
理解できるのはいつも読んでいるオバマ大統領、医療保障法改正関連だけ。
いつになったら英文がすらすらと読めるようになるのか！

「佐藤」核密約　東西冷戦下の苦渋の選択だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 24, 2009)
Secret accord inevitable during Cold War era
「佐藤」核密約　東西冷戦下の苦渋の選択だ（12月24日付・読売社説）

A key document that gives credence to the existence of a secret agreement between Japan and the United States over the reentry of nuclear weapons into Okinawa after its reversion to Japan has been discovered.
　沖縄返還後の核再持ち込みをめぐる日米密約の存在を裏付ける貴重な資料が発見された。

The document is an "agreed minute" signed by Prime Minister Eisaku Sato and U.S. President Richard Nixon during a summit meeting held in Washington in November 1969, prior to the 1972 return of Okinawa.
　１９７２年の沖縄返還に先立つ６９年１１月、ワシントンで開かれた日米首脳会談で、佐藤栄作首相とニクソン米大統領が極秘に署名した「合意議事録」である。

The document showed that the United States intended to remove all nuclear weapons from Okinawa by the time of its reversion. It also indicated that Washington would require the reentry of nuclear weapons into Okinawa during emergencies, such as a possible incident in the Far East.
　文書は、米国が沖縄返還時にすべての核兵器を撤去するものの、極東有事などの際には再び持ち込む権利を持つことを、日本側が認める内容となっている。

The existence of this kind of secret accord had already been suggested by Kei Wakaizumi, who served as a secret envoy for Sato. However, proof of the existence of the document has now come to light and the finding is of significant historical importance.
　密約の存在は、佐藤首相の密使を務めた若泉敬氏が明らかにしていたが、文書自体の確認は初めてで、その歴史的意義は大きい。

===

Difficult decision

During talks over the reversion of Okinawa, Japan requested "nuclear-free, mainland status" for Okinawa. The United States, on the other hand, stressed the necessity of allowing for the reentry of nuclear weapons in the case of an emergency.
　沖縄返還交渉で、日本側は「核抜き本土並み」の返還を求めたのに対し、米側は、極東の安全保障の観点から、有事の核再持ち込みの必要性を主張した。

Agreeing to the secret accord was thus a tough decision taken to ensure the reversion of Okinawa by striking a balance between the Japanese public's negative feelings about nuclear weapons, and security concerns within the Cold War structure brought about by the confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.
　密約は、米ソ対立による東西冷戦の下、核を忌避する日本の国民感情と安全保障を両立させつつ、沖縄返還を確実にするための苦渋の選択だったと言えよう。

The Foreign Ministry has set up a panel of experts to research and examine the issue of four purported secret agreements with the United States, including the one relating to the reentry of nuclear weapons after the reversion of Okinawa. The recent discovery of the aforementioned document likely will help the panel make significant progress.
　外務省は、有識者委員会を設置し、今回の件を含む四つの密約問題を調査、検証している。合意議事録の発見は、この作業を大きく前進させるだろう。

Sato kept the document at home and we wonder whether its contents were passed on to successive prime ministers and senior ministry officials in an appropriate manner. The panel should uncover the truth through interviews with the people concerned, and via other means.
　議事録は、佐藤首相の自宅に保管されていた。その内容は、歴代首相や外務省幹部にきちんと引き継がれていたのか。有識者委員会は、関係者からの聞き取り調査などを通じて、真相を究明してもらいたい。

The government has consistently denied the existence of such agreements. But, to restore the people's trust in this nation's diplomacy, the government should acknowledge that secret accords were struck and thereby settle the controversy.
　政府は従来、一貫して密約の存在を否定してきた。だが、日本外交に対する国民の信頼を回復するには、密約の存在を認め、問題にけじめをつけるべきだ。

===

Deterrence still essential

Though the Cold War has ended, it is hard to say whether the circumstances surrounding Japan's security have improved.
　冷戦は終わったが、現在の日本の安全保障環境は必ずしも改善されたとは言い難い。

North Korea, which has twice conducted nuclear tests, reportedly possesses a huge number of ballistic missiles capable of striking Japan. Meanwhile, China has registered double-digit growth in its defense spending for 21 consecutive years. China reportedly has deployed a number of nuclear missiles targeting Japan.
　北朝鮮は核実験を２度実施し、日本を射程に収める弾道ミサイルを大量に保有する。中国の国防費は２１年連続で２ケタの伸びを示した。日本に照準を合わせた核ミサイルも多数配備している。

The U.S. military's nuclear deterrence is still essential for Japan.
　日本にとって米軍の核抑止力は依然、不可欠である。

Presently, however, the Japan-U.S. alliance is being seriously shaken. The administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has indecisively handled the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, resulting in a strong sense of U.S. distrust toward Japan.
　ところが、鳩山政権は、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題をめぐる優柔不断な対応で米側の強い不信を招き、日米同盟は今、大きく揺らいでいる。

To maintain the effectiveness of the U.S. deterrence, we believe it is worth giving consideration to allowing port calls or stopovers of vessels and aircraft carrying nuclear weapons. However, such an act would have implications for the third of the nation's three nonnuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not allowing the entry of nuclear weapons into this nation.
　核抑止力を維持するには、「持たず、作らず、持ち込ませず」の非核三原則の「持ち込ませず」のうち、核搭載艦船や航空機の寄港・立ち寄りを可能にすることも、十分検討に値するだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2009)
（2009年12月24日01時31分 読売新聞）

NHKの海外向けラジオ放送

1５分のストリーミング放送は集中して聞くのに丁度よい時間です。
↓
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/radio/ondemand.html

来年度税・予算　政権公約へのこだわり捨てよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 23, 2009)
Put the economy before manifesto promises
来年度税・予算　政権公約へのこだわり捨てよ（12月23日付・読売社説）

Compilation of the fiscal 2010 budget has entered the homestretch.
　２０１０年度予算の編成作業が、大詰めを迎えている。

The outline of tax revisions for next fiscal year was approved Tuesday at a Cabinet meeting, and the treatment of child-rearing allowances and an income compensation system for individual farmers has been decided, too.
　国民生活や企業活動に深くかかわる来年度の税制改正大綱が２２日に閣議決定され、子ども手当や農家への戸別所得補償など予算の主要項目の扱いも固まった。

However, a serious tax revenue shortfall has cast a shadow over the process. Tax revenues in fiscal 2009 are estimated to be 36.9 trillion yen, over 9 trillion yen less than initially expected. Tax revenues in fiscal 2010 will remain almost the same.
　一連の作業に影を落としたのが深刻な税収不足だ。０９年度の税収は、当初の見積もりより９兆円余り少ない３６・９兆円となる見込みだ。１０年度についても同程度の額にとどまりそうだ。

This situation has made measures to secure tax revenue the most important agenda item in discussing tax revisions. However, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama failed to make any decisions on this matter, preferring to stick to implementation of the Democratic Party of Japan's manifesto pledges made for August's House of Representatives election, which will lead to huge budgets and a drastic reduction of tax revenue.
　このため、税制改正では、いかに税収を確保していくかが重要なテーマになった。だが、鳩山首相は巨額の予算計上や、大幅な税収減につながる政権公約（マニフェスト）の実現にこだわって決断できなかった。

Hatoyama, having gone back and forth, finally decided the outline by accepting the requests of the DPJ submitted by its Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa.
　最後は、小沢幹事長から出された民主党の要望を受け入れる形で大枠を決める迷走ぶりだった。

The prime minister followed the same process in the budget compilation.
　予算編成でも、同じような過程をたどっている。

The government's budget plan for fiscal 2010 is to be decided soon. The prime minister in a few days must come up with a way to make a budget that can pump up the economy and offer reassurance to people with insufficient financial resources.
　１０年度予算は、近く政府案が決まる予定だ。乏しい財源で、いかに景気を下支えし、国民生活に安心をもたらす予算を作り上げていくか。鳩山首相は、あと数日で答えを出さねばならない。

Treatment of the provisionally higher tax rate on fossil fuels, including gasoline, symbolizes the confusion afflicting tax revisions. The prime minister initially was determined to abolish the provisional tax rate in April as it was the pillar of his party's election pledges, but he finally decided only to lower the rates of the automobile weight tax.
　税制改正の迷走の象徴が、ガソリン税などの暫定税率だ。鳩山首相は政権公約の目玉として、来年４月の暫定税率廃止に固執したが、最終的には自動車重量税の一部引き下げにとどめた。

　◆暫定税率維持は当然◆
We think Hatoyama's decision is reasonable. If the provisional tax rate was abolished, central and local governments would lose a total of 2.5 trillion yen in tax revenues, worsening fiscal deficits.
　国と地方で２・５兆円の税収がなくなれば、財政赤字はさらに膨らむ。この判断は当然だろう。

The DPJ had claimed that the provisional tax could be abolished because abundant new financial resources could be created by trimming fat from government spending. But wasn't it apparent from the very beginning that such a claim would end up being pie in the sky?
　暫定税率の廃止などについて民主党は、「歳出の無駄の洗い出しで、財源はいくらでも出てくる」と主張していた。だがそれが空手形に終わるのは、最初から分かりきっていたことではないか。

This shows the collapse of so-called manifesto politics. We have to say that the actions and remarks of Hatoyama, who stuck to the abolition of the provisional tax rate, have ended up deceiving the public.
　マニフェスト政治の破綻(はたん)を示すものだろう。廃止にこだわった首相の言動は、結果的に国民を欺いたと言わざるを得ない。

The prime minister is apparently unaware of his own responsibility, maintaining that his change of policy is in line with public opinion. He must give the public a detailed explanation of why he decided to change the policy.
　首相は、今回の方針転換は「国民の思いに沿ったもの」と述べるなど、責任を自覚していない。転換の経緯を、国民に詳しく説明しなければなるまい。

The government said it would spend a year or so studying the introduction of an environment tax, which was once considered to offset the scrapping of the provisional tax rate on fossil fuels. An environment tax, which would be imposed widely on fossil fuels and others, would become a heavy burden on industries and household budgets if introduced. It should be considered very carefully.
　暫定税率の代わりに導入が検討された環境税については、今後１年程度かけて検討するとした。化石燃料などに幅広く課税する環境税は、産業界や家計に重い負担となる。慎重に扱うべきだ。

===

Child benefit needs rethink

The government likely will set up a special fund worth 2 trillion yen in the next fiscal budget, using such financial resources as the revenue to be generated through the maintenance of the provisionally higher tax rates. The money set aside for this specified-purpose budgetary framework will be used to help create more jobs, reinvigorate regional economies and implement other pump-priming policies.
　政府は、暫定税率の維持で得た税収などで、来年度予算に２兆円の特別枠を設け、雇用対策や地域活性化などに振り向ける方針だ。

The government has good reason to consider giving the economy an additional shot in the arm. It is also essential that the list of purposes for which such budgetary means would be used be narrowed down to a handful of measures that promise to produce an immediate economy-boosting effect.
景気への配慮は妥当であり、使途は景気に即効性がある対策に絞り込むことが肝要だ。

Another focus of the dispute over the fiscal 2010 budget was whether an income limit should be imposed on the eligibility of households to be covered by the child-rearing allowance system. The government has settled the controversy by deciding the scheme will not set such a limit. This means every family with a child or children in the middle school age bracket or younger will be paid 13,000 yen per child monthly.
　もうひとつの焦点だった子ども手当については、所得制限を設けないことで決着した。中学生以下の子どもを持つすべての家庭に、子ども１人につき月１万３０００円が支払われる。

　◆子ども手当は見直せ◆
The children's allowance scheme will be complemented by a plan to exclude households with a child or children aged 15 or under from the list of those entitled to income tax deductions for dependents. The government will also curtail the amount of deductions for dependents aged 16 to 18, with the aim of raising funds for delivering another promise included in the DPJ manifesto--that is, making high school education free by paying tuition fees out of the state coffers.
　代わりに１５歳以下の子どもがいる家庭の所得税の扶養控除が廃止される。高校授業料の無償化の財源として、１６～１８歳を対象にした特定扶養控除も減額される。

The DPJ manifesto states that the amount of child-rearing benefits paid to each household will be doubled, starting in fiscal 2011. This would only increase the amount of the financial means to be required.
　民主党の公約では、子ども手当の支給額は１１年度から倍増され、必要な財源はさらに膨らむ。

To secure new financial resources, the government has said it will consider such revenue-enhancing measures as the abolition of income tax deductions for spouses. However, doing so will be certain to antagonize families without children. It is also evident that ending such a tax exemption will hardly do enough to raise necessary financial resources.
　新たな財源を確保するため、政府は、所得税の配偶者控除の廃止などを検討するという。しかし、子どものいない世帯の反発は必至であり、その程度では足りないこともはっきりしている。

With all this in mind, we find it indispensable for the government to reduce the amount of the child-rearing allowance and impose an income limit on families eligible for such benefits. The government should seriously consider this idea.
　やはり支給額の削減や所得制限の導入などが欠かせない。今後、真剣に検討すべきだ。

===

Sales tax hike inevitable

The government has also decided to raise the tobacco tax rate by a large margin.
　たばこ税の大幅引き上げも決まった。

Leading brands of cigarettes will be retailed at 400 yen a pack starting from next October. The government hopes the hike will boost tax revenues by more than 120 billion yen.
代表的な銘柄の小売価格は来年１０月から１箱４００円になり、政府は１２００億円の税収増を期待している。

The Hatoyama Cabinet had initially regarded this round of tax reforms as a prime opportunity to show results brought about by the change of government.
　鳩山内閣は当初、今回の税制改正を、政権交代の成果を示すチャンスととらえていた。

The government's revamped Tax Commission has started work to reform the nation's taxation system on the principle that discussions on it be conducted publicly. It aimed to abolish or drastically reduce special taxation measures for particular industries or groups and carry out a sweeping review of income tax deductions.
　改正作業は、一新された政府税制調査会が原則公開のもとで行うとし、租税特別措置（租特）の大胆な廃止・縮減や所得控除の抜本見直しを掲げてスタートした。

The discussions, however, stalled after details of reform plans were considered. The reviews of special taxation measures and income tax deductions proceeded at a snail's pace.
　ところが、各論に入ると議論は難航し、租特や所得控除の見直しはなかなか進まなかった。

　◆消費税で安定財源を◆
The biggest problem lay with the government's reluctance to begin work to find a stable financial resource to pay for swelling social security costs.
　最大の問題は、社会保障費の財源確保に向けた手だてに踏み込まなかったことだ。

To pay for the social security costs, which balloon by about 1 trillion yen every year, the government needs a stable financial resource. It is clear now that the consumption tax is the only source of revenue that can cover such a huge cost.
　毎年１兆円規模で増え続ける社会保障費を賄うには、安定した財源が必要で、それには消費税しかないことは明白である。

Many European nations have already introduced measures to support child rearing--equivalent to Japan's proposed child-rearing allowance--without setting income ceilings on the beneficiaries. Such measures are affordable as the rates of value-added taxes in these countries are all above 10 percent.
　欧州各国は、子ども手当に相当する子育て支援策を導入済みで、所得制限は設けていない。だが、各国の付加価値税（消費税）の税率は２けたを超えている。

Shying away from raising the consumption tax can be said to be the biggest obstacle for realizing important policies. The Hatoyama Cabinet must swiftly start discussing a hike in the consumption tax so it can be raised immediately after the nation's economy recovers.
　消費税率の引き上げを封印していることこそ、政策実現の最大の障害といえよう。鳩山内閣は景気回復後、直ちに引き上げられるよう、議論を急ぐべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2009)
（2009年12月23日01時47分 読売新聞）

タイの英字新聞

タイ情報収集はタイの英字新聞で！
スラチャイの愛読サイトです。

● タイの有力紙　Bangkok Post
↓
http://www.bangkokpost.com/

● タイの有力紙　The Nation
↓
http://nationmultimedia.com/

● タイの地方新聞　Phuket Gazette
↓
http://www.phuketgazette.net/

野口飛行士　宇宙の新時代を開く活躍を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 22, 2009)
Noguchi's ISS trip heralds new era for space activity
野口飛行士　宇宙の新時代を開く活躍を（12月22日付・読売社説）

Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi safely departed for the International Space Station on a Russian Soyuz rocket.
　日本の宇宙飛行士、野口聡一さんが、ロシアのソユーズ宇宙船で国際宇宙ステーションに向けて無事、旅立った。

Noguchi will stay aboard the ISS for about six months.
　これから約半年間、ステーションの「住民」になる。

His stay will be the longest that a Japanese astronaut has experienced. We hope he will steadily fulfill his duty in international space cooperation and enhance Japan's international presence.
　日本人の宇宙滞在としてはこれまでで最も長い。宇宙の国際協力で着実に使命を果たし、日本の存在感を高めてほしい。

Unlike a past stay by a Japanese astronaut, Noguchi plans to stay for about six months and has a private room.
　これまでと違って、野口さんは当初から半年の滞在を予定しており、専用の個室もある。

Construction of the ISS is near completion. The number of residents there will increase from the initial two to the maximum of six by next spring, when Noguchi will still be at the station.
　ステーション完成は間近い。住民も、野口さんが滞在中の来春までに、今の２人から最大定員の６人まで増える。

We can now say that the ISS is in full operation, and world space activities have entered a new age.
　ステーションの本格運用が始まり、世界の宇宙活動は新たな時代に入ると言ってもいい。

Noguchi is expected to not only conduct space experiments for Japan, but also support the operation and maintenance of the station and experiments carried out by other countries, including one the United States plans to ascertain the perceptual effect of sleeping drugs. Noguchi himself will be involved in the U.S. experiment by taking the drugs.
　野口さんは、日本の宇宙実験だけでなく、ステーション運営と整備や他国の実験も支援することになる。米国が予定している睡眠薬の知覚影響を調べる実験など、体を張った協力もある。

===

Soyuz a trusted spacecraft

As part of leisure and public relations activities designed to promote international space cooperation, Noguchi will make sushi in space. He will be very busy with various missions in the ISS, but we hope he will relax and carry out his duties.
　国際協力を盛り上げる余暇、広報活動では、宇宙でスシを握るといった見せ場も計画している。大忙しになるだろうが、肩の力を抜いて乗り切ってほしい。

This is the first time that an official Japanese astronaut will use the Soyuz capsule for a return trip from the Earth to space. 　日本の公式の宇宙飛行士が地上との往復にソユーズ宇宙船を利用するのも、今回が初めてだ。

Past Japanese astronauts used U.S. space shuttles, but the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is preparing to retire its aging space shuttle fleet after the completion of construction of the ISS in the spring. Traveling into space means relying on Russia until the United States develops a new spacecraft. The launch of the Soyuz rocket this time is the first case under such circumstances.
　これまでは米国のスペースシャトルに搭乗していた。だが、ステーションが来春完成すると老朽化で退役する。米国の新宇宙船が出来るまで宇宙への足はロシア頼りで、今回はその１号だ。

The vital structures of the Soyuz spacecraft have been kept, and other parts have been steadily improved over the past four decades since the era of the former Soviet Union, during which period the vehicle has been launched about 100 times. The Soyuz has accumulated technology and is very safe, and its launch cost is one-tenth the 80 billion yen it costs to launch a U.S. space shuttle.
　ソユーズ宇宙船は、旧ソ連時代から約４０年、根幹の構造を受け継ぎながら改良され、約１００回打ち上げられてきた。技術の蓄積があり、安全性は高い。打ち上げコストも、約８００億円の米シャトルの１０分の１程度と言われる。

===

Space station's future unclear

In Japan, meanwhile, there are growing calls for this country to develop manned spacecraft.
　日本でも、有人宇宙船の開発を期待する声が高まっている。

The H-2 Transfer Vehicle, Japan's first unmanned spacecraft, which successfully delivered materials to the ISS in September, is said to be a prototype for the nation's manned spacecraft.
　この９月に初飛行に成功したステーションへの無人補給船（ＨＴＶ）はその原型とされる。

The HTV can haul more than twice as much cargo as Russia's unmanned supply spacecraft. The United States is considering using the HTV to supply materials to the ISS after the space shuttles are retired. The experience with the Soyuz spacecraft will provide Japan with pointers on what is required to turn the HTV into a manned spacecraft.
　輸送能力を比べればロシアの無人補給船の倍以上だ。米国はシャトル退役後の補給手段として利用を検討している。ＨＴＶの有人化へ向けて何が必要か、ソユーズの経験は参考になるだろう。

What worries us is the unclear future of the ISS. The United States, one of the major countries promoting the ISS project, only plans to use the ISS until 2015.
　心配なのは、ステーションの将来計画が不透明なことだ。主要国の米国が、２０１５年までの利用計画しか決めていない。

Plans to develop space will not proceed smoothly unless the nations concerned take ample time beforehand to think them through. In line with the start of the full-fledged operation of the ISS, the government should quickly discuss its plan with concerned countries.
　宇宙利用は、事前に時間をかけて周到に準備しないとうまく行かない。ステーションの本格運用に合わせて、政府は、関係各国との将来計画の協議を急ぐべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 22, 2009)
（2009年12月22日01時24分 読売新聞）

英語力を高めるために

● key hole tv
インターネットで世界のどこからでも視聴可能。
多くの民放TVが視聴可能。
NHK総合テレビはパスワードを入力する必要がある。
NHKラジオ第一放送もパスワードを入力する必要がある。
これらのパスワードは連想が簡単なもので何種類が試すと世界中から番組の視聴ができる。
残念ながらNHKラジオ第二放送は配信者がいない状態。
どなたか奇特なお方が第二放送を配信してくれるとありがたいのですが。
基礎英語やラジオ英語会話、懐かしいですね。
CNNはパスワードなしですぐに視聴できる。
↓
http://www.keyholetv.jp/

● learn Japanese presented by NHK World
NHKがインターネット上でストリーム配信している外国人向けの日本語学習講座。
英語の解説部分が日本人には勉強になる。
英語は日本人としてはトップクラスだが、ネイティブの発音とは一線を画していて聞き取りやすい。
↓
http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/learn/story/index.html

● little chalo(?spelling) online
NHKの英語教育番組リトルチャロを毎日ストリーム配信してくれるブログ。
日本語と英語を織り交ぜて進める番組は日本人にとって理解しやすい。
解説者（男性）の英語の発音はネイティブと聴き間違えるほど洗練されている。
帰国子女の中にはこのような素晴らしい資質を備えている人を見かけることがある。
内容は平易だが、聞き取れない部分もある。
テキストを読めば、なーんだこんな簡単な文章が聞き取れなかったのかと…
初心者でも簡単に取り組める番組はお勧めです。
↓
https://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/charo/php/index.cgi

● NHK radio Japan online
はじめに３本のヘッドライン、引き続いてニュースの詳細を読みあげる。
英語は日本人としてはトップクラスだが、ネイティブの発音とは一線を画していて聞き取りやすい。
ヘッドラインの部分の聞き取りは比較的易しいが、詳述部分はCNNとなんら遜色ない。
難しいけれども勉強になります。
↓
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/radio/program/index.html

基礎知識

今朝の英字読売、ちょっと難しかったです。
英文、日本文を問わず多読して知識のボトムアップをしていないとこの種の文章は読解が難しいですね。
語学の問題というよりも基礎知識の問題だと感じました。

（スラチャイ）

科学技術戦略　国際競争を勝ち抜くために

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 21, 2009)
Japan can't afford to trail in intl science, tech race
科学技術戦略　国際競争を勝ち抜くために（12月21日付・読売社説）

Without progress in the fields of science and technology, new industries will stagnate, which may put this nation on the road to decline. How then should the government bolster science and technology--a key source of national strength.
　科学技術の発展がなければ、新たな産業は育たず、日本は衰退への道をたどりかねない。国力の源泉とも言える科学技術を政府は今後、どうもり立ててゆくべきか。

A new strategy on science and technology has been compiled by a committee belonging to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry and headed by Nobel Chemistry Prize winner Ryoji Noyori, president of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (Riken).
　ノーベル化学賞受賞者の野依良治・理化学研究所理事長を主査とする文部科学省の委員会が、新たな科学技術戦略をまとめた。

The strategy incorporates measures aimed at promoting effective yet flexible research and development efforts.
　研究開発を、これまでより効率的かつ機動的に推進するための方策を盛り込んでいる。

Such measures should form part of a wider growth strategy, which the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is expected to draw up by the end of the year.
　新政権が年内にもまとめるという「成長戦略」に、しっかりと位置づけるべきだ。

As the Government Revitalization Unit--tasked with identifying wasteful government spending--has judged many projects in the fields of science and technology should be scrapped or have their budgets cut, concern has arisen both at home and abroad that Japan no longer has a science and technology strategy. Such concerns should quickly be put to rest.
事業仕分けに大なたを振るったことで、科学技術戦略なき日本、との懸念も国内外にある。それを払拭(ふっしょく)したい。

===

Better coordination needed

Under previous government policies, four fields, including life sciences and information and telecommunication, were given priority when compiling budgets. However, the scope of each field was too broad, which meant cooperation among the related ministries and agencies was poorly coordinated. This made it difficult to create an efficient structure for ensuring cooperation among industry, government and academia.
　これまでの政策では、「生命科学」「情報通信」など重点４分野を設けて予算を投じていた。だが分野ごとの範囲が広過ぎたため省庁間の連携が弱く、産官学の協力体制を築くのが難しかった。

It was this failing that impeded development of the nation's next-generation supercomputer--a project that attracted much public attention during the Government Revitalization Unit's budgetary screening process.
　事業仕分けで注目された「次世代スーパーコンピューター」の開発も、そこが弱点だった。

While the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry took the initiative and threw its weight behind the program, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, which oversees the electronics industry, has kept its distance.
　文部科学省が主導したので、電子産業を所管する経済産業省は距離を置いていた。

The development of a supercomputer is tied to the development of related fields. However, the ripple effect turned out to be limited as the project created little momentum.
本来なら、関連産業界の振興につながるはずだが波及効果は限定的で、盛り上がりを欠いていた。

As a result, under the latest strategy, the project has had its goals narrowed down to a dozen, with each to be carefully overseen and implemented.
　これを受け、新戦略では、政策課題を十数項目に絞り込み、個別にきめ細かく対応する。

Under the strategy, each selected policy goal will see concerned ministries and agencies as well as certain industry groups closely involved in the process from the initial formulation of strategies through construction and operation of the systems put in place to ensure a successful outcome.
　選定した政策課題ごとに、関係省庁と産業界などが、当初の戦略策定から支援体制の構築、運営まで緊密に関与する。

===

Steady investment vital

The new strategy lists possible tasks, including tackling global warming via the development of a highly efficient solar battery and a regenerative medicine project that will see more backing for research into induced pluripotent stem cells--a type of human stem cell that is capable of being developed into various types of human cells.
　課題の候補として、高効率の太陽電池開発などを目指す「地球温暖化」や、新型万能細胞（ｉＰＳ細胞）の研究強化を含む「再生医療」といった例を挙げている。

The strategy was drawn up with reference to policies adopted by many European nations.
　欧州の政策を参考にした。

The strategy will likely spell out, both its goals and means, and should back research proceed in a flexible manner and in a way that promotes the effective use of budgetary funds.
目標と手段が明確になろう。研究が機動的に進み、予算の効率的な活用にもつながるのではないか。

Obviously, support for fundamental research is essential, as it will help new fields in science and technology to come about.
　むろん、基礎研究分野への支援も大切だ。新たな科学技術の芽を生むきっかけになる。

The problem is funding. The new strategy calls for the allocation of 1 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, about 5 trillion yen, as its related budget. Although there should be room for discussion due to the nation's severe financial situation, there is no question that steady investment is of vital importance.
　問題は資金だ。新戦略は、関連予算に国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１％（約５兆円）を充てる目標を提示している。厳しい財政の下、議論の余地はあるだろうが、着実な投資の重要性は論をまたない。

However, it also goes without saying that wasteful spending should be eradicated on the condition that necessary funding is allocated. To ensure research and development proceed in an effective manner, it is vital to nurture researchers who are knowledgeable in the operation and management of research organizations.
　ただ、予算投入の前提として無駄の排除は当然のことだ。効率的に研究開発を進めるため、研究の組織運用、経営の知識を備えた研究者の育成も大切になる。

As European countries and the United States are already aiming to strengthen their competitiveness in the fields of science and technology by boosting investment, Japan should act promptly.
　欧米も、科学技術への投資を増やして競争力の強化を目指している。日本も対応を急ぎたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 21, 2009)
（2009年12月21日00時18分 読売新聞）

ＣＯＰ１５　懸案先送りで決裂を回避した

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 20, 2009)
COP15 avoids collapse by delaying decision
ＣＯＰ１５　懸案先送りで決裂を回避した（12月20日付・読売社説）

The latest U.N. Climate Change Conference was successful only in that it avoided complete collapse.
　決裂を回避できたことが、国連気候変動枠組み条約の第１５回締約国会議（ＣＯＰ１５）が残した唯一の成果といえよう。

Participants at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change approved the Copenhagen Accord drawn up by major developed and developing countries on Saturday.
　ＣＯＰ１５は主要国がまとめた政治合意文書である「コペンハーゲン合意」を承認した。

The political agreement, however, made no mention of matters in which the interests of developed nations conflict with those of emerging and developing countries. The fact that the document lacks substance reflects the deep disagreement at the talks. The most important issue at hand--what to do with a new framework to succeed the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012--was left unsettled and postponed for further discussion.
　文書は、先進国と新興国・途上国の間で利害が相反する部分をそぎ落としており、乏しい内容が根深い対立を反映している。京都議定書に次ぐ２０１３年以降の枠組みをどうするか、という最重要懸案は先送りとなった。

The 10-day conference proceeded at the pace of emerging and developing countries. In particular, China and India strongly supported extending the 1997 Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012, frustrating the developed countries.
　１０日間余の会議は、新興国と途上国のペースで進んだ。特に中国やインドなどが京都議定書を１３年以降も延長する案を強硬に主張し、先進国は振り回された。

The Kyoto Protocol obliges only developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions and as such is a very convenient framework for emerging and developing countries.
　京都議定書で、温室効果ガスの排出削減を義務付けられているのは先進国だけだ。新興国・途上国にとって、京都議定書は、非常に好都合な枠組みである。

===

Accord includes all nations

Japan and the European Union have been insisting a new framework involving emerging and developing countries be established, a natural course of action given that China has become the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter.
　日本や欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、新興国・途上国をも含めた新たな枠組みが必要だと主張してきた。中国が世界一の排出国になったことなどを考えれば、当然だ。

The Kyoto Protocol, even if it is extended, would have no impact on the United States, which had withdrawn from it. Japan should be relieved at the fact that such a flawed framework was not extended.
　米国は京都議定書から離脱しており、仮に延長されても影響は及ばない。こうした欠陥だらけの枠組みである京都議定書が今回は延長されなかったことが、日本にとっての救いである。

The Japanese government must maintain its stance of opposing the extension of the protocol.
　日本政府は、今後も延長に反対する姿勢を崩してはならない。

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took part in the conference touting, Japan's midterm goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. The intention of presenting such an extremely aggressive goal was to encourage other countries to raise their own reduction targets.
　鳩山首相は、「２０年までに１９９０年比で２５％削減」という日本としての中期目標を掲げてＣＯＰ１５に臨んだ。極めて高い目標の提示で、他国に削減目標の引き上げを促す戦略だった。

However, the latest climate talks were tough as Hatoyama admitted that other nations had not necessarily presented bold goals. Hatoyama's lack of foresight was exposed.
　しかし、首相が、「他の国々が必ずしも大胆な目標を提示してくれない状況だ」と語るほど、交渉は厳しく、首相の見通しの甘さが露呈した。

===

Financial help led to deal

The tangled negotiations eventually made progress after Japan and the United States announced financial assistance to emerging and developing countries to help them mitigate climate change. This clearly shows the reality that emerging and developing countries do move if they see practical benefit--assistance from developed countries.
　交渉が進展したのは、日本や米国が新興国・途上国向けの資金支援策を表明してからだ。新興国・途上国は、先進国からの支援という実利によって動くという現実が如実に示された。

The Copenhagen Accord states that developed countries will stipulate their emission reduction targets for 2020 in an appendix to the accord by Jan. 31. It is highly likely that each country will be obliged to achieve these targets under the post-Kyoto Protocol framework.
　合意には、「先進国は２０年の削減目標を来年１月３１日までに合意の別表に記載する」という内容が盛り込まれた。この数値が次期枠組みで各国が負う削減義務となる可能性が高い。

Considering the lessons learned from the Kyoto Protocol, under which Japan had to shoulder disadvantageous obligations, the next framework to be established should be fair. The Japanese government will be pressed to make a difficult decision on whether to pledge in the appendix the target of a 25 percent reduction from 1990 levels, which is a substantially tougher figure than those likely to be named by the United States and other countries.
　日本が不利な削減義務を負った京都議定書を教訓に、次期枠組みは、公平なものにしなくてはならない。米国などより大幅に厳しい「９０年比２５％減」を記載するのか。日本政府が難しい判断を迫られるのは、これからである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 20, 2009)
（2009年12月20日01時02分 読売新聞）

answer.com （オンライン英英辞書）

オンライン英英辞書での学習効果的です。
こんなにすぐれた英英電子辞書が無料で利用できるは驚きです。
インターネットでJapan Times を読んでいてこれを発見しました。

発音注意の単語も確実にものにすることができますね。

例（今朝の英字読売新聞より）
facade ふぁさーど　（うわべ、表面上の顔）
indict いんだいと　（起訴する）

answers.com top page
↓
http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp?lid=AnswerTip_enable&lpos=ATip_bottom

公設秘書初公判　小沢氏は検察の指摘に答えよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 19, 2009)
Ozawa must come clean on funds allegations
公設秘書初公判　小沢氏は検察の指摘に答えよ（12月19日付・読売社説）

A lawmaker's aide allegedly collected donations from a general contractor, which expected to receive orders for lucrative public works projects in return, and made false entries in political fund reports to conceal the actual flow of funds.
　公共工事の受注を期待するゼネコンから献金を集めながら、実態を隠すため政治資金収支報告書にうそを書いた――。

In the first hearing of the trial of a state-funded secretary to Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law, prosecutors pointed to such a cozy relationship between Ozawa's office and a construction company. If the allegations are proved true, they would certainly be an act of deception that betrayed the public.
　政治資金規正法違反に問われた小沢民主党幹事長の公設第１秘書の初公判で、検察側が指摘したのは小沢事務所と業者との癒着の構図だ。事実なら国民の目を欺く行為である。

During Friday's trial, the secretary denied all the claims presented in the indictment as well as the prosecutors' argument that he by himself had "the voice of heaven," or the authority to issue commands, to influence the process of determining winners of contracts for public works projects.
　秘書は公判で、起訴事実とともに、受注に影響を与える「天の声」を自ら出していたとする検察側の主張を全面否定した。

Although the secretary denied the allegations, he is on trial as a defendant in a criminal case. Ozawa is a politician with heavy responsibilities as secretary general of the dominant ruling party. We think Ozawa must provide clear explanations on the allegations aired in the trial.
　否認しているとはいえ、公設第１秘書が刑事被告人として裁かれている。小沢氏は政権与党の幹事長という重責を担う政治家だ。公判での指摘について、自ら明確に説明しなければなるまい。

===

Shady dealings

It has been found that two political organizations headed by former officials of the general contractor, Nishimatsu Construction Co., donated 35 million yen over four years to Ozawa's political fund management organization and a DPJ local branch headed by Ozawa.
　小沢氏の資金管理団体などには西松建設のＯＢを代表にした二つの政治団体から４年間で計３５００万円が献金されていた。

The prosecutors claimed the two organizations were merely dummies and that Nishimatsu Construction was actually the true source of the donations. The prosecution also argued that Ozawa's secretary was well aware of these details.
　この政治団体に実体がなく、献金の主体は西松建設であり、公設秘書もそれを認識していた、というのが検察側の主張である。

To support the allegation, the prosecutors presented, during their opening statement and on other occasions, details of a number of instances in which the secretary had spoken with officials of Nishimatsu and other general contractors.
　それを裏づける事実として、検察側は冒頭陳述などで、西松建設をはじめゼネコンと公設秘書とのやり取りなどを挙げた。

The secretary allegedly was able to convince the firms to fork over huge donations after taking over from his predecessor the role of "the voice of heaven" regarding the public works contracts.
　公設秘書は、前任者から「天の声」を出す役割を引き継ぎ、多額の献金などを要求していた。

A dam construction project that the Iwate prefectural government planned to put up for tender lies at the heart of this case. The secretary allegedly told Nishimatsu officials when they lobbied to receive the order: "Right, I've got it. I'll let Nishimatsu undertake the project." The secretary reportedly wrote down the title of the project as he was talking.
　岩手県が発注予定のダム工事では、西松建設から陳情を受けた際に、工事名をメモしながら、「よしわかった、西松にしてやる」と了解を与えていた。

When Nishimatsu officials were reluctant to extend financial support to Ozawa's election campaign, the secretary reportedly brought up the name of another dam, on which the company had received an order. He allegedly told the officials, in an apparent attempt to intimidate them, "Don't forget that it's Ozawa's dam."
　また、西松建設が選挙への協力を渋った際には、同社が受注した別のダム名を挙げ、「小沢ダムだということを忘れるな」と脅しまがいの言葉を口にしたという。

===

More scandals rear heads

In their opening statement, prosecutors said Nishimatsu donated 138 million yen over 10 years to the Ozawa side, including donations falsely registered in political fund reports. It is believed another 10 million yen in donations were raked in annually from subcontractors.
　冒頭陳述では、西松建設側から小沢氏側への献金は、虚偽記入分も含めて１０年間で１億３８００万円に上り、下請け企業からの献金も年間１０００万円程度あった、とされている。

Adding more fuel to the scandal fire, Ozawa's political fund management organization is under the spotlight over a dubious land purchase.
　このほか、小沢氏の資金管理団体には、不動産購入に絡む別の疑惑も浮上している。

We wonder how Ozawa will respond to these allegations.
　小沢氏はこうした点について、どう答えるのだろうか。

In another money scandal embroiling a DPJ heavyweight, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's political fund management organization is suspected of having falsified political fund reports. A former state-paid secretary to Hatoyama is expected to be indicted without arrest soon over the case.
　民主党では、鳩山首相の資金管理団体でも収支報告書の虚偽記入の疑いがあり、元公設第１秘書が近く在宅起訴される見通しだ。

The DPJ is considering banning political donations from companies and organizations. Ozawa spoke of this plan at a press conference soon after his secretary was arrested. But if Ozawa cannot clear up the troubling allegations against him, such a policy proposal will inevitably be regarded as a mere facade.
　民主党は、企業・団体献金の全面禁止を検討している。小沢氏が秘書逮捕後の記者会見で突然表明したものだ。だが、自らに向けられた疑惑を払拭(ふっしょく)できないのであれば、単なる「目くらまし」と受け止められても仕方あるまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2009)
（2009年12月19日01時20分 読売新聞）

ansers.com （発音つき英英辞書）

この辞書は英英辞書のみ検索されますので、どうしても英和が切り捨てられない人向きです。
ネイティブの発音がついているので発音のチェックだけに用途を限って使用することもできます。
これなら初歩の英語学習者でも手軽に利用できますよね。
ちなみにオンラインのJapan Timesは標準で辞書機能をそなえていますが、このanswer.comを利用しているものです。
使用目的に合わせて下記の３種類が用意されています。

あなたのブログやHPに小さなアフィリのバナーを貼り付けることで英英辞書機能が付与されます。
辞書引きは左ダブルクリックで一発検索
↓
http://www.answers.com/main/answertips.jsp?lid=AnswerTip_enable&lpos=ATip_bottom

あなたのPCのどのページでも alt+左クリックで一発検索
↓
http://www.answers.com/main/download_answers_win.jsp

ファイアーフォックスをご利用の方
↓
http://www.answers.com/main/firefox_plugins.jsp

習近平氏来日　日中外交の難しさ浮き彫りに

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 18, 2009)
Xi's visit highlights delicate China ties
習近平氏来日　日中外交の難しさ浮き彫りに（12月18日付・読売社説）

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Japan this week left some bitter feelings among the Japanese public toward China. Most of the irritation can be blamed on both governments' tactless handling of Xi's hastily arranged audience with the Emperor.
　中国の習近平国家副主席の日本訪問は、天皇陛下と習氏との会見を巡る日中両国政府の不手際によって、日本国民の対中感情にしこりを残す形になった。

Xi is widely seen as a future Chinese leader. It is regrettable that his visit did not serve as an opportunity for the two nations to move their bilateral relationship toward a new stage.
　中国の「次代のリーダー」と目される習氏の来日が、今後の日中関係の展望を切り開く契機にならなかったことは残念だ。

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Xi agreed during their meeting to promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations. As was to be expected, the prime minister called on China to proceed with joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea--a pending issue between the two nations--and to improve its military transparency.
　鳩山首相と習氏の会談では、日中の戦略的互恵関係を推進していくことで一致した。首相が、日中間の懸案である東シナ海のガス田共同開発を前進させることや、中国の軍事力の透明性を高めるよう求めたのは当然である。

Xi, for his part, made a point of bringing up the Taiwan issue as well as ethnic minorities in the Tibet and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions. Xi said these matters concern China's core interests.
　習氏は台湾問題の重要性とともに、チベット、ウイグルの少数民族問題が「中国の核心的利益」であると指摘、日本側にくぎを刺すのを忘れなかった。

That may be so, but we consider it imperative that China first stop its suppression of ethnic minorities and improve human rights in these regions by holding dialogue with minority representatives.
　だが、少数民族問題ではまず、中国側が弾圧行為をやめ、対話を通じて、人権状況を改善することが先決ではないか。

===

Xi's swift rise

Xi is a son of former Chinese Vice Premier Xi Zhongxun. In the autumn of 2007, Xi Jinping was given a special two-rank promotion to become a member of the nine-seat Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. In the spring of 2008, he was elected vice president of China.
　習氏は、習仲勲・元副首相を父とする高級幹部の子弟だ。一昨年秋、２階級特進で、党中央政治局常務委員（９人で構成）に抜てきされ、昨春には国家副主席に選出された。

His portfolio also includes serving as the point man of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He thus is seen as the most promising candidate to be the next president of China.
　昨夏の北京五輪では運営の責任者を務めるなど、次期国家主席の最有力候補と見られている。

The Prime Minister's Office afforded Xi state head-level treatment, such as specially arranging an audience with the Emperor and holding a state dinner hosted by Hatoyama. Xi's political weight appears to have been taken into consideration in making these arrangements.
　首相官邸が天皇陛下との会見を特例として実現したり、首相主催の夕食会を開いたりして国家元首級の扱いをしたのも、習氏の立場を重視したためだろう。

China had pressed Japan hard to set up Xi's meeting with the Emperor. Given that Chinese President Hu Jintao had an audience with the Emperor during his visit to Japan as vice president in 1998, the Chinese government likely wanted the same level of treatment given to Xi.
　中国側も天皇陛下との会見実現を強く求めた。胡錦濤国家主席が副主席だった９８年に来日した際に、天皇陛下と会見していたこともあり、習氏に同等の待遇を求めたものと見られる。

China likely believed that a meeting with the Emperor would enhance Xi's authority as a leading figure at home.
　中国側は、天皇と会見することが、指導者としての権威付けになると考えたのだろう。

===

Power struggle continues

But the power struggle to determine Hu's successor is rumbling on. While Xi is backed by former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, who still wields considerable influence even after his retirement, Hu has thrown his weight behind Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
　ただ、中国では、引退後も影響力のある江沢民前国家主席を後ろ盾とする習氏と、胡主席が支持する李克強副首相との後継争いはまだ決着していない。

The arm wrestle to determine the next Chinese president seems set to continue for some time.
　習氏に代表される勢力と、李氏を推す勢力の綱引きが、当面続くと見られている。

China heaped praise on the Emperor's visit to that nation in 1992, saying it helped Beijing emerge from its international isolation after the Tiananmen Square incident. This indicates that the Emperor's overseas trips could have political implications.
　９２年の天皇陛下の訪中は、天安門事件による国際的孤立からの脱却に効果があった、と中国側は評価している。天皇外遊の政治的側面を示すものだ。

In light of the importance of Japan-China ties, any trouble of the kind that tarnished Xi's visit must not be repeated. Both governments must tread very carefully when handling issues particularly relating to the Emperor's public duties, including holding an audience with him.
　日中関係の重要性からも、今回のようなトラブルはあってはならない。天皇の会見など公的行為にかかわる問題には、日中双方に慎重な対応が求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2009)
（2009年12月18日01時56分 読売新聞）

布川事件再審　繰り返された自白偏重の捜査

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 17, 2009)
Forced confessions preclude fair trials
布川事件再審　繰り返された自白偏重の捜査（12月17日付・読売社説）

In a typical example of investigators' overreliance on confessions made by suspects in a criminal case, two men were forced to confess to a crime despite a lack of strong material evidence to support their declarations.
　強引に引き出した自白を補強する有力な物証がなく、典型的な自白偏重の立証だったといえる。

In light of the "innocent until proven guilty" principle for criminal trials, it was therefore inevitable that the Supreme Court chose to uphold a lower court decision ordering a retrial of a 1967 murder-robbery in Tonemachi, Ibaraki Prefecture.
　「疑わしきは被告人の利益に」という刑事裁判の原則に照らせば、再審決定は当然の結論である。
　茨城県利根町で１９６７年に起きた「布川(ふかわ)事件」の再審開始が決まった。

The top court backed a Tokyo High Court decision that raised doubts about the guilty ruling handed to two men convicted of the charges. Forty-two years have elapsed since the incident, which is referred to as the "Fukawa case" after the area in which the crime took place. We hope the truth will quickly come to light during the retrial.
「有罪認定に疑いが生じた」とした東京高裁の決定を、最高裁も支持したためだ。事件から４２年が経過している。再審で速やかに真相を究明してほしい。

In the case, a 62-year-old carpenter who lived alone was murdered and robbed of about 100,000 yen. The two men, who lived in the same town, were indicted for murder and robbery after investigative authorities determined they had committed the crime to obtain cash for bicycle races.
　一人暮らしの大工の男性が殺害され、現金１０万円余りが奪われた。競輪の金ほしさに犯行に及んだとして、地元の男性２人が強盗殺人罪で起訴された。

However, no material evidence--such as fingerprints--was found. The authorities established their case based on the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts given by residents of the neighborhood. In 1978, sentences of life imprisonment were finalized after the top court rejected appeals lodged by the two men, who had pleaded not guilty. The men served their time in prison and were subsequently released on parole.
　指紋などの物証はなく、立証の支えは２人の自白と近所の住民の目撃証言だった。最高裁は７８年、無罪を主張した２人の上告を退け、無期懲役が確定した。２人は既に服役、仮釈放されている。

===

Inconsistencies pointed out

During court deliberations on their second request for a retrial, the high court flagged inconsistencies between how the carpenter's body was found and the accounts given by the two men about how the man was murdered. The court also noted significant differences in the various confessions given by the men regarding the amount of money that was stolen and from where it was taken.
　２人が裁判のやり直しを求めた第２次再審請求の審理で、東京高裁は、殺害方法について、遺体の状況と自白内容に矛盾があると指摘した。現金のあった場所や奪った金額についての自白が、著しく変遷している点も重視した。

The high court concluded that the men's confessions were unnatural and changed over time, likely because they did not actually carry out the acts they claimed.
　「実際に（２人が）体験したことではないため、不自然な供述の変遷を重ねた」。これが、高裁の判断だ。

Aggressive interrogations are a common factor in other cases in which false confessions have been obtained, such as the Ashikaga case, in which a man was convicted for murdering a 4-year-old girl in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture, but released earlier this year based on DNA test results.
自白を強引に引き出す取り調べは、足利事件など、これまでの冤罪(えんざい)事件と共通している。

In the case of the murdered carpenter, new eyewitness reports have come to light. These reports say the men seen near the murder scene differed from the two convicted men in terms of both physical appearance and clothing. The credibility of two elements that supported the conviction--the men's confessions and eyewitness accounts--were thus considerably undermined.
　新たな証言も明らかになった。事件当時、現場付近で目撃された男たちは、容姿や服装の点でこの２人とは異なっていたとの内容だった。立証の両輪の信用性が、大きく揺らいだわけだ。

===

Withheld evidence?

The way prosecutors handled the case was problematic. Many pieces of evidence, such as the new eyewitness accounts--which were pivotal in the decision to hold a retrial--were disclosed for the first time during court deliberations on a petition for a retrial of the case.
　この事件で特に問題なのは、検察の対応である。新たな目撃証言など再審開始の決め手となった証拠の多くは、今回の再審請求で検察が初めて出したものだった。

It now appears almost certain that prosecutors in the original trial deliberately withheld pieces of evidence that could have hindered a guilty conviction.
　２人を有罪にするため、公判で不利になる証拠は開示しなかった検察の姿勢が透けて見える。

Among the new evidence are audio tapes containing recordings of the men's interrogations. The high court acknowledged that the tapes likely had been tampered with. We suspect that parts of the tapes that would have proved inconvenient for the police and prosecutors were erased.
　取り調べを録音したテープも新証拠の一つだった。これについても、高裁は「編集痕が認められる」と認定した。警察や検察にとって都合が悪い部分を消去したということはなかったのだろうか。

Prosecutors control evidence. Therefore, if they intentionally withhold evidence or falsify tapes, a fair trial cannot take place.
　証拠を一手に握っているのは検察側だ。証拠を意図的に出さなかったり、テープを改ざんしたりしては、公正な裁判は望めない。

In lay judge trials, in which the number of pieces of evidence is narrowed down in advance to help expedite court deliberations, it is highly likely that arbitrary disclosure of evidence by prosecutors could result in erroneous judgments. This aspect of the system must not be forgotten.
　迅速な審理のため、証拠数を事前に絞り込む裁判員裁判では、なおのこと、検察の恣意(しい)的な証拠開示は誤判を招きやすい。そのことを忘れてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2009)
（2009年12月17日01時00分 読売新聞）

普天間移設　展望なき「越年」決定は誤りだ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 16, 2009)
PM gets it wrong on Futenma
普天間移設　展望なき「越年」決定は誤りだ（12月16日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama may go down in history for derailing the reversion of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture to Japan. We cannot but hold such a strong feeling of foreboding over this matter.
　鳩山首相は、米軍普天間飛行場の返還を頓挫させたことで、歴史に名を残すのではないか。そんな深刻な危惧(きぐ)を抱かざるを得ない。

The Hatoyama government on Tuesday officially announced a policy of postponing a decision on where to relocate the helicopter functions of the Futenma airfield until next year at the earliest. The three ruling parties--the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party--also decided to continue discussing possible new candidate relocation sites for the facility among themselves, eyeing the possibility of reviewing the 2006 deal between Tokyo and Washington regarding the Futenma relocation.
　政府が、沖縄県の普天間飛行場の移設問題について、結論を来年以降に先送りする方針を正式決定した。移設先は、現行計画の見直しも視野に入れ、与党３党で協議していくという。

This decision puts party interests before national interests for the sake of maintaining the current three-party coalition. It also means that the Japanese side has unilaterally scrapped an agreement reached at Japan-U.S. summit talks in November that a speedy conclusion on the relocation issue would be made, running the risk of destroying the relationship of mutual trust Japan and the United States have built up over the years.
　民主、社民、国民新の３党連立政権を維持するため、国益より党益を優先した結論だ。１１月の日米首脳会談で合意した「迅速な結論」を一方的に反古(ほご)にするもので、長年積み上げてきた日米の信頼関係を崩壊させかねない。

===

Move will hurt Japan-U.S. ties

As Washington has already responded negatively to Tokyo's new policy, future negotiations on the issue between the two countries look sure to sail into rough waters. Besides, the new policy will hinder the start of bilateral talks on deepening Japan-U.S. alliance toward the 50th anniversary of the revision of the Japan-U.S. security treaty next year. We also are concerned that the bilateral relationship as whole will become bogged down.
　米側は日本の新方針に否定的な姿勢を示しており、今後の日米交渉は難航するのが確実だ。来年の日米安保条約改定５０周年に向けて同盟を深化させる協議が開始できないだけでなく、日米関係全体の停滞が懸念される。

A relocation site for the airfield must be close to other marine corps bases so troops can be moved quickly. That is why relocating the base within the prefecture has always been a precondition for the reversion of the Futenma base to Japan since the 1996 Japan-U.S. agreement.
　そもそも普天間飛行場の代替施設は部隊運用上、他の海兵隊基地と近接している必要がある。このため、１９９６年の日米合意以来、一貫して県内移設が飛行場返還の前提条件となっていた。

Reviewing this stipulation and proposing the transfer of Futenma's functions to another prefecture or overseas would void 13 years of collaboration by the two governments and even risk undoing the reversion agreement. Did the Hatoyama administration understand the grave significance of the Futenma issue before making its latest decision?
　この前提を見直して県外・国外移設を提起する場合、この１３年間の日米の共同作業は無に帰し、返還合意さえ白紙に戻る。鳩山政権は、その重大な意味を理解し、今回の決定をしたのだろうか。

Of course, the prime minister bears the greatest responsibility for creating the current situation. Although he claimed that he himself would make the final decision on the issue, Hatoyama has continued to vacillate.
　この事態を招いた最大の責任は無論、「最後は私が決める」と言いつつ、優柔不断な対応に終始してきた鳩山首相にある。

On different occasions, he said the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP were all important--comments intended to appease the respective parties he talked to. That resulted in heightened calls in Okinawa Prefecture and the SDP demanding the transfer of Futenma's functions to outside the prefecture, narrowing the prime minister's options.
　首相は、米国も沖縄も社民党も大切だとして、会談相手ごとに都合のいい発言を繰り返してきた。その結果、県外移設論が沖縄や社民党に高まり、自らの選択肢を狭めてしまった。

Hatoyama also made different remarks on the Futenma problem almost every day, confusing those concerned with the issue. It is doubtful whether he has what it takes to be prime minister.
　本人の発言も、日替わりのようにぶれ、関係者を混乱させた。首相としての資質が問われる。

===

No realistic alternative

The problem is that no new perspective can be expected on the issue even though the government has put off deciding where to transfer the functions of the airfield until next year. There is no realistic candidate relocation site for the Futenma base outside the prefecture. It will be extremely difficult and will require a huge amount of time and effort to come up with a concrete relocation plan from scratch and obtain approval for it from the United States, Okinawa Prefecture and the local government of the new relocation site.
　問題は、移設先の決着を来年に先送りしても、何の展望も開けないことだ。県外移設は現実的な候補が見当たらない。一から具体案を検討し、米国と沖縄と移設先の同意を得るのは極めて困難で、膨大な時間と労力を要しよう。

Nevertheless, Hatoyama expressed his intention to seek an option other than the current plan. This apparently contradicts his own government's policy to earmark expenses for the current plan in the fiscal 2010 budget.
　それでも、鳩山首相は、現行計画以外の案を模索する考えを表明した。現行計画の実施費を来年度予算案に計上する、という政府方針と明らかに矛盾する。

It is certain that Hatoyama's remark will cause additional confusion. It is highly questionable whether the prime minister really wishes to alleviate the burdens on residents of Okinawa Prefecture linked to hosting U.S. military installations while at the same time firmly maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　首相発言が新たな混乱を引き起こすのは避けられまい。首相は本当に、日米同盟を堅持しつつ沖縄の負担軽減を実現したいのか、重大な疑問が残る。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2009)
（2009年12月16日01時13分 読売新聞）

米国景気回復の兆しか？

citibank政府貸付金返済のめど、景気回復のきざしか？
スラチャイの取引銀行はcitibank それでこの銀行の動向を気にしていました。
つぶれたら困るな、どうしようかと考えていました。
バンクオブアメリカが政府よりの援助貸付金を完済したのに続き､
シティーバンクも概ね完済のめどがついたそうです。
まだ不安材料も残っていますが。
オバマ大統領は主用銀行首脳人をホワイトハウスに召還、
中小企業への貸し渋りをやめるように指示した。
自分たちの利益確保に躍起となっている裕福な貸付銀行家に対しては、
強烈な非難の声を浴びせ掛けた。
（スラチャイ）

(info. this morning sent by washington post.)

Citi Steps Up Effort To Repay Bailout Cash

Citigroup is close to reaching a deal to repay taxpayer money, reports the New York Times . Nothing is final, but bank executives are eager to prove Citi can stand on its own and no longer needs government help. Getting rid of the $45 billion in government money it has received, not to mention the numerous other forms of assistance, isn't going to be a simple process. According to the NYT , bank officials want to raise around $18 billion this week, and then they hope to get approval to redeem at least $20 billion of preferred stock the government received. In addition, Citigroup would exit a federal insurance policy on troubled assets so that the bank would be responsible for any losses. The Treasury Department would then sell its 34 percent stake in Citigroup through "a series of large stock sales over the next several months to institutional investors," reports the NYT . The Wall Street Journal hears something slightly different and reports that Citigroup will reach a deal to pay back some, but not all, of its bailout money and predicts the government is likely to hold on to a stake in the banking giant for the near future. Regardless, it's clear Citigroup is eager to get out from under the government's thumb as quickly as possible, a desire that suddenly gained more urgency after Bank of America won approval to pay back the government cash. Executives hate the fact that Citigroup is the last major Wall Street bank to hold such deep ties to Washington. Meanwhile, the president will meet with the heads of the 12 biggest banks at the White House to push them to provide more loans to small businesses and homeowners. Last night, Obama upped the populist rhetoric against Wall Street and criticized "fat cat bankers" for worrying so much about their bonuses when Americans are still suffering from the recession.

Read original story in The New York Times | Monday, Dec. 14, 2009

日米航空自由化　「空」も大競争時代を迎えた

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 15, 2009)
Age of megacompetition in air markets has arrived
日米航空自由化　「空」も大競争時代を迎えた（12月15日付・読売社説）

More than half a century after the opening of routes over the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the United States, a full liberalization of their civil aviation markets will be achieved at last.
　太平洋路線が開設されてから半世紀を経て、日米間の空の完全自由化がようやく実現する。

The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed to liberalize air traffic under a so-called open skies accord.
　日米両政府が、航空自由化（オープンスカイ）協定の締結で合意した。

The agreement will be formally signed by October, allowing all Japanese and U.S. carriers to freely decide on the routes and numbers of flights between the two countries, in principle.
正式に協定が結ばれる来秋には、両国のすべての航空会社が日米間の路線や便数を自由に設定できるようになる。

To attract tourists and trade from abroad, the United States, European countries and South Korea have already concluded open skies agreements with one another and are promoting liberalization of their respective civil aviation markets. But Japan has cut such a deal only with eight countries and regions, mainly in Asia.
　欧米や韓国は、自国に人やモノを呼び込むため、互いに航空自由化協定を結び、空の自由化を進めている。だが、日本がこれまで自由化協定を結んだのはアジアなど８か国・地域にすぎない。

If Japan falls behind further in this endeavor, it could find itself left out of the world's main aviation networks. The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry should strive to ensure that the Japan-U.S. open skies agreement serves its purpose of revitalizing the aviation industry and improving passengers' convenience. The ministry also must quickly overhaul the administration of air transportation and prepare for the fierce competition in the industry that the agreement will bring about.
　これ以上後れをとれば、日本は世界の主要航空網から外されかねない。国土交通省は自由化協定を航空業界の活性化や利用者の利便性向上につなげるとともに、航空行政の転換を急ぎ、業界内の競争激化に備えるべきだ。

===

Too few flight slots available

To increase the routes and numbers of flights under the latest open skies agreement, airports must be able to handle such additional traffic. The liberalization of the civil aviation market has been delayed in Japan mainly because departure and arrival slots at airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area, to which many foreign airlines hope to extend services, have always been fully occupied.
　自由化によって路線や便数を増やすには、空港にそれを受け入れる余力がなければならない。日本の航空自由化が遅れたのは、乗り入れ希望が多い首都圏空港の発着枠が恒常的に満杯だったことが大きく影響している。

The Japan-U.S. open skies agreement was realized in response to the extension of Runway B at Narita Airport and the scheduled expansion of Haneda Airport, whose fourth runway will open in October, increasing the departure and arrival slots for international flights operated by the two airports by 20,000 and 30,000 a year, respectively, from next year.
　今回の日米合意は、成田、羽田両空港で滑走路が延伸・増設され、来年に国際線の発着枠が成田で年２万回、羽田で年３万回増えることを受けて実現した。

But the two airports are expected to immediately fill these increases in flight slots. To see results from the open skies agreement, it is indispensable that efforts be made to increase the flight slots further.
　だが、この程度の発着枠の増加はすぐ使い切ってしまう。自由化の実をあげるため、さらに発着枠を増やす努力が欠かせない。

At the same time, it is important to proceed with the plan to transform Haneda Airport into an international hub airport.
　同時に、羽田の国際拠点（ハブ）化も進めることが重要だ。

In the Japan-U.S. negotiations for the open skies agreement, Japan has agreed to grant the United States landing and departure slots at Haneda Airport for up to four round-trip flights daily late at night and early in the morning. Transport minister Seiji Maehara, meanwhile, has expressed his willingness to allow flights to and from the United States and European countries in the daytime at the airport in and after 2011.
　今回の日米協議では、深夜・早朝に羽田を発着する米国便を１日８便新設することが決まったが、前原国土交通相は２０１１年以降、昼間にも羽田に欧米便を就航させる考えを示している。

===

JAL tie-up to have big effects

With the liberalization of flight route scheduling, it is possible that airlines could increase the number of flights to and from the United States at Haneda Airport and reduce those at other international airports. Therefore, Narita, Kansai and Chubu airports will have to make more managerial efforts, including lowering their landing fees.
　路線設定の自由化によって、航空会社は羽田の米国便を増やす代わりに、他の国際空港の米国便を減らすことも考えられる。成田、関西、中部の国際空港は、着陸料の引き下げなどの経営努力が、さらに必要になろう。

With the liberalization, there is a higher possibility that even if Japanese and U.S. airlines jointly fix prices and sell tickets to fill seats, they could be exempted from the application of the Antimonopoly Law. A reorganization of the Japanese and U.S. aviation industries likely would be accelerated.
　自由化によって、日米の航空会社が共同で運賃や座席管理などを進めても独占禁止法の適用除外となる可能性が高まる。日米航空業界の再編が加速しそうだ。

With whom will cash-strapped Japan Airlines conclude a business tie-up--Delta Air Lines or American Airlines? The two U.S. carriers belong to different airline alliances, and JAL's tie-up will have major consequences for the power relationships among the world aviation industries.
　経営再建中の日本航空は、米デルタ、アメリカン航空のどちらと提携するのか。両社は異なる航空連合に属し、提携の行方は航空業界の勢力図を大きく変える。

We hope that JAL will decide who to tie up with by taking into account passengers' needs, such as reasonable airfares and transit convenience.
　日航は運賃や乗り継ぎの利便性など、利用者の視点も忘れずに、提携相手を決めてほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 15, 2009)
（2009年12月15日00時50分 読売新聞）

タイの詩聖スントーンプー

タイの詩聖スントーンプー

タイではきわめて有名な詩聖スントンプーのことは
日本ではあまりよく知られていない｡
この詩聖の生い立ちを調べているうちに
英文の資料をみつけました。
文章が私にとって難解であり、理解するまでに何度も
読み直しました。
スントーンプーは私のお気に入りのラヨーンの出身で
今から２００年以上前にラヨーンのクレーンという街
で生まれています。
すぐに詩人としての才能を開花させましたが、
生来の酒好きが災いして、その人生は必ずしも
幸せなものではなかったように思います。
この難解な英文はプリンスプレムプラチャトラにより
執筆されたものですが、この素晴らしい文章のおかげで
詩聖スントンプーの生涯のアウトラインが見えたような
気がします。
感謝しています。

ラヨーンの市街より車で１０分くらいのところに、
私の愛するビーチリゾートがあります。
このビーチの名前はメーラムプンビーチ、
大変静かなビーチで喧騒のパタヤとは好対照をなしています。
ここから海岸沿いの道路を東に進むとバンペーの町に到着します。
バンペーを抜けると有名なスワンソンビーチ。
スワンソンビーチを抜け更に車で３０分くらい走ると
メーピン岬に到着します。
メーピン岬より北に向かう道を登れば有名なタイの詩聖
スントーンプーの碑に着きます。
スワンソンビーチを抜けメーピン岬までの道路沿いには
多くの美しいビーチが点在しています。
隠れた穴場ですが、ここに行くには車が必要です。
レンタカーなどを利用すべき場所です。

kiyoshi matsui from Khonkaen, Thailand

下の英文は私がタイプアップしました。
このときにはブラインドタッチで随分素早く打ち込めました。
脳梗塞で右手が少し不自由になり、以前のように素早く打ち込むことができなくなりました。
（文章の改行は原文の通りとしました）

Sunthorn Phu

by Prince Prem Purachatra.

Over 200 years ago, on 26 June 1786, the wife of a humble Rayong divine then living in
Bangkok gave birth to a baby boy. In due course, the little boy was given the name of Phu.
When he grew up, his genius as a poet was quickly recognized and he won the esteem of
kings and commoners alike. Finally, after many vicissitudes in the course of a colorful career, he
attained the distinction of Poet Laureate and was created Phra Sunthorn Voharn. Today, 130
years after his death, Sunthorn Phu is accepted as one of the greatest poets Thailand ever
produced, and he holds his place among the leading poets of the world.
Sunthorn Phu was born in the fifth year of the reign of King Rama 1. His father was a native of
Muang Klaeng, a township in the Province of Rayong, but his married life was spent in Bangkok.
Soon after young Phu was born, his parents divorced. His father went back to Muang Klaeng
and took holy orders there. His mother married again and later became the wet-nurse
of a princess in the royal palace. Young Phu stayed with his mother and thus spent his
early years in the palace.
Like the youths of his time, the future poet received standard education in a
monastery now known as War Sri Sudaram, situated at Klong Bangkok Noi. Leaving
school, he obtained the post of a clerk in the government service. But the only work
that was congenial to him was the writing of verse. In this he was adept even as a
mere boy. Before he came of age, he wrote a long poem based on the story of
Khobutra which, however, was left unfinished. Nevertheless, the work showed
promise of a genius that was later to attain full development.
It was about this time that the youthful poet fell in love with one of the ladies of the
palace whose name was Chan, a woman who had a considerable influence on his
work. But in those days it was a heinous offence to love one of the palace ladies,
and as a consequence of his romantic folly, both he and his mistress were put in
palace prison. On their release in 1806, Sunthorn Phu left the Capital, accompanied
by two disciples, to pay a visit to his father whom he had not seen since he
was a little boy. On his way, he wrote his first great poem Nirat Muang Klaeng, in
which he described the journey and addressed many tender lines to his lady-love.
Sunthorn Phu's original intention was to join his father and enter the monkhood
for a term. But soon after he arrived at Muang Klaeng, he fell seriously ill with fever,
and had to return to Bangkok as soon as he recovered. He was with his father for
only two months, and had been away from the Capital for three. His return saw a happy
ending to his love affair. He married his Chan, and a son was duly born to them.
The course of true love, however, did not run smooth. The young poet became too fond of
the bottle, and this caused frequent quarrels between him and his wife. It ended with her
finally leaving him for another man, but not before he had immortalized her name in many of
his works.
Sunthorn Phu soon made his name as a court poet of exceptional merit. At the age of
twenty-one, he accompanied one of the young princes to the shrine of Phra Buddha
Bat, and wrote a beautiful poem called Nirat Phra Bat, in which he described his
experiences and referred to the differences that had arisen between him and his
wife.
In 1809, King Rama 1 died and King Rama 2 succeeded to the throne. King Rama
2 was himself a poet of genius, and he saw in Sunthorn Phu a kindred spirit. Soon
after his accession, therefore, His Majesty gave the young poet a position at court.
Sunthorn Phu quickly proved his worth. When the King was writing his Ramaken, he
often consulted the poet on different points connected with versification and always
found him with a ready answer. His Majesty was therefore very
pleased with him and crated him Khun Sunthorn Voharn and
kept him near his person whenever he was writing.
Unfortunately, however, Sunthorn Phu could not leave off
drinking, and this soon got him into trouble. One day, when he
was drunk, he had a quarrel with his mother. One of his uncles
tried to intervene, and the poet turned on him and severely
injured him. This came to the ears of the King. His Majesty was
strongly displeased and ordered the unruly young man to be
put in prison.
This term of imprisonment actually proved to be a blessing in
disguise, for it was while he was in prison that he conceived the
idea of writing a long imaginative romance, with two princely
brothers as heroes living lives of adventure in a world full of
magic charms and enchantments and strange beings. This was
the beginning of the famous Phra Abhai Mani, one of the
greatest imaginative works ever written. It was not completed
until the poet was middle-aged, but he was able to sell many
cantos of it in manuscript form to a delighted reading public
while he was in prison, and thus earned a handsome income for
himself.
As might have been expected, he did not remain in prison
long. He was far too useful to the King. One day, His Majesty had
urgent need of his services and so granted him a full pardon.
Once again, Sunthorn Phu became the royal favorite, the
instructor of royal sons and a general literary adviser. He was
one of the famous literary circle, headed by King Rama 2, that
composed one of the finest works in the language, The Story of
Khun Changand Khun Phan. He is accredited with having
written the chapter about the birth of Phlai Ngarm, son of Khun
Phan and the heroine Wan Thong.
It was in his capacity as literary adviser that he incurred the
wrath of the King's eldest son, Prince Jesdabodindra, also a
poet. Sunthorn Phu ventured to make public criticism of some
lines written by the Prince, sometimes going to the extent of
improving the lines by rewriting them extempore, a kind of work
at which he was particularly adept. The
Prince took this as a personal slight, and unfortunately for the
poet, never forgot it and never forgave him for it.
In 1824, Sunthorn Phu's great patron, King Rama 2, passed
away, and Sunthorn Phu's enemy, Prince Jesdabodindra,
ascended the throne as King Rama 3. The poet was at once
deprived of his title and position, and he had to take to the
kindly shelter of the yellow robe. He remained in the monk hood
for 18 years. During this period, he wrote several poems, the
most notable being Nirat Suphan and Nirat War Chao Fa, all
written on his various journeys to different places.
Around 1832, Prince Lakhananukhun, a young son of King
Rama 3, took a liking to the wandering poet, and took him
under his patronage. Sunthorn Phu then left the monk hood
and lived as a retainer of this prince for whom he wrote several
more cantos of Phra Abhai Mani and some other poems. But
adversity dogged the poet, for in 1835, his princely patron died
and he was again thrown out upon the world. During this
unhappy period, he led a sorry existence, wandering from place
to place in a boat, which was his only home and selling his
poems wherever he could.
A great poet like Sunthorn Phu could not remain long in
obscurity, however. Not very long afterwards, Prince
Isaresrangsan, another son of King Rama 2, received him into
his service. This prince was the favorite younger brother of
Prince Mongkut, and when the latter became King Rama 4, he
was raised to the rank of His Majesty Phra Pin Klao and invested
with regal powers. The prince thereupon bestowed on his Poet
Laureate the dignity of Phara Sunthorn Voharn, a position which
the latter retained to the end of his days. During this last period,
when he was under the patronage of His Majesty Phra Pin
Klao, he wrote Nirat Phra Prathom and many other poems
including lullabies for the royal children. He lived and wrote to a
ripe old age. He died, a man of rank, position and fame, at the
age of seventy, in 1855.
The greatness of Sunthorn Phu lies not so much in correct
and ornate style, which is the aim of most Thai poets, as in the
very simplicity and sincerity of his expression. Unlike so many
other poets, he wrote from his heart and not from his head. Not
being a learned man, he confined himself to simple
forms of verse and simple language. But in his
own field, in what we call Gion poetry, he was
past master and his works are unsurpassed and
probably can never be surpassed, although no
other Thai poet has had so many imitators. But
Sunthorn Phu
reigns supreme,
because in all his poetry, in Phra
Abhai Mani, in his Nirats with their
mixture of romance, pathos and humour,
he touched the heartstrings of the
common people. That is why he is so
deservedly called the People's Poet.

米朝協議―北朝鮮は６者合意に戻れ

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 11(IHT/Asahi: December 12,2009)
EDITORIAL: U.S.-North Korea talks.
米朝協議―北朝鮮は６者合意に戻れ

At long last, negotiations between the United States and North Korea have resumed, with the visit of the first U.S. government envoy to Pyongyang since the administration of President Barack Obama began.
　オバマ政権になって初めて米政府代表が北朝鮮を訪問し、ようやく協議の仕切り直しが始まった。

Stephen Bosworth, U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, met with First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's close aide who handles foreign policy.
　ボズワース北朝鮮政策特別代表が、金正日総書記の側近で外交を取り仕切る姜錫柱第１外務次官と会談した。

Returning to Seoul from Pyongyang on Thursday, Bosworth said to the effect that the United States reached a "common understanding" with North Korea on the role of the six-party talks.
　きのう平壌からソウルに戻った特別代表は、「６者協議の役割」について「北朝鮮と共通の理解に達した」と語った。

However, he also stated that further discussion is needed among the six parties about when and how North Korea would return to the table.
だが北朝鮮が６者協議にいつ、どのように復帰するかは「６者でさらなる協議が必要だ」とも述べた。

It has been a year since the six-party talks were suspended. During this time, as if to test the newly established Obama administration, Pyongyang repeatedly test-fired ballistic missiles and even conducted its second nuclear test in May.
　６者協議が途絶えてちょうど１年である。この間、北朝鮮は発足早々のオバマ政権を試すかのように、弾道ミサイルの発射実験を繰り返し、２回目の核実験まで強行した。

North Korea also openly admitted for the first time in June that it embarked on uranium enrichment tests. Furthermore, it reportedly reprocessed used nuclear fuel and extracted plutonium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons. It also declared its withdrawal from the six-party talks.
　ウラン濃縮の試験に乗り出したことも初めて公にした。使用済み核燃料を再処理し、核兵器の材料であるプルトニウムを新たに抽出したともいう。６者協議からの離脱も宣言した。

Uranium enrichment must not be tolerated. But even if North Korea tries to advance its uranium program, it would take some time before the program can become fully operational. The first priority must be to stop North Korea from resuming operations of nuclear reactors that can lead to the production of plutonium.
　ウラン濃縮は認めるわけにはいかない。だが、北朝鮮が計画を進めようとしても、本格的な活動までにまだ時間がかかるとされる。まずはプルトニウムを生む原子炉を再び稼働させないことを最優先としなければならない。

There are also suspicions that North Korea exported weapons to Africa in violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. Surveillance for executing sanctions against Pyongyang must be strengthened.
　北朝鮮が国連安保理の制裁決議に違反してアフリカに武器を輸出した疑惑も浮上している。制裁の履行への監視も強める必要があろう。

Now that U.S.-North Korea talks have resumed, it is important not to allow Pyongyang to act selfishly and aggravate the crisis.
　米朝間の協議が再開したばかりのいま大事なのは、こうした危機を高める身勝手な行動をこれ以上、取らせないことである。

For that, we need dialogue to take root and encourage North Korea to sit down at the negotiating table of the six-party talks. Although the future of U.S.-North Korea talks remains uncertain, we urge Washington, which holds the key to the North Korean problem, and Beijing, which chairs the six-party talks, to continue their effort to persuade Pyongyang.
　そのためには対話への流れを定着させ、北朝鮮を６者協議の交渉テーブルにつかせないといけない。米朝協議の行方はまだ不透明だが、北朝鮮問題の鍵を握る米国、６者議長国の中国には引き続き説得を重ねてもらいたい。

The purpose is the complete denuclearization of North Korea.
　目的は北朝鮮の完全な非核化だ。

There are concerns over Kim's health. In addition, North Korea hopes to open its doors toward becoming "a major power" to commemorate the centennial of the birth of former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung three years from now.
　金総書記の健康不安。３年後の故金日成主席生誕１００年に「大国」への扉を開けるという目標。

Because of such time restraints, perhaps North Korea is growing impatient for achievements, such as paving the way to replace the cease-fire agreement of the Korean War with a peace accord through direct negotiations with the United States.
そうした時間の制約から、北朝鮮は米国との直接交渉で、朝鮮戦争の休戦協定から平和協定への転換の道筋をつけるなど、成果を急ぎたいかもしれない。

But what North Korea needs to understand is that the issues of a peace accord, denuclearization and normalization of diplomatic relations with the United States and Japan cannot be resolved by Washington and Pyongyang alone.
　だが、北朝鮮が心しておかねばならないのは、平和協定にせよ、非核化や米朝・日朝の国交正常化にせよ、米朝だけで解決できないという現実だ。

Such objectives have already been incorporated into the joint statement of the six-party talks four years ago. North Korea must return to that track.
　こうした目標はすべて、４年前の６者協議の共同声明にすでに盛り込まれている。北朝鮮はそのレールに戻ってこなければならない。

North Korea has staged crises to solicit kickbacks from other countries. But it must also seriously accept that Japan, the United States and South Korea have vowed not to allow a repeat of such developments.
　北朝鮮が危機を演出し、他の国が見返りを与える。過去のそんな繰り返しはしないと日米韓が強調していることも北朝鮮は重く受け止めるべきだ。

Japan, the United States, South Korea, China and Russia should not easily compromise until they can move North Korea toward denuclearization. They should put the 2005 joint statement into practice. It is vital that they further strengthen their cooperation.
　５者は安易に妥協せず北朝鮮を非核化へと動かさねばならない。そして共同声明を実行に移させる。さらなる連携強化が欠かせない。