(Mainichi Japan) June 29, 2011 Strengthening of nuclear safety more important than TEPCO's 'internal company logic' 社説：東電株主総会 社内論理より安全守れ
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), operator of the disaster-struck Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, held its general shareholders' meeting on June 28, attracting the largest crowd and taking the most time of any shareholders' meeting in company history. 福島第１原発事故を起こした東京電力の株主総会が開かれ、出席者数は過去最高、開催時間も過去最長を大きく更新した。
Shareholder questions covered a lot of ground, including board members' salaries, cuts to company pensions, nuclear disaster compensation payments, and nuclear safety policy. 株主からの質問は、取締役報酬や企業年金の減額、損害賠償、原発の安全対策など極めて多岐にわたった。
Overall, the executives on stage faced a barrage of harsh inquiries about not just management's responsibility for the Fukushima crisis, but also about the very state of the nuclear power industry. 今回の事故に対する経営責任、さらには原発事業のあり方が、厳しく問われているということだ。
"If TEPCO doesn't change its basic makeup, there will be disaster after disaster," came the rising tide of criticism. 「東電の体質を変えないと何度も事故は起きる」。
The utility's managers must take that criticism to heart. 株主の間から上がった批判を東電経営者は重く受け止めるべきだ。
Since TEPCO's Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, was damaged in the 2007 Chuetsu Oki Earthquake, a natural plus a nuclear disaster has ceased to be a "virtually impossible hypothetical." ０７年の新潟県中越沖地震で東電柏崎刈羽原発が被災して以降、原発震災はありえない「仮想事故」ではなくなった。
Furthermore, the very real danger of a major earthquake striking off Japan's northeast coast was pointed out during a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry commission of inquiry two years ago, but TEPCO did nothing to improve safety policies. 東北沖の巨大地震の危険性についても、２年前に経済産業省の審議会で取り上げられたが、東電の安全対策には生かされなかった。
Looking back even further, in the summer of 2002 TEPCO was lambasted for lax governance on safety issues after the company was caught hiding problems at Kashiwazaki Kariwa and the Fukushima No. 1 and 2 nuclear power plants. ０２年夏に発覚した福島第１、第２原発や柏崎刈羽原発での「トラブル隠し」で、東電は安全管理に関するガバナンスの欠如を厳しく批判された。
Now, it can be said that because of the high level of technical specialization needed to get into the nuclear power industry, it has a tendency of insularity and exclusivity. 原発事業は専門性が高く、閉鎖的・排他的になりがちな分野ともいえる。
However, for that fact alone the industry must proactively release information to the public and accept an inspection regime. それだけに、積極的に情報を公開し、社会のチェックを受け入れることが不可欠であるはずだ。
At TEPCO, however, that kind of thinking just never entered the management culture. しかし、東電にそうした文化は根付かなかった。
Masataka Shimizu, who stepped down as TEPCO president at the shareholders' meeting, admitted during the corporate earnings presentation that the firm had "lost sight of the good of the customer and of local areas, and there remains a tendency to make moves based solely on the company's internal logic." 今回の総会で退任した清水正孝・前社長は、５月の決算発表の席上、「（東電には）地域や顧客への目線を失い、社内論理でいってしまう傾向が残っている」と自戒した。
If that's the case, then now is the time to rebuild TEPCO corporate culture, doing away with the prioritization of parochial interests and inculcating the tools to create a thorough safety management system. 今度こそ、社内論理優先の社風を改め、安全管理を徹底する社内システムの構築を求める。
In the June 28 meeting, much attention was paid to a group of 402 stockholders who proposed a motion to gradually eliminate TEPCO's nuclear power stations. 今回の株主総会では、４０２人の株主が提案した原発の段階的廃止も大きな焦点になった。
The motion was defeated by an overwhelming margin, but the very fact that an anti-nuclear power block could form is a major development. 否決はされたものの、一定の賛成を集めた意味は大きい。
Of the nine major electric companies in Japan who have nuclear plants in their generating stock, shareholders at six have proposed abandoning nuclear power. 今年は、原発を保有する９電力会社のうち東電や、政府の要請で停止した浜岡原発（静岡県）を抱える中部電力など６社で、脱原発を求める株主提案があった。
Meanwhile, some third-party firms giving advice on shareholder voting even warned institutional investors, "The continuation of nuclear power generation by private firms carries too high a risk," and therefore utility shareholders should support motions to abandon nuclear power. 議決権行使助言会社が機関投資家に対し、「原発は民間企業が続けるにはリスクが大きすぎる」として「脱原発」提案に賛成するよう助言する動きもあった。
Certainly, obtaining a site for a nuclear power station and managing nuclear safety both cost a great deal of money. 確かに、原発の立地や安全管理には巨額の費用がかかる。
Also, in the case of a disaster like the one now unfolding at the Fukushima plant -- where there is as yet no upper limit or reprieve from compensation payments in sight -- the financial risk for power companies is extremely high. 事故が起きた際、事実上、損害賠償額の上限も免責も認めない現行の賠償制度では、電力会社のリスクは極めて大きい。
Meanwhile, the role of the national government in the whole situation is vague, though continuing entrusting nuclear power -- which remains a central part of Japan's energy policy -- to private firms in the present fashion would seem to be impossible. 一方で、国の責任はあいまいだ。国策である原発を、このまま民間企業の電力会社に委ねることには、無理がある。
Even if Japan comes to depend less on nuclear power from here on out, we will still have a certain number of reactors in operation to fill our electricity needs. 今後、依存度を下げていくにしても、当面一定の原発は稼働することになる。
So, what form should the strengthening of nuclear safety -- that most important of considerations -- take? 最も大切な安全性を高めるには、どんな形態が望ましいのか。
This must be the focus of deep national discussion. これを機に、国民的な議論を深める必要がある。
2011/06/28 --The Asahi Shimbun, June 26 EDITORIAL: Rebuilding plan needs more work to avoid vested-interest trap. 復興提言―さらなる深化が必要だ
The Reconstruction Design Council has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Naoto Kan that talks about "keeping our hearts as one with the people in the areas affected by the quake and tsunami, and to light the flame of hope in those areas through national solidarity and mutual support." 「被災地の人々と心を一つにし、全国民的な連帯と支えあいのもとで、被災地に希望のあかりをともす」。そううたった復興構想会議の提言が菅直人首相に手渡された。
The proposal puts forth such lofty principles as "the basis of reconstruction efforts should place local communities at its center," and that we should "pursue the possibilities of an economic society that would lead the way into a possible future." The proposal also includes various prescriptions for reconstruction. 「地域・コミュニティー主体の復興を基本とする」「来るべき時代をリードする経済社会の可能性を追求する」といった原則を掲げ、復興への様々な処方箋（しょほうせん）を盛り込んだ。
Specifically, the council proposes options for rebuilding communities that reduce the risk of disasters and plans for reviving industries in the affected areas. The options are designed to fit the actual situation in each area. 具体策では、「減災」のためのまちづくりや産業再興について、被災地の実情に合わせた選択肢を提示している。
The plan also proposes setting "special reconstruction zones" to make best use of local communities' abilities. 市町村の能力を最大限に引き出す「復興特区」の活用も挙げた。
The idea to create locations for developing renewable energy that nurture industries of the 21st century in Fukushima Prefecture is also very good. ２１世紀の産業を育てる再生可能エネルギーの拠点を福島などで展開する案もうなずける内容だ。
Some directions in this proposal overlap with areas that we have been seeking. 提言の方向性は、私たちが求めてきたものと重なり合う。
However, more than a few points seem to require deeper thought. だが、踏み込み不足に思える点も少なくない。
Take the matter of land, for example. 例えば、土地をめぐる課題だ。
The complex web of ownership rights needs to be sorted out soon, as it is obstructing reconstruction. The proposal sidesteps this thorny problem by saying "necessary measures must be considered," and that government procurement of land is "problematic." 入り組んだ権利関係の調整といった復興の足かせになっている問題は「必要な措置を考慮しなければならない」、国などによる土地の買い上げは「難点がある」と述べるにとどめた。
The proposal includes using special zoning, but would it not have been better to offer a more specific solution for a breakthrough? 手続きの迅速化に特区的手法を使うというが、もっと具体的な解決策を示して、事態を打開できなかったか。
Also, we cannot see how the affected local governments will be able to actually apply these proposals. また、被災自治体が提案を具体化する手順が見えない。
A road map that lays out which project should take priority, and what kind of preparation is necessary, is essential. どの計画を優先的に進めるべきか、どんな段取りが必要なのか、という工程表も不可欠だ。
If not, local governments have no choice but to let central government ministries decide for them when to start a particular project or how to design a particular system. And if that happens, the principle of putting the local communities first is just an empty promise. そうでなければ、事業の着手や制度設計を省庁に委ねざるをえず、「地域主体」の原則が絵に描いた餅にすぎなくなる。
On the other hand, the proposal includes a plan to re-energize and revitalize the fishing industry by drawing in private sector funds. 一方、漁業再生の手法として民間資金の導入による活力誘引策を盛り込んだ。
This resulted from strong lobbying by Yoshihiro Murai, the governor of Miyagi Prefecture. Even so, some local fishermen question the plan or are against it. 村井嘉浩・宮城県知事の強い要望を採り入れたものだが、地元の漁業者に疑問や反発の声がある。
In reality, many issues must be overcome. The Reconstruction Design Council is expected to have a say in the usual ministry-led process of coordinating the many conflicting interests of interested parties and point to a new path. このように、実現には越えるべき課題も多いが、従来の役所主導の利害調整に一石を投じ、新たな道筋を示すことこそ構想会議が果たすべき役割だ。
The council chairman, Makoto Iokibe, decided against delaying a final recommendation to the end of the year, as originally planned, and instead moved up the schedule to include proposals at this juncture. 五百旗頭真議長は、当初予定していた年末の最終提言を取りやめ、前倒し的に今回の提言に盛り込んだという。
This might have been due to a sense of urgency created by Prime Minister Naoto Kan's offer to resign, for it was Kan who initiated the creation of the council. 背景には、構想会議の設立を主導した菅首相が退陣表明したことへの危機感もあろう。
It is true the Kan administration has wavered in the process of selecting the minister for reconstruction. 事実、復興担当相の人事ひとつとっても、菅政権の腰はふらついた。
The future role of the Reconstruction Design Council is also unclear. 構想会議の今後の役割も不透明だ。
Although the proposal takes into account the difficult conditions in the disaster-hit areas and opened up some hope, it needs to be deepened. 提言は、困難な被災地の現状に向き合い、希望への道を切り開いたが、さらに深化させねばならない。
We intend to keep a sharp eye on the proceedings, lest reconstruction efforts end up falling into the trap of coordinating various vested interests. 私たちも復興の実行段階で既得権の調整に陥らぬよう、厳しく監視していきたい。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 27, 2011) More effort must be made for gender-equal society 男女共同参画 「３０％目標」へ環境の整備を（6月26日付・読売社説）
Utilizing women's abilities is key to boosting the vigor of Japanese society, one of the reasons why encouraging efforts toward gender equality is extremely important. 女性の能力を活用していくことが、より一層の活力をこれからの日本社会にもたらすだろう。男女共同参画の一つの意義もそこにある。
The government established a target in 2003 of raising the proportion of women in leadership positions in key sectors of society to at least about 30 percent by 2020. 政府は、社会のあらゆる分野で指導的地位に女性が占める割合を、２０２０年までに少なくとも３０％程度にすることを、０３年から目標に掲げている。
The current rate, however, stands at just 10 percent. The 2011 government white paper on gender equality, approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, says women's participation in many fields is still insufficient, and calls for redoubled efforts to promote gender equality in all parts of society. しかし、現在の達成率は１０％に過ぎない。今年の男女共同参画白書は、多くの分野で女性の参画がまだまだ不十分だとして、取り組みの強化を求めている。
The percentage of women occupying leadership positions has already reached 42 percent in the United States and 37 percent in Germany, meaning Japan has been lagging far behind the United States and European countries in terms of gender equality. 既に米国では４２％、ドイツは３７％に達しており、欧米諸国との差は際だっている。
Twenty-five years have passed since the Equal Employment Opportunity Law came into effect, and women of what was called the "equal opportunity generation" have played active roles as corporate executives and in other managerial positions. 男女雇用機会均等法の施行から２５年が過ぎ、“均等法世代”と呼ばれた女性たちの一部は、管理職や役員として活躍している。
However, the proportion of women working as section chiefs or higher in companies with at least 100 staff has remained extremely low at 6 percent. だが、従業員１００人以上の企業の課長級以上に占める女性の割合は、６％に過ぎない。
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Promote work-life balance
The low percentage of women in managerial posts is due primarily to the fact that many women stop working when they have their first child. There is an urgent need to increase the number of child care facilities and expand systems for child care leave. 女性管理職が少ないのは、第１子出産を機に退職する女性が多いためだ。保育施設や育児休業制度を拡充していく必要がある。
It is encouraging that in recent years some companies have set such goals as increasing the proportion of women hired for the career track to at least 30 percent of employees fresh from college, and placing high priority on fostering female executives. 近年は、総合職新卒採用の女性比率を３０％以上とすることを目標に掲げたり、女性幹部育成に力を入れたりする企業もある。
It is also important to promote the principle of work-life balance to make it possible for women to make work compatible with child rearing. No time should be wasted to provide a pleasant working environment for women. 仕事と育児の両立ができるよう「仕事と生活の調和」（ワーク・ライフ・バランス）を図っていくことも肝要だ。女性が働きやすい職場環境の整備は急務である。
With the continued low birthrate and graying of the population, concern is growing over a decline in the working population. Currently, the number of people of working age--15 to 64--per older person stands at 2.7. Known as the old-age support ratio, this figure is predicted to drop to 1.8 in 2030. 少子高齢化が進む中で、労働力人口の減少が懸念されている。現在は、６５歳以上の高齢者１人当たりに対し、２・７人の現役世代が支えている。３０年には、これを１・８人で支えなければならないとする試算もある。
The future of Japan's society can never be bright without effective use of women's working power. 女性の労働力を抜きにして今後の日本社会は成り立たない。
To create a more comfortable and enriched living environment, it is imperative to value women's point of view more highly in all spheres of life. 生活環境をより豊かなものにしていく上でも、女性の視点を取り入れていくことが求められる。
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Respect for women's roles
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Cabinet Office has prodded local municipalities in disaster-struck regions to set up consultation services for women, but municipalities have tended to be slow in doing so. Problems have occurred at many evacuation centers because of a failure to secure privacy for women. 東日本大震災では、内閣府は被災地の自治体に対し女性相談窓口の設置などを働きかけたが、対応は後手に回りがちだ。避難所では女性のプライバシーが確保されていないことが問題となった。
In Tome, Miyagi Prefecture, a group of people, including female members of the city's drafting committee for a gender equality ordinance, created a support team for female victims of the disaster. 宮城県登米(とめ)市では、男女共同参画条例策定委員の女性らが支援グループを組織した。
Based on requests from women at evacuation centers, team members have engaged in such activities as providing women's underwear and cosmetics in collaboration with companies that offered their support. 避難所の女性たちの要望を聞き取って、企業と連携しながら、下着や化粧品の配給に動いた。
Women also play an important role in providing mental care for disaster victims and improving the environment for child rearing. In the future projects for reconstruction from the March 11 disaster, women should be encouraged to give full play to their sensitive, considerate way of doing things. 被災者の心のケアや、子育て環境の改善などにも、女性の果たす役割は大きい。今後の震災復興にも、きめ細かな女性の目を積極的に生かしていくべきだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 26, 2011) （2011年6月26日01時32分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) June 26, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Give yourself some credit 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：ハードルを下げて ／東京
One day, when I was finishing a university lecture and asked if there were any questions, one young lady raised her hand and said, "Professor, what are you doing when you're at your happiest?" ある日、大学で講義の最後に「はい、質問は？」と尋ねると、女子学生の手が挙がった。 「先生は何をしているときがいちばん幸せですか？」
The theme of that day's lecture had been, "Happiness takes different shapes for different people. There is no 'winning' or 'losing.'" その日の講義では、「幸せの形は人それぞれ。『勝ち』も『負け』もない」といった話をしたのだった。
The first thing that popped into my head was "sleeping," but that didn't sound like an "educational" answer. 「寝るとき」という答えがすぐに浮かんだが、それでは学生に対してあまりに“教育的”でなさすぎる。
After giving it a moment of thought, I replied, "When I've finished the workday without any problems." ちょっと考えて、「一日の仕事が無事に終わったとき」と答えた。
The hurdles I set for myself are pretty low. Whether I've managed to handle all my work or not, I'm happy and satisfied as long as I've come in for a full day. 私は自分に課しているハードルが低いので、仕事の出来、不出来はともかく、「とにかく休まずに今日も働けた」と思うだけでなんともいえない満足感、幸福感がわき上がってくるのだ。
"That's just no good," I've been told by many of my patients. 診察室に来る患者さんの中には、「それではダメだ」という人も少なくない。
"Anybody can just show up at a job. You can only give yourself points for how much you boost your results and how much others compliment your work," some insist. Such values are so different from my own I nearly get dizzy listening to them. 「ただ仕事に行くなんて誰にでもできる。他人よりも実績を上げたりまわりの人にほめられたりしてこそ、やっと自分に合格点を出せる」と力説する人もいて、あまりの価値観の違いにめまいがしそうになる。
However, hearing these views from one person did lead to an epiphany; something, in fact, that had been right in front of me. Patients like this, who say leading an ordinary everyday life is wrong, are using up their mental and physical energies in their unending pursuit of an extraordinary everyday life. This drain is leading them into depression and other psychological ailments. しかし、そこでふと気がつくのだが、目の前で「あたりまえの毎日じゃダメ」と言っているその人は、それで心身のエネルギーを使い尽くして、うつ病などに陥っているのだ。
Here begins a vicious cycle, as they feel miserable about themselves for what they have become, and grow yet more unhappy. そして、さらにそんな自分は情けない、と不幸せな気持ちになっている。
If that's the case, then isn't it better to set slightly lower hurdles for yourself? だとすると、やっぱりもう少しハードルを下げてもよいのではないか。
If you get up in the morning and, though still sleepy, you do some household chores and head to work, perhaps this isn't a fantastic lifestyle, but you'll probably get to the evening without committing a fatal mistake. 朝、目覚めて、起きて、「まだ眠い」と思いながらも家事をやったり会社に出かけたりして、目覚ましい活躍はできないけれど、致命的なミスもなく夜を迎える。
Then you can say to yourself, "Well, I did pretty well again today," and reward yourself with a fine tea or a glass of beer. それができたら、「ああ、今日も私はよくがんばった」とうなずいて、おいしいお茶やビールで自分をねぎらう。
Just following this simple recipe, with no impossible goals, seems to me a lifestyle without a lot of stress. そんな毎日を無理なく続けていれば、ストレスはそれほどたまらないのではないだろうか。
And this isn't limited to each indivudual. これはひとりひとりに限ったことではない。
Japan recently experienced a truly terrible disaster, and the nuclear crisis that it sparked drags on. 日本はついこのあいだ、あんなに大きな災害を経験した。原発事故に至ってはまだ収束もしていない。
Though it would hardly be surprising if we fell into despair and became careless in our everyday lives, this hasn't happened. Instead, we have come together and done our collective best in the face of these trying times. 絶望したり投げやりになったりして国じたいが混乱状態に陥っても不思議ではないのに、みんな一丸となってがんばっている。
There are some who complain that the pace of recovery is too slow, or that if things continue as they are the economy will take a serious hit. However, all things considered, would our energies not be better spent instead singing our praises, giving us all a boost? 「復興のスピードが遅い」とか「このままでは経済への打撃が避けられない」という声もあるが、このへんでもっと自分たちを自画自賛してもよいのではないか。 「私たち、ずいぶんがんばっているじゃない」
Politicians who shower themselves in compliments are a problem, but the rest of us should be giving ourselves more credit. That's my view, anyway. 政治家の自画自賛は困ったものだが、私たちはもっと自分をほめてもよい。そう思うのだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 26, 2011) U.S. withdrawal mustn't jeopardize Afghan security 駐留米軍撤収 アフガン治安を見極め慎重に（6月25日付・読売社説）
At long last, a path toward ending a war that has continued for nearly a decade has started to emerge. １０年近く続いた長い戦争も、ようやく終わりへの道筋が見え始めたということだろう。
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced 10,000 troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan by year's end, and that about 23,000 more will be pulled from the battlefield by the end of next summer. オバマ米大統領が、アフガニスタン駐留米軍の撤収計画を発表した。年内に１万人、来年夏までにさらに２万３０００人が戦地を離れる。
The remaining 68,000 troops will be steadily brought home after that as power is transferred from U.S. forces to Afghan national security forces, Obama said in his announcement. 残る米軍６万８０００人も、アフガン治安部隊に権限を移譲するのに伴って、順次、帰国させていく方針という。
Such U.S. allies as Britain, Germany and France that have deployed troops in Afghanistan to bolster public order and security also plan to considerably reduce their personnel. 治安支援に部隊を派遣している英独仏など他の国々も本格的に引き揚げる予定だ。
The phased withdrawal of U.S. troops must, above all else, be conducted under the major premise that public security is ensured in Afghanistan. 撤収は、何よりアフガニスタンにおける治安確保を大前提としなければならない。
We hope the withdrawal goes ahead while a close eye is kept on the realities on the ground in Afghanistan to ensure that country does not once again become a failed nation and hotbed of terrorism. テロの温床となる破綻国家に逆戻りすることがないよう、現地の状況を見極めながら、慎重に進めてもらいたい。
Of the two wars started by the administration of his predecessor, George W. Bush, Obama criticized the Iraq war as a "wrong war," and has pulled many U.S. combat troops from Iraq. オバマ大統領は、ブッシュ前政権が始めた二つの戦争のうち、イラク戦争を「間違った戦争」と批判し、米軍の撤収を実行した。
However, Obama said military action against terrorists in Afghanistan is "necessary and just," and he sent additional troops to join the fighting there. アフガニスタンでの対テロ戦争は「必要で不可欠」として、逆に米軍兵力の増強で対処してきた。
The start of the withdrawal suggests this "surge" has yielded some results. 撤収開始は、この増派が一定の成果をあげたことによる。
===
Obama focusing on reelection
Certainly, the offensive capability of the Taliban, the former rulers of Afghanistan, has been weakened. 確かに旧支配勢力タリバンの攻勢は弱まった。
Afghan national security forces now have nearly 300,000 personnel and been handed responsibility for ensuring security in some areas. アフガン治安部隊も３０万人近くまで増え、治安権限の移譲も一部で始まっている。
The killing of Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden--the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States--at his hideout in Pakistan last month by U.S. special forces was a key factor in Obama's decision to start bringing troops home. １０年前の米同時テロの首謀者で国際テロ組織アル・カーイダの指導者ウサマ・ビンラーディンを、潜伏先のパキスタンで米特殊部隊が殺害したことも、撤収への大きな要因となった。
However, concerns remain about the withdrawal plan. だが、今回の撤収計画には不安も残る。
The U.S. public is becoming increasingly weary of the war. 米国内には、長引く戦争に厭戦(えんせん)気分が募っている。
There is growing dissatisfaction and anxiety over the snowballing costs of the war, the faltering U.S. economy and the stubbornly high unemployment rate. かさむ一方の戦費、景気の低迷、高止まりする失業率への不満や不安。
Obama will focus more on domestic issues and rebuilding the United States than on other countries. 大統領自身、今後は、他国よりも米国の再建に焦点をあてる、と内向き傾向を強めている。
He also wants to avoid any deterioration of U.S. government finances as eyes begin to turn to the autumn 2012 presidential election. 自らの再選がかかる来年秋の大統領選に向け、財政悪化を回避したいという思惑もあるだろう。
===
Make Japan aid effective
Some observers wonder if a hasty U.S. pullout could result in the Taliban regaining strength. 米国が兵力縮小を急ぐことによって、再びタリバンが勢いづくようなことにならないか。
While maintaining military capabilities that can overwhelm Taliban forces, the United States should step up efforts to ensure public security in Afghanistan. タリバンを圧倒する軍事力を維持しつつ、治安確立へ努力を倍加すべきだろう。
To achieve this, Washington will need to strengthen the Afghan government and security forces, and boost cooperation with neighboring Pakistan in operations to stamp out terrorist elements. アフガン政府とその治安部隊を強化し、隣接するパキスタンとも協力して対テロ掃討を徹底する必要がある。
Since the Democratic Party of Japan came to power in 2009, Japan's policy has been to help stabilize Afghanistan and surrounding areas through massive monetary aid, rather than contributions of personnel. 日本は民主党政権に交代後、人的貢献の代わりに、アフガニスタンに巨額拠出することで、地域安定化へ側面支援をしてきた。
This monetary assistance, however, has produced meager results. だが、その効果は大して上がっていない。
The government must seriously consider how this money could be used more effectively. 今後の実効ある使い道を真剣に探るべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 25, 2011) （2011年6月25日01時07分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 23 EDITORIAL: More talks needed on bilateral defense alliance 日米安保合意―同盟修復にはなったが
For the first time in four years, the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and their U.S. counterparts reviewed "common strategic objectives" on June 21 and agreed on military cooperation and role-sharing. 日米両国の外務・防衛担当閣僚が、４年ぶりに「共通戦略目標」を見直し、防衛協力や役割分担について合意した。
The first meeting of its kind since the Democratic Party of Japan came into power, it served a certain purpose as an occasion for Tokyo and Washington to compare notes on various issues, especially the East Asia situation that has grown more complex. 民主党政権では初めてのことであり、不透明さを増す東アジア情勢などをめぐり、日米が認識や政策をすりあわせたことには一定の意義があった。
A joint statement issued after the meeting warned of "challenges posed by the increasingly uncertain security environment" in East Asia due to China's emergence, and urged China to "adhere to international norms of behavior." 新たな戦略目標は、中国の台頭に「地域の安全保障環境を不安定にしうる」との懸念を示し、国際法の順守や責任ある役割を促した。
With regard to North Korea, the statement also spelled out a new common strategic objective, which is to "deter provocations by North Korea." 北朝鮮にも「挑発を抑止する」と強い姿勢で臨んでいる。
Another point that should be noted is that Tokyo and Washington are now calling for multilateral security cooperation with Australia, South Korea, India and others. オーストラリアや韓国、インドなどと多国間の安保協力を進めようという発想も目を引く。
But the main purpose of the meeting was to mend and reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance that became shaky over the proposed relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, since the DPJ came to power. ただ、今回の合意は民主党政権になって、普天間飛行場の移設問題をめぐって揺らいだ同盟関係を、修復させることに大きなウエートがおかれた。
Although the joint statement was titled "Toward a Deeper and Broader U.S.-Japan Alliance: Building on 50 Years of Partnership," we believe the partners were well aware of the need to stop the alliance from further deterioration. 副題には「より深化し、拡大する日米同盟に向けて」とあるが、「同盟の退化を止めた」というのが実情だろう。
While the successful Japan-U.S. cooperation in aiding survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 helped advance the bilateral alliance, some of the new common strategic objectives the partners agreed on suggest that Tokyo bit the bullet in order to accommodate Washington's wishes. 東日本大震災での日米協力の成功がその機運を高めたとはいえ、米側の期待に応えようとして日本側が困難を承知の上で、あえて盛り込んだと映る内容もある。
On the thorny Futenma relocation issue, for instance, Tokyo agreed to spell out the construction of a facility in the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture even though there is still no prospect of building such a facility because of adamant local opposition. たとえば、懸案の普天間飛行場の移設問題では、沖縄の根強い反対で実現の見通しが立たない名護市辺野古への代替施設建設を明記した。
The agreement has not only reversed the clock to the days of the coalition government of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito, but is also certain to further deepen the rift between Tokyo and Okinawa. 自公政権時代の合意に戻っただけでなく、沖縄とのミゾをさらに深めるのは確実だ。
The new agreement means Okinawa's demand for the relocation of U.S. military training facilities remains unanswered, and a dangerous military base is going to become a permanent fixture in a crowded residential zone. これでは、地元が求める訓練移転が進まないまま、住宅密集地の中に危険な軍用空港が固定化されてしまうことになる。
With regard to the proposed transfer of U.S. carrier-based aircraft to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Tokyo agreed to consider Mageshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture as the site of the landing and takeoff training facility required by Washington. また米空母艦載機の岩国基地への移駐にからみ、米側が求める発着訓練の実施先として、鹿児島県の馬毛島を検討することも決めた。
The locals are resisting this vehemently, and Tokyo has certainly created a new source of strife. 地元の反発は強く、米軍再編の新たな火種になるのは避けられない。
Moreover, on the matter of export to third countries of jointly-developed ballistic missile interceptors, Tokyo agreed to Washington's proposal without coming up with any clear guidelines of its own. それだけではない。共同開発を進める弾道ミサイル防衛用の迎撃ミサイルの第三国移転についても、あいまいな指針で、なし崩し的に合意してしまった。
We have consistently called for serious discourse in the Diet concerning our country's three basic principles of arms export. 私たちはかねて、武器輸出三原則に絡めた国会での本格論議を求めてきた。
We cannot possibly allow the new export agreement in the absence of any regulatory measure. 具体的な歯止めがないまま移転が進む事態は、とても見逃すことができない。
Japan is going to pay dearly for the result of the ministerial meeting in Washington. 日本が背負う代償が大きいのに、
But Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who has already announced his intention to resign, is in no shape to handle the situation. いったん退陣表明をした菅直人首相には、まともに向き合う余裕はない。
And U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is stepping down at the end of this month. 米側も今月末で国防長官が交代する。
Given these irregular circumstances in which the ministerial agreement was hammered out, a fresh round of talks must be held to give the agreement any meaning and truly deepen the bilateral alliance. こんな、どたばたの中での合意に意義を持たせるには、改めて同盟深化を着実に進めるための仕切り直しが必要だ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun(Jun. 25, 2011) U.S. economy still ailing as QE2 nears its end 量的緩和終了 米国の景気減速に警戒解けぬ（6月24日付・読売社説）
The U.S. economy is limping along and its future looks uncertain. 米国の景気がもたつき先行きは不透明だ。
The steering of financial policy is becoming increasingly difficult. 金融政策の舵(かじ)取りは、一段と難しくなっている。
The U.S. Federal Reserve Board decided to end, as scheduled at the end of June, the second round of its quantitative easing policy, known as QE2, which has been implemented on an unprecedented scale since November. 米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）は、昨年１１月から異例の規模で実施した量的な金融緩和策第２弾（ＱＥ２）を６月末で終了することを決めた。
The Fed's program has purchased 600 billion dollars in U.S. Treasury bonds and increased the supply of funds to the financial market. ＦＲＢは６０００億ドル（約４８兆円）もの米国債を買い入れ、市場への資金供給を増やした。
It was a last-ditch measure aimed at shoring up the economy and containing deflationary concerns at the same time. 景気下支えを狙うとともに、デフレ懸念を封じ込める苦肉の策だった。
As a result, long-term interest rates have gone down, encouraging companies to increase capital investment. その結果、長期金利が低下して、企業の設備投資の呼び水になった。
As U.S. stock market prices have gone up, personal spending has increased. 米株式相場の上昇に伴い、個人消費も持ち直してきた。
Deflationary concerns are subsiding. デフレ懸念も後退している。
However, the negative side effects were significant. 一方で、副作用も大きかった。
A huge amount of money from the United States filled markets around the world, raising crude oil and crop prices. 米国発の巨額マネーが市場にあふれ、原油や穀物などの価格を押し上げた。
Inflation has become conspicuous, especially in emerging countries. 新興国などのインフレも目立つ。
We agree with the Fed's judgment that the quantitative easing policy has fulfilled its role for the time being. ＦＲＢが、ひとまず、量的緩和策の役割は終わったと判断したのは妥当だろう。
===
Fed keeps zero-interest policy
The Fed has indicated its resolve to maintain a policy of virtually zero percent interest rates and to keep the federal funds rate, which is a target for short-term interest rates, at its current level. 今回、ＦＲＢは、短期金利の誘導目標であるフェデラル・ファンド（ＦＦ）金利については、事実上のゼロ金利政策を据え置き、当面維持する方針を示した。
If the Fed hurriedly adopts an "exit policy" such as a measure to return interest rates to their levels before the global financial crisis, it will cool the business climate and harm the global economy. 金利水準を金融危機前に戻すような「出口戦略」を急げば、景気を冷え込ませ、世界経済に悪影響を及ぼす。
The Fed should be very careful in deciding the timing of a transition to a tighter monetary policy. 金融引き締めのタイミングは慎重に見極めるべきだ。
However, one problem is that the momentum of the economic recovery is still weak. 問題は、景気回復の勢いが弱いことである。
The U.S. real economic growth rate in the January-March quarter dropped to 1.8 percent on an annually adjusted basis from the previous quarter. 米国の今年１～３月期の実質経済成長率は、前期比年率で１・８％に低下した。
U.S. manufacturers were forced to reduce production because the supply of parts from Japan became bogged down as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake. 東日本大震災の影響で、日本からの部品供給が滞り、米製造業は減産に追い込まれた。
Economic stagnation has continued in the April-June quarter. ４～６月期も景気低迷が続く。
Unemployment remains high at the 9 percent level. 失業率は９％台に高止まりしている。
If the economy slows down further, can the Fed take any additional effective measures? 景気が一段と減速した場合、ＦＲＢが有効な追加策を打ち出せるかどうか。
Interest rates in the United States are certain to remain extremely low for a long time. 米国の超低金利の長期化は必至だろう。
===
Stop overly strong yen
However, Japan must be cautious about the fact that the yen has been growing stronger against the dollar in connection with the low U.S. interest rates. だが、これに関連して、円高・ドル安が進んでいることに日本は警戒しなければならない。
U.S. authorities apparently have approved the weakening of the dollar, which is an advantage in exporting U.S. products abroad. 米当局も輸出に有利なドル安を容認しているようだ。
Stricken by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese economy has fallen into negative growth. 大震災に直撃された日本経済はマイナス成長に陥っている。
The earnings of Japanese automobile and other export-oriented companies will decrease if dollar-selling based on the U.S. situation leads to excessive appreciation of the yen. 米側の事情によるドル売りで、過度に円高が進めば、自動車などの輸出企業の収益が落ち込む。
It will eventually lead to serious circumstances in which efforts to repair damage from the disaster will be hindered. 震災からの復興に冷や水を浴びせる深刻な事態となろう。
When the yen's appreciation skyrocketed in mid-March, Japan, the United States and some European countries undertook a coordinated intervention and succeeded in putting a brake on the soaring yen. ３月中旬に円が急騰した際、日米欧の協調介入で円高に歯止めをかけた。
Likewise, the government and the Bank of Japan should take decisive action to hold the market in check and prevent the yen's excessive appreciation. 政府・日銀は、市場をけん制し、円高阻止に断固とした姿勢で臨むべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 24, 2011) （2011年6月24日01時22分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) June 23, 2011 Multilateral diplomacy indispensable to improve ties with China 社説：日米安保協議 「対中」は多角的外交で
Foreign and defense ministers from the U.S. and Japan have held a meeting of the Security Consultative Committee, known as two-plus-two, in Washington and issued a joint statement on their new common strategic objectives based on changes in the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region including China's military buildup. 日米両政府は外務・防衛担当閣僚による安全保障協議委員会（２プラス２）を開き、中国の軍事的台頭などアジア太平洋地域の安全保障環境の変化を踏まえて新たな共通戦略目標をまとめ、共同文書を発表した。
The ministers encourage China to improve its military activities such as adhering to international norms of behavior. 海洋進出など軍事行動を強める中国に対して「国際的な行動規範の順守」を要求。
They also urged the country not to pursue and acquire military capabilities that could destabilize the regional security environment even though they did not specifically name China. さらに、名指しこそ避けたものの、中国を念頭に「地域の安全保障環境を不安定にし得る軍事上の能力を追求・獲得しないよう」求め、
The statement also underscores the need for freedom of navigation and access to space and cyberspace. 課題として「（海洋）航行の自由」や「宇宙及びサイバー空間の保護」などを挙げた。
In other words, the joint statement strongly warns China against its military expansion. 中国を強くけん制するトーンで貫かれている。
The deepening of the Japan-U.S. alliance with emphasis on bilateral security cooperation is undoubtedly effective for the stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the prevention of an unexpected situation such as the outbreak of an armed conflict. 安全保障協力に力点を置いた日米同盟の深化が、アジア太平洋地域の安定や不測の事態回避に有効であるのは間違いない。
It is of great significance that the two countries confirmed that they will continue their cooperation in ensuring peace and stability in the region following the transfer of power. 政権交代を経た両国が引き続き協調して対応することを確認した意味は大きい。
Still, it is obvious that they need to step up their diplomacy toward Beijing as the core of their China policy. とはいえ、「対中国」の柱が外交の強化でなければならないのは明らかだ。
To promote the strategic, reciprocal relationship that Japan and China are pursuing, Tokyo and Beijing should mend their bilateral relations strained by a Chinese fishing boat's collision with Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields based on efforts to enhance mutual trust at the political level. 日中両国が掲げる「戦略的互恵関係」の前進を図るには、尖閣諸島沖衝突事件で損なわれた両国関係の立て直しを急ぎ、相互の政治的信頼の増進を基礎としたさまざまなレベルでの交流や協調行動の拡大が必要である。
For now, the two countries should seek to resume defense cooperation and work out specific plans for cooperation amid times of natural disasters in Asia. 当面は防衛交流の再開やアジアの災害に対する協力の具体化などが挙げられる。
Moreover, it is beneficial for Japan to improve its relations with not only the United States but also Southeast Asian countries that have strained ties with Beijing. また、日米関係だけでなく、中国との間で課題を抱える東南アジア諸国との連携を強化することも有益である。
The promotion of such multilateral and multilayered diplomatic strategy toward China will be the basis for an improvement in bilateral ties. こうした重層的な対中外交戦略の構築こそが両国関係を前進させる基礎となる。
The joint statement declares that the two countries have abandoned completing the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa Prefecture before 2014 without setting a new deadline. 共同文書は、焦点の沖縄・米軍普天間飛行場の移設について、新たな期限を設けないまま「２０１４年までの移設完了」を断念する一方、
At the same time, however, it confirms the design of runways at a substitute facility to be built at an offshore area in the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, and its construction method. 同県名護市辺野古に建設する滑走路の形状と工法を確定させた。
However, it should be concluded that the relocation of the base to the Henoko district has become almost impossible as the Okinawa Prefectural Government has demanded that the facility be relocated out of the prefecture and U.S. Congress is making moves based on the assumption that the relocation plan will not be feasible. しかし、県外移設を求め、辺野古案に反発する沖縄や、同案は実現困難と見る米議会の動きを見れば、辺野古への移設はほぼ不可能になったと考えざるを得ない。
The Mainichi Shimbun has repeatedly insisted that the Japanese and the U.S. governments should review their agreement on the relocation plan and work out specific measures to eliminate the danger that Futenma base poses to the regional community until the base can be moved elsewhere. 毎日新聞は、移設先を含めて「日米合意」を見直すとともに、移設実現までの間、普天間周辺住民の危険性を除去する具体策を検討するよう主張してきた。両政府に重ねて求める。
During the two-plus-two meeting, Tokyo and Washington agreed that the United States can export sea-based interceptor missiles, which they are jointly developing as part of their missile defense system, to third countries. また、会合では日米が共同開発中の海上配備型迎撃ミサイルについて、米国から第三国への輸出を認めることで合意した。
However, this is feared to undermine Japan's ban on weapons exports. (日本の武器輸出三原則に抵触しないか）
The joint statement says the missile defense system must contribute to Japan's security as well as international peace and stability, and that it must not be transferred to third countries. 共同文書は、（１）日本の安全保障や国際の平和と安定に資する（２）第三国からの移転を防ぐ－－との基準を提示した。
The term "international peace and stability" is too vague. しかし、「国際の平和と安定」というのはあいまい過ぎる。
To prevent Japan's ban on weapon exports from being hollowed out, the two countries should work out stricter standards for operating the missile defense system. 武器輸出三原則をなし崩しで空洞化してはならない。厳格な基準を策定すべきである。
(Mainichi Japan) June 22, 2011 Sacrifices forced on rural sites of nuclear power plants do not bring true wealth 記者の目：原発を拒否した町が教えること＝山下貴史（和歌山支局）
◇だまされた国民の責任も問う
How does the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant appear to those who were once embroiled in disputes over the possible construction of a nuclear power plant in their backyard? 福島第１原発の事故を、かつて原発誘致に翻弄（ほんろう）された人々はどんな思いで見ているだろうか。
It is predicted that a major earthquake will hit Wakayama Prefecture, where I work, in the near future. 私が勤務する和歌山は近い将来、大地震が予想されている。
Talk of constructing nuclear power plants within the prefecture has emerged numerous times in the past, but thanks to the help of researchers from Kyoto University, such facilities do not exist. かつて和歌山でも誘致の是非をめぐっていくつもの町が揺れたが、京都大学の研究者らの助けもあり、ここに原発はない。
The reason for that is simple: we have no need for dangerous nuclear power plants. 「危険な原発はいらない」。理由は素朴であり、明快だ。
◇誘致が浮上し、親類も賛否二分
Most noteworthy of the cases in Wakayama were the protests against plant construction in the town of Hidaka and of Hikigawa, which has since been merged with Shirahama. 和歌山県で特筆すべきは日高町と旧日置川町（現白浜町）の誘致拒否だろう。
In Hidaka, the issue had been festering since 1967 when the then mayor revealed his vision for the construction of a nuclear power plant. 日高町では６７年、当時の町長が原発構想を表明して以来、この問題がくすぶった。
In 1988, the Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) offered the local fisheries cooperative some 700 million yen in compensation for surveys to be conducted in preparation for plant construction. 関西電力は８８年、設置に向けた調査に伴う漁業補償金など約７億円を地元漁協に提示。
Family members and relatives belonging to the cooperative were divided on the appropriate response, leading to opposing sides refusing to attend weddings, funerals, and boat-launching ceremonies. Kazumi Hama, 61, a fisherman who led anti-nuclear plant efforts said that family relationships suffered because of talk of a possible plant. 漁協内は兄弟、親戚で賛否が割れ、結婚式、葬式、漁船の進水式に出ないなど人間関係がずたずたになった。
"If nuclear power plants were safe, we wouldn't have had any infighting. 反対運動を率いた漁師、濱一己さん（６１）は「原発が安全なら、こんなこと（仲間内の争い）はない。
KEPCO weighed the lives of city dwellers against ours," he said. 関電は都会と田舎のおれらの命をてんびんにかけた」と憤る。
In Hikigawa, meanwhile, even students on school buses were split into pro-plant and anti-plant sections. 旧日置川町では、児童のスクールバスの座席までも原発賛否で分かれた。
According to Tomoaki Nishio, 59, the current head of the town council who was then against the construction of the power plants, the proposed site for the nuclear power plant had been privately-owned. 反対派の西尾智朗氏（５９）＝現白浜町議会議長＝によると、建設予定地はもともと民有地だったが
In 1973, however, the town's land development bureau bought the land, with the promise that it would "make the land into a quasi-national park and protect it from reckless development," and resold it to the municipal government. 「国定公園にして乱開発から守る」と町土地開発公社が７３年に買収、町に転売した。
When town government officials signed a sales contract with KEPCO, a man who had sold his land to the development bureau committed suicide. 町が関電と売買契約を結ぶと、土地を売った一人の男性が「裏切られた」と自殺した。
"My father was ashamed that he had been conned by the town government," a 78-year-old bereaved family member said. 遺族（７８）は「おやじは町にだまされたことを恥と思っていた」と悔しさをにじませる。
The question on the minds of all anti-nuclear plant residents was: "Why aren't nuclear power plants built in urban areas, where a massive amount of electricity is consumed every day?" 反対派に一貫しているのは「電気を大量消費する都会になぜ原発を建てないか」という疑問だ。
Sharing this same line of thinking, assistant professors Hiroaki Koide, 61, and Tetsuji Imanaka, 60, of Kyoto University's Research Reactor Institute supported anti-plant protests. 京都大学原子炉実験所（大阪府熊取町）の小出裕章助教（６１）や今中哲二助教（６０）ら研究者たちもこの疑問を共有し、反対運動を支えた。
Koide had gone to study at Tohoku University with the belief that nuclear power was going to be the world's future power source. 小出さんは原子力が未来のエネルギーになると信じ、東北大学に進学した。
However, he encountered the protests against the construction of Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Miyagi Prefecture, and switched over to an anti-nuclear power stand himself. だが、宮城県・女川原発建設に反対する運動に直面し、反原発に転じる。
"Nuclear power plants are dangerous facilities that cities refuse to build within their own borders, which is why they are built in sparsely-populated areas despite the cost of laying down power lines," Koide said. " 「原発は都会で引き受けられない危険なもので、送電線を敷くコストをかけても過疎地に建てる。
Once you realize that, there's only one choice. それに気付いたら選択肢は一つ。
There's no way we can allow such a thing." そんなものは許せない」と思った。
Imanaka, too, went to graduate school at Tokyo Institute of Technology with faith in the future of nuclear power, but ended up participating in protests against the construction of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture. 今中さんも原子力の未来を信じて東工大大学院に進んだが、新潟県柏崎刈羽原発の反対運動に参加した。
He found the power company's claim that nuclear power plants were safe and that they helped local economies dubious. 「絶対安全で地元も潤う」という電力会社の理屈にうさん臭さを感じた。
After the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, Imanaka's doubts about nuclear safety turned into conviction about its dangers. ７９年には米スリーマイル島原発事故が起き、安全性への懐疑は確信に変わった。
In a lawsuit seeking the reversal of permission given for the construction of Ikata Nuclear Power Plant in Ehime Prefecture, the two researchers served as expert witnesses for the plaintiffs' legal team. ２人は愛媛県・伊方原発の設置許可取り消し訴訟の原告弁護団に証人として協力し、研究者の立場から反原発を支持した。
They also visited Wakayama on numerous occasions to distribute anti-plant fliers. 和歌山にも何度もビラ配りに訪れた。
Koide's argument is clear-cut: machines sometimes break, and people sometimes make mistakes. 小出さんの論は明快だ。機械は時々壊れ、人は時々誤りを犯す。
It is only natural for nuclear power plants operated by people to break down. 人の動かす原発が壊れるのは当然。
When nuclear power plants break down, they cause catastrophes. 原発は壊れると破局をもたらす－－
As such, the accident in Fukushima was well within the scope of Koide's expectations. 福島の事故は小出さんにとって想定内だった。
And yet, the general public remained under the spell of the "safety myth," and arguments like his went ignored. しかし、世論は安全神話に支配され、「私のような意見はすべて無視され続けた」という。
Koide now blames himself for not having stopped the construction of nuclear power plants, but he also says that the public is "responsible for being duped." 今は原発を止められなかった自分を責めている。だが、小出さんは国民の「だまされた責任」もあると言う。
The phrase brings to mind the 1946 essay "Senso sekininsha no mondai" (The problem of who is responsible for the war), in which film director Mansaku Itami argued that the general public were partially responsible for the war, for having been "fooled." この言葉に、敗戦直後の１９４６年に、だまされた国民にも戦争責任があると断じた映画監督、伊丹万作のエッセー「戦争責任者の問題」を思い出した。
In the essay, the same man who had penned an extremely compassionate screenplay for the film "Muhomatsu no issho" (Rickshaw man), launched a social critique that cut at the very nature of mankind: 伊丹は人情味あふれる「無法松の一生」の脚本を書く一方で、人間の本質を突く社会評論を残している。
"Those who are okay with themselves saying they were 'deceived' will probably be deceived again and again. 「『だまされていた』といって平気でいられる国民なら、おそらく今後も何度でもだまされるだろう。
No, they are surely in the process of being taken in by new lies already." いや、現在でもすでに別のうそによってだまされ始めているにちがいない」（ちくま学芸文庫「伊丹万作エッセイ集」所収）
It is a matter of course that the national government and power companies that went around touting the "safety myth" are criticized. 「安全神話」を吹聴した国や電力会社が厳しく批判されるのは当然だが、
However, we must also hold the public accountable for its part in the disaster by falling for the myth. だまされた国民の責任からも目を背けてはならないと思う。
The public, through the work of politicians, has distributed millions of yen to rural areas as compensation for the use of their land -- 国民は政治を通じて、電源三法で多額の交付金を地方に配ってきた。
and it is that very distribution system and the safety myth that have forced people to live in danger, alongside nuclear power plants. その構造と安全神話が、原発周辺住民に危険と隣り合わせの生活を強いたからだ。
◇地方犠牲にした豊かさが幸せか
Hama said that there was a time, during the infighting at the fisheries cooperative, that the opposing blocs cooperated to search for a colleague who had gone missing at sea. 濱さんは賛否で割れた漁協が、海で遭難した仲間の捜索で協力したことがあったと教えてくれた。
The body was found a week later. 遺体は１週間後に見つかった。
It was these words from Hama that changed the mind of the Hidaka town mayor, who had been pushing for the construction of the nuclear power plant in their town: この言葉で町長は誘致推進を取りやめたという。
"There's a saying that 'for fishermen, hell is one plank away.' 「漁師はな、『板の一枚下地獄』と言うんや。
Those of us who work under such dangerous conditions have to get along. そんな所で働くもんは皆仲良くせなあかん。
Hey mayor, do you understand that?" 町長、お前にこの気持ちが分かるか」。
原発の建設候補地だった場所は海に面した緑の岬だ。岬を見渡す海岸に立ち海を望んだ。
Does forcing sacrifices upon rural residents and being dependent on nuclear power plants signify true wealth? 地方を犠牲にして原発に依存し、豊かさにひたることが幸せなのか－－。
What we should be aspiring to as a society seems clear enough. 目指すべき社会の姿は、はっきりしていると思う。
(Mainichi Japan) June 21, 2011 Gov't must stop forcing sacrifices on citizens and establish sensible policy 火論：背に腹は、の前に＝玉木研二 ＜ｋａ－ｒｏｎ＞
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant warns that Japan's complexity of organizations may slow its response at times of emergency. 日本の複雑な体制や組織が緊急時の意思決定を遅らせる可能性がある、と福島第１原発事故処理をめぐり国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の報告書は不信感を表したという。
We can't brush aside such a warning as mere meddling. Indeed, the country's decision-making mechanism, shouldering of responsibility, and actions are all operating separately without linking to each other. 余計なお世話だと言えないところがつらい。意思の骨、責任の関節、実行の筋肉がつながらず、ばらばらに動く。 As such, it is only natural to suggest that this situation is the result of a structural flaw -- and not an unfortunate coincidence. 偶然そんな取り合わせになったという不運ではなく、構造的欠陥を疑うのは当然だ。
It is unlikely that malicious intent had anything to do with the delays in the government's reaction to the nuclear crisis. そのもたつきに「悪意」は介在していないだろう。
Rather, the delays represent a rigid structural climate that includes elusion, vertical sectionalism and exclusion, and scattered responsibility. つかみどころのないあやふやさ。縦割りと排他、責任散在という、いわば硬直した組織風土の表れではないか。
Evasion of responsibility is often seen at times of war. つかみどころのない無責任は戦争にしばしば現れる。
Many of you probably have seen the film "Judgment at Nuremberg," based on the Judges' Trial of the Nuremburg war crime tribunal accusing several judges of cooperating with the Nazis. 「ニュールンベルグ裁判」という名画を見た方は多いだろう。第二次大戦後、ナチ戦犯裁判のうちナチ協力の判事らを被告にした法廷を題材に、スタンリー・クレイマー監督がメガホンをとった米劇映画（１９６１年）だ。
Directed by Stanley Kramer in 1961, the American film portrays the pitfalls of irresponsibility, self-righteousness and the ability to adapt that people can fall into, even if they are rational members of the justice system. 理性あるはずの司法界の知識人らも陥っていく無責任と独善、状況適応の落とし穴を描く。
裁判長は諭す。
"If the defendants were all depraved perverts -- if the leaders of the Third Reich were sadistic monsters and maniacs -- these events would have no more moral significance than an earthquake or other natural catastrophes," the judge in the movie says. " 「被告がただ邪悪な変質者で第三帝国の指導者たちが怪物だったというだけなら天災のようなもの。
But this trial has shown that under the stress of a national crisis, men -- even able and extraordinary men -- can delude themselves into the commission of crimes and atrocities so vast and heinous as to stagger the imagination. No one who has sat through this trial can ever forget." そうではない。忘れてはならない。普通の人も優れた人も容易にこうしたことにかかわった」
The film shows that with heightening tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, there are unexpected political interventions, and fears of a military conflict. 思わぬ政治介入の動きも出る。米ソ対立の緊張が高まったのだ。軍事衝突の恐れも生じた。
Because the U.S. military does not want to antagonize Germans, it applies pressure on the court in a roundabout way to be lenient toward the defendants. ドイツ人の反感を買いたくない米軍は、被告に寛大な措置をするよう法廷に遠回しに圧力をかけてくる。
The circumstances in the film have the same feel as the current situation in Japan, where the government has called for the restart of nuclear reactors currently suspended out of fears that otherwise Japan's summertime electricity demand will not be met, even though there is no end in sight to the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima power plant. これには今政府が電力供給不安から、原発事故収束の見通しがないまま「原発再稼働」要請に踏み切るのと通じる空気が感じられる。
The line of thinking is that certain "small" things have to be sacrificed to secure "bigger" guarantees. 背に腹は、という空気である。
In order to break free from our dependence on nuclear power, society must undertake broad and tireless discussions to change the course of energy and cultivate a sensible philosophy. 原発依存から踏み出すには、エネルギーの質転換が社会に広く根気強く語られ、地に着いた理念を醸成することが必要だ。
You could call it a shift in values. 価値転換といってもいい。
It might be out of habit that the soldiers in the film put military prowess over the pursuit of justice. 映画で軍人が「正義」追求より「軍事」を優先したのは習性だろうが、
It is rather dubious for the Japanese government to suggest that "small" things have to be sacrificed for "bigger" purposes without making thorough efforts to establish safety measures or verify what happened. 原発の安全対策や検証も徹底せぬまま「背に腹は」的空気に包まれたのでは、心もとない。
In the film, the judge presiding over the case does not hold back, and metes out a heavy sentence. 映画ではスペンサー・トレーシー演じる裁判長は手加減せず、厳しい判決を下す。
As an aside, the great thing about this film is that it does not provide us with a simple explanation on what is right or wrong, with a clean ending denouncing all evil. 余談だが、この作品が優れているのは正邪を明らかにして断罪し大団円、といった単純なものではないからだ。
We are even made to become skeptical of the U.S. as the embodiment of justice in World War II. 果たしてアメリカは正義の具現者かという疑念もにじむ。
Maximilian Schell won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the defense attorney, who brought up what the U.S. did in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 「広島、長崎で彼らは何をしたか」などと戦勝国の矛盾や不問の残虐行為を突き、被告の弁護人を熱演したマクシミリアン・シェルは、この作品でアカデミー賞の主演男優賞を得た。
(Mainichi Japan) June 20, 2011 Preventing radiation contamination more important than TEPCO's stock prices 風知草：株価より汚染防止だ＝山田孝男
Some people have suggested that I start to write about something other than nuclear power plants, but with the situation as it is, that's not going to happen. そろそろ原発以外の話題をとり上げたらどうかと心配してくださる向きもあるが、そうもいかない。
The crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is still not over. 福島原発震災は収束どころか、
Far from it, there are signs that it is getting worse. 拡大の兆しが見える。
I can't stand by and look at the political situation without focusing on this serious event. この大事と無関係に政局を展望することはできない。
One figure who has entered the public spotlight in the wake of the nuclear crisis is 61-year-old Hiroaki Koide, an assistant professor at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute and a controversialist in the anti-nuclear debate. 京大原子炉実験所の小出裕章助教（６１）といえば、いま最も注目されている反原発の論客の一人だ。
A specialist in nuclear power, Koide has garnered attention as a persistent researcher who has sounded the alarm over the dangers of this form of energy without seeking fame. 原発が専門だが、名利を求めず、原発に警鐘を鳴らし続けてきた不屈の研究者として脚光を浴びている。
In a TV Asahi program on June 16, Koide made the following comment: その小出が１６日、テレビ朝日の番組に登場し、こう発言して反響がひろがった。
"As far as I can tell from the announcements made by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the nuclear fuel that has melted down inside reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant has gone through the bottom of the containers, which are like pressure cookers, and is lying on the concrete foundations, sinking into the ground below. 「東京電力の発表を見る限り、福島原発の原子炉は、ドロドロに溶けた核燃料が、圧力鍋のような容器の底を破ってコンクリートの土台にめり込み、地下へ沈みつつある。
We have to install a barrier deep in the soil and build a subterranean dam as soon as possible to prevent groundwater contaminated with radioactive materials from leaking into the ocean." 一刻も早く周辺の土中深く壁をめぐらせて地下ダムを築き、放射性物質に汚染された地下水の海洋流出を食い止めねばならない」
His comment captured public interest and when I asked a high-ranking government official about it, the official said that construction of an underground dam was indeed being prepared. さっそく政府高官に聞いてみると、いかにも地下ダムの建設を準備中だという。
But when I probed further, I found that the project was in limbo due to opposition from TEPCO. ところが、さらに取材すると、東電の反対で計画が宙に浮いている実態がわかった。
Sumio Mabuchi, an aide to Prime Minister Naoto Kan who is dealing with nuclear power plant issues, holds the same concerns as those expressed by Koide and has sought an announcement on construction of an underground dam, but TEPCO has resisted such a move. 原発担当の馬淵澄夫首相補佐官は小出助教と同じ危機感を抱き、地下ダム建設の発表を求めたが、東電が抵抗している。
The reason is funding. 理由は資金だ。
It would cost about 100 billion yen to build such a dam, but there is no guarantee that the government would cover the amount. ダム建設に１０００億円かかる。国が支払う保証はない。
If an announcement were made and TEPCO were seen as incurring more liabilities, then its shares would fall once again, and the company might not be able to make it through its next general shareholders' meeting. 公表して東電の債務増と受け取られれば株価がまた下がり、株主総会を乗り切れぬというのである。
In my possession, I have a copy of the guidelines that TEPCO presented to the government on how to handle press releases. 筆者の手もとに、東電が政府に示した記者発表の対処方針と応答要領の写しがある。
The title of the document, dated June 13, is "Underground boundary' -- Regarding the press." ６月１３日付で表題は「『地下バウンダリ』プレスについて」。バウンダリ（ｂｏｕｎｄａｒｙ）は境界壁、つまり地下ダムだ。プレスは記者発表をさしている。
It is split into five categories on how to handle the announcement of construction of an underground boundary. 対処方針は５項目。
In essence, it says, "We are considering the issue under the guidance of prime ministerial aide Mabuchi, but we don't want to be seen as having excess liabilities, so we're keeping the details confidential." 要約すれば「馬淵補佐官ご指導の下、検討を進めているが、市場から債務超過と評価されたくないので詳細は内密に」だ。
Possibly the silliest response to envisaged questions from reporters is TEPCO's suggestion for a reply to the question, "Why hasn't construction been quickly started?" 応答要領の中でも愚答の極みは「なぜ早く着工せぬ」という質問に対するもので、ぬけぬけとこう書いている。
The response reads: "Underground water flows at a speed of about 5 to 10 centimeters a day, so we have more than a year before it reaches the shore." 「地下水の流速は１日５センチメートルから１０センチメートルなので、沿岸に達するまで１年以上の時間的猶予があると考えている」
Initially an announcement on the underground barrier was due to be made to the press on June 14, but it was put off until after TEPCO's general shareholders meeting on June 28. 記者発表は１４日のはずだったが、東電の株主総会（２８日）の後へ先送りされた。
In the meantime, the state of the nuclear power plant continues to deteriorate and radioactive materials are eerily spreading and contaminating the area around the plant. 福島原発の崩壊は続き、放射性物質による周辺の環境汚染が不気味に広がっている。
Which is more important: upholding share prices or stopping pollution? 株価の維持と汚染防止のどちらが大切か。
The Japanese political and business world has sunk to a level where it can't even answer such a question. その判断もつかない日本政財界の現状である。
One government official recently commented, "I think I can understand now why the leaders during the war couldn't precisely and steadily accomplish their strategies." 政府当局者の一人がこう言った。「あの（太平洋）戦争でなぜ、指導部が的確、着実に作戦を遂行できなかったか。いまは分かる気がします」
Today, announcements from the "imperial headquarters" -- namely TEPCO's releases on its roadmap for bringing the nuclear crisis under control, which nobody believes -- are still being issued. 誰も信じない、東電の「収束に向けた工程表」という大本営発表が続いている。
Some people have compared Kan to former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, because he yells at his subordinates over the smallest details. 菅直人を東条英機になぞらえる向きがある。万事に細かく部下を怒鳴るからだ。
Tojo resigned in July 1944, after the fall of Saipan, when it had become likely that Japan would lose the war. 東条はサイパン島陥落で敗戦濃厚となった１９４４年７月退陣。
His successor, Kuniaki Koiso, was in office for 8 1/2 months before being replaced by Kantaro Suzuki. After this, two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and then the war ended after a decision from the Emperor. 後継首相の小磯国昭が８カ月半。さらに鈴木貫太郎に代わり、原爆を二つ落とされ、天皇の聖断を仰いで戦争は終わった。
Why wasn't an armistice quickly implemented to put an end to further wartime damage? なぜ、早く停戦して戦禍の拡大を防げなかったか。
It was because impossible solutions to Japan's situation in the war were flying about, common sense was lost, and the government was slow to reach a decision. 無理筋の戦局打開案が飛び交い、常識が見失われ、国の意思決定が遅れたからだ。
Yet the same sort of situation has arisen today. 今と似ている。
The most important issue now is preventing contamination from radiation. いま最も大事な課題は放射能汚染阻止だ。
We need leaders who can focus on the core issue without being swayed by empty theory. 空論に惑わされず、核心へ集中するリーダーシップが求められている。
(Mainichi Japan) June 19, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: It's okay for doctors to cry, too 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：医者の涙もけっこう ／東京
It's now been about 100 days since the March 11 earthquake. 大震災から約１００日。
For those within the disaster-hit areas, and even for those without, these 100 days have likely been an unparalleled time of tears. 被災地の人たちはもちろん、被災地以外の人にとっても、こんなにたくさんの涙を流した１００日はなかったのではないだろうか。
We can try to cheer up people gripped by sadness by encouraging them to stop crying, but lately psychiatric medicine has been moving to the view that "crying is not a bad thing." 悲しみに暮れている人を「もう泣くのはやめよう」と励ますこともあるが、最近は精神医学的にも「泣くのは悪いことではない」ということになりつつある。
By facing the truth squarely, accepting the emotions that appear and expressing them, people take their first steps toward recovery. つらい現実ともきちんと向き合い、そこでわき起こる感情を認め、それを表現することが、立ち直りの第一歩だからだ。
What about crying in a psychiatrist's consultation room? では、診察室での涙はどうなのだろう。
For patients, of course, it is not unusual to cry while sharing emotional stories, but I'd like to talk about when the tears come from the psychiatrist. もちろん患者さんがいろいろな話をしながら泣いてしまうことはめずらしくないが、この場合は「医者の涙」だ。
I've been told that as we age, we start to cry more easily. 「年を取ると涙腺がゆるんで、よく泣くようになる」と言われ、
Well, it seems to be happening to me, and until recently I did all I could to avoid crying while seeing patients. 私自身もそうなりつつあり、これまで診察室では極力、涙を流さないようにしてきた。
It was my feeling that a professional psychiatrist mustn't be caught up in patients' emotions. 患者さんの感情に巻き込まれてしまうのは、心の医療のプロとしてやってはいけないことと思っていたからだ。
However, that feeling is vanishing. ところが、その原則も崩れつつある。
Now, when I hear patients talk about being with family members at their death, or about being abused as children, I find my own eyes tearing up as I try to comfort them. 家族を見送った人の話、子ども時代に虐待を受けたという人の話などを聞いていると、「そうだったんですか」と言いながら目がうるんでしまう。
It's not only sad stories that bring tears. 悲しいときばかりではない。
The other day, a patient told me that they were taking care of a pet that was found wandering in the disaster area. 先日は、患者さんから「実は被災地で迷子になったペットを預かっている」という話を聞かされ、
I was deeply moved by this patient who, despite having an illness, had taken on the animal. 「自分も体調が悪いのにすごい！」と感動の涙を流してしまった。
When a doctor cries in front of a patient, I'm sure the patient is both surprised and unsure of how to respond. 医者が涙を浮かべると、もちろん患者さんはビックリし、戸惑うはずだ。
Some people would put a halt to their story out of consideration for the doctor, but such a result is not good for treatment. 中には気をつかって、これ以上、話をするのをやめようとする人もいる。そうなると治療的にはあまり好ましくない。
However, I have come to think that, as long as a doctor is not completely swallowed by emotion, he or she needn't completely refuse to cry. ただ、思わず涙がこみ上げてきた場合は、感情の嵐にのみ込まれない範囲でなら、それをあえて否定しなくてもいいのではないか、とも思うようになってきた。
After taking a brief moment to collect oneself, the doctor can then encourage the patient: "Please, continue." As long as a doctor can do that, I think tears can be forgiven. 「ごめんなさい。でも、あまりにひどい話なんでつい……」と目頭を押さえ、「さあ、先を続けて」と話を促す。そうできるなら「医者の涙」も許されるのではないか。
After coming back from the disaster areas, some doctors have told me that they couldn't help but shed tears after encountering the overwhelming tragedy there. 被災地に支援に行った医師や歯科医から、「あまりの悲惨な現実に泣いてしまった。
They asked me whether I thought that was unfitting behaviour for medical professionals. これって医療関係者として失格？」と尋ねられたこともある。
Had it been the me of 10 years ago, I may have answered that I thought it wasn't good for them to have cried. １０年前の私なら「泣くのはよくないですね」と答えたかもしれないが、
But now, I would say that as long as it doesn't interfere with your work as a professional, there is no problem with showing either tears or laughter. いまは違う。プロとしての仕事に支障を来さないなら、涙も笑いもおおいにけっこう。そう思うのだ。
(Mainichi Japan) June 18, 2011 Mountain of problems still remains before Fukushima plant brought under control 社説：原発工程表 課題は山積したままだ
One cannot help but wonder how far efforts being made by the national government and Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) to bring the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant under control have progressed. 福島第１原発は事故収束に向け、いったい何合目付近にいるのか。
Two months have passed since TEPCO first unveiled a roadmap for bringing the crippled plant under control, but various problems that have occurred since then show the roadmap was overly optimistic. 東京電力の工程表が示されてから２カ月。当初の見通しの甘さが次々と明らかになり、先の見えない状況が続いている。
Uncertainty over the current state of the power plant and when it could be brought under control continues to disrupt the lives of locals. 原発の現状把握と収束の見通しの不透明さは、周辺の人々の暮らしも揺さぶり続けている。
Many people probably wonder whether the wisdom and power of Japan and the rest of the world are effectively being brought together and applied in the ongoing efforts at the plant. 日本の総力、世界の知恵が現場に結集されているのか、不安に思う人も多いだろう。
The government and TEPCO recently announced updated roadmaps on bringing the Fukushima plant under control and supporting people affected by it, and they talked about how far measures in the roadmaps have been implemented. 政府や東電は工程表の改定と進捗（しんちょく）状況を公表したが、
However, they should also give a more general overview of the current situation of the nuclear power station and the outlook for stabilization of the plant, not just talk about specific measures. 個別の対策だけでなく、現状と見通しの全体像を示してほしい。
It would also be good to give an updated assessment of the level of risk involving the plant. 現在の原発のリスクがどの程度なのかも、改めて示すべきではないか。
At the Fukushima plant, of great concern now is how to treat radioactive water collected in the reactor and turbine buildings. 現時点の大きな懸念材料は、原子炉建屋やタービン建屋にたまっている放射性物質で汚染された水の処理だ。
The massive volume of the water, which is estimated to be at over 100,000 cubic meters, is obstructing work at the plant, and if removal of the contaminated water is delayed, it could leak into the ground around the structures or into the sea. 総量は１０万立方メートルを超すとみられ、現場での作業を阻む。処理が遅れると、汚染水が建屋周辺や海に漏れ出してしまう恐れがある。
TEPCO has been setting up a system that includes parts from French and U.S. makers to decontaminate the radioactive water and return it to the reactors, which would allow cooling of the nuclear fuel without bringing in water from the outside, which could leak and increase the amount of trapped radioactive water. 東電は汚染水を浄化して原子炉に戻す「循環注水冷却システム」の構築をフランスや米国の装置を組み合わせながら進めてきた。 汚染水を増やさずに核燃料を冷却する苦肉の策だが、
However, running of the system has been delayed after a water leak and other problems. 装置の水漏れなどで稼働が遅れ続けた。
Further delay-causing problems could occur if TEPCO does not first ferret out and correct their root causes. たび重なるトラブルの根本的な原因がどこにあるのか。きちんと解明した上でこの先の冷却システムの構築を進めないと、さらに作業が遅れる恐れがある。
Furthermore, although the water circulation system has started now, how long should it be run? 循環注水冷却システムが稼働しても、それをいつまで続ければいいのか。
It is also not clear what officials mean when they refer to stability of the plant, when we have not only a meltdown in the inner containment vessels, but the possibility of melted fuel having made its way to the outer containment vessels. メルトダウンどころか、溶融燃料が格納容器にまで漏れ出している可能性がある中で、「原発の安定」が何を意味するのかも、もうひとつはっきりしない。
Dealing with the highly radioactive waste sludge that will be left after cleansing the radioactive water is another problem, and since Japan is encountering this and other issues with the nuclear disaster for the first time, work has had to start from the research and development phase. 汚染水処理の後に残る高濃度の汚泥の処理も難題だ。初めての経験だけに研究開発から始めなくてはならない。
According to the roadmap, TEPCO will aim to store the radioactive sludge and will evaluate the construction of shielding walls to keep radioactive water from contaminating nearby groundwater and nearby sea in mid-July or later, but the utility and the government should take quicker action. 工程表は、汚泥の保管・管理や、地下水による海の汚染を防ぐ遮蔽（しゃへい）壁の検討を７月中旬以降の課題と位置づけたが、もっと早い対応が必要ではないか。
Measures to minimize nuclear plant workers' exposure to radiation and improve their medical care have been incorporated into the updated roadmap and are important steps needed to support workers at the plant for the years to come. 今回、新たに工程表に盛り込まれた作業員の放射線管理と医療体制の改善は、今後、何年にもわたる作業を続けるための要でもある。
Workers who had internal exposure to high levels of radiation were recently revealed, but it was months after their exposure. 今ごろになって高い内部被ばくが明らかになってきているが、
The government and TEPCO need to speed up full measurements of workers' exposures to radiation and efforts to minimize their exposure. もっと迅速に全身測定と被ばく管理を進めるべきだ。
Another problem is that the evacuation of residents near the power plant is still confused. 周辺住民の避難対策も混乱が続いている。
Although it is important to take care of residents near "hot spots" -- areas of relatively high levels of radiation including ones far from the plant -- the government also needs to give clear guidance to residents in areas that fall under designated evacuation zones while only having had low levels of radiation detected. 避難区域以外でも局所的に線量の高いホットスポット地域の対策は重要だが、一方で、緊急時避難準備区域に指定されながら線量の低い地域の対策も急がれる。
The central government and TEPCO may not have changed the time frames for their roadmaps, but the fact is that a massive number of issues remain to be addressed before the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is brought under control. 政府も東電も工程表の目標達成時期を変えていないが、課題は山積したままだ。
2011/06/17 -- The Asahi Shimbun, June 16, 2011 EDITORIAL: Government must support prefectures' redevelopment plans 震災復興特区―１国２制度の意気で
More than three months since the Great East Japan Earthquake, local governments in affected areas are beginning to come up with plans for reconstruction while still working overtime to deal with the aftermath of the calamity. 東日本大震災から３カ月余り。被災した自治体は復旧作業に追われつつ、復興への構想をまとめ始めた。
Miyagi and Iwate prefectures have presented their plans to create special zones for regional redevelopment to the central government's council on post-disaster reconstruction. 宮城、岩手両県は、それぞれ復興特区構想を政府の復興構想会議に示した。
The two prefectures envision special zones to relocate devastated communities to areas on high ground, promote local industries, develop local transportation networks and build new medical, welfare and education facilities. The local governments are calling on the state to support these plans by providing special subsidies and unifying and simplifying the related administrative procedures that are cumbersome and highly bureaucratic. 高台への移住を核とするまちづくりや産業再興、交通網や医療・福祉、教育の整備などで、国からの補助金を手厚くしたり、省庁の縦割りに伴う様々な手続きを一本化・簡素化したりすることを求めている。
The central government has a duty to respond positively to these requests. 要望に応えていくことは国の責任だろう。
Notable about the two prefecture's special zone proposals is that they include ideas that could lead to solutions to some key policy challenges facing the entire nation. 両県の特区構想で注目したいのは、日本全体が抱える課題への突破口になりうる案が含まれていることだ。
Miyagi Prefecture, for instance, has come up with a plan to establish a special zone for rebuilding the battered local fisheries industry by allowing private-sector companies to enter the business of off-shore fishing, which is now effectively monopolized by local fishery cooperatives. 宮城県は水産業復興特区として、漁協がほぼ独占している沿岸漁業への民間企業の参入を打ち出した。
The plan is aimed at tapping the financial and intellectual resources of the private sector to revitalize the fisheries sector, which is struggling with the familiar problems of an aging workforce and a shortage of young fishermen. 後継者がいないまま高齢化が進む地元漁業に、民間の資金や知恵を呼び込むのが狙いだ。
While the local fishery cooperatives are opposed to the proposal, Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai is strongly committed to the idea. 漁協は反発しているが、村井嘉浩知事は強い意欲を示している。
In contrast to the deregulation zone plan for the fishery industry, the prefecture's special zone proposal to rebuild local agriculture and farming villages calls for tighter regulation. 農業・農村モデル創出特区では、漁業とは逆に規制強化を訴える。
It would restrict the use of farmland by the landowners and tenants and put the land under municipal control for a certain period of time for the development of agricultural infrastructure and distribution of the land by the local governments. 農地の所有者や借地人の土地利用を制限し、市町村などが一定期間管理して基盤整備し、土地を配分するという案だ。
The proposal is aimed at promoting larger-scale and more efficient agriculture. 大規模で効率的な農業を目指す考えが土台にある。
Iwate Prefecture has proposed a "Tohoku international science and technology research special zone." 岩手県は「ＴＯＨＯＫＵ国際科学技術研究特区」を掲げる。
It would create a special zone for cutting-edge research in the three areas of ocean, disaster prevention and energy. 海洋、防災、エネルギーの３分野で先端研究ゾーンを造ろうと、
The prefecture is pressing the central government to ease the regulations concerning housing, education and residence status to make it easier to invite foreign researchers to work in the special zone. 海外の研究者を呼び込むために住まいや教育、在留資格などで規制緩和を求めている。
To help realize these proposals, it is vital for the state to give the local governments both the powers and revenue sources needed. 構想を実現するには、自治体に権限と財源をセットで確保することが欠かせない。
In Japan, the first major special zone program was launched by the administration of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to promote his structural reform initiative. 特区では、小泉内閣が始めた構造改革特区が知られる。
The program is still alive with the continuing designation of areas as new special deregulation zones. 特区の認定は今も続いており、
The number of such special zones has surpassed 1,100. １１００を超えた。
But this program brings the benefits of deregulation only to specific industries and businesses, as symbolized by the "doburoku (raw sake) special zone." しかし、「どぶろく特区」に象徴される通り、規制緩和の効果は個別の分野・事業に限られる。
These special zones are all very small in both scale and scope. いかにも小粒だ。
The two main factors behind this are the system for designation that requires negotiations with the ministries and agencies regulating the industries and businesses involved and the lack of fiscal and tax incentives. 権限を持つ省庁と交渉してから認定する仕組みになっていることと、財政・税制の優遇措置を欠いたことが原因だ。
The special zone proposals put forward by Miyagi and Iwate prefectures require effective coordination among the multiple ministries and agencies involved. 宮城、岩手両県の特区構想は複数の省庁にまたがる。
And effective fiscal and tax incentives are also needed to support their efforts. 財政・税制上の後押しも必要だろう。
The proposals should prompt the central government to make a comprehensive review of the related laws and regulations. 構想を出発点に、一括して規制や法律を見直すことだ。
One key step would be to scrap the current state subsidies for specific local government expenditures based on the rigid division of powers and responsibilities among ministries and agencies and introduce instead a new program to provide prefectures and municipalities with state funds they can use freely over several years. 省庁縦割りの補助金から、使い道を自由に決められ、数年度にわたって支出できる一括交付金に切り替える。
The special zones in disaster areas should be supported by more powerful measures than simple incentives for investment, such as exempting companies operating in these zones from corporate taxation for a certain period of time. 特区内の企業は法人税を一定期間免除するなど、
These zones should be put under a different set of regulations according to a sort of "one country, two systems" approach. 投資優遇を超えた「１国２制度」的な措置に踏み込めないか。
Localities should be allowed and encouraged to take the initiative in the efforts to shape a new future for the nation. 地方が主導権を握りつつ、あすの日本を切り開く。
The ideas for reconstruction in disaster-hit areas proposed by local governments in the areas should be fully respected. 現場発の構想を大切にしたい。
(Mainichi Japan) June 16, 2011 Game of chicken over Kan resignation threatens chaos during Japan's time of crisis 木語：原発事故政局を疑う＝金子秀敏 ＜ｍｏｋｕ－ｇｏ＞
The push to oust Prime Minister Naoto Kan has made me distinctly uncomfortable lately. 昨今の菅降ろしが、どうも腑（ふ）に落ちない。
The opposition parties have been calling on Kan to step down -- and soon -- for his failure to handle the Fukushima nuclear crisis. 菅直人首相では原発事故の処理ができないと野党が退陣を要求している。
Top figures in the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) such as Secretary-General Katsuya Okada and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano have also spoken openly of Kan stepping down. 政権与党の岡田克也幹事長や枝野幸男官房長官まで任命権者である党代表・首相の退陣を口にする。
DPJ Acting President Yoshito Sengoku has even said Kan would be gone within the month while he was reportedly sharing his personal opinions with opposition party executives over who could be the next prime minister. 仙谷由人官房副長官などは「月内退陣」を公言し、野党幹部と次の首相を私議したという。まさに乱世だ。
These are indeed troubled times -- but not just troubled.
Something about this whole situation is strange. だが変だ。
I have to ask: When and how did Naoto Kan fail to deal with the nuclear disaster? 菅首相はいつ、どのように事故処理に失敗したのか。
What measures could any other prime minister have implemented? だれが首相なら、どのような対策ができるか。
No-one has yet to say anything on these questions. だれも言わない。
For a short while, critics fixed on the alleged prime ministerial order to halt cooling operations at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant in the turbulent hours after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. 一時、海水注入を中断させたと騒がれたが、
It turned out that there was never such an order. 事実ではなかった。
The only thing both the opposition and ruling parties are talking about is when: when Kan will vacate the prime minister's residence. 与野党が論じているのはもっぱら退陣の時期である。
Even Kan himself, trying to fend off calls for an early exit, has sought to muddy the timetable for his exit by saying he would stay on "until a certain point in resolving the crisis has been reached." 菅首相も、事故処理に「一定のめどがつくまで」と、退陣時期をぼかして防戦している。
Perhaps the real reason for the attempts to oust Kan has nothing to do with how he dealt with the nuclear crisis. 菅降ろしの理由は、ほんとうは原発事故対応の失敗ではないのではないか。
Let's have a look back to before the disaster, at the March 4 House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, and the March 11 accounting committee meeting of the same chamber. ３月１１日の東日本大震災の前に戻ってみる。
At the March 4 committee, then Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, and Government Revitalization Minister Renho were assailed by members of the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over alleged donations from a suspect in a tax evasion case. ３月４日の参院予算委、１１日の参院決算委員会だ。 予算委では自民党議員が、前原誠司外相、野田佳彦財務相、蓮舫行政刷新担当相を脱税事件の容疑者から献金を受けたとして攻めた。
Maehara was also attacked for taking a donation from a foreign resident, and resigned from his portfolio two days later. 前原氏は在日外国人からの献金も突かれ、２日後に外相を辞任した。
At the March 11 accounting meeting, before the shaking of the Great East Japan Earthquake started, suspicion was also cast on Kan for taking donations from a foreign national -- forbidden under Japan's political funding laws. 決算委では菅首相が外国人献金疑惑を追及された。
Kan opponents were beginning to craft a knock-out punch in the upper house that week, with dodgy political donations as its driving force. 参院で菅政権打倒の「献金政局」が始まった－－
And then the earthquake came, freezing speculation and suspicion in its tracks. そのとたん大震災で疑惑追及は止まった。
During the June 3 upper house budget committee meeting, however, the LDP revived accusations of illicit donations to the prime minister, finance minister and revitalization minister. ６月３日、自民党は参院予算委で首相、財務相、行政刷新相の献金追及を再開した。
The opposition apparently intends to pry deeper before the end of the session on June 22, including calling on witnesses to testify in the chamber. ２２日の会期末まで、参考人招致などで菅首相らを追及するらしい。
So, perhaps it is all this that really crippled the Kan Cabinet, not the nuclear crisis. とすれば菅政権が追いつめられているのはこの問題ではないか。
If the LDP can confirm the illicit donations to the ministers, then a number of bills including a vital special law on public debt will not pass the upper house. 自民党は、献金を認めなければ公債特例法案などを参院で通さない。
If the upper house votes to censure the ministers, then parliamentary business will grind to a halt. 問責決議なら国会は止まる。
Furthermore, if the prime minister admits to taking donations from a foreigner, he will be pushed to resign from the Diet entirely. 首相が献金を認めれば議員辞職を迫る。
Years ago, when a postal reform bill was rejected by the upper house while Junichiro Koizumi was prime minister, Koizumi dissolved the House of Representatives and held an election. かつて小泉純一郎首相は参院で郵政改革法案を否決されて衆院を解散した。
Dissolution of the Diet was his trump card, but one that's impossible to play now. 解散は切り札だ。
Northeast Japan remains a disaster zone and is incapable of carrying out an election. だがいまは東北地方で選挙ができない。
If the Diet was dissolved today, Japan would descend into chaos. 解散したら日本は大混乱だ。
However, even with such terrible repercussions possible, if Kan and the LDP continue their game of chicken, dissolution is possible. しかし、そんなことはかまわずに自民党と菅首相がチキンゲームを続けるなら解散の可能性はある。
Both ruling and opposition party members of the lower house find the idea frightening. 衆院議員は与野党とも解散が怖い。
If the donations issue came to dominate the political situation, then Kan would have nowhere to run. 献金政局を表に出すと首相は逃げ場を失うので、
So, perhaps to avoid the dangers of Diet dissolution, the nuclear crisis is being used to give Kan the chance of an "honorable resignation." 原発処理を口実に辞任する「名誉ある撤退」でおさめようとしているのではないか。
However, Kan refuses to give up the game of chicken. ところが首相はチキンゲームをやめない。
Containing the leak of radioactive material from the Fukushima plant is priority No. 1, and no-one in Japan is applauding the LDP's muckraking over alleged illicit political donations in this time of national crisis. 原発から漏れる放射能を封じ込めるのが最優先の、こんな非常時に献金疑惑の追及をする自民党に国民は拍手しない。
Maybe that's what Kan is thinking as well as he clings to his post. そう首相は考えているのかもしれない。
If this were indeed the case, I would feel more at ease. こう読めば腑に落ちる。
(Mainichi Japan) June 15, 2011 Japan's renewable energy plans: Chasing rabbits using solar power? 水説：ウサギ狩りの効率＝潮田道夫 ＜ｓｕｉ－ｓｅｔｓｕ＞
Some readers may have heard of the "rabbit limit," a term coined by Swedish environmental researcher Folke Guenther that relates to energy use. We can explain it as follows: 「ウサギの限界則」というのをご存じ？ フォルケ・ギュンターというスウェーデンの環境学者の造語である。
Suppose there were only humans and rabbits in the world, and people had to rely on rabbits as a food source. この世に人間とウサギしかいないとする。あなたはウサギを食料とするほかない。
If a person spent all their energy chasing rabbits, when they caught one they may not get enough energy from the meat to survive. だが、追いかけ回して疲労困憊（こんぱい）したのでは、ウサギを捕まえても、その肉から得られるカロリーでは栄養が足りず命をつないでいけない。
The energy spent chasing the rabbits would have to be lower than the amount of energy obtained from eating them for a person to keep living. ウサギ捕りに投資するエネルギーは、ウサギを食って得られるエネルギー未満でないといけない。それが生死を分ける。
This "rabbit limit" teaches us the importance of energy return on investment. エネルギーの回収効率の重要性を教えている。
However, humans have found a way around the rabbit limit, Guenther says. しかし、ウラ技があるのですね。
If a person used a petrol-powered buggy, they could catch rabbits more easily and have energy to spare, thanks to the energy provided by fossil fuels. 石油を燃料にバギーカーでウサギを追えば、楽に捕獲できる。自分の体力を消耗せずに済み、エネルギーの損得でおつりがくる。
The reason modern civilization has thrived is that is has a large amount of surplus energy. 現代の文明がここまで栄えているのは、その「おつり」が大きいからだ。
On this point, one would think that nuclear power would far surpass petroleum, but as we have seen with the nuclear crisis in Fukushima, far from having a surplus, we have been left with a shortage of energy. 原子力が石油を上回るかに見えたが、おつりどころか借金の山を作ったのはご存じのとおり。
In terms of quality of energy, nothing surpasses fossil fuels such as petroleum. 石油などの化石燃料ほどエネルギーの質が高いものはない。
Yoshinori Ishii, an emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo, says that quality is everything when it comes to energy. 石井吉徳東大名誉教授によれば「エネルギーは質がすべて」だ。
There is a large amount of uranium in the sea, for example, but it is widely dispersed and cannot be used. 海水中には莫大（ばくだい）なウラニウムが存在するが拡散しており利用できない。
In other words, poor quality energy is the same as no energy at all. つまり「質が悪い」エネルギーは存在しないも同然なのだ。
To get to the point, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan is pushing for the use of solar power, and using solar panels on any roof that can have them. 話を急ごう。菅直人首相が太陽光発電に熱心で、屋根という屋根に可能なかぎり太陽光パネルを載せたいという。 In doing so he is attempting to cover the energy that has become difficult to provide through nuclear power. これで発電の難しくなった原発を補おうというわけだ。
Does solar power provide good quality energy? 太陽光発電のエネルギーとしての質はどうか。
The energy profit ratio (EPR) gives us one basis for judgment. エネルギー収支比（ＥＰＲ）という数字で判定する。
If one unit of energy can be used to produce three equivalent units, then the EPR is 3. １単位のエネルギーで３単位のエネルギーが得られればＥＰＲは３。
If the EPR is below 1, then, as the rabbit limit shows us, it is not worthwhile to produce that form of energy. １以下だとウサギの限界則で分かるようにやるだけムダ。
It has been said that the EPR of solar power is about 5, but that the quality of energy is not that great. 太陽光発電のＥＰＲは５ぐらいで質はさほどでないといわれてきたが、
However, proponents of this form of energy say the latest forms of solar power have EPRs as high as 10 or 20. 推進派は最新型は１０とか２０に向上しているという。
The problem is, we don't know which figures are correct. どれが正しいのか分からないので困惑する。
What we do know is that without subsidies, solar power will not find a strong footing in Japan. しかし、はっきりしているのは、現状では補助金なしでは立ちゆかないエネルギーであるということだ。
Considering this, we have to say it is of "poorer quality" than natural gas or coal. それを考えれば天然ガスや石炭に比べ「質の悪いエネルギー」と言わざるをえない。
With the decline of nuclear power, power fees may rise in Japan and many factories may have to shift overseas. 原発の比重低下で電力料金が上がり、工場が大挙海外移転しかねない情勢だ。
For this reason, Kan is promoting renewable energy. だから再生可能エネルギーを増やそうと言う。
That is indeed a plan in its own right, but it is incomprehensible for the "quality" of energy to be left out of the picture. それも一案だが、エネルギーの「質」が軽視されているのが解せない。
Fossil energy must play the main role of filling the gap left by the absence of nuclear power. 原発の穴埋めは化石エネルギーが主役たらざるをえない。
Just think about it. 考えてもごらんなさい。
Could you catch rabbits using a solar-powered buggy? 太陽光エネルギーのバギーカーでウサギが捕れますか？
I would go for a car with a diesel engine. 私はディーゼルエンジン搭載車に乗る。
(Mainichi Japan) June 14, 2011 Mandating singing of national anthem will dampen spirits of those who want to sing from heart 火論：踏み絵になっては＝玉木研二 ＜ｋａ－ｒｏｎ＞
Osaka Prefecture recently enacted an ordinance to make it mandatory for public school teachers and other education officials to stand and sing Japan's national anthem at school ceremonies. 大阪府の公立学校で行事で教職員に君が代の起立斉唱を義務づける条例が成立した。
I wonder how teachers who have until now sung "Kimigayo" from their own free will feel about the ordinance. 胸中やいかにと思う。自らの意志で歌ってきた先生たちの胸中である。
Isn't it sad for them to now sing it because they are obliged to do so under an ordinance? 条例で義務づけられているから歌うと思われてはせつないのではないか。
I have stood and sung the anthem without hesitation at events. 私は行事で気構えなく起立し、歌ってきた。
I would not be happy if someone mistakenly thought I was standing and singing against my will. だから、心ならずも立っていると誤解されるようなことになったら不本意だ。
Of course, I am not saying this to criticize teachers who do not share my views. もちろん、そう感じない、そう考えない先生を否定するために言うのではない。
How people perceive the Hinomaru and Kimigayo, considered the national flag and national anthem, differs from person to person. 国旗・国歌とされる日の丸も君が代もどう受け止めるかは、つまるところ個人の内面により、そこに踏み込んで一様一色にはできない。
But the national flag and anthem have been used in events and ceremonies, and I think it is only natural that people show them respect. だが行事・式典にこれが用いられ、敬意を表する形をとるのは自然のことと私は思う。
Among some of my favorite scenes of the flag and anthem are the he Tokyo Olympics and boxer "Fighting" Harada's world title fights. その心象風景みたいなものは－－。 東京オリンピック、ファイティング原田のボクシング世界戦などなど、
Young people today might cite soccer's World Cup finals, and I apologize for raising such old images, but I was deeply moved by the wind-whipped Hinomaru and the singing of Kimigayo at these events. 今の若い人ならサッカーのワールドカップを挙げるようなところを古い記憶映像を持ち出して恐縮だが、はためく日の丸と流れる君が代は深く染みた。
This is a personal matter (it would be difficult to write about this theme without delving into my personal affairs), but my late mother was a devoted Christian from even before World War II. 私事ながら（私事にわたらねばこのテーマは書きにくい）戦前からの熱心なクリスチャンであった亡母は
She had no relatives or neighbors who shared her religious beliefs, and she of course felt no connection with the non-Christian festivals at local shrines. 親類にも近所にも信心を同じくする家なく、神社の祭りにももちろん縁なく、
But on national holidays, she erected a bamboo pole to hoist a huge Hinomaru flag that may have seemed out of place flying over our poor house. しかし、国の祝日には小さな貧乏家には不釣り合いなほど大きな日の丸を竹のポールで立てた。
A pastor I know was apprehended during the war for refusing to convert his religion, but even he hoisted the Hinomaru on national holidays after the war. 牧師は戦時中転向せぬために拘留されたという人であったが、戦後も教会には祝日の日の丸は掲げられた。
The flag may have been a symbol of a peaceful nation that transcended the political power of the time. 時の権力を超えた「平和な国の表徴」であったかもしれない。
I vividly remember one Hinomaru flag in the course of my reporting career. 取材で目に焼き付いた日の丸がある。
It was 26 years ago when I climbed to a deep mountain village in Kumamoto Prefecture to a branch of a local school with 13 teachers and pupils. ２６年前、熊本の奥深い山村で先生と子供合わせて１３人の分校に登って行った時だ。
The eldest child led the group to school in the morning by jingling a bell to scare off bears. 通学は集団でクマよけの鈴を鳴らし、年長の子が率いる。
Deer cried out at night. 夜はシカが鳴く。
The village was so inconvenient that it was exempted from compulsory education during the Taisho era. あまりの不便さに大正時代までここは「義務教育免除地」とされた。
Until the branch school opened, parents had gathered their meager funds to bring in people from faraway towns who could teach their children reading, writing and calculating with an abacus. 分校ができるまで、貧しい中で父母たちは私費を寄せ合い、読み書きソロバンを教えてくれる人間を遠い町から呼んだ。
High up on a wall in the classroom of the dilapidated school was a small, old Hinomaru flag. 老朽校舎の教室の壁の高い所に、黄ばんだ小さな日の丸が張ってあった。
It was as if that flag symbolized the history and pride of this school along a mountain stream, and when I saw it tears welled up in my eyes. この谷川沿いの分校の歴史と誇りをその一枚が象徴しているようで、わけもなく涙がわいた。
I am becoming sentimental. センチメンタルに傾いてしまった。
But I am sure many people's feelings toward the Hinomaru and Kimigayo are inseparably linked with their memories and spiritual experiences. だが、個々人の日の丸・君が代のありようは、それぞれ心の中にある思い出や精神経験と分かちがたく結びついているに違いない。
If it dampens the spirits of those who want to sing and look at the flag from their own heart, I personally wonder what the point of the ordinance is. そんな思いの上に歌い、見守る心にも水を差すとしたら、一体何のための条例化かと私は思う。（専門編集委員）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 14, 2011) Overcome power shortages with a new perspective 節電の夏 発想の転換で危機乗り切ろう（6月12日付・読売社説）
It is feared that power shortages could occur in many parts of the nation this summer. 今夏は全国で電力不足が懸念される。
We hope every company and household will find ways to save electricity and deal with the summer heat. 企業や家庭で節電を工夫し、暑い夏を乗り切りたい。
Starting July 1, the government is set to impose power-use restrictions in areas serviced by Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Tohoku Electric Power Co. 政府は、東京電力と東北電力の管内で、７月１日から大規模な工場やビルなどを対象に電力制限を実施する。
The scheme will target such facilities as large factories and buildings, all of which will be required to reduce their power consumption by 15 percent from last summer's peak levels. 電力使用量を昨夏のピーク時より１５％削減しなければならない。
Similar action will be taken by Kansai Electric Power Co., which will ask private-sector companies and ordinary households to cut their electricity consumption by 15 percent. 関西電力も企業や家庭に１５％節電を要請する。
This is because the utility remains unsure about when--and if, for that matter--it will be able to restart operations at reactors closed for regular inspections. 定期検査中の原発の再稼働が見通せないためだ。
Other power companies could follow suit, asking consumers to save electricity. 他の電力会社にも、同じ動きが広がる可能性がある。
These moves may well be regarded as inevitable, given the need to prevent a shortage of power this summer. 電力不足を避けるためにはやむを得ない。
One challenge facing corporations will be to efficiently use a limited amount of electricity, a task essential to minimize the impact of power-saving efforts on their business operations. 企業は、限られた電力をいかに効率的に使い、経営への影響を最小限に抑えるかが問われよう。
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Firms already taking action
It is reassuring to know that some companies have already come out with power-saving measures. 早くも節電対策が打ち出されているのは心強い。
Automobile and electronics manufacturers, for example, have decided to suspend operations at their plants on weekdays instead of weekends. 自動車や電機メーカーなどは、工場の休業日を平日に変更する。
Power-saving steps adopted by these companies include replacing their lighting with light-emitting diode devices that require less electricity. 電力消費の少ない発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）照明への切り替え、
They will also lengthen summer vacations and utilize daylight saving time, a measure to move up the time employees start work. 夏休みの長期化、社員の就業時間を早めるサマータイムの導入など様々な取り組みがみられる。
Admittedly, reductions in power consumption will place most of the burden on the corporate sector. 節電は企業に負担を強いるが、
Put another way, however, saving electricity could lead to an increase in companies' operational efficiency. 発想を転換すれば、効率経営を進めるきっかけになりうる。
Changes in the way company employees work could eventually reduce their working hours and improve the efficiency of their employers' business operations. 就業形態の見直しは、労働時間の短縮や業務の効率化などにつながる。
Power-saving efforts could also provide new business opportunities. 新たなビジネスチャンスとしても期待できるだろう。
This has been demonstrated by the rapid rise in sales of LED lamps and energy-saving air conditioners in recent weeks, for example. ＬＥＤ電球や省エネ型エアコンなどの売り上げが急増し、
Also, the food service and hotel industries are offering various new services for employees whose companies will try to reduce power use through such measures as letting them leave work earlier than before. 退社時間の早まる会社員らを狙った外食やホテルなどの新サービスも相次いでいる。
We hope the economy will be revitalized as a result of new types of consumption that are generated by products and services catering to demand created by power-saving efforts. 節電特需を取り込んだ商品やサービスで新たな消費を掘り起こし、経済を活性化させたい。
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Everyone must pitch in
It is disturbing to see that the anticipated power shortages will affect a wide area, meaning households, companies and others in nearly all parts of the nation will have to implement power-saving measures. 気がかりなのは、電力不足が広域に及ぶため、ほぼ全国で節電対策を迫られそうなことだ。
For instance, corporations with manufacturing bases in Tokyo and adjacent areas are likely to reconsider their initial plans to shift their production activities to western parts of the country. 首都圏などに拠点のある企業が当初検討していた西日本への生産移転は、見直すことになろう。
These companies should think about what kind of production system would best suit them, keeping in mind the estimate for this summer's power supply and demand. 電力需給を踏まえ、最適な生産体制を検討すべきだ。
It is also indispensable for households to cooperate in saving electricity, given that they account for 30 percent of this nation's total power consumption. 電力消費の３割を占める家庭の協力も欠かせない。
Households in the areas serviced by the Tokyo and Tohoku electric power companies should take this to heart. They are not obligated to reduce electric consumption, but we hope these consumers will raise their awareness of the need to cut wasteful power consumption as much as possible. 東電、東北電管内でも、家庭は節電を義務付けられていないが、極力無駄な電力を使わない節電意識を高めてもらいたい。
There are various ways for them to easily save electricity--for example, raising air conditioners' preset temperatures and turning off the master power switches for electrical appliances. エアコンの設定温度を上げたり、家電の主電源を切ったりするなど簡単にできることは多いはずだ。
TEPCO is planning to shore up its "denki yoho" system, through which the utility releases such information as the daily balance between power supply and demand, and the forecasted demand. 東電は、日々の需給状況や見通しなどを示す「でんき予報」を拡充する。
The system is certain to help companies and households save electricity efficiently. 企業や家庭が効率的に節電するのに役立つだろう。
TEPCO and all other utilities need to keep providing power consumers with detailed information about the status of its electric power supply. 電力各社は、きめ細かい情報発信を続ける必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 12, 2011) （2011年6月12日00時57分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) June 12, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: What are the politicians thinking? 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：政治家の心の中って ／東京
Politicians are people too. 政治家だって“同じ人間”。
The workings of their minds are not completely different from ours. 私たちと全然、違う心の仕組みを持っているわけではない。
At least, that's what I used to think, but recently I'm beginning to wonder. ずっとそう信じてきたけれど、ここに来て「やっぱり違うのかな」と思うようになってきた。
The reason is, of course, the political commotion surrounding the recent no-confidence motion against the Cabinet. 理由は、もちろん内閣不信任案の提出などの政局のゴタゴタ劇。
In the end it was voted down and the Cabinet is continuing to operate as if nothing happened, but I am sure there are many besides me who wonder what on earth these politicians are doing. 結局、衆院本会議で否決されて何ごともなかったかのように内閣の運営は続けられているが、私を含めて「何やってるの？」とあきれかえった人は多いはずだ。
On the day of the vote on the no-confidence motion, I was at a university where I had a full day of teaching scheduled. 不信任案の採決があった当日、私は病院にではなくて大学にいた。
In the morning I asked my students, "Do you know what's happening in the Diet this afternoon? ... That's right, a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet is being voted on. 丸一日、授業をする日だったのだ。私は朝から授業を受ける学生たちにきいてみた。「今日の午後は国会で何があるか、知っていますよね？……そう、内閣不信任案のこと。
Could you tell me what you think about this?" よかったらみなさん、どう思ってるか教えてくれる？」
The students raised their hands and I listened to their opinions. 挙手してもらって意見をきくと、
In every class, the most common response from quizzical and angry students was "Why now?" It seemed that, regardless of whether they supported the current administration or not, students were dumbfounded that politicians would try to bring down the government at such a time. どのクラスでもいちばん多かったのは、「なぜ今？」という疑問や怒りを語る人。
"If the motion were passed, the Diet would be dissolved and we would have a general election, right? 現政権を支持するかしないかはさておき、「もし可決されたら解散、総選挙なんでしょう？
What if that brings restoration efforts in the disaster areas to a halt?" asked one student. それで復興が止まったらどうするわけ？」
Another expressed frustration that they'd heard that the Democratic Party of Japan could split on the issue. 「ここで党が分裂だなんて意味がわからない」と“この時期に”ということに、驚きあきれていたようだった。
Most of the students were in their first or second year of university, so their ages ranged from the teens to around 20 -- they had just obtained or were just about to obtain the right to vote. 彼らの多くは、大学１年や２年だからほとんどが１０代からハタチ。選挙権を手にした直後かどうか、といった年齢だ。
It is a serious problem when people who have just arrived at the door to adult society are visited so soon by feelings of distrust and lack of hope in politics. 「よし、これから私も政治に参加するぞ」とまさに社会の入り口に立ったばかりの時期の彼らが、「政治家っていったい何なの？」「政治なんて信用できないんだな」と早くも不信感やあきらめの気持ちを抱くというのは、本当に深刻な問題だ。
Does anyone benefit from such a situation? こんな結果になって、いったい誰か得をした人がいるのだろうか。
Some politicians apparently have argued that the no-confidence motion had a benefit in dealing a damaging blow to the current administration, but then they would be lying if they say the public's interests come first. 現政権にダメージを与えただけでも効果があった、などと語る政治家もいるようだが、「国民の利益がいちばん」というのはウソだったということだ。
One student asked me, "What's going on inside politicians' minds? ある学生が「先生、政治家の心の中ってどうなってるの？
Do they have some kind of illness?" 何かの病気ですか？」と言った。
In the past I would have answered, "You shouldn't say things like that. これまでなら私は、「そんな言い方しちゃダメだよ。
Politicians are putting in their best efforts, thinking about what they can do for society, even if they are also protecting their own positions." 政治家は自分の立場を守りながらも、一生懸命、社会のために何ができるかと奮闘してるんだから」などと答えたかもしれないが、
But this day I was unable to give such a reply. 私にはもうそう言うことはできなかった。
"Hmm. Maybe they are narcissistic and think only of themselves, or maybe they are ill in that they get overly worked up when a little commotion is raised." 「うーん、自分のことしか考えない自己愛パーソナリティーなのかな、それともちょっと騒動があるとテンションが上がりすぎちゃうそう病体質かな」
Actually, I didn't call them "ill," because that would be rude to patients who are seriously fighting with their illnesses, but what a troubling issue this is. いや、そんな言い方をするのは、病と真剣に向き合っている患者さんたちに失礼か。本当に悩ましい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 10 EDITORIAL: All generations must chip in to rebuild Tohoku region 震災復興財源―増税で被災地支えよう
The compilation of the second supplementary budget to reconstruct stricken areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake is attracting attention. 東日本大震災の被災地の復興に向けて、第２次補正予算の編成が焦点となっている。
The approximately 4 trillion yen ($50 billion) first supplementary budget somehow came up with funding through a re-examination of this fiscal year's initial budget. 約４兆円の１次補正では今年度当初予算の見直しなどで財源をひねり出したが、
But issuance of additional government bonds appears to be unavoidable in the second supplementary budget, whose amount is larger. より大規模になる２次補正では国債の追加発行が避けられない情勢だ。
How can the government secure funds to repay the bonds once they are issued? 国債を発行した後、その返済財源をどう確保するか。
The Reconstruction Design Council in Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, an advisory panel to the government, recommended a tax increase in its draft for the first proposal to be released at the end of the month. 政府の復興構想会議は、今月末に発表する第１次提言の骨子案に、増税でまかなうべきだという考えを盛り込んだ。
Japan's public finance is in dire straits with overall debt 1.8 times its gross domestic product. わが国の財政は、国債発行残高が国内総生産を上回り、国の借金全体では１．８倍に達するなど、極めて厳しい状況にある。
The situation is prompting moves among foreign credit-rating agencies to lower the ratings of Japanese government bonds. 海外の格付け会社は日本国債の格下げに動いている。
It is imperative that the government make arrangements to repay reconstruction funds within a set period without passing on the bill to future generations. 復興資金まで将来世代につけ回しすることなく、一定期間で返す段取りをつけることが必要だ。
Policymakers of the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito agreed at the time of compiling the first supplementary budget at the end of April to manage government bonds for reconstruction separately from ordinary ones and to ensure their sale and redemption. 民主、自民、公明３党の政策責任者も、４月末の１次補正編成の際、「復興のための国債は、従来の国債と区別して管理し、その消化や償還を担保する」と合意している。
We support the panel's stance. 復興構想会議の姿勢を支持したい。
Some people say the Bank of Japan should buy the bonds, but such an idea could cause many overseas investors to think that Japanese finance is getting out of control and trigger the value of government bonds to nosedive. 「国債を日本銀行に引き受けさせればよい」との主張がくすぶるが、海外を中心とする投資家から「日本の財政のタガが外れた」と受け取られ、国債急落の引き金になりかねない。
It is indeed a dangerous idea. 危険な考えと言わざるをえない。
Income, corporate and consumption taxes, whose revenues are high, are candidates for tax increases. 税収が多い所得税や法人税、消費税などが増税の候補だろう。
How should they be combined to come up with needed funds and when and for how many years should the taxes be raised? どう組みあわせるか、いつから何年程度増税するか。
In addition to paying attention to the economy, the government must address many problems, such as whether residents and companies of the stricken areas should be required to bear the new tax burden. 景気への配慮に加え、被災地の住民や企業にも負担増を求めるかどうかなど、検討課題は多い。
To alleviate tax burdens as much as possible, new systems to promote the flow of private funds to the stricken areas must not be forgotten, either. 税の負担を少しでも減らすため、民間の資金が被災地に流れる仕組みを整えることも忘れてはならない。
There are budding moves to introduce a special zone designed to encourage businesses to enter the fisheries industry, a proposal announced by the Miyagi prefectural government. 宮城県が漁業への企業の参入を促す特区構想を発表するなど、種はある。
Reforms of both the taxation and social security systems have been discussed in parallel with rebuilding from the disaster. The government has come up with proposals "to secure consumption tax revenues as a major source based on the viewpoint to have all generations broadly and fairly share the burden" and "to raise the consumption tax rate in phases to 10 percent by fiscal 2015" based on an increase of social security spending in response to the aging society and a goal for restoring fiscal health. 震災復興と並行し、政府は税と社会保障の一体改革論議で、高齢化に伴う社会保障費の増加や財政再建目標を踏まえて、「費用をあらゆる世代が広く公平に分かち合う観点から、消費税収を主要な財源として確保する」「２０１５年度までに段階的に消費税率を１０％まで引き上げる」との案をまとめた。
How to secure revenues for reconstruction will be studied by taking into consideration such ideas as well. 震災復興の財源は、こうした方針も考慮に入れて、検討することになる。
We must support the stricken areas with older and younger generations helping each other. 被災地を支援し、世代間で助け合う。
The burden associated with these two types of mutual support is by no means small. 二つの「支え合い」に伴う負担は、決して軽くない。
But we cannot afford to procrastinate. しかし、先送りはもはや許されない。
Along with making an effort to eliminate administrative waste and to try to increase tax revenues by invigorating the Japanese economy, this is a challenge we need to tackle squarely without putting it off any further. 行政のむだをなくす努力、日本経済を活発にして税収自体を増やす努力とともに、逃げずに取り組んでいかねばならない。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 11, 2011) Beijing must exercise maritime self-restraint 南シナ海紛糾 膨張中国に自制を求めたい（6月10日付・読売社説）
Feuds between China and Southeast Asian countries are intensifying over sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea. 南シナ海の領有権と海洋権益を巡り、中国と東南アジア諸国との確執が深まっている。
The Chinese side should exercise self-restraint. 中国側に自制を求めたい。
In late May, a Chinese patrol boat allegedly destroyed the survey cable of a Vietnamese oil research ship in the South China Sea off Vietnam's central coast. ベトナムの石油探査船が５月下旬、同国中部沖合の南シナ海で、中国の監視船によって、探査用ケーブルを切断された。
Hanoi protested and demanded that Beijing pay compensation, claiming the incident happened within Vietnam's exclusive economic zone. ベトナム政府は、現場は同国の排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）内であるとして、中国に抗議するとともに、損害賠償を求めた。
The Chinese government retorted that it has sovereignty and jurisdiction over the marine area in question. 中国政府は、問題の海域について、「主権と管轄権を有する」と反論したが、
Regardless, China's unilateral action is clearly unacceptable. 一方的な実力行使は許されるものではない。
Around the same time, the Chinese side erected iron poles and installed buoys on a reef of the Spratly Islands, over which the Philippines claims sovereignty. 同じ時期、南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島では、フィリピンが領有権を主張する岩礁に、中国側が鉄柱やブイを設置した。
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Pact with ASEAN broken
In 2002, China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in which they agreed to refrain from building additional structures in the area. ２００２年に中国と東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）が署名した「南シナ海行動宣言」では、新たな建造物などの建設は控える、としている。
China's latest action has violated this agreement. 中国の今回の行動はこれに反するものだ。
Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said in his speech at the Asia Security Summit held this week in Singapore that Beijing was making efforts to keep peace in the South China Sea and the situation there was calm. 中国の梁光烈国防相は今週、シンガポールでのアジア安全保障会議で演説し、「中国は南シナ海の平和維持に尽力しており、情勢は安定している」と語った。
It was a matter of course that his Vietnamese and Philippine counterparts immediately disputed Liang's statement. ベトナムとフィリピンの国防相が、直ちに反論したのは当然だろう。
China will never be able to win trust from the international community if what it says has little correspondence with what it does. 言行不一致の対応では、国際社会からの信頼は得られまい。
China has become aggressive at sea because its five-year plan from this year through 2015 emphasizes protection and expansion of its maritime interests. 海洋権益を巡り、中国が実力行使に出る背景には、今年から２０１５年までの５か年計画で、海洋権益の保護と拡大を重視する方針を掲げていることがある。
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China's 'inland sea'?
ASEAN members must be firmly united to prevent the South China Sea from becoming China's "inland sea." 南シナ海が中国の“内海”になるのを阻むには、ＡＳＥＡＮが一致団結することが肝要だ。
ASEAN members decided at their summit meeting in early May to start talks aimed at upgrading the 2002 declaration, in which they decided to resolve conflicts in the South China Sea through talks, to a binding "code of conduct" for the parties. ＡＳＥＡＮは５月初めの首脳会議で、南シナ海での紛争を話し合いで解決することを規定した「行動宣言」を、法的拘束力を伴う「行動規範」へ格上げするため、協議開始を決めた。
China should agree to join talks over the code of conduct. 中国も「行動規範」の協議に応じるべきである。
Sea lanes used by vessels carrying crude oil to Japan also go through the South China Sea. 南シナ海は日本に原油を運ぶ船舶が航行する要路、シーレーン（海上交通路）が通る海域だ。
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared in a speech at the security summit that the United States was committed to "sustaining a robust military presence" to protect freedom of navigation and its other interests in the South China Sea. ゲーツ米国防長官は先の安保会議で、南シナ海の自由航行権などを守るために、米国が軍事的関与を続けて行くと表明した。
Japan, which shares interests with the United States, needs to work with Washington to further enhance assistance to ASEAN members. 利害を共有する日本も、米国と連携し、ＡＳＥＡＮ諸国への支援をさらに強化する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 10, 2011) （2011年6月10日01時12分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 10, 2011) Daily efforts needed to protect children 池田小事件１０年 日頃の備えが子どもを守る（6月9日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the murders at Ikeda Primary School, attached to Osaka Kyoiku University, in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, on June 8, 2001. 大阪教育大付属池田小学校の児童殺傷事件から８日で１０年がたった。
It was a shocking incident in which a knife-wielding intruder fatally stabbed eight first- and second-year students and injured 15 other victims, including teachers. 包丁を持った男が学校に押し入り、当時１、２年生の児童８人を殺害、教師ら１５人に重軽傷を負わせた衝撃的な事件だった。
Attacked in their classrooms, the children who survived this ordeal are now high school students. 襲われた教室の児童たちは高校生になった。
Some still suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. いまだに心的外傷後ストレス障害（ＰＴＳＤ）に苦しむ生徒もいる。
Long-term psychological support is needed. 心の傷を癒やす、息の長いケアが必要だ。
This incident made our society face the question of how to maintain safety at schools. この事件が社会に突きつけたのは、学校の安全をいかにして守るか、という問いである。
One measure introduced by the central government was to improve the crime prevention surveillance systems at schools. 国が導入した施策の一つに、防犯監視システムの整備がある。
A survey taken three years ago showed that nearly 70 percent of schools had installed such security equipment as cameras, sensors and intercoms. 防犯カメラやセンサー、インターホンなどのいずれかを配置している学校は３年前の調査で、全国の７割近くに上る。
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Equipment not enough
But the installation of such equipment alone will not prevent intruders from entering school premises. ただし、機器を取り付ければ不審者の侵入を防げるというものではあるまい。
More than 1,500 intrusions into schools are reported every year. 毎年、学校施設への侵入事件は１５００件を超す。
Two years after the Ikeda murders, a man armed with a knife entered a primary school in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, and injured two children. 池田小事件の２年後には、京都府宇治市の小学校に包丁を持った男が侵入し、児童２人にけがをさせた。
The school was equipped with a security camera and sensor, but did not have the camera on at all times. 防犯カメラもセンサーもあったが、カメラは常時監視しているわけではなく、
Also, the sensor was turned off at the time of the intrusion, as teachers were annoyed by the sounds it made. センサーも「うるさいから」と、切っていた。
A lack of vigilance among teachers can create a blind spot in school crime prevention. 教職員らの監視の緩みが、防犯上の“死角”を作る。
It is critical for teachers to be always conscious of protecting children and ready to deal with contingencies. 大切なのは、子どもを守るという日頃の意識や万一への備えであろう。
A teacher who was working at Ikeda Primary School when the incident occurred later transferred to another school, and made a number of safety proposals that were accepted. 事件当時、池田小にいたある教師は、転任先で安全性を高めるための提案をし、受け入れられた。
One of the proposals was to have teachers swap their usual sandals for sports shoes, so they could react quickly to any suspicious person who entered the school. サンダル履きの教師を、不審者に迅速な対応ができないとして、運動靴に履き替えさせた。
The teacher also proposed moving first-floor classes to higher floors, as first-floor classrooms are vulnerable to intruders. 教室が１階にあると、不審者に侵入されやすいため、上の階に移動させたという。
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Roads must be guarded
It is also essential to assure the safety of the roads students use to commute to school. 通学路の安全確保も欠かせない。
Since the fatal stabbing incident, an increasing number of communities have drawn up safety maps for local children, indicating such dangerous locations as streets that are often deserted. 事件後、人通りのない危険な場所を記した安全マップ作りや、
Many have also started voluntary programs to monitor children on their way to and from school. 住民たちで登下校時の子どもを見守る地域が増えた。
Such efforts need to be regularly reviewed to meet the ever-changing circumstances of local communities. その地図や取り組みも、現状に合わなくなってはいないか。常に再点検が求められよう。
Ikeda Primary School was designated as an "international safe school" last year by the World Health Organization. 池田小は昨年、世界保健機関（ＷＨＯ）から、「インターナショナル・セーフ・スクール」に認証された。
It drew particular praise for its "safety class," a subject offered to all grades. 国際的に「安全な学校」とのお墨付きを得た。 特に評価されたのは、全学年を対象とした「安全科」の授業だ。
Lessons include drills on how to deal with an intruder and swimming fully clothed in the school pool as preparation for incidents involving water. 不審者への対応訓練のほか、水難事故を想定し、着衣のままプールに入る。
Students also are taught how to escape from a fire by crawling, in drills using a smoke-generating device. 火災訓練では発煙装置を使い、床をはって避難する。
It is very important to help children learn how to protect themselves from crimes and natural disasters. 犯罪や自然災害から身を守るすべを、子ども自身に学ばせることも重要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 9, 2011) （2011年6月9日01時19分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 9, 2011) Govt should send staff to help distribute donations 届かない義援金 応援要員投入し迅速な支給を（6月8日付・読売社説）
Nearly three months after the Great East Japan Earthquake, only about 15 percent of donations collected through various channels is said to have reached people affected by the disaster. 東日本大震災の発生から、まもなく３か月になるというのに、被災者の手元には、集まった義援金の１５％程度しか届いていないという。
The distribution of this money has been extremely slow. The central government and local governments in disaster-hit areas must make all-out efforts to promptly pass these relief funds to disaster victims. あまりに遅い。政府と被災自治体は、速やかな支給に全力をあげるべきだ。
A panel administered by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to decide on which areas should get how much of this money has compiled a report on the actual situation regarding the provision of these funds. 厚生労働省が事務局を務める義援金配分割合決定委員会が、義援金の支給状況などをまとめた。
A total of about 250 billion yen has been donated through such organizations as the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Central Community Chest of Japan. これまで、日本赤十字社や中央共同募金会などに寄せられた義援金は約２５００億円。
Of this, about 80 billion yen has been sent to 15 disaster-affected prefectural governments as the first batch of relief funds, but less than half of this--about 15 percent of the total donations--has reached victims' pockets. うち約８００億円が第１次分として、被災した１５都道県に送金された。
The rest of the money is expected to be given to disaster-hit prefectures in a second round of distribution. 残りも第２次分として被災各県に配分される。
One standard for money handed out has been that owners of "totally destroyed" homes get the twice the amount given to owners of "partly destroyed" homes. その基準は、全壊世帯に半壊の２倍支給する、といったものだ。
Decisions on the actual amount of money to be distributed are left up to each local government. 具体的な金額は自治体の裁量に委ねられる。
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More flexibility needed
It is disturbing that much of the donated money has not reached disaster victims. 問題は義援金が被災者に届かないことである。
Part of the problem stems from the fact that many local governments lost their administrative functions due to the March 11 disaster and are unable to arrange procedures for distributing money to disaster-affected people. 行政機能が損なわれ、支給事務まで手が回らない自治体が多いことが要因だ。
There have been significant delays in work to determine whether a house has been completely or partly destroyed and in issuing disaster damage certificates verifying the level of property damage. 全壊・半壊などを認定し、罹災(りさい)証明を発行する業務も滞っている。
Donations directly provided to disaster-hit local governments from a number of organizations, including the Yomiuri Light and Humanity Association charity, have also reported similar problems. 「読売光と愛の事業団」など、様々な団体を通じて、被災自治体に直接寄託された義援金も事情は変わらない。
We think the central government should send a sufficient number of staff to help the distribution of money and improve the situation. 国は事態を改善できる規模で応援要員を送り込むべきだ。
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ritsuo Hosokawa has at last announced a plan to survey the actual situation facing local governments that have been unable to distribute donations quickly, and send staff to help if necessary. 細川厚労相はようやく、支給が遅れている自治体の事情を調べて、必要なら人員を派遣する方針を示した。
We hope the government will swiftly implement these measures. 迅速に取り組んでもらいたい。
There also needs to be more flexibility in making official designations of damage levels. もっと柔軟に被災を認定することも必要だ。
Private insurance companies have simplified procedures for earthquake insurance payouts by recognizing all houses in certain areas, based on satellite photos, as having been totally destroyed. 民間の地震保険の場合、損害保険会社は、衛星写真をもとに一定地域内の家屋はすべて全壊とするなど認定を簡略化している。
The insurance industry as a whole has paid out more than 900 billion yen to about 500,000 policyholders. 業界全体でこれまでに約５０万件、９０００億円以上を支払った。
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Delays invite disappointment
Although it is only natural that donations should be distributed fairly, it would be pointless if the money does not reach disaster victims when they need it for living and other expenses. 義援金の分配は、公平性を重んじるのが当然としても、被災者が当座の生活資金などを必要とする時に届かなければ意味がない。
We are concerned that the delay in distribution may have disappointed people across the nation and around the world who have generously sent donations. 善意を寄せた日本中、世界中の人を失望させていないだろうか。
We hope officials in affected areas will make innovative efforts to pass on donated money as soon as possible by giving consideration to the actual situation on the ground, such as by uniformly providing people in certain areas with an amount of money for partial damage as a provisional measure before getting around to officially categorizing the damage as complete or partial. 地域によっては、全壊か半壊かの認定はおいて暫定的に半壊分を一律支給するなど、実情に応じて早く届ける工夫をしてほしい。
There have been questions raised about flaws in the law covering paying condolence money from public coffers to people who lost family members in the disaster. 家族が死亡した人に公費から支給される災害弔慰金も、法律の不備が指摘されている。
Siblings are not included in the definition of bereaved relatives under the law on providing such disaster condolence grants. 災害弔慰金法が定める「遺族」の範囲に兄弟姉妹が含まれていない。
This means that a man who lost his elder brother, with whom he had been living, is not entitled to receive condolence money. このため、兄弟２人暮らしをしていて、兄が亡くなった場合、弟に弔慰金は出ない。
Claiming that such cases are not exceptional in the March 11 disaster, a group of lawyers last week called on the government to revise the law. 今回の震災ではこうした事例が少なくないとして、弁護士グループが先週、法改正を政府に要請した。
We believe this is worth considering. 検討すべきではないか。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 8, 2011) （2011年6月8日01時25分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) June 7, 2011 Political parties should prioritize efforts to control nuclear crisis over power stalemate 社説：首相夏までに退陣 後継体制の議論も急げ
The ongoing political turmoil over when Prime Minister Naoto Kan should step down shows no sign of abating, with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) trying to settle the situation by setting Kan's departure for this summer while the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) insists he should resign by the end of June. 菅直人首相の退陣時期問題をめぐる混乱が続いている。首相が夏をめどに辞任することで民主党執行部は収拾を図るが自民党は月内退陣を求めており、対立は解けていない。
In the meantime, the DPJ and the LDP are eyeing the formation of a provisional grand coalition following Kan's exit. 民主、自民両党からは首相退陣後、期限つきの大連立で協力を探る動きも出てきた。
With a vision for an ideal system for the government to exert its utmost efforts into rebuilding the regions devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in mind, the ruling and opposition forces should accelerate their debate on the timing of Kan's resignation to prevent the turmoil from escalating further. 政治が復興・復旧に総力を挙げ得る体制はどんな形がふさわしいか。これ以上混乱を拡大しないためにも、与野党は議論を急がなければならない。
Less than three months after the March 11 disaster, Japan's political world once again lacks direction. 震災発生３カ月を前に、政治の漂流が続く。
The DPJ's internal strife was rekindled after former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama labeled his successor, Kan, a "crook" after Kan suggested remaining in office until early next year even though he had announced his intention to step down. 首相が年明けまでの続投を示唆したことを鳩山由紀夫前首相が「ペテン師」と批判した問題で党内の内紛は再燃、
The prime minister reportedly told the DPJ that he would leave office after having the second supplementary budget bill enacted. 首相は２次補正予算案を成立させ、退陣する意向を党側に伝えたという。
There is no reason for Kan to be bound by a behind-closed-doors oral agreement over his resignation with Hatoyama. そもそも密室での鳩山氏との口約束に首相が縛られるいわれはない。
However, one would assume that common sense would dictate that Kan should step down after addressing the second extra budget as he has already announced his intention to resign. だが、退陣の意向を表明した以上、２次補正処理を「一定のめど」とすることは本来、常識的な線だった。
It's inevitable for the Kan administration to fall into a further lame-duck status following the latest political upheaval, posing a threat to the passage of the second extra budget bill and a special government bond bill. 今回の騒動で首相の「死に体」化が加速することは避けられない。肝心の２次補正はもちろん、特例公債法案の乗り切りも厳しさを増したと言わざるを得ない。
Political maneuvering over the post-Kan administration is already under way, with both DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada and LDP counterpart Nobuteru Ishihara expressing their positive thoughts over the formation of a temporary grand coalition under a new prime minister, an idea also upheld by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. 首相の退陣を織り込んで「ポスト菅」をめぐる動きも始まっている。民主・岡田克也、自民・石原伸晃両幹事長は新首相の下で期限つきの大連立を実現することに前向きな考えを表明、枝野幸男官房長官も理解を示した。
If the grand coalition is brought about, a House of Representatives election will be called after a certain period of time, according to their blueprint currently under discussion. 大連立が実現した場合、ある程度の期間経過後に衆院選を行うことも議論されている。
We have previously urged the ruling and opposition camps to exert their all-out efforts to swiftly address the restoration and rebuilding of the disaster-hit areas. 私たちはかねて、与野党が総力を挙げ速やかな復興・復旧に取り組むよう求めてきた。
One way to overcome the deadlock would be to seek a non-Cabinet alliance or form a tentative grand coalition in order to promote the reconstruction of the affected areas smoothly. 閣外協力や、期限つき大連立も復興を進めるひとつの方法だろう。
だが、ハードルがかなり高いことも事実だ。
However, the LDP is making Kan's resignation by the end of June a precondition for its cooperation with the DPJ. 自民は首相の月内退陣を協力の大前提としている。
Other issues include who would succeed Kan and what to do with tax and social security reforms as well as the compilation of the budget. 肝心の誰が次の首相になるかはもちろん、期間限定とはいえ社会保障・税制改革や予算編成の位置づけをどうするかも大きな問題だ。
Both parties should consider an effective cooperative system in a flexible manner. 実効ある協力体制を柔軟に検討してほしい。
According to a recent Mainichi Shimbun opinion poll conducted after the no-confidence motion against Kan's Cabinet was voted down in the lower house, 85 percent of respondents criticized that the Diet is "not functioning" in addressing the restoration and reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas. 毎日新聞が内閣不信任決議案否決を受けて行った世論調査では復旧・復興に国会が「機能していない」との回答が８５％に達し、
Furthermore, over 60 percent of pollees were against the submission of the no-confidence motion itself. 決議案提出を「評価しない」とする人も６割を超した。
It is only natural for the public to cast a stern eye on the Diet for its indiscretion. 国民が国会の醜態に厳しい視線を投げかけることは当然だ。
With the rainy season set to hit the Tohoku region, raising concerns for secondary disasters in affected regions, and the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant dragging on, including how to deal with ever-increasing radioactive water at the facility, the ruling and opposition blocs should not interfere with current efforts to control the nuclear crisis regardless of whatever action they take. 東北地方の梅雨入りを控え被災地の２次災害が警戒され、原発事故も汚染水の処理などが予断を許さない。当面の危機管理に支障を来さないことを与野党は行動の大原則に据えなければならない。
2011/06/05 --The Asahi Shimbun, June 4 EDITORIAL: Kan should exit gracefully, not cling to power 「一定のめど」―菅さん、それはない
Within a day of indicating his intention to step down, Prime Minister Naoto Kan started maneuvering to stay in office. 辞意を表明した菅直人首相が一転、続投をめざすそぶりだ。
Kan didn't refer to his resignation either in a news conference on the night of June 2 after an opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion was voted down, or during a June 3 Upper House session. おととい夜の記者会見でも、きのうの参院の審議でも「辞任」を口にせず、
His equivocal attitude is causing a lot of confusion. わけがわからない状況に陥っている。
Is he acting out of a sense of responsibility, feeling that he should not abandon his duty to bring an end to the nuclear crisis and lay a solid foundation for reconstruction from the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake? 原発事故から目が離せない。震災復興に道筋をつけずに投げ出せない。そんな首相の責任感からなのか。
Or is he trying to avoid being treated as an irrelevant lame duck by the opposition parties? 辞めると認めたら、野党から「退陣する首相など相手にできない」と無視されるので、それを避けたいのか。
Whatever the reason, no good will come of a political brawl between lawmakers of the ruling and opposition camps. They should calm down first. だが、与野党の国会議員がののしり合っても何も生まれない。ここはまず、お互いにかっかしている頭を冷やすことだ。
Let us set the record straight. 確認しておこう。
During a meeting of ruling Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers before the Lower House vote on the no-confidence motion, Kan pledged to "pass on responsibility" to a younger generation when it becomes clear that efforts to deal with the aftermath of the disaster have made "a certain degree of progress." 首相は内閣不信任決議案を採決する前の民主党代議士会で、震災対応に「一定のめど」がついた段階で、若い世代に責任を引き継ぐと表明した。
Following his speech, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama further explained Kan's remarks. Hatoyama said Kan had agreed to resign as soon as the proposed basic law for the post-disaster reconstruction is enacted and the formulation of a second supplementary budget to finance related measures is firmly on track. 直後に鳩山由紀夫前首相が立ち、復興基本法が成立し、第２次補正予算案の編成にめどが立った段階での辞任で合意していると補足した。
Kan didn't try to correct Hatoyama as he listened. 首相はそれを否定せずに聞いていた。
It seemed clear to anybody present that Kan had effectively confirmed his intention to leave office. だれの目にも辞意を認めたように見えた。
That's why the anti-Kan group of DPJ members of the Lower House who had threatened to support the no-confidence motion decided to abort their revolt. だから、不信任案に賛成すると息巻いていた「反菅勢力」も沈静化した。
Kan, however, started acting as if he had made no promise to resign. ところが、その後、辞意はどこへやらだ。
When asked what he had meant by "a certain degree of progress," Kan referred to cold shutdown of the wrecked reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant--a stable state with the coolant water at a temperature below 100 degrees. 「一定のめど」を問われて、原発が１００度未満で安定する時点を挙げたのを見ると、
That suggests that Kan is looking to stay in power well into next year, depending on the situation at the crippled nuclear power plant. 来年まで続投する気もあるらしい。
The lawmakers in both the ruling and opposition camps who tried to oust Kan in the middle of a national crisis certainly acted in an extremely irresponsible manner. もともと、危機の中で「菅おろし」に走った与野党議員は無責任の極みだった。
Still, Kan was unable to win public support and faced the possibility of a no-confidence motion passing against his Cabinet. それでも菅首相は世論の支持を得られず、不信任されそうになった。
In a desperate situation, under the media glare, Kan tried to save his political skin by making the "certain degree of progress" remarks. そんなとき、国民注視のなかで飛び出したのが「一定のめど」だった。
It appears, however, that Kan effectively deceived legislators in both camps. The only thing we can say to the embattled prime minister is, "Mr. Kan, you shouldn't do this." 結果的に、与野党議員を欺いた発言に、「菅さん、それはないでしょう」というしかない。
Kan's political maneuvering will only cause the opposition parties to harden their attitudes and step up attacks on the government in the Upper House, which is under their control. これでは野党が態度を硬化させ、多数を握る参院での政権攻撃を激化させる。
It will also deepen the already serious rift within the DPJ. 民主党内の対立もさらにこじれる。
The upshot will be the lack of progress on key policy issues on both the domestic and diplomatic fronts. 内政課題も外交も停滞してしまう。
It defies common sense that a prime minister who has said he would step down staying in power without making clear when he will leave office. いったん辞意を口にした首相が、退任時期を示さないまま地位にとどまり続けるのは無理がある。
Such behavior only deepens public cynicism about politics. 政治不信をさらに膨らませるだけだ。
When should Kan hand over the reins, then? 首相は、いつ辞めるのか。
The common sense view would be some time soon, within the year. それは年内の遠くない時期というのが常識的だろう。
As a lame duck prime minister, Kan should act swiftly to pave the way for enactment of a new spending plan and bills for reconstruction efforts. 期限付きの首相として、大震災関連の予算や法案づくりを急ぐのだ。
It would be more convincing if Kan at the same time launched the process of selecting his successor within the party. 同時に、党内で次の党代表選びの作業にとりかかれば、説得力が増す。
To ensure that a new leader is selected in a less feverish atmosphere, the process should involve not just the DPJ Diet members, who are preoccupied with the power struggle, but all other card-carrying party members. 政争ばかりの国会議員だけでなく、全党員で落ち着いてリーダーを選べばいい。
One by one! が大切ですね。 香山先生、参考になりました。 でも、基本的に解決の出来ない問題もありますからね。 例えば、生と死の問題。 永遠の課題で、死ぬまで苦しみは続くのでしょう。 （スラチャイ）
(Mainichi Japan) June 5, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: How to cope when we have multiple stressful burdens 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：心の二重ローン ／東京
Through April, the disasters of March 11 were a common topic in my consultation room. ４月までは診察室でも震災に関係した話題が多くなりがちだったが、
Now things have gotten back to normal, although "normal" simply means that patients are once again able to talk about personal issues that existed since before the earthquake. ここに来て通常モードに戻ってきた。とはいっても、診察室の通常モードとは、「前からあった個人的な悩みが語られる」ということ。
Those issues vary from person to person. 悩みの種類は人それぞれだ。
Bullying from a boss at work, suspicion that a boyfriend is hiding something, abusive language from a husband, inability to find a hospital that can take on a parent who needs care, a child with a developmental disorder. 職場の上司からいじめを受けている。交際中の男性にだまされている気がする。夫の暴言がひどい。介護している親を入院させる先が見つからない。子どもが発達障害で困っている。
There are as many issues as there are patients. ほかにも患者さんの数だけ悩みがあり、聞いているだけで途方に暮れてしまう。
Through April, these issues were hidden to an extent by the enormity of the March 11 disasters, but they were in no way gone. ４月までは大震災というあまりに大きな困難に隠れて、一時的にそれまでの悩みが見えなくなっていただけで、決して消え失（う）せたわけではなかったのだ。 よく考えたら、これはあたりまえのことだ。
Adding to those issues, the earthquake and related disasters have caused some people to lose their jobs or been used as reasons to force them into excessive overtime. さらに、これまでの悩みに加えて、大震災の影響で仕事が減ったり解雇を言いわたされたりしている人もいる。
Some people have apparently been forced to take second loans to rebuild their lives, even while loans on their destroyed homes in the disaster areas remain unpaid. 「被災地の分も」などと言われ無理な残業を強いられている人もいる。
This extra burden on their wallets is also an extra burden on their minds. 被災地では壊れた家のローンが残っているのに新しい借金をして生活を再建させなければならないという、いわゆる二重ローンが問題になっているようだが、これはいわば“悩み、ストレスの二重ローン”だ。
Just as multiple loans can't be repaid all at once, neither can multiple psychological burdens be dealt with all at once. 金銭的なローンもいっぺんに返せないように、心の二重ローンも一度に解決することはできない。
We mustn't be overwhelmed by feeling that the problems of the disaster have piled on to the family problems or other issues we already had. 「以前からの家庭の問題に加え、震災のダメージが……。いったいどうしたらいいんだ」とパニックにならず、
The only way forward is to take on each problem one at a time. ひとつひとつ、問題に取り組んでいくしかないのだ。
It is important not to fall into a state where we give up on ourselves. その場合に大切なのは、「もうダメだ」と自暴自棄にならないということ。
We first have to calm ourselves. We can do this by, for example, reciting to ourselves, "It will be OK, it will be OK," like a chant. 「なんとかなる、なんとかなる」とおまじないのように自分に言い聞かせ、まずは気持ちを落ち着かせる必要がある。
Next is deciding the order or priority with which we will tackle our problems. それから、どういう順番で問題や悩みに取りかかるか、優先順位を決める。
As we work on our problems, it is important to not think about too many things at a time. その場合に大切なのは、いっぺんにあれもこれもと考えずに、
We have to put other issues aside and focus on one problem until it's finished, and then we move onto the next. とにかくひとつを片づけたら次のひとつ、と「一度に手がけることはひとつ」というのを原則にすることだ。
This advice applies to me as well. 私もそう。
I want to help with the psychological care of people who have returned from volunteer work in the disaster areas, but there are my normal consultations with patients and my job at the university to consider, and I can't take care of two or three things at the same time. ふだんの病院の診療、大学の仕事に加えて、被災地ボランティアに出かけて帰ってきた人たちの心のケアをしたいと考えているのだが、一度にふたつも三つも片づけることはできない。
I'd like to make a motto for this year to be, "One at a time is enough." 「ひとつひとつでいいんだよ」というのを今年のキャッチフレーズにしよう。
2011/06/04 --The Asahi Shimbun, June 3 EDITORIAL: Ruling, opposition parties must end futile political battle 菅首相辞意表明―不毛な政争に区切りを
What the recent ruckus over a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Naoto Kan put before us was a cold reality of senseless politics that dominates the nation at a time of emergency. 見たくないものを見せられた気分だ。一連の内閣不信任騒動が示したものは、非常時の国に、非常識な政治がはびこる寒々しい現実だった。
It is highly unusual for the nation's leader to make public his intention to step down in the future without waiting for his term to expire. 国の最高指導者が任期満了ならいざ知らず、将来の退陣を明らかにするのは極めて異例であり、重い決断だ。
Despite such a grave decision on the part of the prime minster, it does not give rise to widespread public expectations that politics will change. なのに、これで政治が変わるという期待感が広がらない。
This is not only because the timing of his resignation is unclear, but also because the public sees it as a result of giving priority to avoiding the Democratic Party of Japan from splitting--and nothing else. 肝心の退陣時期があいまいなうえ、ただただ民主党の分裂回避を優先させた結果にしか見えないからだ。あまりにも論理が内向きなのだ。
■辞任はやむなし
Kan was prepared to dissolve the Lower House in the event the no-confidence motion passed with a large number of dissenters from the ruling parties. 菅直人首相は与党から大量の造反が出て、不信任案が可決されれば、衆院を解散する構えだった。
However, he changed course once he faced the situation that the no-confidence motion might eke through or at least the DPJ's splitting appeared unavoidable with many members rebelling against him. だが、いざ不信任案が可決されかねない、少なくとも大量の造反で党の分裂は避けられないという状況に追い込まれると、方針を転換した。
In the stricken areas of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, even now, some 100,000 people are still living in shelters. 東日本大震災の被災地では、いまなお１０万人が避難生活を強いられている。
Difficult work continues at the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant to bring the situation under control. Under such circumstances, Japan is in no shape to hold a general election. 福島第一原発の事故は収束への苦難の作業が続く。
とても総選挙をできる状況にはない。
On the other hand, if the Cabinet resigns en masse, such tasks as choosing a new prime minister and building the framework of a new government are likely to face difficulties and prolong the political vacuum. 一方で、総辞職をしたならば、新たな首相選びや政権の枠組みづくりが難航し、政治空白が長引きかねない。
The prime minister apparently chose to avoid political confusion above all. ここは、とにもかくにも政治の混乱は避けたいという選択だったのだろう。
We have been criticizing the way ruling and opposition parties were engrossed in political strife amid a crisis. 私たちは危機のいま政争にうつつをぬかす与野党の振る舞いを批判してきた。
Although we do not like the idea that the no-confidence motion almost passed, we think Prime Minister Kan's decision to step down could not be helped in this case. 事実上、不信任案が可決されたような展開は評価できないが、菅首相の判断はこの際、やむをえなかったと考える。
Still, why is the timing unclear for his resignation, which he said he will make "once a certain level of progress has been made in dealing with the disaster?" ただ、首相が退陣の時期として挙げた「震災の取り組みに一定のめどがついた段階」とは、いつなのかがはっきりしないのは、どうしたことか。
Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Kan will formally resign when a basic law for reconstruction is passed and the compilation of the second supplementary budget is in sight, not when the budget is passed. 鳩山由紀夫前首相は復興基本法が成立し、第２次補正予算案の成立ではなく編成にめどがついた段階だとしたが、
But DPJ Secretary-General Katsuya Okada disagrees. 岡田克也幹事長は否定している。
Such an ambiguous settlement symbolizes the seriousness of the rift within the party. こんな決着の仕方が、党内の亀裂の深さを象徴する。
■小沢氏を除名せよ
Now that the no-confidence motion has been turned down, we have two requests for Prime Minister Kan: 不信任案が否決されたいま、菅首相に二つの注文をする。
1) Not only expel the two party members who supported the motion, but also strictly discipline other rebels, including former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa who was absent when the motion was put to a vote. ひとつは、採決で賛成した２人の除名だけでなく、欠席した小沢一郎元代表らも厳しく処分することだ。
There is no alternative but to remove Ozawa--whose qualifications as a party member are currently being suspended--from the party roster. 党員資格停止中の小沢氏は、もう除名するしかあるまい。
To begin with, the Ozawa group, which maintains a negative stance toward the re-examination of the manifesto and the raising of the consumption tax rate, has stood in the way of reaching a bold compromise with opposition parties. そもそも、マニフェストの見直しや消費税率引き上げに否定的な小沢氏らのグループの存在が、野党との大胆な妥協を阻んできた。
Members of the group threatened the prime minister by saying that they would support the no-confidence motion. その小沢氏らが不信任案に乗るぞ、と揺さぶりをかけたのだ。
Although it is doubtful whether the prime minister, who struggled to prevent the party from splitting, still has enough energy to bring the party together with disciplinary action, fewer than 20 members actually rebelled. 分裂回避に腐心した首相に処分問題で党内をまとめる力量が残っているかどうかは心もとないが、結果として、造反は２０人以下にとどまった。
Now that the no-confidence motion has been turned down, there is no reason to hesitate to discipline the naysayers and try and unify the party. 不信任案が否決されたいま、ためらう理由はないはずだ。
2) Present a schedule with times for the transfer of the administration as soon as possible. もうひとつは、政権移行に向けた工程表を、できるだけ速やかに示すことだ。
When will the DPJ presidential election to choose a candidate for prime minister be implemented? いつ、新たな首相候補を選ぶ民主党代表選を実施するのか。
How will policies be divided into those to be implemented under the Kan administration and those to be handed over to the new administration? 菅政権のもとで実現をめざす政策と、次の政権に委ねる政策の仕分けをどうするのか。
The administration should also clarify how it will produce necessary funds for the second supplementary budget. たとえば、社会保障と税の一体改革はどうするのか。第２次補正予算案の財源をどう賄うのかも明確にすべきだ。
■旧世代は総退陣を
In particular, the party should spend adequate time on choosing its next leader by carefully examining his or her qualifications. とくに、次の指導者選びには時間をかけて、その資質の真贋（しんがん）を吟味しなければならない。
A year ago, Hatoyama and Ozawa resigned together as prime minister and the party's secretary-general, respectively. （一年前、鳩山氏と小沢氏は同時に辞任した。総理大臣と幹事長だった。）
その際のキーワードは、菅首相が「若い世代に責任を引き継ぎたい」と述べた、まさにその「世代交代」だ。
It was the "troika" of these two plus Kan, who played the leading roles in the fracas over the no-confidence motion. この不信任騒動で表に立ったのは、民主党ではちょうど１年前に首相と幹事長を「ダブル辞任」した鳩山、小沢両氏と菅氏の「トロイカ」だった。
In the Liberal Democratic Party, those who led the move to submit the no-confidence motion at an early stage were veteran members, including former prime ministers and faction leaders. 自民党で不信任案の早期提出を唱えていたのは首相経験者や派閥の領袖（りょうしゅう）クラスの長老、ベテランである。
Some midlevel and younger lawmakers voiced concern over developing a power struggle transcending sectarian groups amid a national crisis. 中堅・若手の間では、党派を超えて、危機のさなかに権力闘争をやっていていいのかという声があがっていた。
Kan said, "I want to pass on responsibility to a younger generation." The key phrase here is: "a younger generation." （菅首相は若い世代の責任を引き継ぎたいと述べていた。キーワードは若い世代。）
At this juncture, we want all lawmakers of the old generation who cannot personally identify with popular will to step down. この際、民意を肌で感じられない旧世代には総退陣してほしい。
The process to choose the new DPJ president should be the first step. 新しい民主党の代表選びを、その第一歩にすべきだ。
Both the LDP and New Komeito hastened to submit the no-confidence motion without choosing candidates for prime minister to succeed Kan or preparing the framework of a new administration or policy systems. 自民・公明両党は、首相候補も政権の枠組みも政策の体系も明示しないまま不信任案の提出を急いだ。
Their method did not live up to their claim of "responsible opposition parties." まったく「責任野党」の名に値しないやり方だった。
Although they said they will continue to oppose the administration, now that Kan made public his intention to resign, it would be reasonable for them to cooperate in passing bills, such as the basic legislation for reconstruction and a bill for special public bonds to finance revenues for this fiscal year's budget. 今後も対決姿勢を続けるというが、菅首相はとにかく退陣を口にしたのだ。こうなれば、復興基本法案や今年度予算の財源を賄う特例公債法案の成立には協力するのが筋だろう。
Four former prime ministers abandoned their administration after a year or so--one after another. Kan took over the reins of the government after them. It seems likely that his administration will also be short-lived. 過去４代、たて続けに１年前後で交代した首相のあとを受けた菅首相も、短命に終わりそうだ。
The foreign media reported that the Japanese prime minister is set to change again. 海外には「またまた日本の首相が代わる」というニュースが配信された。
The current revolving door of prime ministers is a big disadvantage for Japanese diplomacy. 外交にとって、大きなマイナスだ。
This brawl over a no-confidence motion must at least serve as an opportunity for ruling and opposition parties to end a futile political battle and to make a fresh start for the realization of policies for the public. せめて、この不信任騒動を、与野党が不毛な政争に区切りをつけ、国民のための政策実現に向け再出発する機会にしなければいけない。
