(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2011 Accusations of public opinion manipulation by NISA have damaged trust 社説：保安院もやらせ 信頼の底が抜けた
Revelations that the government's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) may have attempted to manipulate public opinion on nuclear energy have badly damaged the credibility of the nuclear regulator. 中部電力と四国電力が、プルサーマル計画に関し、国が過去に主催したシンポジウムをめぐり、経済産業省原子力安全・保安院から、参加者の動員や「やらせ質問」を依頼されていたことを発表した。
It's like the thief you caught red-handed turned out to be a police officer. これでは、泥棒を捕まえてみればお巡りさんだった、ということではないか。
Chubu Electric Power Co. and Shikoku Electric Power Co. have said that in the past, NISA asked them to have insiders attend government-sponsored symposia on a "pluthermal" project and only ask panelists non-damaging questions. 質問が反対派に偏るのを避けるため、計画に肯定的な質問をしてもらうのが目的だったという。
If NISA, whose role is to examine the structure and equipment of nuclear power plants and ensure their safety, has in fact attempted to lead public opinion, it is a serious problem. 原発の構造や設備などを審査し、安全を確保する役目の保安院が、プルサーマル計画推進のために、世論を誘導しようとしたのであれば、極めて罪深い。
To restore the public's trust, the government must get to the bottom of this scandal and review the role of NISA. 国民の信頼を取り戻すには、事実関係を徹底的に調査し、保安院のあり方を早急に見直すしかない。
Leading to these new revelations was the news that Kyushu Electric Power Co. asked insiders and subsidiary companies to send e-mails supporting resumption of halted reactors at its Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture to a TV program. 発端は九州電力が、関連会社に対し、玄海原発（佐賀県玄海町）の再稼働を支持する電子メールを投稿するよう依頼した「やらせメール」問題だった。
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry took the incident seriously and instructed power suppliers to conduct in-house investigations for any more similar problems, which is how the latest case emerged. 事態を重く見た経産省が、同様の問題がなかったかどうか、電力各社に調査を指示したところ、今回の「やらせ依頼」が判明した。
The most recent incident has further deepened public distrust in the nuclear power industry and the government regulator, who seem to have paid little heed to public opinion. 民意を軽視するのが、「原子力ムラ」の体質なのだろうか。国民の不信感は深まるばかりだ。
The public is divided over nuclear power because of safety concerns, and the pluthermal project -- in which fuel with plutonium mixed in is used in regular reactors -- was controversial. 安全性への疑問が付いて回る原発には、賛否両論がある。プルトニウムを混ぜた燃料を通常の原子炉で燃やすプルサーマル計画も激しい論争を呼んだ。
The NISA organized symposia on the project were supposed to be for sincerely listening to the opinions of residents in areas that were to host the project and make a decision through a democratic process. だからこそ、立地自治体の住民の声を真摯（しんし）に聞き、民主的な意思決定を目指したのではなかったか。
If NISA attempted to manipulate public opinion on the project, they have betrayed the public's trust. 保安院の「やらせ依頼」は、そうしたプロセスに期待してきた国民の信頼を踏みにじるものだ。
In the first place, there is a major problem with the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, which promotes nuclear power policy, and NISA, which is supposed to pull the brakes on nuclear power when necessary to for safety reasons, coexisting under the umbrella of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, because top-ranking bureaucrats involved in policymaking cycle between the ministry, the agency and NISA every few years. もともと、原発推進にアクセルを踏む資源エネルギー庁と、安全確保のためにブレーキを踏む役目の保安院が、経産省内で併存していることに無理があった。実際、政策の意思決定に関わる幹部職員は、数年のサイクルで本省、エネ庁、保安院間を異動する。
Under these circumstances, it is difficult for NISA to maintain independence as a nuclear power regulator. これでは、保安院が厳格な独立性を保つのは難しいはずだ。
Both electric power companies and the government are under mounting criticism since the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, and even nuclear reactors that other plants that have finished regular safety inspections have not been able to be restarted. 東京電力福島第１原発の事故で、電力会社、政府双方に対する国民の視線は厳しさを増すばかりだ。点検を終えた原発も再稼働できない事態が続いている。
These latest revelations have surely only made it more difficult for a resumption of those operations. 今回の問題で、再稼働へのハードルはさらに高まったといえるだろう。
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda -- who has bitterly criticized Kyushu Electric Power for its e-mail scandal and demanded that its president step down -- has to take this scandal seriously. 九電のやらせメール問題を厳しく批判し、社長の辞任を求めていた海江田万里経産相は、足元から噴出した問題を深刻に受け止めなければなるまい。
He has, of course, announced that the ministry will set up a third-party fact-finding panel to investigate the incident, but the government needs to take all possible measures, including making NISA an independent agency, in order to prevent a recurrence of this scandal and to restore the public's confidence. 第三者委員会を作って、事実関係を徹底的に調査する意向を表明したが、当然だ。福島の事故前から私たちが主張してきた保安院の分離独立も含め、再発防止、信頼回復への取り組みを急ぐべきだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 29, 2011) U.S. needs to compromise on debt ceiling talks 米財政危機 世界の混乱回避へ歩み寄れ（7月28日付・読売社説）
Negotiations among U.S. President Barack Obama, members of his Democratic Party in Congress and their Republican Party counterparts over raising the federal government's borrowing limit are facing rough going. 米国政府の債務上限の引き上げを巡って、オバマ大統領と与野党の協議が難航している。
A compromise is needed to avoid turmoil in the world economy and financial markets. 世界経済や市場の混乱を回避するために、歩み寄ることが求められよう。
The federal debt, the amount the U.S. government is allowed to borrow, has reached the 14.3 trillion dollars (about 1.12 yen quadrillion) ceiling provided by law. 米国政府の借金枠である連邦債務は、法律で定められた上限の１４・３兆ドル（約１１１５兆円）に達している。
If the administration fails to win congressional approval to raise this ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline it will be unable to issue new Treasury bonds, thus running out of fiscal funds. 政府は８月２日の期限までに、議会から上限引き上げの同意を得ないと、新たに国債を発行できず財政資金が底をつく。
Should this happen, the payment of salaries to civil-service workers and of pension benefits would almost certainly be delayed. 公務員への給与支払いや、年金などの給付が滞る見通しだ。
With the deadline approaching, a sense of caution has arisen, prompting the dollar to be sold in foreign currency markets, and sending the yen soaring to a level of 77 yen to the dollar, a new four-month high. 時間切れが迫る中、警戒感が高まり、外国為替市場ではドルが売られ、円相場は約４か月ぶりに１ドル＝７７円台まで急騰した。
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Exporters to suffer
The risk of a further decline of the dollar and the accompanying sharp rise of the yen will seriously affect the earnings of Japanese export-oriented businesses, putting a damper on the nation's economic recovery and post-disaster reconstruction. ドルリスクに伴う円急騰が日本の輸出企業の収益に打撃を与え、景気回復や震災復興に水を差す。
This situation is extremely worrying. 憂慮すべき事態と言えよう。
The focal points of the fiscal negotiations in the United States are how much the debt ceiling should be raised and how to reduce the record-high federal deficit. 米国の財政協議の焦点は、債務上限の引き上げ幅と過去最悪に膨らんだ財政赤字の削減である。
The Republican Party has proposed the debt limit be raised by 1 trillion dollars for now, and then raised further later, after methods to cut the deficit are determined by the end of the year. 野党共和党は、ひとまず上限を１兆ドル引き上げ、年末までに赤字削減策を検討したうえで、上限をさらに引き上げる案を提示した。
The Republicans' proposal could be aimed at putting pressure on the Democrats with an eye on the presidential election in autumn next year. 来年秋の大統領選に向け、揺さぶりをかける狙いだろう。
The Democratic Party's proposal is to raise the ceiling by 2.5 trillion dollars. 一方、与党の民主党案は、２・５兆ドルの大幅な上限引き上げだ。
The Democrats apparently want to resolve the issue as quickly as possible so it does not rear its head again before the election. 選挙前に問題を再燃させたくないという思惑がうかがえる。
The situation will become extremely serious if the talks collapse. 事態が緊迫するのは、大詰めの協議が不調に終わった場合だ。
There is a risk of a default by the United States, whereby the administration will become unable to redeem Treasury bonds and the U.S. credit rating probably will be downgraded. 米国債の償還に必要な資金が賄えない債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥ったり、国債の格付けを引き下げられたりする恐れがある。
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Serious losses feared
The Chinese and Japanese governments, as well as financial institutions around the world, hold a sizable amount of U.S. Treasury bonds. 中国や日本政府のほか、世界の金融機関が米国債を大量に保有している。
If the credibility of the Treasury bonds declines, the price of the bonds will plunge, causing sizable losses to bondholders and undercutting stock prices around the world. 米国債の信認低下で価格が急落して損失が生じ、世界の株価が軒並み値下がりするような混乱が起きかねない。
The United States is responsible for preventing such a crisis. 危機を防ぐ責任は米国にある。
We hope the U.S. president will exercise his leadership to realize a hike in the debt ceiling. 大統領が指導力を発揮し、債務上限引き上げを実現することが期待される。
Both parties should refrain from playing political games but look squarely at the harsh reality of the world economy and the markets. 与野党も政治ゲームを過熱させず、世界経済や市場の厳しい現実を直視すべきだ。
Reducing the federal deficit is an important task. 財政赤字の削減も課題だが、
However, it may be realistic to negotiate separately on such fiscal reconstruction measures as tax hikes. 増税などの抜本的な財政再建策については、切り離して協議することが現実的な選択肢ではないか。
In Europe, Greece has called on the European Union and other entities to extend additional financial support so it can emerge from its fiscal crisis. 欧州では、財政危機が再燃したギリシャが欧州連合（ＥＵ）などに追加支援を仰いだが、
But the prospects of containing the Greek crisis are uncertain. 危機封じ込めの展望は不透明だ。
The turmoil in the United States and Europe should act as a warning bell for Japan, which is gripped by the worst fiscal deficit among advanced nations. 先進国で最悪の財政赤字を抱える日本は、欧米の混乱を警鐘と受け止める必要がある。
Japan needs to expedite efforts to put its own fiscal house in order. 日本も財政健全化を急がねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 28, 2011) （2011年7月28日01時14分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 27, 2011 U.S. gov't must make debt deal to prevent another 'Made in USA' global finance catastrophe 社説：米債務上限交渉 世界を道連れにするな
With each passing day, the unthinkable grows closer: default by the government of the United States on the U.S. national debt. 「ありえない」と思われてきた事態が、日一日と現実に近づいている。世界で最も信用力が高い米国債の債務不履行（デフォルト）だ。
The deadline for the U.S. Congress to approve raising the country's debt ceiling from the current 14.3 trillion dollars is Aug. 2. 期限は８月２日。
If the deadlock between President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress, and Republican members of Congress behind House Speaker John Boehner is not broken by that date, the U.S. government will run out of cash, civil servants will stop getting paid, social security checks won't be issued, and government services will grind to a halt. それまでに米議会が現行１４・３兆ドル（約１１３０兆円）の連邦債務の法定上限を引き上げられなければ、政府の現金は底をつき、公務員への給料支払いや社会保障の給付が止まり、行政サービスが深刻な停滞を余儀なくされる。
However, the greatest fear surrounding a default is that it would cast the global financial markets into chaos and deal a massive blow to the world economy. だが最も心配なのはデフォルトによる金融市場の混乱や世界経済への打撃だ。
The market still apparently believes that a U.S. default is impossible, and that a last-minute deal will be made to raise the debt ceiling. 市場はまだ「ありえない」と土壇場での決着を信じようとしているが、
However, with the U.S. dollar drifting down to just 77 yen, the strain even in market circles is beginning to show. 円相場が一時、１ドル＝７７円台に突入するなど、次第に緊迫の度合いが高まってきた。
Debt-rating giant Moody's Investors Service first slapped its premiere AAA rating on U.S. debt in 1917, and it hasn't budged since. 米格付け会社、ムーディーズ・インベスターズ・サービスが初めてトリプルＡという最高位の格付けを与えた１９１７年以来、１世紀近く最もデフォルトから遠い位置にあった米国債である。
The very fact that it has been considered the most trustworthy sovereign debt in the world for so long makes predicting what effects the current crisis will have all the more difficult. 想定外の事態に陥った時の影響は極めて予測しがたい。
However, even as the world sweats over the looming financial catastrophe, Washington gazes only inward, fixated on its political game of chicken. ところが市場や世界の不安をよそに、ワシントンでは今なお、内向きの政治ゲームが続く。
Far from narrowing the gap between the Republican and Democratic positions, it appears the parties are digging in, making a compromise even more difficult to reach. 与野党の溝は狭まるどころか、むしろ修復し難いほど開きつつあるようだ。
The Republicans are set on raising the debt ceiling in two stages -- the first this year and the second in 2012 -- and starting negotiations on serious cuts to the budget deficit in tandem with the second step. 債務の上限引き上げを今年、来年の２段階で行い、本格的な財政赤字削減策の協議を２段階目の引き上げと絡めたい共和党。
Their aim is to time the second stage -- and the accompanying budget cuts -- to land in the midst of the 2012 presidential election campaign, hoping to destabilize their Democratic opponents at the vital moment. 来年秋の選挙前に相手を揺さぶる狙いがある。
The Democrats, however, are pushing to have the debt ceiling raised this year by an amount that would also cover 2012, thereby getting the party through the autumn election without need of a pitched battle over budget cuts. これに対し民主党は今回１回で来年末までの必要分を引き上げたい考えだ。
Of course, it's natural for politicians in democratic countries to worry about the next election. 政治家が次の選挙を意識するのはどこの国でも同じだろう。
Particularly members of the U.S. House of Representatives, who must face voters every two years, tend to play constantly to their district constituents to better their chances of retaining their seats. 特に全議席が２年ごとに改選となる米下院では、議員が常に選挙区受けを狙った言動を取りがちだ。
For the Republicans, who swept to a majority in the lower chamber in the last midterm election, this means taking a lot of pressure from the Tea Party grassroots conservative movement -- dead-set against raising the debt limit -- that helped propel the Republican Party to victory. その下院で過半数を握るのが昨年の中間選挙で躍進した共和党だが、勝利を支えた保守系草の根運動「ティーパーティー」から、上限引き上げに断固反対するよう強い圧力がかかっている。
However, this should not be an issue subject to Washington's usual electoral anxiety. U.S. congressmen and women must act to protect international trust in the dollar, to uphold what is so obviously a major U.S. interest. しかし、ここはドルの信用を守るという、はるかに大きな国益を優先させるべきだ。
That they and the president should get a deal done on the debt ceiling soon is a given, as is the necessity of drastic deficit-cutting measures. 債務の上限引き上げで早急に合意することはもちろん、実効性のある抜本的な財政赤字削減策も不可欠である。
Half measures would invite a U.S. debt downgrade, possibly triggering at least a short-term crash in the value of the dollar, long-term interest rate hikes, and sinking stock prices worldwide. 中途半端な妥結では、結局、格下げを招き、短期的にせよ、ドルの急落（円の急騰）や長期金利の急上昇、世界的株安など負の連鎖が起きる恐れがある。
"We can't allow the American people to become collateral damage to Washington's political warfare," Obama said during a national television address on July 25, aimed at rallying the American people around a call for compromise. 「ワシントンの政争が米国民を巻き添えにするようなことは許されない」－－。事態打開の道が見えない中、オバマ大統領は国民向けに演説し妥協を呼びかけた。
The potential chaos stemming from a failure to break the debt ceiling impasse, however, would not just suck in the American people. しかし巻き添えになりそうなのは米国民だけではない。
It has not yet been three years since the collapse of Lehman Brothers sparked a global financial crisis that nearly tipped the world into another Great Depression. リーマン・ショックからまだ３年もたたないのに、
No matter the causes or the background, it would be very difficult for us outside the United States to accept another "Made in the USA" financial catastrophe. 世界が再度、米国発の金融危機に巻き込まれることなど、到底、受け入れがたい。
(Mainichi Japan) July 26, 2011 Blaming everything on Kan won't solve nuclear issue 風知草：みんな直人が悪いのか＝山田孝男
In his presentation "Tsuzuri Katakyoshitsu," rakugo storyteller Ryutei Chiraku IV pokes fun at himself with the saying, "It's all my fault that the postboxes are red and the telegraph poles are high." 四代目・柳亭痴楽（りゅうていちらく）の「綴（つづ）り方狂室」に「〓郵便ポストが赤いのも、電信柱が高いのも、みんな痴楽が悪いのヨ」という自虐ギャグがあった。
Strange as it seems, this phrase is exactly the kind of thing we are hearing during debate in Japan's Diet now. いまの国会論戦がそれだ。
The March 11 disaster and nuclear crisis, the political strife, the strong yen, the budget deficit are all Prime Minister Naoto Kan's fault. 震災も、政争も、円高も、財政赤字も、みんな菅直人が悪いのヨである。
"If Kan would only quit, everything would be solved," politicians in both the opposition and ruling parties seem to be thinking. 野党も与党も「菅さえやめれば万事解決」の胸算用。
Kan, meanwhile, keeps his eyes low when he makes rebuttals, and it sounds as if he is making excuses. 菅の反論がまた、伏し目がちで言いわけがましい。
With the Fukushima nuclear crisis raging on, politicians should be questioning Japan's national policy of promoting nuclear power. 今は原発推進の国策を問い直す時だ。
So why aren't the main parties facing up to the issue and debating the risks of nuclear power plants? なのになぜ、大政党は原発リスクを正面から論じないのか。
Why is it always the Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party that take issue with these risks? リスクを追及するのはなぜ、いつも共産党と社民党なのか。
Surely this is a scientific issue, not a matter of ideology. これはイデオロギーではなく、科学技術の問題ではないのか。そこを問いたい。
The lack of debate was recently highlighted over the issue of Vietnam's order of Japanese nuclear power plants. 早い話が「ベトナム原発」問答だ。
Last year Japan received orders from Vietnam for two nuclear power plants. 日本は昨秋、ベトナムから原発を２基受注した。
It was Kan's top deal for the nation. 菅のトップセールスだった。
Now, however, Kan has moved toward abandoning nuclear power in his homeland. その菅が脱原発へ動いた。
In a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on July 20, a lawmaker from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) posed the question, "Is it all right to export dangerous nuclear power plants?" 先週２０日の衆院予算委で、自民党が「危ない原発を輸出していいのか」と追及した。
Kan explained the background to the deal, but sidestepped the question, saying, "We need to debate this within the context of our energy policies and growth strategies." 菅は経過説明の揚げ句、「エネルギー政策と成長戦略を含めた中で議論が必要」とかわした。
This dialogue was an example of an intelligent question and a silly answer, but the lawmaker posing the question didn't provide any view on the issue either, and as a natural consequence the debate sank into superficiality. 賢問愚答には違いないが、攻める側も最後まで自分の考えは明かさず、当然の帰結として、論戦そのものが浅くなった。
Balancing the nation's role as an economic superpower built on exports, and moves abandoning nuclear power is an issue of great magnitude. 「経済技術大国＝輸出立国主義」路線と「脱原発」路線の調和は歴史的な課題である。
Ideally Kan should clearly explain the issues, but one cannot say he is incompetent or insincere just because he has been slow. 首相が鮮やかに説明できれば理想的だが、もたついたから無能、不実とも言えない。
If Japan's leader were "Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda" or "Prime Minister Yoshito Sengoku" or "Prime Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki" would we then receive a clear explanation? もしも野田佳彦首相や、仙谷由人首相や、谷垣禎一首相であれば、説明しきれるか。
It's unlikely. そうもいくまい。
The answers to nuclear problems do not come simply by changing the face of the prime minister. 首相の顔を代えれば答えが出る問題ではない。
If politicians are to question nuclear power plant exports to Vietnam, they must go to the root of the issue and settle the question of what, exactly, is dangerous. 「ベトナム原発」問答の背景は大きく、根は深い。 ベトナムへの原発輸出の是非を問うなら、まず、何が危険かという根源の問題から整理しなければならない。
Scientists are divided over the risks associated with nuclear power plants, but the diagnosis of the insurance industry is said to be uniform and objective. 原発リスクに関する科学者の見解は割れているが、保険業界の見立ては均質で客観的だと言われている。
Masaji Shinagawa, 86, the former president of Nipponkoa Insurance Co. and a current company adviser, as well as a permanent executive secretary of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, gave his opinion on the issue in the May issue of the journal Sekai, in an article titled, "Nuclear Power and Damage Insurance." 元日本興亜損保社長、品川正治（８６）＝現同社相談役、経済同友会終身幹事＝がこう言っている。
"The nuclear power industry can only exist in a framework separate from that of regular economic business, including from the perspective of damage insurance," he stated. 「原子力事業は、損害保険という側面から見ても、通常の経済的営みとは別枠でしか存在しえない」（「世界」５月号「原子力と損害保険」）
The reason for this is that nuclear disasters can't be tested, and so even in a worst-case scenario, the damages remain unpredictable. なぜなら原発災害は、テストできないので発生の確率が読めず、最悪の規模も損害も見当がつかないからだ。
The damage caused by a nuclear plant disaster spreads not only through the air and through society, but also spreads over time, damaging the genes of subsequent generations. 被害は空間的、社会的のみならず、子孫の遺伝子を傷つけて時間的にも広がる。
Building nuclear power plants may be on the same scale as jumbo jets or huge tankers, but the elements are completely different. 同じ巨大技術でも、ジャンボジェットやマンモスタンカーとは全く異質だというのである。
Proponents of nuclear power say, "All we need to do is improve safety," but just what are the standards for safety, and what exactly can be considered safe? 原発推進派は「安全性を高めればいい」と言うが、そもそも何を基準とし、何をもって安全と見るのか。
And how will spent nuclear fuel -- something we found out about through the Fukushima nuclear crisis -- be dealt with? 福島原発震災で思い知らされた使用済み燃料の処分はどうするか。
What are we to do with a nuclear fuel cycle that has no upside? 展望なき核燃料サイクルをどうするか。
What is to become of Japan's Monju sodium-cooled fast reactor? 「もんじゅ」はどうか。
Has the handling of spent nuclear fuel been settled in the contract with Vietnam? ベトナムとの契約で使用済み燃料の処理をどう決めたのか。
There are mountains of issues that should be debated in the Diet, but politicians have tended not to focus on them. 国会論戦に付すべきことは山ほどあるが、そういう流れになっていない。
Why? なぜか。
Because they say Kan has already declared that he will resign. 首相はすでに退陣表明したことになっている。
As the opposition thinks that Kan will resign soon, it has put more energy into shaking up the ruling administration than in getting to the main issues. もうちょっとで辞めると思うから、野党は本論より揺さぶりに精を出す。
Kan's perseverance is one of his merits. 菅は粘りが身上だ。
The view earlier proposed by Keisen University professor Toru Takeda that Kan is playing the clown, giving the public time to think, is funny, but the Diet is clearly wasting time. 粘りながら「道化師」を演じ、国民に考える時間を与えているという武田徹・恵泉女学園大教授の見立て（本紙２１日朝刊）が面白いが、国会は明らかに時間を空費している。
I want politicians to debate the risks of nuclear power rather than talking about Kan. 菅より原発リスクを論じてもらいたい。
2011/07/26 --The Asahi Shimbun, July 25 EDITORIAL: China must thoroughly investigate train disaster. 中国鉄道事故―背伸びせず原因究明だ
Concerns always existed that China's high-speed trains were dangerous. Now, those fears have become reality. 中国の高速鉄道は危ない、という不安が現実になった。
In coastal Wenzhou, in Zhejiang province, one high-speed train rear-ended another. 沿海部の浙江省温州で高速列車が別の高速列車に追突した。
Four carriage cars fell off a high bridge, and many people were killed or injured. ４両が高架橋から落ち、多数が死傷した。
To avoid this kind of accident in Japan and Europe, restrictions are in place on the number of trains running within a given distance. Such a tragedy is unthinkable in Japan or Europe. こんな事故を避けるために、一定の区間を走る車両を制限する日本や欧州などの高速鉄道では考えにくい惨事である。
The cause of the accident is not yet clear. 原因はまだ定かでない。
We do not know whether the problem was with the train itself or with the signal or control systems. 車両に問題があったのか、信号や制御のシステムにトラブルが起きたのか。
Chinese authorities appear to be in a hurry to resume services, but they should spend all their efforts on discovering the cause of the accident. 中国当局は運行の再開を急いでいるようだが、原因の究明に全力を注ぐべきだ。
China is rushing to build a high-speed rail network using foreign technologies like Japan's Shinkansen (bullet train). 中国では新幹線など外国の技術を採り入れて、高速鉄道網の建設が急ピッチで進んでいる。
Late last month, the 1,318-kilometer-long Jinghu High-Speed Railway connecting Beijing and Shanghai opened to great fanfare. 先月末には、北京と上海を結ぶ全長１３１８キロの京滬（けいこ）高速鉄道が鳴り物入りで開業した。
However, there had been repeated warnings about the safety of China's high-speed trains. しかし中国の高速鉄道には、安全性に問題があるとの指摘が続いていた。
Some said that because the technology was not something China developed over time, but rather an imported hodgepodge, the system was prone to problems. 肝心の技術が長年をかけて培ったものではなく、各国からの寄せ集めのため、不具合が起きやすいという見方があった。
Some also said safety concerns for the tracks and signals were being by-passed in the rush to finish construction. また、突貫工事で架線や信号などのシステムの安全性を軽視している、との声も出ていた。
However, Chinese authorities are stressing that the technology they use, which was originally Japanese or European, was something they "digested and developed by themselves." ところが、中国当局は技術は日欧などのものを「消化し、独自に開発した」との立場を強調し、
Now they are moving to file patent applications for those technologies overseas. 外国で特許を申請する動きを見せている。
Some officials even boast that the Chinese high-speed rail "has far surpassed Japan's Shinkansen." 「日本の新幹線をはるかに超えた」と胸を張る当局者もいるほどだ。
However, former Rail Ministry officials have criticized China's high-speed trains as having no original technology?only things Japan and Germany left behind for safety purposes. しかし鉄道省の元幹部から、日独が安全のために余裕として残している部分を使っているだけで独自の技術などない――、そんな批判が相次いだ。
As if to confirm such criticisms, electronic failures have caused repeated problems, like emergency stops, even with the cutting-edge Jinghu rail. 批判を裏付けるように、最新鋭の京滬鉄道でさえ、電気系統の故障による緊急停止といったトラブルが続出している。
In China, numerous train and bus accidents are caused by a disregard for safety measures. 中国では、安全性を無視した列車やバスなどの事故が多い。
On July 22, a sleeper-style bus with passengers well over the legal limit caught fire in Henan province, killing 41. ２２日には、河南省で定員を大幅に超えた乗客を乗せた寝台バスが炎上し、４１人が死亡した。
The latest train accident occurred on the day that the government issued a decree saying "major accidents must be effectively prevented and adamantly avoided." 今回の鉄道事故は、政府が「重大事故の発生を効果的に防ぎ、断固として抑え込まなければならない」という通知を出したその日に起きた。
China is in the throes of development, and as such, the country is rushing to innovate technology everywhere. 発展を続ける中国は、あらゆるところで技術の革新を急いでいる。
The rewards of innovation are substantial, including contributions to the world economy. その成果は世界経済への貢献もふくめて大きい。
However, it can be said that the latest accident has revealed the dangers of applying technology in haste. だが今回の事故は、急速な技術応用の危険性を露呈したといえよう。
Chinese authorities must thoroughly investigate this accident, with the help of Japan and Europe, and establish a safety-first principle. 中国当局は日欧の協力も求めて事故を徹底的に調査し、安全第一の基本を確立しなければならない。
If Chinese officials are unable to do that, they might well give rise to the "China risk" argument that questions the safety of Chinese technology in not only public transport but also in a wide variety of sectors. それができなければ、交通機関にとどまらぬ幅広い分野で進む急成長に対して、技術の安全さを危ぶむ、中国リスク論さえ招きかねない。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 25, 2011) 3 nations must act as 1 to get action from N. Korea 日米韓外相会談 「北」非核化へ具体的行動迫れ（7月24日付・読売社説）
Resuming the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear development programs will be meaningless if it is done with no conditions attached. ６か国協議を再開するだけでは意味がない。
It is vital to continue to press Pyongyang to take concrete action so that substantive progress is made toward denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. 朝鮮半島の非核化が実質的に進展するよう、北朝鮮に「具体的行動」を迫り続けることが肝要だ。
Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan met Saturday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali and adopted a joint statement. 松本外相、クリントン米国務長官、韓国の金星煥外交通商相がインドネシア・バリ島で会談し、共同声明を発表した。
Referring to preconditions for resuming the stalled multilateral talks, the statement sought from North Korea "sincere efforts to improve relations" with Seoul, including constructive dialogue between the two Koreas. 声明は、６か国協議を再開する前提として、北朝鮮に「真摯(しんし)かつ建設的な南北対話を含めた誠意ある努力」を求めた。
It also prodded Pyongyang to "take concrete steps to demonstrate a genuine commitment to denuclearization." 「非核化に対する真のコミットメント（確約）を示すための具体的行動をとる」ことも促している。
In addition to such outrageous acts as sinking a South Korean naval vessel and the deadly shelling of South Korean border island Yeonpyeong, North Korea last year went so far as to announce uranium enrichment activities. 北朝鮮は昨年、韓国軍哨戒艦の撃沈、延坪島砲撃に加え、ウラン濃縮活動の公表まで行った。
It could never be logical to overlook all such things to reopen the six-party talks. 一切を不問にする形で、６か国協議を再開するのは、筋が通らない。
Commitment on the part of the North to take concrete action toward abandoning its nuclear weapons programs should be a minimum requirement for the talks' resumption. 北朝鮮が核放棄に向けて具体的な行動を約束することが、再開の最低限の条件となるべきだ。
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Pyongyang's move for dialogue
In this sense, the "three-stage approach" taken by Japan, the United States and South Korea in calling first for North-South dialogue, followed by consultations between the United States and North Korea and then resumption of the six-party talks should be considered right and proper. その意味で、まず南北対話、次に米朝協議を経て、６か国協議を再開するという日米韓の「３段階」論は、妥当な考えと言えよう。
Up until recently, Pyongyang ignored the South Korean administration of President Lee Myung Bak, but consultations took place for the first time in two years and seven months between the two Koreas' chief nuclear envoys the day before the foreign ministerial talks involving Japan, South Korea and the United States. 北朝鮮は、「韓国の李明博政権は相手にしない」という強硬姿勢を示していたが、今回、２年７か月ぶりに韓国との高官協議に応じた。
With its economic hardships continuing, Pyongyang may have redirected its course of action in favor of promoting dialogue. 経済的困窮が続く中、対話路線にカジを切ったのだろう。
It is an old North Korean trick to ferociously condemn foreign countries and then suddenly offer to wheel and deal. 相手国を激しく非難したり、一転して取引を持ちかけたりするのは、北朝鮮の常套(じょうとう)手段だ。
There should be no excessive response to such maneuvering. 過剰な反応は禁物である。
Japan, the United States and South Korea should deal with the North in a coolheaded manner by ensuring unity among themselves. 日米韓は、３か国の結束を固めたうえ、冷静に対応する必要がある。
China can play a significant role as chair of the six-party talks. ６か国協議の議長国である中国の役割も大きい。
Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Beijing should be aware of its obligation to persuade Pyongyang to make concessions to Tokyo, Washington and Seoul. 事態を傍観することなく、北朝鮮に歩み寄るよう説得することが責務だ。
Ever since last year, Japan, South Korea and the United States have stepped up military cooperation, as shown by the Self-Defense Forces' participation as an observer in joint maneuvers of the United States and South Korea. 日米韓は昨年以降、米韓合同軍事演習に自衛隊がオブザーバー参加するなど、軍事協力を拡充している。
Enhancement of such cooperation is important to curb Pyongyang's provocations. こうした協力は、北朝鮮の軍事的な挑発行為を抑止するうえで重要だ。
Military cooperation should be advanced steadily. 着実に推進したい。
The joint statement from the foreign ministerial talks also called for North Korea to "take action to resolve the issues of abduction and family reunions." 外相会談の声明は、北朝鮮に対し「拉致問題を解決するための行動をとる」ことも呼びかけた。
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Good timing for progress
Bilateral talks on the abductions of Japanese by North Korean agents have been at an impasse since September 2008, when Pyongyang unilaterally scrapped its pledge to reinvestigate the whereabouts of abductees. 拉致問題は、２００８年９月に北朝鮮が再調査の約束を一方的に破棄して以来、停滞している。
In the middle of this month, however, Kansei Nakano, the minister in charge of the abduction issue, visited South Korea to exchange information with South Korean officials including Unification Minister Hyun In Taek. 今月中旬には、中野拉致問題相が訪韓し、玄仁沢統一相らと情報・意見交換を行った。
Such interactions can be attributed to the improvement of relations between Japan and South Korea under the Lee administration. この種の協議ができるのも、李政権下での日韓関係改善の効用と言える。
The United States and South Korea will have presidential elections next year, in November and December, respectively. 米国は来年１１月、韓国は来年１２月に、それぞれ大統領選を予定している。
Japan, South Korea and the United States should share the understanding that with relations between the three going so well, now is a good opportunity for progress on Korean issues. The three nations should do their utmost to yield concrete results in dealing with issues involving the North. 日米韓は、連携が順調な今が北朝鮮問題を前進させる好機だととらえ、具体的な成果を生むよう全力を挙げねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 24, 2011) （2011年7月24日01時15分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) July 24, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: The effects of disaster on the kindest among us 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：やさしさと心の病 ／東京
It has now been more than four months since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. 震災から４カ月以上がたった。
At my clinic in the Tokyo area, I have had a number of patients come to me with a condition called "sympathy fatigue," brought on essentially by feeling too much, too long for the people in the disaster areas. 首都圏にある私の勤務先の診療所では、被災地の方々に心を寄せすぎて、自分も傷ついてしまう「共感疲労」と呼ばれる状態に陥り、
Symptoms I have observed many times include insomnia, depression, feelings of helplessness, and feeling physically drained. 不眠、気持ちの落ち込み、無力感、からだのだるさなどに苦しむ人が多く目についた。
What is to become of these people? その人たちは、いまはどうなっているのか。
Most of us, while mindful of conditions in the disaster-ravaged northeast, continue to live our lives as normal. ほとんどの人は、被災地のことを気にかけながらも、いつもの自分の生活を送っている。
There are also probably many of us who have come to feel thankful for the lives we have and appreciate the importance of each day because of March 11. 「こうやってふつうに暮らせるだけでありがたい」と、これまで以上にあたりまえの日々の大切さをかみしめている人も少なくない。
However, there are also those among us who have been filled these past months with pain and sorrow over the earthquake and tsunami. ただ、一方で悲しみや心の痛みが長引いている人もいる。
Even now just seeing disaster-related news can drive some people to cry so hard they can't move, and drain them of any ambition for family or work. いまだに震災関連のニュースを見ると涙があふれて動けない、仕事や家庭生活への意欲がわかない、という人たちは、
These people, who are not in fact direct victims of the catastrophe, have nonetheless been traumatized to such a degree they could even be developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 直接、被災はしていないものの、心のトラウマ後遺症つまりＰＴＳＤに移行しかけているのかもしれない。
PTSD is typically thought to emerge in people with direct experience of a terrible disaster, crime or warfare. これまでＰＴＳＤは直接、災害や犯罪を体験した人だけがなると考えられてきたが、
However, with the earthquake and tsunami on every TV screen, it is possible that PTSD could develop even in people not directly affected. 今回の震災では、テレビなどであの映像に触れた人にも起きる可能性がある。
The scope of the disaster was enormous, as was the flood of news and images about it. 災害の規模が大きく、映像や情報の量も多かったということだ。
For those so deeply affected, I provide directions for ways to relax and prescribe anti-anxiety medication as necessary. そういう人には必要に応じて緊張を解くリラクゼーション法を指導したり、不安を抑える薬を使ったりもするが、
But I also tell them very earnestly, "You, who feels so much for a disaster zone so far away, are a truly kind and sensitive person." 私はしみじみこう言ってしまう。「遠く離れた被災地のためにそこまで心を痛めているあなたは、本当に心が繊細でやさしいんですね」
I mean this absolutely. これは私の本音だ。
In this day and age when anyone could say they have only enough energy to think about their own problems, it's amazing that there remain people who can show so much compassion and sorrow over someone they've never even met, sharing their tears and their pain. 誰もが「自分のことだけで精いっぱい」となりがちな今、自分のことでなく、会ったこともない人の悲しみに心を寄り添わせ、いっしょに泣いたり傷ついたりし続けている人たちがいる。
Of course, those who show signs of PTSD should be treated, but I also think that such kindness and empathy should be treasured. もちろん、その人たちのＰＴＳＤは治すべき“心の病”かもしれないが、私にはそのやさしさは貴重なものにも思えるのだ。
One visitor to my office told me, "After the disaster, I thought I would do anything for the victims; I would give any amount if it helped. 別の人は、診察室でこう言った。「震災直後、私は被災者のために何でもしよう、いくらでも寄付しよう、と思いました。
But, after a while, I forgot that feeling, and went back to my "me-first" everyday existence. でも、いつのまにかそんなことも忘れて、自分優先の毎日です。
I feel truly terrible about myself when I think about that." ひどい自己嫌悪を感じます」。
I told the patient, "It's okay as long as you can just feel sympathy. この人にも、「そう思える気持ちがあるだけで十分。
There's no reason to suffer yourself, so it's best to put what's going on in your own life first." 苦しむ必要はないので、まずは自分の生活を」と声をかけた。
It seems strange to me that those who can quickly switch back to thinking about themselves are happy and doing well, while those who feel the most for the disaster victims must end up overcome by sadness and pain. いち早く「自分が大切」と気持ちを切り替えた人は元気で、「被災地のために」と考え続けている人が、傷ついたり落ち込んだりしなくてはならない。
Shouldn't these people, whose kindness and generosity lend support to the disaster areas, be supported in turn? That sounds about right to me. 考えてみれば、これはちょっとおかしな話だ。この人たちのやさしさが、被災地を支え、そして自分を支えられるようになればいいのに、と思う。
2011/07/23 -- The Asahi Shimbun, July 22 EDITORIAL: Western Japan needs to save power this summer 電力不足―西日本も、さあ節電だ
On July 20, the government hastily requested people and businesses in jurisdictions served by Kansai, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu electric power companies to save electricity this summer. 政府は関西、北陸、中国、四国、九州の電力５社に対し、２０日になって急きょ、この夏の節電を要請した。
Although the request is not a binding directive to limit the use of electricity as is the case with areas serviced by Tokyo and Tohoku electric power companies, this summer, Japan is facing a crisis that requires the entire nation to do everything it can to save electricity. 東京、東北電力管内のような強制力のある電力使用制限令ではないが、この夏は列島あげて節電に全力をあげなければならない事態になった。
There are rising concerns that western Japan may also face a power shortage. 西日本でも電力不足が懸念されるのは、
This is because the outlook for the supply of electricity to meet demand suddenly became tight. At a time when prospects for the restart of nuclear power plants undergoing routine inspections remain dim, a reactor at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s nuclear power plant and a thermal power plant of Chugoku Electric Power Co. came to a halt because of certain difficulties. 定期検査で停止中の原発の再稼働が見込めないなか、関電の原発と中国電の火力発電所がトラブルで止まり、電力需給の見通しが一気にひっぱくしたからだ。
In western Japan, no major power plants were damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. 西日本には震災で壊れた大規模発電所はないし、
Since many areas in western Japan share the same frequency, it is easier for electric utilities to accommodate each other with surplus electricity. 同じ周波数の地域が広く、電力の融通もしやすい。
Still, if demand for electricity reaches the same level as last year, when demand peaks, the five companies as a whole are expected to face a power shortage, according to the government. それでも昨年並みの電力需要があれば、５社合計ではピーク時に電力不足に陥りそうだという。
The situation is particularly serious in the region covered by Kansai Electric, which relies on nuclear power plants for about 50 percent of its total power generation. とりわけ、発電量の約５割を原発で賄ってきた関電が深刻だ。
It is clear that by counting on the restart of nuclear power plants, both the government and the power companies failed to come up with an effective measure to deal with a possible electricity shortage. 原発の再稼働をあてにしているうちに、政府も電力会社も対策が後手に回ったのは明らかだ。
When it comes to a lack of preparations to create a system to save energy, it can be said that western Japan is in a tighter bind than eastern Japan. 節電体制づくりの準備不足という点では、西日本の方がむしろ厳しい展開と言える。
But there is a limit to what people and businesses can do at this juncture. ただ、今からできることは限られている。
For now, users have no choice but to use every conceivable means to save as much electricity as possible. 当面はありとあらゆる節電でしのぐしかない。
The important thing is to avoid concentration of electricity use during peak-use daytime periods. 要は、暑さの厳しい時間帯に電力使用が集中しないようにすることだ。
For that, users need to talk the matter over in local communities, the workplace and at home to come up with workable ideas. そのためには、地域や職場、家庭で相談して、工夫を凝らしていく必要がある。
Western Japan is far from the earthquake-stricken areas. もともと、西日本は大震災の被災地から遠い。
Foreseeing a shortage of electricity in eastern Japan, some companies even moved their production centers and office functions to western Japan. 企業の中には東日本の電力不足を見越して、わざわざ西日本へ生産拠点や管理部門を移したところもあるくらいだ。
All the more because residents in western Japan were not damaged from the March 11 disaster, they must be wondering why they must conserve. 地震の実感がないぶん、住民は「なぜ節電なのか」という思いだろう。
Still, they must come to face to face with reality that saving electricity is indispensable. それでも、節電が不可欠な現実と向き合わねばならない。
Above all, for effective energy saving, it is important that the government and electric utilities properly release information on supply capabilities and demands. 何より効果的な節電をするには、政府や電力会社が供給能力や需要動向に関する情報をきちんと開示することだ。
In particular, in the Kansai region where a shortage is most feared, concerned parties are setting different targets for saving electricity. The government calls for "10 percent or more," Kansai Electric "15 percent" and the union of Kansai governments comprising local governments "5 to 10 percent." とくに最も不足が心配される関西ではいま、政府が「１０％以上」、関電が「１５％」、自治体でつくる関西広域連合が「５～１０％」と、ばらばらな目標値を設定している。
Under such circumstances, it is difficult for residents to know how much electricity is in short supply and how much heat they have to endure. これでは、住民は本当に足りない電力がどのくらいなのか、どれだけ暑さを我慢しなければならないのか、わかりにくい。
As it is, public distrust is mounting against the government for repeatedly changing policies without proper planning for electricity usage and utilities which cannot part with a dishonest corporate culture as symbolized in the case of Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s fake e-mail messages that were sent to support nuclear power to meet the company's objective. ただでさえ、計画性を欠いた政策変更を繰り返す政府と、九電のやらせメールに象徴されるような企業体質を引きずる電力会社に対し、国民の不信感は募っているのだ。
More substantial numbers and easy-to-understand explanations are needed for people and businesses to ride out the feared power shortage this summer. もっと根拠のある数字と、納得できる説明が要る。
These are the minimum requirements. それが夏を乗り切る最低条件になる。
2011/07/22 -- The Asahi Shimbun, July 21 EDITORIAL: Lessons must be learned from deaths of community firefighters. 津波と消防団―２５１人の教訓から学ぶ
Sachiko Tanaka is the leader of a Sendai group of families of suicide victims, called Ai no kai." 田中幸子さんは、仙台市で自死遺族の集まり「藍の会」を主宰している。
She receives requests for counseling also from the parents of people who died in the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in March. 震災でわが子を亡くした親からも相談が来る。
A woman in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, told Tanaka that her son, a member of the community fire company, was swept away by the tsunami while trying guide people the way to a safe shelter. 宮城県石巻市の母親は、消防団員の息子が、避難の誘導中に津波にのまれたという。
People tell me that he was a great person who saved many lives," the woman said. 「多くの命を救った立派な息子さんですねと、皆さんおっしゃってくださる」
But I wish he had not become a hero by dying. I wanted my son to be alive instead of saving other people." 「でも、英雄になんかならない方がよかった。ひと様を助けるより、息子には生きててほしかったのに」
The woman spoke in a hoarse subdued, tearful voice. 押し殺した涙声になる。
Tanaka has received calls from some other women in the same situation. 同じ立場の母親からの電話が、ほかにも何本かあったという。
Community firefighters are part-time local government employees who perform fire suppression and other related emergency services for the local communities. They usually have other jobs. 消防団員は地域で仕事をしながら活動する非常勤の地方公務員だ。
The Great East Japan Earthquake left 251 community firefighters dead or missing in the three prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. 震災では岩手、宮城、福島３県で２５１人が死亡あるいは行方不明になった。
The number is far larger than the death tolls for full-time firefighters and police officers, both around 30. 消防署員と警察官の犠牲がともに約３０人なのと比べて際だって多い。
Since most part-time firefighters are men in the prime of their working lives, many young children are now fatherless. 働き盛りの男性が中心で、多くの子どもが残された。
In a normal year, only several community firefighters are killed in the performance of their duties across the nation. 毎年、全国で殉職する消防団員は数人ほどだから、
The mutual aid program for these firefighters is therefore not sufficiently funded to pay due compensation to the families of those who died in the disaster. 今回の事態に共済制度の遺族補償が十分に支払えない。
A way should be found to increase the amount the bereaved families will receive. 何らかの遺族支援策で補えないものか。
One community firefighter died as he went to shut the floodgate of a tide embankment just as the tsunami was approaching. 津波が迫る防潮堤に水門を閉めに向かった人。
Another perished while striking the alarm bell of a fire tower to warn residents to evacuate. 避難を呼びかけるため、やぐらで半鐘を鳴らし続けた人。
Many members of community fire companies lost their lives to save others. 多くの団員が誰かを助けるために命を落とした。
Let us express our respect and gratitude for these brave men. 私たちは敬意と感謝を忘れない。
But we should do more than simply applaud them as heroes. そのうえで、決して英雄視するだけで終わってはならないと考える。
Toshitaka Katada, a professor at Gunma University known as an expert in practical disaster prevention education, warns that the tendency of Japanese to praise people who risk their lives in performing their duties is dangerous. 実践的な防災教育で知られる群馬大の片田敏孝教授は、危険を顧みずに職務を全うすることを是とする風潮は危うい、と指摘する。
Katada raises the question of whether sufficient measures were in place for the safety of these firefighters. 彼らの安全を確保する方策は十分だったのか、という問題提起だ。
Community firefighters of today use cellphones as the main tool for communications among them. 最近の消防団は、携帯電話で連絡を取り合うことが多い。
Were the victims alerted to the fact that projected tsunami heights had been raised while the mobile services were disrupted? 携帯が通じないなか、津波の予想高が引き上げられたことは伝わったのか。
It is urgently needed to take steps to improve the communications equipment and systems used by community firefighters. 通信装備などの改善を急がねばならない。
Local fire companies in the hard-hit Sanriku region have been conducting tsunami drills every year. 三陸地方の団員は毎年、津波訓練を積んできた。
When a tsunami warning is issued, community firefighters in the region are supposed to monitor the sea immediately outside the areas expected to be submerged. 浸水想定区域のすぐ外側で海を監視し、
They are also supposed to be the last to evacuate. 逃げるときはしんがりを務める。
Are these rules reasonable? そんな想定は適切だったか。
There were residents who didn't heed the warnings to evacuate from community firefighters. 消防団が呼びかけても逃げようとしない住民がいた。
It is essential to improve disaster prevention education for citizens, especially for people who are not sufficiently informed of dangers related to earthquakes and other disasters. そうした人々も含めた防災教育の見直しが欠かせない。
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency plans to start fresh debate on the roles and duties of community fire companies in times of major disasters. 総務省消防庁は、大災害時の消防団活動のあり方を議論していく予定だ。
Close and detailed scrutiny of the damage suffered by community fire companies in the disaster-hit areas will be a good start. まずは被災状況の詳細な検証が出発点になる。
For long, there have been serious shortages of people willing to serve as community firefighters. かねて消防団員のなり手不足は深刻だった。
The March disaster has cast a fresh spotlight on the importance of the role of community firefighters as a key force in disaster prevention. 大震災は地域の防災の担い手としての重要性を改めて教えてくれている。
That's why we need to learn lessons from all these tragedies. だからこそ、悲劇から学ばなければならない。
2011/07/21 --The Asahi Shimbun, July 16 EDITORIAL: Investing billions on new fast-breeder reactor should stop. もんじゅ―開発はあきらめる時だ
During a regular news conference on July 15, Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Yoshiaki Takaki was asked about the future of the government's Monju prototype fast-breeder reactor in Fukui Prefecture. 高速増殖原型炉「もんじゅ」（福井県）をめぐる高木義明文部科学相の発言が、波紋を呼んでいる。
He replied, "Rather than discuss it in simplistic terms of scrapping or keeping it, let's just say the answer lies in the government's overall energy policy." 高木氏は昨日午前、もんじゅについて「廃止とか、単純に継続とかではなくて、全体的なエネルギー政策の中で結論がおのずと出てくる」と述べた。
When his remarks were interpreted to mean that discontinuing the Monju project was an option being considered by the government, a testy Takaki called another news conference later that day. それが「開発中止を含め検討」と報じられたのを受け、夕方、改めて記者会見し、
"I never said anything about discontinuing the project," he asserted. "Nobody should be jumping to conclusions." 「中止なんて一言も言っていない」としつつ、「議論に予断は持つわけにはいかない」と語った。
But given the unprecedented gravity of the March meltdowns and Prime Minister Naoto Kan's recent call for a society that relies less on nuclear energy, it is only reasonable to assume that the government intends to radically review the Monju project. 未曽有の原発事故を起こし、原発依存を下げていく以上、政府がもんじゅのあり方を問い直すのは当然のことだ。
Fast-breeder reactors (FBRs) are "dream reactors" that run and fast-breed their plutonium fuel using plutonium, thereby maintaining a nuclear fuel cycle. 高速増殖炉（ＦＢＲ）はプルトニウムを燃料にし、運転しながら燃料を「増殖」させる原発だ。 この「夢の原子炉」によってエネルギーを支える構想を、核燃料サイクルとよぶ。
In the past, many countries sought to perfect this nuclear fuel cycle. かつては多くの国が核燃料サイクルの実現をめざしたが、
But the United States and other European countries have practically given it up for cost and technical reasons, as well as out of concern for nuclear proliferation issues that might arise from the use of plutonium. 技術的な難しさ、コストの高さ、プルトニウムを扱うことによる核拡散の問題を理由に、欧米はほぼ撤退した。
Japan's Monju project has experienced repeated delays. 日本の計画も遅れに遅れている。
In the 1970s, the government expected the FBR to be commercialized "between 1995 and 2005." １９７０年代には「９５～２００５年ごろに実用化する」という計画を描いていたが、
But according to the current nuclear energy policy guideline, the target is "by around 2050." 現在の原子力政策大綱では「５０年ごろまでに実用化」としている。
Soon after its startup, the Monju leaked its sodium coolant in December 1995. もんじゅは初発電から間もない９５年１２月に冷却材のナトリウム漏れ事故を起こした後、
The reactor has remained practically idle ever since, but more than 900 billion yen ($11.37 billion) has been sunk into the project so far. ほとんど稼働していない。すでに９千億円以上を投じ、
And it costs 55 million yen a day just to maintain it. 停止中も１日５５００万円の維持管理費がかかる。
Since Monju is a prototype reactor, it is to be followed by a demonstration reactor and then a commercial reactor. しかも、もんじゅは原型炉であり、この次に実証炉、実用炉と続く。
But nothing has been decided as to who will be primarily responsible for the construction of the demonstrator reactor, and the latter will be of a different type from the Monju anyway. 実証炉をだれが主体になってつくるかも未定だ。つくるとしても、もんじゅとは違うタイプになる。
There are no prospects of commercialization. 実用化の見通しは立たない。
In the history of Japan's nuclear development, the Monju symbolized domestic development when all light-water reactors were imports. 日本の原子力開発の歴史において、普通の原発（軽水炉）が外国から丸ごと輸入されたのに対し、もんじゅは国産開発のシンボルだった。
Sodium, which the Monju uses as a coolant, is difficult to control because it can cause an explosion when it reacts with water. しかし、もんじゅで冷却材に使われるナトリウムは水と爆発的な反応をするため、制御が難しい。
It is a highly dangerous substance if an accident does occur. 事故が起きた場合の危険性は極めて高い。
In one of our special editorials that ran on July 13 in the vernacular Asahi Shimbun, we demanded that the government discontinue its nuclear fuel cycle program. 私たちは１３日付の社説特集「提言 原発ゼロ社会」で、核燃料サイクル計画からの撤退を求めた。
There is little point now in continuing to spend billions of yen on the development of FBRs. もはや巨額の予算をかけてＦＢＲの開発を進める意味は乏しい。
We believe it is time to abandon the project and decommission the Monju. ＦＢＲはあきらめ、もんじゅは廃炉にすべきだ。
Once we are through with FBRs, we should radically review the current system of extraction and reprocessing of spent plutonium fuel. ＦＢＲ時代が来ない以上、使用済み核燃料からプルトニウムを取り出す再処理事業も、根本的に見直さなければならない。
This is the all of a five-part editorial series proposing ways for Japan to achieve a society that does not depend on nuclear power generation for its energy supply. (日本が脱原発によりエネルギーを得るための朝日新聞５提言のすべて。 trans. by srachai)
2011/07/19 --The Asahi Shimbun, July 13 EDITORIAL/ Seeking a society without nuclear power generation: Let consumers regain leadership in developing energy policy. 新たな電力体制―分散型へ送電網の分離を〈社説特集〉
2011年7月13日21時45分
This is the last of a five-part editorial series proposing ways for Japan to achieve a society that does not depend on nuclear power generation for its energy supply.
* * *
Two key factors for producing necessary electricity while reducing our reliance on nuclear power are "distributed generation" and "the separation of generation and transmission." 原発を減らしつつ、電力を確保する。それを実現させるキーワードは「電源の分散」と「発電と送電の分離」だ。
For decades, Japan has been building giant nuclear power plants near the seashore that send electricity over long distances to large cities that consume huge amounts of power. 海岸近くに大規模な原発を何基も建設し、遠方の大消費地に電気を送る。
The disastrous accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has dramatically demonstrated that such centralized power generation, which was promoted as the best approach to ensuring a stable power supply, could cause widespread power disruptions and enormous economic damage when a major disaster takes place. 今回の事故では、安定供給に向くとされた集中立地型がむしろ大規模災害時に大きなリスクとなることがあらわになった。
To create a power supply system less vulnerable to disasters and crises, it would be better to use distributed power sources with the help of independent local power generators instead of depending solely on existing regional utilities. 災害や危機に強い電力体制をつくるには、既存の電力会社だけに頼らず多様な事業者に発電を担ってもらい、電源を分散させるほうがいい。
It would also help to expand the use of technologies, such as photovoltaics, to generate more power in small quantities close to where it is needed. 太陽光など消費地で発電する「地産地消」も広げたい。
Establishing a decentralized electricity generation system requires allowing various independent power suppliers to connect their facilities to the power grid on fair terms. そのためには、さまざまな発電業者が公平に接続できる送電網が不可欠だ。
Since 1995, Japan has been taking steps to liberalize power generation and throw its retail electricity market open to competition. 日本では１９９５年以降、発電分野の自由化や、需要者に直接電気を売る小売り（配電）分野の市場開放を進めてきたが、
But the proposed separation of power generation and transmission has been on ice because of strong opposition from electric power companies. 発電と送電の分離は電力会社の強い反対で見送られた。
The existing large power utilities have been restricting connections to their networks of high-voltage transmission lines under the pretext of ensuring stable power supply. 既存大手は「安定供給」を理由に自社の送電網への接続を厳しく制限し、
The fees charged on newly arrived independent power producers for using transmission lines are so high that they discourage new entries into the business. 送電網の使用料も新規参入者には高すぎる。
As a result, as of April, there were only 32 newcomers in the nation's electricity retail market, accounting for a puny 3 to 4 percent of the total power supply. 結果的に、電力小売市場の新規事業者は今年４月時点で３２社、供給に占める割合も３～４％にとどまる。
We now need to find viable alternatives to nuclear power. 今後は原子力に代わる電力を探さなければならない。
It is clearly necessary to make greater use of alternative power sources, such as renewable energy, small gas-powered turbines and surplus power from independent generators installed by companies and rooftop solar panels at households. 自然エネルギーや小規模なガスタービン、あるいは企業の自家発電設備や太陽光などの設備をつけた家庭から生まれる余剰電力といった多様な電源を、もっと活用する。
To promote such dispersed generation, transmission services should be separated from the production of electric power to ensure fairer operations. それには、送電部門を発電部門から切り離し、もっと公平に運用する体制を整えるべきだ。
That would increase competition among power generators and retailers, thereby helping to keep down electricity bills. そうすれば発電業者や小売業者の競争を促すことにもなり、電気料金を抑制する効果も期待できる。
As a negative result of the virtual monopoly of regional power markets by big utilities, however, their transmission line networks are separated and not effectively interconnected with each other. ただ、地域独占の弊害から、送電網は電力会社ごとに事実上分断されている。
In addition, two different power frequencies have been used in this small country--50 hertz for eastern Japan and 60 hertz for western Japan--under an internationally unique policy that doesn't make any sense. 狭い日本の東と西で周波数が別々なのも、世界から見れば非常識だ。
Since electricity cannot be stored in large quantities, it is necessary to adjust output constantly to fluctuating demand. 電気は大量に「ためる」ことができず、常に需要と供給の量を合わせないといけない。
This is a big challenge especially when dealing with alternative energy sources, which are susceptible to weather conditions. 特に、自然エネルギーは気象条件に左右されやすい。
Since the possible locations for power generation using renewable sources are limited, it is also difficult to match supply with demand within an area served by an existing utility. 発電場所が限定されるため、既存の電力会社管内では需要とマッチしないという問題もある。
Expanding the scope of transmission operations to cover wider areas would increase options for supply-demand adjustments and make it easier to tap renewables. 送電を広域化すれば、需給調整の選択肢が広がり、活用しやすくなる。
This would create a new power supply system based on a combination of dispersed generation and wide-area transmission. 「分散発電・広域送電」の考え方だ。
While it may be impossible to immediately create a fully integrated national grid that allows electricity to flow freely from anywhere in the country to anywhere else, it would be possible and beneficial to integrate the operations of the networks of transmission lines first in eastern Japan, which was directly hit by the March 11 disaster. 一度に全国網を構築するのは無理でも、まずは震災の直接的な影響を受けた東日本から送電網を一体運営してはどうか。
Utilities argue that since transmission services would not generate much profit, separating them from power generation would lead to reduced investment in transmission lines and thereby increase the risk of accidents. 電力会社は「送電事業は薄利だから、分離すると設備投資がおろそかになり事故が起きやすくなる」と主張する。
But this problem could be solved by designing the system cleverly so that fees for using transmission lines will be reasonably based on the necessary costs. Information about the costs should be fully disclosed for transparency. しかし、必要なコストをきちんと情報開示し、送電網の使用料に反映できる方式にするなど、制度設計を工夫すれば対応は可能だ。
In Europe and the United States, power generation and transmission are already managed and operated under separate systems or by different companies. 欧米ではすでに発電部門と送電部門を別の管理体系にしたり別会社化したりしている。
Especially in Europe, efforts toward wider transmission have resulted in benefits like stimulating new investment and nurturing power interchange businesses. 特に欧州では広域化を促進することで、新規投資や電力融通ビジネスが盛んになる効果も上げている。
There are, however, many challenges to overcome before such a system can be created. 課題は少なくない。
It must now be assumed that more power consumers in Japan will generate electricity on their own or supply power to each other in a limited scale. これからは需要側が自ら発電したり、限られた範囲で電気を融通しあったりすることも想定しなければならない。
But the existing transmission lines are designed for one-way flows of electricity from large power plants to consumers. ところが、これまでの送電網は大規模発電所から需要側への一方通行を前提につくられている。
The proposed policy change would require building a smart grid based on new technology that can handle flows of electricity in the opposite direction without affecting the voltage or frequency. 逆の潮流を受けても電圧や周波数に影響が出ないよう、新たな技術を使って賢い送電網（スマートグリッド）にする必要がある。
Another key issue for debate on the idea is who should be in charge of operating the grid. 送電網の経営主体も議論になろう。
Should it be the government, or one company devoted to the task? 国有化がいいのか、一企業の経営とするのか、
Or some other organization like an association of power consumers? 利用者組合などの組織に委ねるか。
The establishment of a new regulatory and supervisory body for promoting power interchange among generators and ensuring fair connections to the grid should also be considered. 電力融通や公平な接続を促す規制・監視機関も考えなければいけない。
These reforms cannot be carried out overnight. こうした改革は、一朝一夕にはできない。
In Japan's progress toward a new power supply system, one area where efforts will produce immediate results is demand-side reform for energy and power conservation. 新たな電力体制に向けて、すぐに効果をあげられるのは、省エネ、節電といった「需要側の改革」だ。
A crucial factor here is how households use electricity. たとえば、家庭での電気の使い方。
The share of households in the nation's overall demand for electricity has been rising steadily in the postwar era and now stands at one-third. 電力需要に占める家庭消費の割合は戦後ほぼ一貫して伸び続け、今では約３分の１を占める。
When it is necessary to curb power consumption during peak demand hours, as in the current power crunch, efforts by households to cut their power use are vital. 今回の電力不足のように、ピーク時の需要抑制が必要な場合、家庭内での電力調整は、きわめて重要だ。
It is urgent to introduce smart meters--electrical meters that track and show how much power is used by which electric appliances in what hours of the day. どんな時間帯にどんな機器でどれだけ電気が使われているかがわかる「スマートメーター」の導入を急ぎたい。
Sharing such information with power suppliers would make it possible to set different electricity rates for different hours and power sources and thereby increase the use of home electric appliances in hours when demand and prices are lower. 電力を供給する側とデータを共有すれば、時間別や電源別の料金体系を設け、電力の安い時間帯にうまく家電を動かすような工夫も可能になる。
With its sophisticated technologies for information and communication devices and electronic equipment, Japan has the potential to pursue world-leading projects for smart use of power. 情報家電や電子機器に強い日本だからこそ、世界に先駆けた試みができるはずだ。
Given the costs of dealing with the nuclear disaster, rising raw materials prices and the planned introduction of a feed-in tariff program to mandate utilities to buy electricity from renewable sources at fixed prices, electricity bills are likely to trend up for the time being. 原発事故の処理や資源価格の上昇、自然エネルギーの固定価格買い取り制度の導入などを考えると、電力料金は当面、値上げの方向にある。
It is time for Japan to adopt a coherent strategy for smarter and more efficient use of electricity, with conservation as its centerpiece, as a way to reduce the burden on households and the economy as a whole. 家計や経済への負荷を減らす意味でも、節電を軸に賢い電気の使い方を追求するときだ。
We need to break with the longstanding habit of using electricity as much as we want while depending totally on the regional utilities for power supply. 電気を使いたいだけ使い、供給は「お任せ」にしてきた姿勢を改めなければならない。
The power supply reforms to reduce the nation's dependence on nuclear power and replace the centralized generation approach with a decentralized system based on distributed energy facilities would mean a shift from a society dependent on a limited number of power suppliers to a self-sustaining one. 「脱原発」「集中から分散へ」という電力改革は、依存型のエネルギー確保から、
Every member of society would be involved in the pursuit of the best ways to produce, distribute and consume power. だれもがエネルギーのあり方にかかわる自立型社会への転換を意味する。
In other words, this will be a process for consumers to regain leadership in the development of the energy policy. エネルギー政策の主権を、消費者側に取り戻す作業と言い換えてもいい。
In such a society, consumers will examine the costs and risks involved in various power generation methods, select power sources on their own and shoulder the burden of necessary costs. 発電にかかるコストやリスクを吟味し、自分たちで電力を選び、必要な費用であれば負担していく。
This is an evolutionary path for democracy. それは民主主義を深化させる道でもある。
These reforms would lead to new lifestyles, new jobs and new ways of working. 改革の先に、新しい生活や新しい仕事、働き方の芽がある。
It is time for us to take the step in a new direction instead of fearing change. 変化をおそれるより、一歩を踏み出すときだ。
(Mainichi Japan) July 19, 2011 Japan's World Cup triumph an inspiration for now and the future 社説：なでしこ世界一 大輪咲かせた感謝の心
The morning of July 18 was a happy one in Japan, energizing the entire country. １８日は日本中が元気になる、素晴らしい朝になった。
The Japanese people, faced with so much sorrow over recent months, were able to rejoice at the news that the national women's soccer team had defeated the top-ranked United States in the Women's Soccer World Cup final, bringing the championship to Japan for the first time. ドイツで開かれていたサッカーの女子ワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）で、初めて決勝に進んだ日本代表「なでしこジャパン」がＰＫ戦の末、世界ランキング１位の米国を降し、初めて世界一のタイトルを獲得した。
The match, held in Germany, started at 3:45 a.m. Japan time, when most people are still in bed. However, for such a great event, there were many here that gave up sleep to stake out a place in front of the TV and cheer Japan's ladies on. 米国との決勝戦は日本時間午前３時４５分開始という早朝の試合だったが、テレビの前で声援を送った人は少なくなかっただろう。
The odds were not in Japan's favor. The U.S. had won 21 of the two teams' 24 previous contests, with the remaining three matches ending in draws. 米国とは過去２４度対戦し、２１敗３分け。まだ一度も勝ったことのない相手だった。
In the World Cup final, too, Japan gave the lead to the U.S. not once but twice, fighting back to tie the score both times with tenacity and steadfast determination, finally forcing the game into a penalty shootout. この試合も２度先行を許す苦しい展開だったが、粘り強く食い下がり、
At this do-or-die moment, Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori proved her mettle with a truly spectacular save, giving her side the chance to seal a worthy victory against a team called the best in the world. 後はＰＫ戦でＧＫ海堀あゆみ選手がスーパーセーブを連発、最高の舞台で最強の相手から価値ある初勝利をもぎ取った。
Team captain and Japan nucleus Homare Sawa had her own starring role in the evening's drama, using the precious last minutes of overtime to knot the score at 2-2. Sawa also took home MVP honors for her astounding five goals over the course of the tournament. 主将としてチームを引っ張る澤穂希選手は延長後半の貴重な同点ゴールを決め、今大会５得点で得点王とＭＶＰ（最優秀選手）を獲得、優勝に花を添えた。
Watching Sawa's many triumphs -- including that amazing overtime goal -- one is always moved seeing her joyful reactions, no matter how many times they are replayed. 澤選手の技ありゴールを含め、歓喜のシーンは何度見ても感動は薄れない。
This tremendous victory will certainly work as a great encouragement for Japan as it struggles to recover from the March 11 disasters and ongoing nuclear crisis. 東日本大震災からの復興を目指す日本にとって何よりの励ましとなる優勝だった。
However, it was not only the on-field heroics that have proven inspiring. 感動したのは試合内容だけではなかった。
After every match including the final, the Japan team unrolled a banner reading "To Our Friends Around the World, Thank You for Your Support" and carried it around the edge of the pitch to great roars of appreciation from the crowd. 決勝戦を含め、出場したすべての試合後、なでしこたちは「世界中の友人たちへ 支援に感謝します」と英文で書かれた横断幕を手に場内を回り、スタンドの観衆の声援に応えた。
With people from all over the globe stepping up to help Japan in its moment of crisis, one could not help but feel a swell of emotion as the players spoke for their country to say a heartfelt thank you to the world. 今回の東日本大震災に際し、世界中から送られた支援に、なでしこたちが日本を代表して感謝の意を表してくれているようで、胸が熱くなった。
Japan, after defeating second seed Germany and then the mighty United States, is now the team to beat. 「２強」といわれたドイツ、米国を破って一躍世界の頂点に立ち、これからは「追われる立場」となったなでしこジャパン。
However, except for a handful of players in foreign professional leagues, it is hard to say the Japanese women live in prosperous circumstances. だが、海外のプロリーグに所属する一部の選手を除けば、選手たちを取り巻く環境は恵まれているとは言い難い。
Many company teams across Japan have been put on ice or axed outright, making it hard for players on the national team to both hold down jobs and get necessary playing time. 所属する企業チームの休廃部が相次ぎ、「仕事」と「サッカー」の両立に苦戦を続けている。
In the past, women selected to the national team had to pay half their own expenses for international tournaments. かつては国際大会の代表に選ばれても遠征費用の半分は自己負担だったという。
This championship team's predecessors had to deal with the pain of playing in so-called "minor events," and their sacrifice has finally borne fruit in the form of this World Cup victory. 「マイナー競技の悲哀」を味わい続けた先輩たちの犠牲の上に今回、大輪の花が開いた。
なでしこたちが「感謝の心」を忘れないのはそんな背景があるのだろう。
Increasing the number of players will be a key to the future of women's soccer in Japan. 競技人口の拡大が今後のカギを握る。
Inter-high school sports events will include girls' soccer in a national sports meet for the first time at next year's Kita Shinetsu tournament. 全国高等学校体育連盟が主催する高校総合体育大会（インターハイ）で女子サッカーが実施されるのは来年の北信越大会から。
However, using the team's stunning World Cup triumph to provide young Japanese girls with global dreams with the structure to make them reality is now an urgent task for the nation. 今回のなでしこの活躍にあこがれ、サッカーを始めたいと思う少女たちの夢をかなえるための環境整備が急務だ。
All said, to all members of the Japan team, congratulations from our heart! ともあれ、なでしこジャパンの皆さん、本当におめでとう。
(Mainichi Japan) July 17, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: A bit of both worlds 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：「どっちもアリ」でいい ／東京
I recently read Setsuko Tsumura's collection of stories titled "Henro Michi" (Pilgrimage route), a book narrated in the first person that focuses on the time around her husband's death from illness. 津村節子氏の連作短編集『遍路みち』を読んだ。長年、連れ添った夫の病没の前後のことが中心の私小説集だ。
As some readers may know, her husband, whom she was with for many years, was the novelist Akira Yoshimura. 言うまでもなく、津村氏の夫は小説家の吉村昭氏である。
The woman featured in the book clearly holds her husband close to her heart, and devotes herself to looking after him even after he falls ill. 小説の中に出てくる女性は、誰から見ても夫を大切にし、病を得てからも献身的に介護する。
However, she feels she failed to grasp her husband's feelings in the closing period of his life -- something she continues to blame herself for. それでも女性は、とくに最期の時期、十分に夫の気持ちをくみ取ることができなかったのでは、と自分を責め続ける。 In the book, comments such as the following are common: 繰り返し、このようなフレーズが登場する。
"In a marriage spanning 50 years, there must have been happy and fun times, but all I remember are the regrets from the week before his death." 「五十年の結婚生活の間に嬉しいことも楽しいこともあったはずなのに、思い出すのは最期の一週間の悔いばかりだ」
The woman's children and acquaintances tell her, "You did well," "He lived a happy life," but no matter how much they console her, she can't snap out of her mood. 子どもや知人が「よくやったよ」「亡くなった方は幸せでした」といくら女性を慰めようとしても、なかなか気持ちの切り替えができない。
To escape the oppressive feelings inside her she goes on a "pilgrimage" tour and hot spring therapy trip, but all that wells up inside her is regret. 胸の中の重苦しさから逃れるようにお遍路ツアーや湯治旅行に出かけたりもするが、結局、心に浮かぶのは「悔いばかり」ということになる。
During this time, of course, the woman is holding down a job and deftly dealing with issues associated with her late husband. もちろん、その間も女性は自分の仕事をしたり、亡夫に関係したあれこれを手際よく処理したりはしているのだ。
It occurred to me that there must be many people like this in the world. 世の中には、こういう人がたくさんいるのだろう、と思った。
Others tell them, "You must be happy," and these people don't focus too much on their own sadness or pain. 外からは「幸せでしょう」と言われ、自分も悲しみや苦しみをあまり見せない。
They can carry out their daily work and lives without any real problems. 毎日の仕事や生活は、とくに問題なく行うことができる。
But underneath this outward appearance, they are filled with regrets, anger, hurt and despair, and these feelings don't fade with time. しかし、一皮むけば、その心の中は後悔、怒り、傷つき、絶望などでいっぱいで、時間がたってもそれが少しも薄れない。
No doubt there are people who live for decades with this deep darkness in their hearts without anybody else knowing. 「心の深い闇」を抱えたまま、誰にもそれを知られずに何十年も生きている人もいるに違いない。
That's not to say these people's lives are not worth it. だからといって、そんな人生はつまらないものか、と言えばそれも違う。
It's just that the faces they show to others and the ones inside their hearts are different. 外に向ける顔と心の中の顔が違う。
They laugh but inside, the tears are flowing. ニコニコ笑っているが、胸の中では涙を流している。
And sometimes, those feelings probably trade places. ときにはそれが入れ替わることだってあるだろうう。
I believe that such complexities and contradictions add depth to these people's character. そんな複雑さや矛盾が人間の厚みを増してくれる、と私は信じている。
The other day when I was visiting Shikoku on a business trip, I saw a poster at Takamatsu Airport advertising pilgrimages. 先日、仕事で訪れた四国の高松空港で、お遍路の宣伝ポスターを見かけた。
On it was the phrase "Looking back, everything was fun." そこには、「振り返れば、楽しいことばかり」という文字が記されていた。
It was the opposite to how Tsumura felt, but it was not a lie. 津村節子氏の思いとは逆だが、これもまたウソではない。
Sometimes people can think, "Ah, life is full of fun," and then the next instant they are thinking "There's nothing fun at all." 「ああ、人生、楽しいことだらけ」と思ったり、次の瞬間には「楽しいことなんてひとつもなかった」と思ったり。
But I don't worry if they're inconsistent or if they have a dual nature. 一貫していなくても、二面性があっても、少しもかまわない。
It is nice to see you again. This letter is a kind of letter from the heaven, because I’ve already passed away. Myself have created this letter when I’m still alive. I’ve requested my wife, Khumpoon Sonsaard to send this letter to you immediately after my death. I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to you and your kind assistance when I’m alive. Thank you very much indeed. Here enclosed is an attachment of this letter for your further assistance to the bereaved. I’ve made every effort in creating this document but if there may be any mistake, please send the instruction in this regard to the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok for necessary correction. I’ve already made an arrangement for it with the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok. It’s almost impossible for my wife to understand Japanese words, so staff of the Japanese Embassy is a must in proceeding the deal, as they can contact my wife with Thai language. I hope my family is able to spend a happy life, even after my death. I never forget your thoughtful mind and kindness given to my family and myself. Thank you so much.
(Mainichi Japan) July 16, 2011 Annual farmers' competition loaded with inspiration for crisis-stricken Japan agriculture 社説：農業コンクール 再生への芽を育てよう
The 60th national agricultural competition, held recently in Wakayama under the slogan, "Support Japanese agriculture," has given a glimmer of hope to Japanese farmers hit hard by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis. 「応援しよう！ 日本の農業」をスローガンに和歌山市で開かれた全国農業コンクール（毎日新聞社、和歌山県主催）の第６０回全国大会は、未曽有の大災厄に沈む日本農業に希望のともしびを示すものになった。
The competition, organized jointly by the Mainichi Newspapers Co. and the Wakayama Prefectural Government, began in 1952 when Japan was recovering from the devastation of World War II. The latest one was held as Japan is trying to restore disaster-hit areas and victims' livelihoods. 同コンクールが始まったのは、日本が敗戦の痛手から立ち上がりつつあった１９５２年。６０回の節目はくしくも同じ「復興」が国民的課題となる中での開催だ。
The Great East Japan Earthquake inflicted a vicious blow on Japanese agriculture. 東日本大震災が日本農業に残した傷は深い。
A total of 23,600 hectares of farmland in six prefectures -- Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba -- was badly damaged by the disaster. 津波などで被災した農地は青森、岩手、宮城、福島、茨城、千葉の６県で２万３６００ヘクタールに上る。
Many farmers in disaster-hit areas have been forced to give up farming this year because their soil is full of salt brought by the tsunami and local agricultural waterworks have been destroyed. 土壌に残る塩分や用排水施設の損壊などで、今年の作付けを断念せざるを得ない農家も多い。
Numerous farmers near the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant have been banned from farming or shipping their products because their land has been contaminated with radioactive substances leaking from the crippled plant. 福島第１原発事故による放射能汚染で出荷や作付けを制限された生産者の苦悩はもちろんだが、
Furthermore, groundless rumors that agricultural products from areas hit by the nuclear crisis are contaminated with radioactive substances have spread far and wide, and some countries are restricting imports of agricultural products from Japan. 風評被害は他の地域にも広がり、日本産食品の輸入を規制する国・地域が相次いでいる。
The presentations at the competition by 21 farmers selected from all over Japan have encouraged farmers in the disaster-hit areas in various ways. こうした状況の中、今大会に全国から選ばれた２１代表の発表は、さまざまな意味で被災地の農業者を勇気づける内容だったと言っていい。
Yasuo Kaeriyama and his wife Sachiko, farmers from Ono, Fukui Prefecture, who won the grand prix, are mainly growing rice and soybeans on their 70-hectare farm. グランプリの毎日農業大賞を受賞した福井県大野市の帰山安夫さん、幸子さん夫妻は、コメや大豆を中心に約７０ヘクタールを耕作する大規模農家だ。
The couple expanded their production not by pursuing operational efficiency and squeezing more out of their land, but by taking over farmland abandoned by the original owners chased away by unfavorable conditions. 単なる経営効率を追い求めたのではなく、条件の不利な棚田なども含め、耕し手のいない地域内の農地を引き受けてきた結果の規模拡大である。
They grow blue soybeans, known for their sweetness and deep taste, process them into tofu which they then put on the market, thereby combining farming (primary industry), processing (secondary industry) and marketing (tertiary industry). 甘みとコクが特徴の「青大豆」で作った豆腐を自ら販売するなど、生産（１次）＋加工（２次）＋流通（３次）を統合する「６次産業化」や、
They have also actively promoted local production for local consumption, and support a group of local women processing locally grown agricultural products. その土地の産品を地域内で消費する「地産地消」に取り組み、地元の女性グループの加工品づくりを支援するなど、
The couple has also contributed greatly to the regional community. 地域社会とのきずなも大切にしている。
Some presenters employed cutting-edge technology. Yozo Kurita, from Bungoono, Oita Prefecture, uses software he has developed to automate hydroponic farming of honewort. ミツバの水耕栽培を自力開発したソフトを使ってコンピューター管理する大分県豊後大野市の栗田洋蔵さんら最先端の技術を駆使する代表も目立ったが、
All of them have taken root in their respective regional communities and are enthusiastic about training younger farmers. いずれも地域にしっかりと根を下ろし、後継者や新規就農者の育成にも熱心に取り組んでいるのが共通点だ。
Moreover, a couple from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, who took advantage of their farmland reclaimed from the sea to grow high-quality tomatoes, won a special prize because their farming method is highly suggestive to farmers in tsunami-ravaged areas. また、塩分の多い干拓地のハンディを逆手に取って、高品質のトマト作りを実現した熊本県八代市の古川寿男さんと秋代さんの夫妻は、被災地の農家の参考になる事例として特別賞を受賞した。
The 21 presenters have demonstrated their excellent technology and management skills. ２１代表は、その営農技術や経営感覚もさることながら、
But they should rather be praised for the strenuous efforts and ingenuity that led to their success, their contributions to the regional community and their enthusiasm for developing younger farmers. たゆまぬ努力と工夫で活路を開き、地域や後進へのまなざしも忘れない姿勢にこそ高い価値がある。
They are models for not only farmers in disaster-hit areas but all farmers across the country. これは被災地のみならず日本中の農家がお手本にすべきものだ。
The quake, tsunami and nuclear crisis must not cause Japanese farming to decline. 震災を日本農業の衰退ではなく、
Rather, we hope that Japanese farmers will take the disaster as an opportunity to reform and improve their industry. むしろ再生の契機とするよう農業関係者の奮起を期待したい。
2011/07/14 --The Asahi Shimbun, July 13 EDITORIAL/ Seeking a society without nuclear power generation: Japan must change course to create a nuclear-free society 提言 原発ゼロ社会―いまこそ
This is the first of a five-part editorial series proposing ways for Japan to achieve a society that does not depend on nuclear power generation for its energy supply. (日本が脱原発によりエネルギーを得るための朝日新聞５提言のうちの第一弾です。 trans. by srachai)
* * *
A major shift in Japan's energy policy is necessary to wean our society off nuclear power generation as soon as possible. 政策の大転換を 日本のエネルギー政策を大転換し、原子力発電に頼らない社会を早く実現しなければならない。
Many people believe so, considering there is no end in sight to the disaster at the Fukushima No. 1 plant that started in March. いまだに収束が見えない福島第一原発の事故を前に、多くの国民もそう思っている。
A recent Asahi Shimbun survey found 77 percent of respondents in favor of a phased decommissioning of nuclear power plants. 朝日新聞の世論調査では、段階的廃止への賛成が７７％にのぼった。
The Fukushima meltdowns have taught us the fearsome power of nuclear energy that cannot be shut down at will. なにしろ「止めたくても止められない」という原子力の恐ろしさを思い知った。
Japan sits on a veritable "nest" of earthquakes, and experts say we have entered a period of increased seismic activity. しかも地震の巣・日本列島の上にあり、地震が活動期に入ったといわれるのだ。
If there is another nuclear accident, our society may not recover. 再び事故を起こしたら、日本社会は立ち行かなくなってしまう。
That is why we are proposing a "zero nuclear power generation society" as our long-term target. そこで、「原発ゼロ社会」を将来目標に定めるよう提言したい。
First, we need to set a timeline. （まず、工程表の設定だ trans. by srachai）
その方策については、社説特集をオピニオン面に掲載したので、お読みいただきたい。
脱原発を進めるポイントは、時間軸をもつことである。
We have so far relied on nuclear energy for nearly 30 percent of our power needs. これまで電力の３割近くを原発に頼ってきた。
We cannot slash it to zero right now, as the resultant power shortage will seriously affect our daily lives and economic activities. ここで一気にゼロとすれば電力不足となり、生活や経済活動が大きな打撃を受けるだろう。
It is obviously much more realistic to gradually reduce our dependence on nuclear power generation--an approach that should get us faster to the target over the long run. 過度に無理せず着実に減らしていく方が現実的であり、結局は近道にもなるはずだ。
It is generally understood that the life expectancy of nuclear reactors is 40 years. 原発の寿命は４０年がひとつの目安とされている。
If we stop building new reactors and scrap existing reactors over the next 40 years, all reactors will be gone by 2050. もう新たな原子炉は建設せずに４０年で順に止めていくと、２０５０年にはゼロになる。
This would be too far down the road, but we could make it happen sooner with stepped-up efforts to develop and introduce alternative energy sources and save electricity. これでは遅すぎるが、代替電源の開発・導入に力を入れ、節電にも努めれば、ゼロの日をそれだけ早めることができる。
Our best hope lies in renewable energy, such as solar and wind. 代替電源の希望の星は、風力や太陽光を始めとする自然エネルギーだ。
The scenario The Asahi Shimbun has drawn is for the government to switch its energy policy to greater reliance on renewable energy, radically overhaul the current system of power companies monopolizing regional operations, and deregulate the power industry. これを増やす方向へエネルギー政策を転換し、電力会社による地域独占体制を抜本的に改めて自由化を進める。それが社説で描いたシナリオである。
The government has so far attached the foremost priority to bolstering nuclear power generation, taking both overt and covert steps to diminish the worth of renewable energy. これまでは、原発増強を最優先させ、自然エネルギーを陰に陽に抑制してきた。
Since renewable energy sources are scattered around the nation, the power supply will have to remain limited within the immediate areas, meaning market deregulation is a must for this idea to be realized. 自然エネルギー源は各地に分散していて地域密着の発電になるので、自由化による新規参入が欠かせない。
Adopting an adjustable service charge structure, determined by supply and demand, should motivate users to save energy. 需給に応じて変動する電気料金にすれば、節電を促すことにも役立つ。
One drawback, however, is that the costs are still prohibitive. ただし、まだまだコストが高い。
Any sudden switch to renewable energy will cause utility charges to soar, hurting businesses and people's bank accounts. 急激に導入すれば電気料金を押し上げ、暮らしや経済活動の重荷になる。
What would be an acceptable hike in utility charges? どのていどの値上げなら受け入れ可能か。
It will be vital to weigh this "sacrifice" against the danger of nuclear power generation while trying to obtain a public consensus and determining the speed at which nuclear reactors should be phased out. 危険な原発を減らすことと天秤（てんびん）にかけ、国民的な合意をつくりつつ廃炉のテンポを決めていくことが大切だ。
But since this will be a time-consuming process, we would have to rely more on natural gas and other fuels for thermal power generation. また、それまでには時間がかかるので、当面は天然ガスなどの火力発電を強化せざるをえない。
Such fuels emit carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. 二酸化炭素を出し、地球温暖化の防止にはマイナスに働くが、
But for our long-term objective of weaning ourselves off nuclear power generation, we will have to keep working on reducing our carbon footprint while developing renewable energy and learning to consume less electricity. 自然エネルギーの開発と省エネを進めていき、長期的には脱原発と両立させねばならない。
In fact, this is Japan's responsibility to the international community. それが日本の国際的な責任でもある。
Through all these efforts, when can Japan expect to be completely nuclear-free? 以上の努力を重ねていって、ゼロにできるのはいつか。
Since technological developments and global economic circumstances could throw us off, it is difficult to make accurate predictions. 技術の発展や世界の経済情勢に左右され見通すのは難しいが、
But 20 to 30 years is reasonable. ２０～３０年後がめどになろう。
So why not set our sights for 20 years from now, commit to this target and review our progress every few years? そこで、たとえば「２０年後にゼロ」という目標を思い切って掲げ、全力で取り組んでいって、数年ごとに計画を見直すことにしたらどうだろうか。
Of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors, 35 are currently idle, and five others will be shut down by August for inspections. If we all do our best to conserve energy this summer so power use falls below the projected peak demand, we would prove that we don't need all of our nuclear power plants. 現在は、５４基ある原発のうち３５基がすでに休止しており、８月までにさらに５基が検査で止まる。この状態であっても、私たち一人ひとりの節電努力でこの夏の需要最盛期を乗り切れたなら、かなりの原発はなくても大丈夫であることを証明したことになる。
Nuclear power generation will decrease drastically if safety is the absolute condition for using nuclear energy, and plants can operate only if they are needed from the standpoint of supply and demand. 今後は安全第一で原発を選び、需給から見て必要なものしか稼働させなければ、原発はすぐ大幅に減る。
And once we are on track for the eventual decommissioning of all reactors, the public will surely be more receptive to restarting those that are really needed. ゼロへの道を歩み出すなら、再稼働へ国民の理解も得やすくなるに違いない。
Japan's post-World War II nuclear research began under the slogan of "peaceful utilization of nuclear energy." 戦後の原子力研究は「平和利用」を合言葉に出発した。
But when nuclear power generation became national policy, promoted together by power companies which have regional monopolies, anyone who argued against nuclear power generation was regarded as a "public enemy." しかし、原発が国策になり、地域独占の電力会社と一体になって動き始めると、反対論を敵視して
There was nothing to brake the system. ブレーキが利かなくなった。
Many citizens became accustomed to using electricity without really thinking about where it came from. 多くの国民も電力の源についてとくに考えずに、好きなだけ電気を使う生活を楽しんできた。
Switching from nuclear energy to renewable energy will mean choosing a decentralized society where the people will have their say on the nation's energy policy, rather than leaving the decision to authorities. 原発から脱し分散型の電源を選ぶことは、エネルギー政策をお任せ型から参加型へ転換し、分権的な社会をめざすことにつながる。
This should also prompt Japan's transition into a sustainable society fit for the 21st century. それは、２１世紀型の持続可能な社会を築くことにも通じる。
This and other editorials in our special series only provide sketches of a "zero nuclear power generation society" we envision. きょうの社説特集は「原発ゼロ社会」へ向けたデッサンにすぎない。
What our country needs is to deepen public discourse on the subject and quickly put ideas into action wherever possible. 必要なのは国民的に議論を深めながら、やれることから早く実行へ移していくことである。
BY YOSHINORI ONOKI DIRECTOR OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD （論説主幹 大軒由敬）
(Mainichi Japan) July 14, 2011 PM's pursuit of nuclear power-free society should be commended, but details lacking 社説：「脱原発」表明 目指す方向は評価する
Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced at a news conference on July 13 that Japan will gradually decrease its reliance on nuclear power, with the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear power plant-free society. 菅直人首相が１３日、記者会見し、原発への依存度を今後、計画的、段階的に下げていき、将来的には原発がなくてもやっていける社会の実現を目指すと表明した。
This represents a fundamental rethink of Japan's basic energy policy -- a change we essentially support and appreciate, as we have repeatedly asserted that Japan has no choice but to rely less on nuclear power. 国のエネルギー政策を抜本的に見直す「脱原発」表明である。 原発への依存を減らしていくこと、そして現実的にもそうした方向にならざるを得ないことは、私たちもこれまで何度も指摘してきたところだ。その考え方については基本的に支持し、評価したい。
What the prime minister said at the news conference, however, lacked specifics and raised numerous questions. しかし、首相のこの日の会見ではあまりに具体性が乏しい。
Kan said the government will aim to achieve a society without nuclear plants in the future, but when does "in the future" refer to? 将来とは一体、いつごろを考えているのか。
How will the government promote the development and introduction of substitute energy sources? 代替エネルギーをどうやって促進していくのか。
At the outset of the news conference, Kan said he would clarify his own ideas on the issue, but is it just his personal view or a policy adopted by the Cabinet or the entire Kan administration and ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) legislators? 何より、菅首相が「私自身の考えを明確にしたい」と前置きしたように、これは内閣、あるいは民主党も含めた政権としての方針なのか、はなはだ心もとない。
As Kan is supposed to step down in the not too distant future, the Cabinet and the ruling coalition should quickly work out basic policy principles on his initiative. いずれ遠くない時期に退陣するであろう首相だ。まず、政府・与党としての考えをまとめる作業を急いでもらいたい。
Differences have recently surfaced between Kan and Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda over whether to resume operations at two reactors at the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture, which have been suspended for regular inspections. 菅内閣では九州電力玄海原発の再稼働問題をめぐり、首相と海江田万里経済産業相との間で「不一致」が問題になったばかりだ。
The prime minister apologized at the news conference, saying that a delay in issuing his instructions on the matter caused confusion. 一連の経過に対し、首相は会見で「私の指示が遅れ迷惑をかけた」と改めて陳謝したが、
Critics have raised doubts about how far a nuclear power-free policy has been discussed within the Cabinet. 今回の「脱原発」表明についても、早くも「どこまで閣内で議論をしているのか」という疑問の声が出ている。
Needless to say, it is indispensable to promote the policy on the initiative of the prime minister. もちろん、首相のリーダーシップで進めていくことは必要だ。
However, considering the fact that even top officials of the DPJ executive office are distancing themselves from the prime minister and that attention is focused on the timing of Kan's resignation, it is feared that the pursuit of an end to nuclear power will end up being merely a Kan pet project. しかし、民主党の執行部でさえ菅首相と距離を置き始め、絶えず退陣時期が焦点となっている現状を考えれば、個人的な意見の言いっぱなしで終わる心配がある。
In the meantime, Kan declared that despite the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, company and household power-saving efforts will be enough to carry Japan through the summer and winter without electricity shortages. 一方、菅首相は、企業や各家庭の節電の努力の結果、今年の夏から冬にかけては「十分に必要な電力供給は可能」と明言したが、
However, his declaration apparently failed to convince the public because he did not present any supporting figures. もっと具体的な数字を挙げて説明しないと説得力を欠く。
Moreover, he said the government will promote the use of natural gas-fired thermal power stations and take other measures to make up for electric power shortages next summer and beyond. さらに来年夏以降に関しては、天然ガスを使う火力発電所の活用などを挙げたが、
However, he only said he "would like to work out a specific plan" and stopped short of giving details. 「計画を立てていきたい」と語るだけだった。
Such an explanation will never convince the industrial world, where distrust of the Kan Cabinet is already growing over inconsistency in basic policy. これでは、ただでさえ方針が二転三転する菅内閣に不信感を強めている産業界などは納得しない。
The important question is how the government will protect people's safety and livelihoods as well as business. 国民の安全と暮らし、経済活動をどう保っていくか。
It is certainly an important policy issue that members of the public should decide on. 確かに首相がいうように国民が選択すべき政治課題である。
The issue will emerge as a major point of contention in the next general election, and it is the DPJ's responsibility as the governing party to clearly show its basic thinking on the issue. いずれは総選挙の大きな争点ともなるだろう。だからこそ、政権与党の責任として民主党の考えをまとめることが必要だ。
The prime minister again stopped short of clarifying the timing of his resignation during the news conference, but his failure to do so could give rise to groundless speculation that he is trying to use his anti-nuclear power policy to cling to power. 首相はこの日も退陣時期を明確にしなかったが、まさか「脱原発」を自らの延命の材料にするつもりはなかろう。
The issue should also be discussed during the DPJ presidential election to pick Kan's successor. 次期代表を決める代表選でもきちんと論議すべきである。
(Mainichi Japan) July 13, 2011 Testing system urgently needed after discovery of radiation-tainted beef 社説：放射能汚染牛 全頭検査で安全守れ
Radioactive cesium exceeding the government's provisional upper limit has been detected in the meat of Japanese black cattle shipped out from a farm in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. 福島県南相馬市の畜産農家が出荷した黒毛和牛から、国の暫定規制値を超える放射性セシウムが検出された。 Some meat shipped out from the same farm has already been consumed. 同じ農家が出荷した別の牛の肉は、一部が既に消費されていた。
It is said the meat does not pose a health threat unless it is consumed in large quantities on an ongoing basis, but the very fact that meat containing an excessive level of radiation has slipped into the market represents a failure on behalf of the Fukushima Prefectural Government, which is in charge of testing. 継続的に大量摂取しなければ健康に影響はないというが、規制値を超える食肉の流通を許したこと自体が、検査を担う県の失態だ。
Deficiencies in the checking system must be quickly amended. チェック体制の不備を早急に改める必要がある。
The government must also provide support to alleviate the concerns of consumers and prevent the spread of harmful rumors. 消費者の不安を解消するとともに、いたずらな風評被害を防ぐには、国の支援も不可欠だ。
The farm from which the meat in question was shipped out is located within an emergency evacuation preparation zone established in the wake of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. 問題の肉牛を出荷した農家は、東京電力福島第１原発事故に伴う緊急時避難準備区域内にある。
The Fukushima Prefectural Government has conducted external radiation checks on all cows shipped out from this area and the prefecture's planned evacuation zone, but checks on the meat have been restricted to sampled screening by local bodies across the country where the meat is processed. 県は、この区域と計画的避難区域から出荷される肉牛全頭について、体の表面の放射線量を検査している。しかし、肉そのものに関しては、解体処理する出荷先自治体のサンプル調査に任せていた。
In cases like this, in which cows have been exposed to radiation internally through their feed, officials can't check for radiation without actually testing the processed meat. 今回のようにエサなどから内部被ばくしている場合、肉そのものを検査しなければ、チェックできない。
To find out what cows had been fed and how they had been raised, the Fukushima Prefectural Government had done no more than ask farmers. 県はエサの内容を含めた飼育状況についても、農家の申告を聞き取るだけで済ませてきた。
Its half-hearted approach to inspections ended up casting doubt on the safety of food products from the prefecture. 中途半端な検査体制が、県産品の安全性を疑わせる事態を招いたともいえる。
To prevent a recurrence, the prefectural government says it will launch emergency inspections covering all beef-cattle farms in the two evacuation zones and perform checks on all beef cattle that are shipped out, including checks for internal radiation. 再発防止のため、福島県は両区域の肉牛農家を対象に、緊急の立ち入り調査を始め、出荷する肉牛については、内部被ばくも含めた全頭検査を実施するという。
It sees the measures as necessary to ease consumers' concerns and prevent the spread of harmful rumors. 消費者に安心を与え、風評被害を防ぐためにも、必要な対応と考える。
However, testing all cows is no easy task. しかし、全頭検査は、簡単ではなさそうだ。
In cases where the cows are processed into meat outside the prefecture, the prefectural government will ask other local bodies to conduct inspections, but parties on the receiving end lack the equipment and manpower to perform the checks. 県外で解体・食肉処理する分については、先方の自治体に検査を要請するが、受け入れ側も検査機材や人員などに余裕がない。
At the same time, there is a limit to how far cooperation between local bodies can go. 自治体間の協力では限界があり、
The central government must therefore also provide support. 国の支援が欠かせない状況だ。
Farm Minister Michihiko Kano and Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Ritsuo Hosokawa have both indicated they will lend their support. 鹿野道彦農相、細川律夫厚生労働相は、ともに支援の意向を表明した。
We urge the government to cooperate with the local bodies involved to quickly work out a concrete solution. 全頭検査実現のため、関係自治体と具体策の詰めを急いでほしい。
Needless to say, the issue has greatly impacted farmers in disaster areas. 今回の問題は、被災地の農家にも大きな衝撃を与えた。
The Fukushima Prefectural Government has asked those in designated regions to refrain from shipping out beef cattle until a testing system is in place. 福島県は、検査体制が整うまで、対象区域の農家に肉牛出荷の自粛を求める。
From the perspective of consumer safety and peace of mind, this is a natural move, but for farmers who have struggled to produce safe meat after having faced the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent threat of radiation, it is no doubt very discouraging. 消費者の安全・安心を考えれば当然のことだが、震災と放射能の危険にさらされながら、安全な牛の飼育を目指してきた農家の落胆は大きいだろう。
Of concern is the fact that the prefecture's agriculture, forestry and fisheries division says there are no current prospects of determining when cows can been shipped out. しかも、「出荷が可能になる時期のめどは立たない」（県農林水産部）という。
To prevent farmers from losing hope, the government must quickly prepare an inspection system and provide compensation for those who are not able to ship out their cows. 農家の意欲が失われないよう、検査体制の整備とともに、出荷できない農家への補償も急ぐ必要がある。
Even after shipments resume, farmers will not be able to gather grass and rice straw to use as feed if radioactive materials remain in the soil. 出荷可能になっても、土壌に放射性物質が残ったままでは、エサになる牧草や稲わらを採取できない。
To keep farms operating, decontamination work is vital. 営農継続には、除染作業が不可欠であり、
(Mainichi Japan) July 11, 2011 Time to focus on nuclear power plant issue, not political battles 社説：論調観測 耐性試験 原発の安全、内閣の危機
Ideally, life would be safe, comfortable and prosperous, all at once. 安全で快適で豊かな生活ができればそれに越したことはないが、
If it is far too difficult to realize all three simultaneously, however, we must close our eyes to some things and place priority on others. それらを同時に満たすのが難しければ、何かに目をつぶり何かを優先するしかない。
In response to Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda's announcement last month that the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant in Saga Prefecture was confirmed safe enough to resume its operations, many major Japanese newspapers were skeptical, with the Mainichi arguing that "discussion on nuclear safety was still lacking," the Asahi Shimbun newspaper calling on the government to "not rush to restart nuclear reactors," and the Tokyo Shimbun declaring that a "premature resumption of operations would be problematic." Meanwhile, the Sankei Shimbun spoke from the standpoint of concern for power shortages, saying: "We welcome the fact that we are heading in the direction of restarting the Genkai plant." 海江田万里経済産業相の安全宣言と玄海原発運転再開への動きに対し、安全優先の立場からは「安全への議論足りない」（毎日）、「運転再開は焦らずに」（朝日）、「見切り“再開”では困る」（東京）と批判が目立ち、電力不足を懸念する立場からは「再稼働の動きを歓迎する」（産経）との主張が見られたことを先週の本欄は紹介した。
Since then, the Kan administration has done an about-face, announcing the decision to conduct stress tests on all nuclear power plants and bringing the relaunch of operations at the Genkai plant back to square one. その後、菅政権は一転して全原発に耐性試験を課すことを決め、玄海原発の再開も白紙に戻った。
Reacting to the news, a Mainichi editorial said: "Though questions remain about the circumstances that led to the decision, at least it is a step toward confirming the safety of the nation's nuclear power plants." 毎日は「ここに至った経過にも疑問は残るが、各原発の安全性を評価する上で一歩前進だ」と主張したが、
The Sankei, however, criticized the government's change in policy, demanding that it "stop messing around with the issue of resuming nuclear power plant operations." 産経は「再稼働問題もてあそぶな」と批判した。
Both arguments make sense, considering the tone of the two dailies up until then. それまでの論調からすれば当然の流れであろう。
What has complicated the respective newspapers' arguments is the pathetic state of communication within the Cabinet, with Prime Minister Naoto Kan taking the lead in the policy reversal and Economy Minister Kaieda, who lost face in the process, hinting at his own resignation. 各紙の論を複雑にしているのは、方針転換が菅直人首相の主導で行われ、メンツをつぶされた海江田経産相が辞任を示唆するなど、閣内の意思疎通を欠いたお粗末さによる。
"Even if there is value to the proposed stress tests, the lack of consistency among government officials as exhibited by Kan and Kaieda only leads to the public's distrust toward the government," a Mainichi editorial posited. 毎日は「テスト自体に意義があっても、こうした一貫性のなさは国民の不信につながる」と指摘。
The Asahi similarly pointed out that "Even if leaders show a good direction, politics will not move forward if they cannot properly advance an initiative and the team falls apart. 朝日は「せっかく良い方向性を示しても、進め方が下手でチームが壊れれば、政治は動かない。
It means the end of an administration." The Yomiuri Shimbun, meanwhile, harshly suggested: "Everyone in the political world should find a way to bring an end to the Kan administration as soon as possible." それは政権の終わりを意味する」と断じ、読売は「菅政権に一刻も早く終止符を打つ手立てを政界全体で考えるべきである」とさらに厳しい。
It is not as if criticism toward the prime minister is a recent development, but the confusion over the safety of nuclear power plants emerged as Kan was already being chastised from both opposition parties and ruling coalition members for recruiting upper house legislator Kazuyuki Hamada from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and the prime minister was being pressured to take responsibility for appointing Ryu Matsumoto to the post of reconstruction minister -- a rocky tenure that ended with Matsumoto's resignation on his ninth day on the job. 首相批判は今に始まったわけではないが、折しも浜田和幸議員の一本釣りで野党だけでなく与党内からも批判を浴び、就任９日目で辞めた松本龍前復興担当相についても任命責任を問われているさなかである。
It should be pointed out, however, that going back a bit in newspaper editorials, one sees that some papers -- including the Mainichi -- have condemned mere criticism of the prime minister without offering an alternative figure to take his place. ただ、各紙論調を少し上流にさかのぼると、菅首相の即時辞任を叫ぶ流れと、私たち毎日のように「代案（後任）の旗もあげず批判するだけではだめだ」とする流れがあることも指摘しておきたい。
Four of the most recent Japanese prime ministers only served for about a year each. わが国の首相はここ４代続けて１年前後しかもっていない。
One after another, they started off with high ratings but soon found themselves awash in criticism. 高支持率で船出しても批判の濁流にのまれての辞任を繰り返してきた。
In addition, we now see no end in sight to the ongoing nuclear crisis, and rebuilding efforts in disaster-stricken areas have yet to take off. しかも、今回は原発事故の収束も被災地の復興も見えていない中である。
One gets the sense that the consumer habit of seeking things that prove useful right now and throwing out everything that does not fulfill that desire right away, is having an effect in various arenas. すぐに役立ちそうなものを求め、だめと思えば使い捨てる。そのような消費習慣がいろんな所に影響しているようにも思える。
Shouldn't we be focusing and deliberating the issue of resuming nuclear power plant operations? 本来は原発再稼働に焦点を絞って議論すべき時ではないか。
It's unfortunate that everything gets mired in politics. 何もかも政局絡みになってしまうのは残念だ。
(Mainichi Japan) July 10, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Close family ties important but so is independence 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：まずは自分を大切に ／東京
The March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake has reminded many members of the public of the importance of family bonds, but some people feel stressful because their ties with their family members are too close. 大震災を機に家族のきずなの大切さが見直されているが、きずなが強すぎるあまり苦しむ人もいる。
In my consultation room, family relations are one of the top three problems that my patients complain about. 診察室でも「家族との問題」は、いつの時代も悩みごとのトップ３に入る。
"My parents don't understand my feelings," one of them says. 「親が私の気持ちをわかってくれない」
"I don't understand what my children are thinking about," another says while shedding tears. 「子どもが何を考えているのか、まったくわからない」と話しては涙をハラハラこぼす、といった光景もめずらしくない。
In such cases, I would like to say, "Never mind. You and your family members are separate individuals." そんなとき、私はいつも「まあ、家族といえども別々の人間なのですから」と言いたくなるが、
However, in the eyes of those who have problems with their kin, families other than their own appear to be very happy. 家族問題に悩む人には、自分以外はみな“仲良し家族”に見えるらしい。
Such a view is just an illusion. 決してそんなことはないはずだし、
Moreover, there are a growing number of those living alone who would say, "I don't live with any family members in the first place." 最近は単身者世帯も増えているから「そもそも同居の家族なんていない」という人も少なくないだろう。
I occasionally recommend that young people who have serious family problems leave home and live alone because I think it will be a good opportunity to be independent and self-reliant. 家族の問題であまりに苦しむ若者には、「家を出てみたら？」とすすめることもある。それを自立のきっかけにすればよい、と思うからだ。
However, they hesitate to live apart from their parents and siblings citing their own financial difficulties. ところが、彼らは「経済的にちょっと」などと言いながらなかなか親やきょうだいのもとから離れようとしない。
When I recently advised a woman in her 20s to live alone, she replied, "Living apart from my family is nothing but an escape from the problems I face." 先日も２０代の女性にひとり暮らしを提案したら、「別々に暮らすのは逃げにしかすぎない」と言われた。
The woman apparently wants to confront her parents and fundamentally solve her family problems. 「あくまで親と対決して、問題を根本から解決したい」というのがその人の考え方のようなのだが、
However, I feel that it is wiser to evade family problems without confronting one's family members. 家族問題は戦わずにかわすのが賢い気がする。
If you buy time while distancing yourselves from your families, your family problems will naturally disappear in many cases. そして距離を置きながら時間稼ぎをするあいだに、問題が形を変え、自然に解決していくことが多いのではないだろうか。
Today, people tend to call for a prompt resolution to any problem, but there are some problems that need to be solved over a long period of time. 即断即決が推奨される世の中だが、中には時間がかかることもあるのだ。
Furthermore, in some cases, you may never understand or sympathize with your family members. そして、家族とはいってもどうしても理解し合えない、相性が悪いということだって、やっぱりあるのではないかと思う。
In such cases, you should not worry about it and instead go your own way. その場合はもうあまりこだわらずに、自分の道を歩んで行けばよい。
You can have bonds with people other than your family members. きずなは家族以外の人とでも築けるはずだ。
News organizations recently played up an incident in which the brother of a famous baseball player was arrested for possessing marijuana. 最近も、有名野球選手の弟が大麻所持などで逮捕された、というニュースが大きく報じられていた。
It's understandable for the public to express an interest in the news, but the baseball player is probably resentful, saying to himself, "I had nothing to do with the incident." つい興味を持ってしまう気持ちもわかるが、実力の世界でがんばっている兄としては、「自分とは関係ないのに」と苦々しい思いだろう。
Still, does the player have to expect that when family members are involved in any incident, it will make the news and he himself will be asked by news organizations to comment on the incident? それでも家族のこととなれば、こうして報道されたりコメントを求められたりしても仕方ないのか。
Family bonds are important, but it is not necessarily true that the closer family bonds are, the happier one becomes. 家族のきずなは大切だけれど、そのきずなが強ければそれでよい、というわけではない。
First of all, you should respect yourselves and be independent and self-reliant. まずは自分を大切にして、自立をきちんと果たす。
You should build up your relations with family members only after that. Don't think that such an idea is too cold. 家族のことはその上で、と言うのはちょっと冷たすぎるだろうか。
2011/07/10 --The Asahi Shimbun, July 9 EDITORIAL: Lawmakers should get busy and lead Diet, instead of blocking Kan's efforts 震災と国会―議員立法で働こう
The Kan administration's frustrating inability to function amid the ongoing disaster recovery crisis is nothing short of scandalous. 政権の機能不全は目に余る。
But what is the Diet doing about it? では国会は何をしているのか。
Looking at the legislature, we find the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, in tandem with the New Komeito and other opposition parties, has drafted a handful of bills to deal with important policy issues related to the Great East Japan Earthquake. そう思って見てみると、自民党が公明党など他の野党と共同で、東日本大震災対策の議員立法を矢継ぎ早に打ち出しているのが目立つ。
These include a bill that allows the government to make tentative compensation payments for losses caused by the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. 東京電力の原発事故の賠償金を国が仮払いする法案、
They have also created a bill for full state financing of the work to clean up the debris left by the March 11 tsunami. がれき処理の費用を全額国で負担する特別措置法案に続いて、
On July 8, the LDP and Komeito jointly submitted a bill to the Diet that will create a new entity to buy up loans to disaster-hit small businesses that have run into new debt. きのうは、中小企業などの債務を買い取る組織を新設する二重ローン対策法案を国会に提出した。
The LDP is also considering legislation to set up a Diet committee to investigate the nuclear accident at the Fukushima plant. 原発事故の調査委員会を国会に設ける法案なども検討しているという。
Some of these pieces of legislation are similar to the bills and measures being prepared by the Kan administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan. 政府・与党が同じような法案や対策を準備しているものもあるが、
But others are more ambitious and substantial proposals reflecting opposition viewpoints. 野党の立場から、より踏み込んだ内容も少なくない。
As expected, the LDP's legislative drive is politically motivated. もちろん、自民党には政治的な思惑があろう。
The party is apparently hoping to emphasize the delays in the Kan administration's efforts to tackle the challenges posed by the disaster. とにかく、菅政権の震災対応の遅れを印象づけたい。
The LDP is also seeking to convince voters that the opposition camp is not just causing legislative gridlock by hindering the ruling bloc's proposals. 野党が足を引っ張ってばかりで国政を停滞させているわけではない、と世論にアピールしたい。
The LDP seems to have decided that the best way to achieve these political objectives is to propose its own bills. そのためには、どんどん法案を出すに限る。
This is obvious. We are aware of the political plotting that lies behind these opposition moves, and we urge the government and the ruling party to seriously consider demonstrating their magnanimity by adopting those proposals by the opposition that are most constructive. そんな野党の戦術を承知の上で、ここは政府・与党に真剣に考えてほしい。建設的な提案ならば、大胆に採り入れる度量を示したらどうか。
First of all, in the current circumstances, it is impossible for the ruling camp to enact bills without the cooperation of the opposition parties, which control the Upper House. もともと、衆参ねじれ国会の下では、与党単独で法案を通すことはできないのだ。
What we need now is quick action to enact bills and measures that will help rebuild areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. いま必要なことは、復旧・復興に役立つ法律や政策を一日も早くつくることだ。
But the Kan Cabinet is sinking deeper into a political quagmire. Last week, newly appointed reconstruction minister Ryu Matsumoto quit over his inappropriate remarks, and now Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda has indicated he plans to step down. だが、松本龍復興担当相の辞任に続く、海江田万里経済産業相の辞意表明で、「内閣崩壊」が止まらない。
All this is happening when there are less than 60 days left in the current extended Diet session. 延長国会の残り会期は６０日を切っている。
The situation clearly calls for more vigorous action by the Diet. だからこそ、立法府が奮起するときだ。
There is no time to waste on partisan political battles over policy efforts to cope with this epic disaster. 震災対策で与野党が功名争いをしている時間はない。
Lawmakers in both camps should work in closer cooperation to accomplish their duties to benefit the disaster-hit regions and survivors. もっと協調して被災地のために粛々と責務を果たそう。
In an encouraging move, the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito have revised the government-drafted bill to establish the basic organizational and financial frameworks for the policy efforts for post-disaster reconstruction and submitted it afresh to the Diet under the initiative of their lawmakers. 復興基本法は、政府案を修正し、民主、自民、公明３党が議員立法で出し直した。
Legislation drafted and sponsored by Diet members, as opposed to bills written by the government, is an appealing and effective way to promote bipartisan cooperation. 与野党の協調を具体化する手段として、議員立法という手法は、わかりやすくて有効なのだ。
Both the ruling and opposition parties should demonstrate their political prowess by turning the current legislative impasse into an opportunity to expand the role of lawmaker-initiated legislation as an agent of change in this nation's politics. この際、今国会を議員立法で政治を動かす転機にする。そんな気構えを与野党に求める。
We should remember that it was legislation drafted by Diet members that first put Japan on the path of atomic energy development. 思い起こせば、日本の原子力開発は議員立法で始まった。
In the mid 1950s, a nonpartisan group of lawmakers led by former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone drafted and sponsored both the bill for Japan's first budget for nuclear power generation and the basic legislation for nuclear power development. １９５０年代半ば、日本初の原子力予算も原子力基本法も、中曽根康弘元首相を中心とした超党派の議員の発案だった。
Now, we need legislators in both camps supporting the cause of making Japan less dependent on nuclear power to band together and create legislation to expand the use of renewable energy sources. 「脱・原発依存」をめざす与野党の議員は、いまこそ自然エネルギーを画期的に普及させる議員立法を構想してほしい。
This is a great opportunity for the Diet to show that, rather than being incapable of making any important policy decisions while locked in partisan bickering, it can move to help the plight of the disaster victims. 被災地そっちのけで政争に明け暮れ、何も決められない。そんな国会の汚名を返上しよう。
(Mainichi Japan) July 8, 2011 Kyushu Electric bid to manipulate public opinion on reactor restart a colossal mistake 社説：九電やらせ指示 変わらぬ体質に驚く
Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s attempt to manipulate public opinion on the reactivation of two reactors at its Genkai Nuclear Power Plant by asking employees at its subsidiaries and others to send e-mails to a TV program in favor of the reactivation must be criticized as extremely ill-advised. 「民意」を捏造（ねつぞう）しようとした、あまりに浅はかな行為だ。定期検査で止まっている九州電力玄海原子力発電所（佐賀県玄海町）２、３号機の運転再開に向け、経済産業省がケーブルテレビで放送した県民への説明番組に対し、九電の課長級社員が子会社などに、原発再稼働を支持する電子メールを投稿するよう依頼していた。
The scandal not only damaged the public's confidence in Kyushu Electric Power Co. but also could amplify the public's distrust of Japan's nuclear power business as a whole. It could also lead to the resignation of top executives at the company. 九電の信用が失墜しただけでなく、原発事業全体に対する国民の不信感を一段と増幅しかねず、経営トップの進退にも直結する不祥事といえるだろう。
It has been confirmed that a division chief-level employee at the company asked four employees at subsidiaries and three individuals at the firm's nuclear power-related divisions to pose as members of the general public and send e-mail comments to a TV program about the Genkai plant, expressing support for the reactivation. この社員は、子会社４社の社員４人と九電社内の原発関連部署３カ所の３人に、メールで依頼した。
He also asked them to send e-mails from their home computers to conceal their identities as employees at Kyushu Electric or its subsidiaries. しかも、九電関係者と分からないよう、自宅などのパソコンから送信するよう、「隠蔽（いんぺい）工作」も指示していた。
These revelations illustrate the employee's willful attempt to manipulate public opinion on the issue in an unfair manner. 民意を不正に操作する「犯意」は明らかだ。
A prefectural assembly member in Kagoshima Prefecture, which hosts the utility's Sendai Nuclear Power Plant, asked a question about the scandal during a July 4 session, but the company categorically denied any wrongdoing. この問題をめぐっては、今月４日に、九電川内原発がある鹿児島県の県議会でも、メールで依頼したことの真偽について質問が出たが、九電幹部は明確に否定。
The president of the power company only admitted to the allegations on July 6, when the matter was brought up during a Diet session. ６日に国会で取り上げられて初めて、社長が事実を認めた。
The electric power industry has come under fire for covering up many accidents and falsifying data, thereby damaging the public's trust. 電力業界ではこれまで、数々の事故隠し、データ捏造などが問題になり、住民の信用を損ねてきた。
Calls for the industry as a whole to change its dogmatic and closed culture intensified following radiation leaks from the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, run by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO). 東電の福島原発事故では、そうした独善的、閉鎖的な企業体質の改善が強く求められた。
However, Kyushu Electric does not appear to have learned anything from the Fukushima nuclear crisis. しかし、今回も反省は生かされなかったようだ。
The latest scandal involving Kyushu Electric could spur distrust in other power suppliers. 国民の不信感は、他の電力会社へも波及しかねない。
As the public is increasingly critical of nuclear power generation, power suppliers have been unable to resume operations at reactors stopped for regular checkups. 原発への国民の視線が厳しさを増し、定検を終えた原発も再稼働できない事態が続いている。
The latest scandal is particularly serious as Kyushu Electric cannot reactivate the Genkai plant without consent from local residents. 再稼働には、地域住民の理解と納得が欠かせないだけに、今回の不祥事の影響は深刻だ。
The mayor of Genkai has retracted his approval for the planned resumption of operations at Genkai Nuclear Power Plant. 実際、再稼働を了承していた玄海町長は、了承を撤回した。
政府の「ストレステスト」実施という要因も加わったが、地元の信頼は大きく損なわれた。
It remains unclear how many executives and employees were involved in the scandal. 「やらせメール」に関しては、上司を含めた他の社員の指示や関与など不明な点も多い。
Kyushu Electric is required to conduct an in-house investigation of the scandal, and implement measures to improve compliance in order to prevent a recurrence. まず、事実関係を調査し、その結果を明らかにしなければならない。九電は、調査結果を踏まえ、再発防止に向けたコンプライアンス（法令順守）体制の立て直しを急ぐ必要がある。
それにしても、なぜこんな愚行を犯したのか。
Behind the scandal are desperate moves to hasten the reactivation of the Genkai Nuclear Power Plant, as symbolized by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda's declaration that all nuclear reactors undergoing regular inspections are safe. 海江田万里経産相が定検中の原発について、「安全宣言」したことに代表される原発再開を急ぐ動きと無関係ではないだろう。
Those in favor of the resumption of operations at the Genkai power station have placed high expectations on the plant as a milestone on the road to restarting nuclear reactors across the country. 地元も再稼働に前向きとみられた玄海原発には、再開の一里塚として、再開促進派の期待は大きかったようだ。
The TV program in question has been criticized by some as an attempt to pave the way for resuming operations at the Genkai plant rather than to gain local residents' understanding, as only seven people selected by the national government were allowed to appear. もともと県民への説明番組にしても、出席者が国の選んだ７人に制限されたことなどから「再開への地ならし」との批判があった。
In short, such hasty and desperate moves triggered Kyushu Electric's act of folly. 拙速が招いた愚行だったということだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 8, 2011) Thais should welcome chance for reconciliation タイ政権交代 安定化へ国民和解の実現を（7月7日付・読売社説）
Recent developments in Thailand present an opportunity to end the antagonism and disorder that have hitherto divided the country and to realize national reconciliation. Thailand should take this opportunity. タイ国内を二分した対立と騒乱に終止符を打ち国民和解を実現する契機とすべきだろう。
The Puea Thai (For Thais) party, with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's sister Yingluck Shinawatra as its candidate for prime minister, won a majority of the votes in the latest general election. 先の総選挙でタクシン元首相の妹、インラック氏を首相候補とした「タイ貢献党」が過半数を制して勝利した。
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva conceded his Democrat Party's defeat and made clear his intention to resign as party leader. 民主党のアピシット首相は敗北を認め、党首辞任を表明した。
Puea Thai has formed a coalition with four other parties, excluding the Democrat Party, with Yingluck certain to be appointed as the country's first female prime minister shortly by a new parliament. 貢献党は民主党以外の４党と連立を組むことになり、インラック氏が近く新国会でタイ初の女性首相に就任するのは確実だ。
Yingluck is a businesswoman and political novice. インラック氏は実業家出身で、政治経験がない。
She calls herself Thaksin's "clone," but whether she shares his political ability is unknown. 「兄のクローン」と表現しているが、政治手腕は未知数だ。
In her election campaign, she advocated national reconciliation. 公約に国民和解を掲げた。
===
Thaksin should stay away
We hope the new prime minister will try to achieve political stability, while not following Thaksin's style, which was criticized for heavy-handed methods and money politics. 強権と金権体質で批判された元首相の手法は踏襲せず、政治の安定を図ってほしい。
The focal issue for the time being will be whether or not Thaksin, who is in self-imposed exile abroad, will return home for a political comeback. 当面の焦点は海外亡命中の元首相が復権を狙って帰国するかどうかだ。
The former prime minister currently has a two-year jail term for corruption hanging over him. Should he return to Thailand under amnesty, it will almost inevitably lead the country into turmoil. 汚職罪で禁錮２年の刑が確定している元首相が恩赦で帰国すれば、混乱は避けられまい。
While in office, the former prime minister moved ahead with various reforms, including efforts to mitigate poverty and to reorganize government ministries and agencies. 元首相は在任中、貧困軽減や省庁再編などの改革を進めた。
But when he was questioned over alleged tax evasion by a relative, he dissolved the House of Representatives. だが、一族の脱税疑惑を追及されるや、下院を電撃解散した。
The abrupt dissolution caused resentment among middle-class urbanites and groups with interests in the status quo, such as financial combines, bureaucrats and the military. All of this led to a coup d'etat in 2006. これに都市の中間層や、財閥、官僚、軍など既得権益層が反発し、２００６年のクーデターに至った。
This time, the country's military has indicated it will respect the outcome of the latest election. 軍は今回、選挙結果を受け入れる方針を示した。
They should not repeat their intervention in politics. 政治介入を繰り返してはならない。
Even during Abhisit's 2-1/2-year administration, the country's turmoil continued. ２年半余りのアピシット政権時代も混乱は続いた。
Last year, a large number of people were killed or wounded in clashes between the military and pro-Thaksin protesters who had occupied part of downtown Bangkok. 昨年はタクシン派によるバンコク占拠事件で多数の死傷者が出た。
There has been growing public disappointment with Abhisit over his lack of leadership for failing to bring the turmoil swiftly under control, and also over price increases. 騒乱を早期に収拾できなかった指導力不足に対する国民の失望感や、物価上昇への不満が強まっていた。
===
Deep divisions persist
The victorious Puea Thai has garnered support from poor farmers and low-income city dwellers. 勝利した貢献党は、貧しい農民や都市の低所得者層から支持を集めた。
Divisions between it and the interests who support the Democrat Party are becoming ever more entrenched. しかし、民主党を支える既得権益層との分断は、一段と固定化しつつある。
Whether or not these anti-Thaksin forces respond favorably to calls for national reconciliation will be key to the stability of Thailand. これら反タクシン勢力が今後、国民和解に応えるかが、タイ安定化の重要なカギとなる。
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has served as a mediator at times of national crisis, is now 83 years old and is in poor health. 国難に際し、調停役を演じて来たプミポン国王も８３歳と高齢で、健康問題を抱えている。
Democracy in the kingdom is now at a major transitional stage. タイ民主主義は大きな転換期にある。
Thousands of Japanese companies and local affiliates are operating in the country, with Japan's investments representing the largest share of foreign capital. タイには数千規模の日系企業が進出しており、投資額も日本が最も多い。
The rising wages of workers have become the biggest issue for the Japanese companies. 最大の課題となっているのは上昇する労働賃金だ。
Puea Thai pledged during the election campaign that it will drastically raise the minimum wage across the country. 貢献党は最低賃金を全国的に大きく引き上げると公約した。
Japanese companies and their affiliates may thus have a harder time in securing workers. 日系企業は労働者の調達に、ますます苦労するおそれがある。
Efforts to legally hire workers coming from such neighboring countries as Laos and Cambodia have made little progress due to restrictions imposed by the Thai government. ラオスやカンボジアなど周辺国からの合法的な労働者の雇用はタイ政府の規制でなかなか進まない。
We hope the new administration will realize an improvement in the country's labor market, including the relaxation of regulations. 規制緩和を含む労働市場の改善も次期政権には望みたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2011) （2011年7月7日01時30分 読売新聞）
